Where is the hirkai sharif mosque?
In order to raise a nation back to its old days and provide it the continuity befitting to its historical glory, its children must be raised to a level that they can understand, hear and live the language, conscience and faith of their ancestors. (Nihad Sami Banarlı, Tarih ve Tasavvuf Sohbetleri, p. 11)
Sultan Abdülmecid built the mosque, which is located in Hirka-i Sharif District of Fatih County in Istanbul, in 1851. This mosque is called Hirka-i Sharif Mosque, because it was constructed for the Noble Prophet’s famous mantle, which had been given as a gift to Uwais al-Qarani, in order to protect it and give people a chance to visit there.
The mantle kept in the mosque was taken from Shukrullah Uwaisi, a member of al-Qarani family with an imperial edict issued by Sultan Ahmad I. The mantle, which had been kept in various places, was placed in this mosque after its construction.
The mosque turned into a small kulliyah after the construction of some additional buildings. As part of the building complex, a house was constructed for the oldest member of al-Uwaisi family, who took over protection and maintenance of the mantle. Additionally, barracks were built for the guards of the blessed mantle of the Prophet (Hirka-i Sharif), and some chambers were constructed for other employees. The building that was constructed as barracks is used today as Hirka-i Sharif Primary School.
The mosque, which was built in the shape of an octagon, has two minarets each one of which has one balcony. The calligraphy boards written by Sultan Abdülmecid himself are also maintained in this mosque.
The blessed mantle of the Prophet is opened for visits everyday between noon and afternoon prayers beginning from the 15th day of the month of Ramadan until the Night of Qadr.
Source: Harun Kırkıl, Read About and Travel Around ISTANBUL, Erkam Publications
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