This magnificent city has held a central role in Arab-Islamic politics since the early dawn of Islam. It was once a significant threat to Islam and, as a result, became a prime target for the early Muslim conquerors until they finally gained dominance over it centuries later.
The deeper one delves into the historical connections between Islam and Istanbul, the more remnants and traces emerge as silent witnesses to this bond. These relics often appear as cryptic markers of a hidden relationship, yet they do not explicitly reveal the full depth of the covert connections that existed before the conquest. This secrecy was largely due to the continuous state of military and security tension that governed these interactions, despite the fact that a Muslim community had already existed in Constantinople prior to its fall.
In a peculiar location overlooking the entrance of the Golden Horn, one descends just a few steps into what appears to be a space carved into the earth. It is now a mosque where daily and Friday prayers are held. Yet, it sits in sorrowful seclusion within the bustling Karaköy district, a place filled with tourists from diverse backgrounds. There is barely anything to indicate its presence as a mosque—only a simple sign tucked away in a narrow alley branching off from Karaköy Square, buried among the surrounding buildings.
This site spans a vast area, enveloped in an atmosphere of tranquility and solemnity. The structure is upheld by approximately 56 robust columns, as if supporting an unseen weight above. Each set of four columns forms an arch, and collectively, these arches create a series of domes. The place resembles an ancient storage facility or an underground cistern, perhaps once maintained by the guardians of the gulf, who watched over it during the numerous sieges that this city has endured throughout history.
The Three Enigmatic Tombs
Among the intriguing elements of this mosque are three distinct tombs. One of them stands alone, with a water basin and an old pulley above it—this is said to be the tomb of Sufyan ibn Uyaynah. The other two tombs rest side by side. All three are draped in luxurious green cloths adorned with embroidered Quranic verses and surrounded by dim green lights. Many Turkish visitors come to this place to pray and seek blessings, especially during Ramadan and on the night of the 27th. It is among the most visited religious sites after the Eyüp Sultan Mosque, the burial place of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari.
Yet, the question remains: Why are there three tombs here, and what links them to this place? No historical records provide any clear connection, and, oddly enough, popular legend claims that these three individuals were Companions of the Prophet (Sahaba)!
Who Were These Mysterious Figures?
The first name is Amr ibn al-As, the renowned Qurayshi companion, conqueror of Palestine and Egypt, and a key figure in establishing the Umayyad state. He passed away in the late 40s AH (mid-7th century CE). However, despite extensive research, there is no historical evidence linking him to this city.
The second name belongs to a man called Wahb ibn Hushayra, yet no known Companion bears this name. Some records claim that “Hushayra” is a misreading of “al-‘Ashira,” suggesting he was from the lineage of Sa’d al-‘Ashira, a Yemeni tribe. However, this is speculative with no solid proof. Another interpretation suggests that “Hushayra” is an Ottoman linguistic distortion of Wahb ibn Munabbih, the famous Yemeni Tabi’i who converted from Judaism to Islam and narrated many Israiliyyat (Jewish-Islamic traditions). Yet, Wahb ibn Munabbih was neither a Companion nor linked to Constantinople. He was merely ten years old when Amr ibn al-As passed away and lived until 114 AH (732 CE).
The third name is Sufyan ibn Uyaynah, a renowned hadith scholar from Kufa. He was only seven years old when Wahb ibn Munabbih died and lived until 198 AH (813 CE). He too has no known connection to Constantinople and was not among the Sahaba.
The History Behind the Underground Mosque
This mosque, known as Yeraltı Camii (“Underground Mosque” in Turkish), was also referred to as Kurşunlu Vault. Tourist brochures claim that three Companions of the Prophet were buried here after participating in the 714 CE siege of Constantinople (95–96 AH), led by Maslama ibn Abd al-Malik, the great Umayyad general. However, this claim contradicts historical facts:
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- Amr ibn al-As had died more than forty years before this siege.
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- Sufyan ibn Uyaynah had not even been born yet.
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- If Wahb ibn Munabbih were indeed “Ibn Hushayra,” he would have been in the last years of his life at the time of the siege.
In reality, this site was not originally a mosque but was repurposed as one during the reign of Sultan Mahmud I by the naval commander Mustafa Pasha. Before that, it had been an ammunition storage facility. Its origins date back to the Byzantine period, likely from a time close to the early Islamic era. The choice of location might be linked to the iron chains that extended from a nearby site across the gulf to block enemy ships from entering the Golden Horn. These chains were particularly crucial after the intensification of naval attacks on the old city’s harbors.
A Hidden Past? Theories Behind the Burials
It is possible that these three individuals were military or intelligence figures conducting covert operations deep within Constantinople. Perhaps they were involved in espionage missions during Maslama ibn Abd al-Malik’s siege, when his army included some Companions who had lived long enough to participate. If they were captured and killed, their comrades might have secretly buried them in this concealed location, originally a storage vault, to avoid detection.
Over time, to protect their graves from desecration, their presence may have been concealed by claiming they were “Companions,” a sacred status that would prevent disturbance by either locals or enemy forces. As a result, the site remained hidden for generations, eventually fading from public memory—until the dream of the Naqshbandi Sheikh!
The Dream That Changed Everything
According to Ottoman folklore, the Naqshbandi mystic Sheikh Muhammad Efendi had a vision in 1640 CE. In his dream, he saw three martyrs buried in a secret chamber, their graves sealed with lead. This vision supposedly led to the site’s transformation from an ammunition storage into a mosque.
A Place of Mystery and Intrigue
Whatever the truth may be, this enigmatic site continues to captivate visitors, shrouded in an aura of mystery. Nestled in one of the most picturesque corners of Istanbul, the last capital of the great Islamic Caliphate, the Underground Mosque remains a place where history, legend, and faith intertwine—leaving behind more questions than answers.
A MASJID IS A MASJID AND NOT A MOSQUE.