Imagine a leader; still young, seized by a great dream. He wants to finish in a few months what his forefathers could not in years.
Imagine a leader; who loves the people who unseated him more than anything.
Imagine a leader; who weighs every step against whether it is for God’s pleasure.
Imagine a leader; praised by the Prophet while still in the cradle.
Imagine a leader; bound first to his Lord, then to his nation, for success.
Imagine a leader; who never breaks in hardship and never flees from it.
Imagine a leader; who values knowledge and scholars above all.
Imagine a leader; who reads much, researches much, reflects much.
And imagine a conquest; unachieved for thousands of years.
Imagine a conquest; for which even Companions became martyrs.
Imagine a conquest; whose glad tidings reached the Prophet.
Imagine a conquest; of a city that barely fit inside dreams.
Imagine a conquest; that would close ages and open ages.
And imagine a Conqueror who set his mind on taking Istanbul. Five hundred sixty years ago today he reached that dream. What a commander the conqueror of Istanbul was, and what soldiers he led. For it he hauled ships overland, bared his chest to fire, drew the sword and spurred the first horse at the walls. He worked night and day, skipped sleep, did not tire, did not rest, drew plans. Out of respect he bowed as he entered the city, secured the lives, faith, honor, and property of its people. When the first prayer time came, because he never delayed the sunnah of the afternoon prayer, he led as imam himself.
We are of that Khan’s line.
May the 560th anniversary of the Conquest of Istanbul be blessed for the whole Islamic world.
