Who was Seargant Hassan

 ■ The Last Ottoman Soldier Who Guarded al-Aqsa Mosque.

The last Ottoman soldier to guard al-Aqsa Mosque was Sergeant Hasan al-Ighdirli, 

who remained in Jerusalem until 1982 

and passed away at the age of 93. 

He refused to follow orders to withdraw from Jerusalem and return to Turkey, because for him, Jerusalem was above all orders. 

When asked decades later why he had not returned, he said he feared that the Prophet Muhammad would be saddened by leaving the first Qibla and the third holiest mosque unguarded.

A Turkish journalist, İlhan Bardakçı, met Hasan by chance in al-Aqsa in 1972. He observed him standing motionless near the second courtyard of the mosque. 

People told the journalist Hasan was “mad,” 

as he had been there for years, standing like 

a statue, looking only at the mosque. 

When the journalist approached and greeted him in Turkish, Hasan responded in clear Anatolian Turkish: “Peace be upon you, son”, astonishing the journalist.

Hasan explained that after the Ottoman Empire fell, to prevent looting in Jerusalem, a unit of the Ottoman army remained in the city until 

the British army arrived. 

He insisted on staying with this unit rather 

than returning to Turkey. He belonged to the 20th Corps, 36th Brigade, 8th Regiment, 11th Machine Gun Unit.

Hasan and his fellow Turkish guards stayed to protect al-Aqsa, so that Palestinians would not feel abandoned by the Ottomans, and to honor the sanctity of the mosque. 

Over decades, all his comrades passed away (53 men), but Hasan continued his post. 

He asked the journalist to convey greetings to his former officer, Captain Mustafa, who had entrusted him with the mosque’s protection.

Sergeant Hasan remained a steadfast guardian of al-Aqsa, leaving his homeland and family, showing courage, loyalty, and honor. 

He finally passed away in 1982, becoming 

the last Ottoman soldier guarding the mosque.

Madina to Makka

 The Historic Journey from Makkah to Madinah

A 3D Visual Map of Sacred Landmarks Along the Hijrah Route

This stunning 3D-rendered map beautifully illustrates the historic route between Makkah and Madinah, highlighting key Islamic landmarks along the sacred journey of Hijrah (migration). The terrain is presented in a realistic desert landscape, with mountains, valleys, and coastal elements designed to give depth and historical atmosphere.

The visual layout guides the viewer from Makkah in the south to Madinah in the north, marking significant locations with directional arrows and labeled names.

1️⃣ Makkah – The Starting Point

The journey begins in Makkah, the birthplace of Islam and home to the Holy Kaaba. It is from here that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ began the migration to Madinah in 622 CE due to increasing persecution.

Makkah is shown with the Kaaba at its center, surrounded by desert hills and early settlements.

2️⃣ Jabal al-Nour (Cave Hira)

Located near Makkah, Jabal al-Nour is the mountain that houses Cave Hira, where the first revelation of the Qur’an was received.

This mountain symbolizes the beginning of Prophethood and divine guidance.

3️⃣ Jabal Thawr

Jabal Thawr holds immense historical importance. During the Hijrah, the Prophet ﷺ and Abu Bakr (RA) took refuge in the Cave of Thawr for three days to avoid the Quraysh search party.

It represents patience, trust in Allah, and divine protection.

4️⃣ Badr

Further along the route is Badr, the site of the first major battle in Islamic history (Battle of Badr). This location represents a turning point where a small Muslim army achieved victory against a larger force.

It symbolizes faith, strategy, and divine support.

5️⃣ Wadi al-Safra

Wadi al-Safra is a valley region that lies along the historical travel path. It was one of the routes caravans would pass through during journeys between the two cities.

The valley terrain is depicted with natural desert flow and palm clusters.

6️⃣ Masjid Quba

As the Prophet ﷺ approached Madinah, he first arrived in Quba, where he established Masjid Quba, the first mosque built in Islam.

This mosque symbolizes the beginning of the Islamic state in Madinah and community unity.

7️⃣ Madinah – The Final Destination

The journey concludes in Madinah, home to Masjid an-Nabawi and the Green Dome. It became the center of the growing Muslim community and the foundation of Islamic governance.

Madinah represents peace, brotherhood (Muhajirun and Ansar), and the establishment of a just society.

Spiritual and Historical Significance

This 3D visualization is more than a geographic route — it represents:

The sacrifice of Hijrah

The foundation of Islamic civilization

Major spiritual milestones

The transition from persecution to establishment

Each location tells a story of faith, struggle, and divine guidance.

Sayyiduna Khalid ibn Walid RA

The resting place of the Sword of Allah, Sayyiduna Khalid ibn Walid. In the Battle of Uhud, rumours that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ had been martyred reached Madinah al-Munawarrah. A woman from the Ansar immediately left Madinah and went towards Uhud. 

She was told that her husband had been martyred, her son had been martyred, her father had been martyred, and her brother had been martyred. What was her immediate response? HOW IS THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH? She was told Rasulallah ﷺ was alive. She carried on walking on the battlefield of Uhud until she finally saw him and said, 'I swear by my mother and father — as long as you are well and safe — I can cope with anything else that has happened. Every hardship is easy as long as you are okay..."

The Prophet ﷺ told us that the end times will be filled with murder, strife, difficulty, confusion, and inner/outer fitna across the world. He promised the believers that those who seek protection of their deen by the Quran, his Sunnah, and his blessed family will never lose out in this dunya. May Allah make us grant us a drop of love, loyalty and courage from the ocean of the Sahaba.

The Caliph ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān and the Well That Never Dried.

The Caliph ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān and the Well That Never Dried.

In Madinah, there once stood a well owned by a Jewish man. It was the only source of water in that area, and its owner charged the Muslims exorbitant prices for access. Seeing the hardship this caused, ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān (رضي الله عنه) offered to purchase the well outright. The owner refused.

Undeterred, ʿUthmān proposed an alternative: he would buy half of the well, with each party drawing water on alternate days. The owner, pleased to partner with a man known for his business acumen, agreed—believing this arrangement would increase his profits.

What followed was the opposite of what he had imagined.

On the days the well belonged to ʿUthmān (رضي الله عنه), he opened it freely for the sake of Allah, allowing people to draw as much water as they wished. The people began collecting enough water for two days, leaving the owner’s day completely ignored. Realizing his loss, the man eventually returned to ʿUthmān and offered to sell the remaining half. ʿUthmān (رضي الله عنه) purchased it for 20,000 dirhams, completing the transaction and dedicating the entire well as a waqf for the Muslims.

Years later, a Companion sought to buy the well from him. ʿUthmān (رضي الله عنه) refused, explaining that he had already been offered far more. When asked by whom, he replied:

“Allah has offered me a reward multiplied a hundredfold for charity given to the Muslims.”

The well remained free for public use during the lifetime of ʿUthmān (رضي الله عنه) and after his martyrdom. During the Umayyad period, the land surrounding it—still held as charitable property in his name—was preserved. Date palms grew, multiplied, and were harvested, with their yield distributed in charity on his behalf. This continued through the ʿAbbāsid era and beyond.

In modern Saudi Arabia, the endowment was formally organized into a plantation. Its income was divided into two parts: half distributed as charity, primarily to widows and orphans, and half reinvested to sustain and expand the waqf. To this day, a bank account exists in the name of ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān (رضي الله عنه), from which the proceeds continue to flow.

From this blessed endowment, land was later purchased near al-Masjid al-Nabawī in Madinah. A hotel and accommodation complex was built for visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque, with its income similarly divided—half reinvested, and half given in charity.

Thus, a single act of sincerity became a river of reward flowing uninterrupted for over fourteen centuries.

May Allah be pleased with the Companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ—not only for their charity, but for their sacrifice, loyalty, and for faithfully conveying this religion to us. May Allah grant them al-Firdaws al-Aʿlā, and unite us with them in the Hereafter.

One Day

 For 19 years, my answer was always the same. "One day."

One day I'd go. One day I'd finally see it for myself. One day I'd stand where my prayers had been long before my body ever could.

Today, that one day became today.

Today, I stood in Masjid Al Aqsa. Today, I made sujood on a land I've cried for in my dua, defended with my voice, and carried in my heart long before I ever walked on it.

This isn't just a visit. This is a reunion between my soul and a land it has always known.

I came alone this time, carrying over forty years of my family's waiting in my heart. Next time, inshallah, we return in our millions.

أنا راجع يا بلادي راجع راجع على حضنك يا أرضي راجع لقلبي اللي سبقني إليك واليود... أنا رجعت

Where is Engüzek Kalesi

 Osmanlı Tarihi

Engüzek Kalesi is a medieval fortress located in today's Kahramanmaraş region, built on a high and rugged hill for maximum defensive advantage. It was first used in the Byzantine period and later became an important stronghold during the Seljuk and Mamluk eras, especially due to its position on key military and trade routes between Anatolia and Syria.

The steep terrain made it naturally fortified, while its walls and watch points were designed for long sieges.

Over time, as warfare and routes

changed, the castle lost its strategic

value and was eventually abandoned,

leaving behind a quiet but powerful

reminder of frontier warfare.

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