Person in the Tomb
Haceti Hafir was a Companion who lived during the time of the Prophet Muhammad and earned his friendship. He took part in the siege of Constantinople during a campaign led by the Arab armies against the Byzantine Empire and was martyred before the city walls. He was buried in the present-day Eğrikapı district.
It is narrated that he participated in the siege alongside Eyüp Sultan. According to some sources, his grave remained unknown for a long time until it was discovered during the reign of Sultan Mahmud I by Darüssaade Ağası Beşir Ağa (Kizlar Agha, Chief Eunuch of the Imperial Harem), who had it transformed into a tomb.
About the Mausoleum
- Year Built
- Commissioned By
- Architect
- Location
Featured Highlights
The tomb is adjacent to the Eğrikapı gate of the city walls and is built integrated into the wall structure.
Above the entrance door is an inscription authored by Sahaflar Sheikhzade Esaad Efendi and rendered in calligraphy by the renowned calligrapher Yesarizade Mustafa İzzet Efendi.
On the plaque above the door appears the tughra (imperial monogram) of Sultan Mahmud II; this same tughra is also featured on nine of the tombs of Companions throughout Istanbul.
The inscription at the entrance recounts that the tomb was restored through the justice and favor of Sultan Mahmud Khan; the chronogram inscribed points to the year AH 1251 (AD 1835).
The tomb is one of the spiritual stations among the graves of the Companions in Istanbul. It is known among visitors for the following prayer:
“By your grace, O noble Hafir,
Even the fortress of the unbeliever yields,
Gates of conquest open wide—
Mercy, O Master Hafir,
Intercede for us, let us be seen.”
