... Many scholars from various countries will set out, unknown to one another, in order to seek Hazrat Mahdi (as) and 310 people will accompany each scholar… When they meet in Mecca and ask one another, “Why have you come here?” they will all answer “We seek Hazrat Mahdi (as), who will prevent this corruption and [spiritually] capture Constantinople, because we have learned his name, those of his mother and father and of his army.’ (Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntadhar, p. 40)
Hazrat Mahdi (as) will [spiritually] conquer Constantinople and Mount Daylam. (Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntadhar, p. 27)
The Hour will not come until Almighty Allah ensures the [spiritual] conquest of Constantinople [Istanbul], the center of the Roman Empire, by His believing servants with tasbih [praise Allah] and takbir [declaration of the greatness of Allah]. (Ahmad Diya ad-Din al-Kamushkhanawi, Ramuz al-Ahadith, p. 478)
The Hour will not come until Almighty Allah ensures the [spiritual] conquest of Constantinople [Istanbul] and the Roman (lands) for believers through tasbih and takbir. (Daylami, al-Firdaws, 5/82, no: 7524; at-Tabarani, al-Mu`jam al-Kabir, 17/15,21)
Our Prophet (saas) stated: “They will [spiritually] conquer Constantinople with tasbih and takbir, and they will obtain booty the like of which has never been seen…” (Ibn Majah, Kitab Al-Fitan, p. 35)
Allah will purify him in a night. He will [spiritually] capture the Roman city [Istanbul] with takbir… (Muhyiddin ibn al-Arabi, al-Futuhat al- Makkiyah, section 366, Vol. 3, p. 327- 328)
Followers in far distant places will swear allegiance to Hazrat Mahdi (as). He will intellectually neutralize oppression and oppressors, and will stabilize countries, AND ALMIGHTY ALLAH WILL CAUSE HIM TO [SPIRITUALLY] CAPTURE ISTANBUL.”
(Al-Uqayli An-Najm al-saqib fi Bayan Anna al-Mahdi min Awladi Ali Ibn Abi Talib Ale't-Temam wa al-qamal)
The Prophet of Allah (saas) said:
“The Day of Judgment will not take place until a man from my Ahl al-Bayt, Hazrat Mahdi (as) rules [the world] HE [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] WILL [SPIRITUALY] CAPTURE ISTANBUL AND THE ,DJEBEL [ITS SEVEN HILLS].” (Mari’ bin Yusuf Karami Hanbali, Fawaid Fawaid al-Fikr fil Mahdi al-Montazar)
When Hazrat Mahdi (as) appears, even Muslims living in distant countries will express their love for and devotion to him. Our Prophet (saas) reveals in the hadith that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will spiritually capture Istanbul and its djebel. The term DJEBEL, or mountain, in the hadith refers to the seven hills of Istanbul. One of Istanbul’s distinguishing features is that it was built on seven hills. The idea of “7 hills” is a well-known one that immediately puts people in mind of Istanbul.
