Narrative of Travels in Europe, Asia, and Africa, in the Seventeenth Century, Vol. IEvliya Çelebi
History
Narrative of Travels in Europe, Asia, and Africa, in the Seventeenth Century, Vol. I
Evliya Çelebi
Caucasus, South -- Description and travel; Istanbul (Turkey) -- Description and travel; Turkey -- History
Within the mosque, beside the southern gate
(kibleh), there are two piers, from each of which springs a fountain of
pure water, in order to quench the thirst of the congregation; and in
the upper part of the building there are certain cells for the purpose
of keeping treasures, in which the great people of the country and some
thousands of travellers keep their money, to an amount which the Great
Creator alone knows!
_In Praise of the Writing of Karah Hisárí._
There never has been to this day, nor ever will be, any writing which
can compare with that of Ahmed Karah Hisárí, outside and inside of
this mosque. In the centre of the dome there is this text of the Korán
(xxiv. 35): “God is the light of heaven and earth; the similitude of
his light is as a niche in a wall wherein a lamp is placed, and the
lamp enclosed in a case of glass:” a text justly called the Text of
Light, which has been here rendered more luminous by the brilliant
hand which inscribed it. The inscription over the semi-dome, above
the Mihráb, has been already given. On the opposite side, above the
southern gate, there is this text (vi. 79): “I direct my face unto him
who hath created the heavens and the earth: I am orthodox.” On the
four piers are written, “Allah, Mohammed, Abú Bekr, ’Omar, ’Osmán,
’Alí, Hasan, and Hoseïn. Over the window to the right of the Minber:
“Verily, places of worship belong to God; therefore, invoke not any
one together with God.” Besides this, over the upper windows, all the
excellent names (of God) are written. These are in the Shikáfí hand;
but the large writing in the cupola is in the Guzáfí hand, of which
the Láms, Elifs, and Káfs, each measure ten ells; so that they can be
read distinctly by those who are below. This mosque has five doors. On
the right, the Imám’s (Imám kapú-sí); on the left the Vezír’s (Vezír
kapú-sí), beneath the imperial gallery, and two side doors. Over that
on the left is written (Kor. xiii. 24), “Peace be upon you, because ye
have endured with patience! How excellent a reward is Paradise!” Over
the opposite gate this text: “Peace be upon you! Ye are righteous;
enter in and dwell in it for ever!” Beneath this inscription, on the
left hand, is added, “This was written by the Fakír Karah Hisárí.”
_Description of the Court (Harem)._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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