Narrative of Travels in Europe, Asia, and Africa, in the Seventeenth Century, Vol. IIEvliya Çelebi
History
Narrative of Travels in Europe, Asia, and Africa, in the Seventeenth Century, Vol. II
Evliya Çelebi
Caucasus, South -- Description and travel; Istanbul (Turkey) -- Description and travel; Turkey -- History
Shems-ud-dín Mahommed Ben Alí, called Emír Sultán, born at Bokhára,
came first to Mecca, and then to Medina, where the Sherífs refused to
give him the portion allotted to the Sherífs, though he was entitled
to it by his descent from the prophet through Hossein. The Saint
appealed to the decision of the prophet himself, and went to his tomb
accompanied by his adversaries, where, having saluted the grave, a
voice was heard, saying: “Health to you my child, Mohammed Ben Ali,
go to Rúm with the lamp;” upon hearing which the Sherífs instantly
threw themselves at his feet, and Emír Sultán undertook the journey
to Rúm, whereupon a lamp suspended in heaven became his guide to
show him the way, and was only extinguished when he entered the town
of Brússa. He took this as an evident sign that he was to fix his
residence there, where he had four hundred thousand disciples. The
inhabitants of Brússa had seen the lamp for three days, and knew by
that miracle that he was a great saint. They all became Dervishes
under his direction. Báyazíd Ilderím not only walked on foot by the
side of his stirrup, but also gave him his daughter Nilúfer Khánum in
marriage. Ilderím having built the great mosque Úlújámí at Brússa,
and having asked Emír Sultán whether it was not a perfect mosque, the
Saint answered; “Yes, it is a very elegant mosque, but some cups of
wine for the refreshment of the pious are wanting in the middle.” The
Sultán replied with surprise; “How, would it be possible to stain God’s
house with the liquor forbidden by the law.” “Well,” said the Saint,
“thou hast built a mosque, Báyazíd, and, find it strange to put cups of
wine therein; and thou whose body is God’s house, more excellent than
a talisman composed of the divine names, or the throne of God, how is
it thou art not afraid of staining the purity of this godlike house
with wine day and night.” From that moment Báyazíd, repenting, left
off drinking wine. When Timúr marched against Brússa the inhabitants
being alarmed, inquired of Emír Sultán what was now to become of the
town. The Saint said, “the commander of the town having recommended it
to the care of Eskejí Kojá and Khizr, they must be informed of it.”
Ilderím being defeated, Emír Sultán wrote a note which he sent by one
of his Dervishes into the camp of Timúr, with an order to deliver
it to Eskejí Kojá, that is to the chief of the tailors who mend old
clothes. Having read the Saint’s note, he said, “Emír Sultán shall
be instantly obeyed;” he stuck his needle in his turban, and before
he could put up his things in his bag, all the tents of the camp
were broke up by the power of his command, because this old tailor
happened also to be a pole of poles, or great Saint. Emír Sultán died
in the year 833 (1429), and is buried outside of Brússa to the East,
beneath a high cupola; the gates are inlaid with silver, so also is
the entrance, by which you descend six steps. The walls are covered
with variegated china (Chíní).
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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