Bolu Akşemseddin Tomb

After Akşemseddin, mentor of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror, spiritual conqueror of Istanbul and great scientist, passed away in 1459 A.D., his shrine was commissioned to be built by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror in 1464 A.D. (Hijri 864). The shrine which is made of cut stones, have a hexagonal plan and roofed with a dome. There are rectangular windows in a pointed arched niche at each sides of the walls of the building. Second rows of windows feature pointed arches and plaster lattice. On the northerneast corner of the türbe, there is the entrance door within a pointed arched niche with an inscription above it in the door pediment. In the türbe, there are cists of Akşemseddin and his sons. The walnut coffin of Akşemseddin, which is adorned with relief letters, is a fine example of Ottoman woodworking craftsmanship. Reverend Akşemseddin found his heart’s light in Reverend Hacı Bayram-ı Veli. The most prominent of the spiritual conquests on the path to hallowed conquests is the one by Reverend Akşemseddin. Reverend Akşemseddin is the spiritual conqueror of Istanbul, a great scientist, a skillful doctor, a great spiritual leader and a versatile Turkish Scientist.

His real name is Muhammed Şemseddin Bin Hamza, his alias was Akşeyh (White Sheikh). He is one of the descendants of Şihabüddin Sühreverdi, one of the great awliyas (sufi mystiques), and his lineage reaches back to Ebu Bakr Al Siddik (RA). He was born in Damascus in 1390 A.D. (Hijri 792). He became a huffaz (memorizer) when he was very young and moved to Anatolia together with his father and settled in Kavak (Samsun), when he was seven. After a while, his father who was also an eminent scientist and Sufi master, passed away. Akşemseddin, following his father’s demise, continued his education and become well versed not only in Sheria sciences but also in medicine and became a muderris (professor) in Osmancık Madrasa. He was instructing in certain hours of the day and was busy with training his ego and was in the presence of Hakk (Allah) with continuous taqwa (piety). Those who observed and know his state suggested him to go and visit Reverend Hacı Bayram, who was one of the greatest Wali of his time. Reverend Akşemseddin, who complied with these suggestions and was willing to ascend in tasawwuf (sufi mysticism), quit his teaching post as muderris and went to Ankara.

When they asked Reverend Akşemseddin “How did you know the date when Istanbul will be conquered”, he answered: “Me and my brother Khizir deduced date of conquest for Istanbul by means of ilm-i ledunniyye (a kind of occult knowledge specific to his Imminence Khizir). When the castle fell, I saw Khizir entered into the Castle with an entourage of evliyas with him. After the castle was conquered, I saw my brother Khizir, climbed to the top of the castle and sitting there.”