Historical cartoon of the conquering of the Christian capital of Constantinople by the Muslim Sultan Muhammad al-Fatih (Mehmet II - Ottoman Turkish)
For eight centuries, the conquest of Constantinople, now Istanbul, Turkey, was a dream for the Muslim commanders. Ever since the era of the revered companion, Mu`aawiyah Ibn Abu Sufyaan, there had been many attempts to conquer it, but none had succeeded.
Every Muslim commander wanted to be the conqueror praised in the narration in which the Prophet said: "You will conquer Constantinople. Its commander is the best and its army (that will conquer it) is the best."
Muhammad Al-Fatih was born on 27th Rajab, 835 A.H., 30th March, 1432. He was a committed Muslim who abode by the rulings of Islamic jurisprudence. Because of the way he was brought up, he was a pious man.
Muhammad Al-Faatih managed to realize his dreams through hard, continuous work, and well-organized planning. For example, before besieging Constantinople, he prepared for the war by making cannons, preparing his fleet, and making use of all the factors that might render him victorious.
Through high ambition, determination, and the effort to achieve his goals, he managed to materialize his dream, make his hope an existing reality which made him one of the great Muslim heroes and conquerors.
Muhammad Al-Fatih attained this victory when he was twenty three years old. This indicated his early military genius. He also deserved the glad tidings of the Prophet who foretold that a good person would conquer that city.
