Fatih Sultan Mehmet, A superhero at his very early twenties

The Following is a brief historical account of Fatih sultan Mehmet, which I collected for those who don’t have an idea about this great leader, and who sure need to know:
· He was born in Edirne in 1432 CE (578 years ago).

· Mehmed II or faith sultan Mehmet in Turkish, Mohamed el-Fatih (محمد الفاتح) in Arabic, named as Fatih which means the Conqueror after the Conquest of Constantinople.

· His father is sultan Murad II who abdicated the throne of his own free will in favor of his 12 year old son Mehmed II.

· Mehmed II spoke seven languages (including Turkish, Greek, Hebrew, Arabic, Persian and Latin) when he was 21 years old (the age at which he conquered Constantinople).


· After many trials by previous sultans and Muslim leaders, by a wise successful preparation, Fatih conquered Constantinople in 1453 and changed its name to Islambul.

· He completed the conquest of the Byzantine Empire by successfully storming (1453) Constantinople after a 50-day siege, for which he constructed the largest cannons the world had yet known.

· Reference is made to the prospective conquest of Constantinople in an authentic hadith, attributed to a saying of the Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh). "Verily you shall conquer Constantinople. What a wonderful leader will he be, and what a wonderful army will that army be!"

· His characteristics are: Assertiveness, Courage, brilliance, Strong will, Justice, Humbleness, Sincerity, and Knowledge.
· His major achievements:
1. Building educational institutions.
2. Sponsoring scientists.
3. He brought about a literary renaissance.
4. Interest in Translation.
5. Interest in Construction, Architecture and building hospitals.
6. Expanding trading and manufacturing.
7. Spreading Justice.
8. Strong army & navy.


· His advice to his son:
1. Be Just and merciful.
2. Spread your protection upon your people without discrimination.
3. Spread Islam, this is the king’s duty on earth.
4. Faith is above everything
5. Avoid hiring those who don’t care about religion and those who are indulged in sins.
6. Expand your territory.
7. Preserve the money of the state’s treasury.
8. Never impinge upon the money of your people.
9. Protect the rights of the needy and be generous to them.
10. Empower scientists, since they are the power of the state and host the scientists from other nations in your country and provide them with as much money as possible.
11. And beware, beware! Never be deceived by money and military power, and never shun the people of religion, and never lean towards any action that is against the rulings of shariah.
12. Work for the strengthening of this religion and respecting its adherence.
13. Avoid Heresy


· Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror lived about forty-nine years.


Source: Marwa Assem's Blog