The prophecy of Constantinople, current events and the way forward

In five separate narrations it is reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

1. “They [the Muslims] will then fight and a third of the army would run away, whom Allāh will never forgive. A third which would be constituted of excellent martyrs in Allāh's eye, would be killed, and the third who would never be put to trial would win and they would be conquerors of Constantinople.” [Muslim]

2. “The great Malhamah, the conquest of Constantinople, and the coming of the Dajjāl occur in (the span of) seven months.” [Tirmidhī; Abū Dāwūd]

3. The time between the great war and the conquest of the city (Constantinople) will be six years, and the Dajjāl (Antichrist) will come forth in the seventh. [Abū Dāwūd]

4. “They will conquer Constantinople with Tasbīh and Takbīr and will acquire such spoils of war as has never been seen before.” [Ibn Mājah]

5. The flourishing state of Jerusalem will be when Yathrib is in ruins, the ruined state of Yathrib will be when the great war comes, the outbreak of the great war will be at the conquest of Constantinople and the conquest of Constantinople when the Dajjāl (Antichrist) comes forth. He (the Prophet) struck his thigh or his shoulder with his hand and said: This is as true as you are here or as you are sitting (meaning Mu'ādh ibn Jabal). [Abū Dāwūd]

From the above narrations it is clear that Constantinople is a city of great significance to Muslims. It could be argued that the conquest of Constantinople by the Ottoman Sultān Mehmed II in the year 1453 CE was likely not the conquest being referred to by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) due to the appearance of Dajjāl after this event and the great war before this event mentioned in some of the Ahadīth above. Rather this is a prophecy still waiting to be fulfilled.

Due to recent events unfolding in Palestine and Gaza it appears that we are closer than ever to the great war. However no one can say with absolute certainty that this event will occur in the next 5 years, 10 years, 50 years or even 100 years. We can only estimate using the signs given to us.

With that said, I believe that as an Ummah we must set ourselves a reasonable amount of time required to respond in a decisive manner to the ongoing war in Palestine as well as other places where Muslims and innocent peoples are being oppressed. I am proposing the month of Ramadān in the year 1453 AH as the month by which we must respond. By this time we must form a coalition of key Muslim nation states that are governed by competent leaders, fully capable financially and militarily to deter any acts of genocide and aggression against all innocent people, be they Muslim or non-Muslim. Such leaders must also be capable of guiding their respective nations and coming together to a single table to agree on a method of collective Islamic governance whilst disposing of democracy once and for all. We will explain our proposed strategy for achieving this in the coming paragraphs.

Why 1453 AH?

1. Timing: By this year most of the key Muslim nation states that hold elections to appoint their leaders or senior advisors would have recently completed their elections. As Muslims we should prepare now by using the existing systems of democracy in place across the Muslim world to bring about good or better leadership, no matter how flawed this system might be. Below is a timeline of upcoming elections around the Muslim world:

D-8 countries:

Malaysia - Feb 2028 (5 Year Term)*

Türkiye - May 2028 (5 Year Term)

Bangladesh - Jan 2029 (5 Year Term)*

Pakistan - Feb 2029 (5 Year Term)*

Indonesia - Feb 2029 (5 Year Term)

Egypt - Dec 2030 (6 Year Term)

Nigeria - Feb 2027/ Feb 2031 (4 Year Term)

Iran (Assembly of Experts) - Mar 2032 (8 Year Term)*

Other Muslim countries:

Sierra Leone - Jun 2028 (5 Year Term)

Senegal - Mar 2029 (5 Year Term)

Mauritania - Jun 2024/ Jun 2029 (5 Year Term)*

Albania - Jun 2025/ Jun 2029 (4 Year Term)

Algeria - Sep 2024/ Sep 2029 (5 Year Term)*

Tunisia - Nov 2024/ Nov 2029 (5 Year Term)

Ivory Coast - Oct 2025/ Oct 2030 (5 Year Term)

Lebanon - May 2026/ May 2030 (4 Year Term)

Niger - Dec 2025/ Dec 2030 (5 Year Term)

Morocco - Sep 2026/ Sep 2031 (5 Year Term)*

Kyrgyzstan - Nov 2026/ Nov 2031 (5 Year Term)

Gambia - Dec 2026/ Dec 2031 (5 Year Term)

Palestine - Postponed *

Shura elections:

Qatar - Oct 2025/ Oct 2029 (4 Year Term)*

Kuwait - Apr 2024/ Apr 2029 (4 Year Term)*

* State Religion of Islam or Islamic Republic

2. Collective memory: Type in ‘1453’ on any search engine and see what result appears at the top. These numbers remind the whole world of Muslim strength, capability and victory via the conquest of Constantinople by the Ottomans. It is also a reminder that great superpowers eventually come to an end when Allāh wills. Therefore the upcoming Hijri year of 1453 should be used to rally the Muslim world into action.

3. 7 Years of preparation: Besides being a long enough period of time to prepare the Muslim world, the number 7 holds a special place in Islām as discussed by ibn al-Qayyim (r) in his book Zād al-Ma’ād fi Huda Khaīr al-’Ibād (4/90).

Leadership during famine and war – Applying lessons from Sūrah Yūsuf today

Amongst the important signs with regards to the number seven in Islām is the dream that the Prophet Yūsuf (as) interprets for the king of Egypt whilst in prison, as mentioned in Sūrah Yūsuf of the Qur’ān. The dream makes mention of seven fat cows being eaten by seven lean cows and then seven green spikes of grain followed by seven dry spikes. We can learn many valuable lessons from this dream and its interpretation related to leadership during times of famine and war as will be mentioned below. I will then link the subject of discussion back to the year 1453 AH and Constantinople.

After being freed, Yūsuf's companion who spent time with him in prison now remembers Yūsuf (as) after the king of Egypt requests for someone to interpret his dream. His companion comes to him and says:

يُوسُفُ أَيُّهَا ٱلصِّدِّيقُ أَفْتِنَا فِى سَبْعِ بَقَرَٰتٍ سِمَانٍ يَأْكُلُهُنَّ سَبْعٌ عِجَافٌ وَسَبْعِ سُنۢبُلَٰتٍ خُضْرٍ وَأُخَرَ يَابِسَٰتٍ لَّعَلِّىٓ أَرْجِعُ إِلَى ٱلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ

[He said], "Joseph, O man of truth, explain to us about seven fat cows eaten by seven [that were] lean, and seven green spikes [of grain] and others [that were] dry – that I may return to the people [i.e., the king and his court]; perhaps they will know [about you]."

Yūsuf (as) then responds to his companions request and says:

قَالَ تَزْرَعُونَ سَبْعَ سِنِينَ دَأَبًا فَمَا حَصَدتُّمْ فَذَرُوهُ فِى سُنۢبُلِهِۦٓ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِّمَّا تَأْكُلُونَ

[Joseph] said, "You will plant for seven years consecutively; and what you harvest leave in its spikes, except a little from which you will eat.

ثُمَّ يَأْتِى مِنۢ بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ سَبْعٌ شِدَادٌ يَأْكُلْنَ مَا قَدَّمْتُمْ لَهُنَّ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِّمَّا تُحْصِنُونَ

Then will come after that seven difficult [years] which will consume what you advanced [i.e., saved] for them, except a little from which you will store.

ثُمَّ يَأْتِى مِنۢ بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ عَامٌ فِيهِ يُغَاثُ ٱلنَّاسُ وَفِيهِ يَعْصِرُونَ

Then will come after that a year in which the people will be given rain and in which they will press [olives and grapes]."

Keeping in mind the above verses from Sūrah Yūsuf I would now like to make mention of a part of a long Hadīth recorded in the Sunan of Ibn Mājah in which it is narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

"Before Dajjāl appears there will be three difficult years in which the people will suffer severe famine. In the first year, Allāh will command the sky to withhold one third of its rain and the earth to withhold one third of its produce. In the second year, He will command the sky to withhold two thirds of its rain and the earth to withhold two-thirds of its produce. In the third year, he will command the sky to withhold all of its rain, and not a single drop will fall, and the earth to withhold all of its produce, and nothing will grow. All cloven-hoofed animals will die, except those that Allāh wills.' It was said: 'What will the people live on at that time?' He said: 'Tahlīl, Takbīr, Tasbīh and Tahmīd. That will take the place of food for them.'"

There seems to be a striking resemblance between the above Hadīth and the dream interpretation given by the Prophet Yūsuf (as). We have been explicitly told by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) in the above Hadīth that there will be a three year famine. Therefore let us look at the actions of the Prophet Yūsuf (as) in the timeless and wise Qur’ān and learn what it is that future Muslim leaders and nations need to do during the coming years of tribulation. Some of these actions can also be applied by heads of households, families and community leaders.

Action 1: Gain recognition

Future leaders need to be able to warn their people, advise them of incoming dangers and narrate their vision to them. More importantly their warning, advice and vision needs to reach the ears of those in power just as the dream interpretation of the Prophet Yūsuf (as) reached the king of Egypt.

In today’s world this can be achieved through media. Media that becomes popular and wide spread will attract the attention of those in power who will likely listen to any messages being narrated. In many democratic countries that hold elections supposedly those with the power to bring about new leaders are the people themselves. Therefore the first step is to attract the attention of, at the very least, 51% of the voting public through compelling media. Who are those 51%? What are their interests? How inclined are they to Islam? No doubt each country will be different and therefore it is the duty of our future leaders to know their people and then be able to appeal to a broad range of them to secure their 51%. In our estimation, playing the lead role in a popular docu-drama series about a historical Muslim personality of a specific nation, could attract the interests and later votes of a diverse group of that nations citizens, spanning liberal and conservative minded individuals.

Action 2: Gain trust

Before the Prophet Yūsuf (as) left prison he ensured that his name was cleared and that his innocence was known to the king.

Before formally starting their political careers, our future leaders need to ensure that they have done everything they can to clear their record with the general public just as the Prophet Yūsuf (as) cleared his name. Once the record is clean and an effort has been made to become famous and well known amongst the majority of voters, only then should our future leaders announce that they will be standing in elections. A majority vote can be achieved in this way.

Action 3: Gain authority over assets and resources

Once the Prophet Yūsuf (as) gained the trust of the king by clearing his name he immediately asked for a specific position in government. He asked to be the treasurer responsible for safeguarding all the food assets of the kingdom.

If a head of state position is not achieved by our future Muslim leaders then the bare minimum they should aim for is a finance minister position in which they can be made responsible for the finances and other key assets of a nation. The economy of a nation is its heartbeat without which it could quickly collapse.

Action 4: When difficult years are anticipated – promote saving resources and consuming less

In the dream interpretation provided by the Prophet Yūsuf (as) he mentioned that there will be seven consecutive years in which all food produce will need to be stored safely. Only a small portion will be used for food consumption. This, because there are difficult years anticipated.

When our future leaders come into office they need to make a judgement on whether there are difficult years ahead or not. It is likely the case that there will be difficult years ahead in the year 1453 AH for many Muslim nations. Therefore, policies should be put in place which promote growth whilst also promoting saving of resources and less consumption. In this way when the difficult years arrive the nation will have some savings to fall back upon.

But how can a nation that is tied to an ever increasing IMF debt ever save? And what exactly will they be saving? A tangible asset or fiat currencies? An exit strategy from debt and paper money must be a number one priority. Measures should be put in place that ensures an end to this debt cycle within a realistic period of time and if this debt is one that cannot realistically be repaid then an agreement needs to be put in place with the creditor to waive the debt. Especially any interest bearing debts. Thereafter our future leaders should consider alternative options to the current monetary system. A group of Muslim leaders could get together and discuss a new gold Dinar currency which would no doubt be the best option.

Action 5: During difficult years – consume from savings whilst still saving a little

The difficult years are when leaders are truly tested. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his companions were also tested with many years of difficulty in which they would have to tie rocks to their bellies to contain the pain of hunger. The advice we can take from Sūrah Yūsuf of the Qur’ān here is to continue to save even whilst having to consume from savings during times of difficulty. When growing crops it would be a huge mistake to consume everything. As a bare minimum the seeds of those crops need to be saved in order to grow again. Similarly when managing the finances of an entire economy during times of difficulty, it is essential that reserves are always kept to help establish the foundations of an economy once again if all fails.

Action 6: During good years – work hard and develop the Ummah

If a nation stagnates during its years of peace, security and abundance then this will only result in them having to work harder during the next era of difficulty. Therefore it is important that our future leaders set an example to their nations to work hard and develop themselves and others if they are blessed with wealth and abundance from Allah for a period of time, which is unfortunately contrary to what many wealthy Muslim nations are doing today.

Constantinople and a Muslim coalition

The Ahadīth that we have mentioned in this article which speak of Constantinople mention it to be a city that the Muslims will conquer after the great war, indicating that the city will be taken away from Muslim rule in the near future for a period of time. However it will not be re-conquered with bloodshed. Rather:

“They will conquer Constantinople with Tasbīh and Takbīr and will acquire such spoils of war as has never been seen before.” [Ibn Mājah]

Regarding the same period of time the Prophet (ﷺ) was asked: 'What will the people live on at that time?' He said: 'Tahlīl, Takbīr, Tasbīh and Tahmīd. That will take the place of food for them.' [Ibn Mājah]

Today we Muslims must begin to acquire a taste for this food which will nourish and sustain us in the future. We must begin to raise and appoint trustworthy leaders that can guide our respective communities by any means possible. Leaders that set an example for us to follow by pondering over the Qur’ān and then establishing its rule by glorifying Allāh (Tasbīh) and raising His name above all else (Takbīr). Constantinople will be conquered once again with tongues that remember Him often, with sharp minds, strength and unity. Therefore it is not acceptable to simply focus our efforts on individual Muslim nation states which alone are weak and pathetic. We must make an effort to reclaim all our territories and nation states simultaneously and then eventually combine them under one umbrella. Then we will be able to command respect and secure our territories and the rights of the oppressed in the East and West through diplomacy without having to shoot a single bullet.

In this article I have proposed one way in which we can achieve this. However there may well be other ways. It could be a combination of different ideas that eventually brings about the change that the world so desperately seeks today.

Summary

To summarise, the year 1453 AH posses an ideal opportunity to revive a global Islamic coalition which may initially use democracy to establish itself but can later transfer to other forms of governance if at that time the leadership appointed deems it fit to do so. The Muslim world can collectively be rallied during this year, and the years that lead up to it, if we all work together during this time utilizing the themes of strength, ability and victory that 1453 has to offer. In Sūrah Yūsuf we learn about how to prepare for an upcoming famine by storing and managing food, assets and resources appropriately. We also learn that a trusted individual must be put in place to manage these assets, especially during a time of famine. As Muslims we are extremely blessed to have the perfectly preserved guidance of the Qur’ān at hand to give us such deep insights. We are also blessed to have the knowledge from Hadīth literature which indicates to us what lies ahead in the near future. Using both the Qur’ān and Sunnah we should therefore prepare appropriately for what lies ahead.

Next Steps

As discussed in previous articles Islamic Ancestry wishes to see vision 1453 AH come into fruition by assisting our future leaders in gaining fame, trust and popularity via a guided entry into the film and entertainment industry. What has failed in previous years is the election of a single pro-Islamic leader in a Muslim nation state. What we need is a group of highly trained pro-Islamic leaders to come into power simultaneously across the entire Muslim world.

With inspiration from what has been written above, Islamic Ancestry are currently producing a short film demonstrating what the state of the Ummah could be 7 years from now in the year 1453 AH if select Muslim leaders who gained fame through the Islamic entertainment industry were to come into power and then hold a joint emergency summit in Istanbul to discuss leadership, geopolitics, economics, military cooperation and Muslim unity. We have put together a short questionnaire to help us gather ideas for the production. Your participation would be much appreciated:

View questionnaire

If you are able to offer any financial support for this project or any of our other projects do get in touch: info@islamicancestry.com

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What we need is a group of highly trained pro-Islamic leaders to come into power simultaneously across the entire Muslim world.