Relics of Holy Prophet & Ahle-Bait At Jama Masjid

Dargah Assar Sharif-Jama Masjid Delhi 

Dr. Mazhar Naqvi

Jama Masjid is famous as a masterpiece of Mughal architecture. But very few people are aware that it also houses the sacred relics of holy Prophet and his Ahle-Bait(Family Members).Erected by emperor Shah Jahan in Delhi at a cost of about 1 million rupees in 1656,the mosque  houses some precious relics such as a hair from the beard of the Prophet, his footprint in marble and a shoe made of camel skin. 

Relics of Holy Prophet at Jama Masjid 

The other relics include a 1,400-year-old Holy Quran written on deerskin by the Prophet Son-in-law and commander of the faithful, Hazrat Ali. There is another Holy Quran written on deerskin by the Prophet's grandson. Imam Hasan. But it is only one part at the mosque as the other part is in the Blue Mosque of Istanbul. The holy relics also include a Quran written in Kufi script by Imam Hussain on Egyptian paper with seal of prophet’s ring on it, a  sacred sheet of illuminated grave (Ghilaf -E –Qabr-E-Aanwer) of the  Prophet Muhammad, a blessed shawl o Princes of Heaven (Khatoon-E-Jannat) Hazrat Fatima Zahra , a stone with foot print Maula  Ali and a pair of stones with his  hand prints (left and right both).It is believed that these relics were acquired by Taimur Lane and inherited by Mughal emperors who traced their linage to him. When Shah Jahan founded Shahjahanabad(Delhi) with majestic Jama Masjid in its center on a hill called ‘Bhojla’ with four gateways, he took out the sacred relics from his  treasury  and placed them  at  Jama Masjid. The king wanted someone most eligible and noble to hold the holy relics and take care of them. A Hussaini Syed was known for his concern for the spiritual welfare and prosperity of the people at large in Delhi .The Emperor selected him and honored him by giving custody of the relics. Since then, the custody of holy relics has been the responsibility of his progeny.

These relics are kept in the northern corner of the mosque and that particular part is known as Dargah Asaar Sharif. Jama Masjid ranks among the only three mosques in the world with a hair of the beard of Holy Prophet and his footprint. The other two are Hazrat Bal in Srinagar(Kashmir) and Blue Mosque of Istambul.(References available on request. Photo Google images)