The Prophet's Footprints

Sultan Ahmed I (1603-1617) and many others who greatly loved Prophet Muhammad, regarded it to be an honor to touch their faces to one of his footprints. These footprints were left on stone, as one of his miracles; utmost respect would be paid to them.

Traces of sacred footprints in a number of places exist as a proof. In Mawahib al-Ladunniya (the divine blessings), imam kastalani explains that "when the prophet walked on rock, his feet would sink in and leave prints."

This phenomenon has been widely acknowledged, and it is expressed in commemorative poetry and speeches. A similar miracle is associated with the prophet Abraham; a rock with his footprint is preserved in front of the Ka'ba. It is known as the station of Abraham, and is mentioned in the Qur'an as follows:
over there (the Ka'ba) are clear signs and evidence, Abraham's station (Al Imran 3:97)

An expounder of the Qur'an, mujahid from the Tabiin (muslim generations who had the honor of meeting the companions) interpreted the "signs" mentioned in this verse to refer to the footprint of the prophet Abraham.

Sacred footprints are kept in Jurusalem, Istanbul and some cities in Egypt and India. The most famous footprint is the one in Jurusalem. and is thought to have been made when the prophet miraculously ascended to the heavens.

A sacred footprint used to be preserved under the dome by the Ka'ba near the well of zamzam. Visiting this spot while on pilgrimage, Evliya recounted the hole made by the print was full of rosewater, which pilgrims rubbed on their faces and eyes.

Of all the ottoman sultans, Ahmed I is renowned for his exceptional respect for the prophet's footprint. He brought to Istanbul, the sacred footprint that Sultan Kayitbay had bought for 20,000 dinars and placed in his tomb, it was first put on Ayyub al-Ansari's tomb and then placed in the Sultanah Mosque (Blue Mosque).

His footprints are beloved Apostle in print while he entered the land of Yemen, which for the first time he went there.