Adıyaman Mosques & Religious History

MOSQUES

ULU MOSQUE
The Ulu Mosque is located in the center of Adıyaman. It was originally built during the period of the Dulkadirid Principality (AD 1137–1522) and has undergone numerous restorations over time.
An inscription located on the upper eastern face of the minaret base states that the mosque was rebuilt in its present form in 1863. Another inscription beneath it, within an arch, indicates that the mosque was repaired again in 1902.

ÇARŞI MOSQUE
The Çarşı Mosque was built in 1550 by a man named Hacı Abdulgani. Designed with a rectangular plan, the mosque’s walls are constructed of finely cut stone and reinforced with buttresses.

ESKİSARAY MOSQUE
Located in the Eskisaray neighborhood of Adıyaman city center, the Eskisaray (Saray / İbrahim Paşa) Mosque was commissioned by İbrahim Paşa in Hijri 1148. The mosque has undergone several restorations, and during the most recent one it was expanded northward.

KAP MOSQUE
Situated in the neighborhood bearing its name, the Kap Mosque was originally built in Hijri 1182 (1768) according to its inscription. It was later rebuilt in Hijri 1342 (1923) by Hacı Mehmet Ali.

YENİPINAR MOSQUE
The Yenipınar Mosque is located in the Yenipınar neighborhood of Adıyaman. Built on flat ground, an inscription on the minaret base records that it was commissioned in Hijri 1133 (1720) by Hacı Mahmut Atlı.

TOMB OF THE COMPANION SAFVAN BIN MUATTAL (RA)

SAHABI – SAFVAN BIN MUATTAL (RA)
Safvan bin Muattal (RA) was among the distinguished Companions who personally saw the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), witnessed the revelation of the Qur’an, learned directly from the Prophet’s life, and participated in military campaigns alongside him.
After leaving Medina to spread Islam, he reached these lands and was eventually martyred here, a great spiritual legacy for Turkey, Adıyaman, and the district of Samsat. Despite his humble life, his grave has remained modest and largely unknown, even to many locals.
The information presented here is based entirely on the work “A Rose in Samsat”, published through the research of the former Samsat Mufti Yavuz Karabayır, to whom gratitude is owed.

1. NAME, LINEAGE, AND IDENTITY
His full name is Safvan bin Muattal bin Ruheyda (Rahda), from the Sulaymi and Zakwani lineage, with the kunya Abu Amr. He belonged to the Ansar from the Qays tribe of Medina.
Some narrations suggest he was of Byzantine (Rumi) origin. After the Prophet’s passing, he settled in Basra.

2. ACCEPTANCE OF ISLAM
Safvan bin Muattal (RA) embraced Islam before the Expedition of Muraysi‘ and participated in all subsequent campaigns, including the Battle of the Trench. Due to his bravery, he was assigned rear-guard duties to protect the army.
He was one of the figures involved in the Incident of Ifk, during which he was falsely accused. His innocence was confirmed by verses revealed in Surah An-Nur, and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) praised him, saying:

“I know nothing about Safvan except goodness.”
“Do not harm Safvan; he loves Allah and His Messenger deeply.”

Safvan (RA) narrated four hadiths from the Prophet. Though his birth date is unknown, he was martyred in Hijri 19 (AD 640) during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab, near Samsat. His tomb lies on a high hill near Taşkuyu Village, about 10 km from Samsat.

3. MARTYRDOM AND THE CONQUEST OF SAMSAT
During the caliphate of Umar (RA), Islamic armies fought the Sassanids in the east and the Byzantines in the west. A force was dispatched to the Jazira region, led by Iyad ibn Ghanam (RA).
Under this campaign, Safvan bin Muattal (RA) served as a commander and was martyred in battle near Samsat, at approximately sixty years of age. He was buried on a hill behind Samsat Castle.

4. HISTORICAL SOURCES CONFIRMING HIS DEATH IN SAMSAT
Numerous classical Islamic sources—including Al-Mustadrak, Usd al-Ghabah, Siyar A‘lam al-Nubala, Al-Isabah, Tarikh Dimashq, and Al-Kamil fi’l-Tarikh—unanimously state that Safvan bin Muattal (RA) was martyred in Sumaysat (Samsat) and that his grave is located there.These accounts are considered as reliable and undisputed as those concerning Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (RA) in Istanbul.

5. CHARACTER AND MORAL VIRTUES
Safvan bin Muattal (RA) was known for his high moral character, bravery, and sincerity. Despite being seriously wounded in battle, he continued fighting until martyrdom.
Although he was firm in nature, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) defended him, emphasizing the purity of his heart. His patience during hardship, humility, and devotion exemplify the highest standards of faith and ethics.

6. HADITHS NARRATED BY SAFVAN BIN MUATTAL (RA)
Among the hadiths he narrated are accounts concerning:

• Prohibited times for prayer during the day
• Instructions regarding fermented drinks
• Observations of the Prophet’s night prayers (Tahajjud)
• Guidance on moderation in voluntary worship within family life

Safvan bin Muattal (RA) holds the honored status of being both a Companion of the Prophet and a martyr. As stated in the Qur’an:
“Do not say of those who are killed in the way of Allah that they are dead. Rather, they are alive, but you do not perceive.” (Al-Baqarah, 154)
May Allah grant him intercession and eternal mercy.