Bow of Prophet Muhammad (Topkapi)

The bow is housed in the Pavilion of the Sacred Safe (Hırka-i Saadet), a section of Topkapi Palace in Istanbul dedicated to the Holy Relics collection. This pavilion also contains other revered items associated with Prophet Muhammad, including his cloak, his sword known as al-'Adb, strands of his hair, and his footprint. The relics have been displayed there since they were brought to Istanbul after Sultan Selim I's conquest of Egypt in 1517.

Yes, the Holy Relics section of Topkapi Palace, now a museum managed by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, is open to the public as part of standard palace admission. Visitors can view the relics, including the bow, displayed in climate-controlled cases. The section is one of the most visited areas within the palace complex.

Islamic historical texts mention several bows associated with Prophet Muhammad, including those named al-Katum, al-Rawha, and al-Safra in hadith literature and early biographies like Ibn Hisham's recension of Ibn Ishaq. The bow at Topkapi Palace is one of the most prominent relics traditionally attributed to him, though verifying the exact provenance of relics from the 7th century remains a matter of faith and tradition rather than archaeological certainty.

Alongside the bow, the Pavilion of the Sacred Safe houses Prophet Muhammad's cloak (Hırka-i Şerif), his sword al-'Adb, his footprint, letters attributed to him, and strands of his hair. The collection also includes relics associated with other prophets and companions, such as the staff of Moses, the sword of Caliph Umar, and the keys to the Kaaba. Many of these items were transferred from Mecca, Medina, and Cairo following Ottoman conquests in the 16th century.