MUĞLA’NIN ÜÇ CAMİSİNDE ASHÂB-I KEHF SEMBOLLERİ
ASHAB AL-KAHF SYMBOLS IN THE THREE MOSQUES OF MUĞLA

Summary/Abstract: It is a known fact that the sacred names in Islam have been used in calligraphy and illumination art works of our culture throughout history, especially in our mosques which are the most important elements of our religious architecture. It has been a tradition since the Ottoman era to write the names of Allah and the prophet as well as four caliphs, Ali’s sons from Ehl- i Beyt (people of the house) on the walls of the mosques. On the other hand three mosques in the Menteşe distric of Muğla - Şahidi Mosque, Keyfoturağı Mosque and Çatakbağyaka Village Mosque- have symbols about the names of Ashab al-Kahf (Seven Sleepers) among the others. It is not common to have the names of Seven Sleepers written on the walls of mosques. In addition there is no clear information about the reason why they are included. Nevertheless, inclusion of Ashab al-Kahf in the sacred book Koran and its being a well known and accepted story among the residents of the region can be seen as the main reasons for using the names in these mosques. Likewise, the fact that Muğla was an important Mevlevi city in the past suggests that it may have a Mevlevi effect. As a result the sybomls of Ashab al-Kahf must have taken place in these mosques in order to take the community lessons for itself and to direct its life in accordance with the purpose of Koran and the Masnavi.

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