Islamic Cemeteries: Epitaphs

[Djamila]

Alifakovac Cemetery, Sarajevo

Alifakovac Cemetery is one of the oldest Islamic cemeteries in the world. Here are a few samples of the epitaphs you can find on the tombstones - many of them centuries old.

You have longer epitaphs for people of important positions, both male:

The name of hajji Bešlija was always distinguished,​

For he led the way in generosity and good deeds.​

He was a well-known merchant and benefactor,​

Until at the call of the True One he left the transient house [this world]​

And Džudija composed for him a fine, full chronogram:​

Hajji Mustafa Bešlija has gone to jannah [heaven].

And female:
​

He [God] is the eternal Creator.

The generous Homarićka loved the poor.​

She has left this transient world​

Hatidža-hanuma, daughter of Osman-effendi,​

May she have a place in heaven.​

This chronogram was made for her:
​

May the Merciful Creator have mercy on.​

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THere were also markers for criminals, most of whom were forgiven in death. Again, both male:


​

The deceased, pardoned by God, Sejid Mehmed Šakir-effendi, son of Sejid Ahmed-effendi Ćesrija, mufti. May Allah forgive them both their sins.
​

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And female:
​

Ah, death. Deceased Nefisa, rest her soul as she is forgiven for her bloody hand, daughter of Mehmedaga, and wife of Mehmed-effendi, imam in Bistrik.
​

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Most tombstones have very simply engravings. This is the basic phrase:
​

This is the grave of Fatima-khatun. Daughter of Mustafa. Fatiha for her soul.
​

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Many, though, have very elaborate engravings:
​

Oh, sorrow, that such beauty has passed on to eternity, ​

May the Lord make her abode an exalted one.​

Mejlijo composed his chronogram with a sad sigh:​

May paradise, Firdaus, be the resting place of lovely Emina of Sarajevo.​

 

[Djamila]

There are also epitaphs for the victims of crimes, especially if they were noble:

Listen, dear friend, to whom this resting place,

like the gardens of paradise, belongs​

That is, dear friend, to Ajsa-Muhamed, daughter of Sejid Mustafa.​

She was like a rose-bud that had just opened,
crushed in the hand of a Christian wanderer
​

They said: may Ajsa have a place in jannah heaven,
And my Gabriel himself bring her before God.
So beautiful her modesty could not conceal it,
So noble her savage death could not diminish it,
Fatiha for her soul.​

 

[Djamila]

Forgot to ask - what would be the common one among your people? Any interesting examples, all of that?