01 August 2002 – 31 October 2002
The display “Fakhr Al Suyuf” carries the visitor into a spiritual journey through time to the early years of Islam, where one can see the modules of the glorious swords of the Prophet (p.b.u.h) and his companions. A parade through the most eminent swords in Islam depicts the beauty of workmanship and the delicacy in decoration. It also stresses the religious and cultural heritage of the Islamic faith.
Among the most important replicas of swords on display is the sword of the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) which was titled Zulfaqar; a double edged blade with a split tip.
Also on display are the swords of the Caliph Abu Bakar as-Siddiq (r.a), Caliph Omar Ibn al Khattab (r.a), Caliph Uthman Ibn Affan (r.a) and Caliph Ali Ibn Abi Talib (r.a); the four righteous Caliphs.
Another important group of swords are the swords of Zainal Abidin (r.a) (d.712), the great grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h), Ja’far al Tayyar (r.a) (d.629), the cousin of the Prophet Muhammd (p.b.u.h) and Khalid Ibn al-Walid (r.a) (d.641), a great Muslim warrior.
The sword was always regarded as a prestigious artefact to inherit and pass down from one generation to the next. The sword consists of three main parts: the blade, the hilt and the sheath. The blade’s shape developed from straight to curved, with pointed or split ends. The hilt is the handle of the sword, which is usually decorated with gemstones or carved. The sheath of the sword is the cover, which in time is replaced or redecorated to glorify the object. The Arabs regarded the sword as the weapon of chivalry, as it brought the fighter nearest to one’s enemy; testing his skills and strengths.