An Ancient Story: The Legend of Balıklıgöl

When Şanlıurfa, the city of the prophets, is mentioned, the first thing that comes to mind is Balıklıgöl, which is the subject of legends. The story that makes Balıklıgöl so special is about how it was formed. Balıklı Göl, which hosts millions of local and foreign visitors every season, is the home of Hz. It is described as the place where Abraham was thrown into the fire.

Where is Balıklıgöl? 

Balıklıgöl is located in Şanlıurfa and is one of the first places that come to mind when Şanlıurfa is mentioned. Balıklıgöl is located to the south of Halil-ür Rahman Lake and in front of Urfa Castle. The lake has an area of ​​150 square meters. 

What is the Story of Balıklıgöl Legend?

Because he maintained his faith in Allah and sought Him at all times, Allah called Abraham Halilim, that is, My Friend. The name of Balıklı Göl is also known as Halil-ür Rahman, which means Friend of Allah. Hz. The legend that the fire into which Abraham was thrown turned into water and the wood turned into fish continues until today. Let's now look at the story of Balıkgöl: 
There was once a king named Nemrut who ruled in Şanlıurfa and its surroundings. Nimrod, known for the cruelty he inflicted on his people, declared himself a god and wanted his people to worship him. For this reason, he had his own statues made in the temple and forced his people to worship these statues, which were his symbols, that is, himself. One night he had a nightmare in his sleep and immediately collected the oracles' interpretations of his dream. One of the soothsayers predicts Nimrod's dream that one of the boys born that year will kill him, destroy idolatry and take over the rulership.

King Nimrod Starts Killing All His Boys That Year

Thereupon, Nimrod starts having his soldiers kill all the boys born that year. Azer, one of Nimrod's soldiers, takes his wife Nuna Hatun, who is pregnant and will give birth shortly, to a cave near Urfa Castle. Nuna Hatun gives birth to her son in this cave and names him Ibrahim. Nuna Hatun leaves her son in the cave because she is afraid of Nimrod. She can't stand it and goes to check on her child and sees that he is alive and being breastfed by the gazelle and becomes very happy. He goes to the cave every day to see his child, and the child is raised by gazelles. When he is only fifteen months old, he looks like a fifteen-year-old boy. One day, the king's soldiers, who were out hunting, saw Prophet Abraham in the forest, caught him and brought him to the palace before Nimrod. Nimrod has no children, but as soon as he sees Prophet Abraham, he loves him and adopts him. 

And Nimrod Adopts Prophet Abraham

Over time, Prophet Abraham hated Nimrod for the cruelty he inflicted on his people and for forcing them to worship idols. He cannot understand why people worship idols that are of no use even to them, so belief in God begins to form in him. He starts sharing this with the public. Meanwhile, Nemrut adopted another girl named Zeliha. Zeliha feels love for İbrahim and agrees with what he says. Even though the people agree with Prophet Abraham, they do nothing because they are afraid of Nimrod.

Hz. Abraham Smashed All the Idols

On the day of a ceremony, Prophet Abraham smashes all the idols in the temple with an ax while no one is there and hangs the ax around the neck of the largest idol. This news is immediately heard by Nimrod. When Nimrod heard the news, he got very angry and took the ax on the biggest idol and shouted how a piece of stone could do this. Prophet Abraham starts talking about this. He explains that it is not right to expect that these pieces of stone, which they made with their own hands and which they believe in, cannot even protect themselves, will also protect those who believe in them. Nimrod becomes angry with this speech and orders the Prophet Abraham to be burned in front of the people by lighting a big fire. On that day, no other fires are allowed anywhere and all wood is collected. A big fire is lit. Prophet Abraham was tied with a catapult to two columns that stand today as Urfa Castle and thrown into the fire. 

When the Prophet Falls, Fire Turns into a Lake

When thrown, the fire turns into a lake and the wood turns into fish. The fish still has black spots on its back. These stains are the traces left from the burning of the wood. A lake was formed from the tears that Zeliha shed in response to this situation, and this lake was called Ayn-ı Zeliha Lake, which means Zeliha's tears. 
Nimrod becomes more angry at all this and continues to deny Allah. According to the rumor, a fly with a broken wing, sent by God, entered Nimrod's ear and started to wander in his brain. Nimrod constantly feels pain in his head due to the fly, but no doctor can find a cure for this pain. Nimrod hits his head with a wooden mallet every day to reduce the pain in his head. As the pain increases and his hitting with the mallet becomes harder, one day his head explodes and he dies.
Today, people still consider this lake and its fish sacred. It is believed that the person who touches these fish will die or get into trouble. 

Other Places to Visit Near Balıklıgöl 

If you haven't been to Balıklıgöl, which has become the symbol of Şanlıurfa, to hear these legends and experience the atmosphere, you should definitely add this place to your list of places to see in Turkey . While you are in Şanlıurfa, we recommend you to visit other important places of this place. 

• Urfa Castle, which is also mentioned in  the Balıklıgöl story , is the cave where Prophet Abraham was protected and raised by gazelles.
• Ayn-ı Zeliha Lake, formed by Zeliha's tears, 
• Göbeklitepe , the oldest temple in the world ,
• The Euphrates River, which has been the subject of folk songs, 
• Harran Castle, 
• The world's first university, Harran University,
• You can visit Harran Houses and mosques that preserve their historical and traditional structures,
• You can shop in the bazaars in Şanlıurfa and experience the famous Şanlıurfa cuisine with its delicious dishes.

Source:
https://www.hisglobal.com.tr/blog/bir-kadim-hikaye-balikligol-efsanesi