[16] The Ascent and Decline of The Ottoman Empire

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

The Ruler of Khwarezm Requests Protection from Sultan Salim II:

The ruler of Khwarazm complained to Sultan Salim II regarding the Shah of Persia, who was seizing pilgrims from Turkistan as they entered his territory. He also pointed out that after Moscow’s conquest of Astrakhan, the flow of pilgrims and trade had been hindered. In light of these challenges, the Khwarazm ruler, along with the leaders of Bukhara and Samarkand, urged Sultan Salim II to reopen Astrakhan to facilitate the pilgrimage route. The Ottoman Empire responded. Grand Vizier Sokullu Muhammad Pasha prepared a significant military campaign during the years 976-977 AH (1568-1569) aimed at capturing Astrakhan and establishing it as an Ottoman stronghold in the region. Plans were made to construct a canal linking the Volga and Don rivers to enable the passage of ships. This was to help the Ottoman fleet enter the Caspian Sea via the Black Sea, enabling them to stop Russian expansion to the south and push the Persians out of the Caucasus and Azerbaijan. It was also facilitate an invasion of Persia from the north, instead of having to navigate the difficult terrain of Azerbaijan and deal with the enemies of the Safavids and the Crimean Tatars, in order to revive the ancient trade routes that connect Central Asia from east to west. The Ottomans began a project to connect the Don River with the Volga. By the month of Jumada al-Awwal in 977 AH (October 1569), one-third of the canal was completed. However, winter halted the work. At that time, the campaign leader suggested using small ships loaded with cannons and ammunition to attack Astrakhan. Unfortunately, the campaign failed due to natural conditions. Despite this, Sokollu Mehmed Pasha managed to strengthen the Sultan’s control over the princes of Moldavia, Wallachia, and Poland, temporarily blocking Russia’s expansion to the north and west of the Black Sea.

Cyprus:

Italy and Spain recognised the importance of Cyprus, and there were rumours in Europe about forming an alliance against the Sultan. However, nothing was done at the time to save Cyprus from the Ottomans, who invaded the island with overwhelming force. They entered the island easily, and the strong city of Famagusta stood against the Ottomans, led by Pasha and Bragadin, who faced an Ottoman army of one hundred thousand soldiers. The Ottomans used all known siege tactics, including attacks and mining, but these had no effect on the garrison. If a Christian force had arrived to help, the Ottomans would have been in danger. Unfortunately, famine took its toll, and the city surrendered in the spring of 979 AH, August 1571. The Ottoman Empire, after conquering Cyprus, brought many people from Anatolia, whose descendants still live on the island. Although the Orthodox Cypriots welcomed Ottoman rule for saving them from Catholic persecution by Venice for centuries, the Ottoman occupation upset the Catholic state. The Ottoman fleet returned after completing its mission in Abanjani, and most of the soldiers left as winter arrived, marking the end of the battle season and preparing for the next year. [An Excerpt from “Ad-Dawla Al-Uthmaniyyah Awamil An-Nuhood Wa Asbaab As-Sukqoot 6/308-309]

What sparked the continuation of this series? Read here: https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2024/11/22/a-century-after-the-end-of-the-ottoman-empire/

Furthermore, it is essential to ensure that the contributions of those who supported the religion are accurately represented. A thorough examination of Ottoman history and their impact on Europe reveals why certain European historians may attempt to misrepresent their legacy, focusing solely on their shortcomings while downplaying their accomplishments. It is evident that the early Ottomans exhibited a higher moral standard compared to their later counterparts. Therefore, we will not passively accept any distortion of the image of any Muslim, and it is equally unacceptable to misrepresent non-Muslims. Al-Allamah Salih Aala Ash-Shaikh, may Allah preserve him, highlighted the significant contributions of many non-Arabs to the service of Islam, including the Ottomans. He stated:

“When Muslims conquered different regions of the earth and Islam spread, it appeared as though it began with non-Arabs, until Persians and other non-Arabs became scholars and Imams of mosques, and people learned from them. Many non-Arabs are mentioned in Islamic history as leading the Muslims in knowledge, pronouncing religious verdicts, and other matters. Consider Abu Haneefah (may Allah have mercy on him), who was not Arab, and Imam Al-Bukhaari (may Allah have mercy on him), whose book became an upright example. There is no Muslim who is not familiar with Imam Abu Abdillah Muhammad Bin Isma’eel Al-Bukhaari. And take into account other Imams of Islam other than Al-Bukhari and Abu Haneefah. So, when Islam was implemented, it erased the differences that the people had created; and why did those non-Arabs become the leaders and Imams of the Arabs? That is because they carried the religion, raised the banner of true Islamic monotheism – there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, and Muhammad is Allah’s Messenger – and because there is no difference in virtue between a non-Arab and an Arab except through fear of Allah. When Muslims disciplined themselves with Islam, there was no dispute between them regarding social class by way of that pre-Islamic dispute and distinction, because they did not accept leadership or give precedence to anyone based on this; rather, they accepted everyone because people are equal in this matter. The Quraish rulership, the Umayyad rulership, and the Abbasid rulership ended; then the Mamluk rulership arose, followed by the rulership of Banee Uthman – meaning in the beginning when it was upright, thus, so the Muslims obeyed them and they became the leaders and rulers because the Muslims saw that there was welfare for the people in doing so. As a result, class distinction and its practise were eradicated from the start, and no one had any reservations about implementing Islam. Islamic history attests to the application of this magnificent principle“.