[31b] The Ascent and Decline of The Ottoman Empire

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

When the Muslims realised that the state equated them with Christians and Jews, replacing the principles of their sacred law with Christian regulations, and discarding their traditional attire in favour of that of the Christians, they felt a profound sense of discontent. They also perceived that Rashid’s government seemed to prioritise the interests of the Christians. This led to a significant backlash among the Muslims, prompting the Sultan and his officials to recognise the necessity of the removal of Rashid in light of the public outrage and their fear of a potential uprising from the Muslim community. [Footnote a]

The dismissal of Rashid Pasha did not halt the movement towards Westernization, which continued to import more systems and laws from the West, as the groundwork had already been laid and the doors opened for such changes. Although the opposition to Rashid Pasha and his constitution succeeded in removing him from power in 1841, he returned four years later in 1845, supported by a group of Freemasons who were focused on promoting secular transformation. Subsequently, he resumed his position as Grand Vizier in 1846, only to be dismissed again in 1858.[Footnote b]

The situation deteriorated significantly, prompting state officials to seriously consider change and reform. They found themselves with no option but to adopt the European model of reform and the Western approach to change that had begun to be implemented. This was particularly evident given that many of these officials had been sent abroad for political representation or military studies, especially in the absence of an Islamic reformer capable of restoring order and countering the advocates of intellectual invasion by embracing a serious reform based on Islamic principles. As the Turkish writer Professor Naji Bafal stated, the absence of a significant intellectual leader or a genuine social reformer in the Ottoman Empire for three to four centuries allowed superficial diplomats, captivated by the West, to take the stage. This led to a loss of spirit, a decline in intellect, a weakening of will, and a prevalence of imitation, resulting in a general state of paralysis. The ideas of intellectual invasion have spread among the majority of Turkish politicians and their governors, who have embraced Westernization and a departure from religious values. Notably, when the Iraqi scholar Al-Alusi visited the governor of Kirkuk, Ali Pasha, in 1267 AH, he praised him for his affection towards scholars, his respect for them, and his virtuous character. He then said, “It appears that he is not morally corrupt nor does he adopt any of the new Western ideologies, as I have not heard him mention anything about London or Paris in conversation! It is a blessing for the people of this region that their governor is free from such a stigma, a rarity in these unfortunate times!”

The reformist movement in the Ottoman Empire continued to strive for dominance across various sectors and institutions.

In any case, the key features of the Ottoman reform and renewal efforts revolved around three significant points: adopting Western practices concerning military organization and armament, as well as governance and administration, and steering Ottoman society towards a secular framework. The trend towards centralization of power in Istanbul and the provinces. The year of the issuance of the Kalkhanah script marked a significant event in European circles, as noted by a French missionary who stated: “The year 1839 was a remarkable one for French expansion in Turkey. It marked the beginning of reforms and the onset of organizational changes. As clergy, we will begin to take advantage of this timid liberalism and initiate a missionary effort for Catholic education.” Mr. Etienne, who led this mission, remarked, “This is our first opportunity to strengthen the triumph of faith that we will impart, especially since the Quran prohibits (Christian) teachings.” The first missionary group, consisting of seven clergymen, traveled to Istanbul on November 21, 1839. By the end of 1840, the sisters had established a home for orphans and classrooms, with the number of students reaching 230. By 1842, this figure had increased to 500. [Footnote c]

An Excerpt from ‘Ad-Dawlah Al-Uthmaaniyyah Awaamil An-Nuhood Wa Asbaab As-Suqoot. 6/420-422

Footnote a: Leaders are responsible for the welfare of the subjects and must strive to understand the situations of their people, as Imam Ibn Hajr, may Allah have mercy on him, stated: “It is incumbent upon a ruler to have a person who unveils to him the circumstances of the people in private, and this person should be trustworthy, reliable, smart and sensible, because calamity befalls a reliable ruler due to accepting speech of one who is not trustworthy”. [Fat’hul Baaree 14/234-236. Publisher: Daarus Salaam. 1st edition 1421AH (2000)] Nonetheless, if the leader fails in this regard, on does not embark upon rebellion. Read:

https://abukhadeejah.com/the-tyranny-of-the-rulers-a-reason-for-rebellion/

Footnote b: Changing officials is carried out with the intention of serving the public’s best interests. Imam Muhammad Ibn Salih Al-Uthaymin, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “It maybe that a person is suitable for this specific job and not suitable for that job, therefore, it is obligatory to appoint- in every job – the one who is more suitable. Similarly, with regards to specific appointments, such as the position of headteacher and other than it, rather we can even say – if we wished – this in relation to a person’s responsibility in looking after the affairs of his family, that if he wants to give responsibility to his young children, he chooses the one who is more suitable. He does not choose – for example – the older one just because he is older; rather he chooses the one who is more suitable because it may be that the young one among his children is more suitable than those older than him”.

The Imam, may Allah have mercy upon him, also stated, “It is obligated to the ruler to appoint both the young and the older – appoint for a job the one who is more suitable and the one who will fulfil the requirements of this job. This necessitates fulfillment of trusts. As for the one who appoints someone who is close to him or his relatives or a noble person due to his nobility or because he has a high qualification, such as a doctorate and what is similar to that, and he is either untrustworthy or not suitable for the job, this is not permissible”.

The Imam, may Allah have mercy upon him, also stated: “If he were to say, “I am not able to know them by their characteristics. Are these certificates not the closest way to (judge) the competence of a person?” We say, “Yes, but if we find this man is untrustworthy or not suitable for job, it is obligatory to remove him and replace him with someone who is more suitable because this is necessary rulership, as Umar Ibn Al-Khattab and other than him amongst the Khulafaa, may Allah be pleased with them, removed those who were not suitable. Umar applied this principle in the khilaafah. He feared dishonour after his death, thus, he did not appoint a specific person, except that he said, ‘If Abu Ubaydah, may Allah be pleased with him, was alive, I would have given him the affair because the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, ‘The trustworthy man of this Ummah is Abu Ubaydah’”. [At-Taleeq Alaa As-Siyaasah Ash-Shar’iyyah. Page 24-26]

It’s important to note that a ruler’s failure in their duties does not justify rebellion. Instead, scholars and those in positions of influence must follow the guidance of the Shariah to offer sincere advice. Read:

Believer’s Bahaviour Towards Muslim Rulers – [Supplicates For Them….]

Footnote c: The way in which the remnants of the empire were slowly undermined by foreign influences serves as a reminder of the risks associated with complacency, a point emphasised by the upright and insightful scholars of the Ummah. Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah preserve him, said:

So it is not permissible for the Ulamaa to remain heedless of their plans (i.e. the enemies of Islaam), their actions, their publications, their missionary activities and their various calls (to the Muslims). And also the various poisons they are infusing – which are in opposition to the Qur’an and the Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) and his Sunnah. And nor of what plans they have for (the destruction of) the beliefs and methodologies of Islaam. It is not permissible either, to remain heedless of their concentrated efforts to Christianize or secularize the Muslim youth. And along with that, the Muslim youth and the students are not able to oppose this plan and strategy. Rather it is necessary that the distinguished Ulamaa – those who are experienced and shrewd – it is for such people, in all the places to undertake this duty. So it is obligatory for some of the intelligent and ingenious people from the field of Aqeedah to be mobilised for opposing these plans. And likewise it is a must that the intelligent and distinguished from amongst the specialists in the Sunnah – that they be mobilised for the refutation of these and similarly the eminent and distinguished from amongst those in the fields of Orientalism for the refutation of the plans of the Orientalists.” (Ahl ul-Hadeeth, p.102)

He also says: “I myself believe that it is a benefit – rather it is of necessity – that we know what the enemies are planning for us, and that it is necessary for us to prepare (ourselves in strength) to destroy their plans. However, I do not exaggerate in this matter, rather my view is the view of our Ulamaa and they have all agreed upon this – that amongst the obligatory matters there are some that are Fard Ain and others that are Fard Kifaayah – and even if knowing the state of the enemies is harmful – it is still necessary for us to know it – but it is treated as Fard Kifaayah. When some attend to it, then the harm is removed from the rest” up until he said: “So I consider that there is no criticism for the Ulamaa and the students of knowledge who take great concern for preserving the Sharee’ah of Allah – in terms of the Book, the Sunnah and its understanding – for this is one of the duties of the Kifaayah actions. And I believe that these people are more superior, noble, truthful and of more benefit to Islam than those who are weak in their knowledge of the religion of Allaah or those who have no share in acquainting themselves with it.”

An excerpt from an article at www.salafipublications.com titled: The Salafis and Looking into the Affairs of the Ummah]