To the “duly inquisitive” who inquired, “What prompted you to share history of the Ottomans?”

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

Al-Allamah Salih Aala Ash-Shaikh, may Allah preserve him, said:

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-Bukhaari and Abu Haneefah.

Thus, 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 differences 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; 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 practice were eradicated from the start, and no one had any reservations about implementing Islam. Islamic history attests to the application of this magnificent principle. Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRkeYjcJ728 [end of quote]

Secondly, anyone who delves into the history of the Ottomans recognizes the remarkable way in which Islam transformed the lives of the early Ottomans, alongside the various periods of decline and revival, and the concerted efforts made to undermine it from both internal and external forces. Moreover, the Ottomans provide us with significant insights into European history during their reign, particularly when considering the political landscape of Muslim dominance before the onset of colonialism. Today, we can observe who holds power on the global stage and how this dominance gradually developed when viewed through the lens of Ottoman history.

Additionally, the various figures who emerged at the height of Islamic history following the era of the Salaf, both the positive and negative aspects, paint a vivid picture of what contributed to dominance and what ultimately led to decline. Personalities such as Nidham Al-Mulk, Salahuddin Al-Ayyubi, and others rose among the Ottomans to restore some strength to the Ummah. Therefore, when Al-Allamah Salih Aala Shaikh briefly highlights the success and resilience of the early Ottomans, it becomes clear what factors contributed to that success. This history is an integral part of our glorious past, and the decline of the Ottomans, along with other Muslim Sultanates, serves as a valuable lesson. The scholarly works addressing the themes of ascension and decline are plentiful, as are their explanations of the clear reasons behind this decline. We are eager to celebrate the victories and learn from the causes of decline, yet this religion remains evident and supreme through its proofs and evidences. Whenever we deserve dominance, Allah will grant it, as it is a promise. Allah said:

وَعَدَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مِنكُمْ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ لَيَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ كَمَا ٱسْتَخْلَفَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ وَلَيُمَكِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ دِينَهُمُ ٱلَّذِى ٱرْتَضَىٰ لَهُمْ وَلَيُبَدِّلَنَّهُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ خَوْفِهِمْ أَمْنًا يَعْبُدُونَنِى لَا يُشْرِكُونَ بِى شَيْـًٔا وَمَن كَفَرَ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْفَٰسِقُونَ
وَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱلرَّسُولَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ

Allah has promised those among you who believe, and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the earth, as He granted it to those before them, and that He will grant them the authority to practise their religion, that which He has chosen for them (i.e. Islam). And He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear (provided) they (believers) worship Me and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me. But whoever disbelieved after this, they are the Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah). And perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and give Zakat and obey the Messenger (Muhammad) that you may receive mercy (from Allah). [Al-Nur 55-56]