|
Existence
of dynasty of Abbasid caliphs stops to middle of XIII century. At this time, in
the Seljuk state, which during its time was part of Abbasid caliphate, process
of disintegration is observed. In one of the beyliks (districts) of this state,
located between cities of Bursas and Ankara, the governor becomes Osman son of
Ertogrul, who succeeded on this post of the father. Osman, seeing separation of
Islamic world, attacks from different directions by enemies, and inside civil
conflicts, wishes to correct this unattractive picture. He undertakes the
actions directed on formation of state system, called further to unit the Muslim
world, on the basis of Islamic principles, indicated by prophet Muhammad (A.S.S).
In
1299, he invited outstanding Muslim scholars and addressed to them: «I have
sufficient force and power for jihad, and I assign the task to you to mobilize
all knowledge for formation of public way of Muslim community on Islamic
principles».
And
from now on began the process of creation of new community, which was called to
continue relay of Islamic Board of ummah on the basis of Koran, Sunnah and
Ijtihad (decision in spirit of Koran and Sunnah taken out by mujahideen -
Muslim scholars).
There
is a process of expansion of the state, where are used ways of da’ava,
education, diplomacy and armed opposition. In new open spaces of power, life,
both citizens, and state structures, is regulated and constructed according to
eternal laws of Almighty. As a result, new state formation gets the status of
caliphate, based on institute of Shura (council). In this power, authority of
sheikh-ul-islam becomes indisputable both for governors, and their citizens.
Since the period of executive of Selim I, which subordinated to East Anatoly,
Armenia, Kurdistan, Northern Iraq, Syria, Palestine, Egypt, Hijaz, osmanli
governors take in management based on the principle: governors of regions and
areas demand from citizens, execution of decrees and decisions of caliph, who,
in turn, will coordinate them with the sheikh - ul-islam, determining
their conformity to Islamic rules. Any Osmanli governor could not direct
the soldiers on a campaign without coordination with sheikh-ul-islam. Shura,
known as «Sofa Humayuni», where entered ministers, influential personalities,
known Islamic scholars, was a legislature, which represent authority.
The
known episode from history of Osmanov can serve as one of bright confirmations
of it. Caliph Muhammad Fatih (Mehmet-II) has made oppression in relation of one
of the strangers who, in turn, filed complaint to Qadhi (judge). Qadhi, on the
appointed day, invited the claimant and accused caliph in court, where caliph
was compelled to obey. As the Islamic Shari’ah does not divide people into
governors and citizens - all are equal before the court.
It
is typical to note, that being dynamical and multi-national state, whose various
nationalities, whether Turks, or any others, Muslims, Christians or Jews, were
first of all Osmanli Turks, parts of uniform, flexible formation, which left
beyond frameworks of such concepts, as nationality, nation, religion. The
Flemish diplomat and scientist Oje Eselin de Busbek, after the visit to camp of
sultan Suleiman in year 1555, describes: «The staff of sultan was filled with
assistants, including higher officials. Anybody among attendants did not show
superiority, and all tried to show virtues and bravery; nobody was proud of
their race, or feeling here honor corresponding to the occupied post and
character of duties executed by him. Thus, there is no struggle for superiority;
everyone knows the place and the functions. The sultan allocates duties and
posts, and he estimates advantages and level of claims of the citizens, not
paying attention to riches and influence.
Each
person has opportunity to be brought forward. High posts very much frequently
are engaged by children of shepherds and instead of being ashamed of the origin,
they are proud of it. Our method differs from their method; according to us, all
depends on birth and all high posts are allocated only in connection with it».
It
is known, that Khayrud-Din pasha At-Tunisi was the simple slave, but due to his
intelligence and ability became the governor of Tunis and had a seal of caliph
of Istanbul. From Egyptian vilayat (provinces) were sent inquiry to capital (Istanbul),
with the request to send to economist for organization of the program of
economic development of region. The Christian (Armenian) Nubar pasha was sent to
them.
Unique,
in due time, the Osmanli power recognized all three monotheist religions. Due to
the first sultan, Turks have revived and have reunited the world of the Islam in
its Asian territories; then, due to dynasty of osmanli Turks, they to the life
have restored European grounds of the eastern-Christian world. Uniting the East
with the West, Osmanli Turks have filled in the vacuum created after
disintegration of caliphate in Asia and Byzantine Empire in Europe to be
developed inside this space as a new Muslim civilization. In such a way, the
state was kept till end of XIX century, when it due to various reasons, has come
to decline. Last Islamic power holder was Abdul Hamid -II. This was the time of
decline of the last caliphate as marked by Muslim scholars.
What
are the reasons, which have begun this process? To such huge and powerful state
as caliphate, there was no maneuverability and mobility while in Europe had
begun technical revolution. And, as result, we notice that small, on the sizes
and with much smaller population, the European countries, sharply bypass the
state of Osmanli Turks on a level of technical development. Owing to what
process westernization (Europeanization) of the country, and substitution of one
civilization with another was planned. As sources of it have served reforms in
the field of education during the board of Abdul-Hamid. Western regimes have
come forward. At this time, the group of young people visits various countries
of Europe for study, coming back there from, and bear in them already new
approach to administration of the country, alien to it. Influence of foreigners
in the Osmanli state at that time, is present rather actively in various spheres.
In the country, the new middle class, who bears also new ideological equipment -
idea of pan-Turkism is formed.
Western
historian Arnold Toynbi wrote: «Consequence of decline of ottoman systems was
loss of flexibility that has had an effect in the most fatal image on a history
of osmanli society. Osmanli Turks, could not answer to terrible call on the part
of the West, have duly and dynamically changed social institutes. Passing on to
defense, Osmanli Turks were compelled to search for rescue by other methods.
During two centuries, westernization compelled them to be engaged with it».
Right
at the beginning of XX century is formed «Committee of unification and progress».
Lord Kinross, English historian and writer speaks about them: «… members of
Committee of unification and progress secured secret support of the organized
groups of free masons, Jews and Donme (Jews inverted in Moslem), were in the
actions by more resolute, than members of the organization in Paris from which
the Committee has merged in 1907». The committee supports also part of officers,
the fact that was not expected in any way by sultan. In 1909 under strong
pressure, sultan Abdul-Hamid-II was compelled to resign, and in his place was
appointed his brother Rishad, having deprived with all imperious powers. The
committee of unification and progress becomes the full owner in the country. The
divine slogan of Osmanli caliphate «No deity except Allah, and Muhammad is the
prophet of Allah!» It is replaced with the secular slogan of the French
revolution: «Freedom, equality and brotherhood». Now the policy of pan-Turkism
becomes official in Turkey.
In
practice, it meant deliberate imposing of Turkish language to other non-Turkish
Muslims. Nationalist aspirations of Turk, similar such phenomena in Europe were
increasing, search of racial and national roots gradually finds the expression
in political and cultural movement of pan-Turkism.
There
comes the end, both to Islamic board, and Islamic influence in the state. Last
accord in the drama of collapsed Osmanli caliphate became creation in 1924 of
Turkish Republic, when religious authority was officially replaced by secular.
|
