An Interesting Project of Sacaklizade Aiming at Improvement Religious Life of Ottoman Public in Reform Age: Invitation and Forcing to Knowledge and Action

Abstract

In this study, ideas in two treatises titled Mektub ila ulemai'l-bilad and Nasihatu'l-ulema of Sacaklizade Muhammed el-Mar'asi (death 1732), a scholar from rural areas lived in 17th and 18th centuries, are examined. Sacaklizade mentions striking claims that religion was pushed back in Ottoman society and that scholars and rulers did not put sufficient effort in inviting and enforcing public to religious affairs. In addition, he asserts that it was required to revive sharia (ihya), renew religion (tecdid) and improve religious affairs of Muslim public (1slah) in that age as a more striking matter. No doubt that these ideas are very important in terms of both scientific mindset of Sacaklizade, as a scholar, and religious-social history of Ottomans and deserve an analysis.