Ulema and Politics: The Life and Political Works of Ömer Zi̇yâeddi̇n Dağistânî (1849-1921)


Tezin Türü: Yüksek Lisans

Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: İstanbul Şehir Üniversitesi, Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü, History, Türkiye

Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2014

Tezin Dili: İngilizce

Öğrenci: ZEYNEP ERÇETİN

Danışman: Abdulhamit Kirmizi

Özet:

This thesis is an analysis of the life of Ömer Ziyâeddin Dağıstânî (1849-1921) and two of his political works, which he completed as a Sufi scholar (âlim). Throughout his life, he served in various parts of the Ottoman Empire as well as occupying various positions such as mufti of a regiment (alay müftüsü), deputy judge (nâib), professor (müderris), and Naqshbandi sheikh. He wrote two political works during the Second Constitutional Period: Hadis-i Erbaîn fî Hukuki's-Selâtîn and Mir'ât-ı Kânûn-i Esâsî. These two works were published in the same year of 1908 and are about two key political concepts in Islam at the time, the Caliphate and constitutionalism. The first work was on the subject of the Caliphate and the latter was about constitutionalism within the concepts of political Islamic thought. Dağıstânî was sent to exile in 1909, because of his work regarding the Caliphate question in particular his appraisal of Sultan Abdulhamid II. He was also accused of being involved in the 31 March Incident and having an affiliation with the oppositional movement the Muhammadan Union (Ittihad-ı Muhammedi Cemiyeti). His life journey, especially after the Counter Revolution of 1909, the process of his dispatch to Medina and the difficulties he faced are analyzed within the historical context of the period. This study makes use of the biography writing as a theoretical framework. The method of analysis consists of qualitative research and written history found in archival documents. This study will shed light on Dağıstânî's life and the events that occurred during his life span, and makes use of primary sources as well as secondary sources. By focusing on his life, political works, and ideas as a scholar, this thesis will contribute to the studies on interconnectedness between individual and institutional aspects of social reality in the context of biography.