Video - Reforming the Ottoman Empire: The Influence of Sheikh al-Islam Mahmud Tahir Efendi

Sultan II, who made the biggest reform movements in the Ottoman Empire. Mahmud received fatwas from Shaykh al-Islam Mehmed Tahir Efendi for all these actions. The sultan, who was very pleased with the fatwa he gave especially for the abolition of the Janissary corps, gave him a very valuable diamond ring as a gift. The uniforms of the Nizam-ı Cedid army, which was established after the abolition of the Janissary corps, were also taken as examples from Europe. In particular, a helmet had to be worn instead of the Janissary turban. For this, Sheikh al-Islam's fatwa was again required. Mehmed Tahir Efendi was invited to the palace. The Sultan seated the Shaykh al-Islam with his face facing the sun. The afternoon sun was shining directly into Tahir Efendi's eyes and was making him very uncomfortable. That's why he was constantly trying to shade himself from the sun with his hand. The sultan, who wanted to get the fatwa he wanted, asked at that moment: - His Excellency, I see that you cannot stand the sun, how can my soldiers fight against the sun against the infidels? When asked, Sheikhulislam said: - Then a helmet can be worn instead of a turban, and gave the fatwa that the sultan wanted.