The Attitude Of The Ulema Towards Some Western Innovations In The Selim III And Mahmut II Period In The Ottaman

Contrary to popular belief, the Ottoman Empire was a state that was always in contact with the Western World. Although the Ottoman Empire, which was aware of the developments in the Western World through various means, was a little late in transferring the innovations and had discussions, it had a serious modernization problem by the 18th century. In particular, the lands lost as a result of military defeats concerned the survival of the state and encouraged the state to take action in this regard. The gradual shaking of the centuries-long superiority position over the Western World was a process that alarmed the ruling class. When modernization became inevitable for the Ottoman Empire, accepting and implementing innovations also became important. The Ilmiye class, which constituted one of the three important groups of the state, and the Ulema who were members of this class, were an authority that was consulted and asked for fatwa on worldly affairs, due to their position. In this study the attitude of the Ulema towards the modernization activities that started in the reign of Selim III and continued increasingly in the reign of Mahmud II is discussed as a result of the information obtained from the Ottoman historical literature. Both the acceptance of innovations and the cautious approach to innovations are important in showing us the importance of the Ulema in the state.