The Islahat Ferman, one of the most important edicts published in the last period of the Ottoman Empire, was created in order to keep on good terms with the western states, just like the Tanzimat Edict. Let’s see what the Reform Edict is, in which sultan’s period, and why it was declared in all details.
Unfortunately, things started to deteriorate in the 19th century for the Ottoman Empire, which ruled most of the world for hundreds of years. Huge empire due to successive wars, rebellions and territorial losses, He had to seek help from the West, who had knelt before him. One of the edicts announced for this purpose went down in history as the Islahat Edict.
accepted as one of the most important edicts published in the last period of the Ottoman Empire. Reform Edict, just like the Tanzimat It was declared in order to keep good relations with western states. With the edict, many rights were granted to non-Muslims and new legal situations such as the concept of general citizenship emerged. Let’s take a closer look at what the Reform Edict is and see its importance in history.
First, let’s make a brief definition; What is the Reform Edict?
Islâhat Hatt-ı Hümâyûnu (Islahat Fermanı) with its old Turkish name, declared during the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. It is one of the most important edicts after Tanzimat. It is considered by some historians as a continuation of the Tanzimat Edict, as it expands the rights granted by the Tanzimat.
When and during which sultan’s reign was the Reform Edict declared?
The Reform Edict, prepared by Grand Vizier Mehmed Emin Ali Pasha, one of the most important statesmen of the Tanzimat period, It was declared on February 18, 1856 with the approval of Sultan Abdülmecid. It is one of the most important edicts of this period with the Tanzimat Edict of 3 November 1839 and the Sultan Abdulaziz Edict of 1860.
To understand why the Reform Edict was announced, we need to look at the conditions of the period:
Throughout the centuries-old history of the Ottoman Empire, many western-minded sultans came and made countless reforms. Someone who doesn’t know much about historical details. You may think that the edicts such as Tanzimat and Islahat were announced for this reason, but unfortunately, the reality is not like that at all.
Minorities are rioting, the west is standing up, the east is growling, the Arab girl is looking out the window; In other words, things were quite complicated in the Ottoman Empire. In the Crimean War, which began on October 4, 1853 Our confrontation with the Russians made things worse. Of course, our beloved Europe immediately supported us and stood by us against Russia.
Of course, the Europeans did not do this help because they loved us. That’s luck Exactly 18 days after the ceasefire in the Crimean War Edict of Reform was declared. In other words, the Europeans apparently forced us to expand the rights given to non-Muslims in the Tanzimat Edict. As we said, the sultan did not have the strength to oppose it because the situation was complicated.
But what happened with the Reform Edict?
One of the most striking features of the Reform Edict was the It eliminates the concept of Muslim and non-Muslim. In other words, the concept of Ottoman citizenship emerged. Apart from the Orthodox, people of all religions living in the Ottoman lands were also allowed to be civil servants.
With the granting of the right to change religion, the death penalty for those who renounced Islam was abolished. Non-Muslims were allowed to attend military school and tax equality. When compulsory military service was introduced to non-Muslims, a kind of paid military service system that Muslims could also use was formed with a regulation. Non-Muslims were allowed to talk about their internal problems by establishing their own assemblies.
To summarize, with the Reform Edict, the Muslim-non-Muslim distinction in the Ottoman Empire was almost completely eliminated. By removing the special rights that Muslims should have in an Islamic state, It was ensured that people of all religions had the same rights and duties.
Let’s look at the characteristics of the articles of the Reform Edict:
- Everyone can be a civil servant and a soldier.
- Ill-treatment such as beatings and torture will end.
- Different religions and denominations will be able to teach.
- Bribery will be considered a major crime.
- The prison system will be regulated.
- All will be equal before the law.
- Criminal laws and the court system will be regulated.
- Taxes will be equal for all.
- Non-Muslim assemblies, such as the patriarchates, will have legal rights.
- All will be equal in court testimony.
- Mixed courts will be established for mixed cases.
- The state will not confiscate the property of criminals.
- Courts will be open and dates will be announced.
By simplifying the old language and writing it in today’s Turkish how similar to the rules of the European Union, right? If we look at the articles one by one, we can find many different details, but this was the general arrangement made with the articles of the Islahat Fermanı.
Although the regulations were expanded with additional articles for different fields and subjects, both the Tanzimat Edict and the Islahat Edict were basically living in the Ottoman Empire It was declared to give non-Muslims equal rights with Muslims. Of course, we can say law, democratization or something, but when you think that it was declared by force, one cannot help but think.
What are the results of the Reform Edict?
In fact, everything started with the Tanzimat Edict of November 3, 1839. Afterwards, the fire intensified with the Edict of Islahat. First Constitutional Monarchy, then II. It literally caught fire with the constitutional monarchy. In other words, it is not possible to talk about the results of the Reform Edict alone, but we can say that it is a part of this broad process.
Historians, including the Reform Edict, They look at this process from two different angles. According to the first point of view, this process is actually the process of the Ottoman Empire’s adaptation to the modern democratic world and the transition to western law instead of the evil law order. That’s why what happened in this process is quite painful.
From a different point of view, this whole process is a complete invasion. Because none of the declared edicts are actually requested by the Ottoman administration or its people. All of this is the result of the pressure of the western states, together with their local collaborators, to overthrow the Ottoman Empire. In other words, the Ottoman Empire was occupied for the first time with the Tanzimat, even if not actually. Of course, these discussions raise more water.
Equal rights were given to everyone living in the Ottoman lands. What is the Reform Edict, during which sultan’s period, why was it declared? We answered frequently asked questions such as: What do you think about the Islahat Fermanı? You can share your thoughts on the subject in the comments.