Dede Cöngi's Risaletü's-Siyâseti'ş-Şer'iyye : a context analysis through its translations in the sixteenth and the nineteenth centuries

Abstract

This thesis intends to analyze the manuscript of the 16th Century scholar, müderris Kemalüddin İbrahim bin Yahşi, Dede Cöngi Efendi’s Risaletü’s-Siyasetü’ş-Şeriyye; which is also known as “Siyasetnâme”. The main purpose of such text which reflects Ottoman State’s perception of administration in classical age was discussed. Moreover, Şeyhülislam Meşrebzâde Arif Efendi’s motivation of re-translating and interpreting this text despite the presence of several translations from Arabic to Ottoman Turkish is reviewed. First of all, the political context and academic discussions in which this text emerged is observed. Prior to a comparison between the original text and translations, the manuscript was analyzed in the own historical context. The text’s aspect of siyâsa is observed considering its affiliation to the discussion of örf and Shari’a. Lastly, the reasons for the emergence of an interpretation of the text by the highest level ulema member, Şeyhülislam, in the 19th Century were argued in addition to a discussion on how this text was utilized in the context of legal reforms in Ottoman Empire.