Abstract:

In the Ottoman Empire, Shaykh al‐Islām authority was the ultimate authority where all social segments from administrators to tradesmen sought solutions to religious‐legal problems they encountered. In general, fatwas were about problematic areas and exceptional cases. That is to say, not cooperation and solidarity, but conflicts of the ahis subjected to the fatwas. The akhies engaged in production and trade subjected to fatwas, though to a limited degree.It can be concluded from fatwa in this period, akhies were playing a central role in religious, social and economic life. Akhi community played a major role not only in how Anatolia accepted Islam but also how Islamic principles and rules affected commercial and social life. Various Akhies lodges would compete with each other in order to walk at forefront of the parade to gain social status during the official ceremonies. Ebussuud tried to limit Akhies in the Ahl all Sun‐nah line and the government in the religious‐legal legitimacy frame, while they are struggling with Akhies, by using his fatwas.

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