Abstract:

During the modernization process, the ʿilmiyya class continued to exist in cities as qāḍīs/nāʾibs, mudarrises and muftīs. Although their authorities and functions were reduced with the new institutions established and officials appointed after the Tanzimat period, they continued to be influential in the administration of districts (qaḍā). Legal and sharia cases were still handled by qāḍīs. They even presided over the daʿāwī councils/bidāyat courts established from the 1860s onwards. Mudarrises continued to teach in madrasas, which maintained their traditional education system. Muftīs continued to exercise the authority of iftāʾ. Taking into account the fact that not enough research has been conducted on the members of the ʿilmiyya class at the district (qaḍā) level, this study chronologically examines the muftīs who served in Uşak ditrict between 1808-1908, focusing on their tenure, the reasons for their replacement, and their local roles. The muftī Hacı Muṣṭafā ʿĀṣım Efendi (1850-1918), who served between 1885-1909, is analyzed in detail, focusing on his education, function, and dismissal, and his role outside of the iftāʾ duty is tried to be revealed. Based on the information in the documents available in different archives, the study reveals that the muftī was a party to the issues related to the administration of the districts during the Maḥmūd II period (r. 1808-1839), that they were frequently dismissed due to their various misdeeds, that they were rarely punished with exile, and that the demands and complaints expressed by the people in the documents they prepared and presented were effective in their dismissal, It has been determined that their terms of office were shorter than in the following years, however, two individuals were appointed as muftī for six times, they served longer in the Tanzimat Period than before, those who were found to be in bad behavior were dismissed, and two muftī served for a long time in the ʿAbdulḥamīd II Period (r. 1876-1909).

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