The Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire is attributed to Osman ibn Gazi Ertugrul, a member of the Turkish tribes in Anatolia. Initially a vassal of the Seljuk State, Osman founded the Ottoman Empire following the Seljuks’ fall to the Mongols, gaining support from the local populace. Over the centuries, the empire expanded its territory across numerous countries in both the East and the West, ruling the Islamic world for more than six centuries. Below, we highlight some of the most significant sultans during this illustrious period.
Sultan Murad II (The Thunderbolt)
The sixth Ottoman sultan, Murad II ascended to the throne at the young age of seventeen. He faced numerous challenges that threatened the security of the empire during his reign. His notable achievements include:
- Quelling revolts from the Crusader states, despite his youth.
- Gaining the loyalty of Anatolia back to the state.
- Annexing Albania into Ottoman territories.
- Laying siege to Constantinople in 825 AH.
- Engaging in multiple wars against Hungary, leading to Serbian submission for their own security.
Sultan Mehmed II (The Conqueror)
Mehmed II was famously hailed by the Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him – with the prophecy of his conquest of Constantinople: “(The city) will certainly be conquered, and what an excellent leader is its leader, and what an excellent army is that army!” As the seventh sultan, he took the throne at just thirteen years old, transforming his era into a significant turning point for the empire. Under his rule, the Ottoman state evolved into a formidable empire.
Some of his key accomplishments include:
- The conquest of Constantinople, which marked a monumental achievement for the empire, fulfilling the Islamic aspiration of taking the city.
- Strengthening Ottoman rule across various European nations, including Albania, Serbia, and Montenegro.
- Instituting stable regulations for interacting with non-Muslims within the Ottoman realm.
Sultan Selim I (The Resolute)
The ninth sultan, Selim I, began his reign in 1512, establishing himself as one of the most formidable and resolute leaders in Ottoman history. His reign was marked by significant conquests that quelled surrounding enemies. His major contributions include:
- The annexation of the Hijaz and the Levant into the Ottoman Empire.
This achievement granted the empire immense credibility within Islamic nations, especially since the holy cities of Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem became official territories of the Ottoman Empire, leading Selim I to be the first sultan to be honored with the title “Servant of the Two Holy Sanctuaries.”
- The incorporation of Algeria into the empire.
The annexation of Algeria opened the door for the Ottomans to North Africa, marking it as the first North African state to officially join the empire, following the request from naval leader Hayreddin Barbarossa to safeguard against Spanish aggression.
- Eliminating the Safavid threat, considered one of his greatest successes, Selim I launched an attack on the Safavid state, reaching the capital of Tabriz and seizing numerous spoils, thus extinguishing the Safavid advance for nearly twenty years.
- Annexing Eastern Anatolia into Ottoman territories.
Sultan Suleiman I (The Lawgiver)
The tenth sultan, Suleiman I, presided over the empire during one of its strongest periods, where the Ottoman state held significant influence over both international and local affairs concerning weaker nations. Some of his noteworthy achievements include:
- Establishing numerous schools and universities, demonstrating his commitment to education and culture, rivaling his focus on jihad and Islamic conquests.
- Providing refuge for the oppressed; he welcomed all individuals, both Muslims and non-Muslims, seeking asylum, including persecuted Muslims in the Islamic West and Christians in parts of Europe. He was always prepared to mobilize a great army to respond to cries for help from the oppressed.