Rebellion, Sovereignty, and Islamic Law in the Ottoman Age of Revolutions

This article traces how Ottoman interpretations and uses of Islamic law adapted to deal with non-Muslim rebellions between roughly 1769 1830. Drawing on fatwas (legal opinions), bureaucratic registers, sultanic decrees, chronicles, as well British diplomatic records, it argues that the state actively reinterpreted its commitment legal tradition in order forge rebellion into a weapon against both foreign domestic enemies. The Ottomans first used declarations mobilize military forces imperial rivals, then discourage suppress dissent, finally deny rebels’ sovereignty under international law. In doing so, Sublime Porte effectively redefined by interleaving concepts. places this development global context, arguing resembled moves made Atlantic states they dealt Age Revolutions. At same time, story shows state’s law, employment officially authorized scholars interpret could license constrain policy. was flexible, but also meaningful. Interpretation occurred at different levels, done actors. While had significant latitude, faced limits arising from substance process interpretation itself.