[2] Gülfem was a woman of Suleiman's harem when he was prince of Manisa, and after his accession to the throne in 1520, she came to reside in the Old Palace in Constantinople.

[2] Throughout Suleiman's reign, she enjoyed a considerable status within the imperial harem, and received 150 aspers a day.

Suleiman had sent Gülfem money and a box of sweets containing a mild intoxicant (kolonya).

Gülfem became involved by sending a letter to Bayezid, advising the rebellious prince to comply with his father's wishes.

According to a local tradition, the mosque was intended for the use of women and opened to men only in recent times.