List of Sheikh-ul-Islams of the Ottoman Empire

Following the foundation of the Ottoman state, the title of Sheikh-ul-Islam (Turkish: Şeyhülislâm), formerly used in the Abbasid Caliphate, was given to a leader authorized to issue legal opinion or fatwa.

During the reign of Sultan Murad II, (1421-1444, 1446-1451) the position became an official title, with authority over other muftis in the Empire.

In the late 16th century, the Shaykh al-Islam were assigned to appoint and dismiss supreme judges, high ranking college professors, and heads of Sufi orders.

[1] The Sheikh-ul-Islams' office was known as the Şeyhülislâm Kapısı, or the Bab-ı Meşihat, which during the Tanzimat was housed in the old quarters of the Agha of the Janissaries.

Another department, headed by the ders vekili, supervised the training of ulema and the education of teachers in primary mektebs and secondary madrasas.