Measures Towards Disgrace Taken for Prophet Mohammed and also Other Prophets: An Evaluation Based on Archival Records

Abstract

The aim of the study is to examine the collection of archive documents from the last 70 years of the Ottoman State based on the evaluation and transcription of the slander, accusation and defamation attempts against Prophet Muhammad and also other prophets under the title “fazahat” (disgrace) and to investigate the subject by supporting it with the relevant literature. In addition to the evidential and informative value of archival documents, the research reflecting the diversity of subject and scope in our archival fonds of the Ottoman Republic shows the reaction of the state, the prosecution and measures against the individual delusions, the press and pictorial activity of “fazahat” attempts. In this context, the bureaucratic struggle of the Ottoman States in the religious sphere and its success in preventing the attempts to undermine the religion of Islam from the past to the present by the Prophet Muhammad can be understood on the basis of the sample documents. In addition, the study includes clarifications based on archive documents on where we should be vigilant and cautious about this issue today by understanding what methods have been implemented and what dimensions the impudent initiatives towards Islam have been applied. These activities date back to the early years of Islam and continue until today by being systematically repeated. In this study, documents from the Ottoman and Republican Era archival funds of the State Archives of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey were used and these documents were grouped in chronological order according to the actions subject to the “fazahat”. To avoid misunderstandings, the documents are summarized and supported by published works on the subject. The main aim of the study in this context is to remind the researcher with all kinds of political, social, sociologic, cultural, etc. that the disclosure and documentation of the event can be carried out through the rich resources in our archives.