Ottoman 1893 Islamic Law & Jurisprudence Book by Ahmed Zuhdu Pasha Vol 1 Islam Muslim
El-Mecmuatü'z-Zühdiye fî'l-Ahkâmi'd-Dîniyye, Volume I – Ottoman Edition (1311 AH / 1893–1894)
Description:
This is the first volume of El-Mecmuatü'z-Zühdiye fî'l-Ahkâmi'd-Dîniyye, an important Ottoman work on Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) and religious instruction, written by Seyyid Ahmed Zühdü Paşa. Printed in Istanbul at Matbaa-i Osmaniye in 1311 AH (approximately 1893–1894), the book was published with the official authorization of the Ottoman Ministry of Education (Maarif Nezareti), as stated on the title page.
The title page notes that this first volume contains matters relating to acts of worship performed through the body and wealth, covering essential topics of Islamic practice such as ritual obligations, religious duties, and practical legal rulings. As one of the best-known Ottoman ilmihal and fiqh textbooks, the work was designed to present fundamental religious knowledge in a clear and systematic manner.
The author, Seyyid Ahmed Zühdü Paşa (1834–1902), was one of the distinguished intellectuals and senior statesmen of the late Ottoman Empire. During his career, he served in several of the empire's highest offices, including Minister of Education (Maarif Nazırı) and Minister of Finance (Maliye Nazırı). Combining scholarly expertise with administrative experience, he authored this work as part of the broader effort to modernize education while preserving the principles of Islamic learning.
During the late nineteenth century, El-Mecmuatü'z-Zühdiye became an officially approved textbook in Ottoman secondary schools (idadis), where it was used to teach students the foundations of Islamic law, worship, and ethics. Its inclusion in the state curriculum reflects the Ottoman government's commitment to providing standardized religious education during the modernization reforms of the period.
The volume is also significant as an official educational publication. The presence of the Maarif Nezareti's approval on the cover demonstrates that the book met the standards required for use in government schools, making it both an educational textbook and an important historical document illustrating the development of the Ottoman educational system.
Today, this work is highly valued by collectors and researchers of Ottoman history, Islamic law, educational reform, and Ottoman printing. It represents an important intersection of religion, scholarship, and state-sponsored education during the final decades of the Ottoman Empire.
Key Features:
• Title: El-Mecmuatü'z-Zühdiye fî'l-Ahkâmi'd-Dîniyye, Volume I
• Author: Seyyid Ahmed Zühdü Paşa (1834–1902)
• Publisher: Matbaa-i Osmaniye
• PublicationYear: 1311 AH (1893–1894)
• Place of Publication: Istanbul, Ottoman Empire
• Language: Ottoman Turkish (Arabic script)
• Format: Hardcover
• Genre: Islamic Studies; Fiqh; Ilmihal; Religious Education
• Subjects: Islamic law; Worship; Religious obligations; Ottoman education
• Contents: Volume I covering matters relating to acts of worship performed through the body and wealth
• Educational Significance: Official textbook used in Ottoman secondary schools (idadis)
• Official Approval: Published with the authorization of the Ottoman Ministry of Education (Maarif Nezareti)
• Historical Significance: Important example of late Ottoman educational reform and state-approved religious instruction
• Research Value: Valuable source for the study of Ottoman education, Islamic jurisprudence, and late Ottoman intellectual history
• Collectibility: Scarce official Ottoman educational and religious textbook by a prominent statesman and scholar
• Condition: Some pages exhibit age-related toning and minor tears that do not affect the readability or integrity of the text.