An Introduction to Religious Foundations in the Ottoman Empire

Description

In this volume of less than 200 pages, John R. Barnes presents a handbook and guide to understanding one of the most important Islamic institutions, the pious foundation. The Ottoman Turks developed most fully this system of privatizing Htate property, entrusting in perpetuity one's wordly possessions to God's work-and the income to one's heirs. In the first three chapters, the author describes Islamic land-use practice in the early Arab empires and how the Ottomans allowed Islamic objectives to be channeled to imperial advantages. After outlining how the 17th century memorialist Koçi Bey drew attention to the sinful illegality of this Ottoman manipulation, the book's final four chapters record the demise and final dissolution of the system in the early 20th century. The book not only provides clear explanations of the internal mechanics and functioning of the institution, but also lays the foundation for further research. (from review by William J. Griswold, Middle East Journal vol. 41 issue. 4, 1987)