Turkish siyer (Life of prophet) writing during the Constitutional era

The 19th century was a period of innovations in terms of political, economic, social, cultural and scientific areas in the Ottoman Empire. These innovations have also manifested themselves in historiography. Turkish intellectuals also attempted to build their perception of history within the framework of the paradigm shift in the West and new methods used in the field. In this respect, Islamıc History was the subject of new studies as well as General Histories or Ottoman History. While some authors of this period kept pace with the innovations, some chose to stick with the tradition. Accordingly, their studies include different perceptions about prophets. As a result of scientific methods adapted to Islamic history writing, a transformation occurred in language, style, content and use of resources. However, Islamic historiography was used as a legitimacy mechanism about the political and social issues of the time. This research focuses on the change that occurred in Islamic historiography in the Constitutional Period. In this regard, this study examines Düzceli Yusuf Suad's Akvemü's-Siyer, İzmirli İsmail Hakkı's Siyer-i Celîle-i Nebeviyye, and Celal Nuri's Hâtemü'l-Enbiyâ.