Engagement in Ottoman law

In this study, the engagement institution was discussed within the framework of Ottoman law. It is understood that the engagement expressed with the concept of "namzed" is an important phenomenon in the Ottoman Empire. However, studies on the subject are observed to be minority. In this study, Fiqh books, fatwa magazines were scanned within the framework of Islamic law, and legal regulations in the Ottoman Empire were examined due to the cover-up of the subject. In this study, an institution-oriented method was followed and the Ottoman period was taken up with a holistic perspective. In this context, it is observed that the engagement in the Ottoman Empire took place in legal sources before and after the Tanzimat period. This reveals the importance of the state for engagement. However, the difference in terms shows the difference in a periodic perspective. In Ottoman law, another issue that draws attention within the framework of engagement is the complaints and demands of girls in disputes related to engagement. In this context, girls are usually allowed to marry the people they want. Another issue that has been observed is that disputes that are reflected in the registers are usually related to the deterioration of the engagement. This shows that legal systems are concerned with conflicts and disruptions in societies. Keywords: Ottoman law, Engagement, A promise of marriage