The life of Sheikh al-Islam Mustafa Hayri Efendi of Urgup, his fatwas and poli̇ti̇cal events of the period

Sheikh al-Islam, who was regarded as the highest religious authority in the Islamic geography, especially in the Ottoman Empire, includes the meanings such as old, wise, chief. In the 4th century of the hijra, it was started to be used as an honor title to the Sufis. The main duty of the Institution of Sheikh al-Islam was to issue fatwas to religious affairs. However, in some Islamic countries, the Institution of Sheikh al-Islam was given different tasks such as inspecting madrasahs and granting certificates. The formation of Sheikhdom as an institution was realized in the Ottoman Empire. The Sheikhdom, which was called by different names in some Islamic countries, emerged as the humble fatwa authority in the Ottoman Empire after the reign of Fatih Sultan Mehmet and represented the scientific class (ilmiye). From this date on, the Sheikhdom, which played an important role in the state organization and was also called Meshikhat, showed continuous development and change in the later periods, had political influence from time to time, its fatwas were taken on the subjects such as war, peace, agreements etc. and the Sheik al-Islam became a member of the cabinet. Appointed and dismissed directly by the Sultan himself in the Ottoman Empire, the Sheikh al-islams were also among the most respected government officials in terms of their position in the highest hierarchy and protocol. The Institution of Sheikh al-Islam first became the Sharia and Awqaf Ministry with the proclamation of the Republic, and later was replaced by the Directorate of Religious Affairs. In this study, the structure and function of the Sheikhdom Institute of the Ottoman period will be examined. The life, education, and tasks taken on by Mustafa Hayri Efendi of Urgup, who served in the professions of teacher, criminal court head, Awqaf Ministry and Parliment membership before being sheikh al-Islam, carried out the task of Sheikh al-Islam between the years 1914-1916, issued the famous Greatest Jihad fatwa that was assumed as a reason for the Ottoman Empire to be included in the World War 1, and became the 167th Sheikh al-Islam of the Ottoman State will also be clarified, and the texts containing fatwas given during his term in office as sheikh al-Islam will be translated.