Makarevych A. Transformation of Waqf in the Ottoman Empire of the XVI century

The thesis touches upon the issue of the waqf’s transformation in the Ottoman Empire of the XVI century. It is shown that the idea of waqf was taken by the arab-muslims from the Iranian funds “for the soul”. It is established that waqf has turned into a charitable institution not earlier than the end of the IX century. An attempt is made at identifying the formation of the Ottoman waqf. The high level of religiousity of Ottoman society caused the borrowing of all Muslim institutions, among which was waqf. It is necessary to consider the strong influence of the Turkic nomadic tradition which it caused on the development of the Ottoman state and on the formation of its separate institutions. That is why waqf in the Ottoman Empire could not be a copy of the traditional Muslim waqf. In addition to the Turkic element, the Persian and Byzantine traditions of founding charitable institutions were reflected. The highest development of the waqf system in the Ottoman Empire reached in the 16th century. It was proved that during the indicated period the waqf institute underwent changes. Transformation was caused by the territorial expansion of the empire, the seizure of a large number of the population. Waqf is a legitimate Muslim institution that did not prohibit charity towards non-Muslims. Therefore, the Ottoman rulers, who supported the policy of establishing waqfs, did not violate Sharia law, but also acted in the interests of their state. It is analyzed that the waqfs provided a wide range of free services to all patrials. This deprived the state of the need to take care of the social security of the empire. After the conquest of new lands, ottomans built waqfs there. It is justified that on new territories the waqfs were the translators of the Ottoman and Islamic culture.