Ulema and Politics: The Life and Political Works of Ömer Ziyaeddin Dağıstani (1849-1921)

This work is an analysis of the life of Ömer Ziyaeddin Dağıstani (1849-1921) and two of his political works, which he completed as a Sufi scholar (alim). Throughout his life, he served in various parts of the Ottoman Empire as well as occupying various positions such as mufti of a regiment (alay müftüsü), deputy judge (naib), professor (müderris), and Naqshbandi sheikh. He wrote two political works during the Second Constitutional Period: Hadis-i Erbain fi Hukuki's-Selatin and Mir'at-ı Kanun-i Esasi. This study makes use of the biography writing as a theoretical framework. The method of analysis consists of qualitative research and written history found in archival documents. This study will shed light on Dağıstanî's life and the events that occurred during his life span, and makes use of primary sources as well as secondary sources. By focusing on his life,political works, and ideas as a scholar, this thesis will contribute to the studies on interconnectedness between individual and institutional aspects of social reality in the context of biography.