Yahya - Justice and Tolerance in the Qur'an (2003)

PEACE IN SOCIETIES WHERE TRUE JUSTICE PREVAILS
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even attracted other non-Muslim communities, which came
and settled in the Ottoman lands. 31 If Osman Ghazi had not
ensured the establishment of that just, tolerant and secure
environment which Islam demands, non-Muslims whose
lands were conquered by Muslims might well have adopted
a hostile manner. However, being a person of faith, who
strictly observed God's commands, he administered justice.
Osman Ghazi also attended wedding ceremonies of non-
Muslims and gave them gifts, which are acts that attest to his
tolerance of and respect for non-Muslims. 32
In his book, The Ottoman History, Joseph von Hammer
relates another example of Osman Ghazi's justice:
On a Friday, a Muslim, who was a subject of the Germiyan Turk
ruler Alishir quarrelled with a Christian who was under the
command of a Roman commander of Bilecik. Osman judged
between them and found the Christian innocent. Then, throughout
the country, everyone started to talk about Osman's justice and
honesty. 33
It is further related that just before his death, Osman
Ghazi instructed his son Orhan to protect all his subjects
equitably and to please those who obeyed him. 34 The
reputation of Osman's justice extended even to remote lands.
For this reason, Orhan Ghazi did not have to fight to capture
Bursa (a town in Anatolia). The commander of the town
surrendered the castle to Orhan Ghazi of his own free will.
Then Orhan Ghazi asked Saroz, the commander in Bursa,
why he had surrendered the castle. Saroz replied that those
who obeyed Orhan Ghazi enjoyed peace, and that was what
his people also longed for. 35 The answer of the Romans in