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History of Islam Vol 3 of 3 by Akbar Shah Najeebabadi

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Ill<br />

The <strong>History</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Islam</strong><br />

Constantinople after being thoroughly beaten. Muhammad wrote to the<br />

king <strong>of</strong> Constantinople to send back Mustafa, the rebel. But Caesar<br />

refused to do so but promised to keep him safe in custody provided he<br />

keep sending him an amount to be spent on his maintenance. Since<br />

Muhammad was worried about insurgence here and there and didn't<br />

want to add to his trouble <strong>by</strong> coming into conflict with Christian<br />

powers, he accepted the demand and without showing any<br />

dissatisfaction, he moved ahead with his plans to establish better<br />

relations with Caesar and worked out a personal visit to Constantinople.<br />

Caesar also greeted him warmly and honorably. They together renewed<br />

the old agreement <strong>of</strong> peace and friendship. Following this, Muhammad<br />

left for Gallipoli where he passed away in 825 A.H.<br />

A Review <strong>of</strong> Muhammad's Reign<br />

Muhammad was 27 at the time <strong>of</strong> the Battle <strong>of</strong> Ankara. After the<br />

battle, he became the sovereign ruler <strong>of</strong> Amisiah, a town in Asia<br />

Minor and came into clashes with his brothers. In the wake <strong>of</strong> fighting<br />

with his brothers for eleven long years, he overpowered all others and<br />

ascended to the Ottoman throne. His 8-years tenure was beset with<br />

strife and disruptions. His s<strong>of</strong>t policy and wise steps saved a dying<br />

Empire- Because <strong>of</strong> this some historians have called him the Noah <strong>of</strong><br />

the Ottoman Dynasty. "<br />

Sultan Muhammad I was the first Ottoman king who fixed an annual<br />

grant for the maintenance <strong>of</strong> the House <strong>of</strong> Allah, the Ka'bah and for<br />

the poor and the needy Makkans. This sacred service <strong>of</strong> his attracted<br />

from the Abbasid Caliph, Mu'tazid Billah the enviable title <strong>of</strong> the<br />

custodian <strong>of</strong> the Sanctuaries <strong>of</strong> Makkah and Madinah. This title rose to<br />

such a height with the passage <strong>of</strong> time that the Ottoman rulers came to<br />

be called the Caliphs <strong>of</strong> the Muslims.<br />

Sultan Muhammad died when he was 47. His son, Murad II, who was<br />

then 18, was proving his worth as the commander <strong>of</strong> the Ottoman<br />

Army in Asia Minor. The Ottoman ministers concealed the death <strong>of</strong><br />

the Sultan Muhammad for<br />

40 days and during this period, they sent<br />

couriers to Murad II to post him with the loss and bring him back to<br />

the capital for his coronation as the king <strong>of</strong> Ottoman Dynasty.

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