In this teaching Ayberk Efendi commemorates the 145th year of martyrdom for the 32nd Ottoman sultan, Sultan Abdülhamid, while also inviting us to reflect on the tragic end of his predecessor, Sultan Abdul Aziz Han. With reverence and honesty, he reminds the community that truth‑bearing is a duty entrusted to every believer.
Ayberk Efendi explains that the official narrative describing Sultan Abdul Aziz’s death as suicide was deliberately crafted to conceal a calculated betrayal. After being deposed, the sultan was transferred first from Topkapı Palace to Feriye Palace and confined in a solitary room. On his final night he recited Surah Yusuf from the Qur’an, seeking divine comfort. In that moment, conspirators led by Mithat Pasha and Hüseyin Avni Pasha—along with others who participated in the plot—ended his life. The sultan’s martyrdom (şehit) therefore stands as a stark reminder of injustice and the necessity of Allah’s ultimate judgment.
We honor both Sultan Abdülhamid, whose legacy continues to inspire love and gratitude, and Sultan Abdul Aziz Han, whose soul we pray for alongside those responsible for his demise. May these reflections guide us toward humility, truth, and a deeper commitment to justice in our own hearts.
For further study of Ottoman history and spiritual heritage, you may explore the Society’s library collection.
