In this heartfelt sohbet, Sheikh Bahauddin Adil recounts a striking episode from the twilight of the Ottoman Empire. At a moment when the state was burdened by debt and internal strain, a French theatrical troupe prepared a sensational production that caricatured the Prophet Muhammad, his companions (the Ashab‑ı Kiram), and even the Sultan himself. The play’s intention—to provoke through spectacle—reached the ears of Sultan Abdulhamid II, affectionately called “Cennet Mekâni” (the Heavenly One). Seeing the performance as a direct assault on the honor of Islam and the dignity of the Ottoman throne, the Sultan declared his readiness to mobilize and march against France.
The French authorities responded with unexpected restraint. Their government sent a warning to the troupe, insisting that any such staging would be met with severe repercussions—“we will break your hands and feet.” Confronted with this diplomatic pressure, the producers cancelled the play, averting an immediate crisis. Yet the episode revealed a profound truth: even when material strength waned, Abdulhamid II’s resolve to protect religious honor remained unshaken, illustrating how cultural affronts can ignite geopolitical tension.
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