Or 15915

This volume contains a collection of interpretations and directives bearing on a wide range of legal questions. It was compiled by Musazade Mehmed ibn-i Ubeydullah (died 1196 AH/1782 CE) from documents that his father, Ubeydullah Musazade, had copied out while serving as a clerk to Pirizade Mehmed Sahib Efendi (died 1162 AH/1749 CE). The latter was Şeyhülislam from Muharrem 1158 to Rebiülevvel 1159 AH (March 1745-April 1746 CE).

Little is known of Musazade Mehmed’s birth and upbringing. After serving as a kadı for a time, in 1773 CE he was appointed Müneccim-i Sani (vice court astrologer). During this time, he became an assistant to the chronicler (vakanüvis) Çeşmizade Mustafa Reşid (died 1184 AH/1770 CE). Musazade Mehmed replaced Çeşmizade in this role upon his death. In the final two years of his life, he was Müneccimbaşı (chief court astrologer). He died on 17 Zilkade 1196 AH/October 25 1782 CE.

The text contains an Arabic-language preface (1v-2r); the main text (2r-122v); and finally further questions and answers on a variety of legal matters, addressing both the şeriat and kanun (123v-144v).

Begins:

(Besmele) elhamdülillahillezi şeyyede mebaniye’d-dini’l-kayyum bi-kavayim-i aklami’l-bulega ve mehhede kavaide’ş-şer‘i’l-müstakim bi-da’ayim-i a‘lami’l-fusaha

Ends:

Elkab-ı müluk ... ve hüve’s-Sultan ibnü’s-Sultan ibnü’s-Sultan es-Sultanu’l-Gazi Mahmud Han seyyed Allah da’ayim saltanatıh meda’d-duhur ve’l-a‘vam

There is an illuminated unvan on f 1v, well-executed though missing the title. The work was copied in the reign of Sultan Mahmud II (1223-55 AH/1808-39 CE).