THE EMPIRE, SUNNI ISLAM, AND QIZILBASH ISLAM IN CELÂLZÂDE MUSTAFA’S HISTORICAL WRITINGS

The intricate interplay between religion, state, and historiography in the Ottoman Empire during the first half of the sixteenth century—a period marked by the Empire’s transformation from a medieval state to an early modern power—was significantly shaped by the emergence of the Qizilbash challenge circa 1500. The comparable leadership claims of the Ottoman and Safavid dynasties, coupled with the Safavids’ capacity to attract Ottoman Muslims, explain the urgency and strictness of the measures taken by the Ottoman dynasty and its elites. This context also highlights why Ottoman intellectuals, devoted to upholding the political and cultural integrity of the state, made the Ottoman-Safavid conflict a central theme in their historical narratives. Within the diverse spectrum of Ottoman thought on Sunni and Qizilbash Islam and responses to the Safavid challenge, Celâlzâde Mustafa stands out as a crucial voice, whose distinguished and impactful tenure as chancellor earned him the title “the Great Chancellor.” His works offer valuable insights into these complex dynamics and are essential for understanding the full picture of Ottoman responses to the period’s religious and political challenges. This article, through an in-depth analysis of Tabakat and Selimname, presents Celâlzâde as an exemplar of the Ottoman elite and explores (i) his interpretation of Sunni Muslim identity, (ii) his portrayal of Qizilbash Muslims, and (iii) his strategies for reinforcing Ottoman legitimacy against the Qizilbash Safavid threat.