Molla Lütfü Tomb
About the Person:
- His full name was Lutfullah, born in Tokat in the mid-15th century, and he became one of the prominent scholars of his time. He received his initial education from his father, Kutbuddin Hasan, and later studied logic, philosophy, kalam, and mathematics in Istanbul under Sinan Paşa and Ali Kuşçu.
- In 1470, he was appointed to the imperial library where he worked with rare manuscripts and became close to the sultan. However, he was later accused of misconduct with waqf (endowment) books, removed from his post, imprisoned, and then reinstated as a professor in various madrasas.
- In 1495, Molla Lütfi was executed under accusations of heresy and apostasy. These accusations are widely believed to have been false, stemming from jealousy and enmity among his rivals. Despite hundreds of witnesses being heard in court, he was sentenced to death. It is reported that he recited the shahada (Islamic testimony of faith) before his execution, affirming his belief.
- He authored works in literature, philosophy, and theology, in both Arabic and Turkish. Though he did not prioritize poetry, he respected wisdom and virtue. Among his notable students were Kemalpaşazâde and the son of Molla Halebi. A neighborhood and a mosque in Istanbul bear his name.
About the Tomb:
Construction Year: 1987
Ordered by: Unknown
Architect: Unknown
Prominent Features:
- The open-air tomb is enclosed by carefully built walls and was reconstructed in 1987 when Molla Lütfi’s long-lost grave was discovered inside the Defterdar Textile Factory during its demolition.
- The area was reorganized and the tomb was restored in accordance with its new setting.
