Seyyid Ahmed Hilmi Efendi
Profile summary
Highlights
Ahmed Hilmi Efendi of Kastamonu began his career by teaching the children of Kazasker Zeynelâbidin Efendi. He became molla of Galata in 1859 and molla of Sofia in 1866. He then rose within the ilmiye establishment by obtaining the Mekke-i Mükerreme pâye.
Ahmed Hilmi Efendi was appointed a member of the Dîvân-ı Ahkâm-ı Adliyye in 1868, later obtained the Istanbul pâye, and after becoming President of the Mahkeme-i Temyiz in 1875 received the pâye of Anatolian kazasker.
Known for his deep knowledge of Islamic law, Ahmed Hilmi Efendi took part in the preparation of the Mecelle-i Ahkâm-ı Adliyye, one of the most important texts in Ottoman legal history. It is recorded that the Mecelle Commission benefited from his legal expertise and that Ahmed Cevdet Paşa spoke of him with praise.
Ahmed Hilmi Efendi, described in his inscription among the “men of letters and jurists of the age,” is known to have belonged to the Naqshbandi order.
Ahmed Hilmi Efendi died on 6 Dhu al-Hijja 1305 (14 August 1888) and was buried in the Fatih Mosque Cemetery.
Epitaph
"All that is upon the earth shall perish." (Rahman 26) For the soul of Kastamonulu Seyyid Ahmed Hilmi Efendi, a hafiz, one of the leading scholars of literature and Islamic law of his age, a pure and upright man, among the great prime ministers, affiliated with the Naqshbandi order, who attained Allah’s mercy and forgiveness; and for the souls of all believers, a Fatiha for Allah’s pleasure and in honor of the Prophet. 14 August 1888.
A Fatiha for his/her soul