The exploration of the Ottoman reality, which is so closely intertwined with Modern Greek history, requires us to place it within the historical being and occurrences of the Islamic world, while also identifying its distinctive features and its contribution to its development. But to do this adequately, we must understand Islam itself, both in theory and in practice. This work has undertaken to carry out this understanding, taking into account that knowledge and comprehension of historical Islam is nowadays a prerequisite for a correct assessment of critical international developments.
The pre-Islamic reality in Southeastern Mediterranean and the Near East is examined in the preface of the book, specifically how early Byzantium and Sassanid Persia treated populations of different faiths. Based on this study, fundamental elements of comparison can be highlighted regarding the policies implemented by these formations and the dominion of Islam.
The first part of the book investigates the historical emergence and rapid expansion of Islam, the formation of its sacred law, and the social order established by Muslims for subordinate non-Muslim populations up to the era of the Seljuks. The conquest of Asia Minor by the Ottomans, the collapse of Byzantium, and the status of inclusion and coexistence of non-Muslim populations – especially Greek Orthodox – under Ottoman Islam are the focus of the second part of the book.
The issue of millet, the status of ecclesiastical privileges, and the subordinate position of the jizzyas (rayahs) are examined thoroughly.
