Strengthening the Family: Legal Reform in Marriage in the Late Ottoman Empire

KORKMAZ Ö., KAYAPINAR H.

Journal of Family History, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus) identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1177/03631990261451413
  • Dergi Adı: Journal of Family History
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, IBZ Online, American History and Life, Education Abstracts, Gender Studies Database, Historical Abstracts, Humanities Abstracts, Index Islamicus, Social Sciences Abstracts
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: dowry, Islamic law, marriage registration, Ottoman family law, social policy
  • Akdeniz Üniversitesi Adresli: Hayır

Özet

This study examines how rising marriage expenses in the late Ottoman Empire became a socio-legal problem and analyzes subsequent reform proposals. Based on the Hacı Adil Bey Papers, the research focuses on the views of Zekeriya Zihni Bey and Süleyman Efendi regarding registration, dower (mehr), and divorce. Analyzing archival documents alongside fiqh and legislation, the study reveals a shift from moral exhortation to a legalized reform agenda. Findings contrast Zekariya Zihni Bey's court-supervised models with Süleyman Efendi's itinerant marriage officers. Both converged on the necessity of registration and deterrence to strengthen the family institution.