Sultan’s firmans, evidence of inter-religious tolerance in the Islamic State

Abstract

Sultanic Firmans in themselves constitute the elite of the documents compiled by the Ottoman administration. They expressed and transmited the will of Sultan to issue his undisputed order for implemetation by the receivers, or whoever might have been, regardless of social status, position or carrying tasks.
Firmans, except for historical and cultural values, contain also significant aesthetic and artistic values, which are expressed in the statistical, caligraphic, decorative aspects, in the seals in use, miniatures etc.
Mentioned elements show the high artistic level, not just of those preparing firmans for the sultan, but also of those who waited for and copied these documents.
The numerous values of firmans are especially reflected in the “Müzehhep Fermanlar Koleksyonu” fund, which is stored in the Ottoman Prime Ministry Archive in Istanbul.
Archive researches that are carried out in the recent years have revelaed that that even in the Central State Archive in Tirana, it is preserved a considerable number of firmans, many of which are original.
The data that the the firmans of the sultans of Ottoman Empire provide, among other things, allow to prove the prudent and tolerant policy of Ottoman rule over the nations and non-muslim groups within this state.