Beyond Modern Reform: What Sultan ʿAbdul Ḥamīd’s Library Teaches Us

*The Private Library of Sultan Abdul Hamid II at Yildiz Palace, Istanbul.*

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ

وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى رَسُولِهِ الْكَرِيمِ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ

The Nizāmī Curriculum: Baghdad to Lucknow

The fundamentals of the Nizamī curriculum resemble those of Baghdad's Nizāmiyya common during Imām Ghazālī's era, the Ottoman domains, and among the scholars of Transoxiana. This is because their underlying objective was to understand the Quran and Sunnah.

From Dars-i Niẓāmī to the Great Libraries

A well-rounded scholar trained in the traditional Dars-i Nizāmī or classical curricula could easily engage in deep intellectual study of Islam's vast classical libraries. Whether examining Imām Rāzī's Tafsir or Shaykh Ibn Arabī's Fusus, a student with classical foundations possessed all the crucial skills needed to benefit from these scholars and their works.

The Modern Disconnect

Unfortunately, with the advent of modernity, appreciation for these classical libraries has diminished. Modernists, fixated on a reformist approach towards contemporary issues and sciences, would rather stock Islam's library with new material disconnected from past scholarship.

This era will never see another Imam Ghazālī unless he builds upon Ghazālī's foundation, nor will we witness another Imām Rāzī until he learns from al-Rāzī's wisdom.

Therefore, even today, we still need the same subjects—Balagah, principles of jurisprudence, and scholasticism—that were prevalent in Imām Ghazālī's time, which we inherited from the scholars of Dars-i Nizāmī.

*Collection of Manuscripts: Which books can you See?*

Sultan ʿAbdul Ḥamīd’s Library: A Symbol of Continuity

Erudite scholars who possess mastery over these sciences and can access classical libraries, like Sultan Abdul Hamīd's private collections shown in the photos, will be better equipped to address contemporary issues and provide authentic solutions. Their solutions will be built upon our tradition, not in isolation from it.

Reconnecting to Classical Scholarship through Verified Methods

The implications of abandoning teaching methodologies that have been tested, verified, and refined over centuries leads to abandoning the books in the classical syllabi. This is because methodologies are the key through which such works open up to the reader. It is only after training in these methodologies that one can truly access the tradition.

If you are a student of knowledge—or plan to become one—make the intention to study at least one classical work through traditional methods. The intellectual clarity and malakah (mastery) it cultivates can be truly life-changing.