The Sultan’s Syllabus Revisited: Sixteenth-Century Ottoman Madrasa Libraries and the Question of Canonization

Abstract This study revisits the question of early modern Ottoman madrasa curriculum, which, ever since famous Studia Islamica article Nenad Filipovic and late Shahab Ahmed in 2004, has come to be recognized as “sultan’s syllabus,” implying a strict imposition centrally-designed course study. By utilizing host endowment lists, book registers, autobiographical writings high- low-ranking scholars from sixteenth century that escaped Ahmed’s Filipovic’s attention, I aim redress an argument was based on misinterpretation single document but been extensively cited recycled its first articulation almost two decades ago. All these sources, some which have never or only partially received scholarly shed more accurate light, not scope learning, teaching, canon formation world scholarship also mediating role court played by supplying copies books wherever whenever needed.