The Turks show great care and generosity in building mosques and other religious buildings dedicated to the service of God. These mosques are often large, beautiful, and richly designed. Their beauty is not only seen in their structure and decoration, but also in the strong financial support given to maintain them. Wealthy rulers and donors provide large endowments so that the mosque can continue its religious and charitable functions for many generations.
These endowments also preserve the memory of the person who gave them. By supporting a mosque, a donor ensures that his name is remembered by the community and that prayers are offered for him after his death. Many people believe that such prayers can help the soul, especially since opinions about the state of the soul before the Day of Judgment are not fully settled among scholars. Because of this belief, giving to religious institutions is seen as both a charitable and spiritual act.
Endowments and Charitable Support
Large donations are often given to religious institutions for the service of God. Some observers have even claimed that a significant portion of land within the empire is set aside for religious purposes. These lands and properties provide income that supports mosques, priests, teachers, and the poor. The revenue from these endowments is used to maintain the buildings, pay religious officials, and provide food or help to needy people who visit the mosque Private Tour Guide Ephesus.
In addition to religious services, mosques often serve as centers of charity. Many poor people receive daily assistance from the funds connected to these foundations. In return, they pray for the souls of the donors, believing that such prayers show gratitude and honor the memory of those who gave generously.
Royal Foundations and Their Administration
The most important and richly funded mosques are those founded by the sultans. These royal mosques are considered the most prestigious because they are supported by the highest authority in the empire. In the Turkish language, such mosques are often called royal foundations, and they receive special attention and care.
The chief supervisor of these royal mosques is usually a high official connected to the royal household. One of the most powerful among them is the Kizlar Agha, the chief black eunuch of the Sultan’s household. He holds authority over many religious appointments related to the royal mosques. This includes the distribution of important religious offices and responsibilities.
Distribution of Offices and Revenue
Because many royal mosques exist across the empire, especially in major cities where the sultans have lived, the supervision of these institutions brings both power and income. Cities such as Bursa, Adrianople, and Constantinople are known for their grand mosques and large endowments.
Through his position, the chief superintendent can appoint priests and other officials who serve in these mosques. This role increases his influence within both the religious and political system. The combination of religious duty, administrative control, and financial resources makes the management of mosque endowments an important part of the empire’s structure.
In this way, the endowments of royal mosques support religion, charity, and public life, while also strengthening the connection between political authority and religious service.