Debates on the legitimacy of family foundations in the shadow of nineteenth- and twentieth-century Ottoman centralization policies

Family foundations were integral to the Ottoman legal and economic systems, adhering to Islamic foundation law. They provided essential services such as education, healthcare, public works, and economic support, relieving the state of these burdens. Over time, these foundations grew in number and scope, becoming crucial to society. However, in the nineteenth century, debates arose about their legitimacy, particularly regarding family foundations. The Ottoman bureaucracy and intellectuals began questioning these institutions due to centralization policies and pressure from European states. Ottoman bureaucrats and intellectuals argued that family foundations were inconsistent with Islamic inheritance laws, served to circumvent confiscation, and placed an economic burden on society. In the twentieth century, family foundations were abolished in some countries, and their numbers dwindled in the Ottoman Empire, nearly vanishing in the Republican era. Despite numerous debates on the legitimacy of family foundations, discussions within the Ottoman heartland, particularly in Istanbul, have been largely overlooked. This article aims to fill this gap by exploring the debates among scholars and intellectuals in Istanbul regarding family waqfs and the effects of Ottoman centralization policies on these institutions.