Osmanlı Dönemi’nde Hz. Ali Külliyesi Vakıfları

The Waqif of Imam Ali is mentioned in all of the Islamic sources because The Sanctuary of ImamAli is a very sacred and influential place for all Muslims. The Sanctuary of Imam Ali was appearedin 170-193 (786-808) during the reign of Caliph Harun er-Rashid. Nobody knew the location of Ali’stomb except the Ahl al-Bayt, there was no structure on the tomb but only soil. According to Ottomanarchival documents, the Waqif of Imam Ali were not only located in Najaf but also in Baghdad, Hilaand on the road to Khorasan. The Waqif of Imam Ali appeared in the fisrt place in the documents inthe book of Baghdad. It is also understood that the waqif was also registered during Ottoman reign.Especially, Suleiman the Magnificient respected the Waqif of Imam Ali greatly and all the Ottomansultans and the statesmen were treated his waqifs with respect. Ottoman sultans and all Baghdadgovernors did not make any changes in the management of the Waqif of Imam Ali. In addition, theOttoman Empire did not even appoint an administrator to Najaf, the city of Imam Ali. During theOttoman period, Nâkibu’l-Eşraf was responsible for Najaf, and Waqif of Imam Ali. The people ofNajaf and other holy cities lived in peace and security and these holy places developed socially andeconomically throughout the Ottoman period. In this study, in the light of sources especially theOttoman archival documents, the subject of Waqif of Imam Ali in the Ottoman Period with incomesources, officials and services were discussed. In addition, the library and items of The Sanctuary ofImam Ali are emphasized.