Molla Kırımi: An Islamic Scholar and Poet and A Companion of Mehmed the Conqueror

This work dwells on the life and works of Molla Kırımi, an Islamic scholar and poet, who was also a mudarris during the period of Mehmed the Conqueror. Emigrating in the Ottoman territories from Crimea with his teacher Molla Şerefüddin during the period of Murad II, Molla Kırımi first served as a mudarris, kadi, and mufti in Merzifon. Following the Conquest of Istanbul, he arrived in Istanbul and he was introduced to Mehmed the Conqueror there. Honored by receiving state assistance from Mehmed the Conqueror, Molla Kırımi was included amongst the companions of Mehmed the Conqueror. Wishing that Crimea acted in unison with the Ottoman Empire and being fond of Crimea, Molla Kırımi had intentionally used the pseudonym/pen name “Kırımî” in his daily life as well as in his poems. It is evident that Molla Kırımi was a benevolent person as he protected some poor people who needed help around him and there were madrasah, caravanserai, and fountain bearing the name of Molla Kırımi. Serving as a mudarris until the end of his life, Molla Kırımi had 12 works in the genres of annotation and gloss. In addition to these works, an ode and a verse were determined to be attributable to him. The poet told this verse during exchanging poems with Mehmed the Conqueror. In this article, in the first place, the immigration of Molla Kırımi from Crimea to the Ottoman territories, his duties performed, relationship with Mehmed the Conqueror, scholar personage, and works were mentioned followed by the introduction of an ode and a verse attributable to him. It is expected that this article contributes to catching a glimpse of the scholarly life of the period of Mehmed the Conqueror and the recognition of Molla Kırımi.