What Did the Ottoman Ruler Sultan Abdul Hamid II Do to Protect and Unite the Ummah?

Recently, the figure of the important Islamic historical leader, Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II, has frequently been the target of various accusations. Whenever individuals seek justification for their defeats or failures, the blame is often diverted to the final ruler, who is perceived to have protected the Ummah, maintained his territories, and defended his religion from various threats in both the East and the West.

Similarly, when politicians in Turkey and the Arab world are involved in political debates or electoral competition, Sultan Abdul Hamid is often accused of being the cause of weakness and division in their nations. Such accusations constitute a distortion of history and a simplification of the dynamics of civilisational change.

Who, then, was Sultan Abdul Hamid II? What was his role in protecting and uniting the Muslim Ummah within a strong state, amidst the various challenges he faced during his reign? This is noted by the Secretary-General of the World Islamic Union, Sheikh Muhammad Ash-Shalabi, as cited on his official website on Monday (28/09/2026).

Sultan Abdul Hamid II was the 34th Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. He ascended the throne at the age of 34. He was born on 16 Sha’ban 1258 AH (1842 AD).

The Sultan’s mother passed away when he was ten years old. Following this, he was raised by his father’s second wife, who had no children. This woman cared for him with great affection and endeavoured to be a maternal figure to him; she also bequeathed her wealth to Abdul Hamid. This pattern of education and upbringing profoundly influenced the personality of Sultan Abdul Emid II.