From the very dawn of his reign, a profound understanding of justice settled upon the heart of Sultan Mehmed Han. He moved through the world not merely as a conqueror, but as a ruler deeply imbued with the principle that all stood equal before the law, even the sovereign himself. His teacher, Akşemseddin, had instilled in him the sacred words that if the learned and the judges of a nation were righteous, the people would flourish; but if they faltered, corruption would engulf all. This wisdom became the guiding star of his rule, illuminating his path as he laid the foundations of a new era.
The young Sultan's dedication to this ideal was not merely theoretical; it manifested in the very fabric of his governance. Following the triumphant conquest of Istanbul, as the city began its grand transformation, a curious incident unfolded. Two priests, long imprisoned in the city's dungeons for daring to speak of justice to Constantine, refused their freedom, believing the world outside to be more unjust than their cells. Sultan Mehmed, hearing of their plight, extended an extraordinary invitation: journey through the Ottoman lands, witness the application of Islamic justice, and if they found it wanting, they were free to return to their self-imposed reclusion.
The priests embarked on their journey, their skepticism slowly eroding with each encounter. They witnessed a case in Bursa where a Muslim, having bought a horse that proved sick and died, sought redress. The judge, having been absent when the complaint was first brought, declared himself responsible for the delay that led to the horse's death and personally compensated the buyer, an act of profound self-accountability that astonished the observers. Later, in Iznik, they saw another Muslim, who, upon finding a pot of gold while plowing a field he had purchased, insisted on returning it to the previous owner, stating he had bought only the land's surface, not its hidden treasures. The previous owner, in turn, refused, arguing the gold now belonged to the land's proprietor. The wise judge, discovering each had a child, decreed they marry, uniting the gold with a new generation. Such tales of unwavering honesty and equitable arbitration deeply moved the priests.
Yet, the most indelible testament to Sultan Mehmed's commitment to justice came when he himself stood accused. A Greek architect, Iosif Ipsiplanti, brought a charge against the Sultan, alleging that his hand had been unjustly severed for failing to adhere to construction plans. Kadı Hızır Bey, the esteemed judge of Istanbul, did not hesitate. A summons was dispatched to the palace, not to the glorious "Father of Conquest" or "Sultan," but simply to "Mehmed, son of Murad."
On the appointed day, the great Sultan entered the court, stripped of all imperial regalia, to stand as an ordinary citizen before the law. Kadı Hızır Bey, from his seat of judgment, commanded the Sultan to rise, reminding him that the accused stands during testimony. Without a moment's hesitation, Mehmed rose. The proceedings unfolded with meticulous care, the architect's grievance heard, the Sultan's defense considered. The verdict was delivered: Sultan Mehmed was found at fault. The law of retribution, "an eye for an eye," dictated that the Sultan's hand should be severed in kind.
A stunned silence filled the chamber. The architect, overwhelmed by the sheer integrity of the court, fell to his knees, renouncing his claim and accepting compensation instead. Sultan Mehmed, bowing his head in acceptance of the initial ruling, then turned to Kadı Hızır Bey, revealing a hidden sword beneath his robes. "Had you shown favoritism due to my position," he declared, "I would have struck off your head with this very blade!"
This legendary encounter, along with the comprehensive legal framework established within his Fatih Kanunnamesi, painted a vivid portrait of a ruler who understood that the strength of an empire rested not only on its military might but, crucially, on the unwavering scales of justice. His reign demonstrated that true power lay in the willingness of the mightiest to submit to the very laws they upheld, ensuring a societal order where every individual, regardless of status, could seek and find equity.
