He is one of the Sheik of Islams of Suleyman the
Magnificent period and one of the famous scholars of sixteenth century. His year of birth
is not certain. He is the son of Kemalpaşazade Suleyman Bey. He became famous as Ibn
Kemal, with reference to his father.
Ahmet Şemseddin was a spahi soldier like his father
in his youth. He took part in many wars in Beyazid the 2nd period. Seeing that scientists
were held even superior to emirs, advanced his education by changing his job. He learnt
Arabic and Persian. First he became a teacher. As his reputation grew, he became the Kadi
of Edirne and Kazasker of Rumelia.
Yavuz Sultan
Selim loved him much and took him with himself in his wars. When they were turning back
from Egypt expedition, the mud splashed from the leg of İbn Kemal's horse dirtied Yavuz's
caftan. Yavuz said to him "Mud from leg of a scientists horse is the ornament of my
caftan" and willed that this caftan be put on his coffin after his death.
Suleyman the
Magnificent respected him too. In his period, he became the Sheik of Islam and remained in
this position until his death. He was entitled as "Muftiyü's Sakaleyn". Ibn
Kemal loved right and justice and never left honesty and virtue. He was a great man so
much that he gained respect and love of sultans. He is a model person of Turkish history.
He died in 1533. His grave is in Mahmut Çelebi Lodge outside of Edirnekapi.
İbni Kemal was
not only a great religion scholar but also a precious historian and strong poet. It is
said that he wrote about three hundred books in the form of books and booklets. He had
translated the book of İdrisi Bitlisi named Heşt Behişt. He wrote a book named
Nigaristan in Persian similar to that of Sadi's Gulistan, and wrote a booklet on Ottoman
history and Mohaç Battle. He has a uncompleted Koran commentary and a book named Yusuf ve
Züleyha and many annexes and interpretations to religious books.
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