What was the crime of Molla Lutfi, who was executed like Socrates?

One of the most vibrant periods in the history of Ottoman thought is the 15th century. In this century, a great intensity was experienced both politically and scientifically. In this period, we know that important names in mathematics, philosophy, mysticism and law worked within the empire. One of these people was Molla Lütfi, also known as Lütfi of Tokatlı or Sarı Lütfi.

Molla Lütfi was a famous mathematician of his time who lived in the 15th century, during the reigns of Fatih Sultan Mehmet Khan and Beyazıt II. His real name was Lütfullah. When the Ottoman dynasty records are analysed, it is estimated that he was born in Tokat in 1446. He received his first education under his father Kutbettin Hasan, one of the scholars of that period. After completing the education he received from his father, Molla Lutfi travelled to Istanbul, where he met Sinan Pasha. He learnt logic, philosophy and theology from him. With the guidance of his teacher, he took mathematics lessons from the famous mathematician Ali Kuşçu, who was in Istanbul at the time and who left his mark on the period he lived in. 

In 1470, when Sinan Pasha became vizier, he was appointed to the palace library by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror on the advice of his teacher. In this way, he had access to books and knowledge and as a result, he had the opportunity to improve himself in many fields. In the meantime, he developed his friendship with the sultan to the point of joking with him. In time, Molla Lütfi became known as a free-minded, well-informed, quick-witted, outspoken and witty character. However, for some unknown reason, the friendship between Molla Lütfi and the sultan soon came to an end. He was first suspended from the library on charges of treason. He is appointed as a mudarris. Then he is thrown into prison. In this process, Sinan Pasha also falls out with the sultan and is exiled to Seferihisar. When Molla Lütfi, who was reinstated in time, learnt that Sinan Pasha had been expelled from the palace, he did not stay in the palace and left the palace.

After the death of Fatih, Molla Lütfi returns to Istanbul with Sinan Pasha. He was appointed by the new sultan Bayezid II to the post of professor at the Bursa Yıldırım Bayezid Madrasah. During this time, he authored many works, most of them in Arabic and Persian. One of them is his book titled Taz'ifü'l-Mezbah (On Finding the Doubling of the Altar Stone). This work consists of two parts. The first part deals with geometry. In the second part, the famous "Delos" Problem is analysed. There are 3 important problems that have survived from Ancient Greece to the present day, which mathematicians have been pondering on. These are:

1) Division of an angle into three,

2) Squaring the circle,

3) Finding a cube equal to twice a cube or the Delos Problem.

Molla Lutfi was interested in these problems, especially the Delos problem. This is proof that he was one of the important mathematicians of his time. Doubling the cube or the Delos problem is one of the three geometric problems that cannot be solved using compasses and rulers. Ancient Egyptian, Greek and Indian mathematicians worked on this problem.

In his book, he explains that doubling the cube is not equivalent to doubling one side of it, but to enlarge it eight times. He also wrote that this problem could be solved with the middle proportion. However, he could not find a solution to the problem. 

Now let's come to our main topic: Why was Molla Lutfi executed? 

The reason for this is not known for certain even today. However, if there is one thing that is known for sure, it is that Molla Lutfi was known as a sharp-tongued, quick-tongued, and outspoken person. Perhaps as a result of this, he would be one of the first people in the history of Ottoman thought to be executed on charges of heresy and irreligion. Many justifications were put forward for his execution. However, it remains unclear which statement or behaviour he was accused of. Today, it is also thought that his words may have caused a misunderstanding due to his joking personality.

Molla Lutfi's work entitled "al-Metalibu'l-Ilahiyya fi-Mawzuatu'l-Ulum", which he wrote on philosophical subjects, drew quite a reaction because it represented too much philosophical and free thought compared to the understanding of that period. In fact, Mullah Lutfi was accused of unbelief by Hatipzade, Mullah Izari, Efdalzade, Ahaveyn and some other narrow-minded people. Thereupon, Molla Lutfi was arrested by order of Bayezid II. After two trials in which about 200 witnesses were heard, he was sentenced to death. Although some people claimed that a person whose faith and Islam were obvious could not be executed, he was executed in Sultanahmet Square on 24 December 1494 by cutting his head with a sword. This end was seen as a great injustice by the public and the unjust execution was engraved in the minds. Some notables and poets of the period even argued that Molla Lutfi was killed because of envy and therefore he should be considered a martyr.

As a result, many different sources today point to this incident as a conspiracy against Molla Lutfi. Whatever the real reason, Molla Lutfi left his mark on history as an important mathematician of the Ottoman period. However, unfortunately, although he was a person who represented "free thought", he was killed because he thought differently. When we look at the accusations attributed to Molla Lütfi, who was also accused of corrupting the students he taught, we see that they are more or less the same as those of Socrates. In fact, accusations and executions that can be called extrajudicial executions, in a sense similar to what was done to Mullah Lutfi or Socrates, are still being carried out today. Although more than five centuries have passed since the execution of Mullah Lutfi, life shows us that not much has changed in these matters. 

With respectful love