Islam and Turkish Civilization – although considered as a romantic notion – is fundamentally a civilization of the heart, and this can never be denied. In fact, many aspects such as mutual support, charity, caring for the poor and needy, expressed by the words of the Quran, form the foundation of our civilization of the heart.
Among the most important characteristics of the ideal believer type delineated and characterized by the Quranic discourse of the Islamic faith are attributes of being charitable, engaging in acts of goodness, and enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong. Our esteemed ancestors, driven by the goal of embodying these qualities of the ideal believer, built a refined civilization based on these values and became its representatives.
This pinnacle of our values and traditions undoubtedly reached its zenith with the Ottomans. The Ottoman society established and revived unique and elegant methods of mutual support and acts of goodness. Among these graceful traditions built upon acts of charity and benevolence by the Ottomans are the “Zimmem Registers” and “Charity Stones.”
In Ottoman society, the wealthy and philanthropic would pay off various debts, especially those of struggling individuals, including tradespeople, without drawing attention to their names or identities, using their own distinct methods, while performing these acts of goodness. One of our famous charitable traditions from the Ottoman era is the widespread practice of “Zimmem Registers.” The term “Zimmem” in its plural form refers to debts. “Zimmem Registers” refer to registers where various debts were recorded. Especially philanthropists and wealthy citizens would visit tradespeople, especially grocers, butchers, and greengrocers, in different neighborhoods, especially during the Ramadan months, and request them to create “Zimmem Registers.”
They would tear pages from the beginning, middle, and end of the register created by the tradesperson and say, “Erase the debts, may Allah accept it.” This way, they would fulfill the payment of debts for unknown individuals in different neighborhoods without revealing who had paid off the debts. In this manner, not only were they fulfilling the duty of charity and mutual support prescribed by the religion, but they were also practicing mutual aid secretly in accordance with the saying of the Prophet, “Let not your left hand know what your right hand is doing.”
If the person intending to perform a charitable act was well-known in the community, they would disguise themselves and visit the tradespeople, settling the debts recorded in the various pages of the “Zimmem Registers.”
Another famous charitable tradition that emerged during the Ottoman period is the “Charity Stones.” Just like the “Zimmem Registers” tradition, in the “Charity Stones” tradition, individuals engaged in acts of charity without drawing attention to their presence, fulfilling their duty of assistance without embarrassing the recipient. Charity Stones, also known by names such as “Zakat Stones,” “Zakat Well,” “Beggar Niche,” “Need Stone,” “Place of Need,” “Poor Stone,” and “Goodness Hole,” were found in almost every corner of the Ottoman geography.
Charity Stones were typically small column-shaped stones with holes or areas on top for placing money and items of assistance. These stones were usually located at places where recipients of assistance might be found, such as fountainheads, mosque entrances, nursing homes, and hospital entrances, or at central points within neighborhoods.
Contributions, both in kind and in cash, were left at these assistance columns. Cash contributions typically consisted of paper or metal coins, while in-kind contributions included clothing and food items for the use of those in need. These contributions were usually made by philanthropists during the night hours when no one could see. Essentially, no one knew who had made what contribution, and the recipients of the assistance also did not know who had performed the act of charity.
Instead of begging, individuals in need who were in a vulnerable situation would obtain what they required from the Charity Stones without compromising their self-esteem or feeling embarrassed. These individuals would take as much money or items as they needed from these stones. In this way, other individuals in need would also benefit from the charity placed in the Charity Stones. Additionally, the philanthropists would continually fill the Charity Stones with assistance, and individuals in need would never be neglected.
Within the heart-centered civilization constructed by Ottoman society and Islamic tradition, “Zimmem Registers” and “Charity Stones” are just a few examples of a refined concept of charity. In Ottoman tradition, there are many other refined and courteous charitable traditions, much like these two famous ones. Although the tradition of “Zimmem Registers” and “Charity Stones” has unfortunately been forgotten to a great extent in our present times, there are philanthropists who strive to revive these refined traditions.
In past eras, there were four famous Charity Stones known to the people of Istanbul. One of these stones is located in the courtyard of Gülfem Hatun Mosque in the Üsküdar bazaar, while the others are located in the Doğancılar, Karacaahmet, and Kocamusatafapaşa neighborhoods of Üsküdar. Unfortunately, only the one in Doğancılar still stands today.
In various parts of Ottoman geography, Charity Stones that have survived to the present day exist as historical artifacts. These stones can be found in many cities, including Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara, Samsun, Kayseri, Çorum, Yozgat, and Manisa.
Unfortunately, with secularization and modernization, we have become estranged from these ancient traditions we once possessed. Modern societal life and new standards of living have weakened our human relationships, especially family bonds. As a result, we have become individuals who are distant from sharing and mutual support. Instead of being individuals who compete in acts of goodness and charity, we have become people who strive for speed, consumption, and only think of ourselves. In terms of acts of goodness and mutual support, it is now crucial to revive our ancient traditions that strengthen our human connections and foster unity and togetherness. The revival of these ancient traditions falls upon everyone, from individuals to the government, foundations, and civil society organizations.
