Alâeddîn Ali Fenârî

Alâeddîn Ali Fenârî was among the great scholars and saints raised in the Ottoman State, and he was among the descendants of Şemseddîn Fenârî (Molla Fenârî). His name was Ali bin Yûsuf Bâlî bin Şemseddîn Muhammed Fenârî. He was the child of Molla Yûsuf, the son of Molla Fenârî, the first Şeyhülislâm of the Ottoman State. His epithet was Alâeddîn, and he was called "Fenârî" in relation to his grandfather. He was born and raised in Bursa, within a deep-rooted family of learning; his date of birth is unknown. In keeping with the family tradition he turned toward learning, and to advance his knowledge he went to Iran and deepened his studies. Upon his return to his homeland he undertook scholarly and administrative duties, occupied himself with teaching, and raised students. While on the one hand he stood out with his identity as a man of learning, on the other he was known for his mystical inclination. Fenârî, who also had a literary aspect, took an interest in poetry and used the pen name "Gammî" in his verses. According to the sources, he was a respected personage who continued the scholarly legacy of his grandfather Molla Fenârî and represented that legacy. It is related that he died in Bursa toward the end of the year 1497 (AH 903). He was buried beside the grave of his grandfather Molla Fenârî; thus he was laid to rest around the tomb in Bursa where the elders of the family are interred, and, as in life so after his death, he is remembered beside his grandfather. As a member of the Fenârî family, which raised men of learning across three generations, he is counted among the representatives of this family's deep-rooted place in Ottoman intellectual and spiritual life. His life and works have been recorded in detail in numerous Ottoman and Islamic biographical sources.