Hasan Can

Hasan Can is a saint who is remembered in the sources as the close conversation companion and boon companion (nedîm) of Yavuz Sultan Selîm Han. His father was the hâfız Mehmed Efendi, who was known for his beautiful, melodious (dâvûdî) voice and who, after being present in the assemblies of the Akkoyunlu rulers, was brought to Istanbul by Sultan Selîm. Thanks to this closeness, Hasan Can too was raised in the palace and became one of the sultan's closest friends. He witnessed the important events of the sultanate; he was present at events such as the Battle of Çaldıran against Shah İsmâil (1514), the conquest of Egypt, and the sultan's final illness. He took part in the private services of the palace, participated in campaigns and administrative affairs, and became the keeper of the sultan's secrets. He witnessed the death of Yavuz Sultan Selîm and, in his final moments, carried out the duty of reciting the Holy Qur'an. Later, during the reign of Kânûnî Sultan Süleymân, he taught various sciences in the Enderûn (the palace school). Many incidents concerning his spiritual perspicacity (firâsa) and trustworthiness are related in the sources. He died in Bursa in the year 1567 (AH 974). He was the father of Şeyhülislâm Hoca Sâdeddîn Efendi, the author of the Tâcü't-Tevârih.