Ottoman legal system

The Ottoman legal system was a sophisticated structure combining Islamic law (Sharia) and customary Ottoman practices. It included religious courts (Sharia courts) handling personal status, family, and religious matters, and secular courts (Kanun) for administrative issues. The Sultan and his officials also issued laws (regulations) that complemented or sometimes replaced existing laws. This dual system allowed for flexible governance, integrating religious principles with pragmatic statecraft, ensuring justice across a diverse empire with many different cultures and communities.