Next, go to The Ottomans: Origins and read the sections titled "The Ottoman State" and "The Structure of Government."
According to this site, what role did the sultan play in governing the empire? (Consider both secular and religious matters.) What other groups exercised political power within the empire? Discuss the major principles that guided the Ottoman government and determine whether the goal was to enrich only Ottoman Turks or only wealthy landowners? To carry out the state's functions, Suleiman the Magnificent, who reigned from 1520 to 1566, developed an important legal code.
Go to The Ottomans: Suleyman and read the introduction and sections entitled "Suleyman the Just" and "Suleyman the Lawgiver."
What influence did the Islamic faith have on the laws of the empire? What is the Shari'ah? How does kanun differ from the Shari'ah? What other legal traditions does kanun reflect? After reviewing these sites and contemplating these questions, analyze your feelings about the Ottoman system of government and the laws it used to maintain order and stability among the empire's subjects.
You might want to go to Jewish History Sourcebook: Islam and the Jews: The Status of Jews and Christians in Muslim Lands, 1772 CE to learn what the Shari'ah says about nonbelievers. (You only need to read the section entitled "The Answer.")
Be prepared tomorrow to discuss the governing styles of the Ottoman Empire with class. We will discuss the similarities and differences of the governing styles of the three Islamic empires.