Continuation of the Debate on Polygamy [antikvár]

When, írom the mid-nineteenth century onwards, especially since the second Me§rutiyet era (1908-1918), the women's question was discussed as part of the modernizing discourse, not only women's education and the position of women in society in generál, but alsó polygamous marriages became subjects of discussion. Polygamy was treated, though less so, in literary works, and in journals and monographs of the period. As was usual with all women's questions, the attitudes of reformers and traditionalists differed concerning polygamy. But all sources, whether reformist or traditionalist, are important for our understanding of the relevance of the available statistics and the functioning of late Ottoman society. One of the most important, earliest and most thorough discussions on the sense or nonsense of polygamous practice involved the pioneer of Ottoman feminism, Fatma Aliye (1862-1936) and the traditionalist and jurist, Mahmut Esat (1855-1918). Their views were published in a three-chapter book entitled Tacaddüd-i Zevcát Zeyl (Continuation [ofthe Debate] on Polygamy) in 1316/1898-99 in Istanbul. The first chapter contains Fatma Aliye's critical reaction to somé articles by Mahmut Esat, which he had published in the newspaper MaHümát. The second chapter is Mahmut Esat's answer to Fatma Aliye's views and questions concerning polygamy, and the third contains his reaction to ísmail Gaspirali's (1851-1914) attack on polygamy. This polemical work occupies an important place in the discussion on women's questions, because it clarifies the differences in the Islamic interpretation of polygamy and the women' s question in generál between and among traditionalists and reformists. In addi-