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Honored by the Glory of Islam: Conversion and Conquest in Ottoman Europe
In Honored by the Glory of Islam Marc David Baer proposes a novel approach to the historical record of Islamic conversions during the Ottoman age and gathers fresh insights concerning the nature of religious conversion itself. Rather than explaining Ottoman Islamization in terms of the converts' motives, Baer instead concentrates on the proselytizers -- in this case, none other than the sultan himself. Mehmed IV (1648-87) is remembered as an aloof ruler whose ineffectual governing led to the disastrous siege of Vienna. Through an integrated reading of previously unexamined Ottoman archival and literary texts, Baer reexamines Mehmed IV's failings as a ruler by underscoring the sultan's zeal for bringing converts to Islam. As an expression of his dedication to Islam, Mehmed actively sought to establish his reputation as a convert-maker, convincing or compelling Christian and Jewish subjects to be "honored by the glory of Islam" and Muslims subjects to turn to Islamic piety. Revising the conventional portrayal of a ruler so distracted by his passion for hunting that he neglected affairs of state, Baer shows that Mehmed IV saw conversion as central to his role as sultan. He traces an ever-widening range of enforced piety, conversion, and conquest expanding outward from the heart of Mehmed IV's empire. This account is the first to correlate the conversion of people and space in the mature Ottoman Empire, to investigate conversion from the perspective of changing Ottoman ideology, and to depict the sultan as an interventionist convert-maker. The resulting insights promise to rework our understandings of the reign of a forgotten ruler, a largely neglected period in Ottoman history, the changing nature of Islam and its history in Europe, relations between Muslims, Christians, and Jews in Europe, the practice of jihad, and religious architecture in urban history.
344 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2007
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About the author
Marc David Baer
17 books49 followersProfessor Baer earned his BA degree at Northwestern University and his PhD at the University of Chicago. Before joining LSE in 2013, Baer taught at Tulane University, New Orleans, and the University of California, Irvine.
Professor Baer’s research focuses on the connected histories of Christians, Jews, and Muslims in European and Middle Eastern history, from the early modern era to the modern .
His first book, Honored by the Glory of Islam: Conversion and Conquest in Ottoman Europe (Oxford, 2008, Turkish translation, IV. Mehmet Döneminde Osmanlı Avrupasında İhtida ve Fetih, Hil, 2010), analyzes how Muslim proselytizers conceived and practiced converting other Muslims, as well as Christians and Jews to their interpretation of Islam. Honored by the Glory of Islam was awarded the Albert Hourani Prize of the Middle East Studies Association of North America as the best book in Middle East Studies, 2008. The monograph was also short listed as the best first book in the History of Religions by the American Academy of Religion, 2009. He ends Honored by the Glory of Islam with the conversion to Islam of a group of messianic Jews in seventeenth-century Ottoman Salonika, which is the focus of his second monograph, The Dönme: Jewish Converts, Muslim Revolutionaries, and Secular Turks (Stanford, 2010, Turkish translation, Selânikli Dönmeler: Musevilikten Dönenler, Müslüman Devrimciler, ve Laik Türkler, Doğan, 2011). The Dönme is the first complete history of a secretive Ottoman community from its origins to its dissolution in twentieth-century Istanbul. The Dönme was named finalist, Sephardic Culture category at the National Jewish Book Awards, 2010.
Professor Baer’s research focuses on the connected histories of Christians, Jews, and Muslims in European and Middle Eastern history, from the early modern era to the modern .
His first book, Honored by the Glory of Islam: Conversion and Conquest in Ottoman Europe (Oxford, 2008, Turkish translation, IV. Mehmet Döneminde Osmanlı Avrupasında İhtida ve Fetih, Hil, 2010), analyzes how Muslim proselytizers conceived and practiced converting other Muslims, as well as Christians and Jews to their interpretation of Islam. Honored by the Glory of Islam was awarded the Albert Hourani Prize of the Middle East Studies Association of North America as the best book in Middle East Studies, 2008. The monograph was also short listed as the best first book in the History of Religions by the American Academy of Religion, 2009. He ends Honored by the Glory of Islam with the conversion to Islam of a group of messianic Jews in seventeenth-century Ottoman Salonika, which is the focus of his second monograph, The Dönme: Jewish Converts, Muslim Revolutionaries, and Secular Turks (Stanford, 2010, Turkish translation, Selânikli Dönmeler: Musevilikten Dönenler, Müslüman Devrimciler, ve Laik Türkler, Doğan, 2011). The Dönme is the first complete history of a secretive Ottoman community from its origins to its dissolution in twentieth-century Istanbul. The Dönme was named finalist, Sephardic Culture category at the National Jewish Book Awards, 2010.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 27, 2010
Honored by the Glory of Islam evaluates Sultan Mehmed IV, who reigned over the Ottoman Empire from 1648-87. While many scholars (including contemporary scholars) are left with distaste for Mehmed IV, Baer’s thoughts are mostly positive. The author emphasizes the dual roles of conversion and conquest that were strong throughout most of Mehmed IV’s tenure. Mehmed IV used them interchangeably, which caused him to be much celebrated. It was only when Mehmed’s military successes waned (i.e. the failed 1683 attack on Habsburg Vienna) that Sultan Mehmed IV was stripped of his honorary title of ghazi and converter. Baer attempts to restore credit to a sultan who is attributed to the ushering the empire’s slow decline towards nonexistence.
Baer’s book opens up with an incident where he is doing research and the director of the Islamic Law archives persistently attempts to convert him to Islam. Baer humbly refuses several times. This anecdote sets up his book nicely as he is to relay the importance of conversion to conquest in the expanding Ottoman Empire.
The relation between conquest and conversion plays out throughout the book. One concurrent theme where these two ideas play out is in the theme of the hunt. The hunt instilled a sense of masculinity and aggression in the young sultan. While this was to eventually be a criticized past time, it was originally admired. The author points out how the hunt has positively been framed in eastern cultures as practice beneficial to waxing imperial rulers. Interestingly enough, it is through this practice that Mehmed IV conducted mass conversions of Christians in recently conquered territories. The Christians would often be used to drive the animals for the Sultan, and he would then preside over their conversion, after which they would obtain a new “Muslim” wardrobe. Aggressions, such as residing near the frontier, make Mehmed IV different in the eyes of his subjects, garnering their respect. Unfortunately, these aggressions soon work against him when they look towards replacing him with the exact opposite after his Vienna failure.
I found this book to be one of my favorites in the History of Violence class. Its scope is small and provides a clear focus, that of the importance of conquest and conversion to the Ottomans in the 17th century. It looks at one extreme reign which provides an excellent example of this. In refuting much of the body of negative publicity, Baer depends and is eager to cite the works of many contemporary and modern scholars throughout the body of work. On page 141, he states that for contemporary sources, he uses the works of Karacelebizade, Katip Celebi, Solakzade, and Abdi Pasha, who is Mehmed IV’s official biographer. These primary sources give the author plenty to work with as they are often colored by the high and low sentiments of the time. He makes the story personal and even attempts to make it relevant to modern times with the mention of similarities of the reign of modern sultans, such as Abdulhamid II (1876-1909).
Baer’s book opens up with an incident where he is doing research and the director of the Islamic Law archives persistently attempts to convert him to Islam. Baer humbly refuses several times. This anecdote sets up his book nicely as he is to relay the importance of conversion to conquest in the expanding Ottoman Empire.
The relation between conquest and conversion plays out throughout the book. One concurrent theme where these two ideas play out is in the theme of the hunt. The hunt instilled a sense of masculinity and aggression in the young sultan. While this was to eventually be a criticized past time, it was originally admired. The author points out how the hunt has positively been framed in eastern cultures as practice beneficial to waxing imperial rulers. Interestingly enough, it is through this practice that Mehmed IV conducted mass conversions of Christians in recently conquered territories. The Christians would often be used to drive the animals for the Sultan, and he would then preside over their conversion, after which they would obtain a new “Muslim” wardrobe. Aggressions, such as residing near the frontier, make Mehmed IV different in the eyes of his subjects, garnering their respect. Unfortunately, these aggressions soon work against him when they look towards replacing him with the exact opposite after his Vienna failure.
I found this book to be one of my favorites in the History of Violence class. Its scope is small and provides a clear focus, that of the importance of conquest and conversion to the Ottomans in the 17th century. It looks at one extreme reign which provides an excellent example of this. In refuting much of the body of negative publicity, Baer depends and is eager to cite the works of many contemporary and modern scholars throughout the body of work. On page 141, he states that for contemporary sources, he uses the works of Karacelebizade, Katip Celebi, Solakzade, and Abdi Pasha, who is Mehmed IV’s official biographer. These primary sources give the author plenty to work with as they are often colored by the high and low sentiments of the time. He makes the story personal and even attempts to make it relevant to modern times with the mention of similarities of the reign of modern sultans, such as Abdulhamid II (1876-1909).
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December 9, 2017I got the inspiration to read this book after I watched Shoukoku no Altair....Really a good book but I do feel like most of the converts from other religions to Islam took place due to the financial superiority of Muslims at that time though there must have been many cases where non-Muslims got enchanted by the character of the good Muslims
October 31, 2025
Not quite what it says on the cover, as it focuses primarily on Mehmed IV rather than conversion as a general phenomenon. I would have liked more of a bottom-up look but sources are understandably difficult to come by.
September 13, 2024
This book focuses on Mehmed IV, who was placed on the throne as a child by the janissaries—often referred to as kingmakers, the creators of Ottoman power, or... Wild dogs without leashes. Suleiman is considered "Magnificent" given his achievements but like the author says in his other book "The Ottomans: khans caesars and caliphs", Suleiman was handed everything on a golden platter. Mehmed IV on the other hand inherited an empire in disarray. Despite that, using what he was given, I think he did a pretty solid job and deserves to be placed on par with the Suleiman, Selim and Mehmed II. Usually, Mehmed IV is depicted as a sultan who spent a lot of time hunting. Baer shows the other side of the Sultan. A side coloured by piety and zeal for Islam. In the first decade of his rule(Under the Queen regent), women played a significant role in governing the empire. However, this is merely historical context and not the main subject of the book. Titled "Honored by the Glory of Islam" by Baer, the book delves into the consequences of a government losing its moral compass. What happens to the economy, territory, and governance when morality is lost? Everything deteriorates.
When a great empire faces economic decline, territorial losses, rampant corruption, and a lack of morality among its populace, a new approach is needed for revival—turning to religion. Things were so dire that even coffee and tobacco were banned due to the vices associated with coffee shops. The book illustrates the critical juncture where the Ottoman Empire faced a choice between survival and collapse. The treasury was empty, government positions were being sold, and the once-feared elite Janissary army had become a disorganized, cowardly, and corrupt group, even resorting to cannibalism and rape. The situation worsened with a massive fire that destroyed nearly three-fourths of Istanbul. The empire needed salvation, which it found in religion, leading to a religious rebirth.
The book is not only about the demographic shifts, such as Jews and Christians converting to Islam, but also about the transformation within Islam itself. In the 21st century, terms like "Wahabi" or "Salafi" are familiar, referring to a strict form of Islam that emphasizes pure monotheism without cultural influences. This movement seeks to emulate the practices of the first Muslim community. The book connects this to the historical Ottoman movement known as the Kadizadelis, the Ottoman version of Salafism/Wahabism. It explores how the Kadizadelis influenced the politics of the era and spread their version of Islam to the masses.
Additionally, the book discusses how non-Muslims converted to Islam in a context where being Muslim offered certain benefits. This is the first time I've encountered the Kadizadelis, and I'm surprised such a movement even existed.
The Valide Sultan, the Sultan, the Grand Vizier, the Sheikhulislam, and the Kadizadelis all play significant roles in the conversion of the populace.
The language used is quite easy to follow and a basic understanding of the Ottoman Empire is sufficient enough for getting through this book. For a simplified and summarized version of this book, Baer's other book already mentioned above, has an entire chapter allocated to Mehmed IV and his reign.
When a great empire faces economic decline, territorial losses, rampant corruption, and a lack of morality among its populace, a new approach is needed for revival—turning to religion. Things were so dire that even coffee and tobacco were banned due to the vices associated with coffee shops. The book illustrates the critical juncture where the Ottoman Empire faced a choice between survival and collapse. The treasury was empty, government positions were being sold, and the once-feared elite Janissary army had become a disorganized, cowardly, and corrupt group, even resorting to cannibalism and rape. The situation worsened with a massive fire that destroyed nearly three-fourths of Istanbul. The empire needed salvation, which it found in religion, leading to a religious rebirth.
The book is not only about the demographic shifts, such as Jews and Christians converting to Islam, but also about the transformation within Islam itself. In the 21st century, terms like "Wahabi" or "Salafi" are familiar, referring to a strict form of Islam that emphasizes pure monotheism without cultural influences. This movement seeks to emulate the practices of the first Muslim community. The book connects this to the historical Ottoman movement known as the Kadizadelis, the Ottoman version of Salafism/Wahabism. It explores how the Kadizadelis influenced the politics of the era and spread their version of Islam to the masses.
Additionally, the book discusses how non-Muslims converted to Islam in a context where being Muslim offered certain benefits. This is the first time I've encountered the Kadizadelis, and I'm surprised such a movement even existed.
The Valide Sultan, the Sultan, the Grand Vizier, the Sheikhulislam, and the Kadizadelis all play significant roles in the conversion of the populace.
The language used is quite easy to follow and a basic understanding of the Ottoman Empire is sufficient enough for getting through this book. For a simplified and summarized version of this book, Baer's other book already mentioned above, has an entire chapter allocated to Mehmed IV and his reign.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews