Seyyid Bey (İzmir Mebusu)

Statesman and writer (b. 1873, İzmir – d. 8 March 1925, İstanbul). After Madrasah (Muslim School) education, he graduated from İstanbul University, Faculty of Law. He lectured on canon law in the same faculty. He served as a parliamentary deputy for İzmir for two terms and a member of the Senate at the National Assembly established after the Second Constitutional Monarchy. After the declaration of the Republic, he was elected as parliamentary deputy for İzmir and served as the Minister of Justice in the cabinet of İsmet İnönü who established the first cabinet of the Republic Period.

Seyyid Bey, who had an important role in the preparation of the first constitution, fell from grace due to his proposals after a while. He was forced to vacate his seat due to pressure. In his later years he continued as a lecturer. He is buried in the garden of Sultan Mahmut’s Tomb.

WORKS:

Usul-i Fıkıh Dersleri (Lectures on Canon Law, 1912), Usul-i Fıkıh Dersleri - Mebahis-i Hüsün ve Kubuh (Lectures on Canon Law-Issue of Goodness and Badness, 1914), Usul-i Fıkıh - Medhal (Canon Law-Introduction, 1917), Hak Mefhumu ve Kuvvei Müeyyidesinin Suret-i Telakkisi Hakkında İslâm Felsefe-i Hukuku ve Avrupa Felsefe-i Hukuku Arasında Bir Mukayese (Concept of Rights and a Comparison about the Understanding of its Endorsement in Islamic Law Philosophy and European Law Philosophy, conference text, 1922), Usul-i Fıkıh Mebahisinden İrade, Kaza ve Kader (Issues of Canon Law, Desire, Accident and Destiny, 1922), Hilafet ve Hakimiyet-i Milliye (The Caliphate and National Sovereignty, anonymously written, 1924), Hilafetin Mahiyet-i Şer'iyyesi (The Importance of the Caliphate in Religion, text of his speech in parliament about this subject, 1924; with the title of Şeriat Açısından Halifeliğin İçyüzü -The Inside Story of the Caliphate in Islamic Law, 1970). 

REFERENCE: İsmail Kara / Türkiye’de İslâmcılık Düşüncesi (1. cilt, s. 175-236, 1986), İhsan Işık / Türkiye Edebiyatçılar ve Kültür Adamları Ansiklopedisi (2006, 2007, 2009) - Ünlü Fikir ve Kültür Adamları (Türkiye Ünlüleri Ansiklopedisi, C. 3, 2013) - Encyclopedia of Turkey’s Famous People (2013).