Molla Gurani

Kurdish Mentor of the ottoman Sultan Mehmed II the Conqueror

Molla Gurani (Ahmed Gurani) was a distinguished 15th-century Ottoman scholar, jurist, and statesman of Kurdish origin. He rose to prominence during the reign of Sultan Mehmed II and eventually served as the Şeyhülislam (Chief Mufti) and chief judge of the Ottoman Empire.

Gurani was a trusted member of Mehmed II’s scholarly and political circle and participated in the imperial council during the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453, contributing to the intellectual and administrative foundations of the emerging empire.

Contemporary and later historical sources note that Sultan Murad II entrusted the education of the young Mehmed II to the renowned scholar Ahmed Gurani after previous tutors had failed to discipline and educate the future sultan. Gurani, who originated from the village of Kuran in the Kurdish region of Şarezûr, became one of Mehmed’s most influential teachers, particularly in Islamic studies, Qur’anic learning, and statecraft.

Posted by Zagrosian · Found by أوموت | Umut · 15 May 2026

Molla Gürani told the prince: “Your father sent me to educate you, and he gave me this stick to beat you with when you disobey my orders.” When the prince laughed, Molla Gürani beat him soundly. Shaken by the beating, Prince Mehmed came to fear Molla Gürani and completed the Quran in a short time.

Gürani is also recorded as an important member of the council during the conquest of Istanbul, and as a helper to Mehmed II.

Posted by Kurdish T · 27 June 2026

He favoured the siege of Istanbul, and was the most important spokesman for and supporter of Mehmed II’s constitution in that siege.

Posted by Kurdish T · 29 June 2026