FENARI SEMSEDDIN MEHMED
Molla Fenari is the first sheik-of-Islam of Ottomans. He is a scientist who wrote more than a hundred books. His father's name is Hızır. He was born in 1350. Where he was born is not certain. He attended classes of Alaeddin Esved and Cemaleddin Aksarayi, the greatest scholars of his period, after his primary education. He was much in love with science. After learning religious knowledge, he worked on other sciences. He educated himself on astronomy and mathematics in particular.
Molla Fenari started to work as a teacher in schools after that. He taught classes in Bursa, Hijaz, and Egypt. His reputation in knowledge began to spread. Celebi Sultan Mehmet called him to Bursa. Murad the 2nd, was appointed as the first Sheik-of-Islam of Ottomans in 1424, his scientific knowledge being appreciated. He held this office for about six years. Then he went to Hijaz. He died in Bursa in 1430 after his return.
Fenari Semseddin was one of the greatest scholars of his day. He was a superior person with his wisdom, strong character, high morals. He lived a life among books. He wrote about ten thousand volumes of books to his library. Most of those are interpretations, commentaries, and annexes to many religious issues. One of his most important books is Enmuzecü'l-ulum, which mentioned about all sciences with an encyclopedic character. His greatest book is Fusûlü'l-Bedâyi fi Usûlü'ş-Şerâyi.
Fenari Semseddin was a great person who not only brought up many valuable people, but also formed a model to people around him with regard to science, morals and wisdom.