There were two codes of law. There were the kanuni, the laws formulated by the sultan himself, and there was the Sharia, the sacred and immutable law of Islam. While the sultan ruled with absolute power, even he was subject to the written word of God. The Sharia was interpreted by a council of religious judges, who were able to issue fetwas or opinions on any question, in accordance with Islamic jurisprudence. However, they could not issue a fetwa unless invited and could not speak unless their opinion was sought. Each governor had their own mufti to guide them in matters of religious law. The
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