Note 662 — Chapter VII · THE MOSLEM INSTITUTION OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE

D’Ohsson, iv. 500. Heidborn, 215, says that the title Sheik ul-Islam was first bestowed by Murad II upon the mufti of Adrianople, who was removed to Constantinople by Mohammed II after the capture; that Mohammed assigned the title Reis ul-ulema, or chief of the Ulema, to this officer, but that he reached great dignity only under Suleiman.