The trial of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror

The trial of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror
Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror ordered the construction of a mosque in the city of Istanbul, and commissioned a Roman architect named "Epslanti" to supervise the construction of the mosque.
It was among the orders of the Sultan, that the columns of the mosque be made of alabaster and that these columns be high so that the mosque looks luxurious, and he specified this height for this Rumi architect, but for some reason he ordered the cutting of these columns and shortening their length without telling the Sultan or consulting him about that and when Sultan Muhammad heard The conqueror was thus enraged that these pillars, which had been brought from far away, were no longer of use.
In this outburst of his anger, the Sultan ordered to cut off the architect’s hand. Although he regretted it, he regretted it too late. The architect did not remain silent about the injustice he had inflicted, so the Istanbul judge, Sheikh Sari Khidr Chalabi, whose reputation for justice had spread throughout the country, complained. to him from the Sultan, and the judge did not hesitate to accept this complaint. Rather, he sent a messenger to the Sultan summoning him to appear before him in court, due to the presence of a complaint against him by one of the subjects.
The Sultan also did not hesitate to accept the judge’s invitation. Truth and justice must be above every sultan. On the appointed day, Sultan Muhammad came to the court and went to sit on the bench. The judge said to him: “You may not sit, sir, but you must stand next to your opponent.” Al-Rumi, who explained his grievance to the judge, and when it was the Sultan’s turn to speak, supported what Al-Rumi said, and after he finished his speech, he stood waiting for the judge’s ruling, who thought for a while and then went to him saying: “According to the legitimate orders, your hand must be cut off, O Sultan, as retribution for you.”
The architect Rumi was astonished and trembled at this ruling that the judge pronounced, and he did not know his mind or imagination, neither near nor far. It was something beyond imagination.
In faltering terms, Al-Rumi told the judge that he was giving up his claim and that what he was asking of him was to sentence him to monetary compensation only, because cutting off the Sultan’s hand would not benefit him anything. To give him twenty coins every day.
From the book: "Masterpieces of Ottoman History" by Orkhan Muhammad Ali
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