February 10 is the death anniversary of the 34th Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid Khan. Noticing this day, Turkish newspaper Daily Sabah published an article titled "The last 24 hours of
Sultan Abdul Hamid's life". The article covers several aspects of the Sultan's life. A significant portion of the article is translated below. You will find the full article link in the comment box.
9 February 1918.
At night Sultan's illness increased further. The doctor came and examined him and said that Sultan had contracted pneumonia. Even so, the night went well.
10 February 1918.
In the morning Sultan woke up and wanted to perform ablution. He was very weak, so everyone in his family forbade him to do ablution. However, he took ablution & performed the Fajr prayer with great difficulty.
As the day progressed, the doctor came and took Sultan's blood for examination. Palace officials told to his children that Sultan's condition is not good, so that everyone could come and see him.
As time went on, the condition of Sultan was getting worse. Sultan wanted to have coffee. Sultan then called his daughter to him and prayed "My daughter, may Allah be pleased with you." Then he said softly "Allah!" His cries were heard, then his head fell slightly ... The calendars showed February 10, 1918, and the hours showed 03.00 AM.
As news of his death spread, everyone started crying. In the next morning his body was taken to Topkapı Palace. According to his will, the prayer of Ahidname was put on his chest, and Hırka-i Saadet cloth (related to Muhammad sm.) and Kaaba cover was put on his face. His Janazah was performed there following religious rituals. His death body was then taken to Divanyolu Cemetery, where he was buried next to his uncle Sultan Abdul Aziz.
Some information about the personal life of Sultan Abdul Hamid is known from books written by his daughter and two historians. Sultan had 17 children. Four of them died at an early age. In particular, he did not forget his first child, Ulviye Sultan, who died in the fire until his death. After the death of his another daughter, Hatice Sultan, whose disease could not be identified by doctors, Sultan set up a hospital called Hamidiye Etfal Hospital.
In his personal life, Sultan loved to read books. He loves to read the writings of the famous French writer Victor Hugo, he also translated some of Victor Hugo's books. It is thought that he also had a friendship with Louis Pasteur, a French microbiologist. He sent 10,000 Frencs as a gift to the Pasteur Institute.
Besides, the Sultan had a special inclination towards all levels of art. Theater, cinema screenings and concerts were held in the palace. In his spare time, the Sultan used to make various wooden works of art besides painting. He excelled in various sports. He kept cats as a hobby. The cat was named Aga Efendi. Sultan Abdul Hamid's taste was very developed. He always wore neat and elegant clothes. He loved to drink coffee.
May Allah Almighty give him a good reward. Ameen.
📝 M Hasan
