February 10:

On this day - 10th February, 1918 (102 years ago) - marked the passing of the last great Caliph and Sultan of the Ottoman Caliphate: Sultan Abdülhamid II (May Allah have mercy on him).

Known for being a quiet and humble Sultan, he showed a great deal of care for his people's well-being. During his thirty-three year reign, he was able to open several universities, libraries, and schools, among other projects and also paid off 90% of the debts of the Ottoman Empire. Known for his modest nature, chroniclers report seeing him busy with everyday tasks on his own, such as repairing and reusing his shoes after they had been damaged.

When the founder of the Zionist movement Theodor Herzl offered to give 150 million pounds of gold in exchange for some land in Palestine, Sultan Abdülhamid II replied, "I am not going to give one inch of Palestine to the (Zionists) Jews as Palestine is not mine to give but belongs to the Ummah, and the Ummah have shed blood to defend this land.”