Poetry and Literature
Poetry plays an important role in the transmission of Bektashi spirituality. Several important Ottoman-era poets were Bektashis, and Yunus Emre, the most acclaimed poet of the Turkish language, is generally recognized as a subscriber to the Bektashi order.
A poem from Bektashi poet Balım Sultan (died 922 AH/1516 CE):
- "İstivayı özler gözüm,
- Seb'al-mesânîdir yüzüm,
- Ene'l-Hakk'ı söyler sözüm,
- Miracımız dardır bizim,
- Haber aldık muhkemattan,
- Geçmeyiz zâttan sıfattan,
- Balım nihan söyler Hakk'tan,
- İrşâdımız sırdır bizim."
- "My eye seeks out repose;
- my face is the 'oft repeated seven (i.e. the Sura Al-Fatiha).
- My words proclaim 'I am the Truth';
- Our ascension is (by means of) the scaffold.
- We have become aware through the 'firm letters';
- We will not abandon essence or attributes.
- Balim speaks arcanely of God;
- Our teaching is a mystery."
Read more about this topic: Bektashi Order
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A golden age of poetry and power
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