Bektashi Tariqah
Bektashi Tariqah - The Bektashi Tariqah is a prominent Sufi order established in the thirteenth century in Anatolia by Hajji Bektash Veli. It plays a significant role in Islamic mysticism and spirituality, particularly emphasizing the intercessory and instructional roles of spiritual teachers, saints, and revered figures from Islamic history.
Etymology and Translations
- Arabic: الطريقة البكتاشية (Al-Tariqah Al-Baktashiyyah)
- Turkish: Bektaşi Tarikatı
Core Beliefs and Teachings
The Bektashi Tariqah emphasizes the importance of spiritual teachers known as “pirs” or “guides” who serve as mediators of prayers, blessings, and mystical insights. Central to Bektashi belief is the veneration of early spiritual teachers, saints, the Twelve Imams, and especially Ali ibn Abi Talib, whom they regard as the key to understanding the Qur’an’s mystical dimensions.
The belief in the unity and complementarity of Muhammad and Ali is crucial; they are often perceived as a single personage representing both God’s word and its profound mystical interpretation.
Rituals and Celebrations
Bektashi practices are marked by the celebration of Shii festivals such as Ashura, which commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Husayn, and Nawruz, the Persian New Year symbolizing renewal and spiritual rebirth.
Historical Context and Spread
Originally gaining traction in the Ottoman Empire, the Bektashi Tariqah was notably influential among townspeople and the military ranks. Its relaxed legalism, organizational flexibility, and tolerance toward non-Muslims influenced the gradual conversion of many Balkan populations, especially in Albania.
Ottoman to Modern Transition
The order’s widespread acceptance in the Ottoman Empire faced criticism from Sunni orthodoxy, accusing the Bektashis of ritual laxity, immorality, and heresy due to their veneration of Ali and perceived comparisons of Ali and Muhammad with divine elements.
The abolition of all Sufi orders by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in 1925 forced the Bektashi headquarters to move from Anatolia to Albania. Under Communist rule in Albania, Bektashi properties were confiscated, and their activities were restricted. Despite these challenges, the community has persisted, with its headquarters reopening in Albania in 1990 and maintaining a presence in Turkish and Albanian regions and among Albanian immigrants in North America.
Cultural Impact and Recognition
Turkey acknowledges the Bektashi Tariqah’s contributions to Turkish culture, particularly through their spiritual poetry in the Turkish language.
Recommended Books for Further Study
- Mystical Dimensions of Islam by Annemarie Schimmel
- The Bektashi Order of Dervishes by John Kingsley Birge
- Islamic Mysticism and the Bektashi Path by Baba Rexheb
Takeaways and Conclusion
The Bektashi Tariqah represents a distinctive spiritual path within Islamic mysticism, emphasizing unity, intercession, and veneration of saintly figures. Despite facing significant historical challenges, the order has maintained its spiritual and cultural vitality across various regions.
The Bektashi Tariqah’s legacy highlights the profound interplay between Islamic mysticism, cultural integration, and social adaptation through centuries of evolving contexts.
