Haji Bektash Veli

Bektash
بکتاش
15th century painting depicting Haji Bektash, located in Hajibektash complex
Personal
Bornc. 1209
Diedc. 1271
Resting placeHaji Bektash Veli Complex, Nevşehir Province, Turkey
38°56′N 34°33′E / 38.933°N 34.550°E / 38.933; 34.550
ReligionIslam
Parent
  • Sayyid Ibrahim (father)
EraMedieval
Known forSufi mysticism
Muslim leader
Period in office13th century
Influenced by
Sculpture of Haji Bektash Veli in Turkey

Haji Bektash Veli (Persian: حاجی بکتاش ولی, romanizedḤājī Baktāš Walī; Ottoman Turkish: حاجی بکتاش ولی, romanizedHacı Bektaş-ı Veli; Albanian: Haxhi Bektash Veliu; c. 1209–1271) was an Islamic scholar, mystic, saint, sayyid, and philosopher from Khorasan who lived and taught in Anatolia.[1] His original name was Sayyid Muhammad ibn Sayyid Ibrāhim Ātā. He is also referred to as the "Sultan of Hearts"[2] and the "Dervish of the Dervishes".[3]

He is revered among Alevis for an Islamic understanding that is esoteric, rational and humanistic. Alevi and Bektashi Muslims believe the path of Bektash is the path of Haqq-Muhammad-Ali since they were the source of Bektash's teachings. He was one of the many figures who flourished in the Sultanate of Rum and had an important influence on the culture of Anatolian nomads of Asia Minor.[4]

  1. ^ C. Olsen: Celibacy and Religious Traditions. Oxford University Press. 1st Ed. 2007. Pg. 143–144
  2. ^ "Haci Bektaş Veli's Commentary of Fatiha | the First Bektashi Teqe in America". Archived from the original on 8 April 2014. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  3. ^ "The Bektashi Order of Dervishes". bektashiorder.com. Archived from the original on 12 August 2011.
  4. ^ Alexēs G. K. Savvidēs, Byzantium in the Near East: Its Relations with the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum in Asia Minor, The Armenians of Cilicia and The Mongols, A.D. c. 1192-1237, Kentron Vyzantinōn Ereunōn, 1981, p. 116.