Bektashi Order

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Order of Bektashi dervishes
Bektashiyya[1]
AbbreviationBektashiyyah/Bektashism
TypeDervish order
HeadquartersWorld Headquarters of the Bektashi, Tirana
(previously Haji Bektash Veli Complex, Nevşehir)
Region
Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Turkey, other Albanian diaspora (Italy, United States) and Turkish diaspora (Germany, France, Austria, Belgium)
Dedebaba
Baba Mondi
Key people
WebsiteOfficial website
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The Bektashi Order or Bektashism is an Islamic Sufi mystic order originating in the 13th-century Ottoman Empire. It is named after the saint Haji Bektash Veli. The Bektashian community is currently led by Baba Mondi, their eighth Bektashi Dedebaba and headquartered in Tirana, Albania.[6] Collectively, adherents of Bektashism, are called Bektashians or simply Bektashis.[1][7]

Originally one of many Sufi orders within Sunni Islam, by the 16th century the order adopted some tenets of the Shia Islam, including a veneration of ʿAlī, the son-in-law of Muhammad, and the twelve imams; as well as a variety of syncretic beliefs. The Bektashis acquired political importance in the 15th century, when the order dominated the

Janissaries.[8] After the foundation of the Turkish Republic, Kemal Atatürk banned religious institutions that weren't part of the Directorate of Religious Affairs and the community's headquarters relocated to Albania. Salih Nijazi was the last Dede in Turkey whilst also being the first one in Albania. The order became involved in Albanian politics, and some of its members, including Ismail Kemal, were major leaders of the Albanian National Awakening
.

Bektashis believe in the

Nesimi, Pir Sultan Abdal, Gül Baba, Sari Saltik and to varying degrees more broadly the Shia belief system circulating in Anatolia during the 14th to 16th centuries. The mystical practices and rituals of the Bektashi order were systematized and structured by Balım Sultan
in the 16th century.

According to a 2005 estimate made by

Reshat Bardhi, there are over seven million Bektashis worldwide, though more recent studies put the figure as high as 20 million.[10] In Albania, they make up 20% of the Muslim population,[11][dubious – discuss] and 2.5% of the country's population.[12] An additional 12.5 million Bektashis live in Turkey.[13] Bektashis are mainly found throughout Anatolia, the Balkans and among Ottoman-era Greek Muslim communities.[14] The term “Alevi-Bektashi” is currently a widely and frequently used expression in the religious discourse of Turkey as an umbrella term for the two religious groups of Alevism and Bektashism.[15]

Interior view of Arabati Baba Teḱe, Tetovo, North Macedonia.
Haji Bektash Veli Complex
World Headquarters of the Bektashi

History

Origins and establishment

The Bektashiyya originated in

Balim Sultan, who is considered the pīr al-thānī ('the Second Elder') by Bektashis.[16]

It was originally founded as a Sufi movement.

Eastern Orthodox convert origin, mainly Albanians and northern Greeks (although most leading Bektashi babas were of southern Albanian origin).[20] In 1826, the Bektashi order was banned throughout the Ottoman Empire by Sultan Mahmud II for having close ties with the Janissary corps.[19] Many Bektashi dervishes were exiled, and some were executed.[19] Their tekkes were destroyed and their revenues were confiscated.[19] This decision was supported by the Sunni religious elite as well as the leaders of other, more orthodox, Sufi orders. Bektashis slowly regained freedom with the coming of the Tanzimat era. After the foundation of the Turkish Republic, Kemal Atatürk shut down the lodges in 1925. Consequently, the Bektashi leadership moved to Albania and established their headquarters in the city of Tirana. Among the most famous followers of Bektashi in the 19th century Balkans were Ali Pasha[21][22][23][24][25][26] and Naim Frashëri
.

Dedebabate

After lodges in Turkey were shut down, the order's headquarters moved to

Italian occupation of Albania.[27] Njazi promoted Bektashi Islam by introducing major ceremonies at popular tekkes.[27] After he was murdered, Ali Riza succeeded him as the Dedebaba.[27]

Despite the negative effect of the ban of lodges on Bektashi culture, most Bektashis in Turkey have been generally supportive of secularism to this day, since these reforms have relatively relaxed the religious intolerance that had historically been shown against them by the official Sunni establishment.

In the Balkans the Bektashi order had a considerable impact on the Islamization of many areas, primarily Albania and Bulgaria, as well as parts of Macedonia, particularly among Ottoman-era Greek Muslims from western Greek Macedonia such as the Vallahades. By the 18th century Bektashism began to gain a considerable hold over the population of southern Albania and northwestern Greece (Epirus and western Greek Macedonia). Following the ban on Sufi orders in the Republic of Turkey, the Bektashi community's headquarters was moved from Hacıbektaş in central Anatolia, to Tirana, Albania. In Albania, the Bektashi community declared its separation from the Sunni community and they were perceived ever after as a distinct Islamic sect rather than a branch of Sunni Islam. Bektashism continued to flourish until the Second World War. After the communists took power in 1945, several babas and dervishes were executed and a gradual constriction of Bektashi influence began. Ultimately, in 1967 all tekkes were shut down when Enver Hoxha banned all religious practice. When this ban was rescinded in 1990 the Bektashism reestablished itself, although there were few left with any real knowledge of the spiritual path. Nevertheless, many "tekkes" (lodges) operate today in Albania. The most recent head of the order in Albania was Hajji Reshat Bardhi Dedebaba (1935–2011) and the main tekke has been reopened in Tirana. In June 2011 Baba Edmond Brahimaj was chosen as the head of the Bektashi order by a council of Albanian babas. Today sympathy for the order is generally widespread in Albania where approximately 20% of Muslims identify themselves as having some connection to Bektashism.

There are also important Bektashi communities among the Albanian communities of

Gjakovë
and is under the leadership of Baba Mumin Lama and it recognizes the leadership of Tirana.

In Bulgaria, the türbes of Kıdlemi Baba, Ak Yazılı Baba, Demir Baba and Otman Baba function as heterodox Islamic pilgrimage sites and before 1842 were the centers of Bektashi tekkes.[28]

Bektashis continue to be active in Turkey and their semi-clandestine organizations can be found in Istanbul, Ankara and İzmir. There are currently two rival claimants to the dedebaba in Turkey: Mustafa Eke and Haydar Ercan.

A large functioning Bektashi tekke was also established in the United States in 1954 by Baba Rexheb. This tekke is found in the Detroit suburb of Taylor and the tomb (türbe) of Baba Rexheb continues to draw pilgrims of all faiths.

Arabati Baba Teḱe controversy

In 2002, a group of armed members of the

Muslims in North Macedonia, invaded the Shiʻi Bektashi Order's Arabati Baba Teḱe in an attempt to reclaim this tekke as a mosque although the facility has never functioned as such. Subsequently, the Bektashi Order of North Macedonia sued the government for failing to restore the tekke to the Bektashis, pursuant to a law passed in the early 1990s returning properties previously nationalized under the Yugoslav government. The law, however, deals with restitution to private citizens, rather than religious communities.[29]

The ICM claim to the tekke is based upon their contention to represent all Muslims in North Macedonia; and indeed, they are one of two Muslim organizations recognized by the government, both Sunni. The Bektashi community filed for recognition as a separate religious community with the Macedonian government in 1993, but the Macedonian government has refused to recognize them.[29]

Beliefs

Further information: Schools of Islamic theology § Baktāshism (Bektaşilik)
Diagram showing Bektashi as well as other Sufi orders.

Bektashis believe in

Ali ibn Husayn Zayn al-Abidin and other Imams.[11][30] Therefore, Bektashis follow the teachings of Haji Bektash, who preached about the Twelve Imams. Bektashis differ from other Muslims by also following the Fourteen Innocents, who either died in infancy or were martyred with Husayn.[31] Abbas ibn Ali is also an important figure in Bektashi Islam, and Bektashi Muslims visit Mount Tomorr to honor him during an annual pilgrimage to the Abbas Ali Türbe on August 20–25.[32]

In addition to the Muslim daily five prayers, Bektashi Muslims have two specific prayers, one at dawn and one at dusk for the welfare of all humanity.

Arabic: وحدة الوجود, romanized: Unity of Being) that was formulated by Ibn Arabi
.

Malakat is an important text of Bektashi written by Haji Bektash.[33] Bektashis also follow the Quran and Hadith.

Bektashis follow the modern-day Bektashi Dedebabate, currently headed by Baba Mondi. Bektashis consider the dedebaba as their leader overseeing the entire branch.

Bektashism is also heavily permeated with Shiite concepts, such as the marked reverence of Ali, the Twelve Imams, and the ritual commemoration of Ashura marking the Battle of Karbala. The old Persian holiday of Nowruz is celebrated by Bektashis as Ali's birthday (see also Nevruz in Albania).

The Bektashi Order is a Sufi order and shares much in common with other Islamic mystical movements, such as the need for an experienced spiritual guide—called a

Marifa" (true knowledge), "Haqiqa
" (truth).

There are many other practices and ceremonies that share similarities with other faiths, such as a ritual meal (muhabbet) and yearly confession of sins to a baba (magfirat-i zunub مغفرة الذنوب). Bektashis base their practices and rituals on their non-orthodox and mystical interpretation and understanding of the Quran and the prophetic practice (Sunnah). They have no written doctrine specific to them, thus rules and rituals may differ depending on under whose influence one has been taught. Bektashis generally revere Sufi mystics outside of their own order, such as ibn Arabi, al-Ghazali and Rumi, who are close in spirit to them despite many of being from more mainstream Islamic backgrounds.

Jem ceremonies, where it is not considered alcoholic and is referred to as "dem".[35]

Poetry and literature

 Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

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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.

Like many Sufis, the Bektashis were quite lax in observing daily Muslim laws, and women as well as men took part in ritual wine drinking and dancing during devotional ceremonies. The Bektashis in the Balkans adapted such Christian practices as the ritual sharing of bread and the confession of sins. Bektashi mystical writings made a rich contribution to Sufi poetry.[36]

A poem from Bektashi poet Balım Sultan (died c. 1517/1519):

İstivayı özler gözüm, (My eye seeks out repose,)
Seb'al-mesânîdir yüzüm, (my face is the 'oft repeated seven (i.e. the
Sura Al-Fatiha
),)
I am the Truth
",)
Miracımız dardır bizim, (Our ascension is (by means of) the scaffold,)
Haber aldık muhkemattan, (We have become aware through the "firm letters",)
Geçmeyiz zâttan sıfattan, (We will not abandon essence or attributes,)
Balım nihan söyler Hakk'tan, (Balım speaks arcanely of God)
İrşâdımız sırdır bizim. (Our teaching is a mystery.[37])

Community hierarchy

Like most other Sufi orders, Bektashism is initiatic, and members must traverse various levels or ranks as they progress along the spiritual path to the Reality. The Turkish names are given below, followed by their Arabic and Albanian equivalents.[38]

  1. First-level members are called aşıks عاشق (Albanian: ashik). They are those who, while not having taken initiation into the order, are nevertheless drawn to it.
  2. Following initiation (called nasip), one becomes a mühip محب (Albanian: muhib).
  3. After some time as a mühip, one can take further vows and become a dervish.
  4. The next level above dervish is that of baba. The baba (lit. father) (Albanian: atë) is considered to be the head of a tekke and qualified to give spiritual guidance (irshad إرشاد).
  5. Above the
    dede
    , grandfather).
  6. The dedebaba (
    Hajibektash complex
    .

Traditionally there were twelve of these hierarchical rankings, the most senior being the dedebaba (great-grandfather).

Administration

See also: List of Bektashi tekkes and shrines

In

administrative districts (similar to Christian parishes and patriarchates), each of which is called a gjyshata.[38]

During the 1930s, the six gjyshata of Albania set up by

Sali Njazi were:[38]

National headquarters in other countries are located in:[39]

There is also a Bektashi office in Brussels, Belgium.[40]

World Bektashi Congress

Main article: World Bektashi Congress

The World Bektashi Congress, also called the National Congress of the Bektashi, a conference during which members of the Bektashi Community make important decisions, has been held in Albania several times. Since 1945, it has been held exclusively in Tirana. The longest gap between two congresses lasted from 1950 to 1993, when congresses could not be held during Communist rule in Albania. A list of congresses is given below.[38][41]

No. Congress Date Location Notes
1 First National Congress of the Bektashi 14–17 January 1921 tekke of
Prishta in the Skrapar
region 		The name Komuniteti Bektashian (Bektashi community) was adopted.
2 Second National Congress of the Bektashi 8–9 July 1924
Gjirokastra
3 Third National Congress of the Bektashi 23 September 1929 tekke of Turan near
Korça
 The Bektashi declared themselves to be a religious community autonomous from other Islamic communities.
4 Fourth National Congress of the Bektashi 5 May 1945 Tirana
Xhafer Sadiku Dede was made kryegjysh (or dedebaba), and the influential Baba Faja Martaneshi
, a communist collaborator, was made secretary general.
5 Fifth National Congress of the Bektashi 16 April 1950 Tirana
6 Sixth National Congress of the Bektashi 19–20 July 1993 Tirana
7 Seventh National Congress of the Bektashi 23–24 September 2000 Tirana
8 Eighth National Congress of the Bektashi 21 September 2005 Tirana
9 Ninth National Congress of the Bektashi 6 July 2009 Tirana

List of Dedebabas

This section lists the

Dedebabas
(Supreme Leaders) of the Bektashi Order.

In Turkey (before 1930)

List of Bektashi Dedebabas (mostly based in Hacıbektaş, Anatolia), prior to the 1925 exodus of the Bektashi Order from Turkey to Albania:[42]

In Albania (1930–present)

Main article: Bektashi Dedebabate

List of Bektashi

Dedebabas
following the 1925 exodus of the Bektashi Order from Turkey to Albania:

No. Portrait Name Term in office
1 Salih Nijazi
(1876–1941) 		20 March 1930[43] 28 November 1941
11 years, 8 months and 8 days
2 Ali Riza
(1882–1944) 		6 January 1942 22 February 1944
2 years, 1 month and 16 days
3 Kamber Ali
(1869–1950) 		12 April 1944 1945
0 or 1 year
4 Xhafer Sadik
(1874–1945) 		5 May 1945 2 August 1945
2 months and 28 days
5 Abaz Hilmi
(1887–1947) 		6 September 1945 19 March 1947
1 year, 6 months and 13 days
6 Ahmet Myftar
(1916–1980) 		8 June 1947 1958
9 or 10 years
7
Baba Reshat
(1935–2011)
 20 July 1993 2 April 2011
17 years, 8 months and 13 days
8 Baba Mondi
(1959)
 11 June 2011 Incumbent
12 years, 10 months and 10 days

Religious figures

Some notable Bektashi religious and legendary figures are:[38]

Gallery

See also

References

Notes

Citations

  1. ^ a b "Encyclopedia Iranica, "BEKTĀŠĪYA"". Archived from the original on 10 September 2015. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  2. ^ "Encyclopedia Iranica, "ḤĀJĪ BEKTĀŠ"". Archived from the original on 17 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  3. ^ a b "ʿALĪ AL-AʿLĀ (d. 822/1419), also known as Amīr Sayyed ʿAlī, principal successor of Fażlallāh Astarābādī, founder of the Ḥorūfī sect". Archived from the original on 17 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  4. ^ "Encyclopedia Iranica, "ASTARĀBĀDĪ, FAŻLALLĀH" (d. 796/1394), founder of the Ḥorūfī religion, H. Algar". Archived from the original on 17 May 2019. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  5. ^ "Encyclopedia Iranica, "HORUFISM" by H. Algar". Archived from the original on 17 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  6. OCLC 495469456
    .
  7. ^ "The Bektashi Shi'as of Michigan: Pluralism and Orthodoxy within Twelver Shi'ism". shiablog.wcfia.harvard.edu. Archived from the original on 31 August 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  8. ^ "Bektashiyyah | Religion, Order, Beliefs, & Community | Britannica".
  9. ISBN 978-0-8156-2411-0
    .
  10. ISBN 9780815609346
    .
  11. ^ a b c d Chtatou, Dr Mohamed (23 April 2020). "Unveiling The Bektashi Sufi Order – Analysis". Eurasia Review. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  12. ^ "Albania Infographic Profile July 2018.pdf" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 September 2018.
  13. ^ "Sabahat Akkiraz'dan Alevi raporu | soL haber". Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  14. ^ Ayhan Kaya (2016) The Alevi-Bektashi order in Turkey: syncreticism transcending national borders, Southeast European and Black Sea Studies, 16:2, 275-294, DOI: 10.1080/14683857.2015.1120465
  15. ^ "The Amalgamation of Two Religious Cultures: The Conceptual and Social History of Alevi-Bektashism". 12 May 2022.
  16. ^ a b Algar 1989.
  17. JSTOR 23922338
    .
  18. ^ J. K. Birge (1937), The Bektashi Order of Dervishes, London.
  19. ^ a b c d "The Effects of the abolition on the Bektashi - METU" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 July 2017.
  20. ^ Nicolle, David; pg 29
  21. ISBN 9781441645005, archived
    from the original on 19 May 2016, retrieved 20 October 2015, Around that time, Ali was converted to Bektashism by Baba Shemin of Kruja...
  22. OCLC 85481562, archived
    from the original on 29 June 2016, retrieved 20 October 2015, ...and the tomb of Ali himself. Its headstone was capped by the crown (taj) of the Bektashi order.
  23. OCLC 52347600, archived
    from the original on 28 April 2016, retrieved 20 October 2015, Most of the Southern Albania and Epirus converted to Bektashism, initially under the influence of Ali Pasha Tepelena, "the Lion of Janina", who was himself a follower of the order.
  24. OCLC 705271971, archived
    from the original on 5 May 2016, retrieved 20 October 2015, Bektashism was widespread during the reign of Ali Pasha, a Bektashi himself,...
  25. OCLC 43513230, archived
    from the original on 29 April 2016, retrieved 20 October 2015, The most illustrious among them was Ali Pasha (1740–1822), who exploited the organisation and religious doctrine...
  26. OCLC 7058414, archived
    from the original on 2 May 2016, retrieved 12 November 2015, The great expandion of Bektashism in southern Albania took place during the time of Ali Pasha Tepelena, who is believed to have been a Bektashi himself
  27. ^
    OCLC 1108619669
    .
  28. ISSN 0928-6802
    .
  29. ^ a b "Muslims of Macedonia" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 November 2015. Retrieved 14 March 2008.
  30. ^ "The Bektashi Order of Dervishes". bektashiorder.com. Archived from the original on 18 August 2011.
  31. ISBN 978-0-8156-2411-0
    .
  32. ^ Elsie 2001, "Tomor, Mount", pp. 252–254.
  33. ^ Borges, Jason (19 November 2019). "Haji Bektash Veli". Cappadocia History. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
  34. ^ https://www.ekathimerini.com/society/1225686/the-bektashis-have-stopped-hiding/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  35. JSTOR 10.1086/665961
    . Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  36. ^ "Bektashiyyah | Islamic sect". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  37. ^ Algar, Hamid. The Hurufi Influence on Bektashism: Bektachiyya, Estudés sur l'ordre mystique des Bektachis et les groupes relevant de Hadji Bektach. Istanbul: Les Éditions Isis. pp. 39–53.
  38. ^
    OCLC 1108619669
    .
  39. ^ Bektashi Quarters (Gjyshatat). Kryegjyshata Botërore Bektashiane. Accessed 19 September 2021.
  40. ^ Office in Brussels. Kryegjyshata Botërore Bektashiane. Accessed 19 September 2021.
  41. ^ Kongreset Bektashiane. World Headquarters of the Bektashi. Accessed 19 September 2021. (in Albanian)
  42. ^ Kryegjyshët Botëror. Kryegjyshata Botërore Bektashiane. Accessed 19 September 2021.
  43. ^ Çuni, Nuri (28 January 2020). "Kryegjyshata Botrore Bektashiane/ Sot, 90-vjetori i ardhjes në Shqipëri të Kryegjyshit Botror të Bektashinjve, Sali Niazi Dedei. Kryegjyshi Botror, Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj: Sot në Korçë zhvillohet aktiviteti për "Nderin e Kombit". Ja historia e plot e klerikut atdhetar". Gazeta Telegraf (in Albanian).

Bibliography

Further reading

External links

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