Hikmet (pISSN: 3007-858X / eISSN: 3007-8598)

The Development of the Yasawiyya Order in Kashmir: Origins, Pioneers, and the Process of Spread from Turkestan to the Indian Subcontinent

Manizhe Ghodrati Vayghan — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The Yasawiyya Order, one of the most significant Sufi movements of Turkistan and Central Asia, was established in the 5th/11th century by Sultan Ahmed Yasawî in and around the city of Yassi. Over time, it spread to remote parts of Central Asia, Anatolia, and the Indian subcontinent. This article specifically examines the origins and diffusion process of the Yasawiyya Order in the Kashmir region between the H. 11th and 13th / M.17th to 19th. The study employs a historical-analytical method, utilizing primary hagiographic sources, manuscript texts, and relevant academic literature. Through this approach, historical ambiguities are clarified, presenting a vivid and comprehensive picture of the Yasawiyya heritage within Kashmir’s Sufi milieu during the 11th to 13th centuries Hijri. The focal point of the article is the renowned Sufi Kadi Daulatshah Ispijabî, who passed away in H. 1126 / M. 1714. This eminent mystic, after years of activity in Siberia, arrived in Kashmir and nurtured disciples such as Molla Muhammad Muqim Sultani and Shaykh Abdulwahhab Nuri, thereby ensuring the establishment of a vibrant and active Yasawiyya tradition in the region. Prominent Yasawiyya sheikhs, foremost among them Kadi Daulatshah, authored Persian works dedicated to the education of their disciples, focusing on the beliefs and teachings of the Yasawiyya path. The article, while introducing some other prominent sheikhs of this order in Kashmir, traces the transmission of spiritual guidance and the continuation of the Yasawiyya order’s spiritual heritage among the generations and grandchildren of these sheikhs in detail. The Yasawiyya Order is a spiritual school grounded on two main lines of spiritual connectivity: first, a genealogical link directly to Sultan Ahmed Yasawi; second, the acquisition of mystical ranks and progression through the stages of spiritual training. These two pathways have endowed the order with exceptional dynamism, facilitating its spread throughout various parts of the Islamic world.

Abu Hafs al-Nasafi and His Work Kitab al-Kand: Contribution to the Formation of Hadith Studies in Samarkand

Durbek Rakhimdjanov, Zhakhangir Nurmatov — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The article examines the history of the manuscripts and research approaches to the unique work “Kitab al-Kand” by Abu Hafs Nasafi, which is one of the most important sources on the science of hadith in Transoxiana during the 8th–12th centuries. The study analyzes various manuscript versions, identifies major scholarly errors and recent discoveries related to the authorship, structure, and content of the treatise. Special attention is given to academic debates surrounding the manuscripts, comparisons between the Istanbul and Paris versions, and the issue of their critical edition. The author demonstrates the significance of this work for reconstructing the spiritual atmosphere of Samarkand and the broader region, as well as the role of “Kitab al-Kand” in shaping biographical tradition and the transmission of hadith. The article draws on a wide range of sources, including contemporary studies, and offers original conclusions regarding the optimal scholarly publication of the text. At the same time, the article emphasizes the need for further study of the little-known manuscript versions of Kitab al-Kand preserved in regional and international collections. The results obtained may contribute to a deeper understanding of the evolution of the hadith tradition in Transoxiana and its connections with the intellectual centers of the Islamic world. In conclusion, the importance of a comprehensive approach to studying the manuscript as a monument of Islamic culture and a source for the social, intellectual, and religious history of Central Asia is emphasized.

The Theological Foundations of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi’s Worldview

Nurdaulet Mamyrali, Nurzhan Parpiyev — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study examines the main principles in the religious worldview of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. First, it explains the significance of beginning every righteous act in the Islamic tradition with the phrase “Bismillah.” It is emphasized that Yasawi also began his hikmets with “Bismillah,” considering it a central principle of Islam. The next part of the study highlights Yasawi’s special emphasis on faith in God and complete submission to Him. He consistently reminded in his hikmets that the primary purpose of human life is to worship the Creator and not to be deceived by the transient pleasures of the world. This idea resonates with the Qur’anic concept of tawhid and the Sufi tradition. The work also analyzes Yasawi’s devotion to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his Sunnah. In his hikmets, the Prophet Muhammad is praised with deep reverence and presented as an exemplary model. For Yasawi, the Qur’an and Sunnah are the primary sources of religion, and therefore, a Muslim’s duty is to rely on these two foundations. An important part of the study is devoted to the influence of the Qur’an in Yasawi’s hikmets. His works demonstrate how the events and themes of the Holy Book were poetically reinterpreted and how he regarded the Qur’an as both a spiritual and poetic source of knowledge. Yasawi not only read the Qur’an but also preached the necessity of applying it to life. Overall, Yasawi’s worldview represents a systematic reflection of Sufi teachings based on the Qur’an and Sunnah. His *hikmets* stand as a remarkable example of conveying Islamic faith and moral-ethical education to the people in a simple and comprehensible language.

A Review on the Criticisms of Yunus Emre’s Perception of Heaven and Hell

Talat Olgun — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

A Critical Appraisal of Yûnus Emre’s Conception of Paradise and Hell Yûnus Emre (d. 720/1320?) consistently foregrounds the pursuit of divine pleasure and love for the Truth (Ḥaqq) over all worldly and otherworldly gains. His devotion is marked by an unwavering sincerity (iḫlās), wherein he consciously distances himself from seeking paradise or fearing hell, lest such motivations compromise the purity of divine love. For him, worship must be undertaken solely for God’s sake, without expectation of reward or fear of punishment. However, this perspective has led to criticisms from some quarters, claiming that Yûnus dismisses paradise and disregards the torment of hell. This study examines Yûnus Emre’s verses on paradise, contextualizing them within the framework of Sûfî thought. It first situates paradise and hell within the broader history of religious traditions before analyzing the perspectives of other Sûfîs who faced similar critiques. Ultimately, it offers a hermeneutical reading of Yûnus’s controversial lines, elucidating their deeper mystical significance. The motivation behind this research stems from the omission of specific verses from secondary school textbooks, where only select stanzas are retained, and certain lines are censored. Employing a qualitative research approach, this study draws upon a comprehensive literature review, engaging with Yûnus Emre’s corpus alongside other Sûfî writings that have encountered comparable criticisms, thereby providing a nuanced understanding of the poet’s spiritual outlook.

The Issue of Politics and Violence in Kharidjism from the Perspective of Philosophical Thinking

Sayan Shylmambetov — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This article considers the political stance and issue of violence in Kharijism not only as a historical event within Islamic civilization but also as a philosophical phenomenon that enables an exploration of the complex interplay between religion and politics. The religious interpretations of this movement, especially its radical branches, which interpret Quranic texts according to their own positions, go beyond traditional religious principles and raise profound philosophical questions related to justice, freedom, and moral responsibility. The strict principledness of the Kharijites and their extreme pursuit of justice draw particular attention to the relationship between religion and political power, as well as issues of civic responsibility and the legitimacy of authority. Moreover, their recourse to violence calls for a reconsideration of the philosophical and ethical foundations. In this context, this phenomenon allows for a philosophical rethinking of resistance to power and the limits of social order. In this regard, the Kharijite movement can be seen as a continuous expression of the search for balance between religion and politics, justice and authority, individual responsibility and society. The article also provides a comprehensive analysis of the philosophical dilemmas arising from the Kharijites’ interpretation of religious texts, the ethical contradictions in their political ideology and actions, and the reasons for their propensity toward violence. By philosophically analyzing the relationship between religion and politics, the study opens a path to a deeper understanding of the complex nature of the Kharijite movement and its historical-philosophical significance within Islamic civilization.

Political Philosophy and the Educational Foundations of Democracy

Bainur Yelubayev, Tungysh Abylov — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The main goal of this work is to explore the possible connection between social phenomena such as education and democratic institutions from the perspective of political philosophy. To fully understand this topic, in the first part we will examine the theoretical basis and provide comprehensive definitions of key terms such as “democracy,” “liberal state,” and “school.” Thus, we argue that democracy is not a natural form of human association, but rather a unique invention of the human mind, and that schools are the ideal institution for spreading democratic values, as this organization allows for the inclusion of large numbers of people. In the second part, we argue that the task of schools is not only to teach children the necessary practical skills and knowledge that will prepare them to compete in a market economy, but also to make them citizens of a democratic society. Therefore, a democratic state must grant schools greater autonomy, which will be reflected not only in the curriculum but also in school management. In this sense, the article contributes to ongoing debates about the role of education in shaping active citizenship and promoting pluralism. The conclusions may serve as a basis for future research on the intersection of political philosophy, pedagogy, and democratic practice.