THE APPROACH OF SHEIKH MEHMED MUHYIDDIN UFTADA TO SHATHIYYA: HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM OF EXPRESSING INTENSE MYSTICAL EXPERIENCES


Paradoxical expressions which are conceptualized with a special term in the form of “shatahât” in sufi terminology cannot be expressed in a manner that everyone can easily agree due to the fact that it is a manifestation of the ultimate mystic experiences such as “spiritual intoxication” (sakr) and “annihilation” (fana). During such intense mystical experiences, sufi says these paradoxical words because of the spiritual exuberance in his inner world. For this reason, these words are considered strange by those unfamiliar with the nature of sufistic experience and are subjected to a severe criticism by them. In fact, the sufis are not in consensus about “shatahât” because of their different experiences and perspectives. Sufis who living in “awakening state” (sahv) see “shatahat” as a state that appears just at the beginning of the sufi path and they approach such statements with caution. On the other hand, sufis who living in “spiritual intoxication” (sakr) accept such words as manifestations of absolute “oneness” (tawhid) and ultimate mystical experiences. In this article, we will try to evaluate the views of Sheikh Mehmed Muhyiddin Uftada (d. 988/1580), who one of the central figures in XVI. century Ottoman religious-sufistic life, about “shatahat”. Therefore, we will try to address his contributions to the problem of expressing intense mystical experiences. Just like the other Sufis, different points of view are needed to make a clear statement about Uftada's opinion on this subject. Because, as well as having intense sufistic experiences, Uftada is a very sensitive person in terms of preserving Sharia boundaries and therefore he uses constantly a cautious language in this respect. The statements of Sheikh Uftâda in his work entitled Wakıât are important in this regard. Because the work was formed by disciple of Uftada, Aziz Mahmud Hudâyî (d. 1038/1628), who recorded the words of his master in Arabic during his three-year sufistic training under the supervision of his master Uftâda. Therefore, we have written this article on the axis of this work.


Keywords


Sufizm, Sufistic Experience, Ultimate/Peak Experiences, The Problem of Expression, Shatahat, Uftada.

Author : M. Mustafa ÇAKMAKLIOĞLU
Number of pages: 603-619
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.29228/TurkishStudies.37380
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Turkish Studies-Comparative Religious Studies
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