The Transformation of Muslim Mystical Thought in the Ottoman Empire

The Transformation of Muslim Mystical Thought in the Ottoman EmpireThe Rise of the Halvetî Order, 1350-1650John J. CurryOne of more poorly understood aspects of the history of the Ottoman Empire has been the flourishing of Sufi mysticism under its auspices. This study tracks the evolution of the Halveti order from its modest origins in medieval Azerbaijan to the emergence of its influential Sa'bâniyye branch, whose range extended throughout the Empire at the height of its expansion. By carefully reconstructing the lives of formerly obscure figures in the history of the order, a complex picture emerges of the connections of Halvetî groups with the Ottoman state and society. Even more importantly, since the Sa'bâniyye branch of the order grew out of the towns and villages of the northern Anatolian mountains rather than the major urban centres, this work has the added benefit of bringing a unique perspective to how Ottoman subjects lived, worked, and worshiped outside the major urban centres of the Empire. Along the way, it sheds light on less-visible actors in society, such as women and artisans, and challenges widely-held generalizations about the activities and strategies of Ottoman mystics.John J. Curry is an Assistant Professor of Near Eastern and Islamic History at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.