Bitig Edebiyat Fakültesi Dergisi

Öz

The concept of value is one of the fundamental elements that guide the attitudes and behaviors of individuals and societies, encompassing moral, cultural, and social principles and norms of great significance. Values play a crucial role not only in shaping individual identity but also in preserving social structures and ensuring their continuity. These values, which unite a society, shape its identity, and nurture its collective memory, manifest themselves not only in social life but also in literary works, making them one of the most essential components of cultural transmission. Examining the values embedded in literary texts is of great importance for understanding a nation’s cultural heritage and intellectual framework.

In Classical Turkish literature, particularly in works centered on the Sufi worldview, literary production is not merely driven by aesthetic concerns but also by the aim of contributing to the moral development of the individual and the formation of social structures. Within this context, Muğlalı İbrahim Şâhidî stands out as a sufi poet who places Sufism at the core of his works, encouraging individual spiritual transformation while also reinforcing social order and moral values. In Şâhidî’s poetry, fundamental sufi principles such as tawhid (oneness of God), patience (sabr), submission (riza), the significance of knowledge and wisdom, the purification of the soul (nefs), and the transcendence of worldly desires are prominently featured. His works serve as a doctrinal framework aimed at fostering spiritual maturity in individuals and promoting a morally balanced society. Şâhidî’s poetry should not be regarded merely as an artistic expression; rather, it can be seen as a guide for individuals in their journey toward divine truth. His ghazals, beyond addressing the people of his own time, offer universal values that serve as both moral and spiritual guidance for contemporary individuals. This study will analyze the values reflected in Şâhidî’s ghazals, examining the ways in which his works guide the reader/listener through their moral and spiritual implications. Accordingly, the research will explore the functions of these values at both individual and societal levels, the manner in which sufi thought is structured within these texts, and how they contribute to human spiritual development. Ultimately, it will be demonstrated that Şâhidî’s ghazals are not merely a literary legacy of the past but also texts that encapsulate a sufi worldview capable of guiding contemporary individuals.