The Nature of Love in the Bektashi Mystical Path with Emphasis on the Poetry of Yunus Emre

Abstract

Love, as one of the fundamental pillars of Islamic mysticism, occupies an exalted and unparalleled status within the Bektashi spiritual tradition. In this school of thought, love is not merely a fleeting emotion, but rather a transcendent path toward proximity to the Divine and ultimate union with the Absolute Truth. The poetry of Yunus Emre, the renowned Bektashi poet and mystic, with its simple yet profound and impactful expression, has deeply permeated Bektashi lodges and reflects this sublime reality. Accordingly, the present study, employing a library-based methodology and an analytical approach, explores the concept and status of love in the poetry of Yunus Emre and examines it as a generative and transformative truth in the creation and spiritual life of humanity. In the thought of Yunus Emre, there exists a deep and inseparable connection between metaphorical love for fellow human beings, love for the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and love for the Divine Essence. Metaphorical love, which manifests through affection and companionship with others, marks the initial stage of the mystical journey. This love, as it progresses, evolves through attachment to the Prophet (peace be upon him)—who serves as both the intermediary of creation and the guide toward Truth—and ultimately reaches its pinnacle in the station of divine love. This progression, culminating in fana fi Allah (annihilation in God), defines the ultimate goal of spiritual journeying in the Bektashi school.