Sufism and Ottoman Cultural Relations with the Balkans
Sufism and Ottoman Cultural Relations with the Balkans

Summary/Abstract: Sufism played a major social role in Ottoman society. It became essential to the philosophical and theological aspects of Ottoman government and infused the state interpretation of Islam. The role and importance of Sufism was so prominent that it can said that Ottoman Islam is in large part based in a Sufi understanding of Islam. Sufis played important political roles in both the defense of and opposition to Ottoman rule in the Balkans, but it seems the role of Sufis in the intellectual and cultural spheres has attracted less notice. In the political considerations of that era, they were forced to take on political responsibilities. But on the intellectual level, the mission of Sufis in the Ottoman period was not only to serve the Ottoman state but to stimulate intellectual and spiritual life.

• Details
• Contents