The Book of Wisdom
CevvelaThe Book of Wisdom
Ahmet Yesevî · Ketebe Yayınları · 1150
Summary
Ahmed Yesevi’s Divan-ı Hikmet is regarded as one of the first and most important works of Turkish Sufi literature. Written in the twelfth century, it consists of Yesevi’s poems known as hikmet. The word “hikmet” means wisdom, and the work contains instructive poems in which Yesevi conveys Islamic Sufism and moral teaching in plain language. Ahmed Yesevi wrote these hikmets in Turkish in order to bring the Islamic faith and the Sufi path to the Turkish people.
The Divan teaches people how to draw near to God and how to live in accordance with Islamic ethics. Its main themes include the transience of worldly life, belief in the hereafter, worship and morality. In his poems, Yesevi emphasizes love of God and devotion to the Prophet. The language is simple and clear, in a style the people of the time could easily understand. For this reason, the Divan left deep traces not only in the world of Sufism but also in folk literature.
With the aim of spreading Sufism and educating the people, Ahmed Yesevi carried his hikmets to a wide audience and contributed greatly to the spread of Islam, especially in Central Asia. Spiritual values such as surrender to God, humility, patience and love run intensely through his poems.
Quotes from Cevvela
“He winds a turban round his head,”
“Wherever you see a broken heart, be a balm to it.”
“My exalted Lord, I have come to You seeking refuge.”
“The secret of love cannot be told to every unworthy one;”
“My head is dust, my self is dust, my body dust;”
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Divan-ı Hikmet is not only a literary work but also a guide containing the core teachings of Turkish folk Sufism and Islamic ethics. By using a plain language everyone could understand, Ahmed Yesevi aimed to bring Islam and Sufism to the broad mass of the people. In this sense, the work serves as a guide that builds spiritual bonds with the people and gives direction to their religious and moral lives.
The work combines the hardships of the Sufi path, the balance between this world and the hereafter, and the discipline of the self with a deep inner journey. Yesevi’s plain, accessible language allowed a wider audience to grasp his profound spiritual teaching. This is one of the main reasons the work has remained influential for centuries, both among the people and in the world of Sufism.
There are, however, aspects that can be criticized. Given that Yesevi’s hikmets were written in a particular historical period and cultural context, some concepts may need deeper explanation for modern readers. It should also be kept in mind that the symbolic language of Sufi teaching may not be easily understood by everyone. Yet these criticisms cast no shadow on the value and spiritual depth of the work.
Yesevi’s work goes beyond being merely a religious text. It offers people a spiritual guide, encouraging them to stay strong in the face of life’s hardships and supporting their inner journeys. Its plain language and its ability to reach ordinary people above all have made it timeless.