Summary
A proposal for a new microstate, the sovereign state of the Bektashi order, could soon emerge in the heart of Tirana, Albania. This potential development has sparked interest in the Bektashi order, a unique Sufi group that has evolved significantly over the centuries. Originally founded by the 13th-century mystic Haji Bektash Veli, the order has integrated elements of both Sunni and Shi'i Islam, creating a distinct theological framework that includes reverence for Ali ibn Abi Talib and the twelve imams.
The Bektashi order is characterized by its mystical practices and teachings, heavily influenced by the philosophy of Ibn Arabi, particularly the concept of wahdat al-wujud, or the oneness of being. This philosophy posits that God is the fundamental reality of all existence, a view that shapes the Bektashi understanding of spirituality and the human experience. Their practices often include communal gatherings where music and dance play a central role, reflecting a more relaxed interpretation of Islamic law compared to other Sufi orders.
Historically, the Bektashi order has had a complex relationship with political powers, particularly during the Ottoman Empire, where it became associated with the Janissaries, the elite military corps. However, the order faced significant persecution, especially in the 20th century under the secular Turkish Republic and later in communist Albania. Despite these challenges, the Bektashis have maintained a vibrant presence, and the current discussions about their potential microstate highlight their enduring significance in the region's cultural and religious landscape.
Show Notes
Find me and my music here:https://linktr.ee/filipholmSupport Let's Talk Religion on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/letstalkreligion Or through a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/talkreligiondonateAlso check out the Let's Talk Religion Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ih4sqtWv0wRIhS6HFgerb?si=95b07d83d0254bSources/Recomended Reading:Elsie, Robert (2019). "The Albanian Bektashi: History and Culture of a Dervish Order in the Balkans". I.B. Tauris.Kingsley Birge, John (1937). "The Bektashi Order of Dervishes". Hartford Seminary Press.Smith, Grace Martin (1993). "The Poetry of Yunus Emre: A Turkish Sufi Poet". University of California Press.Soileau, Mark (2018). "Humanist Mystics: Nationalism and the Commemoration of Saints in Turkey". The University of Utah Press.#bektashi #albania #sufism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
More from Let's Talk Religion
There is talk within the Muslim community (and outside) of the so-called "Quranists" or the movement "Quranism". In this video I talk about, in very generalizing terms, what this term is referring to, and what its characteristics are.#Quranism #Islam #Hadith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this very long video, I give an introduction to one of the most significant, yet often misunderstood thinkers and mystics in history - Ibn 'Arabi.The video will be released in parts soon as well, but I wanted to put this up first as an epic, full introduction to his life and ideas.Souces:Chittick, William (2005). "Ibn Arabi: Heir to the Prophets". OneWorld Publications.Chittick, William (1998). "The Self-Disclosure of God: Principles of Ibn al-'Arabi's Cosmology". State University of New York Press.Chittick, William (2005). "The Sufi Doctrine of Rumi". World Wisdom, inc.Chodkiewicz, Michel (1982). "The Spiritual writings of Amir 'Abd al-Kader". State University of New York Press.Chodkiewicz, Michel (1993). "Seal of the Saints: Prophethood and sainthood in the doctrine of Ibn 'Arabi". Translated by Liadain Sherrard. The Islamic Texts Society.Addas, Claude (1993). "Quest for the Red Sulphur". The Islamic Texts Society.Ibn 'Arabi - "The Ringstones of Wisdom (Fusus al-hikam)". Translated by Caner Dagli. Kazi Publications.Ibn Arabi - "The Interpreter of Desires (Tarjuman al-ashwaq)". Translated by Reynold A. Nicholson. London: Royal Asiatic Society.Ibn Arabi - "The Universal Tree and the Four Birds (al-ittihad al-kawni). Translated by Angela Jaffray. Oxford: Anqa Publishing.Mahmud Shabistari - "Garden of Mystery: The Gulshan-i raz of Mahmud Shabistari". Translated by Robert Abdul Hayy Darr. Archetype.Fakhruddin 'Iraqi - "Divine Flashes (Lama'at)". Translated by William C. Chittick & Peter Lamborn Wilson. The Classics of Western Spirituality Series. Paulist Press.#IbnArabi #Sufism #Mysticism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this video, we take a look at the legendary Daoist scholars who fled society to chill with friends, instruments and alcohol.Link to my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/letstalkreligionLinks to videos used:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2J_FgDkGlMhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFyT7CG0Lgshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lV5DyzqDbg4https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d1VrCvdzbYhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCgO8LyS9Xk#Taoism #EasternPhilosophy #China Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Support Let's Talk Religion on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/letstalkreligion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What is the “School of Love” in Sufism? In this video, we explore Madhhab-e Ishq — the Sufi path centered on divine love (ishq) as the highest way to know God. From the poetry of Rumi to the teachings of Ahmad Ghazali, discover how love became a spiritual methodology, a theology, and a transformative path within Islamic mysticism.Find Omid here:https://www.instagram.com/brotheromid/And Illuminated Tours/Courses:https://www.illuminatedcourses.comMusic by:Filip HolmFind me and my music here:https://linktr.ee/filipholmSupport Let's Talk Religion on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/letstalkreligion Or through a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/talkreligiondonateAlso check out the Let's Talk Religion Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ih4sqtWv0wRIhS6HFgerb?si=95b07d83d0254bSources/Recommended Reading:Caner Dagli (translated by) (2004). Ibn 'Arabi - "The Ringstones of Wisdom (Fusus al-Hikam)". Great Books of the Islamic World. Kazi Pubns Inc.Chittick, William & Peter Lamborn Wilson (translated by) (1982) "Fakhruddin Iraqi: Divine Flashes". Classics of Western Spirituality Series. Paulist Press.Ernst, Carl W. & Bruce B. Lawrence (2003). "Sufi Martyrs of Love: The Chishti Order in South Asia and beyond". Palgrave Macmillan.Ernst, Carl W (translated by) (2018). "Hallaj: Poems of a Sufi Martyr". Northwestern University Press.Inayat Khan, Pir Zia (ed.) (2001). "A Pearl in Wine: Essays on the Life, Music & Sufism of Hazrat Inayat Khan". Omega Publications.Knysh, Alexander (2000). "Islamic Mysticism: A Short History". Brill.Lewis, Franklin D. (2000). "Rumi: Past and Present, East and West". Oneworld publications.Lumbard, Joseph E.B. (2016). "Ahmad al-Ghazālī, Remembrance, and the Metaphysics of Love". SUNY Press.Pourjavady, Nasrollah (translated by) (2015). "Sawanih: Inspirations from the World of Pure Spirits". Routledge.Rustom, Muhammed (translated and edited by) (2022). "The Essence of Reality: A Defense of Philosophical Sufism". New York University Press.Rustom, Muhammed (2024). "Inrushes of the Heart: The Sufi Philosophy of Ayn al-Qudat". State University of New York Press.Safi, Omid (2019). "Radical Love: Teachings from the Islamic Mystical Tradition". Yale University Press.Chapters:0:00 Intro4:05 Islamic Sources of Love6:57 Love in early Sufism13:40 Different types/words of Love15:43 Ahmad al-Ghazali39:06 Ayn al-Qudat43:30 Ibn 'Arabi?53:07 Fakhr al-din 'Iraqi: The Marriage of Akbarian thought & the School of Love55:58 The spread of the Madhhab-e ishq57:34 The Chishti Order1:03:09 Conclusions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices