Bab-i Esrar: Religious Thought and Sufi Tradition in Turkish Fiction

بابِ اسرار: ترک فکشن میں مذہبی فکر اور صوفیانہ روایت

Abstract

This study critically examines the mystical and philosophical dimensions in Bab-ı Esrar by Ahmet Ümit, with a particular focus on the representation of the spiritual bond between Jalaluddin Rumi and Shams Tabrizi. Through a textual analysis of key dialogues and narrative sequences, the research explores how the novel employs Sufi concepts—Sharia, Tariqa, Marifa, and Haqiqa—to construct a layered spiritual journey. The character of Karen, a Western non-Muslim woman, serves as the narrative’s lens, shifting from an external investigative mission to an inner quest for truth. The analysis highlights the symbolic role of trials, spiritual guidance, and transformative encounters that bridge historical mysticism with contemporary seekers of divine love. The study also addresses how the novel’s portrayal of Sufi thought aligns with broader mystical traditions, emphasizing spiritual awakening, the continuity of divine presence, and the transformative role of the spiritual master. The findings contribute to the understanding of contemporary Turkish mystical fiction and its intertextual engagement with classical Sufi heritage.