The Hilmi Efendi’s Perception of Ali and Al-i Aba

Abstract

Researches and specifically analytical studies on Alevi-Bektashi literature should not be restricted with the writers and poets who are the members of the that community because basic values emphasized in the literature exist in the works of others who are from the outside of the community. Although the frequency of the using of those values differs, they became the “common values” of the literature. Moreover, researches on the field should not be restricted geographically with Anatolia and the Balkans. Thus, symposiums on Fuzuli, Hatayi and Nesimi, who are not from those regions, were remarkable. By following this idea, I argue that discussing Hilmi Efendi’s perception of Ali and Al-i Aba will contribute to the literature. Hilmi Efendi was a Cypriot and a mufti; thus, he is a Sunni Muslim. However, he mentions Ali and Al-i Aba in his works because of various reasons. He explains his admiration to them sincerely and he accepts Ali as an “ideal” type of human being. His emphasis on Ali and Al-i Aba along with the respect of “Car Yar” deserved to deeper examination in the sense that his respect for one of them did not prevent his interest for the other. I believe that further researches on writers and poets who have similar characteristics will contribute to the literature.