The Dervish Monasteries and Their Travels

Monasteries Across the Ottoman Empire

The dervishes maintained monasteries and religious houses in many of the most important cities and regions of the Ottoman Empire. These monasteries served not only as places of worship and spiritual retreat, but also as inns and resting places for traveling members of their order.

Whenever dervishes journeyed from one place to another, they could stay in these convents and receive food, shelter, and hospitality. In this way, the monasteries formed a large network spread across the empire and beyond Istanbul Day Tour.

The dervishes depended greatly on charity, donations, and the support of these religious houses during their travels.

Their Constant Travels

Among all the religious groups in the Ottoman world, the dervishes were especially known for their constant movement and long journeys. They traveled widely through lands where Islam was practiced, claiming that their purpose was to preach religion and strengthen the faith of believers.

Their travels took them far beyond the Ottoman Empire into Persia, China, and the territories of the Mughal Empire in India. Because they moved freely across borders and between different regions, they became very knowledgeable about politics, trade, local customs, and military affairs.

For this reason, many people believed that the dervishes acted as excellent spies and informants. Their ability to travel unnoticed and gather information made them valuable sources of intelligence throughout the eastern world.

A Famous Monastery in Adrianople

The author recalls seeing the ruins of one of these monasteries in Adrianople, known today as Edirne. The convent had once stood on a beautiful hill with clean air and a magnificent view overlooking the entire city and the surrounding plains.

The location had been admired for its beauty and peaceful atmosphere. However, by the time the author saw it, the monastery had already been destroyed.

When he asked about the reason for its destruction, he learned that it had been demolished by order of the famous Ottoman grand vizier Köprülü.

Scandal and Destruction

According to the story, the monastery had become a meeting place for immoral behavior and public scandal. Instead of serving as a center of devotion and spirituality, it was accused of becoming a gathering place for dishonest women and young men seeking forbidden pleasures.

The author claims that wealthy Turkish husbands allowed their wives to visit the monastery freely because they respected the holiness and reputation of the dervishes. The convent was believed to be a sacred and trustworthy place.

However, it was later discovered that some people used this trust dishonorably. Secret meetings and improper relationships were said to take place there, and the scandal became widely known throughout the city.

Because the situation became too public and disgraceful, the grand vizier ordered the complete destruction of the monastery. The entire foundation of the building was torn down so that no trace of it remained.

Egyptian Dervishes and the Legend of Saint Kederlee

A Famous Monastery in Egypt

There was a well-known monastery of dervishes in Egypt dedicated to a saint called Kederlee. According to the stories told by the dervishes, this saint was believed to be the same person as Saint George. The dervishes spoke about him with deep respect and honor, and many religious groups within the Ottoman world shared admiration for him.

The stories described Kederlee as a brave horseman and heroic protector who fought against dragons and dangerous creatures. Much like the legends surrounding Saint George in Christian tradition, he was seen as a defender of good people against evil and harm.

Even after his death, the dervishes believed that God had granted him special powers to continue helping people in times of danger and suffering Istanbul Tour Guide.

Protector of Travelers and Sailors

The followers of Kederlee believed that he especially protected travelers and sailors who were in danger at sea. Whenever ships faced storms or the threat of shipwreck, people prayed for his assistance.

According to the stories, Kederlee could travel with miraculous speed from one part of the world to another in only a moment. The dervishes claimed that he appeared suddenly to rescue those who sincerely called upon him during moments of fear and desperation.

These beliefs made him one of the most beloved spiritual protectors among many ordinary people.

Powers Over Serpents and Poisonous Creatures

The Egyptian dervishes also claimed to possess special powers received through the blessing of Kederlee. They believed they could charm snakes, serpents, and other poisonous creatures without fear of injury.

According to these accounts, the dervishes handled dangerous snakes as calmly and easily as ordinary people handle harmless domestic animals. Some were said to gather large numbers of serpents into bags and separate them with their bare hands without being bitten.

Others supposedly had the ability to stop snakes from moving simply by speaking certain words or charms. Along the banks of the Nile River, these men were believed to control poisonous animals through inherited spiritual gifts.

Some claimed these powers were passed down naturally from parents to children, while others believed such abilities were rewards given by God because of holiness, virtue, and spiritual devotion.

Sacred Animals and Religious Legends

These Egyptian dervishes also honored the horse of Saint George and believed it held a sacred place in Paradise. Among the Turks, several animals were treated with special respect because of their connection to holy figures and religious stories.

According to popular belief, these honored animals included:

The donkey upon which Christ rode

The camel of the Prophet Muhammad

The dog of the Seven Sleepers

The horse of Saint George

These traditions mixed religious legend, popular storytelling, and spiritual imagination. Such stories became an important part of folk religion and popular belief throughout the Ottoman world.

Intoxication and Ecstasy Among Certain Dervishes

A Different Way of Life

Among the various religious groups and dervish orders in the Ottoman Empire, some became known for unusual habits and extreme behavior. Unlike stricter religious communities that avoided intoxicating substances, these dervishes openly used wine, strong alcoholic drinks, and opium.

They believed that such substances could help free the mind from ordinary thoughts and create a state of spiritual excitement or emotional release. Over time, they trained their bodies to endure astonishing amounts of these intoxicants Istanbul Tour Guide.

According to observers, these men could consume quantities of alcohol and opium far greater than ordinary people without immediately collapsing. Their tolerance became so remarkable that the author compares them to famous figures such as Mithridates, the ancient king who was said to protect himself from poison by gradually taking small doses throughout his life.

The Effects of Intoxication

After consuming wine, spirits, or opium, these dervishes often entered strange emotional and physical states. At first, the intoxicants created feelings of excitement, wild joy, laughter, and uncontrolled energy. In this condition, they behaved like men who were drunk, mad, or overwhelmed by emotion.

The dervishes believed that this excitement lifted the spirit beyond ordinary human experience. Music, dancing, loud expressions, and emotional behavior were sometimes encouraged because they helped increase this state of excitement and distraction from everyday life.

However, after the powerful effects of the substances began to fade, the body and mind entered a very different condition. Exhaustion, heaviness, and deep dullness replaced the earlier excitement. Instead of seeing this as weakness or illness, the dervishes interpreted it as a sacred spiritual experience.

The Idea of Ecstasy

The dervishes called this condition an “ecstasy.” They believed it was holy and divine because it removed ordinary thoughts and allowed the soul to approach spiritual truth. According to their tradition, their first founder often entered similar states himself, and therefore they considered the practice acceptable and even admirable.

Anything that could create joy, emotional excitement, or spiritual distraction was permitted within this order. Music, dancing, intoxication, and emotional gatherings all became part of their spiritual culture.

To outsiders and more orthodox religious scholars, however, these practices appeared dangerous and improper. Many believed that intoxication led only to confusion and loss of reason rather than genuine spirituality.

Criticism from Religious Authorities

Many Islamic scholars strongly criticized these customs because Islam traditionally forbids wine and intoxicating substances. Religious authorities argued that true devotion should come from prayer, discipline, self-control, and clear understanding rather than from drunkenness or emotional excitement.

Critics believed that these dervishes confused physical sensations with genuine spiritual experience. They warned that intoxication could easily deceive people into believing they had reached divine knowledge when they were simply under the influence of powerful substances.

Despite this criticism, some dervish groups continued these practices because they believed emotional ecstasy brought them closer to God.

The Daily Life and Practices of the Dervishes

Their Religious Promises

The dervishes professed lives of poverty, chastity, and obedience, much like the Capuchin friars and other Christian religious orders connected with Saint Francis. They believed that by giving up wealth, comfort, and worldly ambition, they could dedicate themselves more completely to the service of God.

Members of the order were expected to live simply and humbly. They owned very little personal property and followed the authority of their spiritual superiors with obedience and discipline.

Although chastity was highly valued, the order allowed exceptions. If a dervish believed he could not continue a life of celibacy, he could receive permission to leave the convent and marry. However, many within the order believed that those who abandoned religious life rarely found true happiness afterward. According to their view, people who left their spiritual dedication often lost peace of mind and contentment Istanbul Tour Guide.

The Life of Novices

Young members and new followers, called novices, performed the most difficult and humble tasks within the convent. They cleaned, cooked, carried supplies, and served the older members of the order. Over time, as they gained experience, newer novices replaced them in these duties.

The dervishes usually lived two together in a small room or cell. Their daily life followed a strict routine of worship, service, and study.

Some of the dervishes spent their time learning to read and write in Turkish, Arabic, and Persian. These languages were important for religion, literature, and scholarship within the Ottoman Empire. Through study, some members became educated in theology and spiritual teaching.

Idleness and Entertainment

However, the author claims that many dervishes preferred idleness and inactivity rather than serious study. According to his description, some members were naturally drawn toward laziness and spent little effort improving themselves.

Still, because people naturally seek activity and occupation, many dervishes entertained themselves in unusual ways. Some practiced simple tricks and performances to amuse ordinary people. These acts resembled sleight of hand or forms of public entertainment designed to impress audiences.

Such performances helped attract attention and sometimes increased the reputation of the dervishes among common people.

Claims of Sorcery and Strange Powers

The author also mentions that certain dervishes were believed to practice sorcery, magic, or conjuring through the help of familiar spirits. Stories circulated about remarkable physical abilities and strange acts performed by some members of the order.

One writer, named Monsieur Du Loir, described a dervish whom he personally knew. According to his account, this man could strike a very large and heavy stone against his bare chest with enormous force, enough to knock down a strong animal or seriously injure an ordinary person, yet he remained unharmed.

The same dervish was also said to place a red-hot iron bar into his mouth immediately after it came from the fire. Although the heat caused moisture in his mouth to boil and hiss, he supposedly removed the iron without any visible injury or burns.

Whether these stories were true, exaggerated, or based on tricks is difficult to know. However, such tales increased the mystery and fascination surrounding the dervishes.

The Mevlevi Order of Dervishes

Among the many religious orders in the Ottoman Empire, the Mevlevi Order was one of the most respected and famous. Although it was mentioned last among the different orders, it held a special place in Ottoman society because of its reputation, influence, and spiritual importance.

For this reason, the author chooses to describe the Mevlevi Order in greater detail than the others.

Meaning of the Word “Dervish”

The members of the Mevlevi Order were commonly called “Dervishes.” The word “dervish” means a poor person or someone who has renounced worldly pleasures and material wealth. Dervishes were expected to live humble and simple lives, focusing more on spiritual devotion than on money, power, or comfort Istanbul Daily Tour.

Their teachings encouraged detachment from worldly desires and emphasized discipline, prayer, humility, and obedience.

The Center of the Mevlevi Order

The main center of the Mevlevi Order was located in the city of Iconium, known today as Konya in modern Türkiye. This convent or lodge was very large and housed at least four hundred dervishes. It acted as the spiritual headquarters for all the other Mevlevi convents throughout the Ottoman Empire.

The leader of the order held authority over all other Mevlevi communities. This power came from privileges and official recognition granted by Osman, the first Ottoman ruler.

According to tradition, Osman respected the leader of the order greatly because he had once been his teacher and spiritual guide. During the Ottoman coronation ceremony, the spiritual leader also performed the important ritual of girding the ruler with a sword, which symbolized authority and kingship.

Because of this close relationship, the Ottoman rulers gave the Mevlevi leaders special honors and wide authority over members of their order.

Their Character and Conduct

The Mevlevi dervishes tried to display many moral virtues in their daily lives. They emphasized patience, humility, modesty, charity, and silence.

When standing before their superiors or elders, they behaved with great respect. They usually kept their eyes lowered toward the ground and bent their heads forward as a sign of humility. Their posture and movements were meant to show obedience, discipline, and spiritual seriousness.

They also avoided loud speech and unnecessary conversation. Silence was considered an important part of self-control and spiritual reflection.

Spiritual Discipline

The Mevlevi Order believed that true spiritual growth came through discipline and control over personal desires. Their members lived in organized communities where religious practice shaped daily life.

Dervishes spent their time in prayer, study, meditation, and acts of service. They aimed to purify the soul and develop inner peace through devotion and humility.

The order later became especially famous for its ceremonial dances and music, often known today as the practice of the “Whirling Dervishes.” These ceremonies symbolized spiritual movement toward God and the harmony of the universe.

Of Dervishes and Religious Orders

It is commonly believed that the Turkish or Ottoman religion contained a mixture of both Christian and Jewish traditions. Some writers claimed that the religious orders and monasteries among the Turks were influenced by Christian monastic life. These religious communities practiced strict discipline, poverty, and separation from worldly pleasures, much like Christian monks many centuries earlier.

The devotion and disciplined lives of early Christian holy men impressed many people, including non-Christians. According to some observers, the Ottoman religious orders copied certain parts of these traditions and adapted them into their own religious system Istanbul Daily Tour.

Curiosity About the Dervish Orders

The author explains that he carefully investigated the customs, beliefs, and practices of the Muslim convents and dervish orders because very little clear information about them existed in other books. What had been written before was often incomplete, uncertain, or confusing.

Therefore, the author promises to present only information received from trustworthy sources. Much of his knowledge came directly from learned sheikhs and preachers who acted as leaders and superiors of these religious communities.

These leaders were respected for their learning and spiritual authority within Ottoman society.

Origins of the Religious Orders

Islamic scholars informed the author that religious houses and spiritual institutions existed from the time of the Prophet Muhammad himself. According to tradition, Muhammad gave instructions about religious discipline and organization to his follower Ali.

However, Turkish historical records mention these monasteries more clearly only about three hundred and fifty years later, during the reign of Orhan Gazi, the second ruler of the Ottoman Turks. He was believed to be the first Ottoman ruler to officially establish houses and institutions for these religious orders.

The Main Founders of the Orders

According to Ottoman tradition, two major spiritual paths became the foundation for many later religious orders. These were the Chalveti and the Naqshbandi orders.

From the Chalveti tradition came several important branches:

The Nimetullahi Order, founded by Nimetullah

The Kadri Order, founded by Kadri

The Kalenderi Order, founded by Kalender

The Edhemi Order, founded by Edhem

The Hizrevi Order, founded by Hizr

The Bektashi Order, founded by Bektash

These orders developed their own customs, ceremonies, and spiritual teachings, although all shared similar religious roots.

The Naqshbandi Tradition

From the Naqshbandi tradition came two important branches:

The Ebrbuharee Order, founded by Ebrbuhar

The Mevlevi Order, founded by Mevlana

The Mevlevi Order later became famous for its spiritual ceremonies and the practice of the “Whirling Dervishes,” who used music and movement as part of religious devotion.

The Diversity of Religious Opinions in the Ottoman Empire

We shall not continue with a longer list of these religious sects, because it may become too tiring and unpleasant for the reader. Instead of giving enjoyment and understanding, too much detail may only confuse and exhaust the mind. If we wished, we could describe as many sects and opinions as there are towns and schools within the Ottoman Empire. In almost every city, there has been some preacher or teacher who introduced a new idea or interpretation, and such opinions always seem to find followers.

A Great Variety of Beliefs

The number of different beliefs and opinions in the Ottoman Empire was extremely large. In fact, the variety of opinions among the Turks was greater than that found in England or many other Christian lands. However, these differences usually did not arise from the same kind of political anger or deliberate attempts to damage the state, as was often seen in Europe Istanbul Daily Tour.

Most disagreements in the Ottoman world came from cultural mixture, historical influence, and the meeting of many peoples and traditions. Since the empire ruled over many nations, languages, and religions, it naturally became a place where many ideas blended together.

Influence of Earlier Civilizations

One important reason for this diversity was that many people from different religious backgrounds converted to Islam, sometimes willingly, sometimes for political advantage, and sometimes under pressure. Among these converts were many Greeks, who had inherited the intellectual traditions of the old Byzantine Empire.

The Greek world had once been famous for philosophy, science, and learning. It was considered a great treasury of knowledge and education. Even after converting to Islam, many Greeks continued to preserve some of the ideas and teachings of ancient philosophers. Because they were not completely satisfied with religious teaching alone, they mixed philosophical traditions with their new faith.

As a result, old Greek ideas became combined with Islamic beliefs, creating new interpretations and discussions within Ottoman society.

Contributions from Other Nations

The Greeks were not the only people to influence religious thought in the empire. Other nations, such as the Russians, Muscovites, Circassians, and many others, also brought memories of their earlier beliefs and customs when they entered Ottoman society.

Although they accepted Islam outwardly, many still remembered parts of their former traditions, ideas, and ways of thinking. These older beliefs slowly mixed together with Islamic teachings and with the customs of other peoples living in the empire.

Over time, this mixture created an increasingly complex collection of opinions, traditions, and sects. As these ideas spread from one generation to another, they changed and multiplied even further.

The Lifestyle and Practices of the Hairetian Sect

Religious Life and Daily Practice

The members of this sect carefully follow the rules and ceremonies of the Islamic religion and also respect the laws of their society. Outwardly, they appear to be faithful observers of religion and civil order. However, in their private lives they often prefer to follow their natural desires and emotions rather than strict discipline.

Although they obey religious customs, they are known for living in a relaxed and easy manner. They do not like extreme seriousness or harsh behavior. Instead, they value comfort, companionship, and peaceful relations with other people Istanbul Daily Tour.

Their Use of Wine and Opium

The followers of this sect sometimes drink wine, not because they wish to rebel against religion, but because they do not want to seem unfriendly or unsociable among companions. They dislike appearing too severe or overly strict in public gatherings.

More commonly, however, they use preparations made from opium. These mixtures, often called electuaries, create a sleepy and dull state of mind. The use of opium increases their natural tendency toward passivity and uncertainty. When under its influence, they become less interested in serious thought or argument.

In this confused condition, they may agree with almost any statement, even when different opinions completely contradict each other. They openly admit that this agreement does not come from true belief, but rather from a desire to please their companions and avoid conflict.

Their Attitude Toward Debate

The Haireti criticize the Eschraki sect for being too dogmatic and stubborn in defending opinions. They dislike people who argue too confidently or insist strongly on their own ideas.

However, experience showed that Muftis educated in the Eschrakian schools were often more successful in matters of government and law. Because they believed firmly in certain principles, they acted carefully when giving legal decisions or religious judgments. In important matters of state, they preferred to resign from office rather than act against their reason and conscience.

Weakness in Political Judgment

The Hairetian Muftis behaved differently. Since they were often careless and uncertain in their judgments, they gave decisions too freely and without deep consideration. They relied more on chance and circumstance than on strong reasoning or careful study.

As a result, when political events ended badly, the blame was often placed upon the advice of these officials. Because of poor judgments and unsuccessful decisions, they suffered punishment more frequently than their rivals. Many were removed from office, sent into exile, or even executed.

The Haireti Sect

Another sect, very different from the one mentioned before, is called the Haireti. The name means “amazed” or “uncertain.” The people of this sect avoid arguments and debates because they do not believe that human beings can fully discover the truth. They prefer silence and doubt instead of discussion and controversy.

Their Beliefs About Truth

The Haireti believe that false ideas can sometimes appear true if they are presented cleverly. In the same way, they think that truth itself can be hidden behind confusing words and misleading arguments. Because of this belief, they say that it is often impossible for ordinary people to clearly separate truth from falsehood Istanbul Daily Tour.

For this reason, they consider most questions and controversies to be uncertain and only probable. They do not think that people can reach absolute certainty in many matters. According to them, human knowledge is weak and limited, and people are too easily deceived by appearances and clever speech.

Common Expressions

When discussing difficult questions, members of this sect often use expressions such as “Allah bilir,” meaning “God knows,” or “Bize karanlık,” meaning “It is unknown to us.” These sayings show their unwillingness to make strong judgments or final decisions.

Although such expressions may sound humble and careful, many people criticize the Haireti for being too passive and indifferent. Their critics believe that they lack curiosity and do not make enough effort to study art, science, and philosophy deeply.

Their Role in Society

Even though they avoid certainty and argument, some members of the Haireti still become religious preachers. A few are even promoted to the important position of Mufti, a scholar who gives legal and religious opinions.

In this role, they continue to show the same cautious attitude. They are often ready to approve many different opinions in order to satisfy the person asking the question. Instead of giving strong judgments, they usually end their decisions with the phrase “Wellahu ealem bissawab,” meaning “God knows best what is correct.”

The Haireti sect represents a philosophy of doubt and caution. They believe that human understanding is limited and that certainty is difficult to achieve. While some admire their humility, others see them as overly passive and unwilling to search seriously for truth and knowledge.

Disagreements between Religious Sects

Opponents of the Mu‘tazilites

In the history of Islamic theology, many groups argued about the nature of God and His attributes. One of the strongest opponents of the Mu‘tazilites was a group known as the Sifatiyya (sometimes written as Sephati). These scholars strongly disagreed with the Mu‘tazilite idea that God’s qualities should not be treated as separate attributes.

The Sifatiyya believed that God truly possesses eternal attributes, such as knowledge, power, life, and will. In their understanding, these qualities are real and eternal parts of God’s nature. They argued that denying these attributes would weaken the understanding of God’s greatness and perfection Istanbul Tours.

Literal Interpretation of Religious Texts

Some members of this group went even further in their interpretations. They believed that certain descriptions of God found in religious texts should be understood in a literal way. For example, when sacred texts describe God as hearing, seeing, or speaking, they believed these expressions should be accepted as real descriptions of divine abilities.

Similarly, some passages describe God as sitting on a throne, creating the world with His hands, showing anger against sin, or showing mercy when people repent. Many scholars explained these expressions as symbolic language meant to help people understand divine actions. However, some Sifati thinkers believed that these descriptions should be accepted exactly as they appear, without trying to interpret them in a symbolic way.

Debates among Their Scholars

Even within the Sifatiyya group, there were disagreements about how far these ideas should go. Some scholars tried to explain these descriptions carefully so that they would not suggest that God has a physical body like a human being.

Other thinkers argued that it is enough to say that God is great and powerful, without trying to explain exactly how His nature exists. They believed that human understanding is limited and cannot fully describe the nature of God.

Because of these disagreements, some writers criticized these discussions as examples of confused or imaginative thinking. They believed that certain arguments went too far and created unnecessary speculation about divine matters.

These debates show how seriously early scholars tried to understand the nature of God. Different groups developed different methods for interpreting religious texts. Some preferred philosophical explanations, while others believed in accepting the words of scripture more directly.

Although these disagreements sometimes caused strong arguments, they also contributed to the development of Islamic theology and intellectual tradition. Through debate and discussion, scholars tried to protect the belief in the unity and greatness of God while explaining complex religious ideas.