Aşçi Ibrahim Dede's life, works and understanding of sufism within the framework of his memories

Aşçı Ibrahim Dede, one of the Naqshî-Khalidî sheikhs from Istanbul Kandilli, was born in 1828 and lived until after 1906. He worked as an army rûznamçeci (accountant) in Istanbul, Erzurum, Erzincan, Damascus, Edirne and Madinah and was in close contact with sufi circles throughout his life. Aşçı Dede, who was involved in sufi circles since his childhood, was engaged in dhikr in the corners of the dervish lodge while his peers were playing. During his time in Istanbul, he graduated from Süleymaniye Rüştiyesi, and after he started his career, he met with Rıfâî, Halwatî, and Qâdirî mashayîs, and then he fell in love with Mawlavî fever. Finally, he found serenity with the Naqshî-Khalidî sheikh Mustafa Fehmi Efendi. The Risâle-i Ahvâlî of Aşçı Dede, who was a dervish, tearful, rakîk (gentle), a benevolent, a person of service, a passionate and versatile (zü'l-cenâheyn), offers a rich content to the reader. Since Aşçı Ibrahim Dede's memoirs have a noteworthy sufi content, it was deemed necessary to describe them. An attempt has been made to mention all the materials and sources available about him. His position in sufi methodology has been tried to be determined and it has been seen that he is on a shuttārī and akbarī axis. In addition, he has put forward metaphorical narratives about metaphorical love and divine love. His explanations in the context of shari'ah, tariqa and truth were found to be original and his views on love were found valuable. He mentioned that there is a level that every sufi can reach and that there is no beyond. He put forward views in the field of philosophical mysticism and tried to represent and embody the issue of wahdat al-wujūd. He also touched upon the relation of semā'i with the bezm of elest and its effect on the human soul. Aşçı Dede also made explanations about awliyaullah, spiritual interpretations of worship, seyr u sülûk and velayat-nubuwwah. The study consists of two main parts: the first part is devoted to the study of Aşçı Dede's life and works, and the second part to his understanding of sufism within the framework of his memoirs. In the conclusion, Aşçı Dede's views are briefly summarized and his distinctive aspects are emphasized.