Bedreddin Simâvî's concept of religion

This thesis examines the religious understanding of Sheikh Bedreddin Simavi, a figure prominent in Ottoman intellectual history for both his scholarly knowledge and political stance. Drawing particularly on his work Varidat, we examine his understanding of God, his interpretation of the unity of existence, his perspective on the relationship between human will and fate, his belief in the afterlife, his understanding of heaven and hell, his views on prophethood, and his approach to the problem of evil. Bedreddin chose to interpret many frequently debated issues in Islamic thought, transcending classical understandings and using Sufi and philosophical language. He appears to have held several prominent views. In particular, his belief that "everything is a manifestation of God" forms the basis of his understanding of existence. Rather than establishing a sharp boundary between God and the universe, his view of all existence as reflections of divine truth demonstrates his commitment to the concept of unity of existence. Therefore, he considers nature, humanity, and even evil as components of absolute truth. Regarding human will, he argues that humans are not the absolute masters of their own actions, and that everything happens by the will of God. Bedreddin interprets heaven and hell not as physical places but as spiritual states experienced within a person's inner world. He argues that these experiences can be experienced not only after death but also in this world. Thus, he presents a more individual vision of the afterlife. Furthermore, according to him, truth is not only sought in books; it can also be understood through inspiration born of the heart, through discovery, and through intuition.