Interpreting the Dîvân of Hasan Sezâyî Gulshanî: A hermeneutical approach within the framework of sufism

This study examines the Sufi worldview (tasawwuf) of Hasan Sezâyî al-Gülshanî (1669-1738), a prominent spiritual figure and poet of 18th-century Anatolia, through a close analysis of his Dîvân.As the founder of the Sezâiyya branch of the Gülshanî order, Hasan Sezâyî's metaphysical and epistemological perspectives-particularly regarding the notions of existence (wujûd) and divine knowledge (maʿrifa)-are explored. Sufi concepts found in his Dîvân are analyzed comparatively alongside the works of other mystic poets and supported by selected passages from Maktûbât-i Sezâyî. The study of Dîvân, in which Sufi concepts are moulded with poems, aims to facilitate the understanding of Hasan Sezâyî's terminology and language specific to his period. In addition, by emphasising his importance in Anatolian Sufi culture, it is aimed to convey the Sufi messages in his works to the reader from a historical and contemporary perspective.The study reveals how Sezâyî's poetry centralizes the doctrine of wahdat al-wujûd (the Unity of Being) and reflects a profound devotion to God and the Prophet, reverence for the Ahl al-Bayt, and deep respect for the spiritual master (murshid). Structured in four chapters, the research adopts a qualitative methodology, including textual analysis and thematic sampling. It examines the linguistic-semantic coherence of the poems, their engagement with classical Sufi terminology, and their place within the broader intellectual context of the period through an interdisciplinary lens. Rather than being confined to historical significance, Sezâyî's Dîvân is approached as a poetic embodiment of universal Sufi teachings. With its refined language and stylistic depth, the work offers contemporary readers insights into the rich spiritual legacy of its time. Accordingly, the study aims to provide a scholarly contribution to the understanding of Sezâyî's mystical thought. Keywords: Tasawwuf, Hasan Sezâyî, Dîvân, Maktûbât, Gülshanî Order, Unity of Being, Sufism.