Sharia – sect relationship in Mektûbât of Imâm-ı Rabbânî

In this study, the views of Imâm-i Rabbânî Ahmed Sirhindî on Shari'ah and tariqa were examined within the framework of his most important work, the Mektubât. It is seen that Imam-i Rabbânî, who adopts a Sufism understanding based on Shari'ah, treats religion, sect and truth as parts of a whole. He stated at every opportunity that shari'ah, sect and truth are elements that complement each other. Imâm-i Rabbânî tried to make the understanding of Sufism based on the book and the sunnah prevail among people, free from the discussions of sharia versus tariqa. As a result of the turmoil in the geography he is in, Imâm who saw that the principles of Islam were replaced by empty beliefs, bid'ahs and superstitions, gave great struggles against the sects that caused this and tried to spread the tajdid (renewal) movement. Imam has struggled against those who try to discredit revelation and prophethood by putting the mind to the forefront, those who make Shia propaganda, and those who try to legitimize Sufism by placing certain beliefs and practices that do not comply with the principles of Shariah. The Mektûbât of Imâm-i Rabbânî is of great importance in every aspect. In his letters, he aimed to eliminate the incomplete and wrong beliefs in many issues such as determination of the Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.), sunnah allegiance, and the virtue of the Companions. He encouraged Muslims to refrain from bid'ahs and to practice the sunnah. In our study, the letters related to these issues are also handled within the framework of Imâm's sensitivities. Our main purpose in our study is to examine the connection between Sufism and Shari'ah, which Imâm-i Rabbânî has structured within the framework of the Quran and Sunnah. Aiming to eliminate the distinction between shari'ah and ta'riqah, Imâm did not allow some Sufis of the period to adopt and legitimize a Sufi understanding that ignored shari'ah. He wrote letters about the nature of Sufism against those who argued that the Shari'ah consisted of shape and distanced it from the truth, and criticized Sufis who were wrong. Keywords: Sufism, Imâm-i Rabbânî, Mektûbât, Sharia, Tariqa