Women’s influence on and participation in the Mevlevi Order: A study based on Manāqib Al-ʿĀrifīn

This study examines the position of women in the Mevlevi Order, their roles in the spiritual life of the order, and their contributions to Mevlevi culture through an analysis of Manāqib al-ʿĀrifīn, written by Aḥmad Aflākī in the fourteenth century. The study aims to evaluate the social, cultural, and spiritual roles of women in the establishment and development of the Mevlevi Order. Using qualitative document analysis, the study examines the narratives concerning women in Manāqib al-ʿĀrifīn and evaluates them in light of the relevant literature. The findings reveal that women were not merely associated with the order through family ties but actively participated in sohbet (spiritual gatherings) and samāʿ ceremonies, contributed to educational and charitable activities, and in some cases attained positions of spiritual authority. Prominent figures include Gürcü Hatun, Kira Hatun, Fāṭima Hatun, and Mutahhara Hatun. The study concludes that women played significant roles in the formation and development of the Mevlevi Order and contributes to a better understanding of women’s place in the history of Sufism.