The Melami movement and Ottoman rule in the Balkans (16th.-17th. Centuries)

Melami movement is one of the most problematic issues of Ottoman mystical history. Bayrami-Melami order was established by Hacı Bayram-ı Veli at the second half of 15th century. Dede Ömer, successor of him developed Malamatiyya perception with the sense of wahdat al-wujud meaning "unity of being" under the effect of Hurufism and brought the movement into an active position against Ottoman state and social order. One of its doctrines, kutb-Mehdi concept leaded Melamis not to recognize any authority including Ottoman government beyond itself. Therefore the relations between Bayrami-Melamis and Ottoman administration entered into a new turning point. Especially from 16th century Bayrami-Melamis were regarded as a potential danger against existing order and followed by political authority. Execution of pioneering sheiks of it as İsmal-i Ma'şuki, Hamza Bali and Beşir Ağa caused the movement to go underground and move to the Balkans. In this study, several problems of Bayrami-Melamis particularly in the Balkans originating from their relations with political authority beginning from 16th until the end of 17th century will be handled within the historical perspective.