Sûfîsm and Mevlana from the perspective of Tahir Büyükkörükçü

This thesis examines the Sufi personality of Tahir Büyükkörükçü (d. 2011), one of the important Islamic scholars and preachers of the 20th century, as well as his depictions of and approach to Mevlana Jalal al-din Muhammad Rumi (d. 1273/672). This study addresses Tahir Büyükkörükçü's views on Sufism and his emphasis on Rumi's teachings in his sermons to the public. As a person influenced by the Mevlevi and Naqshbandi traditions, Büyükkörükçü's use of Sufism as a fundamental element in his sermons, his efforts to accurately convey Rumi to the public, his view of Rumi's teachings as a means of enlightening the public on social issues, and his presentation of Mevlânâ as a guiding figure for society form the main focus of this thesis. This study highlights Büyükkörükçü's view of Rumi's thought as a fundamental source for the revival of society and his efforts to ensure its correct understanding. In this context, Büyükkörükçü's works and sermons, particularly his book Hakiki Veçhesiyle Mevlânâ ve Mesnevî (Mevlâna and Mesnevi in Their True Form) which sheds light on Rumi's true personality, as well as studies conducted on him, have been examined. This examination revealed that Büyükkörükçü, as a contemporary preacher, based his teachings on Rumi's teachings and made it his mission to respond to criticisms directed at him. In this respect, it was determined that Büyükkörükçü stood apart from other preachers in terms of Sufi scholarship. This study aims to demonstrate the importance and possibility of conveying Sufism in general and Rumi's teachings in particular to the public through the example of Büyükkörükçü, a contemporary preacher. Key Words: Sufism, Mesnevi, Rumi, Preacher, Tahir Büyükkörükçü,