Halilu'r-Rahman waqfs in Urfa (16th- beginning of the 20th centuries)

This study proves the historical development, functions and city life contributions of the Halilu'r-Rahman Waqfs which was built as the 16th century Urfa dervish lodge waqfs and it is today's one of the most important holy places of Sanliurfa. Halilu'r-Rahman Waqfs located in the Plateau Pool of Sacred Fish. Halilu'r-Rahman Waqfs which includes mosques, dervish lodges, soup kitchen, mausoleums and guesthouses developed as a complex of buildings adjacent to a mosque. By this way Halilu'r-Rahman Waqfs contributed to city's cultural, educational, social and economic life. Besides, with the structures such as shops, inns, baths, etc., they contributed the city to become prosperous. As in other Ottoman cities, dervish lodges and mosques are the main cultural interaction points in the city of Urfa. The dervish sheikhs contributed to cultural and religious unity of the people by teaching tariqah orders to dervishes and to people. Halilu'r-Rahman Waqfs includes the place which was accepted Prophet Abraham thrown into the fire. It also includes the cave which is accepted Prophet Abraham was born. So, the presence of these places has been providing the large number of domestic and foreign tourists to visit these places throughout history as it is today. These places maintains its viability. Key Words: Halilu'r-Rahman Waqfs, Waqf, Pool of Sacred Fish, Dervish Lodges, Prophet Abraham. This study proves the historical development, functions and city life contributions of the Halilu'r-Rahman Waqfs which was built as the 16th century Urfa dervish lodge waqfs and it is today's one of the most important holy places of Sanliurfa. Halilu'r-Rahman Waqfs located in the Plateau Pool of Sacred Fish. Halilu'r-Rahman Waqfs which includes mosques, dervish lodges, soup kitchen, mausoleums and guesthouses developed as a complex of buildings adjacent to a mosque. By this way Halilu'r-Rahman Waqfs contributed to city's cultural, educational, social and economic life. Besides, with the structures such as shops, inns, baths, etc., they contributed the city to become prosperous. As in other Ottoman cities, dervish lodges and mosques are the main cultural interaction points in the city of Urfa. The dervish sheikhs contributed to cultural and religious unity of the people by teaching tariqah orders to dervishes and to people. Halilu'r-Rahman Waqfs includes the place which was accepted Prophet Abraham thrown into the fire. It also includes the cave which is accepted Prophet Abraham was born. So, the presence of these places has been providing the large number of domestic and foreign tourists to visit these places throughout history as it is today. These places maintains its viability. Key Words: Halilu'r-Rahman Waqfs, Waqf, Pool of Sacred Fish, Dervish Lodges, Prophet Abraham.