Theological views of Mullah Hayâlî (In the context of Sharh al-Qasidah al-Nûniyya)

Abstract

One of the necessary stations to be visited concerning the tranmission of Islamic understanding during the period of Companions of the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) through the previous (mutaqaddimîn) and posterior (mutaahhirîn) periods of Islamic theology up to present day is the theological studies during the Ottoman Reign. Although an intense effort is exerted on the works and authors of classical theology, the studies on posterior period in general and Ottoman theology in particular are contrary to the expectations. However, there seems to be an increase in the studies on Ottoman scholarly tradition as a necessity posed by providing an intellectual continuity recently. In this thesis we aim to contribute to this works.Although Hizir Beg, who is one of the most important actors within the process of constituting Ottoman understanding of theology, read and thought Asharite theological works as a necessity of his own period, he wrote his most important and famous work entitled Qasida al-Nûniyya by expressing the Maturidî principles. The effort of forcing the Ottoman understanding of theology within the Asharî or Maturidî frame would be inefficient. Although Asharite theological works were thought at the madrasas during that period, Maturidî theology perpetuated its impact in the works written at that time. Moreover, a mediatory manner is presented by maintaining an orthodox (Ahl al-Sunnah) expression, the disputes between the Asharî and Maturidî schools of thought were either removed or seen as unimportant issues. Thus, the interpretation of Mullah Hayâlî seems an important work reflecting the very characteristics of that period. This work, which was written by the Asharite method of theology, reflects the understanding of Maturidiyya and it includes personal opinions as well.Keywords: Hizir Beg, Mullah Hayâlî, Qasida al-Nûniyya, Sharh al-Qasidah al-Nûniyya, Ottoman Understanding of Theology.