Ḥurūfism and Bektashism in the Context of the Ottoman-Azerbaijan Socio-Cultural Relations

Emerging in Azerbaijan in the last quarter of the 14th century, Ḥurūfism started to spread in the Ottoman Empire in the late 14th  and early 15th century. Many Azerbaijani ṣūfīes that were believing Ḥurūfism also had been taken part in the spread of Ḥurūfism in the Ottoman Empire. In this period the practice of Ḥurūfies in Azerbaijan, Anatolia and other regions that Turkish culture was spread increased the significiance of Turkish language. However, Ḥurūfism was not accepted by the Ottoman Empire because it was against its official ideology. After the 16th century, while loosing its function as an independent movement in the Ottoman Empire, Ḥurūfism mingled with Bektashism and essentially became part of this sect.
Coming to Bektashism, even though it is not originated from Azerbaijan, at certain period it was able to operate in Azerbaijan. Unlike Ḥurūfies, the historical sources indicate that Bektashism had independent dervish lodges within the geography of Azerbaijan during the period of Ṣafavids (1501-1736). Although these two sects had some initial intellectual familiarity, in fact they do not have any similar aspect as a mission. Unlike Ḥurūfism, Bektashism was more sistematic in general and played significiant role in the establishment and development of the Ottoman State. As it was many medivial Azerbaijani ṣūfī institutions based on the love to Ahl al-bayt, the issue of Imāmat, which was considered the second of the three period of universe in the thought of Ḥurūfism, was also considered the main referance point of Bektashism that was spread in Anatolia and Balkans. Especially this factor had been played a significant role in the conversion of Ḥurūfism into a part of Bektashism in due course. In this regard, it should be mentioned that the first four poets out of the seven glorious poets of Alevi-Bektashi groups in today's Turkey, such as, Nesimi (d. 1417), Khatai (d. 1524), Fuzuli (d. 1566) and Pir Sultan Abdal (16th century), who comes originally from Khoy, are from Azerbaijan.
Beginning from the 17th century, Bektashis in Anatolia and the Balkans have used the works of Fazlullah Naimi and his caliphs for the spread of Bektashism. The imrpovement of the approach against Bektashis during the period of Sultan Abdulaziz (1861-1876) also paved the way to the publishing of the works of Ḥurūfies substantially in this circumustance.
Keywords: Ottoman, Azerbaijan, Ḥurūfism, Bektashism, Nesimi, Khatai, Nebati, Penahi.