The Sufi Dimension of Spiritual Guidance: The Example of Ahmed Yesevi

Abstract

Ahmet Yesevi was born in Sayram town of West Turkestan, started his education life in Yesi under the education of Arslan Baba, then went to Bukhara and joined Yusuf Hamadani, then returned to Yesi and continued his guidance activities there until his death. The language that Yesevi used in his guidance activities was effective in the spread of Yeseviism to a wide geography. It is possible to deal with Yesevi's spiritual guidance in the Islamization of the Turkestan geography with his scientific and guidance activities, under the headings of his emphasis on the national identity of the Turks in the religious field, living without expectations from people and the world, giving importance to the issue of women and family, and raising good people. In this study, the spiritual guidance dimension of Ahmed Yesevî's guidance activities in the Islamization of the Turkestan Geography will be discussed.