Dr. Arzu Eylül Yalçınkaya, a faculty member at Üsküdar Üniversitesi Institute for Sufi Studies, examined the spiritual, cultural, and social roles of female Sufis in the period from the Ottoman Empire to the Republic during her studies at Harvard University. Dr. Yalçınkaya stated that female Sufis have historically been 'heroes who remained between the lines while weaving the spiritual fabric of society.'
Dr. Yalçınkaya, who continues her postdoctoral research at Harvard University's Center for Middle Eastern Studies in the USA, emphasized that female Sufis who lived during the Late Ottoman and Early Republican periods were 'pioneering figures bridging the gap between tradition and modernity.'
Dr. Arzu Eylül Yalçınkaya, a faculty member at Üsküdar Üniversitesi Institute for Sufi Studies, examined the spiritual, cultural, and social roles of female Sufis in the period from the Ottoman Empire to the Republic during her studies at Harvard University.
Dr. Yalçınkaya, who continues her postdoctoral research at Harvard University's Center for Middle Eastern Studies in the USA, emphasized that figures such as Hatice Cenan Sultan, Semiha Cemal Hanım, Samiha Ayverdi, Safiye Erol, Meşkure Sargut, and Sofi Huri, who lived during the Late Ottoman and Early Republican periods, were 'pioneering figures bridging the gap between tradition and modernity.'
Dr. Arzu Eylül Yalçınkaya said, “These women strengthened social unity and empathy through their spiritual guidance rather than official titles. They were always there; they became spiritual mothers raising spiritual individuals, the unnamed architects of our culture.”
The perception that “women were in the background” is a misconception
Evaluating the common perception that women generally remained in the background in the Sufi tradition, Dr. Yalçınkaya stated that female Sufis were historically the invisible architects of Sufism.
Dr. Yalçınkaya said, “Historically, female Sufis are like the invisible architects of the Sufi tradition. From the early Islamic centuries, women showed their presence on the Sufi path, but their names often went unrecorded.”
Dr. Yalçınkaya, stating that Rabia al-Adawiyya, who lived in the 8th century, "proved that women can also reach the highest spiritual ranks," noted that during the Ottoman period, the role of women was mostly "operating the spiritual kitchen" of tekkes and dervish lodges.
Drawing attention to the role of Hatice Cenan Sultan, the mother of Ken'an Rifai Hazretleri, who left her mark on the late Ottoman period, Dr. Yalçınkaya conveyed Hatice Cenan Hanım's advice to her son, explaining how a female Sufi elevated social unity and empathy.
Dr. Yalçınkaya stated that the role of female Sufis was hidden in spiritual guidance rather than official titles, adding, “Therefore, the perception that 'women were in the background' is a misconception that arises when we don't read between the lines of history. In fact, they were always there; they became spiritual mothers raising spiritual individuals, the unnamed architects of our culture.”
The life stories of female Sufis serve as roadmaps
Stating that the life stories of historical female Sufis serve as roadmaps for women seeking direction in the complexity of the modern world, Dr. Yalçınkaya noted that their common denominator was “shining a light on society by overcoming their own egos with will, patience, and love.”
Dr. Yalçınkaya, citing the life of Semiha Cemal Hanım, one of the Republic's first female philosophers, as "an example of the meeting of mind and heart, science and spirituality," said that her philosophy education was not an obstacle but rather an asset on the Sufi path, and that Semiha Cemal's determination conveyed the message "knowledge and wisdom can coexist" to young women.
Dr. Arzu Eylül Yalçınkaya explained that Samiha Ayverdi carried the principles of love and maturity in Sufism to broad audiences with her novels, while Safiye Erol drew attention by showing that "a woman can be both intellectual and spiritual." She added, “Meşkûre Sargut Hanım, with her devotion and service philosophy, teaches modern women lessons in patience, love, and loyalty. Sofi Huri, coming from a different culture and finding truth in the vastness of Sufism, serves as a universal example reminding us that love knows no bounds.”
Dr. Yalçınkaya described the life of Meşkûre Sargut Hanımefendi, known in contemporary Sufi circles as the mother of Cemalnur Sargut, as "a complete epic of devotion," noting that her story is a symbol of patience, loyalty, and service for modern women.
Spirituality must integrate with daily life
Dr. Yalçınkaya stated that against the spiritual dissatisfaction and lack of belonging in the modern world, female Sufis "illuminate our path like guiding stars," adding that these figures are proof that spirituality can integrate with daily life.
Recalling Samiha Ayverdi's words defining the woman's role in social harmony, Dr. Yalçınkaya stated that, according to Ayverdi, woman is “the mysterious force holding the clues to social harmony and filling the concept of family like a honeycomb.”
“Social unity and empathy will benefit everyone seeking spirituality”
Dr. Arzu Eylül Yalçınkaya stated that female Sufis "adapted traditional spirituality to modern societal forms" through civil society activities, especially via organizations like the Turkish Women's Cultural Association (TÜRKKAD) founded under the leadership of Samiha Ayverdi in 1966, and that this serves as a guide for the role women can undertake in NGOs today.
Female Sufis provided “a kind of spiritual background leadership in modern Turkey”
Dr. Yalçınkaya stated that the research proposal she submitted to Harvard Divinity School was based on the "background mission" undertaken by female Sufis in the continuation of the spiritual tradition during the Republican period, adding that female Sufis provided "a kind of spiritual background leadership in modern Turkey."
Referring to the impact that will arise from embedding these studies into social memory, Dr. Yalçınkaya noted the following:
“During the Republican era, when tekkes were officially closed, the unextinguished light of the spiritual tradition continued thanks to women... Women have been the subject, actor, founder, and patron of this tradition.”
Emphasizing that universal examples like Sofi Huri are critical in demonstrating the inclusivity of Islamic Sufism, Dr. Yalçınkaya stated that her foreign colleagues were impressed by these stories, leading to a benefit she described as "cultural diplomacy."
Dr. Yalçınkaya concluded her words by stating that there is much more to learn from the lives of these female Sufis, saying:
“We have much more to learn from the lives of these female Sufis. As we read about them and tell their stories, we nourish ourselves spiritually and bring values that will inspire our society.”