Üsküdar University Institute for Sufi Studies faculty member Dr. Arzu Eylül Yalçınkaya has been conducting research at Harvard University, examining the spiritual, cultural, and social roles of women Sufis from the late Ottoman Empire to the early Republic of Türkiye. Dr. Yalçınkaya describes these women as “unsung heroes who wove the spiritual fabric of society throughout history.”
Continuing her postdoctoral research at Harvard University’s Center for Middle Eastern Studies, Dr. Yalçınkaya emphasizes that women Sufis such as Hatice Cenan Sultan, Semiha Cemal Hanım, Samiha Ayverdi, Safiye Erol, Meşkûre Sargut and Sofi Huri, who lived during the late Ottoman and early Republican periods, were “pioneering figures who built a bridge between tradition and modernity.”
Üsküdar University Institute for Sufi Studies faculty member Dr. Arzu Eylül Yalçınkaya has been conducting research at Harvard University, focusing on the spiritual, cultural, and social roles of women Sufis throughout the transition from the Ottoman Empire to the Turkish Republic.
Continuing her postdoctoral studies at Harvard University’s Center for Middle Eastern Studies in the United States, Dr. Yalçınkaya highlighted that women Sufis such as Hatice Cenan Sultan, Semiha Cemal Hanım, Samiha Ayverdi, Safiye Erol, Meşkûre Sargut, and Sofi Huri, who lived during the late Ottoman and early Republican periods, were “pioneering figures who built a bridge between tradition and modernity.”
“These women strengthened social unity and empathy not through official titles but through their spiritual guidance,” said Dr. Yalçınkaya. “They were always there, spiritual mothers who nurtured seekers of truth and the unseen architects of our culture.”
“The perception that women were in the background is a misconception”
Addressing the common belief that women were mostly passive in the Sufi tradition, Dr. Yalçınkaya explains that women Sufis were historically the invisible architects of the spiritual path.
“From the earliest centuries of Islam, women have played an active role in Sufism, though their names were often left unrecorded,” she said.
Referring to Rabia al-Adawiyya, an 8th-century mystic, she noted that Rabia proved women could reach the highest levels of spiritual enlightenment. In the Ottoman era, women’s roles were often centered around managing the “spiritual kitchens” of lodges and dervish houses, nurturing both body and soul.
Drawing attention to Hatice Cenan Sultan, mother of the renowned Sufi master Ken’an Rifai, Dr. Yalçınkaya shared that her advice to her son reflected how a woman Sufi could elevate compassion and unity within society.
She emphasized that the influence of women Sufis lay not in their formal titles but in their moral and spiritual leadership. “The belief that women were passive is a misconception that arises when we fail to read between the lines of history. In truth, they were always there, heartful mothers of the spirit and the uncredited builders of our culture,” she said.
The life stories of women Sufis serve as roadmaps for today’s world
Dr. Yalçınkaya believes that the lives of historical women Sufis can serve as roadmaps for modern women seeking meaning amid the chaos of contemporary life. Their shared essence, she notes, was their ability to transcend the self through willpower, patience, and love, illuminating the world around them.
She cites Semiha Cemal Hanım, one of the first female philosophers of the Republic, as an example of the harmony between reason and heart, science and spirituality. Her pursuit of philosophy, Yalçınkaya explains, was not an obstacle to the Sufi path but an enrichment, sending a message to young women that “knowledge and wisdom can coexist.”
Samiha Ayverdi, through her novels, brought Sufism’s principles of love and self-refinement to wider audiences, while Safiye Erol demonstrated that a woman could be both intellectually profound and spiritually deep.
“Meşkûre Sargut Hanım teaches modern women lessons of patience, love, and devotion through her selfless service,” Yalçınkaya said. “Meanwhile, Sofi Huri, who came from a different cultural background, reminds us through her Sufi journey that love transcends all boundaries.”
Describing Meşkûre Sargut, known as the mother of Cemalnur Sargut in contemporary Sufi circles, Dr. Yalçınkaya called her life “a saga of complete devotion,” symbolizing patience, loyalty, and service for modern women.
Spirituality should be integrated into daily life
Addressing the lack of spiritual fulfillment and sense of belonging in the modern world, Dr. Arzu Eylül Yalçınkaya stated that women Sufis “illuminate our path like guiding stars.” She emphasized that these figures demonstrate how spirituality can be naturally integrated into everyday life.
Recalling Samiha Ayverdi’s words defining women’s role in social harmony, Dr. Yalçınkaya noted that, according to Ayverdi, a woman is “the mysterious force that holds the clues to social harmony and fills the essence of family life.”
“Social unity and empathy will benefit everyone seeking spirituality”
Dr. Yalçınkaya explained that women Sufis adapted traditional spirituality to modern social forms through civic initiatives such as the Turkish Women’s Cultural Association (TÜRKKAD), founded under the leadership of Samiha Ayverdi in 1966. She added that this example offers valuable guidance for understanding the roles women can play in civil society today.
Women Sufis as spiritual leaders behind the scenes of modern Türkiye
Dr. Yalçınkaya noted that her research proposal submitted to the Harvard Divinity School focuses on the “background mission” of women Sufis who sustained spiritual tradition during the Republican period. She described these women as “spiritual background leaders” of modern Türkiye.
Highlighting the impact of restoring these stories to social memory, Dr. Yalçınkaya said: “During the Republican era, when the dervish lodges were officially closed, the undying light of spiritual tradition was kept alive thanks to women. They became the subjects, agents, founders, and protectors of this tradition.”
Emphasizing the importance of universal figures like Sofi Huri in showcasing the inclusivity of Islamic mysticism, Dr. Yalçınkaya mentioned that her international colleagues were deeply impressed by these stories, creating what she calls a form of “cultural diplomacy.”
Concluding her remarks, Dr. Yalçınkaya said: “We still have much to learn from the lives of these women Sufis. The more we study and share their stories, the more we nourish ourselves spiritually and bring inspiring values to our society.”