Abstract

In Dīvān Hikmah, which is attributed to Ahmad Yasavī, the subject of ascention/mi‘rāj is mentioned in the context of mi‘rāj of the Prophet Muhammad, Ahmad Yasavī, and lovers of al-Haqq, and is discussed in the perspective of ethics. Moral characteristics of the individual's inner world, such as the elimination of ego, self/nafs, giving up desires, ambitions and all corcern worldly matters, following up the path of mystic love, avoiding hypocrisy and being sincere are explained in connection with mi‘rāj. In addition, a relationship is established between mi‘rāj and socially oriented moral behaviors such as caring for the lonely, poor and orphans, taking care of the brokenhearted and helping the oppressed. These actions are described as prerequisites for ascending to mi‘rāj and seeing of Divine Beauty. According to Dīvān Hikmah, the one who ascends the mi‘rāj feels sorry for the ummah and cries for the sins of the ummah. This human prostrates to Allah for forgiveness for the ummah. Instead of expressing worldly or otherworldly desires for oneself, the person seeks the salvation and well-being of the ummah. In other words, the person becomes ecstatic and completely forgets his/her own self and his/her nafs’s ties. This corresponds to moral qualities such as compassion, mercy, empathy, selflessness and generosity. This study deals with the relationship between mi‘rāj and moral characteristics within the scope of Dīvān Hikmah. It examines both the virtues at the individual level and the actions that are reflected to the social life. According to the work, those who have moral characteristics in their individual world and adopt the behaviors required by them in the social world can experience mi‘rāj. In this context, it can be said that Dīvān Hikmah aims morally perfected and self-sacrificing individuals who seek the ummah’s forgiveness.

Keywords: Sūfīsm, Ahmad Yasavī, Dīvān Hikmah, Ascention/Mi‘rāj, Moral.