Journey to the Horizon (Hacı Bektaş-ı Veli Adult Level)

İncinsen de İncitme is a work published as part of the 12th theme of the Ufka Yolculuk Information and Culture Competition organized by the Server Youth and Sports Club Association. The book is structured around core principles of Islamic ethics, including patience, compassion, forgiveness, and anger management. Centering on the saying of Hacı Bektaş-ı Veli, “İncinsen de incitme,” it explores the moral and spiritual development of the individual through his philosophical worldview.

Content

The book places at its core the construction of the individual’s inner world through moral and spiritual principles. Its sections are structured accordingly and explained with reference to verses from the Qur’an, hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), concise sayings from the Sufi tradition, and contemporary life examples. Each section examines a specific moral principle, focusing on its impact on personal behavior, social relationships, and mental well-being.

The Life and Teachings of Hacı Bektaş-ı Veli

The book provides an extensive account of the life, thought system, and moral teachings of Hacı Bektaş-ı Veli. A prominent Sufi who migrated from Horasan to Anatolia in the 13th century, Hacı Bektaş-ı Veli is presented as a figure whose mystical stance and teachings were dedicated to establishing love, tolerance, and justice within society.

Hacı Bektaş-ı Veli’s philosophy is grounded in a human-centered understanding, the principle of equality, and the relationship between individual morality and social harmony. The book offers various examples and interpretations of how these teachings can guide people today. It emphasizes a holistic vision of humanity through the principle, “Good people are good regardless of their language, religion, or color.”

Themes Explored

• Inner Purification and Nafs Training: The book stresses the need for spiritual education to help individuals overcome negative emotions such as anger, pride, hatred, and envy. It elaborates on the struggle against the nafs and the concept of patience, explaining their Islamic foundations through Qur’anic verses and hadiths.
• A Culture of Compassion and Forgiveness: Framed by Hacı Bektaş-ı Veli’s principle, “İncinsen de incitme,” the book highlights that forgiveness is not merely a personal virtue but a social act that contributes to peace. It includes quotes from historical Islamic scholars and Sufis on the virtue of forgiveness.
• Moral Conduct in Social Relationships: The importance of honesty, empathy, and courtesy in family, neighborhood, friendship, and broader social interactions is emphasized. The book offers suggestions for resolving conflicts in these areas from the perspective of Islamic ethics.
• Patience and Trust in God: Remaining steadfast in the face of hardship, avoiding rebellion, placing trust in God, and practicing surrender are central themes of the book. It underscores that patience is not passive resignation but a conscious resistance and a source of inner strength.
• Spiritual Approaches to Contemporary Problems: The book proposes a spiritual solution to modern challenges such as stress, loneliness, and communication breakdown. It explains how the teachings of Hacı Bektaş-ı Veli can serve as a guiding framework for addressing these issues.
• Self-Awareness and Inner Reflection: The book encourages individuals to understand their inner world and critically examine their emotions and behaviors. Through religious references and reflective questions that prompt personal accountability, it guides readers toward active thinking and self-examination.