The Memorial of the Saints (Evliya Tezkireleri ) is the Turkish translation of Tadhkirat al-Awliya, a significant Sufi text written by Farid al-Din Attar (d. 618/1221). Published by Dergâh Publications in April 2024, this work is Attar's only prose work and contains the lives and teachings of important figures in Islamic Sufism. The work is considered a major source on the history of Sufism.

Subject Summary

The Memorial of the Saints includes the lives, spiritual experiences, ecstatic states, and sayings of many Sufis, from Ja'far al-Sadiq to Mansur al-Hallaj. In this work, Attar presents the depths of Sufism to his readers by conveying the hagiographies and teachings of Sufis. The work provides a detailed examination of the ethical and spiritual aspects of Sufism while also reflecting the social and religious structure of the period.

Themes

• Sufi Ethics: The work explores themes such as Sufi moral values, patience, humility, divine love, and closeness to God.
• The Spiritual Journey: The spiritual journey of Sufis on the path to reaching God and the hardships they face in this process are narrated.
• Humanity and Tolerance: Attar emphasizes the love of humanity and tolerance in his work, promoting respect for different beliefs and cultures.

Narration and Style

In The Memorial of the Saints, Farid al-Din Attar uses a simple and clear language to convey the depths of Sufism to his readers. The hagiographies, stories, and counsels used in the work were selected to teach the fundamental principles of Sufism. Attar’s style has both a literary and a didactic quality.