We Set Fire to a Log of Love (Book)

Bir Aşk Kütüğü Yaktık (We Set Fire to a Log of Love) is a work by Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kara that compiles articles, essays, and studies that shed light on the history of Turkish Sufism. It was published in October 2023 as part of Dergâh Publications' Contemporary Islamic Thought series.

Subject

The book examines the development of Sufi culture in Istanbul and Bursa through the symbolism of the expression "we set fire to a log of love, and threw it over Anatolia," which refers to the mission of Abdurrahim Merzifoni, who completed his Sufi spiritual journey in the 15th century and was sent to Anatolia. The work addresses the Sufi influences of figures such as Akshamsaddin, Jamaluddin Server Revnakoğlu, Ahmet Remzi Dede of Kayseri, and Şemseddin Ulusoy.

Themes

• Sufi Migration and the Spread of Culture: The transfer of the Sufi order from the East to Anatolia is described.
• City and Sufism: The central roles of Istanbul and Bursa in Sufi culture are addressed.
• Historical Figures: The contributions of figures such as Akshamsaddin, Revnakoğlu, Ahmet Remzi Dede, and Şemseddin Ulusoy are explained.
• Essay and Historiography: A synthesis of historical analysis and personal Sufi interpretation is provided.

Narration and Style

In the texts he wrote in an academic language, Mustafa Kara blends historical analyses based on documents and sources with Sufi interpretations. The sections in the form of essays present historical facts in a more fluid and impactful manner.