Origins of the Hagiography Tradition
With the deepening of Sufism in Islamic thought, narratives (menkıbeler) emerged recounting the lives of dervishes and saints. These stories gradually transformed into written works, compiled under the name ‘menakıpnameler’ (hagiographies). Menakıpnameler not only reflect the life story of an individual but also the social, religious, and cultural atmosphere of that era. Works written to recount the heroism of sultans, grand viziers, and ministers demonstrate the diversity of this genre. The important aspect is that these works attribute events to real individuals and emphasize their spiritual aspects, aiming to evoke respect and inspiration in readers.
Vilayetnames and the Bektashi Tradition
As menakıpnameler spread among different Sufi orders (tarikat), some communities produced special works recounting the lives of their own saints. In particular, within the Bektashi tradition, these types of works were given names such as ‘vilayetname’ or ‘velayetname’. These names are related to the fact that the content of the work includes stories belonging to a region (vilayet) or a saint (veli). The Vilayetnama of Hacı Bektaş-ı Veli is considered one of the most important examples of this tradition and has played an important role in transmitting the teachings, rituals, and beliefs of the order. These works have contributed not only to preserving social memory but also to its transmission.
Biographies of Saints (Evliya Tezkireleri) and Literary Development
Unlike menakıpnameler, biographies of saints (evliya tezkireleri) bring together the stories of multiple saints instead of deeply examining the life of a single saint. These works are also called ‘menkıbe mecmuası’ (collection of anecdotes) and provide a broader perspective on Sufi teachings. The work Tezkiretü’l-Evliya by Feridüddin Attar is the classic example of this genre, having gained an important place in the literary world through translations into various languages by different authors. The relationship between evliya tezkireleri and menakıpnameler is critically important for understanding the development of Sufi literature; because these genres have enriched each other through mutual influence and served to spread Islamic thought.