A Note on the Psychology of Dhikr. The Halveti-Jerrahi Order of Dervishes in Istanbul
Scripta Instituti Donneriani Aboensis 1993 DOI: 10.30674/scripta.67206 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 4 |
| Key points | Argues that dhikr, the repetitive prayer central to Sufi orders, has received little scholarly or psychological attention despite its importance, and aims to describe the ritual as practiced by the Halveti-Jerrahi order in Istanbul while offering a preliminary psychological analysis. |
Abstract
Ritual prayer (salat), performed five times a day, belongs to the fundamental obligations of all Muslims. In addition to this fact, there is another type of prayer, associated with mystical orders in all Islamic countries. Repetitive prayer (dhikr) in mystical Islam (Sufism) belongs to the most central activities of the orders. Despite the geographic spread of the Sufi orders (turuq), accounts of the dhikr in the literature are rare. Psychological commentaries are even more scarce. The aim of this paper is to describe this ritual as it exists today within the Halveti-Jerrahi order of dervishes in Istanbul, Turkey, and to present a preliminary psychological analysis of the ritual.