Physical Characteristics of the Dergâh
Ümmü Ken’ân Dergâhı was constructed in the garden of the mansion owned by Ken’ân Rifâî, located on Kırtay Street in the Fatih district of Istanbul. This structure was designed according to the dergâh-hâne model. The three-story wooden dergâh building has a connecting corridor on the second floor linking the mansion and the tekke. Ümmü Ken’ân Dergâhı’s interior maintains the characteristics of a traditional Rifâî dergâh. Accordingly, inside the dergâh there is a semâhâne or tevhidhâne typical of traditional Rifâî tekkes. The courtyard of the dergâh is square-shaped with a wooden floor.After the closure of tekkes and zaviyas, Ken’ân Rifâî’s Ümmü Ken’ân Dergâhı was used as the family residence. The building, which deteriorated over time, was completely demolished in 2007 and rebuilt faithfully to its original form. Since then, the building has continued to serve under the name Ken’ân Rifâî Institute of Sufi Studies.
Ken’ân Rifâî’s Practices at Ümmü Ken’ân Dergâhı
From 1908 onwards, Ken’ân Rifâî Hazretleri was involved in guiding disciples at Ümmü Ken’ân Dergâhı according to the Rifâî spiritual path (seyrüsülûk). Essentially, Ken’ân Rifâî adopted the Rifâî method for his dervishes and provided training accordingly. However, for those requesting, he also practiced the methods of three other tariqas he was authorized in, depending on place and need.Ümmü Ken’ân Dergâhı operated between 1908 and 1925 and was one of the spiritual centers of its era. Like every dergâh having mukabele (Qur’an recital) nights, this sacred place held mukabele, dhikr, and burhân ceremonies on Friday nights (the nights connecting Thursday to Friday). After Friday prayers, Mesnevî recitations were performed.
It has been conveyed by Zâkirbaşı Salâhî Dede, one of the last cultural heirs and called “the last chief dhikr leader,” that the dhikr openings performed by Zâkirbaşı Yaşar Efendi were more artistic and powerful than those in any other dergâh.
During the dhikr ceremonies, the ritual for dervishes entering the courtyard was as follows: first, they placed their right foot crosswise over the left to seal and offer respect. The dervishes then brought their hands to their chests, bowed slightly, and after a moment of respectful supplication, carefully entered without stepping on the threshold. Those entering the courtyard performed prayers, then sat after a short period of prostration. Following this, they began the ceremony with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatiha. It is known that the dhikr ceremony started with dervishes reading small or large parts of the Rifâî litany (evrâd), depending on the importance of the day, and lasted approximately two hours. On holy nights such as Kandil nights, the months of Muharram and Ramadan, and during festivals, the excitement, spiritual atmosphere, and activity in the dergâh increased, as was common in many tekkes.
Tekke Sheikhdom
Authorizations (İcâzet)- Ken’ân Rifâî received Kādiriyye authorization from Filibeli Edhem Efendi.
- He completed his Rifâiyye spiritual path (seyrüsülûk) in Medina and received Rifâî authorization from Hamza er-Rifâî Hazretleri.
- Ken’ân Rifâî’s Mesnevî recitations attracted affection and interest in dergâh circles, and as a result of this positive effect, the Konya Mevlevîhâne granted him honorary Mevlevî authorization. Ken’ân Rifâî states that he received his Mevlevî authorization in Medina directly from the meaning of the Prophet himself.
- Among the tariqas Ken’ân Rifâî was authorized to guide in spiritual training is the Shâzeliyye. The Shâzelî authorization he received honorarily comes from a Şâzelî sheikh based in Bursa.
Official Duty as Sheikh and Tekke Administration
Ken’ân Rifâî served as the tekke sheikh of Ümmü Ken’ân Dergâhı in Fatih for seventeen years from 1908 until the closure of tekkes in December 1925. Although he did not have formal madrasa education, he possessed strong religious and Sufi knowledge. His first source in this regard was his mother, Hatîce Cenan Hanım. Ken’ân Rifâî received his initial religious education at the Filibe Sıbyan School; during his Sultanî education, he improved his knowledge in fundamental Islamic sciences such as theology (akaid), Qur’anic recitation (kırâat), and Islamic ethics.Rifâî was proficient in Arabic and Persian, the two main languages of Islamic culture, at translation and authorship levels. He independently read and studied the classical works in these languages as they were commonly presented at the time.
Ken’ân Rifâî’s goal in imparting knowledge, love, and self-discipline was to cultivate peaceful, sincere Muslims in harmony with themselves and the universe. (Cemâlnur Sargut)
Closure of Tekkes and Ken’ân Rifâî’s Attitude
With the Official Gazette announcement dated December 13, 1925, tekkes, zaviyas, and tombs were closed. At that time in Turkey, the Kādiriyye, Nakşibendiyye, Halvetiyye, Mevleviyye, Bektâşîlik, Bayrâmiyye, Celvetiyye, Sâdiyye, and Rifâiyye tariqas were active with many branches.
Following the closure decision, Ken’ân Rifâî ended tekke activities and dissolved his foundation. Rifâî respected the government’s decision and ceased all conversations, lessons, Mesnevî recitations, dhikr, and semâ ceremonies thereafter. Subsequently, except for family talks, he did not provide traditional sohbet or spiritual training. He adopted the principle of “ûlü’l-emre itâat” (obedience to the authorities).
Server Hilmi Bey
Server Hilmi Bey was born in Istanbul in 1869. After graduating from Galatasaray Sultanî, he attended medical school and served in various roles related to his field. His connection with Ken’ân Rifâî began at Galatasaray Sultanî. Although the two friends could not meet for a long time after graduation, they reunited around the age of thirty in Istanbul and maintained their friendship in a different way thereafter. Server Hilmi Bey was spiritually influenced by Ken’ân Rifâî and dedicated himself to Sufism.He was Ken’ân Rifâî’s closest friend in life. After Server Hilmi Bey’s passing, Ken’ân Rifâî said, “Server was a paragon of humanity. Server was the elite of his era. We were so connected that even death could not separate us.” This statement summarizes their friendship.
Calligrapher Aziz Efendi
Among Ken’ân Rifâî’s disciples and caliphs was the famous calligrapher Aziz Efendi, who completed his calligraphy education at the Nuruosmaniye calligraphy school. He held many calligraphy authorizations and was known as ‘serîü’l-kalem’ among other calligraphers due to his distinctive style. Ken’ân Rifâî described one of his first disciples and caliphs, Hattat Aziz Efendi, by saying, “Aziz has the modesty of Hz. Osman.” He was invited by the Egyptian King Fuad I with an official invitation to write the Qur’an and stayed in Egypt for ten years. For his work there, Aziz Efendi was promoted to the fourth rank called Nişân-ı Mecîdi. He died in Istanbul on August 16, 1934, one year after returning from Egypt.
Sheikh Cemâl Efendi
Sheikh Cemâl Efendi was married to Nazlı Hanım, one of Ken’ân Rifâî’s disciples. He was also the uncle of the thinker and writer Sâmiha Ayverdi, another disciple of Rifâî. His official duty was as nişan mümeyyiz (inspector of imperial decorations); he was responsible for preparing jeweled and encrusted decorations on behalf of the state. He is described as an honorable officer who honestly protected the Ottoman treasury. Sheikh Cemâl Efendi, who passed away during Rifâî’s lifetime, was known for his sensitivity regarding halal and haram issues.
