The Commentary on Qasidat al-Burda Attributed to Sa‘dullah al-
Khalwatī
This book examines the commentary on Qasidat al-Burda attributed to
Sa‘dullah al-Khalwatī. Qasidat al-Burda, composed by Imam al-Būṣīrī,
is regarded as one of the most significant works of Islamic literature and
one of the most powerful and aesthetic expressions of love and devotion
to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). For centuries, the poem has been
recited, translated, and commented upon throughout the Islamic world,
leaving a lasting mark on both literary and Sufi traditions. Focusing
particularly on the manuscript preserved in the Süleymaniye Library
(Fatih Collection, no. 3976), this book explores the linguistic, stylistic,
and thematic aspects of the commentary.
The study provides a detailed evaluation of the structure of the text,
analyzing the Qur’anic verses, hadiths, and religious concepts
incorporated into the commentary, as well as their Sufi interpretations. In
doing so, it demonstrates that the commentary is not merely a literary
explanation, but also a reflection of the religious perception and mystical
worldview of the Ottoman period. Furthermore, within the broader
framework of the Ottoman commentary tradition, the work discusses why
Qasidat al-Burda was subject to repeated commentaries and how this
process contributed to a rich body of literary and mystical heritage.
In conclusion, the book aims to situate Qasidat al-Burda within the
Ottoman commentary tradition and to assess the significance of the
commentary attributed to Sa‘dullah al-Khalwatī in an academic
framework. In this respect, it provides a valuable contribution to the
fields of Classical Turkish literature and Sufi studies, highlighting how
devotion to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has been preserved and
transmitted as a literary and spiritual legacy.
Keywords: Qasidat al-Burda; Sa‘dullah al-Khalwatī; Ottoman
commentary tradition; Sufism; Classical Turkish literature