Âbidin Paşa’nın Bir Mesnevî Hikâyesine Yönelik Hususî İlgisi: Merd-İ A’râbî (Bedevî İle Karısı) Risâlesi ve Yorumu

One of Âbidin Pasha’s (1843-1906) most notable works of a Sufi nature isundoubtedly his commentary on the Masnavī. While he was a statesman, it isthis significant work that brought him true fame. As one of the prevalent Turkishcommentaries on the Masnavī during the late Ottoman period, this text, whichcovers the first volume of the Masnavī, is noteworthy for inheriting the traditionof Masnavī interpretation developed by Ottoman-era scholars such as Ismail Ankaravî,Sarı Abdullah Efendi, and İsmail Hakkı Bursevî. However, the distinguishingfeature of Âbidin Pasha’s commentary lies in its aim to present and interpretthe Masnavī in a simpler and more accessible language, considering the period inwhich it was written. As an Ottoman bureaucrat, Pasha’s attention and interest inthe Masnavī are beyond question. Nevertheless, a matter worth examining is hisdecision to describe the commentary on the story of the Merd-i A’râbî (the Bedouinand his wife) in the Masnavī as “full of wisdom” and publish it separately dueto its importance. This particular story is a highly representative text concerningRumi’s intellectual world and the thematic landscape of the Masnavī. While thereare academic studies focused on the story of the Bedouin and his wife in the Masnavī,no research has been encountered that specifically addresses Pasha’s interestin and approach to this story. Within the scope of this study, Pasha’s interest inthe story of Merd-i A’râbî will be analyzed and evaluated through the lens of Sufithought and Rumi’s legacy.