American Journal Of Philological Sciences
279
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajps
VOLUME
Vol.05 Issue04 2025
PAGE NO.
279-282
10.37547/ajps/Volume05Issue04-72
Poetic Thought and Sufi Ideas in
Alisher Navoi’s
Nasāyim Al
-Muhabbat
Kamola Axmedova
Basic doctoral student at the Tashkent State University of Uzbek Language and Literature named after Alisher Navoi, Uzbekistan
Received:
28 February 2025;
Accepted:
29 March 2025;
Published:
30 April 2025
Abstract:
Tazkiras hold an important place in Eastern literature as literary-artistic and historical-biographical
sources. This article analyzes the classification of tazkiras and their historical development. In particular, it
highlights the traditions of Turkic and Persian tazkira writing and their impact on the development of literature
and scientific thought. Furthermore, the author emphasizes that tazkiras serve not only as sources of biographical
information but also as works of significant moral-educational and artistic value. The formation of tazkiras, their
genre characteristics, and the analysis of their most renowned examples are discussed, paying attention to how
they evolved in response to the demands of their time. The article offers a new approach to the study of tazkiras,
aiming to determine their genre-
specific features and their role in the literary process. Alisher Navoi’s Nasāyim al
-
Muhabbat is analyzed artistically, focusing on the harmony of lyricism and didacticism within the work. While
depicting the lives of sheikhs and saints, the lyrical spirit is enhanced through artistic imagery, and at the same
time, didactic elements
—
moral exhortations
—
promote Sufi-educational ideas. The article scientifically analyzes
the integration of literary devices such as metaphors, similes, symbolic imagery, and wise sayings with didactic
content. As a result, the distinctive features of the work in terms of the combination of lyricism and didacticism
are identified.
Keywords:
Alisher Navoi, Nasāyim al
-Muhabbat, lyricism, didacticism, Sufism, literary devices, moral exhortations,
symbolic imagery, metaphor, simile.
Introduction:
Alisher Navoi is recognized in the history
of Uzbek literature not only as a poet but also as a
thinker and a prominent representative of Sufism. His
work Nasāyim al
-Muhabbat is of a Sufi-biographical
nature, expressing moral and educational views
through the lives of sheikhs and saints. In this work,
lyricism and didacticism are harmoniously embodied,
clearly showcasing Navoi’s style of skillfully combining
artistic imagery with moral exhortations.
Although Nasāyim al
-Muhabbat is dedicated to the
chain of Sufi followers, as mentioned above, it also
provides
information
about
many
renowned
representatives of Persian and Turkic poetry, in relation
to the theme of the work [4, p.79].
Alisher Navoi wrote this work in 1499, creating it as an
edited and revised version of Jami’s Nafahāt al
-Uns.
However, Navoi did not limit himself to mere
translation; he enriched it with his lyrical approach,
highlighted the special place of Sufi figures in artistic
creativity, and incorporated didactic elements related
to Sufism.
The work contains the biographies of more than 770
saints and sheikhs, conveying instructive lessons to
readers through the lives, wise sayings, and behaviors
of Sufi figures. Nasāyim al
-Muhabbat begins with
Shaykh Uways al-Qarani and concludes with Bibichay
Munajjima. After the main part of the work, a detailed
table of contents and explanations about individual
sheikhs are provided.
Navoi mentions many famous Sufi scholars and poets
such as Imam Azam, Imam Shafi'i, Muhammad Aslam
Tusi, Ibrahim ibn Adham, Abdurahman Jami, Husayn
ibn Mansur Hallaj, and Abu Bakr Shibli. He also includes
references to “gnostic women who attained the rank of
men,” mentioning a total of 35 Sufi women such as
Rabi'a al-Adawiyya, Maryam al-Basriya, Rayhana al-
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
280
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajps
American Journal Of Philological Sciences (ISSN
–
2771-2273)
Waliha, Ufayra al-Abida, and Sha'wana.
Thus, through the tazkira, we obtain information about
Sufi women as well. The work serves not only as a
purely biographical source but also fulfills educational
and moral-pedagogical functions.
The expression of lyricism and its artistic means:
In Nasāyim al
-Muhabbat, lyricism manifests itself in the
depiction of the lives of sheikhs and saints, in
expressing their spiritual experiences, and in Navoi's
deep respect and love for them. The poet vividly
portrays events through effective use of imagery and
poetic style.
In Navoi's work, lyricism is expressed through the
following artistic devices:
Metaphors
–
conveying Sufi concepts with beautiful
artistic expression:
“It is said that Zunnun stated: ‘To reflect upon the
Divine Essence is ignorance, and to point to it is
polytheism. The truth of gnosis is wonder.’” [1, p.12]
Similes
–
using poetic style to describe the virtues of
saints:
Regarding Shaykh Uways al-Qarani, it is said:
“Upon hearing that the Prophet’s (peace be upon him)
blessed tooth was martyred in the Battle of Uhud, he,
in devotion, broke all thirty-
two of his own teeth.” [1,
p.9]
Symbolic imagery
–
employed to express spiritual
purity and divine love:
“He said: ‘Be asce
tic in this world and expect nothing
from anyone, so that all people will become dependent
on you; when this happens, you will inevitably become
wealthy and a king in this world and in the Hereafter as
well.’” [1, p.10]
For example, the saints’ devotion to
God is compared
to the light of dawn, and they are depicted as “the lamp
of love” or “the sun of truth.” In another place, the idea
is conveyed: “Unless you become completely
annihilated of yourself, you cannot enter the domain of
love.
As one of the great thinkers of his time, Alisher Navoi
approached the Sufi community with deep respect. His
work Nasāyim al
-Muhabbat is a vivid example of the
artistic-poetic thought of the 15th century, in which the
virtues of sheikhs and saints are portrayed with
profound reverence. When mentioning these figures,
Navoi not only honors their lofty moral qualities but
also uses artistic means to render their images even
more impressive.
Navoi’s respect and reverence for the sheikhs enhance
the lyrical spirit of the work. When referring to certain
figures, he praises their virtues with affection: in
mentioning Imam Azam (may Allah sanctify his secret),
Navoi states, “His merits are boundless, and his
praiseworthy qualities are innumerable,” and regarding
Imam Shafi’i (may All
ah be pleased with him), he
writes, “In describing his excellence and praised
character, the pen is helpless and the scribe is
astonished. What has been narrated of him is so
extraordinary that the human mind finds it hard to
comprehend.” Through such poet
ic expressions, Navoi
conveys that the knowledge and perfection of the
sheikhs are beyond human comprehension. This
approach further intensifies the lyrical atmosphere of
the work.
Navoi not only describes the virtues of the sheikhs but
also creates an emotional connection, allowing the
reader to feel their influence and draw inspiration. One
of the distinctive features of 15th-century literary
thought was precisely this: delivering moral and
spiritual values through vivid, figurative depiction. In
Nasāyim
al-Muhabbat, Navoi skillfully integrates
lyricism and didacticism, portraying the lives and
activities of sheikhs not merely as historical-
biographical information but as a deeply artistic
narrative.
The tazkira is imbued with didactic elements and
educational ideas:
“If speech is abundant and action is scarce —
it is a flaw;
If action is abundant and speech is scarce
—
it is worthy
of respect.”
“A servant's occupation with fruitless deeds is a sign
that Allah has turned away from him.”
Nasāyim al
-Muhabbat is not merely a literary-
biographical work; it also has a strong didactic
dimension, promoting the following ethical and
spiritual ideas: Moral admonitions are the leading
theme. Navoi imparts important moral lessons through
the life paths of each sheikh. He extols virtues such as
honesty, humility, trust in God, and patience, urging
people towards human perfection.
Sufi-educational ideas are present: discussions focus on
love for God and ways to draw closer to Him,
purification of the soul, striving for spiritual perfection,
and the significance of knowledge and education in
human life. Navoi skillfully merges lyricism and
didacticism, presenting moral teachings with artistic
elevation. In portraying each sheikh, he employs lyrical
imagery, delivering their virtues vividly and
impressively to the reader. In Nasāyim al
-Muhabbat,
Alisher Navoi depicts the lives of saints and renowned
sheikhs. The work, created in the Sufi tradition,
discusses the paths of spiritual purification and self-
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
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American Journal Of Philological Sciences (ISSN
–
2771-2273)
perfection. Based on Sufi traditions, each personal
story, creative endeavor, and educational matter is
presented within a religious-spiritual context. Through
these depictions, Navoi explores the spiritual journey
of the saints and sheikhs, advancing the idea of human
perfection and unity with God.
Alisher Navoi’s Nasāyim al
-Muhabbat serves as a
traditional source for the works of Hasan Khoja Nisariy
and Mutribi Samarqandi, both created in the 16th
century. The main difference between these two works
is that while Navoi’s work i
s dominated by a Sufi spirit
and religious perspective, Mutribi’s focuses more on
literary and aesthetic features. Navoi provides detailed
information about the spiritual development of the
sheikhs and their place in Sufism, whereas Mutribi
analyzes the poetic achievements of poets and offers
his unique critiques.
However, in both works, the central ideas revolve
around
spiritual
growth,
knowledge
and
enlightenment, literature, and human perfection.
Additionally, Nasāyim al
-Muhabbat and Tazkirat al-
Shu‘ara
both contain reflections on moral structure,
personal character, and spiritual experiences. While
Navoi embodies the traditions of Sufi literature,
Mutribi, as a literary critic, analyzes the creative works
of poets from a literary-historical perspective.
In Mutribi’s Tazkirat al
-
Shu‘ara, the main emphasis is on
the creative activity of literary figures. Alongside
illuminating the poets' spiritual worlds, Mutribi also
explores literary innovations and styles. Although
spirituality and moral education hold an important
place, the focus is more on literary aspects
—
specifically, the influence of each poet’s works and
literary legacy.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, Alisher Navoi’s Nasāyim al
-Muhabbat
stands as a high example of 15th-century artistic
thought, where Sufism, lyricism, and didacticism are
harmoniously intertwined. Navoi portrays the lives of
sheikhs and saints not merely as biographical data but
as poetic sources revealing their moral and educational
views. Alongside glorifying their virtues, Navoi, through
deep artistic thought, conveys Sufi values and presents
important guidelines for spiritual development.
The lyrical spirit of the work is intensified through
Navoi’s respect and reverence for the sheikhs. In
depicting their spiritual experiences and steps toward
spiritual perfection, Navoi masterfully uses poetic
devices to deeply reveal their significance in Sufism. For
instance, when speaking of the sheikhs, he emphasizes
that their perfection and virtues are beyond human
comprehension. This tradition of glorifying great
figures through poetic imagery is one of the hallmarks
of 15th-century artistic thought that Navoi continues.
In the 16th century, the development of tazkira writing
continued with literary-critical figures like Hasan Khoja
Nisariy and Mutribi. The similarities and differences
between Navoi’s spiritual
-intellectual worldview and
Mutribi’s li
terary-aesthetic perspectives allow for a
comparative study of these two works.
Not only biographical information but also Sufi-
educational ideas hold a central place in the work.
Navoi calls readers to virtues such as honesty, humility,
trust in God, and patience, emphasizing the importance
of the Sufi path for spiritual development. By
illustrating Sufi doctrines through the lives of saints and
sheikhs, he seeks to instill the significance of this path
into the hearts of readers. Nasāyim al
-Muhabbat,
therefore, serves not only as a historical-biographical
source but also as a work nurturing spiritual and moral
maturity. Moreover, Navoi skillfully blends lyricism and
didacticism, portraying each sheikh's character vividly
and compellingly. His artistic mastery is particularly
evident in this aspect
—
through personal emotions
and vivid imagery, he creates a style that deeply
resonates with the reader's heart.
Nasāyim al
-Muhabbat is of special importance as a
work reflecting the socio-spiritual environment of its
time. Through this work, Navoi not only preserves the
traditions of Sufism and gives them new artistic form
but also aims to pass them on to future generations.
Thus, the work serves not only as a product of its era
but also remains a valuable source of spiritual and
moral education today.
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American Journal Of Philological Sciences (ISSN
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2771-2273)
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