We Burned a Log of Love (Book)

We Lit a Log of Love is a collection of articles, essays, and studies by Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kara that shed light on the history of Turkish Sufism. Published in October 2023 by Dergâh Yayınları as part of its Contemporary Islamic Thought series.

The book examines the development of Sufi culture centered in Istanbul and Bursa, beginning with the symbolic phrase “We lit a log of love and cast it upon Rum,” which marks the dispatch of Abdürrahim Merzifonî in the 15th century to complete the Sufi path of seyrü-sülûk. The work highlights the Sufi influences of figures such as Akşemseddin, Cemaleddin Server Revnakoğlu, Kayserili Ahmet Remzi Dede, and Şemseddin Ulusoy.

• Sufi Migration and Cultural Spread: The transmission of Sufi traditions from the East to Anatolia is described.
• City and Sufism: The central roles of Istanbul and Bursa within Sufi culture are analyzed.
• Historical Figures: The contributions of Akşemseddin, Revnakoğlu, Ahmet Remzi Dede, and Şemseddin Ulusoy are detailed.
• Essay and Historiography: A synthesis of historical analysis and personal Sufi interpretations is presented.

Mustafa Kara blends scholarly historical analysis grounded in documents and sources with Sufi interpretations in his academic writing. The essay-style sections present historical events in a more fluid and compelling manner.