"Molla" and "Mövlana" as Honorific Titles for Muhammad Fuzuli: A Study of Medieval Tazkiras
Authors
Adgozelzade-Rasulova Nushaba Elshad gizi
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Annotation
In medieval Turkic biographical compilations (tazkiras), the prominent poet Muhammad Fuzuli (1494–1556) is frequently introduced with the titles "molla" and "mövlana" (or "mevlana"). This article examines the usage of these titles in tazkiras from the 16th to the 19th century, including works by Ahdi Baghdadi, Sam Mirza Safavi, Latifi, Gelibolulu Ali, Sadiqi, Mutribi Samarqandi, Seyid Azim Shirvani, and Firudin bey Kocharli. The study reveals that "molla" and "mövlana" were not merely religious designations but rather markers of profound scholarly erudition, philosophical depth, and moral perfection. The analysis demonstrates that Fuzuli's high religious education, mastery of Arabic and Persian, and his Sufi-mystical creativity justified the use of these honorifics. The article concludes that these titles reflect the intellectual and spiritual authority attributed to Fuzuli within the classical Ottoman–Azerbaijani literary tradition.
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Authors
Adgozelzade-Rasulova Nushaba Elshad gizi
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