The Concept of Man in the Teachings of Yassawi: An Ethical and Philosophical Analysis

Abstract

This article examines the concept of the human being, central to the Sufi legacy of Akhmed Yassawi, from both ethicaland philosophical perspectives. Yassawi’s worldview played a significant role not only in the context of Islamic mysticism but also in the cultural and philosophical development of the Turkic peoples of Central Asia. The study first analyzes how the concept of the human being is reflected in Yassawi’s hikmats and how it is based on moral values. It then explores fundamental themes such as the existential dimension of human existence, self-development, the pursuit of transcendental truth, and the process of achieving moral perfection, all viewed through the prism of philosophical categories. The article demonstrates that Yassawi defines the human being as a “moral subject”, and his worldview demonstrates the inseparable unity of ethics and ontology. Furthermore, a comparison of Yassawi’s concept of the human being with the views of other thinkers in Islamic philosophy and the Sufi tradition reveals the uniqueness of his approach. The conclusion notes that Yassawi’s conception of man has the potential to contribute to contemporary philosophical and social debates. In this regard, the study opens opportunities for a relevant interpretation of Yassawi’s ethical and philosophical ideas, offering both historical and theoretical analysis.