Mehmed Zahid Kotku Hocaefendi was one of the great scholars of the last century. His Lord did not conceal him. He lived in a state of ‘Sahv,’ used the language of the Prophet, and practised the profession of the Prophet. As a result, he was highly sensitive to the issues of his time and his surroundings.
Approaching Mehmed Zahid Kotku Hocaefendi with platonic love or evaluating him from a narrow perspective would be a loss for humanity. It is our duty to strive to understand and convey his true identity and personality. It is to understand and read the ‘human being’ he represents. The path he followed and the guidance he provided are, as they have been throughout history, the only measure of humanity's liberation from the bonds of the ego, both today and tomorrow. The confused and weary masses who have lost their way await the safe harbour he represents.
This work is a compilation of papers presented at the Mehmed Zahid Kotku Symposium held in Bursa in 2022 with the participation of academics, students, and admirers. This book, which aims to introduce and understand Hocaefendi, one of the important representatives of the caravan, is an important beginning. We believe that it will pave the way for multifaceted studies that will address his other aspects. May it be of benefit...
