Moral Perception in The Four Elements Allegory in Makâlât

Abstract

In Makalat, it is envisaged that individual salvation will be possible with the control of one's hands, waist and tongue, as well as with an understanding of morality that is shaped by commanding goodness to the society and keeping goodness alive, and based on the individual. It is explained that this understanding is possible by passing through the paths of sharia, sect, truth and knowledge, and in this process, it is explained which stages the individual will go through in his life, how and what he will do. In this study, the allegory of the four elements (air, fire, water, earth) that Hacı Bektaşı Veli uses to explain the nature of man in Makalat, and then the allegory of these four elements that the servant will use to reach God, and the "four gates" (shariah, tariqat, ingenuity, truth) relationship will be tried to be explained.