Since the establishment of the Ottoman Empire, the activities of Sufi orders have been evident in Anatolia and its surroundings. Through their interactions with various segments of society, the members of these orders facilitated the widespread dissemination of Sufism and secured the support of state officials. The reign of Sultan Mehmed II (1444–1446, 1451–1481) was a particularly dynamic era in terms of Sufism and Sufi orders. In this period, the sheikhs continued to provide Sufi education and training in tekkes and dervish lodges, while also engaging in guidance activities for diverse groups in mosques and other social spaces. State officials were among those with whom the sheikhs maintained relationships, offering advice and warnings through direct interactions or written works. When face-to-face meetings with state dignitaries were not feasible, the sheikhs sometimes opted to write letters, utilizing this method as a form of spiritual guidance. Prominent figures such as Akşemseddin, Kutbüddinzâde Mehmed İznikî, Hüsamzâde Mustafa Efendi, and Seydi Halîfe are known to have written letters to Sultan Mehmed II or other state officials during this period. In this study, particular attention will be given to the letter written by Seydî Halife to Mehmed II, which contains various prophecies and pieces of advice. The aim is to contribute to the literature and the understanding of the relationship between the Sufi orders and the state by presenting and analyzing this archival document, which has been brought to light and examined.

Sufism-Sufi Orders, Seydi Halife, Letter, Ottoman Empire, Sultan Mehmed II.