Dini Araştırmalar (Religious Studies)

Abstract

Hilya (Hilye-i
Şerîfe) denote sheets (levha), where The Prophet Muhammed (sav) is described in
writing. Many threnodies, qasides, poetry, mawlid and hilya were written in
order to praise beloved Prophet Muhammed (sav) and to present his humanistic
and moral properties throughout history. These texts, devoted to Prophet
Muhammed (sav), were written in the finest calligraphy of all: “Hüsn-i Hat”.

The first
examples of Hilya sheets were most probably written during Ottoman period. The
classical design, known today, was first seen in Calligrapher Hâfız Osman’s
work of art. The phases undergone until the ultimate form of design, are not
yet studied thoroughly. The Hilya, which is claimed to be the first, is
indecisive in terms of dating process. 

Owing to the love
of The Prophet Muhammed (sav), Ottoman calligraphers wrote Hilya sheets with a
passion of divine service. As a result of this love, many different and unique
designs were devised and written.

Varieties in the
text are observed depending on different designs. Basmala, Hilya text, an Ayah
related to the Prophet Muhammed (sav) and names of the four caliphs of Islam
are available in the classical design of Hilya sheets.

The printed
“Hilye-i Şerîfe”, examined in this study, includes fifty two selected couplets
written in Ta’lik letters, from “Hilye-i Hâkânî”, apart from the classical
text. “Hilye-i Hâkânî” was written by Hâkânî Mehmed Efendi and it exceeds 710
couplets originally. Consequently, a distinctive “Hilye-i Şerîfe” in terms of
both design and text comes into the picture. 

In this study, the differences in the text with
respect to the Hilye-i Hâkânî are discussed in the footnotes, besides from the
characteristics of the “Hilye-i Şerîfe”.