Perceptions of “Täŋrı” and “Allah” During the Islamization Process of The Turks

• Main Author: Hayrettin İhsan ERKOÇ
• Format: Article
• Language: deu
• Published: Ankara University 2018-10-01
• Series: Ankara Üniversitesi Dil ve Tarih-Coğrafya Fakültesi Dergisi
• Subjects: Türklerin İslâmlaşmaları; Teŋri; Allah; Eski Türk İnançları; İslâm; Din Değiştirme
• Online Access: http://dtcfdergisi.ankara.edu.tr/index.php/dtcf/article/view/5200

Different views exist on the conversion of Turks to Islam and its reasons. According to one of these views, the existence of similarities between ancient Turkic beliefs and Islam, especially in the concepts of Täŋri (Tengri) and Allah, speeded up this process. When the perception of Täŋri among the Turks during this period is examined, it can be observed that it possessed some similarities with the concept of Allah in Islam. However, contrary to the strict belief of Allah in Islam, the perception of Täŋri among Turks was more flexible. Indeed, ancient Turkic beliefs show quite many differences from Islam and its concept of Allah as well as they show some similarities. Even if the similarities between the two faiths may have made it easier for the conversion of Turks to Islam, beliefs that made this event more difficult also existed. It should also not be forgotten that the conversion of Turks to Islam had many different reasons. In our study, the perceptions of Täŋri among Turks during their process of Islamization and the concept of Allah in Islam have been compared using the sources of the period, while similarities and differences between the two have been demonstrated.