Somunju Baba

Sheyh Hamid-i Vali (1331–1412), better known by his sobriquet Somunju Baba, was an ascetic teacher of Islam in Bursa, Turkey, who exerted extensive influence and is known as a Muslim saint. He was born in Kayseri and died in Aksaray. He taught at the Ulu Camii (The Great Mosque) where he was installed by Sultan Bayezid I after it was completed. Somunju Baba's students included Molla Fenari and Hacı Bayram-ı Veli.

Biography

Somunju Baba is one of the virtuous men who came to Anadolu for spiritual conquest, he was also a descendant of Islamic prophet Muhammad After receiving an education in cities which are the center of knowledge like Şam, Tabriz, Erdebil, he settled in Bursa for his guidance and duty. He taught at the Bursa Grand Mosque where he was installed by Sultan Bayezid I after it was completed. For hiding his spiritual side, he baked bread and sold them so he was known as Somunju Baba. He became known after he had translated the sura of Al-Fatiha, in seven different ways during the opening of Bursa Grand Mosque, in Bursa. He avoided becoming famous so he left Bursa and moved Aksaray. He left his son Yusuf Hakiki Baba in Aksaray and he went to Mecca with his son Halil Taybi when they got back to Anadolu they settled in Aksaray and he died here in 1412. His tomb is still in Aksaray.

With the help of Es-Seyyid Osman Hulusi Efendi Foundation, it has another mosque,a library, museum and an exhibition hall and it became a complex of building with restoration. With its excursion, it is an attractive center of local and foreign tourists.

Somunju Baba's students

* Hacı Bayram-ı Veli - Ankara
* Molla Şemseddin Fenari - Bursa
* Akşemseddin - Göynük

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