The Turks were able to make their progress in the Balkans and towards Europe thanks to his softer interpretation of Islam. Even today, one of the most beloved religious figures in the Balkans is Haji Bektash Veli.
Hacı Bektaş-ı Veli, one of the dervishes who came to Anatolia from Khorasan in the 13th century, is one of the leading figures of his time. There is no definite information about his birth, death, who was educated, his works, and exactly when he came to Anatolia.
Most of what is said about Hacı Bektaş-ı Veli, who has always been considered to have an important place in the formation of the Bektashi order, is based on the Hacı Bektaş-ı Veli Vilayetname, which deals with his life, miracles, and teachings.
Haji Bektash Veli (1209 – 1271) was a mystic, saint, sayyid, and philosopher from Khorasan who lived and taught in Anatolia. He is revered among Alevis for an Islamic understanding that is esoteric, rational and humanistic. Alevi and Bektashi Muslims believe the path of Haji Bektash is the path of Haqq-Muhammad-Ali since they were the source of Bektash's teachings. He was one of the many figures who flourished in the Sultanate of Rum and had an important influence on the culture of Turkish nomads of Asia Minor.
Based on all the artifacts and the findings of the researchers, it is not certain that Hacı Bektaş-ı Veli lived in the 13th century and he was born in 1209-1210(?) in the city of Nişabur in Khorasan; It can be said that he died in 1270-1271(?).
Hacı Bektaş-ı Veli comes to Anatolia with his Yesevi Fathers and Ismaili sheiks. When he comes to Anatolia, he goes to his friend Baba İlyas from Horasan. He is very close and helpful to Baba Ilyas in Amasya.
Haci Bektas, who traveled to many parts of Anatolia, finally settled in the village of Sulucakarahöyük. Here he began to teach and spread Bektashism, the teaching of the Khorasan school. The Ismaili sect sheiks and followers, who survived the Babai revolt, and dervishes and murids from Khorasan who were members of the Yesevi sect, joined Haci Bektas Veli in a short time and continued their lives with the Bektashi teaching. However, no sect's leader has risen to the position of Hacı Bektaş in Bektashism, and such a magnificent cult has not gained such a powerful sanctity.
The Ottoman rulers had buildings built around his tomb, established foundations, and built public fountains for Hacı Bektaş, who was considered to be the patriarch of the Janissaries.
The philosophy of Hacı Bektaş-ı Veli is an approach based on human love and tolerance and following universal moral principles. The phrase "Man is the greatest book to be read", which is identified with him, is also proof of this value. In this respect, it is obvious that he is one of the important representatives of Turkish humanism.
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https://www.cappadociahistory.com/post/haci-bektash-veli