Jahidi Ahmed Efendi

A Halvetî-Uşşâkī sheikh and mystic poet; the pîr of the Câhidiyye branch.

He was born at Edirne. His real name was Ahmed and his pen name in poetry Câhidî. According to his own work Kitâbü'n-Nasîha he belonged to a family of Rumelian origin; his father's name was Muhammed.

The sources conflict about his initiation into Sufism. Some count him a disciple of Cemâleddin Edirnevî; but this is chronologically impossible — Câhidî died in 1070 (1659), while Cemâleddin died in 1164 (1751). According to other records he received investiture from a Halvetî-Uşşâkī sheikh at Edirne.

He established a lodge at Kilitbahir in Çanakkale and carried on the work of spiritual guidance there.

He died in 1070 (1659); the word istirâhat was composed as the chronogram of his death.

His Circle of Influence — After his death the branch bearing his name was carried on by his son Abdüllatif Efendi. The Câhidiyye was widespread in the eighteenth century at Çanakkale, Bursa and Edirne; the source records that the branch never reached Istanbul and had disappeared completely by the beginning of the twentieth century.

His Poetry and Sufi Line — He wrote his poems in the syllabic metre and on the line of Yûnus Emre. A famous line of his inspired the title of the collection of essays published in 1986 by the contemporary writer Cahit Zarifoğlu.

His Works — 1. Dîvan. It consists of about 100 mystical poems in the syllabic metre. 2. Kitâbü'n-Nasîha. A book of guidance containing general Sufi teachings and the etiquette of the order.

His Tomb and Complex — His tomb is known among the people as Câhide Sultan and continues to be an important place of visitation.