Ahi Evran was born in the town of Hoy, one of the important cultural centers of his time, located on the borders of Iran today. The exact date of birth of Ahi Evran is not known. However, considering that he died in Hijri 659 (1261), based on the information in many sources that he lived 93 years, it is understood that Ahi Evran was born in 566 (1171) Hijri.

The real name of Ahi Evran, who is regarded as the founder of the Ahi organization in Anatolia and the leader of 32 tradesmen, is Mahmud. His father's name and place of birth were relatively named "Mahmud bin Ahmed al-Hoyî" (Mahmud, son of Hoylu Ahmet). His nickname is Ebu'l-Hakayık (father of truths), and his nickname Nasîrüddîn (aid of religion). In the Ahi genealogy, it is referred to as Nimetullah (the blessing of Allah).

Evran (universe) is a Turkish word and means "snake, dragon".

Ahi Evran's childhood and primary education was spent in his hometown, Azerbaijan, in his youth, he went to Khorasan and Transoxiana and took lessons from the great masters in that region. He attended the lessons of Fahruddin-i Razi, one of the greatest scholars of the time, in Herat and learned mental (science) and religious (religious) sciences from him.

Ahi Evran, who was introduced to Sheikh Evhaduddin Hamid Kirmani, one of Razi's students and awliya, during a pilgrimage, later joined his students and continued his devotion until Evhaduddin's death.

While Ahi Evran was in Baghdad, he made contact with the leading sheikhs of the futuwwa organization and benefited from many masters, especially Evhaduddin Kirmani. The fact that Baghdad was the largest center of science, art and wisdom in the Islamic world in those years was influential in Ahi Evran's becoming a versatile scholar and intellectual. In addition to religious sciences such as tafsir, hadith, kalam, fiqh and mysticism, he excelled in philosophy and medicine and produced works on these subjects.

Ahi Evran, who came to Anatolia in 602 (1205) with Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi and his teacher Evhaduddin Kirmani, traveled around various Anatolian cities with Evhaduddin. In his sermons, on the one hand, he gave advice to the tradesmen to organize their affairs in the world and the hereafter, on the other hand, he worked for the strengthening and organization of the Anatolian people against the approaching Mongolian danger.

Shortly after Ahi Evran came to Anatolia, he settled in Kayseri and established a tanning workshop (leather processing) here. Ahi Evran, who earns his living by tanning (tanning leather), is especially loved by people who have art. He established the Ahilik institution, which we can call the organization of tradesmen in today's sense, and ensured that it was organized in many cities and towns. Throughout history, Ahi Evran-ı Velî has been accepted as the master of tanners and the leader of 32 kinds of tradesmen and craftsmen.

Ahi Evran settled in Konya after 625 (1227-28) probably at the request of Sultan Alaaddin Keykubad I (reign 618-634 / 1221 -1237). Here he was both practicing his art and working as a professor. Ahi Evran, who lived a very prosperous and dignified life during his stay in Konya, received constant support and patronage from Sultan Alaaddin Keykubad I, and in the meantime presented some of his works to the sultan.

Ahi Evran was arrested and imprisoned on the pretext of an incident against the Anatolian Seljuk State, upon the complaints of some people who were uncomfortable with his influence. Along with Ahi Evran, many Ahi notables were imprisoned in Konya for five years.

The Ahis, who resisted the siege of the city of Kayseri by the Mongols, who attacked Anatolia in 1243, defended the city for fifteen days with the castle guards. Just when the Mongols were about to give up, as a result of the secret agreement between an Armenian convert, Kayseri İğdişbaşı, with the Mongol Commander Baycu Noyan, the Mongols entered the city and put the Ahis to the sword. Meanwhile, Ahi Evran, who was imprisoned in Konya, escaped from this massacre.

II. Celaleddin Karatay, who was brought to the regency after the death of Gıyaseddin Keyhüsrev (642 / 1245), released the imprisoned Ahi and Turkmens. Ahi Evran went to Denizli and stayed there for a year. Sultan II, who passed to the Seljuk throne. Upon the call of Izzeddin Keykavus, he returned to Konya and started to teach in various madrasahs.

After Ahi Evran returned to Konya, some circles spread the claim that Mevlana's son Alaaddin Çelebi was also involved in this incident, upon the assassination of Mevlana's teacher, Şems-i Tebrizi (645 / 1247). . Alaaddin Çelebi, who could not stay in Konya under these conditions, transferred it to Kırşehir, and it is highly probable that Ahi Evran also settled in Kırşehir. Ahi Evran spent the last fifteen years of his life in Kırşehir.

Turkmens and Ahis, IV. After Kılıç Arslan (reign of 1257-1266) took over the administration, they started resistance against the sultan and the Mongols due to his appointments under the pressure of the Mongols. In Kırşehir, where the strongest resistance took place, IV. Kılıçarslan and the Mongolian ilhan assigned Kırşehir Emir Nureddin Caca to suppress this rebellion. The rebellion was suppressed bloodily by the Mongolian forces under Nureddin Caca. It is understood that Ahi Evran and Mevlana's son Alaaddin Çelebi were among those killed in the massacre by the Mongols.

The issue of Ahi Evran's death or murder was a foggy subject until recently. However, some documents and information unearthed in recent years strengthen the possibility that Ahi Evran was murdered as a martyr.

Ahi Evran-ı Velî is buried in his mausoleum, which is open to visitors all day, next to the Ahi Evran Mosque in the Ahi Evran District in Kırşehir.

Source: www.ahievran.edu.tr