A Journey into the Depths of History: The Religion of Gok God and the Turks' Transition to Islam

The transition of the Turks from the belief in Gok God to Islam is not only a religious change, but also a cultural and social transformation. This process is one of the most important phases in Turkish history and plays a key role in understanding contemporary Turkish culture.

The transition from the belief in Gok God to Islam can be regarded as an indicator of the openness to universal values and cultural diversity in the history of the Turks. This process is an important key to understanding the richness and depth of Turkish history.


Turkish culture and belief system has been in a continuous evolution for thousands of years. One of the most important stages of this evolution is the historical process from the belief in Gok God, the first religion of the Turks, to the acceptance of Islam. In this article, we will chronologically examine the foundations of the belief in Gok God and the Turks' transition to Islam.

The belief in Gök God: The First Religion of the Turks


The history of the Turks begins in the steppes of Central Asia. The ancient Turkic communities living there believed in supernatural powers and beings. At the center of this belief system was the Sky God (Tengri). Sky God was regarded as a supreme being who ruled the sky and the universe. This belief, combined with shamanism among the Turks, created a rich mythological structure.

In the belief in Sky God, the order of the universe and the lives of people depended on the will of Sky God. Natural events and cosmic order were seen as a reflection of his power. In addition, the cult of ancestors and respect for nature were the cornerstones of this belief system.

Turks' Transition to Islam


The first contact of the Turks with Islam took place in the 7th century during the Arab expeditions to Central Asia. However, during this period, the acceptance of Islam by Turkic communities remained limited. The real transformation began in the 8th and 9th centuries. During this period, Turkic communities in Central Asia began to establish closer trade and cultural relations with the Islamic world. Especially during the Samanid period, Islamic culture and science began to spread among the Central Asian Turks. During this period, many Turkish rulers and nobles converted to Islam.

In the 1st century, Turkic states such as the Qarakhanids and Ghaznavids adopted Islam as the official religion. During this period, Islam spread rapidly among the Turks and overtook the belief in Sky God. The adoption of Islam profoundly affected the social structure, culture and art of Turkish society.

The Impact of Islam on Turkish Culture


The acceptance of Islam left deep traces on Turkish culture. Islamic influence became evident in religious, literary and artistic fields. Especially Sufism played an important role in Turkish literature and art. Islamic architecture and art, combined with Turkish aesthetics, led to the emergence of unique works.

Belief in Sky God and Shamanism: Common Misconceptions


When talking about the early religion of the Turks, the belief in the Sky God and Shamanism are often confused with each other. However, there are important differences between these two belief systems and understanding these differences is vital for a proper understanding of Turkic history and culture.

Celestial God Belief
Gök God is considered to be the supreme god of ancient Turkic communities. In this belief, Sky God is depicted as a just and omnipotent being who maintains the order of the universe. The belief in Sky God is particularly central to the nomadic culture of Turkic peoples and plays an important role in explaining natural phenomena.

Confusion with Shamanism
Shamanism is a belief system centered on shamans who can communicate with supernatural beings and travel to the spirit world. Shamans play an intermediary role in various rituals such as curing diseases, predicting the future and expelling evil spirits. In Turkish culture, Shamanism is intertwined with animism and the cult of ancestors.

Misunderstood Links
The biggest misconception between the belief in Sky God and Shamanism is the idea that both systems are the same. In fact, the belief in Gok God has more of a theistic (monotheistic) structure, while Shamanism includes animistic and spiritual elements. Both belief systems have their place in Turkish history and culture, but they are independent of each other.

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