The Turks hold a strong belief that every person’s destiny is written on their forehead at birth. They call this Nassip or Tabir, meaning the “Book of Fate” in Heaven. According to this belief, no effort, advice, or wisdom can change what is already written. People are convinced that their life and death are predetermined, and nothing they do can alter it.
This belief in fixed destiny is deeply rooted in the minds of ordinary people and even soldiers. It often leads them to act with extreme courage, sometimes to the point of recklessness. Soldiers may throw themselves into battle without regard for their own safety, seeing their lives as insignificant and willing to risk them to achieve victory. In fact, this belief has often worked to the advantage of the Turks, guiding them in war and other critical decisions Private Tour Ephesus.
Fearlessness in the Face of Danger
This doctrine of predestination also affects how people respond to disease and death. According to the teachings of Muhammad, believers should not abandon their homes even when a plague or deadly infection strikes. The idea is that God has already determined the time and manner of each person’s death. Because of this belief, many Turks will care for the sick and even enter infected areas without fear, treating those afflicted by plague as normally as people treat those suffering from less dangerous illnesses such as gout or fever.
Even when they observe that Christians often escape the plague by fleeing to healthier areas, while others remain and die, their belief in predestination is so strong that they continue to follow the same practice. They consider avoidance of danger unnecessary because God’s will cannot be evaded.
Social and Military Implications
This faith in fate has wide-ranging effects. On the battlefield, it makes soldiers fearless and extremely determined. In daily life, it encourages courage and devotion in the face of epidemics and other hazards. While outsiders may see these actions as reckless or foolish, the Turks see them as obedience to God’s will.
Overall, the doctrine of destiny, or Nassip, shapes both the spiritual outlook and practical behavior of the Ottoman people. It explains their bravery, their acceptance of risk, and their reliance on divine will in both war and daily life, reinforcing a culture of courage and devotion deeply rooted in faith.