Samiha Ayverdi was born in 25 November, 1905 in Istanbul, then the capital of the Ottoman Empire to a famous Ottoman military official & his wife, Fatma Meliha Hanim. She married at a young age but divorced early on in the marriage, ultimately returning to the family home to raise her daughter. She started studying at Süleymaniye Kız Numune Mektebi, learning French and philosophy and it was here that she was first introduced to Islamic mysticism. Upon completing her studies, she became a follower of Kenan Rıfai, a major Sufi thinker of the time & a major influenced on her later works. In 1938, Samiha published her first novel, Aşk Budur during her career, she would go on to publish 30 novels and short story collections. With Rifai died she became the leader of his followers, who were criticized for syncretism as they allowed other sects into their fold. They countered that they prayed five times a day & fasted during Ramadan, core principles of the faith. Samiha was devoted to the Sufi cause and established a celebration of Rumis life in Konya & sought to share the message of Islam as a religion that could unite diverse cultures.