“THE CONCEPT OF FORTY OBLIGATORY DUTIES AND ITS MANIFESTATIONS IN THE RELIGIOUS WORLDVIEW OF THE KAZAKHS

Abstract

The concept of “Forty Obligatory Acts” (Qyryq Paryz) represents a religious and epistemological framework that encompasses the fundamental duties and conditions of Islam as they developed in Central Asian countries, particularly among Kazakhs, Uzbeks, Kyrgyz, and Tatars. This notion became widespread within traditional Islamic educational practices, and memorizing it was often regarded as essential.

This article examines the concept of the “Forty Obligatory Acts” (*Qyryq Paryz*), which became widespread in the religious worldview of the Kazakh people and other Central Asian communities. The authors emphasize that this notion, rooted in classical Islamic jurisprudence, later evolved into a form of popular religious knowledge. It was taught in mosques and madrasas, transmitted through oral tradition, and even incorporated into poetry and folk literature as a mnemonic and didactic tool.

The central focus of the study is the poem “The Exposition of Forty Obligatory Acts” (*Qyryq Paryz Bayany*) by the poet Balmagambet Balqybaiuly, popularly known as “Sary Molla.” The poem systematically presents the structure of the forty religious obligations: the articles of faith, the five pillars of Islam, the obligatory elements of prayer, ablution, tayammum, ghusl, and regulations specific to women. Each section of the poem is analyzed with reference to Qur’anic verses, prophetic hadiths, and authoritative works of the Hanafi school of law.

The methodology employed combines several approaches: historical-comparative analysis, philological and theological interpretation, lexical-semantic study of key terms, and pedagogical evaluation. This interdisciplinary framework allows the researchers to highlight the poem’s dual function-as both a concise religious manual and a piece of cultural and literary heritage.

The authors also note that Balmagambet’s works remained largely unpublished during the Soviet period due to anti-religious policies. Only after Kazakhstan’s independence were his writings republished and introduced into academic discourse. The analysis demonstrates the enduring impact of Islam on Kazakh literature and shows how religious poetry played a crucial role in shaping moral and spiritual consciousness.

In conclusion, the article reveals the significance of the “Forty Obligatory Acts” not merely as a list of legal duties but as a cultural–religious phenomenon that integrates Islamic doctrine, pedagogical function, and poetic expression. This study thus contributes to a deeper understanding of religious didactic traditions in Central Asia and the literary strategies used to transmit them.