istikamet

Istekamet is a Turkish noun that primarily denotes the direction or course toward a destination, and it can also carry metaphorical meanings such as uprightness or steadfastness. In everyday language, istikamet is used to talk about where someone is headed or the path one follows, for example in travel or navigation contexts where a route or direction is specified as the istikamet.

The term is borrowed from Arabic istiqāmah (استقامة), which conveys straightness, uprightness, or constancy. In Turkish, istikamet has been adapted to fit Turkish phonology and morphology and is used across both secular and religious discourse.

In secular usage, istikamet refers to the literal direction or path in travel, driving, or map reading. A sentence such as “İstikametimiz doğrudan şehre doğru” expresses the idea of the route heading toward a city. In a broader sense, it can denote the general course of events or a planned route.

In religious contexts, especially within Islamic discourse and Turkish translations of Islamic texts, istikamet carries a more moral sense. It denotes staying on the straight path or following the right conduct as commanded by faith. Phrases like “istikamet yolunda olmak” or “istikamet üzere olmak” are used to describe adherence to righteous behavior and devotion.

Overall, istikamet is a versatile Turkish term with both practical meanings related to direction and navigational course, and symbolic meanings related to integrity and religious steadfastness.