In Ottoman Bosnia, especially along its frontier regions, Sufi lodges (tekkeler) played crucial and multifaceted roles. These lodges, known for their spiritual teachings and communal gatherings, often found themselves navigating com-plex relationships with the state and central authority. At times, they aligned with official policies and supported the ruling powers; at others, they resisted and challenged central authority, asserting their own autonomy and spiritual leadership. The sheikhs (leaders) of these tekkes were pivotal figures, oscillating between being controlled by the central Ottoman administration and asserting authority over local affairs under regional rulers. Among them, figures like Hamza Bali and Ilhami Baba stand out both met outrageous ends through execution by de-capitation. Yet, far from being relegated to the margins of history, they remain central to Bosnian Sufi tradition. Their stories transcend mere acts of defiance; they symbolize steadfast resistance against erasure, embodying the enduring struggle for spiritual autonomy and cultural identity within the broader Ottoman framework.