السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم. بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم. والصلاة والسلام على رسولنا محمد سيد الأولين والآخرين. مدد يا رسول الله، مدد يا سادتي أصحاب رسول الله، مدد يا مشايخنا، دستور مولانا الشيخ عبد الله الفايز الداغستاني، الشيخ محمد ناظم الحقاني. مدد. طريقتنا الصحبة والخير في الجمعية.
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ أَن يُخَفِّفَ عَنكُمْ ۚ وَخُلِقَ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ ضَعِيفًۭا
(4:28)
صدق الله العظيم
Allah Almighty intends not to place upon people burdens that are unbearable.
Humans are inherently weak.
No matter how strong an individual might perceive themselves to be, their inherent weakness remains.
Human fragility stems from both the physical realm and the material world.
Measured against other creatures, humans fall behind and lack their abilities.
Similarly, humans are spiritually weak because they are often driven by their ego.
Yet, spirituality surpasses materiality in terms of importance.
It's common for people to boast, "I can do this, I can do that!" Yet, no matter how strong the self-belief, it remains a fact that one is human and inherently weak.
While it's true that some may physically rival animals, generally, humans are physically inferior to most animals.
Yet, it is in the spiritual realm that human’s superiority emerges.
If a human adheres to Allah's commandments, he bolsters his spirituality, and this spiritual fortitude also translates into worldly strength, rendering him invincible.
Through spiritual strength and the consequent material power, human can rise above all else.
But in the absence of spiritual power, not only is one subject to the ego but is also prone to lose all else.
Sadly, in these times, people have become slaves to their egos, carrying out actions driven solely by it.
They defy Allah in this process.
They perceive themselves as powerful.
They view themselves as potent.
Allah aspires to lighten human burdens.
Allah hopes to ease human hardships.
Allah wishes for their liberation from the crushing weight of sin.
The load of sin is immensely heavy.
While it is invisible, its weight is tremendous.
Sins press down on humans with the force of thousands of tons, yet they remain oblivious to it.
One might trust their actions to be correct.
Especially today, Allah save us from such a fallacy.
The devil and the ego have led people astray.
They lack respect for Allah.
They see themselves as powerful entities.
But Allah declares, "I have created human weak."
خُلِقَ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ ضَعِيفًۭا
You were molded weak and are therefore weak.
Despite this, you might perceive yourself as exceptional and declare your greatness to all who hear.
But in reality, you are as insignificant as a speck of dust.
In essence, you are virtually nothing.
Compared to the vast expanse of the world, you are no more significant than a single grain of dust.
And yet, do you dare to stand in opposition to Allah?
You make assumptions and judgments without hesitation.
You disregard the majesty of Allah.
By doing this, you only inflict damage upon yourself.
May Allah shield us from the atrocities of the ego.
من عرف نفسه فقد عرف ربّه
Those who understand themselves truly understand Allah.
This implies that upon realizing one's own weakness and humbling oneself before Allah, the essence of Allah is comprehended.
However, the absence of self-awareness will only breed ignorance.
Despite institutional education, people can often remain ignorant.
They may be academically accomplished and successful in their endeavors,
but anyone too self-satisfied remains in ignorance.
What are you in the grand scheme of the universe?
In the context of the immense universe, you do not even equate to a single grain of dust.
And yet, you dare to defy Allah?
May Allah bestow upon us wisdom and understanding.
Ignorant individuals are essentially weak.
May Allah bless us with strength, strength rooted in faith, inshaAllah.
2024-01-23 - Dergah, Akbaba, İstanbul
The Prophet, peace be upon him, highlighted certain pernicious characteristics of the human ego.
The primary danger is in the lure of fame.
Folks will go to any length to gain notoriety.
Yet, fame is a bane, as asserted by the Prophet, peace be upon him.
Once you've gained prominence, reigning in your own behavior becomes a struggle.
You tend to inflate your own importance and gloat, "Look how mighty I am!" Yet, the ego corrodes what Allah the Almighty has bestowed upon us.
Fame feeds the ego's desires.
In today's age, the pursuit of fame has become a fanatical obsession.
People will stop at nothing to achieve celebrity status.
Hence, individuals act erroneously more often than not, engaging in unsavory deeds believing they bring benefits.
But in truth, they endure losses, forfeiting numerous blessings.
An unrestrained ego can lead to one's downfall.
However, if reined in, you walk on the path of Allah and earn His favour.
This also pleases the Prophet, peace be upon him.
Allah the Almighty is delighted when He witnesses His servants following the right path.
Likewise, the Prophet, peace be upon him, shares this sentiment.
Yet, we live in an era of great trials.
Thus, we must exercise heightened vigilance.
Not all actions by others are in our best interests.
Everyone is doing this or that. But being part of the crowd doesn't necessarily imply what's being done is right.
Everyone must be accountable for their own actions.
And each person will face judgement based on their own deeds.
Those with damaging habits will face retribution.
However, those who renounce such detrimental tendencies will find forgiveness in Allah.
The doors to Allah's mercy are eternally open.
Thus, we should beseech Allah to guard us against our ego and its malevolent tendencies.
May Allah provide all of us with His protection.
The quest for fame is a formidable temptation of our times.
May Allah support the believers, and extend His protection to us all.
2024-01-22 - Dergah, Akbaba, İstanbul
The respected sayings of the Holy Prophet, upon whom be peace, are known as Hadith.
Serving as the bedrock of Islam are the Quran and the Hadiths.
In these modern end times, there are those who deny the existence of specific Hadiths.
There's a rising trend of so-called scholars, immersed in the study of Islam and religion, gradually discarding their Islamic beliefs.
They're progressively losing their faith.
To abandon faith is effectively synonymous with distancing oneself from Islam.
These scholars have developed an air of arrogance.
Arrogance, by its nature, mirrors the characteristics of the devil.
The devil breeds contempt for everything.
"I am superior, what is the worth of man?" the devil scoffs.
"Man is nothing more than dirt and mud!"
"Conceived from fire, I am superior!" argues the devil.
Those who see themselves as superior blindly follow the devil's example.
Arrogance incites discord and turmoil.
Years of study are willingly wasted on the peak of arrogance.
Why do they study? For the pursuit of understanding?
Only the attainment of a degree sits in their sights.
Only a few truly comprehend the subjects of their study.
The number of individuals who truly grasp their readings is dismal.
May Allah shield those who study Islam.
It is lamentable that the faith of some Islamic scholars was more profound before their academic journey.
The devil leverages academic pursuits to breed doubt, specifically targeting students of Islamic studies.
The devil fuels their bravado and arrogance until they ultimately renounce their faith.
Several illustrious scholars have fallen prey to their own hubris.
One is often astounded at the assertions made by renowned scholars.
Recently, a scholar advanced the notion that there are no Hadiths acknowledging the unique significance of the month of Rajab.
These Hadiths, he claimed, are backed by weak chains of transmission.
In common parlance, the tag "weak chain of transmission" can erroneously signify falsification.
While the robustness of the chain of transmission attests to authenticity, a Hadith linked to any degree of transmission cannot be outrightly dismissed.
Shortly thereafter, the same scholar also acknowledged the existence of such Hadiths.
Still, he incessantly cited the strength of the chain of transmission as a point of contention.
A Hadith, once recognized, cannot be repudiated.
The Hadith is in existence.
While glossing over the strength of transmission, this scholar only succeed in sowing confusion among the listeners.
The strength of transmission attests to authenticity, but it doesn't warrant the denial of an established Hadith.
The strength of a Hadith is gauged by its chain of transmission – for instance, when fewer Sahabas report something, the Hadith naturally carries lower strength.
However, this doesn't negate the existence of the Hadith!
This Hadith is in existence and its existence undeniable!
It is crucial not to conflate Hadiths with weak or strong chains of transmission with fraudulent ones.
There are numerous Hadiths credited to the Prophet, albeit added later.
Foemen of Islam have attempted to fake the Prophet's sayings, thus distorting Islam.
However, these counterfeited Hadiths have been sieved out by eminent Hadith scholars.
Esteemed scholars like Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi, and many more have excised these false attributions.
They have scrutinized all such claims.
Hence, if a saying is recognized as a Hadith based on their evaluation, it cannot be deemed invalid.
A Hadith remains invariably a Hadith.
No one possesses the right to erode people's faith with misguided debates.
After all, our tenure in this world is brief – hardly is life over than three or five days have elapsed.
So why begrudge people who dedicate themselves to prayer?
Let this be a stern caution to all scholars and students of Islamic studies, take care in preserving your faith, as well as that of others.
Avoid falling prey to third-party manipulations.
Strive to learn and impart knowledge, to win Allah's favor.
Be not fearful of survival owing to your pursuit of knowledge – you are under Allah's care.
Never sell your faith or your afterlife in exchange for worldly offerings.
The afterlife is perpetual.
Worldly life is fleeting.
This is of paramount significance.
As scholars, you bear immense responsibility as many look to you for guidance. Be wary of leading others away from good deeds.
May Allah safeguard us all from the misleading tricks of the end times.
The devil aims to obliterate Islam from its very roots.
He specifically sets his sights on scholars.
Be vigilant, O Islamic scholars.
Take extra care, for you shoulder more responsibility than others.
While every Muslim is duty-bound to acquire knowledge, not all can glean the insights you can.
A Muslim must grasp the basic tenets of faith.
Scholars who delve into the profound knowledge of Islam must comprehend their insights well, to guide people aptly.
Should they mislead others, they bear the consequences for each individual led astray.
Conversely, they receive blessings for every person they guide toward righteousness.
May Allah shield us from the devil's harm and the misleading tricks of the end times.
2024-01-21 - Dergah, Akbaba, İstanbul
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
وَإِذَا مَرِضْتُ فَهُوَ يَشْفِينِ
(26:80)
When a person falls sick, it is Allah who offers the remedy.
Within every ailment lies a cure from Allah, the Mighty and the Exalted.
From Him comes the cure.
In every situation, there is some good.
For a faithful Muslim, every provision from Allah is a blessing.
It holds advantages for us.
It provides both material and spiritual gains.
Although you might perceive some situations as negative, there's always an embedded positive aspect in them.
Every circumstance encompasses some good.
It may serve to elevate our standing or absolve us from transgressions.
Indeed, this is true.
Minor health issues, for instance, may prevent more severe ones from occurring.
Indeed, human intellect cannot fully comprehend the wisdom of Allah.
Allah's wisdom is boundless.
People fall short in fully understanding it.
They quickly rebel against Allah's providence.
Yet, everything that Allah bestows upon humans is for their own benefit, given they walk His path.
When you see people deviating from Allah's way, they may have affluence and appear to be leading a fulfilling life.
But Allah grants them these luxuries to compound their punishment in the hereafter.
Hence, we should express gratitude for every gift from Allah and praise Him.
The remedy comes from Allah.
Indeed, He has a remedy preordained.
Even illness is a blessing in disguise for the believer, for the Muslim.
May Allah protect us.
May Allah grant us all healing from incurable ailments and concerns that seem unsolvable.
May He guard us, may we not endure His tests.
Minor occurrences happen.
Such occurrences are inevitable.
If nothing happens, one should reassess their life.
Here's a tale from antiquity:
A couple lives serenely, everything proceeds smoothly.
Suddenly, the woman demands a divorce.
"What seems to be the issue? We're harmoniously coexisting," the man asks.
"But we don't have any issues or concerns," says the man.
Yet, the woman persists for a divorce.
"Well, I'll need to ponder over it." In the meanwhile, the man has a fall and breaks his leg.
Now, he wants a divorce, but she denies it.
"I sought divorce because everything was going too smoothly for you. There were no signs of illness or troubles. So, I thought Allah doesn't love you," said the woman.
That was the impetus for my demand for divorce.
"Now that you've encountered a difficulty, I no longer desire the divorce," she now proclaims.
This reflection was shared by the people of that time.
If they didn't face any hurdles, they assumed they were estranged from Allah.
Nowadays, people panic rapidly even for minor issues. They resort to medication, intravenous drips, hospital visits, etc.
Instead of turning to Allah and expressing gratitude for the greater blessing that our sins have been absolved.
We should express gratitude for these circumstances leading to the absolution of our sins.
May Allah forgive all of us and bestow His mercy upon us.
May Allah pardon our sins and transform them into virtuous deeds.
2024-01-20 - Dergah, Akbaba, İstanbul
Being loyal to one's commitments is of utmost importance.
It's crucial to safeguard that which has been placed in your trust.
Even our Prophet - may Allah's blessings be upon him and peace be granted to him, was famously known as Muhammad al-Amin, the trustworthy one, prior to his prophethood.
All that was put into the trust of our Prophet was secure, for he carefully guarded it and returned it just as it was given to him.
In the days of old, it was a natural expectation for trustworthy folks to return an item once someone had lent it to them.
Above all, loyalty to matters of trust stands supreme.
To betray trust is nothing short of treachery.
Betraying trust is something that Allah, Mighty and Exalted, abhors.
It's evident that people in the modern age fall short when it comes to upholding trust.
Respect towards matters of trust is now barely present.
Nowadays, it's rare to find someone who remains committed to their entrusted responsibilities.
Across all types of business, loyalty towards matters of trust is a vanishing trait.
The respect shown towards things entrusted to you holds significant importance.
If someone entrusts you with something under certain conditions, say "We're giving this to you for a specific purpose," then it becomes your duty to safeguard that trust and fulfill it appropriately.
Seeking personal gain from a position of trust is a blatant betrayal of that trust.
This presents a delicate problem.
People often fail to perceive this.
You lend something to someone, and it might as well be gone forever. Even with a written agreement, reclaiming it can be difficult.
And if there's no written record, you can forget about getting it back.
Manipulating matters of trust for your own benefit reaps no rewards.
A person who engages in deceit is not clever.
Such a person is foolish; they lack sound judgement.
Because if they falsely believe they're gaining something from their actions, it's actually more of a loss than anything else.
Gains are synonymous with things that bring forth benefits.
Defrauding people, breaking the trust bestowed upon you, never brings any benefits.
No blessings persist.
Deliberately breaking trust will inflict pain and sickness onto you.
It will lead to your downfall.
A wise person follows in the footsteps of the respected Prophet, peace be upon him.
The Prophet of Allah, peace be upon him, ranks to be the most sagacious individual to be favored by Allah, Exalted and Mighty.
He was the embodiment of loyalty to the entrusted.
He was never unfaithful to the trust placed in him.
He is a model for us all, demonstrating the necessity of unwavering loyalty to responsibilities entrusted to us.
The Messenger of Allah was well aware of this and taught it to us.
This is an issue of profound significance.
Yet, people seem to take it too casually.
Or they have no regard whatsoever for the matters entrusted to them.
Or they exploit the trust for personal gain.
May Allah shield us from such actions.
May Allah protect us from knowingly or unknowingly committing treachery to the entrusted.
May Allah guide us to remain loyal to our trusts.
May Allah aid us all.
2024-01-19 - Dergah, Akbaba, İstanbul
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
أَلَآ إِنَّ أَوْلِيَآءَ ٱللَّهِ لَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
(10:62)
May Allah also unveil their secrets to us, as He wishes.
Today commemorates a decade, according to the Hijri calendar, since our father Mawlana Sheikh Nazim transitioned to the ethereal realm.
We pay tribute to this anniversary both on the 8th of Rajab and on the 7th of May. For this, we express our gratitude to Allah.
Daily, invocations for Mawlana Sheikh Nazim are shared globally.
His name is invoked in the dedicatory words following each prayer. Oh Allah, may he find Your favor.
People discover guidance in line with Allah's will.
For those predestined, they will find guidance.
And for those yet unmarked by destiny, Allah might also grant them such guidance.
Allah does not hold in high regard those carrying ill-will toward His cherished ones.
"These are the one I cherish."
"Anyone who harbors animosity towards my cherished ones, I declare a battle on him!" as stated by Allah, the Most Exalted, in a Hadith Qudsi.
There are plentiful who nourish love for Allah's cherished servants.
Yet many remain uninformed.
May Allah continue to affirm those who love His cherished servants.
And may He lead the uninformed towards guidance.
Numerous individuals seek atonement for their deeds in this world.
Such individuals who seek absolution in this world earn Allah's favor.
But those who stubbornly resist, those who fail to repent in this world, come to regret in the afterlife.
Then it is too late for remorse, it becomes futile.
Repentance in this world is indeed beneficial.
Should you repent in this world, it makes an impact.
In the afterlife, it's too late to repent and rectify your wrongdoings.
Hence, may Allah bestow upon individuals wisdom and discernment.
Many individuals speak thoughtlessly.
Subsequently, they suffer the consequences.
And what severe consequences they are!
As long as we inhabit this world, we have an opportunity.
As long as we draw breath, Allah's forgiveness and mercy is within our reach.
May Allah shield us from taking our last breath without seeking His forgiveness.
May Allah keep Mawlana Sheikh Nazim in His good graces.
He devoted 92 years in service to Muslims and humanity at large.
Day and night, he guided individuals upon the righteous path, as ordained by Allah.
May Allah elevate his status.
The Prophet, peace and blessings upon him, asserted: "You will be in the company of those you cherish."
In the afterlife, in heaven, you will share company with Allah's beloved servants who you cherish.
Life on this plane is merely a fleeting moment.
See, a decade has already elapsed.
Just as swiftly, another decade could slip by.
Or even two decades.
In the blink of an eye, we'll join Allah's beloved servants in paradise, by His will.
We cherish them all.
We esteem Allah's holy servants; we revere the Prophet;
We adore the Prophet's Family; his Companions; we venerate them all.
But we do not harbor affection for those who bear resentment toward them.
We withhold love for what Allah does not cherish.
No one can compel us to do so.
For this concerns the heart, the essence of Islam, and the core of faith.
One ought to love what Allah reveres, and refrain from loving what Allah detests.
It's immaterial what others have done.
Life in this world is inconsequential.
It's the afterlife that truly matters.
May Allah enhance the stature of His cherished servants, and in particular, Mawlana Sheikh Nazim, within His divine order.
2024-01-18 - Dergah, Akbaba, İstanbul
We're grateful to Allah that we're here in this sacred month.
The month of Rajab is one that Allah holds dear.
Rajab is referred to by Allah as "my own month".
We're already a week into it.
We owe our thanks to Allah for this divine month.
Allah unfailingly opens doors of grace and mercy for the faithful.
There's always a bounty of holy days and months that offer us chances to reap even greater blessings and rewards.
Allah never ceases to endow people with fresh opportunities.
"I open up my treasures to you. Take these. Reap the benefits of the blessings."
But the obstinate ones say, "No, we don't want what you're offering."
Such is the ignorance of people.
Even those who are well aware, they shun Allah's gifts.
People reject Allah's gifts and prefer muck, grime, venom, and all manner of unsavoury things.
No sane person would act in such a way. Yet they do and they believe themselves to be wise.
Moreover, they scorn those who embrace Allah's offerings.
We should not begrudge their opinions of us. It holds no bearing.
What truly matters is that Allah receives us.
We are not satisfied with ourselves. But may Allah, in His infinite mercy, receive us.
We implore His mercy, His goodness, His largesse.
And He delivers!
He bestows from His bounty.
Even when we are undeserving, He continues to gift us.
Those who reject Allah's treasures will rue their choice.
Then it will be too late.
Then all is lost and remorse holds no value.
Let's be appreciative of Allah's gifts!
Accept His generosity with humility.
If a generous person offers something and it is not accepted, it's seen as disrespectful.
How can people just disrespect Allah's offerings?
Rejecting Allah's offerings is an affront to His majesty.
We're currently in the midst of blessed months that signify His generosity.
Take as much of this blessing as possible.
Stay committed to your five daily prayers. For those who do not pray, it's high time to start.
Even if it's not possible to do everything all at once, one should start small and progress gradually.
Also, keep in mind the importance of fasting. At the very least, fast for a few days during the holy days.
It would also be beneficial if you fast on Mondays and Thursdays.
These are optional fasting days, but they hold great value.
They bring immense blessings.
They're treasures of the afterlife.
People are always on the lookout for treasures.
Everyone's hunting for those precious gems.
But Allah's blessings are the true treasures.
The afterlife is the true treasure we should be seeking in this world.
May Allah bless these months and make them a source of good for us.
May he help us recognise the true value of these months.
While our deeds are of no worth, Allah's benevolence is valuable.
If you embrace His generosity, He will be pleased and find satisfaction in you.
We are undeserving.
Our salvation does not rely on our deeds. Our deeds are insignificant.
It is through Allah's grace that we are moved to act in pursuit of His blessings and favor.
Our fasting is flawed, our prayers are flawed, in fact, everything we do is flawed and worthless.
May Allah absolve us.
2024-01-17 - Dergah, Akbaba, İstanbul
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
مِن كُلِّ شَيْءٍ سَبَبًا
(18:84)
صدق الله العظيم
Allah Almighty created everything.
He is the only Creator, Allah.
From minuscule particles to the entire universe, everything is Allah's creation.
He is the creator of our world, the universe, and the life hereafter.
His exalted stature transcends human comprehension.
In their ignorance, some question His creation, wondering why evil exists.
Why did He, Allah, give life to the devil?
Why did He create creatures like mice and rats?
Why did He create pests like lice and flies?
Why are there evil people in the world?
Why did He create tyrants? These questions stem from miscomprehension.
Every creation of Allah serves a particular purpose.
The existence of good and evil paints a clear contrast, to understand and value goodness.
There is good in the world and there is evil.
We have individuals who err and those who choose the path of righteousness.
The coexistence of good and evil challenges us to prove our faith and character.
بْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا
(67:02)
proclaims Allah.
The entire creation of heaven and earth serves as Allah's assessment for us all.
In His infinite wisdom, Allah has imparted knowledge about good and evil as guidance.
Thus, mankind shouldn't succumb to the devil's temptations.
We weren't shaped by Allah to be swayed by the devil.
Instead, we should resist and flee from devil's allurements.
The more we distance ourselves, the higher we rise in the heavens.
To evade the devil is to win.
To yield to him only leads to damage.
Why do rats and mice exist? Amongst other roles, they act as disease carriers.
Why do lice exist? They serve a purpose too.
Every being serves a distinct purpose, and only Allah is privy to the reasoning behind creation.
Only a wise person will comprehend this divine logic.
Shun all that is Evil.
Keenly cleanse your soul.
Diverge from malevolence.
Embrace purity and cleanliness.
We need vigilance in our worldly dealings as well as our spiritual journey hereafter.
As humans, we've become meticulous in our worldly existence.
With the advent of diseases like the plague, we've understood the significance of creatures like rats.
The plague outbreak led us to this realization.
Thus, we understood the need to eradicate rats to control this disease.
Likewise, we recognized mosquitoes as disease spreaders.
Hence, we've taken precautionary measures against them.
All these examples demonstrate how we strive to protect our material existence.
Likewise, we ought to secure our spiritual well-being.
Evil people serve as reminders of paths we should never tread.
Whosoever emulates these wicked individuals will face destruction.
These individuals hold no merits in the worldly life.
In the hereafter, they are bound for devastation.
Those who succumb to the devil will be barred from heaven.
Naturally, they are destined for hell.
Those who resist the devil rise to ascend the highest realms of heaven.
In your life, despite the trials, never fault Allah for your predicaments.
Placing blame on Allah weakens your faith.
This can lead to the eradication of your faith.
Faithlessness ushers in disbelief.
Hence, always caution yourself.
In our current times, evil people criticize the Prophet, his Companions and his Family. This should be understood as them trying to misguide us from our faith.
Such individuals purposefully divert others off the righteous path.
Victory will be for those who resist these malevolent forces and refuse to be manipulated.
All that exists, both good and evil, are manifestations of Allah's will.
Behind every creation, there is a reason.
Both good and evil serve to test us in this life.
This world is merely a ground for trials.
You need to safeguard yourself against all eventualities.
Protection is paramount.
Just as you would defend yourself in a war, you should shield yourself from evil forces. Seek shelter and fortify your defenses.
Keep yourself aloof from evil people and guard against their influences.
Instead, surround yourself with righteous people. Learn from them, let them fortify your faith.
May Allah guide us all.
May Allah shield us from all evils and wicked beings.
In these surging end times, the rise of evil powers has led many astray from the righteous path.
But numbers do not determine the truth.
Even in a minority, there are people of truth who, by Allah's grace, remain steadfast on the straight path.
With Allah's will, they attain steadiness, both spiritually and materially.
By Allah's will, they shall prevail.
2024-01-16 - Dergah, Akbaba, İstanbul
الَّذِينَ يَسْتَمِعُونَ الْقَوْلَ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ أَحْسَنَهُ
(39:18)
Allah, the most exalted and powerful, demands that virtue lies in heeding and obeying, in gaining the finest knowledge and then implementing this knowledge.
These are the pious servants of Allah.
Our Prophet, may peace be upon him, stated:
نَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ قَوْلٍ بِلَا فِعْل
O Allah, we seek shelter in You from people who utter words without following through.
The majority of people are pretentious know it alls proclaiming arrogantly: "Do this, and do that",
Yet they act contrary to their own advice.
Their persistent criticism of others is relentless:
“Why don't you follow through? Why don't you heed my advice?”
Such people should be the first to follow their own counsel.
A genuine scholar translates his words into actions, not just empty talk.
A true scholar turns his knowledge into practical application.
We gain knowledge to facilitate our various future professions.
However, the pursuit of knowledge should not be solely for materialistic gain, but should also serve to fulfill our responsibilities in the afterlife.
This equilibrium identifies a virtuous individual.
Even if one's knowledge is limited, one should still observe his religious obligations and admit with honesty: “I only know so much, yet I apply it all.”
Someone who feigns omniscience yet fails to act accordingly deceives not only themselves.
They mislead others as well.
No advantage arises from his so-called knowledge.
It might even be detrimental.
Because he might misuse his discretion, misleading people with erroneous notions.
He might deceive others with untruths.
As he himself disrespects his preaching, he merely manipulates the knowledge he shares, causing falseness.
We are currently in the end times.
There are those who call themselves erudite, but they lack genuine wisdom.
True scholars who practice their teachings are increasingly scarce.
Anyone who has faith in Allah has the obligation to act upon their knowledge.
And even if he fails to demonstrate his knowledge, he should openly admit it to people, saying: “I'm sharing this knowledge with you, but unfortunately, I've yet to enact it.”
If you mislead others, cause them to stray and sow seeds of doubt within their hearts, you will be accountable for each individual you misguide.
Pretending to know everything is easy.
Implementing what you have learned is tough.
If you fail to act upon your teachings, then be audacious enough to admit it.
When you share something with people, say: “I haven't begun practising it myself, but with Allah's will, we will all be able to live by it.”
“May we be able to translate this knowledge into the best practical application possible.”
Don't be an arrogant know-it-all, claiming omnipotence yet doing nothing about it.
Be wary of these two types of individuals:
Those who contradict themselves with their actions.
And those who twist knowledge for their advantage.
May Allah safeguard us from them.
Stay cautious of the deceptions that plague these times.
May Allah protect us and prevent us from falling for the deceits of these end times.
The most potent deceit is leading people astray from their faith.
At present, in these end times, there are countless deceptions.
But the most perilous one is:
Pulling people away from their beliefs.
This is the absolute worst.
This immorality surpasses all other transgressions.
May Allah shield us from it.
May Allah guard all of us and preserve our faith.
2024-01-15 - Dergah, Akbaba, İstanbul
We're thankful to Allah for having the opportunity to visit such a hallowed place.
Allah, in His might and glory, has graced Egypt with His blessings.
ادْخُلُوا مِصْرَ إِن شَاءَ اللَّهُ آمِنِينَ
(12:99)
This is also mentioned within the Holy Quran.
Many esteemed saints and descendants of the Prophet, the Ahl al-Bayt, reside there in abundance.
Among them are dignitaries such as Sayyidina Husain and Sayyida Zaynab.
The place is also rich with scholars and holy people.
They journeyed there to acquire and disseminate knowledge and guidance.
Their blessings linger in those parts.
In places where saints have tread, blessing abounds.
Allah's grace and mercy descend upon these places.
And from these places, Allah's favour overflows to the surrounding peoples.
Most people are not in a good way.
They undergo the torments of the grave.
Sometimes, one might dream of a departed soul in distress.
Natural instinct prompts immediate prayers for this soul, begging Allah's mercy.
Then the soul reappears in a subsequent dream, showing that they've been saved and are now in Paradise.
In the dream, one would inquire how the soul attained such salvation.
A pious soul was laid to rest in our cemetery.
Through this soul's intercession, Allah extended His mercy to the resident dead.
Their torments were lifted.
They have now found peace and been granted entry into Paradise.
Places hosting numerous saints, kin, and companions of the Prophet are where Allah’s grace rains down.
Both the dead and the living reap the benefits of these locations.
Sadly, many people are oblivious to this and refuse to believe.
Even some of today's Muslims reject this.
Non-Muslims refuse to accept anything of the sort.
They lead lives devoid of divine blessings.
They lead purposeless lives, rife with hardship and difficulty.
Their hardship does not pertain to their worldly situation.
Materially speaking, they’re not lacking.
Non-Muslims often hold vast wealth.
But the places we visited had no worldly wealth, only poverty.
Yet the people there are the richest, with hearts overflowing with faith.
Those entranced by the worldly and turning from Allah’s path – or even opposing Him – are undoubtedly doomed.
Allah, sovereign in His mightiness, instructs in the Holy Quran,
‘وَمَنْ أَعْرَضَ عَن ذِكْرِي فَإِنَّ لَهُ مَعِيشَةً ضَنكًا’
(20:124)
The lives of those straying from Allah’s path are filled with adversity.
They will lead a life full of stress and problems.
They face all manner of evil and negativity.
But those who tread Allah’s path will find joy.
They will find joy in this life and the next.
Regardless of worldly wealth or poverty, true joy is found in gratitude and contentment.
Those unthankful for Allah’s gifts never find satisfaction and always rebel.
An ungrateful soul is dissatisfied with everything and everyone, be it the government or those in power. They’re never satisfied.
They mistakenly believe they’ll find happiness in demanding more.
But true happiness is found in walking Allah’s path.
May Allah keep us steadfast on this path.
May Allah bestow happiness upon us in this world and the next.