MERCY OCEANS, Book 02 (Shaykh Nazim, 224 pages, 5/12)
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in your mind that it is no good, but you can’t leave it. Knowing but still doing, in spite of reality, then you may understand that your ruler is your ego. You are a donkey for your ego when you should be riding on him. Every ill person is under the control of Satan, his ego, this world and vain desires.
We may control our desires, leaving forbidden ones completely, and for permitted ones, requiring the ego to ask permission, whether for eating, sleeping, or going with wives. All times we must be the ruler. All Prophets were eating, sleeping and marrying, but those doings were under their control.
Our Grandsheikh says that spiritual illness results in being away from the Divine Presence. Satan repre- sents all spiritual illnesses as he is forever going further away. We are asking always approaching to the Divine
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Presence, the only way to be clean and healthy from ego’s illness. There are exercises for purification of the main elements in our nature: earth, air, fire, and wa- ter. All of these are opposed to each other and therefore disliked characteristics appear from everyone. We are in need for arranging these elements and turning them into harmony with each other. Such exercises are the same in every religion, but in different forms. Every Prophet and Saint was training people to reach that harmony. When you are in arrangement in yourself you are safe from all illness. Just you have reached relation- ship with the heavens. This is the meaning of purifying our bodies. We have such a way and this is the first step in our teaching you. Now we are only listening and learning, afterwards we will enter laboratories to make experiments and then to the factory for 40 days, 24 hours a day. Then we must await the call of the Pro- phet anytime, saying: «Come».
Our Grandsheikh was building a house in his villa- ge and expecting to make it two stories. But after one was up, Sheikh Sharafuddin told him to put the roof on and go in for five years’ Khalwa. The order may find us in a difficult position, occupied by many things in this world. At that time you must think: «Now the Angel of death just came.» For if really coming for us, what would we say? «My wife? my business?» You must be ready to leave all things that they may give you your keys to your treasure. But so many things pull us to leave that order. You must not think of anything. I was with Grandsheikh 40 days and 40 nights and not spea- king one word. This was too heavy for me. I was ready
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to give all the world for his speaking to me. Then at dawn after the 40 th night he said: «This devotion is alright. The Prophet says you may stay until the ‘îd or return to the brothers in Cyprus. You are free,» I didn’t say anything. The permission came for returning.
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OUR HOMELAND IS HEAVENS
This lesson is about our relationship with spiritual po- wers. We are asking to reach our heavenly stations. Our souls came from the heavens and bodies from the earth. Everyone asks for his homeland. The Prophet says that to like your homeland is a part of faith. Our souls also like to be in their homeland, the heavens. Therefore, everyone likes to fly; our souls desire to be free from this dirty life. A man looking at the sky feels peace in his heart. He looks that all skies are for himself, no one else. Everyone may look and say: «Oh, this is for me.» But looking to earth and seeing so many people hearts contract. Doctors of old advised nervous people to look at the sky. Our souls are always looking and asking for their homelands, the heavens.
All Prophets and Saints come to teach people how to reach to heavens. Our Grandsheikh was one of them. Until we reach to heavens, we are in troubles, like a river running always, until it reaches to the sea, then river sleeps, no more running, tiring. Men also are al- ways running, fighting, tiring, and never knowing for
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what they are fighting. Fighting is an attribute of man, when his inner life is contracted. When we have rea- ched the sea, no one is giving trouble to others. The Prophet says that a believer is always so soft, so ele- gant, so merciful. Reaching their heavenly homeland, they are satisfied and feel absolute peace. Our egos and bad character make us to fight, and they are also the main reason keeping us on this earth.
There are 80,000 bad characters, and each is a fetter around our ankles. If a man is struggling with his ego, he will succeed in cutting every bond and he will meet with the spirit of the Prophet, seeing him when awake, not in sleep. This meeting means, he reached to his hea- venly station, no more in fear and sadness. At that time we can look to what happened with our promises made on the Day of Promises; we may read from the Preser- ved Tablet. Our fate is right only when we are looking on our promises and doing them. Without the ability to look, we are not yet in real faith, and this is impossible without complete purification and a meeting with the Prophet’s spirit. Until reaching this, all of our worship needs intercession of the Prophet. When looking on the tablet, you will be able to intercede for others.
The Prophet said for his nation: «I will intercede for big sinners.» Our Grandsheikh asks: «What is a big sin?» Until reaching the ability to look on this Tablet, we are all big sinners. Even our worshipping is a big sin, in need of the Prophet’s intercession.
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book two
IMPORTANCE OF FINAL OUTCOME
Our Grandsheikh is saying a good manner for all of us concerning the hadith: «The value of every action is with its final outcome.» Most important in Islam is not the beginning but the ending. We are Muslims now, but most important is to finish our life as muslims; to stay on the same way, not changing. All Awliyā’ are looking to the end, the final position for everyone.
Sheikh Abû Ahmad as-Sughûrî was a big saint and for 40 years qutub of the universe. No one else has car- ried this for so long a time. It is a heavy job. If anyone was speaking in his presence against another person, he would reply, «If he is bad, our character makes us worse. Don’t speak.» Everyone knows himself better than others. If we see one or two badnesses in others, how about in ourself? Abû Ahmad would continue, «Let us pray to our Lord, let us all finish our lives in a good way.» Also if a person was saying good praises about another, he would say, «Oh my son, let us pray Allah makes our end on a right way and keeps that person as he is now on a good way.» This is a good adab we must practice, as often as we are meeting this situation. We must pray Allah makes our end on a good way. If we are on bad ways now, may He change us, and if we are on good ways now, may He keep us.
As a teaching for everyone, the Prophet was praying,
«Oh my Lord don’t leave me in the hands of my ego.» If left to our nafs, destruction is ready for us. This is the best position and most lovely for servants to their Lord to have such absolute humility. It is a rank no one will
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envy you for. Don’t be angry at people; it means you look to yourself as better, and this is not humility.
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DAY OF PROMISES REWARD ACCORDING TO INTENTION
Our Grandsheikh is speaking on a very important point in every religion, about the Day of Promises. All the sons and daughters of Adam, all mankind, were pre- sent in the heavens on the Day of Promises. Allah Al- mighty took from everyone firstly the promise that we accept Him as our Lord and we His humble servants. Our Grandsheikh says another promise we made was to worship Him sincerely. «Oh people,» Qur’ān says, «you must know that pure worship in sincerity is to Allah.» This goes for evoryone from the beginning up to the end, all mankind.
What is purity and sincerity, and, when can we be successful? Our Grandsheikh says when a person finishes his purification, then he may do pure worship. As long as he has bad character, his worship is not sincere; there are always some dirty doings, as he is yet unhealthy be- cause of his ego; because of bad character, a person puts into a clean meal some dirty thing, like a dirt in a cup of honey, then no one may eat. As long as there are bad characters from our ego, we can’t be safe from dirtiness. The first step to pure worship is fighting the ego until nothing of bad character is left. There are 8o,ooo bad
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characteristics, but some, like anger, envy, and pride, are like a sea with so many others living inside. If we cut the head of these, the body cannot live.
Once a person asked the Prophet to give him some advice. He said: «Leave anger.» Who controls his an- ger can do pure worship. Our first duty is to purify our hearts‚ and then Allah may put in pure faith and light. Then you succeed in the promise made to the Lord for pure and sincere worship. The very struggle to leave bad character is the loveliest service to Allah. He likes to look on His servant working to purify himself, and if he does not complete it, Allah will complete it for him on the last day. The beginning is in our hands, but the completion is only by Divine help. We must intend for every good thing, it is our duty. Don’t be afraid about, good intentions; your Lord promised to help, so intend as much as you can. If it is written for you in this life, you will accomplish it. If it is not written for you, your Lord will reward you as if it were accomplished. For example, I am asking my Lord that I may put in eve- ry town and village one mosque with an Imam and a Muezzin and endowment to keep it working. This is my intent, perhaps it is impossible, but it is written, accomplished or not.
We are asking for purification. Perhaps we have not enough time to accomplish it, but on the last day, we will be with those who completed it in this life. Eve- ry lesson of our Grandsheikh is for purification; be he telling us of a good manner or cautioning us of a bad character. As much as we are understanding we must act upon it. Whoever is asking for the Divine Presence
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must think about those good characters and follow a guide, so that he may reach to his Lord’s pleasure.
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«I AM A DUSTBIN, DON’T WORRY»
What attribute is lovely to Allah Almighty? It is lovely to him for servants to recognize their complete weak- ness. We can’t do anything without the Almighty’s help: As much as we acknowledge our weakness, so much is Divine Power coming to us. When a servant is accepting this und keeping worship, he will be successful.
Sultan al-‘ârifîn Abû Yazîd was asked by Allah:
«How are you coming to Me?», «Oh my Lord I left all dunyā for your sake und came.» «Don’t you know all dunyā is as the wing of a mosquito to Me. You are loo- king to yourself like you did something great.» «Oh my Lord, teach me,» said Abû Yazîd, humbled. «Oh Baya- zid, when wishing to come to My presence, you must leave all taste of that world; put them in a bag und throw it into the ocean, so that it disappears and your nafs cuts off its hope for that, saying, ‚I have lost it‘. If you want to look on My Divine Face, then don’t look on anything else. If asking Me, I don’t want you to be asking for anything else. Secondly, you must be a dust- bin for My people. You may put anything in a dustbin without hearing objections. Everything coming from My servants, you must bear patiently for My sake sa- ying, ‘I am a dustbin, don’t worry.’» For example, if a
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man works as a servant for a rich man, he must endure everything from the rich man’s children. How can we say, our Lord’s children are no good. He says to endure all His creatures und then to come to look at His Divine Face. You will never find enjoyment like looking at His Face. There are so many tasteful flavours in Paradise that you can’t imagine them, but when Allah removes the veil from His face, all taste is lost to the people of Paradise, they have been taken away from everything, forgotten. Is a thirsty person satisfied to catch drops of rain in his mouth?
Awliyā’ are never satisfied with Paradise; they are asking fountain, swimming in oceans, to be nothing. All tastes of this life are covered with suffering. «Yā Abû Yazîd, these are our two conditions, anyone accepting is welcome.» This lesson is a heavy gun on nafs, Shaitân, hawâ, dunyâ.
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DON’T BOAST
This is a short but important lesson we need in our way. Our Grandsheikh says Allah Almighty is not gi- ving to anyone to speak big words, «I shall do this, I shall do that,» saying with anger und pride. Boasting is forbidden. We have a saying: «Big piece of food, eat; big words, don’t speak.»
Once a big sheikh was sitting, speaking: «Oh people, you may ask of me anything up to the Throne.» Then
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one man said: «When Adam came down and made his pilgrimage, who shaved his head when he finished his Ihram?» The sheikh could not answer. He was shamed. Then another person asked, «An ant’s body is in two pieces, joined by a narrow piece. Is its stomach in the front or in the back?» That sheikh never learned that.
Some people say: «I can do this» and don’t say «with Allah’s power», then they are never doing it. Everyone must know Allah Almighty is Greatest, having endless power, will and knowledge. He teaches us we can’t know anything except He is giving the knowledge, we can’t do anything except He is giving the power. If keeping this good manner, Allah gives us more desire, knowledge and power. Anyone looking proudly, he must finally be ashamed.
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MUHIY-ID-DîN AND THE ANGEL
Our Grandsheikh told a history of Sheikh Muhiy-id-Dîn who was once travelling by ship on a stromy sea. He wrote on a slip of paper: «Oh sea, you must be quiet be- cause a great sea is on you.» Then he dropped it into the sea, and immediately it became quiet. But afterwards one big fish appeared and said: «Oh Muhiy-id-Dîn, I have a question: if a woman’s husband suddenly turned into stone, should she wait three months (the period of divorce), or four months and ten days (the period for death)?» Muhiy-id-Dîn did not answer, but under-
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stood that this questioning was coming because he had spoken a big word, calling himself a Great Sea. Quickly he made sajda and asked forgiveness. That was not an ordinary fish, but an Angel sent by Allah to teach him that for every level of knowledge there is a level higher than it, endlessly. You can’t find a limit for knowledge. For every boasting there must come something to show you your weakness. Allah Almighty is able to give to anyone more than you have. He degraded and destro- yed Nimrod by a lame mosquito. The Prophet says: perhaps some ragged and dusty person whom no-one likes, if he is asking anything from Allah, He will give it to him. This teaches us to be humble people with our Lord. Humble people are always in safety here and hereafter. Don’t show your power or rank or riches to people. Perhaps it will be taken from you and given to another. Don’t look from up seeing other people down, Allah will bring you down and put another up. It is His Attribute, He Raises and Degrades.
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WEARING TURBANS
Our Grandsheikh said to me, «Oh Nazim Efendi, in the time of the Prophet the rank of Siddîq was only for Abû Bakr from among 124,000 companions. Siddîq is the highest degree for saints. We are now living in the last time. Allah is opening His Mercy Oceans and giant waves are coming on the nation of Muhammad. If a man
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is putting one wind of turban around his head, he is given the reward of Siddîq. For each wind more, the re- ward is multiplied.» Our Grandsheikh Abû Ahmad As- Sughûrî used 37 armlengths of cloth in his turban. I am using 13. Every sunnah is valuable in our time. Before it was not so important because all were wearing turbans. All praise to Allah, He is giving us the crown of Islam to wear on our heads. There is no better head cover or adornment. Every Prophet was wearing them in such beautiful forms that no two are alike. Thanks to Allah for this favour to put a turban on our head.
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DEFEAT AS REMINDER
Now listen, if you can listen you can do. Our Grand- sheikh was once praying, «Give us, 0 my Lord, from your power bravery and clear thinking for reaching to our heavenly stations. Give us inspirations, help us to arrange our way to your Divine Presence.»
Our Grandsheikh said to me: Oh Nazim Efendi, so- metimes the Sahāba were defeated in battle and they asked of the Prophet, «How can this be? We were fighting by Divine order», They were surprised. The Prophet spoke to them addressing Abû Bakr, as was his way regardless of who put the question. This is indica- ting that Abû Bakr As-Siddîq was first in high position among the Sahāba and that he had the greatest ability to understand the Words of the Prophet. Also this is
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an indication for people to take information from Abû Bakr, the first inheritor. He said, «Yā Abû Bakr, if we were always victorious, it might cause illusions in our- selves.» If we think that victory comes from our power and well made plans, then a most dangerous thing may come to us: to forget that the power is a favour to us from Allah. He says in Qur’ān, «If I am with you, none can harm you; and if I am not with you none can help you.» Every nation depending on the Lord’s power and help will win. The number of arms and troops is not important, but important when armies meet is which side Allah Almighty is supporting. Don’t be afraid to be few in number; but you must move with your Lord, for His sake, then He will be with you.
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ALLAH CREATES CAUSES
This is an important point in Islam, that Allah Almigh- ty orders His people to keep the importance of reasons. You must know that this world is built on reasons; eve- rything happens by natural causes. Allah orders know- ledge of natural causes so that they may be servants to us. Like electricity, without knowledge of its workings we could not use it.
Our Grandsheikh was speaking about the wall built by Dhul-Qarnain, Lord of two Horns, to seperate man from the Gog and Magog. Here is a simple example for all of us. That wall is like nothing in front of them,
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they could pass it in a moment, but Allah is keeping them with gigantic Ice Mountains placed behind the wall. However, Allah wanted to teach people to do ac- cording to their power and capability. For everything, do as you can, don’t leave it, Allah will complete. We must use the way of natural causes in our life. Yes, some things happen by extraordinary powers, without causes. Jesus was born without a father, this happening by the Lord’s will. It is for us to follow natural causes, but not for the Lord of the world. We must know that Allah gives authority for this power to some distinguis- hed people, the Prophets and the ones following in their steps. For everyone stepping on their steps, that way is open for them. They may say to anything: «Be» and that thing must be.
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DON’T SAY: IMPOSSIBLE
Our Grandsheikh was speaking about bad thinking about a person. Allah Almighty gave to the staff of Moses all power to overcome falsehood. It was not gi- ven to Moses himself. If Allah gave such power to a rod, certainly He could give it to people also. Our Grand- sheikh means to say, that anyone may be given from his Lord extraordinary power, anyone maybe given a distinguished personality among creatures. This means you must keep respect and good thoughts for every per- son. If He can put that in a rod, you must think, what
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is preventing him from giving it to anyone. Don’t judge anyone from his outward appearence.
All Jews, Christians and Muslims know that one rod destroyed Pharaoh and his kingdom. Therefore Al-Mah- dî, with one divine breath, may be enough to destroy all falsehood on the world, from East to West. Don’t say: «How can one person do this? For the whole world five billion people?» Our Grandsheikh says, one breath of one Wali may bring rightness to the whole world.
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WHO CARRIES QUR’âN?
Our Grandsheikh says too many needless questions and much argumentation extinguish the light of faith. For example, we are sitting here for companionship, if one person is asking useless questions, then no blessing would come from our meeting and our Imān would be weakened.
Who is a learned person? One knowing much is not learned in front of Allah and his Prophets and Saints. A learned man is one improving everyday in good ac- tions and behavior. This is an indication to us to take our care on good actions, not on too much reading and memorizing. Who is on good actions is beloved in the Divine Presence. Good actions give power to the soul to reach heavenly stations. One meter from this earth. Now opening in front of you is a wide area, good actions, enter and do as much as you can for Allah, for yourself
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and for others, for every creature. Good actions give spiritual power. Practice the actions in these lessons: we are not speaking theories.
«Who keeps Qur’ān in his memory is most honoura- ble among my nation», said the Prophet, peace be upon him. Who has that honour? Not one keeping the words only, but the one who is keeping all the ways of the Prophet, doing all 300 goodnesses and leaving all 800 forbidden actions. He is the carrier of the Holy Qur’ān. As much as you are keeping sunnah and leaving for- bidden actions, you are going quickly to the Divine Presence.
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EVERYONE WILL BE WITH HIS BELOVED FRIEND
Today we speak about love for Allah and His Prophet. Our Grandsheikh was telling this hadith, that one day the Prophet was giving a sermon when one Bedouin came to the door of the mosque and shouted: «Oh Pro- phet, when is the Last Day coming?» There was no ans- wer, so he called out again and still again. The Prophet was waiting for Allah to provide him with an answer, as only He knows when is the Last Day. Then the An- gel Jibrîl came to him saying: «Ask him what he did in preparation for the Last Day.» The man replied: «Mu- hammad, I love you and I love your Lord, nothing else, only this.» Then Jibrîl told Muhammad: «Answer him
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that he will be with you and your Lord like two fingers together. Everyone who loves another must be with him on the Last Day.» On hearing this, Abû Bakr as- ked: «Oh Prophet, is not action a necessary condition, is only love enough?» He answered: „No, ya Abû Bakr, actions are not a condition, important is love. Everyone will be with his beloved friend.»
If one is conquered by his nafs and his actions are bad, but he loves good people, not loving bad people or his own bad actions, then he will benefit from his love. When Abû Bakr heard this answer, he prayed two rakats in thanks to his Lord, and said: «Oh Prophet, I never heard such good news as this til now.» Look at the humbleness of Abû Bakr, no one can reach to his station. «Until now my heart was in knots which I could not untie. Your hadîth untied them just now. I am satisfied, absolutely at peace in my heart. In this life I can’t be patient one moment without your presence. I was thinking, if actions are a condition to be together in Paradise, how could I be with you? Where are my ac- tions compared with yours?» And where are our actions compared with Abû Bakr’s? Therefore the Prophet has given sweet words to people. In Islam there is no higher thing than love.
The first step for us is, calling people to the love of our Lord. We can meet with everyone from every reli- gion on this, everyone who has the belief in Allah Al- mighty. If meeting here it is enough, then agreement may come step by step. Secondly we are saying it is the command of Allah to love all good people generally. Individually we can’t force one person to like another,
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but he must agree in principle to like all good people. Right is always up; wrong is always down in darkness.
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NO CREATION IN VAIN
I heard our Grandsheikh saying that Allah Almigh- ty never created a thing without a wisdom behind it. There is a benefit in every created thing, not one atom excepted. Perhaps that atom is the completion of the universe. What is the wisdom for a mosquito giving it- ching to people? By this itch Allah takes away the itch of hell. Every trouble to a person comes for a sin which would not be forgiven without that trouble. Or it may be coming for our improvement, giving us more pa- tience and light of faith. Nothing is created useless.
Satan was also created for a usefulness for us, becau- se without fighting to him we would have no ranks of improvement. He is not giving us imperfection. Every- thing is created for the completion of man. Every thing you can see in this universe is a cause for perfection. There is such a balance in the universe that even one family of insects missing would change the whole balan- ce. Biologists are saying like this now, ecology, and are indicating that our Grandsheikh’s words are sound.
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BAHLťL’S CONVERSATION WITH THE PRIVATE TOILET OF THE SULTAN
Our Grandsheikh was speaking about the attributes of Awliyā’. They are not like common people who run af- ter this temporary life’s deliciousness, eating, drinking, and marrying, aiming only at taking more enjoyment. This is the level of animals also. The first station of sain- thood begins from faith. If a man has a belief, believing in God Almighty, he has just left the common level. Believers are Awliyā’ of the first station. As our faith is growing, our rank in sainthood is climbing higher and higher. These stations are never ending; as much as we desire it is given to us. The enjoyments of this life gra- dually become tasteless as we approach to the Divine Presence and are given lights, and spiritual enjoyments, I mean real enjoyments, are increasing. Awliyā’ never enjoy things in the way of common people.
Our Grandsheikh told a tale of Sultan Harûn ar- Rashîd and his brother Bahlûl. Harûn had a problem to which no one could give him the solution. When Bahlûl gave the Fatwa (judgement) for him, he was very plea- sed, saying: «Oh Bahlûl, you have such knowledge, why don’t you come along with us?
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in your mind that it is no good, but you can’t leave it. Knowing but still doing, in spite of reality, then you may understand that your ruler is your ego. You are a donkey for your ego when you should be riding on him. Every ill person is under the control of Satan, his ego, this world and vain desires.
We may control our desires, leaving forbidden ones completely, and for permitted ones, requiring the ego to ask permission, whether for eating, sleeping, or going with wives. All times we must be the ruler. All Prophets were eating, sleeping and marrying, but those doings were under their control.
Our Grandsheikh says that spiritual illness results in being away from the Divine Presence. Satan repre- sents all spiritual illnesses as he is forever going further away. We are asking always approaching to the Divine
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Presence, the only way to be clean and healthy from ego’s illness. There are exercises for purification of the main elements in our nature: earth, air, fire, and wa- ter. All of these are opposed to each other and therefore disliked characteristics appear from everyone. We are in need for arranging these elements and turning them into harmony with each other. Such exercises are the same in every religion, but in different forms. Every Prophet and Saint was training people to reach that harmony. When you are in arrangement in yourself you are safe from all illness. Just you have reached relation- ship with the heavens. This is the meaning of purifying our bodies. We have such a way and this is the first step in our teaching you. Now we are only listening and learning, afterwards we will enter laboratories to make experiments and then to the factory for 40 days, 24 hours a day. Then we must await the call of the Pro- phet anytime, saying: «Come».
Our Grandsheikh was building a house in his villa- ge and expecting to make it two stories. But after one was up, Sheikh Sharafuddin told him to put the roof on and go in for five years’ Khalwa. The order may find us in a difficult position, occupied by many things in this world. At that time you must think: «Now the Angel of death just came.» For if really coming for us, what would we say? «My wife? my business?» You must be ready to leave all things that they may give you your keys to your treasure. But so many things pull us to leave that order. You must not think of anything. I was with Grandsheikh 40 days and 40 nights and not spea- king one word. This was too heavy for me. I was ready
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to give all the world for his speaking to me. Then at dawn after the 40 th night he said: «This devotion is alright. The Prophet says you may stay until the ‘îd or return to the brothers in Cyprus. You are free,» I didn’t say anything. The permission came for returning.
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OUR HOMELAND IS HEAVENS
This lesson is about our relationship with spiritual po- wers. We are asking to reach our heavenly stations. Our souls came from the heavens and bodies from the earth. Everyone asks for his homeland. The Prophet says that to like your homeland is a part of faith. Our souls also like to be in their homeland, the heavens. Therefore, everyone likes to fly; our souls desire to be free from this dirty life. A man looking at the sky feels peace in his heart. He looks that all skies are for himself, no one else. Everyone may look and say: «Oh, this is for me.» But looking to earth and seeing so many people hearts contract. Doctors of old advised nervous people to look at the sky. Our souls are always looking and asking for their homelands, the heavens.
All Prophets and Saints come to teach people how to reach to heavens. Our Grandsheikh was one of them. Until we reach to heavens, we are in troubles, like a river running always, until it reaches to the sea, then river sleeps, no more running, tiring. Men also are al- ways running, fighting, tiring, and never knowing for
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what they are fighting. Fighting is an attribute of man, when his inner life is contracted. When we have rea- ched the sea, no one is giving trouble to others. The Prophet says that a believer is always so soft, so ele- gant, so merciful. Reaching their heavenly homeland, they are satisfied and feel absolute peace. Our egos and bad character make us to fight, and they are also the main reason keeping us on this earth.
There are 80,000 bad characters, and each is a fetter around our ankles. If a man is struggling with his ego, he will succeed in cutting every bond and he will meet with the spirit of the Prophet, seeing him when awake, not in sleep. This meeting means, he reached to his hea- venly station, no more in fear and sadness. At that time we can look to what happened with our promises made on the Day of Promises; we may read from the Preser- ved Tablet. Our fate is right only when we are looking on our promises and doing them. Without the ability to look, we are not yet in real faith, and this is impossible without complete purification and a meeting with the Prophet’s spirit. Until reaching this, all of our worship needs intercession of the Prophet. When looking on the tablet, you will be able to intercede for others.
The Prophet said for his nation: «I will intercede for big sinners.» Our Grandsheikh asks: «What is a big sin?» Until reaching the ability to look on this Tablet, we are all big sinners. Even our worshipping is a big sin, in need of the Prophet’s intercession.
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book two
IMPORTANCE OF FINAL OUTCOME
Our Grandsheikh is saying a good manner for all of us concerning the hadith: «The value of every action is with its final outcome.» Most important in Islam is not the beginning but the ending. We are Muslims now, but most important is to finish our life as muslims; to stay on the same way, not changing. All Awliyā’ are looking to the end, the final position for everyone.
Sheikh Abû Ahmad as-Sughûrî was a big saint and for 40 years qutub of the universe. No one else has car- ried this for so long a time. It is a heavy job. If anyone was speaking in his presence against another person, he would reply, «If he is bad, our character makes us worse. Don’t speak.» Everyone knows himself better than others. If we see one or two badnesses in others, how about in ourself? Abû Ahmad would continue, «Let us pray to our Lord, let us all finish our lives in a good way.» Also if a person was saying good praises about another, he would say, «Oh my son, let us pray Allah makes our end on a right way and keeps that person as he is now on a good way.» This is a good adab we must practice, as often as we are meeting this situation. We must pray Allah makes our end on a good way. If we are on bad ways now, may He change us, and if we are on good ways now, may He keep us.
As a teaching for everyone, the Prophet was praying,
«Oh my Lord don’t leave me in the hands of my ego.» If left to our nafs, destruction is ready for us. This is the best position and most lovely for servants to their Lord to have such absolute humility. It is a rank no one will
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envy you for. Don’t be angry at people; it means you look to yourself as better, and this is not humility.
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DAY OF PROMISES REWARD ACCORDING TO INTENTION
Our Grandsheikh is speaking on a very important point in every religion, about the Day of Promises. All the sons and daughters of Adam, all mankind, were pre- sent in the heavens on the Day of Promises. Allah Al- mighty took from everyone firstly the promise that we accept Him as our Lord and we His humble servants. Our Grandsheikh says another promise we made was to worship Him sincerely. «Oh people,» Qur’ān says, «you must know that pure worship in sincerity is to Allah.» This goes for evoryone from the beginning up to the end, all mankind.
What is purity and sincerity, and, when can we be successful? Our Grandsheikh says when a person finishes his purification, then he may do pure worship. As long as he has bad character, his worship is not sincere; there are always some dirty doings, as he is yet unhealthy be- cause of his ego; because of bad character, a person puts into a clean meal some dirty thing, like a dirt in a cup of honey, then no one may eat. As long as there are bad characters from our ego, we can’t be safe from dirtiness. The first step to pure worship is fighting the ego until nothing of bad character is left. There are 8o,ooo bad
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characteristics, but some, like anger, envy, and pride, are like a sea with so many others living inside. If we cut the head of these, the body cannot live.
Once a person asked the Prophet to give him some advice. He said: «Leave anger.» Who controls his an- ger can do pure worship. Our first duty is to purify our hearts‚ and then Allah may put in pure faith and light. Then you succeed in the promise made to the Lord for pure and sincere worship. The very struggle to leave bad character is the loveliest service to Allah. He likes to look on His servant working to purify himself, and if he does not complete it, Allah will complete it for him on the last day. The beginning is in our hands, but the completion is only by Divine help. We must intend for every good thing, it is our duty. Don’t be afraid about, good intentions; your Lord promised to help, so intend as much as you can. If it is written for you in this life, you will accomplish it. If it is not written for you, your Lord will reward you as if it were accomplished. For example, I am asking my Lord that I may put in eve- ry town and village one mosque with an Imam and a Muezzin and endowment to keep it working. This is my intent, perhaps it is impossible, but it is written, accomplished or not.
We are asking for purification. Perhaps we have not enough time to accomplish it, but on the last day, we will be with those who completed it in this life. Eve- ry lesson of our Grandsheikh is for purification; be he telling us of a good manner or cautioning us of a bad character. As much as we are understanding we must act upon it. Whoever is asking for the Divine Presence
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must think about those good characters and follow a guide, so that he may reach to his Lord’s pleasure.
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«I AM A DUSTBIN, DON’T WORRY»
What attribute is lovely to Allah Almighty? It is lovely to him for servants to recognize their complete weak- ness. We can’t do anything without the Almighty’s help: As much as we acknowledge our weakness, so much is Divine Power coming to us. When a servant is accepting this und keeping worship, he will be successful.
Sultan al-‘ârifîn Abû Yazîd was asked by Allah:
«How are you coming to Me?», «Oh my Lord I left all dunyā for your sake und came.» «Don’t you know all dunyā is as the wing of a mosquito to Me. You are loo- king to yourself like you did something great.» «Oh my Lord, teach me,» said Abû Yazîd, humbled. «Oh Baya- zid, when wishing to come to My presence, you must leave all taste of that world; put them in a bag und throw it into the ocean, so that it disappears and your nafs cuts off its hope for that, saying, ‚I have lost it‘. If you want to look on My Divine Face, then don’t look on anything else. If asking Me, I don’t want you to be asking for anything else. Secondly, you must be a dust- bin for My people. You may put anything in a dustbin without hearing objections. Everything coming from My servants, you must bear patiently for My sake sa- ying, ‘I am a dustbin, don’t worry.’» For example, if a
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man works as a servant for a rich man, he must endure everything from the rich man’s children. How can we say, our Lord’s children are no good. He says to endure all His creatures und then to come to look at His Divine Face. You will never find enjoyment like looking at His Face. There are so many tasteful flavours in Paradise that you can’t imagine them, but when Allah removes the veil from His face, all taste is lost to the people of Paradise, they have been taken away from everything, forgotten. Is a thirsty person satisfied to catch drops of rain in his mouth?
Awliyā’ are never satisfied with Paradise; they are asking fountain, swimming in oceans, to be nothing. All tastes of this life are covered with suffering. «Yā Abû Yazîd, these are our two conditions, anyone accepting is welcome.» This lesson is a heavy gun on nafs, Shaitân, hawâ, dunyâ.
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DON’T BOAST
This is a short but important lesson we need in our way. Our Grandsheikh says Allah Almighty is not gi- ving to anyone to speak big words, «I shall do this, I shall do that,» saying with anger und pride. Boasting is forbidden. We have a saying: «Big piece of food, eat; big words, don’t speak.»
Once a big sheikh was sitting, speaking: «Oh people, you may ask of me anything up to the Throne.» Then
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one man said: «When Adam came down and made his pilgrimage, who shaved his head when he finished his Ihram?» The sheikh could not answer. He was shamed. Then another person asked, «An ant’s body is in two pieces, joined by a narrow piece. Is its stomach in the front or in the back?» That sheikh never learned that.
Some people say: «I can do this» and don’t say «with Allah’s power», then they are never doing it. Everyone must know Allah Almighty is Greatest, having endless power, will and knowledge. He teaches us we can’t know anything except He is giving the knowledge, we can’t do anything except He is giving the power. If keeping this good manner, Allah gives us more desire, knowledge and power. Anyone looking proudly, he must finally be ashamed.
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MUHIY-ID-DîN AND THE ANGEL
Our Grandsheikh told a history of Sheikh Muhiy-id-Dîn who was once travelling by ship on a stromy sea. He wrote on a slip of paper: «Oh sea, you must be quiet be- cause a great sea is on you.» Then he dropped it into the sea, and immediately it became quiet. But afterwards one big fish appeared and said: «Oh Muhiy-id-Dîn, I have a question: if a woman’s husband suddenly turned into stone, should she wait three months (the period of divorce), or four months and ten days (the period for death)?» Muhiy-id-Dîn did not answer, but under-
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stood that this questioning was coming because he had spoken a big word, calling himself a Great Sea. Quickly he made sajda and asked forgiveness. That was not an ordinary fish, but an Angel sent by Allah to teach him that for every level of knowledge there is a level higher than it, endlessly. You can’t find a limit for knowledge. For every boasting there must come something to show you your weakness. Allah Almighty is able to give to anyone more than you have. He degraded and destro- yed Nimrod by a lame mosquito. The Prophet says: perhaps some ragged and dusty person whom no-one likes, if he is asking anything from Allah, He will give it to him. This teaches us to be humble people with our Lord. Humble people are always in safety here and hereafter. Don’t show your power or rank or riches to people. Perhaps it will be taken from you and given to another. Don’t look from up seeing other people down, Allah will bring you down and put another up. It is His Attribute, He Raises and Degrades.
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WEARING TURBANS
Our Grandsheikh said to me, «Oh Nazim Efendi, in the time of the Prophet the rank of Siddîq was only for Abû Bakr from among 124,000 companions. Siddîq is the highest degree for saints. We are now living in the last time. Allah is opening His Mercy Oceans and giant waves are coming on the nation of Muhammad. If a man
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is putting one wind of turban around his head, he is given the reward of Siddîq. For each wind more, the re- ward is multiplied.» Our Grandsheikh Abû Ahmad As- Sughûrî used 37 armlengths of cloth in his turban. I am using 13. Every sunnah is valuable in our time. Before it was not so important because all were wearing turbans. All praise to Allah, He is giving us the crown of Islam to wear on our heads. There is no better head cover or adornment. Every Prophet was wearing them in such beautiful forms that no two are alike. Thanks to Allah for this favour to put a turban on our head.
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DEFEAT AS REMINDER
Now listen, if you can listen you can do. Our Grand- sheikh was once praying, «Give us, 0 my Lord, from your power bravery and clear thinking for reaching to our heavenly stations. Give us inspirations, help us to arrange our way to your Divine Presence.»
Our Grandsheikh said to me: Oh Nazim Efendi, so- metimes the Sahāba were defeated in battle and they asked of the Prophet, «How can this be? We were fighting by Divine order», They were surprised. The Prophet spoke to them addressing Abû Bakr, as was his way regardless of who put the question. This is indica- ting that Abû Bakr As-Siddîq was first in high position among the Sahāba and that he had the greatest ability to understand the Words of the Prophet. Also this is
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an indication for people to take information from Abû Bakr, the first inheritor. He said, «Yā Abû Bakr, if we were always victorious, it might cause illusions in our- selves.» If we think that victory comes from our power and well made plans, then a most dangerous thing may come to us: to forget that the power is a favour to us from Allah. He says in Qur’ān, «If I am with you, none can harm you; and if I am not with you none can help you.» Every nation depending on the Lord’s power and help will win. The number of arms and troops is not important, but important when armies meet is which side Allah Almighty is supporting. Don’t be afraid to be few in number; but you must move with your Lord, for His sake, then He will be with you.
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ALLAH CREATES CAUSES
This is an important point in Islam, that Allah Almigh- ty orders His people to keep the importance of reasons. You must know that this world is built on reasons; eve- rything happens by natural causes. Allah orders know- ledge of natural causes so that they may be servants to us. Like electricity, without knowledge of its workings we could not use it.
Our Grandsheikh was speaking about the wall built by Dhul-Qarnain, Lord of two Horns, to seperate man from the Gog and Magog. Here is a simple example for all of us. That wall is like nothing in front of them,
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they could pass it in a moment, but Allah is keeping them with gigantic Ice Mountains placed behind the wall. However, Allah wanted to teach people to do ac- cording to their power and capability. For everything, do as you can, don’t leave it, Allah will complete. We must use the way of natural causes in our life. Yes, some things happen by extraordinary powers, without causes. Jesus was born without a father, this happening by the Lord’s will. It is for us to follow natural causes, but not for the Lord of the world. We must know that Allah gives authority for this power to some distinguis- hed people, the Prophets and the ones following in their steps. For everyone stepping on their steps, that way is open for them. They may say to anything: «Be» and that thing must be.
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DON’T SAY: IMPOSSIBLE
Our Grandsheikh was speaking about bad thinking about a person. Allah Almighty gave to the staff of Moses all power to overcome falsehood. It was not gi- ven to Moses himself. If Allah gave such power to a rod, certainly He could give it to people also. Our Grand- sheikh means to say, that anyone may be given from his Lord extraordinary power, anyone maybe given a distinguished personality among creatures. This means you must keep respect and good thoughts for every per- son. If He can put that in a rod, you must think, what
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is preventing him from giving it to anyone. Don’t judge anyone from his outward appearence.
All Jews, Christians and Muslims know that one rod destroyed Pharaoh and his kingdom. Therefore Al-Mah- dî, with one divine breath, may be enough to destroy all falsehood on the world, from East to West. Don’t say: «How can one person do this? For the whole world five billion people?» Our Grandsheikh says, one breath of one Wali may bring rightness to the whole world.
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WHO CARRIES QUR’âN?
Our Grandsheikh says too many needless questions and much argumentation extinguish the light of faith. For example, we are sitting here for companionship, if one person is asking useless questions, then no blessing would come from our meeting and our Imān would be weakened.
Who is a learned person? One knowing much is not learned in front of Allah and his Prophets and Saints. A learned man is one improving everyday in good ac- tions and behavior. This is an indication to us to take our care on good actions, not on too much reading and memorizing. Who is on good actions is beloved in the Divine Presence. Good actions give power to the soul to reach heavenly stations. One meter from this earth. Now opening in front of you is a wide area, good actions, enter and do as much as you can for Allah, for yourself
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and for others, for every creature. Good actions give spiritual power. Practice the actions in these lessons: we are not speaking theories.
«Who keeps Qur’ān in his memory is most honoura- ble among my nation», said the Prophet, peace be upon him. Who has that honour? Not one keeping the words only, but the one who is keeping all the ways of the Prophet, doing all 300 goodnesses and leaving all 800 forbidden actions. He is the carrier of the Holy Qur’ān. As much as you are keeping sunnah and leaving for- bidden actions, you are going quickly to the Divine Presence.
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EVERYONE WILL BE WITH HIS BELOVED FRIEND
Today we speak about love for Allah and His Prophet. Our Grandsheikh was telling this hadith, that one day the Prophet was giving a sermon when one Bedouin came to the door of the mosque and shouted: «Oh Pro- phet, when is the Last Day coming?» There was no ans- wer, so he called out again and still again. The Prophet was waiting for Allah to provide him with an answer, as only He knows when is the Last Day. Then the An- gel Jibrîl came to him saying: «Ask him what he did in preparation for the Last Day.» The man replied: «Mu- hammad, I love you and I love your Lord, nothing else, only this.» Then Jibrîl told Muhammad: «Answer him
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that he will be with you and your Lord like two fingers together. Everyone who loves another must be with him on the Last Day.» On hearing this, Abû Bakr as- ked: «Oh Prophet, is not action a necessary condition, is only love enough?» He answered: „No, ya Abû Bakr, actions are not a condition, important is love. Everyone will be with his beloved friend.»
If one is conquered by his nafs and his actions are bad, but he loves good people, not loving bad people or his own bad actions, then he will benefit from his love. When Abû Bakr heard this answer, he prayed two rakats in thanks to his Lord, and said: «Oh Prophet, I never heard such good news as this til now.» Look at the humbleness of Abû Bakr, no one can reach to his station. «Until now my heart was in knots which I could not untie. Your hadîth untied them just now. I am satisfied, absolutely at peace in my heart. In this life I can’t be patient one moment without your presence. I was thinking, if actions are a condition to be together in Paradise, how could I be with you? Where are my ac- tions compared with yours?» And where are our actions compared with Abû Bakr’s? Therefore the Prophet has given sweet words to people. In Islam there is no higher thing than love.
The first step for us is, calling people to the love of our Lord. We can meet with everyone from every reli- gion on this, everyone who has the belief in Allah Al- mighty. If meeting here it is enough, then agreement may come step by step. Secondly we are saying it is the command of Allah to love all good people generally. Individually we can’t force one person to like another,
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but he must agree in principle to like all good people. Right is always up; wrong is always down in darkness.
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NO CREATION IN VAIN
I heard our Grandsheikh saying that Allah Almigh- ty never created a thing without a wisdom behind it. There is a benefit in every created thing, not one atom excepted. Perhaps that atom is the completion of the universe. What is the wisdom for a mosquito giving it- ching to people? By this itch Allah takes away the itch of hell. Every trouble to a person comes for a sin which would not be forgiven without that trouble. Or it may be coming for our improvement, giving us more pa- tience and light of faith. Nothing is created useless.
Satan was also created for a usefulness for us, becau- se without fighting to him we would have no ranks of improvement. He is not giving us imperfection. Every- thing is created for the completion of man. Every thing you can see in this universe is a cause for perfection. There is such a balance in the universe that even one family of insects missing would change the whole balan- ce. Biologists are saying like this now, ecology, and are indicating that our Grandsheikh’s words are sound.
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BAHLťL’S CONVERSATION WITH THE PRIVATE TOILET OF THE SULTAN
Our Grandsheikh was speaking about the attributes of Awliyā’. They are not like common people who run af- ter this temporary life’s deliciousness, eating, drinking, and marrying, aiming only at taking more enjoyment. This is the level of animals also. The first station of sain- thood begins from faith. If a man has a belief, believing in God Almighty, he has just left the common level. Believers are Awliyā’ of the first station. As our faith is growing, our rank in sainthood is climbing higher and higher. These stations are never ending; as much as we desire it is given to us. The enjoyments of this life gra- dually become tasteless as we approach to the Divine Presence and are given lights, and spiritual enjoyments, I mean real enjoyments, are increasing. Awliyā’ never enjoy things in the way of common people.
Our Grandsheikh told a tale of Sultan Harûn ar- Rashîd and his brother Bahlûl. Harûn had a problem to which no one could give him the solution. When Bahlûl gave the Fatwa (judgement) for him, he was very plea- sed, saying: «Oh Bahlûl, you have such knowledge, why don’t you come along with us?
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