MERCY OCEANS, Book 02 (Shaykh Nazim, 224 pages, 8/12)
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«It is in your hands – lâ ilâha illâ llâh Muhammadan rasûla llâh.» He opened, seeing there endless oceans with one tree growing, and in that tree one bird, and in his beak a piece of mud. Ga- briel said: «This is one of Allah’s endless Mercy Oceans, the tree represents the Universe, the bird is your nation, and the piece of mud is the sins of your nation.» What is the comparison of these sins with Mercy Oceans? It amounts to nothing. The Prophet was ashamed to ask for anything that night because of Allah’s saying: «I am giving My Mercy Oceans for your nation. I am not in need of these oceans.» We must be ashamed also. He is facing us with endless mercy and we are facing Him with bad actions instead of goodness and thanks. There- fore, on the Last Day so many people will wish for the Earth to swallow them up, to be non-existent. Allah likes servants to hope for His Mercy.
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ENDLESS TROUBLES
Our Grandsheikh asks: Who is a real doctor? He is the one saving people from bad character, giving them good character. Ordinary physicians save people from
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temporary death, but bad character may cause eternal death. As much as people are not interested in eternal life, so many troubles are raining on them. As much as interested in eternal life, troubles are going away.
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ISLAM IS DYNAMIC NOT PASSIVE ABOUT SLEEPING AND EATING
Our Grandsheikh is speaking about two attributes which belong to Prophets: To have himma, high aspira- tions, and to be dynamic, never lazy, is the inheritance of the Prophets. They are light for action, not heavy, because their Spirit belongs to Heavens. Laziness is the inheritance of Satan. You can’t find any Prophet sit- ting and enjoying this world or asking rest. They are like rivers running always, running until reaching the ocean. Every saint was dynamic. As much as a person is having faith, so much is he active. No action, no faith. There are 3o0 goodnesses from the Sunnah of the Pro- phet. Qur’ān says: «When you are relieved, still toil.» Finishing one action you jump to another. It is the best direction for people to follow, to be active in every situ- ation. There is no laziness in any religion. Some people, even Muslims, say Islam makes people passive (religion is the opiate of the masses). They are liars, ignorant. They learned something of western knowledge and say this. I am sorry for them. Arabs were sleeping before Is- lam, and slaves to Rome and to Persia. After the coming
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of Islam they conquered from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian Ocean.
Our Grandsheikh was saying: «Oh my son, every ac- tive person will enter paradise and every lazy person, hell. Even one active for dunyā enjoyments, his active- ness will lead to good in the end, like wild waters from the mountains coming down to the plains and giving be- nefit. For going against the ego, one must be dynamic. A man climbing a mountain must have energy, but one co- ming down is not needing to be so dynamic. For people sitting in a pub from midday to midnight, you cannot say they are dynamic, they are lazy. One doing serious work and leaving after him things all people can benefit from, that man has inheritance from the Prophet.
Who sleeps too much is lazy. More than eight hours for adults is harming bodies. It is like not sleeping en- ough, the body becomes tired. For some people, the Divine Presence is taking them, they never sleep. Like one mureed in Bursa, Sunnetji Tahsin; he was ordered by Sheikh Sharafuddin to clean the platter after a feast. There was enough food left for twenty people, but he ate it all, wiping the plate with his finger and licking. That night Sheikh Sharafuddin told our Grandsheikh to look after Tahsin Efendi. He went into his chamber and stood unmoving, lost in his Lord, until one hour before dawn, then he began to pray tahajjud. At the call for fajr he went to the mosque, prayed, and sat after- ward in dhikr until sunrise. Then he prayed Ishraq and took his ax and went on to his work. If a man wants to obtain that power of not needing to sleep, and he intends not to sleep for the sake of Allah to make his
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Lord pleased, then he must do forty days’ practice. This means anytime feeling sleepy, quickly going for wudû’ and praying two rakats, over and over again. If he has patience for forty days, he will have heavenly powers, like Angels, never again sleeping. Awliyâ’, if they are like this, it is because they have been ordered; with permission of the Prophet.
People think plenty of food makes the body strong, and therefore, eat too much. A man saying: «I am full-up with my dinner» is a big sinner in the Divine Presence. Allah is making you full-up, not that food. He can fill you with one piece of food. Our Grandsheikh says that when the Dajjal comes all Muslims will find protection in Shām. Sheikh Muhy-ud-Dîn said that so many people will come that the city will be as big on the other side of this mountain as it is now on this side. There will be no place to put feet on the ground, perhaps fifty million people. «How can they all eat and drink?» asked Abû Bakr of the Prophet. «The takbîr of the Mahdî will give all believers divine powers. One morsel of food will be enough for forty days.»
People also think that sleeping alot gives rest. No; Allah gives rest. Maybe with five hours of sleep a per- son gets no rest while with five minutes sleep another gets plenty of rest. The best sleeping is early after Isha until one hour before dawn. Early sleeping is best. Four hours right after ‘Ishâ’ (before mid-night) are like eight hours any other time. This enables one to increase his devotions and useful activities.
Now all people occupy that time with useless mee- tings, nonsense speakings, and watching television. It
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is one real reason for illness. The second best sleeping is between sunrise and noon, and afternoon until mid- afternoon is the third best. Sleep is no good between dawn and sunrise, and between mid-afternoon and sun- set is the worst.
The Prophet says that if a bad thing comes to a man while he is sleeping in that time, he cannot blame an- yone but himself. For more than eight hours sleep you must say to yourself: «I am lazy.»
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ABOUT NON-MUSLIM ANCESTORS
On the Judgement Day, Allah will give inspirations to the hearts of all people who did goodness in their lives. Don’t be sorrowful about this. The Prophet says that any non-muslims doing something beneficial for a Mus- lim must come to real faith in the end.
This is the time of Muhammad and his nation, no more nation of Moses or Jesus, finished. All of your ancestors will be rescued from hell or pass right by it because of the fountains of faith coming from you, like oil wells giving wealth to once poor countries. Your ancestors lived in non-muslim countries and didn’t know any better than what was available to them. Perhaps some intrinsic goodness in their hearts led them to do the best that they could do in their surroundings and thus deserve having Muslim descendants. The Prophet says that a good son prays, makes du‘â’, for his father and
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ancestors. No one will be punished for what they didn’t fully know.
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WESTERN ‘SUFI’ GROUPS AROUND IN CIRCLES
A question was asked about a western ’sufi’ group, the members of which, rather than observing the practi- ces and regulations of the Islamic Shari‘ah, study and perform the practices of each of the major religions on a different day of the week (Friday: Islam, Saturday: Judaism, Sunday: Christianity, Monday: Hinduism etc.) saying that in this way they may benefit from all the Divine Teachings, not limiting the fountains from which they may draw.
Regarding western ’sufi’ groups not accepting Islam
–they are the likeness of the Children of Israel when they refused the order of Moses to fight the people of Canaan because among them were giants. Allah impri- soned them in open land so that despite their starting out in at different direction each morning (Friday: South, Sunday: North, Monday: South-East, etc.) they always ended up where they started from, walking in a huge circle then returning to the beginning point. They moved in every way except in the Way of Allah Almighty. They moved on ego’s way.
What is the Way of Allah Almighty? It is one way
–fighting the desires of the ego. If sitting and flirting 137
with ladies, drinking, and doing bad things; they are on ego’s way. If one is looking into all religions in order to see which one is best; it is useful, but not to still be in- vestigating and following such a way all your life. This is wasting time, wasting life, like playing. What, shall pork be forbidden on Friday and Saturday and eaten on Sunday? Idols denounced one day, worshipped the next? This is most absurd.
If those people would choose one of those religions, any one of them, and follow it sincerly it would be bet- ter than what they are doing now. Their way is better only than atheism because, at least, it makes people interested in spiritual life and God’s law. There is no need for a new Prophet or religion now, the last one is enough forever.
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FOR NEW MUSLIMS: BE A REAL MUSLIM
About going to schools in Islamic countries to learn Qur’ān and Arabic, this is pertinent for all new Mus- lims, so many are inspired to travel and study:
Our Grandsheikh says that most important for new Muslims is to try to be a real Muslim, not to be a lear- ned person in Islam. Important is to live a real muslim life. We see now so many learned people not living Is- lam. We are interested in keeping the principles of Is- lam. Learning is very easy, but to be a real Muslim is too difficult. The whole world is Allah’s Kingdom and
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we are his servants. In every place, not only in Islamic countries, we may live and show to others His Kingdom by saying: «lâ ilâha illâ llâh, Muhammadan rasûla llâh.» This is honour for you, making Divine Light on every foot of land. You can learn everywhere. Islamic books are translated into many languages. Be a right Muslim, a bright personality with your faith among people. I can teach you the principles of Islam in one meeting. Can you take it? Can you keep it? In one moment’s looking to the Prophet, peace be upon him, a man could take a bond with his heart, receiving what he needed for his life and others. We must follow an inheritor of the Pro- phet. A real Muslim lives for others, not himself. Take knowledge and give, don’t take and keep for yourself.
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A SMILE IS CHARITY
Our Grandsheikh is pointing to an important subject of which most people are unaware. Allah’s Attribute is to like his servants to be in happiness and enjoyment. He dosen’t like them to be solemn, frowning. The Pro- phet was always smiling and enjoying with his sahâba. Smiling is lovely to Allah and to all people. A smile to your brother is charity. To be solemn means carrying a heavy load, not satisfied with my Lord, having so many complaints. Smiling means satisfaction with the Lord’s judgements. Even when displeased with yourself, you should show happiness among people. This character is
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enough to make everyone happy. Complaining carries another complaint. Being pleased brings another happi- ness. Especially among people you must show you are pleased. Give enjoyment to everyone.
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RESPECTING MANKIND
Our Grandsheikh told me that once a Sheikh advised to his people: «Oh my sons, if you like to be like me, (every mureed likes to be like his sheikh) you must keep respect to everyone as you keep respect to me.» This is a high and precious character. It is not found now, one who keeps this good manner. No one becomes sheikh until respecting all people for the sake of Allah Almigh- ty and His beloved Muhammad.
About members of the family of the Prophet who might be on a wrong way now; I saw a hadith saying:
«Oh my people, respect my descendants. If on a good way, for their goodness; if on a bad way, for my sake.» Man is created to be a Khaliph of Allah Almighty. Some reach that station, some don’t, but everyone is repre- senting his Lord. Doing this respect, you will be safe from harm from others. When a person becomes proud, others become proud with him, but if he is humble, others are too ashamed to be proud.
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MEETINGS
Our Grandsheikh urges us to make meetings on any oc- casion, giving tea, giving dinner, and the like. Meeting repels the wildness of egos and brings friendship and familiarity. Even to be two persons is better than to sit alone. Meeting new people is always lovely in the Divine Presence.
It is good to be known by many people here and he- reafter. Keep meetings according to the mentality of the people present. Use a method pleasing to everyo- ne. This is the best charity, to please people, to please your guests. Keep their honour, and they may ask to come again. The Hand of Allah is over the assembly. He sends from His Mercy Oceans even for two persons if they are meeting for love of Allah Almighty.
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IMPORTANCE OF MARRIAGE
Marriage is a most important duty for everyone and the most important reason for the settlement and hap- piness of people in the world. It is the lovliest halâl that people can do for Allah Almighty. As the Prophet says: «The most unliked halâl to Allah is divorce.»
When two persons marry, Allah calls to the Prophet and gives him good tidings: «I am pleased with my ser- vants, you also be pleased with them.» The Prophet then calls to all saints and orders them to also be pleased.
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The praising of all Seven Heaven’s Angels for one day is given as a gift to those people. No one can compre- hend what Allah gives to His servants. The Prophets and Saints also give. These gifts will appear on the Last Day, as this world and life cannot carry such. Whoever gives a gift to newly weds is following Allah and the Prophet. It is impossible for him to leave this life devo- id of the pleasure of Allah.
The most important order after Imān, faith, for wo- men and for men is marriage, particularly in this time. If not married, it is very difficult to carry out any other orders, such as praying, fasting, or going for pilgrim- mage, because Satan can work so many tricks to destroy worship. Fornication is the worst enemy of faith. The Prophet says that faith is a pearl and fornication makes it worthless. Therefore, marriage is the first order and will be the first order of Sayyidinā Al-Mahdî and Jesus when they come.
Now, especially young people coming into Islam must marry quickly, or it will be easy for Satan to catch you and take you back to where you were before. The perfection of people is for man to be man and woman to be woman.
The first order to Father Adam was to marry Mother Eve. Those keeping marriage are on their way to paradi- se. Those refusing marriage are on their way to hell. We must try to make marriage easy for everyone. As it is easy, more blessing is coming. Married men and women must know that all others are forbidden for them, and they must keep their eyes. With this looking to each other comes sweetness and the happiest family. Now
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western people have so many troubles because they are always looking out.
In the time when Jesus Christ comes back our life will be mixed with heavenly life. He will combine them and heavenly powers will spread among all people. When he dies, Allah Almighty will send a breeze from Paradise, of indescribable fragrance, and smelling this all believers will die with him. It is impossible to speak now about the quality of life in his time. It will be op- posite of what we know now.
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MORE ON MEETINGS
Our Grandsheikh said that there may be some meetings which whoever is once attending them may reach the highest degree of sainthood. Their spiritual powers co- ming into you. All Prophets, peace be upon them, have such powers, and meeting with them must have an ef- fect sooner or later. If a person looked, even for one mo- ment, at our Prophet with love and acceptance, he may reach the highest degree of sainthood. This is a secret power. It may be with some people.
There is another kind of meeting where a person is coming in a state of manhood but leaving like a wolf or snake or bear. These are useless meetings, for lies and prohibited things. Politics is for rulers. To speak about politics is the worst thing for people for whom it is not their concern. Shah Naqshband was asked:
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«which thing causes man to lose his honour?» He said,
«to occupy himself with things not his concern.» Eve- ryone has responsibility in his life. It is most important to know that responsibility. Now all people from shoe- shine boys to ladies are politicians, directing the whole world. This is all because one doctor said: «don’t make your children afraid of you or spank them, let them grow up free.» Now they are ruling. This is ultimate ignorance, making people like wild animals, the people of Dajjal, the Anti-Christ. Everyone must know and keep his responsibility.
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BEING FULLY PRESENT
Our Grandsheikh was saying that if you like to take benefit from listening or attending a meeting, you must be present in body and heart. But so many people are just like empty jars, sitting. Divine Knowledges pour out when the heart is present. It means when listening with the ears of your heart it gives you Divine Powers. Our Grandsheikh said that if one person in a meeting is scratching his head, the one speaking must come down seven degrees. He may lose that Divine outpouring. But some people are speaking with each other, some watching the door to see who is coming and going, some looking at the clock, and the power is going down. Grandsheikh was always annoyed about this. If you are giving care, my heart is in his hands, and he is in rela-
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tionship with the Prophet, and the Prophet is in the Divine Presence.
Our Grandsheikh told of two mureeds in his home- land. One was in seclusion for spiritual practice. The second came one day by order of their sheikh to take the brother for a walk outside of the village. They were going on the road in conversation about important spi- ritual instructions when they reached to the fields of the one in seclusion. As they approached, his eyes wandered to those fields. The other said: «Oh my brother, turn back to your seclusion, you are leaving pearls and tur- ning to fields.» Our attention span is very short. Psycho- logists say, first fifteen minutes, keen attention, after- wards decreasing. Our Grandsheikh says, not to make any meeting more than three hours, even though people may be strong and interested. As much as you can make it shorter, more benefit comes, especially in our time.
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BAYAzID’S 24,000 ExPANSIONS
Our Grandsheikh was saying that whoever has real spiritual exercises, if he can complete them, there may appear from himself many forms like himself. Firstly there may be three or seven, having the same shape and bodily powers, but in seven different places, each in- dependent, looking, acting and knowing. This power grows from one completing exercises under the super- vision of a Perfect Master, Murshidun Kamil.
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Abû Yazîd once prayed one Juma‘a prayer in 24,000 different places. He told the ‘ulamâ’ in one place: «I was praying in 12,000 different mosques today.» They as- ked: «How?» He said: «By the power of Allah Almigh- ty. If you don’t believe me, send people around to ask.» They sat and waited until messengers returned saying that he was seen in so many places. Abû Yazîd said la- ter: «I was afraid to say 24,000 so I only said half.»
Allah says that when planting one grain of wheat, it disappears into the earth and becomes seven ears, each ear with a hundred grains, 700 grains coming from one. If a person gives his body to be nothing, Allah gives a body from His Divine Presence. Don’t be surprised about Allah’s actions; He is Al-Qādir, The All-Power- ful. But no one agrees to be nothing, everyone is asking to be something, to be, to be, to be, even in religion.
In Tariqat also, people ask miracles and heavenly vi- sion, no one likes to be nothing. When agreeing to be nothing, you will be all things. The Palace of Unity is not open to those saying ‘we are something’. You must enter into Khalwat, seclusion, not thinking to come out, finished, addressing to your ego: «Don’t think that you are coming out and able to do miracles. I am going to bury you. My sheikh will send the Angel to take your soul.» Then it will be real seclusion, otherwise it is only training. For the first condition, the sheikh looks to the mureed to see if desires of the ego are still running in his heart. Ego must be finished there; then to such a person ready for death, all keys to treasures can be tru- sted. This body must be taken. Everyone will die. Some may offer themselves to death with their willpower.
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This does not mean killing oneself, but killing the ego’s desires. Then you are ready for Divine powers.
Abû Yazîd was such a hard fighter to his ego. Peo- ple asked him what is the most difficult fighting. He replied: «You can’t listen to it at all.» And what is the lightest fighting? «Maybe you may listen a little. I cal- led my nafs to come out to pray. It said, ‘but I like to sleep’. ‘Enough, leave sleeping and get up.’ ‘But I like to sleep.’ ‘I swear by God I won’t give you any sleeping or drinking for one year if you don’t get up.’ This is the lightest fighting to my greatest enemy.» For twelve years he was in a dry well; he buried himself there to make his soul free for the whole Universe; free to wear any body. These are most expensive pearls, only Kings and Queens may put on their heads. For them you must give your ego. We’re now only listening, but saints are also from mankind and perhaps they are weaker than us; but they know Allah, and He is All-Powerful. You must do everything for His sake. Say: «Oh Lord, we are needy.»
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WHAT TO ExPECT IN THE GRAVE
We are speaking on the life of Barzakh, life in the grave, between this life and the last life. Commonly, everyone will enter his grave, maybe some exceptions. The Pro- phet said that everyone must find in his grave what he did throughout his life. In our life now, one’s rank or
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riches or highly honoured family may be useful for one. But in the grave only one’s actions are important.
When Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet, died, so many of the Prophet’s companions brought her to her grave. The Imam sat on its edge and addressed: «Oh grave, do you know who we are bringing to you? It is the lovliest daughter of the Beloved Muhammad, the one whom all creatures were created for his sake. This is the lady of the Lion of Allah Almighty, Sayyidinā ‘Alî, and the mother of the Princes of the youth of pa- radise, Hassan and Hussein. You must receive her with all your lights and respect.»
Then by Divine Order, the grave said: «Oh compa- nions of the Prophet, you must know with certainty that I am a place of deeds, treating you according to the deeds of your life, not looking to such honours as ‘the mother of’ or ‘the daughter of’. Here if you did good you will find good. If you did badness you will find spi- ders, snakes and scorpions.»
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THE STORY OF THE GRAVEDIGGER
The Prophet, said, peace be upon him: «Oh my people, don’t think that tombs are only holes in the ground, one just like another. It is not so. Some of them are a garden of paradise and some of them are holes of hell; on fire.»
Prophets have such a power, their spirits are in re- lationship to heaven, and they may see and hear what
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ordinary people cannot see or hear and they may know what an ordinary person cannot know. Therefore, they can tell us about life in the grave.
This tale happened over a hundred years ago told to me by a learned man about the time of Constantinople. One student of Shari‘ah was visiting a cemetery near his school. He met a gravedigger and asked him how long he had worked at his job. He replied: «sixty years.» Then he asked him: «What strange things did you see here in that time?» The man said that he had witnessed two strange happenings. «One day I was waiting here when a group came and said that I must dig a very good grave for a big man who had died that day. It must be an excellent grave, I thought, for a famous person or maybe a general, Pasha. I dug a good grave, which, you might have easily fitted two people into, then I rested. I began to hear a whistling sound and wondered ‘what is this?’. Then I looked at the grave and saw it filled up with snakes, whistling, and also scorpions, black spi- ders, and tarantulas. Thinking that maybe I had dug the grave over their hole, I dug another in a far corner of the cemetery. Resting, I heard the same whistling, and immediately looked into the grave, and saw it full of snakes and scropions. Quickly I dug a third, but also coming snakes. Before I could start another, the funeral procession came with a marching band, and carrying wreaths of flowers. Putting the coffin beside the grave, the people looked and told me it was a fine grave. No one was seeing or hearing what I was seeing and hea- ring. Asking me to help lower the dead person, I was afraid at first but the snakes backed away from my feet.
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Leaving the corpse there, the snakes quickly returned and began ripping the shroud from him.
About the second strange happening, a person asked me if out of charity I would dig a grave for a poor per- son having no one. I said yes, for Allah’s pleasure, may He forgive me. I dug it, and while waiting smelled such a wonderful fragrance they I can’t describe its beauty. Looking, I saw jasmine and rose petals fluttering like butterflies in the grave. I went down to lie in it. The four people came bringing that poor person and called me: ‘Where are you?’ ‘I am here resting.’ No one was seeing. Quickly we put him in the grave and all the flowers settled on his body. I kissed him.»
This is proof of the holy hadith of the Prophet, you must not be
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«It is in your hands – lâ ilâha illâ llâh Muhammadan rasûla llâh.» He opened, seeing there endless oceans with one tree growing, and in that tree one bird, and in his beak a piece of mud. Ga- briel said: «This is one of Allah’s endless Mercy Oceans, the tree represents the Universe, the bird is your nation, and the piece of mud is the sins of your nation.» What is the comparison of these sins with Mercy Oceans? It amounts to nothing. The Prophet was ashamed to ask for anything that night because of Allah’s saying: «I am giving My Mercy Oceans for your nation. I am not in need of these oceans.» We must be ashamed also. He is facing us with endless mercy and we are facing Him with bad actions instead of goodness and thanks. There- fore, on the Last Day so many people will wish for the Earth to swallow them up, to be non-existent. Allah likes servants to hope for His Mercy.
* * *
ENDLESS TROUBLES
Our Grandsheikh asks: Who is a real doctor? He is the one saving people from bad character, giving them good character. Ordinary physicians save people from
132
temporary death, but bad character may cause eternal death. As much as people are not interested in eternal life, so many troubles are raining on them. As much as interested in eternal life, troubles are going away.
* * *
ISLAM IS DYNAMIC NOT PASSIVE ABOUT SLEEPING AND EATING
Our Grandsheikh is speaking about two attributes which belong to Prophets: To have himma, high aspira- tions, and to be dynamic, never lazy, is the inheritance of the Prophets. They are light for action, not heavy, because their Spirit belongs to Heavens. Laziness is the inheritance of Satan. You can’t find any Prophet sit- ting and enjoying this world or asking rest. They are like rivers running always, running until reaching the ocean. Every saint was dynamic. As much as a person is having faith, so much is he active. No action, no faith. There are 3o0 goodnesses from the Sunnah of the Pro- phet. Qur’ān says: «When you are relieved, still toil.» Finishing one action you jump to another. It is the best direction for people to follow, to be active in every situ- ation. There is no laziness in any religion. Some people, even Muslims, say Islam makes people passive (religion is the opiate of the masses). They are liars, ignorant. They learned something of western knowledge and say this. I am sorry for them. Arabs were sleeping before Is- lam, and slaves to Rome and to Persia. After the coming
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of Islam they conquered from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian Ocean.
Our Grandsheikh was saying: «Oh my son, every ac- tive person will enter paradise and every lazy person, hell. Even one active for dunyā enjoyments, his active- ness will lead to good in the end, like wild waters from the mountains coming down to the plains and giving be- nefit. For going against the ego, one must be dynamic. A man climbing a mountain must have energy, but one co- ming down is not needing to be so dynamic. For people sitting in a pub from midday to midnight, you cannot say they are dynamic, they are lazy. One doing serious work and leaving after him things all people can benefit from, that man has inheritance from the Prophet.
Who sleeps too much is lazy. More than eight hours for adults is harming bodies. It is like not sleeping en- ough, the body becomes tired. For some people, the Divine Presence is taking them, they never sleep. Like one mureed in Bursa, Sunnetji Tahsin; he was ordered by Sheikh Sharafuddin to clean the platter after a feast. There was enough food left for twenty people, but he ate it all, wiping the plate with his finger and licking. That night Sheikh Sharafuddin told our Grandsheikh to look after Tahsin Efendi. He went into his chamber and stood unmoving, lost in his Lord, until one hour before dawn, then he began to pray tahajjud. At the call for fajr he went to the mosque, prayed, and sat after- ward in dhikr until sunrise. Then he prayed Ishraq and took his ax and went on to his work. If a man wants to obtain that power of not needing to sleep, and he intends not to sleep for the sake of Allah to make his
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Lord pleased, then he must do forty days’ practice. This means anytime feeling sleepy, quickly going for wudû’ and praying two rakats, over and over again. If he has patience for forty days, he will have heavenly powers, like Angels, never again sleeping. Awliyâ’, if they are like this, it is because they have been ordered; with permission of the Prophet.
People think plenty of food makes the body strong, and therefore, eat too much. A man saying: «I am full-up with my dinner» is a big sinner in the Divine Presence. Allah is making you full-up, not that food. He can fill you with one piece of food. Our Grandsheikh says that when the Dajjal comes all Muslims will find protection in Shām. Sheikh Muhy-ud-Dîn said that so many people will come that the city will be as big on the other side of this mountain as it is now on this side. There will be no place to put feet on the ground, perhaps fifty million people. «How can they all eat and drink?» asked Abû Bakr of the Prophet. «The takbîr of the Mahdî will give all believers divine powers. One morsel of food will be enough for forty days.»
People also think that sleeping alot gives rest. No; Allah gives rest. Maybe with five hours of sleep a per- son gets no rest while with five minutes sleep another gets plenty of rest. The best sleeping is early after Isha until one hour before dawn. Early sleeping is best. Four hours right after ‘Ishâ’ (before mid-night) are like eight hours any other time. This enables one to increase his devotions and useful activities.
Now all people occupy that time with useless mee- tings, nonsense speakings, and watching television. It
133
is one real reason for illness. The second best sleeping is between sunrise and noon, and afternoon until mid- afternoon is the third best. Sleep is no good between dawn and sunrise, and between mid-afternoon and sun- set is the worst.
The Prophet says that if a bad thing comes to a man while he is sleeping in that time, he cannot blame an- yone but himself. For more than eight hours sleep you must say to yourself: «I am lazy.»
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ABOUT NON-MUSLIM ANCESTORS
On the Judgement Day, Allah will give inspirations to the hearts of all people who did goodness in their lives. Don’t be sorrowful about this. The Prophet says that any non-muslims doing something beneficial for a Mus- lim must come to real faith in the end.
This is the time of Muhammad and his nation, no more nation of Moses or Jesus, finished. All of your ancestors will be rescued from hell or pass right by it because of the fountains of faith coming from you, like oil wells giving wealth to once poor countries. Your ancestors lived in non-muslim countries and didn’t know any better than what was available to them. Perhaps some intrinsic goodness in their hearts led them to do the best that they could do in their surroundings and thus deserve having Muslim descendants. The Prophet says that a good son prays, makes du‘â’, for his father and
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ancestors. No one will be punished for what they didn’t fully know.
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WESTERN ‘SUFI’ GROUPS AROUND IN CIRCLES
A question was asked about a western ’sufi’ group, the members of which, rather than observing the practi- ces and regulations of the Islamic Shari‘ah, study and perform the practices of each of the major religions on a different day of the week (Friday: Islam, Saturday: Judaism, Sunday: Christianity, Monday: Hinduism etc.) saying that in this way they may benefit from all the Divine Teachings, not limiting the fountains from which they may draw.
Regarding western ’sufi’ groups not accepting Islam
–they are the likeness of the Children of Israel when they refused the order of Moses to fight the people of Canaan because among them were giants. Allah impri- soned them in open land so that despite their starting out in at different direction each morning (Friday: South, Sunday: North, Monday: South-East, etc.) they always ended up where they started from, walking in a huge circle then returning to the beginning point. They moved in every way except in the Way of Allah Almighty. They moved on ego’s way.
What is the Way of Allah Almighty? It is one way
–fighting the desires of the ego. If sitting and flirting 137
with ladies, drinking, and doing bad things; they are on ego’s way. If one is looking into all religions in order to see which one is best; it is useful, but not to still be in- vestigating and following such a way all your life. This is wasting time, wasting life, like playing. What, shall pork be forbidden on Friday and Saturday and eaten on Sunday? Idols denounced one day, worshipped the next? This is most absurd.
If those people would choose one of those religions, any one of them, and follow it sincerly it would be bet- ter than what they are doing now. Their way is better only than atheism because, at least, it makes people interested in spiritual life and God’s law. There is no need for a new Prophet or religion now, the last one is enough forever.
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FOR NEW MUSLIMS: BE A REAL MUSLIM
About going to schools in Islamic countries to learn Qur’ān and Arabic, this is pertinent for all new Mus- lims, so many are inspired to travel and study:
Our Grandsheikh says that most important for new Muslims is to try to be a real Muslim, not to be a lear- ned person in Islam. Important is to live a real muslim life. We see now so many learned people not living Is- lam. We are interested in keeping the principles of Is- lam. Learning is very easy, but to be a real Muslim is too difficult. The whole world is Allah’s Kingdom and
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we are his servants. In every place, not only in Islamic countries, we may live and show to others His Kingdom by saying: «lâ ilâha illâ llâh, Muhammadan rasûla llâh.» This is honour for you, making Divine Light on every foot of land. You can learn everywhere. Islamic books are translated into many languages. Be a right Muslim, a bright personality with your faith among people. I can teach you the principles of Islam in one meeting. Can you take it? Can you keep it? In one moment’s looking to the Prophet, peace be upon him, a man could take a bond with his heart, receiving what he needed for his life and others. We must follow an inheritor of the Pro- phet. A real Muslim lives for others, not himself. Take knowledge and give, don’t take and keep for yourself.
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A SMILE IS CHARITY
Our Grandsheikh is pointing to an important subject of which most people are unaware. Allah’s Attribute is to like his servants to be in happiness and enjoyment. He dosen’t like them to be solemn, frowning. The Pro- phet was always smiling and enjoying with his sahâba. Smiling is lovely to Allah and to all people. A smile to your brother is charity. To be solemn means carrying a heavy load, not satisfied with my Lord, having so many complaints. Smiling means satisfaction with the Lord’s judgements. Even when displeased with yourself, you should show happiness among people. This character is
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enough to make everyone happy. Complaining carries another complaint. Being pleased brings another happi- ness. Especially among people you must show you are pleased. Give enjoyment to everyone.
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RESPECTING MANKIND
Our Grandsheikh told me that once a Sheikh advised to his people: «Oh my sons, if you like to be like me, (every mureed likes to be like his sheikh) you must keep respect to everyone as you keep respect to me.» This is a high and precious character. It is not found now, one who keeps this good manner. No one becomes sheikh until respecting all people for the sake of Allah Almigh- ty and His beloved Muhammad.
About members of the family of the Prophet who might be on a wrong way now; I saw a hadith saying:
«Oh my people, respect my descendants. If on a good way, for their goodness; if on a bad way, for my sake.» Man is created to be a Khaliph of Allah Almighty. Some reach that station, some don’t, but everyone is repre- senting his Lord. Doing this respect, you will be safe from harm from others. When a person becomes proud, others become proud with him, but if he is humble, others are too ashamed to be proud.
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MEETINGS
Our Grandsheikh urges us to make meetings on any oc- casion, giving tea, giving dinner, and the like. Meeting repels the wildness of egos and brings friendship and familiarity. Even to be two persons is better than to sit alone. Meeting new people is always lovely in the Divine Presence.
It is good to be known by many people here and he- reafter. Keep meetings according to the mentality of the people present. Use a method pleasing to everyo- ne. This is the best charity, to please people, to please your guests. Keep their honour, and they may ask to come again. The Hand of Allah is over the assembly. He sends from His Mercy Oceans even for two persons if they are meeting for love of Allah Almighty.
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IMPORTANCE OF MARRIAGE
Marriage is a most important duty for everyone and the most important reason for the settlement and hap- piness of people in the world. It is the lovliest halâl that people can do for Allah Almighty. As the Prophet says: «The most unliked halâl to Allah is divorce.»
When two persons marry, Allah calls to the Prophet and gives him good tidings: «I am pleased with my ser- vants, you also be pleased with them.» The Prophet then calls to all saints and orders them to also be pleased.
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The praising of all Seven Heaven’s Angels for one day is given as a gift to those people. No one can compre- hend what Allah gives to His servants. The Prophets and Saints also give. These gifts will appear on the Last Day, as this world and life cannot carry such. Whoever gives a gift to newly weds is following Allah and the Prophet. It is impossible for him to leave this life devo- id of the pleasure of Allah.
The most important order after Imān, faith, for wo- men and for men is marriage, particularly in this time. If not married, it is very difficult to carry out any other orders, such as praying, fasting, or going for pilgrim- mage, because Satan can work so many tricks to destroy worship. Fornication is the worst enemy of faith. The Prophet says that faith is a pearl and fornication makes it worthless. Therefore, marriage is the first order and will be the first order of Sayyidinā Al-Mahdî and Jesus when they come.
Now, especially young people coming into Islam must marry quickly, or it will be easy for Satan to catch you and take you back to where you were before. The perfection of people is for man to be man and woman to be woman.
The first order to Father Adam was to marry Mother Eve. Those keeping marriage are on their way to paradi- se. Those refusing marriage are on their way to hell. We must try to make marriage easy for everyone. As it is easy, more blessing is coming. Married men and women must know that all others are forbidden for them, and they must keep their eyes. With this looking to each other comes sweetness and the happiest family. Now
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western people have so many troubles because they are always looking out.
In the time when Jesus Christ comes back our life will be mixed with heavenly life. He will combine them and heavenly powers will spread among all people. When he dies, Allah Almighty will send a breeze from Paradise, of indescribable fragrance, and smelling this all believers will die with him. It is impossible to speak now about the quality of life in his time. It will be op- posite of what we know now.
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MORE ON MEETINGS
Our Grandsheikh said that there may be some meetings which whoever is once attending them may reach the highest degree of sainthood. Their spiritual powers co- ming into you. All Prophets, peace be upon them, have such powers, and meeting with them must have an ef- fect sooner or later. If a person looked, even for one mo- ment, at our Prophet with love and acceptance, he may reach the highest degree of sainthood. This is a secret power. It may be with some people.
There is another kind of meeting where a person is coming in a state of manhood but leaving like a wolf or snake or bear. These are useless meetings, for lies and prohibited things. Politics is for rulers. To speak about politics is the worst thing for people for whom it is not their concern. Shah Naqshband was asked:
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«which thing causes man to lose his honour?» He said,
«to occupy himself with things not his concern.» Eve- ryone has responsibility in his life. It is most important to know that responsibility. Now all people from shoe- shine boys to ladies are politicians, directing the whole world. This is all because one doctor said: «don’t make your children afraid of you or spank them, let them grow up free.» Now they are ruling. This is ultimate ignorance, making people like wild animals, the people of Dajjal, the Anti-Christ. Everyone must know and keep his responsibility.
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BEING FULLY PRESENT
Our Grandsheikh was saying that if you like to take benefit from listening or attending a meeting, you must be present in body and heart. But so many people are just like empty jars, sitting. Divine Knowledges pour out when the heart is present. It means when listening with the ears of your heart it gives you Divine Powers. Our Grandsheikh said that if one person in a meeting is scratching his head, the one speaking must come down seven degrees. He may lose that Divine outpouring. But some people are speaking with each other, some watching the door to see who is coming and going, some looking at the clock, and the power is going down. Grandsheikh was always annoyed about this. If you are giving care, my heart is in his hands, and he is in rela-
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tionship with the Prophet, and the Prophet is in the Divine Presence.
Our Grandsheikh told of two mureeds in his home- land. One was in seclusion for spiritual practice. The second came one day by order of their sheikh to take the brother for a walk outside of the village. They were going on the road in conversation about important spi- ritual instructions when they reached to the fields of the one in seclusion. As they approached, his eyes wandered to those fields. The other said: «Oh my brother, turn back to your seclusion, you are leaving pearls and tur- ning to fields.» Our attention span is very short. Psycho- logists say, first fifteen minutes, keen attention, after- wards decreasing. Our Grandsheikh says, not to make any meeting more than three hours, even though people may be strong and interested. As much as you can make it shorter, more benefit comes, especially in our time.
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BAYAzID’S 24,000 ExPANSIONS
Our Grandsheikh was saying that whoever has real spiritual exercises, if he can complete them, there may appear from himself many forms like himself. Firstly there may be three or seven, having the same shape and bodily powers, but in seven different places, each in- dependent, looking, acting and knowing. This power grows from one completing exercises under the super- vision of a Perfect Master, Murshidun Kamil.
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Abû Yazîd once prayed one Juma‘a prayer in 24,000 different places. He told the ‘ulamâ’ in one place: «I was praying in 12,000 different mosques today.» They as- ked: «How?» He said: «By the power of Allah Almigh- ty. If you don’t believe me, send people around to ask.» They sat and waited until messengers returned saying that he was seen in so many places. Abû Yazîd said la- ter: «I was afraid to say 24,000 so I only said half.»
Allah says that when planting one grain of wheat, it disappears into the earth and becomes seven ears, each ear with a hundred grains, 700 grains coming from one. If a person gives his body to be nothing, Allah gives a body from His Divine Presence. Don’t be surprised about Allah’s actions; He is Al-Qādir, The All-Power- ful. But no one agrees to be nothing, everyone is asking to be something, to be, to be, to be, even in religion.
In Tariqat also, people ask miracles and heavenly vi- sion, no one likes to be nothing. When agreeing to be nothing, you will be all things. The Palace of Unity is not open to those saying ‘we are something’. You must enter into Khalwat, seclusion, not thinking to come out, finished, addressing to your ego: «Don’t think that you are coming out and able to do miracles. I am going to bury you. My sheikh will send the Angel to take your soul.» Then it will be real seclusion, otherwise it is only training. For the first condition, the sheikh looks to the mureed to see if desires of the ego are still running in his heart. Ego must be finished there; then to such a person ready for death, all keys to treasures can be tru- sted. This body must be taken. Everyone will die. Some may offer themselves to death with their willpower.
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This does not mean killing oneself, but killing the ego’s desires. Then you are ready for Divine powers.
Abû Yazîd was such a hard fighter to his ego. Peo- ple asked him what is the most difficult fighting. He replied: «You can’t listen to it at all.» And what is the lightest fighting? «Maybe you may listen a little. I cal- led my nafs to come out to pray. It said, ‘but I like to sleep’. ‘Enough, leave sleeping and get up.’ ‘But I like to sleep.’ ‘I swear by God I won’t give you any sleeping or drinking for one year if you don’t get up.’ This is the lightest fighting to my greatest enemy.» For twelve years he was in a dry well; he buried himself there to make his soul free for the whole Universe; free to wear any body. These are most expensive pearls, only Kings and Queens may put on their heads. For them you must give your ego. We’re now only listening, but saints are also from mankind and perhaps they are weaker than us; but they know Allah, and He is All-Powerful. You must do everything for His sake. Say: «Oh Lord, we are needy.»
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WHAT TO ExPECT IN THE GRAVE
We are speaking on the life of Barzakh, life in the grave, between this life and the last life. Commonly, everyone will enter his grave, maybe some exceptions. The Pro- phet said that everyone must find in his grave what he did throughout his life. In our life now, one’s rank or
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riches or highly honoured family may be useful for one. But in the grave only one’s actions are important.
When Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet, died, so many of the Prophet’s companions brought her to her grave. The Imam sat on its edge and addressed: «Oh grave, do you know who we are bringing to you? It is the lovliest daughter of the Beloved Muhammad, the one whom all creatures were created for his sake. This is the lady of the Lion of Allah Almighty, Sayyidinā ‘Alî, and the mother of the Princes of the youth of pa- radise, Hassan and Hussein. You must receive her with all your lights and respect.»
Then by Divine Order, the grave said: «Oh compa- nions of the Prophet, you must know with certainty that I am a place of deeds, treating you according to the deeds of your life, not looking to such honours as ‘the mother of’ or ‘the daughter of’. Here if you did good you will find good. If you did badness you will find spi- ders, snakes and scorpions.»
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THE STORY OF THE GRAVEDIGGER
The Prophet, said, peace be upon him: «Oh my people, don’t think that tombs are only holes in the ground, one just like another. It is not so. Some of them are a garden of paradise and some of them are holes of hell; on fire.»
Prophets have such a power, their spirits are in re- lationship to heaven, and they may see and hear what
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ordinary people cannot see or hear and they may know what an ordinary person cannot know. Therefore, they can tell us about life in the grave.
This tale happened over a hundred years ago told to me by a learned man about the time of Constantinople. One student of Shari‘ah was visiting a cemetery near his school. He met a gravedigger and asked him how long he had worked at his job. He replied: «sixty years.» Then he asked him: «What strange things did you see here in that time?» The man said that he had witnessed two strange happenings. «One day I was waiting here when a group came and said that I must dig a very good grave for a big man who had died that day. It must be an excellent grave, I thought, for a famous person or maybe a general, Pasha. I dug a good grave, which, you might have easily fitted two people into, then I rested. I began to hear a whistling sound and wondered ‘what is this?’. Then I looked at the grave and saw it filled up with snakes, whistling, and also scorpions, black spi- ders, and tarantulas. Thinking that maybe I had dug the grave over their hole, I dug another in a far corner of the cemetery. Resting, I heard the same whistling, and immediately looked into the grave, and saw it full of snakes and scropions. Quickly I dug a third, but also coming snakes. Before I could start another, the funeral procession came with a marching band, and carrying wreaths of flowers. Putting the coffin beside the grave, the people looked and told me it was a fine grave. No one was seeing or hearing what I was seeing and hea- ring. Asking me to help lower the dead person, I was afraid at first but the snakes backed away from my feet.
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Leaving the corpse there, the snakes quickly returned and began ripping the shroud from him.
About the second strange happening, a person asked me if out of charity I would dig a grave for a poor per- son having no one. I said yes, for Allah’s pleasure, may He forgive me. I dug it, and while waiting smelled such a wonderful fragrance they I can’t describe its beauty. Looking, I saw jasmine and rose petals fluttering like butterflies in the grave. I went down to lie in it. The four people came bringing that poor person and called me: ‘Where are you?’ ‘I am here resting.’ No one was seeing. Quickly we put him in the grave and all the flowers settled on his body. I kissed him.»
This is proof of the holy hadith of the Prophet, you must not be
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