The Compassion and Forgiveness of Anatolian Sufis
The hearts of those devoted to truth who grow up in the climate of blessing and guidance in Anatolia are akin to workshops, opening their arms of mercy even to the most distressed individuals. They say, “Come! Return, come!” They embrace desperate wrongdoers with compassion, hoping to guide them, viewing creation through Allah’s gaze, and never belittling or looking down upon fellow servants of Allah (ibadullah).
They open the doors of their hearts to poor sinners and say: “Have your heart repaired in this compassionate heart! That is, purify your inner world! Return to the court of repentance and come to be revived by divine forgiveness!”
Mevlana’s Invitation: “Come, No Matter What You Are”
The following couplet attributed to Abu Sa’id-i Abu’l-Hayr and ascribed to Mevlana (Rumi) beautifully expresses this invitation:
“Come! Return, come again! Whatever you may be, still return! Be a disbeliever, a Zoroastrian, or an idolater – come anyway! Our gathering (Islam) is not a place of despair. Even if you break your repentance a hundred times, still come!”
This invitation is a lifeline for wrongdoers.
Mevlana’s Duas: A Reflection of Mercy
How meaningful is this state of supplication that shows Mevlana’s compassion and mercy:
“O Lord! If Your mercy is only to be hoped for by the righteous, where should sinners go? O Almighty Allah! If You only accept Your chosen servants, where should sinners go? (Indeed, You are the Most Merciful)!”