People or Truth?
It is possible to understand the turmoil experienced in a person’s inner world through the words of Abdülkadir Geylânî. Most often, we face the risk of deviating from the path of seeking truth with the allure of worldly life. Being caught up in fulfilling the expectations of people can actually be an indication of distancing oneself from Truth. For true seeking requires an internal transformation, and this transformation must occur independently of external demands. Just as someone going to Mecca might take the road to Horasan, wrong directions can divert us from our goal; we may stray from our real purpose while trying to achieve the apparent objective.
The Importance of Inner-Outer Harmony
As Geylânî emphasizes, the cleanliness and sincerity of our inner world should reflect in the outer world. Only in this way can a true understanding of tawhid emerge. While telling others that we love God, we must not contradict it with affection for people within ourselves. This contradiction cannot be overcome by verbal noise but by the state of the heart. Those who progress on the path of Truth must ignore the whispers of the ego and focus on inner purification. Because true tawhid expresses an inner sincerity and orientation towards God rather than external displays. This sincerity is the admirable condition to be emulated by righteous servants.
Practical Knowledge and Union with Truth
Geylânî emphasizes that possessing knowledge alone is not enough; knowledge must be crowned with action. The burden of sin placed on someone who does not put their knowledge into practice enslaves them to the greed for knowledge. When the desire to be with God and His love settle in the heart, God draws the servant closer to Himself. With this truth, the ego’s emptiness dies, harmful nature loses its state, and one experiences the peace of being united with God. The blessing of knowledge appears in those who transform it into action, and thus true success is achieved. Let us remember that Truth is always Truth, and turning towards Him is progressing on the path of truth by overcoming the desires of the ego.