The Quest for Abandoning the Self and Reaching God
The lament echoing in Ahmed Yesevi’s works highlights the difficulties encountered on a person’s spiritual journey and the longing for God. The recurring question, 'Will I see your beauty?', is veiled with a deep desire to understand the secret of existence. This quest aims to transcend the boundaries of the self, moving from the carnal self (nafs-i emmare) to the refined self (nafs-i nezihe). Yesevi’s wish to 'make the self subservient', meaning to completely control and purify it, is a necessity for spiritual maturity and can only be achieved through divine grace.
Patience, Remembering Adam and His Community
The phrase in Yesevi’s will, 'I mourned for Mustafa and entered the way', is a profound indication of love for the Prophet and responsibility towards the community. This signifies not only devotion to Hz. Muhammad (peace be upon him), but also following his Sunnah and deeply feeling the suffering of the ummah. Yesevi’s worship in the grave reminds us of the transience of worldly life and the importance of preparing for the afterlife. Prayers for the forgiveness of sins of the community emphasize the necessity of serving humanity and showing mercy, because true spirituality is crowned by sharing the troubles of others.
Asceticism and Self-Sacrifice on the Path of Spiritual Existence
Ahmed Yesevi’s life and works are considered a symbol of asceticism and self-sacrifice. Staying away from worldly distractions and turning towards God is a fundamental condition for reaching spiritual maturity. The words, 'A third of my life passed like a breeze', are a warning about the shortness of life and the value of time. Yesevi’s state after death is characterized by the absence of worldly concerns and the continuity of the desire to draw closer to God. His humility, which he called 'servantship', is the key to gaining divine favor. It is possible to reach Truth by showing patience, perseverance, and self-sacrifice on the spiritual journey.