The believer is a peculiar person among worldly individuals. The ascetic appears impoverished in the Hereafter; for his desire is not the beauty of the Hereafter, but its Lord. Those possessing insight abandon everything except the Essence of God. Some believers experience a life of imprisonment in this world. Their wealth may be abundant, with their children swimming in riches and laughing around them. Yet, their inner world is filled with sorrow; they smile outwardly, but their hearts are full of grief.
Such a person knows the world through their heart, understanding its nature. Therefore, they guide themselves away from it. They do not abandon the entire world at once, but gradually. First, they detach, waiting; if they can overcome some of its difficulties, they release another part. When they understand their strength, they move on to a third and relinquish it entirely. They transform their entire being into the spiritual realm. In this state, they are sincere. Through their sincerity, the light of God encompasses their existence. The world then asks:
“Why did you leave me?”
They reply, “It is very simple; I found something better than you,” and the world asks again:
“Why did you leave me?” They respond once more:
“You were created later; you are transient, your life is measured. A form has been given to you – outwardly adorned, but inwardly flawed. Your inner realm is another matter entirely. That is why I am leaving you.”
With this understanding, the insightful believer finds the essence of knowledge and becomes free. They wander in the world while detaching their heart from it; they move as a peculiar person. Sometimes, they even abandon the Hereafter, abandoning everything.
Now, the world serves that individual. It sees service to the entire creation and rejoices. They desire no greater service than this. They use the world for good deeds. They do not become attached to superficial adornments. They do not visit anyone in a showy manner, because their sole aim is to please the Creator. Great individuals shower gifts upon those they love; he would know this. But his true purpose was not the gift itself, but the pleasure of his Lord. When his Lord loves him, everything belongs to him. He chooses for his own being and does not give it to others. This is what the believer learns.
Turn back to your Lord. Hasten towards Him with all your heart. Leave behind yesterday and tomorrow. Do not think about tomorrow. Complete your tasks today. For when morning comes, you may have already bid farewell to this life.
O wealthy one, let your wealth not deceive you. Tomorrow, all your riches may vanish; you may become a poor person in need of a single coin.
Abandon everything and be with the Creator of what you are still attached to. None is like Him. Do not seek solace in things other than Him; none can truly please you. The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) said: “A believer does not see his face radiant until he meets his Creator.”
When relations with creation are severed, strive to be pleasing to God; do not object to what He has chosen for you. By patiently observing the works of God, one sees wise blessings. Everything is resolved through patience. A person who perseveres in poverty will one day become wealthy. Patience in times of poverty is enduring the difficult tasks that arise on the path to earning a livelihood. Indeed, most prophets were shepherds, and most devoted servants were slaves.
Whoever expands his heart for God’s sake rises. He who humbles himself for the truth grows. It is He Who makes noble; it is He Who humiliates. It is He Who raises up and casts down. It is He Who grants success and ease in affairs. Alas, we cannot attain knowledge so as to achieve His majesty.
O those who approve of their deeds, how ignorant you are! Without God’s help, how could you perform those deeds? If He had not assisted you, you would neither be able to fast nor pray. Your current state is one of gratitude; it is not a state of self-admiration. Most people see the worship they perform and wait for praise from others; they do worship to accumulate worldly goods. This is because they perform it with their nafs (ego) and empty desires.
The world is the beloved of the egos. The Hereafter is the beloved of hearts. The Most High, the Aziz and the Majestic God, is the beloved of the realms of secrets.
Judgments settle in the heart when they are due. First, a judgment is passed on something, then it is carried out. Nothing is acceptable without a judgment. The Sharia gives every ruling. Acting against what is contained therein is to stray from the religion. Fly with the wings of the Book and the Sunnah towards God; extend your hand to the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) and enter through the gate of truth. Let reason be your advisor, and let your teacher be Him. Do not grasp His hand; let Him comb His hair. Leave Him to his contemplation. He is the educator of souls. God raises those who seek His path. All travelers dedicate their initial journey to Him. He is the king of righteous servants.
He divides all states, positions, and spiritual conditions among the servants. This task has been given to him by God.
It is like a gift sent by a sultan being distributed to the soldiers by a commander.
To affirm the oneness of God (tawhid) is an act of worship. To associate partners with Him is the custom of all people. Abandon this custom and continue in worship. If you break the custom, things superior to it will manifest for you. Strive diligently. Do not nurture good feelings towards wrong deeds; God Almighty will also protect you from those evils.
Purify your inner world from a bad state. Transform your current wretched condition into something better. If you do not desire this, then God will forcibly rescue you from your present state.
It is stated in a verse: “God does not change the condition of a people until they change what is within themselves.” (Ar-Ra’d, 13/11)
Remove your nafs and creation from your heart. Fill their place with the presence of God. Thus, the attribute of creation will manifest in you. This state does not come through night prayers and daytime fasting. It comes through purification of the heart and purity of secrets.
Some great scholars say: Fasting and prayer are like vinegar and greens that must be used for some foods; they are not considered complete nourishment. The true food is something else – namely, ‘truth.’ Fasting and prayer should come first. But the mere existence of them is not enough. Never abandon truthfulness. If you fast and pray with truthfulness, it will benefit you. Eat your food. Make it delicious to eat by coloring it. If you prepare your table beautifully, you will eat with appetite.
Be truthful. Perform your prayers, fast your fasts. These are the primary nourishment for you. After eating, wash every part of yourself in light. For the time has come to approach God. Prepare for a long journey ahead. You will traverse countries. A difficult task will be entrusted to you. Regions will submit to you. For a servant’s heart is pure and clean, nothing can be withheld from him. The one who feels closeness to God in his being becomes the sultan of the earth. That servant is appointed to call people to God. It is his duty to face their suffering with patience. Those who are aware of truth and reality strive to turn falsehood present on earth into truth.
That servant enriches people by distributing wealth. He becomes infinitely wealthy when he does good to someone.
His heart is filled with wisdom. The manifestation of God adorns the hearts of righteous servants. In the inner worlds of insightful servants, waterfalls of wisdom surge. Springs flow from the sea of the Throne and knowledge. These springs revive dead hearts and bring them to life. Bodies that flee from God reach resurrection through these streams.
O child! Haram food kills the heart. Halal food adds life to your being. There is a morsel that darkens your heart. There is a morsel that scatters lights in your depths. There is a morsel that, when you eat it, makes you immersed in the world. There is a morsel that, when you eat it, takes you beyond this realm. But there is a more superior morsel than these, which transports him to the Creator of nature.
Haram food makes you preoccupied with the world and makes mistakes pleasing. Eating permissible things drives the heart towards the Hereafter and engages it in obedience. Halal food brings one closer to the Creator. These foods are known through a feeling of insight. Those who carry a feeling of insight for God perceive this in their being.
Knowledge is in the heart, not in registers and books. This knowledge is given by God. Servants cannot give it. For this feeling to settle in the heart, one must worship God. Being truthful and affirming truthfulness are essential for those who desire a feeling of insight. It is also very important to remove worldly attachments from the heart.
You are only thinking about satisfying your appetites and desires. How can you possibly attain knowledge in this state? Besides, you have become unaware of where you obtain what you eat and drink.
The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) said in a hadith: “A person who does not think about how he obtains his food and drink is not looked upon with mercy by God. He will not enter any of the gates of Hell.”
Do not attach your heart to anything in the universe. Do not even let it smile at them. Let it not keep you away from God. Let people not lead you astray from God. Do not mingle too much with people. Only speak as far as their understanding allows, to call people to goodness. If they have minor mistakes, do not object; manage them. Get along well with them. The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) said: “Dealing kindly with people is charity.”
Teach the good qualities that God has given you to others. Bestow upon them the beautiful things that have been given to you. Be a good friend to them. Be gentle. Do not be stiff-shouldered towards God’s servants.
Always beautify your character. Let all your actions conform to God’s command.
There are two guides for people: one who carries knowledge, and the other who carries wisdom.
Any guide who emerges among people can only lead them closer to the gate of God.
For you, there are two gates; you must pass through both of them: the gate of God and the gate of people. These cannot be distinguished from each other. Only first comes the gate of God, then the gate of people. If you abandon the world, you can reach the Hereafter.
If you follow a guide who carries wisdom, you will go to the owner of the sea of knowledge. If you want to attain knowledge of God, do not place the transient existence of the people in your heart.
The accounts are degree by degree. One is the opposite of the other, and opposites cannot be combined. Do not try to unite them; you will tire yourself for nothing.
The heart is the place where God manifests Himself. Do not let anything other than His presence enter it. Previously unseen wisdoms will become visible to you; just purify your heart.
Some great scholars say: Fasting and prayer are like vinegar and greens that must be used for some foods; they are not considered complete nourishment. The true food is something else – namely, ‘truth.’ Fasting and prayer should come first. But the mere existence of them is not enough. Never abandon truthfulness. If you fast and pray with truthfulness, it will benefit you. Eat your food. Make it delicious to eat by coloring it. If you prepare your table beautifully, you will eat with appetite.
Be truthful. Perform your prayers, fast your fasts. These are the primary nourishment for you. After eating, wash every part of yourself in light. For the time has come to approach God. Prepare for a long journey ahead. You will traverse countries. A difficult task will be entrusted to you. Regions will submit to you. For a servant’s heart is pure and clean, nothing can be withheld from him. The one who feels closeness to God in his being becomes the sultan of the earth. That servant is appointed to call people to God. It is his duty to face their suffering with patience. Those who are aware of truth and reality strive to turn falsehood present on earth into truth.
That servant enriches people by distributing wealth. He becomes infinitely wealthy when he does good to someone.
His heart is filled with wisdom. The manifestation of God adorns the hearts of righteous servants. In the inner worlds of insightful servants, waterfalls of wisdom surge. Springs flow from the sea of the Throne and knowledge. These springs revive dead hearts and bring them to life. Bodies that flee from God reach resurrection through these streams.
O child! Haram food kills the heart. Halal food adds life to your being. There is a morsel that darkens your heart. There is a morsel that scatters lights in your depths. There is a morsel that, when you eat it, makes you immersed in the world. There is a morsel that, when you eat it, takes you beyond this realm. But there is a more superior morsel than these, which transports him to the Creator of nature.
Haram food makes you preoccupied with the world and makes mistakes pleasing. Eating permissible things drives the heart towards the Hereafter and engages it in obedience. Halal food brings one closer to the Creator. These foods are known through a feeling of insight. Those who carry a feeling of insight for God perceive this in their being.
Knowledge is in the heart, not in registers and books. This knowledge is given by God. Servants cannot give it. For this feeling to settle in the heart, one must worship God. Being truthful and affirming truthfulness are essential for those who desire a feeling of insight. It is also very important to remove worldly attachments from the heart.
You are only thinking about satisfying your appetites and desires. How can you possibly attain knowledge in this state? Besides, you have become unaware of where you obtain what you eat and drink.
The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) said in a hadith: “A person who does not think about how he obtains his food and drink is not looked upon with mercy by God. He will not enter any of the gates of Hell.”
Do not attach your heart to anything in the universe. Do not even let it smile at them. Let it not keep you away from God. Let people not lead you astray from God. Do not mingle too much with people. Only speak as far as their understanding allows, to call people to goodness. Ufac tefek hataları olursa itiraz etme, idare et. Onlarla iyi geçin. The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) said: “Dealing kindly with people is charity.”
Teach the good qualities that God has given you to others. Bestow upon them the beautiful things that have been given to you. Be a good friend to them. Be gentle. Do not be stiff-shouldered towards God’s servants.
Always beautify your character. Let all your actions conform to God’s command.
There are two guides for people: one who carries knowledge, and the other who carries wisdom.
Any guide who emerges among people can only lead them closer to the gate of God.
For you, there are two gates; you must pass through both of them: the gate of God and the gate of people. These cannot be distinguished from each other. Only first comes the gate of God, then the gate of people. If you abandon the world, you can reach the Hereafter.
If you follow a guide who carries wisdom, you will go to the owner of the sea of knowledge. If you want to attain knowledge of God, do not place the transient existence of the people in your heart.
The accounts are degree by degree. One is the opposite of the other, and opposites cannot be combined. Do not try to unite them; you will tire yourself for nothing.
The heart is the place where God manifests Himself. Do not let anything other than His presence enter it. Previously unseen wisdoms will become visible to you; just purify your heart.
Some great scholars say: Fasting and prayer are like vinegar and greens that must be used for some foods; they are not considered complete nourishment. The true food is something else – namely, ‘truth.’ Fasting and prayer should come first. But the mere existence of them is not enough. Never abandon truthfulness. If you fast and pray with truthfulness, it will benefit you. Eat your food. Make it delicious to eat by coloring it. If you prepare your table beautifully, you will eat with appetite.
Be truthful. Perform your prayers, fast your fasts. These are the primary nourishment for you. After eating, wash every part of yourself in light. For the time has come to approach God. Prepare for a long journey ahead. You will traverse countries. A difficult task will be entrusted to you. Regions will submit to you. For a servant’s heart is pure and clean, nothing can be withheld from him. The one who feels closeness to God in his being becomes the sultan of the earth. That servant is appointed to call people to God. It is his duty to face their suffering with patience. Those who are aware of truth and reality strive to turn falsehood present on earth into truth.
That servant enriches people by distributing wealth. He becomes infinitely wealthy when he does good to someone.
His heart is filled with wisdom. The manifestation of God adorns the hearts of righteous servants. In the inner worlds of insightful servants, waterfalls of wisdom surge. Springs flow from the sea of the Throne and knowledge. These springs revive dead hearts and bring them to life. Bodies that flee from God reach resurrection through these streams.
O child! Haram food kills the heart. Halal food adds life to your being. There is a morsel that darkens your heart. There is a morsel that scatters lights in your depths. There is a morsel that, when you eat it, makes you immersed in the world. There is a morsel that, when you eat it, takes you beyond this realm. But there is a more superior morsel than these, which transports him to the Creator of nature.
Haram food makes you preoccupied with the world and makes mistakes pleasing. Eating permissible things drives the heart towards the Hereafter and engages it in obedience. Halal food brings one closer to the Creator. These foods are known through a feeling of insight. Those who carry a feeling of insight for God perceive this in their being.
Knowledge is in the heart, not in registers and books. This knowledge is given by God. Servants cannot give it. For this feeling to settle in the heart, one must worship God. Being truthful and affirming truthfulness are essential for those who desire a feeling of insight. It is also very important to remove worldly attachments from the heart.
You are only thinking about satisfying your appetites and desires. How can you possibly attain knowledge in this state? Besides, you have become unaware of where you obtain what you eat and drink.
The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) said in a hadith: “A person who does not think about how he obtains his food and drink is not looked upon with mercy by God. He will not enter any of the gates of Hell.”
Do not attach your heart to anything in the universe. Do not even let it smile at them. Let it not keep you away from God. Let people not lead you astray from God. Do not mingle too much with people. Only speak as far as their understanding allows, to call people to goodness.