BEŞİNCİ BAB · SEKİZİNCİ FASIL · Yedinci Madde
Seventh Item
It relates that the most exalted Guide, the eminent Shavkh Ismail Tillovi Fakirullah (may his blessings be upon him), whose servant was Dervish Osman Hüsnü Hakîrullah (may his blessings be upon him), who was perhaps in the station of a blessed son, found the beloved he had been promised in a dream (and eventually) met him, received healing for his ailment through his service, and obtained what he desired from him.
O esteemed one! It should be known that Fakirullah (may his blessings be upon him) has, since the well incident, considered Dervish Efendi our father worthy of his service and fit to join his company, drawing him gradually towards himself with affection in order to make him a confidant of his secrets and a companion on his path. Dervish Efendi, for his part, has been impatiently awaiting this perfect guide’s attraction and the attainment of him since the night of istikhara on this side. This occurred at the beginning of Rajab al-Sharif in the Hijri year 1122 (A.D. 1710).
It was during these times that Dervish Efendi, with resolve and determination to travel the earth for ten years to find his promised guide, went towards Bitlis with his compassionate friend, Shavkh Eyüb Efendi. His compassionate friend arrived there before Dervish Efendi and found a perfect person named Molla Muhammad Arvasi, remaining with him for a while. During this time, he acquired knowledge and gnosis from him, preferring that side. Afterwards, Dervish Efendi arrived in the beautiful land of Bitlis, seeing its high dwellings, rivers, tall trees, and abundant fruits, and was astonished, asking his compassionate friend, "Is this paradise?" He stayed there for about a week, observing this beautiful scenery.
Afterwards, they went to Müküs (Van-Bahçesaray) to visit the blessed tomb of Molla Muhammad Arvasi (may his blessings be upon him), the Shavkh of Eyüb Efendi. They remained there for a week as well; then, when Dervish Efendi’s patience and forbearance ran out, he turned towards the land of his beloved. From there, accompanied by his compassionate friend, they set out on pilgrimage to Siirt.
Couplet:
In the land of my beloved, I saw my mountain.
(Modern Turkish Translation)
In the land of my beloved, the dear mountain appeared.
They became companions with a caravan going from Hizan (Bitlis) to Siirt and learned, during their journey, through their conversations that a saint named Shavkh Ismail was in the village of Tillo (Aydınlar), near Siirt. They sent word to him through an elder from the caravan to seek permission for visitation, and they themselves lodged at the place where they were staying that night. The man who went ahead informed this saint, "Two scholars from Erzurum will be visiting you tomorrow. Who are these?"
The saint replied to the elder: “One of them will return to Erzurum, and one will remain here.” In this state, Dervish Efendi, accompanied by his friend Eyüb Efendi, arrived at the side of that saint on the first day of Shaban. They found the desired sovereign in a distance of ten years’ journey within a distance of ten days and attained a radiant countenance. Immediately upon their first meeting, Eyüb Efendi recognized him with the light of gnosis and prostrated in gratitude without hesitation. The saint said to him: “Molla Eyüb, raise your head; this is your pilgrimage.” Dervish Efendi thought that Molla Eyüb was ill, unaware that he was a sun of radiant light equivalent to quicksilver, comparing himself to him. Having found his wise guide and ancient friend, he failed to recognize the value of it; still seeking a perfect guide, his mind went to Mecca, and he himself went to Siirt. On the third day, he arrived at Tillo and saw that his friend Eyüb Efendi had found what he sought and recognized its worth, remaining with him. Until the festival, he remained in seclusion in that mosque, intending to see the face of that saint even for a moment and to draw benefit and fulfillment from his radiant splendor. (Seeing his determination), Dervish Efendi also remained in that mosque, immersed in a sea of wonder. However, as long as he stayed in the mosque, his illness was gradually improving, with him turning towards that saint at every moment and inclining towards him. In this manner, his blessed body found healing, and his soul attained peace. Hour by hour, grief and heedlessness left his heart, filling it with tranquility and joy. Until the festival, he recognized his master and became his foremost servant; thus, the festival was the greatest festival for him. That saint elevated that Dervish to such a station that one wondered where his friend had gone.
Shavkh Eyüb Efendi came to Erzurum after the festival. Dervish Efendi knew the master he would serve. He found the guide he had desired for eight years, attaining the state of knowledge with the capital of surrender. He acted according to the book of spiritual travel and perfected himself through the company of that perfect guide. He extinguished the fire of grief burning his selfhood, thus finding healing from every ailment. He attached himself to that saint with loyalty and affection and continued in his service, remaining by his side as long as his life lasted. Thus, the word of that saint was fulfilled.
Poem:
1-Beautiful enthusiasm, beautiful radiance, beautiful entertainment, beautiful desire.
2-Beautiful love, beautiful delight, beautiful beauty, beautiful devotion.
3-Beautiful form and stature, beautiful Day of Judgment.
4-Beautiful grace and miracles, beautiful companionship and harmony.
5-Beautiful light and manifestation, beautiful friend, beautiful friend.
6-Beautiful confidant of the free ones, beautiful mine of secrets.
7-Beautiful exalted rank, beautiful light, beautiful light.
8-Beautiful victorious banner, beautiful renowned verse.
…….. sanctified and sublime.
9-Beautiful fortunate destiny, beautiful praiser of the praised one.
10-Beautiful realizor of the existent, beautiful form and meaning.
11-Sometimes the strife of the soul, sometimes the uproar of the world.
12-Sometimes safety and security, sometimes a pure sea.
13-Wondrous is God, the praised one; wondrous is the afflicted ailment.
14-Wondrous is the capable and acceptable one; wondrous is the name and the named.
You are my essence, you are my being,
Perhaps a flowing spirit, my beloved you.
You are my blessed fortune, my promise and fulfillment,
Perhaps the lengthening of my life, my endeavor you.
You are my soul and my dearest one, my refuge and security,
Perhaps a hidden treasure, my abode you.
You are the comfort of my soul, my conquest and victories,
Perhaps a goblet of wine, my garden you.
You are my worth and decree, the water of life,
Perhaps salvation itself, my burden you.
You are my pleasure and tranquility, my sorrow and joy,
The light in my eye, my fire you.
The dervish spoke: "My cry is for one who has been wounded,
One in need of succor, bereft of support; you are my neighbor."