Dr. Sarac: I think that there is way too much material on the awards ceremony. Can some of it be deleted?

A lot of it says that same thing just different s eakers!maga"ines. Also# see . $%# &'(# &)&# &*+. ,ntil these -uestions are answered# there.s no more for me to do on this book. /here are se0eral source!0erse citations needed# which I.0e highlighted. In a *1+ format# there are a ro1imately %+% ages.

I ha0e looked at Ali.s corrections to the inde1. I ha0e not incor orated them in the inde1 at the bottom# because I lan to do that while I.m laying out the book in 2uark. 3e raised the oint of /urkish s elling. I think we should follow /urkish s elling# as that is how the eo le are known. If you agree# I will make the changes while laying out the book. /hey can be done globally# so it won.t take much time. I.0e also co ied this bio into 2uestions. 4I567A839 5: :;/3,<<A3 6=<;>

/able of Contents
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Biography Views Politics Dialogue Education Spiritual hat!"hey! rote

:oreword
#t!a!ti$e!when!%a$e!$a&es!$any!people!giddy'!we!as&(!)*an!there!+e!anyone!who!despises!%a$e,-!#nyone!who! &nows!.ethullah!/0len!1od2ae%endi!e3en!a!little!will!answer(!)4es'!there!can!+e.-!"his!$an!has!always!+een!guided! +y!the!golden!criteria(!).a$e!is!hypocrisy!itsel%'!a!honey!that!poisons!the!heart.!5t!$a&es!us!sla3es!to!others.-! So!why!are!we!$a&ing!hi$!&nown'!in!The Biography of Fethullah Glen,!Doesn6t!it!contradict!the!a+o3e!%act,! /0len!hi$sel%!answers(
#!+utter%ly!is!a!creature!that!doesn6t!li3e!%or!itsel%.! hile!a!sil&wor$'!it!undergoes!$eta$orphosis!and!+eco$es!a ! +utter%ly.!#lso'!a!+utter%ly!%lies!toward!the!light.!5%!we!approach!the!su+2ect!%ro$!this!perspecti3e'!we!are!doing! what!it6s!necessary!to!do.! hile!stri3ing!in!the!way!o%!/od!and!%or!the!+ene%it!o%!people'!we!try!to!do!so$e!things ! in!3illages!and!towns.!"hese!are!each!a!stage!on!the!way'!+ut!ne3er!a!goal.!7i&e!this!world.!8ur!Prophet'!upon!hi$! +e!peace!and!+lessings'!guides!us!with!the!%ollowing!words(!) hat!is!$y!relation!with!this!world,!5n!this!world'!5! a$!li&e!a!tra3eler!who!sits!under!the!shade!o%!a!tree!and!then!gets!up!and!lea3es.-!"hese!stages!are!places!that ! sincere!people!necessarily!pass!through!and!lea3e.!8n!this!2ourney'!hearts!are!%i9ed!on!/od6s!appro3al.!:othing ! should!+e!e9pected!%ro$!this!world!or!e3en!the!ne9t.! e!lower!oursel3es!i%!we!incline!toward!the!world!%or!any ! reason!other!than!seeing!that!the!people6s!%aith!is!sound.

E3en!though!this!truth!is!displayed!in!his!li%e'!we!thought!it!necessary!to!prepare!this!+oo&.!"hrough!it'!we!hope!to! $a&e!.ethullah!/0len!+etter!&nown!+y!the!pu+lic!and!to!set!the!historical!record!straight.! 5n!preparing!this!+oo&'!we!ha3e!collected!and!e3aluated!/0len6s!+iography!and!inter3iews!with!3arious!$edia! personalities'!and!ha3e!presented!his!intellectual!side!through!his!writings'!speeches'!and!poe$s.!#lso!included!are! articles!on!his!acti3ities'!his!e%%orts!%or!tolerance!and!dialogue'!accounts!o%!tal&s!he!has!gi3en!on!these!su+2ects'!and! how!the!$edia!3iews!the$.!5n!addition'!we!present!pu+lished!articles!concerning!his!conception!o%!education!and! ser3ice!to!others!3ia!the!schools!attri+uted!to!hi$'!as!well!as!his!3iews.! 8n!+ehal%!o%!"he!.ountain'!in!addition!to!all!those!who!ha3e!helped!prepare!and!pu+lish!this!wor&'!5!would!li&e!to! e9press!$y!sincere!gratitude!and!respects!to!e3eryone'!%ro$!$e$+ers!o%!the!press!and!politicians!to!scholars!and! +usiness$en'!whose!writing!and!3iews!co$posed!the!+oo&6s!$ain!$aterial.!5t!is!$y!wish!that!this!wor&!will!+e!a! 3ehicle!%or!the!good!that!is!e9pected!%ro$!it. Dr!;sa!Sara<

8art &

:ethullah 6?len.s 4iogra hy

!

Introduction
=nown!+y!his!si$ple!and!austere!li%estyle'!.ethullah!/0len'!a%%ectionately!called!1od2ae%endi'!is!a!scholar! o%!e9traordinary!proportions.!"his!$an!%or!all!seasons!was!+orn!in!Er>uru$'!eastern!"ur&ey'!in!1?3@.!Apon! graduation!%ro$!a!pri3ate!Di3inity!school!in!Er>uru$!in!1?5@'!he!o+tained!his!license!and!+egan!to!preach! and!teach!a+out!the!i$portance!o%!understanding!and!tolerance.!1is!social!re%or$!e%%orts'!+egun!during!the! 1?6Bs'!ha3e!$ade!hi$!one!o%!"ur&ey6s!$ost!wellC&nown!and!respected!pu+lic!%igures. "hough!si$ple!in!outward!appearance'!he!is!original!in!thought!and!action.!1e!e$+races!all!hu$anity'!and! is!deeply!a3erse!to!un+elie%'!in2ustice'!and!de3iation.!1is!+elie%!and!%eelings!are!pro%ound'!and!his!ideas!and! approach!to!pro+le$s!are!+oth!wise!and!rational.!#!li3ing!$odel!o%!lo3e'!ardor'!and!%eeling'!he!is! e9traordinarily!+alanced!in!his!thoughts'!acts'!and!treat$ent!o%!$atters.!
hene3er!5!see!a!lea%!%all!%ro$!its!+ranch!in!autu$n' 5!%eel!as!$uch!pain!as!i%!$y!ar$!had!+een!a$putated.

"ur&ish!intellectuals!and!scholars!ac&nowledge'!either!tacitly!or!e9plicitly'!that!he!is!one!o%!the!$ost! serious!and!i$portant!thin&ers!and!writers'!and!a$ong!the!wisest!acti3ists!o%!twentiethCcentury!"ur&ey!or! e3en!o%!the!Dusli$!world.!But!such!accolades!o%!his!leadership!o%!a!new!5sla$ic!intellectual'!social'!and! spiritual!re3i3alEa!re3i3al!with!the!potential!to!e$+race!great!areas!o%!the!worldEdo!not!deter!hi$!%ro$! stri3ing!to!+e!no!$ore!than!a!hu$+le!ser3ant!o%!/od!and!a!%riend!to!all.!Desire!%or!%a$e!is!the!sa$e!as!show! and!ostentation'!a!)poisonous!honey-!that!e9tinguishes!the!heart6s!spiritual!li3eliness'!is!one!o%!the!golden! rules!he!%ollows.! /0len!has!spent!his!adult!li%e!3oicing!the!cries!and!la$ents'!as!well!as!the!+elie%s!and!aspirations'!o%! Dusli$s!in!particular!and!o%!hu$anity!in!general.!1e!+ears!his!own!sorrows'!+ut!those!o%!others!crush!hi$.! 1e!%eels!each!+low!deli3ered!at!hu$anity!to!+e!deli3ered!%irst!at!his!own!heart.!1e!%eels!hi$sel%!so!deeply! and!inwardly!connected!to!creation!that!once!he!said(!) hene3er!5!see!a!lea%!%all!%ro$!its!+ranch!in!autu$n'! 5!%eel!as!$uch!pain!as!i%!$y!ar$!had!+een!a$putated.-

/he 8hysical# 3istorical# and Sociological 4ackground

*ertain!ti$es'!conditions'!and!e3en!places!are!li&e!wo$+s!that'!when!i$pregnated!with!certain!e3ents'!gi3e! +irth!to!certain!personalities.! hen!the!twentieth!century!arri3ed'!one!i$portant!thin&er!co$$ented'!the!world!witnessed!the!collapse!o%! )a!great'!unluc&y!continentF!a!glorious'!un%ortunate!stateF!and!a!3alua+le'!unprotected!nation.-! ith!the! words!)a!3ery!no+le!nation'!alas'!was!disgraced'-!D.!#&i%!Ersoy'!"ur&ey6s!national!poet!and!co$poser!o%! the!"ur&ish!national!anthe$'!la$ented!the!decay!o%!the!"ur&ish!people!and!the!8tto$an!E$pire.! *enturies!earlier'!"ur&ish!tri+es!had!suddenly!gushed!%orward!li&e!a!spring!%ro$!*entral!#sia6s!high! $ountains!and!plateaus!and'!wa3e!upon!wa3e'!%lowed!to!the! est.!.irst!settling!in!#natolia'!they!gradually! +eca$e!heirs!to!a!$agni%icent!ci3ili>ation!under!the!cal$'!serene!shadow!o%!which!a!considera+le!part!o%! the!world!had!li3ed!%or!5!centuries.!#s!the!carriers!o%!this!ci3ili>ation'!they!ad3anced!%ar!into!Europe6s! heart'!e$+roidering!the!lands!they!conGuered!with!wonder%ul!wor&s!o%!ci3ili>ation.!1owe3er'!si$ilar!to! hu$an!+eings'!ci3ili>ations!and!states!ha3e!natural!li%e!spans!consisting!o%!+irth'!youth'!$aturity'!old!age'! and!death'!as!i%!they!were!deter$ined!in!the!eternal!past.! #ny!2udg$ent!$ade!in!past!eternity!occurs!within!the!%ra$ewor&!o%!speci%ic!causes!and!hu$anity6s!partial! %ree!will.!5%!this!were!not!so'!we!would!2usti%ia+ly!+e!%atalistic'!%or!%atalis$!contradicts!the!$ind!and!logic'! as!well!as!historical'!sociological'!and!e3en!psychological!truths.! 8ur!+odies!age!and!draw!closer!to!the!gra3e.!7i&e!a!new!day!that!appears!on!the!hori>on!with!a!+a+y6s! innocence'!we!e9perience!the!$orning!o%!youth'!the!noon!o%!$aturity!and!a%ternoon!o%!old!age'!and!then!we! set!and!are!gone.!"he!sa$e!thing!is!repeated!in!the!seasons'!which!occur!within!a!predestined!%ra$ewor&.! *i3ili>ations!and!states!%ollow!the!sa$e!procedure'!+ut!are!apparently!dependent!on!their!representati3es6! choices!and!conduct. #ll!historical!e3ents!occur!in!an!identical!way!and!a!si$ilar!%ra$ewor&'!and!thus!teach!us!so$ething.! Seeing!the!si$ilarities!+etween!these!e3ents'!+etween!the!de3elop$ent!and!decay!o%!one!state!and! ci3ili>ation!and!the!other'!we!can!deri3e!accurate!results!and!3alua+le!lessons.!

5n!esta+lishing!this!uni3ersal!truth'!we!$ust!ne3er!%orget!that!hu$an!+eings!are!not'!as!$aterialists!clai$'! )organic-!$achines.!Hather'!they!ha3e!a!physical!+ody!and!a!spiritual!side'!$any!con%used!and!perple9ing! %eelings'!and!a!curious!and!Guestioning!intellect!or!reason!that!$a&es!the$!sorry!%or!the!past!and!an9ious! a+out!the!%uture.!5n!addition'!they!ha3e!other!special!%aculties'!a$ong!the$!a!heart!that!is!contented!only! with!special!)%ood.-!"o!per%or$!their!particular!duty'!responsi+ility'!and!%unction'!and!there+y!+e!%ul%illed! as!a!)hu$an-!and!attain!real!happiness'!they!$ust!+e!nurtured!e$otionally!and!spiritually'!$entally!and! physically.!"hus'!although!we!ha3e!no!control!o3er!any!aspect!o%!our!+irth!and!death'!cannot!$eet!$any!o%! our!needs'!and!li3e!within!a!certain!social!%ra$ewor&'!each!o%!us!has!a!%ree!will!to!direct!his!or!her!li%e.! "here%ore'!it!see$s!to!+e!indi3iduals!who!$a&e!hu$an!history.! e!are!accounta+le!%or!our!acts!and!recei3e! what!we!ha3e!earned.!"his!is!the!di%%erence!+etween!hu$an!history!and!the!li%e!o%!)nature.Our Old Cities With their external appearance, inner depth, good proportions, surrounding vineyards and orchards, cascading streams and breezy atmosphere, our old cities softened all hearts. They enchanted all dreams, and intoxicated those who stopped for a while in them. Colorful lights from beyond rained on the cities; intimacy, love, and affection gushed out of the ground; and city inhabitants breathed a unique communion each moment in the city s bosom. These galleries of beauty!the cities!were a corner of "aradise that everyone strongly desired and to which they ran. #n the people s inspired faces and the buildings enchanting proportions, we felt that everything bowed to divinity and was progressing in a profound atmosphere within boundaries drawn by celestial inspiration, as if swimming meaningfully and symmetrically, harmoniously, and brightly. $specially during the latter years and despite various faults due to aged institutions, this atmosphere with all its beauty developed by love sighing and lamenting, by ardor constantly being carried away to ecstasy, and by spiritual pleasures that could ma%e the pleasures of "aradise be forgotten, was li%e the final destination that we could reach&
Zamanin Altin Dilimi 'The (olden "eriod of Time) '*zmir+ ,--.), ./01.

"he!5sla$ic!ci3ili>ation!inherited!+y!the!8tto$ans!3iewed!hu$anity!and!li%e!as!a!whole.!8n!the!one!hand'! it!3alued!science!as!the!)$ind6s!light'-!understanding!that!as!/od6s!3icegerent!on!Earth'!$en!and!wo$en! ha3e!the!authority!to!i$pro3e!the!world!with!&nowledge.!8n!the!other!hand'!it!+ased!its!spiritual!%oundation! on!the!dyna$ics!and!3alues!o%!5sla$'!and!there+y!showed!itsel%!as!a!ci3ili>ation!o%!the!$ind#!the!heart'!and! the!spirit.! "his!ci3ili>ation!saw!nature'!the!su+2ectC$atter!o%!sciences'!as!a!place!%or!$ani%esting!the!natural!laws! deri3ing!%ro$!the!*reator6s!#ttri+utes!o%! ill!and!Power.!5t!ne3er!percei3ed!scienti%ic!)laws-!as! inco$pati+le!with!5sla$'!which!is!a!co$plete!and!har$onious!syste$!o%!the!laws!co$ing!%ro$!the! *reator6s!#ttri+ute!o%!Speech.!5n!the! est'!science!was!separated!%ro$!religion!and!+rought!$ore!har$! than!good.!"his!$ista&en!approach!also!ensla3ed!hu$anity!to!the!3ery!o+2ects!that!$en!and!wo$en! produced!and!used'!there+y!depri3ing!the$!o%!all!su+li$e!3alues.!5t!gi3es!no!signi%icance!to!hu$an!li%e'!+ut! can!&ill!hundreds!o%!thousands!in!an!instant. 5sla$ic!ci3ili>ation'!on!the!other!hand'!accepted!science!as!an!e9pression!o%!religion!on!a!di%%erent!le3el.!By! $arrying!the!heart!and!$ind!on!the!indi3idual!le3el'!and!religion!and!scienti%ic!&nowledge!on!the!social! le3el'!it!presented!true!happiness!to!a!signi%icant!part!o%!hu$anity!%or!centuries.!5n!his!$onu$ental! Introduction to the History of Sciences'!/eorge!Sarton!di3ided!history!into!chronological!sections!and! na$es!each!section!a%ter!the!scientist!who!ca$e!to!+e!identi%ied!with!it.!"he!35BCyear!period!%ro$!the! eighth!century!to!the!latter!hal%!o%!the!ele3enth!century!carries!only!the!na$es!o%!Dusli$!scientists(!the! 1ari>$I!and!the!BIrJnI!periods'!%or!e9a$ple.!Sarton!also!$entions!the!na$es!o%!hundreds!o%!Dusli$! scientists!who!$ade!an!i$print!on!their!age.!"hese!scientists!were!not!e9perts!only!in!their!particular!%ields! or!i$prisoned!in!$aterialist!patterns'!as!is!the!usual!case!today'!+ut!were!e9perts!in!$any!%ields.!Dost!were! also!$en!and!wo$en!o%!the!spirit'!$ind'!and!heart.!Si$ilarly'!$ost!great!Su%is!were!$athe$aticians'! astrono$ers'!doctors'!historians'!and!che$ists!all!at!the!sa$e!ti$e. 5n!the!$idCthirteenth!century'!5sla$ic!ci3ili>ation!su%%ered!a!great!shoc&!in!the!%or$!o%!the!Dongol! in3asion.!But!despite!its!5BBCyear!e9istence'!it!was!%ull!o%!li%e!in!spirit'!nature'!and!essential!dyna$ics!due! to!the!li%e!energy!%lowing!%ro$!its!$ain!resources.!5t!reco3ered!Guic&ly.!"his!ti$e'!5sla$ic!ci3ili>ation! de3eloped!a!new!+ranch!spreading!%ro$!#natolia!to!Europe'!and!gained!greater!splendor!with!the!8tto$an!

E$pire.!1owe3er'!upon!entering!the!nineteenth!century'!its!wing!o%!science!was!+ro&en!and!it!su%%ered!a! withering!o%!its!spiritual!%orce.!"he! est'!howe3er'!had!trans%or$ed!its!scienti%ic!&nowledge!into!a!source! o%!great!strength!and!was!already!launched!on!its!course!o%!colonialist!e9pansion.! "his!new!de3elop$ent!was!largely!due!to!certain!socioCpsychological!%actors!created!+y!the!European! Henaissance!or!e3en!earlier.!Europe6s!awa&ening!to!$aterialis$!and!its!hunger!%or!$aterial!wealth!led!its! people!to!in3estigate!the!world6s!riches.!"he!power!they!gained!through!geographical!and!scienti%ic! disco3eries!and!new!technological!in3entions!e3entually!led!to!world!do$ination.!#lready!collapsing'!the! 8tto$an!E$pire!could!not!withstand!it.!#%ter!the!"ur&ishCHussian!war!in!1@77'!the!.irst!and!Second! Bal&an! ars'!and!the!.irst! orld! ar!were!deeply!%elt!in!e3ery!"ur&ish!ho$e.!.inally'!the!occupation!and! di3ision!o%!#natolia!were!added!to!these. "ogether!with!all!these!de%eats'!Europe6s!!apparent!da>>ling!power!and!$aterial!superiority!tended!to! e9tinguish!the!principles!o%!+elie%'!+eginning!with!+elie%!in!/od'!which!is!the!purpose!o%!creation!and!li%e! %or!Dusli$s.!5sla$!was!$ade!the!3icti$!o%!Dusli$s6!degradation.!"he!Kur6an!was!pushed!aside'!and!the! Dusli$s6!$inds!and!hearts'!hope!and!lo3e'!enthusias$!and!%eelings!+eca$e!paraly>ed.!/eographically!and! socially'!the!Dusli$!world!ca$e!to!rese$+le!ruins!in!which!owls!$a&e!their!nests.!83er!this!grie3ous! situation'!the!Poet!o%!the!"ur&ish!:ational!#nthe$!would!la$ent(
5!+eca$e!li&e!an!owl!la$enting!o3er!the!ruins' 1a3ing!seen!this!hea3enly!land!in!its!%all. 5%!5!had!li3ed!in!the!)"i$e!o%!Hose'-!5!would!+eco$e!a!nightingaleF 8!7ord'!i%!only!4ou!had!+rought!$e!earlierL Our Houses from Past to Future 2ur old, well3proportioned houses once gushed forth happiness and serenity, and meaning and peace flowed from them. The light that enveloped their surroundings reminded us more of moons and stars. 4ow we are trying to capture them in our dreams. We are consoled with dreams of them, and we live with the desire to realize those sweet dreams once more. With their interiors and exteriors and their inhabitants, our houses were the most humane, spacious, sacred places, and the most open to the other world. When loo%ed carefully, they seemed as if heavenly %ios% with the 5houris6 of "aradise in them, and eternality was felt in the light3diffusing atmosphere surrounding them. The halls 'selamlik) where guests were received were open to the outer world and brought to mind places of worship and education,! and places where earthly pleasures were tasted. The harem sections reminded one of heavenly %ios%s and dervish lodges. The synchronization and fusion of these warm homes with the human spirit was so perfect and meaningful that their inhabitants listened to the poetry of the past and the future at the same time, and felt the idea of immortality permeate their hearts&
Zamanin Altin Dilimi 'The (olden "eriod of Time) '*zmir+ ,--.), /,07.

A Different 3ome
#ccording!to!.ethullah!/0len(!)Poe$s'!li&e!entreaties'!e9press!the!ups!and!downs!and!enthusiastic!and! sorrow%ul!$oods!in!one6s!inner!world.!"o!the!degree!indi3iduals!are!concentrated!on!e9alted!truths'!they! +eco$e!li&e!di3ine!+reaths.-!/0len'!a!scholar'!philosopher'!and!poet'!%aced!such!a!world!when!he!was!+orn! in!:o3e$+er!1?3@.! 8ne!i$portant!operati3e!rule!in!/od6s!uni3erse!is!that!the!+iggest!things!grow!in!the!+oso$!o%!the!s$allest! things.!.or!e9a$ple'!the!seeds!o%!the!appro9i$ately!3BCton!seGuoia!trees!in!Ecuador!weigh!only!B.7!$g.! 1iding!an!ocean!in!a!drop'!/od!uses!an!in3isi+le!sper$!as!the!+asic!$aterial!o%!the!hu$an!organis$.!5n!the! sa$e!way'!to!the!degree!that!people!understand!their!helplessness'!po3erty'!and!nothingness!+e%ore!/od'! they!will!+e!power%ul!with!1is!strength'!rich!with!1is!wealth'!and!e9ist!with!1is!eternal!e9istence.! People!who!ha3e!had!an!i$pact!on!history!appear!in!une9pected!places.!#ccording!to!legend'!Ho$e!is!said! to!+e!%ounded!+y!two!+rothers'!Ho$ulus!and!He$us'!who!suc&ed!$il&!%ro$!a!wol%.!*onsidering!the!criteria! o%!hu$an!greatness'!as!the!.rench!historian!7a$artine!said!and!as!$odern!co$puters!say'!Duha$$ad! Mp+uhN'!the!greatest!person!to!e3er!li3e'!was!raised!in!an!arid!3alley!in!the!$iddle!o%!the!desert.!"he! 8tto$an!E$pire!rose!on!the!shoulders!o%!a!s$all'!uni$portant!Sel2u&id!principality.!E3en!though!/0len! attri+utes!no!greatness!to!hi$sel%'!he!is!a!3ery!i$portant!person.!

1e!was!+orn!in!the!s$all!#natolian!3illage!o%!=orucu&'!co$prised!o%!5BC6B!houses'!in!the!1asan&ale! district!o%!the!Er>uru$!region.!1is!ancestors!ca$e!%ro$!#hlat'!a!s$all!town!in!Bitlis!pro3ince!situated! a$ong!the!$ountains!near!7a&e!Van!in!eastern!"ur&ey.!Escaping!%ro$!A$ayyad!and!#++asid!oppression'! the!grandchildren!o%!the!Prophet!had!settled!in!the!$ountainous!eastern!region!o%!"ur&ey'!where!they! )+losso$ed!li&e!snow!%lowers-!and!esta+lished!certain!spiritual!ways.!Bitlis!and!its!surroundings!thus! attained!the!distinction!o%!+eing!the!region!where!the!"ur&ish!tri+es!and!5sla$ic!spirit!%irst!$ingled!and! %used.! /0len!awo&e!to!li%e!in!a!hearth!per$eated!with!5sla$6s!spirit.!1e!descri+es!his!%a$ily!and!childhood! i$pressions!as!%ollows( "he!%irst!person!%ro$!our!%a$ily!to!settle!in!=orucu&!was!$y!greatCgrand%ather!Dolla! #h$ed'!son!o%!1urOid!#Pa'!son!o%!1alil!E%endi.!Dolla!#h$ed!was!an!e9traordinary!person! distinguished!+y!his!&nowledge!and!piety.!During!the!last!3B!years!o%!his!li%e'!he!ne3er! stretched!out!his!legs!to!lie!on!a!+ed!and!sleep.!5t!was!said!that!when!he!+eca$e!sleepy'!he! would!sit!down'!rest!his!%orehead!on!his!right!hand'!and!nap!a!little. Dy!grand%ather!Qa$il!#Pa!rese$+led!his!%ather!in!so$e!ways'!%or!he!was!also!li&e!a!$an! o%!the!ne9t!world.!1is!seriousness!and!dignity!$ade!the!3illage!people!%eel!awe.!5n!addition! to!his!in%luence'!$y!grand$other!DJnise!1anR$!had!perhaps!an!e3en!greater!in%luence! upon!$e.!She!was!a!uniGue!wo$an!who!spo&e!3ery!little!and!tried!to!%ully!re%lect!5sla$! with!her!state!o%!+eing.!Dy!%ather!also!had!a!great!in%luence!on!$e.!1e!li3ed!care%ully'!had! eyes!%ull!o%!tears'!and!did!not!waste!ti$e.!#lthough!raised!in!a!s$all!3illage!a$idst!$aterial! po3erty'!scarcity'!and!drought'!according!to!one!who!&new!hi$!closely'!he!see$ed!to!ha3e! recei3ed!an!)royal!up+ringing.-!"his!generous'!no+le!lo3er!o%!&nowledge!had!an!agile!$ind! that!re3ealed!itsel%!in!su+tleties!and!was!tied!to!5sla$!with!all!his!heart.!Dy!$aternal! grand$other'!1atice!1anR$'!was!a!$onu$ent!o%!purity!in!e3ery!respect.!1er!daughter! He%ia!1anR$'!$y!$other'!was!a!sy$+ol!o%!co$passion!and!pro%undity.!She!taught!the! Kur6an!to!all!the!3illage!wo$en!and!to!$e!at!a!ti$e!when!e3en!reading!it!was!di%%icult.! /uests'!especially!scholars'!were!%reGuent!in!our!house.! e!paid!great!attention!to!the$.! During!$y!childhood!and!youth'!5!ne3er!sat!with!$y!peers!or!age!groupF!instead'!5!always! sat!with!older!people!and!listened!to!the$!e9plain!things!that!satis%ied!the!$ind!and!heart. Dy!%ather!constantly!adorned!his!co$$ents!with!witty!re$ar&s!he!had!heard!or!$ade!up.! "his!shows!that!he!had!a!%ine!$ind.!5!was!i$pressed!that!he!would!ne3er!step!o3er!the!line! o%!what!was!proper.!5n!+oth!his!lo3e!and!his!anger'!he!protected!that!+oundary.!1e!was! +ound!to!the!Prophet6s!*o$panions!to!the!e9tre$e'!and!instilled!in!$e!and!$y!si+lings!his! lo3e!o%!the$. 8utside!o%!$y!%a$ily'!Duha$$ed!70t%i!E%endi!had!a!3ery!great!in%luence!on!$e.!E3ery! word!co$ing!out!o%!his!$outh!appeared!as!inspiration!%lowing!%ro$!another!real$.! e! listened!attenti3ely!whene3er!he!tal&ed'!%or!it!was!as!i%!we!were!hearing!celestial!things!that! had!pre3iously!co$e!down!to!Earth. 5!cannot!say!that!5!%ully!understood!hi$'!+ecause!he!passed!away!when!5!was!not!e3en!16! years!old.!Despite!this'!+ecause!he!was!the!one!who!%irst!awa&ened!$y!consciousness!and! perceptions'!5!tried!to!grasp!his!points!with!$y!$ind!and!natural!talents'!since!$y!age! pre3ented!$e!%ro$!co$prehending!hi$.!Dy!intuition'!sensiti3ity'!and!%eelings!o%!today!are! due!to!$y!sensations!in!his!presence.!S.ethullah!/0len'!Kk Dnyam!MDy!S$all! orldN'! inter3iewed!+y!7ati%!ErdoPan'!Ta$anU #s!/0len!points!out'!this!uniGue!hearth!was!li&e!a!guesthouse!%or!all!&nowledgea+le!and!spiritually!e3ol3ed! people!in!the!region'!who!would!stay!%or!a!while!and!then!$o3e!on.!#s!a!result!o%!this!early!contact!with! older!people'!young!/0len!%ound!hi$sel%!in!a!circle!o%!&nowledge!and!spirituality!al$ost!%ro$!+irth. /0len!recei3ed!his!%irst!#ra+ic!and!Persian!training!%ro$!his!%ather'!who!en2oyed!reading!+oo&s!and! constantly!read!the!Kur6an!or!$ur$ured!poe$s.!Ha$i>!E%endi!was!o+sessed!with!Prophet!Duha$$ad! Mp+uhN!and!the!*o$panions'!and!his!+oo&s!on!the$!were!either!worn!or!torn!%ro$!+eing!read!so!o%ten.!1e! instilled!this!lo3e!o%!the!*o$panions!in!his!son'!which!was!to!+e!one!o%!/0len6s!$ost!i$portant!sides.!"his! e9plains!his!great!lo3e!o%!the!Prophet!and!his!*o$panions'!which!rose!li&e!the!s$o&e!%ro$!an!incense! +urner!in!his!%ather6s!house.

Our Old Villages The deep silence, contemplative calm, and magical nature that surround our imagination when thin%ing about our old villages no longer exist. The slice of silence that we sense and become exhilarated by today in a cove or a grove was always the natural and permanent atmosphere of our old villages. There was such a warm bond and sweet balance between former villages and cities that villagers did not envy the city and city dwellers, and city dwellers did not loo% down upon villagers. #n fact, city dwellers sometimes actually came to live in the villages. The village, considered a small city at that time, was a place of divine beauty where city dwellers went for amusement and relaxation, and to be close to nature. 8 pleasant silence and calm always dominated the old villages. The morning sunlight, the mewing of sheep and lambs, and the cries of insects and birds would stri%e our hearts in sweet waves of pleasure and add their voices to the nature s deep, inner music. #n the evening, existence would shroud itself in the covers of dus%, a mysterious condition that would cast a spell on people and produce dreams. The nights always resonated with a song of silence and calm. #n this world!the next3door neighbor to the next world!the call to prayer and the prayer litanies, the language of the beyond, would call us to a different concert and ta%e us around in a deeper and more spiritual atmosphere. 8s long as we sense thoughts and ideas belonging to that sacred period, we cannot brea% with our past and remain detached from our future&
Zamanin Altin Dilimi 'The (olden "eriod of Time) '*zmir+ ,--.), /93.:.

:irst /raining and 8sychological 4ackground 1u$anity!has!a!distincti3e!place!a$ong!creatures.!5n!the!uni3erse!co$prised!o%!di%%erent!real$s!and! worlds'!/od6s!:a$es'!which!gi3e!e9istence!and!$eaning!to!e3ery!thing'!e3ent'!and!pheno$enon'!$ani%est! di%%erently!in!each!real$.!"hus!the!sa$e!:a$e!$ani%ests!one!way!in!the!social!%ield'!another!way!in!the! sciences'!and!still!another!in!religion.!5n!other!words'!the!sa$e!truth!appears!in!di%%erent!colors'!tones'!and! shapes!in!di%%erent!receptacles.! 5n!each!real$'!howe3er'!hu$anity6s!place!is!uniGue(!Den!and!wo$en!ser3e!as!$irrors!to!/od6s!:a$es'!see! with!1is!3ision'!and!hear!with!1is!hearing.!"hey!also!ha3e!strength!%ro$!1is!Power'!&nowledge!%ro$!1is! =nowledge'!and!will!%ro$!1is! ill.!4et!there!are!$ani%estations!that!appear!to!+e!opposite!at!%irst!glance.! .or!e9a$ple'!how!is!eternal!Dercy!and!*o$passion!co$pati+le!with!eternal!punish$ent!in!1ell,!E3ery! :a$e!has!its!own!special!place!and!%ield!o%!$ani%estation.!#s!these!:a$es!are!re%lected!in!the!sa$e! $anner'!they!cause!con%licting!%eelings!to!arise!in!each!indi3idual.!#nger!and!$ercy'!co$passion!and!the! desire!to!punish!e9ist!side!+y!side'!and!it!is!each!indi3idual6s!duty!to!trans%or$!these!con%licting!%eelings! into!a!lace!o%!har$ony.! Si$ilarly'!2ust!as!each!o%!our!%i3e!e9ternal!senses!has!its!uniGue!%unction!and!wants!to!+e!%ul%illed!with!its! own!)%ood'-!each!o%!our!internal!senses!and!%aculties!has!its!own!%unction!and!wants!its!special!%ul%ill$ent.! "he!$ind'!thought'!$e$ory'!reasoning'!and!the!a+ility!to!learn!are!gathered!under!the!concept!o%!)$ental! %aculties.-!Each!one!has!a!special!$eaning!and!%unction!%or!the!indi3idual!in!which!they!are!%ound'!a! special!area!in!which!to!operate'!and!an!en3iron$ent!in!which!to!o+tain!)nutrition.-!Si$ilarly'!each!inner! %aculty!Me.g.'!%eelings'!the!heart'!and!the!spiritN!per%or$s!uniGue!%unctions.!"o!the!degree!that!one6s!internal! and!e9ternal!%aculties!are!nurtured!with!their!special!)%ood-!and!are!satis%ied'!people!esta+lish!har$ony!and! attain!peace!in!their!inner!and!outer!worlds.! hen!the!necessary!relation!and!har$ony!is!esta+lished!+etween!$ind!and!heart'!reason!and!spirit'!$aterial! and!spiritual'!people!can!direct!their!actions!within!a!%ra$ewor&!o%!)wisdo$'-!use!such!e9ternally!oriented! capacities!as!strength!and!passion!within!certain!li$its'!and!&eep!the$!in!+alance.!5n!short'!esta+lishing! internal!)2ustice-E+alance!and!the!$iddle'!$oderate!wayEleads!to!2ust!and!+alanced!e9ternal!relations.!5%! $ind!is!sacri%iced!%or!spirit'!or!spirit!%or!$ind'!or!$ind!and!spirit!%or!strength'!passion!or!the!+ody'!a!)hal%-! or!)Guarter-!person!will!appear.!Such!a!condition!naturally!will!+e!re%lected!in!society.!Haising!a!co$plete! hu$an!+eing!displaying!+oth!internal!and!e9ternal!+alance'!2ustice'!and!peace!$eans!considering!all!hu$an! sensations'!%eelings'!and!%aculties!and!then!training!the$!to!achie3e!the!desired!result.

9ears of education

Destiny!directed!/0len!to!put!into!e%%ect!all!the!aptitudes!and!characteristics!+rought!+y!creation!in!a!2ust! and!+alanced!$anner.!5n!his!own!words( Dy!%irst!teacher!was!$y!$other.!#t!that!ti$e'!our!3illage!had!no!ele$entary!school.!7ater! one!opened. 5!+egan!praying!when!5!was!4!years!old'!and!ha3e!ne3er!$issed!a!prayer!since.!8ne!o%!$y! teachers!was!e9tre$ely!hostile!to!religion!and!could!not!accept!this!acti3ity.!#nother! teacher'!Bel$a'!li&ed!$e!3ery!$uch!and!would!say(!)8ne!day!a!young!lieutenant!will!pass! o3er!/alata!Bridge.!5t!is!as!i%!5!were!watching!hi$!now.5!ran!all!o%!the!errands!%or!$y!%a$ily'!helped!$y!$other!with!the!housewor&'!and!herded! our!cows!and!sheep.!5n!$y!%ree!ti$e'!5!would!read!a!+oo&!or!$e$ori>e!the!Kur6an.! hen! $y!%ather!was!an!i$a$!at!#l3ar!3illage'!5!learned!how!to!read!the!Kur6an!with!the!correct! pronunciation!and!rhyth$ %ro$!1acR!SRd&R!E%endi!o%!1asan&ale' our!district.!5!did!not!ha3e! a!place!to!stay!in!1asan&ale'!so!5!had!to!wal&!+ac&!and!%orth!on!the!7!to!@!&$.!road.! Dy!%irst!#ra+ic!teacher!was!$y!%ather.!7ater!5!was!taught!+y!Duha$$ed!70t%i!E%endi6s! grandson'!Sadi!E%endi.!5!was!studying!at!Er>uru$!when!5!learned!that!$y!grand%ather!and! grand$other!had!died.!5!was!e9tre$ely!sha&en.!Day!and!night!5!prayed(!)7ord'!ta&e!$y! soul!too!so!that!5!can!reunite!with!the$.-!Such!depth!o%!%eeling!was!co$$on!in!$y!%a$ily. 8ne!o%!$y!si+lings!died!during!$y!chlidhood.!.or!years!5!3isited!her!gra3e!and!cried.!8ne! o%!the!$ost!shoc&ing!e3ents!o%!$y!li%e!was!Duha$$ed!70t%i!E%endi6s!death.! ith!his! death'!the!world!saw!another!3oid!that!could!not!+e!%illed'!and!this!)old!$other!o%! hu$anity-!would!groan!once!again. Dy!%ather!had!to!lea3e!#l3ar.!#%ter!a!period!o%!ti$e!in!#rtu>u'!he!settled!in!Er>uru$.! hile!studying!in!Er>uru$'!5!could!%it!all!o%!$y!+elongings!in!a!+o9!5!carried!in!$y!hand.!5! continued!$y!education!under!3ery!di%%icult!conditions.! e!prepared!our!%ood!in!the!sa$e! place!where!we!slept.!Dost!o%!the!ti$e!we!had!to!+athe!in!iceCcold!water. 8nce'!the!place!we!stayed!in!was!so!narrow!that!5!would!ha3e!to!stretch!$y!%oot!toward!$y! %riend!while!sleeping.!*onsidering!this!disrespect%ul'!5!did!not!lie!down.!8ur!+oo&s!were!on! the!roo$6s!other!side.!1ow!could!5!e9tend!$y!legs!toward!the$,!#lso'!this!side!%aced! Decca.!"he!only!other!wall!%aced!=orucu&.!"hin&ing!that!$y!%ather!$ight!+e!there!and!that! this!would!+e!disrespect!to!hi$'!5!could!not!e9tend!$y!legs!in!that!direction!either.!5!sat!li&e! this!%or!se3eral!nights!without!sleeping.!:ot!once!in!$y!li%e!did!5!e9tend!$y!%eet!toward! =orucu&'!where!$y!%ather!was!+orn!and!+uried.!"his!is!how!$uch!respect!5!ha3e!%or!$y! parents. hile!studying!the!religious!sciences'!5!also!read!other!+oo&s!and!studied!the!Su%i!sciences.! .or!$e'!traces!o%!the!religious!sciences!and!Su%is$!always!produced!the!sa$e!rhyth$. Being!3ery!energetic!and!acti3e'!5!did!not!neglect!physical!e9ercise.!5!also!was!3ery! deter$ined'!$ay+e!e3en!courageous.!5!would!Guic&ly!cli$+!the!high!cypress!tree!in!%ront!o%! the!=urOunlu!DosGue'!and!then!en2oy!the!surrounding!3iew.!5!really!li&ed!wal&ing!on!the! top!o%!the!$inaret6s!pinnacles. 5!was!3ery!care%ul!a+out!$y!dress.!Dy!clothes!were!3ery!clean!and!a!little!e9pensi3e!%or! that!ti$e.!So$eti$es!5!would!+e!hungry!%or!days'!+ut!5!ne3er!wore!pants!that!were!not! pressed!or!shoes!that!were!not!polished.! hen!5!could!not!%ind!an!iron'!5!would!put!$y! pants!under!the!+ed!so!that!they!would!loo&!pressed.!S.ethullah!/0len'!Kk Dnyam!MDy! S$all! orldN'!inter3iewed!+y!7ati%!ErdoPan'!Ta$anU /0len!is!naturally!energetic!and!acti3e'!honora+le'!e9tre$ely!+ra3e!and!+old'!and!a!supporter!o%!order!and! orderliness.!5n!addition'!he!has!a!serious!historical!consciousness!and!is!%ull!o%!heroic!%eelings.!5%!his!natural! a+ilities!had!not!+een!disciplined!and!+alanced'!he!easily!could!ha3e!+een!a!ruthless!)ruler.-!1e!is! e9tre$ely!de3oted!to!his!%riends!and!relati3es'!sensiti3e'!co$passionate'!and!&ind.!1owe3er'!he!and!his! %a$ily!ha3e!su%%ered!great!depri3ation!and!sorrow'!such!as!the!si$ultaneous!deaths!o%!a!+rother'!his! grand%ather'!and!paternal!grand$other.!5%!he!had!not!+een!+rought!up!in!a!circle!where!the!religious! sciences!and!spirituality!were!studied!together'!he!could!ha3e!retreated!into!a!li%e!o%!$ystical!seclusion.! .ethullah!/0len!also!studied!positi3e!sciences'!literature'!history'!and!philosophy.!1is!education!that!+egan! in!his!%ather6s!ho$e!continued!in!Er>uru$.!#gain'!+eginning!at!ho$e!and!continuing!at!the!&nees!o%! Duha$$ed!70t%i!E%endi'!his!spiritual!and!religious!training!ha3e!ne3er!ended.! hile!in!school'!he!$et!

students!o%!Bedi0>>a$an!Said!:ursI!and!was!introduced!to!the! isale!i "ur'!in!one!respect!a!co$plete!and! )conte$porary-!5sla$ic!school!that!contri+uted!a!great!deal!to!his!intellectual!and!spiritual!%or$ation.

#!person!is!truly!hu$an!i%!he!or!she!learns' and!teaches'!and!inspires!others.!5t!is!di%%icult!to!regard as!truly!hu$an!so$eone!who!is!ignorant!and!has no!desire!to!learn.!5t!is!also!Guestiona+le whether!a!learned!person!who!does!not!renew and!re%or$!hi$sel%!or!hersel%!to!set!an!e9a$ple %or!others!is!truly!hu$an.

Deanwhile'!he!continued!his!)$odern-!education!in!science!and!philosophy'!literature!and!history.! hile! gaining!a!deep!co$prehension!o%!the!$ain!principles!o%!$odern!sciences!%ro$!physics!to!che$istry'! +iology'!and!astrono$y'!he!read!in!the!original!.rench!the!wor&s!o%!such!e9istentialist!philosophers!as! *a$us'!Sartre'!and!Darcuse.!1e!also!was!introduced!to!other!Eastern'!5sla$ic!and!nonC5sla$ic'!and! estern!philosophies!through!their!$ain!sources.! #ll!o%!these!produced!a!$an!o%!enthusiastic!lo3e!and!deep!spirituality!and'!at!the!sa$e!ti$e'!o%!+road! &nowledge'!co$prehensi3e!logic'!discern$ent'!and!wisdo$.!"he!pu+lic!&nows!/0len!as!a!$an!o%!insight! and!sagacity'!clearness'!so%tness!and!generosity'!pain!and!pleading'!dignity!and!piety'!co$passion'!$ercy! and!tolerance.!8n!the!other!hand'!he!is!&nown!%or!his!)heroic!li%e'-!unending!hope'!idealis$'!and!$easured! discipline.!.inally'!he!is!a!sy$+ol!o%!patience.!"hose!close!to!hi$!&now!hi$!as!a!$an!o%!education!and! deep!spirituality.

:ethullah 3odja or 3odjaefendi

hen!he!was!appro9i$ately!2B!years!old'!/0len!le%t!Er>uru$!%or!Edirne'!"ur&ey6s!door!to!the! est.!4ears! o%!depri3ation'!solitude'!and!sur3eillance!%ollowed!a!period!o%!$ilitary!ser3ice!that!was!particularly!%ertile! in!Da$a&!and!;s&enderun.!During!his!$ilitary!ser3ice'!one!o%!his!co$$anders!encouraged!hi$!to!read!the! estern!classics.!#%ter!returning!to!Edirne!and!there%ro$!to!=Rr&lareli'!/0len!une9pectedly!%ound!hi$sel%! in!;>$ir!in!1?66.! hile!in!Edirne!he!was!&nown!as!the!1od2a!%ro$!Er>uru$F!when!he!went!to!Er>uru$!he! was!called!the!1od2a!%ro$!Edirne.!5n!;>$ir!he!was!&nown!as!.ethullah!1od2a!or!1od2ae%endi.! .ethullah!/0len!descri+es!his!days!o%!Edirne'!$ilitary!ser3ise!and!appoint$ent!to!5>$ir!as!%ollows( ;dirne Dy!%ather!wanted!$e!to!lea3e!Er>uru$.! ith!$y!$other6s!consent'!5!was!sent!to!Edirne'! where!our!relati3e!10seyin!"op!1od2a!would!loo&!out!%or!$e.! !5!was!eating!and!sleeping!3ery!little.!5!+eca$e!so!ascetic!that!5!had!to!+e!hospitali>ed!%or! 15!days.!Despite!$y!solitary!li%estyle'!5!had!good!relations!with!pro$inent!people!in! Edirne.!5n!%act'!the!1ead!o%!the!Dilitary!Branch'!a!colonel!%ro$!the!Blac&!Sea'!once!told! $e(!) e6re!%ellow!country$en.!4ou!can6t!+e!%ro$!Er>uru$.-!5!had!a!close!%riendship! with!HesJl!Bey'!the!*hie%!o%!Police.!5!also!struc&!up!%riendship!with!patrons!o%!the!city6s! co%%eshops. 5!de3eloped!$y!ha+its!here.!5!li&ed!this!region!so!$uch!that!so$eti$es!5!would!get!upset! with!the!Bosphorus!%or!separating!"hrace'!especially!Edirne'!%ro$!#natolia.! 5!in3ested!$y!$oney!in!+oo&s!that!5!considered!+ene%icial'!and!would!gi3e!+oo&s!and! $aga>ines!to!others!as!gi%ts.!.or!this!reason'!5!o%ten!had!%inancial!pro+le$s.! 5!do!not!gi3e!the!appearance!o%!+eing!a!person!who!li&es!to!tal&!and!$eet!with!others.! 1owe3er'!5!ha3e!always!+een!3ery!open'!and!where3er!5!go!5!ha3e!$ade!and!&ept!good! relations!with!$y!%riends.!#lso'!sitting!a!lot!in!the!presence!o%!older!people!and!gaining! the!right!to!tal&!with!the$!helped!$e!to!%eel!co$%orta+le!when!tal&ing!with!others.! 1owe3er'!5!was!always!care%ul!not!to!o3erstep!the!+oundaries!o%!good!$anners. @ilitary ser0ice 5!reported!to!$y!unit!on!:o3e$+er!11'!1?6B!at!Da$a&.!5t!was!a!period!o%!re3olution'!and! 5!was!in!"alVt!#yde$ir6s!unit. 8ne!day!while!training'!the!sGuadron!co$$ander!called!$e!and!as&ed(!)#re!you!the! hod2a,-!1e!added(!)Dy!wi%e!is!ill.!56ll!+ring!her!and!you!can!Wread6!MprayersN!to!her.-!5!

replied(!)5!don6t!&now!how!to!Wread6!li&e!that.!5%!you!+elie3e!reading!will!+e!e%%ecti3e'! you!can!do!it.-!7ater!5!ca$e!to!understand!that!he!had!+een!testing!$e.!5n!later!days'!he! protected!$e!a!lot.!"hey!ga3e!$e!a!co$%orta+le!2o+(!radio!operator. #s!5!was!not!%ully!%ul%illing!$y!$ilitary!duty'!5!thought!that!the!$ilitary6s!%ood!would!not! +e!halal!Mreligiously!law%ulN!%or!$e.!5!e3en!+ought!$y!uni%or$!%ro$!a!$ilitary!student.! 5!had!reported!%or!ser3ice!in!:o3e$+er.!5n!Dece$+er'!the!"alVt!#yde$ir!e3ent!e9ploded.! #nd!Da$a&'!with!its!15'BBB!personnel!supported!it. #lthough!#yde$ir!had!+een!a!part!o%!the!Day!27th!re3olution'!he!later!re3olted!against! his!%ellow!co$rades.!5%!he!had!+een!success%ul'!he!would!ha3e!+een!another!Dussolini.! 1e!and!his!supporters!were!all!potential!dictators'!and!they!$oc&ed!spirituality. Eight!$onths!a%ter!5!had!reported!to!ser3ice'!lots!were!drawn!and!5!was!sent!to! ;s&enderun.!"here'!5!spent!$y!spare!ti$e!reading!the!Kur6an!and!other!+oo&s.!"here!was! a!3ery!good!co$$ander!here!who!insisted!that!5!read!the! estern!classics.!#s!a!result'!5! read!+oth! estern!and!Eastern!5sla$ic!and!nonC5sla$ic!classics.! 8nce!5!was!so!$alnourished!that!5!had!to!+e!hospitali>ed!%or!e9haustion!and!2aundice.! #%ter!5!was!released'!they!ga3e!$e!a!3C$onth!lea3e!%or!a!change!in!cli$ate.!5!returned!to! Er>uru$'!which!5!had!le%t!4!years!earlier.! hile!5!was!in!Er>uru$'!5!went!+ac&!and!%orth! to!the!Halk #$i!MPeople6s!1ouseN.!8nce!5!ga3e!a!se$inar!there!on!De3lana!Hu$i. "hree!$onths!later!5!returned!to!$y!unit.!5!e3entually!co$pleted!$y!$ilitary!ser3ice!and! was!discharged.!5!returned!to!Er>uru$!and!then!again!went!to!Edirne. ;dirne# Airklareli# and :inally B"mir !5n!that!second!ter$!o%!$y!stay!in!Edirne'!5!stayed!with!$y!superior!Suat!4RldRrR$'!who! was!the!$u%ti!there.! hen!5!$et!with!so$e!pressure!during!$y!duty'!5!as&ed!to!+e! trans%erred!to!=ir&larelR.!5!did!not!stay!there!long.!During!$y!yearly!lea3e'!5!was! trans%erred!to!;>$ir.!5!went!to!=estanepa>arR!Kur6anic!school!in!;>$ir.!#t!=estanepa>arR'! 5!was!+usy!with!students.!Dy!o%%icial!duty!was!not!li$ited!to!;>$ir'!%or!5!was!e9pected!to! tra3el!in!the!#gean!part!o%!"ur&ey.!.ro$!ti$e!to!ti$e!5!would!go!to!co%%eehouses!to! e9plain!things!to!the!$en!who!were!&illing!ti$e!there. Dost!students!at!=estanepa>arR!were!talented.!5!was!not!+eing!paid!there'!+ecause!5!did! not!want!any!pay$ent!%or!what!5!was!doing.!#t!night!5!would!3isit!the!dor$itory!and! co3er!those!who!had!+eco$e!unco3ered.!#%ter!5!years'!5!had!to!lea3e!=estanepa>arR!%or! so$e!reasons.!S.ethullah!/0len!Kk Dnyam!MDy!S$all! orldN'!inter3iewed!+y!7ati%! ErdoPan'!Ta$anU 1is!ser3ice!in!the!%ield!o%!education'!+eginning!in!the!=estanepa>arR!Kur6anic!School!and!continuing!while! a!tra3elling!preacher!throughout! estern!#natolia'!gained!popularity!in!the!1?7Bs.!"hese!were!the!days! when!his!idea!to!ser3e!5sla$'!"ur&ey'!and!hu$anity!in!the!na$e!o%!ser3anthood!to!/od!+y!raising!)per%ect-! hu$an!+eingsEpeople!who!co$+ine!spirituality!with!intellectual!training'!religious!and!natural!sciencesF! who!$arry!$ind!and!heartF!and!who!%ind!true!happiness!in!ser3ing!othersE+egan!to!sprout. 5n!/0len6s!drea$s!and!i$agination'!e3en!in!his!writings!and!poe$s'!was!a!legendary!pure+red!)horse-!that! only!understood!how!tired!it!was!when'!stopping!%or!a!$o$ent!on!the!slope!o%!a!hill'!its!heart!stopped! +eating!and!it!died.!#!true!hu$an!+eing!had!to!+e!li&e!that!horse(!his!or!her!li%e!was!to!+e!so!dedicated!to! ser3ing!others!that!tiredness!would!+e!%elt!only!when!his!or!her!heart!stopped!+eating.! ith!sad!and!deep! loo&s'!a!heart!+urning!with!lo%ty!ideals'!a!spirit!into9icated!with!+ree>es!co$ing!%ro$!the!worlds!+eyond'! with!a!heart!crushed!+y!trou+les!co$ing!upon!hu$anity'!and!with!pro%ound!%eelings'!he!or!she!had!to!+e! eGuipped!with!the!dia$ond!truths!o%!%aith'!ru+y!&nowledge'!chrysolite!lo3e'!e$erald!enthusias$'!pearlC coral!conte$plation'!and!consciousness!o%!in%inite!ser3anthood'!helplessness'!and!po3erty!+e%ore!/od.
Be!so!tolerant!that!your!chest!+eco$es!wide!li&e!the!ocean. Beco$e!inspired!with!%aith!and!lo3e!o%!hu$an!+eings. 7et!there!+e!no!trou+led!souls!to!who$ you!do!not!o%%er!a!hand!and!a+out!who$ you!re$ain!unconcerned.

#%ter!the!$ilitary!coup!o%!Darch!12'!1?71'!1od2ae%endi!was!arrested!under!suspicion!o%!)changing!the! social'!political'!and!econo$ic!+asis!o%!the!regi$e!in!"ur&eyF!%ounding!an!association!and!secret! co$$unity!%or!this!purpose!and!there+y!ta&ing!ad3antage!o%!the!people6s!religious!%eelings!%or!this! purpose.-!Heleased!6!$onths!later'!without!+eing!punished!+y!the!court'!he!returned!to!his!o%%icial!position.! 1e!was!sent!to!Edre$it'!then!to!Danisa'!and!%inally!to!Borno3aX;>$ir'!where!he!wor&ed!until!Septe$+er! 12'!1?@B.!During!this!ti$e'!he!i$pressed!people!throughout!the!country!with!his!ser$ons'!pri3ate!tal&s'!and! con%erences!on!religious!&nowledge!as!well!as!social'!econo$ic'!and!philosophical!topics.!Especially! i$pressi3e!were!his!replies!to!uni3ersity!students!who!%elt!their!%aith!Guestioned!+y!$odern!philosophy!and! science.!.ro$!students!to!teachers'!pu+lic!o%%icials!to!wor&ers'!shop&eepers!to!traders!and!+usiness$enE $any!were!in%luenced!+y!hi$. .ethullah!/0len!pointed!out!that!ser3ice!to!one6s!country!should!+e!$ade!in!the!%ra$ewor&!o%!the!%ollowing! +asic!principles(

*onstant!positi3e!action!that!lea3es!no!roo$!%or!con%usion'!%ighting'!and!anarchy #+sence!o%!worldly'!$aterial'!and!otherCworldly!e9pectations!in!return!%or!ser3ice #ctions'!adorned!with!$oral!3irtues'!that!+uild!trust!and!con%idence! #cti3ities!that!+ring!people!and!society!together Patience!and!co$passion Positi3e!and!actionCoriented!people'!instead!o%!creating!opposition!or!+eing!reactionary.

5n!this!way'!a!3olunteer!ser3ice!)+a>aar-!was!opened!%or!/od6s!appro3al.!"he!s$all!group!that!started!to! %or$!around!his!opinions!ser3ed!people!in!the!light!o%!his!ad3ice.!:ow'!$any!people!%ro$!all!wal&s!o%!li%e! and!di%%erent!opinions!participate!in!this!ser3ice.!"hey!continue!to!ser3e!without!thought!o%!$aterial! reward.!"hey!preach'!teach'!and!esta+lish!pri3ate!educational!institutions!all!o3er!the!world.!"hey!also! pu+lish!+oo&s!and!$aga>ines'!as!well!as!dailies!and!wee&lies'!participate!in!tele3ision!and!radio!+roadcasts'! and!%und!scholarships!%or!poor!students.!"he!co$panies!and!%oundations!set!up!+y!people!o%!di%%erent! world3iews!who!agree!on!ser3ing!people'!especially!in!the!%ield!o%!education'!ha3e!%ounded!and!are! operating!a+out!3BB!high!schools!and!uni3ersities!%ro$!England!to!#ustralia'!the!Anited!States!and!Hussia'! and!in!South!#%rica.! /0len6s!understanding!o%!ser3ice!per$its!no!e9pectation!o%!$aterial!or!political!gain.!Sincerity!and!purity! o%!intention!should!ne3er!+e!har$ed!or!conta$inated.!"olerance'!lo3e'!and!patience!ha3e!top!priority'!and! a3oiding!reactionary!acti3ities!and!engaging!in!positi3e!action!are!e$phasi>ed.!"he!generation!&neaded! with!this!understanding!o%!ser3ice!has!attracted!+road!attention!in!a!short!period!o%!ti$e.

:urther remarks
/0len!is!wellC&nown!%or!his!ardent!endea3or!to!strengthen!+onds!a$ong!people.!1e!$aintains!that!there!are! $ore!+onds!+ringing!people!together!than!those!separating!the$.!Based!on!this!+elie%'!he!wor&s!tirelessly! %or!a!sincere'!strong!dialogue!and!tolerance.!1e!was!a!%ounder!o%!the!Yournalists6!and! riters6!.oundation'! a!group!that!pro$otes!dialogue!and!tolerance!a$ong!all!social!strata!and!has!recei3ed!a!war$!welco$e! %ro$!al$ost!all!wal&s!o%!li%e.!1e!regularly!3isits!and!recei3es!leading!"ur&ish!and!international!%igures(!the! Vatican6s!#$+assador!to!"ur&ey'!the!Patriarch!o%!the!"ur&ish!8rthodo9!co$$unity'!the!Patriarch!o%!the! "ur&ish!#r$enian!co$$unity'!the!*hie%!Ha++i!o%!the!"ur&ish!Yewish!co$$unity'!as!well!as!leading! 2ournalists'!colu$nists'!tele3ision!and!$o3ie!stars'!and!thin&ers!o%!3arying!3iews.! .ethullah!/0len!asserts!that!i%!you!wish!to!control!$asses'!si$ply!star3e!the$!%or!&nowledge.!"hey!can! escape!such!tyranny!only!through!education.!1e!+elie3es!that!the!road!to!social!2ustice!is!pa3ed!with! adeGuate'!uni3ersal!education'!%or!only!this!will!gi3e!people!su%%icient!understanding!and!tolerance!to! respect!the!rights!o%!others.!"o!this!end'!he!has!encouraged!society6s!elite'!co$$unity!leaders'! industrialists'!and!+usiness!leaders!to!support!Guality!education!%or!the!needy.!
#pplaud!the!good!%or!their!goodnessF!appreciate!those who!ha3e!+elie3ing!heartsF!+e!&ind!to!the!+elie3ers. #pproach!un+elie3ers!so!gently!that their!en3y!and!hatred!$elt!away. 7i&e!a!Dessiah'!re3i3e!people!with!your!+reath.

1B

1is!tireless!e%%orts!ha3e!+egun!to!+ear!%ruit'!as!graduates!%ro$!pri3ate!schools!in!"ur&ey!and!*entral!#sia'! esta+lished!+y!pri3ate!donations!and!run!as!trusts'!ha3e!ta&en!top!honors!in!uni3ersity!place$ent!tests!and! consistently!%inished!at!the!top!in!5nternational!=nowledge!8ly$pics.!"hey!ha3e!produced!se3eral!world! cha$pions'!especially!in!$athe$atics'!physics'!che$istry'!and!+iology.!5n!%act'!as!recently!as!Yuly!1??7'!a! che$istry!tea$!%ro$!;>$ir6s!4a$anlar!1igh!School!too&!the!top!honors!in!the!*he$istry!8ly$piad!held!in! *algary'!*anada.! /0len!$aintains(!)5%!a!nation!e9pects!to!+e!ignorant!and!%ree'!in!a!state!o%!ci3ili>ation'!it!e9pects!what!ne3er! was!and!will!ne3er!+e.-!1e!has!inspired!the!use!o%!$ass!$edia'!nota+ly!tele3ision'!to!in%or$!those!without! a!%or$al!education!o%!pressing!social!$atters.! )#s!a!political!and!go3erning!syste$'!de$ocracy!is!the!only!alternati3e!le%t!in!the!world'-!he!$aintains.!5n! spite!o%!its!$any!shortco$ings'!he!states!that!no!one!has!yet!designed!a!+etter!go3erning!syste$.! e!$ust! $a&e!it!wor&.!People!shall!always!de$and!%reedo$!o%!choice!in!their!a%%airs'!especially!in!their!e9pression! o%!spiritual!and!religious!3alues.!
"here!is!a!$utually!supporti3e!and!per%ecti3e!relation +etween!an!indi3idual6s!actions!and!inner!li%e. e!$ay!call!it!a!)3irtuous!circle.-!#ttitudes!li&e deter$ination'!perse3erance'!and!resol3e!illu$inate such!a!person6s!inner!conscienceF!the!+rightness!o%!one6s inner!conscience!strengthens!one6s!willCpower' and!one6s!resol3e!sti$ulates!one!to!higher!hori>ons.

)Do!not!despair!in!the!%ace!o%!ad3ersity'!and!do!not!yield!to!those!without!direction'-!he!e$phasi>es'!lest! we!gi3e!up!hope.!1e!3iews!hopelessness!as!a!Guic&sand!that!+uries!hu$an!progress!and!&ills!the!will!to! succeed'!a!noose!that!cho&es!and!drowns!people.! ith!his!acute!perception'!/0len!percei3es!that!the!world6s!spiritual!cli$ate!is!undergoing!a!positi3e! change.!1e!en3isions!a!twentyC%irst!century!in!which!we!shall!witness!the!sprouting!o%!a!spiritual!dyna$ic! that!will!re3i3e!the!nowCdor$ant!$oral!3alues.!1e!en3isions!an!age!o%!tolerance!and!understanding!that! will!lead!to!cooperation!a$ong!ci3ili>ations!and!their!ulti$ate!%usion!into!one!+ody.!"he!hu$an!spirit!shall! triu$ph!in!the!%or$!o%!an!interci3ili>ational!dialogue!and!a!sharing!o%!3alues.! /0len!success%ully!+ridges!the!past!with!his!i$age!o%!the!%uture.!1is!deep!desire!to!%ind!solutions!%or! conte$porary!social!pro+le$s!has!resulted!in!ge$Cli&e!sentences!set!one!a%ter!another!in!his!writings!and! speeches'!li&e!priceless!pearls!on!a!string.!5n!his!ini$ita+le!style!and!choice!o%!3oca+ulary'!he!o%%ers!a!way! out!o%!the!)$aterial!Guic&sand-!in!which!hu$anity!%inds!itsel%!today(
#!soul!without!lo3e!cannot!+e!ele3ated!to!the!hori>on o%!hu$an!per%ection.!E3en!i%!such!a!person!li3ed!hundreds!o%!years' he!or!she!could!$a&e!no!ad3ances!on!the!path!o%!per%ection. "hose!who!are!depri3ed!o%!lo3e'!entangled!in the!nets!o%!sel%ishness'!are!una+le!to!lo3e!any+ody!else'!and die!unaware!o%!the!lo3e!deeply!i$planted in!the!3ery!+eing!o%!e9istence.

)"oday6s!$en!and!wo$en!are!searching!%or!their!*reator!and!the!purpose!o%!their!creation'-!/0len! contends.!1e!gi3es!practical'!con3incing!answers!to!such!Guestions!as(! hy!was!5!+orn,! hat!is!the! purpose!o%!$y!li3ing,! hat!is!the!$eaning!o%!death'!and!what!does!it!de$and!%ro$!$e,!5n!his!speeches! and!writings'!one!encounters!state$ents!li&e(!)1u$anity!has!co$e!to!a!crossroads(!one!leads!to!despair'!the! other!to!sal3ation.!Day!/od!gi3e!us!the!wisdo$!to!$a&e!the!right!choice.-!1is!wor&s!represent!a!search!%or! the!truth.!

1e ! does ! not ! +elie3e ! that ! there ! are ! any ! $aterial ! shortages ! in ! the ! world' ! and ! sees ! no! 2usti%ication!%or!star3ation.!5neGuita+ly!distri+uted!wealth!should!+e!channeled!through!pri3ate! charities!to!the!needy.!1e!has!spearheaded!the!esta+lish$ent!o%!$any!charita+le!organi>ations!to! do!2ust!that.!
#!uniGue!social!re%or$er'!/0len!has!synthesi>ed!the!positi3e!sciences!with!di3inity'!reconciling!all! )apparent-!di%%erences!+etween!the!two.!5n!his!writings!and!oral!presentations'!he!+rings!the!ideologies!and! philosophies!o%!our!part!o%!the!world!and!those!o%!the! est!closer!together.

11

*o$passion!is!the!+eginning!o%!+eingF!without!it!e3erything!is!chaos. E3erything!has!co$e!into!e9istence!through!co$passion'!and +y!co$passion!it!continues!to!e9ist!in!har$ony.!"he!Earth!was!put!in!order +y!$essages!co$ing!%ro$!the!other!side!o%!the!hea3ens. E3erything!%ro$!the!$acrocos$!to!the!$icrocos$!has!achie3ed!an E9traordinary!har$ony!than&s!to!co$passion.

)#s!%or!getting!others!to!accept!your!ways'-!.ethullah!/0len!tells!us'!)the!days!o%!getting!things!done!+y! +rute!%orce!are!o3er.!5n!today6s!enlightened!world'!the!only!way!to!get!others!to!accept!your!ideas!is!+y! persuasion!and!con3incing!argu$ents.!"hose!who!resort!to!+rute!%orce!to!reach!their!goal!are!intellectually! +an&rupt.-! 5n!their!daily!li3es'!people!$ust!$aintain!the!delicate!+alance!+etween!$aterial!and!spiritual!3alues!i%!they! are!to!en2oy!serenity!and!true!happiness.!An+ridled!greed!$ust!+e!guarded!against.! #s!a!student!o%!hadith!Mtraditions!concerning!the!Prophet6s!li%eN'!tafsir!MKur6anic!co$$entaryN'!and!%iGh! M5slaic!2urisprudenceN'!as!well!as!Su%is$!and!philosophy'!/0len!occupies!his!right%ul!place!a$ong!his! conte$poraries!in!the!5sla$ic!sciences.!

7o3e!is!the!$ost!essential!ele$ent!in!e3ery!+eing'!a!$ost!radiant!light and!a!great!power!that!can!resist!and!o3erco$e!e3ery!%orce. 7o3e!ele3ates!e3ery!soul!that!a+sor+s!it'!and!prepares!it %or!the!2ourney!to!eternity.!Souls!that!ha3e!$ade!contact!with!eternity through!lo3e!e9ert!the$sel3es!to!i$plant!in!all!other!souls!what!they recei3e!%ro$!eternity.!"hey!dedicate!their!li3es!to!this!sacred!duty' %or!the!sa&e!o%!which!they!endure!e3ery!&ind!o%!hardship!to!the!end. Yust!as!they!pronounce!)lo3e-!with!their!last!+reath'!they!also!+reathe!lo3e while!+eing!raised!on!the!Day!o%!Yudg$ent.

:ow'!$any!people!%ro$!all!wal&s!o%!li%e!and!di%%erent!opinions!who!agree!with!hi$!on!the! way!o%!ser3ing!hu$anity!continue!to!ser3e!in!$any!%ields.!"hey!preach'!teach'!and!esta+lish ! pri3ate!educational!institutions!and!charities.!"hey!also!pu+lish!+oo&s!and!$aga>ines'!as!well!as! dailies!and!wee&lies'!participate!in!tele3ision!and!radio!+roadcasts'!and!%und!scholarships!%or!poor! students.!"he!co$panies!and!%oundations!set!up!+y!people!o%!di%%erent!world3iews!ha3e!%ounded! and!are!operating!a+out!3BB!high!schools!and!uni3ersities!%ro$!England!to!#ustralia'!the!Anited! States!and!Hussia'!and!in!South!#%rica.!

8nly!those!who!o3er%low!with!lo3e!will!+uild!the!happy!and enlightened!world!o%!the!%uture."heir!lips!s$iling!with!lo3e'!their!hearts +ri$$ing!with!lo3e'!their!eyes!radiating!lo3e!and!the!$ost!tender hu$an!%eelingsE!such!are!the!heroes!o%!lo3e!who!always!recei3e $essages!o%!lo3e%ro$!the!rising!and!setting!o%!the!sun and!%ro$!the!%lic&ering!light!o%!the!stars.

/o know more about 6?len# the following are e1cer ts from the inter0iews he ga0e to journalists:

Sufferings in his life

(!%ou ha$e suffered a lot in your life& Ho' did you o$ercome e$ents that could ha$e smothered your enthusiasm and smashed you( :!8nce!5!was!%ollowed!%or!6!years!as!i%!5!were!a!traitor.!5t!+othered!$e'!+ut!5!%orgot!it.!5!don6t!%eel!hostility! toward!anyone!now.!E3en!then!5!approached!the!$atter!logically'!not!e$otionally.!563e!%orgi3en!the!people! who!did!this.!5%!one!day!5!see!the!%aith!o%!people!secured!and!a!peace%ul!at$osphere!surrounding!the!world'! then!e3erything!will!ha3e!+een!worthwhile.!M:e33al!Se3indi'!Fethullah Glen )le "e' %ork Soh*eti'!4eni! 40>yRl'!#ugust'!1??7N

12

4eing ursued
(!+hy did they pursue you for years after the Septem*er ,-th coup( :!#!newspaper!colu$nist!instigated!action!against!$e.!5t!was!one!o%!$y!last!ser$ons!in!Borno3a.!5!tal&ed! a+out!the!Shari6a!alC.itriya.!/od!has!two!collections!o%!laws(!one'!issuing!%ro$!1is!#ttri+ute!o%!Speech'!is! the!principles!o%!religion'!also!called!the!Shari6a.!1owe3er'!in!the!narrow!sense!they!$ean!the!political!laws! o%!5sla$.!"he!other'!issuing!%ro$!1is!#ttri+utes!o%! ill!and!Power'!is!the!principles!to!go3ern!the!uni3erse! and!li%e'!)the!natures!o%!law-!that!are!the!su+2ectC$atter!o%!sciences.!5n!5sla$ic!ter$inology'!this!is!called! Shari6a!alC.itriya.!Hespecting!these!two!collections!o%!laws!will!$a&e!us!prosperous!in!this!world!and!the! ne9t'!while!opposing!the$!will!lead!us!to!ruin.!"he!Dusli$!world!re$ained!+ehind!the! est!+ecause!it! opposed!Shari6a!alC.itriya. 5!e9plained!this!$atter!to!the!congregation.!5!encouraged!the$!to!underta&e!scienti%ic!research!and! ad3ance$ent.!1owe3er'!the!ne9t!day!a!colu$nist!wrote!a+out!this!and!clai$ed!5!had!$ade!propaganda!%or! the!Shari6a'!$eaning!the!political!laws!o%!5sla$. "his!$atter!was!in3estigated!o%%icially!+y!the!pu+lic!prosecutor6s!o%%ice.!7ater'!this!o%%ice!understood!its! $ista&e!and!re%erred!the!case!to!the!head!o%%ice!o%!the!religious!a%%airs!depart$ent.!"his!o%%ice!said!that!no! action!was!needed.!But!5!guess'!2ust!as!today!so$e!people!are!allergic!to!the!word!shari6a'!the!$artial!law! co$$ander!in!;>$ir!was!+othered!+y!that!word.!1e!put!$e!under!sur3eillance.!"hat!situation!was!3ery! di%%icult.!8%!course!so$e!people!supported!$e'!+ut!it!was!3ery!hard!to!$a&e!the!$ilitary!regi$e!listen.! M:uriye!#&$an'!Fethullah Hoca .nlat/yor'!Sa+ah'!1X23C3BX?5N

Chy does he cry?

(!In your sermons I 'atched on $ideo cassettes to get to kno' you0 I sa' that you fre1uently cry& +hat makes you so soft!hearted( :!5!guess!the!+iggest!%actor!is!/od6s!creating!$e!li&e!that.!8n!the!other!hand'!5!grew!up!in!a!place!that! rese$+led!)ruined!towns'!ruined!ho$es.-!5n!#&i%6s!words'!)ho$eless!deserts'!headless!co$$unities'!days! without!wor&'!e3enings!with!no!thought!%or!to$orrow'!do$ination'!oppression-...!Seeing!those'!5!can6t!help! +ut!%eeling!sad!when!wist%ully!re$e$+ering!the!past.!5t6s!$ade!$e!so%tChearted!li&e!a!child.!M:uriye! #&$an'!Fethullah Hoca .nlat/yor'!Sa+ah'!1X23C3BX?5N

7elation with literature and music

3ow much does he read? :!Do you read any *ooks other than *ooks on religion( :!5!try!and!read!as!$uch!as!ti$e!per$its.!Hegardless!o%!whether!the!su+2ect!is!religion!or!not'!5!try!and!read! not!less!than!2BB!pages!a!day.!MErtuPrul!Z>&[&'!Hoca #fendi .nlat/yor'!10rriyet'!1X23C3BC?5N

<o0e of reading
:!+here does your lo$e of reading come from( :!5n!$y!childhood'!accounts!o%!the!heroic!deeds!o%!the!*o$panions!were!read!at!ho$e.!5!read!$any!+oo&s! li&e!the!one!a+out!#+u!Dusli$!alC=hurasani'!which!can!+e!considered!as!legends!%ro$!5sla$6s!early! period.!5n!later!years'!around!the!age!o%!1@C2B'!5!inclined!$ore!toward!+oo&s!on!2urisprudence!and! philosophy.!5!also!read!a+out!Darwinis$!and!rele3ant!su+2ects.!So$e!+oo&s!led!$e!to!other!+oo&s'!and!it! continued!li&e!this.! hen!5!was!in!the!$ilitary'!5!had!a!3ery!wise!co$$ander.!1e!had!a!deep!&nowledge!o%! Su%is$.!1e!had!read!+oth!Eastern!5sla$ic!and! estern!classics.!1e!ad3ised!$e!to!read! estern!classics.! "his!caused!$e!to!read!$any!%a$ous! estern!writers!such!as!Housseau'!Bal>ac'!Dostoye3s&i'!Push&in'! "olstoy'!the!E9istentialists'!and!others.!MEy0p!*an'!Fethullah Glen )le 2fuk Turu'!Ta$an'!#ugust'!1??5N

Cestern writers who influenced 6?len

.!+hich 'riters in the +est influenced you( :!5t6s!i$possi+le!not!to!ad$ire!=ant.!#lthough!Hussell!critici>ed!=ant!+itterly!and!descri+ed!hi$!as!one! who!turned!the!history!o%!philosophy!upside!down'!=ant!was!an!i$portant!philosopher.!=ant!was!wellC &nown!a$ong!theologians!in!"ur&ish!theology!schools.!5%!you!li&e'!56ll!relate!to!you!an!interesting!anecdote! related!to!=ant. 5n!the!e9a$ination!%or!preachers!and!$u%tis!that!5!too&'!they!as&ed(!)5n!his!+oo&'!. 3riti1ue of 4ure eason'!the!/er$an!philosopher!=ant!separated!intelligence!into!two!types(!practical!and!theoretical.!1e!

13

said!that!theoretical!intelligence!could!not!&now!/od!and!that!practical!intelligence!could.! hat!do!you! understand!%ro$!this!3iew'!and!how!do!you!e3aluate!it,-!"hose!who!had!not!studied!philosophy!couldn6t! answer!this!Guestion.!5n!%act'!one!o%!$y!%riends!who!was!entering!the!e9a$!apparently!didn6t!understand! the!Guestion.!1e!as&ed!$e!2o&ingly(!) hat!is!this!=ant,-!5!told!hi$!in!2est(!)Put!so$e!sugar!in!hot!water'! stir!it!well'!sGuee>e!a!little!le$on!in!it'!and!you6ll!ha3e!a!kant.-!M5n!"ur&ey'!this!&ind!o%!+e3erage!is!called! kant.N Descartes!caught!$y!interest!due!to!his!theological!approaches.!5n!recent!ti$es'!$any!people!who!a$a>e! $e.!.or!e9a$ple'!although!he!is!a!pantheist'!5!ad$ire!Sir!Ya$es!Yeans!3ery!$uch.!Be%ore!1?6B!5!care%ully! read!his!2nkno'n 2ni$erse.!#s!his!3iew!o%!the!uni3erse!rese$+les!Duhiddin!i+nCi!#ra+i6s!a!little'!5!li&ed! hi$!3ery!$uch.!Eddington'!his!astrophysicist!conte$porary'!is!also!3ery!i$portant.! .!The 'riters you mentioned are related to either philosophy or physics& Ho' a*out literary 'riters( :!.or!a!long!ti$e!563e!nurtured!great!ad$iration!%or!Sha&espeare.!Besides!hi$'!one!o%!the!writers!5!greatly! appreciate!is!Victor!1ugo'!who!was!e9ploited!+y!the!co$$unists.!5!read!his!no3els!when!5!was!2ust!a!child.! 5!also!read!"olstoy!at!a!3ery!early!age'!and!ad$ired!Dostoye3s&i!and!Push&in.!MEy0p!*an'!Fethullah Glen )le 2fuk Turu'!Ta$an'!#ugust'!1??5N

8oetry
(!+e kno' you 'rite poetry& 5et6s talk a little a*out literature& +hich 'riters and poets you like( :!"here!are!de%initely!people!5!pre%er!due!to!their!weight!on!the!hori>on!o%!thought.!/enerally'!5!li&e!the! wor&s!o%!all!talented!people!and!artists.!Yust!as!563e!+een!a$a>ed!at!so$eone6s!%il$'!5!%eel!wonder!at! Picasso6s!pictures.!5n!literature'!such!people!as!Sha&espeare'!Dostoye3s&i!and!Push&in!a$a>ed!$e. 5n!"ur&ey'!there!are!se3eral!literary!$en!whose!poetry!and!prose!5!appreciate.!1owe3er'!5!ad$ire!4ahya! =e$al'!Deh$ed!#&i%'!and!:ecip!.a>il!in!poetry.!5n!+oth!prose!and!poetry'!Se>ai!=ara&oc!should!also!+e! $entioned.!#$ong!the!"an>i$at!and!the!succeeding!generations'!:a$i&!=e$al'!Qinasi'!Ha2ai>ade'!and! He%i&!1alid!were!good.!"e3%i&!.i&ret!wasn6t!di%%icult!to!read. #$ong! estern!writers!5!also!li&e!Bal>ac.!#lthough!he6s!considered!a!realist'!his!5ily of the 7alley!shows! his!ro$anticis$.!"here!$ight!+e!parallels!+etween!5ranian!poetry!and!.rench!literature.!#$ong!those!5!read! %ro$!Persian!literature'!5!can!$ention!Sa6di'!1a%i>'!:i>a$i'!and!#nwari.!M:e33al!Se3indi'!Fethullah Glen )le "e' %ork Soh*eti'!4eni!40>yRl'!#ugust'!1??7N

@usic
(!Do you listen to music( :.!Antil!5!was!16!years!old'!5!was!in!contact!with!so$e!players!o%!Su%i!$usic!while!5!li3ed!in!Er>uru$.!#s! is!&nown'!Su%i!or!our!classical!$usic!was!+orn!in!the!der3ish!lodges!and!hostels.!1y$ns!and!si$ilar!poetry! attracted!$e!to!classical!$usic.!.or!e9a$ple'!5!li&ed!and!listened!to!5trI!and!Dede!E%endi.!5!also!ad$ired! 1a2i!#ri%!Bey!as!i%!he!were!a!saint. . ere!you!interested!in! estern!classical!$usic, :!5n!%act'!5!ad$ire!so$e!o%!their!$usicians.!8thers!ha3e!as&ed!this!sa$e!thing.!"hey!as&ed!$e(!)*an!you! critici>e!Do>art,-!E3en!i%!5!say!certain!things!a+out!hi$'!it!wouldn6t!+e!a!critiGue.! e!can!say!that! Beetho3en!co$pleted!his!un%inished!wor&.! estern!classical!$usic6s!concertos!and!sy$phonies!are!really! serious'!digni%ied'!and!rich.!But!saying!this'!o%!course'!is!not!a!critiGue.!1owe3er'!2ust!as!5!greatly!ad$ire! e3ery!genius/od!created!the$!with!certain!talents5!greatly!appreciate!the$!as!well.!MErtuPrul!Z>&[&'! Hoca #fendi .nlat/yor'!10rriyet'!1X23C3BC?5N

8ro erties and 8ossessions

.!%ou don6t o'n your o'n home& Ho' a*out possessions, :!5!ha3e!a!Guilt'!+ed!sheets'!and!+oo&s.!5!ha3e!a!will!that!5!$ade!a!long!ti$e!ago'!wherein!5!+eGueathed!$y! +oo&s!to!a!%oundation.!#s!long!as!it!e9ists'!that!property!+elongs!to!the!%oundation.!5!don6t!own!any! property.!5!eat!where3er!it6s!con3enient.!So$eti$es!$y!%riends!prepare!%oodF!so$eti$es!5!$a&e!it!$ysel%.!5! ha3e!dia+etes!and!high!+lood!pressure.!5!eat!lowCcalorie!%ood'!+etween!1'2BBC1'@BB!calories!a!day.! So$eti$es!5!$a&e!due!with!cheese!and!oli3es.!M:uriye!#&$an'!Fethullah Hoca .nlat/yor'!Sa+ah'!1X23C 3BX?5N

Daily /asks

14

.!+ho takes care of the daily tasks of a sensiti$e and shy person like yourself( :!Because!5!ha3e!+een!alone!all!$y!li%e'!563e!always!tried!to!+e!sel%Csu%%icient.!5!washed!$y!own!clothes! %or!4B!years.!"here!was!no!$achineF!5!washed!the$!+y!hand.!5!coo&ed!$y!own!%ood.!5n!%act'!+ecause!o%!$y! $other6s!illnesses'!5!would!help!her!prepare!%ood!during!$y!childhood.!5!li3ed!alone!here!and!thereF!5!li3ed! alone!%or!years!in!Edirne.!5n!;>$ir!5!stayed!alone!in!a!s$all!cottage.!5!rented!a!new!house!5!or!6!years!later'! and!5!was!alone!there'!too.!/uests!would!co$e!and!5!would!prepare!%ood!and!tea!%or!the$.!"his!continued! until!the!Septe$+er!12th!coup.!M:uriye!#&$an'!Fethullah Hoca .nlat/yor'!Sa+ah'!1X23C3BX?5N

Cooking
.!Do you cook, :!5!can!$a&e!ten!di%%erent!dishes!%ro$!%lour!or!potatoes.!So$e!o%!these!are!$y!own!recipes.!Potato!stew!is! $ade!a!little!di%%erently!in!Er>uru$.!5!added!pastry!$ade!with!%ried!potatoes.!5!e3en!$ade!dessert!%ro$! potatoes.!5!e9peri$ented!+y!%rying!$ashed!potatoes!dipped!in!egg!and!then!pouring!sweet!syrup!o3er!it.! M:uriye!#&$an'!Fethullah Hoca .nlat/yor'!Sa+ah'!1X23C3BX?5N

6oodDnatured
.!%ou appear to *e good!natured& Don6t you e$er get angry( :!56$!usually!so!cal$!and!easygoing!that!e3eryone!$ight!thin&(!)5%!5!tie!a!rope!to!hi$'!5!could!lead!hi$!to! water.-!But!due!to!$y!sensiti3ity'!5!$ay!so$eti$es!+eco$e!angry.!1owe3er'!56$!care%ul!to!&eep!$y!anger! li$ited!to!those!closest!to!$e.!5n!order!not!to!hurt!anyone'!5!e9haust!$y!anger!pri3ately.!M:uriye!#&$an'! Fethullah Hoca .nlat/yor'!Sa+ah'!1X23C3BX?5N

<eadershi ?
.!%ou al'ays emphasi8e that you6re not a shaykh0 the leader of a der$ish order& "or do you sho' any tendency to accept that you are a leader of a community& Ho'e$er0 I 'ould like to discuss your leadership& :!563e!ne3er!called!$ysel%!a!leader.!56$!an!ordinary!$an.!#!leader!is!so$eone!with!capa+ilities'!genius'! charis$a'!and!high!per%or$ance.!5!don6t!ha3e!any!o%!these. :!Does humility change the reality( Since a group has gathered around your name0 don6t you automatically *ecome its leader( :!5!insist!on!not!saying!)leader-!+ecause!5!e9pressed!$y!thoughts!%or!3B!years!on!pulpits'!and!people! sharing!the!sa$e!%eelings!and!thoughts!responded.!.or!e9a$ple'!5!said!to!the$(!)8pen!uni3ersity! preparatory!courses'!open!schools.-!#s!an!e9pression!o%!their!respect!%or!$e'!they!listened!to!what!5!said.! "his!$ight!+e!a!$ista&e'!+ut!they!listened!and!we!$et!at!this!point.!5!saw!that!2ust!as!5!was!saying! )schools'-!a!lot!o%!people!were!saying!)schools.-!"hey!co$e!to!as&!a+out!other'!especially!religious!issues! as!well.!So$eti$es!they!e3en!as&!a+out!econo$ic!$atters.!5!tell!the$!that!)such!$atters!reGuire!e9pert! &nowledge'-!and!send!the$!to!e9perts.! .!In your 'ritings and sermons0 you recommended suffering hardship to de$elop spiritually& %ou ha$e suffered0 *ut no' people *o' *efore you to kiss your hand& +hat do you feel( :!5!%eel!e9tre$ely!unco$%orta+le.!5!don6t!ha3e!such!a!principle.!M:uriye!#&$an'!Fethullah Hoca .nlat/yor'!Sa+ah'!1X23C3BX?5N

3ow does he see himself?

.!+hen you look at the mirror of fate0 ho' do you see yourself( :!"here!is!an!attraction!toward!$e!here'!and!there6s!$y!own!3iew.!5n!$y!own!3iew!5!a$!an!ordinary!one! trying!to!+e!truly!hu$an.!During!$y!youth'!there!was!an!#l3ar!i$a$!who$!5!ad$ired!3ery!$uch.!1e! %reGuently!said!with!an!#>eri!accent(!)1er&es!ya&hshi!$en!ya$anF!her&es!+ugday'!$en!sa$an.-! ME3ery+ody!is!good'!5!a$!+adF!e3eryone!is!wheat'!56$!straw.N!5!always!say!the!sa$e!thing.!M:uriye!#&$an'! Fethullah Hoca .nlat/yor'!Sa+ah'!1X23C3BX?5N

:ethullahEi F:ollower of :ethullahG

(!%ou ne$er liked the term 9Fethullahi&: But 'hether you like it or not0 those close to you are called 9Fethullahi&: +hat;s this all a*out(

15

(!"hose!using!this!ter$!$ay!percei3e!us!as!a!der3ish!order.!5n!%act'!they!also!call!$e!a!)leader!o%!a! religious!+rotherhood.-!56$!2ust!as!unco$%orta+le!with!that!as!5!a$!with!).ethullah<i.-!#ctually!56$! +othered!+y!such!su%%i9es!as!!ci0 cu'!+ecause!this!$eans!di3ision.!5n!5sla$'!there!is!and!can!+e!no!roo$!%or! such!de%initions'!%or!Ta'hid!is!the!essence!and!%oundation!o%!5sla$.!Dusli$s!cannot!+e!called!e3en! )Duha$$adci-!MDuha$$adanN'!as!so$e!8rientalists!do!either!intentionally!or!$ista&enly.!MErtuPrul! Z>&[&'!Hoca #fendi .nlat/yor'!10rriyet'!1X23C3BC?5N

3is Corks
"hroughout!his!li%e'!.ethullah!/0len!has!tasted!al$ost!nothing!o%!worldly!pleasure.!1e!has!spent!his! +achelor!li%e!studying'!teaching'!tra3eling'!writing'!and!spea&ing.!#lways!he!%eels!the!su%%erings!o%!people! co$ing!%ro$!the!spiritual!wasteland!o%!the!twentieth!century.! 5n!addition!to!his!+oo&s'!/0len!contri+utes!to!se3eral!2ournals!and!$aga>ines.!1e!writes!the!editorial!page! %or!Si8inti0 %eni <mit0 %agmur'!and!"he!.ountain!$aga>ines.!1is!ser$ons!and!discourses!ha3e!+een! recorded!on!thousands!o%!tapes!and!3ideo!cassettes.!5n!addition'!$any!+oo&s!ha3e!+een!co$piled!%ro$!his! articles'!ser$ons'!and!answers!to!Guestions!he!has!+een!as&ed!o3er!the!years.!So$e!o%!his!+oo&s!are!as! %ollows( .sr/n Getirdi=i Tereddtler!M4!3olu$esF!3ol.!5!has!appeared!as!>uestions This ?odern .ge 4uts to IslamN! Kal*in @mrt Tepeleri!Mtranslated!as!E$erald!1ills!o%!the!1eart(!Key 3oncepts in the 4ractice of SufismN Aa= $e "esil!M)"his!Era!and!the!4oung!/eneration-N! Bl 7eya %oldaki IC/klar'!M4!3olu$esF!3ol.!1!has!appeared!as!3riteria or 5ights of the ayN! @aman/n .lt/n Dilimi!M)"he!/olden!Part!o%!"i$e-N! enkler KuCa=/nda Hakikat Tomurcuklar/!M2!3olu$esF!3ol.!1!has!appeared!as!Truth through 3olorsN! K/r/k ?/8rap!M)Bro&en!Plectru$-N'!a!collection!o%!3erse! Fatiha <8erine ?laha8alar!M)"he!5nterpretation!o%!Sura al!Fatiha-N! Sonsu8 "ur!M2!3olu$es'!translated!as!4rophet ?uhammad0 The lnfinite 5ightN! %itirilmiC 3ennet6e Do=ru!Mtranslated!as!To'ards the 5ost 4aradiseN! ;nancRn!/[lgesinde!Mtranslated!as!2nderstanding and BeliefD The #ssentials of Islamic FaithN! So$e!o%!1od2ae%endi6s!+oo&s'!such!as!K/r/k ?/8rap0 )nanc/n GElgesinde0 Sonsu8 "ur0!and!.sr/n Getirdi=i Tereddtler!ha3e!also!+een!translated!into!/er$an'!Hussian'!#l+anian'!and!Bulgarian.!

16

17

8art )

:ethullah 6?len.s Hiews on Harious Issues

A. 7eligion# Islam# and 7ele0ant @atters
Fethullah Glen is a religious scholar and $ery careful in li$ing Islam in his daily life& Ho'e$er0 it is undenia*le that there are different understandings of Islam& Thus some people0 especially those descri*ing ideas0 mo$ements0 persons0 and organi8ations *y making generali8ations and naming0 mention different 9$ersions: of IslamD ?ilitant Islam0 4olitical Islam0 3ultural Islam0 and so on& To understand Fethullah Glen6s $ie' and practice of Islam0 the follo'ing eFcerpts from his 'ritings and inter$ie's are of considera*le significance&

/he Irresistible 8ower of 7eligion

Hegardless!o%!change'!ad3ance$ents!in!science!and!technology'!and!new!ways!o%!thin&ing'!the!%eeling!o%! attach$ent!to!a!religion!always!has!+een!the!pri$ary!%actor!in!%or$ing!hu$anity6s!scienti%ic!and! intellectual!li%e'!de3eloping!hu$an!3irtues'!and!esta+lishing!new!ci3ili>ations.! ith!its!char$!and!power'! religion!is!still!the!$ost!in%luential!ele$ent!in!people6s!li3es!and!power.!"his!reality!will!continue!to!e9ist.! "he!e9istence!o%!two!great!ci3ili>ations!in!recent!history'!one!+ased!$ainly!on!5sla$!and!the!other!owing!a! good!deal!to!*hristianity'!pro3es!this!argu$ent. 5n!contrast!to!so$e!o%!the!Dusli$!world6s!soCcalled! esterni>ed!intellectuals'!who!see$!to!+e!asha$ed!o%! 5sla$!and!their!history'! estern!people!appreciate!their!cultural!and!ci3ili>ational!roots.! hile!paying! tri+ute!to!that!i$portant!cultural!through!*hristian!political!parties'! estern!people!continue!to!present! glo+al!$essages!o%!hope!and!sal3ation!in!the!na$e!o%!Yesus.!"his!also!supports!the!argu$ent!that!religion! gradually!will!grow!$ore!in%luential!and!play!a!uniGue!role!in!the!%uture'!2ust!as!it!did!in!the!past. .ollowing!the!nearCglo+al!collapse!o%!co$$unist!ideology'!the!8rthodo9!*hurch!is!restoring!its!in%luence! in!the!%or$er!co$$unist!+loc.!*hristian!parties!ha3e!co$e!to!power!in!so$e!European!countries'!and! people!ta&e!oaths!+y!the!Bi+le!in!o%%icial!or!nono%%icial!places.!Heligious!education!is!gi3en!great! i$portance!in!schools!and!colleges'!and!is!propagated!through!the!$ass!$edia...!#ll!this!indicates!that'! e3en!a%ter!distortion!and!corruption'!religion!cannot!+e!de%eated. Antil!recently'!only!theologians!de%ended!religion.!But!now!$any!+iologists'!anthropologists'!>oologists'! physicians'!physicists'!psychologists'!and!sociologists!are!doing!so.!"his!shows!the!eternity!o%!religion6s! reality. 5t!is!a!pity!that'!contrary!to!what!is!going!on!in!the! est'!certain!Dusli$!intellectual!circles!re$ain!stuc&!in! a!$aterialist!philosophy!and!ha3e!set!their!hearts!upon!a!Dar9ist!utopia.!.ortunately'!their!lac&!o%!sound! reasoning!and!insight'!as!well!as!their!intellectual!separation!%ro$!the!$a2ority'!$eans!that!not!$any!people! pay!attention!to!the$.!People!who!can!draw!the!right!conclusions!%ro$!what!they!read!and!o+ser3e!&now! that!positi3is$!was!dethroned!long!ago!in!scienti%ic!and!intellectual!studies'!and!that!the!physical!sciences'! spirituality'!$orality'!and!other!%or$s!o%!&nowledge!+ased!on!intuition!and!inspiration!are!irreplacea+le!in! hu$an!li%e.!.urther$ore'!right!now!it!is!hard!to!clai$!that!positi3istic!and!$aterialistic!scientists!can!apply! a!$oral!perspecti3e!to!their!wor&.!5n!irresponsi+le!hands'!science!and!its!products!are!deadly!weapons.! Anless!co$+ined!with!$oral!re%lection'!science!is!apt!to!+ring!a+out!new!&inds!and!degrees!o%!cala$ity'! li&e!the!1iroshi$a!and!:agasa&i!tragedies. Dany!products!o%!science!and!technology'!li&e!nuclear!power'!are!neutral'!%or!the!end!result!depends!upon! how!they!are!used.!5n!the!hands!o%!3irtuous!people!who!ha3e!deep'!heart%elt'!and!strong!relations!with!the! *reator'!they!are!li&e!ta$e!ani$als!ready!to!ser3e!hu$anity.!"hey!are!a!cause!o%!%ear!%or!the!un2ust!and! oppressors'!and!a!pro$ise!o%!support!and!hope!o%!security!%or!the!innocent!and!oppressed. /reat!thin&ers!opine!that!science!and!&nowledge!can!ha3e!positi3e!3alue!i%!used!to!+ene%it!hu$anity!+y! 3irtuous!people!with!high!$oral!standards.!Einstein!said!that!science!teaches!us!the!relations!+etween! pheno$ena!and!how!pheno$ena!e9ist!together!under!the!conditions!particular!to!each.!1e!added!that!sciC ence'!which!consists!o%!the!&nowledge!o%!what!already!is'!does!not!teach!us!what!should!+eF!only!religion! teaches!us!how!things!should!+e!and!to!which!goals!we!should!aspire.!Einstein!also!+elie3ed!that!religion! points!out!our!goals'!and!that!science!can!+e!3ery!help%ul!in!showing!us!how!to!reach!those!goals.!Heligion!

1@

should!de%ine!science6s!li$its!+y!pointing!science!to!its!o+2ecti3e!and!teaching!it!how!to!pursue!that! o+2ecti3e.!Science!without!religion!is!crippled'!while!religion!without!science!is!+lind. 5%!we!restrict!our!thin&ing!to!)scienti%ic-!con%ines'!the!world!will!appear!as!a!$onotonous'!oneCdi$ensional! $echanis$.!1owe3er'!in!regard!to!its!$iraculous!+irth!and!ine3ita+le!death!and!its!a$a>ing!operation'! science!has!nothing!to!say!a+out!the!uni3erse!and!e9istence.!Such!areas!are!the!proper!sphere!o%!religion.! Such!scientists!as!Sir!Y.!Yeans!and!Eddington!ha3e!suggested!new!and!pri$arily!/odC+ased!ways!%or! science!to!%ollow'!in!opposition!to!$aterialistic!tendencies!and!attitudes.!"hey!also!ha3e!tried!to!re$o3e!the! o+stacles!+e%ore!science.! e!hope!and!+elie3e!that!science!will!draw!nearer!to!religion'!and!that!scientists!will!reali>e!the!a+solute! necessity!o%!+elie3ing!in!/od.!MGlen Bahar/ Soluklarken'!".Z.V.!4ayRne3i'!;>$ir!1??7'!pp.@@C?2N

/he 2ur.an
5n!accordance!with!hu$anity6s!worth!and!3alue'!and!considering!the!hu$an!heart'!spirit'! $ind' ! and ! physical ! +eing' ! the ! Kur6an ! descended ! %ro$ ! the ! 1ighest ! o% ! the ! 1igh.! *ontaining!the!$ost!per%ect!$essages'!it!is!a!collection!o%!Di3ine!7aws. .ollowed!today!+y!$ore!than!a!+illion!people'!the!Kur6an!is!a!uniGue!+oo&!that'!with!its! eternal ! and ! unchanging ! di3ine ! principles' ! guides ! e3eryone ! to ! the ! shortest ! and ! $ost! illu$inated!road!to!happiness.! "he ! Kur6an ! has ! +een ! a ! source ! o% ! light ! %or ! the ! $ost ! $agni%icent ! and ! enlightened! co$$unities!that!ha3e!ruled!the!world'!those!that!ha3e!produced!thousands!o%!scholars'! philosophers'!and!thin&ers.!5n!this!sense'!no!other!rule!is!eGual!to!its!rule. Since ! the ! day ! it ! was ! re3ealed' ! the ! Kur6an ! has ! encountered ! $any ! o+2ections ! and! criticis$s. ! 1owe3er' ! the ! Kur6an ! has ! always ! e$erged ! unscathed ! and ! so ! continues ! to! re%lect!its!3ictory.! "he ! Kur6an ! crystalli>es ! in ! the ! heart' ! illu$ines ! the ! spirit' ! and ! e9hi+its ! truths ! %ro$! +eginning!to!end.!8nly!+elie3ers!who!can!sense!all!the!+eauty!o%!the!uni3erse!in!a!single ! %lower ! and ! see ! rainstor$s ! in ! a ! drop ! o% ! water ! can ! &now ! and ! understand ! its ! real! countenance. "he!Kur6an!possesses!such!a!style!that!#ra+!and!%oreign!linguists!and!literary!people !who! heard ! its ! 3erses ! +owed ! +e%ore ! it. ! "hose ! who ! recogni>ed ! its ! truth ! and ! understood ! its! contents!+owed!+e%ore!this!$asterpiece!o%!eloGuence. Dusli$s!can!reach!unity!only!+y!a%%ir$ing!and!+elie3ing!the!Kur6an.!"hose!who!cannot! do!so!cannot!+e!Dusli$'!nor!can!they!esta+lish!any!lasting!unity!a$ong!the$sel3es. Saying!that!)%aith!is!a!$atter!o%!conscience-!$eans!)5!a%%ir$!/od'!1is!Prophet'!and!the! Kur6an-!with!$y!tongue!and!$y!conscience.!E3ery!act!o%!worship! connected!to!this! understanding!$ani%ests!this!a%%ir$ation. hen!hu$anity! was!%loundering!in!the!+rutality!o%!ignorance! and!un+elie%'!the!Kur6an! +urst!%orth!in!a!%lood!o%!enlighten$ent!that!drowned!the!world!in!its!light.!"he!Kur6an! engendered!a!re3olution!without!parallel!or!eGual.!1istory!is!a!su%%icient!witnessL "he!Kur6an!teaches!in!a!$ost!+alanced!way!the!$eaning!and!nature!o%!hu$anityF!truth! and!wisdo$F!as!well!as!/od6s!Essence'!#ttri+utes'!and!:a$es.!:o!other!+oo&!can!eGual! it ! in ! this ! %ield. ! 7oo& ! at ! the ! wisdo$ ! o% ! scholarly ! saints ! and ! the ! philosophy! o% ! true! philosophers'!and!you!will!understand. "he!Kur6an!is!the!uniGue!+oo&!co$$anding!true!2ustice'!real!%reedo$'!+alanced!eGuality'! goodness'!honor'!3irtue'!and!co$passion! %or!all!creation.!5t!is!also!the!$atchless!+oo&! %or+idding ! oppression' ! polytheis$' ! in2ustice' ! ignorance' ! +ri+ery' ! interest' ! lying' ! and! +earing!%alse!witness.

1?

"he!Kur6an!is!the!only!+oo&!that'!while!protecting!the!orphan'!the!poor!and!the!innocent'! puts ! the ! &ing ! and ! the ! sla3e' ! the ! co$$ander ! and ! the ! pri3ate' ! the ! plainti%% ! and ! the ! de%endant!in!the!sa$e!chair!and!then!2udges!the$. *lai$ing!that!the!Kur6an!is!a!source!o%!superstition!is!nothing!$ore!than!repeating!the! words!uttered!+y!ignorant!#ra+s!14!centuries!ago.!Such!a!3iew!ridicules!wisdo$!and!true! philosophy.! 5%!only!those!who!critici>e!the!Kur6an!and!the!things!it!+rought!could!produce!so$ething! to ! guarantee ! the ! order' ! har$ony' ! peace'! and ! sa%ety ! o% ! hu$an ! li%e ! e3en ! in ! a ! short'! te$porary ! period... ! #ctually' ! it ! is ! 3ery ! di%%icult ! to ! understand ! this ! per3ersity ! and! o+stinacy!when!%aced!with!the!$isera+le!and!un+alanced!ci3ili>ations!+ased!on!principles! %oreign!to!the!Kur6an'!and!the!trou+led'!depressed'!and!$oaning!hearts!o%!those!depri3ed! o%!its!light. "he!$ost!orderly!li%e!%or!hu$anity! is!that!+reathed!+y!the!Kur6an.!5n!%act'!so$e!o%!the! +eauti%ul!things!that!are!today!uni3ersally!co$$ended!and!applauded!are!the!e9act!things! encouraged ! +y ! the ! Kur6an ! centuries ! ago. ! So' ! whose ! %ault ! it ! is ! i% ! Dusli$s ! are ! in ! a! $isera+le!situation!today, "hose!who!critici>e!the!Kur6an'!as!i%!it!were!their!pro%ession'!generally!ha3e!only!a!3ague! and!super%icial!&nowledge! o%!its!contents.!5t!is!ironic!that!such!people!%eel!%ree!to!3ent! their!opinions!without!researching!or!e3en!reading!it.!#ctually' !there!is!no!di%%erence! +etween!their!attitude!and!the!o+stinacy!that!so$e!ignorant!people!show!in!the!%ace!o%! Mpositi3eN!sciences.!5t!see$s!that!we!$ust!continue!to!wait!%or!people!to!awa&en!to!truth.! "hose!who!ha3e!%aith!in!Prophet!Duha$$ad!Mp+uhN!and!the!Kur6an!ha3e!%aith!in!/od.! "hose!who!do!not!+elie3e!in!the!Kur6an!do!not!+elie3e!in!Prophet!Duha$$ad'!and!those! who!do!not!+elie3e!in!Prophet!Duha$$ad!do!not!+elie3e!in!/od.!"hese!are!the!real! di$ensions!o%!+eing!a!Dusli$. "he ! Kur6an ! ena+les ! people ! to ! rise ! to ! the ! highest ! le3el' ! na$ely ! the ! station ! o% ! +eing! addressed!+y!/od.!"hose!who!are!conscious!o%!+eing!in!this!position!hear!their!7ord! spea&!to!the$!through!the!Kur6an.!5%!they!ta&e!an!oath!that!they!spea&!with!their!7ord' ! they!will!not!+e!a$ong!those!who!swear!%alsely.! E3en!though!we!are!still!in!this!world'!when!we!enter!the!Kur6an6s!enlightened!cli$ate! we!%eel!that!we!are!passing!through!the!gra3e!and!the!inter$ediate!world!M+etween!this! and!the!ne9tN'!e9periencing!the!Day!o%!Yudg$ent!and!the!Sirat!M+ridgeN'!shuddering!at!the! horror!o%!1ell'!and!wal&ing!on!1ea3en6s!tranGuil!slopes.! "hose!who!ha3e!pre3ented!Dusli$s!%ro$!understanding!the!Kur6an!and!percei3ing!it!in! depth!ha3e!re$o3ed!the$!%ro$!5sla$6s!spirit!and!essence. 5n!the!near!%uture'!and!under!hu$anity6s!ga>es!o%!co$$endation!and!a$a>e$ent'!the! strea$s!o%!&nowledge'!techniGue'!and!art!%lowing!toward!the!Kur6anic!ocean!will!%all!into! their!essential!source!and!unite!with!it.!#t!that!ti$e'!scholars'!researchers'!and!artists!will! %ind!the$sel3es!in!that!sa$e!ocean. 5t!should!not!+e!too!hard!to!see!the!%uture!as!the!#ge!o%!the!Kur6an'!%or!it!is!the!word!o%! 8ne! ho!sees!the!past'!present'!and!%uture!at!the!sa$e!$o$ent.!M Bl $eya %oldaki IC/klar'! ".Z.V.!4ayRne3i'!;>$ir!1??B'!Vol.3'!pp.7@C@7N

8ro het @uhammad

1u$anity!ca$e!to!&now!true!ci3ili>ation!+y!$eans!o%!Prophet!Duha$$ad!and!%a3ored! it.!#ll!e%%orts!e9erted!a%ter!hi$!%or!the!sa&e!o%!true!ci3ili>ation!ha3e!+een!no!$ore!than!

2B

practicing! or ! trying ! to! practice ! the ! principles ! he ! +rought ! and ! ad2usting! the$! to ! new! conditions.!.or!this!reason'!he!deser3es!to!+e!called!the!%ounder!o%!true!ci3ili>ation. Prophet! Duha$$ad! re2ected ! indolence ! and ! la>iness' ! estee$ed ! la+or ! as ! a ! $ode ! o%! worship'!and!applauded!the!hardCwor&ing.!1e!directed!his!%ollowers!to!hori>ons!+eyond! the!age!in!which!they!li3ed'!and!taught!the$!how!they!could!+e!the!ele$ent!o%!+alance!in! the!world. Prophet!Duha$$ad!is!uneGualled!in!that!he!appeared!as!a!sword!o%!3alor!and!eloGuence! against ! un+elie% ! and ! sa3agery. ! 1e ! proclai$ed ! the ! truth ! with ! the ! clearest ! 3oice' ! and! showed!hu$anity!the!ways!to!true!e9istence. 5% !there !is! e3er! a! person!who$! ignorance'!un+elie%! and! +rutality! hate! the !$ost' ! it! is! Prophet!Duha$$ad.!"hose!who!search!%or!truth!and!thirst!%or!true!&nowledge!e3entually! will!see&!hi$!out!and!e$+race!his!path. Prophet! Duha$$ad! proclai$ed ! true ! %reedo$! to ! hu$anity' ! and ! ingrained ! in ! hu$an! consciousness! that ! all ! hu$an ! +eings ! are ! eGual ! +e%ore ! the ! law. ! 1e ! esta+lished ! that! superiority!lies!in!3irtue'!piety'!and!$orality.!1e!regarded!proclai$ing!the!truth!against! all!oppressors!and!oppressi3e!thought!as!a!&ind!o%!worship. Prophet!Duha$$ad!called!upon!us!to!protect!religion'!li%e'!reason'!propertyF!the!integrity! o%!%a$ily!and!lineageF!and!to!stri3e!%or!this!purpose.!5n!a!re$ar&a+ly!+alanced!way'!he ! proclai$ed!that!no!other!duty!could!eGual!this!struggle.! Prophet!Duha$$ad!un3eiled!the!transitory!nature!o%!this!world!and!death'!and!showed! the!gra3e!to!+e!a!waiting!roo$!opening!onto!the!real$!o%!eternal!happiness.!1e!led!e3ery! heart ! see&ing ! happiness' ! regardless ! o% ! place ! or ! ti$e' ! to ! the ! %ountain ! o% ! =hadr' ! and! ena+led!the$!to!drin&!the!eli9ir!o%!i$$ortality.!M Bl $eya %oldaki IC/klar'!".Z.V.!4ayRne3i'! ;>$ir!1??B'!Vol.3'!pp.2@C31N

7eligion
Since!its!appearance!on!Earth'!hu$anity!has!%ound!true!peace!and!happiness!in!religion.! #s!it!is!i$possi+le!to!tal&!o%!$orality! and!3irtue! where!people!do!not!practice!the!true! religion'!it!also!is!di%%icult!to!i$agine!real!happiness'!%or!$orality!and!3irtue!originate!in!a ! good'!clear!conscience.!Heligion!is!what!$a&es!one6s!conscience!good!and!clear'!%or!it!is ! a!connection!+etween!hu$anity!and!/od. Heligion!is!the!+est!school'!a!$ost!+lessed!institution!%ounded!to!inculcate!good!$oral! Gualities!in!people.!5t!is!open!to!e3eryone'!%ro$!the!youngest!to!the!oldest'!and!only!those! who!attend!it!attain!peace'!satis%action'!and!%reedo$.!"hose!without!religion'!+y!contrast'! cannot!sa3e!the$sel3es!%ro$!losing!e3erything'!including!their!true!identity. Heligion!is!the!collection!o%!Di3ine!principles!that!guide!people!to!what!is!good'!not!+y! %orce! +ut ! +y! appealing ! to! their ! %ree ! will. ! #ll ! principles ! that ! secure ! our ! spiritual ! and! $aterial!progress'!and!there+y!our!happiness!in!+oth!worlds'!are!%ound!in!religion. Heligion!$eans!recogni>ing!/od!in!1is!a+solute!and!transcendental!8neness'!acGuiring! spiritual!purity!+y!acting!in!1is!way'!arranging!relationships!in!1is!na$e!and!according! to!1is!co$$and$ents'!and!%eeling!a!pro%ound!interest!in!and!lo3e!%or!all!creation!on!1is! account. Sooner!or!later'!those!who!do!not!recogni>e!religion! will!co$e !to!despise!such!high! 3alues!as!chastity'!patriotis$'!and!lo3e!o%!hu$anity. 5$$orality!is!a!disease!caused!+y!the!a+sence!o%!religion'!and!anarchy!is!a!product!o%!this! sa$e!a+sence.

21

Do!atheists'!who!de3ote!their!li3es!to!attac&ing'!not!ha3e!so$e!o+ligation!to!de$onstrate! atheis$6s!+ene%its!and!good!conseGuences'!i%!any, Heligion!and!science!are!two!%aces!o%!a!single!truth.!Heligion!guides!us!to!the!true!path! leading!to!happiness.!Science'!when!understood!and!used!properly'!is!li&e!a!torch!that! pro3ides!us!with!a!light!to!%ollow!the!sa$e!path. #ll!the!+eauti%ul!)%lowers-!o%!lauda+le!3irtues!are!grown!in!the!)gardens-!o%!religion'!as! are ! the ! $ost ! illustrious ! )%ruits- ! o% ! the ! tree ! o% ! creation' ! such! as ! Prophets'! saints' ! and! scholars!o%!high!achie3e$ent.!#lthough!atheists! deli+erately!ignore!the$'!regardless!o%! how!hard!they!try!they!will!ne3er!re$o3e!the$!%ro$!the!hearts!o%!people!and!the!pages!o%! +oo&s. :othing!in!true!religion! is!contrary!to!sound!thin&ing'!co$$on!sense'!and!&nowledge.! "here%ore!true!religion!cannot!+e!critici>ed!%ro$!any!rational!point!o%!3iew.!"hose!who! do!not!accept!religion!either!are!de3oid!o%!sound!thin&ing!and!reasoning!or!ha3e!a!wrong! conception!o%!&nowledge!and!science. Heligion ! is ! an ! ine9hausti+le ! and ! +lessed ! source ! that ! lays ! the ! %oundation ! o% ! true! ci3ili>ation.!Heligion!ele3ates!us!so!high!in!spirit!and!%eelings!that!we!$a&e!contact!with! $etaphysical!worlds'!where!we!are!)%ed-!to!%ull!satis%action!with!all!&inds!o%!+eauty' ! 3irtue'!and!goodness. Virtues!are!to!+e!sought!in!the!practice!o%!religion.!5t!rarely!happens!that!an!atheist!has! lauda+le!3irtues!or!that!a!religious!person!has!none. Den!and!wo$en! attain!true!hu$anity! +y!$eans!o%!religion'!which!distinguishes!the$! %ro$!ani$als.!.or!atheists'!there!is!no!di%%erence!+etween!hu$an!+eings!and!ani$als. Heligion!is!the!way!esta+lished!+y!/od'!while!atheis$!is!the!way!o%!Satan.!"his!is!why! the!struggle!+etween!religion! and!atheis$!has!e9isted!since!the!ti$e!o%!#da$! and!will! continue!until!the!7ast!Day.!MBl $eya %oldaki IC/klar'!".Z.V.!4ayRne3i'!;>$ir!1??@'!Vol.2'! M12th!editionN'!pp.76C@1N

Corshi
orship!$eans!one6s!sincere!ac&nowledge$ent!o%!hi$sel%!or!hersel%!as!a!ser3ant!and!o%! /od!as!the!sole!and!true!8+2ect!o%! orship.!5t!consists!in!a!ser3ant!designing!his!or!her! li%e ! in ! accordance ! with ! the ! relations ! +etween ! a ! true ! ser3ant ! and ! the ! "rue ! 8+2ect ! o%! orship'!in!light!o%!the!%act!that!one!is!the!created!and!the!other!the!*reator. orship!$eans!one6s!than&%ulness!%or!the!+ounties!+estowed'!such!as!li%e'!consciousness'! power!o%!perception'!and!%aith.!:eglecting!the!duty!o%!worship!is!crude!ingratitude. orship!is!a!road!to!tra3el'!opened!+y!the!Being! ho!co$$ands!us!to!+elie%.!5t!is!a!set! o%!good!$anners!that!1e!ordered!us!to!o+ser3e'!so!that!we!could!%inally!reach!1i$!and! o+tain!happiness!in!+oth!this!li%e!and!the!ne9t.!"hose!who!cannot!%ind!this!way!and ! acGuire!these!$anners!cannot!reach!/od'!the!"ruth. orship!is!the!sa%est!way!to!reach!the!$ost!unsha&a+le!certainty!in!one6s!conscience! a+out!the!greatest!truth'!which!is!&nown!only!theoretically!at!the!outset.!5n!each!station!on! this ! way' ! along ! which ! consciousness! see&s ! certainty ! on ! the ! wings ! o% ! re3erence ! and! respect'!a!person!e9periences!a!di%%erent!taste!o%!gli$psing!the!Belo3ed. So$e ! souls' ! shut ! o%% ! to ! the ! truth' ! spend ! their ! li3es ! studying ! only! certain ! theoretical! $atters.!E3en!i%!they!li3e!in!the!enchanting!co$pany!o%!the!$ost!eloGuent'!articulate! tongues!and!the!$ost!%ascinating!e9pressions!o%!the!truth'!they!cannot!ad3ance!e3en!an ! inch!toward!it.

22

orship!is!a!+lessed'!growing!resource!that!%eeds!a!person6s!thoughts!and!deli+erations! o%!+eing!good'!righteous'!and!3irtuous.!5t!is!a!$ysterious!eli9ir!that!re%or$s!the!sel%6s! innate ! tendencies ! toward ! e3il. ! 8ne ! who ! engages ! in ! worship ! a ! %ew ! ti$es ! a ! day ! +y! re%lecting!on!Di3ine!truths!and!re$e$+rance !o%!/od'!enters!on!the!way!to!+eco$ing! per%ect!and!ta&ing!shelter!against!the!te$ptations!o%!the!carnal!sel%. orship!is!de3eloping!our!potential!to!+e!li&e!angels!so!that!we!can!+e!%itted!%or!Paradise! and! control !our! +estial !inclinations! and!potentialities. !So! %ar! in!hu$an ! history' !$any! people!ha3e!surpassed!angels!+y!$eans!o%!their!worship'!while!$any!others!ha3e!re%used! to!worship!and!thus!ha3e!sun&!to!the!lowest!possi+le!le3el. "he!$ost!$eritorious!act!or!ser3ice!o%!worship!is!&nowing!and!lo3ing!/od!#l$ighty!and! +ene%itting!hu$anity.!5%!there!is!so$ething!$ore!$eritorious!and!co$$enda+le!than!this'! it!is!see&ing!/od6s!appro3al!and!good!pleasure!in!whate3er!one!does!and'!$o3ed!+y!the! co$$and!to!)+e!straight%orward!as!you!are!co$$anded'-!always!pursuing!the!truest!and! highest!ideal!in!li%e.!MBl $eya %oldaki IC/klar'!".Z.V.!4ayRne3i'!;>$ir!1??B'!Vol.3'!pp.12B\23N

@orals
Dorals!are!a!set!o%!no+le!principles!that!originate!in!high!spirituality!and!go3ern!hu$an! conduct.!.or!this!reason'!people!who!neglect!spirituality' !and!are!there%ore!lac&ing!in! spiritual!3alues'!cannot!sustain!conduct!in!accordance!with!these!principles. Pre%erring!the!interests!o%!others!o3er!one6s!own!is!high!spirituality! and!li+erality.!8ne! day'!those!who!always !do!good!without!e9pecting!any!return!will!+ow!+e%ore!/od!in! wonder!and!ad$iration!when'!une9pectedly'!they!$eet!the!accu$ulated!results!o%!their! considerate!nature!and!all!the!good!they!ha3e!done. Yust!+ecause!you!are!learned!does!not!$ean!that!you!are!truly!hu$an.!7earned!people!are! %reed!%ro$!carrying!the!+urden!o%!super%luous!in%or$ation!and!attain!greatness!to!the! e9tent!that!they!ser3e!hu$anity! and!set!a!good!e9a$ple!%or!others!through!their!high! $orals!and!3irtues.!8therwise'!they!are!no!$ore!than!people!who!ha3e!wasted!their!li3es.! "hose!with!high!$orals!and!3irtues'!e3en!i%!they!lac&!learning!and!are!as!dense!as!iron'! so$eti$es!$ay!pro3e!to!+e!use%ul!and!3alua+le'!and!e3en!as!good!as!gold. :e3er!decei3e!anyone'!e3en!i%!they!decei3e!you.!.idelity!and!uprightness!are!two!o%!the! highest!3irtues. !E3en!i%!%ollowing!this !ad3ice!+rings!you !loss' !which!it!usually!does'! always!+e!%aith%ul!and!upright. Dorals!were!once!thought!o%!as!3irtues.!"oday!they!are!regarded!as!a!collection!o%!rules! %or!social!+eha3ior.!5!wish!people!would!+eha3e!in!accordance!with!these!rules'!e3en! though!they!are!not!3irtuousL 5n!the!past!people!would!say(!)"he!principles!o%!good!conduct!are!no!longer!practicedF! we!only!see!the$!recorded!in!+oo&s.-!"oday!they!say(!)"he!principles!o%!good!conduct! are!outdatedF!whate3er!re$ains!o%!the$!is!recorded!in!old!+oo&s.-! hate3er!they!say'! those!principles!are!worth!the!sacri%ice!o%!$any!new!things'!e3en!though!people!try!to! present!the$!as!outdated.!MBl $eya %oldaki IC/klar'!".Z.V.!4ayRne3i'!;>$ir'!1??@'!Vol.2'!M12 th! editionN'!pp.5?C61N

The Turkish Islam Expression

:!Ho' do you e$aluate the eFpression 9Turkish ?uslimness:( :!"his!e9pression!$ight!appear!to!con%lict!with!5sla$6s!uni3ersality.!5sla$!is!the!religion!o%!hu$anity.!5%! that!weren6t!the!case'!e3en!though!they!protected!their!own!custo$s!and!traditions'!"ur&s!would!not!ha3e!

23

entered!5sla$!so!eagerly.!5s$ail!1a$i!DaniO$end!notes!that!in!the!tenth!and!ele3ents!centuries'!thousands! o%!tents!o%!"ur&ish!people!+eca$e!Dusli$!all!at!once.!1ere!5!would!li&e!to!$ention!so$ething!in! parenthesis(!Dusli$s!entered!Sa$arGand'!"ash&ent'!and!Bu&hara!in!@B!#1.!5%!they!had!not'!$en!li&e! Bu&hari'!Dusli$'!and!"ir$idhi!couldn6t!ha3e!appeared!in!the!third!century!#1.!5n!5B!#1!they!entered! Sind!Mpart!o%!$odern!Pa&istanN.!"his!is!a!3ery!early!period.!#%ter!5B!years!had!passed'!all!o%!*entral!#sia! surrendered!to!5sla$.!"hat!wa3e!spread!%ro$!there!to!#sia!Dinor. : +here did those raised in 3entral .sia carry Islam( :!5sla$!appeared!in!Da&&a!and!Dadina'!then!%ollowed!a!road!toward!#sia.!#lthough!it!had!entered!eastern! #natolia!while!ad3ancing!toward!#sia'!it!was!spread!and!esta+lished!in!#natolia!+y!*entral!#sian!"ur&s.! "he!whole!world!o%!5sla$!is!inde+ted!to!Decca!and!Dadina.!8ur!second!inde+tedness!is!to!*entral!#sia. e!owe!$any!things!to!*entral!#sia'!+e!it!in!the!%ields!o%!1adith'!ta%sir!MKur6anic!co$$entaryN'!and! 2urisprudence'!or!+ecause!o%!the!renaissance!that!too&!place!there!in!the!%ourth!and!%i%th!centuries!#1.!5n! that!early!period'!5sla$!was!protected!and!de3eloped!in!a!way!co$pati+le!with!the!Kur6an'!Sunna'!iGma6! MconsensusN'!and!1iyas!Mlegal!analogyN.!"he!in%luence!o%!1iyas!in!a!society6s!$orality'!psychological!$a&eC up'!and!socioecono$ic!conditions!can6t!+e!denied.!"he!social!structure6s!in%luence!can6t!+e!denied.!"he! "ur&ish!nation!interpreted!5sla$!in!the!areas!open!to!interpretation.!.ro$!this!3iewpoint'!it!attained!a!3ery! +road!spectru$!and!+eca$e!the!religion!o%!great!states.!.or!this!reason'!5!thin&!the!ter$!)"ur&ish! Dusli$ness-!is!appropriate.!#nother!aspect!o%!this!is!that!in!addition!to!pro%ound!de3otion!to!the!Kur6an! and!Sunna'!the!"ur&s!always!ha3e!+een!open!to!Su%is$'!5sla$6s!spiritual!li%e.!Su%is$!has!spead!a$ong! "ur&s!$ore!than!a$ong!other!peoples.!MEy0p!*an'!Fethullah Glen )le 2fuk Turu'!Ta$an'!#ugust'!1??5N : 3an you *e called a ?uslim Turkist( :!.or!$e'!+eing!Dusli$!is!an!essential!+ecause!it!enco$passes!+oth!$y!happiness!in!this!world!and!the! ne9t.!But!a$ong!$y!general!thoughts!and!perceptions!5!+elie3e'!as!e9pressed!+y!one!o%!our!%a$ous!poets'! that!the!"ur&ish!nation!put!its!true!3alues!on!a!solid!%oundation!a%ter!+eco$ing!Dusli$.!"ur&s!reached!their! >enith!as!a!nation!only!a%ter!+eco$ing!Dusli$.!5!loo&!at!$ysel%!as!a!Dusli$!"ur&!%ro$!this!perspecti3e.!5! ha3e!ne3er!thought!o%!separating!the!two.!Being!Dusli$!is!$y!only!guarantee!%or!happiness!in!this!world! and!the!a%terli%e.!But!5!didn6t!thin&!o%!$y!"ur&ishness!as!separate!%ro$!$y!Dusli$ness.!#t!the!sa$e!ti$e'!5! a$!3ery'!3ery!%ar!%ro$!racis$. (!Islam is a uni$ersal religion& .re there also Turkish traces in it( :!5sla$!is!uni3ersal!%ro$!the!perspecti3e!o%!its!principles.!Details!can!+e!interpreted.!5t6s!$y!hu$+le! opinion!that!the!"ur&ish!nation!has!interpreted!those!$atters!open!to!interpretation!3ery!well.!5%!8tto$an! tolerance!e9isted!today!in!the!world'!5!+elie3e!there!would!+e!a!3ery!good!+asis!%or!dialogue!not!only!%or! Dusli$s!+ut!%or!hu$anity.!5n!a!world!that!is!+eco$ing!$ore!and!$ore!glo+ali>ed'!+eing!open!to!dialogue! is!3ery!i$portant.!MErtuPrul!Z>&[&'!Hoca #fendi .nlat/yor'!10rriyet'!1X23C3BC?5N

Islam and the /urks

:!Fethullah Glen said that the contact *et'een 3entral .sian Turks and Islam *egan in HI .H0 and that their con$ersion took place usually in large groups& Islam 'as carried to .natolia from there& This is his eFplanationD :!Dusli$s!residing!within!$odern!"ur&ey6s!+orders!did!not!recei3e!5sla$!directly!%ro$!Da&&a!and! Dadina.!"his!$ight!$a&e!so$e!people!unco$%orta+le.!5n!5B!#1'!*entral!#sia!+egan!to!+eco$e!Dusli$.! 5n!the!%irst!century!#1'!so$e!pro$inent!people!ca$e!to!Da&&a!and!Dadina!%ro$!the!region!+etween! $odern!"ur&$enistan!and!#%ghanistan.! "he!late!5s$ail!1a$i!DaniO$end!clai$ed!that!"ur&ish!tri+es!+eca$e!Dusli$!in!large!groups.!#ccording!to! so$e'!the!%ounders!o%!the!1ana%i!school!either!were!"ur&ish!or!had!connection!with!"ur&s.1!5n!addition'!the! greatest!1adith!scholars!e$erged!and!grew!up!in!places!where!"ur&s!were!densely!concentrated.2! Yurisprudence'!1adith'!and!Kur6anic!co$$entary!de3eloped!in!*entral!#sia.!5n!the!%i%th!and!si9th!centuries! #1'!5sla$!was!entrusted!to!the!Sel2u&id!states'!and!then!passed!to!their!heirs(!the!8tto$ans. 5sla$'!with!all!its!light!and!di$ensions'!went!to!*entral!#sia.!"hose!o%!its!aspects!open!to!interpretation! were!interpreted!there.!"he!%oundation!%or!iGtihad!Mindependent!2udge$ent!reached!through!reasoning!+ased!
1 2

Abu Hanifa, Abu Yusuf, and Imam Muhammad. Such as Imam Bukhari, Imam Muslim, Tirmidhi, and Nasai. 24

on!the!Kur6an!and!SunnaN!was!e3aluated!there.!5t!is!no!coincidence!that!the!1ana%i!school!o%!2urisprudence! %ound!its!$ost!pro$inent!representati3es!in!that!region'3!or!that!5sla$ic!2urisprudence!gained!uni3ersality! 3ia!such!newly!de3eloped!$ethods!such!as!istihsan!Mpre%erring!closed!to!open!analogy'!or!pre%erring!an! e9ceptional!law!to!the!general!oneN'!istisha*!Mpreser3ing!the!e9isting!legal!situation!and!accepting!it!as!the! nor$N'!and!sedd!i 8erayi!Mprohi+iting!that!which!leads!to!what!is!%or+idden.N 5n!addition!to!5sla$ic!2urisprudence'!Su%is$!and!the!Daturidi!+ranch!o%!the!#hlCalCSunna!were!widely! spread!in!these!"ur&ish!areas.!5t!is!undenia+le!that!the!seed!o%!5sla$!sown!and!ger$inated!in!Da&&a!and! Dadina!grew!and!+eca$e!a!uni3ersal!tree!in!the!"ur&ish!regions.!"his!is!why!5!use!the!ter$!)"ur&ish! 5sla$-!or!)"ur&ish!Dusli$ness-!to!e9press!this!reality.!M1ulusi!"urgut'!"urculuk'!Sa+ah'!1X23C31X?7N

/he @uslimD/urkish Identity

:!+hat should the Turkish identity *e like in the t'enty!first century( :!"he!%actor!o%!5sla$!de%initely!should!+e!included.!But!it!shouldn6t!+e!a!"ur&ish!world!that6s!%ighting!with! #$erica!and!Europe.!5n!line!with!conte$porary!realities'!it!should!ta&e! estern!thought'!e3aluate!it'!and! respect!that!which!a%%ir$s!its!own!spirit!and!spiritual!roots.!"he!"ur&ish!world!should!+e!3ery!di%%erent'! +roader'!and!a+le!to!help!$aintain!world!peace.! (!Does the 9#uropean ?uslim: identity indicated in the Tan8imat edict descri*e us( 3an 'e say that the Turkish!?uslim identity 'ill *e #uropean in the future( :!5%!+oth!Europe!and!"ur&ey!could!co$e!to!a!$utually!accepta+le!agree$ent'!the!%uture!could!+e! pro$ising.!But!this!de$ands!intelligent!people!with!one!eye!on!the!larger!world!and!one!eye!on!their!own! world.!5t!de$ands!e3ol3ed!people!who!can!o+ser3e!+oth!worlds'!)architects-!who!can!+uild!a!+rand!new! world. Dore!speci%ically'!according!to!$y!way!o%!thought'!the! est!and!the!East!each!represents!an!aspect!o%! hu$anity.!"he! est!represents!the!$ind!and!acti3is$'!while!the!East!the!heart!and!spirit.!So'!gi3ing!up! their!centuriesCold!clashes'!these!two!worlds!should!co$e!together!%or!a!happier'!$ore!peace%ul!li%e.! M:e33al!Se3indi'!Fethullah Glen )le "e' %ork Soh*eti'!4eni!40>yRl'!#ugust'!1??7N

/he uni0ersality of Islam

"he!issues!+rought!%orth!+y!ti$e!and!changing!circu$stances!are!re%erred!to!as!secondary!$ethods!o%! 2urisprudence.!.or!e9a$ple'!when!sea!trade!was!not!so!co$ple9'!5sla$'!*hristianity'!and!Yudais$!had!no! speci%ic!rules!%or!it.!Such!$atters!are!to!+e!re%erred!to!iGtihad!in!the!light!o%!+asic!principles!o%!5sla$ic! +elie%'!$orality'!and!li%eCstyle. "i$e!and!conditions!are!i$portant!$eans!to!interpret!the!Kur6an.!"he!Kur6an!is!li&e!a!rose!that!e3ery! passing!day!de3elops!a!new!petal!and!continues!to!+losso$.!5n!order!to!disco3er!its!depth!and!to!o+tain!its! 2ewels!in!its!deeper!3eils!or!strata'!a!new!interpretation!should!+e!$ade!at!least!e3ery!25!years.! "he!1ana%i!understanding!and!"ur&ish!interpretation!do$inated!$ore!than!threeC%ourths!o%!the!5sla$ic! world.!"his!understanding!is!3ery!dear!to!$e.!5%!you!li&e'!you!can!call!this!"ur&ish!5sla$.!Yust!as!5!see!no! serious!canonicalo+stacle!to!this'!5!don6t!thin&!it!should!upset!anyone.!#ctually'!5!thin&!the!world!needs!an! interpretation!o%!the!Kur6an!and!Sunna!that!e9plains'!addresses'!and!+elongs!to!e3eryone.! Societies!that!ha3e!ne3er!%ounded!states'!ne3er!&nown!the!spirit!o%!Su%is$'!ne3er!e9perienced!the!e3ents! that!the!"ur&ish!nation!has!%aced!+ecause!o%!the!great!states!it!has!%ounded'!and!ha3e!ne3er!gained!the! centuries!o%!e9perience!it!gained!can6t!really!say!anything!in!the!na$e!o%!uni3ersality.!"here%ore!when! e3aluating!the!"ur&ish!3ersion!and!e9perience!o%!5sla$!and!why!it!accepted!the!1ana%i!school!o%!law!as!its! e$pires6!%or$al!code!o%!law'!the!history!o%!5sla$!in!general!and!"ur&ish!history!in!particular!should!+e! considered. "ur&ish!5sla$!is!co$posed!o%!the!$ain'!unchanging!principles!o%!5sla$!%ound!in!the!Kur6an!and!Sunna'!as! well!as!in!the!%or$s!that!its!aspects!open!to!interpretation!assu$ed!during!"ur&ish!history'!together!with! Su%is$.!Dore!than!any!other!Dusli$!country'!Su%is$!has!spread!a$ong!the!"ur&s!in!+oth!*entral!#sia!and!

Such as Marginani, Hulvani, and Sarakhsi. 25

"ur&ey.!"his!is!why!"ur&ish!5sla$!always!has!+een!+roader'!deeper'!$ore!tolerant!and!inclusi3e'!and!+ased! on!lo3e.!5%!we!can!+reathe!this!spirit!into!the!$odern!world6s!carcass'!5!hope!it!will!gain!li%e. Islam is misunderstood e!$ust!re3iew!our!understanding!o%!5sla$.!5sla$!is!not!a!religion!%or!a!particular!ti$e.!Bedi0>>a$an! as&s(!) hy'!in!this!world'!do!others!ad3ance!and!we!go!+ac&ward,-!Since!5sla$!is!$isunderstood'! i$ple$ented!incorrectly'!and!percei3ed!as!a!si$ple!religion!+elonging!to!the!past'!today!the!5sla$ic!world! is!in!a!piti%ul!state. #s!Dusli$s'!we!$ust!as&!oursel3es!why.!"a&ing!the!Kur6an!and!Sunna!as!our!$ain!sources!and!respecting! the!great!people!o%!the!past'!in!the!consciousness!that!we!are!all!children!o%!ti$e'!we!$ust!Guestion!the!past! and!present.!56$!loo&ing!%or!la+orers!o%!thought!and!researchers!to!esta+lish!the!necessary!+alance!+etween! the!unchanging!and!changing!aspects!o%!5sla$!and'!considering!such!2urisprudential!rules!as!a+rogation'! particulari>ation'!generali>ation'!and!restriction'!can!present!5sla$!to!the!$odern!understanding.!"he!%irst!5! centuries!o%!5sla$!were!the!period!when!there!were!$any!such!researchers!and!scholars.!During!this!period! there!was!a!3ery!+road!%reedo$!o%!thought.!8nly!in!such!an!at$osphere!can!great!scholars!and!thin&ers!+e! raised.!M1ulusi!"urgut'!"urculuk'!Sa+ah'!1X23C31X?7N

>eoDSalafism and Islam.s ,ni0ersality

:!Some people think that taking the tenets of the >ur6an and Sunna Gust as they are and applying them to our li$es 'ill sol$e all pro*lems& 3an this understanding *e reconciled 'ith Islam6s uni$ersality( :!So$e!people!do!+elie3e!that!doing!so!represents!an!i$portant!step!in!the!na$e!o%!uni3ersality.!But!o%! course!this!is!not!possi+le.!5%!you!don6t!use!the!logic!+y!which!the!doctrines!deter$ined!+y!the!Kur6an!and! Sunna!can!+e!interpreted'!and!i%!you!%ail!to!see!that!their!aspects!change!o3er!ti$e!and!according!to! conditions'!you!can6t!attain!uni3ersality.!Each!doctrine!is!a!nucleus'!a!seed!o%!li%e!that!can!%ul%il!its!purpose! only!when!it!%inds!the!soil'!air'!and!water!necessary!%or!its!ger$ination!and!growth.!5%!people!who!can!apply! the!logic!and!approach!o%!the!great!1ana%i!2urisprudents!to!the!present!ti$e!and!conditions!ha3e!not! appeared'!and!i%!society!closes!itsel%!to!this!option!Munli&e!the!8tto$ansN!were'!we!can!go!nowhere.!MEy0p! *an'!Fethullah Glen )le 2fuk Turu'!Ta$an'!#ugust'!1??5N

Islam and dogmatism

: +hat6s Islam6s attitude to'ard dogmatism( :!5%!dog$atis$!$eans!to!accept!or!copy!so$ething!+lindly!without!lea3ing!roo$!%or!%ree!thought!and!use! o%!$ental!%aculties'!there!is!no!dog$atis$!in!5sla$.!Especially!under!the!conception!o%!religion!that!has! de3eloped!in!the! est'!&nowing!and!+elie3ing!are!considered!as!di%%erent!things.!5n!5sla$'!howe3er'!they! co$ple$ent!each!other.!"he!Kur6an!insists!that!e3eryone!use!his!or!her!$ental!%aculties!Me.g.'!thin&ing'! reasoning'!re%lecting'!pondering'!critici>ing'!e3aluating'!etc.N. .!+hat a*out the >ur6anic $erses that are decisi$e in canon la'( :!"here!are!%i9ed'!unchanging!aspects!o%!creation!and!li%e.!#s!the!)laws!o%!nature-!ne3er!change'!as!the! essential!aspects!o%!hu$anity!Me.g.'!its!nature'!+asic!needs'!%eelings'!and!so!onN!ne3er!change'!a!religion! addressing!hu$anity!$ust!ha3e!unchanging!principles!and!perennial!3alues.!5n!addition'!such!$oral! standards!as!truth%ulness'!chastity'!honesty'!respect!%or!elders!Mespecially!parentsN'!co$passion'!lo3e'!and! help%ulness!are!always!uni3ersally!accepted!3alues.!7i&ewise'!re%raining!%ro$!alcohol'!ga$+ling'!adultery! and!%ornication'!ro++ery'!deception'!and!un2ust!ways!o%!$a&ing!a!li3ing!are!also!uni3ersally!accepted.! #ccepting!and!considering!such!standards!and!3alues!while!$a&ing!laws!is!not!dog$atis$. 1owe3er'!as!in!all!other!religion'!5sla$!has!e9perienced!so$e!dog$atist!attitudes.!.or!e9a$ple'!Tahiris$! +egan!during!the!reign!o%!#li!as!a!result!o%!=hari2ite!e9tre$is$.!"hey!accepted!3erses!with!their!e9ternal! $eaning!only'!and!re%used!to!considser!such!+asic!rules!as!a+rogation'!particulari>ation'!and!generali>ation.! 5n!the!+eginning'!it!did!not!+eco$e!a!school!o%!thought.!1owe3er'!people!li&e!Dawud!alCTahiri!and!5+n!alC 1a>$!esta+lished!this!as!a!syste$!in!#ndalusia!and!pu+lished!+oo&s!on!it.!7ater!this!school!passed!into!the! hands!o%!so$e!in%luential!persons!li&e!5+n!alC"ay$iyya'!and!in%luenced!such!scholars!as!5+n!alCKayyi$!alC Yaw>iyya'!5$a$!Dhaha+i'!and!5+nCi!=athir.!5t!su+seGuently!ga3e!rise!to! ahha+is$.!1owe3er'!such!people! ha3e!always!represented!only!a!s$all!$inority.!MEy0p!*an'!Fethullah Glen )le 2fuk Turu'!Ta$an'!#ugust'! 1??5N

26

Sunni Islam and :ree /hought

:!%ou indicated that during one period0 the Jttoman madrassas fro8e artistic0 aesthetic0 and intellectual mo$ements *ecause of the madrassas6 eFtremist position K*eing closed to positi$e science and SufismL& Some claim that Sunni Islam K*eginning 'ith Imam Gha8aliL o*structed philosophy0 art0 and free thought& .s one 'ho emphasi8es Sunni Islam in this century0 ho' do you e$aluate this criticism( :!Sunni!5sla$!cannot!+e!opposed!to!aesthetics'!art'!+eauty'!and!the!e9pression!o%!+eauty.!5%!it!could!do!so'! the!$agni%icent!5sla$ic!ci3ili>ation!that!%lourished!in!the!%irst!5!centuries!o%!5sla$!would!ne3er!ha3e! occurred.!During!this!period'!in!addition!to!1adith'!Kur6anic!co$$entary'!and!2urisprudence!+eing!at!their! >enith'!positi3e!sciences'!philosophy'!Su%is$'!literature'!and!architecture!reali>ed!considera+ly!high!degrees! o%!de3elop$ent.!#lthough!a!pause!was!o+ser3ed!a%ter!this'!the!8tto$an!period!saw!the!%urther!and! unprecedented!ad3ance$ent!o%!such!%ine!arts!as!architecture'!$usic'!literature'!and!calligraphy.!5%!anything! could!constrain!art!and!%ree!thought'!it!would!+e!2urisprudence.!But!history!shows!that!when! 2urisprudence6s!codi%ication!was!the!$ost!ad3anced'!art!and!%ree!thought!were!also!at!their!$ost!ad3anced! le3el.!#ndalusia!is!a!wonder%ul!e9a$ple!o%!this.!#uthors!o%!5sla$ic!science!and!history'!such!as!Seyyid! 1ossein!:asr!and!Hoger!/aroudy'!don6t!hesitate!to!e9press!their!a$a>e$ent!and!surprise.!5sla$ic! ci3ili>ation!is!represented!+y!tolerance'!peace'!and!lo3e!&neaded!in!the!$idst!o%!%ree!thought!and!+elie%.! MEy0p!*an'!Fethullah Glen )le 2fuk Turu'!Ta$an'!#ugust'!1??5N

Islam and Art

:!+hat is Islam6s $ie' on art( :!#s!shown!+y!the!Kur6an'!it!is!to!see!creation!as!it!is!and!then!to!represent!it!a+stractly.!#+straction!is!one! o%!the!$ost!pronounced!characteristics!o%!5sla$ic!art. :!.s you emphasi8ed0 there are 'ritten criticisms on Islamic art& But 'hen it comes to the relationship *et'een theory and practice0 not $ery concrete things are said& :! hen!e9plaining!this!$atter'!+ecause!we!can6t!e9press!so$e!things!according!to!our!own!way!o%! thin&ing'!we!$ight!%all!into!dualis$.! e!can!get!into!a!dile$$a.!.or!this!reason'!563e!le%t!e9pressing!$y! opinion!on!art!to!a!later!ti$e.!5%!/od!gi3es!$e!the!opportunity'!5!a$!thin&ing!o%!writing!on!this!su+2ect! so$eti$e!in!the!%uture.!MEy0p!*an'!Fethullah Glen )le 2fuk Turu'!Ta$an'!#ugust'!1??5N

/he 4eard and the /urban Issue

:!5!see!the!ro+e'!tur+an'!+eard'!and!loose!trousers!as!details.!Dusli$s!shouldn6t!drown!in!detail.!"oday! $any!Dusli$s!$ay!+e!doing!this.!*hoosing!not!to!wear!a!tur+an'!ro+e'!or!loose!trousers!shouldn6t!+e! construed!as!wea&ening!the!Dusli$!"ur&ish!identity.!.ro$!i$a$s!in!$osGues!to!$e$+ers!o%!Parlia$ent'! %ro$!go3ernors!to!district!o%%icials'!no!one!should!+e!categori>ed!as!a!sinner!+ecause!o%!such!things.! M:uriye!#&$an'!Fethullah Hoca .nlat/yor'!Sa+ah'!1X23C3BX?5N

3eadscar0es
(!Is it necessary for 'omen to co$er their hair( :!"his!issue!is!not!as!i$portant!as!the!essentials!o%!%aith!and!the!pillars!o%!5sla$.!5t6s!a!$atter!o%!secondary! i$portance.!.aith!in!/od!was!re3ealed!to!our!Prophet!in!Decca.!"hen!ca$e!the!daily!prescri+ed!prayers.! Such!co$$ands!as!gi3ing!al$s'!%asting'!and!pilgri$age!ca$e!in!Dadina.!5n!the!si9teenth!or!se3enteenth! year!o%!Duha$$ad6s!prophethood'!Dusli$!wo$en6s!heads!were!still!unco3ered.!5t!was!not!included!in!the! pillars!o%!5sla$!or!the!essentials!o%!%aith.!"hose!issues!to!which!5sla$!gi3es!priority!should'!out!o%!our!own! de3otion'!+e!gi3en!priority!while!+eco$ing!a!Dusli$!and!co$$unicating!5sla$!to!others.

27

:!If I remem*er correctly0 you ga$e the same message in the ,MMIs 'hen this issue created a lot of social tension& :!Day+e!5!said!the!sa$e!thing.!7et6s!not!drown!in!detail.!7et6s!not!sacri%ice!+ig!things!%or!s$all!things.! MErtuPrul!Z>&[&'!Hoca #fendi .nlat/yor'!10rriyet'!1X23C3BC?5N

7eligion Allows >o :orce in its >ame

:!%ou say that religion does not allo' any force in its name& But isn6t there contrary *eha$ior in Turkey( :!5%!this!religion!is!/od6s!religion'!i%!it!has!%used!with!hu$an!nature'!and!i%!it!is!a!$essage!%ro$!/od6s! attri+ute!o%!Speech!li&e!a!+oo&!or!hu$anity!created!+y!1is!Power!and! ill'!it!does!not!create!any! contradiction!+etween!hu$an!li%e!and!the!uni3erse!1e!created.!Heligion'!hu$anity'!and!the!uni3erse!are! three!di%%erent!3ersions!and!e9pressions!o%!the!sa$e!truth.!.ro$!this!perspecti3e'!5!don6t!+elie3e!or!see!any! pro+a+ility!that!the!spirit!o%!religion!will!con%lict!with!hu$an!nature. .!+hat should *e said a*out those 'ho0 in the name of religion0 sayD 9+ear this or that:( :!8ne!day!a!)natural-!selection!will!ta&e!place!and!e3erything!will!return!to!its!essence.!5n!other!words'! religion!will!re3eal!its!true!reality.!"houghts!that!were!added!to!religion!later!on!will!+e!re$o3ed.!"hose! who!appear!strict!and!+igoted'!who!gi3e!roo$!only!to!the$sel3es!in!religious!$atters'!$ay!one!day!+e! crushed!+y!their!way!o%!thin&ing.!Heligion!will!re$ain!in!its!original!%or$!then'!and!its!uni3ersality!will! reappear.!#s!a!result'!e3eryone!will!%ind!their!place.!MErtuPrul!Z>&[&'!Hoca #fendi .nlat/yor'!10rriyet'! 1X23C3BC?5N

Cill Islam be im lemented by force?

D Some are 'orried that all of this is pretension and that tomorro'0 'hen an administration *ased on Islamic principles comes po'er0 these fourth! or fifth!degree matters 'ill *e imposed upon people0 and it 'ill *e mandatory to co$er the head& :!"his!is!perhaps!due!to!a!lac&!o%!&nowledge!regarding!5sla$ic!principles.!5%!such!a!$ista&e!were!to!+e! $ade'!it!would!+e!contrary!to!what!5sla$!teaches'!so$ething!done!without!&nowing!5sla$.!5n!other!words'! those!who!accept!5sla$!%ollow!its!co$$and$ents!naturally.!#s!%or!those!who!don6t!+elie3e!in!5sla$'!lea3e! the$!to!their!own!understanding!and!li%eCstyle'!%or!5sla$6s!co$$ands!are!o+ligatory!only!%or!Dusli$s.!5%! there!is!an9iety!that!people!will!+e!%orced!to!do!this!when!5sla$ic!principles!are!carried!o3er!into!pu+lic! li%e'!it!should!+e!understood!that!such!a!%orce%ul!act!is!not!5sla$ic.!MErtuPrul!Z>&[&'!Hoca #fendi .nlat/yor'! 10rriyet'!1X23C3BC?5N

Islam# /heocracy# and /yranny

:!In Islam0 is there despotism or theocracy as the media assert( :!So$e!people'!2ust!as!they!can!use!e3erything!%or!e3il'!can!e9ploit!5sla$!and!use!religion!%or!despotic! rule.!But!this!doesn6t!$ean!that!5sla$!has!a!despotic!side.!5!thin&!such!a!clai$!is!due!to!not!co$prehending! this!$atter!correctly.!5sla$!has!nothing!to!do!with!theocracy'!which!is'!in!one!respect'!a!syste$!o%! go3ern$ent!put!%orth!+y!the!church!%athers6!interpretation.!5n!5sla$!there!is!no!church!and!no!church! %athers.!5n!the!$eaning!as! esterners!understand!it'!the!8%%ice!o%!Heligious!#%%airs!has!no!authority!to! deter$ine!laws!%or!the!co$$unity. :!.t this point0 fundamentalism al'ays appears&&& :!5n!the!words!o%!Tiya!Pasha(!)"here!was!no!such!thing!+e%ore'!this!is!a!new!ru$or.-!.unda$entalis$! $eans!%anatical!and!dog$atic!adherence!to!a!+elie%.!#s!a!$o3e$ent'!it!appeared!in!#$erica!in!the!%irst! Guarter!o%!the!twentieth!century.!5t!cannot!+e!denied!that!it!has!in%luenced!se3eral!#$erican!presidents.!5t! has!nothing!to!do!with!5sla$'!e3en!though!so$e!people!ascri+e!the!5ranian!and!Saudi!$o3e$ents!to! %unda$entalis$!and!try!and!+lac&en!5sla$6s!na$e.!5t!is!a!$ista&e!to!consider!5sla$!as!%unda$entalis$!or! Dusli$s!as!%unda$entalists.!"he!$atter!is!loc&ed!into!conceptual!con%usion.!.irst!this!has!to!+e!clari%ied.! MEy0p!*an'!Fethullah Glen )le 2fuk Turu'!Ta$an'!#ugust'!1??5N

2@

I8olitical IslamJ and religiousDoriented arties

:!I6m $ery curious a*out se$eral things& #urope has 3hristian Democrat political parties0 'hich are legal and don6t cause conflict like ours do& +hat is the reason for the conflict in Turkey o$er religious!oriented parties( Is there is a mistake in their positions0 or is political organi8ation in Islam different from that in the +est( :!.irst!o%!all'!5!thin&!that!as!Dusli$s!we!don6t!&now!5sla$!with!all!its!aspects.! hen!we!adopt!it!as!an! ideology!rather!than!a!religion'!we!are!eager!to!Guarrel!a+out!how!5sla$!should!+e!understood!and!li3ed.! #nd!so!we!are!not!open!to!dialogue.!Second'!"ur&ey!has!so$e!people!who!are!e9tre$ely!apprehensi3e!o%! e3en!the!least!$ani%estation!o%!5sla$.!5t!see$s!to!$e!that!in!this!new!era!o%!"ur&ish!history'!so$e!o%!us! ha3e!not!yet!learned!how!to!li3e!together!in!a!society.!#ctually!there6s!nothing!to!%ight!a+out.!#s!was! $entioned!a!little!earlier'!the!+asis!o%!+eing!a!Dusli$'!as!Prophet!Duha$$ad!de$onstrated'!is!lo3e'! %orgi3eness'!and!generosity!to!others. 8n!the!other!hand'!so$e!tend!to!show!5sla$!as!so$ething!%right%ul.!Hegardless!o%!whether!they!do!so!%or! their!own!security!or!to!protect!their!position!in!the!world!+alance'!so$e!powers!present!5sla$!as!a!religion! and!a!go3ern$ental!syste$!that!usurps'!occupies'!and!operates!+y!%orce.!An%ortunately'!so$e!soCcalled! Dusli$s!engage!in!$o3e$ents!that!support!this!i$age.!#ctually'!these!$o3e$ents!are!deri3ed!%ro$!the! understanding!and!interpretation!o%!certain!people'!who!the$!cloa&!the$!in!the!na$e!o%!5sla$.!MErtuPrul! Z>&[&'!Hoca #fendi .nlat/yor'!10rriyet'!1X23C3BC?5N

Difference from ;rbakan and the issue of artisanshi

:!"ecmettin #r*akan is acti$e in politics as a representati$e of Islam in Turkey& %ou6re follo'ing a different road& Isn6t #r*akan6s attempt to esta*lish a political frame'ork for li$ing Islam a good thing( He6s pursuing this struggle& :!5t!$ay!+e!good!according!to!hi$. :!But0 practically speaking0 you6re not doing 'hat he6s doing. :!5!thin&!563e!%ound!a!+etter!wor&.!5!pursue!they!way!to!)%aith!in!/od'!&nowledge!o%!/od'!lo3e!o%!/od'! and!spiritual!pleasure.-!5%!5!accepted!and!appro3ed!o%!e3erything!he!did'!5!would!do!the!sa$e!thing. :!+hich things in him don6t you appro$e of( :!5!ne3er!in3estigated!or!inGuired!into!that.!56$!2ust!%ollowing!$y!way.!5!ha3e!no!ti$e!or!intention!to!show! en$ity!to!others.!"he!Kur6an!teaches!us(!)4ou!$ust!+e!+usy!with!yoursel3esF!don6t!allow!others6!%ollowing! di%%erent!ways!&eep!you!+usy.-!5!ha3e!only!two!hands.!So$eti$es!they!are!enough!to!do!what!5!ha3e!to!do! and!so$eti$es!not.!5%!5!had!%our!hands'!5!would!use!the$!%or!$y!wor&.!M8ral!]alROlar'!Fethullah Glen6le E1ortaG'!*u$huriyet'!@X2BC26X?5N

/he Alawis in /urkey and SunniDAlawi ,nity

(!%ou gi$e a lot of importance to Sufism0 'hich also seems to ha$e an important place in the .la'is6
life and 'orld$ie'&.s you kno'0 they form a significant section of Turkish society& +hat are your thoughts on this su*Gect( (!Perhaps!society!as!a!whole!needs!to!$a&e!so$e!ad2ust$ents.!"his!is!what!Su%is$!does.!Yust!as!we!Sunnis! ha3e!so$e!sides!that!need!to!+e!whittled!down!and!reshaped'!so!do!the!#lawis.!So$e!people!ha3e!$ade! special!research!regarding!the!#lawis.!7oo&ing!at!their!o+ser3ations'!the!#lawis!de%initely!enrich!"ur&ish! culture.!5n!$y!opinion'!that!culture!shouldn6t!+e!3iewed!%ro$!a!single'!de%inite!perspecti3eF!rather'!it!should! +e!considered!%ro$!di%%erent!3iewpoints.!"he!#lawis!ha3e!de3eloped!di%%erent!$odes!o%!thought!during! di%%erent!periods'!which!has!cost!the$!a!lot.!5%!we!put!all!this!aside!and!together!%orge!anew!the!unity! necessary!%or!+eco$ing!one!nation!and!esta+lishing!+rotherhood'!5!thin&!that!our!culture!will!naturally! progress.!5n!other!words'!an!opportunity!%or!enriching!each!other!will!+e!+orn.!Dutually!pro+ing!the!inner! worlds!and!spiritual!depth!o%!each!other!%or!the!sa&e!o%!$utual!+ene%it!is!another!di$ension.!.or!the!sa&e!o%!

2?

this!unity!and!enrich$ent'!they!should!open!up!to!the!Sunnis.!5n!the!current!state'!this!$atter!is!still!open!to! e9ploitation!+y!so$e!groups. (!.la'i culture seems to ha$e a rich history. :!#lawi!culture!is!+ased!on!oral!traditions.!"here%ore!there!are!di%%erent!groups!o%!#lawis!in!"ur&ey'! ranging!%ro$!those!who!sincerely!desire!to!%ollow!the!way!o%!the!Prophet6s!%a$ily!to!those!who!are!atheists.! "o!esta+lish!the!co$$on!ground!%or!the!#lawi!culture!and!creed'!we!should!resort!to!their!written!tradition.! e!should!re3iew!the!wor&s!o%!the!%orerunners!o%!the!#lawi!creed.!5%!they!regard!such!persons!as!4unus! E$re'!:iya>iCi!Disri'!1ad2i!Be&tash'!and!others!as!the!$ain!%igures!o%!#lawis$'!we!should!loo&!at!what! they!wrote!and!how!they!li3ed.!8therwise'!the!+ase!%or!agree$ent!is!too!slippery!and!there6s!di%%iculty!in! understanding.!#lawi!$eeting!or!prayer!houses!should!+e!supported.!5n!our!history'!a!synagogue'!a!church'! and!a!$osGue!stood!side!+y!side!in!$any!places.!"his!re%lects!the!spirit!o%!5sla$!and!its!inclusi3eness.! M:e33al!Se3indi'!Fethullah Glen )le "e' %ork Soh*eti'!4eni!40>yRl'!#ugust'!1??7N

SunniDAlawi tension?
:!There has *een o*$ious tension *et'een .la'is and Sunnis for some time in Turkey& +hat6s the source of it( :!.riends!who!3isit!$e!%reGuently!&now!5!worry!that!this!$atter!could!turn!into!con%lict.!5n!%act'!563e!+een! worried!that!it!can!+eco$e!e3en!$ore!dangerous!than!the!P==!terror.!5!don6t!&now!who!used!this!issue!in! Si3as.!"ur&ey!is!treading!a!3ery!%ine!line!here.!5!don6t!&now!which!circles!or!centers!o%!power!are! instigating!this!$atter. :!"o' there are ne' issues& For eFample0 like cem houses K.la'i assem*ly hallsL&! :!.orgi3e!$e'!+ut!there!ha3e!always!+een!cem!houses!in!which!#lawis!gather.!5t6s!not!right!to!interpret! this!in!a!di%%erent!way!or!to!see!it!as!a!new!issue.!"he!Sunnis6!tension!$ust!+e!+rought!down'!and!#lawi! citi>ens!$ust!understand!that!Sunnis!ne3er!treated!the$!un2ustly.!5n!%act'!during!the!early!years!o%!the! Hepu+lic!when!der3ish!lodges!and!der3ish!hostels!were!closed!down'!cem!houses!were!not!touched.! MErtuPrul!Z>&[&'!Hoca #fendi .nlat/yor'!10rriyet'!1X23C3BC?5N !

A meeting house for the Alawis

:!It 'as reported that in your meeting 'ith 4rime ?inister Tansu Ailler0 you suggested esta*lishing a meeting house for the .la'is& +hat6s happening( +hat6s this matter of a meeting house( :!5n!one!respect'!Sunnis!and!#lawis!are!the!two!sections!o%!"ur&ish!society.!5%!so$e!want!these!two!groups! to!%ight!each!another'!we!can!$a&e!sure!that!that!%ist!is!swung!%or!nothing!+y!&eeping!one!group!%ro$! %ighting!the!other.!563e!seen!great!understanding!%ro$!#lawi!citi>ens'!with!%ew!e9ceptions.!5%!necessary'!we! can!$a&e!an!#lawi!$eeting!house!ne9t!to!a!$osGue.!M8ral!]alROlar'!Fethullah Glen6le E1ortaG'! *u$huriyet'!@X2BC26X?5N

Kihad with its lesser and greater kinds or as ects

Nihad is one of the su*Gects most misunderstood *y *oth +esterners and ?uslims& Fethullah Glen analy8es this topic in his *ook 93ihad $eya I6la!yi Kelimetullah: KNihad or aising the +ord of GodL and in the ans'er he ga$e to a specific 1uestion& The follo'ing are highlights of his $ie's eFplained in his *ook and ans'erD Chat Is Kihad? Deri3ed!%ro$!the!root!2ChCd'!2ihad!$eans!using!all!one6s!strength'!as!well!as!$o3ing!toward!an!o+2ecti3e! with!all!one6s!power!and!strength!and!resisting!e3ery!di%%iculty.!"his!latter!de%inition!o%!2ihad!is!closer!to! the!religious!$eaning.!

3B

Yihad!gained!a!special!characteristic!with!the!ad3ent!o%!5sla$(!struggling!in!the!path!o%!/od.!"his!is!the! $eaning!that!usually!co$es!to!$ind!today.!"his!struggle!occurs!on!two!%ronts(!the!internal!and!the!e9ternal.! "he!internal!struggle!can!+e!descri+ed!as!the!e%%ort!to!attain!one6s!essenceF!the!e9ternal!struggle!as!the! process!o%!ena+ling!so$eone!else!to!attain!his!or!her!essence.!"he!%irst!is!the!greater!GihadO!the!second!is! the!lesser!Gihad.!"he!%irst!is!+ased!on!o3erco$ing!o+stacles!+etween!onesel%!and!his!or!her!essence'!and!the! soul6s!reaching!&nowledge!and!e3entually!di3ine!&nowledge'!di3ine!lo3e'!and!spiritual!+liss.!"he!second!is! +ased!on!re$o3ing!o+stacles!+etween!people!and!%aith!so!that!people!can!$a&e!%ree!choice!+etween!+elie%! and!un+elie%.!5n!one!respect'!2ihad!is!the!purpose!o%!our!creation!and!our!$ost!i$portant!duty.!5%!the! opposite!were!true'!/od!would!ha3e!sent!Prophets!with!that!duty. "here!is!an!un+ridgea+le!di%%erence!+etween!those!who!re$ain!+ehind!without!a!3alid!e9cuse!and!those! who!continually!engage!in!2ihad(!"ot e1ual are those *elie$ers 'ho sit Kat homeL and are not hurt0 and those 'ho stri$e and fight in the cause of God 'ith their goods and their persons& God has granted a grade higher to those 'ho stri$e and fight 'ith their goods and persons than to those 'ho sit Kat homeL& 2nto all Kin FaithL has God promised goodD *ut those 'ho stri$e and fight has He distinguished a*o$e those 'ho sit Kat homeL *y a special re'ard!M4(?5N. "he!Prophet!says(
=eeping!watch!one!day!to!protect!the!+order!%or!/od6s!sa&e!is!superior!to!this!world!and!e3erything!in!it.!"he ! s$all !place!that!your !whip !Mused!in!the!way!o%!/odN!occupies!in!1ea3en ! is!superior!to!this!world !and! e3erything!in!it.!#n!e3ening!or!$orning!wal&!$ade!on!/od6s!path!is!superior!to!this!world!and!e3erything!in ! it.!MSahih al!Bukhari'!)Yihad-'!73F!Sunan al!Tirmidhi'!).ada6il!alCYihad'-!25N

Ainds of jihad "he!lesser!2ihad!is!not!restricted!to!+attle%ronts'!%or!this!would!narrow!its!hori>on!greatly.!5n!reality'!the! lesser!2ihad!has!so!+road!a!$eaning!and!application!that!so$eti$es!a!word!or!silence'!a!%rown!or!a!s$ile'! lea3ing!or!entering!an!asse$+lyin!short'!e3erything!done!%or!/od6s!sa&eEand!regulating!lo3e!and!anger! according!to!1is!appro3al!is!included!in!it.!5n!this!way'!all!e%%orts!$ade!to!re%or$!society!and!people!are! part!o%!2ihad'!as!is!e3ery!e%%ort!$ade!%or!your!%a$ily'!relati3es'!neigh+ors'!and!region. 5n!a!sense'!the!lesser!2ihad!is!$aterial.!"he!greater!2ihad'!howe3er'!is!conducted!on!the!spiritual!%ront'!%or!it! is!our!struggle!with!our!inner!world!and!ego!MnafsN.! hen!+oth!o%!these!are!carried!out!success%ully'!the! desired!+alance!is!esta+lished.!5%!one!is!$issing'!the!+alance!is!destroyed. Belie3ers!%ind!peace!and!3itality!in!such!a!+alanced!2ihad.!"hey!&now!they!will!die!the!$o$ent!their!2ihad! ends.!Belie3ers!are!li&e!trees'!%or!they!sur3i3e!only!as!long!as!they!produce!%ruit.! hen!a!tree!stops! producing!%ruit'!it!dries!up!and!dies. 8+ser3e!pessi$istic!people'!and!you!will!notice!that!they!no!longer!struggle!or!e9plain!the!"ruth!to!others.! #nd!so!/od!cuts!o%%!1is!+lessing!on!the$'!lea3ing!their!interior!dar&!and!hard.!But!those!who!pursue!2ihad! always!are!surrounded!+y!lo3e!and!enthusias$.!"heir!inner!worlds!are!+right'!their!%eelings!are!pure'!and! they!are!on!the!road!to!prosperity.!E3ery!struggle!sti$ulates!the!thought!o%!yet!another!one'!and!thus!a! righteous!circle!is!%or$ed.!#s!e3ery!good!deed!+eco$es!a!3ehicle!%or!a!new!good!deed'!such!people!always! swi$!a$ong!good!deeds.!8ur!hearts!are!in%or$ed!o%!this!truth(!.nd those 'ho stri$e in Jur 3ause0 +e 'ill certainly guide them to Jur 4athsD For $erily God is 'ith those 'ho do right M2?(6?N. "here!are!as!$any!roads!to!/od!as!there!are!creatures.!/od!leads!those!who!struggle!%or!1is!sa&e!to! sal3ation!on!one!or!$ore!o%!these!roads.!1e!opens!each!road!to!goodness!and!protects!it!%ro$!the!roads!to! e3il.!E3eryone!who!%inds!1is!road'!the!Straight!Path'!%inds!the!$iddle!road.!Yust!as!these!people!%ollow!a! $iddle!path!regarding!anger'!intelligence'!and!lust'!so!do!they!%ollow!a!$iddle!way!regarding!2ihad!and! worship.!"his!$eans!that!/od!has!led!hu$anity!to!the!path!o%!sal3ation. "he!lesser!2ihad!is!our!acti3e!%ul%ill$ent!o%!5sla$6s!co$$ands!and!dutiesF!the!greater!2ihad!is!proclai$ing! war!on!our!ego6s!destructi3e!and!negati3e!e$otions!and!thoughts!Me.g.'!$alice'!hatred'!en3y'!sel%ishness'! pride'!arrogance'!and!po$pN'!which!pre3ent!us!%ro$!attaining!per%ection.!#s!this!is!a!3ery!di%%icult!and!hard! 2ihad'!it!is!called!the!greater Gihad. During!the!#ge!o%!1appiness'!people!%ought!li&e!lions!on!the!+attle%ield!and'!when!night!%ell'!lost! the$sel3es!in!de3otion!to!/od!through!worship!and!dhikr!Mre$e$+rance!and!in3ocation!o%!1i$N.!"hese! 3aliant!%ighters!passed!their!li3es!in!a!corner!in!worship!and!solitude.!"hey!learned!this!%ro$!their!guide!and! Prophet'!a!$an!o%!the!heart!who!was!%irst!in!the!$aterial!and!spiritual!2ihad.!1e!encouraged!his!%ollowers!to! as&!%or!/od6s!%orgi3eness'!and!always!was!the!%irst!do!so.

31

"hose!who!succeed!in!the!greater!2ihad!will!succeed!in!the!lesser!2ihadF!those!who!%ail!in!the!greater!2ihad! will!%ail!in!the!lesser!2ihad.!E3en!i%!such!people!o+tain!so$e!degree!o%!success'!they!cannot!o+tain!the!%ull! results. W#6isha!related(

8ne!night!the!Dessenger!o%!/od!as&ed(!)W#6isha'!can!5!spend!this!night!with!$y!7ord,-!M1e!was!re%ined! enough!to!see&!such!per$ission.!:o+ility!and!re%ine$ent!were!i$portant!aspects!o%!his!pro%undity.N!5!replied(! )Dessenger!o%!/od'!5!would!li&e!to!+e!with!you'!+ut!56d!li&e!what!you!li&e!e3en!$ore.-!"he!Prophet!$ade! a+lution!and!+egan!praying.!1e!recited(!BeholdP In the creation of the hea$ens and earth0 and the alternation of "ight and Daythere are indeed Signs for people of understanding .!M3(1?BN!1e!recited!this!3erse!and!shed! tears!until!$orning.!M5+n!=athir'!Tafsir KQl RImranN'!1?BN

So$eti$es!in!order!not!to!wa&e!up!his!wi%e'!the!Prophet!would!get!up!and!worship!without!as&ing!her.! #gain!W#6isha!related(
8ne!night!when!5!wo&e!up'!5!couldn6t!%ind!/od6s!Dessenger.!Dy!3ein!o%!2ealousy!i$$ediately!+egan!to! swell.!5!wondered!i%!he!had!gone!to!another!wi%e.! hen!5!started!to!get!up!in!the!dar&'!$y!hand!touched!his ! %oot.!1e!was!prostrating!on!the!prayer!rug!and!reciting!so$ething.!5!listened!to!his!prayer.!1e!said(!)Dy!/od' ! 5 ! ta&e ! re%uge ! in ! 4our ! appro3al ! %ro$ ! 4our ! anger ! and ! wrath. ! 5 ! ta&e ! re%uge ! in ! 4our ! sparing ! $e ! %ro$! punish$ent.!Dy!7ord'!5!ta&e!re%uge!in!4ou!%ro$!4ou!Mre%uge!in!4our!+lessings!%ro$!4our!wrath'!re%uge!in! 4our!grace!%ro$!4our!$a2esty' !re%uge !in!4our!$ercy! and!co$passion! %ro$!4our!do$ination.N!5!cannot! praise!4ou.!4ou!are!as!4ou!ha3e!praised!4oursel%.-!M Sahih al!?uslim'!)Salat'-!22F!1aytha$i' !?aGma6 al! @a'a6id'!1B'(124F!Sunan al!Tirmidhi'!)Daa6wat'-!@1N.

"his!shows!the!inner!depth!and!greater!2ihad!o%!our!Prophet. 5n!another!hadith'!the!Prophet!$entioned!these!two!2ihads(!)"here!are!two!&inds!o%!eyes!that!will!ne3er!see! the!%ire!o%!1ell(!those!o%!soldiers!who!act!as!guards!on!+attle%ields!and!%ronts'!and!those!who!cry!%or!%ear!o%! /od.-!MSunan al!Tirmidhi'!).ada6il!alCYihad'-!12N "he!2ihad!o%!those!who!a+andon!their!sleep!and!act!as!guards!at!the!$ost!dangerous!ti$es!is!$aterial!2ihad.! "heir!eyes!will!not!+e!su+2ected!to!the!%ire!o%!1ell.!#s!%or!those!who!do!the!spiritual!and!greater!2ihad!and! cry!%or!%ear!o%!/od'!they!also!will!not!see!the!torture!o%!1ell.!5nstead!o%!repeating!what!others!ha3e!done'! people!should!i$plant!in!their!hearts!and!$inds!the!consciousness!o%!+eing!sincere'!goodCintentioned! people!o%!the!heart. Yihad!is!a!+alance!o%!internal!and!e9ternal!conGuest.!Heaching!spiritual!per%ection!and!helping!others!do!so! are!points!o%!consideration.!#ttaining!internal!per%ection!is!the!greater!2ihadF!helping!others!attain!it!is!the! lesser!2ihad.! hen!you!separate!one!%ro$!the!other'!2ihad!is!no!longer!2ihad.!5ndolence!is!+orn!%ro$!one!and! anarchy!%ro$!the!other.!1owe3er'!we!e9pect!one!Duha$$adan!spirit!to!+e!+orn.!#s!is!always!the!case'!this! is!possi+le!only!+y!%ollowing!and!con%or$ing!to!/od6s!Dessenger.!1ow!happy!are!those!who!search!%or!a! way!to!sal3ation!%or!others!as!$uch!as!they!do!%or!the$sel3es.!#nd!how!happy!are!those!who!re$e$+er!to! sa3e!the$sel3es!while!sa3ing!othersL!M3ihad $eya )6la!y/ Kelimetullah'!:il!4ayRnlarR'!;>$ir!1??@F!.sr/n Getirdi=i
Tereddtler'!".Z.V.!4ayRne3i'!;>$ir!1??7'!Vol.3'!pp.1@6C21?N

4. Coman# @arriage# and 7ele0ant @atters

Comen
o$en!train!and!educate!children'!and!esta+lish!order'!peace'!and!har$ony!in!the!ho$e.! "hey!are!the!%irst!teachers!in!the!school!o%!hu$anity.!#t!a!ti$e!when!so$e!are!in!search! o%!a!new!place!%or!the$!in!society' !we!would!li&e!to!re$ind!the$!once!again!o%!the! uniGue!position!/od!+estowed!upon!the$. #!house!that!contains!an!honora+le'!wellC$annered!wo$an!loyal!to!her!ho$e!is!a!corner! %ro$! 1ea3en.! "he ! sounds ! and! +reaths ! heard! there ! are ! no! di%%erent ! %ro$! the ! $usical! 3oices ! o% ! the ! young ! people ! o% ! Paradise! and ! the ! +ur+ling ! o% ! the !Ka'thar! strea$ ! in! 1ea3en.

32

#!wo$an6s!inner!depth'!chastity'!and!dignity!ele3ate!her!higher!than!angels!and!cause!her! to ! rese$+le ! an ! un$atched ! dia$ond. ! # ! disreputa+le ! wo$an ! is ! a ! %alse ! coin' ! and ! an! undigni%ied!wo$an!is!a!puppet!to!+e!ridiculed.!5n!the!destructi3e!at$osphere!o%!such! wo$en'!it!is!possi+le!to!%ind!neither!a!healthy!ho$e!nor!a!sound!generation. #!wo$an!awa&e!to!3irtue! in!her!inner!world!rese$+les!a!crystal!chandelier!that'!with! e3ery!$o3e$ent'!sends!light!throughout!the!house.!"he!$ost!i$portant!thing!a!wo$an ! should!&now!is!social!+reeding. o$en ! o%ten ! ha3e ! +een ! used ! as ! o+2ects ! o% ! pleasure' ! $eans ! o% ! entertain$ent' ! and! $aterial!%or!ad3ertising.!1owe3er'!until!now!all!these!un%ortunate!periods!ha3e!+een!a ! starting!point!%or!wo$en!to!+eco$e!renewed!and!%ind!their!essence!Mli&e!nights!%ollowed! +y!daysN. 5n!the!past'!a!son!was!called!)$a&hdu$-!and!a!daughter'!)&ari$a.-!Deaning!)pupil!Mo%! the ! eyeN'- ! this ! word ! e9presses ! a ! $e$+er ! that ! is ! 3ery! 3alua+le' ! as ! necessary! as ! it ! is! 3alua+le'!and!as!delicate!as!it!is!necessary.! #!good!wo$an!spea&s!wisdo$'!and!has!a!delicate'!re%ined!spirit.!1er!+eha3ior!inspires! ad$iration!and!respect.!.a$iliar!loo&s!sense!this!sacred!side!o%!her'!and!turn!instincti3e ! %eelings!to!conte$plation.! 7i&e!a!%lower!worn!on!the!+reast'!a!+eauti%ul!wo$an!$ay!recei3e!ad$iration!and!respect! %or!a!short!period.!But!i%!she!has!not!+een!a+le!to!get!the!seeds!o%!her!heart!and!spirit!to ! +losso$'!she!will!e3entually!%ade!and'!li&e!%alling!lea3es'!+e!tra$pled!under%oot.! hat!a! sad!ending!%or!those!who!ha3e!not!%ound!the!road!o%!i$$ortalityL Each!wo$an!is!a!precious'!e9alted!2ewel!that!$ust!not!+e!3iolated!and!thrown!into!a! sewer.! e!hope!that!%ortunate!%uture!generations!will!awa&e!to!&nowledge'!spirituality'! and!truth!so!that!wo$en!$ay!once!again!+eco$e!)the!apple!o%!their!eye.-! 8ur!wo$en!are!the!soundest!%oundation!stone!o%!our!national!honor!and!no+ility.!"heir! part!in!%or$ing!our!long!and!glorious!past!is!eGual!to!that!o%!the!warriors!who!struggled ! with!our!ene$ies.! Dost ! cha$pions ! o% ! wo$an6s ! rights ! and ! %reedo$! only ! e9cite ! wo$en! with ! physical! pleasures!and!then!sta+!her!spirit.! "han&s!to!the!good!successors!she!raised!and!le%t!+ehind'!the!ho$e!o%!a!spiritually!$ature! wo$an!constantly!e9udes!a!scent!o%!2oy!li&e!an!incense!+urner.!"he!)hea3enly-!ho$e! where!this!aro$a!)+lows-!is!a!garden!o%!Paradise!+eyond!description.! # ! wo$an ! whose ! heart ! is ! illu$inated ! with ! the ! light ! o% ! %aith! and ! whose ! $ind ! is! enlightened ! with! &nowledge! and ! social ! +reeding! +uilds ! her ! ho$e ! anew ! each ! day! +y! adding!new!di$ensions!o%!+eauty!to!it.!#!dissolute!wo$an!who!doesn6t!&now!her!true! sel%!destroys!e9isting!ho$es!and!turns!the$!into!gra3es.! MBl $eya %oldaki IC/klar'!".Z.V.!
4ayRne3i'!;>$ir!1??B'!Vol.3'!pp.67C77N

Comen and women.s rights

:!+hat are your thoughts a*out 'omen6s rights( :!"his!is!a!3ery!co$prehensi3e!su+2ect.!.ro$!one!perspecti3e!it6s!open!to!de+ate.!5t6s!3ery!di%%icult!%or!$e! to!su$$ari>e!$y!thoughts!on!this!&ind!o%!plat%or$.!5n!one!sense!we!don6t!separate!$en!and!wo$en.!5n!one! sense!there!are!physical!and!psychological!di%%erences.!5n!$y!opinion'!wo$en!and!$en!should!+e!the!two! sides!o%!truth'!li&e!the!two!%aces!o%!a!coin.!Dan!without!wo$an'!or!wo$an!without!$an'!cannot!+eF!they! were!created!together.!#da$!su%%ered!in!1ea3en!+ecause!he!had!no!$ate'!and!then!1ea3en!+eca$e!a!real! 1ea3en!when!he!%ound!his!$ate.!Dan!and!wo$an!co$ple$ent!each!other. .!If 'e approach the matter from Islamic perspecti$e ...

33

:!8ur!Prophet'!the!Kur6an'!and!Kur6anic!teachings!don6t!ta&e!$en!and!wo$en!as!separate!creatures.!5! thin&!the!pro+le$!here!is!that!people!approach!it!%ro$!e9tre$es!and!distur+!the!+alance.!"here!are! di%%erences!on!speci%ic!points.!.or!e9a$ple'!$en!usually!are!physically!stronger!and!apt!to!+ear!hardship'! while!wo$en!ha3e!deeper!e$otionsF!they!are!$ore!co$passionate'!$ore!delicate'!$ore!sel%Csacri%icing.! hile!loo&ing!%or!a!place!%or!each!se9!in!society'!we!should!consider!these!and!other!si$ilar!di%%erences! co$ing!%ro$!+irth.!/od!created!e3erything'!%ro$!su+Cato$ic!particles!to!hu$an!+eings in!pairs!to!%or$!a! unity. :!.re there eFamples for the female role( :!5n!the!social!at$osphere!o%!Dusli$!societies!where!5sla$!is!not!)conta$inated-!with!custo$s!or!unC 5sla$ic!traditions'!Dusli$!wo$en!are!%ull!participants!in!daily!li%e.!.or!e9a$ple'!during!the!Prophet6s!ti$e! and!in!later!centuries!when!the! est!ga3e!wo$en!no!place!in!society'!when!the! est!was!de+ating!whether! or!not!wo$en!had!souls!or!i%!they!were!de3ils!or!hu$an!+eings'!W#6isha!led!an!ar$y.!She!also!was!a! religious!scholar!whose!3iews!e3eryone!respected.! o$en!prayed!in!$osGues!together!with!$en.!#n!old! wo$an!could!oppose!the!*aliph!in!the!$osGue!in!a!2uridical!$atter.!E3en!in!the!8tto$an!period!during!the! eighteenth!century'!the!wi%e!o%!an!English!a$+assador!highly!praised!the!wo$en!and!$entioned!their!roles! in!Dusli$!%a$ilies!and!society!with!ad$iration.!MErtuPrul!Z>&[&'!Hoca #fendi .nlat/yor'!10rriyet'!1X23C 3BC?5N

Comen go0ernors
:!3an 'omen *e administrators( :!"here6s!no!reason!why!a!wo$an!can6t!+e!an!ad$inistrator.!5n!%act'!1ana%i!2urisprudence!says!that!a! wo$an!can!+e!a!2udge.!Day+e!so$e!wo$en!could!e9plain!certain!$atters!$ore!co$%orta+ly!to!a!2udge!o%! their!own!se9.!M:uriye!#&$an'!Fethullah Hoca .nlat/yor'!Sa+ah'!1X23C3BX?5N

Comen and men rayed together at the mos-ue

(!The mainstream of our culture runs from 3entral .sia & If 'e recall that0 in the Islamic understanding during the %asa'i period0 'omen and men 'orshipped together and that the >ur6an 'as read in Turkish until the thirteenth century0 'hy is there an effort to separate men and 'omen in society and in places of 'orship( :! o$en!and!$en!prayed!together!in!$osGues!during!the!ti$e!o%!the!Prophet.!5t!so$eti$es!occurred!that! a!wo$an!would!correct!the!*aliph!who!was!gi3ing!ser$on.!.or!e9a$ple'!in!one!his!ser$ons!*aliph!WA$ar! warned!the!Dusli$s'!saying(!)Do!not!pay!wo$en!in!$arriage!$ore!than!5BB!dirha$s!as!dowry.-!#!wo$an! in!the!congregation!o+2ected(!)8!WA$arL!Should!we!%ollow!the!Kur6an!or!you,-!WA$ar!as&ed(!) hat!does! the!Kur6an!say,-!"he!wo$an!replied(!)!"he!Kur6an!says(!W5%!you!di3orce!a!wo$an!in!order!to!wed!another'! and!you!ha3e!gi3en!her!a!hoarded!treasure!as!dowry'!ta&e!not!the!least!part!o%!it!+ac&.6!M4(2BN!5s!a!hoarded! treasure!eGual!to!5BB!dirha$s,-!WA$ar!re$ar&ed(!)WA$ar!erred'!the!wo$an!said!the!truth.-! 5t!is!true!that!ti$e!and!changing!conditions!ha3e!caused!so$e!changes!in!secondary!$atters.! o$en!do!not! ha3e!to!per%or$!their!prescri+ed!prayers!in!$osGues'!+ut!i%!they!would!li&e!to'!they!should!not!+e!+anned!i%! there!is!no!2usti%ia+le!reason!%or!+anning!the$. #s!%or!the!second!part!o%!the!Guestion'!5!do!not!&now!whether!#h$ad!4asawi!and!his!%ollowers!recited!the! Kur6an!in!"ur&ish.!"he!Kur6an!can!+e!translated!into!any!language'!+ut!no!translation!can!+e!the!e9act!copy! o%!the!original.!So'!in!prescri+ed!prayers!the!original!o%!the!Kur6an!$ust!+e!recited'!+ut!a!person!can! supplicate!to!/od!in!any!language!he!or!she!wishes.!M:e33al!Se3indi'!Fethullah Glen )le "e' %ork Soh*eti'!4eni!40>yRl'!#ugust'!1??7N

Comen.s co0ering
(!Trying to isolate 'omen0 it6s desired that they 'ear hiGa*& Ke8*an Hatemi says that this is not commanded in the >ur6an& Is hiGa* necessary or not(

34

:!*o3ering!o%!wo$en!is!$entioned!in!the!Kur6an'!+ut!it!doesn6t!speci%y!how!or!in!what!%or$!this!should! +e!done.!Dwelling!on!the!%or$!narrows!5sla$6s!+road!hori>on.!5n!%act'!it!would!+e!a!$ista&e!to!$a&e!a! religious!costu$e.!"he!sa$e!thing!is!true!%or!co3ering!the!head.!5t6s!a!$ista&e!to!$a&e!this!into!one!o%!the! $ain!principles!o%!5sla$!and!%aith.!"he!headscar%!isn6t!one!o%!5sla$6s!$ain!principles!or!conditions.!5t6s! against!the!spirit!o%!5sla$!to!regard!unco3ered!wo$en!as!outside!o%!religion.! e!ha3e!so!$any!things!in! co$$onF!we!shouldn6t!+e!di3ided!+y!details.!5%!we6re!going!to!Guarrel!with!one!another!in!the!$osGue'!%irst! let6s!$a&e!peace!in!the!$osGue!courtyard!+y!gi3ing!priority!to!the!spirit!or!essence!o%!so$ething!+e%ore!its! %or$.!M:e33al!Se3indi'!Fethullah Glen )le "e' %ork Soh*eti'!4eni!40>yRl'!#ugust'!1??7N

@arriage and the 3ome

"he!purpose!o%!$arriage! is!not!pleasureF!rather'!it!is!to!esta+lish!a!%a$ily' !ensure!the! nation6s!per$anency!and!continuation'!sa3e!the!indi3idual!%ro$!dispersed!%eelings!and! thoughts'!and!control!physical!pleasure.!Yust!as!with!$any!other!$atters!related!to!the ! +asic!nature!that!/od!has!gi3en!to!each!+eing'!pleasure!is!a!pay$ent!$ade!in!ad3ance!to ! in3ite!and!encourage!to!$arriage.! 8ne!should!not!$arry!%or!reasons!o%!dress'!wealth'!or!physical!+eautyF!rather'!$arry!%or! spiritual!+eauty'!honor!and!$orality'!and!3irtue!and!character. 5%!a!couple!wishes!to!di3orce'!the!$ost!intelligent!criteria!are!o%!no!use!to!those!who!did ! not!Mor!could!notN!get!$arried!%or!the!correct!reasons.!"he!i$portant!thing!is!not!to!escape! %ro$!the!%ire!in!the!ho$e!with!the!least!har$'!+ut!to!pre3ent!a!%ire!%ro$!e3er!starting ! there.! So$e!$arriages!+ased!on!logic! and!2udg$ent!were!initiated!+y!ta&ing!re%uge!in!/od.! "hey!are!so!sacred!that'!throughout!a!li%eti$e'!they!%unction!2ust!li&e!a!school '!and!their! )students-!guarantee!the!nation6s!per$anency!and!continuation.! E3ery!union!$ade!in!the!na$e!o%!$arriage'!+ut!without!care%ul!thought'!has!le%t!+ehind! crying!wi3es'!orphans'!and!those!who!wound!the!%a$ily6s!heart.! "he!soundest!%oundation!%or!a!nation!is!a!%a$ily!in!which!$aterial!and!spiritual!happiness! %lows'!%or!such!a!%a$ily!ser3es!as!a!sacred!school! that!raises!3irtuous!indi3iduals.!5%!a! nation!can!$a&e!its!ho$es!as!enlightened!and!prosperous!as!its!schools'!and!its!schools!as! war$!as!its!ho$es'!it!has!$ade!the!greatest!re%or$!and!has!guaranteed!the!content$ent! and!happiness!o%!%uture!generations. :ations!are!+ased!on!ho$es!and!indi3iduals.!5%!ho$es!are!good'!the!nation! is!goodF!i%! ho$es!are!+ad'!the!nation!is!+ad.!5%!only!those!who!want!the!+est!%or!the!nation!would! %irst!wor&!to!re%or$!the!ho$esL "he!word!home!is!used!according!to!the!people!in!it.!"hey!are!considered!happy!to!the! degree!that!they!share!hu$an!3alues.!4es'!we!can!say!that!people!li3e!hu$anly!with! those!in!their!ho$eF!a!ho$e!+eco$es!a!ho$e!+ecause!o%!its!inha+itants. #!ho$e!is!a!s$all!nation'!and!a!nation!is!a!large!ho$e.!8ne!who!success%ully!$anages!a! ho$e ! and ! who ! has ! raised ! its ! $e$+ers ! to ! a ! le3el ! o% ! hu$anity! can ! $anage ! a ! large! organi>ation!with!a!little!e%%ort. # ! disorderly ! house ! $eans ! that ! its ! people ! are ! slo3enly ! and ! unhappy. ! "he ! dirtiness'! disorder'!and!irregularity!o%!houses'!shops'!and!streets!show!the!local!o%%icials6!lac&!o%! sensiti3ity. hat!is!right!is!li&ed!and!estee$ed!e3en!i%!de%eatedF!what!is!un2ust!is!loathso$e!and! disli&ed!e3en!i%!3ictorious. hat!is!right!is!+eauti%ul!in!character'!and!the!one!who!is!right!is!sweet.!E3en!i%!the!right! %alls!into!the!$ud'!it!re$ains!pure!and!upright.!E3en!i%!the!un2ust!is!washed!with!$us&'!it! re$ains!i$pure!and!disgusting.! 35

*olor!and!shape!$ay!change'!+ut!essence!does!not.!:a$e !and!title!$ay!change'!+ut! character!does!not.!Such!changes!ha3e'!and!continue!to'!%ool!$any!people.! "hose!who!oppress!the!wea&!are!de%eated!e3en!i%!they!are!the!3ictorsF!those!who!are!right! are!3ictorious!e3en!i%!they!are!the!losers.! MBl $eya %oldaki IC/klar'!".Z.V.!4ayRne3i'!;>$ir!

1??B'!Vol.3'!pp.@@C?3N

@arriage is based on intelligence and the s irit

5%!a!+elie3er!is!loo&ing!at!his!or!her!li%e!partner!%ro$!a!di%%erent'!egotistic!3iewpoint'!it!cannot!+e!said!that! he!or!she!is!$arrying!%or!5sla$.!Darriage!is!not!the!purpose!o%!li%eF!it!is!a!$eans!to!continue!the!hu$an! race.!#!Dusli$!is!the!representati3e!o%!purity'!sincerity'!and!an!ideal.!So$ething!done!%or!any!$oti3e!other! than!o+taining!/od6s!appro3al!cannot!+e!3iewed!as!5sla$ic.!"he!$ain!+asis!o%!the!relationship!+etween!a! $an!and!wo$an!is!co$passion!and!li%elong!%riendship.!5t6s!a!%riendship!that!doesn6t!include!only!this! world'!+ut!the!ne9t!li%e!as!well.!Satis%ying!so$e!desires!is!only!a!pay$ent!gi3en!in!ad3ance!%or!this! relationship!in!this!world. Darriage!is!+ased!pri$arily!on!intelligence!and!the!spirit.!5t!is!+ased!on!rationality!and!spiritual!con%or$ity! or!accord!+etween!the!spouses'!rather!than!on!physical!%actors.!Viewing!$arriage!as!an!occasion!or!$eans! to!satis%y!certain!+odily!desires!'and!there+y!presenting!polyga$y!as!an!5sla$ic!way!%or!this'!is!a!purpose%ul! and!$ost!a+o$ina+le!$isrepresentation!o%!5sla$. #nother!point!to!$ention!in!this!respect!is!that!at!ti$es!so$e!things!co$e!to!the!%ore!and!others!recede.! So$e!co$$ands!can!+e!a+andoned!%or!$ore!i$portant!ones.!5n!war!there6s!no!%asting'!and!while!tra3eling! prayer!is!shortened. 5%!polyga$y!is!considered!as!a!stain!on!5sla$!and!causes!people!to!turn!away!%ro$!5sla$'!a!Dusli$!doesn6t! ha3e!the!right!to!practice!it.!M:e33al!Se3indi'!Fethullah Glen )le "e' %ork Soh*eti'!4eni!40>yRl'!#ugust'! 1??7N

8olygamy
(!I6d like to talk 'ith you a*out polygamy& This point caught my attention& Some say that since polygamy is permitted *y the >ur6an0 it must *e accepted. :!/od!created!hu$an!+eings!as!no+le.! e!always!see&!the!good!and!+eauti%ul'!+ut!$ay!not!always!%ind! the$.!So$eti$es!when!we!see&!our!rights'!we!encounter!what!is!%alse.! hile!see&ing!the!truth'!we!can! acGuire!3ain!and!ugly!things.!5n!$y!opinion'!see&ing!and!%alling!into!error!while!see&ing!are!a!part!o%!the! road!to!&nowledge!and!truth.!"his!shouldn6t!+e!seen!as!strange.!Day+e!stagnation'!insensiti3ity'!and!not! searching!and!in3estigating!should!+e!3iewed!as!so$ething!strange.!"he!dangerous!thing!is!stagnation!and! insensiti3ity!that!&ills!the!de3elop$ent!o%!people6s!talents. 83er!ti$e'!we!ha3e!strayed!%ro$!certain!3alues.!"oday!we6re!see&ing!the!truth.! hile!doing!this'! un%ortunately'!sides!are!ta&en!and!ca$ps!appear.!5%!only!this!weren6t!the!case.!5%!only!)we!and!they-! weren6t!said.!5%!only!there!wasn6t!the!3iew!that!we!are!always!right!and!they!are!always!wrong.!5%!only!we! could!close!the!%rag$entation!o%!our!society6s!structure!inside!o%!us'!without!lea3ing!any!trace. E3eryone!has!a!destination!o%!his!or!her!own!to!go!to!and!3iews!e3erything!%ro$!the!perspecti3e!o%!his!or! her!destination.!"his!causes!%rag$entation'!especially!in!a!society!that!has!not!e3ol3ed!intellectually.!.irst! o%!all'!we!should!learn!to!respect!others6!3iews!and!how!to!li3e!together!in!peace. (!There6s di$ision regarding moral criteria& Isn6t this a little odd( :!"here6s!di3ision!+ecause!the!+asis!o%!co$$on!$orality!and!thought!is!not!%ully!understood'!or!+ecause! these!are!di%%erent!%or!e3eryone.! e63e!not!%ully!co$prehended!how!we!can!li3e!together!despite!ha3ing! di%%erent!3iewpoints!on!certain!su+2ects.!E3eryone!loo&s!at!the!issue!%ro$!one!perspecti3e!according!to!his! or!her!own!truths.!"he!other!side!loo&s!with!its!own!truths.! ithout!dou+t!there!are!points!o%!truth!on!+oth! sides.!During!a!certain!period'!in!order!to!de%end!the$sel3es'!so$e!insistently!e$phasi>ed!$arriage!with! %our!wo$en. 56d!li&e!to!tal&!a+out!the!spirit!o%!the!issue.!.irst!o%!all'!there6s!no!record!in!the!Kur6an!or!the!hadith!that!it6s! sunna!to!$arry!$ore!than!one!wo$an!+y!$eans!o%!a!religious!cere$ony.!5n!the!Sura!o%! o$en'!

36

per$ission!to!$arry!$ore!than!one!wo$an!under!special!circu$stances!is!$entioned!only!as!a!license!or!a! special!per$ission.!1owe3er'!$arrying!2ust!one!wo$an!is!encouraged!to!the!degree!o%!+eing!$andatory.! "hus'!no!one!can!consider!$arrying!%our!wo$en!a!$atter!o%!%ul%illing!a!sunnaF!they!can6t!clai$!to!ha3e! %ul%illed!any!religious!law!+y!doing!so. #nother!side!o%!the!issue!is!this(!"here!is!license!as!well!as!resolution!in!religion.!Hesolution!is!choosing! the!di%%icult!side!o%!a!$atter.!#lthough!no!one!can!%orce!you!to!do!it'!%or!e9a$ple'!so$eone!$ight!get!up!at! night!and'!+ecause!o%!enthusias$!and!a!heart%elt!desire!to!+ow!+e%ore!/od'!o+ser3e!a!long!prayer!3igil.!"his! $ight!+e!done!to!recei3e!the!+lessings!/od!will!gi3e!at!that!$o$ent.!But!so$eone!else!$ight!choose!a! s$all!act!o%!worship!or!one!kalima!i ta'hid!Mpronouncing!/od6s!unityN. "he!essence!o%!the!$atter!is!this(!Be!others6!ad3ocate!and!your!own!prosecutor.! e!$ust!interrogate! oursel3es.!"hus'!acting!with!resolution!$eans!sel%CGuestioning'!doing!the!di%%icult!part!o%!a!2o+'!choosing! the!hard!way'!or!+eing!a!candidate!%or!the!di%%icult. 7icense!$eans!that!/od!allows!so$ething!easy'!%or!the!sa&e!o%!e9pansion!and!co$%ort.!"here!are!Kur6anic! 3erses!and!hadiths!on!this!su+2ect.!5n!Su%is$'!acting!with!resolution!is!essential!%or!those!who!choose!the! spiritual!li%e.!5n!religion'!those!who!dee$!polyga$y!law%ul!see!it!as!a!license.!"here!can!+e!ti$es!when!it!is! necessary'!such!as!during!war!when!$any!wo$en!$ay!+e!le%t!in!a!3ulnera+le!position.!5n!order!to!close! roads!leading!to!sin'!they!$ust!+e!a+le!to!o+tain!law%ul!pleasures!in!a!law%ul!way.!#lso'!widows!in!need! $ust!+e!considered.!Heligion!doesn6t!2ust!address!this!centuryF!it!addresses!all!centuries.!E3ery!century! ta&es!%ro$!religion!what!suits!it!and!what!is!necessary.!#!person!deter$ined!to!draw!closer!to!/od!and!+e!a! good!Dusli$!pre%ers!resolution!to!license. Sharani'!a!%a$ous!Su%i'!said(!)Der3ishes!should!act!with!resolution.-!8n!the!one!hand'!people!$ust!try! Su%is$!and!reason'!and'!on!the!other!hand'!$ust!as&!i%!so$ething!is!really!necessary!and!i%!there!are! conditions!%or!using!the!license.!"hey!$ust!study!their!choice!sincerely!and!see!i%!it!$eets!with!/od6s! appro3al.! ithout!doing!all!o%!these'!they!will!use!the!%ull!license!and!show!this!as!a!$easure!%or!5sla$!and! Dusli$ness.!"his!is!no!$ore!than!dressing!their!own!%aults!and!hu$an!wea&ness!in!a!religious!ro+e.! M:e33al!Se3indi'!Fethullah Glen )le "e' %ork Soh*eti'!4eni!40>yRl'!#ugust'!1??7N

C. Indi0idual and Indi0idual 3uman 7ights

In the 2ur.an# the indi0idual is a Is eciesJ itself
e!shouldn6t!%ear!or!%eel!an9iety!a+out!indi3iduals'!their!de3elop$ent'!or!their!$oti3ating!other! indi3iduals'!%or!the!Kur6an!sees!each!indi3idual!as!a!type!as!co$pared!to!other!types.!"he!i$portant!thing!is! the!source!o%!the!e$otions!and!thoughts!that!nurture!the$.! hen!indi3iduals!attain!a!certain!way!o%! thin&ing!and!understanding!and!reach!a!certain!hori>on'!they6ll!co$prehend!that!it6s!necessary!to!li3e!a! social!li%e.!De3eloped!persons!will!%eel!the!need!to!+e!with!others'!understand!that!they!shouldn6t!+e!alone'! and!that!they!shouldn6t!har$!other!social!seg$ents!or!indi3iduals. "hose!indi3iduals!educated!along!these!lines'!who!don6t!use!their!rights!and!%reedo$s!to!har$!others!+ut!to! consciously!choose!others6!interests!a+o3e!their!own'!should!+e!allowed!to!de3elop!indi3idually.! 8therwise'!there!will!+e!constant!2udg$ent!and!conde$nation'!oppression!and!+eing!oppressed'!cruelty!and! 3icti$s!o%!cruelty.!"his!is!one!di$ension!o%!the!tragic!ta+leau!in!"ur&ey!today.!M:e33al!Se3indi'! Fethullah Glen )le "e' %ork Soh*eti'!4eni!40>yRl'!#ugust'!1??7N

:lourishing of the indi0idual

(!%our suggestion for the indi$idual to flourish indicates your $ision0 *ut changing people6s ha*its is not so easy& (!"his!is!+ecause!we!are!grandchildren!o%!a!$ilitarist!nation.!5t!has!+een!passed!on!+y!our!ancestors.!5n! %act'!5!ha3e!as&ed!so$e!%riends!who!understand!genetics!a+out!this.!#re!national!characteristics!inherited! %ro$!one!generation!to!the!ne9t,!5!didn6t!get!a!%ully!satis%actory!answer.!Such!an!inheritance!always!can!+e! a!$atter!%or!discussion.!5t!is!re%lected!in!Parlia$ent!in!one!way'!and!in!the!presidency!in!another!way.!5ts!

37

$ani%estation!in!the!$ilitary!is!3ery!di%%erent'!%or!its!$e$+ers!represent!power!and'!due!to!their! pro%ession6s!nature'!%ro$!ti$e!to!ti$e!their!attitude!can!+e!rougher.!5n!other!social!seg$ents'!they!can! re$ain!under!this!sa$e!in%luence!to!the!degree!that!it6s!per$issi+le. (!3an human rights and freedom *e narro'ed in the name of democracy( (!#!top!authority!once!said(!)"his!constitution!is!too!+road!%or!us.-!1owe3er'!narrowing!hu$an!rights!and! %reedo$!cannot!+e!reco$$ended.!.or!a!long!ti$e!we!ha3e!ta&en!things!%ro$!outside!without!as&ing!)does! this!suit!us'-!trying!to!%orce!oursel3es!into!a!particular!$old.!But!this!nation'!this!state'!this!society!has! so$e!special!characteristics.!"his!nation!should!+e!3iewed!within!its!own!characteristics'!%or!ignoring!the$! only!causes!alienation!and!new!social!crises'!such!as!those!we6re!li3ing!through!now.!"here!are!so$e!things! this!nation!will!not!relinGuish.!8ur!historical!and!religious!dyna$ics'!as!well!as!our!essence'!$ust!+e! considered.!"a&e!this!howe3er!you!want'!+ut!there!are!so$e!things!you!2ust!can6t!throw!away.!5gnoring! these!in!%a3or!o%!things!de3eloped!in!a!di%%erent!world!and!according!to!that!world6s!criteria'!li&e!a!readyC toCwear!dress'!creates!pro+le$s.! (!In the end0 a religious community Klike yoursL is a closed system& Is it possi*le to open up and eFpand 'ithin this closed state( I 'onder0 is the community6s spirit a common thing0 or does it permit the indi$idual to de$elop( (!"oday!the!co$$unity!is!percei3ed!a!little!di%%erently.!.irst!o%!all'!we!are!not!a!religious!co$$unity.!5%! we6re!going!to!call!it!a!co$$unity5!%eel!unco$%orta+le!with!this!wordit!is!li&e!this(!.or!e9a$ple'! 5sla$!strongly!reco$$ends!its!%ollowers!to!per%or$!the!prescri+ed!prayers!as!a!congregation.!"his! reco$$endation!caused!the!+uilding!o%!$osGues!in!al$ost!e3ery!city!or!town!district.!5sla$!orders!that!the! .riday!noon!prayer!should!+e!per%or$ed!as!a!congregation.!"his!caused!the!+uilding!o%!at!least!a!large! $osGue!in!e3ery!town.!"his!also!causes!Dusli$s!to!co$e!together!%i3e!ti$es!a!day!in!$osGues.!#gain'! 5sla$!co$$ands!pilgri$age!%or!those!Dusli$s!who!can!a%%ord!it.!"hese!are!occasions!that!naturally!+ring! the!Dusli$!people!together.!7i&e!this'!those!who!ha3e!the!sa$e!thoughts!and!adopt!the!sa$e!way!o%! ser3ing!people!and!the!country!co$e!together!without!any!co$pulsion!or!ultrerior!$oti3e.!"hey!$ay!ha3e! di%%erent!creeds'!world3iews'!and!political!inclinations.!"his!is!what!you!see!in!what!you!$ention!as!)your! co$$unity.-! 4ou!+elie3e!in!certain!things!and!put!the$!into!words.!.or!e9a$ple'!you!say!lo3eF!you!say!hatred!should!+e! +uried!so!that!it!can6t!+e!re3i3edF!and!you!+elie3e!in!the!i$portance!o%!education.!People!who!share!these! %eelings!and!thoughts!underta&e!certain!acti3ities!related!to!the$.!5%!this!is!called!a!co$$unity'!there6s!no! reason!to!+e!worried. "he!second!aspect!is!that!certain!thoughts!o%!such!co$$unities!can!+eco$e!static'!which!$ight!pre3ent! $e$+ers!%ro$!de3eloping!their!natural!talents.! hat!you!say!is!true!%ro$!this!respect.!*o$ing!together!in!a! $anner!that!raises!dou+ts'!with!the!3iew!o%!doing!certain!things!%ro$!the!outset'!can!hinder!indi3idual! de3elop$ent.!"hose!in!the!%ore%ront!o%!such!co$$unities!put!a!high!price!tag!on!their!e9perience.! hen! people!ser3e!hu$anity'!see&ing!titles!is!disrespect!to!ser3ice'!the!nation'!and!to!those!who!trust!the$. (!3an some people in political parties0 religious communities0 and other groups o$ercome these( (!5t6s!possi+le'!+ut!di%%erent!thoughts!should!+e!allowed!to!%lourish.!8therwise!there!can!+e!retrogression!in! conte$porary!change!and!trans%or$ation.!"here!can!+e!no!radical!change'!%or!the!inno3ati3e!spirit!will!+e! lost!or!not!co$e!%orth.!But!in!addition!to!protecting!the!+asic!line'!there6s!a!need!%or!inno3ati3e!spirits'! especially!when!ti$e!%lows!3ery!%ast!and!de3elop$ents!ta&e!place!3ery!rapidly.!M:e33al!Se3indi'!Fethullah Glen )le "e' %ork Soh*eti'!4eni!40>yRl'!#ugust'!1??7N Some as ects of e1istentialism are correct "he!idea!that!we!cannot!escape!easily!%ro$!this!inherited!in%luence!should!+e!destroyed.!5t6s!3ery!i$portant! to!thin&!$ore!%reely!and!to!gain!an!indi3idual!identity.!5!guess!this!is!the!point!o%!departure!in!the! %oundation!o%!e9istentialist!philosophy!during!periods!o%!uni3ersal!crisis!%ollowing!world!wars'!where! people!were!swept!into!$ass!death.!"he!indi3idual!lost!e3erything!and!was!annihilated.!"he!e9istentialists! were!de%initely!right!to!re+el!against!the!loss!o%!the!indi3idual.!But'!they!went!too!%ar!on!so$e!points!and! nurtured!other!$ista&es.!#s!in!e3ery!other!issue'!+alance!is!necessary.!M:e33al!Se3indi'!Fethullah Glen )le "e' %ork Soh*eti'!4eni!40>yRl'!#ugust'!1??7N

3umanism and human rights

3@

3umanism
(!+hat is Islam6s perspecti$e on humanism( :!7o3e!is!one!o%!today6s!$ost!tal&ed!a+out!and!$ost!needed!issues.!#ctually!lo3e!is!a!rose!in!our!+elie%! and!a!real$!o%!the!heart!that!ne3er!withers.!Be%ore!e3erything!else'!2ust!as!/od!wo3e!the!uni3erse!li&e!lace! on!the!loo$!o%!lo3e'!in!the!+oso$!o%!e9istence!the!$ost!$agical!and!char$ing!$usic!is!always!lo3e.!"he! strongest!relationship!a$ong!indi3iduals!in!the!%a$ily'!society'!and!nation!is!that!o%!lo3e.!Ani3ersal!lo3e! shows!itsel%!throughout!the!e9istence!o%!the!cos$os!through!help!and!support!%or!each!particle. "his!is!so!true!that!the!$ost!do$inant!%actor!in!the!spirit!o%!e9istence!is!lo3e.!#s!an!indi3idual!o%!the! uni3ersal!chorus'!al$ost!e3ery!creature!+eha3es!and!per%or$s!with!its!own!style!the!$agical!tune!it!has! recei3ed!%ro$!/od!in!a!lo3e!$elody.!1owe3er'!this!e9change!o%!lo3e!%ro$!e9istence!to!hu$anity'!and!%ro$! one!creature!to!another'!ta&es!place!in!a!su+conscious!way'!+ecause!Di3ine! ill!and!Di3ine!willing! co$pletely!do$inate!creatures!that!ha3e!no!will.!.ro$!this!perspecti3e'!people!consciously!participate!in! this!sy$phony!o%!lo3e!in!e9istence'!and!de3eloping!the!lo3e!in!their!true!nature'!they!in3estigate!the!ways! to!de$onstrate!it!in!a!hu$an!way.!"here%ore'!without!neglecting!the!lo3e!in!their!spirit!and!%or!the!sa&e!o%! the!lo3e!in!their!own!nature'!e3ery!person!should!o%%er!real!help!and!support!to!others.!"hey!should!protect! the!general!har$ony!that!has!+een!put!in!their!spirit'!or!in!respect!to!the!lo3e!that!has!+een!put!into!the!spirit! o%!e9istence!as!a!natural!law. 1u$anis$!is!a!$ani%estation!o%!lo3e!that!is!spo&en!a+out!rec&lessly!today'!and!it!is!adapted!easily!here!and! there.!So$e!circles!try!to!i$pose!an!a+stract!and!un+alanced!understanding!o%!hu$anis$!+y!con%using! people!a+out!5sla$!and!awa&ening!suspicion!in!their!hearts.!5t!should!+e!di%%icult!to!say!)ha3e!pity-!on! those!who!are!in3ol3ed!in!anarchy!and!terroris$.!5t!should!+e!di%%icult!to!reconcile!with!hu$anis$!the! strange!+eha3ior!o%!those!who!$urder!innocent!people!or'!e3en!$ore!horri+le'!those!who!put!so$e! supposedly!religious!people!in!their!%ore%ront!and'!without!e3en!glancing!at!the!people6s!tears'!stand!+y!and! watch. E3ery!+elie3er!should!%ollow!the!Prophet!in!co$$unicating!the!truth.!"hey!should!ne3er!gi3e!up!con3eying! people!the!principles!o%!happiness!in!+oth!worlds.!"he!*o$panions'!who!as!a!co$$unity!were!a!li3ing! e9a$ple!o%!the!truth!the!Prophet!e$+odied'!+eca$e!e9a$ples!o%!$oderation!and!+alance!in!lo3e.! So$e!re$ar&a+le!people!%ro$!the!%ortunate!generation!that!%ollowed!the!*o$panions!i$$ediately!would! go!to!the!*aliph!i%!they!accidentally!stepped!on!a!grasshopper!to!learn!what!their!punish$ent!would!+e.! hen!we!loo&!at!the!sur%ace!o%!our!$osGues!and!$inarets!that!radiate!light'!we!see!tiny!nests!$ade!%or!the! +irds'!e9pressions!o%!the!depth!o%!our!ancestors6!lo3e.!8ur!glorious!history!is!wo3en!%ull!o%!such! tre$endously!hu$ane!+eha3ior!%or!protecting!ani$als!as!well!as!hu$an!+eings.

5n!the!%ra$ewor&!o%!5sla$6s!uni3ersal!principles'!the!consideration!and!idea!o%!lo3e!is!3ery! +alanced.!8ppressors!and!aggressors!are!denied!this!lo3e'!+ecause!2ust!as!lo3e!and!$ercy!shown! to!oppressors!$a&es!the$!$ore!aggressi3e'!it!also!encourages!the$!to!3iolate!the!rights!o%!others. ! .or!this!reason'!$ercy!should!not!+e!shown!to!people!who!threaten!uni3ersal!lo3e.!Dercy!shown! to!an!oppressor!is!the!$ost!$erciless!act!towards!the!oppressed.!"he!Prophet!said( !)1elp!your! +rother!whether!he6s!an!oppressor!or!3icti$.!4ou!can!help!an!oppressor!i%!he!stops!oppressing! MothersN.-!5t!is!possi+le!to!show!$ercy!to!a!tyrant!i%!he!stops!acting!un2ustly.! MS.!*a$cR'!Dr!=.!^nal'!

Fethullah Glen6in KonuCma $e %a8/lar/nda HoCgEr $e Diyalog )klimi '!Der&0r!4ayRnlarR'!;>$ir'!1???'! 21@\22N

Islam as a religion of uni0ersal mercy

7i%e!is!the!%ore$ost!and!$ost!$ani%est!+lessing!o%!/od!#l$ighty'!and!the!true!and!e3erlasting!li%e'!is!that! o%!the!1erea%ter.!Since!we!can!deser3e!this!li%e!+y!pleasing!/od'!1e!sent!Prophets!and!re3ealed!Scriptures! out!o%!1is!co$passion!%or!hu$anity.!.or!this!reason'!while!$entioning!1is!+lessings!upon!hu$anity!in! Sura al! ahman!Mthe!#llCDerci%ulN'!1e!+egins(!.l! ahman& He taught the >ur6an0 created humanity0 and taught it speech!M55(1C4N. #ll!aspects!o%!this!li%e!are!a!rehearsal!%or!the!a%terli%e'!and!e3ery!creature!is!engaged!toward!this!end.!8rder! is!e3ident!in!e3ery!e%%ort'!and!co$passion!resides!in!e3ery!achie3e$ent.!So$e!)natural-!e3ents!or!social!

3?

con3ulsions!$ay!see$!disagreea+le!at!%irst'!+ut!we!should!not!regard!the$!as!inco$pati+le!with! co$passion.!"hey!are!li&e!dar&!clouds!or!lightning!and!thunder!that'!although!%rightening'!ne3ertheless! +ring!us!good!tidings!o%!rain.!"hus!the!whole!uni3erse!praises!the!#llC*o$passionate. Prophet!Duha$$ad!is!li&e!a!spring!o%!pure!water!in!the!heart!o%!a!desert'!a!source!o%!light!in!an!allC en3eloping!dar&ness.!"hose!who!appeal!to!this!spring!can!ta&e!as!$uch!water!as!needed!to!Guench!their! thirst'!+eco$e!puri%ied!o%!sins'!and!+eco$e!illu$ined!with!the!light!o%!+elie%.!Dercy!was!a!li&e!a!$agical! &ey!in!the!Propeht6s!hands'!%or!with!it!he!opens!hearts!that!are!so!hardened!and!rusty!that!no!one!thought! they!could!+e!opened.!But!he!did!e3en!$ore(!he!lit!a!torch!o%!+elie%!in!the$. /od6s!Dessenger!preached!5sla$'!the!religion!o%!uni3ersal!$ercy.!1owe3er'!so$e!sel%Cproclai$ed! hu$anists!say!it!is!)a!religion!o%!the!sword.-!"his!is!co$pletely!wrong.!"hey!$a&e!a!great!deal!o%!noise! when!ani$als!are!&illed!or!when!one!o%!their!own!is!har$ed'!+ut!are!silent!when!Dusli$s!are!$assacred.! "heir!world!is!+uilt!on!personal!interest.!5t!should!+e!pointed!out!that!a+using!the!%eeling!o%!co$passion!is! 2ust!as!har$%ulE!so$eti$es!e3en!$ore!har$%ulEthan!ha3ing!no!co$passion!at!all. #$putating!a!gangrenous!li$+!is!an!act!o%!co$passion!%or!the!whole!+ody.!7i&ewise!o9ygen!and! hydrogen'!when!$i9ed!in!the!proper!ratio'!%or$!water'!a!$ost!3ital!su+stance.! hen!this!ratio!changes'! howe3er'!each!ele$ent!resu$es!its!original!co$+usti+le!identity.! Si$ilarly'!it!is!Guite!i$portant!to!apportion!co$passion!and!identi%y!who!deser3es!it'!%or!)co$passion!%or!a! wol%!sharpens!its!appetite'!and!not!+eing!content!with!what!it!recei3es'!it!de$ands!e3en!$ore.-! *o$passion!%or!wrongdoers!$a&e!the$!$ore!aggressi3e!and!encourages!the$!to!wor&!against!others.!5n! %act'!true!co$passion!reGuires!that!such!people!+e!pre3ented!%ro$!doing!wrong.! hen!/od6s!Dessenger! told!his!*o$panions!to!help!people!when!they!were!2ust!and!un2ust'!they!as&ed!hi$!to!e9plain!this!see$ing! parado9.!1e!replied(!)4ou!help!such!people!+y!pre3enting!the$!%ro$!engaging!in!in2ustice.-!So'! co$passion!reGuires!that!those!who!cause!trou+le!either!+e!depri3ed!o%!their!$eans!%or!doing!so!or!+e! stopped.!8therwise'!they!e3entually!will!ta&e!control!and!do!as!they!please. "he!co$passion!o%!/od6s!Dessenger!enco$passed!e3ery!creature.!#n!in3inci+le!co$$ander!and!a+le! states$an'!he!&new!that!allowing!+loodCstained'!+loodCthirsty!people!to!control!others!would!+e!the!$ost! terri+le!%or$!o%!tyranny!i$agina+le.!"here%ore'!out!o%!co$passion'!he!reGuired!that!la$+s!should!+e!a+le!to! li3e!in!security!against!the!wol3es6!attac&s.!1e!desired'!o%!course'!that!e3eryone!+e!guided.!5n!%act'!this!was! his!greatest!concern(!%et it may *e0 if they *elie$e not in this ?essage0 you 'ill consume yourself0 follo'ing after them0 'ith grief M1@(6N. But!how!should!he!deal!with!those!who!persisted!in!un+elie%!and!too&!up!ar$s!against!hi$!to!destroy!+oth! hi$!and!5sla$,!1e!had!to!%ight!such!people'!%or!uni3ersal!co$passion!enco$passes!e3ery!creature.!"his!is! why'!when!he!was!wounded!se3erely!at!Ahud'!he!raised!his!hands!and!prayed(!)8!/od'!%orgi3e!$y!people'! %or!they!don6t!&now."he!Da&&ans'!his!own!people'!in%licted!so!$uch!su%%ering!on!hi$!that!he!%inally!e$igrated!to!Dadina.! E3en!a%ter!that'!the!ne9t!5!years!were!%ar!%ro$!peace%ul.!1owe3er'!when!he!conGuered!Da&&a!without!+loC odshed!in!the!twentyC%irst!year!o%!his!Prophethood'!he!as&ed!the!Da&&an!un+elie3ers(!)1ow!do!you!e9pect! $e!to!treat!you,-!"hey!responded!unani$ously(!)4ou!are!a!no+le!one'!the!son!o%!a!no+le!one.-!1e!then! told!the$!his!decision(!)4ou!$ay!lea3e'!%or!no!reproach!this!day!shall!+e!on!you.!Day!/od!%orgi3e!you.!1e! is!the!Dost!*o$passionate.-!M5.!1isha$'!Sira al!"a*a'iya'!4.55F!5.!=athir'!al!Bidaya 'a l!"ihaya'!4.344.N!Sultan! Deh$ed!the!*onGueror!said!the!sa$e!thing!to!the!de%eated!By>antines!a%ter!conGuering!5stan+ul!@25!years! later.!Such!is!the!uni3ersal!co$passion!o%!5sla$.

"he!Dessenger!displayed !the!highest!degree!o%!co$passion! toward!+elie3ers( !There has come to you a ?essenger from among yoursel$esO grie$ous to him is your sufferingO anFious is he o$er you0 full of concern for you0 for the *elie$ers full of pity0 compassionate ! M?(12@N.!1e! lowered!unto!+elie3ers!his!wing!o%!tenderness!through!$ercy!M15(@@N'!and!was!the!guardian!o%! +elie3ers!and!nearer!to!the$!than!their!sel3es!M33(6N.! hen!one!o%!his!*o$panions ! died'!he! as&ed!those!at!the!%uneral!i%!the!deceased!had!le%t!any!de+ts.!8n!learning!that!he!had'!the!Prophet $entioned!the!a+o3e!3erse!and!announced!that!the!creditors!should!co$e!to!hi$!%or!repay$ent.
1is!co$passion!e3en!enco$passed!the!1ypocrites!and!un+elie3ers.!1e!&new!who!the!1ypocrites!were'!+ut! ne3er!identi%ied!the$'!%or!this!would!ha3e!depri3ed!the$!o%!the!rights!o%!%ull!citi>enship!they!had!gained! +y!their!outward!con%ession!o%!%aith!and!practice.!Since!they!li3ed!a$ong!Dusli$s'!their!un+elie%!in! eternal!li%e!$ay!ha3e!+een!reduced!or!changed!to!dou+t'!thus!di$inishing!their!%ear!o%!death!and!the!pain! caused!+y!the!assertion!o%!eternal!nonCe9istence!a%ter!death.

4B

#s!%or!un+elie3ers'!/od!re$o3ed!their!collecti3e!destruction'!although!1e!had!eradicated!$any!such! people!in!the!past(!But God 'ould ne$er chastise them 'hile you 'ere among themO God 'ould ne$er chastise them as they *egged forgi$eness!M@(33N.!"his!3erse!re%ers!to!un+elie3ers!o%!whate3er!ti$e.!/od! will!not!destroy!peoples!altogether!as!long!as!those!who!%ollow!the!Dessenger!are!ali3e.!Besides'!1e!has! le%t!the!door!o%!repentance!open!until!the!7ast!Day.!#nyone!can!accept!5sla$!or!as&!/od6s!%orgi3eness'! regardless!o%!how!sin%ul!they!consider!the$sel3es!to!+e.! .or!this!reason'!a!Dusli$6s!en$ity!toward!un+elie3ers!is!a!%or$!o%!pity.! hen!WA$ar!saw!an!@BCyearCold! priest'!he!sat!down!and!so++ed.! hen!as&ed!why!he!did!so'!he!replied(!)/od!assigned!hi$!so!long!a!li%e! span'!+ut!he!has!not!+een!a+le!to!%ind!the!true!path.-!WA$ar!was!a!disciple!o%!/od6s!Dessenger'!who!said(! )5!was!not!sent!to!call!down!curses!on!people'!+ut!as!a!$ercy-!MDusli$'!Sahih'!)Birr'-!@7N!and!)5!a$! Duha$$ad'!and!#h$ad!Mpraised!oneN'!and!DuGa%%i!Mthe!7ast!ProphetNF!5!a$!1ashir!Mthe!%inal!Prophet!in! whose!presence!the!dead!will!+e!resurrectedNF!the!Prophet!o%!repentance!Mthe!Prophet!%or!who$!the!door!o%! repentance!will!always!re$ain!openN'!and!the!Prophet!o%!$ercy.-!M#h$ad!i+n!1an+al'!?usnad'!4.3?5F!Dusli$'!
Sahih0!).adaWil'-!126N

#rchangel!/a+riel!also!+ene%ited!%ro$!the!$ercy!o%!the!Kur6an.!8nce!the!Prophet!as&ed!/a+riel!whether! he!had!any!share!in!the!$ercy!contained!in!the!Kur6an.!/a+riel!replied!that!he!did'!and!e9plained(!)5!was! not!certain!a+out!$y!end.!1owe3er'!when!the!3erse(!KJneL o*eyed0 and moreo$er0 trust'orthy and secured!M@1(21N!was!re3ealed'!5!%elt!secure!a+out!it.-!MKadi!W5yad'!al!Shifa6 al!Sharif'!1.17N /od6s!Dessenger!was!particularly!co$passionate!toward!children.! hen!he!saw!a!child!crying'!he!sat! +eside!hi$!or!her!and!shared!his!or!her!%eelings.!1e!%elt!the!pain!o%!a!$other!%or!her!child!$ore!than!the! $other!hersel%.!8nce!he!said(!)5!stand!in!prayer!and!wish!to!prolong!it.!1owe3er'!5!hear!a!child!cry!and! shorten!the!prayer!to!lessen!the!$other6s!an9iety.-!MBu&hari'!Sahih'!)#dhan'-!65F!Dusli$'!Sahih'!)Salat'-!1?2N 1e!too&!children!in!his!ar$s!and!hugged!the$.!8nce!when!hugging!his!+elo3ed!grandsons'!1asan!and! 1usayn'!#Gra!i+n!1a+is!told!hi$(!)5!ha3e!1B!children'!none!o%!who$!5!ha3e!e3er!&issed.-!/od6s! Dessenger!responded(!)8ne!without!pity!%or!others!is!not!pitied.-!MSahih al!Bukhari'!)#da+'-!1@.N!#ccording! to!another!3ersion'!he!said(!) hat!can!5!do!%or!you!i%!/od!has!re$o3ed!co$passion!%ro$!you,-!MBu&hari'!
Sahih'!)#da+'-!1@F!Dusli$'!Sahih'!).ada6il'-!64F!5+n!Da62a'!Sunan'!)#da+'-!3.N

8nce'!he!said(!)Pity!those!on!Earth!so!that!those!in!the!1ea3ens!will!pity!you.-!M"ir$idhi0 Sunan'!)Birr'-!16.N! 8nce!when!SaWd!i+n!WA+ada!+eca$e!ill'!/od6s!Dessenger!3isited!hi$!at!ho$e!and'!seeing!his!%aith%ul! *o$panion!in!a!piti%ul!state'!+egan!to!cry.!1e!said(!)/od!does!not!punish!+ecause!o%!tears!or!grie%'!+ut!1e! punishes!+ecause!o%!this'-!and!he!pointed!to!his!tongue.!MBu&hari'!Sahih!)Yana6i>'-!45F!Dusli$'!Sahih'!)Yana6i>'-! 12N! hen!WAth$an!i+n!Dad6un!died'!he!wept!pro%usely.!During!the!%uneral'!a!wo$an!re$ar&ed(!)WAth$an! %lew!li&e!a!+ird!to!Paradise.-!E3en!in!that!$ourn%ul!state'!the!Prophet!did!not!lose!his!+alance!and!corrected! the!wo$an(!)1ow!do!you!&now!this,!E3en!5!don6t!&now!this'!and!5!a$!a!Prophet.-!MBu&hari'!Sahih'!)Yana6i>'-!

3N

#!$e$+er!o%!the!Banu!DuGarrin!clan!once!+eat!his!$aidser3ant.!She!in%or$ed!/od6s!Dessenger'!who!sent! %or!the!$aster.!1e!said(!)4ou!ha3e!+eaten!her!without!any!2usti%ia+le!right.!.ree!her.-!M Dusli$'!Sahih'! )#y$an'-!31'!33F!5.!1an+al'!?usnad'!3.447.N!.reeing!a!sla3e!%ree!was!%ar!+etter!%or!the!$aster!than!+eing! punished!in!the!1erea%ter!+ecause!o%!that!act.!/od6s!Dessenger!always!protected!and!supported!widows'! orphans'!the!poor!and!disa+led!e3en!+e%ore!announcing!his!Prophethood.! hen!he!returned!ho$e!in! e9cite$ent!%ro$!Dount!1ira!a%ter!the!%irst!He3elation'!his!wi%e!=hadi2a!told!hi$(!)5!hope!you!will!+e!the! Prophet!o%!this!A$$a'!%or!you!always!tell!the!truth'!%ul%ill!your!trust'!support!your!relati3es'!help!the!poor! and!wea&'!and!%eed!guests.-!M5.!SaWd'!al!Ta*a1at al!Ku*ra60!1.1?5N! 1is!co$passion!e3en!enco$passed!ani$als.! e!hear!%ro$!hi$(!)#!prostitute!was!guided!to!truth!+y!/od! and!ulti$ately!went!to!Paradise!+ecause!she!ga3e!water!to!a!poor!dog!dying!o%!thirst.!#nother!wo$an!was! sent!to!1ell!+ecause!she!let!a!cat!die!o%!hunger.-!MBu&hari0 Sahih'!)#n+iya6'-!54'!)DusaGat'-!?F!Dusli$'!Sahih'! )Sala$'-!153F!5.!1an+al'!?usnad'!2.5B7N!8nce!while!returning!%ro$!a!$ilitary!ca$paign'!a!%ew!*o$panions! re$o3ed!so$e!young!+irds!%ro$!their!nest!to!stro&e!the$.!"he!$other!+ird!ca$e!+ac&!and'!not!%inding!its! +a+ies'!+egan!to!%ly!around!screeching.! hen!told!o%!this'!/od6s!Dessenger!+eca$e!angry!and!ordered!the! +irds!to!+e!put!+ac&!in!the!nest.!M#+u!Dawud'!Sunan'!)#da+'-!164'!)Yihad'-!112F!5.!1an+al'!?usnad'!1.4B4N 8nce!he!told!his!*o$panions!that!/od!had!reproached!an!earlier!Prophet!%or!setting!%ire!to!a!nest!o%!ants.! MBu&hari'!Sahih'!)Yihad'-!153F!Dusli$'!Sahih'!)Sala$'-!147N! hile!in!Dina'!so$e!o%!his!*o$panions!attac&ed!a! sna&e!in!order!to!&ill!it.!1owe3er'!it!$anaged!to!escape.! atching!this!%ro$!a%ar'!/od6s!Dessenger! re$ar&ed(!)5t!was!sa3ed!%ro$!your!e3il'!as!you!were!%ro$!its!e3il.-!M:asa6i'!Sunan'!)1a22'-!114F!5'!1an+al'! ?usnad'!1.3@5N!5+n!W#++as!reported!that!/od6s!Dessenger!once!saw!a!$an!sharpening!his!&ni%e!directly!

41

+e%ore!the!sheep!to!+e!slaughtered'!and!as&ed!hi$(!)Do!you!want!to!&ill!it!$any!ti$es,-!M1a&i$'!?ustadrak'!
4.231'!233N

!W#+d!#llah!i+n!YaW%ar!narrates(!)/od6s!Dessenger!once!went!to!a!garden!in!Dadina!with!a!%ew! *o$panions.!#!3ery!scrawny!ca$el!was!in!a!corner.!Seeing!/od6s!Dessenger'!it!+egan!to!cry.!"he! Dessenger!went!to!it!and'!a%ter!staying!+eside!it!%or!a!while'!se3erely!warned!the!owner!to!%eed!it! properly.-!MSuyuti'!al!Khasa6is al!Ku*ra6'!2.?5F!1aytha$i'!?aGmaR al!@a'a6id0 ?.?N 1is!lo3e!and!co$passion!%or!creatures!di%%ered!%ro$!that!o%!today6s!sel%Cproclai$ed!hu$anists.!1e!was! sincere!and!+alanced!in!his!lo3e!and!co$passion.!#!Prophet!raised!+y!/od'!the!*reator!and!Sustainer!o%!all! +eings'!%or!the!guidance!and!happiness!o%!conscious!+eingsEhu$anity!and!2innEand!the!har$ony!o%! e9istence.!#s!such'!he!li3ed!not!%or!hi$sel%!+ut!%or!othersF!he!is!a!$ercy!%or!all!the!worlds'!a!$ani%estation! o%!*o$passion. 1e!eradicated!all!di%%erences!o%!race!and!color.!8nce!#+u!Dharr!got!so!angry!with!Bilal!that!he!insulted! hi$(!)4ou!son!o%!a!+lac&!wo$anL-!Bilal!ca$e!to!/od6s!Dessenger!and!reported!the!incident!in!tears.!"he! Dessenger!reproached!#+u!Dharr(!)Do!you!still!ha3e!a!sign!o%!Yahiliyya,-!.ull!o%!repentance'!#+u!Dharr! lay!on!the!ground!and!said(!)5!won6t!raise!$y!head!M$eaning!he!wouldn6t!get!upN!unless!Bilal!put!his!%oot! on!it!to!pass!o3er!it.-!Bilal!%orga3e!hi$'!and!they!were!reconciled.!MBu&hari'!Sahih'!)5$an'-!22N!Such!was!the! +rotherhood!and!hu$anity!5sla$!created!+etween!onceCsa3age!people.!M.ethullah!/0len'!Sonsu8 "ur'!M?th! editionN'!:il!4ayRnlarR'!;>$ir!1??7'!3ol.1'!pp.377\?7N

3uman 7ights in Islam

1BX1?X?5 (!+ould you eFplain Islamic $ie'point of human rights( \!8n!the!su+2ect!o%!hu$an!rights'!5sla$!is!as!+alanced'!+road'!and!uni3ersal!as!possi+le.!E9cept!%or!those! who!deser3e!death'!li&e!re+els!against!the!legal!ad$inistration!or!$urderers'!the!Kur6an!teaches!us!that! &illing!a!person!un2ustly!is!a!cri$e!against!hu$anity!MalCDa6ida'!5X32N.!Such!an!e3aluation!cannot!+e!%ound! in!any!other!religion!or!$odern!syste$'!and!such!high!3alue!was!ne3er!gi3en!to!hu$anity!+y!any!hu$an! rights!co$$ission!or!organi>ation.!5sla$!accepted!the!&illing!o%!one!person!as!the!&illing!o%!all!hu$anity'! %or!the!$urder!o%!one!person!gi3es!the!idea!that!any!person!can!+e!&illed. #da$6s!son!*ain!was!the!%irst!person!to!shed!+lood.!#lthough!their!na$es!are!not!$entioned!speci%ically!in! the!Kur6an!or!Sunna'!we!learn!%ro$!pre3ious!Scriptures!that!a!$isunderstanding!too&!place!+etween!the! two!+rothers!*ain!and!#+el!and'!that!*ain!un2ustly!&ills!#+el!out!o%!2ealousy'!there+y!opening!the!era!o%! +loodshed.!.or!this!reason'!in!one!o%!the!hadiths!the!Dessenger!o%!/od!says(!) hene3er!a!person!is!&illed! un2ustly'!part!o%!the!sin!%or!that!$urder!is!credited!to!*ain'!%or!he!was!the!%irst!to!open!the!way!o%!un2ust! &illing!to!hu$anity.-4! "his!e3ent'!with!an!i$portant!lesson'!is!e9pressed!in!the!Kur6an(!)E9plain!truth%ully!to!the$!the!news!o%! #da$6s!two!sons(! hen!they!each!presented!a!sacri%icial!la$+'!and!one!was!accepted!and!the!other! re2ected!M+ecause!o%!2ealousy!and!illCintention.N!1e!said(!W5!swear!56$!going!to!&ill!you.6!"he!other!said(! W/od!will!only!accept!%ro$!those!who!are!pious.6!1e!added'!W5!swear!that!e3en!i%!you!reach!out!your!hand! to!&ill!$e'!5!will!not!reach!out!$y!hand!to!&ill!you.!5!%ear!/od'!the!7ord!o%!the! orlds.6"he!%ollowing!2udg$ent!is!gi3en(!)8n!that!account(! e!ordained!%or!the!*hildren!o%!5srael!that!i%!anyone! slew!a!personunless!it!+e!%or!$urder!or!%or!spreading!$ischie%!in!the!landEit!would!+e!as!i%!he!or!she! slew!e3eryone(!and!i%!any!one!sa3ed!a!li%e'!it!would!+e!as!i%!he!or!she!sa3ed!the!li%e!o%!e3eryone-!M5X32N.! "his!is!uni3ersal!and!there%ore!3alid!%or!all!ti$es. #nother!3erse!states(!)5%!so$eone!&ills!a!+elie3er!intentionally'!his!Mor!herN!reco$pense!is!1ell'!to!a+ide! therein!M%or!e3erN(!and!the!wrath!and!the!curse!o%!/od!are!upon!hi$!Mor!herN'!and!a!dread%ul!penalty!is! prepared!%or!hi$!Mor!herN.-! 5n!another!hadith!our!Prophet!stated(!) hoe3er!is!&illed!while!de%ending!their!property!is!a!$artyr.! hoe3er!is!&illed!while!de%ending!their!+lood!Mli%eN!is!a!$artyr.! hoe3er!is!&illed!while!de%ending!their! religion!is!a!$artyr.! hoe3er!is!&illed!while!de%ending!their!%a$ily!is!a!$artyr.-!M"ir$idhi'!)Diyat'-!22F!#+u! Dawud'!)Sunna'-!32N!#ll!the!3alues!$entioned!in!this!hadith!ha3e!+een!protected!as!separate!principles!in!all! legal!syste$s.!"hese!$atters!are!gi3en!i$portance!in!the!%unda$ental!+oo&s!co$prising!our!law!as!
4

Buhari, Diyat 2, Enbiya 1; Mslim, Kasame 27. 42

)indispensa+le.-!.ro$!this!respect'!religion'!li%e'!reproduction'!the!$ind'!and!property!are!+asic!essentials! that!e3eryone!is!responsi+le!%or!protecting.!5n!a!sense'!5sla$!approaches!hu$an!rights!%ro$!the!angle!o%! these!+asic!principles.! 8nly!5sla$!honors!hu$anity!with!the!title!o%!)/od6s!3icegerent.-!:o!other!syste$!or!religion!does!this.!5n! addition'!5sla$!allows!hu$anity!the!opportunity!to!inter3ene!with!other!things!due!to!its!superiority!with! respect!to!such!%reedo$s!as!wor&ing!and!initiating.!1ow!could!a!religion!that!gi3es!such!i$portance!neglect! a!person6s!hu$an!rights,!M*a$cR!_!^nal'!223\26N

D. 7e ublic# 8olitics# Democracy# and Secularism

7e ublic
Hepu+lic! $eans!rule!+ased!on!the!people6s!election!and!consultation.!"he!%irst!+oo&!to! teach!this!principal!%ully!is!the!Kur6an.!Saying!that!repu+lican!rule!is!contrary!to!the! Kur6an' ! i% ! done ! without ! +ad ! intentions' ! shows ! a ! lac& ! o% ! &nowledge. ! Supporting ! the! repu+lic!+ut!re%using!to!see!its!source!is!2ust!plain!stu++ornness. "he!Prophet!did!not!clai$!&ingship'!and!his!%our!i$$ediate!political!successors!%ollowed! his ! e9a$ple. ! =ingship ! appeared ! when ! people ! grew ! re$ote ! %ro$ ! the ! 5sla$ic ! spirit.! E3entually!this!digression!+eca$e!a!3ehicle!%or!oppression!and!despotis$.! Based!on!true!%reedo$!and!2ustice'!a!true!repu+lic!is!an!ele3ated!and!sa%e!%or$!o%!rule.! 1owe3er'!it!is!also!an!e9tre$ely!tender!syste$.!5%!this!aspect!is!not!considered!properly'! atheis$!and!anarchy!will!appear!and!grow!in!its!heart.! # ! true ! repu+lic ! is ! a ! %or$ ! o% ! rule ! +y ! ele3ated ! spirits ! and ! is ! the ! $ost ! suita+le ! %or! hu$anity6s ! honor. ! 5$$ature ! spirits ! and ! those ! with ! no ! understanding ! o% ! the ! ways ! to! hu$an!per%ection!consider!it!a!$irage'!a!te$porary!+ower!that!o%%ers!no!shelter.! "he ! repu+lic ! can ! +e ! the ! $other ! or ! go3erness ! o% ! %reedo$' ! %or ! it ! nurtures ! and ! raises! generations!in!lo3e!with!%reedo$.!5t!is!a!go3ern$ent!o%!%reedo$'!3irtue'!and!$orality'!not! a!rule!o%!)loose-!%reedo$.! "he!repu+lic!pro3ides!a!%oundation!that!ele3ates!us!with!upli%ting!3alues.!7ater!it!lea3es! us!alone!with!our!ele3ated!$orality!and!alert!conscience.!.inally!recogni>ing!oursel3es!as! hu$an!+eings!with!will!power'!we!always!thin&!good!and!3irtuous!thoughts!and!%ollow! high!hu$an!3alues!at!ho$e!and!wor&.! #s!our!spirit'!which!has!an!innate!desire!%or!%reedo$'!re2ects!all!%or$s!o%!do$ination'!it! reacts!to!any!li$its!to!+e!placed!on!its!%reedo$!o%!thought'!+eha3ior'!and!e9pression.!.or! this!reason'!while!a!repu+lican!go3ern$ent!allows!indi3iduals!+road!rights!and!%reedo$s'! it!$ust!educate!the$!as!people!o%!ele3ated!$orality!and!3irtue'!and!sound!thin&ing!and! strong!will.! "he!repu+lic!is!o+ligated!to!protect!its!citi>ens6!religious!%aith'!%eelings'!and!thoughts.!5%! its!leaders!do!not!do!so'!+ut!rather!hold!people!in!conte$pt!+ecause!o%!their!religious! %eelings!and!thoughts'!3iolate!their!rights'!and!s$ear!their!good!na$es'!in!reality!they!are ! holding!the!repu+lic!in!conte$pt!and!3iolating!all!that!it!represents. "he ! repu+lic ! needs ! people ! who ! identi%y! %ully! with ! its ! principles. ! 5ts ! go3erning! +ody! should!+e!digni%ied!and!wise'!and!its!wor&s!should!+e!%air!and!2ust. ! MBl $eya %oldaki
IC/klar'!".Z.V.!4ayRne3i'!;>$ir!1??B'!Vol.3'!pp.32C36N

8olitics
43

Politics!is!the!art!o%!$anaging!a!nation6s!a%%airs!in!ways!that!please!/od!and!people.!#s! long!as!a!go3ern$ent !protects!people!%ro$!e3il! and!oppression'!it!can!+e!considered! success%ul!in!politics!and!%ull!o%!pro$ise.!5%!a!go3ern$ent!does!not!do!so'!it!can!no!longer! re$ain!in!power'!lea3ing!+ehind!tur$oil!a$idst!the!sounds!o%!cursing.! /ood!ad$inistration!and!politics! are!characteri>ed!+y!ac&nowledging!rights'!the!law6s! superiority'!and!consciousness!o%!one6s!duty'!as!well!as!+y!placing!responsi+le!people!in! crude!and!di%%icult!2o+s!and!s&illed!and!e9perienced!people!in!re%ined!and!delicate!2o+s. Hather!than!a!go3ern$ent6s!saying!)$y!nation'-!it6s!$ore!i$portant!that!the!nation!says! )$y!go3ern$ent.-!5%!the!nation!sees!the!go3ern$ent!as!a!host!o%!parasites'!it!$eans!that ! the!+ody!has!long!since!+ro&en!o%%!%ro$!the!head.! /o3ern$ent !$eans !2ustice! and!pu+lic !order. !8ne !cannot!spea&!o% !go3ern$ent !where! these!do!not!e9ist.! 5%!the!o%%icials!running!a!good!and!3irtuous!state!are!chosen!+ecause!o%!their!no+ility!in! spirit' ! ideas' ! and ! %eelings' ! the ! state ! will ! +e ! good ! and ! strong. ! # ! go3ern$ent ! run ! +y! o%%icials!who!lac&!these!high!Gualities!is!still!a!go3ern$ent'!+ut!it!is!neither!good!nor! longClasting.!Sooner!or!later'!its!o%%icials6!+ad!+eha3ior!will!appear!as!dar&!spots!on!its ! %ace!and!+lac&en!it!in!the!people6s!eyes.! Pu+lic ! o%%icials ! should ! +e ! &ind' ! stay ! within ! the ! law' ! and ! ha3e ! so%t ! hearts. ! "hese! characteristics!will!protect!their!estee$!and!honor!and!those!o%!the!law!and!the!state. ! He$e$+er!that!e9tre$e!harshness!causes!une9pected!e9plosions'!and!e9tre$e!so%tness! causes!the!rapid!+reeding!o%!har$%ul!ideas. 7aws!should!+e!e%%ecti3e!all!the!ti$e'!e3erywhere'!and!%or!e3eryone.!"hose!who!en%orce! the$!should!+e!+ra3e!and!2ust!so!that!the!$asses!will!ha3e!so$e!%ear!o%!the$'!+ut!not!to! the!e9tent!that!they!no!longer!trust!or!%eel!secure!under!the!law6s!en%orcers.! Dagni%icent ! nations ! produce ! $agni%icent ! go3ern$ents. ! /enerations ! with ! high! spirituality'!scienti%ic!power'!%inancial!opportunities'!and!+road!consciousness'!along!with! those!indi3iduals!struggling!to!+e!)the$sel3es'-!%or$!$agni%icent!nations.! Anity ! o% ! %eeling' ! thought' ! and ! culture! are ! essential ! to ! a ! nation6s ! strengthF ! any! disintegration!o%!religious!and!$oral!unity!causes!it!to!wea&en. "here!is!a!policy!%or!e3erything.!"he!policy!%or!renewing!a!nation!is!to!ignore!your!own! pleasure'!to!%eel!2oy!only!with!the!nation6s!pleasures'!and!to!%eel!sorrow!only!with!its! pain. Dature ! people ! ne3er ! $a&e ! a ! di%%erence ! o% ! thought ! and! opinion ! a ! $eans ! o% ! con%lict.! 1owe3er'!no!one!has!the!right!to!tolerate!those!understandings!and!3iews!that!separate! people!into!ca$ps!and!destroy!society.!"olerating!di3ision!$eans!closing!one6s!eye!to!the! nation6s!e9tinction. People!who!don6t!thin&!li&e!you!$ight!+e!3ery!sincere!and!+ene%icial'!so!do!not!oppose! e3ery!idea!that!see$s!contradictory!and!scare!the$!o%%.!See&!ways!to!+ene%it!%ro$!their! opinions!and!ideas'!and!stri&e!up!a!dialogue!with!the$.!8therwise'!those!who!are!&ept!at! a! distance !and! led!to! dissatis%action! +ecause! they!don6t ! thin&! li&e! us! will! %or$! huge! $asses!that!con%ront!and!s$ash!us.!E3en!i%!such!dissatis%ied!people!ha3e!ne3er!achie3ed! anything!positi3e'!the!nu$+er!o%!states!they63e!destroyed!is!+eyond!counting. People!$ust!learn!how!to!+ene%it!%ro$!other!people6s!&nowledge!and!3iews'!%or!these!can! +e ! +ene%icial ! to ! their ! own ! syste$' ! thought' ! and ! world. ! Especially' ! they ! should ! see&! always!to!+ene%it!%ro$!the!e9periences!o%!the!e9perienced. "hose!who!understand!politics!as!political!parties'!propaganda'!elections'!and!the!struggle! %or!power!are!$ista&en.!Politics!is!the!art!o%!$anage$ent'!+ased!on!a!+road!perspecti3e!

44

o%!today' !to$orrow'!and!the!day!a%ter'!that!see&s!the!people6s!satis%action!and!/od6s ! appro3al. Power6s!do$inance!is!transitoryF!while!that!o%!truth!and!2ustice!is!eternal.!E3en!i%!these! do!not!e9ist!today'!they!will!+e!3ictorious!in!the!3ery!near!%uture.!.or!this!reason'!sincere! politicians!should!align!the$sel3es!and!their!policies!with!truth!and!2ustice. ! MBl $eya

%oldaki IC/klar'!".Z.V.!4ayRne3i'!;>$ir!1??B'!Vol.3'!pp.37C56N

Democracy is an irre0ersible rocess

(!Turkey has a uni1ue place among other ?uslim countries& .s a ?uslim nation *elie$ing in democracy0 is Turkey going to *e the only synthesis in the region that makes Islam compati*le 'ith democracy( :!De$ocracy!is!still!inco$plete!in!"ur&ey.!.or!e9a$ple'!5!wish!that!in!addition!to!securing!certain!rights! in!this!world'!de$ocracy!also!would!sol3e!pro+le$s!related!to!$y!li%e!+eyond!the!gra3e.!"hat!is'!it!should! +e!$ore!hu$ane!and!inclusi3e. De$ocracy!is!undergoing!a!process!o%!de3elop$ent.!5t6s!a!process!o%!no!return!that!$ust!de3elop!and! $ature.!5!don6t!&now!how!true!Darwin6s!theory!o%!e3olution!is'!+ut!we!undou+tedly!e9perience!an! e3olution!o%!thought!in!our!spirit.!#s!a!result'!de$ocracy!will!one!day!attain!a!3ery!high!le3el.!But!we!ha3e! to!wait!%or!ti$e6s!interpretation.! e!ha3e!to!respect!ti$e.!"he!irrita+ility!o%!i$patient!people!shouldn6t!+e! incited.!5n!"ur&ey'!+oth!sides!are!i$patient.!"ur&ey!is!also!in!a!process!o%!pro3ing!itsel%.!5t6s!not!always! right!to!tell!e3ery!truth.!"ruths!should!+e!gi3en!to!society'!+ut!i%!the!season!is!not!proper'!let6s!not!destroy! those!truths.!M:e33al!Se3indi'!Fethullah Glen )le "e' %ork Soh*eti'!4eni!40>yRl'!#ugust'!1??7N

>o /urning 4ack from Democracy

:!In the famous speech you made at the Nournalists6 and +riters6 Foundation0 your 'ords 9It 'on6t *e possi*le to turn *ack from democracy: attracted a lot of attention& Ho' can Islam li$e in democracy or democracy in Islam( :!5t6s!wrong!to!see!5sla$!and!de$ocracy!as!opposites.!5n!periods!when!5sla$!wasn6t!%ully!practiced'! perhaps!it!was!$ore!+ac&ward!than!today6s!de$ocracy.!.or!e9a$ple'!hu$an!rights!were!stepped!on!and! despotic!persons!headed!the!state.!So$e!enlightened!persons!ha3e!said!all!this. :!But some Islamic groups accuse you of pacifying people. :!"hat6s!not!i$portant.!5s!5sla$!not!%ull!de$ocracy'!and!de$ocracy!is!not!%ull!5sla$.!De$ocracy!is!a! syste$!the!world!has!%a3ored'!+ut!it!is!still!+eing!re%ined.!5t6s!on!the!way!to!its!real!essence.!:o+ody!says! that!"ur&ey!is!a!%ull!de$ocracy.! hat!is!said!is(!) e!still!ha3en6t!+eco$e!de$ocrati>ed.!"hat6s!why!we! weren6t!a+le!to!enter!the!*usto$s!Anion.-!"his!$eans!that!de$ocracy!is!still!+eign!per%ected.!De$ocracy! is!a!processF!it6s!not!possi+le!to!turn!+ac&.!M:uriye!#&$an'!Fethullah Hoca .nlat/yor'!Sa+ah'!1X23C3BX?5N

Democracy and the current situation

De$ocracy!is!a!syste$!o%!%reedo$s.!1owe3er'!+ecause!we!ha3e!to!li3e!together!with!our!di%%erent!positions! and!3iews'!our!%reedo$!is!li$ited!where!that!o%!another!+egins.!Su+2ects!related!to!the!people6s!3alues'! so$e!$oral!nor$s'!the!nation6s!per$anency'!and!the!country6s!unity!are!not!li$its!to!%reedo$sF!rather'!they! should!+e!seen!as!criteria!%or!using!%reedo$.!5%!they!are!not'!anarchy!will!arise.!:ot!e3en!the!$ost!+asic! %reedo$s!can!+e!used!in!such!an!en3iron$ent. 5!don6t!thin&!it6s!any!easier!to!li3e!5sla$!in!another!country!than!it!is!in!"ur&ey.!Supposedly!there!are! 5sla$ic!regi$es!in!5ran!and!Saudi!#ra+ia'!+ut!they!are!stateCdeter$ined!and!li$ited!to!sectarian!appro3al.! 5sla$!is!a!religion.!5t!can6t!+e!called!anything!else.! hen!the!5sla$ic!world!was!de%eated!+y!the! est! $ilitarily!and!technologically'!sal3ation!was!sought!in!politici>ing!5sla$!or!trans%or$ing!it!into!a!political! syste$.!"his!rese$+les!a!$odern!3ersion!o%!=hawari2is$'!whereas!5sla$!as!a!religion!is!+ased!on! enlightening!the!$ind!and!+rightening!the!heart.!"hus!%aith!and!worship!co$e!%irst.!"he!%ruit!o%!%aith!and! worship!is!$orality.!M1ulusi!"urgut'!"urculuk'!Sa+ah'!1X23C31X?7N

:reedom of thought

45

:!%ou ha$e encountered a lot of trou*le *ecause of your *eliefs& In Turkey0 the freedom of eFpressing one6s ideas has not *een secured& The eighth article of the Struggle 'ith Terror la' hasn6t *een a*rogated& +hat do you think a*out this matter( :!E%%orts!to!suppress!ideas!3ia!pressure!or!+rute!%orce!ha3e!ne3er!+een!truly!success%ul.!1istory!shows!that! no!idea!was!e3er!re$o3ed!+y!suppressing!thought.!Dany!great!e$pires!and!states!were!destroyed'!+ut!an! idea!or!thought!whose!essence!is!sound!continues!to!li3e.!M8ral!]alROlar'!Fethullah Glen6le E1ortaG'! *u$huriyet'!@X2BC26X?5N

Secularism
"ur&ey!is!a!secular!state.!#!state!can!+e!secular'!+ut!so$e!people!say!that!an!indi3idual!cannot!+e!secular.! 5n!other!words'!a!state!is!secular!+ecause!secularis$!is!a!legal!$atter.!An%ortunately'!%or!a!long!ti$e!we! ha3e!percei3ed!secularis$!as!worldliness'!as!re$o3ing!religion!%ro$!society. Perhaps!lawyers!should!consider!this!su+2ect!and!de3elop!so$e!new!de%initions'!and!there+y!enlighten!us.! So$e!people!openly!say!they!are!=e$alists'!and!others!say!they!are!Hepu+licans.!Day+e!there!are!others! who'!although!identi%ying!with!de$ocracy'!say(!)De$ocracy!doesn6t!%ul%il!all!o%!$y!needs.!5t!should!+e! $ore!co$prehensi3e!as!to!enco$pass!all!$y!needs!as!a!hu$an!+eing!co$posed!o%!a!+ody'!spirit'!and! $ind.-!M1ulusi!"urgut'!"urculuk'!Sa+ah'!1X23C31X?7N

;. ;tatism and Attitude toward 8ower

/he 8roDstate Attitude
:!For the sake of the state0 you support Ailler& %ou ha$e said to those around youD 9+hen someone in po'er is unsuccessful they shouldn6t *e pulled do'n0 as Demirel did to B8al& Demirel shouldn6t *e pulled do'n either&: Doesn6t this approach put you in the position of naturally supporting e$ery ruling party( :! e!don6t!support!those!in!power!in!any!case.!5t!is!clear!in!the!*onstitution!how!one!or!a!party!co$es!to! power!and!goes.!5%!you!don6t!li&e!their!per%or$ance'!you!can!resort!to!de$ocratic!ways.!1ere!5!should! re$ind!an!i$portant!principle!e9pressed!+y!our!Prophet(!)4ou!are!ruled!how!you!are!Mthat!is'!according!to! your!+elie%'!world3iew'!and!li%eCstyle.N-!5%!people!want!a!good!go3ern$ent'!%irst!they!should!i$pro3e! the$sel3es!intellectually'!$orally'!and!spiritually.!8pposing!the!go3ern$ent!or!+eing!displeased!with!it! should!not!$ean!critici>ing!it!+itterly!and!in!a!way!that!produces!pessi$istic!people!and!an!anarchic! at$osphere.!:or!should!it!allow!opposition!to!the!state!and!degrading!it!in!the!3iew!o%!people. :!JK0 you are opposed to using the ruling party6s mistakes against the go$ernment and state as institutions& But doesn6t refraining from struggling against these mistakes e$entually lead the state to a dead end( :!Very!negati3e!propaganda!would!sa+otage!the!state.!"he!state!$eans!authority.!5t!is!the!%inal!point!where! a!co$$unity6s!di3erse!trends!are!united.!"here%ore!it!is!i$portantF!without!it!anarchy!arises.!5%!there!is!no! trust!in!the!state'!di%%erent!con%licts!can!occur.!5sla$!does!not!allow!anarchy!and!terror.!5%!there!were!so$e! anarchic!and!terrorist!acti3ities!in!the!history!o%!5sla$'!they!either!too&!place!3ia!%oreign!powers'!hypocrites! within!the!co$$unity'!or!heterodo9!de3iationists.!"he!Sunni!$a2ority!always!re%rained!%ro$!such!things.! .ro$!this!perspecti3e'!56$!opposed!to!+oth!pro3ocati3e!and!anarchic!$o3e$ents!and!acti3ities.!.ro$!now! on!56$!going!to!try!and!+e!the!sa$e.!5!a$!gi3ing!ser$ons!at!$osGues.!So$e!e3en!wanted!to!+ring!disorder! to!the!$osGue!courtyard'!and!shouted!slogans!there.!5!stopped!gi3ing!ser$ons.!5!ha3en6t!gi3en!the$!%or!3! years!now.!M:uriye!#&$an'!Fethullah Hoca .nlat/yor'!Sa+ah'!1X23C3BX?5N

/ruthD8ower and AuthorityDKustice relationshi s

:!Ho' do you e$aluate the relationship *et'een po'er and Gustice(

46

:!#ccording!to!our!criteria'!right!is!$ight'!not!the!other!way!around.!#rrogant!power!opposed!to!co$$on! sense!and!to!per%ected!reasoning!is!re+ellious.!"hose!who!gain!such!power!try!and!sol3e!pro+le$s!+y!%orce! instead!o%!+y!intelligence'!reason'!discern$ent'!dialogue'!suita+ility'!or!other!hu$an!3alues.!.or!this!reason'! those!hu$an!3alues!are!ignored.!.or!the!last!century!we!ha3e!+een!li3ing!through!such!a!period.!MEy0p!*an'! Fethullah Glen )le 2fuk Turu'!Ta$an'!#ugust'!1??5N

@atter of obedience and a tetra od

:!I guess 'hat you mean *y o*edience is not o*edience to oppression&&& :!#+solutely!not.!"he!o+edience!co$$anded!+y!5sla$!is!not!o+edience!to!despotis$.!Surrender!to!or! +owing!+e%ore!despotis$!is!out!o%!the!Guestion.!5sla$ic!o+edience!$eans!accepting!and!listening!to!legal! authority'!Parlia$ent'!a!leader'!or!an!ad$inistrator.!5t6s!con%or$ing!to!law!and!order.!"his!is!a!duty.!"he! duty!o%!rulers!is!to!re%rain!%ro$!$isusing!their!position'!ran&'!and!estee$!against!the!people!in!a!despotic! way.!"his!relationship!should!continue!in!a!har$ony!+ased!on!reciprocity.!MEy0p!*an'!Fethullah Glen )le 2fuk Turu'!Ta$an'!#ugust'!1??5N

roach toward the state

:!In one of your talks0 you dre' an unusual picture of the state *y *eginning 'ith Socrates6 philosophy of the state& +hen you consider all these historical $ie's0 'hat is your approach to the state( :!5%!we!approach!any!$atter!%ro$!the!perspecti3e!o%!a+solute!+eauty'!we!can6t!sa3e!oursel3es!%ro$!+eing! critical!and!illCsuspicious.!"here!will!+e!le%t!no!syste$!we!don6t!critici>e.!Hegarding!such!critici>ers'! Bedi0>>a$an!says(!)/od!%or+id'!i%!they!li3e!a!thousand!years'!they!won6t!%ind!a!state!that!will!$a&e!the$! happy'-!+ecause!they6re!not!happy!with!any!ad$inistration.!"oday!there!are!people!at!di%%erent!e9tre$es! who!are!e9actly!as!Bedi0>>a$an!descri+es!the$.!"hey!represent!this!type!o%!understanding!per%ectly.!:o! one!can!$a&e!the$!happy.!5%!our!Prophet!were!to!appear!and!they!didn6t!&now!who!he!was!+ut!only!&new! hi$!+y!what!he!said'!they!would!critici>e!hi$!too.!5n!%act'!i%!he!presented!the!eternal!Kur6anic!laws!and! they!didn6t!&now!it!was!the!Kur6an'!they!would!critici>e!it!too.!5%!they!do!not!critici>e!it!now'!this!is! +ecause!they!ha3e!%aith!in!it'!e3en!though!super%icial. :!In this frame'ork0 'hat kind of $alue do you gi$e the state( :!5%!we!approach!this!$atter!%ro$!a!3iewpoint!o%!relati3e!+eauty!and!e3erything!%ro$!a!relati3e! perspecti3e'!the!state!has!an!essential!3alue.!"he!e9istence!o%!the!state'!a!syste$!+ased!on!certain!laws'!o%! course!has!a!3alue.!#lthough!the!*onstitution!and!laws!ha3e!so$e!i$portance!o%!their!own!in!a!good!or!+ad! ad$inistration'!the!real!%actor!always!lies!in!the!ad$inistrators!the$sel3es.!#ll!the!pro+le$s!in!hu$an!li%e! +egin!with!hu$an!+eings!and!end!in!the$.!.ro$!this!3iewpoint'!i%!the!state!is!run!+y!good!people'!it!will!+e! good.!5%!it!is!ad$inistered!+y!e3en!+etter!people'!it!will!+e!e3en!+etter.!5%!it!is!ad$inistered!+y!the!Hightly! /uided!*aliphs'!it!will!+e!per%ect.!But!i%!now!there!are!no!such!caliphs!and!the!state!is!+eing!run!+y!the! current!ad$inistrators'!it6s!+etter!to!approach!the!$atter!%ro$!the!3iewpoint!that!it6s!+etter!to!ha3e!this!state! than!none!at!all. :!There ha$e *een criticisms that you ha$e sanctified the state&&& :!5%!this!approach!$eans!sancti%ying!the!state'!this!is!$y!approach.!5!see!the!a+sence!o%!state!as!anarchy.!5! see!con%lict!+etween!the!ar$y'!the!go3ern$ental!+oard'!and!the!security!%orces!as!perilous!with!respect!to! our!honor'!security'!and!dignityEin!short'!to!our!3ery!e9istence.!7aw!is!i$ple$ented!+y!authority.!5%!there! is!no!authority'!the!will!+e!no!$ore!than!a!written!docu$ent.! e!should!not!con%use!the!state'!go3ern$ent'! Parlia$ent'!and!e3en!politics!as!3ital!institutions!%or!the!co$$unity6s!li%e!with!those!in!power.!So!our! criticis$!o%!those!in!power'!the!go3ern$ental!+oard'!should!not!+e!directed!against!those!institutions! the$sel3es.! "here!is!another!point!to!$ention!here(!5%!criticis$!is!$ade!in!the!na$e!o%!destroying!without!the!intention! o%!i$pro3ing!and!showing!what!is!+etter'!it!is!1BB!percent!har$%ul.!5t!causes!anarchy'!pessi$is$'!lac&!o%! trust!in!the!state'!and!%inally!chaos.!5%!so$e!call!this!opinion!sancti%ying!the!state'!they!are!unaware!o%!the! essence!o%!the!$atter.

47

8%!course'!at!the!head!o%!state!5!would!pre%er!so$eone!li&e!#+u!Ba&r'!who!is!$oral'!3irtuous'!e3ol3edF! whose!purpose!is!to!ensure!the!nation6s!continuation!and!li%eF!who!thin&s!not!o%!his!own!interests!+ut!only! o%!the!nation6s!wel%are.!But!i%!this!is!not!possi+le'!there!is!the!religious!legal!opinion(!)So$ething!that! cannot!+e!achie3ed!%ully!should!not!+e!a+andoned!co$pletely.-!5!can6t!reconcile!with!any!logic!the!idea! that(!)5%!it!isn6t!per%ect'!we!shouldn6t!accept!the!i$per%ect.!7et!the$!go!to!1ell.-!MEy0p!*an'!Fethullah Glen )le 2fuk Turu'!Ta$an'!#ugust'!1??5N

/he @adness of 8ower for Its 5wn Sake

"hose!who!ha3e!the!power!and!technological!$eans!to!satis%y!their!greed'!hate'!and!3engeance!can!+ring! a+out!as!$uch!destruction!in!a!single!day!as!would!ha3e!ta&en!a!century!in!the!past.!"hey!can!de$olish!the! $ost!%or$ida+leCsee$ing!syste$s!at!one!go!and!e9change!the$!%or!others.!"hey!can!ruin!the!$ost! esta+lished!ideas'!place!restrictions!on!longCheld!+elie%s!and'!supported!+y!the!$ass!$edia'!represent!right! as!wrong!and!3ice!3ersa.!5n!no!period!o%!hu$an!history!ha3e!such!$oral!3alues!as!personal!honor'!religion'! %a$ily!li%e'!and!decency!+een!$oc&ed!and!conde$ned!as!relentlessly!as!they!are!now.!5n!conseGuence'!we! li3e!in!an!epoch!o%!con%usion!and!chaos.!7ight!and!dar&ness'!purity!and!pollution'!3irtue!and!3ice'!and!hope! and!despair!e9ist!side!+y!side!or!one!within!the!other.!5n!no!pre3ious!period!o%!history!ha3e!collapse!and! re%or$!happened!on!such!a!scale!or!at!such!speed.!"hose!who!would!oppose!this!%lood!o%!chaos!cannot!%ind! the!opportunity!to!e9press!or!present!their!alternati3e!standpoints. #$ong!this!age6s!$ost!3isi+le!characteristics!are!that!right!is!consistently!sacri%iced!%or!the!sa&e!o%!$ight'! sel%ish!interests!replace!all!other!considerations'!racial!discri$ination!has!a!preCe$inent!role!in!deter$ining! social!attitudes!and!relations'!and!%orce!is!resorted!to!as!the!single!$eans!to!resol3e!national!and! international!di%%erences.!Power!$ust!ha3e!its!due!place!in!the!sche$e!o%!things'!+ut!i%!it!is!considered!the! single!or!$ost!e%%ecti3e!$eans!o%!sol3ing!pro+le$s'!why!are!we!endowed!with!such!%aculties!as!reason!and! co$passion,!#ll!past!social!re3olutions!and!$ilitary!$o3e$ents!that!were!not!+ased!on!+elie%'!&nowledge'! $oral!3alues'!and!sound!reasoning!%ailed!to!endure!$uch!+eyond!the!li%eti$es!o%!their!leaders. Power'!when!used!to!ser3e!the!cause!o%!right!and!sound!reasoning'!$ay!do!so$e!good!on!the!way!to! resol3ing!pro+le$s.!1owe3er'!power!always!has!+een!a!$eans!o%!destruction!when!dri3en!+y!a$+ition!and! greed'!o%!coarse!%eelings!and!ideas.!"he!$adness!o%!disposing!and!increasing!power!dro3e!#le9ander!to! $ilitary!3entures!in!#sia'!+rought!:apoleon6s!genius!o%!to!ruin'!and!$ade!1itler!the!$ost!accursed!o%!the! hu$an!race.!Despite!these!lessons'!right!and!intelligence!re$ain!under!the!do$inion!o%!power. Behind!the!chaotic!whirl!o%!da$na+le!ideas!and!e3ents!lies!the!a+use!o%!power!and!the!o3erCrating!o%!its! use%ulness.!#s!a!result'!hu$an!3alues'!reasona+leness'!and!respect!%or!right!ha3e!+een!replaced!+y!the! resort!to!%orce.!5t!see$s!that!chaos!will!continue!until!those!%ew!who!ha3e!great!power!su+$it!to!the!cause! o%!right.!8nly!then!will!the!$any'!%reed!%ro$!chaos!and!con%usion'!see!the!world!and!e3ents!ta&ing!place!in! it!clearly!and!without!any!+arrier!+e%ore!the$. 5%!they!are!to!sur3i3e!in!a!world!in!which!only!the!$ighty!ha3e!the!right!to!li3e'!oppressed!peoples!$ust! %ree!the$sel3es!%ro$!this!$inority!and!+ring!that!power!under!the!do$inion!o%!right. hile!learning!lessons!%ro$!the!past'!we!should!&now!how!to!prepare!a!desira+le!%uture!%or!oursel3es.!5%!we! are!to!ha3e!hope!the!%uture!and!not!sin&!deeper!into!a!dar&er!whirl!o%!new'!greater!con%usion'!we!need! altruistic!souls!who!li3e!%or!others'!who!pre%er!others6!happiness!to!their!own.!8nly!those!willing!and!a+le! to!sacri%ice!the$sel3es!%or!hu$anity6s!wellC+eing!can!sa3e!hu$anity!%ro$!today6s!chaos!and!con%usion. hen!the!lightCdi%%using!ideas'!united!with!lo3e!and!altruis$'!are!shared!+y!the!$a2ority!o%!hu$anity'!the! glo+al!)stor$s-!now!+lowing'!along!with!the!resulting!pain!and!su%%ering'!will!end.! hen!the!ideas!o%! heroes!o%!lo3e!and!altruis$'!co$+ined!with!2ust!discipline!and!+alanced!%reedo$'!are!a!deter$ining!%actor! in!the!glo+al!+alance'!worldwide!social!crises!and!$assi3e!pro+le$s!arising!%ro$!international!relations! will!+e!sol3ed'!and!the!+alance!+etween!2oy!and!sorrow'!happiness!and!$is%ortune'!will!+e!reesta+lished. 1u$anity!e9pect!%ro$!us!the!+elie3ersgreat!e%%orts!to!help!it!reali>e!world!peace!and!har$ony.!E3ery! atte$pt!and!e%%ort!$ade!to!attain!this!goal'!e3ery!$o3e$ent!to!support!right!and!truth'!is!a!$ost!+lessed! step!ta&en!toward!/od.!E3ery!such!step'!regardless!o%!si>e'!will!play!a!part!in!the!new'!e9pected!glo+al! re%or$.!Such!steps!$ay!+e!thought!o%!as!drops'!%allen!into!our!present'!%ro$!the!+lue!ocean!o%!the!%uture.!5n! that!%uture'!hu$anity!will!en2oy!true!happiness.! e!li3e!now!upon!the!drea$!o%!that!+lessed!ti$e!to!co$e.! M%eCeren DCnceler'!".Z.V.!4ayRne3i'!;>$ir!1??6'!pp(155\5@N

4@

:. Science# <iterature# Art# and Certain @odern Conce tions

Fethullah Glen is one of the most influential thinkers of Turkey& He has eFpressed his $ie's on many modern conceptions& +hat follo's is eFcerpts from those $ie's of hisD

Science and Anowledge

#3oiding!the!positi3e!sciences!out!o%!%ear!that!they!will!lead!to!atheis$!is!childishness.! Seeing!the$!as!opposed!to!religion! and!%aith'! and!as!3ehicles!%or!re2ecting!religion'!is! pre2udice!and!ignorance. Science!and!technology! are!+ene%icial!to!the!degree!that!they!guarantee!happiness!and! help!us!attain!true!hu$anity.!5%!they!are!de3eloped!to!har$!hu$anity'!they!+eco$e!de3ils! that!+loc&!our!road. #t!the!+eginning!o%!the!twentieth!century'!so$e!shortCsighted!$aterialists!$ade!science! into!an!idol!and!sacri%iced!e3erything!to!it.!1owe3er'!the!$ost!%a$ous!scientist!o%!the ! century!S#l+ert!EinsteinU!critici>ed!this!tendency!in!a!pleasant!way!+y!saying(!)Science! without!religion!is!+lindF!religion!without!science!is!la$e.-! hat!would!they!ha3e!said!i%! they!saw!those!o%!today!who!are!+oth!+lind!and!la$e,L *lai$ing!that!the!positi3e!sciences!ha3e!no!3alue!is!ignorance!and!+igotry'!and!re2ecting! e3erything!else!outside!their!%ield!is!crude!%anaticis$.!Heali>ing!that!there!is!still!$uch!to! +e!learned!signi%ies!true!scienti%ic!$entality!sound!thin&ing. #ll!o%!us!are!tra3elers'!and!the!worlds!are!$ulticolored!e9hi+itions!and!rich!and!color%ul ! +oo&s.! e!were!sent!to!study!these!+oo&s'!increase!our!spiritual!&nowledge'!and!upli%t! others. ! "his ! color%ul ! and ! pleasura+le ! 2ourney ! is ! a ! oneCti$e ! e3ent. ! .or ! those ! whose! %eelings ! are ! alert ! and ! whose ! hearts ! are ! awa&e' ! this ! 2ourney! is ! $ore ! than ! enough ! to! esta+lish!a!ParadiseCli&e!garden.!But!%or!those!whose!eyes!are!co3ered'!it!is!as!i%!they! ha3e!li3ed!+ut!one!+reath.
"hose!who!pro%oundly!thin&!a+out!and!e3aluate!nature!and!the!laws!o%!li%e!will!see!the!coGuetry!o%! eternal!+eauty!in!e3erything.!"hey!hear!the!consecration!o%!5n%inite!Power!in!e3ery!sound%ro$! %lowers6!shining!colors!to!swaying!tree!+ranches'!%ro$!%rightening!thunderclaps!to!sparrows6! har$onious!songs.!Such!people!see!the!traces!and!wor&s!o%!a!Di3ine!source!$ani%ested!in!such! pheno$ena!and!laws!as!light!and!heat'!attraction!and!che$ical!reaction'!and!the!directing!o%! ani$ate!+eings.!MBl $eya %oldaki IC/klar'!".Z.V.!4ayRne3i'!;>$ir'!1??@'!Vol.2'!M12th!editionN'! pp.@?C?1N

/he Conce t of Science

.lowing!to!the!%uture!li&e!a!rapid!%lood!%ull!o%!energy!and!3itality'!and!so$eti$es!rese$+ling!a! da>>ling!garden'!the!natural!world!is!li&e!a!+oo&!o%%ered!to!us!to!study'!an!e9hi+ition!to!+ehold'!and!a!trust! le%t!to!our!sa%e&eeping!with!per$ission!to!+ene%it!%ro$!it.!By!studying!this!trust6s!$eaning!and!content'!we! are!to!e9ploit!it!in!a!way!that!+ene%its!%uture!as!well!as!present!generations.!5%!we!wish'!we!can!de%ine! science!as!the!a+o3eCen3isioned!relation!+etween!hu$anity!and!the!world!science. Science!is!hu$anity6s!co$$on!heritage'!not!the!pri3ate!property!o%!a!speci%ic!people.!5ts!in%ancy!+egan! with!hu$anity6s!in%ancy.! hen!Europe6s!intellectual!culture!attained!a!su%%icient!$aturity'!attained!in!great! part!through!the!achie3e$ents!o%!other!nonCEuropean!nations'!the!e9peri$ental!sciences!in!particular!were! ripe!%or!a!new'!co$prehensi3e!%lourishing!through!the!Henaissance. hile!+orrowing!science!%ro$!its!ancient!origins'!and!then!a+sor+ing!and!appropriating!it'!Europe!did! not!hesitate!to!i$port!the!ways!o%!de3eloping!it.!#lthough!the! est!has!tended!to!deny!the!Eastern!origin! and!trans%erral!o%!science'!its!relations!with!the!East!did!not!pre3ent!it!%ro$!trans%erring!the!>eal!and!

4?

resolution!necessary!%or!scienti%ic!de3elop$ent.!8%!course'!science!cannot!+e!+orrowed!and!then!)worn-! li&e!a!$edal!o%!success!or!other!sy$+ol!o%!outward!show.!5t!has!to!per$eate!through!the!3eins!o%!the! society!in!which!it!de3elops!and!%unctions!li&e!a!su+stance!o%!li%e!di%%used!into!the!)Wair-!o%!e3ery!new!day. 5%!true!science!$eans!directing!the!intelligence!toward!eternity!without!e9pecting!any!$aterial!gain'! $a&ing!a!tireless!and!detailed!study!o%!e9istence!to!disco3er!the!a+solute!truth!underlying!it'!and!%ollowing! the!$ethods!reGuired!to!reach!this!ai$'!their!a+sence!$eans!that!science!cannot!%ul%ill!our!e9pectations.! #lthough!usually!presented!as!a!con%lict!+etween!*hristianity!and!science'!the!HenaissanceCera!con%licts! were!$ainly!+etween!scientists!and!the!*hurch.!*opernicus'!/alileo'!and!Bacon!were!antiCreligious.!5n!%act'! we!can!say!that!their!religious!co$$it$ent!ignited!the!lo3e!and!thought!o%!%inding!truth.! Be%ore!*hristianity'!5sla$!was!the!torch+earer!o%!scienti%ic!&nowledge.!"he!religious!thought!springing! %ro$!eternality!and!the!lo3e!and!>eal!arising!%ro$!that!thought'!acco$panied!+y!the!%eeling!o%!po3erty!and! i$potence!+e%ore!the!Eternal!*reator'!lay!+ehind!the!great!5BBCyear!scienti%ic!ad3ance!o+ser3ed!in!the! Dusli$!world!until!the!close!o%!the!twel%th!century.!"he!concept!o%!science!as!+ased!on!the!Di3ine! He3elation'!which!dro3e!scienti%ic!study!in!the!Dusli$!world'!was!represented!al$ost!per%ectly!+y!the! illustrious!%igures!o%!the!ti$e!who'!into9icated!with!the!thought!o%!eternality'!studied!e9istence!tirelessly!in! order!to!attain!eternity.!"heir!co$$it$ent!to!the!Di3ine!He3elation!caused!5ts!intellect!to!di%%use!a!light! that!engendered!a!new!concept!o%!science!in!hu$an!souls.! 5%!that!concept!o%!science'!appro3ed!and!appropriated!+y!society!as!i%!it!were!a!part!o%!the!Di3ine! $essage'!and!pursued!with!the!>eal!o%!an!act!o%!worship'!had!not!+een!e9posed!to!the!destructi3e!Dongol! in3asion!and!the!pitiless!*rusades!%ro$!Europe'!the!world!today!would!+e!$ore!enlightened'!ha3e!a!richer! intellectual!li%e'!a!$ore!wholeso$e!technology'!and!$ore!pro$ising!sciences.!5!say!this!+ecause!5sla$6s! concept!o%!science!was!e$+edded!in!the!aspiration!%or!eternality'!the!ideal!o%!+eing!use%ul!to!hu$anity!and! responsi+le!%or!earning!the!pleasure!o%!/od. "he!lo3e!o%!truth!directs!true!scienti%ic!study.!"his!$eans!approaching!e9istence!without!any! consideration!o%!$aterial!ad3antage!and!worldly!gain'!and!o+ser3ing!and!recogni>ing!it!as!it!really!is.! hile!those!eGuipped!with!such!lo3e!can!reach!the!%inal!destination!o%!their!study'!those!in%ected!with! worldly!passion'!$aterial!aspiration'!ideological!pre2udice!and!%anaticis$'!and!una+le!to!de3elop!any!lo3e! o%!truth'!will!either!%ail!or'!worse'!di3ert!the!course!o%!scienti%ic!study!and!$a&e!science!a!deadly!weapon!to! +e!used!against!the!+est!potentials!o%!hu$anity. :o!intellectual!acti3ity!arising!%ro$!and!directed!+y!worldly!passion!and!egocentricity!can!lead!to!a! truly!+ene%icial!outco$e!%or!hu$anity.!5%!such!soulCdar&ening!passions!and!inappropriate!+eha3ior!are! co$+ined!with!ideological!%anaticis$!and!pre2udice'!they!ine3ita+ly!will!put!insur$ounta+le!o+stacles!in! the!way!o%!reaching!the!truth!and!using!the!results!o%!scienti%ic!study!to!+ene%it!hu$anity.!"here%ore'! intellectuals'!educational!institutions'!and!the!$ass!$edia!$ust!wor&!to!deli3er!$odern!scienti%ic!study! %ro$!the!lethally!polluted!at$osphere!o%!$aterialistic!aspiration!and!ideological!%anaticis$'!and!to!direct! scientists!toward!true!hu$an!3alues.!"he!%irst!step!is!to!%ree!$inds!%ro$!ideological!superstition!and! %anaticis$!and!to!puri%y!souls!o%!the!desire!%or!worldly!gain!and!ad3antage.!"his!also!is!the!%irst!condition! %or!securing!true!%reedo$!o%!thought!and!doing!good!science.!1a3ing!%ought!the!)clergy-!and!corrupt! conceptions!%or$ed!in!the!na$e!o%!religion'!and!ha3ing!+la$ed!the$!%or!regression'!narrowC$indedness! and!%anaticis$'!scientists!should!stri3e!to!re$ain!%ree!%ro$!+eing!the!target!o%!co$para+le!accusations. "here!is!no!di%%erence!+etween!the!intellectual!and!scienti%ic!despotis$!arising!%ro$!interest!and!power! see&ing!and!the!ideological!%anaticis$!and!restricti3e!reasoning!+ased!on!corrupt!and!distorted!religious! conceptions!and!clerical!do$ination.!"he!original!na$e!o%!/odCre3ealed!religion!always!has!+een!5sla$'! $eaning!peace'!sal3ation!and!o+edience!to!/od.!"his!is!true!whether!it!was!taught!+y!Doses!or!Yesus'!or! co$$unicated!+y!Duha$$ad.!5sla$!preaches!and!propagates!courtesy'!respect!toward!hu$an!3alues'! lo3e'!tolerance'!and!+rotherhood.!Dany!Kur6anic!3erses!urge!the!study!o%!nature'!which!it!sees!as!a!place!o%! e9hi+ition!o%!the!Di3ine!wor&s.!!5n!addition'!it!as&s!people!to!re%lect!upon!creation!and!the!created'!and!to! approach!it!responsi+ly'!instead!o%!with!$ischie%!and!causing!corruptions.! hen!studied!with!an!open! $ind'!we!see!that!the!Kur6an!pro$otes!the!lo3e!o%!science!and!hu$anity'!2ustice!and!order.!8n!the! co$parati3ely!s$aller!scale!o%!e9ploiting!science!and!its!products!%or!the!sa&e!o%!power!and!worldly! a$+ition!against!wea&er!people'!so$e!ha3e!used!the!Kur6an!to!satis%y!the!hatred!and!en$ity!o%!their!dar&! souls.!An%ortunately'!in!the!hands!o%!those!who!want!to!eradice!5sla$'!such!attitudes!ha3e!+een!used!to! portray!5sla$!as!a!religion!o%!hatred'!en$ity'!and!3engeance. Islam!literally!$eans!peace!and!sal3ation.!"he!Prophet!de%ined!?uslim!as!one!%ro$!whose!hand and tongue!e3eryone!is!safe and secureO and!mu6min!M+elie3erN'!deri3ed!%ro$!the!amn!Msecurity!and!sa%etyN'!as! one!who!+elie3es!in!and!guarantees!security'!order'!2ustice'!lo3e'!and!&nowledge.!"hrough!the!light!

5B

disse$inated!+y!5sla$'!$any!ha3e!dedicated!their!li3es!to!the!happiness!o%!others!3ia!sel%Cdenial'!and!$any! others!ha3e!resol3ed!to!carry!hu$an!+eings!to!eternity.! .ounded!on!the!Kur6an'!5sla$!has!%ounded!&nowledge!and!its!Guest!on!the!intention!o%!disco3ering!the! $eaning!o%!e9istence!in!order!to!reach!the!*reator'!and!to!+ene%it!hu$anity'!indeed!all!creation'!and!to! co$+ine!with!+elie%'!lo3e'!and!altruis$.!"his!is!what!we!learn!%ro$!the!Kur6an'!the!Prophet6s!e9e$plary! li%e'!and!the!conduct!o%!$any!who!ha3e!represented!it!per%ectly!in!thought!and!action.!M%eCeren DCnceler'! ".Z.V.!4ayRne3i'!;>$ir!1??6'!pp(172\7@N

Chat Ce ;1 ect of Science

Since!)real-!li%e!is!possi+le!only!through!&nowledge'!those!who!neglect!learning!and! teaching!are!considered!)dead-!e3en!though!they!are!still!ali3e.! e!were!created!to!learn ! and!to!co$$unicate!what!we!ha3e!learned!to!others. Hight!decisions!depend!on!ha3ing!a!sound!$ind!and!on!sound!thin&ing.!#s!science!and! &nowledge!illu$inates!and!de3elop!one6s!$ind'!those!depri3ed!o%!science!and!&nowledge! cannot!reach!right!decisions!and!are!always!e9posed!to!deception!and!$isguidance. "hose!who!are!truly!hu$an!continue!to!learn'!teach'!and!inspire!others.!5t!is!di%%icult!to! regard!as!truly!hu$an !those!who!are!ignorant!and!ha3e!no!desire!to!learn.!5t!is!also! Guestiona+le!whether!a!learned!person!who!does!not!pursue!sel%Crenewal!and!sel%Cre%or$'! and!there+y!set!an!e9a$ple!%or!others'!is!truly!hu$an. Science!and!&nowledge! should!see&!to!unco3er!the!nature! o%!$en!and!wo$en! and!the! $ysteries!o%!creation.!#ny!&nowledge'!howe3er!scienti%ic'!is!not!true!&nowledge!i%!it!does! not!shed!light!on!the!$ysteries!o%!hu$an!nature!and!the!dar&!areas!o%!e9istence. Status!and!$erit!acGuired!through!&nowledge! and!science! are!higher!and!$ore!lasting! than ! status ! and ! $erit ! o+tained ! through ! other ! $eans. ! "his ! is ! true ! %or ! two ! reasons(! =nowledge ! will ! enrapture ! its ! possessors' ! when ! they ! reach ! the ! other ! world' ! with ! the! pleasure ! o% ! the ! positions ! acGuired ! while ! in ! this ! world. ! 5n ! addition' ! it ! will ! &eep ! its! possessors!away!%ro$!+ad!$orals!in!this!world!and!cause!the$!to!attain!$any!3irtues. Parents!should!%eed!their!children6s!$inds!o%!with!&nowledge! and!science! +e%ore!they! +eco$e!engaged!in!useless!things'!%or!souls!de3oid!o%!truth!and!&nowledge!are!%ields!in! which!all!&inds!o%!e3il!thoughts!are!grown!and!culti3ated. "he!purpose!o%!learning!is!to!$a&e!&nowledge!a!guide!%or!your!li%e'!to!illu$inate!the!road! to!hu$an!per%ection.!#ny!&nowledge!that!does!not!%ul%ill!these!%unctions!is!a!+urden!%or ! the ! learner' ! and ! any ! science! that ! does ! not ! direct ! one ! toward ! su+li$e ! goals ! is ! only! deception.
Science!is!to!percei3e!the!reality!o%!science' Science!consists!in!&nowledge!o%!the!sel%F 5%'!then'!you!do!not!&now!your!sel%' 5!wonder!what!&ind!o%!education!you!ha3e!had.

#ppropriate!language!is!an!ine9hausti+le!source!o%!+lessing!%or!the!learner.!"hose!who! possess!such!a!source!are!always!sought!+y!people'!li&e!a!source!o%!%resh!water'!and!lead ! people!to!what!is!good.!=nowledge!consisting!o%!e$pty!theories!and!una+sor+ed!pieces! o%! learning'! which!arouses !suspicions! in!$inds !and!dar&ens !hearts'! is !li&e !a! )pile! o%! gar+age-!around!which!desperate!and!con%used!souls!%lounder. #lthough!science!and!all!+ranches!o%!&nowledge!are!+ene%icial!to!al$ost!e3eryone'!one! cannot !possi+ly!acGuire! all! o%! the$' ! %or !people6s !li%espans !and!resources! are !li$ited.! "here%ore'!learn!and!use!only!that!which!+ene%its!yoursel%!and!hu$anity!at!large.!Do!not! waste!your!li%e.!

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"rue !scientists !+ase !their!study!and!research!on!true !reports'!correct!e9positions'!and! scienti%ic!e9peri$ents.!#s!a!result'!they!ha3e!peace!o%!$ind!and!sol3e!their!pro+le$s!with! ease.!1owe3er'!those!who!do!not!&now!the!truth!are!+u%%eted!constantly!+y!changing! ai$s!and!$ethods'!and!so!are!always!disillusioned.

!People!are!estee$ed!and!appreciated!in!proportion!to!the!pro%undity!and!content!o%!their!&nowledge.! "he!&nowledge!o%!those!who!spread!gossip!and!idle!tal&!is!nothing!$ore!than!gossip!and!idle!tal&.! 8n!the!other!hand'!truly!3alua+le!indeed!are!those!who!use!their!&nowledge!as!a!pris$!to!percei3e! things!and!e3ents'!as!a!light!to!illu$inate!)space-!to!the!dar&est!points'!and!to!reach!the!$ost! transcendent!truths.!MBl $eya %oldaki IC/klar'!".Z.V.!4ayRne3i'!;>$ir'!1??6'!Vol.2'!M?th!editionN'! pp.?C14N

7egretting Science and /echnology

Despite!the!disasters!caused!+y!science!and!technology'!their!$ista&en!approach!to!the!truth'!and!their! %ailure!to!+ring!hu$an!happiness'!we!cannot!conde$n!the$!outright!and!+eco$e!pure!idealists.!Science! and!technology!alone!are!not!responsi+le!%or!a!de3alued!hu$anity'!di$inished!hu$an!%eelings'!and!the! serious!wea&ening!o%!certain!hu$an!3irtues!along!with!health!and!the!a+ility!to!thin&.!Hather'!the!%ault!lies! with!scientists!who!a3oid!their!responsi+ility'!who!cause!science!to!de3elop!in!a!$aterialistic!and!al$ost! purely!scienti%ic!at$osphere'!and!then!let!it!+e!e9ploited!+y!an!irresponsi+le!$inority.!Dany!worrying! conditions!pro+a+ly!would!not!e9ist!i%!scientists!had!re$ained!aware!o%!their!social!responsi+ility'!and!i%!the! *hurch!had!not!%orced!science!to!de3elop!in!opposition!to!religion. .lowing!to!the!%uture!li&e!a!rapid!%lood!%ull!o%!energy!and!3itality'!and!so$eti$es!rese$+ling!a!da>>ling! garden'!the!natural!world!is!li&e!a!+oo&!%or!us!to!study'!an!e9hi+ition!to!+ehold'!and!a!trust!%ro$!which!we! can!+ene%it.! e!are!responsi+le!%or!studying!the!$eaning!and!content!o%!this!trust!so!that!we!and!%uture! generations!$ay!+ene%it!%ro$!it.!5%!we!wish'!we!can!call!this!relationship!science. Science!also!can!+e!descri+ed!as!co$prehending!what!things!and!e3ents!tell!us'!what!the!Di3ine!laws!re3eal! to!us'!and!stri3ing!to!understand!the!*reator6s!purpose.!*reated!to!rule!creation'!we!need!to!o+ser3e!and! read'!to!discern!and!learn!a+out!our!surroundings!so!that!we!can!%ind!the!+est!way!to!e9ert!our!in%luence!and! control.! hen!we!reach!this!le3el'!+y!the!decree!o%!the!E9alted!*reator'!e3erything!will!su+$it!to!us!and! we!will!su+$it!to!/od. "here!is!no!reason!to!%ear!science.!"he!danger!does!not!lie!with!science!and!the!%ounding!o%!the!new!world! it!will!usher!in'!+ut!rather!with!ignorance!and!irresponsi+le!scientists!and!others!who!e9ploit!it!%or!their!own! sel%ish!interest. So!what!is!there!to!%ear!%ro$!science,!Planned!acts!+ased!on!&nowledge!so$eti$es!cause!+ad!results'!+ut! certainly!ignorance!and!disorgani>ation!always!cause!+ad!results.!5nstead!o%!opposing!the!products!o%! science!and!technology'!we!$ust!use!the$!to!+ring!happiness!to!hu$anity.!1erein!lies!the!essence!o%!our! greatest!pro+le$'!%or!we!cannot!ta&e!$easures!against!the!Space!#ge!or!erase!ato$ic!or!hydrogen!+o$+C $a&ing!&nowledge!%ro$!hu$an!&nowledge. #lthough!science!$ight!+e!a!deadly!weapon!in!the!hands!o%!an!irresponsi+le!$inority'!we!should!not! hesitate!to!adopt!+oth!it!and!its!products!and!then!use!the$!to!esta+lish!a!ci3ili>ation!in!which!we!can! secure!our!happiness!in!this!world!and!the!ne9t.!5t!is!pointless!to!curse!$achines!and!%actories'!+ecause! $achines!will!continue!to!run!and!%actories!to!operate.!Science!and!its!products!will!+egin!to!+ene%it!us!only! when!people!o%!truth!and!+elie%!+egin!to!direct!our!a%%airs. e!ha3e!ne3er!su%%ered!har$!%ro$!a!weapon!in!the!hands!o%!angels.! hate3er!we!ha3e!su%%ered!has!co$e! %ro$!those!who!still!+elie3e!that!only!$ight!is!right.!"his!situation!will!continue!until!we!+uild!a!world!on!a! %oundation!o%!%aith!and!science.!MAa= $e "esil'!".Z.V.!4ayRne3i'!;>$ir!1??7'!115\1@N

Art
#rt!is!the!spirit!o%!progress!and!one!o%!the!$ost!i$portant!$eans!o%!de3eloping!e$otions.! "hose!who!cannot!$a&e!use!o%!art!are!un%ortunate'!and!li3e!a!nu$+ed'!di$inished!li%e.

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#rt!is!li&e!a!$agical!&ey!that!opens!hidden!treasures.!Behind!the!doors!it!opens!are!ideas! e$+odied!and!i$aginings!gi3en!su+stantial!%or$. #rt!inspires!hu$an!+eings!to!tra3el!in!the!depths!o%!oceans!and!hea3ens.!By!$eans!o%!art'! hu$anity!sets!sail!%or!the!outer!li$its!o%!the!Earth!and!s&y'!and!reaches!%eelings!+eyond ! ti$e!and!space. #rt!shows!hu$an!senti$ents!and!%eelings!the!highest!goals'!and!incites!sensiti3e!souls!to! pro%ound!depths.! ithout!art'!we!would!ha3e!seen!no!+eauty!in!the!real$!o%!e9istence! where!hu$anity! is!allowed!to!act'!and!all!those!great!a+ilities!and!the!wor&s!they!ha3e! produced!wouldn6t!ha3e!+een!a+le!to!co$e!to!sur%ace.! #rt!$ani%ests!and!de%ines!the!power!and!deepest!potentials!o%!the!hu$an!psyche!and!soul.! "hrough!art'!the!$ost!pro%ound!e$otions!and!thoughts'!the!$ost!stri&ing!o+ser3ations! and!disco3eries'!and!the!$ost!heartC%elt!desires!are!preser3ed!as!i%!recorded!on!a!tape!and! gain!eternity. "hrough!art! co$+ined!with!%aith'!this!onceC$agni%icent!world!o%!5sla$!with!its!$ost! $agni%icent!places!o%!worship'!slender!$inarets!pointing!to!the!real$s!+eyond'!sacred! designs!and!intricate!patterns!car3ed!in!$ar+le!and!+earing!a!distinct!$essage'!di3erse! &inds!o%!calligraphy'!+rilliant!gildings'!and!e$+roideries!as!+eauti%ul!and!%ine!as!+utter%ly! wings'!+eca$e!a!gallery!o%!in3alua+le!+eauty. "rue!&nowledge!shows!itsel%!through!art.!5%!one!has!ne3er!produced!anything!in!the!na$e! o%!art'!how!can!we!say!that!he!or!she!&nows!3ery!$uch, "he!3itality!o%!a!person6s!natural!capa+ilities!is!closely!related!to!the!artistic!spirit.!8ne! de3oid!o%!the!spirit!o%!art!$ay!+e!regarded!as!little!di%%erent!than!a!corpse. #rt!$a&es!iron!$ore!3alua+le!than!gold'!and!copper!$ore!3alua+le!than!+ron>e.!"han&s! to!art'!the!$ost!worthless!$etals!+eco$e!$ore!3alua+le!than!gold'!sil3er'!and!dia$onds. 5t!is!the!sa$e!whether!one!without!the!spirit!o%!art!e9ists!or!not.!Such!people!co$prise! crowds ! that ! are ! o% ! no! +ene%it' ! and! $ight ! e3en! actually! har$%ul ! to' ! the$sel3es' ! their! %a$ilies'!and!their!nations. #ll ! the ! %ine ! arts ! are ! eternal ! gi%ts ! o% ! +lessed ! souls ! to ! hu$anity. ! "he ! products ! o%! technology' ! co$+ined ! with ! the ! spirit ! o% ! art cloc&s ! telling ! us ! the ! ti$eF ! glasses ! to! co$pensate ! or ! correct ! wea&ened ! sightF ! teleco$$unicati3e ! de3ices ! that ! shrin& ! space'! con3eying!sounds!and!i$ages!o3er!un+elie3a+le!distancesF!trains'!+uses'!and!planes!that! transport!us!%ro$!place!to!place all!these!tools!and!o+2ects!in!use!in!ordinary!li%e!can!+e! the!wor&!o%'!and!can!inspire'!sensiti3e'!artistic!souls. ! MBl $eya %oldaki IC/klar'!".Z.V.!
4ayRne3i'!;>$ir!1??B'!Vol.3'!pp.1B4CB?N

<iterature
7iterature!is!the!eloGuent!language!o%!a!nation6s!spiritual!$a&eCup'!world!o%!ideas'!and! culture.!"hose!who!do!not!share!this!)language-!cannot!understand!each!other'!e3en!i%! they!+elong!to!the!sa$e!nation.! ords ! are ! one ! o% ! the ! +est ! $eans ! to ! trans%er ! ideas ! to ! others. ! "hose ! who ! use ! the$! s&ill%ully!Guic&ly!%ind!$any!representati3es!o%!the!thoughts!they!planted!in!others'!and!so! attain!i$$ortality!through!their!ideas.!"hose!who!cannot!do!so!die!without!a!trace'!along! with!the!$ental!pain!they!su%%ered!while!ali3e.! ith!the!$aterial!it!uses!and!its!particular!way!o%!e9pression'!each!type!o%!literature!is!a! uniGue!language.!E3en!i%!e3eryone!understands!so$ething!o%!this!language'!only!poets! and!writers!use!and!spea&!it!with!its!real!$eaning.!

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Yust ! as ! dealers ! o% ! gold ! and ! sil3er ! understand ! gold ! and ! sil3er' ! only! dealers ! in ! words! understand!literary!2ewels.!#n!ani$al!will!eat!a!%lower!lying!on!the!ground'!and!those! who!cannot!appreciate!it!will!step!on!it!and!go!on!their!way.!8nly!one!who!is!truly!hu$an! will!s$ell!it!and!place!it!in!his!or!her!lapel!or!hair. 1igh!thoughts!and!ele3ated!su+2ects!$ust!+e!e9plained!with!a!style!to!penetrate!$inds' ! e9cite!hearts'!and!recei3e!acceptance!%ro$!spirits.!5%!not'!those!who!&eep!the!letter!o%! words!only!will!see!the!torn!and!$isera+le!)clothing-!put!on!the!$eaning'!and!thus!will ! not!see&!the!inner!2ewels.! Deaning!is!literature6s!essential!ele$ent.!"hus!words!should!+e!&ept!to!a!$ini$u$!while! +eing!rich!and!%ull!in!$eaning.!So$e!people!tend!to!e9plain!their!thoughts!with!si$iles'! $etaphors'!allusions'!allusi3e!$etaphors'!and!puns.!1owe3er'!the!$ost!$eaning%ul!word! is !to!+e!sought!in!e9u+erant' !inspired!spiritsF!pro%ound!i$aginations !that!e$+race !all! e9istenceF'!and!+elie3ing'!analy>ing'!and!synthesi>ing!$inds!a+le!to!attain!the!3ision!o%! this!world!and!the!1erea%ter!as!two!%aces!o%!one!truth. ! MBl $eya %oldaki IC/klar'!".Z.V.!
4ayRne3i'!;>$ir!1??B'!Vol.3'!pp.1C11N

8oerty
Poetry!is!the!poetic!e9pression!o%!the!uni3erse6s!hidden!+eauty!and!sy$$etry'!and!the! heartCra3ishing'!s$iling!3iew!o%!e9istence!+y!sensiti3e'!inspired!souls.!#$ong!such!souls! are!those!whose!hearts!ha3e!+eco$e!in&pots'!and!whose!in&!is!the!+reath!o%!the!1oly! Spirit. Poetry!is!the!sound!heard!while!del3ing!into!the!+eyond'!and!the!$oan!co$ing!%ro$!those! so!engaged.!5ts!sounds!and!tunes!are!so$eti$es!uproarious!and!so$eti$es!%ine'!%or!they! depend!on!the!poet6s!spiritual!condition!and!inner!depth.!.or!this!reason'!poetry6s!e3ery! word!and!sound!can!+e!co$prehended!%ully!only!i%!the!hearer!&nows!the!poet6s!spiritual! state!at!the!ti$e!o%!his!or!her!poe$6s!conception. Poetry! is ! +orn! and! ta&es ! shape ! according! to! the ! +elie%'! culture'! and! style ! o% ! thought! a%%ecting!the!poet6s!3iew!and!sensiti3ity. !8nly!inspiration! deepens!it!and!causes!it!to! transcend!consciousness.!5n!a!heart!that!is!e9u+erant!with!inspiration'!an!ato$!+eco$es!a! sun!and!a!drop!+eco$es!an!ocean. Hegardless!o%!how!great!the!role!o%!intelligence!and!thought!is!in!poetry'!the!hu$an!heart! has!a!deep!direction!o%!its!own.!5n!.u>JlI6s!words(!)Dy!word!carries!the!standard!+e%ore! the!ar$y!o%!poets.-! hen!thoughts!growing!in!the!heart!put!on!the!wings!o%!i$agination'! they!+egin!to!%orce!the!doors!o%!in%inity. Poetry'!li&e!entreaty'!e9presses!the!ups!and!downs!as!well!as!the!enthusias$!and!sadness! o%!the!indi3idual6s!inner!world.!"o!the!e9tent!the!poet!concentrates!on!e9alted!truths'!the ! resulting!poe$s !+eco$e!li&e!+reaths!%ro$!+eyond.!E3ery!supplication!is!a!poe$'!and! e3ery!poe$!is!a!supplication!i%!it!%lutters!its!wings!toward!in%inity. #!poe$!that!grows!in!the!thought!o%!in%inity!and!%lies!in!the!s&ies!o%!pure!thought!with! the!heart6s!wings!and!the!spirit6s!strength!does!not!pay!too!$uch!attention!to!positi3e! thought. ! 5t ! uses ! the ! $aterial' !concrete !world!only! as ! a !3ehicle !to!%ind!and!catch!the ! a+stract. Poetry!is!%ar!$ore!than!rhy$ed!speech'!%or!the!$eaning!and!way!o%!e9pression!o%!$any! nonC$etrical!phrases!attract!the!spirit!and!awa&en!wonder!and!a$a>e$ent!in!the!heart.! Each!is!a!$onu$ent!o%!poetry!in!itsel%.! 7i&e!e3ery!+ranch!o%!art'!poetry!that!is!unconnected!to!the!in%inite!is!+arren!and!di$.!"he! hu$an!spirit!%ascinated!with!in%inite!+eauty'!the!hu$an!heart!is!o+sessed!with!in%inity' !

54

and!the!hu$an!conscience!longing!%or!the!eternal!and!eternity!plead!with!artists!to!del3e! into!the!+eyond.!#n!artist!who!resists!this!plea!spends!a!li%eti$e!i$itating!the!e9ternal! %ace!o%!things'!%or!he!or!she!cannot!see!+eyond!this!curtain!o%!lace.! #!poe$!that!considers!%or$!and!$eaning!in!the!relationship!rese$+ling!that!+etween!the! spirit!and!+ody'!without!sacri%icing!one!to!the!other'!will!attain!a!har$ony!that!e3eryone! will!li&e!and!%ind!natural.!E3en!the!i$agination!will!+e!una+le!to!suggest!a!new!$oti%!%or! such!a!poe$.!MBl $eya %oldaki IC/klar'!".Z.V.!4ayRne3i'!;>$ir!1??B'!Vol.3'!pp.12C23N

8earls of Cisdom or 8hiloso hy

8pposing!the!$a2ority' !i%!it!represents!the!truth'!is!a!$ista&e.!8therwise'!consent!is!a! $ista&e.!5t!is!alright!to!oppose!an!engineer!in!$atters!o%!$edicine'!2ust!as!it!is!alright!not! to!consult!with!a!doctor!on!a!construction!pro2ect.! 1elplessness!is!not!only!a!lac&!o%!strength!and!power.!Dany!strong!and!talented!people! are!seen!as!helpless'!+ecause!no+ody!e3er!thought!to!+ene%it!%ro$!the$.! :either ! )dar&ness- ! nor ! another ! light ! can ! de%eat ! those ! whose ! light ! co$es ! %ro$! the$sel3es.!Such!sources!o%!light!will!+urn!throughout!their!natural!li%espan!in!spite!o%! e3erything'!and!will!illu$inate!their!surroundings.! "hose!who!act!according!to!what!they!ha3e!seen!are!not!as!success%ul!as!those!who!act ! according ! to ! what ! they ! &now' ! and ! the ! latter ! are ! not ! as ! success%ul ! as ! those ! who ! act! according!to!their!conscience. Po3erty!is!not!only!the!lac&!o%!$oney'!%or!it!can!assu$e!the!%or$!o%!a!lac&!o%!&nowledge'! thought'!and!talent.!5n!this!respect'!wealthy!people!who!lac&!&nowledge'!thought'!and! talent!can!+e!considered!poor.! /lasses!are!a!3ehicle!%or!the!eyes'!the!eyes!are!a!3ehicle!%or!the!$ind'!the!$ind!is!a ! 3ehicle!%or!insight'!and!insight!is!a!3ehicle!%or!the!conscience.!"he!conscience!is!an!outlet! through!which!the!spirit!can!o+ser3e'!and!a!3ehicle!through!which!it!can!see. 1u$anity!is!a!tree'!and!nations!are!its!+ranches.!E3ents!that!appear!as!hea3y!winds!hurl! the$!against!each!other!and!cause!the$!to!clash.!8%!course'!the!resulting!har$!is!%elt!+y ! the!tree.!"his!is!the!$eaning!o%(!) hate3er!we!do'!we!do!it!to!oursel3es.:ights ! are ! li&e ! arenas ! in ! which ! people ! disco3er' ! de3elop' ! and ! prepare ! %or ! hu$an ! happiness!and!serenity.!/reat!ideas!and!wor&s!always!de3eloped!in!the!wo$+6s!dar&ness! and!were!o%%ered!%or!the!+ene%it!o%!hu$anity.! "he!sto$ach!e9pels!%ood!that!cannot!+e!digested!and!has!no!+ene%it'!and!then!spits!in!its! %ace.!"i$e!and!history!does!the!sa$e!to!useless!people... Hust!is!the!ene$y!o%!iron'!lead!the!ene$y!o%!dia$onds'!and!dissipation!the!ene$y!o%!the! spirit. ! 5% ! it ! does ! not ! cause ! its ! decay ! and ! ruin ! today' ! it ! will ! de%initely ! cause ! the$ ! to$orrow. E3ery!%lood!co$es!%ro$!tiny!drops!whose!e9istence!and!si>e!are!neglected.!/radually'!it! reaches!a!le3el!that!cannot!+e!resisted.!#!society6s!+ody!always!is!open!to!such!types!o% ! %lood.! E3en ! i% ! e9plaining ! &nowledge! and ! truth ! to ! the ! illC$annered ! and ! ine9perienced ! is ! as! di%%icult!as!dealing!with!cra>y!people'!enlightened!people!$ust!do!so!eagerly. Since ! e3eryone ! cannot ! understand ! clear ! truths ! on ! the ! sa$e ! le3el' ! a+straction ! was! a+andoned!in!%a3or!o%!de$onstration'!representation'!and!personi%ication. People!usually!co$plain!o%!ti$e!and!space'!whereas!the!%ault!always!lies!in!ignorance.! "i$e!and!space!are!innocent'!whereas!hu$anity!is!ungrate%ul!and!ignorant.!

55

So$e ! sunny' ! grassy' ! +right ! roads ! adorned! with! %lowers ! e3entually! lead! to! 3alleys ! o%! death'!while!other!steep'!thorny!paths!intersect!with!the!edge!o%!1ea3en.! 8ne!o%!the!wisest!sayings!is(!)Each!person!is!hidden!under!his!or!her!tongue.-!#n!e3en! greater !one !is( !)5% !you ! want !a !%riend'! /od! is !enoughF! i% !you !want !a! co$panion' !the ! Kur6an...e!&now!the!act!and!o+2ect!o%!perception'!+ut!not!the!percei3er.!"he!spirit!&nowsF!the! $ind!is!a!3ehicle.!"he!spirit!seesF!the!eye!is!a!3ehicle. 5%!an!action!results!%ro$!$ental!or!natural!instincts'!it!is!ani$alisticF!i%!it!results!%ro$!the ! will!or!conscience'!it!is!spiritual!or!hu$an.! :onCe9istence!is!a!dread%ul!nothingness'!such!an!in%inite!and!$indC+oggling!%ield!that!not! e3en!one!ato$!o%!e9istence!can!+e!%ound!there. "oday'!people!la+el!as!)%anatical-!those!who!are!de3out.!.anaticis$!$eans!insisting!on ! %alse!and!+lind!persistence.!5nsistence!on!what!is!right!is!a!3irtue'!and!such!+eha3ior!+y!a! +elie3er!cannot!+e!considered!%anaticis$.! So$eti$es!the!sun!appears!in!an!ato$'!a!%lood!in!a!drop'!and!a!+oo&!in!a!sentence.!.or ! such!a!pro%undity'!the!eye!M$eaning!sightN!is!as!i$portant!as!the!word. "he!pen!is!a!golden!channel!%or!the!light!o%!thought.!"his!light!descends!%ro$!the!$ind!to! the!ar$'!and!there%ro$!to!the!%inger'!and!%inally!co$es!out!%ro$!the!pen.! E3en!i%!the!nu$+er!o%!+lind!people!increases'!they!still!cannot!deter$ine!an!ite$6s!color.! "wo!sound!eyes!destroy!their!consensus.! E3ery! tree ! is ! $ade ! up ! o% ! wood. ! # ! tree ! is ! di%%erentiated ! +y! its ! %ruit' ! and ! people ! are! di%%erentiated!+y!their!piety. E3ery!$ind!is!li&e!a!separate!&ni%e!$ade!%ro$!the!sa$e!steel.!#ny!di%%erence!a$ong ! the$!deri3es!%ro$!their!sharpness. 5n!great!and!$agni%icent!nations'!der3ish! lodges!and!e3en!gra3estones!are!orna$ented.! 8ne ! can ! read ! a ! nation6s ! concept ! o% ! +eauty ! and ! art! on ! its ! places ! o% ! worship! and ! its! to$+stones. Datter!has!no!co$prehension'!consciousness'!%eeling'!or!will.!5t!is!co$prised!only!o%! so$e!laws!and!particles!Mused!to!%or$!thingsN.! hat!an!e$+arrassing!$ista&e!it!is!to ! count!it!as!the!essence!o%!e9istence. "rue!philosophy!is!only!a!spiritual!and!$ental!trou+le!Mtrial'!su%%eringN!that!appears!when! /od!arouses!us!to!see&!wisdo$.!MBl $eya %oldaki IC/klar'!".Z.V.!4ayRne3i'!;>$ir!1??7'!M7th!
editionN'!Vol.4'!pp.1C?N

:reedom
.reedo$ ! $eans ! that ! the ! spirit ! 3oluntarily! li$its ! itsel% ! to ! nothing ! other ! than ! su+li$e! %eelings!and!thoughts'!and!ser3es!no!principles!other!than!goodness!and!3irtue. Dany!people!who!are!actually!i$prisoned!or!in!chains!re$ain!%ree!in!their!conscience! and ! so ! do ! not ! %eel ! their ! i$prison$ent. ! Dany! others' ! howe3er' ! do ! not ! taste ! the ! true! $eaning!o%!%reedo$!although!they!inha+it!the!grand!spaces!o%!palaces!and!gardens. "rue!%reedo$! is!ci3ili>ed!%reedo$.!5t!wears!the!dia$ond!chain!o%!religion! and!$orals'! and!the!golden!collar!o%!sound!thin&ing. "rue!%reedo$! is!the!%reedo$!o%!the!hu$an!$ind!%ro$!all!shac&les!that!hinder!it!%ro$! $a&ing!$aterial!and!spiritual!progress'!as!long!as!we!do!not!%all!into!indi%%erence!and! heedlessness.

56

.reedo$!allows!people!to!do!whate3er!they!want'!pro3ided!that!they!do!not!har$!others! and!that!they!re$ain!wholly!de3oted!to!the!truth. .reedo$!that!does!not!ac&nowledge!religious!ideas!and!%eelings'!and!that!does!not!ser3e! as!the!ground!%or!3irtue!and!$orality'!is!li&e!the!desire!to!scratch!onesel%.!*o$$unities! a%%licted!with!this!desire!e3entually!+eco$e!restless!and!wander!o%%!the!co$$on!road!o%! hu$anity.

!"hose!who!regard!%reedo$!as!a+solute!li+erty!con%use!hu$an!%reedo$!with!ani$al!%reedo$.! #ni$als!ha3e!no!$oral!Guestions!as&ed!o%!the$'!and!so!are!%ree!o%!$oral!constraints.!So$e!people! desire!this!&ind!o%!%reedo$!and'!i%!they!can'!use!it!to!indulge!their!dar&est!desires.!Such!%reedo$!is! worse!than!+estial.!"rue!%reedo$'!howe3er'!the!%reedo$!o%!$oral!responsi+ility'!shows!that!one!is! hu$an'!%or!it!$oti3ates!and!enli3ens!the!conscience!and!re$o3es!i$pedi$ents!to!the!spirit.!MBl $eya %oldaki IC/klar'!".Z.V.!4ayRne3i'!;>$ir'!1??@'!Vol.2'!M12th!editionN'!pp.@2C@4N

8rogress
#!nation6s!de3elop$ent!and!progress!depends!upon!the!intellectual!and!spiritual!training! gi3en!to!the!people!who!li3e!within!its!+orders.!#!nation!whose!$e$+ers!are!lac&ing!in! intellectual!and!spiritual!de3elop$ent!should!not!+e!e9pected!to!de3elop!and!progress. :ations!+egin!to!$o3e!+ac&ward!when!they!allow!onceCculti3ated!%ields!to!+e!neglected'! and ! turn ! 3ineyards ! and ! gardens ! into ! ru++ish ! heaps. ! .ertili>ing ! +arren ! soil ! and ! then! culti3ating ! it ! so ! that ! it ! +eco$es ! a ! 3ineyard ! and ! a ! garden ! is ! progress. ! # ! de3eloped! country6s ! lands ! consist ! o% ! gardens' ! its ! $ountains ! ha3e ! 3ineyards' ! and ! its ! places ! o%! worship!are!li&e!$agni%icent!palaces.!5n!contrast'!the!cities!o%!an!underde3eloped!country! are!ruins'!its!streets!are!ru++ish!heaps'!and!its!places!o%!worship!are!le%t!to!decay!as!$oldy! halls. hen!so$ething!has!+een!i$pro3ed'!it!+eco$es!cleaner!and!+righter'!+etter!and!$ore! orderly!than!it!%or$erly!was.!#ccordingly'!+eing!content!with!things!as!they!are!indicates! a!lac&!o%!e%%ort'!while!true!progress!is!the!reali>ation!o%!i$pro3e$ents. Each!ad3ance!%orward!appears!%irst!as!a!concept.!"hen'!the!$ass!o%!people!are!persuaded! to!accept!it.!.inally' !it!is!put!into!practice!+y!those!united!in!heart!and!$ind. !E3ery ! atte$pt!to!$a&e!progress!that!is!not!+ased!on!reason!and!science!is!%utile. 5t!is!a!condition!%or!national!de3elop$ent!that!the!nation6s!people!ha3e!the!sa$e!goal.!#! nation ! cannot ! de3elop ! and ! progress' ! although ! it ! shows ! great ! acti3ity' ! i% ! so$e ! o% ! its! $e$+ers!say!)+lac&-!and!others!say!)white-!%or!the!sa$e!thing. #!co$$unity!that!has!not!educated!its!people!in!a!shared!tradition!e3entually!splits!into! di%%erent!groups!+ased!on!their!di%%erent!&nowledge!and!up+ringing.!"hese!groups!will!+e! hostile!to!each!other.!5t!is!i$possi+ly!di%%icult!%or!such!a!%ractured!co$$unity!to!progress. #lthough!education! is!undenia+ly!i$portant!%or!a!country6s!de3elop$ent'!the!e9pected! results!will!ne3er!+e!achie3ed!i%!the!young!people!are!not!educated!according!to!the! country6s!traditional!3alues.

!!!.or!true!and!+ene%icial!progress!to!+e!$ade'!people!$ust!e3aluate!the!present!conditions!and!use! the!e9perience!o%!%or$er!generations!intelligently.!5%!co$ing!generations!do!not!learn!%ro$!the! e9perience!o%!their!predecessors'!and!each!generation!%ollows!its!own!way'!the!nation!will!+egin!to! $o3e!+ac&ward!instead!o%!%orward.!MBl $eya %oldaki IC/klar'!".Z.V.!4ayRne3i'!;>$ir'!1??@'! Vol.2'!M12th!editionN'!pp.66C6?N

Culture

57

*ulture!is!an!i$portant!resource!that!$ust !+e!used!+y!those!see&ing!to!de3elop!their ! co$$unity!in!the!$ost!+ene%icial!and!appropriate!way.!"here!is!a!3ital!lin&!+etween!the! cohesion! and! strength! o% ! a ! co$$unity6s ! direction! and! the ! authenticity! o% ! its ! cultural! resources. *ulture!is!a!sta+le!$i9!o%!such!%unda$ental!ele$ents!as!language'!education'!tradition'! and!art'!all!o%!which!%or$!a!co$$unity6s!structure!and!li%estyle.!5t!is!a!&ind!o%!+lindness! to!ignore!the!reality!that!these!%unda$ental!ele$ents!ha3e!Mand!ought!to!ha3eN!uniGue ! %eatures'!and!di%%erent!characters!and!te$pera$ents'!%or!they!re%lect!the!people!to!who$! they!+elong.!#!co$$unity!that!has!+ro&en!with!its!essential!cultural!3alues! ine3ita+ly! loses!its!identity!and!collapses!as!a!distinct!society. "he!e9istence!o%!distinct!and!uniGue!cultures!does!not!$ean!that!there!can!Mor!shouldN!not ! +e!any!intercultural!e9changes!o%!ideas!and!people.!Hather'!it!$eans!that!each!culture ! should!de$and!a!)3isa-!%ro$!a!%oreign!cultural!ele$ent!see&ing!entrance.!5ts!right!o%! entry!should!+e!Guestioned!and!granted!only!a%ter!prudent!consideration!o%!what!e%%ect!it! $ight!ha3e!upon!the!indigenous!culture.!.oreign!ele$ents!should!+e!)distilled-!+e%ore! +eing!a+sor+ed!into!the!indigenous!culture.!8therwise'!a!cultural!and!ci3ili>ational!crisis! will!occur. #!distincti3e!culture! e3ol3es!in!the!cruci+le!o%!true!religion'!high!$orality! and!3irtues'! and!wellCdigested!&nowledge.! here!religion!and!$orality!are!opposed!and!re2ected'!and! ignorance!is!widespread'!a!high!culture!cannot!+e!%or$ed.! People!who!see&!their!own!continuance!or!sur3i3al!+y!+lindly!accepting!the!culture!and! ci3ili>ation!o%!others!are!li&e!trees!upon!whose!+ranches!are!hung!the!%ruits!o%!other!trees.! "hey!decei3e!not!only!the$sel3es'!+ut!also!lay!the$sel3es!open!to!ridicule.
*ultural!3alues!ha3e!the!sa$e!$eaning!and!worth!%or!a!people!as!+losso$s!and!%ruits!ha3e!%or!a! tree.!#!co$$unity!that!has!%ailed!to!produce!a!distincti3e!culture'!or!has!lost!or!%orsa&en!it'!$ay! +e!li&ened!to!a!+arren!tree!or!to!one!whose!%ruit!has!dropped!o%%.!"oday!or!to$orrow'!that!tree!will! +e!cut!down!and!used!as!wood.!MBl $eya %oldaki IC/klar'!".Z.V.!4ayRne3i'!;>$ir'!1??@'!Vol.2'! M12th!editionN'!pp.45C4@N

Ci0ili"ation
*i3ili>ation!does!not!$ean!+eing!rich!and!putting!on!%ine!airs'!nor!does!it!$ean!satis%ying ! carnal!desires!and!leading!a!lu9urious'!dissipated!li%e.! hat!it!really!$eans!is!+eing!ci3il ! and!courteous'!&indChearted'!pro%ound!in!thought'!and!respect%ul!to!others. Sa3age !people! are !usually!cruel' !oppressi3e !and! +loodthirsty' !as !they! usually! li3e! +y! plundering ! ` ! 1owe3er' ! what ! a+out ! those ! ci3ili>ed ! sa3ages ! eGuipped ! with ! $odern! weaponry' ! who ! are ! always ! see&ing ! and ! %inding ! su+tle' ! decei3ing ! ways ! o% ! shedding! +lood, *o$$unities!+ased!on!the!2oining!o%!science!and!$orality!always!ha3e!esta+lished!true! ci3ili>ations.!.or!this!reason'! estern!ci3ili>ation!re$ains!paraly>ed!+ecause!it!is!+ased! $ainly ! on ! science' ! and ! Eastern ! M#sianN ! ci3ili>ations ! are ! not ! )true- ! +ecause' ! in ! their! present!conditions'!they!ha3e!no!scienti%ic!+ac&ground.!"he!ci3ili>ation!o%!the!%uture!will! ha3e ! to ! +e ! %ounded ! upon ! a ! co$+ination ! o% ! estern ! science ! and ! Eastern ! %aith! and! $orality. *i3ili>ation!$eans!$ore!than!scienti%ic!ad3ance$ent'!$odern!$eans!o%!transportation'! ships'!and!li3ing!in!large!cities!with!s&yscrapers.! hile!such!things!$ay!+e!ad2uncts!to! ci3ili>ation'!it!is!%olly!and!ignorance!to!identi%y!ci3ili>ation!with!the$. 5%!a!gi3en!ci3ili>ation! is!not!+ased!on!$orality! and!3irtue! and!nurtured!in!the!pool!o%! intelligence!and!conscience'!it!is!no!$ore!than!a!passing!%lash!o%!illu$inations!that!ser3es! 5@

a!couple!o%!rich!people!and!e9cites!so$e!thrill!see&ers.! %ooled!+y!its!+lin&ing!lights.

hat!a!pity!%or!those!who!are!

8ne!+eco$es!truly!ci3ili>ed!only!when!all!hu$an!3irtues!and!potentialities!ha3e!+een!de3eloped! to!the!degree!that!they!+eco$e!second!nature.!People!who!thin&!that!ci3ili>ation!$eans!indulging! all!&inds!o%!desires'!and!who!identi%y!it!with!outward!%or$s!and!$odern!%ashions'!are!those!lac&ing! in!sound!2udg$ent!and!who!ha3e!gi3en!in!to!their!+odily!desires.!MBl $eya %oldaki IC/klar'! ".Z.V.!4ayRne3i'!;>$ir'!1??@'!Vol.2'!M12th!editionN'!pp.@5C@@N

5?

/he future of the world and the ins ired generation to build it
/he Hictory of 6oodness And 4eauty
/oodness'!+eauty'!truth%ulness'!honesty'!and!+eing!3irtuous!are!the!essence!o%!the!world.! hate3er! happens'!the!world!will!one!day!%ind!this!essence'!%or!no!one!can!pre3ent!such!an!e3ent.!MBl $eya %oldaki IC/klar'!".Z.V.!4ayRne3i'!;>$ir'!1??@'!Vol.2'!M12th!editionN'!p.112N

/he 3a

y :uture

7i%e!is!possi+le!only!through!hopeF "he!hopeless!are!distressed!and!unhappy. D.!#&i%

Dy!eyes!closed'!5!i$agine!the!happy!%uture!+eing!%or$ed!in!the!)land!o%!$y!hope.-!Beauties!o%!e3ery!sort! co$ing!out!%ro$!corners!o%!e9istence!run!through!our!houses!and!streets'!and!through!institutions!o%! education!and!worship.!He%lecting!+ac&!in!the!roo$s!o%!our!houses'!they!en3elope!us!as!a!%lood!o%!light.! *o$+ined!with!colors'!this!light!%or$s!a!rain+ow'!under!which!5!run!continuously!to!)set!it!up-!in!$y!eyes! and!soul!as!an!e3erlasting!arch!o%!happiness. hile!we!pass!in!a!second!under!a!$anC$ade!arch'!it!see$s!i$possi+le!to!pass!under!this!hea3enly!arch! MrisingN!o3er!us.!#s!we!run!under!it'!we!%eel!our!li%e!united!with!all!o%!e9istence!in!an!endless!strea$.! e! watch!in!a$use$ent!the!things!%lowing!+ac&!a%ter!a!short!halt!on!either!side!to!greet!us'!and!then!are! replaced!+y!new!ones.! e!are!enraptured!with!the!i$$aterial!pleasures!co$ing!%ro$!that!continuous! strea$!o%!things!and!inti$acy!+etween!the$!and!us. "rees!sway!gently!with!the!+ree>e'!hills!are!green!and!radiant'!sheep!gra>e!here!and!s&ip!and!+leat!o3er! there'!and!3illages!lay!scattered!on!slopes!and!in!plains!and!3alleys.! e!o+ser3e!with!delight!how!all!these! contri+ute!to!a!uni3ersal!har$ony'!and!co$$ent!that!one!li%espan!is!not!enough!to!i$+i+e!all!these! pleasures. "hese!colors!and!lights!and!sounds'!this!li3eliness!springing!%ro$!the!+reast!o%!e9istence'!are!re%lected!in! the!world!o%!our!e$otions.! e!%eel!as!i%!we!are!listening!to!lyrics!co$posed!o%!sweet!daydrea$s!and! $e$ories!%lowing!in!wa3es.! e!a+sor+!the!3ast!Boo&!o%!:ature'!which!arouses!within!us!!spiritual! pleasures!with!its!1ea3en!and!Earth!and!all!their!contents.!"his!+oo&!%ills!us!with!indescri+a+le!delight!and! 2oy'!and!ele3ates!us!to!the!higher!real$s!o%!e9istence. ith!each!new!season'!we!%ind!oursel3es!as!i%!wa&ing!up!%ro$!a!di%%erent!sleep!o%!death!and!encountering! 3arious!colors!ranging!%ro$!purple!to!green.! e!%eel!caressed!+y!+ree>es!con3eying!the!per%u$e!o%!%lowers! and!%ruits!and!ears!o%!grain. "hese!tre$endous!spectacles'!which!i$plant!in!souls!the!sense!o%!+eauty'!gi3e!so$e!relie%!e3en!to!those! pessi$ists!who!always!see!e3erything!through!the!window!o%!their!dar&!souls!and!are!o3erwhel$ed!with! e3il!thoughts!and!suspicion.!#s!%or!+elie3ers'!ti$e!strea$s!in!the$!and!echoes!li%e6s!$elody!in!each!o%!their! cells.!Dornings!co$e!upon!the$!with!the!songs!o%!gentle!+ree>es!+lowing!through!the!tree!lea3es'! $ur$uring!strea$s'!twittering!+irds'!and!children6s!cries.!"he!sun!sets!in!their!hori>on'!arousing!in!the$! di%%erent!%eelings!o%!lo3e!and!e9cite$ent.!:ights!ta&e!the$'!in!3arious!pitches!o%!$usic'!through!ti$e6s! $ysterious!tunnels!and!nature6s!$ost!ro$antic!spectacles. E3ery!spectacle!we!o+ser3e!within!the!hori>on!o%!+elie%!and!hope'!and!e3ery!3oice!we!hear'!re$o3es!all!the! 3eils!%ro$!our!souls!and!ta&es!us!through!paradisiacal!3alleysEradiant!and!so%t'!pure!and!serene'!and! pleasantEin!which!ti$e!acGuires!in%inity.!"his!peace!attracts!us!into!%ascinating!worlds'!hal%Cseen'!hal%C unseen'!which!we!ha3e!long!+een!watching!with!the!eyes!o%!our!hearts'!as!i%!%ro$!+ehind!a!lace!curtain. #t!this!point'!when!the!spirit!is!enraptured!with!the!pleasure!o%!o+ser3ing'!the!tongue!is!silent'!eyes!are! closed'!and!ears!no!longer!recei3e!sounds.!E3erything!is!3oiced!with!the!tongue!o%!the!heart.!Pure!thoughts! and!%eelings!en3elop!people!as!3apors!o%!2oy!and!e9cite$ent'!and!in!the!%ace!o%!such!da>>ling!spectacles'! the!spirit!%eels!as!i%!it!is!wal&ing!in!gardens!o%!Paradise.!M%itirilmiC 3ennet6e Do=ru'!".Z.V.!4ayRne3i'!;>$ir! 1??7'!pp.4@C5BN

6B

/owards the Corld of I7ighteous Ser0antsJ

Highteous!ser3ants!will!e3entually!inherit!the!world.! hat!are!the!criteria!o%!righteousness, "he!%irst!and!%ore$ost!Guality!o%!the!heir!is!per%ect!%aith.!"he!Kur6an!deter$ines!the!purpose!o%!!the! creation!o%!hu$anity!to!+e!+elie%!in!/od'!which!is!wo3en!%ro$!the!threads!o%!the!&nowledge!o%!/od'!lo3e'! enthusias$!and!spiritual!%ul%il$ent. 5ndeed'!it!is!only!in!the!light!o%!%aith!that!people'!+y!reali>ing!their!essential!nature!with!all!its! di$ensions!and!the!e9istential!ai$s!o%!creation'!can!penetrate!the!inner!reality!o%!e9istence.!*ontrary!to! this'!lac&!o%!+elie%!is!a!su%%ocating!dungeon.!5n!the!3iew!o%!an!un+elie3er'!e9istence!+egan!with!chaos'! de3eloped!in!the!%rightening!uncertainties!o%!coincidences'!and!is!speeding!towards!a!terri+le!end.!5n!this! uncertain!$o3e$ent!o%!e9istence'!there!is!neither!a!+reath!o%!co$passion!to!relie3e!us'!nor!a!place!o%! security!to!e$+race!us!in!our!hu$an!desires'!nor!e3en!a!piece!o%!ground!to!step!on. #!+elie3er!who!&nows!%ro$!where!he!or!she!ca$e!%ro$!and!the!destination!o%!his!or!her!li%e'!together! with!hisXher!responsi+ilities'!sees!e3erything!as!clearly!as!Wdaylight6!and'!+ecause!o%!this'!heXshe!tra3els!to! hisXher!destination!in!ut$ost!security.!During!hisXher!so2ourn'!heXshe!care%ully!studies!e9istence!and!what! lies!+ehind!e9istence.!1eXshe!e9a$ines!things!and!e3ents!o3er!and!o3er!again!and!tries!to!esta+lish!a! connection!with!e3erything!around!hi$Xher.!1e!ne3er!re%rains!%ro$!$a&ing!use!o%!the!studies!o%!others!and'! where!heXshe!lac&s!in!su%%icient!&nowledge!and!e9perience'!goes!on!with!hisXher!researches'!without!tiring! and!losing!hope. "here!is!an!ine9hausti+le!source!o%!power!on!which!a!+elie3er!relies!during!hisXher!tra3el!\!there!is!no! strength!and!power!sa3e!with!/od.!"his!phrase!is!a!source!o%!power!which!a!person!who!has!o+tained!it'! %eels!no!need!%or!another.!#!+elie3er!who!has!eGuipped!hi$sel%Xhersel%!with!this!source!o%!power!ai$s!%or! none!+ut!/od.!1eXshe!leads!hisXher!li%e!to!secure!1is!appro3al.!1eXshe!has!an!a+iding!opti$is$!with!which! to!o3erco$e!e3ery!o+stacle!and!challenge!all!&inds!o%!worldly!opposition. "he!second!Guality!o%!the!heir!is!to!+eco$e!o3er%lowing!with!lo3e.!#!person!with!a!heart!content!with! +elie%!in!and!&nowledge!o%!/od!%eels'!in!proportion!to!the!degree!o%!hisXher!+elie%!and!&nowledge'!a!deep! lo3e!%or!all!hu$an!+eings!and!e3en!the!whole!creation.!5t!is!this!person!who!spends!hisXher!whole!li%eCspan! in!the!colour%ul!%luctuations!o%!uni3ersal!ecstasies'!raptures!and!spiritual!pleasure. "oday'!as!in!e3ery!era'!there!is!need!%or!hearts!to!+e!enraptured!with!lo3e!and!o3er%low!with!>eal!so! that!a!new!re3i3al!could!+e!reali>ed.! ithout!lo3e'!it!is!i$possi+le!to!acco$plish!any!per$anent! $o3e$ent'!especially!i%!the!$o3e$ent!is!related!to!the!1erea%ter.!"he!Di3ine!lo3e!which!we!%eel!in!order! to!gain!/od6s!appro3al!is!a!+oundless!and!$ysterious!source!o%!power.!"he!)heirs!to!the!earth-!should! ne3er!+e!heedless!o%!this!source!and!should!$a&e!as!$uch!use!o%!it!as!possi+le. e!need!to!loo&!into!the!origin!o%!e9istence!%ro$!the!perspecti3e!o%!the!Kur6an!and!the!e9a$ple! MSunnaN!o%!the!no+le!Prophet'!upon!hi$!+e!peace!and!+lessings.!"he!origin!o%!hu$anity'!its!place!in!the! uni3erse'!the!Di3ine!purpose!%or!its!creation'!and!the!way!it!should!conduct!in!its!li%e!as!well!as!its!%inal! destination'!are!in!such!a!har$ony!in!these!two!sources!\!the!Boo&!and!the!Sunna!\!with!hu$an!thoughts! and!%eelings!and!hu$anity6s!aspirations!that!we!cannot!help!+ut!+e!%illed!with!wonder!and!ad$iration.! "hese!two!pure!sources!are'!%or!people!o%!understanding'!a!spring!o%!lo3e!and!enthusias$'!and!a!$eans!to! ecstasy.!"hose!who!ha3e!recourse!to!the$!with!pure!intention!and!with!petitions!o%!needs!are!not!re%used'! and!those!who!ta&e!re%uge!in!the$!gain!i$$ortality.!"hey!need!to!do!so'!howe3er'!with!the!sincerity!o%! people!li&e!5$a$!/ha>ali'!5$a$!Ha++ani'!Shah! aliyullah!and!Bediu>>a$an.!"hey!need!to!approach! these!sources!with!the!e9cite$ent!o%!/hali+!Dede!and!Deh$ed!#&i%'!and!turn!to!the$!with!the!con3iction! and!acti3ity!o%!=halid'!WAG+a!and!Salah!alCDin.!5ndeed'!+y!co$+ining!the!lo3e!and!enthusias$!o%!those! personages!with!$odern!$ethods!and!styles'!we!will!penetrate!into!the!e3erC%resh!essence!o%!the!Kur6an! and!arri3e!at!a!uni3ersal!$etaphysics. "o!turn!to!sciences!with!a!sensi+le!synthesis!o%!intellect'!logic!and!consciousness!is!the!third!Guality!o%! the!generation!who!will!inherit!the!Earth.!"his!turning'!which!will!also!pro3ide!a!direction!%or!the!general! inclination!o%!hu$anity'!which!is!lost!a$ong!so$e!o+scure!hypotheses'!will!+e!a!signi%icant!step!in!the! li+eration!o%!$an&ind. #s!pointed!out!+y!Bediu>>a$an'!$an&ind!is!increasingly!concentrating!on!sciences!and!technology'! dri3ing!all!their!strength!%ro$!sciences.!Bediu>>a$an!also!pointed!out!that!in!order!to!present!to!the!$asses! the!product!o%!scienti%ic!&nowledge'!eloGuence!and!rhetoric!will!gain!$o$entu$!and!ascendancy.!5n!%act'! we!no!longer!ha3e!any!other!way!to!escape!%ro$!the!cloudy!at$osphere!o%!illusions!en3eloping!us.! e!no!

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longer!ha3e!any!other!way!to!reach!truthts!and'!$ost!i$portantly'!the!$ost!$ani%est!"ruth.!"o!achie3e!this'! we!$ust!reCe3aluate!sciences!in!the!light!o%!the!pris$!o%!the!Di3ine!He3elation!and!+eco$e!uniGue! representati3es!o%!scienti%ic!&nowledge!co$+ined!with!religious!spirit. Since!we!ha3e!not!+een!a+le!so!%ar!to!assign!a!true!direction!%or!sciences!and'!conseGuently'!con%used! re3ealed!&nowledge!with!scienti%ic!theories'!and!so$eti$es!scienti%ic!&nowledge!with!philosophy'!serious! con%usions!ha3e!appeared!in!scienti%ic!thought!and!scientists!ha3e!lost!considera+le!estee$.!"he!younger! generations'!as!a!result'!were!alienated!%ro$!their!society.!#%ter!a!while'!these!ine9perienced!generations! lost!all!their!religious!and!$oral!3alues'!with!the!result!that!as!a!whole!nation!we!were!all!degraded!in! thought'!ideals'!art!and!li%e.!Heligion!and!religious!people!were!unceasingly!attac&ed!+y!destructi3e! representati3es!o%!unenlighten$ent'!and!e3il!aspects!o%!$odern!ci3ili>ation!were!propagated.!5t!is! i$possi+le!%or!us!to!%orget!this!dar&!period!o%!history!and!those!who!are!responsi+le!%or!it!will!always!+e! re$e$+ered!as!the!national!and!historical!cri$inals!in!the!conscience!o%!people. "he!%ourth!characteristic!o%!the!generation!to!who$!the!%inal!inheritance!o%!the!Earth!+elongs!is!to! re3iew!and!reCe3aluate!the!esta+lished!3iews!o%!hu$anity'!li%e!and!the!uni3erse.!!"he!%ollowing!points! should!+e!considered!in!this!respect( .irstly'!the!uni3erse!is!a!+oo&!written!+y!/od!%or!us!to!study!o3er!and!o3er!again.!1u$anity!is!a! transparent!inde9!o%!all!the!worlds'!a!+eing!a+le!to!disco3er!the!depths!o%!e9istence.!#s!%or!li%e'!it!is!the! $ani%estation!o%!the!$eanings!%iltered!%ro$!that!inde9!and!+oo&'!and!re%lected!+y!Di3ine!E9pression! throughout!the!uni3erse.!5%!hu$anity'!li%e!and!the!uni3erse!are!three!aspects!o%!a!single!reality!with!each! ha3ing!a!genuine!colour!o%!its!own'!then!a!partial!approach!to!the$!will!+e!a!disrespect!to!+oth!hu$anity'!in! particular'!and!the!whole!creation'!in!general'!as!it!will!de$olish!the!har$onious!co$position!o%!reality. #s!it!is!indeed!incu$+ent!upon!hu$anity!to!study'!understand!and!o+ey!the!Di3ine!He3elation!\!the! Scripture!\!deri3ed!%ro$!/od6s!#ttri+ute!o%!Speech'!so!too!it!is!necessary!%or!it!to!percei3e!all!things!and! e3ents!to!which!/od!gi3es!e9istence!through!1is!=nowledge'! ill!and!Power.!Being!the!$ani%estation!o%! the!Di3ine!#ttri+ute!o%!Speech'!the!glorious!Kur6an!is!the!spirit!o%!e9istence!and!the!sole!$eans!o%! happiness!in!this!world!and!the!1erea%ter.!"he!)Boo&-!o%!the!uni3erse!is!the!e$+odi$ent!o%!this!spirit!and! is!an!account!o%!the!+ranches!o%!science!originating!in!it.!5t!is!there%ore!a!3ery!i$portant!dyna$ic!o%!+oth! worlds'!direct!in!relation!to!this!li%e'!indirect!with!respect!to!the!other.!.or!this!reason'!there!will!+e!a! reward!%or!understanding!+oth!o%!these!+oo&s!and!applying!their!principles!in!practical!li%e.!"hose!who! neglect!or!ignore!the$!will!$eet!the!conseGuences!o%!their!neglect. Secondly'!a!person6s!hu$anity!lies!in!hisXher!%eelings'!thoughts!and!character'!which!are!also!the! standards!in!deter$ining!hisXher!estee$!in!the!sight!o%!+oth!the!*reator!and!the!created.!Su+li$e!hu$an! attri+utes'!depth!o%!thought!and!%eeling'!and!a!sound!character'!are!3alued!+y!e3ery+ody.!"he!one!who! adulterates!hisXher!%aith!and!con3iction!with!irreligious!thoughts!and!causes!distrust!in!hisXher!character'! will!neither!+e!a+le!to!recei3e!/od6s!support!and!help!nor!preser3e!hisXher!estee$!and!dignity!in!the!sight! o%!people.!5t!should!ne3er!+e!%orgotten!that!/od!#l$ighty'!as!well!as!people'!e3aluates!a!hu$an!+eing! according!to!hisXher!hu$an!character'!and!who!lac&!hu$an!3alues!are!not!a+le!to!per%or$!great!%eats!e3en! i%!they!appear!to!+e!good!+elie3ers.!8n!the!other!hand'!it!is!i$possi+le!%or!those!who!are!distinguished!with! lauda+le!3irtues!and!a!sound!character!to!+e!always!su+2ect!to!utter!%ailure!despite!their!apparent!wea&ness! in!li3ing!in!con%or$ity!with!religious!principles. "hirdly'!an!5sla$ic!goal!can!+e!achie3ed!through!5sla$ic!$eans!and!$ethods!only.!5t!is!a+solutely! incu$+ent!on!Dusli$s!to!pursue!5sla$ic!goals!and!adopt!5sla$ic!$ethods!in!attaining!their!goals.!#s!it!is! i$possi+le!to!secure!/od6s!appro3al!without!sincerity!and!purity!o%!intention'!so!too'!neither!can!5sla$!+e! ser3ed!nor!Dusli$s!directed!toward!their!real!targets!through!dia+olic!$eans!and!$ethods. "he!generation!who!will!ta&e!on!the!responsi+ility!o%!+ringing!2ustice!and!happiness!to!the!world! should!+e!a+le!to!thin&!%reely!and!respect!%reedo$!o%!thought.!.reedo$!is!a!signi%icant!di$ension!o%!hu$an! %ree!will!and!a!&ey!to!the!$ysteries!o%!hu$an!identity. "he!Dusli$!world!has!+een!under!pressure!%or!centuries!%ro$!+oth!within!and!outside.!Ander!such! conditions!where!restrictions!ha3e!+een!put!on!our!%eelings'!thoughts'!culture'!and!education'!it!is!al$ost! i$possi+le!%or!a!person!to!re$ain!with!hu$an!%aculties'!let!alone!reali>e!a!renewal!and!de3elop$ent.!5n!a! cli$ate!where!it!is!di%%icult!to!re$ain!e3en!as!a!co$$on!hu$an!+eing!with!hu$an!3alues'!it!$ust!+e!Guite! i$possi+le!to!+ring!up!a!person!o%!true!greatness.!8nly!people!with!wea&!character'!inacti3e!disposition'! palsied!+rains!and!paraly>ed!%eelings!grow!in!such!cli$ates. 5%!this!is!so'!we!should!reali>e!the!need!to!+e!$ore!tolerant!and!$ore!altruistic!when!we!$o3e!%orward! toward!a!+etter!%uture.! e!need!today!$ore!than!anything!else!$agnani$ous!hearts!and!open'!pro%ound! $inds!which!are!respect%ul!o%!%ree!thin&ing!and!open!to!the!sciences!and!scienti%ic!research!and!which!are!

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a+le!to!percei3e!the!har$ony!+etween!the!Kur6an!and!the!Di3ine!laws!o%!the!uni3erse!and!li%e.!"his!reGuires! the!e9istence!o%!a!co$$unity!in!which!genius!can!%lourish.!5n!the!past'!a!single!person!o%!genius!could! succeed!in!leading!a!nation!toward!high!o+2ecti3es'!+ut!today!when!e3erything!has!ta&en!on!an!incredi+ly! ela+orate!%or$'!and!speciali>ation!has!gained!pro$inence'!counsel!and!collecti3e!consciousness!ha3e! replaced!geniuses.!"his!is!the!si9th!point!which!should!+e!gi3en!due!consideration!+y!the!generation!who! ai$!to!gi3e!a!+etter!shape!to!the!world. e!ha3e!not!+een!a+le'!in!the!latest!phase!o%!history'!to!esta+lish!a!desira+le!coordination!+etween!the! 3ital!institutions!o%!the!society.!5t!is'!indeed'!a!%act!that!$odern!schools!could!not!sa3e!the$sel3es!%ro$!the! in%luence!o%!$odern!)scholasticis$-!and!ideological!dog$asF!institutions!o%!religious!education!were! closed!to!sciences!and!scienti%ic!thought'!de3oid!o%!the!spirit!and!the!power!to!+ring!a+out!new!%or$ations.! "he!representati3es!o%!spiritual!training!lost!their!lo3e!and!enthusias$'!consoling!the$sel3es!with!3irtues! and!wonders!o%!the!saints!who!had!li3ed!in!pre3ious!centuries.!*onseGuently'!e3erything!was!upset'!and!the! )tree!o%!hu$anity-!was!con3ulsed!so!3iolently!that!it!nearly!toppled.!Sadly!it!see$s!that'!until!the!%ortunate! representati3es!o%!the!+right!%uture!reC%or$!these!3ital!institutions!in!a!way!that!they!can!per%or$!their!real! %unctions'!and!+ring!%orward!the!wedding!o%!the!$ind!and!heart!so!as!to!$a&e!the!ground!propitious!%or!the! up+ringing!o%!the!per%ect!generations!o%!thought'!action!and!inspiration'!such!con3ulsions!o%!di%%erent! degrees!will!not!cease. .inally'!the!generation!who!ai$!to!gi3e!a!+etter!shape!to!the!world!should!+e!eGuipped!with! $athe$atical!thought.!Dathe$atical!thought!i$plies!a!co$prehension!o%!the!enig$atic!connection! +etween!creation!and!the!)laws-!o%!$athe$atics'!and!a!disco3ery!o%!the!$ysterious!world!o%!nu$+ers.! ithout!$athe$atics'!it!is!not!possi+le!to!percei3e!the!$utual!relations!+etween!hu$anity!and!thingsF!it!is! $athe$atics!which'!li&e!a!source!o%!light'!illu$inates!our!way!along!the!line!%ro$!the!uni3erse!to!li%e!and! shows!us!the!depths!o%!the!world!o%!possi+ilities!+eyond!hu$an!i$agination'!thus!ena+ling!us!to!attain!our! ideals. 5n!order!to!o+tain!a!%ull!perception!o%!e9istence'!we!should!%ollow!the!laws!o%!$athe$atics!in!all!%ields! %ro$!physics!to!$athe$atics'!%ro$!$atter!to!energy'!%ro$!+ody!to!soul'!and!%ro$!law!to!spiritual!training.! "his!i$plies!the!need!to!adopt!+oth!spiritual!training!and!scienti%ic!research.!"he! est'!in!order!to! co$pensate!%or!a!real!or!true!syste$!o%!spiritual!training'!has!had!to!ha3e!recourse!to!soCcalled!$ystical! $o3e$ents.!But!Dusli$s!ha3e!no!need!to!search!%or!a!%oreign!syste$!to!Guench!their!thirst!%or!spiritual! satis%action.!E3erything!a!person!$ay!need!to!design!hisXher!li%e!on!sound!%oundations!can!+e!%ound!in! 5sla$'!pro3ided!that!heXshe!is!a+le!to!understand!5sla$!in!its!pristine!purity!and!original! co$prehensi3eness. 7astly'!in!oder!to!understand!the!thought!o%!art!which!righteous!ser3ants!who$!should!ha3e'!we!should! ha3e!a!$uch!$ore!de3eloped!intellectual!capacity!and!re%ined!%eelings!and!sensiti3ity.!M uhumu8un Heykelini )kame #derken'!:il!#.Q.!;>$ir!1??@'!pp.27C37N

<eading# ;1alted S irits

7eading'!e9alted!spirits!are!pure!in!$ind'!no+le!in!character'!healthy!and!acti3e'!deepCsighted!and!wise'!%ull! o%!hu$anitarian!%eelings!toward!hu$anity!and!o%!lo3e!and!co$passion!%or!their!own!people.!"hey!are!a! s$all!group!o%!holy!people!who!were!leaders!in!history.!"i$e!is!%reed!%ro$!relati3ity!through!whose! $essages'!and!their!enlighten$ent!changes!the!)+lac&!holes-!o%!space!into!halls!o%!Paradise. "hey!are!+ound!together!+y!a!uniGue!world3iew!and!+elie%!in!one!8+2ect!o%! orship.!"here%ore'!they!are! aware!o%!the!goal!o%!their!li%e'!are!always!at!)heights'-!and!win!3ictory!a%ter!3ictory!and!honor!a%ter!honor. hen!they!are!occupied!with!their!inner!world'!with!nothing!to!e9cite!the$'!they!are!e9traordinarily!cal$! and!peace%ul.!"hey!are!so!gentle!that!those!who!see!the$!regard!the$!as!angels.!But!they!are!as!hard!and! in%le9i+le!as!steel!when!roused!to!%ighting!%or!their!ideals.! ithout!tiring'!they!gallop!great!distances!to! o3erco$e!all!o+stacles.!"hey!continue!%ir$ly!on!their!way'!con3eying!their!$essage!until!their!guide!tells! the$!to!stop. "hey!hold!%ast!to!their!principles'!and!re$ain!co$passionate!toward!each!other!and!%aith%ul!to!their!leader'! in!whose!hands!each!is!li&e!a!sword!o%!stainless!steel.!Dedicated!to!their!cause'!they!spend!their!li3es! see&ing!/od6s!pleasure!+y!ser3ing!their!nation!and!hu$anity. E3en!i%!their!plans!are!upset'!their!%orces!destroyed'!and!discouraging!$is%ortunes!+e%all!the$'!they!are! ne3er!sha&en.! ith!renewed!3igor'!they!set!out!again!in!%ull!su+$ission!to!and!total!reliance!upon!/od.

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hen!they!stand!+e%ore!/od'!each!is!so!de3oted!a!worshipper!that!those!who!see!the$!thin&!they!ha3e! renounced!the!world!co$pletely.!But!they!thoroughly!change!when!on!the!+attle%ield.!#lthough!they!ne3er! thin&!o%!attac&ing!%irst'!they!gi3e!no!respite!to!their!ene$ies!once!the!+attle!+egins.! hate3er!ai$!they! pursue'!they!continue!struggling!until!it!is!o+tained. "hey!hate!the!%eeling!o%!hatred!and!repel!e3il!with!what!is!+est.!"hey!ne3er!lower!the$sel3es!+y!treating! e3en!their!ene$ies!$eanlyF!instead'!they!ta&e!great!pleasure!in!welco$ing!their!de%eated!ene$ies!war$ly! and!with!a!gentle!$anner. "hey!are!reasona+le!and!wise!in!all!their!acts!and!decisions.!"heir!insight!and!discern$ent!allow!the$!to! sol3e!e3en!the!$ost!intricate!pro+le$s.!#s!a!result'!they!are!a+le!to!i$plant!hope!and!resolution!in!the! hearts!o%!e3en!the!$ost!hopeless!people.!"hey!use!all!their!strength'!energy'!and!a+ility!to!help'!and!ne3er! to!har$'!hu$anity. Deeply!attached!to!their!country!and!people'!they!are!ready!to!sacri%ice!the$sel3es!whene3er!necessary.! #ny!$is%ortune!+e%alling!their!people!hurts!the$!so!deeply!that!they!%orget!all!worldly!tastes!and!pleasure.! 5n!order!to!heal!the!nation6s!wounds'!they!unceasingly!inspire!young!people!to!acGuire!lo%ty!ideals'!try!to! inculcate!in!the$!the!spirit!o%!struggle'!and!to!eGuip!the$!with!the!+elie%!and!resolution!that!an!honora+le! death!is!pre%era+le!to!a!hu$iliating!li%e. "heir!>eal!to!ser3e!their!nation'!+ased!on!their!+elie%'!is!so!deeply!i$planted!in!their!souls!that!they!are! preoccupied!with!it!where3er!they!are.!"hey!are!3ery!strongCwilled!and!&now!how!to!get!along!with! e3eryone.!"hey!always!gi3e!priority!to!national!$atters!o3er!their!own!personal!or!%a$ily!pro+le$s. "heir!+elie%!and!con3iction'!resolution!and!e9cite$ent'!are!so!%or$ida+le!in!resisting!all!opposition!and! e3ery!treason!that!they!can!sur$ount!e3ery!o+stacle!and!o3erco$e!e3ery!di%%iculty. :e3er!%alling!into!despair'!they!a+ound!with!hope!and!energy!while!trying!to!stop!the!cruelties!o%!the!world! and!to!illu$inate!the!whole!uni3erse.! hile!others!who!li3e!+eyond!their!a$+ience!o%!peace!and!happiness! drown!in!a!$arsh!o%!hopelessness'!they!stri3e!in!the!way!o%!%ounding!a!new!world!with!an!a+undance!o%! hope!and!in!directing!people!to!new!ways!o%!re3i3al.!M%itirilmiC 3ennet6e Do=ru'!".Z.V.!4ayRne3i'!;>$ir! 1??7'!pp.12C15N

/he >ew @an and Coman

1istory!has!carried!us!to!the!threshold!o%!a!new!age!open!to!the!$ani%estations!o%!Di3ine!%a3or.!Despite!Mor! in!parallel!withN!ad3ances!in!science!and!technology'!the!last!2!or!3!centuries!ha3e!witnessed!a!glo+al!+rea&! with!traditional!3alues!and'!in!the!na$e!o%!renewal'!an!attach$ent!to!di%%erent!3alues!and!speculati3e! %antasies.!5t!is!our!hope'!strengthened!+y!pro$ising!de3elop$ents'!that!the!ne9t!century!will!+e!the!age!o%! +elie%!and!$oral!3alues'!an!age!that!will!witness!a!renaissance!and!re3i3al!%or!the!+elie3ers. #$ong!wa3ering!crowds!lac&ing!in!sound!thin&ing!and!reasoning'!a!new!type!o%!people!will!appear.!"hey! will!rely!eGually!on!reason!and!e9perience'!and!gi3e!as!$uch!i$portance!to!conscience!and!inspiration!as!to! reason!and!e9perience.!"hey!un%ailingly!pursue!the!per%ect!in!e3erything'!esta+lish!the!+alance!+etween!this! world!and!the!ne9t'!and!wed!the!heart!to!the!intellect. "he!co$ingCtoC+e!o%!such!people!will!not!+e!easy.!#ll!+irths!are!pain%ul'!+ut!these!+lessed!+irths!will!ta&e! place!and!pro3ide!the!world!with!a!new'!+rilliant!generation.!Yust!as!rain!pours!out!o%!long!gathering!clouds'! and!water!wells!up!%ro$!underground'!so!will!the!)%lowers-!o%!this!new!generation!one!day!appear!a$ong! us.! "hese!new!people!are!indi3iduals!o%!integrity!who'!%ree!%ro$!e9ternal!in%luences'!can!$anage! independently!o%!others.!:o!worldly!%orce!can!+ind!the$'!and!no!%ashiona+le!Cisms!cause!the$!to!de3iate! %ro$!their!path.!"ruly!independent!o%!any!worldly!power'!they!thin&!and!acts!%reely'!%or!their!%reedo$!is!in! proportion!to!their!ser3anthood!to!/od.!Hather!than!i$itating!others'!they!rely!on!their!original!dyna$ics'! rooted!in!the!depths!o%!history'!and!try!to!eGuip!their!%aculties!o%!2udg$ent!with!authentic!3alues!that!are! their!own. "hey!thin&'!in3estigate'!+elie3e'!and!o3er%low!with!spiritual!pleasures.! hile!$a&ing!the!%ullest!use!o%! $odern!%acilities'!they!do!not!neglect!their!traditional!and!spiritual!3alues!in!+uilding!their!own!world. 5%!changes!and!re%or$s!are!lin&ed!to!and!dependent!on!unchanging!uni3ersal!3alues'!they!$ay!+e!eagerly! welco$ed.!8therwise'!there!will!+e!a!plethora!o%!speculati3e!%antasies!that!are!appealing!+ecause!o%!their!! no3elty!and!$odernity.!Standing!on!the!%ir$!ground!o%!those!unchanging!3alues'!the!new!$an!and!wo$an! always!loo&s!to!the!%uture!to!illu$inate!the!dar&ness!en3eloping!the!world.!"hey!are!co$pletely!truthC

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lo3ing!and!trustworthy!and'!in!support!o%!truth!e3erywhere'!always!are!ready!to!lea3e!their!%a$ilies!and! ho$es!when!necessary.!1a3ing!no!attach$ent!to!worldly!things'!co$%orts'!and!lu9uries'!they!will!use!their! /odCgi3en!talents!to!+ene%it!hu$anity!and!plant!the!seeds!o%!a!happy!%uture.!"hen'!see&ing!help!%ro$!/od! and!constantly!see&ing!success!%ro$!1i$'!they!will!do!their!+est!to!protect!those!seeds!%ro$!har$'!2ust!as!a! hen!protects!its!eggs.!"heir!entire!li3es!will!+e!dedicated!to!this!way!o%!truth. "o!stay!in!touch!and!co$$unicate!with!people6s!$inds'!hearts'!and!%eelings'!these!new!$en!and!wo$en! will!use!the!$ass!$edia!and!try!to!esta+lish!a!new!power!+alance!on!2ustice'!lo3e'!respect'!and!eGuality! a$ong!hu$an!+eings.!"hey!will!$a&e!$ight!su+ser3ient!to!right'!and!ne3er!discri$inate!on!grounds!o%! color!or!race. "hese!new!people!will!unite!pro%ound!spirituality'!wide!&nowledge'!sound!thin&ing'!a!scienti%ic! te$pera$ent'!and!wise!acti3is$.!:e3er!content!with!what!they!&new'!they!will!increase!continuously!in! &nowledge!\!&nowledge!o%!the!sel%'!o%!nature'!and!o%!/od. EGuipped!with!the!good!$orals!and!3irtues!that!$a&e!one!truly!hu$an'!these!new!$en!and!wo$en!are! altruists!who!e$+races!hu$anity!with!lo3e!and!are!ready!to!sacri%ice!the$sel3es!%or!the!good!o%!others! when!necessary.!#s!they!shape!the$sel3es!in!the!$old!o%!uni3ersal!3irtue'!they!si$ultaneously!stri3e!to! illu$inate!the!way!o%!others.!"hey!always!de%end!and!support!what!is!good'!and!reco$$end!it!to!others'! while!see&ing!to!challenge'!co$+at'!and!eradicate!all!e3ils. "hese!new!people!+elie3e!that!the!8ne!who!ga3e!the$!li%e!here!did!so!that!they!could!&now!and!worship! 1i$.! ithout!discri$inating!+etween!the!Boo&!o%!the!Ani3erse!Mwhere!the!Di3ine!:a$es!are!$ani%ested! and!there%ore!%ull!o%!signs!to!1i$!and!a!)stairway-!leading!to!1i$N!and!the!Di3ine!Scripture!Mthe! translation!o%!the!Boo&!o%!the!Ani3erseN'!they!see!religion!and!science!as!two!$ani%estation!o%!the!sa$e! truth. "hey!are!ne3er!reactionary.!"hey!do!not!go!a%ter!e3ents'!%or!they!are!the!$otors!o%!history!that!initiate!and! shape!e3ents.! ith!due!perception!o%!their!age!and!the!surrounding!conditions'!and!in!de3otion!to!their! essential!3alues!and!ut$ost!reliance!on!/od'!they!are!in!a!state!o%!continuous!sel%Crenewal. "hese!new!people!are!conGuerors!and!disco3erers(!conGuerors!o%!the$sel3es'!o%!thoughts'!and!o%!hearts'! and!disco3erers!o%!what!is!un&nown.!"hey!regard!any!ti$e!spent!not!ta&ing!a!new!step!into!the!depths!o%! the!sel%!and!the!uni3erse!as!wasted.!#s!they!re$o3e'!through!%aith!and!&nowledge'!the!3eils!co3ering!the! %ace!o%!reality'!they!+eco$e!e3en!$ore!eager!to!ad3ance!%urther.! ith!the!$essages!and!answers!recei3ed! %ro$!the!1ea3ens'!the!Earth'!and!the!seas'!they!continue!to!2ourney!until!they!return!to!their!*reator.! M@aman/n .lt/n Dilimi'!".Z.V.!4ayRne3i'!;>$ir!1??7'!pp.157C16BN

:or /he Con-uest and Dominion of 3earts

83er!the!last!%ew!centuries'!hu$anity!has!su%%ered!hardship!a%ter!hardship'!tra3eling!around!pits!o%!)death.-! #ll!struggles!%or!deli3erance!and!relie%!ha3e!resulted!in!new!cala$ities.!During!this!dar&!period'!the!greed! and!passions!o%!indi3iduals'!classes'!holding!co$panies'!and!$a%ias!ha3e!controlled!co$$unities'!not!the! esta+lished!go3ern$ents!%or$ally!in!power.!"hus'!the!only!criterion!+y!which!people!and!things!are! e3aluated!is!$oney'!+uying!power. 5t!is!natural'!in!such!a!period'!that!people!should!+e!estee$ed!%or!their!wealth'!their!car'!and!their!house.! Daterial!and!%inancial!resources!or!potentials!ha3e!+een!gi3en!precedence!o3er!such!hu$an!3irtues!as! &nowledge'!good!$orals'!sound!thin&ing'!and!ci3ility.! ealth!$ay!+e!3alued!when!su+2ected!to!&nowledge'! intellect'!courage'!honor'!and!de3otion!to!ser3ing!others'!+ut!when!3alued!%or!itsel%!or'!worse'!when!united! with!greed'!it!can!+e!a!$eans!o%!+rutality. 5%!people!$a&e!+ase!their!li3es!on!grati%ying!ani$al!desires'!and!see&!wealth!at!all!costs'!rather!than!+eing! honest'!industrious'!and!co$petent'!then!sel%ish'!ignorant'!and!cunning!people!will!do$inate!that!society.! Doral!3alues!and!hu$an!3irtues!will!+e!e9cluded'!as!well!as!those!who!co$+ine!e%%iciency!with!personal! integrityEprecisely!the!ones!who!could!+e!use%ul!to!the!society. *o$pared!with!pre3ious!centuries'!people!$ay!well!+e!wealthier!and!en2oy!$ore!con3enience!and!co$%ort.! 1owe3er'!they!are!trapped!in!greed'!in%atuation'!addiction'!need'!and!%antasy!$uch!$ore!than!e3er!+e%ore.! "he!$ore!they!grati%y!their!ani$al!appetites'!the!$ore!cra>ed!they!+eco$e!to!grati%y!those!appetites!still! $oreF!the!$ore!they!drin&'!the!thirstier!they!areF!the!$ore!they!eat'!the!hungrier!they!are.!"hey!enter!into! e3il!speculations!to!%eed!their!greed!to!earn!still!$ore'!and!sell!their!spirits!to!the!de3il!%or!the!$ost!+anal! ad3antages'!thus!+rea&ing!with!true!hu$an!3alues!a!little!$ore!each!day.

65

Dodern!people'!who!spend!their!energy!pursuing!transient!$aterial!ad3antages'!wasting!+oth!the$sel3es! and!all!the!no+ler'!truly!hu$an!%eelings!in!the!depths!o%!!their!+eing.!"hey!no!longer!possess!the!serenity! that!co$es!%ro$!+elie%'!the!tolerance!and!depth!o%!spirit!ena+led!+y!&nowledge!o%!/od'!or!traces!o%!lo3e!and! spiritual!2oy.!"hey!weigh!e3erything!on!the!scales!o%!$aterial!ad3antage'!i$$ediate!co$%ort'!and! grati%ication!o%!+odily!appetites'!thin&ing!only!how!to!increase!pro%it'!what!they!can!+uy!and!sell'!and!how! to!a$use!the$sel3es.!5%!they!cannot!satis%y!their!appetites!law%ully'!they!rarely!hesitate!to!resort!to!unlaw%ul! $eans'!howe3er!degraded!and!degrading. "o!+e!deli3ered!%ro$!the!su%%ocating!world!o%!un+elie%!and!egocentricity'!%ro$!shuttling!ai$lessly!+etween! the!%alse!$odern!concepts!o%!thought'!action'!and!li%e'!people!should!stri3e!to!redisco3er!the!true!hu$an! 3alues!lying!in!the!depths!o%!their!+eing.!"o!escape!the!stress!and!a%%liction!in!the!psychological'!spiritual'! and!intellectual!di$ensions!o%!personal!li%e'!as!well!as!the!strain!and!con%lict!in!collecti3e!a%%airs!within!and! +etween!nations'!they!should!reconsider!the!worth!o%!+elie3ing'!lo3ing'!$oral!3alues'!$etaphysical! thin&ing'!and!spiritual!training. Belie3ing!$eans!&nowing!the!truth!to!+e!true'!what!and!how!it!isF!lo3ing!$eans!li3ing!that!&nowledge!in! one6s!li%e.!"hose!who!do!not!+elie3e!and!lo3e!are!$erely!physical!entities!without!true!li%e'!li&e! $echanically!ani$ated!corpses.!Belie%!is!a!$ost!i$portant!source!o%!action'!a!way!to!e$+race!the!whole! creation!in!spiritF!lo3e!is!the!$ost!essential!ele$ent!and!a!transcendental!di$ension!o%!true!hu$an!thought.! "here%ore'!those!who!see&!to!+uild!the!happy!world!o%!the!%uture!on!%oundations!o%!spiritual!and!$oral! 3alues!should!%irst!arri3e!at!the!altar!o%!+elie%'!then!ascend!to!the!pulpit!o%!lo3e'!and!only!then!preach!their! $essage!o%!+elie%!and!lo3e!to!all!others.! hile!see&ing!to!achie3e!their!ai$s'!they!should!ne3er!%orget!that! their!in%luence!depends!on!$orality!and!3irtuousness. Dorality!is!the!essence!o%!religion'!and!a!$ost!%unda$ental!portion!o%!the!Di3ine!Dessage.!5%!+eing! 3irtuous!and!ha3ing!good!$orals!is!to!+e!heroic!\!and!it!is!\!the!greatest!heroes!are!the!Prophets!and!then! those!who!%ollow!the$!in!sincerity!and!de3otion.!#!true!Dusli$!is!one!who!practices!a!truly!uni3ersal'! there%ore!Dusli$'!$orality.!#nyone!can!see!that!the!Kur6an!and!the!Sunna!\!the!way!or!e9a$ple!o%!the! Prophet!\!are!sets!o%!$oral!principles.!"he!Prophet'!the!greatest!e$+odi$ent!o%!$orals'!said(!)5sla$! consists!in!good!$orals.!5!ha3e!+een!sent!to!per%ect!and!co$plete!good!$orals.-!"he!Dusli$!co$$unity! always!has!+een!the!representati3e!o%!good!$orality!and!$ust!+e!so'!since!only!through!$orality!and! 3irtuousness!does!it!attain!eternity.!5sla$ic!$etaphysics!is!a!$eans!to!reach!the!highest!point!in!$orality. Detaphysical!thought!is!the!intellect6s!or!spirit6s!e%%ort!to!e$+race!creation!as!a!whole!and!percei3e!it!with! all!its!di$ensions.! ithout!this!e%%ort'!e3erything!+rea&s!into!li%eless!%rag$ents.!"hus'!the!%ailure!o%! $etaphysical!thought!i$plies!the!death!o%!the!intellect.!#ll!great!ci3ili>ations!ha3e!de3eloped!and!co$e! into!+eing!in!the!ar$s!o%!$etaphysical!thought.!"hose!who!see!$etaphysics!and!physics!Mand!other! sciencesN!as!con%licting!disciplines!are!not!aware!that!they!are!seeing!a!ri3er!and!its!source!as!contradictory. #nother!di$ension!o%!$etaphysics!is!percei3ing!creation!through!lo3e.!1ere'!lo3e!is!identical!with! percei3ing!the!whole!uni3erse!and!its!contents!and!e3ents!as!a!continuous!interconnected!%lu9!and!lo3ing!it.! "hose!who!%ind!this!true!lo3e!pursue!neither!wealth!nor!%a$eF!rather'!they!%ind!peace!in!the!%la$es!o%!their! lo3e!and!see!their!+elo3ed6s!%ace!a$id!the!ashes!o%!their!own!e9istence!+urned!away.!"hey!are!on!an! uninterrupted!2ourney!%ro$!the!3alleys!o%!)sel%Cannihilation!in!the!e9istence!o%!/od-!to!the!heights!o%! )attain$ent!to!per$anence!through!per$anence!o%!/od.-!"his!attain$ent!can!co$e!through!strict!spiritual! training. Spiritual!training!$eans!directing!$en!and!wo$en!to!the!purpose!o%!their!creation.!"hrough!awareness!o%! our!ulti$ate!purpose'!people!can!+e!%reed!%ro$!+odily!pressures!and!+egin!a!2ourney!into!their!3ery!essence. e!$ust!change!the!3iewpoint!and!aspirations!o%!$odern!people.!1a3ing!lost!their!spiritual!dyna$ics!and! +ro&en!with!their!essential!identity'!they!are!3icti$s!o%!their!own!sel3es.! e!hope!that!i%!we!rein%orce!our! will!and!resol3e!through!regular!worship'!and!control!it!through!continual!sel%Ccriticis$'!#l$ighty!/od!will! help!us!succeed!in!this!+lessed!$ission.!5t!is!our!duty!to!sow!the!seeds!%or!the!+righter!Earth!o%!the!%uture.! e!lea3e!to!/od!1i$sel%'!i%!1e!wills'!to!grow!each!o%!the$!into!%ruit%ul!trees. e!are!%ully!con3inced!that'!as!a!result!o%!conscious!e%%orts'!this!corrupt!world!will!gi3e!+irth!to!a!new!one! in!which!+elie%!and!worship!will!carry!the!%ragrance!o%!peace'!security'!and!lo3e!e3erywhere.! e!are! con3inced!that!%uture!generations!will!ai$!at'!and!+e!%a3ored!+y'!the!ecstasies!o%!an!o3er%lowing!lo3e'!%ar! +eyond!any!aspirations!o%!$oney'!%a$e'!or!high!appoint$ents.!"his!lo3e!will!originate!in!conGuering!hearts! and'!in!return'!will!+e!reco$pensed!with!the!do$inion!o%!hearts.!M%eCeren DCnceler'!".Z.V.!4ayRne3i'! ;>$ir!1??6'!pp(14B\45N

66

Hictory of the S irit

1u$an!li%e!is!a!co$posite!o%!two!distinct!powers(!the!spirit!and!the!%lesh.!#lthough!they!so$eti$es!act!in! har$ony'!con%lict!is!$ore!usual'!con%lict!in!which!one!de%eats!the!other.!5%!+odily!lusts!are!3igorously! indulged'!the!spirit!grows!$ore!powerless!as!it!+eco$es!$ore!o+edient!to!those!lusts.!5%!one!can!control!the! desires!o%!the!%lesh'!place!the!heart!Mthe!seat!o%!spiritual!intellectN!o3er!reason'!and!oppose!+odily!lusts! 3igorously!opposed'!he!or!she!attain!to!eternity. E3ery!part!o%!a!spiritually!+an&rupt!country!can!+e!li&ened!to!a!gra3eyard'!no!$atter!how!$any!triu$phal! arches!and!statues!adorn!its!thorough%ares.!Dost!people!li3ing!in!such!a!country!are!in!reality!+lind!and! un%ortunate.!#!world!not!+uilt!on!the!spirit6s!+reath!is!a!plaything!o%!hu$an!3iolence.!#!culture!that!has!no! ethos!that!encourages!3irtue!is!li&e!an!e3il!sorceress!who!has!a$+ushed!hu$anity.!1owe3er'!it!$ight!+e! i$possi+le!to!persuade!coarse'!insensiti3e!people!o%!these!%acts'!%or!they!ignore!e3erything!+ut!their!own! pleasure'!and!do!not!consider!their!li3es!connected!with!the!wellC+eing!and!happiness!o%!others.!5%!only!they! could!percei3e!the!$ystery!o%!their!own!deaths'!they!$ight!ha3e!attained!to!the!eternal!li%e!o%!the!spirit.! 8nly!those!who!%ill!their!hearts!with!the!$ost!su+li$e!ideals!and!lo3e!o%!hu$anity!lead!a!spiritual!li%e!and! attain!to!eternity!in!their!3ery!sel3es.!"hese!%ortunate!ones!transcend!their!carnal!desires'!who!grow! spiritually!alert'!and!leda!those!who!heed!the$!to!3ictory!o3er!the!co$$ands!o%!sel%.! 8nly!those!who!o3erco$e!the!sel%!can!+e!called!power%ul!and!3ictorious.!"hose!who!cannot!release! the$sel3es!%ro$!capti3ity!to!the!sel%!are!lia+le!to!de%eat'!e3en!i%!they!conGuer!the!entire!world.! e!would! not!call!their!success%ul!conGuest!o%!the!world!a!3ictory'!%or!their!per$anent!presence!in!the!conGuered! lands!is!i$possi+le.! :apoleon'!$adly!estee$ing!hi$sel%!the!world6s!sole!ruler'!slapped!&nowledge!and!3irtue!in!the!person!o%! the!philosopher'!Dol$ey.!5!wonder!whether!he!grasped!that!this!%ailure!in!spirit!was!$ore!+itter!and! hu$iliating!than!his!de%eat!at! aterloo.!Dusta%a!Pasha!o%!Der>i%on!was!de%eated!inwardly!+e%ore!his!ar$y! was!routed!at!Vienna.!"his!%irst!8tto$an!de%eat!showed!itsel%!in!the!spirit!o%!its!co$$anderCinCchie%'!and! then!spread!%ar!and!wide!a$ong!his!%orces.!1e!lost!his!head'!and!the!greatest!ar$y!o%!conGuest!yet!&nown! e9perienced!%light.!4ildiri$!=han'!Baye>id!5'!was!not!de%eated!in!Yu+u&'!+ut!on!the!day!when!he!+elittled! his!opponent!and!hailed!hi$sel%!sole!ruler!o%!the!world.!"here!ha3e!+een!$any!others!li&e!these...! But!we!also!ha3e!positi3e!e9a$ples.!"ariG!was!3ictorious'!not!when!he!de%eated!the!Spaniards6!?B'BBBC$an! ar$y!with!a!hand%ul!o%!sel%Csacri%icing!3aliant!soldiers'!+ut!when!he!stood!+e%ore!the!&ing6s!wealth!and! treasures!and!said(!)Be!care%ul'!"ariG.!4ou!were!a!sla3e!yesterday.!"oday!you!are!a!3ictorious!co$$ander.! #nd!to$orrow!you!will!he!underground.-!Seli$!5!regarded!the!world!as!too!s$all!%or!two!rulers.!1e!was! truly!3ictorious!not!when!he!crowned!so$e!&ings!and!dethroned!others'!+ut!when!he!entered!the!capital!in! silence!while!its!people!were!asleep!to!a3oid!their!enthusiastic!welco$e!and!applause.!1e!also!was! 3ictorious!when!he!ordered!that!the!ro+e!soiled!+y!$ud!%ro$!his!teacher6s!horse!+e!draped!o3er!his!co%%in! +ecause!o%!its!holiness.!*ato'!the!Ho$an!co$$ander'!was!3ictorious!and!caused!his!people!to!re$e$+er! hi$!not!when!he!de%eated!the!*arthaginians'!+ut!when!he!handed!his!horse!and!co$$and!o3er!to!the! Ho$an!e$peror.! hile!his!ar$y!was!entering!*arthage'!the!capital!city!o%!Ho$e6s!ene$y!and!ri3al'!in! triu$ph'!he!told!the!e$peror(!)5!%ought!to!ser3e!$y!nation.!:ow!$y!duty!is!%ul%illed'!5!a$!going!+ac&!to! $y!3illage.-!! "o!sacri%ice!one6s!en2oy$ent!o%!worldly!pleasure!has!the!sa$e!signi%icance!%or!hu$an!progress!as!roots! ha3e!%or!a!tree6s!growth.!Yust!as!a!tree!grows!sound!and!strong!in!direct!relation!to!its!roots6!soundness!and! strength'!people!grow!to!per%ection!while!stri3ing!to!%ree!the$sel3es!%ro$!sel%ishness!so!that!they!can!li3e! %or!others.! #!sacred!hy$n!signi%ies!the!spirit6s!3ictory(!)5!ha3e!&nown!nothing!o%!worldly!pleasure!in!$y!li%e!o%!o3er! @B!years.!#ll!$y!li%e!has!passed!on!+attle%ields'!in!prisons'!and!in!3arious!places!o%!su%%ering.!"here!is!no! tor$ent!that!5!ha3e!not!e9perienced'!no!oppression!5!ha3e!not!su%%ered.!5!neither!care!%or!Paradise'!nor!%ear! 1ell.!5%!5!see!that!$y!people6s!%aith!has!+een!secured'!5!will!not!o+2ect!to!+urning!in!the!%la$es!o%!1ell'!%or! $y!heart!will!change!into!a!rose!and!a!rose!garden!e3en!as!$y!+ody!is!+eing!+urnt.-! "he!crowned!heads!o%!the!%uture!will!+e!those!%ortunate!ones!who!ha3e!attained!to!%elicity!through!3ictories! o%!the!spirit.!MBuhranlar .naforunda )nsan'!".Z.V.!4ayRne3i'!;>$ir!1??7'!pp.43C46N

8eo le of Ser0ice

67

People!o%!ser3ice!$ust!resol3e'!%or!the!sa&e!o%!their!heart6s!cause'!to!cross!o3er!seas!o%! )pus!and!+lood.-! hen!they!attain!the!desired!o+2ect'!they!$ust!+e!$ature!enough!to! attri+ute!e3erything!to!its!Hight%ul!8wner'!and!+e!respect%ul!and!than&%ul!to!1i$.!"heir! 3oices !and! +reaths ! glori%y!and! $agni%y! /od' !the !Su+li$e !*reator. !Such! people ! hold! e3eryone!in!high!regard!and!estee$'!and!are!so!+alanced!and!%aith%ul!to!/od6s! ill!that! they!do!not!idoli>e!those!who$!they!praise!%or!their!ser3ices.!"hey!understand!that!they! are!responsi+le!and!answera+le!%or!wor&!le%t!undone'!are!considerate!and!%airC$inded!to! e3eryone!who!see&s!their!help'!and!support!the!truth.!"hey!are!e9traordinarily!resol3ed ! and!hope%ul!e3en!when!their!institutions!are!destroyed'!their!plans!upset'!and!their!%orces! routed.!People!o%!ser3ice!are!$oderate!and!tolerant!when!they!ta&e!new!wings!and!once ! again!soar!to!the!su$$its'!and!are!so!rational!and!wise!that!they!ad$it!in!ad3ance!that!the ! path!is!3ery!steep.!So!>ealous'!perse3ering'!and!con%ident!are!they!that!they!willingly!pass! through!all!the!pits!o%!1ell!encountered!on!the!way.!"hey!are!so!%aith%ul!to!their!cause! that'!deeply!in!lo3e!with!it'!they!willingly!sacri%ice!their!li3es!and!whate3er!they!lo3e!%or! its!sa&e.!So!sincere!and!hu$+le!are!such!people!that!they!ne3er!re$ind!others!o%!their! acco$plish$ents.!MBl $eya %oldaki IC/klar'!".Z.V.!4ayRne3i'!;>$ir'!1??6'!Vol.1'!M? th!editionN'!
pp.52C53N

3eroes of <o0e
8nly!those!who!o3er%low!with!lo3e! will!+uild!the!happy!and!enlightened!world!o%!the! %uture.!"heir!lips!s$iling!with!lo3e'!their!hearts!+ri$$ing!with!lo3e'!their!eyes!radiating! lo3e ! and ! the ! $ost ! tender ! hu$an ! %eelingsEsuch ! are ! the ! heroes ! o% ! lo3e ! who ! always! recei3e!$essages!o%!lo3e!%ro$!the!sun6s!rising!and!setting!and!%ro$!the!stars6!%lic&ering! light. "he!anger!and!%ury!o%!the!heroes!o%!lo3e'!who!are!distinguished!with!lo3e!in!treat$ent!o%! others'!are!%or!discipline.!"here%ore'!they!ser3e!to!i$pro3e!others!and!to!+estow!+ene%its! upon!the!co$$unity. !MBl $eya %oldaki IC/klar'!".Z.V.!4ayRne3i'!;>$ir'!1??@'!Vol.2'!M12 th!
editionN'!p.1B@N

8ersonal Integrity
"hose!who!want!to!re%or$!the!world!$ust!%irst!re%or$!the$sel3es.!5%!they!want!to!lead ! others ! to ! a ! +etter ! world' ! they ! $ust ! puri%y ! their ! inner ! worlds ! o% ! hatred' ! rancor' ! and! 2ealousy'!and!adorn!their!outer!worlds!with!3irtue.!"he!words!o%!those!who!cannot!control! and!discipline!the$sel3es'!and!who!ha3e!not!re%ined!their!%eelings'!$ay!see$!attracti3e! and!insight%ul!at!%irst.!1owe3er'!e3en!i%!they!so$ehow!$anage!to!inspire!others'!which! they!so$eti$es!do'!the!senti$ents!they!arouse!will!soon!wither.! MBl $eya %oldaki IC/klar'!
".Z.V.!4ayRne3i'!;>$ir'!1??@'!Vol.2'!M12th!editionN'!p.11BN

Ideal S irits
"hose!who!stri3e!to!enlighten!others'!see&!happiness!%or!the$'!and!e9tend!a!helping!hand! ha3e!such!a!de3eloped!and!enlightened!spirit!that!they!are!li&e!guardian!angels.!"hey! struggle!with!disasters!+e%alling!society'!stand!up!to!)stor$s'-!hurry!to!put!out!)%ires'-! and!always!watch!%or!possi+le!shoc&s.

6@

5ndi3iduals!who!sincerely!resol3e!to!+e!pillars!o%!their!nation!ne3er!allow!the$sel3es!to! neglect!e3en!the!s$allest!$atter!o%!concern!to!the!nation'!e3en!though!there!$ay!+e!ti$es ! when!they!%orget!a+out!their!own!pro+le$s. "he!$ost!e9alted!nation!thin&s!o%!pu+lic!wor&s!in!ter$s!o%!unity!and!togetherness'!and! gi3es ! precedence ! to ! the ! people6s ! opinion. ! 8% ! course' ! that ! nation6s ! inha+itants ! $ust ! recei3e ! the ! sa$e ! training ! in ! such ! $atters ! as ! religion' ! language' ! and ! historical! consciousness. 5%!the!people!o%!a!country!consider!tric&ery!and!deceit!to!+e!cle3er'!that!nation!already!has! reached!an!incura+le!stage!o%!cancer.!:ot!all!things!generally!seen!as!i$pro3e$ents!in!a! sic&!person6s!+ody!are!true!%or!all!cases'!%or!that!would!+e!li&e!saying!that!swollen!areas! in!a!tu+ercular!patient!as!a!sign!that!the!+ody!is!gaining!weight!and!getting!+etter.!M Bl $eya %oldaki IC/klar'!".Z.V.!4ayRne3i'!;>$ir'!1??@'!Vol.2'!M12th!editionN'!pp.33C35'!111N

;ssentials of the Cay

"he!essentials!o%!this!sacred!way!o%!ser3ing!the!truth!are!pre%erring!the!sacred!cause!o3er! all!worldly!and!ani$al !desiresF!+eing!so!stead%ast!in!truth'!once!disco3ered'!that!you! sacri%ice ! all ! $undane ! attach$ents ! %or ! its ! sa&eF ! enduring ! all ! hardships ! so ! that ! %uture! generations!will!+e!happyF!see&ing!happiness!in!the!happiness!and!wellC+eing!o%!others'! not ! in ! $aterial ! or ! e3en ! spiritual ! pleasuresF ! ne3er ! see&ing ! any ! post ! or ! positionF ! and! pre%erring!onesel%!in!assu$ing!tas&s!while!pre%erring!others!when!recei3ing!wages. "hose!who!lead!the!way!$ust !set!a!good!e9a$ple. !Yust!as!they!are!i$itated!in!their! 3irtues ! and ! good ! $orals' ! so ! do ! their ! +ad ! and ! i$proper ! actions ! and ! attitudes ! lea3e! indeli+le!$ar&s!upon!their!%ollowers. 8ne ! who ! represents ! any ! stage ! o% ! the ! truth ! $ust ! try ! to ! e$+ody ! it ! with ! honesty' ! trustworthiness' ! consciousness! o% ! duty' ! a ! high ! degree ! o% ! perception' ! awareness ! o%! circu$stances'!%arCsightedness'!and!a+solute!chastity. !People!who!hold!high!o%%ice!+ut! lac& ! one ! or ! $ore ! o% ! these ! 3irtues ! ha3e ! one ! or ! $ore ! serious ! de%ects. ! "his ! is ! a ! clear! $is%ortune!%or!those!who!%ollow!the$. e!applaud!e3ery!good!deed!and!atte$pt!$ade!in!the!nation6s!na$e '!and!stand!+ehind! the!%ortunate!people!who!ser3e!it.! e!do!not!retaliate!against!accusations!o%!de3iation!and! apostasyF!nor!do!we!say!)a$en-!to!curses!and!anathe$a.!M Bl $eya %oldaki IC/klar'!".Z.V.! 4ayRne3i'!;>$ir'!1??@'!Vol.2'!12th!edition'!pp.1B7C1B7'!117N

Clarity about Aims and @eans

e!$ust!+e!as!precise!as!possi+le!a+out!our!pro2ect6s!ai$!and!o+2ect.!5%!we!do!so'!we!will ! not!%all!+etween!the!o+2ecti3es.!5n!our!particular!ser3ice'!we!$ust!direct!our!spirits!to!a! de%inite!ai$!so!that!our!thoughts!will!not!collapse!into!a!whirl!o%!con%usion!and!$a&e!us ! their!powerless!playthings. 8ur!o+2ecti3e!$ust!+e!the!result!o%!clear!thought.! e!$ust!de%ine!our!o+2ecti3e!clearly!so! that!we!will!not!+eco$e!lost!in!a!%lood!o%!thoughts.!So!$any!a$+itious!3entures!%ailed!to ! +ear!%ruit!or!+ene%it'!and!indeed!le%t!+ehind!hatred!and!rancor'!%or!their!ai$s!and!$eans! were!not!clear. "he!E9alted!*reator!and!see&ing!1is!appro3al!$ust!ha3e!the!%ore$ost!place!in!e3ery! acti3ist6s!perspecti3e.!5%!not'!that!which!is!not!/od!can!inter3ene'!%alsehood!can!present! itsel%!as!truth'!and!whi$s!can!show!the$sel3es!as!real!ideas.!#lthough!this!tas&!is!+eing !

6?

done!in!the!na$e!o%!a!struggle!%or!%aith'!such!an!o3ersight!allows!$any!a+uses!and!cri$es! to!+e!co$$itted. #s!%or!wor&s!underta&en!to!see&!the!#l$ighty6s!appro3alEa!particle!can!ha3e!the!worth! o%!the!sun'!a!drop!the!worth!o%!the!sea'!a!second!the!worth!o%!eternity.!"here%ore'!e3en!i% ! the !world! could!+e !turned!into!gardens! o% !Paradise! +y!$eans !o% !which!1e !does! not! appro3e'!the!%inal!result!would!+e!as!nothing'!co$pletely!worthless. !Doreo3er'!those! responsi+le!would!+e!Guestioned!a+out!it.! "he!worth!o%!$eans!and!instru$ents!lie!in!their!a+ility!to!reali>e!the!desired!o+2ecti3e!and! to!do!so!with!ease.!Deans!that!do!not!lead!to!the!o+2ecti3e!+eing!reached'!and!especially! those!that!hinder!such!progress'!are!regarded!as!cursed.!Based!on!this!sa$e!logic'!the! world!$ay!+e!cursed!inso%ar!as!it!inter3enes!+etween!$en!and!wo$en ! and!their!real! o+2ect!in!li%e'!+ut!lo3ed!and!applauded!%or!re%lecting!the!grace!o%!a!thousand!/lorious! :a$es!o%!the!*reator!and!e9hi+iting!1is!$agni%icent!wor&s. "ruth!can!+e!esta+lished!and!supported!in!$any!ways.!"heir!worth!is!proportional!to!how! $uch!they!enhance!our!respect!%or!the!*reator'!the!"ruth'!and!$a&e!us!consider!what!is! right!and!truth.!5%!parents!educating!the!children!properly'!i%!a!place!o%!worship!rouses!its! co$$unity! with!thoughts!o%!eternity'!i%!a!school! awa&ens!hope!and!%aith! in!its!pupils'! they!are!ser3ing!their!purpose!and!there%ore!are!sacred.!5%!this!is!not!the!case'!they!are!no ! $ore!than!de3ilish!traps!di3erting!us!%ro$!the!truth.! e!$ay!apply!the!sa$e!standards!to ! unions'!trusts'!political!institutions'!and!societies!in!general. .ounders!and!directors!o%!institutions!should!re$ind!the$sel3es!%reGuently!o%!why!the! institutions!were!esta+lished.!Doing!so!will!ensure!that!their!wor&!does!not!stray!%ro$!its! o+2ecti3e' ! +ut ! re$ains ! %ruit%ul. ! ithout ! this ! re$inder' ! they ! +egin ! to ! %orget ! why ! the ! ho$es' ! hostels' ! schools' ! and ! other ! institutes ! were ! esta+lished' ! and ! so ! wor& ! against! the$sel3es'!2ust!li&e!those!who!%orget!why!they!were!created.
*lai$ing!a!$onopoly!on!good!ideas!and!asserting!that!only!your!side!is!right!are!signs!o%!utter! dependence!on!$aterial!causality!and!ignorance!o%!the!o+2ecti3e.!#nd!%eelings!o%!rancor!and! hatred!%or!those!who!share!the!sa$e!+elie%'!senti$ents'!and!ideasEis!this!anything!other!than!a! lac&!o%!su%%icient!co$$it$ent!to!the!o+2ecti3e!and!purpose,!#h'!those!+ase'!sel%Censla3ed!ones! who!i$agine!that!they!can!ad$inister!the!uni3erse!according!to!their!decayed!reasoningL!MBl $eya %oldaki IC/klar'!".Z.V.!4ayRne3i'!;>$ir'!1??6'!Vol.1'!M?th!editionN'!pp.36C4BN

A0oiding ;1tremes
8ne!should!a3oid!e9tre$es!in!thought!and!action'!%or!it!is!a!lethal!poison.!Yust!as!it!is!wrong!to! see&!si$plicity!and!sincerity!in!poor!clothing!and!a!li%e!li3ed!in!a!$isera+le!house!with!a!%ew'! +ro&en!old!things'!it!also!is!wrong!to!see!sophistication'!ci3ili>ation'!and!prosperity!in!the!$odern! style!o%!e9pensi3e!clothes!and!other!lu9uries.!MBl $eya %oldaki IC/klar'!".Z.V.!4ayRne3i'!;>$ir'! 1??@'!Vol.2'!M12th!editionN'!p.113N

Consultation
.sk someone 'ho kno'sO t'o lots of kno'ledge are *etter than one&

*onsultation!is!the!%irst!reGuire$ent!%or!reaching!the!right!decision.!Decisions!reached! without!due!re%lection!or!proper!consultation!usually!co$e!to!nothing.!5ndi3iduals!and! e3en!geniuses!who!depend!only!on!the$sel3es'!and!who!are!disconnected!%ro$!others! and!unconcerned!with!their!opinions'!are!at!considera+le!ris&!o%!error!as!co$pared!to! those!who!o%%er!and!recei3e!opinions. 7B

*onsultation ! is ! the ! %irst ! condition! %or ! o+taining! good ! results. ! Paying ! attention! to! the! opinions!o%!%riends!and!wellCwishers!is!an!i$portant!$eans!o%!a3oiding!$ista&es. ise!people!&now!who!to!consult!and!how!to!get!the!$ost!+ene%it!%ro$!their!opinions.!5t ! is!a!pleasure!to!wor&!with!such!people.!8thers'!howe3er'!are!so!insensiti3e'!thoughtless'! and!co$placent!a+out!their!own!&nowledge! or!co$petence!that!they!inti$idate!others! into!accepting!their!opinions.!Such!people!are!always!un+eara+le!to!wor&!with.! MBl $eya
%oldaki IC/klar'!".Z.V.!4ayRne3i'!;>$ir'!1??6'!Vol.1'!M?th!editionN'!pp.2@C31N

/wo great Iswam sJ on the way of the Iheroes of lo0eJ

Addiction to Comfort
E3ery!no+le!cause!and!truth!will!gain!constancy!and!a!uni3ersal!identity!+y!its!adherents6! deter$ination!to!protect!it!and!their!de3otion!to!it.!5%!its!de3otees!are!not!percepti3e' ! %aith%ul' ! and ! perse3ering' ! what ! they ! ha3e ! e$+raced ! e3entually ! will ! +e ! erased ! %ro$! $e$ory!+y!the!hostility!o%!its!deter$ined!ene$ies. Yust!as!stagnant!water!stin&s!and!putre%ies!upon!losing!its!%luidity'!the!source!o%!its!li%e'! la>y!people!who!a+andon!the$sel3es!to!co$%ort!and!ease!ine3ita+ly!+egin!to!rot!and! +eco$e ! losers. !Desire !%or! co$%ort ! is !the! %irst !alar$! and!sign! o%! death.!"hose !whose! sensiti3ity!has!+een!paraly>ed!cannot!hear!the!alar$!or!understand!the!sign'!and!so!they! not!heed!the!warnings!and!ad3ice!o%!%riends. 7a>iness ! and ! attach$ent ! to ! ease ! are ! a$ong ! the ! $a2or ! reasons ! %or ! depri3ation ! and! hu$iliation.!5nacti3e!people!who!ha3e!a+andoned!the$sel3es!to!MindolentN!co$%ort!one! day!will!%all!so!low!that!they!will!e9pect!e3en!their!+asic!necessities!to!+e!supplied!+y ! others. 8nce!the!e9tre$e!addiction!o%!staying!at!ho$e!is!added!to!that!o%!indolent!co$%ort'!the! )%ront!lines-!will!+e!a+andoned!and!people!will!+eco$e!cowardly.!5%!this!decline!is!not ! recogni>ed' ! and ! the ! situation! is ! not ! handled ! intelligently! and ! properly' ! de3iation! and! so$ething!horrid!will!ensue. "hose!who!lea3e!the!)%ront-!+ecause!they!are!addicted!to!the!co$%orts!o%!their!ho$es!or! lust!usually!encounter!the!e9act!opposite!o%!what!they!e9pected.!"hey!$ay!e3en!lose!their! nice ! ho$es ! and ! lo3ely! childrenL ! 1ow ! true ! are ! the ! words ! o% ! a ! $other ! to ! her ! son' ! a! co$$ander!who!did!not!%ight!courageously!when!he!should!ha3e(!)4ou!didn6t!%ight!li&e! a!$an!on!the!+attle%ield'!so!now!at!least!sit!and!cry!li&e!a!wo$anL.or!a!hu$an!+eing'!change!and!decay!usually!are!slow!and!silent.!So$eti$es!e3en!a!little! heedlessness'!a!slight!straying!%ro$!the!)cara3an'-!can!cause!a!co$plete!collapse!and!a! total!loss.!1owe3er'!+ecause!such!people!see!the$sel3es!as!still!on!the!sa$e!line!and!in! the!sa$e!situation'!they!do!not!reali>e!that!they!ha3e!plunged!to!the!+otto$!o%!a!deep!well ! %ro$!a!$inaretCli&e!pea&. So$e!people!who!lea3e!the!line!o%!e9ertion!and!struggle!with!a!%eeling!o%!guilt'!which ! e3ery!%ugiti3e!and!truant!is!+ound!to!%eel'!are!li&ely!to!de%end!the$sel3es!and!critici>e! their!%riends!who!continue!to!ser3e.!5t!is!al$ost!i$possi+le!%or!such!people!to!escape!their ! de3iation!and!return!to!their!original!line.!#da$!reco3ered!his!pre3ious!ran&!with!a!single! deed!Mhis!con%ession!o%!%aultN!a%ter!he!%ell!into!%orget%ulness.!By!contrast'!Satan'!despite! the!gra3ity!o%!his!sin'!tried!to!de%end!hi$sel%!and!%ell!into!eternal!%rustration. People ! who ! ha3e ! lost ! their ! resol3e' ! willpower' ! and ! endea3or ! a%%ect ! the ! courage ! and! de3otional!strength!o%!those!around!the$.!So$eti$es!only!a!little!hesitation!or!reluctance! displayed!+y!an!irresolute!indi3idual!causes!a!shoc&!and!loss!o%!hope!as!great!as!the!death o%!1BB!people.!Such!a!disaster!only!encourages!the!ene$ies!o%!the!nation!to!attac&!us. 71

"he ! attracti3eness ! o% ! children' ! %a$ily' ! and ! worldly ! property ! is ! seducti3e ! and ! a! +urdenso$e!trial.!"he!success%ul!ones!are!those!deter$ined'!resolute'!strongCwilled'!and! %ortunate!people!who'!e3ery!$orning!and!e3ening'!renew!%ro$!the!depth!o%!their!hearts! their!oath!o%!attach$ent!to!the!truth!to!which!they!ha3e!de3oted!the$sel3es. ! MBl $eya
%oldaki IC/klar'!".Z.V.!4ayRne3i'!;>$ir'!1??6'!Vol.1'!M?th!editionN'!pp.41C46N

<o0e of 8osition
Each!indi3idual!has!the!seeds!o%!3irtue!as!well!as!the!potential!%or!e3il.!Such!undesira+le! characteristics!as!passion!and!the!desire!to!show!o%%!e9ist!alongside!such!good!Gualities!as! sincerity'!altruis$'!and!sel%Csu%%iciency.! e!should!ta&e!all!these!Gualities!into!account! when!considering!hu$an!nature!so!that!we!will!not!+e!disappointed. 5t!is!natural!%or!e3ery!person!to!entertain!lo3e!o%!status!and!%a$e!to!so$e!degree.!5%!these! desires!are!not!satis%ied!in!accepta+le!ways'!those!without!sel%Ccontrol!$ay!har$!+oth! the$sel3es!and!their!co$$unity.!"heir!a$+itions!$ay!ha3e!to!+e!di3erted!into!har$less! channels'!otherwise!their!%rustrated!and!unsatis%ied!desires!will!cause!har$. 5t!$ay!+e!har$%ul!%or!so$e!unre%ined!souls!to!satis%y!their!desire!%or!pro$inence!+y! see&ing!status.!:e3ertheless!such!a!pursuit!$ay!+e!a!good!thing'!%or!it!will!pre3ent!the$! %ro$!doing!greater!e3il.!.or!e9a$ple'!it!is!pre%era+le!%or!a!singer!who!wishes!to!$a&e!use! o%!his!or!her!/odCgi3en!a+ility!to!sing!hy$ns!rather!than!o+scene!songs. Sincerity!or!purity!o%!intention!deter$ines!the!Guality!o%!the!deed!and!o%!the!one!who ! per%or$s ! it' ! and ! whether ! or ! not ! /od ! will ! accept ! it. ! 1owe3er' ! as ! it ! is ! not ! easy ! %or ! e3ery+ody!to!ser3e!the!%aith! with!co$plete!sincerity'!consideration!should!+e!gi3en!to! whether ! their ! good!e9ceeds ! their !e3il. !Dany! deeds ! per%or$ed !%or !show' ! and! without! sincerity' ! should ! not ! +e ! 2udged ! as ! a+solutely ! har$%ul. ! People ! so$eti$es ! $ay! conta$inate ! their ! deeds ! +y ! ego ! and ! desire' ! and ! $ay ! not ! always ! +e ! see&ing ! /od6s! appro3al!and!repenting!o%!their!$ista&es.!But'!we!ha3e!no!right!to!clai$!that!they!are!not! on!the!side!o%!the!truth. 5%!each!indi3idual!in!a!group!tries!to!i$pose!hi$sel%!or!hersel%!as!the!only!authority!in!a! certain!%ield'!and!others!i$itate!the$'!discipline! is!destroyed'!con%usion!in!engendered'! and!the!co$$unity!is!di3ided!against!itsel%.!Alti$ately'!con%usion!o3er!who!is!in!charge! and!the!ensuing!power!struggle!+etween!the!rulers!and!the!ruled!destroys!order. 5% ! the ! success%ul ! $e$+ers ! o% ! a ! go3ern$ent ! or ! the ! e%%icient ! e9ecuti3es ! o% ! a ! state ! or ! institution!de$and!the!lion6s!share!o%!+ene%its!+ecause!o%!their!a+ilities'!the!go3ern$ent!is! paraly>ed' ! the !state ! collapses' ! and!the !institution!descends ! into!chaos. ! #! go3ern$ent ! su+sists!on!discipline! particular!to!itsel%'!a!state!is!$aintained!+y!its!principles'!and!an! ar$y!is!%ounded!upon!structures!o%!co$$and!and!o+edience.!#nything!contrary!to!this! signi%ies!neglect!o%!those!3ital!ele$ents!that!traditionally!ha3e!ensured!the!cohesion!o% ! hu$an!societies. 5%!only!people6s!hearts!were!content!with!what!the!Su+li$e!*reator!+estows!upon!the$L ! 5%!only!they!would!see&!1is!Di3ine!pleasureL!So$e!sel%Csee&ing!people!turn!their!+ac&s! on!the!sun6s!light!and!are!content!with!the!di$!light!o%!the!lanterns!in!their!hands.! ith! these'!howe3er'!they!will!ne3er!%ind!the!door!to!eternal!light.!M Bl $eya %oldaki IC/klar'! ".Z.V.!4ayRne3i'!;>$ir'!1??6'!Vol.1'!M?th!editionN'!pp.?C14N

8art %

72

6?len.s 7elations with 8oliticians# Hiews on Certain 8olitical @atters# and /urkey.s :oreign 7elations
:ethullah 6?len on 3is @eetings with 8olitical <eaders
Dy!e%%orts!are!%or!HightC7e%t!and!#lawiCSunni!+rotherhood.

.or!years!5!ser3ed!as!a!pu+lic!o%%icial!in!the!"ur&ish!repu+lic'!and!tried!to!per%or$!$y!duties! %ully.!Dy!$eeting!with!political!leaders!and!$e$+ers!o%!the!go3ern$ent'!who!hold!in!their!hands! the!%ate!o%!this!state!and!the!ad$inistration!o%!this!nation which!5!&now!to!+e!a!part!o%!$y!own! destinywas!regarded!as!strange!+y!so$e.!5!ha3e!di%%iculty!reconciling!this!with!the!attri+ute' ! position'!and!le3el!o%!these!circles.

E3eryone!&nows!that!repu*lic!and!democracy!are!de%ined'!e3en!in!pri$ary!school!+oo&s'!as!the!sel%Crule!o%! the!people!+y!their!elected!representati3es.!5n!a!de$ocracy'!a!syste$!with!a!%ully!ci3il!character'!popular! participation!in!the!ad$inistration!is!encouraged!to!the!e9tre$e'!as!su$$ed!up!in!the!saying!that!the!nation! en2oys!unrestricted!and!unconditional!so3ereignty.!5!ha3e!ne3er!e3en!thought!o%!going!into!the!street!to! de$onstrate!and!openly!critici>e!the!syste$'!although!de$ocracy!per$its!this!when!necessary.!5n!%act'!as!5! %ear!that!such!+eha3ior!could!lead!to!anarchy'!5!always!approach!it!with!caution.!.or!this!reason'!not!only!as! a!right!+ut!as!a!responsi+le!citi>en'!indi3iduals!o%!the!nation!$eeting!with!political!and!state!leaders'!or!state! leaders!and!politicians!$eeting!with!people!%ro$!e3ery!social!sector'!should!+e!appreciated!and! encouraged. >o >ation without 7eligion 5%!such!$eetings!are!critici>ed!+ecause!5!a$!a!retired!religious!o%%icial'!re$e$+er!that!the!Dinistry!o%! Heligious!#%%airs'!where!5!wor&ed!%or!years'!is!one!o%!the!state6s!$ost!essential!institutions.!5t!operates!%ully! within!the!legal!%ra$ewor&!o%!the!"ur&ish!repu+lic. Heligion!is!one!o%!the!$ost!3ital!%actors!that!$a&es!a!nation!a!nation.!1istory!has!ne3er!seen!a!nation! without!religion.!*o$$unis$'!which!tried!to!eli$inate!religion!through!oppression'!instead!collapsed!into! ruins!+e%ore!it.!"oday'!it!is!a!sociological!and!historical!pheno$enon!that!hu$anity!as!a!whole!has!turned! toward!religion.! Especially!in!recent!years'!our!country!has!+een!a!stage!%or!terror!and!other!acti3ities!planned!a+road!and! i$ple$ented!+y!those!see&ing!to!create!secularis$Canitsecularis$!and!#lawiCSunni!schis$s.! Citi"ens Should Do Chat /hey Can E3eryone!agrees!that!it!is!a!national!and!historical!duty!%or!all!citi>ens!to!do!what!they!can!to!pre3ent! acti3ities!opposed!+y!all!social!seg$ents!and!all!$e$+ers!o%!the!nation.!8%!course'!this!includes!e3eryone! %ro$!the!people!to!the!ad$inistrators.!5n!addition'!%or!years!so$e!ha3e!portrayed!#lawis!and!Sunnis!as! strangers!to!one!another'!and!so$e'!un%ortunately'!ha3e!identi%ied!the!*1P!M"he!Hepu+lican!Populist!PartyN! with!atheis$. /alk with Cetin# the head of the 7e ublican 8o ulist 8arty 7ong!considered!i$possi+le'!the!*1PCD4P!M"he!"rue!Path!PartyN!coalition'!which!constitutes!a!wing!o%! the!political!Hight'!has!+een!appro3ed!+y!$ost!in!the!na$e!o%!national!and!political!unity.!/i3en!this'!there! is!nothing!strange!a+out!$y!initiati3es!in!the!na$e!o%!national!unity'!which!is!longed!%or!+y!all'!%or!a!war$! dialogue!a$ong!all!social!seg$ents'!%or!SunniC#lawi!and!HightC7e%t!+rotherhood'!and!especially!$y!recent! 3isit!to!*1P!/eneral!7eader!1i&$et!*etin.!"han&%ully'!the!$a2ority!o%!our!$edia!support!such!initiati3es'! regardless!o%!their!origin.!#l$ost!all!state!and!political!leaders!and!intellectuals!ha3e!e9pressed!their! appreciation!and!appro3al. 1ow!are!we!to!understand!the!logic!o%!those!who!oppose!such!e%%orts'!who!see$!to!represent!a!secularis$! hostile!to!5sla$'!#lawis$!as!a!co$pletely!di%%erent!religion!or!syste$!o%!+elie%s'!and!the!*1P!as!an!atheist! party, 5t!is!a!%act!that!so$e!schools'!incorrectly!associated!with!$y!na$e'!%ro$!the!%irst!day!ha3e!connected!+een! to!the!:ational!Educational!Dinistry.!:o!in3estigation!into!the$!has!+een!conducted'!e3en!during!the!last!4! years!when!the!*1P!was!a!go3ern$ent!coalition!partner.!"he!+est!students!in!these!schools!ha3e! represented!our!country!worldwide!success%ully'!and!were!e3en!accepted!+y!the!President. 5!consider!it!a!duty!to!$a&e!these!$atters!&nown!once!again!through!the!$edia'!and!5!ta&e!this!opportunity! to!e9tend!$y!respects!and!good!wishes!to!e3eryone.!M"he!daily!#&Oa$'!6X23X?5

73

7elations with the media and oliticians

(!%ou 'ere an intro$erted man of religion& 5ately there ha$e *een indications that you intend to *ecome more open& +hy did you feel the need for this( :!#ctually'!due!to!$y!pro%ession!5!ha3e!always!+een!close!to!the!pu+lic'!although!perhaps!not!as!$uch!as!a! $edia!$e$+er.!Preachers!are!pu+lic!people.!5!+egan!practicing!$y!pro%ession!+e%ore!5!was!2B!years!old.!5! tra3eled!around!the!Dar$ara!and!#gean!parts!o%!"ur&ey.!.or!a!long!ti$e!5!was!a!tra3eling!preacher.!5!was! a$ong!the!people.!5%!+eing!heard'!seen'!and!&nown!$ean!anything'!5!was!one!heard'!seen'!and!&nown.! 1owe3er'!the!$edia!did!not!relate!$y!ideas!as!%ound!in!$y!writings!and!ser$ons.!MErtuPrul!Z>&[&'!Hoca #fendi .nlat/yor'!10rriyet'!1X23C3BC?5N

6?len and olitics

(!Those looking at you from the outside get the impression that you6re trying to set up a political organi8ation& +ere you e$er in$ol$ed in any political acti$ities( :!:o'!5!was!ne3er!in3ol3ed!in!any!political!e%%orts!or!acti3ities. :!Do you $ote( :!4es'!5!was!a+le!to!3ote!once!in!$y!li%e.!So$eti$es!5!wasn6t!here!%or!the!registration'!so$eti$es!5!was! under!sur3eillance.!So!5!was!a+le!to!use!$y!3ote!only!once. :!.re you opposed to $oting for any particular party during elections( :!Yust!the!opposite.!5!always!said!%ro$!the!$osGue!pulpits(!)/o!and!use!your!3ote.!"his!is!a!citi>en6s!right! and!responsi+ility.!De%initely!e9press!your!choice.! here3er!you!want!to!cast!your!3ote'!cast!it'!+ut! de%initely!3ote.-!"his!nation!should!get!accusto$ed!to!it'!and!so!should!de$ocracy!+e!esta+lished.!5%!you! listen!to!$y!pre3ious!tape!recordings'!you6ll!hear!this!$any!ti$es. :!+ell0 after all0 do you ha$e any political aspirations or eFpectations( :!#+solutely!not.!5!don6t!e3en!ha3e!the!desire!to!li3e!a%ter!this.!5!ha3e!a!di%%erent!&ind!o%!understanding.! 563e!$et!good!people!and!$ade!$any!%riends.!5!desire!either!a!solitary!corner!or!the!other!world.!1owe3er'! 5!see!$ysel%!as!a!genuine!piece!o%!this!nation'!as!one!o%!the!threads!in!the!lace!o%!this!culture.!So'!as!long!as! 5!li3e'!i%!5!ha3e!an!opinion!a+out!a!$atter!related!to!it'!5!won6t!hesitate!to!e9press!it.!

/he @edia on 6?len.s @eeting with /urkish 8olitical <eaders

;ce0it and :ethullah 3odja
7ast!night!5!had!a!+rie%!tal&!with!Bulent!Ece3it.!5!as&ed!a+out!his!$eeting!with!.ethullah!/0len.!1e!replied! that!their!tal&!had!+een!3ery!+ene%icial'!and!that!it!had!centered!on!religious'!scienti%ic'!and!philosophical! su+2ects!instead!o%!than!politics. Kuoting!%ro$!his!+oo&'!Ece3it!pointed!out!to!/0len(!)5n!your!+oo&s!you!indicate!that!there!is!no!roo$!%or! dou+t!in!religion!and!that!+elie%!ta&es!precedence.!1owe3er'!%or!there!to!+e!progress!in!science'!there!is!a! constant!need!%or!dou+t.-!/0len!shared!the!sa$e!o+ser3ation. Ece3it!also!indicates!that!/0len!and!his!%ollowers!are!3ery!+ene%icial!%or!de$ocracy6s!de3elop$ent. /0len!has!another!i$portant!characteristic.! ith!donations!%ro$!people!close!to!hi$'!they!are!opening! pri3ate!schools!at!a!%ast!pace'!especially!in!the!*entral!#sian!"ur&ic!repu+lics.!"oday!1@6!high!schools!and! their!eGui3alents!ha3e!+een!opened!there'!and!there!are!another!13B!in!"ur&ey.!"hese!schools!pro3ide!a! high!le3el!o%!science!education.!.or!e9a$ple'!a!student!%ro$!;>$ir!4a$anlar!*ollege!was!chosen!as!the! world!physics!cha$pion.!"his!success!earned!hi$!a!scholarship!%ro$!:#S#!in!#$erica.!"hese!schools!do! not!operate!li&e!Kur6an!courses'!as!so$e!ha3e!clai$ed.!5!personally!3isited!two!o%!the$in!"ur&ey.!"hey! ha3e!3ery!$odern!+iology'!physics'!che$istry'!and!co$puter!la+oratories.!Very!serious!education!is!+eing! gi3en.!"he!students6!dress!is!no!di%%erent!%ro$!that!o%!students!at!Ho+ert!*ollege.!"he!schools!in!*entral!

74

#sia!are!said!to!+e!si$ilar.!#nd'!the!+est!schools!in!these!countries!are!those!esta+lished!+y!those!near!to! /0len.

"his ! underta&ing ! also ! $ade ! Ece3it! 3ery! happy. ! Ece3it ! said( ! )5 ! as&ed ! $y ! %riends. ! "hese! schools!are!3ery!good!schools.!#ccording!to!in%or$ation!5!ha3e!recei3ed'!they!are!increasing! "ur&ey6s!in%luence!in!the!"ur&ic!repu+lics!at!the!e9pense!o%!5ran! and!Saudi!#ra+ia.-! e!need! tolerance! and ! agree$ent ! in ! the ! world ! o% ! +elie%' ! politics' ! and ! science. ! 5 ! consider ! /0len6s! underta&ings ! 3ery ! success%ul ! steps ! toward ! agree$ent ! and ! unity! in ! society. MDeric ! =[yatasR'
Mcolu$nistN'!.kCam'!6X1@X?5N

9es to Consultation#!>o to Fatwa

+y!;rtuLrul M"kNk "he!$eeting!held!in!the!Pri$e!Dinister6s!residence!two!wee&s!ago!"hursday!didn6t!surprise! $e.!!563e!&nown!%or!a!long!ti$e!that!Pri$e!Dinister!"ansu!]iller!has!+een!in!need!o%!this!&ind!o% ! e9panding! her ! relations. ! .ethullah ! /0len! %irst ! attracted ! $y ! attention! at ! the ! +eginning! o% ! the ! 1??B6s!at!the!ti$e!o%!the!)1eadscar%!issue.-!5!re$e$+er!3ery!clearly.!!#t!that!ti$e!5!had!2ust!co$e! to ! the ! position ! o% ! 10rriyet ! newspaper6s ! /eneral ! Editor. ! ! "ur&ey ! was ! e9periencing ! a ! clash! regarding!whether!or!not!the!headscar%!would!+e!%ree. "he!at$osphere!was!e9tre$ely!strained.!!#s!the!/eneral!Editor!o%!"ur&ey6s!$ost!in%luential! newspaper'!5!was!as&ing!$ysel%!the!Guestion!o%!how!this!tension!could!+e!decreased. @itigation of the Car Yust!at!that!ti$e!5!reali>ed!that!a!seg$ent!o%!the!circles!that!ad3ocated!%reedo$!%or!wo$en!to! wear!a!headscar%!had!suddenly!entered!a!period!o%!silence. "hose!circles!+egan!to!%ollow!a!$ilder!policy!+ecause!o%!the!tension!in!society!created!+y!the ! headscar%!issue.!! hen!5!in3estigated!the!reason!%or!this'!5!%ound!this!answer. .ethullah!1od2a!had!+egun!to!ta&e!a!stance!to!pre3ent!the!society!%ro$!+eing!drawn!into!ci3il! war ! +ecause ! o% ! the ! headscar% ! issue. ! ! 7ater ! when ! 5 ! tal&ed ! with ! these ! circles' ! they ! said ! that ! .ethullah!1od2a6s!$oderate!policy!had!+een!3ery!e%%ecti3e!in!the!pre3ention!o%!%urther!tension. :ow ! %our ! years ! ha3e ! passed. ! #nd ! 56$ ! as&ing ! $ysel%( ! ) ould ! it ! +e ! +ad ! i% ! people ! li&e! .ethullah!/0len!inter3ened!in!other!issues!that!di3ide!the!society!with!$essages!o%!$oderation,! M10rriyet!12X14X?4N

It.s 4eneficial to <earn

+y!/amer Aorkma" "a&ing!.ethullah!/0len!1od2ae%endi6s !na$e !as!a!starting!point!and!calling!a!seg$ent !o%! de3out!Dusli$s!).ethullah<ilar-!M%ollowers!o%!.ethullahN!goes!+ac&!to!an!edition!o%!the!10rriyet ! newspaper!Rn1?@6.!!During!the!days!o%!Yuly!1@C1?'!1?@6'!this!newspaper!pu+lished!an!edition!%ull! o%!e9tre$ely!+ig!$ista&es!and!slander!regarding!.ethullah!/0len!1od2ae%endi.! !5n!news!%ull!o%! %alsehoods ! %ro$ ! +eginning ! to ! end' ! including ! his ! age' ! his ! ideas ! and ! $arital ! status' ! the ! word! ).ethullah<ilar-!was!used!%or!the!%irst!ti$e.!!M]etin!E$e<'!general!editor!o%!the!newspaper!at!that ! ti$e'!was!the!writer!o%!the!%irst!news!that!5!$entioned.N!!During!the!1?@?!headscar%!con%lict'!]etin! E$e< ! pointed ! out ! the ! warnings ! .ethullah ! /0len ! 1od2ae%endi ! $ade ! in ! one ! o% ! his ! ser$ons.! "owards!the!end!o%!:o3e$+er'!1?@?'!he!praised!1od2ae%endi!in!an!article!as!)a!%ore$ost!na$e!in! ser$ons!on!unity.-!!5n!short'!ter$s!li&e!).ethullah<ilar-!and!).ethullah<ili&-!are!na$es!produced! +y! the ! 10rriyet6s ! power ! o% ! i$agination! and ! that ! don6t ! actually! e9ist. ! ! Hegarding! the ! ]illerC

75

.ethullah! 1od2ae%endi! $eeting' ! political !scientist! :ur! Vergin!co$$ented( ! !)...5%! "ur&ey! is !a ! de$ocracy'!those!$a&ing!politics!in!this!country!and!especially!those!in!the!position!o%!running ! the!country!o%!course!are!in!a!position!to!please!the!hearts!o%!$illions!o%!citi>ens!and!as&!their! ideas....-!MTa$an!12X17X?4N

7eligion and 8olitics

+y!9a0u" Donat Tari1as!are!a!reality!o%!"ur&ey.! !"hey!e9isted!yesterday'!they!e9ist!today!and!they6ll!e9ist! to$orrow.!! "hose!in3ol3ed!in!politics!in!the!center!right!&now!this!%act'!and!while!esta+lishing!internal! party!+alances!they!don6t!neglect!this!reality.! Seeing!this!as!a!concession!is!$isleading. "he!word!reconciliation!is!perhaps!$ore!appropriate. #%ter ! Septe$+er ! 12' ! 1?@B' ! pressure ! was ! put ! on ! tari1as. ! ! 7eader ! o% ! the ! S0ley$anci! co$$unity'!=e$al!=a<ar'!was!arrested.! !Pro%essor!Dua$$er!#&soy!acted!as!=a<ar6s!lawyer. ! Encountering!slot!o%!criticis$!during!that!period'!Dua$$er!#&soy!said'!)Da&ing!politics!while! closing!one6s!eyes!to!the!reality!o%!the!tari1as!is!$isleading."ur&ey!is!a!laic!repu+lic.!1owe3er'!i%!the!+ig!political!parties!don6t!ta&e!into!consideration! )certain!+alances-!and!don6t!hold!the!conser3ati3e!$asses!within!their!organi>ations'!then!with! certainly!the!)e9tre$es-!will!gain!strength.! Z>al!and!De$irel!acted!politically!with!awareness!o%!this!reality.! !5n!the!1?7B6s!when!the! le%t6s !3ote ! was ! cli$+ing !to!42a' ! Ece3it !was ! care%ul ! not !to!%ight ! with! religion... ! "here ! were! parlia$entarians!with!strong!religious!roots!in!his!cadre.!!!M.or!e9a$ple'!70t%0!DoPanN#$erica! also!&nows!)this!reality.5n!the!1?6B6s!there!were!$e$+ers!o%!the!Peace!*orps!in!our!country.! !"his!organi>ation'! which!was!%inanced!+y!#$erica'!atte$pted!to!$a&e!a!pu+lic!sur3ey!in!462!3illages. 7et6s!loo&!at!a!%ew!e9a$ples!%ro$!the!Guestionnaire!%or$( 5s!there!a!$ausoleu$!or!ento$+ed!saint!that!the!people!3isit!near!your!3illage, 1ow!$any!in%luential!shei&s!are!there!in!the!3illage!and!neigh+oring!3illages, 1ow!closely!tied!to!religion!are!the!3illage!people, Do!young!people!under!the!age!o%!1@!%ast Does!the!)aPa-!Mlocal!landlordN'!)&ay$a&a$-!Mdistrict!o%%icialN'!)$uhtar-!Mlocal!o%%icialN!or ! teacher!assist!you!with!religious!$atters 1ow!%reGuently!are!o%%icial!ser$ons!gi3en!in!your!3illage, #re!there!any!nonCDusli$s!in!your!3illage, 1ow!$any!$ales!go!to!the!$osGue!e3ery!day, Do!+ene%icial!ideas!co$e!%ro$!the!i$a$'!the!)aPa-!or!another!e$inent!person, Do!wo$en!in!your!3illage!go!to!the!i$a$6s!wi%e!or!the!teacher6s!wi%e!%or!ad3ice, 8ur!political!parties!aren6t!curious!enough!a+out!the!"ur&ish!3illage!and!3illagers!!to!$a&e ! the!sur3ey!that!the!#$ericans!$ade.!MDilliyet!12X14X?4N

A Confused Duck Di0es in 4ottom :irst

+y!5ktay ;kOi #!).ethullah!1od2a-!crisis!has!arisen!in!the!*1P!recently.!!

76

#s!is!&nown'!during!the!recent!days!o%!the!Heligious!)Bayra$-!M.esti3e!DayN!o%!Sacri%ice!a! $an!o%!religion!na$ed!.ethullah!/0lenEperhaps!there!is!a!Guite!+road!seg$ent!that!respects!hi$ Ewanted!to!3isit!the!Deputy!Pri$e!Dinister'!*1P!/eneral!*hair$an!1i&$et!]etin!in!his!ho$e. ! /0len!wish!to!$a&e!a!call!o%!congratulations!%or!the!)Bayra$.-!!]etin!accepted!and!they!tal&ed. Did!.ethullah!1od2a!$a&e!a!reGuest!%ro$!1i&$et!]etin!in!their!$eeting, :o'!it6s!understood!%ro$!what!+oth!parties!said!that!not!e3en!the!%irst!letter!o%!the!word! )politics-!was!pronounced.! !#s!a!$atter!o%!%act'!.ethullah!1od2a6s!state$ent!was!pu+lished!in! yesterday6s ! newspapers. ! ! ith ! a ! soundly! &nit ! logic ! he ! said' ! )Dy! $eeting ! with ! the ! political! leaders!and!$e$+ers!o%!the!ad$inistration'!who!hold!in!their!hands!the!%ate!o%!this!state!and!this ! nationEwhich!5!&now!to!+e!a!part!o%!$y!own!destinyEwas!regarded!as!strange!+y!so$e.!5!ha3e! to!ad$it!that!5!ha3e!di%%iculty!reconciling!this!with!the!attri+ute'!position!and!le3el!o%!+y!these! circles."he!$an!says(!56$!a!citi>en!o%!this!country!and!a!retired!o%%icial!o%!this!go3ern$ent.!! hat6s! wrong!with!.urther$ore'!the!reGuest!to!$eet!ca$e!%ro$!hi$.!!Doreo3er'!he!was!care%ul!enough! to!choose!a!religious!holiday!%or!this!3isit'!which!pro3ides!an!opportunity!%or!e3eryone!who!wants! to!e9tend!good!wishes!to!another!to!do!so. Chat.s wrong with it? ould!those!who!critici>ed!1i&$et!]etin!ha3e!+een!a+le!to!re%use!a!reGuest!%or!a!3isit'!not ! %ro$!.ethullah!/0len'!+ut!%ro$!so$eone!who!said'!)5!want!to!3isit!you'-!e3en!i%!that!person!had! +een!in3ol3ed!in!e3ents!that!were!a!disgrace!to!his!society'!his!%a$ily!and!$an&ind, 5%!they!re%used'!wouldn6t!they!%all!to!a!lower!position!than!the!other!person, E3en!i%!those!who!ha3e!ridiculed!%or!years!warnings!a+out!laicis$!now!show!this!sensiti3ity ! in!the!na$e!o%!laicis$'!let!the$!&now!that!they6re!&noc&ing!on!the!wrong!door!at!the!wrong!place ! and!at!the!wrong!ti$e.!M10rriyetN

4?lent ;ce0it and :ethullah 6?len Draw Closer to ;ach 5ther

+y!Bsmet Solak #n ! i$portant ! inter3iew ! $ade ! +y ! Ey0p ! *an ! with ! .ethullah ! /0len ! +egan ! appearing ! last! Sunday!in!the!Ta$an!newspaper.!!Prior!to!this'!.ethullah!/0len!had!answered!:uriye!#&$an6s ! co$prehensi3e!Guestions!in!the!Sa+ah!newspaper. "hose!reading!:uriye!#&$an6s!inter3iew!saw!an!interesting!portrait!o%!.ethullah!/0len.!!8ne! o%!those!who!thought!that!he!was!%aced!with!a!di%%erent!hu$an!+eing!was!B0lent!Ece3it'!/eneral! *hair$an!o%!the!DSP.!Ece3it!stated!se3eral!ti$es!pre3iously!that!he!had!%ollowed!the!inter3iew!in ! the!Sa+ah!newspaper!and!that!he!at!least!%ound!.ethullah!/0len!)interesting.-!!So$e!ti$e!earlier! Ece3it!also!tal&ed!with!/0len.! !#ccording!to!in%or$ation!at!hand'!this!$eeting!occurred!in!the! %or$!o%!a!$eeting!+etween!two!intellectuals!interested!in!poetry!and!intellectual!issues!rather!than ! as!a!political!$eeting.!Ece3it!ga3e!/0len!his!poetry!+oo&!and!translations!he!$ade !%ro$!the! %a$ous!5ndian!poet!"agore. Ece3it'!who!had!+eco$e!personally!interested!in!.ethullah!/0len!through!:uriye!#&$an6s! inter3iew ! pu+lished! in! Sa+ah! and! who! had! $et ! with! /0len' ! read! Ey0p ! *an6s ! inter3iew ! that! appeared!in!Ta$an!all!last!wee&!and!this!ti$e!he!%elt!close!to!.ethullah!/0len!in!regard!to!his ! ideas. B0lent ! Ece3it' ! who ! $ade ! a ! speech ! .riday ! e3ening ! at ! the ! Dede$an ! 1otel ! at ! a ! $eeting! regarding!%oreign!a%%airs!held!+y!the!)#ssociation!%or!Solidarity!in!Business!7i%e'-!%reGuently! $ade!re%erences!to!the!inter3iew!$ade!with!/0len.! !1e!stated!that!he!)wholeheartedly!shared-! so$e !o%!.ethullah!/0len6s!ideas.! !#ctually!the!%eeling!were!$utual.! ! hile!.ethullah!/0len!

77

didn6t!$ention!any!other!politician6s!na$e!in!the!inter3iew'!he!$entioned!B0lent!Ece3it6s!na$e! twice!regarding!two!di%%erent!$atters.!M10rriyetN Chat did 6?len say? .ethullah!/0len' !who!is !re%erred!to!respect%ully!as !)1od2ae%endi- !+y!his!co$$unity!and! so$eti$es!in!a!derogatory!$anner!only!as!)1od2a-!in!other!circles'!said!essentially!se3en!things ! in!his!inter3iew!that!appeared!last!wee&!in!the!Ta$an!newspaper("here!is!no!place!%or!dog$a!in ! 5sla$.! !5t!is!a!progressi3e!religion.Yust!as!there!are!)%anatics-!or!dog$atists!in!5sla$'!there!are ! )7ai&!%anatics-!in!the!laic!seg$ents!o%!society!Mhere!he!Guotes!%ro$!Ece3itN.!!"hese!two!seg$ents! which!are!not!+roadC$inded!enough!could!change!"ur&ey!into!another!#lgiers. Brea&ing!relations!with!#$erica!would!lea3e!"ur&ey!isolated.Due!to!the!$isunderstanding!o%! 5$a$!/ha>ali6s!3iews'!5sla$!+eca$e!re$o3ed!%ro$!positi3e!science'!and!this!hindered!5sla$6s ! rise. Do3ing!away!%ro$!the!positi3e!sciences!lowered!the!5sla$ic!educational!institution!o%!the! $adrassa!which!then!taught!only!religion!and!religious!su+2ects!to!a!less!+ene%icial!position.!8n! the!other!hand'!the!maktap!Mpu+lic!schoolN'!a! estern!and!laic!educational!institution'!taught!the! positi3e!sciences'!+ut!it!ignored!religious!education."ogether!with!+eing!contro3ersial'!the!ter$! )"ur&ish!5sla$-!goes!+ac&!to!#h$et!4asawi.!! e!owe!our!current!Dusli$!culture!to!the!*entral! #sia..ethullah!/0len6s!ideas!and!acti3ities!inside!"ur&ey!are!also!interesting.!!5n!/0len6s!+road! state$ent'!which!5!ha3e!tried!to!su$$ari>e!a+o3e'!he!clearly!ta&es!a!stand!against!the!HP!in!a! totally ! une9pected ! way. ! ! Spea&ing ! in ! a+stract ! ter$s ! without ! gi3ing ! na$es ! o% ! people ! and! institutions'!still!he!e9presses!his!opposition!to!the!HP!+y!gi3ing!its!na$e.!1e!also!appro3es!the ! *usto$s!Anion.!5n!the!do$estic!"ur&ish!policy!in!which!all!o%!the!roc&s!were!displaced!+y!the ! e3ents ! o% ! Septe$+er ! 12th! '! which! e9perienced! a! +ig! earthGua&e ! as ! a ! result ! o% ! "urgut ! Z>al6s! stri&ing!ideas!and!applications'!and!which!was!se3erely!sha&en!+y!the!collapse!o%!the!So3iet ! Anion'!the!stones!are!slowing!settling!down.!!5n!this!settling!process!the!ideas!o%!the!)$ost!laic- ! B0lent!Ece3it!regarding!laicis$!or!*entral!#sia!are!3ery!co$pati+le!with!.ethullah!/0len.

6?len on /urkey.s Internal Affairs

S/H and AA>A< D
Chat Did 6?len Say Concerning the Situation in /urkey?
"ur&ey!is!li3ing!through!a!ti$e!o%!tension.!1owe3er'!perhaps!it6s!necessary!to!dwell!on!why!this!is!so.!8ne! in%luential!%actor!is!"ur&ish!society6s!general!$a&eCup.!:o!one!should!get!upset'!+ut!according!to!this!our! society!has!not!yet!%ound!its!right!course.! 5n!an!age!o%!enlighten$ent!li&e!this'!"ur&ey!has!not!produced!that!which!is!reGuired!+y!enlighten$ent!or! %ully!digested!de$ocracy.!Politics!is!+ased!$ore!on!sel%Cinterest.!#!great!thin&er!o%!our!ti$e!has!said(! )Politics!re3ol3ing!around!interest!is!a!$onster.-!5!thin&!so$e!people!are!$a&ing!a!$onster!out!o%!politics! and!+asing!it!on!sel%Cinterest.!"ur&ish!society!needs!reconciliation!and!agree$ent.!5%!the!powers!and!those! representing!power!in!"ur&ey!would!act!de$ocratically'!we!could!o3erco$e!these!trou+les.!5%!e$otions! replace!logical!2udg$ents!and!e$+raced!+y!the!$edia'!go3ern$ent!o%%icials'!or!political!leaders'!$any! $ista&es!can!+e!$ade.!E3ery!social!seg$ent!$ust!+e!3ery!+alanced. 5t!is!dangerous!to!politici>e!religion'!+ut!it6s!e3en!$ore!o%!a!danger!%or!religion!than!%or!the!regi$e'!+ecause! religion!+elongs!to!e3eryone.!E3eryone!$ust!+e!a+le!to!respect!religion!and!%ind!worldly!peace!with!it'!and! the!heart!$ust!+e!a+le!to!attain!tranGuillity!within!it.!Heligion!is!the!na$e!o%!the!connection!+etween!/od! and!hu$anity. #t!this!$o$ent!in!"ur&ey'!there!is!a!3ery!serious!discussion!a+out!whether!or!not!secularis$!is!endangered.! 5%!reconciliation!is!+eing!sought!+etween!5sla$!and!secularis$'!then!according!to!so$e!3iews!o%!5sla$'!in!

7@

%act!according!to!so$e!Kur6anic!3erses!li&e!%our religion for you0 mine for me'!there6s!no!+ig!pro+le$.!5%! secularis$!is!understood!as!not!+asing!the!state!on!religion'!not!inter%ering!in!religion!or!in!the!+elie3ers6! religious!li%e'!and!acting!in!an!un+iased!way'!there6s!no!pro+le$!at!all.!5!don6t!thin&!secularis$!is!in!danger! now!or!that!it!will!+e!in!the!%uture.!

/owards /omorrow.s /urkey

: Do you see any parallel *et'een your coming into $ie' and Turkey6s flight from the 9cocoon: it has 'o$en around itself( (!5%!the!people!and!go3ern$ent!are!not!ready!to!step!%orward'!i%!circu$stances!are!not!%a3ora+le'!you! cannot!do!anything!worthwhile.!4ou!$ight!encounter!so$e!go3ern$ent!$e$+ers!who!oppose!what!you63e! done!+ecause!o%!your!ideas.!But!in!general'!"ur&ey6s!internal!and!%oreign!policies!ha3e!+egun!to!change.! 4ou!can6t!see!your!own!go3ern$ent!as!an!ene$y.!"his!would!+e!a!+ig!$ista&e'!%or!co$pati+ility!+etween! the!state!and!the!people!is!a!3ery!i$portant!%actor'!especially!at!this!ti$e. (!3an it said that a ne' image is appearing( (!5!thin&!that!de3elop$ents!o+ser3ed!in!the!political!arena!and!a$ong!the!people!as!a!whole!are!a!source!o%! hope.! hat!5!ha3e!seen!in!$y!contacts!shows!that!our!society!sees!the!new!trend!as!e9pressing!the! collecti3e!conscience!and!collecti3e!senti$ent'!the!co$$on!thoughts!and!%eelings.!Antil!now!there!has! +een!a!di%%erent!5sla$ic!i$age.!"here!are!e%%orts!to!perpetuate!and!$anipulate!this!i$age!%or!their!own! interests.!But!5!see!that!this!i$age!is!on!the!way!to!change'!and!that!the!rulers!and!people!are!open!to! change!and!renewal. (!+here does this mistaken assumption come from( (!5t!$ight!+e!intentional!or!+ecause!o%!ignorance.!*hange!needs!ti$e.!So$e!indi3iduals!$ight!act!roughly! in!the!na$e!o%!5sla$'!+ut!that6s!still!an!indi3idual!action.!People6s!$a&eCup!and!way!o%!thin&ing!a%%ects! this'!+ut!5sla$!a+solutely!doesn6t!allow!it.!5sla$!ca$e!to!gi3e!peace!and!happiness!to!hu$anity.!:ow!5sla$! has!the!i$age!that!i%!so$eone!doesn6t!thin&!2ust!li&e!you'!he!or!she!can!lose!his!or!her!head.!E3eryone!$ust! thin&!and!li3e!li&e!you.!So!%ar'!this!has!+een!the!attitude!o%!the! est!toward!the!5sla$ic!world.!#nd!this!is! li&e!a!hu$p!on!our!+ac&.!Dusli$s!in!#lgeria!and!Sudan!ha3e!+een!on!trial!%or!terroris$!+ecause!o%!this! 3iew.!#!3ery!+ad!i$age!has!+een!aroused.!5!thin&!that!our!nation'!which!has!interpreted!5sla$!%or!?! centuries!in!line!with!the!per%ect'!%le9i+le'!+road!understanding!o%!lo3e!and!tolerance!in!the!Kur6an!and!the! Sunna'!will!re$o3e!that!hu$p!%ro$!5sla$6s!+ac&!3ia!our!+road!3ision'!consideration'!and!tolerance.

/ransformation of 8aradigm to ;nigma

(! hen!the!paradig$!+eco$es!an!enig$a'!does!it!lead!to!a!co$$on!dog$atis$, (!4es'!5!thin&!they!produce!new!dog$as!against!dog$atis$.!Saying!this!$ay!+other!so$e!%riends.!8ur! current!pro+le$!is!a!war!o%!dog$as.!8ne!dog$atic!%ront!is!%ighting!with!another!dog$atic!%ront.!"hey!are! tied!to!rigid!things!and!insist!on!their!own!way.!E3en!though!they!are!e9tre$ists!and!in!the!$inority'!they! a%%ect!a!+road!pu+lic!+ase.!"heir!3oices!are!loud!and!e%%ecti3e.!"he!$a2ority'!who!re$ain!in!the!$iddle!and! are!not!part!o%!either!e9tre$e'!should!+e!$oderate'!%or!they!can!+alance!the!e9tre$es!and!thus!continue!to! push!%or!the!tolerance'!dialogue'!and!%or+earance!that!we!need!today.!MEy0p!*an'!Fethullah Glen )le 2fuk Turu'!Ta$an'!#ugust'!1??5N

6?len on /urkish :oreign 7elations and the Current Corld Situation

:oreign 8ress
Fethullah Glen has *een inter$ie'ed *yD Time0 The +all Street Nournal0 5e ?onde0 #leftheropitia0 ilindia Demokritika0 .l*ania0 ilindia Koso$a ne'spapersO *y Gournalists from ne'spapers in 2kraine and BulgariaO and *y "?J0 .8er*aiGani0 ussian0 and Ka8akhstani tele$ision& .s an eFample0 'e offer the ans'ers to the Bulgarian Gournalist6s 1uestions& Chat can be done to establish eace# es ecially in the 4alkans?

7?

:onChu$an!creatures'!li&e!plants!and!ani$als'!ha3e!co$$on!characteristics'!whereas!e3ery!indi3idual! person!is!li&e!a!species.!*onseGuently'!educators!say!we!$ust!deal!with!indi3iduals!separately!and! according!to!their!own!characters'!natures'!peculiarities'!and!a+ilities.!/i3en!this'!we!can!say!that!$en!and! wo$en!are!the!$ost!di%%icult!creatures!to!educate!and!control. 8n!the!other!hand'!hu$an!+eings!are!the!$ost!honora+le!and!per%ect!o%!creatures.!5n!addition!to!our! indi3idual!characteristics'!our!own!ci3ili>ed!and!social!nature!%orce!us!to!li3e!in!har$ony!with!other!people! and!the!natural!en3iron$ent.!*onseGuently'!we!can!+ring!our!indi3idual!characteristics!into!line!with!our! society6s!co$$on!3alues!and!$ores'!and!con%or$!to!such!social!rules!as!hu$an!rights'!2ustice'!and!$utual! respect. :ations!and!countries!sharing!a!co$$on!geography'!history'!and!e3en!destiny!can!+e!considered!a!large! society.!5!see!the!Bal&ans!as!such!a!society.! ithin!each!country!and!as!a!Bal&an!society'!there!are!$any! things!in!co$$on.!By!gi3ing!su%%icient!i$portance!to!neigh+orly'!%riendly'!and!e3en!+rotherly!relationships! on!the!+asis!o%!such!a!shared!consciousness'!they!can!esta+lish!co$pati+ility'!peace'!and!har$ony.!5n!an! increasingly!ci3ili>ed!world!that!is!growing!e3erCs$aller'!e3ery!type!o%!hostility!should!+e!discarded'!and! respect!should!+e!%elt!%or!e3ery!indi3idual6s!and!nation6s!%reedo$!to!e9ist.!:onCinter%erence!in!each!other6s! internal!a%%airs'!assistance'!and!cooperation!should!+e!the!nor$.!E9isting!and!%uture!pro+le$s!should!+e! sol3ed!diplo$atically!+ased!on!$utual!goodwill.!5n!addition'!internal!political!$atters!and!an9iety! regarding!elections!should!not!+e!tied!to!international!pro+le$s'!as!so!o%ten!happens!today. 3ow can eace be made and maintained in the 4alkans? "wo!o%!the!$ost!i$portant!%actors!here!are!education!and!religion.!Heligion6s!uni%ying!and!co$$on! aspects!should!replace!all!the!old!and!new!$isunderstandings!and!con%licts!that!e9ploit!religion!and!let!it!+e! used!+y!others!%or!their!own!purposes.!Education!will!enlighten!people6s!$indsF!religion!will!adorn!their! hearts!with!$oral!3alues'!lo3e!o%!hu$anity!and!nature'!respect!%or!others'!and!o+ser3ance!o%!+asic!hu$an! rights.!#rti%icial!%actors!that!separate!people!and!nations!should!+e!re$o3ed'!and!aspects!un+eco$ing!to!our! hu$an!honor!should!+e!eli$inated.!Success!in!these!areas!will!lea3e!today6s!generation!and!our!children!a! $uch!$ore!li3a+le!and!happy!world'!one!in!which!hu$an!relationships!are!$ore!+rotherly.

;1cer t from other inter0iews

China.s osition in the world
(!Do you ha$e any anFiety a*out 3hina( +hat do you think a*out 3hina6s position in the 'orld( :! e!don6t!ha3e!any!an9iety!now!a+out!*hina.!5!a$!not!certain!whether!the!*hinese!people!are!worried! a+out!us.!"he!AS!has!a!strong!%oothold!in!*hina.!5%!the!#$ericans!arouse!an9iety!regarding!"ur&s'!then!the! *hinese!$ight!+eco$e!worried.! e!are!trying!not!to!gi3e!any!reason!%or!an9iety!to!either!%ront'!+ecause! we6re!acting!in!accordance!with!a!spirit!o%!the!Dessiah'!dialogue'!and!tolerance!in!the!na$e!o%!world!peace! and!serenity.! e6re!wondering!i%!we!can!+e!a!catalyst.!

>o cultural war or clash of ci0ili"ations

(!+hat do you say a*out the thesis Huntington put forth in his article 93lash of 3i$ili8ations:( (!5!don6t!+elie3e!there6s!going!to!+e!a!clash!+etween!cultures!or!ci3ili>ations.!5%!so$e!pepole!are!planning! such!a!thing!+ased!on!their!current!drea$s!and!$a&ing!clai$s!on!this!su+2ect'!and!i%!such!a!wa3e!has!risen! and!is!on!its!way'!then!+e%ore!we!li3e!such!a!clash'!let6s!put!a!+igger!wa3e!in!%ront!o%!it!and!+rea&!their! wa3e.

7elations with the @uslim world and ;uro e

(!+hat do you say a*out the attitudeD 9Forget a*out #urope0 and *ecome the leader of the ?uslim 'orld in the #ast& %ou6re not #uropean anyho'&: (! e!ha3e!one!side!in!co$$on!with!Europe!and!one!side!in!co$$on!with!the!Dusli$!world.!8ur! integration!with!Europe!necessarily!will!+ring!the!other.!M:e33al!Se3indi'!Fethullah Glen )le "e' %ork Soh*eti'!4eni!40>yRl'!#ugust'!1??7N

/he ;uro ean ,nion F;,G and /urkey

(!I guess you6re not 'orried that Turkey6s entering the #2 'ill open the 'ay to assimilation.

@B

(!5!don6t!approach!this!$atter!%ro$!the!3iewpoint!o%!assi$ilation.!Econo$ists!and!politicians!should! e9a$ine!this!$atter!care%ully!%ro$!the!perspecti3e!o%!our!econo$y!and!political!issues.!M:uriye!#&$an'! Fethullah Hoca .nlat/yor'!Sa+ah'!1X23C3BX?5N

/urkey and the Customs ,nion

(!+hat do you say a*out Turkey6s entering the 3ustoms 2nion( :!563e!presented!$y!3iews!on!this!su+2ect!on!3arious!occasions.!"his!$atter6s!econo$ic!side!should!+e! discussed!and!de+ated!thoroughly!+y!e9perts!in!this!%ield.!5%!the!*usto$s!Anion!is!going!to!tie!our!hands'! o+struct!our!trade!outside!o%!Europe!and!in!other!places'!and!cause!a!snag!in!our!i$ports!and!e9ports'!then! we!$ust!consider!these!issues!and!decide!accordingly.!5!don6t!+elie3e!it6s!right!to!oppose!the!*usto$s! Anion!+ecause!it!$ight!lead!to!our!assi$ilation.!.or!whate3er!reason!we!$ight!enter!the!*usto$s!Anion'! assi$ilation!in!our!na$e!is!out!o%!Guestion.!M8ral!]alROlar'!Fethullah Glen6le E1ortaG'!*u$huriyet'!@X2BC 26X?5N

7elations with the Cest

(!Ho' do you see our relations 'ith the +est( (!5!don6t!see!any!har$!in!2oining!the! est!and! estern!thought!on!points!where!it6s!necessary!and!where! there6s!no!danger.!5t6s!inescapa+le...!/od!created!hu$anity!as!an!honored!creature!with!intelligence!and! conscience.!"hose!who!do!not!&now!5sla$!are!also!hu$an!+eings!with!intelligence!and!a!conscience.!"here! are!things!that!intelligence'!conscience'!and!+eing!hu$an!pro$ise!to!hu$anity.!#s!one!sage!said(!)/od! created!hu$anity!as!an!honora+le!creature!who!always!loo&s!%or!goodness!and!+eauty.!But!so$eti$es! %alsehood!can!+e!pulled!o3er!its!head!li&e!a!cap...-!"his!$eans!that!there!is!an!inclination!in!hu$an!nature! to!see&!goodness!and!+eauty.!5%!we!ha3e!%ound!our!essence'!we!can!get!only!+eauti%ul!things!%ro$!it.!"here! are!$any!+eauti%ul!things!to!+orrow!%ro$!the! est.! : But there is hostility to'ard the +est0 especially in Islamic circles0 in the form of slogans. (!5n!the!a+solute!sense'!an!unGuestiona+le!hostility!toward!the! est!is!an!anachronis$.!Such!people!will! +e!eli$inated!+y!ti$e.!Europeans!didn6t!hesitate!to!+orrow!%ro$!us!what!they!thought!they!needeed.!"hose! who!read!a!little!history!o%!science!&now!that!+e%ore!Europe6s!Henaissance'!a!true!renaissance!too&!place!in! the!%i%th!century!#1!in!the!Dusli$!world.!Scholars!li&e!Biruni'!1ari>$i'!#3icenna'!and!$any!others!were! translated!into!European!languages.!European!students!poured!into!#ndalusia'!a!center!o%!learning'!%or! centuries.!#s!ac&nowledged!+y!$any!historians!o%!science'!the!%oundation!o%!Europe6s!Henaissance!was! laid!in!the!Dusli$!world.!So$e!European!>ealots!changed!the!na$es!o%!our!scholars.!.or!e9a$ple'!5+nCi! Sina!was!)latini>ed-!into!#3icenna'!and!5+nCi!H0shd!+eca$e!#3errobs.!.air! estern!writers!ad$it!this.!5! don6t!see!any!har$!in!ta&ing!things!the! est!has!de3eloped.! e!can!get!the$!and!$a&e!%urther! ad3ance$ents.!MEy0p!*an'!Fethullah Glen )le 2fuk Turu'!Ta$an'!#ugust'!1??5N

7elations with Central Asia# the Islamic Corld# and the Cest
:!Is the 3entral .sian corridor going to carry Turkey to the +est0 the ?iddle #ast0 and the 4acific( :!Hight.!4ou!e9pressed!it!3ery!well.!"he!i$portant!thing!is!%or!that!corridor!to!open'!and'!with!/od6s!will'! a!corridor!%ree!o%!ti$e!and!space!will!open.!#s!stated!in!the!old!e9pression'!)#!road!will!open!%ro$!heart!to! heart'-!this!will!+e!reali>ed!on!the!planes!o%!%eeling'!thought'!and!%aith.!#t!the!sa$e!ti$e'!it!will!allow! "ur&ish!society!to!+eco$e!integrated!with!the! est!in!a!har$less!way.!5n!this!sense'!we!should!discuss!the! possi+le!har$!%ro$!such!integration.!.or!e9a$ple'!we!should!dwell!on!the!possi+le!econo$ic!har$!o%! entering!the!*usto$s!Anion.!But!we!also!will!+ene%it!in!other!ways!%ro$!integration.

Close 7elations with the 8acific region

5t6s!3ery!i$portant!that!we!2oin!Europe.!1owe3er'!*entral!#sia!is!going!to!+e!a!+ridge!%or!"ur&ish! +usiness$en!and!entrepreneurs'!and!this!will!$a&e!our!co$petition!with!the!world!easier.!Day+e!so$e! 2oint!things!will!+e!done'!thus!pro3iding!an!opportunity!to!e3aluate!our!relationship!with!Europe.!"he!sa$e! thing!is!possi+le!with!the!Paci%ic!region.! e6re!not!+ound!to!anyoneF!we!can!use!the!Paci%ic!region'!*entral! #sia'!and!Europe.!Separate!alternati3es!will!gi3e!us!a!+roader!+ase!%or!+argaining.!MEy0p!*an'!Fethullah Glen )le 2fuk Turu'!Ta$an'!#ugust'!1??5N

America at the world.s rudder

@1

(!%ou6$e *een in .merica for a 'hile& Ho' do you descri*e it( +hat is its role in the 'orld( :!De$ocracy!and!certain!national!traditions!are!well!esta+lished!in!#$erica.!"he!social!$osaic!perhaps! necessitates!this.!#$erica!is!li&e!ancient!Ba+ylon.!5%!there!weren6t!a!de$ocracy!in!the!sense!that!#$ericans! understand'!esta+lish'!and!sancti%y'!its!national!unity!could!not!+e!protected.!Dany!things!can!+e!done!in! #$erica.!Dany!things!on!+ehal%!o%!our!way!o%!thin&ing!can!+e!done.!5n!the!current!glo+al!%ra$ewor&'! #$erica'!with!its!present!position!and!power'!can!control!the!whole!world.! #ll!the!wor&!to!+e!done!in!the!world!can!+e!$anaged!%ro$!here.!5n!%act'!not!getting!along!with!#$erica'! not!necessarily!getting!its!support!+ut!not!getting!along!with!it!as!a!%riend'!would!$a&e!it!di%%icult!to!do! anything!anywhere.!#$erica!still!controls!the!rudder!o%!the!world6s!ship. Sociologists!say!that!e3ery!nation!and!ci3ili>ation'!2ust!as!e3ery!indi3idual'!has!a!li%e!span.!#$erica!has! also!a!li%e!span.!#$erica!is!a!de$ocratic!country'!and!de$ocracies!%all!3ery!slowly'!li&e!%eathers.!"he! disintegration!o%!despotic!regi$es'!li&e!the!So3iet!Anion'!ta&es!place!suddenly!li&e!a!gas!e9plosion.! M:e33al!Se3indi'!Fethullah Glen )le "e' %ork Soh*eti'!4eni!40>yRl'!#ugust'!1??7N

@2