In this sohbet, Sheikh Bahauddin reflects on what set the Ottoman Empire apart from the great civilisations before it: the Egyptians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Umayyads, Abbasids and Seljuks. He explains that the Ottomans reached the “highest state of ruling” because their power rested on spiritual foundations as well as material wealth. Every sultan was guided by a sheikh, a murshid and the awliya, so that justice, culture, beauty and an understanding of the Prophet’s ﷺ teachings shaped their governance. This union of Sufi wisdom and statecraft, Sheikh Bahauddin suggests, made Ottoman rule “the most perfect ruling” in history.
The talk invites us to consider how a civilisation can flourish when spiritual guidance stands at the heart of leadership. Seekers who wish to explore this legacy further, through daily zikr, classical texts or live gatherings, are warmly invited to join our community.
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