In this reflection Sheikh Bahauddin reminds us of a time when the Ottoman Empire stood at the height of world civilisation. European aristocracy was so taken with its splendour that they wore Ottoman robes, filled their homes with Ottoman motifs and proudly imitated the culture they admired. The reason was clear: Islam stood triumphant, and its light reached Europe.
Yet Sheikh Bahauddin points to a paradox today. The message of Islam remains undefeated, but many Muslims feel defeated because we have drifted from the path our ancestors walked. The Ottoman slogan “La ilaha illallah” – “There is no deity but God” – still reminds us that true victory belongs to the Almighty alone. To regain our spiritual stature, we must ask ourselves: on which field are we running today? Which fields did our forebears choose, and how can we bring our actions in line with their devotion?
This is not nostalgia but an invitation to revive the spirit of the Ottoman golden age in our own hearts, and so to reconnect with the source of true strength and purpose.
If you feel moved to deepen this journey, join the Royal Ottoman Society’s community or one of our live gatherings, where Bayʿah is offered.
- Become a member: https://royalottomans.com/membership
- Join live meetings: https://royalottomans.com/live-meetings
