This 2018 recording bears witness to the bond between Ottoman Sufi heritage and contemporary spiritual expression. The ilâhi “Hayy,” performed by Sheikh Bahauddin Adil and Ayberk Efendi, unfolds as an extended meditation on one of the most profound names of God: Al-Hayy – “The Ever-Living.”
The voice of Sheikh Bahauddin Adil carries the gravity of centuries-old tasavvuf poetry, while Ayberk Efendi’s accompaniment weaves a subtle tapestry of ney and oud. The long arrangement lets listeners settle into each breath, and every repetition of “Hayy” becomes an invitation to contemplate the divine presence in every moment. In this way the piece is a moving dhikr (remembrance) that helps the heart recognise the endless life flowing through creation.
The collaboration reflects the Royal Ottoman Society’s mission of bridging past and present. Sheikh Bahauddin Adil, rooted in the teachings of the Naqshbandi lineage, brings spiritual depth; Ayberk Efendi translates it into an accessible musical language, so that tradition feels alive rather than distant.
For anyone drawn to Sufi music, “Hayy” is an invitation to pause, reflect and reconnect with the divine heartbeat beneath all existence. Further recordings, poetry and teachings – including daily zikr collections and classic ilâhis – await you in our digital Library.
May the echo of “Hayy” inspire your inner journey and remind us that the Ever-Living is ever near.
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