At a gathering of the Royal Ottoman Society, Ayberk Efendi led a session of dhikr accompanied by an authentic mehter (Ottoman military) band. The ensemble raised their voices in unison: “Masha’Allah, La quwwata illa Billah, Ya Rabbi at-tawfiq,” a plea for divine assistance and an expression of gratitude. The blessed presence of Sheikh Nazım Efendi reminded everyone that the path to Allah reaches beyond worldly concerns.
Here, traditional Ottoman percussion and Sufi chant meet in a living heritage in which music becomes a vehicle for remembrance. The drums and brass of the mehter stir the heart and recall the historical bond between the empire’s martial spirit and its mystical tradition. As the chants grew stronger (“Haydi, haydi, Ya Allah,” “Amin”), the gathering entered a shared state of zikr.
If this moved you, we invite you to take part in the Society’s spiritual and cultural life. Members have access to regular live meetings, where seekers can take Bayʿah and continue their Sufi practice under the guidance of our teachers.
Explore membership: royalottomans.com/membership
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