In this heartfelt sohbet the two revered teachers, Sultan Sheikh Mehmed Efendi and Ayberk Efendi, gathered with us in Ludwigshafen to remind our community of the core Sufi principles that shape everyday life. Their words moved seamlessly between Turkish and German, reflecting the multicultural spirit of our society while pointing always toward a single inner truth: true peace arises from gratitude, humility, and sincere contentment.
The Call to Gratitude
Sheikh Mehmed Efendi began by invoking the traditional greeting “Selamun Aleyküm ve Rahmetullahi ve Barakatuhu”, framing the gathering as a continuation of divine mercy. He emphasized that the very act of speaking together is itself an expression of “hayır zevkiyatı”—the pleasure of doing good. The central command, he reminded us, is simple yet profound: “Allah’ın emriyle iyilik yap, kötülükten kaçın.”
From this foundation rose a repeated invitation to remember Allah’s countless blessings: “Şükür edince Allah daha fazlasını verir.” In both Turkish and German they underscored that gratitude is not merely a polite habit but an active spiritual practice. When we thank the Creator for what we have—our health, our modest homes, even the humble cup of tea offered by a host—we open ourselves to further divine generosity.
Contentment in Daily Life
The sohbet then turned to the common struggle many face: the restless pursuit of material comforts. The teachers warned against letting the ego dictate our sense of worth:
“Başkasının daha iyi arabası, kıyafeti ya da ev eşyaları gördüğümüzde, kalbimiz bir an için tatminsiz olur.”
They urged us to cultivate “rızâ”—the sincere acceptance of whatever Allah has allotted. This does not mean resignation, but a deep trust that every circumstance carries its own hidden grace. By embracing our present condition and thanking Allah for it, we free ourselves from the endless cycle of comparison and envy.
A Journey That Lived the Teaching
To illustrate these principles in action, Ayberk Efendi recounted a pilgrimage twelve years earlier to Uzbekistan with Sheikh Mehmed Efendi. The travelers were welcomed into modest homes where only “on dört bardak” (fourteen glasses) of tea were shared, yet the hospitality was abundant and warm. No one complained about the simplicity; instead, the hosts’ generosity manifested the very gratitude the teachers spoke of.
The narrative highlighted that true wealth is measured not by the quantity of material goods but by the sincerity of the heart—a lesson that resonates with every member of our community today. As they reflected on their own past desires for better cars or newer clothes, both teachers confessed that such aspirations never brought lasting peace; only the remembrance of Allah’s blessings did.
We invite all seekers to bring this spirit of gratitude and contentment into their daily routines. If you feel called to deepen your practice under guidance, consider joining our live meetings where Bayah can be taken and spiritual teachings are shared regularly.
Become part of a lineage that values humility, service, and the timeless beauty of Sufi wisdom—join us today.
