In this heartfelt sohbet in Ludwigshafen, Sultan Sheikh Mehmed Efendi and Ayberk Efendi reminded our community of the Sufi principles that shape everyday life. Moving between Turkish and German, their words pointed to one inner truth: real peace comes from gratitude, humility and sincere contentment.
The Call to Gratitude
Sheikh Mehmed Efendi opened with the traditional greeting “Selamun Aleyküm ve Rahmetullahi ve Barakatuhu”, framing the gathering as a continuation of divine mercy. He said that speaking together is itself an expression of “hayır zevkiyatı”, the pleasure of doing good. The central command, he reminded us, is simple: “Allah’ın emriyle iyilik yap, kötülükten kaçın.”
From this followed the invitation to remember Allah’s countless blessings: “Şükür edince Allah daha fazlasını verir.” Gratitude, they stressed, is not a polite habit but a spiritual practice. When we thank the Creator for what we have, our health, our modest homes, even a cup of tea offered by a host, we open ourselves to further divine generosity.
Contentment in Daily Life
The sohbet then turned to a common struggle: the restless pursuit of material comfort. The teachers warned against letting the ego decide our worth:
“Başkasının daha iyi arabası, kıyafeti ya da ev eşyaları gördüğümüzde, kalbimiz bir an için tatminsiz olur.”
They urged us to cultivate “rızâ”, sincere acceptance of whatever Allah has allotted. This is not resignation but trust that every circumstance carries its own hidden grace. By accepting our present condition and thanking Allah for it, we free ourselves from comparison and envy.
A Journey That Lived the Teaching
Ayberk Efendi recalled a journey to Uzbekistan with Sheikh Mehmed Efendi twelve years earlier. The travellers were welcomed into modest homes where only “on dört bardak” (fourteen glasses) of tea were shared, yet the hospitality was abundant. No one complained about the simplicity; the hosts’ generosity was the very gratitude the teachers spoke of.
True wealth, the story shows, is measured by the sincerity of the heart, not by possessions. Reflecting on their own past wishes for better cars or newer clothes, both teachers said that such wishes never brought lasting peace; only the remembrance of Allah’s blessings did.
We invite all seekers to carry this spirit of gratitude and contentment into daily life. If you wish to deepen your practice under guidance, consider joining our live meetings, where Bayʿah can be taken and teachings are shared regularly.
Become part of a lineage that values humility, service and the beauty of Sufi wisdom: join us today.
