Sheikh Abdulhayy and Ayberk Efendi guided us into a shared meditation at a gathering that also welcomed Sheikh Bahauddin Efendi, whose presence added an extra blessing.
The session began with slow, rhythmic breathing to settle the mind and turn inward. Sheikh Abdulhayy then invited us to repeat “La ilahe illallah Muhammed Rasulullah,” and Ayberk Efendi joined, his voice weaving into the chant.
The invocation “La ilahe illallah,” followed by names of the Prophet (Muhammed Habibullah, Nebiyullah, Rasulullah), served as both remembrance and meditation. With each cycle the rhythm deepened and a sense of unity grew among those present. The chants moved from the declaration of God’s oneness to a longer series of blessings and prayers such as “Allahümme salli ve rahmeti” and “Rabbunallah.”
When Sheikh Bahauddin Efendi entered, the group greeted him with “Selam,” honouring his spiritual lineage and the continuity of our Ottoman-Sufi tradition.
By the close, the dhikr had settled into a quiet resonance in each participant. The final words, “Allah’a emanet olun” (may you be entrusted to God), were both a blessing and an invitation to carry this calm into daily life.
If this meditation resonated with you, consider joining our live meetings, where we regularly practise collective dhikr and guided reflection.
