In a khutbah delivered in Berlin on 21 February 2020, Ayberk Efendi addressed the deep anguish felt across the Muslim world today. The suffering we witness – conflict, oppression and a pervasive lack of direction – is, he said, not only the product of external forces but also the symptom of an ummah without its rightful head. Without a sovereign leader to unite the body, the community stumbles, and hostile powers find it easier to exploit our divisions.
The Crisis of a Headless Ummah
Ayberk Efendi compared the Islamic community to a living body: the head must sit upon the shoulders for the limbs to move with purpose. When the “head” – the sultan, the caliph, the rightful spiritual authority – is absent, believers lose their orientation. They wander aimlessly and turn to personal comforts while larger calamities unfold around them. This vacuum, he warned, invites those who wish to cut off our arms and legs, leaving the community vulnerable and fractured.
Why the Ottoman Legacy Matters
He traced the line of legitimate leadership back to the Ottoman Empire, emphasising that the flag of the caliphate still belongs to this lineage. When the Ottomans lost their authority, the protective mantle over the Muslim world was stripped away as well. Restoring that heritage is not nostalgia for past grandeur; it is an essential step toward re-establishing unity, justice and mercy – the “sun of hope” rising behind the mountains.
Inviting the Mahdi
At the centre of the message was the urgent call to invite the promised Mahdi, the grandson of the Prophet (peace be upon him), who will bring mercy and the sword of justice. This invitation is not a passive wish but an active responsibility for every believer. Through sincere prayer, upholding righteousness and collective supplication for divine guidance, we prepare the ground for the Mahdi’s appearance and for the revival of rightful leadership.
Our Collective Responsibility
The khutbah closed with a clear directive: every member of the ummah should engage in sincere worship, keep up the regular prayers and join in heartfelt supplication for the return of the sultanate and the coming of the Mahdi. This is a communal mission, not only an individual one. When we unite our intentions and actions, the “impossible” becomes possible, and the darkness over our era begins to lift.
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