When a wedding brings two families together, it also opens a sacred space for remembering the Divine. In the summer of 2017, the Royal Ottoman Society had the honor of witnessing Sheikh Bahauddin Adil Efendi lead an extended dhikr during a joyous marriage ceremony. The gathering was filled with reverent chanting, rhythmic percussion and the resonant echo of “Allāhu”, lifting every heart toward the Infinite.
Sheikh Bahauddin’s presence turned the celebration into more than a social event: it became a living reminder that love on earth mirrors love in the heavens. As he raised his voice, the guests, young and old, joined in one chorus, their breath keeping time with the drums. The repeated “Allāhu” and the melodic “oh… oh…” moved many to tears and smiles and deepened the sense of community. In the Sufi tradition, such collective remembrance (dhikr) is understood as a means to dissolve the ego, open the heart and align human intention with the divine will.
Traditional Ottoman music wove through the chants. The strings and percussion did not merely accompany the words; they formed a bridge between the worldly celebration of marriage and the timeless rhythm of creation. Participants spoke of deep gratitude, an inner calm that stayed with them long after the ceremony, and a renewed commitment to live their married lives in the light of divine remembrance.
If you could not attend but wish to experience similar gatherings, we invite you to our live meetings, where the path of dhikr is regularly opened for seekers ready to take Bayʿah. You may also join our wider community to stay informed about upcoming events and teachings.
— The Royal Ottoman Society
