On a blessed evening the Royal Ottoman Society gathered for a heartfelt sohbet led by Sheikh Mehmed Küçük. He opened with gratitude to Allah Celle Celâluhu, blessings upon the Prophet, his family and the saints, and a warm welcome to the brothers and sisters present in person and to those watching from home.
Opening Blessings and Unity
Sheikh Mehmed thanked the Almighty for bringing the community together in what he called “the earth’s garden of paradise.” He expressed his appreciation for the German brothers Daniel Efendi, Ahmet Haşim Efendi and the many other friends present, whose sincere prayers spoke of unity, compassion, mercy and the true essence of Islam.
He then addressed those who unjustly criticize the tekkes or spread false accusations against them. Such words, he said, carry no weight before Allah, yet slander can keep sincere seekers away from the path, and every person will be held accountable for harming others, in this life and the next.
Understanding Fıtrat and Its Role in Family Life
He shared an anecdote: Ayberk Efendi had sent him a video of a lion whose roar seemed to utter the divine name “Hu.” All creatures, he reminded us, continuously remember Allah. The humble donkey is said to repeat the Name of God five thousand times a day, a benchmark that invites humanity, as vicegerents on earth, to strive for even greater remembrance.
From there the talk turned to fıtrat, the innate nature with which every soul is created. Character is shaped by upbringing, education and environment, but fıtrat remains a divine gift that defines essential roles:
- Men are by nature protective, confident and inclined to provide support. When they take on behaviour that goes against this nature, such as commanding, belittling or humiliating their wives, discord inevitably follows.
- Women embody love and care and the need for protection. A husband who honors this by offering confidence, companionship and sincere affection creates a harmonious household.
Sheikh Mehmed recalled the many nikahs he has performed and observed that disputes often arise when partners abandon their natural roles. His remedy is simple: let the word of Allah and the teachings of the Prophet govern every home. Where divine guidance leads, peace follows.
He also spoke about modern pressures, especially extravagant wedding expectations that can leave couples with debts of tens or even hundreds of thousands of euros. Quoting the old proverb “stretch your foot only as far as your blanket reaches”, he urged a return to modesty, so that spending matches one’s means and financial strain does not undermine spiritual well‑being.
He recalled a prophetic warning that in the latter days people will burden women and families with impossible expectations, driving them into hardship and even sin. The community is therefore called to protect each other’s fıtrat and preserve harmony in families and in society.
The sohbet closed with a reminder to serve Allah together, to compete in good deeds and to refrain from slandering one another. By embracing our innate nature and nurturing each other’s strengths, the Society can flourish as a garden of Paradise on earth.
To explore these teachings further, our digital library offers additional resources: Royal Ottoman Library.
