In a conversation at the world headquarters of the Royal Ottoman Society, Sheikh Bahauddin Adil Efendi, son of the 40th Grand Sheikh of the Naqshbandi Sufi Order and brother of Sheikh Muhammad Adil ar-Rabbani, addressed one of the most pressing questions of our time: how and where will the Malhamah, the prophesied Armageddon or World War III, begin? Drawing on the teachings passed down by the awliya and mashayikh, he explained that this catastrophe will not be confined to one region. It will be a global calamity in which every available weapon is used, bringing “terrible things” upon humanity as a whole. The point, therefore, is not to locate a geographic flashpoint but to grasp the scale of destruction that will reach the entire world.
As daunting as this sounds, Sheikh Bahauddin reminded us that such signs are an invitation to turn inward and strengthen our spiritual connection. In Sufi practice, awareness of these trials leads the seeker to rely more deeply on divine mercy, to cultivate patience (sabr) and to take refuge in the inner path toward God. Through sincere remembrance and communal prayer we prepare not only for outward upheaval but also for the transformation that follows.
For those who wish to explore these teachings further, our digital library offers Sufi literature and recorded talks by Sheikh Bahauddin and other revered masters.
