In a heartfelt sohbet held on 14 December 2019 at the Royal Ottoman Society headquarters in Ludwigshafen, Ayberk Efendi explored what it truly means to be “together with the one we love.” While the phrase can be taken literally—as if physical closeness were sufficient—Ayberk Efendi reminded us that the deepest companionship is a matter of the heart, soul, and consciousness.
He began by noting that the brief prophetic narration “the person is together with what he loves” should not be understood as an instruction for constant side‑by‑side walking or endless eye contact. Such literal proximity would soon dissolve into separation; even two days together can become a distance after a short while. Instead, the saying points to a spiritual union that transcends time and space.
According to Ayberk Efendi, this unity is realized when our hearts are ever‑present with Allah, His Messenger, and the true spiritual guides (our “şeyh”). He quoted his teachers: even if one were speaking simultaneously in ten languages to ten different listeners, the heart remains anchored solely on the Divine. The heart must not be bound to worldly attachments—wealth, relationships, or status—because once it is tethered elsewhere, Allah’s hand withdraws.
The sohbet also clarified a common misconception about loving “the beloved.” In Sufi terminology, the only true beloved is Allah, followed by His Prophet, and then the authentic teachers who have been granted permission to guide. Loving anyone else without this hierarchy does not fulfill the prophetic promise; it can even lead to spiritual neglect. Ayberk Efendi warned that those who forget or ignore this order risk becoming “ungrateful servants,” a state that may invite divine displeasure.
Finally, he urged us to keep an inner inventory throughout each day: Whom did we think of? What occupied our heart? At the moment of death, whatever occupies the heart becomes the company with which one departs. Therefore, nurturing constant remembrance (dhikr) of Allah and love for His Messenger is essential for a soul that wishes to return to its source.
If you feel called to deepen this inner connection, we invite you to join our live meetings where seekers gather for collective dhikr, teachings, and the opportunity to take Bayah. You can learn more and register here: https://royalottomans.com/live-meetings
May your heart always be united with the One who is the true source of love and peace.
