In October 2018 our hall in Ludwigshafen once again welcomed seekers for the Ottoman Sufi Night. The gathering centred on the beloved dhikr “Allah Hu Allah,” a practice of the Ottoman Sufi tradition that opens the heart and steadies the breath. This recording is Part 4 of the series, led by Sheikh Bahauddin Efendi together with Ayberk Efendi.
A Shared Breath of Divine Presence
From the first “Allah Hu” the room seemed to breathe as one. Sheikh Bahauddin Efendi’s voice, rich in Ottoman melodic nuance, carried the rhythm of the chant, while Ayberk Efendi wove gentle counter-phrases that lifted the melody towards its peak.
The repetition of “Hu” – in Sufi terminology the hidden essence of God – reminds us that beyond the spoken word lies a silent, ever-present reality. The divine name became both a personal whisper and a communal call, inviting each listener to quiet the ego and turn inwards.
Deepening the Experience
Where the earlier parts introduced the breathing and the melodic structure, Part 4 extends the phrases into longer cycles. Ayberk Efendi slowed the tempo and left spacious pauses between the repetitions – silences in which the connection with the Divine often arises, not in sound alone but in the quiet that follows.
Sheikh Bahauddin Efendi’s occasional “Ya Allah” punctuated the chant, in the Sufi manner of joining structured dhikr with spontaneous supplication. Many felt an inner calm that lingered long after the last “Allah Hu Allah” had faded.
We invite you to continue this journey with us: join our future gatherings, explore our library of teachings or become a member of the Royal Ottoman Society. More information is on our Community page.
May the echo of “Allah Hu Allah” stay with you on the way to deeper remembrance and peace.
