In this short sohbet, Sheikh Bahauddin reminds us that none of us has unlimited time. Whether we hold power over the world or live ordinary lives, death is certain, and each soul will be asked what it contributed to humanity: good deeds or harmful ones.
He stresses that accountability is personal. When someone suffers a heart attack, pain or rejection, those around them do not automatically share that pain; empathy is a choice made by the one who opens their heart. “You feel your own trial; I feel mine,” he says, inviting each of us to honour our own inner journey without imposing it on others.
A recurring theme is praying for those whose names we may never hear. Many ask why the community performs the funeral prayer in absentia (janazah al-ghaib) after Maghrib. Sheikh Bahauddin explains that countless souls pass away unnoticed, and our prayers become a mercy for them, like the angels who help them in their transition. He warns against assuming that everyone is connected through technology; many people remain isolated and unaware of any support.
The sohbet closes with the supplication: “May Allah grant us a good ending.” A good end to life matters greatly, especially for those who have no congregation or place of refuge. By remembering the unseen and keeping sincere prayers, we fulfil a shared responsibility that goes beyond our own lives.
If you are inspired to deepen your practice in a community committed to these teachings, consider becoming a member of the Royal Ottoman Society. You can also join live meetings where seekers gather for Bayʿah (spiritual allegiance) and shared dhikr.
- Membership: https://royalottomans.com/membership
- Live meetings: https://royalottomans.com/live-meetings
