In this short sohbet, Sheikh Bahauddin observes that modern life often reduces our story to “nothingness” and urges us instead to recognise the deep significance of sincere effort, what the tradition calls istihâd. He points out how the Qur’an encourages responsible action: buying what is needed, keeping the fast of Ramadan and seeking balance without needless excess.
He illustrates istihâd with a simple school image: a student who seems to “eat the book,” yet whose real struggle lies in facing inner irritation and comparison. The lesson is clear: we should not be distracted by superficial judgements or fleeting comforts, but focus on purposeful striving in line with the divine timing ordained for each of us.
He also recalls Sheikh Nazim Efendi, who paid close attention to small differences and humble details and let them guide his spiritual journey. The master’s disciplined practice—sleeping only three short years across many places—shows that higher levels of istihâd are attainable when we stop putting things off and commit fully to the moment.
The sohbet closes with a reminder that our time is limited; there is no endless future in which to postpone sincere effort. By embracing istihâd, we honour both the Qur’an’s teachings and the wisdom of the Sufi path.
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