On the evening of 1 September 2012, the Royal Ottoman Society gathered in Ludwigshafen for a sohbet with Sheikh Bahauddin Efendi, son and successor of Sheikh Nazim Hazretleri, together with Ayberk Efendi. They spoke about devotion, service and the inexhaustible love at the heart of the Sufi path.
The Grand Master’s Self-Sacrifice
Sheikh Bahauddin Efendi explained that a true spiritual master never seeks material gain or personal status. The Grand Master gives himself wholly – “he gave, gave, gave” – and this boundless generosity is a blessing from Allah. Because the teacher offers nothing but love and guidance, the disciples can devote themselves fully to the journey.
True Love for the Saints
A recurring theme was the difference between ordinary affection and true love for the saints (Awliya). Many people search for love without ever finding it, because they look outward rather than inward. True love is a drop placed in the heart by the Grand Master; it keeps expanding and never fades. Whoever has tasted it does not want to let it go, and whoever tries to is “foolish”, because unlike worldly pleasures, spiritual love has no end.
Building on a Solid Foundation
Both speakers warned against building one’s practice on shaky ground. Spiritual work is like building a house: without understanding the essence of a thing – its true reason – the structure will be unstable. Whoever first seeks the foundation of every teaching and every act will stand firm even when outward circumstances change.
Service as an Expression of Love
The sohbet also presented service to people as a direct expression of divine love. A person blessed with intellect should use it to help others, following the Prophet’s example: “If Allah gave us a brain, we must employ it for the benefit of people.” Whether through food, work or compassion, this reflects the Ottoman tradition of generosity and care for the community.
The Ever-Growing Bite
A vivid image showed how love deepens over time. The first “bite” of spiritual experience feels intense, yet each one that follows becomes richer. This calls for patience: as seekers persevere, their love for the Divine and for the saints grows sweeter and more sustaining.
We left with a renewed sense that true love, rooted in selfless service and a firm foundation, is the aim of the Sufi path. If you wish to deepen this experience, we invite you to join our live meetings and take Bayʿah under the guidance of Sheikh Bahauddin Efendi. May Allah keep us united in love and remembrance.
