Blogging! As some of you know, I am a musician of sorts, coming from a long line of musicians in my family. So I’ve started to make records again and will eventually write, arrange, produce and record a number of songs and some specifically for the readers of this blog.

I’ve been blogging for some time now and its taken shape over a long period of time. There have been a number of life experiences that I’ve shared blogging but there was always a veil of mystery that I intentionally plugged into my blog posts. And after meeting so many people just being around my Shaykh I’ve learned that its better to be open. Its better – within the limits of course – to be a real person. A person that people can relate to; something to connect with.

Most of my relatives are not Muslims, but because of our Shaykh they are loving things they learn about the Holy Prophet (may Peace and Blessings be upon him). That love is coming when they see something that touches their hearts.

For example, when my children kiss their Grandparent’s hands, they get an understanding that this is the Right Way. And they know where its coming from and who is teaching it. I don’t have to say much about that at all.

Another example is the donning of leather socks. It may sound funny to Muslims but I have had dozens of requests for leather socks from non-Muslim family and friends. OK, perhaps they do not use it for ease on performing ablution during traveling but they are liking what they see; they are loving what they see and what they are seeing are traditions coming from our Holy Prophet (may Peace and Blessings be upon him). And I’m sure their is something good for those who love the ways of the Most Beloved One in Divine Presence.

View more scenes from this momentous occasion at yursil.com

Today we should remember those Muslims who fought hard to save and protect the Ottoman Sultan in March 1915. Just a few months before my very own grandfather was born, thousands of miles away there was a battle on famous straight separating Europe and Asia in an area known as Çanakkale.

We are going to spend this time remembering them. Asking that Allah Almighty accept their noble efforts to defend the Khalifa of Islam and reward them accordingly.

I have an account of our grandshaykh Maulana Shaykh Nazim mentioning the time of fighting in Çanakkale saying,

“Our grandshaykh once related to me an incident from the First World War, when he was in the Dardanelles fighting for the Ottoman Khalifa. An Armenian sergant who was employed in the service of the Ottoman Empire, addressed a fellow sergeant, a Muslim saying: “Are you Muslim?” “Of course I am,” he answered. “Is it enough to declare that you are Muslim? I can also say that. Now, is there any difference between you and me?” The Muslim sergeant said, “I believe in the unity of God, in His prophets, His books, His angels, the Judgement Day and the rule of destiny.” The Armenian sergeant replied: “I may state my belief in all that you have stated. Now, what is the difference between us?”

Our grandshaykh used to comment about the difficulties between Armenian people and Muslims, saying what a shame it was and what a tragic turn of events, caused by the actions of evil men. Chrisitians were living with Muslims side by side, and they knew Islam as we know it, only that they were keeping their faith through Christianity.

Then our grandshaykh came and said to the Armenian sergeant: “Oh my friend, are you sincerely seeking an answer to your question? If so, then I may explain the difference between lip service and reality. When a person states his belief in God, His prophets, His revelations, His angels, the Judgement Day and destiny with real sincerity of heart, nothing will block the penetration of his vision to the heart of all things. If he looks down at earth he will not be prevented from seeing what lies beneath it. If he looks up at the heavens, the distance should not hinder him from seeing the seven heavens. He who sees with the light of faith should, when he turns to the East, see all the way to the Far East, and likewise in any direction. When he turns toward Mecca in his prayers he should see the house of God before his very eyes. Then the Armenian sergeant said: “Yes, that is the faith I am seeking,” and he kissed Grandshaykh’s hands, and completed his faith by adding sincere intention to his verbal affirmation of faith. If a person is granted real faith – neither distance nor darkness nor huge mountains can block his view – his light penetrates.”

Marc Manley wrote an interesting blog post a few weeks back, where he asked the question,

“[N]ow that Islam has arrived on America’s shores, what will its spiritual tradition look like?”

For me, there is a very easy answer: The Osmanli Naks-i’bendi Sufi Association. There is not much more to it. Really, for me its that simple. The reasons why are spelled out plainly on the front page of the main website saying,

“We are followers of the most distinguished Naks-I’bendi Hakkani Tarikat (sufi order), which traces its traditions directly back to the life-style and teachings of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. Sufism (‘Tasawwuf’, in Arabic) is one of the Islamic sciences. Under the guidance of a Sheykh of the Tarikat, sufism is the way of purifying oneself from bad manners and characteristics in preparation for passing clean to the afterlife. Sufism is the spirituality in Islam. The chain of transmission (of the teachings) is documented through the 40 GrandSheykhs of the Tarikat back to Abu Bakr Siddik, the first companion to whom the Prophet passed the sufi knowledge of the heart.”

The spiritual tradition of the Osmanli Naks-i’bendi-Hakkani Tarikat is directly connected to the spiritual tradition of the Holy Prophet (may Peace and Blessings be upon him), his Companions (may Allah’s Mercy be with them) and those that succeeded them (may Allah keep their Secret).

Therefore, our lifestyle – though living in America – should look like that of our shaykh, who is following his shaykh and so on reaching all the way to the Best of Mankind, the Holy Prophet (may Peace and Blessings be upon him). There is not much more to it. It really is that simple.  And if you didn’t know, now you do. But a better question is: Now that you know, what are you willing to do about it?

I keep getting these emails from a certain school in Queens. They are having classes at a reduced rate, mashaAllah! A few years back I invested in these  and other classes for myself and my family. If you are wondering the results well, lets just say that I would not be the ideal interview.  So when I receive these emails I am wondering why would I pay so much money for a trickle of something that comes as a  free-flowing river at no cost?

I know this is a rhetorical question and the answer is obvious but I thought it would make an interesting post. I am certainly not claiming to know with certainty what is and what isn’t a Holy gathering, but I am asking Allah Almighty to show me the difference and trusting my heart to know the difference. shukr ya Rabbi (thank you O’ Lord).

And for those who pick Gathering B, unless you have been to both gatherings, I know better than you.

Shaykh Abdul Kerim al-Kibrisi Sohbet gives sohbet at the Osmanli Naksi-i’bendi Dergah for General Zikr on the Holy Month of Rabi’Awwal 1430 (March 2009). (Sydney Center , NY)

“Shaykh Effendi is saying people are learning about Islam through the internet in Firawnic rooms. They discuss fatwas but they don’t know the basics of the religion. Muslims have left the way of the Prophets. Those that say that Allah is enough for them or the Quran is enough for them have cut the Shahadat. The nightmare of Shaitan is to see a man with a turban and beard, with Prophet’s (صلي الله عليه و سلم) sunnat. This nightmare is the same of most of todays Islamic leaders. We must follow those who are following the Prophet’s (صلي الله عليه و سلم) lifestyle.” -Yursil

One day Nasreddin Hoja repaired tiles on the roof of his house. While Nasreddin was working on the roof, a stranger knocked at the door.

What do you want? Nasreddin Hoja shouted out.

Come down, replied stranger, so I can tell you. Its important.

Nasreddin Hoja had been working in the Sun all day but still he slowly climbed down the ladder.

Well! replied Nasreddin Hoja, what was the important thing?

Could you give a little money to this poor old man? Begged stranger.

The tired Hoja started to climb up the ladder and said,

Follow me up to the roof.

When both Nasreddin Hoja and the beggar were up on rooftop, Nasreddin Hoja said,

The answer is no!

Selam alaykum. This blog has been around for a good number of years and I’ve received a good deal of comments over the years. Some good and some bad, the bad comments are partly the reason that I developed the comment policy. But over the past few months I have taken some time off of this blog and in that time I have received an unpresidented number of comments. There have been many “selams” and “thank you’s”, there have also been a fair share of “f*&$ you’s” as well So I would like to make this post a general response to all of the “selams” and “thank you’s” offering back selams to everyone, even those who aren’t so polite. Thank you for your comments, there are just too many to respond to all of them over the next few days but I will revisit the blog a bit more frequently than the past few months to return comments and perhaps post something you may find interesting, inshaAllah. So lets see how it goes.

-Saifuddin

(video courtesy of Nakshibendi.com)

Selam alaykum. Yes its been a while and all is well alhamdulillah. I’m noticing that although I have not posted in several months readership has doubled subhanAllah! Thank you all for supporting this blog may Allah Almighty bless you and keep you all.

Recently, I was looking for some videos to post and I thought this one may be interesting to see. It is a video of our Grand Shaykh Maulana Nazim giving initiation, notice our beloved Shaykh Abdul Kerim hazretleri close by the Grand Shaykh as usual.

Photograph Courtesy of Osmanli Traveler

I thought this photograph was absolutely breath taking. You may find more photographs of the Osmanli Naks-i’bendi Dergahi at yursil.com.