Evindeki Seccadenle Şeyh Arama! (Münir Derman (k.s.))

The mosque was painted… prepared for the holy month of Ramadan… We couldn’t preach for a week or two. We went to another mosque. But it didn’t appeal to us. Because the issue isn’t the crowd. Would you rather be given a handful of false pearls or one true one? Truth is not measured by crowds. The Quran says: “If you follow the majority of those on earth, they will lead you astray from the path of Allah.” (Al-An’am 116) So, the majority is not the measure of truth. It is enough if one person understands. It is enough if one heart is ignited. If one heart awakens, a nation is revived. Before I started the sermon, a radiant-faced woman at the door asked a question: “How does one make the intention for prayer?” Look, intention begins not with the tongue, but with the heart. Hadith: “Actions are judged by intentions.” (Bukhari) You've performed the Asr (afternoon) prayer, and you're going home. The moment you think, "Where should I perform the Maghrib (evening) prayer?", worship begins. Because you have made your intention. You have performed ablution. You have turned towards the Qibla (direction of prayer). Ask yourself: Did you turn towards the Qibla yourself, or were you turned towards it? You cannot turn to one side unless Allah wills it. The moment you understand this, true prayer begins. "I intend to perform the four obligatory rak'ahs of the Asr prayer, I turn towards the Kaaba, I stand before the Divine Presence, Allahu Akbar!" That is the intention. It's not about memorizing Arabic. Allah is the creator of all languages. He desires the heart. Then the questions begin: "Is there a Sufi order? Should I go to a Sheikh?" My son… With the Quran and the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) present, what more are you seeking? If you abandon his hem, you are doomed. Send blessings upon him. Say "La ilahe illallah" (There is no god but Allah). Say "Allah!" This is remembrance (dhikr). Remember the Cave of Thawr. Hazrat Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) had placed the blessed head of the Messenger of Allah on his lap… He had his foot against the hole… A creature was biting him… He didn't move. Why? So that mercy wouldn't awaken. When tears fell on his blessed cheek, the Messenger of Allah awoke: "O Abu Bakr, what happened?" "Nothing," he said. Even that "nothing" is unbecoming of Islam. This is truthfulness. A spider was spinning a web across the entrance of the cave. A dove lands. If Allah had willed, He could have covered it with stones. But He wanted to show His power: "I can stop armies with a spider's web." And that sentence: "Do not grieve, for Allah is with us." (At-Tawbah 40) Do not grieve. Allah is with us. This companionship is not just words. The Messenger of Allah says: "Press your tongue against your palate. Say 'Allah!'" This is remembrance in the heart. Not by shouting. Not by showing off. From within. This is Sufism. The Quran is enough. The Messenger of Allah is enough. But you need to develop the faculties within you. An oak tree is inside an acorn. A plane tree is inside a seed. Man was created from a drop of water. But within it lies intellect, morality, soul, and potential. Islam is the path to its development. Prayer is obligatory. Fasting is obligatory. Zakat is obligatory. But removing broken glass from the road is also a virtuous obligation. Hadith: “Removing something harmful from the road is charity.” Not cutting down trees. Not lying. Not backbiting. Not hurting with one's hand or tongue. These are the branches of the tree of Islam. When you fulfill these, when you intend, you begin to see the Kaaba. This is the truth. Not crowds. Sincerity. Not memorization. Understanding. Not ostentation. Truthfulness. Allah is with the truthful.