Fethullah Gülen

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The Heart and Some of Its Dynamics

The Heart and Some of Its Dynamics This article covers The Heart and Some of Its Dynamics in Sufi terminology. The heart (Kalb) is a spiritual resource with two aspects; through one it turns toward the world of spirits, through the other it connects with the world of physical bodies....

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Rida (Resignation)

Rida (Resignation) Rida (resignation) means showing no rancor or rebellion against misfortune, and accepting all manifestations of Destiny without complaint and even better peacefully. In other words, one should welcome all things and events, even those normally associated with distress and terror. Another beautiful definition of resignation is having or...

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Inbisat (Expansion)

Inbisat (Expansion) Inbisat (Expansion), Literally meaning growing larger and deeper, spreading and expanding, Sufis use inbisat to signify the relaxing of one’s heart, to the extent allowed by the Shari’a, so that it can embrace everybody and make them pleased or contented with one’s gentle words and pleasant manners. In...

Tawhid (Unity)

Tawhid (Unity)

Tawhid (Unity) Tawhid (Unity), derived from wahda (oneness), means unifying, regarding as one, believing in God‘s Oneness or Unity, and sincerely accepting the reality that there is no deity but God. The Sufis add to these meanings the ideas of seeing only He Who is the One, and knowing, mentioning,...

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Tawadu (Humility)

Tawadu (Humility) This article covers Tawadu (Humility) in Sufi terminology. Tawadu (modesty and humility) is the opposite of arrogance, pride, and haughtiness. It can also be interpreted as one’s awareness of one’s real position before God, and as letting that realization guide one’s conduct toward God and with people. If...

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Sidq (Truthfulness)

Sidq (Truthfulness) Meaning true thought, true words and true actions, sidq (Truthfulness), is reflected in the life of a traveler on the path to God as follows: he or she does not lie or tell a falsehood, lives according to truthfulness, and strives to be a trustworthy representative of loyalty to God....

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Haya (Modesty)

Haya (Modesty) Sufis use haya (modesty), which literally means shame, bashfulness, and refraining from saying or doing anything improper or indecent, to describe one who, out of fear and awe of God, seeks to avoid displeasing Him. It urges one to be more careful, self-possessed, and self-controlled, for such restraint,...

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Shukr (Thankfulness)

Shukr (Thankfulness) Literally meaning gladness felt about and gratitude shown for the good done to one, Sufis use shukr (Thankfulness) to mean using one’s body, abilities, feelings, and thoughts bestowed upon one to fulfill the purpose of his or her creation: being thankful to the Creator for what He has...

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Worship, Servanthood, And Deep Devotion

Worship, Servanthood, and Deep Devotion Ibada, Ubudiya, And Ubuda This article is about worship, servanthood, and deep devotion in Sufi Tradition. Although some view worship, servanthood, and devotion as synonymous, most Sufi scholars and masters say that these words have different meanings and connotations. ‘Ibada (worship) means fulfilling God’s commands...

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Ikhlas (Sincerity Or Purity of Intention)

Ikhlas (Sincerity Or Purity of Intention) Ikhlas (Sincerity or Purity of Intention) has been interpreted as being upright, sincere, and pure; being distant from show and ostentation in one’s intention and conduct; and being closed to whatever clouds or fouls the heart. Purity of intention, straightforwardness in thought, pursuit of no...

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Istiqama (Straightforwardness)

Istiqama (Straightforwardness) People of truth have interpreted Istiqama (straightforwardness) as avoiding all deviation and extremes, and as following in the footsteps of the Prophets, the faithful, the witnesses (of truth), and the righteous (in belief) in their religious deeds and daily lives. The verse: Those who declare: “Our Lord is...

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Khuluq (Good Nature)

Khuluq (Good Nature) Khuluq (Good Nature), in addition to meaning temperament, disposition, and character, is a goal to which a traveler aspires, for it is the most important dimension of creation. In brief, this station means that one is characterized (equipped) with God’s qualities or way of acting. For example,...

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Muraqaba (Self-Supervision)

Muraqaba (Self-Supervision) Muraqaba (Self-Supervision) has been defined as watching, supervising, controlling, and living in the consciousness of being controlled (by God). Sufis take this further, by defining it as setting one’s heart solely on God, abandoning any attachment to that which is other than Him, denying to one’s carnal self all that...

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Wara’ (Abstinence)

Wara’ (Abstinence) Wara’ (Abstinence) is defined as holding oneself back from unbecoming, unnecessary things; as strictly refraining from what is unlawful and forbidden; or abstaining from all doubtful things lest one should commit a forbidden act. The Islamic principle: Abandon what you doubt and prefer what you have no doubt about, and...

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Taqwa (Piety)

Taqwa (Piety) Taqwa (Piety) is derived from wiqaya, which means self-defense and avoidance. Sufis define it as protecting oneself from God’s punishment by performing His commands and observing His prohibitions. Besides its literal and technical meanings, in religious books we find the meanings of piety and fear used interchangeably. In fact, taqwa...

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Raja (Hope or Expectation)

Raja (Hope or Expectation) For a Sufi, Raja (Hope or Expectation) means waiting for that which he or she wholeheartedly desires to come into existence, acceptance of good deeds, and forgiveness of sins. Hope or expectation, both based on the fact that the individual is solely responsible for his or her...

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Khawf And Khashya (Fear And Reverence)

Khawf And Khashya (Fear And Reverence) This article explains the meaning of Khawf and Khashya (Fear and Reverence) in Sufism. In Sufism, khawf (fear) denotes abstaining not only from all that is forbidden, but also from those deeds from which it is advisable to refrain. It also signifies, as the...

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Huzn (Sadness or Sorrow)

Huzn (Sadness or Sorrow) Sufis use the word huzn (sadness or sorrow) as the opposite of rejoicing and joy, and to express the pain one suffers while fulfilling his or her duties and realizing his or her ideals. Every perfected believer will continue to suffer this pain according to the...

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Qalb (Heart)

Qalb (Heart) The word qalb (heart) has two meanings. One denotes the body’s most vital part, which is located in the left part of the chest and resembles a pinecone. With respect to its structure and tissue, the heart is different from all other bodily parts: it has two auricles...

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Hal And Maqam (State And Station)

Hal And Maqam (State And Station) This article explains the meaning of Hal and Maqam (State and Station) in Sufism. Hal (State) denotes experiencing in one’s inner world the “breaths” blowing from the realms beyond the world, and feeling the difference between “night” and “day,” as well as “evening” and...