Recommendations of an Ottoman Scholar & Sufi Master

Today, I came across the biography of the renowed scholar Hadrat Ahmed Ziyauddin-i Gumush-Khanewiturksi (1813-1893) while visiting the Seeker's Digest blog. This noble shaykh's Recommendations to his murids are certainly worth reading, considering and taking to heart.

Here are some excerpts from the beginning...

1. Consider yourself uninformed (ignorant) and ordinary at all times as required for humbleness and modesty.

2. Be scholars for your deeds, education, manners, and conduct. Tell people as much as they can comprehend.

3. Do not turn your backs to one another, nor do hate one another. Stay united as brothers. Do not envy one another.

...the middle...

24. Stay away from the meat of animals that have been slaughtered by infidels, pagans, and those who associate partners to Allah.

25. Stay away from those who use improper language towards the companions of Prophet Muhammad, the awliyâullah, great scholars, and the descendants of the Prophet.

26. Stay away from those who run away from the battlefield and from a place that has the plague or an epidemic fatal disease. Also, stay away from those who disobey their shaikh and their legitimate ruler or leader.

...and the end.

48. Stop committing offenses and turn to Allah in repentance for your wrongdoings.

49. Seek the consent of people who may have some due rights on you [pay them back if you owe them anything]. Never hurt or belittle anybody.

50. Correct your deeds and intentions.

Speaking of Ottoman scholars, there's a great book published by Al-Baz Publishing, Inc. entitled The Call to the Believers in the Clear Qur'an. It's an excellent (and, at 968 pages, rather lengthy) translation of Nida' al-Mu'minin fi 'l-Qur'an al-Mubin, by contemporary Turkish Shaykh Ahmad Fathu'llah Jami, which provides a "thorough and enlightening commentary" on each of the eighty-nine Qur'anic verses (ayat) which bear the explicit address: "O you who believe" (ya ayyuha 'lladhina amanu). I purchased a copy of this fine book at the Rumi Bookstore a couple of years ago and have enjoyed it thoroughly...and benefitted from it too, insha'llah.

And truly all success is from Allah Most High...