The international conference series "Human, Sufi Thought and Healing II", organized by Üsküdar University Institute for Sufi Studies, was held between July 23-27 with the intense participation of academics and listeners from all over the world.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: "As a university, we set out with a 'holistic science' approach. Sciences are one: material sciences and spiritual sciences. Our material eye is useless without the sun. We also have a spiritual eye, that is, our soul's eye. And what illuminates it is the Quran."
Cemalnur Sargut: "Tawhid means 'there is nothing but Allah.' Only He exists. If you comprehend this truth, what is its benefit, you ask? Today, what wears people down the most is stress. However, knowing that Allah is the doer, the one who causes things to be done, the agent, brings about never being upset about anything."
Prof. Dr. Mahmud Erol Kılıç: "Among the names of Allah is 'Shāfi' (the Healer), but there is no name 'the one who causes illness.' This indicates that illness in the plane of existence is not an essential, but an accidental state; and what is essential and permanent is healing. This perspective fundamentally changes the view on illness."
The "Human, Sufi Thought and Healing II" Conference Series, brought to life by Üsküdar University Institute for Sufi Studies with the support of Kerim Foundation, was held between July 23-27, 2025, at Üsküdar University Nermin Tarhan Conference Hall. The conference series, which evaluated modern humanity's quest for meaning and healing from a Sufi perspective, hosted globally competent names in Sufism, philosophy, and spiritual healing for 5 days. 16 conferences were presented in the program, and 113 officially registered participants qualified to receive a certificate from this summer training program. One day of the conference series was held free of charge and open to the public as well as participants.
A Comprehensive Journey from East to West, from Past to Future
The first day of the conference began with presentations by prominent figures in the field, such as Prof. Dr. Kenan Gürsoy, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Cenan Foundation, and Prof. Yasushi Tonaga from Kyoto University, Japan. Participants had the opportunity to hear firsthand about the reflections of Sufism in different geographies and its fundamental concepts.
In the program, participants traced the path of Sufism across a wide spectrum, from Cemâlnur Sargut's presentation "Tawhid is Spiritual Healing" to Prof. Dr. Carl W. Ernst's lecture on Hallaj al-Mansur's most mysterious work; from Prof. Dr. Mahmud Erol Kılıç's readings on Mevlânâ, to sessions where Dr. Youssef Carter examined modern and global reflections such as "Sufism in the Black Atlantic." Prof. Dr. Tuba Işık from Humboldt University of Berlin spoke on "Interaction of Ethics and Health in Classical Islamic Ethical Understanding." Faculty members of Üsküdar University Institute for Sufi Studies, Prof. Dr. Emine Yeniterzi presented "Sufi Foundations of Na't-i Şerif," Prof. Dr. Reşat Öngören "Sufism and Healing: Treatment Methods of Sufi Physicians," Asst. Prof. Dr. H. Dilek Güldütuna "The Role of Annemarie Schimmel's Annual Letters in Islamic Studies," Asst. Prof. Dr. Cangüzel Güner Zülfikar "The Understanding of Tawhid in Sâmiha Ayverdi's Work 'Mülâkatlar'," Asst. Prof. Dr. Omneya Ayad "The Spirituality of Prophet Muhammad in the Thought of Ahmed Ibn Ajiba," and Asst. Prof. Dr. Arzu Eylül Yalçınkaya "The Sufi Poetics of Tawhid."
In the conference series, Prof. Dr. Mohammed Rustom from Carleton University presented "Ghazali's Book of Pride and Self-Admiration," Dr. Cyrus Ali Zargar from the United States "The Transformative Power of Love in Farid al-Din Attar's Poetry," and Dr. Oludaminni Ogunnaike "Only and Always Prophet Muhammad."
The opening speeches of the conference's public program were delivered by Üsküdar University Founding Rector, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, and Üsküdar University Rector's Advisor Cemalnur Sargut.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan: "The widespread adoption of Sufi education indicates that societal prejudices are being overcome."
Üsküdar University Founding Rector, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, noted that the widespread adoption of Sufi education is an indicator that mental barriers and prejudices in society are being overcome. He stated that humanity is experiencing great horror and decay, from domestic violence to the events in Gaza, and in this period, instead of questioning the divine plan, one should focus on the question, "what falls to us?"
The Sun Illuminates the Material Eye, the Quran Illuminates the Spiritual Eye
Prof. Dr. Tarhan, pointing to the fundamental philosophy of the holistic science approach adopted by Üsküdar University from its inception, stated that sciences are a whole and that religious and natural sciences should be seen as two branches of the same tree, emphasizing that this synthesis is vital for younger generations.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan, stating that there is a serious decay as seen in our social life, continued as follows:
"As a university, we set out with a 'holistic science' approach. Sciences are one: material sciences and spiritual sciences. Young people drift away when they cannot make this synthesis, when they cannot place tawhid on a rational basis. We must offer them scientific soundness alongside religious steadfastness. The greatest wealth is inner wealth. This is called 'soft power.' But humanity has focused on external, material power. Our material eye is useless without the sun. We also have a spiritual eye, that is, our soul's eye. And what illuminates it is the Quran. When we look from the perspective of the Quran, everything gains meaning; our existence, calamities, illnesses... The human brain considers something uncertain if it does not make a logical definition. And the biggest cause of stress is uncertainty."
Illnesses are not your enemies, but companions travelling with you
In his speech, Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that there are four fundamental existential anxieties as defined by Yalom: "First, the search for meaning in life. When a person cannot find meaning in their life, anxiety emerges. Second, the need for solitude and connection; third, the search for freedom; and fourth, the need to provide an explanation for death. These four fundamental areas are the sources of anxiety that feed existential voids. When a person gives meaning to their work, they can eliminate not only this search for meaning but also uncertainty. This process of giving meaning provides not only material but also spiritual healing. Looking at an illness as a 'guest' transforms its meaning. Illnesses are not your enemies, but companions travelling with you. They are your teachers. Most people find it difficult to understand this perspective. Nowadays, 'third-generation psychotherapies' aim for this transformation. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, spiritual therapies, and positive psychotherapies now teach us to see illnesses and misfortunes not as threats, but as opportunities for growth. In this way, people learn to live with illnesses."
Healing Comes from Finding the Balance Between Surrendering to Divine Will and Clinging to Means
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that one of modern humanity's greatest anxieties is the "feeling of control," emphasizing that healing comes from finding the balance between surrendering to divine will and clinging to means.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, "The ability to control the future belongs solely to Allah. If you say you will control everything about the future, you will suffer if you overstep your bounds. When you surrender the feeling of control to the Creator, you find peace the moment you open your heart to your Lord. This is the essence of all Sufi works: to detach hearts tied to the world and connect them to Allah... Everything is from Allah, but Allah has also created certain means. In illnesses, doctors and medicine are those means. Healing is from Allah; we doctors and medicines are merely means. When we feel this meaning, we do not overstep our boundaries."
Love is Also an Emotion That Needs to Be Managed Correctly
At the end of his speech, Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that love is an emotion that needs to be managed correctly, and that the love of Allah should be at the top of the pyramid of love; otherwise, a person is tested with the thing they love most.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated, "If there are things other than Allah at the top of your love pyramid, your test begins. Prophet Jacob, despite being a great prophet, loved Prophet Joseph so much that this excessive love made his other brothers jealous, and his test began. Therefore, whoever we love, we will love for the sake of Allah. Being able to spend every moment connecting with Allah is the essence of Sufi works."
Cemalnur Sargut: "Institutes undertake an invaluable task in making Islam more livable."
Üsküdar University Rector's Advisor Cemalnur Sargut began her speech by praying for the martyrs who lost their lives in the forest fires that plunged Turkey into mourning, stating that there is wisdom beneath every disaster and that the martyrs have reached the highest rank.
Sargut drew attention to the importance of Sufi education, recalling a report presented by the renowned Islamic scholar Annemarie Schimmel to Harvard University, stating, "In her report, Schimmel said, 'All kinds of Islamic lessons are taught at the highest level in Europe, but Islam is not known.' This shows that merely explaining a non-living Islam through knowledge will not be sufficient. Therefore, the Institute for Sufi Studies, initiated by Üsküdar University and now also opened at Istanbul Medeniyet University, undertakes an invaluable task in making Islam more beautifully livable."
The Emotion That Wears Modern People Down the Most is Stress
Cemalnur Sargut stated that the emotion that wears modern people down the most is stress, fed by feelings such as anxiety about the future, fear of loss, grudges, and hatred, and expressed that the belief in Tawhid offers a radical solution to this problem.
"Tawhid means 'there is nothing but Allah.' Only He exists. If you comprehend this truth, what is its benefit, you ask? Today, what wears people down the most is stress. However, knowing that Allah is the doer, the one who causes things to be done, the agent, brings about never being upset about anything." Sargut continued, "My mother used to say, 'My daughter, if you compare my love for you with Allah's love for you, it's like a drop to an ocean.' So, if my mother, who loves me like a drop, protects me so much, how could my Allah, who loves me like an ocean, not protect me? How could every deed not be a blessing for me?"
Gratitude Increases With Age
Sargut stated that gratitude increases with age because one better understands human helplessness, saying, "As we live, we must learn and teach every moment. The only thing that keeps a person vibrant and young is learning and spreading what they have learned. Illness comes and goes. If it doesn't go, it takes one to the other world. But all of it is salvation."
Prof. Dr. Mahmud Erol Kılıç Gave a Conference
In this section, Prof. Dr. Mahmud Erol Kılıç, Director General of IRCICA and faculty member of Üsküdar University Institute for Sufi Studies, in his speech at the "Human, Sufi Thought and Healing II" Conference, described the increasing strengthening of Sufi studies at an academic level in Turkey as an occasion for "congratulations" and "thanks," while also drawing attention to a paradoxical aspect of this development.
Prof. Dr. Mahmud Erol Kılıç said, "While we have advanced so much in the academic field today, exactly a century has passed since the closure of dervish lodges with the law enacted on November 30, 1925. How democratic this issue is in terms of freedom of religion, conscience, and expression should be reconsidered on its 100th anniversary."
The Trouble Itself Is the Remedy
Focusing on "healing," the main theme of the conference, Prof. Dr. Kılıç stated that Sufism, especially the school of Ibn Arabi, understands matters by first going to their metaphysical source.
"Among the names of Allah is 'Shāfi' (the Healer), but there is no name 'the one who causes illness.' This indicates that illness in the plane of existence is not an essential, but an accidental state; and what is essential and permanent is healing," said Prof. Dr. Kılıç, adding that this perspective fundamentally changes the view on illness.
Recalling Ibn Arabi's saying, "All creatures are afflicted, absolute healing is with Allah," Prof. Dr. Kılıç stated, "In this sense, illness is actually healing for you. As Niyazi Mısri said, 'I sought a remedy for my ailment, my ailment was my remedy.' Illness breaks a person's unbroken pride, purifies the ego that says 'I,' and establishes a special bond between the sick person and their Lord. Illness is a means for the created to comprehend its own deficiency and Allah's absolute power," thus emphasizing that illness is also a teacher.
We Cannot Exclude Spiritual Healing
Prof. Dr. Kılıç also drew attention to transformations in the medical world, stating that materialist philosophy first spread in Turkey through medical faculties, but today in the West, this positivist rigidity is beginning to break.
"In the West, concepts like holistic (bütüncül) medicine and spiritual medicine are no longer excluded; they are even being tested in laboratories. In countries like Germany, we see that 'healers' can open treatment centers without a medical diploma. We cannot say there is no genuine one just because there are fakes," said Prof. Dr. Kılıç, adding that spiritual healing methods, such as Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) placing his hand on a patient and praying, are now being scientifically investigated under names like "bioenergy."
Prof. Dr. Kılıç expressed his hope that the resistance of some medical circles in Turkey on this issue would eventually be broken and that the holistic understanding of medicine would become even more widespread, concluding his words with the prayer, "May Allah grant us all healing."
Within the scope of the public conference program, two panels were held with the participation of researchers who graduated from Üsküdar University Institute for Sufi Studies' doctoral and master's programs, chaired by Prof. Dr. Emine Yeniterzi and Prof. Dr. Reşat Öngören.
The public program concluded with a concert by Elif Ömürlü Uyar, V. Emre Ömürlü, and Neyzen Ahmed Şahin.