Prof. Dr. Niyazi Beki from the Institute of Sufi Studies noted that conflict, poverty, and ignorance have significantly increased in this century, saying, “Since poverty has further intensified due to wrong beliefs, laziness, and a misguided understanding of reliance on God, it requires very serious efforts and endeavors in industrial and technological matters. As this need has grown in this century, there has emerged a very strong need for great self-sacrifice, courage, skill, and wisdom.”
Prof. Dr. Niyazi Beki from Üsküdar Üniversitesi Institute of Sufi Studies made statements on the purpose of the universe's creation and the problems of our age.
Why did the Creator of the universe create the universe?
Prof. Dr. Niyazi Beki stated that the Creator of the universe created it, first and foremost, to observe the manifestations of His names and attributes and to display them to conscious beings, adding, “It is a universally accepted principle in the realm of existence that every possessor of beauty and perfection desires to see and display their perfection and beauty. A talented painter, while creating a painting, wants to see and display their talent. A poet, when writing a poem, wants to see and display their skill in poetry.”
Every possessor of beauty and perfection desires to see and display their own beauty and perfection
Prof. Dr. Niyazi Beki summarized the issue by shortening Bediüzzaman Hazretleri's statement as follows:
“‘According to the secret that every possessor of beauty and perfection desires to see and display their own beauty and perfection; the glorious Sultan of this universe also wished to open an exhibition, arranging displays that show His skill, so that He could exhibit and show the majesty of His sovereignty, the splendor of His wealth, the wonders of His art, and the unique manifestations of His knowledge/wisdom, power, and wisdom. And thus, He might observe His spiritual beauty and perfection in two ways: One aspect; that He contemplates it from His own perspective, being familiar with the finest nuances of art, like pearls. The other aspect; that He looks with the eyes of other conscious beings. To activate this perspective, He deemed it appropriate to address the intellects and consciousness of conscious beings such as Angels and Jinn, primarily humans, and to teach the beauty of art in the universe and the spiritual beauty and perfection of the Creator through an envoy. For if a beautiful and meaningful book is not fully understood by its audience and lacks a teacher to explain it, that book would have no substantial value.”
The universe itself is an ontological book written to introduce its Creator
Prof. Dr. Niyazi Beki also stated that the universe itself is an ontological book written to introduce its Creator, adding, “However, discovering and presenting its meanings according to its purpose of creation is impossible without a teacher. The birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) holds a unique importance in carrying out this task of introduction. With this coincidence of his birthday falling on the days of the month of Rabi' al-awwal, it is indicated to be a harbinger of spring, a herald of roses and flowers blooming, and a universal mercy like April rain.”
What does the Prophet's arrival in the world convey?
Prof. Dr. Niyazi Beki explained that the arrival of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the world is a unique event, as it introduced the Creator of the universe in every aspect, brought happiness in this world and the afterlife within the framework of His commands and prohibitions, taught humanity moral values and human dignity through both His principles and practical life, and transformed a society that buried its daughters alive into one that refrained from unjustly killing an ant. He continued:
“It is known worldwide that abolishing a despised, insignificant custom of a small tribe, or eliminating the partial, weak habits of a miserable, wretched group, is something a great ruler cannot easily accomplish, requiring much effort even over a long period. Would not a person who, despite not being a ruler and lacking material power, in a short time, made a society – exceedingly attached to its ancient culture and customs, stubborn, and numerous in its members – abandon its bad morals; and moreover, established very high customs and good morals in their place, be extraordinary? Especially, establishing an idea in their hearts that satisfies the points of reliance (faith in Allah) and seeking help (faith in the afterlife), which are present in human nature and conscience, is a living life model beyond mere good tidings. Is there a greater good tiding, a greater gain, or a greater wealth than believing in an Allah who does not withhold any kind of help from a helpless human being; and likewise, believing in the afterlife which provides logistical support to a poor person?”
Learning the knowledge of the principles of faith, then acting upon what we have learned…
Prof. Dr. Niyazi Beki said, “Believing that Allah, with all His attributes, is Quddus/free from all imperfections, and is Ar-Rahman (the Most Merciful) and Ar-Rahim (the Especially Merciful) possessing infinite mercy; likewise, believing that just as there is a spring after every winter and a morning after every night, there will also be a spring of gathering after every sleep of death and a spring of resurrection/re-awakening after the winter of Judgment Day, is the greatest gain. By first organizing and participating in academic studies, programs, seminars, and conferences to learn the science of these verified principles of faith, and then acting upon what we have learned and applying it in our lives, we will mend both our worldly and otherworldly lives.”
In this century, conflict, poverty, and ignorance have significantly increased!
Prof. Dr. Niyazi Beki noted that conflict, poverty, and ignorance have significantly increased in this century, and since most conflicts are sentiments that block reason and logic, it is a very difficult task to steer them back onto the path of reason, stating, “Since poverty has further intensified due to wrong beliefs, laziness, and a misguided understanding of reliance on God, it requires very serious efforts and endeavors in industrial and technological matters. As this need has grown in this century, there has emerged a very strong need for great self-sacrifice, courage, skill, and wisdom.”
To eradicate the disease of ignorance, there is a need for guidance based on the Quran and Sunnah
Prof. Dr. Niyazi Beki stated that since the disease of ignorance in this era directly stems from materialistic science and philosophy, there is a great need for guidance developed in adherence to the Quran and Sunnah to eliminate error, falsehood, and confusion, concluding his words by saying, “You can appreciate that eliminating an ignorance cloaked in the guise of knowledge is very difficult. The guidance of those who lack knowledge and intellect like the imams of the four schools of thought and Sunni scholars, those who lack piety like Abdulkadir Geylani and Imam Rabbani, those who do not adopt the principle of spiritual journeying with both intellect and heart like Imam Ghazali and Bediüzzaman Said Nursi, and those who do not blend material and spiritual sciences like Ibn Arabi and Rumi, may not be very effective in this century. This may also fall short of providing the necessary benefit for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.”