Üsküdar University’s Institute for Sufi Studies organized a program titled “Gül-i Muhammedî Talk and Na’t Melodies.” The event, where deep love and devotion to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) were expressed through meaningful words and music, took place in a truly unique atmosphere. In her opening remarks, Prof. Elif Erhan emphasized that na’t-ı şerif poems are not merely a literary form but also a symbol of faith, love, and devotion. Prof. Emine Yeniterzi added that na’t-ı şerif represents the embodiment of love for the Prophet through poetry and that for centuries, the Turkish people have kept their reverence and affection for the Prophet Muhammad alive through literature. The program also featured a concert of na’t-ı şerif compositions by Artist Elif Ömürlü Uyar and Prof. V. Emre Ömürlü.
The event was held at Üsküdar University’s Main Campus, in the Nermin Tarhan Conference Hall. Attendees included Prof. Elif Erhan, Director of the Institute for Sufi Studies; Prof. Emine Yeniterzi, Head of the Department of Sufi Culture and Literature; Artist Elif Ömürlü Uyar; Prof. V. Emre Ömürlü; along with institute members and students.
The “Gül-i Muhammedî Talk and Na’t Melodies” program, which conveyed deep affection and devotion to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), received great admiration.
The opening speech of the program was delivered by Prof. Elif Erhan, Director of the Üsküdar University Institute for Sufi Studies.
Prof. Elif Erhan: “Many poets have put their deep love for him into words.”
Speaking about the place of praising the Prophet Muhammad in the tradition, faith, and spiritual culture of the Muslim world, Prof. Elif Erhan stated, “It would not be an exaggeration to say that the depth of love for the Prophet in our faith has manifested itself through na’t-ı şerif as a literary form. Writing, reciting, composing, and adorning our surroundings with na’t-ı şerif poems to express this deep affection and reverence has become an act of faith. Culture, belief, and fine arts come together in the atmosphere of na’t-ı şerif. Today, we are witnessing a beautiful example of that harmony. This tradition, which has endured for centuries, is not only a literary genre but also an expression of collective sensitivity, faith, and devotion. From Yunus Emre to Fuzûlî, from Şeyh Gâlib to Yaman Dede, countless poets have put their deep love for him into words.”
Prof. Emine Yeniterzi: “Na’t-ı şerif is poetry born from love for the Prophet.”
Prof. Emine Yeniterzi, Head of the Department of Sufi Culture and Literature, highlighted the deep roots of the na’t tradition in Turkish-Islamic culture and its reflections of the Prophet’s love in the Turkish nation’s spiritual identity.
She began her remarks by saying, “We can say that na’t-ı şerif is poetry born from love for the Prophet.” Prof. Yeniterzi emphasized that the Turkish nation is one of the rare societies that harmonizes religious and national elements.
“The crescent and the star on our flag are the clearest symbols of this unity. When the word ‘hilal’ (crescent) is written in Arabic letters, it contains the same letters as the name of Allah. Therefore, the crescent represents Almighty God, and the star represents the Prophet Muhammad. Calligraphers write the blessed name of the Prophet in the shape of a five-pointed star. We are a nation that has inscribed the names of God and His Prophet upon its flag,” she said.
Prof. Yeniterzi added that this symbolic unity within Turkish culture extends to every aspect of social life: “We call our army the ‘Army of the Prophet,’ because it is an army honored by his prayers and blessings. Referring to our soldiers as ‘Mehmetçik’ is another reflection of that love. The majority of men in Türkiye carry names such as Muhammed, Mehmet, Ahmet, and Mustafa, all derived from the Prophet’s blessed names. Among women’s names, the word ‘Gül,’ which symbolizes him, appears in nearly fifty different forms and remains one of the most common.”
“Na’t-ı Şerif Are the Symbol of Centuries-Old Love and Devotion to the Prophet”
Speaking about poets’ perspectives on the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), Prof. Emine Yeniterzi said, “In our literature, na’t refers to poems written to praise the Prophet Muhammad, describe his noble qualities, and express love and devotion to him through words. Poems written in praise of people after their death are called elegies or laments. However, no elegy has ever been written for the Prophet Muhammad, because through the religion he conveyed and his greatest miracle, the Qur’an, the Beloved of God remains eternally alive in hearts, and his connection to life has never been severed.”
Writing a Na’t-ı Şerif is the Zakat of Poetic Talent,
“The tradition of writing na’t-ı şerif began in Central Asia with Yusuf Has Hâcib’s Kutadgu Bilig in 1069 and continued in Anatolia with Mevlânâ, Yunus Emre, and Âşık Paşa. To this day, poets continue to write na’t. Na’t-ı şerif poems are symbols of the love and devotion felt toward the Prophet Muhammad. Every poet has written a na’t to show their affiliation with the Prophet, to declare that they are among his followers, and to leave behind a kind of signature. In doing so, they have fulfilled the gratitude and charity of their poetic talent and sought his intercession,” she said.
Na’t-ı Şerif Describes the Noble Qualities of the Prophet
Prof. Yeniterzi elaborated on the content of na’t-ı şerif with the following words: “The Prophet Muhammad is the final messenger, and his prophethood is eternal. He is a guide to believers in this world and an intercessor in the hereafter. He was sent as a mercy to all worlds. According to the divine statements in the Qur’an, his prophethood encompasses the entire universe, and all beings depend on his mercy and compassion for creation, life, and eternal happiness. He is both a prophet and the most perfect servant of God, the ultimate example of servitude. His superior and exemplary character has been praised in the Divine Word. The secret and essence of the Qur’an is embodied in the Prophet himself, for the purpose of the Qur’an is to form the perfect human being, and the Prophet achieved this through his personality, character, and life.”
Prof. Yeniterzi concluded her speech by saying:“All love originates from the Beloved of God. The na’t tradition is the most refined expression of this love that has continued for centuries, and na’t-ı şerif poems have been written to proclaim the glory and majesty of the truth of Muhammad, which is the essence and purpose of existence.”
A Concert of Composed Na’t-ı Şerif Poems
Following the speech, a concert of composed na’t-ı şerif pieces was performed by Artist Elif Ömürlü Uyar and Prof. V. Emre Ömürlü. The concert began with Itrî’s Segâh Tekbir, Salât-ı Ümmiye, and Na’t-ı Mevlânâ, and continued with various na’t-ı şerif compositions. The performance was met with great interest and admiration from music enthusiasts.
The program concluded with a group photo session.