Sufısm

by Osman Nuri Topbaş

Sufism keeps the society awake against lethargy and inactivity at times of socio-economical ease and comfort, while, on the other hand, it provides relief for people through mapping out a way to reconsider events, often seemingly disastrous, in times of difficulty. In this day and age when humanity is surrounded by troubles and afflictions of a similarly huge nature, the Sufi way can no doubt help human beings deal with these problems, by introducing theoretical and practical solutions to their difficulties. Sufism holds an essential significance to help Muslims improve the state of their religiosity, in addition to the fact that it presents an accurate and complete form of Islam to non-Muslims. There is no doubt that Sufism represents the heart, essence and spiritual dimension of mainstream (Ahli Sunnah) Islam. Islam elevates the human characteristics of spirituality and love inherent in the hearts of believers up to their zeniths, especially when this essence and spirit of Islam take the form of practice in the actions of capable people. This means that Sufism embodies one of the most fruitful trees of knowledge and gnosis in the garden of Islam. The variety in the nature of traditional works on Sufism stems from the efforts to enable different levels of human society to understand Islam truly in accordance with their intellectual capacities. Both apparent and hidden enemies of Islam have been attempting to separate Sufism from Islam, which in fact coexist like the body and spirit. In addition to correcting misconceptions about Sufism and pointing to some inappropriate and inadequate practices, this book aims at presenting the inherent beauties of this tradition to interested minds and hearts. In this sense the Sufi tradition is like a boundless ocean; it overflows with scholarly works which truthfully present the authentic conceptions and practices that are integral to the way. The author is a renowned Naqshi sufi master from Turkey.

595 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 17, 2012

About the author

Osman Nuri Topbaş is a Turkish Sufi master and author who lives in Istanbul, Turkey. He is the spiritual leader of Naqshbandi Sufi Order based in Erenköy, Kadıköy, İstanbul.

He completed his first training in Erenkoy Zihni Pasha Primary School. He took special Qur'an lessons in his primary school years. He entered Istanbul Imam Hatip School (Religious High School) in 1953. In those years, this school was an important educational institution having Ottoman’s great plane trees which can be counted as masters M. Celaleddin Okten and Mahir Iz; thinkers like Nureddin Topcu who has trained in West. Master (Ustadh) Osman Nuri Topbas completed this school with his uncle and peer Abidin Topbas in 1960. In his high school years, he has taken lessons from teachers like M. Zekai Konrapa, Yaman Dede (Abdülkadir Keçeoğlu), Ahmet Davutoğlu, Mahmud Bayram, Ali Rızâ Sağman. In his Imam-Hatip years, he met Ustadh Necip Fazil. He was a regular follower of Necip Fazil’s talks and magazine “Büyük Doğu”. After completing Imam-Hatip School successfully, he was occupied with trade and industrialism. He did his military service as reserve-officer teacher in Siirt-Tillo, in 1962. During his duty, the love of being teacher fell to his heart and he started to take pleasure from caring for the teenagers.

After comeback from military service he found himself again in commerce and industry. But he has never broken off his connection with wisdom and charitable services. He has worked actively in “Dissemination of knowledge society” (Ilim Yayma Cemiyeti). His workplace was like a charity, supplying scholarship to students, helping the poor. After founding “Hudayi Foundation”, he carried these services to the foundation. He opened the service horizon of the foundation. With this foundation, he helped materially and spiritually to all youth coming from societies especially from Turkish republics.

Due to his interest in history, literature, religious science and poetry, he started his writing life in 1990. His books have been translated into many languages such as Bosnian, English, German, French, Spanish, Hungarian, Albanian, Kazakh and Azeri. He welcomes seminar, conference and panel offers from all over the world and shares his opinions.

He is married and father of four children. His books are published online for free in 43 languages