Fethullah Gulen about thankfulness

Thankfulness is a very important and must-have quality of an every human being. Fethullah Gulen wrote an interesting article about thankfulness and its importance in Islam. In Islam, thankfulness is not only gladness or gratitude felt about the good done to somebody; it is fulfillment of the purpose of people’s creation – being thankful to the Creator for what he has bestowed. Only Creator created all good and all bounties as well as the means to get them. Attributing the attainment of some bounties to ourselves or to other people is like thanking a servant who serves us a wonderful meal and ignoring the host who prepared and sent this meal to us. That is why thankfulness is considered half of the faith. Thankfulness to Creator should not be expressed only by words pronounced from time to time, it should be constantly reflected in person’s daily life, in all his/her activities, in heart and in mind. Unfortunately not all people realize the importance of thankfulness and few people give thanks to the Creator in proper way. All people should take example of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, because he was constantly thanking the God for everything and was always reminding his followers to thank the Creator. Read rest of the story

“Worship” by Fethullah Gulen

As we enter into the last ten days of the blessed month of Ramadan, we are reminded of the importance of turning towards the Creator in worship and thanks.

Mr. Gulen writes: “Worship means one’s thankfulness for the bounties with which he or she is endowed, such as life, consciousness, power of perception and faith, while negligence of the duty of worship is crude ingratitude.”

We are especially mindful of the bounties that have been bestowed upon us during this month of fasting. It is a month that strengthens one’s worship and brings one closer to The Almighty Creator of all. It is also a time of giving and charity, and as our hearts bleed for human beings suffering all over the world, we are acutely aware of our brother’s and sister’s in the Horn of Africa and the unnecessary suffering they and their children are enduring. Read rest of the story

“You Alone do We Worship” by Fethullah Gulen

As Muslims all over the world are celebrating the blessed month of Ramadan, we are reminded of our worship and turning towards The All Merciful, All Compassionate One. In his article, “You Alone do We Worship”, Mr. Gulen emphasizes that the word na’budu, in the Holy Qur’an, clearly emphasizes the journey of a believer towards knowing their Creator. Read rest of the story

“On His Path”, a poem, by F. Gulen

“Those who have found The Truth found Him in their souls . . .

Come on, friends, let us reach our destination, let us reach the realm of the Beloved;
And let us see the rose of His beauty for a moment in light.”

In his poem, On His Path, Fethullah Gulen captures the yearning and essence of seeking the Divine through truth. Seeking and finding the Divine is a kind of refuge from this world, one that gives hope for better tomorrows and for a life in the hereafter. Read rest of the story

“Generations With No Ideals” by Fethullah Gulen

“It is not necessary to relate what may happen in the future, and it is also not necessary to drive sensitive minds to despair by depicting corruption. Instead, we must show the people how to renew themselves. We must equip the younger generations, who will shoulder the responsibility for shaping the future, with lofty aims and high ideals . . . This high duty must be undertaken by all institutions, from schools to places of worship, and it must be carried out by enlightened souls . . .” M. Fethullah Gulen

Our youth today are struggling to find their future in this world. Are we equipping them with what is necessary to build and envision that future? What tools do they need, and how can we provide them with those tools? Are we giving them the hope and drive they need to succeed? In his article, Mr. Gulen, emphasizes the imperative we live with today: to prepare our youth, the next generations, for success in the future they will build. Read rest of the story

“Avoiding Extremes”, a meditation by Fethullah Gulen

We live in a world of extremes . . . very hot to subzero temperatures, eating too much to starvation, impoverishment to extravagance . . . like our world, we too can exist in an extreme state. Mr. Gulen highlights this in his meditation: “Avoiding Extremes”. In the extreme situations that we may find ourselves in on a daily basis, it may be good to remember extremes of any kind, occurring all of the time, cannot strike the balance we need to live in a functional, healthy state of being. Read rest of the story

Youth

“A nation’s progress or decline depends on the spirit and consciousness, the upbringing and education, given to its young people.” M.F. Gulen

In his meditation on youth, Mr. Gulen highlights the importance placed on raising strong, vibrant, healthy youth relates directly to the progress of a nation, and ultimately of the world. Virtue, education, community, spirit and consciousness are necessities in the upbringing of our youth, Mr. Gulen emphasizes that these are crucial in the positive upbringing of our youth and will in turn reflect a positive future. Read rest of the story

“For the Conquest and Dominion of Hearts”

“Wealth may indeed be valued when put under the command of knowledge, intellect, courage, honor and devotion to the service of others, but when valued for itself or, worse, when united with greed, it can be a means of brutality.” M.F. Gulen

In his article, Mr. Gulen, highlights the use of human beings faculties for what they were intended for: *good*; versus what was not intended in the use of these faculties: destruction, or *evil*. In an effort to use these faculties, our knowledge, intellect, service to one another, etc., one recognizes these traits as dispensed by The Creator and therefore to be valued as a force for promoting *good*, love. *“*Believing means knowing the truth to be true, what and how it is, and loving means putting that knowledge into effect in one’s life.” Read rest of the story

“Free Will”, by Fethullah Gulen

Having free will-which we can briefly describe as the power or inclination to make a decision whether to do something or not-is a distinctive element of being human and is the very essential of ethical conduct. Without this concept we can talk about neither virtue nor being human. Cognizance of free will means being aware of one’s self. The opposite is the degeneration of the individual, and people who undergo such degeneration will be hesitant in their behavior and disoriented in their thoughts. Avoidance of hesitancy and disorientation is possible for such people if they can find themselves and become integrated with their free will. Otherwise, they can never expect to have stability of soul, nor can they have balance in their behavior, nor can they make a serious effort towards being themselves. Read rest of the story

The Statue of our Souls, Fethullah Gulen

In his book, The Statue of our Souls, Fethullah Gulen describes the importance of hope for the world community and the aspirations that are necessary to bring about a positive change that can lead to more balanced, peaceful and harmonious world community. The various chapters discuss where humanity has gone wrong, and what can be done to overcome the current and ongoing difficulties… Read rest of the story