By Fethullah Gülen Hocaefendi Seconds open to the deepest of divine beauties, minutes spent developing and unveiling the desires of the spirit(ruh), and eternalized hours broadening peoples’ hearts all suit the Light-Houses very well, being the world’s most beautiful places in our age. The people who, having left their work, school or apartments, come running every Continue reading

By Fethullah Gülen Hocaefendi The Light-Houses are barracks for the cavaliers of light; secluded dwellings(halvethane) and spiritual lodgings for the heroes of truth; climates of divine inspiration(vâridât) for the holy ones(kudsîler) who open and shut their eyes with knowledge intellectual and spiritual. These Light-Houses, having received their taste, atmosphere, color, and fragrance from realms beyond, are Continue reading

By Fethullah Gülen Hocaefendi It is well known to the masters that traveling the spiritual journey (Seyr u sülûk-i ruhanî) is achieved through living on the level of the heart and spirit, tied either to the ten subtle faculties or the seven levels of the soul(nefis). Adding onto all of this a spiritual discipline of suffering(çile), Continue reading

By Fethullah Gülen Hocaefendi Ashq is intense love, mania, and addicting fondness, an excessive love felt due to perfection, beauty, and physical charm; this kind has been called Metaphorical Love(mecazî aşk). There is another sort of love whose beauty has achieved perfection and whose perfection orbits its beauty; it is a heartfelt connection of love(muhabbet) felt Continue reading

By Fethullah Gülen Hocaefendi Mahabba(Love) lexically refers to love, emotional attachment, or an inclination towards any object or person. Mahabba that subjugates the entirety of man’s feelings under its influence is called ‘Ashq(Ecstatic Love); whereas Love that has developed and deepened into a burning desire for union(vuslat) is called Shawq & Ishtiyaq(Desire & Enthusiasm). Mahabba has Continue reading