Gulen Movement and Culture of Devotion (*)

Sociologically, every community makes up their own language, their own style. Did this movement make up its own language and style?

Fethullah Gulen: We say love is the essence of creation. We are trying to program our lives with the principle that was expressed by Muhammad Bahauddin "If God had not looked at us with love we would not be able to love us." When this is the case, a relevant terminology spontaneously begins to form, of course. I mean there must be a harmony between the ontological and the epistemological. In order to delineate the bright path of the Prophet and the illustrious scholars among the early generations in Islamic history the changes and differentiations that have taken place since those times should be taken into consideration; they should then be stated with a fresh discourse.

One of the key concepts is: What kind of a relation do you think there is between the movement and devotion?

Devotion means being a person of ideals who is thoroughly attached to our values. If our ideal is love, introducing our culture, and presenting the beauties of religion in order to let others benefit from them, then our perspective, which is related with the essence of devotion, necessitates the regulation of our lives accordingly, and that we evaluate everything other thing as a component supporting and serving our ideals.

Devoted people unite their ideals and try to put forth a prophet-like determination, thinking of nothing but conveying their message with righteousness, loyalty, trustworthiness, and by keeping away from sin. At the same time, we hope that such an ideal-centered life will save people from an egocentric life of selfishness and egoism.

All great deeds are carried out by those who do not care for their own comfort. In the philosophy of devotedness, one lives attached to lofty ideals, preferring a poor and simple life for the good and wellbeing of the nation, thinking of nothing but serving God.

What is the role of sermons and counseling meetings in the formation of a culture of devotion?

The tradition of counseling is the first way that leads to the acceptance of every idea. It is for this reason that the Prophet said "Religion is counsel." There is also a need for a continuity of counseling. people might fall away, even if only a small way; there can be passions, like being too interested in worldly goods or worldly rank, a love of comfort, a desire to be seen (by others), or an ambition for fame. Each one of these has the potential to topple many people, and they constitute a problem for the devotees who serve (for the sake of God). One needs to be counseled in order not to fall under the effect of such things.

Within the values of the present time, power and control are decisive, and we mostly look at life through these. But you say, "for the sake of God." Your terminology is more difficult to understand from different perspectives.

I'm speaking with utmost sincerity; I don't have any interest but to seek God's good pleasure. I cannot claim to have attained it, but there is no hour, no day in which I do not wish to attain His good pleasure. At least hundred times a day I say, "my God, (all I want is) Your forgiveness, goodness, and to attain Your good pleasure." If I was offered the greatest degree of sainthood, even if I were to just glance at it, I would consider myself the lowliest person in the world. I long for my Lord. Maybe my wish hasn't been responded to so far. What I should do is to continue wishing, until the last moment of my life.

This wish, which is the greatest capital of my life, may not be easily understood, for it doesn't correspond to anything in the terminology of other people. I am almost shackled by thoughts like "You should care about the approval of God in your deeds. If He approves of your behavior, but the whole world objects, it doesn't matter. If He is well pleased, and approves, He will make others accept it as well, even if you don't wish this to be so" (Said Nursi). If my eyes don't see anything else, I beg forgiveness for my blindness.

*Excerpted from the part of the interview with Fethullah Gulen by Mehmet Gundem of Milliyet Daily in January 2005, published on fgulen.com, 28 January 2005