The Sacred Trusts

Last Updated on Wednesday, 14 June 2006 14:00 by Fethullah Gülen Saturday, 15 April 2006 02:00

The past, future, and the present are each various dimensions of a single unity. We are able to relish this unity as we sense these various depths of time—one being essential, the others secondary and intertwined. There are some objects, however, which are like a point or a line drawn, connecting us with our spiritual roots. Through the associations they conjure, we can delve more profoundly into the past and we can cherish hopeful expectations for the future, armed with a persistence, endurance, and determination that are necessary for the time to come.

Today, we take in the fragrance of some objects around us that have come from the past as if we are inhaling the scent of a rose; we kiss them and show them the greatest possible reverence. In return for such devotion, we feel as if we are able to observe all times past; these objects bring to us those times when they were used in every day life and treated respectfully. Almost all of these objects appear as if they are animate... alive, but silent. We can witness exceptional meanings reflected in them, meanings not disclosed to all, and we love them as if they were a part of us. With every meaningful look we bestow upon them they reveal through their portals a glimpse of the sweetest dreams and fantasies, inviting us into their time. We find ourselves together with them, cradling these objects in the most intimate amity, breathing in the soul and meaning that is contained within them as if we were inhaling pure mountain air.

Whenever we observe such treasures with a heartfelt vision, we are aware of the fragrance infusing our souls... the fragrance of aloe wood or cedar that drifts up as the ancient chests and closets of our grandmothers, perhaps even those of their grandmothers, are opened... we imagine ourselves in a mysterious world, dumbstruck as we witness the many things that these antiques have to say, speaking without words or sound.

The value of these objects and items is not qualified by their usefulness today, but rather by the meanings that they evoke in us. As we perceive on them an indelible mark or a trace left by the past or by our faith, we rejoice, seeking in them a profound solace rather than mere feelings that are generated only by the thought of their practical use; we sail off into the vastness of timelessness, free from the stresses and strains of our day.

In these ancient objects, displayed in museums or in a corner of our house, we discover the memories and dreams that we once fantasized about; we become exhilarated visualizing the reverently touching hands, the faces inhaling their scent, the lips kissing them as if these people were still among us.

In the presence of these objects, we remember with honor the beliefs, culture, and customs of our beloved and admired ancestors. We regard them as if they have been suffused by the spirits of our ancestors, for whom we have cried so much, and we have been consoled by their memories, as we are able to picture these noble people as being present.

Given all this, then, what if instead of objects that belong to our immediate family, these objects were the Holy Mantle that brings to mind Prophet Muhammad, humanity's tableaux of pride, or a blessed robe worn by Ka'b ibn Zuheyr Ibn-i Ebi Sulma, the poet of Banet Suad, an object treated with the utmost respect by Muslim sultans throughout the past... or the holy standard, 'Uqab, from which the Messenger of God never parted... or strands of the Prophet's hair, like bouquets of flowers which had been carefully collected in that brilliant age thanks to the devoted care of the Companions and the absolute respect of the followers... or the elegant sword of the King and the Master of the Sword (Sahibu'l-imame ve'l-kadib), which the Prophet carried in every military engagement, never stained by human blood, a sword which never hurt any person... or a holy fragment which fell from his pearl-like teeth when struck by a rogue pebble burning with passion to touch those precious jewels during a battle... or his most praised staff which he carried with him as Master of the Staff (Sahib-i Asa)... or his bow that he pulled back only once throughout his life, aiming at the limbs of someone who was preparing to strike him down... or the imprint of his foot which kings longed to wear as a crown... what would our emotions be then?

Or imagine you come across the cooking vessel used by the prophet Abraham, the wonderful rod of Moses, the turban of Joseph, the holy sword David crafted with his own hands, peace and blessings be upon them all, swords belonging to some of the "Ten Companions" blessed with glad tidings to enter Paradise, the Holy Qur'an 'Uthman ibn Affan was reading when he was martyred, may God be pleased with them all...

Or maybe the robe of Imam Abu Hanifa, the felt cap of Uways al-Qarani, the cap of 'Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani, the golden and silver reliquaries of the Black Stone, the golden rain gutters used at the Ka'ba. Each of these is a sacred trust and object worth the world.

They are all so sacred and important that each one is peerless... the respect and reverence that our entire community—from sultans to statesmen, from scholars and saints to all levels of the public—has displayed has no equal either.

From the very first day, the sultan assigned the most precious room in the palace for these relics, and showed them an extraordinary reverence. He kept this holy place, the Apartments of the Holy Mantle, always active and illuminated by Qur'anic recitations read by the best hafizs, exhibiting a dizzying love for the Prophet and all the messengers as well as the righteous ones.

Since this first day, this exceptional place has been a visiting site and resort for hearts in search of peace, hearts filled with love of the Prophet, and we hope that this will continue forever.

The accessories and sacred relics contained inside this pavilion should not be regarded as if they are mass-produced rudimentary, meaningless, abstract souvenirs, or even as antiques. The interior design and the dynamic objects inside are the flowers of a perfectly designed garden. The design and contents within are so much in accordance with the inherent value of this room and with its overall atmosphere that everything appears to have come out of an original universal plan. The objects and the location are situated in a perfectly harmonious form, such that no other museum hosts anything like this ideal blend of taste and beauty. The moment one enters this pavilion, one feels to be in the company of the saintly ones who are dear to God, in a special hermitage outside this world; one feels imbued with a different aura, and one desires to rest there, never to leave. One looks at these invaluable objects, each associated with a certain exalted personality, and views "time" cascading outside, as if it has been squeezed into a lamp. One is enchanted by its charm in a state of mystical ecstasy, musing at the infinite fantasies.

When souls attain the capacity to feel sensations that emanate from the objects in this room deep inside them, they are able to transcend their nature, reveling in the most exquisite poetry. Flowers embedded in the soul blossom with alluring colors of feelings. A profound satisfaction fills their entire existence. Breathing with relief and with a smile dancing on their lips, people think this place has achieved such glory at the hands of spiritual beings.

Travelers, absorb so much from associations with these objects, delving into exotic dreams, and feeling they have experienced a different life at a different time. They are alarmed by the sudden transformation of the current constricted moment and location into a new realm. Then they fall silent, activating their memories, voyaging into a deeper poetry. Through a meditative perception, they hear the quiet noise of a number of events and assume each object to be an intimate historic personality. Every object stands like a close friend, waiting for a warm silent embrace. Who knows, travelers perhaps hope to enter the era of these objects by taking a small step forward... they are listening hard and are intoxicated by the scenery until they awake from this sweet dream.

The Sacred Trusts have always been duly revered by the hosting community and treated in a ceremonial fashion. When we view them, we are prompted by a sensation of respect for religion, and our hearts have been guided as if by a compass. We have refreshed our bonds with those exalted persons to whom they are connected, and we sense their glory. Even at times when disrespectful behavior has shaken our sacred values, we have humbly greeted these objects and strived to maintain our admiration.

We are now introduced to a masterpiece which will give us an opportunity to step into the mysterious realm of the Sacred Trusts, delve into the dazzling memories of the past at every page, and depart for a journey into the eras where the light of our ancestors rains down on every place and time, each with a different magnificence and eminence. We sincerely believe that The Sacred Trusts will speak to appreciative readers through each and every paragraph, picture, and sentence, and that this book will compose outstanding melodies for those who are loyal to their spiritual makeup. It will perhaps deliver the most amazing sermon to our imagination, speaking even more eloquently than the most colorful, comprehensive, and meaningful speech.

Our heartfelt congratulations go to Hilmi Aydin, who, instead of announcing the heartbeats of the past, the projects of today, the plans and activities, and the hopes and dreams of the future, has rather devoted this invaluable work to our cultural life. We believe that the company of such will give us comfort and solace along the lengthy and thorny paths, helping us to extract ourselves from many chaotic dilemmas with its melodies from the past, each composed in silence. Special thanks are due to Kaynak Publications and its staff, primarily Talha Ugurluel, Ahmet Dogru, Engin Çiftçi, and Murat Arabacı who shared the enormous labor involved throughout the project.

This is the introductory article of the book entitled "The Sacred Trusts". More information about this can be found at http://www.thesacredtrusts.com/