2nd Stage: "Following the Murshid and Istiane"

Surah Al-Fatiha and the Concept of Istiane

Surah Al-Fatiha, which every Believer who performs the five daily prayers recites, presents one of the most fundamental proofs regarding the murshid. The concept of istiane mentioned in the verse means, directly, asking Allah for the murshid.

1/AL-FATIHA-5: (O Allah!) We worship only You and we ask for istiane (our murshid) only from You.

Here, the request "Guide us to the Sirat al-Mustaqim" actually carries the meaning, "Let us reach the murshid You have shown and let us follow him." For the path described in Surah Al-Fatiha is the path of those upon whom there is blessing. This blessing is the imam of the era.

The Imam of the Era and the Duty of Hidayah

Allah the Almighty appoints imams in every era who are tasked with delivering people to hidayah. This matter is clearly stated in Surah Al-Anbiya:

21/AL-ANBIYA-73: And We made them imams who deliver to hidayah (deliver their spirits to Allah before death) by Our command. And We revealed to them to perform good deeds, to perform worship, and to give obligatory alms. And they were servants to Us.

This duty continues even in periods when there are no prophets. In Surah As-Sajdah, it is stated that those chosen from among the people who possess patience and yakîn are made imams:

32/AS-SAJDAH-24: And We made from among them imams who deliver to hidayah by Our command, because they were patient and had attained yakîn in Our verses (at the level of Hakk'ul yakîn).

The Search for a Means and Cleansing of the Nafs

The necessity of the post of religious guide and the institution of following appear as a command in Surah Al-Ma'idah. Allah the Almighty commands being pious (owner of taqwa) and asking for the means that will deliver one to Him.

5/AL-MA'IDAH-35: O you who have faith (who wish to reach Allah, who wish to surrender); be pious (owner of taqwa) towards Allah and seek the means to reach Him. And struggle in His path. It is hoped that you will thus attain salvation.

This verse shows that cleansing of the nafs is only possible with a murshid (means). Furthermore, as stated in Surah An-Nahl, the appointment of murshids (paths) belongs to Allah Himself:

16/AN-NAHL-9: And the appointment of the paths (all ways reaching the Sirat al-Mustaqim from the dervish lodges, i.e., the murshids) is upon Allah. And there are those who deviate from it. And if He had willed, He would have delivered all of you to hidayah.

Spiritual Obstacles and Their Removal

Most people do not notice the post of religious guide at the beginning. Spiritual obstacles form on the faculties of sight, hearing, and perception of those who do not wish to reach Allah and even struggle against this path. These obstacles are defined as vakra in the ears, ekinnah on the hearts, and the veil over the faculty of sight on the eyes.

17/AL-ISRA-45: When you recite the Qur'an, We placed a veil over the faculty of sight between you and those who do not believe in the hereafter (reaching Allah before death and the Day of Resurrection) (We placed a veil over their eyes that prevents them from seeing you as a prophet).

However, if a person sincerely wishes to reach Allah, Allah the Almighty removes these obstacles and, by giving the person discernment, covers their sinful deeds.

8/AL-ANFAL-29: O you who have faith! If you are pious (owner of taqwa) towards Allah, He will grant you discernment (the ability to distinguish between right and wrong)! And He will cover your sinful deeds and grant you Forgiveness (converting sins into rewards)...

The Turning of the Heart to Allah and Khushu

Allah reaches the heart of the person who wishes to reach Allah and turns that heart towards Himself. Then, the person's chest is opened for Islam and a path of light is opened to the heart.

6/AL-AN'AM-125: So whoever Allah wishes to deliver to Himself, He opens his chest to surrender (to Islam).

In this process, when the light of mercy coming to the heart reaches the 2% level, the person becomes an owner of khushu. Reaching the murshid is only possible by becoming an owner of khushu. The most prominent feature of the owners of khushu is that they believe with certainty that their spirits will reach Allah before they die. Those who possess this belief, when they ask for their murshid from Allah through the special prayer of need (salaat al-hajat), they absolutely reach an answer.

2/AL-BAQARAH-45: Seek special help of Allah (istiane) with patience and worship. And indeed, that (asking for one's murshid who will deliver one to Allah through the special prayer of need) is surely heavy, except for the owners of khushu.

Following and Its Results

The moment a person follows the murshid shown by Allah, the spirit of the imam of the era comes and settles upon the person's head. This is expressed in verse 22 of Surah Al-Mujadila as "being supported with a spirit from His presence." With following, faith is written into the heart and the process of cleansing of the nafs begins. After this stage, the reward for the worship performed increases manifold, and the person's sinful deeds are converted into good deeds (spiritual rewards).

25/AL-FURQAN-70: Except for those who repent (before their murshid) (thus becoming a Believer whose faith is written in their heart and whose faith increases) and perform righteous deeds (that reform the soul), then for them, Allah converts their sinful deeds into good deeds (spiritual rewards).

As a result, reaching and following a murshid is mandatory according to the provisions of the Holy Qur'ân. The spirit's reaching Allah and the human being's attaining salvation occur through adherence to this divine system.

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