Although a human being is created as a being destined to perish in this transient world, by nature, they are a candidate for eternity, yearning for it, and walking toward it. This is one of the essential qualities that distinguishes humans from other living creatures. From this perspective, humans are not confined to the narrow limits of a fleeting life. Therefore, the primary duty of a human being is to follow the path that leads to eternal peace and strive throughout their life to achieve such a lofty goal.
The ultimate goal of every human being must be Allah (may His glory be exalted). Every person should dedicate themselves to loving Him, helping others love Him, reaching Him, guiding others to Him, and stirring hearts toward Him. For He is the ultimate aim. Everything else gains its value only by being a means to reach Him. Even the exalted rank of the noble angels stems from their closeness to Him, and the superiority of the great Prophets lies not only in their nearness to Him but also in their ability to guide humanity to Him. The worth and value we attribute to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) are immeasurable. Yet, even for him, we do not regard him as the ultimate aim but rather as a means of the highest significance. This is a fundamental aspect of our belief. When we pronounce the testimony of faith, we first affirm the existence and oneness of Allah, the ultimate aim, and then mention the Prophet, who is among the most significant means to reach that aim.
Those who have fixed their eyes on the pleasure and approval of Allah and have locked onto such a lofty purpose lead a life of integrity. Thanks to their deep relationship with their Lord, they do not falter or change direction in the face of opposing winds. Those who do not pursue such a high aim, however, are susceptible to being swept away by storms, their destinations uncertain. Without a clear course, no wind can help them reach their goal. Even if they stay on a straight path for a while, it doesn’t last long; soon enough, they are lured by base desires and devilish temptations into steep, treacherous paths, where they are left disoriented or drown in deep waters.
Once again, let us emphasize that for believers, the highest aim is first to know and introduce Allah, and then to recognize and promote those who convey His message. It is also to align oneself behind those who represent Him and adopt their path as one’s own. Indeed, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) advised us to tightly hold onto his path and the path of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, urging us never to deviate from it. Bringing true humanity to light and fostering love for humanity in hearts depends on walking the path of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and following in the footsteps of those who fully embody that way.
If we can commit ourselves to such a high and noble purpose, we will love all of creation for the sake of the Creator. We will regard human beings as reflections of Allah’s artistry, and for that reason alone, we will feel a special connection toward them. Furthermore, due to our connection with Allah, we will feel a deeper love and respect for those whose hearts are ignited by the flame of faith. As for those who have not yet come to know Him, we will strive to introduce them to Him and endear Him to them by sharing the inspirations of our souls. In this way, the services we provide to revive others will sustain our own vitality. We fear that if we do not breathe life and spirit into those around us, the spirit and life within us will also fade away. The more we share the blessings we possess with others, the more Allah will grant us. As we distribute the blessings Allah has bestowed upon us, we will be showered with new and greater blessings.
Let others choose the path they wish to follow; this is the path we walk. We call this the “path of service.” We believe that those who serve humanity will hold a special place in the sight of God and His Prophet. We reject any other forms of recognition or esteem, for services tied to applause and praise will not propel us forward but pull us back. Whoever is consumed by worldly concerns will face as many troubles as the world itself. Satan will confront such individuals with worldly worries and distractions, diverting them from the path they are on. Those who think they are walking toward Him, but fail to fully focus on Him, will not reach their goals. Satan will preoccupy those who are not engaged with God with falsehoods and trivialities, but he will not even approach those whose aim, goal, and focus are solely Allah.
The construction and revival of true human sentiment and thought, along with the establishment of peace and tranquility in the world, will not be achieved through force, power, or weapons. It will be realized through the efforts of people walking the path of Allah, who aim to please Him by entering hearts and convincing minds. Thanks to their sincere efforts, the East and West, North and South will embrace, different colors and patterns will come together, and all of humanity will live in brotherhood and sisterhood. Those who resort to brute force, relying on their power to bring people into line, have never solved any problems; instead, they have created a vicious cycle of issues. Those trapped in this cycle lose their sound reasoning, forsake their humanity, and set off a chain of further complications.
It is the Prophets, and those who follow in their footsteps, who have taught humanity the true essence of being human. They first represented this through their actions and then conveyed it through their words. We, too, must aspire to this. We must continuously keep God, His holy remembrance, and praise on our tongues, remembering that the more we engage with Him, the closer we will come to Him and the more we will remain distant from Satan’s deceptions. We should not forget that reviving true human sentiment and thought, which have been largely distorted and degenerated today, will only happen through such efforts. Otherwise, as some have tried, nothing will be achieved through coercion, empty words, lies, demagoguery, violence, or division. Those who take such illegitimate and inhumane paths will eventually become pawns of Satan and lose their credibility.
If you want to inspire trust and be convincing, you must walk consistently on a steadfast and upright path without deviating an inch, and represent the values you believe in with excellence. People will observe you for a long time, listen to your heart, and check for any irregularities. If you embody in your life the goodness you invite others to and remain far from the evils you urge others to avoid, then they will believe in you. Let me emphasize again: it is not those with a silver tongue, captivating speeches, or dazzling words who are convincing; it is those who remain indifferent to worldly temptations, do not succumb to desires and lusts, do not become prisoners of carnal or base instincts, and do not degrade themselves by chasing positions or fame at the expense of human dignity. It is those who maintain their chastity and integrity without a speck of blemish who are truly believable. Indeed, the devoted individuals who have gone to various countries around the world and have been relatively successful in influencing their surroundings did not achieve this through their knowledge or eloquence, but through their sincere conduct and exemplary lives.
As the Qur’an expresses, everyone acts according to their character. This is why some, like Ibn Selül during the Prophet’s era, act hypocritically, deceiving the masses with their two-faced behavior and lies. Others, like Pharaoh in ancient times, look down on everyone else and rule with tyranny. Still others, like those who follow the philosophy of Omar Khayyam in later times, chase after their own desires, seeking only pleasure. These individuals fail to see the many signs of Allah along the path they walk, and even if they do see them, they choose to ignore them. Allah warns that He will assign Satan to those who forget Him and turn away from His remembrance, making Satan their companion. Therefore, Satan and his followers do not love those whose path is directed toward Allah and whose compass points to Him. Not only do they dislike such people, but they also try to divert them from the path they walk. Hence, those who are on this path should not be surprised by the attention they receive from both human and jinn devils. Despite Satan and his allies, they must continue on their journey toward their ultimate goal.
Those blessed individuals whose sole aim is the pleasure of Allah, who are affiliated with Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (peace and blessings be upon him), and who strive for the exaltation of Allah’s name, drive Satan and his cohorts out of their minds. Satan and his followers, who cheer for troublemakers and instigators wherever they find them, have no love for those who seek to bring peace and reformation. They are the greatest supporters of tyrants and despots who thrive on division, ignorance, and poverty. At the same time, they are the most relentless enemies of those who fight to eradicate these evils from the earth. Indeed, when Satan sees the heroes of reform who are determined to spread the glorious name of Allah and the noble name of Muhammad to the needy in every corner where the sun rises and sets, he goes mad and sends his earthly minions after them. If this weren’t happening, it would be surprising, for it is inconceivable that Satan would not target the righteous people who have brought about so much beauty for humanity. Since Satan sees the Pride of Humanity (peace and blessings be upon him) as his greatest enemy, he cannot remain indifferent to those who dedicate themselves to winning hearts in the same cause. The recent events are evidence that Satan has not remained indifferent.
When we look at the period of oppression we are witnessing[1], the lies and slanders spread, the unimaginable cruelty, the various attacks and assaults, and the numerous betrayals, we can understand that Satan has been working nonstop, 24 hours a day, entering the hearts of human devils, inspiring them, giving them different arguments, and setting them in motion. Their relentless attacks are the clearest sign that you are walking the right path. The fact that people who are neck-deep in filth, competing to amass wealth, and have become slaves to the world are targeting you is convincing evidence that you are on the correct path. If you believe this, you should continue on your path without paying any attention to Satan or his loyal followers. You should double your efforts and increase your speed toward the ultimate goal of establishing universal peace on earth. Test the path you are walking once again with the measures of the Qur’an and the Sunnah, as well as the criteria of the righteous predecessors. Constantly review your actions according to the references of Divine Revelation, correct any deviations, and without letting obstacles slow you down, keep walking toward your ultimate goal without pause or hesitation.
[1] Translator’s note: The Scholar Gulen specifically addresses the challenges faced by Hizmet volunteers and supporters in Turkey, including persecution, slander, and oppression, framing these hardships as part of a broader struggle against Satanic forces and worldly temptations. He emphasizes that such adversity is a sign they are on the right path and encourages them to remain steadfast in their mission of peace, service, and humanity, despite the opposition they face.