Question: What are your thoughts on the comparisons and highlighted similarities between the Hizmet movement and other movements or philosophical schools?

Answer: When any movement, denomination, or vocation is examined through its philosophical lens, it’s possible to observe or assert similarities to, inspirations from, or influences by other movements or schools. Many such assessments are subjective, shaped by the evaluator’s perspective. This resembles poetry analysis; as the Arabs say, “The meaning of the poem lies within the poet.” Likewise, individuals examining the Hizmet movement will draw conclusions influenced by their own thoughts, experiences, desires, and expectations, forming connections between it and various structures and organizations.

Engaging in dialogue with individuals from diverse backgrounds and exchanging viewpoints stands as a fundamental practice and goal within the Hizmet movement. Valuing respect for differences, crafting solutions that address shared challenges, nurturing a culture of compromise and mutual sharing, finding common ground and denominators, and aspiring for and striving towards a world devoid of conflict encapsulate Hizmet’s core values. Researchers delving into these principles might identify and propose links between Hizmet and various movements or organizations that prioritize dialogue, deriving such connections through their own analytical insights.

Our Understanding of Dialogue

Without a deep understanding of the thought structure, goals, and key dynamics of a movement, external evaluations of its nature or its parallels with others risk being superficial and inaccurate. This is particularly relevant in discussions of dialogue, a concept whose meaning, objectives, and methods we must clarify for accurate comprehension.

Delving into dialogue further, we aim for a world of peace and harmony, free from conflict, chaos, clashes, and war, committing fully to this vision. Above all, we consider our activities to be in obedience to the commands of our religion, convinced that the pleasure of the Almighty is linked to them, and thus, we dedicate ourselves to seeking His pleasure.

Belonging to a nation with a rich historical legacy, we inherit a refined ideal shaped by our religious teachings, a profound heritage, and expansive culture, representing values that transcend worldly limits, embodying a sacred trust. We seek to introduce humanity to these values, convinced of their potential for widespread benefit. Our mission is to disseminate concepts of justice, love, compassion, and our life philosophy, alongside conveying the word of God and the Prophet, to the needed in every corner of the globe. We trust that, upon closer acquaintance, many will appreciate and embrace these values, recognizing their capacity to bring goodness and to enrich humanity.

We are acutely aware that without initiating dialogue, the chance to know, befriend, and integrate with one another, to exchange information, and to benefit from the rich deposits of diverse cultural and civilizational basins is significantly hampered. This challenge is compounded when feelings of hatred and animosity are rampant among individuals from different nations, religions, and cultures, leading to misunderstandings and misidentifications that prevent acceptance of “the other.” The key to dismantling these long-standing prejudices and hostility lies in fostering close personal connections. Providing opportunities for others to know you intimately—across personal, familial, and social dimensions—can facilitate a natural acceptance and understanding, even if you don’t actively articulate anything. Simply embodying the values that define your heritage with consistency can have a profound, transformative effect. At minimum, this approach allows you to accurately present yourself and your values, mitigating the risk of misinterpretation. Such dialogues could catalyze new cultural syntheses, prompting humanity to reevaluate prevailing thoughts, life philosophies, and worldviews. It may even inspire thinkers and intellectuals to critically reassess and refine their existing viewpoints. This encapsulates our philosophy towards dialogue.

Our responsibility involves fostering environments that enable mutual understanding and knowledge among individuals, while also removing obstacles to the freedom of thought. Our stance on faith and guidance aligns with the religious definition of faith: “Religion is a compilation of Divine systems guiding those endowed with reason towards goodness of their own free will.” Furthermore, the principle articulated by the verse “There is no compulsion in religion” is foundational, prohibiting all forms of coercion and pressure within the realm of religion.

Alongside coercion and pressure, methods such as demagoguery and dialectics, propaganda, and perception management cannot be seen as legitimate ways and means of explaining religious truths. Essentially, values that are inherently true do not need such tactics. It is only ideas that contain inherent flaws and distortions that are imposed on others and forced upon them. If you have no doubt about your ideas, values, and worldview, you will not worry about whether they will be liked or not after presenting them. You should leave people to their free will. In fact, you should be so objective in this matter that to those who wish to stand by your side, you should ask, “You want to leave the values you have respected and accepted so far and bind yourself to a new set of values. Are you sure about this? Have you thoroughly thought it over? What harm did you see in your previous stance, or what superiority did you find here that you decided to make such a decision?” By asking such questions, you invite them to reassess the issue and ensure they accept this new set of values on a solid intellectual foundation. With this approach, you prevent the possibility of people making a radical decision based on a momentary feeling and not remaining firm in their decision later. Thus, you find people who truly believe and are genuinely committed to the cause. Because those who do not come to you with all their heart and mind will later cause problems and won’t be able to stay in the cause for long. The decision to embrace faith, religion, or any belief system is deeply rooted in the individual’s freedom of choice and free will.

Through dialogue, our goal is twofold: firstly, to foster peace and harmony in the world by eradicating negatives like violence, hostility, radicalism, terror, and war; and secondly, to dismantle the barriers that hinder people from appreciating and deriving benefit from the diverse values inherent in different religions and cultures.

Through dialogue, our objective is to extend our reach universally, engage with all individuals, share the universal human values we cherish, and also enrich ourselves with the virtues others hold. This goal aligns with the teachings of Prophet Muhammad. He once proclaimed, “My name will reach everywhere the sun rises and sets,” a saying that not only reveals an unseen truth but also outlines a goal. This implies that the Ummah’s responsibility is to spread the core message of his teachings and the essence of the Qur’an across the globe, ensuring it reaches every soul in need. We regard this task as both a solemn duty and a form of gratitude for the numerous blessings bestowed upon us. The choice of acceptance, however, lies with those to whom the message is extended.

Researchers analyzing your dialogue initiatives from an external viewpoint may not fully grasp the nuances of the intentions outlined previously. Individuals unfamiliar with your emotional and intellectual landscape could draw parallels between your actions and those characteristic of other religious or ideological groups, occasionally categorizing them as missionary-like efforts. Some might speculate that your motives are political, fitting your activities within preconceived frameworks used to categorize various movements. Yet, others might identify intersections between your expressed ideas and actions and the insights of various scholars on dialogue, basing their analysis on these points of alignment.

Our Love for Humanity

Similar misunderstandings may arise concerning your views on justice, educational methods, human perspective, legal philosophy, and overall worldview. Researchers could draw parallels between your stances on these subjects and various philosophical movements or human experiences, potentially grouping you with them. For instance, your human perspective might be likened to Western humanism, a comparison that falls short of accuracy.

Contrary to the secular nature of humanism, your understanding of humanity is deeply rooted in Divine revelation. You regard humans as the focal point of God’s attention, labeling them the essence of the universe. Your belief that God has subjected the physical world to humanity, designating humans as Earth’s stewards and imbuing them with His spirit, elevates humanity to a remarkable status. The foundation of your love for humanity is the appreciation of beings valued by God. Moreover, your approach to all creation, especially humans, with love, compassion, and mercy is a direct fulfillment of Divine commandment. Thus, the secular concept of humanism cannot fully capture the breadth of your considerations.

No matter the good intentions behind them, studies lacking a holistic and universal viewpoint and not considering the issue in its original context are prone to inaccuracies and misinterpretations by outsiders. Particularly, analyses conducted with prejudice and preconceptions can lead to conclusions disconnected from the actual essence. It is a fundamental understanding that interpretations will differ based on the individual’s knowledge and experiences; each person interprets through their unique lens. It’s natural for people engaged in reading, researching, and contemplating to be influenced by the ideologies and philosophies they explore. Thus, their analyses and interpretations are shaped accordingly.

We deeply contemplate the wisdom behind Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) being described as “unlettered”, viewing any suggestion that he was illiterate as disrespectful and a misattribution of ignorance. This aspect highlights his mind’s purity, untouched by external thoughts and philosophies, ensuring that his religious interpretations remained uninfluenced by them and keeping the revelation’s truth unaltered. To maintain the purity, clarity, and Divine essence of Islam, God safeguarded his (peace be upon him) mind from external influences. While he mastered Arabic, the language of the subsequent revelation, from his surroundings, he was shielded from other knowledge systems, preventing the corruption of the Divine message by worldly influences.

Like many, we engage with the works of diverse philosophers and thinkers, leaving room for influence by various ideological streams and ‘isms.’ It’s possible for us to directly adopt one of these frameworks, using their concepts and definitions to address issues. Even notable figures have been subject to such influences, underscoring a universal human and historical phenomenon where ideas continually interact and influence one another. However, sifting through these ideas with the filter of revelation or aligning them with the unshakeable aspects of religion is not an achievement everyone can claim. As a result, distinctions between truth and falsehood, as well as right and wrong, can become blurred. The misuse of concepts and inaccurate definitions and judgments can lead to misrepresentations of reality. These considerations should be kept in mind when evaluating studies concerning the Hizmet movement, acknowledging the complexity and multifaceted nature of intellectual engagement and interpretation.

Internal and External Studies – Insider and Outsider Perspectives

Moreover, assessments by those outside of a group or movement, lacking immersion in its ethos and not sharing its sentiments and intellect, inherently miss some depth. Yet, it’s also true that internal evaluations often go underappreciated. We sometimes overlook the growth of individuals within our midst, failing to acknowledge their maturity. Even if a figure of the stature of Imam Ghazali or Imam Rabbani were to arise among us, they might still be perceived as “yesterday’s child”. Familiarity breeds a diminishment of their stature, despite their elevation. Conversely, outsiders are elevated, regarded with undue esteem and reverence.

Insiders, influenced by their internal perspective, might lack the capacity for objective comparison with external viewpoints. Similar to fish unaware of the water that surrounds them, or a person in perpetual light who cannot comprehend darkness, those within a movement might not fully grasp its distinctiveness or depth. In contrast, outsiders, drawn to the novelty before them, may delve into its origins, nature, and driving forces, leveraging this curiosity as an advantage.

The discussions presented thus far should not lead to the assumption that we oppose research on the Hizmet movement or its comparison with other movements, currents, and philosophies. Our aim is to shed light on the potential challenges and obstacles that might compromise the accuracy and objectivity of such analyses. Nonetheless, it is possible to draw various connections between the Hizmet movement and different entities, ideologies, and philosophies, yielding a range of interpretations and explanations. We welcome these studies, recognizing that reason, logic, and judgment possess intrinsic value and, when applied effectively, can produce meaningful insights. However, hastily linking Hizmet with specific movements or ideologies based merely on superficial similarities is misguided.

Instances of similarity might better be understood through the literary concept of “tavaarud,” where identical ideas occur independently to different people or groups. Just as two poets might coincidentally compose the same line without knowledge of each other, so too might individuals or groups across different eras and geographies develop comparable ideas, approaches, and actions driven by shared passions and challenges. For example, the alignment of certain Greek philosophical thoughts with prophetic revelations can be seen as a result of their sound reasoning, clarity of thought, and purity of intention. This suggests a universal capacity for truth-seeking that transcends specific cultural or temporal contexts.