Reflections on a Scholarly Journey in Turkey: Lectures, Friendship

📜 In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

🌍 Turkey Journey (12)
🗓️ Friday, 13th Jumada al-Awwal, 1446 AH
✍️ By Dr. Muhammad Akram Nadwi
📍 Oxford

🏨 Arrival at the Hotel
We arrived at the hotel at 9:45 AM and had a light breakfast with the esteemed scholars. I then went to my room, took a bath, and left for Selçuk University with its professors. This university, established in 1975, is located just five minutes from the city center by public transport. It is one of Turkey’s oldest and largest universities, with 70,000 students.

🎤 Lecture at Selçuk University
I had a lecture scheduled before the Friday prayer at the Faculty of Theology. I arrived at 11:15 AM, where I was warmly received by the faculty and its dean, the esteemed Dr. Yusuf Açar.

Dr. Yusuf is a distinguished professor of Hadith, known for his vast academic expertise and excellent reputation in the academic community. His influence extends internationally, having taught in the Netherlands and Germany. His humility and noble manners make him a model for scholars, leaving a lasting positive impression on his students and colleagues.

I was also delighted to meet my dear friend, Professor Bünyamin Erul, who traveled from Ankara by train specifically to meet me. His presence reflects true friendship and sincere brotherhood. His radiant face brings comfort and tranquility, and his conversations are filled with wisdom.

📚 Themes of My Lecture
I introduced myself and shared my scholarly and literary interests, focusing on my passion for Mathnawi, the remarkable masterpiece by Jalal al-Din Rumi. I highlighted its influence in both the Islamic world and India, where it has been widely celebrated.

I emphasized the value of Shibli Nu’mani’s book on Rumi, which offers a comprehensive understanding of Mathnawi and its historical context. To add a spiritual touch, I recited selected verses from Mathnawi, which captivated the audience.

I also spoke about my books, Al-Wafa bi Asma’ al-Nisa’ and my commentary on Sahih Muslim, and shared some history about Nadwatul Ulama and the life of Shaykh Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi.

🕌 Friday Prayer at Meram Çolakoglu Mosque
We went to Meram Çolakoglu Mosque, where the esteemed Hadith scholar Shaykh Nuruddin Boyajlar leads the prayers. The Shaykh, over 90 years old, has a noble presence and granted me and my children a general Ijazah.

The Friday sermon was delivered in Turkish, reflecting a sound understanding of religion. Sermons are a means of conveying messages, and how can messages reach those who do not understand them? Unfortunately, in some regions, sermons in local languages are still prohibited.

🏫 Visit to Necmettin Erbakan University
We visited Necmettin Erbakan University, named after the great Islamic thinker and former Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan. Established in 2010, it upholds his vision of education as a means to empower individuals and society.

I delivered a lecture at the Faculty of Theology before its dean, professors, and students, who greatly appreciated my talk.

🌟 Visit to Rumi’s Shrine
We headed toward the shrine of Mawlana Jalal al-Din Rumi (1207–1273 CE), along with his companions and dervishes. From a distance, we saw the blue dome of his shrine. The courtyard is vast, and visitors are required to cover their shoes with plastic covers to preserve cleanliness.
Professor Bünyamin Erul informed me about the upcoming annual Mawlana Celebration, which attracts millions worldwide. Poet Muhammad Iqbal criticized how people have misunderstood Rumi, saying:

> 🌀 “They learned body-dancing from his words but failed to learn the dance of the soul.”

The museum showcases Rumi’s garments, tools, and manuscripts, including a handwritten copy of Mathnawi, a replica of which I have in Oxford.

📖 Reflection and Gratitude
After a long and fruitful day, I returned to the hotel before 6 PM, exhausted but grateful for the immense knowledge and blessings gained in such a short time.

🌐 This translation was generated by AI and may not fully capture the nuances of the original text.
📥 Source: <a href=”https://t.me/DrAkramNadwi/5621″ target=”_blank”>https://t.me/DrAkramNadwi/5621