Don’t Make A Mystic into a Martyr: Fethullah Gülen as Peacebuilder

Don’t Make A Mystic into a Martyr: Fethullah Gülen as Peacebuilder

My conclusion? He’s a mystic in the Sufi tradition of Islam. And like other famous mystics in history—notably Gandhi, or Rumi—from whom Gülen draws deeply, Fethullah Gülen is a peacebuilder. And history teaches us that peacebuilders are likely to be misunderstood, vilified, and targeted. It would be tragic if once again historical forces conspire to turn a mystic into a martyr.…

Rumi and Gülen’s Main Message and Acceptance of the Other

Fethullah Gülen’s Dialogic Sufism: a theological framework

Sufism and its origins (by Fethullah Gulen)

Political Activism for Peaceful Coexistence in Rumi and Gulen

Rumi and Gülen’s Main Message and Acceptance of the Other

Does Gulen see human rights as a “Western conspiracy” used to divide “our country and nation”?

Does Gulen see human rights as a “Western conspiracy” used to divide “our country and nation”?

While citing examples from the implementations of Islamic injunc­tions in the past, which are in conformity with the modern-day understanding of human rights, Gülen says that the violation of people’s rights is unethical and sinful. Furthermore, on the topic of "rights," he does not simply refer to human rights, but believes that all the living beings have rights of their own.…

True Life and True Humanity

Human beings and their nature (by Fethullah Gulen)

“The Characteristics of a Believer” by Fethullah Gulen

Solving the Paradox: How to be a Balanced Muslim

An analysis of Gülen’s Humanism

Education View all

Civil Rights, the Hizmet Movement, and the Liberative Power of Education

Civil Rights, the Hizmet Movement, and the Liberative Power of Education

One of the foundational principles of the teachings of M. Fethullah Gulen, and thus one of the animating principles of the Hizmet movement, is the notion that education is one of the primary means by which the human person becomes most authentically human and thus reaches her or his full potential.…

Islam

Gulen vs Erdogan – Contesting Religious Expressions

Gulen vs Erdogan – Contesting Religious Expressions

While on a shallow level they share a common religion, in his role as…

Lesser and greater jihad

Lesser and greater jihad

The lesser jihad is material. The greater jihad, however, is conducted on the spiritual…

Submission vs. Sense and Reason

Submission vs. Sense and Reason

All that we see around us when contemplating the Divine laws so evident in His creation, as well as our inner…

The Gulen Movement: An Islamic Response to Terror as a Global Challenge

The Gulen Movement: An Islamic Response to Terror as a Global Challenge

As regards tolerance and forgiveness, Gulen explains how true Muslims…

Civil Islam and Democratic Modernity in Gülen’s thought

Civil Islam and Democratic Modernity in Gülen’s thought

Throughout Gülen’s teaching, one can see an abiding concern with fostering a communitarian ethos…

Understanding the Hizmet Movement – Is Hizmet Islamist?

Understanding the Hizmet Movement – Is Hizmet Islamist?

It is on this basis that the Hizmet movement has competed directly with the…

Muslims have a duty to address those who distort Islam from within

Muslims have a duty to address those who distort Islam from within

According to Fethullah Gülen, those who commit transgressions against the nation or religion to…

Are there any countries that do not allow Hizmet schools?

Are there any countries that do not allow Hizmet schools?

Doğu Ergil Are there any countries, which do not allow the [Hizmet] schools to…

Fethullah Gülen: Following in the Footsteps of Rumi

Fethullah Gülen: Following in the Footsteps of Rumi

Thomas Michel The writings of Jalal al-Din Rumi, the thirteenth-century mystical poet and founder…

Can the Gülen Movement be characterized as a Sufi order?

Can the Gülen Movement be characterized as a Sufi order?

Doğu Ergil Can the Gülen Movement be characterized as a Sufi order? Is it…

Is the role of women limited to motherhood in Islam

Is the role of women limited to motherhood in Islam

No, it is not. The noble position of motherhood aside, our general opinion about…

Sufi influences in Gülen’s early life

Sufi influences in Gülen’s early life

Gülen is primarily a scholar, who, while far from establishing a Sufi order, aims to revive and combine the activism of…