On The Legitimacy of The Osmanli Naksibendi Way
Sultan el-Evliya Sheykh Mevlana Muhammad Nazim Adil el-Hakkani (KS) granted the Osmanli Naksibendi Way upon Sheykh Abdul Kerim el-Kibrisi el-Rabbani. Sheykh Abdul Kerim was Sultan el-Evliya’s first Khalifa in America, having been sent in 1976. Sheykh Abdul Kerim was the son of the one that Sultan el-Evliya called his own “Abu Bakr el-Siddik,” Sayyid Haji Fuat al-Rabbani. Sheykh Abdul Kerim had also been blessed by Grandsheykh Abdullah Faiz el-Dagestani, after making a 40 day khalwat with him in Damascus, who declared about him, “he will be our foot in a new continent.”
In one meeting, Sheykh Mevlana said to Sheykh Abdul Kerim, “from now on, you are independent. You don’t report to anyone. You are directly connected to me. You are going to be my ‘lone gun’ and you have permission.’ Sheykh Mevlana then picked up a piece of paper and drew a crescent on a piece of paper. He told Sheykh Abdul Kerim to make the crescent red and the background green and declared: “This is your flag. Your flag shall be under the flag of Mehdi (AS) on the Judgment Day.”
In 2002, the Osmanli Dergahi was opened in Sidney Center, New York. The location as chosen after a miracle when Sahib el-Sayf saw the Light of Sheykh Abdullah Faiz el-Dagestani in the location that would ultimately become his Makam. With the opening of the Dergah under the flag bestowed by Sheykh Mevlana, Sahib el-Sayf established the Osmanli Naksibendi Way as distinct branch of the Tarikat under the direction of Sheykh Mevlana.
Sheykh Mevlana constantly sent his blessings upon Sheykh Abdul Kerim and the Osmanli Naksibendi Way. Once, when Sheykh Mevlana was sitting with Sheykh Mehmet, he sent a message to Sheykh Abdul Kerim, saying, “you are with permission, look at your job. If someone interferes then I will interfere. I have given you the permission. Gather as much as you can gather. May your service be accepted, may your body be with health, may your table always be full, may your door be open to guests. May good servants come to the place you are. May the evil of sheytan, the evil of the enemy, the evil of government be distant from you. May your sustenance not end. May your Nur/Light increase and never decrease. May your line not be cut off. May your future be good and Selam Aleykum wa Rahmetullahi wa Barakatahu.”
After the passing of Sheykh Abdul Kerim from this earth, Sheykh Lokman Efendi was bestowed ijazet and blessings by Sheykh Mevlana to continue and lead the Osmanli Naksibendi Way. Indeed, Sheykh Mehmet Efendi has confirmed that ijazet and blessing of his father, saying, “Your Way is separate. A different Wakil from the time of Sheykh Mevlana has been appointed for you. How shall I explain- it is true, we are not apart, yet he has drawn out a Way for you. You should continue on that Way.”
Elhamdulillah, we are honored to be the murids of the Osmanli Naksibendi Way which was opened by Sheykh Mevlana through Sheykh Abdul Kerim, and continues through Sheykh Lokman Efendi, as declared and confirmed by Sheykh Mehmet Efendi.
On SHEYKH LOKMAN EFENDI
Sheykh Lokman Efendi is the Khalifa and Inheritor of Sahib el-Sayf Sheykh Abdul Kerim el-Kibrisi el-Rabbani, and the Head of the Osmanli Naksibendi Way.
In 1999, Sheykh Lokman Efendi entered the Zikr Circle of Sahib el-Sayf and gave beyat. In the year 2000, Sheykh Abdul Kerim ordered Sheykh Lokman Efendi to accompany him to London to meet Sheykh Mevlana. When introducing Lokman Efendi to Sultan el-Evliya, Sheykh Abdul Kerim said, “this is my Khalifa.” Sheykh Mevlana gave ijazet, prayed upon Lokman Efendi, and accepted him. After returning to America, Sahib el-Sayf informed the Jamaat that Lokman Efendi was his Khalifa and said, “from now on, Lokman is my mouth that speaks.” In 2003, Sheykh Abdul Kerim conferred the title of “Sheykh” upon Sheykh Lokman Efendi.
Whenever Sheykh Abdul Kerim was not present at the Dergah, command was given to Sheykh Lokman Efendi. Indeed, when Sheykh Abdul Kerim was imprisoned in Turkey, Sheykh Lokman Efendi preserved and continued the Way. When Sheykh Abdul Kerim returned to America he said, “so many Prophets came and did not even have one follower. You have kept this Jemaat together. Aferin, Masha’Allah to you.” Sheykh Abdul Kerim further sent Sheykh Lokman Efendi as his emissary and representative to such places as the United Nations.
Although Sheykh Abdul Kerim had Vekils all over the world, he had only one Khalifa- Sheykh Lokman Efendi. This was made clear in the fact that Sheykh Abdul Kerim would attend Sheykh Lokman Efendi’s sohbet, sit in his zikr gatherings, pray behind him, and listen to his Khutbas. Just as Sheykh Mevlana gave ijazet to Sheykh Abdul Kerim, open his own Dergah in Lefke, Sheykh Abdul Kerim gave Sheykh Lokman Efendi permission to open his own Dergah in New York City.
In 2012, Sahib el-Sayf announced his intention to go to Cyprus. Several times before he left, he made clear that Lokman Efendi was his successor and inheritor. 40 days before leaving for Cyprus, at a Zikr in Virginia, Sheykh Abdul Kerim said that in 40 days a huge event would occur; he would not tell the murids what it was, stating it was too heavy. When he returned from that trip, he gathered some of the murids at the Dergah in the courtyard. He said, “when I am not here, everyone must follow Lokman. Even if you think he is doing wrong, you still must follow him.”
On his 40th day in Cyprus, Sheykh Abdul Kerim was veiled from this world. After his passing, Erdem immediately called Sultan el-Evliya on the telephone. With his hand on Sheykh Abdul Kerim’s heart, Erdem said: “I have called to inform you that my Sheykh, Sheykh Abdul Kerim, has passed. I am asking for your dua.”
Sultan el-Evliya made a dua and asked, “Who is the Vekil,” to which Erdem replied, “Sheykh Abdul Kerim has many Vekils, but Lokman Efendi is the Vekil in New York.”
Sultan el-Evliya said, “I accept Lokman.”
This was confirmed by Bahauddin Efendi who visited the night after Sahib el-Sayf passed. He came with a message from Sultan el-Evliya who had said, “Lokman should take over. My permission is with him. My acceptance is for him. I am giving this with the command of Grandsheykh Abdullah. He should make Sheykh Abdul Kerim’s Way to continue.” In this meeting, Bahauddin Efendi reiterated the distinction of the Osmanli Naksibendi Way saying, “you have your own formation.”
After the burial of Sahibul Saif, senior murids of Sahib el-Sayf visited Sheykh Mevlana. It was during this visit that Sheykh Mevlana bestowed his ijazet upon the Osmanli Naksibendi Way to continue, and confirmed and accepted Lokman Efendi as the leader of that way. Specifically, Sheykh Mevlana said, “Lokman Efendi has been accepted. Respect him. Serve him.”
After Sheykh Mevlana passed from this world, Sheykh Mehmet Efendi confirmed and reiterated the ijazet given by his father, stating: “Your Way is separate. A different Vekil from the time of Sheykh Mevlana has been appointed for you. How shall I explain- it is true, we are not apart, yet he has drawn out a Way for you. You should continue on that Way.” Sheykh Mehmet Efendi further said about Sheykh Lokman Efendi, “His Shaykh taught and trained him for years in that way. May Allah be pleased with him. He is on that Way.”
Elhamdulillah, Sheykh Lokman Efendi is the Sheykh of the Osmanli Naksibendi Way, the Inheritor of Sheykh Abdul Kerim, given ijazet by Sultan el-Evliya as affirmed to by Sheykh Mehmet Efendi.
Welcome to those who come, Farewell to those who leave
An accusation has surfaced recently that murids of the Osmanli Naksibendi Way are threatened that they will be persecuted if they leave the Tarikat. This is absolutely untrue. On the door of the Dergah is the Turkish saying, “Gelene hos geldin, gidene gule gule”; “Welcome to those who come, farewell to those who leave.”
Many have left the Dergah for various reasons; family, health, and others. We have no issue with them, and always wish them well. If they go to give beyat to other Sheykhs, it is our sincere wish that they fare well in their spiritual journey. To those who come and go with sincerity, our Salam is with them. However, if someone leaves and begins to slander and make fitna, that time, we have the right to defend our honor.
On The Fitna
Since February 2017, we find that Mohamed Saud Husain and Umar Mirza (Naksi Hakkani) have started a crusade of fitna and slander against Sheykh Lokman Efendi and the Osmanli Naksibendi Way. We will open the timeline of their actions, but first we will tell the Truth regarding the lies that they are telling.
BEYAT WITH SHEYKH MEHMET EFENDI
The fitnah makers say that because Sheykh Lokman Efendi did not renew his beyat with Sheykh Mehmet Efendi, he has gone out from the Way and is no longer a Naksibendi. This accusation is nothing but a lie. As has been made clear, the Osmanli Naksibendi Way is a distinct branch of the Naksibendi Tarikat, per Sheykh Mevlana, Sheykh Abdul Kerim, and Sheykh Mehmet Efendi. Sheykh Lokman Efendi, like all murids of Osmanli Naksibendi Way, had beyat with Sheykh Abdul Kerim. As such, upon his veiling from the world, the protocol was for them to renew their beyat with his Khalifa, Sheykh Lokman Efendi. This protocol was confirmed by Sheykh Mevlana when he designated Sheykh Lokman Efendi as the Amir of the Osmanli Naksibendi Way and told the murids to respect and serve him. This protocol was further confirmed by Sheykh Mehmet Efendi, who reiterated that his father had given ijazet to Sheykh Lokman Efendi.
MOCKING SHEYKH MEHMET EFENDI
Umar Mirza in particular has been spreading the rumor that Sheykh Lokman Efendi and the murids openly mock and deride Sheykh Mehmet Efendi. This is a lie.
THE FITNA AGAINST SHEYKH LOKMAN EFENDI AND THE MURIDS
Although Saud Husain and Umar Mirza have now blocked any Osmanli Naksibendis from responding to them on Facebook and are acting innocent, nothing could be further from the Truth. Not a single word was said, typed, or written against these individuals until they began with the most evil attacks against Sheykh Lokman Efendi and the murids. Here is an incomplete list of their slanders.
– Sheykh Lokman Efendi is the dajjal;
– Sheykh Lokman Efendi is Iblis;
– Sheykh Lokman Efendi is a deviant;
– Sheykh Lokman Efendi is mindless;
– Sheykh Lokman Efendi is a hypocrite;
– Sheykh Lokman Efendi is a traitor;
– Sheykh Lokman Efendi was cursed by Sheykh Mevlana;
– Sheykh Lokman Efendi and the Way are a “dead way”;
– Sheykh Lokman Efendi mocks Sheykh Mehmet Efendi in public;
– Sheykh Lokman Efendi arrogated the title of “Sheykh” unto himself;
– Sheykh Lokman Efendi inserted his name into the ihda;
– Sheykh Lokman Efendi was not given ijazet by Sheykh Mevlana Nazim;
– Sheykh Lokman Efendi is a Christian cult leader;
– Sheykh Lokman Efendi is like Charles Manson;
– Sheykh Lokman Efendi and the Jamaat are like Jews and Christians;
– Sheykh Lokman Efendi is a drug dealer;
– Sheykh Lokman Efendi has an illegitimate lineage (questioning the sanctity of his birth);
– Sheykh Lokman Efendi abuses his murids and forbids them from leaving the Jamaat;
– Sheykh Lokman Efendi forbids murids from visiting each other without his permission;
– Insulting Sheykh Lokman Efendi for riding the horse of Sheykh Abdul Kerim, and calling that horse a “pony”;
– Insulting Sheykh Lokman Efendi for wearing the Khirqa of Sheykh Abdul Kerim;
– Saying “darkness descends” on the Osmanli Dergahi;
– Accusing murids of committing zina;
– Accusing murids of using alcohol’
– Accusing murids of using drugs.
This is just a portion of what has been said against Sheykh Lokman Efendi and the Osmanli Naksibendi Way since April. Saud has been saying even worse things behind closed doors that are not being listed here. Nobody responded to Saud until a few days ago, when he started questioning the birth of Sheykh Lokman Efendi, and accusing murids of zina.
Sheykh Lokman Efendi himself has never addressed this issue. Whenever any of the murids tries to discuss this with him, he turns his face, because he hates fitna.
RESPONSE OF SHEYKH MEHMET EFENDI TO SAUD AND MIRZA
On 14 July 2017, out of concern, we called Sheykh Mehmet Efendi with regard to Saud’s claims. Sheykh Mehmet Efendi was dismayed and saddened by what he heard. That day, he gave a sohbet in the Akbaba Dergah completely distancing himself from Saud Husain, Umar Mirza, and their slanders.
http://hakkani.org/baskasinin-ayibina-bakmayin-14-temmuz-2…/
Soon after, in a meeting with is, Sheykh Mehmet Efendi confirmed that Lokman Efendi and the Osmanli Naksibendi Way are a part of the Naksibendi Tarikat, with ijazet, and with blessing.
BISMILLAHIRAMANIRRAHEEM
***SHEYKH MEHMET EFENDI CONDEMNS THE FITNA AGAINST SHEYKH LOKMAN EFENDI; SHEYKH MEHMET EFENDI SAYS SAUD AND MIRZA ARE WITHOUT PERMISSION***
http://hakkani.org/baskasinin-ayibina-bakmayin-14-temmuz-2…/Because of the continued attacks against Sheykh Lokman Efendi and the Osmanli Naksibendi Way by individuals claiming to be acting on behalf of Sheykh Mehmet Efendi, we are now forced to clarify matters for the public. To any who doubt, Sheykh Lokman Efendi is a Sheykh of the Naksibendi Tarikat who has been given ijazet by Sultan el-Evliya Sheykh Mevlana Muhammad Nazim Adil el-Hakkani (KS) and Sahib el-Sayf Sheykh Abdul Kerim el-Kibrisi el-Rabbani (KS). Sheykh Lokman Efendi was personally trained for over a decade by Sheykh Abdul Kerim. He is the Khalifa and Inheritor of Sheykh Abdul Kerim. Sheykh Mehmet Efendi himself has stated that Sheykh Lokman Efendi must be respected. Therefore, anyone who would attack Sheykh Lokman Efendi or his legitimacy is acting contrary to the words of the Naksibendi Sheykhs. The onslaught against the character of Sheykh Lokman Efendi that has occupied the internet since Rajab is below the character of any believer, let alone anyone claiming to travel in the Caravan of Naksibendiye.
Attached to this post is a Sohbet made by Sheykh Mehmet Efendi on 14 July 2017 at the Akbaba Dergahi in Istanbul. It is important to know when this sohbet was made. This sohbet was made after Saud Husein and Umar Mirza began their campaign of slander and calumny against Sheykh Lokman Efendi and the Osmanli Naksibendi Way. Prior to delivering this sohbet, Sheykh Mehmet Efendi had been informed of these actions, and was very upset. This sohbet was made as a direct instruction to Saud Husain and Umar Mirza. Saud Husain was in fact at the Dergah when this sohbet was given. Since Saud and Umar claim to be murids of Sheykh Mehmet Efendi, it is farz on them to obey his words; whether they choose to observe that farz or not is up to them.
The purpose of this post is to go through the sohbet, point by point, to show that Sheykh Mehmet Efendi has ordered Saud Husain and Umar Mirza to stop their attacks on Sheykh Lokman Efendi and the Osmanli Naksibendi Way; it has been more than 11 days since their Sheykh delivered this sohbet, but they are persisting.
SHEYKH MEHMET EFENDI SAYS HATING MUSLIMS FROM OTHER JAMATS IS FORBIDDEN
Sheykh Mehmet Efendi warns those who believe that they will be raised higher if they criticize other Shaykhs and other Ways. He says that hating a Muslim because they belong to a different Jamaat is forbidden. He says that people who spread such activity on the internet are following their own nafs. As Sheykh Mevlana, Sheykh Abdul Kerim, and Sheykh Mehmet Efendi have made clear, the Osmanli Naksibendi Way is a distinct branch of the Naksibendi Tarikat; therefore, if Umar Mirza and Saud Husain were sincere murids of Sheykh Mehmet Efendi, they would have stopped interfering. But they did not. Despite the explicit order of their Sheykh, they continued on their agenda against Sheykh Lokman Efendi and the Osmanli Naksibendi Way.SHEYKH MEHET EFENDI SAYS NOBODY HAS PERMISSION TO PROMOTE HIM
Sheykh Mehmet Efendi also stated in the clearest terms that nobody has permission to promote him or to defend him. He said “nobody commanded you to defend me, nobody gave you a command to attack someone else. Nobody appointed you there (to that position).” This is a message to Saud Husain and Umar Mirza directly in response to their activities online. Their core argument is that they are acting to promote and defend Sheykh Mehmet Efendi. Yet their Sheykh said clearly that he is forbidding his murids from purporting to act in his promotion or defense. Even after this sohbet, Saud and Umar continued to pretend that they were acting on Sheykh Mehmet Efendi’s behalf. Hence, on this point as well, they are in open disobedience to Sheykh Mehmet Efendi.SHEYKH MEHMET EFENDI SAYS NOBODY HAS A RIGHT TO ATTACK SHEYKH LOKMAN EFENDI
Sheykh Mehmet Efendi then directly speaks about Sheykh Lokman Efendi saying: “This man gave this type of command-fine. You are not his follower. His Shaykh taught and trained him for years in that way. May Allah be pleased with him. He is on that Way. You just entered this Way yesterday, you have no right to criticize him. It is not your right. Saying something about anyone is not of adab.”Given the timing and the context of the sohbet, it is clear that this is a reprimand directed at Saud and Umar. Sheykh Mehmet Efendi is saying “may Allah be pleased with [Sheykh Lokman Efendi],” and is saying Umar and Saud have no permission to criticize him, because they only came yesterday and have no right to do so. He is warning them, saying, “DO NOT BE BUSY WITH THIS.” Yet they continue in their attacks for more than 11 days.
Again, let it be emphasized here that Sheykh Mehmet Efendi himself has acknowledged that Sheykh Lokman Efendi has been given ijazet, and has gone so far as to say that he is from the Khulafa’ of Sheykh Mevlana, and that the Osmanli Naksibendi Way is a legitimate, distinct branch of the Naksibendi Tarikat. The words of the Evliyaullah are clear.
Sheykh Lokman Efendi is the Khalifa of Sheykh Abdul Kerim. Sheykh Abdul Kerim categorically stated to his Murids that he was going to pass from this world, and that in his absence the Jamaat was to follow Sheykh Lokman Efendi. In 2003, Sheykh Abdul Kerim conferred the title of “Sheykh” upon Sheykh Lokman Efendi. After Sheykh Abdul Kerim was veiled from this world, Sheykh Mevlana gave ijazet to Sheykh Lokman Efendi and ordered the murids to “honor him and serve him.” He stated that this appointment was blessed and confirmed by Grandsheykh Abdullah el-Dagestani himself. After the veiling of Sultan el-Evliya, Sheykh Mehmet Efendi stated in numerous private sohbets that Sheykh Lokman Efendi was with ijazet and that the Osmanli Naksibendi Way was Hakk. This public sohbet given at Akbaba Dergah confirms that.
SHEYKH MEHMET EFENDI SAYS HE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH SAUD AND UMAR
Sheykh Mehmet Efendi then divorces himself from the actions of Saud and Umar, stating unconditionally: “From now on if anyone comes across such a thing (attacks on others), it has nothing to do with me, and THERE IS NO PERMISSION TO THE ONE WHO WRITES IT.” Again, Sheykh Mehmet Efendi is stressing that Umar and Saud are totally without permission from him.SHEYH MEHMET EFENDI SAYS THERE IS NO TOLERANCE FOR THOSE WITH BAD INTENTION
Sheykh Mehmet then says nobody can call those who leave a jamaat a traitor. That is Hakk. He then states that “there is no tolerance to those who come with bad intention.” Umar Mirza left the Osmanli Dergahi in 2014. For three years, nobody asked him a single question. Even when he began making false claims with regard to Sheykh Abdul Kerim’s final wishes, nobody engaged with him. This is open for anyone to see. It was not until days ago, when Umar Mirza had insulted and denigrated Sheykh Lokman Efendi, that Umar Mirza was responded to. His bad intention became open. Umar Mirza attacked Sheykh Lokman Efendi for riding a horse, which is a Sunnah of Rasulallah and of Sheykh Abdul Kerim and for wearing the Khirqa of Sheykh Abdul Kerim. Umar Mirza treated this all like a game, writing things like “lol pony rides!” to egg on his compatriot Saud Husain. It was only when Umar Mirza began acting like a munafiq and a traitor that he was called out as such. It was only when Saud Husain began denigrating Sheykh Lokman Efendi, lying about the murids, accusing individuals of zina, and cursing his own family, that he was called a munafiq and a traitor. The problem is not that they left the Jamaat; the problem is that, without cause, they viciously attacked the Jamaat after leaving.SHEYKH MEHMET EFENDI SAYS HE DOES NOT WANT SAUD AND UMAR’S ACTIONS
Sheykh Mehmet ends the sohbet by once more expressly declaring, “Your Shaykh DOES NOT WANT your defense nor your promotion of him. The saying goes ‘do not put your shadow on me. I do not want any other goodness from you.’” The meaning is clear to anyone with understanding. Sheykh Mehmet Efendi is telling Saud and Umar Mirza to stop, and is further stating in a nice way, keep your dirtiness away from me.
These are the unadulterated, uncut, unaltered words of Sheykh Mehmet Efendi. For his murids, these words should be taken without condition or qualification.The words of Sheykh Abdul Kerim are clear; Sheykh Lokman Efendi is his Khalifa. The words of Sheykh Mevlana Nazim el-Hakkani are clear; Sheykh Lokman Efendi is the authorized Amir of the Osmanli Naksibendi Way, which is a distinct branch of the Naksibendi Tarikat. The words of Sheykh Mehmet Efendi are clear; Sheykh Lokman Efendi is the Inheritor of Sheykh Abdul Kerim’s Way, the Osmanli Naksibendi Way.
Saud Husain and Umar Mirza have had the dishonor to use Sheykh Mehmet Efendi’s name to justify their attacks on a Sheykh of the Naksibendi Way, Sheykh Lokman Efendi. As this sohbet makes clear, Sheykh Mehmet Efendi has condemned Saud and Umar, has divorced himself from their actions, and has ordered them to stop. We hope that they will end their campaign of evil. We will continue to speak the Truth.Gelene hos geldin, gidene gule gule
Welcome to those that come, farewell to those that leave.
Despite these statements, Saud Husain and Umar Mirza have continued in their slander and attacks to this day. Saud Husain was offered the opportunity to end his attacks, yet he continued.
End The Fitna
Sheykh Lokman Efendi has remained totally silent in the face of these attacks. In the tradition of Sheykh Abdul Kerim, he has remained silent in his defense, depending on the defense of Allah, His Prophet, and the Friends of Allah.
We hope that this makes the state of affairs clear for the people of sincerity. Sheykh Lokman Efendi, the Khalifa of Sheykh Abdul Kerim, whose ijazet has been given by Sheykh Mevlana Nazim and confirmed by Sheykh Mehmet Efendi, has been subject to the most ruthless and vicious slander and calumny.
Insha’AllahurRahman, those who seek the Truth will not stand for the evil and fitna that is happening on the internet today. And, we call on Saud Husain and Umar Mirza to publicly make Tawba and erase the fitna they have caused on the internet. We hope that they will stop. Otherwise, we will continue to speak the Truth.
Sahibul-Saif Sheykh Abdul Kerim al-Kibrisi 