A modern Muslim who has appropriated Rumi’s perspective and integrated it into his own understanding of Islamic faith the Turkish scholar and religious leader, Muhammad Fethullah Gulen. The correspondence of Mevlana to Gülen is that of kindred spirits who, across the centuries, share an understanding of the Qur’anic message as well as a commitment to communicate that message effectively to people of their times. In his sermons and written works, Fethullah Gulen frequently cites Rumi’s behavior and attitudes to illustrate his message; in the book Toward a Global Civilization of Love and Tolerance, Gülen cites Rumi over 15 times to exemplify his themes of civilizational dialogue. In his work on the Key Concepts in the Practice of Sufism, Gülen cites Mevlana more often than any other saint or spiritual writer as he seeks to initiate the seeker into the mysteries of God’s love.
What does Mevlana mean for Fethullah Gulen? Where does he see the affinity between his own understanding of Islam and that expounded and exemplified by Rumi? What are the lessons that can be learned from Rumi? Why does Gülen consider Rumi a worthy exemplar for the modern Muslim? I believe that these points of contact can be found in four areas.
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