His Biography

Estimable author Visali, the son of Molla Efendizade Hacı Mehmet Efendi who lived in KULA district of Manisa Province, was born in 1298 as per Hegira (the Islamic) calendar (1882 A.D.). He was educated first by a famous scholar known as the Bosnian Hodja. He received the knowledge of external sciences at Istanbul-Fatih madrasahs from hodjas residing in Fatih district and got his certificate from these colleges. In Istanbul-Kadirga district, he was educated by Hacı Hafız Ahmet Efendi, who was one of the successors of Hadrath Ziyaeddin Gümüşhanevi, on the Science of Prophetic Sayings (The Study of Hadith) and successfully completed his course. 

 

He got his first sufism learning from a scholar called Muhyiddin Hodja, living in Kula. Our master always mentioned his own master as Muhyiddin the Second by paying compliment and wishing divine mercy while recalling Hadrath Muhyiddin Ibn al-Arabi, an eminent scholar due to bearing the same name. (Hadrath literally means ‘venerable’ and is a term of respect used for persons of religious authority)

 

In a Ramadan day he met Abdurrahman Sami Saruhani (may Allah exalt his mystery) who was preaching to the muslims and Visali became his disciple. Then he completed his spiritual journey in Ussaki Dervish Order and got succession (became the authorized representative of sheikh, representing him in his absence). Whenever there is a need I will mention the events that took place when he was with his Effendi, from which we can draw lessons. First I will give the five lines from THE EULOGY OF THE BIOGRAPHY OF VISALI existing in the Anthology, and then I will give the eulogy in full with the aim of understanding and learning the growing up of our esteemed person. The first five lines that we consider as important as follows: 

 

I graduated from religious schools and learned religious sciences,

I talked to many sheiks but could not find mystic knowledge,

Then I found the Perfect one, who is My Sami sheikh,

I completed my spiritual journey, and comprehended mystic knowledge,

Visali burned to ashes, found the way with his Sheik’s help

 

 

THE EULOGY OF THE BIOGRAPHY OF VISALI

 

I came from the everlasting kingdom, completed journey of descent

I left temporary world, started journey of ascent

Starting from the age three, I sought my Creator,

I saw the minarets and said this is my God,

When I was four, I said clouds are my God,

When I was five, I said stars are my God,

When I was six, I said the Moon is my God,

When I was seven, I said the Sun is my God,

At eight I understood the truth, and I examined the sheikhs

I formed cycle of dhirk (remembrance) and gathered the kids,

I said “there is no deity, but Allah” and repeated his name Allah, Allah,

I graduated from religious schools and learned religious sciences,

I talked to many sheiks but could not find inner knowledge,

Then I’ve found the Perfect one, who is my sheikh, Sami,

I completed my spiritual journey, and comprehended inner knowledge,

Visali burned to ashes, found the way with his Sheikh’s help

O my God, thank God, I found you

My eternal essence I saw also Muhammad,

I contemplated a lot about the Sublime Sea (God), could not grasp his reality,

Then I got out of Contemplation Sea to the shore, I am a drop from this Sublime Sea

Now I am surprised, saw beauty in every face,

When my breathes are completed, I wait for your invitation,

My post has been assigned; I want to be included in,

I pondered a lot about my reality; my reality is my mystic side,

I saw the perfection of Muhammad in special mirror,

I am the mirror of him, saw him in every mirror.

 

 

He continued his preaching duty after his sheikh A. Sami passed away in 1933. In 1962 (Hegira calendar in 1381) one day after they he celebrated the sacred Lailat al Bara’ah with his disciples, he passed away. May Allah forgive him. His grave is in the Zeytindag Kokluca cemetery on the Izmir- Salihli road.