Weekly Sermons

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					Devoted souls who dedicated their lives to the service of faith and the Qur’an have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to the sacred path they embraced. Without seeking worldly gain, depending on favorable conditions, or being deterred by obstacles, they migrated from east to west, from north to south, reaching the far corners of the globe. Wherever they went, they braved countless dangers, endured great hardship, and served with steadfast determination. In the name of humanity’s well-being, they became living examples of how people can coexist in brotherhood and sisterhood, free from even the faintest trace of discrimination.
If any lives today deserve to be chronicled in epic form, it is these selfless individuals who should be remembered first. Just as the lives of great figures who served the faith since the time of the Prophet’s Companions have been recorded in biographies and Tabakat (biographical dictionaries), similar works should now be undertaken for the devoted volunteers of our time. In particular, the experiences of those who were the first to establish new initiatives in unfamiliar lands—the hardships they faced, the deprivations they endured, and the challenges they overcame—must be passed on to future generations.
These accounts may be narrated in the style of a novel or life story, or conveyed through other literary forms. If such work is undertaken, a rich and expansive body of literature will likely emerge. These efforts are not only an expression of gratitude to these pioneers, but also a source of motivation for fellow volunteers and a valuable example for those who follow in their path.
In the past, the Ayna program, aired on the now-defunct Samanyolu TV, featured altruistic individuals serving across various countries and offered glimpses into their lives. However, the number of interviews was limited, and it was not possible to explore their experiences in depth. Their life journeys could not be fully illuminated, nor could their sacrifices and sincerity be adequately conveyed within the constraints of limited screen time. The hardships they encountered in those foreign lands were likewise insufficiently examined.
Now, with the tools and resources currently available to us, it is essential to document and publish these experiences in detail, ensuring they reach both contemporary audiences and future generations. People must come to understand the depth of sacrifice borne in the service of this sacred duty to God and humanity. These stories should be told with such clarity and vividness that readers or viewers can grasp the deprivations endured, the steep paths climbed, the moments of spiritual death and rebirth lived through—and affirm, with conviction: “This is a path worth every sacrifice.”
Leaving one’s home and homeland in pursuit of a deeply held conviction, spiritual responsibility, or ethical calling is no small matter. To migrate to unfamiliar lands and, despite countless hardships, establish new centers of service rooted in one’s own values and vision demands remarkable dedication. In an age when many seek material comfort—striving for wealth and personal prosperity—there are still those who follow in the footsteps of the Prophet’s noble Companions (peace be upon him), striving to embody the kind of meaningful service they once exemplified. The lives of such individuals today must be carefully recorded by thoughtful and capable writers.
If such efforts are not undertaken in a timely manner, much may be lost to history. Future generations may not have access to the same resources or firsthand accounts. Historians such as Ibn Hajar and Ibn al-Athir, writing centuries later, produced some of the most comprehensive and enduring works on the lives of the Prophet’s Companions, meticulously documenting the biographies of thousands. Yet despite their scholarly rigor and masterful use of available sources, many details had already faded—inevitably so, given that they were writing in the seventh and eighth Islamic centuries, long after the events had taken place.
If the exemplary lives of the distinguished individuals from a movement described as “self-evident by its own examples” are to serve as a guide for future generations, then preserving their lived experiences and entrusting them to the future—through diverse and meaningful means—is a responsibility of the highest order.
It must also be remembered that eloquent and impassioned words have only limited impact unless they are accompanied by concrete examples and authentic role models. What truly stirs people’s enthusiasm, lifts their spirits, and awakens deep motivation is the real-life example of individuals like themselves who have fully embodied these ideals.
Thanks be to God, the dedicated souls of our time—particularly those within the Hizmet movement—have indeed provided such examples. If their lived experiences can move hearts and inspire others to serve, then why should we not record their epic?
At one point, I considered writing the life stories of fifty or sixty of these early pioneers. However, the weight of other responsibilities and the constraints of time made it impossible to realize that intention. Later, I shared this aspiration with friends in my circle. Praise be to God, some efforts have since been undertaken in this regard, and others are still underway. And indeed, such efforts were essential.
We will do what falls to us. How future generations will receive, interpret, or reimagine these accounts remains unknown. Perhaps they will revisit these narratives with the perspectives of their own time, reshaping them with new colors and patterns, and offering them once again to humanity.
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Immortalizing The Heroes of Hizmet