Sheikh Muhammad Rashid Erol

His Highness Sheikh Sayyid Muhammad Rashid Erol was born in 1930 in the village of Siyanus, part of the Baykan region of Siirt in Turkey. He was generally known by the titles of "Seyda" and "Sultan."

His grandfather Sayyid Muhammad was a grand scholar brought up in the madrassas. He received authorization and confirmation as the Nakshibendi caliph. His father, Gaws-i Bilvanisi Sayyid Abdulhaqim Husseini, was another eminent Naqshibandi figure.

His Highness Seyda, whose grandfather and father were learned members of the sect, was a Bilvanis sayyid descended from our Prophet (saas). Since he was descended from Hazrat Hussein (as), he is known as "Al-Husseini."

His Highness Seyda’s teaching work began on the death of his father Gaws on  June 1st, 1972 and lasted 21 years, 4 months and 19 days.

His Highness Muhammad Rashid Erol received his initial education from his father. After this initial education, he studied further subjects such as Arabic, logic and rhetoric, and well as the hadiths and Islamic jurisprudence from such well-known teachers in the southeast of Turkey as Muhyiddin, Nasir, Ramadan and Abdulbaki.

With the permission of his spiritual teacher, Ahmedi Haznevi, Seyda migrated to the village of Bilvanis and married a Sayyid woman named Sekinein that village. From that marriage were born five sons, Sayyid Fawzeddin, Sayyid Abdulgani, Sayyid Taceddin, Sayyid Mazhar and Sayyid Abdurrakib, and eight daughters, Hasine, Muhsine, Hasibe, Rukiye, Munevver, Mukaddes, Mumine and Hediye.

His Highness Seyda’s most distinguishing characteristics were his fortitude, modesty and humility.

He never offended or hated anyone.

Even though there were thousands of people around him,  he never displayed any trace of pride or insensitivity.

He never ordered anyone to do this or that. He treated everyone in a smiling and pleasant manner.

Since His Highness Seyda was the son of Sayyid Abdulhakim Hussein Hodja, he occupied himself with madrassah activities as well as learning for himself and training students. He was very fond of serving, and people who served. In the event there were not enough people to serve his guests in his house, he would serve them personally. He would personally light the fire for the soup, serve guests, insisted on feeding and welcoming his guests before allowing them to depart, and would refuse to eat unless his guests were doing so.

He was a man of few words, and generally preached the word through his exemplary moral values and behavior.

Everyone seeing his fine moral values would quickly regret their misdeeds and immediately wish to repent. Rapid moral changes were observed in all those who approached him.

He showed great respect for the children of previous eminent Naqshibandi,  great or small.

His Highness Seyda addressed everyone on the basis of their understanding and intelligence. He would speak with the poor, ask how they were doing, and respond to their needs if necessary. In order to forestall any strife he would always forgo his own rights if subjected to an injustice and was patient in the face of adverse events. He attached no importance to worldly goods, helped the needy as much as he could and personally assisted widows and orphans.

 ALTUG BERKER: There was a photograph of Muhammad Rashid Erol; if you want to see.

ADNAN OKTAR: Let me see it; masha’Allah. His spiritual power and guidance was amazingly influential. He became instrumental in the guidance of millions of people - notice that I do not say thousands, or tens of thousands of people.  His discourses, lasting only for ten minutes, filled hearts with guidance. A person becomes amazing, very mature. His entire world changes and he becomes very modest. They do not get involved in politics. They are meticulous about the unity of the state. They are against anarchy. They advocate a unitarian state. They want Turkey to grow and become stronger. They consider the unity and integrity of the country to be of vital importance. They never get involved in political polemics. They are very well brought up, blessed people. It is a very blessed society. Very precious people. May Allah grant them long lives, insha’Allah.

The Menzil Dervish Lodge was a major center of enlightenment in his day. Under his influence, members never fell out and would always ask forgiveness for the slightest error. People began to learn about Islam and live in peace and brotherhood.

He never abandoned the mosque and the community even in times of sickness. He spent little time sleeping at night, and would engage in religious observances until sunrise.

Although the village of Menzil (which is near the town of Kahta in  Adiyaman province)  was far from any major settlements, it always resembled a busy town as people continually visited,  by Allah’s leave and the spiritual power and abundance of our Prophet, Rasulullah (saas). Not only from Turkey, but from other Islamic countries and even from Europe, people would come, repent and join.

His Highness Seyda received authorization as Caliph in1968, and began teaching novices in 1972 and received great numbers of visitors from both inside and outside Turkey. This led to his having to move to the island of Gokceada in  Canakkale province on  July 18th, 1983.

Having been first sent  to Adiyaman, and then to Adana and from there to Gokceada, His Highness Seyda was transferred to Ankara on  January 30th, 1985 because of difficulties and the effect of the island’s climate on his health.

Having spent 16 months under observation there, he returned to Menzil with the permission of the Central Administration.

He continued preaching the word and teaching. In 1991, an attempt was made on his life with a syringe containing insecticide during the Ramadan Festival greeting ceremony. The poison entered his hand and began working. His Highness Seyda was swiftly taken to the emergency department, where this threat to his life was resolved.

His Highness Seyda passed away at the age of 63, two hours after Friday prayers on October 22nd, 1993. He was buried the next day alongside his father in Menzil, in a funeral ceremony attended by tens of thousands of his followers.