A scholar buried is a treasure entrusted to the earth.

In a well-known narration, the Prophet (upon whom be peace) said, "Allah does not take away knowledge by removing it from the hearts of people, but He takes it away by the death of the scholars until no scholar remains. Then people will turn to the ignorant who, when asked for religious opinions, will issue decrees without knowledge. They will be misguided and will misguide others" (Sahih al-Bukhari, 100; Sahih Muslim, 2673). In truth, therefore, the rise of ignorance is predicated on the demise of scholars.

Hocaefendi, Muhammed Fethullah Gülen, a visionary scholar and spiritual leader, dedicated much of his life to promoting knowledge, understanding, and unity among people of all faiths. In a few decades, Gülen grew from a local educator and preacher in Turkey into a global advocate for peace and interfaith dialogue, inspiring millions worldwide with his message of respect, tolerance, and service to humanity. His teachings were grounded in a deep Islamic spirituality, yet his outlook remained inclusive, advocating for harmony across religious and cultural divides. His work found resonance not only among Muslims but also among people of various faiths, who saw in him a man committed to bridging the divides that often fragment communities.

Gülen’s philosophy emphasized that true faith is a source of empathetic engagement and understanding. He believed that love for one’s own beliefs does not diminish the capacity to respect and appreciate the beliefs of others. This conviction led him to establish dialogue initiatives across the world, seeking common ground between Muslims, Christians, Jews, and followers of other religions. Through platforms such as the Hizmet Movement, Gülen fostered a global community committed to education, social development, and peacebuilding. In his view, service to humanity was the highest form of devotion to God, and he encouraged his followers to embrace education as a tool for enlightenment and societal advancement.

His approach to interfaith dialogue was not just intellectual but deeply heartfelt, driven by the cognizance that the human composite consists of the spirit, the intellect, and the heart. Gülen’s words carried a rare poetic depth, often touching on the shared values of love, kindness, and compassion that underpin all major religious traditions. He saw these qualities as essential threads in the fabric of human connection. Gülen likened interfaith efforts to the nurturing of a garden, where every flower represents a different tradition, each contributing to the beauty of the whole. Gülen embodied the paradigmatic Hadith of Mercy: “Those who are merciful are treated with mercy by the Most Merciful. Bestow mercy onto those on Earth, and He who is in Heaven will bestow mercy onto you” (al-Tirmidhi, 1924).

In his passing, the world has lost a scholar who embodied the timeless values of compassion and unity. Yet, his teachings and the movement he inspired live on, continuing to illuminate paths toward understanding and cooperation. Fethullah Gülen’s legacy reminds us that even in a divided world, there are bridges to be built and that peace begins with the simple act of seeing ourselves in each other.

In a saying attributed to Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, the Hanafi School’s foremost reference among the Sahaba, the company of scholars was likened to the beneficent rain through which the barren land blossoms: "Sit with the scholars and listen to the speech of the wise, for indeed Allah gives life to the dead heart through their light of wisdom, just as He revives the dead earth with rain."

Across faith divides, Gülen rejuvenated countless hearts with his wisdom, much like rain, which when it revives barren land, does not discriminate upon where it falls. His wisdom, preserved in his works and carried by his students, will continue to shower upon whoever seeks it, for just as not all those who traverse the world are truly alive, not all those buried in the soil are truly dead.

A scholar buried is a treasure entrusted to the earth. The treasure is buried, but also waiting to be discovered by those who seek it.