Karabuk 4th day, Great Teachers in Ankara

First Journey in TurkeyThis morning, Luthfu Abi organized us to have milk together after Shubuh prayer. What a nice morning. I drank two glasses of milk. The milk was so nice and warm. I added it two blocks of sugar. It was really nice. In this Day, I, Cumhur Abi, and Hamza Abi were going to go to Ankara to meet some one special.

Morning Milk with Sufi Society in New Safranbolu

Firstly, we met Luthfu Abi first in his school. Luthfu abi taught iron modeling there. The moment I found there made me sure how lovely turkish people were. The students and teachers were welcoming me. Every students gave me their smile and hand. What an respectful welcome. Thank you all.

Inside Luthfu Abi's School

When the time Cumhur Abi and Hamza were ready with their car at the school, Cumhur abi picked me and went to the Hamza Abi's iron Factory. Hamza abi parked his car there. He came with us in one car to go to Ankara.

The way to go to Ankara showed me the beauty of Anatolian land in autumn. The color of the leaves come from green to yellow. For me it is very nice scenery, since I have never seen how autumn could be.

Ankara Scenery

Ankara, Taken from the Culture Center

Our first destination in Ankara was the Culture Center. It was a Mosque equipped by offices. The Mosque itself built by so many cultural materials such as woods from africa and decorative marbles from malaysia (it sould be from Indonesia I guess :) ). Inside the Culture Center, Cumhur met one of his friend. He brought us to two great teachers, Hoca Efendi in Ankara. The first Hoca was Ahmad. He was an army with a level of a general. He chose to stop his career there for doing Sholah better. What a good decision! And the second great teacher was Ethem Hoca. What I have heard from my conversation with him really made me never forget him!

Having Lunch in Ankara

Ahmet Hoca Efendi Office

We talked in arabic language in his flat. As Cumhur has talked me about him, I have understood why Ethem Hoca was said as a big man. Talking with him was an honored for me, also really touching my hearth as a normal single man.

At that moment, he said to me, “You have known that there are so many beautiful girl we have. We also often do help the young man to marry with them. You are a special young man. Would you like us to help you?

What a clear and attracting question from Ethem Hoca. By the first time I put my foot on anatolian land, every turkish people seemed talking marriage as a usual thing. It was started by Luthfu abi in his office in Kur'an school, Cumhur Abi in front of his appartment, and Hamza Abi in the top of Eski Safranbolu. Most of them have ever talked to me about marriage. What did they mean? Anyway....

Regarding the very clear invitation from Great Teacher Ethem, I just answered “Yes, they are so many. But I didn't get her. A sholihah wife”. At the moment, I just wondered if he was serious. I confirmed it to cumhur abi. He said to me, “He is serious if you are so!”

Then I continued to ask Ethem Hoca Evendi, “Can I be one of your family?” He just answered, “My daughter has got married, right now she is in USA with her husband”. One more question from me, “Is it possible the marriage between Indonesian and Turkish?” He said to me a very very good answer, “Yes it is, it is possible” What I felt at that time fulfilled my dream not to search the best woman on the free road! From that time, I will never be confused about woman, insya Allah. If Allah bless this, a Turkish woman selected by you, would be just enough for protecting my Life as a moslem.

A Defining Moment with Ethem Hoca Efendi

Ethem Hoca served us madinah dates and zamzam. May Allah help us to meet again, Ethem hoca. After meeting him, we went back to the culture centre to pray ashar. Our agenda in tha capital city of turkey was finished. We were heading back to karabuk.

The way we went back made another beautiful experience for me. I sang a Qoshidah, recite 2/3 Sura Maryam for Hamza Abi and Cumhur Abi. This full of love day was closed by a nice sleep in Recep's room in Safranbolu. The next day would be friday, I confirmed my self to wake up earlier so I can take shower before shubuh. I used my cellphone as an alarm. Alhamdulillah, It worked!