Halil Necâti COSAN

(Halil Necati Cosan is the father of Shaikh Mahmud Es'ad Cosan)

(Translated from Anilarla Mehmed Zahid Kotku (rhA) Hazretleri, Dr. Metin Erkaya, Istanbul: Seha, 1996, pp. 141-151  http://meckitap.8m.com/anmzk/numune.html )
 

I would like to attempt to express some of my memories about our beloved and dear masters in the tariqa, in hopes of helping those who never met them to better know them.  I also hope that it will be a good opportunity to remember them with mercy and kindness, and prayers.

I was a member of the congregation of Damad Ibrahim Pasha Mosque where Hasib Effendi was the imam.  I had kissed his hand many times, yet I never benefited from his discourses.  I had little knowledge about him when he was alive, yet I gathered some information later.  Hasib Effendi was born in Serez in 1863.  He completed his education in Istanbul, attending the Mahmud Agha Madrasa in Charshamba.  Due to his high qualification, Hadji Shakir Effendi of Tokat awarded him with a diploma of professorship.

Hasib Effendi also received diplomas from Filibeli Arab Khawaja, the imam of Fatih Mosque, and from Hadji Nuri Effendi, the leader of the best reciters of the Qur'an at his time, for his qualification in the Qur'anic Studies and Recitation.  Thus he became one of the elite in Islamic Studies.  Despite his knowledge, diploma and high qualifications, he preferred to be a simple imam of a small mosque to avoid fame and glory.

Hasib Effendi, Abdulaziz Effendi and Mehmed Zahid Kotku Effendi attended the dargah of Mustafa Feyzi Effendi, who trained them in the tariqa.  They were like three good brothers.

After Mustafa Feyzi Effendi passed away, Hasib Effendi, oldest among the three, assumed the duty of guidance. He was a leading scholar, and continued to be the shaikh of the Gumush-khanewi Dargah until his death on May 15, 1949.  Abdulaziz Bekkine Effendi then assumed guidance over the Dargah.  He was the imam of Ummugulsum Mosque at the time.

A friend of ours mentioned Abdulaziz Effendi and took us to him.  That is how I met Abdulaziz Effendi and was initiated into the tariqa.

I used to work with my brother-in-law. He told me that he could take care of the store by himself and I should look for a job to help the family.  Upon hearing that, I went to Abdulaziz Effendi, explained the situation, and asked what I should do.  He said, "Get ready for the exam to be qualified as a muedh-dhin."

On his advice, I started preparing for the exam.  Ali Riza Hakses became the Mufti of Istanbul and he arranged an exam.  Among the participants, I had the highest score.  At that time, the salary of a muedh-dhin was 60 liras while my rent for the house was 60 liras, too. I worried, "How is it possible to make a living like this?"  Since this was the recommendation of Abdulaziz Effendi, I let go of the worry.

After the exam, Ali Riza Hakses called me.  He liked my exam paper and composition.  He offered me a position in a Qur'an Course in the premises of the Mufti's Office as a clerk with a salary of 125 liras.  I went to Abdulaziz Effendi and asked his recommendation.  Upon his advise, I accepted the position and started working there.

Later on, another position became available at the Mufti's office.  One of my superiors insisted that I should apply for the position.  Despite my objection that I was not qualified for the position, he made me sign the paperwork and had me called for an exam.  I scored highest in this exam, too.  I knew that these were the results of the prayers of Abdulaziz Effendi RhA.

Abdulaziz Effendi carried out his guidance with extraordinary zeal and effor t as though he had to meet a deadline.  He kept his door open day and night for the visitors and disciples.  Finally he returned to his Lord.

In his appearance, Abdulaziz Effendi reminded us of Hadrat Ali ibn-i Abu Talib.  He had a strong body, wide chest, powerful arms and biceps, and an awesome face.  His hair and beard were blond.  Sometimes he displayed formidable, serious looks, but usually he was gentle, sweet and generous towards his guests.  He enjoyed having participation from the audience during his discourses. There were times that the discourse would last till dawn:  we would go home, make fresh wudu'u and go to the mosque for the Fajr prayer.  There would not be any time for sleep.

He was probably never seen eating a meal alone.  We would be with him at the meal table.  He was very humble and close to us.  He considered us so much his brothers or children that he offered us food at the table with a spoon. This world and everything in it held no more value to him than the peel of an onion.  He kept not one thing in excess in his house.

As far as we know, he had a tight budget, yet he never made anybody feel that he was poor. There were times that he and his family would sleep hungry. Yet he would accept the hardship with pleasure and be happy and content at all times.  His situation reminded us of the old stories regarding an indigent, an orphan and a prisoner of war coming to Hadrat Ali and asking for food.

His clothing would be the same for summer and winter.  He was not affected by cold or hot weather.  He had many extraordinary characteristics and abilities.  Although he was a scholar of religious studies, he had a deep knowledge of other fields, too.  This fact was observed by many students and personages including Nureddin Topcu, authorities in their fields.

Once Abdulaziz Effendi told me about Mehmed Zahid Kotku Effendi.  I had not met him because he lived in Bursa.  When he described some of his qualities, he referred to Mehmed Zahid Kotku Effendi as "an example of awliya."  With the efforts of Mufti Ali Riza Hakses, Mehmed Zahid Kotku Effendi was appointed to Ummugulsum Mosque in January of 1953 to replace Abdulaziz Effendi who had passed away.  With the grace of Allah, he filled up the spiritual gap left by the departure of Abdulaziz Effendi.

Mehmed Zahid Kotku Effendi did not talk much; he looked extremely humble and simple.  Some close associates of Abdulaziz Effendi, unfortunately, were disappointed.  They could not accept a humble and simple person replacing their shaikh Abdulaziz Effendi.  They could not see the hidden treasures in Mehmed Effendi.  They acted in contradiction to the principle of loyalty and left the dargah, leaving us in sadness.

We had affection towards Mehmed Zahid Kotku Effendi due to the information given to us by Abdulaziz Effendi and as indicated by the hadith "When Almighty Allah loves a person, he makes people love him, too."  He assumed his spiritual guidance duty in the simple way. He lived Islam, and Almighty Allah instilled affection in people for him.  It became apparent that he was a beloved servant of Allah.  The number of visitors increased day by day, and he became renowned by almost all.  With his exceptional qualities, he attracted interest and respect in the nation.

With the initiatives of Lawyer Mazhar Sündüs Bey, Mehmed Zahid Kotku Effendi was appointed to Iskenderpasha Mosque in 1958.  He served as the imam of this mosque until he departed from this world for his Lord on November 13, 1980.  May the Prophet embrace him in Paradise.

The interest and respect he drew was beyond all measure, yet it did not prevent him from living a simple life as the imam of a small neighborhood mosque.  He often indicated that fame was a calamity for a person.  He would get disturbed from the reports about his extraordinary capabilities.  To prevent such reports, he would attempt to defame himself by reciting some verses incorrectly in a way that the meanings would not change.  Likewise, he would perform some supererogatory prayers in a less-than-perfect way. Since we were close to him and familiar with every stage of his life, we were sure that he was doing the imperfections intentionally.  Whenever we would attempt to correct him, we would get negative responses.

Although he avoided the fame and exposition of his extraordinary qualities, there were times that these qualities were manifested.  For instance, a man and his wife failed to conceive a child for long time.  He heard of Mehmed Zahid Effendi and decided to visit him.  When he saw Mehmed Zahid Effendi, he prayed silently: "My Lord!  I heard that this man is one of the awliya. If it is true, bless me with a child for the sake of his rank in your sight."  Then he approached Mehmed Zahid Effendi and kissed his hand.  While he was holding Mehmed Zahid Kotku Effendi's hand, Mehmed Zahid Effendi said: "Name him Vehbi, will you?"

Here is another incident wherein I witnessed his extraordinary qualities. Years ago, we used to reside in the Erenkoy district of Istanbul.  One evening, I had a terrible abdominal pain that later I learned was due to a stone in the urinary tract.  The pain was so intense that I could not lie down.  I had to walk from one room to another to ease the pain.  Towards midnight, Mehmed Zahid Kotku Effendi appeared at the door.  He brought Emin Bey who was a doctor in the Eyub district.  The doctor had the proper medicine in his briefcase.  Soon the medicine eased the pain and I was able to rest.  Could it be a coincidence that he showed up with a doctor in the middle of the night just when I needed a doctor?

Mehmed Zahid Effendi was revered by many scholars. Bekir Hâkî Khawaja Effendi was one of them.  He had replaced Omar Nasuhi Bilmen as the Mufti of Istanbul.  Since I was a clerk in the Mufti's office, I got to know him well.  After he retired, I would visit him from time to time.  During such a visit, I begged forgiveness from him for one of my shortcomings.  I asked him to pray for me. He responded: "You do not need prayers.  You have pledged allegiance to a guide who has so much power.  His prayers are more than enough for you."

Despite his humble appearance, Mehmed Zahid Effendi had high rank in the spiritual universe.  A great mutasawwif who lived at the same time informed a group of people that Mehmed Effendi was a pole of spirituality.  Shevket Usta was among that group and informed us what he said: "I know [Hasib] Khawaja Effendi well.  I had the pleasure of being his servant.  I also know about Aziz Effendi.  I read an essay written by him.  He was a great man, too.  Yet this man of Bursa is a replica of the great master Ahmed Ziyauddîn Gumush-khanewi."

I know he would not be happy to hear what I said about him if he were alive. Yet I could not turn down the requests for such memories. I hope that those who read these lines recite Surah Ikhlas and Fatiha for his soul.

We loved and respected Mehmed Zahid Kotku Effendi not for the manifestation of his extraordinary capabilities but for his exemplary life in accordance with the Sunnah of the Prophet.  He came from the family of the Prophet.  In addition, he was our protector and guide, too.

He was attractive and lovable physically and spiritually.  He had a large body, yet he would eat incredibly little.  He also slept little and spoke little. His gentle and meek heart was free of all bad attributes; his tolerance was endless.  He was extremely patient towards all disturbances. He would treat everybody well even if the person held opposing ideas.  These were his most important miracles.

A proof for his being a beloved servant of Allah was the flood of Muslims filling the streets of Istanbul during his funeral.

Our Lord! Place us among good servants that You favor.  Make us good followers of Your Prophet.  Let us benefit from the intercession of Mehmed Zahid Kotku Effendi in the hereafter.

A Statement:

Dear Brethren,

Our beloved shaikh, Mehmed Zahid Kotku Effendi, told me the following just before he left for his final Pilgrimage.  It was after a prayer, leaving the mosque.  He said:

"Necati, you know I am going to leave for the Pilgrimage."  He paused for a moment, and continued: "We are leaving the [guidance] duty to Es'ad."

It would be hard for us to bear his absence.  I asked: "Khawaja Effendi, could this service be without you?"  He responded: "I do not have a tinge of worry about it."

Khawaja Effendi would not make such statements without a reason.  You have known me for so many years that I would not produce a lie about this matter. In the light of these facts, I would like to tell my brothers in this path that my son Es'ad is the last link in the Silsila.  He is the shaikh of the Gumush-khanewi Dargah.

When Mehmed Zahid Khawaja Effendi made the statements above, he was conscious and aware.  As you can see, I am conscious and aware, too. Alhamdulillah, as a person who believes in the Day of Judgment, I would not utter a lie.  These were the very words I heard from the Khawaja Effendi.  I declare that, without any doubt, my son, Es'ad Cosan, is the successor of Mehmed Zahid Effendi.  Those who make contradicting statements are wrong. Let us pray that they see the truth as truth.

I request you read these lines to my dear brothers in Konya, as well as to others in other locations as deemed necessary.  I send you my heartfelt greetings and love.  Please remember me in your prayers.

September 30, 1990