The Initiation of New Members
Those who wished to join this religious order were required to complete a period of strict preparation before becoming full members. This preparation lasted for forty days and was similar to a spiritual retreat or quarantine Istanbul Day Tours.
During this time, the novice remained alone and separated inside a small chamber or room. Contact with the outside world was greatly limited so that the person could focus entirely on prayer, meditation, and spiritual reflection.
The food allowed during these forty days was extremely small in quantity. The novice received only a little food each day, just enough to survive. Through hunger, silence, and isolation, the order believed the soul would become purified and ready for divine experiences.
Spiritual Visions and Revelations
According to the beliefs of the order, during this period of isolation the novice might receive spiritual visions and revelations. The dervishes claimed that some initiates experienced visions of Paradise, saw signs of the divine presence, or felt themselves spiritually closer to God.
These mystical experiences were considered proof that the soul had become detached from worldly concerns and elevated toward heavenly understanding.
The order taught that prayer, fasting, and solitude could open the mind to divine mysteries hidden from ordinary people.
The Ceremony After the Forty Days
At the end of the forty days, the novice was brought out by the members of the brotherhood. The dervishes gathered together holding hands and performing a ceremonial dance similar to a traditional Morris dance.
During this emotional and spiritual ceremony, the novice was expected to demonstrate signs of divine inspiration or spiritual ecstasy. If the novice suddenly experienced a vision or spiritual emotion, he would sometimes throw off his clothing and fall to the ground in astonishment.
The person often remained lying motionless, as though unconscious or overwhelmed by spiritual power. His eyes might appear red and disturbed, and his behavior resembled someone who was confused, intoxicated, or deeply shocked.
Eventually, the leader of the order, known as the Prior, approached and prayed over the novice until he slowly returned to normal awareness.
Secret Revelations
After recovering, the novice privately explained his visions and revelations to the Prior or another trusted and experienced member of the order.
These spiritual experiences were treated seriously and were discussed only with respected leaders who were believed to understand the mysteries of the religious path.
Such ceremonies strengthened the belief that the order possessed hidden spiritual knowledge available only to those who passed through discipline and initiation.
The Kadri Order
Another important religious order connected to the Chalveti tradition was the Kadri Order. This order was founded by Abdul Kadri Ghilani, a man greatly admired for his wisdom, holiness, and strict way of life.
Abdul Kadri Ghilani became famous throughout the Islamic world for his religious teachings and personal discipline. Many people considered him one of the greatest saints among the dervishes.
Pilgrimage to His Tomb
The tomb of Abdul Kadri Ghilani was located near the ancient city of Babylon. It became an important destination for pilgrims and members of religious orders.
Many dervishes traveling through the Ottoman lands visited his burial place as an act of devotion and respect. Pilgrims believed that praying near the tomb of such a holy man brought spiritual blessing and inspiration.
The fame of Abdul Kadri Ghilani spread far beyond his own order, and his name remained respected among many Muslims for generations.