essential for everyone who carries the name Türkmen. It is as essential as the air we breathe, or the food we eat. Just as air is essential to the lungs and bread to the stomach, so too is spiritual highness essential to the heart and soul for the Türkmens and all others.

The Türkmen people have held various viewpoints in their rich and complex lives. These are the springs that feed the Türkmen soul. So here is my real advice: always remain strong and sublime spiritually!

A FATHER HAS THE RIGHTS OF ALLAH

I wish to draw your attention specifically to three sayings by Gorkut Ata:

The Soltan’s right is the same as Allah’s right.

The father’s right is the same as Allah’s right.

The mother’s right is the same as Allah’s right.

The word haq, right, is synonymous with the word justice, huquk. They are indeed the same thing.

Thus, the Türkmen grants almost the same rights as Allah’s to only three people in society: the ruler, the father and the mother. The ruler’s rights imply each and every citizen’s responsibilities before the law and the ruler. The rights of the father and mother also imply one’s responsibilities to one’s parents.

If you are indebted to someone, it means you are to give something to them.

The indebtedness of children originates from the patronage provided for them by their parents. The children are dependent on their parents in various respects.