What Happened to Menzil Tarikatı (Menzil Community)?
Menzil Tarikatı, a highly influential Naqshbandi-Khalidiyya Sufi order in Turkey, has experienced significant internal turmoil since the death of its long-time leader, Sheikh Abdülbaki Erol, in July 2023. The community, known for its extensive economic and political influence, has since fractured into multiple factions led by Erol's sons, who are embroiled in a public and increasingly acrimonious inheritance dispute over the vast assets of the tarikat.
Quick Answer
Menzil Tarikatı, a powerful Sufi order in Turkey, has been in a state of internal conflict since its leader, Abdülbaki Erol, passed away in July 2023. His three sons, Muhammed Saki, Muhammed Fettah, and Muhammed Mübarek, have each claimed leadership and are engaged in a bitter inheritance dispute over the community's substantial wealth and assets. This conflict has led to public accusations of corruption, attempts at a 'sharia court' to resolve the issues, and even reports of armed clashes, significantly altering the tarikat's unified structure and public image as of early 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Founding of the Menzil Community
The Menzil Community is founded by Abdulhakim Erol, establishing itself as a branch of the Naqshbandiyya-Khalidiyya Sufi order.
Relocation to Menzil Village
Abdulhakim Erol and his family relocate from Siirt to Adıyaman's Kahta district, purchasing a village which they rename Menzil, establishing it as the spiritual center of the community.
Muhammed Raşid Erol Becomes Leader
Following the passing of Abdulhakim Erol, his son Muhammed Raşid Erol assumes leadership of the Menzil Community.
Abdülbaki Erol Becomes Leader
Upon the death of Muhammed Raşid Erol, his brother Abdülbaki Erol (also known as Gavs-ı Sani Şeyh Abdülbaki Elhüseyni) takes over the leadership of the Menzil Community, a position he would hold for nearly three decades.
Increased Political and Economic Influence
Under Abdülbaki Erol's leadership, Menzil Tarikatı significantly expands its influence in Turkish politics, bureaucracy, and economy, particularly after the 2016 coup attempt, filling vacuums left by other groups.
Death of Sheikh Abdülbaki Erol
Sheikh Abdülbaki Erol, the spiritual leader of the Menzil Community, passes away at the age of 74 while undergoing medical treatment in Istanbul. His funeral in Adıyaman's Menzil village attracts millions of mourners.
Menzil Community Splits Among Sons
Following Abdülbaki Erol's death, the community fails to agree on a single successor, and leadership is effectively divided among his three sons: Muhammed Saki, Muhammed Mübarek, and Muhammed Fettah Erol.
Muhammed Saki Erol Bans Politics and Trade
Muhammed Saki Erol, one of the new leaders, issues directives banning politics and trade within the dergahs, signaling a potential shift in the faction he leads.
Public Accusations of Corruption Emerge
Disagreements among the brothers escalate into public accusations of corruption and 'state fraud' related to the tarikat's financial dealings and assets.
Proposal for 'Sharia Court' to Resolve Dispute
Amidst the escalating inheritance dispute, the Menzil community reportedly decides to establish its own 'sharia court' to resolve the conflict among the sons, with plans to pursue official legal channels if it fails.
Accusations of Money Laundering
Muhammed Saki Erol publicly accuses the Semerkand Group, associated with his brothers, of forcing members to subscribe to magazines and engaging in money laundering.
Armed Clashes Reported in Istanbul
The inheritance dispute reportedly escalates into armed clashes in Istanbul's Sancaktepe district, resulting in four injuries.
Menzil's 'Repentance Session' Sparks Outrage
A mass 'repentance session' organized by Menzil in İzmir draws public criticism and renews debate about the tarikat's practices and its perceived influence within state institutions.
Menzil Inheritance Dispute Extends to UK
Reports indicate that the inheritance dispute among the Menzil leaders has extended to dergah buildings in London and Liverpool, leading to legal cases concerning suspicious property transfers.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Menzil Tarikatı, a prominent branch of the Naqshbandiyya-Khalidiyya Sufi order, has been a significant religious, social, economic, and political force in Turkey for decades. Founded by Abdulhakim Erol, the community established its center in the village of Menzil in Adıyaman in 1971. Under the leadership of Sheikh Abdülbaki Erol, who took over in 1993 after his brother Muhammed Raşid Erol's death, the tarikat experienced immense growth, expanding its influence across various sectors, including healthcare, education, and business, often through affiliated foundations and companies like Semerkand and TÜMSİAD.
The pivotal moment for Menzil Tarikatı in recent years was the death of its revered leader, Sheikh Abdülbaki Erol, on July 12, 2023, at the age of 74. His funeral in Menzil village drew millions of mourners, highlighting the community's widespread following. Prior to his death, Abdülbaki Erol had reportedly granted 'hilafet and tevbe' authority to all three of his sons – Muhammed Saki, Muhammed Fettah, and Muhammed Mübarek – a decision that, instead of ensuring a smooth transition, laid the groundwork for a fierce succession and inheritance dispute.
Immediately following their father's passing, the three brothers announced a 'co-sheikhdom' system, but this quickly dissolved into open conflict. The tarikat effectively split into three main branches, with Muhammed Saki Erol leading the Serhendi Foundation, and Muhammed Fettah Erol and Muhammed Mübarek Erol associated with the Buhara and Semerkand Foundations, respectively. The dispute is not merely spiritual but centers on the control of the tarikat's vast financial empire, estimated to be worth billions of Turkish Liras, encompassing numerous companies, foundations, and properties.
The internal strife escalated throughout 2024 and 2025. Public accusations of corruption and 'state fraud' emerged among the brothers in April 2024. Attempts to resolve the dispute through an internal 'sharia court' were reported in October 2024, but these efforts ultimately failed, leading to calls for official legal intervention by early 2025. Further accusations of money laundering through forced magazine subscriptions were made in February 2025 by Muhammed Saki Erol against the Semerkand Group. The conflict has also involved disputes over luxury assets, including villas and high-end vehicles. Disturbingly, the inheritance feud reportedly turned violent in October 2025, with armed clashes in Istanbul's Sancaktepe district resulting in injuries.
As of March 1, 2026, the Menzil Tarikatı remains deeply divided. The inheritance dispute has even extended to international assets, with reports of legal cases initiated over dergah buildings in the United Kingdom. The community continues to attract public attention, as evidenced by a controversial mass 'repentance session' in İzmir in January 2026, which sparked debate about the tarikat's practices and its perceived influence within state institutions. The internal fragmentation and ongoing legal battles mark a significant turning point for Menzil, challenging its long-standing image of unity and its powerful, yet often opaque, role in Turkish society.