From Seed to Cedar: Nurturing the Spiritual Needs in Children

by M. Fethullah Gülen

From Seed to Cedar is a guide for Muslim families by a prominent scholar of Islam. Gülen's approach to education of Muslim kids are grounded on authoritative sources of knowledge in Islam, that is, The Qur'an and the way of Prophet Muhammad, Sunna. He effectively combines these teachings with realities of life in modern times. The result is a comprehensive road map for a Muslim family that is committed and dedicated to the education of their kids in Islam. From character education to teaching basics of Islamic practice, this book covers tasks for parents inside and outside home.

Genres: Islam, Parenting

132 pages, Paperback

First published March 8, 2012

About the author

Muhammed Fethullah Gülen was a Turkish Muslim scholar, preacher, and leader of the Gülen movement who as of 2016 had millions of followers. Gülen was an influential neo-Ottomanist, Anatolian panethnicist, Islamic poet, writer, social critic, and activist–dissident developing a Nursian theological perspective that embraces democratic modernity. Gülen was a local state imam from 1959 to 1981 and he was a citizen of Turkey until his denaturalization by the Turkish government in 2017. Over the years, Gülen became a centrist political figure in Turkey prior to his being there as a fugitive. From 1999 until his death in 2024, Gülen lived in self-exile in the United States near Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania.
Gülen said his social criticisms are focused upon individuals' faith and morality and a lesser extent toward political ends, and self described as rejecting an Islamist political philosophy, advocating instead for full participation within professions, society, and political life by religious and secular individuals who profess high moral or ethical principles and who wholly support secular rule, within Muslim-majority countries and elsewhere. Gülen was described in the English-language media as an imam "who promoted a tolerant Islam which emphasises altruism, hard work, and education" and as "one of the world's most important Muslim figures".
In 2003, a number of Gülen movement participants allied with Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's right wing Justice and Development Party (AKP), providing the AKP political and sorely-needed administrative support. This political alliance worked together to weaken left-of-center Kemalist factions, but fractured in 2011. Turkish prosecutors accused Gülen of attempts to overthrow the government by allegedly directing politically motivated corruption investigations by Gülen-linked investigators then in the judiciary, who illegally wiretapped the executive office of the Turkish president, and Gülen's alleged instigations of the 2016 coup attempt. Gülen denied the accusations.
A Turkish criminal court issued an arrest warrant for Gülen in 2016, and Turkey demanded his extradition from the United States. U.S. government officials did not believe he was associated with any terrorist activity, and requested evidence to be provided by the Turkish government to substantiate the allegations in the warrant requesting extradition, frequently rejecting Turkish calls for his extradition.
Gülen was wanted as a terrorist leader in Turkey and Pakistan, as well as by the OIC and GCC.

Reviews

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although From Seed to Cedar: Nurturing the Spiritual Needs in Children by M. Fethullah Gülen is mainly written for adults—particularly parents and parents-to-be—I believe it’s also valuable for young adults. As a daughter and a young reader myself, I found it very impactful and insightful.
The book serves almost like a gentle guide to parenthood and marriage. It gives practical advice on how to raise children with care, including what to avoid—such as involving children in parents’ arguments or giving them information they may not be ready to handle.
What stood out to me most was the way Gülen writes: the language is soft, understanding, and never harsh. It helped me empathize with my own parents, realizing that while they’ve made mistakes, their efforts and achievements far outweigh those errors. This perspective brings a sense of peace and gratitude.
Overall, this book is a wonderful resource for parents who truly take the time to read and absorb its lessons. It offers guidance not only for raising children but also for fostering harmony and understanding within the family.

[Maharani Arya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have found this book as my complete guidebook to build a healthy family in my future. Gullen has written some advise for all families clearly which dream of long-lasting togheterness in both Dunya and Akhirat (Afterlife). Also I really love this book's contents that refers to tarbiyah methods. Thumbs up. One of most recommended books of my shelves!

[Auni B · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first time reading a book about education for children. Sometimes the points are not presented directly, so I got quite lost finding the main points.

[Agustiuddin M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book to kill some time.

[Hilal B · Rating 4 out of 5]

good. must read, but i shouldve read it in turkish. i think it would have been more meaningful then. some things felt like common sense or maybe im just smart idk

[Ahmad Naeem · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a perfect tool for anyone who wants a holistic insight into familial matters. It elaborates the ideals of a great family uprooted with core spiritual beliefs that would ultimately be its strength. I would highly recommend that this book be given to newly-weds as a gift. An awesome read :)