This is a very important question with no simple answer. The concept of a cult is already controversial and pejorative, making it difficult to discuss academically (this is best left to scholars working on this topic). However, I will try to answer this question not academically but from the perspective of a thinking person, giving my own opinion. Cults have certain prominent features (which you can find on Wikipedia or other sources), and we can reflect on how well these apply to the Gülen movement.
One of the most significant characteristics of a cult is having "charismatic or authoritarian leadership." In cults, the leader’s authority is unquestionable and wields substantial influence over members. The Gülen movement largely fulfills this trait. Gülen, especially up until about ten years ago, was seen by nearly all his followers as a “chosen or appointed person” (although a small portion might have viewed him as a messianic figure, that wasn’t as widespread as suggested). Because of this, everything (even naming children) was asked of Gülen. There was a belief in the wisdom of his words; not everyone believed he consulted prophets in his dreams, but a certain sanctity was attributed to him. Even the significant status of prominent ''abi''s in the movement came from their closeness to Gülen rather than from personal traits.
A second necessary characteristic of a cult is "obedience and control mechanisms." This is another trait largely present in the Gülen movement. "Obey and be saved" is a common saying in the movement. While not everyone is in absolute obedience, defying orders once or twice might lead to exclusion from the group (for instance, you could be expelled from this movement's student houses). Decisions from above (such as the number of newspaper subscriptions to arrange) are expected to be accepted without question. As a form of control, there is a practice of asking people, particularly those holding leadership roles or working in movement institutions, to give a certain percentage of their income as "himmet" (charitable contributions). This expectation is especially intense among “mahrem/hususi hizmet” members, who may even have their marriage partners decided by the movement. However, this article focuses on the general movement rather than hususi hizmet.
The third trait of a cult is a “closed structure and isolation.” Members don’t necessarily have to be physically isolated from the outside world; isolation can be mental as well. I think this trait exists in the Gülen movement to a limited extent. People who only attend gatherings but identify themselves as part of the movement aren’t very isolated. However, as one moves into inner circles (from gatherings to “trustees” and then to more exclusive circles like district/city “imams”), this closed structure and isolation increase. First, because one's entire life is dedicated to “hizmet,” and second, because all information comes from within the movement.
A fourth trait of a cult is the “perception of a separate reality within the group.” This connects to the previous point. Cult members isolated from the outside world tend to view it as an adversary, or at least a competitor, and see their own truths as absolute. This trait is present to a sufficient extent in the Gülen movement. Before moving to the U.S., Gülen’s sermons tried to convince his followers that they were “heirs of the Prophet.” Added to this were dreams and visions shared within the group (some of which Gülen recounted in his sermons). This created, among a significant portion of his followers, the perception of being a “special” community capable of saving the world (or spreading the name of Prophet Muhammad everywhere). Of course, this was a perception that persisted despite external reality, and we have seen it has no basis in reality.
A fifth trait of a cult is "a strong sense of belonging and loyalty." Cult members often see themselves not as individuals but as soldiers of the cult, where the meaning of their lives is solely tied to being part of this group. I believe this trait is present at least at a moderate level in the Gülen movement. Of course, loyalty and belonging aren’t uniform within the movement—there are highly committed members and less committed ones. However, on average, for many members, belonging to the Gülen movement overshadowed their individuality.
A sixth trait of a cult is “closed to questioning and criticism.” Cult members are expected not to question or criticize the leader or the methods, and those who do so are often silenced. This trait also appears to be present at a moderate level in the Gülen movement. Members who criticize the movement are often seen as “troublesome”; even if they aren’t directly expelled, they almost never achieve their goals due to the strong “status quo.” There’s also a spiritual side here, as followers don’t avoid criticism solely out of fear of consequences but because they believe questioning is morally wrong if they sincerely believe in this “cause.”
A seventh trait of a cult can be “economic/physical/psychological exploitation or abuse.” In many cults, there are financial obligations or required services that economically exploit members, though physical exploitation might also occur in some cases. I think this trait exists only to a small extent in the Gülen movement, at least in its non-hususi aspect. I can’t say it’s completely absent; for example, a teacher sent to Zambia who didn’t receive a salary for months might later regret this and say he was enchanted into doing it. As for the hususi hizmet, I believe there’s complete psychological exploitation, as these individuals are indoctrinated with problematic doctrines (i.e. a special sharia) from a very young age, turning some of them into robotic followers (such as soldiers who open fire or plant bombs to their own countrymen in the coup attempt). My grievance is more toward those who create these robots than the robots themselves.
An eighth possible trait of a cult is "distinct beliefs and rituals." Not all cults have this, but some display belief systems that deviate from mainstream or dominant norms and emerge as “deviant.” As far as I’ve seen, this trait isn’t present in the Gülen movement; the beliefs and rituals in this group largely align with mainstream Sunni Islam (Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah).
Considering these eight traits, I’d say we could call the Gülen movement a “cult at eighty percent,” as suggested in Enes’s latest article. It might even be more, but at least eighty percent.
What do you think?
-İsa Hafalır
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