THE
FIRST LETTER
The
answers to four questions:
The
First is a convincing answer to a question about Hadhrat
Khidr’s life, and in connection with it explains the five levels of
life..
The
Second explains how, in accordance with certain Qur’anic
verses, death is created and a bounty, like life.
The
Third: A most reasonable explanation of where Hell is
situated, and of the Greater and Lesser Hells. It points out in
reasoned manner the wisdom in the creation of the Greater Hell, and
how in majestic fashion, manifesting Divine favour and wrath, Heaven
and Hell are the two fruits of the tree of the universe and will be
filled with the produce of this world.
The
Fourth: This shows that like ‘metaphorical’ love for
individuals may be transformed into true love, so through belief in
God, ‘metaphorical’ love for this world may be transformed into
true love, which is acceptable
* *
*
THE
SECOND LETTER
Six reasons why, in accordance with Qur’anic verses, those
working for the cause of religion should practice self-sufficiency, and
if there is no compelling reason to do so, not accept alms and gifts.
* *
*
THE
THIRD LETTER
A description of two verses which in miraculous fashion allude
to the face of the heavens and orderly motion of the heavenly bodies. It
includes Two Points, the First explaining how the wicked will travel to
Hell, the Second showing the infinite ease in Unity and infinite
difficulty in multiplicity.
* *
*
THE
FOURTH LETTER
This makes two points about the Risale-i Nur and its way:
firstly, that it manifests the meaning of the verse, He who has been
given wisdom......; and secondly, about ‘the way of impotence.’
Finally is a piece “resembling poetry” on the Utterance of the
Stars.
* *
*
THE
FIFTH LETTER
Written in the face of the tendency of some people to attach too
much importance to Sufism at the expense of serving the cause of
spreading the truths of belief, this letter points out the three sorts
of sainthood and that the way of ‘greater sainthood’ is following
the Practices of the Prophet (PBUH) and direct service to the truths of
belief at this time. It states that the unfolding of the truths of
belief is the most important aim of the Sufi ways, and that this is also
possible through the Risale-i Nur, but in a shorter time.
* *
*
THE
SIXTH LETTER
This explains the meaning of two verses concerning reliance on
God, and describes a light and consolation proceeding from them and
belief which dispelled the darkness of five grievous degrees of exile.
* *
*
THE
SEVENTH LETTER
A decisive answer to atheists at the present time who seek to
criticize the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) number of wives and his
marriage with Zaynab in particular, pointing out some important
instances of wisdom in his marriages.
* *
*
THE
EIGHTH LETTER
In accordance with the verse, God is the Best of Protectors
and He is the Most Merciful of the Merciful, this shows that what
the Prophet Jacob (Upon whom be peace) felt for Joseph (Upon whom be
peace), was not love of a passionate kind, but compassion —compassion
being more elevated and pure, and the means of attaining to the Divine
Names of Merciful and Compassionate.
* *
*
THE
NINTH LETTER
A discussion of wonder-working (kerâmet), Divine
bestowal, and Divine favour which points out that although it is harmful
to display wonder-working, it is a form of thanks to make known Divine
bestowal, since it is a bounty. Secondly is an explanation of how
intense emotions such as curiosity, love, greed, ambition, and
stubbornness are of two sorts, metaphorical and real. Having been given
in order to gain the matters of the hereafter, while the former sort are
the source of bad morals, the latter are beneficial and the source of
good morals. Thirdly is a discussion on the differences between
‘Islam’ and ‘belief’ (Iman).
* *
*
THE
TENTH LETTER
This consists of the answers to two questions. The First
explains the realities of the ‘Clear Book’ and the ‘Clear
Record,’ mentioned in several places in the Qur’an. While the Second
is a convincing explanation of where the Great Gathering and Last
Judgement will take place.
* *
*
THE
ELEVENTH LETTER
Four Topics. Expounding the verse, Indeed the wiles of Satan
are weak, the First is a cure for those who suffer from scruples.
The Second is included in the Seventeenth Word, and not repeated here.
The Third and Fourth are two examples demonstrating the impotence of
modern civilization before the Qur’an. The examples show how the
Qur’anic decrees on women’s inheritance are both pure justice and
pure compassion.
* *
*
THE
TWELFTH LETTER
The brief replies to three questions disputed over by some
people with a modern educational background.
The
First is a decisive answer to why Adam was expelled from
Paradise and why some of his descendants are sent to Hell.
The
Second explains why the creation of evil is not evil, and
why Divine Mercy permits it.
The
Third explains why calamities and tribulations being
inflicted on even the innocent and animals is not tyrannical or
contrary to justice.
* *
*
THE
THIRTEENTH LETTER
The reply, written in the tongue of the Old Said, to frequent
questions as to how Bediuzzaman endured the oppression inflicted on him
by the politicians and ‘the worldly.’ It shows how the varieties of
ill-treatment were transformed by Divine Mercy into various sorts of
mercy. It also gives the reasons Bediuzzaman did not apply for his
release papers, and in addition, for his total indifference towards
politics.
* *
*
THE
FOURTEENTH LETTER
was not written.
* *
*
THE
FIFTEENTH LETTER
Six important answers to six important questions:
The
First: The answer in ‘Two Stations’ to the questions why
the Companions of the Prophet (PBUH) did not perceive the
troublemakers with the eye of sainthood, so that it resulted in three
of the Four Rightly-Guided Caliphs being martyred. For it is said the
Companions were greater than the saints.
The
Second: What was the true nature of the wars that started in
‘Ali’s time? How should those who took part in them be described?
The
Third: A most important answer concerning the wisdom in the
cruel treatment received by members of the Prophet’s Family.
The
Fourth: It says in narrations that after Jesus (UWP) kills the
Dajjal at the end of time, most people will enter the true religion,
however others state that no one will remain who says, “Allah!
Allah!” A convincing answer to this.
The
Fifth: An explanation of the question: Will the immortal
spirits be grieved by the events of the Last Day?
The
Sixth: A satisfying answer to the question, Does the verse,
Everything will perish save His countenance include the hereafter and
Paradise and Hell?
* *
*
THE
SIXTEENTH LETTER
This consists of Five Points:
First
Point: explains that service of the Qur’an
forbad Bediuzzaman from any involvement in politics, which at that
time consisted mostly of falsehood, innovation, and misguidance.
Second
Point: Service to the Qur’an and working seriously for the
hereafter necessitated his aloofness from politics; it therefore was
not a case of his looking tolerantly on the errors and activities of
the politicians, he did not concern himself with them at all.
Third
Point: This relates two stories illustrating an important
reason for Bediuzzaman enduring the severe oppression to which he was
subject.
Fourth
Point: The answer to a number of suspicious questions put to
him by ‘the worldly.’ It describes some undeniable instances of
Divine favours connected with his service to the Qur’an.
Fifth
Point: A reply which reduces to silence those who were
unjustly proposing certain of their ‘principles’ and innovations
to Bediuzzaman.
ADDENDUM
TO THE SIXTEENTH LETTER: Written to dispel the groundless
fears and suspicions of the authorities and atheists concerning
Bediuzzaman, despite his having completely withdrawn from the world
and politics; also written to preserve the dignity of learning.
* *
*
THE
SEVENTEENTH LETTER
A letter of condolence on the death of a child. Although it is
short and addressed to a close student of Bediuzzaman, it is of
considerable general benefit. It establishes that, as the Qur’an
teaches, children who die before the age of puberty remain as children
in the Everlasting Realm, and are returned to the embrace of their
parents.
* *
*
THE
EIGHTEENTH LETTER
This consists of Three Important Matters.
The
First: explains and illustrates by means of a
comparison how sometimes the things the saints witness and have
unfolded to them through illumination in other worlds and levels of
existence appear contrary to reality in this Manifest World.
The
Second: A clear explanation of the way of the Unity of
Existence, which has been the cause of confusion and controversy. It
proves that the way of the Companions of the Prophet (PBUH) and the
veracious, the people of sobriety, is sounder and more elevated and
acceptable.
An
Addendum to the Second Matter
The
Third: A brief indication to the solution of one of the three
main riddles of creation. These have been solved completely in the
Twenty-Ninth and Thirtieth Words, and this third one, in the
Twenty-Fourth Letter.
* *
*
THE
NINETEENTH LETTER
The
Miracles of Muhammad (PBUH): Itself a marvel in several
respects, this Letter describes more than three hundred miracles of
Muhammad (PBUH). It consists of Nineteen Signs.
The
First Sign establishes that the Master and Owner of the
Universe will speak with man, and foremost the most perfect of
mankind, with Muhammad (PBUH), and make him the guide to the rest of
humanity.
Second
Sign: On the prophethood of Muhammad.
Third
Sign: The evidences for Muhammad’s messengership
Fourth
Sign: Comprises Six Principles to ensure a complete
understanding of the subject of the Noble Prophet’s predictions
concerning his Companions, his Family, and his Community.
Fifth
Sign: Examples of Hadiths concerning the Prophet’s
predictions relating to the Unseen. It includes important answers to
the questions of why ‘Ali did not precede the others in holding the
Caliphate, and why Islam experienced such disorders during his
Caliphate; why the Caliphate did not remain in his Family; and the
reasons for the dissensions at that time.
Sixth
Sign: Consists of further predictions of future events, and
includes the answer to a question about the Shi‘a’s love for
‘Ali.
Seventh
Sign: Sixteen examples relating to the Prophet’s (PBUH)
effecting increase in food.
Eighth
Sign: Relates miracles which were manifested in connection
with water.
Ninth
Sign: Examples of miracles related to trees. Like human
beings, trees obeyed his orders, and moving from their places, came to
him.
Tenth
Sign: The miracle of the Moaning of the Pole.
Eleventh
Sign: Shows how rocks and mountains from among lifeless
creatures demonstrated prophetic miracles.
Twelfth
Sign: Consists of three examples related to the Eleventh Sign,
but which are of great importance.
Thirteenth
Sign: Examples of the Noble Prophet’s healing the sick and
the wounded.
Fourteenth
Sign: This describes wonders manifested as a result of his
prayers.
Fifteenth
Sign: Consists of Three Branches:
The
First shows how the animal kingdom recognized the
Prophet (PBUH) and displayed his miracles.
The
Second concerns corpses, jinns, and angels recognizing
God’s Noble Messenger.
The
Third is the protection and preservation of the Noble
Prophet, of which there were many instances, and which were clear
miracles.
Sixteenth
Sign: Describes the wonders that took place before his
prophetic mission, but which were related to it, called irhasat.
They were of three kinds:
The
First Kind: The tidings of Muhammad’s Prophethood
given by the Torah, the Bible, the Psalms of David, and other
scriptures.
The
Second Kind: Tidings of his coming given by soothsayers,
and people known at that time as saints and gnostics
The
Third Kind: The wondrous events that occurred at the
time of, and in conjunction with, the birth of God’s Noble
Messenger (PBUH).
Seventeenth
Sign: The Messenger’s own self
Eighteenth
Sign: The greatest miracle of the Messenger, the All-Wise
Qur’an. It consists of Three Points describing aspects of the
Qur’an’s miraculousness
Nineteenth
Sign: Fifteen Principles indicating the integrity,
truthfulness, and veracity of the Noble Prophet (PBUH), the most
brilliant and conclusive proof of Divine Unity and eternal happiness.
FIRST
ADDENDUM TO THE MIRACLES OF MUHAMMAD: The Nineteenth Word, it
proves decisively and explains the Messengership of Muhammad,
silencing even the most obdurate opponents.
SECOND
ADDENDUM: About the Miracle of the Splitting of the Moon.
Refuting objections made to the miracle in the name of science, it
demonstrates that there was nothing to prevent its occurrence, and
proves clearly that it happened.
THIRD
ADDENDUM: About the Messengership of Muhammad (PBUH), this is
a concise index-like answer to the question in the Treatise on the
Ascension: “Why was this mighty Ascension particular to Muhammad the
Arabian (Upon whom be blessings and peace)?”
FOURTH
ADDENDUM: The Sixteenth Degree, on the Messengership of
Muhammad, from the Supreme Sign.
* *
*
THE
TWENTIETH LETTER
This contains Two Stations and an Introduction, and expounds the
verse, So know there is no god but God, and the eleven phrases of
the Hadith: There is no god but God, He is One, He has no partner
etc. The First Station points out the good news for man that each phrase
contains, and the Second demonstrates with powerful proofs the degrees
of the true affirmation of Divine Unity.
ADDENDUM
TO THE TENTH PHRASE OF THE TWENTIETH LETTER: That is: And
He is Powerful over all things. It points out through three
comparisons that when everything is attributed to Divine Power, they
become as simple as one thing, and if they are not and are ascribed to
things other than Him, each thing becomes as difficult as all things.
* *
*
THE
TWENTY-FIRST LETTER
A short but important letter showing how on five levels the
verse, Whether one or both of them attain old age in your life....
summons children to be kindly to their parents.
* *
*
THE
TWENTY-SECOND LETTER
In accordance with a number of Qur’anic verses, the First
Topic summons believers to love and brotherhood. It points
out effective ways of preventing discord, rancour, and enmity, and
proves that they are extremely damaging both from the point of view of
truth, wisdom, humanity, and Islam, and for personal, social, and
spiritual life, and are to be rejected.
The
Second Topic points out effective ways of avoiding greed,
another awesome disease, as harmful for the life of Islam as enmity.
It also explains the importance of zakat and the wisdom in this
pillar of Islam.
Conclusion
showing how the Qur’an reproaches the backbiter on six levels with
the verse, Would any among you like to eat the flesh of his dead
brother?
* *
*
THE
TWENTY-THIRD LETTER
The answers to seven questions:.
The
First: What is the best way believers can pray for one
another?
The
Second: Is it appropriate to use the phrase May God be
pleased with him for those other than the Companions?
The
Third: Which were superior, the great interpreters of the
Holy Law, or the ‘shahs’ of the true Sufi paths?
The
Fourth: What is the purpose of the verse, God is with
those who patiently persevere?
The
Fifth: How did the Prophet (PBUH) worship before his
prophetic mission?
The
Sixth: What was the wisdom in his prophethood commencing
when he was forty years of age?
The
Seventh: Is the following a Hadith: “The best of your
youths are those who resemble men of mature age...”?
Conclusion:
the letter concludes with a subtle point about Joseph’s (Upon whom
be peace) elevated veracity, inspired by the verse, Take my soul at
death as one submitting to Your will.
* *
*
THE
TWENTY-FOURTH LETTER
This consists of Two Stations which solve one of the most
obscure riddles of the universe, and form an answer to the question: How
can the Divine Names of All-Compassionate, Wise, and Loving be
reconciled with death, separation, calamity, and suffering? The First
Station consists of Five Signs which show the necessitating cause and
reason, the Second Station, Five Indications, which point out the aims
and benefits.
FIRST
ADDENDUM TO THE TWENTY-FOURTH LETTER: In Five Points,
this expounds important aspects of the verse, No importance would
your Sustainer attach to you, were it not for your supplication
SECOND
ADDENDUM: A most convincing, reasoned answer, in Five Points,
to three important questions about the Ascension of the Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH) and the ‘Mevlid.’ The Conclusion shows that the
most perfect individual and the universal master of the cosmos is the
Noble Messenger (PBUH).
* *
*
THE
TWENTY-FIFTH LETTER
This was to consist of Twenty-Five Points about Sura Ya.
Sin., but was not realized.
* *
*
THE
TWENTY-SIXTH LETTER
Consists of Four Topics.
First
Topic: ‘A Proof of the Qur’an Against Satan and His
Party,’ this defeats in argument the Devil and his followers by
refuting clearly one of their cunning stratagems, which is to be
‘unbiased;’ that is, their deceiving people into considering the
Qur’an and matters of religion ‘impartially.’
Second
Topic: This explains how a person may have numerous
personalities in respect of his different duties, and describes the
three personalities of the author.
Third
Topic: In Seven Matters, this expounds the verse, We.......
made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other,
pointing out significant truths about social relations and mankind
being created as different peoples and groups. A most beneficial
remedy for nationalism, the most awesome disease of this time, it also
exposes the pseudo-patriots and their fraudulent attitudes.
Fourth
Topic: Consists of Ten unrelated Matters, which are the
answers to six questions.
First
Matter: Explains several subtle points of the
Qur’an connected with ‘the worlds’ in the phrase Sustainer
of All the Worlds, and their being eighteen thousand.
Second
Matter: Explains an important aspect of knowledge
of God: what Muhyi’l-Din al-‘Arabi meant by saying to Fakhr
al-Din Razi: “To know God is different to knowing He exists.”
Third
Matter: How is the verse, We have honoured the
sons of Adam, conformable with the verse, He was indeed
unjust and foolish?
Fourth
Matter: A brilliant reply to a question about the
wisdom contained in the Hadith: “Renew your belief by means of
‘There is no god but God.’”
Fifth
Matter: Will one who says There is no god but
God, but does not say, Muhammad is the Messenger of God
be saved?
Sixth
Matter: By means of a comparison, this drives
Satan and his party into a corner and takes possession of the field
in the name of the Qur’an, thus showing all the Prophet’s
qualities and conduct to be miraculous and proving his prophethood.
Seventh
Matter: Seven brief examples of people who for
various reasons ceased their service to the Qur’an and received
blows contrary to their intentions, written to strengthen their
morale and dispel their groundless fears.
Eighth
Matter: An important answer to those who want to
translate the words of the Qur’an and various supplications into
other languages, showing that the words of the Qur’an and
glorifications of the Prophet (PBUH) are not lifeless garments for
the meanings; they are like living skin. Garments are changed, but
it would be harmful to the body if the skin were to be changed.
Ninth
Matter: An important answer to the question,
“Can there be saints outside the Sunnis, who are the people of
truth?”
Tenth
Matter: An important principle for those wishing
to see and visit Bediuzzaman.
* *
*
THE
TWENTY-SEVENTH LETTER
Consists of letters written by the author of the
Risale-i Nur to his students, as well as some written by the Risale-i
Nur students to their Master, and to each other. Being three or four
times the size of the present collection, it has not been
included here, but published separately under the titles
of Barla Lahikasi, Kastamonu Lahikasi, and Emirdag
Lahikasi.
* *
*
THE
TWENTY-EIGHTH LETTER
This consists of Eight Matters.
First
Matter: Seven Points explaining the reality and benefits
of true dreams.
Second
Matter: This was written to put a stop to and solve an
argument about the Hadith which describes how Moses (Upon whom be
peace) struck Azra’il (Upon whom be peace) in the eye, and is a
satisfying answer to objections of this sort levelled at Hadiths by
the people of misguidance.
Third
Matter: Five Points stating that those who visit
Bediuzzaman should do so only in respect of his being herald of the
Qur’an, not with any other intention. It mentions too a number of
examples of the Divine favours associated with service of the Qur’an
that Bediuzzaman and his students had received. A supplement to it
enumerates some Divine favours in the writing of the Words
Fourth
Matter: Four Points written in the tongue of the Old
Said, in reply to questions about the small mosque Bediuzzaman used
being unlawfully raided on a number of occasions, and subsequently
closed
Fifth
Matter: On Thanks; this expounds most convincingly the
many Qur’anic commands to offer thanks. It demonstrates that the
universe is a treasury with thanks being the key; and that sustenance
is its result and the introduction to thanks.
Sixth
Matter: This was not included here, as it was to be
included in another collection.
Seventh
Matter: This consists of Seven Signs describing seven
instances of Divine favour connected with the Risale-i Nur and those
who serve it. These are preceded by Seven Reasons for making known the
seven Divine favours.
Answer
to a Confidential Question: explains the power and
effectiveness of the Risale-i Nur.
Conclusion
to the Seventh Matter: describes a further Divine
favour in the form of the ‘coincidences’ (tawafuqat)
Eighth
Matter: This consists of Eight Points, which form the
answers to six questions:
First
Point: concerns the signs of the Unseen in the
form of ‘coincidences’ being found in all the parts of the
Risale-i Nur.
Second
and Third Points were not included.
Fourth
Point: Consists of answers to six questions about
the Last Judgement and Great Gathering
Fifth
Point: In the period between prophets, did the
forefathers of the Noble Prophet (PBUH) belong to a religion and
were they religious?
Sixth
Point: Were there any prophets among the
Prophet’s (PBUH) forefathers?
Seventh
Point: Which of the narrations about the belief of
the Prophet’s parents and his grandfather are the most authentic?
Eighth
Point: What is the authentic narration concerning
his uncle, Abu Talib?
* *
*
THE
TWENTY-NINTH LETTER
This consists of Nine Sections, and contains twenty-nine
important points.
First
Section: is Nine Points.
First
Point: An answer to those who say, “The
Qur’an’s mysteries are not known; the commentators have not
understood its realities.”
Second
Point: Explains an instance of wisdom in the
Qur’anic oaths, such as, By the sun and its glorious splendour.
Third
Point is about the ‘disjointed letters,’ which
are a Divine cypher, at the start of a number of Suras.
Fourth
Point points out a flash of the Qur’an’s
miraculousness in its style, showing that a true translation of it
is not possible.
Fifth
Point demonstrates that it is impossible to
translate the phrase, All praise be to God, that its meaning
can be expressed only in a few lines.
Sixth
Point: An important explanation for the use of the
first person plural in You alone do we worship and from You alone do
we seek help.
Seventh
Point: Expounding, Guide us to the Straight
Path, it points out the harm of innovations.
Eighth
Point: Explains a point about ‘the marks of
Islam’ being ‘general rights.’
Ninth
Point: In connection with the call to prayer, this
explains how the matters of the Shari‘a are of two kinds
Second
Section: On the Month of Ramadan. Nine Points explaining
nine instances of wisdom in the fast of Ramadan, expounding the verse,
It was the month of Ramadan in which the Qur’an was revealed
Third
Section: Concerns the writing of a Qur’an showing the
‘coinciding’ of the word Allah. Consisting of Nine Matters, only
the first was i~cluded here
Fourth
Section, also about ‘coincidences,’ it consists of
Three Points, the Four Points of the Third being included here. It
been included in the Index, and therefore not repeated here
Fifth
Section: One beautiful light of the many mysteries of the
verse, God is the Light of the heavens and earth. This treatise
is short, yet important.
Sixth
Section: Written to warn students and servants of the
Qur’an, so that they should not be deceived by six of the stratagems
of satanic individuals and dissemblers.
First
Stratagem: Exposes their attempts to attract
people through desire for rank and position.
Second
Stratagem: Points out how they take advantage of
the vein of fear.
Third
Stratagem: They hunt many people through greed and
ambition, in order to make them give up service to the Qur’an.
Fourth
Stratagem: They excite nationalist feelings, in
or-der to create discord and make Bediuzzaman’s students lose
their love of him.
Fifth
Stratagem: They encourage egotism
Sixth
Stratagem: They take advantage of the human
characteristics of laziness, the desire for physical comfort, and
attachment to other duties.
A
Sacred Date: The date a Qur’anic mystery became clear
Addendum
to the Sixth Section: Sixth Questions: Written in order
to avoid the disgust that will be levelled at us in the future. A
petition with which to hit over the head the followers of modern low
civilization, who this century have a hundred thousand times over
necessitated the existence of Hell, and to silence those who have
deviated from the true path
Seventh
Section: Seven Signs formed of seven powerful and
decisive answers to seven questions, which also expound two verses.
First
Sign: A firm answer to those people of innovation
who claim that it is permissible to translate the call to prayer
into other languages because certain people who have embraced Islam
do so in Europe.
Second
Sign: A decisive answer to those who say that in
Europe, a revolution was brought about in the Catholic Church by
reformists and philosophers, then they progressed; why should there
not be such a religious revolution in Islam?
Third
Sign: They also say: Religious bigotry made us
backward. Europe advanced on giving up bigotry, so would it not be
better if we did too?
Fourth
Sign: The firm answer to a deceptive and
misleading question put by those who purport to want to strengthen
religion by means of nationalism.
Fifth
Sign: A powerful answer to a question as to how
the Mahdi will be able to put the world to rights in a few years,
when like at the present time, society has grown so corrupt and
religious feeling has waned.
Sixth
Sign: About the Mahdi routing the secret society
of the Sufyan at the end of time, and Jesus (Upon whom be peace)
defeating the Dajjal and following the Shari‘a of Islam.
Seventh
Sign: The answer to a question as to why, having
opened up a completely new way, Bediuzzaman had changed the manner
of the Old Said and was striking philosophy at the very roots, and
that the principles known as the physical sciences were very
superficial beside the Qur’an.
Eighth
Section: The Eight Symbols. These eight short treatises
on ‘coincidences’ (tawafuqat) have been included in another
collection, and not included here.
Ninth
Section: The Nine Allusions. Nine Allusions about the
ways of sainthood and Sufism:
First
Allusion: A definition of the Sufi path, and
explanation of the truth underlying the terms Sufism, path,
sainthood, and spiritual journeying
Second
Allusion: Explains how the heart is ‘worked’
through reflective thought and remembrance of God, and how this is a
means to happiness.
Third
Allusion: Explains how sainthood is a proof of
prophethood, and the Sufi way, a proof of the Shari‘a.
Fourth
Allusion: The way of sainthood is both very easy
and very difficult; and very long and very short; and it is both
valuable, and dangerous. This explains also the two ways of ‘inner
journeying’ and ‘outer journeying.’
Fifth
Allusion: Explains the reality of the Unity of
Existence and the Unity of Witnessing, and establishes the
superiority of the people of ‘the legacy of prophethood.’
Sixth
Allusion: Three Points showing that the best of
the ways of sainthood is following the Practices of the Prophet (PBUH),
and its most important foundation, sincerity; and that this world is
the realm of wisdom and service, not reward; so spiritual pleasures
and illuminations should not be sought here.
Seventh
Allusion: Four Points pointing out that the Sufi
way should serve the Shari‘a; that its highest degrees are matters
of the Shari‘a; that it should always remain as a means and follow
the Shari‘a; and an answer to the question: Can saints be found
outside the bounds of the Sunna and Shari‘a?
Eighth
Allusion: Describes Eight Abysses on the Sufi way
Ninth
Allusion: Nine of the sweet fruits of the Sufi way
ADDENDUM:
A short, safe, and direct way leading to Almighty God, taken from the
Qur’an
* *
*
THE
THIRTIETH LETTER
The Arabic Qur’anic commentary, Signs of Miraculousness (Isharat
al-I‘jaz).
* *
*
THE
THIRTY-FIRST LETTER
The Thirty-One Flashes the make up the seperate volume: The
Flashes Collection
* *
*
THE
THIRTY-SECOND LETTER
The treatise in free verse called Lemeât. It is
also the Thirty-Second Flash and has been included at the end of Sözler.
* *
*
THE
THIRTY-THIRD LETTER
Thirty-Three Windows making known the Creator. It is in one
respect the Thirty-Third Word, and has therefore been included in The
Words (Sözler) and not repeated here.
* *
*
SEEDS
OF REALITY: Aphorisms compiled from a number of
Bediuzzaman’s early works, which were first published in 1920.
* *
*
A
BRIEF LOOK at Bediuzzaman Said Nursi’s Life, the Risale-i Nur,
and ‘Letters—1928-1932’
* *
*
