A Manavi Miracle of The Qur`an in this Age Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 1 ..Through the light of belief, man rises to the highest of the high and acquires a value worthy of Paradise. And through the darkness of unbelief, he descends to the lowest of the low and falls to a position fit for Hell... (23rd Word) ..If they do not secure the document of belief, they will lose. And this age, many are losing the case because of the plague of materialism. One of the diviners of reality and investigators of truth observed in one place that out of forty people who died, only a few won; the others lost... (11th Ray) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 2 Risale-i Nur strengthens the Belief by feeding both the heart and the mind, so that Man rises to a high level of true Belief, “Iman-i tahkiki”. Satan can not capture this Belief at “sakarat”, because it had already been taken root within the depths of the heart ! Subjects are always proved in Risale-i Nur with informative evidences through a modern perspective. Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 3 The greatest Reaility in the universe is ‘Belief’ and then ‘Namaz’ (Prayer) Why are we praying, what is the meaning of ‘Namaz’ (Salat)? What is the wisdom in the specified times of the five daily prayers ? (9th Word) The prayers are fine, but to perform them every single day five times is excessive. Since they never end, it becomes wearying ? (21st Word) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 4 Ibn-i Sina, a genious philosopher said “We believe in Akhirat, but mind cannot go on this way.” Belief of Resurrection and the Hereafter is convinced with proof in Risale-i Nur, biiznillah . Is it at all possible that in any kingdom, and particularly so splendid a kingdom as this, there should be no reward for those who serve obediently and no punishment for those who rebel? Reward and punishment are virtually non-existent here; there must therefore be a Supreme Tribunal somewhere else. (10th Word) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 5 Comparison between the sacred wisdom of the All-Wise Qur'an and the wisdom of philosophy and science, and a concise summary of the instruction and training which Qur'anic wisdom gives to man in his personal life and social life. (12th Word) How to save the life in Hereafter ? (13th Word) The Air: A window onto the Divine Unity (13th Word) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 6 Eleven years before this treatise was written in the month of Ramadan, I was listening to the Qur'an being recited in Beyazit Mosque in Istanbul. Suddenly, although I could not see anyone, I seemed to hear an unearthly voice which captured all my attention. I listened with my imagination, and realized that it was saying to me: "You consider the Qur'an to be extremely elevated and brilliant. Be unbiased for a minute and consider it again. That is, suppose it to be man's word. I wonder whether you would still see the same qualities and beauty in it?“ (15th Word) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 7 If you wish, come! Let us go to Arabian Peninsula, to the Era of Bliss! In our imaginations we shall see him at his duties and visit him. Look! We see a person distinguished by his fine character and beautiful form. In his hand is a miraculous book and on his tongue, a truthful address; he is delivering a preeternal sermon to all mankind, indeed, to man, jinn, and the angels, and to all beings. He solves and expounds the strange riddle of the mystery of the world's creation; he discovers and solves the abstruse talisman which is the mystery of the universe; and he provides convincing and satisfying answers to the three awesome and difficult questions that are asked of all beings and have always bewildered and occupied minds: "Where do you come from? What are you doing here? What is your destination?“ (19th Word) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 8 You know that a small habit like cigarette smoking among a small nation can be removed permanently only by a powerful ruler with great effort. But look! This Being removed numerous ingrained habits from intractable, fanatical large nations with slight outward power and little effort in a short period of time, and in their place he so established exalted qualities that they became as firm as if they had mingled with their very blood. He achieved very many extraordinary feats like this. Thus, we present the Arabian Peninsula as a challenge to those who refuse to see the testimony of the blessed age of the Prophet. Let them each take a hundred philosophers, go there, and strive for a hundred years; would they be able to carry out in that time one hundredth of what he achieved in a year? (19th Word) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 9 The miracles of the other Messengers (Peace be upon them) all indicate a wonder of human art or craft, and Adam's (Peace be upon him) miracle indicates in concise form, besides the bases of those crafts, the index of the sciences and branches of knowledge, and of the wonders and perfections, and urges man towards them. As for the Qur'an of Miraculous Exposition, the supreme miracle of Muhammad (PBUH), since it shows in detail the reality of the teaching of the Names, it points clearly to the true goal of the sciences and branches of knowledge, which are truth and reality, as well as the perfections, attainments, and happiness of this world and the next. (20th Word) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 10 THE QUR'AN is the pre-eternal translator of the mighty Book of the Universe; the post-eternal interpreter of the various tongues reciting the verses of creation; the commentator of the book of the Worlds of the Seen and the Unseen; the revealer of the treasuries of the Divine Names hidden in the heavens and on the earth; the key to the truths concealed beneath the lines of events; the tongue of the Unseen World in the Manifest World; the treasury of the posteternal favours of the Most Merciful and of the pre-eternal addresses of the Most Holy, which come from the World of the Unseen beyond the veil of this Manifest World; it is the sun, foundation, and plan of the spiritual world of Islam; the sacred map of the worlds of the hereafter; the expounding word, lucid exposition, decisive proof, and clear interpreter of the Divine Essence, attributes, Names, and functions; it is the instructor of the world of humanity; the light and water of Islam… (25th Word) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 11 And the mountains [its] pegs (Quran, 78:7) An ordinary person's share, A poet's share, A tent-dwelling literary man's share , A geographer`s share, Share of a sociologist and philosopher of human society, Share of a scholar of natural science (25th Word) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 12 Divine Determining specified that so-and-so's death would occur through the man's rifle. If you suppose that he did not fire the rifle, then you are supposing that Divine Determining had no connection with it, so with what would you decree his death? If you imagine cause and effect to be separate like the Jabriyya, or you deny Divine Determining like the Mu'tazila, you leave the Sunni School and join the heretics. We people of truth say: "If he had not fired the rifle, we do not know if he would have died." The Jabariyya say: "If he had not fired it, he still would have died." While the Mu'tazila say: "If he had not fired it, he would not have died.“ (26th Word) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 13 In winter when the storms are fierce even small holes are blocked up, and it is in no way reasonable to open up new doors. Under the onslaught of a mighty flood, to make openings in the wall in order to repair it leads to being drowned. In just the same way, at this time of denial and the assault of the customs of Europe and the legion of innovations and the destruction of misguidance, to open up new doors in the citadel of Islam in the name of ijtihad, and make openings that will be the means of those bent on destruction scaling the walls and entering it, is a crime against Islam. (27th Word) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 14 The truth is one; how can the different ordinances of the four and twelve schools be true? The Answer: The same water governs in five different ways in five ill people of different disposition, thus: for one, the water is a cure for his illness, and according to medicine, necessary. For another, it is like poison for his sickness and harmful, and medically prohibited. For another, it causes a small amount of harm, and is reprehensible medically. For another the water is beneficial and without harm; according to medicine that is sunna for him. And for yet another it is neither harmful nor beneficial; he can drink it with good health, and for him it is medically permissible. Thus, here the truth has become numerous; all five are true. Are you able to say: "The water is only a cure, only necessary, and it governs in no other way?“ (27th Word) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 15 There are some narrations which say: "At a time when innovations are rife, some of the righteous from among the believers and those who fear Allah will be on a level with the Companions, or of even greater virtue." Are these narrations sound? And if so, what is their true meaning? (27th Word) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 16 The descriptions of the Qur'an's verses about Paradise, which are more beautiful than Paradise, more lovely than the houris, and sweeter than the water of Salsabil, leave nothing to be said about it so that anyone should say it. However, in order to bring closer to the understanding those shining, pre-eternal, posteternal, elevated and exquisite verses, we shall mention a number of steps, and, as samples of that Qur'anic Paradise, a number of fine points which are like samples of its flowers. (28th Word) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 17 Indeed, a species of the spirit beings and angels is present in every aspect, in every sphere, of the universe, each charged with a duty of worship. It may be said according to both the narrations of Hadiths and the wisdom in the order of the world that from lifeless planets and stars to raindrops, all are ships or vehicles for a kind of angel. The angels mount these vehicles with Divine permission and travel observing the Manifest World; they represent their praise and glorification Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 18 We did indeed offer the Trust to the heavens, and the earth, and the mountains; but they refused to undertake it being afraid thereof. But man assumed it; indeed, he is most unjust, most foolish. (Qur'an, 33:72) Just as the 'I' is the key to the Divine Names, which are hidden treasures, so is it the key to the locked talisman of creation; it is a problem-solving riddle, a wondrous talisman. When its nature is known, both the 'I' itself, that strange riddle, that amazing talisman, is disclosed, and it discloses the talisman of the universe and the treasures of the Necessary World. We have discussed this problem as follows in my Arabic treatise, Şemme (Intimations). (30th Word) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 19 The transformation of particles are the vibrations and wanderings that occur while the signs of creation are being written in the book of the universe by the pen of power of the Pre-Eternal Inscriber. They are not games of chance and jumbled meaningless motion like the Materialists and Naturalists fancy. For like all beings, every particle says "In the Name of Allah" at the start of its motion, and it raises loads infinitely exceeding its strength. (30th Word) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 20 Almighty Allah is closer to him than his jugular vein3 He is closer to everything than anything else. He is free of and beyond corporeality and space. However, all the saints are able to converse with Him in their hearts, so why was the Saint, Muhammad (PBUH), successful in holding an inward conversation with Allah that any saint may do in his heart, only after and as a result of a long journey like the Ascension? (31st Word) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 21 Allah willing, this Thirty-Third Letter of ThirtyThree Windows will bring to belief those without belief, strengthen the belief of those whose belief is weak, make certain the belief of those whose belief is strong but imitative, give greater breadth to the belief of those whose belief is certain, lead to progress in knowledge of Allah—the basis and means of all true perfection— for those whose belief has breadth, and open up more brilliant vistas for them. (33rd Word) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 22 And the sun runs its course to a place appointed, that is the determining of the Almighty, the All-Knowing. The universe's lamp, the sun, forms a window onto the existence and unity of the universe's Maker that is as brilliant and luminous as the sun itself. Indeed, despite their great differences with regard to size, position, and speed, the twelve planets including our globe known as the solar system are in motion and revolve with perfect order and wisdom and perfect balance without a second's confusion, and are bound to the sun through a Divine law known as gravity, that is, they follow their leader as though in prayer. (33rd Word) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 23 …the four elements of water, air, fire, and earth, together with the animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms, making seven levels and realms; also the seven realms of the earth verified by those who uncover the secrets of creation and the people of witnessing, who are very numerous, their testimony that they are the worlds and habitations of jinns, demons, and other various sentient and living creatures; also the seven levels indicating that seven further globes exist resembling our globe, and that they are the dwelling places of living creatures – from these indications it has been understood from verses of the Qur’an that the earth too has seven levels. (12th Flash) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 24 The Sunnis say: “‘Ali (May Allah be pleased with hi m) was the fourth of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs. Abu Bakr the Veracious (May Allah be pleased with him) was superior to him and was more deserving of the Caliphate, therefore it passed to him first.” While the Shi‘ites say: “It was ‘Ali’s right. An injustice was done to him. ‘Ali was the most worthy of the mall.” They say: “The Hadiths of the Prophet (UWBP) about ‘Ali, and with his title of King of Sainthood his being the recognized authority of the vast majority of the saints and spiritual paths, and his extraordinary knowledge, courage, and worship, and the Prophet’s (Upon whom be blessings and peace) intense concern for him and towards his descendants all show that he was the most worthy. The Caliphate was always his right; it was seized from him.” (4th Flash) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 25 “Whoever adheres to my practices (Sunna) when my community is corrupted shall receive the reward of a hundred martyrs. How can there be courtesy in the face of the Knower of All Things, who sees and knows everything and from whom nothing can be hidden? Situations which cause shame or embarrasment cannot be concealed from Him. One sort of courtesy is covering the necessary members and veiling distasteful situations. But nothing can be hidden from the sight of the Knower of All Things. (11th Word) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 26 Since the sustenance of all living creatures is guaranteed by the Sustainer, none should die of hunger. Whereas apparently many do die of it and of lack of food. (12th Flash) He created the earth like the seven heavens, and made it a dwelling place for His creatures.” It does not say: I created it in seven levels. Its being similar is in regard to createdness and being the habitation of creatures. (12th Flash) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 27 Although evil spirits do not interfere in the universe in any way in regard to creation; and through His mercy and favour Almighty Allah takes the part of the people of truth; and the attractive beauties and virtues of truth and reality strengthen and encourage the people of truth, and the repulsive ugliness of misguidance revolts the people of misguidance; what is the reason for Satan’ s party very often gaining the upper hand; what is the wisdom in it? And why should the people of truth always seek refuge with Allah from Satan’s evil? (13th Flash) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 28 Atheists who have deviated from the true path of religion have made objections and criticisms concerning the time of rain falling and nature of the embryos in the womb from among “the five hidden things.” They have said: “Instruments in the observatory can discover when rain is to fall, so someone other than Allah knows. Also the sex of embryos can be learnt by means of X-rays. This means it is possible to learn “the five hidden things.” (16th Letter) The Qur'an was revealed for man, so why does it not describe the wonders of civilization explicitly, for they have the greatest importance in his eyes? Why does it suffice with secret signs, concealed allusions, slight indications, and slender reminders?“ (20th Word) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 29 “The hojas say that the earth rests on a bull and a fish, but geography sees it hanging in space and travelling like a star. There is neither bull nor fish?” (14th Flash) An explanation of the Unity of Existence. (Vahdat-ul Vucud) In one of the Flashes of the Thirty-First Letter there is a very powerful and elucidating answer to Muhyiddin’s ideas concerning this matter. (28th Flash) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 30 In consequence of this mystery we shall now imagi ne two mouthfuls. One consists of nutritious food like cheese and egg and costs forty para, and the other is of the choicest pastries and costs ten kurush. Before entering the mouth, there is no difference in these two mouthfuls with respect to the body, they are equivalent. And after passing down the throat, they are still equiva lent in nourishing the body. Indeed, forty paras’ worth of cheese is sometimes more nutritious. Only, in regard to pampering the sense of taste in the m outh, there is a half-minute difference. You can see from this what a meaningless and harmful waste it is to increase the cost from forty para to ten kurush for th e sake of half a minute. (19th Flash) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 31 You should seek divine pleasure in your actions. If Almighty Allah is pleased, it is of no importance if the whole world even is displeased. If He accepts an action and everyone else rejects it, their rejection has no effect. Once His pleasure has been gained and He has accepted an action, even if you do not ask it of Him, should He wish it and His wisdom requires it, He will make others accept it. He will make them consent to it too. For this reason, to seek divine pleasure should be the sole aim in this service. (21st Flash) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 32 O man! You should be aware that there are certain phrases which are commonly used and imply unbelief. The believers also use them, but without realizing their implications. We shall explain three of the most important of them. The First: “Causes create this.” The Second: “It forms itself; it comes into existence and later ceases to exist.” The Third: “It is natural; nature necessitates and creates it.” (23rd Flash) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 33 In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate. O Prophet! Tell your wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons [when abroad].(33:59) This verse enjoins the veiling of women. However, dissolute civilization opposes this command of the Qur’an; it does not consider the veiling of women to be natural and says it is slavery of a sort. (24th Flash) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 34 O sick person who thinks of the hereafter! Sick ness washes away the dirt of sins like soap, and cleanses. It is established in a sound Hadith that illnesses are atonement for sins. And in another Hadith, it says: “As ripe fruits fall on their tree being shaken, so the sins of a believer fall away on his shaking with illness. (25th Flash) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 35 Yes, respected elderly men and women who feel their old age like I do! We are departing, there is no use in deceiving ourselves. Even if we close our eyes to it, we will not remain here. There is a mobilization. The land of the Intermediate Realm, which appears to us to be dark and full of separation due to the gloomy delusions which arise from heedlessness and in part from the people of misguidance, is the meeting-place of friends. It is the world where we shall meet with foremost Allah’s Beloved (Upon whom be blessings and peace), and with all our friends. (26th Flash) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 36 Ism-i Kuddus Ism-i Adl Ism-i Hakem Ism-i Ferd Ism-i Hayy Ism-i Kayyum Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 37 Is Khidr alive? If he is alive, why do some leading religious scholars not accept it? Where is Hell? Passing (mecazî) love for things can be transformed into true love, so can the passing love most people have for this world also be transformed into true love? (1st Letter) “Like the dissemblers in early times, the misguided of modern times make the marriage of Allah’s Messenger (Upon whom be blessings and peace) with Zaynab a pretext for criticism, considering it was intended to satisfy the lusts of the soul.” (7th Letter) A Letter of Condolence On the Death of a Child (17th Letter) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 38 The Clear Book and the Clear Record are mentioned in many places in the All- Wise Qur’an. Some Qur’anic commentators said they are the same, while others said they are different. (Imam-i Mubin & Kitab-i Mubin?) Where will the Great Gathering and Last Judgement take place? (Hasir) What wisdom does it spring from, Adam (Upon whom be peace) being expelled from Paradise and some of mankind, the sons of Adam, being sent to Hell? What was the reason for it? Almighty Allah sends calamities and inflicts tribulations; isn’t this an injustice towards the innocent in particular, and animals even? (12th Letter) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 39 Why didn’t the Companions discover the trouble makers with the eye of sainthood, with the result that three of the four Rightly-Guided Caliphs were martyred? For it is said that even the lesser Companions were greater than the greatest saints? What was the true nature of the wars that started in the time of ‘Ali (May Allah be pleased with him)? What should we call those who took part in them, and those who died and those who killed? What was the wisdom in the tragically cruel treatment those blessed persons (Hz. Hasan & Hz. Huseyin) received? (15th Letter) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 40 The Old Said of nine or ten years ago was involved in politics to a degree; indeed, thinking he would serve religion and learning by means of politics, he was wearied for nothing. He saw that it is a dangerous way which is dubious and full of difficulties, and for me superfluous as well as forming an obstacle to the most necessary duties. It is mostly lies and may be exploited by foreigners without one being aware of it. (16th Letter) Euzu billahi minesseytani ves-siyaset Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 41 The Books of other prophets include names in Syriac and Hebrew that correspond to the various names of the Noble Messenger (UWBP), such as Muhammad, Ahmad, Mukhtar. For example, in the scriptures of the Prophet Shu‘ayb, his name is “Mushaffah,” and means Muhammad. In the Torah, he is mentioned as “Munhamanna,” which again means Muhammad, and as “Himyata,” which means the Prophet of al-Haram. In the Psalms, he is called “al-Mukhtar.” Again in the Torah, the name is “al-Hatam alKhatam.” Both in the Torah and in the Psalms, it is “Muqim al-Sunna,” in the scriptures of Abraham and in the Torah, he is mentioned as “Mazmaz” and again in the Torah, as “Ahyad.” (19th Letter) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 42 Dispute and discord among the believers, and partisanship, obstinacy and envy, leading to rancour and enmity among them, are repugnant and vile, are harmful and sinful, by the combined testimony of wisdom and the supreme humanity that is Islam, for personal, social, and spiritual life. They are in short, poison for the life of man. We will set forth six of the extremely numerous aspects of this truth. (22nd Letter) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 43 One day a number of bright youths came to me, seeking an effective deterrent in order to guard themselves against the dangers arising from life, youth, and the lusts of the soul. Like I had told those who had previously sought help from the Risale-i Nur, I also said to these youths: Your youth will definitely leave you, and if you do not remain within the sphere of the licit, it will be lost, and rather than its pleasures, it will bring you calamities and suffering in this world, in the grave, and in the Hereafter. But if, with Islamic training, you spend the bounty of your youth as thanks honorably, in uprightness and obedience, it will in effect remain perpetually and will be the cause of gaining eternal youth. (13th Word) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 44 There is a great conflagration in front of me, the flames of which are touching the skies. My children are burning in it. My belief has caught fire too, and is burning. I am racing to put out the fire and save my belief. If someone wants to hold me up on the way, or I trip on him, what importance has it? What importance has such a minor incident in the face of that conflagration? Narrow minds! Narrow views!" Badiuzzaman Said Nursi (1876-1960) Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 45 Malaysia-Turkey Cultural Association 46