Risale-i Nur

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The Risale-i Nur Collection
Author
Original title
Country
Language
Genre
Media type

Said Nursi
Risale-i Nur Kulliyati
Turkey
Arabic, Ottoman Turkish
Tafsir
Print (hardcover)

The Risale-i Nur Collection (Turkish: Risale-i Nur Klliyat, Ottoman Turkish:
) is a tafsir (Islamic exegesis) on the Qur'an written by Bediuzzaman Said Nursi between
the 1910s and 1950s in Turkey. The commentary does not keep to the order of the ayah as is
done in classic Islamic exegesis, as it makes comments on their meanings. It is rather a thematic
tafsir which deals with the doubts surrounding the basic doctrines and principles of Islam. The
collection includes fourteen books.
The primary purpose of the Risale-i Nur is to bring about a religious revival in Turkey.
The collection includes an analysis of Islamic sources and a reinterpretation of the text for the
"mentality" of Said Nursi's age. However, it isn't solely an exegesis, as it includes reflections and
details about Said Nursi's own life and interpretations.

Distinctive features of the collection

With these writings, Bediuzzaman opened up a new, direct way to reality (haqiqat) and
knowledge of God which he described as the highway of the Qur'an and way of the companions
of Muhammad through the "legacy of prophethood", which gains for those who follow it "true
and certain belief". Said Nursi did not ascribe the writings to himself, but claimed that they
"proceeded from the Qur'an itself" like "rays shining out of from [its] truths".
Thus, rather than being a Qur'anic commentary which expounds all its verses giving the
immediate reasons for their revelation and the apparent meanings of the words and sentences, the
Risale-i Nur is what is known as a mnev tefsir, or commentary which expounds the meaning of
the Qur'anic truths. For there are various sorts of commentaries. The verses mostly expounded in
the Risale-i Nur are those concerned with the truths of belief, such as the Divine Names and
attributes and the Divine activity in the universe, the Divine existence and Unity, resurrection,
prophethood, Divine Determining or destiny, and man's duties of worship. Bediuzzaman
explains how the Qur'an addresses all men in every age in accordance with the degree of their
understanding and development; it has a face that looks to each age. The Risale-i Nur, then,

explains that face of the Qur'an which looks to this age. We shall now look at further aspects of
the Risale-i Nur related to this point.
In numerous of its verses, the Holy Qur'an invites man to observe the universe and reflect on the
Divine activity within it; following just this method, Bediuzzaman provides proofs and
explanations for the truths of belief. He likens the universe to a book, and looking at it in the way
shown by the Qur'an, that is, 'reading' it for its meaning, learns of the Divine Names and
attributes and other truths of belief. The book's purpose is to describe its Author and Maker;
beings become evidences and signs to their Creator. Thus, an important element in the way of the
Risale-i Nur is reflection or contemplation (tefekkr), 'reading' the Book of the Universe in order
to increase in knowledge of God and to obtain 'true and certain belief' in all the truths of belief.
Bediuzzaman demonstrates the fundamentals of Islam, such as Divine Unity, arrived at in this
way are the only rational and logical explanation of the universe, and making comparisons with
Naturalist and Materialist philosophy which have used science's findings about the universe to
deny those truths, show the concepts on which they are based, such as causality and Nature, to be
irrational and logically absurd. Indeed, far from contradicting them, in uncovering the order and
working of the universe, science broadens and deepens knowledge of the truths of belief.
In the Risale-i Nur many descriptions of the Divine activity in the universe are looked at through
the eyes of science, and reflect Bediuzzaman's knowledge of it. The Risale-i Nur shows that
there is no contradiction or conflict between religion and science. In addition, all these matters
discussed in the Risale-i Nur are set out as reasoned arguments and proved according to logic.
All the most important of the truths of belief are proved so that even unbelievers can see their
necessity. And so too, inspired by the Qur'an, even the most profound and inaccessible truths are
made accessible by means of comparisons, which bring them close to the understanding like
telescopes, so that they are readily understandable by ordinary people and those with no previous
knowledge of these questions. Another aspect of the Risale-i Nur related to the face of the Qur'an
which looks to this age, is that it explains everything from the point of view of wisdom; that is,
as is mentioned again below, it explains the purpose of everything. It considers things from the
point of view of the Divine Name of All-Wise.
Also, following this method, in the Risale-i Nur Bediuzzaman dealt with many mysteries of
religion, such as bodily resurrection and Divine Determining and man's will, and the riddle of the
constant activity in the universe and the motion of particles, before which man relying on his
own intellect and philosophy had been impotent.

History
While in Barla, Bediuzzaman put the treatise on Resurrection and the pieces that followed it
together in the form of a collection and gave it the name of Sozler (The Words). The Words was
followed by Mektbat (Letters), a collection of thirty-three letters of varying lengths from
Bediuzzaman to his students. And this was followed by Lem'alar (The Flashes Collection), and
Sualar (The Rays), which was completed in 1949. Together with these are the three collections
of Additional Letters, for each of Bediuzzaman's main places of exile, Barla Lahikasi,
Kastamonu Lahikasi, and Emirdag Lahikasi. The way the Risale-i Nur was written and
disseminated was unique, like the work itself. Bediuzzaman would dictate at speed to a scribe,

who would write down the piece in question with equal speed; the actual writing was very quick.
Bediuzzaman had no books for reference and the writing of religious works was of course
forbidden. They were all written therefore in the mountains and out in the countryside.
Handwritten copies were then made, these were secretly copied out in the houses of the Risale-i
Nur 'students', as they were called, and passed from village to village, and then from town to
town, until they spread throughout Turkey. Only in 1946 were Risale-i Nur students able to
obtain duplicating machines, while it was not till 1956 that various parts were printed on modern
presses in the new, Latin, script. The figure given for hand-written copies is 600,000. It may be
seen from the above figure how the Risale-i Nur movement spread within Turkey, despite all
efforts to stop it. After 1950, the period of what Bediuzzaman called 'the Third Said', there was a
great increase in the number of students, particularly among the young and those who had been
through the secular education system of the Republic. At the same time the number of students
outside Turkey increased.

Main volumes (translated into English)

The Letters (Mektubat)

This second volume of the Risale-i Nur demonstrates the special relationship between
Bediuzzaman Said Nursi and his students. In this Collection, Said Nursi replied to numerous and
diverse questions posed by the students. Therefore, the Letters cover a lot of different subjects.
For example, how death is a bounty; where Hell is situated; (The Letters 2004, p. 21-29). how
the metaphorical love for individuals or for this world can be transformed into true love; (The
Letters 2004, p. 28) explanation of where the Great Gathering and Last Judgement will take
place; (The Letters 2004, p. 57) a letter of condolence on the death of a child;The Letters 2004,
p. 100)the proof for prophethood of Muhammad; (The Letters 2004, p. 236)calling upon children
to be kindly to their parents; (The Letters 2004, p. 308)calling upon believers to brotherhood and
love and pointing out effective ways of preventing enmity against a believer; (The Letters 2004,
p. 311)the best way in which believers can pray for each other; (The Letters 2004, p. 330) the
importance of supplication (The Letters 2004, p. 353) and the numerous Qur'anic commands to
offer thanks; (The Letters 2004, p. 428) the reality and benefits of true dreams. (The Letters
2004, p. 407) Moreover, The Letters provide helpful answers to many questions of Belief and
Islam; they contain unique explanations of the truths of Iman and the mysteries of the Our'an
which also illustrate the Qur'anic way of Knowledge of Allah manifested by the Risale-i Nur.
For instance, Said Nursi explained some of the instances of wisdom in the fast of the blessed
month of Ramadan (The Letters 2004, p. 466) and he offers important guidance to contemporary
Muslims concerning issues ranging from nationalism (The Letters 2004, p. 379, 491) to Sufism.
(The Letters 2004, p. 518) This collection includes the famous Nineteenth Letter which describes
more than three hundred of the miracles of Muhammad. Even though this letter includes many
hadiths and is more than a hundred pages in length based on traditions and narrations, it was
written completely from memory without referring to any book in a few days by working two or
three hours every day, for a total of twelve hours. (The Letters 2004, p. 116) The Letters also
shed light on Bediuzzaman's own life in his numerous years of exile and the conditions during
the early years of the Turkish Republic. (The Letters 2004, p. 83)

The Words (Szler)

The Words is the first volume of the Risale-i Nur and consist of thirty-three independent parts or
Words, which explain and prove the fundamentals of Belief, including its myriad virtues and
advantages. Included here are exposition of the Divine Names and Attributes in creation, the
resurrection of the dead and the Hereafter, Prophethood and the Ascension, the Miraculousness
of the Our'an, the angels, the immorality of mans spirit, Divine Determining (fate or destiny),
together with cogent discussion on the true nature of man and the universe, The wisdom of the
specified times of the five daily prayers, and mans fundamental and innate need to worship
Allah. Each subject is explained with comparisons and allegories, and demonstrated with
reasoned arguments and logical proofs. The most profound aspects of the truths of Iman, are
explained in a way that everyone can understand easily. This work responds to the attacks
against the Our'an in the name of science and philosophy, and demonstrates the rationality of
belief in Allah. It shows beyond any reasonable doubt that mans happiness and success both in
this world and the next only lie in belief in Allah and knowledge of Allah.
The Rays (ular)

The Rays Collection contains some of the key sections of the Risale-i Nur. Among these are: The
Supreme Sign, which describes the testimony articulated by all the realms of creation to Allah's
Necessary Existence and Unity, is an expression of the reflective thought which is the
foundational basis of the way of the Risale-i Nur. Further explanations and proofs of Divine
Unity, based also on recognizing and 'reading' the manifestations of Allah in the universe are set
out in the Second, Third, and Fourth Rays in this book. While in addition to these questions (i)
The Fruits of Belief - One hour per day is sufficient for the five obligatory prayers; The truth of
death; true, pain-free pleasure is found only in belief in Allah, and is possible only through such
Belief; A number of benefits of believing in the Hereafter which look to man's individual and
social life; A reply to objections raised about repetitions in the Our'an; The fruits tasted in this
world of belief in the angels. and (ii) The Shining Proof-Seeking knowledge of the Creator
through His Attributes, knowledge, will and power put forward clear, proofs of the main 'pillars
of belief'. Also included in this volume are parts of Bediuzzaman's defense speeches in the
Courts of Denizli and Afyon, and the short letters and notes he wrote to his fellow-prisoners (his
students) while incarcerated. As well as advising them about their defenses and directing the
continuing work of the Risale-i Nur, essentially these letters were written to guide, encourage,
and comfort his students during their ordeals, to remind them to be cautious in the face of their
enemies and above all to maintain their solidarity and to strengthen their brotherly relations.
Signs of Miraculousness (rt-l 'caz)

This book is a very concise commentary on (i) Surah alFatiha- The aims of the Our'an; Peace);
About Paradise; About Life, Death and the Resurrection of the Dead; The teaching of the Names.
Its aim is to expound the Miraculous nature of the Qur'an's word order. For "the embroideries" of
the positioning and arrangement of the Our'an's words demonstrate one aspect of its
Miraculousness. Bediuzzaman Said Nursi was intent on demonstrating the conformity of the
Our'an with reason and the modern physical sciences. In this way, he replied both to questions
and doubts that arose in the face of scientific advances, and to demonstrate that, as the revealed

Word of Allah, the Our'an has ever continuing relevance in contemporary life. Thus, though
composed in the early period of Said Nursi's life, under trying conditions in 1913-14, this book
contains in concise form, the ideas and truths that he subsequently elaborated in the Risale-i Nur,
and in many respects is of the greatest interest and importance for the people of modernity. 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 post-eternal favors of the
Most Merciful and of the pre-eternal Addresses of that Most Holy One, that 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. Bediuzzaman Said
Nursi articulates most succinctly that many verses of the Our'an that have been questioned in fact
contain flashes of Miraculousness and numerous subtle points.
The Flashes (Lem'alar)

The Flashes Collection starts with 2 very poignant supplications- the famous supplication of the
prophet Yunus showing its relevance for everyone today; and the famous supplication of the
prophet Ayub providing a true remedy for all those who are afflicted by disaster. Like the first
two volumes this Collection deals very compellingly with a number of diverse subjects. The
primary purpose of the topics is aimed at expounding the various Qur'anic verses and its
teachings concerning the fundamentals of Belief in a way that addresses modern man's
understanding and is relevant to his needs. Some of the subjects discussed include seven
predictions concerning the Unseen in the three final verses of Surah al-Fath; "The highway of the
practices of the Prophet and antidote for the sickness of innovations"; the meaning of the phrase
"I seek refuge from Satan the Accursed"; the reality of those things that captivate the human
soul, and through severing attachment to them turns man's face to eternity; the Qur'anic principle
of humility; Allah has included in all activity and striving a reward and pleasure; a supplication
that illustrates the meaning of the Hadith "Die before you die"; On Frugality; On Sincerityincluding the four rules for gaining and preserving sincerity; On Nature; Four instances of
wisdom of the Our'anic injunction about the veiling of women, and a compelling and convincing
discussion detailing the ways in which happiness of women in both worlds may be preserved by
adhering to Islamic principles and practices; Message for the Sick; Treatise for the Elderly; On
the Six Divine Names of Allah bearing the Greatest Name.
The Staff of Moses (Asa-y Musa)

This book consists of two parts. Part One comprises 'The Fruits of Belief that discusses
numerous aspects- One hour per day is sufficient for the five obligatory prayers; Death is a
source of anxiety for man; true, pain free pleasure is found only in belief in Allah, and is possible
only through such Belief; The necessity of spending one's youth chastely and on the straight
path; The sciences make known the Glorious Creator of the universe with His Names, Attributes
and perfections; The truths and proofs about existence of the Hereafter from Our Sustainer, our
Prophet Muhammad (Upon Whom be Blessings and Peace), the other Prophets and earlier
Scriptures, the Qur'an, the angels and then the universe.; There are a number of benefits of

Believing in the Hereafter that look to man's individual and social life; It is impossible to
separate the pillars of Belief as each proves all of them, requires them, and necessitates them; A
Flower of Emirdag - An extremely powerful reply to objections raised about repetitions in the
Qur'an; The fruits tasted in this world of belief in the angels Part Two comprises 'A Decisive
Proof of Allah' and consists of eleven proofs of the truths of Iman. In the words of Bediuzzaman
Said Nursi: "just as the staff of Prophet Musa (Upon whom Be Peace) caused twelve springs to
gush forth and was the means of eleven miracles, so the present collection (The Staff of Moses)
consists of the eleven light-scattering topics of 'The Fruits of Belief', and the eleven certain
proofs of 'The Decisive Proof of Allah' " thus, this book receives its name The Staff of Moses,
and is a source of Iife-giving waters for the strengthening of one's faith.
1. The Epitomes of Light (Mesnev-i Nuriye)
2. Reasonings (Muhkemt)

Booklets
1.
2.
3.
4.

The Damascus Sermon (Hutbe-i miye)

Fruits of Belief (Meyve Risalesi)
A Guide for Youth (Genlik Rehberi)
The Islamic Unity (ttihad- slam)

Others (not translated)

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.

The Barla Letters (Barla Lahikas)

The Kastamonu Letters (Kastamonu Lahikas)
The Emirda Letters (Emirda Lahikas)
Sikke-i Tasdik-i Gayb
sr- Bediyye
man ve Kfr Muvzeneleri
Mnzarat
Nur emesi
Snht - Tult - rt
Nur leminin Bir Anahtar
Dvan- Harb-i rf
Nurun lk Kaps
Hizmet Rehberi
Fihrist