ERisale 1.1

The Risale-i Nur Collection, more commonly referred to simply as "Risale-i Nur," represents not a single book but a compilation of texts that do not adhere to a straightforward thematic sequence. The author, known as Bediüzzaman (translated as "The Best of Time"), is Said Nursi.

Historical Context

Originally authored in the Ottoman alphabet, the Risale-i Nur was supported in its writing and dissemination by notable early disciples of Said Nursi, including Ahmet Hüsrev Altınbaşak, Hafız Ali, and Şamlı Hafız Tevfik. Later, with Nursi's permission, certain texts such as Asa-yı Musa and Şualar were published in limited quantities using Latin characters. In 1957, Nursi authorized the complete collection to be printed in Latin script. Although he wrote previous works prior to the Risale-i Nur, the first text he referred to as part of this collection was "Nurun İlk Kapısı." Additionally, he penned "İşarat'ül İcaz," an original Arabic commentary intended to cover the entire Quran; however, due to the constraints of World War I, he could only complete interpretations of Surah Al-Fatiha and the first 32 verses of Surah Al-Baqarah. Nursi initially envisioned a comprehensive Quranic commentary spanning 60-70 volumes but ultimately decided to develop Risale-i Nur, a Turkish commentary consisting of 130 fundamental topics.

Said Nursi commenced the writing of Risale-i Nur in 1925. Throughout this period, various accusations emerged leading to multiple legal proceedings. As of 2009, over 1,000 acquittals concerning Risale-i Nur have been recorded.

Content Overview

The Risale-i Nur consists of works wherein Said Nursi interprets Quranic verses through a distinctive lens. It does not cover every verse exhaustively but focuses on approximately 1,000 verses related specifically to fundamental truths of faith (referred to as "kelam" in Islamic terminology). The explanations provided aim to offer a grounding that facilitates further interpretations of other verses. Rather than detailing how actions should be performed, the texts seek to address the reasons behind these actions. There is limited information on the methodology of religious practices; instead, queries such as “Why should prayers be performed?”, “What are the proofs for faith in the hereafter?”, and “What are the evidences for the existence of God?” are systematically explored. From a technical standpoint, one could categorize Risale-i Nur not as a jurisprudence text but rather as a theological discourse.

Nursi contended that the current era has witnessed neglect of Islam's fundamental principles and a comprehensive assault on the truths of faith; thus, preserving belief has become more crucial than any other religious service. While acknowledging that Sufi orders had effectively fulfilled their roles in previous ages, he underscored that current focus should instead prioritize truth over tradition. He opined that if renowned scholars like Abdulkadir Geylani or Imam Rabbani were present today, their efforts would be directed towards strengthening beliefs and Islamic doctrines. He stated: "One cannot enter Paradise without faith; however, many have entered without Sufism. Humans cannot survive without bread but can manage without fruit. Sufism is fruit; the truths of Islam are sustenance."

Nursi emphasized that if Rumi had lived in his time, he would have written Risale-i Nur, illustrating how it addresses contemporary needs effectively: "If I had lived during Rumi's era, I would have composed Mesnevi; at that time, service aligned with the Mesnevi style whereas today it aligns with the Risale-i Nur approach."