SAID NURSISAID NURSI

PRESENTATIONPRESENTATION

BYBY

MATTHEW ROGOVEINMATTHEW ROGOVEIN

SAID NURSISAID NURSIAn extraordinary man with a visionAn extraordinary man with a vision

Reverse the decline in peoples faithReverse the decline in peoples faith

The Qur’an as the sole guideThe Qur’an as the sole guide

Influential works as Qur’an commentaryInfluential works as Qur’an commentary

Intellectual, moral, and spiritual strengths of faithIntellectual, moral, and spiritual strengths of faith

Among the important thinkers of the 20Among the important thinkers of the 20 thth century century

Humble servant of GodHumble servant of God

Remained a modest friend of his studentsRemained a modest friend of his students

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Farsighted in assessing the conditions surrounding Farsighted in assessing the conditions surrounding himhim

Only purpose: One with GodOnly purpose: One with God

Look inside yourself before focusing on othersLook inside yourself before focusing on others

Always exemplifying his teachings by his actionsAlways exemplifying his teachings by his actions

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Born in eastern TurkeyBorn in eastern Turkey

Got his University diploma at the age of fourteen

Extraordinary stupendous Extraordinary stupendous memorymemory

Studied physics,mathematics, Studied physics,mathematics, and philosophyand philosophy

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Risale-i NurRisale-i Nur

Bediuzzaman’s WorksBediuzzaman’s Works

Risale-i Nur explains by means of physical Risale-i Nur explains by means of physical sciencessciences

Excludes the possibility of materialism being Excludes the possibility of materialism being the sole meaning in our existencethe sole meaning in our existence

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Resale-i Nur is not specific to the date it was written be it is a commentary of the Qur’an

There is not a single statement of claim made in the Risale-i Nur which is not supported by proof with reasoned arguments in accordance with logic

He answers questions, gives rational explanations of the truths of beliefs

Many of the matters discussed are profound and by nature difficult to grasp; thus Bediuzzaman frequently uses comparisons

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Example of his workExample of his work

The prescribed prayers are the The prescribed prayers are the pillars of the religion.pillars of the religion.

Resale-iNurResale-iNur

An important ruler sends two of his servants to a beautiful An important ruler sends two of his servants to a beautiful farm, giving each twenty-four gold coinsfarm, giving each twenty-four gold coins

One is so fortunate that he spends only a little of his money One is so fortunate that he spends only a little of his money before he arrives at the stationbefore he arrives at the station

The other man, being unfortunate spends twenty-three of his The other man, being unfortunate spends twenty-three of his twenty-four coins in gamblingtwenty-four coins in gambling

His friend says to him, ‘Spend this coin on the ticket. If you His friend says to him, ‘Spend this coin on the ticket. If you don’t you may have to go on foot and suffer hunger don’t you may have to go on foot and suffer hunger

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That important ruler is our Lord, our CreatorThat important ruler is our Lord, our Creator

Of theOf the two travelers, one is religious and performs his two travelers, one is religious and performs his prayers with fervor. The other, unmindful, represents the prayers with fervor. The other, unmindful, represents the people who don’t praypeople who don’t pray

The twenty-four coins stand for the twenty-four hours of a The twenty-four coins stand for the twenty-four hours of a dayday

The farm is Heaven, while the station so near is the grave The farm is Heaven, while the station so near is the grave

The journey is from the grave to the eternal life. People cover The journey is from the grave to the eternal life. People cover that long journey at different times according to their deeds that long journey at different times according to their deeds and conductand conduct BB

The ticket is The ticket is salatsalat, the prescribed prayer. An hour is enough , the prescribed prayer. An hour is enough for the prayers in a day. If you spend twenty-three hours a for the prayers in a day. If you spend twenty-three hours a day on the affairs of this world and don’t reserve the day on the affairs of this world and don’t reserve the remaining hour for the important prayers necessary for the remaining hour for the important prayers necessary for the other worldother world

Moreover, in prayer, there is comfort for the soul and mind. Moreover, in prayer, there is comfort for the soul and mind. It is not difficult for the body. Furthermore, with the right It is not difficult for the body. Furthermore, with the right intention, all the deeds and conduct of one who prays become intention, all the deeds and conduct of one who prays become like worship like worship

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WHAT IS THE BEST KIND OF PETITIONARY PRAYER WHAT IS THE BEST KIND OF PETITIONARY PRAYER (DU‘A) OF A BELIEVER FOR ANOTHER?(DU‘A) OF A BELIEVER FOR ANOTHER?

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A prayer is more or less acceptable in consideration of A prayer is more or less acceptable in consideration of certain conditions being met.certain conditions being met.

When one prays to God for something, he should first cleanse When one prays to God for something, he should first cleanse himself by asking for forgiveness from God himself by asking for forgiveness from God

Call God’s blessing on the Prophet Muhammad as an Call God’s blessing on the Prophet Muhammad as an intercessor before and after the prayer. For calling God’s intercessor before and after the prayer. For calling God’s blessing on the Prophet is an acceptable prayer and the blessing on the Prophet is an acceptable prayer and the prayer said between two acceptable prayers is usually prayer said between two acceptable prayers is usually acceptable acceptable

One should pray with sincerity, from the One should pray with sincerity, from the

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One should do so after each of the five daily prayers (salat) and, One should do so after each of the five daily prayers (salat) and, particularly, after the dawn prayer and in blessed times such as Friday - particularly, after the dawn prayer and in blessed times such as Friday - especially during the hour when prayer is absolutely accepted - the three especially during the hour when prayer is absolutely accepted - the three months of additional prayer before Ramadan, during Ramadan itself, months of additional prayer before Ramadan, during Ramadan itself, and, most particularly, the Night of Powerand, most particularly, the Night of Power

God is expected, through His Mercy, to accept a petition made in God is expected, through His Mercy, to accept a petition made in observance of such conditions, and He accepts it so that either it is observance of such conditions, and He accepts it so that either it is answered in this world or the one in whose name it is made will hopefully answered in this world or the one in whose name it is made will hopefully benefit from it in the Hereafterbenefit from it in the Hereafter

For this reason, if one does not obtain the result for which he prayed, he For this reason, if one does not obtain the result for which he prayed, he should not think that the prayer has not been accepted, rather, should not think that the prayer has not been accepted, rather,

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Types or kinds of prayerTypes or kinds of prayer

The first kind of prayer is that which is made by the tongue The first kind of prayer is that which is made by the tongue of innate dispositionof innate disposition

The existence of all the circumstances necessary for a The existence of all the circumstances necessary for a particular effect to come about is also a prayer through particular effect to come about is also a prayer through natural disposition, a plea that that effect be realized. That is, natural disposition, a plea that that effect be realized. That is, the arrangement of necessary circumstances may be likened the arrangement of necessary circumstances may be likened to a tongue of disposition praying to the All-Powerful and to a tongue of disposition praying to the All-Powerful and Majestic One to create the desired effectMajestic One to create the desired effect

The second kind of prayer is that which is made with the The second kind of prayer is that which is made with the tongue of natural neediness. All living beings pray to the All-tongue of natural neediness. All living beings pray to the All-Compassionate Creator through their neediness, to satisfy Compassionate Creator through their neediness, to satisfy their needs, which they are unable to meet by themselvestheir needs, which they are unable to meet by themselves

The third kind of prayer is that which is made by conscious The third kind of prayer is that which is made by conscious living beings for their special needs to be satisfied. This kind living beings for their special needs to be satisfied. This kind of prayer falls into two categories.of prayer falls into two categories.GG

Active prayer:Active prayer:For example, to act in accordance with causes is an active For example, to act in accordance with causes is an active prayer. Man, by complying with causes, tries to gain God’s prayer. Man, by complying with causes, tries to gain God’s approval for his request, for causes alone are not sufficient approval for his request, for causes alone are not sufficient for the result to be produced, and it is God alone Who for the result to be produced, and it is God alone Who produces the result. produces the result.

Prayer made in desperation or to have natural, vital needs Prayer made in desperation or to have natural, vital needs met:met:The first category consists of the supplications made in The first category consists of the supplications made in desperation or in connection with natural needs or by the desperation or in connection with natural needs or by the tongue of disposition or with sincerity and pure intention. tongue of disposition or with sincerity and pure intention. Most of such supplications are acceptedMost of such supplications are accepted

Prayers that we say every day:Prayers that we say every day:The second category consists of those prayers that we say The second category consists of those prayers that we say every day. These also are of two types: one is active and by every day. These also are of two types: one is active and by disposition, and the other verbal and from the heart.disposition, and the other verbal and from the heart. HH

The voluntary verbal prayer is accepted in two ways:The voluntary verbal prayer is accepted in two ways:either what is requested is given to the one who prays either what is requested is given to the one who prays or his prayer is returned with a better rewardor his prayer is returned with a better reward

The most beautiful and pleasurable, and the quickest, result The most beautiful and pleasurable, and the quickest, result of prayer is that the one who prays knows that there is One, of prayer is that the one who prays knows that there is One, Who has Absolute Power over everything, Who hears him, Who has Absolute Power over everything, Who hears him, has pity on him, and provides a remedy for his painshas pity on him, and provides a remedy for his pains

Prayer is the very essence of being a slave of God and an Prayer is the very essence of being a slave of God and an indicator of sincere belief. The one who prays demonstrates, indicator of sincere belief. The one who prays demonstrates, through prayer, that there is One Who rules over the whole through prayer, that there is One Who rules over the whole universe and is aware of all his affairs down to the most universe and is aware of all his affairs down to the most insignificant ones, and Who hears him and enables him to insignificant ones, and Who hears him and enables him to achieve his aimsachieve his aims

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If He did not want to give, He would not give the desire to If He did not want to give, He would not give the desire to wantwant

Why is it that sometimes we pray for things sure to happen - Why is it that sometimes we pray for things sure to happen - like the prayer made when the sun or moon is eclipsed and like the prayer made when the sun or moon is eclipsed and sometimes for things which cannot possibly happen?sometimes for things which cannot possibly happen?

Prayer is a kind of worship. A servant proclaims through Prayer is a kind of worship. A servant proclaims through prayer his helplessness and poverty before God. The prayer his helplessness and poverty before God. The apparent purposes for prayer are rather causes for doing the apparent purposes for prayer are rather causes for doing the worship of prayer. The reward for worship is principally worship of prayer. The reward for worship is principally given in the Hereafter given in the Hereafter

Is every prayer answered by God? What does answering Is every prayer answered by God? What does answering prayer mean?prayer mean?

The prayer being answered does not necessarily mean its The prayer being answered does not necessarily mean its “acceptance” in all circumstances. There is an answer for “acceptance” in all circumstances. There is an answer for every prayer; but to accept the prayer, and to give what is every prayer; but to accept the prayer, and to give what is prayed for depends upon the Wisdom of the All-Mightyprayed for depends upon the Wisdom of the All-Mighty JJ

Prayer, in essence, is not done for worldly purposes; worldly Prayer, in essence, is not done for worldly purposes; worldly purposes are rather causes for saying the prayer. purposes are rather causes for saying the prayer.

In His NameIn His NameThere is nothing that does not glorify Him with praise.There is nothing that does not glorify Him with praise.In the Name of God, the Merciful, the CompassionateIn the Name of God, the Merciful, the CompassionateSay (O Muhammad): ‘My Lord would not concern Himself Say (O Muhammad): ‘My Lord would not concern Himself with you but for your prayer’. (25:77)with you but for your prayer’. (25:77)

1.Islam, the West, and the Risale-i Nur (1987)1.Islam, the West, and the Risale-i Nur (1987)

2. The Author of the Resale-i Nur, Bediuzzaman 2. The Author of the Resale-i Nur, Bediuzzaman Said Nursi (1992)Said Nursi (1992)

3.The Words (translation 1993) 3.The Words (translation 1993)

www.sozler.com.trwww.sozler.com.tr (Bediuzzaman’s work) (Bediuzzaman’s work)