Prose
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Life in The Light-Houses
By Fethullah Gülen Hocaefendi Seconds open to the deepest of divine beauties, minutes spent developing and unveiling the desires of the spirit(ruh), and eternalized hours broadening peoples’ hearts all suit the Light-Houses very well, being the world’s most beautiful places in our age. The people who, having left their work, school or apartments, come running every Continue reading
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Light-Houses 1
By Fethullah Gülen Hocaefendi The Light-Houses are barracks for the cavaliers of light; secluded dwellings(halvethane) and spiritual lodgings for the heroes of truth; climates of divine inspiration(vâridât) for the holy ones(kudsîler) who open and shut their eyes with knowledge intellectual and spiritual. These Light-Houses, having received their taste, atmosphere, color, and fragrance from realms beyond, are Continue reading
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An Alternative Path of Spiritual Journeying
By Fethullah Gülen Hocaefendi It is well known to the masters that traveling the spiritual journey (Seyr u sülûk-i ruhanî) is achieved through living on the level of the heart and spirit, tied either to the ten subtle faculties or the seven levels of the soul(nefis). Adding onto all of this a spiritual discipline of suffering(çile), Continue reading
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The Heart’s Emerald Hills: Ashq
By Fethullah Gülen Hocaefendi Ashq is intense love, mania, and addicting fondness, an excessive love felt due to perfection, beauty, and physical charm; this kind has been called Metaphorical Love(mecazî aşk). There is another sort of love whose beauty has achieved perfection and whose perfection orbits its beauty; it is a heartfelt connection of love(muhabbet) felt Continue reading
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The Heart’s Emerald Hills: Mahabba
By Fethullah Gülen Hocaefendi Mahabba(Love) lexically refers to love, emotional attachment, or an inclination towards any object or person. Mahabba that subjugates the entirety of man’s feelings under its influence is called ‘Ashq(Ecstatic Love); whereas Love that has developed and deepened into a burning desire for union(vuslat) is called Shawq & Ishtiyaq(Desire & Enthusiasm). Mahabba has Continue reading
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A letter Zübeyir Ağabey wrote to a Student of Nur, expressing the meanings of true faithfulness and devotion.
My dear honorable brother… Since you know that you are ready to face each and every trouble befalling Islam; news which enlivens our own passion and fervor, then listen closely: Your duty: To collect roses amongst thorns. Your feet bare, they will sting. Your hands uncovered, they will bite. For this you will rejoice! You Continue reading
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Ustad Bediüzzaman Said Nursi’s Famous Speech
A student recounts an incident from the biography of Ustad Said Nursi: On the road to Istanbul, I inquired about whether he was distressed about recent events. He said: “What truly distresses me are the dangers that Islam has been subjected to. In the past, the dangers came from without, so resistance was easy. Now, Continue reading
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Molla Hamit Ekinci Ağabey’s Recounting of a Memory with Ustad
One of Ustad’s first students from Van, Molla Hamit Ekinci Ağabey, recounts: During winter, we built a place where we could stay in the mountains. It’s door was perpetually open like a ruin. We had put Ustad’s bed somewhere above. We, along with the visiting fuqaha, were sleeping in two rows. The ‘door’ was right Continue reading
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The Barla Letters, Letter 207
Addressed to Hulusi Bey Bismihi Subhanahu Wa In Min Shay’in illa Yusabbihu Bihamdihi Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu My dear brother, You are in my prayers morning and evening. Please do include me in your prayers. In this world, the greatest help of one believer to another is through prayer. I do not think Continue reading
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Vahyeddin Küfrevî’s Recounting of The Writing of The Risale-i Nur
Vahyeddin Küfrevî says: “Ustad’s students(I can’t remember who at the moment) were writing his court defense. Right in front of Ustad was a hanged Qur’an. I looked to his right and left, and there were no other books. His hands were also empty. Ustad, as if in front of him was a film or cinema, Continue reading