Hafiz Abdullah Toprak “There will come a time when people from all over the world will be seeking Ustadh Nursi”.

With the aim of developing a comprehensive archive and documentation of both the Risale-i Nur and of Said Nursi’s life and his impact on his students, the IFSC arranged the filming of a dialogue and discussion between two students of the Risale-i Nur, Said Caliskan (grandson of Nur student Osman Caliskan) and Mehmed Nuri Gulec (Firinci Agabey). Said Caliskan mentioned that his family would regularly give accounts, memories and stories of their experience with both Said Nursi and his students. The need for creating an archive to preserve these important memories was also emphasised by Said Caliskan during our discussions. He also spoke about his memory of important discussions and conversations that took place between his grandfather Osman and the sincere friend from Eskisehir, Hafiz Abdullah Toprak. The following is a story that he related during his visit at the IFSC:

“One day, while Hafiz Abdullah was speaking with Osman Caliskan about Ustadh Nursi, he asked Osman a question that was plaguing his mind: ‘Osman, you have become responsible for our Ustadh may God be pleased with you, and works have been written and have been read. Yet even though such work has been industriously spread far and wide there is still a feeling inside me that persuades me that something is amiss. What are your thoughts looking forward about what to do in the future? Do you have a plan or a project?”. Osman was surprised at hearing such a question and reiterated to him of all the Risale-i Nur lessons and circles, the publications and disseminations, the opening of dershanes in many places, and so on. Hafiz Abdullah was not satisfied with the response, and pressed Osman with further queries:

“These matters that took place in Turkey, that took place in Emirdag – are not simply the matters and issues of muslims alone. The truths that Ustadh Nursi brought are truths that have been already designated for all humanity. For there will surely come a day in which every person from each corner of the globe will be searching for this author, this Ustadh. They will ask where he lived and who he spent time with. They will ask how he managed to live, about all his different states (emotional, spiritual) and his actions, as well as how he wrote all those works at the same time. They will ask how he engaged with people, they will ask about the truths contained within his works. Regarding all of this, what work are we doing?”

Osman Caliskan responded by saying “We are not doing any work on this issue. Anyhow, we have the Risale-i Nur before us. It is the Risale-i Nur that will protect and defend itself”.

“There will come a time, Osman Bey”, said Hafiz Abdullah, “do not let your mind forget it. Though w e may not live long enough to see it, there will be people all over the world working to exalt and honour his memory and such things will be announced around the world. The material and spiritual medicine that Ustadh has garnered from the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh) will be conveyed, in the form of a special recipe, to all mankind. Maybe we won’t live to see it, but still at least you should teach your children and grandchildren. Let it be so that they are ready for this task.”