Istanbul Foundation for Science and Culture

Knowledge towards Constructive Action Nursi’s First and Last Moral

In his last letter to his students Nursi starts with an exemplary sentence: “Our duty is to act positively, and it is not to act negatively”. The first duty assigns his disciples to act constructively which is expressed as “positive action”; whereas the second one recommends avoiding violence which expresses as “negative action”. We need to spend time to reflect on these statement as to what they mean and how to realize positive action and avoid negative action. We shall also focus on the letter in order to see how he explains his idea of positive action. In this paper I would like to discuss the principles analyzed in the major works of Nursi called the Risale-i Nur Collection.

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4–6 October 2026 · Istanbul

13th International Bediuzzaman Symposium

Visit the symposium website for the programme, papers and registration.