Zeyl, and another called Hubab. He noted however that, "Alas, those who knew Arabic were few and those who considered it seriously were rare, also its argument was in an extremely concise and abbreviated form. As a result, the treatise did not have the effect it should have done, and sadly, the current of atheism both swelled and gained strength." [^373] Bediuzzaman's main concern in Ankara, however, was urging the deputies to adhere to Islam and perform their religious duties at this crucial time. In regard to this he published a ten point circular which he had distributed to all the deputies. It was read to Mustafa Kemal by Kazım Karabekir Pasha. [^374]

[^373]:Nursi, Lem'alar, 170 (Eng. tr.: Flashes, 233).

[^374]:Tarihçe, 124.

The circular, dated 19 January 1923, stresses in particular the necessity of performing the prescribed prayers and is of some length, so rather than giving the whole text, we shall include a translation of the last part. Firstly, Bediuzzaman is pointing out here the harm to the nation if its leaders and representatives do not perform their religious duties, and says that in truth such people are not fit to govern:

What excuse can be found for the neglect and giving up of the religious obligations, which causes harm to matters of both religion and the world? How can patriotism permit it? Especially these mujahidîn commanders and this Grand Assembly, for they are held as examples. The nation will either imitate their faults or criticize them, and both are harmful. That is to say, their religious duties concern public rights. True and serious work will not be performed by those who, comprising the meaning of consensus and agreement, do not heed innumerable warnings and indications, and accept delusions arising from the sophistry of the soul and the whisperings of Satan. The foundation stones of this mighty revolution have to be firm.

Bediuzzaman then states that due to the power invested in it by the nation, the Assembly now represents the Sultanate. It has also to represent the Caliphate, but to do this it has to both fulfil its religious obligations and see that they are fulfilled by the nation, and answer the nation's religious needs. If it does not do these things, out of need, the nation will compel it to "give meaning" to the "name" of the Caliphate, which in effect it had undertaken as mentioned above, and will also invest the Assembly with the power to carry out the Caliphate's functions. However, he says, if due to its members' negligence and laxity in performing their religious duties the Assembly does not have the ability to do this, it will give rise to discord and disunion, which is contrary to the verse, "And hold fast all together to the Rope of God" (Qur'an, 49:10).