Van was alarmed by the visit of these chiefs and on the pretext of a burial service also attended the prayers at the mosque. But his alarm turned out to be needless, for on them admitting to their intention of joining the revolt, Bediuzzaman told them:

Where has the idea of serving this cause come from, I wonder? I ask you. Is it the Shari'a you want? But such an action is absolutely opposed to the Shari'a. There is very great likelihood of its being exploited by the foreigners and their provocations. The Shari'a can't be contravened by making it a tool and saying: "We want the Shari'a." The Shari'a can't be demanded like that. The key to it is with me. Now, all of you return to your own homes and places!

When he had finished speaking, Bediuzzaman rose to his feet and returned to Mount Erek. As for Kör Hüseyin Pasha and the tribal leaders, they heeded his warnings and did not join the revolt, which meant too that Van and its people were not forced to join it and thousands of lives were thus saved, [^17] Many others testify to this fact. [^18]

[^17]:Ibid., 255-7.

[^18]:For example, the one-time deputy for Van and president of the Grand National Assembly, Kinyas Kartal. See, Son Şahitler, ii, 17.

As was mentioned above, Shaykh Said wrote in person to Bediuzzaman requesting him to join the movement, for if he did so they would be "victorious". Bediuzzaman replied as follows:

The Turkish nation has acted as the standard-bearer of Islam for centuries. It has produced many saints and given many martyrs. The sword may not be drawn against the sons of such a nation. We are Muslims, we are their brothers, we may not make brother fight brother. It is not permissible according to the Shari'a. The sword is to be drawn against external enemies, it may not be used internally. Our only salvation at this time is to offer illumination and guidance through the truths of the Qur'an and belief; it is to get rid of our greatest enemy, ignorance. Give up this attempt of yours, for it will be fruitless. Thousands of innocent men and women may perish on account of a few bandits. [^19]

[^19]:Şahiner, Said Nursi, 254-5, quoted from the personal notes of Zübeyir Gündüzalp, one of Bediuzzaman's closest and most influential students in the last ten years of his life.

#### The Journey to Exile

The Journey to Exile

Towards the end of the revolt, the authorities started to round up all the influential religious and tribal leaders in the province of Van, although they