endure even the smallest word spoken to him in a commanding tone, or to be dominated in any way. So he returned to his own village, where he told his father that he would not attend any more medreses until he was older, because the other students were all bigger than him. Due to its small size, Nurs had no medrese, so Said's lessons were then restricted to the one day a week that his elder brother, Abdullah, returned. [^10]

[^10]:Tarihçe, 31; Şahiner, Said Nursi, 47-8.

Let us see how in later years Bediuzzaman described himself at this age.

When I was ten years old, I had great pride in myself, which sometimes even took the form of boasting and self-praise; although I myself did not want to, I used to assume the air of one undertaking some great work and mighty act of heroism. I used to say to myself: "You are not worth tuppence, what is the reason for this excessive showing-off and boasting, especially when it comes to courage?" I did not know, and used to wonder at it. Then, a month or two ago [1944] the question was answered: the Risale-i Nur was making itself felt before it was written: "Although you were a seed like a common chip of wood, you had a presentiment of those fruits of Paradise as though they were actually your own property, and used to boast and praise yourself." [^11]

[^11]:Nursi, Emirdağ Lahikası, i, 52.

About a year passed in this way, then, once again, Said set off to continue his studies full-time. But his needs were not to be answered by any of the teachers or medreses he visited. He went first to the village of Pirmis, and then to the summer pastures of the Hizan Shaykh, the Naqshbandi Sayyid Nur Muhammad. There, his independent spirit and the fact that he could not endure being dominated in any way made him fall out with four other students in particular. They would join forces and harass him constantly. So, one day Said went to Sayyid Nur Muhammad and said: "Shaykh Efendi! Please tell them that when they fight me to come two at a time and not all four at once." This courage on the part of the ten-year-old Said pleased the Shaykh greatly, who smiled and said: "You are my student, no one shall bother you!" And from then on Said was known as 'the Shaykh's student'. [^12]

[^12]:Tarihçe, 31-2.

#### Visit to Nurs

Visit to Nurs

Shaykh Nur Muhammad was intrigued by Said's ability and courage, and one day set out together with him and some others of his students on the six or seven hour journey to Nurs in order to meet his parents. A short