Istanbul Foundation for Science and Culture
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The Second Sign is their falling on a centre of fearsome atheism that threatens the whole face of the earth and all humankind. The irreligious must have sensed this, because for the past month or two they have been trying to downplay this extraordinary, awe-inspiring event, although normally they publicize the most trivial incidents and give them importance. ∗∗∗

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In His Name, be He glorified!

And there is nothing but it glorifies Him with praise! (Q 17:44)

My Dear, Loyal Brothers, Tahirî, Sabri, Salâhaddin, Mehmed, and Mustafa!

Firstly: Out of respect for the Three Months and on account of the Nur students' loyalty and sincerity, we are going to try to repair the harm caused by a significant incident that led to our being rebuked and reprimanded. It was like this: last night I received a severe warning in the form of a punishing reprimand unlike anything I had experienced previously. This was imparted to me:

You have been charged with not stooping to this world with its pleasures and enjoyment, and with preserving the disinteredness and sincerity of the Risale-i Nur. It was your duty to try to correct the malaise of this age, which in accordance with the verse "Those who love this world" (Q 14:3), chooses this world over religion and knowingly exchanges diamonds for fragments of glass. You have understood too, thanks to a hundred experiences, that the gifts, presents, and charity of people upset you and make you ill even. You see the results of this every day. But you have directed the faces of the Risale-i Nur's devoted heroes, in whom you place most trust, away from its service to your own comfort and ease, and so on. Many other things were imparted to me, rebuking me harshly. I am still frightened of receiving another slap. The sole remedy for this situation is that you should tell those of you who bought the car that your brother Said was unable to accept it and that he felt an awesome spiritual loss.

The Second: The car should now be sent to Konyalı Sabri; it should be sent there. If he does not want it, it should be sent to the leading students (erkân) of the Medresetü'z-Zehrâ. Sabri should not worry about this; the wondrous services he performs every month for the Risale-i Nur are greater than the price of a car. So he should not be offended.

Secondly: You should feel certain about this, for the reason I received

4–6 October 2026 · Istanbul

13th International Bediuzzaman Symposium

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