the desire for fame and renown. But they failed with respect to fear, one of man's weakest points, for they understood that we attach not the slightest importance to their threats of capital punishment.

Then they conducted numerous investigations about our means of livelihood with a view to greed and ambition, another human weakness, but they could find nothing. So they realized that worldly wealth and possessions, for which they themselves had sacrificed all things holy, held no importance for us whatsoever; on numerous occasions this was proved to them. Even, over a period of ten years more than a hundred times they made official inquiries through the local authorities to learn what I lived on.

Then they received orders to try to catch me out with respect to fame, renown, and rank, desire for which is another human weakness and one of my weak points. But they in no way succeeded despite dealing out grievous insults, humiliations, and riling torments. So they understood certainly that the worldly fame and acclaim that they so worship, we look on as hypocrisy, self-praise, and showing off. We attach not the slightest importance to the high worldly ranks and prominence that they exalt above everything; in fact we look on them as crazy in that respect.

Then there were spiritual ranks and advancing through the degrees of sainthood and considering oneself to be the recipient of such divine bounties, which we consider to be weak points in connection with our service but everyone considers acceptable in respect of reality and is eager to attain. There is no harm in these, only benefits, but at a time when egotism, self-interest, selfishness, and saving oneself alone prevail, personal spiritual ranks should not be sought through the service of belief, which rests on true sincerity and being made the tool of nothing. They should be neither desired nor considered in one's actions lest true sincerity be spoiled. It was in consequence of this that those who were attempting to fasten on my weak points understood that I was not seeking outside of the Risale-i Nur's service the wonders, illuminations, and spiritual attainments that everyone seeks. They were defeated on this point.

I send my greetings to each and every one of our brothers, and seeking the intercession of the Night of Power, I beseech divine mercy that for all the Nurjus that night will be the equivalent of an eighty-three-year lifetime of worship.

The Enduring One, He is the Enduring One!

Your brother,

S a i d   N u r s i ∗∗∗