of the nineteenth century and one of its most illustrious and powerful figures in political and social life; and the Islamic world is now winning its independence to an extent; and foreign governments are searching for the Qur'anic truths; and there is a powerful current favouring the Qur'an in the west and north-west; and just like Bismarck, Mister Carlyle, America's most eminent and famous philosopher, has said categorically that none of the scriptures can compare with the Qur'an, and that what it says is true so they should listen to it; [^100] and the Risale-i Nur is progressing and making conquests — these are all auspicious signs that many Bismarcks and Carlyles will appear in Europe and America. We present these to you as a festival gift and send attached the piece written by Bismarck.

[^100]:The famous historian and philosopher Thoman Carlyle (1795-1881) was actually Scottish. He was born in Scotland and died in London. Bediuzzaman here is referring to his work On Heroes, Hero-Worship and the Heroic in History (London: 1841), and the chapter entitled: The Hero as Prophet. Mahomet: Islam. It is not known for certain what Bediuzzaman's source was, for here, Carlyle praises the moral discipline and direction that Islam, and its Prophet, gives its adherents while at the same time not denying the pleasant things of life. He does not praise the Qur'an. [Tr.]

► (208) ◄

I took a look at the beautifully written letter sent by the innocent son of the barber Ali Osman, who is one of the İnebolu heroes, and it suddenly occurred to me that in three important centres of the Risale-i Nur, three barbers are performing great services for it in such a way that they all resemble each other, together with their children, and I felt most happy. Burhan, Hıfzı, and Ali Osman, each a valuable champion of the Risale-i Nur! May Almighty God grant them happiness together with their children in this world and the next. Amen!

S a i d   N u r s i ∗∗∗

► (209) ◄

My Dear, Loyal Brothers!

With a firm conviction and corroborated by numerous signs, we give the good news that in return for the light one-month prison sentence the three students of the Medresetü'z-Zehrâ received and their suffering the judge's extremely unwarranted, meaningless, and cold anger, the spirit beings, angels, and coming generations will applaud them exceedingly in place of that man's trifling penalty and meaningless anger, and they congratulate such students. And because harrassment and torments of this sort are means of being saved from millions of years' punishment in everlasting