the reason for this is the Risale-i Nur's author using such expressions as: "I am speaking in the name of the Risale-i Nur's collective personality," "it was imparted to my heart," "it occurred to my mind," "it occurred to my heart," and, "the Risale-i Nur produces the benefits of both the secular schools, and the religious schools (medrese), and the Sufi tekkes." The experts' committee cited these as offences in their charges. In reply I say this:

A man over eighty years of age is at the door of the grave, and for the past forty years has accustomed himself to seclusion, and having lived for twenty-eight years in absolute isolation, in prison and exile, is weary with the world. For thirty-five years he has neither read the newspapers nor listened to their being read. Never in his life has he accepted unreciprocated gifts, and has accepted nothing at all from his closest relatives, even his brother, without giving something in return. He has taken not meeting with people as his rule, unless necessary, so as to avoid their high regard and attention. He has never accepted his friends' acclaim for himself, and has referred it either to the Nurjus as a whole, or to the Risale-i Nur's collective personality. He says: "I am not worthy and I do not have the right. I am a servant. I have rotted and disappeared like a seed. The Risale-i Nur is a commentary on the All-Wise Qur'an and expounds its meaning."

Like just about everyone, he says "It occurred to me," or "The thought came to me," or, "It was imparted to my mind." Everyone uses expressions like these. My intention in using them is to say that my writings are not due to my own skills or intelligence, but they come to me and occur to me. And this is something that everyone says too. If what the ill-informed experts' committee mean is inspiration, scientists and men of learning are agreed that all living creatures from animals to angels and human beings, everyone, receives inspiration of a sort. To call this an offence necessitates denying science and learning.

The Fifth: "The author is of the opinion that he can save with answers to those who seek help from the Risale-i Nur, a generation which may possibly be captive to an enticing dissension." The experts deemed this statement an offence. The attentive may understand just how meaningless it is to consider it an offence his saying: "I feel certain about a truth which has been proved by one hundred thousand witnesses and is open and clear."

The Sixth: They have shown to be an offence his saying: "Let the ears ring of the politicians, sociologists, and moralists!" But he meant that the politicians and moralists should disseminate the short and easy way he had discovered to save the youth from dangers. With regard to humanity, those who say "Let their ears ring!" is an offence are themselves guilty.