brothers who have invited me from many provinces should not be upset. Anyway, if I had gone to some provinces and not to others, hundreds of thousands of my true, devoted brothers might have felt offended. They should feel no offence.

Secondly: Evidence that these journeys of mine are in no way concerned with politics is that I have given up politics for the past forty years and have been preoccupied with the Risale-i Nur alone, which is a Qur'anic commentary that is altogether appropriate for the times. The Risale-i Nur has smashed absolute disbelief and has thus acted as a barrier before anarchy and destructive currents. Moreover, in accordance with a meaning of the verse, "No bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another" (Q 6:164 etc.), which is a fundamental law of the Qur'an it has taught to the Risale-i Nur, the Risale-i Nur has been most beneficial for this country and nation and public order, since to disturb order and security means causing harm to ninety innocents on account of five criminals. In consequence, I forgive the police who spy on me or cause me trouble. They are the mujāhid preservers of the peace and I happily accept them as brothers. In fact, just as I complied with their turning me back from Ankara, so I offer thanks to God since they were a cause of divine grace. I turned back from Ankara with complete peace of mind.

Thirdly: Because the Risale-i Nur is spreading everywhere and being read and sought eagerly, they wanted to invite me and see me and speak with me. I would have had to visit twenty provinces, but I only went to Ankara, Istanbul, and Konya, where the Risale-i Nur is being printed.

I say this to the friends who sent me back to Emirdağ: their treatment turned out to be an instance of divine grace and mercy for me. I am not annoyed. Only, I have a house I have rented for two years and some belongings in Isparta Province, where I lived for twenty years. The air there is also somewhat beneficial to my illness. With the government's per- mission, I want to stay for a month in Emirdağ and a month in the house I have rented in Isparta.

Bediüzzaman

S a i d   N u r s i ∗∗∗