not accord himself such titles as Qutb al-'Ârifīn (Pole of the Adepts) or Gawth al-Wāṣilīn (Help of those who reach union with God), so people warmed to him immediately, loved him with pure sincerity, and adopted his lofty aims.

For example, he addressed many of his talks and teachings about morality and virtue, wisdom and instructive events to his own soul. It was only at his own self that he directed his fiery addresses. From there they spread outwards, from centre to periphery, to people's hearts yearning for light and joy, happiness and peace.

In his private life, Ustad was extremely mild and modest. He would be infinitely careful not to hurt a minute particle, let alone a person. He would endure untold difficulties and hardships, deprivations and torments, but only on condition no attack was being made on belief and the Qur'an.

If that were to happen, then you would see that the calm sea had raised waves that touched the skies in their awesomeness and ire. For he was a faithful servant of the Qur'an and a valiant, devoted soldier patrolling the marches of belief. He expressed this in the following succinct words: "A soldier on duty never lays down his rifle, even if the commander-in-chief appears. I am such a soldier and servant of the Qur'an: whoever aggressively confronts me while I'm on duty, I shall point out the truth to them and never bow before them."

These lines express the soldier's stand in field of jihad:

Like a rearing horse, I'll pull on its bloody bit;

I won't sell my identity to the cunning enemy.

For me to lose my identity is captivity;

What torment to suffer such abasement!

I ever yearn for unending union;

My belief is a citadel, built by the hand of power.

How happy my heart at this sacred ambition;

My martyr forebears have long awaited me in heaven.

My life is eternal so long as my spirit lives;

Death is departure for Allah, and union sublime. ∗ ∗ ∗

Originally, I wanted to study Ustad's scholarly, Sufi, and literary sides, as well as his ideas. But I realized that these most profound and comprehensive subjects could not be summarized in a few pages, and so decided to mention them in a few sentences.

If God grants it to me, I want with all my heart to study these subjects together with the Risale-i Nur Collection and its students, analytically, in