CONFERENCE PROGRAM
19 October 2020, Monday
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82665927154
13:00-14:30 (India Time) - Opening Session
Welcome Note:
Sheikh Jamiel Ali, Head of the Department, Department of Islamic Studies, IUST
Keynote Speeches:
Chairperson: Hamidullah Marazi, Head Department of Religious Studies, Central University Kashmir
Yunus Çengel, University of Nevada, USA, “Nursi’s Perspective on Sciences and Belief”
Necati Aydın, Vice President of Nursi Society, Turkey, “Holistic Understanding of Science through Five Dimensional Thinking Approach”
Presidential Address:
Mushtaq Siddiqui, Vice Chancellor, Islamic University, Awantipora
Alparslan Açıkgenç, President, Nursi Society, Turkey
Vote of Thanks:
Showkat Hussain, Sr. Asst. Professor, Department of Islamic Studies, IUST
Hakan Gulerce, Nursi Society, Istanbul, Turkey
15:00-16:30 (India Time) - Session 1
Chairperson: İsmail Latif Hacınebioğlu, İstanbul University, Turkey
Said Nursi’s Language of Contemplation in Risale-i Nur
Nur Sakinah Thomas, Al Madinah International University, Malaysia
Conceptualizing Knowledge in the context of Risale-i Nur and Ihya Ulumuddin
Faedah Fazeela, Calicut University, Saif Institute of Advanced Study, India
Educational Dualism in the Muslim World and the way forward:
A Comparative Study of Educational Thought of Mawlana Madoodi and Bediüzzaman Said Nursi
Sheikh Javaid Ayub, Government Degree College Kilam Kulgam, India
Reading Said Nursi on Reason and Revelation
Firdousa Akhtar, Aligarh Muslim University, India
Nursi's Concept of 'the Self' as the Basis of Monotheism: A Psychological Analysis
Aroosa Meraj, Riphah International University, Pakistan
17:00-18:30 (India Time) - Session 2
Chairperson: Abdul Rashid Bhat, Department of Islamic studies, University of Kashmir, India
Bediuzzaman Said Nursi’s Perspective on Education: An Overview
Safa Altaf, Kashmir University, J&K, India
Contemporary Madrasah Education System and Bediuzaman Said Nursi's Vision: A Futuristic Approach
Showkat Hussain, Islamic University of Science and Technology Awantipora, J&K, India
Reviving the Traditional Religious Education in India: Lessons from the Thoughts of Said Nursi"
Hassan Shareef, SAFI Institute of Advanced Study, University of Calicut, India
Curriculum Integration - A Study of Said Nursi’s Model Approach of Integrating Religion and Science
Syed Zahoor and Irfan Bashir Mir, Central University of Kashmir Srinagar J&K, India
Contribution of Bediüzzaman Said Nursi as an Islamic Educationalist in Secular Turkey
Shakoor Alam, Lahore Garrison University Lahore, Pakistan
20 October 2020, Tuesday
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81704896369
13:00-14:30 (India Time) - Session 3
Chairperson: Hassan Shareef, SAFI Institute of Advanced Study, University of Calicut, India
Towards Reconstruction of Revelation Based Civilization: A Nursian Perspective
Faris Kaya, Nursi Society, Turkey
Relevance of Said Nursi’s Thought of Sustainable Development with Modern Economic Crisis
Iqbal Malik and Dr. Zeenat Akhtar, Kashmir University, India
Reason and Revelation as a Tool for Education: Epistemic Justification of "Burhan-i Natik" as an Establishing Ground Proof for Argumentation
İsmail Latif Hacınebioğlu, İstanbul University, Turkey
Islamic Economics as a Paradigm and the Views of Bediüzzaman Said Nursi
Nazir Ul Islam, University of Kashmir Srinagar, India
15:00-16:30 (India Time) - Session 4
Chairperson: Sheikh Jamiel Ali, Head of the Department, Department of Islamic Studies, IUST
Anthropological and Pluralistic Dimension in the Thought of Said Nursi
Rabia Siddiq, IUST Dept of Islamic Studies, J&K, India
Some Root Causes of Muslim Extremism
Sulaiman Lebbe and Mohamed Rifai, SOAS, UK
Portrayal of Women Issues in Said Nursi's Work: A Guide For Women
Afroz Bisati, Islamic University of Science and technology, Awantipora Kashmir, India
The New Elements of Reformation: A Study of Said Nursi's Approach
Khalid Hussain Mir & Rafique Anjum, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Kashmir, India
Spirituality in the Light of Bediüzzaman Said Nursi’s Risale-i Nur
Sabreen and Iqbal Qurayshi, Markaz-i-Noor, University of Kashmir and Centre for Spiritual Studies, Islamic University, Kashmir, India
17:00-18:30 (India Time) - Session 5
Chairperson: Ibrahim Ozdemir, Uskudar University, Turkey
Faith in the Concept of Bediüzzaman Said Nursi
Anwar Sadath Ali, SAFI Institute of Advanced Study, Affiliated to Calicut University, India
Risale-i Nur & Response to Atheism
Iqura Fatima Iqbal, Jamia Millia Islamia, India
Refutation of the Ideas of the Atheists and Materialists through Risale Nur
Aijaz Ahmad, Aligarh Muslim University, Ind
Riposte to Secularism: The Nursian Approach
Saba Irshad Ansari, Aligarh Muslim University, India
Reminisces on the Religious Philosophy of Said Nursi
Binish Qadri, Central University of Kashmir, India
18:30-19:00 Closing Session
www.nursisociety.org
BOOK OF ABSTRACTS
Nursi’s Perspective on Sciences and Belief
Yunus Çengel, University of Nevada, USA
In his Risale-i Nur collection, Nursi demonstrated through clearly reasoned arguments that all tenets of belief, such as God’s existence and bodily resurrection, can be proven rationally. Using easily understood mental scenarios, analogies, and reasoned arguments, he has shown that the truths of belief are quite compatible with the findings of observation-based modern sciences. In fact, those findings confirm the truths of belief and not refute it. As such, faith and sciences are not adversaries but rather allies. The problem lies not in scientific discoveries, but in the interpretation of those discoveries by the materialist worldview. Nursi demonstrates that creations are the signs of a Creator, and the universe is a grand magnificent book and not purposeless piles of matter. Nursi argues that the secret of true enlightenment lies in the correct reading and study of the book of the universe.
Nursi states that all sciences continuously speak of God and make known of the Creator in their particular ways. He used the objective observations as the platform to base his work. He even developed lenses that convert literal meaning (mana-i ismi) of sciences into knowledge of God with a letteral meaning (mana-i harfi) perspective. Nursi maintains that there can be no contradiction between confirmed scientific facts and religion. Science and belief can be served on the same plate, but each must be cooked in its own particular kitchen following its own methodology.
Holistic Understanding of Science through Five Dimensional Thinking Approach
Necati Aydın, Vice President of Nursi Society, Turkey
Five dimensional (5D) thinking is a new method developed from Said Nursi's mana-i harfi concept. 5D thinking is based on the belief that ideology-free science and authentic Divine messages do not contradict each other, as they both come from the same source. It assumes that the universe is an elegant book full of meaning (signs). It considers pure science as a great way to reveal the Divine signs in the book of the universe. The 5D thinking approach aims to help students to derive certain character lessons from scientific knowledge. It is a holistic approach to help students to read the universe like an elegant book conveying Divine messages on how to become a better human being through good character.
The 5DT approach is the first of its kind. It does NOT follow an eclectic approach, that simply adds religious and ethical messages to scientific knowledge. Rather, it follows an integrative approach to derive meaning and character lessons from the scientific study of the universe. Thus, the 5D Thinking approach provides enrichment in our scientific understanding of the universe by enabling us to see five dimensions of the experienced reality: analytical thinking, analogical thinking, critical thinking, meditative thinking, and moral thinking.
Said Nursi’s Language of Contemplation in Risale-i Nur
Nur Sakinah Thomas, Al Madinah International University, Malaysia
This research analyses Bediuzzaman Said Nursi’s (1877-1960) language of contemplation in The First Word of Risale-I Nur from the cognitive linguistic perspective through a discourse analysis. Nursi employs cognitive approach as his expressions from positive emotions evoke positive thoughts and feelings that lead to “positive action” as meaningful action with compassion and wisdom. Nursi’s contemplation is the key to spiritual awakening to the Divine Presence of Allah leading to awareness and surrender that opens to spiritual refuge. Nursi considers the universe as a book to contemplate on the names and attributes of Allah to attain Allah’s redha(pleasure) to save belief. This leads to iman-ı tahkiki (faith by investigation) not iman-ı taklidi (faith by imitation) and contemplation with mana-yı harfi (other indicative) not mana-yı ismi (self-referential). This research aims to explain Nursi’s language of contemplation on the signs of the existence and oneness of Allah through His beautiful names and attributes. The findings reveal Nursi’s in-depth contemplation as his metaphorical linguistic expressions convey the effectiveness of Risale-i Nur as a spiritual therapy for spiritual sicknesses, misguidance and ignorance. Nursi conceptualises universe and life through conceptual metaphors as he conveys the spiritual guiding principles from the Quran. This research reveals the effectiveness of religious discourse in influencing meaningful actions for psychospiritual wellbeing.
KEYWORDS: Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, contemplation, metaphorical linguistic expressions, iman-I tahkiki, iman-I taklidi,
Conceptualizing Knowledge in the context of Risale-i Nur and Ihya Ulumuddin
Faedah Fazeela, Calicut University, Saif Institute of Advanced Study, India
The advent of the Holy Qur’an, with the regular exhortations to explore and expeditions, cement the human pursuit of knowledge. Although the leaves of history clearly show the fact that knowledge has no borders, and wisdom has neither race nor nationality, with the exemplary scholars and polymaths from the Muslim world the par excellence, ignorance on both secular and sacred knowledge is ensued in the course of time. The real source of Muslim poverty, internal conflicts and messes is ignorance, Said Nursi says, emphasizing the acquisition of teblig knowledge as well detailing in Risale-i Nur, the importance of knowledge, the prime motive of Holy Qur’an saying " Are equal those who know and those who do not kno and those who dont. Considering the excellence of knowledge as absolute apart from any other attributions, Ihya Ulumuddin is one of the pinnacles of synthesis of knowledge, wisdom and virtue, which are the position of man, who is in midway between animals and angels.
It is the need of the hour to detail on ignorance and knowledge in the era of misinterpreting the revealed as well as modern scientific knowledge from real crux. This study analyses them in the light of Ihya Ulumuddin and Risale-i Nur, being the indispensable guides for mankind. As appraised by Prophet(S) upon the sign of the world's end which is the decline in knowledge and increase in ignorance, the study has great prevalence on the excellence of knowledge to eradicate the traumas as a result of ignorance.
Educational Dualism in the Muslim World and the way forward:
A Comparative Study of Educational Thought of Mawlana Madoodi and Bediüzzaman Said Nursi
Sheikh Javaid Ayub, Government Degree College Kilam Kulgam, India
There is no denying of the fact that Islam lays a great thrust on education but the duality in the education system has created a huge gulf between the secular and the sacred. Religious educational institutions have been cut off from the scientific knowledge and hence from the world altogether, and the secular educational institutions are cut off from the Wahi (the Divine guidance), hence cut off from the other world. Under the prevailing setup, both systems are inadequate to produce the desired man-the Khalifa. Therefore, integration of both streams of knowledge is accepted as the only solution not only for the progress and development of the Muslim world but also for curbing and eliminating fundamentalism and religious intolerance.
The paper aims to find solutions to this dualism in the views of Syed Mawdoodi and Said Nursi. Both Mawdudi and Nursi have advocated an integrated system of education where the worldly and the other-worldly knowledge can be clubbed together. However, it is to be admitted that Mawdoodi, while presenting his model of integrated system of education, is more concerned about Islamic state while as Said Nursi, on the other hand seems more concerned for building a progressive state, indeed Islamic, but not conservative. Mawdoodi’s educational approach is ideology centric while Nursi's approach is faith based. The study aims to understand comparatively and critically the educational thoughts of Mawlana Mawdoodi and Said Nursi.
Key Words: Madrasa education, Risale-i-Nur, Medresetu’z-Zehra, Integration of education, Mawdoodi and education, Said Nursi and education.
Reading Said Nursi on Reason and Revelation
Firdousa Akhtar, Aligarh Muslim University, India
In Islam, knowledge holds a prime importance so much so that the very revelation of the Qur’an began with the imperative “read!” Knowledge precedes even the faith (Q.47:19)—the fundamental basis of ultimate salvation. Though Islam is primarily rooted in the revelation, it does not negate or undermine the other sources of knowledge, viz. senses, reason and intuition. The Qur’an itself approves of and encourages the seeking of the knowledge obtained from sources other than revelation. However, while revealed knowledge is certain, acquired knowledge is always probable. Besides, all these sources of knowledge except revelation have their own domains beyond the range of which they cease to operate validly. In the modern period, through the Enlightenment project which equated reason with God, it was claimed that human reason alone can provide solutions to all problems and answers to all questions including the existential ones. Reason alone was considered to be the measure of all valid knowledge and contrary to revelation. Said Nursi responding to this challenge, extolled the reason for, according to him, it helps in making the world a better place as well as a more sound understanding of faith.
The present paper seeks to study Nursi’s views on reason and revelation in order to bring to fore how both the sources are important in their own places for the welfare of humanity herein and Hereafter.
Key Words: Reason, Revelation, Knowledge, Islam, and Nursi
Nursi's Concept of 'the Self' as the Basis of Monotheism: A Psychological Analysis
Aroosa Meraj, Riphah International University, Pakistan
This study presents a critical analysis of the self in relation to the concept of monotheism in the writings and discourse of Bediuzaman Said Nursi. In Qur'an, Nafs is used for a set of different traits of itself, on behalf of the usual English translation is "soul". Nursi was a devout scholar between 1876 and 1960, who was not only a religious, but also a spiritualist, and lived as an activist in Turkey. The meaning of this reading is that the nursery's conceptions and ideas are closely linked to the notion of God that has been debated in connection with popular Western and religious thought. For Said Nursi, a true concept of understanding of the ego (self) was essential if an individual’s true potential was to be fulfilled. The nafs’s ever-changing structure and dynamic can be understood by ana, which is an individual’s tool performing as a unit of measure. Ana is just an image happening to the mirror (nafs), which reflects the divine name and attributes. However, if Sunnah and divine revelation didn’t guide Nafs, when it is reflected in the mirror, it can easily claim to be its source and owner. Understanding the reality of things is possible only if an individual can come up with an approach from which to reach the meaning of things in a domain is not limited to human benefit. The study shows that in the human soul, the nafs’s meaning is the influence of annoyance and anger and is the source of the presence
Bediuzzaman Said Nursi’s Perspective on Education: An Overview
Safa Altaf, Kashmir University, J&K, India
This paper highlights Bediuzzaman Said Nursi’s perspective on education. His canon on education is beyond what can be observed. His intellectual stimulus had spill-over effects and continues to be identified in the present day Islamic world. His concept of integrated curriculum can be elucidated from his Madrasa Zahra model that promotes teaching of positive sciences in religious schools while religious subjects in secular schools to make sure the products of religious education are preserved from religious intolerance and products of secular one from irreligious ethics. He integrated modern science and religion into a holistic model for the welfare of people in general and Muslims in particular. His perspective point out that Islam is a drive towards education and enlightenment with holy Quran being the base for the society.
Keywords: Nursi, Education, Holy Quran, Muslims, Madrasa Zahra.
Contemporary Madrasah Education System and Bediuzaman Said Nursi's Vision: A Futuristic Approach
Showkat Hussain, Islamic University of Science and Technology Awantipora, J&K, India
The Madrasah education and its curriculum has become a hot debate in contemporary times. Despite its contribution to the knowledge evolution and intellectual awakening, the pedagogy and curricula of the Madaris has been a matter of concern among the Muslim intellectuals since 19th century A.D. The curriculum of a Madrasah was usually set by its founder in consultation with reputed Ulama and jurists who had better experiences of both, the text and the time. In contrast to the Indian subcontinent, the Ottoman Madaris had a number of different branches of study, such as calligraphic sciences, oral sciences, spiritual sciences and intellectual sciences; they primarily served the function of an Islamic centre for intellectual tradition. Beduzamman Said Nursi (1876-1960) had a much better vision of the Islamic education system during the modern times. He opines: "The goal of all knowledge and in particular, of the spiritual sciences is the knowledge of God”. His views on modern Islamic education were reflected in Kulliyat –i- Rasail Nur , where an attempt had been made to initiate an institution catering the need for both the spiritual and the rational aspects of knowledge. The present paper as such, will highlight the contemporary Madrasah education, its nature and dimensions and the futuristic illumination of said Nursi regarding the structure of Islamic education system in the modern times.
Keywords: Madrasah, Futuristic, Ilm, Iman, Spiritual, Rational
Reviving the Traditional Religious Education in India: Lessons from the Thoughts of Said Nursi
Hassan Shareef, SAFI Institute of Advanced Study, University of Calicut, India
One of the greatest destruction brought by Western-style of educational reformation was the separation of worldly functions from the border of religion. In fact this havoc has not confined to the west only but we witness the influence of its waves in other parts of eastern Muslim world as well and more significantly in India itself. At the present time one of the most important social problem faced by today’s Muslim society is the pressure on whether to follow the tenets of Islam completely or to go behind the advancement of western science and technology.
It is a fascinating truth that education has a great role in the transmission and renovation of the culture of a society. The system of education determines the ends and goals of its people. Approaching to the pathetic condition of education system of contemporary Muslim world there is an urgent need of further research on the nature of curriculum and syllabus Muslim institutions. Interestingly Bediuzzaman Said Nursi had already overlooked the educational issues of Muslim world and he came forward with the paradigm of integration of both Islamic and modernized education. The solution was to teach positive sciences at religious schools and religious teachings at modernized schools. His aim was to establish a world famous university of the East with the name ‘Madrasat-Ul-Zahra’.
This paper we will be analysing the above problems faced by Muslim community in the absence of an integrated curriculum like idea behind the Madrasat-Ul-Zuhra project.
Keywords: Social issues, Education system, Madrasat-ul-Zahra
Curriculum Integration - A Study of Said Nursi’s Model Approach of Integrating Religion and Science
Syed Zahoor and Irfan Bashir Mir, Central University of Kashmir Srinagar J&K, India
Bediuzzaman Said Nursi (1877-1960) is one of the twentieth century’s visionary Muslim thinker and great scholar from Turkey, who developed his ideas on Educational reforms and devised his own method of teaching, combining the religious education with modern scientific education. His views about integration of religious education and modern scientific education are very positive and relevant given the backwardness of Muslims in the educational field worldwide. The Madrasah al-Zahra Model given by Said Nursi stands for “integration of knowledge” and has taken full cognizance of the needs of scholars on multidimensional approach viz, religion, science and morality. Nursian model provides an alternative which meets the challenges of the modern world and also presses upon the much needed values that education should imbibe to face the new challenges in the wake of westernization of education which leads to cultural and moral onslaught. The Integration of knowledge aims to address the problems of education so as to develop a fruitful and healthy interaction between religious education and modern scientific education. The unique civilizational features of the Madrasah al-Zahra model make it a most suitable and culturally viable model for Muslims world all over the globe in particular and the common educant in particular. Therefore, studying this model in depth is highly desirable in the context of the contemporary pedagogical and epistemological issues of integrated Education.
Contribution of Bediüzzaman Said Nursi as an Islamic Educationalist in Secular Turkey
Shakoor Alam, Lahore Garrison University Lahore, Pakistan
Badiuzzaman Said Nursi was a great educationist and reformer in the twentieth Century in Turkey. His role was significant in changing the society. His life struggle was throughout against the secular education system in Turkey. He introduced many Islamic Models of education in order to meet the challenges of the world. One of his best models is called Madrasah Zahra. This research aims to study the role of Badiuzzaman Said Nursi as an Islamic educationalist in secular Turkey during 1924 to 1950. This research will find the methods and science models provided by him. This is an evaluation study of the basic theme of Risail-i-Nur on education. It will analyze his books and translated works available in Urdu and English on how he educated people successfully to secure their faith from secularism, This paper on “Badiuzzaman Said Nursi as an Islamic Educationalist” will focus on all these issues through constant objectivity and analysis.
Keywords: Badiuzzaman Said Nursi, Risail-i-Nur, Islamic educationalist, Madrasah Zahra, Secular Trurkey, Contribution, educational reforms
Towards Reconstruction of Revelation Based Civilization: A Nursian Perspective
Faris Kaya, Nursi Society, Turkey
Nursi does not categorize civilization as “east” or “west” or as “Muslim” or “Non-Muslim”; for him the mentality of people makes the civilization acceptable or unacceptable. Hence he does not categorically reject or accept any civilization without detailed critical analysis. In his Magnum Opus Qur’anic commentary - The Risale-i Nur; whenever a critical analysis of civilization is done he lists positive and negative aspects of the respective civilization. His concept of civilization is based on revelation-driven values such as hope, love, brotherhood, truthfulness, humility, freedom, sense of justice ,awareness of life, equality and compassion. He provides a detailed critical analysis of the revelation and philosophy-based civilizations in the form of a comparative study ; force versus truth, benefit versus virtue (God’s pleasure ), conflict versus mutual assistance , etc. Nursi’s concept of civilization is deep in meaning and cannot be described with surface matters such as exterior appearance or artificial behaviours. Revelation in general and Qur’an in particular has the essence of the above mentioned values that is the origin of revelation-based civilization.
Relevance of Said Nursi’s Thought of Sustainable Development with Modern Economic Crisis
Iqbal Malik, Assistant Professor, Higher Education and Dr. Zeenat Akhtar, Kashmir University, India
Islam is revealed religion which Allah has revealed to His Prophets and in final form to the last Prophet Muhammad(saas), it has both doctrinal and social and economic system which is universal, permanent and related to each other. With passage of time the widening of Muslim World and development of the socia-economic system, the need of rules and regulation were also increased. So in order to find the solution of a problem or issue every scholar exerts his intellect to find the solution. Syed Nursi’s was also one among them who was attributed to the very method which may be summarized with two phrases: 'jihad of the word' or 'non-physical jihad', and 'positive action in order to cope with crises which Ottoman Empire faced during his lifetime. He also exert his intellect to frame the concept of sustainable development which means quality enhancement of human and other spheres through satisfying their basic needs. In this paper we intend to highlight what Said Nursi’s thought of sustainable development and how it helps us to cope with the modern economic crises. As it is well said that time is the best exegesis of knowledge.
Keywords: Islamic economic system, Ummah, Muslim History, sustainable development
Reason and Revelation as a Tool for Education: Epistemic Justification of "Burhan-i Natik" as an Establishing Ground Proof for Argumentation
İsmail Latif Hacınebioğlu, İstanbul University, Turkey
Epistemic justification of thoughts will allow to analyse theirs roots and principles for developing concepts and ideas. Conceptual and proportional preferences in any thinking process give the ground of their justifications. Demonstration of argumentation for valid reasoning in given justifications are laid on various types. In logical analysis classically Burhan refers to clear, distinct and strong argumentation on sound proofs. Concept of Burhan is also used as one of definition of holy Qur'an along with as an attribute of God. It can be thought that there are three main source of knowledge for abstraction in Islam about God, the holy book as living text, book of universe as experienced phenomena and the prophet who speaks about it as living phenomena. They may be counted as three languages which correspond to each other. In this sense the Prophet is Burhan-i Natik who is described as "Wa ma yantiqu anil hewa" in Quran. Epistemologically He is counted as source of certain knowledge and practice of its relations to actuality with burhan-i siddiqiyyin. In this paper I will try to sketch out the evaluation of Burhan-i natik as a source of epistemic ground for justification of knowledge as a kind of signifier language. I also emphasize Moses and Jesus (AS) the context of prophethood as in Judeo-Chrisitan and Islamic understandings for demonstration of epistemic preferences.
Islamic Economics as a Paradigm and the Views of Bediüzzaman Said Nursi
Nazir Ul Islam, University of Kashmir Srinagar, India
Islamic economics as a paradigm emerged as an alternative to capitalism and socialism. Islamic economy is an ethical alternative to capitalism and socialism. Being a discipline based on the sources of the religion of Islam got its title as Islamic Economics.Many Muslim scholars have contributed to this field of study; Syed Bediuzzaman Nursi is one among them. A good amount of literature of Said Nursi is on the various aspects of economics and finance. He has explained that Islam avoids resorting to monopoly, usury and injustice. Workmen under a capitalist economic system are exploited and left to suffer humiliation and poverty. Thus, the Muslim Ummah needs to study in deep the contribution of scholars like Bediuzzaman Said Nursi in various aspects of life, including economics. It is only through these efforts that Muslims can take steps as quickly as possible. This study is an attempt to highlight Said Nursi’s views on economic issues through the teaching of Qur’an and Sunnah.
Keywords: Capitalism, Iman ,Islamic Economics, Justice, Usury
Anthropological and Pluralistic Dimension in the Thought of Said Nursi
Rabia Siddiq, IUST Dept of Islamic Studies, J&K, India
Said Nursi, famous as “Bediuzzaman” or peerless, was a great Islamic thinker who influenced generations of intelligentsia in the modern era. A wide variety of intellectual and ideological forces influenced his life and thought. He became a brilliant commentator by responding to the demands, problems and sophistication of the modern era. His theological thought absorbed reflections of different Islamic classical sciences. The key to understanding Nursi’s intense commitment to human beings is his anthropological and pluralistic thought. He discussed Man as missive, comprehensive self which reflects Almighty’s Divine Names. His conscious fragility reflects the All Powerful and Compassionate One. But at the same time Nursi was committed to the peculiarities of different traditions. He believes Islam is one true religion and accepts that it cannot dominate the whole public sphere. So he was committed to a peaceful coexistence and argues for a rich alternative which affirms diversity, conversation and toleration.
Some Root Causes of Muslim Extremism
Sulaiman Lebbe and Mohamed Rifai, SOAS, UK
Portrayal of Women Issues in Said Nursi's Work: A Guide For Women
Afroz Bisati, Islamic University of Science and technology, Awantipora Kashmir, India
Badiuzzaman Said Nursi through his Risale-i Nur addressed myriad issues of contemporary importance. However in this article the author intends to explore his opinion on women issues with reference to his work 'A Guide For Women' and other writings scattered over in Risale-i Nur. The result of this qualitative study highlights that Said Nursi has discussed several women issues, had a profound opinion about them, and also advocated how to utilize women potential properly.
The New Elements of Reformation: A Study of Said Nursi's Approach
Khalid Hussain Mir & Dr. Rafique Anjum, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Kashmir, India
The concept of Tajdid (renewal) and Islah (reform) has strong evidences in Islam based on the Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet (SAAS). The preaching of Islam and the reform of innovative practices have been presented as the revival of true religion. Islamic history has witnessed a number of reformers and reformative movements whose ultimate purpose was to bring the existing realities and social changes in line with the inspirational and universal standard of the Quran and the Sunnah through a process of restoration and reform to reformulate and reinterpret the popular notions of Islam. During the modern age the idea of Tajdid and Islah are the most commonly mentioned terms applied in the process of reshaping the identities and in the cultural confrontation with the Western thought and ideology. Badiuzzaman Said Nursi was one among the great leaders, preachers, thinkers and reformers of the 20th century who used his efforts to educate people to bring them back to the real tenets of faith and played a great role for the transformation of the Turkish Muslim society in particular and Whole Muslim community in general. Having deep insight on the changing circumstances he realized that the decline of the Shari‘ah leads to the establishment of dictatorial and tyrannical regimes. He was a profound educationist with a visionary thought who developed a new educational curriculum based on the combination of religious sciences with modern sciences. So this paper aims to analyze the elements of reformation in the Dawah of Badiuzzaman Said Nursi.
Key Words: Islam, Knowledge, Reform, Risale-i Nur, Society, Thought, Westernization.
Spirituality in the Light of Bediüzzaman Said Nursi’s Risale-i Nur
Sabreen and Iqbal Qurayshi, Markaz-i-Noor, University of Kashmir and Centre for Spiritual Studies, Islamic University, Kashmir, India
Bediuzzaman Nursi was one of the leading Islamic scholars who had studied not only traditional sciences but modern science as well. It was because of his outstanding acumen that Nursi had earned the name of Badiuzzaman. His life depicts the extreme struggle and sacrifice which he had for the cause of Islam. He was the active scholar who sought the interests of Islam by actively engaging in public life. During the years of his exile, imprisonment and isolation, he wrote the treatise of light called Risala-e Nur. This is the treatise which explains and expounds the basic tenets of belief, the truths of Quran to modern man. The writings of Nursi are so popular that the concept of spirituality comes itself pulsating through the treatise of Risala-e Nur. The whole treatise is filled with vibrant spirituality. In every part of Nursi’s treatise one experiences an eternal union with God. Nursi’s life was filled with the experience which proves that he had union with the eternal reality. He was inspired by the teachings and writings of spiritual leaders and pioneers of tariqah, sufi orders. Some of them are Shaykh Abdul Qadir Gilani, Imam Rabbani, Shaykh Ahmed Sirhindi, Imam Gazzali and Shah Naqshband.
The present paper will bring forth the concepts related to spirituality vis a vis Risala-e Nur. Further it will pave the way to study the experiences which Nursi had during the course of his life. The paper will also highlight how his treatise demonstrates that progress and happiness could be achieved through the way of the Quran.
Keywords: Risala-e Nur, Spirituality, Sufi orders.
Faith in the Concept of Bediüzzaman Said Nursi
Anwar Sadath Ali, SAFI Institute of Advanced Study, Affiliated to Calicut University, India
Bediuzzaman Said Nursi was born in eastern part of Turkey in 1877. He was a scholar of the highest standing having studied not only traditional religious sciences, but also modern science and technology. Therefore he was titled Bediuzzaman; wonder of the Age in his youth as a result of his outstanding ability and learning. Bediuzzaman died in 1960 at the age of 83 after struggle and self-sacrifice in the cause of Islam the big work and achievement done by Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, could be seen through His book Risale-i Nur collection about 5000 pages in which different subjects are cited. In the first reading, it may seem as an exegesis of the Glorious Qur‟an but at the second and third reading it may be different. Aspects of some other branches of knowledge such as theology, psychology, history, philosophy, cosmology, economics, physics, medicine, law and technology will all prove an integral part of Risale-i Nur. Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, considers Al-Iman (Faith) as his main goal in his writings.
This paper presents Nursi’s ideas on fundamentals of faith in Islam as articulated in Risale–i-Nur. The main focus here is to explore some of Nursi’s opinions of Said Nursi on the fundamentals of faith. In other words this article will explore the fundamentals of faith in Islam with special reference to Risale –i-Nur.
Risale-i Nur & Response to Atheism
Iqura Fatima Iqbal, Jamia Millia Islamia, India
Saīd Nursi’s Risāle-iNur was not written as a work of pure philosophy. Nursi considered himself as a student of the Qur’ān, not a student of philosophy. He blends Qur’anic topical commentary and philosophy harmoniously with a specific emphasis on four terms: mʿanà-iismī(self-referential meaning), mʿanà-iḥarfī(other-indicative meaning), nazar (point of view) and niyyah (intention). Four arguments appear to be dominant in Nursi’s writings. These Nursian ways of arguing for the existence of God are: apparent design in the universe (kitāb-ıkāināt), the existence of prophets (nubuwwah), the existence of scriptures (waḥy) and conscience/primordial human nature (wijdān/fıṭrat-ıbashar). In his voluminous work of some six thousand pages, Nursi never addresses the atheists, materialists or naturalists by their names. He rather puts their arguments on the table and tries to refute them using science and reason. His texts were initially written for the general Muslim public in the Ottoman Empire and later in Turkey, who was under serious attack by the USSR’s aggressive atheism and by negative philosophical influences from the West, which became the main tenets of the newly established Turkish secular republic in 1923.In my paper I will try to explore the ideas of BediuzzamanSaid Nursi as expressed in his Risale I Noor regarding the Atheism.
Keywords: Topical Commentary, atheist, Materialist,Naturalist, Nazar, Niyyah, Wahhy, Nubuwat
Refutation of the Ideas of the Atheists and Materialists through Risale Nur
Aijaz Ahmad, Aligarh Muslim University, India
Said Nursi was the witness of the final decades of the caliphate, the collapse and dismemberment of Ottoman Empire after World War I, the implementation of the secular reforms which are anti-Islamic and anti-religious. These changes make modern Turkey completely secular. In this critical period when materialism and atheism was its peak, science and philosophy were used to mislead the young generation. Atheists tried to prove that Islam is a backward religion and barriers in the progress of science and technology. They portrayed the image of Islam as a vestige of a medieval mentality, and it is responsible for the weakness and backwardness of the Muslims. All is done in the name of modernisation and contemporary thinking. In this critical condition Said Nursi represented the moral and spiritual strength of Islam in the most effective, profound and intellectual way. He dedicated his whole life in teaching, explaining, and spreading the truth of the faith at a time when Muslims had lost their confidence in their belief and their faith became very weak.
In this paper an attempt has been made to highlight those ideas and thoughts of the Atheist and Materialists which mislead the young Muslim Youth of the world in the name of modernisation. Said Nursi refuted the misleading ideas of the Atheists through his writings specially Risale Nur which played an important part in strengthening the belief and faith of the Muslims of Turkey.
Keywords: Atheist, Materialist, faith, belief , Risale Nur, science and philosophy.
Riposte to Secularism: The Nursian Approach
Saba Irshad Ansari, Aligarh Muslim University, India
The word 'secularism' has received more attention and appreciation than any other western ideology in recent times. The problem actually arose when Muslim thinkers adopted these western concepts without scrutinizing them in accordance with the Islamic fundamentals. The beginning of Kemalist Turkey brought in its wake utter degradation of Islamic values and teachings, the revivification of which was left only to one man, Said Nursi. Of many reforms that Nursi proposed, it is his endeavor of bridging the gap between Secular and Sacred that the present paper seeks to bring to the fore. The paper humbly attempts to discuss secularism, it's impact on the future generations, and view it through Nursi's standpoint who stood as a bulwark in the face of the exceedingly western Kemalist regime and counterfeited it with the scientific temperament. The study uses a descriptive type of research strategy as the aim is to describe the phenomenon of secularism, gauge it's baneful effect, and propose an alternative viewed through Nursi's perspective.
Reminisces on the Religious Philosophy of Said Nursi
Binish Qadri, Central University of Kashmir, India
The philosophy of Said Nursi is an expression of heterodox, eccentric, and unconventional views on Sufism and an attentiveness for the one and all. His intellectual, mystical, and spiritual stimulus continues to be distinguished in the contemporary Islamic world. The present study acknowledged the important role of Said Nursi in the integration of religion and modern secular sciences into an all-inclusive integrated framework for the emancipation of moral values in the people of not only Muslim part of the world but the whole mankind. In addition, he emphasized that Islam is a path towards enlightenment and Quran is the ultimate knowledge and guidance and he who learned it by heart will certainly resuscitate faith, spread education, build scientific temper and rethink the paradigm and hypothesis of Bediüzzaman in the Muslim realm. That is to say that his philosophy is a modest walk in the direction of rethinking our approach towards faith, education and science or a good interface among them. The literature on Said Nursi is indeed a great asset not only for the Muslim culture but also for the development of Sufism, Tariqa and its allied subjects (Machasin, 20059) in the world. For that reason, the present study embarked upon the journey of reentering Said Nursi’s philosophy in order to become a civilized individual.