Said Nursi: A Life of Wisdom, Struggle, and Faith
Said Nursi was born in 1878 in a village in the Eastern part of Turkey. He passed away on March 23, 1960, in Southeastern Turkey.
His Wisdom and Education
Said Nursi, possessing a keen mind, an extraordinary memory, and outstanding abilities, drew attention to himself from an early age. He completed his education in the traditional madrasah system in an astonishingly short time—about three months—a process that typically takes many years under normal conditions.
His youth was marked by an active pursuit of knowledge, and his superiority in science and scholarship became evident during discussions with scholars of the time. Due to his exceptional intellect and capabilities, Said Nursi began to be called Bediüzzaman, meaning “the wonder of the age.”
After mastering Islamic sciences in the madrasah, Said Nursi delved into various modern sciences, followed contemporary newspapers, and closely observed developments in his country and the world. Through firsthand experience, he recognized the pressing issues in the Eastern regions where he was born and raised, concluding that education was the most urgent need.
His Efforts for Education and Reform
In 1907, Said Nursi traveled to Istanbul to advocate for the establishment of a university in the East, where modern and religious sciences would be taught together. In Istanbul, he quickly gained recognition in intellectual circles and contributed articles to newspapers. He actively participated in discussions on freedom and constitutionalism, which were prominent topics in Istanbul and across the Ottoman Empire at the time. Nursi supported constitutionalism, arguing that it was compatible with Islamic principles.
Despite his efforts to mediate during the March 31, 1909, incident, he was falsely accused and put on trial in a martial court. However, after delivering a heroic defense, he was acquitted. Following this, he left Istanbul and returned to the East.
His Role in the First World War
When the First World War broke out, Said Nursi was in Van. He immediately formed a volunteer militia regiment composed of his students and joined the battlefront in Eastern Anatolia against the invading Russian army. He played a crucial role in defending the region, and many of his students became martyrs. Nursi himself was wounded and captured by the Russians while defending the land. After spending nearly three years as a prisoner of war in Russia, he managed to escape and returned to Istanbul via Warsaw, Vienna, and Sofia.
Upon his return, he was warmly welcomed by statesmen and scholars and was appointed to the Dar al-Hikmah al-Islamiyyah, an institution established to address contemporary religious issues and counter anti-Islamic movements within the framework of Islamic principles.
Bediüzzaman used the income from this official position to print and distribute his books for free. During the occupation of Istanbul, he played a significant role by distributing his pamphlet Hutuvat-ı Sitte (Six Steps), which thwarted the plans of the Allied occupation forces. He also issued a counter-fatwa against the fatwa declaring the National Forces in Anatolia as rebels, thereby legitimizing the national liberation movement.
His Relationship with the National Movement
Due to his contributions, Bediüzzaman was highly regarded by the National Assembly in Anatolia and was repeatedly invited to Ankara. He eventually traveled to Ankara in late 1922 and was officially welcomed in the Assembly. However, during his stay, he observed that the dominant political administration’s approach to religion was unfavorable. In response, he wrote a 10-point declaration urging the architects of the new reforms to protect Islamic symbols and practices. He also held several meetings with Mustafa Kemal .
Despite being offered prestigious positions such as Eastern Public Preacher, deputy, and membership in the Board of Religious Affairs, Bediüzzaman declined all offers and returned to Van. He had no connection with the Sheikh Said rebellion and even attempted to dissuade Sheikh Said from his actions when the latter sought his support.
A Man of Peace
Following the rebellion, Bediüzzaman was forcibly taken from his seclusion in Van and exiled first to Burdur and then to Barla, a village in Isparta. There, he began his mission of “saving faith” by writing works that articulated the fundamentals of belief. These writings, collectively known as the Risale-i Nur (Epistles of Light), quickly gained popularity among people whose faith was under threat. The handwritten copies of his works exceeded 600,000 in number.
The Risale-i Nur Collection
The Risale-i Nur collection, which spans over 6,000 pages, became the cornerstone of Bediüzzaman’s life mission. Despite constant persecution, surveillance, and trials, he continued his service with unwavering determination. His works, inspired by divine guidance, provide logical and profound answers to the challenges of the modern age, proving the truths of the Qur’an and its miraculous nature.
Today, the Risale-i Nur is read in homes around the world in numerous languages, offering timeless wisdom and addressing the spiritual and intellectual needs of contemporary society.
