Risale Roundtable

We learned from our readings last week that all the good that occurs in the world is attributable wholly to Allah.  This week, we ask whether any of the evil that occurs in the world is also attributable to Allah.  We learn that nothing that Allah creates - none of the physical events He causes - are actually evil.  Certain physical events may appear evil, but are in fact merely 'ap...

This discussion is based on The Eighteenth Word of Bediuzzaman Said Nursi's Risale-i Nur.  This section of the Risale pertains to the issue of egotism, and its relation to shirk or the attribution of partners to Allah.  Matters discussed include the scope of egotism, how easily it can be committed, its impact on the affirmation of Divine Unity, and related issues.

Most Muslims would be aware that Paradise is a Divine favour.  It is granted on the basis of Divine generosity and compassion - it is not something we become entitled to on the basis of our good deeds.  What is the reason for this?  Is it merely because we cannot do enough in a finite life to deserve an infinite reward, or is there more to the matter than this?  We discuss thes...

A discussion of the story of Prophet Yunus (as), and the supplication he made to Allah whilst in the belly of a whale.   Based on the First Flash of the Risale-i Nur.  Issues discussed include the reason for the acceptability of this supplication, its relation to the notions of Divine Oneness (ahadiyyah) and Divine Unity (tawhid), and the lesson we should draw from the event.

A discussion of Allah's eternality, and the invocation, 'Oh Enduring One, You are the Enduring One' (Ya Bâqî, antal Bâqî). Based on Bediuzzaman Said Nursi's Third Flash, which acts as a tafsir of the verse, "Everything will perish save His Countenance.  His is the command, and to Him shall you be returned".

A discussion on racism, based on Bediuzzaman Said Nursi's discussion of tribalism and nationalism in his Twenty Sixth Letter, Third Topic.  Issues discussed include the Muslim position on racism, how racism differs from 'positive nationalism', what racism amounts to, spiritually speaking, and whether committing racist behaviour 'in the heat of the moment' significantly mitigates its sinfulness.

A discussion of patience, and three different contexts in which the believer is required to exhibit it.  Based on the Twenty Third Letter of the Risale-i Nur, Fourth Question.  Also discussed is a verse from Surah Yusuf in which Yaqub (as) is said to say, "I only complain of my suffering and grief to Allah..."  Does this verse mean we can never speak of our difficulties to anyone ot...

A discussion of the nafs al-ammara (instinctual or evil-commanding soul), and how the fast of Ramadan can train it.  Also discussed is why Allah would burden us with such a soul in the first place.  Based on the Twenty-Ninth Letter of the Risale-i Nur, and selected readings from The Flashes.

A discussion of the Sunni position that human choices have no effect in the physical world unless Allah gives physical effect to them.  Also discussed is how this notion of khalq-i af'al (the 'creation of actions') impacts on the freedom of the human will and human accountability.  Based on Bediuzzaman Said Nursi's Twenty-Sixth Word on Divine Determining.

In this session, we briefly discuss two more benefits in the fast of Ramadan: enhanced thankfulness and enhanced compassion for others.  Based on the Second and Third Points of Bediuzzaman Said Nursi's Treatise on Ramadan (The Second Treatise of the Twenty-Ninth Letter, Risale-i Nur).

If actions must be done purely for Allah's sake in order to count as sincere, can we nonetheless expect gratitude from those whom we help or serve?  Based on the Twenty Fourth Flash of the Risale-i Nur.  Issues discussed include sincerity, worship, compassion and gratitude. 

A discussion on worship, what is expected of the worshipper, and the ultimate goal of the worshipper.  Based on the Twenty Third Word of the Risale-i Nur (Second Chapter, Fifth Remark).

A discussion on one of the wisdoms in the fast of Ramadan.  Based on the Second Part of the Twenty Ninth Letter, Risale-i Nur.

Following on from our session last week: A discussion on the general reason why Muslims are made to suffer calamities like earthquakes or viruses - based on the 'Addendum to the Fourteenth Word', Risale-i Nur.

A discussion on the notions of 'weakness and poverty', and their relation to belief in God, and the present health crisis.  (Based on the Twenty Third Word of the Risale-i Nur - Second Chapter, Fourth Remark.)

A discussion focussed on Quranic verses such as, "Who takes as his god his own desires..." (45:23). Based on part of the Twenty Eight Flash of the Risale-i Nur.

A discussion on the difference between the 'reason' for doing acts of worship, and the 'wisdom' or 'benefits' in doing them.  Based on the 27th Word of the Risale-i Nur. 

In our last episode for 2019, we read and discuss a short section of the Twenty Eighth Flash on the question of whether it is just that the unbeliever is imprisoned in Hell for infinite time, despite committing an offence of finite duration.  In discussing Bediuzzaman's response to this, we revisit a number of fundamental issues, including: Divine purposes in the creation of humankind and the...

This episode is based on a short section of the Twenty Eighth Flash of the Risale-i Nur.  In this Flash, Bediuzzaman Said Nursi notes that when the literal meaning of a Quranic verse expresses a very obvious truth, then other meanings must be intended.  Thus, in the verse, "I do not want from them any provision, nor do I want them to feed Me," (Quran 51:57) the intended meaning is not me...

A discussion on the issue of 'criticism' and the spiritual or metaphysical effects of non-constructive criticism.  Based on the Second Rule of the Twenty First Flash, Risale-i Nur.

Last week, we saw that on Bediuzzaman's view, the commission of even major sins is not tantamount to unbelief. This week, we examine a related issue - the status of the person who persists in the commission of a given sin. We consider what it means for such a person's heart to become blackened or stained, and how this blackening can be reconciled with with the above view that sin is not tantamount...

A discussion at the University of Melbourne Islamic Society based on Thirteenth Flash of the Risale-i Nur. This week, we consider Bediuzzaman Said Nursi's view on the issue of whether the commission of grievous sins is tantamount to unbelief. As part of this, we consider the played by the instinctual soul or nafs in the commission of sins.

Discussion on the nature and function of angels. Based on Bediuzzaman Said Nursi's Twenty Ninth Word.

Part 2 of our discussion, which we commenced last week, on the question of evil. Last week, we argued that the contingent justice in this world is best explained through God, Who has justice (‘adalah) as a necessary and essential attribute. Apparent evils like natural disasters and illnesses are not in fact evil, since their purpose is to make good known (among other benefits). This week, we tackl...

Part 1 of a two-part series on the question of evil. With selected readings from the Thirteenth Flash and other parts of the Risale-i Nur. This week, we ask: why do we take Allah to be a Being of absolute justice? Next week, inshallah, we will consider whether the converse could be true: could the ultimate reality and creator of the universe be a being of absolute injustice?