A guide that reveals the purpose of life…

President of Üsküdar University Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan attended the “Nur Education Program Award Ceremony” organized by the Nur Science and Education Foundation. In his speech, Tarhan emphasized that Risale-i Nur is an important thought system that responds to the spiritual and intellectual needs of contemporary people, stating that ilm-i kelam should be brought to broad masses. Tarhan stated that Bediüzzaman Said Nursi's works are based on an investigative (tahkik) method that addresses both reason and heart, adding that Risale-i Nur serves as an important guide that facilitates reaching the truth, contributes to understanding the purpose of life, and allows for faith-related topics to be grasped in a shorter time. 

Many names attended the award ceremony held at the Başakşehir Municipality Congress Center Conference Hall. 

“Ilm-i Kelam needs to descend to elementary school level”

Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, stating that Ilm-i Kelam needs to reach broad masses, began his words by saying; “We are in a time when Ilm-i Kelam needs to descend to high school, even elementary school level. One of the figures who achieved this was Bediüzzaman Said Nursi. We see that Ilm-i Kelam needs to be conveyed to broad masses. Imam Ghazali defines ilm-i kelam as 'havas ilmi' (science of the elite). This means he states that this science can be discussed among those occupied with knowledge, religious sciences, Arabic, and higher sciences. If Imam Ghazali were alive today, he would probably follow the path taken by Bediüzzaman Said Nursi. If he lived in this era, he would produce new answers to old questions by considering the realities of the age.” 

A third source introducing Allah: The Book of the Universe

Tarhan, stating that one should look to the Holy Quran to know Allah, said; “Until now, it was known that there were two main sources introducing Allah: the Holy Quran and the Messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad. However, there is a third source introducing Allah, which is the book of the universe. Especially with the widespread use of the internet today, I tell young people, 'When you examine DNA, quantum physics, biology, or the human body on the internet, you see that all of them are products of design. If there is design somewhere, there is a designer; if there is art somewhere, there is an artist; if there is a painting somewhere, there is a painter. When we see these works of art and order in the universe, to think that they do not have an artist is incompatible with the rules of reason and logic.' This truth needed to be expressed. In the book 'The Conscience of the Age,' Bediüzzaman Said Nursi was approached, in a sense, from the perspective of biography and psychobiography.”

“A great undiscovered treasure of thought” 

Tarhan, touching upon the concept of neuroleadership, said; “The meaning represented by the circumambulation (Tawaf) around the Kaaba is the pleasure of Allah. That is, we think not of the physical structure of the Kaaba, but of the embodied state of Allah's pleasure. This is also a manifestation of sincerity. We do not sacralize the stone of the Kaaba; we consider it sacred to center Allah's pleasure there. The ritual of stoning the devil in the Hajj pilgrimage is another dimension of this. Here, symbolically, three types of devils are combated. The first are human devils, meaning individuals who walk among us in human guise and represent evil; the second are jinn and spiritual devils; and the third is the great devil within one's own self (nafs). The real struggle begins in a person's inner world. This is one of the most striking aspects of Bediüzzaman Said Nursi. He often begins his texts by addressing 'Oh, my nafs!' (self). That is, before explaining to people, he sets forth a process of transformation starting with his own self. This approach also aligns with the neuroleadership concept expressed in modern psychology and management sciences as 'One who cannot lead oneself cannot lead others.' From this perspective, the Risale-i Nur works represent a great treasure of thought that has not yet been fully discovered.”

“Risale-i Nur works: an explanatory and interpretive thought system” 

Tarhan, speaking about Bediüzzaman Said Nursi's methods for understanding the truth, said; “Modal logic is a form of thinking known today as probability logic and lies at the foundation of artificial intelligence. This system is based on the idea that the human brain functions like a type of prediction machine. This approach, considered a highly valued logic within modern logic since the 1920s, also forms the basis of artificial intelligence technologies today. In the works of Bediüzzaman Said Nursi, a thinking model is observed to have been developed through conceptualizations such as the possible realm, the probable realm, and the eternal realm. This approach can be regarded as an effort to reach the truth through probabilities. A similar logical structure is noteworthy with the mathematical models of probability calculations upon which artificial intelligence is based today. In this context, it can be said that Bediüzzaman presented a method for understanding the truth with a probability and possibility-based thinking system. The 'Journey from Intellect to Heart' approach also offers an important framework explaining this perspective. From this aspect, the Risale-i Nur works can be evaluated not only as a text but also as an explanatory and interpretive thought system.” 

“Faith-based and intellectual gains can be understood in a shorter time through these works”

Tarhan, emphasizing that Risale-i Nur should be regarded as a method that facilitates reaching the truth, said; “The information taught in schools generally focuses on the 'how' question, such as how the body works, how nature functions, or how rain falls. These are, of course, important. However, the 'why' question refers to a different area. The search for an answer to the 'why' question stands out in Risale-i Nur's fundamental approach. The answer to the 'how' question can be learned from school books, but the answer to the 'why' question can be sought in the Risale-i Nur works. That is, questions like 'Why did Allah create this universe?', 'What is behind this order?', 'Why are there good and evil?', 'What are the limits of freedom and responsibility?' hold a critical place in a person's understanding of themselves and existence. From this aspect, Risale-i Nur offers an important intellectual framework in a person's journey of self-discovery. It can also be regarded as a method that facilitates reaching the truth. In a sense, it can be thought of as a system that allows for understanding via a shorter path, without traversing long and complex routes. At this point, Risale-i Nur's approach can also be explained with the metaphor of a shortcut. Just as a quick return is achieved when reaching the imame (marker bead) in a rosary, this method also serves as a facilitator in reaching the truth. Within this framework, according to some evaluations, it is stated that some faith-based and intellectual gains obtained during long years of education in the past can be understood in a shorter time through these works. This is seen as a significant advantage when evaluated together with the rapid access to information possibilities of the current era.” 

“Patience and gratitude are the most important indicators of faith reflected in life”

Tarhan, touching upon the concept of submission, said; “The belief in divine unity (Tawhid) brings forth submission. Submission is also a concept that aligns with the root meaning of the word Islam. When a person boards a vehicle, whether it be a ship, bus, or plane, they submit to the captain. If there is no submission, the constant need for control arises, which creates restlessness. Similarly, trust in God (Tawakkul) is a state of submission built on trust. Just as when you give power of attorney to a lawyer, it is necessary to trust them after delegating authority. When this trust is not formed, a person loses inner peace. When it is believed that the universe also has an owner, submission and then trust in God emerge with a correct conception of Allah. At this point, it is stated that a person should live their life with the consciousness of saying, 'I have such a powerful Creator.' However, today, many people say they believe in Allah but are seen to struggle with trust and submission. Especially impatience in the face of calamities, constant complaining, and restlessness indicate that this feeling of trust is weakening. From this perspective, it is emphasized that faith should not only remain in words but should also be reflected in actions and life. This is possible with trust in God and a sense of confidence. Consequently, it is stated that the understanding of faith does not mature unless tested. In human life, these tests usually occur through patience and gratitude. Patience and gratitude are considered the most important indicators of faith reflected in life.”

“It reveals the purpose of life”

Tarhan, speaking about the fundamental teachings of Risale-i Nur, said; “One of the most important meanings Risale-i Nur offers to a person is that it reveals the purpose of life. According to this understanding, the ultimate purpose of life should be to gain the pleasure of Allah. A person living in line with this goal connects with Allah at every moment. In a sense, they are in a constant state of awareness and spiritual connection. One of Risale-i Nur's fundamental teachings is the strengthening of the heart's connection. Through texts starting with 'Bismillah' (In the name of Allah), a person is taught to establish a continuous connection with Allah. This contributes to the formation of inner peace within the individual. According to this perspective, nothing in the universe is left to chance. Illnesses and calamities also gain meaning within this entirety. A person who believes in a deity who knows everything, is capable of everything, and controls everything, is expected to exhibit a different stance in the face of life's events. As stated in the Mathnawi-i Nuriye, there are two situations for a person's sorrow. If there is a solution to the problem, there is no need to grieve; if there is no solution, grieving will not change the outcome. Therefore, it is emphasized that unnecessary worry and sadness do not provide any benefit to a person. In this framework, when a person finds themselves in feelings like 'I feel anxious, I'm losing my morale,' they need to remember the purpose and goal of life again.” 

“Risale-i Nur is a thinking system where reason and heart are operated together”

Tarhan, stating that Risale-i Nur holds an important place in intellectual history, said; “One of the most striking fundamental methods in Risale-i Nur is the approach of inquiry and investigation (tahkik). In this respect, the work offers a thinking system, defined as the 'path of tahkik,' where reason and heart are operated together. This approach, which allows for the evaluation of reason with revelation and reason with heart together, is stated to hold an important place in the intellectual history of humanity. In this framework, it is emphasized that Risale-i Nur is a work that addresses the truths of faith not only through transmission (naql) but also within an intellectual and emotional (heartfelt) integrity. I believe it is a significant loss that such a work is not sufficiently utilized today. Finally, I would like to state that benefiting from these works is a matter of divine destiny, with the wish to be able to benefit from this world of thought for a lifetime…” and concluded his words.

Prof. Nevzat Tarhan presented the gifts

Tarhan also presented gifts to the students who successfully completed their training within the scope of the Nur Education Program Award Ceremony.