Risale Roundtable

A discussion on the infinitude or absoluteness of Divine power.  We discuss how the contingency of the universe, and the contingency of the motions, changes and interactions of its component parts, point to the existence of a Cause that is not itself contingent, and that possesses the attribute of 'power' both 'necessarily' and 'essentially'.  Based on readings from the 'Seventh Ray', in Bediuzzaman Said Nursi's 'Rays' collection.

A discussion on the Divine attributes of Unity and Oneness, based on readings from the Second Station of the Twenty-Second Word, in Bediuzzaman Said Nursi's 'The Words' collection.  In this session, we discuss the difference between Divine Unity and Divine Oneness, and how Allah manifests and makes known these attributes of His in the created world.

A discussion on the nature of the human ruh (spirit).  Based on Bediuzzaman Said Nursi's, 'Seeds of Reality', where he describes the ruh as a sort of 'law' that has been clothed in external existence.

A discussion of some of the reasons why Allah causes us to experience difficulties.  Based on readings from Bediuzzaman Said Nursi's 'Second Flash'.

In the Quran, Allah exhorts us to make du'a or supplicate to Him, saying, "Call upon Me; I will answer your prayer" (40:60).  Yet it seems that we do not always receive what we ask for in our supplications.  How do we reconcile this?  What is du'a really for, and how should it be made?  In this session, we glean answers to these and other questions, and learn the relationship between du'a and worship in general, via readings from the Twenty-Third Word of the Risale-i Nur.

A discussion on the life and writings of Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, author of the Risale-i Nur.  

A discussion on how the transformations of minute particles points to Allah, and tells us of His beauty, and His other attributes and Names.  Based on the Second Aim of The Thirtieth Word of the Risale-i Nur.

A discussion based on Bediuzzaman Said Nursi's Quran-based argument for Allah's existence, which appears in his celebrated treatise, 'The Supreme Sign' (Âyet'ül Kübra).  We read and discuss the first section of this treatise, then consider the main sort of naturalistic counter-argument to it.  Our final halaqa for Semester 1 of 2022.

A discussion of Sincerity (Ikhlas) and its relation to worship, with readings from the Twenty-First Flash of the Risale-i Nur.  Also discussed are some thoughts on how to gauge our own sincerity.

A discussion of the notion of adâb (sometimes translated as 'courtesy' or 'good conduct') and its relation to the Divine Names.  Based the 'Eleventh Flash' of the Risale-i Nur.