Risale Roundtable

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 to a loss of faith. Based on the Second Flash of the Risale-i Nur.

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 tackle the objection that the opposite might be true: perhaps the creator of the universe is an infinitely evil god that creates good only to make evil known. We argue that such a notion is incoherent given the relation between goodness and existence on the one hand, and evil and non-existence on the other. The latter part of this episode consists of some Q&A regarding this and previous episodes.

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?

Discussion at the University of Melbourne Islamic Society on sincerity and its relation to brotherhood (ukhuwwah). Based on The Twenty First Flash of Bediuzzaman Said Nursi’s Risale-i Nur. Issues covered include the requisites for sincerity, why sincerity is demanded by Allah and how sincerity and brotherhood are related to one another.

A discussion on supplication (dua), and the Quranic verse, “Say: No importance would your Sustainer attach to you, were it not for your supplication.” Based on Bediuzzaman Said Nursi’s 24th Letter, Risale-i Nur.

The superiority of compassion over love - based on Bediuzzaman Said Nursi’s Eighth Letter, The Letters.