Introduction to Said Nursi: Life, Thought, and Writings

Contemporary Islamic thinkers are often studied sociologically rather than as theologians. There are many accessible introductions to Christian theologians, but very few such studies of Islamic thinkers. This book, and this series, seeks to change this situation: offering new introductions to influential Islamic thinkers and engaging, at the level of ideas, with the rich depths of contemporary Islamic theology. This book introduces to the English-speaking world the leading modern Islamic thinker Said Nursi (1878-1960) - who has some nine million followers in modern day Turkey and around the world. After an opening chapter that provides an overview of his life, the next four chapters outline the theology of Nursi on God, the Qur'an, the West and Politics. The final section provides an invaluable resource of readings from Nursi's most important writings. Providing an introduction to a major form of Islam which is committed to non-violence, dialogue and constructive relationships with the West, this is the first student textbook to introduce a contemporary Islamic theologian in a systematic way. 

 

Introduction; The life and times of Bediuzzaman Said Nursi; The concepts of God and the Qur'an; Said Nursi and spirituality; Said Nursi's approach to disagreement and pluralism; Readings. Extracts from the Writings of Said Nursi: Part 1 Belief: Differences between the believer and the non-believer; The four channels; The universe as a book; The supreme sign; God's unity; God has no partner; Divine oneness and works; There is no god but God.; Part 2 Prophethood: The need for prophets; Foundations of prophethood; Muhammad the Prophet; Revelation and philosophy; Humanity, particles and the divine.; Part 3 Afterlife: The 10th word; Benefits of resurrection; The concept of bodily resurrection; Creation and resurrection; Divine name of 'ever-living'; Death as 'bounty' and the timing of the last Judgment; Divine unity and humanity.; Part 4 Justice and Worship: Centrality of the divine names; Human tendencies that need justice; The natur and purpose of the worship of God; The importance of daily prayer; The Damascus sermon; Index.