Risale Roundtable
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74 episodes
A discussion of questions relating to marriage and qadar (Divine Determining), with the benefit of readings from the Risale-i Nur.
A discussion of the Divine Name of al-'Adl (The Absolutely Just) and how this Name manifests in both the physical world and in our own lives. We consider, in particular, how Divine justice manifests in matters such as our bodily or physical appearance.
A discussion of the irrationality of neglecting salah (the prescribed prayers) or failing to give salah its due. We also consider how the performance of salah can, with the right intention, convert all our mundane, everyday actions into acts of worship. Based on readings from Bediuzzaman Said Nursi's, 'The Fourth Word'.
A discussion of one of Bediuzzaman Said Nursi's key arguments for Divine Unity and Oneness. Based on readings from the Twenty-Second Word of the Risale-i Nur.
A discussion on the issue of discord among believers, and Bediuzzaman Said Nursi's prescription for how we can personally address it.
A discussion of the human capacity for anger, and related capacities. Based on Bediuzzaman Said Nursi's discussion of the 'sirât al-mustaqeem' (the straight path) in his Quranic commentary known as 'Isharat'ul Ijaz' (Signs of Miraculousness).
A discussion of the notion of supplication (dua) and its relation to worship and Divine Unity. Also discussed is a formula for how best to perform dua, so as to maximise its acceptability.
A discussion of backbiting or 'ghiybah', based on the concluding section of Bediuzzaman Said Nursi's, 'Twenty-Second Letter'. We consider what does and does not count as ghiybah, and why it is so reprehensible in Allah's view. In doing so, we also consider the relation between ghiybah and issues such as pride, shirk and Divine Unity.
A discussion of some key strategies Iblis utilises to corrupt sound thought and reasoning. With the benefit of readings from Bediuzzaman Said Nursi's 'Thirteenth Flash', we consider how to combat the satanically inspired inclination we often have to deny culpability for our own wrongdoings, judge others unfairly and reason unsoundly in certain contexts.
A discussion of a category of thoughts known as 'satanic whisperings'. We consider some key ways of identifying these satanically inspired thoughts, and how should we deal with them. Based on readings from Bediuzzaman Said Nursi's 'Thirteenth Flash', in his Flashes collection.
A discussion on dhikr (the remembrance of Allah) and the numerous forms it can take. We highlight the fact that even the performance of habitual 'sunnah' actions amounts to a sort of dhikr. We also discuss the central role dhikr plays in our attaining a state of cognitive and spiritual engagement with Allah. Based on readings from Bediuzzaman Said Nursi's, "Eleventh Flash".
A discussion on the meaning of sincerity (ikhlas) for Muslims, and how the faculty of 'love' should be directed or utilised in a manner that captures this sort of sincerity. Based on readings from Bediuzzaman Said Nursi's 'Twenty First Flash' and his 'Thirty Second Word'.
A discussion on the human capacity for love, and our ability to direct this capacity, despite it being involuntary in a sense. Based on readings from the 'Thirty Second Word' of Bediuzzaman Said Nursi's 'Risale-i Nur Collection'.
A discussion of the notion of the 'amanah' or 'trust' in Islam. What are the sorts of things we are given on 'trust' by Allah, and what is our responsibility in relation to these things? Is the 'trust' something burdensome? Based on a reading of Bediuzzaman Said Nursi's, 'Sixth Word'.
A discussion of some of the wisdom in Allah's causing us to undergo hardships such as illnesses. We focus particularly on how these hardships benefit us in terms of our knowledge and worship of Allah. Based on readings from Bediuzzaman Said Nursi's 'Twenty-Fifth Flash'.
A discussion on Divine determining, based on the First Topic of the Twenty-Sixth Word, Risale-i Nur. Does the fact that events in the universe are all subject to 'Divine determining' (or qadar) absolve us of responsibility for our actions? We consider this question and discuss a number of related issues.
A discussion of one of the many mysteries contained within the 'Basmala' (the formula, "In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate"). We discuss the relation between acting 'in the Name of Allah' and coming to know or gain an acquaintance with Allah. We also discuss the relation between knowing Allah in this sense, and the prayer for peace and blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Based on readings from the 'Sixth Mystery' of the Fourteenth Flash, in Bediuzzaman Said Nursi's, 'The Flashes Collection'.
In our first session for 2023, we revisit Bediuzzaman Said Nursi's main argument for Allah's existence and unity, to be found in his celebrated treatise known as, 'The Supreme Sign' ('Ayetül Kübra'). We see how the argument in this treatise functions not merely as a logical proof, but as an exercise in reflective contemplation or 'tefekkür' - a form of contemplation in which we augment our knowledge of, and acquaintance with, Allah via a deep reflection upon phenomena in the cosmos.
A discussion on malâika (angels), some of the duties or worship they perform, and the wisdom in their plenitude in the created realm. Based on readings from Bediuzzaman Said Nursi's Twenty Ninth Word and Twenty Fourth Word. Our final halaqa for 2022.
In this session, we consider some questions that arose out of our recent discussion on sincerity (ikhlas). We ask whether a wrongdoer can count as having ikhlas if they commit their wrongdoing 'for Allah's sake'. With the benefit of readings from Bediuzzaman Said Nursi's 'Eighteenth Word', we then consider whether a believer is entitled to claim any ownership over the good deeds that they seem to perform.
What is the manner in which a Muslim should engage in discussion or debate, particularly on topics relating to religion? In this session, we read sections of Bediuzzaman Said Nursi's 'Letters' and 'Flashes' collections, where he points out that if we engage in debate in an improper manner, this impacts our sincerity and ukhuwah (brother/sisterhood).
A discussion on the requirement for ukhuwah (brother/sisterhood) among Muslims, and the implications of our failing to have ukhuwah. Also discussed are some prescriptions for how to deal with feelings of enmity we may have for fellow Muslims who have mistreated us. Based on readings from Bediuzzaman Said Nursi's Twenty Second Letter.
A discussion of the miraculousness of the Quran. Based on readings from Bediuzzaman Said Nursi's Twenty Fifth Word.
A discussion on waswasa or unwarranted doubts/worries, and how to confront them. Based on Bediuzzaman Said Nursi's Twenty First Word, Second Station.
In this session, we consider some issues pertaining to Hell. We read and discuss sections of the Thirteenth Flash, from Bediuzzaman Said Nursi's 'The Flashes' collection, in which he deals with some criticisms of the Muslim understanding of Hell. We firstly consider how it can be just for anyone to suffer an everlasting punishment in Hell, for crimes committed in just a finite worldly life. We then briefly consider the view that everlasting imprisonment in Hell is preferable to non-existence.
A discussion of Jannah or Paradise. In the Twenty Eight Word of the Risale-i Nur, Bediuzzaman Said Nursi responds to certain criticisms relating to Jannah. We read and discuss some of these responses. In doing so, we consider the fact that the people of paradise will be fully present, in numerous places, all at the same time.
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'.
