In His Name, be He glorified!

My Dear, Loyal, Faithful, Kindly Brothers!

For two days I have felt an aching in my head and nerves from ’flu. And needing the consolation and companionship in such circumstances of meeting with friends, I was constricted by the terrible loneliness and isolation. Complaints like the following occurred to me: “Why do we suffer this torment? How does it benefit our work?”

Then this morning the following was imparted to me: for us to be set this rigorous examination, and to be struck on the touchstone numerous times to see clearly whether we are gold or brass, and to be tried unfairly in every respect, and to be passed through ever finer sieves three or four times to see whether our evil-commanding souls take a share or are playing any tricks, is extremely necessary for our service, which should be purely and solely in the name of truth and reality, so that Divine Determining and dominical grace permit it. For by being exhibited in this field of trial and examination confronted by obdurate, unjust enemies and their pretexts, everyone has understood that there is no trickery, no egotism, no malice, no worldly or personal interests, nor those that look to the hereafter, mixed in with our service, and that it is completely sincere and proceeds from truth and reality. If it had remained concealed, it could have been given numerous meanings. The mass of believers would not have had confidence in it. They would have said: “Perhaps they are deceiving us,” and the elite too would have had their suspicions. Thinking that “perhaps they are acting the same as some of those who sell themselves to acquire spiritual rank for themselves and to win confidence,” they would not feel completely certain about it. Now, following the examination, even the most stubborn and obdurate person is compelled to submit. If your hardship is one, your profits are a thousandfold. God willing.

S a i d N u r s i

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