Contents

THE FIRST FLASH: An instructive explanation of the verse, “But he cried through the depths of the darkness…” the famous supplication of the Prophet Jonah (UWP), showing its relevance for everyone.                               17

THE SECOND FLASH: The famous supplication of the Prophet Job (UWP), “When he called upon his Sustainer saying: ‘Verily harm has afflicted me…’” is expounded in five points, providing a true remedy for the disaster-struck.                                   21

THE THIRD FLASH: Three points expounding with the phrases “The Eternal One, He is the Eternal One!” two important truths contained in the verse, “Everything shall perish save His countenance…”                          30

THE FOURTH FLASH: The Highway of the Practices of the Prophet (UWBP).

This solves and elucidates with complete clarity one of the major points of conflict between the Sunnis and the Shi‘a, the question of the Imamate, and expounds two important verses in four points.                 35

THE FIFTH FLASH is included in the Twenty-Ninth Flash.

THE SIXTH FLASH is also included in the Twenty-Ninth Flash.

THE SEVENTH FLASH: This describes seven predictions about the Unseen in the three final verses of Sura al-Fath. Its Postscript describes a further example of this aspect of the Qur’an’s miraculousness in the verses “All who obey God and

His Messenger…” While the Conclusion demonstrates a clear example of another aspect of its miraculousness, ‘coincidences.’.          46

THE EIGHTH FLASH is published in Sikke-i Tasdik-i Gaybî (The Ratifying Stamp of the Unseen) and hand-duplicated editions of Lem’alar (The Flashes Collection), and is not included in the present collection.

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THE NINTH FLASH: The answers to four questions asked by Bediuzzaman’s student, Hulûsi Bey:                58

The First concerns his descent from the Prophet (UWBP).      59

The Second points out with brilliant clarity the way of the Unity of Existence and how it is in error.                       59

The Third concerns the science of jafr.    62

The Fourth is about Jesus (UWBP) having a human father.     63

Finally is an Addendum to the question about Ibn al-‘Arabi and the Unity of

Existence.        66

THE TENTH FLASH: Fourteen Blows dealt by Divine Compassion received by students of the Risale-i Nur in their service of the Qur’an, for errors they have made due to human nature.                                    70

THE ELEVENTH FLASH: Entitled The Stairway of the Practices of the Prophet and Antidote for the Sickness of Innovations, this important treatise consists of eleven points about the Sunna of God’s Messenger (UWBP).                       81

THE TWELFTH FLASH: Two verses are explained which have been challenged and criticized by scientists:

The First explains in two points that all sustenance is bestowed directly by the

All-Powerful One, from the treasury of His mercy.    95

The Second proves in two important matters, the first consisting of four points, that the earth has seven levels in seven respects, as the heavens consist of seven levels.         98

THE THIRTEENTH FLASH: This explains, through thirteen indications, the meaning of the phrase: “I seek refuge with God from Satan the Accursed.”   104

THE FOURTEENTH FLASH consists of two stations:

First Station: In reply to the First Question, which is about the earth resting on a Bull and a Fish, this sets out three important principles for the understanding of Hadiths. 128

The Second Question is about the People of the Cloak. 132

Second Station: This important piece expounds six mysteries contained in the verse “In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate.”            134

THE FIFTEEN FLASH: The indexes of Sözler (The Words), Mektûbat (Letters), and Lem’alar (The Flashes Collection), from the First to the Fifteenth Flashes. They are included in the relevant volumes.

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THE SIXTEENTH FLASH: The answers to various questions:

The First: A relief from difficulties was predicted during Ramadan by those who divine the realities, why did it not come about?                 143

The Second: Why did the author of the Risale-i Nur not oppose those who were oppressing him? 144

The Third: Why did he oppose war, although with foreign forces interfering in the government, it would have excited Islamic zeal?        145

The Fourth: Why did he advise his students to be cautious and not to show all parts of the Risale-i Nur to everyone?  145

Conclusion: The reply to a question about the Prophet’s (UWBP) beard.     147

The answers to three further matters, disputed by atheists:

The First: Dhu’l-Qarnayn “saw the sun setting in a spring of murky water.”          148

The Second: Where is the Barrier of Dhu’l-Qarnayn? Who were Gog and Magog?

149

The Third is about Jesus (PUH) coming at the end of time and killing the Dajjal.

151

A reply about two of the Five Hidden Things.    152

The reply to a question about man’s ten subtle faculties. 155

THE SEVENTEENTH FLASH consists of fifteen notes taken from Bediuzzaman’s work entitled Zühre:.          157

The First Note shows the reality of those things which captivate the human soul, severance from which turns man’s face to eternity.           158

The Second Note describes the Qur’anic principle of humility.  158

The Third Note illustrates with a comparison the true face of death and life.         159

The Fourth Note demonstrates that as it is generally the divine practice to restore and return things exactly the same, man, the perfect fruit of the universe, will be returned at the Last Judgement. 159

The Fifth Note reveals by means of a comparison with Qur’anic guidance, the true face of Western civilization. Making believers feel repugnance towards it, this Notes offers remedies from the pharmacy of the Qur’an.                 160

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The Sixth Note unmasks the satanic wile of shaking believers in their faith due to the numerous unbelievers and their agreement in denying some of the truths of belief.      166

The Seventh Note silences those pseudo-patriots who drive Muslims towards Western-type progress, greed, and worldly ambition, and offers Qur’anic cures to any looking towards apostasy or who have fallen into sin.                              168

The Eighth Note demonstrates how in His munificence, Almighty God has included a reward and pleasure in all activity and striving.          170

The Ninth Note explains that the Prophets contain the reality of man, the seed of the universe, and that by following them in worship, man may attain to perfection and happiness. The phrase “God is Most Great!” repeated in the Friday and Festival Prayers is as though uttered by the globe of the earth.                                               174

The Tenth Note: Three sorts of evidences and proofs of knowledge of God, and the correct approaches to these. 175

The Eleventh Note points out the compassion in the Qur’an’s manner of address, and its naturalness.                176

The Twelfth Note: A supplication illustrating a meaning of the Hadith “Die before you die” 177

The Thirteenth Note: Five matters that have been the cause of confusion:

The First: Strivers in the way of truth should think only of their own duties and not meddle in God’s concerns. 178

The Second: Worship of God should look only to the divine command and divine pleasure. 180

The Third: On the meaning of “Happy is the man who knows his limits and does not exceed them.”                         180

The Fourth explains that it is not permissible to accept bounties not given in the

True Bestower’s name, and demonstrates the true nature of apparent causes. 182

The Fifth: The achievements of a communit y should not be ascribed to its leader or master.                         183

The Fourteenth Note consists of four signs alluding to divine unity:

First Sign: Man’s true object of worship and place of recourse can only be the

One whose rule extends over the earth and the heavens.     184

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Second Sign: Man’s intense innate love of immortality should be not for the mirror of his being, but for the manifestation of the Enduring One of Glory in the mirror.      185

Third Sign: The tip of a vast truth warning man, for although he is created with a capacity suitable to eternal life, he sometimes becomes entrapped in minute matters, due to the caprice of the soul. 185

Fourth Sign: Worldly life and the life of the flesh are like a narrow grave. On entering the life of the heart and spirit, one enters a broad sphere of life, and the key to this world is “There is no god but God!”                                  186

The Fifteenth Note depicts the maximum manifestation of the divine name of

Preserver.        187

THE EIGHTEENTH FLASH has been published in Sikke-i Tasdik-i Gaybî (The Ratifying Stamp of the Unseen) and in hand-duplicated editions of Lem’alar (The Flashes).

THE NINETEENTH FLASH: On Frugality. Seven points expounding the verse

“Eat and drink, but waste not in excess”.        189

THE TWENTIETH FLASH: On Sincerity. Seven causes of the awesome situation indicated by the question: “What is the reason for the conflict among the people of truth while the misguided and worldly co-operate without rivalry? 200

THE TWENTY-FIRST FLASH: On Sincerity. Four rules whereby one may gain and preserve sincerity, the most important principle in works pertaining to the hereafter.  213

A Confidential Letter to Some of My Brothers.          222

THE TWENTY-SECOND FLASH consists of three indications, which comprise questions about the Risale-i Nur’s author, and their answers: 223

First Indication: Why do the worldly meddle in your hereafter, although you do not meddle in their world, and the law does not interfere with recluses?           224

Second Indication: Why do you not apply to us? One who applies the law is not a tyrant. Through attracting attention, you oppose our principles of absolute equality. 225

Third Indication: Why do you elude our republican laws under the cloak of being a recluse? Why do you assume the position of someone special?          227

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Conclusion: An astonishing assault.        230

THE TWENTY-THIRD FLASH: On Nature.       232

Introduction: Three phrases, representing three ways, used by believers about the existence of things without realizing their implications:              233

The First Way: The formation of things through the coming together of causes in the universe.

First Impossibility: The coming together by chance of the elements of living beings in perfect measure and balance. 234

Second Impossibility: If a fly, for example, is attributed to causes, it necessitates that many of the elements and causes in the universe intervene physically in its being.      235

Third Impossibility: “If a being has unity, it can only have issued from one hand,” particularly if it manifests life, together with perfect order and balance.