If actions must be done purely for Allah's sake in order to count as sincere, can we nonetheless expect gratitude from those whom we help or serve? Based on the Twenty Fourth Flash of the Risale-i Nur. Issues discussed include sincerity, worship, compassion and gratitude.
Apr 20, 2020•1 hr 23 min•Season 2Ep. 18
A discussion on worship, what is expected of the worshipper, and the ultimate goal of the worshipper. Based on the Twenty Third Word of the Risale-i Nur (Second Chapter, Fifth Remark).
Apr 13, 2020•1 hr 14 min•Season 2Ep. 17
A discussion on one of the wisdoms in the fast of Ramadan. Based on the Second Part of the Twenty Ninth Letter, Risale-i Nur.
Apr 06, 2020•57 min•Season 2Ep. 16
Following on from our session last week: A discussion on the general reason why Muslims are made to suffer calamities like earthquakes or viruses - based on the 'Addendum to the Fourteenth Word', Risale-i Nur.
Mar 30, 2020•1 hr 8 min•Season 2Ep. 15
A discussion on the notions of 'weakness and poverty', and their relation to belief in God, and the present health crisis. (Based on the Twenty Third Word of the Risale-i Nur - Second Chapter, Fourth Remark.)
Mar 24, 2020•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 14
A discussion focussed on Quranic verses such as, "Who takes as his god his own desires..." (45:23). Based on part of the Twenty Eight Flash of the Risale-i Nur.
Mar 16, 2020•59 min•Season 2Ep. 13
A discussion on the difference between the 'reason' for doing acts of worship, and the 'wisdom' or 'benefits' in doing them. Based on the 27th Word of the Risale-i Nur.
Mar 09, 2020•1 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 12
In our last episode for 2019, we read and discuss a short section of the Twenty Eighth Flash on the question of whether it is just that the unbeliever is imprisoned in Hell for infinite time, despite committing an offence of finite duration. In discussing Bediuzzaman's response to this, we revisit a number of fundamental issues, including: Divine purposes in the creation of humankind and the universe, the appreciation of Divine bounties, the relation between created beings and worship, and relat...
Dec 10, 2019•59 min•Season 1Ep. 11
This episode is based on a short section of the Twenty Eighth Flash of the Risale-i Nur. In this Flash, Bediuzzaman Said Nursi notes that when the literal meaning of a Quranic verse expresses a very obvious truth, then other meanings must be intended. Thus, in the verse, "I do not want from them any provision, nor do I want them to feed Me," (Quran 51:57) the intended meaning is not merely that Allah does not require any provision or food from us, but something else. Bediuzzaman then goes on to ...
Dec 02, 2019•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 10
A discussion on the issue of 'criticism' and the spiritual or metaphysical effects of non-constructive criticism. Based on the Second Rule of the Twenty First Flash, Risale-i Nur.
Nov 25, 2019•1 hr 20 min•Season 1Ep. 9
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.
Nov 12, 2019•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 8
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.
Nov 05, 2019•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Discussion on the nature and function of angels. Based on Bediuzzaman Said Nursi's Twenty Ninth Word.
Oct 28, 2019•1 hr 28 min•Season 1Ep. 6
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 infinitel...
Oct 22, 2019•1 hr 52 min•Season 1Ep. 5
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?
Oct 14, 2019•1 hr 30 min•Season 1Ep. 4
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.
Oct 07, 2019•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 3
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.
Sep 23, 2019•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 2
The superiority of compassion over love - based on Bediuzzaman Said Nursi’s Eighth Letter, The Letters.
Sep 16, 2019•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 1
