Truthfulness

Intention, Vision, Mana-i Ismi and Mana-i Harfi

Realisation of Four Words in Forty Years

Intention

Vision

Mana-i Ismi

Mana-i Harfi

Year of 1911

In 1911 a question is posed to Bediuzzaman Said Nursi by some of the leaders in Eastern Turkey.

The question is “what is it that we (as believers) require the most?”.

Bediuzzaman’s answer to this question is “truthfulness”.

Why Truthfulness?

The essence of Islam is truthfulness.

The signs of belief is truthfulness.

The road to progress is truthfulness.

The behaviour (ahlak-i aliye) of prophets and saints is truthfulness.

What is Truthfulness?

Seriousness in your service to God.

Not transgressing your limits.

How Do We Attain Truthfulness?

The seed of truthfulness is intention.

The seeds of our actions, services and accomplishments are our intentions.

If the seeds rot, then there will be no roses or ferns.

Life will not arise.

The Importance of Our Intentions

Our intentions are the seeds of our life.

Our intentions are the wishes of our hearts.

Our intentions can make good into bad or vice versa.

Ihlas

The most purist intention is “ihlas”.

Acting in the name of God.

Helping for the sake of God.

Within the limits of being a servant, we need to place “ihlas” at the centre of our lives.

Why is Intentions Important?

We will be judged according to our intentions together with our actions and deeds.

Our intentions are at the utmost importance if we are to attain an everlasting life.

Why Else?

Our intentions are like water.

They can be the most purist thing.

On the other hand, it is easy to cloud, can be contaminated, it can smell, can go out of date, etc...

Other Aspects of Truthfulness

Truthfulness in belief (Tevhid).

Truthfulness in understanding.

Truthfulness in thinking.

Mana-i Ismi and Mana-i Harfi

Mana-i Ismi: Things looking to itself.

Mana-i Harfi: Things looking to something other than itself.

The Mirror Example

Mana-i Ismi: The description of a mirror: similar to glass,

reflective, can break easily, etc... The construction of a mirror: rubble, sand, etc...

Discussing and analysing these aspects of a mirror is known as the Mana-i Ismi of a mirror.

The Mirror Example cont.

Mana-i Harfi: Not looking or analysing the mirror itself. Rather looking at the reflection and analysing the

characteristics of the thing reflecting in the mirror. For instance, the human being. It is alive, intelligent, powerful, beautiful, etc...

Truthfulness of Thinking

Truthfulness of thinking is Mana-i Harfi.

The skill is to make Mana-i Ismi serve Mana-i Harfi.

One must look at creation an see God’s names and attributes of power, wisdom, knowledge, etc...

Truthfulness of Thinking cont.

If we don’t, we will lose are awareness of reality.

We won’t be able to read ourselves, we will lose our relationship with God.

We will start to believe we are free and independent.

We will become like pharaohs and transgress our limits.

Our Visions

Our visions reflect what is inside.

What we believe, what we intend, how we feel, etc...

Different from Mana-i Harfi.

Negative Examples

Vision that is blind, that carries unbelief.

Vision of a tyrant, vision that makes you feel cruelty.

Vision of traitor, you can see the desertion.

Vision of “fitne”, a vision that sprays confusion and disorder.

Negative Examples cont.

Vision that is stubborn and biased.

Vision that is envious, you can see the competitiveness.

Vision that carries animal appetites.

Vision of a pharaoh, full of ego.

Negative Examples cont.

Vision that is cold and uninviting.

These are some examples that demonstrate how dark our visions can become.

Vision of falsehood.

Positive Examples

Vision that is aware, carries belief.

Vision of wisdom, full of innovation.

Vision of sympathy, hugs you with compassion.

Vision of a scholar, swims in the deep end.

Vision of love, sprays warmth everywhere.

Positive Examples cont.

Vision of organising, prepares for the future.

Vision of honour, acts with dignity.

Vision of innocence, makes you go soft.

Vision of cure, feels like a pharmacy.

Vision that gives you life and motivation. Makes coal into diamonds.

Conclusion

Vision of humbleness, makes you respect.

These are some examples of how beautiful our visions can become.

Vision of truthfulness.

Our visions reflects our insides.

It is either inviting or discouraging.

Conclusion

How about the vision of our prophet Muhammed (sav).

Look at Omer before and after.

Look at Mecca and Medina before and after.