The Seventeenth Word

 

A fruit of the black mulberry

 

(NOTE: In the blessed mulberry tree, the Old Said spoke the following with the tongue of the New Said.)

 

I am addressing not Ziya Pasha, but those enamored of Europe.

It is not my selfhood speaking, but my heart speaking

on behalf of the Qur’an’s students.

 

What is said in the previous Words is the truth.

Beware. Don’t go astray; don’t exceed it.

Don’t incline toward the ideas of Westerners, for they are misguided.

Don’t adopt them, or they’ll make you regret it.

 

You see their most enlightened and smartest people

exclaim in bewilderment: “Alas, I am perplexed.

Of whom and to whom can I complain?”

 

The Qur’an leads me to speak, and I speak—I won’t hold back.

I complain to Him, to His Grace of whatever befalls me

by His leave; I am not confused like you.

 

I cry out to the Truth—God; I don’t exceed the bounds, as you do.

While on the earth, I shout my cause to the heavens.

I don’t run away, as you do.

 

The Qur’an’s cause is light upon light; I don’t desert it, as you do.

The Qur’an is pure truth and wisdom, I’ll prove it.

I count as nothing the philosophy opposing it.

 

In the Criterion—the Qur’an—are diamond-like truths.

I accept them with all my heart; I don’t sell them, as you do.

I travel from creation to the Creator; I don’t deviate, as you do.

 

I fly over the thorny paths; I don’t tread them, as you do. From the earth to the Divine Throne, I offer thanks.

I don’t neglect to do so, as you do.

 

I look on death as a friend; I’m not afraid, as you are.

I’ll enter the grave smiling; I’m not frightened, as you are.

I don’t see it as a monster’s mouth, a beast’s den, a passage to nothingness, as you do.

It reunites me with my friends. I’m not vexed by the grave, as you are.

 

It is the door of mercy, the door of light and truth.

I’m not discomforted by it; I won’t withdraw. Saying: “In the Name of God,” I’ll knock at the door. I’ll not look back or feel terror.

 

Saying: “All praise and gratitude are for God,”

I’ll lie down and find ease.

I’ll not suffer trouble or remain in solitude.

 

On hearing the call to the Resurrection,

I’ll rise up saying: “God is the All-Great.”73

I won’t hang back from the Supreme Gathering

or that most vast place of prostration.

 

I’ll feel no distress, thanks to Divine favor,

the Qur’an’s light, and the radiance of belief.

Not stopping, I’ll hasten and fly

to the shade of the All-Merciful’s Throne.

God willing, I won’t be confused, as you are.

 

Bediuzzaman Said Nursi

 

 

73 I’ll hear the call of the Archangel Israfil on the dawn of the Resurrection, and declaring “God is the All-Great,” will rise up. I will not hang back from the “most comprehensive Prayer” and the Supreme Gathering.