Insights from the Risale i Nur

Said Nursi (1878-1960) is the most influential figure in twentieth century Muslim scholarship and the author of the Risale-i Nur, a 6000 page commentary on the Holy Qur’an. This collection of essays written by Thomas Michel offers an insightful and comparative analysis into the life, thoughts and major writings of Said Nursi. After an opening chapter that provides an overview of Nursi’s life and the author’s first encounter with the Risale-i Nur, the following chapter outlines Nursi’s views on Muslim relations with Christians and the possibility of dialogue and unity with the true followers of Christ. In this chapter, the author notes that Nursi called for unity and cooperation between the Muslim-Christian communities fifty years before the Vatican II called upon Christians and Muslims to recognize that they should move beyond the conflicts of the past and work together for the common good to build peace, establish social justice, defend moral values, and promote true human freedom. Th