Someone who has a shaykh before entering the Risale-i Nur circle may keep him after entering it. But the person who does not, may only seek a guide within the circle. Moreover, the knowledge of reality taught within the circle of the Risale-i Nur, which offers the effulgence of the legacy of prophethood, the greater sainthood, leaves no need for the Sufi orders outside that circle – unless of course they are self-indulgent people who misunderstand the way of Sufism, are addicted to pleasant dreams and imaginings, lights and spiritual pleasures, and desire worldly, fanciful pleasures which are different to the virtues of the hereafter, and want a rank where people have recourse to them.
This world is the abode of labour and service; recompense is commensurate with hardship and difficulty; it is not a place of reward. The people of reality attach no importance, therefore, to the pleasures and lights of illuminations and wonder-working. Indeed, they sometimes flee them and want to conceal them.
Furthermore, the Risale-i Nur’s circle is very broad, and its students, very numerous. It does not seek anyone who depart from it. It gives them no importance and perhaps will not again admit them. Everyone has only one heart, and a single heart cannot be both within the circle and outside it.
Also, those desirous for guidance outside should not busy themselves with the Risale-i Nur students. For they may receive harm in three respects. Those people who are within the bounds of fear of God do not need guidance, but outside it there are abundant people who do not perform the five daily prayers. To leave aside the latter and busy oneself with the former is not guidance. If such a person loves the students, let him firstly enter the circle and be not a father, but a brother, and if he is very virtuous, an elder brother.
It has also become apparent from this incident that attachment to the Risale-i Nur holds much importance and has a high price. If he is sensible, the person who gives this price and takes up a position striving against irreligion in the name of the Islamic world, will not abandon this way which is as valuable as diamonds, and embrace other ways.
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