The Companion to Said Nursi Studies

Contemporary Islamic theology remains a neglected area in studies on Islam. This work is dedicated to the thought and ideas of Said Nursi (1876-1960) one of the most prominent Muslim theologians of the twentieth century. Nursi inspired a faith movement--the Nur community--that originated in Turkey. It continues to play a key role in the revival of Islam and now numbers several millions of followers worldwide. His legacy and impact deserve therefore to be examined more closely. This volume is the most substantial overview in English of the inspiration of Said Nursi and his masterpiece the Risale-i Nur. In the beginning the essays provide the reader with Nursis historical context and biography. Then Nursis theological views his understanding of society and ideas on politics are placed under the spotlight. Over the last twenty years more and more comparative religion specialists in the West have become acquainted with Said Nursi. Nursi studies is now an established discipline and this volume is a celebration of that reality. As it reveals Muslims and Christians are grappling with the wisdom of this remarkable rich thinker. Markham and Sayilgan present a remarkably comprehensive set of studies of the life and thought of Said Nursi. They bring together works by an international group of scholars showing the many dimensions--intellectual social political--of one of the largest movements in the Muslim world. This is not just a volume for those interested in Turkish history; it should be read by anyone who needs to know about the development of modern Islamic thought and movements. --John O. Voll Professor Emeritus of Islamic History Georgetown University Said Nursi is not yet sufficiently recognized in the English-speaking world despite worthy pioneering studies most of whose authors also contributed to this volume. The editors each of them a pillar of Nursi studies have gathered significant colleagues both from within the Nur movement and without resulting in a comprehensive guide to the life and thought of this influential Turkish spiritual leader and reformer. Like Colin Turners Quran Revealed this volume is a milestone in the advance of Nursi scholarship. --Michael Birkel Professor of Christian Spirituality Earlham School of Religion; author of Quran in Conversation Ian S. Markham is the Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary and Professor of Theology and Ethics. He has published three books on Nursi. Zeyneb Sayilgan is Luce Muslim Visiting Professor and Senior Fellow in Peace and Reconciliation at Virginia Theological Seminary.