Risale-i Nur and the Politics

It is understood that current politics does not prevent the persecution of Muslims. In order to understand the view of Said Nursi, the author of Risale-i Nur, on politics, let us look at the following sections and compare them with today:

"Question: Why don't you display any interest in currents both at home and abroad and especially in political groups? And why do you prevent as far as is possible the Risale-i Nur and its students from getting involved in them? Whereas if you did show concern and were in touch with them, thousands of people would enter the fold of the Risale-i Nur and would spread its shining truths, and also you wouldn't be the target of so many needless troubles.

The Answer: The chief reason for this lack of concern and avoidance is sincerity, which is the basis of our way; it prevents us. For at this time of heedlessness, the person with partisan ideals in particular exploits everything for his own worldly way, even his religion and otherworldly movement. Whereas the truths of belief and the sacred service of the Risale-i Nur can be exploited for nothing in the universe; they can have no aim other than divine pleasure. But it has become difficult at this time of partisan conflict between the political currents to preserve the true meaning of sincerity and not exploit religion for the world. The best solution is to rely on divine grace and assistance, rather than the strength of political currents.

One of the many other reasons for our avoidance of political involvement is one of the four principles of the Risale-i Nur: to be compassionate and not to act tyrannically or cause harm. For  "No bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another" (Qur'an 6:164), that is, no one, not even a relative, is guilty because of another's fault and does not deserve punishment. But in the face of this principle of divine will, at this time, in accordance with the meaning of  "Man is indeed given up to injustice and ingratitude" (Qur'an 14:34), some people retaliate with extreme ferocity. Because of one person's crime, out of feelings of partisanship others are hostile towards not only his relations but all those who support him. If they can, they ill-treat them. If they have the power, they bomb a village because of one man's mistake. However, the rights of one innocent person may not be sacrificed due to a hundred criminals; he may not be ill-treated because of them. Present-day conditions cause a hundred innocents to be harmed on account of a handful of criminals.

For example, it is opposed to the principle of compassion to crush the hapless elderly parents and innocent children of a faulty man, and to ruin them and nurture partisan hatred for them. But partisan currents among Muslims are the cause of such innocents being wronged; they cannot be saved from oppression. Especially situations that give rise to revolution, they altogether spread and escalate the wrongdoing."

Emirdag Letters-1 - 53

"..if you ask why service of the Qur'an and belief prohibit me, I would say: Since the truths of belief and the Qur'an are each like diamonds, if I was polluted by politics, the ordinary people who are easily deceived, would wonder about those diamonds I was holding, "Aren't they for political propaganda to attract more supporters?" They might regard the diamonds as bits of common glass. Then by being involved with politics, I would be wronging the diamonds and as though reducing their value.

The Rays - 459

"I seek refuge with Allah from Satan and from politics" and threw away the club of politics; I embraced the light with both hands. I saw that among the political movements are lovers of those lights in both the opposition and the supporters. No side or group should cast aspersions on or hold back from the lights of the Qur'an that are held up, or from the teachings of the Qur'an, which are far superior to all political currents and partisanship and are exempt from and free of all their biased considerations. Only satans in human form or animals in human dress would do so since they imagine irreligion and atheism to be politics and support them.

All praise be to Allah, because I withdrew from politics, I did not reduce to the value of glass fragments the truths of the Qur'an, which are as precious as diamonds, and leave myself open to accusations of political propaganda. Indeed, the diamonds increase their value in the view of all groups in brilliant fashion.

The Letters - 67

Politics Are a Satan in the World of Ideas;

One Should Seek Refuge With Allah From Them

The politics of civilization sacrifice the minority for the comfort of the majority. Indeed, the despotic minority sacrifices the majority of people for themselves.

Qur'anic justice would not take the life of a single innocent, spill their blood, or sacrifice him even for all mankind, let alone the majority.

The Words - 751

Politics Based On Self-Interest Is Savagery

The politics of the present, which is founded on self-interest, is a rapacious beast.

If you show affection for a ravenous beast, you will not attract its compassion but will whet its appetite.

Then it will turn on you, and both its claws and fangs will want their rent from you.

The Words - 740

Since there are such fantastically dominant currents at this time that they take everything into their own account, I predict that even if the one who is really expected comes at this time, he will renounce his position in the world of politics and change his goal in order not to lose his actions to those currents.
Kastamonu Letters - 90

It is not our duty to reject the regime, nor do we have the power, nor do we think, nor does Risale-i Nur allow us to do so. But we do not accept, we do not act, we do not want. Rejection is one thing, not accepting is another, not practicing is another. 
Kastamonu Letters - 265

Nur Way