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Ramadan

Frugality

Thanksgiving

Bediüzzaman Said Nursi

New Jersey

2004



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The Holy Month of

Ramadan

@6 dis(ussi!n !A s!me 1ivine "ur"!ses A!r Aasting

Ramadan& as it is 'slams $rightest and m!st s"lendid

sym$!l !r ritual) This se(ti!n (!nsists !A nine "!ints

eC"laining nine "ur"!ses)D

'n the Name !A E!d& the er(iAul& the

!m"assi!nate)

The m!nth !A Ramadan in whi(h the Guran

was revealed& a guidan(e A!r humanity& (lear

signs !A guidan(e and the (riteri!n) H29I<3

First point: Fasting Ramadan is !ne !A 'slams

A!rem!st "illars and greatest sym$!ls) any !A its

"ur"!ses relate t! E!ds %!rdshi" and giving thanks A!r

Kis $!unties& and t! humanitys individual and

(!lle(tive liAe& selA8training& and selA8dis(i"line)

Lne "ur"!se (!nne(ted with Kis %!rdshi" is thatE!d dis"lays Kis %!rdshi"s .erAe(ti!n and Kis $eing

the 6ll8er(iAul and 6ll8!m"assi!nate u"!n the

7arths surAa(e& whi(h Ke designed as a ta$le t! h!ld

Kis $!unties in a way $ey!nd human imaginati!n)

Nevertheless& "e!"le (ann!t "erAe(tly dis(ern this

situati!ns reality due t! heedlessness and (ausalitys $linding veil) But during Ramadan& like an army waiting

A!r its mar(hing !rders& $elievers w!rshi" as iA they

eC"e(t t! $e t!ld t! hel" themselves t!ward the end !A



Ramadan – Frugality – hanksgiving

the day) Thus they res"!nd t! that magniAi(ent and

universal er(y with a (!m"rehensive and harm!ni!usa(t !A (!lle(tive w!rshi") ' w!nder iA th!se wh! d! n!t

w!rshi" !r share in the h!n!r !A $eing s! Aav!red

deserve t! $e (alled human)

Second point: 6s stated in the First !rd& an!ther

"ur"!se is t! sh!w that there is a "ri(e A!r the A!!d $r!ught $y a servant Ar!m the kings kit(hen) L$vi!usly&

it w!uld $e an in(redi$le A!lly t! ti" the servant and n!t

re(!gnize the king& a (lear disres"e(t A!r that giAt) 'n the

same way& E!d 6lmighty s"reads Kis (!untless $!unties

!n the 7arth and $est!ws them A!r a "ri(e9 thanksgiving)

The a""arent (auses !A th!se $!unties !r th!se wh!

$ring them t! us are like the servant in the a$!veeCam"le) e "ay the servants& Aeel inde$ted t! them and

s!metimes thank them& even th!ugh they are !nly

(auses !r means) Thus we sh!w them a degree !A

res"e(t they have n!t merited) The true Eiver !A

B!unties is inAinitely m!re deserving !A thanks A!r these

$!unties) Su(h thanksgiving assumes the A!rm !A a(kn!wledging !nes need A!r the $!unties& a""re(iating

them Aully& and as(ri$ing them dire(tly t! Kim)

Fasting Ramadan is the key t! a true& sin(ere&

(!m"rehensive& and universal thanksgiving) any

"e!"le (ann!t a""re(iate m!st !A the $!unties they

enM!y& A!r they suAAer n! hunger) F!r eCam"le& a "ie(e !A

dry $read means n!thing t! th!se wh! are Aull&

es"e(ially iA they are ri(h& alth!ugh even their sense !A

taste testiAies that it is a very valua$le $!unty !A E!d in

2



he !oly "onth of Ramadan

the sight !A $elievers $reaking their Aast) 1uring

Ramadan& every!ne is Aav!red with a heartAeltthanksgiving $y understanding the value !A 1ivine

$!unties)

hile Aasting& $elievers think9 6s these $!unties

d! n!t !riginally $el!ng t! me& ' (ann!t regard them as

mere A!!d !r drink) Sin(e the Lne !wns and grants them

t! me& ' sh!uld wait A!r Kis "ermissi!n t! eat them)O Bythus a(kn!wledging A!!d and drink as 1ivine giAts&

$elievers thank E!d ta(itly) This is why Aasting is a key

t! thanksgiving& a Aundamental human duty)

Third point: Fasting is related t! humanitys (!lle(tive

liAe& A!r E!ds de(isi!n n!t t! give ea(h "ers!n

livelih!!d means that the ri(h are t! hel" the "!!r)ith!ut Aasting& many ri(h and selA8indulgent "e!"le

(ann!t "er(eive the "ain !A hunger and "!verty& and t!

what eCtent the "!!r need (are) are A!r !nes Aell!w8

$eings is a A!undati!n !A true thanksgiving)

There is always s!me!ne "!!rer& s! every!ne must

hel" su(h "e!"le) 'A "e!"le d! n!t suAAer hunger& it isnearly im"!ssi$le A!r them t! d! g!!d !r hel" !thers)

7ven iA they d! they (an d! s! !nly im"erAe(tly& A!r they

d! n!t Aeel the hungry !nes (!nditi!n t! the same

eCtent)

Fourth point: Fasting Ramadan (!ntains many 1ivine

"ur"!ses related t! selA8training and selA8dis(i"line& su(h

as9 The (arnal selA desiresPand (!nsiders itselAPt! $e

Aree and unrestri(ted) 't even wishes& $y its very nature&

5




A!r an imagined l!rdshi" and Aree& ar$itrary a(ti!n) N!t

liking t! think that it is $eing trained and tested thr!ughE!ds (!untless $!unties& it swall!ws u" su(h $!unties

like an animal& in the manner !A a thieA !r r!$$er&

es"e(ially iA its wealth and "!wer is a((!m"anied $y

heedlessness)

1uring Ramadan& every!nes selAh!!d understands

that it is !wned $y Lne Lther& n!t $y itselAQ that it is aservant& n!t a Aree agent) nless !rdered !r "ermitted& it

(ann!t d! even the m!st (!mm!n things& like eating and

drinking) This ina$ility shatters its illus!ry l!rdshi" and

ena$les it t! admit its servanth!!d and "erA!rm its real

duty !A thanksgiving)

Fifth point: Fasting Ramadan "revents the (arnal selA Ar!m re$elling and ad!rns it with g!!d m!rals)

6 "ers!ns (arnal selA A!rgets itselA thr!ugh

heedlessness) 't neither sees n!r wants t! see its inherent

inAinite im"!ten(e& "!verty& and deAe(ts) 't d!es n!t

reAle(t !n h!w it is eC"!sed t! misA!rtune and su$Me(t t!

de(ay& that it (!nsists !A Alesh and $!nes thatdisintegrate and de(!m"!se ra"idly) 't rushes u"!n the

w!rld with a vi!lent greed and atta(hment& as iA it had a

steel $!dy and w!uld live A!rever& and (lings t!

whatever is "r!Aita$le and "leasura$le) 'n this state& it

A!rgets its reat!r& h! trains it with "erAe(t (are)

Being immersed in the swam" !A $ad m!rals& it d!es n!t

think a$!ut the (!nseuen(es !A its liAe here !r its

aAterliAe)

4




But Aasting Ramadan (auses even the m!st

heedless and stu$$!rn t! Aeel their weakness and innate "!verty) Kunger $e(!mes an im"!rtant (!nsiderati!n&

and reminds them h!w Aragile their $!dies really are)

They "er(eive their need A!r (!m"assi!n and (are and&

giving u" haughtiness& want t! take reAuge in the 1ivine

!urt in "erAe(t hel"lessness and destituti!n& and rise t!

kn!(k at the d!!r !A er(y with the hand !A ta(itthanksgivingP"r!vided& !A (!urse& that heedlessness

has n!t yet (!rru"ted them (!m"letely)

Sixth point: E!d $egan revealing the Guran during

Ramadan) This has many im"li(ati!ns& su(h as9 Just as

iA the Guran were t! $e revealed during every

Ramadan& $elievers sh!uld try t! $e like angels anda$and!n eating and drinking& and divest themselves !A

the (arnal selAs vain "re!((u"ati!ns and gr!ss needs)

1uring Ramadan& they sh!uld re(ite !r listen t! the

Guran as iA it were $eing revealed A!r the Airst time) 'A

"!ssi$le& they sh!uld listen t! it as iA they were hearing

.r!"het uhammad re(ite it& !r Ea$riel re(iting it t!uhammad& !r E!d revealing it t! uhammad thr!ugh

Ea$riel) They sh!uld res"e(t the Guran in their daily

a(ti!ns and& $y (!nveying its message t! !thers&

dem!nstrate the 1ivine "ur"!se A!r its revelati!n)

Ramadan transA!rms the uslim w!rld int! a huge

m!sue in whi(h milli!ns re(ite the Guran t! the

7arths inha$itants) 1is"laying the reality !A he month

of Ramadan, in which the #ur$an was revealed H29I3<&

Ramadan "r!ves itselA t! $e the m!nth !A the Guran)

<




hile s!me in the vast (!ngregati!n in the great

m!sue !A the uslim w!rld listen t! its re(itati!n withs!lemn reveren(e& !thers re(ite it) 't is m!st

disagreea$le t! A!rsake that heavenly s"iritual state $y

!$eying the (arnal selA& and thus eating and drinking in

the sa(red m!sue&O A!r this "r!v!kes the wh!le

(!ngregati!n) 't als! is m!st disagreea$le and must

"r!v!ke the uslim w!rlds dislike and (!ntem"t t!!""!se th!se uslims wh! Aast Ramadan)

Seventh point: Fasting during Ramadan has many

"ur"!ses related t! a "ers!ns s"iritual rewards& as

every!ne is sent here t! s!w this w!rld with the seeds !A

the neCt liAe) The A!ll!wing "aragra"hs eC"lain !ne su(h

"ur"!se& as A!ll!ws9The rewards A!r g!!d deeds d!ne during Ramadan

are multi"lied $y a th!usand) Lne Traditi!n states that

I0 rewards are given A!r ea(h letter !A the Guran)

Re(iting !ne letter means I0 g!!d deeds& and $rings

A!rth I0 Aruits !A .aradise) But during Ramadan& this

reward is multi"lied $y I&000& and even m!re A!r su(hverses as the erse !A the Thr!ne)OI The reward is even

greater !n Ramadans Friday nights) Furtherm!re& ea(h

I %od& here is no god but !e, the 'iving, (elf)(ubsisting, (upporter

of all. (lumber and sleep do not sei*e him. +verything in the heavens

and on the +arth belongs to !im. ho can intercede in !is presence

unless !e permits it- !e knows what appears/ before and after andbehind !is creatures, and they can only ac0uire as much of !is

knowledge as he permits. !is hrone e1tends over the heavens and

the +arth. !e feels no fatigue while guarding and preserving them, for

!e is the "ost !igh, the (upreme. H292<<

/




letter is multi"lied 50&000 times iA re(ited during the

Night !A .!wer Hthe night when the Gurani( revelati!nstarted) 1uring Ramadan the Guran& ea(h letter !A

whi(h yields 50&000 "ermanent Aruits !A .aradise&

$e(!mes like a huge $lessed tree "r!du(ing milli!ns !A

"ermanent Aruits !A .aradise) !nsider h!w h!ly and

"r!Aita$le this trade is& and h!w great a l!ss A!r th!se

wh! d! n!t a""re(iate the Gurans letters)S! Ramadan is the m!st "r!"er time A!r su(h a

"r!Aita$le trade in the name !A the aAterliAe) 't is like a

m!st Aertile Aield t! (ultivate A!r the harvest !A the

aAterliAe) 'ts multi"li(ati!n !A rewards A!r g!!d deeds

make it like 6"ril in s"ring) 't is a sa(red& illustri!us

Aestival A!r the "arade !A th!se wh! w!rshi" Kis

%!rdshi"s S!vereignty)This is why Aasting Ramadan is !$ligat!ry& why

$elievers are n!t all!wed t! gratiAy the (arnal selAs

animal a""etites and indulge in its useless Aan(ies) Sin(e

they $e(!me like angels while Aasting !r engaging in

su(h a trade& ea(h $eliever is a mirr!r reAle(ting E!ds

SelA8SuAAi(ien(y) They m!ve t!ward $e(!ming a "ures"irit maniAested in (!r"!real dress $y a$and!ning the

w!rld A!r a AiCed "eri!d) 'n Aa(t& Ramadan (!ntains and

(auses $elievers t! gain& thr!ugh Aasting& a "ermanent

liAe aAter a sh!rt "eri!d in this w!rld)

Lne Ramadan may ena$le $elievers t! gain 30

years w!rth !A reward& A!r the Guran de(lares the

Night !A .!wer t! $e m!re "r!Aita$le than 30 years

having n! su(h night H;95) 6 king may ann!un(e a

Aew h!lidays t! mark a s"e(ial !((asi!n like his




enthr!nement& and then h!n!r his AaithAul su$Me(ts !n

th!se days with s"e(ial Aav!rs) %ikewise& the 7ternal&aMesti( ing !A the I3&000 w!rlds revealed the

Guran& Kis eCalted de(ree& t! ea(h w!rld during

Ramadan) Thus wisd!m reuires that Ramadan $e a

s"e(ial 1ivine Aestival during whi(h E!ds %!rdshi"

"!urs !ut $!unties and s"irit $eings (!me t!gether)

Eiven that Ramadan is a 1ivinely !rdained Aestival&Aasting is (!mmanded s! that "e!"le withdraw Ar!m

their $!dily "re!((u"ati!ns t! s!me eCtent)

Fasting als! ena$les "e!"le t! a$and!n sins

(!mmitted $y the $!dily senses !r mem$ers and use

them in the a(ts !A w!rshi" "arti(ular t! ea(h) F!r

eCam"le& th!se wh! Aast sh!uld st!" their t!ngue Ar!m

lying& $a(k$iting& and swearing and $usy it with re(itingthe Guran& gl!riAying E!d& seeking Kis A!rgiveness&

and (alling Kis $lessing u"!n .r!"het uhammad)

They sh!uld "revent their eyes Ar!m l!!king at& and

their ears Ar!m listening t!& A!r$idden thingsQ rather&

they sh!uld l!!k at things that give a s"iritual less!n !r

m!ral warning& and listen t! the Guran and truths)hen the Aa(t!ry8like st!ma(h is st!""ed Ar!m w!rking&

!ther mem$ers Hsmall w!rksh!"s (an $e made t!

A!ll!w it easily)

Eighth point: Lne "ur"!se !A Aasting is t! "ut "e!"le

!n a "hysi(al and s"iritual diet) 'A the (arnal selA a(ts&

eats& and drinks as it wishes& "e!"les "hysi(al health is

harmed) But& and m!re im"!rtantly& their s"iritual liAe is

harmed $e(ause they d! n!t dis(riminate $etween the

3




lawAul and the unlawAul) Su(h a (arnal selA Ainds it very

diAAi(ult t! !$ey the heart and s"irit) Re(!gnizing n! "rin(i"les& it takes the "ers!ns reins and drives him !r

her as it "leases) K!wever& Aasting Ramadan a((ust!ms

it t! dieting& and selA8dis(i"line trains it t! !$eyQ the

st!ma(h is n!t harmed Ar!m !vereating $eA!re the

"revi!us meal has $een digested "r!"erly and& learning

t! A!rsake the lawAul& it (an A!ll!w the de(ree !A reas!nand religi!n t! reArain Ar!m the unlawAul) Thus the

(arnal selA tries n!t t! (!rru"t its !wners s"iritual liAe)

6ls!& m!st "e!"le suAAer hunger t! vari!us degrees)

T! endure a l!ng8lasting hunger "atiently& "e!"le sh!uld

train themselves in selA8dis(i"line and austerity) Fasting

Ramadan "r!vides this "atien(e8$ased training $y

(ausing "e!"le t! Aeel hungry A!r I< h!urs& !r even A!r 24 h!urs iA the "redawn meal is missed) Thus Aasting

(ures im"atien(e and the la(k !A enduran(e& whi(h

d!u$le humanitys misA!rtune)

any $!dily mem$ers s!meh!w serve the st!ma(h)

'A that Aa(t!ryO d!es n!t st!" its daytime r!utines during a

(ertain m!nth& it kee"s th!se mem$ers $usy with itselA andA!rgetAul !A their !wn w!rshi" and su$lime duties) This is

why saints always "reAer austerity as a way t! s"iritual and

human "erAe(ti!n) Fasting Ramadan reminds us that !ur

$!dily mem$ers were (reated A!r m!re than Must serving

the st!ma(h) 'n Ramadan& many $!dily mem$ers

eC"erien(e angeli( and s"iritualPas !""!sed t! materialP

"leasures) 6s a result& Aasting $elievers re(eive degrees !A

s"iritual "leasure and enlightenment a((!rding t! their

level !A s"iritual "erAe(ti!n) Fasting Ramadan reAines a

;




"ers!ns heart& s"irit& reas!n& and innerm!st senses) 7ven iA

the st!ma(h (!m"lains& these senses reM!i(e)

Ninth point: Fasting Ramadan $reaks the (arnal selAs

illus!ry l!rdshi" and& reminding it that it is innately

hel"less& (!nvin(es it that it is a servant) 6s the (arnal

selA d!es n!t like t! re(!gnize its %!rd& it !$stinately

(laims l!rdshi" even while suAAering) Lnly hunger alterssu(h a tem"erament) E!ds essenger relates that E!d

6lmighty asked the (arnal selA9 h! am '& and wh! are

y!uUO 't re"lied9 -!u are -!urselA& and ' am myselA)O

K!wever mu(h E!d t!rmented it and re"eated Kis

uesti!n& Ke re(eived the same answer) But when Ke

su$Me(ted it t! hunger& it re"lied9 -!u are my 6ll8

!m"assi!nate %!rdQ ' am -!ur hel"less servant)O2 %od, grant peace and blessings to our master

"uhammad in a way to please 3ou and to give him his

due, to the number of the rewards for reciting the

#ur$an$s letters during Ramadan, and to his family and

4ompanions. %lorified be your 'ord, the 'ord of !onor

and Power5 e1alted above what they falsely ascribe to !im. Peace be upon the "essengers, and all praise be

to %od, 'ord of the orlds. Amen.

I0



Frugality

@This treatise is a$!ut Arugality and (!ntentment&

and wasteAulness and eCtravagan(e)D


!m"assi!nate)

7at and drink& $ut waste n!t $y eC(ess) H95I

This verse gives m!st im"!rtant and wise

instru(ti!n in the A!rm !A (ateg!ri(ally (!mmanding

Arugality and (learly "r!hi$iting wasteAulness) The

matter (!ntains seven .!ints)

First Point: The 6ll8!m"assi!nate reat!r desires

thanks in return A!r the $!unties Ke $est!ws !n

mankind& while wasteAulness is (!ntrary t! thanks& and

slights the $!unty and (auses l!ss) Frugality& h!wever&

sh!ws res"e(t A!r the $!unty and is "r!Aita$le) -es&Arugality is $!th a s!rt !A thanks& and sh!ws res"e(t

t!wards the 1ivine mer(y maniAested in the $!unties&

and m!st deAinitely is the (ause !A "lenty) S! t!!& like

a$stinen(e& it is health8giving A!r the $!dy& and& sin(e it

saves a "ers!n Ar!m the degradati!n !A what is in eAAe(t

$egging& is a (ause !A selA8res"e(t) 't is als! a "!werAulmeans !A eC"erien(ing the "leasure t! $e A!und in

$!unties& and tasting that "leasure in $!unties whi(h

a""arently aAA!rd n! "leasure) 6s A!r wasteAulness& sin(e




it is !""!sed t! these instan(es !A wisd!m& it has grave

(!nseuen(es)

Second Point: The 6ll8ise aker (reated the human

$!dy in the A!rm !A a w!nderAul "ala(e and resem$ling

a well8!rdered (ity) The sense !A taste in the m!uth is

like a d!!r8kee"er& and the nerves and $l!!d vessels like

tele"h!ne and telegra"h wiresQ they are the means $ywhi(h the sense !A taste (!mmuni(ates with the

st!ma(h& whi(h is at the (entre !A the $!dy& and inA!rms

it !A the A!!d that enters the m!uth) 'A the $!dy and

st!ma(h has n! use A!r it& it says9 F!r$iddenVO and

eC"els it) 6nd s!metimes the A!!d is harmAul and $itter

as well as n!t $eing $eneAi(ial A!r the $!dy& and it s"its

it !ut immediately)Thus& sin(e the sense !A taste is a d!!rkee"er& Ar!m

the "!int !A view !A administering the st!ma(h and

$!dy& it is a master and a ruler) 'A the giAts arriving at the

"ala(e !r (ity and th!se given t! the "ala(es ruler are

w!rth !ne hundred liras& !nly Aive liras w!rth is

a""r!"riate A!r the d!!rkee"er in the A!rm !A a ti"& lesthe $e(!mes (!n(eited and is (!rru"ted& then A!rgetting

his duty he lets rev!luti!naries int! the "ala(e wh! will

give him a $igger ti")

S!& as a (!nseuen(e !A this mystery we shall n!w

imagine tw! m!uthAuls) Lne (!nsists !A nutriti!us A!!d

like (heese and egg and (!sts A!rty para&2 and the !ther

is !A the (h!i(est $aklava and (!sts ten kurush) BeA!re

2 There were A!rty para t! a kurush& and a hundred kurush t! a lira)

HTr)

I2



Frugality

entering the m!uth& there is n! diAAeren(e in these tw!

m!uthAuls with res"e(t t! the $!dy& they are eual) 6ndaAter "assing d!wn the thr!at& they are still eual in

n!urishing the $!dy) 'ndeed& A!rty paras w!rth !A

(heese s!metimes is m!re nutriti!us) Lnly& in regard t!

"am"ering the sense !A taste in the m!uth& there is a

halA8minute diAAeren(e) -!u (an see Ar!m this what a

meaningless and harmAul waste it is t! in(rease the (!stAr!m A!rty para t! ten kurush A!r the sake !A halA a

minute)

N!w& alth!ugh the giAt arriving A!r the "ala(es

ruler is w!rth !ne lira& t! give the d!!rkee"er a ti" nine

times $igger than his due will (!rru"t him) Ke will

de(lare9 ' am the ruler&O and will all!w t! enter

wh!ever gives him the $iggest ti" and m!st "leasureQ hewill (ause a rev!luti!n and (!nAlagrati!n t! $reak !ut)

Then he will (!m"el them t! (ry !ut9 LhV all the

d!(t!r and make him "ut !ut this Aire in my st!ma(h

and $ring d!wn my tem"eratureVO

Thus& Arugality and (!ntentment are in (!nA!rmity

with 1ivine wisd!mQ they treat the sense !A taste as ad!!rkee"er and give it its remunerati!n a((!rdingly) 6s

A!r wasteAulness& sin(e it is t! a(t (!ntrary t! wisd!m& it

swiAtly re(eives its "unishment& u"sets the st!ma(h& and

(auses real a""etite t! $e l!st) .r!du(ing Ar!m the

unne(essary variety !A A!!ds a Aalse and artiAi(ial

a""etite& it (auses indigesti!n and illness)

Third Point: e said in the Se(!nd .!int that the sense

!A taste is a d!!rkee"er& and indeed& A!r the heedless and

I5




th!se wh! have n!t "r!gressed s"iritually n!r advan(ed

in the way !A thanks& it is like a d!!rkee"er)asteAulness sh!uld n!t $e indulged in n!r the sense !A

tastes "ri(e $e raised Ar!m !ne t! ten A!r the sake !A

giving it "leasure)

K!wever& the sense !A taste !A th!se truly !n the

way !A thanks& th!se seeking reality& and th!se wh!

a""r!a(h it with their hearts is like a su"ervis!r andins"e(t!r in the kit(hens !A 1ivine mer(yPas is

eC"lained in the (!m"aris!n in the SiCth !rd)5 'ts duty

is t! re(!gnize and weigh u" the varieties !A 1ivine

$!unties !n the tiny s(ales "resent in it t! the num$er !A

A!!ds& and t! send the $!dy and st!ma(h news !A the

A!!d in the A!rm !A thanks) 'n this res"e(t the sense !A

taste d!es n!t !nly l!!k t! the "hysi(al st!ma(h& rather&sin(e it l!!ks als! t! the heart& s"irit& and mind& it has a

"!siti!n and im"!rtan(e su"eri!r t! the st!ma(h) Ln

(!nditi!n it is n!t wasteAul !r eCtravagant& and is "urely

t! (arry !ut its duty !A thanks and re(!gnize and

"er(eive the varieties !A 1ivine $!unty& and !n

(!nditi!n it is li(it and d!es n!t lead t! degradati!n and $egging& it (an A!ll!w its "leasure) 'n Aa(t& deli(i!us

A!!ds may $e "reAerred in !rder t! em"l!y the t!ngue

whi(h $ears the sense !A taste in giving thanks) The

A!ll!wing is an instan(e !A Shaykh al8Jilanis w!nder8

w!rking whi(h alludes t! this truth9

6t !ne time& $eing instru(ted $y %hawth al)A$*am&

Shaykh al8Jilani Hmay his mystery $e san(tiAied& was

the !nly s!n !A an aged and anCi!us w!man) This

5 See Nursi& he ords)

I4



Frugality

esteemed lady had g!ne t! her s!ns (ell and seen that

he had n!thing t! eat $ut a "ie(e !A dry& $la(k $read)Ker maternal (!m"assi!n was ar!used $y his ema(iated

(!nditi!n resulting Ar!m his as(eti(ism) She Aelt s!rry

A!r him) %ater she went t! %hawth al)A$*am in !rder t!

(!m"lain& and saw the Shaykh was tu(king int! r!ast

(hi(ken) Lut !A her (!n(ern& she said9 L asterV y

s!n is dying !A hunger while y!u are eating (hi(kenVOhereu"!n %hawth al)A$*am said t! the (hi(ken9 Rise

u"& with E!ds "ermissi!nVO 6t this& the (!!ked (hi(ken

$!nes assem$led and were thr!wn !ut !A the dish as an

entire live (hi(ken) This has $een related unanim!usly

thr!ugh many relia$le and d!(umented (hannels as a

marvel !A s!me!ne wh!se eCtra!rdinary w!nder8

w!rking is w!rld8Aam!us) %hawth al)A$*am said t! her9hen y!ur s!n rea(hes this level& then he t!! (an eat

(hi(ken)O Thus& the meaning !A %hawth al)A$*ams

w!rds is this9 whenever y!ur s!ns s"irit rules his $!dy&

and his heart rules the desires !A his s!ul& and his reas!n

rules his st!ma(h& and he wants "leasure A!r the sake !A

!AAering thanks& then he may eat deli(i!us things)

Fourth Point: 6((!rding t! the Kadith the meaning !A

whi(h is6 7!e who is thrifty will not have family

difficulties as regards livelihood &O4 the Arugal and

e(!n!mi(al "ers!n will n!t suAAer undue tr!u$le and

hardshi" in su""!rting his Aamily)

4 "usnad i& 44Q al8unawi& Fay*u$l)#adir v& 4<4 n!9 ;5;Q al8Kindi&

8an*u$l)9:mmal iii& 5/Q vi& 4;& </& <)

I<




There are (!untless "r!!As that the (!nseuen(e !A

Arugality is "lenty and g!!d living) F!r instan(e& ' haveseen myselA and ' (an say a((!rding t! the testim!ny !A

th!se wh! have $eAriended and assisted me that thr!ugh

$eing Arugal& ' have s!metimes seen a tenA!ld in(rease&

and s! have my Ariends) 7ven& nine years ag!Pand n!w

it is thirty Hi)e) in I;2/& a num$er !A the tri$al leaders

wh! were eCiled t! Burdur t!gether with me did their $est t! make me a((e"t their zakat s! that ' w!uld n!t

suAAer "rivati!n and humiliati!n thr!ugh la(k !A m!ney)

' said t! th!se ri(h leaders9 6lth!ugh ' have very little

m!ney& ' am Arugal and e(!n!mi(al and ' am

a((ust!med t! $eing (!ntent with little) ' am ri(her than

y!u)O ' reAused their re"eated and insistent !AAers) 't is

w!rth n!ting that tw! years later s!me !A th!se wh! had!AAered me their zakat were in de$t $e(ause they had n!t

$een Arugal) Thanks $e t! E!d& seven years !n Ar!m

that& thr!ugh the "lenty resulting Ar!m Arugality that

small am!unt !A m!ney was still suAAi(ient A!r meQ it did

n!t degrade me& n!r (!m"el me t! "resent my needs t!

the "e!"le& n!r make me deviate Ar!m my way !A selA8suAAi(ien(y and $eing inde"endent !A "e!"le& whi(h is

!ne !A the "rin(i"les !A my liAe)

S!me!ne wh! is n!t Arugal is (ertain t! $e a$ased

and redu(ed t! "!verty and in eAAe(t t! $egging) 6t this

time& m!ney& the means !A wasteAulness and

eCtravagan(e& is eCtremely eC"ensive) S!metimes a

"ers!n sells his h!n!r and selA8res"e(t and $ri$es are

taken t! re(eive it) S!metimes the sa(red things !A

religi!n are s!ld& then s!me inaus"i(i!us m!ney

I/



Frugality

re(eived in return) That is t! say& material g!!ds w!rth

ten kurush are re(eived in return A!r an immaterial l!ss!A !ne hundred lira)

K!wever& iA a "ers!n is Arugal and restri(ts and

limits his needs t! the essential& a((!rding t! the im"lied

meaning !A the verse&

'ndeed& it is E!d h! gives all sustenan(e&%!rd !A all "!wer and strength& H<I9<3

and the eC"li(it meaning !A the verse&

6nd there is n! m!ving (reature !n the earth

$ut its sustenan(e is "r!vided $y E!d& HII9/

he will Aind en!ugh sustenan(e t! live !n in uneC"e(ted

ways) Be(ause the verse guarantees it) -es& there are

tw! s!rts !A sustenan(e9

Lne is true sustenan(e& whi(h is en!ugh t! su$sist

!n) 6s the verse de(rees& this sustenan(e is guaranteed

$y the Sustainer) S! l!ng as mans in(linati!n t!ward

evil d!es n!t interAere& he will Aind this essential

sustenan(e under any (ir(umstan(es) Ke will n!t $e

(!m"elled t! sa(riAi(e his religi!n& !r his h!n!r& !r his

selA8res"e(t)

The se(!nd s!rt is meta"h!ri(al sustenan(e) ith

this& thr!ugh a$use& inessential needs $e(!me like

essential !nes& and thr!ugh the (alamity !A (ust!m andtraditi!n& "e!"le $e(!me addi(ted t! them and (ann!t

give them u") Sin(e this sustenan(e is n!t guaranteed $y

I




the Sustainer& !$taining it is eCtremely eC"ensivePand

es"e(ially at this time) These unAruitAul& inaus"i(i!usg!!ds are !$tained with Airst !A all sa(riAi(ing the selA8

res"e(t and a((e"ting degradati!n& and s!metimes

st!!"ing t! what is in eAAe(t $egging& kissing the Aeet !A

the vile& and s!metimes sa(riAi(ing the sa(red things !A

religi!n& whi(h are the light !A eternal liAe)

6ls!& at this time !A "!verty and hardshi"& thedistress th!se with (!ns(ien(es Aeel at the anguish !A the

hungry and needy s!urs any "leasure t! $e had Ar!m

unlawAully a(uired m!ney) 1uring strange times su(h

as these& as Aar as d!u$tAul g!!ds are (!n(erned& !ne has

t! make d! with them t! the minimum degree ne(essary)

F!r a((!rding t! the rule& Ne(essity is determined

a((!rding t! its eCtent&O when (!m"elled t!& illi(it g!!dsmay $e taken t! the minimum degree ne(essary& n!t

m!re) S!me!ne in dire need may eat dead meat& $ut he

may n!t Aill his st!ma(h with it) Ke may !nly eat

en!ugh n!t t! die) 6ls!& m!re (ann!t $e eaten with

uns"!iled "leasure in the "resen(e !A a hundred "e!"le

wh! are hungry)The A!ll!wing is a st!ry sh!wing that Arugality is

the (ause !A dignity and distin(ti!n9

Lne time& hatim Tay& wh! was w!rld8Aam!us A!r

his gener!sity& was giving a large $anuet) Kaving given

his guests a su"erAluity !A "resents& he went !ut t! walk

in the desert) There he saw an !ld "!!r man wh! was

(arrying a l!ad !A th!rny $ushes and "lants !n his $a(k)

The th!rns were "ier(ing his skin and making him

$leed) hatim said t! him9 hatim Tay is giving a

I3



Frugality

large $anuet and giving away giAts) -!u g! there and

y!u will re(eive Aive hundred kurush in return A!r y!ur l!ad w!rth Aive kurush)O The Arugal !ld man re"lied9 '

raise and (arry this th!rny l!ad with my selA8res"e(tQ '

am n!t g!ing t! $e(!me !$liged t! hatim Tay)O %ater&

they asked hatim Tay9 Kave y!u (!me a(r!ss any!ne

m!re gener!us and estima$le than y!urselAUO Ke

re"lied9 The Arugal !ld man ' met in the desert wasm!re estima$le& elevated& and gener!us than me)O

Fifth Point9 Lut !A Kis "erAe(t gener!sity& 6lmighty

E!d makes a "!!r man understand the "leasure !A Kis

$!unty the same as a ri(h man& and a $eggar the same as

a king) 'ndeed& the "leasure a "!!r man !$tains Ar!m a

dry "ie(e !A $la(k $read thr!ugh hunger and $eingArugal is greater than the "leasure a king !r a ri(h man

!$tains Ar!m the (h!i(est dessert eaten with the

weariness and la(k !A a""etite resulting Ar!m eC(ess)

't is sur"rising $ut s!me diss!lute and eCtravagant

"e!"le a((use the Arugal and e(!n!mi(al !A $eing

meanO and stingy)O E!d A!r$idV Frugality is dignityand gener!sity) Stinginess and meanness are the inner

Aa(e !A the a""arently n!$le ualities !A the wasteAul

and eCtravagant) There is an event (!rr!$!rating this

Aa(t whi(h !((urred in my r!!m in 's"arta the year this

treatise was written) 't was as A!ll!ws9

Lne !A my students insisted !n my a((e"tingP

(!ntrary t! my rule and the "rin(i"le !A my liAePa

"resent !A nearly tw! and a halA okkas< !A h!ney)

< Lne okka eualed 2)3 l$s) HTr)

I;




K!wever mu(h ' stated my rule& he was n!t t! $e

"ersuaded) Saying& with $eing e(!n!mi(al let the three $r!thers with me eat the h!ney A!r thirty t! A!rty days in

the m!nths !A Sha$an and Ramadan& and n!t $e

with!ut s!mething sweet t! eat& and let the !ne wh!

$r!ught it earn the reward& ' t!ld them t! take it) '

myselA had an okka !A h!ney as well) 6lth!ugh my three

Ariends were m!derate and a""re(iated Arugality&thr!ugh !AAering the h!ney t! ea(h !ther& and ea(h

Alattering the !thers s!uls& and ea(h "reAerring the

!thers t! himselA& whi(h in !ne res"e(t is a g!!d uality&

they A!rg!t a$!ut $eing e(!n!mi(al) 'n three nights they

Ainished the tw! and a halA okkas !A h!ney) %aughing& '

said9 ' w!uld have given y!u the taste !A that h!ney A!r

thirty t! A!rty days& and n!w y!u have redu(ed the thirtydays t! three) ' h!"e y!u enM!yed itVO hereas ' used

my !ne okka !A h!ney Arugally) F!r the wh!le !A

Sha$an and Ramadan $!th ' ate it& and& "raise $e t!

E!d& ' gave ea(h !A th!se $r!thers a s"!!nAul&/ every

evening while $reaking the Aast& and it $e(ame the

means !A signiAi(ant reward) .erha"s th!se wh! saw this(!ndu(t !A mine th!ught it was stinginess and my

$r!thers (!ndu(t A!r three nights was gener!sity) But in

"!int !A Aa(t ' saw that (!n(ealed $eneath the a""arent

stinginess lay an elevated dignity& in(rease and "lenty&

and great reward) 'A they had n!t st!""ed& it w!uld have

resulted in s!mething mu(h $aser than stinginess

$eneath the gener!sity and eC(ess& like $eggarliness and

wat(hing an!thers hand greedily and eC"e(tantly)

/ That is& a Aairly large teas"!!n)

20



Frugality

Sixth Point: There is a great diAAeren(e $etweenArugality and stinginess) Just as humility is a

"raisew!rthy uality su"erAi(ially resem$ling $ut

diAAerent t! the $ad uality !A servility& and dignity is a

lauda$le virtue su"erAi(ially similar t! $ut diAAerent Ar!m

the $ad uality !A haughtiness& s! t!! Arugality& whi(h

was !ne !A the elevated ualities !A the .r!"het& "ea(eand $lessings $e u"!n him& and indeed is !ne !A the

things !n whi(h the 1ivine wisd!m in the !rder !A the

universe de"ends& $ears n! relati!n t! stinginess& whi(h

is a miCture !A $aseness& avari(e& miserliness& and greed)

There is merely a su"erAi(ial resem$lan(e) The

A!ll!wing is an event (!rr!$!rating this Aa(t9

6$dullah i$n mar& wh! was !ne !A the Aam!us!m"ani!ns !A the .r!"het kn!wn as the seven

6$dullahs&O was the greatest and m!st im"!rtant !A the

s!ns !A the ali"h mar& Faru0 al)A$*am& and !ne !A

the m!st distinguished and learned !A the !m"ani!ns)

Lne day while sh!""ing in the market& in !rder t! $e

e(!n!mi(al and t! "reserve the (!nAiden(e and integrity!n whi(h trade de"ends& he dis"uted h!tly !ver

s!mething w!rth a Aew kurush) Lne !A the !m"ani!ns

saw him& and imagining the illustri!us su((ess!r !A the

.r!"het !n 7arth& the ali"h mars s!nss wrangling

!ver a Aew kurush t! $e an eCtra!rdinary stinginess& he

A!ll!wed him in !rder t! understand his (!ndu(t) NeCt

he saw that 6$dullah was entering his $lessed h!use and

had s"!tted a "!!r man at the d!!r) Ke (hatted with him

A!r a $it& and the man leAt) Then he (ame !ut !A the

2I




se(!nd d!!r !A the h!use and saw an!ther "!!r man) Ke

(hatted with him A!r a while t!!& and the man leAt) The!m"ani!n& wh! was wat(hing Ar!m the distan(e& was

(uri!us) Ke went and asked the "!!r men9 6$dullah

"aused a while with y!u) hat did he d!UO 7a(h !A

them re"lied9 Ke gave me a g!ld "ie(e)O El!ry $e t!

E!dVO eC(laimed the !m"ani!n& and th!ught t!

himselA9 K!w is it that he wrangled like that !ver a Aewkurush in the market& then was (!m"letely ha""y t! give

away tw! hundred kurush in his h!use with!ut letting

any!ne kn!wUO

Ke went t! 6$dullah i$n mar and said9 L 'mamV

S!lve this diAAi(ulty A!r meV 'n the market y!u did that&

while in y!ur h!use y!u did this)O 6$dullah re"lied t!

him saying9 'n the market it was n!t stinginess& $ut(!ndu(t arising Ar!m ArugalityQ it was "erAe(tly

reas!na$le& and t! "reserve (!nAiden(e and h!nesty&

whi(h are the $asis and s"irit !A (!mmer(e) 6nd the

(!ndu(t in my h!use ar!se Ar!m the hearts (!m"assi!n

and the s"irits "erAe(ti!n) Neither was the Airst

stinginess& n!r the se(!nd imm!derateness)O6lluding t! this& 'mam 6$u KaniAa said9 There

(an $e n! eC(ess in g!!d& Must as there is n! g!!d in

eC(ess)O That is t! say& Must as in g!!d w!rks and

$enev!len(e there (an $e n! eC(ess !r wasteAulnessPs!

l!ng as they are A!r the deserving& s! t!! there is n!

g!!d at all in wasteAulness and imm!derateness)

Seventh Point: 7C(ess and wasteAulness lead t! greed&

and greed has three (!nseuen(es9

22



Frugality

The first is dissatisAa(ti!n) 6s A!r dissatisAa(ti!n& it

destr!ys endeav!r and enthusiasm A!r w!rk& and (ausesthe dissatisAied "ers!n t! (!m"lain instead !A giving

thanks& and makes him lazy) Su(h a "ers!n a$and!ns

"!ssessi!ns whi(h th!ugh Aew in num$er are li(it& and

seeks "!ssessi!ns whi(h are illi(it and Aree !A tr!u$le)

6nd he sa(riAi(es his selA8res"e(t !n that way& and even

his h!n!r)The second conseuence of greed is

disa""!intment and l!ss) The greedy "ers!n drives away

what he wishes A!r& is A!und disagreea$le& and is

de"rived !A assistan(e and hel") Ke even (!nAirms the

saying9 The greedy "ers!n is unsu((essAul and suAAers

l!ss)O

Ereed and (!ntentment have their eAAe(ts in theanimal kingd!m in a((!rdan(e with a m!st eCtensive

law) F!r instan(e& the natural (!ntentment !A trees needy

A!r sustenan(e makes their sustenan(e hasten t! themQ

this sh!ws the huge $eneAits !A (!ntentment) hile

animals running aAter their sustenan(e greedily and

with diAAi(ulty and deAi(ien(y dem!nstrates the greatl!ss !A greed)

6ls!& the (!ntentment a""arent thr!ugh their

t!ngues !A dis"!siti!n !A all hel"less y!ung and a

"leasant A!!d like milk Al!wing !ut t! them Ar!m an

!nsumers in(rease and "r!du(ers de(rease as a result !AwasteAulness and la(k !A e(!n!my) 7very!ne AiCes his eye !n the

g!vernments d!!r) Then industry& trade& and agri(ulture& !n whi(h

s!(ial liAe de"end& de(rease) 6nd the nati!n de(lines and is

im"!verished)

25




uneC"e(ted "la(e& while wild animals greedily atta(k

their deAi(ient and dirty sustenan(e& "r!ve !ur (laim in(lear Aashi!n)

6ls!& the (!ntented attitude !A Aat Aish $eing the

means !A their "erAe(t sustenan(e& and intelligent

animals like A!Ces and m!nkeys remaining "uny and

weak $e(ause they (ann!t Aind suAAi(ient sustenan(e&

alth!ugh they "ursue it with greed& again sh!w t! what adegree greed is the (ause !A hardshi" and (!ntentment

the (ause !A ease) 6ls!& "e!"les in hist!ry wh! have

A!und thr!ugh greed& usury& and tri(kery their

degrading& misera$le& illi(it sustenan(e !nly at

su$sisten(e level& and the (!ntented attitude !A n!mads

and their living with dignity and Ainding suAAi(ient

sustenan(e& "r!ves de(isively what we say !n(e m!re)6ls!& many s(h!lars3 and literary Aigures; $eing redu(ed

3 't was asked !A B!z!rgmehr& the azir !A the .ersian Shah

Nushirvan the Just and s(h!lar Aam!us A!r his intelligen(e& hy are

the learned t! $e seen at the d!!rs !A rulers and rulers n!t t! $e seen at

the d!!rs !A the learned& whereas learning is su"eri!r t! rulershi"UO Ke

re"lied9 Be(ause !A the kn!wledge !A the learned and the ign!ran(e

!A the rulers)O That is t! say& due t! their ign!ran(e& rulers d! n!t kn!w

the value !A learning s! that they a""r!a(h the d!!rs !A the learned t!

seek it) But $e(ause !A their kn!wledge& the learned kn!w the value !A

their rulers g!!ds and "!ssessi!ns and seek them at the rulers d!!rs)

7C"laining thus wittily the greed resulting Ar!m the (leverness !A the

learned& whi(h (auses s!me !A them t! $e im"e(uni!us and in want&

B!z!rgmehr re"lied in a reAined manner)

Signed9 !;srev; 6n event (!rr!$!rating this9 in Fran(e& a $eggars li(ense was given

t! literary Aigures $e(ause they were s! "r!Ai(ient at $egging)

Signed9 (;leyman R;<t;

24



Frugality

t! "!verty $e(ause !A the greed arising Ar!m their

intelligen(e& and many stu"id and in(a"a$le "e!"le $e(!ming ri(h thr!ugh their innate (!ntentedness "r!ves

de(isively that li(it sustenan(e (!mes thr!ugh

im"!ten(e and want& n!t thr!ugh a$ility and will)

'ndeed& li(it sustenan(e is in inverse "r!"!rti!n t!

a$ility and will) F!r the m!re (hildren in(rease in a$ility

and will& the m!re their sustenan(e de(reases& theAurther it is Ar!m them& and the m!re diAAi(ult t! !$tain)

6((!rding t! the Kadith& 4ontentment is an unfailing

treasure&O (!ntentment is a treasury !A g!!d living and

ease !A liAe& while greed is a mine !A l!ss and

a$asement)

The third conseuence: Ereed destr!ys sin(erity

and damages a(ti!ns in regard t! the KereaAter) F!r iA aE!d8Aearing "ers!n suAAers Ar!m greed& he will desire

the regard !A !thers) 6nd s!me!ne wh! (!nsiders the

regard !A !thers (ann!t have (!m"lete sin(erity) This

(!nseuen(e is eCtremely im"!rtant and w!rth n!ti(ing)

!n short: 7C(ess and wasteAulness lead t! la(k !A

(!ntentment) 6nd la(k !A (!ntentment destr!ysenthusiasm A!r w!rkQ it (auses laziness& !"ens the d!!r

t! (!m"laining a$!ut liAe& and makes the dissatisAied

"ers!n (!m"lain (!ntinu!usly)I0 6ls!& it destr!ys

sin(erity& and !"ens the d!!r t! hy"!(risy) 6nd it

destr!ys selA8res"e(t& and "!ints the way t! $egging)

I0 'ndeed& whenever y!u meet a wasteAul& imm!derate "ers!n& y!u

hear (!m"laints) N! matter h!w ri(h he is& his t!ngue still (!m"lains)

But when y!u meet even the "!!rest& $ut (!ntented& "ers!n& y!u hear

!nly thanks)

2<




6s A!r Arugality and e(!n!my& these result in

(!ntentment) 6((!rding t! the Kadith& he contented person is respected, and the greedy person despised &O a

(!nseuen(e !A (!ntentment is selA8esteem) 6ls!& it

en(!urages eAA!rt and w!rk) 't in(reases enthusiasm& and

leads t! w!rk) F!r eCam"le& a "ers!n w!rked A!r !ne

day) Be(ause !A his (!ntentment with the "etty wage he

re(eived in the evening& he w!rked again the se(!ndday) But $e(ause the wasteAul and imm!derate "ers!n

was n!t (!ntent& he did n!t w!rk again the A!ll!wing

day) Lr iA he did w!rk& he did s! with!ut enthusiasm)

6ls!& the (!ntentment arising Ar!m Arugality !"ens

the d!!r !A thanks and (l!ses the d!!r !A (!m"laint)

Thr!ugh!ut his liAe& the (!ntented "ers!n is thankAul)

6nd in s! Aar as he is inde"endent !A !thers thr!ugh his(!ntentment& he d!es n!t seek their regard) The d!!r !A

sin(erity is !"ened& the d!!r !A hy"!(risy (l!sed)

' !$served the Aears!me harm !A wasteAulness and

eC(ess !n a $r!ad s(ale) 't was as A!ll!ws9 nine years

ag!& ' visited a A!rtunate t!wn) Sin(e it was winter& '

(!uld n!t see its s!ur(es !A wealth) Several times thet!wns uAti& may E!d have mer(y !n him& said t! me&

Lur "e!"le are "!!r)O These w!rds t!u(hed me) F!r the

A!ll!wing Aive !r siC years& ' Aelt (!ntinual "ity A!r the

"e!"le !A the t!wn) 7ight years later in the summer& '

again visited it) ' l!!ked at the gardens and re(alled the

w!rds !A the late uAti) El!ry $e t! E!dVO ' said&

These gardens (r!"s are Aar greater than the needs !A

the t!wn) 'ts "e!"le sh!uld $e very ri(h)O ' was amazed)

Then ' underst!!d thr!ugh remem$ering a Aa(t whi(h

2/



Frugality

has never de(eived me and is my guide in understanding

!ther truths& that the a$undan(e and "lenty haddisa""eared due t! wasteAulness and eC(ess& s! that

alth!ugh the t!wn "!ssessed su(h s!ur(es !A wealth& the

late uAti used t! say9 Lur "e!"le are "!!r)O

'ndeed& Must as giving zakat and $eing Arugal and

e(!n!mi(al is "r!ven $y eC"erien(e t! $e the (ause !A

in(rease and "lenty in g!!ds and "!ssessi!ns& s! t!! arethere innumera$le events sh!wing that wasteAulness and

Aailure t! give zakat (ause in(rease and "lenty t! $e

taken away)

The .lat! !A 'slami( sages& the shaykh !A

"hysi(ians& and master !A "hil!s!"hers& the Aam!us

genius 6$u 6li '$n Sina eC"lained the verse& +at and

drink, but waste not in e1cess& H95I Must Ar!m the "!int!A view !A medi(ine& as A!ll!ws9 ' (!n(entrate the

s(ien(e !A medi(ine in tw! lines& the $est w!rd is the

sh!rtestQ when y!u eat& eat little& and d! n!t eat again

A!r A!ur !r Aive h!urs) Kealth lies in digesti!n) That is t!

say& eat s! mu(h as y!u (an digest easily) The heaviest

and m!st tiring thing A!r y!ur st!ma(h and y!urselA is t!eat many things !ne !n t!" !A the !ther)OII

"n Extraordinary and !nstructive

#$oincidence%:I2 'n all the (!"ies !A the Treatise !n

Frugality written $y Aive !r siC s(ri$esPthree !A wh!m

II That is t! say& the m!st harmAul thing A!r the $!dy is t! eat with!ut

having had a $reak !A A!ur t! Aive h!urs& !r t! Aill the st!ma(h with a

variety !A A!!ds !ne !n t!" !A the !ther Must A!r the "leasure !A it)I2

!in(iden(eO Htawafu09 the (!rres"!nden(e !A things !r events in

an uneC"e(tedly (!nvenient way) HTr)

2




were ineC"erien(ed& wh! were in diAAerent "la(es Aar

Ar!m !ne an!ther& were writing it !ut Ar!m diAAerent(!"ies& wh!se handwriting was all diAAerent& and wh!

did n!t take the AlifsI5 int! (!nsiderati!n at all& the Alifs

whi(h (!in(idedO num$ered AiAty8!ne& !r with a

"rayer&O AiAty8three) These num$ers (!in(iding with the

date the Treatise !n Frugality was written and (!"ied&

whi(h was @I5D<I a((!rding t! the Rumi (alendar I4

and@I5D<5 a((!rding t! the KiMri Hlunar (alendar&

und!u$tedly (ann!t $e (han(e) 't is an indi(ati!n that

the $lessing !A "lenty resulting Ar!m Arugality has risen

t! the degree !A w!ndr!usness& and that this year is Ait t!

$e named Frugality -ear)O

'ndeed& this w!nder !A Arugality was "r!ved tw!

years later& during the Se(!nd !rld ar& $y thewides"read hunger& destru(ti!n& and waste& and

humankind and every!ne $eing (!m"elled t! $e Arugal)

El!ry $e unt! -!uV e have n! kn!wledge

save that whi(h -!u have taught usQ indeed&

-!u are 6ll8n!wing& 6ll8ise) H2952

I5 Alif 9 the Airst letter !A the 6ra$i( al"ha$et) HTr)

I4 6 m!diAied lunar (alendar ada"ted t! s!lar (alendar $y su$tra(ting

<34 Ar!m the year !A the !mm!n 7ra)

23



&a'at

6ll imm!rtality and distur$an(es in human s!(ial liAe

"r!(eed Ar!m tw! s!ur(es and tw! attitudes9 Ln(e my

st!ma(h is Aull& what d! ' (are iA !thers die !A hungerUO

and -!u w!rk and ' will eat)O

These attitudes are "er"etuated $y the "revalen(e

!A usury and the a$and!nment !A zakat& the "res(ri$ed

"uriAying alms in 'slam) The !nly remedy is t!

im"lement zakat as a universal "rin(i"le and duty and

then $an usury) Wakat is a m!st essential "illar A!r

individuals& "arti(ular (!mmunities& and humanity t!

live a ha""y liAe) Kumanity usually (!m"rises tw!(lasses9 the elite and the masses)I< Lnly zakat (an

ar!use the elites (!m"assi!n and gener!sity t!ward the

masses& and the masses res"e(t and !$edien(e t!ward

the elite) ith!ut zakat& the elite (ruelly !""resses the

masses and there$y !Aten engenders rev!lt) Su(h a

devel!"ment gives rise t! a (!nstant struggle and

!""!siti!n& Ainally resulting in la$!r and (a"ital

I< Said Nursi uses elite A!r th!se wh! (an give zakat& and the masses

A!r th!se eligi$le t! re(eive it) These designati!ns are relative& A!r they

de"end u"!n l!(al standard !A wealth) 6s 'slam d!es n!t all!w a dee"

s!(i!e(!n!mi( ga" t! A!rm $etween uslims& the ga" $etween these

gr!u"s is n!t very great) 'n many uslim s!(ieties t!day& mem$ers !A $!th gr!u"s (an $e A!und within the middle (lass) 6s the main

"ur"!se A!r zakat is A!r the "!!r t! re(eive en!ugh m!ney t! "r!vide

A!r their Aamilies& we sh!uld (!nsider the living standard envisaged $y

'slam when (!nsidering zakat) HTr)




(!nAr!nting ea(h !ther& as in Russia at the $eginning !A

the twentieth (entury)L "e!"le !A n!$ility and Aairness& !A muniAi(en(e

and li$eralityV 'A y!u d! n!t a(t gener!usly in the name

!A zakat& y!ur a(ts are useless and "!tentially harmAul)

'A y!u d! n!t give in E!ds name& y!u make "!!r "e!"le

Aeel !$liged t! y!u and s! de"rive y!urselA !A their

"rayers& whi(h are a((e"ta$le in E!ds sight) 6ls! y!ur su$seuent $elieA that y!u !wn y!ur wealth sh!ws great

ingratitude) But iA y!u give zakat y!u are rewarded A!r

giving A!r Kis sake and thank Kim A!r the $!unties

re(eived) hat is m!re& its re(i"ients will n!t Aeel

!$liged t! Alatter !r Aawn& and thus damage their selA8

res"e(t) !re!ver& their "rayers A!r y!u will $e

a((e"ted)See the vast diAAeren(e $etween giving t! earn

Aame and im"!se !$ligati!n& and giving as zakat t!

AulAill y!ur religi!us duty& gain a reward& $e sin(ere& and

have "!!r "e!"les "rayers A!r y!u a((e"ted)

%lory be to 3ou, we have no knowledge save what

you have taught us. 3ou are All)8nowing, All)ise. 2%od, bestow blessings and peace on our master

"uhammad, who said6 7=elievers stand together like a

firm building, one part of which supports the other>

and6 74ontentment is a treasure that will never be

e1hausted,> and on his Family and 4ompanions. And

all praise be to %od, 'ord of the orlds.

50



Than'sgiving


!m"assi!nate)

There is n!thing that d!es n!t gl!riAy Kim

with "raise) HI944

The Guran uses su(h reiterated "hrases as9 ill they

not be thankful- H5/95<& 5 e will reward the

thankful. H59I4< ?f you are thankful, ? will give you

more. HI49 Nay, but %od do you serve, so be among

the thankful, H5;9// t! sh!w that the 6ll8er(iAul

reat!rs m!st im"!rtant (!mmand is t! give thanks)

.r!(laiming that n!t d!ing s! means denying $!unties&Ke re"r!a(hes them severely& in Surat al8Rahman& n!

less than 5I times9 hen which of your 'ord$s bounties

do you deny-

This universe& like its mi(r!(!sm the Guran& als!

dem!nstrates that (reati!ns m!st im"!rtant result is

thanksgiving) e (an see that the universe is arranged ina way t! ar!use thanksgiving& and that everything (alls

A!r it) 't seems that thanksgiving is the tree !A (reati!ns

m!st im"!rtant Aruit and the $est "r!du(t !A this Aa(t!ry

!A the universe& A!r the universe is in the A!rm !A a

(ir(le& at the (enter !A whi(h is liAe) The design !A

(reati!n is dire(ted t!ward liAe& A!r everything serves

liAe and w!rks t! "r!vide its ne(essities) This means thatthe universes reat!r drew u" liAe Ar!m the universe&

(reated the w!rlds !A living $eings in (ir(ular A!rms&




and "ut humanity in the (enter) The "ur"!ses A!r

(reating living $eings are dire(ted t!ward humanity&whi(h all !ther $eings serve) This means that the

aMesti( reat!r (h!se humanity t! rule !ver them)

6t the (enter !A the (ir(ular human and animal

w!rlds is "r!viden(e) The reat!r in(ul(ated l!ve A!r

"r!viden(e in "e!"le and animals& and urges them t!

w!rk A!r it) Ke made "r!viden(e a vast and ri(h treasury!A inAinite $!unties) S! that "e!"le and animals (an

re(!gnize ea(h taste& Ke ena$led the t!ngue t!

distinguish as many tastes as there are A!!ds and drinks)

Eiven this& "r!viden(e is the universes m!st maniAest&

(!m"rehensive& (uri!us& and "leasing reality)

6s everything is (!n(entrated ar!und and dire(ted

t!ward "r!viden(e& "r!viden(e itselA (!mes thr!ugh&su$sists !n& and "!ints t! thanksgiving) This is $e(ause

the need and desire A!r "r!viden(e are a natural

thanksgiving& and the "leasure and satisAa(ti!n (!ming

Ar!m "r!viden(e are an un(!ns(i!us thanksgiving) B!th

!A these are (!mm!n t! all animate $eings) Th!se wh!

(hange the nature !A su(h thanksgiving thr!ughmisguidan(e and un$elieA driAt int! ass!(iating "artners

with E!d)

The $eautiAul A!rms !A $!unties& their tastes and

smells& are invitati!ns t! thanksgiving) By ar!using

desire in living $eings and there$y dire(ting them t!

a""re(iate and res"e(t "r!viden(e& they urge animals t!

give thanks thr!ugh their dis"!siti!n& and "e!"le t! d!

s! with their t!ngues and a(ti!ns) They als! (ause living

52



hanksgiving

$eings t! eC"erien(e the greatest "leasure and

satisAa(ti!n thr!ugh thanksgiving itselA)'n !ther w!rds& sh!wing the 6ll8er(iAul& 6ll8

Eener!us Lwner !A the treasuries !A !m"assi!ns m!st

"leasura$le and "ermanent gra(e and Aav!r $ehind the

tem"!rary enM!yment !A $!unties ena$les humanity t!

eC"erien(e a "ermanent "leasure !A .aradise while in

this w!rld) .r!viden(e $e(!mes an invalua$le and ri(htreasury thr!ugh thanksgiving& $ut is redu(ed t! alm!st

n!thing in the a$sen(e !A $eing thankAul)

6s eC"lained in the SiCth !rd& iA the t!ngues

sense !A taste is used A!r E!ds sake& A!r distinguishing

the kinds !A "r!viden(e with the intenti!n !A giving

thanks& it $e(!mes a thankAul eCaminer and a highly

esteemed su"ervis!r !A the (!untless treasures !A E!dsinAinite er(y) But iA this sense is used A!r the (arnal

selA and d!es n!t thank the .r!vider& it is !nly a

wat(hman !A the a$d!mens Aa(t!ry& a d!!rman !A the

st!ma(hs w!rksh!") 6s n!t giving thanks l!wers that

servant !A "r!viden(e& the nature !A "r!viden(e itselA

and its !ther servants He)g)& air& light& and water arelikewise redu(ed t! the l!west rank and assume a

uality (!ntrary and !""!sed t! the isd!m !A the

universes reat!r)

Thanksgiving is re(!gnized $y (!ntentment and

thriAt& (!nsent and gratitudeQ n!t giving thanks is

re(!gnized $y greed and waste& ingratitude and

(!nsuming with!ut regard A!r what is lawAul and

unlawAul) Ereed (auses de"ravity and humiliati!n) 't

might even $e said that the ant& that $lessed animal

55




having a s!(ial liAe& is tr!dden underA!!t $e(ause its

greed drives it t! (!lle(t th!usands !A grains when a Aewmight suAAi(e) But the $ee Alies !verheads due t! its

(!ntentment& s! t! s"eak& and !AAers its h!ney t! "e!"le)

The 1ivine Name the 6ll8er(iAul& the greatest

Name !A the Sa(red 1ivine 7ssen(e (!ming aAter E!d

H6llahPKis "r!"er Name and the greatest !A the

Ereatest Names relates t! "r!viden(e) The Airst andm!st maniAest meaning !A the 6ll8er(iAul is the 6ll8

.r!vider) Lne is (!nne(ted t! that Name thr!ugh

thanksgiving) LA the many kinds !A thanksgiving& the

m!st (!m"rehensive is the daily8"res(ri$ed "rayers)

Thanksgiving (!ntains a sin(ere $elieA and a

genuine de(larati!n !A E!ds nity) Lne wh! eats an

a""le and says& 6ll "raise and thanks $e t! E!d&O "r!(laims that the a""le (ame Ar!m the hand !A .!wer&

is a giAt Ar!m Kis er(ys treasury& and there$y as(ri$es

everything t! E!ds Kand !A .!wer and sees Kis er(y

maniAested in everything)

' "!int !ut !ne as"e(t !A the l!ss suAAered $y th!se

wh! d! n!t give thanks) hen "e!"le thank E!d A!r s!mething deli(i!us& a light is "r!du(ed and $e(!mes a

Aruit !A .aradise) 'n additi!n t! material "leasure& it

gives a greater and "ermanent s"iritual enM!yment

$e(ause it (auses "e!"le t! reAle(t !n it as a Aav!r !A

1ivine er(y) Thus any A!!d given $y E!d as a $!unty

sends its s"iritual !ut(!me t! the higher& in(!r"!real

w!rlds due t! thankAulness) 6Ater that& it is digested t!

n!urish the $!dy and eC(reted t! $e(!me elements in

the s!il) ith!ut thanksgiving& this material "leasure

54



hanksgiving

ultimately results in grieA $e(ause it disa""ears and the

A!!d $e(!mes waste matter) !nsuma$le $!unties "r!du(e "ermanent "leasure and yield "ermanent Aruit

thr!ugh thanksgivingQ with!ut it& they $e(!me the

l!west A!rm !A the w!rst nature& as heedless& unthankAul

"e!"le see them !nly as things t! $e eaten and then

eC(reted)

.r!viden(e deserves l!ve) hile thanksgivingelevates this l!ve t! a su$lime& "ermanent l!ve Hl!ve !A

E!d& the l!ve that heedless and misguided "e!"le Aeel

A!r "r!viden(e is animalisti( in nature) !nsider the

great l!ss su(h "e!"le eC"erien(eV

Kumanity has the greatest need A!r "r!viden(e)

E!d 6lmighty (reated humanity as a mirr!r t! reAle(t

Kis Names& as a mira(le !A .!wer a$le t! weigh andre(!gnize the (!ntents !A Kis er(ys treasuries& and as

a vi(egerent !n the 7arth a$le t! measure Kis Names

m!st su$tle maniAestati!ns) Eiven this& humanity needs

all kinds !A material and s"iritual "r!viden(e) Kaving

su(h a (!m"rehensive nature& "e!"le (an attain the

highest rank H$eing (reati!ns $est "atternO !nlythr!ugh thanksgiving) ith!ut it& they (!mmit a m!st

dire sin and Aall t! the l!west rank)

There are A!ur "illars !A the way !A $eing a

w!rshi""ing and Hthere$y $el!ved servant !A E!d& as

stated in the A!ll!wing9

'n the way de"ending !n awareness !A !nes

im"!ten(e $eA!re E!d& A!ur things are essential& the

m!st im"!rtant !A whi(h is thanksgiving9

a(kn!wledgement !A !nes a$s!lute im"!ten(e Ha@*)i

5<




mutla0& and "!verty H fakr)i mutla0& and a$s!lute zeal

H shawk)i mutla0 and thanksgiving H sukr)i mutla0)

%od, through 3our "ercy cause us to be among the

thankful, 2 "ost 4ompassionate of the 4ompassionate.

%lory be to 3ou. e know only what 3ou teach us. 3ou

are All)8nowing, All)ise. 2 %od, bestow blessings

and peace on our master "uhammad, the lord of thethankful and the praising, his family and 4ompanions.

Amen.

Their last (all is9 6ll "raise $e t! E!d)O

HI09I0

5/

ramadan frugality

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