From: irfan@maxwell.ece.wisc.edu (Irfan Alan)
Subject: DROPLET VOL 1, NO 8, PART 1
Organization: Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison; Electrical & Computer Engineering
Distribution: usa
Date: 23 Jan 93 14:44:13 CST

DROPLET VOL 1, No 8, Part 1

D R O P L E T
From The Vast Ocean Of The Miraculous Qur'an

Translations from the Arabic and Turkish Writings of Bediuzzaman
Said Nursi, 

The Risale-i Noor

VOL 1, No 8, Part 1
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TREATISE  ON  IJTIHAD The Twenty Seventh Word 

(continued  from Droplet Vol 1, No 7, Part 2)

	In the Name Of Allah the Compassionate the  Merciful "If they
had only referred it to the Messenger or to those charged with
authority." (Al Qur'an 4:83)

	Know O Dear Friend! The door of ijtihad, which is one of the
religious matters, is open. But at this time, there are six
barriers to enter there. 

	Sixth Barrier: The distinguished Mujtehids [Imams, eminent
scholars] of Salef Salihin can receive pure light [noor] and
make sincere ijtihads because of their closeness to the time of
Sahaba which was the century of the light (noor) and truth.  The
present people of ijtihad approach the Book of Truth behind many
curtains - from a distance far away such that they can hardly
see the most clear letters. 

(Question) Suppose someone says, "Sahaba too were human and
cannot be free from mistakes and criticism."  However, they were
the primary sources of ijtihads and judgements of the Sharia
which established such a Justice and truth that even the Umma
agreed upon the truthfulness of sahaba altogether?

(Answer) Yes, the overwhelming majority of sahaba always loved
the truth.  They were always eager to attain the veracity, and
continuously worked for Justice. This is because, in their time,
the lowest degree of ugliness of the lie and the high-most
degree of beauty of the truth and straight path were clearly
shown in such a manner that the distance between the lie and the
truth was wide-opened up-from the Mighty Throne of Allah (SWT)
down-to earth.  For example, the splitting of the two levels,
namely, the degree of Musaylama-i Kazzab [the false prophet] at
the lowest-of-the-low and the true degree of the revered Prophet
of Islam (SAW) at the highest-of-the-high had been observed.
Yes, as the lie dragged the Musaylama to the lowest level, the
truth, honesty, and loyalty elevated Muhammad the Trustworthy
(SAW) to the highest level of the Praised One (maqam-i Mahmood).

Sahaba -who carried the most high senses (e.g., consciousness
and conscience), favored the beautiful morals, and were
illuminated by the light (noor) shining from the conversations
of the Prophet (Shams-i Nubuwwet)- did not extend their hands
towards Musaylames most foolish and ugly lies knowing in
certainty that it is the lie which is at the very roots of
deviation and pure decline.  Not only did they abstain from the
qufr (denial) but also from the lie which is the friend of qufr. 

Furthermore, they sought -as much as they could- for the most
beautiful, renowned, prestigious, distinguished qualities and
means of excellence and spiritual ascent from the treasures of
the Message of Muhammad (SAW) [Fakhr-i Risalet]: the truth,
straight path, and loyalty, all of which forms the basis for
social enlightenment. In this regard, therefore, when it came to
the narration and propagation of the judgements of Sharia
(Ahqam-i Sharia), Sahaba were definitely, unequally, and beyond
any doubt very successful.

However, at this time, the distance between the lie and truth
is shortened as if they are shoulder-to- shoulder, and
transition from the truth to lie is very easy.  Even at times,
by means of political propaganda, the lie is preferred over the
truth.  Therefore, if the ugliest and the most beautiful thing
are sold in the same shop at the same price, then, certainly,
the most valuable jewels of righteousness and honesty which are
supposed to lead towards the core of facts cannot be blindly
bought by trusting the word and knowledge of that shop owner.
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To be continued In$a Allah.
Your Br. Irfan in Islam.