Iman & Manusia

This volume brings together three insightful sections from the Risale-i Nur Collection: The Twenty-Third Word from the Words, The First Section of the Twentieth Letter from The Letters, and the text of a public lecture given about the Risale-i Nur itself. Together, these pieces provide a profound reflection on the true value of human existence, the central role of faith in revealing man’s dignity, and the importance of prayer and reliance on Allah in all aspects of life.

The main section, The Twenty-Third Word, explores the Qur’anic truth that while human beings are created in the most excellent form, they may descend to the lowest unless uplifted by faith and righteous action. It is presented in five main points and ten brief discussions, accessible to all readers. Through meaningful analogies and reasoned explanation, the text shows how man’s potential is realized only through belief, and how faith transforms his fleeting life into something eternally meaningful. The treatise has guided many out of heedlessness, becoming a source of faith for countless others.

An important example offered is the distinction between the material and artistic value of an object. Just as a piece of iron may be worth very little on its own, yet become immensely valuable when shaped into a masterful work of art, so too is the human being a priceless creation—an exquisite expression of Divine artistry. Human worth lies not in physical composition, but in the reflection of divine attributes through belief and awareness.

The second section, from the Twentieth Letter, examines the spiritual wisdom behind the phrases of the Islamic testimony of faith. Each word contains a glad tiding, a healing, and a spiritual sweetness—revealing the depth and richness embedded in the simplest of religious expressions.

A central theme throughout the work is the significance of prayer. It clarifies that prayer is always answered—not necessarily by granting what is asked, but through a divine wisdom that may give something better, or withhold what is harmful. True prayer is a recognition of human weakness, a heartfelt turning to Allah, and a source of serenity even amidst suffering.

The final reflections invite the reader to abandon the illusion of control. Human beings are not the owners of their lives or the universe; they are guests of a Merciful Creator. To assume otherwise leads to anxiety and exhaustion. But when a person entrusts their affairs to Allah, they find peace, joy, and strength in submission—knowing that everything unfolds according to divine wisdom and mercy.