Persoalan Tasbih & Tauhid

The Twentieth Letter is a foundational theological treatise within the Risale-i Nur Collection, written by Bediuzzaman Said Nursi. It provides a detailed exposition of one of the most comprehensive Prophetic traditions (hadiths) affirming the Oneness of Allah:

“There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah. He is One, without partner. To Him belongs all dominion, and to Him is all praise. He gives life and causes death. He is the Ever-Living, upon Whom death has no effect. All good is in His hand, and He is powerful over everything. To Him is the final return.”

This noble hadith, conveying the full meaning of the declaration of faith (tawhid), serves as the basis for the Twentieth Letter. The work is structured into three main sections, each exploring the eleven phrases of the hadith in depth, providing both rational proofs and spiritual insights.

In the First Station, each of the eleven words of the phrase from Hadith is examined. Nursi demonstrates how every word contains a glad tiding and a decisive proof, unveiling essential dimensions of divine unity, mercy, and power. This section shows that believing in tawhid is not just a theological statement—it is an existential truth that illuminates life and grants spiritual certainty.

The Second Station elaborates on the complete text of the hadith, treating each of its eleven clauses as a gateway to understanding Divine attributes. Concepts such as Divine ownership, praise, life-giving power, death, eternal life, absolute control, and ultimate return are unpacked in a way that integrates reason, scripture, and observation of the universe. The reader is shown how the most complex realities in creation become simple and coherent when seen through the lens of Divine unity.

The final section, the Appendix to the Tenth Phrase, uses three parables to explain a central theological truth: if all things are attributed to One Creator, everything becomes easy, orderly, and comprehensible. But if assigned to many causes or deities, even the smallest thing would become impossibly complex. This elegant logic affirms that tawhid is not only a matter of faith but also of reason and necessity.

Through this treatise, Bediuzzaman reaffirms the immense significance of the first part of the Shahada (testimony of faith), complementing his previous work, the Nineteenth Letter, which focused on the Prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him). Together, these two letters form a complete and powerful defense of the Islamic creed.

For anyone seeking a deep, rational, and heartfelt understanding of Divine Unity, the Twentieth Letter stands as an unmatched guide. Rooted in a sacred hadith, it connects belief with knowledge, worship with reflection, and the seen world with the unseen truth behind it.