Page 144 - A Call for a Turkish-Islamic Union

A CALL FOR A TURKISH-ISLAMIC UNION

very solid. The great Islamic scholar Said Nursi uses the fol-
lowing example to explain why a union formed by sincere
Muslims will be strong:

So we are surely in need of solidarity and true union, ob-
tained through gaining sincerity—for the mystery of sincerity
secures through four individuals the moral strength of one
thousand one hundred and eleven—indeed, we are compelled
to obtain it.
Yes, if three alifs [the letter "A" in Arabic which takes the
shape of a single vertical stroke, like the letter "I" or the num-
ber 1] do not unite, they have the value of three. But if they
do unite, through the mystery of numbers, they acquire the
value of one hundred and eleven. If four times four remain
apart, they have a value of sixteen. But if, through the mys-
tery of brotherhood and having a common goal and joint
duty, they unite, coming together shoulder to shoulder on a
line, they have the strength and value of four thousand four
hundred and forty-four. Just as numerous historical events
testify that the moral strength and value of sixteen self-sacri-
ficing brothers have been greater than that of four thousand.
The underlying reason for this mystery is this: Each member
of a true and sincere union may see also with the eyes of the
other brothers and hear with their ears. As if each person of
a true union of ten has the value and strength of seeing with
twenty eyes, thinking with ten minds, hearing with twenty
ears, and working with twenty hands. 15

The subjects we have explored so far show the need for Is-
lamic world's unity and the nature of such a union. The rest of
the book will deal with the features of this Turkish Islamic
Union.

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