Table of Contents
Hizmetpedia
The feelings, thoughts, noble ideals, and writings of the esteemed Fethullah Gülen and Master Bediüzzaman Said Nursi serve as essential sources of inspiration for the mental and spiritual nourishment of the volunteers and supporters of the Hizmet Movement. It is a vital responsibility to organize these works in a manner that allows for sharing and updating, to compile the body of knowledge and practices of the Hizmet Movement, to pass these resources on to future generations, to preserve the cultural and spiritual heritage, and to sustain the transmission of knowledge and wisdom.
For new generations to derive greater benefit from these sources, it is necessary to define and classify the concepts presented in these materials, incorporating intertextual references. Intertextuality serves as a source of inspiration.
Concepts are essential for understanding meanings. Mental concepts relate to external realities. When contemplation aligns with the truths and laws of life, verification occurs. Verified concepts are assimilated, and the illumination of meanings settles in the heart. Concepts act as keystones in the construction of civilization. Works and institutions thrive through vibrant concepts and meanings. Lively notions in the mind, heart, and spirit foster revivals in culture, art, and knowledge.
Hizmetpedia endeavors to elaborate and preserve the concepts found in the works of Nursi and Gülen by utilizing universal insights and the wisdom literature of humanity, and to translate these concepts and meanings into various world languages.
We will describe these concepts, illustrate their semantic fields by quoting from the works of Nursi and Gülen, reference resources containing wise judgments and universal principles identified by experts from diverse cultures with genuine epistemic curiosity, and establish connections with related concepts.
Methodology
Concepts are derived from the primary sources of the Hizmet Movement. Typically, a concept is defined by consulting dictionaries and encyclopedias, and if the Hizmet Movement assigns a specific meaning to the concept, it is briefly noted. Subsequently, a semantic framework is constructed by quoting from the main sources. Additionally, hyperlinks are provided to other related concepts mentioned on each page.
The concepts are compiled and written in Turkish, translated into other languages, and added to the site by a team of editors. Based on feedback and comments, the concepts are regularly reviewed by the editors. Taking into account the cultural nuances of different languages, the editors make necessary adaptations and reference reliable sources for those seeking detailed information.
Logo
The “red bird” symbolizes the inspirations and epiphanies that awaken the spirit and the heart.
Red signifies metanoia (spiritual conversion) and is associated with irfan (gnosis or spiritual knowledge).1) Nursi selected this color for the covers of his books, The Risale-i Nur Collection (The Collection of the Treatises of Light).2)
“… one manifestation of the Divine Name the All-Living, which is one of the Divine Names that have all-encompassing manifestations or one of the six lights of the All-Encompassing Name of God, appeared to my mind from afar in the month of Shawwal while in Eskişehir Prison. It was not recorded at that time; we could not capture that sacred bird.”3)
“The spirits awakened to the truth, who turn their hearts into bright mirrors shining with the Divine Self-disclosures, go hunting these Self-disclosures on their prayer rugs.”4)
“The spirits awakened to the truth or on the way to it are constantly vigilant for hunting the Divine Self-disclosures, mysteries, inspirations, and other blessings such as experiences of knowledge of God, intense love for Him, and spiritual delight. As for those unaware of the truth and what is right, who have given in to worldliness, they neither feel the breezes of Divine manifestations nor experience the excitement of pouring an inspirational blessing to the cup of their heart.”5)