To the Public Health Committee
As is written at the beginning of A Guide for Youth, fifteen years ago a few youths visited me so that they might learn how to preserve their lives in this world and the next. So, for God's sake, I gave them instruction in the lesson from the Guide.
The importance of A Guide for Youth and there being no legal impediments to its free publication are proven by the following facts: with the exception of one or footnotes, its being acquitted by both the Isparta authorities, and Denizli Court, and Ankara Criminal Court, and the Appeal Court after having remained with it for two years, and the entire Risale‑i Nur Collection, including the Guide, being returned to its owners; and as is written at the beginning of the Guide, with one copy of it coming into the hands of the Ankara police chief, although objections were raised about a single word, the truth of the matter being understood when the sentence at the end was read so no ruling was given preventing its free dissemination; and no harm being suffered anywhere nor objections raised although thousands of copies have been published; and in the town of Tarsus in Mersin Province, even, although several books from the Risale-i Nur were confiscated including A Guide for Youth and sent to Ankara for scrutiny, an official document being given on the orders of the governor's office saying the books were free; and when they were printed in Istanbul and in accordance with the law sent to five or six government departments where they remained for five or six months, no objections being raised to them.
Then more than a thousand youths in the schools in Ankara and other provinces profited from it in respect of country, nation, and morality, and no one at all suffered any harm. Yet suddenly, they misinterpreted one or two words that in no way could be deemed reprehensible, for instance, they laid charges concerning the title A Guide for Youth.
On the other hand, the work's author did not print it; some youths had it printed when he was lying sick in bed. They nevertheless said it was written to secure personal influence and declared this an offence, and wanted to send him, not those who printed the work, to the criminal court and have him brought there by force, although it was written fifteen years ago and was covered by the general amnesty and had been acquitted. This being the case, they harass its author completely illegally and as a consequence of some grudge or animosity.
So I say that very possibly the reason they so insistently summon me to court when I am ill and it is beyond my power, in a way that is illegal in ten respects, is to serve anarchy and irreligion because the Guide affords huge benefits for the country, nation, and public security.
To now bring me by force to Istanbul to the court, maliciously on account of illegality in the name of the law, although most certainly medically and scientifically my extreme old age, weakness, and severe illness from poison should excuse me, and on four occasions I have obtained reports to that effect which I have sent them, to still persistently compel and coerce me, afflicts my spirit grievously. It is beyond my power now to speak in the presence of the court and the authorities. If I do speak, I shall be obliged to throw it in the faces of those who strive to harm the country, nation, and public order, and illegally send me to trial. I can no longer endure such tyranny. This is another sort of illness. It is also possible that this non‑physical illness may cause harm to the country.
My request now from the Public Health Committee: Those who know me and are closely connected with me and serve me know that my covert enemies have poisoned me on numerous occasions. I am unable to eat and cannot speak with my assistant even for more than five minutes.
I have a persistent and severe cold in my head, and my eyes ache from it and water. I suffer from chronic lumbago and am ill from its acute pain.
I am also extremely weak since I have remained in exile for twenty‑eight years and do not accept the assistance of others and have lived in penury and deprivation. Unless there is no pressing need, I cannot speak for five minutes even; I get tired.
Previously I endured the trials and court cases for the sake of the Risale‑i Nur and the Nur students, and did not divulge the truth entirely. I endured their oppression to an extent and did not throw their injustices in their faces. I practised patience so that no harm should come to the innocent and to public order, and I put up with all their various torments and persecution.
But now the world of Islam has adopted the Risale‑i Nur. And the Nur students no longer need my tolerance and my not attacking my enemies and my remaining silent in the face of their oppression. So now when I am severely provoked, involuntarily and outside my will I am going to speak the truth frankly and openly to those who strive to punish me, utilizing the harms my covert enemies have caused me. (Silence … this is not going to be disclosed for now.)
Since the fact of the matter is this, and since the Public Health Committee has knowledge of both my physical, spiritual, and nervous indispositions, and my coronary illness and sicknesses in my head, and my lumbago and pain, and my inability to speak in court, and since my official representatives are there, and those who printed the work are there, I request that a report be given describing medically my dangerous illnesses so that my evidence may be given in absentia.
Said Nursi,in Emirdağ