Revitalizing Islamic Civilization Through Scientific Traditions

A Contemporary Analysis of Said Nursi’s Thought

Authors

  • Achmad Reza Hutama Al Faruqi Universitas Darussalam Gontor, Indonesia
  • Nabila Huringiin Universitas Darussalam (UNIDA) Gontor, Indonesia
  • Moh. Isom Mudin Universitas Darussalam (UNIDA) Gontor, Indonesia
  • Zahin Zahid Faza Universitas Darussalam (UNIDA) Gontor, Indonesia
  • Mohamed Hedi Ouannes International Foundation For Science and Culture Istanbul, Turkey

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30762/jiss.v4i1.3462

Keywords:

Badiuzzaman Said Nursi, Islamic Civilization, Epistemology, Spirituality, Modernity

Abstract

This study explores the philosophical and socio-intellectual reconstruction of Islamic civilization in the modern era through the thought of Bediuzzaman Said Nursi. The purpose of this research is to analyze how Nursi’s theological and epistemological framework provides a constructive response to the challenges of secular modernity, materialism, and moral disintegration within Muslim societies. Employing a qualitative method with a philosopical approach and content analysis method, this study critically examines Nursi’s primary texts—particularly the Risale-i Nur Collection—and contextualizes them within broader discourses of Islamic renewal and modernity. The findings reveal that Nursi’s concept of iman tahqiqi (verified faith) and his integration of reason and revelation serve as the foundation for reconstructing a spiritually rooted yet intellectually open Islamic civilization. His vision emphasizes moral reform, scientific advancement guided by divine purpose, and social cohesion based on justice and compassion. Moreover, Nursi’s approach bridges traditional religious scholarship with modern epistemology, offering a model for holistic development that reconciles faith, knowledge, and progress. The study concludes that Nursi’s thought remains profoundly relevant to contemporary Muslim societies facing crises of identity, secularization, and environmental degradation. It recommends further comparative research between Nursi’s civilizational vision and contemporary Islamic thinkers to formulate an integrative paradigm for Islamic civilization renewal in the 21st century.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abdelnour, M. G. (2019). Reforming Modernity: Ethics and the New Human in the Philosophy of Abdurrahman Taha, written by Wael B. Hallaq. Journal of Islamic Ethics, 3(1–2), 238–243. https://doi.org/10.1163/24685542-12340034

Abu-Rabi, I. M. (2003). Islam at the Crossroads: On the Life and Thought of Bediuzzaman Said Nursi (I. M. Abu-Rabi, ed.). New York: State University of New York Press.

Al-Attas, S. M. N. (1993). Islam and Secularism (Second). Kuala Lumpur: Intenational Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (ISTAC).

Al-Attas, S. M. N. (1995). Prolegomena to the Metaphysics of Islam: An Exposition of the Fundamental Element of the Worldview of Islam. Kuala lumpur: International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization.

Al-Faruqi, I. R. (1997). Islamization of Knowledge, General Principles and Work Plan (3rd ed.; A. H. A. Sulayman, ed.). Herndon Virginia: Intematioal Institute oflslamic Thought (IIIT).

Bakar, O. (1991). Tawhid and Science, Essays on The History and Phlosophy of Islamic Science. Michigan: Secretariat for Islamic Philosophy and Science.

Bhandari, P. (2023). What Is Qualitative Research? Methods & Examples. Retrieved August 27, 2024, from Scribbr website: https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/qualitative-research/

Creswell, J. W. (n.d.). Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed approaches.

Faruqi, A. R. H. Al, Ma’afi, R. H., & Nurfaiza, F. (2021). The Concept of God According to Sa’id Nursi. International Journal Ihya’ ’Ulum Al-Din, 23(2), 194–209. https://doi.org/10.21580/IHYA.23.2.7253

Foltz, R. C., Frederick., M. D., & Baharuddin, A. (2003). Islam and Ecology: Trust, A Bestowed. Cambrigde, Mass: Hardvard University Press.

Gadamer, H. G. (1975). Truth and Method (J. Weinsheimer & D. G. Marshall, Eds.). London, New York: Continuum.

Huringiin, N., Faruqi, A. R. H. Al, & Bachr, A. W. S. (2023). Harmonizing Society: Bediuzzaman Said Nursi’s Vision of Islamic Politics. Muharrik: Jurnal Dakwah Dan Sosial, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.37680/muharrik.v6i1.3528

Ibrahim M. Abu-Rabi. (2008). Spiritual Dimensions of Bediuzzaman Said Nursi’s Risale-I Nur. New York: SUNY Press.

Ihsan, N. H., Huringiin, N., & Indah, N. (2023). Iman as the Foundation of Akhlaq in the Phenomenon of Modern Life. Tajdid: Jurnal Ilmu Ushuluddin, 22(1), 102–134. https://doi.org/10.30631/tjd.v22i1.324

Iqbal, M. (2012). The Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam. California: Stanford University Press.

Khalid, F. M. (1992). Islam and Ecology. United States: Cassell.

Krippendorff, K. (n.d.). Content Analysis: An Introduction to Its Methodology. Cetakan Kedua. London: SAGE Publication.

M. Hakan Yavuz. (1998). Islamic Political Identity in Turkey; Movements, Agents, and Processes (1st ed.). Madison: University of Wisconsin--Madison.

Malik, S. A. (2025). Islam and science. United States: Center for Islam in the Contemporary World and Center for Advanced Studies. https://doi.org/10.35632/ajis.v10i3.2496

Markham, I. S. (2009). Engaging with Bediuzzaman Said Nursi A Model of Interfaith Dialogue. New York, Amerika: Routledge.

Markham, I. S., & Pirim, S. B. (1988). An Introduction to Said Nursi: Life, Thought, snd Writings. Surrey: Ashgate.

Michel, T. (2013). Insights from the Risale-i Nur: Said Nursi’s Advice for Modern Believers. Amerika Serikat: Tughra Books.

Nasr, S. H. (1989). Knowledge and the Sacred. New York: State University of New York Press.

Nasr, S. H. (1990). Traditional Islam in the Modern World. London and New York: Kegan Paul International.

Nasr, S. H. (1996). The Meaning and The Concept of Philosophy in Islam. History of Islamic Philosophy, Routledge History of World Philosophies, 1.

Nasr, S. H. (2001). Islam and the Plight of Modern Man. Chicago: Kazi Publications.

Nursi, B. S. (1997). The Letters. Istanbul: Sozler Publications.

Nursi, B. S. (2004a). The Flashes. Istanbul: Nesil.

Nursi, B. S. (2004b). The Rays. Istanbul: Nesil.

Nursi, B. S. (2005). The Words. Istanbul: Nesil.

Qomar, M. (2024a). Khazanah Penelitian Islam (1st ed.; A. Qusnaini, Ed.). Malang: Madani Media.

Qomar, M. (2024b). Metode Penelitian Literatur (1st ed.). Malang: Madani.

Rabi’, I. M. A. (2008). Spiritual Dimensions of Bediuzzaman Said Nursi’s Risale-i-Nur (Vol. 20). Albany. https://doi.org/10.1093/jis/etp057

Rahman, F. (1985). Islam dan Modernity: Transformation of an Intellectual Tradition (Terj. Ahsin Muhammad, Ed.). Bandung: Pustaka.

Ramadan, T. (2012). The Arab Awakening: Islam and the new Middle East. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Sardar, Z. (2011). Reading the Qur’an: The Contemporary Relevance of the Sacred Text of Islam. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Turner, C. (2009). The Qur’an Revealed: A Critical Analysis of Said Nursi’s Epistemology. Leiden: Brill.

Turner, C. (2013). The Qur’an Revealed: A Critical Analysis of Said Nursi’s Epistles of Light. Berlin: Gerlach Press.

Turner, C., & Horkuc, H. (2009). Said Nursi: Makers of Islamic Civilization. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Vahide, Ş. (1995). Jihad in the Modern Age: Bediuzzaman Said Nursi’s Interpretation of Jihad. Third International Symposium on Bediuzzaman Said Nursi The Reconstruction of Islamic Thought In The Twentieth Century and Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, 27. Istanbul: Sozler Publications.

Vahide, Ş. (2005). Islam in Modern Turkey: An Intellectual Biography of Bediuzzaman Said Nursi. New York: State University of New York Press.

Vahide, Ş. (2011). Bediuzzaman Said Nursi: Author of the Risale-i Nur. Kuala Lumpur: Islamic Book Trust.

Vahide, Ş., & Abu-Rabi, I. M. (2005). Islam in Modern Turkey: An Intellectual Biography of Bediuzzaman Said Nursi. In Islam in Modern Turkey: An Intellectual Biography of Bediuzzaman Said Nursi.

Downloads

Published

06-08-2026

How to Cite

Al Faruqi, A. R. H., Huringiin, N., Mudin, M. I., Faza, Z. Z., & Ouannes, M. H. (2026). Revitalizing Islamic Civilization Through Scientific Traditions: A Contemporary Analysis of Said Nursi’s Thought. Journal of Islamic and Social Studies, 4(1), 23–45. https://doi.org/10.30762/jiss.v4i1.3462

Similar Articles

<< < 1 2 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.