Book 1
Background of the Author.
_____ Christian denomination the author belongs to...
(if no one has any clue we can give options)
Lutheran
In the introduction, the author describes a personal experience in an elevator in Izmir in 2015 about the risks he faced.
What did he see that made him fear for his safety?
Police officers carrying dossiers that contained the name of Fethullah Gülen
Instead of seeking worldly positions like being a parliamentarian, prime minister, or president, what does the speaker say a person should truly be "dilvesli" (passionate/attached) toward?
A person should be attached to very lofty/sublime ideals
Count 3 animals Mehmet abi mentioned during Risale
Mountain Goats
Cats
Bee
Lion
Probably few others...
How should a devoted soul react when a route taken does not result as expected?
“Alhamdulillah, it was for the best.”
In the introduction, the author outlines three interrelated aims for the book. Aside from narrating a life story and describing the Hizmet movement, what is the third, most difficult aim he hopes to achieve?
To narrate the history of how an individual life and a movement contributed to building peace.
The author notes that Gülen was born in the small village of Korucuk, near which larger town in Northeastern Turkey?
Erzurum
The speaker expresses a deep urgency about the "expected generation." If this current group fails to fulfill their mission, what does he say he will be forced to do?
He says it would require sitting and waiting in agony for another half-century
Ustad presents a specific comparison (example) to illustrate the foolishness of praising a middleman while ignoring the true giver. What action does he say is "sheer foolishness"?
Kissing the feet of a poor man who brings a precious gift from a king while not recognizing the true giver.
What is the promised ease mentioned in the Quranic verse quoted in the text regarding hardship?
"Surely with hardship comes ease" Surah Inshirah
The author discusses a "paradox" he observed in the life of Fethullah Gülen regarding the relationship between faith and rationality. What is this paradox?
That a faithful person can be rational, and a rational person can be faithful.
Background of the Author. The author's scholarly trajectory toward this biography began in 2006, what was the community's name in Philadelphia.
Dialog Forum
What is Qitmir
it is most famous as the name of the loyal, protective dog that guarded the "People of the Cave" (Ashab al-Kahf) during their centuries-long slumber, a story recounted in the Quran.
Ustad references the staff of Moses (peace be upon him) to describe which specific part of a plant's anatomy acting in the name of Allah?
The roots
In terms of intention (niyat), how does the author suggest a devoted soul distributes their focus?
99% of the time the intention is directed towards people around them (excluding the main intention being for Allah), and 1% for their own requirements.
According to the author, Gülen has taught that the "primary jihad" of a Muslim is the struggle to subdue what?
The ego—specifically removing the obstacle of the "I" that prevents the generation of a "we".
The author identifies "nonviolent practices" as a core theme of Gülen’s life. What are the three specific Islamic practices he explicitly categorizes as foundational examples of these nonviolent habits?
Prayer, pilgrimage (Hajj), and charity (zakat)
In the video, what is the definition of a "dava insanı" (a person of the cause/mission)?
They are someone who has forgotten the pleasure of living and has become "crazy" with the joy of enabling others to live
According to the first word, what are the three things the True Bestower of blessings asks from us in return for the valuable bounties He provides?
Remembrance, gratitude, and reflection
Acceptable:
:"Bismillah". "Alhamdulillah", reflecting these blessings are from the One.
Extra points if mentioned both!
Complete "tark-i dunya, tark-i uqba, tark-i hasti, tark-i ___"
meaning "Leaving behind the world, the after, the self, ___"
tark
In the introduction, the author makes a "wager" regarding the religious life of Gülen and the movement he inspired. What is the core of this claim?
That they have contributed to a more just, peaceful world.
For what reasons does the author say for those who have historically hated or vilified Gülen?
those who have hated him have almost always done so for political reasons, rather than for authentic religious or moral failings
The speaker references several literary figures to describe the devotion of a "dava adamı." Who are two of the figures mentioned?
Ferhat (who drills through mountains) and Emrah (who burns for his beloved)
When describing how leaves stay fresh despite intense heat, what verse does Ustad say they recite?
(Verse itself is enough; name / # is not necessary)
"O fire, be coolness and peace"
What quality is mentioned as "it makes a human- human and distinguishes them from other creations like animals."
Spirit of responsibility