What is the true religion?

Throughout human history, one of the most frequently asked questions has been: “What is the true religion?” In every era, different beliefs, ideologies, and ways of life have emerged; yet the human soul has always sought the truth. Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, in his Risale-i Nur Collection, responds to this search by stating that the criterion of the true religion is found solely in the Qur’an and Islam.

According to the Risale-i Nur, religion is a divine roadmap that leads human beings to happiness both in this world and in the hereafter. However, for this roadmap to be authentic, it must meet three essential conditions:

1- It must be sent by God.
2- It must be delivered to humanity through a prophet.
3- It must be in harmony with human reason, heart, and conscience.

Based on these principles, the true religions that were revealed in the past have been altered over time; only Islam has preserved its originality. Bediuzzaman Said Nursi describes the truths of the Qur’an as “bright as the sun” and emphasizes that these truths grant both faith and peace to the human being. In short, according to the Risale-i Nur Collection, the true religion is solely Islam, founded upon the Word of God, the Qur’an.

The True Religion is Islam!

According to the Risale-i Nur Collection, the only true religion is Islam. This is because Islam is founded upon the Qur’an, which is the Word of God. Bediuzzaman Said Nursi describes the Qur’an as “the sun of truth” and regards all other paths as deficient, incomplete, and misleading. The key emphases highlighted in the Risale-i Nur are as follows:

1- The Qur’an is the Word of God and the source of truth.
2- The true religion is solely the path shown by the Qur’an.
3- Humanity’s happiness in both this world and the hereafter is possible only by following this religion.

From these points, it is clear that the Risale-i Nur Collection strongly demonstrates that Islam is the only true religion. Islam is the sole divine faith that fulfills the needs of the human mind, heart, and conscience.

The Truth of Islam

In the Risale-i Nur Collection, Bediuzzaman Said Nursi explains the truth of Islam and its status as the only true religion through numerous proofs. According to him, the measure of the true religion is that it must be in harmony with reason, the heart, the conscience, and human nature (fitrah). Islam fulfills all these criteria in the most perfect way.

1. The Proof of Tawhid (Divine Unity)

All parts of the universe operate in great order and harmony. It is clear that everything is governed by a single Power. The truth of Tawhid is the essence of Islam and the greatest sign pointing to the true religion.

2. The Proof of Prophethood

Bediuzzaman Said Nursi considers the sending of prophets as essential for humanity. Human beings are in need of truth, but reason alone is not sufficient. Therefore, God has taught the truth through His prophets. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the final messenger, and the religion he brought will remain until the Day of Judgment. This firmly establishes Islam as the true religion.

3. The Proof of Resurrection (Hashr)

One of the subjects most emphasized in the Risale-i Nur is resurrection. According to Nursi, human beings have an eternal life. Death is not annihilation but a transition to a new life. Islam, with its belief in resurrection and the afterlife, offers true consolation to humanity. No other path can explain this reality in a firm and satisfactory way.

4. The Proof of Worship and Justice

The purpose of human creation is servitude to God. The Risale-i Nur highlights the principle: “Man was created for worship.” Islam places worship at the center of both individual and social life. Moreover, Islam’s system of justice protects human rights in the most perfect manner. This too proves that it is the true religion.

5. The Proof of Human Nature and Conscience

Bediuzzaman Said Nursi states that in every human heart there is a seed of faith. The conscience searches for God and desires the truth. Islam is the religion most compatible with human nature. The human soul finds true peace only through Islam.

According to the Risale-i Nur, Islam:

– Is founded upon the truth of Divine Unity in the universe.
– Proclaims the truth through the institution of prophethood.
– Guarantees eternal happiness through belief in the hereafter.
– Organizes life through worship and justice.
– Brings complete peace to man as the religion most in harmony with nature and conscience.

These proofs clearly demonstrate the truth of Islam and that the only true religion is Islam.

Not Imitative, But Investigative Faith

One of the most important aspects of the Risale-i Nur is that it leads people out of blind imitation and into investigative (verified) faith. The true religion is not merely a tradition of outward forms; rather, it is the mind, the heart, and the soul together turning toward the truth. According to Bediuzzaman Said Nursi:

– Imitative faith remains weak.
– Investigative faith is firm against all kinds of doubts.
– The true religion brings peace to human beings both in this world and in the hereafter.