Said Nursi and Science in Islam Character Building through Nursi’s Mana-i harfi

This book examines how the prominent Muslim scholar Said Nursi developed an integrative approach to faith and science known as "the other indicative" (mana-i harfi) and explores how his aim to reconcile two academic disciplines, often at odds with one another, could be useful in an educational context. The book opens by examining Nursi’s evolving thought with regards to secular ideology and modern science. It then utilizes the mana-i harfi approach to address a number of issues, including truth and certainty, the relationship between knowledge and worldview formation, and the meaning of beings and life. Finally, it offers a seven-dimensional knowledge approach to derive meaning and build good character through understanding scientific knowledge in the mana-i harfi perspective. This book offers a unique perspective on one of recent Islam’s most influential figures, and also offers suggestions for teaching religion and science in a more nuanced way. It is, therefore, a great resource for scholars of Islam, religion and science, Middle East studies, and educational studies.

Foreword by Alparslan Acikgenc 1 Said Nursi’s Evolving Thoughts on Secular Ideology and Modern Science 2 Knowledge, Certainty, and Science in Mana-i Harfi 3 Secular and Holistic (Tawhidi) Worldviews 4 Science and Meaning in Mana-i Harfi 5 Character Building with Scientific Knowledge through Mana-i Harfi

Necati Aydin is a professor of economics at Alfaisal University, Saudi Arabia. He has two doctoral degrees, one in education, and the other in economics. He has taught at different universities in USA, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, and has published several academic articles on Said Nursi’s ideas. He is a founding board member and executive director of the Nursi Society.