So That Others May Live: A Fethullah Gulen Reader

by Erkan M. Kurt (Editor)

Overview

Fethullah Gülen is undoubtedly one of the most influential Muslim thinkers of our time. His work and writings have inspired a transnational civic movement that advocates for education, promotes intercultural and interfaith understanding, and delivers humanitarian aid and disaster relief. Originated in Turkey, this “Hizmet” or “Gülen Movement” is active in more than one hundred countries across the globe. So That Others May Live offers a definitive compilation of Gülen’s characteristic essays. Some of them are available here in English for the first time. The rest have been carefully re-translated and edited, providing even familiar readers with new insight into Gülen’s most remarkable writings on faith, morality, education, civic service, and modern civilization. Together, this selection functions as a valuable guide to the ethical impetuses of a global social movement—one that has rooted itself in Gülen’s signature synthesis of humanism and Islam.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781935295204
Publisher:	Blue Dome Press
Publication date:	10/07/2013
Pages:	216
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Erkan M. Kurt is a researcher at the Institute of Interfaith Dialog, Houston, TX. He has a PhD in Islamic theology and a Master’s degree in Christian theology. He is the author of Creation: The Principle of Nature in Islamic Metaphysics

ISBNs and titles of author's previous books: Creation: The Principle of Nature in Islamic Metaphysics, 1935295187

Table of Contents

Preface vii

Chapter 1 Humanity & Civilization

The Love of Humanity 3

The Inner Life of Humanity 7

Our Own Depths (I) 13

Our Own Depths (II) 17

Our Responsibility 19

Woman from a Spiritual Point of View 23

The Society of Peace 27

The Ideal Society 31

The Concept of Civilization 35

The Nature We Have Destroyed 39

Toward the Sovereignty of the Heart 43

Humanity Longing for Love 47

Chapter 2 Faith & Wisdom

The Love of God 53

The Believer Standing before God 63

The Characteristics of a Believer 67

The Purpose of Life 71

The Love of Truth 75

Chapter 3 Morals & Spirituality

The Heart 81

Love 85

Mercy 87

Forgiveness and Tolerance 91

Virtue and Happiness 95

Inner Peace 99

A Portrait of the Man of the Heart 103

Chapter 4 Education

The Youth 109

Elevating Humanity 113

Our Philosophy of Education (I) 117

Our Philosophy of Education (II) 121

What Education Promises 125

What to Expect from Education 129

Chapter 5 People of Service

The People We Are Longing For 133

The Architects of Our Future 135

The New Man 139

Devout Architects of Our Souls 143

The Souls Devoted to God 149

Chapter 6 Islam

The Nature of Islamic Religion 155

Resting in the Shade of Islam 161

Characteristics of Islam 167

A Partial Description of Our System of Thought 173

The Last Messenger of the Unseen 177

Sources 185

Index 189

Editorial Reviews

10/15/2013
Gülen (The Messenger of God: Muhammad), a Turkish religious thinker and preacher, frequently combines in his work traditional Islamic spirituality and humanism. His essays draw from religious and secular philosophers as they address issues in morality, tolerance, service to humanity, and Islam (especially drawing from Islam's mystical traditions). His writing references not only religious and philosophical texts but also classical literature (Hercules is often used to depict the ideal person). These 40 essays were initially published between 1977 and 2008 in Turkish, in publications that focused on spirituality. Most are two to three pages long, and they generally require a close reading to be fully appreciated. Editor Kurt (Inst. of Interfaith Dialog; Creation: The Principle of Nature in Islamic Metaphysics) has divided them thematically within six chapters broadly covering humanity, faith, spirituality, education, service, and Islam. While each essay can be read on its own, one develops a better appreciation of the texts when a chapter is read in its entirety. Many readers will find the essays reminiscent of those penned by Kahlil Gibran in his The Prophet. While no translator is named, the editor writes that he "retranslated" many of the pieces. VERDICT A good collection for those liking the blend of faith, ethics, and education or who follow contemporary Sufism or mystical religious traditions.—Muhammed Hassanali, Shaker Heights, OH

Library Journal

09/23/2013
Kurt, adjunct professor of Islam at the University of Houston, assembles these forty essays of the Turkish philosopher Fethullah Gülen in this "reader" of Gülen's works. The essays, which are organized into six broad topic areas, are short in length and a good introduction to Gülen's philosophy, which has a worldwide following. Kurt says in his well-written preface that he hopes his book brings more English readers to Gülen's views, which align the spiritual, Sufi side of Islam with a distinct and eloquent humanism. Kurt has done an excellent job translating Gülen's allegories and symbolic language, which is the book's main achievement. However, the essays mostly pre-date the critical post-9/11 period, which makes the book rather irrelevant on anything but a spiritual level and almost cliché. Though Kurt's preface promises an elucidation of Gülen's philosophy, the essays, while loaded with quotable, inspirational phrases, have no intellectual heft. Anyone familiar with Sufism will not mind the refresher, and Gülen's followers will like the re-treading of familiar ground. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

"A good collection for those liking the blend of faith, ethics, and education or who follow contemporary Sufism or mystical religious traditions."
--Muhammed Hassanali, Library Journal; 10/15/2013

“Kurt, adjunct professor of Islam at the University of Houston, assembles these forty essays of the Turkish philosopher Fethullah Gülen in this "reader" of Gülen's works. The essays, which are organized into six broad topic areas, are short in length and a good introduction to Gülen's philosophy, which has a worldwide following.
--Publishers Weekly; 9/23/2013

From the Publisher