Sayyid Salih Özcan is one of the most reliable trustees. He is a descendant of our Prophet (saas), he is a sayyid. He is one of the beloved disciples of Said Nursi. He told that Said Nursi touched his forehead—he told this to me—he said, “He touched my forehead and said, “Kecili, I won’t be able to see Hazrat Mahdi (as)] but you will.” This is clear. For instance, I also talked to brother Sungur, and we were talking about the Sovereignty of Islam, he also stated there, “Said Nursi] told me that, I won’t see him, but you will.” and there were his disciples there. They were all astonished, he told this for the first time. This was an explanation he had never made before. I was surprised. I met brother Sungur years ago, in 1986 in a mosque, the Kılıç Ali Pasha Mosque. He was there. We were having a conversation with our friends there. He proceeded, indicating that he wanted to talk to me in private, and I said, “Yes sir.” He asked my name and last name and made a numerological analysis. He did this calculation on a notebook he took from his pocket. But he did not tell me what he was doing. He only made a numerological calculation. Asking my name and last name, he made an analysis. Meanwhile I asked him, “Sir, will Hazrat Mahdi (as) be a disciple of Said Nursi?” He answered, “Said Nursi told me that he will be a totally different person, a totally different movement.” He explained that he will be dissimilar. I hesitated to ask more questions not to bother him since it was a very important piece of information; it was an information that was not revealed to anyone before. So I did not insist, and was contended with [the answer.] But probably with good intentions, some of them might have thought that the good opinion about the Master could be harmed. They might have thought that if he were known as Hazrat Mahdi (as), he would become more respectable and efficient. The fact is, however, Said Nursi is also the guide of Hazrat Mahdi (as). Because he says that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will spread and adopt the Risale-i Nur as a ready program for himself. In other words, he says that he is a private, a vanguard for Hazrat Mahdi (as) laying the groundwork for him. As you see he is such a modest and good-natured person. He feels the pride of being a soldier to Hazrat Mahdi (as). He does not take offence from it. He does not consider it as an abnormality. This does not belittle him. This [state] glorifies him. For instance, I can even not be a nail of Said Nursi. He is a very great and precious person. I love him very very much. And he is the kind of person who has lots of metaphysical features; he is a very important person of this age. This does not belittle him. They say, “If there is a greater Mahdi, what would his state be?” People should leave the appreciation to Allah. This is for people who express their opinions. Isn’t it? Allah knows who is superior or inferior. Allah knows the status of people. Furthermore, we will not say that that particular person is definitely Hazrat Mahdi (as). This will be clear in the Hereafter. People say that Hazrat Mahdi (as) should write a work such as the Risale-i Nur. The fact is however, Hazrat Mahdi (as) will focus on the signs leading to faith, he will actually have books, and from the accounts we understand that even Jesus (as) will find his books, and benefit from them. The fact that he writes about the signs leading to faith does not necessitate that he employs the same style as Said Nursi. Furthermore, Said Nursi says will prepare these books basing them on some ready works. For instance, Said Nursi says that while struggling against materialism and darwinism, Hazrat Mahdi (as) will not have enough time and conditions to work on this subject. As you see, he gives so many details. He does not have the time and proper conditions. For this reason, he will benefit from [the existing information] in some of the works of scientists, the Western scientists, the ones around the world and fulfill his first duty, that is he will prepare his books by the help of them. He will base his works on them because he will not have the time to make research himself. Even if you put the lifetimes of ten people together, it will still not suffice to discharge such a task. He says, he will have such a work. Despite this explanation, they still feign ignorance about this subject. But feigning ignorance does not change the destiny and the events. But feigning ignorance, on the other hand, is the shield and veil of Hazrat Mahdi (as). By this way Hazrat Mahdi (as) will not be apparent. They, in fact, comply with their destinies. This is how their destinies are. For the disciples of Hazrat Mahdi (as), Said Nursi says “Although they are very few in number, they will spiritually be as strong and precious as an army.” They are very few in number.
INTERVIEWER: Was it 313?
ADNAN OKTAR: That is true, 313. Prophet Abraham’s disciples were 313 people. The number of Ahl al-Badr was 313. The number of people who crossed the river with Talud was also 313. Also the disciples of Hazrat Mahdi (as) are 313. They are all 313. In addition there is also another team made up of 50 women. It is related in the hadith that there is a team of 313 people made up of both women and men, and another team of 50 women, in addition to the first one. This is very meaningful.
INTERVIEWER: Is this second group also close to Hazrat Mahdi (as)?
ADNAN OKTAR: Of course, of course. But for some wisdom, in the hadith it is explained as a second part. Hazrat Mahdi (as) will be a sayyid. But Said Nursi says he is not a sayyid. But people say that he is absolutely a sayyid. Why should Said Nursi tell a lie? It is the person himself who knows himself best, right? If he says that he is not a sayyid, then he is not. Besides, not being a sayyid is not a crime. Does the fact that our Master is a Kurd belittle him? No, this does not belittle him. Because they are all descendants of Adam (as). Someone having the spirit of Allah. And Said Nursi is a very precious scholar. A very precious Kurdish scholar. But what a scholar! In my opinion, he is the greatest mujaddid, that is reviver, and interpreter of Islamic law of the last thousand years. In addition, he is an extraordinary person with metaphysical aspects.