Said Yüce: "Man is an Antique Art of Almighty Allah"
The "Workshop from Art to Tawhid," organized by the Istanbul Foundation for Science and Culture, was held at the Rami Library on November 29, 2025. The opening speech was delivered by Said Yüce, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the IIKV.
The Universe: Divine Art from Beginning to End
Beginning his speech with the words, "Everything in the entire universe, from the micro to the macro, is a wonderful divine art," Yüce stated that all fields of art point to the divine beauty in the creation of man.
Quoting sections from the Risale-i Nur in his speech, Said Yüce stated that man is "an antique art of God Almighty" and added:
“Man rises to the 'highest of the high' (a’lâ-yı illiyyîn) with the light of belief; he falls to the 'lowest of the low' (esfel-i safilîne) with unbelief.”
He emphasized that this bond, that is, "faith being an affiliation," raises the value of man above all creatures.
“Art Must Show the Seal of Tawhid”
Drawing attention to the importance of artists noticing and showing the divine seals in the universe in their works, Yüce said:
“Our artists have a duty to see and show the seal of Tawhid on everything in the world.”
Reminding that what makes the works of many masters from Osman Hamdi Bey to Picasso valuable in art history is their own signatures, he stated that God's signature is present on every being in the universe.
The Divine Seal of Life: Inimitable
Stating that no technology, artificial intelligence, or biological research can imitate the secret of life, Yüce said:
“No artist can imitate the name 'Hayy' (The Ever-Living), where the seal of Tawhid manifests most brightly.”
Citing the creation of the honey bee as an example, he explained that millions of bees working with the same order at the same time "proves Divine Unity (Vahdet) self-evidently.
The Book of the Universe is Read with the Quran
Reminding that the Quran mentions many creations from mosquitoes to mountains, from ants to stars, Yüce emphasized:
“If the book of the universe is read without the Quran, it is incomplete; the Quran remains incomplete when not read with the book of the universe.”
He stressed that marifetullah (knowledge of God) is only possible by reading the two books together.
“The Universe is a Great Mosque; Man is the Prostrating Guest of That Mosque”
Drawing attention to the purpose of man's creation with a quote from the Risale-i Nur, Yüce said:
“The Wise Maker made the universe a great mosque; and created man as a guest prostrating therein.”
He stated that artists play a critical role in showing the magnificence of this divine art to others.
Hearing the Truth with the Ear of the Heart
At the end of his speech, stating that art cannot be completed without listening to the voice of Rabbani (Divine) truth, Yüce asked:
“Can an artist who does not listen to the celestial sound with the ear of the heart find the truth?”
Concluded with a Prayer
The program ended with the following prayer by Yüce:
“May the Lord of the Worlds grant us the ability to see the wonders of divine art with the light of belief, and to hear the celestial sound with the ear of the heart.”