returned to the police headquarters. The police sent a doctor to make out a report. But the doctor felt doubtful and only later wrote his report, for the body was so hot; it did not resemble the normal state of death. He did not want Bediuzzaman to be buried immediately.
Then the estate lawyer came; he noted down Bediuzzaman's personal effects and fixed their value. According to the report in the newspaper, Aksam, this was 551 liras 50 Kurus. That is to say, apart from his watch, gown, prayer-mat, tea-pot and glasses, and a few odds and ends. Bediuzzaman owned nothing in the world. On the request of his students, Bediuzzaman's only surviving brother, Abdülmecid, was made the sole heir to these.
As the news spread, thousands of people started to pour into Urfa. It was decided that Bediuzzaman's body would be washed and buried in the Dergah, where the Prophet Abraham lies. He was taken there after the midday prayers. The people of Urfa closed all the shops and filled the streets. While the body was washed and wrapped in its shroud on the Wednesday afternoon thousands of while-winged pigeons and birds other sorts flocked and flew in the air above the Dergah. It was raining gently. Bediuzzaman's body was washed by Molla Abdulhamid Efendi. Also present were Zübeyir, Bayram, Hüsnü, and Abdullah, and also the Risale-i Nur's "first student", Hulûsi Bey. Bediuzzaman's body was then taken to the Ulu Mosque, where it was to rest till it was buried. The Qur'an was read continuously, and prayers were recited. The mosque was filled.
The burial was to have taken place on the Friday, but the numbers of people crowding into Urfa from all over Turkey and beyond became so great, the Governor called Bediuzzaman’s students and said that he would have to be buried on the Thursday following the afternoon prayers. They had no option but to agree. It was announced over loudspeakers.
The funeral prayers were performed in the courtyard of the Ulu Mosque, then the bier holding the body was raised up and carried on the hands of the crowd. The Governor of Urfa, The Mayor, the local Garrison Commander, the people of Urfa. those of the Risale-i Nur Students who had been able to reach Urfa in time for the burial, thousands of people crowded in and around the mosque then moved