risâle

Risāla is a traditional term in Arabic and its cultural spheres (Turkish risâle; Persian and Urdu risāla) that denotes a short treatise, tract, or epistle. The word literally means "message" or "epistle," and in scholarly usage it refers to a concise work focused on a single subject, often written in the form of a letter to a student, colleague, or patron, though many risālas exist as standalone compositions.

Forms and topics commonly associated with risāla include jurisprudence (fiqh), theology (kalam), philosophy, ethics, and mysticism (tasawwuf). The genre is characterized by brevity and direct argument, aiming to present a precise position, answer a specific question, or provide practical instruction. The epistolary style can make the work feel personal and accessible, even when addressing complex ideas.

Historical role: The risāla became a widespread and flexible genre across Arabic, Persian, Turkish, and Urdu literary cultures from classical to modern times. It functioned as a portable instrument for teaching, debating doctrinal points, transmitting methodological instructions, and disseminating ideas in academic, courtly, religious, and Sufi contexts. In Sufi orders, risālas often offered concise guidance on spiritual practice and doctrine.

Modern usage: In Turkish intellectual life, the term persists as a label for concise treatises and pamphlets. A prominent contemporary example is the Risale-i Nur collection by Said Nursi, a multi-volume set of Qur'anic exegesis and spiritual-ethical essays presented in a risāla-like form. Across the Muslim world, many works continue to adopt risāla in their titles to signal a focused, teachable tract on a specific topic.