The Book of the Epistle to the Son of the Wolf CHAPTER ONE 6 страница
610. who would dare to disbelieve, who would dare to reject the truth, and wax disdainful? 611. Nay, such consternation would immediately seize all the dwellers of the earth that no soul would feel able to utter a word, much less to reject or accept the truth. 612. It was owing to their misunderstanding of these truths that many a Christian divine hath objected to Muhammad, and voiced his protest in such words: 613. “If Thou art in truth the promised Prophet, why then art Thou not accompanied by those angels our sacred Books foretold, and which must needs descend with the promised Beauty to assist Him in His Revelation and act as warners unto His people?” 614. Even as the All-Glorious hath recorded their statement: 615. “Why hath not an angel been sent down to Him, so that he should have been a warner with Him?” The Book of Certitude CHAPTER TWENTY Divisions 616-655 1ST CERTITUDE 616. Such objections and differences have persisted in every age and century. 617. The people have always busied themselves with such specious discourses, vainly protesting: 618. “Wherefore hath not this or that sign appeared?” 619. Such ills befell them only because they have clung to the ways of the divines of the age in which they lived, and blindly imitated them in accepting or denying these Essences of Detachment, these holy and divine Beings. 620. These leaders, owing to their immersion in selfish desires, and their pursuit of transitory and sordid things, have regarded these divine Luminaries as being opposed to the standards of their knowledge and understanding, and the opponents of their ways and judgments. 621. As they have literally interpreted the Word of God, and the sayings and traditions of the Letters of Unity, and expounded them according to their own deficient understanding, they have therefore deprived themselves and all their people of the bountiful showers of the grace and mercies of God. 622. And yet they bear witness to this well-known tradition: “Verily Our Word is abstruse, bewilderingly abstruse.” 623. In another instance, it is said: “Our Cause is sorely trying, highly perplexing; none can bear it except a favorite of heaven, or an inspired Prophet, or he whose faith God hath tested.” 624. These leaders of religion admit that none of these three specified conditions is applicable to them. 626. The first two conditions are manifestly beyond their reach; 627. as to the third, it is evident that at no time have they been proof against those tests that have been sent by God, and that when the divine Touchstone appeared, they have shown themselves to be naught but dross. 628. Great God! Notwithstanding their acceptance of the truth of this tradition, these divines who are still doubtful of, and dispute about, the theological obscurities of their faith, yet claim to be the exponents of the subtleties of the law of God, and the expounders of the essential mysteries of His holy Word. 629. They confidently assert that such traditions as indicate the advent of the expected Qá’im have not yet been fulfilled, whilst they themselves have failed to inhale the fragrance of the meaning of these traditions, and are still oblivious of the fact that all the signs foretold have come to pass, 630. that the way of God’s holy Cause hath been revealed, and the concourse of the faithful, swift as lightning, are, even now, passing upon that way, whilst these foolish divines wait expecting to witness the signs foretold. 631. Say, O ye foolish ones! 632. Wait ye even as those before you are waiting! 633. Were they to be questioned concerning those signs that must needs herald the revelation and rise of the sun of the Muhammadan Dispensation, to which We have already referred, none of which have been literally fulfilled, and were it to be said to them: 634. “Wherefore have ye rejected the claims advanced by Christians and the peoples of other faiths and regard them as infidels,” knowing not what answer to give, they will reply: 635. “These Books have been corrupted and are not, and never have been, of God.” 636. Reflect: the words of the verses themselves eloquently testify to the truth that they are of God. 637. A similar verse hath been also revealed in the Qur’án, were ye of them that comprehend. 638. Verily I say, throughout all this period they have utterly failed to comprehend what is meant by corrupting the text. 639. Yea, in the writings and utterances of the Mirrors reflecting the sun of the Muhammadan Dispensation mention hath been made of “Modification by the exalted beings” and “alteration by the disdainful.” 640. Such passages, however, refer only to particular cases. 641. Among them is the story of Ibn-i-Súríyá. 642. When the people of Khaybar asked the focal center of the Muhammadan Revelation concerning the penalty of adultery committed between a married man and a married woman, 643. Muhammad answered and said: “The law of God is death by stoning.” 644. Whereupon they protested saying: “No such law hath been revealed in the Pentateuch.” 645. Muhammad answered and said: “Whom do ye regard among your rabbis as being a recognized authority and having a sure knowledge of the truth?” 646. They agreed upon Ibn-i-Súríyá. 647. Thereupon Muhammad summoned him and said: “I adjure [beseech] thee by God Who clove the sea for you, caused manna to descend upon you, and the cloud to overshadow you, Who delivered you from Pharaoh and his people, and exalted you above all human beings, 648. to tell us what Moses hath decreed concerning adultery between a married man and a married woman.” 649. He made reply: “O Muhammad! death by stoning is the law.” 650. Muhammad observed: “Why is it then that this law is annulled and hath ceased to operate among the Jews?” 651. He answered and said: “When Nebuchadnezzar delivered Jerusalem to the flames, and put the Jews to death, only a few survived. 652. The divines of that age, considering the extremely limited number of the Jews, and the multitude of the Amalekites, took counsel together, and came to the conclusion that were they to enforce the law of the Pentateuch, every survivor who hath been delivered from the hand of Nebuchadnezzar would have to be put to death according to the verdict of the Book. 653. Owing to such considerations, they totally repealed the penalty of death.” 654. Meanwhile Gabriel inspired Muhammad’s illumined heart with these words: 655. “They pervert the text of the Word of God.” The Book of Certitude CHAPTER TWENTY ONE Divisions 656-675 1ST CERTITUDE 656. This is one of the instances that have been referred to. 657. Verily by “perverting” the text is not meant that which these foolish and abject souls have fancied, even as some maintain that Jewish and Christian divines have effaced from the Book such verses as extol and magnify the countenance of Muhammad, and instead thereof have inserted the contrary. 658. How utterly vain and false are these words! 659. Can a man who believeth in a book, and deemeth it to be inspired by God, mutilate it? 660. Moreover, the Pentateuch had been spread over the surface of the earth, and was not confined to Mecca and Medina, so that they could privily corrupt and pervert its text. 661. Nay, rather, by corruption of the text is meant that in which all Muslim divines are engaged today, that is the interpretation of God’s holy Book in accordance with their idle imaginings and vain desires. 662. And as the Jews, in the time of Muhammad, interpreted those verses of the Pentateuch that referred to His Manifestation after their own fancy, and refused to be satisfied with His holy utterance, the charge of “perverting” the text was therefore pronounced against them. 663. Likewise, it is clear, how in this day, the people of the Qur’án have perverted the text of God’s holy Book, concerning the signs of the expected Manifestation, and interpreted it according to their inclination and desires. 664. In yet another instance, He saith: “A part of them heard the Word of God, and then, after they had understood it, distorted it, and knew that they did so.” 665. This verse, too, doth indicate that the meaning of the Word of God hath been perverted, not that the actual words have been effaced. To the truth of this testify they that are sound of mind. 666. Again in another instance, He saith: “Woe unto those who, with their own hands, transcribe the Book corruptly, and then say: ‘This is from God,’ that they may sell it for some mean price.” 667. This verse was revealed with reference to the divines and leaders of the Jewish Faith. 668. These divines, in order to please the rich, acquire worldly emoluments, and give vent to their envy and misbelief, wrote a number of treatises, refuting the claims of Muhammad, supporting their arguments with such evidences as it would be improper to mention, and claimed that these arguments were derived from the text of the Pentateuch. 669. The same may be witnessed today. 670. Consider how abundant are the denunciations written by the foolish divines of this age against this most wondrous Cause! 671. How vain their imaginings that these calumnies are in conformity with the verses of God’s sacred Book, and in consonance with the utterances of men of discernment! 672. Our purpose in relating these things is to warn you that were they to maintain that those verses wherein the signs referred to in the Gospel are mentioned have been perverted, were they to reject them, and cling instead to other verses and traditions, you should know that their words were utter falsehood and sheer calumny. 673. Yea “corruption” of the text, in the sense We have referred to, hath been actually effected in particular instances. 674. A few of these We have mentioned, that it may become manifest to every discerning observer that unto a few untutored holy Men hath been given the mastery of human learning, so that the malevolent opposer may cease to contend that a certain verse doth indicate “corruption” of the text, and insinuate that We, through lack of knowledge, have made mention of such things. 675. Moreover, most of the verses that indicate “corruption” of the text have been revealed with reference to the Jewish people, were ye to explore the isles of Qur’ánic Revelation. The Book of Certitude CHAPTER TWENTY TWO Divisions 676-700 1ST CERTITUDE 676. We have also heard a number of the foolish of the earth assert that the genuine text of the heavenly Gospel doth not exist amongst the Christians, that it hath ascended unto heaven. 677. How grievously they have erred! How oblivious of the fact that such a statement imputeth the gravest injustice and tyranny to a gracious and loving Providence! 678. How could God, when once the Daystar of the beauty of Jesus had disappeared from the sight of His people, and ascended unto the fourth heaven, cause His holy Book, His most great testimony amongst His creatures, to disappear also? 679. What would be left to that people to cling to from the setting of the daystar of Jesus until the rise of the sun of the Muhammadan Dispensation? 680. What law could be their stay and guide? 681. How could such people be made the victims of the avenging wrath of God, the omnipotent Avenger? 682. How could they be afflicted with the scourge of chastisement by the heavenly King? 683. Above all, how could the flow of the grace of the All-Bountiful be stayed? 684. How could the ocean of His tender mercies be stilled? 685. We take refuge with God, from that which His creatures have fancied about Him! Exalted is He! 686. Dear friend! Now when the light of God’s everlasting Morn is breaking; when the radiance of His holy words: “God is the light of the heavens and of the earth” is shedding illumination upon all mankind; 687. when the inviolability of His tabernacle is being proclaimed by His sacred utterance: “God hath willed to perfect His light”; and the Hand of omnipotence, bearing His testimony, “In His grasp He holdeth the kingdom of all things,” is being outstretched unto all the peoples and kindreds of the earth; 688. it behooveth us to gird up the loins of endeavor, that haply, by the grace and bounty of God, we may enter the celestial City: “Verily, we are God’s,” and abide within the exalted habitation: “And unto Him we do return.” 689. It is incumbent upon thee, by the permission of God, to cleanse the eye of thine heart from the things of the world, that thou mayest realize the infinitude of divine knowledge, and mayest behold Truth so clearly that thou wilt need no proof to demonstrate His reality, nor any evidence to bear witness unto His testimony. 690. O affectionate seeker! Shouldst thou soar in the holy realm of the spirit, thou wouldst recognize God manifest and exalted above all things, in such wise that thine eyes would behold none else but Him. 691. “God was alone; there was none else besides Him.” So lofty is this station that no testimony can bear it witness, neither evidence do justice to its truth. 692. Wert thou to explore the sacred domain of truth, thou wilt find that all things are known only by the light of His recognition, that He hath ever been, and will continue forever to be, known through Himself. 693. And if thou dwellest in the land of testimony, content thyself with that which He, Himself, hath revealed: “Is it not enough for them that We have sent down unto Thee the Book?” 694. This is the testimony which He, Himself, hath ordained; greater proof than this there is none, nor ever will be: “This proof is His Word; His own Self, the testimony of His truth.” 695. And now, We beseech the people of the Bayán, all the learned, the sages, the divines, and witnesses amongst them, not to forget the wishes and admonitions revealed in their Book. 696. Let them, at all times, fix their gaze upon the essentials of His Cause, lest when He, Who is the Quintessence of truth, the inmost Reality of all things, the Source of all light, is made manifest, they cling unto certain passages of the Book, and inflict upon Him that which was inflicted in the Dispensation of the Qur’án. 697. For, verily, powerful is He, the King of divine might, to extinguish with one letter of His wondrous words, the breath of life in the whole of the Bayán and the people thereof, and with one letter bestow upon them a new and everlasting life, and cause them to arise and speed out of the sepulchers of their vain and selfish desires. 698. Take heed, and be watchful; and remember that all things have their consummation in belief in Him, in attainment unto His day, and in the realization of His divine presence. 699. “There is no piety in turning your faces toward the east or toward the west, but he is pious who believeth in God and the Last Day.” 700. Give ear, O people of the Bayán, unto the truth whereunto We have admonished you, that haply ye may seek the shelter of the shadow extended, in the Day of God, upon all mankind. END PART 1 The Book of Certitude CHAPTER ONE Divisions 1-40 PART 2 OF 2 2ND CERTITUDE 1. Verily He Who is the Daystar of Truth and Revealer of the Supreme Being holdeth, for all time, undisputed sovereignty over all that is in heaven and on earth, though no man be found on earth to obey Him. 2. He verily is independent of all earthly dominion, though He be utterly destitute. 3. Thus We reveal unto thee the mysteries of the Cause of God, and bestow upon thee the gems of divine wisdom, that haply thou mayest soar on the wings of renunciation to those heights that are veiled from the eyes of men. 4. The significance and essential purpose underlying these words is to reveal and demonstrate unto the pure in heart and the sanctified in spirit 5. that they Who are the Luminaries of truth and the Mirrors reflecting the light of divine Unity, in whatever age and cycle they are sent down from their invisible habitations of ancient glory unto this world, to educate the souls of men and endue with grace all created things, 7. are invariably endowed with an all-compelling power, and invested with invincible sovereignty. 8. For these hidden Gems, these concealed and invisible Treasures, in themselves manifest and vindicate the reality of these holy words: “Verily God doeth whatsoever He willeth, and ordaineth whatsoever He pleaseth.” 9. To every discerning and illumined heart it is evident that God, the unknowable Essence, the divine Being, is immensely exalted beyond every human attribute, such as corporeal existence, ascent and descent, egress and regress. 10. Far be it from His glory that human tongue should adequately recount His praise, or that human heart comprehend His fathomless mystery. 11. He is and hath ever been veiled in the ancient eternity of His Essence, and will remain in His Reality everlastingly hidden from the sight of men. 12. “No vision taketh in Him, but He taketh in all vision; He is the Subtile, the All-Perceiving.” 13. No tie of direct intercourse can possibly bind Him to His creatures. 14. He standeth exalted beyond and above all separation and union, all proximity and remoteness. 15. No sign can indicate His presence or His absence; inasmuch as by a word of His command all that are in heaven and on earth have come to exist, and by His wish, which is the Primal Will itself, all have stepped out of utter nothingness into the realm of being, the world of the visible. 16. Gracious God! How could there be conceived any existing relationship or possible connection between His Word and they that are created of it? 17. The verse: “God would have you beware of Himself” unmistakably beareth witness to the reality of Our argument, and the words: 17. “God was alone; there was none else besides Him” are a sure testimony of its truth. 18. All the Prophets of God and their chosen Ones, all the divines, the sages, and the wise of every generation, unanimously recognize their inability to attain unto the comprehension of that Quintessence of all truth, and confess their incapacity to grasp Him, Who is the inmost Reality of all things. 19. The door of the knowledge of the Ancient of Days being thus closed in the face of all beings, the Source of infinite grace, according to His saying: “His grace hath transcended all things; My grace hath encompassed them all” 20. hath caused those luminous Gems of Holiness to appear out of the realm of the spirit, in the noble form of the human temple, and be made manifest unto all men, 21. that they may impart unto the world the mysteries of the unchangeable Being, and tell of the subtleties of His imperishable Essence. 22. These sanctified Mirrors, these Daysprings of ancient glory are one and all the Exponents on earth of Him Who is the central Orb of the universe, its Essence and ultimate Purpose. 23. From Him proceed their knowledge and power; from Him is derived their sovereignty. 24. The beauty of their countenance is but a reflection of His image, and their revelation a sign of His deathless glory.
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