The Book of the Epistle to the Son of the Wolf CHAPTER ONE 8 страница
153. Later, they were sore perplexed in attempting to explain those verses of the Book wherein that term did not actually occur. 154. Even as He hath revealed: “And there was a blast on the trumpet—lo! it is the threatened Day! 155. And every soul is summoned to a reckoning—with him an impeller and a witness.” 156. In explaining this and similar verses, they have in some cases argued that the term “idhá” is implied. 157. In other instances, they have idly contended that whereas the Day of Judgment is inevitable, it hath therefore been referred to as an event not of the future but of the past. 158. How vain their sophistry! 159. How grievous their blindness! 160. They refuse to recognize the trumpet-blast which so explicitly in this text was sounded through the revelation of Muhammad. 161. They deprive themselves of the regenerating Spirit of God that breathed into it, and foolishly expect to hear the trumpet-sound of the Seraph of God who is but one of His servants! 162. Hath not the Seraph himself, the angel of the Judgment Day, and his like been ordained by Muhammad’s own utterance? 163. Say: What! Will ye give that which is for your good in exchange for that which is evil? 164. Wretched is that which ye have falsely exchanged! 165. Surely ye are a people, evil, in grievous loss. The Book of Certitude CHAPTER SIX Divisions 166-190 2ND CERTITUDE 166. Nay, by “trumpet” is meant the trumpet-call of Muhammad’s Revelation, which was sounded in the heart of the universe, and by “resurrection” is meant His own rise to proclaim the Cause of God. 167. He bade the erring and wayward arise and speed out of the sepulchers of their bodies, arrayed them with the beauteous robe of faith, and quickened them with the breath of a new and wondrous life. 168. Thus at the hour when Muhammad, that divine Beauty, purposed to unveil one of the mysteries hidden in the symbolic terms “resurrection,” “judgment,” “paradise,” and “hell,” Gabriel, the Voice of Inspiration, was heard saying: 169. “Erelong will they wag their heads at Thee, and say, ‘When shall this be?’ Say: ‘Perchance it is nigh.’” 170. The implications of this verse alone suffice the peoples of the world, were they to ponder it in their hearts. 171. Gracious God! How far have that people strayed from the way of God! 172. Although the Day of Resurrection was ushered in through the Revelation of Muhammad, although His light and tokens had encompassed the earth and all that is therein, yet that people derided Him, gave themselves up to those idols which the divines of that age, in their vain and idle fancy, had conceived, and deprived themselves of the light of heavenly grace and of the showers of divine mercy. 173. Yea, the abject beetle can never scent the fragrance of holiness, and the bat of darkness can never face the splendor of the sun. 174. Such things have come to pass in the days of every Manifestation of God. Even as Jesus said: “Ye must be born again.” 175. Again He saith: “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. 176. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” 177. The purport of these words is that whosoever in every dispensation is born of the Spirit and is quickened by the breath of the Manifestation of Holiness, he verily is of those that have attained unto “life” and “resurrection” and have entered into the “paradise” of the love of God. 178. And whosoever is not of them, is condemned to “death” and “deprivation,” to the “fire” of unbelief, and to the “wrath” of God. 179. In all the scriptures, the books and chronicles, the sentence of death, of fire, of blindness, of want of understanding and hearing, hath been pronounced against those whose lips have tasted not the ethereal cup of true knowledge, and whose hearts have been deprived of the grace of the holy Spirit in their day. 180. Even as it hath been previously recorded: “Hearts have they with which they understand not.” 181. In another passage of the Gospel it is written: “And it came to pass that on a certain day the father of one of the disciples of Jesus had died.” 182. That disciple reporting the death of his father unto Jesus, asked for leave to go and bury him. 183. Whereupon, Jesus, that Essence of Detachment, answered and said: “Let the dead bury their dead.” 184. In like manner, two of the people of Kúfih went to ‘Alí, the Commander of the Faithful. 185. One owned a house and wished to sell it; the other was to be the purchaser. 186. They had agreed that this transaction should be effected and the contract be written with the knowledge of ‘Alí. 187. He, the exponent of the law of God, addressing the scribe, said: “Write thou: ‘A dead man hath bought from another dead man a house. 188. That house is bounded by four limits. 189. One extendeth toward the tomb, the other to the vault of the grave, the third to the Sirát, the fourth to either Paradise or hell.’” 190. Reflect, had these two souls been quickened by the trumpet-call of ‘Alí, had they risen from the grave of error by the power of his love, the judgment of death would certainly not have been pronounced against them. The Book of Certitude CHAPTER SEVEN Divisions 191-220 2ND CERTITUDE 191. In every age and century, the purpose of the Prophets of God and their chosen ones hath been no other but to affirm the spiritual significance of the terms “life,” “resurrection,” and “judgment.” 192. If one will ponder but for a while this utterance of ‘Alí in his heart, one will surely discover all mysteries hidden in the terms “grave,” “tomb,” “sirát,” “paradise” and “hell.” 193. But oh! how strange and pitiful! 194. Behold, all the people are imprisoned within the tomb of self, and lie buried beneath the nethermost depths of worldly desire! 195. Wert thou to attain to but a dewdrop of the crystal waters of divine knowledge, thou wouldst readily realize that true life is not the life of the flesh but the life of the spirit. 196. For the life of the flesh is common to both men and animals, whereas the life of the spirit is possessed only by the pure in heart who have quaffed from the ocean of faith and partaken of the fruit of certitude. 197. This life knoweth no death, and this existence is crowned by immortality. 198. Even as it hath been said: “He who is a true believer liveth both in this world and in the world to come.” 199. If by “life” be meant this earthly life, it is evident that death must needs overtake it. 200. Similarly, the records of all the scriptures bear witness to this lofty truth and this most exalted word. 201. Moreover, this verse of the Qur’án, revealed concerning Hamzih, the “Prince of Martyrs,” and Abú-Jahl, is a luminous evidence and sure testimony of the truth of Our saying: 202. “Shall the dead, whom We have quickened, and for whom We have ordained a light whereby he may walk among men, be like him, whose likeness is in the darkness, whence he will not come forth?” 203. This verse descended from the heaven of the Primal Will at a time when Hamzih had already been invested with the sacred mantle of faith, and Abú-Jahl had waxed relentless in his opposition and unbelief. 204. From the Wellspring of omnipotence and the Source of eternal holiness, there came the judgment that conferred everlasting life upon Hamzih, and condemned Abú-Jahl to eternal damnation. 205. This was the signal that caused the fires of unbelief to glow with the hottest flame in the heart of the infidels, and provoked them openly to repudiate His truth. 206. They loudly clamored: “When did Hamzih die? 207. When was he risen? 208. At what hour was such a life conferred upon him?” 209. As they understood not the significance of these noble sayings, nor sought enlightenment from the recognized expounders of the Faith, that these might confer a sprinkling of the Kawthar of divine knowledge upon them, therefore such fires of mischief were kindled amongst men. 210. Thou dost witness today how, notwithstanding the radiant splendor of the Sun of divine knowledge, all the people, whether high or low, have clung to the ways of those abject manifestations of the Prince of Darkness. 211. They continually appeal to them for aid in unraveling the intricacies of their Faith, and, owing to lack of knowledge, they make such replies as can in no wise damage their fame and fortune. 212. It is evident that these souls, vile and miserable as the beetle itself, have had no portion of the musk-laden breeze of eternity, and have never entered the Ridván of heavenly delight. 213. How, therefore, can they impart unto others the imperishable fragrance of holiness? 214. Such is their way, and such will it remain forever. 215. Only those will attain to the knowledge of the Word of God that have turned unto Him, and repudiated the manifestations of Satan. 216. Thus God hath reaffirmed the law of the day of His Revelation, and inscribed it with the pen of power upon the mystic Tablet hidden beneath the veil of celestial glory. 217. Wert thou to heed these words, wert thou to ponder their outward and inner meaning in thy heart, thou wouldst seize the significance of all the abstruse problems which, in this day, have become insuperable barriers between men and the knowledge of the Day of Judgment. 218. Then wilt thou have no more questions to perplex thee. 219. We fain would hope that, God willing, thou wilt not return, deprived and still athirst, from the shores of the ocean of divine mercy, nor come back destitute from the imperishable Sanctuary of thy heart’s desire. 220. Let it now be seen what thy search and endeavors will achieve. The Book of Certitude CHAPTER EIGHT Divisions 221-250 2ND CERTITUDE 221. To resume: Our purpose in setting forth these truths hath been to demonstrate the sovereignty of Him Who is the King of kings. 222. Be fair: Is this sovereignty which, through the utterance of one Word, hath manifested such pervading influence, ascendancy, and awful majesty, 223. is this sovereignty superior, or is the worldly dominion of these kings of the earth who, despite their solicitude for their subjects and their help of the poor, are assured only of an outward and fleeting allegiance, while in the hearts of men they inspire neither affection nor respect? 224. Hath not that sovereignty, through the potency of one word, subdued, quickened, and revitalized the whole world? 225. What! Can the lowly dust compare with Him Who is the Lord of Lords? 226. What tongue dare utter the immensity of difference that lieth between them? 227. Nay, all comparison falleth short in attaining the hallowed sanctuary of His sovereignty. 228. Were man to reflect, he would surely perceive that even the servant of His threshold ruleth over all created things! 229. This hath already been witnessed, and will in future be made manifest. 230. This is but one of the meanings of the spiritual sovereignty which We have set forth in accordance with the capacity and receptiveness of the people. 231. For He, the Mover of all beings, that glorified Visage, is the source of such potencies as neither this wronged One can reveal, nor this unworthy people comprehend. 232. Immensely exalted is He above men’s praise of His sovereignty; glorified is He beyond that which they attribute unto Him! 233. And now, ponder this in thine heart: 234. Were sovereignty to mean earthly sovereignty and worldly dominion, were it to imply the subjection and external allegiance of all the peoples and kindreds of the earth —whereby His loved ones should be exalted and be made to live in peace, and His enemies be abased and tormented— 235. such form of sovereignty would not be true of God Himself, the Source of all dominion, Whose majesty and power all things testify. 236. For, dost thou not witness how the generality of mankind is under the sway of His enemies? 237. Have they not all turned away from the path of His good-pleasure? 238. Have they not done that which He hath forbidden, and left undone, nay repudiated and opposed, those things which He hath commanded? 239. Have not His friends ever been the victims of the tyranny of His foes? 240. All these things are more obvious than even the splendor of the noontide sun. 241. Know, therefore, O questioning seeker, that earthly sovereignty is of no worth, nor will it ever be, in the eyes of God and His chosen Ones. 242. Moreover, if ascendancy and dominion be interpreted to mean earthly supremacy and temporal power, how impossible will it be for thee to explain these verses: “And verily Our host shall conquer.” 243. “Fain [willingly]would they put out God’s light with their mouths: But God hath willed to perfect His light, albeit the infidels abhor it.” 244. “He is the Dominant, above all things.” 245. Similarly, most of the Qur’án testifieth to this truth. 246. Were the idle contention of these foolish and despicable souls to be true, they would have none other alternative than to reject all these holy utterances and heavenly allusions. 247. For no warrior could be found on earth more excellent and nearer to God than Husayn, son of ‘Alí, so peerless and incomparable was he. 248. “There was none to equal or to match him in the world.” 249. Yet, thou must have heard what befell him. 250. “God’s malison on the head of the people of tyranny!” The Book of Certitude CHAPTER NINE Divisions 251-280 2ND CERTITUDE 251. Were the verse “And verily Our host shall conquer” to be literally interpreted, it is evident that it would in no wise be applicable to the chosen Ones of God and His hosts, inasmuch as Husayn, whose heroism was manifest as the sun, crushed and subjugated, quaffed at last the cup of martyrdom in Karbilá, the land of Taff. 252. Similarly, the sacred verse “Fain would they put out God’s light with their mouths: 253. But God hath willed to perfect His light, albeit the infidels abhor it.” 254. Were it to be literally interpreted it would never correspond with the truth. 255. For in every age the light of God hath, to outward seeming, been quenched by the peoples of the earth, and the Lamps of God extinguished by them. 256. How then could the ascendancy of the sovereignty of these Lamps be explained? 257. What could the potency of God’s will to “perfect His light” signify? 258. As hath already been witnessed, so great was the enmity of the infidels, that none of these divine Luminaries ever found a place for shelter, or tasted of the cup of tranquillity. 259. So heavily were they oppressed, that the least of men inflicted upon these Essences of being whatsoever he listed. 260. These sufferings have been observed and measured by the people. 261. How, therefore, can such people be capable of understanding and expounding these words of God, these verses of everlasting glory? 262. But the purpose of these verses is not what they have imagined. 263. Nay, the terms “ascendancy,” “power,” and “authority” imply a totally different station and meaning. 264. For instance, consider the pervading power of those drops of the blood of Husayn which besprinkled the earth. 265. What ascendancy and influence hath the dust itself, through the sacredness and potency of that blood, exercised over the bodies and souls of men! 266. So much so, that he who sought deliverance from his ills, was healed by touching the dust of that holy ground, and whosoever, wishing to protect his property, treasured with absolute faith and understanding, a little of that holy earth within his house, safeguarded all his possessions. 267. These are the outward manifestations of its potency. 268. And were We to recount its hidden virtues they would assuredly say: 269. “He verily hath considered the dust to be the Lord of Lords, and hath utterly forsaken the Faith of God.” 270. Furthermore, call to mind the shameful circumstances that have attended the martyrdom of Husayn. 271. Reflect upon his loneliness, how, to outer seeming, none could be found to aid him, none to take up his body and bury it. 272. And yet, behold how numerous, in this day, are those who from the uttermost corners of the earth don the garb of pilgrimage, seeking the site of his martyrdom, that there they may lay their heads upon the threshold of his shrine! 273. Such is the ascendancy and power of God! 274. Such is the glory of His dominion and majesty! 275. Think not that because these things have come to pass after Husayn’s martyrdom, therefore all this glory hath been of no profit unto him. 276. For that holy soul is immortal, liveth the life of God, and abideth within the retreats of celestial glory upon the Sadrih of heavenly reunion. 277. These Essences of being are the shining Exemplars of sacrifice. 278. They have offered, and will continue to offer up their lives, their substance, their souls, their spirit, their all, in the path of the Well-Beloved. 279. By them, no station, however exalted, could be more dearly cherished. 280. For lovers have no desire but the good-pleasure of their Beloved, and have no aim except reunion with Him. The Book of Certitude CHAPTER TEN Divisions 281-310 2ND CERTITUDE 281. Should We wish to impart unto thee a glimmer of the mysteries of Husayn’s martyrdom, and reveal unto thee the fruits thereof, these pages could never suffice, nor exhaust their meaning. 282. Our hope is that, God willing, the breeze of mercy may blow, and the divine Springtime clothe the tree of being with the robe of a new life; so that we may discover the mysteries of divine Wisdom, and, through His providence, be made independent of the knowledge of all things. 283. We have, as yet, descried none but a handful of souls, destitute of all renown, who have attained unto this station. 284. Let the future disclose what the Judgment of God will ordain, and the Tabernacle of His decree reveal. 285. In such wise We recount unto thee the wonders of the Cause of God, and pour out into thine ears the strains of heavenly melody, that haply thou mayest attain unto the station of true knowledge, and partake of the fruit thereof. 286. Therefore, know thou of a certainty that these Luminaries of heavenly majesty, though their dwelling be in the dust, yet their true habitation is the seat of glory in the realms above. 287. Though bereft of all earthly possessions, yet they soar in the realms of immeasurable riches. 288. And whilst sore tried in the grip of the enemy, they are seated on the right hand of power and celestial dominion. 289. Amidst the darkness of their abasement there shineth upon them the light of unfading glory, and upon their helplessness are showered the tokens of an invincible sovereignty. 290. 291. Thus Jesus, Son of Mary, whilst seated one day and speaking in the strain of the Holy Spirit, uttered words such as these:
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