The Book of the Epistle to the Son of the Wolf CHAPTER ONE 13 страница
777. That seeker must at all times put his trust in God, must renounce the peoples of the earth, detach himself from the world of dust, and cleave unto Him Who is the Lord of Lords. 778. He must never seek to exalt himself above anyone, must wash away from the tablet of his heart every trace of pride and vainglory, must cling unto patience and resignation, observe silence, and refrain from idle talk. 779. For the tongue is a smoldering fire, and excess of speech a deadly poison. 780. Material fire consumeth the body, whereas the fire of the tongue devoureth both heart and soul. 781. The force of the former lasteth but for a time, whilst the effects of the latter endure a century. 782. That seeker should also regard backbiting as grievous error, and keep himself aloof from its dominion, inasmuch as backbiting quencheth the light of the heart, and extinguisheth the life of the soul. 783. He should be content with little, and be freed from all inordinate desire. 784. He should treasure the companionship of those that have renounced the world, and regard avoidance of boastful and worldly people a precious benefit. 785. At the dawn of every day he should commune with God, and with all his soul persevere in the quest of his Beloved. 786. He should consume every wayward thought with the flame of His loving mention, and, with the swiftness of lightning, pass by all else save Him. 787. He should succor the dispossessed, and never withhold his favor from the destitute. 788. He should show kindness to animals, how much more unto his fellowman, to him who is endowed with the power of utterance. 789. He should not hesitate to offer up his life for his Beloved, nor allow the censure of the people to turn him away from the Truth. 790. He should not wish for others that which he doth not wish for himself, nor promise that which he doth not fulfill. 791. With all his heart should the seeker avoid fellowship with evildoers, and pray for the remission of their sins. 792. He should forgive the sinful, and never despise his low estate, for none knoweth what his own end shall be. 793. How often hath a sinner, at the hour of death, attained to the essence of faith, and, quaffing the immortal draft, hath taken his flight unto the celestial Concourse. 794. And how often hath a devout believer, at the hour of his soul’s ascension, been so changed as to fall into the nethermost fire. 795. Our purpose in revealing these convincing and weighty utterances is to impress upon the seeker that he should regard all else beside God as transient, and count all things save Him, Who is the Object of all adoration, as utter nothingness. 796. These are among the attributes of the exalted, and constitute the hallmark of the spiritually minded. 797. They have already been mentioned in connection with the requirements of the wayfarers that tread the Path of Positive Knowledge. 798. When the detached wayfarer and sincere seeker hath fulfilled these essential conditions, then and only then can he be called a true seeker. 799. Whensoever he hath fulfilled the conditions implied in the verse: “Whoso maketh efforts for Us,” 800. he shall enjoy the blessing conferred by the words: “In Our ways shall We assuredly guide him.” The Book of Certitude CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN Divisions 801-825 The tablet of the True Seeker 766-825 2ND CERTITUDE 801. Only when the lamp of search, of earnest striving, of longing desire, of passionate devotion, of fervid love, of rapture, and ecstasy, is kindled within the seeker’s heart, and the breeze of His loving-kindness is wafted upon his soul, 802. will the darkness of error be dispelled, the mists of doubts and misgivings be dissipated, and the lights of knowledge and certitude envelop his being. 803. At that hour will the mystic Herald, bearing the joyful tidings of the Spirit, shine forth from the City of God resplendent as the morn, and, through the trumpet-blast of knowledge, will awaken the heart, the soul, and the spirit from the slumber of negligence. 804. Then will the manifold favors and outpouring grace of the holy and everlasting Spirit confer such new life upon the seeker that he will find himself endowed with a new eye, a new ear, a new heart, and a new mind. 805. He will contemplate the manifest signs of the universe, and will penetrate the hidden mysteries of the soul. 806. Gazing with the eye of God, he will perceive within every atom a door that leadeth him to the stations of absolute certitude. 807. He will discover in all things the mysteries of divine Revelation and the evidences of an everlasting manifestation. 808. I swear by God! Were he that treadeth the path of guidance and seeketh to scale the heights of righteousness to attain unto this glorious and supreme station, he would inhale at a distance of a thousand leagues the fragrance of God, and would perceive the resplendent morn of a divine Guidance rising above the dayspring of all things. 809. Each and every thing, however small, would be to him a revelation leading him to his Beloved, the Object of his quest. 810. So great shall be the discernment of this seeker that he will discriminate between truth and falsehood even as he doth distinguish the sun from shadow. 811. If in the uttermost corners of the East the sweet savors of God be wafted, he will assuredly recognize and inhale their fragrance, even though he be dwelling in the uttermost ends of the West. 812. He will likewise clearly distinguish all the signs of God —His wondrous utterances, His great works, and mighty deeds— from the doings, words and ways of men, 813. even as the jeweler who knoweth the gem from the stone, or the man who distinguisheth the Spring from Autumn, and heat from cold. 814. When the channel of the human soul is cleansed of all worldly and impeding attachments, it will unfailingly perceive the breath of the Beloved across immeasurable distances, and will, led by its perfume, attain and enter the City of Certitude. 815. Therein he will discern the wonders of His ancient wisdom, and will perceive all the hidden teachings from the rustling leaves of the Tree—which flourisheth in that City. 816. With both his inner and his outer ear he will hear from its dust the hymns of glory and praise ascending unto the Lord of Lords, and with his inner eye will he discover the mysteries of “return” and “revival.” 817. How unspeakably glorious are the signs, the tokens, the revelations, and splendors which He Who is the King of names and attributes hath destined for that City! 818. The attainment of this City quencheth thirst without water, and kindleth the love of God without fire. 819. Within every blade of grass are enshrined the mysteries of an inscrutable wisdom, and upon every rosebush a myriad nightingales pour out, in blissful rapture, their melody. 820. Its wondrous tulips unfold the mystery of the undying Fire in the Burning Bush, and its sweet savors of holiness breathe the perfume of the Messianic Spirit. 821. It bestoweth wealth without gold, and conferreth immortality without death. 822. In every leaf ineffable delights are treasured, and within every chamber unnumbered mysteries lie hidden. 823. They that valiantly labor in quest of God’s will, when once they have renounced all else but Him, will be so attached and wedded to that City that a moment’s separation from it would to them be unthinkable. 824. They will hearken unto infallible proofs from the Hyacinth of that assembly, and receive the surest testimonies from the beauty of its Rose and the melody of its Nightingale. 825. Once in about a thousand years shall this City be renewed and readorned. The Book of Certitude CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT Divisions 826-850 2ND CERTITUDE 826. Wherefore, O my friend, it behooveth Us to exert the highest endeavor to attain unto that City, 827. and, by the grace of God and His loving-kindness, rend asunder the veils of glory, so that, with inflexible steadfastness, we may [sacrifice] our [drooping] souls in the path of the New Beloved. 828. We should with tearful eyes, fervently and repeatedly, implore Him to grant us the favor of that grace. 829. That city is none other than the Word of God revealed in every age and dispensation. 830. In the days of Moses it was the Pentateuch; in the days of Jesus the Gospel; in the days of Muhammad the Messenger of God the Qur’án; 831. in this day the Bayán; and in the dispensation of Him Whom God will make manifest His own Book —the Book unto which all the Books of former Dispensations must needs be referred, the Book which standeth amongst them all transcendent and supreme. 832. In these cities spiritual sustenance is bountifully provided, and incorruptible delights have been ordained. 833. The food they bestow is the bread of heaven, and the Spirit they impart is God’s imperishable blessing. 834. Upon detached souls they bestow the gift of Unity, enrich the destitute, and offer the cup of knowledge unto them who wander in the wilderness of ignorance. 835. All the guidance, the blessings, the learning, the understanding, the faith, and certitude, conferred upon all that is in heaven and on earth, are hidden and treasured within these Cities. 836. For instance, the Qur’án was an impregnable stronghold unto the people of Muhammad. 837. In His days, whosoever entered therein was shielded from the devilish assaults, the menacing darts, the soul-devouring doubts, and blasphemous whisperings of the enemy. 838. Upon him was also bestowed a portion of the everlasting and goodly fruits—the fruits of wisdom from the divine Tree. 839. To him was given to drink the incorruptible waters of the river of knowledge and to taste the wine of the mysteries of divine Unity. 840. All the things that people required in connection with the Revelation of Muhammad and His laws were to be found revealed and manifest in that Ridván of resplendent glory. 841. That Book constitutes an abiding testimony to its people after Muhammad, inasmuch as its decrees are indisputable, and its promise unfailing. 842. All have been enjoined to follow the precepts of that Book until “the year sixty” —the year of the advent of God’s wondrous Manifestation. 843. That Book is the Book which unfailingly leadeth the seeker unto the Ridván of the divine Presence, and causeth him that hath forsaken his country and is treading the seeker’s path to enter the Tabernacle of everlasting reunion. 844. Its guidance can never err, its testimony no other testimony can excel. 845. All other traditions, all other books and records, are bereft of such distinction, inasmuch as both the traditions and they that have spoken them are confirmed and proven solely by the text of that Book. 846. Moreover, the traditions themselves grievously differ, and their obscurities are manifold. 847. Muhammad, Himself, as the end of His mission drew nigh, spoke these words: 848. “Verily, I leave amongst you My twin weighty testimonies: The Book of God and My Family.” 848. Although many traditions had been revealed by that Source of Prophethood and Mine of divine Guidance, yet He mentioned only that Book, thereby appointing it as the mightiest instrument and surest testimony for the seekers; a guide for the people until the Day of Resurrection. 849. With unswerving vision, with pure heart, and sanctified spirit, consider attentively what God hath established as the testimony of guidance for His people in His Book, which is recognized as authentic by both the high and lowly. 850. To this testimony we both, as well as all the peoples of the world, must cling, that through its light we may know and distinguish between truth and falsehood, guidance and error. The Book of Certitude CHAPTER TWENTY NINE Divisions 851-880 2ND CERTITUDE 851. Inasmuch as Muhammad hath confined His testimonies to His Book and to His Family, and whereas the latter hath passed away, there remaineth His Book only as His one testimony amongst the people. 852. In the beginning of His Book He saith: “Alif. Lám. Mím. [A, L, M, i.e. Alpha, Lambda, Mega] 853. No doubt is there about this Book: It is a guidance unto the God-fearing.” 854. In the disconnected letters of the Qur’án the mysteries of the divine Essence are enshrined, and within their shells the pearls of His Unity are treasured. 855. For lack of space We do not dwell upon them at this moment. 856. Outwardly they signify Muhammad Himself, Whom God addresseth saying: “O Muhammad, there is no doubt nor uncertainty about this Book which hath been sent down from the heaven of divine Unity. 857. In it is guidance unto them that fear God.” 858. Consider, how He hath appointed and decreed this selfsame Book, the Qur’án, as a guidance unto all that are in heaven and on earth. 859. He, the divine Being, and unknowable Essence, hath, Himself, testified that this Book is, beyond all doubt and uncertainty, the guide of all mankind until the Day of Resurrection. 860. And now, We ask, is it fair for this people to view with doubt and misgiving this most weighty Testimony, the divine origin of which God hath proclaimed, and pronounced to be the embodiment of truth? 861. Is it fair for them to turn away from the thing which He hath appointed as the supreme Instrument of guidance for attainment unto the loftiest summits of knowledge, and to seek aught else but that Book? 862. How can they allow men’s absurd and foolish sayings to sow the seeds of distrust in their minds? 863. How can they any longer idly contend that a certain person hath spoken this or that way, or that a certain thing did not come to pass? 864. Had there been anything conceivable besides the Book of God which could prove a more potent instrument and a surer guide to mankind, would He have failed to reveal it in that verse? 865. It is incumbent upon us not to depart from God’s irresistible injunction and fixed decree, as revealed in the above-mentioned verse. 866. We should acknowledge the holy and wondrous Scriptures, for failing to do this we have failed to acknowledge the truth of this blessed verse. 867. For it is evident that whoso hath failed to acknowledge the truth of the Qur’án hath in reality failed to acknowledge the truth of the preceding Scriptures. 868. This is but the manifest implication of the verse. 869. Were We to expound its inner meanings and unfold its hidden mysteries, eternity would never suffice to exhaust their import, nor would the universe be capable of hearing them! 870. God verily testifieth to the truth of Our saying! 871. In another passage He likewise saith: “And if ye be in doubt as to that which We have sent down to Our Servant, then produce a Súrah like it, and summon your witnesses, beside God, if ye are men of truth.” 872. Behold, how lofty is the station, and how consummate the virtue, of these verses which He hath declared to be His surest testimony, His infallible proof, the evidence of His all-subduing power, and a revelation of the potency of His will. 873. He, the divine King, hath proclaimed the undisputed supremacy of the verses of His Book over all things that testify to His truth. 874. For compared with all other proofs and tokens, the divinely revealed verses shine as the sun, whilst all others are as stars. 875. To the peoples of the world they are the abiding testimony, the incontrovertible proof, the shining light of the ideal King. 876. Their excellence is unrivaled, their virtue nothing can surpass. 877. They are the treasury of the divine pearls and the depository of the divine mysteries. 878. They constitute the indissoluble Bond, the firm Cord, the ‘Urvatu’l-Vuthqá, the inextinguishable Light. 879. Through them floweth the river of divine knowledge, and gloweth the fire of His ancient and consummate wisdom. 880. This is the fire which, in one and the same moment, kindleth the flame of love in the breasts of the faithful, and induceth the chill of heedlessness in the heart of the enemy. The Book of Certitude CHAPTER THIRTY Divisions 881-915 2ND CERTITUDE 881. O friend! It behooveth us not to waive the injunction of God, but rather acquiesce and submit to that which He hath ordained as His divine Testimony. 882. This verse is too weighty and pregnant an utterance for this afflicted soul to demonstrate and expound. 883. God speaketh the truth and leadeth the way. He, verily, is supreme over all His people; He is the Mighty, the Beneficent. 884. Likewise, He saith: “Such are the verses of God: with truth do We recite them to thee. 885. But in what revelation will they believe, if they reject God and His verses?” 886. If thou wilt grasp the implication of this verse, thou wilt recognize the truth that no manifestation greater than the Prophets of God hath ever been revealed, and no testimony mightier than the testimony of their revealed verses hath ever appeared upon the earth. 887. Nay, this testimony no other testimony can ever excel, except that which the Lord thy God willeth. 888. In another passage He saith: “Woe to every lying sinner, who heareth the verses of God recited to him, and then, as though he heard them not, persisteth in proud disdain! 889. Advise him of a painful punishment.” 890. The implications of this verse, alone, suffice all that is in heaven and on earth, were the people to ponder the verses of their Lord. 891. For thou hearest how in this day the people disdainfully ignore the divinely revealed verses, as though they were the meanest of all things. 892. And yet, nothing greater than these verses hath ever appeared, nor will ever be made manifest in the world! 893. Say unto them: “O heedless people! Ye repeat what your fathers, in a bygone age, have said. 894. Whatever fruits they have gathered from the tree of their faithlessness, the same shall ye gather also. 895. Ere long shall ye be gathered unto your fathers, and with them shall ye dwell in hellish fire. 896. An ill abode! The abode of the people of tyranny.” 897. In yet another passage He saith: “And when he becometh acquainted with any of Our verses he turneth them to ridicule. 898. There is a shameful punishment for them!” 899. The people derisively observed saying: “Work thou another miracle, and give us another sign!” 900. One would say: “Make now a part of the heaven to fall down upon us”; 901. and another: “If this be the very truth from before Thee, rain down stones upon us from heaven.” 902. Even as the people of Israel, in the time of Moses, bartered away the bread of heaven for the sordid things of the earth, these people, likewise, sought to exchange the divinely revealed verses for their foul, vile, and idle desires. 903. In like manner, thou beholdest in this day that although spiritual sustenance hath descended from the heaven of divine mercy, and been showered from the clouds of His loving-kindness, 904. and although the seas of life, at the behest of the Lord of all being, are surging within the Ridván of the heart,
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