The Book of the Epistle to the Son of the Wolf CHAPTER ONE 12 страница
He likewise is their “Seal.” 525. The mystery of this theme hath, in this Dispensation, been a sore test unto all mankind. The Book of Certitude CHAPTER EIGHTEEN Divisions 526-555 2ND CERTITUDE 526. Behold, how many are those who, clinging unto these words, have disbelieved Him Who is their true Revealer. 527. What, We ask, could this people presume the terms “first” and “last” —when referring to God—glorified be His Name!—to mean? 528. If they maintain that these terms bear reference to this material universe, how could it be possible, when the visible order of things is still manifestly existing? 529. Nay, in this instance, by “first” is meant no other than the “last” and by “last” no other than the “first.” 530. Even as in the “Beginning that hath no beginnings” the term “last” is truly applicable unto Him who is the Educator of the visible and of the invisible, in like manner, are the terms “first” and “last” applicable unto His Manifestations. 531. They are at the same time the Exponents of both the “first” and the “last.” 532. Whilst established upon the seat of the “first,” they occupy the throne of the “last.” 534. Were a discerning eye to be found, it will readily perceive that the exponents of the “first” and the “last,” of the “manifest” and the “hidden,” of the “beginning” and the “seal” are none other than these holy Beings, these Essences of Detachment, these divine Souls. 535. And wert thou to soar in the holy realm of “God was alone, there was none else besides Him,” thou wilt find in that Court all these names utterly non-existent and completely forgotten. 536. Then will thine eyes no longer be obscured by these veils, these terms, and allusions. 537. How ethereal and lofty is this station, unto which even Gabriel, unshepherded, can never attain, and the Bird of Heaven, unassisted, can never reach! 538. And, now, strive thou to comprehend the meaning of this saying of ‘Alí, the Commander of the Faithful: 539. “Piercing the veils of glory, unaided.” 540. Among these “veils of glory” are the divines and doctors living in the days of the Manifestation of God, who, because of their want of discernment and their love and eagerness for leadership, have failed to submit to the Cause of God, nay, have even refused to incline their ears unto the divine Melody. 541. “They have thrust their fingers into their ears.” 542. And the people also, utterly ignoring God and taking them for their masters, have placed themselves unreservedly under the authority of these pompous and hypocritical leaders, for they have no sight, no hearing, no heart, of their own to distinguish truth from falsehood. 543. Notwithstanding the divinely inspired admonitions of all the Prophets, the Saints, and Chosen ones of God, enjoining the people to see with their own eyes and hear with their own ears, they have disdainfully rejected their counsels and have blindly followed, and will continue to follow, the leaders of their Faith. 544. Should a poor and obscure person, destitute of the attire of men of learning, address them saying: “Follow ye, O people! the Messengers of God,” 545. they would, greatly surprised at such a statement, reply: “What! 546. Meanest thou that all these divines, all these exponents of learning, with all their authority, their pomp and pageantry, have erred, and failed to distinguish truth from falsehood? 547. Dost thou, and people like thyself, pretend to have comprehended that which they have not understood?” 548. If numbers and excellence of apparel be regarded as the criterions of learning and truth, the peoples of a bygone age, whom those of today have never surpassed in numbers, magnificence and power, should certainly be accounted a superior and worthier people. 549. It is clear and evident that whenever the Manifestations of Holiness were revealed, the divines of their day have hindered the people from attaining unto the way of truth. 550. To this testify the records of all the scriptures and heavenly books. 551. Not one Prophet of God was made manifest Who did not fall a victim to the relentless hate, to the denunciation, denial, and execration of the clerics of His day! 552. Woe unto them for the iniquities their hands have formerly wrought! 553. Woe unto them for that which they are now doing! 554. What veils of glory more grievous than these embodiments of error! 555. By the righteousness of God! to pierce such veils is the mightiest of all acts, and to rend them asunder the most meritorious of all deeds! The Book of Certitude CHAPTER NINETEEN Divisions 556-590 2ND CERTITUDE 556. May God assist us and assist you, O concourse of the Spirit! 557. that perchance ye may in the time of His Manifestation be graciously aided to perform such deeds, and may in His days attain unto the Presence of God. 558. Furthermore, among the “veils of glory” are such terms as the “Seal of the Prophets” and the like, the removal of which is a supreme achievement in the sight of these baseborn and erring souls. 559. All, by reason of these mysterious sayings, these grievous “veils of glory,” have been hindered from beholding the light of truth. Have they not heard the melody of that bird of Heaven, uttering this mystery: 560. “A thousand Fátimihs I have espoused, all of whom were the daughters of Muhammad, Son of ‘Abdu’lláh, the ‘Seal of the Prophets’”? 561. Behold, how many are the mysteries that lie as yet unraveled within the tabernacle of the knowledge of God, and how numerous the gems of His wisdom that are still concealed in His inviolable treasuries! 562. Shouldest thou ponder this in thine heart, thou wouldst realize that His handiwork knoweth neither beginning nor end. 563. The domain of His decree is too vast for the tongue of mortals to describe, or for the bird of the human mind to traverse; and the dispensations of His providence are too mysterious for the mind of man to comprehend. 564. His creation no end hath overtaken, and it hath ever existed from the “Beginning that hath no beginning”; and the Manifestations of His Beauty no beginning hath beheld, and they will continue to the “End that knoweth no end.” 565. Ponder this utterance in thine heart, and reflect how it is applicable unto all these holy Souls. 566. Likewise, strive thou to comprehend the meaning of the melody of that eternal beauty, Husayn, son of ‘Alí, who, addressing Salmán, spoke words such as these: 567. “I was with a thousand Adams, the interval between each and the next Adam was fifty thousand years, and to each one of these I declared the Successorship conferred upon my father.” 568. He then recounteth certain details, until he saith: “I have fought one thousand battles in the path of God, the least and most insignificant of which was like the battle of Khaybar, in which battle my father fought and contended against the infidels.” 569. Endeavor now to apprehend from these two traditions the mysteries of “end,” “return,” and “creation without beginning or end.” 570. O my beloved! Immeasurably exalted is the celestial Melody above the strivings of human ear to hear or mind to grasp its mystery! 571. How can the helpless ant step into the court of the All-Glorious? 572. And yet, feeble souls, through lack of understanding, reject these abstruse utterances, and question the truth of such traditions. 573. Nay, none can comprehend them save those that are possessed of an understanding heart. 574. Say, He is that End for Whom no end in all the universe can be imagined, and for Whom no beginning in the world of creation can be conceived. 575. Behold, O concourse of the earth, the splendors of the End, revealed in the Manifestations of the Beginning! 576. How strange! These people with one hand cling to those verses of the Qur’án and those traditions of the people of certitude which they have found to accord with their inclinations and interests, and with the other reject those which are contrary to their selfish desires. 577. “Believe ye then part of the Book, and deny part?” 578. How could ye judge that which ye understand not? 579. Even as the Lord of being hath in His unerring Book, after speaking of the “Seal” in His exalted utterance: 580. “Muhammad is the Apostle of God and the Seal of the Prophets,” hath revealed unto all people the promise of “attainment unto the divine Presence.” 581. To this attainment to the presence of the immortal King testify the verses of the Book, some of which We have already mentioned. 582. The one true God is My witness! 583. Nothing more exalted or more explicit than “attainment unto the divine Presence” hath been revealed in the Qur’án. 584. Well is it with him that hath attained thereunto, in the day wherein most of the people, even as ye witness, have turned away therefrom. 585. And yet, through the mystery of the former verse, they have turned away from the grace promised by the latter, despite the fact that “attainment unto the divine Presence” in the “Day of Resurrection” is explicitly stated in the Book. 586. It hath been demonstrated and definitely established, through clear evidences, that by “Resurrection” is meant the rise of the Manifestation of God to proclaim His Cause, and by “attainment unto the divine Presence” is meant attainment unto the presence of His Beauty in the person of His Manifestation. 587. For verily, “No vision taketh in Him, but He taketh in all vision.” 588. Notwithstanding all these indubitable facts and lucid statements, they have foolishly clung to the term “seal,” and remained utterly deprived of the recognition of Him Who is the Revealer of both the Seal and the Beginning, in the day of His presence. 589. “If God should chastise men for their perverse doings, He would not leave upon the earth a moving thing! 590. But to an appointed time doth He respite them.” The Book of Certitude CHAPTER TWENTY Divisions 591-625 2ND CERTITUDE 591. But apart from all these things, had this people attained unto a drop of the crystal streams flowing from the words: 592. “God doeth whatsoever He willeth, and ordaineth whatsoever He pleaseth,” they would not have raised any unseemly cavils, such as these, against the focal Center of His Revelation. 593. The Cause of God, all deeds and words, are held within the grasp of His power. 594. “All things lie imprisoned within the hollow of His mighty Hand; all things are easy and possible unto Him.” 595. He accomplisheth whatsoever He willeth, and doeth all that He desireth. 596. “Whoso sayeth ‘why’ or ‘wherefore’ hath spoken blasphemy!” 597. Were these people to shake off the slumber of negligence and realize that which their hands have wrought, they would surely perish, and would of their own accord cast themselves into fire—their end and real abode. 598. Have they not heard that which He hath revealed: “He shall not be asked of His doings”? 599. In the light of these utterances, how can man be so bold as to question Him, and busy himself with idle sayings? 600. Gracious God! So great is the folly and perversity of the people, that they have turned their face toward their own thoughts and desires, and have turned their back upon the knowledge and will of God—hallowed and glorified be His name! 601. Be fair: Were these people to acknowledge the truth of these luminous words and holy allusions, and recognize God as “Him that doeth whatsoever He pleaseth,” how could they continue to cleave unto these glaring absurdities? 602. Nay, with all their soul, they would accept and submit to whatsoever He saith. 603. I swear by God! But for the divine Decree, and the inscrutable dispensations of Providence, the earth itself would have utterly destroyed all this people! 604. “He will, however, respite them until the appointed time of a known day.” 605. 1,280 years have passed since the dawn of the Muhammadan Dispensation, and with every break of day, these blind and ignoble people have recited their Qur’án, and yet have failed to grasp one letter of that Book! 606. Again and again they read those verses which clearly testify to the reality of these holy themes, and bear witness to the truth of the Manifestations of eternal Glory, and still apprehend not their purpose. 607. They have even failed to realize, all this time, that, in every age, the reading of the scriptures and holy books is for no other purpose except to enable the reader to apprehend their meaning and unravel their innermost mysteries. 608. Otherwise reading, without understanding, is of no abiding profit unto man. 609. And it came to pass that on a certain day a needy man came to visit this Soul, craving for the ocean of His knowledge. 610. While conversing with him, mention was made concerning the signs of the Day of Judgment, Resurrection, Revival, and Reckoning. 611. He urged Us to explain how, in this wondrous Dispensation, the peoples of the world were brought to a reckoning, when none were made aware of it. 612. Thereupon, We imparted unto him, according to the measure of his capacity and understanding, certain truths of Science and ancient Wisdom. 613. We then asked him saying: “Hast thou not read the Qur’án, and art thou not aware of this blessed verse: 614. ‘On that day shall neither man nor spirit be asked of his sin’? 615. Dost thou not realize that by ‘asking’ is not meant asking by tongue or speech, even as the verse itself doth indicate and prove? 616. For afterward it is said: ‘By their appearance shall the sinners be known, and they shall be seized by their forelocks and their feet.’” 617. Thus the peoples of the world are judged by their appearance. 618. By it, their misbelief, their faith, and their iniquity are all made manifest. 619. Even as it is evident in this day how the people of error are, by their appearance, known and distinguished from the followers of divine Guidance. 620. Were these people, wholly for the sake of God and with no desire but His good-pleasure, to ponder the verses of the Book in their heart, they would of a certainty find whatsoever they seek. 621. In its verses would they find revealed and manifest all the things, be they great or small, that have come to pass in this Dispensation. 622. They would even recognize in them references unto the departure of the Manifestations of the names and attributes of God from out their native land; 623. to the opposition and disdainful arrogance of government and people; 624. and to the dwelling and establishment of the Universal Manifestation in an appointed and specially designated land. 625. No man, however, can comprehend this except he who is possessed of an understanding heart. The Book of Certitude CHAPTER TWENTY ONE Divisions 626-650 2ND CERTITUDE 626. We seal Our theme with that which was formerly revealed unto Muhammad that the seal thereof may shed the fragrance of that holy musk which leadeth men unto the Ridván of unfading splendor. 627. He said, and His Word is the truth: “ 628. And God calleth to the Abode of Peace; and He guideth whom He will into the right way.” 629. “For them is an Abode of Peace with their Lord! and He shall be their Protector because of their works.” 630. This He hath revealed that His grace may encompass the world. 631. Praise be to God, the Lord of all being! 632. We have variously and repeatedly set forth the meaning of every theme, that perchance every soul, whether high or low, may obtain, according to his measure and capacity, his share and portion thereof. 633. Should he be unable to comprehend a certain argument, he may, thus, by referring unto another, attain his purpose. 634. “That all sorts of men may know where to quench their thirst.” 635. By God! This Bird of Heaven, now dwelling upon the dust, can, besides these melodies, utter a myriad songs, and is able, apart from these utterances, to unfold innumerable mysteries. 636. Every single note of its unpronounced utterances is immeasurably exalted above all that hath already been revealed, and immensely glorified beyond that which hath streamed from this Pen. 637. Let the future disclose the hour when the Brides of inner meaning will, as decreed by the Will of God, hasten forth, unveiled, out of their mystic mansions, and manifest themselves in the ancient realm of being. 638. Nothing whatsoever is possible without His permission; no power can endure save through His power, and there is none other God but He. 639. His is the world of creation, and His the Cause of God. 640. All proclaim His Revelation, and all unfold the mysteries of His Spirit. 641. We have already in the foregoing pages assigned two stations unto each of the Luminaries arising from the Daysprings of eternal holiness. 642. One of these stations, the station of essential unity, We have already explained. “No distinction do We make between any of them.” 643. The other is the station of distinction, and pertaineth to the world of creation and to the limitations thereof. 644. In this respect, each Manifestation of God hath a distinct individuality, a definitely prescribed mission, a predestined Revelation, and specially designated limitations. 645. Each one of them is known by a different name, is characterized by a special attribute, fulfills a definite Mission, and is entrusted with a particular Revelation. 646. Even as He saith: “Some of the Apostles We have caused to excel the others. 647. To some God hath spoken, some He hath raised and exalted. 648. And to Jesus, Son of Mary, We gave manifest signs, and We strengthened Him with the Holy Spirit.” 649. It is because of this difference in their station and mission that the words and utterances flowing from these Wellsprings of divine knowledge appear to diverge and differ. 650. Otherwise, in the eyes of them that are initiated into the mysteries of divine wisdom, all their utterances are in reality but the expressions of one Truth. The Book of Certitude CHAPTER TWENTY TWO Divisions 651-680 2ND CERTITUDE 651. As most of the people have failed to appreciate those stations to which We have referred, they therefore feel perplexed and dismayed at the varying utterances pronounced by Manifestations that are essentially one and the same. 652. It hath ever been evident that all these divergences of utterance are attributable to differences of station. 653. Thus, viewed from the standpoint of their oneness and sublime detachment, the attributes of Godhead, 654. Divinity, Supreme Singleness, and Inmost Essence, have been and are applicable to those Essences of being, inasmuch as they all abide on the throne of divine Revelation, and are established upon the seat of divine Concealment. 655. Through their appearance the Revelation of God is made manifest, and by their countenance the Beauty of God is revealed. 656. Thus it is that the accents of God Himself have been heard uttered by these Manifestations of the divine Being. 657. Viewed in the light of their second station
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