The Book of the Epistle to the Son of the Wolf CHAPTER ONE 3 страница
in the development of all earthly things, such as the trees, the fruits, and colors thereof, the minerals of the earth, and all that may be witnessed in the world of creation, 242. so do the divine Luminaries, by their loving care and educative influence, cause the trees of divine unity, the fruits of His oneness, the leaves of detachment, the blossoms of knowledge and certitude, and the myrtles of wisdom and utterance, to exist and be made manifest. 243. Thus it is that through the rise of these Luminaries of God the world is made new, the waters of everlasting life stream forth, the billows of loving-kindness surge, the clouds of grace are gathered, and the breeze of bounty bloweth upon all created things. 244. It is the warmth that these Luminaries of God generate, and the undying fires they kindle, which cause the light of the love of God to burn fiercely in the heart of humanity. 245. It is through the abundant grace of these Symbols of Detachment that the Spirit of life everlasting is breathed into the bodies of the dead. 246. Assuredly the visible sun is but a sign of the splendor of that Daystar of Truth, that Sun Which can never have a peer, a likeness, or rival. 247. Through Him all things live, move, and have their being. 248. Through His grace they are made manifest, and unto Him they all return. 249. From Him all things have sprung, and unto the treasuries of His revelation they all have repaired. 250. From Him all created things did proceed, and to the depositories of His law they did revert. 251. That these divine Luminaries seem to be confined at times to specific designations and attributes, as you have observed and are now observing, is due solely to the imperfect and limited comprehension of certain minds. 252. Otherwise, they have been at all times, and will through eternity continue to be, exalted above every praising name, and sanctified from every descriptive attribute. 253. The quintessence of every name can hope for no access unto their court of holiness, and the highest and purest of all attributes can never approach their kingdom of glory. 254. Immeasurably high are the Prophets of God exalted above the comprehension of men, who can never know them except by their own Selves. 255. Far be it from His glory that His chosen Ones should be magnified by any other than their own persons. Glorified are they above the praise of men; exalted are they above human understanding! 256. The term “suns” hath many a time been applied in the writings of the “immaculate Souls” unto the Prophets of God, those luminous Emblems of Detachment. 257. Among those writings are the following words recorded in the “Prayer of Nudbih”: “Whither are gone the resplendent Suns? Whereunto have departed those shining Moons and sparkling Stars?” 258. Thus, it hath become evident that the terms “sun,” “moon,” and “stars” primarily signify the Prophets of God, the saints, and their companions, those Luminaries, the light of Whose knowledge hath shed illumination upon the worlds of the visible and the invisible. 259. In another sense, by these terms is intended the divines of the former Dispensation, who live in the days of the subsequent Revelations, and who hold the reins of religion in their grasp. 260. If these divines be illumined by the light of the latter Revelation, they will be acceptable unto God, and will shine with a light everlasting. 261. Otherwise, they will be declared as darkened, even though to outward seeming they be leaders of men, inasmuch as belief and unbelief, guidance and error, felicity and misery, light and darkness, are all dependent upon the sanction of Him Who is the Daystar of Truth. 262. Whosoever among the divines of every age receiveth, in the Day of Reckoning, the testimony of faith from the Source of true knowledge, he verily becometh the recipient of learning, of divine favor, and of the light of true understanding. 263. Otherwise, he is branded as guilty of folly, denial, blasphemy, and oppression. 264. It is evident and manifest unto every discerning observer that even as the light of the star fadeth before the effulgent splendor of the sun, so doth the luminary of earthly knowledge, of wisdom, and understanding vanish into nothingness when brought face to face with the resplendent glories of the Sun of Truth, the Daystar of divine enlightenment. 265. That the term “sun” hath been applied to the leaders of religion is due to their lofty position, their fame, and renown. 266. Such are the universally recognized divines of every age, who speak with authority, and whose fame is securely established. 267. If they be in the likeness of the Sun of Truth, they will surely be accounted as the most exalted of all luminaries; otherwise, they are to be recognized as the focal centers of hellish fire. 268. Even as He saith: “Verily, the sun and the moon are both condemned to the torment of infernal fire.” 269. You are no doubt familiar with the interpretation of the term “sun” and “moon” mentioned in this verse; no need therefore to refer unto it. 270. And whosoever is of the element of this “sun” and “moon,” that is, followeth the example of these leaders in setting his face towards falsehood and in turning away from the truth, he undoubtedly cometh out of infernal gloom and returneth thereunto. The Book of Certitude CHAPTER TEN Divisions 271-310 1ST CERTITUDE 271. And now, O seeker, it behooveth us firmly to cling unto the ‘Urvatu’l-Vuthqá, that perchance we may leave behind the darksome night of error, and embrace the dawning light of divine guidance. 272. Shall we not flee from the face of denial, and seek the sheltering shade of certitude? 273. Shall we not free ourselves from the horror of satanic gloom, and hasten towards the rising light of the heavenly Beauty? 274. In such wise, we bestow upon you the fruit of the Tree of divine knowledge, that ye may gladly and joyously abide in the Ridván of divine wisdom. 275. In another sense, by the terms “sun,” “moon,” and “stars” are meant such laws and teachings as have been established and proclaimed in every Dispensation, such as the laws of prayer and fasting. 276. These have, according to the law of the Qur’án, been regarded, when the beauty of the Prophet Muhammad had passed beyond the veil, as the most fundamental and binding laws of His dispensation. 277. To this testify the texts of the traditions and chronicles, which, on account of their being widely known, need not be referred to here. 278. Nay rather, in every Dispensation the law concerning prayer hath been emphasized and universally enforced. 279. To this testify the recorded traditions ascribed to the lights that have emanated from the Daystar of Truth, the essence of the Prophet Muhammad. 280. The traditions established the fact that in all Dispensations the law of prayer hath constituted a fundamental element of the Revelation of all the Prophets of God, a law the form and the manner of which hath been adapted to the varying requirements of every age. 281. Inasmuch as every subsequent Revelation hath abolished the manners, habits, and teachings that have been clearly, specifically, and firmly established by the former Dispensation, these have accordingly been symbolically expressed in terms of “sun” and “moon.” 282. “That He might prove you, which of you excel in deeds.” 283. Moreover, in the traditions the terms “sun” and “moon” have been applied to prayer and fasting, even as it is said: 284. “Fasting is illumination, prayer is light.” 285. One day, a well-known divine came to visit Us. 286. While We were conversing with him, he referred to the above-quoted tradition. 287. He said: “Inasmuch as fasting causeth the heat of the body to increase, it hath therefore been likened unto the light of the sun; and as the prayer of the night-season refresheth man, it hath been compared unto the radiance of the moon.” 288. Thereupon We realized that that poor man had not been favored with a single drop of the ocean of true understanding, and had strayed far from the Burning Bush of divine wisdom. 289. We then politely observed to him saying: “The interpretation your honor hath given to this tradition is the one current amongst the people. 290. Could it not be interpreted differently?” 291. He asked Us: “What could it be?” 292. We made reply: “Muhammad, the Seal of the Prophets, and the most distinguished of God’s chosen Ones, hath likened the Dispensation of the Qurán unto heaven, by reason of its loftiness, its paramount influence, its majesty, and the fact that it comprehendeth all religions. 293. And as the sun and moon constitute the brightest and most prominent luminaries in the heavens, similarly in the heaven of the religion of God two shining orbs have been ordained —fasting and prayer. 294. ‘Islám is heaven; fasting is its sun, prayer, its moon.’” 295. This is the purpose underlying the symbolic words of the Manifestations of God. 296. Consequently, the application of the terms “sun” and “moon” to the things already mentioned hath been demonstrated and justified by the text of the sacred verses and the recorded traditions. 297. Hence, it is clear and manifest that by the words “the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven” 298. is intended the waywardness of the divines, and the annulment of laws firmly established by divine Revelation, all of which, in symbolic language, have been foreshadowed by the Manifestation of God. 299. None except the righteous shall partake of this cup, none except the godly can share therein. 300. “The righteous shall drink of a cup tempered at the camphor fountain.” 301. It is unquestionable that in every succeeding Revelation the “sun” and “moon” of the teachings, laws, commandments, and prohibitions which have been established in the preceding Dispensation, and which have overshadowed the people of that age, become darkened, that is, are exhausted, and cease to exert their influence. 302. Consider now, had the people of the Gospel recognized the meaning of the symbolic terms “sun” and “moon,” had they sought, unlike the froward and perverse, enlightenment from Him Who is the Revealer of divine knowledge, they would have surely comprehended the purpose of these terms, and would not have become afflicted and oppressed by the darkness of their selfish desires. 303. Yea, but since they have failed to acquire true knowledge from its very Source, they have perished in the perilous vale of waywardness and misbelief. 304. They still have not awakened to perceive that all the signs foretold have been made manifest, that the promised Sun hath risen above the horizon of divine Revelation, and that the “sun” and “moon” of the teachings, the laws, and learning of a former Dispensation have darkened and set. 306. And now, with fixed gaze and steady wings enter thou the way of certitude and truth. 307. “Say: It is God; then leave them to entertain themselves with their cavilings.” 308. Thus, wilt thou be accounted of those companions of whom He saith: 309. “They that say ‘Our Lord is God,’ and continue steadfast in His way, upon them, verily, shall the angels descend.” 310. Then shalt thou witness all these mysteries with thine own eyes. The Book of Certitude CHAPTER ELEVEN Divisions 311-345 1ST CERTITUDE 311. O my brother! Take thou the step of the spirit, so that, swift as the twinkling of an eye, thou mayest flash through the wilds of remoteness and bereavement, attain the Ridván of everlasting reunion, and in one breath commune with the heavenly Spirits. 312. For with human feet thou canst never hope to traverse these immeasurable distances, nor attain thy goal. 313. Peace be upon him whom the light of truth guideth unto all truth, and who, in the name of God, standeth in the path of His Cause, upon the shore of true understanding. 314. This is the meaning of the sacred verse: 315. “But nay! I swear by the Lord of the Easts and the Wests,” inasmuch as the “Suns” referred to have each their own particular rising and setting place. 316. And as the commentators of the Qur’án have failed to grasp the symbolic meaning of these “Suns,” they therefore were at pains to interpret the above-quoted verse. 317. Some of them maintained that owing to the fact that the sun each day rises from a different point, the terms “easts” and “wests” have been mentioned in the plural. 318. Others have written that by this verse the four seasons of the year are intended, inasmuch as the dawning and setting points of the sun vary with the change of the seasons. 319. Such is the depth of their understanding! 320. Nonetheless, they persist in imputing error and folly to those Gems of knowledge, those irreproachable and purest Symbols of wisdom. 321. In like manner, strive thou to comprehend from these lucid, these powerful, conclusive, and unequivocal statements the meaning of the “cleaving of the heaven”—one of the signs that must needs herald the coming of the last Hour, the Day of Resurrection. 322. As He hath said: “When the heaven shall be cloven asunder.” 323. By “heaven” is meant the heaven of divine Revelation, which is elevated with every Manifestation, and rent asunder with every subsequent one. 324. By “cloven asunder” is meant that the former Dispensation is superseded and annulled. 325. I swear by God! That this heaven being cloven asunder is, to the discerning, an act mightier than the cleaving of the skies! 326. Ponder a while. 327. That a divine Revelation which for years hath been securely established; beneath whose shadow all who have embraced it have been reared and nurtured; by the light of whose law generations of men have been disciplined; the excellency of whose word men have heard recounted by their fathers; in such wise that human eye hath beheld naught but the pervading influence of its grace, and mortal ear hath heard naught but the resounding majesty of its command 328. —what act is mightier than that such a Revelation should, by the power of God, be “cloven asunder” and be abolished at the appearance of one soul? 329. Reflect, is this a mightier act than that which these abject and foolish men have imagined the “cleaving of the heaven” to mean? 330. Moreover, consider the hardships and the bitterness of the lives of those Revealers of the divine Beauty. 331. Reflect, how single-handed and alone they faced the world and all its peoples, and promulgated the Law of God! 332. No matter how severe the persecutions inflicted upon those holy, those precious, and tender Souls, they still remained, in the plenitude of their power, patient, and, despite their ascendancy, they suffered and endured. 333. In like manner, endeavor to comprehend the meaning of the “changing of the earth.” 334. Know thou, that upon whatever hearts the bountiful showers of mercy, raining from the “heaven” of divine Revelation, have fallen, the earth of those hearts hath verily been changed into the earth of divine knowledge and wisdom. 335. What myrtles of unity hath the soil of their hearts produced! 336. What blossoms of true knowledge and wisdom hath their illumined bosoms yielded! 337. Were the earth of their hearts to remain unchanged, how could such souls who have not been taught one letter, have seen no teacher, and entered no school, utter such words and display such knowledge as none can apprehend? 338. Methinks they have been molded from the clay of infinite knowledge, and kneaded with the water of divine wisdom. 339. Therefore, hath it been said: “Knowledge is a light which God casteth into the heart of whomsoever He willeth.” 340. It is this kind of knowledge which is and hath ever been praiseworthy, and not the limited knowledge that hath sprung forth from veiled and obscured minds. 341. This limited knowledge they even stealthily borrow one from the other, and vainly pride themselves therein! 342. Would that the hearts of men could be cleansed from these manmade limitations and obscure thoughts imposed upon them, haply they may be illumined by the light of the Sun of true knowledge, and comprehend the mysteries of divine wisdom. 343. Consider now, were the parched and barren soil of these hearts to remain unchanged, how could they ever become the recipients of the revelation of the mysteries of God, and the revealers of the divine Essence? 344. Thus hath He said: “On the day when the earth shall be changed into another earth.” 345. The breeze of the bounty of the King of creation hath caused even the physical earth to be changed, were ye to ponder in your hearts the mysteries of divine Revelation. The Book of Certitude CHAPTER TWELVE Divisions 346-380 1ST CERTITUDE 346. And now, comprehend the meaning of this verse: 347. “The whole earth shall on the Resurrection Day be but His handful, and in His right hand shall the heavens be folded together. 348. Praise be to Him! and high be He uplifted above the partners they join with him!” 349. And now, be fair in thy judgment. 350. Were this verse to have the meaning which men suppose it to have, of what profit, one may ask, could it be to man? 351. Moreover, it is evident and manifest that no such hand as could be seen by human eye could accomplish such deeds, or could possibly be ascribed to the exalted Essence of the one true God. 352. Nay, to acknowledge such a thing is naught but sheer blasphemy, an utter perversion of the truth. 353. And should it be supposed that by this verse are meant the Manifestations of God, Who will be called upon, on the Day of Judgment, to perform such deeds, this too seemeth far from the truth, and is surely of no profit. 354. On the contrary, by the term “earth” is meant the earth of understanding and knowledge, and by “heavens” the heavens of divine Revelation. 355. Reflect thou, how, in one hand, He hath, by His mighty grasp, turned the earth of knowledge and understanding, previously unfolded, into a mere handful, and, on the other, spread out a new and highly exalted earth in the hearts of men, thus causing the freshest and loveliest blossoms, and the mightiest and loftiest trees to spring forth from the illumined bosom of man. 356. In like manner, reflect how the elevated heavens of the Dispensations of the past have, in the right hand of power, been folded together, how the heavens of divine Revelation have been raised by the command of God, and been adorned by the sun, the moon, and stars of His wondrous commandments. 357. Such are the mysteries of the Word of God, which have been unveiled and made manifest, that haply thou mayest apprehend the morning light of divine guidance, 358. [and] mayest quench, by the power of reliance and renunciation, the lamp of idle fancy, of vain imaginings, of hesitation, and doubt, and mayest kindle, in the inmost chamber of thine heart, the newborn light of divine knowledge and certitude. 359. Know verily that the purpose underlying all these symbolic terms and abstruse allusions, which emanate from the Revealers of God’s holy Cause, hath been to test and prove the peoples of the world; that thereby the earth of the pure and illuminated hearts may be known from the perishable and barren soil.
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