21. Part Two — 1
1THE following chapter explains that verily the Sun of Truth and the Manifestation of the Self of God is indeed King over all in the heavens and earth, even if none of the people of the earth obey Him; and He is independent of all in the creation though He may not possess a single coin. Thus We show unto thee the mysteries of the matter and reveal unto thee from the essences of Knowledge so that thou mayest soar upon the wings of severance in that atmosphere which is hidden from the eyes.
2The substance and essence of this chapter is to demonstrate and explain to the possessors of pure souls and to sanctified mirrors that in whatever age and cycle the Suns of Truth and Mirrors of Oneness appear to the visible world from Divine Tents of the Invisible, they manifest themselves with mighty power and triumphant dominion for the development of the contingent beings and for the outpouring of bounty upon existent things. For these preserved Jewels and hidden and unseen Treasuries are the Sources for the appearance of "God doeth whatever He willeth and God ordereth whatever He desireth."
3It is evident to the possessors of Knowledge and illumined minds that the Unseen Divinity and Essence of Oneness hath been holy beyond emanation and appearance, ascent and descent, ingress and egress; is exalted above the praise of every praiser and the comprehension of every comprehender. He hath been and is everlastingly hidden in His Own Essence and will be eternally concealed from eyes and sights in His Own Identity. "The sight comprehendeth Him not, but He comprehendeth the sight; He is the Gracious, the Wise" (K. S. 6).
4No relation, connection, separation, union, nearness, remoteness, position or reference is possible between Him and the contingent things, inasmuch as all in the heavens and earth have become existent by the word of His Command and have stepped forth from utter and absolute non-existence and nothingness into the court of the existent and visible, through His Desire which is the Will Itself.
5Glory be to God! Nay, even there hath not been nor will be any connection or relation between the contingent things and His word. "God warneth you to beware of Himself" (K. S. 3) is a clear proof of this fact, and " there was God and nothing whatever was with Him " is obvious evidence thereof. Therefore all the Prophets, successors, divines, sages and wise men confess their lack of attainment to the knowledge of that Essence of Essences and admit their inability to know and reach that Truth of Truths. As the doors of knowing the Essence of Eternity were closed before the face of all the contingent things, therefore He caused brilliant Essences of Sanctity to appear from the holy worlds of the Spirit, in mighty human temples, among the creatures, in accordance with the abundant mercy of "His mercy hath encompassed all things," and "My mercy hath extended to all things;" in order that they may express that Eternal, Essence and Pre-existent Entity. These Mirrors of Sanctity and Dawning-places of Divinity fully express that Sun of Existence and Essence of Desire. For instance, their Knowledge expresses His Knowledge, their Power His Power, their Dominion His Dominion, their Beauty His Beauty, and their Manifestation His Manifestation. They are the treasuries of Supreme Knowledges, stores of Eternal Wisdom, revealers of Infinite Bounty, Dawning-places of that Sun of Eternity. Therefore it is said: "There is no difference between Thee and them, except that they are Thy servants and Thy creatures." This is the station of "I am He and He is me," recorded in the tradition.
6Traditions and records indicating this fact are many, but for the sake of brevity this servant doth not undertake to mention them. Nay rather, all that is in the heavens and earth show forth the Divine Names and Attributes until the traces of the splendor of that Sun of Truth are manifest and evident in every atom; so that without the appearance of this splendor, nothing can be honored with the robe of life nor attain to existence in the phenomenal world. What suns of knowledges are concealed in an atom! What oceans of wisdom are hidden in a drop! Among the beings, Man is especially assigned to these robes and chosen for this dignity; for all the Divine Names and Attributes are manifest and evident in human appearances, in the most perfect and excellent manner. All of these Names and Attributes have reference to Man. Therefore He hath said: "Man is My mystery and I am his Mystery." Successive verses proving and indicating this fine and subtle point are recorded and mentioned in all the Heavenly Books and Divine Writings; as it is said: "We will surely show them Our signs in the regions (of the earth) and within themselves" (K. S. 41). Likewise it is said: "And also in your own selves, will you not therefore consider" (K. S. 59)? In another place it is said: "And be not as those who have forgotten God and whom He hath caused to forget their own selves" (K. S. 59). Likewise the King of Eternity (may the life of all in the tent of the Invisible (lit. Amaa) be a sacrifice to Him!) hath said: "Whosoever hath known himself hath surely known his Lord."
7O thou my friend; I swear by God that if thou dost ponder over these statements thou wilt find doors of Divine Wisdom and portals of Infinite Knowledge opened before thy face.