29. Part Two — 9

1Various accounts have been given by commentators concerning the revelation of this verse (K. S. 5). Yet consider the import thereof, for He says it is not as the Jews have imagined, that the Ideal King created the Mosaic Countenance, conferred upon Him the robe of Prophethood, then His Hands were bound and He is not able to send any Messenger after Moses. Consider how remote from the path of Knowledge and Wisdom is their senseless saying! In this day, these people (Mohammedans) are occupied with similar vain sayings. For over a thousand years they have been reciting this verse, and unwittingly censuring the Jews; not perceiving and understanding that publicly and privately they themselves are saying the same thing the Jews assert. For thou hast heard them declare that all the Manifestations are ended, the doors of Divine mercy are closed, no Sun shall dawn again from the Ideal Day-springs of Holiness, no waves appear from the eternal Ocean of Pre-existence and no Temple come forth from the Divine Tents of the Invisible. This is the comprehension of these worthless creatures! They have conceded the cessation of the universal Bounty and abundant Mercy, which no intellect or understanding will allow. From every side and direction they gird up the loins of oppression and exert themselves to extinguish the fire of the Sadrat with the salt water of superstition, heedless that the bowl of Power preserves the lamp of Unity within the stronghold of its protection. It is sufficient degradation for this multitude that they are deprived of the Original Purpose and veiled from the substance and essence of the Command; for the utmost Divine bounty ordained for the servants is the "Meeting of God" and His Knowledge, which are promised to all. This is the extreme bounty of the Pre-existent Bountiful One for His servants, and the fulness of absolute grace for His creatures. But none of these servants hath partaken thereof or attained this supreme honor. Although there are many revealed verses which clearly indicate this great point and mighty fact, yet they have denied it and interpreted the verses according to their own desire. It is said "(As for) those who believe not in the signs of God and His Meeting, they shall despair of My Mercy, and for them (is) a painful punishment (prepared)" (K. S. 29). Likewise it is said "Those who (seriously) think they shall meet their Lord, and that to Him they shall return" (K. S. 2).

2In another place, "But they who considered that they should meet God said, How often hath a small army discomfited a great army!" In another place, "Let him, therefore, who hopeth to meet his Lord, work a righteous work" (K. S. 18). Again, "He ordereth all things; He showeth (His) Signs distinctly, that ye may be assured ye must meet your Lord" (K. S. 13).

3They have denied all these verses indicating the "Meeting," which is the strongest decree found in the Heavenly Books, and have deprived themselves of this lofty and exalted position and this excellent and glorious rank. Some say that by this is meant the meeting of the splendor of God in the Day of Resurrection. If they assert that the "Universal Splendor" is intended, this exists in all things, for we have formerly demonstrated that all things show forth the splendor of that Ideal King, and that the traces of the effulgence of the sun of the Manifestor exist and are visible in the mirrors of beings. Nay, if the spiritual and Divine eye of man be opened, he will see that nothing exists without the appearance of the splendor of that Ideal King. For thou dost perceive that all contingent and created things express the manifestation and emanation of that Ideal Light, and dost behold the doors of the Divine Rizwan opened in all things for seekers to enter the cities of Intelligence and Wisdom, and attained ones to pass into the gardens of Knowledge and Power. In every garden the bride of significances is seen seated in the chambers of words, with full adornment and grace. Most of the Koran verses indicate and show forth this spiritual fact. The saying, "Neither is there anything which doth not celebrate His praise" (K. S. 17), is eloquent testimony thereto; and " everything have we computed and written down" (K. S. 78) is a faithful witness thereof. If by "Meeting of God " is meant the meeting of these splendors, then all the people have attained to the meeting of the Eternal Countenance of that Peerless King. Why, then, is it assigned to the Day of Resurrection?