42. Part Two — 22
1In the beginning of the Book it is said, "A. L. M. There is no uncertainty in this Book: It is a direction to the pious" (K. S. 2). In the intersected letters of the Koran, mysteries of Divinity are concealed, and in their shells pearls of Unity are treasured which We do not mention for lack of space. Outwardly they signify His Holiness Himself, to whom is addressed: "O Mohammed, this Book revealed from the Heaven of Unity; there is no doubt or uncertainty in it; it contains guidance for the pious! " Consider that He hath appointed and ordained the Koran for the guidance of all in the heavens and earth. That Essence of Unity and that Invisible Divinity hath Himself testified there is no doubt or uncertainty that it is the guide for the servants until the day of resurrection. Is it justice for these servants to doubt and distrust this mighty weight, to the truth of which God hath testified, and the veracity of which He hath declared? to turn away from a matter which God hath appointed the means of guidance and attainment to the summits of Knowledge and seek something else? or become sceptical through the vain sayings of people, and declare that some one said thus and so, or a certain thing did not come to pass? If there were any other matter or cause than the Divine Book as motive or evidence for the guidance of the people, it would undoubtedly be recorded in the mentioned verse.
2To resume: We must not depart from the irrefutable command of God and the fixed decree of the Most High recorded in the above verse, but must acknowledge the wonderful Books; for if we do not acknowledge these Books, this blessed verse would be denied. And it is evident that whosoever hath not acknowledged the Koran hath not in reality accepted the Books which preceded it. These meanings are understood from the outward sense of the verse. Should We mention the concealed meanings and explain the hidden mysteries thereof, time undoubtedly would not bring them to a conclusion and the world could not bear them. God testifieth to what We say!
3Likewise it is said in another place: "If ye be in doubt concerning (the Book) which We have sent down unto our servant (Mohammed), produce a surat like unto it, and call upon your witnesses besides God, if ye say truth" (K. S. 2). The outward translation of this verse is: If ye be in doubt and hesitation concerning what We have sent down to our servant Mohammed, produce one like unto these revealed surats and call upon your witnesses—your learned men—that they may assist you in revealing the surat; if ye are of those who speak truth.
4Consider how great is the value and how paramount the importance of the verses in which God hath completed His perfect argument, consummate proof, dominant power and penetrating will. In the declaration of His proof, that King of Unity hath not conjoined anything with them, for among proofs and evidence, verses are like unto the sun, while all others are as stars. To the people they are everlasting proof, fixed argument and shining light from the presence of that Ideal King. No excellence equals them and nothing precedes them. They are the treasury of Divine pearls and the depository of the mysteries of Unity. They are the strong thread, the firm rope, the most secure handle and the inextinguishable light. Through them flows the river of the Divine Knowledges, and bursts the fire of the consummate Wisdom of the Eternal. This is a fire from which two effects proceed at the same time: It creates the heat of love within the people of faith, and produces the cold of heedlessness within the people of hatred. O friend, we must not depart from the command of God, but acquiesce and submit to that which He hath appointed to be His proof.
5To resume: The proof and argument in this verse is too great for this humble one to furnish evidence. God speaketh truth and pointeth to the path. He is supreme over His servants; He is the Mighty, the Beautiful!
6Likewise it is said: "These are the verses of God; We rehearse them unto thee with truth. In what revelation, therefore, will they believe, after God and His verses" (K. S. 45)? He says: These are the verses revealed from the Heaven of Divinity, which we rehearse unto thee; then in what words will they believe after the appearance of the True One, and the revelation of His verses?
7Shouldst thou grasp the import of this verse, thou wilt understand that there hath been no manifestor greater than the Prophets, nor hath any proof mightier than the revealed verses appeared upon earth. Nay rather, no greater proof is possible except that which thy Lord willeth.
8In another place it is said: "Woe unto every lying and impious person; who, when hearing the verses of God which are read unto him, proudly persisteth (in infidelity) as though he heard them not; announce unto him a painful punishment" (K. S. 45). That is, woe unto every deceitful sinner who heareth the verses revealed from the Heaven of the Divine Will read unto him, then disputeth as though he heard them not. Announce thou a painful punishment unto him.
9The references in this verse suffice for all in the heavens and earth, were people to look attentively into the verses of their Lord. So thou hearest in the present day, that when the Divine verses are read, no one taketh heed thereof, as though they were of the least importance, whereas nothing hath been nor will be greater than the verses. Say unto them, O imprudent people, ye are saying that which your fathers said in former times! If they saw any fruit from the tree of their contradiction, ye will see likewise! Before long ye will dwell in the fire with your fathers; fire is their station; evil is the abode of the unjust!