43. Part Two — 23
1In another place it is said: "And when he who cometh to the knowledge of any of our verses and receiveth the same with scorn, for him (is prepared) a shameful punishment" (K. S. 45). For instance, they scoffed, saying: "Produce another miracle and bring forth another argument!" One said: "Cause thou a part of the heaven to fall upon us" (K. S. 26); and another: "O God, if this be truth from Thee, rain down stones upon us from heaven" (K. S. 8). As the Jews in the time of Moses exchanged the heavenly Table for such foul things as garlic and onions, likewise these people sought to exchange the revealed verses for impure and unclean imaginations. Similarly it is seen in this day that although the Ideal Table is descending from the heaven of Divine mercy and from the clouds of celestial bounty, and although the seas of life are flowing and moving in the Rizwan of Paradise by the command of the Creator of all things, yet they are gathered like dogs around dead bodies, and are contented with a briny lake which is but bitter salt. Praise be to God! One is greatly astonished at such servants, who seek for proof after the banners of the proven are hoisted; who cling to the allusions of learning after the sun of the knowable hath appeared. It is like asking the sun for proof of its light, or the vernal shower for argument to demonstrate its bounty. The proof of the sun is its light which shines forth and encompasses the world; and the argument of the shower is its bounty which renews the world with a fresh mantle. Yea! The blind realize no effect in the sun but heat, and a barren soil knoweth no bounty from the vernal mercy.
2"Be not astonished if from the Koran no portion is gained except its letters, For in the sun, the eye of the blind findeth nothing but heat."
3In another place it is said: "And when our evident verses are rehearsed unto them, their argument (against the same) is no other than that they will say, Bring (to life) our fathers (who have been dead); if ye speak truth" (K. S. 45).
4Consider what arguments they brought against those perfect and abundant mercies. They scorned the verses, a single letter of which is greater than the creation of heavens and earth, and which quicken the dead in the valley of self and desire by the spirit of faith; and they said: "Bring forth our fathers from the grave." This was the contradiction and pride of the people. Each one of these verses is a sound proof and lofty argument for all in the earth, and sufficient for the people, were ye to meditate upon the verses of God.
5In the same mentioned verse, pearls of mysteries are concealed. If a slight pain be found, the remedy will be provided.
6Lend not thine ear to the vain statement of the servants who say that "the Book and verses cannot be proof to the common people because they neither understand nor comprehend them." The Koran is a proof to the east and the west. How could it be a proof, if the power of understanding it were not possessed by the people? According to their statement, none would be required to know God, nor would it be necessary; for the knowledge of Him is greater than the knowledge of His Book; and the common people would not possess the capacity to comprehend it.
7To be brief: This statement is extremely vain and inadmissible, and emanates from pride and arrogance for the purpose of keeping the people afar from the Rizwan of the Good Pleasure of God, and grasping their reins tightly. Before God these common people are accepted and approved above the learned who have turned away from the True One. Understanding the Divine words and comprehension of the utterances of the Ideal Doves have no connection with outward learning, but depend upon purity of heart, chastity of soul, and freedom of spirit. For at the present time there are some servants who have not seen a single letter of the forms of learning, yet they are seated upon the summit of Knowledge, the gardens of their hearts adorned with roses of Wisdom and tulips of Insight, through the cloud of the Divine Bounty. Blessed are the sincere ones through the lights of the Great Day!