44. Part Two — 24

1Likewise it is said: "(As to) those who believe not in the verses of God, or that they shall meet Him, they shall despair of My mercy, and for them is a painful punishment" (K. S. 29). Also, "And say shall we abandon our gods for a distracted poet" (K. S. 37)? The intent of this verse is clear. Consider what they said after the verses were revealed: "Shall we abandon our gods for a distracted poet?" They called His Holiness a poet, scoffed at the Divine verses, and said: "These words are silly fables of ancient (times)" (K. S. 6), meaning, these are words spoken in former times which Mohammed hath collected, declaring them to be from God. Likewise in this day, ye have heard the people ascribing similar things to this Cause, saying, "He hath combined these words with the words of former times"; or "these words are spurious." Their saying is scornful, and their rank and station lowered. After these mentioned denials and contradictions, they said that according to the Books, no independent Prophet should arise after Moses and Jesus to abolish the Law, but one should come who would consummate the Law. Therefore this blessed verse indicating all the Divine matter and proving that the bounties of the Merciful will never cease, was revealed: "Joseph came unto you before (Moses) with evident (signs); but ye ceased not to doubt of the (religion) which he preached unto you until, when he died, ye said, 'God will by no means send (another) apostle after him!' Thus doth God cause him to err who is a transgressor and a sceptic" (K. S. 40). Consequently understand from this verse and be convinced that in every age, the people clinging to a verse of the Book, have made similar vain statements that no other Prophet should appear in the world. For instance, the divines of the Gospel sought to prove through a formerly mentioned verse, that the decree of the Gospel shall never be abolished and that no independent Prophet shall arise except to confirm the Law of the Gospel. Most of the nations are afflicted with the same soul-sickness. Ye behold how the people of the Koran, like former nations, are veiled by the statement: "The Seal of the Prophets." Although they themselves confess the saying: "Only God knoweth the interpretation thereof, and those who are well-grounded in Knowledge" (K. S. 3), yet when He who is well-grounded in Knowledges, and who is their source, self, essence and identity explains it, finding it somewhat contrary to their desire, they say and do that which ye have heard. This proceeds only from the religious leaders, that is, from those who hold to no other God than desire, and find no creed except gold; who are veiled by the veils of learning and wander by reason of its error; just as the Lord of the creatures hath said with perfect clearness: " What thinkest thou? He who taketh his own lust for his God, and whom God causeth to err through a knowledge; and whose ears and whose heart He hath sealed up, and over whose eyes He hath cast a veil; who shall direct him after God? Will ye not, therefore, be admonished" (K. S. 45)?

2Although the outward meaning of " Whom God causeth to err through a knowledge " is as mentioned, yet to this humble one, by this verse is intended the learned divines of that age who turned aside from the beauty of the True One and depended upon their own learnings which proceeded from egotism and desire; disputing the Message of God and His Cause. "Say, it is a weighty Message from which ye turn aside" (K. S. 38). Likewise it is said: " When our evident signs are read unto them, they say (of thee, O Mohammed) This is no other than a man who seeketh to turn you aside from (the gods) which your fathers worshipped, and they say (of the Koran) This is no other than a lie blasphemously forged" (K. S. 34). He truly says that when the holy verses of Unity are read unto infidels and sinners, those impious polytheists say, "The messenger of God is no other than a man who wishes to withhold you from that which was worshipped by your fathers"; and also, "This is no other than a lie blasphemously forged."