46. Part Two — 26
1Likewise it is said: "Although had We caused to descend unto thee a book (written) on paper, and had they handled it with their hands, the unbelievers would still persist in saying, 'This is no other than manifest sorcery'" (K. S. 6). Most of the Koranic verses indicate and point to this fact; but this servant hath mentioned only these for the sake of brevity. Consider; hath He appointed in the whole Book anything but the verses as a proof for knowing the Manifestations of His Beauty, that they may cling to it and reject? Nay rather, in every instance He hath threatened with fire those who deny and scorn the verses, as already shown. Therefore should some one come with myriads (lit. half millions) of verses, homilies, epistles and communes, without having acquired them through instruction, by what reason could one reject, and deprive himself of such great bounty? What answer could they give after the departure of the soul from the gloomy body? Could they assert that they depended upon a certain tradition, and not realizing its literal meaning, therefore denied the Manifestations of the Command and were kept afar from the paths of the True One? Have ye not heard that among the reasons why some of the Prophets were termed " endowed with constancy," was the revelation of a Book to them? This is certain. Notwithstanding, how can it be justifiable to follow the sayings of a certain person who, through ignorance, hath put into the hearts words for creating doubt, and who hath become the Satan of the age for confounding the servants and misleading all in the world; instead of (following) the Author of Books from whom many volumes have proceeded; thus depriving themselves of the sun of Divine bounty! Aside from these conditions, should they avoid and reject this Holy Soul and Merciful Breath, We know not to whom they shall adhere, and to what face they shall advance. Yea " Every sect hath a certain direction to which they turn themselves" (K. S. 2). In these two courses, We have directed thee toward two paths; walk then in whichsoever thou wilt choose for thyself. This is a true saying, and after truth there is naught but error.
2Among the proofs demonstrating this Cause is that in every time and age, when the Invisible Divinity appeared in a human temple, some people who were of no repute, and who had no attachment for the world or any other object, sought illumination from the Sun of Prophethood, were directed to the lights of the Moon of Guidance and attained to the Meeting of God. For this reason, the divines of the age and the wealthy of the time derided; as is related of those erring ones " Among His people the concourse of those who believed not said: 'We see thee(to be) no other than a man like unto us; and we do not see that any follow thee, except those who are the most abject among us, and are of a rash judgment, neither do we perceive any excellence in thee above us; but we deem you to be liars'" (K. S. II).
3They objected to those Holy Manifestations, saying that no one followed them except the abject who were not worthy of credence. They meant that the learned, wealthy and distinguished among the people did not believe in them. By this proof and the like they sought to demonstrate the falsity of the possessor of the Truth. But in this most obvious Manifestation and most Mighty Dominion, many of the rightly guided divines, accomplished men of learning, and excellent theologians were favored with the cup of Nearness and Meeting, and attained to the Most Great Favor, abandoning the world for the sake of the Beloved One. We mention some of their names that perchance it may conduce to the stability of agitated and troubled souls.
4Among them was His Honor, Mulla Hosein, who became the place upon which the sun of the Manifestation (Bab) dawned. Were it not for him, God would not have been seated upon the throne of His Mercifulness nor established upon the seat of His Divinity. Also His Honor, Aga Seyd-Yahya, who was unique and peerless in his day and time.
5and others similar, about four hundred, all of whose names are recorded in the "Preserved Tablet" of God.