9. Part One — 8
1The phenomenal sun is in reality a single sign of the splendor of that Ideal Sun which hath neither comparison, likeness, equal nor peer. All things are supported through Its existence, are manifest through Its bounty and will return to It. All things have appeared from It and are restored to the treasuries of Its command. All contingent beings originated from It and revert to the depositories of Its order. If in explanation and mentioning, these (Suns) are only designated by some of the Names and Attributes, as you have heard and hear, this is intended for the understanding of weak and imperfect minds. Otherwise they have been eternally sanctified from every name and will be purified from every attribute. The essences of names have no access to the court of their holiness and subtleties of attributes have no approach to the kingdom of their might. God is too glorified for His Chosen Ones to be known except by their own selves, or that His Friends should be described by any other than their own beings. He is exalted far above what the servants mention in description of them and lofty above their comprehension of them!
2In the writings of the "Immaculate Ones" (Imams), the word "Suns" is frequently applied to those Abstracted Lights (Manifestations). One of these applications is found in the prayer "Nudba"—"Where are the rising Suns? Where are the brilliant Moons? Where are the shining Stars?" Therefore it is shown that in the primary sense "sun," "moon" and "stars" signify the Prophets, the saints and their companions, through the light of whose knowledges the worlds of the visible and invisible are enlightened and illumined. In another sense, by "sun," "moon," and "star" is intended the divines of the former Dispensation at the time of the subsequent Manifestation and in whose hands are the reins of the religion of the people. If they are illumined by the light of the subsequent Sun in His Manifestation, they will be acceptable, radiant and shining; otherwise they will be declared as darkened, even though they are apparently guides. For all these states, including belief and unbelief, guidance and error, happiness and misery, light and darkness are dependent upon the approval of that Ideal Sun of Divinity. If in the Day of Judgment (Day of a new Manifestation), any one of these divines is declared faithful by the Source of Wisdom, he can truly be regarded as possessing knowledge, light and faith, and as having attained the Good Pleasure of God. Otherwise ignorance, rejection, infidelity and injustice will be applied to him.
3It is evident to every perceiving one that as the light of a star is effaced by the rising of the phenomenal sun, so the sun of outward knowledge, wisdom and enlightenment is effaced and obscured by the dawning of the Sun of Truth. The word "sun" is applied to the divines on acount of their loftiness, distinction and renown. Such are the approved divines of the age who are notable in countries and recognized among the servants. If they become expressive of the Divine Sun, they are accounted as "exalted suns"; otherwise they are suns of the lowest abyss; as it is said: "The sun and the moon will return to hell" (K. S. 55). Ye have undoubtedly heard the meaning of "sun" and "moon" as recorded in this verse and there is no need to speak of it. Whosoever is of the element of this "sun" and "moon," that is, who advances toward falsehood and turns away from the Truth, hath appeared from hell and will return to it.
4Therefore O questioner, we must hold fast to the Strong Handle, that perchance we may turn from the night of error to the light of guidance, flee from the shadow of negation and seek the shelter of affirmation, be delivered from the fire of the infernal abyss and illumined by the light of the beauty of His Highness the Gracious. In this manner We bestow upon you the fruits of the Tree of Knowledge, so that ye may be of those who are enlivened in the Rizwan of the Wisdom of God.
5In another sense the words "sun," "moon" and "stars" are applied to the ordinances and instructions enacted in every religion. Such are prayer and fasting, which since the disappearance of the beauty of Mohammed are greater and stronger than all the ordinances in the law of the Koran. This point is indicated by the records and traditions, and on account of its familiarity, mention of it is unnecessary. Nay in every age the command of Prayer hath been established and observed. It is recorded by the Lights (Imams) risen from the Sun of Mohammed that in every cycle the command of Prayer hath descended to the Prophets, although in each Dispensation it was particularized by a different form and new ceremonies, according to the requirements of the time. As in every subsequent Manifestation the established, shining, clear and fixed ceremonies, customs and instructions of the preceding Manifestation are abolished, they symbolically mentioned them by the names "sun" and "moon." "That He might prove you and see which of you would excel in good works" (K. S. 67).