O dwellers of the earth! Would ye contend that if We raise up a soul unto the Sadratu’l-Muntahá, it shall then cease to be subject to the power
of Our sovereignty and dominion? Nay, by
Mine own Self! Should it be Our wish, We
would return it to the dust in less than the twinkling of an eye. Consider a tree: Behold how We plant it in a garden, and
nourish it with the waters of Our loving care; and how, when it hath grown tall
and mature, and brought forth verdant leaves and goodly fruits, We send forth
the tempestuous gales of Our decree, tear it up by its roots, and lay it
prostrate upon the face of the earth. So
hath it been Our way with all things, and so shall it be in this day. Such, in truth, are the matchless wonders of
Our immutable method—a method which hath ever governed, and shall continue to
govern, all things, if ye be of them that perceive. None, however, knoweth the wisdom thereof
save God, the All-Powerful, the Almighty, the All-Wise.
(Baha'u'llah, Suriy-i-Haykal,
The Summons of the Lord of Hosts)
[1] “The tree beyond which there is no passing”, a reference
to the station of the Manifestation of God.
