That
holy man, Sádiq, [1] in his eulogy of the Cherubim, saith: “There
stand a company of our fellow-Shí’ihs behind the Throne.” Divers and
manifold are the interpretations of the words “behind the Throne.” In one
sense, they indicate that no true Shí’ihs exist. Even as he hath said in
another passage: “A true believer is likened unto the philosopher’s stone.”
Addressing subsequently his listener, he saith: “Hast thou ever seen the
philosopher’s stone?” Reflect, how this symbolic language, more eloquent than
any speech, however direct, testifieth to the non-existence of a true believer.
Such is the testimony of Ṣádiq. And now consider,
how unfair and numerous are those who, although they themselves have failed to
inhale the fragrance of belief, have condemned as infidels those by whose word
belief itself is recognized and established.
(Baha'u'llah,
The Kitab-i-Iqan)
[1] The sixth Imám of the Shí’ih
