QUESTION: Concerning observance of the Fast by people
engaged in hard labour during the month of fasting.
Consider…how the generality of mankind, whatever their
beliefs or theories, have recognized the excellence, and admitted the
superiority, of these Prophets of God. These Gems of Detachment are acclaimed
by some as the embodiments of wisdom, while others believe them to be the
mouthpiece of God Himself. How could such Souls have consented to surrender
themselves unto their enemies if they believed all the worlds of God to have
been reduced to this earthly life? Would they have willingly suffered such
afflictions and torments as no man hath ever experienced or witnessed?
Thou hast asked Me concerning the nature of the soul. Know,
verily, that the soul is a sign of God, a heavenly gem whose reality the most
learned of men hath failed to grasp, and whose mystery no mind, however acute,
can ever hope to unravel. It is the first among all created things to declare
the excellence of its Creator, the first to recognize His glory, to cleave to
His truth, and to bow down in adoration before Him. If it be faithful to God,
it will reflect His light, and will, eventually, return unto Him. If it fail, however,
in its allegiance to its Creator, it will become a victim to self and passion,
and will, in the end, sink in their depths.
Wert thou to ponder in thine heart the behavior of the
Prophets of God thou wouldst assuredly and readily testify that there must
needs be other worlds besides this world.
When the soul attaineth the Presence of God, it will assume
the form that best befitteth its immortality and is worthy of its celestial
habitation. Such an existence is a contingent and not an absolute existence,
inasmuch as the former is preceded by a cause, whilst the latter is independent
thereof. Absolute existence is strictly confined to God, exalted be His glory.
Well is it with them that apprehend this truth.
It [the Word of God] is an ocean inexhaustible in riches,
comprehending all things. Every thing which can be perceived is but an emanation
therefrom. High, immeasurably high is this sublime station, in whose shadow
moveth the essence of loftiness and splendour, wrapt in praise and adoration.
The first person who devoted himself to philosophy was
Ídrís. Thus was he named. Some called him also Hermes. In every tongue he hath
a special name. He it is who hath set forth in every branch of philosophy
thorough and convincing statements. After him Bálinus derived his knowledge and
sciences from the Hermetic Tablets and most of the philosophers who followed
him made their philosophical and scientific discoveries from his words and
statements...
QUESTION: Concerning the definition of old age.
O Shaykh! Reflect upon these words addressed by Him Who is
the Desire of the world to Amos. He saith: “Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel,
for, lo, He that formeth the mountains and createth the wind, and declareth
unto man what is his thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth
upon the high places of the earth, the Lord, the God of Hosts, is His name.” He
saith that He maketh the morning darkness. By this is meant that if, at the
time of the Manifestation of Him Who conversed on Sinai anyone were to regard
himself as the true morn, he will, through the might and power of God, be
turned into darkness. He truly is the false dawn, though believing himself to
be the true one. Woe unto him, and woe unto such as follow him without a clear
token from God, the Lord of the worlds.
The Word of God is the king of words and its pervasive
influence is incalculable. It hath ever dominated and will continue to dominate
the realm of being. The Great Being saith: The Word is the master key for the
whole world, inasmuch as through its potency the doors of the hearts of men,
which in reality are the doors of heaven, are unlocked. No sooner had but a
glimmer of its effulgent splendour shone forth upon the mirror of love than the
blessed word ‘I am the Best-Beloved’ was reflected therein.
Thou knowest full well that We perused not the books which
men possess and We acquired not the learning current amongst them, and yet
whenever We desire to quote the sayings of the learned and of the wise,
presently there will appear before the face of thy Lord in the form of a tablet
all that which hath appeared in the world and is revealed in the Holy Books and
Scriptures. Thus do We set down in writing that which the eye perceiveth.
Verily His knowledge encompasseth the earth and the heavens.
Consider Hippocrates, the physician. He was one of the
eminent philosophers who believed in God and acknowledged His sovereignty.
After him came Socrates who was indeed wise, accomplished and righteous. He
practised self-denial, repressed his appetites for selfish desires and turned
away from material pleasures. He withdrew to the mountains where he dwelt in a
cave. He dissuaded men from worshipping idols and taught them the way of God,
the Lord of Mercy, until the ignorant rose up against him. They arrested him
and put him to death in prison. Thus relateth to thee this swift-moving Pen.
What a penetrating vision into philosophy this eminent man had! He is the most
distinguished of all philosophers and was highly versed in wisdom. We testify
that he is one of the heroes in this field and an outstanding champion
dedicated unto it. He had a profound knowledge of such sciences as were current
amongst men as well as of those which were veiled from their minds. Methinks he
drank one draught when the Most Great Ocean overflowed with gleaming and
life-giving waters. He it is who perceived a unique, a tempered, and a
pervasive nature in things, bearing the closest likeness to the human spirit,
and he discovered this nature to be distinct from the substance of things in
their refined form. He hath a special pronouncement on this weighty theme.
Verily, the philosophers have not denied the Ancient of
Days. Most of them passed away deploring their failure to fathom His mystery,
even as some of them have testified. Verily, thy Lord is the Adviser, the
All-Informed.
The essence and the fundamentals of philosophy have emanated
from the Prophets. That the people differ concerning the inner meanings and
mysteries thereof is to be attributed to the divergence of their views and
minds.
QUESTION: Should a person wish to fast at a time other than
in the month of ‘Alá, is this permissible or not; and if he hath vowed or
pledged himself to such a fast, is this valid and acceptable?
O Shaykh! Peruse that which Isaiah hath spoken in His Book.
He saith: “Get thee up into the high mountain, O Zion, that bringest good
tidings; lift up Thy Voice with strength, O Jerusalem, that bringest good
tidings. Lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah: ‘Behold your
God! Behold the Lord God will come with strong hand, and His arm shall rule for
Him.’” This Day all the signs have appeared. A Great City hath descended from
heaven, and Zion trembleth and exulteth with joy at the Revelation of God, for
it hath heard the Voice of God on every side. This Day Jerusalem hath attained
unto a new Evangel…
And likewise, He saith: “As for those who believe not in the
verses of God, or that they shall ever meet Him, these of My mercy shall
despair, and these doth a grievous chastisement await.” [Qur’án 29:23]
Carmel, in the Book of God, hath been designated as the Hill
of God, and His Vineyard. It is here that, by the grace of the Lord of
Revelation, the Tabernacle of Glory hath been raised. Happy are they that
attain thereunto; happy they that set their faces towards it. And likewise He saith:
“Our God will come, and He will not be silent.”
O Shaykh! Enter thou My presence, that thou mayest behold
what the eye of the universe hath never beheld, and hear that which the ear of
the whole creation hath never heard, that haply thou mayest free thyself from
the mire of vague fancies, and set thy face towards the Most Sublime Station,
wherein this Wronged One calleth aloud: “The Kingdom is God’s, the Almighty,
the All-Praised!”