48 All that thou hast heard regarding Muhammad the son of Hasan(34)—may
the souls of all that are immersed in the oceans of the spirit be offered
up for His sake—is true beyond the shadow of a doubt, and we all verily
bear allegiance unto Him. But the Imáms of the Faith have fixed His abode
in the city of Jábulqá,(35) which they have depicted in strange and
marvellous signs. To interpret this city according to the literal meaning
of the tradition would indeed prove impossible, nor can such a city ever
be found. Wert thou to search the uttermost corners of the earth, nay
probe its length and breadth for as long as God’s eternity hath lasted and
His sovereignty will endure, thou wouldst never find a city such as they
have described, for the entirety of the earth could neither contain nor
encompass it. If thou wouldst lead Me unto this city, I could assuredly
lead thee unto this holy Being, Whom the people have conceived according
to what they possess and not to that which pertaineth unto Him! Since this
is not in thy power, thou hast no recourse but to interpret symbolically
the accounts and traditions that have been reported from these luminous
souls. And, as such an interpretation is needed for the traditions
pertaining to the aforementioned city, so too is it required for this holy
Being. When thou hast understood this interpretation, thou shalt no longer
stand in need of “transformation” or aught else.
49 Know then that, inasmuch as all the Prophets are but one and the same
soul, spirit, name, and attribute, thou must likewise see them all as
bearing the name Muhammad and as being the son of Hasan, as having
appeared from the Jábulqá of God’s power and from the Jábulsá of His
mercy. For by Jábulqá is meant none other than the treasure-houses of
eternity in the all-highest heaven and the cities of the unseen in the
supernal realm. We bear witness that Muhammad, the son of Hasan, was
indeed in Jábulqá and appeared therefrom. Likewise, He Whom God shall make
manifest abideth in that city until such time as God will have established
Him upon the seat of His sovereignty. We, verily, acknowledge this truth
and bear allegiance unto each and every one of them. We have chosen here
to be brief in our elucidation of the meanings of Jábulqá, but if thou be
of them that truly believe, thou shalt indeed comprehend all the true
meanings of the mysteries enshrined within these Tablets.
50 But as to Him Who appeared in the year sixty, He standeth in need of
neither transformation nor interpretation, for His name was Muhammad, and
He was a descendent of the Imáms of the Faith. Thus it can be truly said
of Him that He was the son of Hasan, as is undoubtedly clear and evident
unto thine eminence. Nay, He it is Who fashioned that name and created it
for Himself, were ye to observe with the eye of God.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account