Were not the happenings of the life of the “Prince of Martyrs”(173)
regarded as the greatest of all events, as the supreme evidence of his
truth? Did not the people of old declare those happenings to be
unprecedented? Did they not maintain that no manifestation of truth hath
ever evinced such constancy, such conspicuous glory? And yet, that episode
of his life, commencing as it did in the morning, was brought to a close
by the middle of the same day, whereas, these holy lights have, for
eighteen years, heroically endured the showers of afflictions which, from
every side, have rained upon them. With what love, what devotion, what
exultation and holy rapture, they sacrificed their lives in the path of
the All-Glorious! To the truth of this all witness. And yet, how can they
belittle this Revelation? Hath any age witnessed such momentous
happenings? If these companions be not the true strivers after God, who
else could be called by this name? Have these companions been seekers
after power or glory? Have they ever yearned for riches? Have they
cherished any desire except the good-pleasure of God? If these companions,
with all their marvellous testimonies and wondrous works, be false, who
then is worthy to claim for himself the truth? I swear by God! Their very
deeds are a sufficient testimony, and an irrefutable proof unto all the
peoples of the earth, were men to ponder in their hearts the mysteries of
divine Revelation. “And they who act unjustly shall soon know what lot
awaiteth them!”(174)
Furthermore, the sign of truth and falsehood is designated and appointed
in the Book. By this divinely-appointed touchstone, the claims and
pretensions of all men must needs be assayed, so that the truthful may be
known and distinguished from the imposter. This touchstone is no other
than this verse: “Wish for death, if ye are men of truth.”(175) Consider
these martyrs of unquestionable sincerity, to whose truthfulness
testifieth the explicit text of the Book, and all of whom, as thou hast
witnessed, have sacrificed their life, their substance, their wives, their
children, their all, and ascended unto the loftiest chambers of Paradise.
Is it fair to reject the testimony of these detached and exalted beings to
the truth of this pre-eminent and glorious Revelation and to regard as
acceptable the denunciations which have been uttered against this
resplendent Light by this faithless people, who for gold have forsaken
their faith, and who for the sake of leadership have repudiated Him Who is
the First Leader of all mankind? This, although their character is now
revealed unto all people who have recognized them as those who will in no
wise relinquish one jot or one tittle of their temporal authority for the
sake of God’s holy Faith, how much less their life, their substance, and
the like.
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.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account