Behold, how, notwithstanding these and similar traditions, they idly
contend that the laws formerly revealed, must in no wise be altered. And
yet, is not the object of every Revelation to effect a transformation in
the whole character of mankind, a transformation that shall manifest
itself both outwardly and inwardly, that shall affect both its inner life
and external conditions? For if the character of mankind be not changed,
the futility of God’s universal Manifestations would be apparent. In the
“Aválím,” an authoritative and well-known book, it is recorded: “A Youth
from Baní-Háshim shall be made manifest, Who will reveal a new Book and
promulgate a new law;” then follow these words: “Most of His enemies will
be the divines.” In another passage, it is related of Ṣádiq, son of
Muḥammad, that he spoke the following: “There shall appear a Youth from
Baní-Háshim, Who will bid the people plight fealty unto Him. His Book will
be a new Book, unto which He shall summon the people to pledge their
faith. Stern is His Revelation unto the Arab. If ye hear about Him, hasten
unto Him.” How well have they followed the directions of the Imáms of the
Faith and Lamps of certitude! Although it is clearly stated: “Were ye to
hear that a Youth from Baní-Háshim hath appeared, summoning the people
unto a new and Divine Book, and to new and Divine laws, hasten unto Him,”
yet have they all declared that Lord of being an infidel, and pronounced
Him a heretic. They hastened not unto that Háshimite Light, that divine
Manifestation, except with drawn swords, and hearts filled with malice.
Moreover, observe how explicitly the enmity of the divines hath been
mentioned in the books. Notwithstanding all these evident and significant
traditions, all these unmistakable and undisputed allusions, the people
have rejected the immaculate Essence of knowledge and of holy utterance,
and have turned unto the exponents of rebellion and error. Despite these
recorded traditions and revealed utterances, they speak only that which is
prompted by their own selfish desires. And should the Essence of Truth
reveal that which is contrary to their inclinations and desires, they will
straightway denounce Him as an infidel, and will protest saying: “This is
contrary to the sayings of the Imáms of the Faith and of the resplendent
lights. No such thing hath been provided by our inviolable Law.” Even so
in this day such worthless statements have been and are being made by
these poor mortals.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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