And were they to maintain that by “divine Presence” is meant the “Specific
Revelation of God,” expressed by certain Súfís as the “Most Holy
Outpouring,” if this be in the Essence Itself, it is evident that it hath
been eternally in the divine Knowledge. Assuming the truth of this
hypothesis, “attainment unto the divine Presence” is in this sense
obviously possible to no one, inasmuch as this revelation is confined to
the innermost Essence, unto which no man can attain. “The way is barred,
and all seeking rejected.” The minds of the favourites of heaven, however
high they soar, can never attain this station, how much less the
understanding of obscured and limited minds.
And were they to say that by “divine Presence” is meant the “Secondary
Revelation of God,” interpreted as the “Holy Outpouring,” this is
admittedly applicable to the world of creation, that is, in the realm of
the primal and original manifestation of God. Such revelation is confined
to His Prophets and chosen Ones, inasmuch as none mightier than they hath
come to exist in the world of being. This truth all recognize, and bear
witness thereto. These Prophets and chosen Ones of God are the recipients
and revealers of all the unchangeable attributes and names of God. They
are the mirrors that truly and faithfully reflect the light of God.
Whatsoever is applicable to them is in reality applicable to God, Himself,
Who is both the Visible and the Invisible. The knowledge of Him, Who is
the Origin of all things, and attainment unto Him, are impossible save
through knowledge of, and attainment unto, these luminous Beings who
proceed from the Sun of Truth. By attaining, therefore, to the presence of
these holy Luminaries, the “Presence of God” Himself is attained. From
their knowledge, the knowledge of God is revealed, and from the light of
their countenance, the splendour of the Face of God is made manifest.
Through the manifold attributes of these Essences of Detachment, Who are
both the first and the last, the seen and the hidden, it is made evident
that He Who is the Sun of Truth is “the First and the Last, the Seen, and
the Hidden.”(108) Likewise the other lofty names and exalted attributes of
God. Therefore, whosoever, and in whatever Dispensation, hath recognized
and attained unto the presence of these glorious, these resplendent and
most excellent Luminaries, hath verily attained unto the “Presence of God”
Himself, and entered the city of eternal and immortal life. Attainment
unto such presence is possible only in the Day of Resurrection, which is
the Day of the rise of God Himself through His all-embracing Revelation.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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