In another passage He saith: “And when Our clear verses are recited to
them, their only argument is to say, ‘Bring back our fathers, if ye speak
the truth!’”(161) Behold, what foolish evidences they sought from these
Embodiments of an all-encompassing mercy! They scoffed at the verses, a
single letter of which is greater than the creation of heavens and earth,
and which quickeneth the dead of the valley of self and desire with the
spirit of faith; and clamoured saying: “Cause our fathers to speed out of
their sepulchres.” Such was the perversity and pride of that people. Each
one of these verses is unto all the peoples of the world an unfailing
testimony and a glorious proof of His truth. Each of them verily sufficeth
all mankind, wert thou to meditate upon the verses of God. In the
above-mentioned verse itself pearls of mysteries lie hidden. Whatever be
the ailment, the remedy it offereth can never fail.
Heed not the idle contention of those who maintain that the Book and
verses thereof can never be a testimony unto the common people, inasmuch
as they neither grasp their meaning nor appreciate their value. And yet,
the unfailing testimony of God to both the East and the West is none other
than the Qur’án. Were it beyond the comprehension of men, how could it
have been declared as a universal testimony unto all people? If their
contention be true, none would therefore be required, nor would it be
necessary for them to know God, inasmuch as the knowledge of the divine
Being transcendeth the knowledge of His Book, and the common people would
not possess the capacity to comprehend it.
Such contention is utterly fallacious and inadmissible. It is actuated
solely by arrogance and pride. Its motive is to lead the people astray
from the Ridván of divine good-pleasure and to tighten the reins of their
authority over the people. And yet, in the sight of God, these common
people are infinitely superior and exalted above their religious leaders
who have turned away from the one true God. The understanding of His words
and the comprehension of the utterances of the Birds of Heaven are in no
wise dependent upon human learning. They depend solely upon purity of
heart, chastity of soul, and freedom of spirit. This is evidenced by those
who, today, though without a single letter of the accepted standards of
learning, are occupying the loftiest seats of knowledge; and the garden of
their hearts is adorned, through the showers of divine grace, with the
roses of wisdom and the tulips of understanding. Well is it with the
sincere in heart for their share of the light of a mighty Day!
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