The Twenty-Second Word

It is two parts.

First Station

In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate.

So God sets forth parables for men, so that they may bear [them] in mind.(*) Such are the similitudes which we propound to men that they may reflect.(*)

One time two men were washing in a pool. Under some extraordinary influence they lost their senses and when they opened their eyes, they saw that it had transported them to a strange land. It was such that with its perfect order it was like a country, or rather a town, or a palace. They looked around themselves in complete bewilderment: if it was looked at in one way, a vast world was apparent; if in another, a well-ordered country; and if in another, a fine town. And if it was looked at in still another way, it was a palace which comprised a truly magnificent world. Travelling around this strange world, they observed it and saw that creatures of one sort were speaking in a fashion, but they did not understand their language. Nevertheless, it was understood from their signs that they were performing important works and duties.

One of the two men said to his friend: “This strange world must have someone to regulate it, and this orderly country must have a lord, and this fine town, an owner, and this finely made palace, a master builder. We must try to know him, for it is understood that the one who brought us here was he. If we do not recognize him, who will help us? What can we await from these impotent creatures whose language we do not know and who do not heed us? Moreover, surely one who makes a vast world in the form of a country, town, and palace, and fills it from top to bottom with wonderful things, and embellishes it with every sort of adornment, and decks it out with instructive miracles wants something from us and from those that come here. We must get to know him and find out what he wants.”

The other man said: “I do not believe it, that there is a person such as the one you speak of, and that he governs this whole world on his own.”

His friend replied to him: “If we do not recognize him and remain indifferent towards him, there is no advantage in it at all, and if it is harmful, its harm will be immense. Whereas if we try to recognize him, there is little hardship involved, and if there is benefit, it will be great. Therefore, it is in no way sensible to remain indifferent towards him.”

The foolish man said: “I consider all my ease and enjoyment to lie in not thinking of him. Also, I am not going to bother with things that make no sense to me. All these things are the confused objects of chance, they are happening by themselves. What is it to me?”

His intelligent friend replied: “This obstinacy of yours will push me, and a lot of others, into disaster. It sometimes happens that a whole country is laid waste because of one ill-mannered person.”

So the foolish man turned to him and said: “Either prove to me decisively that this large country has a single lord and single maker, or leave me alone.”

His friend replied: “Your obstinacy has reached the degree of lunacy, and you will be the cause of some disaster being visited on us. So I shall show you twelve proofs demonstrating that this world which is like a palace, and country which is like town, has a single maker and that it is only he who runs and administers everything. He is completely free of all deficiency. This maker, who does not appear to us, sees us and everything, and hears our words. All his works are miracles and marvels. All these creatures whom we see but whose tongues we do not understand are his officials.”

FIRST PROOF

Come and look carefully at everything around you: a hidden hand is working within all these works. For something which has not even an ounce of strength,(*) something as small as a seed, is raising a load of thousands of pounds. And something that does not have even a particle of consciousness(*) is performing extremely wise and purposeful works. That means they are not working by themselves, but that a hidden possessor of power is causing them to work. If they were independent, it would necessitate all the works which we see everywhere in this land being miracles and everything to be a wonder-working marvel. And that is nonsense.

SECOND PROOF

Come, look carefully at the things which adorn all these plains, fields, and dwellings! There are marks on each telling of that hidden one. Simply, each gives news of Him like a seal or stamp. Look in front of your eyes: what does He make from one ounce of cotton?(*) See how many rolls of cloth, fine linen, and flowered material have come out of it. See how many sugared delights and round sweets are being made. If thousands of people like us were to clothe themselves in them and eat them, they would still be sufficient. And look! He has taken a handful of iron, water, earth, coal, copper, silver, and gold, and made some flesh(*)

out of them. Look at that and see! O foolish one! These works are particular to such a one that all this land together with all its parts is under his miraculous power and is submissive to his every wish.

THIRD PROOF

Come, look at these mobile works of art!(*) Each has been fashioned in such a way that it is simply a miniature sample of the huge palace. Whatever there is in the palace, it is found in these tiny mobile machines. Is it at all possible that someone other than the palace’s maker could come and include the wondrous palace in a tiny machine? Also, is it at all possible that although he has included a whole world in a machine the size of a box, there could be anything in it that was purposeless or could be attributed to chance? That means that however many skilfully fashioned machines you can see, each is like a seal of that hidden one. Rather, each is like a herald or proclamation. Through their tongues of disposition they are saying: “We are the art of One Who can make this entire world of ours as easily and simply as He created us.”

FOURTH PROOF

O my stubborn friend! Come, I shall show you something even stranger. Look! All these works and things in this land have changed and are changing. They do not stop in any one state. Note carefully that each of these lifeless bodies and unfeeling boxes has taken on the form of being absolutely dominant. Quite simply it is as though each rules all the others. Look at this machine next to us;(*) it is as though issuing commands; all the necessities and substances necessary for its adornment and functioning come hastening to it from distant places. Look over there: that lifeless body(*) is as though beckoning; it makes the largest bodies serve it and work in its own workplace. Make further analogies in the same way. Simply, everything subjugates to itself all the beings in this world.

If you do not accept the existence of that hidden one, you have to attribute all his skills, arts, and perfections in the stones, earth, animals, and creatures resembling man everywhere in this land to the things themselves. In place of a single wonder-working being, which your mind deems unlikely, you have to accept millions like him, who are both opposed to one another, and similar, and one within the other, so they do not cause confusion everywhere and the order be spoiled.

Whereas if two fingers meddle in a country, they cause confusion. For if there are two headmen in a village, or two governors in a town, or two kings in a country, the result is chaos. So what about an infinite, absolute ruler?

FIFTH PROOF

O my sceptical friend! Come, look carefully at the inscriptions of this vast palace, look at all the adornments of the town, see the ordering of this whole land, and reflect on all the works of art in this world! See! If these inscriptions are not worked by the pen of one hidden who possesses infinite miracles and skills, and are attributed to unconscious causes, to blind chance and deaf nature, then every stone and every plant in this land has to be an inscriber so wondrous it can write a thousand books in every letter and include millions of works of art in a single inscription. Because look at the inscription on these stones;(*) in each are the inscriptions of all the palace, and the laws ordering all the town, and the programmes for organizing the whole country. That means that it is as wonderful to make these inscriptions as to make the whole country. In which case, all the inscriptions, all the works of art, are proclamations of that hidden one, and seals of his.

Since a letter cannot exist without showing the one who wrote it, and an artistic inscription cannot exist without making known its inscriber, how is it that an inscriber who writes a huge book in a single letter and inscribes a thousand inscriptions in a single inscription, should not be known through his writing and through his inscribing?

SIXTH PROOF

Come, let us go out onto this broad plain.(*) On it is a high mountain whose summit we shall climb to so that we can see all the surrounding country. We shall take with us a good pair of binoculars which will bring everything close, for strange things are happening in this strange land. Every hour things are taking place that we could not imagine. Look! These mountains, plains, and towns are suddenly changing. And how? In such a way that millions of things are being changed in a most regulated and orderly fashion one within the other. Truly wondrous transformations are being wrought, just as though millions of various cloths are being woven one within the other. Look! These flowery things which we know and are familiar with are disappearing and others have come in their place in orderly fashion which resemble them in nature but are different in form. It is quite simply as though this plain and the mountains are each a page, and within them are being written hundreds of thousands of different books. And they are being written faultlessly and without defect. It is impossible a hundred times over that these matters should have come about on their own.

Yes, for these works which are skilfully and carefully fashioned to an infinite degree to have occurred on their own is impossible a thousand times, for rather than themselves, they show the artist who fashioned them. Moreover, the one who did this displays such miracles that nothing at all could be difficult for him. It is as easy for him to write a thousand books as to write one book. Look all around you; he both puts everything in its proper place with perfect wisdom, and he munificently showers the favours on everyone of which they are worthy, and he draws back and opens general veils and doors so bountifully that everyone’s desires are satisfied. And he sets up tables so generously that a feast of bounties is given to all the people and animals of this land; each group and individual is given one particular and suitable for it, even.

So, is there anything more impossible in the world than that there should be anything attributable to chance in these matters that we see, or that among these matters that we see there is anything purposeless or vain, or that many hands should be interfering in them, or that their maker should not be capable of everything, or that everything should not be subjugated to him? And so, my friend, find a pretext in the face of these if you can!

SEVENTH PROOF

Come, my friend! Now we shall leave these particular matters and turn our attention to the mutual positions of the parts of this wondrous world in the form of a palace. Look! Universal works are being carried out and general revolutions are occurring in this world with such order that all the rocks, earth, trees, everything in this palace, observe the universal systems of the world, and conform to them as if each was acting with will. Things which are distant hasten to assist one another.

Now look, a strange caravan(*) has appeared, coming from the Unseen. The mounts in it resemble trees, plants, and mountains. Each bears a tray of provisions on its head. And look, they are bringing the provisions for the various animals awaiting them on this side. And see, the mighty electric lamp(*) in that dome both furnishes them with light, and cooks all their food so well that the foods to be cooked are each attached to a string(*)

by an unseen hand and held up before it. And on this side, see these wretched, weak, powerless little animals; how before their heads are attached two small pumps(*) full of delicate sustenance, like two springs; it is enough for those powerless creatures to only press their mouths against them.

In Short: Just as all the things throughout the world look to one another, so they help one another. And just as they see one another, so they co-operate with one another. And just as they perfect each other’s works, so too they support one another; standing shoulder to shoulder, they work together. Make analogies with this for everything; they are uncountable.

Thus, all these things demonstrate as decisively as two plus two equals four that everything is subjugated to the maker of this wondrous palace, that is, to the owner of this strange world. Everything is like a soldier under his command. Everything turns through his strength. Everything acts through his command. Everything is set in order through his wisdom. Everything helps the others through his munificence. Everything hastens to the assistance of the others through his compassion, that is, they are made to hasten to it. Now, my friend, say something in the face of this if you can!

EIGHTH PROOF

Come, my foolish friend who thinks himself reasonable like my soul! You do not want to recognize the owner of this magnificent palace! But everything shows him, points to him, testifies to him. How can you deny the testimony of all these things? You have therefore to deny the palace as well, and say: “There is no world, no country.” Deny yourself, too, and disappear! Or else come to your senses and listen to me!

Now, look, there are uniform elements and minerals inside the palace and encompassing the land.(*) Simply, everything appearing in the country is made of those elements. That means, whoever those things belong to, everything made of them is also his. Whoever the field belongs to, the crops are his too. And whoever the sea belongs to, the things within it are also his. And look, these textiles, these decorated woven materials, are being made out of a single substance. It is self-evidently the same person who brings the substance, prepares it, and makes it into string. For such a work would not permit the participation of others. In which case, all the woven, skilfully made things are particular to him.

And look! Every sort of these woven, manufactured goods is found in every part of the country; they have spread with all their fellows, and are being made and woven together and one within the other, in the same way, at the same instant. That means they are the work of the same person and the same act through a single command, otherwise their correspondence and conformity at the same instant, in the same fashion, of the same sort, would be impossible. In which case, each of these skilfully fashioned things is like a proclamation of that hidden one which points to him.

As if each sort of flowered material, each ingenious machine, each sweet mouthful, is a stamp of that miracle-displaying person; a stamp of his, a mark, a decoration; each says through the tongue of disposition: “Whose-ever work of art I am, the boxes and shops where I am found are also his property.” Each inscription says: “Whoever wove me also wove the roll of cloth of which I am a part.” Every sweet mouthful says: “Whoever makes me and cooks me, the cauldron in which I am is also his.” And every machine says: “Whoever made me, also makes all those like me who have spread throughout the land, and the one who raises us in every part of it, is also he. That means he is also the country’s owner. In which case, whoever the owner of all this country and palace is, he may be our owner too.” For example, in order to be the true owner of a single cartridge-belt or even a button belonging to the government, one also has to own all the factories in which they are made. If a bragging irregular soldier claims otherwise, he will be told: “They are government property.” And they will be taken from him, and he will be punished.

In Short: Just as the elements in this country all surround and encompass it, and their owner can only be one who owns the whole country, in the same way, since the works of art that are spread throughout it resemble one another and display a single stamp, they show that they are the art of a single person who governs everything.

And so, my friend! There is a sign of oneness, a stamp of unity, in this country, that is, this magnificent palace. For while being the same, certain things are all-encompassing. And while being numerous, some display a unity or similarity, since they resemble one another and are found everywhere. As for unity, it shows One of Unity. That means that its maker, owner, lord, and fashioner has to be one and the same.

In addition, look carefully at this: from behind the veil of the unseen a thickish string has appeared.(*)Now look, thousands of strings have hung down from it. And see the tips of the strings: a diamond, a decoration, a favour, a gift has been attached to each. Suitable presents are being given to everyone. Do you know what a lunatic action it is not to recognize or thank the one who stretches out from behind the strange veil of the unseen such wondrous favours and gifts. Because if you do not recognize him, you will be compelled to say: “These strings are making the diamonds and other gifts on their tips themselves and offering them.” Then you have to attribute to each string the meaning of a king. Whereas before our eyes an unseen hand is making the strings too, and attaching the gifts to them.

That means, everything in this palace points to that miracle-displaying one rather than to themselves. If you do not recognize him, through denying them, you fall a hundred times lower than an animal.

NINTH PROOF

Come, my unreasoning friend! You do not recognize this palace’s owner, and you do not want to recognize him because you deem his existence unlikely. You deviate into denial because you cannot comprehend with your narrow brain his wondrous arts and acts. Whereas the true unlikelihood, real difficulties, hardships, and awesome trouble lie in not recognizing him.

For if we recognize him, this whole palace, this world, becomes as easy, as trouble-free as a single thing; it becomes the means to the abundance and plenty around us.

If we do not recognize him and he does not exist, then everything becomes as difficult as this whole palace, because everything is as skilfully made as the palace. Then neither the abundance nor the plenty would remain. Indeed, not one of these things which we see would pass to anyone’s hand, let alone ours. Look at just the jar of conserve attached to this string.(*) If it had not emerged from his hidden, miracle-displaying kitchen, we could not have bought it for a hundred liras, although we buy it now for forty para.(*)

Yes, all unlikelihood, difficulty, trouble, arduousness, indeed, impossibility, lies in not recognizing him. For a tree is given life from one root, through one law, in one centre, and the formation of thousands of fruits is as easy as one fruit. But if the fruits were tied to different centres and roots, and different laws, each fruit would be as difficult to produce as the tree.

And if the equipping of an entire army is in one centre, through one law, and from one factory, as regards quantity it is as easy as equipping a single soldier. While if each soldier is equipped from all different places, then to equip one soldier there would have to be as many factories as for the entire army.

Just like these two examples, if, in this well-ordered palace, this fine town, this advanced country, this magnificent world, the creation of all things is attributed to a single being, it becomes so easy, so light, it is the reason for the infinite abundance, availability, and munificence we see. Otherwise everything would become so expensive, so difficult, that if the whole world was given to someone, they could not obtain them.

TENTH PROOF

Come, my friend, who has come a little to his senses! We have been here fifteen days(*)

now. If we do not know the regulations of this world and do not recognize its king, we shall deserve punishment.  We have no excuse, because for fifteen days, as though given a respite, they did not interfere with us. Of course we have not just been left to our own devices. We cannot wander around among these delicate,  well-balanced, subtle, skilfully made and instructive creatures like an animal and spoil them; they would  not permit us to harm them. The penalties of this country’s august king are bound to be

awesome.

You can understand how powerful and majestic he is from the way he orders this huge world as though it was a palace, and makes it revolve like a machine. He administers this large country like a house, missing nothing. See, like filling a container and emptying it, he continuously fills this palace, this country, this town, with perfect order, and empties it with perfect wisdom. Like spreading out a table then clearing it away, varieties of foods are brought in turn and given to eat in the form of a great variety of tables(*)

being laid out by an unseen hand in every part of his vast country, and then being  cleared away. The unseen hand clears away one, then brings another in its place. You see this too, and  if you use your head, you will understand that within that awesome majesty is an infinitely munificent liberality.

And see, just as all these things testify to that unseen one’s sovereignty and unity, so too these revolutions and changes which pass on in succession like caravans and are opened and closed from behind that true veil, testify to his continuance and permanence. For the causes of things disappear along with them. Whereas the things which we attribute to them, which follow on after them, are repeated. That means those works are not theirs, but the works of one who does not perish.

It is understood from the the bubbles on the surface of a river disappearing and the bubbles which succeed them sparkling in the same way that what makes them sparkle is a constant and elevated possessor of light. Similarly, the speedy changing of things and the things that follow on after them assuming the same colours shows that they are the manifestations, inscriptions, mirrors, and works of art of one who is perpetual, undying, and single.

ELEVENTH PROOF

Come, my friend! Now I shall show you a decisive proof as powerful as the ten previous ones. We shall board a boat,(*) and sail to a peninsula, far away. For the key to this riddle-filled world will be there. Moreover, everyone is looking to that peninsula and awaiting something from it; they are receiving orders from there.

See, we are going there. Now we have arrived and have alighted on the peninsula. There is a vast gathering, a great concourse, as though all the important people of the country have gathered there. Look carefully, this great community has a leader. Come, we shall draw closer; we must become acquainted with him.

Look! What brilliant decorations he has, more than a thousand of them.(*) How powerfully he speaks! How pleasant is his conversation! In these two weeks I have learnt a little of what he says. You learn them from me. See, he is speaking of this country’s miracle-displaying king. He is saying that the glorious king sent him to us.And he is displaying such wonders that they leave no doubt that he is his special envoy. Look carefully, it is not only the creatures on this peninsula that are listening to what he says; he is making the whole country hear in wondrous fashion. For near and far everyone is trying to hear the speech here. It is not only humans that are listening, animals are listening too. Look, even the mountains are listening to the commands he brought so that they are stirring in their places, and the trees, too, move to the place that he indicates. He brings forth water from wherever he wishes. He even makes his fingers like a Spring of Kawthar, and gives to drink from them. Look, at his sign, an important lamp(*) in the dome of this palace splits into two.

That means this country together with all its beings recognizes that he is an official and envoy. They heed and obey him, as though knowing that he is the most eminent and true interpreter of an unseen displayer of miracles, and the herald of his dominicality, the discloser of his talisman, and a trustworthy envoy delivering his commands.

All those with intelligence around him declare: “Yes, that is right!” about everything he says, and affirm it. Indeed, through submitting to his signs and commands, the mountains and trees in this country and the huge light(*) that illuminates it, say: “Yes, yes, everything you say is true!”

My foolish friend! Could there be any contradiction or deception concerning the miracle-displaying king about whom this most luminous, magnificent, and serious being, who bears a thousand decorations particular to the king’s own treasury, is speaking with all his strength, confirmed by all the country’s notables, and concerning the king’s attributes which he mentions, and the commands which he relays? If there is anything contrary to the truth in these things, it will be necessary to deny this palace, these lamps, this community, both their reality and their existence. If you can, raise any objections against these; but you will see that they will be smashed by the power of the proof, and flung back at you.

TWELFTH PROOF

Come, my brother, who has come to his senses a little! I shall show you a further proof of the strength of all the eleven preceding proofs. See this luminous Decree,(*) which descends from above and which everyone looks on in rapt attention out of either wonder or veneration. The one with the thousand decorations has stopped by it and is explaining its meaning to everyone.

The styles of the Decree so shine they attract everyone’s appreciative gaze, and it speaks of matters so important and serious that everyone is compelled to give ear to them. For it describes all the qualities, acts, commands, and attributes of the one who governs this whole land, who made this palace, and exhibits these wonders. Just as there is a mighty stamp on the Decree as a whole, look! there is an inimitable seal on every line and every sentence, and, moreover, the meanings, truths, commands, and instances of wisdom it states are seen to be in a style particular to him, thus bearing the meaning of a stamp.

In Short: The Supreme Decree shows the Supreme Being as clearly as the sun, so that anyone who is not blind can see it.

My friend! If you have come to your senses, this is enough for now. If you have something to say, say it.

In reply, the obstinate man said: “I can only say this in the face of these proofs of yours: All praise be to God for I have come to believe. And I believe in a way bright as the sun and clear as daylight that this country has a single King of Perfection, this world, a Single Glorious Owner, this palace, a Single Beauteous Maker. May God be pleased with you, for you have saved me from my former obstinacy and foolishness. Each of the proofs you showed was sufficient to demonstrate the truth. But because with each successive proof, clearer, pleasanter, more agreeable, more luminous, finer levels of knowledge, veils in acquaintanceship, and windows of love were opened and revealed, I waited and listened.”

The story in the form of a comparison indicating the mighty truth of Divine unity and belief in God has reached its conclusion. Through the grace of the Most Merciful, the effulgence of the Qur’an, and the light of belief, we shall now set out twelve ‘Flashes’ and an Introduction from the sun of true Divine unity corresponding to the twelve proofs in the story.

Success and Guidance are from God alone.

The Second Station of the Twenty-Second Word

In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate.

God is the Creator of all things, and He is the Guardian and Disposer of all affairs. * To Him belong the keys of the heavens and the earth.(*) So glory to Him in Whose hands is the sovereignty of all things, and to Him will you all be brought back.(*) And there is not a thing but its [sources and] treasures [inexhaustible] are with Us; but We only send down thereof in due and ascertainable measures.(*) There is not a moving creature, but He has grasp of its forelock. Verily it is my Sustainer that is on a Straight Path.(*)

Introduction

In my treatise entitled Katre, which is about belief in God, the principal pole of the pillars of belief, I explained in brief the evidence to Almighty God’s existence and unity given by all beings through fifty-five tongues. Also, in the treatise Nokta, I mentioned four universal proofs out of the evidences of Almighty God’s existence and unity each of which has the strength of a thousand proofs. Moreover, since I have discussed in around twelve of my Arabic treatises hundreds of decisive proofs demonstrating Almighty God’s necessary existence and unity, I shall be content with those and not now undertake any profound investigations. Only, I shall try to explain in this Twenty-Second Word, twelve ‘Flashes’ from the sun of belief in God which I have written briefly in other places in the Risale-i Nur.

FIRST FLASH

The affirmation of Divine unity is of two sorts. For example, if the goods of a rich man arrive in a market or a town, there are two ways in which one may know they are his. One is briefly and simply, as with ordinary people, which is: “No one apart from him is capable of owning this vast amount of goods.” But when under the supervision of a common man such as that, much of it may be stolen. Many others may claim ownership of parts of it. The second sort is this: through reading his writing on every packet, recognizing his signature on every roll, and seeing his seal on every bill, the man declares: “Everything belongs to that person.” Here, everything in effect shows the important man.

Similarly, the affirmation of Divine unity is of two sorts:

One is the superficial and common affirmation of Divine unity which says: “Almighty God is One, He has no partner or like. This universe is His.”

The Second is the true affirmation of Divine unity which, through seeing on everything the stamp of His power, the seal of His dominicality, and the inscriptions of His pen, is to open a window directly onto His light from everything and to confirm and believe with almost the certainty of seeing it that everything emerges from the hand of His power and that in no way has He any partner or assistant in His Godhead or in His dominicality or in His sovereignty, and thus to attain to a sort of perpetual awareness of the Divine presence. In this Word, we shall mention rays demonstrating this pure and elevated true affirmation of Divine unity.

A Reminder within the First Point:

O heedless worshipper of causes! Causes are a veil; for Divine dignity and grandeur require them to be thus. But that which acts and performs matters is the power of the Eternally Besought One; for Divine unity and glory require it to be thus, and necessitate their independence. The officials of the Pre-Eternal Monarch are not executives of the sovereignty of dominicality, they are the heralds of His sovereignty and the observers and superintendents of His dominicality. Their purpose is to make known the dignity of power and majesty of dominicality, so that power should not be seen to be associated with base and lowly matters. Not like a human king, tainted by impotence and indigence, who therefore takes officials as partners.

That is to say, causes have been placed so that the dignity of power may be preserved in the superficial view of the mind. For like the two faces of a mirror, everything has an outer face that looks to this manifest world, which resembles the mirror’s coloured face and may reflect various colours and states, and an inner face which looks to its Maker, which resembles the mirror’s shining face. In the outer face which looks to the manifest world may be states incompatible with the dignity and perfection of the Eternally Besought One’s power, so causes have been put to be both the source and the means of those states. But in the inner face, that of reality, which looks to their Creator, everything is transparent and beautiful; it is fitting that power should itself be associated with it. It is not incompatible with its dignity; therefore, causes are purely apparent and in the inner face of things and in reality have no true effect.

A further instance of wisdom in apparent causes is this: causes have been put so that unjust complaints and baseless objections should be directed at them and not at the Absolutely Just One. For the faults arise from them, from their incapacity and lack of ability. A comparison is narrated which is in the form of a subtle example illustrating this mystery:

The Angel Azra’il (Peace be upon him) said to Almighty God: “Your servants will complain about me while I am carrying out my duty of taking possession of the spirits of the dying; they will be resentful towards me.” So Almighty God said to him through the tongue of wisdom: “I shall leave the veil of disasters and illnesses between you and my servants so that the complaints will be directed at them, and they will not be indignant at you.”(*)

So see, illnesses are a veil; what are imagined to be the bad things at the appointed hour are attributed to them, and what are in reality the good things in the spirits of the dying being seized are attributed to Azra’il (PBH) and his duty. Azra’il is also a veil; he is a supervisor of that duty and a veil to Divine power so that certain conditions when spirits are seized which are apparently unkind and are inappropriate to the perfection of mercy be attributed to him.

Yes, dignity and grandeur demand that causes are a veil to the hand of power in the view of the mind, while Divine unity and glory demand that causes withdraw their hands and have no true effect.

SECOND FLASH

Look at this garden of the universe, this orchard of the earth; look carefully at the beautiful face of the heavens gilded with stars! You will see that on all the artefacts spread out and scattered over them are stamps particular to the Creator of All Things, and on all creatures are seals special to the Maker of All Things, and on the levels of being written on the pages of night and day, and summer and winter, all published by the pen of power, are inimitable, illustrious signatures of an All-Glorious Maker, an All-Beauteous Creator. We shall now mention a few of those stamps, seals, and signatures by way of example:

For example, of the innumerable stamps, consider this one out of many placed on life: “He makes everything out of one thing and makes one thing out of everything.” For He makes the innumerable members and systems of animals out of a fluid and also out of simple water which is drunk. Thus, to make one thing everything is surely the work of One possessing Absolute Power. And One Who with perfect order transforms into a particular body numerous substances from the innumerable foods eaten, whether plant or animal, and weaves from them a particular skin, and makes from them simple members, is surely One Powerful over All Things and One Knowing of All Things.

Indeed, the Creator of Life and Death administers life through His wisdom in this workshop of the world through a law issuing from His command so miraculous that only one Who holds the whole universe in the grasp of His power could apply that law and enforce it.

Thus, if your mind is not extinguished and your heart not blind, you will understand that what makes one thing with perfect ease and order, and makes everything one thing skilfully with perfect balance and order, is a stamp particular to the Maker of everything and a seal special to the Creator of All Things.

For example, if you see that together with weaving a hundred rolls of broadcloth and various other cloths like silk or cambric from a single ounce of cotton, a wonder-worker makes many foods from it like helva and pastries, then you see that he takes a handful of iron and stone, honey and butter, water and earth, and makes some fine gold, you would certainly pronounce him to possess unique art, for all the elements of the earth are subjugated to his command and all the substances of the earth subject to his word.

Indeed, the manifestation of power and wisdom in life is a thousand times more wondrous than this example. Thus, one stamp on life out of many.

THIRD FLASH

Look at the living creatures revolving in this flowing universe, in this flood of beings! You will see that on each are many seals placed by the Ever-Living and Self- Subsistent One. One of them is this:

a living creature, for example a human being, is quite simply a miniature sample of the universe, a fruit of the tree of creation, and a seed of the world, for he comprises samples of most of the realms of beings in the world. It is as if the animate being is a drop filtered from the universe in an extremely fine measure. So to create it and be its Sustainer, one has to hold the whole universe in the grasp of one’s power.

Thus, if your mind is not submerged in delusions you will understand that to make a word of power, for example, a honey-bee, a minute index of most things, and to write in one page, for example in man, most of the matters in this book of the universe, and to include in one point, for example in a tiny fig seed, the programme of the mighty fig-tree, and to display in a single letter, for example in the human heart, the works of all the Divine Names manifested in the pages of the macrocosm which encompass it, and to make written in the human faculty of memory, which is situated in a place the size of a lentil, writings enough to fill a library, and to include in that tiny faculty a detailed index of all events in the cosmos –to do all things is most certainly a stamp particular to the Creator of All Things, the Glorious Sustainer of the universe.

Thus, if one seal out of many dominical seals on living beings displays its light and makes read its signs thus, if you were able to see and consider all those seals at once, would you not declare: “Glory be to Him Who is concealed in the intensity of His manifestation!”?

FOURTH FLASH

Look carefully at the multicoloured, multifarious beings swimming in the seas of the heavens and scattered over the face of the earth! You will see that on each are inimitable signatures of the Pre-Eternal Sun. Just as the stamps on life and seals on living beings are apparent and we saw one or two of them, so are there such signatures on the giving of life. Since comparisons bring profound meanings closer to the understanding, we shall demonstrate this truth with a comparison.

For example, from the planets to droplets of water, to fragments of glass and sparkling snow-flakes, a signature from the sun’s image and reflection, a luminous work particular to the sun, is apparent. If you do not accept the tiny suns apparent in those innumerable things to be the manifestation of the sun’s reflection, you have to accept the actual existence of a true, natural sun in every droplet and fragment of glass facing the light, and in every transparent speck before it, thus descending to the depths of lunacy.

In just the same way, there is such a signature on all living beings in regard to the giving of life from among the luminous manifestations of the Pre-Eternal Sun, that supposing all causes were gathered together and had the power to act and possessed will, they still could not imitate that signature. For living beings, all miracles of Divine power, are points of focus of the Divine Names, which are like the rays of the Pre-Eternal Sun.

If that strange inscription of art, that wondrous ordering of wisdom, that manifestation of the mystery of Oneness on living beings is not ascribed to the Single and Eternally Besought One, it necessitates accepting that concealed within each living creature, and even in a fly or a flower, is an infinite creative power, a knowledge encompassing all things, an absolute will with which to govern the universe, and even the eternal attributes particular to the Necessarily Existent One, thus falling to the most ludicrous degree of misguidance and superstition.

Quite simply, it necessitates attributing Divinity to each particle of the flower or fly. For a state has been given to those particles, especially if they are in seeds, whereby they look to the living being of which they are a part, and take up a position in accordance with its systems and ordering. The particle is even in a position to look to all members of the species to which its living being belongs, or to fly with wings in order to be planted in a place suitable to the continuation of its species and to plant the species’ flag. In fact, it holds a position whereby that living being’s transactions with all other beings may be continued, and its relations with them connected with sustenance. For it is in need of all of them.

Thus, if that particle is not an official of a Possessor of Absolute Power, and if its relation with Him is severed, it has to be ascribed an eye which sees all things and a consciousness which encompasses all things.

In Short:If the miniature suns and various colours in droplets of water and fragments of glass are not attributed to the sun’s reflection and the manifestation of its reflection, one has to accept the existence of innumerable suns in place of the one sun; it necessitates accepting an utterly impossible superstition. In exactly the same way, if everything is not attributed to the Absolutely Powerful One, it necessitates accepting infinite gods instead of the Single God; indeed, gods to the number of particles in existence, thus falling to the degree of accepting a hundredfold impossibility.

To Sum Up: From every particle three windows open up onto the light of unity and necessary existence of the Pre-Eternal Sun:

First Window: A soldier has a relation with each of the spheres of the military, that is, with his squad, his company, his battalion, his regiment, his division, and the army, and duties in accordance with those relations, and actions in accordance with the duties and army regulations. Particles have similar relations.

For example, a lifeless particle in the pupil of your eye has relations with your eye, your head, your body, your powers of reproduction, and attraction and repulsion, with your veins and arteries, and motor and sensory nerves, and with the rest of the human race, and it has duties in relation to each. This shows self-evidently to eyes that are not blind that it is the work of art and charged official of the Pre-Eternal All-Powerful One, and is under his regulation.

Second Window: All molecules of air may visit all flowers and fruits. They may also enter them and work within them. If they are not the subjugated officials of an Absolutely Powerful One Who sees and knows all things, those wandering molecules would have to know all the systems and structures of the fruits and flowers and their art, and the tailoring of the all-different forms which clothe them with its perfect and all- embracing art. Thus those particles all display as clearly as the sun the rays of a light of Divine unity. You may compare light with air, and earth with water.

In any event, the original sources of things are these four substances. According to modern science they are hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen, the components of the former elements.

Third Window: You fill a flower-pot with some earth, which is composed of particles and is the means of growth of any flowering or fruit-bearing plant, then put some seeds in it. The same as the seed of animals does not differ, but is a fluid, the seeds of all the flowering and fruit-bearing plants in the world do not differ from one another. Being composed of carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen, they only differ by virtue of the programme of their progenitors, deposited in them through the immaterial writing of the pen of Divine Determining. Thus, if we put these seeds in turn in the flower-pot, we believe as though it has occurred that each plant will appear together with its wonderful forms and shapes and parts.

If those particles are not officials under the orders of one who knows all the states and conditions of everything, is capable of giving everything a being suitable to it and everything necessary for it, and to whose power everything is subjugated with utterly facility, every particle of the earth would then have to contain immaterial factories and printing-presses to the number of all the flowering and fruit-bearing plants, so that it could be the source of all those various and different beings whose parts, members, and forms are all distant and different from one another. It is otherwise necessary to attribute to all those beings comprehensive knowledge and a power capable of forming them, so that they could be the means of the above.

That is to say, if the connection with Almighty God is severed, it becomes necessary to accept gods to the number of particles of earth, and this is an impossible superstition compounded a thousand times over.

However, when they are officials, it becomes extremely easy. Just as, in his king’s name and through his power, a common soldier of a mighty king can make a whole country migrate, or join two seas, or take another king prisoner, so at the command of the Monarch of Pre-Eternity and Post-Eternity, a fly did away with Nimrod, and an ant destroyed Pharaoh’s palace, razing it to the ground, and a fig-seed bears the load of a fig-tree.

Moreover, in all particles are two further truthful witnesses to the Maker’s necessary existence and unity.

One is that together with their absolute impotence, they all perform most important and various duties. The other is that despite their lifelessness, they all conform to the universal order and systems, thus displaying a universal consciousness. That is to say, through the tongue of its impotence each particle testifies to the necessary existence of the Absolutely Powerful One, and through its conforming to the order in the world, each testifies to His unity.

Just as every particle testifies in two ways to His being the Necessarily Existent One of Unity, so too on every living being are two signs that He is the Single and Eternally Besought One.

Yes, on all living beings are a seal of Divine oneness and a stamp of ‘eternal besoughtedness.’ For each displays together in the mirror of its being most of the Divine Names, the manifestations of which are apparent in the universe. Quite simply, like a point of focus, each displays the manifestation of the Greatest Name of Ever-Living and Self-Subsistent One. Thus, since it shows a sort of shadow of the oneness of the Divine Essence under the veil of the Name of Giver of Life, it bears a stamp of Divine oneness.

And since the living being is like a miniature sample of the universe and a fruit of the tree of creation, it shows a seal of Divine eternal besoughtedness, which conveys altogether with ease to the tiny sphere of its life its needs, which are as many as the universe. That is to say, this shows it has a Sustainer Whose regard and favour take the place of all things. Everything in existence cannot take the place of His regard.

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Furthermore, this situation shows that its Sustainer is in need of nothing, nor does anything diminish His treasury, and nor is anything at all difficult for His power. This, then, is a sort of seal of ‘eternal besoughtedness.’

Thus, on every living being are a seal of Divine oneness and stamp of eternal besoughtedness. Yes, through the tongue of its life, every living being recites: Say, He is God, the One, * The Eternally Besought.(*) In addition to these two seals are several more important ‘windows’, but since they have been explained in detail in other places, our discussion here has been brief.

Seeing that each particle in existence at once opens up three windows and two openings onto the unity of the Necessarily Existent, and life too opens two doors, you can compare how all the levels of beings from particles to the sun spread the light of knowledge of the All-Glorious One.

Thus, you can understand from this the degrees of progress in knowledge of God, and the levels of awareness of His presence.

FIFTH FLASH

If a book is hand-written and in the form of a letter, a single pen is sufficient to write it, while if it is printed, pens, that is, pieces of print, are necessary to the number of the book’s letters so that it can be printed and come into existence. If most of the book is written in an extremely fine script within some of its letters, like Sura Ya. Sin. being written within the letters Ya. Sin., then for it to be printed all the small pieces of print are necessary for those single letters.

Similarly, if you say the book of the universe is the writing of the pen of power of the Eternally Besought One and the missive of the Single and Unique One, you travel a reasonable road so easy as to be necessary. But if you attribute it to nature and causes, you travel a road so difficult as to be impossible, and so full of superstition and delusion as to be unacceptable.

For then there would have to be present in every bit of earth and every drop of water and every piece of air millions of metal printing-presses and innumerable immaterial factories, which could fashion and form the countless numbers of flowering and fruit-bearing plants. Otherwise one has to accept that they possess all-encompassing knowledge and power over all things so that they could be the true source of those creatures. For every piece of earth, water, and air can be the source of most plants. However, plants, whether flowering or fruit-bearing, are formed in so well-ordered and balanced a fashion, and are so distinctive and different from one another, that a different immaterial factory or different printing-press would be necessary for each.

That means, if nature ceases being a pattern and becomes the source, it necessitates that everything contains the machines to make everything else. Nature-worship is therefore based on an idea so superstitious that even those who subscribe to it are ashamed of it. See the infinitely delirious unreason of the misguided, who suppose themselves to be intelligent, and take a lesson!

In Short: All the letters of a book describe themselves to the extent of a letter and point to their own existence in one way, while they describe their writer with ten words and show him in many ways. For example: “The one who wrote me has fine hand- writing. His pen is red, and so on.”

In just the same way, all the letters of the mighty book of the universe point to themselves to the extent of their own size and physical beings, but describe the Names of the Pre-Eternal Inscriber like odes, and testify to the One they signify and point to His Names with fingers to the number of their attributes.

That means that even if one denies both oneself and the universe like the foolish Sophists, one still should not deny the All-Glorious Maker.

SIXTH FLASH

Just as the All-Glorious Creator has placed on the heads of all His beings and on the foreheads of all His creatures the seals of His oneness, some of which you have seen in the previous Flashes, so in brilliant fashion has He placed many stamps of oneness on all species and numerous seals of unity on all universals, as well as the various stamps of unity on the world as a whole. Of those many seals and stamps, we shall point out one on the page of the face of the earth in the springtime. It is like this:

The Pre-Eternal Inscriber’s raising to life in the spring and summer at least three hundred thousand species of plants and animals with complete distinction and differentiation and total order and separation amid infinite intermingling and confusion, is a stamp of Divine unity as clear and brilliant as the spring itself.

Yes, anyone with an iota of consciousness will understand that to create with perfect order while raising to life of the dead earth in the spring, three hundred thousand samples of the resurrection of the dead, and to write without fault, error, mistake or deficiency, in most well-balanced, well- proportioned, well-ordered, and perfect fashion the individual members of three hundred thousand different species one within the other on the face of the earth, is a seal particular to an All-Glorious One, an All-Powerful One of Perfection, an All-Wise One of Beauty, possessing infinite power, all-encompassing knowledge, and a will capable of governing the whole universe.

The All-Wise Qur’an decrees: So look to the signs of God’s Mercy, how He raises to life the earth after its death; He it is Who will raise the dead to life, for He is Powerful over all things. (*)

Yes, it is surely easy for the Creative Power which, within a few days, demonstrates examples of three hundred thousand resurrections in raising the earth to life, to raise men to life. For example, could it be said to a Displayer of Miracles Who at a sign will remove the mountains of Gelincik and SŸbhan: “Are you able to remove from this valley this huge rock which is blocking our path?” Similarly, can it be said in a way that infers doubt to an All-Wise and Powerful One, an All-Generous and Compassionate One, Who created the sky and the mountains and the earth in six days and continuously fills and empties them: “Can you remove from us this layer of earth which was prepared and laid out in eternity and is blocking our way to your banquet? Can you level the earth and let us pass on?”

You observed a seal of Divine unity on the face of the earth in the summertime. Now look! A stamp of unity is clearly obvious on the vast, wise and perspicacious disposals of the spring on the face of the earth. For that activity is on an absolutely vast scale, and the vastness is together with an absolute speed, and that speed is together with an absolute munificence, and together with these an absolute order and perfect beauty of art and exquisiteness of creation are apparent. These form a seal which could belong only to one possessing infinite knowledge and boundless power.

Yes, we see that on the earth within an absolute extensiveness are a creation, disposal, and activity which are on an absolutely vast scale.

And these are occurring within that vast scope with absolute speed.

And together with that speed and vast scope an absolute munificence is apparent in the multiplication of individual beings.

And together with that munificence, vast scope, and speed, an absolute ease is apparent.

And to create the absolute order and exceptional beauty of art to be seen in all species and individuals, and the perfect differentiation within infinite intermingling, and the valuable works within extreme abundance, and the complete correspondence on an extensive scale, and the artistic marvels with the greatest ease,

and to demonstrate a wondrous art and miraculous activity at one moment, everywhere, in the same fashion, in every individual – together with that munificence, ease, speed, and vast scope, is certainly and without doubt the stamp of One Who although He is nowhere is all-present and all-seeing everywhere. Nothing is hidden from Him, nor is anything difficult for him. Particles and stars are equal in relation to His power.

For example, in a garden of that All-Glorious and Compassionate One’s munificence, I counted the bunches hanging from a grape-vine of the thickness of two fingers, which I saw to be like one little pip among the bunches of His miracles: there were one hundred and fifty-five. I counted the grapes in one bunch: there were around one hundred and twenty. I thought: if this vine was a tap from which flowed honeyed water and it produced water continuously, it would only just be enough for the bunches which, in the face of this heat, suckle those hundreds of little pumps of the sherbet of mercy. However, it only occasionally obtains a little moisture. The One Who does this, then, must surely be powerful over all things.

Glory be to Him at Whose art minds are bewildered!

SEVENTH FLASH

Look! With little difficulty you can see the seals of the Single, Eternally Besought One on the page of the earth, so raise your head, open your eyes, and look too at the great book of the universe. You will see that on it as a whole a stamp of unity is read out which is as clear as it is big. For like the components of a factory or members of a palace or town, these beings support one another, stretch out their hands to assist one another, and answer the needs and requests of one another, saying: “Here I am, at your service!” Assisting one another, they work together in order. Joining efforts, they serve animate beings. Co-operating and turned a single goal, they obey an All-Wise Disposer.

They conform to a rule of mutual assistance which is in force from the sun and moon, night and day, and winter and summer, to plants coming to the assistance of hungry and needy animals, and animals hastening to the assistance of weak, noble men, and even nutritious substances flying to assist delicate, weak infants and fruits, and particles of food passing to the assistance of the cells of the body. They show to anyone who is not altogether blind that they are acting through the strength of a single, most generous Nurturer, and at the command of a single most wise Disposer.

İşte şu kâinat içinde cari olan bu tesanüd, bu teavün, bu tecavüb, bu teanuk, bu musahhariyet, bu intizam, bir tek Müdebbir’in tertibiyle idare edildiklerine ve bir tek Mürebbi’nin tedbiriyle sevk edildiklerine kat’iyen şehadet etmekle beraber; şu bilbedahe sanat-ı eşyada görünen hikmet-i âmme içindeki inayet-i tamme ve o inayet içinde parlayan rahmet-i vâsia ve o rahmet üstünde serilen ve rızka muhtaç her bir zîhayata onun hâcetine lâyık bir tarzda iaşe etmek için serpilen erzak ve iaşe-i umumî, öyle parlak bir hâtem-i tevhiddir ki bütün bütün aklı sönmeyen anlar ve bütün bütün kör olmayan görür.

Evet, kasd ve şuur ve iradeyi gösteren bir perde-i hikmet, umum kâinatı kaplamış ve o perde-i hikmet üstünde lütuf ve tezyin ve tahsin ve ihsanı gösteren bir perde-i inayet serilmiştir ve o müzeyyen perde-i inayet üstünde kendini sevdirmek ve tanıttırmak, in’am ve ikram etmek lem’alarını gösteren bir hulle-i rahmet, kâinatı içine almıştır. Ve o münevver perde-i rahmet-i âmme üstüne serilen ve terahhumu ve ihsan ve ikramı ve kemal-i şefkat ve hüsn-ü terbiyeyi ve lütf-u rububiyeti gösteren bir sofra-i erzak-ı umumiye dizilmiştir.

Evet şu mevcudat, zerrelerden güneşlere kadar; fertler olsun neviler olsun, küçük olsun büyük olsun, semerat ve gayatla ve faydalar ve maslahatlarla münakkaş bir kumaş-ı hikmetten muhteşem bir gömlek giydirilmiş ve o hikmet-nüma suret gömleği üstünde lütuf ve ihsan çiçekleriyle müzeyyen bir hulle-i inayet her şeyin kametine göre biçilmiş ve o müzeyyen hulle-i inayet üzerine tahabbüb ve ikram ve tahannün ve in’am lem’alarıyla münevver rahmet nişanları takılmış ve o münevver ve murassa nişanları ihsan etmekle beraber, zeminin yüzünde bütün zevi’l-hayatın taifelerine kâfi, bütün hâcetlerine vâfi bir sofra-i rızk-ı umumî kurulmuştur.

İşte şu iş, güneş gibi aşikâre, nihayetsiz Hakîm, Kerîm, Rahîm, Rezzak bir Zat-ı Zülcemal’e işaret edip gösteriyor.

Öyle mi? Her şey rızka muhtaç mıdır?

Evet, bir fert rızka ve devam-ı hayata muhtaç olduğu gibi görüyoruz ki bütün mevcudat-ı âlem, bâhusus zîhayat olsa, küllî olsun cüz’î olsun, küll olsun cüz olsun; vücudunda, bekasında, hayatında ve idame-i hayatta maddeten ve manen çok metalibi var, çok levazımatı var. İftikaratı ve ihtiyacatı öyle şeylere var ki en ednasına o şeyin eli yetişmediği, en küçük matlubuna o şeyin kuvveti kâfi gelmediği bir halde, görüyoruz ki bütün metalibi ve erzak-ı maddiye ve maneviyesi مِن۟ حَي۟ثُ لَا يَح۟تَسِبُ ummadığı yerlerden kemal-i intizamla ve vakt-i münasipte ve lâyık bir tarzda kemal-i hikmetle ellerine veriliyor.

İşte bu iftikar ve ihtiyac-ı mahlukat ve bu tarzda imdat ve iane-i gaybiye, acaba güneş gibi bir Mürebbi-i Hakîm-i Zülcelal’i, bir Müdebbir-i Rahîm-i Zülcemal’i göstermiyor mu?

SEKİZİNCİ LEM’A

Nasıl ki bir tarlada ekilen bir nevi tohum delâlet eder ki o tarla herhalde tohum sahibinin taht-ı tasarrufunda olduğunu, hem o tohumu dahi tarla mutasarrıfının taht-ı tasarrufunda olduğunu gösterir. Öyle de şu anâsır denilen mezraa-i masnuat, vâhidiyet ve besatet ile beraber, külliyet ve ihataları ve şu mahlukat denilen semerat-ı rahmet ve mu’cizat-ı kudret ve kelâmat-ı hikmet olan nebatat ve hayvanat, mümaselet ve müşabehetleriyle beraber çok yerlerde intişarı, her tarafta bulunup tavattunları; tek bir Sâni’-i Mu’ciz-nüma’nın taht-ı tasarrufunda olduklarını öyle bir tarzda gösteriyor ki güya her bir çiçek, her bir semere, her bir hayvan, o Sâni’in birer sikkesidir, birer hâtemidir, birer turrasıdır. Her nerede bulunsa lisan-ı haliyle her birisi der ki “Ben kimin sikkesiyim, bu yer dahi onun masnuudur. Ben kimin hâtemiyim, bu mekân dahi onun mektubudur. Ben kimin turrasıyım, bu vatanım dahi onun mensucudur.”

Demek, en edna bir mahluka rububiyet; bütün anâsırı kabza-i tasarrufunda tutana mahsustur ve en basit bir hayvanı tedbir ve tedvir etmek; bütün hayvanatı, nebatatı, masnuatı kabza-i rububiyetinde terbiye edene has olduğunu kör olmayan görür.

Evet her bir fert, sair efrada mümaselet ve misliyet lisanı ile der: “Kim bütün nevime mâlik ise bana mâlik olabilir, yoksa yok.” Her nevi, sair nevilerle beraber yeryüzünde intişarı lisanıyla der: “Kim bütün sath-ı arza mâlik ise bana mâlik olabilir; yoksa yok.” Arz, sair seyyarat ile bir güneşe irtibatı ve semavat ile tesanüdü lisanıyla der: “Kim bütün kâinata mâlik ise bana mâlik o olabilir, yoksa yok.”

Evet, faraza zîşuur bir elmaya biri dese: “Sen benim sanatımsın.” O elma lisan-ı hal ile ona “Sus!” diyecek. “Eğer bütün yeryüzünde bütün elmaların teşkiline muktedir olabilirsen belki yeryüzünde münteşir bütün hemcinsimiz olan bütün meyvedarlara, belki bütün bahar sefinesiyle hazine-i rahmetten gelen bütün hedâyâ-yı Rahmaniyeye mutasarrıf olabilirsen bana rububiyet dava et.” O tek elma böyle diyecek ve o ahmağın ağzına bir tokat vuracak.

DOKUZUNCU LEM’A

Cüzde cüz’îde, küllde küllîde, küll-i âlemde, hayatta, zîhayatta, ihyada olan sikkelerden, hâtemlerden, turralardan bazılarına işaret ettik. Şimdi, nevilerde hesapsız sikkelerden bir sikkeye işaret edeceğiz.

Evet, nasıl ki meyvedar bir ağacın hesapsız semereleri, bir terbiye-i vâhide, bir kanun-u vahdetle, bir tek merkezden idare edildiklerinden külfet ve meşakkat ve masraf, o kadar suhulet peyda eder ki kesretle terbiye edilen tek bir semereye müsavi olurlar. Demek, kesret ve taaddüd-ü merkez, her semere için kemiyetçe bütün ağaç kadar külfet ve masraf ve cihazat ister. Fark yalnız keyfiyetçedir. Nasıl ki bir tek nefere lâzım teçhizat-ı askeriyeyi yapmak için orduya lâzım bütün fabrikalar kadar fabrikalar lâzımdır.

Demek iş, vahdetten kesrete geçse efrad adedince –kemiyet cihetiyle– külfet ziyadeleşir. İşte, her nevide bilmüşahede görünen suhulet-i fevkalâde, elbette vahdetten, tevhidden gelen bir yüsr ve suhuletin eseridir.

Elhasıl, bir cinsin bütün envaı, bir nev’in bütün efradı aza-yı esasîde muvafakat ve müşabehetleri nasıl ispat ederler ki tek bir Sâni’in masnularıdır. Çünkü vahdet-i kalem ve ittihad-ı sikke öyle ister. Öyle de bu meşhud suhulet-i mutlaka ve külfetsizlik, vücub derecesinde icab eder ki bir Sâni’-i Vâhid’in eserleri olsun. Yoksa imtina derecesine çıkan bir suubet, o cinsi in’idama ve o nev’i ademe götürecekti.

Velhasıl: Cenab-ı Hakk’a isnad edilse bütün eşya, bir tek şey gibi bir suhulet peyda eder. Eğer esbaba isnad edilse her bir şey, bütün eşya kadar suubet peyda eder. Madem öyledir; kâinatta şu görünen fevkalâde ucuzluk ve şu göz önündeki hadsiz mebzuliyet, sikke-i vahdeti güneş gibi gösterir. Eğer gayet mebzuliyetle elimize geçen şu sanatlı meyveler, Vâhid-i Ehad’in malı olmazsa bütün dünyayı verse idik, bir tek narı yiyemezdik.

ONUNCU LEM’A

Tecelli-i cemaliyeyi gösteren hayat; nasıl bir bürhan-ı ehadiyettir, belki bir çeşit tecelli-i vahdettir. Tecelli-i celali izhar eden memat dahi bir bürhan-ı vâhidiyettir.

Evet, mesela وَ لِلّٰهِ ال۟مَثَلُ ال۟اَع۟لٰى nasıl ki güneşe karşı parlayan ve akan büyük bir ırmağın kabarcıkları ve zemin yüzünün mütelemmi’ şeffafatı, güneşin aksini ve ışığını göstermek suretiyle güneşe şehadet ettikleri gibi o kataratın ve şeffafatın gurûbuyla, gitmeleriyle beraber arkalarından yeni gelen katarat taifeleri ve şeffafat kabileleri üstünde yine güneşin cilveleri haşmetle devamı ve ışığının tecellisi ve noksansız istimrarı kat’iyen şehadet eder ki: Sönüp yanan, değişip tazelenen, gelip parlayan misalî güneşçikler ve ışıklar ve nurlar; bir bâki, daimî, âlî, tecellisi zevalsiz bir tek güneşin cilveleridir. Demek, o parlayan kataratlar, zuhuruyla ve gelmeleriyle güneşin vücudunu gösterdikleri gibi; gurûblarıyla, zevalleriyle, güneşin bekasını ve devamını ve birliğini gösteriyorlar.

Aynen öyle de şu mevcudat-ı seyyale, vücudlarıyla ve hayatlarıyla Vâcibü’l-vücud’un vücub-u vücuduna ve ehadiyetine şehadet ettikleri gibi; zevalleriyle, ölümleriyle o Vâcibü’l-vücud’un ezeliyetine, sermediyetine ve ehadiyetine şehadet ederler.

Evet gece gündüz, kış ve yaz, asırlar ve devirlerin değişmesiyle gurûb ve ufûl içinde teceddüd eden ve tazelenen masnuat-ı cemile, mevcudat-ı latîfe, elbette bir âlî ve sermedî ve daimü’t-tecelli bir cemal sahibinin vücud ve beka ve vahdetini gösterdikleri gibi; o masnuat, esbab-ı zâhiriye-i süfliyeleriyle beraber zeval bulup ölmeleri, o esbabın hiçliğini ve bir perde olduğunu gösteriyorlar. Şu hal kat’iyen ispat eder ki şu sanatlar, şu nakışlar, şu cilveler; bütün esması kudsiye ve cemile olan bir Zat-ı Cemil-i Zülcelal’in tazelenen sanatlarıdır, tahavvül eden nakışlarıdır, taharrük eden âyineleridir, birbiri arkasından gelen sikkeleridir, hikmetle değişen hâtemleridir.

Elhasıl, şu kitab-ı kebir-i kâinat, nasıl ki vücud ve vahdete dair âyât-ı tekviniyeyi bize ders veriyor. Öyle de o Zat-ı Zülcelal’in bütün evsaf-ı kemaliye ve cemaliye ve celaliyesine de şehadet eder. Ve kusursuz ve noksansız kemal-i zatîsini ispat ederler. Çünkü bedihîdir ki bir eserde kemal, o eserin menşe ve mebdei olan fiilin kemaline delâlet eder. Fiilin kemali ise ismin kemaline ve ismin kemali, sıfatın kemaline ve sıfatın kemali, şe’n-i zatînin kemaline ve şe’nin kemali, o zat-ı zîşuunun kemaline, hadsen ve zarureten ve bedaheten delâlet eder.

Mesela, nasıl ki kusursuz bir kasrın mükemmel olan nukuş ve tezyinatı, arkalarında bir usta ef’alinin mükemmeliyetini gösterir. O ef’alin mükemmeliyeti, o fâil ustanın rütbelerini gösteren unvanları ve isimlerinin mükemmeliyetini gösterir. Ve o esma ve unvanlarının mükemmeliyeti, o ustanın sanatına dair sıfatlarının mükemmeliyetini gösterir. Ve o sanat ve sıfatlarının mükemmeliyeti, o sanat sahibinin şuun-u zatiye denilen kabiliyet ve istidad-ı zatiyesinin mükemmeliyetini gösterir. Ve o şuun ve kabiliyet-i zatiyenin mükemmeliyeti, o ustanın mahiyet-i zatiyesinin mükemmeliyetini gösterdiği misillü…

Aynen öyle de şu kusursuz, futursuz هَل۟ تَرٰى مِن۟ فُطُورٍ sırrına mazhar olan şu âsâr-ı meşhude-i âlem, şu mevcudat-ı muntazama-i kâinatta olan sanat ise bilmüşahede bir müessir-i zi’l-iktidarın kemal-i ef’aline delâlet eder. O kemal-i ef’al ise bilbedahe o fâil-i zülcelalin kemal-i esmasına delâlet eder. O kemal-i esma ise bizzarure o esmanın müsemma-i zülcemalinin kemal-i sıfâtına delâlet ve şehadet eder. O kemal-i sıfât ise bi’l-yakîn o mevsuf-u zülkemalin kemal-i şuununa delâlet ve şehadet eder. O kemal-i şuun ise bihakkalyakîn o zîşuunun kemal-i zatına öyle delâlet eder ki bütün kâinatta görünen bütün enva-ı kemalât, onun kemaline nisbeten sönük bir zıll-i zayıf suretinde bir Zat-ı Zülkemal’in âyât-ı kemali ve rumuz-u celali ve işarat-ı cemali olduğunu gösterir.

GÜNEŞLER KUVVETİNDE ON BİRİNCİ LEM’A

On Dokuzuncu Söz’de tarif edilen ve kitab-ı kebirin âyet-i kübrası ve o Kur’an-ı kebirdeki ism-i a’zamı ve o şecere-i kâinatın çekirdeği ve en münevver meyvesi ve o saray-ı âlemin güneşi ve âlem-i İslâm’ın bedr-i münevveri ve rububiyet-i İlahiyenin dellâl-ı saltanatı ve tılsım-ı kâinatın keşşaf-ı zîhikmeti olan Seyyidimiz Muhammedü’l-Emin aleyhissalâtü vesselâm, bütün enbiyayı sayesi altına alan risalet cenahı ve bütün âlem-i İslâm’ı himayesine alan İslâmiyet cenahlarıyla hakikatin tabakatında uçan ve bütün enbiya ve mürselîni, bütün evliya ve sıddıkîni ve bütün asfiya ve muhakkikîni arkasına alıp bütün kuvvetiyle vahdaniyeti gösterip arş-ı ehadiyete yol açıp gösterdiği iman-ı billah ve ispat ettiği vahdaniyet-i İlahiyeyi hiç vehim ve şüphenin haddi var mı ki kapatabilsin ve perde olabilsin?

Madem On Dokuzuncu Söz’de ve On Dokuzuncu Mektup’ta o bürhan-ı kātı’ın âbü’l-hayat-ı marifetinden on dört reşha ve on dokuz işarat ile o zat-ı mu’ciz-nümanın enva-ı mu’cizatıyla beraber, icmalen bir derece tarif ve beyan etmişiz. Şurada şu işaret ile iktifa edip o vahdaniyetin bürhan-ı kātı’ını tezkiye eden ve sıdkına şehadet eden esasata işaret suretinde bir salavat-ı şerife ile hatmederiz.

اَللّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلٰى مَن۟ دَلَّ عَلٰى وُجُوبِ وُجُودِكَ وَ وَح۟دَانِيَّتِكَ وَ شَهِدَ عَلٰى جَلَالِكَ وَ جَمَالِكَ وَ كَمَالِكَ الشَّاهِدُ الصَّادِقُ ال۟مُصَدَّقُ وَ ال۟بُر۟هَانُ النَّاطِقُ ال۟مُحَقَّقُ سَيِّدُ ال۟اَن۟بِيَاءِ وَ ال۟مُر۟سَلٖينَ اَل۟حَامِلُ سِرَّ اِج۟مَاعِهِم۟ وَ تَص۟دٖيقِهِم۟ وَ مُع۟جِزَاتِهِم۟ وَ اِمَامُ ال۟اَو۟لِيَاءِ وَ الصِّدّٖيقٖينَ اَل۟حَاوٖى سِرَّ اِتِّفَاقِهِم۟ وَ تَح۟قٖيقِهِم۟ وَ كَرَامَاتِهِم۟ ذُو ال۟مُع۟جِزَاتِ ال۟بَاهِرَةِ وَ ال۟خَوَارِقِ الظَّاهِرَةِ وَ الدَّلَائِلِ ال۟قَاطِعَةِ ال۟مُحَقَّقَةِ ال۟مُصَدَّقَةِ لَهُ ذُو ال۟خِصَالِ ال۟غَالِيَةِ فٖى ذَاتِهٖ وَ ال۟اَخ۟لَاقِال۟عَالِيَةِ فٖى وَظٖيفَتِهٖ وَ السَّجَايَا السَّامِيَةِ فٖى شَرٖيعَتِهِ اَل۟مُكَمَّلَةِ ال۟مُنَزَّهَةِ لَهُ عَنِ ال۟خِلَافِ مَه۟بِطُ ال۟وَح۟ىِ الرَّبَّانِىِّ بِاِج۟مَاعِ ال۟مُن۟زِلِ وَ ال۟مُن۟زَلِ وَ ال۟مُن۟زَلِ عَلَي۟هِ سَيَّارُ عَالَمِ ال۟غَي۟بِ وَ ال۟مَلَكُوتِ مُشَاهِدُ ال۟اَر۟وَاحِ وَ مُصَاحِبُ ال۟مَلٰئِكَةِ اَن۟مُوذَجُ كَمَالِ ال۟كَائِنَاتِ شَخ۟صًا وَ نَو۟عًا وَ جِن۟سًا ( اَن۟وَرُ ثَمَرَاتِ شَجَرَةِ ال۟خِل۟قَةِ ) سِرَاجُ ال۟حَقِّ بُر۟هَانُ ال۟حَقٖيقَةِ تِم۟ثَالُ الرَّح۟مَةِ مِثَالُ ال۟مَحَبَّةِ كَشَّافُ طِل۟سِمِ ال۟كَائِنَاتِ دَلَّالُ سَل۟طَنَةِ الرُّبُوبِيَّةِ ال۟مُر۟مِزُ بِعُل۟وِيَّةِ شَخ۟صِيَّتِهِ ال۟مَع۟نَوِيَّةِ اِلٰى اَنَّهُ نُص۟بُ عَي۟نِ فَاطِرِ ال۟عَالَمِ فٖى خَل۟قِ ال۟كَائِنَاتِ ذُو الشَّرٖيعَةِ الَّتٖى هِىَ بِوُس۟عَةِ دَسَاتٖيرِهَا وَ قُوَّتِهَا تُشٖيرُ اِلٰى اَنَّهَا نِظَامُ نَاظِمِ ال۟كَو۟نِ وَ وَض۟عُ خَالِقِ ال۟كَائِنَاتِ نَعَم۟ اِنَّ نَاظِمَ ال۟كَائِنَاتِ بِهٰذَا النِّظَامِ ال۟اَتَمِّ ال۟اَك۟مَلِ هُوَ نَاظِمُ هٰذَا الدّٖينِ بِهٰذَا النِّظَامِ ال۟اَح۟سَنِ ال۟اَج۟مَلِ سَيِّدُنَا نَح۟نُ مَعَاشِرَ بَنٖى اٰدَمَ وَ مُه۟دٖينَا اِلَى ال۟اٖيمَانِ نَح۟نُ مَعَاشِرَ ال۟مُؤ۟مِنٖينَ مُحَمَّدٍ ب۟نِ عَب۟دِ اللّٰهِ ب۟نِ عَب۟دِ ال۟مُطَّلِبِ عَلَي۟هِ اَف۟ضَلُ الصَّلَوَاتِ وَ اَتَمُّ التَّس۟لٖيمَاتِ مَا دَامَتِ ال۟اَر۟ضُ وَ السَّمٰوَاتُ فَاِنَّ ذٰلِكَ الشَّاهِدَ الصَّادِقَ ال۟مُصَدَّقَ يَش۟هَدُ عَلٰى رُؤُسِ ال۟اَش۟هَادِ مُنَادِيًا وَ مُعَلِّمًا لِاَج۟يَالِ ال۟بَشَرِ خَل۟فَ ال۟اَع۟صَارِ وَ ال۟اَق۟طَارِ نِدَاءً عُل۟وِيًّا بِجَمٖيعِ قُوَّتِهٖ وَ بِغَايَةِ جِدِّيَّتِهٖ وَ بِنِهَايَةِ وُثُوقِهٖ وَ بِقُوَّةِ اِط۟مِئ۟نَانِهٖ وَ بِكَمَالِ اٖيمَانِهٖ بِاَش۟هَدُ اَن۟ لَٓا اِلٰهَ اِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَح۟دَهُ لَا شَرٖيكَ لَهُ

GÜNEŞLER KUVVETİNDE ON İKİNCİ LEM’A

Şu Yirmi İkinci Söz’ün On İkinci Lem’a’sı, öyle bir bahr-i hakaiktir ki bütün yirmi iki Söz ancak onun yirmi iki katresi ve öyle bir menba-ı envardır ki şu yirmi iki Söz, o güneşten ancak yirmi iki lem’asıdır. Evet, o yirmi iki adet Sözlerin her birisi, sema-i Kur’an’da parlayan bir tek necm-i âyetin bir lem’ası ve bahr-i Furkan’dan akan bir âyetin ırmağından tek bir katresi ve bir kenz-i a’zam-ı Kitabullah’ta her biri bir sandukça-i cevahir olan âyetlerin bir tek âyetinin bir tek incisidir.

İşte On Dokuzuncu Söz’ün On Dördüncü Reşha’sında bir nebze tarif edilen o Kelâmullah; ism-i a’zamdan, arş-ı a’zamdan, rububiyetin tecelli-i a’zamından nüzul edip ezeli ebede rabtedecek, ferşi arşa bağlayacak bir vüs’at ve ulviyet içinde bütün kuvvetiyle ve âyâtının bütün kat’iyetiyle mükerreren لَٓا اِلٰهَ اِلَّا هُوَ der, bütün kâinatı işhad eder

ve şehadet ettirir. Evet لَٓا اِلٰهَ اِلَّا هُوَ بَرَابَر۟ مٖيزَنَد۟ عَالَم۟

Evet, o Kur’an’a selim bir kalp gözüyle baksan göreceksin ki cihat-ı sittesi öyle parlıyor, öyle şeffaftır ki hiçbir zulmet, hiçbir dalalet, hiçbir şüphe ve rayb, hiçbir hile içine girmeye ve daire-i ismetine duhûle fürce bulamaz. Çünkü üstünde sikke-i i’caz, altında bürhan ve delil, arkasında nokta-i istinadı mahz-ı vahy-i Rabbanî, önünde saadet-i dâreyn, sağında aklı istintak edip tasdikini temin, solunda vicdanı istişhad ederek teslimini tesbit, içi bilbedahe safi hidayet-i Rahmaniye, üstü bilmüşahede hâlis envar-ı imaniye, meyveleri biaynelyakîn kemalât-ı insaniye ile müzeyyen asfiya ve muhakkikîn, evliya ve sıddıkîn olan o lisan-ı gaybın sinesine kulağını yapıştırıp dinlesen; derinden derine, gayet munis ve mukni, nihayet ciddi ve ulvi ve bürhan ile mücehhez bir sadâ-yı semavî işiteceksin ki öyle bir kat’iyetle لَٓا اِلٰهَ اِلَّا هُوَ der ve tekrar eder ki hakkalyakîn derecesinde söylediğini, aynelyakîn gibi bir ilm-i yakîni sana ifade ve ifaza ediyor.

Elhasıl: Her birisi birer güneş olan, Resul-i Ekrem aleyhissalâtü vesselâm ile Furkan-ı Ahkem ki:

Biri; âlem-i şehadetin lisanı olarak bin mu’cizat içinde bütün enbiya ve asfiyanın taht-ı tasdiklerinde İslâmiyet ve risalet parmaklarıyla işaret ederek bütün kuvvetiyle gösterdiği bir hakikati…

Diğeri; âlem-i gaybın lisanı hükmünde, kırk vücuh-u i’caz içinde, kâinatın bütün âyât-ı tekviniyesinin taht-ı tasdiklerinde, hakkaniyet ve hidayet parmaklarıyla işaret edip bütün ciddiyetle gösterdiği aynı hakikati… Acaba o hakikat, güneşten daha bâhir, gündüzden daha zâhir olmaz mı?

Ey dalalet-âlûd mütemerrid insancık! (Hâşiye) Ateş böceğinden daha sönük kafa fenerinle nasıl şu güneşlere karşı gelebilirsin? Onlardan istiğna edebilirsin? Üflemekle onları söndürmeye çalışırsın? Tuuuh, tuf, senin o münkir aklına! Nasıl o iki lisan-ı gayb ve şehadet, bütün âlemlerin Rabb’i ve şu kâinatın sahibi namına ve onun hesabına söyledikleri sözleri ve davaları inkâr edebilirsin? Ey bîçare ve sinekten daha âciz daha hakir! Sen necisin ki şu kâinatın Sahib-i Zülcelal’ini tekzibe yelteniyorsun?

HÂTİME

Ey aklı hüşyar, kalbi müteyakkız arkadaş! Eğer şu Yirmi İkinci Söz’ün başından buraya kadar fehmetmişsen on iki lem’ayı birden elinde tut. Binler elektrik kuvvetinde bir sirac-ı hakikat bularak arş-ı a’zamdan uzatılıp gelen âyât-ı Kur’aniyeye yapış. Burak-ı tevfike bin, semavat-ı hakaikte urûc et, arş-ı marifetullaha çık.

اَش۟هَدُ اَن۟ لَٓا اِلٰهَ اِلَّا اَن۟تَ وَح۟دَكَ لَا شَرٖيكَ لَكَ de. Hem لَٓا اِلٰهَ اِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَح۟دَهُ لَا شَرٖيكَ لَهُ لَهُ ال۟مُل۟كُ وَ لَهُ ال۟حَم۟دُ يُح۟يٖى وَ يُمٖيتُ وَ هُوَ حَىٌّ لَا يَمُوتُ بِيَدِهِ ال۟خَي۟رُ وَ هُوَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَى۟ءٍ قَدٖيرٌ diyerek bütün mevcudat-ı kâinatın başları üstünde ve mescid-i kebir-i âlemde vahdaniyeti ilan et.

سُب۟حَانَكَ لَا عِل۟مَ لَنَٓا اِلَّا مَا عَلَّم۟تَنَٓا اِنَّكَ اَن۟تَ ال۟عَلٖيمُ ال۟حَكٖيمُ

رَبَّنَا لَا تُؤَاخِذ۟نَٓا اِن۟ نَسٖينَٓا اَو۟ اَخ۟طَا۟نَا رَبَّنَا وَلَا تَح۟مِل۟ عَلَي۟نَٓا اِص۟رًا كَمَا حَمَل۟تَهُ عَلَى الَّذٖينَ مِن۟ قَب۟لِنَا رَبَّنَا وَلَا تُحَمِّل۟نَا مَا لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهٖ وَاع۟فُ عَنَّا وَاغ۟فِر۟لَنَا وَار۟حَم۟نَا اَن۟تَ مَو۟لٰينَا فَان۟صُر۟نَا عَلَى ال۟قَو۟مِ ال۟كَافِرٖينَ ۝ رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغ۟ قُلُوبَنَا بَع۟دَ اِذ۟ هَدَي۟تَنَاوَهَب۟ لَنَا مِن۟ لَدُن۟كَ رَح۟مَةًاِنَّكَ اَن۟تَ ال۟وَهَّابُ ۝ رَبَّنَٓا اِنَّكَ جَامِعُ النَّاسِ لِيَو۟مٍ لَا رَي۟بَ فٖيهِ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا يُخ۟لِفُ ال۟مٖيعَادَ ۝

اَللّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ وَ سَلِّم۟ عَلٰى مَن۟ اَر۟سَل۟تَهُ رَح۟مَةً لِل۟عَالَمٖينَ وَ عَلٰى اٰلِهٖ وَ صَح۟بِهٖ اَج۟مَعٖينَ وَار۟حَم۟نَا وَ ار۟حَم۟ اُمَّتَهُ بِرَح۟مَتِكَ يَا اَر۟حَمَ الرَّاحِمٖينَ اٰمٖينَ

وَ اٰخِرُ دَع۟وٰيهُم۟ اَنِ ال۟حَم۟دُ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ ال۟عَالَمٖينَ

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Yirmi Birinci Söz ⇐ | Sözler | ⇒ Yirmi Üçüncü Söz

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