Haqiqatul-Wahi (The Philosophy of Divine Revelation) — Page 161
POSTSCRIPT—RESPONSE TO SOME CRITICS' OBJECTIONS 161 confusion. And since the knowledge of God possesses the perfect power to make human beings perfect, therefore, this Book is perfect guidance for the righteous. It elevates them to the station that is the highest pinnacle for the progress of human potential. God says in these verses that the righteous are those who believe in the Unseen God, establish Prayer, spend a portion of their possessions in the way of God, and believe in the Holy Quran and the earlier Scriptures. They alone stand firmly rooted in right guidance and they alone shall attain salva- tion. These verses show that salvation cannot be attained without belief in the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and without obedience to his instructions regarding Prayer, etc. False are those who forsake the Noble Prophet and seek salvation through mere barren Tauhid. However, the question remains to be solved that, if these people are so virtuous as to believe in the Unseen God, observe Prayer, keep the Fast, spend a portion of their wealth in the cause of God, and 1. Unless a book is perfect in all its four causes, it cannot be called perfect. This is why, in these verses, God Almighty has mentioned all the four caus- es of the Holy Quran, namely: (1) the efficient cause, (2) the material cause, (3) the formal cause, (4) the final cause, and all four are at their perfection. Thus, refers to the perfection of the efficient cause. It means:. i. e أَنَا اللهُ أَعْلَمُ I am God, Knower of the unseen. I have sent down this book. Since God is the efficient cause of this book, the Maker of this book is stronger and more perfect than any other maker. The perfection of the material cause is alluded to by the verse meaning that this book has adorned the cloak of existence from the knowledge of God. There is no doubt that the knowledge of God Almighty is more perfect than all knowledge. The perfection of the formal cause [of the Holy Quran] is alluded to by the verse, meaning that this book is free from every error, doubt, and confusion, and what is there to doubt that the book which has originated from divine knowledge is unmatched and beyond comparison with respect to its authenticity and being free from every flaw. It is most perfect and absolute in being free from every error, doubt, and confusion. The perfection of its final cause is alluded to in the verse meaning that this book is the perfect guidance for the righteous and provides the greatest possible guidance for human nature. (Author)