Haqiqatul-Wahi (The Philosophy of Divine Revelation) — Page 29
CHAPTER III وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ بِشَيْءٍ مِنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِنَ الْاَمْوَالِ وَ الْاَنْفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ وَبَشِّرِ الصُّبِرِينَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُمْ مُصِيبَةٌ قَالُوا إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَجِعُونَ. 1 29 Therefore, by reading these two verses in conjunction, it becomes clear what the practice of Allah is regarding prayers, and what the relationship between the Lord and servant is. I deem it proper to write about this again so that a naive person may not wonder: 'Other people share in many of the aspects that have been described regarding the people at the third level of perfect faith and perfect love, insofar as ordinary people also experience dreams, have visions, and receive revelations. Therefore, what is their distinction?' Although I have answered these concerns many times, I reiter- ate that the difference between the chosen ones and the non-chosen ones is tremendous, as has been briefly described in this dissertation. Notwithstanding, with regard to heavenly Signs, one great difference is this distinction that the chosen people of God—who are suffused with divine light and whose inner selves are consumed by the fire of love-remain dominant over others in every excellence, both qualita- tively and quantitatively. The Signs of divine help and support appear in their favour in such an extraordinary manner, and with such abun- dance, that no one in the world can dare to produce their like; for, as I have already mentioned, these people are the perfect manifestation to show the face of God who is concealed. They show the hidden God to the world, and God shows them. And I have previously mentioned, there are three types of people who partake of heavenly Signs. Firstly, those who possess no merit in themselves and have no relationship with God Almighty, but who, on account of their mental compatibility, see some true dreams and witness some true visions, but without manifesting any sign of acceptance and 1. And We will try you with something of fear and hunger, and loss of wealth and lives, and fruits; but give glad tidings to the patient, who, when a misfortune overtakes them, say, 'Surely, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return' (Surah al-Baqarah, 2:156–157). [Publisher]