Haqiqatul-Wahi (The Philosophy of Divine Revelation) — Page 821
CHAPTER TWO 821 the light of which you do not see and which you deny after they have made their appearance. Why do you not ponder concerning my case? Had you ever heard of my name before my Lord gave the news? I was hidden like an ordinary person who was not mentioned amongst the elite or the commoners. For a long while I remained unworthy of any mention, and I lived like one whom people considered forsaken. My town was far too isolated to be the destination of travellers and lowly in the eyes of its beholders. Marks of its heyday had been obliterated, and residing in it was disliked. Its blessings had dwindled and its pains and troubles had increased. People living in it were like animals. Because of their obvious degradation, they invited [the rebuke of] the reprover. They did not know what Islam is, or what the Quran and its command- ments are. Therefore, it is from the extraordinary decrees of God and unusual acts of His Omnipotence that He raised me from this desolate place in order that I may serve like a spear against the enemies of the Faith. And He gave me the glad tiding in the period of my obscurity and in the days of my acceptance, that I will soon become the recourse of the masses, and an impregnable wall against the onslaught of the dis- believers; I will sit at the head chair and I will become like a protective chest for the hearts. They will come to me from every distant track with gifts and all that is valuable. This is heavenly revelation from the Lord of Majesty. It is not a concocted statement, nor is it a product of selfish motives. It was, on the contrary, the promise of my Most Exalted Lord, which had been documented, published, and publicized to the entire world before its fulfilment and it was dispatched to cities and towns. Then it became manifest like the midday sun, and you see people flock- ing to me with gifts that are beyond count and enumeration. Is there not a Sign in this for those who have wisdom? If you consider me a liar, then reveal my secret to mankind and expose what I hide. Inquire from the residents of this town; maybe you will find assistance from my enemies. I have laid out this case to you so that you may investigate and be rightly guided.