The Heavenly Decree — Page 35
35 they indeed are the real sun and the real moon of the world. It is evident from this discourse that such persons are the objects of human existence, nay, they are the very core of life. What to talk of the human race, they are in fact the pillars for the survival and existence of all creatures. What use would be the idols and what would [human] endeavours avail, if it were not for them? This is a fine mystery which cannot be grasped through worldly wisdom alone; rather it requires the light that is given to the enlightened ones. The fact is that all such doubts can be removed through a contest. For it is in a contest that Allah wills to demonstrate the honour of the one who is truly His chosen one and is granted true blessings. If an idolater stands in a contest against someone who believes in One God to determine whose prayers find acceptance, the idolater will suffer great humiliation and disgrace. As I have said earlier, it is for this reason that there is no simpler way to find out the perfect believer than a contest. All the stratagems of Europe and America, and the most fervent appeals to all the idols of the world and the supplications of the whole of mankind will not reverse a matter in which the prayer of a perfect believer has failed, and of which failure he has been Divinely informed. Although the beneficence of the perfect believer encompasses the whole world and