Our God — Page 24
24 The same applies to inquiring about God. A philosopher researches, and so does the seeker, with the same objective—i. e. to find God—but with completely different intentions. The phi- losopher carries out his research with the intention of finding out whether or not there is a Creator of this universe by study- ing the universe; his intention is solely to gain intellectual capi- tal. Beyond His existence, he is not interested in learning about His attributes, His relationship with His servants, the relation- ship His servants should have with Him, or the means to reach Him. He does not desire a relationship with Him, nor does he long for His nearness, nor seek His friendship, nor is he anxious to reach Him or to learn and comply with His will. He wants only to fulfil his academic research. On the other hand, the one who seeks God with true zeal desires to have a true bond with God, wishes to attain His friendship and love, yearns to find Him, and aspires to attain ways that will earn God’s pleasure. Can the search of the two be alike? No, never. So, first of all, one must purify their intention and search as a seeker and not as a philosopher, and cul- tivate the eagerness and passion required for the search of truth. Milk would not begin to flow from the breasts of a mother for her infant were the infant to present a serious and appropriate face to the mother and ask the mother to show him whether or not milk is present for his sustenance; rather, milk flows readily and freely for a baby who seeks it with the agony of hunger and cries for it. At such a time, even if the mother should wish, she cannot stop the milk from flowing, and this milk becomes a source of nourish- ment for the baby and saves him from dying. Similarly, God does not manifest Himself to a philosopher; rather, He keeps away from him because He does not want to become a plaything, to be