The Shining Lamp — Page 12
12 sense that Ibn-e-Maryam [the Son of Mary] was a k a fir in the view of the Jewish Pharisees. I enjoy God’s grace even more than he did, but you cannot bear this. Be fully forewarned—it is not easy to call me a k a fir. You have taken upon yourselves a heavy burden and you will be called to account for all these allegations!! O ye unfortunate people! Where have you fallen? Which of your hidden misdeeds has overtaken you? Had you the least amount of good in you, God would not have wasted you. You have squandered a tremendous reward, but there is yet some time, so desist. Will you fight God like a fool who fails to withdraw from a powerful opponent until he is pummelled and trampled upon, ultimately falling half dead with broken bones? What did the Jews gain by fighting that you will? ُ هٰذَا وَبَعْد َ المَوْت ِ نَحْن ُ نُخَاصِم ُ هٰذَا وَبَعْد َ المَوْت ِ نَحْن ُ نُخَاصِم [This is for the world, and we shall contend after death]. The Sufis had also acknowledged a great deal about the ultimate height that man can attain in human perfection. Today they are asleep as well. O ye wise ones! Recognize me through my works. If I do not do the works and do not show the Signs which ought to proceed from one who enjoys Divine support, then do not accept me; but, if such works and such Signs proceed from me, then do not delib- erately jump into the pit of ruin. Abandon the habit of ill think- ing and refrain from entertaining evil presumptions, for the sky is turning red 1 ٭ on account of your slandering a holy [and innocent] 1. ٭ Note: By the testimony that the heaven and the earth are giving for the advent of an Imam is not meant that some bloodthirsty Mahdi or a warrior Messiah will appear. All such thoughts are a result of a lack of un- derstanding. On the contrary, I have been sent with heavenly Signs and intellectual arguments to humiliate those who deny [God] and to instil faith into the hearts through extraordinary manifestations. —Author