Ahmadiyyat or The True Islam — Page 96
96 realization by inference. In this stage a thing is not itself visible but its effects are visible from which a man can conclude that the thing exists. The second stage is ‘Ain- ul-Yaq i n , that is to say, knowledge or realization by sight. In this stage not only are the effects of a thing visible, but the thing itself is seen, although its nature has not been completely realized. The third stage is the stage of perfect realization or experience, that is to say, as complete an understanding of the nature of a thing as it is possible for a man to have, both through observa- tion of its effects on others and realization of its effects on himself. This is called H aqq-ul-Yaq i n , or perfect realization. These three stages may be illustrated by reference to the knowledge and realization of fire. When a man sees smoke from a distance, he concludes that there must be a fire from which it issues, but he cannot be certain, for there is the possibility that his eye might be mistaken and what he imagines to be smoke may be merely dust or mist. But if he draws nearer and sees the flame with his own eyes, his certainty will increase, but perfect realization of the nature of fire cannot be achieved till he puts his hand in it and experiences its burning effect. There are other sub-divisions of these stages of realization, but these are the principal ones, and man is constantly striving to attain them. We find that when a child begins to grow up, he wants to realize the nature of everything and is not afraid to put his hand in the fire to experience its effects. I imagine few chil- dren have not, at some time or other, scorched their hands in an attempt to discover the effects and nature of fire.