The Essence of Islam – Volume I — Page 250
250. Essence of Islam-1 globe as bright as a glittering star, (meaning the pure and holy heart of the Holy Prophet-peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him)-which in its nature is free from all dirt and opaqueness, like a clear mirror and has no relationship except with God). That mirror is as bright as a glittering star, which shines in heaven with great glory (meaning that the heart of the Holy Prophet-peace and blessings of Allah be upon him is so clear and bright that its inner light is displayed on its outer surface flowing like water). That lamp is lit with the oil of a blessed tree, (which is an olive tree). (By this is meant the being of the Holy Prophet-peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him—which is a collection of diverse types of blessings and the grace of which is not confined to any place or age or direction, but is everlastingly flowing and will never be cut off). The blessed tree is neither of the east nor of the west (that is to say, the nature of the Holy. Prophet [peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him] suffers neither from excess nor from deficiency and has been created in the best mould). The oil of the blessed tree by which the lamp of revelation is lit, means the fine bright reason of the Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him] together with the natural high moral qualities which are nourished by the clear fountain of his perfect reason. . The meaning of the lamp of revelation being lit up by the high moral qualities of the Holy Prophet-peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him-is that the grace of revelation descended upon them and they were the cause of the descent of revelation. There is here also an indication that the grace of revelation was in accord with the nature of the Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allāh be on him] the explanation of which is that revelation descends in accord with the nature of the Prophet to whom it is vouchsafed. For instance, the temperament of