Haqiqatul-Wahi (The Philosophy of Divine Revelation) — Page 167
POSTSCRIPT—RESPONSE TO SOME CRITICS' OBJECTIONS 167 that Tauhid is realized through the Word of God. Whatever else one personally believes is not free from idolatry. Similarly, human effort regarding belief in Scriptures revealed by God is limited to the extent that one should, with sincerity, believe in His Book and follow it with patience. Man has no power beyond this, but God has promised in the verse ['guidance for the righteous'] that whosoever believes in His Book and Messenger, such a one shall be entitled to further guidance; God shall enhance his vision and bless him with His converse and discourse, 2* and shall demonstrate great Signs to him until he will behold His countenance in this very world and realize that his God does indeed exist, and will attain full satisfaction. God's Word says, 'If you have perfect belief in Me, I shall descend upon you, too. ' It is on account of this that Ḥaḍrat Imām Ja'far Ṣādiq, may Allah be pleased with him, says, 'I read the Word of God [the Holy Quran] with such sincerity, love, and eagerness that it flowed from my tongue in the form of revelation too. ' But alas! People do not compre- hend what converse with God is and in what circumstances it can be said that God Almighty speaks to a particular person. On the contrary, most ignorant people begin to take satanic suggestion as the word of God, and are unable to distinguish satanic revelations from the revela- tion of the Gracious God. Therefore, it should be noted that the first prerequisite for revelation from the Gracious God is that its recipient should become wholly God's and there should remain no part of Satan in him; for, dogs will invariably gather where there is carrion. That is why God Almighty says: 1. Surah al-Baqarah, 2:3 [Publisher] 2. In fact, perfect submission is indeed that one should acquire the very same colour [i. e. condition] and that very same light should descend upon the I entered into the fire until I became] دخَلْتُ النَّارَ حَتَّى صِرْتُ نَارًا [heart. [ As is said fire myself']. (Author)