Haqiqatul-Wahi (The Philosophy of Divine Revelation) — Page 168
168 HAQIQATUL-WAḤI-THE PHILOSOPHY OF DIVINE REVELATION هَلْ أَتَيْتُكُمْ عَلَى مَنْ تَنَزَّلُ الشَّيطِيْنُ تَنَزَّلُ عَلَى كُلِّ أَفَاكِ أَثِيمٍ. But Satan cannot attack the one in whom he no longer has any part and who has departed from the low life as if he had died and has become a righteous and faithful servant [of God] and has come to Him, as God Almighty says: إِنَّ عِبَادِي لَيْسَ لَكَ عَلَيْهِمْ سُلْطن 2 Satan, indeed, runs towards those who belong to Satan and possess satanic habits, for they are his prey. Moreover, it should be remembered that God's words inher- ently possess a special blessing, majesty, and delight. And, as God is All-Hearing and All-Knowing and Merciful, He replies to the queries of His sincere, righteous, and faithful servants. Such supplication and response can extend over several hours. When a servant asks a question in a dignified and humble manner, he is overcome by a kind of faintness within a few minutes and he receives the response in the veil of this faintness. Then if he submits another question, he again experiences faintness within a short time and finds His response in its veil in the same fashion. God is so Benevolent, Merciful, and Forbearing that if a servant asks questions a thousand times, he receives the answers. But as God Almighty does not stand in need of anything and has regard for wisdom and appropriateness, disclosure of the outcome to some ques- tions not granted in reply. Should it be asked how one would know that those answers are from God Almighty and not from Satan, this I have just answered. Besides, Satan is dumb and his speech is not eloquent and articulate. 1. Shall I inform you on whom the evil ones descend? They descend on every great liar and sinner (Surah ash-Shu'ara, 26:222–223). [Publisher] 2. Surely, you shall have no power over My servants (Surah al-Hijr, 15:43). [Publisher]