Haqiqatul-Wahi (The Philosophy of Divine Revelation) — Page 805
CHAPTER ONE IN AL-ISTIFTA' 805 paths of the guilty ones should be exposed and so that Allah may dis- tinguish between the rightly guided and those who had gone astray. God thus disproved their boasts of knowledge, piety, sacrifice, worship, and righteousness. God exposed to mankind the deeds they were hid- ing; He removed their clothing, revealing their emaciation. But God granted safety to those who feared Him and whose hearts trembled. Thus, they were saved from punishment. Moreover, many of the transgressors dragged this servant of God to the authorities so that he may be incarcerated, hanged, or banished from the land. You are well aware of the final and ultimate verdict that God delivered in this encounter. All the bounties and grace that I have mentioned that God granted to this servant of His during times of hardship were announced based upon information received from the Lord of Glory well before they were actually manifested. Do you know of any precedent under the heavens where this ever happened in the case of impostors? If so, then come forward with it and stop this verbal wrangling. Verily, the people wronged him greatly and committed an injustice against him; they encircled him like mountains. But then a clear victory came to him from Allah. Thus, the high were laid low, and whatever they shot recoiled on them and struck them on their skulls and heads. God demonstrated His help in perfect form. But the refuse of mankind ral- lied with full preparation to assist his enemies; however, by God's com- mand, they suffered defeat, and Allah's word alone reigned supreme. All those on whom the enemy relied were found ineffective and God granted His servant success, victory, and triumph in all affairs, in every direction, and under all circumstances. God, who does whatever He wills, invested him with great awe and majesty. Had you only observed the hosts of initiates who have spread across the earth, and the hosts that Allah has gathered for His servant who seeks Allah's pleasure, and the gifts and wealth that came to him from countries near and far, you would certainly concede that it is nothing but Allah's grace, support, and succour, and divinely bestowed honour and grandeur [for him]. But people continued to disbelieve despite witnessing divine