The Light of Truth — Page 373
REFUTING OBJECTIONS word of our Prophet ended up being true and just. So fear Allah and do not be among the doubters. From this it becomes evident that the one who disputes this proclamation, and holds that the sun will eclipse on the 27th or in the middle of Ramadan itself [i. e. the 15th] has lied. Such a one has neither understood the word of Allah's Messengersas, nor has he attained knowledge. Rather, he has erred in this matter due to lack of material possessions, and poverty. In the same manner he has erred with regard to the lunar eclipse on the first night'; indeed, he is not among those in the right. I did not say this of my own accord, but rather, this is ilhām [a divine inspiration] from the Lord of all the worlds. This is that age wherein mankind shall be brought together the way that the moon and the sun were brought together and wherein afflictions have drawn near. So take heed, O people! What is the matter with you that slumber leaves you not? No humiliation will befall the one who is from Allah. So contrive with all your cunning, but you will never drive away the mountain from you, nor will you ever defeat Allah, O ye sons of the misguided! He is the Mighty and the Master of Glory and has placed covers over your hearts; hence, you do not understand His secrets and you have become a people upon whom veils have been draped. Satan caused you to slip due to some of your evil deeds, so you failed to comprehend the truth and fell into doubt and began to follow the worst companion [i. e. Satan]. If you refuse to accept that which has become manifest, akin to a brazen denier, and consider this to be an inauthentic hadith and not from the Best of Messengers, then bring forth anything similar to it in the years that have passed since the earlier eras up to the pres- ent time- if you are truthful. And show me a book wherein there is mention of a man who claimed to be from Allah, the Gracious; and that he was the blessed Mahdi, raised by the Generous Benefactor; 373