The Light of Truth — Page 492
492 THE LIGHT OF TRUTH-PART TWO delusions which resemble a mirage. Prominent people were deceived by them, considering the spring of punishment to be sweet. The ulama assumed the position of casting doubt and employing deceit and mis- led the people. They rejected the word of [Muhammadsas] the Truthful, [Hakam] the Arbiter. They distorted the truth like the corruptive Antichrist, committed excesses in mischief, and presented clear deceit. The truth, which shines like the sun and illuminates the hearts, is that the traditions containing prophecies regarding the future are not all equal; rather, they are of different types and degrees. Some of them are like the bayyināt [clear Signs] while others are like the mutashābi- hāt [open to varying interpretations]. Hence, with regard to such a prophecy, the light of whose manifestation has become clear; the rays of whose light have come into view; whose truthfulness and veracity have become apparent; whose ways and path have been revealed; which has been recognized by the intellects of the wise; and which has been witnessed by those who testify with the use of reason; it becomes clear that the prophecy possesses an excellent reputation due to the jewel of truthfulness [it possesses]. Furthermore, it was examined and inves- tigated to the maximal extent; it remained neither like a mysterious secret nor an abridged word. Rather, the truth became clear and shone brightly. Everything that heals the sick and quenches the thirst of the parched has been gathered and a group of eye-witnesses has seen it. ¹ Accordingly, this prophecy has come to be included in the series of bayyināt and no weakness can be attributed to it, even if thousands of narrators and reports of the trusted ones should oppose it. This is because eye-witnessed observations cannot be refuted by historically transmitted reports, and axioms cannot be disproved by theories. For example, if you know that you are alive and well, then how can you affirm your death based [exclusively] on an abundance of testimonies? Likewise, when a matter has become clear and evident, it cannot 1. Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, jild al-awwal, musnad 'Abdullah bin 'Abbās, Hadith 1842, 'Alamul-Kutub [Publisher]