The Mirror of the Excellences of Islam — Page 155
154 Ā'ĪNA-E-KAMĀLĀT-E-ISLĀM―DĀFI‘UL-WASĀWIS the pure springs of knowledge and subtleties are opened to them, and the sweet blessings of the Almighty flow through their veins and fibres like blood. Now, I turn once again to the main discussion concerning the nature of Islam. It has already been explained what Islam is and what its true essence entails. Following this, it is essential to discuss how this reality, which is called Islam, can be attained, and what means the Noble Quran has prescribed for its attainment. First, it is essential to understand that the 'means of something' refers only to that which, when employed correctly and appropriately, inevitably leads to the desired outcome; whereas using its opposite results in deviation and failure. After this, it should be understood that although the Noble Quran has described many means for attaining the reality of Islam, in truth, they all ultimately fall into just two categories: First, that a person should achieve full and complete faith in the existence of God Almighty, in His perfect Lordship, His absolute power and sovereignty; in His perfect knowledge, His judgment, and His being One without any partner; in the fact of His being [Hayyun Qayyumun―Self-Existing and All-Sustaining]; in His being Omnipresent, All-Seeing, All-Powerful, Eternal, and Everlasting; and, in His being Peerless in all His powers, capabilities, and utmost glory and perfection; so much so that every particle of one's being, as well as of the entire universe, should be seen to be under His control and command; and a picture of [God is supreme over His servants] should appear before one's eyes. Moreover, it should be inscribed upon the heart's tablet in clear and -in God's hand are the king] بِيَدِهِ مَلَكُوتُ السَّمَوتِ وَالْأَرْضِ,bold letters that doms of the heavens and the earth'] so much so that the grandeur, awe, and greatness of God should overpower and replace all the passions of the self with the dazzling rays of their glory, cast an abiding influ- ence over the heart. Moreover, by launching an overpowering attack upon the throne of carnal self, they cast it into the dust of disgrace and shatter it into pieces. With their awe-inspiring manifestations, they