The Mirror of the Excellences of Islam — Page 195
194 Ā'ĪNA-E-KAMĀLĀT-E-ISLĀM―DĀFI‘UL-WASĀWIS operate in a vain and purposeless way, but have a purpose in all that they do. Thus, it would have to be acknowledged that they have a purpose in the release of shooting stars and, as reason is unable to perceive that purpose, it is useless to ask reason to solve this mystery. If at all reason has any relevance in resolving this mystery, it is only to the extent that sane reason cannot propose that the beings who possess will, under- standing, and good sense, would act in a way that is futile, baseless, and without any appropriate and essential objectives. Thus, sane reason may fully comprehend that whatever diverse changes, disturbances, and manifestations are taking place in the heavenly and earthly bodies and the celestial world is not limited to observable causes, but rather, there are other factors-possessing awareness, will, understanding, plans, and wisdom-for these events. With such an insight, reason will acknowledge that all these earthly or heavenly changes and movements that we observe are not pointless, absurd, and vain. Rather, they con- tain hidden objectives and purposes regardless of whether they may be understandable to us or above and beyond our understanding. In the context of this admission, sound intellect will be compelled to make the same admission about the falling of stars-that it is not a futile act- t-for, it is utterly impossible to believe that the beings who stick to understanding, planning, and wisdom would persist in an absurd act since eternity. So, even though reason may fail to compre- hend it fully, yet, after agreeing with the existence of angels and their assigned functions, it will at least understand that none of their actions is vain and pointless. With this admission, even though reason may fail to comprehend the detailed reasoning for the falling of stars that are in the will and minds of the angels, it would understand, in a general way, that with- out a doubt there are objectives behind this activity just like the other acts of angels. Since reason is incapable of comprehending its details, it would be dependent on some other means which is beyond the lim- its of reason. That means is revelation which is bestowed upon man for the purpose of carrying him to those insights and verities to which