The Mirror of the Excellences of Islam — Page 196
PREFACE FOOTNOTE 195 reason alone has no access and so that it might disclose to him those fine mysteries which cannot be solved through reason. Here, by rev- elation, we mean the revelation of the Quran which has disclosed to us that the purpose of the angels in releasing shooting stars is to drive away satans. That is, it is the type of spreading of light by the angels, which combines in it a part of their light. It affects the darkness of the jinns and reduces their characteristic activities. And if the diffu- sion of this light is in a high degree, then on account of its magnetic attraction perfect manifestations of light are created from among men. Otherwise, this diffusion of light on account of its angelic quality pulls hearts towards light and righteousness and this is a quality the proof of which has always been displayed practically in the world. Thousands of things in this world possess qualities which are beyond human comprehension and man cannot offer a rational argu- ment for their existence, but he cannot deny their existence either. Therefore, to deny this established fact solely on the basis that our intellects are unable to comprehend it, is foolishness and nothing else. Has human reason comprehended all the minute qualities which are found in the physical bodies and objects to justify the objection as to why the explanation given for the diffusion of spiritual ‘'light' as the result of the falling of stars, should have remained undiscovered by reason? As we have already stated, we do not need to constrain reason to accept this explanation. Indeed, human intellect, up to the extent of its power of comprehension, accepts and does not deny this explanation; for, after admitting the existence of angels and recogniz- ing that they are appointed to discharge certain duties, human reason must also admit that the phenomena of falling stars take place through the agency of angels, and that angels carry out the command of the Beneficent Lord for the realization of some special object. To admit so much is to place sane reason on the ladder of; progress. Doubtless, having admitted this much, sane reason will not-like the atheists and scientists-regard falling stars as useless phenomena. On the other hand, it will be inclined to the view with perfect persuasion that such