The Mirror of the Excellences of Islam — Page 268
MISCONCEPTION IN NUR AFSHAN 267 new character altogether. In short, deliberating upon his own condi- tion, one should find himself to be a new person and, similarly, God Almighty is seen in a new perspective as well. Such new delights should be experienced in gratitude, steadfastness, and remembrance of God that were completely unknown beforehand. One should feel clearly that he has full trust in his Lord and does not care at all for anything other than Him. The contemplation of the Being of the Holy Creator should dominate his heart to such a degree that every other being dis- appears altogether from his vision of things that exist, and all material means appear useless, contemptible, and of no value. Devotion and loyalty surge up to such a degree that the thought of suffering every type of pain seems easy to bear, and, not only in contemplation, but even the actual experience of calamities and misfortunes is perceived as a delight. When all these signs are present, it can then be understood that the previous existence has suffered total death. The realization of this death brings about amazing strengths in the cause of God Almighty for the seeker. He is endowed the ability to perform those activities that others talk about but cannot perform, to tread upon the paths that others see but cannot traverse, and to carry the burdens that others only estimate but cannot lift. He is granted the ability to carry out all these arduous tasks, not of his own strength, but with the help and assistance of a great power granted by God, which renders him greater than the mountains in firmness and bestows a faithful heart upon him. Then, for the sake of the majesty of God Almighty, such deeds emanate from him, and such feats of sincerity are manifested, that [one realizes] what is the worth of a human being and what is the essence of a son of Adam, that he could accomplish them on his own. He cuts asunder and frees himself from all besides Allah, and removes all intervening barriers and obstructions. He is tested and persecuted and encounters diverse types of trials, and is afflicted with such calamities and misfortunes that would have destroyed the moun- tains and darkened the sun and the moon, but he remains steadfast