The Mirror of the Excellences of Islam — Page 68
PREFACE 67 out internally and externally, as cannot be eradicated by the power of man; rather, its eradication rests in the hand of that All-Powerful God who is [Ḥayyun wa Qayyumun-Living, Self-Subsisting and All-Sustaining], the One who changes the seasons and alternates the times, and showers rains of mercy following a drought. And, as you can see, the intensity of heat ultimately draws the rain. In a way that, when the heat reaches its extreme and arrives close to the point of exterminating humans, then, by the perfect wisdom of the Eternal Maker, this heat triggers a powerful effect upon the seas and, owing to the intensity of that heat, vapours arise from the seas. Then, the air from the seas-which is cold and heavy and possesses the capacity for retention-absorbs the vapours and, like a pregnant woman, is filled by them; and it is pushed by the winds of the surrounding vicinity, which are moved naturally, and stir it into motion—thus becoming the impe- tus behind the phenomenon of that air moving naturally in the shape of clouds towards the land where the air is hotter, thinner, lighter, and offers less resistance. Then it rains to the same degree as warranted by the intensity of the heat. The same is the case with spiritual rain, which—like physical rain— has been descending since time immemorial in its due seasons; in other words, just as during the days of drought when the drought reaches its ultimate extreme, the heat and desire of the eager souls are at once acti- vated fervently. Then that heat conveys its burning intensity and pain to the Sea of Mercy, which is an endless ocean. Thereupon, the Sea of Mercy ordains its remedy and the luminous vapours of gratuitous [divine] grace begin to emanate. Then the nearby angels-who remain cold to the movement and passion of their selves, are extremely light and are the embodiment of [they do what they are commanded]— imbibe those graces. Then, the people who have the spiritual tempera- ments connected with those angels, who are Prophets, Messengers, and Muḥaddathin [recipients of Divine revelation], stir those graces into motion through their consummate zeal for the Divine and, themselves becoming the impetus, rain down at the opportune moment to those