36 - SECOND VOLUME, TWENTY-FOURTH LETTER

This letter, written for Hadji Muhammad Firketî, explains that no substance can be a mirror for Allâhu ta’âlâ:

Hamd be to Allâhu ta’âlâ and salâm to His slaves whom He has chosen and loves!

The valuable letter, which you sent on account of your deep love for these faqîrs and your faithful attachment to us, has pleased us so much. Your attachment will make you permanently together with the people you are attached to. It will make their nûrs flow into you and be reflected on you. You must be extremely thankful for this blessing! Qabz, i.e. distress, suffering, and bast, i.e. joy, are like two wings that make a person fly. Do not be sad at times of distress. And do not be glad at times of joy!

You write that you wish to see Allâhu ta’âlâ everywhere and in everything.

My dear child! Could it ever be the case that a slave have wishes and forget about the commandments? A slave’s wishes will be in direct ratio to his short sight. And the wish to see Allâhu ta’âlâ is a sign of short-sightedness. Could objects and substances ever be mirrors for Allâhu ta’âlâ? What is seen in the mirror of these creatures is only one of the innumerable reflections of His Attributes. Allâhu ta’âlâ should be looked for as a Being who is the wara’ of the wara’ [beyond the beyonds]. He should be looked for far from and beyond the things within and without man. The grade wherein you are progressing now is above your wishes. Mind you don’t look at others, turn back, and fall down from heights! The path guided by our superiors leads up to vertiginous heights. Allâhu ta’âlâ loves people who wish to progress to high grades. I pray for you so that you never forget Him, not even for a short moment, and so that you be in good terms with everybody!

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