THE FLASHES

The Twenty-Eighth Flash

Since this is a truth that occupies the attention of the angels throughout the entire heavenly realm, it is made miraculously clear that the revelation reaching the heart of Muhammad (saw), the coming of Jibrīl into his presence, and the truths of the unseen beheld by his gaze are entirely trustworthy and true, and that no doubt whatsoever can enter into them. Thus, the Qur’an, whose eloquence is itself a miracle, proclaims this truth in a wondrous manner.

As for the second matter—namely, that Paradise, despite its great distance and its belonging to the eternal world, is sometimes beheld from very near and that fruits are even taken from it—this can be explained, as may be understood from the mystery of the two preceding comparisons, by the fact that this transient and visible world is merely a veil over the world of the unseen and the abode of eternity.

Although the great centre of Paradise is far away, it may become visible everywhere through the mirror of the ālam-i mithāl. And through īmān possessing the certainty of haqq al-yaqīn, it may, in a certain sense, be represented within this transient world, as though it had particular regions and spheres here.

Through the telephone of the heart, communication may take place with exalted souls, and even gifts may arrive from that realm.

As for the question of how a universal cosmic sphere can concern itself with a minor personal event—namely, that devils ascend toward the heavens to obtain news of the unseen and convey fragmentary reports to soothsayers, as mentioned in the tafsīrs — the reality of this matter should be understood as follows:

It does not mean that they ascend to the very centre of the heavenly realm in order to obtain such minor reports.

Rather, within the heavenly realm, which extends even into the atmosphere, there are certain places that serve as observation posts and are connected with the earthly world.

It is at such places that they secretly listen for news of minor events. Even the human heart is such a place, where the angel of inspiration and the individual's devil contend with one another.

But the truths of īmān and the Qur’an, and the events concerning the prophethood of Muhammad (saw), even when they appear outwardly small, are in reality matters of the greatest and most universal importance.

Therefore, they are, as it were, published in the spiritual newspapers of the universe within the highest and most universal sphere—at the Arsh-i Azam and throughout the heavenly realm—so that they become subjects of attention everywhere.

At the same time, it is made clear that along the entire path from the heart of Muhammad (saw) to the sphere of the Arsh, there is no possibility of interference at any point.

Consequently, the devils have no recourse but to attempt to eavesdrop upon the heavens.

Thus, in a most eloquent and miraculous manner, it is proclaimed and demonstrated how exalted and truthful are the Qur’anic revelation and the prophethood of Muhammad (saw), and that it is utterly impossible for any error, falsification, or deception to find its way into them.

سُبْحَانَكَ لَا عِلْمَ لَنَٓا اِلَّا مَا عَلَّمْتَنَٓا اِنَّكَ اَنْتَ الْعَلٖيمُ الْحَكٖيمُ

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