In the name of God, the merciful the gracious.—God grant his
blessing upon our lord (seidna) Mohammed. Blessed be He in whose hand is
the kingdom & who is Almighty; who created death & life that he might
make you the best of his works; for he is exalted; he is the forgiver
(of sins,) who created seven heavens one above the other. Do you discern
anything trifling in creation. Bring back your thoughts. Do you see
anything worthless. Recall your vision in earnest. Turn your eye inward
for it is diseased. God has adorned the heavens & the world with lamps,
& has made us missiles for the devils, & given us for them a grievous
punishment, & to those who have disbelieved their Lord, the punishment
of hell & pains of body. Whoever associates with them shall hear a
boiling caldron, & what is cast therein may fitly represent those who
suffer under the anger of God.—Ask them if a prophet (director) has not
been sent unto them. They say, “yes; a prophet has come to us, but we
have lied to him.” We said, “God has not sent us down any thing, & you
are in grievous error.” They say, “If we had listened & been wise we
should not now have been suffering the punishment of the Omniscient.” So
they confess they have sinned in destroying the followers of the
Omniscient. Those who fear their Lord & profess his name, they receive
pardon & great honor. Guard your words, (ye wicked), make it known that
God is all-wise in all his manifestations. Do you not know from the
creation that God is full of skill? that He has made for you the way of
error, & you have walked therein, & have chosen to live upon what your
god, Nasûr has furnished you. Believe on Him who dwells in heaven, who
has fitted the earth to be your support & it shall give you food.
Believe on Him who dwells in Heaven, who has sent you a prophet, & you
shall understand what a teacher (He has sent you.) Those that were
before them deceived them (in regard to their prophet.) And how came
they to reject him? Did they not [↑see] in the heavens above them, how
the fowls of the air receive with pleasure that which is sent them? God
looks after all. Believe ye: it is He who supplies your wants, that you
may take his gifts & enjoy them, & take great pleasure in them. And now
will you go on in error, or walk in the path of righteousness. Say to
them; “He who regards you with care, & who has made for you the heavens
& the earth: & gives you prosperity, Him you think little of. This is He
that planted you in the earth, & to whom you are soon to be gathered.”
But they say, “If you are men of truth, tell us when shall this promise
be fulfilled?” Say to them; “Does not God know? & am not I an evident
Prophet?” When those who disbelieve shall see the things draw near
before their faces, it shall then be told them, “these are the things
about which you made inquiry.” Have you seen that God has destroyed me
or those with me? or rather that He has shewn us mercy? And who will
defend the unbeliever from a miserable punishment? Say; “Knowledge is
from God.” Say; “Have you not seen that your water has become impure?
Who will bring you fresh water from the fountain?”
[Illustration]
O Sheikh Hunter I cannot write my life because I have forgotten much of
my own language, as well as [↑of] the Arabic. Do not be hard upon me my
brother.—To God let many thanks be paid for his great mercy & goodness.