BB00363: Answer to one of the relatives

He is God, exalted is He

Most honored Qibla, and mother of bounties—I have recited the verses of the two noble pages of sermons. The Arabic folio [BB00407], prepared for the deliverance of all, shall be submitted to your noble sight, that it may ease the heart and quiet the soul.

In brief, as matters truly stand: a portal of knowledge and the secret of recognition and the oneness of the Lord of all worlds, through His hidden grace, was bestowed upon this lowly one; and from the scant utterance of my own soul its disclosure appeared. This was, indeed, a most grievous error, for such a charge pertained to my own self and to none other. Certain of the learned, beholding these traces, through the goodly opinion of their hearts, conceived for me a station and a charge; they espied a “tradition” that seemed to accord with the canons of the people and, by the tenor of “then let them bring a tradition like unto it,” affirmed it out of the fairness of their nature.

There is no doubt that I have not been, nor am I, versed in the formal disciplines of the doctors; rather, from the tongue of innate nature there issued supplications and verses which, in very truth, conform to the wonted practice of the People of God—upon them be God’s peace. God is my witness—and sufficient am I, myself, as a witness—that no one is charged to believe all reports. Let all seekers write to the surrounding regions, and let it be incumbent upon those who affirm to refer the matter back to their own selves. Whoso is a true seeker should behold one who is encompasser of all the disciplines and follow him.

Convey my salutations to the august Qibla, Ākhund Mulla Muhammad-Taqi of Harat, and say: bring the people forth from wavering and unthinking assent; refer them back to their own selves. It is not lawful for anyone to come to this town, for I make no claim to any cause; and the decree standeth firm that sedition is more grievous than killing.

Let the copy of the Arabic folio be conveyed by the students to every land, that all may be assured that I am but a servant—without learning and without claim. Whoso pronounceth concerning this lowly one a judgment of belief to the weight of an atom, God, the All-Knowing, shall question him thereof on the Day of Resurrection. God, and the people of His love, are witnesses and seers that I make no claim that would render obedience to me incumbent upon anyone. The writings that might seem to indicate such a station revert to the poverty of this insignificant one and carry no binding authority. Let the people of certitude likewise be turned away from that matter by this very page, that all may be delivered.

Return the two enclosed pages to their owners, for I am not [what some have supposed]. In the month of Ramadan many writings were assembled; I wrote fourteen prayers to solace my grief and alluded therein to replies for all. Among them was a prayer for the one whose name you had indicated; its last copies were penned, but not collated. And since it was written in shikasta script and in utmost haste, the scribe cannot easily read it. It is possible, according to the rules of some, that certain passages may not prove correct; otherwise, innate nature is, in truth, aligned with reality and with the sound, established conventions.

This prayer consisteth of the mention of Divine Unity and of grace unto God; it harmeth no consensus. But if any would take it as a proof for a legal ruling, it is no proof; and whoso acteth upon it is culpable. All reports have been made that, God willing, deliverance may be obtained for myself and all.