protect the Lamp of God. The utter destitution
into which this people have fallen doth surely suffice
them, inasmuch as they have been deprived of
the recognition of the essential Purpose and the
knowledge of the Mystery and Substance of the
Cause of God. For the highest and most excelling
grace bestowed upon men is the grace of "attaining
unto the Presence of God" and of His recognition,
which has been promised unto all people. This is
the utmost degree of grace vouchsafed unto man
by the All-Bountiful, the Ancient of Days, and the
fulness of His absolute bounty upon His creatures.
Of this grace and bounty none of this people hath
partaken, neither have they been honoured with
this most exalted distinction. How numerous are
those revealed verses which explicitly bear witness
unto this most weighty truth and exalted Theme!
And yet they have rejected it, and, after their own
desire, misconstrued its meaning. Even as He hath
revealed: "As for those who believe not in the
signs of God, or that they shall ever meet Him,
these of My mercy shall despair, and for them doth
a grievous chastisement await." (1) Also He saith:
"They who bear in mind that they shall attain unto
the Presence of their Lord, and that unto Him
1. Qur'án 29:23.