| Kitáb-i-Íqán | 148 |
Dispensation prevented the people of that age from
recognizing that divine Luminary, and from testifying
to His truth. Thou wilt also apprehend the
mysteries of "return" and "revelation," and wilt
securely abide within the loftiest chambers of certitude
and assurance.
And it came to pass that on a certain day a number
of the opponents of that peerless Beauty, those
that had strayed far from God's imperishable
Sanctuary, scornfully spoke these words unto Muhammad:
"Verily, God hath entered into a covenant
with us that we are not to credit an apostle
until he present us a sacrifice which fire out of
heaven shall devour." (1) The purport of this verse
is that God hath covenanted with them that they
should not believe in any messenger unless he
work the miracle of Abel and Cain, that is, offer
a sacrifice, and the fire from heaven consume
it; even as they had heard it recounted in the story
of Abel, which story is recorded in the scriptures.
To this, Muhammad, answering, said: "Already
have Apostles before me come to you with sure
testimonies, and with that of which ye speak.
Wherefore slew ye them? Tell me, if ye are men
