The Second Valley
Categories: THE FOUR VALLEYSSources: Ebook Of The Seven Valleys And The Four Valleys
If the wayfarer's goal be the dwelling of the Praiseworthy One
(Mahmud),(99) this is the station of primal reason which is known as the
Prophet and the Most Great Pillar.(100) Here reason signifieth the divine,
universal mind, whose sovereignty enlighteneth all created things--nor doth
it refer to every feeble brain; for it is as the wise Sana'i hath written:
How can feeble reason encompass the Qur'an,
Wouldst thou that the mind should not entrap thee?
Teach it the science of the love of God!
On this plane, the traveler meeteth with many a trial and reverse. Now is
he lifted up to heaven, now is he cast into the depths. As it hath been
said: Now Thou drawest me to the summit of glory, again Thou castest me
into the lowest abyss. The mystery treasured in this plane is divulged in
the following holy verse from the Surih of THE CAVE:(101)
And thou mightest have seen the sun when it arose, pass on the right of
their cave, and when it set, leave them on the left, while they were in
its spacious chamber. This is one of the signs of God. Guided indeed is he
whom God guideth; but for him whom He misleadeth, thou shalt by no means
find a patron.
If a man could know what lieth hid in this one verse, it would suffice
him. Wherefore, in praise of such as these, He hath said: Men whom
neither merchandise nor traffic beguile from the remembrance of
God....(102)
This station conferreth the true standard of knowledge, and freeth man
from tests. In this realm, to search after knowledge is irrelevant, for He
hath said concerning the guidance of travelers on this plane, Fear God,
and God will instruct thee.(103) And again: Knowledge is a light which
God casteth into the heart of whomsoever He willeth.(104)
Wherefore, a man should make ready his heart that it be worthy of the
descent of heavenly grace, and that the bounteous Cup-Bearer may give him
to drink of the wine of bestowal from the merciful vessel. For the like
of this let the travailers travail!(105)
And now do I say, Verily we are from God, and to Him shall we
return.(106)
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