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In The Name of God, The Mercifull, The Compassionate Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth; in the alternation of the night and the day; in the sailing of the ships through the ocean for the prophit of mankind; in the rain which God sends down from the skies, and the life which He gives therewith to an earth that is dead; in the beast of all kinds that He scatters through the earth; in the change of winds, and the clouds which they trail like their slaves between the sky and the earth; -(Here) indeed are Signs for a people that are Wise Qur'an, 2:164 |
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Man has been sent to this world as an official and guest, and has been given abilities of great significance. And he has been entrusted with important duties in accordance with those abilities. In order to employ man in fulfilling those aims and duties, powerful encouragement and severe threats have been made. We shall here summarize the fundamentals of worship and of man’s duties, which we have explained at length elsewhere, so that the mystery of ‘the Most Excellent of Patterns’ may be understood. On
coming into the universe man has two aspects of worship and being a slave
of God’s. One is worship and contemplation in the absence of the
Object of Worship. The other is worship and supplication in His presence
and addressing Him directly. First
Aspect: It is to affirm submissively the sovereignty of dominicality apparent
in the universe and to observe its perfections and virtues in wonder. Then
it is to proclaim and herald the unique arts which consist of the inscriptions
of the Sacred Divine Names and to display them to others. Then
it is to weigh on the scales of perception the jewels of the dominical
Names, which are all like hidden treasures; it is to appreciatively affirm
their value with the discerning heart. Then
it is to study and ponder over in wonder the pages of beings and leaves
of the earth and sky, which are like missives of the pen of power. Then
through beholding admiringly the adornment and subtle arts in beings,
it is to feel love for knowledge of their All-Beauteous Creator, and to
yearn to ascend to the presence of their All-Perfect Maker and to receive
His favours. Second
Aspect: This is the station of presence and address wherein man passes
from the work to the producer of the work and he sees that an All-Beauteous
Maker wants to make himself known and acquainted through the miracles
of His own art, and he responds with knowledge and belief. Then
he sees that an All-Compassionate Sustainer wants to make himself loved
through the fine fruits of His mercy. So through confining his love and
worship to Him, he makes himself love Him. Then
he sees that an All-Generous Bestower is nurturing him with the delights
of bounties material and immaterial, and in return he offers Him thanks
and praise with his actions, conduct, words, and as far as he can, with
all his senses and faculties. Then
he sees that an All-Beauteous and Glorious One is announcing His tremendousness
and perfections, and glory and beauty in the mirrors of these beings,
and is drawing attentive gazes to them. So in response he declares: “God
is Most Great! Glory be to God!”, and in humility prostrates in love
and wonder. Then
he sees that a Possessor of Absolute Riches is displaying His boundless
wealth and treasuries amid an absolute munificence. So in response, exalting
and praising Him, he entreats and asks for them, expressing his utter
need. Then
he sees that the All-Glorious Creator has made the face of the earth like
an exhibition and displayed on it all His antique works of art. So in
response he exclaims in appreciation: “What wonders God has willed!”,
and in admiration: “What blessings God has bestowed!”, and in
wonder: “Glory be to God!“, and in astonishment: “God is
Most Great!” Then
he sees that in His palace of the universe a Single One of Unity has struck
seals of unity on all beings with His inimitable signature, and with His
stamps, signets, and cyphers particular to Him; that He inscribes the
signs of His unity; and planting the banner of unity in every region of
the world, He proclaims His dominicality. And he responds with assent,
belief, submission, worship, and affirmation of His unity. Thus,
through worship and contemplation of this kind he becomes a true man.
He shows that he is on the Most Excellent of Patterns. Through the auspiciousness
of belief he becomes a reliable vicegerent of God’s on earth worthy
of bearing the Trust. From The Risale-i Nur Collection |