The Second Indication

In our parable, we spoke of a noble adjutant. It was stated that anyone who is not blind and who sees his exalted signs will understand that he is the ruler’s most faithful servant and acts by his command. This noble adjutant undoubtedly symbolizes the noble Messenger of Allah (saw)Sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam (Peace and blessings be upon him).

Indeed, for the Creator of this beautifully adorned universe to be made known, such a noble Messenger is essential, just as rays of light are necessary to reveal the existence of the sun. For just as it is inconceivable for the sun to make itself known without sending out its rays, so too it is inconceivable for divinity to manifest itself without sending prophets.

Moreover, is it at all possible that a beauty of utmost perfection would not wish to reveal itself through an envoy who would disclose it?

And moreover, is it at all possible that a most beautiful and perfect art would not wish to display itself through a herald who would direct attentive eyes toward it?

And moreover, is it at all possible that the Owner of an all-encompassing and majestic dominion would not wish to make known His sole sovereignty—by which He is dependent on nothing, while everyone and everything is dependent on Him—to all created beings, from the smallest to the greatest, through a two-sided envoy? For this Messenger is, on the one hand, a representative who presents the worship of all creation to Allah through his comprehensive worship, and, on the other hand, an authorized Messenger of Allah who, through his prophethood and nearness to Him, proclaims His commands and prohibitions to all created beings.

And moreover, is it at all possible that the One Who possesses an utmost essential beauty would not wish to see the splendor and subtlety of His beauty in created beings, which serve as mirrors for the manifestation of His names, and would not wish to show it to others through a beloved Messenger? Indeed, just as this Messenger is a beloved servant who makes himself beloved to Him through his worship and serves as a mirror for the manifestation of His beauty, so too he is a Messenger who makes Him beloved to all His creation and shows them the beauty of His names.

And moreover, is it at all possible that the Possessor of treasures filled with wondrous, astonishing, and precious things would not wish His hidden perfection to be disclosed through a skilled jeweler and appreciative describer of these works, shown to people’s eyes, and made clear to their understanding?

And moreover, is it at all possible that the One Who has adorned the universe with created beings that express the perfection of all His names, and has decorated it like a palace with astonishing and subtle works of art, would not appoint a guide to show it to others?

And moreover, is it at all possible that the Owner of this universe would not reveal through a Messenger the deeply hidden and difficult-to-uncover secret behind creation—such as the meaning and purpose of all continual changes—and the riddle contained in the three fundamental questions of life: “Who am I? Where have I come from? Where am I going?”