The Sixth Truth

The Gate of Majesty and Eternity: The Manifestation of the Names al-JalīlAllah, the Majestic, Whose greatness, glory, and majesty are beyond all measure. and al-BāqīAllah, the Everlasting, Whose existence never comes to an end.

Is it at all possible that the Ruler of this universe—Who, through His awe-inspiring Lordship, governs all creation, from atoms to trees and stars, as obedient soldiers and keeps them under His command—would give attention only to the wretched and transient beings who live as guests in this world for a temporary life, yet not create an eternal and everlasting realm where His exalted and majestic Lordship will be manifested?

Indeed, majestic acts such as the changing of the seasons, tremendous events such as the movement of the planets traveling like aircraft, awe-inspiring subjugations such as making the earth a cradle and the sun a lamp for humanity, and vast transformations such as reviving and adorning the dead and dried-up face of the earth all show the existence of a tremendous sovereignty ruling over this universe with magnificent majesty. Truly, such a majestic sovereignty requires subjects worthy of it and a fitting place in which to manifest itself.

Yet the subjects of the Ruler—who, in terms of their capacities, are the most comprehensive and important among all creatures—remain in this world temporarily as guests in a miserable state. As for this world, this guesthouse, it is filled and emptied every day. Moreover, all the subjects remain for a short time in this place of trial, this world, so that their worship may be tested. And as for this place, it changes every hour. Furthermore, all the subjects visit this exhibition hall, this world, for only a few minutes in order to behold here the examples of the precious bounties of Sāni-i Dhu’l-JalālAllah, Who creates with perfect artistry and Whose greatness and majesty are boundless. and His wondrous, valuable works of art, like merchants viewing exhibitions, and then they depart. As for this exhibition hall, it changes every minute. Those who have gone do not return, and those who have come depart again.

Indeed, this state clearly shows that behind this guesthouse, exhibition hall, and place there are enduring palaces and eternal dwellings, where the everlasting sovereignty of Allah will be permanently manifested, and gardens and treasuries filled with the pure and precious originals of the examples we observe here in this world. This means that the efforts we make here are directed toward attaining those originals. We are tested here in order to be rewarded there. Everyone will experience there a degree of happiness according to his effort, so long as he does not lose the trial. Indeed, it is impossible that such an eternal sovereignty should be content with transient and mortal creatures.

Now look at this truth through the following comparison, which serves as a telescope:

Suppose you are travelling and come across a guesthouse established by an important person for those who visit him. Every day he spends millions of gold coins on furnishing and decorating this guesthouse, so that his guests may view it for a whole day and understand its value and meaning. Yet the guests see only a very small part of these furnishings and decorations, and can look at them only for a very short time. They benefit from only a small portion of the offered gifts for a brief period and then depart without becoming satisfied. But each guest takes a photograph of the adornments of that guesthouse with his own camera. Moreover, the servants of that important person record and register the actions of the guests with great care. You also see that every day he removes a large part of his valuable decorations and then brings new decorations into his house for the newly arriving guests.