The Resurrection
The Sixth Aspect
Come now and look! All these magnificent trains, aircraft, machines, storehouses, exhibitions, and activities demonstrate that an immense dominion exists and is being governed.[1]
Such a dominion requires subjects worthy of it. Yet you see how all the subjects are gathered in this temporary residence, and how this place is continually being filled and emptied each day. Likewise, for the purpose of being tested, the subjects are gathered in this training ground, which is altered every hour. And in order to view the examples of the ruler’s precious gifts and exquisite works of art displayed in the exhibitions, they remain in this exhibition hall, which changes every moment, for only a few minutes. Those who have departed do not return, and those who have arrived soon depart.
Indeed, this situation indicates that beyond this residence, training ground, and exhibition hall there exist enduring palaces and permanent dwellings, as well as gardens and treasuries filled with the pure and original realities of these examples. This means that the efforts we make here are intended to attain those realities there.
Here, the ruler employs everyone in service; there, he will reward them. Each person will experience a happiness proportionate to his efforts.
- For example, when a great army on a training ground receives the command, “Take up your arms and fix your bayonets,” it resembles a vast forest filled with sharp, thorn-like trees. And when, on a festive day, it receives the command, “Put on your uniforms and fasten your medals,” the entire parade ground appears like a garden adorned with flowers of every colour. In the same way, when the unconscious plants upon the face of the earth—which, like the angels, jinnSpiritual beings created from smokeless fire., human beings, and animals, belong to the endless soldiers of the Eternal Sultan—receive the divine command كُنْ فَيَكُونُ“Be!” and it is. – The Quran 2:117 in the struggle for survival, that is, “Take up your weapons and equipment and prepare for defence,” the whole surface of the earth, with all its thorn-bearing trees and plants, resembles a mighty army standing with fixed bayonets. Moreover, every day and every week of spring is like a festival day for one of the species of plants. Therefore, each species presents itself in the form of a parade before its Lord, displaying the beautifully embroidered adornments that the Eternal Sultan has bestowed upon it as precious gifts. It is as though all the trees and plants are obeying the command of their Sustainer: “Adorn yourselves with the ornaments bestowed upon you by your Lord and with the embroidered works brought forth by His creative power in the form of flowers and fruits.” Thus, the face of the earth resembles a vast army assembled on a magnificent festival day, arrayed in colourful uniforms and adorned with splendid decorations for a grand parade. Indeed, such purposeful and perfectly ordered equipment and adornment clearly demonstrate to all who are not blind that everything comes about by the command of an All-Powerful Sultan and an All-Wise Ruler. ↩︎