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HADIS-I-HALILA

OR

COIFDTATM OF ATHEISM

Translated

Vali

Mohammed

by Cbhaganblisi

MANAWADAB-K"TBIAWAD

PitUisheA

ly
tftflftifc

NIZ AMIY

AH

BOOK

(Copy rightreserved

Sine Edition

Copies tOOO

Printed

by

T.

P.

Thakor

at

the

Praja

Bamlhu

Printing

Works,

Jethabhai's

PoI0j

Ehadia,

AHMTSDABAD.

In

e"

Oh,

Allah!

May
and

Thy

peace

be

Mohammed

descendants.

This
to

little

book
is

which

give
of of
come

the

public

the

translation
the

Hadls-i-Hallia^
the

tradition It has

myrobalan
to
us

fruit* from

down

Hazrat

Imam of

JMar*U8'Sadik
upon

(May
the sixth

Peace
of of

God Twelve
house

be

him)

the
the

Immaculate

Imikos

of

Mohammed~4he
in the

Prophet,
of
the

He

lived

middle
era*

second
the
most

century

of

Islamic

After

tragic
Hazrat
be upon

massacre

of

the

Third
of

Imam God
the

Huseln.

(May
who

Peace

him)
forces

fought

against

hostile
the

of

ungodly

Omnmyyads.for
faith
of

protection" of the
the

Islam,
his

and

holy

principles, which

grand-

father-the
the

laiddown for Prophet-had guidanceand progress of man;


a

and fell

martyr
the

to

the

eause?

at

Karbala,

whole

family of

the

took the Imams Prophet especially to seclusion. They preferred peaceful of Islam to taking any part, preaching

whatsoever, in the secular dissentibns


then rife in Arabia, "In the of night

they followed miseryand tmhappiness


trulyand
the preceptsof faithfully their ancestor

and

found

consolation

Their ardent in intellectual pursuits.

knowledge,their passionate devotion to the cause of humanitytheir spirit upwardsfar above looking
love of
the literalnessof
common

tions interpretathe

of the law-show and

spirituality

of Islam, The definition "xpansiveness J"far-us-Sidik of by Imam


or

science

some knowledge gives

idea

of their faith in the progress of man/*

of the heart k enlightenment its essence; Truth, its principal objeet; its guide;Reason, Inspzritioa, its
ceptor; ac-

"The

God
of man,

its

and Inspirer,

words

its" utterer.".... While the ......

Ommayyads discouraged the peaceful

of pursuits of mind, the children Fatima (the Imams) with remarkable liberalism favoured learning/'1

As
success

matter

of

fact, whatever
achieved in the

the

Moslems

field of

science, or learning,
its foundation

alisms spirituin the

has had

teachingsof
these Imams

these
were

Imams. the

None

but

authorised

and the exponents of the of the Prophet* Hadises (traditions)

When

the

Prophet
lie

saw

that his time

to leave this transient world

had
sermon

proached, ap-

his preached

last

and

said for

"I

leave The

behind
book

me

two

things

you.

of God

dants (Kitab"lll4all) and my descen(Itarat). If you shall hold fast to them, you
after
me.

They

shall not go astray (Kitab-ul-lah and be

Itarat)
each

shall not

from separated

other, till they reach HattZ*I"

unitedly."2 (inparadise)
It will not be without
am

-1 interest, which

sure,
1. "The

to read this

Spiritof
"c.

Islam".

2, Sahili

Bukhari,

Sahxh. Muslim

shows and
so

the

of their teachings liberality

of One God proves the existence all As it is admitted on vividly*


that beliefin

hands
creator

God, Who

is the

of this universe and to Whom

every

man

for his actions is responsible

in this

world,
this

is

essential for

the

moral I

and

material progress
will

of man,

hope
the
so

supply him
arguments

much
to
are

and lead him food for reflection*

right path.

The

so simple and logical. perfect, Besides there is absolutely nothing of any the to injure susceptibilities man

It
as

to any caste or creed* belonging is equally to the Moslems edifying well as non-Moslems,as the God

preachedin
one

it is not the God is the

of

only

nation, but

God

of all

nations and

all worlds

Alamin).
Perhaps the
find
some

modern

reader will

of the

arguments forwarded
some

by

the Imam

in

contrast to tlio
it must

presentday science,but
understood that the Inum
teach

be

intended to

"God", and

not

the science. The

Imkm,

as

far

as

science the age

was

concerned*

simplyfollowed
In the

conceptions prevalent
to

which

he

be"

longed.
Now
have

must

admit
this

that

translated

Hadis

from Molvi
who other

i4Tanhid"ul-Ainimai9

by
Saheb
many

Syed
has

Mohammed

Haroon

rendered

therebyand
a

valuable
to the

books

substantial service

cause

of Islam,
not

I must
my

also

forgetto
Alam B. V.
me

thank Khan

learned
Dad

friend G.

Mr*

Ala
the

Khan,
has

C. for all
in translating for many

help he
this

given

Hadis

and

other valuable

suggestions.
I have least,
to

And
to tender

last but not the


my
most

cordial thanks J"far

Messrs*

Mohammed

H"jiSharif

Hosein Sileh D0?jee? and Gulam of Africa, for Hasan (Hami-e-Islam)


pecuniary of this book. I for the publication
generous but their most

help
not can-

their kind feelings appreciate


me,

towards

their zealous love for the

diffusion

of

the

teaeliiugs

of

the

Iui;im?,
to

and

the

unostentatious and

services

the

cause

of

religion;
be

pray
to

that

they

zn$y

long

spared

the

community.

Vail

Mohammed

(X

Momin.

2T"th

April

1918

AH"BDA.BAD

(Gujarat)

HADIS-I-HALILA
OR

neMEtiontftkBlyrohihiM
TMTuffaz-Zilbin Omar
"*"""*" letter to Hazarat

Jaufi wrote Imam

Jaffar"asbe upon the "No


among

Sadique (May
Mm)
God'1
that
some

the peace of God

peopleheld
and contested

theory

themselves with groundless arguments.


He
the Imam requested he
to refute these

as atheists, on

(the Imam)

had

dona

occasions* previous

The Imam
of the Most

: "In replied

the

name

Merciful

and

the Most the of

God. May He Compassionate Almighty give us the good sense


a?0r

obedient remaining upon


us

to

His

will,

down drawing

His

pleasure

and mercy. Your


to those
1

letter with reference into crept


out

evils that have

midst
these

dulyto hand* You mention and 'atheisticaldisputes"


become
a

con-

troversies have
our me

menace

to

and JOE desire (Islam), religion to publish a book in condemnation


as

and contradiction of them* done c"

I have

and opponents (for antagonists God) before.

Let

us

offer our

thanks

to God-

the Most
to usl

High-,for allHis blessings incomparable, and for His Hujjat (proof)


and the Justice of trial he tests His favourite as slaves. ordinary
most

with which well


the
as

His

One

of

greatest and
from Him of

important
ment establishtlm

favours

is the

in proof-deep eonvineiDg

Innermost heart

of each creature-thai; has secured the


vow

(He is/ Thus He


of His

of Mdara/at (knowledge all His

Kin

being) from
has
sent

creatures* and

His prophet) Big (through

sacred

book

Qur"n-wbich contains
for all doubts and has done all this for
any

efficacious remedies

God suspicions.
man.

He

has not left him, nor

other

thingdependent upon

Him"
Himself. He

He

has

directly
Is In-

Himself

and these life! when losers^ of God and

the Praised.
in

By my are ignorance^
the existence-

they deny

in the face of allthose

perfect

which surand signs^ round proofs and the earthf The skyf them* wonderful the to things pertaining stence both? evince beyondall doubts the exiof some
creator. These
men

clear

have-

openedfor
to
a

themselves

gate leading

in They seek their incessant worldly Insatiable* pursuits* Their sensual desire has blighted the-

crime*

purity of their hearts. For their and tyranny* God oppression


abandonded dominion
over

them. Satan

has assumed
sealsthe

them, Thus God

hearts of the It is that


man
a

proud and
of

the

arrogant*.

matter

great surprise
himself

perfect still so creation can unreasonably creator, refute the theoryof a perfect The structure of the body, the perfection and its connection of its design with some thing called the spiritual
seeing in

reveal soul,
be of

or

manifest its creator to

men

the

tellect wisdom aocl inextraordinary 1 vow by my lifethat these have bestowed no thoughtupon else they most have or question^

observed this distinct and fection in creation*(e,g. The


the

vivid por-

aod the universe,


once things were

of design that knowledge


not

these

ence), (in existan hesitating un-

should have

called forth
a

affirmation of
xxx,

creator)
the God

Thefre is not

single thing

that does not show who created it

of signs

account
an

I write to you an of the arguments 1 had with


of India. He physician frequently, alwaysdiscus* God" theoryand placing

atheist
me

visited

inghis
"it Once robalan him,

"%"

forth all his arguments in

supportof
to

while

Halila (My* pounding idea


came

fruit), a new
"has existed for

"f his

Universe," said he

denly, sud-

before, eternity
Om eternity.

and

will stillexist for and another

tree grows

withers;one
and dies;

tree lives whilst its brother

link that binds them together existed in the past,and will exist in

the

the

future*

Your
a

claim to the Divine founded


to
can

knowledgeIs
on no

baseless one?

such

actual

proof as
It

the existence called your


a

of God"

justify onlybe

belief-a belief inherited from

forefathers and traditions'1* the


same

with Proceeding he
went
on

force*

to say, that the existence

of various real

thingsof
or

the Universe whether

not

could

only be

mined deter-

of the through the medium live senses. Eyes with which we see* ears by which we hear*nose by which
we

smell,and hands
we

and feel

feet

with

which the

touch

and

Continuing

chain

of his

extent

of hie

arguments to the he self-made principles!


never

*Now said,

I have

known

God

through any
.senses^ and

of the above
cannot

mentioned

therefore believe in will with he

Him,
let
me

But
hear

request that you


those

arguments

which

you

convince others." When

reached
existence His

thus

by which being,

far I said : "I prove His the inherent instinct of each man9
or

whether

an

affirmed atheist

not, has, in him."

can

*f he mind

you say cannot know

so

T He

the

throughany medium $f any thing


that of the fife senses.

but

God, heard His


tasted Him touched Him How
could aYour said Him

you voice*smelled

Have

Him,

tongue, or your with your hands or feet ?


one

with

realize Him

denial of

Godf
have

then
not
us

Is,w
felt
for

I, "because yon
with

the

senses

givento

I too knowing objects, Him

have not

felt
my

with either of them.


as

But

belief is Both this f

strong as

cannot

your disbelief* be right; do you admit

"Most
you
are

he repKed. ''Either certainly*11


or

mistakes

I am/1
"

there is BO right* threatening :you with God's


sore

yoll dangerfor me

ara

ia

for your

disoelief."
in
m

said he, "You shall, 4SNo/' be

danger.1'
"If I
not
am

asked I,lfDo you right/' that you


will suffer the

think

punishmentfor
shall receive from your
a

your

and disbelief,

reward,for being

opinions?1

he replied, "Quite possibly*9 "Will you tellme/1 1 askedf"which of us is the wisersgrantingthe possibility of both the situations ?' belief is

"Oh," He
a

""Your replied.

a groundless assertion, presumption,

while mine
common sense"

is

truth, based
I do not

upon

Him perceive does not

by

my

senses,

therefore He

exist" *fWhen
not

said I, "could senses**, disbelieved percei?e God? you yoar

believed Him, while I,on the contrary, in Him, beeausD my failed to senses discern Him* made
you

The

very

theory that
to

disbelieve^ compelledme

believe in Him/1 "How


is it

T possible

he

asked*

replied, are "things 'Murc"kab* compound.EveryMural"kab possesses shape and colour that
"

"Because," I

attracts the which is felt

senses. or

Therefore

that

known

by

the

senses,

cannot be God. and colour, shape having is foolish^ for disbelief Your argument

be like any of the things by the senses^ perceived because God


cannot
aor
can

He

be said to bear any resemblance which lias to to anything

and decay. ordealof change an undergo is under the one and For,everything the
same

law-the

Jaw

of transformation
our

God and decline,


be you

creator

not can-

by the perceivable
is Murakk'Al
was
or

five senses
a

for,He is not mention;

tiling
" "

which

created
,...,....

He .........If
and

visible to the eye, to the senses. He perceivable

that things visible and perceivable to the are of their being account on senses MurakJcal) and
case

would have resembled the

and created,
no

in that remain*

He would
a

have longer

ed

creator."
nonsense

"What he.

you

talk!" said

I cannot believeunless I **No, per* eeive by any of these five senses*

adhered persistently to his theory, the folly of which I -strove to -point "I charge out, I saidf
so

he Since,

yoii then

for of.

the

very

accused
reason

me

Your

defect you claim is without


argu"

and
are

proofs also* Your


too
on

ments

the

same

lines,as

you you

were thought*

mine; and for which


aversion/1

had l4How

such
can as

an

I be held liable for thehe asked* you?'*

same

defect

"You, in the beginning/' I, replied

reproached "falsely
that my claim
to

me

with

this I

the

knowledge of
and had

God
no

was

purely traditional
basis
now

actual

for

the

fact* That

is imputation

because
that
a

you

to your applicable persistin the theory!

thingnot
of the

known

through th"
is not-existent, wise. proves it other-

medium

senses

though strongevidence
You and
the

the arguments* disregard all messages from God through and the favoured of God. prophets have you

""....Tell me?
corner

visited every

of this world?"
course on*

*0f

not." he said.

I went
or

"Have

you

ever

ed ascend-

which you behold visitedthis sky,

with your eyes* or boon in the bowels of the earth? HaYeyon traversed the dl?ed world,
in every s"al and moved

To presumthroughthe atmosphere? ptuously deny the existence of aa creator, omniscient^ omnipotent you most have been to all these places",

"You know *No",he said,


never/5 I said, "How "Well/9 that He
is not in those
nor can

1 have

you say

where places have be


ewer

your senses been?" ^Perhaps, He may there!"


"I cannot

neither you

living

be

certain* ho

said.

of extraordinary a person "Perhaps intelligence may residein one of those

places/* "As,"I
the
you
went on,

"you

'have admitted

of a creator, probability

I hope,be inducedto admit will,

the ha?e

From certainty.
come

flat denial

you per-

to

from that doubt,

lapsto faith",
*fhis doubt," he said, "isthe of the question anent places that my
10

"senses

have not seen, but I am at loss to understand how a thing be said to exist unless feltby them.9 1 explain fCWell, this,and

bring

the you to a belief through "ofthis HdKfa? "Oh

medium

The yes/" said, "Try.

for It Is one of will be very suitable., the fruits of medical science! in whick 1
am

well versed." "I take the

'JlaKte," I said,
us*

"because it is nearest to

Had

thing any-

it could else been there instead^

also have

provedGod's

existence/'

MurakJ"db (compound) "Everything


is created*

Creation shows
was

creator. that

which 'That,
which

not; Is, And

is,is destroyed by God,


it and
see

God
me

made
you

it. Tell destroyed

do

this "HtduaT

C"I do/'he said.

"Can you
"No."

"

see

"What asked,

is

in its Interior?"

*sThen there must


in this
"see

not be

stone

I said, "for one/9

you

do not

It with your

eyes."

11

f"How

can

I say that f he
not be one/*

replied;

there may

^Nor"

"a kernel hidden persisted^


nor

under the shell


"I know may

colour within?"

he replied^ abotli nothing/

be absent/' "I
am

I said3 sure/1 "you will that it


can

at

ooce

admit

be

had

ia

for all Indian physcians India, agree


on

this

point/1
in their wroog don't admit it/r you
at

"They may be he said,"I opinion/'


"All

said I, "but right/1

least believe that this fruit grows some part of the world." "I have
seen

in

that

place where

it

grows/1
"Then is it this

r-Yes. place

"Will you belieye by the presence of this Halifa that there are other

HaKIas,which
your eyes f

you

do

not

see

with

I asked*

"No/1 he replied This obstinately*


may be the

onlyone
thus

of its kind/1 upon tie-

bent wilfully I asked him, what ignorance,

him Seeing

the Halila .thought it was of a product


come

to be?
a

Whether
or

tree

It had

into existence fifl am

by Itself?

.has is

come

say that it into existence by itself*It


a

not foolish to

the product of emphatically

tree/1

aThen, you
.existenceof
a

admit", said I, lfthd


tree

you ha?e l4Yes" he said* "But I add not seen*3' that the Halifo
tree like all other

which

for all eternity* has self-existed things

Can

you

refute this beliefof mine T

"in connection with "Yes",I said, have the halila"9 from know
11

you
one

seen

the

tree

which it

this

came?

Do

yon

well?" perfectly answered,

he Yes/3

lsDid you see the Jidila before it into existence T -came

*No, how
"Then have

could IT

said I, "it might perhaps/' thus:'happened

it the tree firs% lsWhen you saw "had no halilas*But nert time you
13

saw

believehad. Will you therefore itjit


into existence

that the kaliks

T from the state of non-existence "but I say, I believeit, "Why not;' what
went
to

make

hdila in

in already
course a

the tree!which

due

of time

gotunited and formed


the seed

kalila"
aHad you
seen

which the haiKla sprang up?"I asked* "Yes I

had/'he replied,
consistent perfectly
"that the roots*

*Do"s itsound
to you to

say/said I

bark, leaves and all the branches^ which combined together^ fruits, weigh
many tons, were BO small a seed T

concealed lying

in

saidhe. UI cannot understand "No," how


all these
one

could things seed*"

be

eon*

eealed in

"Will you admit that, they could mi be present in the seed, but came
into existence afterwards T he ''Yes/1 said "But I do not say

that theywere

created by

some

one,.

and you cannot prove it to ma*


14

not?" said I, "If 1 show you a painting, or design you will


it
was

to believe

done

by

on"/1

"Yes/3lie said,
"Doe it not strike halUa is made
upon
a

that this you/1 fixed standard-

colour, size* seed*, special special special of its kernel taste-some portion special is soft, while the rest hard-one portion into another has formed a coalescing is a layer over layer* compound-there and colour over colour?' bodyover body* It has hard material-enveloped a Its structure is. by a soft one* alliedtogether*. of particles composed Its yellowcolour has a whitish tinge*
preserve it from external influences* Roots to convey
a

It has

skin to

moisture* from
the

preserve it sun-lest it be burnt and


that
or the cold-lestitbe ashes,

Leaves

scorched to

T reduced to thinness and loseitsvigour

l4Would it not have asked leavesT


15 he* I4to
cover

been better/"
the seed -with.

"God

was

the

best

judge";1

*Ead replied.

it been covered

the air without* leaves as you suggest^ and vigour it strength which gives would not have reached it. It could
not have been influenced by the cold

which

makes

it robust* The
no

sua

would have had

power

to

ripen
These

it It would have gone rotten,

proportionately to bring the fruitto the divided* help designed perfection by the] powerful wisdom of God-the Almighty/1
#lYoar arguments/3 said

"differentinfluences

he, "have
is

convinced me
created
on

that
some

this haKfa

design underlying
its

Its form."

"The

seed in

rudimentary

said I,"was neither "state/' kerne!nor

shell It had neithercolour nor taste It was only water,**


he said, "Tee," "thfe 1 know."

God/ said I, "had not the drop strengthened of water, which


than a mustard seed, bigger its shape, suggested proportboatelj
was
no

11

If

16

divided its

how could particle^ of water have reached very small drop Its present state of development?

How

could Ithave assumed its present


as

form, tineombiaed
or

it

wae some

with

Presume particles?

develop-

ment.

But it would be in sizeand bulk

and should

onlyhave

consisted in the-

Increase of water* assumed scientifically


it would have had

It could not have


itspresent shapeno

definite shape."

"iYon prove to me3*, he said, "beyond all doubts, the existence of some am Your who. has created these things. its argumentsanent the tree'sgrowth, its mod" of bearing fruit* "development, have convinced the shape of that fruit, creator? But why make it a distinct me. have created Why not say these things themselves of their
own

accord?1

I, "the design "Because,* replied Doea to a perfect intelligence, points


it not?"

"It is "Yes,it does/' He admitted. obvious/'

"Then",I asked,"do you

think it

consistentto Bay that perfect intelligence 17

and wisdom

came

into

non-existence? KNo,"he
"that 1 asked, 'Do you not know/' "that it did not this Haifa is 'JEfdrfis but exist beforej
came

into

And afterwards?

that it also

and returns to non-existence!"

"Yes,I do
'

know

he replied. this*',

*This halila may

be

hddis. But

did not say that itscreator was 'idclw/ and that he could not create his own that he may be possible he may be ^VajiM^ajud" or 4faddisf7 from all eternity)"* (self-existing It being.
is

"A little while

ago* said I, c'you


was

admittedthat the creator could not be


but 'Hddis! Tell
a me

the "H"lil"

"Ilddis.

then,how the fruitwhich is

created

thing (Hddb),
you declare Halila fruit

itself? When
to be
a

created

it thing,

follows thai you do not think it to bo its own creator. If, however, you resume ofargument, your oldstandpoint

in sayingthe "persisting be Its own

fruit to

creator, you

are

18

what

at first you

denied
of

You
telligence! inperfect

consciousness possessed though the und its attributesare

proper

not

known

to

you/1
"How
now

is it"

he

asked, "that I

admit what

1 firstdenied?*

"|Itis thus:9'I

"When replied.
some

admitted the existence of and

you wise

intelligence^ perfect you admitted God* But called It by the name of instead of calling it God- Allah* 4haKla9t
If you had used but a little discretion and reflections you must have realised
that the halila had
or no

power to create

itself/* design *Have


you

other

proofsbesides-

this?'* he asked,"or this is all?" "I ha?e


you tellme *Will many;" I replied,

why

this haMla which you

Is so aay to have created itself,

ficant insigni-

a thing that it powerless from being not save itself can plucked, and devoured?1 squeezed

and

"Because it has Itself'1 he creating


19

onlythe power
said.

of

tolf you
your
.assure

are

inclinedto
so;

ID

do obstinacy^
me
as

bit

at

to

when

this

it did it before created itself-whether or afterwards ? into existence* it came If you say

afterwards, you

are

absurd*

Because it is

for a thing impossible self when


it
was

to create its own

of created. The purport already


assertion would

your

be

that

the
mean

halila
that

made itself twice : It would

itsfirst endeavours consisted IE

creating

ready quite and created, A it created itself agaio* most absurd and impossible theorythe aquisitioE of what is already If you say (Tahsil-e-Hasil)* acquired
and itself,
when it
was

that it created itself before into

it

it is really existence^ stupid, Because it was absolutely be* nothing fore it


came

into existence* How


a

is

thingto non-existing ? You consider create another thing my beliefin an existing that tiling another non-existing thingas absurd*
But you do not consider your own? as to the non-existing thing having the
power to create
an

it possible for

already
20

absurd and stupid. Be yourm thing, self the judge, and tell me whose theoryis absurd and irrational/1

"Yours/'said he,
correct." 'Then

"is the

why

do you

not

itT accept

UI do not

he replied* know/1 "Though that 'Mwmkkab9


not

itisquite clear to me,

the lialilaare things including their


own

creators* But

doubt

arises in my mind that the tree may be the creator of the 'hdlttoti perhaps for the 'halild is the tree/1

productof

the

"Well"
tree then?"

asked

I,

"who

made

the

"Another "This is all the


f

same/1
our

said I,

Else 'Rather fixa limit,


go

arguments
in
a

must

round

and

round

cirelet hayingno goalor termination,


If you want to come believe the creator terminate the
to any conclusion to

be

God^

and

chain
own

of argument for the belief

If you
21

prefer your

of not

at arriving
once

final
upon Ii"f

I will question yoo aDo

more

me/* question

said lie,

"Is it not the tree

I asked,l(t!iat right*, from


the

springs up

Ixtlifa,

after the halila becomes

extinct?

"Yes/' he replied,
*'The tree lives about
a

hundred

death of halila, (which years after the is the creator of the tree)* you think Tell and
me

then,who

makes

preserves the tree Who it thick and strong?

nourishes it,guardsit and


the

provides
say that

leaves? He

Surely you
who

must

it

was

created it. If yon Bay

call the 'halila'the creator, and


that dead

*thing manages things, your


one

tlio abovewords convey

mentioned
no

Because meaning* and ^guardiazf mean

the words *eroator* and the name, dead creator to

and it is impossible for a be


to

Moreover*the tree begins guardian* grow only when the Juxliki

to dissolve and annihilate itself. Whozi

the tree attains fullgrowth,the seed is dead. In this ease

tellme

to

guard!nourish and
not

the tree T

"That 1

can

saki say/"

he.

I asked, don't you believe/' "that It is God the Almighty? Surely

"Why
caa

you

have

no

more

doubts

lingering

in your

mind/*
he said. "Yon have some,** of proofs convincing

"I have
not

yet givenme

His existence*"
"If you absurd
mast in will stillpersist that your

theory
bo known

things existing through the medium


tell you that the

of five senses, let me


senses
can

not know

anythingexcept
The mind

throughthe
is the
true

mind's medium*

It is the mind guide, into close which bringsall tilings the Your assertion is quite affinity*
reverse

of this*You power

hold that the mind


to

lias

no

whatsoever

know

of without the intermeddling Anything a the sonsos-quite wrong assertion."

"Your

new," he argument is quite


it,I must have

said* ''Before I admit

detail^
23

"Then I

to give begin yon

some!"
one-

I said,lsYou mast
sense
or even

know that when


senses

all the

become

deafened, useless,-ears eyes Winded,


the mind smelling power vanished, functions the respective alone regulates of the senses* The mind only guides to perform a particular thing or one done by its sugand things a?oid it; gestion about bring
a

very wholesome

result."
*'Your
a

very
more

me

he said," seems argument3^ it to strong one1 but explain and concisely/" distinctly I. "Do
you

asked "Alright",

know of

that the mind survive the senses?3*

the death

he replied. "But its "Yes,* and the of things vanish knowledge


senses.
so

with

For instance-ears can the

hear,

but not

mind;it is deaf with

the ears/3 l4Do you


a

asked I, "that when know91,


a

mother

birth to gives have


are no

that child,
to act

child'ssenses

power

The
any

unfitto perform quite functionat that period of life/1


senses

24

1 do know* "Tell the


for
senses me

he

replied.
of

then/1said I "which
the suggested

milk, and

child to cry to be cheerful and jolly


senses

when

it sucked It? Which, of the

excited the birds of prey^ and the birds that feed


ones
on

with

to supply their young grain flesh and grainrespectively ?


one

Why

does

feed

on

and flesh"

the

other smaller kind


*water regarding

grain? Again fowl'-why are they


on

able to

swim

on

the

surface

of

the

the water, and those Inhabiting drawn


water?

land into have

and When

die

when

thrown

all the creatures how

the
the

same

senses!

is it possible for

water

fowl to derive the land fowl?

fits greaterbene-

than

Why

do

the

birds of the air


for
a

die,If kept
the

In water

short

time, and
sea

fish-those of

the inhabiting
water

die,If kept out


Do
not

for

while?

these relate

different characteristics of senses


your

theory

of their

all-powerfulness;

and

tellect in-an intellect, suggest a greater

that has created these of birds and

species ordain* fish, intentionally

ed
the

th$t

one

should

live

on

land' and
created

other IE water-that

has

'Circumstances

to suit their necessities?

If

senses

were

powerful consistently
shown
a

they would
not
seen

have

of similarity have has when

action in all the


you
fjever

Also species.

observed the ant which water,

beginsto
the

swim

thrown

into
man

it,and
who

strong and
know
to

clever
art

does not

the

of

swimming, sinks
comes

down

the
a

bottom, and
dead
all

to the

surface

body?

Now

if the

theory
the

that

thingsare
stout

known

by

senses perienced ex-

fee correct,~why does not the wise


man

use

his

senses

in

order to

save

his life as the ant does?


also know

Do
-the
sent

you

not

that the

mind,
pre* in
a

treasure

house of wisdom-is
as

in

brute child That

well

as

human-child?

it is the mind
to cry for

that

suggeststhe child
birds of
the

milk, the
flesh/*

grain to

feed

on

grain,and
upon

carnivorous

to prey

"I know
the mind
can

only this" said he, "that onlyknow things through

the senses/3

"You

still adhere of the

to

your

ment argu-

in favour
once

senses,

though

you

admitted

that it is the mind

that

guidesthe
with
these

senses*

Very well;
in
tion connecare

Now

I shall prove to you


senses

that

they

unable

to

know

anythingbut
can

external

things* They
the existence

in'

no

way

know

of

invisible
the

things-the
thus
a

Almighty God,
"does the Creator

Soul- For
with

giftus

mind

through its medium His of His existence.) He (proofs *Hujjat'


has

and

establish

created the senses? that

they may

"observe external conditions and argue When of Him. in favour the eye

observed creation in all its parts" it


drew
The the attention of the mind
to it.

eye
in
a

saw

ed the celestial sky retain-

obvious supwithout position of motion, ro" port,their regularity neither tation, and revolution,-they

lacked behind that


to proximity
us,

they come

in closer

ther

that

proceededfar* they might undergo any


nor us

Their distance from "damage. untouched do


not

remains

and

so

their condition* They


or

get

old

decayed though

and days centuriesof successive nights Their corners have passed* or ends do
not falldown*

The motion of the

seven

rotation of thealso depends on planets sky. They change their places every

day,every
Some
slow
are in

month, and
very
some rapid,

efery
are none

year.

very
too

their movement^ but


too slow.

They all return to their the same placeafter performing motion fiied duties* With unswerving
none rapid, "some

of them

take their courses


sometimes

towards towardsobscure The


at

the the

North? and
South,
and

They

remain

duringday
appearances
certain

visible at

ntghi
Moon

of the Sun

and

places at certain times as understood by those men well"versed Astronomy, to


men are

In the Science of

endowed
not surely

with

thinkingpower
will Nor do

the results of any

human

experienceor
that the

theythink searches or investigations,


human

researches of any

being

can

produce a like phenomena* Thus to severe test and puttingeverything the mind reasons, and scrutiny coneludes that there
must

be

some

one

who

lias created this most

worderful

Universe^ who
In their

lias preserved the skies

natural

them Earth*

from

position, prevented down the falling upon

"created

Along with the skies he has the planets and the stars*
the eye observed
the

Again
aarth mind
that

when

to be convex!

and informed

the

of its the

the mind felt observation,

upholderof
must

this Earth He who

in its

present form
it in its fixed

be

kept

from
must

it and prevented place^ into space, and that He slipping

be the same, who skies overhead in firm

retained the
The position*

mind
no

also felt that if there

tad beeE

of these thingSg the Earth, upholder with the weight of all it possesses -such
as

mountains!trees*seas^
have

sands

etc* would

'The mind

with

crumbled down* easily the eye's helpdecided Earth skies


must
....

that the creator -of the be He Then of


who

created the

again the ear heard the noise and that of boisterous whirlwinds,

breezes. The pleasant eye that the former uprootedmighty saw trees*demolished strongestbuildings^ soft and

and

swept sandhills to the ground to other, anthem from one place carrying Thoogh the eye observed all
these movements,

yetit could
The could my

see

none-

who
hear
senses

them. performed
no

ear

could
of the

one*

Nor

detect His presence, The eye^ could not see the air because of its

extent; hands
because it
the
ear was

could
not
senses

not

hold

it,

solid* The could

and the

eye know

without nothing

the mind's assistance.


that said that there who

It
was

was

the mind

some

One,

controlled all

the senses' cotf* When things. to the, rnind^ veyed their impressions the mind sensibly thought that the these

wind could not blow of its own

accord*
own
ac*

It

if it thoughtj

blew of its
on

cord,it would blow

continuously

and would not pause. Because it is in science of natural philosophy proved


that
a.

natural force does


some

unless resistedby

stop; force* stronger

not

Again it would not have demolished and left another unmolest* one thing down one tree and not ed? and pulled
the next one-it would have blown
over

*0

one

of portion

land and

not

thus, the Cogitating


that
some

mind

another. concluded

one
or

controlled the it just as stopped


or

wind,
He

moved

it

sent pleased*

withdrew

its currents

from
when
was

whomsoever
the mind
saw

He

liked, that
the

Again
wind

sky and its it unhesitatingly decided that wonders,


the the creator of the wind is He has created and upheld the earth and all their wonders. when
the eye, the
ears

connected with

who

skles^

Likewisesenses-

and other

informed the mind of an unitedly It reflectedupon the quaking earthquakel of a mighty earth*with its mounand other great appurtenseas tains, ances, and upon the fact that the earth is one solidbody without fissures
or

disunited parts? yet


on buildings

one

partshakes
hand!and
a

and the other remains

molishing deunaffected,
one
as

not

on

the other; and that the

result it shook saved

concluded
one

One

who and

of portion

the Earth who


moves

the other is He

the wind

and controls the air


or

them witholding He to His pleasure. not, according

81

of the and organizer designer skies and the earth and all things to them. The mind guessed pertaining
is the

impossible quite Be" for the Earth to quakeby Itself. firm it should naturally being oanse
for certainthat it was
never
was

have shaken at all


not

And

if it

it should never firm, naturally ceased shaking.Because the natural condition of every thing always re* mains immutable. Thus it was proved
to the mind that He who

created and
any

the designed of it or

earth
not

portion served Again the eye ob-

shakes

another

wonderful

sign

of

God's

existence in the cloud which order

by His

hangs like smoke


the

head over-

between

Earth

and

sky*

It does not possess a body to collide with mountains* It passes through, trees without shakingor breaking their branches
or

It often passes when it is dark

to them* stickirg through caravans^ and

and

thick obscures

theirway* Despite itslight appearance it carries vast quantities of water* Its


are qualities

It beyond description. carries immense thunderbolts! lightn82

ing, snow,

so (congested) much that the human imagination can* not fully comprehend its secrets or its wonders. It soars very high in

hail,dew

the regions of skies: Sometimes it is in a scattered state* Sometimes seen


in united

Its position*

movements

depend upon

the wind that isregulated

by the will of God, Through its it sometimes rises high and influence^ descends low, not letting of course falldown of water it holds, quantity it does, it upon the Earth, When

Many a time it passing overhead covering see we without letting towns and palaces cities, down. When a dropof water fall even it has spread hundreds of miles over of land, it begins to raindrop by drop*
in showers. and sometimes in torrents
same

pours down

from

the

quantityof water. Sometimes it rains so continuously that resprvoirs^ lakes and riversoverflow, and tank"! and mountains of roads are flooded,
water
seem

to stand before the eyes*

that Sometimes it rains so violently the ears get deafened with its roar and thunder* With this rain, God 33

revives the

its colour changes dryland,

and cloathes it in green verdure/ The fodder of beasts, grass which is the
to spring begins up" After it ceases and gradii" the cloudsdisperse, raining, can become invisible none say ally

where

they

have
no

gone
sooner

to.

These

observations were
to the

conveyed
It and into
not

mind;, by the

eye, than did the

mind

them. to reflectover begin thoughtthat if these movements


come were

functions of the clouds had existence of themselves and

regulated by
could
cloud
water*

down

wisdoin?it perfect for the not have been possible to carry half the weight of And that if the cloud poured it could not the rain by itself,
any

have gone further from its plaee^ and it would not have raineddropby drop, but
on

the

would have poured contrary

all the water because spot,

down

all at

once

on

the

it is destituteof intelli*

genee, and cannot


of

foresee the result


on

all at raining
case

once

the

same

spot*

In this the

the mind

would buildings vegetable product ruined, one portion


34'

thought that have collapsed,

of the land would

have

been have ing, thinkthe be

and the other would -Irrigated, been left dry and barren. Thus
the creator
"one

mind

concluded

that

of all these
same.

things must
Because
or

and the
more

had there

been

than

one^ say two

three,

there must

have arisen differencesand

in so long with a period disagreements of these regard to the regularity

functions. Some slower than would

would

have

been

some others, lofty things have lowered down, and lower

would have taken higher placesthings some planets (in contradiction to rules)would have risen prescribed set instead and some instead of setting of rising* In short the unity of design,
so

convinced manifest in the creation, of the fact that the creator1

the mind

of all the obvious and obscure and


who

things wonders of the universe is He, from alleternity has been existing

anythingwas created. He is of the sky, the creator and upholder of the Earth, the creator and designer I have and the creator of all the things justmentioned and other things too
before
35'

numerous

to enumerate.

eye observed

Again the and succession of nights

each other with no days following and changein the regularity possible condition. It saw them mergingone

hours^ their regular their and darkness^ of light pecnlarities It saw shortness and length. varying unaffected by the stars and planets these successions of days and nights,
into another in
the

of approachand departure

the

different seasons, theircommencement


and end mind.

It informed the unvarying.


the mind with

And

that

givento it by Godall doubts* realized beyond Almighty, that the creator of all this perfect be one wisdom must Omnipotent^ Eternal God, It thought Omniscient,
instinctive sense
if there had existed
more

than

one

each creator would not have creator,

considered the others creation worth


and anything, excel the instead of would in have tried
to

Thus design. and uniformity regularity

others

there would have been- disorder and tumult .Also the ears heard the

message of God

the apostles, through


S6

which mind.

verified the conclusion The


ears

of
as

the
to

heard

evidence
a

God
nor

the Creator
a son nor

havingneither
a

wife the

partner^ and
the mind

message

went

to

for it to

realize the truth/1 "What


4iare very

you

described"

said

he^

wonderful heard

things-Things j
tate Still I hesihave
more

had

nerer

before* you
some

to

what aecept;

said,
con"

unless you

give me

vineingproofs/*
"Well," said I,
unable yourself
with
waver

"when
or

to refute

feel you find fault

my

and descriptions!

begin

to

in your

your you

dent arguments I am confimind will very shortlyas-

Insha-Allah

God pleases)* (if


senses
can

of the truth that the

know

nothing
Now "3nced

without
have in

the
you

mind's
ever

help. experi*
were

tell me
a

dream

which

you

eating something taste?" pleasant "Yes,"said


"Have ^fchat you
you
are

and

its relishing

he,
ever

dreamt31 1 asked?

laughingor

weeping

known unin known or travelling bitterly, those countries, recognizing

countries you

Lad

seen

or

known?"

"I had had many "Yee" lie replied,


such

dreams,"
you

"Have

ever/'I asked, "seen

in your dreams

brothers that

relatives, parent or had died long ago, and


as

identifiedthem
life time?51

you

did

in

the

"WLy not?" he exclaimed '"!have such dreams!" experienced many


"Well
your
senses

then/'said I,
felt the
oat

"which
man

of

dead

and
that

him pointed

to the mind

it

could
him?

him recognize Which


sense

and

converse

with

relish the

food,
or

the countries recognized unknown, throughwhich Which ul


cannot
sense
am

known

it travelled?

wept and laughed?"


confounded"
lie

said,"I

which of my senses reply, (in this sleeping state)did the above things.In fact when one is asleep* he is like one dead,and in that condition,
it is

for quite impossible

the

If

senses

to

feel,know,

see

or

tear

anything/'
'"Teilme/ asked I,"when
you
not

startled^
you

woke

from

your

sleep*Did

sufficiently to narrate to your relationsand friends, nothing?" forgetting


"Yes", lie
have
same

recollect your

dream

replied "Sometimes 1 in a dream and the a seen tiling thingagainin a wakingstate.**


of the

said I, "which "Alright",


senses

imbued
you

you
saw

with when

the meoiory

of what
were

those

senses

asleep?"
"None
of the

said lie, senses/7

"seem

to havo

had any hand therein/*


not
see

"Can
"that

you

now"
that

said I,
sees

it is

the

mind

all

these

a dream* remembering (in tilings,

all the senses when have ing state) ceased working?Don't you know that
_

the

iniiiilhas

been

endowed God

with
blishes esta-

reason,

by
His

means

of which

Hujjafi.
1
see

"What

in

dream" said he,

*is unsubstantial likea 'SuraV

(mirage),

ft

"which from

distance appears to be
on

real waterv but covered to be l8How when

approach Is

dis*

only sand."
make comparison^

do you

in your

dreams

ferent you relish dif-

tastes?' I
he "Because,"

querried.
"when replied^ 1

1 that 'surab', approached

discovered I covered dis-

only sand,and
seen,

when

I awoke

nothingof
in dream,"

that which

1 had

"Weir

asked 1, "if I what


,

give you
have

an

exampleof
in
a

you

may

joyed en-

dream

made
the

you

and which may have uneasy, will you believe in dreams?


not?' He

of reality

"Yes, why

replied,

"Tell me," said 1, "have you ever in a dream lived with a woman familiar
or

unfamiliar?" he.

said "Many times/' "Did


you
not
same

feel then", asked


sensation

I,

the "exactly from

derived
tite appewore

the satisfactionof carnal in the

waking state,and

not

the traces left the same?"

clThis refutes the

argument regardthe latter is

log the *$urab\ Because quiteunreal-when


fades away* But
one

it approaches^
the
case

here The

is the

quite contrary*
dream
the

action
traces

in
to

leaves behind

proYe-

of reality aThe

sensation/7

same

dreamer/1he saids"sees the thingsthat his senses in a state


have witnessed,"

of wakefuiness

said I, "you streng"Very well/' then


my

argument^ when

you

admit

to comprehend and ability of which the senses the things identify

the mind's

(no

longerworking)have berance. Why did you


the
senses

no

remem"

first assert the

that the

mind and
not

even

with

help of
that

in the state this power,

of wake*

fulness has

and

they are the


me

senses

onlywhich
senses

hend compreyou
were

all these
who

Will things?

tell
out

(when the

of

work)
has
now

that
cause

this power gave neither ears nor you


saw

to

mind

eyes? Ba*
it was the

admit
the
woman

that

mind
the

who

and
company
not

enjoyed
even

pleasureof though the senses

her
were

at work

It is foolish to admit of the mind


when

the the

knowledge
senses are

the and to deny it, when sleeping of reason are waking, A man senses
must

believe that

the

mind

is the

king,and prime administrator of the However foallsh he may be? senses*


lie cannot
the
nor

be

of tho ignorant
extract

fact that

hand

cannot

the
can

eye, have

nor amputatethe tongue,

any

sense

any

power

to

deal with

its part of the body without and contrivance. suggestion permission, any

God

has

created the mind

to

be the

regent of the
can

body, and
or

see onlyfeel,

body hear, throughits

the

agency.
the

If the mind conceives retreat^


can

and vwe* advance, It is onlythroughits medium versa. work the senses They are obedient to its orders, If the mind prohibits to act, they at once them obey its

body

not

command"
sorrows

It is the mind prey, and


or

OH

which

the loss the mind

joysenliven* D"spite of the senses* derangement


if the
senses
see

mind

intact* But gets out of order the


same

remains

share the

the fate,
ears

eyes do not

the properly,

do not understand.*

"I
you

said he,"that believed/' scarcely


be able to deal with these

would

difficult without question founded*


as elegant

Your

being conso arguments are


irrefutable.3'

to appear

said I, "and 1 will more ^Listen," convince you? as to the truth firmly of what 1 have narrated, and of the

things you
"Do
a

have

seen

in your dreams/"
am

"I so,"he exclaimed,

not

little astounded at your "When


you

eloquence/5

think of any calling/' asked I, "or devise plansto build or


erect

do something,

you

not

deliver

order to that effect?" "Yes." He "While

replied,

such plans, and devising of non-existing things, formingdesigns do you

make

any

of your

senses

the

of the mind partner

that creates them ?J

crNo." He

replied.

I, "that done in compliance with the things mind's mature judgment, are of a high order T (Then is it not proved that
it is the

said "Jfsit not visible",

mind

that

knows

all the

and things
49

not the

senses?)

lie said,"But please "I think so/s I am now go on with,your arguments* anxious to throw offdoubts and accept

the truth/1 *So alell


me

much

the
are

better" said I.
any astronomers

if there

in your natife

place?"
seem

*'You do not with the

to be

ed acquaint-

extent

of astronomical

by my countryknowledgepossessed men," he said." "I don't think there


Is
a

nation to

surpass

us

in

this

science.11 particular

I, "how this knowledge of they acquired not canastronomy,for this knowledge be acquired throughthe medium of the senseSj but through profound thoughtand deep reflection?"
"itis true: Some "Yes,"he replied!
wise and

"Well,tell me/' asked

learned
such

tables of

after generation

prepared which importaoc8? in suegeneration


persons
an

eessiye order have followed.When is made, the movements inquiry of the Sun, Moon the positions
stars
are

and and

considered: Theystate which


44

of the visible

are

and ill-omened,
are picious, aus-

which

of the invisibleones

They

are

so

well versed in

err IE 'theyrarely their calculations. People take their children to these astrologers? and they of the from the movements calculating and incidents events planets, predict

this science that

occurred

or

to

occur

life/* in the child's

rtWhat
the

I concern,"
of the

asked? "hare

the movements

with planets, that their parents livesof children, them to astrologers?*

"each child's he replied, "Because," birth with corresponds If this


were
a

planet's
so?

movement

not

the

would make mistakes* They astrologers "calculate the movement-day!month and year-in which the child is bor%

and

are

correct

in their conclusions/*

"If this be

reallytrue,"said I,
a

"you

have

described
none

science
can

so

that wonderful,

other
more

be

comparedto it,or
respect;for the
accidents of
to death
a

be

worthy of
the

incidents and

Do
45

you

lifefrom birth person's its means* are known through think the knowledge of this

science Is
every

an

innate one,

bom

with

person?"
not

"I do "No/1 he said, is SOBJ*

think it

*Then, let
how this
let
us

us

said I,"as to think/'

knowledgewas
see

acquired* acquireit,

And
that

if it be correct to say

all

peoplecannot
of the

thoughall are
th" movements

born in connection with and planets grantthat only

readyto master the few peoplelearn and how did science* But the question is^ the they learn or master it-specially which declares one star toknowledge
siprs,I
am

be ill-omened and

the

other

to

b"

How have theyfixed theauspicious? the slow or hour and degrees, time, of the planets and movements rapid the stars, their exact position over or below the Earth ; and their predictions, which you mention? How have they them? I cannot believe that gathered this any of the creatures inhabiting to penetrate so advanced as are globe and invisible the secrets of the visible Universe."
46-

"You

may

not

said believe/'
so,

lie,
am

"|Bot that

they haye done

about/1 positive "When


you

said he, lfthat assert/'


are

all the Earth's inhabitants


la

bom

with the movements of conjunction the stars and planetsl the wise man (Hakim) who first discovered the science of

astronomy must

have been

born likewise/5 "Of


must

course/1he
race/'

"he exclaimed!
of category

be included in the

the human

*4Then does not your reason guide and you to the fact that these planets stars existed before the birth of that
wise inan5 the

who, as you say discovered science of astronomy,and was


with the movements conjunction of the stars and planets?"
"

born in

"Indeed.1'said he, "the


stars must have

and. planets to his existed prior

birth." said "Tell niesl

I; "how

could the

wise inventor of the science leara the the stars without method of calculating 47

master

to teach him?
a

If you

my

that he had
most

master,then that master


And

have existedbefore tlieexistence

of the stars.

indeed must

l*"

He, who
which

established the rules and


on

for those movement^ regulations

art* you say the events of a lif" and from which the future of based^ a

new

born child is forotold. faking


wise
man-

thisfor granted^ the of the

inventor been tho

science-must have

follower and

of that master* win* pupil

and had had existed before the Htarn, created him-the wise man-in junction conwith the of them* Then He who
e!
was

of the

He

who

lived and

the tho

the creator of

bom according to their people ments, Pra-snpposing the ago of wise


man

the

to be ten
must

that of the the


we

he Earth?

have had
m

observationof the
now.

head

They must as theydo


know do

now-whero

lay the

difference between him and UD? How


did he the not? Had

whilst we

he
48

power

to go

nearer more

to

firmament^ and
tfee secrets

high closelystudy
position
of them

this very

of the stars,their which learn^

and

movement;
Sun

the eclipse
are

and
with

the

Moon; which
birth of

consistent

.the

ill-omened and children;which are auspicious^ rapidor slow? and many other
such as the length of things, time they are concealed under the Earth, and the exact hours of their

How disappearance? chances it that a human beinghas so heavenly^ great a knowledgeof things since deep reflection cannot giveit to appearance and

him, and his


far? How

senses

cannot the

reach

so

did he invent

method
the

of calculation by which
movement

is known and

of the SUE

Moons and

knowledge-which among the seven is auspicious or ilk"mened; planets of these luminaries* the exact position and correct judgment as to which one? How a or was setting rising
the could he-on the surface of the Earth. which
see was

-studythat
How
are

in the heavens?
which

could he made

those stars

invisibleby the Sun's blind-

that h" ing luster?If you suggest mind still flew up to the skiesl my

misgives me,
not master

for the
one

even

then lie could


a an

science without
cannot

when teacher;

master then
can

how science thus? earthly


master
a

lie

science not of the Earth?


even
a

*SIdo not "of

of hearing

said he, recollect/ human beieg going

tip to the skies."

I suggested! "the ^Perhaps/1


man

wise

have done so5 and you may of it/1 not be aware


may

"I would he

not

accept its thruth,"

"from said,

any source/"

"I agree with you there;'1 1 said^ ttbut let us presuppose the fact of the wise man's
to climb ability
ease we

up to the
to

skies* In that believe that he

shall have

performedincredible visited journey^ e?ery star and planet, with them as staying they set or
rose

tillhe had

fullest knowledge gained


as

about those functions; and


some

of the

thirty years

take as much as planets to complete their rotation, 50

have stayed with necessarily for the prescribed ever periodhowlong it may have been in order to fully collect all information* Let all this for granted us that also, lie not only ascended to the skiesj, but lie travelled in and
every company with

he must

tillhe had luminary,


their

with fullyacquainted

habits* Stillhowever, his observations

could not be called


had

until he complete
stars

studied those

under

the
same

Earth, la this he must


amount

take the

of time, that he took in the

serving obthe the

heavenly stars, for


of the stars beneath

movements

cannot

be said to be the same,

and to

the science to its pre" nicetyof calculation he must


no

To of knowledge* point

know

the

of time these stars remain

whether by day or by night, invisible, Is very necessary; besides, the question


mast

and for be settled fully


was

ever

as

only one they must

wise
more

man

to

do
one

it If there had been


man*

than

in havo differed

Now calculations*
SI

does really

it.

not strike yon that It is hold the idea of a who can "who dived down the seas, and into the

only

you

man.,

depths of throughthe penetrated


Earth; who
floated

darkness of the

to the clinging alongthe skies, the and acquiring and the planets and knowledgeof their movement the the same to stars under doing

Earth?* *I do
not

said he, hold/1


man
can

"the

that opinion

any

ascend the
of the

skiesj or dive
seas?
or

to the bottom

the penetrate

interior of

the Earth/ "As you

don*t hold this


then how

opinion"
the

aaid wise

I, "tell me
man

yoia think to be learn the science of Astro* inventor)

(whom

nomy?
came

How

could he

completehis

researchesin connection with, itwhen lie into existencelong after the

tioa of the stars he knew allabout r "In face of your arguments"lie rtit does not seem said, prudentor
wise to

say

that
a

this science this T it

invented

by

of being

"Then," said I, "you admit that


this science
can

onlybe
the ins
as

known and

to outs

one

with cognizant
as

of

well do

Earth?"

'-If I admit
of

"I must so," lie said,

God, who you say is the creator


and earth*"

you not told me* based on "that the calculations "Have


nomy
are

Iaskedf
Astro*

birth of
movements

correct and the perfectly children correspond to certain

of the stars?" he

"Yos"
HO, and

"I have replied,


no as

told yon

also 1 have
a

doubt of this,
to there being

but
a

r have

doubt

creator/1
"That said doubt willbe removed/7
not said that
no

I; "have you
can

human

scale up to the skies,or travel in company with the movements of tho Sun, moDn, Wont
or

and

Stars-East?

in any

T direction skies is in"

"To scale tip to the he jxjfwibW

said.

"what other alter* "\Voli" i said,


have

you

beyond admitting

SS

that It

was

heavenlyteacher

who

taught this science?"


"If I say so", said
teacher

lie,"that

no am

taught

this

sciencesI

absurd; and If 1 say It was an earthly tional Irrait would be an equally teacher,
for statement,
ever

by
no

himself

being knowledge acquired


no

human

of heaven

above?or

of hell beneath;

for

human

to pry into

being has the power those things beyond the

observation. Even range of his eye's closeness of observation no granting


for be gained, can knowledge is real beliefnothing to my according through the exceptwhat is known

inward

medium that the The and


eye

of senses, and
senses
can

it is obvious

have

DO

hand

here,

movements, only perceive ledge nothing beyondthat. Tho knowand calculation of the movements,
and slow, rapid

the differences between


the the
season

of the

and disappearing
are

of the stars re-appearing the scope of the senses/1 "beyond

ftlf you of the

the science study asked I, "would heavens/' you

wish to

ft*

choose

an

beingor earthly
your teacher?"
a

heavenly

being as

being,* heavenly Itfireplied; "because the stars hang in his region, where earthly beingcannot
reach/7

"I would choose

"Alright. Now 1 hope you will to profound and j^ive yourself thought,
dear
up

all doubts

from

your

mind*"

"If all the


have the their

people of the earth birth in conjunction with


of the
stars-either it stands to auspicious, the the stars pre-existed

movements
or

sinister
reason

that

peopleof
HO"?

the

earth. Don't

you

think

he replied. ''Yep,1 do,** "Well


as

then,"said I, "your
to
man

ment stateon

having

existed

oarth,has been
You your"olf.
the least
eamo

contradicted

by

you

have

admitted without
race

doubt, that the human


the

into existence after

stars,

and
race,

if the stars

earth

the human pre-existed follows that the it necessarily the human also pre-existed

race/1

*SI do not earth

|fthatthe say" he said, them/* pre-existed said I, "which the earth/3


as
a

"If the

Almighty God created


for
men

carpet

to walk

the race, these

pre-exist beings togetherwith


on3

did not

would the lower orders of life,


had
to nothing rest upon*

have

It is not

reasonable to state that space, for

they do

not

theylived in possess wings.1*

"Of what said done/'


means

good would wings have he, "when they had no

of subsistence/' said I, "Bravo," c'Do you


now

entertain doubts
ence

as as

to the

pre*eiist"
the stars?"
am

of the earth

well

as

"No,"said he, "now


convinced of the

fully

of both/' pre-existence

"TJ1 now," said I, "dilate upon such that exciting subjects,


your

curiosity, may add knowledge*"


"Your
said "are doubts."

to your

store

of

previousarguments/' lie
sufficientto
remove

my

56,

said I, suppose," "that it in In the sky, the Sun, Mooa and stars performtheir duties/1 "Ye" 1 do* he
you

"You

know

replied.
call It the basis

"Would
and

not

foundation of luminaries?"

"Yen, 1 would," ho replied,


"la
stars

my

said I,"thethen/1 opinion


you twy,
are

which

connected
race

with
were

the birth

of

the

human

created after the

becauseskies,

it is in the nkies

they perform their rotition-HornotimOH moving upwards


sonwtimos "All downwards.1'

and

said he* HO clearly," proved could deny "that only an insane man it. The sky in the foundation of the and luminarit'H, undoubtedlypreminted haul

thorn,for it is in it that those


luminaries
move

and

perform

their dutioH."

"Now/' said I,"you have admitted


the
creator

to of the stars^according

whcwe

ntovomonts, to bo

human
same as

beingsare
He,
who

bom,
57

tho

created the skies and


without the creation."
11

the

earth,for
bo
no

there could earth,

see
as

be said,"I Yes you are right/" alternative but to accept this no

true/5 ''Does not


your
reason

further He Who

out/1 said I, point


created Moon
the

"that

earth, the skies, Sun, must bo Alland other planets


for without
the creatures of the earth must

arid wise, powerful


the skies,

for the heavenly bodies uro perish; directly necessary for those upon
the

earth there

to

live?

For

instance,

had

could

only been no Sun, nothing the poisonous elhict of tho ripen,


not

air would

be nullifiedand

thin every-

would die,"
said he, "I would
witness
to the wisdom

bear

of

God, who
you

made

all these

for things,

havo

overthrown completely my doubts. 1 must hold your theory that the teacher of the science of

and Astronomy,

the

inventor of the calculationsappertaining


to cannot it,

be

an

inhabitant of
58

this
IB
to

for that earth, in the skies? and


unravel be

which the

lie studies person able

the mysteriesof the skies

must

powerful enough
earth.

to

pxy

beneath

tho

It is

beyondmy

all the same, as to how comprehension human lias mastered this a beinjf science and broughtit to its present state of uuifonnity, the logic of which
no

ono

denies*

if I had

riot known

tlie

of the j/riwtiples

science I would

httvn from

the very .start, denied flatly

tho ssune, and one*" i'utilo "I will umko

called the

article

it clear to

you/"said
science of

I, by the
*

mcariH

of llalila you hold

in

your

hand, and
iorefathera and

tho

metiicino which lias been the


of your

professioa

This

yours* I with medical science^ lltdiffi,

is now

will compare to the heavenlyobjects and their science. Bat da you promise
not

but

the truth, only to Acknowledge do justice by it?1


he 1 do promise/1 **Yes,

replied*

'"Please go on/"
59

"Has
a

asked I, "ever there/1 when the human


was

been
in its*

time

and of knowledge (llm) ignorance


in fact benefits^
as

senseless

as

this

HalilaT

"Why
must
was

not?'1 lie
a

"Then* replied,
none

have been

time, when

with acquainted

medical science

and its

Knowledge was advantages.


when

acquired1*
*How?

ignorantof it?" acquire

they wero how science,

totally
did
then

and experiments," "By experience)


he

"after considerable said* "Whence


came

time."

the
"

idea of

exporithem into

I asked. menting?"

W hat made

think-such arid such medicine


was

made thing

beneficialto the human

body,when the external form of wmu" of these thingsappear hurtful, and some placedon the tongue arc so and uneasiness '{ bitter as to cause pain And how came gation they to tho investiof such medicinal plantsthat and unknown, not were totally
60

recognized by
demand
an

their

senses,

for to

thing is quite and absurdity?'' inipossibiiity


an

unknown

led "Experience

to

the

gation," investi-

he saidf ""and Invention of the medical science/'

"Well/1 said 1, "tell


invented and
some
or it,

me

who

who described the nature

effects of the herbs

used, when

others grow far west and some far east? Do you not sensibly feel that the person who who

did so,

was

one

inhabited the

where they places

grew ?J

"Yes/
man

he

"and said;

what

wise

he was,
man

other

for he has drawn every to his side to agree with

his conclusions !"

"If yon wish to abide by your to the to me, and give justice promise

truth, tell
inventor
cam"

me

how
to know

that

man-tke

the nature o"

Let us suppose "every medicinal plant? all with he got himself acquainted
the medicinal
even

in plants

his

or village,

the whole

of Persia; but

can

'61

you

continued his suppose that he ail o?er researches and Investigations


the

worldf and

tasted every
their

leaf and root to test from the effectson suppose


even

himself?

fruit, qualities Canyon


other

with the
was

helpof
able to

fully acquainthimself with the plants growing in Persia alone,studying that his those plants with his senses did not recognize; senses notingtheir
wise persons that he

and importance or peculiarities


of importance

non-

the world of medicine?

Grant
the

them

of botany

knowledgeof perfect how came Persiaj they


and
such herb

to know
was

that such

unless the prescription useless*

included the Halila from


xnastich from

Eome$musk

India, gumfrom Tibet,

cinnamon
^

from

China^ willow from

aloesfrom Turkey opiumfrom Egypt,

Yamen* salt peter from Arminia*and


various other articles from which parts of the world^

different
and

mixed
a

make poundedtogether

particular

medicine! How

could

they know

in Persia* that individually living these articlesproduce How came no effects?


62

hey
so

to know

articlesare

where these places when theyare produced,

the

different in kind and nature^and a distance from each grow at so great


some

other-of

roots alone are plants used, of others the fruit, shell, essence
or

juice, gum
and ally,

oil-someare

used intern-

in externally; again, different countries theyhold different the people of different countries names; not always to each other^ are friendly and manners they vary in opinions*

others

modes

of

life; one

nation the

desires to

over predominate

other, they and try to slaughterand pillage it is not always another; one imprison strangerto carry on ? How was that knowledge investigation
a

easy

for

Can gained?
who every

you

say that the person


to

invented nook and

the science went


corner

of the

world?
able to-

learnt every every

and language, country? That he was

travelled

the medicines from east investigate and safely^ to west quitefearlessly did not and, that he never fellsick,

undergoany troubles but remained and intact?That he made no healthy


63

found misdirected; never was mistakes^ remembered all lie all the countries, remained always happy, and learnt!
finishedall his researches with
to the

regard

and nature and effects origin differences all of what he sough t-despite That and names? of colour, quality of each and he got correct description smell and taste^ "every tree,its origin^
its you
.as

flowers and leaves,

fruits? Can

think really
one

the

such enterprise

individual may

undertake and

each, you considerthat "and every medicine has at least twenty differentnatures ? Is it not impossible
when .accomplish, that he learnt the science of medicine* the secrets of the trees that demand

closeobservation and grow in so many him different countries? Even granting


how possibility, that the knowledge could be used plant the

did he

come

by
a

such and such


as
a

for medicine*
the innate

the

senses

do

not

hold

ideas? How

did he separate the bitter,

the sweet,the saltish and acrid trees


-one

from another? If you say that he did so by inquiry, and converse with the

people of different lands


64

they grew inshow


and
converse

came

he to

about How

the
came

Inquire known thingsunit to his

to him?

mind

that he must
a

tions of

these ques^ man? And how particular


a CODsatisfactory

ask

could he arrive at

social and clusion^ so despite many and the difference political barriers* of languages? Even these granting whence came the knowledge things, of advantages and disadvantages of medicine? Why this effected a cure^ and this an injury-their their nature,
sweet

and bitter tastes, the

softness

of

one

and the hardness of the other?


answer,

I say by pondering, it is impossible; because these things are beyond the scope of the senses cannot and be comprehended by If you

thought You cannot say either it was by personaltest; for had he he made experiments upon himself have died from some must poisonous
effectsthat he had not before known.
And

if you of

travelled in say that he


every

all the class

lived with countries,

people, mastered

their

experimented upon languages,


65

some killing

here and

some

there^ yet
know
the

stillit
exact

was

to impossible

nature

of

one

medicine without

And is it possible killing many people. would allow him to that these people them continue his experiments upon
to take
more some

lives? Still let

us

say

that

by

miracle

they

listened

said?and tolerated his Well, where did deadlyexperiments* and time for he get the opportunity and know* mixing the various things,
to what

he

How did weights? ing the respective lie learn the proportion necessary to
mix
one

with

another?

Never

mind*
also

Granted, this knowledge was


Whence acquired.
that
an

came

the

overdose would

knowledge bring death


it is

to the person to whom

admi" would

whilst nistered, have


no

an

underdose

good

effect?Grantingagain

allthis* acquiring travelled in all parts of the world, and had the necessary longlifeto do the knowledge so? how did he acquire of those things not belonging to the world? You are vegetable perhaps
aware

that he succeeded in

that

some

of

the

medicines
66

unless mixed

with of

the

bile of the beasts a?)d


are

bladders gall birds


on

certain

earth and sea?

ineffiea*

clous and not pure. As such is the of investigation must ease, his mode be

similar to the

one

to relating

the

world* vegetable
but alternative,
to

He

has

no

other

and
and let

the birds investigate beasts of the world, slay them examine their gall bladders. Well him have finished his investigations
with the

birds and

beasts
now

of the

this

world, there ifemain


sea*

animals of the
jiatore it
was

To

know

their
to

just as
seas

necessary

dive down them


for him
to

into the

and

gate investi-

it also, as

was

necessary

the vegetable in?estigate


if you do you the
sea.,

world*
not

It does not matter all these

know

cannot

deny the

but things, that knowledge, live in


the

animals of the and that to

sea

he must

them know thoroughly dive in the sea, and necessarily in that element. Tell you
me

study them
now can

reasonably say that known throughexthese things were and experiment?1 perlence
67

"I

am

at completely

loss to

ho reply/"

said

C1 will describe said Ij "which


the truth.

more/" something
you of

will convince
are

You

probably aware
roots
can*

that the biles of the differentanimals

unless mixed
not

with aromatic

form

a
*

prescription/'
he said,

"Yes

"Tell
the exact
a

said I, "Eow me;*'


of weights you
are

he

ftted

medicine to such
a

As nicety?

physician you
well
that
a

know probably
you

only

too

put four hundred 'miskals* of


one
or

leaf or fruit, and particular of another in


some
a

two

compound prescription^
less tillthe

few

'miskals9 sometimes
more,

prescription reaches a satisfactory point When a dose of a particular medi* particular cine is gi?en to a patient suffering
from it diarrohcea,
same cures

sometimes

him

of

it,

yet the
when

medicine la
a

doses large has

givenin

case

of cholie

quitean opposite and set up effect, How the physician purging. cams by
the

knowledge of

the

effects of

medicines? How
medicine would
not

lie knew affect the

that head

one

and

the

foot, though it is easier for


to

the medicine to descend than that


if it is

rise^

given for
near

the lower

it will not affect the higher extremities,

though the
and could
In the
same

head is be
more

the

mouth,

carried the of blood

affected? easily medicines way particular affected part by means


are

vessels

used

for

its

different

parts of
and

the

body* First
thence

of all these the


reason

internal medicines reach from


are

stomach

by

of their power different

distributed

to the

parts of the body.


man

How

did that wise

discover that

the effect meant


not

for the brain would

reach the
etc
or

or hands,legs,loins,

abdomen

vice

versa

Was

it

for possible really

his

senses

to have

knowh, all these things? Why do medicines administered for one part
effect on the no body produce did his senses other, parts?How of the
know that
a

certain medicine affected

the ears, and not the different medicines


69

eyes?Why

do-

cure

diseases in

different

parts?
or

And

how

senses! reason

discernment to know

the
as

concealed of all tfaos"parts plaees tion-blood they are from external contemplavessels
are

hidden

in

and covered up with skin, to muscles,,


which
senses

the

medicines themselves

reach?
cannot

The detect

by

them/'
you

known already

hold the
who

invented

say,"said IIP, "was to me, but we cians physithat the person opiniong the science, performed
the cured of his
the

when post-mortem examinations^


was patient

not

disease^

-and thus examined passages and


traces

blood vessels located the

and places

of the medicines." you


not

"Do

know", I asked,"that
circulate internally throughoutthe body* up with

the medicines taken with


the

blood

and become

mixed

it?"

"Yes I know "Don't you


"cthat when
a

he replied, it,"

know," I asked again,


person
his dies"

blood

thickens?'9
70

"Yes

It

he replied, does",

"Then," I asked, alww


examine physician
it
was

did the

the

when medicine*

clotted In the
was

blood, for all

trace state

and In such a lost, surely could not be analyzed ? properly


at my

r"I am said,

wit's end

now," lie

"Agin tellme," "how


able to know
the roots and and learnt

the

were people

the beneficialeffectsof

plants they had


their

tigated inves-

locations? How

and mix them they to analyze ascertain their respective together, and discover the need of gall weights, bladders and T "cines "You
with such have
stones

In certain

medi-

discussed the

subject

said he, "that perfection/1 I have neither the imagination nor thoughtnor wit to find a way of As answering properly your question* these prescriptions have not Invented have been themselves^ they must Invented by some else,and that one else must have acquireda one some
71

of the natures thorough knowledge of the items he has and qualities in such order* Will you kindly placed how the people to ma were explain
able to
were

know

those medicines

that
how

beneficial to

health,and

these things in they could investigate every part of the world?"

"Since you
to

wish

said I, al you/5

it explain shall giveyou an


me

to

and discuss it in such illustration,


way that you will

learn easily

who who

the inventor created the

of medicine was, various kinds of made

and who and fruits,

plants the body


the

which and blood vessels,


medicine

carry

through it

to

its affected

parts,"
"If yon will do so"
he

said,"I

shall be very

gladindeed/'

said I, "a certain man "Supposing," had planted a gardensurrounded by


a

it from outsideharm. wall to protect you


not think

Do

the

owner

would

know

every tree

and planted therein,


a

its position? After

time the trees


72

to bear

and fruits,

all smallest
the
time mean-

also bloomed. In fegetatlon


you

there,and desired the owner to bring you certain fruits and vegetable pods.The owner
go
went
case

happenedto

to do
sure

so.

Were

you not in that go

that he would

straight

where the desired place, fruitsand pods perfectly grew, knowing well where theywere,-in a near or a distant partof the garden ? You knew he would not time puzzling waste
oTer

to

the exact

their whereabouts/1

"Yes/1

he

said;"he

would

doubtedly un-

find the "But if the


of

places easily/1

said I, "instead owner/'

going himself asked you to go into the garden,and pluck the desired for yourself, could you have things for them without looking gone straight here and there 3" earnestly
ftl could not
have

done the

so," he
proper

said, "without

knowing

places".
said I, "you "Supposing," these
78

reached

after places

some

considerabel

exertion and trouble* For instance you touched and examined


tree tillyou
one*

each and
out

every

found

the

desired

but If you failed to detect that tree, you would be forced to return

empty-handed/'
"I don't
see

how

I could find oat


a

the whereabouts 1 had position


no

of

tree?of whose

said he. knowledge;75

said I, "how "Seeing/' helpless in guidirg are ly you; sureyour senses


your

mind

tellsyou

that he

who
tends ex-

this large garden which planted

from east to and south?must


man,

west, and

north wise

have

taughtthat
to

whom

you

considered

have

invented the science of medicine. Can


you
names

not

understand easily

that

the

of the medicines and the cities

wherein shown

they could
to the wise must

be
man

found,

were

by Him?
as

and

that He
in
as

have been

well versed

the location of the the


owner

world vegetable
owner

himself? (as the instanced


to

of that

garden1

you)*

It is reasonable to say that He, who the exact whereabouts of the taught
74

tree that grew in the garden^ was who planted them; and He

He?
who

taughttheir advantages! disadvantages and weights and was also that Selfsame person."
said he? |eseems reasoning/1
to be flawless/5

"If the creator said

of

body

of

man/*"

I, "%ith

its nerves^

testines Yeins and inthe medicines

throughwhich
course

from head
same

to

foot

were

not

the

the creator of person as would that creator ha?e this garden^

known

and made
those

known
trees

to

man

the

existence of
their

and

herbs^
their
man?

in medicine and proportion of to the well-being necessity

Would

that creator know


were

that

such

medicines

beneficial particularly had such and T

to certain diseases and

such

effect on

certain

nerve

"How He said* "These

could he know these things?*

things are
medium of of them

not
senses.

known

the through
man

So if
be*

is

aware

it must

75

of Him? who throughthe teaching of the worldj for created the garden He alone could know the effects and created.1"
It not follow

nature

of that which He

said I, "does "Then," that the and fegetable


one

the

animal

world would have

and the existed two

creator? If there had

"creators, one
their

for human

bsiogsand

and the other for the ailments, world*the firstwould have vegetable of medicines and the knowledge diseases they cure, and the other would have no knowledge of similarly the plants and trees by which medicines
no are

made; but if the

creator of

the animal and


one

world ?egetable

be

and the same, it would be easy for him to know the medicine for the

disease. He particular
aware

would

be

fully
the
cure

of the nature of medicine aid

Its exact

weight and

effect

on

it would body-whether
to the

effect a
other

feet or brain,

some

part

of the human

le

For having body. ed creatboth the medicine and the body is cognizant of the scienceof both.'1 76

aYou "If there


each

are were

lie said, really right/'


two

different creators*
of ignorant

would

have been

the

science of the other/'

aThen/Jsaid 1, aHe

who

taught

the wise man, whom you consider to be the inventor of this science^ and established

it,is the

creator

of the

garden of the world* He created the human body. He informed the wise man (who was a prophet probably like Lukaman or Daud) the nature of all plants and trees^ their locations and surroundingst attributes such as leaves and veins^ oily substances* He taught branches,bark and fruits,,
Mm the
use

and

nature

of medicine

and the

weightto

be used* He

made

all the beasts and birds of the world


with together
are

bladders which those gall

also necessary to medicine. If the creator of birds and beasts had been -differentfrom
man

he,

who

created the

and
never

the

world, h" vegetable


the effects

would "of the

have known

mixed 77

which should be bladderst gall medicines and with vegetable

which
of

not; but

as

He

was

the creator

all,He

knew

butes their actionsfattriwhich

and" namesj He and


to

knowledge prophet,
came

imparted
this is Iww

to

the
the

wise

wise

and the dis* advantages to of medicines belonging advantages the vegetableand animal kingdom. know
the In
no

other way

could he have known


he
must

all those have

been

things.In truth some Prophet or

Apostle

tent taught by the Most august omnipoGod of the Universe/* glorious


"What
he you

say

is

quiterightf
all eloquence and
so

said

^Before
the

your
senses

of reasoning

called

paleinto insignificance." experience


"Since
you have

admitted
us

so

muoh," said I, *'Let


further^ and with
whether who it
was our

go

step-

senses

reason

advisable world's

for Him

the planted the

garden,and
for thescatter

created

animal

world
racel to

benefit of the human all these


to
some

thingsin
other He

the land
than

belonging
himself?
not

person

If He

did

so,

could

have

carried any experimentof any sort except by the upon His belongings
Don't other's permission* sof "The earth "Yes/' he replied. which, this
on

you

think

must garden is planted, have also been created by Him who created the garden^ trees and plants,

animals."
"You think the
earth
to belongs

Him," said I,
connection with
that

"because

of its close

those other creations

belongto

Him?'

"Yes,"he
"Are you
a

said.
not

also aware,"asked

of such magnificence, garden and animals along with men containing

I, "that

its trees, and other

to be eieations,

kept in

health must

refreshed with

and irrigated, water?" life-giving


of these

bo

"None "Yes," he replied* creations


can

live without water/'

"Will you
creator of is in is it,

asked I, "that the say/' the gardenwith all that


not

the creator

of water;

that the existence of the 79

that garden

lie created
of

depends upon

the

pleasure

He* who created the water, who when he chooses?'* Its supply may stop
"It is
he replied^ "to Impossible/'

believe in the

existence of two

cre"

atoiSj one
for the
one

for the I
am

garden and
sure

one

water*

there

is

creator
same are

for the

both, and it is
mountains

the

who the

created the
sources

which

and
had

waters, flowing been by other

greatri?ers If this irrigation one, the garden


ha?"

of

and its contents must and died* He


must

wittered

who

created the
the
water

garden
first*

have

created

needed to keep the knowing it was in tne best condition,* garden "If there
were
no

store of water"

asked I, "to flow to the refresh it in


you
not
case

and gardenf do been heard suffered

of emergency*

think it would
you may

have ha?e

for destroyed!
that it has

throughwant

times many of water?"

"I am woader" "Yes/5he replied, ing now if there is any need of any
one

to manage

these

The things.

law
80

of nature
aver

may

be, that

water

must

flow without cessation/1

"You
but for
water

haye the

said I,"that admitted,"


ocean

and

its store of

the

gardenmight have become


said*
to
eon-

dry

and barren/1

he "Yes/1

"Well/* said I, "I intend


vince you

of the creator of the


same

ocean

beingthe earth;and
a

creator

as

He
is

of the

that the

ocean

really
their

reservoir held in
streams

reserve

into which

the

and

rivers pour
for time

superfluous energy
And
that in the many

of need. has
ated cre-

ocean

He

things." goodand profitable


me

"Convince
*fas you
to other

of

lie said,. this,"


gard re-

have done

alreadywith things/'
aware

"Are yon not


water

that allsurplus-

is collected by the sea?'

he replied. c"Yes/'

"Have

you

ever

known

its quantity

abundance an being increasedthrough decrease through excessive of rain3 or heat


81
or

famine?" I asked*

ne ft'Xo;3 replied*

"Does not your reason say/'said who created the I, |Cthat the God
was garden

He He

who

and that

created the oceanf fixed a limit to the stands


In

latter? The
favour of my
those

proof which

argument Is that,were
like
sea,
waves strained re-

groat mountains
arise out of the from
a passing

which

not

certain

limit,
the

they would
whole

have

overwhelmed

gardenof the world. We see that their furyand passion, despite which reaching, there is a fixed limit, become spent/' their furyand passion
quite The wonder of the phenomena right. makes your arguments very strong."
are

"Yes," he

said,"you

ttlwill dwell farther

on

the

matter/"
nection conone

said

I, "and

convince you

of the

of the differentcreations

with another-a connection which must that the Universe is prove to you the work of one omnipotent, ent, omnisci-

and be
aware

God. You muat omnipresent that many not are gardens


82

by rivers or streams. That trees and plants vegetables! many water growingin forest are supplied by the rains which failfrom the sky^
and all the wild these
water

watered

beasts who
on

inhabit
rain for

spots,depend
also/'

the

he said* "Certainly," do IIJWelI,


you claim which
to
we

not

your sensesl which


meansperfect the knowledge

be the
come

by
of

to to

pointoat things,

you

that

rein the-

clouds carry water to those places devoid of rivers and streams ? If these clouds
than
were

creation of who

some

other

garden^ that other might have stoppedsupplying water at any time, and the of the gaidenmust have been owner in perpetual anxieties as to the w$l" fare of his garden."
he said, right;" 4llhere is a perfect connection with each and everything of the world. It
are

Heg

created the

"You

indeed

would
creator the

be

absurd

to

say

that

the and

of the

its contents garden,

store of water

laid for its use, is-

83

not the

same

as

the

creator must

of the be the certain

sky and

the clouds* He
Ms

to water

at garden,

necessary moments

lest His

garden

die* I wish you to discuss a little that I may clear my brain of further, doubt and be thoroughly any lingering convinced of the truth.1*

pleasure, 1 will con?5nce you that the things created by somo "ofthis world are
wise
creator.

God's f*Inskar-Allalr"wiib.

will convince

you

throughthis
and garden al
can

sha"li!a? and the

-connection with

prove its thingsof the

the skies/9

said he, hardlyimagine/3 all my of this doubts

"that you can remoye the medium "through "I will from the

said I,**show you it/'

of creation, the atoms stability -and ingredients, that go to make fect per-

and development^

from

this

kalila'sfirstconnection with its roots -and branches prove the has thing
on

OHO dependence

and another,

the close

.relation borne to celestialobjects."


84

S|Ifyou prove these tilings" he r*I can no longer doubt1' said,

SlYou must
the "oZt7a

know/1 said I,
the
root

"that

springsfrom
to
one

earth^
that

fibers run

strong
and twigs,

flings up
and
are

stem. The stem has

branches*
the

the branches

twigs
from

studded with

buds pearl-like and

leaves emerge* form a canopy things

which

all these

to shelter the

from flowers, fruits, whole-buds, of severity the cold


can
or

the

heat"

"No he

doubt

in my mind," linger with with

"the halila said*

its

and connection tion, where


it grew5

perfeethe place
leaves,

its roots
me

and

witnesses with
"one

that there is only has


no

that He creator;

partner harmony

For his (shairik).


to each other
"one

creations are related


are

and

in

with

another,"

"If I further pro?" to you/' said of these I, "the wisdom and necessity and the dependence of each creations,
on

the other

will you bear witness to of (hikmat)

the existence and wisdom

God?"
"5

WI would not hesitate to


he said.

do

so/"

"Listen to me/; 1
know

said ^Do

you

that the halila is

dependent on
on

the earth;and the earth of the heat and

the effects heat


on

cold, the
the

and the

cold

on

weather,the
on on

weather

the wind wincl^

clouds^the
on

clouds
season,

the

the rain rain?


on.

the

the

season

the movements

of the Son Moon


on

and

Moon^ the Sun


that

and

the revolution of the

and the

sky
the

on

sky^ tween atmosphere bethe

heaven

and

earth?

and this dependence^ Surely


of creations
are

connection

themselves
wisdom and
so can

proofs of
skill of close to
be

the wonderful

God.
each

Their connection is
other that not
e?en one

dis"
a

pensedwith^
moment

(if)
out

one

for

became

of

order, thewould plant

whole
be

creation-earth and

destroyed/'
tf|

What

he said* you say is correct/5

''But the creation you tioaing, may not have

missed
so

men*
a

intimate

connection with the Uni?erse/s


86

"What
"It is eel" He

creation Is thatf
man

I asked

you

have not mention-

replied.

"Don't you these

know," I said,"that most closely connect* are things


man?

fid with
these

God

has

created

all

thingsfor
you

his benefit." tion?" satisfac-

"Can
He

prove it to my asked* not?" I

"Why

prove it to you so afterwards you will


to

replied"I will that thoroughly s bear testimony

the fact that the

world and thing everyand benefit in it is for the use

of man."

"Tell me, "He


has
as or

how?" he asked. created the


a

I said^ sky,"
it

"overhead
been

roof

for him-had
to

lower

just up

his

head Sun death.


him
sea

lie would

have

suffered. The
to

would

have

scorched him
created
as

The stars He
when
or

he

travelled at
serve

to guides night by

land,others

him

for

nomical astro-

calculations and to prove the senses'


87 to inaptness

know

everything*

They

are

witnesses living

ence of the exist-

of

great almighty God,


this
never

who such

taught
science

man

science.

For

could

be known and

the medium
most

of senses!

through untaught
unknown:-

hare

alwaysremained

and Mighty Magnificent (Aziz) (JaUbdf) one ! how marvellous are has He these creations of yours!" and the created for lamps the Sun lustrous Moon" They float in the sky He lights with marvellous rapidity.
them and

If0h !

Their appearance accordingly* the seasons. cause disappearance


them
rest the

On

calculations of the
for

founded years-months and days^,


man's
use

and

benefit*

He

works

duringday, and rests at; night.Had the days and nightsremained in one condition-the day never to becomet, nor the night to become day,. nigh the people could not have made headway
in

their affairs. He skilful Creator


the

the

most

wise

and

created the
for

clear and and

shining day night for the arranged the

work^
and

the dark

rest and

repose. cold-two

He

heat

contrary effectsf yet both

necessary. If there had been all heat or cold, nothingcould have lived.
The

garden would perish with the for all these things beingsin it, are
connected with the air that floats in
the space. The

coldness checks
the

sive exces-

and perspiration, the harmful


on

heat nullifies the food

effects of

besides actively bocly? assisting in its developmentwhen the body is produced gets dried^moisture by the heat absorbs the it;when moist^
the

moisture.

In

the
or

same

way

the

clouds

absorb
rain iu

they
to the

need

giveout; you see proportionate quantity of the world. If they


would
run

did not, the whole world

risk of total destruction* God


rain
to regularly
sons

sends

the earth inhabited

by

the

of Adam-the
or

carpet on

which

they walk,

cradle wherin

they sleep,God has keptthe world uprightfor him-the mountains are and from the mountains the weights,
the rivers flow to without earth the
89
water

the

worldthe

these
must

streams

of water

have
a

remained
poor

dry and

people in

condition. He

has created the seas,

over

which

men

are Yoyage, In these seas of which give food to some

creatures man,

and
self. himwhole

ornaments

by

which

he adorns of the

The world

combination

of design uniformity indicate one creator plainly throughout

and the

of the

whole.

For

nowhere

exists

the contrast
that must
ease

and difference of

opinion
the lias

ia necessarily arise,
creator.

of another

The

sky
are

thingsfor produced
die earth

man's benefit and There


?ege*

likewise.

fresh grapes, grain, olives, dates, tables,

gardens,fruits and pastures devised for man's use and skilfully The beasts also, from which pleasure.
"rreen man

gets wool

to

manufacture

into other

to clothing,

rids

and

many

purposes

are

created

by God
his
must two

for him.

They
and

are

necessary for

upkeep
bear in distinct One
of

You well-being.
that

mind

there

are

of life in the species the other generation,

world. of

production.

One
eaten

is made both

to

eat, the other to ba

sarily (kinds of) creatures necesBecause He being the same.

90

who

constructed
the

the
correct

human

body

also knows He

food for it

that asks the gave the appetite that digests! food,the stomach and
tissues

the supplies
the blood* He

and

replenishes
tines intesand effete

arrangedthose
waste

through which
matter
man

the creator of passes* Had been other than the creator

of his
the

food.He

would not have created


wants

that appetite

the

food

of that other creature,nor


other be
so

would the
creation
to

creature

allow his

eaten/1

he by your eloquence/' "made me declare said, unhesitatingly that the creator of all the things is is the only and the same. on" wine* merciful! omnidue"

"*You have

"potent I praise

omniscient and

God,

glorify But I have doubt with regard Him* Are to one the deadly poisons thing. the creations and injure that kill man created by Him?11
lfls it not clear to "that
91

I asked, you/' is created by God?*' poison

I clWell,

don's understand"

lie

*why He replied, evil things. Such


from hove

and c'reats injurious evil be tilings far

His nature,and it does not beHim


to

what injure this

is His own.5*

"I will stillby

"h.alilo? and

the medical science


to you

harmful Do
you

and prove explain that such thingsseemingly to man not in reality are so* know of any plants perfect*
to man?1 I asked*

ly harmless
"Yes"
he

replied*
they?'
men

"What

are

^Those which he said. food/'

eat

dailyfor

1 asked, "that you believe/' food sometimes produces ehaoge of


"color in the such
as

"Do

and body*

various

ailments,

leprosysconsumption or

?* jaundice

"Yes,"he
"Then back
was

said.
a reply^

your

short time

incorrect/5

he said, "Yes,indeed/'
92

"Do

you

know

of

roots

of

no"

benefit to man?11 I asked.

"Yes/'lie replied*
11

What

are

they?' 1 asked.

remains "They are8,"ew@",to,.@6(this


an

unfilled space
not

as

the words of the in the

replyare text)
"Bat
with
"cure

found

original

do you not

know,that mixed

things these very roots and consumption? 1 think leprosy


must the

other

you
me an

know
name

this* Can
a

you

tell
as

of

antidote to

that acts plant poison?*1


an

"Has
I asked*

not

such *Tiryak*

effect?9*

he replied, "Yes/5 "Tiryakis the king of all medicines. It is sought of snake bite, for in cases stingof a wasp or an ant,or when poisonhas been taken internally/'

"Do

you

not

know/' said I,"that

two administered in poisons are and namely external application^ ways

internal
93

administ ration ,

and

this

lation distilis prepared by special 4tiryakJ and the burningwith it of the


of the most rtesli
venomous

snakes T
wrong
an

"I liesaid^ "Yes,** does for, tiryak

ain

again,

not prove
,

efficacious

antidote to
you

as poison unless prepared

mention/3 "Then
there is -nothing really
at

though it may seem so created by God/3 sight*


I

the

first

said I.

declare!'Ld-i-Mhd,i!~

mh~daIm4d-$kanJc-a~Miu lalldh,
is
no

(There

no

God

but

one

God, and He has


bear

that testimony He has created all the (seemingly) well as the good* as injurious things The heavenly the clouds and bodies* wind He regulates. The diseases and

and partner),

medicines
knows and

are

all

from

Him.

He

man's

ailments bodyexactly-its He knows He


man's soul the

remedies.
same

in the

way.

has made

that stars,

There

is

destiny, of design, and no uniformity


Universe in
me
one

calculate man's

contradiction. The whole


of harmony speaks

God. Tell

94

now,

of something

call Him

'AvwE

do you the first, 'AWwt the

Him,

Why

'Rltabir* the last,


the wise and

ommiscient and'

rand?" because He
of

"He from

is 'Amd" kind
as

isfree

every

'/^^//-circumstances-such heat, cold,hardness,


is 'alchir'because

softness

etc.
no

He

He
onto

has

end

There is

no

one

like

him,
with

lie 1ms
the

created

verse the Uni-

help of no one. (He lias cieated absolutely from nothing; matter His 'amrofno was required and the Universe (command) passed, He created without in existence.) was
the

least trouble
DO

or

reflectionof mind.

lie need

to 'kayfiyat-(eondition)
are

create, for conditions themselves


created

by

Him.

We
no

call

Him

because Ho had 'Avvai',

beginning.
has
none

He
to

is from

all eternity. He
nor

equalHim in power, nor adversary, existing


any known
can

any

self-

any

equalin
is not

of

His
to the

attributes. He

is 95

the senses senses~(for He only detect created things). known only by His creation-the

wonderful

is

whose existence phenomenon, He a bespeaks great wisdom. God? the most holy and exalted-

"Why do you call Him lie asked most powerful?*


*

the 'Qaoi'9

We

call Him

because He *Qavi\
and

has

created

strong mountains, seas


such things,
as

enormous very things,such as; earth

with

and
men,

sands^moving
clouds of beasts? and
stars.

water, Sun, Moon


cf magnitude and their

The

their munificence size,

the revolution and luster, the


with empyreal empire, of the earth are appallingly

of majesty
the wonders

of His great. These mementoes guide us to^maarafat?mightiness of His self. We do not koowledge call Him of the power because, 'Qavi', of the created He

In things.

no

way

does

compare

their

their other
most

for things, attributes diminish or increase, is dependent "/n some power for existence, and God thing the

with created

exalted and

selfomnipotent,
no

existent and eteinal has

likeness
96

to

them, in their defective greatness.


call Him

We

'^[sim'-the sreafr-and
o

to any *7fo"ir-mighty-incomparable

call a tree earthlygreatness. We and we call a wrestler strong, great, But this gives idea of God's us no and strength/1 greatness "How
is it?9 he in

calls Himself

asked,"that the holy book


who

He
of

cQuran'
knows?'

lf

Samia

"-one

hears~-|
who

*"anr"-who

sees-and "Almn-ouQ

#lFor this reason Him


any

that

from nothing
any
act
nor

is hidden -neither

thought
is (Samf

He

is
over

'Basir\for His
the Universe*

observation extends
He for

whispersof heard by Him. He are every man hears the secrets of every whisper,three persons whisper to~getherf 110
but He is the

the

fourth

among

them,

and
but
so

no

four persons

talk

to"gether?
them, and
an

He
on.

is the fifth among

He

hears the sound of


a

ant

walkingon

viscid stone,the sounds

of noisless birds

Nothing
97

escapes

flyingin the air. His knowledge-

risibleor
are things

felt invisible,
in His

or

unfeHy-all
is that He earth

knowledge.He
the
we

*Samia\

not

with
ears as

idea

hears with

of the
ears
nor

do5 for He
Ho
to

eyes* is unknown is 'Aim', for nothing


it be fathom

has neither

Him, whether

deepin
skies,,
had

the

ground
it be

or near

beyond
or

the He

whether

far.

of knowledge
came

all things before

they

into existence. He

is 'Alim'*

Bat
as

His
man

is knowledge

not

acquired
He
is

does with the aid of his senses,


are

His attributes

His

essence*

exempt
pure and

from

all human

attributes,
attributes
not

undefiled* These

Samix, Basir and Alim-must


you
an

give
is

idea earthly

of God,

He

and pure* far above His creations, holy and His names are holy too,5' "*You have made
to

it

clear perfectly
want

me," said he, "but I


way

you

to

it in such a explain to giveproper reply


to
me,

that I may

I wish to

so

querries pot the subject study

all

that 1 may at once confound or refute atheists and their scepticism, and
98

moreover

be useful to those who

are

seekingthe truth, and solidify the ground on which true believersstand. I am Why Is He called 'iafo/-6ne?
aware

because

He

has

created fine

But I should like (to have) tilings* further explanation of this", a *fl!e is

^fi/Y'
His

said I, "because
to
so

everythingof
by unperceived
fineness and minutest
a

the

smallest
as

sometimes creation,

small

to be

the human

eyes? shows

finished perfection to the


ant

detail-some small creations,


an

goator

are

as

to sex, condition

indistinguishable or age-when one


have
a

observes that

these

certain

carnal reasoning power, have desires, and fear of death and theylove passionsj their their joung ones and recognize when their minuteness; friends, despite .other creatures see inhabiting we different places~skies? seas, forests or

houses-all with
in wonder

the above

attributes^.
call Him

and

worshipwe
we

'-the 'Latif

creator of fine and minute

creations,as
because

call Him

*Qavi,

He

created

powerfuland

strong things/5
99

"What
is very
comes

you

have

to explained

me

he clear/1 it

said. flBut liow


man

for possible the


names

to

call

himself

by

to applicable

God?'*

j, the most holyand it, Han calls high has not prohibited and calls God certain thingone, a
"Because Go
"one

also* He

calls one

man

'Sdnea~

another God is 'gitaea* artists-and also, of "ood-or Sa-mia, 'JZoyii'-supplier

'Basir' and he calls God


but the when

the

same;

eaid
are

different meaningsare vastly to God" When a thiog applied to be one5 it suggests that there like it. But
it is when

more

God

is

called onef
never
was or

suggests that there


or

will be may be

another
aware

like unto

Him.
are

You

given to people for identification only*We eali a person


names

that

when

but in truest he is alone,


man

sense

of the word many,


to
one

is not

one,

he is

he has different limbs

unlike

bones another,has blood, flesh,

And sinews, has hairs and nails, ness darkand whiteness^ and all creation
Is like

that thiSj proving

person

is

100

"one

onlyin
or

name sense*

and

not

ia really

structure

But the word who

"one8
Is

Is

to God, justly applicable


no one*

like unto *Samitf and


most

He

holds the

names

Basir, Qavi, Azis, llalim


in the
same

Alim

He the way* exalted God,-has created every These ?ery


His
names

wonder*
not His

bespeak
not

but that which He attributes,


essence.

is-His

attributes are
but

in addition to

His-self

He

is

Sami", Dasir,Hakim, Alim and Qwi


in His very essence/5

"Explainto me/1
He
has called Himself

he

said* "why
'Raliim*

"Rauf

-merciful-and *Razd9"*will anger


or

what

is meant

by His
'Gaasab'-

or

consent-and

displeasure-r
stinct In-

"Mercy in us,"said I, lfis an


which and

prompts us
the

to

kindness

of God mercy is the very kindness and reward stowed beMan's mercy holds on man*
two

But gifts.

for a man in interpretations-pity distress without alleviating it;or pity


a

in

more

substantial form
for the time

as

cating extrihis

him
101

from

him with food say-supplying or ly clothings. Peoplespeak very highand pointcut this charity as most commendable* The action of charity was by the instinctof mercy produced
in the human

heart. But God's mercy

is also the
us*

mercy

from originating

When has been one example:the pangs rescued by another from fierce of hunger,or the fangs of some at once feel the mercy of we animal, For It is true that He
same

God.

is merciful,,
as

but not in the

way

man

is

merciful. The

mercy

in iLan's heart is not

originates in God's, existing


that

though God
has when
no man

put

it in
man*

for, God man's;

heart like

Again *gazab!

gets acgry, he himself limbs tremble^ undergoes changes-his


his colour

and changes,
the
one

he who

inflicts

punishment on

roused

his anger. But God suffersno The word is used 'gazab' senses-that
one

changes.
in
two

heart is not
same

from originating to God^ in applicable

the the

razd
*

ReJiamet and NdHe is only the (displeasure).


way

*R"za

JaKi

-glorious-,
none

sis

-magnificent
,

and there is

like unto

him."
102

to me His intention "Now, explain he said, and will," c%hy is lie called

'Murid!

(willing)?5
action,"said I,
"is the

"Man's

result of intention and

pre-conceived

The intention of God is the thought. of the deed without accomplishment Hi" p re-meditation or thought. At is already 'Amra'-cornmand the thing without trouble or care at perfection, His part," on "You
he have

said,"in

fullyconvinced and every detail,


more

me/*

argumentsare
any who

your than enough for


sense*

person of

common

To

God*

and right path, from falling into sin,or us prevents daringto compare Him, or doubt His

guidesus

to the

might and greatness,


offer my H"
is is
none

I omnipotencyf Indeed There


is too

heart* felt thanks.


a

without great,

rival He

like unto Him.

exalted to have any

or partner.* equal

PEA0E

OTTO

TEEM

WHO

FOLLOW

THE

TBUTH,

103

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