e most distinguished
scholars, have diligently studied those branches of knowledge the root and
origin of which were the Greek philosophers such as Aristotle and the
rest, and have regarded the acquisition from the Greek texts of sciences
such as medicine, and branches of mathematics including algebra(20) and
arithmetic, as a most valuable achievement. Every one of the eminent
divines both studies and teaches the science of logic, although they
consider its founder to have been a Sabean. Most of them have insisted
that if a scholar has thoroughly mastered a variety of sciences but is not
well grounded in logic, his opinions, deductions and conclusions cannot
safely be relied upon.

It has now been clearly and irrefutably shown that the importation from
foreign countries of the principles and procedures of civilization, and
the acquisition from them of sciences and techniques-- in brief, of
whatsoever will contribute to the general good--is entirely permissible.
This has been done to focus public attention on a matter of such universal
advantage, so that the people may arise with all their energies to further
it, until, God helping them, this Sacred Land may within a brief period
become the first of nations.

O you who are wise! Consider this carefully: can an ordinary gun compare
with a Martini-Henry rifle or a Krupp gun? If anyone should maintain that
our old-time firearms are good enough for us and that it is useless to
import weapons which have been invented abroad would even a child listen
to him? Or should anyone say: "We have always transported merchandise from
one country to another on the backs of animals. Why do we need steam
engines? Why should we try to ape other peoples?" could any intelligent
person tolerate such a statement? No, by the one God! Unless he should,
because of some hidden design or animosity, refuse to accept the obvious.

Foreign nations, in spite of their having achieved the greatest expertness
in science, industry and the arts, do not hesitate to borrow ideas from
one another. How can Persia, a country in the direst need, be allowed to
lag behind, neglected, abandoned?

Those eminent divines and men of learning who walk the straight pathway
and are versed in the secrets of divine wisdom and informed of the inner
realities of the sacred Books; who wear in their hearts the jewel of the
fear of God, and whose luminous faces shine with the lights of
salvation--these are alert to the present