ven" denoteth loftiness and exaltation, inasmuch
as it is the seat of the revelation of those Manifestations of
Holiness, the Day-springs of ancient glory. These ancient Beings,
though delivered from the womb of their mother, have in reality
descended from the heaven of the will of God. Though they be
dwelling on this earth, yet their true habitations are the
retreats of glory in the realms above. Whilst walking amongst
mortals, they soar in the heaven of the divine presence. Without
feet they tread the path of the spirit, and without wings they
rise unto the exalted heights of divine unity. With every fleeting
breath they cover the immensity

of space, and at every moment traverse the kingdoms of the visible
and the invisible....

... By the term "clouds" is meant those things that are contrary
to the ways and desires of men. Even as He hath revealed in the
verse already quoted: "As oft as an Apostle cometh unto you with
that which your souls desire not, ye swell with pride, accusing
some of being impostors and slaying others." [Qur'an 2:87.] These
"clouds" signify, in one sense, the annulment of laws, the
abrogation of former Dispensations, the repeal of rituals and
customs current amongst men, the exalting of the illiterate
faithful above the learned opposers of the Faith. In another
sense, they mean the appearance of that immortal Beauty in the
image of mortal man, with such human limitations as eating and
drinking, poverty and riches, glory and abasement, sleeping and
waking, and such other things as cast doubt in the minds of men,
and cause them to turn away. All such veils are symbolically
referred to as "clouds."

These are the "clouds" that cause the heavens of the knowledge and
understanding of all that dwell on earth to be cloven asunder.
Even as He hath revealed: "On that day shall the heaven be cloven
by the clouds." [Qur'an 25:25]. Even as the clouds prevent the
eyes of men from beholding the sun, so do these things hinder the
souls of men from recognizing the light of the divine Luminary. To
this beareth witness that which hath proceeded out of the mouth of
the unbelievers as revealed in the sacred Book: "And they have
said: 'What manner of apostle is this? He eateth food, and walketh
the streets. Unless an angel be sent down and take part in His