o the Prophets, in reality are directed to the people, through
a wisdom which is absolute mercy, in order that the people may not be
discouraged and disheartened. They, therefore, appear to be addressed to
the Prophets; but though outwardly for the Prophets, they are in truth for
the people and not for the Prophets.

Moreover, the powerful and independent king represents his country: that
which he says is the word of all, and every agreement that he makes is the
agreement of all, for the wishes and desires of all his subjects are
included in his wishes and desires. In the same way, every Prophet is the
expression of the whole of the people. So the promise and speech of God
addressed to Him is addressed to all. Generally the speech of reproach and
rebuke is rather too severe for the people and would be heartbreaking to
them. So the Perfect Wisdom makes use of this form of address, as is
clearly shown in the Bible itself, as, for example, when the children of
Israel rebelled and said to Moses: "We cannot fight with the Amalekites,
for they are powerful, mighty and courageous." God then rebuked Moses and
Aaron, though Moses was in complete obedience and not in rebellion. Surely
such a great Man, Who is the mediator of the Divine Bounty and the
deliverer of the Law, must necessarily obey the commands of God. These
Holy Souls are like the leaves of a tree which are put in motion by the
blowing of the wind, and not by Their own desire; for They are attracted
by the breeze of the love of God, and Their will is absolutely submissive.
Their word is the word of God; Their commandment is the commandment of
God; Their prohibition is the prohibition of God. They are like the glass
globe which receives light from the lamp. Although the light appears to
emanate from the glass, in reality it is shining from the lamp. In the
same way for the Prophets of God, the centers of manifestation, Their
movement and repose come from divine inspiration, not from human passions.
If it were not so, how could the Prophet be worthy of trust, and how could
He be the Messenger of God, delivering the commands and the prohibitions
of God? All the defects that are mentioned in the Holy Books with
reference to the Manifestations refer to questions of this kind.

Praise be to God that you have come here and have met the servants of God!
Have you perceived in them anything except the fragrance of the pleasure
of God? Indeed, no. You have seen with your own eye