them. How then could the
ascendancy of the sovereignty of these Lamps be explained? What could the
potency of God's will to "perfect His light" signify? As hath already been
witnessed, so great was the enmity of the infidels, that none of these
divine Luminaries ever found a place for shelter, or tasted of the cup of
tranquillity. So heavily were they oppressed, that the least of men
inflicted upon these Essences of being whatsoever he listed. These
sufferings have been observed and measured by the people. How, therefore,
can such people be capable of understanding and expounding these words of
God, these verses of everlasting glory?

But the purpose of these verses is not what they have imagined. Nay, the
terms "ascendancy," "power," and "authority" imply a totally different
station and meaning. For instance, consider the pervading power of those
drops of the blood of Husayn which besprinkled the earth. What ascendancy
and influence hath the dust itself, through the sacredness and potency of
that blood, exercised over the bodies and souls of men! So much so, that
he who sought deliverance from his ills, was healed by touching the dust
of that holy ground, and whosoever, wishing to protect his property,
treasured with absolute faith and understanding, a little of that holy
earth within his house, safeguarded all his possessions. These are the
outward manifestations of its potency. And were We to recount its hidden
virtues they would assuredly say: "He verily hath considered the dust to
be the Lord of Lords, and hath utterly forsaken the Faith of God."

Furthermore, call to mind the shameful circumstances that have attended
the martyrdom of Husayn. Reflect upon his loneliness, how, to outer
seeming, none could be found to aid him, none to take up his body and bury
it. And yet, behold how numerous, in this day, are those who from the
uttermost corners of the earth don the garb of pilgrimage, seeking the
site of his martyrdom, that there they may lay their heads upon the
threshold of his shrine! Such is the ascendancy and power of God! Such is
the glory of His dominion and majesty!

Think not that because these things have come to pass after Husayn's
martyrdom, therefore all this glory hath been of no profit unto him. For
that holy soul is immortal, liveth the life of God, and abideth within the
retreats of celestial glory upon the Sadrih of heavenly reunion. These
Essences of being are the shining Exemplars of sacrifice.