n," it is clear and evident that such revelation
already existeth in all things. The truth of this We have already
established, inasmuch as We have demonstrated that all things are the
recipients and revealers of the splendours of that ideal King, and that
the signs of the revelation of that Sun, the Source of all splendour,
exist and are manifest in the mirrors of beings. Nay, were man to gaze
with the eye of divine and spiritual discernment, he will readily
recognize that nothing whatsoever can exist without the revelation of the
splendour of God, the ideal King. Consider how all created things
eloquently testify to the revelation of that inner Light within them.
Behold how within all things the portals of the Ridvan of God are opened,
that seekers may attain the cities of understanding and wisdom, and enter
the gardens of knowledge and power. Within every garden they will behold
the mystic bride of inner meaning enshrined within the chambers of
utterance in the utmost grace and fullest adornment. Most of the verses of
the Qur'an indicate, and bear witness to, this spiritual theme. The verse:
"Neither is there aught which doth not celebrate His praise"(106) is
eloquent testimony thereto; and "We noted all things and wrote them
down,"(107) a faithful witness thereof. Now, if by "attainment unto the
Presence of God" is meant attainment unto the knowledge of such
revelation, it is evident that all men have already attained unto the
presence of the unchangeable Countenance of that peerless King. Why, then,
restrict such revelation to the Day of Resurrection?

And were they to maintain that by "divine Presence" is meant the "Specific
Revelation of God," expressed by certain Sufis as the "Most Holy
Outpouring," if this be in the Essence Itself, it is evident that it hath
been eternally in the divine Knowledge. Assuming the truth of this
hypothesis, "attainment unto the divine Presence" is in this sense
obviously possible to no one, inasmuch as this revelation is confined to
the innermost Essence, unto which no man can attain. "The way is barred,
and all seeking rejected." The minds of the favourites of heaven, however
high they soar, can never attain this station, how much less the
understanding of obscured and limited minds.

And were they to say that by "divine Presence" is meant the "Secondary
Revelation of God," interpreted as the "Holy Outpouring," this is
admittedly applicable to the world of creation, that is, in the