while the ignorant
(short-sighted) person becometh troubled when he seeth a storm, is
saddened when it raineth severely, is terrified by the thunder and
trembleth at the surging of the waves which storm the shores.

As ye have heard of the former times, when (for example) Christ--glory be
to Him! --appeared, a storm of trials arose, afflictions appeared, the
winds of tests blew, the thunder of temptation descended and hosts of
people (Pharisees) surrounded the houses of the friends; then the weak
ones were shaken and were misled after once being guided; but the
disciples withstood the hardships and endured the storms of ordeals,
remaining firm in the Religion of God. Then observe that which occurred
after the storm and what appeared subsequent to that severity, whereby the
members (followers) trembled.

God hath changed the sorrow to joy, the destructive darkness of calamity
into the shining light from the Supreme Concourse. The people at the
beginning persecuted and reviled the believers in God and said of them:
"These are the people of aberration." Then, when their light appeared,
their stars shone and their lamps illuminated, the people returned into
love and affinity; they prayed to them, offered words of glory night and
day (in their name) and remembered them in eulogy, reverence, honor and
majesty.

Therefore, O ye beloved of God, be not grieved when people stand against
you, persecute you, afflict and trouble you and say all manner of evil
against you. The darkness will pass away and the light of the manifest
signs will appear, the veil will be withdrawn and the Light of Reality
will shine forth from the unseen [Kingdom] of El-Abha. This we inform you
before it occurs, so that when the hosts of people arise against you for
my love, be not disturbed or troubled; nay, rather, be firm as a mountain,
for this persecution and reviling of the people upon you is a pre-ordained
matter. Blessed is the soul who is firm in the path!

"O thou servant of God!..."

O thou servant(14) of God!

***Trust no man save him whose breast hath been dilated by God through the
light of faith, whom God hath confirmed in His Religion, and who is
severed from all else save God and attracted by His Fragrances.

In future, of course, certain people will come to you claiming faith; do
not believe them nor trust them, unless after critical examination, search
and investigation, and a long period of waiting, they shall appear to b