he law of transformation taketh effect. Ponder
thereon, if thou be of them that tread this path, that all thou didst ask
of this owly One may be made plain unto thee and that thou mayest abide
within the tabernacle of this guidance. For He doeth whatsoever He willeth
and ordaineth whatsoever He pleaseth. Nor shall He be asked of His doings,
whilst all men will be asked of their every deed.(57)

87 O My brother! In this stage, which marketh the beginning of the
journey, thou shalt behold divers stations and differing signs, even as
was mentioned in connection with the City of Search. All these hold true
in their respective planes. It behoveth thine eminence in this station to
consider each created thing in its own place, neither abasing nor exalting
its true rank. For instance, if thou wert to reduce the unseen world to
the realm of creation, this would be an act of sheer blasphemy, and the
converse would likewise be the essence of impiety. Wert thou, however, to
describe the unseen world and the realm of creation within their own
stations, this would be the undoubted truth. In other words, wert thou to
witness any transformation in the realm of the divine unity, no greater
sin could be conceived in all creation, but wert thou to consider
transformation in its own place and understand it accordingly, no harm
could befall thee.

88 By My Lord! Notwithstanding all that We have revealed unto thee of the
mysteries of utterance and the degrees of exposition, methinks I have
spoken not a single letter of the ocean of God's hidden knowledge and the
essence of His inscrutable wisdom. God willing, this We shall erelong
accomplish in its appointed time. He verily, remembereth all things in
their own place, and we, in truth, all yield praise unto Him.

89 Know thou, moreover, that the bird that taketh flight in the atmosphere
of the realm on high will never be able to soar unto the heaven of
transcendent holiness, nor taste of the fruits which God hath brought
forth therein, nor quaff from the streams which He hath caused to flow in
its midst. And were it to partake but a drop thereof, it would perish
forthwith. Even as thou dost witness in these days with regard to those
who profess allegiance unto Us, and yet perform such deeds, utter such
words, and advance such claims as they have. Methinks they lie as dead
within their own veils.

90 Comprehend, in like manner, every station, sign, and allusion, that
thou mayest perceive al