at this Servant had no mischief in mind and had
never associated with the sowers of sedition. By Him Who hath caused the
tongues of all beings to speak forth His praise! While certain
considerations rendered it difficult to make application to any quarter,
such steps were perforce taken to protect certain souls. My Lord, verily,
knoweth what is in Me, and He beareth witness unto the truth of what I
say.

217 A just king is the shadow of God on earth. All should seek shelter
under the shadow of his justice, and rest in the shade of his favour. This
is not a matter which is either specific or limited in its scope, that it
might be restricted to one or another person, inasmuch as the shadow
telleth of the One Who casteth it. God, glorified be His remembrance, hath
called Himself the Lord of the worlds, for He hath nurtured and still
nurtureth everyone. Glorified be, then, His grace that hath preceded all
created things, and His mercy that hath surpassed the worlds.

218 It is clear and evident that, whether this Cause be seen as right or
wrong by the people, those who are associated with its name have accepted
and embraced it as true, and have forsaken their all in their eagerness to
partake of the things of God. That they should evince such renunciation in
the path of the love of the All-Merciful is in itself a faithful witness
and an eloquent testimony to the truth of their convictions. Hath it ever
been witnessed that a man of sound judgement should sacrifice his life
without cause or reason? And if it be suggested that this people have
taken leave of their senses, this too is highly improbable, inasmuch as
such behaviour hath not been confined to merely a soul or two--nay, a vast
multitude of every class have drunk their fill of the living waters of
divine knowledge, and, intoxicated, have hastened with heart and soul to
the field of sacrifice in the way of the Beloved.

219 If these souls, who have renounced all else but God for His sake and
offered up their life and substance in His path, are to be accounted as
false, then by what proof and testimony can the truth of what others
assert be established in thy presence? The late Haji Siyyid
Muhammad(30)--may God exalt his station and immerse him in the ocean of His
forgiveness and mercy!--was one of the most learned divines of his age, and
one of the most devout and pious men of his time. So highly was he
regarded that his praise was on every tongue, and his righteousn