mbodiments of purity, who showed forth naught but true knowledge and
stainless deeds, suffered an agonizing death! Notwithstanding all this,
each of these holy beings, up to his last moment, breathed the Name of
God, and soared in the realm of submission and resignation. Such was the
potency and transmuting influence which He exercised over them, that they
ceased to cherish any desire but His will, and wedded their soul to His
remembrance.

Reflect: Who in this world is able to manifest such transcendent power,
such pervading influence? All these stainless hearts and sanctified souls
have, with absolute resignation, responded to the summons of His decree.
Instead of complaining, they rendered thanks unto God, and amidst the
darkness of their anguish they revealed naught but radiant acquiescence to
His will. It is evident how relentless was the hate, and how bitter the
malice and enmity entertained by all the peoples of the earth towards
these companions. The persecution and pain they inflicted on these holy
and spiritual beings were regarded by them as means unto salvation,
prosperity, and everlasting success. Hath the world, since the days of
Adam, witnessed such tumult, such violent commotion? Notwithstanding all
the torture they suffered, and manifold the afflictions they endured, they
became the object of universal opprobrium and execration. Methinks
patience was revealed only by virtue of their fortitude, and faithfulness
itself was begotten only by their deeds.

Do thou ponder these momentous happenings in thy heart, so that thou
mayest apprehend the greatness of this Revelation, and perceive its
stupendous glory. Then shall the spirit of faith, through the grace of the
Merciful, be breathed into thy being, and thou shalt be established and
abide upon the seat of certitude. The one God is My witness! Wert thou to
ponder a while, thou wilt recognize that, apart from all these established
truths and above-mentioned evidences, the repudiation, cursing, and
execration, pronounced by the people of the earth, are in themselves the
mightiest proof and the surest testimony of the truth of these heroes of
the field of resignation and detachment. Whenever thou dost meditate upon
the cavils uttered by all the people, be they divines, learned or
ignorant, the firmer and the more steadfast wilt thou grow in the Faith.
For whatsoever hath come to pass, hath been prophesied by them who are the
Mines of divine knowledge, and Reci