w this symbolic language, more eloquent
than any speech, however direct, testifieth to the non-existence of a true
believer. Such is the testimony of Sadiq. And now consider, how unfair and
numerous are those who, although they themselves have failed to inhale the
fragrance of belief, have condemned as infidels those by whose word belief
itself is recognized and established.

And now, inasmuch as these holy beings have sanctified themselves from
every human limitation, have become endowed with the attributes of the
spiritual, and have been adorned with the noble traits of the blessed,
they therefore have been designated as "angels." Such is the meaning of
these verses, every word of which hath been expounded by the aid of the
most lucid texts, the most convincing arguments, and the best established
evidences.

As the adherents of Jesus have never understood the hidden meaning of
these words, and as the signs which they and the leaders of their Faith
have expected have failed to appear, they therefore refused to
acknowledge, even until now, the truth of those Manifestations of Holiness
that have since the days of Jesus been made manifest. They have thus
deprived themselves of the outpourings of God's holy grace, and of the
wonders of His divine utterance. Such is their low estate in this, the Day
of Resurrection! They have even failed to perceive that were the signs of
the Manifestation of God in every age to appear in the visible realm in
accordance with the text of established traditions, none could possibly
deny or turn away, nor would the blessed be distinguished from the
miserable, and the transgressor from the God-fearing. Judge fairly: Were
the prophecies recorded in the Gospel to be literally fulfilled; were
Jesus, Son of Mary, accompanied by angels, to descend from the visible
heaven upon the clouds; who would dare to disbelieve, who would dare to
reject the truth, and wax disdainful? Nay, such consternation would
immediately seize all the dwellers of the earth that no soul would feel
able to utter a word, much less to reject or accept the truth. It was
owing to their misunderstanding of these truths that many a Christian
divine hath objected to Muhammad, and voiced his protest in such words:
"If Thou art in truth the promised Prophet, why then art Thou not
accompanied by those angels our sacred Books foretold, and which must
needs descend with the promised Beauty to assist Him in His Revelation and
act as warn