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All that thou hast heard regarding Muhammad the son of Hasan(34)--may
the souls of all that are immersed in the oceans of the spirit be offered
up for His sake--is true beyond the shadow of a doubt, and we all verily
bear allegiance unto Him. But the Imams of the Faith have fixed His abode
in the city of Jabulqa,(35) which they have depicted in strange and
marvellous signs. To interpret this city according to the literal meaning
of the tradition would indeed prove impossible, nor can such a city ever
be found. Wert thou to search the uttermost corners of the earth, nay
probe its length and breadth for as long as God's eternity hath lasted and
His sovereignty will endure, thou wouldst never find a city such as they
have described, for the entirety of the earth could neither contain nor
encompass it. If thou wouldst lead Me unto this city, I could assuredly
lead thee unto this holy Being, Whom the people have conceived according
to what they possess and not to that which pertaineth unto Him! Since this
is not in thy power, thou hast no recourse but to interpret symbolically
the accounts and traditions that have been reported from these luminous
souls. And, as such an interpretation is needed for the traditions
pertaining to the aforementioned city, so too is it required for this holy
Being. When thou hast understood this interpretation, thou shalt no longer
stand in need of "transformation" or aught else.
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47
Informational
