Manuscript volume 16 · Page 122

“and his being cast into it was because the anger was directed against him. Its not burning him means that the tyrant’s anger did not affect him, because of the argument with which he prevailed over him, through the proofs he established concerning the setting of the lights: had they been gods, they would not have set. He constructed an argument for him out of that.”

When (the denying philosopher) finished speaking, one of those present who possessed this station and empowerment^[14] said to him, “What if I showed you the truth of what God Most High said concerning the fire—that it did not burn Abraham, and that God made it, as He said, ‘coolness and peace’ for him [al-Anbiyāʾ 21:69]—and I stood in Abraham’s place in this station, peace be upon him, to defend him, without its being a charismatic gift in my own regard?”

The denier replied, “That cannot happen.” He said to him, “Is this not burning fire?” He replied, “Yes.” He said, “You shall see it in your own person.” Then he cast the fire in the brazier into the denier’s lap. It remained upon his clothes for a time while the denier turned it over with his hand. When he saw that it did not burn him, he was astonished. Then he returned it to the brazier, and [the other man] said to him, “Bring your hand near it again.” He brought his hand near, and it burned him. He said to him, “Such was the affair. It is commanded: it burns by command and likewise refrains from burning. God Most High does whatever He wills.” That denier then embraced Islam and acknowledged the truth.

Such a thing appears upon one who leaves charismatic gifts. In his own time, he establishes the prophetic miracle and the sign of the Messenger’s truthfulness on behalf of the Messenger, God bless him and grant him peace. He brings it to establish proof of the truthfulness of the Lawgiver and the religion, not to establish of himself that he is a friend of God through breaking