until it came into view between Salʿ and Hajir,
driven by longing toward its ardent love.
(Affirmation and Agreement in Companionship)
Affirmation is the established affair upon which the whole cosmos rests. Whoever asks someone other than a prophet or an upholder of a prophet[61] to lift custom’s ruling shows discourtesy and ignorance. What they call breaking custom is itself custom, since the establishment of breaking custom is customary. You efface customs only through affirming them.
The possessor of affirmation must have a connection with the Real. Hence he affirms custom’s rulings, for his Companion placed them, and agreement is a condition of companionship. How could he accompany Him, remain connected with Him, and require Him to remove what He sees wisdom in establishing? He knows particularly that God is Wise and All-Knowing concerning what He conducts and affirms, so he affirms what his Companion affirms.
Otherwise, seeking something else, he disputes. Whoever disputes with you is no companion of yours, nor are you his if you dispute with him; he is nearer obstinacy. The possessor of affirmation is perpetually connected with the Real, affirming custom’s rulings because he witnesses Him within them. With this he cannot seek their lifting or effacement. This is affirmation’s station in utmost brevity and clarity. “God speaks the truth
Notes
[61]
(“مشد لنبي” was corrected to “مُشيِّد لنبي” [“an upholder of a prophet”] after reviewing the photographed page of the newer edition, vol. 6, p. 609.)
