Pillars of Belief – Part 3

The Seedbed of Light, The Third Treatise

The Necessity of Resurrection (page 48-49)

• Destiny draws outlines or plans according to the purposes assigned to it by Wisdom, and Power builds it accordingly.

KNOW, O FRIEND, that everything has two aspects: its visible form, which resembles a garment made specifically for the functions and purposes assigned to it, and its immaterial aspect, which comprises all forms it will assume during its life. This is like a circle formed by something with light attached to one end spinning around itself at high speed. An item’s immaterial aspect is, in one respect, its life-history determined by Destiny, which we call “fate” or the “destiny of things.” Both aspects contain wise purposes for the item’s existence and life. The material aspect requires Power, while Destiny determines its shape and growth. In other words, Destiny draws outlines or plans according to the purposes assigned to it by Wisdom, and Power builds it accordingly.

• Denying God’s Existence and Unity means attributing to every atom and natural cause as much knowledge and power as to create the whole universe.

Those who refer to true scientific knowledge and truth must admit, through their ingratitude and unbelief, that every minute particle and “natural” cause has enough knowledge to produce garments for everything that must have as much as power as necessary to renew continually all garments torn Tree of Creation and supposedly the most powerful cause, the most knowledgeable, and having the most comprehensive will power, let alone minute particles, cannot fashion a suitable garment for a thorny tree. However, the All-Wise Maker clothes it in ever-new garments while it grows, and makes its green, richly decorated and perfectly fitting garments swiftly and easily. All glory be to Him, Who brings what He wills into existence by saying to it “Be! and it is. Glory be to Him in Whose Hands is the dominion of all things, and unto Him you are returning (36:82-83).

Whoever creates this universe and puts it in order does it with utmost Wisdom. According to Its Wisdom, it plans events in such a way that enables us to see wisdom in creation of things. It is our duty to see wisdom of why things are created, rather than jumping into conclusions such as I am happy/unhappy. If we do not think of our purpose here, we cannot understand our mission in this universe. Divine Determining helps us find out the purpose of our existence through the existence of objects/events.

All human beings desire to be happy. But the purpose of one’s existence is not to be happy and die happy. The purpose of one’s existence is to find out the One that gives happiness.

Everything in this universe is created with a perfect order. The One that establishes this Order is the One that gives existence to the whole universe. When we experience something, we question its existence and then our existence. That is the only way we use our human qualities here. We find the purpose of our existence according to the purpose of the existence of an event. Think about it: Why are you put in contact with an ant? See in the creation of the ant the manifestation of its Creator’s wisdom. Existence of the ant is given by the One that gives you existence.

Everything in our lives should have a purpose. This purpose should be to get to know the existence of matter. One’s existence is subject to continuous change through Wisdom. Matter is given existence by a particular choice of Power which gives existence to everything. Always ask:

• How come matter exists? (i.e. Power)
• How come there is wisdom in the thing that exists? (i.e. Wisdom)

Life consists of each moment of existence which looks like a fixed constant existence. In reality, the universe is dynamic. If there is motion, then there is a factor which is the cause and result of this motion. Think: What factor makes the matter change? Only then will you start to see the immaterial aspect of existence i.e. meaning the matter carries which points to the One that gives it existence.

• How do you explain the existence of an atom? Does it happen accidentally?
• How do you explain existence of light?

Do not take existence loosely. Human beings do not consist of body only. We consist of an immaterial side as well which requires us to fulfill our personal responsibility which is to realize the purpose of our existence i.e. what am I doing here?

• Speak to yourself: What am I expected to do here?

Unity= Absoluteness of the Creator beyond imagination i.e. certainty that such a thing exists. When Absoluteness of the Source of Existence has not been acknowledged, one does not see Divine unity. How can one say that one atom can give existence to anything? If one atom can give existence to one thing, then it can give existence to another atom and it continues ad infinitum.

Our position in this universe is similar to that of a consumer. We have to be endlessly grateful to the one who serves us. I cannot give existence to anything (lailaha). Existence is given from the One that creates everything in this universe (illallah). As action of creation is renewed, our purpose of existence is renewed as well.