-- provisional translation by Todd Lawson
“In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate” (Qur’an) [2]
Be steadfast, O seeker of piety, in the station of affirming
the divine unity. As God, exalted be He, has said:
“As for those who say ‘our Lord is God’ then continue
steadfast, the angels descend upon them saying ‘fear not, nor be grieved, and
receive good news of the Garden which ye were promised!’” (Qur’an)
Know ye that “the paths to God are as numerous as the
breaths of the creatures” yet, there is “no Soul but One” (Qur’an) and there is
no religion but the one religion, and it is the “Cause of God and our Command
is but a single Act” (Qur’an)
“So set thou thy face steadily towards the True Faith – the
Nature made by God – in which He has made men. There is no altering in God’s
creation.” (Qur’an)
Verily, Religion is supported by four pillars:
1) Affirming the divine unity
2) Prophethood
3) Guardianship, and
4) The community of true believers
These are four gates, none of which is of any use without
the others.
And all of this is the “Face of God which never perish” (Qur’an).
And this is the love of the Family of God which is the same as the love of God.
This is the Hidden Treasure to which the Prophet, upon Him and His family be peace,
openly alluded when He said: “Above each good is another good until one loves
us, and when one loves us there is no good higher.” (Qur’an)
