Many meanings, one search for understanding

Verily, their example is like that wherein Thou hast placed a spring, and there has grown from the earth a tree bearing diverse fruits, and each according to what it loves and its soul desires takes from that tree and judges it according to what it takes. Some say it is a pomegranate tree, and they have spoken truly in what they have said. And some say that tree is an apple tree - these have spoken truly, but they comprehend it not. And some are more refined in view and vision, taking from that tree gardens of delight - these say it is a basil tree, and these comprehend it not.

92 The novel thoughts thou hast expressed as to the symbolism contained in the word "sparrow" were considered. Thou appearest to be well grounded in mystic truth. However, in each realm, to every letter a meaning is allotted which pertaineth to that realm. Indeed, the wayfarer findeth a secret in every name and a mystery in every letter.

Both meanings are fitting and agreeable and wondrous, indicating that the cups of perpetual love of God will circulate like teacups in Gokchay, or that the river of the Kingdom and the stream of the Realm of Might - Gokchay meaning heavenly stream - will flow and surge like a divine flood in that region.

Thus it is recorded: "Every knowledge hath seventy meanings, of which one only is known amongst the people. And when the Qa'im shall arise, He shall reveal unto men all that which remaineth." He also saith: "We speak one word, and by it we intend one and seventy meanings; each one of these meanings we can explain."

Know thou that just as thou art convinced that there is no end to His words, be likewise convinced that their meanings also have no end - but this is known only to their Interpreter and the treasurers of their mysteries.

For the divine words there are infinite interpretations, yet none is aware of them save God.

… Now reflect which are the decisive verses of God and which the ambiguous ones, and thou shalt know those who took the ambiguous verses and cast the decisive ones behind their backs and were among the ungodly.

… The Truth hath appeared of His own Self with clear signs, and these are indeed a proof from God unto every soul, if thou be of them that know. The Divine Proof hath ever been one, and for all they have ordained those same revealed verses as proof.

Say, "O people! Discard vain imaginings, reject the interpretations of those who adhere to perplexing verses, and cling firmly unto the perspicuous verses. Verily, these are the straight path, the guiding light, the solid edifice, the fortified shelter that protect you against the assaults of the heretics."

Despite the fact that the Manifestation of Truth is explicitly stated in the Qur'an without interpretation or explanation - His blessed and exalted words "And thy Lord shall come with angels rank on rank" - they doubt this and waver and make weak interpretations, and cling to traditions that are extremely unstable, and abandon the explicit text and oppose it.

And whoso purifieth the sense of fairness from the catarrh of hatred shall surely find the fragrance of truth from these missives even as one findeth the musk-like fragrance, and shall be of the assured ones.

Therefore, in order that there may be no discord, all of the believers in the truth must not mention me except as Abdul-Baha, the Servant of God. The essential thing is love. I must love you and you must love me. Such is the meaning of the truth, while untruth means rancor, discord and hatred. All else save love is merely outwardly uttered words.

In this Faith there are no hidden mysteries or esoteric allusions. The path of the Cause is straight. I too, in the position of Interpreter, have explained and written whatever was necessary.

The only true Explainer of the Book of God is the Holy Spirit, for no two minds are alike, no two can comprehend alike, no two can speak alike. That is to say, from the mere human standpoint of interpretation there could be neither truth nor agreement.

Know thou that whatsoever the Mirror of Eternity hath interpreted in the words of God is truth, wherein there is no doubt. None may say "why" or "wherefore", nor interpret from their own selves, for all this is associating partners with God in His Book.

The inner aspects of religious law are true without any doubt, but none comprehend this except those well-grounded in knowledge. The outward conforms to the inward - whoever believes in the outward but not the inward has disbelieved, and whoever does not believe in the outward has associated partners with God.

Know thou that these holy verses and heavenly sounds having meanings that are outer (zahir) and inner (batin) and also the inner of the inner (batin al-batin) and so forth endlessly. For the words of God are mirrors encompassing (muhitah) the forms (suwar) of all things.

Know thou that the words of God and His Messengers possess meanings beyond meanings, interpretations beyond interpretations, and symbols, allusions, evidences and wisdom without end. No one shall comprehend even a single letter of their meanings except whom thy Lord willeth, for their meanings are their treasures which they have stored in the treasuries of words.

Know thou that for this celestial verse, this subtle fruit, this divine melody, and this heavenly pearl there are infinite meanings unto infinity.

Were We to interpret but one letter of the Book, it would lead to an entire world and the interpretation of that letter would have no end.

For each letter thereof hath its interpretation, and each interpretation its inner meaning, and each inner meaning yet deeper meanings, and symbols and allusions unto whatsoever God willeth.

Were I to expound this theme to thee fully, the ocean would be exhausted ere the meanings of my Lord's words would be spent, even were We to bring its like for support. For the ocean of inner meanings is vast, vast indeed - surging and billowing, not to be contained in cups nor exhausted by tablets. By God! Were anyone to receive divine assistance, he could derive from every letter of God's Book countless volumes, and from a single drop of that ocean could fill innumerable cups.

The intention of this explanation is to show that the Words of God have innumerable significances and mysteries of meanings -- each one a thousand and more.

There are many meanings in each word of the Revelation.

This pearl of brief utterance which hath appeared from the ocean is a brevity wherein infinite worlds lie concealed, and likewise the realms of meaning and utterance.

Glory be to Him Who has deposited in each letter of His letters a book, and in each intention of His loved ones deeds which none can reckon save His all-encompassing knowledge.

O servant! I desire to make mention of thee, but when meanings are clothed in the garment of every word, it is as though the words are complete in themselves, while in every moment they have manifestations after manifestations, such that they shall never be exhausted throughout the eternity of God, the True, the Great King.

Blessed be the pen and fingers, for though they appear as nothingness, yet a hundred thousand interpretations, explanations and meanings are true of them.

Should anyone, after perceiving this Tablet, reflect upon the aforementioned Word, he would become aware of a wisdom heretofore unknown, for the form of words is the treasury of truth, and their inherent meanings are the spiritual pearls of the Sovereign of Oneness. The hand of Divine infallibility forbiddeth the people from attaining unto it, but when God's Will so decrees and the hand of power unsealeth it, then do the people become cognizant thereof.

O My beloved! The river flows and the ocean surges and the sun shines forth, yet few indeed are the seekers and rare are they to find. And so must it be, for not every sightless one is worthy of the pearls of inner meaning, nor is every witless one capable of receiving this precious gem.

They possess diverse ranks and conditions; in every rank, through the eye of insight, thou shalt perceive that they convey symbols, explanations, and allusions which none can comprehend save those whom God hath made strivers in His Cause, yearning to behold His signs, thirsting for the cup of His favors, and turning their faces toward His countenance, the All-Giving, the All-Forgiving.

The purpose of names is their sacred meanings and their realities which are sanctified from every indication and sign. For the spoken, uttered names assisted by air in the visible world are undoubtedly other than the Named One, as they are accidents that befall the air and are signs for the existing, intelligible meanings in sanctified hearts and abstract minds. Rather, what is intended is the meaning that subsists in the Essence through simplicity and oneness, without any taint of distinction.

In every station it is known by a different name and described by different attributes. All the most beautiful names and most exalted attributes circle round it, and all stations have been and shall be through its name.

In one sense it is interpreted as divine knowledge and heavenly allusions that were hidden in His knowledge, sealed with His seal, and treasured in the pavilion of His protection. In another sense it is interpreted as commands and ordinances, and in yet another as wisdom and exposition.

At times by the Remembrance We mean the Most Great Remembrance, and by the Book We mean this Mighty Book, and by the City We mean that which We have manifested upon the temple of man and sent forth with evident sovereignty. And at times We mean by it that which floweth from His Most Exalted Pen and from His Tongue which God hath made the Dawning-Place of His Revelation and the Dayspring of His mighty and impregnable knowledge. And at times We mean by it that which none hath comprehended save God, the Almighty, the All-Powerful.

Know thou that the Unseen mentioned in this noble verse hath both outer and inner stations. In its outer linguistic meaning, the Unseen is that which is hidden from sight. In its inner meaning, it can be interpreted at times as the Unseen of unseens, the Countenance of the Beloved, the Most Great Mystery, the Most Hidden Symbol, the Divine Reality, and the Eternal Essence, Who hath ever been single in His Essence and unique in His Attributes, and will forever remain as He hath always been, sanctified above mention and description, and above whatsoever is uttered by those endowed with understanding.

And verily what We have taught thee concerning the meaning of the verse is in the way of the outward, and if thou desirest the path of the inward, then know from the mention of the Qiblih the green pillar of the Throne, which is the Guardianship wherein the believers were certain concerning the Family of God, the Imams of the Faith.

But in the outward path, these seeds of meaning are not devoid of saying either from your Lord to your Lord, or from your Lord to yourself, or from yourself to your Lord, or from your Lord to another, or from yourself to another, or from the station of limitation which is other than you to another.

In every one of these stations there is a meaning corresponding to the outward tongue of interpretation, whereby the servant may perceive, if he but meditate. But beyond these seven degrees there extendeth another chain of lateral correspondences, proceeding as reflections from each preceding rank. These possess diverse stations, for the meanings vary according to the differences of their degree, until the significance of the verse reacheth the station of the Atom.

Rather, everything in it has a manifestation, and its manifestation has a manifestation unto infinity. Through it sharpen your vision and extend the hand of your insight, for were the ocean ink for the letters of this surih, the ocean would be spent, even as His words, exalted be His mention, state: "even if We brought the like thereof to aid."

And We have revealed unto thee from what God hath concealed within the inmost reality of this verse, that perchance the people may believe in God and His verses with true and mighty faith.

As for the reference to the inner meanings of the words of the Bab, may my soul be his sacrifice, the Truth hath caused the separate Point, which is the effusion from this Most Great Sea, to speak according to God's revelation unto him thereby.

Know thou that this knowledge is the sister of Prophethood in the temple of Lordship and an attribute of Divinity in the temple of Oneness. None shall comprehend its knowledge save whom God willeth. Verily He is the Mighty, the Wise.

Verily, in the station of inner meaning, this verse possesseth a subtle and delicate significance. The "star" is the first pillar of the Name al-Basít; the "moon" its second pillar; and the "sun" its third. All this hath been set forth for the time when these should appear.

As for the seven spirits and seven stars mentioned in the Revelation of John, these refer to the seven letters found in the Greatest Name, for this Name with its seven letters has shone upon the horizons and illumined creation with brilliant rays from the Kingdom of the All-Merciful.

As for the angel of the church and the seven churches, these refer to holy souls who were ignited with the fire of love for their Lord.

As it spoke forth, there rose above the horizon of its utterance a Sun of such effulgent splendour that, overshadowed by its radiance, the celestial sun grew dark; then it cried out: "The brow of seventy hath been adorned with the diadem of forty and united with the seven before ten"; at this it sighed, and moaned aloud: "Alas, I see the house oblivious of its Master, the son unmindful of his Father, the seeker heedless of the sanctuary and refuge for which he yearneth."

The Holy Book and especially the Revelation of Saint John has several meanings and many interpretations.

Tina and Zita are outwardly two hills in Jerusalem on which divine revelation was sent to the prophets of God.

… By the mount of Tina the reality of Christ is intended, and by the mount of Zita, the reality of Muhammad, which was the planting place of the blessed olive tree "neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil would almost glow even if untouched by fire - light upon light."

Now the Baha'is hold that the recorded signs did come to pass in the Manifestation of Christ, although not in the sense which the Jews understood, the description in the Torah being allegorical. For instance, among the signs is that of sovereignty. For Baha'is say that the sovereignty of Christ was a heavenly, divine, everlasting sovereignty, not a Napoleonic sovereignty that vanisheth in a short time. For well nigh two thousand years this sovereignty of Christ hath been established, and until now it endureth, and to all eternity that Holy Being will be exalted upon an everlasting throne.

As for your question about the blessed verse in the Furqan "O sister of Aaron" - since His Holiness Aaron was renowned for asceticism, piety and godliness, and Her Holiness Mary was likewise, therefore among the people she had the title "sister of Aaron", meaning in purity and sanctity she was Aaron's sister. Similarly, Her Holiness Mary was addressed as "daughter of Imran", as mentioned in the verse "and Mary daughter of Imran". This too was for the sake of sanctity and purity - Mary's actual father was not Imran, as mentioned in the Holy Book.

As for what you asked about the second verse in the sixth chapter of Genesis, what is meant by the "sons" are those who cast aside their desires and found their guidance and became spiritually related to the Glorious Lord, the God of Israel. And what is meant by the "daughters" are the divine inspirations that proceed from the servants.

And from this verse that says in the Torah that the Spirit of God was like a bird above the water - what is meant is the water of divine knowledge which is the cause of heavenly life.

And when it says "Let us create man in Our image" - what is meant is the image of the divine names and attributes, as the Divine Essence is sanctified from material forms and is exalted above and free from similitudes and likenesses.

If you are unable to grasp this theme through your own experience, then refer to the interpretations of the wise among those who interpret dreams, for they have an interpretation for every statement and every action, and for each thing they have an explanation. The most truthful of speakers, in His book, mentions Joseph's vision (upon him and the Lord of our age be peace) and his interpretation of the dreams of two other individuals. Now consider. What kind of world is that wherein his father and mother are seen as the sun and the moon, and his brothers appear in the form of stars?

And verily I saw in a dream as though I had come to one of the gardens of Paradise wherein were trees and plants, and I saw all the leaves of those trees and plants looking at me, each with two eyes - the gaze of reason - being both leaf and animal. This is but a brief allusion to the life of the Hereafter, and the matter is greater, far greater."

This is when we look to the clear revelation. But if we rely on comprehensive interpretation, the Glorious Lord has said: "He bringeth forth the living from the dead, and bringeth forth the dead from the living." Whoever sets limits for God in His glorious outpourings is in manifest error and delusion. Moreover, "Look at the effects of God's mercy - how He quickeneth the earth after its death," and how He gathers luminous creatures in human reality after their passing.

If We declare it to be water, We behold the hearts of men consumed by it, and if We say it is fire, it hath illumined all lands with its radiant and gleaming light. Can anyone truly know it as it deserveth to be known? Nay, by the Beauty of the All-Glorious!

Yet the turbaned ones say that tree was a physical plant in dusty soil, though in the sacred text it is described as a green tree.

"As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up," that the religion of Christ shall be known in the world.

Mr. Reed:

What place does comparative religion have in the Bahai movement?

Abdul Baha:

It is, in fact, considered as a necessity. The Bahais have made a special study of other religions. There are some Bahais who know more about the Gospel than the Christians even. Just now our knowledge of the Koran is not possessed by the Mohammedan priests.

They have a patriarch called ... He was a well known man. The Christians were proud of his knowledge. He was a great orthodox. He possessed a garden outside of Akka, and a building there, and we chanced to pass that day with some Christian friends. He said, "Let us go and call on the patriarch, for the patriarch is here and we will call on him. The patriarch is a friend of mine." We went there. When we sat in the room, I asked the patriarch, "What are you doing all alone here?" He said, "I am not alone." "Who is with you?" I asked. He pointed to the image of Elijah and said, "I talk with Elijah; I am not alone." And as he remarked that he communed with Elijah, I recalled a passage from the Bible. I said: "It is most appropriate to cite a verse from the Gospel which has attracted me often. I wonder what your view of the subject is." "What verse is it? " he asked.

"His Holiness Christ said that John the Baptist was Elijah. When they came from the mount of transfiguration, Elijah came. We expected Elijah to come before Moses, and now Moses has come before Elijah, on Mount Transfiguration. Christ said Elijah came but they did not know him. Nay, rather they molested him, and then the disciples learned from that statement that the simile referred to John the Baptist. Then, again, He says that John the Baptist was the Elijah foretold, who would come before Christ. This is also an explicit text of the Gospel, whereas when they asked of John the Baptist, 'Art thou Elias?' he said, 'I am not.' Christ said he was Elijah. The disciples declared that this John the Baptist was the prophet prophesied, whereas when they asked of him he said he was not. Now, he was either Elijah, or he was not! What is your view of it? How can it be interpreted?"

The man was dumbfounded. He simply changed colors from red to yellow, he was so shame-struck to find I knew so much.

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"Other sheep I have which are not of this fold." He said this meant others outside the tribe of Israel: Europe, Asia, etc.

… The fish represents the spiritual meaning of these Words. The basketful that remained is the superabundant teaching gathered from the Words."

In answer to a question as to why in the Old Testament the prophets and saints hurled denunciations against wicked people and prayed for their utter destruction, our Lord said that those prophets denunciations and curses were not directed against the people, toward whom they had no animosity, but against their bad and evil qualities.

Read, my daughter, the Holy Books of mankind; as a Christian study particularly the New Testament; show me, where does the great Master Jesus speak of the "Wrath of God"? But rather of the all-consuming love of the Father for His lost son!

But in the Sacred Scriptures a special terminology is used, and in the sight of the Manifestations of God these marvels and miracles are of no importance, so much so that They do not even wish them to be mentioned. For even if these miracles were considered the greatest of proofs, they would constitute a clear evidence only for those who were present when they took place, not for those who were absent.

1. The Prophets gave consideration to the level of education of the peoples in their exposition concerning the creation of the world; their reports are therefore adapted to the respective time and culture and have to be interpreted symbolically. Therefore, for example, a day of creation of the Mosaic report of creation may not be understood as a day of 24 hours.

But the long lives mentioned in certain books and narratives have a different basis. For instance, it was a custom in former times to mention a dynasty or family by the name of one person only. However, the people in the following ages thought that the length of time that a family survived was the length of the life of that family's founder.

The ages of those ancient prophets as recorded in the old Testament is symbolic. It has a spiritual interpretation.

Abdul Baha: It does not mean that he lived 900 years as we count them. In ancient times the people were much interested in astrology and they always looked at the stars under which any one was born. If, for instance, one happened to be born under the sign of the moon, his age would be reckoned according to the lunar months - each month as a year; or, if one happened to be born under the sign of the sun, his age would be reckoned according to the days of the sun, and in the Bible it says that each day is as a year in the sight of God.

These questions are not very important.

The Torah consists of commandments that Moses, peace be upon him, gave and which historians recorded. As is clear from the Torah itself, in its final book there is even history after Moses describing what happened after him. It is obvious that the historian was someone else.

The historical accounts in the Torah are not from Moses, but from Ezra. Its laws are from Moses, and the proof of this is that it writes of Moses' death, even saying "Moses said this" and "Moses did that." It is evident that the speaker is another person.

Only the Decalogue and a few other utterances are [from] Moses, the rest is written by Ezra, the priest.

With a critical, spiritual eye we can easily distinguish the heavenly words from the human ideas.

"For instance there is a text in the Bible that says, 'I am the bread of heaven.' In Persian this expression is very exquisite, but not in the translation. This is the word which Christ himself spoke. It is very exquisite, but when read in Arabic it is not so. Those words which come from the Blessed Lips have a different power.

As they were veiled from Christ, they did not understand the revelation of the Bible, but had they believed in the explanations given by Christ, and which were inspired, they would have understood the meanings of these prophesies. Had they believed in the power of inspiration they would not have been veiled from His bounty. As they did not understand the meaning of the revelation given by Christ they did not understand the revelation given in the Book, and these same revelations caused them to crucify Him.

In short, since they did not understand the meaning of the Holy Book, they rejected the Spirit of God (Christ), objected and shunned Him, nay, adorned Him with the cross and committed the utmost persecution.

When Mohammed put forth His claim, a great multitude of the disciples of Christ believed in Him as the man who put forward the claim of being the Comforter mentioned in St. John 16:13.

The true aspect of the religion of Islam is not only misunderstood by the European missionaries and scholars, but even by the Mohamadans themselves, owing to the addition of the excrements of dogmas. If we want to study Islam we must go with a prayerful, reverent heart to its source - the Koran. All the commentators and theologians confuse our thoughts and mislead our aims.

There was mention of the abrogating and abrogated. Recite the verse of the Qur'an which states: "Whatever verse We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, We bring a better one or one similar." This answer suffices.

The interpretation of these statements is mentioned in the clearest manner and with the most wonderful proofs in the Book of Ighan. His honor, Ali-Kuli-Khan, has already translated this Book which will soon be published in America. Then you will be informed of the explanation and interpretation of these verses and statements as elucidated by the Blessed Perfection. Therefore my interpretation is not necessary.

You had asked about the interpretation of the blessed verse. By your precious life, papers are pouring in from all over the world like torrential rain, therefore a detailed explanation is not possible. I will mention it briefly.

Know thou that We have interpreted this verse at the time when We were in Iraq according to what was befitting to possibility, and verily We decree all things in a clear Record. And this is for Husayn who heareth the melodies of the Divine Voice from his own ear, and beholdeth the beauty of His Being with his own eye, and perceiveth the fragrances of holiness from His locks, and there is none besides Him in His holy court who might turn unto Him or expound it or be numbered among the interpreters.

We have set forth therein a matter which none hath discovered, and We have turned therein the verses as a remembrance from Our presence unto those who have believed in God and His signs, and have detached themselves from those who have disbelieved and associated partners with God and who stood at the station of opposition.

Although for this blessed verse which was sent down from the heaven of divine will there are many meanings, yet one manifestation from the sun of its meanings dawned after the acquisition of this land, for this new land was adorned with the ornament of God's Name and is near to the River Jordan - and this is the river that was recorded and mentioned in the divine Books of old, and perhaps it will join [with the Sea] in the future as well.

In times when the leaders of the earth, both rulers and divines, arose with utmost determination and power to extinguish the light, the Luminary of utterance was seen to shine more resplendent and manifest from the horizon of divine knowledge. Thus, every letter of the verses that were revealed in the latter days in the Land of Mystery and likewise on the way, doth in itself proclaim and testify. Yet these veiled people were not worthy to hear even a whisper, much less to hearken unto the Call that was raised from the Kingdom of utterance.

But the heedless ones are engaged in idle talk and play, having no share of the secrets of the Preserved Tablet and the Outspread Parchment.

O thou who art firm in the Covenant! Praise be to God that thou hast found thy way from the Lutheran denomination to the Kingdom of the Baha'is, and thou shalt understand the meanings of the Holy Book. … At that time, thou shalt discover all the mysteries and symbols of the Holy Book, the gates of meaning shall be opened before thy face, and divine secrets shall be revealed.

To this Thy servant give the understanding of the Old Testament and the New and enable her to speak forth with mighty voice and to sing with power the holy songs and to discover the real meaning and the secret mysteries of those verses, for Thou art the Powerful Inspirer and the Mighty One

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Thou shalt behold men-servants and maid-servants of Baha' in those far-distant lands and wide countries, speaking the secrets of the Gospel and the mysteries of the Bible and the allusions of the Koran and the explanation of the Words of the Merciful One.

God willing, you will ever strive with the utmost endeavor to diffuse the divine fragrances, expound the proofs and meanings, spread abroad the glad tidings of the Holy Books, uncover the allusions hidden in the symbolic words of the Prophets, unveil the signs embedded in the essence of the verses, and explain these to the seekers.

Abdu'l-Baha replied: -- "Divine things are too deep to be expressed by common words. The heavenly teachings are expressed in parable in order to be understood and preserved for ages to come. When the spiritually minded dive deeply into the ocean of their meaning they bring to the surface the pearls of their inner significance.

The metaphorical is a bridge to the real. … When a person of insight enters the path of spiritual wayfaring, after purifying and sanctifying the soul from all that God loveth not, multiple paths appear and he traverses them. This is why they have said "The paths to God are as numerous as the breaths of created things." However, if through God's grace the eye is blessed with the light of truth, it will be observed that the Truth is one, the Path is one, and the Cause is one.

Glory be to God! Though the mysteries of creation have been inscribed by the Pen of Power upon every leaf, every stone, and upon every countenance among the temples of existence, yet all remain heedless and veiled.

If thou gazest upon the ocean of names, God hath ever been, from the beginning that hath no beginning, the Possessor of the Most Beautiful Names - of Compassion, Mercy, Lordship, Sovereignty and the like among His inaccessible names and His exalted attributes, and thus shall it be unto the end that hath no end. However, this knowledge in the ocean of names neither taketh root nor profiteth thee except thou witness it in the ocean of creation.

And if all the trees on earth were pens and the ocean (were ink), with seven oceans behind it to add to its (supply), yet would not the words of God be exhausted...

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For just as a spring that rises in a small place is more fertile and with its various rivulets supplies a flow of water to a wider area than any one of those rivulets which, however far they flow, can be traced back to the one source, so the tale told by your appointed Dispenser, destined as it was to benefit so many later commentators, rises in low and measured language and bubbles up into trickles of pure truth. From those streams each of these commentators takes what meaning he is capable of forming in these matters, some one meaning, some another, extracting it through various complicated twists of language.

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Verily, each letter of the Qur'an is invested with as many manifest meanings (tafsir) as the number of the atoms of all things that are embraced by the knowledge of God. And each one of these manifest meanings hath a hidden meaning (ta'vil), and each of these hidden meanings possesseth an inward meaning (batin), and each inward meaning containeth an inner inward meaning (batin-i-batin), and so on, as God willeth.

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