the kings of the time or others who are content with looking and are indifferent to the inner report.’
I remembered the saying of Amir Al-muminin, Exalted Glory, in one of his sermons: ‘How many a precious pearl of beauty is in the hand of one ignorant of it, concealed from its knowledge, infatuated by the beauty of its appearance rather than its inner report! Woe to him! Had his intellect shone for him and his insight been unveiled to him, he would have been more amazed by its inner report and more infatuated than by its appearance.’
When I read this section of his sermon, my soul was not content with the look without the inner report. I elevated myself above being attributed to ignorance, and I reflected upon the saying of Allah Exalted Glory: «And how many a sign within the heavens and the earth do they pass by while they are turning away from it.»1 In my reflection on this verse, there was no turning away from knowing it or knowing what this jewel indicates. I reflected on His saying Exalted Glory: «We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth. Is it not sufficient concerning your Lord that He is, over all things, a Witness?»2 Thus, I knew that in the creation of man is that which points to the knowledge of Allah Exalted Glory.
I reflected on the saying of the Exalted: «Indeed, Allah is not timid to present an example—that of a mosquito or what is above it. As for those who have believed, they know that it is the truth from their Lord. But as for those who disbelieve, they say, "What did Allah intend by this as an example?" He misleads many thereby and guides many thereby. And He misleads not except the defiantly disobedient.»3 I knew that the mosquito, despite its slight weight, its insignificant appearance, and its lowliness, was only created for the