Second Topic
This Topic was written in response to the wonder expressed by those who serve me permanently at the surprising contradictions they see in my conduct. It is also intended to rectify the excessively good opinions of me of two of my students.
I see that some of the perfections which properly pertain to the truths of the All‑Wise Qur’an are attributed to the instruments who proclaim those truths. And this is wrong. For the sacredness of the source demonstrates effects as powerful as many proofs; it is through these that it makes everyone accept its injunctions. Whenever the herald or deputy obscures it, that is, whenever attention is turned to the herald, the sacredness loses its effectiveness. It is because of this that I shall explain a truth to my brothers who show me greater regard than is my due. It is as follows:
One person may have numerous personalities, all of which display different qualities. For example, when a high official is in his office, his position necessitates dignity and requires a stance that will preserve its loftiness. If he is humble before his visitors, it will be lowering and will debase the position. But when in his own house, his position requires – contrary to his official position – that he should be as modest as he can. If he stands on his dignity, it will be arrogant. And so on.
That is to say, a person assumes a personality when performing his duty or work that in many respects contradicts his true personality. If such a person is truly worthy of his duty and truly capable of it, the two personalities are close to each other. But if he lacks the capacity; if, for example, a common soldier is put in the position of a field marshal, the two personalities are far apart; the individual, lowly, inferior qualities of the soldier are incompatible with the elevated, superior character demanded by the position of field marshal.
Thus, this wretched brother of yours has three personalities, which are very distant from each other, truly very distant.
The First: In so far as I am a herald of the elevated treasury of the All‑Wise Qur’an, I have a temporary personality that pertains solely to the Qur’an. The extremely exalted character demanded by this position is not mine; I do not possess such a character. It rather consists of the qualities necessitated by the position and the duty. Any qualities this sort that you see in me are not mine, so do not suppose I possess them; they belong to the position.
The Second Personality: Through Allah the Most High’s grace, a personality is given me at the time of worship when I am turned towards the divine court; it displays certain marks. These arise from knowing one’s faults, realizing one’s want and impotence, and seeking refuge in utter humility at the divine court, which are the basis and meaning of worship. Through this personality, I know myself to be more wretched, powerless, wanting, and faulty than everyone. If the whole world were to praise and applaud me, it could not make me believe that I am good or possess perfection of any sort.
The Third: I have my true personality, that is, the faulty personality of the Old Said, that is, certain veins of character inherited from the Old Said. Sometimes it inclines to hypocrisy and desires rank and position. Also, because I do not come from a noble family, inferior qualities are to be observed, like my being frugal to the point of miserliness.
My brothers! I am not going to describe the many secret faults and ills of this personality, lest I chase you away altogether.
My brothers, since I am not someone capable and of high position, this personality of mine is very far from the character demanded by the duties of herald and of worship; it does not show their traits. Also, in accordance with the rule, No ability is needed to receive Allah’s gifts, Allah the Most High has compassionately demonstrated His power in me so that He employs my personality, which is like that of the lowest common soldier, in serving the mysteries of the Qur’an, which resembles the highest position of field marshal. Thanks be to Allah a hundred thousand times! The soul is baser than everything, and the duty higher! All praise be to Allah, this is a bounty from my Lord!