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into life and rapidly changed into the fairest of all
flourishing nations. He rebuilt and reinforced the disorganized
powers of the state, and the renown of his
righteousness and justice echoed across the seven
climes, (39a) until the peoples rose up out of their degradation
and misery to the heights of felicity and honor.
Although he was a Magian, Muhammad, that Center
of creation and Sun of prophethood, said of him: "I
was born in the time of a just king," and rejoiced at
having come into the world during his reign. Did this
illustrious personage achieve his exalted station by virtue
of his admirable qualities or rather by reaching out
to conquer the earth and spill the blood of its peoples?
Observe that he attained to such a distinguished rank
in the heart of the world that his greatness still rings
out through all the impermanence of time, and he won
eternal life. Should We comment on the continuing life
of the great, this brief essay would be unduly prolonged,
and since it is by no means certain that public
opinion in Persia will be materially affected by its perusal,
We shall abridge the work, and go on to other
matters which come within the purview of the public
mind. If, however, it develops that this abridgement
produces favorable results, We shall, God willing, write
a number of books dealing at length and usefully with
fundamental principles of the Divine wisdom in its
relation to the phenomenal world.
39a. i.e., the whole world.
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