The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys
The Seven Valleys : the Valley of Knowledge
Wherefore, relevant to this, Khájih ‘Abdu’lláh26—may God the Most High sanctify his beloved spirit—hath made a subtle point and spoken an eloquent word as to the meaning of “Guide Thou us on the straight path,”27 which is: “Show us the right way, that is, honor us with the love of Thine Essence, that we may be freed from turning toward ourselves and toward all else save Thee, and may become wholly Thine, and know only Thee, and see only Thee, and think of none save Thee.”
Nay, these even mount above this station, wherefore it is said:
Love is a veil betwixt the lover and the loved one;
More than this I am not permitted to tell.28
At this hour the morn of knowledge hath arisen and the lamps of wayfaring and wandering are quenched.29
26 Shaykh Abú Ismá’íl ‘Abdu’lláh Anṣárí of Hirát (1006–1088 A.D.) Ṣúfí leader, descended from the Prophet’s companion Abú Ayyúb. Chiefly known for his Munáját (Supplications) and Rubá’íyyát (Quatrains). “Anṣár” means the “Helpers” or companions of Muḥammad in Medina.
27 Qur’án 1:6.
28 The Mathnaví.
29 This refers to the mystic wandering and search for truth guided by “Lights” or Ṣúfí leaders. Bahá’u’lláh here warns the mystics that the coming of the Divine Manifestation in His Day makes further search unnecessary, as it was said by ‘Alí: “Quench the lamp when the sun hath risen”—the sun referring to the Manifestation of God in the New Day.
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