THE FIFTH TRUTH: Unity, order, benefits and purposes in the universe

 

 

This is what our traveler perceives at the second mansion or stage: There is a most perfect order in the universe as a whole and in its primary divisions, its subsidiary parts and in all the individual beings contained in it. The substances and duty-bound things (such as air, fire, water and soil) that are the means for the administration and maintenance of that vast realm, and which are related to its general scheme, all display uniformity in every corner of this realm. Also, the Divine Names and Acts that are at work in that magnificent city, that vast exhibition hall, both individually and together encompass and prevail most—and in some cases, all—things, despite their existing one within the other and each having the same nature wherever they operate and prevail. Furthermore, the elements and species that are the means for the construction, population and administration of that well-adorned palace are diffused over the whole face of the earth all together and individually, despite their existing one within the other and each having the same nature wherever they are. All of this demands, proves and affirms, necessarily and self-evidently, the following:

The Maker and Administrator of this universe, the Sovereign and Nurturer of this realm, the Owner and Builder of this palace is One, Sole, Unique. He has neither like nor equal, neither minister nor aide. He has neither partner nor opposite; neither inability nor deficiency.

Indeed, order is in itself a perfect expression of unity; it demands a single orderer. It leaves no place for the intervention of others, which would give rise to dispute and dissension.

Since there is a wise and precise order in all things, whether universal or particular, from the totality of the universe and the daily and annual rotation of the earth down to the countenance of humans, the complex of senses in their head, and the circulation of red and white corpuscles in their blood, it is clear that nothing or no-one other than the Absolutely Powerful and Absolutely Wise One can stretch out its hand with the intention of creation and direction toward anything; nor can it interfere or intervene in its creation in any way. On the contrary, all things are passive recipients which manifest the Acts of an Absolute Agent or the ground where He operates.

Also, since pursuing certain purposes and ordering things with a view to providing certain benefits can be possible only through knowledge and wisdom, and can be performed only with will and choice, it is clear that this general order, which is based on and directed to certain instances of wisdom, and this infinitely varied and beneficial ordering of creatures before our very eyes demonstrate and testify self-evidently that the Creator and Director of all beings is One, an Agent Who does whatever He wills and however He wills it. Everything comes into existence through His Power, assumes a particular state through His Will, and takes on a particular and most accurate form through His Choice.

Also, since the heat-giving lamp of this guesthouse—the world—is one; its candle which serves as the basis for the division and measuring of time (in lunar calendar) is one; its merciful sponge is one; its fiery cook is one; its beverage that is the source of life is one; its preserving field is one46—because of all of these instances of oneness, it is obvious that this unity attests to the fact that the Maker and Owner of this guesthouse is also One. It demonstrates clearly that He is extremely generous and hospitable, employing those high-ranking and great officials to serve the living guests of His guesthouse.

Also, the same Names such as the All-Wise, the All-Compassionate, the All-Giving One of forms, the All-Directing, the All-Reviving, and the All-Nurturing; the same Characteristics such as Wisdom, Mercy and Grace; and the same Acts such as Formation, Direction, Disposition and Nurturing—all of these are at work throughout the universe, individually and together, one within the other and prevailing everywhere in the utmost degree. They complete and perfect the imprints of one another in such a way that it is as if they were being united one with the other: it is as if Power becomes identical with Wisdom and Mercy, and Wisdom becomes identical with Grace and Life. As soon as the activity of the Name the All-Giving One of life appears in a thing, the activity of numerous other Names such as the Creator, the All-Giving One of form and the All-Providing also appear at the same instant, in the same thing and in the same system. This testifies self-evidently that the One known by these Names and the Doer of the comprehensive Acts Which appear everywhere in the same fashion is One, Single and Unique. We believe this and confirm it wholeheartedly!

Also, since the elements that constitute the substance and material of creation encompass the whole earth, and since all of the species of creation—that bear various stamps indicating Unity—are scattered throughout the earth, this also proves self-evidently that those elements together with their contents, and those species, together with their separate members, are the property of a Single Being. They are the artifacts and servants of One so Powerful and Unique that He employs those vast and pervasive elements as absolutely obedient servants and deploys those species scattered throughout the earth as well-disciplined soldiers. Since this truth also has been established and explained in certain other parts of the Risale-i Nur, we content ourselves here with this brief indication.

Summing up their observations and expressing their feelings with a joy arising from the effulgence of faith and the pleasure of Divine Unity that they derived from these five realities, our traveler said to their heart:

Look at the colorful page of the book of the universe,

and see what the golden Pen of the Power has inscribed upon it!

No point has been left dark for those

who can see with the eyes of their hearts.

It is as if God has inscribed His signs with light.

 

Know too that:

The sheets of the book of the universe are of infinite kinds;

The lines of the events of time are works without number.

Written in the printing house of the Preserved Tablet of Truth,

Each creature in the universe is a meaningful, embodied word.

 

Listen also to this:

While all things proclaim, “There is no deity but God,” they also proclaim in unison, “O the Ultimate Truth!” and say with one voice, “O the All-Living One!” In everything there is a sign which demonstrates that He is One.

All this they say to their heart, and together with their heart, their soul also affirms the truth of their words, uttering, “Yes, indeed!”

In a brief reference to the five realities of Divine Unity which the guest in this world, the traveler through the universe, observed at the second mansion or the second stage of their journey, it was said in The Second Chapter of The First Station:

 

There is no deity but God, the One, the Unique, Whose Unity and necessary Existence are demonstrated clearly through the observation of the truth of Grandeur and Sublimity in the perfection and comprehensiveness of each; through the observation of the truth of the appearance of Divine Acts in absolute fashion, in infinitude, without any limitation except that of God’s Will and Wisdom; through the observation of the truth of the creation of beings in absolute multiplicity with absolute swiftness, the creation of creatures with absolute facility and absolute accuracy, and the origination of things in absolute abundance with utter perfection of artistry and value; through the observation of the truth of the existence of beings as universals and wholes, interconnected and interrelated; through the observation of the truth of the universal order, which contradicts absolutely any notion of partnership with God; and through the observation of the truth of the unity of the sources of the gratification of the needs of the universe, which attests most clearly to the Unity of its Maker and the union of the Names and the Acts with their all-encompassing operation, and of the elements and the species which cover the face of the earth.

Said Nursi

46 The heat-giving lamp of this guesthouse that is the world is the sun; its candle which serves as the basis for the division and measuring of time is the moon; its merciful sponge is the cloud; its fiery cook is also the sun; its beverage that is the source of life is water; its preserving field is soil. (Tr.)