Ninth Matter
A high level of eloquence which throws simple minds and human free will into amazement and makes them unable to imitate as it has purposes one within the other and indicates the goals that are connected with one another, houses several essential elements turned towards a single result and contains many branches that bear different fruits.
The sub-purposes arising from the basic purpose support one another in order to fulfill vicinity rights, giving splendor and comprehensiveness to speech. It is as if when one appears, the others also appear. The basic purpose distinguishes all the directions (right, left, front, back, etc.) and considers the relationships among them, placing all other purposes in the fortified castle of the speech. Thus, it is as if it employs many intellects to assist it, and each purpose in the assembly of purposes is a part to which all descriptions are turned. Just as a black dot the painter adds to his painting composed of concentric pictures becomes an eye in one picture, a beauty spot in another, a mouth in still another, and so on, so too does eloquent speech have similar features.
A highly eloquent speech also considers, like an analogy starting from more than one premise that produces various results, several purposes that can be simultaneously both causes and effects in relation to each other. It is as if the speaker points to a family tree in the name of the permanence and multiplication of these purposes. For example, the world is beautiful and ordered; therefore, its Creator is Wise. He does not create in vain, nor does He waste, nor does He leave the capacities to corrupt. This means that He will constantly bring the order to perfection. He will not condemn humanity to non-existence, which means eternal separation and causes despair, prevents perfection, and is beyond endurance. So there will be eternal happiness. The differences between humanity and animals, which are discussed in the introduction to the Second Purpose in the third part of this book, are a good example of this.
A third feature of highly eloquent speech is that a single essential result it produces yields many other results and is based on different roots. Even though each root cannot be directly connected with this main, primarily intended result, at least it contributes to it. Despite the differences of the roots, the speech indicates the basic purpose embodied in the basic result and ennobles it.
A speech derives its power and vigor from its relationship with the underlying truth of universal existence, which is also called the life of the universe, universal life, or the universal conduct of affairs. “A Summation of the Most General Proofs (for Bodily Resurrection)” in the Third Purpose in the third part of this book is, to a certain extent, an example of this. In addition, the “Indication, Guidance, and Reminder” included in The Fourth Way in The Second Purpose, and the argument it contains also provide examples of this.
If you look at the Speech of the All-Merciful, Who taught the Qur’an, you will see that this truth shines in all its verses. So, woe to those who restrict themselves to their outward aspects and apparent meanings, and so ignorantly regard this aspect of the Divine Speech as repetition!
A fourth point to be mentioned concerning truly eloquent speech is that it has such a capacity and wording that there are in it seeds that can grow into many shoots, and it gives rise to many conclusions, containing many meanings and aspects. With this capacity, an eloquent speech reveals its power to produce numerous meanings and shows its products. However, it concentrates all those shoots and aspects on the basic topic for which it is intended. It also keeps its merits and beauties in balance and sends each of its shoots to a different aim, appointing each of its aspects to a different duty.
For example, the Qur’an’s narrative about Prophet Moses, upon him be peace, has numerous benefits. There is much more benefit here than the well-known kind of Arabian tree called Tafariq Asa, a tree which provides more and more benefit as it splits into parts. The Qur’an has taken it in its “Bright Hand” and employs it for many purposes. It uses each aspect of the narrative so wonderfully that those most advanced in eloquence cannot help but prostrate before its eloquence.
O brothers and sisters! The eloquence I have tried to explain in this section, though vaguely, portrays such a tall, majestic tree with branches entangled with one another, the parts of which are in harmony with each other, and which yields diverse fruits. If you would like to, you can study the Sixth Matter. Although it is confusing, it can provide an example of this matter.
A REMINDER AND AN EXCUSE
O brothers and sisters! I am aware that this part of the book sounds ambiguous to you. But I must keep it short and concise. It will be clarified in the third part to certain extent.
Said Nursi