Translation, Commentary Surih of Kawthar

(badá’) in His final Confirmation (imdá’). Glorified and exalted be He above that which they attribute unto Him! Verily amongst the rivers is the river of crimson-coloured wine. Whenever one drinketh even a single drop thereof, he will be rapturously drawn unto the station of holiness and nearness, without the slightest trace of inebriation, headache, faint or hang over. Nay, rather, it is joy, in joy, from joy and towards joy. When drunk, every drop of this crimson river attesteth to the first river, the mode of verses, and to the second river, the mode of prayers, and to the third river, the mode of sermons, as well as to its own mode, which affirmeth the allusions of the realm of Divinity, the signs of the world of Dominion, the stations of the world and the evidences of the domain of the Kingdom. The people, for the most part, quaff of this river, inasmuch as no one is able to deny the mode of Knowledge. Thus the people like the revelation of this mode, which rusheth out through the river of wine. This river perisheth not; it is the most delightful beverage; and it is the mode of the ascendancy of Words within the world of veils. Verily this rational mode, like the other three modes, is the mode of the Manifestations of Divine Justice 53 ; and it shall not be confounded with the work of any mortal man. Shouldst thou desire to witness the truth of this Cause, thou must consider the present topic and write a commentary upon it. Then behold My Interpretation. Verily My Interpretation would in no wise resemble thine, by virtue of its inimitable mode of revelation. For verily, these rivers stream forth from beneath the Mount of Eternity that is radiating in My heart, and thus the mighty sea of My Pen floweth out ceaselessly without interruption. By thy Life! Deep in My Heart, verily, floweth out a transcendent Knowledge that is purer than the crystal incorruptible water, subtler than the fresh milk, sweeter than the pure honey and tastier than the crimson-coloured wine. Should I find vehicles like thee, endowed with pure hearts, I would assuredly make it manifest by the leave of God, notwithstanding that the supreme majesty of My mode of Knowledge profiteth not the veiled people, and none other besides sincere men of understanding can partake a portion thereof. For verily, the people comprehend not that which I behold within these remarks, witness not that which I see within the words, and discern not the Repositories of the signs. Had I been questioned by anyone but thee, I would not have divulged these remarks, inasmuch as they are

53 Namely the prophet and the Imáms.