servants. What tribulations and distress could be greater than these mentioned conditions? For if one wishes to seek a truth or knowledge, he knows not to whom to refer nor from whom to enquire, because opinions are different and paths are many. This tribulation and distress is one of the signs of every Manifestation, and unless it happens, the Sun of Truth does not become manifest, because the morn of the appearance of Guidance dawns after the night of error. Therefore the traditions and records contain all these statements, that infidelity will cover the world, darkness prevail and similar things as mentioned. For the sake of brevity this servant does not undertake to mention the texts of these traditions, as they are well known.
If the people understand this tribulation (lit. narrowness) to mean that the earth should become contracted, or other things which they have shaped in their imagination, this will never be realized and they will necessarily say that this condition hath not appeared, just as they have said and are still saying. Briefly, by tribulation is meant the narrowness (difficulty in attainment) of Divine Knowledges and understanding the Supreme Words. In the days of the disappearance of the Sun and His mirrors,[1] the servants fall into narrowness and hardship, knowing not to whom they should turn; as hath been said.
- ↑ A Prophet and His immediate successors; as Christ and His disciples, et. al.
