2-1651 Nor is it granted to every heart to fall down in prayer: not every mercenary is

allotted the wages of Divine mercy.

2-1643 But the power of asking forgiveness, also, is not in our hands: the savour of
repentance is not the dessert of every drunkard.

2-1653 For true repentance, it is imperative that there be a glow of inner feeling and a
flood of tears: such lightning and clouds are the indispensable condition for
repentance.

2-1654 It is imperative that there be fire and water (rain) for the fruit: clouds and
lightning are necessary for this accomplishment.

2-1655 Until there is the lightning of the heart and the rain clouds of the two eyes, how
shall the fire of Divine menace and wrath be pacified?

2-1656 How shall the herbage grow, the herbage of the delight of union with God?
How shall the fountains of clear water gush forth?

2-2009 Repent, and empty yourself of what you have drunk: and if your wound is old
and unhealed, go cauterize it.

4-321 Why do you defiantly bring forward dark pretences before those who see the
truth plainly?

4-322 To us, all the deceit and dissimulations that you have in your heart are manifest
and clear as day.

4-323 If we, in kindness to our servant, cover it up, why do you carry shamelessness
beyond the limit?

Allegory:
Even though God is Generous and covers the sins committed by His
servants, each person should be held accountable for his own deeds. [2.1.2]
2-3364 In the time of Shu‘ayb352 a certain man was saying, “God has seen many of my
faults”.

2-3365 How many sins and trespasses has He seen me commit! And still, in His
kindness God does not punish me.

2-3366 In an unseen, mysterious way God Most High answered clearly into the ear of
Shu‘ayb.

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Shu‘ayb: the Arabic name of the Biblical Jethro, father-in-law of Moses. In the Islamic tradition, he is the
thirteenth Prophet after Adam. Adam (Ḥażrat Ādam) is considered the first human being who possessed Divine
Knowledge. God appointed him to guide his fellow human beings to the Divine Goal, and that’s why Ḥażrat
Ādam is regarded as the first Prophet.

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