________________
234
MYTHOLOGY
Elsewhere it is said that God is nearer to man than his camel's neck. Sura Wakiya records:
"We are nearer to man than you, but you do not observe." In Sura Zariyat it is recorded:
"I am nearer to man than his jugular vein." Finally it is openly said in this very Sura Zariyat :
"I am in your individuality, but you do not see."
These expressions need no comment now from me. The reason why these highest truths of philosophy were imparted to men in this laconic way is to be found in the attitude of the people and the state of human society at the time of the different prophets. Mansur was impaled for saying "analbaq" (I am God), as you know, and there were others who had been put to death for similar "faults" by fanatical mobs. championing the cause of exoteric gods, whence the practice of speaking in proverbs' (cf. John, xvi, 25 and Matt. vii, 6).
舊
The hidden sense of these parables is clear enough once you are familiarised with the Scientific Truth and the mystic way of expressing it; but otherwise might. easily pass for poetical license or elegant diction without exciting comment.
How did Muslim esotericists understand these sayings is evident from Ali's injunction to acquire philosophical wisdom even from an infidel if necessary. The Prophet himself said: "Man, know thyself." Amongst mystics we may refer to Al Hallaj, commonly
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
