Page 62 - 47176

50 THE TAIUUMAN AL-ASHWAQ (ll)

COMMEXTAKY
1. ‘ Tlie full-grown camels,’ i.e. the actions inward and out­
ward, for they exalt the good word to flim who is throned
on high, as He hath said: ‘ And ihe good deed exalis it’
(Kor. X X X V , 11). ‘ The peacocks’ mounted on them are his
loved ones: he likens them to peacocks because of their
beauty. The peacocks ai’e the spirits of those actions, for
no action is acceptable or good or fair until it hath a spirit
consisting in the intention or desire of its doci’. He compares
them to birds inasmuch as they are spiritual and also for the
variety of their beauty.
2. ‘ With murderous glances and sovereign power ’ : he
refers to the Divine wisdom which accrues to
a man in his hours of solitude, and which assaults him with
such violence that he is unable to behold his personality
(ajIJ ^ and which exercises dominion
over him.
‘ A Bilqis on her throne of pearls ’ : he refers to that
which was manifested to Gabriel and to the Prophet during
his night journey upon the bed (uJjJ'i) of pearl and jacinth
in the terrestrial heaven, when Gabriel alone swooned by
reason of his knowledge of Him who manifested Himself
on that occasion. The author calls the Divine wisdom
‘ Bilqis ’ on account of its being the child of theory, which
is subtle, and practice, which is gross, just as Bilqis was both
spirit and woman, since her father was of the Jinn and her
rank. ‘ In the bosom of Idris,’ i.e. under his control, in
mother was of mankind.
3. The mention of Idris alludes to her lofty and exalted

respect of his turning her wheresoever he will, as the
Prophet said : ‘ Do not bestow wisdom on those who are
unworthy of it, lest ye do it a wrong.’ The opposite case is
that of one who speaks because he is dominated by his
feeling (JU -), and who is therefore under the control of an
influence (j,h). In this verse the author calls attention to
his puissance in virtue of a prophetic heritage (AiL«.;