Page 68 - 47176

56 THE TAR JU M AX AL-ASHWAQ ( i l l , IV )

inaccessible except to those who have the rij^lit to approach
them. He calls the tents qihdh (round tents or domes)
because roundness is the first and best of shaiies, and he
says that the Divine Realities which he loves arei-in their
original home, which is beside God, not beside any plie-
nomenal object, for they belong to ‘ the world of command ’

7. ‘ Let the East wind,’ etc.: he mentions the East wind
particularly, because signifies ‘ inclination ’ (mayl).
8. ‘ To the river of Jesus,’ i.e. to the ample knowledge
manifested in Jesus (j>i'l;;!l
‘ The white tents ’ : white, because Jesus was born of

‘ Beside the river-mouth,’ i.e. this knowledge is approached
by the way of Divine allocution and manifestation ^

9. He says, ‘ Call the names of these Divine Realities
according to their difference, in order that whichever is
yours may respond to you and that thus you may know
what is your position in regard to them.’
10. ‘ Al-l.Ialba,’ a quarter of Baghdad. Halha means ‘ race­
course ’. The Divine Realities .strive to outstrip one another
in haste to reach the phenomena which display their traces
and manifest their power. Hence he speaks of ‘ the limber
one ’, i.e. inclining towards the phenomenal world.
‘ The radiance of the sun ’ : formerly thou wert in a station
and polar foi' to hi™ belongs the fourth heaven.
of Je.sus, but now thou art asking of a station of Idris, lofty

‘ When she smiles ’ : he indicates that this is the station
and that she is with him in jo3^
of Expansion
and beauty (not in awe and majesty).

IV
1. Greeting to Salma and to those who dwell in the preserve,
for it behoves one who loves tenderly like me to give
greeting.