INTERCESSION OF THE PROPHET (PEACE BE UPON HIM)
We should also affirm of the intercession of the Prophet (peace be upon him), and this was handed down in traditions from the Prophet and from his Companions. By intercession we mean the Divine Light with which the essence of the Prophet (peace be upon him) is brightened, and this holy essence will cause light in respect of those essences which are related to the holy essence, because of their deep love for the Prophet (peace be upon him) or their ability to translate the traditions into actions, or remembering God, with blessings for the Prophet. This intercession can be likened to the light of the sun. Suppose its rays strike the surface of water and there is a wall standing close by. The light is reflected on a particular part at the wall, and not on the whole of it. This is so because there is a likeness between water and that particular part of the wall as regards shape. This likeness does not exist between the surface of water and other parts of the wall, which are left blank. If you draw a line from the particular reflected part of the wall to the surface of water lit by the sun?s rays, you will find an angle formed (towards the direction of earth) which, if measured, will be equal to the angle formed in water, when a line is drawn towards the round and flat plate of the sun. lt would be neither greater nor smaller than the other angle. This would happen only on a special part of the wall. Now just as the special properties of a space demand a specific reflection of light, spiritual attributes also demand a light of Divine nature, a ray of Divinity. Those who are governed by Divine Unity stand directly exposed to the Divine Light which falls distinctly on their hearts. This Divine Light is a principle in the soul untouched by time and thresh, flowing from spirit, remaining in the spirit, itself altogether spiritual. In this principle God, ever verdant, flowering in all the joy and glory of His actual self, appears. This light, this ground of the soul, has no earthly temporal origin. It is the same nature as God Himself. It is a point in common between the soul and God. There are others who devote themselves, all their lives, to the love of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and follow what has been laid down in the traditions. It is they whose feet do not yet stand firm on the way to Unity. They are in need of the intercession of the Prophet, so as to get the required illumination indirectly, like the part of the wall which needs water for causing the reflection. In like manner the intercession of the Prophet is needed. For instance, a vizier, being a reliable man, is a favorite of a sultan or king who forgives some of the sins of a person who happens to be a friend of the vizier. The person concerned escapes punishment, not because the personality of the vizier is identical with that of the king, but because the person, through ties of friendship, is related to the vizier, who is related to the king. Had there been no intercession between the king and the guilty person, the king would not have forgiven the criminal. There are several traditions showing that those who love the Prophet, i.e., pray for Divine blessings on him or visit his tomb or answer the call to prayer, or pray for him after the call to prayer, deserve the recommendations of the prophet. This intercession means the reflection of light indirectly.
