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GhazzaWs Alchemy of Happiness. 



one iu the sphere to which he attains, is still veiled with a 

 veil. The light of some is as of a twinkling star. Others 

 see as by the light of the moon. Others are illuminated as 

 if by the world-effulgent sun. To some the invisible world 

 is even perfectly revealed, as we read in the holy word of 

 God : " And thus we caused Abraham to see the heaven 

 and the earth." 1 And hence it is that the prophet says, 

 " There are before God seventy veils of light ; if he should 

 unveil them, the light of his countenance would burn 

 everything that came into his presence." 2 



Still the miserable naturalist, who ascribes effects to the 

 influences of nature, speaks correctly. For, if natural 

 causes had no operation, the art of medicine would have 

 been useless, and the holy law would not have allowed to 

 have recourse to medical treatment. The mistake which 

 the naturalist makes, is that he contracts his sphere of vision, 

 v and is like the lame ass, that left his load at the first stop- 

 ping place. He does not know that nature also is subjected 

 to the hand of the power of God, and is a kind of humble 

 servant, such as a shoe is to the ass. The astrologer also 

 says, that the sun is a star, which causes heat and light 

 upon the earth. If there had been no sun, the distinction 

 between day and night would not have existed, and vege- 

 tables and grain could not have been produced. The moon 

 also is a star, and if there had been no moon, how many 

 things connected with the requirements of the Law of the 

 Koran, would have been impracticable, such as fasting, 

 alms and pilgrimage, since there would have been no dis- 

 tinction of weeks, months and years. The colors and per- 

 fumes of herbs and fruits exist also from its influence. The 

 sun is warm and dry ; the moon is cold and moist. Saturn 



»S.6: 75. 



a The author has commented upon this in his work, Meshkuwet el enwar 

 we masnafat el esrar. Tr. 



