BİRİNCİ FEN · ÜÇÜNCÜ BÂB · ONUNCU FASIL · Beşinci Madde
Fifth Article
The second of the three compounds concerns the state of plants.
O beloved one! Know that philosophers have said: The second of the three compounds are plants. They possess a mindless potency. That is, they have a nature wherein various movements and diverse instruments manifest through a certain force of the plant species. This potency is called the *nafs-i nabatiyya* (vegetative soul). This natural body is only in its initial stage of maturity regarding birth, propagation, and nourishment.
The vegetative soul possesses a power of nourishment (*kuvvet-i gadiye*) through which its existence is realized. It is a potency that transforms another body, like water, into a likeness of its own temperament, consistency, color, and essence, and completes what is lacking from it by means of natural heat.
There exists within the plant a power of growth (*kuvve-i nami’iye*) through which maturation is possible. It is a potency that increases its length, breadth, and depth until the body reaches the perfection of its size according to its nature.
The plant possesses a generative power (*kuvve-i muvellide*) through which the continuation of its species is possible. This is a potency that takes a portion from its own body; it becomes the beginning of the material of the body in order to find and bring forth an existence resembling itself. This is called the seed of the plant. For the power of nourishment draws in sustenance, then retains it, afterward digests it, and finally expels the excess. Thus, there are four helpers of nourishment: one is the force of attraction (*kuvvet-i cazibe*), a second is the force of retention (*kuvvet-i masike*), a third is the force of digestion (*kuvvet-i hazime*), and a fourth is the force of expulsion (*kuvvet-i dafi’a*). For the power of nourishment draws in sustenance, then retains it, then digests it, and finally expels the excess. Thus, there are four helpers of the power of nourishment: the force of attraction, the force of retention, the force of digestion, and the force of expulsion.
The power of growth of plants. Once the plant completes its growth, this potency ceases its activity. However, the power of nourishment continues its activity until the plant becomes utterly weak and loses strength; upon becoming weak, death reaches it and it withers. All kinds of plants arise and manifest at a certain depth within the earth and gradually emerge outwards. As for the number of all classes and varieties of plants, only Allah, Most High, who created them, knows it.
The medicinal substances and drugs necessary for physicians are written in detail in medical books. And as for the vegetables and fruits that are needed by the people, they are known with all their qualities in the language of the people; therefore, instead of enumerating the names and characteristics of the species and classes of plants, it is sufficient to explain them with this much essence and nature so as to cause one to reflect upon the Oneness of the Creator and the knowledge of His creation. As has been said regarding looking at plant species with wonder:
Verse
Every plant that grows in the earth
Says, “He is One; He has no partner.”
The leaf of green trees in the gaze of the perceptive
Is a register of divine knowledge.
(Translation of the verse)
Every plant that grows upon the earth says, "Allah is One; He has no associate." In the sight of the discerning, the leaves of green trees are like registers of divine knowledge.