BİRİNCİ FEN · ÜÇÜNCÜ BÂB · ONUNCU FASIL · Birinci Madde
The First Article
It summarizes the principles and constituents of fully composite entities among natural existents,
and briefly outlines their genera and species.
O esteemed one! Know that philosophers have said: The transformations
and deteriorations in the world occur due to the influence of the atmosphere and the three composites (the threefold births), resulting from the effect of high-ranking ancestors on low-ranking mothers. That is, all the fully composite bodies and the completeness of those which are incomplete within the sphere of the moon are brought about by the influence of the seven planets upon four fundamental elements (anâsır-i erba’a). Naturally, these seven planets obey and submit to God's command (every time), night and day. All of them undoubtedly move and exert influence with the power and strength bestowed upon them by God. As God Most High has said in His Noble Verses: “He is the One who created the sun, the moon, and the stars, all obedient to His commands.” Know indeed that creation and command belong to Him. Allah, Lord of the Worlds, is most exalted." (Al-A'raf, 7/54)
Poem
From seven men, four women are perpetually pregnant; from them three composites are born every moment.
The four elements—fire, water, air, and earth—through a harmonious blending and combination, produce the first of the fully composite bodies – minerals; varieties of stone are among these. Secondly: plant species, within which tree types also belong. Thirdly: the animal genus, in which humankind is included. Initially, the four elements transform into fogs, vapors, and essences. However, these fogs are the subtle states of earth, rising with the sun’s heat and mingling with it. The vapors are the subtleties of rivers and seas, again rising with the sun's heat and mixing with it. From vapor and fog, incomplete "semi-composites" arise – which constitute the atmospheric layer whose characteristics have been described above.
The essences of water become masses of snow and rain, which, when drawn beneath the earth, mix and condense with particles of soil. Subsequently, the heat of the sun acting upon the depths of the earth boils these condensed essences, transforming them into mineral, plant, and animal substances; so that the three composites unite in a meticulously ordered arrangement and beautiful order, attaining forms with astonishing harmony. God Most High, who brings about all this with order, is free from any ugly attributes ascribed to Him by the unjust. Thus, the initial stages of formation in the world are dense earth. The final stages are pure essence, extremely subtle. For minerals—in terms of their stages of formation—are first linked to earth and water, then to plants. The prior state of plants is linked to minerals, and their end to animals. The prior state of animals is linked to plants, and their end to humankind. And the perfection of human souls reaches its culmination only at this stage.
Poem
1- This world-universe perpetually transforms with hope,
From sky to earth, and from particles to the sun.
2- Within the universe of existence and dissolution, all things eagerly seek
Perfection from the Bountiful Nurturer, with hope.
3- The perfection of earth is vegetation; the perfection of vegetation is animals.
The perfection of animals is humankind – that is its true essence.
4- The perfection of humanity is to attain the love of the Beautiful One;
That is the origin of all desires and the ultimate goal of every hope.
5- For from it arise vapors, clouds, and rain;
Rain which ultimately becomes a flood, finding its origin near and far.
6- For love causes the revolving of things, constantly turning them;
Every moment there is a new creation in existence and dissolution.
7- Whoever beholds this world with eyes of wisdom, God!
That one is a people of heart; his vast heart is like the throne of glory.