Page:Book of Ighan (1915).djvu/184

172 although even that which they have not imagined is fulfilled and hath appeared. The signs and tokens of the True One are as apparent as the sun in mid-heaven, yet people are bewildered in the desert of blindness and ignorance. Notwithstanding many of the Koranic verses and confirmed traditions indicate a new Law and Command, and a new Cause, they still await the promised Countenance to decree according to the law of the Koran; just as the Jews and Christians hold to the same saying. Among the texts pointing to a new Law and new Dispensation are the statements in the prayer of Nudba: " Where is the One who is preserved to renew the precepts and regulations? Where is the One who is chosen to reform the religion and law? " It is also said in the Zeyarat (visiting tablet written by Ali): "Peace be upon the new True One." Abu-Abd' Allah (sixth Imam) was asked concerning the character of the Mahdi: "What will be His character?" He answered: "He will do what was done by the Prophet of God (Mohammed) and He will destroy whatever hath been before Him, just as the Prophet of God abolished the matter of Jahileyeh."

Consider, notwithstanding similar traditions, how they have sought to prove the permanency of the ordinances, although the purpose of every Manifestation is the manifestation of change and transformation in