• Third Radiance: It is as though the All-Wise Qur'an is every century turned directly towards all the classes of humanity, and addresses each particularly. Indeed, since the Qur'an summons all mankind with all its classes and instructs them in belief, the highest and most subtle science, and in knowledge of God, the broadest and most luminous branch of learning, and in the laws of Islam, which are the most important and various of the sciences, it is essential that it should instruct every class and group appropriately. What it teaches, however, is the same; it does not differ. In which case, there have to be different levels in the same lesson, and according to its degree, every class takes its share from one of the veils of the Qur'an. We have given many examples of this, and they may be referred to. Here we shall only indicate one or two minor points, and the share of understanding of one or two classes. For example:

He begets not, nor is He begotten * And there is none like unto Him.¹¹⁶ 

The share of understanding of this of the ordinary people, which forms the most numerous class: "Almighty God is above having mother and father, relatives or wife." While the share of a middle class: "It is to deny the divinity of Jesus (Peace be upon him), and the angels, and anything which has been born." For although denying something impossible is apparently purposeless, according to the rules of rhetoric, a necessary statement is intended, which gives it purpose. Thus, the purpose of denying son and begetter, which are particular to corporality, is to deny the divinity of those who have offspring and parents and equals; and it is to show that they are not worthy of being worshipped. It is because of this that Sura al-Ikhlas is beneficial for everyone all the time. The share of a more advanced class: "Almighty God is above all relations which suggest giving birth and being born. He is exempt from having any partners, helpers, or fellows. His relations with all beings are those of Creator. He creates through His pre-eternal will with the command of "Be!," and it is. He is far beyond having any relation which is contrary to perfection, or is compelling, necessitating, or involuntary." And the share of understanding of a higher class still: "Almighty God is pre-eternal and post-eternal, He is the First and the Last. Neither in His essence, nor in His attributes, nor in His actions, has He in any way any equal, peer, like, or match, or anything similar, resembling, or analogous to Him. Only, in His acts, there may be comparisons expressing similarity:

And God's is the highest similitude.¹¹⁷ 
You can draw analogies with the above for other classes, which all receive different shares, like those who have attained knowledge of God, the lovers of God, and the truly sincere.

A Second Example:

Muhammad is not the father of any of your men.¹¹⁸

The share of understanding from this of the first class: "Zayd, the servant of God's Noble Messenger (Peace and blessings be upon him), whom he also addressed as 'my son,' divorced his stately wife because he did not find himself equal to her. On God's command, the Messenger (PBUH) took her. The verse says: 'If the Prophet calls you son, it is in respect of his Messengership. In regard to his person, he is not your father, so that the women he takes should be unsuitable for him.'"

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116. Qur'an, 112:3-4
117. Qur'an, 16:60.
118. Qur'an, 33:40.