Moreover, although the worldly gave the document in question to all the exiles, and released the criminals from prison and offered them an amnesty, they wrongfully did not give it to me. However, in order to further employ me in the service of the Qur’an and make me write to a greater  extent the lights of the Qur’an called  the Words, my Compassionate Sustainer left me untroubled in this exile and transformed it into a great instance of compassion.

In addition,  although  the worldly left all the influential,  powerful  leaders and shaikhs who could interfere in their world in the towns and cities and permitted them to meet with their relatives and everyone, they unjustly isolated me and sent me to a village. With one or two exceptions they allowed none of my relatives and fellow- countrymen to visit me. But my All-Compassionate Creator transformed that isolation into a vast mercy for me, for it left my mind clear and I was able to receive the effulgence of the All-Wise Qur’an as it is, free of malice and ill-will.

Also, the worldly deemed excessive the two commonplace letters I wrote in two years at the beginning of my exile. And now even, they are displeased at one or two people visiting me purely for the sake of the hereafter once every week or two or once a month; and they have harassed me because of this. But my Compassionate Sustainer and All-Wise Creator transformed their tyranny into mercy, for He transformed it into a desirable solitude and acceptable retreat for me during these Three Months,[2] which may gain for a person ninety years of spiritual (manevî) life. All thanks be to God for all situations, my situation and comfort are thus.

YOUR SECOND QUESTION

Why don’t you apply for your release papers?

T h e  A n s w e r :  I have been sentenced by divine determining (kader) in this matter, not by the worldly, so I apply to it. Whenever it gives permission, whenever it cuts off my sustenance here, then I shall go. The reality of this is as follows: there are two  causes  of everything  that  befalls  one,  one  apparent  and  the  other,  real.  The worldly are the apparent cause; they brought me here. As for divine determining, that was the true cause; it sentenced me to this isolation. 

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          [2] Şuhûr-u selâse: the holy months of Rajab, Sha‘ban, and Ramadan. (Tr.)