Furthermore, since the Words that have been written are a sort of commentary on the Qur’an, and its treatises are the property of the Qur’an’s truths and its realities; and since in most of its Suras, and particularly in the Alif. Lam. Ra.’s and Ha. Mim.’s, the All-Wise Qur’an displays itself in all its magnificence, tells of its own perfections, and praises itself in a way of which it is worthy; certainly we are charged with making known the flashes of the Qur’an’s miraculousness that are reflected in the Words, and the dominical favours that are a sign of that service’s acceptance. For our master does this and teaches us to do it.

Third Reason: I do not say this about the Words out of modesty but in order to explain a truth, that the truths and perfections in the Words are not mine; they are the Qur’an’s  and  they  have  issued  from  the  Qur’an.  The  Tenth  Word,  for  instance, consists of a few droplets filtered from hundreds of verses, and the rest of the treatises are all like that. Since I know it is thus and since I am transient, I shall depart, of course something, a work, which is enduring should not, and must not, be tied to me. And since it is the custom of the people of misguidance and rebellion to refute a work that does not suit their purposes by refuting its author, the treatises, which are bound to the stars of the skies of the Qur’an, should not be bound to a rotten post like me who may be the object of criticism and disapproval, and may fall. Also, it is generally the custom to search for the merits of a work in the qualities of its author, whom people suppose to be the work’s source and origin. To attribute those elevated truths and brilliant jewels to a bankrupt like me in keeping with that custom, and to my person, who could not produce one thousandth of them himself, is a great injustice towards the truth. I am therefore compelled to proclaim that the treatises are not my property; they are the Qur’an’s property, and issuing from the Qur’an, they manifest its virtues. Yes, the qualities of delicious bunches of grapes should not be sought in their dry stalks. I resemble such a dry stalk.

Fourth Reason: Sometimes modesty suggests ingratitude for bounties, indeed, is ingratitude for bounties. Then sometimes recounting bounties is a cause of pride. Both are  harmful.  The  only  solution  is  for  it  to  be  neither.  To  admit  to  virtues  and perfections, but without claiming ownership of them, is to show them to be the works bestowed by the True Bestower. For example, suppose someone were to dress you in a  robe  of  honour  embroidered  and  encrusted  with  jewels  and  you  became  ver y beautiful. The people then said to you: “What wonders God has willed! How beautiful you are! How beautiful you have become!”, but you modestly replied: “God forbid! Don’t say such a thing! What am I? This is nothing!” To do this would be ingratitude for the bounty and disrespectful towards skilful craftsman who had dressed you in the garment.