89 O ye the dawning-places of knowledge!  Beware that ye suffer not yourselves to become changed, for as ye change, most men will, likewise, change.  This, verily, is an injustice unto yourselves and unto others.  Unto this beareth witness every man of discernment and insight.  Ye are even as a spring.  If it be changed, so will the streams that branch out from it be changed.  Fear God, and be numbered with the godly.  In like manner, if the heart of man be corrupted, his limbs will also be corrupted.  And similarly, if the root of a tree be corrupted, its branches, and its offshoots, and its leaves, and its fruits, will be corrupted.  Thus have We set forth similitudes for your instruction, that perchance ye may not be debarred by the things ye possess from attaining unto that which hath been destined for you by Him Who is the All-Glorious, the Most Bountiful.

90 It is indeed in Our power to take up a handful of dust and to adorn it with the vesture of Our Names.  This, however, would be but a sign of our favour, and not an indication of any merit it may have inherently possessed.  Thus hath it been revealed in truth by Him Who is the Sovereign Revealer, the All-Knowing.  Consider the Black Stone,(11) which God hath made a point whereunto all men turn in adoration.  Hath this bounty been conferred upon it by virtue of its innate excellence?  Nay, by Mine own Self!  Or doth such distinction stem from its intrinsic worth?  Nay, by Mine own Being, Whose Essence even the wisest and most discerning of men have failed to grasp!

91 Again, consider the Mosque of Aqsa and the other places which We have made sanctuaries unto the people in every land and region.  The honour and distinction they enjoy is in no wise due to their own merit, but stemmeth from their relation to Our Manifestations, Whom We have appointed as the Daysprings of Our Revelation amidst mankind, if ye be of them that understand.  In this there lieth a wisdom inscrutable to all save God.  Inquire, that He may graciously make plain unto you His purpose.  His knowledge, verily, embraceth all things.  Detach yourselves, O people, from the world and all its vanities, and heed not the call of such as have disbelieved in God and joined partners with Him.  Arise above the horizon of utterance to extol and praise your Lord, the All-Merciful.  This is that which God hath purposed for you; well is it with them who perceive it.

92 Say:  O people!  We have commanded you in Our Tablets to strive, at the time of the promised Revelation, to sanctify your souls from all names, and to purify them from all that hath been created in the heavens or on the earth, that therein may appear the splendours of the Sun of Truth which shineth forth above the horizon of the Will of your Lord, the Almighty, the Most Great.  We have, moreover, commanded you to cleanse your hearts from every trace of the love or hate of the peoples of the world, lest aught should divert you from one course or impel you towards another.  This, verily, is among the weightiest counsels I have vouchsafed unto you in the perspicuous Book, for whoso attacheth himself to either of these shall be prevented from attaining a proper understanding of Our Cause.  To this beareth witness every just and discerning soul.