[the verses' interpretation], for the great commentators have divulged the secrets in the pronouns (T. zamâir; Ar. ḍamā'ir) the verses contain. [^39]

[^39]:This is a play on words: zamir also means heart or inner consciousness.

They wept before me and so agitated me, I wept;

Is there no one compassionate to pity my weeping?

It is futile to state the obvious, especially if it is observed, as everyone knows. This means there must be some singular point to save it from meaninglessness. If it is said: "Look! The earth has been spread out although it is spherical, and is a cradle for you, and has been saved from being overrun by the seas;" or "The sun is both stationary and travels to regulate your livelihood;" or "Although the sun is thousands of [light] years away, it sets in a muddy spring" the verses' meanings cease being allusive (kinâye) and become unambiguous. These singular points are fine points of eloquence.

The Eighth Matter

The Eighth Matter

One of the things that casts the literalists into the abyss of doubt and hesitation, perhaps the chief of them, is their confusing possibilities with actual occurrences. For instance, they say: "If it were such-and-such, it would be possible for divine power, and to our way of thinking, would indicate divine power more compellingly. So it should occur." Alas, you wretches! When have your minds been shown to be sufficiently proficient to act as engineers for the cosmos? You can't comprehend the universal good with your insignificant particular intellects. If there were a cubit-long nose made of gold and all gazes were fixed on it alone, only then would someone appear who found it beautiful.

Furthermore, what bewilders literalists is their fancying that essential possibility is opposed to certain knowledge. They almost become Sophists (lâedrîler) since they are in doubt concerning sensory knowledge (ulûm-u âdiye). They are unashamed even that their way demands that they doubt self-evident things like Lake Van and