But this earth will never be without those persons who will...

But this earth will never be without those persons who will prove the universality of truth as disclosed by Allah, they may be well-known persons, openly and fearlessly declaring the things revealed to them or they may, under fear of harm, injury or deaths hide themselves from the public gaze and may carry on their mission privately so that the reasons proving the reality of truth as preached by religion and as demonstrated by His Prophet may not totally disappear.

How many are they and where could they be found? I swear by Allah that they are very few in number but their worth and their ranks before Allah are very high. Through them Allah preserves His Guidance so that they, while departing, may hand over these truths to persons like themselves. The knowledge which they have acquired has made them see the realities and visualize the truth and has instilled into them the spirit of faith and trust.

The duties which were decreed as hard and unbearable by them. They feel happy in the company and association of things which frighten the ignorant and uneducated. They live in this world like everybody else but their souls soar to the heights of Divine Eminence. They are media of Allah on this earth and they invitepeople towards Him. How I love to meet them O Kumayl ! I have told you all that I have to say, you can go back to your place whenever you like". Nahj al-Balagha, saying 147.

[^34] - Fath al-Bari fiSharh Sahih al-Bukhari, vol. 5, p. [^385]: This can also be found elsewhere in other Sunni sources such Tafsir al-Razi, vol. 2, p. 192,, Sharh al-Maqasid, vol. 5, p. 385, Tarikh Baghadad, vol. 6, p. 379, al-'Aqd al-Farid, vol. 1, p. 265, and Ayun al-Akhbar by Abu Qatiba, p. 7. This tradition can also be found in Shia sources including al-Kafi, vol. 1, p. 136, Kamal al-Din vol. 1, p. 287 etc. [^35] - Sharh Nahj al-Balagha, vol. 18, p. [^351]: [^36] - Musnad Ahmad, vol. 5, p.

[^181]: [^37] - A camel whose ear is partly cut (see, al-Munjid). [^38] - Sahih Tarmidhi, vol. 5, p. [^621]: [^39] - Sahih Tirmidhi, vol. 5, p. [^621]: [^40] - Al-Mustadrak 'ala al-Sahihayn, vol. 3, p. [^533]: [^41] - Al-Mu'ajam al-Kabir, vol. 5, pp. 186 and [^187]: [^42] - Sahih Tirmidhi, vol. 5, p. [^329]: [^43] - Al-Sawaeq al-Muhriqa, p. [^90]: [^44] - Istijlab Irtiqa al-Ghuraf, vol. 1, p. [^336]: [^45] - Jawahir al-'Aqdayn, p. [^231]: [^46] - LIsan al-'Arab. [^47] - Al-Sawaeq al-Muhriqa, p.

[^90]: [^48] - Jawahir al-'Aqdayn, p. [^244]: [^49] - Sharh al-Jami'a al-Saghir, vol. 3, p.