4. The Spiritual Message of Shi‘ism
ThemessageofShi‘ismtotheworldcanbesummarizedinonesentence:
“To knowGod.” Orin otherwords,itis toinstruct manto followthe
pathofDivinerevelationandtheknowledgeofGodinordertogainfeli-
cityandsalvation.Andthismessageiscontainedintheveryphrasewith
whichtheHolyProphetcommencedhispropheticmissionwhenhesaid,
“Oh men! KnowGod in HisOneness (and acknowledge Him) sothat
you will gain salvation.”
Asasummaryexplanationofthismessagewewilladdthatmanisat-
tachedbynaturetomanygoalsinthisworldlylifeandtomaterialpleas-
ures.Helovestastyfoodanddrink,fashionabledress,attractivepalaces
and surroundings, a beautiful and pleasing wife, sincere friends and
greatwealth.Andinanotherdirectionheisattractedtopoliticalpower,
position,reputation,theextensionofhisruleanddominionandthede-
struction of anything that is opposed to his wishes.
Butin hisinnerandprimordial, God-givennature manunderstands
thatallthesearemeanscreatedforman,butmanisnotcreatedforthese
things.Thesethingsshouldbe subservientto manandfollowhimand
notviceversa.Toconsiderthestomachandtheregionbelowitasafinal
end oflifeis thelogic ofcattle andsheep. Totearup, cut anddestory
others is the logic of the tiger, the wolf and the fox.
Thelogicinherentinhumanexistenceistheattainmentofwisdomand
nothingelse. Thislogic based uponwisdom (with the power which it
possessesto discernbetween realityandthe unreal),guides ustoward
the truth andnot towardthingsour emotionsdemand or towardpas-
sions,selfishnessandegoism.Thislogicconsidersmanasapartofthe
totalityofcreationwithoutanyseparateindependenceorthepossibility
ofarebelliousself-centeredness.Incontrasttothecurrentbeliefthatman
isthemasterofcreationandtamesrebelliousnatureandconquersitto
forceittoobeyhiswishesanddesires,wefindthatinrealitymanhim-
selfis aninstrument inthe handofUniversal Natureandisruled and
commanded by it.
Thislogicbaseduponwisdominvitesmantoconcentratemoreclosely
uponthe apprehensionhehasoftheexistence ofthisworld untilitbe-
comesclearto himthat theworld ofexistenceandallthat isinitdoes