God says in the glorious Qur’án: “The soil was black and
dried. Then we caused the rain to descend upon it and immediately it became
green, verdant, and every kind of plant sprouted up luxuriantly.”[Qur’an 22:5]
In other words, He says the earth is black, but when the spring showers descend
upon it that black soil is quickened, and variegated flowers are pushed forth.
This means the souls of humanity belonging to the world of nature are black
like unto the soil. But when the heavenly outpourings descend and the radiant
effulgences appear, the hearts are resuscitated, are liberated from the
darkness of nature and the flowers of divine mysteries grow and become
luxuriant. Consequently man must become the cause of the illumination of the
world of humanity and propagate the holy teachings revealed in the sacred books
through the divine inspiration.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha ('Tablets of the Divine Plan')
