Epigraph: On the Excellence of Knowledge

فضیلتِ علم

The excellence of knowledge becomes evident from its merits, and through it one comes to know all things. The most exalted of all is that knowledge which pertains to the Most High — knowledge of His Essence, His Names, His Attributes, and His Acts. Who among men desires to converse about these? He who is my Beloved is dear to me through this discourse. He who comes to me with kindness — or if he does not come, then I myself shall go to him — I find delight in it. Let no one who has not seen it behold it time and again.

[Persian verses:] "I am seeking the pleasure of my nature — what need have I of a companion's intimacy? / Neither do I attend the gathering of the careless, nor listen to the melody of this world's pleasures." (Nezami Ganjavi) / "They will praise you in the temples — they will sing your glories in the heart's inner chamber." (Hasrat)