Balance of Realities - A wisdom-filled example in a pair of compasses
A wisdom-filled example in a pair of compasses
According to Divine command (6:80; 7:89; 40:7; 65:12), we are sure that everything is contained in knowledge and knowledge embraces everything. Knowledge, with respect to vastness, is an unfathomable ocean in which the entire universe is immersed, and with respect to reaching everything, it is rainfall that excludes nothing. For, if the universe as a whole rests within the surrounding knowledge, then partially (also) everything subsists on knowledge. Thus, knowledge exists in the creation, nature, effect and act of everything. It is the name of knowing the original state of every thing. Among (partial) things, certain examples and their act of compound characteristics also show the examples of the universals, such as a pair of compasses.
A pair of compasses, in the unity and conjunction of its parts, is one. Without its pencil it cannot accomplish the task for which it is made. The pencil can be attached or detached, so that it may be sharpened. A complete pair of compasses has two opposite dots on its two points: one of them is erasable (farsa) and the other is non erasable (na farsa). They can be closer to and remote from each other, and it is not unnecessary and devoid of wisdom to end their duality and become one due to extreme closeness. Since their unity is established in the pair of compasses, therefore they can be called one as well as two. When two came into existence from one, plurality became possible. The thing that has more characteristics is more profitable and useful, and greater wisdom is hidden in it than the one with fewer characteristics. For instance, a pair of compasses has the following characteristics:
| 0 | conjunction | disjunction |
| 1 | expansion | contraction |
| 2 | interruption | regularity |
| 3 | rest | motion |
| 4 | rigidity | flexibility |
| 5 | writing | drawing |
| 6 | unity | division |
| 7 | corresponding | opposing |
| 8 | final cause | complete cause |
Thus, in total, there are eighteen characteristics in a pair of compasses, no more, no less. Other than these, if any other characteristic is conceived, that would be another name of one of them.
The completion of the circle with the combination of the sixteen characteristics of the compasses (that is, from 0 to 7) is their final cause, and the completion of that work for which the circle is made, is the complete cause. Thus these two things are together with, and separate from it. Together in the sense that, from these sixteen characteristics the circle becomes complete, and through the circle the work for which it is made; and separate in the sense that, now there is no need of these characteristics, which were necessary to make the circle. Thus, the final cause and complete cause are together in one sense, and separate in another. They are together in the sense that without the circle the work for which it was intended cannot be complete. Separate in the sense that, after completing the work, there is no need of the circle. Now those sixteen opposite characteristics of the pair of compasses became eight pairs. Final cause and complete cause are not opposite to each other, therefore they cannot be a pair. After the eight pairs, final cause became super-added (za'id) and the complete cause became perfect. Thus, the numbers are eight pairs, nine super-added and ten perfect. They will be further explained in another chapter.
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