names and titles of the one whom it signifies. That is to say, every thing is a direct proof of divine unity and a window yielding knowledge of God.
An object, especially if it is animate, is a miniature specimen of the universe, a seed of the world, and a fruit of the globe of the earth. Since this is so, the one who created the miniature specimen, seed and fruit must also be the one who created the universe. For the creator of the fruit cannot be other than the creator of the tree that bears it.
And so, in the same way that every object ascribes every other object to its own fashioner, every act ascribes every other act to its author. For we see that each creative act appears as the tip of a law of creativity that is so extensive as to encompass most other creatures, and so long as to reach from particles to galaxies. That is to say, whoever performs the creative act must be the author of all the creative acts which are tied to the universal law that encompasses those beings and stretches from particles to galaxies.
For sure, the one who gives life to a fly must be the one who creates all insects and animals and who gives life to the earth. And whoever spins particles as though they were Mevlevi dervishes must be the one who sets successive beings in motion as far as the sun travelling through the skies with its planets. For the law is a chain and the creative acts are tied to it.
That is to say, just as all objects ascribe all other objects to their fashioner, and all creative acts attribute all other acts to its author, in exactly the same way, every divine name manifested in the universe ascribes every other name to the One whom it describes and proves that they are His titles. For the names manifested in the universe are like intersecting circles, blending one with the other like the seven colours in light; they assist one another and perfect and adorn one another’s works of art.
For example, the instant the name of Giver of Life is manifested on a thing and life is given, the name of All-Wise also becomes manifest; it orders the body which is that animate creature’s dwelling-place with wisdom. At the same time, the name of Munificent is manifested; it adorns the creature’s dwelling-place. So too, the manifestation of the name of All-Compassionate appears; it presents the body’s needs benevolently. At the same instant, the manifestation of the name of Provider appears; it supplies the material and spiritual sustenance necessary for the continued existence of the animate creature in unexpected ways. And so on. This means that to whomever the name of Giver of Life belongs, the name of All-Wise, which is luminous and comprehensive in the universe, is also His. The name of All-Compassionate, which nurtures all creatures kindly, is His too. And the name of Provider, which sustains all animate creatures munificently, is His name and title. And so on.