From Kitab al-Hikam
Shaykh Ibn Ata’illah al-Iskendari (d.1309 CE) in Kitab al-Hikam, Wrote:
Praise be to Him who has hidden the inner reality of holiness by manifesting the quality of human nature, and who has appeared in the sublimity of Lordship by manifesting servanthood.
[Sulus calligraphy]
If He opens a door for you, thereby making Himself known, pay no heed if your deeds do not measure up to this. For, in truth, He has not opened it for you but out of a desire to make Himself known to you. Do you not know that He is the one who presented the knowledge of Himself to you, where as you were the one who presented Him with deeds? What a difference between what He brings to you and what you present to Him.
[Nesih calligraphy]
Soot ink on ahar paper, bordered with hand-ground rabbitskin tempera paint and gold leaf borders. Gouache and dyed paper were used in the koltuk panel illuminations.
This piece is available for purchase.