BH00009: Today the rustling of the Divine Lote-Tree is raised…
Section 1: “In the Name of our Lord, the Most…”
In the Name of our Lord, the Most Holy, the Most Great, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious
Today the rustling of the Divine Lote-Tree is raised aloft, and the Sun of Utterance is dawning and manifest from the horizon of the heaven of inner meanings, the Path is speaking with most eloquent utterance, and the Balance is remembering with most perfect words. Nevertheless, the banner of “there is none in the kingdom but Him” is hoisted and raised high, for the world is cold and listless, nay, dead. There is no ear to hear and no eye to see, save for the few whom the veils of names and the coverings of allusions and words did not debar. They have forsaken all else but Him and clung to Him, they have heard the Call and drunk the choice wine, and have arisen to promote the Cause with such arising as hath caused the hearts of the transgressors to be troubled and the feet of the ungodly to quake. In truth, not every ear is worthy to hear, and eyes that are diseased and dim are not fit to behold. This is the Day of remembrance and praise. Who are the chosen ones? They who stand with utmost steadfastness in the Cause and who speak in praise of the Purpose of the world. Every mention and every praise beseemeth those assured, contented and well-pleased souls.
Glory be unto Thee, O Thou at Whose separation the near ones lamented and at Whose remoteness the sincere ones cried out! I beseech Thee by the lights of the morn of Thy Revelation whereby Thou didst quicken Thy servants and Thy creation and didst give glad tidings unto all in the lands of attaining Thy presence and meeting Thee, to aid Thy loved ones in that which will cause the manifestations of Thy power and the evidences of Thy might to be upraised. O Lord! Adorn with their names the scrolls of the world and the books of the nations. Verily Thou art powerful over whatsoever Thou willest. There is none other God but Thee, the Confirmer, the Bestower, the Almighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
O my God and the God of the world, my Purpose and the Purpose of the nations! I beseech Thee by Thy most sweet call which was raised betwixt earth and heaven, and by the dawning-places of the lights of Thy countenance from the highest horizon, that Thou protect him who hath arisen to serve Thy Cause and who speaketh in Thy praise. Then aid him with the hosts of the unseen and the visible, then assist him with a company of the angels and the Spirit. Verily Thou art the Almighty Whom neither the power of princes nor their might, nor the doubts of the divines nor their allusions can frustrate. There is none other God but Thee, the Omnipotent, the Almighty, the Powerful, the Great.
O beloved of my heart! I was observant, contemplative, grieving, and discerning regarding the manifestations of our Lord’s power, what befell Him, and what emerged from the factions. Then the door opened and there entered one bearing your letter, from which all those possessed of spiritual perception detected the fragrance of your sincerity, your love, and your turning to God, our Lord and your Lord, and your arising to serve the Cause in days when the might of the heedless had seized the dwellers of the cities of names, save those whom God, the Lord of all beings and the Sovereign of the hereafter and the former times, did protect. When I read it, I found in each of its letters that which taught me what you possessed and made known to me how your heart, your very veins, your outer and inner being were attracted to the Cause of God, to whose cord you had clung and whose robe you had grasped for the exaltation of His Word and the guidance of His servants and creatures.
When I became aware of this, I soared on wings of longing unto God, the Lord of the Covenant. I attained His presence and presented it until it was completed. Then arose the rustling of the Divine Lote-Tree, and the Lord of all beings spoke that which this servant is unable to mention as it deserves to be mentioned. I beseech Him to assist me through His grace and bounty. Can any writer enumerate the waves of the sea when they appear and surge? Nay, by His true Self, except through His confirmation and grace. There is no God but He, Who has enumerated all things in a clear Book.
And at the end of His utterances—may the spirit of all who dwell in the kingdom of Command and Creation be a sacrifice unto Him—He said, exalted be His utterance and sublime His proof:
He is the All-Seeing, the Witness, the All-Knowing, the All-Hearing, the All-Perceiving
The Lote-Tree of Utterance in the midmost heart of contingent being proclaims: There is no God but Me, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. The Divine Lote-Tree upon the luminous earth behind the Most Great Ocean proclaims: By God! The Hidden One has come with manifest sovereignty. The Lote-Tree of Certitude planted in the saffron field calls out: The King has come—sovereignty belongs to God, the Possessor of all existence. The Tree of Proof in the white spot speaks: The fragrance of the garment has been diffused and the light has shone forth from the horizon of manifestation. Hasten, O people of the earth, and follow not every ignorant and veiled one. This is the Day wherein the mountains have humbled themselves at the coming of the Self-Sufficient, the Most High, with the banner of might, and it is known that there is no God but I, the Possessor of the unseen and the seen. Say: O people of Iran! Fear the All-Merciful and be not of those who know not. We have blown the Trumpet, which is My Most Exalted Pen, and have quickened thereby those who were in My preserved knowledge.
Say: O people of the Bayan! Have you heard and denied, have you seen and turned away? Fear God and be fair in this Cause at whose appearance souls were troubled, save those whom God took unto Himself and delivered from the darkness of idle fancies and raised to a station wherein they heard the call of the Kingdom. O Varqa! Hear the call as thou didst hear it before and wilt hear it hereafter.
The servant in attendance has come with thy letter, and when it was read before the Wronged One, the Pen of thy Self-Subsisting Lord was moved and revealed for thee that which caused the mouth of utterance to smile and seized those in the graves with trembling. We have sent down for thee that which was a light unto the books of the world, a straight path for the followers of all religions, and a mighty pillar for those who have acknowledged this Great News. Say: O company of the deniers! Hear, then be fair. By God’s life! The call attracts you to a station wherein you will cast away what you possess in hope of that which is with God, the Mighty, the Loving. Say: This is the field of proof; bring forth what you possess. By God’s life! None can gallop therein save the knights of certitude who have cast away the world, turning unto God, the Lord of the Promised Day. Thus has the ocean revealed the pearls of wisdom and utterance, and the Lote-Tree its fruits, but the people do not know.
Hear the Call of the Wronged One in the Persian tongue! That which was hidden hath been made manifest, and that which was stored in the heaven of the Divine Will from time immemorial and preserved in the Preserved Tablet hath been revealed. Yet the recompense of their deeds hath deprived all from the bounties of the Day of Reckoning, even as was witnessed in the actions of the people of the Furqan and their recompense, particularly the Shi’ih sect. O Varqa! Ponder the lack of understanding among the deluded souls of the Bayan. Although the veils were rent asunder and they witnessed with their outward eyes the suspicions, delusions, infidelity, dissension, tyranny and oppression of the former people, they are now again occupied in organizing another Shi’ih sect, desiring to make a people Shi’ih.
Indeed, vain imaginings and names have deprived mankind from the ocean of inner meanings and rendered them bereft of true unity. In truth, in one sense names are as idols, as hath been and is still being witnessed. Until now the former people have not awakened and have not arisen from the slumber of heedlessness. Each day the fire of tyranny blazeth more fiercely and the flame of rancor and hatred groweth brighter. Today it is incumbent and obligatory upon all to arise to aid the Cause by protecting the weak souls from suspicions and vain imaginings.
Convey My greetings to the friends in that land. Say: Strive that ye may attain unto the lights of the sun of true unity. Whosoever attaineth unto this will behold himself detached and free from the world. Well is it with them that act and well is it with them that are endued with understanding. The glory that shineth resplendent from the horizon of the heaven of My Kingdom be upon thee and upon whosoever hearkeneth to thy words concerning the Cause of God, the Lord of the worlds.
O beloved of My heart! The Sun of the utterance of the All-Merciful hath risen in such wise that all the utterances of the world, from the beginning of creation until now, bow down in humility and submission at its appearance and revelation. What else can this evanescent one say or express? This transient servant is perplexed as to what the babblers say and to what they cling. Now the worth and station of some is becoming evident. Although all have witnessed with their outward eyes the presumption of the former people and have seen their misbelief, heedlessness, dissension and oppression, yet they sometimes mention Mirror, sometimes Successor, sometimes Deputy, Noble, Chief and the like. Glory be to God! They have denied whatsoever was revealed contrary to the desires of the former wayward souls. They have entirely denied the Persian Bayan which is in truth among the most great books of the Primal Point—may the spirit of all else but Him be sacrificed for His sake—saying it hath been altered. We should all lament and cry “Alas!” The lies of old have been revived and the former calumnies have reappeared. We are God’s and unto Him do we return.
O beloved of My heart! The discerning and insightful ones of the world know and recognize the greatness of this Revelation and its all-pervasiveness, as well as that which hath been sent down from the heaven of His Will, and they behold the lights of the appearance of the Lord of all beings as bright as the sun. Nevertheless, these unclean, dust-stained, defiled creatures, like unto the divines of the Shi’ih sect who displayed asceticism in their filthy school corners while manifesting malice in their claims to knowledge and faith, are in truth neither worthy nor deserving of this court. Praise be to God Who hath sanctified His court from their presence, His light from their vision, His Revelation from their recognition, and His Call from their hearing. They have clung to cunning, deception and guile. They have attributed certain deeds to those heedless and ignorant souls that perplex every person of understanding. God protect us and you from the evil of such people.
Concerning what was written about this servant’s correspondences being less frequent, I verily acknowledge this statement, for at all times I should send forth that from which the fragrance of the loving-kindness and compassion of our Beloved and your Beloved, our Goal and your Goal, and the Goal of all who are in the heavens and earth may be diffused. However, O beloved of my heart, letters have been and are arriving from all directions to such an extent that, in truth, this servant has not had and has not the opportunity to express what is in his heart to the friends. Two years have passed, and replies to some of the friends, upon them be the glory of God and His loving-kindness, have been and remain delayed. I beseech and implore God, exalted be His glory, to confirm and grant success. He is the Powerful, the Mighty. Nevertheless, replies to your letters have mostly been sent. The one God is witness that whenever a letter from that beloved one arrives, a new joy and delight is attained. Moreover, for some time in this land certain discussions have arisen, and wisdom is at times observed.
Furthermore, you know that night and day I am engaged in the presence of God writing divine verses. Yet from this servant’s services that beloved one also has a share and portion. This word is adorned with the testimony of the Goal of all the worlds. As for the mention you made of my beloved, his honor Amin, upon him be the glory of God and His loving-kindness—he himself has written a letter to this servant. He has ever mentioned you in all his letters. In truth, he has been and is a well-wisher of the friends. I beseech and implore God to assist him in all conditions. Verily, He is the Compassionate, He is the Generous.
Concerning the glad tidings regarding the abandonment of harmful habits by some of the friends of God, after this matter was submitted to His Most Holy Presence, He said: “We beseech the True One, exalted be His glory, for the sanctification and purification of all. Today, goodly deeds and praiseworthy character are God’s hosts on earth, and through these hosts the Truth has granted and continues to grant victory. O thou who speaketh in My Name, who gazeth toward My horizon, and soareth in the atmosphere of My love! Convey repeatedly My greetings to the friends in that land. Each and every one is mentioned in the presence of the Truth, and their names flow from the Most Exalted Pen. Convey My greetings to his honor M and S, upon him be the Glory of God. We beseech God to aid him in that which befitteth His Day, and in deeds whose fragrance shall never fade. Praise be to God, they have attained recognition and been adorned with mention by the Most Exalted Pen.
Convey thou unto Jinab Mim and Ṣad—upon him be the glory of God—My triumphal acclamation. We beseech God to confirm him in that which beseemeth His Day, and likewise in such deeds that his renown may never be cut off. Praise be to God! They have attained unto His good-pleasure, and have been adorned with the mention of the Pen of the Most High.” End.
This lowly one, moreover, supplicateth the one true God—glorified be His Name—that He may sanctify them from earthly concerns, and array them with such qualities as shall become the cause of the exaltation of the Word of God. Souls were created for this, and bodies were brought into being for this; and the sun and the moon, and all created things, have been called into existence for this service. God willing, they shall be enabled to engage in remembrance and praise, and in the propagation of the Cause. I convey unto them My greetings and salutations, and implore for them from God His confirmations.
Section 2: “Regarding the mention of Suhrab and his turning…”
Regarding the mention of Suhrab and his turning to the Most Exalted Horizon, this was presented in His Most Holy Presence, and these were His blessed words, exalted be His praise and mighty His proof:
“O Suhrab! The Comforter hath come to speak that which hath not been spoken, to cause that which hath not been heard to be heard, and to complete that which hath been said. Praise the Beloved of the worlds that thou hast turned to the supreme height and ultimate goal, which is the knowledge of God, exalted be His glory. Rend asunder the veils of idle fancy and shatter the idols of vain imaginings, that thou mayest be illumined by the lights of the Sun of Truth and certitude and attain thereunto. The Loving Father came, yet His children recognized Him not and remained deprived of His knowledge, save for a few who were not prevented from the Dawning-Place of Divine Oneness by the doubts of prelates, bishops, and priests. The call is raised, yet tongues that would utter yea’ are rare. Beseech God to grant awareness and bestow understanding. Verily, He is the One Who, through His word Be’, hath power over all things.”
Concerning what thou didst write about the spiritual friend, his honor A.B., upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God, praise be to God that he hath been attracted by the breezes of these days. He is mentioned in God’s Book and recorded by the Most Exalted Pen in the Crimson Tablet. No bounty can equal this bounty, and every station boweth before this station. I beseech God, exalted be His glory and abundant His favors, to aid him to preserve this most exalted station and supreme rank. Blessed is he, happy is he, wholesome is it for him, and joy be unto him. These matters were presented before the Presence of the Lord of Revelation, and this utterance was revealed from the Kingdom of the favor of the Beloved of the worlds, exalted be His majesty and mighty His sovereignty:
He is the Witness from His Most Exalted Horizon
Verily We have mentioned him with a remembrance that shall not be altered by the happenings of contingent existence, nor changed by centuries and ages. It shall remain immortalized in the Book of God, the Lord of all worlds. By My life! There hath been ordained for him that which surpasseth the earth and its treasuries. To this beareth witness the Mother Book in this Palace, whose very atoms proclaim:
“By God! The Interlocutor of the Mount hath been established upon the Throne of Revelation, and the Tongue of Dominion and the Kingdom, then of Might and Power, then of Station and Divinity, hath spoken for My Ancient and Mighty Self.”
We beseech God to open before his face the gates of grace and favor, and to draw him nigh unto Him in all conditions. Verily He is the Almighty over what He willeth, and He is the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous. We have mentioned him in another Tablet that he might rejoice and be among the thankful. Thus hath mercy showered its rain, and the Pen revealed its secrets, and the Sun of inner meanings shed its radiance. He is verily the Almighty, the All-Forgiving, the Most Merciful. The Glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of My grace be upon him and upon those who have believed in God, the Mighty, the All-Praised. The ocean of bounty is itself a witness to bounty, and its waves are proof thereof. The sun itself makes manifest its own station, and its effulgences are its evidence. What else can this evanescent servant mention or present that would be worthy and befitting?
They mentioned the honored Khalil, upon him be the Glory of God. Praise be to God, he hath been and continues to be successful. He hath been mentioned in the Most Holy and Exalted Presence. This evanescent one beseecheth God, exalted be His glory, to aid him to serve His Cause. Verily He is the Hearer, the Answerer. O beloved of my heart! Most of the writings of the Supreme Pen that were in the introduction of Ta fell into the hands of the adversaries. Whoever they seized had books, scriptures and tablets with them. That beloved of the people of God must inform all so that they may exert mighty efforts to preserve and protect the Tablets and writings, and exercise the utmost care in this regard. Blessed is the land wherein the fragrance of the Supreme Pen’s movement is diffused. The preservation of these mighty, impregnable and blessed Tablets is most necessary and is beloved before God, lest their pages and lines should not remain in their original form. Direct and teach the way of preservation. What hath been mentioned in this regard was according to the Most Holy and Exalted Command. Blessed are they that act accordingly.
They mentioned Mirza Muhammad Husayn and Abbas-Quli, upon them be the Glory of God. After being presented before the Presence, two Most Holy and Exalted Tablets were revealed specifically for them and sent. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, that they may attain unto the exalted heaven mentioned in the Tablet and be illumined by the lights of its suns and moons, in such wise that the vicissitudes of days may not change it and the tyranny of the Pharaohs of the age and oppressors of the lands may not veil it. This is not difficult for God, our Lord and your Lord. Thus saith the Lord, exalted and sanctified is He:
He is the Light shining from the horizon of the world
This is the Day wherein the All-Desired One proclaimeth and beareth tidings unto mankind of His irrevocable Cause and His sealed nectar. Blessed are they who have turned with radiant faces and illumined hearts, who have taken the cup of bounty from the hand of the Lord of Names and Creator of the heavens, and have drunk in His Name, the All-Compelling, the Self-Subsisting. The Fire hath appeared from the Tree and He Who conversed on Sinai hath spoken from the horizon of the heaven of Revelation. O peoples of the earth! By God, the Promise hath come, and the Promised One calleth you from His glorious station unto God, the Lord of the seen and unseen. The All-Merciful hath manifested Himself unto all who are in the realm of being, and the Most Great Vision and the Lord of Destiny hath appeared, saying: O concourse of men! Turn ye to the Most Glorious Horizon and hearken unto the rustling of My Most Exalted Pen. Verily, it guideth you unto the path of God, the Lord of what was and what shall be.
O thou who art mentioned before the Wronged One! We have heard thy mention and have remembered thee with that which neither the peoples nor the princes and kings possess. Blessed art thou for having attained unto the tokens of My Most Exalted Pen and for being mentioned by the Wronged One whilst seated upon the throne of His Name, the All-Loving. We have sent down the verses and manifested the clear proofs and have rent asunder the veils before all faces in such wise that the might of the world hath not deterred Us. To this testifieth he who possesseth an inscribed Book.
Tribulations have encompassed Us from every direction and calamities from all regions, while the Pen of the Unconstrained continueth to proclaim at eventide and at dawn, at night and in the morning, that there is none other God but Me, the Truth, the Knower of things unseen. Blessed is he who hath heard My call, turned to My horizon, uttered My praise, arisen to serve My Cause, and held fast to My stretched cord. When thou art attracted by the fragrances of My verses and seized by the Kawthar of My utterance, say:
My God, my God! Thou seest the distant one who desireth Thy nearness, the poor one who seeketh the ocean of Thy wealth, and the thirsty one who craveth the Kawthar of Thy bounty. I beseech Thee by the lights of the Orb of Thy utterance, the mysteries of Thy Book, Thy most exalted Horizon, and that which lieth concealed in the treasuries of Thy Pen and the repositories of Thy knowledge, O Lord of Names and Creator of the heavens, to aid me to be steadfast in Thy Cause and to arise to serve Thee. O my Lord! Thou beholdest me confessing that which the Tongue of Thy Grandeur hath spoken in the kingdom of Thine utterance, and acknowledging that which hath descended from the heaven of Thy Will.
Strengthen, O my God, my heart and my limbs in such wise that neither the power of the mighty nor the doubts of the learned may weaken them. Then make me ablaze with the fire of Thy Tree and illumined by the lights of Thy Throne. I beseech Thee, O Revealer of signs, by Thy Command whereby Thou didst raise the standards of Thy Manifestation in the horizons and the banners of Thy victory in the lands, to ordain for me by the Pen of Thy bounty that which shall abide with me in every world of Thy worlds. Verily, Thou art the Powerful over whatsoever Thou willest, and in Thy grasp are the reins of all things. Thou doest what Thou pleasest and ordainest what Thou desirest. There is none other God but Thee, the Single, the One, the All-Compelling, the Mighty, the Most Bountiful.
Thus hath been revealed for his honor Abbas-Quli Khan, upon him be the glory of God, the Lord, exalted and sanctified be He:
In My Name, that ruleth over all names
At this moment, the Tree of Utterance which hath been planted by the hand of divine bounty in the Most Exalted Paradise speaketh forth with these words: O peoples of the earth! Abandon what ye possess of idle fancies and vain imaginings. This is the Day whereon the seal of the Choice Wine hath been broken, through the Name of God, the Self-Subsisting, the All-Compelling. Draw nigh and drink thereof, despite every heedless rejected one and every veiled learned one. Blessed is the one who hath hearkened to its call and attained unto the sweetness of its utterance. I swear by the lights of the Luminary of inner meanings, shining from the horizon of the heaven of utterance, that whosoever attaineth unto hearing it shall become enkindled with such a fire that neither the opposition of the world nor the objections of the nations shall prevent or deprive him, and its effects shall become manifest and evident. From the first days until now, We have called out, without concealment or veil, before the faces of rulers, divines and religious leaders—a call for which ears were created from nothingness into being. Yet outward ornaments and ephemeral colors have deprived souls of everlasting, eternal blessings.
When thou hearest the melodies of the birds of inner meanings upon the branches of the divine utterance, purify thy heart and breast with the water of detachment and turning unto God, and say:
My God, my God! Praise be unto Thee for having made manifest Thy path among Thy servants and for having called the people to the Dayspring of Thy revelation, the Dawning-Place of Thy inspiration, and the Source of Thy commandments and ordinances. I testify that Thou hast revealed the Way and sent down the Guide, and hast commanded all to do that which will draw them nigh unto Thee and benefit them in all Thy worlds. I beseech Thee, O Lord of existence, by the waves of the ocean of Thy bounty and the lights of the sun of Thy grace, to aid me in all conditions to be one who speaks Thy praise, who is enkindled with the fire of Thy love, who is mindful of Thy verses, who soars in Thy atmosphere, who holds fast to the cord of Thy bestowal, and who clings to the hem of Thy generosity.
O my Lord! Thou seest Thy servant turning toward Thy Most Exalted Horizon, acknowledging Thy oneness and singleness, and confessing Thy grandeur and sovereignty. I beseech Thee by Him Who hastened to the place of sacrifice in His longing to meet Thee, and who advanced toward the arrows of tribulation out of love for Thy beauty, to grant me Thy favor which Thou hast sent down from the heaven of Thy Cause, and the food which Thou hast sent forth from the kingdom of Thy utterance. Verily Thou art He Whom the ranks and armies of the world cannot withstand. Thou doest what Thou willest and ordainest what Thou pleasest. There is no God but Thee, the Mighty, the All-Praised.
Moreover, I beseech Thee, O Ancient of Days, by the Most Great Name through which Thou hast illumined the world, to ordain for me what is best in this world and the next. Verily Thou art the Lord of all names and the Creator of the heavens. There is no God but Thee, the Omnipotent, the Mighty, the All-Bountiful.
The bounty belongeth unto God, the grace is His, and the bestowal is His. For every soul who hath been present in the Most Holy Court or whose name hath been mentioned, there hath been revealed that within each word of which are concealed oceans of grace and favor. Blessed is the eye that hath attained unto it and the heart that hath drunk therefrom. This servant conveyeth to each of you greetings and salutations, and entreateth the Ever-Abiding Truth to confirm you in the service of His Cause, that through His Name ye may gain dominion over the cities of hearts. By His very Life, the sword of utterance is sharper and the penetration of the Word is beyond reckoning. In all circumstances, as commanded, wisdom must be observed. This decree taketh precedence over most other decrees, for it hath been revealed and issued forth from the Most Exalted Pen in numerous Tablets. Blessed are they that act accordingly.
Concerning what was written about Jinab-i-Aqa Khalil, upon him be the Glory of God and His favors, who at first undertook to convey the Word with the two aforementioned souls—after this matter was presented before the Most Holy and Exalted Presence, a special Tablet was revealed for him from the heaven of grace and was sent. God willing, may he attain unto it and receive his portion from the surging oceans of the utterance of the Desired One of all worlds. The Lord, exalted and sanctified is He, speaks:
Section 4: “O Nabil-i-Ba! The Wronged One hath mentioned thee…”
O Nabil-i-Ba! The Wronged One hath mentioned thee in numerous Tablets and hath in these days revealed for thee that which, should its fragrance be diffused, would attract the hearts of them that are endued with understanding. Say: Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.
J! Thou hast attained unto My mention and the tokens of My Pen. Recognize the worth of this most exalted station and say:
Praise be unto Thee, O Lord of all beings, for having enabled me to turn unto Thee and to acknowledge that which the Tongue of Thy grandeur hath uttered. I beseech Thee to assist me to preserve what Thou hast given me through Thy bounty and generosity. Verily, Thou art the Munificent, the Generous.
O Abu-Talib! The Desired One maketh mention of thee and the Wronged One hath turned towards thee. Blessed is the seeker who hath found the Sought One, and the knower who hath recognized the Known One, and the learned one who hath turned unto the All-Knowing. Take hold of the Book of God with the power that proceedeth from Him, despite those who have denied His proof and His evidence. These are assuredly among the most lost in the view of the Concourse on High in this noble station.
O Muhammad-Ali! The Speaker of Sinai is established upon the Throne of Revelation, making thee hear His call, sending down unto thee His verses, and dispatching to thee that which every learned sage and every informed mystic is powerless to mention. O Ali! The Wronged One remembers thee in prison. Say: O people of the world! Today the Sun of this Word hath dawned from the horizon of the heaven of divine counsel, shining and manifest: “Take ye My way and forsake the ways of others.” Blessed is the soul that hath attained to hearing and hath drunk from the cup of steadfastness. Give thanks unto God for having remembered thee. Verily He remembereth those who love Him. He is the All-Remembering, the All-Knowing.
O Muhammad-Qabli-ʿAli! Thou hast attained unto the writings of the Most Exalted Pen. Praise be to God! Thou hast rent asunder the veils of fancy through the Name of the Lord of all names. Today the Most Great Balance is set up before the faces of the world, calling out with the most exalted call: “Verily I am the Distinguisher, the All-Knowing.” Blessed is he whom no power hath deterred nor any might hath frightened, and who hath turned toward the Most Sublime Horizon with supreme steadfastness. He is of the people of Baha in the Preserved Tablet.
O Rida! Blessed is the soul that hath today attained unto the word of contentment. Such a one is mentioned among the dwellers of the Most Exalted Paradise. The vain imaginings of desires have prevented the servants from their ultimate end, depriving them of the immortal Kingdom for numbered days. Leave them to their idle fancies and say:
“Praise be to Thee, O my God, for having aided me to turn toward Thee and enabled me to voice Thy beauteous praise. I beseech Thee to ordain for me that which will draw me nigh unto Thee. Thou art the Hearer, the Answerer.”
O Haji ʿAli-Qabli-Akbar M.Y.! Thou art mentioned at the Most Great Scene and hast attained the favors of God. Today the preamble of the Book of Justice is adorned with this most exalted Word: O people of the world! Ye are the drops of one ocean and the leaves of one tree. Abandon discord and dissension, and hold fast unto unity and harmony. This is what ye have been commanded by God, the Lord of the Day of Meeting. Yet the ears of the people of the world are deprived of hearing and forbidden from understanding, for the reins of all are in the grasp of the ignorant, save whom God willeth. Blessed art thou for having recognized the Purpose when the idolaters denied Him.
O ʿAli-Akbar! Today the Sun of remembrance is dawning and manifest from the horizon of the heaven of the Most Exalted Pen. The purpose is that souls may be nurtured beneath the shadow of the Cause and arise to extinguish the fire of hatred that blazeth in the breasts of the diverse parties of the world. Perchance the eye of the world may attain unto such a day. Opposition hath ever been the cause of destruction, while unity the source of construction. Ask thou of God that those who claim association with the Most Sublime Horizon may attain true hearing and act according to that which they are commanded. Blessed art thou for having heard the call and responded to thy Lord.
O Muhammad Q! Today the world is illumined and radiant with the lights of the Most Great Remembrance, and the Wronged One hath called out with the most exalted call and guided the servants. Blessed are they who have attained unto this Day and recognized their Purpose. We beseech God to aid all and deprive them not of the fragrances of His verses.
O Karbala’i Sadiq! The deniers have rejected manifest truth. Those heedless of the beginning and the end have arisen to harm the Cause, clinging to every means that they might attain their desires, which are the ruination of both this world and the next. We beseech God to make His loved ones steadfast in such wise that the clamor of the world shall neither prevent nor deprive them.
O Muhammad Mihdi! When the attraction of My call takes hold of thee and thou attainest unto the choice wine of My utterance, say:
“My God, my God! Increase the light of my vision that I may behold Thy most exalted horizon, and strengthen my hearing that I may hearken unto the crackling of Thy Most Glorious Pen. O my Lord! I am he who hath placed his trust in Thee and committed his affairs unto Thee. Ordain for me what is best in this world and the next. There is none other God but Thee, the Mighty, the Powerful.”
O Mihdi! The Guide came, yet they denied Him. Truth appeared, yet they rejected it. The corrupt ear is not worthy to hear the call of Truth, and the sightless eye is not fit to behold. Praise be to God that the company of His loved ones have attained unto penetrating vision. These are they of whom He saith have been given insight from God. They heard and saw, and attained unto that which was the purpose of creation.
O Varqa! Upon thee be My glory and My loving-kindness. All mention hath ended with thy mention. Blessed art thou and joy be unto thee! Thou art ever remembered in the Most Holy Court and art the recipient of the infinite favors of the Goal of all existence. Convey on My behalf greetings and glory unto the Spirit, and demonstrate the signs of kindness, favor, and the manifestations of mercy from the Wronged One, that they may grow through God’s grace and bear fruit. Verily, He is the Compassionate, the Generous, and He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.
To God belongs all grace and bounty. The stars in the heaven of knowledge have each acquired radiance and are illumined by the light of the Most Great Luminary. These mentions and descriptions are, in truth, indicative of the stations of souls. How can that which hath appeared from this servant be worthy of God’s court? Never was it, nor will it ever be. To Him be praise and glory, and to Him be thanksgiving and splendor, for He hath revealed and accepted the stations of powerlessness and nothingness. No deed, no mention, no thought—whether from the visible or invisible realm—can equal this station.
Mention was made of the handmaidens of God, upon them be the glory of God. After being presented before Him, each was adorned with the ornament of mention and attained the favors of the Kingdom of utterance. We beseech our Lord and the Lord of earth and heaven to ordain for them what is best in this world and the next. Glory be to God! The mystery of the Cause and the consummate wisdom remain hidden from view. Those who spent years acquiring knowledge to recognize the Known One turned away when the lights of His countenance shone forth, while leaves and handmaidens who never attended school nor acquired outward learning were illumined with the light of recognition and were blessed from the cup of steadfastness. Verily, grace is in His hand and within His mighty grasp. He giveth and withholdeth, and He is the Mighty, the Unconstrained.
As for what was written concerning the one who was promised but did not come due to illness, and who sought mention of his name in the Most Luminous Presence—this refers to Aqa ʿAli-i-Milani, upon him be the glory of God. After this matter was presented before the countenance of the Lord of creation, these verses were revealed from the Kingdom of the All-Merciful utterance:
Thus saith the Lord, exalted and sanctified is He:
“O ʿAli! Thy mention is remembered and the Most Clear Book is turned toward thee and speaketh. Thou didst accept that which all others have turned away from, and acknowledged that which the people deny. Thou didst drink the choice wine of recognition on a day when the people of the world were deprived and veiled therefrom. Now consider what tongue is needed and what utterance is befitting to render thanks.”
Say:
Praise be unto Thee, O my God, and glory be unto Thee, O my Hope and Creator! I bear witness that Thou hast sent down the blessing and revealed the heavenly table and made manifest the proof. I beseech Thee, O Creator of the world, by the Most Great Name, to assist me in that which will draw me nigh unto Thee in such wise that the clamor of Thy creatures shall not deter me from the court of nearness, nor shall the doubts of Thy servants keep me from attaining Thy presence. O Lord! Thou seest me clinging to the cord of Thy bounty. I beseech Thee by the lights of the Orb of Thy knowledge and the mysteries of Thy Book to ordain for me that which shall endure through the endurance of Thy celestial dominion and Thy realm of might. There is none other God but Thee, the Giving, the Bountiful, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
They also mentioned another gathering at the house of Jinab-i-Khalil, upon him be Baha’u’llah, and made mention of Aqa Mulla Mustafa, upon him be Baha’u’llah, and Aqa Mirza ʿIbadu’llah, upon him be Baha’u’llah. After this was presented, the Tongue of Grandeur spoke these radiant verses, blessed and exalted be His utterance:
O Mustafa! Upon thee be My glory! The eternal Lote-Tree of the Most Glorious in the highest Paradise uttereth this most exalted Word: Blessed is he who hath recognized the station of his Lord’s Day and acted in accordance with that which beseemeth it. Praise be to God, thou hast hearkened unto the divine call and turned to the supreme horizon. Make thy resolve lofty. Verily, He is with thee and will aid thee in His remembrance, His praise, and the service of His Cause. Say:
My God, my God! I am Thy servant and the son of Thy servant and the son of Thy handmaiden. I testify that Thou hast created my tongue for Thy mention, mine eyes to behold Thy signs, mine ears to hear Thy call, my heart for Thy knowledge, my hand to grasp Thy Book, and my feet to stand firm upon Thy path. O Lord! Aid me in that which will diffuse the fragrance of Thy good-pleasure. This is better for me than all that is in the first and last worlds. Verily, Thou art the Lord of all beings and the Lord of the throne on high and of the dust below. There is none other God but Thee, the All-Evident, the All-Wise.
And this is what was revealed for Aqa Mirza ʿIbadu’llah, upon him be Baha’u’llah, blessed and exalted be His utterance:
He is the All-Seeing, the All-Informed
The True One, exalted be His glory, sent the Herald and gave the glad tidings that the people of the earth might be adorned with the ornament of joy and delight, and with utmost gladness might approach the court of the True One. However, since the hearts of the servants were occupied with vain imaginings, they remained deprived of the lights of the morn of certitude, and these life-giving glad tidings became the cause of sorrow, for their hearts were occupied with other than Him and their ears were accustomed to the most hateful of sounds. Glory be to God! The sweet waters of the Euphrates flow before their faces and the Most Great Luminary shineth from the highest horizon of the world; yet the people remain heedless. In all conditions one must beseech the True One, exalted be His glory, not to deprive His servants. Give thanks to the Goal of the world that His glad tidings bestowed life and confirmed thee in turning unto Him, in drawing nigh and in recognition. Verily, He is the All-Bountiful, the Generous. There is none other God but He, the Almighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
This lowly servant conveys greetings and glorification to each one, and beseeches from the True One, on behalf of all, that which is everlasting and enduring in its remembrance. They mentioned the spiritual friend [name], upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God, and likewise mentioned the items he sent. Praise be to God, they arrived, and as they were sent with pure intention, each attained its proper station and mention was made repeatedly of the beloved sender in the Most Holy Court and the gathering of those who circumambulate. The beloved Trustee, upon him be the Glory of God, mentioned him repeatedly, and the musk which was truly the crown of all fragrances in the world was used in the Most Holy and Most Exalted Court and by the dwellers of the pavilion of virtue and chastity.
The beloved Trustee, upon him be the Glory of God, also did that which was beloved. This evanescent one wishes with a hundred thousand tongues to utter divine praise and thanksgiving, for He confirmed him and his offering was accepted in the Most Holy Court. May the True One, exalted be His glory, preserve His loved ones and grant them the highest attainments possible. Verily, He has power over all things. In truth, that beloved of hearts was present with each and every one of those items before His face. This is the word that His Holiness had requested—praise be to God it was illumined with the light of acceptance.
Section 5: “Mention was made of [name] of [place], upon…”
Mention was made of [name] of [place], upon him be the Glory of God, in the Most Holy and Most Exalted Court, and likewise the prayer that flowed from the tongue of the Divine Purpose, which His Holiness asked to be conveyed on his behalf to the Most Holy Court. His request was fulfilled, for on one night these details were presented and the prayer was recited. This is what the Tongue of Grandeur spoke in reply, exalted be His glory:
He is the One Who speaks in the Kingdom of Utterance
O Samad! Upon thee be My Glory! He who loved Me and desired Me and held fast to My cord and clung to My robe and spoke My praise among My servants and arose to aid My Cause, has mentioned thee. We have remembered thee with verses which, were they to be revealed unto the mountain, thou wouldst hear from it:
“Here am I, here am I, O Thou Goal of the Supreme Concourse and Beloved of those who dwell in the heavens and the earth!”
O Samad! When thou wert present before the Throne and didst hear with thine own ears the call of thy Lord and didst behold with thine own eyes the horizon of the manifestation of God, the Lord of the worlds, say:
My God, my God! Praise be to Thee for causing me to hear that for which Thou didst create me. Thou art He Who, O my God, didst awaken me when I was sleeping, and raised me up when I was seated, and taught me when I was ignorant, and drew me near when I was far, and gave me to drink of Thy sealed wine, and sheltered me beneath the shadow of Thy Name, the Self-Subsisting. I beseech Thee by the revelations of Thy might and the manifestations of Thy grandeur to make me steadfast in Thy Cause, firm in Thy love, and immovable in Thy Word. Verily, Thou art the All-Powerful, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
Truly a fresh bounty hath reached his honor Samad (upon him be 9 66 [Baha’u’llah]) and the aid of the One True God hath assisted him. Blessed be he and blessed be whoso hath attained unto the loving-kindness of his Lord, the Compassionate, the Generous. Another letter from that Beloved One hath opened the gate of joy and spread wide the carpet of delight. A hundred thousand praises upon the joy and gladness that appeareth from the direction of His loved ones. That joy is the King of all joys and that gladness is the gladness of all the world’s gladness and the light of the nations’ delights. Glory be to God! The pen pauseth not and thought ceaseth not.
I fear lest the abundance of writing should keep that Beloved One from necessary matters, that is, from revealing verses and manifesting proofs and reminding the servants. Praise be to God that His Holiness hath been enabled to make mention and offer praise and render service. The proof of this statement is the word of that Beloved One himself who wrote that whatsoever was in honor of the loved ones of this land—upon them be the Glory of God—was recited in three places where they had attained the presence with due regard to wisdom, and each one with their whole being offered thanks and praise to the Desired One, exalted be His bounty and mighty be His bestowal. And whatsoever was in honor of the chosen ones of other lands was copied one by one and sent, and incomplete copies of the letter were also made to be sent to all lands after completion, since in these days there is no one except this evanescent one engaged in writing, unto the end of your statement.
A hundred thousand joys would not equal this joy that was attained, for through God’s infinite bounties the sight, hearing, tongue, hand, pen and ink of that Beloved One are all engaged in service and directed toward the exaltation of the Word. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, that through the deed of each member, the members of the world may arise to perform their appointed tasks and act accordingly.
As to what was mentioned regarding the treatise of proofs that was revealed from the Divine Pen, it is evident that His Holiness perceiveth the fragrance of the utterance of the All-Merciful. The nostrils of the world are stopped save whom our Lord, the Lord of earth and heaven, willeth. And those four souls were specifically summoned to attain the presence before the Throne, yet they were not enabled, and one of those four was his honor Aqa Mulla Muhammad—upon him be the Glory of God—who was with those souls for the sake of wisdom, and the other three were outwardly reckoned among the people of the Furqan, yet before the Throne they were attributed to the tree of turning away. If the whole world were to hearken, free from prejudices, those same blessed limited pages would guide all and lead them to the Most Great Ocean. I beseech God to purify all from selfish desires that they may become worthy to hearken and qualified to witness.
O my God, my Lord, my Master and my Desire! Strengthen the heart of him who desireth Thy mention and the service of Thy Cause, and his tongue in praising Thee, and preserve him in reciting Thy verses, and his feet in arising to execute Thy laws. Verily Thou art the Mighty, the Powerful.
That this servant was appointed as representative to attain the presence and visit on behalf of that beloved one and His Holiness ʿAli-Qabli, upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God—one night I set forth toward the Most Great Goal, attained the presence of His Countenance, and was blessed with visitation. The Tongue of Grandeur spoke the word of acceptance, saying “Well is it with you both and with him and with this servant.” Another missive from His Holiness, which began correctly and explicitly, spoke of separation from the Beloved of the worlds and indicated degrees of longing and yearning, attraction and joy and delight. A state of regret was produced, and I beseech and implore God, exalted be His glory, to bestow these conditions upon this ephemeral servant in all circumstances. His is the praise and the bounty, for He hath bestowed that which hath no likeness or equal. Both the mention of separation from that Beloved ignited the fire of love in the heart, and the longing for attainment and meeting produced the light of joy. His is the praise in all matters and all conditions.
Every letter indicates His grace and every word testifies to His bounty. He mentioned His Holiness Ismullah al-Jamal, upon him be every most glorious glory, and whatsoever flowed from his pen in praise and glorification of God, exalted be His glory, was presented before the Most Great Ocean and was honored to be heard. When it concluded, the Tongue of Grandeur in the Kingdom of Utterance spoke these manifest verses. The Lord, exalted and sanctified is He, saith:
O Varqa! O thou who hast drunk of My sealed wine, who hast held fast to My Self-Subsisting Name, and who hast stood firm in My ordained Cause! The ocean of grace is surging at this moment and the sea of joy is manifest at the highest point of possibility, for the fragrance of the Most Great Love from what was mentioned in showing humility and submissiveness, steadfastness and supplication and entreaty of My Name Jamal, upon him be My glory, is diffused and spread abroad. O Jamal! Thou didst show powerlessness before the power of God, exalted be His glory. Now the All-Powerful maketh mention of thee and the Omnipotent hath turned toward thee. Thou didst manifest nothingness; the Absolute Truth from the direction of the prison hath turned toward thee.
Thy powerlessness in this station is the pride of all earthly powers, and thy nothingness is the crown of all the beings of the nations. He hath mentioned thee and made mention of thy mention by him who soared in the atmosphere of My nearness and My love and My grace, and sent it to My prison, and My servant present here presented it, and the tongue of My grandeur answered thee. Thou didst seek a sprinkling; verily My ocean hath poured forth unto thee. Thou didst ask for a drop; the rain of My mercy hath showered upon thee. Blessed is he who hath mentioned thee. Reflect on nothingness and its station, for thou hast become the dawning-place of this most great favor, and observe poverty and its fruits, for He hath caused the Kingdom of wealth to turn toward thee.
Both the mention of thy love by him whom I love, and his mention of thee—from these two mentions a light shineth forth in the worlds of love and affection and harmony and unity. Well is it with you both and happy are you both. We beseech God to illumine the horizons of the hearts of His loved ones with this light, that all may hold fast to the Most Great Cord of divine love. This is the Water of Life that floweth and courseth from the Pen of the Most Merciful. The Glory be upon you both, the Mercy be upon you both, the Grace be upon you both, the Bounty be upon you both.
The station of harmony and unity, particularly among those who are reckoned as the Hands of the Cause of God, is well-pleasing and beloved in the sight of God. Indeed, after reading the letter of His Holiness Ismullah, upon him be the Most Glorious Beauty of God, which they had written to that loved one, and likewise mentioning that loved one, that letter caused the Beloved to smile. That which was revealed in this station is a trustworthy testimony and a manifest witness to the loftiness of the station of harmony and unity before God, the Lord of Creation. This evanescent servant offers greetings and praise to His Holiness. I have ever beseeched the Self-Sufficient Lord for that which would cause the exaltation of His loved ones. Verily, my Lord is the Hearer, the Answerer.
Mention was made of him who bears the name of the Intended One, the son of him who ascended unto God, Aqa Mirza Muhsin, the physician—upon them both be the Glory of God—and their brother, Jinab-i-Aqa Mirza Ja’far—upon him be the Glory of God. After presenting this before the Divine Throne, the Lord, exalted and sanctified be He, spoke these words:
Upon thee be My Glory and My loving-kindness. We make mention of the son of him who attained unto My love, lived by My love, and ascended through My love. Convey My greeting unto him and say: O namesake of the Intended One! Praise be to God that the Luminary of Grace hath shone forth from the heaven of bounty with such brilliance as to encompass the world. We beseech the True One to aid thee in such deeds as would cause every person of discernment to inhale therefrom the fragrance of God’s good-pleasure. The door of grace is open, and the Seat of Divine Utterance is visible at the center of possibility, with the Divine Speaker seated thereon, calling out night and day in the most exalted voice with verses that are the cause of the glory of existence and counsels that are the source of exaltation. O dove! The dust of vain imaginings hath seized some. Verily thy Lord knoweth the treachery of the eyes and what the breasts conceal.
We make mention of Mirza Ja’far as a token of Our grace, for verily We are the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous.
O Ja’far! Take what hath been revealed in the Book and set aside what the various sects possess. Some deluded souls are occupied with idle fancies, others speak forth calumnies, and yet others cling to vain imaginings and idle fancies. The Truth is sanctified above all comprehension and knowledge, and His Cause is more manifest than the sun. We beseech the Truth that He deprive not the ears and eyes, and withhold not the Kawthar of utterance from all who dwell on earth. The loved ones of God must guide people through their character, conduct, and deeds, and lead them to the Most Great Ocean.
Every person of insight, hearing, and heart is astonished at what intoxication hath seized the servants, that they cannot distinguish between the sun and the firefly, nor can they discern between them. At one time this exalted word shone forth from the Dayspring of eternal light—thus speaketh the Lord, exalted and sanctified is He:
O servant in attendance! Until now one cannot make mention of the manifest Truth. Despite the scratching of the Most Exalted Pen and the call of the Lord of Names, true hearing and sight have not been witnessed, being unworthy to behold and unfit to hear. Observe the Bayani sect: though the misguidance, error, and loss of the Shi’ih sect are clear and evident, they are again occupied with forming such a sect. By the life of God! That sect hath not inhaled the fragrance of unity. They were and are worshippers of idols and vain imaginings. The Truth hath until now spoken in measure, for the servants are weak, having been reared in vain imaginings throughout ages and centuries. Eyes dimmed with dust are not worthy to behold the light of the Sun, and souls immersed in fancy are not fit to receive the effulgences of the Daystar of certitude. Their beginning is fancy and their end is vain imagination. Thus hath spoken the Tongue of the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
O Faraj, upon thee be My glory! Thy mention hath been made and thy name inscribed. We have seen and heard, and have pronounced these words in the Kingdom of proof. In these days thy mention hath repeatedly flowed from the Most Exalted Pen. Give thanks unto thy Lord. Beseech Him to aid thee in His mention and praise and the promotion of His Cause. Verily, He is able to do all things. Convey to the people of that land the greetings of the Wronged One, and remind them of that which beseemeth the days of God.
And likewise mention was made of Aqa Mirza Aqa, upon him be the glory of God. After it was presented, these verses were revealed, exalted be His words: We have accepted and borne the taunts of enemies, the tyranny of the wicked, and the tribulations of the world, all for the salvation of the world, yet all remain heedless save whom God willeth. Thou shouldst praise thy Lord for having aided thee, taught thee, caused thee to recognize Him, and given thee to drink of the Kawthar of knowledge from the hands of grace and bounty. We beseech Him to assist thee to remain steadfast in His firm and mighty Cause.
Section 6: “Mention was made of the attention of Aqa…”
Mention was made of the attention of Aqa Mirza Majid, upon him be the glory of God, to that direction, and likewise of his steadfastness and enthusiasm. After presentation in the Most Holy Court, these words were revealed, exalted be His words:
O Majid! The world hath been seized by vain imaginings, and the means of conflict and corruption are evident from every direction. In this century the newspapers have gained prominence, and their proprietors consider them the cause of the world’s prosperity, the education of nations, and the progress, refinement, knowledge and awareness of the servants. In truth, they are means of gathering and dispersing. “The Day when the earth shall tell its tidings” is witnessed and heard, and “The whole earth shall be His handful on the Day of Resurrection” is manifest and evident. The earth hath wondrous and sublime secrets within, and speaketh of both new and ancient tidings, while outwardly too the bird of news flieth in all directions.
Yet it is regrettable that some newspapers publish fabricated reports without investigation. Whatever anyone may say, they say, and whatever anyone may write, they write. Thus do the dawning-places of vain imaginings spread their fancies through newspapers. O Majid! Reflect upon “the Day when the heaven shall bring a manifest smoke.” In these days falsehood hath great currency. The dust of vain imaginings hath prevented the people from the Lord of Days. We beseech God to raise up souls who will speak the truth and not allow the barriers and obstacles to deprive the servants from the Day of Return. Blessed is he who hath heard My call, risen to serve Me and serve My loved ones, and spoken My beautiful praise. Praise be to God, the One, the Single, the Mighty, the Beautiful.
Verily newspapers sometimes traverse the earth, and at times soar on the wings of news, and sometimes change their name and become like electric currents from which spread tidings, news and traces. However, I beseech God, exalted be His glory, to confirm their proprietors that all may act in accordance with what is befitting. It was not expected that some European newspapers would make mention without investigation or become followers of the fabricated statements of the servants. The manifestations of vain imaginings send writings to newspapers day and night, and these are published without investigation. As some seek fresh news, they publish them. I beseech God to aid all to act according to His exalted Word: “Believe not every speaker, nor be assured by every arrival.” Repeatedly from every quarter some souls have desired that an account be written and sent for publication in books and newspapers. This was not accepted; until now no word has been given. The command is in His hand. He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He desireth. He is the Mighty, the Praiseworthy.
Regarding what was written about the two Ridas: after submission, one Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablet was specifically revealed from the heaven of divine favor and sent to Jinab-i-Aqa Muhammad-Riday-i-Milani, upon him be the Glory of God. He said:
“This is better than permission, and I am the All-Bountiful, the Generous.”
Specifically for Jinab-i-Aqa Mirza Hasan, upon him be the Glory of God, about whom you wrote, one Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablet was revealed and sent. I beseech God to make him successful in preserving this supreme bounty. Verily He is the Answerer.
Concerning the son of the late Jinab-i-Aqa Mirza ʿA.B., upon him be the Glory of God, what you wrote was noted. After submission to the Most Holy Court, He said that a Tablet was revealed concerning him. If it is expedient, they may deliver it; if not, then no. However, that beloved one must act with great wisdom, for if one were to counsel or advise such souls, that very word would become the cause of hatred and lead to corruption.
What was mentioned at the end of this letter concerning humility, submissiveness, and supplication to God, exalted be His glory, attained the honor of His hearing. His blessed and exalted Word:
“We have heard from thee what beseemeth the court of My might and the throne of My grandeur. Blessed be thy tongue, for it hath spoken that from which the fragrance of My bounty, My grace and My mercy hath been diffused; and blessed be thine eye for what it hath witnessed and seen, and thine ear for what it hath heard—the Call of God, the Speaker, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. Thy turning to God, thy presence, thy devotion and thy supplication have been accepted in the days of God, the Lord of the worlds. We beseech God to assist thee and confirm thee in spreading His Cause, exalting His Word, and disseminating His laws. Verily, He is powerful over all things.”
End.
After the submission of that beloved one’s supplications and expressions of humility and entreaty, the river of mercy flowed and the sun of favor rose from the horizon of the heaven of grace, in such wise that the ocean of the Merciful’s utterance surged so that this evanescent servant is incapable and falls short of mentioning it. We beseech through His wondrous grace that He may bestow a drop of this bounty upon the worlds, that all may attain to that which is the cause of eternal permanence and everlasting life.
In another missive, that Beloved One, after mentioning praise and glorification and ascent to the heaven of recognition of the Lord of Names, made mention of His spiritual friend, Jinab-i-Nuri, upon him be the Glory of God, the Most Glorious. And likewise did He inscribe their aforementioned passages. After being presented before Him, the Tongue of Grandeur spoke these verses—blessed and exalted be His Word:
“O ʿB’, thou hast ever been remembered and art still remembered. His mention taught thee mention, His grace took thy hand, His mercy guided the way, and His bounty encompassed thee. He bestowed knowledge, granted vision, extended help, and confirmed thee. Praise be to God, thou hast attained that which hath no likeness. In all the letters of Varqa, upon him be My glory and loving-kindness, thou wert mentioned. We beseech God to aid thee and assist thee in that which He loveth and is pleased with, and to ordain for thee that which shall be as a light before thy face in all the worlds of His worlds. Verily, He is potent over all things.”
News of their health and wellbeing has repeatedly arrived from the Land of Ta. The loved ones of that land have repeatedly spoken well of them. Indeed, they speak the truth and stand firm in service. Mention was made of his brother, Aqa Mirza Husayn, upon him be the Glory of God. After being presented before the Most Holy Court, these verses were revealed from the Kingdom of the All-Merciful’s utterance—exalted and sanctified be the word of the Lord:
“O Husayn! Upon thee be My Glory! God willing, thou shalt attain unto that which is befitting, and be among the fruitful trees whose manifestations shall appear in the Divine days. The True One hath, with the hand of grace, planted new saplings and watered them with the water of loving-kindness, that they might perchance bear fruit and provide shade. Blessed is he who attaineth unto this most exalted station. Say: O God of Names! Praise be unto Thee for having honored me, shown me, and caused me to hear. I beseech Thee to aid me in that which Thou lovest and art pleased with. Verily, Thou art the Lord of all beings and the Lord of the last and the first.”
This servant also conveyeth greetings and praise to them, and seeketh from God confirmation and assistance. Regarding what was written about Jinab-i-Ustad Husayn, upon him be the Glory of God—that he had newly entered the stream of recognition—after his mention was presented to the hearing of the Lord of all beings, the Light of Grace shone forth from the horizon of the Kingdom of utterance and these verses were revealed—exalted be His majesty and universal His bounty:
“Praise God for having aided thee to turn unto Him on a day when smoke had encompassed the inhabitants of the earth, and for having taught thee when the servants were in manifest ignorance. Say: Unto Thee be glory, O Lord of Names, and unto Thee be loving-kindness, O Lord of creation, for having enabled me to recognize the ocean of Thy utterance and the heaven of Thy bounty, and for having illumined me with the lights of the Sun of Thy Manifestation. O Lord! Aid me to be steadfast in Thy Cause, then enable me to make mention of Thee and to praise Thee. Verily, Thou art the Powerful, the Mighty, the Omnipotent, and worthy to answer prayer.”
And these gleaming words were revealed from the Dayspring of the Will of the Lord of Names and Attributes, specifically for the two sons of Jinab-i-Mulla Mustafa and Aqa Ghulam-Husayn, upon them be the Glory of God. The Lord, exalted and sanctified be He, saith:
O sons of men! Strive that from you may be revealed that which is worthy of the Days of God. This Wronged One counseleth you with that which is the cause of glory and exaltation. Adorn your temples with the ornament of deeds and your heads with the crown of virtuous conduct, that through them the horizons may be illumined. The light is manifest and radiant, and the Cause clear and evident. The heedless souls have ever been and still are lying in wait for man. Protect yourselves through the Name of Truth. Be ye vigilant, be ye watchful. This is His counsel. Well is it with them that act accordingly.
Thanks be to the Lord of the world, whose grace encompasseth all. The spring rain of His mercy hath ever descended upon the soil of hearts without cease. His bounty hath encompassed existence, and His grace hath bestowed that which hath no peer or likeness. However, that Beloved of hearts and this servant must beseech the Truth, exalted be His glory, to rend asunder the concealing veils, that perchance they may see and recognize. Concerning what hath been mentioned about the honored lady, the mother of Jinab-i-Aqa Mirza Sulayman and Jinab-i-Aqa Mirza Mihdi, upon her and upon them be the glory of God, after being presented before His presence, these exalted words were revealed from the Dayspring of the Will of God, exalted be His glory. His word, exalted be His utterance and His proof:
O Pen! Make mention of the leaf who left her home, advancing toward the Most Exalted Horizon, that she might attain the presence of the Countenance and stand before the Gate, and hear the call of the Wronged One and behold the horizon of Revelation. I testify that she heard the call of her Lord, believed in Him, turned toward Him, and witnessed what the Tongue of Grandeur had witnessed. Blessed art thou, O My handmaiden and My leaf! Thou art she who hath been mentioned by Me before thy ascension and after it. Blessed art thou for having attained unto the days of God and His traces on a day wherein the handmaidens of the earth and its queens turned away.
We found from thee the fragrance of My love and thy turning toward the lights of My countenance. We beseech God, exalted be He, to cause thee to enter the Most Exalted Paradise, to adorn thee with the crown embellished with His Most Glorious Name, and to send down upon thee at every instant a mercy from His presence and a light from His court. Verily, He is the Almighty, the Forgiving, the Generous. The glory from Us be upon thee and upon the handmaidens who remember thee through what the Supreme Pen hath spoken on this dark night.
In truth, these are days wherein man, from one perspective, seeketh death, for after ascension he attaineth unto the verses of the Supreme Pen; and from another perspective, he desireth life in the hope that some service might be manifested from him. However, the truth is that whatever the Beloved willeth is beloved. Peace is the best conclusion. They have specifically mentioned that We console Jinab-i-Mirza Sulayman and Mirza Mihdi, upon them be My glory, and We make mention of that which openeth the doors of joy and transformeth sorrow into the greatest gladness. At the time of her ascension, there was revealed from the Supreme Pen concerning her that which is everlasting and eternal.
Before this, there was revealed from the Most Exalted Pen concerning the aforementioned noble lady that which its fragrance shall endure throughout the kingdom of earth and heaven. Blessed be she! That which was mentioned regarding Jinab-i-Aqa Mirza Mahmud-i-Maraghi’i, upon him be the Glory of God, has been granted, and this evanescent servant, on behalf of your honor and him, attained the presence at an appointed time and was adorned with acceptance. I beseech Him, exalted be He, to make the drop of my deed an ocean from His presence. Verily, He is powerful over all things. Likewise, they mentioned Jinab-i-Aqa Mirza Mihdi Shafa’i, upon him be the Glory of God, and requested special favors. After submission, the Tongue of Grandeur spoke these verses. Thus speaks the Lord, exalted and sanctified be He:
In My Name, the Wronged One, the Stranger
God, exalted be His glory, is at all times occupied with the mention of His loved ones. His Tongue of Grandeur speaks and His Pen moves. By the life of God! Whatever is manifest and visible cannot compare with the traces of His Pen. O Mihdi! Give thanks to thy Lord with these exalted words. When thou findest the fragrances of the utterance of the All-Merciful, say:
“My God, my God! I testify that Thou hast created me for Thy knowledge, for turning to the lights of Thy countenance, for facing the horizon of Thy Manifestation, for standing before the gate of Thy grandeur, and for presence in the court of Thy might. I beseech Thee by Thy greatest signs, by the manifestations of Thy power in the world of creation, by the ocean of Thy grace and the heaven of Thy knowledge, to make me steadfast in Thy Cause and a herald of Thy Name. O my Lord! Write down from the Pen of Thy bounty for this servant that which will draw him near unto Thee in all Thy worlds. Then write for him what Thou hast written for Thy servants who have not broken Thy covenant and Thy testament, and who have drunk the choice wine of revelation in Thy days from the hands of Thy bounty. Verily, Thou art the Almighty, the Protector, the Mighty, the All-Wise.”
The letter of that Beloved of hearts which was sent in the name of the honored friend “A.H.”, upon him be the Glory of God and His favors, attained the honor of being heard by the Goal of the world. Blessed and exalted be His words:
Section 7: “Praise be to God Who assisted A.H…”
“Praise be to God Who assisted A.H. to turn unto Him, to hold fast to the cord of His grace, to cling to the hem of His mercy, and to arise to serve His Cause. He is verily the Compassionate, the Helper, the Forgiving, the Generous. O Varqa! Upon thee be My Glory and My favor. The Most Exalted Pen beareth witness to his turning, his orientation, and his service in days when the limbs of existence trembled from the might and rebellion of the people of the earth. He turned to the Truth, attained His knowledge, spoke His mention, and acknowledged and confessed His Word. Blessed is he and joy be unto him. Give him My glad-tidings and remind him of what hath been revealed from My Pen that he may rejoice and be of the thankful ones.”
The beloved spiritual Amin, upon him be the Glory of God, acted in accordance with their wishes. He repeatedly mentioned them, their sons, and Aqa Mir Ali Akbar and Aqa Mir Ali Asghar, upon them be the Glory of God, as well as other loved ones from the people of M. and Y. and Saysan. He mentioned them all, and in most of their letters your honor was also mentioned. I beseech God to assist them in all conditions through love for His loved ones. Verily, He is the Helper, the Mighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
Another leaf that grew from the Tree of the Love of the Beloved of all worlds arrived in the form of a letter. Praise be to that pen and that ink from which spiritual water flowed, and when that water, flowing from the spring of love, reached the surface of the pages, it caused to bloom special flowers of sincerity, humility, submissiveness, remembrance and praise. A hundred thousand praises upon that pen and that ink and that letter. After inhaling the fragrance of those flowers and examining their traces, it ascended to the most glorious and exalted station and attained the honor of being heard. The Lord, exalted and sanctified be He, speaks:
In the Name of Him by Whom the Tablet is borne and the Pen is moved
Upon thee be My glory, My loving-kindness and My mercy. The servant is present with the letter present. We heard and saw the call of the tongue of the heart attaining the honor of being heard. Blessed is thy heart for having turned to My luminous horizon, and thy tongue for having voiced My beautiful praise, and thy face for having been illumined by the lights of the Countenance, and thy being for having been set ablaze with My love, the Mighty, the Inaccessible. O Varqa! Upon thee be God’s loving-kindness and His mercy. The days of thy presence are ever remembered before the Divine Presence. Thou didst arise in thy earliest days to serve My Cause and to guide My servants to My path and to refine souls through My verses and to purify them with the water of My loving-kindness which flowed from the clouds of the heaven of My will. Blessed art thou, and joy be unto thee and unto him who loveth thee for the sake of God, thy Lord and the Lord of the worlds. The glory be upon thee and upon those with thee.
Praise and thanksgiving be unto Him, for on this blessed night His special favor encompassed all and that honored one was adorned with a special ornament. God willing, may you be confirmed and assisted in the education of the servants, the refinement of souls, and the attraction of minds and hearts. After the prayer was offered before the presence of the Most Great Sea, a wave appeared which this servant is incapable of describing. Finally the Tongue of Grandeur uttered these blessed words: “O Varqa! Upon him be My glory and My loving-kindness.” He turned toward the face of the heart and the tongue of the heart and the heart of the heart and the essence of the heart. Verily he was set ablaze with the fire of thy Lord’s love and attained the Kawthar of His remembrance, the Bountiful, the All-Compelling, the Resurrector, the Life-Giving, the Moving, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. And then it was concluded with these blessed words: “Happy is he!”
Regarding the known matter, what transpired was correct and acceptable. Yes, such souls should neither be discouraged nor should personal desires be followed. A middle course should be maintained. It is strange that until now his honor the Letter Sin is still not aware of the purpose, even though he attained the Most Great Prison twice and each time dwelt in its vicinity for a period. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, to make him aware of the purpose. On one occasion He said:
“Ask God to confirm him in that which will preserve him and be the cause of his salvation. When association in service to kings exceeds its bounds, there is fear of harm.”
This servant implores God to strengthen His helper in elevating the Word and spreading the Cause. If they turn to this station, divine confirmations and the mercy of the All-Merciful will assuredly assist and bestow what is befitting. Mention was made of the honored servant, Mirza F.D., upon him be Baha’u’llah’s glory. Some time ago, a Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablet was revealed for him from the heaven of grace and was sent. From every letter of that blessed Tablet wafts the fragrances of eternal favors. Praise be to God, they are confirmed in steadfastness, service, remembrance and praise. I convey to them greetings, praise, glory and splendor. God willing, the signs of their grace shall become manifest and evident throughout all regions through the command of the Mighty, the Self-Subsisting.
All those present and circumambulating send greetings and glory and are engaged in praise. Regarding the aforementioned matter, one must follow the Shi’ih tradition which states:
“There is neither compulsion nor delegation of authority, but rather a position between the two.”
Glory be to God! Until now, the bounty, kindness and mercy of God, exalted be His glory, have not been recognized, although all Tablets bear witness to this. This servant beseeches his Lord to aid them to understand what He has intended. Verily, He is the Hearer, the Answerer.
Mention was made in the Most Holy Court of the apple of the eye named Valiyu’llah, upon him be the glory of God. These manifest verses were revealed specifically for that apple of the eye and other apples of eyes, upon them be God’s protection and care. The Lord, exalted and sanctified, speaks:
He is the One Who speaks in the Kingdom of Utterance
Blessed art thou for having turned in thy early days to thy Lord, the Lord of the mighty throne. Say: My God, my God! Thou seest me turning toward the heaven of Thy manifestation, speaking in Thy praise and of Thy verses, and acknowledging that which hath shone forth from the horizon of the kingdom of Thy knowledge. I beseech Thee to make me confirmed in the triumph of Thy Cause and the exaltation of Thy Word, such that the standards of Thy Cause may be raised in Thy cities and lands. Verily, Thou art the Master of the world and the Educator of the nations. There is no God but Thee, the Mighty, the Powerful.
And this is what was revealed for ʿAzizu’llah, upon him be the glory of God:
In My Name that shineth forth from the horizon of the heaven of proof
The Wronged One hath heard thy call and hath answered thee with that which was as the sprinkling rain of mercy for the good and blessed lands, as the breeze of grace for the gardens of knowledge, as the sun of certitude for the heaven of utterance, as the water of life for the thirsty one, and as the fragrance of the All-Merciful for the people of Baha. Thank thou My Most Exalted Pen, for it hath mentioned thee with that which shall endure throughout the duration of God’s kingdom, the Lord of the worlds.
This is what was revealed for Ruhu’llah, upon him be the glory of God:
In the name of Him Who is hidden while being manifest and evident.
That which the tongue of the heart uttered hath been honored to be heard. Say: My God, my God! Praise be to Thee for having created me through Thy most exalted Word and for having manifested me in Thy days, O Lord of all beings and Lord of the throne on high and of earth below. I beseech Thee by the Ark upon which sailed the Most Great Sea, and by Thy Cause through which Thou didst subdue the world, to make me abide beneath the canopies of Thy mercy and the heaven of Thy grace. Then ordain for me that which will draw me nigh unto Thee in all conditions and aid me in the victory of Thy Cause. Verily, Thou art the Self-Sufficient, the Most High. There is no God but Thee, the Mighty, the All-Bountiful.
Praise be to God that favored eyes have been blessed with the bounties of the Goal of all existence. For each one an eternal blessing and a spiritual feast hath been sent down from the heaven of grace—blessed are they! At the moment these were presented, He smiled, and the sea of bounty surged with a wondrous wave and reached a mighty crest. His is the praise and glorification, His the thanksgiving and splendor. And the new-born child, upon him be the Glory of God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy, who hath been adorned with the name Badi’u’llah, was at that moment honored with His approval—blessed is he! This servant beseecheth and imploreth God that He may confirm each one with such confirmation as is evident and manifest in the verses revealed. O Varaqa, upon thee be My Glory and My loving-kindness! Praise be to God that thou thyself hast attained this supreme honor and art adorned with this mighty gift. To this beareth witness the tongue of My grandeur, the tongue of My grace, the tongue of My loving-kindness, and the tongue of My wondrous utterance.
This endeth one bounty, another blessing, another mercy, and another gift from God, our Lord and the Lord of all who are in the heavens and the earth.
Concerning what thou didst write about Aqa Mirza Aqa, upon him be the Glory of God, and his desire to turn toward the lights of the Countenance of the Beloved and his burning with the fire of separation, these matters have reached the hearing of Him Who created ears to hearken unto His call. This is what the Tongue of Grandeur hath spoken in reply—the Word of the Lord, exalted and sanctified be He:
He is the All-Seeing, the All-Informed
We have heard thy call and witnessed thy turning, thy devotion and thy burning in separation from thy Lord. We have mentioned thee before in such wise that through it the fragrance of the All-Merciful hath wafted throughout creation. We beseech God to aid thee and make thee successful in His remembrance, His praise and the service of His Cause. Verily He is the Mighty, the Supreme, the Self-Subsisting. When thou drinkest the choice wine of revelation from the cup of My utterance and findest the fragrance of the All-Merciful from My words, say:
My God, my God! Separation from Thee hath destroyed me, remoteness from Thee hath consumed me, Thy Manifestation hath bewildered me, Thy verses have enkindled me, and Thy clear signs have attracted me. I beseech Thee by the Word through which the near ones hastened to the place of sacrifice, that Thou mayest write down for me, by Thy Most Exalted Pen, the reward of attaining Thy presence, of standing before Thy face, and of arising at the door of Thy grandeur. O Lord! Thou seest me attracted by the breezes of Thy Revelation and soaring in the atmosphere of Thy love. I beseech Thee by the rain-showers of the dawn of Thy Manifestation and by the lights of Thy Countenance, to make me in all conditions hold fast to the cord of Thy grace and act according to what Thou hast commanded me in Thy Book. Verily Thou art the Powerful over what Thou willest. There is no God but Thee, the Almighty, the All-Powerful.
God hath loved and continueth to love His loved ones, and hath come for their meeting and for the manifestations of His bounty and mercy. However, the oppression of the oppressors and the heedlessness of the heedless have become an obstacle. For some time now the prison-land hath been observed to be in turmoil, for a person from among the people of hatred was seated upon the throne of government for a period. Although he hath returned to hell—that is, was dismissed—yet until now the land hath not settled. Therefore We have paused in giving permission to utter the Word. Verily He is the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous, and He is the Forgiving, the Merciful. We beseech Him for that which containeth the good of this world and the next. Verily He hath power over all things and is worthy to answer. End.
Praise be to God, they have attained unto that which hath no likeness or similitude. The details concerning this land have undoubtedly reached your ears by now. This servant also conveyeth his greetings to them and beseecheth from God, exalted be His glory, good in this world and the next. Concerning what was again written about Haji Muhammad-ʿAli, upon him be 9 66 [Baha’u’llah], on the day your letter arrived, all that you desired was presented at the Most Holy Court and was honored with approval. Well is it with him! And the beloved of hearts, Amin, upon him be the Glory of God, also presented his petitions at the Most Holy Court and heard the approval with his own ears, and likewise a Tablet was revealed and sent especially for him. The servant beseecheth his Lord to assist His loved ones in that which He loveth and is pleased with, and to ordain for them the good of what hath been sent down in His Manifest Book.
And concerning what you wrote about the mention of divinity, that someone was disturbed upon hearing it, after this lowly one presented this, these exalted words shone forth from the Dawning-Place of Will:
His blessed and exalted Word: O Dove! Upon thee be My glory and My loving-kindness. The people are weak. Until now the Most Exalted Pen hath not mentioned what is befitting. The Speaker of Sinai, though His verses have encompassed the world, beholdeth Himself silent, and until now the ignorance of the people of the Qur’an hath not been fully mentioned. By the life of God! They are deprived of the cup of divine unity and forbidden from the chalice of oneness. Until now the station of true unity hath remained concealed, and this concealment is a great bounty for certain souls who have turned towards God. Although the fragrance of this station hath been diffused from the Most Exalted Pen, the purpose is that few ears are found ready to hearken unto the Call of God and few eyes are keen enough to behold what hath appeared from the treasuries of the Pen.
Your honor should proceed with patience and speak of such things as would cause attraction, turning and enthusiasm, for if some of the stations and ranks of the chosen ones of the Qur’an and that which is worthy of this Revelation remain veiled, it is nearer to piety. At present, love and turning towards God suffice, and after turning and attraction, most will ascend by the cord of utterance and become aware of the stations according to their capacity. We have ordained for thee abundant good in the Book.
Section 8: “O beloved of my heart! Most are…”
O beloved of my heart! Most are as nursing babes seeking milk, and are not and never were worthy of more than that. We beseech God, the Most High, to assist His servants in His remembrance and praise, in turning towards Him and placing their trust in Him. Verily, He is the Hearer, the Answerer of prayer, and He is the Single, the One, the Mighty, the All-Praised.
The petitions that were sent to the Most Holy Court have been answered. I beseech God that through the effulgent rays of the Sun of Truth, shining forth from the horizon of the Tablet, may all the loved ones of that land be illumined and be enkindled by the sacred and exalted Fire. May they arise in unity and concord, and with hearts purified from hatred and animosity, devote themselves to the reformation of the world, so that the light of unity may envelop the earth and the hidden enmities in human hearts may be stilled and vanish.
It is hoped that the people of Baha—may the spirit of the world be sacrificed for them—will gird up the loins of endeavor and remove corruption, conflict, contention, and bloodshed from the world, that this suffering world might draw one peaceful breath. This I say, but alas, alas, I hear that certain souls have taken God’s Cause lightly. They play and comprehend not, and they speak that of which they are unaware.
In all conditions, this evanescent servant seeks divine confirmation and heavenly assistance. Verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, is the Compassionate, the Generous, and He is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
As to the two written statements of the Greater Branch—may my spirit and being be sacrificed for the dust of His footsteps—they are most excellent. His Holiness Himself will provide the details. Regarding His mention that one of the friends inquired about the Occultation, these matters shine forth like the sun in the divine Tablets. In these days all must be enkindled with the fire of the Word and engage in service to the Cause, seizing the time and enlightening the people of the world through wisdom and utterance. Whosoever today succeeds in acknowledging what God has revealed in the Book is numbered among the denizens of the Most Exalted Paradise.
Today is the Lord of Days, and the Master of Manifestations is seated upon the Throne of Utterance. Blessed are they who attain! The days of the Divine Manifestations are in one sense referred to as the Day of God, but these days are specifically designated in all the Books for the appearance of the Hidden Mystery and the Treasured Secret, Who proclaims with the most exalted call before the faces of the world. The greatness of these days is recorded and inscribed in the previous Books and the mighty Qur’an.
The Herald, that is the Primal Point—may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for Him—during the days of His journey to Maku, outwardly concealed from all, attained the honor of Our presence, and Quddus—upon him be My glory and loving-kindness—attained repeatedly. During the journey to the Land of Kha We specifically summoned him, and for numbered months he attained Our presence. The Primal Point—may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for Him—named both him and the Most Great Gate as the First and the Last, and likewise interpreted them as the First to come and the Last to go, giving each the glad-tidings of this Revelation, and specifically saying to Sayyah—upon him be My glory—“Go forth, that thou mayest find.”
The Universal Manifestations of the past were aware before the Revelation. They are the Dawning-places of divine knowledge. We beseech God to assist His loved ones to recognize what He has revealed in His clear and decisive Book. Some mentions become causes of veiling, and likewise cause the extinguishing of the fire of the Divine Lote-Tree in one’s being. Glory be upon those who limit their gaze to turning toward the Most Exalted Horizon, detached from idle fancies and vain imaginings. O beloved of My heart! Indeed some mentions become causes of heedlessness and indolence, especially mentions of that which God has not approved. It is hoped that all may drink from the choice wine of the utterance of the All-Merciful and appear adorned with the ornament of distinction in the assemblage of the world. Verily the party of God must be distinguished from others. Greetings and salutations have been and are conveyed to the loved ones of that land, both past and present, and this evanescent servant beseeches the Eternal Truth to assist all to that which is befitting.
Regarding the matter in question, it is abundantly clear that in the sight of God, any matter that causes harm to anyone, or afflicts any soul, or indeed causes sorrow and distress to any souls, is in this Most Great Revelation rejected and unacceptable. That which causes elevation, loftiness, and ascendancy, and brings joy and gladness to the hearts of the people of the world, is acceptable and beloved. However, wisdom requires that one act in such a way that no trace of despair may appear. Verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, has forbidden all from corruption and conflict, and commanded them to show forth love, kindness and affection. Yet wisdom necessitates forbearance, both now and in the past. I beseech the True One to confirm that honored person in protecting the sheep. In this case, divine assistance will surely reach him. Verily He protects whoever turns to Him, and ordains for him the good of this world and the next, and exalts him through His grace, mercy and sovereignty, and aids him with the hosts of the seen and unseen. He is verily the Almighty, the All-Powerful.
As to the matter of prayers, in response to the request of the honored and beloved Mirza F D, upon him be the Glory of God, they were sent down from the heaven of grace, and likewise the reply to the spiritual friend Aqa Mirza Jalil, upon him be 966 [the Glory of God], and the other friends, upon them be the Glory of God. That beloved of the heart should, after perusing them, deliver them to their owners. As they requested specific prayers for sleep and waking, after presentation before the Divine Throne, these prayers dawned forth from the horizon of Divine utterance. His word, exalted be His greatness and mighty be His power:
Thou art the Rememberer and Thou art the Remembered One
O my God, my Lord and my Goal! Thy servant desires to sleep in the shelter of Thy mercy and rest beneath the canopy of Thy grace, seeking aid through Thy protection and guardianship. O Lord! I beseech Thee by Thine eye that slumbereth not to guard mine eye from beholding aught beside Thee. Then increase its light for the vision of Thy signs and for gazing toward the horizon of Thy Revelation. Thou art He before Whose manifestations of might the very essence of power hath waxed feeble. There is no God but Thee, the Almighty, the All-Conquering, the Unconstrained.
Thou art God, there is no God but Thee
Praise be to Thee, O my God, for having awakened me from my sleep, and brought me forth after my absence, and raised me from my slumber. I have risen this morning with my face set toward the splendors of the Dayspring of Thy Revelation, through which the heavens of Thy power and grandeur have been illumined, acknowledging Thy signs, believing in Thy Book, and holding fast unto Thy Cord. I beseech Thee, by the potency of Thy will and the compelling power of Thy purpose, to make what Thou didst show me in my dream the most firm foundation for the edifice of Thy love in the hearts of Thy loved ones, and the best instrument for the revelation of Thy grace and loving-kindness.
O Lord! Ordain for me through Thy Most Exalted Pen the good of this world and the world to come. I testify that within Thy grasp are the reins of all things. Thou changest them as Thou pleasest. No God is there save Thee, the Strong, the Faithful. Thou art He Who changeth through His command abasement into glory, and weakness into strength, and powerlessness into might, and fear into calm, and doubt into certainty. No God is there but Thee, the Mighty, the Beneficent. Thou disappointest not him that hath sought Thee, nor dost Thou keep back him that hath desired Thee. Ordain Thou for me what becometh the heaven of Thy generosity, and the ocean of Thy bounty. Thou art, verily, the Almighty, the Most Powerful.
He is the All-Compelling above all names
O my God, my God! How can I choose sleep while the eyes of them that long for Thee are wakeful because of their separation from Thee, and how can I lie at rest on the couch while the hearts of Thy lovers are sore troubled by their remoteness from Thy presence? O my Lord, I have entrusted my spirit and my entire being into the right hand of Thy might and Thy protection, and I lay my head on my pillow through Thy power, and lift it up according to Thy will and Thy good-pleasure. Thou art, in truth, the Preserver, the Keeper, the Almighty, the Most Powerful. By Thy might! I ask not, sleeping or waking, but what Thou dost desire. I am Thy servant and in Thy hands. Do Thou aid me to do what will shed the fragrance of Thy good pleasure. This, truly, is my hope and the hope of them that enjoy near access to Thee. Praised be Thou, O Lord of the worlds!
He is the Hearing, the Answering
O my God! I have awakened under Thy protection, and it behooveth him that seeketh Thy protection to abide within the Sanctuary of Thy safekeeping and the Stronghold of Thy defense. Illumine my inner being, O my Lord, with the splendors of the Dayspring of Thy Revelation, even as Thou didst illumine my outer being with the morning light of Thy favor.
He is the All-Compelling, the Self-Subsisting
I have awakened this morning by Thy grace, O my God, and left my home trusting wholly in Thee and committing all my affairs unto Thee. Do Thou bestow upon me, then, out of the heaven of Thy mercy, a blessing from Thy presence. Then cause me to return home in safety even as Thou didst cause me to leave it in safety and with a steadfast heart. There is none other God but Thee, the One, the Peerless, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
The Sun of divine bounty is ever shining and manifest. It is Its own proof, and Its manifestations of grace are Its signs. It is the Evidence and the Manifest One, the Witness and the Expositor. Its grace encompasses all and Its mercy embraces everything. It hath never needed and will never need any proof.
Regarding Haji Ali-Askar (may 966 [Baha] rest upon him), they wrote that after presenting the petition in the Most Holy Court, permission to return was granted. Having a family, they must surely act according to the Kitab-i-Aqdas. A hundred thousand blessings upon them that act accordingly!
Concerning the prisoner in Tiflis, Mashhadi Isma’il ʿAlaqih-band, what was written was presented, and he attained divine grace and favor. His mention was made by the Tongue of Grandeur, Who said: Write to him:
“Be not sorrowful. The Lord of the worlds is in the Most Great Prison. Say: O my God, my God! I have placed my trust in Thee and have committed my affairs unto Thee. Ordain for me that which will profit me in every world of Thy worlds. Thou, verily, art the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.”
Mention was made of Aqa Muhammad Sadiq, who had migrated and attained. They said that especially for him a most holy and exalted Tablet was revealed from the heaven of the divine Will and was sent. God willing, he will attain unto it and drink from the ocean of its meanings. This servant also conveys greetings and praise to him and seeks his success.
Regarding what was written about that from which the mercy of the world is made manifest, and likewise His wrath—meaning ink, from which flow the vehicles of the world and by which the pillars of nations are made firm—in truth, were all the pens in the world to attempt to enumerate the offspring of this mother, they would find themselves powerless. Thought cannot comprehend it, registers cannot contain it. Indeed, were all its qualities to be truly described on every leaf, they would still be as nothing compared to its supreme, overwhelming influences. In any case, what was mentioned with these attributes and beyond them was received and was very good and pleasing, thus [it is] mercy made manifest through it.
Glory be unto Thee, O God of all possibilities and Goal of all beings! Thou art the One Who hast deposited within every drop that which hath stirred them that lie in the graves; by it Thou hast quickened, by it Thou hast taken and seized. I beseech Thee by Thy power that overruleth all the world to guide the nations to accept Thy Cause. Verily, Thou art the Omnipotent over whatsoever Thou willest, and Thou art the All-Compelling, the Self-Subsisting. I beseech Thee, O my God, by the ocean of Thy bounty and the heaven of Thy grace, to send down upon him who hath loved Thee and mentioned Thy servant such glory as is from Thee, such peace as is from Thy presence, and such spirit as is from Thy side. Verily, Thou art the Omnipotent Whom nothing that Thou beholdest and seest can frustrate, and verily Thou art the Lord of all men and the Lord of the throne on high and of the dust below. There is none other God but Thee, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious.