BH00010: Praise be to God, Who is peerless in His…

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

Praise be to God, Who is peerless in His love and unrivalled in His affection. He, verily, is the Lord of His servants and the Creator of all things. He is the One Who uttereth whatsoever He willeth, both in the beginning and in the end. He is the fragrance that hath been wafted from the garment of God, and the light that hath shone forth from the horizon of His bounty. May His peace, which hath appeared and shone forth from the kingdom of His grace, rest upon those who have arisen to exalt His Word and to manifest His Cause, and who have acted in accordance with that which hath been enjoined upon them in His Book. These are servants through whom His commandments and ordinances have been carried out amongst the peoples, and through whom the law of sanctification hath been established among the various sects. Through them were the standards raised and the signs made manifest. The Concourse on High pray for them, and behind them standeth the Lord of Names and the Creator of the heavens.

And now, there hath dawned from the horizon of the heaven of your love that which hath stirred the breezes of affection. Verily, it is a letter wherein the vessel of pure nature hath overflowed. When I perceived its fragrance and recognized your station in the Cause of God—my Lord and your Lord and the Lord of all who are in the heavens and on earth—I repaired to that praiseworthy station wherein was established the throne of the Lord of existence and the Sovereign of the seen and the unseen. I attained His presence and laid before Him that which the nightingale of your sincerity had warbled upon the branch of faithfulness. Thereupon did the countenance of the Lord of Names turn toward me. By God! He spoke that which caused the mountains to soar, yet the mirror of my heart reflected only in proportion to my weakness, my poverty, my need and my want. O Beloved of my heart! How can the drop reckon the ocean of utterance? By the life of my Beloved and your Beloved, I speak naught but the truth. In truth do I make this assertion, and that Best-Beloved of the heart beareth witness, for by the grace of God they were and are well-aware.

He saith, exalted be His glory and His grandeur:

In the name of the Wronged One of the world

O Ali! Praise be to God that the eye of the world is illumined by the kohl of wisdom and the utterance of God’s loved ones. Though this light hath been obscured from appearing and shining forth by the dark clouds of people’s vain imaginings, yet assuredly the winds of divine will shall disperse these clouds. He is the Powerful, the Mighty. His power is now hidden, yet He is secretly engaged in conquering the citadels of hearts. The utterance of the All-Merciful is a mighty key that openeth, a sun that shineth forth and beameth, and an all-encompassing ocean. It openeth, bestoweth light, and granteth life. Blessed is he whose vision neither doubt nor uncertainty, vain imaginings nor conjectures, nor the might and wrath of the peoples of the world, could debar from the Most Exalted Summit.

By one word the world is agitated, and by another word it is calmed and assured. By one deed it is set ablaze, and by another deed it findeth peace and tranquility. Thus hath the Supreme Pen recorded in the sacred scriptures and tablets that spiritual virtues, praiseworthy deeds, and goodly words are among the mighty hosts of God. Beyond all stations, if people would hold fast to fairness, they would both attain unto the lights of certitude and behold the signs, proofs and evidences of God, exalted be His glory, as clear as the sun, and witness the throne of God’s power manifestly established in the world.

O Akbar! Convey My greetings to the friends and on behalf of this Wronged One declare: Ye must be distinguished from all others in the world and ever fix your gaze upon the horizon of distinction. Know your own worth and recognize the station of God’s chosen ones who have arisen to serve from the beginning of the Cause. The Supreme Pen hath mentioned them all and adorned them with the robe of divine favor, yet from the tablets of those souls who are steadfast and firm wafteth the fragrance of distinction. Blessed is he who hath found it and is among the doers.

O thou who gazeth toward God! I testify that thou didst drink the wine of My love in My earliest days, didst acknowledge what God hath acknowledged, didst hold fast unto it, didst spread its signs, and didst stand firm in His service on a Day whereon feet did slip. Convey My greetings to My loved ones in Ta and its surroundings, and give them the glad-tidings of God’s loving-kindness, the Lord of all worlds.

We counsel them to pure fear of God and to that whereby the Cause of God, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed, may be exalted. Say: Have mercy upon yourselves, upon the Tree of the Cause, and upon the blood that was shed to exalt God’s mighty Word. Fear God, O people, and be among the fair-minded. Waste not your deeds and what hath come upon you in this Great Event. Ye may glory over all who are on earth, for ye have attained unto that which none among creation hath attained. To this beareth witness He Who hath spoken in the Mother Book with His wondrous and glorious mention. Make not yourselves the playthings of the ignorant of the earth. Every deed attributed to you must shine like the sun among the world.

Thus doth God counsel you with true counsel, as a mercy from His presence. He verily loveth you and desireth for you what beseemeth your stations before God, the Most High, the Most Great. Beware lest ye commit that whereby mercy would be withheld in the heaven of divine Will. Thus doth He counsel you Who is more compassionate to you than your own selves. Verily your Lord, the All-Merciful, is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. The splendor that hath shone forth from the horizon of My loving-kindness and the light that hath beamed from the heaven of My mercy be upon thee and upon those who are with thee and who love thee for the sake of God, the Owner of this blessed and perspicuous Day.

God willing, may all the friends of God be adorned with the garment of sanctity. They must appear in such wise that if they should arise to counsel and exhort the people in any gathering, speaking with utmost eloquence, neither they themselves should feel any inner shame, nor should anyone on earth be able to raise objections. Now they must spend their days and nights devising means whereby they may guide a soul and give it to taste of the choice wine of divine knowledge. These are not days for conflicting thoughts, wavering purpose, contaminated intentions, contradictory deeds and harsh conduct. All deeds, actions and character must be seen as a single point—that is, their source must be well-known, that they may indicate and reflect the True One who is known. All have been and are under the glance of His favor. There is none who has not been crowned with the diadem of mention by God, the Protecting, the Self-Subsisting.

Now the friends of God must hold fast to that which is necessary. They will surely witness days of comfort, joy and glory. They have ever said that if they recognize the Herald and find the sweetness of the All-Merciful’s utterance, they would consider the world as non-existent and would observe and cleave to that which causes the Cause to be uplifted.

In brief, this servant conveys to each one greetings, glorification, and complete self-effacement, and with utmost lowliness and supplication begs those mines of the gems of God’s love to keep their exalted stations in view and to act as befits them. The supplication and lowliness are from the servant, and the acceptance from the loved ones of God, the Mighty, the Beloved.

It was submitted, in the most exalted, the most holy, the most impregnable Court, that mention had been made of the two devoted souls, Aqa Siyyid Muhammad and Ustad Muhammad-Quli—upon them be the glory of God—and likewise of their labours in the path of God. In relation to each of them there shone forth the Sun of loving-kindness, the Moon of tender mercy, the Star of compassion, and the Most Exalted Word, luminous and radiant. His Word—glorified and exalted be He—said:

In the Name of the Herald of the World

O Muhammad! Thou hast been mentioned before the Wronged One time and again, and in each instance have We made mention of thee in such wise as to cause the sincere ones to perceive the fragrance of My bounty. Rejoice thou and be of them that render thanks. And in this moment do We make mention of thee yet again, as a favour from Our presence. Verily, thy Lord is the Mighty, the All-Bountiful.

Give thou praise unto God for that thy work hath been mentioned in the Tablets, and there hath been sent down unto thee that which doth adorn thee with the vesture of sincerity. He, in truth, is the All-Powerful, the Almighty. That which thou hast wrought in My path hath found acceptance in My sight and hath been invested with the garment of My good-pleasure. Verily, thy Lord is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

Blessed art thou, and blessed is thy work, and blessed is whosoever hath acted according to that which hath been ordained in My perspicuous Book. Through your steadfastness in My service and your labours in My love hath the Concourse on High given utterance. Blessed is he who hath remained faithful to the Covenant of God in this Day—blessed, wondrous, resplendent in glory, luminous, manifest, gleaming, brilliant—upon thee and upon every upright servant.

And this is that which hath been sent down from the Kingdom of bounty unto His Honour Ustad Muhammad-Quli, upon him be Baha’u’llah—exalted be His utterance:

In the Name of Him Who ruleth over the seen and the unseen

O Muhammad-Quli! The Wronged One makes mention of thee from His spot and remembereth thee by His Covenant, and revealeth unto thee that which thou hast done, holding fast to His Book. Blessed art thou for having been faithful and for having acted in accordance with that which was enjoined upon thee in His love. How many a servant hath clung to the ways of idle fancy, turning away from His path, and how many a servant hath cast the world behind him, turning his face toward the lights of His countenance. Rejoice thou in that He hath aided thee to act in such wise as will draw thee nearer unto Him in all conditions. Happy art thou for having turned unto God and found the fragrance of His garment. We have made mention of thee before and after. Verily thy Lord recompenseth him who holdeth fast to the cord of His loving-kindness. The glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of grace be upon thee and upon them that follow His Cause.

Blessed are they both and happy are they both, inasmuch as—by God’s testimony—the fragrance of their sincerity is diffused and they have acted with joy and radiance in accordance with that which they were bidden. God willing, may they preserve this most exalted station through the name of the True One, exalted be His glory. This evanescent servant begs and hopes from the Invincible Truth that He may cause them to attain unto the Most Great Steadfastness. Verily, He is powerful over all things. Glorification and peace unto them rest with the will and grace of that Best-Beloved.

As regards what you wrote concerning the honored leaf H, upon her be the Glory of God, when it was submitted He said: “Yes, what righteous deeds were done in her regard.” May they be assisted to perform good deeds and that which bespeaks pure wisdom. May those who are related be blessed through God’s grace and adorned with supreme steadfastness, that the ringing bells of calamity may not prevent them from the pathway of divine unity.

O Ali-Qabl-Akbar, upon thee be My Glory, My Mercy and My Grace! Behold and then make mention of a maidservant who returned to her abode. She exchanged light for fire and sold the kingdom of men for a piece of diamond. Despite utmost love, devotion and claims of knowledge, calamity deceived her for a single diamond. She turned away from truth and faced that which was other than Him. Such is the nature of this world and its people. From the beginning they were turned away and never had nor have any awareness, for they were not with Us. The meaningless humility and submissiveness of certain ones led those souls to declare their faith. Verily He knows what lies within breasts and hearts, and He is the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

If a single leaf were to reflect upon her deeds, actions and conduct, it would speak saying:

“I am innocent of her and all that pertains to her, and I shield my face from her face.”

That soul knows the Supreme Pen had refrained from mentioning such souls, but due to oppression, transgression and the flames of self and passion, these words have flowed from the Supreme Pen, that they might recognize her and become aware of her deeds and actions. May God protect Us and you from her and her like.

As for this ephemeral one, I beseech and implore God, exalted be His glory, to guide the friends of that land to the straight path of trustworthiness, religious devotion, truthfulness and sincerity, that all may find rest beneath His shadow and grace.

Once this exalted word was heard from the tongue of the Lord of Names. He said:

“O servant present! For everything there has been and is a beginning. The saying of common folk that ʿwithout leaven the bread is unleavened’ is a complete statement and the word of a wise and knowing one. Today the companions of God are the leaven of the world’s peoples. All must acquire from their trustworthiness, truthfulness, steadfastness, deeds and character. Ask of God that they may find the fragrance of awareness and hold fast to that which will elevate their conditions and stations.”

Section 2: “Some of the opposers have objected, claiming…”

Some of the opposers have objected, claiming that while their own companions act with righteousness, and the companions of the Primal Point were adorned with piety, trustworthiness and religious devotion, this statement deviates from the path of truth and righteousness. For from the time of the arrival of the Ancient Beauty in Iraq, of which this servant is aware, verses and words were continuously revealed and sent forth from the innermost mystery, and all were commanded to that which God desired and forbidden from that which He prohibited in the Book.

Some time ago the Tongue of Grandeur spoke this exalted word:

“From Iraq and the Land of Mystery and the Land of Prison, We continually counseled the people of the Bayan and commanded them to that which befitteth the Cause of God. Yet sedition and corruption have not ceased; most are defiled and have not attained unto sanctity and detachment.”

They themselves are aware of what abominable deeds appeared among this group. In truth, one is unable to describe it. None had control over their own wives, children, and possessions. Most were rebellious, wayward and tyrannical, yet considered themselves among God’s pure chosen ones. A few were seen to be sanctified from worldly attachments and doubts, and this was only in the beginning of the Cause. Later, you yourself witnessed what they did and what transpired, to such an extent that the Exalted One—may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for Him—expressed amazement, though outwardly remained silent as there was no helper or supporter. In His final days He wrote a Tablet expressing utmost complaint about those souls and showing displeasure with most of them. However this was concealed as its disclosure was not deemed wise.

The people are weak, as was observed when, despite the shining of the Sun of Truth at high noon and the appearance of the Ultimate Tree from the right side of the hallowed spot, each soul would present their own vain imaginings as certainty. In any case, were we to discuss these matters, books and volumes would not suffice.

However, in this Most Great Revelation, even the enemies have testified and continue to testify to its sanctity, detachment, loftiness and sublimity. One of the divines of Yazd had said that at first the deeds of this community were beyond description, but now they are seen gathering in meetings, reciting verses, chanting prayers, and manifesting complete trustworthiness and religious devotion. It is evident this is due to the command of the new Leader. Observe how many souls in this Revelation freely drank the cup of martyrdom and sacrificed themselves by their own hands, even though this was not pleasing to the Truth. Even now there are souls who are sanctified, holy and pure from all faults. Verily our All-Knowing Lord is the All-Seeing, the All-Informed.

This servant mentions one word about trustworthiness and faithfulness to covenant, that perhaps some may become aware and know with certainty that God has beneath His canopies servants possessed of great trustworthiness, goodly deeds, and spiritual qualities. In Alexandria, several of the loved ones of God were engaged in their trades as commanded, for in this Most Great Revelation work is accounted as worship. We beseech Him to assist all to achieve what He desires.

That word is that Jinab-i-Aqa Shaykh Ali, son of Jinab-i-Haji Abdu’r-Rahim—upon them both be the Glory of God—went to Khartoum to associate with the beloved of heart and soul, Haji Mirza Haydar-ʿAli, and that spiritual friend Ha and Sin, upon them be the Glory of God, as those two prisoners had written requesting one of the friends to come and associate with them and learn of events occurring in the Holy Land and surrounding regions, as well as Iran. The aforementioned Shaykh determined to undertake this journey for the sake of God.

For a time, they were gathered like leaves of the tree of love, fresh and light from the gentle breezes and luminous waters, when suddenly the autumn wind began to blow and caused their separation. Those two mentioned ones, upon them be God’s praise, turned toward this direction and attained their purpose, while the honored Shaykh remained engaged in business in that land.

After several consecutive years, by firm command Haji Abdullah, upon him be [the Glory of God], travelled to that region to associate with the honored Shaykh and assist him in outward affairs and support his return journey. However due to unsettled conditions this was prolonged until the honored Shaykh, upon him be the Glory of God, ascended. After his ascension the aforementioned Haji Abdullah attended to settling affairs.

The Iranian consul in that city wrote details of the deceased’s affairs as well as his goods and possessions to the chief agent of the sublime Iranian state residing in Cairo. He in turn, according to established legal procedure, made claim upon the assets and estate. The two most exalted names Muhammad and ʿAli, upon them be the Glory of God, wrote from Alexandria that whatever was rightfully theirs would be received. Some of the believing merchants of Cairo told the aforementioned agent that this sum would reach him, as the words of these honored ones were true and free from any doubt.

Afterwards Alexandria was overturned and Cairo thrown into turmoil, with the thunder of cannons rising and the clamor of ranks and thousands and rifles manifest, such that all people were agitated and fearful, and the turmoil spread until it reached these lands. Were it not for God’s grace and mercy, the earth would have swallowed all upon it, for due to the heedlessness and rebellion of the people they deserved what befell them.

In brief, Alexandria in a matter of hours was turned upside down, as previously mentioned in some petitions of this evanescent one and also revealed from the Supreme Pen. The friends in Alexandria and Cairo sent petitions to the Most Holy Court seeking guidance for their situation, and likewise sent petitions to His Holiness the Name of God M.H., upon him be all the Most Glorious Glory, who was present in this land at that time. He instructed that the friends of A. and S. should move according to circumstances and turn toward the Most Holy Court, while the friends in Egypt should remain settled and at rest in their places.

Afterwards when these ones arrived in the Holy Land, the heedless ones and traitors set fire to Alexandria and either burned or plundered people’s possessions of every kind, and all the properties of the friends were plundered and their storehouse was demolished and destroyed, and in the direction of Khartoum the fire of strife was ablaze and a person raised the banner of rebellion. Due to the turmoil in Egypt, all those regions were in upheaval and disturbance, and Haji ʿAbdu’llah was confined there until the order for departure arrived. Placing his trust in God, he departed, and the Lord, exalted be His glory, protected him from a hundred thousand calamities. Praise be to God, he arrived and was honored in the desired land.

As for the friends in Alexandria, despite their utter destitution, and although the Consul in Cairo had been dismissed and news had reached Istanbul of the arrival of a new Consul, nevertheless, in view of the promise that had been made, Aqa Siyyid ʿAli, upon him be the glory of God, endeavored to fulfill that promise. Through God’s grace and favor, funds became available which he took and journeyed to Egypt, delivering fifty English pounds.

The believing merchants and the Consul himself were greatly amazed and astonished. At first the Consul refused to accept it, swearing that “I have no complaint. These qualities of yours suffice me, and in your praise this much is enough: that even those who oppose you speak in your praise.” In any case, this incident became a cause of exaltation in those regions. Aqa Siyyid ʿAli, upon him be the glory of God, has written describing the love of the friends in Egypt in such a way that the birds of love take wing in the hearts of the near ones. Love for God’s sake truly bestows true life and quickens the dead.

This their faithfulness to the covenant is, in the sight of the Self-Sufficing, the Exalted, recorded among the sovereign deeds and set down in His Book. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, to confirm the loved ones of that land and of other lands in trustworthiness and truth.

The land of the prison occupied so lofty a station that all regions looked towards it; and whensoever any of its inhabitants desired aught—whether for buying or selling, from near or distant cities—they would hear the answer, “He is present.” Yet, through the treachery of certain souls and the darkness of what was within their hearts, it sank from the first station to the second—nay, even to the third. Nevertheless, since the seat of the Throne remaineth, in very truth, the place wherein the loftiness and exaltation of the stations of the friends are established in a measure known and enduring among the servants, another blemish hath appeared: that every soul who becometh exceedingly vile doth, in the end, even claim for himself the truth. May the Hand of power, God willing, preserve His servants, and cause them to attain unto that which He loveth and is well pleased with.

In all conditions, every limb and member must utter the words: “There is no power and no might save in God.” In that same hour, this servant stood before the Throne, and the Beloved of the seen and the unseen spake this word. Write thou unto Ali-Akbar—upon him be My glory, My mercy, and My loving-kindness: O Ali! Convey unto My loved ones that whereby their stations shall be exalted through My command. Say: O friends of the All-Merciful in the lands! Subdue the cities of hearts with the hosts of deeds and of virtues. This is the decree of the Lord of the worlds, at the time of His establishment upon the Most Great Throne. Blessed is the servant who hath been drawn by My call and hath acted according to that which I commanded in My clear Book. Ended.

Of such kind are the firm and unnumbered utterances that were heard from the Tongue of Him Who is the Lord of all. Blessed are the doers.

As to what you wrote concerning your heart’s beloved, Jinab-i-Haji Mirza Haydar-ʿAli, upon him be the Glory of God, and mentioned his services in the path of God—after being presented before the Most Holy Court, these words were repeatedly uttered from the Tongue of Grandeur:

“Upon him be the Glory of God, upon him be the Glory of God.”

The news from Mazandaran was written in detail by that beloved one, and in these days petitions have arrived from every direction containing mention of his services in Q. However, after being presented, outwardly for several days no command was issued in this matter from the Dawning-Place. Then one day this supreme word emerged from the Dayspring of utterance of the Lord of Names—His words, exalted be His grandeur and His majesty:

“O servant in attendance! If We say it occurred with wisdom, the barking of swine and clamor of the ignorant is observed to have risen. And if We were to consider only the clamor, We have not and do not wish to conceal this manifest service. Therefore from the Source of Divine Command this decree is issued: We say he had recourse to speech and utterance, and God, exalted be His glory, in view of His grace and favor made him the place and supreme source of the Word. And though this exaltation caused clamor, yet considering the recourse there was and is no harm, rather it is accepted before the Throne. We have adorned his deed with the ornament of acceptance and have mentioned him in various Tablets. Verily thy Lord is the Kind, the Forgiving, the Merciful, the Generous.”

This lowly one submits that if a copy of this petition were to be written, confirmed and sent to various regions, it would not be without benefit, as it is adorned with verses and words of God, exalted be His glory, which are in truth the cause of the enkindling of the world and its peoples. Perhaps they may find its sweetness and arise to do what God loves, and perhaps the fragrance of goodly deeds and virtuous character may waft to all regions and awaken the heedless. The Command is in His hand and I am but a penitent servant.

As for the Tablets specifically requested for the loved ones of the land of M, they were revealed in those same days but their sending was delayed due to upheavals and wisdom. In these days the command to send them has been given and God willing they will be sent. What that heart’s beloved wrote concerning them truly caused joy to the heart and the realm of love became manifest. God willing may that beloved one and they ever speak what God has willed and stand firm in service to the Cause.

And the second letter from that presence dated the first of the blessed month of Ramadan gave fresh hearing and caused new melodies in love of the Lord of Oneness to be sung, and after hearing and understanding, the Holy Station was intended beyond mention and utterance, and details were presented after permission. Then flowed the river of mercy and favors and surged the sea of grace in such wise as cannot be described in words. He spoke and His word is the truth:

In My Name, the Wronged One, the Unique

O thou who gazest toward the prison and uttereth praise of the Desired One, who drinketh from My choice sealed wine! Upon thee be the Glory of God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. The servant in attendance hath come with what thou didst send unto him, and presented before the Wronged One that which the dove of thy heart sang in praise and remembrance of God. Blessed be thy tongue and thy utterance and he who heareth thy words concerning God’s Cause, the Mighty, the Loving. We have sent down to those near unto Us that which, were it to be cast upon the earth, would cause the sun of knowledge and utterance to rise therefrom. Thus hath the Pen of the All-Merciful spoken, yet most people understand not.

Thou art he who was present and beheld the sea and its waves, the sun and its lights, and heard what the Speaker of Sinai uttered when seated upon the throne of manifestation. Verily thy Lord remembereth him who hath turned unto Him, spoken His praise, and arisen to serve His Cause, the Mighty, the Forbidden. Grieve not for what they do. By My life! Were the receptive ones to be fair and to know, they would act according to what they were commanded in various tablets from God, the Lord of all beings. Thus did the Mother Book speak aforetime, and the Preserved Tablet in this praiseworthy station.

Section 3: “Convey My greetings to My loved ones…”

Convey My greetings to My loved ones and remind them of that which profiteth them, preserveth them, and elevateth them to My Kingdom, which God hath made the circling-point of all in the invisible and visible realms. Say: O My friends! We counsel you to deeds from which the Concourse on High will perceive the fragrance of sanctity. By My life! Through them My Cause and your stations shall be exalted beneath the canopies of My loving-kindness, the pavilion of My glory, and the tabernacle of My mercy, which hath preceded existence. Say: We are with you under all conditions. We hear and see, and We are the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing. We see and conceal; We hear and keep silent. Were We to detail for thee what hath appeared and shall appear, grief would seize thee. Therefore ask God to transform it through His authority. Verily thy Lord is the Powerful, the Mighty. Glory and light be upon thee and upon My loved ones and upon those who have fulfilled God’s Covenant and His Testament on this mighty, wondrous Day.

This servant submitteth to that beloved one that although responses to letters may be delayed, yet afterward all matters descend one after another from the heaven of divine will and are dispatched. Fortunately, the cause of delay in serving your honor is evident, clear and proven. In any case, we hope for forgiveness, and moreover this evanescent servant is assured of your honor, for you are aware and informed. That you wrote news of receiving divine tablets, and likewise of the gathering of friends and sharing these with them, and mentioned the degrees of eagerness, joy, attraction and enchantment of His exalted party—this truly bestowed boundless joy. God willing, may they partake in all conditions of the sweetness of the All-Merciful’s utterance and arise as befitteth them.

How beloved from those attracted, enkindled souls is the manifestation of deeds and good, pleasing character! The horizons of the human world are illumined by these lights. The deed of an upright seeker is like a tree: its root in the earth of steadfastness, its branch reaching wheresoever God willeth, its fruits enduring throughout the kingdom of earth and heaven. In truth, none but the mirror of divine knowledge hath or shall enumerate these stations. Blessed be your honor and them. We beseech God to grant all the people of the world a portion of this good bounty and heavenly feast, and leave none deprived. Verily He hath power over all things.

And as to their expression of gratitude, joy and delight concerning the Second Feast, the newly risen Sun, and the recurring bounty—this bestowed upon all pillars a most delicate joy, nay, a joy more subtle than can be reckoned. Regarding the dawning of divine Tablets from the horizon of favor yet again, you wrote these words—your statement: “This nothingness has, this time, so drunk deep and become so enraptured by this supreme gift that it finds itself master over all who dwell on earth.” After this statement was presented at the Most Holy Court, the Divine Tongue spoke these blessed words—His words, exalted and mighty be He: “This utterance of Ali-Qabli-Akbar is like a branch of love that has been grafted onto divine love.”

A hundred thousand souls and oceans be sacrificed for this blessed word that has risen like the sun from the horizon of favor. Glorify thy Lord with praise and be of the thankful ones.

And concerning your mention of God’s loved ones, you wrote that they too were attracted by the Kawthar of the utterance of the All-Merciful, to such extent that they spoke in ecstasy the praise of God, and likewise denied consciousness, understanding and humanity to the souls who turned away among the people of the Bayan. After this passage was presented, these perfect and binding words dawned from the Dayspring of divine utterance. He said:

“O thou who art present! God willing, may the friends of God ever be gathered together, engaged in the remembrance and praise of the Truth. Whosoever has drunk from the Most Great Ocean beholds the world beneath his shadow. These birds have been taught the flight of Truth, and they soar above the birds of understanding and reason. Blessed are they! Blessed are they!”

May my very being be a sacrifice for one who findeth the sweetness of utterance and beholdeth from the horizons of the heaven of the words of God’s Book the suns of tender mercy and bounties!

As to that which ye have written concerning movement and consultation, in truth the presence of that Beloved in those days in that land was necessary. It is hoped, through the bounty of the Truth—exalted be His glory—that He will sanctify that blessed land from the rejected attributes of the opponents among the people of the Bayan.

Glory be to God! How heedless are the people! Every person of understanding and discernment is perplexed by those fabricated souls who have established ignorance upon the throne of hearts and have excluded knowledge and justice from their portals. Woe unto them and unto those who have gone astray and led them astray, and unto the calamity that walketh and knoweth not whither it goeth, and unto the abyss from which the very abyss seeketh refuge!

As to that which ye have written concerning His Honour Aqa Mirza Lutfu’llah, upon him be Baha’u’llah, it was presented before the presence of the Lord of being. This is what hath been uttered by the Tongue of the All-Merciful in the Kingdom of utterance—exalted be His most glorious mention:

In the Name of the Sincere, the Compassionate, the All-Informed

O thou who hast turned thy face unto the Countenance! These are the Days of God; a single moment thereof cannot be compared with centuries and ages. A particle in this Day is beheld as the sun, and a drop as an ocean. Should anyone draw but a single breath for the love of God and His service, it hath been recorded by the Most Exalted Pen as the most meritorious of deeds. Were the excellences of this Day to be mentioned, all would fall unconscious save whom thy Lord willeth. Therefore it is well-pleasing that in this Day thou shouldst strive to attain the lights of the Sun of divine good-pleasure. One word is better, loftier and more enduring than a hundred thousand children.

God willing, thou shalt attain unto this most exalted station, that thy mention may endure throughout the kingdom of earth and heaven. Be thou never despondent. Hold fast to the hem of God’s robe and place thy trust in Him. Say: O my God! I am he who hath turned unto Thee with my spirit, my being, my soul and all that I possess, and have laid my hopes, my supplications, my will and my desire before the throne of Thy grandeur. Aid me in that which Thou desirest, through Thy grace and bounty. Thou knowest that I know not what profiteth or harmeth me. Ordain for me that which is best for me. Verily Thou art the All-Seeing, the All-Knowing, the All-Merciful, the All-Wise.

As to what thou didst write concerning Haji Aqa, upon him be the Glory of God, after it was submitted to the Most Holy Presence, this blessed Tablet was revealed from the heaven of the Divine Will. God willing, may they drink from the ocean of the utterance of the All-Merciful and be illumined by the lights of His knowledge. His word, exalted be His glory:

He is the Most Holy, the Most Great, the Most Glorious

Verily the Light calleth aloud and the Fire proclaimeth. Blessed is the ear that hath heard and attained unto that which God hath desired in His glorious and wondrous Day. He hath come for the life of the world, yet the people desired to slay Him. Woe unto them! Verily thy Lord is the All-Seeing, the All-Informed. Say: By God! The Sinai circleth round Me and the lights have prostrated before this resplendent Light. Among the people are those who speak according to their desires, those who have risen in calumny, and those who have clung to them that have violated God’s Covenant and His Testament. Thus hath the matter been decreed, and I am of those who bear witness.

O peoples of the earth! Abandon what ye possess in hope of that which is with God. Thus doth command you He Who speaketh the truth. Verily there is no God but Him, the Almighty, the Powerful. Blessed art thou for having been mentioned in the presence of the Wronged One, and there hath been revealed for thee from His presence that which shall suffice thee in every world of the worlds of thy Lord, if thou be of them that are steadfast. Hold fast unto the Book of God and that which hath been sent down from Him. Verily thy Lord is the Supporter, the Forgiving, the Merciful. The Books have testified to My Book, and it is this Temple which hath been established upon the Throne, to the detriment of every remote denier.

Thus hath My Most Exalted Pen spoken, as a token of My grace. Rejoice thou at this great bounty. The Glory shining from the horizon of My Kingdom be upon those who have cast away all else save Me, who have held fast unto My grace and clung to My luminous hem.

The lights of grace have encompassed all and the morn of bounty hath dawned. A hundred thousand blessings upon those souls who have in this Day attained unto their goal, whom the conditions and appearances of these numbered days have not withheld from the everlasting station. The greetings and salutations of this servant be upon the honored Mirza and upon them and upon each of the friends of God. If possible, in every morn and eve, nay rather in every hour, nay in every moment, they are dependent upon the favor of that Beloved One.

Regarding what was mentioned about Rida-Quli Khan (upon him be the Glory of God), it was presented before Him from Whom nothing is hidden. This is what the Tongue of Grace, Generosity and Bounty has spoken, exalted be His glory and magnificent be His grace: “O ʿAli the Most Great, upon you be My mercy which has preceded all humanity.” The Truth, exalted be His majesty, has created all the world for His recognition and has desired comfort for all, and has manifested means according to the requirements of His wisdom. By My life! If the people of earth were to be illumined by the lights of the heaven of knowledge—that is, if they were to hold fast to and act upon that which has been sent down from the Supreme Horizon and the Most Exalted Summit—they would all find themselves in the utmost joy, security and tranquility.

What you have done regarding them is beloved at the Divine Throne. Convey greetings from the Wronged One and say: Be not grieved by what has befallen you, for greater than this befell the Truth. I swear by the lights of the Divine Countenance, this world, with all the grandeur that you observe, was not and is not worthy of even one of God’s friends. Be steadfast in the Cause—verily He does what He wishes and ordains what He desires. God willing, may they fix their gaze upon Him at all times and cling to His robe. Verily He ordains for him what He desires and He is the Compassionate, the Generous. The Glory be upon him, and patience be with him, and forbearance be yours, and the Command be Mine, and I am the Ordainer, the All-Wise.”

Regarding what you wrote about Aqa Siyyid Muhammad-i-Tabib (upon him be the Glory of God), and likewise concerning his intelligence, wisdom, receptivity, perfection and capacity—all these matters were presented before the Divine Throne at noon on Sunday in the month of Safar. This is what the Tongue of Grandeur spoke, exalted be His glory:

“God willing, may they be blessed with divine favors, illumined by the lights of His knowledge, given to drink of His choice wine, and sustained by His heavenly food. How wonderful is this blessed and mighty Day! Its fragrance has encompassed the world and its breeze has wafted over all. Blessed is he who has been awakened by this breeze and recognized it, and has arisen saying, while turning towards the Supreme Horizon: I was asleep, O my God! The breezes of Thy grace awakened me and caused me to stand before the horizon of Thy bounty. I beseech Thee to assist me in serving Thee and in remaining steadfast in Thy Cause. Verily Thou art the Powerful over whatsoever Thou willest, and within Thy grasp are the reins of all things, both hidden and manifest.’ O Ali, the glances of favor are directed towards him. Give him the glad tidings of what the Wronged One has uttered in His mighty prison. Progress has been and will be for existence in all worlds. This is a truth in which there is no doubt. The Glory be upon you and upon him and upon whoever holds fast to that which is good and through which the Cause of God, the Lord of the worlds, is exalted.”

Regarding the brief answer to his question that was sent down from the Supreme Kingdom—that beloved one knows that concerning these ranks and stations, that which would suffice all who are on earth has been revealed, and in these days the Supreme Pen loves to speak on every matter. Verily there is no God but He, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. This evanescent servant beseeches and hopes that the Truth, exalted be His glory, will assist them in all conditions to do that which will cause the exaltation of the Word of God.

Section 4: “And regarding what you wrote about Aqa Khudadad…”

And regarding what you wrote about Aqa Khudadad and Aqa Shah-Virdi (upon them be the Glory of God), truly they are blessed with divine favors. After presentation before the Most Holy, Most Exalted Presence, the Tongue of Grandeur spoke these sublime words, exalted be His glory:

He is the All-Seeing, the All-Hearing

O Khudadad! The Supreme Pen testifieth that whenever mention was made of thee, thou wast honored with the Divine Word and His remembrance. Beseech thou God to assist thee to recognize this noble and great station. From the beginning of thy turning unto the Most Exalted Horizon, every time thou wert mentioned, a special Tablet was revealed, and apart from this, the gaze of loving-kindness hath ever been directed towards thee. Give thanks unto God, thy Lord and the Lord of all who are in earth and heaven, Who took thy hand and delivered thee from the darkness of the earth and brought thee beneath the shade of the Tree of His providence and exalted thy mention amongst His near servants. His grace and mercy have ever preceded all else. Verily He saved thee and guided thee to the straight path and gave thee to drink of the pure wine by the hand of His bounty and made thee one of the people of that station. Be thou steadfast in My service, speaking My praise, and holding fast unto My grace which hath encompassed the horizons.

Likewise these resplendent verses have been revealed from the heaven of the Will of God, exalted be His glory, concerning Haji Shah-Virdi, upon him be the glory of God. His word, exalted be His majesty:

In My Name, the Compassionate, the Generous

O Shah-Virdi! Thou hast attained unto that whereof the peoples of the world are heedless and veiled, save whom God willeth. Thou didst journey and turn and direct thyself until thou didst reach the Dayspring of guidance and didst hear that which the Tongue of God, the Mighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise, did speak. How many a friend died in his yearning to meet Me, how many a beloved one sought My presence, how many a ruler lamented in his separation from Me, and how many an intimate one gave up his spirit for union with Me. And thou didst purpose and resolve, placing thy trust in God, until thou didst attain the court round which circle the Spirit Faithful, and didst hear from the Wronged One what the ears of them that are nigh have heard. Give thanks unto God for having aided thee and drawn thee nigh unto the Water of Life and revealed for thee that which nothing in all creation can equal, and caused thee to hear what Moses did hear. Reflect upon the bounty of God, that He may free you from all earthly sorrows of these fleeting days. Such grace is worthy of attention, and such attention worthy of freedom from sorrow. The glory be upon thee and upon them that are with thee.

This evanescent servant hath ever sought and continueth to seek blessing, bounty, grace, steadfastness, favor and everlasting mention for those whom the Supreme Pen hath named the children of Abraham and the heirs of Moses. This will surely be answered in due time, for by the testimony of the Supreme Pen and that beloved one’s witness, they have devoted and continue to devote most of their time to serving the Cause. Such souls have been and will be remembered by the whole world. These scattered things and diverse colors will soon perish, but that which is with God shall endure. Well is it with them! They are in truth confirmed, among their confirmations being that that beloved one hath expressed satisfaction with them. God willing, may they remain ever confirmed and blessed.

As regards the matter whereof His Honor Aqa Khudadad—upon him be the Glory of God—hath spoken, that nigh upon a year hath elapsed since whatsoever he dispatched, no response from this servant hath been received—the matter is even as he hath stated. Yet this servant, having regard unto his confidence in them, and likewise considering that in most of the Tablets their mention floweth from the Supreme Pen, hath been occupied in answering the correspondence of certain souls who have but recently turned their faces unto the divine Law. And they themselves, in view of the service and steadfastness they manifest in the Cause, are assuredly well-pleased with whatsoever hath transpired. God—exalted be His glory—is witness and testament that their mention, their arising, and their service have ever been, and remain, before the eye of Our regard, and it is hoped that, through divine bounty, a response shall likewise be dispatched.

And as touching that which they inscribed concerning His Honor Aqa Muhammad and Aqa Ali-Asghar—upon them both be the Glory of God—praise be to God, they have been made to partake of the divine remembrance both aforetime and now. Their mention hath been sent down from the heaven of the providence of our Lord and your Lord, our Beloved and your Beloved, and recorded by the Supreme Pen. This is of the bounty of our Object and your Object. These most exalted words have, in this station, flowed forth and been revealed from the tongue of the Sovereign of being. He saith—glorified and exalted is He:

“O Muhammad! Blessed art thou in that thou hast been faithful to thy covenant, and blessed is he who hath wrought therein that which was acceptable before the Throne. Thy deed hath been adorned with the embroidery of acceptance in this mighty, praiseworthy station. Give thanks unto God for this bounty and say: ʿPraise be unto Thee, O King of the unseen and the seen!’ And We make mention of Ali—he who was aforetime the younger—and We magnify him and give him glad-tidings of My mercy which anticipated him. Blessed is he in that he hath been favored with My remembrance both aforetime and now, and hath drunk of My sealed choice wine.”

The deeds of that personage were most acceptable, and the deeds of His Honor Aga Muhammad have likewise been favored with the embroidery of acceptance. The verses of God, our Lord and the Lord of all the worlds, have borne witness thereunto.

As concerning that which ye inscribed regarding His Honor Aga Mirza Muhammad-Ali and his household—upon them both be the Glory of God—after presentation in the Most Sacred Court, the billows of the ocean of divine utterance appeared and became manifest in the form of these resplendent words. He saith—glorified be His grandeur:

In My Name, the Most Mighty, the Most Great

O Muhammad Ali! We have heard thy mention in a Book from one who loved Us, and him did God love. And We have revealed unto thee verses which naught in the treasuries of kings can equal. Blessed is he who hath today attained unto the knowledge of God—He Who, when He appeareth, causeth all things to speak. The Promise hath come to pass, and this is He Who was promised. We have manifested the Cause and revealed the verses and summoned all unto God, the Guardian, the Self-Subsisting. Among mankind are those who have cast away guidance and seized hold of passion, following every heedless, veiled one. There hath befallen the Wronged One in the path of God that whereat the Concourse on high and the dwellers of the cities of the divine names have wailed.

Yet the people, most of them, understand not. In all circumstances have We arisen for the Cause in such wise that neither the assaults of the world nor the ranks of armies could prevent Us. And the first who opposed Us were the divines of the earth. They have violated the covenant and testament of God and risen up against Us even as they rose aforetime against Muhammad, the Messenger of God, and before Him against the Spirit. The Balance crieth out unto them, yet they hear not; the Bridge warneth them, yet they perceive not. They have clung to vain imaginings and idle fancies, turning away from the lights of certitude. Thus doth My Supreme Pen recount unto thee in this forbidden prison.

Preserve My verses, then read them unto the people of Baha. This is what He commandeth thee in Whose grasp is a preserved Book. The glory be upon thee and upon thy consort who hath been favored with the choice wine of love for her Lord, the Mighty, the Well-Beloved.

O beloved of my heart! According to His command, convey these mighty and sublime verses unto them and extend greetings from the True One, that perchance they may attain unto true joy through the breathings of the utterance of the Sovereign of all creation and be preserved from the great terror. This servant also extendeth greetings and salutations unto them.

Mention was made of Aqa Siyyid ʿAli, upon him be the Glory of God, from the people of Kha, and likewise mention of his being set ablaze with the fire of divine love. After attendance, permission and presentation, the Sun of loving-kindness shone forth in these exalted words. His word, exalted be His majesty:

In My Name which speaketh from the horizon of the Kingdom

This is a Book revealed by the Wronged One for him who hath turned unto God on a Day whereof God’s Messengers had given glad-tidings aforetime—yea, every revealed Book. O ʿAli, call thou to mind what caused thee to arise to serve this Cause, what awakened thee on this Day, who made thee hear the call of the Wronged One—He Who hath endured in God’s path that which caused the near ones to weep—who informed thee of this Prisoner, and who told thee of this Cause whereby the rustling of the Lote-Tree beyond which there is no passing was raised up, the Supreme Horizon was illumined, and all things spoke forth in the kingdom of creation. He Who was hidden in God’s knowledge and inscribed by the Pen of Command in His sealed Book hath come.

Blessed art thou for having heard, recognized and turned unto Him Who came from the heaven of Command with manifest sovereignty. Leave the people to their vain imaginings and hold fast to the hem of thy Lord’s loving-kindness, the Lord of all existence. We counsel thee and those who have believed in that which gladdeneth the heart of the Wronged One and exalteth the Cause of God, the Mighty, the Loving. Verily, should He perceive the fragrance of His qualities and what He hath enjoined upon His servants in His Book, He would rejoice. Thus hath the Tongue of utterance spoken in the kingdom of understanding, as a token of His grace. He, verily, is the True One, the Knower of things unseen.

Glory be upon thee and upon him who hath been set ablaze with the fire of God’s love in His days, and upon everyone who hath arisen, having cast away idleness, on this Promised Day. Moreover, glory and remembrance be upon him who hath been awakened by the breezes of revelation wafting from the direction of My prison, the Mighty, the Beloved.

At this moment, such verses are being revealed and such evidences are shining forth that in truth a hundred thousand souls like this servant would be powerless and incapable of mentioning, describing, recording or relating them. Glory be to God, our Lord and your Lord, our Goal and your Goal, and the Goal of all who dwell in the earthly and heavenly kingdoms. I know not what intoxication hath seized these people. The followers of previous dispensations would argue that because certain matters foretold in their Book had come to pass, this constituted proof and evidence of its truth. Yet now thou and all the friends bear witness that matters which no rational being could have conceived have been revealed from the Most Exalted Pen with perfect clarity, and all have been fulfilled one after another, emerging from the hidden to the manifest realm.

Indeed, whatsoever hath appeared or shall appear in the future hath been recorded one by one in the Book and witnessed in manifest reality. This matter is not limited, for it hath been manifested in one, two, three instances and beyond that, and even beyond that. Nevertheless, all remain heedless and asleep, as though dead, except those preserved by the hand of grace. Can anyone claim that in any previous Revelation the verses were more perfect, or the evidences more manifest, or the tree of proof more fruitful than this blessed and lofty Tree? Nay, by my Lord, unless they be utterly bereft of fairness. Whatever this servant hath submitted or may submit remaineth veiled, for he hath not had and hath not permission to present certain matters. God hath sealed his lips. The Command is in His hands; He doeth and decreeth as He pleaseth, and He is the Mighty, the Unconstrained.

Mention has been made of His honor Zayn, upon whom be glory, who migrated unto God and attained His presence in the Land of Mystery. God willing, may he ever be the recipient of the special favors and bounties of the Truth. He has always been and continues to be before Our eyes. Never has he been forgotten, nor shall he ever be forgotten. God willing, throughout all ages and centuries may he be remembered for the name of the Truth and service to the Truth. At times special mention of him has issued from the tongue of the Lord of Eternity: “O thou beloved of My heart!” He has transcended all stations. The tree of faithfulness is a blessed tree. Its fruits are beloved and its traces and mysteries are enduring and everlasting. If one observes carefully, it is the leader of the hosts of love and the vanguard of the people of affection and truthfulness. From the depths of My heart I convey to him greetings and salutations.

His petition reached the presence of the Most Great Branch—may my spirit, my being, and my essence be sacrificed for the dust of His footsteps—and God willing He will bestow a response. That certain matters have been delayed is due to wisdom. These are days when should distinction become manifest, it may well cause harm—that is, to the distinguished one—since the enemies now know with clear certainty that the Truth, exalted be His glory, has forbidden sedition, corruption, persecution and murder. Therefore there is some delay in certain matters, but they are secretly vigilant. If they truly know someone to be a source of major influence in those parts, they will through various machinations prove some offense outwardly, like the offense that tyrannical bird proved against the helpless partridge before tearing it apart. This servant’s meaning is that for these reasons some divine commands have been delayed.

Section 5: “Regarding the handmaiden of God, Hudhud, upon her…”

Regarding the handmaiden of God, Hudhud, upon her be the Glory of God—what you wrote—at one time this servant made special mention of her again and she was honored with the ornament of the favor of the Truth, exalted be His glory, and the Tongue of Grandeur spoke this supreme word—exalted be His utterance:

“O thou who gazest upon My face and standeth in service to My Cause! Give her glad tidings from Me and glorify her by command of thy Lord, the Compassionate, the Generous. Verily We made mention of her before, and of the daughter of My Most Truthful Name who turned and directed himself toward the court of God by His command, until he entered the prison and stood before the gate and heard the call of God, the Powerful, the Mighty, the Bestower. Verily We glorify her and her mother and My handmaidens who have turned to God, the Lord of all beings, and We counsel them to perform pure deeds and whatsoever is befitting for the days of God, the Lord of lords. Thus did the ocean of utterance surge when the All-Merciful walked in the most exalted station.” End.

Praise be to God! She hath attained unto that which she desired. She was remembered, and for her and for her daughter there hath been revealed that wherefrom the fragrance of the providence of our gracious Lord is wafted abroad. The last letter of that Beloved of souls concluded with supplication unto God. At the moment when it was being presented, as soon as it reached those words wherein she had prayed: “My God and my Beloved! Exalt that soul who exalteth Thy Cause, and becometh the means for the exaltation and uplifting of Thy Cause”—at that station the Sun of this utterance shone forth from the horizon of the Will of the Lord of all creation. He—glorified be His majesty—said:

O thou who hast quaffed the choice wine of My utterance! We have exalted thee, aided thee, raised thee up, and made mention of thee, that thou mayest make mention of the Cause of thy Lord, the Mighty, the Generous.

This glory shall not be altered, nor shall the hosts of the world be able to veil it; for God hath bestowed it, and it is from God. Ere long its traces shall appear upon the earth. Hold fast to My remembrance, and arise to serve My Cause with spirit and fragrance, with wisdom and with utterance. Thus doth the All-Merciful command thee from this mighty, impregnable station. Take counsel with him, and with certain friends who are true and trusted and who are, in reality, adorned with the ornament of love; and arise to do that which leadeth to unity and concord. By My life! God will assuredly raise up whomsoever He loveth, and will make manifest his station among His creatures. Verily, He is the Friend of him that befriendeth Him, and the Helper of him that helpeth Him, in His mighty, His wondrous Day. Ended.

At this station the ocean of utterance surged in such wise that memory, thought, and strength departed from this servant. “Verily we are God’s, and to Him shall we return.” The Cause is in the hand of God. I know not what to say—how near was the body to soar, and how the spirit! After the submission of the supplication, and the revelation of verses, and the manifestation of favors, and the appearance of the signs of mercy, and the outpourings of bounty, the mention of the devoted and steadfast souls—upon them be the glory of God and His loving-kindness—whose names were in the letter of that Beloved, was laid before the most exalted, the most holy Court. This is that wherewith the Sun of Truth hath shone forth from the horizon of the heaven of utterance. He—glorified be His majesty, magnified His bounty, and exalted His most great glory—said:

In My Name, He Who is mentioned in the Scriptures, the Sacred Books and Tablets.

This is a Book sent down from God, the Lord of eternity, unto all parties and peoples. Blessed is he that heareth and seeth, and woe betide every doubting denier. O My Most Exalted Pen! Make mention of them who have clung to the hem of the robe of thy Lord’s loving-kindness, with a mention that shall draw unto it hearts and spirits. Make mention of My servant, the Great, who hath acknowledged this Most Great Announcement and drunk the choice wine of understanding from the hands of the bounty of thy Lord, the All-Merciful, Who uttereth in every state that there is none other God but Him, the Mighty, the All-Bestowing.

We made mention of thee aforetime from the direction of the Snow-White Spot, from the Divine Lote-Tree, with a mention through which the fragrance of eternity was wafted among the peoples. Give thanks unto God for this most great remembrance in My Most Great Prison and say: Praise be unto Thee, O Source of Revelation and Revealer of verses! By My life! A single letter of My verses is worth more than all the treasures of the earth—to this beareth witness He with Whom is the Mother Book.

Say: O concourse of the peoples! By God, the Book crieth out in the midmost heart of the world and summoneth the peoples unto the Lord of eternity, yet the people are in a strange sleep. Say: He hath come, before Whom all the books of the earth have bowed down. Take heed, O ye who are endued with discernment! Fear the All-Merciful, O people of all existence! Judge fairly in this Cause at whose appearance the Trumpet was sounded and the mountains passed away. Say: Bring forth what ye possess, O peoples of the earth, that We may weigh what We have and what ye have in this Balance which hath been set up with justice by God’s command, the Lord of Lords. This is a Day wherein the Balance proclaimeth with its loudest voice: I am the Distinguisher, the All-Knowing, from the presence of the Lord of all religions.

We make mention of him who was named Haydar from this Most Great Scene, to give him glad tidings of My mercy and loving-kindness, and draw him nigh unto the station which God hath made the object of circumambulation for the denizens of the Most Exalted Paradise and the dwellers of the Kingdom of Names at morn and eventide. By My life! Wert thou to become aware of that which is with thy Lord, such joy and gladness would seize thee that all pens would be powerless to describe it. Be thou steadfast in serving My Cause, and vocal in My praise, and directed towards My horizon, and clinging to the hem of the robe of My loving-kindness. Thus did We command thee before, and in this Tablet from whose horizon hath shone the sun of wisdom and utterance.

O Haydar! Counsel My servants concerning My qualities and that which hath been revealed in My Book. Verily thy Lord is the Commander, the Mighty, the All-Knowing. Beware lest the affairs of men debar thee from the Truth. Cast aside all else but Me, then turn thy face towards My direction and say: I bear witness that Thou wert recorded by the Most Exalted Pen and concealed within God’s knowledge, the Lord of all men. Praise God for having been mentioned in the presence of the Wronged One, Who hath sent down for thee that which hath illumined the horizons.

O ʿAli-Akbar! Upon thee be My glory and My mercy. Rejoice that the Most Great Ocean hath turned towards thee from this Most Luminous, Most Ancient Station, and hath desired to make mention of thy uncle and his son, that they may rejoice in God’s remembrance on a Day whereon faces were darkened and feet did slip. Blessed is he who heard and turned towards God; woe unto him who turned away from Him Who made mention of him by night and day. We give them glad tidings and proclaim from this Station Our glorification unto them, that they may arise to serve My Cause before which necks have bowed. And We make mention of God’s loved ones and His friends in the land of Sin and Nun, and give them glad tidings of the Sun and its radiance, and the Sea and its waves, and the Heaven and its elevation, and the Stars and their lights, and that which hath been inscribed for them by My Most Exalted Pen in the Crimson Scroll. Thus doth God recompense His servants as a token of His grace, and He is the Mighty, the All-Bountiful.

O Yahya! Hearken unto the Call from the precincts of ʿAkka, from the right hand of the Luminous Spot, from the Divine Lote-Tree: Verily, there is no God but Me, the Self-Sufficient, the Most High. Dost thou know Who speaketh unto thee, and dost thou recognize Who hath turned towards thee? Say: Yea, by Thy Self! The One Who conversed on Sinai speaketh unto me, and the Lord of the Manifestation hath turned towards my face as a token of His grace, for He is in truth the Self-Sufficient, and I am the poor and needy one. O Yahya! Counsel My servants to trustworthiness and truthfulness, and to that whereby God’s remembrance may be exalted in the cities and lands. Open ye the hearts through the hosts of goodly character. Thus have We commanded Our servants before, and in this Book, and thus have We adorned the pages of the Book of Existence with mention of the Intended One, that thou mayest thank thy Lord, the Lord of all mankind.

And We make mention of him who was named Mawla in this Most Exalted Station with My sweetest call, and I am verily powerful over whatsoever I desire. Arise to make mention and offer praise, and glorify thy Lord, the Lord of the Final End. We have remembered you with such remembrance as hath caused the valley of Batha to overflow, and the Euphrates of My mercy to stream forth from every direction. Say: O people! Deprive not yourselves of the Water of Life. Fear ye the All-Merciful Who hath come with the hosts of divine revelation and the standards of His verses. Say: Will there remain with you what ye behold this day? Nay, by My true Self! All that is on earth shall perish, and sovereignty shall remain with Him alone. To this beareth witness every tree, stone, clod and pebble.

We make mention of the Guide whom We guided to the straight path. O Hadi! The Wronged One makes mention of thee and bids thee and them that have believed to observe that which ye have been commanded by Him Who causes the dawn to break. By God! The Day of God speaketh the truth in this Castle which God hath made the Most Great Horizon. Know this, O ye men of understanding! Say: Cast aside that which the people possess. The Monarch of existence hath come with the standards of revelation and inspiration. O people of the earth! Fear God, and deprive not yourselves of Him through Whom was manifested that which lay hidden in the Books and Tablets. Take hold of the Book of God with might, and follow not every doubting ignorant one. Thus have We illumined the horizon of the heaven of knowledge with the light of utterance. Blessed is he who hath heard and seen, and woe unto every heedless imposter.

O My Most Exalted Pen! Make mention of him who hath heard thy shrill voice and turned toward thee, who hath been named Yusuf, that he may rejoice in this remembrance before which, when it appeared, all remembrances bowed down in adoration. We have appeared and manifested the Cause in such wise that hearts were stirred and eyes were fixed in wonder, except for those who cast behind them idle fancies, turning unto God, the Dawning-Place of lights. Blessed is he who hath attained unto the hearing of My call and found the fragrance of My garment and was awakened by the breezes of My loving-kindness as they wafted forth at dawn. This is a Day wherein all things have been attracted by the call of Him Who is the Lord of Names, yet the people remain in heedlessness and slumber. Well is it with him who hath found the fragrance of the utterance and hath arisen to serve the Cause in the morning and in the evening. We have heard thy mention and have made mention of thee, and We have seen thy turning and have turned toward thee from the Dayspring of remembrance.

We make mention of Ali-Qabl-Muhammad and give him and those who have believed the glad-tidings of My mercy and My loving-kindness and My bounty, to which all atoms bear witness. Put thy trust in all things in Him Who conversed with the Tree, and hold fast unto that which hath been sent down in the Book from Him Who sendeth the winds. Beware lest the imaginings of the divines hold thee back from Him Who created the heavens, or the might of rulers deter thee from the Dawning-Place of certitude. Pay no heed to numbered days; they shall pass away, and the believers shall find themselves in the highest paradise. We bid you in all circumstances to observe wisdom, lest the clamor of them that have denied the ultimate end be raised. Thus hath the fragrance of utterance been wafted throughout the contingent world. Blessed is he who hath found it, and woe unto every denying impostor.

We make mention of My loved ones in Shin and Ha, and give them glad-tidings of My turning toward them, and We pronounce greetings upon their faces from this Station which hath been adorned with the lights of the countenance of their Lord, the Mighty, the All-Forgiving. O My loved ones! Rejoice in that which hath been sent down unto you from the heaven of the Command, then thank your Lord, the All-Merciful, at all times. He hath forgiven you and guided you and preferred you above most of His servants. We have made mention of everyone whose name was mentioned before the Face, and then those whose names were not mentioned. Verily, He doeth what He willeth through His sovereignty, and He is the Mighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

Section 6: “We make mention of him who hath been…”

We make mention of him who hath been named Khanlar and give him glad-tidings of My inexhaustible favors. Rejoice in Our having made mention of thee and of those who have believed in verses for which souls would be sacrificed. Confine thy affairs to the remembrance and praise of God. When one of His loved ones visits thee, arise to serve him with spirit and fragrance. Let not the affairs of the world and what transpireth therein sadden thee. Leave them behind thee and hold fast unto the cord of God, the Lord of creation. Glory be upon thee and upon thy children and thy family and upon every patient believer.

After the waves of the ocean of inner meanings and the dawning of the lights of divine utterance, what can this servant mention and what can he submit? At one time this most exalted Word issued from the tongue of the Lord of Names—indeed it caused the heart to burn, sighs to ascend and tears to fall—His word, exalted be His grandeur:

“O servant in attendance! Thou dost witness and hear that at all times the shrill voice of the Pen of Grace is raised and the call of the Wronged One is loud, and all hath been for the guidance of the servants and salvation of all on earth. Would that, in return for this supreme gift and this mighty favor, they would unite on the Cause of God and hold fast to that which is the cause of its loftiness and elevation, that perchance a sweet fragrance might waft from pure deeds and spiritual qualities and inform the world of that which hath appeared. This fragrance, should it be diffused, is a truthful messenger and perfect herald and expositor. Blessed is he who hath attained unto My utterance and recognized what the Kingdom of My Will desired.”

This poor one hath ever been astounded and bewildered at what hath appeared. They turn towards the buzzing of a gnat and away from the scratching of the Most Exalted Pen. They count a foul odor as beloved while depriving themselves of the fragrance of the supreme Paradise. All matters are evident and manifest—soon thy holiness shall see them. Thus hath informed Me He with Whom is the Mother Book.

At this time thy third letter arrived like the breeze of true spring upon this withered, prostrate form. It bestowed bounties and showed favors. Praise be to God, the herald of love is appearing and passing by, and God willing this herald shall not be prevented and shall not cease from movement.

After reading and becoming informed, it was presented at the peerless station, and after attaining presence and permission, thy beloved prayer was offered before the throne of the All-Merciful with the utmost joy and fragrance. This is what the Tongue of Eternity and Lord of the worlds uttered, blessed and exalted be His words:

“O thou who hast turned to My face and art attracted by My verses! We have heard thy call and that wherewith thou didst commune with God, thy Lord. We heard thy sighs and saw thy tears in thy love for God, thy Beloved and thy Goal. We witnessed the fire of thy love and the burning of thy heart and thy humility and submissiveness and the trembling of thy limbs in thy passion and devotion to God. We were with thee in the gatherings and assemblies when thou didst speak of this Most Great Name and this News wherewith We had given glad tidings to the Prophets and Messengers. Blessed art thou and blessed are they whom the circumstances of vain imaginings prevented not, who arose and said: ʿGod is our Lord and the Lord of the mighty throne.’ Convey My greetings to My loved ones. Say: By God, My heart lamenteth and Mine eye weepeth for what hath befallen My Cause, the Mighty, the Wondrous. Hold fast to the cord of unity and what hath passed you by in the days of God, the Lord of the worlds. Thus have We lit the lamp of counsel with the oil of grace and the fire of love. If ye preserve it not from the winds, be not the cause of its extinction. Fear the All-Merciful and reflect on the favor of your Lord, the Forgiving, the Merciful. Arise to serve the Cause—it is better for you than whatsoever hath been created in the heavens and earths.”

With a hundred thousand tongues this evanescent servant beseeches the friends of God to arise with all their hearts and strive together, that perchance the peoples of the world may become aware and cognizant of that which God, exalted be His glory, hath willed. Were they to enumerate the differences and perceive the unseemly deeds, by the life of your Beloved and my Beloved, they would flee and mock. In one of the Tablets He saith: The friends must be even as the arteries in the body of the world. Therefore must all manifest such deeds and character that the whole world may, by reason thereof, be drawn to them and set in motion. A hundred thousand souls be sacrificed for them that act for the sake of God! Where are they who prefer God before themselves and who act in His path that which conduceth to the progress and love of the peoples of the world? Through God’s grace it is hoped that the seeds of bounty deposited in hearts will sprout forth and be adorned with delicate fruits. His is the Command, and He is the Mighty, the Powerful.

The mention of Aqa Shaykh ʿAbbas, upon him be the Glory of God, was recorded by His pen. This matter was presented before the throne whence shineth forth the light of oneness, and this most exalted Tablet was specifically revealed for him from the heaven of grace. God willing, may he drink from the flowing waters in the divine Tablet and attain the honor of meeting and the bounty of our Lord, the Lord of Names. His word, exalted be His utterance, sublime be His grace, and glorified be His majesty:

He is the All-Seeing, the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing

O Abbas! The Wronged One remembers thee with a remembrance whereby those who are nigh unto God, the Lord of the seen and unseen, are attracted. The Hour has come, the Call has been raised, the Cry has appeared, the mountains have passed away, yet the people remain unaware. The world has been revolutionized, the Throne has been established, and upon it is seated the Lord of Manifestation, He Who conversed on Sinai, yet most people comprehend not. The Mother Book has appeared and calls out between earth and heaven with the most exalted call, summoning all to the praiseworthy station. Among the people are those who deny, those who turn away, those who dispute the signs of God, the Lord of what was and what shall be, and those who violated God’s Covenant and His Pact with such tyranny as caused the dwellers of the cities of names and the inhabitants of the Kingdom to lament. When We observed closely, We found most of Our enemies to be among the divines. Thus does the Most Glorious Tongue recount unto thee from the Supreme Horizon. He, verily, is the Truth, the Knower of the unseen.

We revealed knowledge for the recognition of Him Who is known. Yet when the horizon of Revelation shone forth and the Known One appeared, the divines denied Him at the outset, save those whom God, the Lord of existence, willed. Say: O concourse of divines! Cast aside what ye possess. By God! The Most Exalted Pen has raised its shrill voice and gives glad tidings to all of the appearance of Him Whom ye sought at eventide and at morn. Say: What aileth you, O heedless ones, that ye seek the House yet turn away from Him Who raised it by His command? Fear God and follow not your desires. Follow Him Who hath come unto you with a manifest Book, before Whom, when He appeared, all the books of the world bowed down in submission, if ye be fair-minded. Be not of those who denied the Witness and the Witnessed. This is the Day promised unto you in God’s scriptures and Books, and this is the Cause whose pledge was taken by Him Who knoweth what was and what shall be.

Say: O company of oppressors! Ye have committed that which caused the Concourse on High to cry out, the denizens of Paradise to lament, and caused the sighs of the Most Exalted Paradise and the tears of the angels and the Spirit to descend. Say: If ye possess something greater than what hath come from the heaven of divine Will, then produce it, and follow not every rejected ignorant one. Say: Come, that I may show you that of which ye were heedless on this Day which hath been attributed to God, the Mighty, the Loving. This is the Day whereon the fragrance of the All-Merciful was diffused, the breezes of Revelation wafted, and the Nightingale of the Cause sang upon the branches: “The Kingdom is God’s, the Lord of all sovereignty.”

O Abbas! Arise to serve the Cause in the name of thy Lord, the Ancient of Days, and remind the people of this Most Great News, at whose appearance the limbs of vain imaginings and idle fancies trembled. Beware lest the might of princes and the doubts of divines hold thee back from the Lord of Names. Be as an immovable mountain in this irrevocable Cause. Say: He hath come with the truth and payeth no heed to your acceptance or rejection. He hath appeared and revealed what He desired despite your wishes, did ye but know. He it is Who speaketh in every condition:

“There is no God but Me, the Single, the One, the Mighty, the Beloved.”

Thus have We opened before thy face the gate of grace with the key of justice. When thou hast attained unto it, say:

“Praise be to Thee, O God of the seen and unseen! I testify that Thou hast forsaken comfort for the elevation of the nations, accepted abasement for the glory of the world, and chosen exile that Thy servants might reach the Supreme Homeland, the station which God hath made sanctified beyond the comprehension of minds.”

O thou who hast turned to the Countenance! Take the sealed wine in the name of the Wronged One, then drink thereof with this remembrance whereby souls have been attracted. We have written for thee the reward of attainment unto Our presence with My Most Exalted Pen in the Crimson Tablet. Rejoice, then give thanks to the Lord of the Frequented Fane. We have accepted thy turning, thy devotion and thy deeds in the path of God. Blessed art thou for having adorned thy deeds with the ornament of acceptance.

O beloved of my heart! It seems that upon every word of the divine utterances there is a herald who calls out at the top of his voice to all who dwell on earth. Glory be to God! What has befallen the world that they have deprived themselves of this most great favor and occupied themselves with that which neither nourishes nor enriches. In any case, praise be to God that the aforementioned person has attained the supreme honor and has been distinguished by mention from the Most Exalted Pen. God willing, may they recognize the worth of this most exalted station and partake and share with others from the Salsabil, Kawthar and Tasnim of divine utterance, that both that beloved one and this servant may speak the word “Welcome” and say “Well done!” How excellent is this fragrance—I know not whence it comes! Praise be to its Manifestation, its Sender, its Source, its Creator, its Originator and its Author. This ephemeral one also conveys greetings and salutations to them and begs for prayers for divine confirmation. Verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, is powerful over all things.

And concerning what your honor mentioned about Muhammad Karim who emigrated in the previous year, he has attained unto the hearing of our Lord, the All-Merciful, and there was revealed for him that which gladdeneth the hearts of the knowing ones. His Word is complete and His proof perfected.

In My Name through which every perspicuous Book hath been sent down

God testifieth that there is none other God but Him, the Supreme, the Self-Subsisting. We have sent down the verses and manifested the clear tokens and dispatched the Messengers to bring glad tidings to the servants of this Revelation, whereby hath appeared that which was mentioned by the tongue of the Prophets and inscribed in the Books of God, the Lord of all worlds. When the Cause was revealed and the verses were sent down and the Temple of the Revelation was established upon the throne, the people arose in opposition, save those whom the hand of Divine power preserved from a Mighty, Ancient Source. O Karim! Hearken unto that which the Wronged One calleth out to thee from the precincts of the Prison, and remembereth thee with that from which thou dost find the fragrance of eternity. Thy Lord, verily, is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. Blessed is the face that hath turned toward the Most Sublime Horizon, and the one who hath walked the path of God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy.

We have heard thy call when thou didst catch the fragrance of My raiment from the direction of Hijaz, the place which We illumined with the lights of the countenance of Muhammad, the Messenger of God and the Seal of the Prophets. We heard mention of thee before, and remembered thee in a Book which none hath known save the One, the All-Informed. Blessed is he who hath cast away vain desire and followed that which he was bidden by God, the Lord of all men. He is among the most exalted of creation in His perspicuous Book. Well is it with thee for having cast behind thee idle fancies, turning unto the Dayspring of thy Lord’s revelation, the Most Merciful, the Compassionate.

He, verily, aideth whom He willeth through a sovereignty from His presence, and guideth those who turn unto His straight path. This is a Day wherein hath appeared that which had not appeared from all eternity. To this testifieth He Who speaketh the truth in every circumstance—there is none other God but Him, the Most Exalted, the Most Great. When thou dost attain unto My Book and find the fragrance of My utterance, glorify thy Lord with praise, then thank Him for this bounty the like of which the eye of creation hath never beheld. To this testifieth every fair-minded scholar and every discerning mystic. Grieve not over anything; what thou hast done in His path hath been accepted. He, verily, doth not suffer the reward of the doers of good to be lost. Thus hath the horizon of utterance been illumined with the light of the mention of thy Lord, the Compassionate, the Bountiful.

Section 7: “This is yet another bounty, another mercy…”

This is yet another bounty, another mercy, and another favor for those who have turned unto Him, drawn nigh unto His holy court, and inhaled the air that was adjacent to the air of this exalted Prison. God willing, may they be set ablaze by the fire of divine love which is manifest and resplendent from each of its letters, and may they speak His praise with complete steadfastness through wisdom and utterance. His is the favor and the bounty in all conditions, and He is the All-Bountiful throughout all eternity.

And regarding the mention which that beloved one made of the souls who have turned unto God—upon them be the Glory of God—these were presented one by one in the Most Holy Court—God was, and there was nothing else beside Him—and there was sent down from the heaven of Will for each one specially that which would guide the stranger to his homeland, lead the thirsty to the Salsabil, unite the lover with the Beloved, and draw the seeker to the direction of the Sought One. Great is His beneficence, exalted is His grandeur, all-encompassing is His grace, and supreme is His dominion.

O thou who hast dawned from the horizon of the heaven of My mighty Kingdom

O Salim! The All-Bountiful remembers thee from the prison, purely for His sake, that thou mayest hear the scratching of My Most Exalted Pen and the cooing of the Bird of Eternity upon the branches of the Divine Lote-Tree. Verily, there is none other God but Me, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. Blessed is the heart that is drawn to the verses of God, the face that hath turned toward Him, and the tongue that hath spoken His wondrous remembrance. Look not to the divines and their pride, but look to Him Who remembereth thee from this mighty prison. Say: He hath appeared with the truth and hath arisen to fulfill His Cause with a sovereignty that the affairs of vain imaginings have not hindered, nor have the veils of the wayward obscured it.

How many a learned one hath been deprived of God’s grace and mercy, and how many an unlettered one hath attained unto this radiant wine! Give thanks unto God for having made thee recognize the Dawning-Place of His Cause and the Dayspring of His Revelation, and for having protected thee from the doubts of those who have denied His mighty proof. Be thou steadfast in the love of God and His Cause in such wise that the unified may inhale from thee the fragrance of steadfastness in this Great Announcement, whereat the Concourse on High and the dwellers of Paradise have rejoiced in a noble station.

This is what hath been revealed for him who was named Mirza Abu’l-Hasan

In My name, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise

O Abu’l-Hasan! Thou wert mentioned in the presence of the Wronged One, and the heaven of the All-Merciful’s utterance hath turned toward thee. This is a heaven whose planets have not been and never shall be numbered, and whose suns and moons perpetually shine and rise at the point of decline. Every sage is bewildered in enumerating them, and every mighty one powerless to comprehend and define them. He counseleth thee to be truthful and fair, for had all the peoples of the world been adorned with the ornament of fairness, they would not have been deprived of the recognition of the Most Great Name and the Lord of Eternity. This Wronged One hath, according to the fancy of the suspicious, judged contrary to God’s judgment.

What fault had the Apostle of God and the Seal of the Prophets—may the souls of all else be sacrificed for His sake—that for successive years they rose up to persecute Him? Some called Him a liar, others a madman, some a sorcerer, and yet others an impostor. All that hath been mentioned, this servant and other servants have heard and known. Consider, beyond His blessed person, Jesus Christ—what was the cause that made those on earth rise up to deny Him? That which befell the Manifestations of God’s Cause hath caused every fair-minded person to weep and lament. The cause and source of denial in every age and century were the divines of that time, whose love of leadership prevented them from turning towards God. Lo! They are in manifest error. We hope that thou wilt reflect upon what hath passed and discover the straight path of God.

There is and hath been no doubt that this Wronged One speaketh for God’s sake and summoneth unto God. Neither doth denial harm Him, nor doth acceptance profit Him. Leave the suppositions and idle fancies of the people to the people, and turn with an illumined heart to God, glorified be His majesty, that perchance the gate of recognition may be opened before thy face and thou mayest not be deprived of the lights of His countenance after the passing away of all things. Verily, He speaketh the truth and guideth mankind to His luminous horizon.

This is what hath been revealed for his honor Mashhadi Nasru’llah

In My name, the One Who ruleth over all names

O Nasru’llah! The Lord of mankind makes mention of thee while imprisoned in this remote spot, and gives thee the glad tidings of God’s bounty and mercy. There is none other God but Him. He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He pleaseth. Bear thou witness as God hath borne witness that there is none other God but Me, the Single, the All-Informed. Thou wert remembered before the Wronged One, and there have been revealed for thee these verses which nothing created on earth can equal, thy Lord, the All-Knowing, beareth witness to this. Blessed art thou for having cast aside the doubts of the people and drunk from the ocean of certitude. Know thou the station of Him Who hath guided thee, then give thanks unto thy Lord, the Helper, the Generous. Let not the affairs of men grieve thee, nor the kings and rulers frighten thee. It behooveth everyone who hath turned to My horizon to forsake the earth and all that is therein, and to turn toward the conquest of hearts through My Name, the Mighty, the Wise. Riches belong to the people of glory, but hearts belong to God, the Lord of the worlds.

We make mention in this place of him who was named Abu’l-Qasim, who migrated until he attained the presence of his Lord, the Mighty, the Generous. We counsel him to remain steadfast in this Most Great Cause and We invoke for him that which befitteth the grace of God, the Most High, the Most Great. Glory be upon the people of glory who have won the mention of My Beautiful Name.

This evanescent servant hopes that through the mercy and loving-kindness of the Purpose of the worlds, His hand of bounty will take hold of all and lead them from the nethermost fire to the most exalted paradise. Nothing can frustrate Him and no affair can escape His knowledge. He giveth through grace and withholdeth through wisdom. He is the Powerful, the Commander, the Ordainer.

Concerning what thou didst write about Mulla Muhammad (upon him be 9 66 [Baha’u’llah]) from the people of Ya, and likewise his ascent upon the steps of utterance to the heaven of knowledge of our Lord, the All-Merciful—this was presented, and these sublime words were revealed from the Manifestation of divine knowledge and the Source of the Lord’s command, and verily a station that cannot be known or described was made manifest and revealed concerning him. His blessed and exalted Word:

In the name of the Everlasting Speaker

O Muhammad! We beseech God to aid thee to attain knowledge and certitude and to serve His Cause in such wise that should all the peoples of the world arise to prevent thee, they would be powerless to do so. Today the Spirit of God calleth in the wilderness of the Holy Land, and the Light of God dawneth from the horizon of His Will, and the fragrance of His Robe is diffused, and the breezes of revelation are passing by; yet the servants remain fixed in their own heedlessness. Strive thou to drink from the Kawthar of the knowledge of the All-Merciful and partake of the descended feast, that thou mayest guide the people of the world to the Most Exalted Horizon through wisdom and utterance.

The people are heedless; an expounder is needed. Arise to serve the Cause of God that thou mayest become the servant of the world, and be enkindled with the fire of His love that thou mayest become the beloved of all horizons. Though some mysteries have been unveiled, most remain hidden and concealed in Divine knowledge, for were the mysteries of the Day of God and the stations of the assured and tranquil souls to be revealed even to the extent of a needle’s eye, thou wouldst behold all people circling round the dawning-places of what was and what shall be. Stand firm in the Name of Truth and arise to make good what hath been lost. Time is most precious, nay more precious than the red sulphur. Counsel the people to spiritual attributes and goodly deeds. Blessed are they who act for God’s sake and are turned toward Him.

Say: O concourse of the earth! Beware lest the books of the world hold you back from the Book of God, the All-Compelling, the Self-Subsisting, which hath been sent down from the heaven of grace from the presence of the Truth, the Knower of things unseen. Say: By God! That which the people possess will profit you not. Fear the All-Merciful, then turn unto Him with radiant faces and illumined hearts.

Thus doth He command you in Whose grasp is the control of all knowledge. Say: O concourse of divines! Purify your hearts from that which ye possess that ye may hear the scratching of the Most Exalted Pen and the rustling of the Lote-Tree beyond which there is no passing from this glorious station. This is a Day wherein the treasures of the world and the ranks of nations will not suffice you. Cast them behind you, seeking that which is with God, the Lord of what was and what shall be. We counsel thee and them who have believed to manifest the Greater Steadfastness in this Cause whereby the pillars of names have been shaken, save whom God willeth, the Lord of existence. Thus surgeth the ocean of My utterance and wafteth the fragrance of My loving-kindness. When thou seest and findest, arise and say:

“I testify that Thou hast accepted the world’s tribulations for the exaltation of God’s Cause and hast borne afflictions in the love of God, the Creator of the heavens and the Lord of Names, until Thou wast imprisoned in the Most Great Prison for the salvation of the peoples. I beseech Thee by the Most Great Name through which Thou hast subdued the kingdom of names, that Thou disappoint me not of what is with Thee and withhold me not from what Thou hast ordained for Thy trusted ones and chosen ones. O Lord! Thou seest me turning unto Thee and holding fast to Thy cord. I beseech Thee to confirm me in steadfastness in this Cause whereby the feet of most of Thy creatures have slipped. There is none other God but Thee, the Most High, the Compassionate, the All-Forgiving, the All-Bountiful.”

God willing, may they be confirmed in that which hath been commanded from the Tongue of Grandeur and drink from the cups of bounty in such wise that the prevention of the oppressors shall not hold them back. In truth, if in these days one fails to gain his portion and remains deprived of the outpourings of the All-Bountiful, what else can bring him contentment and joy? It would be most regrettable should these precious times pass while one remains heedless. God willing, all the friends should arise with utmost endeavor to serve with full detachment, purity, fairness and consultation. First they must seek to remedy whatever they observe that causes division, and then engage in service with joy, fragrance and wisdom. The affairs of the people and the world will all be set aright. Such utterances have been heard repeatedly from the Ancient Tongue. A hundred thousand blessings and joy to those souls who arise to do that which causes the exaltation of the Cause and comfort of the peoples of the world. In truth, exaltation itself is comfort, but people in their ignorance are heedless of this. God willing, that loved one and this servant pray that they may be led from the left hand of ignorance to the right hand of knowledge.

As for what you wrote concerning the sister of the King of Martyrs, may our spirits be sacrificed for him—it was presented before the Throne. Thus did the Tongue of Grandeur speak:

“O Ali, the glance of favor has been and will continue to be directed toward her and those related to the Two Luminous Ones. We have instructed Ismu’llah Mihdi to give complete instructions to Sadiq, glory upon him, regarding her rights. Likewise from the Supreme Pen it was written that if the sister has any rights they must be fulfilled—justice and fairness must prevail. We, from this station, glorify her and give her the glad tidings of My grace and mercy.”

And regarding her orientation toward the Point and the arising of a leaf among leaves in a way that God loves and is pleased with—this matter attained the honor of being heard by the Lord of Names. He said:

“O servant present, blessed is she, again blessed is she. It behooveth that there descend upon her from the heaven of My bounty that which shall immortalize her remembrance as a reward for her deed. My Most Exalted Pen shall write for her and give her glad tidings of the acceptance of what appeared from her. We command the Branch to write for My handmaiden and My leaf that which hath been sent down from the heaven of the will of her Creator and hath appeared from the horizon of the loving-kindness of her Fashioner, that it may be a treasure and honor for her in all the worlds of her Lord.”

Section 8: “The light of the Sun of grace illumined…”

The light of the Sun of grace illumined the worlds of the seen and unseen. O beloved of my heart, observe how a pleasing deed is beloved in the sight of God. Should one spend seas of elixir and the treasures of the world, they would surely not attain to such mention. A deed appeared and was adorned with the ornament of acceptance in such wise that from the Dayspring of the utterance of the All-Merciful there appeared that whose fragrance shall never cease throughout the kingdoms of earth and heaven. Convey on behalf of this servant glorification and greetings to that leaf. Upon her be the glory of her Lord, upon her be the glory of her Lord. And this is what was sent down for her from the heaven of the grace of our Lord, the Forgiving, the Generous.

In My Name, the Manifest, the Evident

O my leaf! Upon thee be my glory! Rejoice thou in what hath been sent down unto thee from the Supreme Pen. Verily He hath made mention of thee and given thee glad tidings of that which hath appeared from thee in the path of God, the All-Possessing, the Self-Subsisting. Be thou thankful and hold fast to the hem of grace and say: Praise be unto Thee, O God of existence and Lord of the seen and unseen, for having aided me to perform a deed which hath won the ornament of Thy acceptance and been adorned with Thy good-pleasure. By Thy life, O Beloved of my heart! That which Thou hast bestowed upon me cannot be equalled by whatsoever hath been created in Thy heaven and earth. Verily Thou art the Bountiful, the Generous.

The Truth, exalted be His glory, shall assist all to that which causeth the sweet savors of His good-pleasure to be wafted. One accepted deed today is equivalent to a hundred thousand deeds—nay, I seek God’s forgiveness for this limitation. Likewise concerning deeds that are not good, the Tongue of Grandeur once uttered this most exalted word—His word, exalted and glorified be He:

“O thou who art present! The favors of the Truth have made the people presumptuous in such wise that mention thereof is not befitting. The souls who have accepted must be made aware. Today, as the Sun of Manifestation is shining and the light of His countenance hath encompassed the world, many unseemly deeds are concealed and continue to be concealed. Verily He is the Concealer, the All-Wise.”

Today is the day of gladness and the day of supreme joy. The ocean of bounty is surging, the breeze of generosity is wafting, and the sun of grace is shining. However, it is now observed that unseemly deeds have reached such a point that they are nigh to touch the hem of the Truth, exalted be His glory, and rend the veil of reverence. All that hath transpired from the beginning of the Cause until now and which We have accepted was for the exaltation of God’s Word and the elevation of souls that are serene, steadfast, content and well-pleasing. Now the deeds of some have been and are being scattered to the winds, unless God, exalted be His glory, protecteth through His complete power, as indeed He hath done.

O thou who art present! Write to ʿAli—upon him be My glory and My loving-kindness—that he should remind all the friends in that land and make them aware of that which profiteth them, that perchance they may return from that which hath escaped them and hold fast unto the Truth, and that which hath become the cause of harm and the source of the abasement of souls may be purified by the water of return. Verily He is the Oft-Returning, the All-Bountiful, the Generous.

These utterances have repeatedly streamed forth from the Tongue of Him Who revealeth the verses, and sometimes when this servant was present, he would observe the Ancient Beauty in such a state of grief and sorrow that trembling would seize this evanescent one’s frame. The cause of the Ancient Beauty’s sorrow is clear and evident and needeth no mention. Today the goodly deeds of the friends of God are heralds of His Cause amongst His servants. Such matters have repeatedly been revealed in the divine tablets that perchance they may prove beneficial and cause awakening. Otherwise, verily He is independent of all worlds.

Some time ago certain souls outwardly began to complain, yet no answer was revealed from the Most Holy Court. “My concealment hath preceded disclosure, and My patience hath preceded haste.” However, there is fear that our transgressions may lift the veil and rend the covering. I take hold of the hem of His bounty and beseech Him to assist His loved ones in that which He loveth and is pleased with, to protect them from that which harmeth them, and to guide them to that which profiteth them. Verily He is the Powerful, the All-Possessing, the Kind, the All-Forgiving.

According to His command, convey greetings from the True One to the emigrants in the land of Sad, may the Glory of God be upon them. God willing, may they be illumined by the light of unity and arise to serve the Cause, so that the effects of light may shine forth and become manifest in all regions. All have to some degree understood God’s good-pleasure; let them hold fast unto it and act accordingly. This is the cause of salvation in this world and the next. Your migration and tribulations have ever been beneath His gaze; God willing, they shall remain preserved.

Concerning what you wrote about Jinab-i-Aqa Mirza Aqa Baba, may the Glory of God be upon him, mention was made of him in the Most Holy Court, and he has been blessed with the lights of favor from the Sun of Truth. Blessed is he! In these days, Jinab-i-Aqa Mirza Ahmad, may the Glory of God be upon him, from or resident in Shah, sent a letter to this servant regarding Jinab-i-Mirza H-Y, may the Glory of God and His favors be upon him. Several names were mentioned therein, including that of Jinab-i-Aqa Mirza Aqa Baba. Most holy Tablets were revealed and sent specially for each one; God willing, they shall attain unto them. In truth, the matter is as that beloved one wrote, for the journey of Jinab-i-Mirza to those regions caused the Word to be uplifted. This suffices him, by the Lord of all worlds. When these words were heard from the beloved’s tongue, mention was made; otherwise this servant was not and is not worthy to make mention of his services.

Regarding what was written about the leaf, the wife of Jinab-i-Mirza H and Sin, may the Glory of God and His favors be upon them, it caused grief, and all the inmates of the pavilion of chastity were visibly overcome with utmost sorrow, and mention was also made in the Most Holy Court. On behalf of this evanescent one, convey condolences to Jinab-i-Mirza, and God willing, this servant himself shall also express what bespeaks his weakness and lowliness.

And concerning the mention of the ascension of Jinab-i-Haji Mirza Hasan-i-Harati, may the Glory of God be upon him, it was presented in the Most Holy Court. These exalted words were revealed especially for him, purely out of grace and favor. His words, exalted be His glory and mention and praise:

He is the Rememberer, the Helper

O Hasan! The Wronged One visits thee from His Most Exalted Station, which God hath made the point of circumambulation for the people of the highest paradise, and remembers thee with a remembrance through which the fragrance of divine favor hath wafted among all created things. Blessed art thou, and blessed is thy ascension, thy turning unto God, and thy arrival in the Supreme Companion and Most Glorious Station. I testify that thou didst turn toward the Ultimate Goal and the Most Exalted Horizon when the rustling of the Sidrat al-Muntaha was raised between earth and heaven. Thou didst bear witness to that which the Tongue of Grandeur did testify, and didst accept that which was sent down from His presence and appeared from His side. Blessed art thou for having attained forgiveness from the All-Merciful, and for the Supreme Concourse having detected from thee the fragrance of My love. Blessed is he who remembers thee as the Wronged One hath remembered thee in this forbidden station. Thou wert God’s and hast returned to the ocean of His mercy. This is naught but of His grace, the Mighty, the Beloved.

Praise be to God that they have been honored with such supreme bounty. Blessed are those souls who attain unto this most great favor and recognize its station. Pure, steadfast, and assured souls have had and continue to have their portion from the heaven of the grace of the All-Bountiful, which descends and flows upon them without cessation, whether in life or in death.

As to what you wrote concerning the ascension of the exalted and blessed Aqa Siyyid Abu-Talib, upon him be all the most glorious Glory of God, some time ago mention of him was sent to the Most Holy Court through Hadba and His name Zein, upon him be all the most glorious Glory of God, along with certain matters from the tongue of his family members, upon them be the Glory of God [9 66]. A detailed response was revealed and sent, and mention was also made of them in that blessed Tablet. His is the praise and favor in all conditions. May the Glory shining and gleaming from the horizon of our Lord’s favor be upon you and upon those with you, both men and women.

It is submitted that for some time two Most Holy and Most Mighty Tablets have been revealed from the heaven of the Divine Will specifically for the sons of the exalted and blessed Jinab-i-Dhabih, upon him be the Glory of God and the sea of His mercy. These were not sent during this period and were delayed until these days when they were dispatched. Perchance through divine favors they may become mindful and arise to that which is befitting and loved by God. The service of every soul is mentioned and considered in the Most Holy Court, even if it be to the extent of a needle’s eye.

The exalted Dhabih, upon him be the Glory of God, attained the honor of acceptance and faith in the early days. He has ever been and continues to be mentioned in the Most Holy Court. After hearing the Call, he tarried not for less than that moment—He Who possesses the Clear Book bears witness to this. Therefore consideration has been shown to them in all conditions and, God willing, will continue to be shown. This ephemeral one beseeches from God, exalted be His glory, their confirmation. Their loved ones should protect them with kindness. It is the prime of life, and the winds of youth blow from a different direction.

Another matter: the honored Khadijih Bigam, upon her be the Glory of God, has sent several letters to this servant, and this servant, due to the upheavals and conflicts in various regions, had not sent a reply until now when she forwarded a letter written several months ago to be delivered to that beloved one.

Similarly, this evanescent one wrote and sent a reply to the letter which his honor Aqa Muhammad Karim (upon him be the Glory of God) had sent to Hadrat-i-Ism-i-Jud (upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God). God willing, may they drink from the chalices of success at all times and act in accordance with what befits the Days of God. News has arrived from various quarters that his honor has acted according to what God has revealed in the Book and has specifically appointed a deputy for teaching. Blessed is he and joy be unto him! Whosoever acts according to what God has willed will surely bear fruit in this world and the next, will manifest influence, and will prove beneficial in both worlds.

Convey repeated greetings and salutations to the other friends in that land. Give glad tidings to his honor Ali Pasha Khan, upon him be the Glory of God, for his carpet arrived and was spread out one day, and the Ancient Beauty proceeded to the garden, and it was honored and blessed by the footsteps of His Holiness the Desired One (may my spirit be a sacrifice for His advent). They summoned his honor Haji Ghulam-Ali Musafir (upon him be the Glory of God) and said:

“If thou shouldst see his honor Pasha, upon him be my Glory, give him the glad tidings of the acceptance of what he has sent. Joy be unto him and congratulations be unto him!”

God willing, may they be so enkindled that their radiance may be manifest and evident. This evanescent one beseeches God, exalted be His Glory, to assist His chosen ones and loved ones to recognize what has been ordained for them, for if they become aware, the floods of the world would not be able to extinguish the fire of their love, and darkness would not overcome its light.

Among the new bounties is that special Tablets, wondrous and exalted, have been revealed for the mentioned names, both in this evanescent one’s handwriting as recorded in the letter, and in the blessed handwriting of His Holiness the Most Great Branch (may my spirit, my being, and my essence be a sacrifice for the dust of His footsteps). In truth, the recipients of the Tablets have become possessors of two stations, two Tablets, and two mentions. We must say with all our limbs and members:

“Praise be unto Thee, O Ancient Bestower, and glory be unto Thee, O Desired One of the worlds!”

Light and glory from the horizon of our Lord’s grace, the King of Names, be upon you all and upon those with you and upon God’s chosen ones and loved ones.

The servant 13th of Safar 1300