BH00024: Glorified art Thou, O Thou through Whose Name…

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

Glorified art Thou, O Thou through Whose Name the seekers of unity have hastened to the Dawning-Place of the lights of Thy countenance, and those who are nigh have drawn close to the Day-Spring of the signs of Thy oneness. Thou art He Who hath ever been seated upon the throne of Thy Will, ruling in Thy dominion according to that which Thy purpose hath ordained. The things of creation cannot frustrate what Thou willest, nor can the might of any in the kingdoms of creation render Thee powerless. I beseech Thee by the ocean of Thy bounty and the heaven of Thy grace to assist Thy loved ones in that which Thou hast willed in Thy days. Then protect them, O God of the world and Lord of eternity, from those who dispute Thy signs and rise up to extinguish Thy light.

I implore Thee by Thy mercy which hath preceded all existence to enable Thy servants to turn unto Thee, then cause them to hear Thy call which hath been raised betwixt Thy heaven and earth. O Lord! Thou knowest and seest what hath befallen Thy chosen ones at the hands of the oppressors among Thy creatures. Subdue them, O my God, through Thy Name whereby Thou hast subdued the tyrants of Thy earth and the Pharaohs in Thy lands. Then send down upon Thy loved ones that which shall adorn them with the ornament of Thy favors, and exalt them to such a station that their might and power in Thy Cause shall become manifest to all who are on earth. Thou art He Who doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He pleaseth. Within Thy grasp is the dominion of the kingdom of the heavens and the earth.

Thou knowest and seest, O my God, how my heart hath melted in the fire of love for Thy chosen ones, and how the tongue of my inner being standeth ready to praise them before Thee and to mention them in the court of Thy glory. Thou knowest, O my God, that the tribulations and adversities of the earth have not prevented me from turning toward the faces of those whom no affair can distract from Thy remembrance and praise, to such extent that after this servant had presented the reply to one of Thy loved ones, another letter from him reached me. When I read it and learned of his devotion and his arising to serve Thee, I took up the pen once again at that very moment and began writing in reply, seized neither by lassitude nor weariness.

I testify that this could only have come from the wonders of Thy generosity and the manifestations of Thy grace, and from what Thou hast deposited in my heart—a fire from whose sighing can be heard the mention of Thy loved ones. Then He toward whom Thou seest my gaze directed, and for whose mention before Thee the blood boils in my veins with longing—I beseech Thee, O God of the world, by the power of Thy Most Great Name, to assist him in all conditions to serve Thee and to arise amidst Thy creation to exalt Thy Most Great Word in such wise that nothing may hinder him. Verily, Thou art the Powerful over what Thou willest, and Thou art the Hearing, the Near, the Generous, the Answering One.

O beloved of my heart! The one true God is witness that from the fire of love for the friends of God, exalted be His glory, which is kindled within my being, I am continuously occupied with remembrance and praise, in such wise that no lassitude hath overtaken me. Most often am I engaged in verbal praise and written expression, and this bounty is naught but the result of the attention of His loved ones. For when this ephemeral one had finished mentioning all the letters of that beloved one, one after another, at that very moment when they were sent, another letter from that beloved one dated the third of Rabi’u’l-Avval passed like a morning breeze over my heart and brought awareness.

In truth, the joy and delight of this ephemeral one comes at times when mention is made of God, exalted be His glory, and of the services rendered to His Cause by the sincere ones and those who are nigh. Therefore, whenever a missive arrives from them and their services to the Cause are heard, it is verily a key unlocking the door of joy and delight. I beseech and implore God that this key may ever be at hand and this breeze may perpetually waft. Verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, is the Mighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

After being apprised thereof, it was presented at the Most Holy, Most Exalted, Most Glorious Threshold. His blessed and exalted Word:

In My Name, the Hearer, the Beholder, the Answerer

Rejoice, O Ali, that the shrill voice of My Most Exalted Pen hath been raised time and again in thy remembrance. By the life of the Beloved! Nothing that is witnessed or beheld can equal it. Verily thy Lord hath encompassed thee with His grace. He is indeed the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous. Wert thou to gather all that We have revealed for thee from My Most Glorious Station, thou wouldst behold a book of great magnitude, each letter of which is more precious in the sight of God than all things. To this testifieth every discerning knower. Be thou steadfast in My Cause, vocal in My praise, firm in holding fast to My cord, and soaring in this atmosphere wherein can be heard that which Moses heard on Sinai and the Beloved heard in His ascension. Verily thy Lord is the Explainer, the All-Wise. Thus have We caused thee to hear the warbling of the Bird of Inner Meanings from this wondrous and glorious atmosphere.

O Akbar! The Wronged One maketh mention of thee from the precincts of His Most Great Prison, and gladdeneth thee with the glad-tidings of God’s mercy and His loving-kindness, and commandeth thee that which beseemeth this Day which hath been mentioned in the Books of the Prophets and Messengers. Remind My servants of that which hath been sent down from the heaven of My bounty. By My life! Through it are attracted the hearts of the nations and are gladdened the breasts of them that have turned towards God. Say: O concourse of the earth! Be fair in your judgment concerning that which hath appeared from Him, and follow not the imaginings of such as have uttered that which was the greatest cause for the martyrdom of the Beloved of the world—He Who came with the truth and gave the glad-tidings of the appearance of the Hidden Treasure, at Whose manifestation all who are in the heavens and on earth were thunderstruck, save whom God willed, the Lord of all worlds.

O Akbar! The scratching of the Most Exalted Pen hath been raised between earth and heaven, while the buzzing of flies is heard from behind the veil. By God’s life! The people are in manifest error. Behold those who claim to be of the Bayan—they have carved with hands of falsehood an idol and taken it for themselves as lord besides God. Thus have their souls enticed them, and they are today among the idolaters. Say: If ye deny what the Dawning-Place of Names hath brought, by what proof do ye uphold that which ye possess? Be fair in your judgment and be not of those through whom the fire of hatred hath been kindled in the dominion of creation.

Fear God and be not of the wrongdoers. He concealed not Himself for less than a moment—to this testifieth every fair-minded and discerning one. He stood amongst His enemies with such steadfastness as was not shaken by the power of anyone on earth, nor was He deterred by the clamor of any mighty and powerful one. He arose amidst the world and called out with His loudest voice, summoning all to the supreme horizon. Among the people are those who have been fair, who have heard and responded, and those who have turned away and disbelieved in God Who created them by His command. Thus have We sent down the verses and dispatched them unto thee, that thou mayest recite them amidst those who have been so inebriated by the wine of inner meanings that they have cast the world behind their backs, turning unto God, the Mighty, the Powerful.

Blessed is he whose strength hath not been weakened by the conditions of the divines, and blessed is he whose vision hath not been obscured by the veils of those who have disbelieved in the Day of Judgment. The glory shining from the horizon of the brow be upon thee and upon those who are fair in God’s Cause and hearken to the melodies of the Bird of Utterance upon the branches, and upon every one steadfast and firm. Praise be to God, the Most High, the Most Great.

Concerning what you wrote about Jinab-i-Aqa Siyyid Sadiq (upon him be 9 66 [Baha’u’llah] and His favors) being appointed to the land of Ta for the purpose of teaching, this matter was presented before the Most Holy and Most Exalted Presence. His exalted Word:

“O Sad! We have verily sent down verses unto thee before and have sent them to thee. He, verily, is the Mighty, the Generous. Blessed art thou for having cast aside what the people possess and taken what thou wert commanded by God, the Lord of the worlds.

“Give thanks unto God for having made thee to attain imprisonment in His path and given thee to drink from the cups of tribulation in His love. Verily thy Lord, the All-Merciful, is the Compassionate, the Merciful. There hath befallen thee what befell My chosen ones before thee and what befell Mine own Self time and again. To this testify all things and beyond them the Tongue of God, the King, the Mighty, the All-Knowing. Reflect upon the former ages and what befell the Messengers of God at the hands of the oppressors. Say: Praise be unto Thee, O my God and the God of all who are in earth and heaven, for having made known unto me Thy Cause and given me to drink of the Kawthar of Thy love and shown me Thine all-highest horizon from which the people have turned away and made me to hear the warbling of the birds of Thy throne and the melody of the Nightingale upon the branches. I beseech Thee by Thy greatest signs and by the table sent down from the heaven of Thy bounty, O Lord of the Throne and of the earth, that Thou write down for me by Thy Most Exalted Pen the reward of those who have taught Thy Cause with wisdom and utterance and who have associated with Thy servants in days wherein the limbs of all names trembled with fear. O Lord! Thou seest the stranger desiring the most exalted homeland in Thy presence, and the poor one turning toward the ocean of Thy riches, and the lowly one clinging to the hem of the robe of Thy glory. O Lord! Disappoint him not of what he desireth from the wonders of Thy grace and bounty, then enable him to serve Thy Cause among Thy servants. Thou art verily the Powerful, the Strong, the Triumphant, the Mighty.”

Praise be to God that the Most Exalted Pen hath testified concerning him to that which befell him in the path of God. Can the treasures of earth equal this testimony? Can whatsoever is in the treasuries of kings compare with it? Nay, by His own true Self! All that hath been created hath come into being through one Word from non-existence into existence. Blessed is the one with vision whom the conditions of creation have not prevented from the Truth, and whom the croaking of the raven hath not held back from the cooing of the Dove of the Cause. This is a Day the like of which hath not been seen. The steadfast souls who are firm and upright, who have drunk from the ocean of steadfastness and who are gazing toward the Dayspring of verses, must exert their utmost endeavor in teaching the Cause of God.

This evanescent servant beseecheth the Exalted True One to assist His loved ones in that which is the cause and means of the remembrance of His servants. God willing, may they offer the wine of immortality in the name of the Lord of Names to the people of the Kingdom, that perchance they may not remain deprived of the ocean of the All-Merciful’s mercy and be not heedless of that which is intended.

This servant conveyeth his greetings and salutations to him and seeketh divine confirmation in all conditions.

Concerning what thou didst write about Aqa Abdu’l-Karim and his association with one of the imaginary persons, this explanation was submitted, and He said: “O Abdu’l-Karim! Reflect upon the cause and reason for all the tribulations and afflictions that befell the Primal Point and the friends of truth. By the life of God! If one were to reflect, he would soar on wings of detachment in this subtle and gentle atmosphere. The cause and reason were the fabricated words of imaginary persons. A person who did not exist—they fashioned a form through their vain imaginings, assigned him a locality, and gave him residence in cities of fancy. These vain imaginings caused that Essence of being to be martyred by bullets of hatred. The curse of God be upon the wrongdoing people!

“Reflect upon the Shi’ih sect. For nearly thirteen hundred years they counted themselves the most exalted, most God-fearing, most excellent and most learned among all peoples. Yet when the divine test came, they pronounced their verdict against the Sovereign of existence for Whose appearance they had been lamenting night and day, and they shed His most pure blood. Thus it became clear that the Shi’ih sect was lower and more ignorant than all other sects in the world, save for a few souls who attained to this station through other means.

Section 2: “God is My witness that the people who…”

“God is My witness that the people who have arisen today in complete opposition to this Wronged One have never had, nor do they now have, any knowledge of the essence of the Cause. They fabricate lies against God yet perceive it not, they say that which they know not, and they imagine themselves to be guided. Nay, by the Self of God, the Self-Subsisting! Now the worms of the earth are following the example of previous imaginary persons and are occupied in contriving the same vain imaginings. God protect us and thee from their evil and their scheming.

“God willing, thou wilt arise to promote the Cause of God in such wise that no one on earth will find occasion to oppose or object. Behold with thine eye His most exalted horizon, then hearken with thine ear to His most sweet call. This is what thou hast been bidden by God, the Lord of all beings and the Master of the Last and the First.

“Pray for the opposers and the veiled ones. Beseech the peerless God to guide all to the straight path and deny none His supreme bounty. He, verily, is the Almighty, the Powerful, and worthy to answer prayer.”

This evanescent servant conveyeth greetings to him and submitteth that one is astounded by these ignorant masses. This servant, as all the people of the Bayan can testify, spent twelve years, by the command of the Ancient Beauty, with that imaginary person. Not one of the opposers ever questioned this servant so that details could be given and they could become informed. Now it is observed that souls who have never seen and who are utterly unaware of God’s Cause, both past and present, have arisen and are occupied with leading pure souls astray. They have newly determined to organize another Shi’ih sect. Then afterward, who will they condemn to death and whose blood will they declare lawful to shed?

Sighs ascend and tears descend for what hath come to pass and what will come to pass against God’s chosen ones and His loved ones at the hands of these people. How many truthful souls did they condemn to death and arise to martyr! They shed the blood of anyone who drank from the ocean of knowledge and declared that the Promised One would appear from among the descendants, yet they shed His blood and plundered His possessions. And all this oppression came from those whom the Shi’ites have regarded and continue to regard as their leaders after the Imams, and whose obedience they consider essential to their religion. Away with them and with those who follow them without any clear proof or enlightening Book!

Even more veiled, more erring, more rebellious, more astray, and more remote than these people were and are those who turned away from the Bayan. In truth, your honor has spoken an eloquent word in mentioning that no community has ever been witnessed to be so negligent and unjust. This evanescent servant beseeches the Truth to confirm your honor and to make you manifest with such ardor that the hearts of the friends may be set ablaze with the warmth of love for Him, and the hearts of the enemies may melt. Verily, He is the Helper in the hereafter and in this world. There is no God but He, the Most Exalted, the Most High.

O beloved of my heart! At one time in these stations, a divine utterance was revealed from the True One, glorified be His majesty, and was written and sent to the beloved son of the Most Truthful One of God, upon them both be all the most glorious glory. Surely a copy of it will reach you and you will observe it. Such sublime utterances that have been revealed from the Supreme Pen are most beneficial, for souls are still veiled and deprived by the vain imaginings of the past from the subsequent Luminary.

For instance, one of the friends of God from the land of Kha wrote to one of those residing in the desired land, mentioning that a certain Siyyid, who was among the renowned people of piety, after the proof was completed for him, said:

“This person of whom you speak—even if he should turn heaven into earth and give life to decayed bones, we would not believe, for his parents are known.”

Now observe how the vain imaginings of the past have prevented souls from ascending to the highest heights and have deprived them of the Euphrates of divine mercy. The very statement they made before, that the Qa’im resides in Jabulqa and Jabulsa, became the cause and reason for the shedding of pure blood, as all have witnessed. Now too the veiled ones of the Bayan are occupied with the same utterances and have been and are striving day and night to build the region. Woe unto them and unto whoever turns to them, hearkens to their words, and clings to what they possess!

Glory be to God! The divine verses are flowing and descending like torrential rain by night and day, to such extent that they have encompassed all horizons. Surely by now many times the equivalent of the Bayan has been revealed. Nevertheless, the unjust leader has written to his followers that “they take two words from the Qur’an and two words from the Bayan, compose verses, and send them to different regions”—and the heedless, deluded souls have accepted these ravings. Say: O people, where has fairness gone? What has become of understanding? For God’s sake, reflect for a moment on the wondrous, sublime verses, that perchance the hidden mysteries may be unveiled and you may behold the horizon of the proof of the All-Merciful with His eye. In no way have the verses of this Most Great Revelation been similar to previous verses, nor are they now.

This lowly one submits to those souls: Is there no possibility that you might be in error? Is it not possible? Reflect with fairness somewhat on past events and judge for yourselves with insight. For thirteen hundred years all your divines, with the utmost effort and endeavor, through what they deemed to be conclusive proofs, arguments, solid evidence, and successive traditions, established that the Qa’im exists on earth and dwells in Jabulqa and Jabulsa. And any knowledgeable divine who denied these ravings and said that the Promised One would be born from physical loins, they counted among the infidels and issued a decree for his death. Thus they killed all by the decree of those wrongdoing souls who considered themselves the leaders of mankind. All these matters are clear and evident.

After one thousand two hundred and sixty years that Essence of being appeared in Shiraz in a known place from the womb of His mother, and it became clear and evident that all the divines and their followers had been in error for one thousand two hundred and sixty years, and not a single one of these souls had become aware of the truth. And if any soul did become aware, he dared not reveal it, for at such time the cry of “O for the Law!” and “O for the Faith!” would be raised, as indeed it was raised. In such circumstances, one must not remain heedless but must view all matters with the eye of justice. After it was established that a vast multitude in many generations were all heedless, erring, and rebellious, it is possible these few souls may also be in error.

This servant submits this with humility, for his Lord loved and loves humility. Otherwise, by Him Who caused the Tongue of Dawn to speak His praise and glory, they have indeed denied God and turned away from Him Whose Covenant was taken from all the Prophets of the past and those who came after them—the Point of the Bayan, Who came from the presence of the All-Merciful and gave the glad-tidings to all of this Revelation, through which, when it appeared, the ocean of divine knowledge surged and the fragrance of God, the Supreme, the Self-Subsisting, was diffused. O Beloved of my heart! Where is fairness, where is vision, where is hearing? In truth, what has happened that these people have so quickly turned away from that Intended One concerning Whom the Point of the Bayan hath said: “He cannot be indicated by any indication, nor by what is mentioned in the Bayan. The Cause is in the hand of God, our Lord and the Lord of all religions.”

Glory be unto Thee, O my God! Thou hearest the sighing of my heart in this station, the cry of my inner being, and the lamentation of my heart. Thou art He Who gave glad-tidings unto all of Thy manifestation, Thy appearance, and Thy seat upon the throne of Thy grandeur, and made the entire Bayan as but a leaf from its Paradise, and took its Covenant from those who claimed belief in Thy Self. Yet when the horizon of manifestation was illumined and He Who conversed on Sinai came, they arose in opposition and objected to Him in such wise that the dwellers of the highest Paradise and the inhabitants of the cities of names bewailed their tyranny.

O Lord! I beseech Thee by the Mother Book which none save Thyself hath comprehended and which none save Thy knowledge hath encompassed, to aid those who have been heedless of meditation upon Thy verses and of turning to Thy clear proofs. O Lord! Thou seest them in the ignorance of the Days of Ignorance and in the breaking of Thy Covenant. O Lord of all creation! I beseech Thee by the ocean of Thy power and the heaven of Thy grace to make known to them what Thou hast intended through Thy Will and what Thou hast decreed through Thy Purpose. There is no God but Thee, the Omnipotent, the Almighty.

I swear by the Sun of the horizon of truth that whatsoever this evanescent servant hath mentioned was solely for God’s sake. Every fair-minded soul can detect from it the fragrance of truthfulness. He had and hath no purpose save the deliverance of those heedless souls who are drowning in the sea of vain imaginings. Were they to reflect even slightly on what hath been mentioned, all would be struck with such wonder that they would find themselves powerless to describe it.

O people of the world! Hearken unto the plaintive cry of this evanescent servant, and turn from the left hand of idle fancies to the right hand of certitude. It would be a pity if in such days as these, wherein all have awaited His presence, ye should be debarred and deprived of Him. Behold with your own eyes the Most Great Scene, and with attentive ears hearken unto the divine verses. That which hath been manifested of verses, clear proofs, testimonies and evidences throughout successive years defieth enumeration by man. Reflect upon the first year of the Revelation until it reached the Point of the Bayan, and upon the proofs, testimonies and evidence that have been presented before diverse parties and scattered peoples from beginning to end.

Today each soul must imagine himself standing in the divine presence, positioned before the Lord of the seen and unseen, that he may speak and hear with true sincerity. Assuredly at that moment he will find his way to the highest horizon and attain recognition of the Most Great Luminary. Any fair-minded person will, in less than a moment, attain unto the living waters of utterance. Two wings are needed: one is fairness and the other is seeking. With these two one can soar to the highest horizon and wing one’s flight in that atmosphere wherein “God was, and there was nothing else besides Him.”

This mortal’s heart is aflame seeing how the trees of being have been stripped of leaves and fruits through the tyranny of the ignorant ones of the earth who are known as learned. Now that but a few leaves and fruits remain, burn them not with poisonous winds. Waste not what ye have experienced of tribulations and afflictions in the path of the Beloved, but preserve them in the name of God, exalted be His glory. Both the Beloved and this mortal must, with utmost humility and supplication, beseech from God, glorified be His majesty, confirmation for the ignorant ones who are unconscious from the wine of heedlessness, that perchance through the divine fragrances they may rise from the graves of self and passion and turn toward the highest horizon.

However, alas, alas, such deeds and words have issued from those souls as to entirely prevent this blessing. God willing, that beloved one will arise with perfect power and might to promote the divine Cause and speak that which is as spirit to the seekers and as fire to the deniers and rejectors. Through God’s grace, for years that beloved one hath attained unto this most exalted, most glorious station. Blessed are ye and happy are ye. Glory be upon your eminence and upon whoever hath heard your mention and utterance concerning this Cause whereby hath been manifested what God intended from before and after. Blessed is he who hath heard and turned, and woe unto the heedless and the hostile.

And concerning what you wrote about Mulla Muhammad-ʿAli, upon him be 9 66 [Baha’u’llah], that praise be to God he hath turned toward the horizon of the Cause and hath drunk from the incomparable living waters—this was presented at the Most Holy and Most Exalted Court. This is what was sent down from the Kingdom of might and power. His exalted Word:

Section 3: “O Muhammad-Qabli-ʿAli! Hearken unto the voice…”

O Muhammad-Qabli-ʿAli! Hearken unto the voice of the True One, the Trustworthy, Who hath appeared for the reformation of the world and the education of its peoples, and Who hath borne all manner of tribulations and calamities that perchance the people of the earth might attain unto the imperishable fountain and find their way to the most exalted horizon. The Truth, exalted be His glory, hath appeared with proof and evidence before all who dwell within the realm of possibility, and yet most of the people on earth remain deprived and bereft of beholding the lights of the dawn of inner meanings, veiled by the coverings of idle fancies.

Say: O people of the world! The Most Great Luminary hath risen and shineth forth, and declareth: Whatsoever proofs, testimonies and evidences ye hold in your hands, whereby ye seek to validate your diverse religions, all these must ye seek from the Dayspring of the Divine Command, the Source of Revelation, and the Manifestation of God’s Own Self. Should ye attain unto this, ye would not soil the hem of the near ones with the dust of vain imaginings, and would transform oppression into justice. Every atom beareth witness that until now there hath been revealed that which the eye of the world hath never seen the like thereof. Say: Fear ye God, and follow not your idle fancies. Follow ye Him Who speaketh amongst you that He may draw you nigh unto God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. God willing, may ye at all times hold fast unto the cord of His bounty and cling to the hem of His mercy. Glory be unto him who hath turned unto Him and attained, and woe betide them that have turned away.

This servant conveyeth greetings to him and beseecheth the Exalted Truth to make him steadfast with supreme steadfastness. He is indeed near and responsive. Concerning what was mentioned about blind imitation and the vain imaginings of the generality of the world’s peoples, it is hoped that the Hand of Divine Power may rend asunder all veils. Verily, He is powerful over whatsoever He willeth. And that beloved one is, praise be to God, assisted in rending asunder the veils and is confirmed through wisdom and utterance.

Concerning what you wrote about my brother Jinab-i-Aqa Siyyid Sadiq, upon him be the Glory of God, this servant submits that they should agree to what the Divine Tongue has previously uttered. Let them take from this servant several proofs equal to those held by the various parties on earth, and turn to the Supreme Horizon.

If one holds fast to the cord of justice, one will not remain veiled from any matter. Today the followers of the Qur’an cling to the Qur’an which was sent down from God, using it to prove their truth. And yet there exist several times as many revealed Books now present and at hand. The Seal of the Prophets, may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for Him, was from among the Arabs and appeared among the Arabs, while now the Dawning-Place of Revelation and the Manifestation of the Unseen is from Persia and has appeared in Persia. Arabic and Persian verses have been revealed to such a degree that scribes are powerless to reckon them. Moreover, let them observe and reflect upon the evidences. That which has appeared in this Most Great Revelation has appeared in no other age, and He has clearly foretold future events beforehand. All fair-minded ones bear witness to what has been mentioned. If they would reflect upon the conclusive proof, the conquering power and the penetrating might of God, it would suffice them all and they would utter the words “I believe in Thee, O Thou the Goal of the world!”

God willing, may all attain to this station which is more evident than the sun and not deprive themselves of God’s eternal bounty.

When the Most Great Luminary dawned from the horizon of the Land of Mystery, one of the people of Qaf expressed bewilderment and hesitated concerning the truth of this Most Holy, Most Exalted Cause. A Tablet was revealed from the heaven of God’s Will—O what a Tablet! In each letter of it surged the ocean of utterance and wafted the fragrance of the All-Merciful. The end of that Tablet flowed from the Most Exalted Pen in these words, exalted be His glory:

“And if thou fearest for thy faith, take this Tablet and preserve it in the pocket of thy trust, and when thou enterest the place of gathering and God asks thee by what proof thou hast believed in this Revelation, then bring forth the Tablet and say: ʿBy this Book, the revealed, the blessed, the ancient.’ Then read what hath been revealed therein before the face of thy Lord, the Resting-Place wherein thou beholdest the Prophets and Messengers. Then will all stretch forth their hands toward thee and take the Tablet and place it upon their eyes out of their longing to meet Me and their ardent love for Me, and they will find from it My hallowed, mighty fragrance.”

If all on earth would attain to fairness even less than the eye of a needle and reflect upon what hath been revealed from God’s Kingdom, all would utter the words “Would that I had not taken so and so as a friend!” Glory be to God! With these manifest evidences, revealed verses, radiant conditions and dawning manifestations, how can one remain veiled and be observed as heedless? On one occasion this exalted word was revealed from the Tongue of the Dayspring of Names: “The example of previous peoples who are now deprived of the splendors of the Sun of Truth is like one who clings to a drop and objects to the ocean.”

In truth, the followers of religions are most heedless. They must either completely deny the Truth or hold fast to this Most Great Revelation. There is no other choice, there has been none and there will be none.

And as to that which ye had written concerning the loved ones of that land: it was submitted. His Word—blessed and exalted is He:

Praised be God for that which hath appeared and brought forth what He intended through His command “Be!” and it is. O My loved ones in that land! A letter from one who loveth God hath arrived wherein mention was made of you. We have remembered you with a remembrance whereby the dead have risen. Blessed are ye for having attained, and woe unto every heedless doubter. Ye are they who have quaffed the wine of inner meaning from the hands of the bounty of your Lord, the Lord of the Final End. Know ye your stations, then preserve them through this Name at Whose appearance the Sacred Books have bowed down and the servants were thunderstruck. Beware lest the whisperings of those who have turned away from God, the Lord of Lords, prevent you. Leave them to themselves, turning with illumined hearts to the Supreme Horizon. Thus doth the Mother Book command you.

Say: O people of the earth! Come ye and observe justice concerning that which hath appeared from the horizon of God’s Will. Fear God and follow not every oppressive deceiver. By God! The ocean of inner meanings hath surged before the countenance of the All-Merciful, the path of justice hath been raised up, and from the right hand of the Throne hath flowed the Euphrates of thy Lord’s mercy, the Sovereign of all horizons. Say: Leave ye the pond behind you and turn ye to the Most Great Ocean, as bidden by God, the Lord of all men. Verily We have appeared and summoned all to the Hidden Mystery Which hath come from the heaven of Command with the banners of verses.

We sent unto the King of Paris that whereby the fragrance of God was diffused throughout all possibility. He received it but answered not his Lord, the Self-Subsisting, the Most High. Whereupon We revealed unto him another Tablet wherein We mentioned what befell him. The servants who circle round the Throne at eventide and at dawn bear witness to this. We counsel you to manifest supreme steadfastness and give you glad tidings of that which hath been ordained for you in the Kingdom by God, the Mighty, the All-Bestowing. Glory be upon you and upon those who love you and make mention of you through that which hath been sent down from the Supreme Pen by God, the Lord of all men. End.

Praise be to God! The loved ones of Truth have ever been and shall ever be the recipients of His favors. God willing, may they recognize the value of this bounty and exert their utmost to preserve it.

The mention of the emigrants in the Land of Sad hath ever been and shall continue to be made in the Most Holy Presence and Most Great Scene. God willing, may they remain firm on the straight path and drink at all times from the Kawthar of bounty. All those who are related to that beloved one are illumined by the rays of the Sun of favor. This servant beseecheth his Lord to aid them in that which He loveth and pleaseth, and to grant them success in teaching His Most Holy, Mighty and Wondrous Cause. The conveyance of greetings and sincere regard from this servant to them and all the gentlemen and friends is dependent upon your grace.

Concerning what you wrote about Ibn Jinab Rida-Quli Khan, upon him be 9 66 [Baha’u’llah], this servant was greatly pleased, for he was very saddened by his lack of recognition. We beseech God that He may assist him to recognize His sacred Being and decree for him that which contains the good of this world and the next. These details were presented before the Most Holy, Most Exalted Presence. His words, exalted be His grandeur:

“O ʿAli-Qabl-i-Akbar and O thou who gazest upon God, the Lord of Destiny! The Wronged One makes mention of thee from the prison-ward, and mentions him whom thou didst mention, as a token of His grace. He is verily the All-Knowing Rememberer. Make mention of him on My behalf and give him the glad tidings of his Lord’s loving-kindness, the Almighty.”

God willing, may they remain steadfast and firm in the Cause with utmost joy and delight, and conduct themselves with wisdom. The grace of God, exalted be His grandeur, encompasses all. He is verily the All-Bountiful, the Generous. All must hold fast to some means, and this binding decree hath been revealed from the Supreme Pen in various tablets. He hath verily revealed that which benefiteth His loved ones. He is the Guardian of those who have turned unto Him and the Helper of those who act.

As for the mention made of the late and forgiven Jinab-i-Dhabih, upon him be Baha’u’llah, mention of him has previously been made in detail by the Supreme Pen. God willing, that beloved one will attain to its perusal. Likewise, mention has been made of his relatives. We beseech God and hope that He will cause each one to attain unto that which hath been specifically revealed for him. The Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablet was revealed in the name of Jinab Aqa Mirza Ghulam-ʿAli, upon him be 9 66 [Baha’u’llah], and in that blessed Tablet mention was made of the late and elevated one, upon him be Baha’u’llah and His grace, by the Pen of Bounty. There hath been revealed for him that whose fragrance shall never be cut off from the worlds. Likewise, the Most Great Favor hath embraced his nephew, for since his father is deprived of the Kawthar of recognition and barred from the supreme horizon, therefore in the Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablet his relationship to the martyred one of the land of K, upon him be Baha’u’llah, was recorded by the Supreme Pen in the Tablets, for when mention of him was made at one time in the Most Holy Presence, He said:

“O servant who art present! He is the son of him who was martyred in the path of God, the Lord of the worlds. We have attributed him to that one as a token of Our grace, that he may be of the thankful.”

This is a bounty for which, were they to render thanks throughout their lives, it would still be little, and this blessed passage hath been revealed time and again. Blessed is he, and upon him be glory.

The petition of Jinab Haji Mirza Hasan-i-Harati, upon him be Baha’u’llah, which was included within thy letter, was presented before the Presence of the Goal of the worlds. This is what the Desired One hath spoken in reply:

In His Name, the Mighty, the Great

O Hasan! The Wronged One hath turned toward thee from the precincts of the Prison, and hath heard thy call and thy lamentation, and recognized what thou didst desire in the path of God, the Lord of all worlds. He hath come with the truth to give life to all who are on earth and to manifest that which was inscribed by the Most Exalted Pen in the Books of the Messengers. He hath appeared to reveal the decree of the Meeting which God’s Messengers had formerly heralded, and beyond them that which the All-Merciful had sent down in the Qur’an. Verily thy Lord is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. Blessed art thou for having turned to Him, and heard, and communed with thy Lord among the myriads who have turned unto Him.

Give thanks to God for this most great favor, which cannot be equaled by whatsoever the people possess. To this testifieth He Who speaketh in this station that there is none other God but Him, the One, the Single, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy. The Kawthar of reunion hath flowed before the face of thy Most Exalted Lord, but the people have come between thee and Him—they are assuredly among the oppressors. Grieve not over anything, be content and thankful for what hath been ordained for thee from the presence of One Who is Mighty, All-Informed. We have remembered thee and the handmaiden who hath believed in her Lord on a day when the handmaidens of the earth turned away from Him, save those whom God, the Lord of the Mighty Throne, pleased to exempt. The glory be upon thee and upon those who have heard and responded on this wondrous Day. End.

Section 4: “The details of this land were written…”

The details of this land were written in the previous letter. Two packets were sent, one in the name of that beloved one and another packet in the name of my beloved, His Holiness Ibn-i-Ismu’llah-i-Asdaq, upon them both be the Glory of God. God willing, the honored Haji Mirza Hasan, upon him be the Glory of God and His might, will deliver them. Today, beseech God to assist His loved ones in teaching and in preparing the means thereof. In one of the Tablets, this exalted word was revealed from the Most Exalted Pen that if someone is not able to teach, they should appoint a deputy. God willing, may the people be assisted in paying the Huququ’llah. On behalf of this evanescent one, convey greetings and praise to the aforementioned Haji. This servant beseecheth the Exalted Truth that either this request be honored with permission or that the reward of attaining His presence be recorded for him by the Most Exalted Pen.

As for the mention of His Holiness Ibn-i-ʿAyn Ta, upon him be the Glory of God, his letter arrived and was the cause of joy. Praise be to God, they are remembered in the holy presence and God willing, they are engaged in mentioning the Desired One of all worlds with the utmost joy and fragrance. Mention of them was made in the Most Holy and Most Exalted Court. This is what was revealed in the Book from God, the Mighty, the Bestower. His word, exalted be His grandeur:

In My Name, the Compassionate, the Bountiful

O Karim! Thy servant hath appeared with thy letter and presented it before the face of the Wronged One. We have heard what was contained therein and have answered thee out of Our grace. Verily thy Lord is the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. Blessed art thou and thy father who hath ascended unto God, the Mighty, the Loving. We have made mention of thee before and before that, that thou mayest remember thy Lord, the Possessor of all being. He before Whom the Kingdom of the Bayan hath bowed down hath been opposed by one who knoweth not his right hand from his left. Thus doth the Truth, the Knower of the unseen, recount unto thee.

Say: O people of the Bayan! Be fair in the name of God and follow not the desires of those who were behind the veil and who, when We revealed the Cause, came forth and uttered that which even the idolaters had not said. Say: By God! What ye possess will not profit you, nor will he whom ye have taken as lord besides God benefit you. Fear ye the All-Merciful, then speak forth with pure truth concerning this Cause whereby the veils of idle fancies and vain imaginings were rent asunder. We make mention of thy brother who hath attained unto that which was inscribed in the Books of God. He came, was present, saw and heard. Verily thy Lord is He Who judgeth as He pleaseth by His word “Be” and it is.

We make mention of thy other brother to whom the Supreme Pen hath testified that he attained the presence when he turned toward the lights of the Countenance in a praiseworthy station. We make mention of thy mother who believed in God when the servants who broke the Covenant turned away and followed every ignorant deluded one. Thus have We mentioned thee and shown thee the pearls of utterance from this surging sea. We make mention of the daughter of My Most Truthful Name who sacrificed his spirit in My path and cast aside the world in his love for Me. We make mention of thy son who was remembered in the presence of the Prisoner, and We make mention of My handmaidens near thee who have turned, heard and believed in God, the One, the Single, the Mighty, the Beloved. The glory be upon thee and upon those with thee from God, the Possessor of existence. End.

This servant giveth glad tidings unto all of the grace of God, exalted be His glory, and His all-embracing bounty and His preceding mercy. God willing, may all the members of that household drink from the chalice of steadfastness and preserve their stations through the name of the One True Friend, for great and mighty indeed is the station of steadfast souls, especially those who have been the target of trials and tribulations in the path of divine love.

O friends! Know ye your station and recognize your worth. How many souls waited day and night, and with utmost humility and supplication sought to attain the Divine Day, yet all were observed to be deprived at the time of its manifestation. Blessed are ye for having shattered the idols of vain imaginings through the power of certitude. The Point of the Bayan, may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for His sake, hath said that a year-old drop of the Day of His Manifestation is mightier than all the Bayan. Well is it with you and pleasant is it unto you. It is hoped that the perverted words of deluded souls will be found to be non-existent in the court of the friends of God, exalted be His glory. The Command is in God’s hands, the Lord of all worlds.

Concerning what was written about Jinab-i-Sulayman Khan, upon him be Baha’u’llah’s glory, God willing may he be assisted to pay his debts. And concerning what was written about the late and elevated Aqa Fath’u’llah, upon him be Baha’u’llah’s glory and mercy, and what remained of him, it was presented before the Most Holy and Most Exalted Presence. His exalted Word: “Verily We have sent down the Book and commanded all to observe what is goodly and that which exalteth the station of man. Exalted is the Most Merciful Who hath appeared and revealed what He desired. We have detailed therein the details of all things and counseled all in what will profit them in this world and the next. He is verily the Mighty, the Bestower.

Hold fast to the Book of God, then follow what hath been revealed therein from My Most Exalted Pen which speaketh: ʿThere is no God but Me, the Mighty, the Chosen.’ We make mention of him who was named Fath’u’llah, who ascended to the Supreme Horizon, the station which God hath sanctified beyond mention and description. We testify for him to that which shall be a light before his face in all the worlds of God. Thus did the grace of his Lord, the Most Merciful, encompass him. He is among those who attained the love of God in such wise that We found his fragrance, and this is of My bounty which hath preceded all created things.”

In the Book of God the law of inheritance hath been revealed and recorded by the Most Exalted Pen, but in this instance They said that whatever portion of those funds that may be given to the teachers of the Cause is most beloved, for the work of teaching is regarded before God as among the most great matters. Blessed is he who attaineth unto it.

Concerning what was written about the inheritance of the brothers and sister of the late and forgiven Haji, upon him be the glory of God and His mercy, whatever was done according to Islamic law before the Kitab-i-Aqdas is and was acceptable before the Most Merciful. And concerning what was written about the emigrant daughter, upon her be the glory of God, it is known that they have not and will not fall short in whatever they can do. Today all must be mindful of one another, for all are as the fingers of one hand. He saith, exalted be His Word:

“Ye are all the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch.”

However, distinction is achieved and stations become clear and evident through the manifestation of love, arising to serve, working for the sake of God, and turning toward His path. This servant implores and beseeches God that your honor may ever be assisted to serve the Cause and to show love toward the friends of God.

This servant, at the time of attendance and presenting matters, mentioned the honored friend Aqa Muhammad K.R., upon him be the glory of God, and whatever had been written to this evanescent one was presented, and the answer was revealed in response to the matters in that beloved one’s letter. Therefore this servant was not content to cause additional trouble and did not submit a separate letter to his service. I hope to be pardoned. And what that beloved one had written concerning the emigrant daughter was presented before His countenance. He said:

“It behooveth him to be vigilant in the days of God and steadfast in what hath been commanded from the presence of the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.”

As regards what you wrote concerning Jinab-i-Aqa Shaykh Muhammad, it was presented at the Most Holy and Exalted Threshold. By the life of the Beloved! The Tongue of Grandeur hath spoken that which hath caused the hardest rock to melt and the desert sands to flow. This servant is not, nor ever shall be, capable of conveying all that he heard. I testify by God, and He sufficeth as witness, that even those below this servant are incapable. This is a time for lamentation and weeping, a season for crying out and wailing, for one who was unable to speak hath been seized by the Lord, and remained heedless and veiled from the Almighty Sovereign Who, in days when the world’s horizon trembled from the might of that Day, summoned all who dwell on earth, both kings and subjects.

This evanescent one is bewildered as to what to say. Now let us pass beyond all this and turn to the holy Writings, that perchance they may discover the effulgent lights of inner meanings in the words of the Revealer of verses, and thereby be illumined. Some time ago, in one of the Tablets, these exalted words were revealed from the Supreme Pen—exalted be His glory: Fix thy gaze upon these blessed words which, like unto the sun, have shone forth from the heaven of God’s holy Tablet:

“Return ye to the holy Writings, O ye who are endowed with insight!”

Through the heedlessness of all on earth, the Cause hath reached such a pass that the Sun of Truth must needs adduce proofs for Its own effulgent rays.

O my God and the God of all created things! O my Sovereign and the Sovereign of all existence! I beseech Thee by Thy Name through which the breezes of the gardens of Thy utterance were wafted forth in Thy days, and by the Word whereby the resurrection was established amongst Thy creation, to aid Thy servants to be fair in Thy Cause and to turn unto Thy horizon. O Lord! Disappoint them not of the ocean of Thy bounty, and debar them not from the gate of Thy grace. Thou dost witness and behold, O Thou Beloved of the world, that hearts have melted by reason of what hath befallen Thee at the hands of the oppressors among Thy creatures and the transgressors amongst Thy people. Ordain, therefore, for Thy weak servants that which shall make them mighty in Thy dominion, that they may acknowledge that which the Tongue of Thy Revelation hath acknowledged. Thou art, verily, the Almighty over what Thou willest. There is none other God but Thee, the Mighty, the All-Wise.

In brief, the details concerning the Shaykh and all that he mentioned were presented before His countenance. This is what the Tongue hath spoken in the Kingdom of Utterance—exalted be His saying:

He is the Most Ancient, the Most Holy, the Most Great

O Muhammad! This is the Great Day and Great Cause, which in all the divine books and heavenly scriptures is known as the Day of God. Though all days are related to the Truth, this Day has been specially designated by the Most Exalted Pen, both in times past and future. The Greatest Vision has appeared, yet sight is rare; the Call is raised from the prison, yet attentive ears are scarce. The signs of Truth are manifest like His very existence, clear and evident, yet the vain imaginings of heedless souls have prevented people from beholding the lights of certitude.

Hearken unto the Voice of the Wronged One and arise as befitteth this Day. God willing, thou mayest, through the choice wine of the utterance of the All-Merciful, quicken them that lie dead in the valley of self and desire. Stand for God’s sake and speak for God’s sake; perchance the thick veils may be rent asunder and eyes may be blessed with beholding the lights. The ocean is distinguished from the pond. Say: This is the Day wherein the Balance proclaimeth “I am the All-Knowing Distinguisher.” Fear God and follow not your desires. Turn with illumined hearts toward the dawning-place of your Lord’s bounty, the Lord of all beings, and follow not the imaginings of the wayward. This is the Day which God’s Books have foretold aforetime, and of which the All-Merciful hath given tidings—the Day whereon all people shall stand before the Lord of the worlds.

Say: O people of the earth! The Promise hath appeared and the Promised One is come. The Kingdom is God’s, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. Cast away what ye possess and take hold of that which God, the Lord of all worlds, hath bidden you. How many learned ones have turned away from the All-Knowing, and how many ignorant ones have heard, hastened, and said:

“Here am I, O Lord of all who are in the heavens and on earth!”

Section 5: “Fix thy gaze upon the Supreme Horizon…”

Fix thy gaze upon the Supreme Horizon, and speak in the name of thy Lord, the Lord of the Throne on high and of earth below. Hold fast unto the Most Great Handle that speaketh in the world and calleth all to the Most Great Name, giving them glad tidings of the Euphrates of the mercy of their Lord, the Gracious.

Hearken thou unto the call of the Wronged One and arise in His Name, the Self-Subsisting. Take thou His sealed wine and drink thereof once in My name and again in remembrance of Me, in defiance of them that have disbelieved in God, the Exalted, the Great.

Emerge from the horizon of silence, speaking forth this Name at Whose appearance earthquakes have occurred, tribes have lamented, and smoke hath enveloped the dwellers of the heavens and the earth, save them whom the hand of thy Lord’s power hath protected, the Almighty, the Powerful. Call out with the most exalted call:

“O peoples of creation! Is there any among you who can perceive the sweetness of the All-Merciful’s utterance? Is there any among you with vision to behold what hath shone forth from the horizon of proof? Is there any with hearing to hear the Call of God, the Mighty, the Peerless?”

Say: O people of the Furqan! The Lord hath come upon the clouds of utterance and the All-Merciful hath given you glad tidings. Be fair in God’s sight and be not of the abased. The Path calleth you unto truth and the Balance proclaimeth:

“Thine be the praise, O Thou Who art the Desire of the worlds!”

Then turn thy face toward the people of the Spirit and say: By God! That which ye were promised in the Gospel from God, the Mighty, the Beauteous, hath appeared. He hath come with such sovereignty as none in the heavens and earth can withstand. Jerusalem hath been illumined with the lights of His countenance, while ye remain heedless. If ye desire the Manifestation, lo, He hath appeared in truth, and if ye seek signs, the horizons are filled with them. Beware lest what ye possess prevent you from this momentous Cause.

Say: O people of the Torah! The Revealer of verses hath come, and Zion crieth out: “The Hidden Name hath appeared!” Hasten ye, and be not of the heedless. This is a Day whereon all things cry out, and call all to the Most Great Ocean; yet the nations have waxed proud before God, save those who have come with a lowly heart.” Thus hath the ocean of utterance surged, and the fragrance of thy Lord’s garment, the All-Merciful, been wafted abroad. Be thou thankful, and numbered with them that remember. Praise be to God, the Lord of all worlds.

God willing, may his honor Shaykh be confirmed in arising and calling out in such wise that the buzzing of flies shall not prevent him from hearing the melodies of the Nightingale of eternity. This servant conveys greetings and salutations to him, and declares: I swear by the Sun of Truth that those souls who are turning away today have been and are heedless, having never truly understood this Cause. Glory be to God! To such a degree have vain imaginings encompassed those souls that they remain entirely deprived and veiled from the rays of the Sun.

First, it is incumbent upon every soul to set aside, purely for the sake of God, whatever they have heard and to turn to the sacred Writings. Likewise must they meditate upon the power, might, and arising, and all that hath been manifested from the Manifestation Himself. This is the Day whose mention hath been recorded in all the divine Books. Similarly was the mention of the appearance of Truth in these lands recorded—David in the Psalms declares: “Sing praises to the Lord who dwelleth in Zion”—and Zion is situated in these lands. He likewise says: “Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof. Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces.” He further declares: “O Palestine, who will lead me into the strong city?”—the gate of Palestine is Akka, and the strong city He mentions is Akka and its fortress, which is very strongly built. In numerous Tablets it is referred to as the Most Great Prison.

The Prophet Isaiah saith:

“And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth. And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited. Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the Lord of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before His ancients gloriously.”

(Isaiah 24:21-23)

O people of the earth! Consider the divine utterances that were sent down aforetime in the heavenly Books, and reflect, that perchance ye may turn from the spider’s web toward the strong city which is today the seat of the Throne. He says God will in that Day punish the hosts on high in the heights, and likewise all the kings on earth. Even as in the days when the seat of the Throne was established at the gate of Jerusalem, all kings and subjects were summoned with the most exalted call to the highest horizon, in such wise that all the Concourse on high hearkened to that sweetest of calls and uttered “Praise be to Thee, O God of the worlds!”

Among these was a Tablet that was sent to His Majesty the Shah of Iran with a messenger. Should anyone consider and reflect upon the Surih of the Kings and likewise the Tablet to the Sultan, they would become aware of the sovereignty of Truth and bear witness to His power and majesty. By the life of God! The utterances of the All-Merciful will so attract them that they will find themselves detached from all contingent beings and all who dwell on earth, and will turn with perfect certitude and assurance with a single face toward the faces of the people of Baha, guiding the Concourse of creation to the holy and luminous Spot.

He likewise declares that all shall be gathered together as prisoners and confined in prison. Now consider that which was revealed by the Supreme Pen upon first arrival at the prison. He declares that glory was taken from two groups—from kings and from divines. This theme has been repeatedly revealed, and enlightened, steadfast and successful souls have seen and heard it. Blessed are they who have attained!

Its effects are becoming more evident in the earth day by day, such that if one were to observe with the eye of truth, one would see the kings imprisoned and captive. Consider the kingdom of Paris, how it was seized—whatsoever was revealed concerning it has been fulfilled letter by letter. Likewise observe the Emperor of Russia—matters reached such a state that one was cast down upon the earth in utter abasement, while another has shut himself up in his palace, making it his residence, not daring to emerge except with numerous guards and protectors. By the life of God, the grave would be better and more preferable than such a palace!

O people of the earth! Observe the power of God, how abasement has encompassed them all. Would that the people of the world had studied the Suriy-i-Muluk, the blessed Surih of Ra’is, and the holy Tablets that were revealed upon first arrival in the Most Great Prison, that they might have become aware of God’s power, might, greatness and knowledge, and might have arisen with perfect steadfastness to serve His Cause.

The Emperor of Germany, who is today the foremost person in the world, spoke these words himself in public:

“No security remains for us in the future, for we have witnessed how the great kingdom of the Emperor of Russia and the President of America were brought down with utmost audacity and insolence to utter humiliation and death. And this turmoil and upheaval has spread and continues to spread in all directions.”

Blessed is the king who today turns to the Truth and seeks glory, power and wealth from God, glorified be His majesty. Apart from this, there has been and is no remedy. The divine Books inform all, if they would turn to them. In this Revelation it has been explicitly mentioned that which had been hidden from hearts and eyes. How excellent is the fair-minded one who has been fair in God’s Cause and has read what the All-Merciful has revealed in the Books, Psalms and Tablets. He is indeed among those endowed with insight before the Truth, the Mighty, the Inaccessible.

And this power, might and greatness became manifest at a time when the Beauty of the All-Glorious One was imprisoned in the military barracks, with the door locked and officers standing guard, to such an extent that when the Most Great Branch—may my spirit, my being, and my essence be sacrificed for the dust of His footsteps—desired to go out through the door of the barracks to look upon it, the military officers prevented Him, that what had been revealed aforetime in the Books of the Messengers might be fulfilled. All that has occurred was mentioned and recorded in the divine Books. As this servant is mindful of brevity, he has therefore confined himself to these few words.

The greatness of this Day has been mentioned in such wise that in truth the very foundation of tranquility has been shaken. This evanescent one beseeches the Truth that He make that Beloved One’s self influential, that He may water the trees of existence with the waters of wisdom and utterance, that perchance they may be adorned with choice fruits and delicate produce, and may attain to the station of fruit-bearing, which is the ultimate station. It is concerning the greatness of these days and the greatness of the Cause that Isaiah the Prophet saith:

“Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of His majesty.”

The purpose of these references is that all may know that the tidings of this Most Great Revelation, even the imprisonment and traversing the borders of the land and the like thereof, were revealed in the former Books. Otherwise, one must hearken with the ear of the spirit to the cooing of the Dove of Utterance, which is raised upon the loftiest branch of the Tree of Exposition, and cling fast thereunto. His exalted Word declareth:

“I have inscribed a gem concerning His remembrance, which is that He shall not be known through that which was mentioned in the Bayan.”

Should anyone contemplate this matter with fairness, he would acknowledge what God hath acknowledged and bear witness unto that which God hath testified. The Truth declareth that He cannot be known except through Himself, nor seen except through His own eyes. Whoso desireth to know Him must needs behold Him through His eyes. And peace be upon him who followeth the Truth, detached from all that the people possess.

As to your mention of the honored servant, His Excellency Haji Mirza Zaynu’l-ʿAbidin, upon him be the glory of God, praise be to God, he is blessed with divine favors, and since the time he departed from the Land of Mystery until now, he hath not been forgotten. God willing, he was and shall ever be remembered by God. His petition in these days reached the Most Holy Court and an answer shall be bestowed. On behalf of this evanescent servant, convey to him greetings and salutations. I beseech the Exalted True One to aid him in that which beseemeth the Day of God. This servant also conveyeth to him that which expresseth the sincerity and love of this evanescent one’s heart. I beseech God’s confirmation for him in all conditions. Verily He is our Protector in this world and the next, and the Protector of those who, in this Day, have shattered the idols of imitation through the name of their Lord, the Powerful, the Mighty.

And concerning what you wrote about his utmost diligence and endeavor in the affairs of the friends, praise be to God Who hath enabled him to do this. What you have written befitteth him. God willing, the recompense for his deeds shall come from the favors of the True One, exalted be His glory. He is his Protector in this world and the next. There is no God but Him, the All-Witnessing, the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing. This servant had intended to trouble that beloved one with certain other petitions, but as he had done so a few days ago, he hath this time, in his own estimation, chosen brevity. He requesteth that beloved one to convey greetings and salutations to the friends of that land, upon whose foreheads is imprinted the seal “The Kingdom is God’s.” It is hoped that through their steadfastness every disturbed one may find peace, every wavering one become firm, and every restless one find tranquility. The Command is in God’s hands. He doeth and judgeth as He pleaseth, and He is the Powerful, the Mighty.

May the glory that is manifest, evident, resplendent and luminous be upon your honor and upon those with you and upon them who have attained unto the days of God and have acted according to that which they were bidden in His mighty Book.

The servant 2 Jamadiyu’th-Thani