BH00033: Praise be to God, Who is unique in utterance…

Section 1: “Praise be to God, Who is unique…”

In the Name of our Most Great, Most Holy, Most Exalted, Most Glorious Lord!

Praise be to God, Who is unique in utterance and peerless in expression, before Whose Word the oceans of inner meanings bow down when spoken by the tongue of His Will, and all the books of the world prostrate themselves at the revelation of but a single letter of His verses. Through a movement of His finger, the Supreme Pen moves in the Kingdom of Creation and decrees the fate of the last and the first. Every eloquent one has confessed inability before His utterance, and every articulate one has acknowledged inadequacy before His exalted Word, by which He has distinguished between all peoples. Verily it is the drawn sword of God, His established Balance, His extended Path, and His luminous Lamp.

Indeed, it is the Most Great Trump and the Most Glorious Bugle. Exalted is He by Whose Name all books, scriptures and psalms are adorned. He is the One Who was called by all His Most Beautiful Names in the ancient scriptures, He Who was named Jehovah in the Torah, the Comforter and Spirit of Truth in the Gospel, and the Great Announcement in the Qur’an, and was given other names in books which none knoweth save God, the Lord of the Throne and the earth. He it is Who sent down the Bayan for His mention and gave glad tidings to the servants of His appearance and coming.

Blessed is the ear that hath heard what the Primal Point uttered in the Qayyumu’l-Asma regarding this Most Manifest Revelation and Hidden Mystery, saying:

“O Most Great Master! I am nothing unless Thy power hath raised me up to the Cause. I rely on none but Thee and seek refuge in naught save Thee. Verily, Thou art sufficient in truth.”

Is there one with the sense of smell to perceive the fragrance of the All-Merciful’s utterance in creation? Is there one with sight to behold the proof and evidence? Is there one with hearing to hear the call of the Lord of Religions Who hath come with power and sovereignty? By God’s life! All that is thereon shall perish, and this is the face of our Lord, the All-Merciful.

Glory be to Thee, O God, by Whose Name the sun of Thy Will hath shone forth from the horizon of heaven and the ark of Thy Purpose hath sailed upon the ocean of grandeur! I beseech Thee by the Name through which Thou hast subdued all things and made it the Sovereign of all names, to aid Thy loved ones in that which Thou lovest and approvest, and to ordain for them from Thy Most Exalted Pen that which shall protect them from those who have turned away from Thy most great signs. O Lord! They are servants who have turned to Thee, cast aside all else but Thee, and taken hold of that which they were commanded in Thy days. O Lord! Make known to them what Thou hast ordained for them through Thy bounty and favor, then inspire them with what Thou hast treasured for them in Thy Kingdom. Thou art He, O my God, Whom the affairs of creation cannot frustrate, nor can the might of the powerful or the dominion of princes weaken.

I beseech Thee by Thy Most Exalted Remembrance and Thy Most Sublime Word to bless the Afnan of the Tree of Thy Cause, whom Thou hast related to Thyself and made as ensigns among Thy creation and hast mentioned in most of Thy Tablets. They are those whom Thou hast named the Afnan by the tongue of Thy grandeur and distinguished by this name among Thy creation and creatures. O Lord! Send down upon them from the clouds of Thy mercy that which befitteth Thy greatness and power. Then assist them, O my God, through Thy grace and bounty, and send down upon them a blessing from Thy presence. Thou art He, O my God, Who hath called them to Thyself by Thy Own Self and ordained for them that which my tongue and the tongues of Thy servants are powerless to mention. Verily, Thou art the Almighty Whom nothing can frustrate and the Sovereign Whom nothing can prevent. Thou hast been from everlasting God, and there was nothing with Thee, and Thou shalt be even as Thou wert before. Verily, Thou art the Witness, the Seer, the Hearer, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

May my soul be a sacrifice to the remembrance of you. The choice Wine of your utterance hath intoxicated me—this Wine that hath surged within the oceans of your words, words that proclaim your love; a love which is our aim, and your aim, and the aim of all who dwell in the heavens and on the earth. Verily it is the Interpreter who readeth the secrets of hearts, and rendereth into speech that which lieth hidden. God knoweth that this is an intoxication that desireth not sobriety, neither loveth sobriety, nor is sobriety able to assail it. This servant beseecheth his Lord that He may increase this intoxication which hath seized me through the Wine of the love of the chosen ones and the pure ones of God. When, therefore, I attained, and read, and came to know, I laid it before the Face; whereupon the Tongue of Grandeur uttered:

“O My Afnan! O thou who hast attained unto the Kawthar of My bounty and gazed upon My horizon! Verily the Cause is mighty, mighty, and the creation weak, weak. We have manifested the Cause, but the people turn away from it. We have sent down the verses, but they hear not. The appointed time has come and the Manifestation of clear signs has appeared, yet the people understand not. That which was promised in God’s Books has been revealed, yet the people are heedless thereof. We have explained what was hidden in God’s knowledge and revealed what was treasured in God’s storehouse, yet most of the people perceive not.

“The proof has been completed, the heavenly table has been sent down, and the evidence has come, yet the people recognize it not. They have cast aside what is with God and taken what is with their leaders who have turned away from God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. They are learned ones in their own sight, but ignorant ones before the Truth, the Knower of the unseen. They have clung to that which perishes, turning away from that which endures. Thus have their souls enticed them, and they know not. They are occupied with fleeting days, heedless of what is with God, the Lord of what was and what shall be. Had they known, they would have lamented for themselves, but today they are veiled. By God’s life! This is the Day of Rising, yet they sit still; the Day of Utterance, yet they remain silent.

“Say: O company of mystics! The ocean of life has surged, yet you turn away from it. This is the Day of Awakening, yet you slumber. Have you found the breezes of revelation and turned away? Have you seen the signs and denied them? What ails you that you perceive not? The dwellers of the highest Paradise have been attracted by the wine of the Merciful’s utterance, while you sport with your vain imaginations and understand not. Say: O people! Reflect upon the former generations. Where are the tyrants and the pharaohs? Where are their ranks and their thousands? Where are the clashing of their swords and the ladies of their palaces? Where are the roaring of their heroes and the sighing of their desires and deeds?

Where are their strongholds and their gatherings? Their unity and their assemblies have been scattered, and their might and glory have been dispersed. Say: Fear God, O people, and follow not every rejected transgressor. Say: Beware lest the affairs of creation prevent you from the Truth. What you see today shall perish, but what has been ordained by God, the Mighty, the Loving, shall endure. Blessed art thou, O thou who soarest in My atmosphere, turnest to My face, and holdest fast to the cord of My grace, while My servants and My creatures who were created by My all-compelling Word that rules over what was and what shall be, have turned away from Me.” End.

The servant thanks God for what He has taught us and bestowed upon us, and for what He has sent down for your honor that causes hearts to rejoice and eyes to be consoled.

Concerning what you wrote about the Most Exalted Leaf, His blessed consort, upon her be the Most Glorious Beauty of God, that you had consulted with the distinguished teacher, upon him be the Most Glorious Beauty of God—this matter is beloved and acceptable before the Throne. Whatever is deemed expedient and in accordance with wisdom, act upon it. If His Honor accompanies them, it would certainly be most fitting. Some time ago, this servant heard these words from the Ancient Tongue. All matters are manifest and evident before the Throne. Verily, He is the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

This servant beseeches God, exalted be His glory, to prepare the world for the manifestation of that which is now concealed. Most people are observed to be heedless and unaware even of their own best interests. If counsel is given and words of advice offered, it will yield no fruit. They wander in the wilderness of vain imaginings, occupied with their own desires, oblivious even to their apparent interests.

One incident comes to mind which I submit to your honor to demonstrate people’s level of understanding. In the days when the Ancient Beauty, exalted be His grandeur, was in the great city, one day Kamil Pasha, who was one of the ministers of the Sublime State, was present before Him. Among his submissions, he mentioned that he had learned several languages, and enumerated them one by one, exceeding ten or twelve. The Ancient Beauty asked,

“What is the fruit of these multiple languages? It is most regrettable that precious life should be spent on such matters.”

Whatever pearls of utterance emerged from the treasury of the All-Merciful’s knowledge, he accepted and acknowledged with utmost joy and delight, yet he was observed to be deprived of acting upon them. If people would truly act upon what has flowed from the Supreme Pen, all would attain perfect ease and comfort in all worlds.

Regarding the matter of language, that which suffices for all has been revealed from the heaven of the All-Merciful’s will in the Most Holy Book, and a most mighty and holy Tablet has been revealed in Persian on this subject. If they would act upon it, it would suffice for all, and there would be no need for learning various languages. They waste their lives and lose their time, occupied with what their desires command them. How much hardship they bear for the sake of their own pride, as they now take pride in learning various languages.

In this regard, that which has been revealed from the Supreme Pen is this, exalted be His grandeur:

“We have decreed in the Most Holy Book: O members of parliaments throughout the world! Choose ye a single language for the use of all on earth, and adopt ye likewise a common script. God, verily, maketh plain for you that which shall profit you and enable you to be independent of others. He, of a truth, is the Most Bountiful, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.”

This binding command has been revealed from the Ancient Realm for the people of the world in general and the members of parliaments in particular, for the execution of commands, laws and ordinances revealed in the Book has been entrusted to the men of the Houses of Justice of God. This decree is the greatest means for unity and the supreme cause for association and fellowship among the peoples of the lands.

It is observed that due to the diversity of languages among the peoples of the earth, most nations are deprived of association, fellowship, and the acquisition of knowledge and wisdom from one another. Therefore, through pure bounty and grace, all are commanded to choose a language—whether newly created or selected from existing tongues of the earth—and all shall speak it. In this way, the whole earth shall be seen as one city, for all will understand each other’s speech and comprehend one another’s intent. This is the cause of the world’s advancement and elevation. Should a person journey from his homeland and enter any city, it would be as though he had entered his own dwelling. Hold fast to this, O people of the assemblies in cities and lands!

If one reflects even briefly, he will perceive that whatsoever hath been sent down from the heaven of the Divine Will hath been pure bounty, and its benefit returneth unto all. Yet some souls drink from the breast of heedlessness to such extent that they turn away from that which is manifestly beneficial and superior, both rationally and traditionally, closing their eyes to the Divine wisdom which is the cause and means of the world’s progress and the elevation of its peoples. These, verily, are in manifest loss.

Each group speaketh its own tongue—the Turk in Turkish, the Persian in Persian, the Arab in Arabic, and the Europeans in their various languages. These different languages are current among these parties and specific to the aforementioned peoples. Another language hath been ordained that all people of the world shall generally speak it, so that all may know each other’s speech and find their purpose. This is the portal of love, fellowship, affection and unity, and it is the Greatest Interpreter and the Key to the Ancient Treasury.

How many souls have been observed spending all their time learning various languages! What a pity that man should spend his life, which is the most precious thing in existence, on such matters! Their purpose in undertaking these labors is to learn different languages so as to understand the intent of various peoples and what they possess. Now if they would act upon what hath been commanded, it would suffice them all, and they would be freed from these countless toils.

The Arabic language is the most expansive of all languages. Should anyone become aware of the breadth and scope of this eloquent tongue, he would choose it. The Persian language is also very sweet. The Tongue of God in this Revelation hath spoken in both Arabic and Persian, though Persian hath not had and doth not have the expansiveness of Arabic. Indeed, most languages of the earth are limited in comparison. This is the superiority that hath been mentioned. However, the intent is that the people of the earth should choose one language and all humanity should speak it. This is what God hath decreed, and this is what would benefit the people, were they to know. Likewise, besides the specific scripts of different peoples, one script should be chosen and all people should generally engage in writing it. Eventually all scripts would become one script and all tongues shall converge into one tongue. These two shall become the means of unity for the hearts and souls of the peoples of the world, and the diverse territories of the earth shall be seen as one territory.

Section 2: “By the life of God! If the peoples…”

By the life of God! If the peoples of the earth were to attain to that which hath been revealed in the Book, and the Sun of Justice were to shine forth from behind the clouds, all the world would be seen as one soul. Then would there be seen neither crookedness nor curvature in the earth. O peoples of the earth! He teacheth you that which is best for you. Hold fast unto it, for He is verily the Counselor, the Sincere, the Manifest, the Governor, the Compassionate, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

Consider now: if the peoples of the earth were to act upon that which floweth from the tongue of grandeur, all would find themselves wealthy, content and free. That which would bring ease to the peoples of the earth—from it they remain heedless, and that which causeth pollution, hardship and affliction of souls—to it they cling. However, that which hath flowed from the Most Exalted Pen shall assuredly come to pass. Ere long, people of insight and understanding shall observe that there is no escape save through acting upon that which hath been revealed in the Divine Book. Consider how in past years, through the selfish desires of but a few souls, what measure of tribulations and ordeals were visited upon the peoples of the earth. Each day the intensity and affliction increaseth, until at last they will hold fast unto that which hath been revealed from the tongue of grandeur concerning the degrees of peace, and act accordingly.

His word, exalted be His glory:

“He is the Sincere Counselor, the Trustworthy.

“Regard the world as a human body which, though created whole and perfect, has been afflicted with divers ailments by reason of various causes. Its sickness waxed more severe, as it fell into the hands of unskilled physicians who, having given full rein to their personal desires, have erred grievously. And if at times, through the care of an able physician, a member of that body was healed, the rest remained afflicted as before.

“And now it is in the hands of those who are intoxicated with the wine of pride. If some of these endeavor to heal it, their purpose is but to profit thereby, whether by name or rank. Such men are not capable of fully removing these grievous afflictions, save to a prescribed degree. And that most great remedy, which constitutes the sovereign cure for the healing of all the world, is the union of all its peoples in one universal Cause, one common Faith—a union which can in no wise be achieved except through the power of a skilled, perfect and inspired Physician.

“Whenever that Luminary shone forth from the horizon of the Divine Will, and that consummate Physician appeared from the dawning-place of celestial wisdom, the diverse physicians became as clouds, veiling His splendors and revelations. Thus did the people of the earth persist in their conflicts, and the world’s malady remained unhealed. Those physicians who were powerless to effect this mighty cure not only prevented this divine Physician from treating the illness, but became as intervening veils.

“Behold in these days how the Ancient Beauty, the Most Great Name, hath unveiled the veils and sacrificed Himself for the life of the world and the unity and salvation of all its peoples. Yet all have risen against Him till at last He was imprisoned in the most desolate of cities, and they have shut all doors of ingress and egress. They have mistaken the friend for a stranger, counted the loved one as a foe, supposed the reformer to be a mischief-maker.

“O ye possessed of riches and power! Now that ye have become as clouds and prevented the world and its peoples from the effulgent rays of the Sun of Justice and from countless bounties, and have regarded supreme rest as hardship and the greatest blessing as a calamity, hearken at least unto the counsels of that Loving One regarding those matters which ensure the order of the realm and the tranquility of its peoples. Each year ye add to your expenditures and place this burden upon your subjects—this is utterly remote from justice and equity. This is naught but the effect of the tempestuous winds of self and desire that blow and surge between. These cannot be stilled save through a binding peace, which is the greatest means for strengthening the foundations of the edifice of nation and state.

“There is now no remedy but to merge water with oil. Since complete peace and unity cannot be achieved, this peace must be used as a remedy so that the world’s malady may be somewhat alleviated. The peace of kings is conducive to the tranquility of their subjects and peoples. In such case they would need no armaments or provisions save to the extent necessary for protecting their territories and domains. After this is assured, a small expenditure would suffice, the subjects would be at ease, and the rulers themselves would be free from care. Should any king rise against another following the establishment of peace, all other kings must, united, prevent him.

“It is strange that they have not yet engaged in this momentous matter. Although some are hindered from accepting this peace, which is conducive to the tranquility of all, by their apparent might of sovereignty and multitude of armies, this is mere illusion and ever shall be. For the honor and glory of man lie in that which befits his station, not in outward means. The discerning observe the ruler to be ruled, count the wealthy as poor, and consider the mighty as weak. Consider the rulers: their governance, wealth, and power depend upon their subjects. Therefore in the eyes of the discerning, these things add nothing to the station of man.

“The essence of humanity lies hidden within man and must be revealed through the burnish of education—this is the station of man. Whatever depends on others has no connection to human reality. Therefore they must not look to paucity or abundance, nor to outward might and grandeur, but must engage in establishing the Most Great Peace.

“Kings are the manifestations of divine power. It is most regrettable that such noble souls should bear such burdensome affairs. If they would truly entrust the reins of affairs to trustworthy, assured, and wise souls, they would find themselves free and at rest. Blessed is the king who arises to aid God’s Cause, to manifest His command, and to illuminate the world with the light of justice. It is incumbent upon all on earth to love him and make mention of his good name. This is what has flowed from the Pen of the Lord of Eternity. We beseech God to assist the peoples in that which profits them and to make known to them what benefits them in this world and the next. Verily, He is powerful over all things.

“Thus has the Sun of Utterance shone forth from the horizon of the will of your Lord, the Most Merciful. Turn ye unto it and follow not every remote ignorant one.”

This Most Holy and Most Exalted Tablet was revealed from the heaven of the Will of the Ancient King upon first arrival at the Most Great Prison. This evanescent servant beseecheth and imploreth God, exalted be His glory, that through His complete power He may grant hearing ears unto mankind, that all may attain unto the grace of hearkening unto the divine verses. Yet the deeds of men have been and continue to be an impediment.

Observe ye what transpired in the land of Sad: although from the beginning of the manifestation of the Ancient Beauty all were forbidden from conflict, corruption and contention—and all are aware of this matter—nevertheless they inflicted upon those two wronged ones (though they had stolen no one’s property and no oppression or tyranny was witnessed from them toward any soul, nay rather they were the dawning-places of kindness, mercy and favor) that which pen and tongue are powerless to describe. These abhorrent deeds have been and continue to be the cause of the appearance of the rebellious and tyrannical second ʿUbaydu’llah. How many souls perished and what harm befell both government and people. At this point a word was heard from the blessed tongue, mention of which is not permitted at this time. In any case, we beseech God to aid the heedless souls to return, that what has occurred may suffice. Verily He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.

In truth, today all are seen to be struck down by the trumpet blast, save whom God willeth. Strange it is that some among the people of the Bayan are more veiled than previous peoples, and some have manifested such deception and guile as hath never been witnessed before—that is, this evanescent servant hath not seen its like in his lifetime. For example, Mirza Ahmad-i-Kirmani, about whom you yourself had written details, manifested such deception as would astonish the mind. His words, exalted be His grandeur, in the Most Holy Book are:

“O Land of Kaf and Ra! We, verily, behold thee in a state which God doth not approve. We perceive from thee that which none knoweth except God, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. And We observe what proceedeth from thee in utmost secrecy. With Us is the knowledge of all things recorded in a lucid Tablet.”

These sublime words were revealed from the heaven of divine Will at a time when there was not even outward mention of Ahmad.

After several years, successive petitions arrived from him—at times accepting, at others turning away, writhing like a serpent and changing colors like a chameleon. At each moment he appeared in a different hue and in each instant clung to a different branch. I testify that he is in manifest loss. During the days he tarried in the great city, he sent numerous petitions to the Most Holy Court, and likewise many letters to this servant and to His Honor the Name of God 66 (M.H.), upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God. All indicated and betokened repentance, contrition, return, lamentation and supplication. An answer was revealed from the heaven of grace, ending with words to this effect:

“Thou art forgiven by divine pardon if thou remainest steadfast in the Cause.”

However his condition was known beforehand, and from the blessed verse of the Most Holy Book his state could be understood, and from the allusive utterance of the Aim of all the worlds it was thus comprehended that some remnant of his remained extant and concealed in that land. Knowledge is with God, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

In the days of departure from Iraq, mention was made in the divine Tablets of the clamourers and the birds of night, and all were warned; likewise, in the Land of Mystery, reference was made in the revealed verses to heedless, atheistic souls. And in certain Tablets were revealed these wondrous and exalted words:

“When there shall come to you a cawer with the Book of Perdition or with leaves of fire, cast them behind you, then know that he is indeed the cawer promised in the Books of God, the All-Glorious, the Most Great.”

That which was hidden is known unto God, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

Numerous verses have been revealed with this meaning. We beseech the Most High to strengthen the hearts of His loved ones and make them manifest in such wise that neither what hath been mentioned in the past nor what shall be mentioned in the future may deter them. Verily, He is the Preserver, the Helper, the Almighty, the Powerful.

Glory be to God—exalted be His majesty—things have become so evident that no people on earth have any grounds for denial or objection. All divine Books of old are replete with this Most Great Remembrance, and all that hath occurred and shall occur in this Revelation was recorded in previous Books. In one of the Tablets the divine tongue speaketh this word, saying that the divine land is manifest and visible in the land of Syria, and His call is raised from Zion—Zion being a location in these lands. This is why Isaiah saith: “And I will place salvation in Zion for Israel.” Consider this verse spoken by Isaiah wherein he saith: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that gave news of peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!” May my spirit be a sacrifice for the exposition thereof.

He giveth tidings of the advent of the Herald, Who is the Primal Point—may the spirit of all else but Him be sacrificed for His sake—and He hath given word that the Herald would dwell upon the mountains, namely Chihriq and Mah-Ku, as all are aware. And He saith the Herald gave news of “peace”, from which two meanings can be derived: one referring to the Abode of Peace which was the seat of the Throne, and the other referring to the true peace for all the world which was manifested at the first entry of the Ancient Beauty into the Ridvan. Three verses were uttered by the Tongue of Grandeur at the first entry into the Ridvan, one of which was that the decree of the sword was abolished in this Revelation. This is the true peace which verily all the peoples of the world have attained and shall attain. This is why He saith in other passages that victory must be achieved through wisdom and utterance and whatsoever beseemeth man, both now and in the future.

By the life of the Beloved! If they would but hearken unto a single blessed verse with ears sanctified from idle fancy, all would turn to the supreme horizon. Likewise He giveth tidings of the seat of the Throne at the end of the verse in His words “that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!” And now the standard of God is raised upon Zion and the call of God is lifted up from it and all the holy lands. How sweet is this phrase in this verse where He saith “that bringeth good tidings of good”—and this is the good whereof the Primal Point—may the spirit of all else but Him be sacrificed for His sake—saith, glorified be His mention: “Then in the year nine ye shall attain unto all good.”

Had this servant found opportunity, he would have mentioned some of the allusions in the divine Books which were revealed aforetime regarding this Most Great Revelation, but time and occasion are in no wise seen, and this matter hath caused this servant embarrassment, inasmuch as there have been and continue to be delays in presenting necessary responses. However, since all are aware that this servant is occupied day and night, no matter how much delay there may be, it hath been and shall be accompanied by kindness, favor and pardon. Glory be to God! This evanescent servant is bewildered—nay, in this station bewilderment is seen to be thunderstruck. Greatest of all strange and wondrous things is the heedlessness and rebellion of mankind and the veils of the people of the Bayan, for no sooner have they rent asunder one veil than they have become entangled in a hundred thousand others. Yet the Cause hath been made so manifest as never before since the beginning of creation, and verses have been sent down in such fashion as none have ever witnessed, and evidences have appeared in such wise as to leave no room for hesitation in any fair-minded person.

Section 3: “The Primal Point—may the spirit…”

The Primal Point—may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for Him—hath revealed the essence of the entire Bayan in the guise of a single statement. His exalted Word declares:

“I have written an essence concerning His remembrance, and it is this: He shall not be known by My allusions, nor by what hath been mentioned in the Bayan. Nay, by His glory, that word is, in God’s estimation, greater than the worship of all who are on earth, for the essence of all worship leadeth unto this. Therefore, as thou hast known God, know Him Who shall be made manifest, for He is too glorious and exalted to be known except through Himself or to be described by the allusions of His creation. I am the first servant to believe in Him and His verses, and to partake of the choice fruits from the gardens of His words in the paradise of His knowledge. Yea, by His glory! He is the Truth, there is no God but Him, all abide by His bidding.”

By God! This blessed word is the unique pearl of the ocean of the Bayan and the singular sun in the heaven of understanding, for it is an impregnable barrier against the Gog of ignorance and the Magog of passion. So sublime is this blessed word that the Ancient Beauty—glorified be His grandeur—hath made mention of it in the Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablet revealed in honor of the revered Teacher, upon him be all the most glorious and resplendent glory. This word is as a sword against the wayward ones of the Bayan, leaving no room for objection by anyone.

O beloved of my heart! Most astonishing of all is that none hath understood, nor doth understand, the root of the matter, yet they speak whatsoever their idle fancies prompt them to speak. Behold the baseness of their station, that some of the ignorant ones have sought to adduce proofs from “Him Whom God shall make manifest” while remaining deprived of His very Self. I testify that the Revealer of the Bayan disavoweth them. In the fifteenth chapter of the third Vahid of the Bayan, these blessed words are recorded. His exalted Word declares: “None knoweth the time of the Revelation save God. Whenever it occurs, all must acknowledge the Point of Truth and render thanks unto God.” He further states: “The whole of the Bayan is but as a ring upon His blessed finger and a leaf among the leaves of His Paradise.”

Nevertheless, the buzzing of flies hath been raised, and the ignorant ones of the earth cling to it. The Water of Life appeareth before all faces, yet the people remain heedless and veiled therefrom, turning instead to stagnant pools. Such is the condition of the people and of those who have taken for themselves lords other than God. It is as though they had never heard mention of the Day of God nor caught any fragrance thereof. Thus do they occupy themselves with the mention of idols and the manifestations of vain imaginings. The Primal Point—may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for Him—declareth in one instance, these exalted words:

“Know thou that on that Day none shall be known except God, none worshipped but Him, none described save Him, none loved except Him, and none sought besides Him.”

These blessed words cry out in the most exalted utterance between earth and heaven that today belongeth to God alone and is known and recorded in the divine Books as the Day of God—a Day wherein none is mentioned save Him. Yet now certain people occupy themselves with the vain imaginings of the past, which today have no mention or place in the Most Holy Court, and they have wished to veil the Sun of Grace behind the clouds of their idle fancies and to deprive the Divine Lamp of its light through tempestuous winds. Today is a different day and for it there is a different station. I beseech Him, exalted be He, to make known unto His servants what hath been concealed from them, to draw them nigh unto Him, and to bestow upon them that which hath been sent down from the heaven of His bounty. Verily, He is the Protector of them that remember Him and the Answerer of them that call upon Him.

These utterances of the Primal Point—may the spirit of all else but Him be sacrificed for His sake—which were mentioned, this evanescent servant hath repeatedly set forth in petitions addressed to the friends of God, that perchance the souls that are veiled by vain imaginings might at least realize that this Day is sanctified and free from all limitations, veils, and whatsoever is possessed by men. He hath been and shall ever be known through His Own Self. No thing can frustrate Him, no cause can weaken Him, and no veil can conceal Him. Today most people are deprived of sight and hearing. Blessed is he who beholdeth Him with his own eyes, detached from all else but Him, and who knoweth Him by His Own Self, casting aside all else. I beseech the One True Goal that He may illumine the realm of knowledge with the lights of the sun of steadfastness and brighten the horizons of hearts with the Luminary of the All-Merciful’s utterance. Verily, He is the One with power over whatsoever He willeth. There is none other God but Him, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

Furthermore, this evanescent servant attained unto another letter from that exalted personage dated the eighth of the month of Sha’ban. Praise be to God, it brought joy and delight. Later, at a certain time, it was presented in the Most Holy and Most Exalted Court. This is what the Tongue of Grandeur spoke in reply:

He is the Most Ancient

O My Afnan! We have desired to impart unto thee that which My Most Exalted Pen spoke aforetime in My first address to thee. Verily, thy Lord is the Mighty, the Loving.

He is the Most Great

The Promise hath come, and He Who was promised hath appeared, and the people are in evident turmoil. The ocean of life hath surged, yet they hasten unto death. The fragrance of the All-Merciful hath wafted, yet they turn away therefrom. They have taken to the brackish water and cast aside the sweet flowing stream. What aileth them that they perceive not? They occupy themselves with dust, turning away from the Munificent Lord. Verily, they understand not. By God! Their eyes are blind and their ears are deaf; they neither hear nor see.

O My Most Exalted Pen! Make mention of him who hath turned to the Light and set his face toward God, the Self-Subsisting, the All-Compelling—he who heard the Call when it was raised in the kingdom of creation and hastened through the fields of divine good-pleasure until he recognized and said:

“Praise be unto Thee, O Thou God of the seen and unseen!”

Say: O people of Baha! Are ye slumbering, or hath the wine of selfish desire intoxicated you and prevented you from remembering God, the Lord of existence? Say: This is the Day of Rising—how is it that ye remain seated? This is the Day of the Call—how is it that ye remain silent? Arise in My Name, then speak with wisdom and utterance, that haply the people of possibility may turn unto the All-Merciful, Who calleth in this forbidden spot.

Say: Have ye heard and remained patient? Fear God and be not of them that know not. Say: Turn ye, that ye may hear God’s melody in the Kingdom of utterance. By My life! Were they to hear it, the rapture of yearning would seize them to such degree that they would dance and be unaware thereof. Say: Do ye reject the cup of immortality and take the fetid water of extinction from the hand of every rejected transgressor? Say: Hath the teacher of passion taught you this, or your own selves? Be truthful with Me, O people, and follow not every veiled prevaricator.

Arise with wisdom and remind the servants of what the Lord of creation hath commanded you, that perchance they may turn unto God, the Mighty, the Loving. Thus hath My Pen spoken and My Tongue uttered and My limbs testified. Blessed is he who hath drawn nigh and taken the Tablet of God with the hand of power and drunk therefrom that which was inscribed in My Preserved Tablet.

O thou who drinkest from My cup and speakest in My Name! Render thanks for what hath been sent down unto thee from the heaven of bounty, this sealed Book. O My Afnan! All atoms are witnessed in rapture and ecstasy at the divine call and the shrill voice of the Celestial Pen, while the heedless servants wander in the wilderness of idle fancies and vain imaginings.

Say: By God’s life! He cannot be known through aught else, nor can He be seen through any eye save His own. He is, verily, the News which none hath ever known before, and which no soul hath encompassed save God, the Lord of the worlds. Say: By God! This is indeed the Great News with whose mention the Books of God, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed, have been adorned. Say: What is with Him is not what is with you, nor doth He walk in your ways. He hath come with the truth and made manifest His straight path. His throne was established, at His first arrival, upon God’s heights—thereby was fulfilled what was recorded in the Books of the Messengers.

Land and sea have been honored by His presence, His meeting, and the fragrant breezes of His luminous garment. This is a Day wherein none is mentioned save God alone, and wherein everything is weighed by the balance of God Who walketh and speaketh before the faces of the world. The Lord of Eternity hath come with manifest sovereignty. Say: The proof circleth round the Throne, and the evidence calleth out in His Name, the Mighty, the Inaccessible.

O My Afnan! Drink from every letter of thy Lord’s verses the wine of immortality, then give thanks to thy Lord, the Bountiful, the Most Generous. Then make mention of My loved ones on My behalf and give them the glad tidings of My grace and mercy, and remind them of that which the All-Merciful hath revealed in the Qur’an and the Bayan, and before them in the Torah and the Gospel. By God! There hath dripped from the chalice of Mine utterance the sealed wine which was described in the Book by One all-wise, all-knowing.

The praise be to God! The Tongue of Grandeur hath time and again manifested loving-kindness and bounty, and at the time of revelation, such was the surging of the ocean of utterance that this evanescent one beheld himself as but a tiny fish clinging to a rock. How then can he be capable of conveying that which the Tongue of God hath spoken? He wisheth to mention to the honored gentlemen that in these wondrous and exalted verses, mention hath been made of the Balance. Therefore, this evanescent servant desired to make mention of the Tablet of the Balance which was previously revealed, that all may attain unto the sweetness of divine utterance. His word, exalted be His glory:

In My Name, the All-Knowing, the Responsive

The Hour hath struck, and the Trumpet hath been blown, and the Balance proclaimeth: “I am the All-Knowing Distinguisher. Before the face of all mankind do I reveal and manifest the deeds of the peoples, and I am the All-Informed Witness. Not an atom remaineth that I have not revealed, and I am the Just, the Upright One. The Hand of Justice hath made me to stand equitable in the Days of God, the Lord of all worlds.” This is the Day whereon the Bugle doth sound, and the Bell doth ring, and the Trumpet proclaimeth: “The Kingdom is God’s, the Possessor of this wondrous Day.”

O thou that hearkeneth! When thou art blessed to hear the Tablet of thy Lord, turn thy face toward the Wronged One and say:

“May my soul be a sacrifice for Thy tribulations, O Thou Who hast spent all that Thou hadst in the path of God, the Most High, the Most Great.”

This evanescent servant, in relation to what he presenteth, hath loved and continueth to love to make mention of whatsoever Divine utterances and heavenly verses come to his attention, for this servant is certain that His Holiness deriveth joy from their reading and beholding. This Day is the Day of remembrance and utterance, yet the heedless have no portion thereof. This is the Day whereof David spoke in the Psalms:

“Let the rivers clap their hands; let the mountains sing together for joy before the Lord, for He cometh to judge the earth.”

All the divine Books are replete with mention of this blessed Day and that which hath been manifested therein. Yet it is observed that whatsoever hath been mentioned in the Books hath left no trace upon hearts harder than solid rock. Despite the explicit mention of the Divine Day and the Manifestation of God in previous Books, the people remain heedless and veiled. Consider the Bayan and its people. The Primal Point—may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for Him—hath said: “In the year nine ye shall attain unto the presence of God,” and likewise He hath said: “Then in the year nine ye shall attain unto all good.” Nevertheless, some are seen to remain veiled from the Manifestation of God, despite how greatly His Holiness emphasized this matter, even saying that ye should not remain veiled from that Sun of Truth by the Bayan and the Vahid of the Bayan.

Section 4: “His word, exalted and glorified be He: “Beware…”

His word, exalted and glorified be He: “Beware, beware on the day of His manifestation lest thou be veiled by the Vahid of the Bayan, for that Vahid is but a creation in His presence. And beware, beware lest thou be veiled by the words that have been revealed in the Bayan,” unto the end of His blessed words. And in one place He saith—exalted be His remembrance: “Whosoever looketh upon that Tree with other than the eye of God, for him the decree of salvation shall not be valid.”

Now the heedless people, with their veiled sight, have attempted to know God—glorified be He above what they imagine! And likewise in another place, these pearls of utterance have appeared from the ocean of knowledge of the Point of the Bayan—may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for Him. His word, exalted and glorified be He:

“This is why none among the people of the Bayan shall attain salvation except through beholding Him Whom God shall make manifest in their own beings, not through beholding Him Who hath already been made manifest.”

Consider ye this blessed verse, and behold how He hath taught mankind. By the express text He declareth: “Look unto Him, and not unto the Point [of the Bayan].” One of the Letters of the Living asked, concerning Him Whom God shall make manifest—glorified be His majesty and exalted His sovereignty—and the Tongue of the Bayan rebuked him, saying—glorious and mighty is He—“How great is the remembrance of Him of Whom thou hast inquired! And verily that One is too high, too mighty, too glorious, too unapproachable, too holy, for hearts to encompass by knowing Him, or for spirits to bow down before Him, or for souls to praise Him, or for bodies to make mention of the splendour of His beauty.

How great was thy question, and how small thine own being! Is the sun that shineth in the mirrors of His Manifestation in the Point of the Bayan to ask of that Sun before Whose dawning those suns, on the day of His appearing, shall prostrate themselves—if they be true suns; otherwise, it behoveth them not, by reason of the loftiness of His sanctity and the exaltation of His mention. Yet, but for the fact that thou wast of the First Unity, I would have appointed for thee a limit, inasmuch as thou hast asked concerning God—He Who created thee, and sustained thee, and caused thee to die, and shall raise thee up in this thy temple—by the Point of the Bayan, in that Revelation peerless in all existence.” End.

Now observe on what level the deniers occupy and on what station the Cause. Every thing beareth witness to His sanctification and exaltation above whatsoever the tongue of the world hath mentioned or will mention. This is a word which none will deny save every deluded doubter. He saith—exalted and glorified be His word:

“Perchance in the eighth year on the day of His manifestation thou wilt attain unto the presence of God. If thou attainest not at first, thou wilt attain at last. But be thou assured that the Cause is greater than every great thing, and that the Remembrance is mightier than every mighty thing.”

The addressee was Mulla Baqir, a Letter of the Living, upon him be the glory of God, to whom He saith that perchance in the eighth year thou wilt attain unto the presence of God, and if thou dost not attain this most mighty, most exalted, most glorious station at the beginning of the eighth, thou wilt attain unto His presence at its end, which coincideth with the beginning of the ninth. And this same Letter of the Living did attain the presence of God in the ninth year and twice directed his steps toward the Prison and attained His presence, and in these days he hath ascended unto the Supreme Horizon. Upon him be the glory of God and the glory of the angels that draw nigh.

Likewise did they give the glad tidings to Mirza Asadu’llah, upon him be the glory of God, that he would attain unto the presence of Him Whom God shall make manifest, and this exalted address was revealed concerning him wherein He saith: “Verily thou, O Third Letter that believeth in Him Whom God shall make manifest.” And in the days when the Most Great Luminary rose above the horizon of Iraq, he attained unto the presence of the throne and was honored with the station of faith. Thereafter there befell him that which befell him. The curse of God be upon the people, the wrongdoers! Details regarding this wronged one have been revealed and recorded in the Book of Badi’. Now observe ye the Ancient King Who saith that all the Bayan is like a ring upon His finger which He turneth howsoever He willeth, through whatsoever He willeth, for whatsoever He willeth. And He saith: “Be not veiled from that Sun of Truth by the whole of the Bayan and its Vahids.” Despite this firm and irrefutable command, they have clung to a single word thereof, which is the name Mustaghath, and have remained deprived of the Purpose of the world.

These attentive ears, penetrating eyes, enlightened breasts and illumined hearts say “Know Him through Him and not through aught else.” Yet what have they said and what have they done! And still they fail to perceive that they are forbidden but a word from the ocean of the Bayan and deprived by a single utterance from the Kingdom of divine utterance, and they remain wholly unaware of their deeds. They are occupied precisely with the games of Jabulqa and Jabulsa. Today, should He so will it, with but a single word He can cause whatsoever in the Bayan was confirmed to return to denial. He doeth whatsoever He willeth and shall not be asked of His doings. Verily He is powerful over all things.

Even as the Primal Point—may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for His sake—saith, exalted be His mention: “It is permitted unto Him Whom God shall make manifest to reject him than whom there is none higher on earth, for this creation lieth within His grasp and all are obedient unto Him.” He likewise hath power to endow all who are on earth with the raiment of prophethood, even as He saith, exalted be His mention: “For verily were He to make all who are on earth prophets, they would become prophets before God.” Here endeth the passage. All names are honored, glorified and ennobled through their turning unto Him; otherwise they are not worthy of mention.

Say: The Prophet is he who hath hearkened unto My Call and believed in My Self, and the Apostle is he who hath delivered My Messages, and the Imam is he who hath stood before My countenance and prospered in My days, and the Guardian is he who hath entered the stronghold of My guardianship and detached himself from all else but Me, and the Successor is he who hath bequeathed unto himself and then unto the servants My love and remembrance. Thus hath the Sun of utterance shone forth from the horizon of the will of your Lord, the All-Merciful, in this sacred, mighty, inaccessible and impregnable Paradise.

At this point the Primal Point—may the spirit of all else but Him be sacrificed for His sake—beseeches that whatsoever letters Thou hast numbered in the Bayan, save the Book of the Most High, Thou mayest transform and efface them, and in their stead create from the luminous letters whatsoever Thou lovest. And after sublime and transcendent utterances, He continues until it culminates in the Most Great Name, exalted be His grandeur. And it is most beloved to mention the original supplication of His Holiness, that all may partake of the Kawthar of utterance. His word, exalted and mighty be He:

“I beseech Thee by Thy grace, O my God, to adorn all my works in a mighty Book with the most excellent and impregnable calligraphy, than which there existeth none more exalted in Thy knowledge, in such wise that Thou mayest transform all the letters which Thou hast numbered, save the Book of the Most High, that Thou mayest efface them through Thy power and create in their place luminous letters according to what Thou lovest and art pleased with, in the uttermost heights above and beyond the most exalted horizon, until it culminateth in Thy Name, the Most Exalted, the Most Mighty, the Most Glorious, the Most Beautiful, the Most High, the Most Splendid. Verily, Thou hast power over all things.”

By God! Should any soul attain, in a measure beyond counting, unto fairness and insight, he would witness the fire of love of the Primal Point—may the spirit of all else but Him be sacrificed for His sake—enkindled in the mention of the appearance of the Lord of Names, and would comprehend it. What benefit is there when the lethargy of heedlessness hath prevented the people from the ultimate purpose, the most exalted summit, and the furthermost goal? O Beloved of my heart! The fire that hath been kindled within this evanescent servant doth verily inspire him to these mentions, else the Truth, exalted be His glory, is sanctified and elevated above whatsoever hath been or may be mentioned. And by the testimony of the Point of the Bayan—may the spirit of all else but Him be sacrificed for His sake—He hath not been and shall not be known by what is in the Bayan.

Exalted be His greatness and His mention and His sovereignty! Likewise, it is hoped that some hesitant souls who wander in the wilderness of bewilderment and are bound by veils and allusions may perchance become aware and find their way to the straight path of God. The Command is in His grasp. He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He pleaseth. And He is the Mighty, the Praiseworthy.

Another submission is that his honor Aqa Muhammad Khan, upon him be the Glory of God, together with two others arrived and attained the Most Holy Presence, and the lamp that reflected the hearts of the pure ones arrived safely through them. However, until now the Ancient Beauty has not visited the garden. God willing, it shall be done according to the command. For some time the Most Great Prison was the seat of the Throne, and now it has been one month since the mansion has been honored and blessed by the Holy Footsteps. We beseech God, our Beloved and your Beloved, our Goal and your Goal, to ordain for your honor that which befitteth His Gracious Name. Verily He is the Forgiving, the Merciful. The Glory be upon your honor from the presence of One Mighty, All-Knowing. The Most Great Branch and the Greater Branch—may my being and essence be a sacrifice unto the dust of Their feet—remember that beloved one with most exalted mention and convey Most Holy, Most Glorious greetings. Likewise all those who circle round the Prison Land, each one presents their utter nothingness and evanescence in service to your honor.

Another submission of this evanescent one is that in all conditions enjoin the friends of God to wisdom, lest they become heedless of it and be deprived of that which God hath intended. The day before, the Tongue of Grandeur uttered these words: “O thou who art present! Let none comprehend the purpose of the sublime and glorious verses and imagine otherwise. Write to the Afnan to inform all that in no circumstance is the decree of wisdom abrogated.” And concerning what was revealed in the verses “This is the Day of awakening yet ye are sleeping” and “This is the Day of arising yet ye are seated”—the intention is the teaching of God’s Cause, that upright souls may arise to teach it with wisdom. By My Self that presideth over all things, nothing else was or is intended. And in answer to one of the friends, these firm and decisive passages were sent down from the heaven of oneness—they are mentioned so that all may become aware of God’s grace, mercy and kindness, and fix their gaze upon that which He hath willed. His words, exalted be His grandeur:

“Beware, beware lest thou do what thou wrote at the end of thy letter. These are the deeds of the ignorant and the acts of the heedless. By the Most Great Name, should one of the friends cause harm to another, it is as though he hath harmed the Truth Itself. Conflict, contention, corruption, murder and the like have been strictly forbidden in God’s Book. Repent unto God for what thou didst intend in thy soul, then turn to Him and say:

ʿO my God! I beseech Thee by the Most Exalted Word to ordain for me the word of forgiveness, for I desired what Thou didst not desire and what Thou forbade in Thy Book. I beseech Thee to remit my sins and immerse me in the ocean of Thy forgiveness. Thou art verily the Forgiving, the Generous.’

Whatever wrong any oppressor hath manifested, leave him to the Truth Itself. Divine justice is all-pervading and all-encompassing. There hath not been and is no need for corruption, conflict, contention, murder and plunder. The triumph of the Cause hath been and shall be through utterance, and all else proceedeth from selfish desires. May God protect us and you, O concourse of those who have turned unto Him.” End.

Likewise in the Tablet of Ism’u’llah al-Jamal—may all glory from every Abha Glory be upon him—these blessed words were revealed, exalted be His grandeur and His truth:

“If all apparent power, which in truth has had and has no station before God, should become manifest, and if a swordsman should appear before us with evil intent, we would certainly not oppose him but would leave him to himself.”

A friend of God intended harm toward one of the people and mentioned his intention in a letter he sent to this servant. This servant presented it in the Most Holy Court, and the aforementioned revealed verses descended in reply to him from the heaven of God’s will and were sent to him. God willing, may the Truth confirm all to relinquish their own desires and fix their gaze upon the Will of God. Verily He speaks the truth and guides the way, and praise be to God, the Mighty, the Beautiful.

Another submission: The envelope for His Honor Ism’u’llah al-Jamal—may all glory from every Abha Glory be upon him—should reach him quickly. Haste is required. The Glory be upon you.

The servant 11 Rabi’u’l-Avval 1298