BH00035: Praise befitteth and beseemeth that Beloved One Who…

Section 1: “In the Name of our Most Holy, Most…”

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

Praise befitteth and beseemeth that Beloved One Who, with the finger of power, rent asunder the most mighty and glorious veils and guided the people of Baha to the highest horizon. He is the Expositor at Whose utterance all exposition is thunderstruck, and He is the Judge at Whose justice the Balance itself trembleth. Through but a single manifestation of His Will, the books of the world appear and become manifest, and through but a drop from the ocean of His Purpose, creation is thrown into commotion and tumult. Glory be to God! What manner of fire is this that maketh fresh and enduring, and what manner of water is this that increaseth heat? From the wine of His knowledge every possessor of understanding loseth his understanding, and from the Kawthar of His utterance every one devoid of hearing is endowed with hearing and proclaimeth His call. He bestoweth sight and declareth “Look and thou shalt see Me.”

Glory be to God! A Day of such blessedness and such sanctity hath remained unappreciated, and the pearls of the ocean of inner meanings have fallen into the hands of the sightless. The lowliest of all the parties of the earth regard themselves as the most exalted of creation, and souls that are but illusions count themselves among those possessed of certitude. Every fair-minded one is bewildered and every possessor of wisdom is confounded. The intoxication of vain desire hath prevented all from recognizing and comprehending the Day of God. This evanescent soul beseecheth the True One, exalted be His glory, to aid all to achieve that which beseemeth them.

I pray, send greetings and glorification upon those whom the veils have not prevented from the Dawning-Place of verses, who have arisen to promote the Cause and have spoken that which they were bidden in the Book of God, the Lord of the worlds. They are those who have testified to that which God hath testified and have acknowledged that which God hath acknowledged. These are servants unto whom the Supreme Pen hath borne witness, attesting to their devotion, their humility, their lowliness, and their arising to serve the Cause of God, the Lord of Names and Creator of the heavens. O my Lord! I beseech Thee by the lights of Thy countenance and the signs of Thy grandeur to assist them in all conditions to remember and praise Thee, and to enable them to that which befitteth Thy dawning and Thy manifestation and Thy power.

O my Lord! Thou seest them before Thy servants. I beseech Thee, O Lord of the world, by the Most Great Name, to preserve them from whatsoever is unworthy of Thy days. Then manifest through them that whereby Thy Cause may be exalted in Thy dominion. Thou art the Almighty Whom the affairs of creation cannot frustrate nor the manifestations of the earth weaken. Thou doest what Thou willest and ordainest what Thou pleasest. Verily, Thou art the Almighty, the Most Exalted, the All-Glorious, the All-Praised.

O beloved of my heart! Although this servant beseecheth and imploreth the True One, exalted and mighty be He, to be enabled to respond to thy letters, there have nonetheless been occasional delays. However, these delays have been caused by the press of occupations, to which thou thyself hast borne and continuest to bear witness. Praise be to God! Though there have been delays, they have not been forgotten and in every case a response hath been offered. This letter fulfilleth the promise made on the ninth of Rabi’u’th-Thani that the remainder of the response to thy letter dated the first of Safar would be submitted and dispatched.

Regarding what you wrote that one of the handmaidens of God named Fatimah is adorned with the ornament of divine love, and that her son took his own life by poison—this matter was presented before the Most Holy Court. This is what was revealed in response: “O ʿAli-Qabl-i-Akbar! We found not from him the fragrance of certitude, yet We forgave him as a bounty to you and to his mother. Verily your Lord is the Mighty, the All-Bountiful. We mention her at this time to give her glad tidings of the verses of her Lord, the Mighty, the All-Knowing.

O Fatimah! Hearken unto the call of thy Lord. He mentions thee from the prison and calls thee to God, the Lord of Lords. Be not grieved by what has transpired. Children are for the perpetuation of name and remembrance, and this only if God confirms and the child is adorned with justice. Now you have attained to that which is a hundred thousand times more excellent. Ask God to keep you firm and steadfast in His love, and that the Supreme Pen may reveal the word of His good-pleasure concerning you. This is a bounty whose mention and honor shall endure as long as the kingdom of earth and heaven endure. Hold fast to the hem of the mercy of thy Lord, the Generous.

O ʿAli! Give her the glad tidings of My loving-kindness and mercy, and that which hath been revealed for her from the heaven of My Will and surged in the ocean of My utterance, the Mighty, the Impregnable. God willing, may all be quickened by the fire of divine favor and the water of the All-Merciful’s mercy, in such wise that the coldness of the world may not chill the people of Baha nor hold them back from the Most Exalted Horizon.”

Some days ago, the Fruit of the Crimson Leaf—upon her be, from every Baha, its most glorious Baha—[was mentioned].

Likewise, certain of the maidservants of God had set forth, in detail, matters concerning him before the Holy Household; and an answer, from the heaven of loving-kindness, was revealed and sent in a sealed packet, in the name of His honour the Fruit—upon him be the splendour of Baha’u’llah. God willing, they shall attain thereunto. And as to what thou didst write, that thou hadst penned and dispatched, on behalf of the sister of Hadrat Sultanu’ sh-Shuhada—my soul be a sacrifice for him—an epistle to the Most Inaccessible, the Most Holy Presence: this was laid before Him.

This is what the Tongue of Grandeur hath uttered:

“O ʿAli-ibn-i-Akbar! We have made mention of every name that was in thy letter. This is of My nature; and it beareth witness to My loving-kindness, and to My character, and to My mercy that hath preceded all things. Blessed is the name of that sister who mourned in His affliction, at whose bereavement My Most Exalted Pen lamented; and blessed is his sister who turned unto Us, and heard, and attained.”

“Announce unto her, on My behalf; then convey unto her what hath been revealed for her from the heaven of My Will—verses of My greatness, through which the Hour hath been made manifest and hath arisen. We have, ere this, revealed for her a Tablet and sent it unto her as a command from Our presence. Thus did the Dove cry aloud and speak.” Ended.

A further Tablet, most inaccessible and most holy, is likewise being sent by the hand of His honour Ibn-ʿAta—upon them both be the splendour of Baha’u’llah. It was also sent before; God willing, they have attained, and shall attain, thereunto. For some days now the aforementioned person and his brother have been admitted to the Most Holy Presence, and after a few days they will set their faces toward that region.

And as to what thou didst write concerning the daughter of His honour Ismu’llah al-Asdaq—upon him rest the most glorious splendours of Baha’u’llah—this was submitted. Praise be to God! through His grace she hath attained, and at this very hour this most wondrous, most unapproachable Tablet hath been revealed especially for her. God willing, she shall attain thereunto.

In the Name of God, the One.

O my handmaid! God willing, mayest thou be the recipient of divine favors. This is the Day wherein the gems of human existence must be made manifest through the divine Name. The path hath been laid and the balance set up. Beseech ye the exalted Lord that He may aid all His servants and handmaidens to achieve that which beseemeth His days. This is the Day of goodly deeds and spiritual attributes. Strive thou to attain that which God hath purposed. Thou hast been remembered before His presence, and God willing, shall continue to be remembered. Rejoice thou in thy Lord’s bounty and render thanks unto Him through His beauteous remembrance. Blessed is thy father. The Tongue of Grandeur hath testified on his behalf in such wise that his remembrance shall endure throughout the eternity of My most excellent names.

Thy Lord is verily the All-Bountiful, the Ancient of Days. He attained the presence of God once in Baghdad and again in this mighty prison. He approached with radiant countenance by his Lord’s leave until he entered and presented himself at the gate, and heard the verses of God, the Lord of all worlds. On most days he attained Our presence and heard that which the Beloved heard on His night journey and Moses heard on the Mount of knowledge. Thus hath My Most Exalted Pen spoken, yet the people are for the most part heedless.

O handmaid of God! Great indeed is God’s favor and mighty is His grace. The entire world standeth powerless to reckon the measure thereof. He hath forgiven thee out of His grace and commandeth thee to that which beseemeth thee. He is verily the All-Bountiful and His Essence dominateth the worlds. God willing, may the handmaids of the All-Merciful act in a manner befitting their station. This is the counsel of the Peerless Friend. The Glory be upon thee and upon them that follow guidance.

Concerning thy mention of the friends in that land and the question about the blessed verse, it was presented before His presence. This is what the All-Bestowing hath revealed in response:

He is the All-Knowing Speaker

O ʿAli-Akbar! The Wronged One remembereth thee from the precincts of His hallowed House and His praiseworthy station, that thou mayest rejoice and be among the thankful. We have heard thy call and answered thee, and witnessing thy humility, We have remembered thee in such wise as to diffuse the fragrance of My loving-kindness amongst My servants. Verily thy Lord is the Forgiving, the Bountiful. We make mention of My loved ones whom thou hast mentioned, that the call may attract them to the Supreme Horizon and draw them nigh unto a station wherein the hosts of the earth shall not frighten them, nor shall the derision of the infidels who have denied God, the Lord of all worlds, cause them to grieve.

He verily protecteth them as He pleaseth through the sovereignty of might, majesty and power, and nothing whatsoever can frustrate His purpose. Thy Lord is verily the Almighty, the Omnipotent. Say: Consider ye this world—it passeth away like a breath, quicker than the twinkling of an eye. Thus doth He Who possesseth a perspicuous Book remind you. Ponder ye upon it and its evanescence. By the life of God! Ye shall then find yourselves in supreme joy. Ye are they whom the All-Merciful remembereth throughout all possibility and to whom He maketh known His straight path. Ye have attained unto that which Moses attained aforetime. My tongue and My Pen and the denizens of My glorious kingdom bear witness unto this.

O thou who gazest upon the Countenance! Give them glad tidings from Me and proclaim unto them from My tongue. Then remind them of that which shall make them mighty in this Cause, that the spirit of steadfastness may descend upon them from the heaven of thy Lord’s grace, the Mighty, the All-Wise.

Most strange it is that souls who claim the station of steadfastness and certitude become agitated and shaken by the merest whiff from the embodiments of vain imaginings. The tales of old have held people back from steadfastness, and lack of understanding hath deprived them of this supreme bounty, heedless that whatsoever they have heard before was pure falsehood and sheer calumny. These matters were mentioned before in most eloquent terms. Thou must acquaint the souls with these things in such wise that the heedless ones shall find themselves powerless to prevent them, but rather shall perceive their own impotence and limitation.

When they asked Ja’far, brother of ʿAskari, whether any offspring remained from his brother, he said there was a child who died. When the false pretenders heard this statement, they denied it and called him a liar. Observe to what degree the oppression reached and to what level the calumny ascended. Then mention was made of the Holy Domain and the appearance of epistles, with all the details you have previously heard. May God grant justice regarding such souls who have left the helpless people wandering in the wilderness of doubts and idle fancies, and who have proven worse than Abu Lahab. Now for some time this title of “liar” will remain among the people of Pharaoh for that truthful Speaker. These false and lying pretenders cling to the same devices; their original way and path remains the same. The receptive souls must be made aware so that they may become informed and not be deprived of what God has intended through the whisperings of Satan’s party.

I swear by the brightness of the Sun of Justice that this Wronged One’s purpose is that powerful souls should arise to promote the Cause and protect the people from the evil of satans, until they reach a station where they see themselves independent of all that has passed and count all save the Truth as non-existent and null. Say: O friends, fix your gaze upon the horizon of the Cause and upon that which hath appeared therefrom. This is the counsel of Truth. Convey My greetings to all the friends and remind them of that which the Book hath spoken. Those souls who are now in the land of Sad and elsewhere, calling people to hell—you yourself know that they were not and are not aware of any Cause. They speak according to their desires. Their origin is falsehood and unto falsehood do they return. Verily they are of falsehood and unto it shall they return.

In any case, seize the reins of the Cause through God’s power and might, and call the receptive ones to the horizon of certitude. Perchance they may drink from the Kawthar of assurance and manifest complete steadfastness. End.

Indeed, this evanescent one is bewildered, nay, dumbfounded. By what proof can those who turn away from this Most Great Cause establish any other cause? Through a drop from this ocean all the Prophets and Messengers guided the people to the truth. Now the ocean is manifest, yet the people are observed to be veiled and heedless. The expounder must break all the idols of vain imaginings that people previously held, with the arm of certitude, and lead them to the Dawning-Place of verses with the rod of wisdom. The Command is in God’s hands.

Section 2: “Regarding what was written about Jinab-i-Aqa Khudadad, upon…”

Regarding what was written about Jinab-i-Aqa Khudadad, upon him be the glory of God, it was mentioned. The Sun of loving-kindness shone forth from the horizon of grace. They said: The children of the Friend and the heirs of the Interlocutor have in this Revelation attained to the most great favor. Their mention, their acceptance, and their service have been revealed and recorded by the Most Exalted Pen in scriptures and tablets. Convey to him greetings from the True One and say: Through the favor of the Peerless Friend thou hast attained the Most Exalted Horizon and been adorned with the recognition of the Dawning-Place of verses and the Source of clear proofs. Ask God that he may attain this lofty and most exalted station with supreme steadfastness. Verily He is the Mighty, the Powerful. Soon shall the fruits of deeds become manifest. Verily He does not suffer the reward of the doers of good and the benevolent to be lost. Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds. End.

Concerning what you wrote about Jinab-i-Akhavan and his family, upon them be 9 66 [Baha’u’llah], from the heaven of grace a most holy and exalted Tablet was revealed and sent specifically for each one. God willing, their eyes shall be illumined thereby and their hearts attain supreme joy. Likewise, specifically for Jinab-i-Aqa Muhammad Ja’far a most holy Tablet was revealed and sent, that his eyes might be consoled and his heart rejoiced. Up to this point is the response to your letter which was previously submitted, some of which was presented and sent, and some of which was to be sent later. Now praise be to God that this evanescent servant was enabled to fulfill his promise, praise be to God in all conditions. And your other letter which you had sent to Ismu’llah M.H., upon him be Baha’u’llah, was presented before His presence. This is what the Kingdom of Utterance hath spoken:

God willing, on this most mighty, most exalted, most holy day, may they succeed in that which is befitting and proper. Their mention hath been made in His presence and the gaze of His favor is directed towards them. With perfect wisdom and utterance they must strengthen the weak souls through the blessed, mighty Word of God and adorn them with the ornament of certitude, that they may remain protected from the doubts of the manifestations of fancy and idle imaginings. Indeed, may they behold each of the people of Baha in such a steadfast station that they find themselves incapable of speech.

O ʿAli-Qabil-Akbar! All the people of the Bayan bear witness that, on a day when all men, by reason of the tyranny of the exponents of oppression, lay hid behind veils and curtains, the Truth—of Himself—arose to champion His Cause, and, with the most exalted Call, summoned the inmates of the Kingdom of creation to the Most High Horizon. There befell Him such things as none can reckon save God. And when, through the potency of the Name of the Self-Subsisting, the mention of the Cause was uplifted and the standard of the Bayan planted, they that were the dawning-places of vain imaginings came forth from behind the veil and, like unto buzzing flies, made a clamorous noise.

O thou that hast turned unto God! Ponder the heedless souls—what have they left behind, and to what have they turned? Say: He needeth not, for the proof of His Cause, the mention of aught beside Himself. Verily He hath brought that which none before Him hath brought; to this beareth witness whoso speaketh with fairness and equity. Thy Lord, verily, is the just, the impartial, the speaking, the all-seeing. Say: By God! He is not indicated by any book, nor by the Bayan, neither is He known through the mention of His servants and His creatures. He establisheth His Cause by His own Self; verily He is independent of all that hath been and all that shall be. The Bayan circleth round about Him; the verses are abased before His manifestation; the proofs are humbled beneath His sovereignty.

He, in truth, is the Powerful, the Almighty. Say: Die in your rage! He is not to be pointed to by that which ye possess, nor by that which is in the Bayan. How is it that ye seek to prove, by it, God, the Lord of the worlds? The whole of the Bayan is even as a ring upon My finger, and a leaf among the leaves of My garden of utterance. Thus hath testified My Herald, Who came with the Truth and announced unto men this mighty tiding. In all the Books of God the mention of this Manifestation hath been set forth with fullest clarity, recorded and inscribed; yet this Manifestation, of Himself, hath been and shall ever be sufficient, independent of the testimony of those gone before and those that come after.

God willing, thou shalt be strengthened to shatter the idols of doubt and delusion, and to guide all men to the law of certitude. Thy Lord, verily, is the Sustainer, the Teacher, the All-Informed. Ended.

The supplication of thy honour was submitted, time after time; and the honoured one, the Name 66 [God]—upon Him be 9 66 [Baha’u’llah]—hath likewise, in accordance with thy commission, attained unto a special visitation. Well is it with him, and with you, and with me.

As to what thou didst ask: that a certain man hath, of his own person, asserted unto a certain woman that “thou art my wedded wife,” and that he and she recited together the verse of consent, and agreed upon a specified dowry in conformity with the ordinance of the Book; that neither party had anyone appointed by them to conclude the contract with leave and permission; and that no other witnesses were present; yet now the woman denieth it, saying: “Never did such a thing take place; it is a lie.” What is the duty, and what the ruling? These matters were laid before the Presence; He said: This marriage contract hath not been concluded according to the ordinance of the Book, for the nuptial formula must be recited and a number of persons must be present, that thereafter none may be able to deny.

The recitation of the formula is not an obligation, yet witnesses are necessary. And after the establishment of the House of Justice and the men thereof, they will assuredly appoint a person, with certain others, for this particular matter, that affairs may be carried out in conformity with the divine law. If, between two persons, something hath indeed taken place, yet, since it hath not occurred according to that which God hath ordained, it is neither accepted nor can it be; for if otherwise be done, it will lead to confusion and corruption and contention.

Verily He hath appeared, and hath made manifest His straight Path, that every matter may be seen firm and secure in its own place. It behoveth both to repent and to return unto God, the Forgiving, the Generous. He verily forgiveth His servants, and He is the Compassionate, the Mighty, the Merciful. End.

And further thou didst ask whether any person is free to dispose of his possessions while he hath offspring and other heirs—whether he may make over his estate and property to another, or to one heir alone, by way of settlement or gift, depriving the rest of any share, or whether he may not. This is what the All-Bountiful hath revealed in reply

“Every soul hath full authority over their own possessions and may do with them as they wish, so long as they are possessed of a sound mind. Their authority is not taken from them. This is what God hath decreed. However, after the onset of a true mental incapacity that is clearly established by skilled physicians, their authority ceaseth by the decree of the Book. Verily, He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He pleaseth. There is no God but Him, the Almighty, the Powerful, the All-Praised.” End.

And as to what thou didst write, that His honour Mashhadi Haydar, of the people of Sad—upon him rest the splendours of Baha’u’llah—had inquired concerning the embryo [al-janin] and matters other than the embryo: these particulars also were presented before the Throne. This is what the Tongue of Grandeur hath spoken.

Blessed art thou, O Haydar, in that thou hast turned thy face towards God, hast believed in Him and hast migrated in His path despite what thou didst encounter from the hosts of the oppressors. Those souls who have not attained unto the recognition of God in this day are accounted as being in an embryonic state. Verily, one who hath attained is he who hath both recognized and conveyed My Cause. Observe those souls who count themselves among the people of certitude and assurance, and who consider themselves illumined by the light of the divine Sun of Manifestation and steadfast, yet at the time of testing they are found submerged in doubt by the words of deluded souls whose proofs are flimsier than a spider’s web.

How strange it is! What regret and remorse! Although all are aware that none had any knowledge of this Cause, and these disseminators speak merely of their own desires and have heard naught but from their like, yet they are found wavering and disturbed. The people of Baha must manifest such steadfastness and power that none shall find occasion for speech or denial. By the life of God! These people are in manifest loss.

O Haydar! God willing, thou shalt remain protected from the arrows of the deniers and the objectors, and be adorned with the ornament of certitude. Consider the words of the Point of the Bayan regarding what the heedless souls today proclaim and cling to. He saith:

“The one-year-old babes of that Revelation are mightier than all the followers of the Bayan”

- that is, than those who cling to the Bayan. This statement of the Author of the Bayan, and other statements of its people, thou and the other friends have heard what they have said and continue to say. By the life of God! They are among the oppressors.

As to what thou hast asked regarding the embryo [al-janin], know thou that whatsoever hath occurred and will occur in the world is according to divine wisdom, and all things are created complete and perfect, with effect and fruit. If one were to observe and contemplate any matter or thing before his eyes, he would testify with absolute certainty that His wisdom is consummate and His craftsmanship perfect. Consider the hand which is ever with man—all that it possesses is according to wisdom. If but one of its veins, which is the finest and most delicate of all, should be afflicted, the strength and movement of the hand would be impaired. Every sage hath testified to the perfection of His handiwork and every learned one to the completeness of His creation.

And whatsoever hath been created must needs reach its state of perfection and attain unto maturity. And if it be prevented by other causes, this too is according to other divine wisdom, which in some cases is manifest and evident, and in others hidden and concealed. For example, God hath bestowed the hand, and for man it is necessary, as it is observed to be the greatest of instruments. However, when it is severed on account of theft, this deficiency is, in the eyes of the discerning, perfect, nay rather, most perfect, for it is the cause of protection and the means of preventing the servants from committing reprehensible and rejected deeds. Observe all things from this perspective. It is evident that the creation of the embryo is for the purpose of growth and maturity, and every soul hath been, and remaineth, powerless to comprehend the essence of the Divine Wisdom.

Verily the mind is the greatest sign in man, and blessed is he who attaineth unto it. Yet notwithstanding its lofty station and exalted rank, it is seen to be powerless to comprehend most things, for the mind’s knowledge dependeth upon the testimony of sight. Unless the eye beholdeth the palm tree, the mind cannot perceive in the date-stone its fruits and leaves, branches and boughs. How then could the mind comprehend, before beholding it, that there existeth in the world something one speck of which could burn up the entire world, reduce it to ashes, and bring it to naught? Assuredly the Hand of Divine Power hath brought such a thing to completion.

Neither are God’s worlds limited to this world, nor is His power restricted from aught, nor His might confined to the means of this world. And since it hath been established and proven that His creation is perfect and complete, and that whatsoever hath been and is observed is in accordance with wisdom, it therefore becometh evident to every soul that whatsoever appeareth imperfect hath been ordained to attain unto perfection and completion, and shall be made manifest. He, verily, is the Powerful, the Creator, the Ordainer, the All-Wise.

Were the Most Exalted Pen to fully reveal the mysteries of this matter, ye would behold the hidden secrets in the outward appearance of all things. God willing, may this station be unveiled, and may ye drink from the ocean of joy and knowledge.

O Haydar! Hearken unto the voice of Him Who hath been wronged, and stand firm in the Cause of God with such steadfastness that neither sitting nor standing can match or attain unto it. That which is needed today is to aid the Cause of God through wisdom and utterance. Be seated and take counsel regarding the conduct of affairs, and with perfect calm and dignity carry out whatsoever will conduce to the exaltation and advancement of the Cause of God. End.

As to the embryos of the Bayan, it must be observed that even after a hundred thousand years it is not known whether they will attain unto the stage of maturity. Consider the words of their chief, how he regardeth the people as utterly foolish when he writeth that they take two verses from the Qur’an and two verses from the Bayan, combine them and call it a verse. Now ponder the falsehood of that heedless soul, and at what station and rank he standeth. Should anyone reflect upon his words, he would gain complete knowledge of his true condition. Although in this Revelation there hath appeared that which hath never appeared in any age—if they look to the abundance of verses, verily they have filled the East and the West.

In the Lawh-i-Burhan this blessed verse was sent down from the heaven of the Divine Will. Thus speaketh He, exalted be His glory: “Dost thou object to Him Who hath brought unto thee that which thou possessest and that which the people of the world possess of the proofs of God and His signs?” And in another place: “Dost thou deny the verses of thy Lord which, when sent down from the heaven of His Cause, caused all the Books of the world to bow down before them?” Thus hath the Tongue spoken in the kingdom of utterance, yet most of the people are heedless. And if they look to the sweetness and greatness of the verses, all atoms bear witness that they cannot be compared to even a single tablet from among the wondrous and exalted divine tablets—whatsoever was revealed in the Bayan and before it cannot equal a single Tablet from among the wondrous and exalted divine Tablets.

The Point of the Bayan—may the spirit of all else but Him be sacrificed for His sake—hath said: “A single letter thereof transcendeth all that hath been revealed in the Bayan.” Where is he that heareth and seeth? Where is he that showeth justice and speaketh the truth? This evanescent servant beseecheth God to vouchsafe unto the heedless and the wayward a drop from the ocean of fairness. Verily He is the All-Powerful, the Almighty.

Section 3: “Concerning what thou didst mention about the dream…”

Concerning what thou didst mention about the dream of Aqa ʿAbdu’l-Karim from the people of Sad, this is what the Tongue of Grandeur hath spoken: We caused him to hear the Word of Truth and showed him what was hidden. He, verily, is the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. God hath ordained what he witnessed and saw, and he shall soon behold it. Verily he is in the All-Glorious Horizon, the Most Exalted Horizon, and he giveth glad tidings unto all of this News whereby the Book of existence hath been adorned and every wise matter made manifest. Assuredly, that which he saw shall come to pass in due time. Thus hath the All-Wise decreed in His perspicuous Book.

This year certain upheavals have occurred in those blessed lands. Among them, in Najaf the plague appeared with such intensity that the residents were forcefully expelled and given lodging elsewhere. It is evident what hath occurred and come to pass in that city. Great changes have appeared. The servant doth not wish to mention all that hath transpired therein. This much he mentioneth: all these matters have been and are preparations for the fulfillment of that true dream. Glory be unto him who hath heard what hath been sent down from the Kingdom of God, the Lord of the worlds.

Concerning what thou didst write about Ali Khan and Ustad Abbas, it was submitted, and two Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablets were revealed and sent specifically for them. He said: The rain of mercy descendeth at all times from the heaven of grace; if the place be ready and worthy of the appearance of grace, deliver the Tablets that they may attain unto them.

Thus far is the answer to thy letter which thou didst write on the 12th of Safar and send through Ismu’llah.

As for thy last letter dated the 16th of Rabi’u’th-Thani, in truth it was a bird that taught this evanescent bird to warble—that is, from thy mention it learned to mention the Beloved of the world. Well is it with the people of wisdom who have been intoxicated by the choice wine of utterance. After its recitation and reading it attained the Most Holy, Most Exalted Presence, and thy supplication was offered before the face of the Desired One time and again. Thou hast been mentioned by thy Lord and my Lord and the Lord of the heavens and the earth. He—exalted be His glory—hath said:

In My Name, the Mighty, the Inaccessible

The servant in attendance has appeared with thy letter and hath laid before Us what was inscribed therein of thy words, from which We perceived the fragrance of thy sincerity, thy remembrance and thy praise. Verily thy Lord is the Hearing, the Answering. By My life, thou hast spoken the truth, and the Mother Book beareth witness to this, as it sitteth established upon the throne of utterance in this exalted station. Say: By God! The Lord of the Messengers hath come, the Sovereign Book hath been sent down, and the Ocean of Life circleth round the will of our Lord, the Most Merciful, Who hath appeared and revealed what He desired through His Great Name. Whosoever hath hesitated in this Cause for less than a moment hath been cursed by every letter in the Books of God, the Lord of the worlds.

Say: Bring forth what ye possess and We shall lay before you what We possess. Verily our Lord, the Most Merciful, is the One Who distinguisheth, separateth, explaineth, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. By God! The Balance proclaimeth, the Path calleth out, and the Trumpet declareth: Open your eyes! This is He Who was mentioned in God’s Books, and He is the One Who spoke on Sinai. Fear God, O peoples of the earth, and be not among the lost. The Hidden Treasure hath appeared and the Spirit before His Face proclaimeth, saying: This is He Whom God’s Messengers foretold, were ye of them that know.

O ʿAli-Akbar! Reflect upon God, His proof, His testimony, His sovereignty, and that which the tongues of the heedless have uttered—they who have turned away from My straight Path. Say: This is a Day wherein naught is mentioned save God, if ye be of the fair-minded. Say: This is a Day wherein the Face hath appeared after the destruction of all things and the extinction of all names, if ye be of them that hear.

O ʿAli-Akbar! Consider the station whereof the Primal Point hath spoken:

“I seek refuge with Thee, O my God, lest my position on that Day be the position of the wicked.”

Observe what He said and what they say, what He did and what they do. They arose to cut down the Tree, and when their schemes were exposed, they opened their lips in calumny. You and all the people of the Bayan know that the Truth hath never been hidden nor concealed behind a veil. He hath been manifest and evident among the people, time and again He hath gone into exile, and repeatedly hath He been cast into prison with chains and fetters. With utmost power and might He summoned all on earth to the Truth, and in those days no one appeared. Yet that wrongful soul represented himself as wronged and attributed injustice to the True One, exalted be His glory. No one asked him what wrong had been done to him, what hardship he had endured, or what tribulation he had suffered. All know that in every city where he dwelt, he lived in seclusion with a group of women in perfect ease.

By God, besides Whom there is none other God! Merely upon hearing that someone had been arrested in the land of Ta or elsewhere, he would leave Iraq and wander about in Basra, Samavah and around Baghdad, returning only after hearing that safety was restored. And to every city where the Ancient Beauty would go, he would arrive afterwards. The only thing that befell him was that he was sent to Cyprus, and this too happened indirectly, for the intention was to imprison the Ancient Beauty, and to fulfill what had been previously said concerning the mention of the island—and you and all know that no one but this servant was or is aware of its circumstances. Indeed these few words that were submitted were out of heedlessness, for man in his heedlessness from the Truth occupies himself with such words. But the Exalted Truth is aware. The purpose is that perhaps some souls may observe and become aware.

These matters have been mentioned repeatedly. Verily He guides whom He willeth unto His straight path. In any case, today all the people of the Bayan are seen to be in the fire except for the souls that are assured and tranquil. This note that hath appeared from the Divine Trump must be heeded. His word, exalted be His mention:

“It is permitted unto Him Whom God shall make manifest to reject anyone on earth above whom there is none higher, for this is created within His grasp and all are submissive unto Him.”

These statements are for the weak among creation, otherwise this Most Great Revelation hath never been and is not in need of anything else to establish its Cause. One day this word shone forth from the Dayspring of Will—He said that no one before hath known this Most Great Revelation as it truly is. This eternal treasure hath been concealed from the understanding and minds of all else, and this is specific to this Revelation. And this is a word to which the divine Books, Psalms and Scriptures of the past and future have testified. By God’s life, this is a mighty Cause and a momentous announcement.

And regarding what you wrote about Aqa Siyyid Muhammad and Aqa Mirza Ahmad, upon them be the Glory of God—indeed it is as you mentioned. Praise be to God, they have attained the utmost heights and the highest horizon. In these days when the limbs of existence are seen to tremble from the oppression of the aggressors and tyrants, God willing through the effects of their steadfastness all shall attain the greatest steadfastness. And you must educate souls to this station until they attain a state where they see all who are on earth as utter nothingness before a single word of God’s words. Their petitions reached the Most Holy Court and their supplications were presented before His presence. The Sun of favor hath risen from the horizon of grace and two Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablets were revealed and sent from the heaven of Will. God willing, may they at all times drink from the living waters of the verses of the All-Merciful and occupy themselves with teaching the Cause with wisdom.

This servant also intended to submit something to Aqa Siyyid Muhammad, upon him be the Glory of God, but since the most great verses were revealed from the Supreme Pen, this servant did not trouble further. However their mention shall never, God willing, be erased from the heart. And the matters they had written were presented in the Most Holy Court, including the question about using certain drinks and essences. This is what the Tongue of Grandeur spoke in this regard: “He is permitted to use whatever he desireth for illness.” Previously in such cases this word was heard from the Ancient Tongue, exalted be His grandeur: “Whatever a skilled physician prescribeth, there hath been and is no objection to following it. Blessed is he who hath adhered to the knowledge which God hath honored and preferred above all other knowledge.” God willing may they be enabled to cure the chronic diseases of the nations with the antidote of the Most Great Name, that all may be adorned with the ornament of health and turn to the station of sanctification and detachment.

And as to what you wrote concerning the aforementioned person who submitted a petition which, due to certain of his thoughts, was not forwarded—excellent was your action. Such souls appear heedless of the Cause of God. In former years someone submitted a petition containing certain statements, and it was said: “This is not the day of test and trial. It is not for creation to test God, glorified be His majesty; rather, He tests His servants.” Say: “Read ye the Books of God that were sent down aforetime, that ye may discover that which befitteth this Day, the Day through whose mention the Scriptures of God, the Lord of all worlds, have been adorned.” And in a Tablet to one of the friends who dwelt near the Prison Land, this blessed verse was revealed from the heaven of God’s Will: “This is not the day for questions. It behooveth every soul, when he heareth the Call, to turn to the Most Sublime Horizon and say: ʿHere am I, here am I, O God of the worlds! Here am I, here am I, O Thou Goal of all who seek Thee!”’

As to what you wrote regarding those souls who have ascended unto God—verses adorned with the word ʿforgiveness’ were specifically revealed for them from the heaven of the mercy of the All-Merciful and were previously sent. By the life of the Beloved! The breathings of the verses so encompassed them that those who count are powerless to reckon them.

And concerning what you wrote about Jinab-i-Aqa Siyyid ʿAli, upon him be the Glory of God, who was among the emigrants to the Land of Sad, and his son Jinab-i-Aqa Siyyid Muhammad—some time ago one of the partakers of the wine of inner meanings, upon him be the Glory of God, wrote to this servant mentioning that certain objectors from among the Bayanis, that is, from the party of Satan, had met with Jinab-i-Aqa Siyyid Muhammad in the Land of Sad and had raised certain doubts. This matter caused this servant great astonishment, for the people of God must be so firm and steadfast that neither the winds of the world nor the whisperings of the nations can move them.

Through their steadfastness, hearts and minds should be illumined with the light of constancy, and through their firmness and rootedness the banner of divine unity should be raised upon the highest standards. Those who cast doubts have no understanding whatsoever of this Cause, for in the beginning no one was aware of its essence. Whosoever claims such awareness utters pure falsehood and manifest lies. In any case, this evanescent servant beseeches God that the reward of His loved ones not be lost through the sayings of this one and that one, and that all may be adorned with the ornament of steadfastness.

His honor Aqa Siyyid ʿAli, upon him be the glory of God, and those with him, have ever been remembered in the Most Holy Court, and the glances of favor have been directed towards them. In all instances of hardship and tribulation, the hand of divine power has preserved them. This is a day wherein the suns of steadfastness must be seen dawning and shining forth from the horizons of the hearts of the people of the Crimson Ark. God willing, it is hoped that they—that is, his honor Aqa Siyyid Muhammad—may remain protected from the arrows of the allusions of the opposers and the spears of the doubts of the deniers, and may speak that by which hearts and minds are attracted.

Convey greetings from this evanescent one to them. God willing, may they arise with that which befitteth the Days of God. Verily our Lord, the Most Merciful, is the All-Knowing Witness. In all conditions, I beseech and hope from the True One, exalted be His glory, their good, health and protection. The Command is in the hands of God, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. Would that this servant could meet with the friends and present certain hidden matters. In all conditions the servant sayeth and testifieth that there is none other God but Him. His is the Command in the beginning and in the end, and He is the First and the Last, and the Manifest and the Hidden, and He is knowing of all things.

Section 4: “And concerning what you wrote about his honor…”

And concerning what you wrote about his honor Mulla Mihdi from the people of Jasb, it was presented before the Throne. This is what the Kingdom of Utterance hath spoken: He is the Most Holy, the Most Great, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious.

O Ali-Qabli-Akbar! Drink thou of the Most Pure Kawthar from the utterance of thy Lord, the Most Merciful. Verily, He will show thee that which is hidden from the eyes of men. We have made mention of thee in the Book of My servant who is present, time and again, that thou mayest give thanks unto thy Lord, the All-Seeing Speaker. There hath been mentioned in Our presence he who is named Mihdi, who hath believed in God, the Lord of lords. Say: Grieve not, for We have mentioned thee before, to this My Most Exalted Pen beareth witness with the most excellent utterance. We had previously revealed and sent forth the Most Great, Most Holy Tablet especially for him, that he might inhale from it the fragrance of the All-Merciful and attain unto the most exalted station, which is the station of steadfastness. At this hour, too, We have mentioned him in these sublime and glorious verses, and beyond these two, another Tablet hath been sent down for him from the heaven of My Will. Deliver it unto him, that his eyes may be cheered and his heart illumined with the lights of certitude.

As to the offering they have made, it hath been accepted, and as commanded, your honor should receive it and, with wisdom, offer hospitality to the friends of God. Gatherings are in no wise permitted. If several separate meetings be held, this would be more agreeable. When the Most Great Luminary was rising from the horizon of the Land of Mystery, this servant was commanded to write to him who was named Mihdi, whom God caused to dwell in His house after his migration, saying that ye should follow in the footsteps of the Lord of all beings, and associate with the people of the world in the utmost spirit of joy and fragrance, lest alarm and anxiety be aroused among the people and become a cause of disturbance to weak souls. In all circumstances, ye must observe wisdom and act in accordance with what ye have been commanded in the Book.

This servant conveyed these exalted words to them as directed. In response, they wrote that absolutely nothing contrary would appear, and that all the friends were gathering together in perfect love, kindness, and harmony, occupied in the remembrance of the Beloved of the worlds. After this matter was presented in the Most Holy Court, this word was issued from the Source of Command—exalted be His glory: Write that the government has had and will have no concern with your inner beliefs and religion, whether you deny religions or recite the Quran. The government has no objection, but gatherings cause commotion and are contrary to the government’s wishes, for from the beginning, governments have neither been aware of this Cause nor are they now, and throughout history they have witnessed corruption arise from gatherings. Therefore, they view these gatherings as they do other gatherings, and this very gathering and assembly is considered by governments a great offense and grievous error.

This evanescent one’s petition is that mention be made to the honored ones and beloved ones in that land, from this servant who is utter nothingness and complete extinction, that all depends upon His Holiness’s favor. God willing, it is hoped that all may shine forth like unto the sun from the horizons of the heavens of steadfastness. This servant beseecheth his Lord, the Self-Sufficient, the Most High, to aid all to make good what hath escaped them in the days of their Lord, the All-Forgiving, the Most Generous. Praise be to God, the Powerful, the Most High, the Great.

And as to what you wrote concerning Aqa Muhammad and Aqa Ali-Asghar, upon them be the Glory of God, it was presented before the Most Holy and Most Exalted Presence. He said:

“O Ali! The horizons have been filled with the signs of thy Lord, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise, and the clear proofs have appeared from all directions through that which the Speaker of the Mount hath uttered in this Revelation, to which all atoms bear witness that there is no God but Him, the Mighty, the Great.”

Ask thou of God that the servants may be enabled to grasp the Tablet of the Lord of Days with utmost power and strength, that the intimations of the opposers and the doubts of the deniers may be erased from the page of the world. The True One hath been and ever shall be the Bestower of Grace, mentioning His servants, living or dead, and shall continue to do so. God willing, may hearts be prepared to receive the verses and ears be enabled to hearken unto them—that is, the true capacity to receive and the true hearkening. For if one attaineth unto this station, he shall be preserved from intimations, suggestions, doubts, veils and barriers. A most wondrous and exalted Tablet hath been revealed specifically for these two souls. God willing, may they drink from the living waters from the Wellspring of revealed verses and attain unto everlasting life.

The Sun of loving-kindness hath dawned especially for them from the horizon of grace and bounty, and is manifest and evident. We beseech God, exalted be His glory, to enable them to grasp the Tablet through a power from Him and a strength from His presence. The intention of power and strength hath been and is certitude and assurance in all degrees. These words are thus interpreted lest anyone misconstrue what God hath intended and arise to create mischief. Whatever is mentioned regarding victory, assistance, service and the like, the purpose is to teach the Cause with joy and fragrance. The Command is in God’s hand, the Powerful, the Mighty, the Bestower.

O beloved of my heart! The heedlessness of the opposers among the people of the Bayan hath reached such a point that they have carved an idol with their own hands and accept whatever it uttereth, be it moist or dry. Thus that person who claimeth to be a Mirror—by God, even stone would be ashamed of him—interfereth with and betrayeth the sanctity of his own object of devotion who is the Sun, while those dead souls of Nimrod-like nature say that whenever the Prophet looked upon any woman she would become forbidden to her husband. They have not even enough understanding to realize who the Prophet was. If prophethood is truly established, it is the Person of the Point Himself, while those lying souls have desired to establish the station of successorship for their own purposes.

How could a successor have authority over the Prophet’s sanctuary? If he is a Mirror, how could he interfere with the sanctuary of the Sun? The Primal Point was not like ordinary people that what was lawful for Him should be unlawful for the Point. By Him Who raised up the heavens without pillars, from such utterances there wafteth a most foul and offensive odor. Fie upon them and upon their sense of shame and loyalty! What then is treachery and what is faithlessness? Glory be to God! They claim to be Mirrors yet interfere with the sanctuary of the Sun. God protect us and you from such reprehensible deeds which have caused the dwellers of the Most Exalted Paradise to lament.

Their words belie them and their deeds disavow them. Again, God protect us and you, O concourse of the fair-minded! A certain person in Iraq, Mirza Muhammad-ʿAli-i-Rashti, heard of this incident and would mockingly deride and reproach the perpetrators with various expressions in every gathering. The curse of God be upon the wrongdoing people!

Similarly, the Dayspring of existence, the Most Exalted Mother, the mother of the Primal Point—may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for Him—was in Najaf, and since she had some hesitation regarding the Cause of the Exalted One, certain individuals were commanded to explain the details of the Revelation to her. After the mention and explanations were made in her presence, she finally declared:

“How could these souls who acknowledge and confess His Qa’imiyyat violate His sanctuary?”

What profound shame was felt at these words! By Him Who caused the pebble to speak forth in demonstration of His power, for a time the Ancient Beauty was grieved by these words and declared that speech was no longer permissible. From the beginning of creation until now, such an act has never been heard of. In truth, such wicked, atheistic, lying souls are most fitting to be the leaders of these people. In any case, this servant is ashamed to mention certain of his deeds. Abu’l-Qasim from K., who had been with him in the early years, issued a death sentence against him based on the slightest suspicion that had no foundation whatsoever. And likewise other souls—if the details were to be presented it would cause weariness. You have heard the details about the third letter, the believer in Him Whom God shall make manifest—upon him be all His most glorious glory. We beseech and implore God, exalted be His glory, to protect these servants and deliver the heedless. Verily, He is the All-Forgiving, the All-Merciful.

You wrote that at the time of writing, the beloved and revered Ism’ullah Haji Siyyid Javad, upon him be the Most Glorious Beauty of God, was present. This news brought great joy and delight. God willing, may he ever be adorned with the ornament of health and well-being, and be engaged in the mention of the Beloved of the worlds. Mention of him was made in the presence of the Divine Throne, and He said: “Convey Our greetings to him, that such greetings may renew the days of attainment and their remembrance.” And say: “O My Name! Reflect upon the tales of old and carefully observe the conjectures and imaginings they have devised. Even now the heedless persist in such fancies. For twelve hundred years, their gaze was fixed upon the imaginary Jabulqa and the illusory Jabulsa, and these vain imaginings inflicted such harm upon the Manifestation of the Cause that its reckoning transcends human capacity. By these same imaginings did they martyr the Point, and this Prisoner is passed from land to land at the hands of the wicked.

O My Name! Strive with utmost endeavor that perchance the helpless servants may not once again remain wandering in the darkness of idle fancies. He who was and is incapable of standing in the presence hath spread the carpet of vain imaginings more widely than before, and the worshippers of idols seek to execute that which is greater than what came before. Take hold of the reins of the Cause by thy Lord’s leave, then speak that whereby the hearts of the mystics may soar and the feet of the perturbed may be made firm.” Say: “O servants! Come, let us act according to a true word which all are bound to obey: let us set aside all that we have heard and purify our ears of all that they have listened to, and then turn to the sacred verses.

By God’s life! They verily guide all to the supreme horizon and speak with most eloquent utterance among all peoples, saying: ʿI am verily the Mother Book, before and after. When My fragrance is diffused, all the books of the world bow down before Me, and God’s straight path is made manifest.’ Blessed is he who hath found My fragrance and turned to My face, and woe betide every denier who hath turned away from God, the Lord of all worlds.” O My Name! I shall complain to thee once again concerning all the mirrors. I swear by the Sun of Truth which riseth and shineth from the horizon of the prison that had any soul arisen to champion the Cause and been capable of its exaltation, this Prisoner would never have consented to be made manifest. This matter was the cause of arising, as were the lamentations of the Point. Reflect upon that which the Wronged One hath uttered, before and after, and in this mighty prison.

I request that you convey, on behalf of this evanescent one, expressions of evanescence and nothingness to His Holiness, and if Jinab-i-Zayn, upon him be the Glory of God, is also present, convey greetings to him and mention that you should strive to quicken the dead through the outpourings of the ocean of the All-Merciful’s utterance. All success lies in this. God willing, may they be assisted in achieving that which is beloved in God’s sight. If all the friends and loved ones of God had occupied themselves with teaching the Cause, most assuredly the majority of those lands would have been observed cleansed and purified from the defilement of misbelief and heedlessness, and all would have been freed and liberated from all hardships and troubles. It is hoped that God will assist all and aid them in that which will cause the exaltation of His Cause. Verily, He is the Near, the Answerer.

Regarding Jinab-i-Aqa Hasan-ʿAli, one of the emigrants to the Land of Sad, upon him and upon them be the Glory of God, which you had mentioned—this was presented at the Most Holy Court. A most mighty Tablet was revealed specifically for him and was dispatched. God willing, he will attain unto it. This evanescent servant also offers greetings. Glory be upon you and upon those who are with you, and upon those who have emigrated for the sake of God, and upon those who have answered His call, and upon those who have spoken in His praise and glorification, and upon those who have arisen to serve Him, and upon those who have not exchanged the wine of His love, and upon those who have drunk from the Kawthar of steadfastness once in His Name and again in His All-Wise remembrance. And praise be to God, the Powerful, the Exalted, the Mighty, the All-Knowing.

The servant 17 Rajab 1298