BH00037: Praise and thanksgiving befit the people of God…

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

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

Praise and thanksgiving befit the people of God in a station where they are inwardly like a surging ocean, yet outwardly, in accordance with the wisdom they are bidden to observe, are calm and patient. They have crossed the river of names and reached the shore of the ocean of inner meanings. Detached from the world, they have turned to the horizon of the Most Great Name. The hues and stains of various parties do not prevent them from attaining the true station of repose, which is the station of supreme steadfastness. They speak for God, turn to God, and return unto God. The veils of the world have not obscured them, nor have the clouds of the nations held them back from what God hath willed.

They are the dawning-places of the reformation of the world and the manifestations of the wisdom of the Lord of Eternity. When they observe fertile soil, they deposit the seed of wisdom; when they find ears to hear, they speak. This prescribed wisdom hath ever been and shall continue to be a fortress for the friends of God. As long as the ocean surgeth, the sun shineth, and the heaven remaineth lofty and adorned, they must arise with the utmost endeavor to serve. Among the forms of service is wisdom itself, which they must impart to the friends of God, that all may be educated and become the cause of the exaltation of His Cause, rather than the clamor of the heedless and the aggressive.

Glorified art Thou, O Thou through Whose command the laws were ordained and proofs and evidences were made manifest! The servant testifieth that the tongue of Thy Will hath spoken naught but that which is a shield for Thy servants and a crown for the heads of Thy loved ones. In all that Thou hast sent down from the kingdom of Thy grace and favor, Thou hast desired naught save that which draweth them nigh unto Thee and causeth them to recognize what Thou hast willed through Thy bounty and loving-kindness. O Lord! Aid Thy servants to act according to what Thou hast commanded them in Thy Book. Then protect them from the evil of Thine enemies who have disbelieved in Thee and Thy signs and have broken Thy covenant and Thy pledge. O Lord! I beseech Thee by Thy greatest signs and the hands of Thy power in the world of creation to assist Thy chosen ones and loved ones to arise to serve Thy Cause in such wise that neither the doubts of the learned nor the allusions of the divines nor the might of princes shall hold them back. Verily, Thou art powerful over whatsoever Thou willest. There is none other God but Thee, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

And further: I submit that your esteemed letter was received—a receipt that heralded the world of meeting. In truth, the letters and messages of God’s loved ones emit the fragrance of reunion. Praise be to God, every letter thereof testified to your steadfastness, which today is like the elixir—precious indeed is that elixir which adorns the transient with the ornament of the eternal. And after joy, delight and gladness, proceeding to the station of the Lord of all beings, following presence before His face and complete permission, the letter was honored to be heard. His Word—exalted be His proof and mighty His utterance:

In the name of the Goal of the worlds

Strange and peculiar affairs have come to pass. The carpet of idle fancies hath been spread wider than before. At one time they speak of interpolations, at another of an island and region. Glory be to God! Until now they have not understood a single letter of the Mother Book and are unaware of the Day of God. They cling to names while calling themselves the people of God, yet He is quit of them. To this My Most Exalted Pen beareth witness in this mighty and impregnable station. The winds of self and passion have seized these heedless souls and carry them whithersoever they desire. By God! They appear like the people of old, nay worse. Today the light of true oneness hath dawned from the horizon of the world and none but the Truth is mentioned.

With the banner “Verily I am God” it hath descended from the most exalted summit, and with the standard “He doeth whatsoever He willeth” it hath appeared. By My life! Had they understood the Divine Day, they would have found all who dwell on earth as non-existent. Today no mention among mentions and no matter among matters sufficeth except this Most Great Remembrance and Mighty News. For twelve hundred years the people of old strayed from the straight path, yet deemed themselves guides to the way. But when the Sun of Manifestation shone forth from the horizon of the world, the deeds of those souls and their fruits became clear and evident—this is not hidden from any possessor of insight.

Blessed art thou, O Husayn, for having turned to the Most Sublime Horizon and drunk the choice wine of utterance from the hand of the bounty of thy Lord, the Most Merciful, and attained the greatest steadfastness in the days of God, the Lord of all beings. We beseech Him, exalted be He, to aid thee and make thee successful in exalting His Word amongst His servants, and to ordain for thee that which will draw thee nigh unto Him in all conditions. Verily, He is the Self-Sufficient, the Most Exalted. Until now the transgressors have not perceived the fragrance of God’s Cause, let alone the Truth itself. With utmost deceit and guile they have arisen to mislead the people.

In truth, the eyes of the world are incapable of beholding this horizon, and the ears of the world are unworthy of hearing this utterance. Beseech the True One to raise up souls created from the element of sanctity, that they may attain unto vision and hearing, and find themselves detached and free from all else but God. The existing souls possess ears yet are deprived of hearing, have eyes yet are forbidden from seeing. “They have eyes wherewith they see not.” Convey My greetings to the loved ones of God. Say: Strive to protect the servants, that perchance their words may not prevent them from the ocean of meanings, that names may not become a veil and hold them back from the Truth.

The glory shining forth from the heaven of My mercy be upon thee and upon those with thee, and upon them that have turned unto the Most Sublime Horizon and believed in God, the Single One, the All-Informed.

The waves of the ocean of utterance have appeared in such wise that were the world to possess hearing and sight to the extent of a needle’s eye, all would turn from what they possess to what is with God. Yet the heedless people each day cling to some new thing and soar in some new atmosphere. The verses of God descend and pour forth like rain, and His evidences shine forth and appear from every horizon. Nevertheless, they remain occupied with ringing sounds, heedless and veiled from the Lord of all worlds. Bewilderment has reached such a state that its description is beyond the power of pen and ink. In truth, divine wrath has seized them and the recompense of their deeds has become manifest. These mentions are so that some may become aware. Repeatedly this exalted Word was heard from the tongue of the Lord of all beings—blessed and exalted be His utterance:

“O servant present! The Supreme Pen has repeatedly made mention of the deeds of the former party and their recompense on the Day of Resurrection. The purpose is that those who have turned to God may become aware, for if they would reflect and become informed of the fruits of the deeds of the former party, they would remain firm, steadfast and unwavering in the Cause of God in such wise that the doubts of the infidels and the gestures of the transgressors would not hinder them.”

Regarding what was written about the departed and elevated Muhammad-Ali, upon him be the Glory of God, the Most Glorious, and the trusts that were with him—he himself had written a letter to this servant wherein the trusts of the friends of God were mentioned in detail. Now, after your letter was presented before the Most Holy and Exalted Presence, a most mighty and sublime Tablet was revealed from the heaven of divine will specifically for Nayib-Ali, upon him be the Glory of God, and was sent. God willing, he will attain to it and become joyful with such joy that the troubles of the world will not affect him. This servant also conveys greetings to him and begs confirmation from the Truth. Likewise, a Tablet was graciously revealed specifically for Karbila’i Rida, upon him be the Glory of God, and what they sent has arrived. Not an atom of deeds has been or is hidden. The servant asks his Lord to confirm them and those who have believed in steadfastness in His love and His mighty and wondrous Cause.

After that departed one’s passing, whatever was with him was brought to the Most Holy Presence, as was detailed in writing to the honored mother of that departed one, upon them both be the Glory of God. This evanescent one has, in most times, made mention of them and of the patient leaf, the mother, upon her be the Glory of God and His favors, as well as their relatives, upon them be the Glory of God. Praise be to God, they have been and are remembered before His presence. Blessed are they.

Concerning what was written about the spiritual friend, Jinab-i-Aqa Shaykh Muhammad, upon him be the Glory of God, and sending what he had requested—from that very matter his station is clear and evident. That beloved one should reflect upon the heedless souls—to what they cling and with what they occupy themselves. There are many such instances. Would that the people understood! Those souls who today consider themselves believers and assured ones have never been and are not now aware of the foundation of the Cause. However, when the effulgences of the lights of the Manifestation somewhat shone forth, they ran out from behind the veil and say what they do not comprehend and speak of what they do not understand.

Thus have their souls made a matter seem fair to them, and they know not today. Praise be to God that beloved one has attained to the mention of Truth, the praise of Truth, and the assistance of the Cause of Truth. Concerning what was written about the honored matron Varaqatu’l-Firdaws, upon her be the Most Glorious Glory of God, and her turning toward Faran and the steadfastness and enkindlement of the loved ones of God in that land—all was presented before the Presence and attained the honor of being heard. His word, exalted be His station and sublime be His utterance:

In My Name, through which the ocean of utterance surged

This is a Book inscribed by the Pen of God, the Lord of all worlds. God hath made it the Dayspring of Guidance unto all who are in the heavens and on earth. O people of Faran! Ye were favored with the mention of your Lord, the All-Merciful, in the past and are so at this time when We are surrounded by the wolves and dogs of the earth through what the hands of the oppressors have wrought. Beware lest anything whatsoever debar you from the Lord of Names and Creator of heaven. Cast aside this day what the people possess, clinging fast to the cord of God, the Almighty, the All-Praised.

We have arisen to manifest the Cause before the faces of men in such wise that neither the clamor of the wicked, nor chains and fetters, nor the prison of Akka could deter Us. To this testifieth He with Whom is the perspicuous Book. O party of God! Beware lest the doubts of the people of the Bayan debar you even as the doubts of the people of the Furqan debarred them when the All-Merciful came with great sovereignty. The gate of heaven hath been opened and He Who was promised by the tongue of Grandeur and inscribed by the Most Exalted Pen hath come. Blessed is the soul that hath turned unto Him and attained. Woe unto them that have turned away!

They behold the waves of the ocean yet deny them. They are indeed the companions of hellfire. They have cast the Book of God behind their backs, clinging to what they possess of the promptings of Satan. Say: That which the people possess shall profit you not this day. Fear God and be not of the wrongdoers. Take ye the Book of God with His might and His power. Verily it is His Balance amidst you and His Path before your faces, if ye be of them that know. The Concourse of the Bayan have denied the heaven of grace and its stars and the Sun and its effulgence. Thus have their souls enticed them and they are today among the most lost in the Book of God, the True Sovereign, the Just, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

O Concourse of the Bayan! Be fair in the Cause of the All-Merciful and weigh what ye possess against but one verse from the verses of God, the Lord of all worlds. There hath appeared what hath never appeared in creation. To this testifieth every fair-minded, clear-sighted one. They who have been given insight from God have heard and said:

“Praise be unto Thee, O Thou the Goal of the world, for having manifested Thyself among the peoples, and glory be unto Thee, O Thou the Beloved of them that know.”

He whom We reared with the hands of grace and preserved beneath the wing of justice hath risen in opposition and drawn against My face the sword of hatred, having been led astray by one of the wicked ones. When God revealed what was hidden in their breasts, they arose and cried out whereat the denizens of the all-highest Paradise and they that circle round the mighty Throne lamented. They have made calumnies their shield. Say: By God! Nothing shall profit you save this Name at Whose appearance the people of the cities of vain imaginings have wailed, and every mighty idol hath fallen upon its face.

O party of God! Recite ye the verses of God. They will guide you to the straight path of God. We have sent down the verses and manifested the evidences and made clear the way, yet most of the people are heedless. They worship idols and know not; they follow vain imaginings and perceive not. Say: Be fair, O Concourse of the Bayan, regarding this Cause through which all things have proclaimed: “The Kingdom belongeth unto God, the Sovereign Protector, the Self-Subsisting!” If ye deny the kingdom of the Bayan, by what proof can ye establish what ye possess? Bring it forth! By God! What ye possess cannot equal one word from Us. To this testifieth He Who opened through His name the gate of knowledge and unsealed through His command the Choice Wine.

Whoso denieth this Cause, the world and all that is therein laugh at him, did they but perceive it. O party of God in Faran! We counsel you with that which shall exalt the Cause of God, the Lord of all that hath been and all that shall be, and with the preservation of the pearls of your love from every rejected thief. This is the Day of Uprightness, and this is the Day wherein every hidden secret and every treasured matter hath been made manifest. Thus hath the Most Exalted Pen revealed its mysteries, and the Ocean its waves. Blessed are the people who recognize the glory that shineth forth from the horizon of the heaven of My bounty upon you and upon those who have renounced the world, turning unto God, the Sovereign of the Kingdom and of earth and heaven. End.

Section 2: “All atoms stand bewildered at mankind’s lack…”

All atoms stand bewildered at mankind’s lack of awareness. The shrill voice of the Most Exalted Pen is raised during the nights and days, and the Sun of Utterance is shining and manifest from the highest horizon of possibility. This is that Call which the Beloved heard during His ascension and Moses heard on Sinai and by which he was made to prosper. It is not known with what the heedless souls are occupied and to what they cling and in what they rejoice. By the life of our Lord and your Lord! Were anyone to observe with the eye of fairness, he would behold himself immersed in an ocean of wonderment. There hath flowed from the Most Exalted Pen that which those who would enumerate are powerless to reckon and those who would record are impotent to write.

Despite this, they have uttered that which no people have ever uttered and committed that which no soul hath ever committed. I beseech God to set ablaze the people of Faran and those drawn to Him with such a fire that the people of that land shall be enkindled thereby and no opportunity for objection shall remain for the opposers. Should anyone reflect upon this most great Revelation, he would observe this Cause to transcend the world and all therein. He would become detached from mere words and turn toward the ocean of meanings. Verily, He speaketh the truth and guideth the way.

O people of this village! Ye have hearkened unto the melody of the Supreme Pen and beheld the surging waves of the ocean of the utterance of the All-Merciful. Every possessor of spiritual sense hath inhaled the fragrance of His Revelation, and every possessor of sight hath turned towards the supreme horizon. Yet certain deluded ones among the people of the Bayan have risen in opposition, turning away from the ocean of divine utterance and advancing towards a mere pond. Like scattered locusts they strive and labor to lead souls astray. They walk in the footsteps of the former parties, though they witness with their own eyes the loss that hath befallen those parties. Fie upon them and their sense of justice!

All the divines of Persia, each of whom regarded himself as the heaven of knowledge, the mountain of piety, and the sun of faith, and considered his religion the most exalted among the religions of the world—all of them in the early years engaged in cursing and reviling the Object of the world’s adoration, and ultimately issued the decree for His death from their idolatrous souls and pens. Even now they have not desisted. Day and night they occupy themselves with hatred towards Him Who created them. One wondereth from what element these essences of hatred have been created. The curse of God be upon the wrongdoing people!

By My life! My Pen weepeth both night and day over Him against Whom they pronounced their verdict without any clear proof or Book. Now the people of the Bayan too are occupied with the same delusions. The Supreme Pen hath repeatedly made mention of these matters and given utterance thereto, that perchance the people might become mindful and discover that which is hidden from their eyes. For were they to become aware of the deeds of the former party and the fruits thereof, they would regard those who turn aside as non-existent and as nothing. We beseech God, exalted be He, to assist His loved ones and to acquaint them with that which will draw them nigh unto Him. Verily, He is the Hearer, the Answerer.

We send greetings to each of the people of this village. The names of the sincere ones and the steadfast ones have been recorded and inscribed by the Supreme Pen. Blessed is he who hath attained unto My remembrance, who hath held fast unto My cord, and who hath clung to the hem of My luminous robe. From this station We greet their faces and give them the glad-tidings of My grace, My mercy and My loving-kindness, which have preceded all things. And I am verily the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous.

We make mention of him who is named Muhammad-Husayn, who hath been mentioned in the Book of him who turned to My horizon, who voiced My praise and who arose to serve My Cause, the Firm, the Impregnable. O Muhammad-Husayn! We have mentioned thee time and again as a token of grace from Us, that the verses might attract thee to a station wherein the affairs of the world will not sadden thee, nor will the doubts of the divines hold thee back from the Lord of all beings, Who hath come from the Dayspring of might with the standards of guidance and success. Blessed is he who hath heard and recognized. Woe unto them that deny!

By God’s life! Whoso heareth My verses with the ear of his true nature, they will surely draw him nigh unto God, the One, the Peerless, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. Behold, then remember when the Point came and said that should anyone come with a verse, ye should not deny him nor object to him. Yet the people of the Bayan objected to Him Who came with the kingdom of verses. Thus did the affairs of the world delude them until they disbelieved in God, the Exalted, the Great. He had decreed in the Book the sanctification of My Self from whatsoever was revealed in the Bayan—to this testifieth he who hath a perspicuous Book. Vain imaginings have withheld them from the Lord of all days, and idle fancies have debarred them from God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting.

Thus have We revealed the verses and sent them unto thee, that they might attract thee to the praiseworthy station. When thou hearest My call and attainest unto My verses, say:

“My God, my God! Should I be prevented from standing before the gate of Thy grace and from attaining unto Thy presence, ordain for me through Thy Most Exalted Pen the reward of meeting Thee. Thou, verily, hast power to do what Thou pleasest. There is none other God but Thee, the Truth, the Knower of things unseen.”

The All-Glorious remembers him who hath been named with My Name, and announceth unto him My loving-kindness and My mercy which have preceded all created things. O Baha, the All-Glorious remembereth thee from the Prison of ʿAkka, through which every Messenger was sent and every Book was revealed. He hath spoken: There is none other God but Me, the Mighty, the All-Loving. Through Him was made manifest that which lay hidden in the knowledge of God, and the Truth came with manifest sovereignty. But for Him, no verses would have been revealed, nor any signs appeared, yet the people understand not. We have heard thy cry when thou didst read the Book of God, the Lord of all that was and shall be.

Recite that which hath been sent down from My Most Exalted Pen at eventide and at dawn. We counsel thee and those who have believed to observe wisdom and utterance, even as We counseled Our servants aforetime. To this testify honored servants. Say: O people of the Bayan! The River of Life hath flowed from the Pen of the All-Merciful. Fear ye God, O people, and be not of those who denied when the Intended One came with manifest sovereignty. Say: Die in your wrath! The Resurrection is come, the Hour hath appeared, the Bridge hath been laid, the mountains have passed away, and those in the graves have been raised. By God! The ocean of utterance hath surged, yet the people understand not; and the fragrance of the All-Merciful hath wafted, yet the people perceive it not. Thus hath spoken My Most Exalted Pen when the Wronged One was in the hands of every oppressor who denied the Witness and the Witnessed.

O Land of Ba! Hearken to the call of thy Lord, the Most Glorious, from the right hand of the Luminous Spot. Verily, there is none other God but Him, the Mighty, the Bestower. He Who was mentioned in the Book of God, the Lord of Lords, hath been made manifest. O people of God! I complain unto you concerning what hath befallen Me at the hands of a band of wolves who have violated God’s Covenant and His Testament, and have disbelieved in Him in Whom they had believed throughout ages and centuries. Beware lest the doubts of the people of the Bayan prevent you from your Lord, the All-Merciful. Leave them to their vain imaginings and turn ye towards the Dayspring of Light.

They were concealed behind veils, and when the waves of hatred subsided and the light shone forth according to a fixed measure, they emerged therefrom and perpetrated that which caused the eye of grandeur to weep in the most exalted station. Blessed are ye and blessed is he who hath quaffed the wine of steadfastness from the hands of bounty and favor. He is indeed of the people of Baha in the Book of God, the Revealer of verses. O people of the cities! Your Lord, the Lord of the Throne, maketh mention of you. Turn with radiant faces and illumined hearts unto God, the Lord of all return. We have made mention of every servant who hath turned towards the prison, and of every maidservant who hath believed in the Mighty, the Bestower.

O people of God! Beware lest the intimations of the misguided keep you back from your Lord, the Self-Sufficient, the Most High. He who hath recognized Me seeth himself stronger than all who dwell on earth. Thus hath the Most Exalted Pen spoken when the Wronged One was in such grief as no eye in all creation had ever witnessed. End.

His is the praise and the favor, and His is the loving-kindness and compassion. The Sun of bounty hath risen with such splendor that none hath the power to describe it. Wondrous and sublime verses have been revealed specifically for the mentioned names—from each letter thereof the fragrance of grace and bounty is wafted. This evanescent servant beseecheth the eternal Truth to confirm all to recognize that which is today manifest, evident and resplendent. For were they to attain unto a drop from the ocean of divine utterance, all would behold themselves independent of all else. Their vain imaginings shall not hold them back, nor shall names prevent them. Those who were and are incapable of speech have risen up with all manner of deceit and guile to mislead the people. They have uttered that which no ignorant one hath ever uttered. The chief of the barking ones hath appeared from the land of Kaf and Ra, and in his delusion imagineth that he is helping the Cause, just as the Shi’ih sect was occupied with such vain fancies and ultimately committed that which no oppressor had ever perpetrated since the beginning of creation. The curse of God be upon the wrongdoing people.

O thou who gazest upon the Countenance! The Afnan, upon him be My glory, hath from the beginning of the Cause until now stood firm in service to the Truth and His loved ones, and remained constant in His remembrance. He hath borne witness to that which God hath witnessed, acknowledged that which God hath acknowledged, and uttered that which the Tongue of Grandeur hath spoken. Blessed is he, then blessed is he! Praise be to God, all have turned to the waters of mercy and drunk from the chalice of grace. We have made mention of them in numerous Tablets—a mention that causeth the ears of creation to incline towards the Word of God. We have favored some above others, and We are the All-Powerful, the Unconstrained. We send Our greetings upon them and upon Our loved ones whom the buzzing of flies hath not kept back from God, the Lord of all worlds. Blessed are they and theirs shall be a goodly retreat.

He hath said: Whenever a Tablet is to be sent to the Afnan himself, We shall make mention of that which they have requested. In truth, steadfast souls have been created for the service of the Cause of God. Naught shall remain for them save what they have wrought in the path of God, our Lord and their Lord and the Lord of all who are in the heavens and on earth.

At this time and at this hour, these decisive verses specially intended for the people of rapture were revealed from the heaven of the Will of the Creator of all things. His word, exalted be His mention and mighty His utterance:

He is the Hearer, the Answerer

O people of rapture! The Lord of Names maketh mention of you in that which draweth you nigh unto God, the Cleaver of the Dawn. We have made mention of you time and again, and have sent unto you that which caused bodies to take flight, and We make mention of you yet again at this time, and We remind you of the signs of God, the Lord of lords. Hearken unto the call from the direction of bounty and bestowal, before the faces of all humanity, from the Lote-Tree beyond which there is no passing. Verily, there is none other God but He, the Mighty, the All-Bestowing. The Spirit of Life hath been breathed into you and the breezes of the All-Merciful have wafted over you. He is the Mighty, the All-Bountiful. The clamor hath been raised—this is what We foretold you aforetime in the Book of God, the Lord of the Final End. We have been hearing what hath been raised there, for He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing. Beware lest the doubts of the world hold you back from the Lord of Eternity, or the objections of the learned keep you from Him Who hath come with power and sovereignty.

O party of God! This is spoken in the Persian tongue that ye may comprehend the purpose and remain firm and steadfast in the Cause of God. The objectors of the Bayan are like those souls who, in the early days of Islam, constructed through the instruments of idle fancies and vain imaginings that which caused the ruin of the world. O party of God! Consider all matters with penetrating vision and reflect: what were the fruits of the deeds of the Shi’ihs during twelve hundred years on the Day of Reckoning and what became of them? They raised their cry from pulpits and mosques and, in their own estimation, summoned mankind unto truth, while the various sects among that party pronounced each other infidels, each faction counting itself the defender of the resplendent Law. By the life of God! Thereby was the standard “there is none other God but Him” reversed, the Word was divided, the Lote-Tree lamented, and even now the Wronged One heareth its sighs and moans by reason of what hath befallen His own Self after We had assisted the Cause in days wherein souls were perturbed and eyes were dimmed. We stood before the faces of men and summoned all unto God, without veil or covering.

Section 3: “We beseech God to aid all to be…”

We beseech God to aid all to be just and fair and to assist the Cause, that perchance the idle fancies of the past may not be renewed and people may be freed from the chains of vain imaginings and may regard all save God as utter nothingness. Should the true station of Divine Unity be revealed from the Supreme Pen as it should be, all would become aware of that which they have hitherto been heedless. Verily, He speaketh the truth and guideth the servants to the path of guidance.

Through the might of princes and the oppression of divines, all remained veiled behind a covering, and when the horizon became somewhat illumined with the light of security and the fire of hatred somewhat abated, they rushed forth to the outlying regions and uttered that which caused the denizens of the highest Paradise and the companions of the sacred precincts to lament. This party too hath determined to occupy the helpless people for another thousand and two hundred years with the vain imaginings of deluded souls, and in the end to reap the fruits of the deeds of the former party. By My life! This party hath proved more base than all other parties.

The people of God must strive and promote the Cause of the All-Merciful through wisdom and utterance. Great is this Day! Blessed are they that have attained, and blessed are they that are firmly established. From this spot We send Our greetings upon your faces and counsel you with that which will exalt you and profit you in all the worlds of your Lord, the Almighty, the All-Powerful. Praise be to God, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

This evanescent servant conveys his greetings to each of the friends of God and implores the Exalted Truth to grant confirmation and success to all, that perchance these helpless people may not again fall prey to the claws of vain imaginings. They have denied Him Whose station is equal to all the books before and after, which were sent down from the heaven of His bounty, and they have clung to that which was and is unworthy of mention. By the life of our Lord! The barking ones are unaware. What is astonishing is that Ahmad ibn Ja’far was among the followers of Karim Khan, and Karim Khan wrote a book every year refuting the Bab, yet when he entered this Cause, on that very day he fell into the desire for leadership and became occupied with misleading the helpless people.

Soon that which is hidden within him shall be revealed. All are witnesses and testify that the Truth alone, unveiled and unobscured, hath been established from the beginning of the Cause, and He hath summoned all the peoples of the world, both kings and subjects, to embrace it. Neither might nor clamor, neither guns nor cannons, neither ranks nor multitudes could prevent Him. Every fair-minded person beareth witness to what hath been mentioned. In brief, all these matters have previously flowed from the Most Exalted Pen. Blessed is the soul whom the breathing of the idolators and the objections of the antagonists have not kept back from the Lord of the Day of Judgment.

Regarding what was mentioned about his cousin, upon him be the Glory of God, one page was revealed from the Most Exalted Pen and adorned in the handwriting of the Most Great Branch—may my spirit and being be offered up for the dust of His footsteps—specifically for him. God willing, they will deliver it to him and he will attain unto it. This evanescent one beseecheth the Exalted Truth to not deprive him of the Kawthar of utterance, to illumine him with the lights of the Sun of certitude, and to preserve him from the darkness of idle fancies and vain imaginings. Verily, He hath power over all things.

And regarding what was mentioned about the spiritual matron, upon her be the Most Glorious Glory of God, her mention hath ever been and continueth to be in the Most Holy Court. One Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablet was also revealed and sent specifically for her. God willing, she will attain unto it and will cause all the handmaidens to be set ablaze with the fire of the Divine Lote-Tree of utterance. In truth, from the beginning of the Cause, in days when all the heroes and men of the earth were hidden due to fear and awe of the divines, that leaf, upon her be the Glory of God and His favors, stood firm in the Cause and was engaged in praise and remembrance. Well is it with her and pleasant is it unto her. In the early days she heard from the Tongue of Grandeur “O My handmaiden and My leaf.” The passage of Abdullah Ansari was previously before the eyes of that beloved one; from this, to some extent, this station becometh known. Blessed is he who hath attained thereunto. Most matters remain concealed. God will soon reveal what He willeth. Verily, He is the Expositor, the All-Knowing, and He is the Powerful, the All-Wise.

O handmaid of God! The Object of all horizons is seen beneath the talons of hatred, yet in this hour He makes mention of thee. No thing among all things, and no matter among all matters, hath prevented Him from the remembrance of God, exalted be His glory. We have spoken that which We were to speak. Now pray thou and beseech God that His servants and handmaidens may be preserved from the dawning-places of idle fancies and may hold fast to His straight path and His firm cord with such firmness that the peoples of the world shall not prevent them. Convey the greetings of the Wronged One to the handmaidens of that land and give them the glad tidings of the splendors of the Sun of favor. Verily, He is the All-Bountiful, the Generous. Praise be to God, the Powerful, the Forgiving, the Mighty, the Great.

And as to the mention thou didst make of Jinab Jamal—upon him be the glory of God—after it was laid before Him Who is seated upon the throne of the Lord, these resplendent verses shone forth from the Dayspring of utterance. His Word—blessed and exalted be He:

O Jamal! Upon thee be My glory! Today the possessors of beauty, perfection, justice and fairness are those souls who have drunk from the ocean of knowledge and been illumined by the rays of the Sun of inner meanings. Should a soul subjugate the whole world and possess all sciences and arts, yet before God he was not and is not mentioned, and in the sight of them that are established upon the thrones of divine knowledge and wisdom, he is as one non-existent and forgotten. But if his sight is illumined by the light of divine vision and knowledge, and he hath drunk from the Kawthar of certitude, he possesseth all things, even though he be unable to read a single word.

Blessed are the manifestations of the knowledge of God, exalted be His glory—those souls who soar on the wings of knowledge in this luminous atmosphere. We beseech God to preserve all and deprive them not of this true journey and spiritual wayfaring. Today the wings of most are prevented from flight by the clay of vain imaginings, and the veil of heedlessness hath deprived their eyes from beholding the Most Exalted Horizon. Blessed is he who hath mentioned thee and thee, and those who have held fast to this firm cord and this mighty announcement. Blessed is thy father who, at the time of his ascension, was welcomed by the Concourse on High, who found from him the fragrance of the love of God, the Self-Subsisting, the All-Compelling.

His is the grace and the bounty. All who are related unto that well-beloved one have been remembered; the gaze of His loving-kindness hath been, and continueth to be, directed towards them. Verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, is the All-Seeing; He is the Most Bountiful, the Ever-Giving, the Munificent, the All-Generous.

And this is that which hath been revealed for the leaf that hath been named Nuriyyih—upon her be the loving-kindness of God. His Word—blessed and exalted be He:

According to what was mentioned, Shaykh Muhammad Hasan Najafi wrote two cycles of divine ordinances, yet he attained not unto the Tree of his heart’s desire and remained deprived of the rustling of the Divine Lote-Tree and the fruits of all his knowledge and deeds. And Shaykh Murtada, although to some degree he gazed toward the Most Exalted Horizon and traces of love’s light were manifest in him, yet he succeeded not in attaining true knowledge. The labors of seventy years were scattered to the winds, and likewise all the other divines of the cities and regions of Iran were deprived. But thou, through the grace of God, exalted be His glory, hast drunk from the cup of divine love and partaken of the ocean of knowledge. By the life of God! Were this station to be revealed and made manifest, the tongues of all the peoples of the world would speak forth “Blessed be God, the Lord of all worlds!” Give thanks unto thy Lord for this mighty favor and this manifest grace.

And this is what was revealed for the son, upon him be the glory of God, exalted be His proof and mighty His utterance: O My friend! The True Friend hath turned towards thee, and this is that friendship whereof He saith “Your friend is God alone” unto the end of the verse. This is that friendship for which there hath been and shall be no peer or likeness. It is specially reserved for God, exalted be His glory, even as the Most Great Infallibility hath ever been and shall ever be specially reserved for God—exalted be His station and His Manifestation—Who hath not accepted and will never accept any partner therein. This is one of the hidden mysteries which in this Revelation hath streamed forth from the Most Exalted Pen.

Well is it with them that comprehend! Give thanks unto God for that the Lord of all being hath turned towards thee and made mention of thee in such wise as to solace the eyes of them that are nigh unto Him. All praise be to God, the Lord of all worlds. We make mention of thy mother and thy sister, as a command from Our presence, and I am verily the Omnipotent Commander. We beseech God to assist you and strengthen you to remember and praise Him, to hold fast unto His cord and cling to His resplendent hem. Ye have ever been and continue to be remembered, as testified by My tongue, My pen, and My loving-kindness whose fragrance hath been diffused through that which hath been sent down from the kingdom of Mine utterance, the Mighty, the Inaccessible.

This evanescent servant conveyeth greetings, salutations and praise to each one, and seeketh for them whatsoever is worthy of the grace and bounty of God, exalted be His glory. Whenever the Sun of loving-kindness shineth upon His friends, or the ocean of grace manifesteth its waves, the spirit of this evanescent one is renewed as though he had quaffed from the ocean of grace and been showered by the rain of mercy. Such joy doth encompass him that its mention would transform the sorrow of the world. His is the praise in all conditions, His the bounty in all conditions, His the generosity in all conditions. Glory be unto God! Man is bewildered, nay all things seen and unseen are bewildered by these people who are as dead in these days when the fire of Manifestation is ablaze, the lamp of loving-kindness is manifest, and the water of life floweth from the Pen that revealeth the verses.

All are withered, dead, non-existent and lost. By the life of our Lord and your Lord! This is naught but the recompense of their vile deeds. The Day of Reckoning hath come: that which was hidden hath become manifest, and that which was concealed hath been revealed. The decree belongeth unto our Lord, and all authority is in His grasp, and the reins of all things are in His right hand. The servant testifieth that there is none other God but Him, the Omnipotent, the Single, the One, the Mighty, the All-Wise.

Mention was made of the sister. After she gained the honor of hearkening, this most exalted and blessed Word was revealed. His word, blessed and exalted is He: O thou who gazest upon the Face! We have heard her call and have answered her with these verses. We beseech God, her Lord, to assist her with His remembrance and praise, to strengthen her in that which beseemeth His days, to draw her nigh unto Him, and to ordain for her from the Supreme Pen that which shall profit her. Verily, He is powerful over all things. Convey My glad-tidings unto her and glorify her countenance, and I am verily the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous.

Glory be unto God! The spiritual realm hath been disturbed by the whisperings of devils, the insinuations of the infidels, and the schemes of the transgressors.

In these days the beloved of hearts, His Holiness Haydar-ʿAli, upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God, hath sent a copy of a letter which Ibn-i-Ja’far-i-Kirmani gave to Aqa Muhammad Big, upon him be the glory and loving-kindness of God, in Sensen. At its head the Most Great Name is mentioned, followed by one of the most exalted Words. Here then is the exact copy of the letter, without any change or alteration:

He is God, the Glorious, the All-Glorious

The Most Exalted Pen proclaims: The loved ones of Our sanctified Countenance, who in their longing for the Beloved and the revered Temple of Truth have turned their days into nights and their nights into days, are now mentioned before the Throne, that they may rejoice and be glad with this most exalted honor, this most radiant joy, and this most glorious delight in the highest and lowest kingdoms. O thou Named Nabil! Give thanks unto God, thy Lord, then thank the Most High God at morn and eventide, and be thou steadfast in the Cause of God. Remember thy branches and leaves with words of glorification, mention the awestruck lovers before the Countenance of the Divine Unity, and being established in the mysteries of glory and certitude upon your most exalted paths, may ye be remembered in the highest and lowest dominions of might. And glorification be from God.

Reflect upon the deception and fraud of the souls of the ungodly. First they write using the Most Great Name so that the recipient might be attracted, and through this stratagem they might tame him and instill that which leads to eternal misguidance. Now one must reflect upon the ocean of deception—they have mixed the words of truth with the whisperings of satan, for though it begins with the Most Great Name—this is from the Truth, says the Most Exalted Pen, and this is what the Truth has spoken, and likewise before the Throne—the rest is attributed to the rebellious one. In any case, say: O party of God! These souls are seen to be exactly like those souls who in early Islam became the cause of error and misguidance.

They would run from city to city, making mention of an imaginary Qa’im and recounting miracles, until at last all were wandering for twelve hundred years in the wilderness of error due to the vain imaginings of those souls. These souls too, by the life of our Lord and your Lord, will never attain to the light of faith. They strive and struggle that perchance they might acquire authority like the authorities of the past, and this party has been seen to be the most abased of all parties. May the True One, exalted be His glory, protect His party. Verily, He has power over all things.

Section 4: “As to what was previously written regarding…”

As to what was previously written regarding the arrival of divine Tablets wherein the command of dissimulation [taqiyyih] was revealed—this is true. After the martyrdom of His Holiness Badi’—upon him be the Most Glorious Beauty of God—who appeared and shone forth from the horizon of power, the command of wisdom [hikmat] was revealed, such that most Tablets were adorned with this command. And after the martyrdom of His Holiness Ali from the land of Mim—upon him be all the most glorious Beauty—the command of non-confession [adam-i-iqrar] was issued. Glory be to God! Those oppressive, heedless souls wished to utter words contrary to truth, yet they [the martyrs] refused and sacrificed their lives with the utmost joy and fragrance. At the time of the revelation of the second command, the Tongue of Grandeur would utter words that would melt the hearts and dissolve stones. At one point He said: The Supreme Pen lamenteth and declareth: “Conceal what ye possess.” The oppression of the oppressors and the heedlessness of the heedless have reached such a state that the Supreme Pen spoke the words of one of the former Letters: “Dissimulation is my religion” et cetera. The purpose was to preserve sacred souls.

Consider how many souls sacrificed their lives without concealment, veil or dissimulation. In no age or Dispensation have such examples appeared. They considered the martyrdom of the Prince of Martyrs—upon him be all the most glorious Beauty—to be the cause of the exaltation and elevation of the religion of the Messenger of God—may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for Him. How many sacrificial lambs in this Dispensation hastened to the place of sacrifice with joy and fragrance and did not return alive. Nevertheless, all remain heedless and veiled. The son of Ja’far counted the Beloved of Martyrs, His Honor Aqa Siyyid Isma’il of Zavarih—upon him be the Most Glorious Beauty of God—who sacrificed himself by his own hand in Iraq, as one of his own, even though he had never seen aught but truth. The details about that beloved one have been mentioned in some letters, and in the Kitab-i-Badi’ his mention hath been revealed from the Supreme Pen in such wise that none but truth can comprehend it. They have said the people of Baha killed him. It would be most fitting to ask him:

“You were among the dead followers of Karim Khan in those days, and when you claimed to have entered this Cause you were behind a veil. From where do you derive these reports?”

In brief, by the life of Our purpose and your purpose, from the beginning of the world until now, no liars like these souls have ever been seen or heard. To this every fair-minded and insightful one beareth witness.

Concerning what was written about fasting, the divine ordinances have not changed—the Kitab-i-Aqdas exists. In this land, the friends with utmost boldness abandoned the Ramadan fast, to such an extent that the entire population became aware of it, and there was fear that the wicked would suddenly rise up. Therefore, a special Tablet was revealed from the heaven of the Lord of Lords’ will, addressed to one of the friends, commanding that in this land they should observe the Ramadan fast. This ruling is specific to this land. However, the decree of wisdom has ever been revealed and all must hold fast to it and cling to it. These recent matters have been the cause of the oppression of oppressors and the transgressions of transgressors.

The Sunnis will soon turn to the Cause, as they do not harbor previous delusions and say the Promised One must be born, as some have already turned. However, before entering the ocean of faith they are very fanatical, as they definitely consider the Persians to be infidels. In any case, we beseech and hope that the Truth may guide all. Their entry into this ocean also carried risk of corruption, for after entering they would become so enkindled that concealment would be lost. Therefore, teaching in this land and its surroundings has been forbidden. However, the friends of Truth in those lands must be mindful of wisdom and engage in teaching with utmost effort. Blessings be upon those who hear the Word and act according to what is commanded in the Book of God, Lord of the worlds.

Regarding what was written about the details of the Most Great Festival and acting according to wisdom’s requirements, after being presented, He—exalted be He—spoke:

“Excellent is what you have done in the path of God, Lord of the worlds. We have heard your mention and what issued from your lips in praise of your Lord, and We have accepted what you have done purely for the sake of God, the Mighty, the Great. We beseech Him, exalted be He, to draw you near to Him in all conditions. Verily, He is the Protector of those drawn near. Praise be to God, Lord of the worlds.”

As for the days of the Most Great Festival, the afternoon of the thirty-second day after Naw-Ruz is the first day of the Festival, and the afternoon of the forty-third is its end, making twelve days. The first and last days are reckoned as two days with God. Would that this servant could find opportunity to mention to you the mysteries of these days and what God’s Books, both past and future, have uttered concerning them. Praise be to God that those beloved ones are assisted in remembrance, praise and service to the Cause. On the thirty-second day which is the first day of the Festival, as well as the ninth day and the forty-third day which is the final day, work and occupation are forbidden. All must engage in associating with friends in a spirit of joy and fellowship and in establishing love in hearts.

Mention was made of His Honor Aqa Mirza ʿAli, upon him be the Glory of God. After being presented before the Divine Presence, the Supreme Pen spoke that which caused the realities of all things to be attracted. He—exalted be He—spoke:

In My Name, the Wronged One, the Imprisoned

O Ali! By God, the Path calls out, yet the people hear not. The Balance summons all within the realm of possibility, yet they understand not. The Hour has come with its tokens, and the Resurrection with its mysteries, yet the people know not. All who dwell in earth and heaven were thunderstruck when the shrill voice of My Most Exalted Pen was raised, yet most of the people perceive not. Their desires have prevented them from turning to God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. They worship idols by night and day, save those whom God, the Lord of what was and what shall be, has strengthened. Thus have We sent down the verses and revealed what was hidden in God’s knowledge, the Possessor of the Unseen and the Seen. Your mention hath been made before the Wronged One, and this irrevocable Book hath been sent down unto thee that thou mayest read it and thank thy Lord, the Protector, the Mighty, the Loving. Hold fast to the cord of steadfastness and speak forth in praise of God, the Lord of creation. Glory be upon the people of Baha who have not been kept back by desire from the Lord of all mankind—verily they are among the people of this praiseworthy station.

The mention of Haji Muhammad-Rida, upon him be the Glory of God, hath repeatedly flowed from the Most Exalted Pen, and a Tablet hath been specifically sent to him. God willing, may he be adorned with steadfastness and illumined with the light of certitude. The mention of the nephews, and likewise the Fast of the Luminous Leaf, and the mention of Qurratu’l-ʿAyn Mir-Vali, upon them be the Glory of God—all were presented at the Most Holy and Exalted Court, and were honored with acceptance, each being distinguished by God’s wondrous and glorious favors. Blessed are they and joy be unto them.

Thy other letter, which was truly a garden adorned with the roses of spirit and sweet basil, and the anemones of realities and flowers of knowledge, was indeed a delightful sight to behold and a wondrous fragrance for the spiritual sense to perceive. After its reading, recitation, observation and review, it ascended on the wings of attention to the Station until it was presented before the face of the Lord of all mankind. After it gained the honor of being heard, these exalted words descended from the heaven of the favors of the Lord of Names and Attributes. His word, exalted be His majesty and abundant be His favors:

O thou who gazeth upon the Face! There hath come upon Us what hath come upon no other among the servants. The learned sit while Truth standeth; the learned are silent while Truth speaketh; the learned sleep while Truth is awake; the learned fear while Truth is serene; the learned waver while Truth is steadfast. In the days when the idolatrous souls among the people of the Bayan were occupied with play behind the veil, this Wronged One was calling out before all faces with the most exalted call—a call that all in the world, both rulers and ruled, heard, except for certain minor kings whose mention hath not specifically flowed from the Most Exalted Pen. In those days, neither speaker was visible nor anyone standing forth. Now one like Ja’far hath come forth to make display. By God’s life, they are in manifest error. We beseech God to assist His servants unto justice and fairness, and to enable them to hearken unto His call which hath been raised between earth and heaven. Verily, He is powerful over all things. The glory from Us be upon thee and upon My friends and loved ones who have not been kept back by the veils of the world from turning unto God, the Lord of the worlds.

And concerning what the aforementioned Ja’far hath mentioned about alteration—for some time the deniers of the Bayan have been speaking this word, saying the Bayan has been altered and the true Bayan is not available. Their purpose is to occupy people with former vain imaginings. Lo! The curse of God be upon those who imagine vainly, the infidels, and the transgressors.

In reference to the mention of Haji Muhammad-Ali, upon him be the glory of God, we continually beseech the Most High, exalted be His glory, for his success. I am writing and sending a reply to his letter which, God willing, will reach him. And likewise regarding the mention of Karbila’i Abbas-ʿAli, upon him be the glory of God, after presentation before the Divine Presence, these sublime words were revealed, He says, glorified be His majesty:

“O Abbas-Ali! Vain imaginings have deprived the world from the Lord of all beings, for even the blessed word There is no God but God’, which is the word of unity, has until now remained veiled. Indeed, great is this Cause—in the Qur’an it was referred to as the Great Announcement’. Most great it is, yet should a soul become illumined with the light of unity, he would see all else but God as non-existent and count it as nothingness, and would regard himself as transcending all the peoples of the world. Names would no longer hold him back from reality and meaning. The ranks and multitudes of nations and the might of the world would not prevent the men of this field from turning towards Him, and the diverse winds would not move the trees of this garden. We beseech God to give His friends to drink from this cup. By the life of God, the oceans of the world are as a drop before Him, now and forever. Blessed are they that attain, and blessed are they that know.”

Praise be to God, the rays of the Sun of divine favor have encompassed the world. Blessed are those souls who have recognized the value of God’s days and become illumined by its lights.

Regarding what was written about the property, that it should be transferred to whomever is commanded, after presentation in the Most Holy Court, this exalted word shone forth from the highest horizon, blessed and exalted be He: “We have accepted what thou didst intend in the path of God, the Lord of the worlds.” Indeed, that honored one has been and is successful. We have accepted what he intended and entrusted it to him. As a mention from Us: “Thou hast fulfilled God’s covenant and His pledge, and hast been steadfast in serving His mighty and great Cause.”

That beloved one has, praise be to God, been successful in turning towards God, serving, and fulfilling rights both past and present, and has likewise been honored with acceptance. His is the praise in all conditions, His is the favor in all conditions, and His is the grace in all conditions.

Regarding what was written about sending leaves, what was sent has arrived, and most of what clothes the blessed body is also leaves. The servant asks his Lord to send down upon His loved ones from the heaven of His gifts that which will illumine hearts and minds in His mighty and beloved Day, and I ask Him to draw them near to Him in all conditions. Verily, He has power over all things.

This evanescent one conveys greetings and glorification to each of the friends of God, and beseeches God to assist all to be steadfast in service and in His remembrance and praise. He is the Hearer, the All-Seeing. There is no God but Him, the Most High, the Most Glorious.

Peace, praise, glory and splendor be upon you, upon those with you, and upon those who have attained unto the Most Great Steadfastness in this manifest Cause. Praise be to God, the Lord of Names, Creator of the heavens, and Lord of this wondrous Day.

The servant 23rd of Rajab 1303

The divine friends in Faran have sought permission to come. Permission is granted and favor is manifest. Convey to them the glad tidings of permission. Another point is that whoever in those regions becomes enabled to pay the Huququ’llah, it should be given to the honored Leaf of Paradise, upon her be the Most Glorious Glory of God, and if anything remains afterward, it should be sent.

Six exalted and sublime Tablets were sent; following their perusal, deliver them.