BH00234: Praise be to God Who hath aided His Cause…

Section 1: “Praise be to God Who hath aided His…”

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

Praise be to God Who hath aided His Cause through the enemies who have seated themselves upon the thrones of tyranny in the realm of creation and have perpetrated that which hath caused the Concourse on High and the dwellers of the Most Exalted Paradise to lament. Praise be to God Who hath made all that appeareth on earth a cause for the exaltation of His Word, the advancement of His Cause, and the manifestation of His grandeur amongst His servants. He is the One Whom neither tribulation hath deterred from that which He hath purposed, nor calamity and affliction from that which He hath willed. He hath uttered a Word whereby the heavens of religions were rent asunder, the earth of knowledge were cleft, and the traces of those who denied the All-Merciful were obliterated. Exalted is He Who hath exposed the falsehood of every turban-wearing soul who hath clung to vain imaginings. He is the One Whom neither the hosts of the world nor the multitudes of nations can frustrate. Soon shall they behold their stations in the fire and what hath escaped them in the days of God, the Lord of what was and what shall be.

May salutations and peace, shining forth and dawning from the horizon of the Abode of Peace, rest upon those whom the veils of the heedless have not prevented from turning unto God, the Lord of all worlds, and whom the swords of the oppressors have not deterred from the Great Announcement. They arose and said:

“O concourse of divines! For what sin have ye risen against us, and for what crime have ye pronounced judgment against the companions of the Crimson Ark, whose praise hath been sung by the Tongue of Grandeur in the Most Exalted Horizon, and whose recognition hath been testified to by the Lote-Tree beyond which there is no passing, which speaketh betwixt earth and heaven that there is none other God but He, the Lord of all men, the Lord of the Throne above and of the earth below?”

Glory be unto Thee, O Thou through Whose Name the ocean of knowledge hath surged and its pearls have appeared among the servants, and the breezes of Thy Revelation have wafted throughout all lands. I beseech Thee to aid Thy chosen ones who have quaffed from the hand of Thy bounty that which transcendeth all description and mention, to serve Thy Cause in such wise as to cause the backs of the idols to tremble. Verily, Thou art the Protector of all people and the Sovereign of all days. O Lord! Thou seest Thy chosen ones scattered throughout Thy lands and dispersed throughout Thy realms. O Lord! Scatter the gatherings of those who have scattered their gatherings and seized what was in their possession, and who have committed that from which the denizens of Thy most exalted Paradise and the inmates of Thy sacred precincts have disassociated themselves, O Thou Who art the Lord of all names!

O Lord! I beseech Thee by the lights of Thy countenance and the manifestations of Thy grandeur to pour forth upon them patience from Thy presence and to make firm their feet in such wise that the doings of Thy creation and the tyranny of Thy servants shall not cause them to slip. O Lord! Thou seest how the clouds of oppression have darkened the horizon of justice and equity, and how the dust of tyranny hath prevented the lights of Thy justice and the manifestations of Thy bounty from shining forth. I beseech Thee to aid the oppressed among Thy chosen ones whose sighs Thou hearest from the prison of Ta and other lands. Verily, Thou art He to Whose power and might every possessor of knowledge hath testified, and to Whose strength, grandeur and ascendancy every possessor of insight hath borne witness. There is none other God but Thee, the Almighty, the All-Compelling, the Most Powerful, the All-Subduing.

And further, the servant has attained thy letter which called out and cried aloud and testified to thy love, thy affection, thy acceptance, thy humility, thy reverence, thy teaching work, thy steadfastness, thy remembrance and thy praise of the Cause of God, our Lord and your Lord, our Goal and your Goal. When the fragrance of thy words enveloped me and the wine of thy exposition intoxicated me, and thy inner secret and confidences in God and His Cause became apparent to me, I turned to Him from Whose knowledge nothing is hidden. And after I attained His presence and made my submission, the Tongue of the Desired One spoke verses which none knoweth save Him and none can mention save Him, and from them wafted the fragrance of His loving-kindness in such wise that all regions were perfumed thereby. I confess and acknowledge my powerlessness to mention and reveal them, but I shall mention for thee what was impressed upon the mirror of my heart according to my capacity.

He said, exalted be His utterance: “O Haydar! The Wronged One hath heard thy call in the Cause of God, thy joy in His love, and thy sorrow at what hath befallen His loved ones. By the life of the All-Merciful! Sorrows have encompassed all possibility and the people are in doubt and hypocrisy. The enemies have surrounded the party of God, the Lord of Names, in such wise that the Most Exalted Paradise hath lamented, and the dwellers of the highest Heaven and those who circle round the Throne at eventide and at dawn. O Ali! Sorrows have not prevented thy Lord, the All-Merciful. He hath arisen to promote the Cause in such wise that neither the might of the world nor the oppression of the nations hath frightened Him. He calleth out with the most exalted call between earth and heaven saying: ʿThe Day of the Promise hath come, and the Lord of Creation proclaimeth: There is none other God but Me, the Mighty, the Munificent.’

“O Ali! The children have desired to extinguish the light of God with their mouths and to quench the fire of the Divine Lote-Tree by their deeds. Say: Shame upon you, O manifestations of vain imaginings! Fear God and deny not this bounty whereby the horizons have been illumined. Say: The Dawning-Place of the Hidden Name hath appeared, did ye but know it. He Who was promised in the Books of God hath come, did ye but recognize it. The horizon of the world hath been illumined by this Most Great Revelation—turn unto it with radiant hearts and be not of the heedless ones. The Hour hath come, and We see the people struck down—to this do honored servants testify.

“O Haydar-ʿAli! By God! The trumpet of the Bayan hath been sounded by the command of thy Lord, the All-Merciful, and all in earth and heaven were thunderstruck save those who have detached themselves from the world, clinging to the cord of God, the Lord of mankind. This is the Day wherein the earth shineth with the light of thy Lord, yet the people are in heedlessness and behind a veil. We desired the life of the people of the world, yet they desired My death—thus did their souls delude them on this Day which hath been illumined by the lights of the countenance of its Lord, the Mighty, the Exalted, the Self-Subsisting. The Mother Book speaketh, yet the people hear not; and the Preserved Tablet hath appeared in truth, yet most people read it not. They have denied God’s favor after its descent and turned away from the Truth, the Knower of things unseen. They have clung to the hem of idle fancies, turning aside from God’s Hidden Name.

“Say: O concourse of divines! Be fair, by God, then bring forth what proof and evidence ye possess, if ye be of those who have attained this praiseworthy station. Say: Turn ye toward the Dayspring of God’s Revelation, that We may show you the equivalent of whatsoever ye possess, and whatsoever the peoples possess, of the signs of God, and His clear tokens, and His proofs, and His testimony. Fear God and be not of them upon whom the chastisement from God, the Lord of existence, hath been decreed. This is the Day wherein the ocean of knowledge calleth aloud and revealeth its pearls, if ye but knew it, and the heaven of utterance is upraised in truth from God, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting.

By God! The Essence of knowledge proclaimeth and saith: The Promised One hath come, He by Whom the Books of God, the Mighty, the Loving, have been adorned. Through Him every grace and bounty hath appeared and unto Him shall all return. Fear God, O concourse of the ignorant, and wrong not them who desire naught save that which God hath desired, and follow not your selfish desires, if ye be of them that hearken. Soon shall all that ye behold today perish and ye shall weep for that wherein ye failed in the Cause of God. To this testifieth this inscribed Tablet.

“Be thou joyful for how We have remembered thee before and at this time with that whose fragrance shall never be cut off nor shall it change throughout the eternity of God’s names, the Lord of all worlds. We have accepted thy remembrance and praise and promotion and service in this Great Announcement and We have heard what thy tongue hath uttered in the gatherings and assemblies. Verily thy Lord is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing. We have adorned thee with the ornament of My good-pleasure in My kingdom and have called thee from the right side of the vale in the luminous spot behind the crimson sea from the divine Lote-Tree: Verily there is none other God but Me, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. We have created thee for My service and the exaltation of My Word and the manifestation of My Cause. Hold fast unto that for which thou wast created by the command of the Ancient Ordainer.

“And We make mention of My loved ones at this time and give them the glad-tidings of God’s favors and what hath been ordained for them in My perspicuous Book. Ye have heard the derision of the enemies in My love and have witnessed the oppression of the wicked in My path, and I am the All-Knowing Witness. How many lands have been adorned with your blood in the path of God, and how many cities wherein your cries and lamentations were raised, and how many prisons whereunto the hosts of the oppressors led you. Know ye with certainty that He will aid you and exalt you in the world and make manifest your stations among the nations. Verily He doth not suffer the reward of them that are nigh unto Him to be lost.

Beware lest the deeds of the daysprings of idle fancies and what every remote oppressor hath wrought cause you to grieve. Take ye the cup of steadfastness in the name of God, then drink ye thereof through His strong and mighty sovereignty. Thus hath shone forth from the horizon of the heaven of the Tablet the sun of My compassion and loving-kindness that ye may give thanks unto your Lord, the Mighty, the Generous. The splendor that hath shone forth from the horizon of the kingdom of My utterance be upon thee and upon them who have turned unto thee and have heard what thy tongue hath spoken in this mighty and great Cause.

“Praise be to God! The rustling of the Divine Lote-Tree hath been raised in such wise that were the hearts of the people of the world to incline even slightly they would be attracted and set ablaze, nay all things, but the conditions of self and passion have veiled all the people of the world from the Lord of mankind. Fie upon them whom their selves and desires have debarred from God, the Lord of all worlds. This evanescent servant must render thanks and praise to the true Beloved by the number of all created things, for from the Supreme Pen the decree of His good-pleasure hath been revealed specifically for that spiritual beloved. All good is unto him who hath attained unto this most exalted station and supreme rank. Verily our Lord, the Most Merciful, is the All-Bountiful, the Generous. In these days mention of that beloved hath repeatedly proceeded and appeared from the tongue of grandeur. God willing, ye shall attain unto the presence of each one.”

Regarding those gentlemen, friends, and chosen ones of the land of Sh whom you mentioned, praise be to God they are adorned with the ornament of the love of God and are remembered and known by His Name in the Supreme Concourse. When this matter was specifically presented before the Most Holy, Most Exalted Presence, each one was blessed with the mention of the Beloved of the worlds, and these exalted words were revealed from the Dayspring of the Cause, the Revealer of verses and the Manifestor of clear proofs—His blessed and exalted Word:

He is the All-Remembering, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise

O Haydar-Ali! The friends in that land have attained the remembrance of the Wronged One of the world and are mentioned in the Most Holy and Most Exalted Court. We have made mention of Ha and Sin in numerous Tablets and in the Crimson Book which none has comprehended save God, the Lord of lords, and We have revealed for him that before which verses bow down—the Mother Book bears witness to this. And We have made mention of Ali with such remembrance as has enraptured all things, and beyond them all who possess hearing have inhaled the fragrances of these days. O ʿAli! Be thou of such constancy that neither the cawing of those who have denied God nor the croaking of those who have rejected this Cause—whereby feet have slipped—shall sadden thee. We have made mention time and again of him who was named Ghulam-Husayn—He Who speaks at this hour bears witness that there is none other God but Me, the Mighty, the All-Forgiving. Blessed art thou and blessed is thy name from which the sincere perceive the fragrance of thy sincerity towards God, the Lord of all beings. We counsel thee to perform pure deeds for God alone and that whereby His Cause may be exalted amongst His servants.

We have made mention of him who was named Muhammad-Baqir and give him the glad-tidings of God’s loving-kindness and of what hath been sent down for him from this station. Rejoice, O My loved ones, in My days. We have previously sent you that which shall testify for you in private and in public. Hold fast unto God’s cord and His strong rope, then assist His Cause in your days through the hosts of wisdom and utterance. We send Our greetings to Our loved ones there and counsel them regarding deeds and character, and that which hath been revealed from My Most Exalted Pen at all times. We have made God’s utterance, the Lord of the Day of Mutual Calling, the weapon of those near unto Him. Take hold of it in the name of your Lord. By the life of God! Through it shall they who are in all regions be subdued. Thus have We lit the lamp of knowledge within the niche of utterance, and I am verily the Powerful, the Mighty, the Bestower.

Section 2: “O My loved ones! Upon you be My…”

O My loved ones! Upon you be My glory, My mercy and My loving-kindness. Ye have seen what no eye hath seen and have heard in My path what the ears of the world have not heard—to this testify the Dayspring of Revelation and the Dawningplace of evidence. Ye have heard the roaring of the enemies in their hatred for Me; hearken now unto My most sweet call. Nothing in all creation can compare with it—He Who summons the world to the most exalted station bears witness to this.

In truth, they have attained that of which others are deprived, save whom God willeth. God willing, may they all arise to serve the Cause and speak that which is the magnet for attracting the world—and that is the utterances of God, exalted be His glory. I swear by the Beloved of the world that if people would hearken to the divine utterances for but a few brief moments, they would surely become sanctified from the world and all who dwell therein and would arise to serve His Cause in such wise that no tribulations would hinder them or deprive them. In this Most Great Revelation He says that the weapons of the divine hosts have been and shall ever be praiseworthy character, goodly deeds and pure words. This weapon never grows dull nor needs polishing. This is what the servant heard from the tongue of his Lord, the All-Wise, the All-Knowing.

This evanescent servant offers greetings and glorification to his honored, esteemed and beloved, His Holiness Anis, whom the idolaters made a captive and paraded through the lands. God the One is witness that he has ever been and shall remain before mine eyes, and in all conditions this evanescent servant beseeches confirmations for him. Likewise the aforementioned gentlemen—may God’s peace be upon them—this evanescent servant offers greetings and salutations to each one, and is utterly abashed, for his eminence Shaykh S-L—upon him be 966 [Baha’u’llah]—was departing and this servant was not successful in offering any mention, praise, expression of devotion, love or affection. God is witness that this evanescent one was so occupied with writing that sleep nearly lost its way to my eyes. But since this service pertains to God, exalted be His glory, and its fruits are for all, surely the excuse of this evanescent one is acceptable and valid. I beseech God, exalted be His station, for confirmation that He may enable this evanescent one to make up for what was missed, for verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, is the Mighty, the Powerful.

As to the mention of His Holiness the Afnan, Aqa Mirza Ibrahim—upon him be the Most Glorious Beauty of God—made at a special time in the presence of Him from Whose knowledge nothing escapes, thereupon the Tongue of Utterance smiled and spoke that which creation is powerless to recount. The servant mentions according to a known measure. His word, magnified be His utterance and mighty His proof:

In My Name, the Dawning Place from the Horizon of Grace

This is a Book sent down by the Wronged One from the prison to him who hath believed in God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. Verily it calleth all unto God and guideth them to His extended path. The Promise hath come to pass, the mountains have been scattered, the heaven hath been cleft asunder, the earth hath been split, and the Speaker of Sinai proclaimeth upon the branch of utterance: O My Afnan! Upon thee be My glory! We make mention of thee and of those who have held fast to the Sure Handle, and We counsel them with that which beseemeth this Cause which was hidden in God’s knowledge and inscribed in His Preserved Tablet. Blessed art thou and blessed is he who hath drunk the choice wine of understanding from the hands of the bounty of his Lord, the Forgiving.

Say: O people of the earth! Fear God and follow not the desires of those who understand not. Take what ye are commanded by God and follow not every ignorant rejected one. Say: God commandeth you to righteousness and godliness. Act according to what ye are commanded and be not of those who are heedless. Be steadfast in the Cause in such wise that neither the veils of earth nor the clamor of every heedless one shut out from God shall prevent thee.

We have adorned thee with My kinship—this is a bounty that equals not what hath been created on earth, whereunto testify sincere servants. We send Our greetings upon thee and upon My loved ones there who have turned to the Face when Its lights shone forth from the horizon of the world, and who responded when the Call was raised from Its praiseworthy station. O party of God in that place! Hearken unto the waves of this ocean: Verily there is no God but Me, the Mighty, the Loving. Aid your Lord through the sword of utterance, with the wisdom wherewith ye were commanded in My inscribed Tablet. Grieve not for those who have wronged, nor feel secure from those who claim to believe. How many a heedless one hath made his confession a means to his desires, and how many a wretched one confesseth to discover your station. Thus hath God counseled you aforetime. Verily He is the Truth, the Knower of things unseen. The glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of My grace be upon thee and upon My friends there, and upon those who have not broken God’s Covenant and His Testament, and upon My handmaidens who have believed in God, the Lord of what was and what shall be. End.

Praise be to God! That honored one hath attained, through God’s favor—exalted be His glory—to His grace. This evanescent one expresseth utter evanescence and nothingness before him, and beseecheth God to increase at every moment his stations as an Afnan. Verily He hath power over whatsoever He willeth.

As to what was written about attention being directed to the Land of Verdure and its environs, this matter was submitted, and it was commanded that at this time attention to those regions is not permissible. At one time, this most exalted Word was heard from the Tongue of Grandeur, saying:

“O servant present! Those souls who have been favored by God’s grace and who take precedence over all others have been and are counted as few in number. These souls must conceal those persons of note and keep hidden their acceptance and belief. Whatever becomes manifest from them in the Cause of God must, out of wisdom, be kept veiled from eyes and withheld from ears.”

Indeed, this is a most important matter requiring careful thought, for it can become the cause of great tribulations and universal harm. For example, if an honored and well-known person observes that mention of him has spread abroad, and this would cause the degradation and lowering of his station, he might arise with utmost oppression to prevent any diminution of his rank, station and honor. In truth, observance of this matter is essential. May God, exalted be His glory, inspire that which is beneficial for all.

Mention was made of his honor Aqa Mirza ʿAbdu’l-Karim, upon him be the Glory of God. His petition was presented at the Most Holy and Most Exalted Threshold, and a Tablet was revealed for him specifically from the heaven of divine will. God willing, he will attain unto it and through its fragrance perfume the people of that land. This is what the Tongue of Grandeur uttered on a dark night. His word, exalted be His utterance and glorified be His majesty: He is the One Who gazeth from His most exalted horizon.

By God! The Mother Book hath appeared, calling all unto God, the Lord of the worlds. The seas cry out: “The Most Great Ocean hath appeared, from whose waves is heard: ʿThere is none other God but Me, the Single, the All-Informed!”’ The trees exclaim: “O peoples of the earth! The rustling of the Lote-Tree beyond which there is no passing hath been raised, and the shrill voice of the Supreme Pen. Hearken ye, and be not of the heedless!” The sun proclaimeth: “O concourse of divines! The heaven of religions is cleft asunder, the moon is split, and all are gathered unto a wondrous resurrection. Fear ye God, and follow not your idle fancies. Follow Him Whom the Books of God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise, bear witness unto.”

The story of the Mount hath returned in this Revelation, and He Who conversed upon it proclaimeth: “The Desired One hath come, seated upon the throne of certitude, if ye be of them that understand.” He hath counseled all concerning that which will exalt the Cause of God and guide all to His Straight Path. How many a bondsman hath been entranced by the Call of God, and how many a ruler hath risen in tyranny such that the dwellers of the highest Paradise and the people of this glorious station have lamented! How many a poor one hath quaffed the wine of divine revelation, and how many a rich one hath turned away and denied, even to the point of disbelieving in God, the Lord of this blessed and wondrous Day! Say: Fear ye God, then judge fairly concerning this News, before which, when it appeared, every momentous news hath bowed down.

Say: O company of the ignorant! By what proof would ye justify your belief in God’s previous Messengers and in that which hath been sent down from His mighty and impregnable kingdom, were ye to deny Him? Will that which ye possess profit you? Will your riches protect you? Nay, by the Self of God, the Sovereign over all who are in the heavens and on earth! Cast away what ye have composed with the hands of fancy and idle imagination, and take fast hold of the Book of God which hath been sent down by His binding and mighty command.

Thy letter hath come before the Wronged One, and He hath revealed for thee this Tablet, from which the fragrance of thy Lord’s loving kindness, the Compassionate, the Bountiful, is diffused. We beseech God to make thee a standard in the city of His remembrance, and to exalt thy station in this Cause, beneath whose shadow the sincere ones behold all the tribes of the earth. Thy Lord, verily, is the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. We beseech Him to grant thee the best of what is in His Book. He, verily, is the Hearer, the Answerer. Be thou steadfast in helping His Cause through the hosts of wisdom and utterance. Thus hath the matter been decreed from before God, the Mighty, the Praised.

Blessed is he who hath turned towards Him this Day, and steadfast is he whom the hosts of the oppressors have not frightened. The Glory shining resplendent from the horizon of the kingdom of utterance be upon thee and upon those who have quaffed His sealed wine in His Name, the Self-Subsisting, and have drunk thereof despite those who have disbelieved in Him in Whom they had believed, and denied this News whereunto God Himself hath testified in His mighty and ancient Book. We make mention of those among thy kindred who have believed, and give them the glad-tidings of God’s favor and mercy, which have preceded all who are in the heavens and on earth.

Praise be to the Goal of all worlds, for the waves of the ocean of His bounty follow one upon another and the winds of His grace succeed each other. O beloved of my heart! Although sorrows have encompassed from all directions, the Supreme Pen moves and is occupied in both night and day. May the spirit of all in the world be a sacrifice for the traces of His Pen. This evanescent servant also conveys greetings to that mentioned one. It is hoped that they may attain the fragrance of divine verses which have descended from the heaven of will especially for them, attaining that which neither diminishes nor changes. The Command is in God’s hands—He doeth what He willeth and decreeth what He desireth, and He is the Mighty, the Powerful.

A Tablet was also revealed and sent in the name of Shaykh S-L. They had mentioned Jinab-i-Yusuf Kh-A, upon him be the Glory of God. Praise be to God, they have attained to the bounty of the True One, exalted be His glory. This evanescent one conveys greetings to them. Multiple Tablets have been revealed and sent especially for them. God willing, may they attain to the traces of the Supreme Pen and act according to what befits His days. Their mention has been and is in the Most Holy Court. This is glad tidings from the servant to him.

Regarding the mention they made of Jinab-i-Aqa Muhammad Husayn (Ba), upon him be the Glory of God, after it was presented in the Most Holy Court, pearls of mention appeared from the ever-flowing sea of utterance in the form of these words. His blessed and exalted Word:

In His Name, the Remembering, the All-Knowing

O Muhammad-Husayn! Be prepared for the descent of God’s bounty, the Lord of all worlds. Verily the All-Merciful desires to cast upon thee the pearls of divine knowledge from the ocean of His mighty, exalted grace. Is there any possessed of sight who will witness and see? Is there any possessed of hearing who will hear My sweetest call from the highest horizon? Is there any possessed of heart who will turn to the Ultimate Tree in such wise that neither the might of kings nor the clamor of subjects will weaken him? He speaks with wisdom and utterance throughout all possibility and testifies to that which God hath testified: that there is no God but Him, the Strong, the Triumphant, the Mighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

O Husayn! Thy mention hath been made before the Wronged One in the Most Great Prison, and there hath been revealed for thee that which all the books of the world cannot equal. To this beareth witness the Lord of Eternity, but most of the people are heedless. We have called out from the horizon of proof to all who are in the realm of possibility. Among them are those who have been so attracted by the fragrance of their Lord’s utterance that they have cast away all that people possess out of longing to attain the presence of God, the Lord of the mighty throne. Among them are those who were perplexed and hesitated, those who hastened and soared and answered their Ancient Lord, those who turned away and denied until they disbelieved in God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy, and those who pronounced judgment against Him with such tyranny as caused every discerning one to lament.

We called them to the living waters while they ruled to shed My blood with manifest injustice. Thus hath the sun of explanation dawned from the horizon of thy Lord’s utterance, the All-Merciful. When thou attainest unto its lights, glorify thy Lord’s praise and say: Praise be unto Thee, O God of all worlds! Blessed art thou and those whom neither the world nor its ornaments have prevented from this luminous horizon. Convey My greetings to My loved ones. We counsel them with the wisdom whose decree We have sent down in My wondrous Book.

Section 3: “And likewise mention was made of Jinab-i-Aqa Darab…”

And likewise mention was made of Jinab-i-Aqa Darab and Mashhadi Baqir, upon them both be the Glory of God. This is what was revealed for them from the kingdom of the grace of our Lord, the Merciful, the Compassionate. His mighty word, exalted be His grandeur:

In My Name, the Wronged One, the Stranger

O Most Exalted Pen! Let not the oppression of the divines, nor the tyranny of the rulers, nor the clamor of every vain and worthless soul grieve thee. The more intense the tribulations, the more We have commanded thee to raise a greater call than that which thou didst raise before. Verily thy Lord is the All-Commanding, the Unconstrained. Leave the children to play with dust—thus doth the All-Bestowing command thee at this moment wherein He maketh mention of His servant Darab. Run once to the right and say: O people of the right hand! Your eyes are solaced by the rising of the Sun of Manifestation! And again to the left and say: O people of the left hand!

Die in your wrath! The Hidden One hath come, and the Treasured One hath appeared, and before Him speaketh the Mother Book. O people of Baha! Let not the doings of the enemies prevent you from the Lord of Names. Soon shall all that ye behold today perish, and there shall remain unto you that which God hath sent down in the final end. This is a day wherein the Dove of Utterance warbleth upon the branch of divine knowledge, the Path hath appeared, and eyes are dazzled. Thus have the heavens of utterance revolved through the movement of the finger of thy Lord’s will, the All-Merciful, and the Crimson Ark hath sailed upon the sea of grandeur by the command of God, the Lord of Lords.

We make mention of him who is named Baqir and those with him, that they may rejoice in God’s loving-kindness and mercy. He, verily, is the Compassionate, the Mighty, the All-Bestowing.

O My loved ones! We counsel you regarding what befitteth your stations and this Cause which God hath made sanctified above all mention. Take hold of God’s Tablet with the strength that proceedeth from Him, then remember Him in the night season and in the days, at eventide and at dawn. Blessed is he who hath rent asunder the greatest veil and heard the rustling of the Divine Lote-Tree from the direction of the Most Great Scene. He is assuredly among the denizens of the Most Exalted Paradise in the Books and Tablets. Glory be upon you and upon those who have cast behind them the vain imaginings of men, clinging to the hem of the robe of their Lord, the Possessor of all creation.

O My beloved! The world’s desires have prevented it from recognizing its ultimate end, and wealth hath veiled it from its highest purpose. They cling to a drop while heedless of the ocean; they hold fast to the book while deprived of the Mother Book. What intoxication is this that hath encompassed the world, such that they truly cannot distinguish between the sun and its shadow? Greatness belongeth unto God, power belongeth unto God! In truth, this evanescent servant beholdeth himself in the utmost wonderment, for he observeth that a Cause whose truth is more evident and manifest than the sun, the sea, the heaven and the earth—from this are all veiled and deprived. This evanescent servant beseecheth the True One, exalted be His glory, to bestow by His blessed hand from the ocean of His bounty upon the dead that which shall cause all to live, that all may taste the sweetness of life, the sweetness of the All-Merciful’s utterance, and the sweetness of His bounty, and may move throughout the world like unto the spirit. Verily, He is the Hearing, the Answering, the Forgiving, the Generous.

And concerning what you wrote about the friends in those parts having set aside a certain sum for the prisoners in the land of Ta, the servant thanketh his Lord that He hath assisted them in that which beseemeth them in such days and circumstances.

And as to what you wrote regarding their having kept back some funds so that no hardship would befall that honored personage (AF), upon him be all the Most Glorious Glory, this matter, after being presented at the Most Holy and Most Exalted Court, was accepted, to such a degree that He said:

“Blessed is he and joy be unto him, for he hath regard in all matters for the glory of God’s Cause, His sovereignty, the exaltation of His Word and the promotion of His wisdom. O thou who art present! Beseech God that the teachers may in all conditions have regard for that which causeth the fragrance of sanctity to be diffused among His servants. Blessed is Haydar-ʿAli! We have truly testified to Our good-pleasure with him, and to this My Most Exalted Pen hath borne witness in this station and other stations. The teachers should accept from the Huquq only what is necessary, and that too if it be offered in a spirit of joy and radiance.”

Although sufficient conditions for teachers have been revealed from the Most Exalted Pen, in these days, while this servant was writing a petition to one of the Afnan of the Sacred Tree, this supreme utterance was heard from the Tongue of Grandeur—exalted be His glory and sublime be His station:

“We beseech God to aid them to serve His Cause and to teach what the All-Bountiful hath revealed in the Book, in such wise that neither what is witnessed nor what is seen may become a veil or obstacle. God willing, may they be adorned with the robe of piety, the mantle of detachment and the crown of severance. What hath been mentioned is like unto weapons for the teachers, nay rather, more penetrating, more decisive and more effective.”

The beloved of the heart, Aqa Mirza Asadu’llah, upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God, had also written last year concerning this matter, and his purpose was that any teacher who is divinely assisted and commissioned for this mighty task should have with him only what suffices for his needs, and in whatever land he entereth, perfect detachment should be manifest from him. In truth, this matter is the greatest ladder for the ascent, rise, acceptance and attention of the peoples. Detachment and severance are two wings for the flight of those who are captives of self and passion to the atmosphere of nearness and the presence of God. Praise be to God that His Honor hath acted in accordance with what is acceptable before God. This is a great station and a mighty rank.

His Honor the Afnan (Alif Ha), upon him be all the Most Glorious Glory, and some others have labored greatly. In truth, they have acted upon whatever lay within their power and have not fallen short in exalting the Word, promoting the Cause and spending. Since His Honor was not content with their hardship, he should inform the loved ones of God with utmost joy and delight, that perchance hereafter the honored Afnan, upon them be all the Most Glorious Glory, might find rest. Although God, exalted be His glory, bestoweth whatever is befitting, yet since in these days their business affairs have suffered some loss, therefore it is more conducive to piety that they be relieved for a while. O beloved of my heart! Great favor hath been shown to them. Although at present this matter is hidden as it should be from them and others, yet God our Lord, the Mighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise, will make it manifest.

That you wrote mentioning your presence at the home of Haji Mirza Fadlu’llah, upon him be the Glory of God, together with the friends of God, upon them be the Glory of God—this was presented at the Most Holy Court. These are the words uttered by the Beloved of the worlds and the One mentioned in the hearts of the Prophets and Messengers, exalted be His glory:

“O Fadlu’llah! The grace of God, exalted be His majesty, is manifest and evident in thy behalf, for thou hast been blessed with His mention and thy name hath been revealed by the Most Exalted Pen in the Most Great Prison. All the Prophets, saints and chosen ones have testified and do testify to the greatness of this bounty. Rejoice thou in this manifest grace. We have mentioned each of the beloved of God who were present in that gathering, and the name of each hath been recorded by the Most Exalted Pen in God’s Book. Blessed are they. We, from this station, send Our greetings upon them and upon My chosen ones and loved ones there and in other lands, and We counsel all to patience and forbearance in what hath befallen the righteous and in that which will exalt the Cause of God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.”

And regarding what you wrote about the handmaiden of God [name], sister of Muhammad, who hath ascended to the Most Exalted Horizon—this was presented before the Throne, as was her petition, and these are the words uttered by the Tongue of Grandeur in response, exalted be His utterance and His mention:

“He is the Hearer, the Answerer. O My handmaiden and My leaf! Rejoice that thy cry hath ascended to the Divine Lote-Tree and it hath answered thee from the Most Exalted Horizon. Verily, there is no God but I, the Wronged One, the Stranger. We have appeared and made manifest the Cause, and guided all to the Straight Path of God. We have ordained the laws and commanded all to that which will profit them in the Hereafter and in this world. Yet they have pronounced death upon Me. By this the Maiden of Heaven hath lamented, the Mount of Sinai hath cried out, and the Faithful Spirit hath wept. They have deprived themselves of the outpourings of these days by following every ignorant remote one. They have cast the ocean of knowledge behind their backs, turning to the ignorant ones who claim knowledge without any proof from God, the Lord of all worlds. Blessed art thou for having cast aside idle fancies and held fast to the cord of God, the Strong.

“Consider the grace of God, exalted be His glory. How many kings and queens of the world, after seeking and yearning and waiting, remained deprived of the Goal of the world’s inhabitants, while thou hast attained unto it. God willing, thou shalt succeed in performing such deeds whose fragrance shall endure throughout the eternity of God’s names, exalted be His glory. By God’s life! All that is visible on earth cannot equal the words ʿO My handmaiden.’ Soon shall the eyes of the world be illumined by what hath been revealed from the Most Exalted Pen. Blessed art thou and blessed is the mother who nursed thee.

“Know thou the value of this station and arise to serve the Cause in such wise that the doubts and intimations of the suspicious ones may not hold thee back from standing firm. The sun of certitude is shining while people cling to vain imaginings; the ocean of knowledge is surging while the people hold fast to the hem of the ignorant. These chronic diseases can be cured only through the grace of God, exalted be His glory. Convey My greetings to the handmaidens in that land and give them the glad-tidings of God’s grace and mercy. We have desired for thee a station—therefore praise and thank thy Lord, the All-Bountiful, the All-Generous. Praise be to God, the Most Exalted, the Most Great.”

Praise be to God for His bounties and favors! The showers of the divine springtime have been and continue to be the portion of those who seek, those who yearn, and the faithful handmaidens. The rays of the Sun of generosity are so manifest that should all created things together turn towards Him, they would attain to the ocean of His grace. We beseech His seas of generosity and bounty to adorn all with the lights of guidance and deprive none from this peerless favor. Verily, He is the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous.

Your other letter dated the 15th of Dhi’l-Qa’dah brought boundless joy to the world and bestowed gladness. May you ever be gladdened through the grace of God, exalted be His glory.

Regarding what you wrote about J.M.Sh., upon him be the Glory of God, some time ago a Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablet was sent specifically for him in the company of Shaykh S.L., upon him be the Glory of God. God willing, may he be assisted to serve the Cause. Although grievous errors were manifested from him, yet God has pardoned him through His grace. Now the gaze of favor is turned toward him, and it is hoped that through God’s infinite bounty, exalted be His glory, whatever is beneficial for him will descend from the heaven of grace and be ordained by the Pen of Destiny. Man knoweth not what harmeth him or profiteth him. He knoweth and doeth what befitteth His loving-kindness toward His loved ones. However, what this evanescent servant has beseeched for him is that in these days he may act for God and in the path of God in such wise that the fragrance of immortality may forever waft from it throughout all kingdoms. In any case, I beseech from God that which is for the good of His servants.

Regarding what you wrote about his having departed out of respect for God’s Cause without informing others—this matter was highly acceptable before the Throne. Thus did the Tongue of Grandeur speak, exalted be His glory:

“It behooveth one like him to do as he hath done, and it beseemeth one like him to teach his Lord’s Cause.”

At one time this exalted word was heard from the tongue of the Lord of all being and the Lord of the throne on high and of earth below, exalted be His glory:

“Detachment and severance are as the two greatest luminaries for the heaven of teaching. Blessed is he who hath attained unto this most great station and this most pure and most mighty habitation.”

As for the Tablets that were requested, they have been sent both with and without names. Likewise, wondrous and exalted Tablets have been revealed and sent from the heaven of divine Will specifically for the friends in Abadih, upon them be the Glory of God, the Lord of Oneness. Blessed are they, blessed are they! Theirs is a goodly beginning and end.

Section 4: “Regarding what you wrote about Haji Mirza Sh.K…”

Regarding what you wrote about Haji Mirza Sh.K. (T.R.), upon him be the Glory of God, praise be to God that he has attained to the grace of God, exalted be His glory. He has been mentioned repeatedly in the Most Holy Court, and a Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablet was sent specifically for him as well. The servant beseecheth his Lord to make him steadfast in this Most Great Cause in such wise that he may be pointed to with fingers of recognition. His movement and attention at present would be unwise. Should God will, He will write for him from His Most Exalted Pen the reward of attaining His presence. These are words the servant heard from the tongue of his Lord, the Compassionate, the Generous. The Glory be upon him.

As to what was written concerning the passages specifically sent for his honor Khan, upon him be the glory of Baha’u’llah—to explain in detail, those passages did not belong to Khan himself but were requested by another, thus they were sent. And now it is not permissible to give them to him; according to the command they must reach that honored one—let him request them. When mention was made of the beloved of the heart, his honor Shaykh Ali, who attained in the earliest days before most others, and likewise mention of the honored Afnans, upon them be all His most glorious glory, at the Most Holy, Most Exalted Threshold according to that beloved one’s letter, these exalted words shone forth from the Dayspring of the Cause—exalted be His grandeur: “O Haydar-Ali!

The fire of the Divine Lote-Tree is ablaze and the Interlocutor of the Mount is manifest and speaking. By the life of God! If the friends of God were to turn even slightly, the sweetness of the All-Merciful’s utterance would so attract them that its effects would encompass the earth. And likewise they would become so enkindled by the fire of the Lote-Tree that the effect of its heat would become evident in all things. This enkindlement and attraction, in relation to its means, is sometimes manifest and sometimes hidden—that is, at times manifest under the shadow of the Name the Manifest’ and at times concealed under the shadow of the Name the Hidden.’

Upon ʿAli be My glory, and likewise upon the Afnans, upon them be My glory—from their acceptance and orientation and enkindlement, hearts and souls are set ablaze and the effects of that enkindlement exist in the world, though now hidden. Soon will the world witness their attraction and their enkindlement and the effects of what they have wrought in the path of God, the Lord of the worlds. They must give thanks to God for this bounty, the like of which exists not in the world and which no people have ever attained.” A hundred thousand regrets and losses for those souls who remained veiled and who, through false and slanderous words, were deprived of the supreme horizon and the most exalted summit. Thus have We adorned the heaven of Our bounty with the sun of Our utterance for My friends, upon whom there has befallen in My path that whose reward is treasured in the knowledge of God, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

Praise be to God! The beloved of the heart, his honor Shaykh ʿAli, upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God, attained in days when the horizon of the Sun of Truth was not free from clouds, and the river of divine mercy was flowing in the innermost mystery, and the face of the Cause was hidden from all eyes and sight. A hundred thousand blessings upon them, for in such days they reached the Most Great Ocean and received their portion from the lights of the Sun of Truth. And likewise the honored ones, their honors the Afnans, upon them be all His most glorious glory, have attained to a station which this servant is powerless to mention, for God, exalted be His glory, has adorned them with the honor of relation to Himself. The entire world cannot equal one utterance of “O My Afnan!” Let alone the verses that have been specifically revealed for them which testify in most eloquent terms to their station before the faces of the world. Blessed are they and joy be unto them!

And likewise those honored ones, and the saints of the one true God—glorified be His majesty—whose names had been mentioned: each one hath again and again been vouchsafed the grace of the divine favour; the recompense of all is with God, and shall neither be lost nor diminished. I swear by the Sun of Revelation! a single soul, raised up in the love of God, is remembered in the sight of God, and is inscribed, by the Most Exalted Pen, in the Crimson Scroll. Were I to recount them one by one, and to set forth their station, I should needs occupy myself with many registers and the compilation of numerous books. God Himself will make manifest His Truth. This servant beseecheth God to confirm them, at all times and under all conditions, in steadfastness, in service, and in that sincerity whereunto all things bear witness, and whose fruits may be made manifest and apparent in the world.

And as to the mention that had been made of Jinab-i-Muhammad—before (kh-a)—and of Jinab-i-Mirza Abu—may the glory of God rest upon them—namely that, praised be God, in the earliest days of youth they had turned their faces towards the Most Exalted Horizon: this matter was submitted in the Most Great Presence. This is what hath been sent down for them from God, the Most High, the Most Great—His word, blessed and exalted be He.

In the Name of the Wronged One!

The All-Merciful hath revealed this Book from the Kingdom of Utterance unto all who dwell within the realm of possibility. Blessed is he who hath heard and responded, and woe betide every heedless doubter. This is the Day illumined by the lights of the Countenance, wherein the Tongue of Grandeur proclaimeth: “The Kingdom belongeth unto God, the Lord of the Final Return!” Thy mention hath been made in this station, and We have revealed for thee that which the tongues of creation are powerless to recount. Rejoice thou in that thou hast been remembered in the Most Great Prison, and the Face of the Ancient of Days hath turned towards thee from the Most Exalted Station. We have revealed the verses and manifested the clear proofs, and We have called all to the Straight Path.

Among the people are those who have turned away and denied, and among them are those who have pronounced judgment against Us without clear proof or evidence. The first to turn away from Us were the divines of the earth in this age, who call upon My name by night and day while reclining upon their lofty cushions, yet when I manifested Myself, they rose against Me in such wise as caused the very pebbles to cry out. Blessed art thou for having heard the Call and turned unto it, and for having answered thy Lord when He came with power and sovereignty.

And this is what was revealed for the other one. He, exalted be His glory, saith:

In My Name, the One manifest from the horizon of utterance

Glorified be He Who hath appeared and manifested His Cause in such wise that all things have spoken. The Promise hath come, and the Promised One hath appeared, to Whom all atoms testify that there is none other God but Him, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. The eyes of those near unto God have been gladdened by this Revelation, whereby the Tree of Sinai hath spoken, the darkness hath been illumined, and the Dove of the Cause hath cooed upon the branches of the Tree of Utterance that there is none other God but Him, the Mighty, the Loving. How many a servant hath turned toward the Most Exalted Horizon, and how many a king hath turned away from God, the Lord of all kings.

Blessed is the heart that hath turned, and the face that hath been directed, and the ear that hath heard this Call which hath been raised from this praiseworthy station. Grieve thou not over anything, but place thy trust in God in all matters. Say: Praise be unto Thee, O my God, for having remembered me in the Prison and for having taught me that which lay hidden in Thy knowledge and inscribed in Thy Books. I beseech Thee to make me steadfast in Thy Cause and to cling to the hem of Thy grace. Verily, Thou art the Almighty, the Mighty, the All-Forgiving.

And as to the mention made of the Leaf, the sister of Jinab-i-Aqa Ghulam-Husayn—upon them both rest the glory of God—this was laid before the Most Holy, the Most Inaccessible Threshold. This is what hath been revealed for her, and for those leaves who have turned unto God and believed in Him, the Incomparable, the All-Informed—His word, exalted be His glory, and mighty His utterance.

He is the Dayspring that hath risen from the horizon of Revelation.

O My handmaiden and My leaf! Praise thou the Best-Beloved of the worlds, that thou hast been made to attain this most great bounty in days when most of the divines and notables of the earth are deprived thereof. We have made mention of thee by the name of “Leaf,” that thou mayest, even as the leaves, be stirred by the winds of the Will of God, exalted be His glory, even as the leaves of the trees of the earth are stirred by the blowing of the winds. Be thou thankful unto thy Lord for this clear remembrance. Shouldst thou discover the sweetness of the words “O My handmaiden,” thou wouldst find thyself detached from all the worlds, occupied day and night with the remembrance of the one intended Lord.

We have mentioned each of the leaves and handmaidens who have drunk from the waters of the Most Merciful’s mercy and who are turned toward the Court of God, in most wondrous utterance. Blessed are they and joy be unto them. God shall soon reveal their station in a place that cannot be described by mention nor characterized by attributes. We counsel thee to that which will cause the exaltation of God’s Cause amongst His servants and handmaidens. He heareth the call of His loved ones and beholdeth their deeds. Verily, He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing. The glory be upon thee and upon them from God, the Almighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

And as for the mention made of the Greater Lady (upon her be 96 [Baha’u’llah]) who is known as Hajiyyih, it was submitted and one Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablet was revealed especially for her:

O beloved of My heart! The waves of the divine ocean of bounty are such that no one can comprehend them or adequately render thanks. The very essence of praise, glorification and thanksgiving finds itself evanescent and wanting in this arena. In days when the arrows of tribulation rain down more abundantly than showers from the heaven of hatred, and when the darkness of malice encompasses all directions, the Supreme Pen speaks in such wise that a hundred thousand essences of spirit are found thunderstruck. With a hundred thousand expressions of humility and supplication do I beseech Him to awaken the heedless and give them to drink from the ocean of knowledge. He is the Bestower, He is the Giver, He is the Munificent, He is the Generous, He is the Mighty, the All-Seeing. I have strayed from the subject. This is what was revealed for her, His words, exalted be His glory:

He is the One Who gazeth from His most exalted horizon

O handmaiden of God! Hearken unto the call of the Lord of Names, Who hath turned toward thee from the prison and maketh mention of thee. He hath aided every seeker, answered every call, and guided every wayfarer. Today the straight path is manifest, the balance of justice is set up, and the lights of the sun of bounty are shining. However, the darkness of oppressive souls hath become as clouds between the sun of bounty and the people of the world, becoming a veil and barrier. Blessed is the one who hath rent asunder the veil and become illumined by the lights of the Sun of Revelation. How many souls who counted themselves among the wise and learned were, on the Day of God, deprived and forbidden from all bounties. O My leaf! O My handmaiden! Know thou the value of this bounty, and likewise the mercy that hath preceded thee and guided thee to the highest horizon. Convey the greetings of the Wronged One to the steadfast handmaidens and gladden them with His favors.

And this is what was revealed for the spouse of His Honor Anis, upon them both be the glory of God:

He is the All-Witnessing, the All-Knowing

O My Leaf! Hearken unto My call from the precincts of My prison. Verily, there is none other God but Him, the True One, the Knower of things unseen. We have sent down from the heaven of Revelation that whereby faces are illumined and eyes are gladdened. The Promise hath come, yet the people perceive not. The Promised One hath appeared, yet they understand not. He hath come unto Whom the world hath submitted and the pillars of the nations have been shaken—they who have violated the Covenant and the Testament. He Whom they remember by night and by day hath come unto them, yet they have turned away from Him and pronounced judgment against Him with such tyranny as hath caused the Spirit of the Cause to lament and the Throne to cry out from its exalted station. Be thou thankful unto thy Lord for having chosen thee for His servant who was for numbered years a captive in the hands of the idolaters, and delivered him by a command from His presence—and He is the Ordainer of what was and what will be.

O My Leaf! Praise be to the Goal of the world Who hath illumined thine eyes with the light of His knowledge and caused thine ears to hearken unto His most sweet call—a call that is raised at all times, at eve and at morn. The Hand of Grace took thy hand and brought thee from the darkness of idle fancies to the dawning-place of certitude. We beseech God to aid thee in that which befitteth this lofty station. He, verily, hath forgiven thee and thy mother. Thy Lord is indeed the All-Bountiful, the Generous. We give thee and her the glad-tidings of My mercy and My favor, and We make mention of thy brother’s wife and give her the glad-tidings of My grace that hath encompassed all who are in the heavens and on earth. Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

Section 5: “The effulgences of the Sun of Truth have…”

The effulgences of the Sun of Truth have so seized upon the chosen ones, the loved ones, the steadfast women and the leaves that, by the life of our Beloved and the Beloved of all who are in the heavens and earth, were they to hear the divine verses with the ear of truth, they would all become so enkindled as to set the world aflame—meaning that every soul in whom remaineth a trace of spirit would attain unto true life. Verily, He is powerful over all things.

At this moment, having turned toward the Most Exalted Horizon, until entering the Station, the Tongue of Grandeur spoke, and His most sweet utterance is this: “O servant! What wert thou occupied with?” It was submitted: “With writing replies to the letters of his honor Mirza and making mention of the chosen ones.” At that moment this supreme word was revealed from the tongue of the Lord of creation—exalted be His glory and mighty His power: “We desire to make mention once again of the stars of the heaven of knowledge and to counsel them with that whereby the Cause of God, the Supreme, the Self-Subsisting, may be exalted. Blessed are they in that they have turned, hearkened, responded, and attained unto that which the learned and wise ones of the earth have been heedless of, save whom God hath willed, the Lord of the worlds.

They must hold fast unto unity and concord in such wise that the differences of the world may not cause division and separation. They must arise with utmost dedication to reform the world, and must at all times guide heedless souls to the ocean of wisdom through wisdom and utterance, that perchance they may become aware and be freed and detached from all else but God. And We command Our loved ones to preserve their stations. By My life! For each one a station is ordained that the pens of the world are powerless to describe. Blessed are they! Blessed are they!”

In truth, this is the Day of deeds, actions, wisdom and utterance. In one of the Tablets this exalted Word hath been revealed from the Most Exalted Pen—exalted be His utterance:

“In all matters be ye guided by wisdom. Wisdom is the greatest remedy. How often it transformeth the denier into a believer, and the enemy into a friend. Adherence unto it is binding, for in most of the Tablets this theme hath been revealed from the heaven of the Will of Him Who is the Dawning-Place of the Light of Unity. Well is it with them that act accordingly.”

At all times hold fast unto that which will lead to the exaltation of the Word of God. Goodly deeds and a praiseworthy character are the hosts of God in this Most Great Revelation, and likewise are blessed and sanctified words. These hosts attract hearts and unlock doors. This weapon is mightier than any weapon in the world. I beseech God to assist all to act in accordance with what hath been revealed by His Most Exalted Pen in the Books and Tablets.

In all conditions I implore the Truth, exalted be His glory, for assistance. Without His bounties, no thing among all things hath borne or beareth fruit. His is the grace, the bounty and the generosity, and His is that which the nations are powerless to describe.

That beloved one’s other letter dated the 23rd of the revered month of Sha’ban was indeed as water of the bow for the thirsty heart of the Lion. Praise be to God, it brought complete joy. Whenever a sweet fragrance wafteth from the direction of that beloved one’s love, it is truly like a musk-laden breeze for this evanescent servant. It perfumeth the nostrils of the soul and manifesteth the heart with renewed strength, for it is entirely adorned with mention, praise, service and love of the Beloved of the world. Therein was recorded what befell the people of God in the land of M and A. Exalted, exalted is the deed of Ali, the mention of Ali, the utterance of Ali, the steadfastness of Ali, the martyrdom of Ali, the effacement of Ali, the sobriety of Ali, the ascension of Ali, and the loftiness of ʿAli! By the life of our Beloved and your Beloved, our Goal and your Goal, there hath been manifested from him such steadfastness as hath adorned the heaven of power, and such oppression as hath caused the Maids of Paradise in their chambers and the dwellers of the Most Exalted Paradise in their lofty stations to lament.

In truth, it would be a pity for such blood to be shed in vain and freeze upon the ground. The excellence of his deed was that none of them saw any opposition, and nothing contrary to wisdom occurred. Purely for the sake of God did he sacrifice the most precious and noble things of the world. Blessed is he, a whole world of blessedness is his! The words, utterance and mention of this servant are not worthy of this station, but there hath been revealed from the Most Exalted Pen that which is befitting. His is the praise in all conditions.

In these days it is not advisable for that honored one to turn towards those regions, and especially regarding the captives of that land who have arrived at the prison of Ta, magnificent and glorious verses have been revealed and sent. The mention of that land, its captives and its martyrs hath been and is present before the Most Holy Court. Journey to the land of Ta is also not permissible this year, as complete trust cannot be placed even in those within. Verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, is the Concealer, the Generous.

With regard to the mention of Jinab-i-Mashhadi Husayn, upon him be the Glory of God, what they had intended was presented before the Most Holy and Most Exalted Presence and was accepted. However, they stated that mention of him is not permitted at this time, as the corruptors of the earth are in motion and seeking pretexts. They also stated that his services in this path have been and are remembered, and for some time a Most Holy and Most Exalted Tablet has been specifically revealed for him but not yet sent. It will be sent in these days, and another Tablet was also revealed in these two days. God willing, he will attain to both of them.

Regarding what you wrote about Jinab-i-Haji Ali and his wife, upon them both be the Glory of God, it was presented before the Most Holy and Most Exalted Presence. This is what the Speaker of Sinai uttered, exalted be His grandeur and glorified be His majesty:

“This matter was accepted before the Divine Presence. Yes, what the aforementioned Haji has done, meaning in the marriage of the daughter of Dhabih, upon him and her be the Glory of God. We have mentioned him before and on this day with that which brings joy to the eyes and causes spirits to soar. Give him My glad-tidings and remind him from the Wronged One of what hath been sent down from God, the Lord of all beings. God willing, may they spend their days with joy and fragrance and unity and harmony, and be occupied with the mention and praise of the Goal of all the worlds in the evening and at dawn.”

End quote.

In truth, remaining in the Land of Ta at this time yields no fruit. God willing, the son of His Holiness Dhabih, upon them both be the Glory of God, will hold fast to what is right and will not cause division. Even if only for a change of air, their turning toward the land of Jinab-i-Haji is beloved. The servant beseeches his Lord to assist all to that which He loves and with which He is pleased. And peace be upon those who follow guidance.

Another submission: Jinab-i-Mahbubi-Amin, upon him be the Glory of God, has repeatedly mentioned your honor. In truth, they are focused on truth and speak the truth. They have not let go of what is right and God willing will not do so. In any case, good mention of your honor has been repeatedly heard from them. May God grant success so that all may be enabled to do what befits this blessed Day.

The souls mentioned in your letter have truly drunk from the ocean of love and are gazing toward the horizon of grace. This evanescent non-entity bears witness to this regarding them and begs God, glorified be His majesty, for their success. Some time ago, Holy and Exalted Tablets were specifically revealed for all from the heaven of Divine Will and God willing they will be sent. I beseech and hope from the Exalted Truth that all may attain to the fragrances of the verses of our Goal and the Goal of all who are in the world.

Regarding what you wrote about the Huquq, that the aforementioned Haji intends to pay it, this is from God’s grace which He bestows on whomever He wishes. Praise be to God, they were assisted to act according to what was revealed in the Book. The amount they agreed to give this year was divided according to command. The details will be presented. I beseech God to assist them to mighty deeds and bestow blessings from the heaven of grace. Verily our Lord, the Most Merciful, is the Mighty, the Powerful.

Concerning what you wrote about the Sacred Resting Places of the Most Exalted Leaf and the Greatest Holy Leaf and His Holiness the Afnan, the Most Great Uncle—upon them both be all the Most Glorious Glory—and the petition of him who attained and other souls, upon them be the Glory of God, it was presented at the Most Holy, Most Exalted Threshold of the Lord of all beings and was granted acceptance. In truth, this is a most exalted bounty, for no obliteration can reach it and no removal can affect it. That such a bounty should be manifested from the Supreme Pen in the days of the Revelation indicates its station and rank. In truth, they have attained unto an everlasting robe and an eternal adornment. Blessed are they, happy are they, and joy be unto them. This mention shall be immortalized in the Book of God and its fragrance shall be diffused amongst the servants. This beginning is sanctified from ending and conclusion. In this regard, utterances were heard from the Tongue of Grandeur, including these exalted words—His glory be exalted:

“The Sun of divine utterance shall never set, and no sunset shall follow it.”

Thus is the station of immortality, to which our Lord, the Mighty, the Loving, bears witness. And specifically, the Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablet was revealed in this regard, namely concerning the conferral of custodianship of the specific Sacred Resting Places therein to his eminence Fadl, who attained the presence of God in prison, and other souls whose names were revealed in the Tablet, as a command from the All-Knowing Commander. This is what was revealed from the Kingdom of Command—exalted be His utterance:

He is the Commander, the All-Wise

O Fadlu’llah! We have appointed thee and the four known ones mentioned before the Face as custodians of the Resting Place of the Most Exalted Leaf and the Shrines associated with Us there, and We have placed the custodianship in your hands as a glory for you and your descendants, for as long as the earthly and heavenly kingdoms endure. Be thankful to God for this everlasting dominion and perpetual bounty. Verily, He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He desireth, and He is the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. Arise with firm and steadfast determination to serve that which has been entrusted to you by God, the Possessor of all that was and shall be.

Likewise, a Tablet was revealed from the heaven of bounty regarding the acceptance of the house and garden of his eminence H and S, upon him be the Glory of God. His majesty be exalted and His grandeur be magnified:

He is the Truth, there is no God but Him

O Husayn! We have accepted thy house and thy garden and have adorned them with the ornament of acceptance, and We have designated them as a dwelling place for the friends who travel and journey through the lands for the promotion of the Cause and the exaltation of God’s binding Word. We have appointed thee as their custodian and servant, and We have ordained them as an enduring, eternal remembrance for thee, that thou mayest thank thy Lord, the Hearing, the Responding.

Praise be to God! Two suns have appeared from the horizon of the grace of the Ancient Lord—meaning two Tablets have been revealed from the heaven of the Will of the Desired One of the worlds. Each speaks with the most eloquent utterance through the bounty of God, exalted be His glory. God willing, may they attain unto them and act upon that which they are commanded. Likewise, the Huququ’llah which Haji Ali, upon him be the glory of God, was enabled to pay has all been accepted, and this blessed word was revealed from the Kingdom of the utterance of the All-Merciful. He says, blessed and exalted be He:

“We have accepted what he offered in the path of God. Blessed is he who hath succeeded in discharging the rights of his Lord.”

After acceptance, as commanded, it was divided: fifty designated for the prisoners of Ra and Shin, forty designated for the prisoners of the land of Ta, and fifty from Shaykh S.L. was taken for certain travelers—this amount should reach them. And fifty should be sent to the Most Holy Court, and one year’s worth was bestowed upon Haji Ali himself—meaning it was gifted to him. This is truly a great bounty and mighty favor for one who is assisted today in serving the Cause and paying the rights of God, for its effects and fruits endure throughout the kingdom of earth and heaven.

We beseech God to enable us to remember and praise Him, to perform good deeds, to speak goodly words, to manifest pleasing and acceptable character, and to arise to serve His firm and mighty Cause. This evanescent servant beseeches and hopes from God, exalted be His station, that He may inspire all to recognize the greatness of this time and station, that all may know the value of this day and arise as befits it. Verily He is the Helper, the Almighty, the Powerful. May the glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of bounty be upon you and upon the companion and upon God’s loved ones and chosen ones there who have not broken God’s Covenant and His Testament and whom the ranks and hosts have not frightened. Praise be to God, the Lord of this Promised Day.

Section 6: “Praise be to God once again! I have…”

Praise be to God once again! I have attained unto your handwriting. Regarding what you wrote about the beloved companion and the honored ones Aqa Mirza Siyyid ʿAli, Aqa Ghulam-Husayn, and Aqa Mirza Muhammad-Baqir, upon them be the glory of God and His favors—on the seventh night of the month of Safar, one hour and twenty-five minutes after sunset, intending the supreme heights and the seat of the Throne, what you wrote was presented before the countenance of the Ancient Lord. He recited the blessed verse revealed in the Most Holy Book, His mighty utterance and exalted remembrance: “Marry, O people, that from you may appear one who will make mention of Me amid My servants. This is My command unto you; hold fast to it as an assistance to yourselves.”

Then this supreme word appeared from the Most Exalted Kingdom, exalted be His majesty: “O servant in attendance! All matters have been and are in the grasp of divine power, and whatever He commands is beloved. We have mentioned each of the souls mentioned in such wise that all things are attracted by the wine of remembrance and speak in praise of the One remembered. This is of God’s grace which He bestoweth upon whomsoever He willeth. Write to them that poverty itself seeks glory. By the life of God! True poverty is like an ocean and the glory of the world like a drop, but the glory of the Friend ever gazeth with humility and submissiveness upon the friends, is turned toward them and is seated with them.” Thus ended His words.

After mention of poetry and the Covenant by his honor Aqa Mirza Siyyid ʿAli and likewise the requests of other gentlemen, the Tongue of Grandeur spoke these blessed words, exalted be His glory: They must act according to what hath been revealed in the Most Holy Book from the Kingdom of God’s Will. The Supreme Pen inscribeth the reward of attainment unto His presence for each one in the Crimson Book. He raiseth up the banner of “He doeth what He willeth” and ordaineth whatsoever He desireth. None can say “why” or “wherefore.” This evanescent servant beseecheth God, exalted be His glory, that after bestowing the supreme bounty—namely, the reward of attainment unto His presence—circumstances may arise whereby they may outwardly attain His presence and drink from the Kawthar of reunion.

When this bounty will be made manifest and the Sun of permission will shine forth dependeth on His will. Yet praise be to the Goal of all existence Who, through His infinite grace, hath bestowed that which no thing among all things can equal. The reward of attaining His presence is a mighty blessing and it is the everlasting heavenly feast. Praise be to God that they have attained it. A hundred thousand regrets for those souls who remain heedless of today’s bounty and are veiled and unaware of the lights of the Sun of Truth.

As for what you wrote regarding spending the night at the holy and sanctified resting place of His Holiness the King of Martyrs and the Beloved of Martyrs—may my spirit be a sacrifice for them both—in the land of Sad: By the life of our Beloved and your Beloved, His Holiness performed what is among the most excellent of deeds. How can this poor nothing adequately render thanks for this, or the other friends who dwell in that land? This servant, on behalf of himself and them, confesseth to powerlessness and shortcoming. When utmost bewilderment had overtaken me and I was immersed in the sea of contemplation, it occurred to me to visit, on their behalf, the Spot that “God was, and there was nothing else besides Him.” This is a deed for which a hundred thousand million worlds would constitute profit upon profit. Immediately I engaged in praise and thanksgiving to the Peerless Beloved and sought permission. After the Sun of permission rose from the horizon of His Will, I presented myself and attained the visitation, which was adorned with the ornament of acceptance. This is a deed for which no likeness or peer hath been or can be imagined. His is the praise and the bounty, His the grace and generosity and mercy.

As for the mention of the family—upon them be His most glorious splendor—and the bounties and love they showed to you: In truth, they are worthy of this station. They have ever been engaged in service to the Truth and have shown the utmost love toward His loved ones. Whatever befell them through the oppression of the oppressors—namely the Wolf and the She-Serpent—did not prevent them from the love of God. They are steadfast, and this is a most exalted station. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, to keep them assisted and confirmed. Verily, He hath power over all things.

Concerning what you wrote about Jinab-i-Haji Muhammad-Sadiq, upon him be the Glory of God—a most holy and exalted Tablet hath been revealed from the heaven of bounty specifically for him and hath been sent. God willing, he shall attain unto it and drink from the Kawthar of the utterance of the All-Merciful—a draught whose ultimate bounds are sanctified and exalted. Let him drink thereof and give others to drink. Such souls, if they conduct themselves with wisdom and remain firm and steadfast in the love of God, shall receive the confirmations of God, exalted be His glory. They must engage in teaching with the utmost wisdom, that perchance the people of those regions may catch the fragrance of the Revelation and hearken unto the call of the Friend, and act in accordance with that which shall profit them. This is what hath been sent down from the heaven of the will of our Lord, the All-Merciful, for His honor, upon him be the Glory of God. These are His blessed and exalted words:

In My Name, the Manifest One, Who speaketh from the Supreme Horizon

The Wronged One makes mention of him who has turned to the All-Knowing, the One, and has recognized His unity even as the Supreme Pen hath recognized it when it moved within the arena of utterance. Blessed is the soul that hath attained unto the recognition of its Lord, and woe betide every heedless doubter. Man is like unto a tree. If he be adorned with fruit, he hath been and will ever be worthy of praise and commendation. Otherwise, a fruitless tree is but fit for fire. The fruits of the tree of man are exquisite and highly desired and beloved—praiseworthy character, goodly deeds, and pleasing words are accounted as the fruits of this tree. The spring season of trees is witnessed each year, but the springtime of human trees is the Days of the Manifestation of God, exalted be His glory. If in this divine springtime the trees of human existence become adorned with the aforementioned fruits, then verily the light of the Sun of Justice shall encompass all who dwell on earth, and all shall find themselves at rest and content beneath the shade of Him Who is the Desired One.

The water for these trees is the Kawthar of utterance of the Beloved of all creation. In one moment they are planted, and in another, through the showers of the mercy of the All-Merciful, their branches are seen reaching toward heaven. A withered tree is not and hath never been worthy of mention. Blessed is he who hath adorned himself with the ornament of endeavor and hath arisen to serve the Cause. He hath attained unto his purpose and hath recognized that for which he was created.

Alas, a hundred thousand times alas, for the heedless souls who are in truth like unto dried leaves scattered upon the ground. Ere long shall the wind of death return each one to their appointed place. Heedless did they come, heedless did they live, and heedless did they return to their abode. At all times doth the world cry out with its loudest voice, saying:

“I am evanescent, and my appearances and colors are evanescent. Take warning from the differences and changes that occur within me and be ye admonished.”

Nevertheless, there is no eye to see and no ear to hear.

The true ear proclaimeth this day and saith: “Happy am I, for this is my Day, inasmuch as the Voice of God is raised.” And the essence of sight declareth: “Blessed am I, happy am I, for this is my Day, since the Ancient Beauty is shining resplendent from the Most Exalted Horizon.” The people of Baha must at all times beseech and supplicate the Lord of Names that perchance the people of creation may not be deprived of the effusions of these days.

All the divines were wont to utter these words, and I repeatedly heard them say in the days of My childhood: “O what is that Word at which even the holy ones take flight?” Say: That Word is now made manifest, and ye fled before hearing it, and ye perceive it not. And that blessed, hidden, treasured and concealed Word is this: “He” hath appeared in the garment of “I,” and the “Self-Subsisting” speaketh forth with “I am the One Who is manifest.” This is that Word at which the limbs of the disbelievers have quaked.

Glory be to God! In all the Books of old mention hath been made of the greatness of this Day, the greatness of this Revelation, the greatness of its signs, the greatness of its Word, the greatness of its steadfastness, the greatness of its station and rank. Yet despite this, the people remain heedless and veiled therefrom. The Prophets yearned to attain unto this Day. David saith: “Who will bring me into the strong city?” The strong city is Akka, and its fortress is firmly established, and the Wronged One is imprisoned therein. And likewise in the Qur’an He saith: “Lead forth the people from darkness into light and announce to them the days of God.” In most of the divine scriptures and books, mention of this Day hath been recorded and inscribed with utmost clarity.

The divines of the age have forbidden the people from this most exalted station, this sublime summit and ultimate goal. Blessed art thou, who hast not allowed the darkness of vain imaginings to prevent thee from the light of certitude, and whom the might of days hath not withheld from the Lord of all names. Know thou the value of this station and beseech its protection from God, exalted be His glory. In all conditions, the eternal dominion hath been and shall ever be His and His loved ones. The glory shining forth from the horizon of eternity be upon thee and upon those who have held fast to God’s mighty cord.

Praise be to God that the effulgent rays of the Sun of favor have encompassed all, and such bounty hath appeared that every novel mention hath confessed its powerlessness to describe it. This evanescent one beseecheth God, exalted be His glory, to protect all—namely the friends and the masters—from the evil of the deceitful ones, the treacherous ones and the crafty ones. He is the Protector of all, the Powerful over all, and the Encompasser of all.

And concerning what thou didst write about Aqa Mirza ʿAbbas, upon him be the glory of God, that in his early days he is aflame with the fire of love and engaged in service—this matter too was presented at the Most Holy and Most Exalted Court. This is what the Tongue of the All-Merciful spoke, exalted and mighty be His Word:

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

God willing, may the new saplings, through the rains of divine mercy, be adorned with wondrous and delightful leaves and fruits. Today the rays of the sun of grace have encompassed the world. Blessed is the soul that hath attained unto it, and woe unto every doubting heedless one. Joy unto the trees that move by the winds of God’s will, exalted be His glory. In thy early days thou didst attain unto the recognition of God and service to His loved ones. God willing, throughout all conditions and days of life, mayest thou remain focused on the supreme horizon, enkindled with the fire of His love and illumined by the lights of His countenance. The Command is in the hands of God, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. The glory be upon thee.

This evanescent servant also conveyeth his pure greetings to all, again and again. I am now ashamed to write further, for I have caused much trouble. Would that each minute of these days were a thousand minutes, and each hour a thousand hours, and this servant were enabled to occupy himself with the mention and praise of God’s loved ones. Though even then he could not properly fulfill this task, yet there is hope that this wish may find expression and become established in deeds. Verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, is the Powerful, the Mighty. The glory shining forth from the heaven of our Lord’s favor be upon your honor and upon those who are with you, who love you, who hearken to your words, who aid you and who support you for the sake of God, the Lord of the throne and earth, and the Sovereign of the hereafter and of the former days.

Another submission is that for each and every one of the friends of God—both men and women—who were mentioned in your letters, a most sublime, most mighty and most holy Tablet was sent down from the heaven of bounty and dispatched. This servant recorded these both in the original letter and separately wrote and sent each Tablet. Praise be to God, they were mentioned repeatedly. As for that which is not in the form of a Tablet, meaning certain revealed passages, that beloved one should send copies thereof to their intended recipients. Likewise, one most mighty, most holy, most glorious and most luminous Tablet was revealed specifically for that beloved one and was sent, as a bounty beyond what was revealed in the letter. God willing, they will attain unto it. And according to that honored one’s request, Tablets numbering the Greatest Name were sent without names.

As for the Tablets revealed specifically for the friends in the land of Sh, these were sent to the spiritual beloved, his honor Anis, upon him be the Most Glorious Beauty of God, that he may deliver them. And those specifically for the friends in Abadih were sent to his honor Afnan, Aqa Mirza Aqa, upon him be all the most glorious Glory, that he may forward them. God willing, may the fragrance of the divine verses and holy words that have emerged from the treasuries of knowledge embrace them all and confirm them in that which He loves and is pleased with. Verily, He has power over all things. Praise be to God, the One, the Mighty, the Peerless.

The servant 19th of Muharram al-Haram 1301