Volume 036: Late Edirne (September 1867 – August 1868) (2 of 7)

BH00066: Lawh-i-Salman I

Section 1: “In My Name, the Grief-Stricken…”

In My Name, the Grief-Stricken

O Salman! From the City of the Soul, waft thou the holy breaths of the All-Merciful over the peoples of all the worlds and contingent beings. With the foot of steadfastness, the wings of detachment, and a heart aflame with the fire of the love of God, press thou forward that the cold of winter may not affect thee, nor prevent thee from journeying through the valley of oneness. O Salman! These days are the manifestation of the firm, established word “There is no God but Him,” for the letter of negation hath preceded and taken precedence over the name of affirmation in relation to the essence of affirmation and its manifestation. None among the people of creation hath thus far perceived this divine subtlety, and what they have witnessed—that the letters of negation have ever outwardly prevailed over the letters of affirmation—hath been due to the influence of this Word, whose Revealer, in view of the hidden wisdoms contained within this all-embracing Word, hath given precedence to negation. Were I to make mention of its veiled and concealed wisdoms, thou wouldst assuredly find the people thunderstruck, nay rather, lifeless.

Whatsoever thou beholdest in the earth, even if it appeareth to contravene the outward desire of the Embodiments of His Cause, yet in truth all hath been and shall ever be according to the Divine Will. Should anyone, after perceiving this Tablet, reflect upon the aforementioned Word, he would become aware of a wisdom heretofore unknown, for the form of words is the treasury of truth, and their inherent meanings are the spiritual pearls of the Sovereign of Oneness. The hand of Divine infallibility forbiddeth the people from attaining unto it, but when God’s Will so decrees and the hand of power unsealeth it, then do the people become cognizant thereof.

Consider, for instance, the words of the Furqan, which contained all the divine treasures of the Ancient Beauty, exalted be His glory and majesty. All the divines would recite them night and day and write commentaries thereon, yet were they powerless to reveal a single letter of the hidden pearls stored within these verbal treasuries. And when the promised hour came, the hand of power of Him Whom I manifest moved the seal of its treasuries according to the capacity and receptivity of the people. Thus did children of the age who had not understood a single letter of outward knowledge become aware, according to their measure, of the hidden mysteries, to such an extent that a mere child could confound the divines of the age in exposition. Such is the power of the Divine Hand and the all-encompassing nature of the Will of the Sovereign of Oneness.

Should anyone reflect upon these words that have been mentioned, he would observe that not a single atom moveth except by His Will, nor doth anyone become cognizant of a single letter save through His Purpose—exalted be His station, and exalted be His power, and exalted be His sovereignty, and exalted be His grandeur, and exalted be His command, and exalted be His grace above all who dwell in the kingdoms of the heavens and the earth.

O Salman! The Pen of the All-Merciful declares: In this Dispensation, I have removed the word of negation from the beginning of affirmation, and its decree, God willing, shall descend from the heaven of divine will, and We shall send it thereafter. O Salman! Sorrows have so encompassed Me that the tongue of the All-Merciful has been prevented from making mention of exalted matters. I swear by the Lord of all creation that the gates of the paradise of inner meanings have been shut due to the oppression of the idolaters, and the breezes of divine knowledge have been cut off from the right hand of divine unity. O Salman! Think not that My tribulations are confined to these days, though they have outwardly existed before and after. One whom I nurtured by the hand of mercy through months and years rose up to slay Me. Were I to make mention of the mysteries of the past, thou wouldst learn that from time immemorial certain among the servants who were created by the Word of Command have risen in opposition to the Truth and violated the wonders of His Cause.

Consider Harut and Marut, who were two servants brought nigh unto God. Through their extreme sanctity they became known as angels. They were brought from nothingness into being by the all-encompassing Will, and their mention was recorded in the kingdom of earth and heaven, and their signs were made manifest. They were so close to God that the tongue of grandeur spoke their praise, until they reached a station where they regarded themselves as more pious, more exalted, and more detached than all other servants. Then a breeze blew from the direction of divine testing, and they were cast down to the nethermost fire. Most of what is mentioned among people concerning these two angels is false and far from the shore of truth. With Us is the knowledge of all things preserved in tablets of glory. Yet none among the peoples of that age objected to the Truth, exalted be His grandeur, asking why, after these two angels had attained such stations of sanctity and nearness, He took this station from them.

O Salman! Say to the people of the Bayan: Transform not the everlasting divine elixir and the eternal heavenly Kawthar into bitter water, and efface not the melody of the Nightingale of eternity from your hearing. Walk beneath the shade of the outspread cloud of mercy and dwell in the shadow of the Tree of grace. O Salman! The Truth has ever judged among men according to outward appearances, and all the Prophets and Messengers were commanded to judge among creatures according to the outer appearance, and no other way is permitted. For example, observe that a person may now be a believer and a godly soul, upon whom the Sun of divine unity has shed its radiance to such an extent that he acknowledges and confesses all the divine names and attributes, and bears witness to that which the Ancient Beauty has testified unto Himself by Himself. In this station, all attributes apply to and are true of him. Indeed, none but God is capable of describing him as he truly is, and all these attributes refer to that divine effulgence that has shone upon him from the Sovereign Who manifests it.

In this station, should anyone turn away from him, he has turned away from the Truth, for naught can be seen in him save divine effulgences. As long as he remains in this station, should any word other than good be spoken concerning him, the speaker has been and will ever be a liar. But after the withdrawal of that effulgence by which he was characterized, and all these attributes returned with Him to His dwelling place, that soul is no longer the same soul that it was before, such that those attributes should remain with it. And if one were to observe with penetrating vision, even the garment that soul is wearing is not and never will be the same as before. For when a believer, at the time of his faith in God and recognition of Him, even if his garment be of coarse cotton, it is accounted as silk of Paradise in the sight of God. And after turning away, it becomes as pitch of hellfire. In such case, should anyone describe such a soul with those attributes, he would be a liar and be reckoned with the people of fire in the sight of God.

O Salman! I have deposited the proofs of this utterance in all things, by themselves and of themselves. Nevertheless, it is most strange that people have not perceived this and have stumbled at the appearance of such matters. Consider the lamp: so long as it is bright, luminous and aflame, should anyone deny its light, he would surely be a liar. However, after a breeze extinguishes it, should one say it is still shining, he was and ever will be a liar—even though the niche and candle are one and the same both when giving light and when not. O Salman! Today behold all things as mirrors, for all creation was brought into being by a single word and standeth in one plane before God. And should all turn to this eternal Sun which hath shone forth from the most holy horizon of glory, in all would be reflected the image of the Sun in its form. In such case, all the names and attributes of the Sun would be true of those mirrors, for naught would be seen in them save the Sun and its radiance.

And to the perceiving sage it is evident that these attributes belong not to the mirrors in and of themselves, but rather all attributes pertain to that reflection which hath appeared and shone forth in those mirrors from the dawning-place of the Sun’s grace. And so long as this reflection endureth, the attributes endure, and after the effacement of that reflection from the forms of the mirrors, the description of those mirrors by any who would describe them would be and ever will be pure falsehood and absolute untruth, for names and attributes circle round the reflection which hath shone forth from the Sun, not round the mirrors in and of themselves. O Salman! The glory of all names, their exaltation, their greatness and their fame, hath been through their relation unto God.

For instance, observe the temples that have been raised among different peoples—all circle round these temples and journey from distant places to visit them. And it is evident that the reverence for these temples hath been because the Ancient Beauty, exalted be His glory, hath related them unto Himself, even though all know that the Ancient Beauty hath never needed and will never need any house, and the relation of all places to His holy Being hath been equal. Rather, He hath made these temples and their like the cause of the attainment and success of His servants, that He might not deprive all people of the wonders of His grace. Blessed, then, is he who followeth the Command of God.

Observe these Houses in the sight of God—they remain exalted so long as their connection [to God] is not severed. But after this connection is cut off, should anyone circumambulate them, they circumambulate only their own selves and are counted among the denizens of fire in God’s sight. Similarly, observe the Houses of individual souls—after they turn away, the decree of idol applies to them, and those who cling to them are and shall be counted as idol-worshippers before God. Consider now how these Houses, both during their connection to God and after that connection is severed, maintain the same form and appearance. Indeed, no change is visible in their outer form, whether during their connection or without it. However, when the connection is cut off, the hidden spirit dwelling within those Houses is withdrawn, and none perceive this save those endowed with true knowledge. Observe this same truth in all the Manifestations of Names, who are the Houses of souls.

O Salman! Observe the words of the All-Merciful with a pure heart and sanctified vision, and reflect, that perchance thou mayest attain to God’s purpose. O Salman! At the time of departure from Iraq, the Tongue of God informed all that the Samiri would appear and the Calf would raise its call, and that after the setting of the Sun, the birds of night would surely take flight. Those two have appeared, but soon the birds of night will arise claiming Lordship and Divinity. We beseech God to make people know their own selves, lest they transgress their bounds and station, and that they may remember God with this Most Great Remembrance, and aid His Cause with all their limbs and members, and be as standards between the heavens and the earth.

O people! Dwell beneath God’s shade, then remain in your seats with God’s tranquility and great dignity. Hold fast to the cord of servitude unto God, the True One. This is a station that nothing in the heavens and earth can equal, and through it God’s Cause is made manifest among His servants and creatures. Whoso holds fast to it in these days hath truly aided God’s Cause, and whoso turns away from it hath shown pride before God—and none show pride save every transgressing sinner. God willing, may all dwell and find rest beneath the Beauty of the Ancient One, and be turned toward His direction, for this is indeed a great bounty.

As for thy question about the meaning of the verse—although the Pen of Command hath not been inclined to expound upon poetic meanings, since today the oceans of inner meanings have appeared in their essence and origin, and there is no need for previous utterances; rather, all possessors of knowledge, wisdom and understanding, both past and future, have been and will be in need of these surging and wondrous oceans—yet in response to thy request, a brief explanation shall be given, flowing from the Pen of the Ancient of Days according to God’s will. The question is:

When colorlessness became the prisoner of color, A Moses came into conflict with a Moses.

O Salman! The mystics have many such statements on these matters. Some have supposed Truth to be the sea and creation to be the waves, saying that the differences in the waves are due to forms, and forms are contingent, and after casting off forms all return to the sea—meaning they are in reality the sea—and concerning forms they have made other statements which it is not permissible to mention here. Similarly, they have described Truth as ink and all other things as letters, saying it is that same reality of ink appearing in different forms of letters, these forms being in reality one ink. They have called the first the station of unity and the second the station of multiplicity. Likewise they have spoken of Truth as the One and all things as numbers, and Truth as water and all things as ice, as they have said:

Section 2: “All creatures are, in likeness, snow— Thou art…”

All creatures are, in likeness, snow— Thou art the living fount below;

The snow dissolves, its law is gone, The water’s law is laid thereon.

And in another place they have said:

The sea hath ever been the sea, And all contingent things its waves and forms.

Know that they consider all things to be manifestations of the essential theophany of Truth, and have mentioned three types of theophany—essential, attributive, and active. They regard the subsistence of all things through Truth as manifestational subsistence. Were all these matters to be fully expounded, it would so weary the hearers that they would be deprived of recognizing the essence of knowledge. Similarly, they believe in the existence of archetypal realities within the Divine Essence, as one mystic philosopher has said:

“The realities of things exist within His exalted Essence in their most noble form, then He causes them to emanate,”

for they do not consider the Giver of a thing to be devoid of that thing, declaring this impossible. Thus Ibn Arabi has written an extensive treatise on this subject, and mystical philosophers and later ones like Sadr Shirazi, Fayd and their like have walked in the shallow waters of Ibn Arabi’s stream. Blessed is he who walks upon the red sand on the shore of this sea, by whose waves forms and semblances are effaced from what the people have imagined. How excellent is he who has stripped himself of all indications and allusions, who swims in this sea and its depths, and attains to the whales of inner meanings and the pearls of wisdom created therein. Joy to those who attain!

Every soul who has believed in the utterances of the mystics and followed that path has considered both Moses and Pharaoh to be manifestations of Truth—the former being the manifestation of the names “Guide” and “Mighty” and their like, and the latter being the manifestation of the names “Misleader” and “Abaser” and their like. Hence they affirm the reality of conflict between these two, yet after stripping away human limitations, they consider both to be one, just as they consider all things to be fundamentally one, as was briefly mentioned before. These are the beliefs of the people, some of which have been briefly stated. But O Salman! The Pen of the All-Merciful declares: Today, both the affirmer and denier of these utterances stand at the same level, for the Sun of Truth is shining by Its own Self and is manifest from the horizon of the eternal heaven. Whosoever occupies himself with mentioning these utterances will assuredly remain deprived of recognizing the Beauty of the All-Merciful. The springtime of philosophical speculation belongs to the time of absence, but today is the springtime of mystic revelation and meeting. Say: O people! Graze in these days in the meadows of revelation and witnessing, then abandon vain imaginings. Thus does the Pen of God, the Supreme, the Self-Subsisting, command you.

The mention of all knowledge has been for the recognition of the Known, and the exposition of proofs has been exclusively for establishing that which is indicated. Now praise be to God that the Sun of the Known has dawned from the horizon of the heaven of the Self-Subsisting, and the Moon of that which is indicated has appeared and shone forth in the heaven of Command. Sanctify thy heart from all allusions, and behold with thine outward eye the Sun of meanings in the holy spiritual heaven, and observe Its Names’ and Attributes’ effulgences in all things, that thou mayest attain unto all knowledge and its source, origin and mine. O Salman! By the Ancient Beauty, in these days new knowledge is being sent down every moment from the heaven of the recognition of the Lord of the worlds. Blessed is he who hath attained unto this Spring and hath detached himself from all else. O people of attraction and longing! Judge fairly: concerning these utterances which have been briefly mentioned from the words of the mystics, there exist countless books among men today. Were a person to desire to comprehend them all, two lifetimes would not suffice.

O Salman! Say: God is manifest above all things, and the Kingdom on that Day shall be God’s; then leave the people to what they possess. Set aside the knowledge of the past. Moses, who was among the most great Prophets, after thirty days—during which, according to the mystics, in the first ten days he annihilated his deeds in the deeds of Truth, in the second ten his attributes in the attributes of Truth, and in the third ten his essence in the essence of Truth—and they have said that since there remained in him a vestige of existence, therefore did he hear the words “Thou shalt not behold Me.” But now the Tongue of God speaks and declares: “Say ʿShow me’ once, and attain unto the presence of the Lord of Majesty a hundred thousand times!” Where is the grace of these days compared with former days!

O Salman! All that the sages and mystics have said or written have never exceeded, nor can they ever hope to exceed, the limitations to which man’s finite mind hath been strictly subjected. To whatever heights the mind of the most exalted of men may soar, however great the depths which the detached and understanding heart can penetrate, such mind and heart can never transcend that which is the creature of their own conceptions and the product of their own thoughts. The meditations of the profoundest thinker, the devotions of the holiest of saints, the highest expressions of praise from either human pen or tongue, are but a reflection of that which hath been created within themselves, through the revelation of the Lord, their God.

Whoever pondereth this truth in his heart will readily admit that there are certain limits which no human being can possibly transgress. Every attempt which, from the beginning that hath no beginning, hath been made to visualize and know God is limited by the exigencies of His own creation—a creation which He, through the operation of His own Will and for the purposes of none other but His own Self, hath called into being. Immeasurably exalted is He above the strivings of human mind to grasp His Essence, or of human tongue to describe His mystery. No tie of direct intercourse can ever bind Him to the things He hath created, nor can the most abstruse and most remote allusions of His creatures do justice to His being.

Through His world-pervading Will He hath brought into being all created things. He is and hath ever been veiled in the ancient eternity of His own exalted and indivisible Essence, and will everlastingly continue to remain concealed in His inaccessible majesty and glory. All that is in heaven and all that is in the earth have come to exist at His bidding, and by His Will all have stepped out of utter nothingness into the realm of being. How can, therefore, the creature which the Word of God hath fashioned comprehend the nature of Him Who is the Ancient of Days?

O Salman! The door of the knowledge of the Ancient Being hath ever been, and will continue forever to be, closed in the face of men. No man’s understanding shall ever gain access unto His holy court. As a token of His mercy, however, and as a proof of His loving-kindness, He hath manifested unto men the Daystars of His divine guidance, the Symbols of His divine unity, and hath ordained the knowledge of these sanctified Beings to be identical with the knowledge of His own Self. Whoso recognizeth them hath recognized God. Whoso hearkeneth to their call, hath hearkened to the Voice of God, and whoso testifieth to the truth of their Revelation, hath testified to the truth of God Himself. Whoso turneth away from them, hath turned away from God, and whoso disbelieveth in them, hath disbelieved in God. Every one of them is the Way of God that connecteth this world with the realms above, and the Standard of His Truth unto every one in the kingdoms of earth and heaven. They are the Manifestations of God amidst men, the evidences of His Truth, and the signs of His glory.

O Salman, detach thyself from all that is renowned amongst men, and with the wings of detachment soar unto the heaven of most glorious holiness. By God! If thou shouldst fly unto it and reach its inmost essence, thou wouldst behold in existence naught save the countenance of the Well-Beloved, and wouldst see the deniers as though they had never been mentioned. The mention of this station requireth another tongue to recount it and another ear to hear it.

O Salman! How much sweeter it is that we should consign the mysteries of the soul and the wonders of the Beloved’s praise to the heaven of the All-Merciful’s will, and begin to expound the meaning of this verse. Know thou that the author of the Mathnavi, in mentioning Moses and Pharaoh, was speaking metaphorically, not suggesting that these two were one in essence—God forbid! For Pharaoh and his like were created by the Word of Moses, could ye but understand. And the very outward conflict that existed between them proves that they were opposed to each other in all worlds. This is a subtle truth that none can grasp save every discerning mystic.

The author of the Mathnavi regarded all beings in the kingdom of names as Moses, inasmuch as all were created from dust and unto dust shall return. Likewise are all marked by letters. In the world of spirits, which is the realm of oneness, there never was and never shall be conflict and contention, for the causes of strife are not evident there. However, after spirits enter bodies and appear in this world, the causes of discord arise, whether of truth or falsehood. Such strife and contention, if occurring to establish the Cause of the All-Glorious, has been and ever shall be truth; otherwise it is falsehood. All this strife and contention, love and hatred, acceptance and rejection revolve around causes.

For instance, observe how one effect proceeds from a cause. This cause is single, yet in each soul it is transformed according to that soul’s capacity and its effects become manifest. In each station it appears with a different manifestation. Consider, for example, the divine name “the Enricher.” This name in its own kingdom is one, but after it is reflected in the mirrors of human existence, its effects appear in each soul according to that soul’s capacity. Thus in the generous it manifests as generosity, in the miserly as miserliness, in the wretched as wretchedness, and in the fortunate as good fortune. For in a state of poverty, souls and what lies within them remain concealed. For instance, when someone possesses not a penny, both their generosity and miserliness remain hidden. Likewise, their fortune or misfortune is not apparent at this stage.

But after attaining wealth, whatever lies within each soul becomes evident and manifest. Thus one person spends whatever they possess in the path of God, another arranges the means of warfare and rises to oppose and dispute with truth, while yet another hoards everything such that both they themselves and others are deprived of their wealth. Observe now how from a single manifestation what diverse and different effects appear! Yet before this manifestation, all these souls were dormant, concealed and frozen in their places. How the manifestation of the sun of the name “the Enricher” resurrected these souls and made manifest what was hidden within! If thou wouldst observe this exposition with the eye of insight, thou wouldst become aware of the concealed mysteries.

Consider the Pharaoh of the age—had it not been for his outward wealth and power, he would never have risen to oppose the Beauty of the Most High, for in the absence of means he was and would be powerless, with unbelief concealed within him. Blessed, therefore, are those souls who have not been captivated by the coloring of the world and all that hath been created therein, but have attained unto the coloring of God—that is, have taken on the color of truth in this wondrous Revelation, which is sanctification from all the varied colors of the world. None but the detached can recognize this coloring. Even as today, the people of Baha who are embarked upon the Ark of eternity and are sailing upon the Mighty Sea recognize one another, while none besides these companions are aware, and even if they should become aware, it would be only to the extent that the blind perceive the sun.

O Salman! Say to the servants: Enter ye upon the shore of the Ancient Sea, that ye may be sanctified from all colors and may attain unto the most holy and pure station and the most great prospect. O Salman! All the varied colors of the world have prevented the servants from reaching the shore of the Most Glorious Holiness. Consider, for instance, that well-known person who rose in opposition. I swear by the Sun of the horizon of inner meanings that he would circle round Me night and day, and in the early hours while I was resting he would stand by My head as verses of God were being revealed unto him, serving throughout the night and day.

Yet when the Cause was raised up and he observed that his name had become renowned, the color of name and love of leadership so seized him that he remained deprived of the holy shore of oneness. By Him Who holdeth my soul in His hand, in all creation none hath been seen to match him in his love of position and rank. By Him Who hath caused all things to speak forth His praise, should all the people of creation attempt to enumerate the jealousy and hatred of his soul, they would all find themselves powerless to do so. We beseech God to purify his heart and cause him to return unto His Self and to strengthen him in acknowledging God, the Powerful, the Exalted, the Great.

Section 3: “O Salman! Consider the Cause of God…”

O Salman! Consider the Cause of God: a single word issues forth from the tongue of the Manifestation of Divine Unity—that word in itself is one and has appeared from a single source. Yet after the Sun of the Word dawns from the horizon of the mouth of God upon His servants, it appears in each soul according to its own condition. Thus in one it produces rejection, in another acceptance; similarly love and hatred and the like. Then these lovers and haters rise up in conflict and opposition, each having taken on a color, whereas before the appearance of the Word they had been friends and united. After the dawning of the Sun of the Word, the one who accepts is adorned with the color of God, while the one who rejects takes on the color of self and desire. The radiance of this same divine Word appears in the accepting soul with the color of acceptance, and in the rejecting soul with the color of rejection, even though the original radiance was sanctified above all colors.

Consider the sun—with a single effulgence it shines upon mirrors and crystal glasses, yet in each glass it appears according to its color, as you have all observed and witnessed. In brief, the cause of conflict between the rejecter and accepter has become color and hue. Yet between these two colors there is an infinite difference—one appears with God’s coloring and the other with the coloring of desire. The color of the believing accepter who strives is the color of the All-Merciful, while the color of the rejecting hypocrite is Satan’s color. That color is the cause and means of purifying souls from the coloring of all else save God, while this is the cause of staining souls with the various colors of self and passion.

That bestows eternal life, while this eternal death. That guides the detached ones to the Kawthar of immortality, while this makes the veiled ones taste the infernal tree. From that wafts the fragrance of the All-Merciful, from this the stenches of Satan. The author of the Mathnavi did not mean by these words that Moses and Pharaoh were of the same rank—God forbid!—as some ignorant ones have understood. Moses’ deed bears truthful witness to his religion, for his struggle was for God’s sake, aiming to deliver Pharaoh from ephemeral colors and bring him to God’s color, while he himself tasted the cup of martyrdom in the path of the Friend. But Pharaoh’s struggle was to preserve his own life and kingdom.

Moses’ purpose was to kindle God’s lamp amidst all else, while Pharaoh’s purpose was to extinguish it. Is one who spends his spirit in God’s path like one who hides behind seventy thousand veils? What ails these people that they can barely comprehend a clear statement from God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise? Rather, the Mathnavi’s author meant that color became the cause of conflict between Moses and Pharaoh—but Moses’ color was one for which the denizens of the highest paradise would sacrifice themselves, while Pharaoh’s was a color from which even the people of the lowest hell would recoil. The Mathnavi’s author himself has mentioned Pharaoh in numerous places—if you consider, you will understand that his intent was not what some attribute to him. And how earnestly he expressed his longing to associate with the loved ones of God and attain to serving the friends of Truth! Thus in one place he states:

Without the favors of God and His chosen ones, Though one be a king, his pages are but blackened.

Warn, O Salman, the beloved of the one true God, not to view with too critical an eye the sayings and writings of men. Let them rather approach such sayings and writings in a spirit of open-mindedness and loving sympathy. Those men, however, who, in this Day, have been led to assail, in their inflammatory writings, the tenets of the Cause of God, are to be treated differently. It is incumbent upon all men, each according to his ability, to refute the arguments of those that have attacked the Faith of God. Thus hath it been decreed by Him Who is the All-Powerful, the Almighty. He that wisheth to promote the Cause of the one true God, let him promote it through his pen and tongue, rather than have recourse to sword or violence.

We have, on a previous occasion, revealed this injunction, and We now confirm it, if ye be of them that comprehend. By the righteousness of Him Who, in this Day, crieth within the inmost heart of all created things: “God, there is none other God besides Me!” If any man were to arise to defend, in his writings, the Cause of God against its assailants, such a man, however inconsiderable his share, shall be so honored in the world to come that the Concourse on high would envy his glory. No pen can depict the loftiness of his station, neither can any tongue describe its splendor. For whosoever standeth firm and steadfast in this holy, this glorious, and exalted Revelation, such power shall be given him as to enable him to face and withstand all that is in heaven and on earth. Of this God is Himself a witness.

O ye beloved of God! Repose not yourselves on your couches, nay bestir yourselves as soon as ye recognize your Lord, the Creator, and hear of the things which have befallen Him, and hasten to His assistance. Unloose your tongues, and proclaim unceasingly His Cause. This shall be better for you than all the treasures of the past and of the future, if ye be of them that comprehend this truth.

O Salman! Know thou that never hath any soul possessed of even a modicum of understanding maintained that they who turn towards God and they who turn away from Him, the believer and the unbeliever, occupy the same station and rank. And as to what thou hast heard or read in some of the former books, that the names are one in the presence of God—this referreth to the sacred court of the Truth. And concerning what was mentioned that names are one in the Kingdom of Names—deem not the Kingdom to be imaginary. The Kingdom, the Dominion, and the Realm of Divine Unity are this day circling round the Throne, and from the effulgence of these stations and worlds which are visible in this place, the worlds of the Realm of Divine Unity, the Dominion, and the Kingdom, and what lieth beyond them, exist and are established in their proper places. The detailed exposition of these stations is not permitted at this time and remaineth suspended in the heaven of Divine Will until God shall cause it to descend through His grace. Verily, He hath power over all things.

In brief, in the presence of God all names have been and shall ever be one, and this is prior to the utterance of the Decisive Word. For instance, observe how today all the manifestations of names in their own kingdom are visible before God, and likewise the dawning-places of attributes and all that hath been. And by virtue of the establishment of the Ancient Beauty upon the throne of justice, His favor hath encompassed all equally. However, after the pronouncement of the Word, distinction and differentiation become manifest among the servants, such that whosoever is enabled to say “yea” attaineth unto all good. I swear by the sorrow of the Beauty of the All-Glorious that such a station hath been ordained for him who accepteth that if less than a needle’s eye thereof were to be revealed unto the dwellers of the earth, they would all perish from rapture. For this reason, in this outward life the stations of the believers have been concealed from the believers themselves, and whosoever is not assured in affirming “yea” is unmentioned with God. We take refuge with God from the punishment ordained for such a one, for which there is no equal.

O Salman! Convey the words of the All-Merciful unto the servants and say: Guard yourselves from the wolves of the earth and give no ear to the vain utterances that some speak. Purify your hearing for the hearkening unto My words, and sanctify your hearts for the recognition of My Beauty from all that hath been created.

O Salman! Proclaim: How many are the dawns when the beauty of the All-Glorious hath passed over your hearts and found you occupied with others, and returned to His place of rest. O Salman! Say: O servants! Walk in the footsteps of truth and ponder upon the deeds of the Manifestation of Ancient Days, and reflect upon His words, that perchance ye may attain unto the living waters of the eternal Kawthar of the All-Glorious. If the faithful and the unfaithful were to occupy the same station, and divine worlds were limited to this earthly realm, My previous Manifestation would never have delivered Himself into the hands of His enemies and sacrificed His life. I swear by the Daystar of this Cause that were people to become aware of but a drop of the yearning and longing of the Beauty of the All-Glorious at the moment when that divine Temple was suspended in the air, they would all, in their eagerness, lay down their lives in the path of this holy divine Manifestation. Yet sugar is given to parrots while dung is for beetles; the nightingale hath no portion of melody, and the bat fleeth the rays of the sun.

O Salman! My tribulations among nations and governments are a mighty proof and a powerful testimony. For twenty years I drank not a drop of water in peace, nor did I rest for a single night—at times in chains and fetters, at times captive and imprisoned. Had We been looking to this world and all that is therein, We would never have subjected Ourselves to such afflictions. Blessed is the soul that partaketh of the fruits of this station and tasteth of its sweetness. Ask ye of God for vision and seek ye a sound palate, for to the sightless the image of Joseph and the wolf appear the same, and to the sick palate colocynth and sugar seem alike.

Yet I cherish the hope that through the holy fragrances of these days souls will appear who would not purchase the world and all that is therein for a penny, who would gaze toward God detached from all else, who would consider laying down their lives in the path of the All-Merciful as the easiest of all things, who would not falter on the straight path due to the opposition of the opposers, and who would take up their dwelling in the shelter of the Friend. How blessed are they! How glad tidings unto them! How glorious are they! How noble are they! By God! The maidens of the Most Exalted Paradise are restless in their longing to meet these souls, and the denizens of the Eternal Realm find no peace in their yearning. Thus hath God chosen these ones for Himself and made them detached from all the worlds.

O Salman! The sorrows that have befallen Us have prevented the Pen of the All-Merciful from mention of the stations of divine unity. Affliction hath reached such a degree that even were all who dwell on earth to be seated at the banquet table of His bounty, and were they to feast endlessly upon all that existeth, none could ever accuse Him of miserliness. Yet they have written abroad claiming that We have cut off their stipends. Observe what baseness and meanness of character, that for the sake of acquiring the baubles of men and slandering the Ancient Beauty, they have dispatched such calumnies to all regions. This, when thou wert present here and didst witness that this servant never laid eyes on the stipends of these people, and whatever existed was distributed externally and given to each soul.

Nevertheless, merely to undermine the Cause of God and to acquire a few dinars, they have acted in such manner as thou hast heard. I swear by the Ancient Beauty that the first affliction that befell this servant was accepting stipends from the government, and were it not for these souls, I surely would not have accepted it. Thou art well aware how difficult the matter hath become for the emigrants, yet we are all thankful and patient and content with God’s decree. Nothing shall befall us except what God hath ordained for us; in Him do we place our trust in all matters.

As for these people who complain about stipends to all regions and beg, they claim lordship while turning away from the Truth. Consider then the state of those souls who follow such a group. Shame upon them and upon those who follow them! Soon shall the angels of divine wrath seize them from the presence of the Mighty, the Powerful, the Self-Subsisting. They shall find for themselves neither helper nor sustainer. Thus hath it been sent down in truth from the heaven of God, the Supreme, the Mighty, the Beloved. And the glory be upon thee, O Salman, and upon those who have not sold the words of God for rejected delusions.

BH00088: Lawh-i-Kimiya 2 (Lawh-i-Mariyyih)

Section 1: “The letter sent hath reached the Most Holy…”

In the Name of the Beloved of the Worlds

The letter sent hath reached the Most Holy Court and its contents were observed. Praise be to God that in this Morn of the All-Merciful thou hast been illumined by the effulgences of the Sun of divine knowledge. Yet beseech thou the True One, exalted be His praise, that thou mayest ever remain adorned with the ornament of His love and sanctified from all else, for verily the divine Cause in this Manifestation of celestial might is most great, nay, greater than all that is great, and more magnificent than all that standeth and endureth. Naught is seen therein save the mystery of Divine Unity and pure Oneness. We beseech God to open the eyes of all humanity that they may recognize Him and bear witness that there is none other God but Him.

He hath ever existed in the unity of His Essence, sanctified from all else, and will continue to exist in the sovereignty of His Self, exalted above the mention of aught besides Him, His Being transcendent above the description of all created things, His Identity unique beyond the attributes of all existence, His Reality holy beyond the praise of all who dwell on earth and in the heavens. His is the Command and Creation in all beginnings and endings, and verily He is the Lord of all names and attributes, the Establisher of verses and the Obliterator of allusions. Blessings and peace be upon Him Who sat upon the throne of power and majesty, through Whom the veils of glory were rent asunder, Who is exalted above all forms and likenesses, Who giveth to drink the pure water of paradise and banisheth the people of error in both beginning and end, and upon those who turned unto Him and shattered the idols of vain imaginings and hopes, and entered the pavilion of grandeur and grace, upon whose faces appeared the radiance of God, the Mighty, the Sublime.

God willing, through the Supreme Remedy and the Most Great Elixir, inner maladies shall be healed and brought to equilibrium. Verily, He hath power over whatsoever He willeth.

As to thy question regarding the saying of Maria, the essence of Maria’s work concerneth the white and red resin, and the red resin is derived from the white resin. Whoso findeth this hath attained the ultimate goal. This is the meaning of Our saying:

“Were it not for the moon, the sun would not exist, and were it not for silver, gold would not exist.”

By silver We meant the white earth, which is the white resin, and from it We brought forth gold, which We termed the red resin. This is the philosophers’ gold and their sulfur, and the flaxen egg, and it hath names beyond counting which none hath discovered save him who possesseth knowledge of the Book. With thy Lord is the knowledge of all things, and in His grasp are the keys to the treasuries of all things. He giveth unto whom He willeth and withholdeth from whom He willeth. Verily, He is the Mighty, the Bestower.

As to what thou hast mentioned concerning her statement about taking from the branch of the stone and not from its root, nor from the stone itself, and so forth, know that the purpose in this noble art is the knowledge of the honored stone, and taking from its branch is contingent upon recognition of the root of the stone. Whosoever becomes cognizant of the root will be free and independent of such mentioned practices, for they will be capable of mighty works. All the sages have concealed the root of the stone—either omitting the beginning, the end, or the middle—and have not mentioned any practice in proper sequence. Whatever they have mentioned of outward practices has been to divert attention from the inward work.

For the inward works, they have found examples in the outward and have mentioned them. These very mentions of outward things constitute the symbols, allusions, metaphors, and similes of the sages. For instance, they have mentioned gold, while intending the gold that exists in a specific mine. Due to the correspondence and similarity between inward gold and outward gold in color and nature, they have termed it “gold.” Since people have not understood the intent, they have spent years pursuing their own imaginings, living in regret and departing in regret, never attaining their goal. Their gold is gold, yet not gold; their silver is silver, yet not silver. Hence they said: “Our gold is not the gold of the common people,” and likewise for silver.

Nevertheless, most people have wasted their lives in the darkness of outward practices and have not attained to the true dawn. Their mention of the inward refers to the fact that the four natures are concealed in a single thing which they have termed “the stone.” After differentiation, in the view of the discerning ones, this very inward becomes the outward. As long as the four natures remain concealed and undifferentiated in their inner mine, the term “inward” applies to it, and after distinction and differentiation in the outer realm, the name “outward” applies to it. At this station, the outward is identical to the inward, and the inward is the very outward. However, some sages have found things in the external world bearing close correspondence and similarity to the four natures and the sublime, ancient elements that are hidden and stored within the stone itself, and have mentioned these, calling them “outward,” as was briefly explained.

The intended meaning of “ancient” here refers to temporal precedence, not essential pre-existence, for it is preceded by a cause. Exalted is He above any association of eternity with origination! We testify that the very eternity comprehended by those drawn nigh and the sincere ones is itself originated in His presence. He has ever been sanctified beyond mention of eternity or origination, and He is holy beyond mention and description. Whatever He hath named Himself of names and attributes is from His grace upon all creation. Exalted is the All-Merciful above what is ordained in contingent existence, for He is the Mighty, the Bestower.

Know, O seeker, that the essential purpose is the knowledge of the Stone and the elaboration of what lies hidden within it, its purification and its marriage. The Stone itself must be purified through the aid of the Stone itself and be elaborated, for if anything else intervenes, the temperament becomes difficult. Therefore, take the Stone and through Azrael extract from it the spirit and soul, then strive to purify it until through operative measures it becomes pure and clean from the intervening impurities that prevent. Then return what thou hast extracted to the body, that through the confirmation of Israfil, the spirit of that dead body may be quickened and thou mayest observe a new creation, whereupon thou shalt say: “Blessed be God, the Best of Creators!” For the body will not accept another spirit, nor will the spirit turn to another body. This is the truth wherein there is no doubt.

This spirit and soul, though after elaboration they appear as two things, are in reality and essence united and are one thing. That which is extracted from the Stone hath been called by all names, meaning that in every station it is called by a name befitting that station. For example, before extraction from the mine it is called by certain names, and likewise after extraction and before purification by certain names, and after purification by other names. Similarly, in the stations of the manifestation of effect and action, in each station both spirit and soul and body are called by a name. For instance, the term “volatile,” which is inscribed in the books of the sages, refers to the dissolved water distilled from the Stone. This water they have mentioned as the water of sulfur, the water of alum, vinegar, serpent’s venom, wine, the fire of air, the water of air, and the like.

When it is said “water of air” and “fire of air,” this is a complete exposition—shouldst thou comprehend it, thou wilt be independent of the work of all who dwell upon earth. Air possesseth two pillars: fire and water, that is, moisture and heat. This divine water, before acquiring oiliness from sulfurous earth, is called the water of air, for moisture predominates therein. And after this first distillate, which is water and air, acquires fieriness from the second distillate, the element of fire hidden within it becomes manifest, whereupon it is called the fire of air. These two supreme pillars, which are in truth the active agents, are made manifest from air. Glorified be He Who hath suspended colors therein, and in it is a treasure at which the minds of the wise are bewildered.

In brief, all these mentioned names refer to the water dissolved from the Stone. Similarly consider the earth of the Stone and whatever else is extracted therefrom, each of which hath been called by many names. Different names have become the guardian of this divine treasure, that its reality might remain concealed from the ignorant and protected from treacherous souls. Some have abbreviated it to spirit, soul and body, naming it thus, while others have called the earth the Stone and what is extracted therefrom mercury and sulfur. And though this mercury and sulfur appear different and distinct in form, they are in reality united.

Know that sulphur and mercury, though outwardly they appear different and distinct, yet in reality they are united and are one essence and one being. For indeed, if there were no inner similarity and correspondence, natural dissolution—which is the ultimate degree of the first stage of liquefaction—would not occur. In such case amalgamation would be impossible. Know thou that amalgamation followeth dissolution, even as knowledge precedeth action.

O questioner! Strive to drink, through the grace of the All-Merciful, from the life-giving waters of wisdom and utterance that have flowed from the Most Ancient Pen and the Most Great Name, that you may attain your purpose.

Now these mercury and sulfur, which have appeared from a single mine and are brother and sister, termed male and female—these two must be purified until the obstructing impurities are removed and they become capable of combining. The purpose of purification is to manage them such that their inner compatibility manifests outwardly, making them suitable for combination. For example, mercury’s outward moisture prevents its combination with sulfur. O wise one! Water and fire never combine, for water extinguishes and suppresses fire. These two are opposites and cannot combine. Therefore, the divine water which flows from the spring of the stone of divine wisdom, called volatile, must be managed until its outward moisture, which prevents combination with sulfuric fire, is removed and vanishes, and its inner heat, which shares affinity with sulfur, becomes manifest. In this case, combination is easy, for oil readily combines with oil, but water and oil never mix. So strive until the inner oil of mercury, which remains frozen and veiled due to dominant moisture, becomes manifest through practical management and unites with the sulfuric essence which is truly oil. The greatest cause of union and combination in this divine wisdom and divine craft is compatibility.

O questioner! Reflect deeply that you may comprehend the truth and secrets that have flowed from the Chosen Pen. If you grasp their meanings, you will surely know that what has been mentioned is truth, and after truth there is naught but error and loss. And you will testify that the reins of all knowledge are in the grasp of the Sovereign of the unseen and the seen. Some have considered fire to be the key to this Most Great Treasure and Most Noble Secret, but the key of keys has been and will be the understanding and insight of those who act. For it is observed that most people take contradictory things that are outwardly and inwardly different and opposed, spending their lives trying to dissolve and combine these incompatible elements—this has been and will be impossible, for natural dissolution and true combination occur only through similarity and compatibility. The virgin secrets that were forever concealed in the divine preserving chambers have become manifest and evident. Perhaps God will thereby bring about a matter.

O questioner! The appearance of every matter and the creation of every craft depends upon and is connected to the Cause of causes through causes. Ruby must be sought from its mine, and likewise the jewels of wisdom must be sought from their mine, which is the stone—you will not find it elsewhere though you search your whole life. Look to the causes, trusting in God, the Cause of causes. Verily He is the Opener of doors and the Lord of lords.

O questioner! It has become clear that by divine water is meant not every water, but the water distilled from the honored stone. Though outwardly this water appears as water, inwardly it is fire. The term “water” is applied to it due to the moisture and coldness apparent in its exterior, while the name “fire” refers to the oiliness and sulfurous nature concealed within it. Thus these mercury and sulfur, though appearing as two, are in reality and essence one being. As for the stone itself, its origin is from water; it is artificial and active, bearing two mercuries, possessing two souls, manifesting two spirits, and its movement is its action which arises from its heat.

Glory be to God! The root of the matter is from one thing, and though it is singular in its essence, it has manifested and been named with different natures, varying manifestations, multiple colors, and numerous names. Observe how the treasury and source of this matter is one—which is the stone—yet after differentiation it becomes three, as it is known that spirit and soul emerge from the stone. Nevertheless, in these tablets it has been given several names: in one instance mercury and sulfur, in another spirit and soul, likewise two mercuries, two souls, two spirits, the volatile one, and divine water. The source of all these multiplicities was one thing, and according to the requirements of the stages of preparation and extraction of colors and dyes, it was designated by a name. For example, in one place it was called mercury because it flies from fire; at times it was called water due to its moisture and coldness; and in another place it was mentioned as sulfur in reference to the sulfurous nature which is the substance of combustion concealed within it. In the stages of preparation, each manifests in every station with a color and effect, and accordingly is designated by a name.

Therefore, you should not doubt the different names mentioned in the books, and know with certainty that the root of the matter and its source is one thing, called by countless names and manifested in multiple appearances. Similarly, they have named the stone and what emerges from it after the seven minerals which, in the terminology of the philosophers, are related to the seven planets. For instance, in one place they called it copper due to its color and slowness in melting, and when the body through preparation became quick to melt and was freed from darkness, it was called white lead, and when the tincture of the stone was sublimated by the power of dissolved mercury, they called it gold due to its balance, manifestation, color and brilliance—and it is the crown of crowns, yellow sulfur, the philosophers’ gold, the secret of secrets, and the most hidden secret.

Whoever attains it has attained what they desired. Compare the remaining minerals similarly, and they have named them after the four humors—yellow bile, black bile, phlegm, and blood—which are the manifestations of the four natures in the human person. Therefore, ask God that you may attain, through the aid of the Universal Manifestation of the All-Merciful, to the mine of divine wisdom which is hidden in the noblest of the three kingdoms.

Behold the four humours, which are the manifestations of the four natures in the human person! Entreat thou God that through the assistance of the Universal Manifestation of the All-Merciful, thou mayest attain unto the divine fountain of wisdom which lieth concealed in the most noble of the three kingdoms, and find thy way thereunto.

O seeker! When thou hast reached thy goal, strive thou to be among the God-fearing and the thankful, for He is the Most Great Treasure and Bearer of the Honored Stone. Take from Him according to thy need and separate with dry fire, and after separation remove that which is dissimilar. When the dissimilar elements have been removed and the similar ones made ready, this is the station of the first marriage of the sages. Then wed this divine water, which is active and is spirit and male, to the sulphurous earth which is passive and female. After the passage of some time, an embryo will be formed, for as We have said, the Stone is manufactured, and it is the Hidden Treasure and the Treasured Secret.

Then bring forth from the mother’s womb this luminous child which hath come into being through spiritual power and hath been formed from the two similar and compatible elements, namely mercury and sulphur. This is the time of purification, and if it be called the time of marriage, this too is true, but it is the time of dissolution. Understand thou, O wayfarer, the import of these words of the Lord of Names and Attributes, and know of a certainty that until this time the veils covering this most great science and this most ancient, most upright secret have never been thus removed, neither for the pure ones nor for the chosen ones. Say: Glorified be our Most Exalted Lord, Who hath appeared once again through His Most Glorious Name, whereby all who are in earth and heaven were shaken, save them who held fast unto the Strong and Luminous Cord that was suspended betwixt the realms of creation by the command of God, the Lord of Names.

Section 2: “Take this noble offspring, which is this prepared…”

Take this noble offspring, which is this prepared earth that has come into being from sulfuric fire and mercurial water, and mix it with a portion of dissolved mercury which is its essence and reality and is from its elemental realm. Place it in a gentle, moderate fire until some of that prepared earth is dissolved. Add water again until that tincture which is fire and oil and the reality of the soul emerges from the earth.

God forgive me, permission is not given to say more than this. Some have been content with mercury alone, meaning they have detailed this mercurial solution which has become the bearer of the tincture and has concealed within itself the sulfuric reality by virtue of its genus. They have extracted from it the purified tincture, coagulated it, dissolved it, and completed the work. Whoever attains unto this has attained unto the Most Great Kingdom. This is the mercury that is [inscribed] in the books, and it is the most pure blood that has been called air and red sulfur.

Although this tincture, which is the essence of the tincture of sulfur and arsenic, is in reality composed of spirit, soul and body and possesses the four natures, through its spiritual power it has taken from every element and united it with itself, and has no need of another element, for it bears the active essence and is itself the tincturing agent. For if it were not itself the tincturing agent, it would be impossible for it to become so through the arrangement of the tincturing agent.

Yea, the special arrangement is for this precious, luminous essence which has appeared from the divine mine to become pure [and] cleansed of filth, blackness and external corrupting moistures that are immoderate and prevent the manifestation of its effect and action. It is the sign of divine conquest, therefore it has been called the crown of conquest, for it conquers all bodies. However, if the spirit and soul are arranged with their own pure and clean earth, which they have called white magnesia and the thirsty earth, it is more beloved and safer. But they do not mix directly and do not accept union, for this tincture, which has been called the moist soul and mineral sal ammoniac, was water and acquired oiliness from its earth and became air, and after absorbing moistures appeared in the form of fire which is the sulfuric reality, and was designated the dry soul.

If you call it to the dry earth, surely the fire will melt the earth. In this case, natural solution and true temperament is difficult, for the thirsty earth deserves water—if you give it fire it will surely perish and never come alive again. Therefore you must give this dry earth to drink from the water which is from its element and is in reality its origin, reality and substance, so that the plant of divine wisdom may grow from this blessed earth.

In brief, earth needs water, and likewise fire, for moisture is the nourishment of heat. Reflect that you may understand what is intended. When these two elements become moderate through the education of water, they will be capable of complete mixture, and this is the final stage of marriage and is the third marriage. And this is the final stage of marriage, and marriage is threefold, and this is the second earth which is other than the first earth, and in truth it is its remainder and is the remaining earth called ash, and verily it is patient in the fire, neither anxious nor fleeing from it. Therefore nurture this tincture with virgin’s milk which is of its element and compatible with it, as was mentioned before, for if you give it incompatible nourishment it will perish instantly and will never reach the stage of maturity and development which is its station of influence, dominion and effect.

And in truth this earth is dead until the spirit is sent forth, meaning it becomes alive and enduring. And in practice there is no need for tincture, and the earth must be waxed with spirit alone until it dissolves, and this must be repeated until it is complete and perfect. And if you feed the purified tincture to this waxed earth, the work of the sun is complete.

And the other stages of waxing, dissolution and coagulation depend on the intelligence and wisdom of the worker and the manifestation of the effect—they have no connection with temporal and numerical limitations, for often after stages of waxing the effect has appeared with one dissolution and coagulation, and often it has exceeded three times, and the command is in God’s hand—He manifests it as He wishes.

Or dissolve the original stone with divine water and mercurial key, and whatever was taken from it, return again gradually to the remaining earth lest it be drowned at once, and repeat this until all the pillars of spirit, soul and body are dissolved. And this is what was meant by “the stone has an inward path, and it is water in appearance and fire in nature, burning by its heat all that is in its nature.” Therefore place it in a gentle fire until the heat of the fire draws forth the moisture from these waters, and the fiery form which is concealed and hidden in the essence of these waters becomes manifest while the watery form becomes concealed. And when the inner oiliness becomes manifest, it must necessarily coagulate. Therefore dissolve and coagulate until it becomes active.

From this explanation which has flowed from the Pen of the Most Merciful, the hidden and concealed natural balance has become clear and evident, no longer needing external measures. If you understood what was mentioned, you would rejoice and find yourself possessing all the earth, and you would be certain that the keys of knowledge are in the grasp of the Sovereign of the Known, through Whom the veils of fancy were rent asunder. And verily He is the Truth, the Knower of the unseen. There is no God but He, the Supreme, the Self-Subsisting.

And if you wish to obtain the essential agent from accidents and catch the divine Bird of Wisdom in the net of arrangement, then take the Stone and grind it with its water until that which is a tincture and quick to dissolve is dissolved in this Key Water which is mercury. Add more water until that which is dissolved ascends and appears on the surface of the water. This is the Supreme Oil, the Eastern Mercury, the True Air, the Divine Spirit, and the Two-Winged Gold which, by the power of its wings—namely the Key Water and elemental fire—has taken flight and ascended. But in truth the two wings are the two mightiest cornerstones, the two agents, and they are within its own essence. With these two wings it flies through all bodies. This is the Sea Physician, upon whose skill depends the health of all sick and ailing bodies, whether of land or sea or mineral. This is the manifestation of God’s name the Predominant, His name the Self-Sufficient, and His name the Powerful.

God, His angels and His prophets bear witness that We have explained in these Tablets what was hidden from all eternity, and We have bestowed upon those endowed with insight the concealed and protected divine knowledge which was veiled in the clouds of glory. We counsel the servants of God to fear God, to follow His Cause, and to detach themselves from all else. Verily, He is the Protector of those who love Him, and verily, He has power over all things.

O questioner! Hearken unto the counsel of the Pen of Command! When thou dost purpose to pursue this hidden art, first ponder and reflect whether this supreme craft exists, or whether, like the Simurgh and Phoenix of old, it is but a name without reality. Consider whether these things must needs be similar and congruent, or different and contrary. When thou art apprised and hast attained certitude of its existence and source, there is no harm if thou shouldst strive to acquire it.

Today the philosophers of the earth deny this divine secret and celestial wisdom, having proven to their own satisfaction that such a thing is impossible. Were their proofs to be mentioned, it would lead to prolixity. In brief, the cause of their denial is the preservation of the power of choice, for this treasure hath been guarded from the eyes of the treacherous and the hands of thieves. Ere long, however, some shall acknowledge and confess it. The manifestation of this hidden treasure among these people is a sign of the world’s maturity, after which shall follow grave peril and barren tribulation for the world and its people, unless all enter the divine paradise.

O seeker! Hearken unto the counsel of this imprisoned servant. Act not before knowledge, and seek not from other than the source. For everything a cause hath been ordained, and for every matter an outlet. If thou desirest it, be not heedless thereof. Enter every house through its door. Thus was it revealed aforetime and now in this perspicuous Tablet.

Reflect upon the source of this supreme craft until thou attainest certitude and knoweth. It hath been revealed before from the Most Exalted Pen that it existeth in the noblest of the three kingdoms. Ponder well: it is in the lesser world, and the lesser world reflects the greater world, nay rather encompasses it. They have considered the spheres as the greater world, and named the three kingdoms as animal, vegetable and mineral. Likewise it existeth in the noblest of all possible things, and they have said it is in the mountain—that is, the mountain that is related and connected to the lesser world. If any soul fail to comprehend these allusions, which are more eloquent than explicit declaration, and find not the truth, his pursuit of this knowledge would not be, nor ever shall be, advisable. O my Most Glorious Beloved! I have not fallen short, nor have I concealed aught, but God bestoweth His bounty upon whomsoever He willeth, and verily He is the Mighty, the Bestower.

Know that there is much disagreement about the Philosopher’s Stone. Some have considered it to be gold, some the spirit, some vitriol, some mercury and sulfur, some have said it is hair, lead, copper and the like, and most have considered it to be the egg. Books are filled with these mentions. Reflect with intelligence and wisdom until you recognize with clear certainty the source of the Stone. Do not be satisfied with any book, for most seekers, having studied the books somewhat, have occupied themselves with composing and writing. “Or do you think that most of them hear or understand? They are only like cattle; nay, they are even farther astray from the Path.” They have gone astray and led others astray. With Us is the knowledge of all things, and We have explained all things in detail.

Likewise, some philosophers have written of that which they have never understood. Indeed, in every age there have been the truthful and the false. Therefore, make reason, which is a divine trust, your lamp, and with this brilliant lamp enter into the darkness of words. Perhaps through the grace of the Lord of Names and Attributes you may reach the fountain of life.

On no account be satisfied with anyone’s traditions and allusions, for it has been observed that one who associated partners with God and shed the blood of His loved ones, during the few years he was present before the Countenance, heard something of every science and art, wrote it down, gave it to people, and thereby claimed superiority. Among these, someone mentioned that he had written treatises specifically about this science for him, when, by God besides Whom there is no God, he knows not a letter of it. Among other things, he wrote about the work of division for someone as foolish as himself, not realizing that such works have always been rejected by the Truth, for division is fundamentally deceit and trickery, and working with it is forbidden.

I seek God’s forgiveness from the works of this ignoble one. Would that a scholar in this art would test that obstinate atheist’s work, setting aside its practice. By God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy, this servant, nay all that was and will be, are astonished by such souls. However, one possessed of hearing can distinguish the original voice from the borrowed voice, for that which appears from the Truth testifies by itself that it is from the Truth, and it has no equal or likeness in creation. But this is only when people of hearing and sight are present. In all conditions, God is indeed Self-Sufficient, Praiseworthy.

Ask God, exalted be His knowledge, for success, and then look into these Tablets and some Arabic and Persian Tablets which have been revealed from the Pen of the Self-Subsisting concerning this science, so that you may become aware of the foundation and substance of the matter. After becoming aware, begin to practice. Indeed, He guides whom He wishes to a straight path. Praise be to God, Lord of the worlds. Through pure bounty, the drops of knowledge and meanings have trickled from the cloud of divine utterance, otherwise today is not the day for questions and answers. All souls must detach themselves from all things and occupy themselves with teaching God’s Cause and its triumph. Whoever has found the sweetness of this station will not turn to aught else.

Let him who finds the sweetness of this station turn to naught else and sacrifice his soul for love of his Lord, the Mighty, the Bountiful. We beseech God to let us hear [His call]—whoso heareth cannot rest, and he who resteth hath not heard—and to make us steadfast in His Cause, and this verily is a grace greater than all great things, and to aid us in that which He desireth, and to grant us the sweetness of His love and remembrance, for verily He is the Mighty, the Powerful, the All-Glorious.

We have adorned the heaven of utterance with the brilliant stars of four established words. The first: Know thou that We have traversed all the mines and found the mine of stone and intellect to be in a single plane. Glorified be He Who caused rivers to gush forth from rocks and placed within them the choicest essence which waters cannot drown, making it the greatest key to His treasuries which He hath concealed from eyes save whom He willeth and desireth. He is verily the Mighty, the Compelling.

The second: At times We make mention of the stone and mean by it its bearer, and thus was it said and thus did We say in various Tablets that it exists in every place. Know thou, O man, the wisdom of the All-Merciful and give thanks to Him at all times.

The third: We have explained the natural balance in the depths of Our words through symbols and allusions. Now We shall explain what the wise intended by balance in most operations, which pertaineth to quality not quantity, and that is similarity. Know thou the value of this bounty which hath descended from the heaven of all things and which We have detailed in detail as a mercy from Us to the people of Baha.

The fourth: Know thou that what is meant by the child is that which is born of mercury and sulfur, and it is [the stone] that is sought, which ascendeth from the earth by the power of water. If thou sayest the newborn is earth, it is true as We have said before, for it is therein. Thus have We explained in clear Persian tongue. Verily it is the lord of all jewels and minerals, and it is the child that seeketh the virgin’s [milk]—nurse it that it may become a mature and perfect youth. Be not troubled by the varying statements of the Lord of all names and attributes—all return to a single point, just as sciences branch forth from the point, and crafts likewise branch forth from the generative point which is the stone.

Glory be upon him who turneth to the Most Great Scene and becometh aware of the mysteries of destiny.

Thy letter hath come before Our presence and We found from it the fragrance of thy Lord’s love. We have answered what We wished concerning what thou asked, and thy Lord is possessed of great bounty. We have bestowed upon thee and upon the people of Baha that which hath flowed from the Most Exalted Pen concerning the hidden secret and the concealed symbol, and verily thy Lord is knowing of all things. By My life! Were anyone to understand what hath been revealed therein, he would testify that with Him is the knowledge of the first and the last. Would that We found servants to whom We might impart what lieth concealed within the pavilion of infallibility and what hath been inscribed by the Pen of Command upon a preserved and mighty tablet.

Give thanks unto thy Lord for what We have sent thee, that thou mayest be steadfast in His love and that perchance the heedless servants who turned away from God after He came unto them with all signs and sent down the Bayan from the presence of the All-Merciful to prove His Manifestation might perceive the fragrances of knowledge and become of the assured ones. Give thanks unto thy Lord in all conditions and say: O my Lord! Make Thy remembrance my companion, Thy countenance my goal, Thy good-pleasure my path, and Thy praise my work and hope among the worlds. And praise be to God, the Beloved of the mystics.

BH01313: Lawh-i-Tibb (Tablet of Medicine)

He is God, the All-Knowing

The Tongue of Grandeur speaks that which shall suffice the physicians in the absence of doctors. Say: O people! Eat not save when hungry, and drink not after retiring to sleep. Exercise in the open air strengthens the body’s members, while eating to excess is a grave calamity. Abandon not treatment when it is needed, but cease it when health is restored. Begin not a meal until digestion is complete, and eat not before thorough mastication. Treat an ailment first through diet, before resorting to medicine. When thou hast found a simple remedy, turn not to compound medicines. Set aside medicine when in good health, but take it when needed. When two contrary foods are served, mix them not but be content with one. Begin with the light food before the heavy, and with liquid before solid. The introduction of food upon food is dangerous—be thou cautious of this. When thou beginnest to eat, start with My Most Glorious Name and end with the name of thy Lord, the Possessor of the throne above and the earth below. When thou hast eaten, walk a little that the food may settle. That which is difficult to masticate is forbidden by the discerning ones. Thus doth the Most Exalted Pen command thee.

Eating little in the morning is as a light unto the body. Abandon harmful habits, for they are a calamity unto mankind. Meet illnesses with their remedies—this utterance is the decisive word in this regard. Practice contentment in all conditions; through it the soul is preserved from lassitude and ill condition. Avoid anxiety and grief, for through them comes a dire affliction. Say: Envy consumeth the body and anger burneth the liver. Shun these two as ye would a lion. The elimination of superfluities is essential, but at moderate seasons. He who exceeds in eating, his sickness shall increase. We have ordained a cause for all things and bestowed upon each an effect. All this is through the revelation of My Name, the Influencer, upon all things. Verily thy Lord is the Ruler over whatsoever He willeth.

Say: Through what We have set forth, the humors shall not exceed their balance, nor their measures depart from their state. The original nature remains in its purity, and the sixth and the sixth of the sixth remain in their condition. The two active and the two passive elements are preserved, and in God do we trust. There is no God but Him, the Healer, the All-Knowing, the Helper.

The Most Exalted Pen hath not flowed with such words except for My love for thee, that thou mayest know that grief hath not seized the Ancient Beauty, nor hath He been saddened by what hath befallen Him from the nations. Sorrow is for him who hath lost something, but nothing escapeth His grasp in the heavens and the earth.

O Physician! Heal the sick, first through the remembrance of thy Lord, the Lord of the Day of Mutual Calling, then through that which We have ordained for the health of the constitutions of the servants. By My life! The physician who hath drunk the wine of My love—his visit is healing, his breath is mercy and hope. Say: Hold fast unto him for the restoration of health. He is confirmed by God for treatment. Say: This science is the most noble of all sciences. Verily it is the greatest means from God, the Quickener of moldering bones, for preserving the bodies of nations. He hath given it precedence over all sciences and wisdoms. However, this is the day wherein thou shouldst arise to help My Cause, detached from all the worlds.

Say: Thy Name is my healing, O my God and remembrance of Thee is my remedy. Nearness to Thee is my hope, and love for Thee is my companion. Thy mercy to me is my healing and my succor in both this world and the world to come. Thou, verily, art the All-Bountiful, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

Convey greetings from God to all the loved ones. Say: Today two matters are beloved and desired: first, wisdom and utterance, and second, steadfastness in the Cause of your Lord, the Merciful. Whosoever attaineth unto these two things is accounted before God as being among the people of the City of Immortality, for by these two matters hath the divine Cause been and shall be established amongst His servants. For if wisdom and utterance were not present, all would be afflicted. In such case, none would remain to guide the people to the Divine Law. And if steadfastness be lacking, the one who maketh mention will have no effect.

Say: O friends! Fear and anxiety are the province of women. If the friends of God were to reflect even briefly upon the world and the differences manifest therein, the might of the oppressors would not frighten them and they would soar upon the wings of longing to the Daystar of the horizons. This servant hath desired for all the friends of Truth what He hath desired for Himself. And the reason that wisdom and protection of the Cause have been and are enjoined is that those who make mention may remain on earth to occupy themselves with the remembrance of the Lord of all worlds. Therefore, it is obligatory and essential for all to protect themselves and their brethren for the sake of God’s Cause. Had the friends acted in accordance with what they were commanded, most of those on earth would now be adorned with the robe of faith. Blessed is he who guideth a soul to the eternal Law and leadeth him to everlasting life. This is among the greatest of deeds in the sight of thy Lord, the Mighty, the Exalted. And the Spirit be upon thee, and Glory be upon thee.

BH00934: Lawh-i-Tuqa

He is God, the Most Unapproachable, the Most Holy, the Most Glorious!

Glorified be He Who hath sent down the verses in truth from the heaven of sublime might, and Who speaketh the truth in His most exalted Kingdom with His most wondrous and sweet tongue, that perchance the people may find a path to the realm of the spirit before the throne of their Lord, the All-Merciful. Say: O people! Fear God and follow not your own selves if ye desire the bounty of God, for His bounty encompasseth you. And when the Sun of Words dawneth upon you from the horizon of the King of Names and Attributes, be ye not proud, but rather prostrate yourselves before the Beauty of your Lord, Who was remembered in the heaven of eternity by the name of Glory and in the kingdom of creation as the Most Exalted One.

O people! Deny not the verses of God after their revelation, and choose not Satan as your protector. Beware lest ye be perturbed in the hour when all things are shaken, when the heaven is cleft asunder, when the earth below is split, when the mountains crumble, when the seas surge, when every pregnant thing casteth its burden, and when the inhabitants of the heavens and earth are overcome with drunkenness. Thus hath the Command been sent down in truth from the Pen of Holiness, and God is witness to what I say.

Cast away all that veils you from God, then ascend on wings of holiness unto this heaven which hath been raised up in truth and was elevated in the Most Great Name through mystery. Say: By God! The breezes of grace have wafted from the dayspring of justice, and by them all things have been borne along, if ye be aware thereof. Soon will all creation cast its burden; then shall ye see the idolaters fleeing to the right and to the left, finding no safe refuge. Thus have We informed thee of the news of the Cause, that thou mayest become acquainted with the mysteries that were concealed behind the pavilions of glory.

Say: O people! Take the crimson cup from the fingers of Baha, then detach yourselves from all who are in earth and heaven. And if ye are able, mount, in My Most Exalted Name, upon the crimson Ark and sail upon the sea of grandeur, that ye may reach the seat which is protected from the arrows of the idolaters. O people! Hear ye the call of God from every direction, and turn not unto those who have denied Him in Whom they had believed, and who were far removed from the paths of truth. Among the idolaters is he who strove with his wealth and his soul to exalt My Cause, yet when My beauty was manifested unto him, he denied it and turned back upon his heels.

And thou, O servant, although no letter from thee hath come before the Throne, yet when thy name was mentioned We revealed unto thee that which shall solace thine eyes and the eyes of them that have believed in God and were steadfast in the path of might. Be thou steadfast in thyself, lest aught cause thee to slip from the path, then thank thy Lord for having sent down unto thee a wondrous and glorious Tablet. Thus have We bestowed upon thee from the wonders of Our grace and sent unto thee that whereby thou mayest find the fragrances of thy Lord and take up thine abode in the shadow of thy Lord’s protection, an abode secure in truth.

Among the people is he who openly turneth away from God, and when God’s verses are recited unto him his face darkeneth and he returneth unto his family in disgrace. And among them is he who saith these verses were not revealed according to the innate disposition. Say: By God! The innate disposition itself was created by a letter thereof, as witnesseth that which floweth from the wondrous Pen of Holiness. And among them is he who hath fabricated lies against God and said this is naught but a sorcerer who bewitcheth the people, and by what proceeded from his mouth his deeds were rendered vain.

Say: O people! Fear God and speak not what the idolaters spoke when the Sun of Eternity dawned forth from the Dayspring of Hijaz with manifest sovereignty. Thus did the idolaters speak in the time of every Prophet until the days culminated in the Days of God and the Beauty of Eternity shone forth from the horizon of the Most Exalted Name.

O servant! Sanctify the ears of holiness from the utterances of the idolaters, then plunge into the depths of this ocean by thy Lord’s leave, the All-Merciful, that thou mayest find precious pearls of wisdom. Say: We took a handful of dust and kneaded it with the waters of Our command, then breathed into it a spirit from Our order, adorned it with Our most beauteous names in the kingdom of creation, and raised it to a station wherein its name became renowned among all, great and small. When it attained its maturity and became established in itself, it waxed proud against the Self of God and His sovereignty, until it openly warred against Him. Thus was the decree of destiny inscribed by the Finger of God concerning the Beauty of thy Lord, the Most High.

Say: O people! Fear God and be not heedless in the Cause of God. By God! This is among the tidings whereby the eyes of the denizens of the immortal realm were solaced, preserved behind the veils of light through God’s protection. When the appointed time was fulfilled, it shone forth from the holy horizon with a proof that encompassed all worlds. If ye deny this proof, by what proof can your faith be established? Nay, by Him Who caused the heavens to shine with the light of His countenance, ye shall find no path to the truth.

Say: O people! When the Messenger of God cometh unto you with His signs, arise from your seats and grasp Him with the fingers of submission. If ye perceive from Him the fragrance of God, your Beloved, deny Him not. Thus hath the command been sent down from the celestial dominion of holiness by One mighty and powerful.

O people! Follow the religion and faith of God, and commit not what ye have been forbidden in the Book. Fear God and remain steadfast in His Cause. Soon shall the idolaters call someone from there and instill in his heart hatred for God and the Manifestation of His Self, and send him to the lands and unto you bearing that which will turn the people away from the path of glorious might. Blessed is he who is not shaken by the commotion of misbelief and remaineth steadfast in the Cause of his Lord. By God! He is better in the sight of thy Lord than all who have been created in the heavens and earth.

These are among the tidings of the unseen which We reveal unto thee as a bounty from Us unto thee and unto every discerning believer. And the glory rest upon thee and upon those who have taken shelter beneath this Lote-Tree which hath been raised up in truth and was planted by God’s hand of bounty at the heart of paradise.

BH00258: Lawh-i-Yusuf

Section 1: “These are the verses of God which have…”

These are the verses of God which have descended in truth from the direction of the right hand of the Throne. God hath made them guidance and remembrance for all the worlds. Through them the gates of Paradise have been opened and the Kawthar of life hath flowed from the spring of My Name, the Most Merciful, the Compassionate, that Our servants might drink therefrom—they who have detached themselves from all who are in the heavens and the earth and have turned with their hearts to this luminous and radiant horizon.

O people of the Bayan! Be not as the people of the Furqan, and deny not the verses of God, His proof, His testimony and His signs. Deprive not yourselves of this bounty which hath appeared with all goodness and which draweth all created things from every direction that they may turn to the countenance of the Beloved in this wondrous garment. Fear God and exchange not the favor of God for that which ye possess. Then open your eyes and judge fairly concerning Him Who hath appeared in truth with manifest sovereignty, with the Sadratu’l-Muntaha proceeding at His right hand, and the Tree of Sinai at His left, and before Him the hosts of God’s revelation, the Sovereign, the Powerful, the Exalted, the Wise.

Beware, O people, be not content with a mere handful of brackish water, but hasten to God’s Most Great Ocean which surgeth within itself, by itself, for itself. Through one of its waves appeared the kingdom of names and attributes, and through another wave appeared every firm and wise decree. Raise up the pavilion of detachment upon the shore of this mighty sea and turn not to mere pools. If ye are heedless of God in this Revelation which hath appeared with all signs—yet hath Our mercy ever preceded all things—We shall not close the gates of heaven in your faces, and We shall feed you purely for the sake of My luminous, holy, inaccessible, transcendent and radiant countenance. We desire no recompense from you—My reward is only with Him Who created Me, fashioned Me, and sent Me to all created things. We have appointed for you a time; when that time is fulfilled and ye have not turned to God, He will seize you from every direction and will send upon you the breezes of chastisement from all quarters—and indeed severe is the chastisement of thy Lord.

O people! Rend asunder the veils of idle fancy, then turn your faces toward your Lord, the Mighty, the All-Knowing. Be not among the lost who worship the idols of their own selves and desires, and who turn away from Him Who created them and nourished them by the hands of His transcendent and all-encompassing power.

O Joseph! Hearken to the call of God from this Youth Who speaketh in all things that He is God—there is no God but Me, the Most Merciful, the Compassionate. When these verses of God reach thee in this scroll which the servant in attendance before the Throne hath written, then wash as thou hast been commanded in the Book, then take it in thy hands and place it upon thy head, then read it and ponder it that thou mayest attain unto what hath been treasured within it of the mysteries of God, the Powerful, the Transcendent, the All-Knowing, the Wise. By My life! If thou wouldst purify thyself from the love of all save God thy Lord, God would open before the face of thy heart the gates of meaning and utterance, and would teach thee such wondrous knowledge as would make thee independent of all besides Me. Indeed His favor upon thee is great if thou remainest steadfast in His Cause, detached from all else, and if thou remindest the people of this Most Great, Most Glorious, and Mighty Announcement.

Know then that there hath come before the Divine Throne thy letter wherein thou didst make mention of thyself, and toward which were directed the glances of thy Lord, the Lord of all worlds. Therein didst thou ask that which befitteth neither thy station nor the station of any in the heavens and earth. Dost thou question Him by Whose command all that was and shall be hath appeared? Him Who created all things by His word “Be,” and it was, if thou be of them that understand? Wouldst thou associate the mention of thy Lord with the mention of any other? By God! This is a sin with which no sin in the heavens and earth can compare, and My Soul, the Truth, beareth witness unto what I say. Dost thou question Him Who by a single movement of His Pen raised up the Prophets and Messengers, asking if thou art who thou art, after having penned these words with thine own fingers? By God! This is indeed a heedlessness that hath seized thee and veiled thee from this resplendent and glorious Scene. Doth it beseem anyone to ask what thou hast asked of Him Who is manifest above all things and standeth over every soul, before Whose countenance the suns of the former and latter generations are darkened?

Beware, beware, O servant, lest thou be of them that have doubted the Cause of God after He hath appeared in the fullness of His manifestation and concealment, and before the threshold of Whose gate stand the temples of them that are nigh and sincere. Wouldst thou doubt this Sun before Whose countenance all other suns bow down in adoration, before Whose presence all lords humble themselves, to Whose sovereignty all the chosen ones submit, by Whose will all the loved ones are attracted, and by Whose firm and binding command all things move? Beware, beware! Purify thy heart from all the allusions of the people, and leave behind the world and its remembrance and all that hath been created therein, that there might be imprinted upon thy heart’s countenance the lights of this Sun that hath dawned from the horizon of eternity with manifest and mighty splendor.

Sufficeth it not what We have sent down unto thee of verses aforetime and dispatched unto thee, and what thou hast witnessed of God’s manifestation and sovereignty, and what thou hast heard of His power that hath encompassed all existence from first to last? Sufficeth it not those verses that have filled the east and west of the earth? By God! If thou wouldst behold with the eye of native insight, thou wouldst witness their evidences in all things and be of them that are assured. Reflect within thyself: by what proof didst thou believe in God’s Messengers of old, and then in ʿAli before Nabil?

By God! O thou who gazest upon the Countenance, there hath appeared that which hath never appeared in creation, whereunto every atom beareth witness, yet the people, being veiled, are kept back from this Countenance and are in manifest error. Turn thou unto God Who created thee and fashioned thee, regarding that wherein thou didst associate His mention with the mention of any of His servants whom He created by His word. Thus doth thy Lord command thee out of love for thee, that thou mayest be of them that act.

Know thou that We loved thee before, and therefore do We inform thee in these words that thou mayest remember within thyself and be possessed of clear vision, and recognize the Cause of thy Lord, for through His recognition are souls purified from the defilement of every obstinate misbeliever. Know thou moreover that all thou hast heard regarding this Cause hath appeared by My leave, but We concealed it out of wisdom from Us and bestowed the Name upon another as a command from Us, for verily We are powerful over all things. By this means did We test his soul and the souls of the servants, and when he became assured within himself that We had elevated the Cause, and that the breezes of glory were wafting from the direction of Our Cause, He emerged from behind the veil and ruled against the Self of God, the All-Protecting, the Mighty, the Powerful, though the hosts of revelation and inspiration prevented him. When he witnessed his own powerlessness, by God, he took up the pen and fabricated against Me that which the pen is ashamed to recount. Whosoever possesses understanding less than a hair’s breadth will recognize his station by what flowed from his pen, then his falsehood, then the grandeur of this mighty, irrevocable Cause.

Be thou not veiled by these veils. Look to the root of the Cause and what hath appeared from the holy precincts from this manifest, radiant, mighty, all-knowing Beauty. Guard thyself lest the tempests of trials cause thee to slip, or the storms of tests make thee stumble, that thou mayest remain steadfast in thy Lord’s Cause. Thus have We remembered thee, inspired thee, commanded thee and taught thee, that thou mayest rejoice within thyself and remember this Prisoner Who hath fallen into this deep pit. Glory be upon thee, that thou mayest be steadfast in thy Lord’s Cause and upon those who love thee and hearken to thy words in remembrance of thy Lord, the Most High, the Mighty, the Great.

The Tongue of God speaketh these words in Persian: O Joseph! My proof was complete and perfected unto all who are in the heavens and earth before I made Myself known, for it was manifested through such revelations and evident through such conditions that none had cause to hesitate or turn away. Consider the peoples of the past, how they were debarred from the shore of the sea of oneness and forbidden the eternal glory of beauty. If thou observest with penetrating vision, thou wilt perceive that all were prevented from the fountainhead of divine bounty by veils of words, allusions of fancy, and temporal indications. In the Days of God, when the Divine Beauty shineth like the sun in the midst of heaven, all remain veiled by imaginary veils, although in every Tablet they were admonished to cling to naught that hath been created between the heavens and earth at the time of His manifestation, but to fix their gaze upon the root of the Cause and upon that which appeareth therefrom.

Nevertheless, all have strayed from the straight path and made the recognition of Truth—which hath ever been sanctified above all else—dependent upon the acceptance or rejection of His servants. Fie upon them! Then destruction be upon them for desiring to know God through aught else than Him, for this shall never be possible, inasmuch as that Ancient Being hath been known through His Own Self, and every known thing hath become known through that which hath flowed from the Pen of His Command amongst His servants. Exalted be His station above being known through any save Him, for whatsoever is besides Him is but a creation like unto thyself.

Section 2: “Today all who dwell in the heavens…”

Today all who dwell in the heavens and on earth are witnessed in a single plane before God. Whosoever has detached himself from all else save Him and has soared to the heavens of recognition of His Being is and shall ever be accounted among His chosen ones and His loved ones, though he be unknown to any soul. Likewise, he who turns away is recorded as the most abject of creatures before God, even should he be counted among the leaders of men. For the Truth, exalted be His mention, has had and shall have no connection or relationship with any created thing. All have been brought into being on an equal plane through the breath of His Command.

These degrees of highness and lowness, of elevation and abasement, have appeared within the souls of the servants themselves after the utterance of the Word. Whosoever, upon hearing the Divine Word, is blessed to respond with “yea” is reckoned among the denizens of the highest heaven, among those confirmed, and the dwellers of the Most Glorious Paradise; all others are accounted among the people of the fire and the lowest depths. Therefore, today whosoever would associate himself with the Tree of the Cause must detach himself from all who dwell in the heavens and on earth, and with a pure heart, a sanctified soul and an illumined mind, turn to the Most Great Vision.

Should anyone desire to know the Truth, glorified be His grandeur, through aught else beside Him, he shall never succeed nor attain such knowledge, for all else besides Him are confined within created limitations and are brought into being through the Will that creates, and the Pre-existent Essence can never be known through that which is created and limited, nor shall it ever be. Hearken unto the divine counsels and the holy celestial melodies, and from the left hand of fancy and conjecture turn to the right hand of certitude. Observe with thine own eyes the Divine Manifestations and the celestial holy conditions. Cleanse thine eye from worthless allusions that thou mayest witness the manifestations of mighty Oneness in all things. Purify thine ear from the words of the people that thou mayest hear the holy divine melodies from all directions. Sanctify thy heart from the allusions of previous words that thou mayest comprehend the allusions of the wondrous newly-revealed words and attain to the holy eternal spring and the incomparable wine. This is the counsel of the Ancient Beauty to that servant.

And regarding what you asked about the beginning and end, resurrection and dispersion, the path and paradise and fire—all are truth wherein there is no doubt. The perceptive believer beholds these stations and ranks with both inner and outer eyes at all times, for not for a moment is one deprived of grace or barred from any matter. If you soar in the heavens of divine grace, you will witness in every moment all that comes to pass, both past and future, for His grace has never been and never will be confined to one thing over another. However, the divine purpose behind resurrection, dispersion, paradise, fire and similar references mentioned in the divine tablets pertains specifically to the time of Manifestation.

For instance, observe how at the time of Manifestation, the Tongue of God utters a Word, and from that Word issuing from His mouth becomes manifest paradise and fire, resurrection and dispersion, the path and all that you have asked about and have not asked about. Whosoever becomes certain of that Word has crossed the path and attained the paradise of divine good-pleasure, and likewise is gathered among the company of those near to God, the chosen ones, and is recorded with God among the people of paradise and the exalted ones, and is established among those who affirm. And whosoever turns away from the Word of God abides in the fire and is among those who deny, the debased ones, gathered in the shadow of the idolaters. Such are the appearances of these stations that become manifest through a single Word at the time of Manifestation.

However, those souls who have succeeded in attaining God’s good-pleasure and His Cause shall, after their spirits depart from their bodies, attain in the other world the reward of these deeds. For what is visible in this world has no capacity beyond this, though all divine worlds have and will ever revolve around this world. Yet in every world something is ordained and decreed for each soul. And think not that what is mentioned in the Book of God is vain—exalted is He above this! I swear by the Sun of the horizon of inner meanings that God has and will have paradises beyond compare. But in this first life, what is meant by paradise is His good-pleasure and entry into His Cause. And after the believers ascend from this world, they enter incomparable paradises and partake of boundless blessings, which are the fruits of their deeds in this world. Do you not observe that when one of His servants serves another and bears hardship for him, he receives his reward and compensation? How then could the All-Bountiful command His servants to follow His ordinances and then deprive His servants of His mercy?

Glory be unto Him, glory be unto Him! Exalted, exalted is He above what His servants imagine concerning Him! In any case, today all these stations are visible. Therefore, blessed is the state of the soul that attains the Most Glorious Paradise which has been and will ever be the highest of paradises. And if pure ears and mature souls were found, then verily the wondrous bounties of God would be mentioned, that all might become detached and purified from whatsoever they have understood, recognized and observed, and turn their faces toward the Most Great and Most Pure Horizon. But what profit is there, when these servants, despite the education bestowed by the Primal Point—may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for His sake—have not progressed from the stage of a clot to that of a lump of flesh, much less attained the stage of being clothed in flesh, and other stations that have never been mentioned. Alas for those who have changed God’s favor upon themselves, and through whose existence the heaven of meanings hath been prevented from its manifestations and conditions. Thus do thou witness the state of these people and be of them that bear witness.

In brief, paradise and hellfire in this outward life have been and shall ever be acceptance and rejection. After the ascension of the spirit to paradises beyond compare, and likewise to hellfire beyond similitude—which are the fruits of the deeds of the one who accepteth and the one who rejecteth—they shall attain thereunto. However, none save God hath comprehended or shall comprehend those stations. For the believer, stations have been created surpassing all that hath been heard of God’s wondrous bounties ordained in the paradises of transcendent glory, and likewise for the one who turneth away, beyond what hath been heard of eternal and imperishable torments. Thus do We bear witness that the Bridge hath been raised in truth, that the Balance hath been set up with justice, that the Manifestations have been gathered and the Revelations have emerged, that the Trump hath been sounded and the Trumpet blown, that the Fire hath been kindled and Paradise brought nigh, that the Caller hath called out, that the heavens have been folded up and the earth spread out, that the breezes of God have wafted and the Spirit of God sent forth, that the Maids of Paradise have adorned themselves and the youths have beautified themselves, that the mansions have been made real and the chambers adorned with jewels, that the waters have flowed and the fruits brought low, that the fruits have been gathered and the verses sent down, that the deeds of those who turned away have been effaced and the acts of those who accepted have been established, that the Preserved Tablet hath appeared in truth and the Written Book hath spoken through grace, and that the Purpose of creation and the Beloved of invention, the Worshipped One of all in earth and heaven, hath appeared in the temple of the Youth. Thereupon the tongues of all things proclaim: “Blessed be God, the most excellent of creators!”

O My servant, O Joseph! Hearken unto the divine melodies and compare not this Day to any other day, nor the most wondrous and sweetest utterances to other words. Behold with thine own eyes the outward matters and rely not on anyone in recognizing the Most Great Luminary.

And today it is incumbent upon all the loved ones of God not to be remiss for a moment in teaching the Cause of the Manifestation, and at all times to summon the people to the fountain of divine unity through goodly exhortations and gentle words. For if anyone today becomes the cause of guiding another soul, the reward of a martyr in the path of God shall be recorded in his book of deeds by the Pen of the Command. Such is the bounty of thy Lord concerning His teaching servants. Act thou according to what thou art bidden and be not of the patient ones. And the glory be upon thee and upon those who are with thee, if thou remainest steadfast in this Most Great, this mighty Cause.

BH00195: Ridvanu’l-’Adl (the Garden of Justice)

Section 1: “This is a Tablet wherein God has sent…”

In the name of God, the Just, the Wise

This is a Tablet wherein God has sent forth His Name the Just, and breathed from it the spirit of justice into the temples of all created things, that all may arise to observe pure justice and judge themselves and others, not deviating therefrom by so much as a hair’s breadth.

O thou Name! We have made thee as a sun among the suns of Our most excellent Names between earth and heaven. Therefore, shine forth upon all things created in the realm of existence with thy glorious and wondrous rays, that perchance mankind may gather beneath thy shade, cast tyranny behind them, and be illumined by thy holy and resplendent light.

O thou Name! We have made thee the source and repository of Our justice amongst Our near-serving ones. Through thee We manifest the justice of every just one, and with thy adorning We beautify Our devoted servants.

O thou Name! Beware lest this station make thee heedless of humility before God, the Almighty, the Powerful. Know thou that thy relationship to Us is as the relationship of all else—there is no difference between thee and what is beneath thee of all that hath been created between the heavens and the earth. For when We ascended the throne of justice, We created all contingent things through a word from Us. Thus hath thy Lord been the Wise Overseer of all things.

We have raised certain names to the Kingdom of immortality as a grace from Us, for We are the Powerful, the Most Exalted, the Mighty, the Wondrous. Say: There is no relationship between Him and His creation. Glorified is He above all that He hath created and above what His remembering servants mention of Him. The relationship that is attributed to Him and mentioned in the Tablets hath appeared from the Will that was sent forth from the Purpose that was created by My all-pervading and decisive Command.

However, We have chosen thee, distinguished thee, and elevated thee in this Tablet that thou mayest be grateful to thy Lord and be of those who are detached. Beware lest the exaltation of thy name keep thee back from God, thy Lord and the Lord of all worlds. We exalt whom We please by Our command. Verily, We have power over what We wish and authority over what We desire.

Behold in thyself naught save the radiance of the Sun of the Word of Command, which hath shone forth from the horizon of the mouth of thy Lord, the Merciful, the Compassionate. See within thy being no power, might, motion or stillness except by the command of God, the King, the Mighty, the Powerful. Move by the breezes of thy Lord, the Most High, the Most Glorious, not by the winds that blow from the direction of self and passion. Thus doth the Most Exalted Pen command thee, that thou mayest be of those who act.

Beware lest thou be like unto him whom We adorned with the ornament of names in the kingdom of creation, yet when he beheld himself and the exaltation of his name, he denied God Who created him and provided for him, and fell from the highest station to the lowest depths.

Say: Names are as garments with which We adorn whom We will among Our seeking servants, and which We remove from whom We please by Our command—for We are the Powerful, the Ruler, the All-Knowing. We consult not Our servants regarding their removal, even as We consulted them not at the time of bestowal. Thus know thou the command of thy Lord and be of those who are assured.

Our power is not withheld from anything, nor are the hands of might fettered, if thou be of those who know. Say: Every name that recognizes its Lord and transgresses not its bounds increases in station at every moment, and upon it shines in every instant the sun of its Lord’s grace, the Forgiving, the Generous. Through the steps of detachment it ascends to a station wherein it tells of naught save its Creator and speaks only by His leave. It moveth not save by His Own Will, for He is, verily, the Mighty, the Just, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

O thou Name! Glory within thyself that We have made thee the Dayspring of Our Justice amidst all worlds. Ere long shall We raise up from thee Manifestations throughout the kingdom, and through them shall We furl up the standard of tyranny and unfurl the carpet of justice between the heavens and the earth. Through them shall God erase the traces of oppression from the world and adorn the corners of the horizons with their names among all worlds. These are they through whom the countenance of existence, both seen and unseen, doth smile, and they are the mirrors of My justice amongst My servants and the dawning-places of My names amongst My creatures. Through them shall the hands of oppression be severed and the arms of justice be strengthened.

Thus have We ordained the matter in this Preserved and Sacred Tablet. O thou Name! We have made thee an ornament for kings. Blessed are they who adorn their temples with thee and judge with pure justice among men and rule according to what God hath decreed in His Ancient and Decisive Book. No ornament hath been ordained for them better than thee. Through thee their sovereignty is made manifest, their fame is exalted, and their names are remembered in the Kingdom of God, the Mighty, the Great. And whosoever depriveth himself of thee, he is naked between the heavens and the earth, though he be clothed in the silk of all the world.

O concourse of kings! Adorn your heads with the crowns of justice, that their lights may illumine all regions. Thus do We command you as a bounty from Our presence, O concourse of sovereigns. God shall soon manifest in the earth kings who shall recline upon the cushions of justice and shall judge amongst men even as they judge their own selves. These are among the choicest of My creatures among all created things. O people! Adorn your temples with the mantle of justice—it befitteth all souls, did ye but know. Similarly with courtesy and fairness—We have enjoined these in most of Our Tablets, that ye may be among the doers. He commandeth no soul save what is good for it and what shall profit it in the hereafter and in this world, and He is in His Essence independent of the deeds of every doer and of the knowledge of every learned one.

Verily, God hath manifested Himself through this Name in this Tablet unto all things. Blessed are they who are illumined by its lights and who have attained unto it—these are among Our near servants. We have planted with the hands of power in this Paradise the trees of justice and have watered them with the waters of grace. Soon shall each one bring forth its fruits. Thus hath the matter been decreed, and there is none to revoke it from Our presence. We, verily, are the Commander.

O Manifestations of Justice! When the breezes of power waft, summon the concourse of the Bayan and remind them of this Most Great and Mighty News. Then ask: “O people! By what proof did ye believe in ʿAli while rejecting Him Who was promised to you in all the Tablets?” Consider, O company of the ignorant! Then fear God, O heedless ones! Do ye claim belief in My Herald while denying My Own Self, the Mighty, the Wise? Your likeness is as those who believed in John the Prophet, who was to herald unto men the Kingdom of God. Yet when the Word appeared, they denied It and pronounced judgment against It. God’s curse be upon the wrongdoers! This, after he had called the servants at all times with the loudest call, taken from them the covenant of God’s Word, and heralded unto them His meeting, until he sacrificed his life for love of His glorious and wondrous Self.

But when the veil was rent asunder and the Most Great Word appeared, they objected to It, saying: “It hath transgressed that which John commanded.” Thus did their souls prompt them to that which deprived them of meeting their Lord, the Mighty, the Powerful. And among the ungodly were those who said: “That which the son of Zacharias brought was never established on earth, nor was his law firmly founded in the land among the servants. Before its establishment, none should come.” Thus did they wax proud against the Spirit and were among the opposers. And among them were those who said: “John baptized with water, while He Who hath appeared baptizeth with the Spirit and associateth with sinners.” Even as ye hear the utterances of the people of the Bayan in these days saying what they say, nay speaking that which none before hath ever spoken. Woe unto those who follow these unbelievers!

Say: O people of the Bayan! Be ye ashamed before the beauty of your Lord, the Most Merciful, Who hath appeared at the midmost heart of creation with a manifest and clear proof. And He Who came to you before with the name of ʿAli, verily He heralded unto you My meeting and informed you of My Self. He moved not except through My love, nor breathed save in My remembrance, the Mighty, the Wondrous. He informed you that every light would be darkened before His splendor, and every bearer of a burden would cast off its burden, and every trustee would relinquish his trust. Thus was the Command sent down from the heaven of the will of your Lord, the Most High, the All-Knowing. Yet when the Hour came upon you while ye were heedless of it, and the beauty of the Beloved dawned from the horizon of your Lord’s will, the Mighty, the Powerful, ye turned away from it and objected to Him and denied His signs and associated partners with His Self, until ye sought to shed His holy, pure, mighty and radiant blood.

Say: O people! Fear God and limit not God’s Cause by your own limitations. Verily, He commandeth as He pleaseth by His command, and He is the Supreme, the Mighty, the Powerful. Say: By God! He speaketh within My breast and calleth in My spirit and uttereth with My tongue. He it is Who awakened Me through the breezes of His command and caused Me to speak between the heavens and the earth. Say: By God! It grieveth Me to be among you and hear from you that which no ear hath ever heard before. But God hath manifested Me with the truth and I am commanded to worship none but Him and to remind you of that which is better for you than the kingdom of dominion of the heavens and the earth. Were the matter in My hands, I would not have manifested Myself before these evil ones, but He is the Chooser; He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He pleaseth.

O people! Look not upon Me with your eyes nor with the eyes of your leaders. By God, the Truth! Nothing shall profit you this day, even if ye seek the aid of all who are in the first and the last. Say: O people, behold My beauty through Mine eyes, for if ye look upon Me through eyes other than Mine own, ye shall never know Me. Thus hath the decree been sent down in the tablets of God, the Mighty, the Powerful, the All-Wise. Say: O people, I call not among you for Myself by Myself, but verily He calleth as He willeth by His Self unto His servants. To this bear witness My sighs and My cries, then the yearning of My heart, if ye be of the just.

Can the leaf which the winds of God’s will have seized remain still of itself? Nay, by Him Who hath caused Me to speak the truth! Rather doth He move it as He pleaseth, for He is the Ruler over whatsoever He willeth, and verily its movement and its trembling within itself are a testimony to its truthfulness, were ye of those who know. Behold then, O people, the state of the flute that hath fallen beneath the fingers of thy Lord, the All-Merciful, and into which the divine breath doth blow. Can it of itself remain silent? Nay, by your Lord, the Mighty, the Bountiful! Rather do manifold melodies issue forth from it as He willeth, for He is the Mighty, the Ruler, the Powerful.

Can the sun rise from the horizon of the divine decree without light, or can it withhold its rays from all things? Nay, by the Self of Baha! To this doth every just and discerning one bear witness. Say: O people, verily the fingers of the power of your Lord, the Most High, the Most Glorious, move this Most Great Pen, and this is not of Mine own accord, but rather from God, your Lord and the Lord of your fathers of old. O concourse of the idolaters! Do ye object to this Pen, or to Him Who moveth it by His sovereignty? Say: Woe unto you! The people of the highest Paradise are astonished at your deeds. Then doth the eye of justice weep for My sake, and the reality of justice lamenteth at My tribulation and woe, and mourneth for what hath befallen My Self at the hands of those who were created by My will and who were to glory in standing before Me and to seek blessing from the dust of My blessed and mighty and exalted feet.

Section 2: “O Manifestation of Justice! I complain unto thee…”

O Manifestation of Justice! I complain unto thee concerning those who disbelieved and associated partners with God after having pledged themselves to My Self in all the Tablets and in the Tablet which God hath preserved in the treasuries of His protection and made hidden from the eyes of all creation. Say: O people, when ye enter the Ridvan and perceive a rose, inhale its fragrance, and if ye find therein the sweet scents, fear God and deny it not, and be not of those who recognized and then denied and became of the unbelievers. Verily, were there one possessed of true smell, he would find from all that appeareth from Me the fragrance of God, the Holy, the Mighty, the Generous.

O ye manifestations of this Name! Ye were created by My command and were raised up by My will. Beware lest this station prevent you from humbling yourselves before your Lord, the Mighty, the All-Knowing, on the Day when God shall come in the shadows of the clouds with great sovereignty, and shall breathe therein the spirit of life upon all beings, and shall adorn the Ridvan with My Name, the Mighty, the Bountiful, and shall renew man therein with the ornament of the All-Merciful, and shall embellish all things with the mantle of Names from the presence of a wondrous Creator. Ye were created for that Day. Fear God and deprive not yourselves of that great bounty.

O ye who are named by this Name! Let not names deceive you on that Day. Hasten ye to the court of grace, even if the clouds of the Cause rain down upon you the arrows of wrath. Beware lest ye tarry, even for a moment. On that day, none shall possess anything to their name, and the Command shall belong to God, the Mighty, the All-Wise. Say: O people, fulfill the Covenant of God and break not the pledge which ye made with Him in the sanctuary of pre-existence in the presence of God, the Powerful, the Mighty, the All-Knowing. Say: Open your eyes, for by God the Truth, that Day hath indeed come to pass and God hath come in the shadows of the clouds.

Blessed be God, the Sender, the Powerful, the Exalted, the Great. Then shall all who are in the heavens and earth be seized with fear, and all the tribes of the Concourse on High shall lament, save him whom the hand of the All-Glorious hath taken through His sovereign might, Most High, Most Exalted, and hath rent the veil from his eyes with the finger of Destiny, and delivered him from those who were in doubt concerning the meeting with God, the King, the Mighty, the Glorious. Say: By God, all names have been transformed, the wailing of all things hath been raised up, and every soul hath been shaken, except those who have been quickened by the breathings of the All-Glorious that have wafted from the direction of your Lord, the All-Merciful, and awakened them from slumber and purified them from the defilement of the idolaters.

O Tongue of Eternity! Vary thy verses, for the ears of men cannot bear what hath been sent down from the heaven of thy nature and the atmosphere of thy will. Cast upon them according to their measure in remembrance of what thou art, for this is manifest justice.

O peoples of the earth! Know ye that justice hath grades and stations and meanings beyond count, yet We sprinkle upon you a sprinkling from this ocean that it may cleanse you from the defilement of tyranny and make you among the sincere ones. Know ye that the root of justice and its source is that which the Manifestation of God Himself ordaineth in His Day, were ye of them that know. Say: He is the Balance of Justice between the heavens and the earth, and though He should come with a cause that would strike terror into all in the heavens and on earth, verily this would be manifest justice. The terror of creation is but as the terror of the infant from weaning, were ye of them that perceive.

Were the people to discover the essence of the Cause, they would not be dismayed, but rather would rejoice and be among the thankful. Say: Though autumn winds may strip the trees of spring’s adornment, this is but for the manifestation of another adornment. Thus hath the matter been decreed from the presence of a mighty, powerful One. And of justice is to give each his due, as ye observe in the manifestations of existence, not as most men imagine. Ponder ye then, that ye may understand the purpose of what hath been sent down from a wondrous Pen. Say: The justice at which the pillars of oppression tremble and the foundations of misbelief are destroyed is to acknowledge this Revelation in this Dawn wherein the Sun of Baha hath shone forth from the horizon of eternity with manifest sovereignty.

Whoso believeth not in Him hath gone out from the fortress of justice and his name is recorded among the oppressors in the preserved tablets of might. And he who performeth all the good works of heaven and earth and dealeth justly among men unto the end that hath no end, yet hesitateth in this Cause—verily he hath wronged his own soul and is accounted among the oppressors.

Await ye, O people, the days of justice which have indeed come in truth. Beware lest ye be veiled from them and be of the heedless ones. Say: O people! Adorn your temples with the ornament of justice, then judge by what God hath decreed in His Tablets and be not of the transgressors. Say: Whoso drinketh a drop of water by My command, this is better than the worship of all who are on earth, for God accepteth not the deed of anyone except it be adorned with the ornament of My permission among the worlds. Work ye, O people, according to what We have commanded you in the Tablets, for it hath been sent down from the heaven of God, the Help in Peril, the Mighty, the Powerful. And he whose sight is turned away from the fragrance of the garment of My name, the All-Merciful, verily he seeth in all things the signs of his Lord, the Just, the Wise.

O Most Exalted Pen! Raise up the servant who was named Rida after Nabil from among the manifestations of justice in the kingdom of creation. Indeed, his justice is his faith in God, and the justice of the heavens and earth cannot equal it. O servant! Hearken unto the shrill voice of the Most Exalted Pen, then gather the people on the shore of the Most Great Ocean which hath appeared through this Most Ancient and Pre-existent Name. Protect the servants of the All-Merciful lest the countenances of recognition be changed through the buffetings of the manifestations of Satan. Thus doth thy Lord, the Mighty, the Bestower, command thee. Act according to that which thou hast been commanded by the Mighty, the Beautiful.

Be as a barrier between the Gog of misbelief and the hosts of the All-Merciful, lest they transgress their bounds. Thus hath the command been sent down from the heaven of the decree of thy Lord, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. We have made thee a remembrance from Us amongst Our servants, and We have made thee a fortress for Our creation amidst the worlds that thou mayest protect them from the arrows of allusions and remind them of this News whereby the temples of names were shaken, faces were transformed, the lands of pride were split asunder, and fruits fell from every lofty and impregnable tree. Blessed art thou for having shattered the idol of fancy through the power of thy Lord and having cast away from thy temple the garments of blind imitation, adorning it with the robe of unity through this Holy, Blessed, Exalted and All-Encompassing Name.

Know thou that the people of the Bayan have objected to their Lord, the All-Merciful, and have denied Him in Whom they believed, after We had enjoined them in all the Tablets not to be veiled by anything created between the heavens and the earth at the time of My appearance. Among them are those who have denied My Self while reciting My words, and among them are those who pride themselves in the books that were sent down before Me. Say: Today, were everyone in the heavens and earth to be filled with precious books from which the fragrances of My Cause and the sweet savors of My love do not waft, they would not be mentioned before God, thy Lord and the Lord of the worlds.

Say: Woe unto you, O people! All that was revealed from the kingdom of the Bayan was revealed in remembrance and praise of Me, if ye be of them that know. Say: Shame upon you for having broken God’s Covenant, cast His Testament behind your backs, and returned to your abode in the lowest of the low. O My Name! Thou hast remained alone among the people of the Bayan, though the Bayan was revealed solely for the mention of My wronged and lonely Self. Say: O people, fear God! By God, the Primal Point breathed naught but My remembrance, spoke naught but in praise of My Self, and the Beloved of His heart was none other than My luminous and resplendent Beauty. O My Name! Know thou that He through Whom the temples of justice were raised up and the lights of grace shone forth hath been attributed to oppression by the ungodly. Thus have these oppressors dealt with My Self. Soon shall this earth be changed through the oppression of these people and affairs shall be thrown into confusion. Thus doth the Tongue of truth and knowledge inform thee.

The tablets of fire have been spread throughout all lands, and the manifestation of Satan shall pass by you with a book. Then say: O servants of the All-Merciful! Leave these behind you and turn to the Word of God, the Firm, the Wondrous. A single letter thereof equalleth not what hath been revealed from time immemorial or what shall be sent down from the heaven of sublime glory.

O My Name! Purify My servants from the fragrances of all else but Me, then attract them through the wondrous melodies of My verses and words, then cause them to soar in the atmosphere of My nearness and good-pleasure that they may seek the sanctuary of My glory and the house of My grandeur. Thus hath it been sent down in truth, and it is indeed a revelation from thy Lord, the Most High, the All-Knowing. Then prevent them from shedding blood, for We have forbidden them in all the Tablets. Yet they made a mockery of God’s laws, transgressed the fortress of His Cause, and were among the heedless. The harm of their deeds returned to the root of the Tree—thus was the matter, if thou be of them that hear.

Verily, those who dispute and fight with people have departed from the paradise of justice and are accounted among the oppressors in the preserved tablets of might. Those who have been martyred in the path of God in these days are among the most exalted of creation, and they made mention of God openly such that the multitude of enemies could not prevent them from remembering God, their Creator, until they were martyred and became of the triumphant. At the time their spirits ascended, all the tribes of the Concourse on High received them with the banners of the Cause. Thus was the matter decreed in truth from the presence of the Mighty, the Wise.

Say: O my God and my Lord! Thou art He Who hath planted the trees of justice in the paradise of Thy Cause and Thy wisdom. Therefore, preserve them, O my God, from the tempests of fate and the storms of tribulation, that their branches and boughs may be raised high in the shadow of Thy grace and the shelter of Thy mercy. Then cause to dwell, O my God, beneath their leaves such as are the chosen ones among Thy creation and the near ones among Thy servants. Verily, Thou art powerful over whatsoever Thou willest, and Thou art the Forgiver, the Merciful.

We have created the paradise of justice through a power from Us and a might from Our presence, and We have sent it unto thee with fruits of wondrous glory. Therefore taste of its fruits and rest in the shade of its leaves that thou mayest be preserved from the fire of the idolaters.

Thus have We perfected Our favor upon thee that thou mayest thank thy Lord and be of the thankful. And praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.