Volume 041: Early Akka 1868–1873, Part I (1 of 5)
BH08741: O handmaiden of God! The Ancient Beauty is confined…
In the Name of the One!
O handmaiden of God! The Ancient Beauty is confined in the Most Great Prison, and twenty women, out of their love for God, have entered this prison with the Manifestation of the All-Merciful Spirit, as have a number of men. Praise be to the Beloved of all horizons that in the Ridvan, with the utmost joy and fragrance, they have attained the presence of the Beloved of all worlds. No tribulation can prevent the faithful from the Most Glorious Horizon. O handmaidens, arise with manly courage to serve the Cause of God! Many women are today remembered before God as being superior to men, and some men who are counted as women. As the glance of mercy hath concealed this, therefore is the distinction hidden. Verily thy Lord is the Concealer, the Forgiving, the Merciful.
BH00583: Upon thee be the Glory of God and His…
In the Name of God, the Most Holy, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious!
Upon thee be the Glory of God and His remembrance, and the praise of all created things between earth and heaven, in every age, before time and after time. My spirit, my soul and my heart be a sacrifice unto thee! How can I make mention of thee through utterance when thou art remembered throughout all existence? Sedition hath appeared in every city, whereby the loved ones of the All-Merciful have been prevented from the sweet-scented breezes that waft among them in remembrance of God, the Creator of all creation and the Fashioner of all worlds. By God! O Beloved of my heart, verily my heart doth melt, the eye of my inner being weepeth, and my every limb maketh mention. Would that I might attain thy presence, or be blessed by that which is diffused from the fragrance of thine ink and shineth forth from the direction of thy heart. I beseech God that He may hear my call and answer that for which I have beseeched Him, for verily He is near and responsive.
May I be a sacrifice unto thee! Countless centuries have passed during which this evanescent bird hath not been blessed with the wondrous melodies and exalted traces of that Nightingale of Divine Love and that Sacred Dove of spiritual paradise. Although at all times the sweet-scented perfume from the garment of the All-Glorious hath wafted, and still wafteth, from that Beloved of heart and soul, yet this ephemeral one hath outwardly been deprived thereof. We beseech God that He may remove that which hath come between us and gather us upon the shore of the ocean of His nearness and give us to drink from the fountain of His presence and the choice wine of His reunion. Verily, He is the One Who judgeth with justice, Who ruleth with grace, Who hath power over whatsoever He willeth and Who doeth as He pleaseth.
And as to other news of the prison and the condition of the prisoners, praise be to God and thanks to His grace, all are confined in the ruined city of Akka in a most mighty and impregnable fortress which appears to be built entirely of stone, surrounded by troops. Yet such joy and gladness prevails that it is as if we were reveling in a paradise of delights, for the more severe the outward tribulations have become, the brighter burns the lamp of God’s Cause and the more manifest becomes the dawning radiance of the Most Great Luminary amidst the nations. Exalted then be His power which has transcended all worlds and His will which has conquered all who dwell in the heavens and on earth! Would that your honor had been present in the Most Great Prison during this supreme affliction and most great upheaval to witness the power and tranquility of the Ancient Beauty during that greatest of commotions.
A brief account from the time of occurrence until now is submitted: For some time we, these servants, in view of what had been revealed in God’s Tablets, had been expecting this tribulation of the Day of Adversity until the appointed time arrived. At the eighth hour of the day, the friends of God who were in the market were all arrested, and suddenly soldiers surrounded the Most Pure House and likewise stood guard at the doors of other homes of the friends, and conditions became so severe that women and children were prevented from entering or leaving, and that night most went without food. Outwardly it was not at all clear what they intended. Some said we would be sent to the Sudan toward Abyssinia, some said we would be drowned in the sea, and there were various other claims.
What was announced by the government was that they were ordered to take us to Gallipoli and then await further instructions, and they were extremely rushed to depart. Yet the Most Exalted Beauty paid no heed whatsoever. Eight days passed from the occurrence until departure, each day bringing a fresh upheaval. Everything was plundered in the name of auction, and with each hour the oppression of those cruel people grew more severe. One day there was fear they would storm the sanctuary and forcibly remove the Ancient Beauty. The Most Holy, Most Exalted Being remained seated with such composure, dignity and calm that it was as if these surrounding people were not enemies but had all come with acceptance and devotion to the Truth. God is Most Great in His grandeur, His glory, His tranquility and His power!
At a time when affairs had reached the utmost degree of difficulty from every direction, four people of the Christian faith came into His presence and submitted that if He so commanded, they would that very moment remove the soldiers gathered around the house and deal with the government. The Tongue of God declared:
“I have come for the salvation of all the world and have sacrificed My soul for the purification and life of the world, and these tribulations are inevitable.”
This servant is incapable of relating all that was revealed from the Tongue of God in that instance. Afterwards the consuls of various governments and others came, but He spoke only of absolute independence. And before the event had come to pass, when as yet no outward mention had been made, a certain person appeared before the Most Great Outlook and submitted: “Should it be the Blessed Will, and if leave be granted, we shall convey Thee in whatsoever direction Thy Blessed inclination may desire.” He replied: “By God, besides Whom there is none other God! Were I to be slain a thousand times each hour, it would be dearer to me than to accept, for the sake of my own comfort and protection, any matter wherein is observed the slightest harm or degradation to the Cause of God.” All were astonished and bewildered at the independence of the Beauty of the All-Glorious, and returned perplexed until the appointed time of rest ended and the preparations for departure began.
The events of that time reached such a pass that Muslims, Jews and Christians, both men and women, wept, while the Divine Beauty spoke alone with verses of grandeur and majesty, manifesting such sovereignty that the officers accompanying Him were willingly or unwillingly submissive. Along the way, divine verses were continuously revealed upon all the trees, mountains and stones past which He proceeded, and when they came before the eye of God, decisive utterances were issued and the Chosen Tongue spoke words which all tongues and hearts are powerless to mention or comprehend. Soon shall be manifested through His power that which He hath deposited in the treasuries of all things, even as hath been revealed in the Tablets of glorious might.
What else can be related of the tribulation of Gallipoli? In truth, the tribulation was this: after arrival, an officer named Omar, who had come from Istanbul with several men, presented himself and submitted his commission. God is Most Great! What a commotion arose at that moment among the family of God and His kindred! Some were determined to drown themselves in the sea, while others resolved to take their own lives, for he had submitted that he was to separate this company and the members of the household from the Ancient Beauty and send them to the great city, while the Most Holy Exalted Beauty was to be sent to this prison—though even this was not explicitly clear, which was the cause of greatest dismay. During that supreme earthquake, the like of which cannot be conceived in all creation, the Beauty of God appeared in such wise and sat upon the throne of grandeur and majesty that none save His most sacred and exalted Being could comprehend it, while in every moment verses of power descended like unto an ocean. Exalted, exalted be God’s dominion and His might, God’s grandeur and His glory, God’s manifestation and His splendor in those days!
The officer who had accompanied from the Land of Mystery arrived at the threshold of the gate and submitted his request to attain the presence and receive permission to return. After attaining the Most Great Presence, the Most Pure Tongue spoke and related all the events that would appear thereafter. God willing, I hope there will be a day of meeting when each of these occasions may be related face to face. After completing these sublime utterances, He spoke with power and might, addressing him thus:
“What I say, God says, and it hath been revealed in the Book.”
And that person, humbly and submissively before the face of God’s grandeur, confirmed this, while the effects of humility and submissiveness from the descent of divine revelation were evident from all his limbs and members, nay, from that entire chamber of the house and all things within it, until he received permission to depart from the Source of Command and returned. After the passing of some days, the Divine Temple embarked upon the ark and traveled upon the sea. Exalted be all His conditions, manifestations and effects in every state of His states! Exalted was God, manifest, speaking, uttering that He is God, the King, the Sovereign, the All-Compelling, the Omnipotent, the Mighty, the Inaccessible.
While traversing the seas, when the celestial Ark halted before one of the great cities, one from among the Christian people came across a book that had been presented by one of their priests, wherein was written that which caused the trees of Sinai to move, and every delicate fibre of each leaf therein proclaimed that there is none other God but Him. Exalted be the Hand of Power that, in the innermost mystery, nurtures such servants at whose creation even the sincere servants marvel! I swear by the Educator of the world that His creation is a thousand times greater than the creation of the heavens and earth, were men to comprehend.
The events of this migration are too momentous to be mentioned or described, and none can comprehend them except the All-Merciful Himself. As the purpose was but a brief mention, We shall not elaborate further. Let it be known that whatsoever hath come to pass from the beginning of this wondrous Cause until now, in all its aspects, serveth as God’s testimony unto all the worlds, and His most perfect proof unto all who dwell in the heavens and on earth.
BH01440: Most mighty minister, most great and noble ambassador, May…
Most mighty minister, most great and noble ambassador, May your prosperity continue, I wish to say that my affairs have so fallen out that pen and tongue, writing and utterance are alike powerless to (describe them).
To give a brief account, we resided for six years in Edirne on the orders of the Ottoman government; nothing contrary to the laws (of the state) was ever manifested by me or my followers, as all the people of Edirne bear witness and confess. Nevertheless, three months ago, officials of the Ottoman state suddenly surrounded our house, seized all the belongings of my followers in the bazaar, and took them to the government building. After this, a man came from the governor and informed us that, on the orders of the Sultan, I had to go with (my wives?) and children to Gallipoli. They gave us no further notice than that. All the belongings of my followers were sold for a paltry price at the decree of the military commanders, but they did not even give us an opportunity to collect the money.
After this, they brought me to Gallipoli, along with seventy men, women, and small children. Following our arrival, a special official, ʿUmar Effendi Binbashi (= bigbashi; major), arrived from Istanbul with five sergeants. They issued a decree to the effect that orders had been given for six individuals to go to Acre (with us?), and for five to go to Cyprus; I had no claim on the rest—they were to be free to choose for themselves. It afterwards became apparent that he had arranged things, for he took the money for the steamer from everyone and brought all of us to Acre, which has the worst water and the worst air in the world—except for four individuals, who were taken to a ruined fortress in Cyprus.
No sooner had we arrived in Acre than they imprisoned us in a ruined barracks, even the women and six-month old children, and they forthwith shut the doors of entry and exit. We have now been imprisoned in the ruined barracks for fifty days, and, on account of the badness of the water and air, we have all been stricken by serious illnesses, such that, after two days, three people died without a physician or food or medicine. Up until now, we have not learnt the nature of our crime. There has been no enquiry. But neither wrongdoing nor acts contrary to the laws have ever been witnessed from us.
If it be supposed that our crime is that of being Babis, this was known from the start, and the Ottoman government officials were aware that we were Babis. It was not something that was kept concealed. Nevertheless, I was summoned by the government, and I came with a number of my followers from Baghdad to the court of his highness the Sultan, in the utmost sincerity. In spite of this, a new tribulation befell us every day, until things culminated in this mighty ordeal.
If they accuse us of some other crime, let them hold a tribunal and question us. When investigations have been held, it will be clear and apparent that we have not transgressed the laws. All the consuls resident in Edirne on behalf of the great powers are aware (of this) and all have borne witness that we have not committed any wrong. What we want is to know just what our crime has been, but they have not once mentioned it so that we might be informed. We beseech your excellency to turn your attention towards us, so that the breezes of the grace and bounty of his imperial highness the Sultan may blow upon us. Our fundamental aim is perchance to find shelter from these widespread tribulations in the shade of the protection of the most mighty, great, and noble Emperor, may his exalted shadow endure, and that we may occupy ourselves in prayer for his eternal rule.
Among the news which has reached us by way of the telegraph is that in Baghdad thirty of my well-known adherents have been sent to Jazira without (having committed) any crime or offence, and my property has all been impounded. I ask you to make enquiries of (your) consul in Baghdad, that it may be made known that all these things have happened without the slightest explanation. We all wait expectantly for the sun of bounty to rise up from the horizon of the grace and justice of the Monarch of the Age, the most great Emperor of the Era, through the attention of your excellency.
I remain obedient to your command.
BH07155: The submission of this servant, in the presence…
The submission of this servant, in the presence of His Excellency—may his good fortune endure—is this: that, at the time when, in the imprisonment of ʿAkka, the gates of joy…
BH03052: O Ahmad! These are the days in which all…
In the Name of God, the Most Holy, the Most Glorious!
O Ahmad! These are the days in which all must become enkindled with the fire of the love of the All-Merciful and arise to assist the Cause of God. And assistance has been ordained to be through mention and utterance. Thus has the command been sent down from the presence of the Mighty, the Wise.
The Ancient Beauty and the Most Great Name, after arriving at the Most Great Prison, has been occupied with a momentous and mighty matter—namely, the proclamation of God’s Cause to all the rulers of the earth, so that they may know with perfect certitude that the tribulations that have befallen Him have not prevented the Truth, exalted be His mention, from that which He has willed. Moreover, the conclusive proof may be completed and perfected for all created things, both high and low. Therefore, from the heaven of the Divine Will, Tablets were specifically revealed for each one. Some of these have been sent, and for this reason they have made the Cause extremely difficult, and countless afflictions have been visited upon Us from every direction. Yet verily thy Lord is the All-Patient, the All-Knowing. Nothing can prevent Him from that which He desires. Verily, He is powerful over all things.
Glorified is He Whom neither prison nor what He has endured from the people of hatred could frighten. He has delivered the messages of God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting, while He was in the hands of His enemies and surrounded by hosts of unbelievers.
God willing, thou shalt become so enkindled by the fire of the Divine Lote-Tree that its heat will attract cold hearts and draw them to the right hand of Divine Oneness.
Convey to all the beloved ones the greetings from God. If outwardly some have not been honored with a divine Tablet, it matters not, for the names of all are inscribed by the hand of power in the Preserved Tablet. Say: Rejoice, O people, in the grace and mercy of God. Soon there shall appear unto you what has been ordained from the presence of the Mighty, the Ancient.
God willing, all must be occupied with the mention of the All-Merciful in a spirit of joy and fragrance. Blessed art thou for God has aided thee to remember Him and has sent down for thee that which brings solace to the eyes.
Several Tablets have been revealed from the heaven of the Divine Will—deliver them to the loved ones of God. And the Glory be upon thee and upon those who are with thee. What thou didst send has been presented before the Throne. Rejoice thou and be of those who are thankful.
BH00838: This is what hath flowed from the tongue…
This is what hath flowed from the tongue of might and power when Nabil cast himself upon the dust outside the city before the prison, the seat of his Lord, the Mighty, the Wise
In the name of God, the Self-Sufficient, the Most High!
Glorified art Thou, O my God! The veils of such of Thy servants as have disbelieved in Thy signs have come between Thee and Thy creation. How many, O my God, are the servants who stand before the gate of the prison and are prevented from entering the sanctuary of Thy nearness, and how many are the chosen ones who circle round Thy city out of love for Thee yet find no way to the Dayspring of the glory of Thy oneness!
Among them is Nabil, O my God, who entered the city but found no path unto Thee, that he might enter the pavilion of Thy majesty and the court of Thy glorious oneness. The oppressors have prevented him from entering into Thy presence and from dwelling beneath the shade of the Tree of Thy Cause. He would circle the prison in these days out of love for Thee until Satan discovered him and informed the people. Then did they expel him from the city, and no sooner had the days passed than separation seized from his hand the reins of patience and he was consumed by the fire of yearning. Therefore did he seek once again the precincts of Paradise.
Thou seest him, O my God, when prevented from entering, standing in the open space outside the city at a far distance, then turning toward the seat of Thy mighty throne and facing Thy countenance, standing before Thy face with such submission that all things in the kingdom of creation bow down before it, his tears flowing, his sighs ascending, his limbs trembling, his members quaking, and his tongue speaking:
O Lord! Thou seest me keeping company with the beasts in Thy love, having forsaken cities and lands in Thy path, detaching myself from all directions save the direction of Thy grace, and entering into the precincts of Thy mercy. O Lord! Thou didst reveal to me Thy beauty, then by Thy firm decree prevented me from beholding it. Thou didst give me to drink of the water of Thy presence, then afflicted me with separation from Thee. Thou didst honor me with Thy nearness, then distanced me through what flowed from the Pen of Thy decree upon the tablets inscribed by the Pen of Thy Command.
Thou knowest, O my God, that Thy love hath consumed me, Thy separation hath dissolved me, and from being parted from Thee my bones and limbs are set ablaze. By Thy glory, O Beloved of the worlds, Goal of them that know Thee, and God of all in the heavens and earths! I cannot endure to be patient at the manifestation of Thy chosen Name. If Thou didst desire separation, why didst Thou call me to intimate communion? And if Thou didst ordain for me to burn in separation from Thee, why didst Thou show me the Light of Thy countenance whereby the horizons were illumined?
I am certain with the certainty of knowledge, O my God, that with Thee is the water of everlasting life—to whom shall I turn, O Lord of all creation and King of the worlds? And with Thee is the kingdom of eternity—to whom shall I face, O my Lord, the Most High, the All-Glorious? By Thy glory, O my Beloved! The remembrance of Thee is my life, Thy praise the utterance of my tongue, meeting Thee my hope, nearness to Thee my desire and the ultimate goal of my wish and aspiration.
I can bear all afflictions, but I cannot bear separation from Thee. I can detach myself from every delight in Thy love, but I cannot be patient in separation from Thee, O Beloved of the hearts of them that are enchanted and Beloved of the hearts of them that yearn! My joy is in Thy nearness and meeting Thee, my sustenance is Thy melodies, my spirit Thy verses, my companion Thy remembrances, and my origin Thy words. Decree for me what Thou willest through Thy command, but ordain for me Thy nearness.
Burn me with the fire of Thy dominion, then prescribe for me to meet Thee. By Thy glory! My thirst will not be quenched save by the Kawthar of Thy revelation before Thy face, and my heart will not find rest except by gazing upon Thy beauty. Thus hast Thou created me by Thy power and brought me into being by Thy command.
O would that I were a zephyr, passing through Thy courtyard, or a bird, soaring in the atmosphere of Thy prison! And if, perchance, from my words, O my God, there should waft the breaths of such among Thy creatures as have wrought iniquity, yet, verily, Thy love hath wrested from the grasp of Thine own pardon the reins of restraint. Thy forgiveness, in truth, requireth that Thou shouldst not seize me for mine utterances or for the trespasses I have committed.
I beseech Thee, O Creator of the nations and Quickener of moldering bones, to lift away the veil through Thy power and to lead forth the loved ones from this prison through Thy grace and bounty. Then cause those who seek Thee to enter beneath Thy shadow. By Thy glory! I know that the suspicious actions of Thy creatures have prevented us from meeting Thee, and the heedlessness of Thy servants hath come between us and the lights of Thy countenance.
Forgive, O my God, their transgressions which have prevented us from drawing nigh unto the ocean of Thy reunion and from arriving beneath the shade of the Tree of Thy favors. Wilt Thou, O my God, take those who long for Thee to task for what the heedless have wrought? I beseech Thee, O Life of the worlds, to send down from the clouds of Thy heaven of grace that which will conceal the hearts of Thy loved ones and gather them around Thee through Thy bounty.
Alas! Alas! How many servants dwelt beneath the shade of the Divine Lote-Tree, yet their eyes never once fell upon it! And how many servants reposed in the precincts of Thy supreme mercy, yet paid no heed to it! O my God! By Thy glory, the wonders of Thy Cause and the mysteries of Thy decree have bewildered me. How many servants tasted death in their separation from Thee and attained not Thy presence, and how many servants desired not Thy nearness, yet Thy decree brought them into Thy presence and granted them reunion with Thee!
Alas! Alas! By this my liver and the livers of Thy lovers are consumed. Would that no mortal eye had ever fallen upon Thy most pure Countenance save the eye of him who seeth naught but Thee and desireth none but Thee! I, O my God, hope in all circumstances to be but earth for Thy feet to tread upon, yet I think there may be among Thy servants one who drinks the cup of reunion while remaining heedless of Thy presence.
All this, O my God, proceedeth from the manifestations of Thy providence and wisdom. By them my soul is troubled and my heart lamenteth, for I comprehend not the mysteries of Thy decree nor know I what lieth hidden in the treasuries of Thy knowledge. Since this is so, it behooveth me to detach myself from my desires in all that I ask of Thee.
I know not, O my Goal, whether what I love and desire will profit or harm me. Therefore, O my God, I find no refuge and no retreat save in committing my cause unto Thee and detaching myself from all that I desire, saying at all times:
“I have placed my trust in Thee, O God of those who are in the heavens and on earth!”
O my God! I beseech Thee by Thy beauty to make me steadfast in this, that I may be content with Thy decree to such extent that what I choose be what Thou hast chosen, and my hope be what Thou hast manifested. By Thy Self, O my God! Thy tribulation hath made me forget mine own tribulation, and Thy imprisonment hath made me neglectful of mine own affliction.
Alas for my sorrow! This is a station wherein mention faileth, the pen is forbidden, eyes are blinded, expression falleth short, and explanation proveth powerless. My spirit be a sacrifice for Thy love, O Lord of the worlds! Thou hast borne for us what neither the mountains, nor the seas, nor the heavens and earth could bear, and Thou hast borne these tribulations only for the life of the world, yet the world hateth Thee.
I know not what lieth behind the veil of Thy knowledge, O Hope of the worlds! I know, O my God, that Thy Will prevaileth over the world, Thy Purpose ruleth the will of all created things, and Thy Power encompasseth all who are in the heavens and on earth. The deeds of the oppressors cannot prevent Thee from Thy Cause, nor can the turning away of those who have turned aside.
I beseech Thee to aid Thy loved ones, then make them steadfast in Thy love and Thy good-pleasure, then make their hearts assured that the oppression of those who have disbelieved in Thy signs may not cause them to stumble. Verily, Thou art the One Who hath power over all that Thou willest. Within Thy grasp is the dominion of the seen and unseen. There is no God but Thee, the Mighty, the All-Loving.
BH02116: O Most Generous, Most Glorious One! Have the verses…
O Most Generous, Most Glorious One! Have the verses been sent down? Say: Yea, by the Lord of the heavens! Has the Hour come? Nay, it has passed, and the Manifestor of clear proofs has come. The Inevitable has come to pass and the Truth has come with proof and evidence. The Wakeful One has appeared and creation is in turmoil and agitation. The earthquakes have come and the tribes have wailed out of fear of God, the Mighty, the Compelling. Say: The Deafening Blast has cried out and this Day belongs to God, the One, the Chosen.
Has the Great Catastrophe been fulfilled? Say: Yea, by the Lord of lords! Has the Resurrection come to pass? Nay, the Self-Subsisting has appeared with the kingdom of verses. Do you see people lying prostrate? Yea, by my Lord, the Most High, the Most Glorious! Have the tree trunks been uprooted? Nay, the mountains have been scattered, by the Lord of attributes. He asked: “Where are Paradise and Hell?” Say: The former is meeting Me and the latter is your own self, O doubting idolater! He said: “We see not the Balance.” Say: Yea, by my Lord, the All-Merciful! None see it save those endowed with insight.
Have the stars fallen? Yea, when the Self-Subsisting One was in the land of mystery—take heed, O ye who have eyes to see! All the signs have been fulfilled when We drew forth the hand of power from the bosom of majesty and might. The Herald has called out when the appointed time came, and those of Sinai were struck senseless in the wilderness of bewilderment by the awesome presence of thy Lord, the Creator of all things.
The Trumpeter says: “Has the Trumpet been sounded?” Say: Yea, by the Sovereign of Revelation, when He was established upon the throne of His name, the All-Merciful! The darkness has been illumined by the dawn of thy Lord’s mercy, the Source of lights. The breeze of the All-Merciful has wafted and souls have stirred in the tombs of their bodies. Thus has the matter been decreed by God, the Mighty, the Bountiful.
The deniers asked: “When was heaven cleft asunder?” Say: While ye lay in the graves of heedlessness and error among the idolaters. Some rub their eyes and look to the right and left. Say: Sight has been blinded—there is no refuge for thee this Day. Among them is one who asks: “Have the souls been gathered?” Say: Yea, by my Lord, if thou wert in the cradle of vain imaginings! Among them is one who asks: “Has the Book been sent down according to nature?” Say: It is in perplexity—fear ye God, O people of understanding! And among them is one who asks: “Have I been raised up blind?” Say: Yea, O rider of clouds!
Paradise has been adorned with the roses of inner meanings, and Hell has been kindled with the fire of the wicked. Say: The light has dawned from the horizon of Revelation and illumined the regions when the Lord of the Day of the Covenant came. Those who doubted are in loss, and he who turned with the light of certitude to the Dawning-Place of assurance has prospered.
Blessed art thou, O thou who gazest upon what has been sent down to thee in this Tablet, by which spirits take flight. Preserve it, then recite it. By My life! It is a gate to thy Lord’s mercy. Blessed is he who recites it at eventide and at dawn. We hear thy mention in this Cause whereby the mountain of knowledge was crushed and feet did slip. Glory be upon thee and upon all who have turned to the Mighty, the Bestower. It has ended but is not complete—be patient, for thy Lord is the All-Patient.
According to the Most Holy Order, this Greatest Tablet was sent in exactly this form as it was revealed, and this evanescent servant says upon thee, O promulgator of God’s Cause and one who mentions Him among all else, be the remembrance of thy Lord, the Most High, the Most Glorious, and the remembrance of all in the worlds.
BH05558: The letter was seen and all that was written…
He is God, the Most High, the Most Exalted
The letter was seen and all that was written therein was noted. It is known that few souls can be found who are, in truth, steadfast in the divine path. Now again has the cycle of blind imitation begun to move, and soon all shall walk according to their desires, turn away from the essence of piety, become occupied with incidental matters, and remain heedless of the ultimate purpose. And this gentle breeze that bloweth from the spiritual paradise shall be cut off, and the morn of guidance shall be transformed into the night of error.
However, as far as possible, one must close the eye of objection and open the eye of kindliness, lest, as before, cursing and charges of unbelief, rancor and envy should arise. Here too such things are found, and we deal with them with utmost consideration. God willing, a meeting shall take place, sorrow and grief shall give way to joy, and the mysteries of the past shall return to this cycle, that the inner eye may be illumined and enlightened. For one year now we have truly been afflicted in prison. Although what Salman mentioneth causeth grief, yet you must not be saddened in any matter or station. God willing, affairs shall soon proceed according to your desire.
BH05666: He abides in the Most Glorious Horizon
He abides in the Most Glorious Horizon.
O handmaiden of God! Weep within yourself for what befell the Youth in the well of envy, which remained hidden from the eyes of men. Weep within yourself for this Stranger Who was afflicted between two factions in this Prison which lay remote beyond cities and mighty mountains.
Stand firm in the Cause of God and His love, and forget Him not. Be steadfast around the fire upon the axis of water through the mystery of the Command. Be not disturbed by those who disbelieved and associated partners with God, and who remained far from the seat of nearness in their rejection.
Convey Our remembrance to the Most Great Sacrifice, then give him glad tidings of the Ridvan which was created by truth from the direction of the Throne in these wondrous days. We have not forgotten him and have mentioned him in the Tablets from the Pen from which mysteries were inscribed in code. We beseech God to make him firm in the Cause and grant him from the fruits which were witnessed by God’s leave from the Sacred Tree.
Convey Our remembrance to the handmaidens who have believed in God their Lord and who were truly gladdened by God’s remembrance in this Most Great Remembrance.
BH09280: Tablet to Badi’ in Haifa
He is the Most Glorious
O Badi’! The time has come for thee to don the wondrous garment and new robe, and to place upon thy head a blessed crown. This glorious diadem is the crown of being set ablaze with the fire of the love of God, and this new garment is the robe of being enkindled with the remembrance of God. These days will pass and this soul will depart from the body. Sacrifice this earthly frame for the Celestial Beloved and offer this contingent temple as an oblation to the Beloved of the realms beyond, that thou mayest witness a goodly life and an eternal existence in the Most Glorious Kingdom and observe the manifest signs.
Ayn Ayn [Abdu’l-Baha Abbas]
BH05905: The Most Great, The Most Glorious
The Most Great, The Most Glorious
This is the hour in which they wash the Son before Our face, after We ransomed him in the Most Great Prison. Thereupon arose the wailing of those who dwell within the pavilion of the Most Glorious, and the lamentation of those who were imprisoned with the Youth for the sake of God, the Lord of the Day of Reckoning. In such condition, the Pen was not prevented from the remembrance of its Lord, the Lord of all nations, calling the people unto God, the Mighty, the All-Bestowing. This is the day whereon he who was created from the light of Baha was martyred while imprisoned by the hands of the enemies.
Upon thee, O Branch of God, be the remembrance of God and His praise, and the praise of all who dwell in the heaven of immortality, and the praise of all who abide in the kingdom of names. Blessed art thou in that thou hast been faithful to the Covenant of God and His Testament, until thou didst sacrifice thyself before the face of thy Lord, the Mighty, the Chosen One. Thou art the wronged one, and the Beauty of the Self-Subsisting. Thou didst bear in thy earliest days that which caused all things to lament and the pillars to tremble. Blessed is he who maketh mention of thee and draweth nigh through thee unto God, the Cleaver of the Dawn.
O people of the earth, be not dismayed by what hath befallen you from the decree, but rather remember—thus have ye been commanded by your Lord, the Mighty, the All-Knowing. Thus have We recounted unto thee, O thou who art mentioned before the Throne, that thou mayest remember thy Lord amongst the servants in such wise that tribulation deterreth thee not from the remembrance of the Lord of creation.
BH07659: Lauded be Thy name, O Lord my God! Thou…
In the name of God, the Most Holy, the Most Glorious
Lauded be Thy name, O Lord my God! Thou seest me in this day shut up in my prison, and fallen into the hands of Thine adversaries, and beholdest my son (The Purest Branch) lying on the dust before Thy face. He is Thy servant, O my Lord, whom Thou hast caused to be related to Him Who is the Manifestation of Thyself and the Day-Spring of Thy Cause.
At his birth he was afflicted through his separation from Thee, according to what had been ordained for him through Thine irrevocable decree. And when he had quaffed the cup of reunion with Thee, he was cast into prison for having believed in Thee and in Thy signs. He continued to serve Thy Beauty until he entered into this Most Great Prison. Thereupon I offered him up, O my God, as a sacrifice in Thy path. Thou well knowest what they who love Thee have endured through this trial that hath caused the kindreds of the earth to wail, and beyond them the Concourse on high to lament.
I beseech Thee, O my Lord, by him and by his exile and his imprisonment, to send down upon such as loved him what will quiet their hearts and bless their works. Potent art Thou to do as Thou willest. No God is there but Thee, the Almighty, the Most Powerful.
BH00130: Lawh-i-Ahbab
Section 1: “This is a Book from Us to him…”
In the Name of God, the Most Holy, the Most Glorious!
This is a Book from Us to him who, when he heard the Call from the direction of his Most Glorious Lord, said: “Yea, O God of all who are in earth and heaven!”—that the verses of his Lord might once again attract him and draw him nigh unto a station wherein he heareth the call of all things in the remembrance of God, the Creator of Names, and wherein he announceth unto the peoples the mention of his Lord, the Ancient of Days, both in private and in public.
Remind the servants of the remembrance of thy Lord, the Lord of the Return. Say: O people! The Day hath come, and sovereignty belongeth unto God, the Almighty, the Most Powerful, the Compeller. This is not a day for sitting still. Arise with such arising as shall cause all created things to arise. Thus behooveth it him who hath turned his face toward the Horizon of all horizons. Many a standing one is accounted as sitting in thy Lord’s sight, and many a living one is reckoned among the dead. Verily, he who hath drunk the choice wine of life from the hands of the gracious favor of his Lord, the All-Merciful—he, verily, is standing, by thy Lord, the Mighty, the All-Bestowing.
This is an arising after which there is no sitting, if one be steadfast in the Cause of God, the Lord of all men. By My life! Sleep shall not overtake him even should he sleep, yet the people are wrapt in veils and barriers. When he lieth down, the tongue of his secret heart declareth: “The All-Bestowing hath come in the shadows of the clouds,” and when he riseth up he pointeth with the finger of certitude toward the direction of the Worshipped One, saying: “This is the Dawning-Place of the signs of your Lord, the Mighty, the Effulgent.”
How many a speaker is silent, and how many a silent one speaketh with truth. Thus doth the All-Merciful testify, and He, verily, is the Mighty, the All-Knowing. Whoso speaketh this Most Great Remembrance is the true speaker among the peoples, and he who denieth it is but a barking dog, even should he be the most eloquent of the eloquent. Thus hath the matter been decreed by thy Lord, the Lord of all names and attributes.
Beware lest tribulation prevent thee from the remembrance of thy Lord, the Creator of earth and heaven. Follow thy Lord in all matters—thus hast thou been commanded in the Scriptures and Tablets. Verily, when He was imprisoned, He desired to convey unto the kings the messages of His Lord, that all might know that tribulation hath not prevented the Most Great Name when He came from the heaven of Command with power and sovereignty. We have sent down for each one a Tablet that shineth between the heavens and the earth. Blessed is he who hath attained thereunto and hath read it and hath said: “Power belongeth unto God, the Almighty, the Most Powerful, the All-Compelling!”
Seek thou the help of God in all conditions. The believers shall soon behold the standards of the Manifestation in all regions.
Blessed art thou, O Our Most Truthful Name, inasmuch as thou hast remained faithful to God’s Covenant and His Testament on a Day whereon faces were illumined by the light of thy Lord’s countenance and the eyes of them that turned unto God with humility and contrition were solaced. Subdue the cities of hearts through this Most Great Remembrance and be thou a herald amongst the peoples of this Name whereby all tribes were seized with trembling and the Rock cried out with loudest voice: “The Chosen One hath come with dominion and power!” By My life! Should anyone turn with his heart toward the Qiblih of existence, he would surely inhale the fragrance of sanctity from this Garment through which the breezes of the All-Merciful have wafted over all regions.
How many a learned one hath been veiled this Day, and how many an ignorant one hath hastened to enter the Kingdom of his Lord, the Most Exalted! How many a wise one hath been held back by vain imaginings, and how many a child hath shattered the idols through the power of his Lord, the Mighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise! Blessed is he whom the breathings of the verses have so transported that he hath rent asunder the veils, and stood up proclaiming: “O people! The Self-Subsisting hath come! Behold, O ye who are endued with insight!”
Blessed art thou for having been mentioned at all times by thy Lord, the All-Merciful, Who hath sent down unto thee each year that which hath gladdened the eyes and caused spirits to soar. God hath heard what thou didst ask and desire. Nothing whatsoever escapeth His knowledge. He ordaineth what He willeth for whomsoever He pleaseth. He, verily, is the Mighty, the All-Forgiving. Put thy trust in Him in all affairs. It behooveth thee to desire what God hath desired, for thou art the First Name in the Book. We have ordained for thee and thy progeny that which shall perpetuate your remembrance throughout creation. We have destined for thee that which thou canst not comprehend today. By My life!
Wert thou to know it, thou wouldst fall upon the dust and exclaim: “Praise be unto Thee, O Thou Whose bounty hath encompassed all created things!” And such rapture would seize thee as to deprive thee of the reins of self-control, by My Self, the All-Compelling over all contingent things! Be thou steadfast in such wise that shouldst the ungodly assail thee with the swords of hatred, thou wouldst cry out amongst them with radiant face and crimson countenance: “Fear ye this Day! He Who brought all things into being hath appeared with His Most Great Name!” Whereupon He calleth out from the direction of the Prison, summoning all unto God, the Sovereign Lord of the winds.
O Most Exalted Pen! Make mention of him who hath turned to God, the Lord of Names, that he may read the verses of his Lord and be numbered with them that have attained. Make mention of him who hath been named ʿAli-Asghar, who hath turned towards the Most Great Scene on the day when the Lord of Destiny came with manifest sovereignty. We had sent down unto thee aforetime a Tablet whereby the hearts of them that are possessed with love took flight, and now once again as a token of grace from the presence of the Mighty, the All-Knowing. Glorified be He Who speaketh at all times amidst the concourse of creation, and calleth them unto His straight Path. They that have turned aside, these have no station save that they are accounted among the heedless.
Say: O people of the Bayan! Fear ye the All-Merciful. Follow Him before Whom the verses have prostrated themselves and to Whom the necks of the proud have been humbled. Beware lest ye claim that which hath not been ordained for you by your Lord, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy. By His very truth, the matter hath been decided and that which ye were promised in God’s Scriptures, your Lord and the Lord of the worlds, hath appeared. He hath indeed come with the truth, and the eye of the world hath been solaced thereby. Blessed is he who hath turned unto Him with a luminous heart. Spread not corruption in the earth—We have adorned it with justice through this grace which hath shone forth from the horizon of your Lord’s tender mercy, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.
Be ye helpers of God’s Cause. Beware lest ye transgress the bounds set forth in God’s Book. Thus have We commanded Our servants in a Tablet sealed with the seal of your Lord, the Almighty, the All-Powerful. We have chosen tribulations for the betterment of the world and the unity of all therein. Beware lest ye speak that whereby discord may arise. Thus doth your Lord, the All-Forgiving, the Most Merciful, counsel you. Adorn yourselves with the raiment of servitude unto God, the True One, that the regions may be illumined by the lights which have shone forth from the horizon of this heaven which hath been raised up through this Most Great Name. Through servitude is the station of creation made manifest, through it do faces turn unto the Dayspring of the verses of your Lord, the Mighty, the Bountiful.
How many servants there were who, when they saw the Cause exalted, laid claim to that which caused to perish what their Ancient Lord had desired. When the breezes of trial blew, they were overturned, and when the zephyrs of tranquility passed by, they opposed God, the Lord of the Day of Judgment. Thus have We recounted unto thee that thou mayest remember those who carve out idols each day and worship them—these are indeed in manifest error. Arise to aid the Cause of thy Lord through remembrance and utterance. Thus hath the All-Merciful commanded in His Tablets. He, verily, ruleth over whatsoever He willeth. Let not the oppression of them that have oppressed grieve thee, nor let the might of the idolaters hold thee back.
God will soon seize them through His power even as He seized the factions of old. Verily thy Lord is severe in punishment, and sovereignty shall endure unto His Self, the One Who overshadoweth the worlds.
Say: O people! This is the Day of attentive hearing. Hearken unto the Call from the crimson Tree upon the luminous Spot. Verily, there is none other God but Me, the Single, the Unique, the Mighty, the Beautiful. Cast away all created things behind you, then turn with your hearts unto the Dawning-place of inspiration. This is better for you than all that hath been created in the heavens and earths. Say: It behoveth no one to test God in this Revelation; rather doth God test whomsoever He willeth. Fear God and follow not every doubting idolater. Choose ye what God hath chosen through His grace, and anchor not your faith to your idle fancies, but rather to that which hath appeared and shone forth from the horizon of grace. Thus have ye been commanded in the Bayan from the All-Merciful, if ye be of them that know.
Say: Sufficeth it not what hath been manifested in this Revelation? By God! Power hath encompassed all, sovereignty hath appeared, the signs have shone forth and the evidences have dawned. Blessed is he who hath turned unto God and hath been stirred by the breeze of God in this radiant and resplendent Day. Among the people are those who desire from God that which hath not been ordained for them, and when they behold it they turn away and become abased. And among them are those who have attained the presence of God and upon whom the All-Merciful hath shed the lights of His Beauty; these have bowed down in prostration, saying: “Praise be unto Thee, O God of the worlds!” And among the people are those who, when they hear the Call from the quarter of destiny, turn unto God, the Lord of all names. Thus have We detailed the matter unto thee as a favor from Us. Be thou grateful and among those who remember.
Know thou that when We desired to proclaim the Message, We created Badi’ through a word from Us, then breathed into him a spirit from Our presence. When his creation was complete, he hastened like a mountain of fire with the Book of thy Lord, the Chosen One, unto the place which was ordained in a guarded tablet. Therein did We manifest power in such wise as to shake the pillars of the workers of iniquity, and We sent down therein from every condition that which causeth the hearts of the knowing ones to soar. If thou hast attained unto it, read and ponder that which hath been revealed therein, that thou mayest discover the power of thy Lord, Who was imprisoned in the most desolate of cities and Who sat beneath the swords of the oppressors. When thou readest, say:
“Glory be unto Thee, O my God! I testify that Thy Will hath encompassed all created things and Thy power hath prevailed over all things possible. The might of those who have turned away from Thee shall not dismay Thee. Thou doest what Thou willest through Thy sovereignty and ordainest what Thou desirest through Thy word. None hath any refuge save with Thee, nor any haven except beneath the shadow of Thy mercy. There is none other God but Thee, the Mighty, the Wise.”
Section 2: “O Most Exalted Pen! Set forth the verses…”
O Most Exalted Pen! Set forth the verses once again that the people of creation may be attracted thereby. Verily, Thou art the One Who hath power over whatsoever He willeth. There is none other God but He, the Protecting, the Self-Subsisting. Then give unto the steadfast one to drink of the wine of verses that it may draw him to the kingdom of names and attributes and bring him nigh unto a station wherein he seeth naught save God, the Mighty, the Loving. If thou detachest thyself in My love from all else besides Me, thou shalt behold My dominion and My power. Thus hast thou been commanded from before God, the Mighty, the Beloved.
Beware lest the affairs of men grieve thee and bar thee from the Most Sublime Vision. Leave what they possess and put thy trust in God, the Lord of what was and what shall be. If the wine of mystic knowledge hath intoxicated thee, arise in My name, the All-Merciful, amidst all possibilities, then summon the people with wisdom and utterance to a praiseworthy station. Say: O people! Fear ye God. The Day hath come and that which was mentioned in the Tablets hath appeared. Beware lest ye follow every rejected idolater. All things cry out between earth and heaven:
“The veils have been rent asunder and the Promised One hath come!”
Beware lest passion hold you back from guidance. Cast aside the imaginary; the Known One hath come with evident sovereignty. O My loved ones! Be ye united in the Cause of God, in such wise that no winds of discord may pass between you. This is that whereunto ye were bidden in the Tablets. This is better for you, did ye but know.
Arise to aid the Cause of God in such wise that all the hosts of the earth shall not affright you. Thus hath the decree been recorded in the Preserved Tablet. How many a steadfast one was prevented from turning to Him, and how many a seated one hastened to attain. Blessed are they who understand. How many a seeing one was veiled by the veils, and how many a blind one saw and said:
“Praise be unto Thee, O Thou God of the seen and unseen!”
Verily, they who have turned unto Him, the denizens of Paradise pray for them. They shall soon find themselves in the most exalted station. Thy Lord is, verily, the Truth, the Knower of things unseen.
Say: O people! He is the Most Great Sign amongst you, and the Beauty of God, the Most Exalted, the Most High, in your midst, would ye but perceive it. He is God’s power over them that turned away, and the breath of the All-Merciful to them that are turned unto Him. Say: Whither do ye flee? Think ye that ye have a place of refuge? Nay, by His most luminous Beauty, could ye but understand. Say: Nothing shall, on this Day, profit you, though ye should take hold of all that is in the heavens and on earth, except that ye turn unto the Dayspring of Grace through this Name that hath dominion over all that witness and are witnessed. Blessed is the slumberer who hath been awakened by the call of God, and the heedless one who hath turned to His countenance. Woe unto every learned one who is veiled.
O Ancient Pen! Remind the peoples and him who hath attained unto this Light that shineth forth from the horizon of the Will of his Lord, the Mighty, the Bestower. O Mihdi! Hearken unto the call from the direction of grandeur, from this divine Lote-Tree raised upon the luminous spot in the name of thy most glorious Lord. Verily, there is no God but Him, the Mighty, the Self-Subsisting. Follow God’s commandment in what hath been revealed in the Book, then turn with thy heart unto His countenance, turning away from every misbeliever and doubter.
Say: O people! Rejoice in these days wherein the All-Merciful hath come in the shadows of proof, and the Sun of the countenance hath shone forth without cloud or veil. Blessed is he who hath soared in the atmosphere of the mercy of the All-Merciful, and the heart that hath turned unto Him in humility and repentance. Detach thyself from what thy passion desireth and hold fast unto the Most Firm Handle. This is better for thee than the kingdom of the heavens and earth, though none comprehend this save them who are endowed with understanding. Thus have We caused the wine of inner meanings and utterance to flow in the rivers of wisdom and explanation. Verily thy Lord is the Mighty, the All-Forgiving. Beware lest the veils prevent thee from the remembrance of thy Lord, the Mighty, the Bestower. Remember thy Lord with this Most Great Remembrance with fire and attraction. Verily, they who are heedless this Day have denied God, the Lord of lords.
Say: O concourse of divines! Cast aside the pen of vain desire. By God! The Most Exalted Pen hath moved by the leave of your Lord, the Most High, the All-Glorious. Then hearken unto that which the Tongue of Grandeur and Majesty proclaimeth between earth and heaven. Then cast aside all learning, for the All-Knowing hath come with His name, the Self-Subsisting, with power and sovereignty. Will what ye possess profit you? Nay, by the Opener of doors! Where are they who were before you? Ponder, O ye who are endued with sight! Blessed is the learned one who hath rent the greatest veil, turning unto the Most Pure Prospect. He is among the most exalted of creatures before the Truth, the Most High.
Soon shall the world and that wherein ye pride yourselves perish, and sovereignty and might shall endure for those who have turned unto this Countenance before which all necks have bowed. Blessed is the seeing one whom the veils have not prevented, and the discerning one who hath shattered the idol of fancy in the name of his Lord, the Mighty, the All-Compelling. Say: O people of the earth! Die in your wrath! Soon shall the standards of the Cause be raised in every city, and the regions shall be illumined thereby. Thus have We imparted unto thee that which shall attract the hearts, that thou mayest give thanks unto thy Lord at morn and eventide.
O Most Great Pen! Move in remembrance of Husayn, that the mention of the Ancient King may draw him to this noble prospect. Hearken to the call of the Wronged One from the direction of His Name, the Self-Subsisting. I am indeed the Lonely Stranger.
O Husayn! Husayn hath wept at My separation and lamented at the tribulations that have befallen Me in the path of God, thy Lord and the Lord of all worlds. Give thanks unto God for having attained unto these days wherein the Sun of Beauty hath shone forth from the horizon of glory in such wise that neither the clouds of the wayward nor the veils of majesty could obscure it. Blessed are they that have attained! Blessed is the one who hath seized the Book with the power of his Lord, the Master of all necks, and hath cast aside those who denied God, the One, the Mighty, the Wise.
It behoveth every soul to strive in the Cause of his Lord, not according to his own desires. Thus hath the decree been ordained for the people of Baha in a Tablet sealed with the finger of thy Lord, the Almighty, the Powerful. Beware lest sorrows prevent thee from the remembrance of thy Lord, the Most Merciful. Be thou mindful of My Name amidst all who dwell within the realm of possibility. Say: O people! The All-Glorious hath come in the shadows of the clouds, and sovereignty belongeth unto God, the King, the Mighty, the Beautiful. If thou shouldst see one who turneth away, say: Woe unto thee, O thou who associateth partners with God! Soon shalt thou find thyself in manifest loss. Is doubt befitting after clear proofs have come? Nay, by the Revealer of verses, if thou be of them that know! Every proof hath prostrated itself before My proof, and every evidence circleth round the Most Merciful. Blessed are they that perceive! The rock hath been moved by the cry of thy Lord, and all atoms in earth and heaven call out through this Most Great Name, yet the people lie sleeping behind the veils of their own selves.
Blessed is he who hath turned, drawn nigh, heard and said:
“Praise be unto Thee for having manifested Thy beauty, O Thou Who art the Beloved of all in the heavens and the earth!”
Aid Me, O My loved ones, through such deeds as will cause the sweet fragrance of holiness to waft among all worlds. Then subdue all who are on earth through My Name and My sovereignty. This behoveth him who hath laid hold on this holy and luminous hem. If thou findest one possessed of insight, spread the Tablet before him that his eyes may be gladdened and he may be of them that have attained. By My life! He who hath drunk the love of the calf is assuredly among the perished, except he arise through this Name and become one who proclaimeth this wise Remembrance among the servants. Say: This is He through Whose Name the Tablets have been adorned and for Whose remembrance the Bayan was revealed, if ye be of them that know.
Beware lest ye commit that which would cause the Spirit of Baha to lament in the Most Exalted Paradise and the eyes of them that are nigh to weep. Cast behind you all allusions, then turn with radiant faces toward the Qiblih of all existence. This is better for you than all ye possess, would ye but understand. Your belief profiteth Us not, nor doth your denial harm Us. To this testifieth all things, and beyond them the tongue of God, the All-Knowing, the Wise.
From the horizon of tribulation, We summon all unto God. Whoso hath turned unto Him hath attained, and whoso hath denied is assuredly among the wrongdoers. Thus have We caused to shower upon thee from the ocean of grace. When thou hast attained unto it, say: Praise be unto Thee, O Thou Who art the Goal of them that know!
O Pen of Revelation! Make mention of the Dyer. Say: The Day of divine coloring hath come. Blessed is he who hath been colored with the coloring of God through his detachment from all else. Thus hath the Most Exalted Pen decreed from the presence of thy Lord, the Mighty, the Wise. Color the servants with the name of the Lord of creation. Thus art thou commanded from the presence of thy Lord, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy. Say: O people! Fear God and follow not the ascetics who have clung to the cord of names, invoking them morning and evening; yet when their Creator appeared in the shadows of light, they disbelieved, even to the point where they pronounced against Him a manifest injustice.
Thereby hath the word of punishment become due unto them. Soon shall they return to their abode—evil indeed is the abode of the idolaters. How many a veiled one hath believed in the Lord of Creation, and how many a turbaned one hath disbelieved in God, the Lord of the Day of Judgment! How many an ignorant one hath drunk from the Kawthar of knowledge from the hands of grace, and how many a learned one hath remained lost in the wilderness of error! Thus hath the recompense of every soul been ordained. Verily thy Lord is the Almighty, the Powerful.
Say: O people! This is your Lord, the All-Merciful, Who hath come with clear proof and evidence. Turn ye unto Him and follow not every sinful rejecter. This is the Day wherein the faces of those who turned away from the Countenance have been darkened, while the faces of those who turned towards Him have been illumined. Say: O people of the Bayan! Fear the All-Merciful and oppose not Him through Whom the lights of divine knowledge have shone forth in the kingdom of possibility, and through Whose Name the Spirit of Truth hath cried out among the idolaters. Among them is one who hath said that He denieth the Unseen. Say: Be silent, O thou who associateth partners with God! The Unseen speaketh with this most wondrous, most glorious Tongue. The atoms testify that there is none other God but Him, and that He Who speaketh is the Manifestation of His Essence, the Dawning-Place of His signs, the Dayspring of His Revelation and the Source of His Command amongst the worlds. And among them is one who hath said:
“Will the All-Merciful appear before the creation of the Bayan is completed?”
Say: Through My appearance all things are completed. By My life, were it not for My appearance, its creation would not have been perfected, even were it to endure as long as the kingdom of earth and heaven. Fear God and follow not the imaginings of them that deny.
Section 3: “I am the cloud of bounty for what…”
Say: I am the cloud of bounty for what was sown in the Bayan, and We were unto it as the breezes of spring. Through My appearance the heaven of the Bayan was raised up and adorned with brilliant stars and manifest words. To this testifieth all existence, both seen and unseen, save those on whose faces appeareth the soot of hellfire. Blessed be the face that hath been illumined by this light, and the heart that hath been drawn to the signs of its Lord, the All-Knowing, the Wise. Hearts have been created for My knowledge, tongues for My praise, and eyes for My beauty. Verily, it hath shone forth from the horizon of the prison in such wise that the veils of the hearts of the oppressors have not withheld it. Blessed art thou, for the Most Exalted Pen hath moved to make mention of thee from the presence of thy Lord, the Most Glorious. By My life, this is indeed a great bounty.
O Most Great Pen! Make mention of Thy servant Husayn, who hath believed in the Lord of all nations, that he may turn with his heart unto the Most Great Vista. O Husayn! We have sent down unto thee numerous tablets, and here is yet another, that thou mayest give thanks unto thy Lord, the Possessor of Destiny. Say: O concourse of men! In what direction do ye flee? Today ye have no place of refuge save through casting aside what ye possess and clinging to the cord of God, the Most Holy, the Most Luminous. He is verily the Most Great Sign among you, and His proof unto all who are in the heavens and on earth. He is indeed the Hidden Mystery through whom God tormenteth such as have disbelieved and denied.
His punishment is indeed most grievous and bitter. Say: Unto whom do ye hasten, O people of error? Hasten unto Him with your hearts. With Me is the ultimate abode. The lights of the Countenance have shone forth from the horizon of the Cause. Blessed is he who hath beheld, and woe unto him who hath frowned and scowled. Say: He is the One concerning Whom God took His covenant in the atoms of the Bayan, before His Own covenant. This is attested by that which hath been sent down in the tablets and scriptures. Say: This is the Day whereon the All-Merciful hath been manifested unto all creation. Blessed are they who are endowed with vision. He hath appeared in such wise that neither the opposition of the opposer nor the veils of them that have transgressed against God and disbelieved can hinder Him.
By My life! Whoso findeth the sweetness of the remembrance of his Lord, the All-Merciful, will soar on the wings of certitude above all creation. To this testifieth every person of knowledge and thought. Drink ye the pure water of wisdom and utterance from that which hath flowed from this Pen through which the decree of destiny hath been established. When We sent down the verses, they said: “These are but impostures.” And when We manifested that at which minds and spirits were bewildered, they said: “This is but continuous sorcery.” Let not the allusions of the people grieve thee. Leave them behind thee. Soon shall the breezes of chastisement pass over them, and the believers shall behold them as uprooted palm-trunks.
Where are the palaces of them who disbelieved in God? We have returned them to their graves. Verily thy Lord is the Mighty, the Powerful. When the Countenance shone forth from the horizon of grace, the sun was eclipsed and the moon was cleft asunder. They who have turned away from God are in torment and flame, while they who have turned unto Him are blessed by the denizens of the highest paradise, and their names are recorded in an imperishable tablet. Blessed is the pen that hath moved in My remembrance and through which My Cause hath been established. Woe unto him who hath denied the Cause of God when it was exalted and made manifest.
O Most Exalted Pen! Turn toward Thy servant ʿAli-Rida, then adorn him with Thy mighty and glorious remembrance, that he may soar on the wings of longing in this atmosphere which God hath sanctified from the imaginings of the idolaters. Follow thou the religion of God and His ways. This is what thou hast been commanded in a clear tablet. We perceive from thee the fragrance of love by reason of Our having manifested thee from the land wherein We raised up the Beloved of the worlds. Be thou thankful to God for this bounty and recognize the station of this mighty station.
Beware lest anything hold thee back from God. Glorify thy Lord with praise amongst His heedless servants. Make mention of Him in such wise as to awaken them that slumber. This behooveth one who hath turned toward the Qiblih of the knowers. How many a worshipper hath worshipped God throughout the nights and days, yet when the Truth came denied his Lord, the Mighty, the Wise. How many are the servants who circle the lands and visit the places wherein are buried the Manifestations of My names, yet when the Dayspring and Sovereign of the names appeared, they disbelieved and turned away. They are indeed among the lost. Blessed is the detached one who hath immersed himself in this Most Great Ocean which surgeth through this Name which God hath made the Sovereign of Names for all who are in the heavens and on earth. Be thou thankful unto thy Lord for having turned toward thee the face of the favor of thy Lord, the Mighty, the Most Praised. Thus have We sent down the verses and dispatched them unto thee that thou mayest read them and be of the thankful ones.
Then remember Nabil-i-Qabli-ʿAli, who hath believed in God, the Mighty, the Peerless, that the breezes of revelation may draw him and detach him from the world and all that is therein, turning him toward the Kingdom of his Lord, the Mighty, the Gracious. Sell all things save My love, for by God the treasures of all who are on earth and the riches of all worlds cannot equal it. Guard thou the pearl of the love of the All-Merciful within thy heart through this Name, the Mighty, the Impregnable. Then conceal it from those who have betrayed God’s Cause. Thus doth this Wronged One, this Exile, command thee. Adorn thy face with turning unto God, thy heart with devotion, and thy tongue with the praise of thy Lord, the Beauteous. Grieve not over those from whom thou perceivest the stench of aversion. Leave them to their vain imaginings and idle play. They walk while God’s wrath pursueth them. Thus hath judgment been decreed in a preserved Tablet.
Make mention of thy Lord in such wise as to attract all created things. This beseemeth one who hath turned unto God with a pure and luminous heart. Blessed is he who seeth and knoweth, who heareth and hearkeneth, and whose tongue uttereth this wise remembrance. Blessed is the heedless one who turneth with his heart to the Qiblih of the horizons. Woe unto the wise one who is debarred from this bounty that hath encompassed all creation. Be thou steadfast in thy love for thy Lord in such wise that neither the veils of idle fancies nor the clamor of the oppressors shall hold thee back. Trust in God under all conditions, and when thou attainest unto the Tablet say:
“Praise be unto Thee, O Beloved of the hearts of the sincere!”
O Most Holy Pen! Make mention of Ta before Qaf and Ya, that he may rejoice in being remembered by the Most Exalted Pen and say:
“Praise be unto Thee, O Thou through Whose light the earth and heavens were illumined!”
Hearken unto the call from the shore of love in the luminous spot from the Tree of the heart—verily there is no God but Him, the Mighty, the All-Forgiving. Rejoice in that thou hast been remembered by the Pen of Command through which the winds were subdued. Grieve not over anything. Trust in all matters in thy Lord, the Mighty, the Unconstrained. He hath ordained for His loved ones that which the pens are powerless to record.
O loved ones of the All-Merciful! Be steadfast in the Cause in such wise that neither the might of kings nor the wrath of subjects shall deter you. This beseemeth all who have turned unto the Face, detached from all directions. Convey unto the servants what ye have learned of your Lord’s command. Thus have We counseled you in the Scriptures and Tablets. In teaching, hold fast unto the cord of wisdom and utterance. Thus doth the Lord of Religions instruct you. Do ye see any permanence in what ye behold? Nay, by My Name, the Ruler over all lands! Adopt ye My characteristics that through them the sweet fragrances of holiness may be wafted to all regions. Grieve not over what hath befallen thee of tribulation. We were with thee when thou wert in the hands of the oppressors. Verily thy Lord is the Mighty, the All-Knowing. Nothing escapeth His knowledge. With Him is the knowledge of all things in the Book. We have ordained for thee, in return for what thou hast borne in His path, that which shall solace all eyes. Thus have We cast upon thee of thy Lord’s verses that thou mayest thank Him at eventide and dawn.
O Pen of Power! Make mention of Thy chosen servants whose names were not recorded in the Tablet, that they may render thanks unto God, their Lord, by night and by day. O My loved ones in that land! By My life, ye are beneath the gaze of your Lord, and the tongue of grandeur moveth to make mention of you. O concourse of companions! Ye are they who turned towards the Countenance on a Day when eyes were dazed, and who recognized your Lord while mankind remained heedless and veiled. Soon shall all who dwell on earth glory in your names and lament what was visited upon you by those who disbelieved in God, the Cleaver of the dawn. Grieve not at anything, but put your trust in Him in all matters. Verily, He is with those of His servants who have remained faithful to the Covenant. And the glory of God rest upon you, O loved ones of God, from your Lord, the Almighty, the All-Bestowing. Though your names were not recorded in the Tablet, We have mentioned them in a Tablet which God hath made the Mother of Tablets. Rejoice ye that mention was made of you before the Throne when the Lord of the Throne was in the hands of the wicked ones.
Glory be unto Thee, O my God! Thou knowest that from this Prison I call Thy loved ones to the shore of Thy bounties, purely for Thy sake, and at a time when the idolaters have encompassed me from every side, I make mention of Thee, O Lord of Names and Attributes! I beseech Thee to assist Thy servants to champion Thy Cause and exalt Thy Word, and to aid them in that which will manifest the sanctity of Thy Being amidst Thy creation and the detachment of Thy commandments amongst Thy creatures. O Lord! Illumine the eyes of their hearts with the light of Thy knowledge, and adorn their temples with the ornament of Thy most excellent names in the kingdom of creation. Thou art, verily, powerful to do what Thou willest. There is none other God but Thee, the Mighty, the All-Wise.
BH00222: The list of your petitions was presented before…
Section 1: “The list of your petitions was presented before…”
He is God, exalted be His glory, grandeur and majesty!
The list of your petitions was presented before the Most Holy and Most Exalted Presence, and the response descended from the heaven of grace and was dispatched. We beseech God to aid all to accomplish that which He loves and is pleased with, and to unite the peoples of the earth upon one word and one Cause. Verily, He is powerful over all things.
Concerning what you wrote about Haji Mirza Muhammad Afnan, upon him be the glory of God, he is ever remembered before the Wronged One. In these days two Most Holy and Most Exalted Tablets have been specifically revealed and sent to him. In truth, at all times he desires to render service. We beseech God, exalted be He, to aid him and make him steadfast in His Cause and successful in attaining that which He hath revealed in His Book.
Regarding what you wrote about Aqa Javad’s funds, whenever they were assigned to any person, the funds were available and were given. And if they become available again, they will certainly be given. O Name of Generosity! The ocean of bounty is surging, but the capacity of the people of the world is lacking. In one of the Tablets it was revealed: “Were the world to possess any worth or station, thou wouldst see Me seated upon its thrones.” The intention by “world” was and is its people. And you are aware of affairs. Whenever funds become available or news arrives from any quarter, they shall be bestowed.
Concerning what you wrote about ʿAbdu’l-Husayn, upon him be the glory of God, his mention and his supplication were seen and all attained unto hearing. God willing, may he be observed in the concourse of the world with utmost joy and fragrance, bearing the name of the Lord of Eternity. These are momentous days. We beseech the True One that He may not deprive His servants of His recognition. We, from this station, send Our greetings upon his countenance and give him the glad-tidings of God’s loving-kindness, the Lord of all worlds.
Regarding what you wrote about Aqa Jalil, upon him be the glory of God, his own petition also reached the Most Holy Court. Time is as rare as the phoenix. In these days the response will be revealed and dispatched by the will of God, exalted be His glory. Were all the degrees of infallibility to be revealed from the Supreme Pen, much of what is hidden would be unveiled, and the oneness of God and the station of true unity would become manifest and evident like unto the sun. The hand of power hath rent asunder the veils, yet the people of the Bayan are determined to present anew their vain imaginings and idle fancies in a new guise, despite the fact that divine wrath, namely the deafness and blindness of those heedless and ignorant souls, hath encompassed them. The aforementioned one had mentioned his brother; this was heard and adorned with the ornament of acceptance. One Tablet from the heaven of will hath been specifically revealed and will be sent to him. Give glad-tidings to Jalil of thy Lord’s loving-kindness. And all the souls he hath mentioned are remembered before the Countenance and have attained unto the bounty of the Word of God.
O Ism-i-Jud! We have desired to make mention of those whom the All-Glorious hath mentioned, that they may be assured through God’s grace and His loving-kindness, and arise to serve His Cause, the Irrevocable, the All-Wise. O Jalil! We make mention of thy brother who hath been named ʿAli with a mention that no mention in creation can equal. Verily, thy Lord is the All-Remembering, the All-Knowing.
We have adorned the heaven of proof with the stars of certitude. Blessed is he who hath attained, and woe unto the heedless. Verily My Most Exalted Pen moveth at all times in the realm of wisdom and utterance, yet most of the people are as ones sleeping, save him who hath purified his hearing from what he hath heard in the contingent world. He is of the people of this exalted and glorious station. O ʿAli! Give thanks unto God for having remembered thee in His Most Great Prison and revealed for thee that which caused the Luminary of inner meanings to shine, as a grace from Him unto thee. He, verily, is the Ever-Bountiful, the Ancient of Days. We counsel thee with that whereby the Cause of the All-Merciful may be exalted throughout creation, and with steadfastness in this Great Announcement.
O Buyuk Aqa! The Countenance of the Ancient of Days hath turned toward thee from His Most Great Prison, acquainting thee with that which was mentioned in the Books of old and inscribed by the Pen of God, Lord of all the worlds. By My life! The Cry hath been raised, yet most of the people remain asleep; the mountains have passed away, yet the people are wrapped in a thick veil. Say: Fear ye God and follow not your idle fancies. Cast away what ye possess and take what hath been given you by God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. The world hath been renewed through the breaths of revelation, yet most of the people are as dead. They have not been awakened by the Call of God; by My life, they are among the perishing ones. When thou dost inhale the fragrance of My utterance and attain unto My verses, arise and say:
I beseech Thee, O Thou the Goal of the world, by the waves of the ocean of Thy knowledge, by the lights of the Sun of Thy bounty, and by that which lay hidden in the treasuries of Thy power, to aid me to remain steadfast in this Cause which hath caused the limbs of the Names to quake. Thou art, verily, the Omnipotent over whatsoever Thou willest, and within Thy grasp are the reins of all who are in the heavens and on earth. Write down for me, then, with Thy Most Exalted Pen, the good of this world and of the next. There is no God but Thee, the Mighty, the All-Wise.
We make mention of him who was named ʿAli-Ashraf and give him the glad-tidings of his Lord’s loving-kindness, the Mighty, the All-Bestowing. O Ashraf! All glory lieth in turning unto My horizon, in acting according to that which hath been revealed in My Book, in arising to serve My Cause, and in directing thyself toward My station whereby the lights have shone forth. Thy name hath been mentioned before the One Who is mentioned, and there hath been revealed for thee that which shall not change throughout centuries and ages. Be thou steadfast, firm and unwavering like unto a mountain in this Cause whereby feet have slipped.
O Pen! Make mention of ʿAli from Us, that he may give thanks unto his Lord, the Lord of all men. Dost thou know Who mentioneth thee, and dost thou recognize Who hath turned toward thee? By God’s life! If thou didst know, thou wouldst arise throughout all thy days to remember thy Lord, the Cleaver of the Dawn. He Who by His name hath adorned all the Books of the past doth make mention of thee at this moment. He before Whom is the Mother Book doth bear witness to this. Rejoice thou in this most great bounty, then give thanks unto thy Lord, the Lord of all mankind.
O Joseph! The All-Glorious hath made mention of thee. We have mentioned thee through verses at whose revelation all other verses have bowed down in submission. Remember thy Lord at daybreak and at sunset, at dawn and at eventide. O peoples of the earth! The Day hath come, and He Who conversed on Sinai speaketh in this Manifestation, saying:
“Verily, there is none other God but Me, the Single, the One, the Chosen.”
Blessed is the ear that hath been privileged to hear the shrill voice of My Most Exalted Pen, and the eye that hath beheld the Most Great Sign, and the tongue that hath acknowledged that which hath been sent down from the Kingdom of its Lord, the Almighty, the Most High. Take hold of the Book of God with such strength as is vouchsafed by Him, that the clamor of the divines may not deter thee, nor the might of the valiant. We have aided the Cause through this Pen which neither the veils of the people could obscure, nor the coverings of fancy impede.
O beloved of God! The Wronged One remembereth thee at a time when sorrows have encompassed Him from every direction. We have manifested the Cause, sent down the verses, and revealed clear proofs, yet the people remain heedless and in discord. Among the people are those who have turned toward it and those who have turned away—and whoso turneth away is assuredly among the companions of the Fire. We have found the people of the Bayan more veiled than the people of the Furqan. They wander in the wilderness of error, turning away from God, the Lord of lords. The people of the Furqan, after their praise and anticipation, pronounced their verdict against the Lord of mankind. To this beareth witness the Lord of Destiny from His most exalted station. Thus did their souls prompt them, and today they are among the denizens of the fire in the presence of God, the One, the Mighty, the All-Forgiving. The people of the Bayan have followed them in their desires and fancies, having turned away from Him through Whom the Hour hath appeared and the Resurrection been established.
O Husayn! The Wronged One, Who is imprisoned in this Most Great Prison, maketh mention of him who hath called all to God, the Lord of the beginning and the end. The Supreme Paradise hath lamented what hath befallen Us, as have the inmates of the most exalted Heaven and those who circle round the Throne at eventide and at dawn. Thus have We sent down the verses and expounded them in truth, as a grace from Us, for verily I am the Mighty, the Bountiful. Give thanks unto God for My loving-kindness, My attention, and My remembrance of thee. Then guard it as thou wouldst guard thine eyes, for the ungodly lie in wait.
O Most Exalted Pen! Make mention of him who hath been named Habibu’llah, that he may rejoice in Thy remembrance and arise to serve the Cause with such strength as cannot be weakened by the might of the wicked, speaking in such wise as cannot be hindered by the clamor of all who are on earth, nor frustrated by the power of the evil ones. O beloved! The appointed time hath come and the Beloved hath appeared with such authority as no thing can withstand, nor can the tyrants of the earth who disbelieved in God when He came with the standards of His signs prevent it. Be thou steadfast in the Cause in such wise as to make the limbs of the ignorant tremble.
Behold and remember when the Desired One came and what befell Him at the hands of the followers of the Furqan, who consider themselves the most excellent among all peoples. Say: Take ye heed, O people of insight! We beseech God to protect His party from the evil of these people and from the people of the Bayan who follow in their footsteps. Know ye that they are indeed among those who have gone astray. The Wronged One hath remembered thee with such remembrance as hath no equal in all the world. To this doth the Mother Book bear witness from its most exalted station. Take thou the reins of the Cause and preserve it in the name of thy Lord, the Master of all beings.
O Jalil! Thou hast made mention of him who is named Rida-Quli. We make mention of him as a token of Our grace. Verily thy Lord maketh mention of whomsoever He willeth as a command from His presence, and He is the Almighty, the All-Powerful. Remind him of My verses and glorify My Name before his face, that he may rejoice and be of them that are thankful. Say: We have made mention of all who have turned unto the Most Sublime Horizon, whereunto every discerning believer doth testify. It behooveth thee to beseech God, thy Lord, that He may aid His servants to remain steadfast in this mighty Cause. We love him who hath turned unto Our Countenance, and make mention of him in an exalted station.
We make mention of Our loved ones in Asadabad that they may rejoice in My remembrance, for verily I am the All-Merciful, the All-Compassionate. O people of God in that place! Take ye the Kawthar of steadfastness from the hands of bounty, then drink thereof in defiance of the people of the Furqan and the people of the Bayan who have broken God’s Covenant and His Testament, who have turned away from His horizon, and who have disbelieved in His perspicuous Book. We have manifested that which was hidden in the treasury of protection and inscribed in the Books of God, the Lord of all worlds. Among the people are those who turned away and disbelieved, even to the point of rising up to shed My blood, and among them are those who have cast away the world, turning unto My luminous horizon.
Section 2: “O people of God! We counsel you…”
O people of God! We counsel you to observe supreme steadfastness in this Cause whereby the hearts of the learned were perturbed and the feet of them that have attained did slip. Take ye the Book of God with the power that proceedeth from Him and say: Praise be unto Thee, O Thou the Goal of the worlds! O Jalil! Make mention of them on My behalf and give them the glad-tidings of that which hath been sent down from the kingdom of Mine utterance, the wondrous. Say: This is wondrous from all sides, if ye be of them that perceive. Say: Hold ye fast unto the cord of the Cause and cling unto the hem of the robe of the loving providence of your Lord, the All-Bountiful.
At the end of the Book We make mention of My handmaidens who have believed in the All-Informed, the One. Blessed are they for having turned unto the Most Sublime Horizon when the men of earth turned away therefrom. He verily exalteth whom He willeth as a token of His grace, and He is the Strong, the Almighty, the All-Powerful. May the glory shining forth from the horizon of the heaven of My proof rest upon you, O people of God, and upon every steadfast, firm, and upright believer.
O Ism-i-Jud! There hath been read before the Wronged One that which was sent by My servant named Faydu’llah, and the All-Bountiful hath desired to answer him with His verses which the treasures of the world cannot equal, and I am the All-Knowing Expositor. Blessed is he, for he hath believed in God and His signs in the first days, hath attained unto the Most Great Word, and hath testified to that which the Tongue of Grandeur did testify: that there is none other God but I, the Almighty, the All-Powerful. We desire to make mention in this station of him whom he hath mentioned, that he may rejoice in the loving-kindness of his Lord and be of the thankful ones. Verily, upon Samandar be My glory; he was mentioned before and is mentioned now, and unto him hath been sent down that which causeth the eyes of them that know to be solaced.
O Ruhu’llah! Rejoice thou in that the Most Exalted Pen hath made mention of thee at the dawning of the lights of the Sun of inner meanings from this luminous horizon. Rejoice thou in this Most Great Remembrance, then give thanks unto thy Lord, the All-Bountiful. He verily maketh mention of him that remembereth Him, and hath sent down for him who hath turned unto Him that which cannot be equaled by whatsoever is with the kings and rulers. All things have testified to the bounty of the Lord of Names and to His generosity which hath encompassed all who are in the heavens and on earth.
O Muhammad! My servant hath made mention of thee, wherefore We make mention of thee as a token of My grace, for I am verily the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous. My mercy hath preceded all things, as every discerning mystic doth testify. They who have been given insight from God—these indeed behold the horizon of Revelation through His eyes. But they who are debarred are assuredly companions of the fire. Take hold of God’s Tablet with the strength that proceedeth from Him, arise and say: The Mother of the Bayan hath come! He sufficeth thee, by the Lord of all worlds. Hold fast unto the cord of thy Lord’s loving-kindness, detached from every remote idolater who hath violated God’s Covenant and His Testament, and disbelieved in Him in Whom they had formerly believed—these are numbered among the idolaters in a mighty Book.
O Muhammad! When thou dost inhale the fragrance of the All-Merciful’s utterance and hearest His most sweet call from the horizon of possibility, say: Praise be unto Thee, O Thou Who hast remembered me in Thy Most Great Prison and hast turned unto me with Thy luminous countenance. I beseech Thee to make me steadfast in Thy Cause, content with Thy good-pleasure, firm in the service of Thy Cause, articulate in Thy beauteous praise. We make mention of My handmaidens whom he hath mentioned in his letter, and give them the glad-tidings of My remembrance, My loving-kindness, My grace and My mercy, that they may render thanks unto God, their Lord, and be numbered among those who have attained in this perspicuous Book. Blessed are ye, inasmuch as My Most Exalted Pen hath moved to inscribe your names, and I am verily the All-Bountiful, the Almighty, the All-Compelling, the Most Glorious, the All-Wise. The glory of God be upon you and upon those whom We have mentioned before, and upon those whom neither the clamor of the people of the Bayan hath kept back from the All-Merciful, nor the croaking of the idolaters from this momentous News.
O Ism-i-Jud! The letter of Abdul-Hussein, upon him be My glory, which he had written to you, was mentioned in the Most Holy, Most Exalted Presence. The glance of grace hath been directed towards him. God willing, may he attain unto His grace, arise in His service, be engaged in His remembrance, and be gladdened by His mention. O Abdul-Hussein! The Most Exalted Pen hath repeatedly made mention of thee. Praise be to God, thou hast attained and continuest to attain unto His grace. Be thou at all times gladdened and assured of His loving-kindness. We counsel thee to that which will cause the exaltation of the Cause and the preservation of this most exalted station, which is the station of thy mention by the Most Exalted Pen.
Mention of Khan-i-Mizban and Mawzun and the sons of Khalil, upon them be My glory, My loving-kindness and My mercy, hath been made in thy letter. Each one hath attained unto the grace of God. We beseech Him, exalted be He, to preserve them and ordain for them what is best in this world and the next, and to inscribe for them from the Most Exalted Pen the reward of attainment to His presence, which is indeed among the most mighty of deeds before the Self-Subsisting, the Most High. Blessed are they who are remembered in this day before the Wronged One and have attained unto the special favors of the Mother Book. The Word of God hath ever been and shall forever be enduring. All things shall be seized by extinction, but that which hath flowed from His Pen shall remain forever, eternally, imperishably. Verily thy Lord is the Almighty, the Unconstrained.
We make mention of My handmaidens and My female servants there. We beseech God to ordain for them the best of what is in His Book. Verily, He is the All-Forgiving, the All-Bountiful. There is no God but He, the Mighty, the All-Praiseworthy. Mention was made of Ali-Asghar who attained the presence and won, and likewise mention of Azim and Hasan and the nephew of Jinab-i-Dhabih, Aqa Muhammad-Rida, was in his letter. Jinab-i-Haydar-i-Qabil-Ali made mention of these souls and a Tablet was specifically revealed for each one—some have been sent and some will be sent. And whatever Aqa Ali-Asghar had previously requested was sent in full except for one soul. Verily thy Lord is the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. Now again each one is mentioned in the Most Holy Court and has won the favors of God.
We counsel him and those who have believed in that whereby the Cause of God, the Lord of the worlds, may be exalted. For today deeds and character are the hosts of God, and one must render victory through these hosts. Likewise We counsel all to the Most Great Steadfastness, for the barkeners and the deluded ones lie in wait and have made the calumnies of the previous party their motto. I am quit of them, and God and His Prophets and His Messengers are quit of them. They are indeed among the deluded ones. They wander in the wilderness of ignorance and know not.
The letter of Jinab-i-Ali-Akbar was also present before the Countenance. We send greetings to his face and counsel him in what behooveth man in these days, and We give him the glad-tidings of Our remembrance of him that he may rejoice and be among the thankful ones. O people of God! Know ye the value of these days and arise with the utmost endeavor, unity and accord, that the horizons may be illumined with the light of unity. Today is the Day of God and is associated with Him. The mention of aught else is not permitted. Leave ye the names of the past and the words of the past. Reflect ye on the false souls of the past who deceived millions of souls, both learned and ignorant, from the beginning of Islam until now, just as the Shi’ih party—may God forsake them—clung to those calumnies and martyred the Master of the world, and now still await the appearance of an imaginary Qa’im from an imaginary city and an imaginary realm and an imaginary station.
Say: Wait ye, even as the Jews are waiting. In any case, O friends, reflect on the affairs of the past that the hints of the barkeners and the atheists may not again prevent you from the Straight Path. He is the Counselor, and He is the Compassionate, and He is the Kind One.
O Ism-i-Jud! We make mention in this station of thy sister who hath believed in God and His signs, and turned unto His horizon, and responded when His call was raised. We have mentioned her aforetime, and in this mighty, impregnable station We remember her on Our part and give her the glad-tidings of that which hath been sent down for her from the Pen of God, thy Lord and the Lord of thy forefathers. We make mention of My handmaidens who are there and give them the glad-tidings of that which hath been ordained for them from God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. We have mentioned every handmaiden who hath believed and have recorded her name in My wondrous Book. We counsel My servants and My handmaidens to be steadfast in this mighty Cause, and We make mention of My handmaiden whom We have mentioned before, who hath attained unto My remembrance and My favor, and I am verily the Compassionate, the Forgiving, the Merciful.
God willing, may the people of that land, both young and old, male and female, all arise in perfect unity and harmony to aid the Cause of God. Today, goodly deeds and praiseworthy character are the hosts of Truth, and all abide beneath the standard of the fear of God. Blessed are they who enter beneath this mighty standard and act in accordance with that which beseemeth it and the days of God. We have mentioned some steadfast, firm and assured souls secretly in this Tablet, for the station requireth no less. By the life of God! All are present before Our face and stand at the door. They have not been forgotten, nor shall they be. We beseech for them divine confirmation. Verily, He is powerful over all things.
Mention was made of the Afnan, upon him be My glory, My mercy and My loving-kindness. There hath befallen him what befell Us in the beginning of Our imprisonment. We bid him and his brother and his wife to be endowed with beautiful patience and noble forbearance. By My life! Were they to become aware of his station, his loftiness and his exaltation, they would surely give thanks unto God, the Lord of all worlds. He hath offered up his life in My path. We have accepted it from him and We comfort and console Our Afnan, and I am the All-Patient, the All-Knowing. Soon shall We send down upon him and upon those who are there that from which they shall inhale the fragrance of the loving-kindness of their Lord, the Compassionate, the Generous.
We have remembered him who hath ascended unto God with such remembrance as would cause all who are endowed with perception to inhale the fragrance of His mercy which hath preceded all who are in the heavens and on earth. We have mentioned My loved ones there. We beseech God to assist them to be steadfast to such a degree that the clamor of them that cry out, the allusions of the doubtful ones, and the whispers of the ungodly will not cause them to slip.
BH00239: The honored Zaynu’l-Muqarrabin has attained unto the blessed writing…
Section 1: “The honored Zaynu’l-Muqarrabin has attained unto the blessed…”
The honored Zaynu’l-Muqarrabin has attained unto the blessed writing and its contents were presented. The answer has shone forth from the horizon of utterance:
They who have journeyed and migrated unto God, for these is a great reward. Blessed are the people of Nun who have remained steadfast in the love of God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. We have sent down unto them clear verses and dispatched them by the hand of Sin. Verily thy Lord is the All-Remembering, the All-Knowing.
As to what thou hast mentioned regarding those who have attained thy presence, turning unto God, thy Lord—We have accepted their turning and their facing toward the court of God, the Most High, the Most Great. Verily bounty is in God’s hands—He bestoweth it upon whomsoever He willeth of His creation. He is indeed the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. He strengtheneth whom He willeth through what He willeth, and ordaineth for whomsoever He desireth whatsoever He pleaseth.
O Darvish! Blessed art thou for having turned unto God. We counsel thee with a counsel that surpasseth all that is in the heavens and earths. Set it before thine eyes and be not of those who, when judgment runneth counter to their desires, cast themselves into evident sorrow. Rejoice in God’s commandments whatsoever they may be. Circle round the shrine of detachment—this is a command from One mighty and beautiful. Be content with God’s good-pleasure and His decree, and with what hath been sent down in the Tablets from His firm and mighty judgment, that thou mayest leave creation behind thee in following thy Lord’s command. Thus behooveth one who hath soared in this wondrous, mighty, subtle and refined atmosphere. Thy name hath been mentioned before the Throne and We have sent down unto thee clear verses which We have made a treasure for thee. Be thou thankful and among those who praise. And likewise in this Tablet—verily thy Lord’s love for thee hath preceded all else—none can outstrip it in aught. He is the Almighty, the All-Powerful.
Blessed be Abu’l-Qasim and he who was named Muhammad-Husayn. O Zayn! Give them the glad-tidings of God’s mention of them. We have written for them the reward of those who hastened, attained, turned and responded. Verily He is the Ruler over what He willeth.
O Zaynu’l-Muqarrabin! By the Lord of the worlds, God’s love precedeth and is greater and mightier than His servants’ love for Him. When the verse of prohibition was revealed, the inner eye wept for His loved ones, but the decree was fulfilled from His presence—none can repel His judgment. Verily He hath power over all things. It is very clear that God loveth His loved ones, and this prohibition was due to the veiling of the people, for the heedless servants at all times seek pretexts to accomplish their desires. By My life! Those who have returned by His command after drawing nigh unto Him—this is better for them than a thousand years of worship. Thy Lord is indeed the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. The turning of a soul is never lost and shall never be lost, even if by a single step. For every soul is written the recompense of its deeds. Blessed are they who know.
They should gaze toward the All-Merciful with utmost joy and fragrance, such that even if they observe apparent harm to themselves from His commands and prohibitions, they should not be saddened but rather act with perfect eagerness and joy. In these days several souls have gathered from various regions and others have turned without permission. Blessed is Rafi’ and those with him, and those who, when they heard God’s call, acted as commanded. Verily the glory from Our presence be upon them and their like.
As to what thou didst mention concerning the name of God, Al-Ha, verily We have adorned his temple with the ornament of Our relationship. This is a bounty that nothing in the heavens and earth can equal. He hath arisen to serve God with his whole being, as attested by that which hath proceeded from him. Verily thy Lord is the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. Upon him be My glory and My splendor, and upon those who love him. By My life! A noble station hath been ordained for him. Convey unto him that which hath flowed from the Supreme Pen and give him the glad tidings of this remembrance by which the horizon of remembrance hath been illumined and the heaven of utterance hath been raised up. Thus doth the All-Merciful command thee. Act accordingly and be of them that are thankful.
We found the servant in attendance before the Countenance at the time when the verses were being written. He desired in his heart to send greetings unto him and unto My loved ones there. Convey these greetings and deliver the salutations from him to those who greeted him. Verily thy Lord is the All-Informed, the All-Knowing. We send greetings unto him from before My Branches and My Twigs and those who circle round the Throne of their Lord, the Mighty, the Generous.
As to what thou didst mention concerning Kazim who attained unto the presence, We have sent him two Tablets wherein We revealed that which attracteth the hearts of all mankind. Blessed is he and blessed are his brothers who have believed in God, turned unto Him and borne hardships in His path. Convey unto them the greetings from the Prisoner, then gladden them with My mention of them in this wondrous Tablet. We beseech God to assist them in all conditions and to ordain for them that which shall profit them in this world and the next. Verily He is the Bestower, the Ordainer, the Mighty, the Invincible.
Then make mention of Baqir and Rahim from Us and adorn them with the crown of thy Lord’s remembrance, the All-Knowing. We have sent down verses for them and dispatched them unto them. Verily We make mention of those who have desired the countenance of their Lord and have turned unto Him with radiant faces. He is the Mighty, the Generous.
As to what thou didst mention concerning Muhammad-i-Sadiq, We have heard his call. We have exalted him through this remembrance whereby every matter hath been exalted and every mighty station established. God hath forgiven him and his family. Verily He is the Generous, the Merciful. If they were to comprehend the fruits of God’s remembrance as they are in truth, and likewise the reward of their mention in the Most Holy Court, by My life! the intoxication of the most pure wine would so overcome them that they would become detached from all the worlds and would occupy themselves day and night with the remembrance of the Beloved of all creation.
The name of the Noble One hath been mentioned before the Countenance, and there hath been revealed from the Pen of the Generous One that whereby the mention of the All-Wise hath shone forth. Make mention of him from Me through this manifest bounty.
Likewise, We have clothed Husayn with the robe of utterance from before the All-Merciful that he may be of the thankful ones. Make mention of him from Me that the breezes of the Beloved’s remembrance may waft over him from this Prison which God hath made the dawning-place of His Name, the Everlasting, the Eternal, the Mighty, the Exalted.
As to what thou didst mention concerning Baqir after Muhammad, there hath been mentioned before the Countenance that which he composed and recited. Blessed be the tongue that hath spoken in praise of God and His Branches. We beseech God to make him among those who soar in the atmosphere of His love in every world of His worlds. He is among those who have attained the presence, gained victory, heard and responded, and there hath been ordained for him that which shall gladden his heart. Verily thy Lord is the Most Merciful of the merciful. The praise of God precedeth the praise of His servants, and His remembrance precedeth the remembrance of them that remember.
We have found in thy letter mention of Muhammad-Qabli-ʿAli, and have adorned it with the mantle of his Lord’s remembrance, the Most Merciful, the Compassionate. Were it not for the hindrance of the hinderers and the clamor of the heedless, We would have sent down for each one of them that which would cause the oceans of attraction to surge amongst the worlds. Convey unto him the greetings of Him Who hath dawned and shone forth from the horizon of His Lord’s utterance, the Most Merciful, that he may rejoice in the remembrance of Him through Whom the mountains were moved and the breeze of God wafted over all, whether small or great. Verily, He remembereth from the prison him who hath turned toward Him.
Blessed is he who hath turned with his heart and heard what was raised from the Dayspring of his Lord’s remembrance, the Mighty, the Wise. We beseech God to assist him in that which he desireth, to make him content with His good-pleasure, to cause him to circle round His Will, and to speak His praise amongst His creatures. He, verily, is the Mighty, the All-Encompassing. As for what was sent, let half of it be used by him, and let the other half be delivered to the guest and Khadijih-Sultan. Whenever any sum becometh available in this place, We shall command Our servant who is present before Our face to send its equivalent, in this noble station, to be spent as desired. This is of thy Lord’s bounty unto him. Give him the glad-tidings of this great bounty. Then make mention of the handmaiden who was mentioned in thy letter. Blessed is she in that her remembrance hath been sent down from the Pen of her Ancient Lord. We beseech God to aid her in His love and His good-pleasure, and to ordain for her what He hath ordained for His handmaidens who have shone forth from the horizon of detachment through this wise Remembrance.
And as to that which thou didst mention concerning him who hath turned aside among the people of Dal, and the letter he sent—write thou unto him:
“O servant! This is not the day of trial and experiment; nor is this the day thou didst imagine. This is the day wherein it behoveth every soul, when he heareth the Call from the kingdom of his Lord, the Most Glorious, to sever himself wholly from all things that have been created between earth and heaven; to turn, with his most radiant countenance, toward the Most Great Vision; and to say, with the tongue of his inmost being and of his outward speech—nay, with the tongues which God hath created in every member of his body—Here am I, here am I, O Lord of Names! Here am I, here am I, O Thou Who wast promised in the Tablets! Yea, yea, O Thou Who hast borne all hardships for the deliverance of the worlds!’ Write, O servant: In one moment—purely for the Face of the All-Merciful—ponder thou, detached from all beside Him, and consider: if thou remain heedless of this Most Great Manifestation, whose radiance hath encompassed all the world and the nations thereof, to what wilt thou cleave, and by what proof and argument wilt thou establish the truth for thine own self? Verily the Bayan itself hath been adorned with My Name and was revealed for My remembrance. Look, that thou mayest know. Let nothing withhold thee from this bounty which hath encompassed the heavens and the earth. The very Being of the Tree crieth aloud: He, verily, is the Best-Beloved!’ The Lote-Tree speaketh, and the Beauty of the Adored hath come—the Promised One! The Kingdom is God’s, the One, the Mighty, the All-Wise.”
Section 2: “Art thou content with the idols thou possessest…”
Art thou content with the idols thou possessest, or with names whereof thou knowest naught save what thou hast heard from thy likes? Cast them aside through thy Lord’s power and say: “I have turned unto Thee, O Lord of the worlds!” O servant! By the Most Great Luminary, God’s gaze is sanctified from being fixed upon the acceptance or rejection of men. Whatever is mentioned proceedeth from pure bounty, for His mercy and bounty have preceded all things. In this Most Great Prison He calleth out and summoneth the servants unto truth, that all may gather around the divine and all-embracing Word. If thou be fair-minded, consider: were it not for Baha, who would raise up the Cause of thy Lord, the Lord of Names? By God! Among those whom thou deemest necessary to follow, none hath appeared—all are occupied with preserving their lives and means of comfort, while the Truth itself speaketh forth amongst the people of rebellion, mentioning the All-Merciful. One word from Him is more precious than all revealed books and dispatched scriptures, yet ye remain deprived and veiled from the spring showers of the All-Merciful’s mercy through one of whom ye have no knowledge, and are barred from Him by Whose finger’s beckoning all that was revealed in the Bayan dependeth.
The ocean of nearness surgeth while men are seen to be remote; the Ancient Tongue speaketh forth while the people of creation appear deaf. Say: Break the chains of blind imitation and the idols of vain imaginings. Thus doth this imprisoned stranger command thee. The Bayan lamenteth while they rejoice, and the Point crieth out while they sport. Say: How long will ye occupy yourselves with your vain fancies? Do ye not see that ye depart and return not? O servants! The divine wine is prepared and the eternal Beauty is the cupbearer—whereby have ye remained veiled, and for what reason have ye been deprived? If the expression of truth were confined to but one word, that word would shine forth like the sun amidst all the words of the world.
With penetrating vision, observe what hath been revealed in the Bayan and in this Revelation. Look well that perchance thou mayest not remain deprived of the vernal breezes of the All-Merciful and be freed from the whisperings of the idolatrous souls. Hearken unto the divine counsel and transgress not beyond it. Know thou this much, that thou hadst and hast no knowledge of these matters, and those souls who have led thee astray were and are entirely unaware. Setting aside all these things, fix thy gaze upon that which hath been manifested, that haply thou mayest leave the pond behind thee, turning toward the Most Great Ocean which surgeth by virtue of itself and for itself, and proclaimeth:
“There is none other God besides Him, the Powerful, the Exalted, the Mighty, the Wise.”
We beseech God to grant thee success and bestow upon thee that which He hath desired in His days. Verily, He is the Powerful, the Mighty, the Omnipotent. Furthermore, write whatever thou deemest advisable in thine own words—there is no harm in this.
As to what thou hast mentioned concerning Ibn-i-Barat, it behooveth him to render thanks unto his Lord for having mentioned his name in this noble station. Blessed art thou, O Barat, inasmuch as thou hast detached thyself from those who turned away and hast turned toward Him Who giveth life to the worlds. Rejoice thou in My remembrance of thee, then turn with thy heart unto the Beloved. Say: Praise be unto Thee, O Revealer of the wise Remembrance! We make mention of Our loved ones at all times in such wise that the trials have not prevented Us from remembering them in the path of God, the Sovereign, the Mighty, the Great. Remember ye Him even as He remembereth you—this is better for you, if ye be of them that know.
We have heard the call of Abdul-Karim who is there. Make mention of him on My behalf and give him the glad-tidings of My love for him. We are with him in his journey and his dwelling-place. O Abdul-Karim! Thou art remembered in the Most Holy Court. Be thou occupied with service to the Cause, that is, strive with utmost endeavor and exalted effort for the unity of the friends in that land, that the sweet-scented breezes of unity may waft from the direction of the friends of the Lord of all beings upon the whole world. The people of that land have borne in the path of Truth that which they have borne, and for the love of God they have tasted hardships.
Therefore are they adorned with the robe of distinction. Now must all be reminded at all times lest they become heedless and something should proceed from anyone that would cause the abasement of the Cause and the extinction of the divine kindled fire. Arise thou with all thy being to serve the All-Merciful. From those souls must appear such qualities as would shine like suns among the qualities of people, that all the friends in every region might be reminded by the character, deeds and actions of those souls. We beseech God to aid thee in His service and to make thee among those who have served the Manifestation of His Cause and the Dawning-Place of His Revelation. Verily, He is powerful over whatsoever He willeth.
Then make mention of Ali whom We showed in a dream and who acted according to what his Lord desired. Say: By My life, thy return is better than the acceptance of one who was not adorned with the ornament of permission. Thy Lord is the best Helper, the best Informed, the best Knower.
Then make mention of him who was named with the two Most Great Names. Say: We have accepted your turning and your acceptance—all this is dependent upon His Word, if ye be of them that know. When He decreeth for anyone to attain His presence, by God, it is inscribed in all the Tablets and in all the worlds of God, but people do not understand. Blessed is he who hath found the sweetness of the remembrance of his Lord and hath been seized by the intoxication of the utterance of his Lord, the All-Merciful, in such wise that he hath become detached from all creation, circling round the will of his Lord, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. Be not grieved, rather be glad with what hath proceeded from the Source of Command and hath shone forth from the horizon of the decree of your Lord, the Mighty, the Wise.
Then make mention of Qurban-ʿAli who hath grieved his Lord by what befell him. Yet when it came to pass for the love of God it proved sweeter than honey refined in the estimation of them that are nigh unto Him. O Qurban! We have ordained for thee the recompense of one who hath offered up his life in the path of God. Ponder upon this exalted station, be steadfast, make mention, render thanks and glorify thy Lord for this manifest grace. We were with thee in the days when thou didst migrate and turn towards God, the Lord of the mighty throne. We heard the sighing of thy heart and the lamentations of thy inner being in thy love for the Beloved of the worlds.
Thy burning in separation from thy Lord is better than seventy years of worship, nay more, by His Self that dominateth the worlds. Blessed be thy yearning, thy longing, and thy seeking after the Goal of the sincere ones. If thou wouldst inhale the tablet of thy Lord, thou wouldst find therefrom the fragrance of reunion from the direction of thy Lord, the Self-Sufficing, the Most High. Through it, the heart of him who turned was stirred and the hearts of the seekers were attracted. By My life! After thee We beheld the very essence of nearness and thy return was the embodiment of drawing nigh. Rejoice in the sun of thy Lord’s remembrance which hath dawned from the horizon of the loving-kindness of the Beloved of all who are in the heavens and the earth.
It behooveth thee not to grieve. Read thou the Tablet that thou mayest be assured of thy Lord’s grace unto thee and know that He loveth him who loveth Him and draweth nigh unto him who draweth nigh unto Him. He, verily, is the All-Bountiful, the Gracious. We have sent down for thee in this Tablet that which will gladden thy heart, cheer thine eyes and tranquilize thy soul. He, verily, is the Mighty, the Merciful.
As to what thou didst mention concerning Hasan whose hand was severed in the path of God, the Lord of all men, by My life! We shall surely give him wings wherewith to soar in the atmosphere of the Kingdom. Thy Lord, verily, is powerful over whatsoever He willeth. Remember thou him on behalf of thy Lord and convey unto him what hath been revealed for him from the Pen of thy Lord, the Self-Sufficing, the Most High. Say: Be not grieved, rather rejoice in what hath befallen thee in the love of thy Lord, the All-Merciful. The contingent world shall perish and sovereignty shall remain with God, the Powerful, the Self-Subsisting. Blessed art thou for having stood firm in the Cause of God and sacrificed thy hand in His path.
Through it We shall raise up conquering hands and through them shall We subdue the lands. When thou hearest from anyone that which thy Master abhorreth, be patient, then leave him to the Mighty, the Compelling. He will seize him as He pleaseth. He, verily, is the Avenger, the All-Compelling. Those people are intoxicated with vain desires. Were they to know, they would lament over their deeds, but today they are veiled and covered. Blessed art thou, and thy mother, and thy brothers and sisters. Convey My greetings unto them all and clothe them with the robe of glorification from Our presence. Thus hast thou been commanded by thy Lord, the Mighty, the All-Bestowing. O Hasan! Upon thee be My glory and upon those who are with thee among those who have believed in the Day of Reckoning.
O Zayn! Give thanks to thy Lord for having revealed for each one mentioned in thy letter clear verses. This is of His grace unto thee and unto them. Thy Lord, verily, is the Mighty, the All-Knowing. We beseech God to draw thee nigh unto Him and to cheer thine eyes by beholding the face of thy Lord, the Lord of all beings. Grieve not over anything. Serve thy Lord in the evening and the morning, at dawn and at eventide. If thou makest mention of them who are on earth, We make mention of them as a grace from Us unto thee. Give thanks and say: Praise be unto Thee, O Thou in Whose hand is the kingdom of earth and heaven, and O Thou Whose grace hath encompassed all created things.
Special Tablets have been revealed for the land of Nun and sent in a special package addressed to ʿAbdu’llah, carried by Sin and Mim. Convey the glorification of the True One unto His loved ones there, and praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.
BH00245: Commentary on a verse from Sa’di
Section 1: “That which hath been revealed in the divine…”
In the Name of God, the Most Holy, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious!
That which hath been revealed in the divine verses concerning the meaning of this couplet, and which hath shone forth from the horizon of the heaven of truth, is complete and conclusive. None but the ignorant would deny it. Yet, as a token of grace unto thee—for verily He loveth His remembering servants—another explanation shall be set forth in the Persian tongue.
If thou wouldst behold this station as it truly is, immerse thyself in the ocean of creative verses. All things, according to their ranks, have been and shall ever be divine verses. In the station of the manifestation of the Sovereign Revealer in the kingdom of names and attributes, the quality of being a sign is established for all things. In such wise, naught is visible save His signs, that nearness or remoteness might be conceived. After the Sun of inner meanings hath dawned from the horizon of this utterance, all are accounted as divine verses. Naught remaineth to be observed save the revelation of the Sovereign Revealer, that it might be mentioned or clothed in the garment of expression. Were the divine hand of power to withdraw the quality of being a sign from all things, thou wouldst see nothing whatsoever in all existence.
How sanctified and holy is thy Lord, and how mighty is His dominion and power! The creative and universal signs, which are the manifestations of His names and attributes—exalted be His glory—are, in one station, sanctified above nearness and remoteness, how much more His own Essence, transcendent is He! If thou shouldst drink of this wine of inner meanings, which hath been nurtured by the fingers of divine holiness in the wine-cellar of eternal glory, thou wouldst pass beyond the world and all therein, and would turn thy face toward the Friend without any allusion.
I swear by the Day-Star of the horizons! Were all people to comprehend the sweetness of but one word from the divine utterances which have shone forth from the Dayspring of the mouth of the All-Merciful Will, all would detach themselves from the fleeting pleasures of this world and turn unto the Countenance of the Everlasting One. Then would the servants be observed in such a state that He for Whose appearance the world and its development were intended hath been made to dwell in the most desolate of lands. In such circumstances, by what merit should divine grace descend from the heaven of glorious mercy?
Think not that any soul hath power over truth. I swear by the Dawning-Place of the Most Great Name that were He to will it, He would annihilate all things with but a single word. The acceptance of this Most Great Prison hath been for the deliverance of the necks of men from the chains of self and passion, and the acceptance of this abasement hath been for the sake of the glory of all who dwell on earth. For this divine breath hath come for the life of creation, and soon shall they witness the shining of the Sun of the Word from every direction. Thy Lord is, in truth, the Almighty, the All-Powerful.
However, as to the poet’s intent in this couplet—
“The Friend is closer to me than I am to myself, yet stranger still that I should be far from Him”
This is a translation of the blessed verse which states “We are nearer to him than his life-vein.” Indeed, it hath been well expressed in the Persian tongue. At this moment one is partaking of the wine of the mercy of the Lord of all worlds, for mention of it hath flowed from the Tongue of Grandeur. Since God hath declared “I am nearer to man than his jugular vein,” therefore one sayeth that although the effulgence of the Beloved is nearer to me than my jugular vein, yet despite my certitude of this station and my acknowledgment of this rank, I am far from Him. That is to say, the heart—which is the seat of the All-Merciful and the throne of divine revelation—is heedless of His remembrance and occupied with the mention of others, veiled from Him and turned toward the world and its vanities.
Truth, in its essence, hath no nearness or remoteness. It is sanctified above such stations, and its relationship to all things is on the same level. This nearness and remoteness are made manifest through Its Manifestations. It is established that the heart is the throne for the revelation of the All-Merciful, even as We have explained this station in previous holy traditions:
“Neither My earth nor My heaven can contain Me, but the heart of My faithful servant containeth Me.”
The heart, which is the place of divine manifestation and the seat of the All-Merciful’s revelation, is oftentimes heedless of Him Who reveals. In its state of heedlessness it is far from Truth and merits the title remote’, while in its state of remembrance it is near to Truth and deserves the title near’. Furthermore, consider how man is oftentimes unaware of himself, yet God’s all-encompassing knowledge eternally surrounds him and the radiance of the Sun of Revelation remains manifest and evident. Therefore, He is and will ever be nearest, for He is the All-Knowing, the All-Seeing, the All-Encompassing, while man remains heedless and veiled from the mysteries of his own creation.
Every person of insight can clearly observe that nearness and remoteness are mentioned and understood in relation to the Manifestations, while that Sovereign of eternity was and ever will be sanctified above nearness, remoteness, mentions, names and attributes. In brief, nearness to Truth in this station means turning toward Him, while remoteness means heedlessness of Him. For instance, whosoever today has quaffed from the most pure and glorious Wine has ascended to the highest summit of nearness and attainment, while all others abide in the lowest depths of remoteness and separation, even though they may constantly speak of the All-Merciful and act according to His commandments. Even as today, the various peoples of the earth, being deprived of the wine of divine unity, all wander in the wilderness of remoteness.
Nearness and remoteness become known and evident in the Manifestation of the divine Essence. Whosoever has turned toward the Sanctuary of certitude is reckoned among those who are near, and whosoever has turned away has been and will remain remote. The nearness of Truth knows no remoteness. If people would not remain remote, the root of the Tree of nearness, which has been sent down from the heaven of the All-Merciful in these words, would remain firm and its branches would encompass the worlds.
When the Sun of the Name ʿthe Near One’ dawned forth from the Dayspring of meeting, it encompassed all horizons, and spiritual proximity is more ancient and nearer than outward nearness. As can be observed, there have been many souls who were in the presence of the Truth and were honored with His company at eventide and dawn in outward seeming, yet the True One did not confirm the reality of nearness in their case, inasmuch as they were deprived of spiritual proximity. God is the Knower and the Concealer. But should a soul dwell in the remotest lands yet gaze upon the Truth, the word of nearness shall be revealed in his regard. But oh the blessedness! Oh how excellent for that soul who is endowed with both!
By Him Who hath made Me abased for the glory of the worlds and imprisoned for the liberation of all peoples—if with pure intent one beholdeth the Countenance of the All-Merciful but once, it equalleth all the good deeds of the first and the last. Nay, I seek God’s forgiveness for such a statement, for this station cannot be limited by word or utterance. None knoweth the excellence of this station save God, exalted be His glory. Should one enter the region where the Throne of the Divine Manifestation resideth, the benefits and rewards of this deed shall assist him in all the infinite worlds—how much more for one who attaineth His presence! Indeed, the purpose of all that hath been sent down from the heaven of divine bounty and recorded in the Holy Books hath been the meeting with God. Blessed is he who hath attained thereunto and entered the precincts from whose horizon hath shone the Sun of the Beauty of his Lord, the Most High, the Most Great, and who hath touched its soil and breathed its air. He hath attained unto that which no greater good or bounty can surpass. By God! The dwellers of Paradise shall visit him and shall find from him the fragrance of God, the Almighty, the All-Compelling, the All-Powerful.
O questioner! God willing, through the grace of the Eternal Sovereign, thou shalt in these spiritual days drink from the chalice of divine mercy from the most pure and holy utterances of the Lord. When thou turnest toward God, all the infinite worlds of names, words and utterances have been detailed from the Primal Point, and all return unto that Point, which hath appeared through the Ancient Will. Whosoever today attaineth unto Him and His love becometh the possessor of all the most beautiful names and sublime attributes, and hath been and shall ever be the possessor of knowledge and utterance. Yet none shall drink of these crystal-clear utterances flowing from the right hand of the Throne of the All-Merciful save the people of Baha.
O questioner! Behold the mercy and bounty of God—though confined in prison with enemies lying in wait from every direction, yet hath He not deprived thee, and amidst these sorrows He remaineth occupied with the mention of His divine friends. Hast thou seen any bounty greater than this? Nay, by thy Lord, the All-Merciful! This is a Day wherein the Beloved saith “We have known thee”, and Moses declareth “We have seen thee”, and Abraham uttereth “My heart hath found peace”. Strive, that ye may not be deprived of the bounty of the All-Merciful, for whatsoever is lost in these days can never be regained. Become pure and light like the breezes of the spiritual springtime, and pass by the precincts of the All-Merciful. This is the counsel of the All-Merciful to the peoples of all worlds.
Section 2: “Let it not be imagined from the statement…”
Let it not be imagined from the statement that all things are signs of God that, God forbid, the righteous and the wicked, the believer and the misbeliever, are all equal in station, or that there hath been any relationship or connection between God, exalted and glorified be He, and His creation, just as some ignorant ones, having ascended to the heights of their own vain imaginings, have conceived of unity as meaning that all signs are of God without distinction, and some have even gone beyond this station and made the signs equal and similar to God. Glory be to God! He is one in His essence and one in His attributes. All else is as nothingness before the revelation of one of His names and the mention of one of His remembrances. How, by the Most Merciful One, the Supreme Pen trembles and quakes at the mention of these words! What station can be seen for an evanescent drop before the surging of the Most Great Ocean? What mention can there be of that which is contingent and non-existent before the Ancient One? I seek forgiveness from God, the Almighty, for such beliefs and utterances.
Say: O people! What relationship can there be between the Imagined and the Self-Subsisting, and what similarity between creation and the Creator, when they were created by the stroke of His Pen, and this effect itself is sanctified, holy and exempt from all else? And passing beyond this station, consider in the station of signs that the sun is one of the divine signs. Can one consider it in the same station as darkness? Nay, by His very Self, the Truth! None would speak thus save he whose heart is straitened and whose vision is dimmed.
Say: Consider within yourselves—both fingernails and eyes are of you. Are these two of the same rank and station in your estimation? Should anyone say yes, say: Ye have lied, by my Lord, the Most Glorious! For ye cut the former yet cherish the latter like life itself. It is not permitted to transgress one’s station and rank. The preservation of ranks is essential—that is, each thing must be observed in its own station.
Yea, when the Sun of My name “the Influencer” has shone upon all things, in each thing an effect and fruit appears according to its capacity, even as ye observe that poison, though lethal, yet in its own station manifests an effect and benefit. This effect in things is from the influence of this blessed Name. Glorified be the Creator of names and attributes! The dry tree is burned while the fresh and verdant tree provides shelter in its shade and yields its fruits for enjoyment.
In the days of the Divine Manifestations, most people have uttered such unseemly words, as is detailed in the divine Books and revealed Scriptures. Unity is to behold the revelation of Truth in all signs, not to consider creation as Truth. For instance, behold in all things the revelation of the Sun of the name “Lord”, for in all things the effects of this name are visible and the education of all depends upon it. And education is of two kinds: one kind encompasses all and educates and provides sustenance to all, as He has called Himself the Lord of all worlds; and the other kind is specific to those souls who have entered beneath the shadow of this Name in this Most Great Revelation. However, souls outside this station are deprived and forbidden from the heavenly table that is sent down from the heaven of grace of this Most Great Name.
What relation have such souls to these souls! Were the veil to be lifted, all who dwell in the heavens and earth would be thunderstruck by the stations of those who have turned to God and detached themselves from all else save Him. The one who has attained to divine unity beholds the manifestation of these two names in these two groups in the manner described. For were the effulgence to be seized directly, all would perish. Likewise, observe how the Sun of the Name “the One” has shed its radiance upon all things, meaning that in all things appears the sign of divine unity, as all things point to His truth, His sovereignty, His oneness and His power. This is His mercy that has embraced all things. Yet the souls of the idolaters remain heedless of this effulgence and deprived of the fountain of nearness and reunion.
As thou canst observe, all the different peoples acknowledge His unity and confess His singleness. Were the sign of divine unity not present in those souls, they would never confess to the blessed words “There is none other God but Him.” Yet they remain heedless and remote, and are not counted among the truly unified in God’s sight, for they have not recognized the sovereign Manifester. In one sense, this unity manifest in the idolaters is the effect of the radiance of the truly unified ones. None knows this save those endowed with insight. However, the truly unified ones are the embodiments of this Name in the primary degree, and they are the ones who have drunk the wine of oneness from the cup of divinity and have turned toward God’s direction.
What relation can there be between these sanctified souls and those remote ones? Likewise, observe the manifestation of the Name “the Near One” and similar names—in the primary degree the people of Baha are the embodiments of these names, and all others are as non-existent and null. God willing, thou shalt witness with penetrating vision in all things the sign of the effulgence of the sovereign Pre-existent One, and shalt behold that Most Pure and Holy Being sanctified above all things. This is the essence of unity and the reality of oneness. “God was, and there was nothing else besides Him, and He is now what He hath ever been. There is none other God but Him, the One, the Single, the Powerful, the Exalted, the Great.”
O questioner! Look to the condition of the servants. This same question was asked in former years by one who associated partners with God, and an answer was written in his own hand which is now with the Letter Sin. By Him Who caused me to speak forth betwixt earth and heaven! He did not comprehend the outward meaning of this individual verse. Siyyid Muhammad Isfahani was present before Us and stated that this writing should be obtained from Salman—it was not permissible for him to take it abroad. Haji Mirza Ahmad and he proved in the house of Kalim that the one who associated partners with God had misinterpreted the meaning. Nevertheless, the people, like unto cattle, have accepted him as true.
By the One upon Whose Word all matters depend! Through the deception of that rejected misbeliever, they have committed and continue to commit injustice and tyranny. Now it is incumbent upon thee to obtain that writing from the Letter Sin and, trusting in God and purely for His sake, to show it to his followers, that perchance they may find a way unto God. It hath been heard that some, out of love for God, have burned certain inflammatory tablets of that one who associated partners with God. Although this was done without permission, since it was out of love for God, God hath forgiven what is past. However, it is never pleasing before God that anyone’s words be effaced. Indeed, some of the letters of that misbeliever must now be preserved, for his true worth is evident from his words.
Say: O people! Setting aside all other considerations, where is your fairness? Granted that His Cause was concealed by God, have ye not seen his words? Alas for you, for what ye have neglected in the path of God! How could ye accept as a guide one who could not even explain the meaning of a single verse? It is not known by what excuse they will justify themselves after seeing his writing which is with the Letter Sin. Thus hath God seized their hearing and their sight. Yea, such souls deserve such a master. Leave them to their vain imaginings and turn to thy Ancient Lord. Strive that perchance thou mayest guide a soul to the divine law. This is recorded as the most meritorious of deeds before the Self-Sufficient, the Most High. Be thou so steadfast in the Cause of God that no matter should prevent thee from the service thou art bidden to render, even should all who dwell on earth rise to oppose and dispute with thee.
Be like unto the winds in the Cause of the Lord of the Daybreak. Thou observest how the winds, faithful to their task, pass over both the ruined and the flourishing places, neither gladdened by the flourishing nor saddened by the ruined, keeping their attention fixed on their mission. The loved ones of God must likewise keep their gaze upon the essence of the Cause and occupy themselves with its promotion. They must speak and hear for the sake of God. Whoso accepteth, that good shall return unto him, and whoso turneth away, the consequence thereof shall reach him. When the Day-Star of the horizon departed from Iraq, warning was given concerning the birds of darkness, and assuredly cawing will arise from certain lands, as it did in former years. In all conditions take refuge in God, lest ye follow lying souls. The Manifestations have culminated in this Most Great Manifestation. Thus doth your Lord, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise, counsel you. And praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.