Volume 042: Early Akka 1868–1873, Part II (1 of 6)

BH01325: Lawh-i-Ru’ya (Tablet of the Vision)

In the name of Him Who warbleth upon the branches!

O My name! Hearken unto My call from around My throne that I may acquaint thee with an ocean that hath no shore and whose depths no swimmer hath reached. Verily, thy Lord is the All-Knowing, the All-Bountiful. We have willed to bestow upon thee a remembrance of what We have seen, that thou mayest behold the luminous world within this world of darkness and be assured that We have worlds within this world, and that thou mayest thank thy Lord, the All-Informed. Verily, were He to desire to manifest from an atom the lights of the sun, and from a drop the waves of the sea, He is able to do so, even as He hath detailed from the Point the knowledge of what hath been and what shall be.

While We were seated upon the throne, there entered a radiant leaf, clad in fine white raiment, appearing as the full moon rising from the horizon of heaven. Exalted be God Who created her! No eye hath ever seen her like.

When she lifted her veil, the heavens and earth were illumined as though the Ancient Essence had shed upon her its splendors. Exalted be God Who created her! No eye hath ever seen her like.

She smiled and swayed like a willow branch in the vision of the All-Merciful. Exalted be He Who manifested her! No eye hath ever seen her like.

Then she walked and circled about, without intention or will of her own, as though love’s needle were drawn by the magnet of Beauty shining before her face. Exalted be He Who created her! No eye hath ever seen her like.

She walked while Glory served her, and the Kingdom of Beauty sang her praise from behind her, such was her wondrous beauty, her allurement, and the perfection of her form. Exalted be He Who created her! No eye hath ever seen her like.

Then We beheld her black tresses upon her white neck, as though night and day had embraced in this Most Glorious Spot and Ultimate Goal. Exalted be He Who created her! No eye hath ever seen her like.

How sweet was her nectar! Whoso tasted it testified that the stream of life flowed from the point of her mouth. Exalted be He Who created her! No eye hath ever seen her like.

When We gazed upon her face, We found the Point that was concealed beneath the veil of Oneness shining from the horizon of her brow, as though through it were detailed the tablets of the love of the All-Merciful throughout creation and the scrolls of lovers throughout all regions. Exalted be He Who created her! No eye hath ever seen her like.

And that Point was reflected by another point above her right breast. Exalted be the Lord of the hidden and manifest, Who created her! No eye hath ever seen her like.

And the Temple of God arose and walked, and she walked behind Him, hearing, moving, drawn by the verses of her Lord. Blessed be He Who created her! No eye hath ever seen her like.

Then her joy, delight and longing increased until she was transformed and swooned. When she recovered, she drew near and said:

“May my soul be a sacrifice for Thy prison, O Mystery of the Unseen in the kingdom of creation!”

Exalted be He Who created her! No eye hath ever seen her like.

And she gazed upon the Dayspring of the throne like one intoxicated and bewildered, until she placed her hand around her Lord’s neck and drew Him to her. When she drew near and We drew near, We found from her what had been sent down in the Hidden Crimson Scroll by My Most Exalted Pen. Exalted be He Who created her! No eye hath ever seen her like.

Then she inclined her head and rested her face upon her two fingers, as though the crescent moon had conjoined with the full moon. Exalted be He Who created her! No eye hath ever seen her like.

At that moment she cried out, saying:

“May all existence be a sacrifice for Thy tribulations, O King of earth and heaven! How long wilt Thou confine Thyself among these people in the city of ʿAkka? Repair to Thy other realms, to places whereupon the eyes of the people of names have never fallen.”

Thereupon We smiled. Know ye this most sweet remembrance and what We intended by this most hidden Secret, manifest yet most concealed.

O men of wisdom among the companions of My crimson Ark! This Remembrance hath fallen upon a day whereon My Herald—He Who hath proclaimed My sovereignty and heralded unto the people the heaven of My Will, the ocean of My Purpose and the sun of My Manifestation—was born. We have further glorified it through another day whereon was manifested the Hidden Mystery, the Treasured Secret, the Well-Guarded Symbol, by which the dwellers of the Kingdom of Names were seized with perturbation, and they that dwell on earth and in heaven were thunderstruck, save those whom We delivered through a sovereignty and power proceeding from Us. Verily, I am the All-Powerful over whatsoever I will. There is no God but Me, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

Blessed is he who hath inhaled the fragrance of God on this Day which is the Dawning-Place of the Manifestation and the Dayspring of My Name, the All-Forgiving—a Day whereon the Divine Breathing wafted, and the Breeze stirred, and the attraction of the Manifestation quickened them that lay in their graves, and the Mountain cried out:

“The Kingdom is God’s, the All-Powerful, the Most Exalted, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed!”

And whereon every seeker attained his heart’s desire, every mystic found the Object of his recognition, and every wayfarer discovered His straight path.

Glorified art Thou, O my God! Bless Thy loved ones and send down upon them from the heaven of Thy bounty that which will cause them to be detached from all else save Thee, and to turn toward the horizon whence the sun of Thy grace hath shone forth. Ordain, O my God, for them that which will profit them in this world and the world to come. Verily, Thou art the All-Powerful, the Most Exalted, the Bestower, the Bountiful, the Self-Sufficient, the All-Generous.

BH01343: Suriy-i-Amin

In the Name of God, the Eternal, the Everlasting

This is a Book from God, the All-Governing, the Self-Subsisting, unto him through whom was manifested supreme steadfastness on a Day wherein the hearts of the men of understanding were troubled and souls and minds were thunderstruck. Blessed art thou, for thou hast cast behind thee all else save God and hast spoken forth the truth when the idolaters had encompassed thee round about. Thou hast fulfilled God’s Covenant and His Testament, and discharged that which was incumbent upon thee. Verily, thou art with Me in the Most Glorious Pavilion. Thy Lord is, in truth, the Mighty, the All-Loving. It behooveth the people of Iraq to glory in thee. They shall glory, but today they comprehend not. Let not the words of the unbelievers grieve thee.

They are a people who perceive not. A glorious station hath been ordained for thee. Soon shalt thou behold that which thy Lord hath preserved, while all mankind shall pass away. Do they imagine they stand secure, and do they suppose they do good? Nay, by thy Lord, the All-Merciful! But today they know not. Say: Be fair, O people! Can any among your divines compete with the Knight of inner meanings in the arena of wisdom and utterance, or race his swift steed in the field of mystic knowledge and vision at the time of the revelation of the sign of the All-Merciful? Nay, by thy Lord, the Mighty, the Forgiving! O people, stay your pens, for the Most Great Pen hath been raised by the Ancient King. Then be silent, for the call of the All-Glorious God hath been raised in the wilderness of guidance: “There is none other God but Me, the All-Governing, the Self-Subsisting.”

O Amin! Thou hast delivered what We commanded thee in thy dream and informed thee in the Tablet. Thy Lord is, verily, the Truth, the Knower of the unseen. Say: O people of the Qur’an! Verily, the Prophet of God, Muhammad, sheddeth tears at the sight of your cruelty. Ye have assuredly followed your evil and corrupt desires, and turned away your face from the light of guidance. Erelong will ye witness the result of your deeds; for the Lord, My God, lieth in wait and is watchful of your behavior. Ye have pronounced judgment against him who hath believed in God on a Day wherein faces were darkened and eyes were dimmed. Have ye not heard the voice of the Summoner who called betwixt earth and heaven and gave you glad tidings of this Revelation whereby the horizons were illumined?

Ye turned away from Him as did those before you when the Sun of Knowledge dawned above the horizon of Hijaz. God seized them for their sins and made them a sign for men of understanding. Doth their leader imagine he guideth the people? Nay, by the Lord of Lords! Woe unto them for having denied God and violated the Covenant through their iniquity. The Holy Spirit lamenteth, the thunder crieth out, and the clouds weep. Say: Fear ye God and wax not proud before Him Who created you by His command. Return unto Him, for He is the Mighty, the Ever-Forgiving.

Say: Do ye rejoice in the tribulations that have befallen Us? By God! We have accepted them in God’s path, and from beneath the sword We summon mankind unto the Lord of the Day of Judgment. None on earth can deter Us from that whereunto We were bidden by thy Lord, the Almighty, the Unconstrained. Can the power of creation prevent Us? Nay, by My true Self, even should every possessor of might and dominion rise against Us. Hearken ye unto the words of him who counseleth you for the sake of God. If ye hear, it shall be for your own good, and if ye turn away, verily He is the Self-Sufficient, the Most High.

O Most Exalted Pen! Tell the tale of the Trustworthy One concerning him who writhed in agony when the stupor of death overtook him and the stern angels surrounded him. An angel called to him from the right of the Throne: “O heart! These are stern angels—seest thou any way of escape?” He replied: “Nay, by the Lord of creation, save into the fire wherein hearts are made to boil! He it is Who hath decreed this fate for us in this return. Verily thy Lord is the Mighty, the All-Knowing.” We seized him even as We seized the factions before him. Verily He is powerful when He willeth, and He is severe in punishment. How many were the houses We left to the spider, and how many were the kings We brought down from their palaces to their graves, making them a lesson for those possessed of vision.

Know then that We took a handful of dust and kneaded it with the waters of might and power, and breathed into it the spirit of assurance. And when he reached maturity, We sent him to the chief of the oppressors with a luminous Book wherein We conveyed to the two kings that which thy Lord, the Mighty, the Wise, desired. Say: Verily this is another sign from God, the Lord of all names. We sent it forth in truth and dispatched it with manifest authority. We strengthened his heart with a word from Us to such extent that were We to command him, he would face all who are in the heavens and on earth. Verily thy Lord is the Omnipotent, the Almighty.

Let them know that neither their might nor anyone in the heavens and earth can intimidate Us. Be thou as thy Lord was, yet We enjoin thee to wisdom before utterance. Verily thy Lord is the Forgiving, the Merciful. Thus do We set forth the verses and send them down in truth, and We have sent them to thee that thou mayest glory in them among the worlds. God shall soon exalt thee in truth and bring low those who have denied His signs. Be thou assured and say: Praise be to Thee, O God of the worlds!

BH01386: Glorified art Thou, O Lord my God! Thou seest…

Glorified art Thou, O Lord my God! Thou seest me dwelling in this prison-house that lieth behind the seas and the mountains, and knowest full well what I have endured for love of Thee and for the sake of Thy Cause. Thou art He, O my God, Who hath raised me up at Thy behest, and bidden me to occupy Thy seat, and to summon all men to the court of Thy mercy. It is Thou Who hast commanded me to tell out the things Thou didst destine for them in the Tablet of Thy decree and didst inscribe with the pen of Thy Revelation, and Who hast enjoined on me the duty of kindling the fire of Thy love in the hearts of Thy servants, and of drawing all the peoples of the earth nearer to the habitation of Thy throne.

And when, as bidden by Thee, I arose and called out, by Thy leave, all Thy creatures, the wayward among Thy servants opposed me. Some turned away from me, others disowned my claim, a few hesitated, while others were sore perplexed, notwithstanding that Thy testimony was set forth before the followers of all religions, and Thy proof demonstrated unto all the peoples of the earth, and the signs of Thy might so powerfully manifested as to encompass the entire creation.

I was, moreover, opposed by mine own kindred, although, as Thou knowest, they were dear to me and I had desired for them that which I had desired for mine own self. These are the ones who, when learning that I had been cast into prison, perpetrated against me what no man else on earth had perpetrated.

I entreat Thee, therefore, O my God, by Thy name by which Thou hast separated between truth and denial, to purify their hearts of all evil suggestions, and to enable them to draw nigh unto Him Who is the Day-Spring of Thy names and Thine attributes.

Thou knowest, O my God, that I have severed every tie that bindeth me to any of Thy creatures except that most exalted tie that uniteth me with whosoever cleaveth unto Thee, in this the day of the revelation of Thy most august Self, that hath appeared in Thy name, the All-Glorious. Thou knowest that I have dissolved every bond that knitteth me to any one of my kindred except such as have enjoyed near access to Thy most effulgent face.

I have no will but Thy will, O my Lord, and cherish no desire except Thy desire. From my pen floweth only the summons which Thine own exalted pen hath voiced, and my tongue uttereth naught save what the Most Great Spirit hath itself proclaimed in the kingdom of Thine eternity. I am stirred by nothing else except the winds of Thy will, and breathe no word except the words which, by Thy leave and Thine inspiration, I am led to pronounce.

Praise be to Thee, O Thou Who art the Well-Beloved of all that have known Thee, and the Desire of the hearts of such as are devoted to Thee, inasmuch as Thou hast made me a target for the ills that I suffer in my love for Thee, and the object of the assaults launched against me in Thy path. Thy glory beareth me witness! I can, on no account, feel impatient of the adversities that I have borne in my love for Thee. From the very day Thou didst reveal Thyself unto me, I have accepted for myself every manner of tribulation. Every moment of my life my head crieth out to Thee and saith: “Would, O my Lord, that I could be raised on the spear-point in Thy path!” while my blood entreateth Thee saying: “Dye the earth with me, O my God, for the sake of Thy love and Thy pleasure!” Thou knowest that I have, at no time, sought to guard my body against any affliction, nay rather I have continually anticipated the things Thou didst ordain for me in the Tablet of Thy decree.

Behold, then, O my God, my loneliness among Thy servants and my remoteness from Thy friends and Thy chosen ones. I beseech Thee, by the showers of the clouds of Thy mercy, whereby Thou hast caused the blossoms of Thy praise and utterance and the flowers of Thy wisdom and testimony to spring forth in the hearts of all them that have recognized Thy oneness, to supply Thy servants and my kindred with the fruits of the tree of Thy unity, in these days when Thou hast been established upon the throne of Thy mercy. Hinder them not, O my Lord, from attaining unto the things Thou dost possess, and write down for them that which will aid them to scale the heights of Thy grace and favor. Give them, moreover, to drink of the living waters of Thy knowledge, and ordain for them the good of this world and of the world to come.

Thou art, verily, the Lord of Baha, and the Beloved of his heart, and the Object of his desire, and the Inspirer of his tongue, and the Source of his soul. No God is there but Thee, the Inaccessible, the Most High. Thou art, verily, the Almighty, the Most Exalted, the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.

O thou who gazest toward the Countenance! We have sorrowed by reason of thy sorrow in an affliction wherein the Eye of Grandeur wept within the pavilion of might and majesty. By God! through it all things have lamented, and they who are immersed in the oceans of the Names have been seized with fear. The Most Exalted Pen hath, after her ascent unto the Most Exalted Companion, revealed in her remembrance words that cause the tears of the sincere to flow in the Kingdom of creation.

Blessed is he who readeth that which hath been sent down for her, and who visiteth her after her ascension; for honoured servants shall, from the dust of her grave, inhale a fragrance such as Jacob never found in the garment of a name from among Our names. Nay, the difference is as between earth and heaven: for Jacob perceived, from the garment, the scent of his son, whereas the people of certitude shall perceive therein the fragrance of the All-Merciful. Thus hath the Tongue of Man spoken–He by Whose command revelation and inspiration are made to hang suspended.

We ask God to reward thee with the best reward in this Most Great calamity; yet sorrow thou not. Be patient, and still more patient. By the True One! she is now in the Kingdom of the Most Glorious; and thy Lord shall, in full, render the recompense of him that endureth with patience in His path. Verily He is powerful over all things.

BH01403: Lawh-i-Salman II

He is God, exalted be His glory!

O Salman! In all matters follow the example of God and be content with His divine decrees. Observe how this Servant, though from all directions outwardly beset with hardships and though all outer doors are shut, and though at every moment the demons are busy extinguishing the lamp of God and quenching His fire, is yet so radiant and illumined that “the heavens and earth are lit up thereby,” and is so manifest among men as though no harm had ever touched Him. Complain not of the heights and depths, the glory and abasement of this world. In all conditions, keep your gaze fixed upon the end, for all that is visible shall pass away.

That thou witnessest some among men who are gladdened by worldly glory and made proud by its elevation—this stems from the heedlessness of such souls. Every person of insight and vision testifies that these words are true and that this utterance hath shone forth from the Dayspring of exposition. For all know that these matters are neither worthy nor lasting, and when the messenger of death arrives, all things change. Thus it is evident and established that souls who have set their hearts upon such things are heedless, and it is due to heedlessness that they occupy themselves with these outward means.

In one of the Tablets it was revealed that among the signs of the world’s maturity is that no one will accept to bear alone the weight of kingship. Sovereignty will remain, but none will be willing to bear alone its burden. Those will be the days when wisdom will be manifest among mankind, save for him who may take on this mighty weight for the sake of propagating God’s Cause and spreading His Faith. How blessed is his state who, for the love of God and His Cause, and for His sake and the demonstration of His Faith, casteth himself into such great peril and accepteth such hardships and troubles. Thus hath it been revealed in the Tablets that prayer for and love of such a sovereign is incumbent.

O Salman! The world is passing away, and ere long all who dwell on earth shall return to dust from what thou now beholdest. We beseech God to assist all His loved ones to inhale the sweet fragrances of the divine rose-garden. Whosoever attaineth unto this will never gaze upon aught save God, and will remain content, patient and thankful in face of His decrees. Grieve not that thou didst not attain His presence. God hath written down for thee the reward of those who attained His presence. Strive, God willing, that righteous deeds may be manifested from thee and that thou mayest be as a fire from which all may derive warmth.

Turn to God with a pure heart, a sanctified soul, a truthful tongue and a hallowed sight, then call upon Him in all conditions. Verily, He is the Helper of those who turn unto Him, and He is indeed the Forgiving, the Merciful. We have heard the cry of the prisoners from among My kindred and loved ones. Praise be to God for having made Me and My kindred and loved ones captives in His path. Though the sun may set, this mention shall not set. God will soon manifest what He willeth. He is verily the Mighty, the Powerful.

No Tablet was revealed for any of the prisoners except for the name of God, Mim, upon him be the Glory of God, this being due to wisdom, but convey greetings to them all. The affairs of all are evident. One Tablet was revealed specifically for Abdul-Wahhab—deliver it to him. Though it was revealed in the language of the people and their outward rules, yet it sufficeth all on earth, would they but understand. In the Tablets for various regions no specific name was mentioned, yet all are known and evident before God, and each of the Tablets was revealed according to necessity. Blessed is he who understandeth and is among the thankful ones.

A box of sweets was given for the honoured ones of Mosul—deliver it to them. We beseech Thee, O my God, by those whom the wicked have made captives from Zawra to Hadba, and by the connection that existed between them and the Manifestation of Thy Cause, to make firm Thy loved ones in Thy love and to establish them in that whereon they were in spreading Thy Cause. O my God! Thou seest and knowest what hath befallen them in Thy love and good-pleasure, such that the eyes of Thy chosen ones and the dwellers of the pavilion of Thy glory have wept for them. I beseech Thee not to deprive them of Thy tender mercies and favours, and to make them abide near Thy mercy in this world and the next. Verily, Thou art powerful over all things.

BH01426: He the Mighty, the Supreme, the Self-Subsisting!

He the Mighty, the Supreme, the Self-Subsisting!

O beloved one, hear what God calleth thee to from this Tree which hath been raised up in truth, and sing that verily He is God, the Mighty, the Beauteous. Bear thou witness within thyself that He is God, there is none other God but Him, the Powerful, the Mighty, the Exalted.

Then know thou that the Beauty of the Nine hath appeared in truth while all were heedless thereof. Say: This is what ye were promised in the year Eighty, if ye be of them that know. Say: This is He Whom no one’s knowledge hath preceded and Whom the minds of the unity-professing ones have failed to comprehend. Say: We were among the servants for months and years, and We veiled Our face lest every deceitful wretch should recognize Us, until God’s appointed time was fulfilled and the days were accomplished and the Promise came, and God’s Cause appeared from this brilliant, luminous Dayspring.

Say: By God, He hath appeared through a Word whereby all who are in the heavens and earth would be rent asunder, save whom thy Lord willeth, and this is indeed a great trial. None hath any escape, refuge or shelter save by entering beneath this shade or by acknowledging within himself that he hath departed from God’s shelter in the primal eternity of eternities.

Say: O people, this is in truth the Husayn Whom ye were promised in all the Tablets, if ye be of them that perceive. He hath come to you with verses whereof a single letter cannot be equaled by all who are in the heavens and earth. Say: O people, behold ye God’s Balance in these days, for it hath appeared in truth upon a straight and just measure. And thou, be thou assured in thyself, then stand firm in thy love; thereupon the earth would quake from this firm and mighty Cause. Say: O people, fear ye God and transgress not what hath been ordained in the Bayan by One mighty and all-knowing. Beware lest ye follow your desires; rather look with the Most Great Vision upon this most evident and ancient Beauty.

Say: Fear ye God and deal not with Him as ye dealt with His Lord when He came in the name of ʿAli with truth, bearing a manifest Book. He said: “O people, these are God’s verses which have been sent down in truth from One All-Knowing, All-Wise. Beware lest ye deny them and cast them behind your backs, lest your works be rendered vain and ye be among the lost.” They said: “We see thee not possessed of any truth from God; this is naught but tales of the ancients.” Thus did they speak before, and before that, and they will speak likewise thereafter—such is the way of the idolaters who believe in part of the Book and deny part thereof. Say: Woe unto you for what your hands have wrought, O company of the heedless!

And thou, seek refuge in God throughout thy days lest thou break God’s Covenant within thyself, and lest thy feet slip from this exalted and luminous Path. Then know that the people were in veils and delusions, but when the Promise came, We rent asunder the veils and burned away delusions with this ancient and blazing Fire. Therefore gird up thy loins to aid God’s Cause and fear no one, but put thy trust in God, thy Lord, the All-Merciful, the Most Compassionate. He will verily help thee in truth as He helped thee before, and He is the Best of helpers.

Say: By God, the trial hath come, and the thunderbolt hath appeared, and the Youth hath come with a manifest serpent that swalloweth up all that the idolaters have wrought and consumeth the works of the opposers. Thus have We explained the truth unto thee and sent down upon thee the verses and showed thee that whereby thy soul might find assurance and thou mightest be of them that give thanks unto God, unto Whom is thy return and abode, and unto Whom return the deeds of all created things together.

Then know that when the idolaters brought Us to the prison, We therefore revealed Our face and removed the veil, in spite of them and those who turned away from this manifest, pure, mighty and wondrous Light. We have indeed sent thee some of what hath been revealed in this prison that thine eyes and the eyes of the unity-professing ones might be consoled thereby. And when it reacheth thee, share it with those in whose hearts thou findest the sweet fragrance of holy and generous love.

Then convey Our greetings to all who are in thy land, every small one and great one, from among those who have been guided by the lights of God, the Supreme, the Mighty, the Powerful. The Spirit, the Glory, and the Great Glory be upon thee and upon those who are with thee among the believers.

BH01438: Glorified art Thou, O my God! Thou knowest…

Glorified art Thou, O my God! Thou knowest that my sole aim in revealing Thy Cause hath been to reveal Thee and not my self, and to manifest Thy glory rather than my glory. In Thy path, and to attain Thy pleasure, I have scorned rest, joy, delight. At all times and under all conditions my gaze hath been fixed on Thy precepts, and mine eyes bent upon the things Thou hast bidden me observe in Thy Tablets. I have wakened every morning to the light of Thy praise and Thy remembrance, and reached every evening inhaling the fragrances of Thy mercy.

And when the entire creation was stirred up, and the whole earth was convulsed, and the sweet savors of Thy name, the All-Praised, had almost ceased to breathe over Thy realms, and the winds of Thy mercy had well-nigh been stilled throughout Thy dominions, Thou didst, through the power of Thy might, raise me up among Thy servants, and bid me to show forth Thy sovereignty amidst Thy people. Thereupon I arose before all Thy creatures, strengthened by Thy help and Thy power, and summoned all the multitudes unto Thee, and announced unto all Thy servants Thy favors and Thy gifts, and invited them to turn towards this Ocean, every drop of the waters of which crieth out, proclaiming unto all that are in heaven and on earth that He is, in truth, the Fountain of all life, and the Quickener of the entire creation, and the Object of the adoration of all worlds, and the Best-Beloved of every understanding heart, and the Desire of all them that are nigh unto Thee.

Though the fierce winds of the hatred of the wicked doers blew and beat on this Lamp, He was, at no time, in His love for Thy beauty, hindered from shedding the fragrance of His light. As the transgressions committed against Thee waxed greater and greater, my eagerness to reveal Thy Cause correspondingly increased, and as the tribulations deepened—and to this Thy glory beareth me witness—a fuller measure of Thy sovereignty and of Thy power was vouchsafed by me unto Thy creatures.

And finally, I was cast by the transgressors into the prison-city of ʿAkka, and my kindred were made captives in Baghdad. The power of Thy might beareth me witness, O my God! Every trouble that hath touched me in Thy path hath added to my joy and increased my gladness. I swear by Thee, O Thou Who art the King of Kings! None of the kings of the earth hath power to hinder me from remembering Thee or from extolling Thy virtues. Were they to be leagued—as they have been leagued—against me, and to brandish their sharpest swords and most afflictive spears against me, I would not hesitate to magnify Thy name before all them that are in Thy heaven and on Thy earth. Nay rather, I would cry out and say:

“This, O my Beloved, is my face which I have offered up for Thy face, and this is my spirit which I have sacrificed for Thy spirit, and this is my blood that seetheth in my veins, in its longing to be shed for love of Thee and in Thy path.”

Though—as Thou beholdest me, O my God—I be dwelling in a place within whose walls no voice can be heard except the sound of the echo, though all the gates of ease and comfort be shut against us, and thick darkness appear to have compassed us on every side, yet my soul hath been so inflamed by its love for Thee, that nothing whatsoever can either quench the fire of its love or abate the consuming flame of its desire. Lifting up its voice, it crieth aloud amidst Thy servants, and calleth them, at all times and under all conditions, unto Thee.

I beseech Thee, by Thy Most Great Name, to open the eyes of Thy servants, that they may behold Thee shining above the horizon of Thy majesty and glory, and that they may not be hindered by the croaking of the raven from hearkening to the voice of the Dove of Thy sublime oneness, nor be prevented by the corrupt waters from partaking of the pure wine of Thy bounty and the everlasting streams of Thy gifts.

Gather them, then, together around this Divine Law, the covenant of which Thou hast established with all Thy Prophets and Thy Messengers, and Whose ordinances Thou hast written down in Thy Tablets and Thy Scriptures. Raise them up, moreover, to such heights as will enable them to perceive Thy Call.

Potent art Thou to do what pleaseth Thee. Thou art, verily, the Inaccessible, the All-Glorious.

O ye servants of the All-Merciful! Hearken unto My call, and be steadfast in the Cause, and make mention of them who were heedless and turned away among the concourse of the Bayan. O people! Fear God, and work no corruption in the earth after it hath been set in order. Ponder within yourselves: is it meet for any one to object unto Him through Whom the showers of bounty have been sent down from the clouds of the mercy of your Lord, the All-Merciful; through Whom the Bayan was revealed and the religions were made firm?

By Him in Whose hand is My soul! should any one oppose Him, he would be powerless to establish the advent of God in any age of the ages, or the verses of God, the Mighty, the Chosen. Say: By God! the one whom ye have taken unto yourselves as a lord beside God–through him hath the Cause of God been laid waste; for him the Spirit of Holiness lamented in the Most Exalted Kingdom, and the eyes of the Messengers wept at the Lote-Tree beyond which there is no passing.

Say: Hearken unto the word of One from whom all the delights and favours of this world have been withheld. Wrest not the Most Great Word from its place, nor rend asunder its pillars. Thou, O servant, arise in the Cause through the help of God and His power, and admonish them that are heedless this day, that perchance they may remember, that dissension may be lifted up, and that they may restrain themselves from injustice and turn unto the Lord of Names and Attributes.

Be not still, nor show patience, in that whereunto thou art commanded. Thy Lord shall aid him that aideth Him, and shall confirm him that ariseth for His Cause with pure detachment, and shall grant him whatsoever He willeth of the good of this world and of the world to come. Verily He is powerful over all things.

BH01491: Glorified art Thou, O my God! Thou beholdest me…

In the Name of God, the Most Holy, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious!

Glorified art Thou, O my God! Thou beholdest me oppressed among the wayward ones of Thy creation, and a stranger in Thy realm. Whenever I dwelt in a city by Thy command and leave, the tyrannous among Thy creatures and they who denied Thy bounty, which Thou didst send down from the heaven of Thy grace and the clouds of Thy will, drove us forth therefrom—though in its horizon there was naught but the sun of Thy loving-kindness, and in its gardens naught but the breezes of the spring of Thy mercy, and in its fields naught but the rains of Thy generosity and favors, and in its darkness naught but the lamp of Thy Cause and the light of Thy guidance.

Whenever a face turned unto the countenance of Thy oneness, Thou didst deliver it from the depths of heedlessness and raised it to the heights of Thy unity’s glory, and gave it to drink from the wine of Thy revelation and inspiration. And whenever Thou didst behold one turning toward the sanctuary of Thy might and the Kaaba of Thy bounty, Thou didst turn toward him out of love for Thyself and his orientation to Thy face, and Thou didst descend to such a degree that he might draw near to the Tree of Thy Cause, and Thou didst lower Thyself to a station wherein Thou didst commune with him and comfort him as though Thou wert one like unto him—though Thou hadst placed all things within the grasp of my power by Thy power, and all winds were dispatched by my will through Thy will.

And in every city wherein we raised Thy remembrance and Thy name, there gathered against us those servants who denied Thy Self and turned away from Thy presence and arose in hypocrisy, until they expelled us therefrom and caused us to wander from city to city, until they unjustly brought us into this fortress built of solid rock, and this city wherefrom naught can be heard save the echo’s voice. And upon our first entry, they barred from us the goods of the world and shut in our faces the gates of comfort. By Thy glory, O Beloved of Baha! I find tribulations in Thy love as the rains of the clouds of Thy bounty and grace, whereby the heart of Baha and the liver of Baha were made verdant, and from them grew the ears of Thy wisdom, O Thou in Whose hand is the dominion of all things!

By Thy glory, O Beloved of the worlds and Goal of them that know! Whoso hath inhaled the fragrance of the garment of Thy mercy, and been seized by Thy fragrance and favors—tribulations cannot hold him back from Thy will, nor can ordeals deter him from Thy love and good-pleasure. Thou knowest, O my Beloved and my Purpose, that I call upon Thee with the tongue of Thy loved ones, and whatsoever floweth from this Most Exalted Pen hath no purpose save that I might call upon Thee with the tongue of Thy loved ones and commune with Thee on their behalf, that Thy melodies might seize them from their own selves and draw them to Thy Most Glorious Face, and strengthen them to turn toward the Most Exalted Horizon. Otherwise, my calling upon Thy Self is but as Thy calling upon my self, and none can comprehend it save those whom Thou hast caused to be detached from all else but Thee and to hasten along the paths of Thy Cause and Thy good-pleasure.

The nights and days have passed us by, O my God, in this Most Great Prison, until this night arrived wherein he who loveth Thee and desireth Thy face—the Manifestation of Thy Self, the Repository of Thine Essence, and the Source of Thy Cause—hath called, and hath spread the feast of bounty for the brethren out of love for Thy Self. Thou knowest, O my God, that he seeketh Thy face and gazeth toward the direction of Thy gifts, and desireth naught thereby save Thy good-pleasure and Thy love, yet he hath been prevented from entering this gathering wherein the verses of Thy Divine Unity’s glory are being revealed and inscribed by Thy servant who is present before the throne of Thy grandeur.

I beseech Thee by Thy Name through which the faces of the Prophets among Thy chosen ones and those nigh unto Thee among the people of Thy holy dominion were illumined, and whereby they subdued the people of Thy realm and brought them into the kingdom of Thy glory—to rend asunder, with the fingers of Thy power, the veil that hath come between him and Thy beauty. Verily, Thou art the Omnipotent over what Thou willest, and Thou art the Sovereign, the Self-Subsisting.

Then ordain, O my God, for him and those with him, to attain Thy presence and to stand before Thee in the visible realm, and deprive him not of that which is with Thee. There is no God but Thee, the All-Forgiving, the All-Bountiful.

Glory be unto Thee, O my God! Cause Thy seeking servants to soar in the atmosphere of Thy nearness and Thy majesty, and raise them at all times to the kingdom of Thy holiness and detachment. Then open before the face of him who desireth Thee the gates of Thy mercy and loving-kindness, and bestow upon him the good of this world and the next through the wonders of Thy beneficence. Then send upon him, at all times, the sweet-scented breezes of the mercy of Thy Name, the All-Merciful. Then make, O my God, the fire of his separation into light, and his sighs of remoteness into mercy. Verily, Thou art the Omnipotent, the Sovereign, the All-Effectual.

BH01525: Lawh-i-Baytu’l-’Adl

He is the Ruler over whatsoever He willeth.

It hath been prescribed that in every city a House of Justice be established wherein shall gather together people to the number of Baha, and should it exceed this number it mattereth not. They should consider themselves as entering the Presence of God, the Most High, and as beholding Him Who is invisible. It behooveth them to be the trusted ones of the Merciful among men and the deputies of God for such as dwell on earth. They should consult together in such wise as to win the good pleasure of God and should choose that which is approved, even as the Lord, your God, the Ruler, the All-Wise hath commanded.

The Ancient Beauty, addressing the peoples, ordaineth that in every city of the earth a house should be established in the name of justice, wherein shall gather pure and tranquil souls to the number of the Greatest Name. At the time of their gathering they must conduct themselves as though in the presence of God, for such is the binding command that hath flowed from the Pen of the Ancient of Days, and God’s gaze is fixed upon that assembly. Upon entering, they must, as deputies of all souls, consult concerning matters and interests affecting all—first regarding the teaching of God’s Cause, as this is the most important of all affairs, so that all may enter the pavilion of oneness as a single soul and all upon earth may be seen as one body. Likewise must they consider the refinement of souls, the preservation of human dignity, the development of cities, and the policies that God hath made the foundation of cities and the fortress of His servants.

The teaching of God’s Cause must be conducted with due regard to times and seasons, considering what is fitting, as with all other matters, and implemented accordingly—but ever mindful not to contravene what hath been revealed in the divine verses in this most mighty Manifestation, for whatsoever the Lord hath decreed is indeed what is best for His servants. He is more merciful to you than ye are to yourselves. He is in truth the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

If the aforementioned souls act according to the prescribed conditions, they will surely be assisted by the invisible confirmations. This is a matter whose benefits return to all. There are many affairs which, if neglected, will be wasted and lost. How many children are seen in the land without father or mother—if no attention is paid to their education and training they will remain fruitless, and a fruitless soul’s death is preferable to its life. Likewise with the wealthy and noble who through weakness and old age or other cause have fallen into poverty and abasement. These souls must, for God’s sake, consider and reflect upon all such matters and others pertaining to the earth, and implement what they deem proper. If people would look with the eye of justice they would with certainty know that whatsoever hath been revealed from the Source of Command is purely for the good of all who dwell on earth. All must be as wings for one another.

Man’s honor lieth in wisdom, understanding and praiseworthy character, not in the accumulation of riches and pride and vainglory. All were created from dust and unto it shall return. O people of Baha! Man’s adornment consisteth not in the things of this world, but rather in the knowledge of God—exalted be His glory—and in sciences, crafts and proper conduct.

Ye are the pearls of the sea of oneness—consider the pearl, whose luster and dignity are inherent to itself. Were it to be wrapped in the finest of silks, that silk would prevent the manifestation of its freshness and beauty. Its adornment is within itself. Seek ye this adornment and be not saddened by lack of outward means.

O trees of the Ridvan! Withhold not yourselves from the spring breezes of divine bounty, and deprive not yourselves of the sweet fragrances of the wisdom-laden words of your Lord. Such is the extent of His grace that, despite the heedlessness of all, He hath caused to flow from the Most Exalted Pen in the prison of Akka that which is for the good of His servants. Verily He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.

BH01530: In the Name of God, the Most Holy…

In the Name of God, the Most Holy, the Most Glorious! This is a Tablet which hath been sent down in truth from the presence of One mighty and wise, wherein is mentioned that which attracteth the minds of them that have recognized the unity of God. Is this the day of silence? Nay, by the Lord of the worlds! Is this the day of rest? Nay, by My true Self, were ye of them that know! All things have been stirred by the breezes of Revelation. Do ye remain seated in your places, even though ye be of the sincere ones? Leave the people behind thee, then stand firm in the Cause of thy Lord, the Mighty, the Wise. When the breezes of the verses take hold of thee and awaken thee from slumber, arise and say:

“O people! By God, He is indeed the Beloved of the heavens and earth! He hath been imprisoned after having sacrificed Himself for our sakes. Where is your sense of honor, and where is your fidelity, O ye who have turned towards Him?”

He is in such tribulation as the eye of creation hath never beheld its like, after having summoned the people unto God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy.

Grieve not for what hath befallen Us, and be patient. He, verily, hath power over all things. Then know that thy mention hath been made before Us, and We have sent down verses unto thee and dispatched them to thee that thine eyes may be solaced thereby. This, verily, is a manifest bounty. Then remind the people of the Bayan there. Say: “Have ye denied your Lord, the All-Merciful, after He came upon the clouds of explanation with a mighty proof?” Say: “Fear ye God and cast not the Truth behind your backs. Take what ye have been given from the presence of One All-Knowing, All-Wise.”

Do ye find any other than Me in the Bayan? Nay, by Him Who caused Me to speak His praise amongst the worlds! Hath there flowed from the Most Exalted Pen any mention save My mention? Nay, by My true Self, were ye of them that know! Were it not for My mention, the Bayan would not have been revealed, and by My Name was adorned the heaven of the Cause. Here is its Sun, which hath dawned from its horizon. Blessed be God Who hath manifested Himself in truth with evident sovereignty!

Say: “O people! Arise from the slumber of passion and turn unto the Dayspring of the Cause, the Source of the signs of your Lord, the Most High, the Most Exalted.” Thus doth He counsel you from the Most Glorious Horizon. Hearken unto that whereunto ye are called from the direction of the Throne, and be not of them that hesitate. Say: “Beware lest ye follow him who hath turned away from the Truth and clung to them who have denied God from time immemorial. They are indeed of an evil people, among the most lost.”

Quicken the servants through My Name, then give them to drink in My days that which floweth from the right hand of the Throne, that they may unite in the Cause and not be of the doubtful ones. Say:

“O people! Be fair! Do ye find anyone who speaketh between the heavens and the earth, whom neither the oppression of the wrongdoers nor the might of sovereigns can prevent?”

Those who preserve themselves behind veils call upon the people to deny the Lord of Lords. They are indeed in manifest error.

Say: “Have mercy upon yourselves and upon Him through Whom the eyes of the Primal Point were consoled in the Most Exalted Companion. This is He Who took the covenant of His own Self before the creation of the heavens and earth.” Say: “Have ye not heard the Cry which was raised in the atmosphere of the will of your Lord, the All-Merciful? And have ye not heard that which came from the Kingdom of God, the Mighty, the Beautiful?”

Say: “We have desired naught for Ourselves, but rather for your sakes, were ye to be fair-minded. We have accepted the swords of the enemies for your life, and every fair-minded, well-informed person beareth witness to this. We have turned away from all who are on earth for the sake of your turning unto the direction of the mercy of your Lord, the Most Merciful, the Compassionate.”

Say: “Would ye slay with the sword of hatred him who hath sacrificed his life for your sake? Woe unto you, O heedless ones! If ye deny the All-Merciful, by what discourse will your souls find assurance? Fear God and follow not every idolatrous doubter.”

Place thy trust in God and convey that which thou art commanded. Let not the might of the oppressors frighten thee. He is with those who make mention of Him, and He aideth him who speaketh His praise. He, verily, rewardeth the rememberers. Be thou assured of thy Lord’s grace.

Say: “O my Lord! I have turned with my whole being to the Dawning-Place of the signs of Thy oneness, and have turned away from those who have opposed the Dayspring of Thy Cause. Preserve me, O my God, beneath the shadow of Thy great mercy. Then make me to be of those who have stood firm in Thy Cause, who have been faithful to Thy Covenant, and who have cast behind their backs all who are in the realm. Ordain for me, O my God, the victory of Thy Cause and Thy remembrance amongst Thy servants, and disappoint me not of that which Thou hast ordained for the choicest among Thy creatures. Thou art, verily, the Almighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.”

BH01527: In the Name of God, the Most Holy! This…

In the Name of God, the Most Holy! This Book hath been sent down in truth, and by it We have rent asunder the veils. Verily, We are the Mighty, the Bountiful. Through it hath shone forth the Sun of Divine Revelation, and the Face hath been illumined by the Light that hath dawned from the horizon of mysteries. Say: Is there any doubt concerning God? He hath come with the Kingdom of verses. Verily, the Word proclaimeth: The Kingdom is God’s, the Almighty, the Unconstrained. Say: Cast away your idle fancies, and take hold of that which ye are bidden by Him Who is the Dawning-Place of inspiration. The veils have been rent asunder by the finger of the Will of your Lord, the Lord of all men. He verily seeth him that turneth towards Him, and heareth that which he calleth upon Him with, whether in secret or openly.

Heedlessness hath overtaken the dwellers of the earth, save those whose eyes have been opened by the light of God, the Mighty, the All-Luminous. Verily, sight was created for this most great vision; therefore look, O ye who are endowed with insight! He who said “Show me” heard “Look, thou shalt see Me.” Exalted be this bounty the like of which eyes have never beheld! All things testify to My Self, while the people are in wondrous drunkenness.

Among the idolaters are those who say He hath come nigh. Say: Yea, by my Lord! He is verily the One Who hath power over whatsoever He willeth. Every sect hath endeavored to extinguish the light of God. God hath refused save by His authority, until He filled the horizons. Can anyone stand against His Command? Say: What aileth thee, O thou fly? The gate of heaven hath been opened, and the All-Bountiful hath come, riding upon the clouds. Thereupon were blinded the eyes of those who disbelieved, and every deceitful idolater was confounded.

Blessed art thou, O thou who hast turned to God, the Cleaver of the daybreak! Thy letter and that which was presented before the Face hath been mentioned. Thy Lord is verily the Mighty, the All-Knowing. There hath dawned from the horizon of the Pen that which will draw thee nigh unto God, the Lord of all nations. He is verily the Mighty, the All-Forgiving. Stand firm, by His power, in His Cause, then remind the people with wisdom and utterance. Soon shalt thou behold the Cause dominant over all who are on earth, and its effulgence from every direction. Can prison and tribulation prevent Him from that which He desireth? Nay, by the Lord of Lords!

Blessed is the heart that is quickened by the breath of God, and the tongue that is adorned with His remembrance amidst all worlds. If thou art enkindled by this Fire that hath been kindled in the world, those in the lands shall be enkindled by thee. Think not it is fire; it is light whose effects shall soon encompass those in all regions. Be thou assured through God’s grace and mercy. He verily exalteth whom He willeth by a command from Him, and confirmeth his mention in the Mother Book.

Glory be unto Thee, O my God! Thou beholdest me amidst the idolaters among Thy creation and those who have turned away from among Thy creatures, and Thou knowest that I have desired naught but what Thou hast desired, and desire naught but what Thou desirest. I have conveyed Thy Cause to the east and west of the earth, and thereby there hath befallen me that which hath caused the dwellers of Thy dominion and kingdom to lament, until they cast me and seventy souls into this Most Great Prison. When We arrived, We desired to convey unto all once again, that they might know that tribulations have not prevented the Manifestation of Thyself from manifesting Thy sovereignty and exalting Thy Word. We have conveyed unto the manifestations of Thy power in Thy earth that which Thou didst command me, by Thy command and Thy sovereignty. I have not compromised with anyone in Thy path, and have accepted all tribulations in Thy love and in manifesting Thy Cause.

I beseech Thee, O Lord of creation and King of invention, to transmute the brass of existence by the elixir of Thy utterance and wisdom. Then reveal unto them from Thy All-Comprehensive Book that which will render them independent through Thy riches. I testify, O my God, that with Thee is the knowledge of what was and what will be, and the knowledge of all things in Thy Hidden Book. I beseech Thee by Thy Self to make known unto the servants the Manifestation of Thy Cause and the Dawning-Place of Thy verses, that they might find in His every condition the sweet savors of Thy knowledge and the fragrant breezes of the garment of Thy mercy. Then aid them in that which is chosen by Thee, that they might choose what Thou hast chosen for them through Thy bounty, for that which appeareth from Thee is best for Thy servants.

O Lord! Aid this servant who hath turned toward the direction of Thy gifts, then ordain for him the good of this world and the next. Then assist him in helping Thy Cause and conveying that which Thou hast willed by Thy sovereignty, for this is the most excellent of deeds with Thee, and the most exalted in Thy Book. O Lord! Aid him in all conditions to stand firm in Thy love. Verily, Thou art the Self-Sufficient, the Most Exalted. There is no God but Thee, the Mighty, the Generous. Praise be unto Thee, O God of all who are in the heavens and the earth.

BH01536: Ziyarat-Namiy-i-Bayt (Lawh-i-Hajj Baghdad)

In the name of God, Most Mighty, Most Wise

O thou who gazest toward the Most Great Scene! Hearken unto the call of the Beauty of Eternity from the quarter of His Most Great Prison: Verily there is no God but Him, the Mighty, the All-Wise. Thou hast been beneath the gaze of thy Lord, the All-Merciful, at all times. He is the Protector of him that turneth unto Him, and He is the Lord of all worlds.

Let not that which hath befallen Us—and thee—make thee sorrowful. Hold fast to the cord of the mercy of thy Lord, and cling to this radiant hem. Remind the people with wisdom and utterance. Let not the ظلم of them that disbelieve in God, the Most High, the Most Great, affright thee. Speak to the people of that which thou hast known and seen when thou wast about the Throne; thus doth thy Lord, the Mighty, the All-Praised, command thee.

We were with thee, and We were aware of that which befell thee in the path of God, and We heard what thou didst utter for His love and His good-pleasure. Thy recompense resteth with Him; verily He will fully repay the rewards of the sincere. Blessed art thou, in that thou hast been faithful to My covenant and hast turned away from them that disbelieved in God. Verily thou art of the triumphant.

Grieve not at hardships: the kingdom of ease shall come unto thee. He, indeed, is the All-Powerful, the Almighty. And glory be upon thee, and upon them that have laid aside what they possessed and taken hold of that which they were commanded, from One Who is All-Knowing, All-Aware.

When thou art departed out of the court of My presence, O Muhammad, direct thy steps towards My House (Ba{gh}dad House), and visit it on behalf of thy Lord.

When thou reachest its door, stand thou before it and say: Whither is the Ancient Beauty gone, O most great House of God, He through Whom God hath made thee the cynosure of an adoring world, and proclaimed thee to be the sign of His remembrance unto all who are in the heavens and all who are on the earth? Oh! for the former days when thou, O House of God, wert made His footstool, the days when in ceaseless strains the melody of the All-Merciful poured forth from thee! What hath become of thy jewel whose glory hath irradiated all creation? Whither are gone the days in which He, the Ancient King, had made thee the throne of His glory, the days in which He had chosen thee alone to be the lamp of salvation between earth and heaven, and caused thee to diffuse, at dawn and at eventide, the sweet fragrance of the All-Glorious?

Where, O House of God, is the Sun of majesty and power Who had enveloped thee with the brightness of His presence? Where is He, the Day Spring of the tender mercies of thy Lord, the Unconstrained, Who had established His seat within thy walls? What is it, O throne of God, that hath altered thy countenance, and made thy pillars to tremble? What could have closed thy door to the face of them that eagerly seek thee? What hath made thee so desolate? Couldst thou have been told that the Beloved of the world is pursued by the swords of His enemies? The Lord bless thee, and bless thy fidelity unto Him, inasmuch as thou hast remained His companion through all His sorrows and His sufferings. I testify that thou art the scene of His transcendent glory, His most holy habitation. Out of thee hath gone forth the Breath of the All-Glorious, a Breath that hath breathed over all created things, and filled with joy the breasts of the devout that dwell in the mansions of Paradise. The Concourse on high, and they that inhabit the Cities of the Names of God, weep over thee, and bewail the things that have befallen thee.

Thou art still the symbol of the names and attributes of the Almighty, the Point towards which the eyes of the Lord of earth and heaven are directed. There hath befallen thee what hath befallen the Ark in which God’s pledge of security had been made to dwell. Well is it with him that apprehendeth the intent of these words, and recognizeth the purpose of Him Who is the Lord of all creation.

Happy are those that inhale from thee the sweet savors of the Merciful, that acknowledge thine exaltation, that safeguard thy sanctity, that reverence, at all times, thy station. We implore the Almighty to grant that the eyes of those who have turned away from thee, and failed to appreciate thy worth, may be opened, that they may truly recognize thee, and Him Who, through the power of truth, hath raised thee up on high. Blind, indeed, are they about thee, and utterly unaware of thee in this day. Thy Lord is, verily, the Gracious, the Forgiving. I bear witness that through thee God hath proved the hearts of His servants. Blessed be the man that directeth his steps towards thee, and visiteth thee. Woe to him that denieth thy right, that turneth away from thee, that dishonoreth thy name, and profaneth thy holiness.

Grieve not, O House of God, if the veil of thy sanctity be rent asunder by the infidels. God hath, in the world of creation, adorned thee with the jewel of His remembrance. Such an ornament no man can, at any time, profane. Towards thee the eyes of thy Lord shall, under all conditions, remain directed. He, verily, will incline His ear to the prayer of every one that visiteth thee, who will circle around thee, and calleth upon Him in thy name. He, in truth, is the Forgiving, the All-Merciful.

I beseech Thee, O my God, by this House that hath suffered such change in its separation from Thee, that bewaileth its remoteness from Thy presence, and lamenteth Thy tribulation, to forgive me, and my parents, and my kindred, and such of my brethren as have believed in Thee. Grant that all my needs be satisfied, through Thy bounty, O Thou Who art the King of Names. Thou art the most Bountiful of the bountiful, the Lord of all worlds.

BH01559: In the Name of the One God, Who hath…

In the Name of the One God, Who hath no partner! We hear the Call from all things, as though they were stirred within themselves through their longing for that which hath appeared and shone forth from the horizon of eternity with manifest sovereignty. Our dwelling-places, wherein the fragrance of Our raiment hath wafted, draw near to Us through Our most beautiful names, which We have made the dawning-places of Our revelation throughout all worlds. Therefore hath the City and all that surroundeth it been illumined by the advent of its Lord, the Mighty, the Bountiful.

Verily, the Sadrih crieth out, saying: “I perceive the fragrance of Thy raiment, O God of all worlds!” And the Mount shineth forth through this Manifestation and proclaimeth: “The Beloved of the heavens and earth hath come!” And the Ka’bih of mankind, having sensed the breezes of its Lord, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed, hath called aloud and cried out: “The Desired One hath come with great glory!” And the House of the Son hath been illumined by the lights of Beauty, declaring: “The Father hath come with His kingdom and His sovereignty!” Blessed be they who turn unto Him!

Even the pebbles of creation remember their Lord with this wise remembrance. The Tongue of Grandeur proclaimeth above all things:

“The Kingdom belongeth unto God, the Single, the One, the Powerful, the Exalted, the Great!”

At all times We hear from everything the mention of their Lord—this indeed is a wondrous thing. In the evening We hear the glorification of all things in remembrance of their Lord, and at daybreak We hear from them other words. By My life! The Spirit of the Cause speaketh within them at all times such words that were the possessors of ears to hear them, they would fall prostrate upon their faces before their Lord, the All-Merciful. Thus have We set forth Our verses in detail, from One Who is All-Knowing, All-Informed.

Blessed is he who hath risen from among the dead and turned unto God, the Revealer of verses, Who hath appeared in truth from the horizon of the Cause in such wise as to attract the hearts of those who have recognized Him. This is the Day of hearkening—hearken ye unto the Call of your Lord from the direction of the Prison. Verily, there is no God but Him. His is the creation and the command, and within His grasp lieth the Kingdom of the dominion of the heavens and earth. Whoso hath heard His call and answered it, verily he is of the people of Paradise in this noble court.

Blessed is he who hath arisen to serve My Cause and hath cast aside all else but Me. He is indeed of the people of the realms of My footstool. My angels shall enter upon them with the lights of My grandeur. They are verily the lamps of guidance from whom the denizens of the Supreme Paradise derive their light. Thus hath the matter been decreed by the Pen of Baha, and God is witness unto what I say. Leave the dead, and hold fast unto God, the Creator of names. Verily, He hath come in this resplendent raiment.

Say: O people! Commit not acts of mischief and indecency, and follow not every doubting misbeliever. Beware lest ye backbite one another. This hath been forbidden in the Tablets. Fear ye the All-Merciful, and be not of those who spread corruption. Enter not a house except with permission, betray not the trust of others in their possessions, and lean not towards them that have acted unjustly, for this indeed is a grievous error. Aid Me through My loved ones. They who love them for My sake shall find themselves in pavilions of My bounty, and shall ere long behold themselves in an exalted station.

Beware lest ye dispute one with another. Unite in the religion of God and His Cause, lest there occur among you that which your Lord, the Mighty, the All-Praised, desireth not. Say: This is My path. Walk ye therein with My leave, and be not of them that doubt. This is My straight path; verily it is the right way. We have set forth in the Book the details of all things, that perchance men may follow that which is best for them. He is but a faithful counsellor. They who follow their own desires are not of the people of guidance, as doth testify your Lord, the Most High, the Most Glorious, if ye be of them that are assured.

Say: O people! Do ye frequent the mosques for My remembrance, yet oppose Mine own Self? What aileth you, O concourse of the heedless! Remind the people in the days of thy Lord, then lead them out of darkness and guide them to the horizon whence hath shone the Sun of the beauty of thy Lord, the Mighty, the Most Beautiful. Beware lest the things of this world withhold thee from thy Lord, the Lord of all names. Drink thou the waters of immortality from the utterance of thy Lord, the Mighty, the All-Wise.

They who remained heedless in those days are as mere asses—they have no way to the Truth. They rejoice while the wrath of God pursueth them. Verily, they are the companions of the fire. They who have turned to the Countenance shall ere long find themselves beneath the canopy of their Lord’s mercy. Verily, they are of them that are nigh unto God. Thus have We instructed thee and taught thee that thou mayest rejoice in the days of thy Lord and be of the thankful ones.

BH01613: In the name of the Desired One…

In the name of the Desired One of the worlds! The Divine Lote-Tree calleth out from the crimson spot, addressing the people of creation, saying: O My chosen ones throughout the lands! Hearken unto My most sweet call and unto My rustling which hath been raised betwixt earth and heaven. Beware lest the affairs of the world grieve you. By the life of God! They shall pass away and perish, while glory and power shall endure for you in the worlds which none can alter. God hath sanctified them from all that is mentioned and seen. Verily your Lord, the All-Merciful, is the Truthful, the All-Informed One.

O ʿAli! Thy letter which thou didst send to Nabil-i-Qa’in hath come before the Wronged One, and the servant who standeth before the Throne presented it, and We found therein that which moved My Most Exalted Pen, as a token of Our favor unto thee. Verily thy Lord is the All-Hearing, the Answering One.

O ʿAli! Thou hast heard the call of God time and again. Now hearken unto this call wherein the Most Pure Countenance turneth toward thee and calleth thee from the direction of His Greatest Horizon with a call whereby the eyes of the mystics are gladdened and the hearts of the sincere ones are stirred. By the life of God! Wert thou to inhale the breaths of revelation as befitteth, longing would seize thee in such wise that the affairs of the world would not disturb thee, nor what hath appeared and shall appear from those who have cast the Command of God behind their backs and have chosen that which will lead them to the nethermost fire.

Give thou the glad-tidings of My remembrance unto My loved ones. Say: By God! We remember you at all times, and Mine eye hath ever been directed toward My chosen ones, and My glances have been cast over My servants. My tongue, My Pen, and My pages whereby all in the world are stirred bear witness to this, and beyond them, My all-encompassing knowledge. Say: Hold ye fast unto the wisdom We have sent down in the Book, then act according to what is therein. Verily it is the Most Great Stronghold. Blessed is he who hath turned unto it and held fast thereunto. He is of those who have attained.

O ʿAli! Where is thy previous day and where is that which appeared in the previous year? The world testifieth to its evanescence, yet most of the people are heedless. Say: Cling ye unto that which shall endure for you throughout the endurance of the Kingdom and the Realm, and abandon that which every truthful and trustworthy one acknowledgeth as perishable. Say: We have ordained for you in Our Crimson Tablet from My Most Glorious Pen that which shall gladden your hearts, rejoice your souls, and cause the hearts of the slumbering ones to soar. It behooveth you to stand firm in the Cause, and it behooveth Him to fulfill what He hath promised you in His Guarded Book.

O loved ones of the All-Merciful! The Beloved mentioneth you in His Most Great Prison and calleth you with such sweetness that were anyone to sense it, he would soar on the wings of detachment throughout creation and celebrate the praise of God with such remembrance as would cause hearts to be attracted and the breasts of those who have turned unto Him to be dilated.

Convey My Great Glory unto My loved ones who have soared in the atmosphere of My love, who have quaffed the choice wine of My bounty and have attained unto the Kawthar of My steadfastness. We testify that they are they upon whom the Concourse on High pray, and who have circumambulated the Throne by God’s leave, the Mighty, the Wise. Then convey My Great Glory unto him whose grief thou didst mention, and give him glad-tidings from the Wronged One that he may rejoice and be of those who are gladdened. Say: By God! There hath been sent down for thee on this Day of God that which a single verse thereof surpasseth all that hath been created in the heavens and earth. Be thou assured in the grace of thy Lord. He ordaineth for thee that which shall profit thee in this world and the next. He, verily, is the Almighty, the Powerful. Reflect upon thy Lord’s favor, how He hath turned toward thee from this spot and remembereth thee in this far-off stronghold. Say: I testify that Thou art the Lord of the world and the Sovereign over the nations. Thou doest what Thou willest by Thy command, and Thou art the Munificent, the Mighty, the Generous.

Then We convey from this spot Our Great Glory unto the faces of My handmaidens who have sought the horizon of My bounty, who have heard My call, who have turned with their hearts toward My Beautiful Countenance, who have drunk the Kawthar of My knowledge, and who have remembered their Lord through successive years. They are assuredly of the people of this wondrous Scene. At the end of Our utterance, We counsel Our servants with wisdom, then again with wisdom. Say: Ask ye God to grant you success therein and to bestow upon you that which floweth from this wondrous Spring.

BH05074: God testifieth that there is none other God beside…

In the Name of God, the Most Holy, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious!

God testifieth that there is none other God beside Him. His is the majesty and the power, the dominion and the authority. He giveth life and causeth death, and then raiseth up whomsoever He willeth. He, verily, is the Ruler over all who dwell in the unseen and the visible realms. He, verily, is the Omnipotent over all things. He sendeth down whatsoever He willeth through His sovereignty and ordaineth what He desireth by His word “Be” and it is. When We encompassed all who are in the heavens and on earth, We found thee in a cleft of the Cause. Therefore have We made mention of thee in truth, that the remembrance of thy Lord might draw thee to a praiseworthy station, that thou mightest inhale from the Holy Tablet the fragrance of intimacy, that thou mightest turn with thy whole being unto God and arise to aid this Wronged One Who hath been imprisoned in this land for the sake of God, and before Whose face the doors of ingress and egress have been sealed.

Hearken unto My words, then cast away all that is in the contingent world and take what hath come to thee from thy Lord, the All-Merciful. Arise and say: O people of the Bayan! By God, the Quickener of all creation hath come! Detach yourselves from all who are on earth, then turn unto God, the King, the Self-Subsisting, the All-Compelling. If thou aidest Him on earth, He will assuredly aid thee in His Kingdom and will send down upon thee hosts from the manifestations of power and might, and will assist thee thereby. There is none other God but He, the Omnipotent, the Mighty, the All-Loving.

Say: O people! Do ye deny Him Who revealed the Bayan unto Himself? What aileth you that ye understand not? Have ye clung to aught else besides Him after ye were commanded not to cling to any but Him at the time of His appearance? Have ye disbelieved while ye yourselves bear witness? Fear God, O people! This indeed is He through Whom the Tablets of God were sent down in every age, and that which was revealed in the Bayan testifieth to His own Self. Beware lest ye deny Him.

Stand firm in the Cause, then kindle the fire of oneness in the hearts of all creatures that it may purify them from the defilement of idle fancy and draw them nigh unto God, the Lord of the former and latter generations. Beware lest thou be halted by the cawing of them that are unbelievers. Take the rod by Our strength, then cleave asunder therewith the sea of vain imaginings, that perchance the people may turn their faces toward the holy precincts. Array the hearts in the name of the Beloved, that the effulgences of the Sun from this manifest horizon may be imprinted thereon.

Say: O people! Behold Him with His own eyes, even as ye were commanded in the Bayan wherein hath been set forth all that ye do. Say: He informed Me of your turning away from the direction of God and of that which would befall His Beloved, but ye have forgotten what was revealed by Him, and have broken His Covenant, and have disbelieved in Him through Whom was manifested that which was hidden. Turn aside from them that have disbelieved, and say:

Glorified art Thou, O my God! All praise be to Thee—praise whereby souls may be made steadfast in Thy love and good-pleasure. All praise be to Thee—praise whereby the oceans of Thy knowledge surge in every heart, preserving it from turning to any save Thee. All praise be to Thee—praise whereby existence is set aflame with the fire of Thy love and turned toward the holy precincts, the dawning-place of the lights of Thy oneness. All praise be to Thee—praise whereby every soul is made independent of all else save Thee, and all faces are directed to the splendors of the light of Thy countenance.

O Lord! I am he who hath sought the sanctuary of Thy unity and the Ka’bah of Thy singleness, who hath detached himself from all else save Thee and turned toward Thee. O Lord! Deprive me not of the outpourings of Thy days, the manifestations of the glory of Thy unity, and the revelations of Thy holy oneness. O Lord! Thou art the All-Bountiful, and I am the needy one. I have come unto Thee, detached from all save Thee, clinging to the cord of Thy bounty and favor.

O Lord! Draw me, then, through the wondrous melodies whereby Thou hast attracted the hearts of the sincere ones among Thy creation and the souls of them that are nigh unto Thee among Thy creatures, that I may stand firm in Thy love in such wise that the turning away of the idolaters and the denial of the doubters may not hinder me. Enable me to arise to serve Thee and to praise Thy Self. Verily, Thou art He Who hath ever been powerful to do as He pleaseth and sovereign over whatsoever He willeth. There is none other God but Thee, the Mighty, the Bountiful.

O Lord! Make us helpers of Thy religion, supporters of Thy loved ones, and those who turn away from Thine enemies. There is none other God but Thee, the Almighty, the All-Ruling, the All-Willing.

BH01611: You had mentioned the tribulations of the friends. Praise…

He is God, exalted be His glory

You had mentioned the tribulations of the friends. Praise be to God that each of His loved ones, according to their capacity, has drunk from the cup of tribulation in His path and partaken of the chalice of destiny. No glory endures, nor abasement, neither heat remains, nor shade. Will those who recline upon the couches of might and majesty endure, while those who walk barefoot perish? No, by God! All shall perish outwardly, but the former, if they walked the path of desire, shall be destroyed and perish, while the latter, if they turned to God, shall be saved and endure.

Those who are occupied with the world and heedless of God, the Most High, are all worshippers of vain imaginings, for that with which they are occupied and for which they turn away from Truth is unreal and evanescent, like a mirage that appears to exist but leaves no trace to those possessed of insight. That which is subject to change and alteration has no worth and never will. Say: O servants! Look beneath the earth—can you distinguish between master and servant, noble and base, wise and heedless, rich and poor? Can any distinguish between the bones of kings and subjects? Where are those who sat upon thrones of glory and reclined upon couches of grandeur? And where are those who rose up to war against God and considered all in the realm their possessions? Is there any trace of those souls to be found, or any mention of their fruits? All have become a ruined people, and destiny has scattered them like dust.

We should view things with an eye that changing circumstances cannot alter, and trust in God’s grace and thank Him for whatever He has willed and for all that appears from Him. In brief, comfort and hardship, ease and difficulty, sorrows and joys are all passing. All these matters depend upon and are sustained by human existence, which is itself subject to change and transformation; how much more so then the branch than the root! Blessed is the state of those who, in their love for God, are tried by the love of His creatures. Not an atom of the deeds of men is hidden from God. Today He regards with the eye of grace His loved ones who have turned to Him and remained steadfast in His love, and mentions them with the tongue of His grandeur. By God! This is what the chosen ones prefer, and nothing past or future can equal it.

O thou who art renowned in the land and mentioned in all regions! Hear My words: Be not grieved by what has befallen thee and the loved ones of God. Aid thy Lord within thyself, then remember Him among thy brothers and thank Him in all conditions. Indeed He has protected thee from those upon whom the sun has not risen upon any more wretched. Know thou that this Ocean’s waves will not still, this Breeze’s wafting will not cease, this Musk no vessel can contain, this Fragrance no seal can confine. How excellent are these words:

“Were the sweet-scented breezes of Thy fragrance to blow in the East, while in the West one suffered from a cold, his sense of smell would be restored.”

Praise God that in this great calamity, mighty tribulation, and countless afflictions, thou hast entered this fortified ruined city. By God! This remembrance and what has appeared and will appear in this city shall endure unto the eternal future. Soon shall the gates be opened, for thy Lord is the Mighty, the Glorious, the All-Bountiful. Blessed are they who do not stumble in this upheaval but remain firm. In this imprisonment are concealed a hundred thousand wisdoms—soon shall what is hidden from all eyes be revealed.

Since you had written about the details of the tribulations of the friends, it was mentioned before the Divine Presence that one of the servants should recount some details of events that occurred from the time of departure from the Land of Mystery until arrival in this land, that the two accounts might be joined together. And He is the All-Remembering, the Mighty, the Bestower.

BH01631: Hear what the Beauty of the Manifestation sings…

He is the Almighty

Hear what the Beauty of the Manifestation sings in this cycle upon this blessed spot which has been raised up from the right hand of the Throne—that there is none other God but Him and that the Primal Point Who was made manifest in the year sixty is verily the Word of God and His sovereignty, and the wisdom of God and His proof, and the Command of God and His splendor, and in Him the Beloved and the Loved One became united, and He is verily the Word from which the letters were differentiated through His command “Be! and it is,” and He is verily the Point from which appeared the letters and words, and through Him was manifested every hidden knowledge, and through Him was the Kaf joined with the Nun, and every firm and decreed matter became manifest, and He is verily the Book of God wherein is inscribed the knowledge of all that was, were ye to know, and He is verily the Balance of God and His wisdom, and the Path of God and His Command, and through Him every believer was separated from every rejected misbeliever, and through His nearness appeared the decree of Paradise and after Him the decree of the Fire, were ye to understand.

Through Him the Dove sang upon the branches and the voice of the All-Merciful appeared from behind the veils of concealment and covering that there is none other God but Him, the Mighty, the Powerful, the Self-Subsisting, the Eternal, and through Him were the contingent beings resurrected and all who are in the heavens and earth were gathered together, and the earth brought forth its hidden pearls of glory, and He appeared to the gaze of the lovers with the name of Ali in truth and came with manifest sovereignty, and to the gaze of the believers with all names, were ye to comprehend, and to the gaze of those near to God the names and attributes appeared by His command, and verily He is the Single, the Exalted, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy, and to My gaze all this is in His creation and verily this is His creation, were ye to behold with the eye of God therein.

By God! The Dove sings upon a branch of the branches with melodies that no melody can resemble, were ye to hear—through one melody He guides the misguided to an extended path of glory, and through another melody He guides the believers to the heaven of holiness and then the lovers to the beauty of the Beloved, and through a melody all who are in the heavens and earth swoon away such that none remains in the kingdom possessed of limitation and consciousness, then calls out “To whom belongs the Kingdom?” and none answers Him, and He answers Himself by Himself “To God, the Powerful, the Mighty, the Sovereign, the Single, the One, the All-Conquering, the Self-Subsisting.” Thus does the Dove sing upon the melody of possibility according to a determined measure. By God! She has melody after melody and sings song after song, and were one of her melodies to appear as God has ordained for her, hearts would be convulsed and bodies would tremble and faces would be transformed.

And thou, O handmaiden of God, then O my mother, rejoice within thyself and be glad in thine essence at what has been sent down to thee—an inscribed Book wherein are recorded the mysteries of knowledge and wisdom from the Pen through which appeared the decree of the Kaf and the Nun. Then know that thy letter came before Us and We learned what was in it, and We ask God that He may enable thee in His Cause and draw thee near to His presence and grant thee the good of this world and the next and all that thou lovest and art pleased with, and verily He is the Generous, the Giving, the Forgiving. Beware, O handmaiden of God, grieve not over anything in this world and trust in all matters in God thy Lord, for in Him do the detached ones put their trust.

Then know that We have arrived in the prison beyond seas and valleys and cities and lofty mountains, and for this We thank God and praise Him and glorify Him and mention Him and sanctify Him for what He has sent down upon Us of His firm decree and His determined ordainment, and We are patient through His might and power, and verily He will fulfill the rewards of those who were patient and trusted and were of those who return unto Him.

And the Spirit and the Light and the Glory and the Splendor be upon thee and upon those who keep company with thee for the love of God, the Mighty, the Beloved.

BH01680: God willing, mayest thou at all times and under…

In the Name of God, the Most Holy, the Most Exalted!

God willing, mayest thou at all times and under all conditions abide beneath the shade of the All-Merciful, occupied in service to the Ancient Beauty amidst the peoples. The gaze of loving-kindness and the glance of favor have ever been directed towards thee. Give thanks unto thy Lord for this and be thou of the grateful ones.

Arise to serve the Cause in such wise that neither the contingent happenings of the world nor the whisperings of the idolatrous souls may sadden thee or prevent thee from the remembrance of the Lord of all created things. Observe how this Wronged One is afflicted in the Most Great Prison between two parties. By the truth of His own Self, wert thou to be truly informed of what hath befallen Him, thou wouldst weep with the weeping of them that are bereft. Nevertheless, at all times the stream of wisdom and utterance floweth from the right hand of the throne. Draw near to thy chalice unto Him and fill it, then drink in the name of thy Lord, the Mighty, the Bountiful. How many who are distant are with Me in the loftiest heights of detachment, and how many who are near are in a place remote.

Thy services are remembered before God and recorded in the divine Tablets. Their reward hath not been and shall not be lost. If certain outward matters have not proceeded according to thy desire, be not saddened. God willing, through divine bounty and merciful grace they shall be set right. Every matter is bound to its time. This is naught but divine wisdom and infinite mercy.

Then know thou that Rida hath openly rebelled against God and committed that which none before him hath committed. He hath squandered God’s Cause and spread abroad that which the Pen is powerless to mention. Thus have We been afflicted in this mighty Prison. He committed in the Land of Mystery that which caused the Spirit of God, thy Lord and the Lord of the worlds, to lament. Yet We concealed it, for thy Lord is the Concealer, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. They consumed swine’s flesh there. We said: Fear God and commit not that which would cause God’s Cause to be lost among the Muslim people. Thereby did hatred intensify until fate arrived. Verily thy Lord is the Ruler over whatsoever He willeth.

When Victory saw the signs of death he repented and returned, then passed away at that time. Therefore We forgave him and recorded him among the penitent. And after him Rida appeared and repented of what he had done. Though We found him in hypocrisy, We concealed his affair as a grace from Us. Verily thy Lord is the All-Bountiful, the Ancient of Days.

When We entered this Prison he committed lewdness and spread the carpet of wine-drinking, showing no shame before God. He rebelled and led astray a number of souls to his deed. Then his sister joined in his actions. Thus do We recount unto thee the truth that thou mayest be among them that are informed. One day she entered before the Presence. We saw her in great drunkenness. When she was forbidden, she left and cried out. Thus were We afflicted by a wicked and most lost people.

O servant who gazeth toward God! Thou knowest the ocean of My mercy and the mountains of My tranquility and the heaven of My patience. Observe what deeds they have committed, that despite My mercy which hath preceded and encompassed all the worlds, they have become outcasts. Be not thou grieved by this. Verily thou hast an exalted station with thy Lord. Hold fast to thy connection with Him. He sufficeth thee. Be thou detached from all the worlds. Manifest in thy love for thy Lord a fire that the waters cannot quench and a light that the veils of them that are on earth cannot obscure. This beseemeth thee, for thou art of the people of this luminous station.

Thy likeness and those who have believed have appeared before the Presence. We have therefore recorded for thee and for them the reward of them that have attained the presence of their Lord in this manifest Prison. Give thanks unto God for having been mentioned by the Most Exalted Pen, and We have ordained for you the reward of them that have won this noble perspective. Verily the Glory be upon thee and upon them and upon thy family and thy descendants from the presence of One Mighty, Praiseworthy.

BH01696: Glorified be He Who hath sent down the verses…

He is the Mighty

Glorified be He Who hath sent down the verses in truth, that they might serve as a clear testimony unto all the worlds, and that through them His Cause and sovereignty might be made manifest. This hath ever been, from time immemorial, and to this We do bear witness. They who have been given the insight of knowledge from God are assured that these verses have been sent down from One Who is All-Wise, All-Informed. Through them truth hath been distinguished from falsehood, and light from darkness, since ancient times.

Say: By God! He is, of His own Self, the Sovereign of all created things, their Originator, the Creator of all beings, and their Fashioner. He needeth no proof other than Himself for this, if ye be possessed of keen insight into the mystery of the Cause. For His Cause is more manifest than to be veiled by aught or concealed behind any veil—this is known to every one endowed with knowledge. Indeed, were there any proof besides Him, that proof would become a veil unto Him. None knoweth this save every assured and wise one.

However, since men are weak in themselves and diverse in their understanding and recognition, He manifesteth that which all in the heavens and earth are powerless to produce, that it might serve as an eloquent testimony from Him unto all the worlds. This is naught but to demonstrate His bounty unto all created things and to manifest His grace unto every one, be they poor or rich. Otherwise, He, exalted be He, hath no need of anything to demonstrate His Cause and manifest His sovereignty, as every pure nature doth testify.

Say: O people of the earth! Do ye not witness how He hath appeared with the truth and risen above all created things with an authority mighty and impregnable? Say: Though enemies have encompassed Him from every side and darkness hath seized Him from all directions, yet doth He shine forth among them like an illuminating pearl of holiness. Say: By God! His utterance is a testimony unto the peoples of the heavens and of the earth, if men’s ears be attentive. Say: The proof is manifest in all His deeds and actions—this is a truth which every fair-minded and trustworthy one doth recognize. Can light be compared to darkness, or shade to heat, or spirit to aught else? Glory be to God! This is naught but grievous heedlessness.

Say: O people of the earth! Open your eyes, sharpen your vision, and purify your ears that ye may witness that which God hath testified for you in a Tablet that hath been hidden from sight.

O Ali! Bear thou witness that there is none other God but Him, and that Ali is the Manifestation of His Self and the Manifestation of His Name. Thus doth the Bird of the Divine Throne warble with sorrowful voice. Know thou that We have been cast into prison through that which the hands of every tyrannical oppressor have wrought. For this We give thanks unto God and praise Him, and We fear no one even should tribulations greater than any great tribulation descend upon Us.

And thou, O servant, preserve this Tablet and recite it with a sweet voice, that there might be kindled in thy heart from this Fire which hath been secretly illuminating. Then give thanks unto God, rejoice in God’s gladness, be steadfast in thy love, and be keen in vision. Entrust not the reins of thy sight and heart to anyone. Look upon all that cometh unto thee with the vision God hath created within thee—this is the best counsel, and God is indeed aware of this.

For the Cause hath been veiled from sight, and none hath comprehended it, even if they were nigh unto the truth. And thou, rend asunder the veils of idle fancy and blind imitation, and be possessed of spiritual insight. Pay no heed to the people, for they are caught in the grip of creation and are weak in their essence. Whoso attaineth not unto this station hath achieved naught, even should he lay claim within himself to every wondrous thing.

Thus do We reveal unto thee the verses and make mention of thee with love and aid thee in the Cause, that thou mayest be assured within thyself and content with God. The Spirit and Glory be upon thee and upon every lofty heart.

BH09243: O Suleiman! Hear My call from the direction…

He is God, the Most Exalted, the Most High, the Most Glorious

O Suleiman! Hear My call from the direction of My prison, that My melodies may attract thee and detach thee from all else save Me, and cause thee to soar in My atmosphere, and draw thee nigh unto the Dayspring of My Beauty, and make thee speak My praise amidst My servants, and enable thee to drink the Kawthar of immortality from the Salsabil of My mercy and the holy Tasnim from the river of My bounty. Verily, My fragrances guide the yearning ones to the paradise of My remembrance, and My sweet scents lead the seeking ones to the court of My presence and meeting. Thus doth the Youth make mention of thee in these days wherein the ignorant among the people have encompassed Him.

O Son of Man! Say: O followers of religions among the people of all worlds! He Who ascended to heaven hath come upon the crimson clouds with hosts of His holiness, and the Kingdom of God moveth before Him and behind Him are the hosts of revelation, did ye but know it. Say: The Comforter Whose advent all the scriptures have promised is now come that He may reveal unto you all knowledge and wisdom. Seek Him over the entire surface of the earth, haply ye may find Him. And should ye find Him, beware lest ye crucify the body of the Promised One as did the Jews crucify aforetime. Fear God, O people, and be not of the wrongdoers.

Blessed is the eye that beholdeth His beauty, and the ear that heareth His melodies, and the tongue that speaketh His praise, and the foot that walketh in the paths of His good-pleasure, and the heart that is filled with the knowledge of His Self, and the soul that beareth the trust of His love. Thus doth the Cock of the Throne crow that the people of the horizons may exchange discord for concord. Beware lest ye stone Him with your glances after He guideth you to the divine paradise. Say: He hath sacrificed His spirit even as He sacrificed aforetime His body, and He feareth no one among all that hath been created between earth and heaven, and He guideth men unto God, the Lord of the worlds.

Say: O people of the earth! Gather ye at the table of your Lord, the All-Merciful, which hath descended once again from the heaven of divine decree after its ascension, and hath appeared in the temple of man at the midmost heart of contingent being. O concourse of the worlds! Deprive not yourselves of that which hath been ordained for you by God, the Almighty, the All-Bountiful.

Say: O people! Purify your hearts from rancor and hatred, and sanctify your souls from transgression and iniquity, then adorn your bodies with the robe of faithfulness and your tongues with truthfulness in the land of creation. Thus doth the Most Exalted Pen command you in the heaven of destiny, if ye be of them that know. Say: Through His fragrances the realities of all things have been stirred in their longing for His presence and in their search for reunion with Him. O people! Deprive not yourselves of the sanctuary of His knowledge, and differ not concerning Him, that ye may be numbered among the believers.

Blessed art thou for having drunk the Kawthar of life from the hand of the favors of thy Lord, the Mighty, the Bestower. We beseech God to make thee steadfast in His love and established in His Cause, for verily He is powerful over all things. Say: Through Him hath God given life to the world and created the world for His own Self, yet the people of the world have wronged Him and knew Him not, and were of the heedless ones.

And if thou desirest to become acquainted with My Cause and what hath befallen My person, know thou that the tribulations have reached such a degree as to transcend all mention and utterance, and none knoweth the afflictions of the Youth save His Lord, the Mighty, the All-Knowing. And We thank God for what He hath decreed for Us by His command, and We shall be patient even as We were patient before, and We seek help from no one, and help cometh only from thy Lord, the Mighty, the All-Bestowing.

This wondrous Tablet was sent, but that servant must move with the utmost wisdom so that none of the ungodly become aware of the origin of the previous Cause before its manifestation. And as for what you wrote regarding that which was sent down from the heaven of grace to be distributed to all regions—its time and season shall come. Verily He is the Powerful over whatsoever He willeth. He doeth what He pleaseth and ordaineth what He desireth.

BH01728: The Tablet which hath been raised unto God hath…

The Tablet which hath been raised unto God hath been sent down from the heaven of immortality unto him who was named Aqa Baba, that he may read it at eventide and at dawn.

In the Name of God, the Most High, the Most Exalted! Glorified be He Who sendeth down the verses in truth and through them draweth unto Him the hearts of whomsoever He pleaseth. Verily, He hath ever been powerful over whatsoever He willeth. All that is in the heavens and all that is on earth glorify Him, and all are mentioned in His Tablet.

O servant! Consecrate thy heart to the Sacred House, then visit it with manifest humility. When the way to thy Lord was barred, He ordained for the pilgrims to turn their hearts unto the seat of His mighty throne, for the people had blocked the path and prevented the servants from attaining the shore of impregnable glory. Therefore hath God accepted from them their turning toward the direction of the House with pure and luminous hearts.

When thou desirest to make the pilgrimage, perform ablutions as thou wert commanded in the Book, then turn thy face toward the Throne and say: The praise which hath proceeded from Thy Most Exalted Self, and the glory which hath dawned from Thy Most Resplendent Beauty, be upon Thee, O Manifestation of Grandeur, Sovereign of Immortality, and King of all who are in earth and heaven! I testify that through Thee were revealed the sovereignty of God and His power, the majesty of God and His grandeur. Through Thee the Suns of eternity shone forth in the heaven of destiny and the Beauty of the Unseen appeared from the horizon of creation. I testify that through one movement of Thy Pen the command of “Be” was made manifest, and God’s hidden secret was disclosed, all created things began to exist, and all manifestations were raised up.

I testify that through Thy beauty the Beauty of the Worshipped One was revealed and through Thy face the Face of the Desired One shone forth. Through a word from Thee was made the distinction among all created things, the faithful ascended unto the heights of glory and the idolaters descended into the lowest depths. I testify that he who hath known Thee hath known God, and he who hath attained unto Thy presence hath attained unto the presence of God. Blessed is he who hath believed in Thee and in Thy signs, who hath humbled himself before Thy sovereignty, who hath been honored with meeting Thee, who hath attained the good pleasure of Thy will, who hath circled round Thee, and who hath presented himself before Thy Throne.

Woe betide him who hath wronged Thee, and denied Thee, and repudiated Thy signs, and gainsaid Thy sovereignty, and risen up against Thee, and waxed proud before Thy face, and hath disputed Thy testimonies, and fled from Thy rule and Thy dominion, and been numbered with the infidels whose names have been inscribed by the fingers of Thy command upon Thy holy Tablets.

O my God and my Beloved! Waft, then, to me from the right hand of Thy mercy and Thy loving-kindness, the holy breaths of Thy favors, that they may draw me away from myself and from the world unto the precincts of Thy nearness and Thy presence. Potent art Thou to do what pleaseth Thee. Thou, verily, hast been supreme over all things.

Thus have We commanded thee, O servant! Arise and act as thou hast been bidden. This shall suffice thee above all who dwell on earth. Whosoever visiteth this Wronged One, this Sorrowful One, this Prisoner, and reciteth what the Spirit hath revealed in this Tablet, God shall forgive him and his parents and his kindred who have believed in God, and shall raise him up in every Revelation with a radiant and luminous countenance. He shall shelter him beneath His shadow and cause him to abide near His mercy, and shall sustain him with the holy fruits of Paradise, and shall send down upon him that which shall make him independent of all who are in the heavens and on earth. Thus hath it been decreed in the Tablets.

Blessed is he who hath followed the command of his Lord in these days wherein most of the servants have become heedless and have deprived themselves of the wondrous favors of God. As for thee, render thanks unto God for having singled thee out for this bounty and sent unto thee that from which thou wilt find the fragrance of the beloved Glory. Upon thee, and upon thy wife, and upon those who have remained steadfast in the Cause this day, be glory.

BH01721: In the Name of God, the Most Holy…

In the Name of God, the Most Holy, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious! These are the verses of God sent down in truth from the heaven of mighty glory. God has made them a proof for all who dwell in the dominion of Command and Creation, and a remembrance for all who are on earth.

O people! Believe in what has been sent down to you and dispute not the verses of God after their revelation, lest a severe chastisement befall you in justice. Fear God, O people, then consider what was sent down to the Prophets and Messengers, and what has been revealed in these days, that the truth may become manifest to you and you may be possessed of illumined insight.

God has sent Messengers to His servants since time immemorial, who called the people to Him and gave them glad tidings of the days of God. But when the Day appeared and God came with the Manifestation of His Self, they disbelieved in Him and turned away until they arose to slay Him. Thus was the matter decreed. No Messenger was sent except the people denied Him and disputed with Him vainly, until God established the truth through His verses and seized those who disbelieved and associated partners with God and were deprived of the Kawthar of faith.

Forget not those days when you entered the Garden of Paradise before the Countenance and were illumined by His lights. In those days We concealed Our face lest anyone recognize Us, according to the wisdom inscribed in the Tablets by the Pen of Command. When the appointed time of concealment was fulfilled, We unveiled the Face with a sovereignty witnessed by all creation. None deny it save those who are heedless of the remembrance of their Lord and are debarred from the shore of grace.

Hearken to My words and purify yourself from all that prevents you from God, your Lord. Then take for yourself a guardian in truth, and he will protect you from all that displeases you and guard you from the harm of every harmful thing. His mercy is ever nigh unto you. Trust in all matters to your Lord and He will aid you with the hosts of the unseen with power.

If you find in your father’s heart love for God and the Manifestation of His Self, remind him, that perchance he may arise from the sleep of heedlessness and find a path to God. Otherwise, leave him to himself, for verily your Lord, the All-Merciful, is independent of all created things. He gives sovereignty to whom He wishes among His servants and withholds it from whom He wishes. He has power over all things.

Forget not the favor of your Lord when enemies surrounded you, and He protected you in truth, set right your affairs, sent down tranquility from His presence upon you, and delivered you from sorrow with an all-encompassing sovereignty. Turn your face to Him and trust in His grace. Fear no one, for He will exalt you in truth and fulfill what you desire that you may be steadfast in the Cause.

Read this Tablet in times when you find yourself detached from this world and all that is therein, that it may attract you to a station praised from all eternity. Know that We have not forgotten you in this prison and sent you before this a Tablet inscribed by the Finger of Command. And now We send you this Tablet that you may rejoice in your soul and be gladdened by God’s loving-kindness. When it reaches you, take it with the power of your Lord, then act according to what is in it. Thus do We teach you and impart to you that your eyes may be consoled and you may be among those who, when verses are sent down to them from the King of Names and Attributes, fall prostrate upon their faces before God Who created them by His command and made them among those who are mentioned before the Throne.

And glory be upon you and upon those who have held fast to the cord of God and the handle of His grace and who have remained faithful to the Cause.

BH01784: This is a Book from Us to him who…

In the Name of God, the Most Holy, the Most Glorious

This is a Book from Us to him who turned to God and detached himself from all else—verily he is among those who have attained the presence of God, the Protector, the Mighty, the Wise, and who circled the Spot of God until he entered therein by His leave and appeared before the Throne with evident humility. Blinded were the eyes of those who prevented the servants from entering the precincts of their Lord’s mercy, the Forgiving, the Generous. And whenever he desired to attain the presence, the eyes of those who denied God were blinded and prevented His loved ones from turning to His shining and radiant Face.

O Muhammad! Hear the call of God from the direction of His Most Glorious Name, then consider the leaders of the Qur’an who denied the verses of God, the Mighty, the Wise. They attribute themselves to Muhammad the Messenger of God while He weeps and laments, yet they understand not. They oppose His very Being and slay Him unjustly, while in His Name they glory, unaware. Say: He calls you from the Supreme Horizon saying:

“O people! This is He of Whom We gave you tidings, and verily this is the Beloved of the worlds. This is He but for Whom I would not have revealed Myself nor sent down the Qur’an and the Gospel. Fear God and follow not those who call you to vain desires. This truly is the Most Glorious Horizon—turn to it from near and far. Beware lest you violate the sanctity of God among you. Cast away what you possess and take what you are given from the presence of One All-Knowing, All-Wise.”

O Muhammad! Blessed art thou for having heard the melodies of thy Lord and attained His presence after the Ancient Beauty was imprisoned in the Most Great Prison. At this, every atom bears witness that thou art among the triumphant. Recount to My loved ones what thou hast seen, known and understood, lest tribulations prevent them from the Lord of Names. Thus does the Youth command thee from the presence of One All-Knowing, All-Praiseworthy.

We counsel thee and Our loved ones to fear God and to detach from all else but Him, that there may appear from them that which will attract the hearts of the world. This is the path of thy Lord between the heavens and the earth. Give thanks to God for having entered a place which He made the circling-point of the angels of the near ones, and for entering the Spot of God by Our leave and departing by Our command. Verily thy Lord does what He wills and ordains what He desires. Grieve not at departing, but ask God to make thee a destroyer of the edifices of Gog, for this is the greatest of deeds in the sight of the Self-Sufficient, the Most High—though the people know it not. Leave the outward edifices—We mean the edifices of hearts. Thus does thy Lord, the All-Knowing, teach thee.

Say: O people! Spread not corruption in the earth nor follow every obstinate tyrant. It behooves My loved ones to call the people to their Merciful Lord with wisdom and utterance. Disputation has been forbidden in this mighty and glorious Revelation. The people have been prevented by veils of their own making—had they but known, they would have cast away what they possess and turned to the direction of God, wherein the Ancient Beauty has shone forth with manifest sovereignty. Thy Lord desires not the harm of anyone—verily He is the Forgiving, the Merciful—and He desires that all on earth should enter His holy and mighty and resplendent kingdom. Look not at those who wronged My loved ones—they are heedless. Had they known, they would have sacrificed themselves in My path. Soon will come a day when they shall bite their fingers in remorse and weep for themselves. Thus has the matter been decreed from the presence of One Mighty, Ancient.

Convey My greetings to the faces of My loved ones and say: Blessed are ye for having recognized Me and stood firm in a Cause at which the feet of those who deemed themselves virtuous have slipped. Know ye that they are among the corrupt ones, to which the bearers of the mighty Throne bear witness. And praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

BH01744: Is this a glorious Book, or the temple…

In the Name of God, the Most Holy, the Most Glorious!

Is this a glorious Book, or the temple of man wherein hath been inscribed by the Pen of the All-Merciful the knowledge of what hath been and what is to come? Blessed be God, the Most Excellent of Creators! Or is it the Water of Life for the quickening of all the worlds? Doth the Book walk, nay, We behold it soaring. Glorified be He Who hath moved it, causing all who are in the heavens and on earth to move. Or is it a clock, for by it have the tribes of the earth lamented and the Great Terror appeared? Say: Glory be unto Him! Glory be unto Him! It was created by His command, and was seized with such wonderment that it forgot itself, and inquireth about itself, asking “Hath it come?” Say: Nay, it hath passed, and this is the manifest Beauty.

If this be a Book, by My life, it is verily the King of Books. If thou sayest it is man, by My beauty, it is the apple of the All-Merciful’s eye, made manifest in creation. Exalted be this wondrous grace! If We declare it to be water, We behold the hearts of men consumed by it, and if We say it is fire, it hath illumined all lands with its radiant and gleaming light. Can anyone truly know it as it deserveth to be known? Nay, by the Beauty of the All-Glorious! Exalted, exalted, then more exalted, far exalted is it above the flight of the birds of the hearts of the believers to the atmosphere of its knowledge.

Blessed is he whom the breath of God hath awakened, who hath turned to the sanctuary of the Messengers with a pure and luminous heart. The Beloved proclaimeth that which hath appeared, and Moses glorieth in what he hath beheld, and Abraham hath turned to the Most Great Scene, and He Who hath come speaketh, saying:

“Blessed is he who hath attained unto this Day wherein the veil hath been rent asunder and the All-Bountiful hath come upon the clouds with manifest sovereignty.”

O Ancient Pen! Didst Thou desire to rend asunder the greatest veil? Be patient, for the ears of the ungodly are stretched toward Thee that they might hear that whereby they can object to God, the Mighty, the Wise. He saith: “O my Merciful Lord! Since Thy gaze is fixed upon him who hath loved Thee, grant me leave to sing what Thou hast inspired me through Thy bounty which hath encompassed all created things. Verily, Thou art the Omnipotent over what Thou willest. Blessed is he whom Thou rememberest in the prison with that which shall establish his remembrance for the duration of Thy Self. Blessed is he who hath turned to Thee after most of the servants turned away. Blessed is he whom Thou hast chosen for Thy service and whom nothing hath prevented from turning to his Lord, the Mighty, the All-Knowing.

O thou who art yearning! Blessed art thou, for thy face hath been illumined by the light that hath shone forth from the Day-Star of the horizons on this Day of the Covenant, and thou hast turned to the Qiblih of the worlds. We have found the fragrance of thy love and have sent thee from the precincts of the Prison that which will cause thee to inhale the sweet savors of thy Lord’s garment in this time wherein the Sun of Revelation hath shone forth from the horizon of might with a magnificent command. Blessed art thou for having honored him who came to thee from thy Lord, for having found solace in him, and for being among those who have turned unto Him. Be thou steadfast in the Cause, verily thy Lord is with thee and will aid thee with a sovereignty from His presence. He is, in truth, the Forgiving, the Generous.

Remember Him in all conditions and say:

“Praise be unto Thee, O Beloved of the mystics, for having remembered me after I was in the hands of the ungodly.”

Glory be unto Thee, O my God! Thou beholdest my dwelling place and my tribulation, and Thou knowest that in this Tablet I have desired naught save one of Thy loved ones who hath turned to the court of Thy favor, that the breathings of Thy revelation might attract him in Thy days, and that the rapture of reunion might seize him in such wise as to cause him to arise to serve Thee amidst Thy creatures. O Lord! Accept from him that which hath proceeded from him in Thy path, then enable him to do what Thou lovest and approvest. O Lord! Write down for him what Thou hast written for Thy chosen ones, then make him to circle round Thee in all Thy worlds. Verily, Thou art the Omnipotent over what Thou pleasest, and the Sovereign over what Thou willest. There is none other God but Thee, the Mighty, the Generous.

BH01811: The remembrance of God from the sacred leaf upon…

He is the Mighty, the Triumphant, the Powerful

The remembrance of God from the sacred leaf upon the tree of paradise in this hallowed and luminous spot. God, there is no God but Him.

Verily the Tree of the Bayan was the first tree raised up in truth, and it spoke: “I am God, the Mighty, the Generous.” Through it the fire was kindled in existence and the beauty of the Worshipped One appeared to every seeing eye. Through it the face of misbelief was veiled and the beauty of divine unity dawned from the dayspring of the name All-Knowing. Through it the idols were shattered and God was established upon the throne of manifest might. Through it mysteries were revealed, lights shone forth, and darkness was transformed by this rising, luminous dawn. Thus do my tongue, my heart, my bones, my form, my body, and this wise and brilliant Pen bear witness.

Say: By God the Truth, my lips will not open concerning that which hath aroused hatred in the hearts of the ungodly, nor will my tongue move with that which God my Lord taught me before the creation of the heavens and earths. Say: We desire not to speak a word, but the Spirit speaks within my breast and causes to flow from my pen whatsoever He willeth, for He doeth what He pleaseth. Therefore, O concourse of the earth, take not vengeance upon me for this, but judge fairly in my cause and be not of the wrongdoers. And if this be my crime and sin, and the word of the sinners hath been fulfilled against me, then have mercy, O people, upon me and upon my exile and my suffering and my tribulation at the hands of the deniers. Fear God and transgress not the bounds of God which ye have been commanded to observe in the Book of God, the King, the Mighty, the All-Knowing. Thus did the Dove speak before and speaketh now with verses of compelling attraction, that God’s favor may be completed for those who have believed and His proof may be perfected against the turn-aways.

O Leaf of Paradise! Thy letter hath come before Us and We have learned what was therein, and We were among the witnesses. We heard thy cry of separation after the fire of longing was kindled in thy breast, and We learned what was therein of every sigh and lamentation. Verily thou didst weep in places of joy, so how much more in this tribulation which hath dawned from the horizon of God by mighty decree. And if thou shouldst weep in this sorrow for the duration of the kingdom and rend the garment of patience, thou wouldst be justified, for by this the mantle of grandeur was rent, the mountains of the Cause were leveled, and the Maids of Heaven cried out in chambers of holy and luminous sanctity. But if thine eyes should turn toward the direction of patience, this would be better for thee with God, thy Lord, the Patient, the Powerful, the Mighty.

And if thou desirest to know what hath befallen Us after Our departure from the City of God, the Mighty, the Generous, know that We journeyed for four known months until We arrived at this prison, which is cut off from the feet of seekers, for it lieth beyond upraised mountains and unnumbered cities and a surging sea and a deep ravine. And We remained therein in sorrow and bewilderment until God should please, for He is the best of judges and the wisest of rulers. And thou, remember thou Our days, then Our sorrow, then Our exile and what befell Us from these wrongdoers. Thus have We imparted to thee what was decreed for Us in this journey and inspired thee with that which is concealed from the eyes of the mystics.

Then convey Our remembrance to all who are in thy land of those who have believed in God and turned away from every rebellious devil. And the Spirit and the light and the glory and the splendor be upon thee and upon every servant who turneth repentant unto God Who created him and fashioned him and made him to be of the guided ones.

BH01850: Lawh-i-Shaykh Fani

In the Name of God, the Most Holy, the Most Inaccessible

The Most Exalted Pen calleth aloud unto all created things, and guideth, in very truth, unto the one Reality. O aged Shaykh! Render thou thanks unto the Well-Beloved of the worlds, in that He hath confirmed thee to attain once again unto the Most Holy Court, and to circumambulate the Ka’bah of the Desired One. This day it behoveth thee to direct mankind unto one single Word— a Word made manifest in the Temple of the Best-Beloved, Who is the All-Compelling over the world and all that is therein. That Word is self-subsisting, and ever shall be. From it all things have appeared, and unto it shall all return. It is the verse: “There is none like unto Him.”

He is indeed a true believer in the unity of God who, in this Day, will regard Him as One immeasurably exalted above all the comparisons and likenesses with which men have compared Him. He hath erred grievously who hath mistaken these comparisons and likenesses for God Himself. Consider the relation between the craftsman and his handiwork, between the painter and his painting.

Can it it ever be maintained that the work their hands have produced is the same as themselves? By Him Who is the Lord of the Throne above and of earth below! They can be regarded in no other light except as evidences that proclaim the excellence and perfection of their author.

O Shaykh Fani! By self-surrender [fana’] and perpetual union with God [baqa] is meant that men should merge their will wholly in the Will of God, and regard their desires as utter nothingness beside His Purpose. Whatsoever the Creator commandeth His creatures to observe, the same must they diligently, and with the utmost joy and eagerness, arise and fulfil. They should in no wise allow their fancy to obscure their judgment, neither should they regard their own imaginings as the voice of the Eternal. In the Prayer of Fasting We have revealed:

“Should Thy Will decree that out of Thy mouth these words proceed and be addressed unto them, ʿObserve, for My Beauty’s sake, the fast, O people, and set no limit to its duration,’ I swear by the majesty of Thy glory, that every one of them will faithfully observe it, will abstain from whatsoever will violate Thy law, and will continue to do so until they yield up their souls unto Thee.”

In this consisteth the complete surrender of one’s will to the Will of God. Meditate on this, that thou mayest drink in the waters of everlasting life which flow through the words of the Lord of all mankind, and mayest testify that the one true God hath ever been immeasurably exalted above His creatures. He, verily, is the Incomparable, the Ever-Abiding, the Omniscient, the All-Wise. The station of absolute self-surrender transcendeth, and will ever remain exalted above, every other station.

It behoveth thee to consecrate thyself to the Will of God. Whatsoever hath been revealed in His Tablets is but a reflection of His Will. So complete must be thy consecration, that every trace of worldly desire will be washed from thine heart. This is the meaning of true unity.

Do thou beseech God to enable thee to remain steadfast in this path, and to aid thee to guide the peoples of the world to Him Who is the manifest and sovereign Ruler, Who hath revealed Himself in a distinct attire, Who giveth utterance to a Divine and specific Message.

This is the essence of faith and certitude. They that are the worshipers of the idol which their imaginations have carved, and who call it Inner Reality, such men are in truth accounted among the heathen. To this hath the All-Merciful borne witness in His Tablets. He, verily, is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

Through the loving-kindness of the All-Merciful ye must arise to serve in such wise that its fruits may become manifest. Say: O servants! Look ye with the eye of fairness, and take not unto yourselves, in each day, a partner or a likeness beside the True One. Blessed is he that knoweth his station and transgresseth it not—meaning, blessed is the soul that discerneth his own measure and passeth not beyond it.

God willing, ye must, relying upon God, speak in accordance with that which is written in this Tablet, that perchance the vain imaginations may be delivered from the arena of illusion into the expanse of certitude—namely, the recognition of the Temple of Manifestation—one by one. Verily God speaketh the truth, yet men are sunk in grievous delusion. We beseech God to enable all to do that which He loveth and is well pleased with. He is powerful over all things.

BH01854: Suriy-i-Man’

He is the Most Wondrous, the Exalted, the Most Sublime

This is a tablet that speaketh the truth and remembereth one of our servants so that he may render thanks unto God, his Lord, and be counted among them who are grateful. O thou servant, rejoice in thyself inasmuch as God hath made mention of thee on this night—in which the embodiments of all names were resurrected through the potency of My sovereign and most exalted might and every resplendent dawn yearneth to attain its presence.

Say: O people! By the righteousness of the One True God, the dawn of the Day of God hath risen from the Day Spring of Baha and the Ancient Beauty hath appeared from behind the veils of names in the raiment of My name, the All-Merciful, the Most Compassionate. Hasten, O people, to the tabernacle of God and the adored sanctuary of His presence. This is, verily, that which we have ordained for ye in the kingdom of Our irrevocable decree with the pen of glory and wisdom. Journey, O people, with your hearts and not your feet, for We have entered the prison by reason of that which the hands of the oppressors have wrought. This Spot lay behind a thousand mountains and whosoever hath reached for Us wert hindered from clinging to the hem of Our sacred vesture.

Say: those who have forsaken their selves and journeyed towards God and entered paradise—the abode where the Beauty of the All-Merciful was seated upon the Throne of His Name, the Most Mighty, the Great—and were honored by attaining the presence of the All-Glorious, and the glance of God, the King, the Powerful, the Almighty, the All-Knowing turned towards them; they have, verily, attained unto all good. The angels of eternity in the realms above, and the hosts of the unseen behind the mystic tabernacles and the embodiments of names in the kingdom of creation extol their praises. Thus hath the mercy of Thy Lord surpassed His servants who yearn for Him.

By the One in whose hand is my soul, one glance at My Beauty is preferable to that which hath been created between the heavens and the earth and from that which is ordained for all that dwell in the kingdoms of Creation and Revelation. Yet, in this day, whosoever directeth his heart towards the scene of His transcendent glory, God will verily compensate him for this. He is the All-Bountiful, the Ancient One. Say: O people of Baha! Journey not to this Sanctified Spot before leave is granted by Us, thus biddeth ye the Tongue of Might and Grandeur, if ye are of them who observe my precepts. O people! Direct thy steps towards the holy court of God with His acquiescence and at His behest and follow not your own selves and your corrupt desires. Follow the command of thy God, the Exalted, the All-knowing. Say: Heed O people the call of the One amongst you who summoneth you to God, and cast not His testimony behind your backs, and be not of them that transgress.

They who repudiated the signs of God in these days; they have verily reversed the favors of God upon themselves and have worshiped the idols of their vain imaginings and busied themselves therewith. O thou servant! Raise thyself from among them who denied the verses of God after they were sent down unto them and contended with Him and were among the infidels. Know ye that they who believed not in God, their Creator, in this Revelation, had verily waged war against God, and denied His proofs and gainsaid His signs and disbelieved in His sovereignty and were counted among the infidels in the mighty and wondrous tablets. Cleanse thou yourself from the love of these people, turn not thy face to them and befriend them not even for less than an instant.

Avoid the likes of them and cling to the mercy of God and His generosity. Enter then the shores of His holiness—that impregnable and sanctified habitation. Rejoice then in your heart for God hath mentioned thee in His Tablet. By the righteousness of God, this is a blessing with which compareth none other that hath been created betwixt the earth and heaven. Thus have We revealed unto thee the word of truth, so that thou may follow that which thou hast been commanded by the Almighty, the All-Powerful.

The mercy flowing from the cloud of eternity rest upon ye, O people of Baha! This verily is a manifest mercy from a generous Lord.

BH01837: O Ali-Qabli-Akbar! God willing, through the grace…

In the Name of the Beloved of the Worlds!

O Ali-Qabli-Akbar! God willing, through the grace of the Lord of Destiny thou shalt in all times and conditions be gazing toward the Most Great Horizon and drinking the water of life from the fingers of the mercy of the All-Merciful. Thy turning to the Friend hath been accepted, and thy orientation toward the face of the Beloved is beloved. Although the most exalted summit and the highest station is the meeting place of the two stations in the presence of the Lord of the Worlds—that station being the conjunction of the two nearnesses, namely the outward and inward nearness—this is of God’s grace which He bestoweth upon whomsoever He willeth. This station dependeth upon the Divine Will and the Holy Purpose. Often hath it been that the reward of this station hath been recorded for a soul that hath turned to God and found peace, even though outwardly it was not present before the Throne. And likewise hath it often been that less than this hath been recorded for one who was with Him. O Ali! Verily He is the Ruler over whatsoever He willeth, and He is verily the Mighty, the Powerful.

Be not grieved by separation and remoteness, for the Pen of Divine Command hath decreed nearness and reunion in thy case. The differences in this land and its hidden upheavals are many, many and great, great. Soon that which is concealed therein shall be revealed. I swear by the Sun of holy transcendence that the Ancient King hath been afflicted between two parties. Were anyone to look toward the heart, they would see Him in the two prisons. Thus doth the Dawning-Place of the two Commands and the Possessor of the two Pillars and the Rising-Place of the two Suns recount unto thee.

O ʿAli! Hearken unto the call of the Ancient King, Who calleth from the direction of the Most Great Prison, and praise the Beloved of the world Who hath enabled thee to turn toward the Divine Ka’bah and the Dawning-Place of unique Light. This station is most great—know thou its worth and be grateful at all times.

Previously, wondrous and sublime Tablets were sent down from the heaven of Divine favor specifically for thee and thy relatives, one after another. God willing, you shall attain unto them. Say: Glory be unto Thee, O my God! I beseech Thee by Thy Name through which the Hour was troubled and the Resurrection was shaken, to make me one of those who move not save by Thy leave and breathe not except by Thy command. Verily Thou art powerful over what Thou willest. There is none other God but Thee, the Mighty, the Generous.

O my Lord! I beseech Thee by Thy Name, the All-Prevailing over all names and the Ruler over all who are in earth and heaven, to make me in all conditions one who circleth round Thy Will and gazeth toward the horizon of Thy Purpose, in such wise that I desire naught from Thee except what Thou hast desired and seek naught save what Thou hast decreed in the Tablets of Thy Decree and written with the Pen of Thy Destiny.

O my God! I testify that Thou art God, there is none other God but Thee. Thou hast ever been established upon the throne of Thy oneness and seated upon the seat of Thy singleness. None can draw nigh unto Thee or soar in the atmosphere of Thy knowledge save to the extent which Thou hast ordained for them through Thy mercy which hath preceded all created things and Thy grace which hath encompassed all existing things.

O my Lord! Ordain for me from Thy bounty that which shall profit me. Verily Thou knowest what is within my soul and Thou art the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. Then write down for me, O my God, the good of this world and the next, and make me one of those for whom Thou hast ordained circumambulation around Thee in every world of Thy worlds. Verily Thou art the Giver, the Bountiful, the Generous.

I am the one, O my God, who hath left his abode, turning toward Thy abode. Thou hearest the lamentation of my heart in my separation from Thee and my yearning to meet Thee. This is my condition, and Thou art the Almighty, the Unconstrained over what Thou desirest.

BH01836: In the Name of the Beloved of the horizons!…

In the Name of the Beloved of the horizons! O Husayn! Hearken to the call of Husayn, Who from the Most Great Prison summons thee. This call quickens the body and brings the soul to its Beloved. O Husayn! Listen with thy heart’s ear, that thou mayest attain, through the sweetness of the divine Word, to such a station that thou wilt find thyself, at all times, in a state of joy and delight.

A great bounty hath been bestowed upon thee, in that thou hast twice entered the Most Great Prison and attained the station of nearness and reunion. Though the grace of this station may be concealed today, owing to the lack of capacity of the people of the world, it is witnessed and remembered before God. God willing, thou must arise to serve the Cause and be one of its servants. This station is most great—know thou its worth and act according to its conditions. With complete detachment and spiritual qualities thou must occupy thyself among the servants with the mention and praise of God, that perchance the worshippers of vain imaginings may become mindful and turn to the Lord of all beings.

To the friends in every land, if thou meetest them, convey greetings from this Wronged One. Say: O ye who soar in the atmosphere of divine love and O ye who seek the heavenly Sanctuary! This is the day of steadfastness. Ye must become so steadfast that the fragrances of your steadfastness may waft over the people of all lands. Today is the day of assistance—strive that ye may not remain deprived of service to the Cause in the days of God. The people of hypocrisy lie in wait—be vigilant! And the companions of wickedness are filled with hatred—be aware! Ye are all mentioned in the presence of this Face and all your names are recorded in the Tablet. This is among the great divine bounties, as the Tongue of Grandeur and Power doth testify. He, verily, is the All-Knowing, the All-Informed Witness.

O Husayn! Were this Wronged One to recount what hath befallen Him, it would surely cause grief to all the peoples of the world. We have therefore concealed most of these matters and deemed it inappropriate to reveal them, in consideration of the Most Great Mercy. Yet thou art aware of some of these things. Nevertheless, at all times We speak forth the verses of God and stand firm in the promotion of His Cause. The tyranny of the oppressors, the harm of the transgressors, the turning away of the deniers, and the afflictions and successive tribulations that have befallen Us—all these are as nothing and unworthy of mention, for whatever hath occurred and continueth to occur hath been in the path of the Beloved of the worlds. With yearning soul We long for it.

Say: Glory be unto Thee, O my God! Thou seest the Wronged One in the hands of the oppressors among Thy creation and the idolaters among Thy creatures. I beseech Thee by Thy power which Thou didst manifest from the horizon of the prison, the Dawning-Place of Thy verses, and by the call which was raised therein through Thy might and sovereignty, to make me detached from all who are on earth, turning unto Thee, firm in Thy love, steadfast in Thy Cause, celebrating Thy remembrance, and proclaiming Thy Name. O Lord! Aid me to serve Thee amongst Thy servants and to praise Thee amidst Thy creation. Then ordain for me that which befitteth the heaven of Thy generosity and bounty, and the clouds of Thy grace and favors.

O Lord! I have hastened unto Thee and turned to the Dayspring of Thy Cause and the Dawning-Place of Thy power, and have attained unto that which most of Thy creatures have been prevented from. I beseech Thee by Thy Most Exalted Name and by Thy Most Supreme Self to make me one of those who recognize Thy bounty and what Thou hast bestowed upon them at the dawning of the lights of Thy countenance and the manifestations of the Sun of Thy mercy. I am he who, O my God, hath been assured of Thy greatness and hath acknowledged Thy majesty. Preserve me, then, in all conditions, from that which Thy good-pleasure abhorreth. Verily, Thou art the All-Powerful, the All-Compelling, the Most Exalted, the Mighty, the All-Bountiful.

BH01834: O Ali! Hear My call from this Prison wherein…

In the Name of God, the Most Unapproachable, the Most Holy, the Most Glorious!

O Ali! Hear My call from this Prison wherein I remain alone amidst enemies, finding no helper for Myself save God, thy Lord and the Lord of all things and the Lord of all worlds. Beware lest thou forget the days when thou wert in the presence of the Countenance. Remember thy Lord and be not of the heedless. We have not forgotten thee, for We have loved faithfulness before the creation of the heavens and the earth.

Stand firm in the Cause of thy Lord. By God the Truth! This is the Day to aid thy Lord—aid Him and be not of the patient ones. Leave those who have denied on thy left, then turn to the right, the seat of thy Lord, the Merciful, the Compassionate. Remember the days thou wert with Us and what thou didst hear from this truthful, pure and wondrous Mouth.

Stand firm in the love of thy Lord, for by it all created things are purified, wert thou of those who know. Yet by it God distinguished between the concourse of creation and he in whose heart was the love of God—he is today among the denizens of the Supreme Concourse, wert thou of those who know. Arise and remember thy Lord, and fear no one but place thy trust in God, the King of the Mighty Throne.

Say: O people of the Bayan! Do ye deny Him Who was among you, from Whom in every moment there dawned upon you suns of glory and majesty, then suns of power and sovereignty, and Who was more merciful to you than your own selves, and Who watched over you and conversed with you as one of you, and associated with you morning and evening, and from Whom ye perceived the fragrance of the Beloved at dawn and at dusk? By God the Truth! Whoso denieth Him after He hath come with all the signs hath denied God from all eternity and will deny Him unto all eternity.

Say: I know not, O people of the Bayan, what ye seek to prove the Truth. If ye seek God’s power, by God it hath appeared in truth. If ye seek the attributes of the All-Merciful, they have emerged with justice. If ye desire God’s signs, they have been sent down in truth in such wise as to fill the East and West, were ye of the fair-minded. Fear God and His Manifestation, and ascribe not partners unto Him after all atoms testify that there is no God but Him—He hath no likeness, no peer, no opposite, no equal, no similitude, no partner.

Say: O people! Hearken unto the melodies of the All-Merciful from the direction of the Ridvan at this time wherein the Beauty of the Unseen hath appeared with all His attributes, manifestations, signs, tokens, evidences, proofs, arguments and words. Be not among the dead! O people! Be quickened by this Kawthar which floweth from the right side of this Most Great, Mighty and Firm Corner. Cast not God’s Cause behind you, render not your deeds vain, and be not among the rebellious.

Thus hath the Tongue of God conversed with His servant that he might hear and be among the thankful. Be content with what hath flowed unto thee from the Holy Pen, then read it that it might kindle in thy heart the Fire of God, the Kindled, the Luminous. Then convey Our greetings to thy wife and give her the glad-tidings of Our mention of her, that she might be among the grateful women. This is a mighty bounty.

And the Glory be upon thee and upon those with thee among the loved ones of God, the King, the Truth, the Just, the Wise.