Volume 047: 1872–1873 1289–1290 A.H., Part I (1 of 4)

BH00672: O Ali! Give thanks to God for having adorned…

O Ali! Give thanks to God for having adorned your head with the crown of praise in the days of your Lord, the Possessor of Names, and your temple with the ornament of His service throughout all possibility. We have become aware of your journey to certain regions and your migration in the path of God, the Revealer of verses. This befits you and every devoted soul who has detached himself in His love from all else.

O Ali! Under all conditions, exert your utmost effort to unite hearts and gather them together around the Divine Law of God’s Cause. Although through God’s grace you are adorned with virtuous character, yet the more you add to it the more beloved it is in the sight of God, so that all may turn to the All-Bestowing through your goodly characteristics. Be vigilant regarding the Cause at all times, as has been revealed from the Pen of Command in previous Tablets.

Observe the grace, favor and kindnesses of God. For years one of the servants, whom you know, though he and his followers have secretly been occupied with unseemly words, foul odors and selfish conditions—and God is aware and encompassing of all—We concealed it. As he outwardly spoke the name of God and His mention, We did not oppose him. Over several years, from the Dawning-Place of verses exalted Tablets were specifically revealed and sent to him. In all conditions, both explicitly and implicitly, We summoned him to that pure station which is sanctified from any trace of self and existence, that perchance he might attain the lofty, inaccessible stations. All this was from the grace, mercy and favor of your Lord, for We have never wished nor do We wish that any soul should be deprived of that for which it was created or remain without portion of that which was ordained for it. Despite these successive favors and continuous kindnesses, it is as though he considered God heedless and that God’s concealment was due to him. Say: May my spirit and soul be sacrificed for You, O Concealer of the worlds!

O Ali! Observe the Cause of the Messenger of God, how at first it was in the utmost ascendancy and elevation, but later it halted. One of the causes that prevented it was that certain souls arose and, claiming they possessed inner knowledge, prevented the helpless people from the Divine Law and the repositories of divine glory. Say: By God! All that is manifest is more exalted than your inner knowledge and every shell is more luminous than your kernel. The sincere have abandoned your inner meanings just as bones are abandoned to dogs.

In these days Divine ordinances are dawning from the Dayspring of heavenly utterance. God willing, they shall be sent hereafter. These two blessed verses were revealed in that Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablet:

“Amongst the people is he who seateth himself amid the sandals by the door whilst coveting in his heart the seat of honour. Say: What manner of man art thou, O vain and heedless one, who wouldst appear as other than thou art? And among the people is he who layeth claim to inner knowledge, and still deeper knowledge concealed within this knowledge. Say: Thou speakest false! By God! What thou dost possess is naught but husks which We have left to thee as bones are left to dogs.”

Consider how every vain soul that appeared drew forth a channel from the Most Great Ocean, and with all deceit and guile arose with personal imaginings and selfish passions, and divided the Muslim community. Say: O thou deluded one! Verily the inner meaning, and the meaning within the inner meaning, and that inner meaning which God hath sanctified beyond all inner and outer meanings unto infinity, circle round this outward Manifestation Who speaketh the truth at the heart of the world. The Most Great Name hath appeared, the Lord of nations and the Ancient King. None hath any refuge or dwelling-place save in cleaving to this shining Handle whereby earth and heaven were illumined, the Throne and the dust gleamed forth, the Kingdom of Names was brightened, and the Supreme Horizon was suffused with light. Fear ye God, O people, and follow not the desires of those who follow their lusts, nor the imaginings of those who have arisen with deceit in the realms of creation. Turn with shining faces and radiant brows unto the Dawning-Place of the signs of your Lord, the Lord of the Beginning and the End. Thus hath the matter been decreed in the Tablet which God hath made the Mother of Tablets and the Lamp of Prosperity between the heavens and the earth.

O Ali! The division of the community hath become the cause and reason for universal weakness, yet most people understand not. Would that certain souls who claim ardor and attraction, passion and enchantment, and the like, would go to Constantinople and observe the Qadiriyyih monastery and become warned. O Ali! A group is gathered in that place, and by the True One Himself, it hath been witnessed that one of those souls continuously struck himself against stone and mud and wall for more than four hours until there was fear of his perishing. Then he would fall unconscious to the ground and for about two hours would have no awareness at all. And they count these things among spiritual gifts. God is quit of them and We are quit of them. Verily thy Lord is the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. He knoweth the treachery of eyes and what lieth hidden in the breasts of men.

Likewise there is a group known as the Rifa’i. These souls, by their own account, walk through fire and in moments of ecstasy strike each other with swords in such manner that the observer would think they had severed their own limbs. All this is but tricks and deceit and guile from their own selves. Lo! They are among the far lost. All these things have been witnessed firsthand and most people have seen them. How desirable it would be if one of those deluded souls would turn toward that land and witness the aforementioned monasteries and what transpires therein, that perchance through selfish thoughts and the delusions of deceitful souls he might not be debarred from the direction of Divine Unity and the Lord of all creation.

O Ali! There are and have been people in the climes of India who have denied themselves food and drink, have found companionship with wild beasts, and spend their nights and days in arduous spiritual exercises, constantly engaged in remembrance. Nevertheless, not one of these souls is mentioned in the presence of God, even though they count themselves among the pillars, stakes and unique ones of the earth. Today, the robe of deeds and the crown of actions is the mention of the Most Great Name, both outwardly and inwardly. Verily, it is the Word whereby every party hath been separated, every mountain hath been scattered, every star hath fallen, every sun hath been darkened, every moon hath been eclipsed, every heaven hath been cleft asunder, every earth hath been split, every sea hath subsided, every peak hath trembled, every trunk hath been uprooted, every hill hath been shaken, and every plain hath quaked, save whom thy Lord, the Mighty, the Powerful, hath willed. Whoso acknowledgeth what God hath acknowledged, and confesseth what God hath confessed, is of the people of Baha in the kingdom of creation. Thus hath the command of thy Lord, the Firm, the Mighty, the Wise, been sent down from the horizon of revelation.

Although it is not befitting that the Supreme Pen be occupied with such utterances, yet in view of grace and the precedence of mercy, the Pen of the All-Merciful speaketh in such wise. Where are the mighty ones? Where are the manifestations of steadfastness in the kingdom of creation? Where are the dawning-places of power in the heaven of detachment?

O Ali! Until now the Finger of Power hath not rent asunder the veils. Verily, thy Lord is the Concealer. Beseech God that He may cause those souls to remain firm and steadfast in the Cause of the Lord of all beings and the Sovereign of all days, with complete steadfastness, detached from all else but Him. By My life! Through this their mention shall be exalted, their names confirmed, their stations realized, and the doors of My knowledge—which is the foundation of the Cause and its beginning, the essence of glory and its sovereign—shall be opened before their faces. Blessed is he who hath cast away the world and whatsoever is mentioned therein, and hath turned with an illumined heart toward the court of his Lord, the Exalted, the Powerful, the Most High, the Great.

Your burden is great. Bear it as this Most Tender, Most Delicate, Most Compassionate, Gentle, Wondrous, Luminous Heart hath borne above it. For you must, with wisdom as commanded in all Tablets, purify the people from personal imaginings and unseemly conditions through effective counsels and divine wisdom, and lead them to the most holy court. The first and greatest matter is steadfastness in the Cause. God willing, you must be engaged in service at all times, as indeed you are. Verily, the glory be upon you and upon those who love you purely for the sake of God, your Lord and the Lord of all worlds.

BH00455: The ambrosial fragrance emanating from the pen of thy…

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

The ambrosial fragrance emanating from the pen of thy love, O beloved of my heart and soul, hath, in this most auspicious hour, perfumed the garden of my heart. Blessed be thy hand and arm, for thou hast brought joy to this wanderer through the influence of thy gem-scattering pen, and hast bestowed complete delight through the glad tidings of thy well-being. Happy art thou for having given the heart to drink from the cup of thy remembrance and bestowed upon it the bounty of thy connection, for correspondence, in the estimation of them that have recognized the truth, is the perfection of communion.

That which thou didst submit to the Most Holy Court was presented by this evanescent servant in detail before the presence of the Self-Sufficing Lord on one of the nights when a group of them that circle round the Throne were present. The breezes of grace and the winds of divine mercy are wafting with such intensity that neither can my motionless pen describe it, nor my weary tongue express it, nor can anyone comprehend it save His exalted Self. Exalted, immeasurably exalted, is His grace that hath encompassed all possibility and His beneficence that is witnessed at all times.

Since at the time of the return of thy brother—upon him be the everlasting glory of God—a most mighty Tablet was specifically revealed for thee from the Most Holy Heaven and dispatched, the response to the supplication thou didst submit shall, according to His command, be sent subsequently.

Regarding thy brother, while he was in Alexandria, on one of the days, suddenly a Tablet was revealed from the heaven of oneness explicitly confirming the command for his return, and likewise he had been previously commanded to return. However, according to what he had written, his affairs were not yet concluded. He will present the details thereof to thee in person. Blessed is he for having attained the presence of God, for having drunk the wine of reunion from the hands of His mercy, and for having heard the call of God with his own ears.

Furthermore, there is much that this servant has continually wished to submit to your honor, but due to the multitude of occupations and writing, there has not been opportunity to properly explain and mention the matters concealed in the heart. Some time ago this servant was present before the Throne and a Tablet was revealed to one of the beloved ones. Among its contents was a command that someone should proceed to Gilan for the purpose of reminding the people. This servant perceived that within this decree was concealed a wisdom and hidden a mystery, but did not dare to inquire about its wisdom from the Most Holy Presence. However, I remained thoughtful about what would appear, until Jinab-i-Aqa Hasan, upon him be the Glory of God, arrived. This servant specifically asked him what news he had from Gilan. He did not mention anything at first, but after insistence briefly mentioned something, though nothing was understood from it, until Jinab-i-Aqa Jamal, upon him be the Glory of God, arrived and he himself, before being asked, detailed the events occurring in that land.

This evanescent servant was greatly amazed and astonished at how much delusion had overtaken the world and how much the suppositions of heedless souls had encompassed the people. Despite the fact that in most Tablets revealed from the heaven of Will, the people were informed that in most lands the birds of darkness and manifestations of the calf would appear, and all were explicitly commanded to avoid them, nevertheless when someone who was the most wicked of people and observably and inwardly among the basest of servants merely uttered a croak, a group followed him. And likewise another evil one said what he said and did what he did, such that the pen is unable to move in describing his words and deeds.

O beloved of my soul, reflect a little on what is the cause of these matters and what is the reason. This servant submits that the cause of such matters has been illusory investigations and interpretations that neither nourish nor satisfy, with which some occupy themselves day and night. Such investigations and detestable, unclean mysticisms have been and continue to be the cause and reason for the emergence of such false claims. Jinab-i-Aqa Jamal mentioned two statements that truly melted the heart. Among them he said that he met Aqa Siyyid Javad-i-Qazvini who stated that “I have no issue with the original Cause, but what can I do when I observe that these people have established such an apparatus that each day they prostrate themselves before someone and worship a calf.” He also mentioned that there were several Shaykhis in Rasht who showed complete acceptance, but after the events that occurred in that land became extinguished and veiled. And they mentioned that “We observe that they speak of and remember someone with complete praise, glorification and exaltation, and then they say that this vile, unclean person is him, and for this reason they have become extinguished.”

We beseech the True One that He may graciously bestow upon some of the people of that land, from the chalice of justice, that which hath descended from the heaven of Divine Will. With consummate sincerity, mercy, bounty, and compassion have those souls been counseled and admonished, yet until now no trace of effect hath appeared, and they remain occupied with fanciful investigations. Verily, thy Lord is the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

Observe ye, had those souls engaged themselves in training the people according to what God hath willed, ye would now witness every portion of the earth as a region of Paradise. Reflect ye somewhat upon these recent occurrences in Rasht, and behold how greatly they have caused the dissipation of the Cause of God among the people. Strange it is that no soul hath appeared, by the power of God, to descend upon those wicked, pretentious persons like a flame of fire. We entreat God that He may raise up against them one who shall show them no mercy.

When the letter reached this point, I turned toward the Most Holy Court, and after gaining entry, He bid me stand and asked, “With what matter art thou occupied?” I submitted that I was writing a petition to Samandar. Thereupon the Tongue of Grandeur and Glory spoke, addressing this evanescent servant:

Write unto him: O Samandar, O Samandar! It behooveth thee to manifest that which is worthy of this name We have given thee. Be as fire unto the vain imaginings and idle fancies of those who are lost in delusion. Beware lest thou be veiled by the schemes of every schemer, the craftiness of every crafty one, and the arguments of every sinful doubter. O Samandar! This is the Day wherein the very stone proclaimeth “The Kingdom is God’s, the Lord of Destiny,” wherein the very clod crieth out “The Most Great Vision hath appeared,” wherein the plains declare “Power belongeth to the Cleaver of Dawn,” and the hills proclaim “Sovereignty belongeth to the Almighty, the All-Bountiful.” The rapture of the All-Merciful’s utterance hath seized all created things. Leave the people of delusion to their vain desires and the people of doubt to their veils. Then speak in My Name amongst My servants and bring them forth from conjecture unto certitude, and from fancy unto this manifest horizon.

O Samandar! The Cause is mightier than can be mentioned. Stand firm therein in a manner befitting thy relationship unto God, thy Lord and the Lord of all worlds. Be not heedless of thy station and that which hath been ordained for thee in the Tablets of thy Lord. This is My counsel unto thee. Verily thy Lord chose thee before, and in this exalted Tablet. Protect the household of the Cause with all thy strength, lest it be undermined by any cunning rodent. Hearken unto God’s counsel with thy inner ear and stand with such steadfastness as will cause the people of passion to tremble and the pillars of the idolaters to quake—they who speak other than what God hath revealed in the Book and who cause people to slip after the Sun of Independence hath shone forth at its zenith.

Say: Open your eyes! By God, it cannot be known through similitudes nor concealed by the conjectures of the ignorant. Beware lest hopes prevent you from attaining this destiny whereby all in the worlds have been illumined. By God, soon shall ye find yourselves in such abasement as no might on earth can profit you. Thus doth the All-Merciful testify with a power that the might of creation cannot weaken, were ye of them that know. Say: By God, what profiteth you is your steadfastness in this Cause and your arising to serve it and to aid it. Abandon oppression, then look with the eye of fairness that ye may recognize that which your Lord, the Forgiving, the Generous, commandeth you.

O Samandar! By God the Truth, We desired naught but the triumph of God’s Cause, and We bore hardships to manifest His sovereignty. Would they be content to see that which would waste the Cause of God in all else after it hath been exalted to such heights that all in the kingdom of names acknowledged its power, all in the realm of might confessed its sovereignty, the very essence of divinity was moved by its appearance, and the very pebbles of the mountains, fruits of the trees, waves of the seas, and all that was created by God’s Word, the Powerful, the Exalted, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise, spoke forth its praise?

O thou who art mentioned! The verses descend from the heaven of thy Lord’s will, the Manifestor of clear proofs, and the tongue speaketh in the kingdom of utterance in His name, the All-Merciful. Yet tears fall like scattered pearls by reason of what hath befallen the Cause of God at the hands of the heedless hosts. Say: Have mercy, O people, upon yourselves and then upon Him Who hath borne hardships for your ease. Fear God and be not of the wrongdoers. Free yourselves from the darkness of idle fancies and turn with your hearts toward the horizon whereunto the Chosen One pointeth with the finger of power. By God! This is My manifest horizon, My certain truth, My shining light, My straight path, My mighty revelation, and My beauty dawning upon all who dwell in the world. O Samandar! Knowest thou what tongue addresseth thee and from what heaven these verses descend? By God! Wert thou to know, thou wouldst fall unconscious for a thousand years, then rise up and say:

“Praise be unto Thee for having remembered me in the court of Thy might and for having turned toward me with Thy grace and favor. Thou art He Who cannot be known save through Thyself and cannot be described by aught except Thyself. There is no God but Thee, the Almighty, the Powerful.”

Thus hath shone forth upon thee from the horizon of utterance the Sun of explanation, that thy self and spirit may be illumined thereby and the hearts of the sincere may rejoice therein.

Would that the servants would ponder deeply that which hath been revealed in this Tablet. Blessed is he who findeth therein the fragrance of his Lord’s grandeur and who is detached from all the worlds. O My beloved! Most people are unaware and heedless, for they have not been and are not informed of the true station of the Cause. They have walked according to their desires and wasted their days, moving about in their vain imaginings. We beseech God to assist all to serve His Cause. Your honor observeth that if a soul in that land had arisen to serve the Cause, he would surely have educated the weak souls in such wise that they would soar in the heaven of certitude and walk upon the earth of steadfastness, paying no heed to such malevolent souls and a hundred thousand like them. O My beloved! The heart is consumed by this, that the loved ones of God, despite their claim of love, accept not that which is for the benefit, good, and salvation of all. Your honor must be very attentive and vigilant in all matters.

Convey infinite greetings from this evanescent servant to all the honored ones, the beloved ones, and the friends in that land, one and all, and counsel them all with the divine counsels that are in the verses revealed unto your honor. Convey infinite expressions of sincerity and most exalted, wondrous, and sublime greetings to the great and honored master, his honor the Name of Razzaq, after ʿAbdu’l-Baha. God willing, hereafter a sublime Tablet specifically for him will be revealed and sent. May the spirit, glory and splendor be upon your honor and those with you.

The servant of God, 23 Shawwal 1289

BH00135: Commentary on a verse from the Qayyumu’l-Asma

Section 1: “This is what was sent down…”

This is what was sent down from the heaven of will for the one who asked about the verse revealed in the Best of Stories [Ahsanu’l-Qisas].

“O Solace of the Eyes! Strike thou upon the people of the city a striking upon the two examples in the two souls. God hath ordained for one of them, round about the Gate, two gardens of the two lofty trees. One of them is given to drink with water in the two basins, and the other drinketh water in the two goblets. And both of them have been, by God’s leave, stationed round about the fire in the two waters, and upon the other are two rivers in the land of the two Wests. And he possessed fish in one of the two gulfs. He said to his first companion: ʿYe two are in command in the latter times, and I do not think the Truth will remain standing in the two hours.’ Thus he showed certain disbelief towards his own self and the two souls after him. By God the Truth! Judge ye with justice—which of the two souls in the two parties was praiseworthy around the fire?” [Qayyumu’l-Asma, Suratu’l-Medinah]

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

This is a Book from Us to him who hath believed in God and His sovereignty which hath encompassed the worlds, that the Wronged One might make mention of him who was abandoned in the hands of those who were deprived of the fragrances of revelation, and who arose to serve Him among His creatures in such wise as was adorned with the ornament of glory. The afflictions and calamities and tribulations have surrounded Us from people who were despairing of the spirit of the All-Merciful. In the evening We see the oppressors issuing one decree, and in the morning another—thus was the fire visible from the horizon of tyranny through injustice. They have forbidden the loved ones from standing before the Gate and from showing humility before the Celestial Might which was raised through the power of the Divine Realm.

Would the phoenix shrink from the fire? Nay, by the Self of the Chosen One! But the wicked are in a station far removed from nearness. Say: I am the phoenix in this scene and tribulation is My fire, and verily it is the light of truth among creation—thus hath the rain of revelation been sent down in truth from the heaven of utterance. I would not exchange this tribulation for all that is in the world, nor this abasement for glory that exists among the worlds.

We have heard thy call and answered thee with this melody whereby rapture hath seized the dwellers of the realms of names and the dewdrops of grace have taken hold of all in the kingdom. By My life! When the tongue of the All-Merciful was loosed, the Point of the Bayan turned to hear the melodies that were raised from the direction of the Throne. Blessed is he who hath been intoxicated by the wine of utterance from the cup of glory and hath been moved by this fragrance that was sent from the garment of Beauty through grace. Give thanks for the breezes of the All-Merciful that have wafted upon thee from the Lord of Religions, and thou wast mentioned before the Countenance by the Pen of Justice through grace. All that exists in creation cannot equal this Tablet—to this doth testify the Lord of Invention while abandoned in prison. Rejoice thou in My joy, and be steadfast in My Cause, and gaze toward My horizon, and soar in the atmosphere of My love, and speak forth My Name which hath been the Self-Subsisting over the worlds.

And concerning what thou hast asked about the two verses, know that We have set forth from the Most Exalted Pen for the people of the City of Eternity the sweetest of parables concerning two souls. One of them drank what was upon the established Throne, whereon were the two luminous Lights shining from two horizons, sustained by two springs branching from two mighty oceans flowing from the letter “Ha” standing between two letters. Verily, he was the one manifest in the letter “Ba” before the two letters, and he stood before the Ba which shone with two ornaments upon the truth by the truth.

Say: Verily the first Ba bore what the eight bore, detached from all creation. And around the shrine’s gate were two gardens in recognition of two pre-existing Names, adorned with two lofty trees in the mystery manifest in two commands. And We ordained for each of them from the water flowing from two directions of the Throne, whereon was established the confluence of two seas from two Names, a measure decreed by God. When the life of the world was attached to it, it was called water, and when the veils of glory were consumed by it, it was called fire. Thus was the water visible from the horizon of light upon the truth by the truth. It has names which none can count save him who possesses the Book inscribed by the Finger of Might.

And when they acknowledged the Seat of Command and gave glad tidings to all lands of the Lord of Creation, We caused them to speak the mysteries concealed in the scrolls of grandeur and stationed them by grace around the Fire of the Word in two stations. And upon the other were two rivers at the setting of two moons according to those who perceive between two worlds. He possessed knowledge of one of the Names and acknowledged the first two who recognized the ultimate goal and the end of the six made manifest by the letter Vav through the standing of Alif between two Vavs. He said:

“Ye are upon the truth, but I think not that the two hours after them shall come to pass.”

Thus was the matter decreed in the Tablets by God’s Pen in truth.

Thou art apart from the other and his denial. Consider then the latter one who, when he saw around him souls associating partners with God, ablaze with the fire kindled from the tree of Zaqqum, grew proud against God and denied the Hour which the Hour itself proclaimed, by which the Tree spoke, the Rock cried out, the Dove sang, and all things called out:

“The Kingdom belongeth to Him Who hath come with the truth with an authority that encompasseth all worlds!”

Thus did We inform thee concerning this latter one through Our words in the Qayyumu’l-Asma: “Verily thy Lord is knowing of all things.” We said: “O Joseph, O Most Great Gate! Turn away from this tree planted in falsehood at the Gate.” Behold then what We foretold the servants in the Book, then those who turned away following their desires and stood disputing in the wilderness of error.

Reflect upon the two hours and their mysteries and what was sent down to them from the heaven of Command, that thou mayest find thyself possessed of knowledge and become strong in God’s religion upon the truth by the truth. The Lord of Eternity calleth out through the Pen of His Most Great Name: “By God! Whoso denieth it is assuredly in manifest unbelief,” like unto those souls and the two who denied thereafter.

Thus hath the ocean of eternity sprinkled upon thee that thou mayest arise with His authority to serve Him and with His Name to mention Him, that perchance the people may be awakened by the fragrances wafted from the direction of the Garment unto all worlds. O thou who art illumined by the lights of thy Lord’s countenance, the Most Merciful, and who soarest in the atmosphere of remembrance and utterance! Shouldst thou inhale the two fragrances diffusing from the two crimson ornaments suspended between the heaven of Will raised by two symbols and the earth spread out by two names, it would draw thee to a station wherein thou wouldst forsake the realm of contingent being with all its idle fancies, and speak forth amidst the people of power with this Remembrance, whereby the Most Great Balance hath appeared betwixt the two worlds among the peoples of both realms, and God’s decree hath shone forth in both cycles. Thus hath the Sun of Utterance been witnessed from the horizon of the All-Merciful through grace.

Then do We strike for thee, through favor, a similitude of the two cords: one of fine twisted silk wrought by the two most powerful fingers of the Two Most Great Names, and the other woven of spider’s web, fashioned of two imaginary names. Which of these is more secure among the peoples?

Say: Consider, O people, and follow not those who have denied the All-Merciful when He came with clear proof, and who through their own desires were debarred from the horizon of guidance through ignorance. Say: He Who spoke forth the Qayyumu’l-Asma desired naught but to mention what existed among the people, lest those who hesitated in the allusions of their own idle fancies should flee, and that they might turn instead toward a station which hath ever been, in the eternity of eternities, praiseworthy in truth. By My life! Were it not for mankind’s weakness, He would not have uttered a single word of the tales recounted aforetime. With thy Lord is the knowledge of all things, and God is witness to what I say. All books return unto the First Name, and verily unto this station which hath been sanctified above all description.

We have desired to speak in another strain—verily thy Lord is the Almighty, the Unconstrained. O Pen of Glory! Wouldst thou desire to move upon similitudes when the lights of Beauty are manifest? Nay, by thy Self, O Exalted One! I desire naught save to make mention of Thyself amidst all created things, and to this Thy Self, transcendent above all opposites, doth testify. What I have mentioned of similitudes was solely for love of him who turned to Thee and asked Thee concerning what was revealed in the Tablets. I moved but between the fingers of Thy power by Thy command, and Thou didst cause me to speak forth what Thou hast made today the water of reunion for the people of Baha and the wine of immortality for Thy chosen servants.

O Asad! Arise through My love, then give the believers to drink of this sealed nectar through My Name, the Self-Subsisting, in such wise that the dead shall arise. Beware lest allusions hold thee back from what thou hast been commanded by the Revealer of verses. Arise and say: O people! The Dawning-Place of Revelation hath come with majesty and power. O Dawning-Place of Eternity in this Most Great Ornament! Set forth the verses in another style. Verily Thou art the One with power over whatsoever Thou willest through Thy word “Be” and it is. Then make mention of him who desired Thy remembrance, that the attraction of utterance might draw him unto God, the Mighty, the Beloved.

Blessed art thou in that thou hast attained unto the days of God and hast turned unto a Cause whereby wealth was seized and souls perished. Whoso acknowledgeth the Ultimate Goal in such days when the breezes of might pass behind the veils is the solace of all existence. Blessed is he who hath attained unto God’s triumph when the Face was rejected by every idolater. Hold fast unto the Most Firm, Most Perfect Cord, and speak forth among the peoples that which the Beauty of the Ancient of Days hath spoken on this Promised Day. By My life! Should they discover the fragrance of My utterance, they would detach themselves from all else, soar in My atmosphere, and aid this Hidden Name. Say: By His Name, the Self-Subsisting! He is indeed the Hidden One, though He speaketh among men and uttereth speech at eventide and at dawn. Thus have We adorned thy temple with the ornament of utterance and thy heart with this treasured Remembrance. Be thou thankful and say: Praise be unto Thee, O Lord of the seen and the unseen!

Praise, sanctified from the limitations of created things and exalted above the doubts of all beings, befitteth the most holy, most exalted, most inaccessible court of the Lord of existence and the Sovereign of the seen and unseen, Who, through His irrevocable decree, ordained the Pen of Command to be the source of ancient mysteries and the fountain of life for all the peoples of the world, that all nations might attain unto eternal, everlasting life. That life-giving water appeared in the form of the Word among creation and shone forth through a single effulgence, and that effulgence was manifested according to the diversity of mirrors in the forms of mirrors.

Verily that Word is the Primal Form into which the Divine Spirit breathed the Merciful Spirit, whereby He took hold of all spirits and bestowed upon them a new spirit. In some mirrors it appeared in the form and effect of light, and He guided it to the Dayspring of revelation; and in others it appeared in the form of fire, and He caused it to return to the evil dwelling place which is the abode of the wicked. This blessed Primal Word hath been called by all names—in one place as the Trumpet, in another as the Bugle, and likewise as the Path, the Balance, and the like. It is the cause of the gathering and resurrection of all things whatsoever that have been created in earth and heaven. Through it was manifested all that hath been sent down in the Book concerning the Hour and its signs, and the Resurrection and what shall appear therein. In one station it cannot be described by any description nor mentioned by any mention, while in another station it is described by the most exalted attributes and mentioned by the most beautiful names. Verily it is the Primal Will which created itself by itself and created through itself all else besides it.

And afterward, answers to your questions—some regarding the verses revealed in the Qayyumu’l-Asma—were sent down in a most wondrous manner, were you to know. And some others were revealed from the Source of the Cause and Dawning-Place of Revelation as God hath willed, in the Persian tongue, that your eyes might be consoled thereby and your heart rejoiced. However, due to the discord, upheaval and turbulence in this land, brevity hath been and is observed. We beseech God to make it a light unto the righteous and a fire unto the wicked. He, verily, is the All-Powerful, the Unconstrained.

Furthermore, it is known to you that the commentary on Ahsanu’l-Qisas was revealed according to the people’s understanding. This was due to pure grace, that perchance the heedless and ignorant might ascend to the heaven of knowledge. Indeed, most of the subjects mentioned therein were matters already established among the followers of the Furqan. Had it been revealed from the beginning according to what God intended, none would have accepted it or remained steadfast. All this was of His grace unto His creation and His bounty unto His servants.

Observe how in the beginning of the Cause, His Holiness manifested Himself as the Bab. This was because in those days the birds of men’s hearts were incapable of soaring beyond that station. All things lamented that He associated Himself with this station, for were this station His true and original one—while that which is above it and above that which is above it is created by a word from Him and a gesture from His finger—people would forever remain submerged in the ocean of idle fancies and veiled from what God intended, save whom God rescueth through His grace and acquainteth with what He hath manifested through His Command.

Consider the most exalted, most holy station which encompasses the verse “He begetteth not, nor is He begotten, and there is none like unto Him,” while the Point of the Bayan, addressing Him, saith: “O Most Great Master! I would sacrifice my all for Thee and desire naught but martyrdom in Thy path.” What accusations they have made and what harm they have inflicted, even though, were they fair, they would testify that in this Revelation there hath appeared outwardly what appeared not in any previous Revelation. Thus, after countless afflictions and imprisonment in the Most Great Prison, while all doors were outwardly shut and We were at the mercy of the oppressors, We proclaimed the Cause to all the kings of the earth with utmost clarity and without concealment. Thou hast heard the wondrous Call and witnessed in those regions the signs of His oppression through what befell the servants. God seized them first for following the Tree of Tyranny, for through them the oppressor gained strength in every age. Then He seized the branch that appeared in the image of the root, with justice. Thus was it revealed aforetime in various tablets. Thy Lord, verily, is the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

Section 2: “Nevertheless, thou seest how some among the people…”

Nevertheless, thou seest how some among the people of the Bayan have closed their eyes to justice and risen in tyranny. They know not what they say, in what valley they wander, or to what rope they cling. Strange it is that they count themselves among the faithful, while the faith of none can be established except through acceptance of what hath been manifested in this Revelation, even if it be contrary to what they possess. For instance, if He should declare this leaf—the royal rose which now existeth before the Divine Throne—to be the Dawning-place of the Most Beautiful Names and the Dayspring of the Most Exalted Attributes, or vice versa, and should any soul fail to believe or hesitate, such a one hath not believed in God and is excluded from faith. For the Tree speaketh through its root, and His Revelation shineth forth from His horizon. All have been and shall continue to be adorned with the ornament of faith through belief in God, which is the essence of believing in Him, and without it they are unmentioned. From this utterance which hath shone forth from the horizon of the knowledge of the All-Merciful, one can observe the kingdom of names in commotion.

Ponder thou carefully that thou mayest attain unto the purpose of God—meaning that the temples adorned with the ornament of the glory of names are seen to be disturbed, for they who are seated upon the thrones of names have no abode or dwelling place except through the command of the Lord of Power. Should the Sun of Purpose shine forth from the heaven of this utterance upon thy heart, infinite doors would be opened and no mention would prevent man from the Most Sublime Vision. The idols have been shattered by the hands of power and the veils have been burnt by the fire of attraction, and sovereignty remaineth unto God alone, alone. Blessed are they who possess understanding. This is a realm that hath been and shall ever be sanctified from the taint of peer, equal, opposite, likeness or similitude. Know thou the melody of utterance and be of the thankful ones.

Today all must fix their gaze upon that which appeareth in this Revelation, not upon that which they possess. Whoso faileth to attain unto this station shall not attain unto the recognition of Him Who is the Manifestation of His Own Self. The cause of some followers of the Bayan being deprived of the ocean of the mercy of the All-Merciful are those vain imaginings which are deemed authentic by the people of the Furqan. Yet ye have witnessed that whatsoever was in their possession was not mentioned in the sight of God. They have not drunk a drop from the ocean of knowledge nor attained unto a single letter of the knowledge of the Book. And since the people are seen to be weak and veiled, the Sun of Truth, as a favor unto them, occupieth Itself with the mention of an atom, and the Ancient Ocean speaketh of a drop. This is why the Primal Point appeared with the name of “Gate”, yet even with this measure the people were not content, let alone mention of Guardianship and the like. And yet all these stations and above them have been brought into being through a single word from the ocean of His bounty and shall cease to exist through a single command.

In this connection the Exalted One hath mentioned in the Persian Bayan a saying of Shaykh Ahmad-i-Ahsa’i, upon him be the glory of God, when someone asked him about a word which the Qa’im would utter and which the three hundred and thirteen souls who would be among the most God-fearing and distinguished ones of that Revelation would be unable to bear. The honored Shaykh refused to mention that word and said: “Verily thou art unable to bear it.” After insistence he said: “If the Qa’im should bid thee to renounce the successorship of the Commander of the Faithful, would you do so?” He immediately refused, saying “God forbid!” And the Point declareth in this connection that it is evident to the people of truth that the honored Shaykh caused him to hear that word from the tongue of the Qa’im, and when he could not bear it he became an unbeliever, though he realized it not.

I swear by the Sun of Eternity that shineth from the Most Great Prison: should anyone ponder upon this utterance, detached from all imitation and vain imaginings, he would become aware of the greatness of this Cause, and no mention would veil him from this Most Great Remembrance that speaketh amongst the peoples. O thou who gazest! The Truth is present and declareth: Now ponder and observe in what station of loftiness, exaltation, sublimity, and transcendent glory this Cause dwelleth, while the people stand confined within their own limitations. He hath taken unto Himself neither partner, nor likeness, nor peer, nor minister, nor consort, nor offspring. By My life! Were We to let fall but a drop from the ocean of this Most Great Sea in mentioning this most inaccessible station unto the chiefs of men in these days, they would surely flee and run from around this Cause, save whom thy Lord, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise, willeth.

Today, those immersed in the ocean of detachment and established in the Most Glorious Ark have attained a station wherein these stations are not even mentioned, much less the mention of those who have inhaled the fragrance of innovation from the garment of the Cause and have been purified from that which is possessed by the people. Say: This, verily, is the Innovator of the heavens and earth, Who cannot be weighed by any balance nor measured by any means. Blessed is he who hath recognized the decree of innovation and is of those who are firmly established. Blessed, again blessed, then blessed is he who hath pondered upon that which hath been mentioned and hath recognized that which was concealed in the depths of allusions, and hath discovered that from which the people were veiled. By My life! He is of those who are knowing, mature, and sincere.

The Hand of Grace rent asunder some of the august veils while leaving others intact. Thus, because of these veils, the people were barred from the Dawning-Place of verses, even as thou observest how the rebellious faction hath prevented some of the people of the Bayan from the effulgence of the Divine Sun and the Ocean of Oneness through the mention of unseemly imaginings and ancient tales. Such hath been the way of the people from the primal beginning until now. None of the previous Manifestations hath mentioned the subsequent Revelation as mentioned in the Bayan. In this are signs and evidences for those who are detached. By God, the Truth! Thou hearest from the Nightingale, singing upon the twigs of the Lote-Tree of the Bayan, naught but praise of this praise that is manifest in the kingdom of creation. Blessed is the ear that hath heard and the eye that hath seen. The Author of the Bayan had no purpose save this Most Great Remembrance; otherwise, He would not have uttered a word, for naught else was worthy of mention, as He hath clearly stated in the Book. Know this, O ye who are endued with understanding!

This is a day wherein the Tongue of Grandeur proclaimeth: “All things are perishable save My Face.” Whosoever today turneth away from the exalted Truth is perishing and evanescent in the shadow of negation, and whosoever turneth toward Him abideth steadfast and eternal in the shadow of His Face. And the Face is not limited by numerical limitations. That it hath been mentioned as fourteen districts is but for the guidance of the servants. For instance, were all who are on earth today to attain unto that which God desireth, all would be mentioned in the Face, gathered beneath the shadow of the Countenance, and reckoned as of the Countenance. And when the effulgences radiating from the Primal Word shine forth upon the repositories of Names and Attributes from the bearer of universal grace at the primary level, they are therefore circumscribed by numerical limitation. If there be one bearer, it is mentioned as one, and if above that, it is known accordingly. This mention occurs at the station of the primary determination, which is the station of the Will of contingent existence. This is of God’s grace, which He bestoweth upon whomsoever He willeth.

And should He desire, He is able, and hath ever been able, to establish at the foremost station that soul which occupieth the final station of the effulgences emanating from the horizon of Divine Unity, for He maketh that soul one of the manifestations of “He is the First” at the time when “He is the Last.” The Command is in His grasp. By His sovereignty, He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He desireth. None hath the right to hesitate regarding His word, and whoso hesitates is assuredly among the most lost. In brief, all exist through His command and through His command become non-existent. We beseech God—exalted be His glory—to aid all and enable them to attain unto the knowledge of God and to stand firm in His Cause, for this is the ultimate station possible in the realm of contingent being, for it revolveth around itself and is powerless to transcend its limits. Glorified is the Ancient of Days from being associated with that which is contingent, and glorified is He from being reached by that which is contingent.

Likewise, a question was asked concerning sleep. It is a special world among the divine worlds and is indicative of infinite matters. Among other things, it is evidence of a realm wherein no beginning or end, no first or last, can be witnessed. Thus, something is observed in sleep, and after a number of years that very same thing is witnessed. If it be said that this is the world of similitudes between the two worlds—which some consider to be a semi-spiritual realm between the worlds of spirit and matter—this would be correct. In any case, if thou dost ponder it, thou wilt grasp endless mysteries. It likewise beareth witness to the resurrection and revival after death, even as Luqman said to his son:

“If thou art able not to sleep, thou art able not to die. And if thou art able not to awaken after sleep, thou art able not to be raised after death.”

Even as death is a reality, so is sleep a reality, and even as there is awakening after sleep, so is there resurrection after death. Sleep sometimes varies according to the differences in souls, thoughts, food and drink. In the dreams of holy souls there hath been and is no variation, for they are pure wakefulness.

O questioner! Man is the greatest index and the mightiest talisman. He is an index in which are found the representations of all that hath been created in earth and heaven. When the spirit is freed from incidental limitations and earthly conditions, it traverseth all stations, and the more it is detached, the swifter, more constant and more truthful is its journey. If it be said that the human temple is, in one station, the kingdom of God, this is the truth in which there is no doubt, for the representation of all things is found and witnessed therein. Though some have called it the lesser world, yet We bear witness that it is the greater world. Its changes and variations have been and shall be due to other causes, like the change in the taste of a sick person who perceiveth bitterness in that which is sweet. The change hath not occurred in the sweetness, rather the taste hath altered.

Sufficient and complete utterances concerning these stations have been revealed by the Pen of Command during the sojourns in Iraq and the Land of Mystery. Therefore, We have been brief, although these same points have been repeatedly set forth in the Tablets, for they have been repeatedly asked about. However, all that hath been revealed in the Books and Scriptures, whether in Arabic or Persian, is scattered and dispersed. God will assuredly gather them together in truth. Verily, He is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. Thou didst inquire about dream interpretation. Interpret dreams, for We have given thee permission and will assist thee in this. He is verily the Almighty, the All-Powerful. The foundation, however, is steadfastness in My Cause. Whoso attaineth unto this, God shall cause to flow from his heart the oceans of realities and knowledge, and whoso slippeth therefrom is accounted among the ignorant.

O Dhabih! The Tongue of Grandeur proclaims: By My Self, the Truth! All Revelations have culminated in this Most Great Revelation. Whosoever claims a Revelation after this is verily a lying impostor. We beseech God to enable him to recant; if he repents, He is verily the Forgiver, and if he persists in what he has claimed, God will assuredly send one who will show him no mercy. He is truly the Omnipotent, the Almighty.

Behold how the people of the Bayan have failed to understand that whatsoever the Herald of My Beauty and the Manifestation before Me uttered was in contemplation of this Revelation and its establishment. Otherwise, by His true Self, they would not have uttered a single word of what they said. These ignorant ones have considered the Cause of the Self-Subsisting, the Most High, as child’s play. Each day they move according to some fancy and wander in some wilderness. Were the Cause as they assert, how could thy Lord’s Cause be established upon the throne of tranquility? Reflect and be of those who are discerning. Reflect and be of those who perceive. Reflect and be of those who are steadfast. Reflect and be of those who are assured, to such extent that shouldst all humanity lay claim to whatsoever is possible or beyond it, thou wouldst not turn toward them but wouldst leave them behind thee, advancing toward the Qiblih of all worlds.

By My life! The Cause is mighty, mighty, and this Day mighty, mighty. Blessed is he who hath cast behind him all else, turning toward the countenance of Him through Whose light the heavens and earth were illumined.

O Dhabih! A penetrating vision is needed, and a stalwart heart, and legs of brass, lest one stumble through the whisperings of the hosts of vain fancy. This is the firm decree which, through the will of the Ancient King, hath flowed from the Pen of the Most Great Name. Preserve it as thou wouldst preserve thine eyes, and be of the thankful ones.

BH04496: Commentary on Basitatu’l-Haqiqah

In His Name, the Protector over all names! Say: Knowledge, in the realm of contingency, is the known thing itself, and in the Divine Essence none knoweth it save Him. Thus hath the matter been ordained. All that the mystics have known returneth to a station that was illumined by the lights of the Countenance.

The realities of all things are contained in a Word that the Tongue of Grandeur uttered when He was established upon the Throne with a sovereignty that encompassed all the worlds. Verily that which is encompassed cannot know the Encompasser, and that which perceiveth cannot perceive Him Who is beyond perception.

Say: The uncompounded Reality is the Primal Word. Blessed is he who hath known the purpose of God and chosen this Path as his way. Through it were all things brought into being, and in all things can be seen its revelation and its sovereignty. Know ye the melody of these words and walk ye straight upon this Path. All things begin with it and end with it.

Glorified be its Creator above being known through the knowledge of His creation or being described by attributes that were limited by human understanding. How can that which is originated reach the sea of eternity, or the evanescent attain unto Him through Whose command was the Kingdom of immortality created? We created all contingent things through the Contingent Will, and it is verily the Most Great Word that appeared with a sovereignty witnessed throughout all worlds.

O thou who art mentioned before the Throne! Grieve not at anything, but place thy trust in God in all conditions, and fear not those who were debarred from the Countenance. Thy Lord desireth for thee what I have desired for thee, and remembereth thee when He was a stranger in the kingdom. The glory rest upon thee and upon him who hath taken the All-Merciful as his Guardian.

BH00132: Commentary on the Dala’il-i-Sab’ih of the Bab

Section 1: “The seal of the choice Wine hath been…”

In the name of Him Who hath dominion over all things

The seal of the choice Wine hath been broken through My Name, the Self-Subsisting. Blessed are they who recognize that verily it is the Kawthar of the All-Merciful manifested in the contingent world and the Quickener of all beings, having been mingled with the tribulation of the Beloved. We have brought forth from the Point the knowledge of what hath been and what shall be, and have detailed therefrom that which none knoweth save God, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting. Verily, the people have not followed that which they were counseled by the Lord of all beings. Had they followed, they would not have cast the Book of God behind their backs, nor turned away from the Mighty, the All-Loving.

Among them are those who say He [Baha’u’llah] hath come before the appointed time. Say: Is the knowledge of the appointed time with you or with God, the Revealer of verses? Be fair and follow not every vain imagining. Among them are some who say God hath purified the seed, that all may know that whatever appeareth from the Dayspring of Being was indeed pure. Say: Yea, by my Lord! He is indeed the Pure, the Most Pure, the Mighty, the Inaccessible. Therefore they conclude that He will appear afterwards. Say: The before and after are with thee, not with Him in Whose grasp is the dominion of all things. Say: Every seed from which We have brought forth the Dawning-Places of Revelation—all are pure and purified. This is God’s decree, both aforetime and hereafter, did ye but know.

This matter needeth no mention or explanation, for it is among the fundamental ordinances in a hidden Tablet. The Point intended by this mention naught save His absorption in the remembrance of the Intended One and His stations, which none can know save every loved one consumed in the fire of the Beloved. Among them are those who said that the Revealer of the Bayan wrote what the Intended One would recite among children, and thereby were perplexed in the Cause of the All-Merciful. Say: Is the knowledge of the Book with you, or with Him Who possesseth the Preserved Tablet? Say: Be not among the unjust. Open the eye of fairness and speak not that which would consume hearts and minds.

Interpret not according to your desires what God hath placed above your understanding. Ask of him who speaketh the truth from the presence of the Truth, the Knower of the unseen, though He hath forbidden questioning in this Revelation lest there come before His presence that which would sadden Him and prevent Him from mention of His Self, the One Who dominateth all witnesses and witnessed things. Yet We have permitted you, as a bounty from Our presence, lest the doubts of nations who follow vain imaginings and wander in the wilderness of heedlessness and pride keep you from the Most Great Ocean.

Say: He intended by mention of the seed and what is above it naught save My remembrance, the Mighty, the Beloved. Say: He was with My Name in the evening and with My remembrance in the morning, did ye but know. O people of the Bayan! Be fair in the name of the All-Merciful. Should diverse utterances come to you from the Manifestation of clear proofs, whom would ye question and to whom would ye turn to inform you of what the Chosen One hath ordained in the inscribed Tablet? All that hath been revealed in the Tablets ultimately returneth to a single point wherein the sincere find no difference, could ye but understand. None knoweth the interpretation of the Book and what the All-Bountiful intended save him from whom, through His Name, the ocean of Revelation hath flowed forth and from whom the fountains of wisdom and streams of knowledge have branched.

All utterances lead to this Word spoken by the Tongue of the Bayan, would ye but perceive it. He said that should He appear at this very moment, none hath the right to object to Him. He doeth what He willeth. He is verily the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting. None possesseth knowledge of His Revelation. He appeareth as He pleaseth and when He pleaseth. Thus hath the matter been decreed, would ye but be certain.

Say: Beware lest what is in the Bayan prevent you from meeting Him when the Call is raised. Cast aside all that ye possess and turn ye unto that most praiseworthy Station. Whoso pondereth these verses which have been sent down from the heaven of the Command will cry out and say:

“I believe in Thee, O Lord of the seen and the unseen!”

Blessed is he who hath freed himself from the depths of allusions and turned, in a spirit of detachment, unto the Countenance. Say: O people of Baha! It behooveth you to soar today in an atmosphere that transcendeth the allusions of words and the doubts of them that have denied God when the Promise was fulfilled and the Promised One appeared. Say: All that was revealed in the Bayan hath been made specifically for this Revelation—reflect that ye may understand. Say: Have ye the knowledge of the unseen, or is it with Him Who created all things? Fear God and follow not the paths of fancy. Every matter is weighed by this Balance, and by its very self, would ye but know it. Say: Through Him were the standards of innovation raised upon every lofty banner. Thus have We sent down the verses unto thee that thou mayest remind the servants thereby. Verily thy Lord is the All-Bountiful, the Bestower, the Generous, the Forgiving. Say: Praise be to God, the Lord of the seen and the unseen.

This was revealed in answer to one who asked about what was mentioned in the Seven Proofs:

His words, exalted and glorified be He: Among the conclusive proofs is the knowledge of all things in a single soul, which knowledge hath been concealed and treasured in the Book of the Single Temples, and none before this hath been apprised thereof. The fruit thereof is that one observeth in the letters how all things are gathered together in eleven degrees, which constitute the Temple of Identity, and when thou causest the first Temple to move in the sea of names, it reacheth unto nineteen and entereth not into twenty. The revelation of this knowledge is a conclusive proof unto all, would they but understand.

In the name of God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise

Praise be to God Who hath made the ornament of the Tablets of Numbers to be the One, which was sanctified above all single numbers, and made it the source of derivation in the Kingdom of Creation. Verily, it counteth not itself among the numbers from which numbers are compounded, in such wise that it can never be exhausted. When it shone forth through its sovereignty upon its pillars, there appeared the Four which is the completion of Ten, and through it were concluded the degrees of mathematical figures in the stations of remembrance and allusions. Every discerning one seeth, at the conclusion of this station, the form of the Beginning in the first of numbers. Then did the suns of Names shine forth from the horizon of this heaven in the degrees and lines which were determined according to the number of the Vav and Ha that were established therein in the worlds of accomplishment after decree.

When the lines adorned with Names appeared according to the number of Our Name, the All-Glorious, We adorned with them the First Temple and made it the source of causes, and from it We detailed the Temples and Names until the Temples ended at the Nineteenth Temple and the Names at Our Name, the Help in Peril, which We made the ultimate end of Names in numbers and their measure in the kingdom of creation. Thus ended the journey of the First Temple in the seas of Names unto this most exalted station, yet it reached not unto the sea of Kaf in the kingdom of beginning. Then We made the establishment of the Temples and Numbers and the objects of those Names through the manifestation of the Square by this Triangle, whereby all upon earth were thunderstruck save those who held fast to the luminous Handle—and it is the Triangle which was the first of forms and their source, and the fountainhead of numbers and their sovereign.

And verily these are outwardly possessed of straight sides and lines which were not ordained to descend, and inwardly that which none hath understood save God, the Lord of the Throne and earth, and the Creator of earth and heaven.

And as to what thou hast asked concerning the knowledge that was hidden in God’s knowledge and treasured within the veil of grandeur and glory, know thou that the Point of the Bayan desired by its revelation naught else save that all should know their beginning and their return, lest the multiplicities of the worlds of names and the visible utterances of letters in the kingdom of creation should prevent them from turning unto Him Whom God hath made the Source and Return of all things. Thus hath the matter been decreed by the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. None can comprehend the greatness of this knowledge save he who beholdeth it with the eye of God, and without this none hath any share of this great depth. God hath revealed this knowledge for the recognition by men of the Source from which the letters have proceeded and every wise command. Verily God, blessed and exalted be He, hath created limited letters and made them sources of knowledge amongst the servants. Thy Lord is verily the Mighty, the Powerful.

And these letters and numbers, all of them, began from the Primal Point and the First Pattern, which is the One without number, and unto it do they return on His wondrous Day. The fruit of this knowledge and the fruits of all knowledge is the recognition of the Known One Who hath appeared after the Qayyum in His Name the Self-Subsisting. Whoso hath attained unto this hath ascended unto the ultimate goal and hath known the Beginning and the End. And whoso is deprived of the fruit in this Most Great Day is among the most ignorant of creation, even should he bring forth the knowledge of the first and the last ones. Say: The knower is he who hath known the Known One, and the learned is he who hath drawn nigh unto the Known One, and he who is remote, verily he is the imaginary one, by the Lord of the worlds.

All things have been limited by whatsoever hath been created in earth and heaven by everything—this is a word that encompasseth what hath been created and what shall be created by the Mighty, the Powerful. And verily these have been limited to nineteen units in the Book of God, and every unit began from the First Unit, and verily it is from the Point that speaketh: “There is no God but Me, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.” And God desired naught except to teach the people the Dawning-Place of the Cause and its Rising-Point, lest the manifestations of the worlds of names should prevent them from the Creator of heaven, and the allusions of the people of creation from the Source of verses and their Return. Thus hath God detailed what He desired in a clear Tablet. Verily he who hath drunk the wine of revelation from this Cup will not alter a single letter of what We have sent down in the Kingdom of the dominion of the heavens and earths.

Then know thou that Kitabu’l-Vahid hath been sent down from the presence of the One to this Single One, but for Whom the face of creation would not have been adorned with the beauty of detachment, nor the tablet of invention with the ornament of the Point from which all things have been detailed. Thus hath the matter been decreed in the kingdom of decree from the Dawning-Place of the revelation of thy Lord, the Most Exalted, the Most Great. Blessed is he who hath found the sweetness of utterance in the days of the All-Merciful. He would not exchange it for all the books of the earth. To this beareth witness the King of the realms of eternity from the presence of One All-Knowing, All-Informed.

And We adorned that Book with Our Most Beautiful Names in the lines of the Vav and the Ha, then We made them the ornament of the First Temple that it might tell of the Pure Identity among the nations. Verily thy Lord is the Mighty, the Powerful. And We ordained in the first line letters which We made the source and return of all things, that the seeing one might behold in that line the lines branching from the ocean of the Point, and might become aware of the beginning of manifestations and multiplicities from the first and last ones, and might be of the assured ones. And We revealed from their numbers a Name from the Names, that it might proclaim in the kingdom of creation that there is no God but He, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

Then in the second line were points representing the ranks of ones, tens and hundreds, and We added to them points for the three ranks and that which indicates the thousand in the inscribed figures. And We revealed from them another name—thus was the matter decreed from the presence of the Lord of Destiny in this noble scene. Then in the third were corresponding alifs until the lines were completed in the number of Our Most Glorious Name and the seas of geometry and figures ended at the geometry indicating nine, for God has ordained no geometry beyond it. All forms and shapes have culminated in this geometry which tells of the Most Great Name, which God has made the Dawning-Place of names and their source for all who are in the heavens and earth.

When the realities of all things were gathered in eleven scrolls in the Temple of the Divine Identity, We made it the First Embroidery and the Speaker of this Name which God has made the Master of Causes and the Source of religions for all the worlds. When We adorned the heaven of that Temple with the suns of names, Our True Name appeared from the corresponding ta’s at the ultimate stations, and in this are signs and clear proofs for those who know. This is what God intended in the mystery of mysteries from the mystery veiled by mystery in this Great Announcement. Blessed is he who has recognized this mystery, from the burden of which all in the heavens and earth fled in terror, save those who turned their gaze away from all things and set their faces toward the scene of God, the Mighty, the Generous.

When the creation of the First Temple was completed through this Most Great Name, We derived from it the Temples. Verily thy Lord is the Powerful, the Mighty, the Wise. Know then that We caused that Name which We revealed in the ultimate stations and lines to traverse a sea among the seas of names by adding to it its like, whereupon Our Name “the Embroiderer” appeared in that straight channel. Then We caused it to traverse another sea and another name rose from its dawning-place. Then in the stages of its journey through each of the seas a name among the names appeared until it reached the ultimate of the Temples, the Nineteenth Temple, whereupon the sun of Our Name “the One Who Calls for Help” shone forth from that manifest and evident horizon. At that point the journeys and seas came to an end, for God has not ordained among the names a greater number than this exalted Name. Therefore He said—and His word is the truth—that it reaches not unto twenty. Verily thy Lord is the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. If thou shouldst add to this Name, no name would appear from it as appeared in the ranks We have explained to thee. Reflect that thou mayest know what thy Lord intended aforetime and in this wondrous Tablet.

Thus has the sun of utterance shone forth from the horizon of thy Lord, the Most Merciful, as a grace from Him unto thee and unto those who ask. If thou wouldst reflect, the proof of this knowledge and that mighty Book would become manifest to thee, and it is, in its inner reality, the manifestation of Truth in the One Who Calls for Help. By My life, this is indeed the purpose—blessed are they who attain! We testify that all that hath appeared in the Proof or shall appear is God’s proof unto all else and His testament unto all in the kingdom. Then We shall explain to thee what the Point intended in the inmost heart of His utterance, that thou mayest be of the thankful.

Section 2: “By the nineteenth He intended naught but this…”

By the nineteenth He intended naught but this most impregnable and exalted Manifestation. As for the nine, ye were promised it in the Book in His words “In the nine ye shall attain all good,” even as there appeared therein the Revelation of God and His mystery according to a fixed measure. And by the other years were meant those years that were appointed for the respite, as revealed in the Bayan. And when these were fulfilled and the Promise came, the Promised One appeared with a sovereignty that encompassed all who dwell in the realm of the seen and the unseen. And His words “It shall not reach unto Kaf” signified that the twentieth year would not be completed ere He would be made manifest with the truth, with evident sovereignty.

O thou herald! Convey unto the people what God intended in the mystery of the Book of the Temples from God’s Most Great Treasury, that they may be of them that know. Say: In His mention He intended naught save the Goal of all who dwell on earth. When the creation of the First Unity was completed and from it the Temples were differentiated, He called upon his Lord in His communion, saying:

“O my God! Guide Thou that Unity and that Being unto Him Whom God shall make manifest, that they may not be veiled from the Manifestation of Thyself, inasmuch as they were created for Him.”

Thus was the matter decreed. Blessed are they that attain! Were anyone to ponder this utterance and comprehend what the All-Merciful intended, he would melt with the fire of yearning and would recognize the grandeur of this Cause and its sovereignty. Yet most people remain heedless.

O thou who hast dawned from the horizon of certitude and art mentioned by the tongue of the All-Merciful in the highest paradise! Know thou that every mention hath ended at this most mighty station and every description at this most luminous spot. When the Point praiseth a soul in the Bayan, He saith: “Beware lest praise veil thee from the Most Glorious Horizon,” and when He describeth anyone with names, He addresseth him thus: “Beware lest the garment of names prevent thee from Him round Whom circle Their suns in adoration before His beauteous countenance.” Observe how He praised the Letters in the most wondrous manner possible in creation and in the most glorious way that could be mentioned in invention. Then He addresseth the people of the Bayan, saying: “Beware lest ye be veiled by these Letters from the Lord of Names and Attributes.” Blessed is he who hath recognized God’s purpose in what He hath truthfully revealed and who hath remained steadfast upon this straight path.

And when He mentioneth Him Whom all shall seek, He saith that should He appear at that very moment, His command must be obeyed and His wish fulfilled. None may object to Him; rather must all acknowledge Him and thank God for this supreme bounty. O My Name! Reflect upon the allusions in the words of Him Who revealed the verses, that the fragrances of reunion in this culmination, which hath been the ultimate hope of the Messengers, may seize thee. Verily, he who hath not recognized the Purpose hath been deprived of God and His sovereignty and what He hath revealed unto the sincere ones. Say: Beware lest the multitude of what hath been revealed in the Bayan veil you from the Source of the Bayan, and lest the manifestations of the worlds of words veil you from the Horizon whence rose the suns of meaning and exposition from God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy.

By My life, O My Name! Were We to reveal books concerning the Temples and what lieth beyond them, it would be easier for Me than to interpret what We have previously revealed, for though interpretation is indeed a momentous matter, yet it is the province of every learned one aware among the people of Baha whose hearts are connected with this mighty ocean. Blessed is the learned one whom the breezes of revelation have seized in the days of God and have caused him to forget all creation and whatsoever hath been mentioned therein, speaking forth this remembrance whereby the oceans of life have gushed forth amidst all worlds. He is among the most exalted of creation before the Truth, for the station of the learned one who hath embarked upon the Crimson Ark in the Most Glorious Name among the people is as the station of sight among the senses. It behooveth all to revere him.

As for the one who spoke with this Remembrance, through which the rivers of life burst forth amidst the worlds—verily, he is among the most exalted of creatures before the Truth. For the station of the learned one who has embarked upon the crimson ark in the Most Glorious Name amongst the people is as the station of sight among the senses. It behooveth everyone to honor him and to magnify him. Thus was it sent down aforetime and at this hour. Then blessed is the learned one who hath adorned himself with the raiment of detachment in creation and with the cloak of godliness among men, and who hath been so attracted by hearkening to this Call that he hath gone forth from his homeland, traveling through the countries in remembrance of the All-Merciful. Verily, he is of those who have drawn nigh and are sincere.

O Khalil! This is uttered in the Persian tongue, that all creation might partake of the fragrant breezes of divine utterances and attain to that which God hath willed. The Point of the Bayan hath revealed a Book concerning the Single Temples, wherein He hath gathered all things within eleven lines corresponding to the number of ʿHuva’ and the Most Splendid Name. In the first line He inscribed the letters of the abjad, and from its twenty-eight letters, which are the source and return of all things, He derived the name Vahid. In the second line He took the dots marking the ranks of ones, tens, hundreds and thousands, wherefrom the name Mahbub was derived. In the third line He recorded similar alifs, such as one (1), ten (10), eleven (11), one hundred (100), one hundred and one (101), one hundred and ten (110), one hundred and eleven (111), and so forth.

He calculated all similar letters in like manner, not exceeding the number of Al-Mustaghath, which He established as the measure of numbers. From these similar alifs He derived the name Baydavi. Similarly He recorded in each line the equivalents of each abjad letter and derived therefrom a name, until He reached the similar ta’s, which represent the ultimate degree of geometry and forms in the material world, from which He derived the name Haqq. In this are signs for those who observe and reflect.

All these names He gathered in the First Single Temple, which is Oneness without number. Thereafter He caused each of the names gathered in the Temple of Identity to traverse an ocean from among the oceans of names, deriving other names therefrom, from which He arranged the Second Temple, until the Temples ended with the nineteenth, beyond which progress according to the established rule is impossible, for at the end of the nineteenth Temple the names culminate in Al-Mustaghath with the alif and lam, above which there exists no name in numbers from which to arrange a final Temple.

In brief, He determined eleven names corresponding to the number of Huva’ and Bahhaj’ in the eleven lines and degrees, as mentioned. The number of these eleven names also corresponds to the name Al-Mutakabbir. Then from this the First Single Temple appeared, and when they added once to the numbers of these names, eleven other names appeared, wherefrom He raised up the Second Single Temple. Likewise when they added twice to the numbers of the names of the First Single Temple, other names appeared wherefrom the Third Single Temple was manifested. Thus did they add at each degree until it concluded with the nineteenth Temple.

All these Temples appeared and came into being from the First Temple itself. Let it not be imagined that the Second Temple came from the First, the Third from the Second, and the Fourth from the Third, as would appear in calculation to those possessed of understanding. Thereby it is proven that God is the Truth, that He is the Creator and all else His creation, and all things are before Him in a single plane. Thus doth God expound His Cause that ye may be among the believers in His unity. Observe how the Most Great Name appeared from the similar ta’s at the end of the eleven lines.

And all are before Him in one plane. Thus doth God expound His Cause that ye may be of them that comprehend. Look ye unto truth, in that at the end of the eleven lines there appeared the letters Ta’at, evocative of the Most Great Name, and by it was the first temple completed, for at the end of the names of the first temple this blessed name dawned forth. This name moved through one of the seas of names; its like was added unto it, and the name Tarraz appeared, and by it was the second temple completed. Again it moved through another sea; twice its like was added unto it, and the name Shaydud appeared, and by it was the third temple completed. And likewise in every sea of seas there was added unto it, and a name appeared, and a temple from among the temples was by that name completed, until in the nineteenth sea, which was the ultimate of seas, there appeared the name Mustaghath with the alif and lam, and by it was the nineteenth temple completed.

It was impossible to go beyond this station, for were one to add to the numerical value of Mustaghath, no name would appear, since among the divine names commonly known among men none existeth with a numerical value greater than this name. This is why He saith that if thou movest the first temple through the sea of names it will be completed at nineteen and will not reach the sea of kaf. And it is known that eleven numbers are lacking from the numbers of the name Mustaghath. He saith that from these eleven numbers were created eleven lines. Here reflection is needed. The meaning is that from the eleven numbers of the name Mustaghath, which pertaineth to the Sovereign of Names, were created eleven lines, and from that arose the first single temple. Blessed is he who drinketh the pure water of mystic knowledge from this Cup, whereby the life of the worlds was suspended.

O proclaimer! Just as the name of Truth traversed all the cities of names and their kingdom in nineteen stations, or nineteen degrees, or nineteen seas, and reached Our name Mustaghath, so too did the Self of Truth traverse time in nineteen years and appear in Mustaghath. This is the meaning of the Book of the Temples, but most people do not understand. Were they to reflect, they would be convinced that His purpose in that Book was none other than what We have mentioned to thee, and they would thank the Lord for this lucid exposition.

We desire to cast upon the servants clear, manifest, and transcendent utterances, that they may understand according to their capacity what their Ancient Lord intended. And We have utterances and melodies, then other melodies which none hath discovered save God, and in every letter thereof is concealed the greatest depth of divine mysteries, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. We have repeated and do repeat these words that God’s purpose may become as manifest as the sun at high noon. This is naught but a great bounty.

Know thou that Our name Mustaghath appeared from the Truth made manifest from the letters Ta’at which indicate the Most Great Name. Therefore, behold the Mustaghath made manifest from the Name which emerged from the Sovereign of Names in Mustaghath, and say: Praise be unto Thee, O Creator of the worlds! By My life, this is God’s greatest mystery and His mightiest treasure and His Cause adorned with the ornament of eternity and His hidden talisman in a perspicuous Book. Know thou the purpose of Mustaghath which was revealed in the Tablets and the manifestation of Truth therein. This verily is the spirit of life in the Bayan, whereby it soared and moved and trembled and proclaimed: There is none other God but Me, the Protector over all worlds.

Know that what was meant by the mention of the Divine Right and His maturity after the passing of nineteen stations in the name of Him Who is Implored for Help is the Manifestation of Truth after the passing of nineteen years at the time of Mustaghath. This and this alone was and is meant. Say: The fragrances of eternity have wafted over the world and the Sun of Utterance hath shone forth from the horizon of possibility. Well is it with them that perceive.

O My Name! All that was revealed in the Bayan concerning the mention of the Most Great Remembrance was revealed with utmost clarity. That which was made the cause of distinguishing the people and the degrees of recognition and the appearance of tests was the mention of Mustaghath, and now the meaning thereof hath been revealed from the Supreme Pen in the Clear Tablet—that which until now they have neither understood nor comprehended. The people are weak, and most have drunk the milk of vain imaginings from the breast of idle fancy. This is why they remain deprived of the Self-Subsisting through such mentions. Observe that after mentioning Mustaghath, in most statements He saith that should He appear at that time, all must offer thanks and praise unto the True God and be content with whatsoever God hath ordained for them.

There is no doubt that this latter statement predominates and encompasses all other statements, for from the second wafteth the fragrance of the Self-Subsisting as He passeth by, and from the first the fragrance of limitations is evident. Is there any possessor of smell who perceiveth the fragrance of the Bayan and is of the thankful? Is there any possessor of hearing who heareth and saith: “Thine be the praise, O God of all who are in the heavens and on earth”? In no case hath there been or is there for anyone occasion to hesitate. Thus doth the All-Merciful testify in the highest Paradise.

In some Names an increase or decrease is observed, and completion is with thy Lord, the Mighty, the All-Knowing. And that which the Point of the Bayan mentioned was meant to be the Most Great Remembrance, but most of the people of the Bayan have imagined from the Book of Temples and the like that it referred to numerology and other sciences. All are wandering in the wilderness of fancy. Every Tablet began with this Name and ended with this wise Remembrance.

As to what thou hast asked concerning the Days, We have made them manifestations of the letter Ha’ in the kingdom of creation. Therefore they are not limited by the bounds of years and months. It behooveth those in the Days of Baha to feed themselves and then the poor and needy, and to glorify and praise and magnify their Lord with joy and delight. And when the Days are completed, they shall enter into the Fast. Thus hath the Lord of all beings decreed. These Days are expansion before contraction, and giving before withholding. Therefore must all engage in glorification and praise and magnification of the transcendent Lord with complete joy and delight and fragrance. In these Days, gathering and feasting and rejoicing are beloved before God. God willing, may all derive the utmost possible delight in these Days and then enter into the month of fasting. Well is it with them that act accordingly.

Convey My greetings to My Afnan and give them glad tidings of how We have answered what they asked. He is verily the Answerer, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. Also to those who are there from among the loved ones of God, the Powerful, the Transcendent, the Most High, the Most Great.

BH03181: Khutbatu’n-Nikah [marriage Tablet]

And as to the laws of marriage and divorce which were sought, that which was revealed in this station in the Kitab-i-Aqdas had already been sent down aforetime. Likewise, in these days, the homily hath descended from the heaven of Oneness. After the good-pleasure of both parties and the consent of the parents hath been obtained, let them convene, in the presence of the God-fearing, in a designated spot, and let this blessed homily be recited with utmost joy and fragrance of spirit.

After the chanting of the homily, let the bridegroom and the bride, in a place set apart, recite these two blessed verses which were revealed in the Bayan. The two verses mentioned in the Bayan are to be inscribed, and thereafter let the husband deliver the dowry unto the bride, and let both parties set their seal upon a written document, and likewise the witnesses. And should it be in a locality where the people thereof are unable to recite the homily, no blame shall rest upon them; the recitation of the two verses sufficeth.

The intent of “the two verses” is this: for the men: “We will all, verily, abide by the will of God.” And for the women: “We will all, verily, abide by the will of God.”

Khutbatu’n-Nikah (The Marriage Homily)

He is the Bestower, the Bounteous!

Praise be to God, the Ancient, the Ever-Abiding, the Changeless, the Eternal! He Who hath testified in His Own Being that verily He is the One, the Single, the Untrammeled, the Exalted. We bear witness that verily there is no God but Him, acknowledging His oneness, confessing His singleness. He hath ever dwelt in unapproachable heights, in the summits of His loftiness, sanctified from the mention of aught save Himself, free from the description of aught but Him.

And when He desired to manifest grace and beneficence to men, and to set the world in order, He revealed observances and created laws; among them He established the law of marriage, made it as a fortress for well-being and salvation, and enjoined it upon us in that which was sent down out of the heaven of sanctity in His Most Holy Book. He saith, great is His glory:

“Enter into wedlock, O people, that ye may bring forth one who will make mention of Me amid My servants. This is My bidding unto you; hold fast to it as an assistance to yourselves.”

This is the testimony of the people of Baha, they who have exerted their utmost effort to exalt this perspicuous Faith, and whom, in the cause of God, the reproach of the censurer hath not dismayed. And praise be to God, the Lord of all the worlds.

BH00718: Lawh-i-’Ali

From the right hand of the Throne hath been sent down:

O Ali! From the day when the promised Tablet—which hath been designated as the Cry, the Hour, and the Trump—was dispatched, the idolaters and deniers have arisen with the utmost craftiness and scheming. Though outwardly nothing is apparent, yet thy Lord is verily the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. With the utmost determination they have been and are seeking the Ancient Beauty. In these days, each day witnesseth a new occurrence in this land. By the Truth! Never hath there been, nor shall there ever be, any grief from these matters and whatsoever hath occurred before or shall occur hereafter.

The Ancient Beauty is established upon the Most Great Throne with such joy that were but a breath thereof to pass over the dwellers of earth, all would perish from delight, gladness and ecstasy. However, the grief is that the servants are weak, and the Truth, out of kindness and mercy, summoneth them from the ocean of tribulations and trials to the uttermost goal, yet these veiled souls perceive it not.

O Ali! Exert the utmost endeavor and guard the edifice of the Cause from the thieves. Consider the physical house: if slumber overtaketh its guardians, assuredly the thieves will enter and intrude. However, if the guardians remain engaged in their watch and protection, the thieves shall never gain access. Now it behooveth the sincere ones among the loved ones of God to make every effort and protect God’s Cause and His edifice from the thieves. Say: Stand guard at the gate, then drive away the evil ones with the shooting star of the remembrance of My Name, the Mighty, the Impregnable.

Again revealed to Ali-Qabl-i-Akbar.

Some people have sought and continue to seek specific worldly ornaments from the Most Holy Court, and this is far removed from justice and fairness. From the beginning of the Revelation until now, never has there been any indication to anyone regarding such matters—sacred is the hem of the Cause from such mentions, let alone their actualization. It is incumbent upon all to counsel the servants and declare what comes from God.

The Herald of Divine Unity calls out from the realm of Divinity: O loved ones! Soil not the sacred hem with the clay of this world, and speak not according to the dictates of self and passion. I swear by the Sun of the horizon of the Cause, which shines with perfect radiance and light from the heaven of the prison, that today those who have turned to the Qiblih of existence must be sanctified and detached from both the seen and unseen. Should they engage in teaching, they must do so with pure intention, complete detachment, independence, lofty resolve, and innate holiness, turning to all regions with the fragrances of the All-Merciful. It behooveth such souls to make their provision trust in God and their raiment the love of their Lord, the Most Exalted, the All-Glorious, that their words may have effect.

Those souls who today fix their gaze upon personal desires and the ornaments of this transient world are seen to be utterly remote. In most times, there have been no apparent ornaments in the court of the All-Merciful, and those circling round have been in great hardship. Nevertheless, never has any mention of the world, or word indicating it, shone forth from the Dayspring of the Supreme Pen. And if anyone was blessed to send a gift to the Most Holy Court, it was accepted out of grace, even though were We to desire to possess all the wealth of the earth, none would have cause to question. No deed is more abhorrent than begging among people in the name of Truth.

It is incumbent upon that honored one and the companions of Truth to summon people to the greatest detachment and the most great sanctity, that the fragrance of the Most Glorious Robe might be inhaled from His loved ones. However, the wealthy must be mindful of the poor, for the station of the patient among the poor is great in the sight of God. By My life! No station equals it save what God willeth. Blessed is the poor one who is patient and discrete, and blessed is the rich one who spends and prefers others. God willing, the poor should strive and engage in earning a livelihood, and this is a matter prescribed for every soul in this Most Great Revelation and is reckoned among good deeds before God. Whoever acts upon this will surely receive divine assistance. Verily, He enriches whomsoever He willeth through His grace. He is, verily, powerful over all things.

Likewise, from the Dayspring of the All-Merciful’s Will have shone forth words concerning the protection of souls and the education of the people of the nation and country, the benefits of which will encompass all who are on earth, were they to hear what hath been sent down from the heaven of the Command. At present it is not expedient to send it; it remains suspended in the heaven of Will until such time as the Divine Will determines it be sent. The Command is in His hand. Strive diligently in the education of souls, for this has been and will continue to be among the most important matters. And glory be upon thee, O thou whose call We hear in remembrance of thy Lord, the Powerful, the Mighty, the Unconstrained.

O Ali! Say to the loved ones of God that the first quality of human nature is fairness, and all matters depend upon it. Reflect a little upon the afflictions and tribulations of this Prisoner, Who has spent His entire life in the hands of His enemies, and every day has been afflicted with a fresh trial in the path of God’s love, until the Cause of God was exalted amongst His servants. Now if anyone should arise and, following his own imaginings, engage either secretly or openly in causing division among the people—is such a one to be counted among the fair-minded? Nay, by His Self, the All-Compelling! By My life, My heart laments and Mine eyes weep for the Cause of God and for those who speak that which they understand not and imagine in their souls that which they perceive not.

Today it behooveth all to hold fast to the Most Great Name. There is no refuge or haven save Him. Let them unite the people. Should one be established in the highest station, and should words proceed from him that would cause division among the people, he hath turned away from the shore of the Most Great Ocean and directed himself to that which is limited by human boundaries. All creation beareth witness that such a one is deprived of the breezes of the All-Merciful. Say: Be fair, O people of understanding! He that hath no fairness hath no human qualities.

God is aware of all souls and what they possess. The forbearance of God hath emboldened souls, for He does not rend asunder the veils before their appointed time, and due to the precedence of mercy, manifestations of wrath have been withheld. Therefore, most people imagine that God is unaware of what they commit in secret. Nay, by His all-knowing, all-informed Self! All is visible and evident in the mirror of His knowledge. Say: Praise be unto Thee, O Concealer of the weaklings’ faults! Praise be unto Thee, O Forgiver of the heedless ones’ sins!

We forbade the people from following delusion that they might recognize the manifest Sovereign and that which proceedeth from Him. Yet now they are seen to be captive to their own doubts and imaginings. By My life, they themselves are delusion and perceive it not, and that which they utter is delusion and they understand it not. We beseech God to assist all and to make them know Him and their own selves. By My life, whoso attaineth unto His knowledge soareth in the atmosphere of His love and detacheth himself from all who dwell on earth, let alone those who speak according to their desires that which God hath not permitted them.

Say: Today is the day of hearkening. Hear ye the voice of the Wronged One. Speak ye in the name of Truth, and be adorned with the ornament of His remembrance and illumined by the lights of His love. This is the key to hearts and the polish of existence. Whoso remaineth heedless of that which hath flowed from the Finger of God’s Will is in manifest error. Rectitude and trustworthiness are essential to faith, not discord and corruption. Convey that which thou hast been commanded by the Trustworthy, the Faithful One. Verily, the glory be upon thee, O thou who remembereth My Name, who gazeth toward My direction, and who uttereth the praise of thy Lord, the Beautiful.

BH01353: Lawh-i-Dustan-i-Yazdani

The beginning of every account is the name of God

O friends of God! Incline your inner ears to the voice of the peerless and self-subsisting Lord, that He may deliver you from the bonds of entanglement and the depths of darkness and enable you to attain the eternal light. Ascent and descent, stillness and motion, have come into being through the will of the Lord of all that hath been and shall be. The cause of ascent is lightness, and the cause of lightness is heat. Thus hath it been decreed by God. The cause of stillness is weight and density, which in turn are caused by cold. Thus hath it been decreed by God.

And since He hath ordained heat to be the source of motion and ascent and the cause of attainment to the desired goal, He hath therefore kindled with the mystic hand that Fire that dieth not and sent it forth into the world, that this divine Fire might, by the heat of the love of God, guide and attract all mankind to the abode of the incomparable Friend. This is the mystery enshrined in your Book that was sent down aforetime, a mystery which hath until now remained concealed from the eyes and hearts of men. That primal Fire hath in this Day appeared with a new radiance and with immeasurable heat. This divine Fire burneth of itself, with neither fuel nor fume, that it might draw away such excess moisture and cold as are the cause of torpor and weariness, of lethargy and despondency, and lead the entire creation to the court of the presence of the All-Merciful. Whoso hath approached this Fire hath been set aflame and attained the desired goal, and whoso hath removed himself therefrom hath remained deprived.

O servant of God! Turn thou away from the stranger, that thou mayest recognize the Friend. He indeed is a stranger who leadeth you away from the Friend. This is not the day whereon the high priests can command and exercise their authority. In your Book it is stated that the high priests will, on that Day, lead men far astray, and will prevent them from drawing nigh unto Him. He indeed is a high priest who hath seen the light and hastened unto the way leading to the Beloved. Such a man is a benevolent priest and a source of illumination to the whole world.

O servant of God! Any priest who leadeth thee away from this Fire, which is the reality of the Light and the mystery of divine Revelation, is indeed thine enemy. Suffer not the words of the foe to hold thee back from the Friend or the insinuations of the enemy to cause thee to forsake the Beloved.

O servant of God! The day of deeds hath come: Now is not the time for words. The Messenger of God hath appeared: Now is not the hour for hesitation. Open thine inner eye that thou mayest behold the face of the Beloved, and hearken with thine inner ear that thou mayest hear the sweet murmur of His celestial voice.

O servant of God! The robe of divine bestowal hath been sewn and readied. Take hold of it and attire thyself therewith. Renounce and forsake the people of the world. O wise one! Shouldst thou heed the counsel of thy Lord, thou wouldst be released from the bondage of His servants and behold thyself exalted above all men.

O servant of God! We have bestowed a dewdrop from the ocean of divine grace; would that men might drink therefrom! We have brought a trace of the sweet melodies of the Beloved; would that men might hearken with their inner ear! Soar upon the wings of joy in the atmosphere of the love of God. Regard the people of the world as dead and seek the fellowship of the living. Whoso hath not breathed the sweet fragrance of the Beloved at this dawntide is indeed accounted among the dead. He Who is the All-Sufficing proclaimeth aloud:

“The realm of joy hath been ushered in; be not sorrowful! The hidden mystery hath been made manifest; be not disheartened!”

Wert thou to apprehend the surpassing greatness of this Day, thou wouldst renounce the world and all that dwell therein and hasten unto the way that leadeth to the Lord.

O servants of God! Deprived souls are heedless of this triumphant Day, and chilled hearts have no share of the heat of this blazing Fire.

O servant of God! The Tree which We had planted with the Hand of Providence hath borne its destined fruit, and the glad-tidings We had imparted in the Book have appeared in full effect.

O servant of God! We revealed Ourself to thee once in thy sleep, but thou didst remain unaware. Remember now, that thou mayest perceive and hasten with heart and soul to the placeless Friend.

O servant of God! Say: O high priests! The Hand of Omnipotence is stretched forth from behind the clouds; behold ye it with new eyes. The tokens of His majesty and greatness are unveiled; gaze ye on them with pure eyes.

O servant of God! The Daystar of the everlasting realm is shining resplendent above the horizon of His will and the Oceans of divine bounty are surging. Bereft indeed is the one who hath failed to behold them, and lifeless the one who hath not attained thereunto. Close thine eyes to this nether world, open them to the countenance of the incomparable Friend, and commune intimately with His Spirit.

O servant of God! With a pure heart unloose thy tongue in the praise of thy Lord for having made mention of thee through His gem-scattering pen. Couldst thou but realize the greatness of this bestowal, thou wouldst find thyself invested with everlasting life.

O servant of God! Say: The Lord declareth: He that is afflicted seeketh not wellness and shall not arise, and he that beareth the sign shall not attain unto salvation.

BH03529: Lawh-i-Jinab-i-Haji Siyyid Ibrahim (Kitab al-Fajr)

The Most Holy, Most Glorious Book hath appeared from the horizon of the Command and was witnessed in its manifestation. Whoso readeth a single letter thereof turneth toward the sanctuary and detacheth himself from all created things, and God, the All-Merciful, is My witness in what I say. Blessed is he who is illumined by this Light which hath shone forth from the horizon of the Manifestation. He is among the manifestations of beauty and hath been mentioned with justice in the Tablet of Glory.

The earth hath been illumined by the light of thy Lord, and the darkness hath been dispelled by the dawning light which was visible from the horizon of the Prison. Say: None can test God in this Revelation; rather God testeth whom He willeth. Thus was it sent down in the Bayan from the presence of the All-Merciful Who encompasseth all things. Choose ye what God hath chosen for you. Beware lest ye make your faith dependent upon your idle fancies. Thus hath the decree been ordained.

Say: Doth not what hath appeared in this Revelation suffice you? By God! Power hath been manifested, sovereignty hath encompassed all, and the signs have filled the horizons. None denieth them save he who is deprived of truth. Were We to will it, We would make all who are on earth one community. Verily He hath power over all things.

Among the people is he who desireth from God that which beseemeth him not, and when he seeth it he turneth away and returneth unto his own people, retreating. Those who have turned toward it have not acted according to what was ordained in the Bayan for this Revelation—how much less those who have turned away by following vain imaginings. Thy Lord is indeed cognizant of what I say.

Say: Have ye ever heard before of what hath graciously appeared in this Revelation? Nay, by the Lord of Justice! Ponder, O people, that ye may find a way to the truth. Grieve thou not over anything. We have ordained for thee an exalted station. Glorify thy Lord with praise. He is with whomsoever desireth Him. Blessed is he who chooseth Him as his friend. The glory be upon thee and upon whomsoever hath turned toward God with a countenance illumined by the lights of the Throne.

BH07258: Lawh-i-Kimiya 4

In the name of the one Friend! Your letter in Arabic was presented at the Throne, and its answer is sent down in Persian. Listen with pure and sanctified hearing. Be not distressed at the delay of matters—every matter is bound to its time.

In the mixing and combination of things, two stations are to be considered: one through pure absolute power, and this depends on His leave and is specific to His presence; the other through the conjunction of harmonious things that are not mutually repellent, and this, after knowledge of the perfect nature, is known among the philosophers as “the egg,” and it is the fashioned stone, containing the four natures, and after separation is capable of complete mixture.

We beseech God to assist you in what He loves and is pleased with, and to ordain for you what is best with Him. Verily He is the Guardian of the sincere ones.

And the Glory be upon you and upon your son and those with you, and we beseech Him to assist all in His service and obedience. Verily He is the Powerful, the Forgiving, the Generous.

BH04321: Lawh-i-Kimiya 5

He is the Most Holy, the Most Glorious

O thou who art designated as the First Pillar of My Name! Hearken unto My call. Verily there is none other God but Him, the Mighty, the Self-Subsisting.

And now, thy letter hath been presented before the Beloved and God hath turned toward it. That which thou hast comprehended and expressed regarding the Hidden Word doth not accord and agreeth not with its true meaning. The essential matter is that which was sent down aforetime from the heaven of the Divine Will. Thou must ponder, that thou mayest discover the truth. Thus hath it been decreed in the Tablet by thy Lord, the Mighty, the All-Wise. More explicit than what hath been mentioned is not permitted, and in the Tablets a clearer exposition than what hath been given is not desired, inasmuch as the unveiling of this most great mystery hath ever been forbidden. Reflect upon that which hath been revealed both before and after, and after comprehending it, present it at the court of the Divine Throne. Thus have ye been commanded from before. Verily He is the Knower of all things.

Although the origin of the Tree hath been revealed in the Tablets through allusion and metaphor and indication, yet that allusion is more eloquent than explicit statement. Ponder, that perchance thou mayest find a way unto it. Whatsoever hath streamed forth from the Most Ancient Pen hath been for your benefit and for the benefit of the servants of God. Verily thy Lord is the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

Know thou moreover that the word of victory hath ascended unto God and We were well-pleased with it, and the word of good-pleasure was mentioned before the Throne and is now with Me in the prison, and thy Lord encompasseth all things. Say: Beware lest ye utter that which God hath not permitted unto you. Thus hath the matter been decreed. Blessed is he who hath taken unto the Truth a way.

BH03255: Lawh-i-Siyyid Muhammad ibn Vahid

He is the Most Great, the Most Mighty

The gate of utterance has been opened and the Youth of inner meanings has appeared, holding in His right hand a cup of the salsabil of your Lord’s mercy, the Most High, the Most Great. At times thou findest therein the trace of fire whereby the veils of the worlds are consumed, and at times thou findest therein the trace of light whereby the hearts of the mystics are illumined, and at times thou seest it as the water of life whereby God quickens every decomposed bone. Blessed is he who takes it in the name of his Lord and drinks in remembrance of Me, the Mighty, the All-Wise.

Unite in the Cause of God—thereby will His Cause be exalted among the servants. He, verily, is the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. Cling ye unto the fear of God in His religion. By My life! It is My garment—blessed is he who attains unto this luminous garment.

Verily thy Lord is not prevented by anything from anything. Were He to decree for the heaven the decree of the earth, none has the right to object to Him, and were He to dispose of what is on earth, none has the right to say “why” or “wherefore.” Everything hath proclaimed that He is the One Who ruleth as He pleaseth. Such is God’s way among His servants and His sovereignty over His creation. This station hath been sealed with this noble perspective. Nevertheless, We have manifested Our Self in the garment of the fear of God as a grace from Us. Verily thy Lord is the All-Forgiving, the All-Merciful.

Those who transgress what hath been ordained in the Book and act without God’s leave—these are among the disappointed ones. And those who commit what they were forbidden—these are among the heedless ones. Adorn yourselves with what We have commanded you in the Tablets that the sanctification of your Lord’s Cause may be manifest among the servants. Thereby shall the faces of those near unto God be illumined.

Say: While you are in your homes, the Sovereign of the House remembers you in this mighty prison and desires to make you kings in the kingdoms of His dominion and inheritors in His mighty, impregnable empire. Grieve not because of those who have disbelieved. Trust in all matters in God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy. Be thou of such character that the sincere ones may find from thee the fragrances of the All-Merciful. Thus it behooveth one who hath believed in God, the Mighty, the Peerless.

BH01654: Second Tablet to Faris

O Ancient, Eternal, Most Holy One! Thy letter hath come before Our face and from it We have inhaled the fragrance of love and fellowship. Therefore hath this Most Great Tablet been revealed unto thee. It behooveth thee to render thanks unto Him Who caused thee to hear the cooing of the Dove and guided thee to this straight Path. Arise to assist the Cause of thy Lord with wisdom and utterance. He, verily, aideth whomsoever He willeth through the power of His behest, and He is the Mighty, the Powerful.

We beseech God to make thee a knight of inner meanings in this field and to number thee among those whom vain imaginings have not kept back from God, thy Lord and the Lord of all worlds. Take thou the chalice of eternity in the name of thy Lord, the Lord of all names, then drink therefrom and say: Praise be unto Thee, O Thou Who givest to drink unto those who have known Thee!

The divine fragrance hath been wafted, and the breeze hath blown, and there hath appeared from Zion that which was hidden, and from Jerusalem is heard the Voice of God, the One, the Incomparable, the All-Knowing. This is what was sent down aforetime from this wondrous Pen. Say: The Temple hath been built by the hands of the power of the Lord of all causes, and the All-Merciful hath been manifested from this resplendent Horizon. Say: Is that which hath been built by the hands of the All-Merciful better, or that which is built of clay? God calleth unto all else besides Him and giveth them glad tidings of this Cause which hath shone forth and gleamed from the horizon of the will of your Ancient Lord.

Know thou that when We adorned the Kingdom with the ornament of the name of thy Chosen Lord, the fish in the seas were struck with awe, the fruits fell from the trees, the denizens of the Kingdom of Might were bewildered, the tribes of the human realm lamented, the people of the cities of names were halted, and the pillars of all who are in earth and heaven were shaken, save whom thy Lord, the All-Wise, willed otherwise. Blessed art thou, inasmuch as thy name hath been mentioned in the Kingdom of thy Lord, and there hath been sent down for thee that which shall cause thy remembrance to endure as long as God endureth. This is of His grace unto thee, wert thou of those who know.

The Spirit hath indeed come with the ornament of God, and every pillar of His pillars proclaimeth: “I am the Beloved of the worlds.” When the promise came to pass and the veil was rent asunder by the finger of destiny, all who are in creation were terrified, and the fire of hatred was kindled in the hearts of the oppressors, and they committed that which caused the dwellers of Paradise to lament and the Spirit of Faithfulness to rend its garments.

Say: Tribulations prevent Us not from that which We have purposed. We speak the truth, though all the swords of the world be drawn against Our face. Say: O concourse of prelates! That which ye were promised in the Tablets hath come to pass. Fear ye God and follow not the imaginings of them that have gone astray. Cast away what ye possess and take hold of the Tablet of God with the authority that proceedeth from Him. This is better for you than all ye possess. Unto this testifieth every knowing, perceiving one. Ye glory in My Name, yet ye shut yourselves out from My Self. This is indeed a strange thing.

Say: O concourse of bishops! The Lord of all creatures hath appeared. He, verily, is calling humanity in the valley of guidance, while ye are of them that are dead. Blessed is he who hath been stirred by the breeze of God and hath arisen from amongst the dead through this manifest Name.

Say: O concourse of archbishops! The earthquakes have seized all the peoples, and He Who is the Everlasting Lord calleth aloud between earth and heaven. Blessed is the ear that hath heard, and the eye that hath seen, and the heart that hath turned unto the Qiblih of all who are in the heavens and on earth.

O concourse of priests! The Day of Reckoning hath appeared, and He Who was in heaven hath come. He, verily, is the One Whom ye were promised in God’s Holy Books, the Mighty, the Praised One. How long will ye wander in the wilderness of heedlessness and vain imaginings? Turn with your hearts toward your Lord, the Forgiving, the Generous.

Thus have We sent down the verses unto thee that thou mayest rejoice at My mention of thee and be of them that are firmly established. Remember when thy first letter came before Us when the Most Great Sea was mounted upon the Ark by reason of that which the hands of the idolaters had wrought, and this is another time thy letter hath come before Our face. We have read it and answered thee with this decisive and all-encompassing utterance. Be thou observant in all circumstances of the dictates of wisdom, and speak unto men according to their capacities, for should an infant be given meat in its early days, it would perish. Thus doth thy Lord, the Merciful, counsel thee.

BH03908: Tablet for Naw-Ruz

He is the Almighty

Praised be Thou, O my God, that Thou hast ordained Naw-Ruz as a festival unto those who have observed the fast for love of Thee and abstained from all that is abhorrent unto Thee. Grant, O my Lord, that the fire of Thy love and the heat produced by the fast enjoined by Thee may inflame them in Thy Cause, and make them to be occupied with Thy praise and with remembrance of Thee.

Since Thou hast adorned them, O my Lord, with the ornament of the fast prescribed by Thee, do Thou adorn them also with the ornament of Thine acceptance, through Thy grace and bountiful favor. For the doings of men are all dependent upon Thy good-pleasure, and are conditioned by Thy behest. Shouldst Thou regard him who hath broken the fast as one who hath observed it, such a man would be reckoned among them who from eternity had been keeping the fast. And shouldst Thou decree that he who hath observed the fast hath broken it, that person would be numbered with such as have caused the Robe of Thy Revelation to be stained with dust, and been far removed from the crystal waters of this living Fountain.

Thou art He through Whom the ensign “Praiseworthy art Thou in Thy works” hath been lifted up, and the standard “Obeyed art Thou in Thy behest” hath been unfurled. Make known this Thy station, O my God, unto Thy servants, that they may be made aware that the excellence of all things is dependent upon Thy bidding and Thy word, and the virtue of every act is conditioned by Thy leave and the good-pleasure of Thy will, and may recognize that the reins of men’s doings are within the grasp of Thine acceptance and Thy commandment. Make this known unto them, that nothing whatsoever may shut them out from Thy Beauty, in these days whereon the Christ exclaimeth: “All dominion is Thine, O Thou the Begetter of the Spirit (Jesus)”; and Thy Friend (Muhammad) crieth out: “Glory be to Thee, O Thou the Best-Beloved, for that Thou hast uncovered Thy Beauty, and written down for Thy chosen ones what will cause them to attain unto the seat of the revelation of Thy Most Great Name, through which all the peoples have lamented except such as have detached themselves from all else except Thee, and set themselves towards Him Who is the Revealer of Thyself and the Manifestation of Thine attributes.”

He Who is Thy Branch and all Thy company, O my Lord, have broken this day their fast, after having observed it within the precincts of Thy court, and in their eagerness to please Thee. Do Thou ordain for Him, and for them, and for all such as have entered Thy presence in those days all the good Thou didst destine in Thy Book. Supply them, then, with that which will profit them, in both this life and in the life beyond.

Thou, in truth, art the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

BH00211: Glorified art Thou, O Thou Who by Thy most…

Section 1: “Glorified art Thou, O Thou Who by Thy…”

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

Glorified art Thou, O Thou Who by Thy most sweet call hast enraptured the heart of the world, and through the fragrances of the garment of the remembrance of Thy Most Glorious Name hast perfumed the realms of eternity! The rapture of longing hath seized me through the letter sent by the burning phoenix of love, wherein he warbled with the melodies of the nightingale of separation upon the branches of the Lote-Tree of yearning. How ardent are the sighs of the fire of his heart in his love for Thee, O my God, and how tender the attraction of his heart in his love for Thee, O my Beloved! The fire blazeth and surgeth from the burning of his heart in separation from Thee, and the Mount flieth from the rapture of his heart in longing for Thy countenance. The earth is rent asunder by what it hath inhaled of the fragrances of separation from the dwelling-place of union, yet the heaven rejoiceth in his spirit amidst the channels of destiny and his seeking of Thy good-pleasure and his desire for that which pleaseth Thee.

O my God, that which hath appeared from the horizon of Thy most pure Tongue hath been confirmed, in that Thou didst name him the Phoenix, for I see that he liveth and rejoiceth and delighteth in the midst of the fire of sorrows even as the nightingale in paradise, and in the sphere of fire he singeth with Thy Chosen Name, and in the depths of the sea he uttereth Thy praise and announceth the glad-tidings of meeting Thee. Therefore I beseech Thee, O my God, by Thy Most Great, Most Wondrous, Most Glorious Name, and by Thy Beauty that hath dawned from the horizon of the prison with lights that cannot be concealed, that Thou kindle the fire of his love in such wise that its flames may seize every lifeless one, melt every frozen one, cause every stationary one to soar, soften every hardened one, draw nigh every distant one, and gather together every scattered one, for verily Thou art the Powerful over what Thou willest, and Thou art, verily, the Potent over all things.

My spirit and my soul be a sacrifice for Thee! The letter of that beloved of heart and soul, which was perfumed with the fragrances of the garment of the remembrance of the Beauty of the Most Merciful and the countenance of the All-Glorious, reached this evanescent servant and was illumined with the splendors of its wondrous words and exalted meanings. Praise be to God that the fragrance of that beloved was inhaled from his most pure letter. Indeed my eyes were solaced, my vision was illumined, my innermost heart was gladdened, my spirit rejoiced, my heart was attracted, my soul was stirred, and my heart cried out:

“To Thee, to Thee, O companion of my heart and intimate of my soul, Thou Who art remembered in all my limbs and witnessed before the throne of my Lord, the Mighty, the Best-Beloved!”

The supplication which he had offered was presented before the glorious throne in the late afternoon of Monday of the first Rabi’, and from the Dawning-Place of the utterance of the Most Merciful these most sweet and wondrous words shone forth, exalted be His majesty:

“O thou who hast turned thy face to the Qiblih of the horizons and art enkindled with the fire of separation! Hearken unto the testimony of God which hath prevailed over the worlds. I bear witness by My own Self unto My own Self that there is none other God but He, and that thou art among those who have fulfilled the Covenant and discharged the trust of God on the Day whereon souls were agitated, flesh did creep, and feet did slip. The grace of thy Lord hath encompassed thee, and also thy father and mother, whom We have adorned with the ornament of Our Most Glorious Name in the kingdom of thy Lord, the Mighty, the All-Bestowing. We hear from thee that which passeth through thy heart and floweth from thy tongue in remembrance of thy Lord. Verily He is the Mighty, the All-Knowing. And We have heard that wherewith thou didst commune with God, thy Lord, and there hath appeared before the Throne the leaf which hath been adorned with the remembrance of God, the Creator of earth and heaven. Blessed art thou and thy brother and those who are with thee and who hear what thou mentioneth in remembrance of thy Lord, the Dayspring of lights. Those who object to thee are in heedlessness and behind a veil. Ask thou God, thy Lord and the Lord of all things and the Lord of creation, to gather all upon the shore of this Most Great Sea and to make them recognize His Self, the Mighty, the Chosen One.”

O Samandar! Hearken unto the call of the Lord of Power, Who addresseth thee from the direction of the Most Great Prison. Though every soul hath heard His call and turned towards Him—as witnessed by the fact that most of the peoples of the earth, of whatsoever faith, cling to and turn toward the name of the All-Merciful—yet such hearkening is not acceptable in the sight of God, for they remain veiled from the true Purpose. Therefore hath the decree of rejection gone forth from the Source of Divine Command concerning such souls. They who today have attained unto the hearing of the Divine Call—these are the gems of existence, both seen and unseen. This Call resembleth not the call of the first or the last, nor are its hearers like unto the souls of before or after.

Observe how, despite being encompassed by the utmost severity and the most extreme affliction and abasement from all directions, yet from the horizon of the Prison the Sun of the Cause hath risen with such radiance that, were it beheld with the eye of the heart, it would be seen that its effulgence hath encompassed the kingdom of the seen and unseen. In the midst of abasement, it manifesteth such glory that the might of all in the heavens and earth is as naught before it. The eyes of all creation have been gladdened by what hath shone forth from the horizon of the Prison, and ears have been purified to hearken unto what hath been raised therein, and all things have been stirred by its most sweet call. How wondrous is this Revelation, the like of which hath never appeared in creation! It is as though every atom of earthly dust danceth from its fragrances, moveth in its atmosphere, and seeketh to attain the presence of its countenance.

God willing, your honor should remind the people with utmost yearning and attraction, yet never forsake wisdom in any circumstance. Some people are weak, some heedless, and some knowing yet deniers. Verily thy Lord is the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. The conditions of all are witnessed and known to God, but as He regardeth with favor, He hath not wished to rend the veils of souls. Verily thy Lord is the Concealer, the Forgiving, the Generous. It is known that God’s infinite favors have been and will continue to be bestowed upon your honor, and especially from the heaven of grace have Tablets been revealed and sent in the very script of revelation—you shall attain unto their perusal.

And regarding the differences mentioned in the letter of Ism-i-Jud, upon him be the Most Glorious Beauty of God, this evanescent servant, after observing before His presence, submitted it, and from the Source of Command was revealed, exalted be His grandeur:

“We testify that the son of Nabil, who was named Kazim and then Samandar, hath believed in God and His signs, and the truth beareth witness with him, and all things bear witness, by the testimony of God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting, that he is among those who have acknowledged the unity of God and His singleness, and was among the believers. None may object to him in the Cause of his Lord. He hath turned toward the Qiblih of the world, and he is of those who have rent asunder the veils through My Name and shattered the idols of fancy through My remembrance and sovereignty. By My life! He is among the triumphant.”

They stated: This utterance of the All-Merciful which was revealed concerning you is “Be thou grateful and among those who render thanks.” However, in view of the fact that in these days We are occupied with momentous and crucial matters—for never before has the Cause of God been openly proclaimed to the rulers of the earth, in none of the Manifestations of the divine Oneness was the Cause of God proclaimed as befitteth it, as they saw wisdom in concealment—but in these days the dominating Will of God and the prevailing Purpose of the King of Oneness have ordained that He should summon all and draw them to the divine realm. Therefore the clamor of all has been raised, and from every quarter they have sought and continue to seek with the talons of hatred to extinguish the divine Spirit.

Thus must the loved ones, as far as possible, be mindful of reconciliation. This has been and will be closest to wisdom. However this matter depends upon wisdom and prudence, lest conflict and contention arise between any parties that might cause harm to the loved ones of God. Be thou assured that thy Lord knoweth what is in the hearts and distinguisheth the corrupt from the righteous. Verily He knoweth all things. Unambiguous words have ever been sent down and made manifest from the Source of the Cause, yet people interpret them according to their own desires. We beseech God to make them recognize the Manifestation of His Cause and His sovereignty that hath encompassed the worlds.

If you meet Mulla Isma’il, convey greetings on behalf of this evanescent servant. Although the holy fragrances have not been inhaled from him, yet in view of past friendship, this servant, purely for the sake of his Lord, the All-Merciful, submitteth this that perchance he may become detached from the cord of doubts and idle fancies and hold fast to the firm handle of God. They recite a poem fitting for this station:

O Hafiz, thy task is but to offer prayer, Care not whether it be heard or unheard.

Therefore must the servant, purely for the sake of God and with his gaze fixed upon the realm of fidelity, remind his old friends of what he hath understood. If one hearkeneth, it is for his own sake, and if one turneth away, verily God is independent of all worlds.

One day, in the presence of the Most Great Throne, it was heard from the Most Holy Tongue:

“They have deprived him through the cord of past delusions from the Truth. Would that he had knowledge and recognized That Which he hath clung to! By My life! Were he to know, he would instantly repent and return unto God, the True, the Manifest King. They know not of His Cause, nor do they wish to become acquainted with it. Like those souls who today cling to idols, they refuse entirely to hearken unto the Word of Truth, lest they might turn from that which they possess toward Him Who possesseth all authority.”

And He said: “Write to him: Hast thou not heard the consummate, primal Word which hath been revealed from the Source of the Pen of Command: Verily, the wayfarer on the white path and crimson pillar shall never attain to the station of his homeland except through detachment from all that is in the hands of men?’ And write to him: Apart from all the proofs, evidences, verses and conditions of this Most Great Revelation, I ask but one question: Was the Bab—may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for Him—aware of this Revelation or not? If thou sayest He was not aware, thou hast denied knowledge to the Source of knowledge itself. And if thou confirmest that He was aware, We say: Given His knowledge of this Most Great Revelation and its lack of truth, He would have been obliged to announce throughout the entire Bayan that such a mighty matter would appear and that ye should not turn to it, for the purpose of the Bayan was to establish truth and invalidate all else, just as it is recorded in all heavenly Books that false pretenders would come and their words should not be accepted.”’

Section 2: “O fair-minded hearer! If thou canst find…”

O fair-minded hearer! If thou canst find in the entire Bayan a single verse suggesting, even indirectly and without explicit statement, that should someone appear ye should hesitate for even a moment, We would count those who pause among the rightly guided. Throughout the entire Bayan He biddeth all to turn toward Him at His mere call, even before the presentation of proof. I adjure thee by God—would any person of understanding utter such words? Nay, by My true Self! How much less One Who is All-Knowing, All-Informed! For there are many false pretenders who have made and continue to make claims, as ye hear from every corner. What wisdom, then, lay in having devoted the entire Bayan to the mention of this Most Great Revelation, removing from this Cause all limitation and restriction to such extent that He saith that however and whenever He appeareth He hath free choice, and stating that the entire Bayan and all the Most Beautiful Names, laws and ordinances revealed therein were and are contingent upon the confirmation of that Sun of Revelation and dependent upon the Word shining from the horizon of the mouth of that King of Reality?

Reflect a little! It is most unbefitting for ones like you to hesitate in a Cause that is more evident than any proof or evidence. Have ye not heard what He saith, exalted be His glory: ʿProof itself is ashamed to be proof for Him.’ Today it behoveth all to gather around the all-embracing Word and strive according to their capacity to assist the Cause of God, for the Ancient Beauty hath Himself, after entering the Most Great Prison, undertook matters of great moment and significance, even as He taught the kings of the earth one after another, as thou art aware of some of these instances.

Consider with fairness: is it permissible to oppose or befitting to turn away from such a Soul Who today stands alone between earth and heaven, summoning the peoples of the East and the West to the Truth with the utmost power and dominion? Nay, by His very Self, the All-Merciful! With all these enemies among the wielders of power and might, it is not permissible that the people of the Bayan should arise in opposition. O fair-minded one! If thou deniest Him, whom wilt thou accept, and by what proof wilt thou establish thine own faith? Bring it forth! By My life, ye have no escape today. Hearken unto the call of Him Who summoneth thee for the sake of God. Cast aside what thou hast and take what God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy, hath commanded thee.

I swear by the Sun of Truth that shineth from the horizon of the Prison that had this Revelation not appeared, the Point of the Bayan would never have uttered a single word of that which He revealed. Consider the Books of old: the announcement of each subsequent Prophet was contingent upon the words of the preceding Prophet, and all made mention thereof through subtle allusions, as ye have seen and heard. What, then, was His purpose in saying that caution in religion should not withhold thee from turning to that Sun of Truth, for to the extent of thy hesitation thou shalt abide in the fire? By Him Who holdeth my soul in His hands, the Bayan was revealed solely for My mention and praise, and the Dove warbled therein only for My firm and mighty Cause.

Even as in this Most Great Revelation no word hath been revealed stating that should someone come forward with a claim, ye should accept him or turn unto him, save after the passing of a full thousand years, and such limits as have been set down. Beyond this word, nothing hath ever flowed or shall ever flow from the Most Exalted Pen, nor is it permissible that it should, for many are the thieves lying in wait, and many are the ravens who claim to be doves. The example of this Revelation is like unto that of the son of Zachariah and Jesus, son of Mary. Reflect, that thou mayest know, then turn unto God, thy Lord, with a pure heart and radiant countenance.

Say: O my God and my Master! Base desire hath kept me from Thy mention, O my Lord the Most Glorious, and the world hath withheld me from turning unto Thee, O Thou Lord of all names. I beseech Thee by Thy Name through which the Cry was raised between the heavens and the earth, through which the Hour was bewildered within itself, and through which earthquakes seized all the tribes, that Thou deprive me not from the ocean of Thy Most Great Name, of which every drop crieth out with the loudest voice between earth and heaven that verily He is the Quickener of the worlds, the Beloved of the worlds, and the God of all who are in the heavens and all who are on earth. O Lord! Strengthen me through Thy power and might, that I may shatter with the arm of certitude the idols of idle fancies of the ungodly. Verily Thou art the Omnipotent, the Strong, the Mighty, the Great.

The ode of Khajeh was presented in detail at the Most Holy Court. This word shone forth from the dawning-place of the All-Merciful mouth: The ocean of nearness and reunion is surging and its fish are in the utmost hopes. The curse of God be upon those who have come between him and them. That which is beloved today is that your honor and his honor your brother—upon you both be the Glory of God—should be engaged in your trade with the utmost effort and striving, for the earning of livelihood in this Revelation is accounted as among the good deeds. And in the teaching of the Cause likewise be engaged with perfect wisdom. If it be deemed advisable and Jinab-i-Aqa Muhammad-ʿAli should move purposely toward the Desired One, there is no objection.

However, if Jinab-i-Amin should turn toward the direction of the Desired One, it would be more fitting for them to set out together. Although outwardly the door of attainment to the presence is closed, for the satans have prevented it from every direction, yet should a soul become successful in inhaling the diffused fragrances in this city and its surroundings, which is the seat of the Most Great Throne, he will attain unto all good and the decree of attainment to the presence will be true regarding him. Therefore, at the time of setting out, one must be content with whatever may befall him. In truth, contentment hath ever been and will continue to be beloved before God.

In any case, I convey wondrous greetings to his honor your brother, and I observe many expressions of bounty and favor in relation to him from the direction of the Desired One. We beseech God to assist him under all conditions. Verily, He is powerful over all things.

And the supplication that was submitted was presented before His countenance. From the Dawning-Place of favor the answer hath been revealed and will be sent. Upon you both be all-glorious Glory and all-resplendent Light.

And regarding that sum which was mentioned, it was presented before His countenance and this blessed verse was revealed:

“We have accepted it from thee and apportioned it amongst the servants and preferred those who circle round the Throne, for they are poor. Verily thy Lord is the All-Possessing, the Most High.”

For there are many souls, both those who are associated with the loved ones of God and are now imprisoned in this Most Great Prison, and both young and old who remain from the martyrs of the past—all are observed to be in utmost difficulty. Although there is not yet anything substantial available to relieve even the outward needs of some of the loved ones, and they are present in every land, both in Iraq and in Mosul and other regions, therefore that sum should be distributed according to the command as follows:

Fifty tumans to Jinab-i-Dhabih of the people of K, which was previously assigned; ten tumans to the family of Ustad Ahmad who entered the prison with God, which should reach the land of K, and a letter which that same honored one wrote to his home—its reply and receipt of delivery should be sent to the Most Holy Court; twenty tumans to the family of Jinab-i-Hajji Ja’far who entered the prison with God in Tabriz, and receipt of delivery should be sent; fifteen tumans to the family of his brother, the aforementioned Karbila’i Taqi, receipt of delivery to be obtained and sent; the remainder should reach Jinab-i-Aqa’i Aqa Siyyid Mihdi, upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God. It has been mentioned to him what should be done, but the more quickly they can deliver it, the more beloved it is and will be in the sight of God. And if it reaches Jinab-i-Zaynu’l-Muqarrabin in Mosul, upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God, that is also good—he will deliver it.

Thirty tumans in the land of T to Jinab-i-Mirza Husayn from TF should be given to a trustworthy person to deliver quickly and send receipt to the Court of the Throne. And further, they should not be confident in any person at all times, but should be mindful of this blessed word which has risen from the Dayspring of the mouth of the All-Merciful, His word, exalted be His majesty:

“Be not confident in anyone’s words, be observant of their deeds. Many a man claims the highest station, yet when he sees that which he desires not, he objects to God, the Lord of Names.”

The total of several items [145 tumans]—whatever remains should reach His Holiness Zayn in Mosul, upon him be the Glory of God the Most Glorious, and he will carry out what he is commanded to do.

Two turquoise or black bordered headscarves, ten to twelve tumans if found, should be sent—here a Christian physician has requested them; previously in Tehran they were given at these prices, now consider. And further, one mann of sewing silk, one-third colored and two-thirds white. Hasten in sending the headscarves as they have been promised for some time. Again it is submitted that twenty tumans should also be sent in the land of T to Jinab-i-Mulla ʿAli-Akbar SM for him to deliver to the children of Jinab-i-Aqa’i Ismu’llah al-Munir, upon him be the Glory of God the Most Glorious.

This servant’s special request: if a trustworthy person is departing, send some of the blessed writings of His Holiness the Exalted One, may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for Him—it would be a great cause of joy and gladness to this transient one’s heart. Verily the spirit and glory and radiance be upon your honor and those with you among the people of Baha, upon them be the Glory of God and His mercy.