Volume 055: Akka 1293 A.H. (1876), Part II (2 of 3)

BH00418: Praise be to God Who has dawned forth…

He is the Most Holy, the Most Great, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious

Praise be to God Who has dawned forth with the sovereignty of Names upon all created things, whereupon all beings were attracted, all possibilities were set in motion, the free were uplifted, the trees swayed, the flowers smiled, the seas were stirred, and the stones spoke forth.

Verily, there is no God but Him, the Single, the One, Who has ever been sanctified above what is mentioned in creation and Who will ever be exalted above what the peoples of earth and heaven utter. He has encompassed all things through His Name, the All-Subduing over all who are in the heavens and earths.

And praise be to God Who has concealed the faults of His servants while being seated upon the throne of His Name, the Concealer.

Exalted be the Unconstrained One through Whom the greatest veil was rent asunder and from the highest horizon shone forth the Sun of His Most Glorious Beauty, whereupon the face of heaven beamed with joy, the furthest limit drew near, and the Divine Lote-Tree spoke forth: “Verily, there is no God but Him.” Verily, He is the Self-Subsisting One Whom the veils of creation have not hindered nor the conditions of the Cause obscured. He doeth what He willeth in His dominion. There is no God but Him, the Almighty, the Most Exalted, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

The letter from your honor reached this evanescent servant, and as it expressed your love for the Beloved of all worlds, it brought boundless joy and limitless delight. God willing, may you ever be engaged in the praise and glorification of the Lord of all creation, and occupied with fostering love among the friends. After reading the letter, it was observed that your honor, like the noble recording angels, had written numerous tablets mentioning certain souls. However, according to previous accounts, the recording angels are charged with recording both good and evil deeds, while your honor has recorded only the misdeeds of each one. This matter caused great astonishment.

O my brother, what I say, I say for God’s sake. If the True One, exalted be His glory, were to deal with this evanescent servant and other friends with justice, and were to bring forth the balance of justice, none would find refuge or escape. However, as these are the days of the Most Great Manifestation, He has dealt and continues to deal with all through His greatest bounty. In truth, were anyone to observe with the eye of fairness, they would see their very existence, being, mention and praise as a grievous error, let alone their unworthy and rejected deeds and words. Therefore, this servant and your honor must hold fast to the cord of God’s favor and beseech Him with utmost humility and supplication to protect all the friends from the promptings of self and passion, and to direct them to the highest horizon.

It is known that all created things are prone to error and ever shall be, but today, as the Sun of generosity is shining and the ocean of mercy is surging, God’s gaze is fixed upon the goodly deeds of souls who have turned to Him. This is naught but His grace and generosity toward His servants, and His mercy and bounty toward His loved ones.

One day, Jesus son of Mary—may my spirit be sacrificed for Him—was walking with several of His disciples when they came upon a dead dog. They expressed disgust, saying they detected a foul odor. That Source of compassion and mercy said, “How white are its teeth!” Observe now how He concealed the fault—may my spirit be sacrificed for His loving-kindness. This was solely to teach His companions that all should fix their gaze upon the good deeds of others and conceal one another’s faults. We bear witness that He is verily the All-Knowing, the Wise Teacher.

Perfect infallibility has been and shall ever be confined to God, exalted be His glory. None has had or shall have a share of this most pure fountain, and assuredly all but God have been and shall ever be prone to error.

As to the esteemed Mirza Muhammad Husayn, the physician, upon him be the Glory of God, concerning whom mention was made, this servant now relates one of his good deeds, which was thus: At a time when all the people of Iraq had risen in opposition and protest, and were occupied in the streets and bazaars with beating and abusing the friends of God, some of the friends along with the aforementioned physician were taken to the seat of government. At that time, he conversed with an interpreter of one of the foreign powers. After some dispute, the interpreter said, “Who are you to speak to me in such a manner face to face?” The honored physician replied, “And who are you?” He answered, “I am the government’s interpreter.” The honored physician then declared, “And I am the interpreter of the people!” Indeed, in that gathering where all the opponents from among the notables of the realm were present, and likewise the rulers were assembled, he nonetheless spoke with perfect steadfastness, strength and power. This incident shall never be effaced from the tablet of the world, for he spoke for the exaltation of the Word of God, and neither the might of the state nor the clamor of the people could deter him from the love of God.

And afterward, you have surely heard how they took him and the friends as captives from Iraq and sent them to Mosul. Now the divine gaze is fixed upon this deed of his, which transcends all deeds, for which there descended from the Kingdom of Grace that which you have heard and seen specifically for him.

In brief, I state this much: Do not imagine that even an atom of anyone’s deeds remains concealed. I swear by the Day-star of the horizon of utterance that all the deeds, actions and words of people are evident and manifest in the Most Holy Court. This is the Day wherein all secrets shall be searched out, and it is the Day concerning which He says: “If it be the weight of a mustard seed and though it be in a rock, or in the heavens, or in the earth, God will bring it forth.” And likewise He says: “Every man’s fate We have fastened on his neck: on the Day of Judgment We shall bring out for him a scroll, which he will see spread open.” No matter has been or shall be hidden, but since the Sun of grace is shining and the ocean of bounty is surging, He therefore regards with utmost kindness and mercy His loved ones who have borne hardships in His path and migrated from land to land due to the oppression of the ungodly. “God blots out or confirms what He pleases, and with Him is the Mother of the Book.”

Reflect upon the essence of this Revelation. God has done and will do whatsoever He willeth. If today He should bar an entire world from the ocean of nearness, and establish an ignorant one upon the throne of proximity, none has been or shall be entitled to object. These matters are found in former traditions which state:

“Whoso says why’ or wherefore’ has indeed denied God and His verses.”

And if a soul should be mindful of this station and comprehend it, he would pass beyond self and others in the path of God, and would observe himself in perfect contentment and submission. The goodness of one’s end remains hidden, none knoweth it save God, the Single, the All-Informed.

Concerning what you mentioned about Nabil, from the first appearance of the Most Great Luminary from the horizon of the world, he hearkened unto the Call of God and arose to serve His Cause. Thus, after the Word was exalted and the Cry was raised, he, all alone, turned from the Land of Ta to the Land of Kha, summoning all people to the Truth. What tribulations and hardships descended upon him! Nevertheless, night and day, in both prose and verse, he continued to extol the praises of the Truth and promote His Cause. Such a person will surely be the object of God’s loving providence, and the rain-clouds of His generosity will assuredly encompass him. Despite such evident services and arduous deeds which he bore in the path of the Beloved of the worlds, should any error proceed from him, divine forgiveness will surely embrace him. The intention he harbored regarding Muhammad-Qabli-ʿAli was indeed an error, for in all divine Tablets and heavenly Books, contention, disputation, sedition, corruption and the shedding of blood have been forbidden. He himself acknowledged his error, for after becoming aware of his mistake, he expressed remorse and sought forgiveness. Verily thy Lord is the All-Forgiving, the All-Bountiful.

All the beloved are commanded today to associate with one another in fellowship, unity, humility and lowliness. Blessed is he who acteth according to that which he is bidden, and woe unto the heedless. I present one word that hath shone forth from the Dayspring of the Divine mouth, that all may become aware of God’s all-encompassing grace. His word, exalted be His glory, is: “Glory is not his who loveth his country, but glory is his who loveth the world.” Behold now how His all-embracing mercy hath encompassed all. And in another instance He saith, exalted be His glory: “Blessed is he who ariseth for the service of all mankind.”

In the Most Holy Book, all have been given permission to associate with the various peoples of the world in the utmost joy and radiance for the purpose of delivering God’s Word, for if they were to avoid them, none would become aware of the Cause of God or attain unto the supreme horizon.

O brother, what shall I say? Beseech ye God to bestow attentive ears upon mankind and grant them illumined hearts, that all may taste the sweetness of the utterance of the All-Merciful. Most people are heedless, wandering in the wilderness of ignorance, and even those who, by their own admission, have drunk the wine of inner meanings from the hand of divine bounty have not attained, as they should, to obedience to divine commands. Thus in most Tablets, they have forbidden turning towards the Most Great Prison, and this matter hath been revealed from the Supreme Pen to such an extent that none can reckon it. Nevertheless, most have turned and continue to turn without permission. Had we acted according to that which hath proceeded from the Pen of the Ancient of Days, we would surely have beheld all the world oriented towards the horizon of the Cause.

We must supplicate night and day, beseeching God to enable all to be obedient. Were the people of the contingent world to become aware of what hath appeared in these days, all would sacrifice their lives and possessions and arise to serve the Cause. But what profit is there when all are veiled by their own imaginings and cling to the idols of their desires? We beseech Him, exalted be He, to assist mankind to recognize Him and not to deprive them of His days. Verily, He is the Almighty, the All-Powerful.

And regarding what you wrote about Khan, his praiseworthy attributes have not been and are not hidden. What bounty could be greater than that, praise be to God, they have turned with perfect steadfastness and assurance to the Dawning-Place of Divine Revelation? However, it is incumbent upon the loved ones to conduct themselves in such a way as not to cause his sadness. God does not suffer the work of the doers to perish. This evanescent servant’s counsel to you is that you strive to the extent possible to harmonize hearts and unite souls, so that no one may detect the slightest scent of discord among the loved ones, and all may be seen united upon God’s all-encompassing Word.

A Tablet has been specifically revealed and sent to you—God willing, you will attain to its perusal. Likewise, the three Tablets that were requested have been revealed from the heaven of the Divine Will out of pure bounty and grace, for in the days when the Seat of the Throne was in the Land of Mystery, a Tablet was revealed from the heaven of favor whose purport was this: should all who dwell on earth beseech the True One, exalted be His glory, for sublime and wondrous Tablets, tablets would be revealed from the heaven of grace specifically for each one. May my soul be a sacrifice for His bounty!

O my brother! Today is the day when we must all turn to ourselves and arise to perform good and pleasing deeds through divine grace. Let us close our eyes to others’ faults. Today is the day of deeds. Ask God that He may enable all to conform to His good-pleasure, that all may arise and succeed, in utmost sanctity and detachment, to perform such deeds as will cause the elevation of His Cause. Verily He guides whom He pleases to His straight path.

I convey greetings to all the friends and remember them all before the Throne. We beseech God to enable us and them to do what befits these days wherein the Tree exclaims: “There is no God but He, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.” And praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

BH00435: Praise be to God Who hath revealed Himself unto…

He is the Most Holy, the Most Great, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious!

Praise be to God Who hath revealed Himself unto all who are in creation through the manifestation of His Most Exalted Pen, and hath deposited within the realities of all things the sign of His unity, that none should be veiled from the Sovereign of Names Who hath appeared through His Most Great and Most Glorious Name, and that no soul should be debarred from beholding the Light that shineth from the horizon of eternity. Whereupon the Manifestations of unity in the realm of divinity were attracted, and the realities of detachment in the realm of might hastened forth, and the essences of oneness in the kingdom of heaven were stirred, and the embodiments of limitation in the world of man were thunderstruck—among them were those who were thunderstruck and recovered, and those who were thunderstruck and returned to nothingness. Exalted is the Lord of Names and Creator of the heavens, through Whom agitation seized the dwellers of the cities of names, and transformation appeared in that Beginning which is itself the ultimate End.

Praise be to God Who hath manifested Himself unto all created things through His Name which He hath sanctified above all names and attributes. Thereupon the essential realities were exalted, and the inherent qualities shone forth, and the pure substances were confounded, and the eternal realities turned towards Him, and the divine identities drew nigh. Verily, He is as He is—He cannot be described by unity, for the manifestations of this name were created by His command and brought into being by the movement of His Pen; nor can He be characterized by holiness, for the dawning-places of this name were realized through the outpourings of the ocean of His bounty and are moved by Him; nor can He be known by sanctity, for the daysprings of this name are but servants at the gate of the city of His Cause and prostrate themselves at the dawning of the lights of His glory. Exalted, exalted is He above being known through aught else but Himself or being described by any other than Him.

All that is bounded by the limits of creation is created within His dominion and is as nothing before the manifestations of His sovereignty and power. When He desired to make Himself known, He created all things through His pervading Will and all beings through His all-encompassing Purpose, and called all to the Dayspring of His signs and the Dawning-Place of His evidences. Among them were those who hastened and turned towards Him, those who drew back and returned, and those who drew near and then withdrew. Blessed is he who hath drunk the choice wine of steadfastness in the days of God and remained firm in the Cause in such wise that the manifestations of denial, who waxed proud and clung to idols, could not hinder him.

We bear witness that there is none other God but Him. From time immemorial the court of His holiness hath been sanctified above all likenesses and similitudes, and the heaven of His nearness hath been exalted above all peers and utterances. There is none other God but Him, the Self-Sufficient, the Most High.

My spirit be a sacrifice for your love! The servant hath been blessed by the words that shone forth from the horizon of your heart, which is adorned with the ornament of love for our Beloved and the Beloved of the world, our Goal and the Goal of all nations, and found therein what a loved one findeth from his beloved. I have thanked God for this, and beseech Him to honor us continually with your sublime letters, for through them hearts are gladdened and eyes are consoled. Yet the servant is perplexed by those who rise at one moment and fall at another—in the morning they claim faith in God, and in the evening they deny the Lord of Names, as if they were yellowed, withered leaves moved by their own desires. By the life of God! They are a people who neither understand nor perceive. We beseech God to preserve all from the whisperings of Satan and draw them nigh unto Him. Verily, He is the Powerful, the Mighty, the Bestower.

The letter from your honor which was addressed to His Holiness the Name of God—upon him be all the most glorious Glory of God—reached me and I was privileged to peruse it. Regarding what you had written about Mirza Ahmad-i-Kirmani, this servant deemed it necessary to present a detailed account so that your honor and other friends who have drunk from the Kawthar of the knowledge of divine grace from the hands of the All-Merciful may become informed and remain protected from the mischief and denial of the corruptors and atheists. In God do I place my trust and from Him do I seek assistance in all conditions.

Several years ago, on one of those days when His Holiness Amin—upon him be the Glory of God—was present before the Blessed Beauty, He addressed him saying that a foul and repugnant odor was being perceived from the direction of the land of Kaf and Ra (Kirman). From this sun of utterance which dawned from the dawning-place of the Mouth of the Will of the Lord of Religions, this servant understood that some contrary matter must appear from that land, yet I remained perplexed as to what would manifest and through whom it would arise.

Likewise, in the Most Holy Book, verses of the same import were revealed from the heaven of Will. His exalted Word states:

“O Land of Kaf and Ra! We, verily, see in thee what is not pleasing to God, and We observe from thee that which none besides God, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed, can perceive. And We find that which secretly passes through thee. With Us is the knowledge of all things recorded in a clear Tablet.”

Should one meditate upon these verses revealed from the heaven of Divine Unity, one would observe how the knowledge of God encompasses all things—not an atom’s weight in the heavens or on earth escapes His knowledge. He is verily the Expositor, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. From these verses and blessed utterance it can be understood that besides the aforementioned unknown and imaginary person, other souls must also appear from that land. However, the Supreme Pen gives glad-tidings to that land, saying: Be not grieved by these unknown souls, for soon there shall appear within thee souls who will recognize the truth, who will sacrifice all who are in the world in His path of love, who will speak of Him and arise to serve Him. He is verily the Informed One, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

In any case, after some time two petitions arrived consecutively from Mirza Ahmad, one from the direction of Ha and another from a different direction. In his petitions he had expressed limitless humility and contrition. He had also written a letter to this servant. Subsequently, a Tablet was revealed concerning him from the horizon of the Pen of Divine Providence. They commanded:

“Send this Tablet and write your own reply to him as well, mentioning in your letter the account of the foul odor that was perceived from that land, and likewise the verses from the Most Holy Book.”

From this statement this servant understood that some contrary matter must appear from him, yet great perplexity overtook this servant, for this person had expressed utmost servitude and submission in his petitions both before and after, and had likewise shown perfect sincerity and love toward this servant who is absolute nothingness. The blessed Tablet was, outwardly, indicative of bounty and favor, yet this servant, in compliance with the divine command, penned a response thereto and mentioned the aforementioned matters therein.

After its arrival, he paid no heed to it. When his honor Ismullah M.H. went to the land of K.R., he claimed that some previously revealed tablets addressed to others had been revealed specifically for him. Among these was a Persian passage revealed in the Land of Mystery, wherein all the addresses in that tablet were to Ahmad. He claimed “This Ahmad is me.” Then when his honor Ismullah made certain statements, he submitted “What if I too become great under the shadow of Truth?” Later when his honor Dhabih, upon him be the Glory of God, arrived in that land and saw this servant’s letter, he told him “You are the one intended by these statements.” A complete estrangement occurred between them to such an extent that his honor Dhabih avoided and shunned him. His honor Dhabih wrote the details to this servant. After rejecting his honor Dhabih, he appeared in a different light, as you have written. However, he is not steadfast on any path. Every soul acts according to its own manner and returns to its origin.

Now observe how inconstant, faithless and unstable some souls are. Shame upon those who believed then disbelieved, drew near then withdrew. These are servants who incline with every wind and are moved by every fancy, supposing themselves to be guided. Nay, by the Lord of the Throne and earth! They worship their desires but know it not. Strange that after beholding the ocean of meanings and its waves, and witnessing the Sun of utterance and its effulgence, one should be deprived thereof and cling to vain desire which is utter nothingness. Indeed not every eye is capable of beholding the true Sun, nor is every soul worthy of immersion in the ocean of meanings. Every kind seeks its own kind, and every branch will return to its root.

In previous tablets the Supreme Pen forewarned all of the cawing of the ravens. These ravens are of two kinds: One kind claims belief at first then arises in complete rejection; the other kind makes claims and speaks without divine permission. These are tidings that have flowed from the divine Pen and will surely come to pass. If his honor Amin has reached your presence, inquire from him the details of what was submitted, for in those days both this servant and he were bewildered as to what would emerge from the land of K.R. By God the Truth, the heart nearly melted, for in these days the like of which has never appeared in creation, when all atoms proclaim that there is no God but Him, such souls who know not whence they came or whither they go cling to their own fancies, remain deprived of the Dayspring of certitude and the clear Book, and busy themselves with corruption and opposition. Fie upon them and upon those who hear their words, follow their desires, are moved by their passions and what their devils command them. These are dried leaves moved by the winds of passion.

This servant is astonished by those who, through heeding the foolish utterances of imaginary beings, remain deprived of the path of Divine unity. As to the baseness, degradation and paucity of understanding of mankind, this suffices—that for years they were worshippers of idols and even now exist upon the earth yet remain unaware; they worship the calf and perceive not; they follow Baal and know not; they bow before Al-Lat and comprehend not; they cleave to false gods and remember not. I swear by the Sun of Revelation that if people would reflect even less than that upon what hath been manifested and what hath dawned from the horizon of the world, they would pass beyond all else but God and turn towards that luminous horizon which is sanctified above mention and utterance. We beseech God to purify and sanctify the earth from the breaths of malicious souls and from the dark dust of vain imaginings. Verily He is the One Who hath power over whatsoever He willeth. There is no God but Him, the Mighty, the Generous.

The request is that you convey greetings to the loved ones of that land on behalf of this evanescent one and say: O loved ones of the All-Merciful! It behooveth you to be as firmly-fixed mountains, as bright lamps, as shining lights, as fruit-bearing trees, as life-giving springs, and as penetrating vision in the Cause of God, the Lord of creation. Be ye in such wise in God’s path that the hosts of the world terrify you not, nor the gathering of nations, that the intimations of the learned grieve you not, nor the mentions of the mystics veil you. Hold fast to the firm and mighty cord.

In brief, whatsoever hath been revealed in the divine Tablets concerning steadfastness and its stations—the purpose is that all the loved ones throughout the horizons should become the very essence of steadfastness, and from all of them this most exalted station and most glorious rank should become manifest. Now it is observed that certain souls are like grass of the earth—a slight breeze scattereth them and their roots. We beseech God to protect His loved ones, to grant them the wine of steadfastness, and to adorn them with this most holy, most impregnable, most luminous ornament.

BH00460: Praise be to God! Through the grace…

He is God, exalted be His glory, majesty and grandeur

Praise be to God! Through the grace of the Lord of Destiny, some days ago Mulla Ali-Akbar, upon him be the glory of God, was moved by the divine verses to journey in that direction, and now Aba Badi’, upon him be the glory of God, is preparing to depart. Therefore, this evanescent servant is once again troubling you with this petition. The previous travelers have not yet departed. Mulla Muhammad-Ali has arrived with several souls. We beseech God to assist these messengers and emigrants in that which will today cause the exaltation of the Word of God, that in every city and land they enter they may become the cause of the awakening of souls and the unity and fellowship of hearts, and that people may truly find from them the fragrance of divine attributes.

Each must be a breath of life unto the bodies of men and drops from the ocean of God’s love for the inhabitants of all lands. Verily such souls have always been and are few, as hath been aforetime declared—they are like the red elixir, and the red elixir is rare to find. The former tradition which states “the sincere are in grave danger” bears witness to this statement. However, since the grace of this day is without peer or likeness, this servant hopes that all the loved ones and friends of God may attain to that which is intended and neither act nor speak contrary to that which God desires. May all be enkindled with the fire of His remembrance and gaze toward the horizon of His Cause.

Although this servant submitted a detailed letter with Mulla ʿAli-Akbar, upon him be the glory of God, yet whenever anyone prepares to depart, the heart’s longing compels one to intrude again and again.

The petitions that were sent with Mulla Muhammad-ʿAli arrived. God willing, the reply will be sent with him personally.

One day it was stated that Jinab-i-Nazir, upon him be the glory of God, must make amends for the damages caused by his companion, for he had been at the Sacred Threshold for several years and We had never sent him anywhere to teach God’s Cause. You were the cause of taking him specifically for development and cultivation, and apparently destruction and ruin resulted. It is most strange that certain souls, despite divine counsels, heavenly exhortations and manifest loving-kindness and favor, should conduct themselves in such a manner as to cause grief to devoted hearts or the extinction of enkindled souls. However, the loved ones of God must fix their gaze upon the horizon of His Cause and what appears from Him, not upon what appears from others, for infallibility is an ornament reserved for God alone, while error, mistake and forgetfulness have been and are the lot of all others. The friends must overlook one another’s faults, be mindful of God’s forgiveness, and pray for each other. Verily He is the All-Forgiving, the All-Bountiful. Convey greetings from this evanescent one to all the friends and masters in those parts. God willing, may all be set ablaze with the fire of divine love, adorned with the garment of steadfastness, and illumined by the lights of the countenance of the All-Merciful.

The letter of the spiritual friend Mulla Mustafa written in reply to this evanescent one’s letter was received and caused joy and delight. We beseech God to assist him to arise to serve Him, to aid His Cause, and to mention Him among His creatures, and to make him among those who said “God is our Lord” and then remained steadfast. Verily He is the All-Powerful, the Almighty.

And that same blessed handwriting was submitted before His presence. He was graciously pleased to manifest loving-kindness, and said: “Happy is he therewith; yea, wholesome is it for him.”

After the completion of the petition, the affection of this servant’s heart constrained him once again to occupy the fragrant remembrance of that Most Exalted One with words which, in truth, are the reflecting mirror of the being of this lowly one; and to lay before Him, on this occasion, the reply to the letters of Jinab-i-Mulla Muhammad-Ali—for they have said, “In delay are perils.” Wherefore it is submitted: diverse letters from Jinab A. B. N., upon him be the glory of God, have reached this servant. Praise be to God! Like unto Khalil, he hath shattered the idols of vain imaginings and turned his face toward the horizon of certitude. Joyful tidings unto him for that which he hath attained: the pure wine of meanings and utterance in the days of the All-Merciful. He hath beheld the rays of the lights of the dawn of Revelation, and hath turned toward Him.

I beseech God to grant him success in all conditions, and to ordain for him that whereby the eyes of them that know may be refreshed. Verily He is the All-Powerful, the Almighty.

His letters were all presented before the Most Holy Court. However, after the passage about the mare, the Beloved of the World smiled and spoke, and His word is truth: “Verily he has spoken truthfully.” And after ten minutes the Countenance of the Intended One turned to the servant and said: “It should be returned to its owner.” Give him the glad tidings that his letter caused the Ancient Beauty to smile. Blessed is he, again blessed is he.

The multiple letters which you wrote from your first arrival in that land until the end all reached this servant. Praise be to God that in all conditions you are occupied with the remembrance and praise of the Truth. Regarding those souls who in these days have turned towards the Most Holy Court, exalted Tablets have been revealed from the heaven of mighty oneness and sent—deliver them, but in all conditions, as commanded, be mindful of wisdom. For in accordance with divine grace and what was revealed at the beginning of this Revelation, mention of every soul that has been or will be made before His presence causes a Tablet to be revealed from the heaven of Will. Verily He is the All-Bountiful, the Mighty, the Powerful.

This evanescent servant submits that if some friends have not outwardly been blessed with a Tablet, they should not be saddened by this, for the entire world was created so that they might be mentioned in the Most Holy Court. As the Point of the Bayan—may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for Him—has said: all exist so that they might be mentioned once in His presence. And now, praise be to God, through God’s infinite grace all the loved ones are mentioned in His presence. Were they to become aware of the fruits of this matter alone, such joy and delight would seize them all that they would transcend all who are in the kingdom and with a hundred thousand tongues give thanks to the Exalted Truth.

Every deed in this Day is mighty, for this is the Day of which God gave tidings aforetime in His exalted Word: “The Kingdom on that Day shall be God’s” and likewise in another place: “Whose is the Kingdom this Day? God’s, the One, the All-Compelling.” For today is the Day of God’s manifestation and the Day wherein “the earth shall be shaken with a terrible shaking, and thy Lord shall come and the angels rank on rank,” and this is the Day of which He says: “The Day of Sorting Out! And what will explain to thee what is the Day of Sorting Out? Woe on that Day to the rejecters!” And in ten places the Supreme Pen repeatedly declares: “Woe on that Day to the rejecters!”

Present to the beloved, that is Mulla Mustafa, upon him be the Glory of God, on behalf of this servant, that despite the greatness of this Day and despite its being mentioned explicitly and without interpretation in all the divine Books from time immemorial until the Qur’an, this most impregnable, most holy, most great Day, yet none has perceived it. The people of the Qur’an, who in truth are nourished at the breast of ignorance, have not attained maturity—nay, would that in their infancy they had been nourished with the milk of fairness. But strange it is that the people of the Bayan, despite their claims of knowledge and certitude, have turned away from the words “Verily I am God” and have chosen to dwell in the lowest depths of hellfire. I know not how they interpret the words of Truth which say “The Day mankind shall stand before the Lord of the worlds,” and then He says “Woe on that Day to the deniers who deny the Day of Judgment! And none denies it except every sinful transgressor.” Likewise He says in the well-known sermon “Await ye the speaking of Moses from the Tree upon the Mount.”

Were the verses of previous Books to be mentioned, this letter would become a voluminous tome. In brief, this evanescent servant bears witness that none has inhaled the fragrance of the paradise of inner meanings which lies concealed in the Qur’an by the command of the All-Merciful, save those who in this Day have detached themselves from all else but God and have responded to all they heard from the Tree which hath encompassed the worlds. God willing, they and you and the other friends must endeavor with complete determination to educate the immature through wisdom and utterance. At this moment this servant is bewildered at what he was mentioning and where it led, for such mentions were not intended in this letter, yet the sun of the word “I have known God through the changing of determined resolves” thus shed its rays. The Command is in God’s hands—He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He pleaseth.

Furthermore, the petition of Aqa Mirza ʿAbdu’llah, upon him be the Glory of God, and his wife and son attained the Most Holy Court, and from the heaven of the Divine Will a most mighty Tablet was specifically revealed and sent for each one. And in the Tablet to his wife, mention was made by the Supreme Pen of pure progeny. God willing, they have and will attain unto this. Likewise they have written to this servant. I beseech and hope from the Truth that He may assist them in matters that will cause their mention in the infinite divine worlds.

And regarding what you wrote about Haji Mirza Shafi’ and his son—what was done is acceptable, but it increaseth naught save loss for the wrongdoers. And since in this Day mercy hath encompassed all and it is the Day when “the earth shall be changed into another earth,” perchance the earth of heedless souls may, through the rains of divine mercy, yield the ears of wisdom and knowledge.

And regarding the passage of the Tablet of His Holiness the Most Great Branch—may my spirit be a sacrifice for the dust of His most precious footsteps—you wrote that it would be desirable to have it in Persian. After that Tablet, He wrote a special treatise in the Persian tongue for the people of Iran who have not yet attained to the Kawthar of recognition. It is most beneficial, and His purpose in that treatise was to prevent people from following the ignorant and to observe matters with their own eyes and ears. And in truth, if properly considered, that blessed treatise has been and is beneficial for all humanity, even though outwardly no mention is made therein of the wondrous, radiant, and resplendent new matters. Yet every person of discernment can inhale from its inner meaning the fragrance of the Divine days, and every person of insight can observe the lights of the spiritual Sun. That treatise is in the possession of the emigrants. God willing, it will reach your attention. The intention was that a copy should first be sent to your presence, but due to the press of duties and the absence of scribes, it was delayed.

And regarding what you wrote about a house being purchased—God willing it is blessed. We beseech God to exalt His remembrance therein in truth. Verily, He is the Guardian of those who remember Him. It is most desirable that in every land a place be designated so that it may become a means of comfort for visitors. God willing, may the pen of that spiritual beloved one always remember the friends and the sincere ones. The Glory be upon you and upon those who are there, from God, our Lord and your Lord.

BH00543: Praise be to God Who is glorified with such…

He is the Most Holy, the Most Mighty, the Most Exalted, the Most High, the Most Glorious

Praise be to God Who is glorified with such majesty that before it hath bowed the majesty of the mighty ones, the dominion of the great ones, the power of the strong ones, the authority of princes, the necks of pharaohs among men of creation, and the rulers who show pride before God, Creator of heaven!

And praise be to God Who is unified with such oneness that before its dawning the highest unity of beings and the most glorious singularity of all possible things vanish into nothingness.

The truly unified one is he who acknowledgeth his nothingness and the nothingness of his unification at the dawning of the Sun of Unity from the Most Exalted Horizon. The true mystic is he who confesseth his powerlessness and the powerlessness of his mystical knowledge to attain unto the station whence appeared the light of mystical knowledge from God, the Lord of the Throne on high and of earth below. Verily, he who hath not attained unto this confession is among the most ignorant of the ignorant, even though he be learned in all the sciences of the world.

Blessed is he who today, at the appearance of the Most Great Name, the Most Glorious, hath attained unto the greatest steadfastness and held fast unto the Sure Handle which hath appeared and shone forth among the servants by the command of God, Creator of all things.

I magnify and give peace unto those whose feet have not slipped because of the intimations of the learned, whose hearts have not been troubled by the veils of the mystics, whose eyes have not been prevented from beholding the Most Glorious Horizon, and whose ears have not been kept from hearkening unto the Call of God which hath been raised betwixt earth and heaven. I testify that these are the true believers, these are the sincere ones, these are the near ones, these are the successful ones, these are the mindful ones, and these are they who have held fast unto the Crimson Ark. Upon them be the glory of God in the hereafter and in the former life.

Thereafter, this servant hath been honored to receive thy noble letters time and again, and from them I learned of thy mention of the Lord of all beings and thy rising to serve God, the Lord of the visible and invisible. When I became acquainted with them and their contents, I turned and drew nigh until I entered the Most Exalted Paradise, the seat of the throne of our Lord, the Most High, the Most Glorious, and I presented all that thou hadst mentioned and related from beginning to end. Thereupon the Tongue of Grandeur spoke that which I am unable to mention, nay rather, all the pens of the world and tongues of the nations are powerless to describe it. Verily our Lord, the Most Merciful, He is the All-Knowing, the All-Encompassing, the All-Informed.

Your noble missives from past and present have arrived. Were I to say they brought fresh joy and boundless delight, I would be stating the obvious, and find myself abashed. As for this servant’s condition, he is occupied with writing day and night, and finds not even enough opportunity to gladden or sadden the true friends and those who drink of the spiritual wine with any mention. Therefore, at all times I cling to the cord of grace and universal forgiveness, so that if I do not trouble some with mention of myself, they may not interpret it as lack of love, but rather adorn my negligence and shortcoming with the ornament of forgiveness.

In truth, in these days the pen is ashamed and the paper is mortified by what it must record, for it is observed that souls who for years claimed the highest stations of mystical knowledge and certitude were barred by a mere croak from the melodies of the Dove of the Cause, and by a single bray were deprived of the warbling of the Doves of the Bayan. In such case, what can the pen write, what can the tongue utter, and what can the tablet bear? In most of the divine Tablets, from the Pen of the Lord’s Will, the stations of steadfastness and the loftiness of its rank were revealed. I swear by the Sun of the horizon of inner meanings that this evanescent servant had imagined that after the divine loved ones heard and hearkened to the verses that flowed from the Supreme Pen concerning steadfastness and its stations, none would slip, and neither the knowledge of the learned, nor the mysticism of the mystics, nor the eloquence of men of letters, nor ancient tales and latter-day stories would deprive them from the straight path which today is manifest and evident through the Most Great Name.

Nevertheless, it is observed that some friends, through satanic whisperings, remained far from the ultimate goal and the furthermost Lote-Tree. In such case, there is no inclination for this servant to occupy himself with mention that might serve to remind the servants. By God’s life! The dried grass of the earth is observed to be more steadfast than such beings. A person whose numerous petitions reached the Most Holy Court, and in all those petitions expressed servitude, evanescence and nothingness, and likewise to this servant who is utter nothingness—nevertheless, after your honor’s arrival in the land of Kirman, he observed that his verbal ornamentations had no luster and no station was forthcoming for him. Therefore, after believing, he turned away and clung to Satan, that perchance he might obtain some leadership from that quarter. Say: By the very breath of the All-Merciful, he neither fattens nor enriches you, O heedless, remote and rejected one!

And according to what was mentioned, he deceived Siyyid Abdul-Baqi of Kashan. Wonder of all wonders! Yet the wonder lies not in the calf and its lowing, but rather in those who follow it with evident delusion. At the time of the dawning of the Sun of the horizons from Iraq and the establishment of the Throne in the Land of Mystery and arrival in the Most Great Prison, the Supreme Pen continually informed the people about the croaking of the croakers, the claims of the claimants, the whisperings of satans, and the deceptions of the doubtful ones. Nevertheless, at the caw of the crow of the fig tree they passed beyond the Perspicuous Book and slipped from the straight path.

One day, when the horizons of Zawra were illumined by the Most Great Light in the dawn of divine days, He said to this servant: When the Son of Imran returned from Sinai and saw the people worshipping the calf, he said:

“O my people! I dwelt among you for years, and every day I appeared with compelling divine commands and with manifest signs and clear evidences. Nevertheless, I observed you lingering in the valleys of doubt and uncertainty. How is it that after me you have passed by the Most Exalted Horizon at the lowing of a calf—that is, at the voice of a mere calf—and have clung to it?”

Such is the condition of these people.

In any case, should you meet the aforementioned Mir, remind him, that perchance he may drink from the cup of steadfastness and regard all save the Friend as non-existent and null. This too was due to his previous love. Verily, He is the Manifestation of Proof and the Guide to the Way.

It behooveth your honor to engage with the utmost diligence and effort in reminding souls, that perchance they may remain protected from the tempestuous winds of the selfish desires of the idolatrous souls. Most astonishing of all is the discord that hath arisen in that land. Your honor is well aware that harm from discord between the loved ones of God reverteth to the root of the Blessed Tree itself. It is more harmful than any harm and more grievous than any grievousness. At all times they must strive with the utmost endeavor to unite and harmonize souls. This discord hath caused some of God’s loved ones to become objects of people’s ridicule, and the harm of this matter hath been and is beyond measure. Where are the detached ones? Where are the fair-minded? Where are those who behold the glory of God, detached from their own glory, who move by God’s will, detached from their own wills? And where are those who speak for God’s sake, who walk in His path, and who act in ways that exalt His Cause, pure in motive? These are indeed among the triumphant, the strivers, the steadfast, the unified, and the sincere ones.

God willing, we hope that henceforth they will be seen as an unbroken circle, regarding the good of all as the good of each and the good of each as the good of all. This servant knoweth not what to say. Where are the souls that bow down before the face of God? Where are the hearts that are humble before God’s command? Whoso truly attaineth unto the fragrance of these days, naught but humility and submissiveness will be manifest from him, for exaltation of station and loftiness of rank have been and shall be manifested through humility before God. From the first mention until this moment, observe how every exaltation hath appeared through humility and every loftiness through submissiveness. Say: Recognize this, O people of vision! Say: Recognize this, O people of understanding!

The loved ones must observe one another with the eye of affection and deal with each other according to the conditions of love. In all circumstances they must be mindful of divine ordinances, for that which is good for all hath been sent down from the heaven of God’s Will. We beseech God to assist all to do that which He loveth and approveth.

His honor Aqa Jamal, upon him be 96 [Baha], arose for a mighty cause, supposing it to be in support of the truth. There is no doubt that from this matter no harm will come to the root of the Tree; rather, it will cause the elevation of God’s Cause amongst the people. Nevertheless, since it was contrary to the wisdom revealed in the Tablets, the Most Exalted Pen hesitated to accept it, for all are commanded today to observe wisdom, and no blame attacheth to those souls who did not follow in this matter. However, they must not utter unseemly words about such a soul. In these matters they must be silent and patient, for the Cause is in God’s hands—He doeth whatsoever He willeth and ordaineth whatsoever He pleaseth. From time immemorial until eternity, the greatest bounty and salvation of peoples hath been in following the divine commands. To this testifieth every atom and, beyond them, every seeing tongue. But harm afflicteth the very root of the Tree. Say: O loved ones of God and His chosen ones, avoid it! Say: O friends of God and His cherished ones, avoid it! Hold fast unto unity—this is better for you, did ye but know it. In all conditions they must be vigilant over the Cause of God.

And convey to all who drink from the cup of steadfastness, on behalf of this evanescent servant, the Most Glorious and Most Exalted Greeting. And whenever those who are united and in harmony gather together and the cups of the wine of the knowledge of the All-Merciful are passed round, let them pour a drop upon the earth in remembrance of this unknown one. Glory be upon you and upon them throughout the everlasting dominion of God, the Lord of all the worlds.

BH00626: Praise be to God Who has strengthened His loved…

In the Name of Him Who is Sacred, Exalted, Inaccessible, Forgiving, and Generous

Praise be to God Who has strengthened His loved ones through tribulation and elevated their station through the manifestation of trials in the kingdom of creation, that He might test those who claim belief and who confess with their tongues His singleness and oneness. Verily, He is the Almighty, the Helper. And praise be to God Who has made His firm Cause the supreme touchstone whereby He distinguishes between the pure in heart and the wicked, according to His exalted Word: “Do men think when they say ʿWe believe’ they shall be let alone and not be put to proof?” Nay, nay! This is a Day wherein the secrets of hearts are tried and that which is hidden in the breasts is revealed, even as was revealed to the Beloved of the Ascension: “Though it be of the weight of a grain of mustard seed, and though it be in a rock, or in the heavens, or in the earth, God will bring it forth.” This is a Day wherein the faces of the idolaters are blackened and the faces of those who have turned to the horizon of certitude in the days of the All-Merciful are made white.

And praise be to God Who has caused the Most Great Trump to appear and has breathed into it through My Most Glorious Name. Thereupon, those who dwell in the cities of names and the people of the kingdom of creation were thunderstruck. Some remained unconscious, while others, having recovered, turned toward the Lord of the Day of Separation. Blessed is he who has today held fast to God and has not broken the Covenant. He is indeed of the people of this Horizon which God has made the Sovereign of horizons and the Dawning-Place of all splendors.

Praise be to God, to Whom the essence of unity bears witness by being sanctified from it, and the reality of glorification by being exalted above it. He is indeed the One Who cannot be mentioned by numbers nor counted among quantities. He is unified in His Own Self with a unity unknown to His servants, and is sanctified in His Own Being with a sanctification that the people of all lands shall never attain.

When He desired to distinguish between the nations, He spoke between the worlds through His Most Great Name. Thereupon the lights were drawn to their source, the signs to their dawning-place, the evidences to their fountainhead, the evil ones to their abode and destination, and the wicked to their origin. Thereby appeared the greatest distinction among mankind. Some turned to God, detached from all else, hastened to the horizon of unity, and drank from the hands of their Lord’s bounty the water of sanctification. Others turned away from the All-Merciful and faced toward Satan by virtue of what they had previously earned. And still others acknowledged God and then denied Him, retreating until they reached their origin in the abyss of wrath—a station which God has deprived of the breezes of His days and the fragrances of His garment. We testify that such a one is a yellowed, dried leaf moved by the wind however it wills. There is no God but Him, the Self-Sufficient, the Most High.

Praise be to God Who has adorned the heads of His chosen ones with the crown of hardship and tribulation, and has embellished their temples with the ornament of trials in the path of His Name that is sanctified above all names. He has made the prison a prisoner for those who have denied God, the Lord of the Throne and earth and of the supreme Paradise, while making it the most exalted Paradise for the people of Baha who have remained firm upon the Crimson Ark with such steadfastness that neither the allusions of the limiting ones nor the arguments of the followers of blind imitation could cause them to slip. By God’s life! They are servants whom calamities cannot prevent from God, the Revealer of verses.

The Concourse on High and the denizens of the Kingdom of eternity pray for them. My soul be a sacrifice for their steadfastness! They are the ones through whom the horizon of certitude has been illumined, the countenance of faith has beamed with joy, and assurance has appeared in all existence. By God! They are the steadfast ones whom neither slumber nor sleep overtakes, nor are they veiled by any barrier or measure. Their feet are like iron and their tongues are as swords wherewith they vindicate God amidst the concourse of creation. Upon them be the glory of God in the first and the last. There is no God but He, the One, the Most Exalted, the Mighty, the Bestower.

And now, O loved ones of the All-Merciful! By God, your imprisonment hath grieved Me, your tribulations have weakened Me, and the burning of your hearts hath consumed Me. All this hath, from one perspective, saddened Me, yet from another, that which hath befallen you hath brought Me joy—a joy which no earthly happiness can match—for adversity hath touched you in His path, and tribulation hath seized you for His love and remembrance. He who is adorned with the ornament of justice speaketh and saith:

“Would that I had been with the loved ones of God, and that there had befallen me what hath befallen them in the love of God, the Creator of earth and heaven!”

I address you in Persian that all the friends of God may hear the petition of this evanescent servant and not be saddened by what hath befallen them in the path of the Beloved of the worlds. Blessed is the state of one who is today adorned with the coloring of God. God, exalted be His glory and magnified be His grandeur, hath chosen imprisonment, and whosoever is afflicted thereby must in truth give thanks to the true Ordainer, for it hath befallen him for the sake of God what befell the very Self of God. This form of imprisonment is today more beloved than all that hath been created on earth and is truly sanctified above all the forms with which people are afflicted.

For instance, the mystics are today veiled from the Purpose of the worlds by their mysticism, and likewise the learned are deprived of the Known One by their learning, and some are heedless of the Creator of earth and heaven due to names, wandering in the wilderness of error and delusion. Give thanks to the Beloved of the world that ye have drunk from the cup of tribulations in His path and quaffed from the chalice of trials. Blessed are ye, again blessed are ye! Yours is a goodly reward from God, the Mighty, the All-Bountiful. Through your sorrows joy appeareth in the world, and through your grief surgeth the ocean of gladness amidst the peoples.

Nevertheless, I beseech God, exalted and mighty be He, to aid this servant and you to preserve what He hath bestowed, that we may all walk with utmost eagerness and yearning in the path of harmony and unity, and hold fast to the firm cord of divine wisdom that hath been sent down in the heavenly tablets. Let us implore with complete humility that He may keep these servants firm and steadfast in His love and Cause, for this is the Day whereon secrets are tried, and the commanding self is aflame, as we have seen and heard that certain souls who considered themselves to be of the Kingdom of certitude and were outwardly adorned with the ornament of faith, and who in their own estimation had attained the highest degree of knowledge and displayed the utmost humility and submissiveness in their petitions to the Most Holy Court, and likewise in their letters to this servant—nevertheless, due to a vain imagination, transgressed the firm commandment of God and became occupied with their own desires.

May God protect us and you from the evil of such people and from their deceit and craftiness. These matters have been mentioned so that all the friends who are gazing toward the All-Merciful may not fall prey to the snares of certain crafty souls. Verily He is the Protector, He is the Guide, and He is the Forgiving, the Generous.

O imprisoned brother, that is, his honor Aqa Abdul-Baqi! God willing, may you ever be manifest with steadfastness and be adorned with trials in the path of Truth. Your letter arrived and brought the utmost joy, and all that was written therein became known, and the names that were sent arrived. Your mention and that of the other prisoners is continually remembered before the Throne. Blessed are you for having attained to this most exalted, most impregnable, most holy, most mighty, wondrous and invincible station. Convey on behalf of this evanescent servant sublime greetings to all the friends and say: Blessed are you for having attained the wine of tribulation in the path of God, the Lord of Names; and blessed are you for having turned to the Face in the Kingdom of Creation; then blessed are you for having outstripped all creation in recognizing God, the King of the Kingdom of eternity, and for being with His Name, Jamal, morning and evening. By the Truth itself, were I to repeat the word ʿblessed’ unto the end that hath no end, it would still be little compared to the enkindling of your hearts in the love of God, our Lord and the Lord of the heavens and earths. And praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

The servant

And concerning what you wrote about his honor Aqa Siyyid Hasan, the special deputy of the Most Holy Branch—may my spirit be a sacrifice for the dust of His footsteps—that he had sent a dagger: it arrived. Convey greetings on behalf of this evanescent servant to him and to Muhammad Beg who were mentioned in your letter. God willing, may all attain to divine bounties and remain steadfast in His Cause. Today steadfastness is beloved. Consider Mir Abdul-Baqi: he attained the honor of faith and dwelt beneath the shadow of the Countenance, then through the buzzing of a fly became deprived of the cooing of the Dove. We beseech God to grant him success in returning and to preserve His loved ones from the evil of those who have denied God, the Lord of the seen and unseen. Let all the friends in the Land of Ta study this letter, and likewise send a copy thereof to the Land of Kaf, and convey greetings on my behalf to the friends in that land. Upon them be the glory of God, and upon them be the fragrances of God and His mercy which hath preceded all worlds. And praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

BH00645: Praise be to God Who hath strengthened His Afnan…

He is the Most Holy, the Most Inaccessible, the Most Mighty, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious

Praise be to God Who hath strengthened His Afnan with such might as can be altered neither by the cawing of the divines, nor the clamor of princes, nor the braying of the ignorant, nor the croaking of those who have disbelieved in God, the Lord of Names. And praise be to God Who hath aided His chosen ones with such aid as shall not pass away throughout the dominion of earth and heaven—they through whom the suns of faith have shone forth and the horizons of certitude have been illumined, through whom the sign of unity appeared in creation and the token of detachment amidst all peoples, through whom every unifier became unified, every submissive one submitted, every prostrate one prostrated, every learned one learned, every knower knew, every rememberer remembered, every speaker spoke, and every glorifier glorified his Lord, the Creator of earth and heaven.

And praise be to God Who hath favored all created things with the manifestation of His Most Great, Most Exalted Name, whereupon all names were transformed, the hearts of the wretched were disturbed, the hearts of the near ones were assured, the Concourse on High rejoiced, and the dwellers of the cities of eternity were gladdened. Glorified be He Who hath distinguished between all things through His Most Exalted Word, whereby He hath taken the essences of existence and left behind the accidents at the stations of allusions and limitations. Verily, He is the One Worshipped, the Educator of the seen and unseen. There is no God but Him, the Almighty, the Glorious, the All-Loving.

May my spirit be sacrificed for you! What can this heedless servant mention that would be worthy of your hearing, and what can this ignorant one present that would merit the attention of that Beloved One? For mere nothingness to show a trace of existence is a grievous sin, and for utter non-existence to claim being is a great error. I seek forgiveness from God for what I have said and say, have mentioned and mention, have described and describe, and for how I have moved and move, have spoken and speak, have acted and act. For in truth, when this servant observes himself with fairness, he has not seen and does not see himself worthy of anything, and all words and mentions are seen as evanescent and non-existent before the rising of the sun of meanings, and all lofty attributes and exalted names stand perplexed in their own station, ever beseeching and hoping that the True One, exalted be His glory, will not remove from them the garment of acceptance. Indeed Unity itself, despite its lofty station and exalted rank, declares:

O my Lord! Thou art He Who chose me, distinguished me, elevated me, empowered me, and magnified me to a station where Thou didst speak through me and caused all things to speak in remembrance of me. But by Thy glory, O Beloved of the world and Goal of the nations, I ever cling to the hem of the robe of Thy bounty and grace, lest Thou shouldst withhold from me this most exalted station and this most resplendent, lofty rank. For shouldst Thou abase me, cast me out, and elevate mine adversary in my stead, Thou art indeed able to do this and powerful over it, and none can prevent Thee from exercising Thy sovereignty and will. I have testified and do testify at all times that nothing can prevent Thee from exercising Thy power, might, authority and choice.

Here is something that occurs to me to mention, and the true purpose is to prove the nothingness and effacement of this ephemeral one and engagement in remembrance of that Beloved. In this case there would be no harm in elaboration and detail. Once the Ancient Beauty journeyed to the land of Taff [Karbila], and in those days the Cause was very well concealed, such that no one had any knowledge of it. In that land a group had gathered who occupied themselves day and night with expressions of divine unity, counting themselves among the believers. However, their concept of unity was in reality the source of misbelief and the origin of multiplicity.

Were this servant to explain this matter in detail, the discourse would exceed moderation. In any case, these souls did not turn to the Most Holy Court—that is, they did not attain the honor of His presence. However, Jinab-i-Ismu’llah Haji Siyyid Javad (may the Most Glorious Beauty of God rest upon him), who resided in that land, would continuously attain His presence and was also part of that group. Yet endless love for the Beloved of the worlds was evident from him, such that despite that group’s prohibition, he was not deterred and would attain His presence most of the time. Finally, one day He said: “O Javad! Despite these people claiming to love and counting themselves among this company, how is it they have not observed the customary courtesies and have not inquired after Us?”

Then the Euphrates of utterance flowed from the Source of divine wisdom in such wise that the hearing ear perceived the glorification and sanctification of God, exalted be His glory, from all things. Until one day Jinab-i-Ismu’llah brought with him a person known as Shaykh Sultan. The Ancient Beauty said: “O Shaykh! This unity with whose mention you occupy yourselves night and day, and because of which you consider yourselves rich and independent—if God, exalted be His grandeur, were to erase this unity or roll up its carpet and place it under the throne, what then would you have and with what remembrance would you occupy yourselves?” And at this point such utterances were revealed from the Dayspring of divine knowledge that both Jinab-i-Ismu’llah and the aforementioned Shaykh were set ablaze by the heat of His words.

In brief, after some time that entire group attained to true unity. In the words of the author of the Mathnavi: “The withered fish fell into the sea, the lost caravan found the path of guidance.”

In this case, the mention and thought of this servant and the highest stations of the Bayan in these days have been and will be utter nothingness. The people are heedless and ignorant, unaware of the greatness of the Cause, roaming in the valley of ignorance and perceiving not, hastening in the wilderness of error and knowing not, walking in the desert of wrath and understanding not. Observe ye the person whose name is Ahmad. Despite having submitted several petitions to the Most Holy Court and likewise to this servant, and despite his show of faith, certitude, knowledge and steadfastness, the tempestuous winds of vain desire returned him to the lowest depths of the fire. Now the station of steadfastness that hath been revealed in the Tablets of God becomes evident. In numerous passages this verse hath been revealed from the Divine Pen:

“Verily this Day is great, great, and the Cause is great, great.”

I swear by the Sun of Beauty that hath risen from the horizon of glory that were a soul to truly comprehend the loftiness of this Revelation and that which hath been manifested in its days, he would regard the world and all therein as non-existent and as naught, and all the world would be powerless to prevent him. How many base and worthless souls are observed who have yet to distinguish between the croak of the raven and the cooing of the dove! We beseech God to open their eyes and draw them nigh unto Him through His grace upon them. Verily He hath ever been self-sufficient in His sufficiency and independent of those who believed then disbelieved, who turned towards Him then turned away, through His exalted Word uttered aforetime: “O ye people! Ye are poor in your need of God, and God is the Self-Sufficient, the All-Praised.” I conclude with “There is no power nor strength save in God.”

Regarding the sum mentioned, according to His command that amount should reach Zaynu’l-Muqarrabin, upon him be the Most Glorious Beauty, in Hadba’ that he may distribute it among the captives of that land. The sooner this matter is accomplished, the more beloved it is in the sight of God and His loved ones. Other details of affairs will be mentioned by Ismu’llah Mihdi, upon him be the Most Glorious of all Glory. This servant is ashamed before all the friends due to excessive writing, for he hath not and will never be able to make mention of them as befitteth. From all he hopeth for pardon.

This servant hath submitted a letter to Ismu’llah Ha’, upon him be the Glory of God, which will come to your notice. It would be very good if a copy thereof, after thorough correction, be sent to the land of Sh and Y, for some people are weak and have no understanding of matters—at the mere hearing of a croak they are seen to waver. Where are the mighty hearts? Where are the powerful souls? Where are the steadfast feet? Where are the firm and well-grounded souls? Where is he who said “Say: God—then leave them to their vain discourse”? “Verily we are God’s and unto Him shall we return.” It would also be well-pleasing if a copy of this petition be sent to those regions, that perchance the people may take heed.

BH00713: I call God to witness—and His angels, His Prophets…

He is God—exalted be His station, the All-Glorious, the All-Powerful, the Most Great.

I call God to witness—and His angels, His Prophets, His chosen ones, His saints, His loved ones, His well-wishers, and His dear companions—that the revelation of verses from God, the Lord of Names and Attributes, hath reached such a degree that the sincere are powerless to number them, and the writers unable to set them down. They descend at morn and at eventide, in the watches of the night and at the ends of the day. And I, with my own infirmity and the infirmity of all beneath me in committing them to writing—how can I busy myself with aught else, or contend with the loved ones of God by words of mine which neither avail nor bear fruit? By the life of God! My heart hath yearned to make mention of the loved ones of God; yet I find no leisure to speak of them in a remembrance that would truly reflect my state and befit my lowly self. Wherefore, in every condition, I beg of them forgiveness, that God, out of His grace, may forgive them likewise. Verily He is the Pardoning, the All-Forgiving.

At all times my heart, my tongue, and my pen long to commemorate the friends and the noble ones; yet this frail servant is occupied with such a matter that he findeth not the opportunity, even to hearken unto his own remembrance, to set down a single word. Therefore, should delay occur in reply, or an interruption ensue, forgiveness is hoped for.

Thy letters have arrived one after another; and, as they were adorned with the ornament of the mention of the Lord of Names, great joy and expansion were vouchsafed. Yet from the circumstances that have befallen thee, deep sorrow appeared. Nevertheless, if in truth one consider it, whatsoever befalleth for the sake of God, in the Cause of God, in the path of God, and for the good-pleasure of God, is, and ever shall be, an abiding bounty; for no deed hath been, nor is, without recompense and requital, and the reward of goodly acts is recorded in the Book of God, and shall endure throughout the continuance of His Kingdom and His dominion. Therefore shouldst thou not be grieved by the things that have come upon thee.

Your petitions were presented in the Most Holy Court, and this is what the Tongue of Grandeur spoke forth:

O Ali-Akbar! When thou didst stand before the Throne in that luminous Presence, the Kingdom of divine utterance enjoined upon thee wisdom, that in all thine affairs thou shouldst have regard unto it, and that every soul should act, without sedition or clamour, in accordance with that which hath been made manifest from the Source of the Divine Will, that the servants may attain unto that which He hath purposed.

Wisdom is a substance, attracting by its very essence the remote to the seat of nearness, and drawing the stranger to his homeland. They whose hearts are set upon the vanities of the world and who are beguiled by transitory stations shall never be awakened nor roused from the sleep of heedlessness save by means known unto God alone. The wisdom mentioned in the Books and Tablets hath ever been, and shall remain, the very foundation of this Foundation. Verily, thy Lord is the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

Should the hand of power draw aside the veil from this station, and that which is with God be made manifest, all would bear witness that whatsoever hath flowed from the Supreme Pen is indeed the well-beloved and the guide unto the desired goal. Thy letter hath been read in the presence of the Countenance, and We have answered thee with these words, through which the Sun of the knowledge of thy Lord hath shone forth. Blessed is the people that knoweth! None attaineth unto it save the sincere. End.

Concerning what you wrote about teaching the Cause, we beseech God to confirm you in this mighty matter. O My beloved! The heart of this evanescent one is aflame like a blazing fire, for we observe that the Truth is manifest, the Kingdom of utterance is resplendent, and the Day of God is witnessed; yet souls who purely for the sake of God remind people and call them to the truth are as rare as the philosopher’s stone. How many lands have remained without cultivation and tillage, how many lands were tilled and cultivated but remained without water, and how many lands whose harvest time has come but there was no harvester to harvest them! Yet through the wonders of divine favors and the manifestations of the compassion of the All-Merciful, there is hope that souls will appear with heavenly characteristics and engage in teaching the Cause of God and educating all who dwell on earth.

That which causes and effects the attraction of hearts and purification of souls has been detachment from all save God. Blessed is the soul who becomes intoxicated with the choice wine of divine utterance and speaks the mention of the Friend in the assemblage of the world. This intoxication increases consciousness and brings existence into non-existence. There is no end to the explanation of this station. He, verily, is the Expositor, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

In all circumstances, the friends of God and the drinkers of the spiritual wine must observe wisdom and hold fast to what God hath revealed in the Book. Convey My greetings to the friends and loved ones in the land of Ta, and likewise to those who have been imprisoned in the path of God. Blessed are they! The world has had and has no worth, and all deeds shall become non-existent and perish except the deeds of those souls who have arisen for the sake of God—the traces of such deeds shall never be erased from the book of creation.

Hereafter they must observe the utmost vigilance lest anything contrary to wisdom should appear, for this matter has been revealed in most of the Tablets, and that which has flowed from the Most Exalted Pen has been and shall ever be productive and the source of fruits. God willing, be occupied at all times with serving the Cause and hold fast to that which the Intended One hath desired.

The names of the friends of God that were mentioned in your letter were all presented before the Presence. Blessed are they that their names were mentioned in the Most Great Scene, then joy be unto them for they shall have a goodly return. God willing, may they remain steadfast in the Cause of God, for this matter is most mighty, not like some who are moved by every wind, follow every breeze, and are drawn to every call. Convey to all, on behalf of this evanescent servant, sublime greetings. We beseech God to adorn them with the garments of steadfastness and cause them to speak His praise among all creatures. Verily, He is the Almighty, the All-Powerful.

Convey My greetings to the honored son of the servant, Aqa Muhammad-Taqi. God willing, may they ever be successful in transcribing the verses of God, for there is no deed more beloved than this. The specimens of writing which they had requested were presented to the Most Great Branch—may my spirit be a sacrifice for the dust of His most pure footsteps. He said:

“You yourself are witness and can testify that due to the abundance of divine Tablets to be transcribed, there is absolutely no time or opportunity available.”

And truly it is as He has stated, for even when He repairs to the outskirts of the city for recreation, the Tablets accompany Him and He remains occupied with them there also.

Observe how continually petitions arrive from all cities, lands, and from the various regions of this land. The transcription of the Divine Revelation is specifically assigned to this servant, while the transcription of Tablets is entrusted to the Greater Branch—may my spirit be sacrificed for the movement of His pen. In truth, it is through God’s power that we manage to accomplish even this much, otherwise it would appear extremely difficult in outward terms. We beseech Him for assistance in all conditions, for verily He is the Gracious Helper.

This servant’s complete submission is that your honor should be engaged, with the utmost effort and attention, in fostering love and unity among the souls. The discord that occurred in that land has truly been a cause of the wastage of God’s Cause. The friends were saddened by it while the enemies were gladdened. This matter is most grievous in the sight of God. Under all conditions, all must hold fast to the cord of unity, in such wise that no one should detect the slightest trace of discord among the loved ones of God.

Today, which is the Lord of Days and the King of all times and seasons, the radiance of the All-Merciful should be witnessed in the countenances of those who believe in God.

In any case, this matter of discord caused universal grief and darkened the world. God willing, this fire of discord shall be extinguished by the heavenly stream of love and unity, so that all may attain to that which God has willed. The Glory be upon you.

BH00804: How sweet was that fragrance when it wafted! Blessed…

He is the Most Holy, the Most Great, the All-Powerful, the Most Exalted, the All-Glorious!

How sweet was that fragrance when it wafted! Blessed was the moment when this evanescent servant attained unto the perusal of that spiritual friend’s letter, which was adorned with the ornament of the love of God. Nothing today hath been or shall be the cause of the heart’s joy save the sweet-scented perfumes of Divine love, and no matter shall bring comfort save turning unto Him and abiding beneath the shade of the Tree of His grace. In the Hidden Words He saith, the essence of which is this: Though thou traverse all the regions of earth and heaven, thou shalt find no rest save in the shelter of My mercy. In such wise, the joy and comfort of the friends of Truth lie in their occupation with His remembrance and their firm adherence to the cord of His love.

Thy letter brought such joy as this servant is powerless to describe. In truth, the delight of these servants lieth in the fragrance of the Merciful’s love which we inhale from one another. Woe unto them that have cast behind their backs this praiseworthy station and have taken that which was forbidden them in the Book of God, the Mighty, the Loving. O spiritual friend! Observe the baseness of the nature of the heedless souls: though the dawn of inner meanings hath broken, and the winds of the springtime of the Merciful’s bounty have blown, and the fragrances from the garden of divine knowledge have been diffused, most men are occupied with inhaling foul odors and following vain imaginings. Destruction and remoteness be upon them!

This servant, in the days when the verses were being revealed and written down before the Throne, observed that mention of steadfastness, its stations and its nobility, was revealed more abundantly than other themes. And this servant was perplexed, for he had not supposed that after this Most Great Revelation, by whose rays the very embodiment of steadfastness had been adorned and the head of certitude crowned with a wondrous new diadem, anyone would be seized with perturbation, or that doubt would overtake any soul after attaining unto certitude. He had beheld those who had drunk the wine of God’s love to be as firm and immovable as mountains, and had observed the people of God to be as a solid structure. Never had he imagined that a soul would become heedless of the Sun and cling to the shadow, or that after beholding the light one would turn unto darkness—until in these days some of the mysteries of the frequent revelation of verses concerning steadfastness became clear and evident. Thus hath the buzzing of flies, nay less than that, prevented some from the Lord of Lords and caused them to slip from the straight path.

By my Lord! Every kind seeketh union with its kind, and every branch returneth to its root. As mentioned, a certain one from the land of Kaf, through the whisperings of one now perished, hath in the land of Ta strayed from the extended path and been deprived of the Lord of existence. Lost indeed are the seeker and the sought, the rememberer and the remembered, the hoper and the hoped-for, the commander and the commanded. One is utterly amazed at such a being’s lack of faithfulness and steadfastness—nay, the very essence of amazement beholdeth itself amazed. However, in view of the supreme compassion and mighty favor which all are commanded to show today, one must strive with the utmost endeavor to reform souls, that perchance doubting hearts may be illumined with the lights of certitude and troubled souls adorned with the ornament of assurance. Therefore it behoveth that honored one, to the extent of his power, to be engaged in service to the Cause and remind the deluded souls, for the people are weak and ill, and have ever been in need of a skilled physician. We beseech God to heal them and open their eyes, their ears, and the doors of their hearts. Verily, He is the All-Powerful, the Almighty.

This servant at all times beseeches and hopes that the True One, exalted be His glory, may bestow upon all from His generous hand the wine of steadfastness, that they may not be deprived by foul winds from the fragrant musk of divine knowledge, nor by turbid waters from the ocean of life. Verily, He is the Bestower, and He is the Ordainer, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

Another matter which has caused boundless grief is the discord in that land. By God, it darkens the heart of joy and gladness and sullies the hem of might and delight. Discord among the loved ones is a fire that consumes good deeds and actions. Today the glory of God’s Cause lies in the unity and harmony of those who seek the Ka’bah of divine knowledge, and this matter has become the cause of grief to the Ancient Beauty, for it exalts the word of unity yet wastes the Cause through discord. To this testifies every fair-minded and discerning one. You must strive with utmost determination that the sun of unity may dawn from the horizons of hearts, and that the flames of discord may be quenched by the waters of remembrance and utterance.

Furthermore, your letter was presented at the Most Holy Court, and its horizon was adorned with the crown of verses and sent forth. God willing, they will attain unto it and write their news daily, for the mention of a beloved by a beloved is counted among the sweet delights of the eternal Paradise. Convey the Most Glorious, Most Wondrous greetings to Haji Mirza Kamalu’d-Din, upon him be the glory of God and His mercy. This time this servant had no opportunity to write anything to him, as he is occupied day and night with the recording of verses. I hope for his pardon. Convey wondrous greetings to the friends of that land, and I beseech God to make them so steadfast in the Cause of the All-Merciful that they will see the loftiness of earth’s mountains and their weight as more insignificant and lighter than a fly’s wing, and that they may not be deprived by any deceit or stratagem from the Lord of all causes. We beseech God to protect all through His grace and give them to drink of the Kawthar of steadfastness. Verily, He is the Lord of Oneness and the Master of creation. There is no God but Him, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy.

All who circle the Throne of the All-Merciful and dwell near the mercy of the Lord send their greetings. If you would send a copy of this letter to the land of Kaf, it would be most beloved, that all may become aware of steadfastness and its stations.

Again it is submitted that if you meet Mir ʿAbdu’l-Baqi, tell him to consider the Tablet that was previously revealed specifically for him, that perchance he may be reminded or fear. This servant mentions some verses of that blessed Tablet. His exalted Word:

Stand thou firm in the Cause in such wise that neither the veils of the people of creation prevent thee, nor the doubts of any uncertain learned one disturb thee. By God, he who has recognized the One to be recognized is the knower, and he who has turned to the Known One, he indeed is the true learned one whom God has made to be among the letters of the Book… Verily, he who has believed is among the companions of guidance amidst humanity, and he who has turned away is among the people of tyranny before thy Lord, the Mighty, the All-Knowing.

Say: Given these conclusive divine exhortations and verses of transcendent, eternal glory, how is it that you have passed by the Source of knowledge on the word of an ignorant one, and have turned away from the breezes of revelation, drawn to the exhalations of error? We beseech God to guide him and make him steadfast in the Cause of God. This is the most glorious, most exalted, most sublime station. Until one succeeds in rending asunder the veils of majesty, it is difficult to attain to this station, save whom God willeth.

BH00911: The essence of praise and glory befitteth Him alone…

He is Most Holy, Most Ancient, Most Great, Most Powerful, Most Exalted, Most Glorious

The essence of praise and glory befitteth Him alone Whom the mystics, possessed of the secrets of reality and utterance, have found themselves powerless to know, and before Whose absolute Being they have confessed their utter nothingness. I testify that He hath been sanctified beyond both eternity and perpetuity, how much more beyond all creation and extinction. For the eternity that can be described by tongue or characterized by utterance is not, and never shall be, worthy of Him. Hearts and minds are bewildered in comprehending even a single one of His signs—how much more bewildered must they be in knowing His Essence, which transcendeth all mention and description.

He hath created the whole world through His Primal Word, and all do acknowledge and confess this truth. Yet none hath ever understood that Word, let alone its Creator and Source. For if it be claimed that this Word is like unto words that flow from the tongue, this would be sheer injustice and pure fabrication, since such words are subject to extinction while the Word of God is sanctified therefrom. And if it be said that it is of the words that flow from the pen, this too is bounded by contingent limitations, while the Divine Word is exalted above such constraints.

This evanescent servant beareth witness that this Word hath never been subject to extinction or annihilation, nor hath it been confined by expressions and meanings. None knoweth it save the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. When the powerlessness of all to know His Word is established, who then could possess the strength and ability to soar in the heavens of knowing the King of the Word? All contingent being hath testified to its impotence and extinction, and knowledge itself hath confessed its inadequacy and inability. Exalted, immeasurably exalted is He above whatsoever is mentioned in the realm of contingent being! Exalted, immeasurably exalted is He above whatsoever is defined by utterance! We beseech Him, exalted be He, to grant us success in speaking that which He hath permitted us and in acting according to what He hath commanded us in His firm, transcendent, impregnable, mighty and inaccessible Book.

Your letter addressed to this evanescent servant was received. Praised and thanked be God that you are occupied with the mention and glorification of God. As for what you mentioned regarding Ibn Sh J, God willing, he hath been and shall continue to be victorious. We beseech God to aid him in all conditions to champion His Cause through wisdom and utterance.

Regarding what you wrote about the association of certain companions with them—this matter is certainly outside of wisdom, for if such souls become too well known, they will no longer be able to serve the Cause as they should. All the loved ones of God and those who drink from the wine of inner meanings must reflect on this matter. Today all are commanded to observe wisdom, as the divine Books and heavenly Tablets bear witness. Therefore, they must at all times keep their gaze fixed on wisdom and hold fast to it. Observe how throughout the history of the Cause, whenever wisdom was lacking, it led to the extinguishing of souls, the perturbation of hearts, and the avoidance of the people of the earth. Divine mercy has taken precedence and His grace has encompassed all.

Today those who are adorned with the ornament of faith must strive with the utmost effort to engage in matters that draw people near and guide the deniers and the doubtful to the horizon of certitude with utmost kindness and love. Most people are heedless of the Truth and unaware of the surging oceans of generosity and bounty. Their suppositions and desires have prevented them from the Most Exalted Horizon. They know not what has appeared in the world, for they are afflicted with the diseases of ignorance. The maladies of the people of the world must be cured through the breaths of holy, pure, and detached souls. O my brother, such souls have been and will be rare to find.

However, I beseech God, exalted be His glory, to raise up souls in every land who will arise to serve His Cause as befitting and who will detach themselves from self and all else in the path of His love. Had the loved ones of God acted upon the compassionate divine counsels until now, the earth would surely have been transformed. I beseech Him, exalted be He, to raise up in every land those who will voice His praise and act according to what is commanded in His Book, and who will hold fast to His good-pleasure, which He has made the ultimate goal for all humanity. Verily He has power over whatsoever He willeth. None can stay His dominion, none can repel His sovereignty, and none can turn back His decisive, firm, and mighty command.

Furthermore, the loved ones of God must today be manifestations of divine wealth and independence. In this way, their words will prove effective in hearts. Among all breezes, the breeze of detachment and independence is like the spring winds that cause human fruits to appear in the contingent world. Blessed is he who attains to this glorious and exalted station. The Supreme Pen has at all times commanded His loved ones to that which exalts the Cause of God, but few are found who act accordingly. Convey sublime greetings from this evanescent one to all the friends of God in those regions and say: These are the days of service and the days of love. God willing, all must drink from the Kawthar of affection in complete unity. Discord causes the dissipation of God’s Cause while unity causes its exaltation. He has said, and His word is the truth:

“Adorn your temples with the ornament of humility, your hearts with the ornament of love and unity, and your tongues with His glorious and beautiful remembrance.”

And the details of your letter were at one time presented before the Most Holy Court. His exalted Word:

O ʿAli-Akbar! We have enjoined upon all men that which beseemeth the Days of God. Some have accepted and acted upon that which was commanded, and others have cast it behind their backs. Blessed are they that have acted accordingly. It behooveth every soul to hold fast unto that which hath been sent down in the Tablets from the presence of One Who is All-Knowing, All-Informed. He hath desired naught for Himself, but hath summoned all to that which shall profit them both in this world and in the next. To this testifieth the Tongue of Grandeur in His Most Great Prison. Glorified be they who have fulfilled the Covenant of God and stood firm in His wondrous Cause. We make mention of those who have adorned themselves with the raiment of steadfastness amidst all creation. These are the people of Baha in the kingdom of creation. Upon them rest My glory and My mercy that hath encompassed all worlds. Give thanks unto God for having been mentioned before His Throne, and for having thy name flow from the tongue of the Wronged One in this glorious station.

God willing, may you be occupied at all times with the remembrance of the Self-Sufficing Lord and be gladdened by His love. The glory shining forth from the Dayspring of Glory be upon the people of Baha.

BH01039: Praise be to God Who is unique in His…

He is God, exalted be His glory, majesty and power!

Praise be to God Who is unique in His utterance, sanctified from all sight, and holy beyond what is mentioned in the realm of possibility. He is indeed the Single One Whom the Manifestations of uniqueness have not known, and the One before Whose praise the Dawning-places of unity stand powerless. He has ever been, in the loftiness of His station and the exaltation of His glory, beyond the understanding of all else. He it is Who sent forth the Messengers and revealed the Books that His servants might know His mighty Message and His straight Path. Among the people are those who have turned towards Him and found the fragrances of the days of His Manifestation, and among them are those who turned away, following those in the graves. We beseech Him, exalted be He, to aid all to turn unto Him and to cling to His pure, holy and luminous robe.

Thereafter, your letter, which was penned with the ink of love and affection, brought joy to our heart. Praise be to God that you and your kindred are enkindled with the fire of the Divine Word and have attained the recognition of the Manifestation of Divine Unity. We beseech God, exalted be His glory, that He deprive not His loved ones of the Most Great Ocean. He is indeed the Powerful, the Mighty.

At a specific time your letters were presented before the Most Holy Court, and answers descended from the heaven of grace. However, due to the volume of correspondence and other matters, this servant has not found the opportunity to write to you, as each day travelers arrive bearing letters from many believers, and this servant is occupied day and night writing countless replies. God willing, you should not be saddened by this delay in response and will accept this servant’s apology.

Regarding your intention to turn towards the Most Holy Court, it was presented, and He said:

“It is most evident and clear that those who drink from the cups of recognition ever seek and yearn for the presence of the All-Merciful, for in truth He is the Cause of creation, the reason for existence, the Ultimate Goal and the Most Remote Mosque. However, as the decree of wisdom has descended from the heaven of the Divine Unity, all friends must observe it and act according to its requirements. He ordaineth for whomsoever He willeth the reward of attaining His presence. He is indeed the Wise, the Just, the Single One, the All-Informed. Blessed is he who acteth according to that which he hath been commanded. We testify that he is among the successful ones.”

Regarding what you wrote about the newborn child belonging to you and Aqa Siyyid Muhammad, it was presented before the Most Holy Court. He said:

“Today these names are beloved before the Throne: Diya, Badi’, Husayn, and ʿAli. You and your brother may choose whichever one you desire.”

And concerning what you wrote about the matter of marriage, this matter was conducted in the Most Holy Court in the presence of holy spirits, divine temples, and a group of pilgrims and residents. The Tongue of Grandeur specifically spoke regarding this matter.

Furthermore, the timing of the wedding celebration is left to your discretion. Whenever it takes place will be good and acceptable in the sight of God. Delay in these matters is not permissible. Moreover, They have stated that sending tablets to that land is not advisable at present and would be unwise, which is why few are being sent. Nevertheless, the face of divine favor remains turned toward the friends of that land, and the intention of all is witnessed before God, and deeds done for God’s sake are acceptable to Him. No soul appears among the sincere except that it is witnessed before God. Praise be to God, all have been and are beneath the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary. They must at all times beseech God not to be deprived of this supreme bounty, this greatest gift, and this imperishable sustenance, and to remain firm and steadfast in all conditions. Alas, a hundred thousand times alas, that people remain heedless and veiled from the grace of these days. All have been created specifically for the Days of God and His meeting, yet today all remain wandering in the wilderness of idle fancies. Observe, then remember what the All-Merciful has revealed in the Qur’an:

“The Day when mankind will stand before the Lord of the Worlds.”

Blessed is the soul that today has attained the wine of certitude and, through divine power and might, has become distinguished from the people of doubt, uncertainty, conjecture and fancy. Blessed be the assured ones, and woe to the doubters. Those who doubt meeting their Lord are, by God’s life, among the heedless, the veiled, and the abased.

The petition of Aqa Siyyid Kazim achieved presence before the Throne. His words, exalted be His glory:

“O Kazim! We have heard your call and what you composed in praise of your Ancient Lord. We beseech God the Exalted to grant you success and ordain for you what benefits you. He is indeed the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. We have read your verse and prose—thank God for this and be among the joyous ones. He indeed hears the call of whoever turns to Him. He is the Protector of the doers of good.”

Likewise, the petition of Aqa Siyyid Ahmad was presented before the Throne, and the Sun of Grace rose from the horizon of bounty specifically for him. God willing, may all hold fast to the cord of servitude and cling to the hem of divine favor.

Convey greetings and praise on behalf of this ephemeral one to all the friends of that land, and likewise to the honored brothers, the children of our master, and the nephew Muhammad-Husayn. Praise be to God, all are mentioned in the Most Holy Court.

As commanded, I am to write to you that in these days it is incumbent and obligatory upon all the friends to conduct themselves with the utmost wisdom among the people. No one should do anything that would cause tumult and commotion among the servants. You and the other friends must exert mighty effort and strenuous endeavor in this matter. The glory of God be upon you and upon your mother and your family from God, the Lord of the worlds, and praise be to God, the Object of the knowers.

BH01054: In the name of God, He is the Most…

In the name of God, He is the Most Holy, the Most Great, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious!

Praise be to God Who hath subdued the world through the Most Great Name, through which the All-Merciful revealed Himself unto the son of Imran on the Sinai of utterance and caused him to hear the sweetest call from the Tree of Eternity, that verily there is none other God but Him, the Mighty, the Wise. Through it were the hearts and souls enkindled with the fire of longing, and every yearning one hastened to the ocean of nearness and reunion, and every seeker was drawn to the Supreme Horizon, and every one who turned did turn his face toward God, the Mighty, the Inaccessible. Blessed is he who hath clung unto it, detached from those who disbelieved in God and denied His presence after having been promised it by the tongue of the Prophets and Messengers. I testify that they are in doubt concerning the meeting with their Lord, and I bear witness that they are among the most lost in the perspicuous Book.

Praise be to God Who hath manifested what He promised us and made us to be among those who have attained to hearing His call and have turned toward the Dayspring of His Revelation and have spoken His beauteous praise. This is the Day wherein hath appeared that which was treasured from all eternity and concealed within God’s knowledge. By God! The eyes were created for this Day, and the ears to hearken unto the rustling of His Most Exalted Pen, and the tongue for His sweetest praise, and the heart for the love of God, the Lord of all worlds.

Thereafter, thy letter reached this evanescent servant. I read it and found therein the fragrance of thy love for our Lord, the Lord of the heavens and earths. We beseech God to strengthen thee and those who are there and who have turned to the Ultimate Goal and the White Pearl, and who have held fast to the Sure Handle, and who have turned their hearts to God, the Master of the Last and the First. We ask Him, exalted be He, to preserve them that there may appear from them that which beseemeth this blessed Day wherein the Tongue of Grandeur proclaimeth: The Kingdom belongeth unto God, the One, the Single, the Powerful, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

God willing, may you be enkindled at all times with the fire of the Tree of divine knowledge and be gladdened by His remembrance. That which is in truth everlasting and enduring hath been and shall ever be the love of God and steadfastness in His Cause. Praise be to God that thou art occupied with service to His Cause. Whoso is for God, God shall be for him, and assuredly in all times shall divine confirmations encompass the conditions of those accepted souls who in these days have turned toward the Supreme Horizon.

Mulla Muhammad-Shafi’, upon him be the Glory of God, wrote a letter to this servant and forwarded the names of those who have, through divine grace and heavenly confirmations, attained unto the wine of meanings. All the names were presented at the Most Holy and Most Exalted Court, and from the Dawning-Place of generosity and grace, loving kindness was shown to each one, one after another. Praise be to God for this, for the Point of the Bayan, may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for His sake, hath said that all things exist that they may be mentioned in His presence. Blessed are those mentioned souls whose names were remembered before the Divine Throne and who have all attained unto the remembrance of God. God willing, it is hoped that specially for each one of them wondrous and exalted Tablets will hereafter be revealed from the heaven of God’s Will and sent forth.

Since a letter was previously submitted to Mulla Muhammad-Shafi’, this time, due to the extensive writing of the verses of God, there was no opportunity to trouble him again. At a time when this servant was present in the Most Holy Court, He commanded: “Write to the Imam, upon him be the Glory of God.” His word, exalted be His majesty: “O Imam! Give thanks unto God for having attained unto His presence and for having drunk the Kawthar of reunion from the hand of the bounty of thy Lord, the Munificent Bestower. We make mention of thee even as We mentioned thee before, and We counsel thee to observe wisdom, lest that occur which would disturb the hearts of those who have turned towards God.”

In all circumstances, he and the assured souls must be mindful of wisdom, lest the barking of dogs be raised. All are commanded today to observe wisdom. Verily thy Lord is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. The Wronged One hath, from this forbidden place, turned His face towards those who have turned to God in thy region, that they may rejoice and give thanks unto their Lord, the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing. Convey greetings from God to all and remind them of God’s bounties, that they may be gladdened thereby.

This servant further submitteth that I convey greetings to Mulla ʿAbdu’l-Ghani and the other true friends, and as commanded, the passages they had written were presented at the Most Holy Court and were accepted. Blessed is he, again blessed is he, and blessed are they who have attained unto the knowledge of God and His love, which was the cause of creation. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, to adorn all the loved ones of that land with the ornament of steadfastness and, through His perfect power, to make each one shine like a brilliant lamp, that they all may become the cause of guidance for those who wander in the wilderness of error. Verily, He hath power over all things.

And concerning what was written about Fathu’llah, upon him be the Glory of God, regarding his intention to journey to the desired land, it was presented at the Most Holy and Most Exalted Court. He said that since the Imam had attained unto the presence, in these days it is not advisable for anyone to outwardly turn towards the desired quarter. He ordaineth for whomsoever He willeth the reward of those who have attained unto His presence, beheld His countenance, and heard His call. Verily thy Lord is the Almighty, the All-Powerful. Say unto Fath: Be patient, for thy Lord shall grant thee the reward of those who have drunk the wine of reunion. Be steadfast in the Cause and give thanks unto thy Lord, the All-Forgiving, the All-Bountiful.

And this evanescent servant conveyeth infinite greetings unto him. Furthermore, Aqa Mirza Ja’far-Quli intendeth to journey in that direction, but since his affairs were not in order these days, it has been delayed. God willing, he will later journey to that quarter. The Glory be upon you and upon those who have believed in God, the Single, the All-Compelling, the Self-Subsisting.

BH01122: In His Name, the Most Holy, the Most Great…

In His Name, the Most Holy, the Most Great, the Most Exalted, the Most Wondrous, the Most High, the Most Glorious!

Praise be to God Who hath shone forth with the lights of Beauty upon His Name, the Beloved. Thereupon appeared Paradise anew with all therein of trees and fruits and flowers and rivers and mansions and chambers, and all the countenances therein spoke that which the Tongue of the Revealer of Verses had spoken: verily there is no God but Him, and He Who speaketh is indeed the Wronged One in all regions amidst the people of dissension.

And praise be to God Who hath shone forth with the lights of Glory upon His Name, the Dearly-Beloved. Thereupon appeared the Garden of Immortality and all other gardens beneath it, and therein was created that which the pens are powerless to describe. And everything therein testified to that which God hath testified: verily there is no God but Him, and He Who speaketh is indeed the Hidden Treasure and the Concealed Mystery. Whoso attaineth unto Him hath attained unto the presence of God, and whoso turneth away from Him hath turned away from God, the Lord of the Day of Mutual Divorce.

And praise be to God Who hath uttered a Word whereby the world was attracted and the peoples were gathered together, and through another Word the names were separated and the greatest differentiation appeared among men. Exalted is God, the Lord of Destiny, through Whom appeared the Most Luminous, Most Pure Prospect, the station whereby the horizons were illumined. We testify that there is no God but Him. He hath ever been sanctified beyond all conjectures and imaginings, and He will ever continue to be what He hath always been. All things testify to His grandeur and His sovereignty, and every mention testifieth to His loftiness and His exaltation, except those who have clung to the frailest of houses and turned away from the House of God, the Manifest, the Speaking One amidst the world, through Whom hath appeared the Dawning-Place of Divine Unity and the Dayspring of this Effulgence.

And furthermore, your letter addressed to this servant arrived, but it caused sadness as it mentioned discord among the friends, even though these are days of fellowship and harmony. O my brother! The Supreme Pen has commanded all to love, affection, fellowship and unity, for unity has been the cause of the exaltation of the Cause while discord leads to its dissipation. I beseech Him, exalted and mighty be His glory, to enable all to inhale the fragrance of the revealed words, for if today all who are on earth were to discover the fragrance of the words of the Lord of Names which have flowed from the Supreme Pen, all would arise with their souls to serve Him, would move according to His will, and would breathe by His desire.

In these days which are in truth the source of all days, and in this age which is the king of ages, the friends of the All-Merciful should strive with the utmost joy and fragrance to attain lofty stations and enduring ranks, for the world is seen to be as a shadow that exists one moment and is gone the next. The upright souls who have turned to God should hold fast to the cord of His grace and exert their utmost effort that perchance some service may be rendered by them for God’s sake, the effects of which will remain and endure in the world. If one would awaken even slightly and reflect upon the changes in the world, everything that exists therein, even while appearing to exist, testifies to its own transience and extinction. Blessed are they of insight who today have not been deprived by any veil from the Most Great Vision and who day and night are occupied with uniting hearts and bringing souls together.

Man’s life passes like the winds, and this passing is hidden from sight and heart. Blessed is the soul who has burned away the veils of heedlessness with the fire of remembrance and has gazed upon things with the eye of insight. People are heedless and unaware of the radiant lights and diffused fragrances of these days. By the Educator of existence and the Sovereign of the seen and unseen! Were they to become aware and conscious, they would renounce themselves and all the worlds in the path of the Friend and would act according to that which God has willed.

God willing, you will gird up the loins of service and occupy yourself according to your capacity with uniting hearts. Man is prone to error, for the Most Great Infallibility belongs exclusively to God Himself. We should pray for one another that the Truth, exalted be His grandeur, may preserve all and shelter them beneath the shadow of His grace. Say to the friends that today is the day of steadfastness, for the manifestations of doubt and uncertainty lie in wait at all times. Hold fast unto God and consider all else as non-existent and void, and be not troubled or saddened by certain matters, for no one has been or ever will be able to change the appointed time and determined hour. With the utmost joy and gladness drink from the cups of mystical knowledge in the name of the Beloved of all creation. Verily He is with you under all conditions and aids you through the agencies of the heavens and the earth. He is indeed the Almighty, the Powerful.

We beseech God that He may strengthen you to engage in His praise and glorification and service to His Cause. Mention was made of you before the Divine Throne, and a most holy and exalted Tablet was revealed and sent down from the heaven of God’s will. God willing, you shall attain unto it. We supplicate God that He may enable all to love and please Him, and to remain steadfast in His Cause—the Cause whereby hearts have been perturbed and feet have slipped. And praise be to God, the All-Powerful, the Mighty, the All-Knowing.

BH01205: Praise be to God Who hath spoken the Most…

He is the Most Holy, the Most Great, the Most Glorious

Praise be to God Who hath spoken the Most Exalted Word whereby the veils of names were rent asunder. Thereupon arose the clamor of the divines who opposed God, the Creator of heaven. We testify that they were thunderstruck when the Greatest Trump was sounded from the presence of God, the Lord of destiny. We testify that they were as dead when the Greatest Manifestation appeared, the sun was darkened and the moon was eclipsed. We testify that they were abased when the most luminous horizon dawned and the Hidden Countenance shone forth. We testify that they were bewildered when the Sovereign of Names came and was made manifest to all created things through His most beautiful names and most exalted attributes. Glorified be the Lord of nations Who hath appeared with the Greatest Name. He is indeed the Ever-Living Who dieth not and the All-Powerful from Whom nothing escapeth. Within His grasp is the dominion of the kingdom of the heavens and the earth.

Thereafter, the Servant received your letter from which wafted the fragrance of love and affection. We beseech God to assist you, to strengthen you, and to ordain for you the reward of those who attained His presence. He is verily the Powerful, the All-Giving, the Generous.

Regarding what you wrote about hardship having overtaken the friends of God and that communication between them has been cut off—this servant’s expectation of the friends of Truth is that in such times they should occupy themselves with the remembrance of the Lord of Names and Attributes. This is a day wherein all must associate with utmost eagerness and longing, and speak in remembrance of God. However, they must observe wisdom and conduct themselves such that no matter might arise to cause sedition, for in most of the divine Tablets the commandment of wisdom hath been revealed and all have been bidden to observe it. Blessed are they that act accordingly.

Say: Be not grieved by hardship and what hath befallen you. Soon shall ye behold ease from God, the Powerful, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. God willing, divine invisible assistance hath encompassed and will continue to encompass the friends.

As to your question regarding those souls who have harmed the people of truth or caused their death—whether such souls shall have any portion in God’s infinite worlds or shall be deprived: These souls are of two kinds. If they witnessed reprehensible deeds from the friends of God while being unaware of the Manifestation of God’s Cause, there is hope for their salvation. However, if someone commits such reprehensible acts against the friends of God purely out of passion and rejection of truth, such a one was never and will never be worthy of divine favors, and shall remain deprived and tormented in all the divine worlds.

Regarding your request for the Hidden Words in Arabic and Persian—consider the manifold occupations of this servant. The land of Qaf is but one province; observe how many divine Tablets and letters from this servant reach that land yearly, all of which this servant must write. Likewise for the lands of Ta, Ya, Za, Sad, Kaf, Ta, the lands of Kha, India, and other regions too numerous to mention. Divine verses are sent to all these realms in like manner. In such circumstances, you yourself can testify that I have had and have no time, and were it not for divine assistance, this servant could never have fulfilled this service. I praise Him for enabling me to serve Him despite my unworthiness.

Some friends should not be saddened by delays in correspondence, for nothing has been neglected within my capacity. However, divine verses and heavenly rains are descending in such measure that pen, ink and tablet are powerless to describe. Nevertheless, if any shortcoming occurs it is due to lack of time, and I hope for forgiveness from all.

Your petition was presented to the Most Holy Court, and its beginning was honored with divine verses. God willing, it shall reach you. All that was written on the back of the letter from the handmaiden of God was presented in its entirety before His presence. He said that God, glorified and exalted be He, hath mentioned and continueth to mention His friends among His male and female servants, and His glance of favor is directed toward them. Whatever divine wisdom requireth shall surely come to pass. They should not be grieved by separation. He ordaineth what He willeth for whom He willeth and recordeth for such a one the reward of attaining His presence. He is verily the Forgiving, the Merciful.

Today all must observe the divine ordinances and act according to what hath been revealed therein. They must avoid any matter that causeth corruption and discord among the loved ones. All are commanded to wisdom and unity. Blessed are they who attain and act accordingly.

Verily, glory and radiance be upon you and upon the loved ones of God in that land.

BH01231: O Muhammad-Qabli-ʿAli, hearken unto the call of the faithful…

In the Name of the Compassionate, the All-Merciful Lord!

O Muhammad-Qabli-ʿAli, hearken unto the call of the faithful Beloved, Who calleth from the Most Glorious Horizon, saying: O My servant and son of My handmaiden! We have hearkened unto thy call and heard thy whispered prayer. At all times hath the glance of loving-kindness been directed toward them that have turned unto Him, and ever shall it be thus. No soul hath arisen to befriend another save that he hath entered the precincts of the true Friend.

O Muhammad-Qabli-ʿAli! If thou shouldst inhale the sweet-scented breezes wafting from the direction of the mercy of the Lord of creation, thou wouldst, with all thy heart and soul, utter these words and cry out among the servants in My Name: O servants! I swear by the Beauty of the Beloved that this is the mercy that hath encompassed all created things, and this is the Day wherein the divine bounty hath embraced all beings.

O ʿAli! The fountain of My mercy floweth and the heart of My loving-kindness burneth, for never hath the Friend desired that His loved ones be overtaken by sorrow or touched by grief. When My Name, the All-Merciful, heard a word from My loved ones contrary to My good-pleasure, He returned to His place sorrowful and grief-stricken. And My Name, the Concealer, whenever He beheld someone engaged in exposing another’s faults, returned to the Most Holy Court in utmost sadness, lamenting and bewailing. And My Name, the All-Forgiving, when He witnessed any transgression from My friends, cried out and fell unconscious to the earth. The angels of the Divine Command bore Him to the Supreme Horizon.

By My Life! O Nabil-Qabli-ʿAli! The burning of Baha’s heart is greater than thine, and His lamentation more intense. Whenever an act of rebellion from any soul was made manifest in the Most Holy Court, the Ancient Beauty, out of shame, desired to veil His countenance, for He hath ever gazed upon faithfulness and acted in accordance with its requirements.

When thy words were mentioned before the Divine Countenance, the ocean of My faithfulness surged, and the breezes of My forgiveness wafted, and the Tree of My loving-kindness was stirred, and the heaven of My bounty revolved. I swear by the Sun of the eternal horizon that I am saddened by thy sadness and grieved by thy grief. Thy sigh hath penetrated the Most Glorious Pavilion and reached the Most Holy, Most Exalted Court. Thy cry was heard and thy lamentation reached the ears of the Ancient Lord. Blessed art thou, then blessed art thou! Thy confession appeared in a wondrous form before the Chosen One in His retreat, and thine acknowledgment shone forth with an exalted adorning in the presence of the All-Forgiving. Thou dost acknowledge and I am the Acknowledger; thou dost confess and I am the Confessor, for I acknowledge thy services and the hardships thou hast endured in My path. All atoms bear witness to My love for thee.

O ʿAli! This call of thine is most beloved. Write, speak, and summon the people to the direction of the Lord of the worlds with such fervor and attraction as shall set them all ablaze. Say:

O my God, my Beloved, my Mover, my Attractor, the One Who calls in my heart and the Beloved of my inmost being! Praise be unto Thee for having caused me to turn to Thy countenance, to be enkindled with Thy remembrance, to call out Thy Name, and to voice Thy praise. O my Lord! O my Lord! Were heedlessness not to exist, how would the standards of Thy mercy be raised and the banners of Thy generosity be unfurled? And were error not to be declared, how would it be known that Thou art the Concealer, the Forgiver, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise? My soul be a sacrifice for the heedlessness of those who are heedless of Thee, for through it pass the breezes of mercy of Thy name, the All-Merciful, the Most Compassionate. My being be a sacrifice for the sin of those who sin against Thee, for through it the winds of Thy grace and the fragrant musk of Thy favors are made known. My essence be a sacrifice for the disobedience of those who disobey Thee, for through it the sun of Thy gifts has shone forth from the horizon of Thy bounty and the rains of Thy generosity have descended upon the realities of Thy creation.

O my Lord! I am he who has acknowledged every transgression and confessed to that which none in all creation has confessed. I have hastened to the shore of Thy forgiveness and dwelt beneath the shade of the pavilions of Thy generosity. I beseech Thee, O Lord of Eternity and Sovereign of the worlds, to manifest through me that which will cause spirits to soar in the atmosphere of Thy love and souls to wing their flight in the heaven of Thy intimate companionship. Then ordain for me, through Thy sovereignty, such power as shall cause all created things to turn toward the Dayspring of Thy Manifestation and the Dawning-Place of Thy Revelation. O my Lord! Make me wholly annihilated in Thy good-pleasure and steadfast in Thy service, for I love life only that I might circle round the pavilion of Thy Cause and the tabernacles of Thy grandeur. Thou seest me, O my God, detached from all save Thee and humble before Thee. Do with me as befitteth Thee and beseemeth Thy majesty and well becometh Thy court.

O Ali! Thou hast been and art favored by the grace of the Lord of the Worlds. Through His might and power, arise to assist His Cause and exalt His remembrance amongst His servants. Be not grieved that thou possessest not outward learning and penmanship. The doors of all bounties are within the grasp of God’s power; He hath opened them and will continue to open them to the faces of His servants. God willing, may this sweet fragrance waft at all times from the direction of thy heart throughout the world in such wise that its fruits become manifest in every land. He is powerful over all things. Verily, He is the Almighty, the Most Powerful, the All-Compelling.

BH01321: Praise be to God Who is one in His…

He is the Most Holy, the Most Great, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious

Praise be to God Who is one in His grandeur and power, Who is peerless in His glory and authority. He doeth what He willeth through His sovereignty, and none in the kingdom of creation can prevent Him from that which He desireth. He giveth to drink unto them that have recognized His oneness from the Kawthar of bounty, and unto the sincere that which causeth them to turn toward the Most Exalted Horizon. These are servants who speak not except by His leave, and breathe not except by His permission. They recite the verses of God and seek their meanings from their Revealer Who speaketh betwixt earth and heaven. Verily, there is no God but Him, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. How excellent is he who hath found the fragrance of that which God hath willed and hath followed that which He hath ordained in His perspicuous Book.

This evanescent servant submitteth that may you ever be blessed through divine favors and heavenly bounties, and may you at all times partake and share with others the Kawthar of the recognition of the Lord of all worlds. Whatsoever appeareth today in the path of God hath been and shall forever be. By Him Who hath caused all things to speak His praise and hath subjected all souls to His sovereignty, every word that is uttered today by any tongue for the love of God shall appear in a wondrous form in the divine Kingdom, enduring throughout the sovereignty of God—manifest, resplendent, speaking and present. Blessed is he who hath attained unto the chalice of sincerity in the days of God and hath arisen to that whereby His Cause is exalted and that which is in His mighty, glorious and wondrous Book is made manifest.

One night when this evanescent servant was present in the Most Holy Court, He said: Write to K.D.—upon him be the Glory of God—that today your duty is to guide all people to love and unity, and with the utmost diligence to remove through kindly counsel from among the friends such matters and utterances as cause division. For division hath ever been and shall ever be the cause of disgrace, while unity is the source of exaltation. Hold fast unto that which the Wronged One commandeth thee from this mighty prison. Verily He remembereth thee as He hath remembered thee before. Thou hast a station with thy Lord—preserve it and be of the thankful ones. You have always been remembered in the presence of the Wronged One and, God willing, shall continue to be so. The glance of His loving-kindness hath been directed toward you. You must occupy yourself with utmost determination in serving the Cause so that all may soar on the wings of unity in the heaven of the love of the Lord of creation. And should there arise any difference regarding the meaning of any of the divine utterances or verses that have been sent down, inquire so that the purpose may become clear to all.

This evanescent servant submitteth that your responsibilities have now increased, for permission hath been granted to Aqa Muhammad Javad to proceed to that quarter. In truth, in that land you and Jinab-i-Samandar must be engaged in the promotion of the Cause of God with perfect fellowship and unity, with such steadfastness that none among the peoples of the world shall be able to prevent it. For this is the day of service, this is the day of remembrance and praise, this is the day of deeds in the path of God. Assuredly any word that appeareth today for the sake of God and His love shall influence hearts and cause all to be set ablaze. God willing, I hope that the light of unity may shine forth in that land and all may occupy themselves with the remembrance of God upon the carpet of love, fellowship, affection and unity. The very unity of the friends of God hath been and shall ever be the cause of guiding mankind.

If you wish news of this land, although all regions are disturbed and shaken, as has been detailed in the blessed Surih of Ra’is and elsewhere, yet this land is outwardly tranquil at present. Although it has been said that the land of prison has not yet become tranquil, and within its mystery lies concealed a disturbance—its knowledge is with God, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. All the friends in this land send their greetings, and request that on behalf of this evanescent one you convey my greetings to those who drink from the Kawthar of inner meanings who reside in that land. This time there was no opportunity to write anything to Jinab-i-Samandar, upon him be 966 [Baha’u’llah], as the work of writing has reached such a point that this servant is occupied day and night. God willing, he and his brother must forgive me.

In closing, we beseech God to grant you success and assist you in serving His Cause, and to protect you from those who have turned away from His sovereignty and disputed His verses. Verily He is the One with power over whatsoever He willeth. There is no God but Him, the All-Hearing, the Answerer. The Glory be upon you and upon His loved ones in that place, both young and old.

BH01372: In the Name of Him Who is the Most…

In the Name of Him Who is the Most Holy, the Most Exalted, the Most Sacred, the Most Glorious!

Praise be to God Who hath manifested in the kingdom whatsoever He desired and decreed for His servants in the hereafter that which draweth them nigh unto the Kingdom of Guidance, in such wise that neither the might of the mighty nor the power of princes could frustrate it. He raised His call from the Prison of ʿAkka and summoned all creation unto His most sublime horizon. Among the people some attained, and others turned away from this supreme gift.

Exalted is God, the Lord of all beings, above the acceptance of those who have turned towards Him and the rejection of those who have turned away. The faith of all created things profiteth Him not, nor doth the denial of all existence harm Him. He hath ever been, through His name the Self-Sufficient, independent of the worlds, and through His name the Sovereign, supreme over all nations. Every possessor of dominion is possessed before His presence, and every man of learning is ignorant before the manifestations of His knowledge. Eyes are dazzled by the effulgent splendors of His countenance, and vision is bewildered before the dawning rays of the Sun of His Cause. Every possessor of knowledge hath confessed his powerlessness to know Him, and every possessor of understanding his perplexity in comprehending His Essence.

I bear witness that there is none other God but Him. He hath distinguished between the worlds through His Most Great Name, and made those who have turned to the horizon of Revelation to become the dawning-places of love and concord and the daysprings of mercy and unity. He then chose from among them servants whom He raised up to champion His Cause and exalt His Word throughout creation, sheltering them beneath His loving care and causing them to abide under the shadow of His bounty. These are they who have aided His Cause under all conditions. Upon them rest the Glory of God, the Self-Subsisting.

My spirit be a sacrifice for your standing firm in the Cause of the Self-Subsisting Lord of the heavens and earth. Though this servant hath repeatedly [undertaken that which] hath caused you trouble, several things have prompted this ephemeral pen to move and emboldened it. First is the intoxication of that blessed Countenance—may the Glory of God rest upon Him—with the wine of oneness, for in truth the heart by its nature and the pen by its character have regarded and continue to regard the mention of your honor as a blessing, and it is evident to those possessed of insight that whosoever in this day ariseth to serve God’s Cause is mentioned before the Divine Throne and in the presence of the Concourse on High. After establishing this station, though mention by this servant neither nourishes nor enriches, yet as the purpose is to express sincerity, God willing it shall not cause trouble but rather shall prove acceptable.

Another reason is the burning of this ephemeral one’s heart, for he observes that while the Sun of loving-kindness is shining, the ocean of mercy is manifest, and the heaven of grace is raised high, most people remain heedless thereof and persist in hypocrisy, regarding mercy as vengeance and glory as abasement. With a hundred thousand deceits and schemes they have sought and continue to seek to harm the Lord of all causes. However, in His hand is the kingdom of all things; He will cause to flow whatsoever He willeth, and the word “God will perfect His light though the unbelievers are averse” hath been and shall remain fulfilled, despite them and those who cleave to idols. Each morn and eve they witness some souls pass away and observe the instability and faithlessness of the world, yet these unaware people remain submerged to their throats in the clay of hopes and desires. We beseech our Lord, the All-Merciful, to deliver them through His grace and save them from this overwhelming calamity, to cause them to hear His sweetest call and to behold His most sublime horizon. Verily He is the Almighty in both the beginning and the end.

So it was that in these days, as Shaykh Salman was preparing to attain the presence of His Holiness, this brief attempt was made. The petitions which had been with him were sent beforehand, and after a delay of two years, whatsoever reached the Most Holy Court received its answer from the heaven of grace. This time most of the petitions were adorned with the crown of mention by the Lord of Names, that it might serve as a testimony for those souls—that is to say, above the petitions was inscribed a gracious reply. Though much delayed, yet the authors thereof, whether living or dead, have attained to the traces of God, for it hath been repeatedly heard from the Tongue of Grandeur that the living and the dead among the loved ones have one and the same station at the Most Holy Court. Well is it with them! And for some, even though the beginning of their petitions was adorned with divine verses, a separate Tablet was also specifically revealed for them. God willing, his honor Shaykh will be enabled to deliver them, for most had sent petitions from various regions. Verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, is the One Who causeth to reach, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

BH01457: Praise be to God Who hath sent down…

He is the Most Holy, the Most Great, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious, the Most Splendid

Praise be to God Who hath sent down from the heaven of eternity the rains of generosity that the hearts of the people of the world might be verdant thereby, that they might arise from the graves of nothingness and speak forth the Most Great Name, whereby the horizon of utterance hath shone forth and that which was hidden and concealed from the eyes of all creation hath been made manifest.

Exalted is the All-Merciful Who hath sent down the Book and commanded all to show humility, submissiveness and supplication. He, verily, is the Ruler from time immemorial. There is none other God but Him, the Self-Sufficient, the Most High.

And praise be to God Who hath chosen for Himself glory and grandeur and hath forbidden all from drawing nigh unto this most exalted station. Blessed is he who hath acted according to that which God, the Lord of Names, hath commanded, and woe betide him who hath followed his desires and turned away from that which God, the Source of power and majesty, hath ordained.

And now, thy letter was received and thy lamentation was heard from its words. This servant, the attendant, was greatly astonished by such unseemly matters, for today all are commanded to show humility, submissiveness, love, fellowship, affection and unity. It is strange that Jinab-i-Nabil should have become the cause of thy sorrow. This much I say: that the Truth hath loved and continues to love His loved ones, and whosoever today acteth according to that which hath been revealed in the Tablets shall surely receive an even greater measure of His favoring grace, both now and in the future. And know ye this much: this servant was greatly saddened by thy letter.

This is a day wherein all must fix their gaze upon the horizon of God’s Cause and partake of the wine of inner meanings which hath been prepared in the special wine-cellar of the Lord, drinking and offering it to others in the Most Great Name, the All-Glorious. It is a pity that in these days, souls who have accepted the Cause and who gaze toward the Most Exalted Horizon should be occupied with themselves. In all conditions they must speak such words and perform such deeds as will cause the exaltation of God’s Cause and bring assurance to the hearts and souls. The Truth, exalted and glorified be He, hath never been and will never be pleased with such matters. Be thou assured of the grace of our Lord, the All-Merciful, then beseech Him to enable me and thee to remember and praise Him, and to cleanse us from that which beseemeth us not, and to protect us from those who have wronged during the days of God and believed not in God even after He came with manifest sovereignty.

In any case, be not grieved by such matters. If anger appeareth from one of the loved ones, fix thy gaze upon the Sun of loving-kindness of the Truth which dawneth from the horizon of grace, and if withdrawal is observed from one of the friends, be not saddened thereby but look to the expansiveness of the Truth. I swear by His holy Being that were the entire world to appear before Him, He would regard all with the glance of favor and adorn them all with the ornament of His grace. And as for Jinab-i-Nabil, forgive him from thy heart, for man is prone to error. We all fix our eyes upon God’s pardon, grace and forgiveness. Though from Jinab-i-Nabil an undesirable action occurred regarding thee, yet he had formerly endured numerous afflictions in the path of the Beloved of the world. Therefore we must pray for one another and seek forgiveness. Today the heaven of grace is raised high and the ocean of mercy is surging. We must all beseech the peerless King to adorn all with the garment of forgiveness. Know ye this much: the Truth Himself knoweth and is aware of all that transpireth. Be thou assured and be of the thankful ones.

At one time this servant attained the presence of His Most Holy Court and outwardly presented the contents of the letter. He showed favor and this blessed word shone forth and appeared from the Source of the Lord’s Command. His exalted Word:

“We have commanded all to act with goodliness. Blessed is he who holdeth fast unto it and is of them that act.”

Though harm befell thee, yet that harm became the cause of divine favor, even as thy mention was made at the Throne and the expression of favor shone forth and appeared from the Dayspring of mercy and loving-kindness. We thank our Lord, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed, and we praise Him in all conditions. He, verily, is the Compassionate, the Generous. Convey greetings on behalf of this evanescent one to all the friends in that land, and the Glory be upon you, O loved ones of God.

BH01521: Pure praise and the essence of glorification befit my…

He is the Most Holy, the Most Great, the Most Powerful, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious

Pure praise and the essence of glorification befit my Beloved, Who hath ever been sanctified beyond the understanding of the mystics and the descriptions of the learned, and will ever remain exalted above the comprehension of whatsoever beareth a name among all names. All tongues speak His praise and all existence is turned towards His direction; nevertheless, He hath been and will ever be beyond mention and beyond sight, for whatsoever proceedeth from the tongue of creation and is encompassed by the understanding of His servants is contingent, while the Ancient Being hath been and will ever be sanctified beyond renewal and contingency, and exalted beyond allusion and limitation. Through pure bounty and grace He hath been made manifest through the Most Great Name, that all may be illumined by the effulgences of the lights of His Revelation and attain unto the cup of His presence, which hath been interpreted as the meeting with God.

We should praise the Truth, exalted be His glory, with a hundred thousand tongues, for He hath accepted the confession, acknowledgment, mention and praise of His servants; otherwise, in truth, every speaker is observed to be speechless and every learned one ignorant. Thoughts cannot know Him, eyes cannot perceive Him, and mention cannot reach Him. He is, verily, the Sanctified, the Exalted, the Inaccessible, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

Thereafter, this evanescent servant, by virtue of the deputyship bestowed, hath acted at the beginning of each month—that is to say, in each month he hath attained, in thy stead, the presence of the Beloved of the worlds. We beseech God, exalted and mighty be He, to strengthen thee at all times. He is, verily, the Powerful, the Almighty.

The letter thou didst address to this servant arrived, and its perusal brought the utmost joy. As to what thou hadst written, that “this insignificant atom who was known for patience hath now fallen into such a state that I constantly beseech patience from the Source of grandeur and majesty”—this matter was mentioned in the presence of the Beloved, Who smiled and said: “Praise be to God that thou hast been blessed with divine favors and hast drunk from the Kawthar of meeting. This is a bounty that hath had and shall have no like or equal, for how many were the servants who hoped and yearned to be honored and blessed with this supreme bounty in the Days of God. Yet when the horizon of darkness was illumined by the morning star and the herald of the promised Day appeared, all remained occupied with their own desires and were veiled from the lights of the Sun of Revelation, save those whom thy Lord did choose.” Know thou the worth of this station and preserve it in the treasury of thy heart.

God willing, may ye ever be enkindled with the fire of divine love and sustained by the fruits of the tree of patience and resignation. In any case, do not abandon your former ways. If your intimacy with Him hath diminished, He, in view of the former fellowship, will not withdraw His hand from you. Ye should, God willing, be occupied with the utmost joy and fragrance in the remembrance and praise of God, and likewise hold fast to one of the outward professions. It hath been heard that thou hast chosen seclusion. Today is the day of healing and medicine. God willing, treat the chronic diseases of heedless souls with the medicine of divine knowledge, and outward healing is not incompatible with inward healing. Praise be to God, thou art confirmed through divine confirmations.

Convey greetings to the friends in that land. We beseech God to preserve the friends of that land from discord, for the harm of discord is beyond reckoning. Although in most divine Tablets the command of love and unity hath been revealed and sent down from the Supreme Pen, nevertheless in some lands they have clung to vain imaginings and have become the cause of discord. However, it is hoped that the friends of that land will be engaged in the remembrance of the Lord of creation with the utmost love and unity, all gazing unto the supreme horizon and acting in accordance with that which hath been revealed in the Tablets, not regarding every speaker as truthful, and clinging to such deeds and actions and character as will cause the upliftment of God’s Cause and manifest true humanity. Blessed is he who walketh this straight path. And praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.