Volume 061: Akka 1297 A.H. (1880), Part II (1 of 3)

BH00335: Lawh-i-Khalil

Section 1: “In the name of our Lord Who hath…”

In the name of our Lord Who hath described His own Self through His sanctification above all names

The Kingdom of Glory and Beauty, and the Dominion of Grandeur and Majesty, befit the Sovereign of the Divine Realm and the Ever-Living, Immortal King, Who by a single breath from the breezes of the Hidden Sea of Ink that flowed from the Most Exalted Pen made manifest the Beauty of the Prophets, and by the Sun of the blessed word “Verily, I am God, the One possessed of power over all things” which shone forth from the horizon of the Mouth of Will, made them luminous and radiant. Exalted be His Cause and His power, exalted be His glory and station, and exalted be His grandeur and sovereignty!

The rays and effulgences of this brilliant, luminous, manifest Sun appeared in the horizons of the existence of contingent beings and the realities of created things, until the veils of forgetfulness intervened and prevented eyes from beholding. At that time, the Countenance of Him Who conversed with God appeared from the horizon of the Will of the Ancient of Days. Glorified be He Who manifested Him, glorified be He Who sent Him, and exalted be He Who addressed Him from the midst of the fire:

“O Moses! O Moses! I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob!”

When He heard the Call from the Center of Fire and was seized by the rapture of the Almighty, He covered His face in fear, unable to look upon it, and fell unconscious from the Call of the Lord for eighty-one thousand eternal years. Then the grace of His Lord drew nigh unto Him, and the fragrance of reunion wafted over Him. When He recovered, He said:

“Praise be unto Thee, O Thou Who hast brought me to life through the sweetness of Thy Call and hast raised me again through the spirit of Thy utterance, O Lord of all names!”

Then He arose and stood before the Lord for nine thousand thousand years, humble and submissive, praising, mentioning, and glorifying in the inner depths of mystery.

Then the Call was heard from the Supreme Horizon time and again: “O Moses! O Moses! Go forth with My peace and the fragrance of My garment to the sanctuaries of My holiness and the places of My intimacy, then to the cities of the divine cloud and the realms of spirit and the supreme worlds and the fields of splendor and the highest pavilions and the gardens of immortality. Thou art permitted to ascend every heaven, enter every sea, and board every ship. But beware, beware lest thou cross to the gulf of the sea of grandeur, or approach the crimson ships, or draw nigh to the sacred white land, for there is a station wherein the realities of names are consumed.

“Verily, when I hearkened to the cry of My hidden people and heard the lamentation of My loved ones whom none save Me hath known, and when I became aware of their crying out in separation from Me and their clamoring in the wilderness of Mustaghath out of longing to meet Me and desire to attain My presence, and knew their thirst and burning for the Kawthar of My hidden and treasured Name, I desired to send thee unto them with My breezes, My fragrances, My sweet-scented streams, and then My favors, My glad-tidings, and My bounties.”

Then He Who conversed with God submitted to the Ancient Lord: “When I reach them and say to them Your Beloved hath sent me unto you,’ and they ask me What is His name?’ how shall I answer them?” Then did the Divine Realm of Grandeur quake, and the Dominion of Power stir, and the Kingdom of Glory and Loftiness tremble. Then the heaven of the highest heavens resounded as the Call was raised from the Unseen Realm of Grandeur, and the voice of the Lord caused all the ancient mountains to quake: “Say: Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh Shelahnua Elohim (I am that I am hath sent Me unto you).” O Moses, thus shalt thou say to the thirsty ones who desire the Kawthar of My reunion: ʿYHWH, your Beloved, hath sent me unto you.”’

Then the Call was heard from on high: “Say: YHWH, your heart’s Desire, hath sent me unto you to give you glad tidings of His advent and presence amidst you, and of your meeting and reunion with him.” Then another call was raised from the hallowed Spot, that sacred and luminous Place, proclaiming: “Say: YHWH hath, from the unseen realms above, given Me to hear His Voice and to hearken unto His Call. But I have not seen Him nor even turned my gaze towards Him. He hath commanded Me to approach you with the fragrance of His cherished robe, that I might inspire your hearts with patience in His absence and remoteness, and comfort your souls in your long separation from Him.”

Then came the call from the Ultimate Tree, grown from the heart of the Throne in the snow-white bowers beyond the veil of grandeur: “O Moses! This is My name and My remembrance unto them throughout their holy and blessed generations that end not with the ages of eternity nor conclude with the times of perpetuity. This is My sign among them on the day of My coming unto them. By this shall I make Myself known to them, and by this shall I lift the veil from My beauty, for they know none save Me, and no name other than this My name, and no remembrance other than this My remembrance shall ever be mentioned among them. These are My servants whom I commanded not to prostrate when I created Adam, and whom neither the dwellers of My mystic pavilions nor the inhabitants of My cloud-realms have discovered.

“O Moses! Bear thou witness that I am indeed the Lord. I have ever been alone, sanctified in My essence from all names. I was not known from time immemorial, and in the mystery of My beauty I shall never be known unto the endless ages. I appeared unto Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as God, the Almighty over all things, but by My name Jehovah I made not Myself known until this day. This is the treasure of My hidden Name, this is the mystery of My treasured Name, and this is the symbol of My concealed and guarded Beauty, which hath ever been and shall forever remain hidden in the treasuries of My command and the repositories of My protection, veiled by the curtains of My glory and the covering of My power, authority and preservation. I concealed it beneath the mantle of My grandeur and the pavilion of My greatness until a time known only to Me, in a land that remaineth hidden behind the veils of My unseen realm and the ocean of My all-encompassing knowledge. And I shall appoint for this a fixed time, which is: verily, verily, I am most assuredly drawing nigh. Then shall I reveal this Treasure through the sovereignty of My Will, break its seal with the finger of My power and the digits of My might, and bring forth that hidden Pearl through the agency of My Most Exalted Pen from the depths of My unseen, pure and simple ink.”

When the call ended and the mighty, mystic letters were completed in triangular form within the square frame, and the most hidden secret and most concealed treasure appeared, and the Throne bore the eight luminous letters, then was perfected and completed and sealed the temple of the Most Great Name in a holy and preserving seal. Blessed is he who gazeth upon the seal of the Beloved and recognizeth what was ordained therein of mysteries deposited in the treasuries of former Books from One all-knowing and wise.

O my brother, O my friend Khalil! This servant, you, and all friends must beseech the Glorious Lord to first bestow, through His wondrous favor, the spirit of prayer, that through it we might seek to renew the world of the world of the soul, and the world of the world of the spirit and mind, and the world of the world of heart and tongue and utterance, that He might create them anew through the holy breath of the All-Merciful and the exalted fragrance of the Eternal, so that with that Kingdom of utterance and expression we might render thanks and praise for this most great bounty and supreme gift, and might sacrifice those worlds of soul and spirit. For He hath enabled these servants to attain unto the knowledge of this most precious, most glorious, most resplendent Treasury.

Section 2: “How many Prophets and Messengers and chosen ones…”

How many Prophets and Messengers and chosen ones and near ones sacrificed their lives in search of this manifest Treasury and found no trace thereof, while we, these servants, without any worthiness or seeking, and without toil or labor, have attained unto this endless divine Treasury. O my brother! In truth another world is needed and another knowledge is befitting to comprehend and recognize the worth and value of this eternal sovereignty and everlasting bounty, and to arise in a manner worthy of this station and these days. None but the Pen of the Ancient can describe this station, and none but the Tongue of Grandeur was or ever shall be worthy to make mention of this bounty which He Himself hath bestowed through His pure grace.

In any case, in view of the saying “The remembrance of friends is pleasing to the Friend,” this servant desired to send to his honor the Hakim, upon him be the Glory of God, a fragrance from the rose-garden of the utterances of His Holiness Moses and a sweet scent from the fragrances of the remembrances of the Messengers which had previously been diffused and made manifest in mention of this Manifestation of the evident Truth. Therefore these remembrances flowed forth from the pen without intention. Blessed is he in that he hath attained, and succeeded, and known, and found. Therefore at every moment it behooveth him to say: “Praise be unto Thee, O God of the worlds, and thanksgiving be unto Thee, O Thou Who art the Beloved of all in the heavens and the earth.”

Praise be to God! They beheld the New Jerusalem, which was foretold in the Holy Books of old and new, wherein He saith it shall appear anew. They dwelt beneath the blessed pavilion of which Isaiah the Prophet gave tidings, saying “A tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed.” They attained the presence of their Glorious Lord in that exalted spot situated upon the shore of the mighty river, and entered time and again into that City which David, with utmost longing and yearning, had sought to enter, even as he saith: “Who will lead me into the strong city?” This blessed City hath been named by the Pen of the Most High as the Most Great Prison, and in one place as the Supreme Paradise and the Heaven of all heavens, and in another by all the Most Beautiful Names.

In the Books of the Messengers of old it was designated as the New Jerusalem, the Desired Land, and other beloved names. The Tongue of Revelation aforetime gave it three titles: the Land of Resurrection, the Holy Land, and the White Spot. In this sacred place they found, in one respect, everlasting joy and eternal delight, even as He saith: “All joy and gladness and felicity shall be in Jerusalem, for the Everlasting God shall dwell there with His people.”

And in another respect, they drank from the cup of sorrow, for they witnessed that which had been foretold of old. The Bearer of the Psalms, after making reference to the Lord’s Land, declareth: “There they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.” Then He saith: “How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?” O Khalil! I swear by the Glorious Lord that if they were to become aware of but a drop from the limitless oceans of tribulations that befell the Ancient Beauty, and of His loneliness, estrangement and oppression in the Most Great Prison, they would spend their entire lives in lamentation, weeping and mourning, and would proclaim “May my spirit be a sacrifice for Thy trials, O Beloved of the worlds!”

Praise be to God that they entered the holy Zion which was raised aforetime as foretold, and they arrived at the site of the House of the Lord, and beheld from the horizon of the Tent of Meeting the light and radiance of the splendor of their Lord without any veils, and dwelt in the holy shelter, and drank from the river of the path of which the truthful Prophet gave tidings, and ascended the mountain of the House of the Lord, and attained again and again to standing before their Lord while the mouth of the Lord was melodiously uttering words and expressions of favor, grace, mercy, kindness and compassion. And they were saved from the terror of these words with which the trustworthy Warner gave warning—these are His true and manifest words:

“Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of His majesty.”

And He repeats these words in three places. Praise be to God that they attained to all these bounties and above these and far above these which are beyond reckoning, description and utterance. What else do they desire that they have not attained? What do they seek that they have not reached? What station do they hope for that the transcendent Lord has not already bestowed through His generosity and grace before they even asked?

However, there is one station which is greater than all stations, and this servant and you and they and all the friends must at all times beseech it from the Praiseworthy Lord with the utmost humility, submissiveness and supplication, and that is steadfastness, then steadfastness, then steadfastness unto infinity—steadfastness until the last breath, steadfastness until the spirit departs, steadfastness. For this matter has been mighty in all ages, times, dispensations and centuries, and its importance great, especially in this Most Great Manifestation whose greatness and grandeur is recorded and inscribed in all divine books, tablets and scriptures. Blessed is he who attains unto it and drinks from its oceans.

As for what you wrote about not having rendered any service, it was presented at the Most Holy Court and He said:

“Grieve not over this. Thou didst hasten to the City when thou didst hear and didst turn to the station whereunto thou wert called. Thus doth the Pen testify in this Mighty Tablet.”

Praise be to God that through the special favor of the True One thou didst attain to service and didst drink from the choice wine of reunion and didst attain to the blessed Word. India was and will be the courtyard of the gate of meeting, and its parrot is the Pen of Revelation. What bounty is more beloved, more desirable and more exalted than this? Rejoice in this sweet mention. And what thou hast heard about the condition there is not worth mentioning. Verily, the people hasten to the Evil One, turning away from God, the Sovereign of the Kingdom, except those whom thy Lord, the Mighty, the Powerful, willeth.

Regarding what you mentioned about being present at the time of the revelation of verses, the friends have at all times been advised that this is a chance occurrence, and the reason thereof is clear and evident. Indeed, thou hast thyself been present on several such occasions.

With regard to what you mentioned concerning Tiberias—His Honor Hakim was given permission to go to Acre, but as for your going, considering the wisdom in all matters it is not advisable, for in these lands any mention of this Cause is absolutely forbidden. Should you accompany them, discussion would inevitably arise. His Honor Hakim too must absolutely make no mention of these matters in those places, as this would yield nothing but mischief and will continue to do so.

And concerning what you wrote about His Honor Hakim having mentioned that he acts according to God’s commandments and prohibitions—this is through His grace upon him. God willing, may he be confirmed in this matter and remain steadfast with complete firmness. The Command is in His grasp. Verily He is the Commander, the All-Wise. The Glory be upon you and upon him and upon all who have believed in God, the Single, the All-Informed.

BH00472: Lawh-i-Ittihad

There has come before the Wronged One a letter from one of the divines who have turned to God, and have heard and answered their compassionate and gracious Lord. All are mentioned before the Most Great Scene, and we beseech God to aid them all to achieve that which leads to everlasting remembrance.

As to his question concerning unity, unity in its primary degree is unity in religion. This unity has ever been the cause of the triumph of the Cause of God throughout ages and centuries. Unity is the divine spiritual sword. For instance, if at this time a government were to observe that the majority of its subjects have rent asunder the veil and turned to the Most Glorious Horizon, it would remain silent and hearken to whatsoever is said. Whosoever attains to the hearing of the Word attains to the recognition of God, glorified be His majesty, except such souls as are altogether remote from God’s mercy and are fully deserving of His wrath and punishment. Such souls are in every case debarred and deprived.

Unity in one station is unity in speech, and this is highly essential. Consider, for example, if two of God’s loved ones were to enter a land and speak differently about a matter, this would cause dissension, and they themselves and others would be deprived of the blessing of unity which hath been revealed from the Pen of the Lord of all creation. Among the helpers of God is utterance, both in this Most Great Revelation and formerly. Deeds and goodly character are the hosts of God and are engaged in rendering assistance. If utterance is made with due measure it is God’s mercy, but if it exceeds bounds it becomes the cause of destruction. In the Tablets We have counseled all to utter such words as possess the potency and effect of milk, that the children of the world may be nurtured thereby and attain maturity. Utterance in every station is manifest with a certain effect, and from it the fragrance of good and evil is wafted.

And in one station, unity of deeds is intended, for their variance causeth variance. When this Wronged One was being banished from Baghdad to Adrianople, He entered a mosque along the way where He observed different forms of prayer being performed in that place. Though the word “prayer” applied to all, yet each was distinguished by certain particulars. Had the people of the Bayan truly acted upon that which was revealed from the Pen of the All-Merciful, all upon the earth would have attained the honor of faith. The variance of deeds caused variance in the Cause, and the Cause was weakened. One prayeth with hands folded, another with hands open; one uttereth “at-tahiyyat” in the testimony, another “as-salam.” Beyond these, some dance saying this is the remembrance of God. God forbid! The Truth is sanctified, holy and pure from such remembrances.

Consider the Law of the Apostle of God—may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for His sake—as an ocean from which countless gulfs have been derived, and this hath caused the weakening of God’s Law among His servants. To this day, neither kings nor subjects nor paupers have recognized the cause and reason, nor have they known how that which was lost in glory might be regained and the fallen standard might be raised again. In any case, one gulf is Shi’ih, one gulf Sunni, one gulf Shaykhi, one gulf Shah Ni’matu’llahi, one gulf Naqshbandi, one gulf Malamiti, one gulf Jalali, one gulf Rifa’i, one gulf Kharabati—were ye to count the paths to hell, ye could not number them.

Now doth the stone lament, the Supreme Pen waileth. Consider what hath befallen a Law whose light illumined the world and whose fire guided the nations—that is, the fire of His love. Blessed are they that ponder, blessed are they that perceive, blessed are they that are fair-minded. In brief, this variance of deeds hath shaken the foundation of God’s Cause. O people of the Bayan! Hearken unto the call of the Wronged One. Afflict not yourselves as did the sects of old. Verily He hath sent down the proof and made manifest the way. Beware lest ye differ in that which hath been revealed from the heaven of the Will of your Lord, the Almighty, the Powerful.

By God! Had there been observed one who could speak or one who could arise, this servant would not have uttered a word. The purpose is that the True One, exalted be His glory, would not have delivered Him into the hands of these people, that is, the people of the Bayan. Therefore take heed, O ye who are endowed with insight! Purify and sanctify heart and breast with the living waters that flow from the Pen of the All-Merciful, and arise to render assistance through the hosts of goodly deeds, pleasing conduct, and divine words. This is the counsel of the True One, exalted be His glory, which hath been revealed and sent down in the Tablets from the Supreme Pen.

Among the forms of unity is unity of station, and it is the cause of the establishment of the Cause and its exaltation among the servants. When superiority and preference appeared, the world became ruined and desolate. Those souls who have drunk from the ocean of the utterance of the All-Merciful and are gazing toward the Most Exalted Horizon should see themselves on one plane and in one station. If this matter becomes established and is realized through divine might and power, the world will be seen as the Most Glorious Paradise. Indeed, man is noble, for within all things the sign of God exists, but to regard oneself as more learned, superior, more excellent, more God-fearing and more exalted is a grievous error.

Blessed are those souls who are adorned with the ornament of this unity and have been assisted by God. Consider the divines of Persia—had they not regarded themselves as the most exalted and excellent of all creation, their unfortunate followers would not have engaged in cursing and denouncing the Object of all the worlds. Man is bewildered, nay the world is bewildered, by those heedless, artificial souls. The fire of pride and vainglory hath consumed them all, yet they are unaware and have not come to their senses. They have not attained even a drop from the ocean of knowledge and wisdom. Woe unto them and unto that which their tongues have uttered and their hands have wrought on the Day of Retribution and on this Day whereon mankind hath stood before the Lord of the worlds. Should the Most Exalted Pen choose to expound fully the degrees of unity in every thing and every matter, it would need to be occupied for years.

Among the forms of unity is the unity of souls and possessions, and with this station We conclude Our mention of unity, as a command from Us, and verily I am the Mighty, the Unconstrained. This unity is a unity which is the source of joy, gladness and delight, were they but to understand and know. Let not the heedless divines say “To what does this refer?” This refers to all souls, and from this unity emerges fellowship, and this fellowship hath been and remains beloved in the divine Books of the past and present. This fellowship pertains to wealth, not to what is below or above it. “They prefer others above themselves, though poverty be their portion. And they who are preserved from their own covetousness shall prosper.” This station is above fellowship. Fellowship is when man does not deprive the servants of God from that which God, exalted be His glory, has bestowed upon him. He himself enjoys and enables others like himself to enjoy as well. This station is greatly beloved, for all partake of bounty and receive their portion from the ocean of grace. And those who prefer others above themselves—in truth this station is above all stations, as mentioned, and that which the All-Merciful hath revealed in the Qur’an bears witness to this.

O people of God! Shall the Most Exalted Pen lament over itself or over that which hath occurred in the world? Matters have reached such a pass that a mere pond claimeth to be an ocean, and a lizard assumeth the station of an eagle. What hath happened? What smoke hath enveloped the world? Is not the fragrance of the Revelation diffused and distinct from all else? Is not the straight path distinguished from the paths of satanic fancy? Nay, by My Self! The Truth hath ever been, and will continue to be, distinguished from all else through all its attributes and deeds, and hath never been, nor will ever be, confused in the eyes of them that possess insight. The purpose of the unity of souls is the love of God and the Word of God, that all may gather around it and hold fast unto it. Every possessor of insight and wisdom testifieth to that which hath flowed from the Most Exalted Pen.

The aforementioned unities are each an army among the armies of God, a party among the parties of God, and a cause among the causes of God. The unity of souls from the beginning of creation until now has been and will continue to be the helper and supporter of truth—that is, unity that occurs through God’s command and law. In this station, unity does not exceed this rank. Therefore take heed, O ye who are endowed with insight! The Supreme Pen at this moment counsels all His loved ones to unity and concord, that through it God’s Cause, the All-Compelling, the Self-Subsisting, may be made manifest. Likewise regarding wisdom—some of the friends of God have not observed wisdom and have been heedless of its station, and have caused clamor to be raised in certain lands.

Hearken unto the Voice of the Wronged One and act in accordance with what hath been revealed in the Tablets. Until ye find an ear, open not your lips, and until ye behold a pure and blessed land, deposit not the seed of wisdom. The utterance of the Divine Word is for the time when hearing and sight are ready, and likewise the earth. Some have at times spoken that which hath injured the very root of the Tree. Say: O people, fear God and be not of the wrongdoers. Fear God and be not of the ignorant ones. Barren soil is not suited to growth, and the ear of misbelief is not worthy to hear the word of Divine Unity.

O people of God! That which is the cause and means of the life of the world hath been revealed from the Supreme Pen. Each one must reflect for the sake of God, especially concerning Divine Unity, lest they be like the people of the past who uttered the words but were deprived of their meaning. They were worshippers of names and idols, yet counted themselves among the people of unity and certitude. However, God made manifest that which was hidden concerning the deeds and recompense of those people. On the Day of Reckoning, their exaltation, loftiness, station, rank and unity became clear and evident to all the worlds.

O My Name! Convey My greetings to the friends of God on behalf of the Wronged One and counsel them with that which God hath counseled them in the Scriptures and Tablets. Blessed are the emigrants who have emigrated in the path of God until they arrived at this mighty Prison. They have turned their faces toward God and directed themselves unto God. Their reward is with Him Who created them, fashioned them, sustained them, helped them, caused them to know Him, and made them speak His praise and mention. Verily, He is powerful over all things.

The splendor shining from the heaven of My mercy be upon those whom God hath enabled to act in accordance with what hath been revealed in His mighty and impregnable Book. Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds. We beseech Him, exalted be He, at the end of this Tablet, to assist them, to grant them success, to aid them with the hosts of the seen and the unseen, and to help them in His Cause. Verily, He is powerful over whatsoever He willeth, and in His grasp are the reins of all things. There is no God but Him, the Single, the One, the Mighty, the All-Knowing.

BH00206: In the name of our Lord, the Most Holy…

Section 1: “In the name of our Lord, the Most…”

In the name of our Lord, the Most Holy, the Most Great, the Most Ancient, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious

Blessed be the Lord Who speaks upon the Throne, through Whose Name hath been raised the standard of “There is none other God but Him” upon the heights of the hearts of them who are nigh unto Him, and the banner of “He is the Peerless, the All-Informed” upon the most exalted station of the hearts of them that have turned towards Him. Blessed be this Day wherein the shrill voice of the Most Exalted Pen hath been raised in the kingdom of creation, wherein the ocean of knowledge hath surged, the sun of revelation hath shone forth, the birds have warbled, the Concourse on High hath called out, and all things have spoken. By God! The world hath been adorned through the appearance of the Hidden Mystery, the Treasured Secret, and the Preserved Symbol, Who hath appeared with the Most Great Name amongst the nations.

Rejoice, O ye people of the City of Names and ye dwellers of the pavilion of grandeur, in that the Speaker of Sinai speaketh from the Most Great Scene, the station honored by the advent of the Lord of Destiny, whereby the eyes of them that are nigh have been gladdened, the limbs of the idolaters have quaked, the faces of the sincere have been illumined, and every face that hath turned away from the Dawning-Place of Revelation on this manifest Day hath been darkened. Exalted is He Who hath spoken the Most Great Word and caused all things to speak, testifying that there is none other God but Him. Through it the Hour hath appeared, the knowledge of which was denied to every one possessed of insight and to every upholder of unity. And whosoever desired to know it, the Tongue of Grandeur warned him with His words, exalted be He: “Wherein art thou to mention it?”

Blessings, peace, glory and splendor be upon them whom the taunts of the enemies have not kept back from God, the Lord of Names, and whom the hosts of creation have not frightened in this Cause, whereby the hearts of the learned, the mystics, the literary ones and the princes have been perturbed. These are honored servants unto whom the Tongue of God, the Almighty over what was and what shall be, beareth witness.

Glorified art Thou, O God of the world and Desire of the nations! Thou seest and knowest that when this servant desireth to make mention of Thy chosen ones and Thy loved ones, such trembling seizeth him that his very foundations are shaken and every vein in his body is stirred, for how can one who hath neither mention nor station describe those who have sacrificed their spirits in Thy path and hastened to the place of martyrdom in Thy Name? I testify that they are servants whom Thou hast sanctified from the descriptions of all save Thee and the mention of aught except Thee. Thy Most Exalted Pen, through one movement of which Thou didst create all things, hath extolled their praise in the arena of glorification. I beseech Thee, O Thou through separation from Whom hearts have melted and servants have cried out, to ordain for this servant what Thou hast ordained for them through Thy bounty, though I am not worthy of it. O Lord! Thou art the Generous, and I am the supplicant at Thy gate. Disappoint me not through Thy favors and gifts. Verily, Thou art the Almighty, the Most Exalted, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

This servant hath attained unto your letter, and when I broke its seal, I heard your cry and your lamentation in the love of God, our Beloved and your Beloved, our Goal and your Goal, and the Goal of all who are in the heavens and the earth. By the life of the Beloved! I have read that which you have whispered to the Lord of Eternity and the King of Nations, and I wept at your separation and your burning in remoteness from God, the King, the Almighty, the Praiseworthy. It is as though the fire of thy love hath ignited and consumed me. When it was kindled, I sought the Kingdom of Reunion until I attained the presence of the face of our Lord, the Self-Sufficient, the Most High. Then did the Face of God turn toward me and asked about what was in my hand. Thereupon I opened it and presented what was therein of the remembrance and praise of God. When it was completed, the Kingdom of Utterance was stirred and the Tongue of the All-Merciful spoke:

O Ali-Qabli-Akbar! Hearken unto the voice of the Wronged One, and arise to serve the Cause in such wise as to be sanctified from worldly matters. Thou hast ever been beneath the shadow of God’s grace and art mentioned in His Book. Thou must arise to accomplish that which will promote the Cause of God and unite the hearts. Whoso submitteth unto God, God will verily exalt him. I swear by the Sun of Divine love which shineth from the dawning-places of the hearts of the chosen ones that if anyone performeth a deed for God’s sake, that deed will shine like the morning star in the heaven of divine knowledge. With the ear of thy soul hearken to the rustling of the Pen of the All-Merciful, and arise to do that which will exalt and elevate the Cause of God, and thereafter behold its fruits.

Thus doth the All-Informed acquaint thee, and the All-Knowing instruct thee. Thou hast been and, God willing, shall continue to be under the glance of His loving-kindness. Strive that the strangers may find no opportunity for opposition and objection, and that the lamp of love and prosperity may, through the oil of wisdom, shine brightly among the righteous ones. Act thou according to what We have commanded thee before and in this Tablet, that thou mayest behold the loving-kindness of thy Lord, the Forgiving, the Bountiful, thy Lord, the All-Recording, the All-Knowing. Fix thy gaze upon the horizon of My Cause and act in accordance with that which winneth My good-pleasure, that from it may be wafted the fragrance of My acceptance. Thus doth the Temple of My Revelation command thee from His glorious and impregnable station.

Be vigilant regarding the Cause of God at all times. Some souls, following their selfish desires, have caused and continue to cause division, making the Cause of God a pretext. They do what their desires command them and attribute it to God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. How much blood hath been shed in this path and how many heads have been raised upon spears in this wondrous Cause! Say: O people, be fair in God’s name and commit not that which harmeth the Cause of your Lord, the Mighty, the Great. Stand with perfect steadfastness and make mention with the utmost joy and fragrance, that perchance some may become mindful and forsake their desires and turn unto the Lord of the throne on high and of earth. Verily, He knoweth and concealeth, and He is the Concealer, the All-Wise.

O Ali! Most people are heedless, and the intoxication of selfish desires hath prevented them from turning to the court of oneness. Ask God, thy Lord, to make them recognize His straight path and aid them in that which beseemeth the days of God, the Lord of the worlds. Know thou that the servant who was present before the Throne hath presented what thy tongue of love uttered in praise and remembrance of God. We have heard it as a token of Our grace and have answered thee with a Tablet that calleth with the most exalted call and guideth the people to the path of God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy. Say: O people! Answer the call of God among you and follow not those who acknowledge what God hath acknowledged in word but deny it in deed. Verily thy Lord is the Witness, the All-Hearing.

God willing, thou shalt be assisted in that which causeth the remembrance of people, their guidance, their turning unto God, and their sanctification and detachment. Rejoice thou in this remembrance and say: Praise be unto Thee, O Beloved of the worlds, and glory be unto Thee, O Desire of the nations. I beseech Thee to assist me in Thy remembrance and the service of Thy Cause in such wise that nothing visible or invisible in Thy kingdom and Thy lands may hinder me. O Lord! Inspire me with that which will render me sincere in Thy love, a helper to Thy Cause, and detached from all else but Thee. Verily, Thou art the Almighty, the Most Exalted, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

O Ali-Akbar! The Lord of Destiny has willed to make mention of the Land of Sad, wherein has been raised the banner of the love of God. Blessed is it and blessed is he who has turned unto it purely for My sake and visited therein My trust and My deposit. Thus has the tongue of My loving-kindness spoken from the Lote-Tree of My grace, and I am verily the All-Bountiful. O Land of Sad! Give thanks and rejoice in that God has exalted thee to a station wherein thou shalt soon be pointed out by the fingers from all directions. Verily, grace is in His hand—He bestoweth it upon whomsoever He willeth of His creation. He, verily, is the Omnipotent over what He willeth.

There is none other God but Him, the Self-Sufficient, the Most Exalted. Blessed art thou and blessed are thy people who have inhaled the fragrance of God’s garment and have tasted the bitterness of tribulation and adversity in His path. By My life! They are of those whom the dwellers of the most exalted Paradise make mention, and whom every tongue that hath spoken the truth in God, the Lord of the final end, doth praise. O people of Sad! Ye are they who forsook your homes for the love of the All-Merciful when the wolf howled among you and the serpent moved with perfidy and error.

O Haydar! We have manifested thee and made thee known and taught thee and given thee to drink of My choice wine which the All-Merciful hath sent down in the Qur’an. God had described it in the scrolls and books and psalms through the tongue of His chosen ones of old. But when its seal was broken by the finger of the Almighty, every heedless one turned away from it while the sincere approached it with radiant faces. Blessed is the Lord of Names Who revealed it and reserved it for those who answered the call of their Lord with humility and turned unto Him. Thou hast heard from the enemies that which caused the Concourse on High to weep. Hearken now unto that which the Lord of Names mentioneth unto thee from this station round which circle the sincere at all times. Thus have We cast unto thee from the ocean of Our loving-kindness the pearls of Our mercy. Gather them in My name, then give thanks unto thy Lord at eventide and at dawn.

O Hasan-i-ʿAli! The dwellers of Paradise and the inhabitants of the sacred precincts—they whom God has preserved from turning to any direction save His Own—have testified to your tribulations. They are the ones who have made their submission and humility and all their remembrance for God, the Lord of Lords. The dwellers of the cities of names have wept at your afflictions, as beareth witness to this He Who created the heavens, Who hath appeared unto the world through the Most Great Name and hath spoken that whereby the mountains have been crushed. Reflect upon the grace of thy Lord, then thank Him with such gratitude as will attract the hearts and cause the spirits to soar.

The names of those mentioned in your letter were presented by this servant before the Throne, and unique and exalted verses were revealed from the heaven of the Will of the Lord of Oneness for each one. O ʿAli-Qabl-i-Akbar! All those souls are mentioned before the Throne and are recorded by the Supreme Pen in God’s Book. Some of those souls were recipients of multiple Tablets which were previously revealed and sent in their names. The Dawning-Place of Revelation and the Source of His Books has testified to their tribulations in the path of God. The Divine Word and the letters of the hidden Scripture have borne witness to what befell them for the love of God. I swear by the life of the Beloved that on this second night of the blessed month of Ramadan, He makes mention of His loved ones in most wondrous utterance.

Were they to become aware of but a sprinkling or a drop from the ocean of favor manifested towards them, there is fear they would perish from joy. Now they must expend their complete effort to ensure this most great, most exalted station is not lost and remains secure. The fire of heedlessness and disobedience will surely consume the saplings of deeds. After the episode in the Land of Sad (Isfahan), all were adorned with the ornament of forgiveness and attained the special favors of God—exalted be His generosity, exalted be His grace, exalted be His bounty, and exalted be His grandeur.

Section 2: “The Exalted Truth bears witness that were they…”

The Exalted Truth bears witness that were they to reflect even briefly on divine favors, they would never be sorrowful nor find themselves grief-stricken. The varied things and ornaments of this transient world have become veils and prevented people from witnessing—otherwise all would turn with utmost joy and detachment to the horizon of the Lord of creation. The face of the Lord of creation has turned toward the faces of the people of Sad who have cast behind them the books of conjecture and fancy and have taken what was sent down from God, the Lord of all beings. He sends His greetings to them and makes mention of them with such mention that when it appeared from the heaven of His Lord’s will, the Mother of Remembrance bowed down before it. Give them the glad-tidings of My remembrance, My mercy and My favor, then make mention of them on My behalf. Verily thy Lord is the Mighty, the All-Forgiving.

God willing, all the chosen ones should arise to that which will exalt the Cause of God and act accordingly. Reflect: which deeds today cause the elevation of the servants and the exaltation of the Cause? Conflict, contention and corruption have been forbidden in most Tablets, and this blessed word was previously revealed from the heaven of will:

“The victory of the Cause of God is through the sword of wisdom and utterance, not through the sword of steel or anything else.”

Many similar statements exist in the divine verses. God willing, those possessed of insight have seen and understood. In this case, the people of truth must reflect on what will remove the veils of creation today and cause the sublimity and exaltation of God’s Cause.

O Ali! Ponder upon that which hath flowed from the Pen. With thine own life make thou a sacrifice in the path of Truth. This is a martyrdom that is not confined to pen or tongue or utterance or tablets. The name of Ha, upon whom be all the glory of God, the Most Glorious, attained unto this supreme martyrdom, even before his outward martyrdom, inasmuch as he had no will or desire or thought of his own. All these he sacrificed for the sake of the Beloved, and afterwards he attained unto outward martyrdom also, offering up his life in the path of the true Beloved. He cast off from his head the crown of life and laid it at the feet of his Friend.

Blessed is he who hath recognized this station, and blessed is he who hath found the fragrance of the utterance of the All-Merciful. Whosoever hath, in truth, surrendered himself unto God and hath, in His path, become freed from all else save Him, such a one taketh no account of his own station and name and fame, but fixeth his gaze upon the Cause of God and that whereby His wisdom is established. I swear by the Sun of My utterance that he who hath attained unto that which My Pen hath spoken hath indeed prospered in all the worlds of My dominion. Beware lest anything debar you from My straight Path. All must strive with utmost endeavor to acquire the word of divine good-pleasure.

The people are ignorant and heedless. An interpreter is needed, and if that interpreter act in accordance with the command of God, assuredly will the light of his utterance illumine the world and draw the peoples to the sanctified Seat of Glory.

O Ali! Since the Almighty—exalted be His glory and magnified be His grandeur—hath sanctified the victory of His Cause from contention and conflict and the drawing of swords and the like thereof, therefore must ye cleave unto the cord of goodly deeds and spiritual qualities. If anyone act according to that which hath been mentioned, for the sake of God, he will assuredly influence the world and rend asunder the thick veils, inasmuch as whatsoever God hath ordained as the cause and means for the triumph and exaltation of His Cause is indeed penetrating and effective. To this testifieth every discerning soul. Ye must conduct yourselves with the utmost wisdom and never let it slip from your grasp. Trust not every claimant, believe not every speaker, nor reveal that which is hidden to every supplicant. Some souls are attracted by one word and repelled by another. In teaching, speak ye such words as will manifest the heat of the love of God. If the hearer be set ablaze and attain unto the wine of steadfastness, he will gradually comprehend that which was hidden from him. The Most Exalted Pen hath mentioned and continueth to mention wisdom and its degrees in diverse utterances, that all may derive their portion and share therefrom.

That which ye had written concerning Mirza Muhammad Husayn was presented before the Presence. This is what hath been sent down from the Kingdom of utterance of our Lord, the Merciful, the Compassionate:

He is the One manifest from the horizon of Revelation

This is the Book which the Wronged One hath revealed for whosoever desireth to draw near unto the ocean of utterance in days whose mention the All-Merciful hath revealed in the Qur’an and in previous Books sent down unto the Prophets and Messengers, that he may take hold of the Book by his Lord’s leave and drink therefrom the Kawthar of life which hath flowed from the finger of God’s will, the Lord of all worlds. Hearken unto My call and arise to make mention of Me and to praise Me in such wise that the sweet-scented breezes of thy Lord’s verses, the Almighty, the All-Powerful, may attract thee. Blessed is the father from whom hath appeared one who hath recognized God and His signs, and blessed is the mother who hath given birth to one who hath turned toward the Supreme Horizon and believed in the One, the All-Informed.

Hearken unto that which the All-Hearing uttereth, that the All-Seeing may show thee that which hath delighted the eyes of the Messengers. The waves have appeared from the ocean of thy Lord’s utterance, moved by the breezes of revelation in this noble station. Bear thou witness as God hath testified before the creation of the heavens and earth that there is none other God but Him, and He Who speaketh is indeed the One intended in God’s scriptures and promised by the tongue of them that are nigh. Whoso hath attained unto this testimony hath attained unto the grace of God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

And concerning what you wrote about Haji Ghulam-Rida, after submission these exalted words dawned from the Dayspring of the All-Merciful’s will:

He is the One Who calleth from the Supreme Horizon!

Glorified be He Who hath appeared and manifested the Cause as He desired. He, verily, is the One with power over whatsoever He willeth. There is none other God but Him, the Almighty, the Self-Subsisting. Rejoice in that the Most Exalted Pen maketh mention of thee, when the Dawning-Place of Names was imprisoned in ʿAkka through that which the hands of the disbelievers had wrought against the Hidden Mystery. Reflect upon the world and its people—verily it showeth thee that which proveth its passing. By God’s life! It proclaimeth its evanescence at all times and calleth the people with its loudest voice to the Most Exalted Station, yet most of them perceive not. Beware lest the affairs of creation veil thee from the Truth that speaketh in the world through the Most Great Name and announceth unto all the Praiseworthy Station.

We make mention of him who hath turned toward the horizon of utterance in this station which hath been named with the most beautiful names in God’s Book, the Lord of what was and what shall be. When thou hast attained unto My Book and drunk therefrom the choice sealed wine, give thanks and say: Praise be unto Thee, O Thou Who hast aided me to recognize the treasury of Thy mysteries and the repository of Thy verses. I testify that Thou art the One with power over whatsoever Thou willest, and in Thy grasp are the reins of all existence.

Concerning what you wrote about the foreigner, that is, one from Europe, it was submitted and He said that if such souls should take and send to their own countries there is no harm, but if they should reveal it in that land it would cause mischief, and whatsoever is given must be correct. Some copies of the Book of Certitude present in this land have not all attained the ornament of correctness, and if the book which the Greater Branch recently sent to Zaynu’l-Muqarrabin containing the Tablets to the Kings be given, it would be best, but only after assurance. God speaketh the truth and He mentioneth the proof and guideth the way.

And concerning what you wrote about Haji Mirza Hasan, upon him be 9 66 [Baha’u’llah], it was submitted. This is what God revealed in answer to him:

He is the One Who speaketh in the Mount

Give thanks, O Hasan, for having attained unto My days, discovered the fragrance of My loving-kindness, turned to My horizon, heard My call, and drunk the choice wine of utterance from the hands of My bounty. By the life of God! Grace belongs to him who hath found, heard, recognized and responded to his Lord—He through Whose manifestation the hidden Secret and the treasured Mystery were revealed, the Cry was raised between earth and heaven, and the Nightingale warbled upon the branches of the Tree of Names:

“Verily, there is none other God besides Me, the Single, the All-Informed.”

He that is endowed with hearing is he who hath attained unto the verses of God, and he that is endowed with sight is he who hath beheld the Supreme Horizon when the Lord of Names and Creator of Heaven appeared with mighty sovereignty. Say: All greatness extols from behind Him, all loftiness boweth before His dominion, and every possessor of knowledge fleeth from the field of understanding when therein courseth the Pen of the All-Merciful.

By My life! Wert thou to find the sweetness of utterance, thou wouldst soar in the atmosphere of the All-Merciful and find thyself in a joy that encompasseth the joy of the world. Thus doth the Lord of Eternity make mention of thee with an utterance which God hath sanctified from all mention and words after its appearance in its garment. Thy Lord speaketh as He willeth, even as He decreeth what He desireth. He, verily, is the Almighty, the Powerful. They who are heedless this day of what hath been manifested in creation are accounted as the most heedless ones in the Book of God, the Lord of the worlds. Thou hast indeed attained aforetime unto the verses of God and His mercy. Be thankful for this bounty which, by the life of God, no other thing on earth can equal. Thy Lord, verily, is the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous. Prefer what We desire for thee above what thou desirest for thyself. Thy Lord knoweth thee better than thou knowest thyself. He, verily, is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.

We have desired to make mention of thy Lord with spirit and fragrance for the people of possibility, on whose faces thou beholdest the radiance of humility before God, the King, the Mighty, the Praised. He inscribeth for whomsoever He willeth the reward of meeting Him and of entering the Kaaba of His presence. Nothing can frustrate Him in what He willeth. He doeth what He pleaseth and ordaineth what He desireth. He is the Single, the All-Knowing. Thus have We adorned the ocean of meanings with the ark of thy Lord’s wisdom, the All-Forgiving, the Most Merciful. The glory be upon thee and upon thy family whose heart hath attained unto the light of God’s love and turned unto Him when the Desired One came with clear proof.

Regarding what you wrote about the funds, give nine to his honor Aqa Siyyid Abu-Talib and send another nine to his honor Samandar. They should give these in that land to one of the friends of God, and it will be written to them, and they should deliver the remainder to one of the friends.

BH00243: In the Name of our Lord, the Most Great…

Section 1: “In the Name of our Lord, the Most…”

In the Name of our Lord, the Most Great, the Most Ancient, the Most Generous, the Most Exalted, the All-Glorious

Praise be unto the Luminary through Whom the horizon of the world and the hearts of the nations were illumined, through Whom the Most Great Ocean appeared and the Nightingale of Immortality warbled upon the branches of the Lote-Tree beyond which there is no passing. He hath come Who was named Jehovah in the Torah, the Spirit of Truth in the Gospel, and the Great Announcement in the Qur’an. Through Him was revealed that which lay hidden in the knowledge of God, and that which was recorded in the scriptures of old was made manifest, and the Countenance of the All-Merciful spoke forth from the Throne of Utterance:

“Verily, He shall not be known through My attributes nor through that which was mentioned in the Bayan.”

Through Him appeared that which was promised in the Tablets of God, the Sovereign, the Almighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

Praise be to God Who hath sent down the verses and revealed the clear proofs, and made known unto all His straight Path and His Most Great, Most Mighty Name. Blessed is he who hath fulfilled the Covenant and hastened unto Him with radiant countenance, and woe betide him who hath denied God’s grace and His proof, and followed every remote clamourer.

Prayers, praise, glory and splendor be upon those who have girded up the loins of endeavor and striving to serve the Cause of God amongst His servants and to make mention of Him among His creatures. These are servants whose praise is voiced by the dwellers of the celestial kingdom and the kingdom of names, who are remembered by the denizens of Paradise in an exalted station, and upon whom pray the Concourse on High and those who circle round God’s exalted and mighty Throne.

Glorified art Thou, O Thou at Whose separation the near ones lamented and the sincere ones cried out in their remoteness from the presence of Thy holy city! I beseech Thee by the fragrances of Thy raiment and the lights of Thy countenance to aid Thy loved ones in serving Thy Cause and assist them, O my God, in that whereby Thy remembrance may be exalted amongst Thy creatures. Then protect them, through Thy bounty and loving-kindness, from those who turned away from Thy most exalted horizon when it was illumined with Thy name, O Lord of all names! Thou art, verily, powerful over whatsoever Thou willest, and by Thy command Thou didst raise the banner of “He doeth what He willeth.” There is no God but Thee, the Almighty, the Powerful.

And further: the bird of your love soared in the form of a letter, bearing that which brought joy to the faithful in the kingdom of creation, for it was adorned and embellished with the mention and praise of God. Likewise did the other letter gladden this servant, and yet another time again. This servant beseecheth God, his Lord, to grant you success and to strengthen you in that whereunto you have attained in His days. All these were presented before the Throne, and there was sent down from the heaven of divine will for your honor once in a letter of Zaynu’llah—upon him be the most glorious of all glory—and again in this epistle, and beyond these in letters of some of the loved ones, and beyond these was revealed the Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablet. I beseech Him, exalted be He, to honor you with it and to vouchsafe unto you the bounty of attaining His presence. Verily, He is the Protector of the sincere ones, the unified ones, and those drawn nigh unto Him. And after presentation in the Most Holy Court, the Sun of inner meanings shone forth in the mirrors of Tablets in these sacred and transcendent forms:

He is the One Who Warbleth upon the Branches

O Muhammad! The One and Only remembers thee from His Praiseworthy Station, and calls out between earth and heaven: “Verily I am the All-Powerful, the Supreme, the Self-Subsisting!” Thy letter hath arrived and was presented by the servant in attendance as the Lord of Destiny was walking in the Most Great Scene—this mansion which was built aforetime for the establishment of God’s throne, the Almighty, the Mighty, the Loving. Blessed art thou and blessed is every one who hath turned to the Truth, the Knower of all things unseen. We have heard thy call time and again, and have answered thee again and again as a token of Our grace. Verily thy Lord is the Mighty, the Beloved. Convey My greetings unto the faces of My servants who have held fast to the cord of My loving-kindness and have arisen to make mention of Me and to praise Me in My lands. They are indeed of the people of My Kingdom and My Dominion, to which My Pen beareth witness that testifieth there is none other God but He. He giveth as He pleaseth and withholdeth by His command. He is indeed the Truth, the Sovereign of existence.

Say: O chosen ones of God! Rejoice in this Day wherein the Concourse on High and the dwellers of the Most Glorious Pavilion have been gladdened by its mention—they whom the veils of the world have not prevented from turning towards this exalted Station. Blessed are your hearts for having turned unto God, and blessed are your eyes for having been directed towards the horizon of the manifestation of your Lord, the Possessor of the seen and the unseen.

We make mention of thee again, O Baqir, as a token of grace from God, the Lord of creation, that thou mayest give thanks and testify to that whereunto God hath testified before the creation of earth and heaven: that there is none other God but I, the Supreme, the Self-Subsisting. We have sent the Messengers and revealed the Books, and through their tongues We gave the glad-tidings of this Day which hath no peer in creation and no likeness in invention. Thy Lord is indeed the Witness to what He saith. The glance of loving-kindness hath been directed towards thee in such wise that God hath forgiven those mentioned in thy letter. He forgiveth whom He willeth through His grace, and He is the Truth, the Knower of things unseen. Glory be upon thee and upon those who are with thee, who have heard and responded on this Promised Day.

Divine grace and loving-kindness towards you and the friends are evident from the holy, sublime and resplendent verses dawning from the horizon of will. A hundred thousand souls like this servant have not been and will never be capable of offering befitting praise unto it. Likewise, in another instance, mention of the wise ones of that land was revealed from the Ancient Tongue. His word, exalted be His glory:

He is the All-Explaining, the All-Knowing

O My loved ones mentioned in the Torah! Hearken unto My call from the precincts of My prison. That which was recorded in the Books of God, the Lord of the worlds, hath been fulfilled. The Torah hath testified to the Sovereign of verses, the Gospel to the King of Glory, and the Quran to this Great Announcement at whose appearance all who are in the heavens and earth were thunderstruck, save those whom the Almighty, the Most High, the Most Great, wished otherwise.

O sons of the Friend and heirs of Him Who conversed with God! Give thanks to the Ancient Lord Who hath guided you to the straight path and preserved you from the great terror on this momentous Day. Glorify the Lord in these days and celebrate His Name. Blessed is the Lord Who hath come with the truth. He is the One through Whom was manifested that which was inscribed by the Pen in previous Books. Blessed is the soul that hath recognized and turned unto Him, and woe unto the heedless! He Who maketh the dawn as darkness and walketh upon the dayspring places of the earth hath come with the truth. He was named with the most beautiful names in God’s Books, the Creator of heaven, and the Great Announcement in a clear Book. He is indeed the One Who darkeneth the day as the night and committeth both land and sea unto God, the One, the All-Informed.

O children of the Friend in the regions! Hearken unto the call of your Lord, the Most Glorious, from the Supreme Horizon, from the Ultimate Lote-Tree. Then inform the world of this News whereby the veil was rent asunder and that which the Messengers foretold appeared, through a command from the All-Wise Ordainer. By God! He possesseth not what ye possess, nor walketh He in your ways. He hath come with justice accompanied by the hosts of the unseen, and hath manifested unto His servants His straight Path. Behold the Word that hath issued from the mouth of My Will, and what hath appeared therefrom in the earth, if ye be of them that know. Through it the treasures and fruits have appeared, and whatsoever was hidden in the treasury of knowledge of God’s mysteries, the Master of this wondrous Day.

This is the Day wherein through the blessed Word that hath issued from the mouth of the Divine Will, the ocean of joy hath appeared and become manifest in the world. Through the blessing of that Word, the treasures of the earth have been revealed and the divine bounties have become resplendent. This is the Day whereon the thirsty ones turn to the ocean of life, and the rain of mercy maketh fresh and verdant the withered and dried vegetation—that is, He bestoweth reward and granteth bounty without gold or silver. Observe ye the Book of Isaiah and ponder, that ye may find what hath been mentioned and receive your portion from the ocean of knowledge. The Friend of God hath appeared manifest in the land of Syria, and His call is raised from Zion.

How excellent is the state of the one who is not deprived of this most great bounty! Isaiah saith: “And I will place salvation in Zion for Israel.” Today the Throne of the Lord is established in the New Jerusalem upon the water, and that blessed Tabernacle whereof Isaiah gave tidings hath been raised in that most exalted, most holy, most sublime station. This is a Tabernacle that hath not been, nor will be, moved from place to place; its pegs have not been, nor will be, pulled out; and its cords have not been, nor will be, severed. And now the Lord, the Mighty One, is seated upon the throne of majesty in that Tabernacle.

This is a Day wherein the land of Syria is in joy and gladness, the mountains and hills are singing and exulting, and the earth is in utmost delight, adorned with the flowers of inner meanings and realities. O children of the Friend! The mysteries of the Books are many, but ears are few. This is the Day wherein the hidden treasures in divine knowledge and the stored mysteries in the heavenly Books have become manifest and evident. Blessed is the eye that seeth, blessed the ear that heareth, and blessed the soul that turneth with clear certitude to the Most Supreme Horizon. This is a Day wherein He measured the heavens with a span, weighed the dust of the earth with a measure, and balanced the mountains and hills with scales. Verily, We mention unto you the allusions of the Books, that perchance the people may be assured of what We have sent down aforetime. Verily your Lord, the All-Merciful, is the Forgiving, the Merciful.

Section 2: “O My beloved! All the Books, Scriptures…”

O My beloved! All the Books, Scriptures and Tablets have proclaimed and given glad tidings of this Most Great Day. Nevertheless, all are observed to be heedless, save whom God willeth. His Holiness Isaiah saith: “The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God.” Carmel is a place situated opposite the Prison-land, and it is named the Vineyard of God, and was the seat of the Throne upon first arrival. It is the first land in this realm to attain the ocean of attainment and be adorned with divine fragrances. The land of Lebanon is also situated near the Prison-land. And likewise in another place He saith: “Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; He will come and save you.”

Observe and ponder how in clear and lucid words He hath detailed the fear of the servants, the appearance of God, the oppression of the oppressor, and divine retribution. Now this evanescent servant, with utmost sincerity, submits to the gentlemen and friends that today we must strengthen our hearts, establish justice, and make firm the foundation of love. Let them not be saddened by the darkness of oppressive souls, for light followeth after; let them not be disturbed by the might of the heedless, for divine retribution cometh in its wake. With the light of faith and certitude, and in perfect assurance, we must gaze toward the horizon of the Beloved of the worlds, and deal with all the peoples of the earth with kindliness and forbearance, for He hath created us for edification, not destruction. God willing, they must transform fear into assurance, and weakness into strength. We beseech and implore God, exalted be His glory, to guide all into the ocean of His grace, in such wise that love of this transient life may not withhold them from everlasting life.

In the Book of Zechariah it is stated: “And it shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord, not day, nor night.” Likewise Isaiah saith: “The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light.” He hath mentioned the station of the Day of God, as hath been revealed in the Tablets, that this divine Day is illumined by the light of His resplendent countenance. Blessed is he who hath recognized and is among the successful ones. And likewise He saith: “And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and His name one.”

Observe how, despite these explicit statements previously revealed and recorded in the Book, the people of the Bayan in this Revelation have remained remote and deprived from the Dayspring of divine Revelation and the Dawning-Place of celestial light, through His name of Divinity and Lordship. Today the banner of unity is raised aloft and the ocean of oneness is manifest. He hath been and will be called the One. Whoso turneth to any other without His leave cannot be counted. He hath indeed been heedless of His sovereignty and turned away from His proof. Great is this Day! He is the Lord of all days and the Sovereign of all ages and centuries, and their Dawning-Place and Dayspring. All people must gaze toward the one true God and bear witness to His oneness. He is one and His name is one. Blessed is he who seeth and witnesseth, who knoweth and recognizeth, who is learned and understandeth, and who, seeking, hath attained unto the Intended One on this promised Day.

In the days when the fragrances of the robe of Revelation were wafting in Zawra, the Ancient Tongue addressed one of His friends with these blessed words: “Make thy submission and humility to God alone.” All submission and humility must be exclusively for God—exalted be His majesty, supreme be His sovereignty, and mighty be His proof. This evanescent servant beseecheth God, exalted be His glory, to aid all to act in accordance with that which hath flowed from the Supreme Pen in the mighty Book. How lofty is the station of those souls who are seen to be steadfast and firm in the Cause of God! These are they on whom no fear shall come, nor shall they grieve. These are of the people of Baha who are established upon the crimson ark by God’s leave, the Lord of all names. The Concourse on high pray for them at all times. We must needs reflect upon the references in the Books of old, that perchance we may cling to mighty proofs and conclusive evidences, and guide the diverse religions of the earth by the light of justice.

Blessed are the children of Khalil, for they are reckoned among the people of Baha and are known by this blessed name. Whosoever hath today taken and quaffed the sealed wine from the hand of the bounty of the Self-Subsisting Lord is accounted among the people of Baha and is mentioned in the Book. Consider this blessed, firm, and established word which is recorded in the Book of Zechariah. He saith:

“And in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the Lord of hosts.”

This word implicitly giveth tidings that the Sun of Truth will rise from the horizon of another heaven, and likewise indicateth that whosoever turneth unto the Most Great Name hath been and shall be among the most exalted peoples of the world, for he is associated with Him and characterized by His name. Thus, every Canaanite who is today illumined by the lights of the Manifestation is mentioned before God as being among the people of Baha.

O ye noble ones! Great indeed is this day, even as this blessed verse hath been sent down from the heaven of God’s Will, exalted be His glory: “Great is this Day. Hearken ye unto the voice of the Messenger and the One Who hath been sent. By the True One, the Speaker on Sinai uttereth the truth, yet most of the people are heedless.” The Truth doth today promote the Torah, the Gospel, and the Qur’an, and likewise promoteth all divine scriptures, psalms, and books. This is spoken in one station, and in another station: “He is the Creator of the heavens and earth. He hath come with a new Cause that hath no likeness in the past nor equal in the future. To this beareth witness His preserved Tablet.”

This evanescent servant beseecheth and imploreth the True One, exalted be His glory, to intoxicate these noble ones and friends with the wine of utterance and to make them appear in the expanse of the world. This is the Day whereof He hath said: “The earth shineth with the light of her Lord.” The intoxication of the wine of divine recognition increaseth understanding, leadeth the ignorant to the ocean of knowledge, and guideth the heedless to the horizon of wisdom. We hope from the favor of the Peerless Friend that all may arise to that which beseemeth the Day of God, and that He may not deprive any of the peoples of the earth. He is the Giver, He is the Generous. His is the creation and the command, and His is the grandeur and the majesty. He ordaineth the sealed wine for whomsoever He willeth. Verily, He is the All-Compelling, the Self-Subsisting.

The grace of God and His bounty are evident and resplendent like the sun at its zenith. This station requires neither speech nor interpreter, for “the Light hath appeared.” He is the Concealed One. Praise be to God that you have attained to that which most are deprived of. For each of the names mentioned in your letter, a Most Holy and Most Exalted Tablet has been revealed from the heaven of grace and sent forth. Likewise, a Most Holy and Most Exalted Tablet was revealed specifically for the brother of Jinab-i-Javad, upon him be the glory of God. God willing, may they attain to that which God loves and with which He is well-pleased.

Praise be to God that in Zawra they drank from the Most Exalted Chalice and partook cup after cup from the ocean of reunion. What they wrote was the cause of joy and gladness, and this servant was content with this letter and did not trouble them separately. Their supplications were presented at the Most Holy and Most Exalted Court and were accepted. Let them praise God for this throughout the duration of the Kingdom and the Realm of Names.

God willing, they should be so enkindled with the fire of divine love that its effects may endure and persist in the world. In all conditions they should be mindful of wisdom and act with consummate wisdom, for the Cause is mighty and the people are weak, ears are contaminated and eyes afflicted with ophthalmia. To the blind, the image of angel and demon appear the same, and to the deaf, croaking and cooing are indistinguishable. The divine sages must treat with gentleness and consideration.

In response to the petition of Jinab-i-Manakji Sahib, this exalted word was revealed from the heaven of the Will of the Lord of all beings—exalted be His grandeur:

“Milk must be given in proper measure, that the children of the world may enter into the realm of maturity and find their place in the court of unity.”

Remind all the friends of wisdom, that all may be mindful of it. It is the lamp of salvation. God willing, may all attain unto it.

Furthermore, several Most Holy and Most Exalted Tablets were revealed specifically for Jinab-i-Haji Kamalu’d-Din, upon him be the glory of God, and those with him. Likewise, wondrous and exalted Tablets were revealed and sent for the names mentioned in their letter. God willing, you will deliver them that eyes may be consoled thereby. This servant has also submitted a letter to their presence.

Furthermore, convey my greetings to those who drink the choice wine of inner meanings in that city and its surroundings. God the One is witness that in most times this evanescent one beseeches God on behalf of the divine friends for that which will cause their mention to endure. Verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, is the Forgiving, the Generous. The Glory be upon you and upon those with you who have attained to the recognition of God, the Lord of all worlds.

BH00326: Praised be thy deeds, O thou who hast been…

Section 1: “Praised be thy deeds, O thou who hast…”

In the Name of our Lord, the All-Powerful, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious!

Praised be thy deeds, O thou who hast been afflicted in the path of God, the Creator of heaven! Blessed art thou, O thou who hast drunk the cup of tribulation in the love of God, the Lord of Names! Joy be unto thee, O thou who hast borne hardships and adversities in the Cause of God, the Creator of all things!

All praise, sanctified above every mention, befitteth the Lord of all mankind, Who hath ordained the abasement of His loved ones to be the cause of the glory of the people of the world, and made the imprisonment of His chosen ones the means of freedom for all nations, and caused the wandering of His friends to become the source and origin of the gathering and turning of all lovers toward their true homeland.

Glory upon glory be unto thee, O thou who hast left thy dwelling place in the path of God, the Ancient of Days! Then praise and glorification be upon thee, O thou who art enkindled with the love of God, the Sovereign of all nations! Can the pen adequately render such thanksgiving, or can the tongue succeed in fully expressing these stations? Today all things cry out, “Would that I had borne hardships in Thy love, O God of the worlds!” and “Would that I had endured all tribulations in Thy path, O Ultimate Goal of all who seek Thee!”

The Christ of the age appeared from the dawning-place of the Most Merciful’s Cause, yet became the object of the rejection and opposition of all servants save a few. After the ruling of the Mufti of the age, these few were driven from their homes and scattered in different directions, to such extent that they had not even sustenance for the day. Now observe how kings remove their crowns and bow down at the mere mention of each of these souls. Such is the glory hidden within these apparent humiliations, today concealed from eyes and sight.

The Lord of Batha appeared from the dawning-place of the will of the Lord of all mankind, and at first His enemies arose in such fashion that any fair-minded person would be ashamed to recount the details. the ungodly conspired to martyr all His companions, whereupon He informed them that they must all emigrate from that land at dawn. Among those holy souls was Ja’far-i-Hayyar, upon whom be the glory of God, who journeyed with a group to Abyssinia where they dwelt for some time, occupied with utmost joy and enthusiasm in the remembrance of the Lord of all mankind. The details thereof have flowed from the Most Exalted Pen. Blessed are they who have attained and beheld!

Though in those days they were afflicted with utmost poverty and were seen in apparent abasement, it was later observed that through the blessing of those holy souls, the treasures of wealth were opened to the people of Islam, the gates of glory were unlocked, and the nightingales of joy warbled sweet and wondrous melodies upon the branches of the trees of human existence. Glorified be He Who doeth whatsoever He willeth through His power and sovereignty, and ordaineth what He desireth through His command and will!

The cause of life hath been water, as witnessed by “from water did We make all things living.” At times He hath bestowed this virtue upon fire, even as He made the fire of the Mount the cause of life for all peoples. Who can prevent His sovereignty? I testify that there is no God but Him. He hath ever been sanctified beyond the understanding of those near unto Him and exalted above that which the tongues of the sincere have uttered. He hath manifested what He hath willed and the conditions of creation cannot weaken Him. He is, in truth, the Ruler, the Commander, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. O beloved of my heart! That which melteth the heart and consumeth the body are the regrets that dwell in the heart of this evanescent servant.

Behold the holy souls in the land of Sad—how, through God’s grace, they were manifest in the utmost glory and elevation while they lived, and how at the end of their days they attained a station the like of which hath truly never been seen or heard. This servant uttereth at every moment “Would that I had been with them!” Yet this honor hath slipped away and this regret remaineth in the heart. From the Supreme Pen there was revealed concerning them that which causeth all the atoms of creation to weep and lament. They attained unto that which shall endure as long as the kingdom of earth and heaven shall last.

And now this regret too remaineth in my heart—why was I not with that honored one who hath left his home and country in the path of God and journeyeth through the wilderness with no helper or assistant? Would that I had been with thee and attained unto that which thou hast attained in the path of our Beloved, our Goal, and the Goal of all who are in the heavens and the earth! But the servant giveth you glad tidings of God’s victory, His grace and His mercy which have preceded all existence, both seen and unseen. The servant hath received your letter, and from each word thereof he witnessed the fire of longing and yearning. When I understood and became aware of its contents, I turned toward the Desired One until I attained the presence before the Throne and presented what was therein. Then did the Tongue of Grandeur and Glory speak that which caused the earth to quiver and the mountains to pass away. I find my pen unable to describe what the Kingdom of Utterance did speak—nay, all the pens on earth—until the Tongue of Eternity spoke these sublime words, and His sweetest utterance and the Beloved of all on earth and in heaven declared:

“O Muhammad! Verily the Single One, the Unique, maketh mention of thee from this station unto which the birds of divine attributes cannot soar. Rejoice thou and be of the thankful. We have given thee to drink of the Kawthar of Our utterance and the choice wine of Our knowledge, and We give thee to drink through these verses that which will draw thee to a station wherein neither the clamor of the world nor the oppression of those who have denied God, the Lord of all worlds, will grieve thee. Verily He will purify the earth from the defilement of those who have risen in opposition, and will cause thee to attain the supreme summit. Thy Lord is, in truth, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. By My life! Thou hast attained unto the recognition of the Desired One, through which the books of God, the Sovereign, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise, have been adorned. God willing, thou shalt soar on the wings of detachment in the atmosphere of the love of the Creator of new creation, and shalt at all times be enkindled with the fire of His love. Blessed art thou and thy father, whom the Concourse on High remember and to whom the Most Glorious Pen hath borne witness in His preserved Tablet.”

“O Taqi! Hearken unto My call from the precincts of My throne. It will draw thee to My Kingdom and the station of My nearness, and will give thee to drink of the choice wine of My wondrous utterance. Thy letter hath come before the Wronged One. We found it aflame with the warmth of My love and adorned with My mention and praise. Blessed art thou, and thy pen, and thy tongue, and thy heart. Rejoice thou in the remembrance of thy Lord and be steadfast in My service and speaking forth My beauteous praise. Look not upon the people and their clamor. Look upon that which hath been ordained for thee by My mighty Pen. This hardship shall, God willing, be followed by ease.”

If thou desirest to follow the example of thy Lord, verily He was well-pleased with whatsoever befell Him in the path of God, and remained thus, as all things and every discerning soul doth testify. Where are the Caesars and the Khosroes and the Pharaohs and the tyrants who built for themselves dwellings on mountain peaks and disdained the Command of God, thy Lord and the Lord of all who are in the heavens and on earth? Thus doth a preserved Book recount unto thee from His presence. How many were the souls who appeared in the utmost outward glory and deemed not their own extinction possible, yet today neither they nor their habitations nor their ornaments nor their dwellings can be seen, and no trace remaineth of those heedless and veiled souls upon earth save the effects of their tyranny and oppression which still persist in diverse regions. Thus do all atoms curse them, as doth every person of understanding and insight and every eloquent tongue that speaketh the truth. Verily thy Lord recounteth unto thee that thou mayest be of them that are assured. Ask thou God to assist thee and those who have believed to serve His Cause and to make mention of Him and to praise Him, for verily He is the Almighty, the All-Powerful.

Section 2: “Make thou mention of My loved ones who…”

Make thou mention of My loved ones who have cast away all else save Me and have held fast unto My Strong Handle and clung to the hem of My luminous Robe. Give thanks unto God that the Goal of the world hath inhaled from thy letter the fragrance of contentment, and this sufficeth thee and the Lord of all names, yet most men are heedless. I have found in the spirit of thy commune the spirit of My good-pleasure. Blessed is the babe that hath drunk from the breast of My loving-kindness and hath grown up beneath the shadow of My mercy and hath won My acceptance in My days. Thus doth My Most Exalted Pen make mention of thee with such mention that if they who are on earth were to perceive its fragrance, by God the True One, they would abandon all they possess and hasten to the precincts of the Throne—the Spot whereon the Ancient Beauty hath established Himself with manifest sovereignty.

God willing, mayest thou remain firm and steadfast in this most exalted station, for certain of the friends of God presented their petitions at the Divine Threshold, adorned with the ornament of His good-pleasure, but then another fragrance wafted and concealed the first. Thus doth the Goal inform thee that thou mayest be of them that are steadfast and firm. Grieve not at separation and remoteness, for by His Pen He transformeth estrangement into reunion and remoteness into nearness. Exalted be thy Lord, the Self-Sufficient, the Most High. Verily He is the All-Bountiful, the Ancient of Days. Praise be to God, the Lord of all worlds.

Indeed these verses have been revealed with such bounty as cannot be described by pen or tongue. In every word there is a luminous lamp. Blessed is he who hath found and recognized. After perusing the revealed verses that soul will testify to that which this servant hath submitted.

As for those souls who through the grace of the All-Merciful have quaffed from the Kawthar of divine knowledge and are gazing toward the horizon of certitude—whose names were mentioned—all their names were presented at the Most Holy Court and unique and wondrous verses were revealed for each one. However, this servant found no opportunity to write in detail. Gladden ye them all with God’s bounty and convey greetings on behalf of this evanescent servant, for this servant found himself powerless to mention all that was revealed from the Kingdom of divine knowledge. Most often the verses of God are revealed in such manner that even the Supreme Pen of the world is incapable and unable to transcribe them. However, I give this much glad tidings to the friends of God that all those verses were revealed with perfect bounty and undoubtedly their effects will appear in the world. Verily our Lord, the All-Knowing, hath power over all things. I beseech you to convey greetings once again on behalf of this evanescent servant.

Blessed art thou, O thou who hast voiced the praise of him who illumined the horizon of faithfulness in the kingdom of creation, and blessed is every one who hath uttered mention of Ha and Ha! O Zaynu’l-ʿAbidin, hearken unto that wherewith the Lord of all worlds maketh mention of thee from this manifest Castle. By My life! Wert thou to taste the sweetness of My utterance, such joy would seize thee that sorrows would never grieve thee, and the eye of thy heart would be opened in such wise that thou wouldst behold the Twin Lights in the most exalted horizon, the most glorious station, the supreme height, and the ultimate goal. And thou wouldst say:

“Praise be unto Thee, O my God and the God of the world, and glory be unto Thee, O my Beloved and the Beloved of the nations! I testify that Thou didst create them both, and didst strengthen them, and aid them, and exalt them, until Thou didst sacrifice them in Thy path. Thou didst desire for them naught save that which the pens of possibility are powerless to record and the pages of time cannot contain. Verily Thou art the Almighty, the Most Exalted, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.”

Though the friends be abased in the eyes of men, they are most honored in the sight of God, and soon shall the sun of glory be seen dawning from the horizon of the world and become manifest. Reflect upon previous centuries and whatsoever occurred therein. Then shall be revealed unto thee that which hath been uttered by My wondrous tongue. The entire world and whatsoever existeth therein cannot be compared to a single word from the words of God, for the fragrance of that word persisteth forever in its diffusion. The recompense of no sincere deed hath ever been, nor shall ever be, effaced or forgotten. With Him is the knowledge of all things in His Book, and verily He is the Munificent, the All-Bountiful.

The hatred, enmity and harm of the people have never been worthy of mention or attention. Observe this world, which is the abode of such events: at every moment it proclaimeth “Behold my evanescence!” Consider the world as a book; at every moment obliteration seizeth its words, as every person of insight can perceive. But the words of God have a station that neither obliteration can seize nor extinction approach. Blessed art thou and those who behold all things with Mine eyes and who have confined their affairs to the promotion of My Cause through the wisdom which the All-Merciful hath revealed in the Book.

As to the previous question regarding where they should reside and what they should do, these matters have been referred to consultation, as is recorded in the divine Tablets. One must consult with steadfast, assured souls and act accordingly. That which proceedeth from consultation is best for him who holdeth fast unto wisdom in the kingdom of creation. When thy first letter arrived, it was presented at the Most Holy Court. They said:

“Wherever they reside, they dwell beneath the shade of the Tree of Divine Mercy, the pavilions of grandeur, and the tabernacle of grace.”

I swear by the pearl of God’s ocean of knowledge, when this servant heard these blessed words from the Tongue of Divine Unity concerning thee, he was well-nigh transported with joy. In all conditions, all these servants must occupy themselves with tongues numbering as many as the atoms of the universe, nay more, in praise and glorification of the loving-kindness and favor of the Beloved of the world. Well is it with thee and with us all! The circling spirits around the Throne of the All-Merciful send their greetings. Glory be upon thee and upon those who have turned with radiant faces toward the Supreme Horizon. Praise be to God, the Lord of the Throne on high and of earth below.

That which today is in truth greater than all other deeds is the unity of the loved ones of God, even as hath been stated in numerous passages:

“Through unity the Cause of God, the Lord of [mankind], will be made manifest.”

Today confusion and chaos are observed everywhere. Neither do the young show respect to their elders, nor do the lowly pay deference to those of high rank. All must now fix their gaze upon that which hath been revealed from the Supreme Pen. You must strive mightily in this matter, that perchance you may become the cause of unity and concord among the friends of God. Assuredly, through discord the Cause becometh of no account among the servants. I beseech God to grant enabling grace and to adorn all with that which He loveth and is pleased with.

BH00450: He is God! Praise be to God, the Single…

He is God! Praise be to God, the Single, the One, the Unique, Who created man and inspired him with that which manifests the attributes of the All-Merciful, and created Satan, thereby distinguishing between those who have turned to the Supreme Horizon and those who follow their passions. Glorified, glorified be He beyond my mention or the mention of all who are in the heavens and earth. His is the creation and the command. He gives life and causes death, and He is the Almighty, the All-Powerful.

It is submitted that this servant previously sent a detailed letter in response to your esteemed missive, which was adorned with divine words and verses. As commanded, its dispatch was delayed until two other missives arrived. Praise be to God that all indicated and demonstrated your humility, submissiveness and your arising to serve God’s Cause. Likewise, the missive that you had sent to him who bears the Name of Bounty (upon him be 9 66 [Baha’u’llah’s] Most Glorious Beauty) reached him, and all were presented before His presence. This is what shone forth from the horizon of utterance:

“O ʿAli! We have heard your call, your mention, your prayers, and what the tongue of your heart uttered time after time. It behooves you to hear that which God calls you to, again and again. We have remembered you and remember you that you may arise to serve your Lord in such wise that you may raise the banner of unity upon the highest standards.”

That which you sent, this servant presented before His countenance, and the response descended from the Kingdom of Utterance. God willing, you will arise with utmost endeavor in a manner befitting the days of your Lord. All that hath appeared from you in God’s path and all that you have borne in His love is remembered and witnessed. God willing, you will in all conditions keep your gaze fixed upon and hold fast to that which flowed from the Supreme Pen in the first letter of this servant in attendance.

O thou who gazest upon the Face! Look at the earthworms, what they say and what they do. By the life of the Beloved! They have not inhaled the fragrance of the blessed word “Verily, there is no God but Him” in the days of God, nor have they comprehended this station. They walk in the wilderness of idle fancies and wander confused in the valley of vain imaginings. The people of the Bayan are seen to be exactly like the people of the Furqan (Qur’an), nay even more veiled. People of insight consider such souls to be lower than animals. One must at all times strive to educate people purely for the sake of the All-Merciful, that they may become wholly freed and detached from vain imaginings and idle fancies.

It is submitted that your numerous prayers were presented before His countenance, and He showed great kindness, especially in these days when the odor of discord has been lifted and the lights of the sun of unity have shone forth from the horizons of hearts. And concerning what you wrote about Satan and his manifestations, it is quite clear and evident that at all times they cling to the cord of falsehood and speak according to their desires. Praise be to God, all matters have been clear and nothing has remained concealed.

The Ancient Beauty outwardly proceeded toward Iraq with a government official, and after that illusory figure, who had been hiding in Kermanshah and its surroundings for some time, arrived and later joined in Hudaybah after departure from Iraq. All the companions who were in attendance witnessed and saw this event. Likewise, all observed that he was unable to speak in His presence. Consider how if the hand of grace had not revealed this matter, how many souls would have been seen drowning in the seas of their own delusions. And afterwards in the Land of Mystery, the Ancient Beauty separated Himself from all and dwelt in a house, and for some time the door was closed day and night—these are matters that seventy people witnessed. Nevertheless, he wrote that he had seen certain things that he could not bear to witness. The curse of God be upon the people who fabricate lies. By this statement he wished to suggest that He had withdrawn, even though all know that the Ancient Beauty had disassociated Himself from him and his like. For a time in Adrianople, He resided in the house of Rida Bey and associated with no one. And after the details became known and the misbeliever was distinguished from the believer, the matter returned to what it had been.

By God, besides Whom there is no other God, the hearts of the pure ones are burning because of his unseemly deeds. This servant has submitted that the first weakness that appeared was in the absence of the Ancient Beauty, when that faithless oppressor took possession of the wife of the Primal Point, and when it did not suit his evil nature, he gave her to another vile one. We seek refuge in God from this heinous act. And when the Ancient Beauty arrived, He said that no heedless one had ever committed such an act—in this case what can one say to the people? As even the mother of His Holiness the Exalted One—may our souls be sacrificed for His sake—mentioned to one of the believing women that if they considered him the proof, why did they violate the sanctity? This matter and his other repugnant deeds this servant has mentioned in detail in certain places which should all be before your honor and should be conveyed to the heedless ones so they may become informed.

Today, whatever has been revealed either allusively or explicitly regarding the breaking of the idols of suppositions and imaginings, or what this servant has submitted, should be gathered so that all may become aware through its consideration of the evil deeds of that lying infidel. Yes, a few people emerged, including Siyyid Muhammad Isfahani and Mirza Husayn Qumi, and became occupied with promoting delusions. Your honor knows that those souls were never aware of the essence of the Cause and yet both persons have claimed before all people that they were aware from the beginning of the Cause—ʿLost indeed are they who denied and disbelieved in the signs of God.’ For twelve years this servant was with him by command of the Ancient Beauty. He issued a decree for the death of the third believer in Him Whom God shall make manifest. Yet despite this he says what he says. The curse of God be upon the wrongdoers! Would that someone were aware of his recent deeds that appeared in Cyprus. This servant is ashamed to mention them.

Now consider: what do the deluded souls who dwell in those lands, who never had any awareness of this Cause, do and say? God willing, through the power and might of the assured souls, the stronghold of the Cause has been and will be protected from the wickedness of malicious deluded souls. Verily He guides whom He wishes to His straight path. Would that people of insight would examine his writings and become aware of his station. He is in manifest error. This day is sanctified from the mention of names and from what has been and is being said. This is the Day of God wherein the Tree exclaims: ʿThere is none other God but Him, and He is the Truth.’ His writings appear as dust, and are agreeable to bat-like natures, as they have been and are the cause of darkness and gloom. God willing, that beloved one may in all conditions be, through the assistance of the Self-Sufficient, a promoter, propagator and expounder of God’s Cause.

Convey greetings from this evanescent one to all the friends in that land and mention them. Today is a fresh and wondrous day. God willing, may holy and pure souls be adorned with the ornament of supreme steadfastness. Say: O masters, whatever I submit is for God’s sake. Hold fast to the cord of unity in such wise that all the swords of the world would be powerless to sever it. Step one pace higher in the name of Truth until ye behold all the peoples of the world as children playing with clay, and the deniers of the Bayan as earthworms. God willing, may ye be detached from all save God at all times and be focused on the horizon of the favors of the Peerless Friend. Verily He speaks the truth and shows the way. Sovereignty belongs to God, the One, the Mighty, the Beautiful.

As for what you wrote concerning Tahmasquli Kh-A, it was submitted to the Most Holy Court, and this is what the Tongue of Grandeur spoke:

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

A remembrance from Him Who was wronged to the one who heard the call and turned towards the Most Exalted Horizon, that he may rejoice and be among those firmly established in this Cause, whereby every edifice hath been shaken, every mountain scattered, and every foot hath slipped save those whom God, the Lord of all worlds, hath willed. All things have been set in motion by the creaking of My Most Exalted Pen, yet the idolaters remain behind a mighty veil. They behold the sun yet deny its radiance, they witness the light yet question its existence. Thus have their souls deluded them. By the life of God! They are among the lost.

Blessed art thou for having attained unto My remembrance before and at this time, wherein the tongue of the Prisoner proclaimeth: There is none other God but Me, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. Take hold of the Book of God with the strength that proceedeth from Him, then read it with joy and fragrance. Then shalt thou find thyself in manifest gladness. We have seen thy turning towards Us, We have turned towards thee, and We have heard thy call and answered thee through this mighty Book. Blessed are the fingers that have written My verses, the tongue that hath uttered My praise, the eye that hath turned toward My horizon, the heart that hath won My love, and the breast that hath been illumined by My Name, the Mighty, the Wondrous. The glory be upon thee and upon him who hath attained unto this Cause, whereby the back of every distant transgressor hath been broken.

As for what thou didst write concerning the loved ones in the lands of S, Sh and M, it was presented before the Throne. He said: The gaze of divine favor hath been and will continue to be upon all. God willing, may they attain unto the Kawthar of the utterance of the All-Merciful in such wise that the hands of discord shall be powerless to take it from them. At all times remind the loved ones of the All-Merciful lest they be caused to fall by the autumn winds. Their remembrance hath ever been and will ever be before God. We, from this station, send Our greetings upon their faces and upon all who stand firm and steadfast. Gladden them all with divine favors. Verily, He is the best Rememberer and the best Helper. The glory be upon thee and upon them and upon whosoever hath attained unto this mighty station.

Furthermore, all of your letters that have thus far reached this evanescent servant have been presented, and the two petitions from the handmaidens of God in that land which were addressed to the Sacred Household have been received and submitted. They showed the utmost kindness and God willing will send replies. Regarding what thou didst write about the beloved Mirza Haydar-ʿAli, upon him be the glory of God, I testify that your honor hath fulfilled thy covenant and pledge. In these days a letter arrived from him requesting tablets for certain individuals. All have been revealed and God willing will be sent either this time or the next. However, they must observe the place and bestow the tablet accordingly. In truth, several interpreters with steadfastness, detachment and eloquence must be found who, with writings suitable to the condition of the people, should proceed to different regions and engage in teaching. The tablet hath encompassed and surrounded the world. Thus have I heard from the tongue of my Lord, the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing. This servant hath repeatedly heard such content from the blessed tongue. And regarding Jinab-i-Javad who hath ascended unto God, God willing it shall be revealed as befitteth. Blessed is he in his life and blessed is he after his death.

BH00580: To be typed

To be typed.

BH00800: Praise be unto God, Who alone is exalted…

Praise be unto God, Who alone is exalted in might, singular in grandeur, sanctified above the mention of all created things, and hidden—by the loftiness of His sovereign state—from the apprehension of kingship itself. He hath appeared in the manner He willed, and by the Most Exalted Word brought into being all that hath been created. He then laid before mankind His Covenant, His Testament, His Trust, and His love. Among them were those who heard, hastened, and answered their Lord; and among them were those who turned away, withdrew, and followed their own desire.

Exalted is He Who hearkened unto His sweetest call and turned toward His Most Exalted Horizon. Such are they whom God hath described in the Furqan, unto whom the Lord of the Names sent down the decree upon the Seal of the Prophets in His saying: “No fear shall come upon them, neither shall they grieve.” And He foretold the fate of those who heard yet turned away, and wrought that whereat the Concourse on high lamented. He ordained the continuance of His Cause before Him, and filleth the generations with whomsoever He willeth—His loved ones—steadfast in His Cause, through which the foundations of the world were shaken and the pillars of nations were reared.

Verily, He is He Whom nothing can frustrate and no command can hinder. The Names themselves have borne witness unto His power, His sovereignty, His majesty, and His omnipotence. He decreeth whatsoever He willeth by His command and accomplisheth whatsoever He desireth. He is, in truth, the Mighty, the All-Praised.

The servant hath received your letter, which testified to your turning toward the Ancient Face and your directing yourselves unto the Lord of the nations. By My life! From it the servant perceived the fragrance of your love—praised be the realm of existence—and the Object of all that are in the worlds. When I beheld it, received it, read it, and came to know its meaning, I turned toward the horizon of utterance and was raised unto a station which neither pen nor tongue can describe. I presented it before the Face; and when the Well-Beloved spoke that which God had made a key unto hearts, a light unto eyes, and an expanse unto breasts, He said:

“O ʿAbdu’l-Baha! Verily We send greetings and magnify thee in this most exalted station, which God hath made a place of pilgrimage for His loved ones and a seat for His chosen ones. He remembereth whomsoever He willeth by a command from His presence. There is none other God but Him, the Mighty, the All-Bestowing.”

And We send greetings and magnify the loved ones of God—We gladden them and bestow upon them that which rejoiceth the hearts of those endowed with understanding—giving praise unto God for having aided them to make mention of Him, to extol Him, and to serve His firm and wise Cause.

Having been veiled by the meeting, the exalted servant attained unto the intended goal. This lowly servant, in utter humility and with a heart full of longing, conveyeth all these words and beseecheth God that all may, in every deed, be confirmed in righteousness and attain unto this station. Verily, He is the Hearer, the Answerer.

Glory be upon them, and upon those who are with you, and upon all who have held fast unto the cord of the love of God, the Lord of all the worlds.

In service, mention is made—most especially—of Muhammad, upon whom be peace, that he may, God willing, swim in the ocean of divine love and journey upon the shore of mercy, and that he may remain mindful that “there is nothing but it glorifieth Him with His praise.” Be not heedless of this manifest and resplendent truth.

And to the noble Sayyid Taqi—upon him be the bounty of his Lord—we give glad-tidings that the holy Imams, radiant in form and most glorious in splendour, have arisen as true men and attained victory. We beseech God, exalted be He, to accept whatsoever he hath done and shall do in His path and for His good-pleasure.

BH00819: O Muhammad! Give ear unto the call…

In the Name of the Speaker on the Mount

O Muhammad! Give ear unto the call of the Lord of Manifestation, Who proclaimeth, with the most exalted cry, betwixt earth and heaven, and summoneth the divines unto the Ocean of Knowledge and the mystic knowers unto the gulf of the Sea of the knowledge of thy Lord, the Almighty, the All-Wise.

He, verily, hath called all, at all times, unto the All-Merciful, but the people, for the most part, are among the heedless. Thy letter hath come into the presence of the Throne; the servant standing before it laid it before Him whilst the Lord of Pre-Existence was seated upon His great, His mighty Throne. We make mention of him who was mentioned in thy letter: verily, thy Lord is the Forgiving, the All-Bountiful.

O thou ignorant one! Hearken unto the call of the Lord of Being. He, verily, announceth unto thee, as a favour from His own Self, that which the minds of the world can never compass. Verily, thy Lord is the All-Informing, the All-Knowing. Rejoice thou, then, in the Manifestation of God and His signs, and say:

“Praise be unto Thee, O Thou Who hast made mention of me with the tongue of the Dawning-Place of Thy verses, at a time when the Ocean of Thy bounty did surge! I bear witness that Thou art, in very truth, potent to do what Thou willest, and that in Thy grasp lie the kingdoms of the heavens and of the earth.”

O Moses! We have perceived the sweet fragrance of thy love, heard thy call, and beheld the station thou dost occupy in the love of thy Lord. Verily, thy Lord is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing. Whoso loveth Him, Him doth He love, and unto Him doth He desire to draw all men; yet the wrong-doers have raised a barrier between Me and those who have turned unto the Most Exalted Horizon and believed in God, the Lord of all worlds. Thus hath the Tongue of Grandeur spoken in this lofty, this exalted station.

O Abu’l-Qasim! The glance of the tender mercy of thy Lord hath been turned toward thee in this rank which, in the Kingdom of Names, hath been called by the Most Excellent Names. Thy Lord, verily, beholdeth, heareth, seeth and witnesseth; He, verily, is the One, the All-Knowing. He hath made mention of thee as a bounty from His presence, that thou mayest rejoice and be of the thankful. By My life! Whoso moveth My Pen to make mention of him hath attained unto every good; thereof testifieth the Preserved Tablet in the presence of Him Who is the All-Keeping.

God willing, in this King of Days he may be favoured, through the loving-kindness of the Beloved of all existence, and may, at all times, quaff from the Kawthar of utterance. Today is a Day whereon the very atoms of created things are, each and all, eloquent in extolling the outpouring of the verses; yet attentive ears are lacking. Were there but hearkening ears, the whole company would attain unto exultation, leaping and rejoicing; but eyes dimmed by passion are debarred from beholding that splendour.

Blessed are the souls who, with insight, respond to the tumult of the Call of certitude, for on the Day “Whereon God hath shone forth” the True One is Himself witness that the desired One loveth the wayfarer and the seeker, and yearneth that, through this Grace made manifest in the realm of being, all may be enabled to attain unto the Most Great Effulgence, which is the station of the meeting with the All-Merciful, and to drink from the Ocean of reunion, and to be illumined with the lights of the dawn of meanings. Yet the negligent and the heedless have intervened and shut men out from this supreme bounty and this great bestowal. We have, however, left them unto themselves, and make mention of those who have turned, and heard, and answered, and attained unto that which God hath willed in His perspicuous Book.

Be not grieved at separation: every soul that today attaineth unto the word of resignation is, in truth, possessed of all good, and his recompense is decreed by the Pen of the Most High and firmly established for him. Blessed is he who attaineth unto this Most Great Station. Guard, then, by the Name, the stations whereunto ye have been raised, and be among those who are well-grounded.

From this most exalted station We make mention of him who hath winged his flight unto the Most Glorious Horizon, and say:

“Upon thee, O thou bird soaring in the air of the mercy of the All-Merciful, be the glory of all who are in the realm of being, and the glory of him who speaketh in the Kingdom of origination—through whom the Hidden Mystery hath been made manifest, and all that hath been inscribed in the Books of God, the Almighty, the All-Laudable.”

Blessed are the souls who, in wisdom and with utterance, arise to proclaim the Cause of the All-Merciful. In all circumstances must ye have regard unto the horizon of wisdom and consort with the people of the world in utmost love. Whoso believeth, his belief is for his own soul; and whoso turneth away, his turning away doth in nowise harm but his own self. Verily your Lord, the All-Merciful, is independent of all that hath been or will be. Thereof testify My Pen, My Tongue and My Tablet that speaketh between earth and heaven; yet the people, for the most part, are numbered with the heedless.

We make mention of him who hath been named ʿAli-Qabl-i-Akbar, that he may rejoice in the remembrance of God, the Lord of might and power, and become one of the steadfast. Rejoice thou in My remembrance, for naught that hath been created on earth can compare therewith; every discerning and clear-sighted soul doth so attest. Hold ye fast unto the cord of the Cause, then act in accordance with that which ye have been commanded in the Book of God, the Almighty, the All-Wise. Thus hath the horizon of the Bayan been illumined. Recognize ye (this bounty), and say:

“Praise be unto Thee, O Thou by Whose Word all that are on earth were thunderstruck, and by Another Word of Whose Mouth the sincere hastened unto the Dawning-Place of Thy greatest signs and the chosen ones unto the Ocean of Thy bounteous Name!”

O Pen! Turn thy face toward him who hath been named Muhammad-Qabl-i-Tahir, and say:

“Blessed art thou, for thou hast turned unto God and quaffed from the Kawthar of knowledge in days whereon all things proclaimed: ʿThe Kingdom is God’s, the Lord of the worlds!’

Act thou in a manner befitting the Days of thy Lord, and that whereby His firmly established and irrevocable Cause may be exalted. Thus have We admonished thee as a favour from Our presence; verily thy Lord is the Faithful Counsellor.”

And from this spot We magnify, at this hour, Our loved ones there—those who have cast aside all else save Me and laid hold on that which We enjoined upon them in Tablets sent down by the All-Merciful from the heaven of grace; He, verily, is the Ancient Revealer.

Today the chosen ones of God are as the letters of a Book; and when, outwardly and inwardly, they are united in the Cause of God, they become as a single word. When that word is manifested, the horizon of victory is beheld luminous and bright. The purpose of these utterances is unity and concord, for the Lord—exalted be His glory—hath caused the fire of worldly estrangement to be extinguished, that amity and union among the peoples of earth might be revealed.

Certain ignorant and heedless souls imagine that the aim is the seizure of dominion and authority—far be it from God! We take refuge with Him from such a calumny most great. The True One is sanctified above that which they surmise and above that whereof the people of idle fancy speak. He is come for the sake of the betterment of the world. God willing, He will enable all to attain that which is indeed the object and the desire.

If any soul, with an illumined heart and a piercing eye, and with the verses sent down as his witness, should ponder, he will inhale the fragrance of grace and will acknowledge that the purpose hath been the reform of the world—nor other than this will he confess. Thus have We expounded all things unto you, that ye may be of the thankful. Praise be to God, the Lord of all the worlds.

The Pen of the Most High maketh mention of the handmaids of God in that land and saith: Know ye the worth of the Day of God and be engaged with His remembrance. He counselleth them all to that which beseemeth the mystery of the sanctity and the holiness of the Lord—glorified and exalted be He. Today, whoso is called by the Name of God must needs be adorned with the vesture of heavenly character and be a doer of that whereunto he hath been commanded.

O handmaids of God! Lay fast hold on the Mount of His commandments, and cleave unto whatsoever shall profit you. He, verily, hath made mention of you in the Most Great Prison; He, indeed, is the Gracious, the All-Remembering.

BH01051: A Book from the Wronged One, Who is imprisoned…

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

A Book from the Wronged One, Who is imprisoned in the fortress of Akka, to him who desires to drink from the Kawthar of life from the hand of the bounty of his Lord, the Most Merciful, that he may remind the people through this Most Great Remembrance and give them glad tidings of this News which hath been inscribed by the Supreme Pen in the Books of God, the Lord of all worlds. We previously sent unto thee verses from the garden of inner meanings, and this is yet another time, that thou mayest give thanks unto thy Lord, the King of earth and heaven, and bring men nigh unto the horizon of thy Lord’s revelation, the Bestower, the Bountiful.

O thou who gazest upon the countenance! Arise to fulfill the command of thy Master and give glad tidings unto the people of this Revelation whereby the Mountain was stirred, and the darkness was illumined. Be not of the patient ones. Silence is praiseworthy except in proclaiming My Cause, and seclusion is desirable except in this wondrous Day. Leave the house of silence with utterance whereby the hearts of the world may be attracted and nations be awakened. Thus doth the Most Great Name command thee from this glorious station.

Say: By God! The sun hath been eclipsed and the moon darkened, and the Greatest Spectacle hath appeared, and the Lord of Destiny calleth out with His most exalted call, summoning all to His most sublime horizon. Blessed is he who heareth and seeth, and hath attained unto the lights of God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy.

Say: O people! The Sure Hour hath come, and the Striking Hour hath appeared, and the Deafening Blast hath been raised, and We see the mountains passing away, and the earth telling its tale, yet the people are in evident doubt. Nay, We see them as if struck down. Thus doth the Lord of all beings inform thee from this station which hath been named by all names in the Book of God, the Omnipotent, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

Say: This is the Day wherein the shrill voice of the Most Exalted Pen and the rustling of the Lote-Tree beyond which there is no passing have been raised in the kingdom of creation. Blessed is he who hath strength to hear and hath arisen to serve God, the Lord of all names, and woe unto every heedless doubter.

Say: O people! Abandon the cups of fancy and vain imaginings, then look before your faces. By the life of God! The ocean of certitude hath surged, and the fragrance of the garment of thy Lord’s mercy, the Forgiving, the Merciful, hath been diffused.

Say: We have indeed honored the learned and chosen them for My remembrance and praise, yet when My Self appeared from the horizon of the world they turned away, save whom thy Lord, the Mighty, the Great, wished.

Say: The seal of the Choice Wine hath been broken by His name, the Self-Subsisting, yet most of the people remain heedless. How many a learned one hath been debarred from the ocean of knowledge, and how many an ignorant one hath drawn nigh, drunk, and said: “Praise be unto Thee, O Beloved of the worlds!” The bounty is in His hand—He ordaineth whatsoever He willeth for whomsoever He pleaseth. Whosoever saith “why” or “wherefore” hath indeed disbelieved in God’s Revelation, His proof, His evidence, and His sovereignty. Thus hath the Tongue of Grandeur spoken. He is, verily, the Omnipotent, the Almighty.

Verily We found thy heart turned unto God; therefore have We mentioned thee and sent down for thee verses and dispatched them unto thee, that thou mayest rejoice and be of them that are steadfast. Know thou the value of this station, then preserve it as thou wouldst thine eyes. Thy Lord is verily the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. By My life! The treasures of the earth in their entirety cannot equal one remembrance of thy Lord—to this testifieth every learned one illumined by the lights of the Manifestation in this radiant morn.

Hearken, O thou who art turned unto God, to the call of Him Who summoneth thee for the sake of God. By God! I have desired naught for Myself; I have accepted all tribulations to manifest that which I was commanded by the Mighty, the Trustworthy. Beware lest the affairs of the world withhold thee from the remembrance of thy Lord. The world in its entirety shall perish, and sovereignty shall remain with God, the Goal of all seekers. Look not to the creatures and their sayings; hearken unto that whereunto the Truth calleth thee—this verily is the certain truth. The horizons are filled with the signs of thy Lord, yet the people are in manifest blindness. Rend thou their veils through thy Lord’s Name, then give them to drink of the choice wine of utterance through His wondrous remembrance.

Know thou that We have adorned the heaven of knowledge with the stars of commandments and laws. Blessed is he who hath recognized and acted according to that which was commanded by the Ancient Sender-down. Act thou according to what We have revealed in Our Most Holy Book, then bid the people to observe what is therein. He desireth to cause all to enter the Most Exalted Paradise and the Supreme Heaven, yet We have found the people among the dead. Sprinkle upon them from the ocean of My utterance by My leave, that perchance they may arise from the graves of heedlessness and turn unto the All-Knowing, the One.

When thou attainest unto My Tablet and art seized by the rapture of My verses, turn thy face toward the Prison and say:

I testify that Thou art the Dawning-Place of God’s signs, the Dayspring of His proof, the Source of His command and the Recipient of His revelation. Through Thy appearance the sun rose from its setting place, and by Thy call all things were attracted to their Creator and the creation to their Maker. Thou art He Who hath borne all tribulations and hardships in their entirety. I testify that Thou hast arisen to fulfill God’s Cause with a sovereignty that the might of kings could not prevent, nor the clamor of the subjects hinder. I beseech God through Thee to assist me in this Cause in such wise that nothing whatsoever shall prevent me, and to grant me the greatest steadfastness. Verily He is powerful over whatsoever He willeth.

O my Lord! Thou seest me standing before the door of Thy grace, clinging to the hem of the robe of Thy loving-kindness. I beseech Thee by the Name through which the earth was overturned and its high places made low, to forgive me and whosoever hath acknowledged Thy unity and oneness. Then cause me to speak Thy praise amongst Thy creatures, that through Thy power I may arise to compensate for what hath escaped me in Thy days. O my Lord! My days have passed, and what remaineth of them shall likewise pass. I beseech Thee not to cast me out from the pavilion of Thy mercy, nor keep me far from the shade of the Tree of Thy bounty. O my Lord! I testify that I am the poor, the lowly, and that Thou art the Rich, the Powerful, the All-Forgiving, the Bountiful. O my Lord! Look not upon Thy servants and their deeds before the court of Thy Cause, but look to the heaven of Thy generosity and the ocean of Thy bounty and the sun of Thy grace. Thou art the All-Compelling, before Whose sovereignty and power all things have testified. There is no God but Thee, the Exalted, the Mighty, the All-Wise.

BH01109: A visitation Tablet for Aqa Muhammad-Husayn, brother of Aqa…

A visitation Tablet for Aqa Muhammad-Husayn, brother of Aqa Muhammad-‘Ali of Isfahan

He is the All-Remembering, the Consoler, the All-Knowing, the All-Seeing.

Praise be to God Who is established upon the throne with majesty, might and grandeur, and Who speaks whereupon the trumpet is blown, those in the graves tremble, and all in earth and heaven swoon save whom God, the Lord of Names, willeth. Through Him was hoisted the banner “He doeth what He willeth” and raised the standard “On that day dominion shall be God’s, the Lord of all mankind and Master of both this world and the next.” He is the One from Whose court of glory the decree of truth is never absent, even should He decree existence for the non-existent, and from Whose holy atmosphere no flutter of the wings of defiance is heard, even should He permit what was forbidden from time immemorial. He is the One worshipped, to Whose majesty and sovereignty all atoms testify, and to Whose power and might all created things bear witness. The Qayyum is he who arises to make mention of Him and speaks His praise, and the steadfast one is he who attains constancy in His Cause.

Exalted, exalted is He Who speaks the truth! Exalted, exalted is He Who is tried among the people! Exalted, exalted is He Who sees Himself alone amidst the multitude and single among the throng!

Praise be to God Who made tribulation an adornment for His loved ones, thereby beautifying them among His creation and His creatures. He is the Ruler Whom the veils of the world and the mists of the nations have not hindered, and none has comprehended what lieth with Him save His Self, as attesteth he who hath knowledge of the Tablets. God beareth witness that there is no God but Him. He giveth life and causeth death, then causeth death and giveth life. He is the Sovereign from Whose knowledge nothing escapeth and Whose decree nothing can frustrate. He is the All-Powerful, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

God testifieth that there is no God but Him, and He Who biddeth the people to righteousness and godliness is the Goal of all creation, the One mentioned in the ancient scriptures, and the Speaker in the kingdom of creation. There is no God but Him, the Almighty, the All-Powerful.

O Most Exalted Pen! Another calamity hath come to pass through that which was inscribed by the Pen of Destiny from God, Creator of earth and heaven, whereupon grief hath overtaken the loved ones of the All-Merciful. It behooveth thee to make mention of this affliction, concerning which the Tongue of Utterance hath spoken in the Kingdom of divine exposition. Through thee doth God console whom He willeth among His loved ones and comfort those who have believed in His signs, submitted to His sovereignty, and acknowledged that which the tongue of His grandeur hath acknowledged when seated upon His throne—that there is no God but Him, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. The tale of sorrow hath returned, for a star hath vanished from the heaven of My love and a letter from the book of My affection. Thereby have the people of the realms of My knowledge lamented—they who have cast aside all else but Me, clung to the hem of My grace, and attained unto the ocean of My mercy and the sun of My bounty.

O Husayn! Hearken unto the call of the Wronged One Who hath been designated by this name. He remembereth thee at this hour when sorrows have encompassed Him by reason of what hath befallen Him at the hands of them that have turned away from the All-Merciful. Thou art he who witnessed the Most Great Terror on a day wherein a speckled serpent pursued My Name, the letter Ha, through which was planted the Tree of Faithfulness amidst all created things. I bear witness that thou didst experience that Day and didst endure from the enemies that which none knoweth save God, the Lord of all names, and heard from them what no ear among all created things hath heard, and witnessed what no eyes of the faithful have beheld.

Blessed art thou, O Husayn, for having attained unto the testimony of God on this Day wherein the Path hath appeared and the Balance hath been set up. I testify that thou hast fulfilled thy covenant and observed the rights of God and His Cause. Thou art he who cast away idle fancies and hastened unto the ocean of certitude which surgeth before the face of thy Lord, the Mighty, the Munificent. Thou art he whom neither the signs of the wayward nor the utterances of the idolaters deterred. Thou hast shattered the idols of vain imaginings through the name of thy Lord, the Self-Subsisting, and turned toward the Supreme Horizon when it was illumined by the manifestation of God, the Lord of the throne on high and of the earth below.

Joy be unto thee, O Husayn, for having quaffed the choice sealed wine. Happy art thou, O Husayn, for having attained unto My Preserved Book which proclaimeth throughout the world and among the peoples thy recognition, thy remembrance, thy submissiveness, thy humility, thy faithfulness and thy steadfastness in this Cause whereby feet have slipped and necks have bowed. Blessed art thou for having ascended with joy and fragrance unto the presence of the All-Merciful, where thou beholdest thyself in that most exalted station and hearest that which the Lote-Tree of the utmost boundary doth speak. Blessed art thou and blessed is he who loveth thee and turneth toward thee after thy passing and uttereth thy praise for what befell thee in the path of God, the Lord of all lords.

We beseech God, exalted be He, to console thy brother who chose exile in the path of God, the Lord of all creation, and attained unto His presence when the Sun was shining from the horizon of Zawra, and who migrated with him until he entered the Land of Mystery, whence he was banished with his Lord until he entered this Great Prison. We beseech Him, exalted be He, to aid him to preserve this station and draw him nigh unto Him at all times.

Glory be unto Thee, O Lord of eternity and Sovereign of the nations, Who calleth out through the Most Great Name! I beseech Thee by the blood of Thy near ones which was shed in Thy days for love of Thee, and by the hearts of them that are aflame with love for Thee, which were pierced by the arrows of the enemies in Thy path and for the manifestation of Thy Cause, to assist Thy loved ones to remember Thee and praise Thee and to stand firm in this Cause, than which no greater hath been ordained in Thy dominion and Thy realm. Verily Thou art the Omnipotent over whatsoever Thou willest, and verily Thou art the All-Compelling, the Self-Subsisting.

BH01186: To be typed

To be typed.

BH01204: Praise be to God Who hath graciously accepted…

He is the Most Manifest, the Most Exalted, the Most Holy, the Most Mighty, the Most Glorious!

Praise be to God Who hath graciously accepted the remembrance of His servants and commanded them to praise His Self, that He might exalt them to a station ordained for them through His bounty and generosity. Verily, He is the Sanctified One Whom the praise of the world cannot exalt, and the Self-Subsisting One Whom the remembrance of the nations cannot alter. He hath ever been sanctified beyond the remembrance of aught else but Him and the utterance of aught besides Him. He is verily the Self-Subsisting One foretold by the Qa’im Who arose to proclaim the Cause and raised the most great call betwixt earth and heaven.

By God! I have come unto you, O peoples of the earth, to bring you glad tidings of Him Who shall come with the standards of signs and the banners of proofs, Who hath named Himself the Hidden Mystery and the Treasured Secret. I bear witness that He was concealed behind the veil of grandeur throughout all eternity, and when He willed to manifest His Cause, He appeared with a sovereignty that encompassed all who are in the heavens and on earth, and uttered that which caused every treacherous one to be shaken and every faithful one to be assured, every fearful and false one to lament and every sincere seeker to rejoice. He is the Peerless One before Whose knowledge every mystic hath confessed his powerlessness and every learned one hath acknowledged his failure to attain the heaven of His knowledge. There is none other God but He, the Almighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

Furthermore, this servant hath been honored to receive your missive, which was adorned with the remembrance of God, our Lord and your Lord, our Beloved and the Beloved of all worlds. When I read it, I ascended to the station of revelation and manifestation, and it was presented before the countenance of our Lord, the Master of the Day of Resurrection. Then did the Face of the Everlasting turn toward this evanescent one, and there was sent down for you and your sons from the Kingdom of Utterance that which cannot be expressed by the tongue. To this doth our Lord, the All-Merciful, bear witness. Verily, He is the All-Knowing.

It is submitted that after this evanescent one became aware of the letter addressed to your honor, he turned toward the Most Holy Court. The matters were presented before the Throne, and three Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablets were revealed from the heaven of the Divine Will specifically for your honor and your two noble sons, and were dispatched. From the fragrance of the utterances of the All-Merciful, the degrees of His favor and grace are evident and manifest. God willing, they shall attain unto them.

You that had written that you had been erased from this evanescent servant’s view due to the length of time—God forbid! God forbid! The One God is witness and testament that you have been and will continue to be in view, and in the Most Holy Court your mention has been made from time to time. If according to outward appearance there has been or will be delay in sending letters, this has not been and will not be due to neglect or forgetfulness. The occupation of this evanescent one has reached such a state that truly there is no opportunity and no chance. Night and day engaged in the writing of verses—you yourself can testify how great this matter is. On one side the revealed verses, on another side replies to the petitions of people arriving from all directions, and from yet another side the handwritten letters of friends addressed to this evanescent one—all must be seen, read, and answered. In such case if there be delay in sending replies, one should not be disheartened. The essential thing is divine favor, and this servant testifies that you are possessed of it. This suffices you, by the Lord of all worlds.

And the elegies you had composed in remembrance of the two brilliant Lights were presented at the Most Holy Court and were accepted, and likewise the people of the Household observed them and praised them. The station of the Name of God “Ha” is most great. Once the Tongue of Grandeur uttered these words: “He attained martyrdom in his life, for he had no wishes, will or desire of his own. All his affairs ended in God. His spirit had been sacrificed while his body walked among men and spoke, and then he attained outward martyrdom as well.” This evanescent servant utters a hundred thousand times the words “Would that I had been with him!” Furthermore, the oppression of the second Ha is clear and evident, though verily the first Ha preceded him.

What remains for this servant is abundant sorrow and endless regret, for he did not attain to what was befitting and proper. Yet whatever the Beloved has willed is truly beloved. Were it not for these words, the heaven of the heart would be seen to split and the earth of being to cleave asunder, for he did not attain to that most exalted station and did not reach that most sublime rank. The sincere ones freely gave their lives while the servant preserves his through eating and drinking. Those souls in spending, this soul in withholding. The Command is in the hand of God, the Single, the All-Informed.

Convey sublime greetings on behalf of this evanescent servant to the children of the master—this depends on your grace. I give them the glad tidings that their deed was accepted at the threshold of the Throne. God willing, may you always be engaged in work with perfect comfort and utter remembrance, for verily He is the All-Wise Teacher.

BH01287: This is a mention from Us to one who…

He is the Herald from the Supreme Horizon

This is a mention from Us to one who has attained the lights of the Kingdom when the Sovereign of the Realm of Might came with a Word that caused all who are in the heavens and earth to swoon, and every treacherous one who clung to vain imaginings was shaken. We make mention of him who turned towards the Most Great Ocean and heard the murmur of the Water of Life in the days of the All-Merciful, that he may rejoice and be of those who are thankful.

We have turned from this Most Great Scene towards those who were martyred in the path of God, the Lord of Destiny, and We make mention of them with such remembrance that when it was inscribed, the Book proclaimed with the most exalted call:

“By God! Thou hast attained unto the Most Sublime Word from God, the Lord of all worlds.”

Blessed, then blessed is he who purposed to seek the Purpose of the world and sacrificed his spirit when the clamor of the nations was raised, in the path of God, the Almighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. Blessed is the soul that attained the wine of certitude in the days of the All-Merciful and was martyred in the path of God in such wise that the kindreds of the Supreme Paradise and the dwellers of the Cities of Names lamented. The Creator of heaven, the Lord of the Throne and of earth bears witness to this, yet the people are in manifest loss. The Most Exalted Pen testifies that they were servants whom neither the hosts of the world nor the might of those who disbelieved in God, the Lord of this mighty Day, could frighten. Through their acceptance, the denizens of earth and heaven accepted, and through their turning, every face turned towards the Face of God, the Lord of all worlds.

O ʿAli! Blessed art thou for God has aided thee in the service of His Cause and chosen thee from among His creatures to preserve the Station which He made as a throne for His Temple, a footstool for His feet, and a dawning-place for His sovereignty that encompasses all who are in the heavens and earth. It behooves thee to beseech God at all times that He may strengthen thee in this Cause hereafter as He strengthened thee before. Verily thy Lord is the Almighty, the Powerful. We counsel thee to fear God and to that which preserves thy station which We have given thee. Verily thy Lord is the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous.

The Eye of God hath been turned towards thee, and towards thy brethren who have cast away whatever they possessed, and hastened unto the ocean of the mercy of their gracious Lord. And We make mention of the two who turned their faces towards the Right-hand Vale, whilst the banners of the Names were uplifted in the Kingdom of Creation; whereupon the hearts of them that disbelieved in God—the Mighty, the Most Great—were sore troubled. Ye are they whom the veils of the divines withheld not: ye abandoned idle imaginings and laid hold on that which ye were bidden to take from God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. Through your turning, hearts were turned; through your directing, faces were directed; through your remembrance, remembrances were exalted betwixt earth and heaven; and through your arising for the Cause, every illumined heart arose.

Ye are the lamps of guidance amidst the world of being, the trees of loving-kindness among mankind, and the breaths of the All-Merciful unto all that dwell in the realm of existence; yet have the people been heedless of you and of your station, and of your mention, and of that which hath been ordained for you by the command of God—your Originator, your Creator, your Sustainer, your Giver of life and your Causer of death. By the life of God! had they but known, they would have hastened unto you and clung to the cords of your love. Ye are they who perceived the fragrance of the garment whilst men were wrapt in veils; and ye are they who sought the Most Exalted Goal whilst the people wandered in mists and vain imaginings; and ye are they who drank of the pure wine of everlasting life and attained unto the Most Great Martyrdom in the path of God, the Lord of all worlds.

We make mention of them, as a bounty from Our presence, that it may serve as a reminder unto him who hath been adorned with the ornament of true understanding in the days of the All-Merciful, and hath believed in the One, the All-Aware. The Most Exalted Pen hath borne witness that they turned unto God, and emigrated in His path, and strove with their very lives until they drank of the Kawthar of martyrdom from the hands of the bestowals of their Lord, the Forgiving, the Merciful; and He beareth witness that they answered when they heard the Call of the Desired One, and hastened unto the land of Taff—the spot wherein the Most Exalted Word was martyred. Thus doth God remember whom He willeth of His servants.

Verily, He is the All-Remembering, the All-Knowing. And at this hour the Tongue of Grandeur addresseth them, and those who were martyred with them, and saith: Upon you be the remembrance of God and His praise, and the breaths of God and His verses, and the mercy of God and His favours. Ye are they who cast away the world and hastened unto God, the Ancient of Days, whilst the nations were in manifest loss. Ye are they who aided God upon the earth and made manifest His sovereign power over all worlds. We bear witness unto you: through you were banners raised by the hands of bounty, and ye testified to that whereunto God Himself testified ere the creation of the heavens and the earth—that there is none other God but Him, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting. Thus have We adorned the Paradise of Utterance with the litanies of recognition. Verily, He is potent to do what He willeth. He saith “Be,” and it is.

At the close of the letter We return unto the mention of thee, O Salih, and of thy brethren, and of that which is ascribed unto thee, that thou mayest rejoice and render thanks unto thy Lord, the Mighty, the Well-Beloved. By God! houses shall perish, trees shall be broken, winds shall cease; yet that which We have set forth for thee by the hands of power shall not be overtaken by decay. To this beareth witness the Lord of the unseen and the seen. Glory be upon thee and upon them, and upon those who have attained unto the remembrance of God, the Lord of all that was and all that shall be. And praise be to God, the Sovereign, the Self-Subsisting.

BH01283: To be typed

To be typed.