Volume 063: Akka 1298 A.H. (1880–1881), Part II (5 of 5)

BH00119: Praise be unto my Lord—praise that transcendeth…

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

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

Praise be unto my Lord—praise that transcendeth all that this servant possesseth—for He hath caused the river of His mercy to flow from the Supreme Pen and through His most exalted Word hath summoned all created things to the ultimate goal and the highest summit. Through Him did He take, and through Him did He give. By His fire was the Tree of Sinai set ablaze, and by the light of His divine manifestation was the mountain reduced to dust and Moses struck down. By His single call were all things made to cry out, and by His single name were all the Messengers of the world guided aright. At times He concealed, and at times He revealed. May the souls of all the worlds be a sacrifice unto His concealment and His revelation!

Glory be unto Him, glory be unto Him! Though sorrows march before His face and grief follows behind, He speaketh both night and day that which a single letter thereof surpasseth all that is visible and invisible. He hath manifested and caused to appear that which hath struck down with awe all who are in the heavens and on earth, save them who were embraced by the outpourings of their Lord and were delivered by the hand of His power that holdeth sway over all things, be they great or small.

Glorified art Thou, O Thou through Whose Name the rivers have flowed, the fruits have appeared, and distinction hath been made between the righteous and the wicked! I beseech Thee by the Name which Thou hast made the key to the doors of Thy knowledge and wisdom, and the sun in the heaven of Thy manifestation and power, to assist Thy loved ones to glorify Thee and serve Thy Cause. O Lord! Thou seest them hastening to Thy lands and realms to manifest Thy sovereignty and promote Thy Cause. O Lord! I implore Thee by Thy Most Exalted Self to make them as one word and a celestial melody, then through them, O my God, attract the hearts of Thy servants and creatures. Make them among those whom the manifestations of the world have not prevented from arising to serve Thee, nor the clamor of nations from turning to Thy horizon. O Possessor of might and Sovereign of power! Through them shatter the idols which the people of the Furqan and the Bayan have carved with the hands of idle fancies and vain imaginings.

Thou art He, O my God, before Whose manifestations of power the very essence of power hath bowed down, and before Whose revelations of might the very reality of strength hath submitted. Thou art He to Whose greatness all things have testified, and to Whose loftiness, elevation and glory every letter hath borne witness. O Lord! Thou seest Thy loved ones among the most wretched of Thy creation, and Thy chosen ones amidst the most rebellious of Thy servants. Every day there befalleth them what hath not befallen Thy chosen ones of old. They hear, yet remain silent in compliance with what Thou hast commanded them in Thy Book, such that they refrain from objecting to the servants even when the clouds of hatred rain down upon them the arrows of tribulation from the enemies of Thy Self. O Lord! Aid them through the wonders of Thy help, and preserve them from all that is repugnant to Thy good-pleasure.

O Lord! Thou seest them turning toward Thee and gazing at Thy horizon. Ordain for them from the Pen of Thy decree that which will exalt them in every world of Thy worlds and draw them nearer to Thee in all conditions. Verily, Thou art the Almighty, the Hearer, the Answerer. There is none other God but Thee, the Ordainer, the Giver, the Forgiving, the Generous.

I pray, I send My peace, I glorify and I extol the words of Thy Scriptures and the letters of Thy Books through which, by Thy bounty and favor, the horizons of the heavens of detachment were illumined, and through which the suns of steadfastness shone forth in honor of Thy greatness and sovereignty. They are those of whom every book hath spoken in praise and glory, and every tongue hath proclaimed their loftiness and acceptance. They are those whom the gestures of creation did not prevent from soaring in the atmosphere of Thy nearness, nor did the manifestations of princes hinder from drawing nigh unto the horizon of Thy Revelation. They have cast aside the world and circled round the Most Great Name through which the Hidden Mystery and the Treasured Secret were revealed. These are Thy friends and chosen ones upon whom the Concourse on High and the dwellers of Paradise, and those who circle round the Throne at eventide and at dawn, send their blessings.

And furthermore, O beloved of my heart, the letters of your missive caused Me to hear the cooing of the Dove that warbled upon the branches of the Tree of God’s love. When I recognized and heard this, rapture and attraction seized Me, and I turned toward the Most Exalted Goal until I was present and laid before His Countenance what was therein. Then did the Ancient Beauty turn toward this evanescent one and spoke that which diffused the fragrance of grace throughout the world. He said, exalted be His glory: In My Name, the All-Compelling, the Self-Subsisting.

We have remembered thee and sent thee diverse Tablets, every letter of which speaketh of My grace and favor unto thee and maketh mention of what thou hast wrought in the path of God, the Lord of all worlds. Thou art he who hath traversed the lands and countries to proclaim the Cause of thy Lord, the Mighty, the All-Wise. Be thou ablaze with the fire of the Word of God, that thou mayest guide souls to this luminous horizon. Beware lest the coldness of those who have veiled themselves in the days of God, denied His proof and disbelieved in His signs when He came with the kingdom of names upon the clouds of destiny with manifest sovereignty, cause thee to falter. Be thou vocal in My remembrance, turning to My horizon and holding fast to My firm cord. Grieve not for what thou hast heard from those who have denied God and His signs, and who have clung to that which the followers of the Qur’an clung to before. Rather, We find them more veiled than all other sects. To this testifieth He Who speaketh on this Day of God: “Verily, I am the Manifest, the Commanding, the All-Knowing.”

Consider those who deemed themselves the most exalted of people and counted themselves among the saved community—how with but a slight test they were found more rebellious and transgressing than all the sects of the earth. Say: O friends! By the sun of the horizon of divine knowledge, this Wronged One hath had and hath no purpose save the salvation of mankind. At a time when all kings and subjects arose in opposition, this Wronged One summoned all on earth to the Most Exalted Horizon with the loudest call and guided them to the straight path.

Observe how the veils and clouds of glory that deprived people from the Self-Sufficient, the Most High, were rent asunder by the arm of power and might and the hands of authority. Now it is seen that the people of Bayan have freshly clung to former conjectures and the fancies of false souls. Say: O friends of God! Arise for God and in His path, that perchance ye may preserve the souls on earth from existing idols and limited fancies, until they behold themselves free and detached through divine grace. God willing, they shall gather mankind beneath the shade of a single Word and shall behold the outward and inward clad in one garment.

Say: O people of the Bayan! Fix your gaze upon this Word, which is of the pearls of the ocean of divine knowledge, and ponder it: Until ye recognize the falsehood of the past, ye shall not testify to the truth of today and shall remain deprived of the ocean of truthfulness. God, with perfect grace and kindness, offereth counsel and commandeth that which causeth the exaltation and elevation of His Cause. O ye essences! Today is the day of testing and the day of supreme profit. Waste not the moments which are more precious than red sulphur, and strive to manifest that which beseemeth and behooveth man.

O Asad! O thou who gazest upon the One, the Peerless! Observe how distant are the people of the Bayan, as though they had not attained even a drop from the Kawthar of inner meanings. They have newly purposed to build a region with fingers of falsehood and hatred, to establish sources of vain imaginings, and are freshly occupied with arranging first and second Imams. Have they not reflected upon the power of God, how He rent asunder the veils of the people and made manifest the falsehood of that which was in the hands of the transgressing and rebellious faction? For years they clung to an imaginary place, an imaginary person, and imaginary matters. Then, when the Hand of Power in this Revelation rent asunder the veils, they witnessed with their outward eyes that all which had been spoken before was bereft of truth and devoid of sincerity. Nevertheless, they have once again become afflicted with delusions greater than before. Break the idols of fancy and vain imaginings in the name of thy Lord! Thus doth the Lord of all names command thee. Verily, He is the All-Powerful, the Almighty.

Beseech ye the True One to sanctify your ears from that which is with the veiled ones among the people of the Bayan and the Furqan, that perchance they may attain unto this Call which is more delicate than a breeze, more subtle than spirit, and sweeter than divine protection. Should anyone contemplate with justice and fairness that blessed word which was mentioned as the pearls of the divine ocean of knowledge, he would observe those imaginary souls to be as earthworms. Every person possessed of smell findeth in their words a most foul odor, to this beareth witness the Lord of Names and Creator of Heaven.

Say: This is the Day of God, wherein none is mentioned save Him. Where is the station of this most holy, most exalted Day compared to the utterances of those remote, veiled, and imaginary souls? Say: By God! He heareth not your words nor walketh in your way. He hath appeared and made manifest His straight Path. Blessed is he who hath turned unto Him, and woe unto them that turn away. Glory be to him who hath believed in the Glory of God, detached from all who are in the heavens and the earth.

Say: O earthworms! If ye turn away from this horizon, to what horizon will ye turn? And if ye deny these manifest verses, these evident proofs, these shining testimonies, and these perfect words, by what proof are ye able to establish any matter? This is not the station of vain imaginings—the Sun of certitude is shining and the ocean of knowledge is surging. Say: O people of the Bayan! Ye were not and are not aware of the Source of the Cause. Be fair, open your eyes, that perchance ye may become aware and attain the ornament of acceptance. That which is lost today, ye were not and shall never be able to recover. Thus hath spoken the True One before and in this moment.

Today the Mother Book speaketh. Eyes and ears must be sanctified from what they have seen and heard, that they may receive their portion and share of this supreme bounty and profound favor. Verily, He hath spoken the truth. Blessed is every hearing and seeing one. Praise be to God, the Powerful, the Counselor, the Compassionate, the All-Informed.

God willing, your honor will at all times be confirmed in mentioning and expressing the Cause of the Beloved of all creation. Concerning what you wrote about arriving in the Land of Sad and attaining the blessing of visiting the two Luminous Lights, upon them be the Glory of God and His mercy—truly this is a blessing not vouchsafed to everyone, and this servant, with both outer and inner tongue, uttereth and mentioneth “Would that I were with your honor!” Alas that this evanescent servant did not attain to that which was befitting and worthy of the Divine days. How pleasing and delightful for your honor!

Concerning what you wrote about the affairs of the Sultanu’sh-Shuhada (King of Martyrs), may my spirit be a sacrifice unto him—God willing you will be assisted in that which is beloved of God. The most beloved of all things in the sight of God has been and is to manifest love and service to the King of Martyrs and his kindred. The veils of glory have prevented the eyes of the world from beholding the fruits of deeds—otherwise, by God’s life, the wolves and serpents in deserts and wilderness would cry out “Oh, woe unto us!” They committed such a grievous wrong, yet remain in utter heedlessness, occupied in these numbered days with ornaments of wealth and words. In gatherings and assemblies they mention and lament the martyrdom of past saints, unaware that the King of Saints wails and laments due to the cruelty of those wretches. The lamentation of Noah, the affliction of Job, the anguish of Zachariah, and the cry of the chosen ones were due to the oppression of such heedless souls and their like. May the True One, exalted be His glory, grant insight and bestow a portion from the ocean of justice.

Regarding what you wrote about the friends being newly enkindled by the fire of the Word and engaged in the remembrance of God—God willing, through the grace of His chosen ones, may they ever be adorned with praise and glorification of the Lord of Names. This evanescent servant beseeches the True One, exalted be His glory, to increase your confirmations at every moment so that all deeds, actions and words may be witnessed and heard as one. O people of the world! By God, the Truth has come—the Lord of Eternity has appeared with the Most Great Name, and with Him is that which was with all the Messengers. Blessed is he who has turned unto Him; woe to the heedless ones.

O beloved of my heart and he who is mentioned before my Lord! The Cause is most mighty and the people are most heedless. Skilled physicians are needed so that chronic diseases may be cured by the holy breaths. Some time ago this blessed and decisive Word shone forth from the horizon of the mouth of the will of the Lord of Oneness—exalted be His glory:

“This is a most great and wondrous Day, for He hath appeared in the garment of He’ speaking as the manifest I’.”

Would that the people of the Bayan, who like the people of the Furqan count themselves among the saved, would reflect on the greatness of this Day! Have they not heard the cooing of the Dove of the Furqan and the warbling of the Nightingale of the Bayan? Or have they not attained to that which God revealed in previous Books? They speak that from which the Books of God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting, dissociate themselves.

Regarding what you wrote about intending to travel to the land of N and J—this matter is most praiseworthy. The journeys of God’s chosen ones to cities and villages for teaching God’s Cause, protecting the believers, and guiding His servants have been and are beloved, nay, essential. From time to time, one who truly speaks for God’s sake and gazes toward God should journey to certain lands including A and R and N and J and Q and M and their surroundings. He guides whom He wishes to a straight path. Most of the people of the Bayan had and have no knowledge of the foundation of this Cause. They cling to falsehood and are deprived of truth. This servant begs God to guide all and grant them sustenance from the fruits of the Tree of Faithfulness. Verily, He is the Ordainer, the Generous.

Until this point the answer to that eminent one’s letter dated the 12th of Rabi’u’th-Thani has been submitted, and subsequently the exalted letter dated the 27th of Rabi’u’th-Thani brought joy to this evanescent one’s heart. God willing, may this love and kindness ever remain constant and enduring. The remembrance of the friends is auspicious to the Friend. After perusal, it was presented in the Most Holy Court and all of it was submitted. This answer was revealed from the Kingdom of Utterance—exalted be His grandeur:

Section 2: “In My Name, the Most Mighty, the Most…”

In My Name, the Most Mighty, the Most Great

Glorified be He Who hath appeared with the truth and hath manifested what He desired by a command from His presence. He, verily, is the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. The ears have been blessed by hearkening to the call of the All-Merciful, and the eyes have been solaced by beholding the praised station. Yet behold the people and their paucity of understanding—they turn away from God while saying “We are turned towards Him.” The Tongue of Grandeur hath judged them as liars when He came with the truth and spoke: “There is none other God but I, the Truth, the Knower of the unseen.” They have disputed the verses and proof of God while saying “We believe in Him Who appeared before.” Thus have their souls seduced them, and they understand not. Say: By God, He Whom ye claim at all times doth circle round the House and lamenteth because of your oppression, while ye perceive it not.

Say: O people of the Bayan, be fair in what hath appeared and become manifest from the horizon of possibility, and follow not vain imaginings and idle fancies. Turn unto Him with radiant faces and illumined hearts that ye may find what Moses found on Sinai and the Beloved found in the frequented House. Say: He needeth not the books of the world to prove His Cause. To this hath testified the Lord of nations Who came and gave glad tidings to all of this Name whereby every lofty mountain was crushed to dust. Cast behind you your vain imaginings and shatter the idols by the name of your Lord, the Glorious, Whose greatness hath been attested by the Books of God, the Sovereign of existence.

O people of the Bayan! Present yourselves before the All-Merciful and ponder on that which hath been sent down in truth. He will guide you to the supreme horizon. To this doth testify He with Whom are the mysteries of what hath been and what shall be. Fear God, and invalidate not the truth through your desires, and believe not every speaker whom prejudice hath kept back from this Stream which hath flowed from the Pen of God, the Lord of the seen and the unseen. Reflect upon God’s proofs and signs, then be fair, and follow not every rejected impostor. By God! He hath appeared like the sun at high noon. Blessed is the eye that hath turned toward Him and beheld, and woe unto every heedless one who is veiled. Thus have We mentioned thee that thou mayest mention the people, that haply they may abandon what they possess and take what hath been sent down from God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting.

The Truth hath shone forth as the sun from the horizon of the heaven of grace, yet the disease of vain imaginings hath prevented eyes from beholding it. The Call hath been raised to such a degree as cannot be mentioned, yet the ears have been deprived thereof through the assaults of selfish desires. All utterance hath been and is dependent upon the word of acceptance, and He Who revealed it declareth: “I am the first to worship Him.” Behold ye the greatness of this Cause!

The heedlessness of the servants and the turning away of the people of the Bayan are among the ordained matters. This Most Great, this wondrous Cause is unprecedented in all respects; past and future examples cannot comprehend it. Consider the heedlessness of these veiled souls! If they deny this Most Great, Most Exalted and Most Wondrous Cause, by what proof do they establish the truth of what came before and what came even before that? A one-year-old child of this Revelation is mightier than all the peoples.

Say: Look ye in the Books of God that ye may recognize that from which ye have been veiled. He, verily, is the Counsellor, the Sincere, the Evident, the Kind, the Generous. Efface all that ye have heard and seen, and fix your gaze upon that which hath been sent down from the Kingdom of God’s knowledge. By the life of God! Then will His straight path and the lights of His Great Name become manifest unto you.

Say: The Truth hath never waited and waiteth not for anyone’s belief, and the Books before the Bayan and others have testified to and foretold the turning away of the people. O Asad! O thou who gazest upon the One, the Single! It behooveth thee to beseech God night and day to aid His weak servants who have cast aside the Most Great Ocean and have hastened, turning away from it towards the pool.

I swear by the Sun of the horizon of sanctification that the people of the Bayan appear more veiled than the people of the Furqan. After all exertions and the rending of veils, it is observed that this people cling to, hold fast to, and utter the same words which that rebellious and insolent group before them spoke. A hundred thousand pities that ears should be occupied in hearkening unto such words! They are not even aware enough to consider what became of those souls before who uttered such vain words, and what fruit it yielded them. By the life of God! They wander in the valley of error and are immersed in the ocean of heedlessness.

O Most Exalted Pen! Leave the mention of these people and illumine the horizon of the heaven of Thy Lord’s Book with the sun of proof and evidence. Then give glad tidings to the peoples of creation of the appearance of the Lord of Names and the Creator of Heaven. Say: By God! The appointed time hath come, and the breeze of the All-Merciful hath wafted throughout all contingent being. Blessed is he who hath inhaled and found, and he whose heart hath turned, and he whose face hath been illumined, and woe unto every heedless doubter.

Turn not unto the people and their doubts, but unto the Truth and Its manifestations which have encompassed all who are in the heavens and on earth. Those who turned away from the proof when the All-Merciful came with clear signs have lost, and he who took hold of it by the power of God, the Strong, the Mighty, hath won. Say: All the books of the world cannot be compared to one Tablet from Him. The Tongue of Grandeur hath testified to this, and behind it all things, if ye be of them that hear.

Glory be to God! The wondrous, transcendent verses that have been sent down bear no resemblance to verses of the past, and yet they have said that which no oppressor hath said in the days of Manifestation. Shame upon them and perdition upon them! Have they not seen the new Books and heard the wondrous verses? One is amazed at the heedlessness that hath encompassed that people.

Yea, by My life! The sightless one is deprived of beholding the effulgences of the rays of the Sun of Truth, and the deaf one is prevented from hearing the call of the All-Merciful. Verily, He hath spoken the truth and speaketh with justice. The Command is in His grasp. He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He pleaseth.

As you mentioned in your letter that on the 9th of Rabi’u’th-Thani you acted as a deputy in visitation, God Himself beareth witness that these words were truly glad-tidings which caused my heart and soul to be adorned with the grace of joy and delight. This evanescent servant hopeth that the All-Bountiful Lord may grant you complete recompense, for verily He is the All-Forgiving, the All-Merciful. Would that this servant had been with you and had attained unto that which you attained. Though this servant is certain that your deputyship is dearer than any act this ephemeral one could himself perform, praise be to God that you have graciously granted this lowly one a share in your blessed, praiseworthy and acceptable deeds.

With regard to what you wrote concerning Jinab-i-Mulla R.J., upon him be the Glory of God, God willing he is protected through divine grace. Some time ago, a word concerning him was heard from the blessed tongue, and from that word this servant became assured that no harm would befall him. This servant beseeches and hopes from the Truth that at all times he may drink from the Kawthar of steadfastness, in such wise that neither doubts nor insinuations, whether from near or far, may prevent him, and that he may be occupied with teaching the Cause of the All-Merciful with perfect wisdom and utterance.

O my master! The friends of God have not been and are not aware of the root of this Cause, and since the delusions of the past and their effects remain in ears and hearts, therefore certain souls are debarred by foul odors from the sweet fragrances of the garden of inner meanings. This evanescent servant beseeches and hopes from the Truth, exalted be His glory, that He may bestow upon all from the chalice of certitude and assurance, that all may observe His Cause with the eye of God and arise to serve it in such wise that they may regard all else as non-existent and null.

One day I was present before His countenance when He said:

“O thou who art present! Pray and beseech the True One that He may protect the souls who have turned towards Him from the doubts of the suspicious ones, and in these days when the horizon of the heaven of Revelation is illumined with the lights of His countenance, He may grant salvation from extinction and destruction to those who are assured. Verily, He is the Almighty, the Powerful.”

Then such utterances were revealed from the divine kingdom of knowledge that this servant beheld himself bewildered and amazed, to such an extent that I was and am truly incapable and powerless to mention them.

With utmost humility and supplication, I beseech the Gracious, the Merciful One that He may not deprive creation of the outpourings of His days. Verily, He is the One to Whose pardoning grace, generosity, bounty and bestowal all created things have testified. It is strange that souls speak without awareness and that others listen to and accept such vain words. Divine verses are being revealed like torrential rain, to such an extent that it has not been and is not possible to record them, and until now no one has enumerated them. Nevertheless, they have said that He takes two words from the Bayan and two words from the Qur’an, fashions verses from them and sends them abroad. And this statement has come from one who, by God besides Whom there is no God, was not worthy to be mentioned or to speak in the Holy Presence.

Until now, this servant has, according to command, effaced in water the equivalent of what was revealed by the Point (the Bab), may the souls of all else be sacrificed for Him, and what remains equals what has been seen from the Primal Point and the previous Prophets, nay rather exceeds it. Every fair-minded and discerning person bears witness to this. Would that, would that the servants would reflect upon what they say and utter! If only some would truly rend the veils and observe the conditions revealed by God! In such case they would become illumined by the lights of the dawn of divine knowledge and wisdom, and would utter the blessed words “Would that I had not taken such a one for a friend!” This evanescent servant has not been and is not permitted to unveil, otherwise I would have presented that which would adorn the accepted ones with the ornament of knowledge.

O beloved of my heart! Consider those who give ear to such vain and absurd utterances. Has truth ever been, or can it ever be, confounded with aught else besides itself? Nay, by Him Who hath caused all things to proclaim His praise! The Cause is even as the sun—manifest, resplendent, clear and evident. Where are the penetrating eyes? Where are the attentive ears? Where are the enlightened breasts? Where are the illumined and detached hearts?

Some of these false souls have said to one of the assured ones who had drunk from the ocean of certitude that “this copy of the Bayan which you possess is not the original—you have corrupted it. The original is in the possession of His Holiness the Azal.” Consider how far removed such a speaker is from the dawning-place of truth! These words are like unto the false claims which the rebellious and tyrannical sect known as the Shi’ites have uttered throughout twelve hundred years, arguing in their gatherings and assemblies that the complete Qur’an is not in the hands of the people, but rather exists in the imaginary Jabulqa and Jabulsa with their imagined Qa’im, and they still await his appearance to bring forth the remainder of the Qur’an. Woe unto them and unto those who have caused them to wander in the wilderness of fancy and vain imaginings!

Say: O hapless ones! For twelve hundred years you uttered these fabricated words—what was the outcome, and what fruit did it yield for you? What is your purpose, what is your object? Hearken to the words of this evanescent servant, and do not that which they did of old, and speak not that which they spoke. Fix your gaze upon the dawning-place of the Revelation and turn toward the horizon of divine knowledge. In this Revelation all are bound to behold the Truth through the Truth itself, for It hath never been and never shall be known through aught else. To this testify all sacred Books, all holy Scriptures, all divine Tablets and every perspicuous Text.

Say: O misguided ones! Have mercy upon the people! Spread not anew the carpet of vain imagining, and leave not the poor and weak to wander in the valley of bewilderment. It is hoped that the people of the Crimson Ark will arise for God’s sake and speak for God’s sake, that perchance they may protect the helpless servants from the doubts and allusions of souls that are remote and veiled. Tears are flowing and sighs are ascending, for we behold the divine sheep pursued by ravening wolves, and the pearls of divine love lying in wait for thieves and betrayers. The place of counsel and remembrance is encompassed by the darkness of heedlessness and fancy. The Command is in God’s hands, the Lord of all worlds and the Master of this mighty Day.

Through your efforts, this petition and the petitions sent to their honors Mulla ʿAli-Akbar and Ibn-i-Abhar and others—the splendor of God rest upon them—which deal with these matters, should be copied. After complete review and correction, they should be sent to assured, steadfast and firm souls, such as his honor R.J., upon him be 66-9 [Baha’u’llah], and others like him who are in various lands, that they might remind the people and protect them from that which God loveth not. Blessed are they who arise for God’s sake.

Blessed are those souls who arise for God’s sake and guard the Cause, protecting it from that which God does not love. While penning this letter, the missive of his honor Ha and Sin, upon him be the glory of God, which he had written to his honor Aqa Mirza Muhammad, upon him be [the glory of God], brought joy to this evanescent one’s heart. In that letter was the glad tidings of the arrival of that honored one and the son of Ismullah, upon them both be the glory of God. They had also written a letter to this servant. God willing, I hope in these days to be enabled to reply to their letter. I request that you convey, on behalf of this evanescent servant, expressions of utter effacement and nothingness to them and to all the friends in that land. God willing, it is hoped that from the horizons of hearts the sun of unity will shine forth and become the cause and means of illumining all regions and countries. Glory be upon you and upon those who have attained the wine of steadfastness in the days of God, the Omnipotent, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. And praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

BH00318: Praise be unto Him Who is sanctified above…

Section 1: “Praise be unto Him Who is sanctified above…”

In the Name of our Most Holy, Most Great, Most Exalted, Most Glorious Lord

Praise be unto Him Who is sanctified above the comprehension of all created things, the Goal of all creation, Who through His all-encompassing Will caused the heaven of utterance to be raised up and adorned with the stars of inner meanings. He is the One Who hath power to interpret all the books of the world from a single point and make them manifest. From Him hath appeared the Most Great Word which is like the Water of Life in its effects, and through Him the world and all created things have attained unto the ornament of life. Nay, in truth, He Himself is the Water of Life, and upon Him dependeth the life of all things. Through Him the Path is laid down, the Balance established, the Way made clear, and the Hour set.

Blessed are they who have quaffed the wine of understanding from Him and who have attained unto the word “Yea!” The description of this blessed Word transcendeth the power of tongue, pen, and the comprehension of nations. In every station it is known by a different name and described by different attributes. All the most beautiful names and most exalted attributes circle round it, and all stations have been and shall be through its name. Blessed is he who hath attained unto hearing it in the days of its Lord, its Revealer, its Speaker and its Manifestation. The servant beseecheth his Lord to guide all unto it, to make known unto them its station, its significance and its mysteries, and to aid them to turn towards it and arise to serve it. Verily He is the All-Powerful, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

Glorified art Thou, O my God and the God of all who are in the world, my Goal and the Goal of the nations! I beseech Thee by this Word through which the tongue of Thy grandeur spoke when Thy Temple was established upon the throne of Thy mercy, to assist Thy loved ones to be steadfast in Thy Cause and to make known unto them that which shall profit them in all Thy worlds. O Lord! Disappoint them not of that which lieth with Thee, for when Thou didst call them unto the Dayspring of Thy Cause and the Dawning-Place of Thy Revelation, withhold them not from the Kawthar of Thy utterance and the Salsabil of Thy knowledge. I testify that Thou hast manifested Thyself for Thy creatures and servants to know Thee, and hast made the Supreme Pen to be Thy interpreter that it might remind all in Thy days, draw them nigh unto the horizon of Thy grace, and cause them to hear the rustling of the Divine Lote-Tree through Thy permission and will.

O Lord! Thou seest them turning unto Thee and directing their faces toward Thy countenance, grieving for the oppression of Thine enemies who have broken Thy Covenant, disputed Thy signs, denied Thy right, and risen up to extinguish Thy light. O Lord! I beseech Thee by the power that hath encompassed all created things and by the might that hath prevailed over all possibilities, to protect Thy loved ones through Thy bounty and grace, and to honor them with such a station that neither the hosts of the earth nor the ascendancy of every denier who hath turned away from Thy Cause shall frighten them. There is no God but Thee, the Mighty, the Wise.

Thereafter this evanescent one submitteth in Thy service that the honored letter was received, causing perfect joy and complete gladness, for the fragrance of sincerity was wafting from it and it spoke in praise of the Goal of the world. After reading and learning of its contents, one night during the revelation of verses from the heaven of the Will of the King of Names and Attributes, your letter was presented. This is what the Tongue of the Desired One spoke, exalted be His glory:

He is the Compassionate, the Bountiful

O Muhammad-Qablil-Husayn! The Wronged One of the horizons heard thy call and witnessed thy devotion, and maketh mention of thee in these sublime words. This is among the great bounties of the Lord of the worlds. Praise be to God that thou hast turned to the highest horizon and attained the recognition of the Lord of Names, from which most of mankind remain deprived. Strive thou, that thy remembrance, praise and devotion may increase at all times. This is a Day whereon the call of the All-Merciful is raised, and likewise the croaking of the manifestations of Satan. These manifestations of Satan have never been and are not confined to any limits. Every soul who in this Day uttereth a word that causeth the enkindled hearts to become dejected is accounted before the All-Merciful as being of Satan’s company. Obstacles have appeared and will continue to appear before the wayfarer in the divine path, but those powerful and mighty souls who have partaken of the Kawthar of steadfastness—no barrier can deter them and no waters of the world can quench their ardor. They are set ablaze by the Word of God and are gazing toward and turning to the horizon of His Cause with such devotion that all the world is powerless to prevent.

Today the people of Baha who are seated in the Crimson Ark must fix their gaze upon the tracing of the Most Exalted Pen, not upon the vain imaginings of deluded souls. In one word the effect of the living waters appeareth, and from another the scorching wind bloweth. They that are drawn to the Ka’bah of Reality and circle round the Sanctuary of the Spirit must strive to remove conflict, strife and corruption from the entire world, nay rather to obliterate even their mention, and attain such a station wherein the doubts of the possessors of doubt, uncertainty and misgiving among heedless souls will not prevent them from the light of oneness.

Convey greetings from the True One to the friends in that land and remind them all of the divine verses, that they may not be deprived of the fruits of the recompense for what they have endured and heard in the path of God. Say: Your stations are ordained and mentioned in the divine Kingdom, for ye have borne in the path of the Friend that which none hath borne and have heard that which none hath heard. Now preserve these lofty and most exalted stations and squander them not through the whisperings of devilish souls and the doubts of heedless hearts. Arise with complete steadfastness in the Cause of the Lord of all beings, and with wisdom, utterance, spirit and fragrance guide the servants to the court of the All-Merciful. Say: O friends! This is the Day of pure deeds. Strive ye and endeavor, that perchance ye may succeed in performing a deed the mention of which shall endure throughout the Kingdom of earth and heaven. This is a Day that hath been mentioned in all the divine Books, and all the Prophets and Messengers have given the glad-tidings thereof to the peoples of ancient and modern times. Fix your gaze upon this blessed verse which hath been revealed in the Book of God:

“Verily He is the One Who is named in the Torah as Jehovah, in the Gospel as the Spirit of Truth and the Comforter, and in the Qur’an as the Great News.”

Say: O friends! Do not believe every speaker, and be not assured by every claimant of love. Look ye to that which God hath sent down in the Book, hold fast unto it and act accordingly. The Truth hath ever been and still is with you—He heareth and seeth. Verily He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing. The world is like unto a passing shadow; soon it shall perish and become non-existent. At every moment its annihilation can be witnessed. Beware lest its conditions, ornaments, words and embellishments prevent you from Him Who brought it into being, created it and originated it. In the name of God preserve your stations, and beseech the True One that ye may attain unto that which shall cause your remembrance to endure in the Book of God. This is the most exalted station, the highest rank and the ultimate goal. Blessed is he who hath attained thereunto, and woe unto the heedless. Praise be to God, the Lord of the Worlds.

The favor of the Truth unto your honor is evident and manifest from the aforementioned revealed verses. God willing, may you speak the mention of the Truth in all conditions and remain steadfast in His Cause. Today, if a soul should become the possessor of but one word from the presence of the Truth—that is, if one word of good-pleasure should be revealed concerning him from the Supreme Pen—in truth he hath been and shall be the possessor of the most precious of all things. The treasures of the world cannot and will never equal this supreme bounty. This evanescent servant beseecheth the Exalted Truth to grant success unto your honor and confirm you in that which containeth the good-pleasure of the Friend. It is hoped that the masters and nobles of that land may discover the sweetness of the utterance of the All-Merciful, may hold fast unto that which hath been sent down from the Kingdom of grace, and may act accordingly. This evanescent servant offereth thanks with a hundred thousand tongues unto the Eternal Truth for having enkindled your honor with the fire of His love and confirmed you in the service of His Cause. His is the praise in all conditions. There is no God but He, the Confirmer, the Compassionate, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

Section 2: “As to what you mentioned regarding separation…”

As to what you mentioned regarding separation from the Beloved of the horizons, He said:

“Let him praise God for having aided him to serve the Cause.”

That which is beloved in the sight of God today is the teaching of the Cause with wisdom and utterance. Blessed is he who attaineth unto this most exalted station. Verily, He recordeth for the one who hath arisen to serve His Cause the reward of attaining His presence. Thy Lord is, verily, the One Who hath power over whatsoever He willeth, and He is the Kind, the Generous.

In truth, today is the day of mention, praise and assistance of the Cause of the Lord of Names through wisdom and utterance. You must impress upon all that the triumph of God’s Cause hath not been and is not through contention, warfare and corruption. All must strive and endeavor to conquer hearts and souls with the sword of wisdom and utterance. At times, these words have issued from the Most Holy Tongue and been revealed in the Most Holy Tablet:

“Blessed are they who have not oppressed but were oppressed, and who, without rebellion, became the object of vengeance in the path of God.”

Consider the Lord of existence, that is, the King of Martyrs. He conducted himself with the utmost joy and fragrance among all peoples, and never did he cause harm to anyone. Even the Armenians of the land of Sad (Isfahan) expressed their satisfaction with that holy being. Several years passed, and no one ever observed him acting contrary to God’s will. His will and desire were annihilated in the Will of God. This is the station of the Most Great Martyrdom that hath formerly flowed from the Supreme Pen. He had attained to the Most Great Jihad and was adorned with outward martyrdom as well.

Now reflect upon God’s favors towards that essence of being. In his final days he attained to such a station that tongues and pens are occupied with his mention and praise. From all directions, elegies commemorating his tribulation have been submitted and sent, and they continue to arrive unceasingly. Were it not for the decree of wisdom from the Supreme Pen, thou wouldst witness people from every city and land turning towards that blessed land for pilgrimage. Had this occurred for any name other than God’s, it would never have been mentioned. How many honored souls—those who, due to their earthly authority, considered themselves the most noble of creation—have returned from palaces to graves, and from the highest station to the worst abode, and today are neither remembered nor mentioned by anyone.

These are but the outward virtues that have been mentioned. Otherwise, I swear by the shrill voice of the Pen of the Lord of Eternity that were the inner stations of that essence of being to be revealed, all would fall unconscious and bewildered, save whom God willeth. This servant, if able, would cry out a hundred thousand “Would that I were!” at every moment. In short, martyrdom is not so cheap as to be attained by this evanescent one. He begs the Exalted Truth to be counted among those who long for this most exalted station. Verily, He ordaineth what He willeth for whomsoever He pleaseth. He is, verily, the Powerful, the Mighty.

Another submission: All that was sent was presented in the Most Holy Presence, that is, mention of the items and of those who sent them. Praise be to God, they were adorned with the ornament of acceptance.

In regard to the matter mentioned concerning thy wife, upon her be the Glory of God, it was presented before the Throne. A most holy and exalted Tablet was revealed from the heaven of mercy specifically for that noble lady and was dispatched. God willing, she will recite it and become intimate with it. However, at this point one of the handmaidens of God made a supplication, and its answer was revealed from the divine Kingdom of Utterance.

This servant wished to include its contents in this letter so that all may be gladdened by the divine glad-tidings and act as befitteth this Day. His words, exalted be His majesty:

“Whatsoever appeareth hath not been and is not outside divine wisdom. The people of insight and understanding have borne and bear witness to this truth. Today thou art blessed with something that is seen to be superior to and more faithful than a hundred thousand children. Today is different from other days. Whosoever hath drunk even a drop from the Kawthar of knowledge confesseth to that which the Pen of God hath confessed. Children are for the perpetuation of mention and good deeds and the continuation of name and the like. And if God, exalted be His glory, should bestow His grace and those children be adorned with the ornaments of worthiness, humanity and piety, their mention will soon come to an end with the passage of time. But the mention of the Most Exalted Pen will endure as long as God’s most beautiful names endure. Hold fast unto this if thou be of the people of Baha. Thou hast better than what thou desirest and higher than what thou hast, but thou art unaware of it. God willing, if thou become aware of it thou shalt attain unto the greatest joy and supreme gladness. Thus hath My Pen spoken out of grace to My name. Verily thy Lord is the All-Bountiful, the Forgiving, the Generous.”

End.

I beseech you to convey greetings from this evanescent servant to the friends in that land. Praise be to God, all have attained to that which others are deprived of. They must preserve this great bounty in the name of God and remain so firm and steadfast in the Cause of God that none shall be able to prevent them. The world hath had and hath no significance. They should speak in remembrance of the Friend and drink the water of love in His remembrance. Verily He is with His remembering servants and with His steadfast servants. Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds. The Glory shining from the horizon of our Lord the Most Merciful’s bounty be upon thee and upon those who have attained unto the greatest bounty in the days of God, the Lord of all beings, and upon every faithful servant to the Covenant on the Day of Separation.

The servant 24 Sha’ban 1298

Again it is submitted that you should be vigilant in all conditions, and every person’s tablet should reach them. Jinab-i-Kazim Nasrabadi, upon him be the Glory of God, has sent two petitions to the Most Holy Court, therefore two most holy and exalted Tablets have been revealed in response. God willing you will deliver them to him. Another submission: Jinab-i-Aqa Muhammad Riday-i-Misgar sends greetings to you and his request is that you consider how his wife’s properties might be sold in whatever way possible and the proceeds collected and sent. Now too, whatever is expedient and appropriate for these days, whether through power of attorney or otherwise, write so that the aforementioned person’s wife may act accordingly. If a power of attorney is needed, send it. These matters depend on what you deem advisable. Since these matters pertain to the friends of God, therefore attention to them is beloved by this servant and you and others.

BH00303: Praise, sanctified above the understanding of all creation, beseemeth…

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

In the Name of our Lord, the Most Holy, the Most Great, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious

Praise, sanctified above the understanding of all creation, beseemeth the most holy court of that Self-Subsisting One Who, through His Most Exalted Word, hath brought forth all who dwell on earth and in heaven from utter nothingness into the realm of being. This Word manifesteth itself in every station through one of the revelations of God—exalted be His glory and magnified be His grandeur. At times, the Water of Life floweth from it, bestowing life upon the world and causing it to endure. At other times, the Fire of Love appeareth therefrom, igniting the lovers and setting them ablaze in the wilderness of longing with the fire of separation. Were all the tongues of created things to attempt to describe or mention the revelations of this Most Exalted Word as they truly are, they would surely find themselves powerless and wanting. Exalted is its grandeur, sublime its station, magnificent its glory!

This Word, despite its majesty, might, power, authority and influence, was revealed in one instance from the Supreme Pen, whereupon the Pen, after hearkening to the irrevocable command from the tongue of the Will of the Ancient Lord, was observed to fall unconscious and bewildered. None save God is aware of the duration of its swooning. Reflect now upon the greatness and loftiness of the Ancient Lord, the Sovereign of the Word, the Revealer of verses. This is the station that hath bewildered the chosen ones and near ones of God, and concerning which the Seal of the Prophets—may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for His sake—declared: “Lord, increase my wonderment in Thee,” for such wonderment hath ever been and shall forever remain beloved. Well is it with them that comprehend.

Glorified art Thou, O Cleaver of the dawn and Kindler of the light! I beseech Thee by the light of Thy countenance after the extinction of all things, by the manifestations of Thy power in the kingdom of creation, and by the revelations of Thy grandeur between earth and heaven, to aid Thy loved ones to remain steadfast in this Cause whereby every foundation hath been shaken, every forward-moving one hath retreated, every firm foot hath slipped, and the heart of every tranquil one hath been disturbed. Thou art He Whom the conditions of Thy servants cannot frustrate, nor can the might of Thy enemies weaken. Thou hast manifested whatsoever Thou didst desire through Thy sovereignty, and hast spoken whatsoever Thou didst ordain through Thy will. There is none other God but Thee, the Ruler, the Commander, the Almighty, the Powerful. O my Lord! Thou seest Thy loved ones amongst Thy creatures and hearest their cries and lamentations by reason of what hath befallen them in Thy days at the hands of the oppressors among Thy creatures. I beseech Thee to ordain for them from the Supreme Pen that which will draw them nigh unto Thee in all conditions. There is none other God but Thee, the Self-Sufficient, the Most Exalted.

And further: it is submitted that the letter from that honoured one arrived through the postal courier, and as it was adorned and embellished with the mention and praise of the Beloved of the worlds, it increased the power of sight and hearing. Indeed, the fragrance of divine love wafted from it, and after perusing its contents, it was presented before the Most Holy, Most Exalted Presence, before the countenance of the Ancient Lord. This is what the Tongue of Grandeur spoke in reply—exalted be His glory:

In My Name, the One Who ruleth over all names

Mention from Us to him who has attained to the lights of faith while the people of the world turned away from the All-Merciful, save whom God, the Lord of the worlds, willed. This is the Day wherein the Book speaketh: By God! The Promised One hath come with a sovereignty that none in the heavens and earth can resist. Blessed is the soul that hath heard and responded, and woe unto the heedless. Be thou thankful for having been mentioned by the Wronged One during numbered years. Verily thy Lord is the Reckoner, the All-Knowing. We have mentioned thee in such wise as the treasuries of kings cannot equal, whereunto beareth witness the Sovereign of the Kingdom in this glorious Tablet.

How many a servant was attracted by the verses of his Lord, and how many a master turned away, having followed the sources of idle fancies who disbelieved in the Day of Judgment. All people, both high and low, sought the presence of the divine Day, yet when the light of the dawn of Revelation illumined the horizon of the world, all turned away and remained veiled. Thereafter, the Truth, beholding with His all-encompassing mercy, His pre-existing grace, and His revealed wisdom, raised the devoted ones to maturity like children through the milk of forbearance, kindness and compassion, and made them aware—exalted be His glory, His grandeur, His might and His sovereignty.

And after the veils were rent asunder by the finger of divine Will and the seal of the choice wine was broken, the assured, steadfast, contented and well-pleased souls arose with perfect steadfastness to serve the Cause of the Lord of all beings, while others remained deprived by the veils of idle fancies. And the most veiled of all parties have been and continue to be the followers of the Bayan.

By the Sun of the horizon of Revelation! The understanding of animals is seen to be higher and more exalted than these heedless souls. Today is the Day of God, and none except God, exalted be His glory, has been or will be mentioned. Those heedless ones, like unto the people of the Furqan, cling to mention of chiefs, nobles, the Imam, and what is above and below these. Not for a moment have they come to their senses nor reflected upon what became of those souls who for twelve hundred years considered themselves more pious and learned than all peoples. Yea, the outcome of their deeds, words and beliefs was that they martyred the Beloved of all creation and manifested such tyranny as the eye of creation had never witnessed.

And the cause of this rebellion, tyranny and unbelief were words that issued from the source of falsehood. For had they acknowledged that God, exalted be His glory, is the All-Powerful, the Unconstrained, that which occurred would not have occurred. The manifestations of falsehood and dawning-places of hypocrisy veiled the people through mention of regions, Jabulqa and Jabulsa, and the appearance of an imaginary form from imaginary cities, to such extent that they denied the Manifestation of Truth and arose with utmost hatred and rancor, martyring the Truth and His loved ones with the most grievous torment.

O thou who gazest upon the Face! Ponder the utterances of the Beloved of all creation and observe with penetrating vision, that perchance those who follow the vain imaginings of the people of the Bayan, who have turned from Truth and clung to falsehood, may not remain deprived and forbidden from the straight path. The world hath never been faithful, nor will it be. Strive thou to attain unto that which beseemeth this divine Day.

Convey to the friends in that land My greetings that perchance they may be enkindled with the fire of greeting—an enkindlement that shall not be quenched throughout the duration of the kingdom of earth and heaven. Blessed is he who hath attained unto the Kawthar of steadfastness in this Announcement, through whose remembrance the Books of God, the All-Subduing, the Self-Subsisting, have been adorned. O Muhammad-Qabli-Kazim! Rejoice in that We have heard thy communion with God, thy Lord and the Lord of thy forebears. Blessed be thy tongue for what it hath uttered, thy heart for what it hath understood, thine eye for what it hath beheld, and thy hand for what it hath grasped of the Tablet of God, the Mighty, the Wondrous. We counsel thee and them that have believed to act in accordance with what hath been sent down in the Book of God, the Mighty, the All-Wise. He desireth for you naught save that which shall profit you in all the worlds of God, the Goal of them that have recognized Him. Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

As to what thou didst write concerning the two letters thou hadst sent to which no reply had come, God is My witness that those two letters were received and detailed replies were written and dispatched. Although this evanescent servant hath had and hath no time—for night and day he is occupied with the revelation of the verses of God—nevertheless there was no delay in replying to that beloved one, and this servant’s letter, together with wondrous and sublime verses revealed from the heaven of God’s Will, was sent. God willing, it is hoped it will arrive. Verily, He is the All-Powerful, the Unconstrained.

Concerning what thou didst write about the ascension of the forgiven and elevated one, thy brother, upon him be the glory of God, it was presented before the Countenance of the Desired One. This is what was revealed in his remembrance, exalted be His majesty:

Section 2: “In My Name that is sanctified above all…”

In My Name that is sanctified above all that was and that shall be

Blessed art thou, O Baqir, in that thou didst hear the call of thy Lord, the Most Glorious, and didst respond to it with manifest sincerity. We bear witness that thou hast believed in God and His verses and hast turned unto Him when the learned ones of the earth and its princes turned away. Verily thy Lord is the All-Remembering, the All-Informed. Blessed art thou in that thou hast attained unto the Most Great Ocean and hast believed in God, the Goal of them that have recognized Him. Thou art he at whose mention My Most Exalted Pen was moved, and thou hast attained unto My choice wine. The glory that hath shone forth from the horizon of the Pen of the Ancient of Days, and the glory of the Concourse on High and the Kingdom of Names, be upon thee and upon them who have acknowledged that which God acknowledged before the creation of the heavens and the earth.

If a soul were to possess all that is on earth and were to expend it, he would still not attain unto this supreme mention which hath appeared from the Pen of the Ancient of Days concerning him. Now be thankful for God’s favor and behold the station of His loved ones, for these holy, assured and tranquil souls who have been afflicted in God’s path by the taunts of the idolaters, the turning away of the deniers, and the oppression of the wrongdoers, have been and shall forever be remembered in His presence and recorded in the Book of God. Know this and say: Praise be unto Thee, O Goal of the world, and glorified be Thou, O Beloved of the worlds.

You have appeared before Our presence in the blessed night of the twenty-seventh of the revered month of Sha’ban to perform visitation on behalf of the departed one, as per his last testament. Blessed be he, and blessed be you and I. This visitation was performed twice—once upon the arrival of the letter and its presentation to the Most Holy Court, and again at the time of submitting the response. Verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, is the Helper, the Mighty, the Bestower.

This evanescent servant beareth witness to the recognition, certitude and sincerity of that departed soul, for he attained to even more than that which he desired. Praise be to God in all conditions. I beseech God that love for this fleeting world may not prevent or deprive His loved ones from attaining their lofty and everlasting stations. Would that the people knew and understood!

Regarding what you wrote about properties, act in accordance with what God hath ordained in His Most Holy Book.

Concerning your mention of the honored Shaykh Aqa, upon him be the Glory of God, it was presented before His presence. These are the words uttered by the Tongue of the All-Merciful in the Kingdom of Utterance—exalted be His grandeur:

“We make mention of him who hath attained unto My love, who speaketh My praise and who hath turned towards My luminous horizon. We have turned towards and made mention of him who hath ascended unto Us, that this remembrance may be a treasure for him in the dominion of God, the Master of this mighty Cause. We testify that he believed in God and attained the recognition of the Manifestation of His Cause, and drank the choice wine of utterance in the name of his Lord, the Munificent, the Generous. Glory be upon him and upon those who have cast away idle fancies, clinging to the hem of certitude.”

The tongue of the world is powerless to offer thanks for even a drop from the ocean of His bounty. By night and by day, the Most Exalted Pen of God and the Tongue of Grandeur and Glory are occupied with the mention of His loved ones. May the Gracious Lord assist all to arise to that which beseemeth His infinite favors. However, they must in all circumstances hold fast to the cord of wisdom and perform such deeds as will quench the fire of hatred and silence the clamor of the people of discord. The triumph of the Cause dependeth upon mention and utterance, conducted with the utmost joy and radiance. All must aid the Cause of God, glorified be His majesty, through goodly deeds and luminous, spiritual qualities, and must engage in teaching the Cause with the utmost wisdom, that perchance a wanderer may find his way and one who is deprived may attain to the fruit of the tree of creation, which is the recognition and meeting with God. Verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, is the Helper, the Almighty.

The mention of the honored brothers Aqa Muhammad Ja’far and Aqa Muhammad Sadiq and Haji ʿAbdu’l-Husayn, upon them be the Glory of God, the King, the Just, the Mighty, the Wise, was presented before the Most Holy and Most Exalted Court. This is what was sent down for them from the Kingdom of the will of our All-Knowing Lord—exalted be His glory:

He is the Most Ancient, the Most Great

O My loved ones! Rejoice in that the countenance of the Wronged One hath turned toward you and His Most Exalted Pen hath moved to make mention of you in this Great Prison. Ye are they who have borne tribulations in the path of God and have heard in His love what the ears of most of the servants have not heard. To this beareth witness the Lord of creation on this night wherein all things proclaim: “The Kingdom belongeth unto God, the Almighty, the Speaking, the All-Seeing.”

Be not grieved by the world’s vicissitudes and tribulations. By the life of God! That which hath been ordained for you surpasseth all the treasures of the world. Rejoice ye and be of them that are thankful. Whatsoever hath befallen you from the first day of recognition until now is remembered before God and recorded in His divine Book. All the world and its treasures cannot equal a single word heard from the tongue of the Divine Unity. Praise be to God! Time and again ye have drunk from the living waters of the All-Merciful’s utterance and have attained unto the mention of the Most Exalted Pen. This station is most great; know ye its worth and preserve it in the name of Truth, for the treacherous ones, the thieves, the godless, and the deniers lie in wait with utmost deceit.

While this servant was engaged in writing verses before His presence on this night, he heard from the tongue of Grandeur mention of his honor Aqa Abdu’r-Rahim—upon him be the Glory of God. He said:

“O servant present! We make mention of Abdu’r-Rahim who turned, hastened, entered, attained, and heard the call of the Wronged One in this noble station and drank the water of reunion from the hands of his Lord’s bounty, the Forgiving, the Merciful. We have mentioned him before and mention him now that it may be a treasure for him with his Lord, the Preserver, the Trustworthy.”

God willing, may they hold fast in all conditions to wisdom and cling to the hem of teaching. Whosoever attaineth unto teaching today hath attained unto all good. However, teaching must be accomplished with spirit and fragrance. All causes of sorrow, vexation and corruption are forbidden in God’s Book. This matter hath been revealed in numerous places. Blessed is he who holdeth fast unto that which he hath been commanded by One knowing, wise.

Convey these glad tidings to them wherever they may be. God is witness that this ephemeral one hath mentioned and continues to mention them most often, and beseeches God, exalted be He, to aid them in serving His Cause. Verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, is the Hearer, the Answerer.

This evanescent servant conveys sincere greetings and praise to each of your brothers, and begs of God that He may cause them to attain His bounties at all times and make them steadfast in His Cause. This is among the greatest prayers before God, our Beloved and the Beloved of all in the heavens and earth, our Goal and the Goal of all in the dominions of Command and Creation.

Another submission: The petition of his honor Aqa Mirza Ahmad from the Land of Ya—upon him be the Glory of God—which you had sent was presented before the Most Holy, Most Exalted Presence. Its answer was revealed from the heaven of grace and sent. God willing, they will attain unto its perusal and be refreshed with a new spirit. Glory be upon you and upon your brothers and upon those with you and upon those who have turned to the horizon of the Cause and have attained unto the knowledge of God, the Lord of the worlds.

The servant 27 Sha’ban al-Mu’azzam 1298

BH00173: This is addressed to him who has drunk…

Section 1: “This is addressed to him who has drunk…”

In the Name of our Most Holy, Most Great, Most Exalted, Most Glorious Lord

This is addressed to him who has drunk the cup of inner meanings, Hadrat-i-Ism-i-Jud, upon him be the eternal glory of God. The letter of that beloved one addressed to this evanescent one was presented at the Most Holy, Most Exalted Threshold, and likewise that which you called out to God. They said:

“God willing, they are and will be attaining to that which He loves and is pleased with.”

Indeed, what was submitted accords with reality. And then, the list of matters contained in the letters of the true beloved one who has arisen to serve God and His remembrance, and who was named Samandar in the Most Great Scene, upon him be the glory of God, the Lord of Power, was presented before the Most Holy, Most Exalted Presence. Similarly, two detailed letters from him addressed to that beloved one remained with this lowly one—these two were also newly presented, and likewise a letter from him addressed to this evanescent servant was also presented.

O my beloved! Reflect upon the bounty of God, exalted be His glory. Although petitions and news continuously pour in like rain from all directions, all are blessed with a hearing and honored with a response. If one were to consider this outwardly, these limited, numbered hours would not and do not contain enough time for all these answers and questions. But God brings to pass what He desires; verily He is the One intended at the beginning and the end.

They had lamented separation from the Beloved of the horizons, and the fragrances of detachment, hope for attainment and meeting, and the fire of love and faithfulness were entirely diffused and evident and manifest from one of his letters. After the presentation of this statement, there was revealed from the Kingdom of proof, His words, exalted be His majesty:

“O Samandar! Praise be to God, thou art aflame and should indeed be as thou art, for the Beloved of the world speaks saying I am the Witnessed One,’ and the Speaker of the Mount utters Behold, behold.’ Give thanks for what We have shown thee, caused thee to hear, made thee to know, and given thee to drink of My Beauty, My verses, My Self, and My choice, wondrous wine. The fire of the love of the All-Merciful and the lights of the countenance of the Beloved of all creation have been and will be the cause and reason for the enkindling of the hearts and souls of God’s friends. However, the requirements of the Cause today must be observed and considered. Choose for thyself what God hath chosen for thee. Thy services, one after another, have been and are mentioned before the Wronged One. That which thou art occupied with today is, by the life of God, greater than can be known through conjecture, fancy, understanding or imagination. This station cannot be described, nor can praise do it justice. Know thou its worth and value its pearl. Verily thy Lord is the Speaker, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. Grieve not over any matter; if God should will, He ordains and answers. Verily He is the Hearer, the Answerer.”

Mention was made of the honoured Dhabih—upon him rest the glory of Baha’u’llah. Some time ago there was revealed, from the heaven of the merciful Will, a Most Holy and Most Mighty Tablet addressed especially unto him, and it was dispatched; God grant that he may attain thereto. This lowly servant is exceedingly abashed before him, inasmuch as for a long time I have not been enabled to lay before him any letter. God willing, it is hoped that, through the divine favour, I may hereafter arise to make amends. That beloved one knoweth full well that this servant hath not been, nor is, for a single moment at ease. This matter needeth neither mention nor explication—He knoweth, and thou knowest; and behind you both standeth our Lord, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed, the Witness, the All-Seeing.

And furthermore, mention was made of the honoured Aqa [Khalil] of Eshtihardi—upon him be 66 [the glory of God]—and it was submitted in the Most Holy Presence; and this reply descended from the heaven of loving-kindness. His word—exalted be His glory:

He is the Most Holy, the Most Great, the Most Generous.

O [Khalil]! The world hath been kindled with the fire of the utterance of thy chosen Lord, and He hath illumined its horizons with the light of the Manifest and resplendent and wondrous One. Beseech thou God that He may confirm thee to shatter the idols of doubt and idle fancy. Thus hath spoken the Tongue of Grandeur in divers Tablets. Blessed is he that acteth according to that which he hath been enjoined; and woe betide the heedless.

O Khalil! We have, in times past and present, informed all souls of the appearance of the clamorous ones and the doubters. In these days they have appeared in certain lands and with utmost deceit and guile have arisen to lead astray sanctified souls. Ask thou of God that He may enable the people of that land to shatter the idols of fancy and vain imagining, even as He enabled them before. Convey My greetings to all the friends in that land and say: God willing, may ye be ever enkindled with the fire of divine love and illumined by its light. Ye should be witnessed as so steadfast in the Cause of God that the very embodiment of constancy would be astonished to behold itself. The people of the Bayan are seen today to be more veiled than the people of the Furqan. By God’s life! They have no share of this Most Great Ocean, nor any path to this Straight Way. From this station We send Our greetings upon thy face and upon the faces of those who have quaffed the wine of steadfastness in My Name, the Mighty, the Powerful.

This lowly servant submittteth: By Him Who hath caused all things to speak in praise of His own Self, and hath summoned all men unto the ocean of His presence, that the veiled ones of the Bayan utter words such as the veiled ones of the Furqan—nay, of all religions—have never spoken. Of late, from that quarter of falsehood which was known by a hallowed name, they have purposed to set in order a scheme—an illusory Jabulqa, and a Jabulsa that existeth not. God is My witness and My proof: were a man to give ear to the signs and tokens of consumption, it would be better, more pleasing, and more exalted than to hearken unto the words wherewith these heedless souls discourse. It is as though these ignorant ones have never heard of the Day of God, nor drunk a single drop from this sea.

He saith: This is the Day of God; naught shall be mentioned therein save Him. This is the Manifestation of God: He hath taken unto Himself neither agent, nor peer, nor minister, nor successor—and so on, His exalted Word.

Yet they have clung to the cord of falsehood, and have laid hold on the hem of an imagined form. In one of the blessed and sanctified Tablets this lofty utterance was revealed. He—exalted be His glory—saith: Lay hold of this firm, well-wrought, and blessed Word, which is as a pearl from the ocean of divine knowledge, that thou mayest not, until thou hast become informed of the falsity of the former, bear witness to the truth of this Day. Ended.

O friends! Arise for the sake of God, speak for the sake of God, and strive in the path of God, that perchance the servants in this age may not be veiled as before and may not be accounted among the worshippers of idols and vain imaginings. O servants! Reflect upon that sect which considered itself the most great and most exalted of all creation and reckoned itself among the delivered community and the favored people, and observe how they believed and how the matter turned out—the difference is as that between earth and heaven.

In brief, that same sect, after numerous claims, was finally recorded in the Book before God as among the rebellious and tyrannical ones. For by the decree of those ungodly souls did they hang the Truth and martyred Him with bullets of hatred. At one time the Tongue of Grandeur uttered these words:

“O servant present! The one truth which that heedless and atheistic sect possessed was their saying that when the Qa’im appears, He will speak a word from which the chiefs of the earth—that is, the most exalted of the world’s people—will flee and avoid. This single word We verify. Yet I swear by the Sun of the horizon of utterance that until now that word hath not appeared, and whosoever after hearing it remaineth steadfast, he is one with whom all the peoples of the world cannot compare.”

This is why the Point of the Bayan—may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for Him—hath said that a one-year-old child in His day of Manifestation is mightier than all the people of the Bayan. End.

O My beloved! They are still waiting for the discovery of the ten parts of the Qur’an which this one or that one supposedly stole. Reflect on this matter—for twelve hundred years they called Ja’far-i-Sadiq a liar, and for centuries they have intended to mention him by this title. The curse of God be upon the liars and the calumniators! What has happened that these human-like creatures are seen to be so heedless? Would that they had heeded the call to “look again and yet again,” that perchance they might have caught a fragrance from the garden of awareness or attained a drop from the ocean of knowledge. By Thy life! Their ears are deaf and their eyes are blind. This evanescent servant beseeches and hopes from the Truth that He may cause the friends in all regions to attain unto a power and might befitting this blessed Day, that they may see all else as non-existent and count it as nothing. And I beseech Him, exalted be He, to sanctify them from every conjecture and free them from every idle fancy. Verily He is the Powerful, the Mighty.

As for what was written concerning Haji Kamal, upon him be the Glory of God, God willing its answer shall be submitted and sent.

Furthermore, concerning the Huquq, something was written, and a letter was also written and sent to this servant on this matter. This servant testifies that whatever reached them, they have delivered. That place is the place of trustworthiness; treachery hath no access to that spot. To this testifieth every just and discerning one, and beyond him and me and the world testifieth our All-Informed Lord. In this case, whatever was mentioned was not and is not befitting. God sufficeth as a witness.

And concerning what was written about Aqa Murtada Q., upon him be the Glory of God, God willing his answer will descend from the heaven of divine mercy and favor and will be sent.

Concerning what was written about “Walaj Ta”, this has not occurred until now. His honor Ismu’llah, his eminence J.M., upon him be the Glory of God, has also inquired about this matter. After presenting it in the Most Holy Court, He said that perhaps this “Walaj” does not refer to the friends. Knowledge of this is with God, and it has not occurred until now. God willing, may all the friends of Truth be engaged in mentioning the Beloved of all creation with utmost joy, delight, spirit and fragrance.

Another submission: The brilliant ode which emerged from the virgin thoughts of the Nightingale of the Age, upon him be the Glory of the All-Merciful, along with his two letters that were sent, was presented in the Most Holy Court on this day, which is Sunday at the end of the month of Sha’ban. The Sun of Grace was rising from one direction and the Moon of Providence was dawning from another horizon. And this is what the Tongue of Grandeur spoke, exalted be His glory:

“Blessed art thou, O Andalib, for having arisen to serve the Cause and for having spoken in praise of God, the Lord of the worlds. Verily, We caused thee to hear My greatest verses, aided thee in the Cause, and guided thee to the right path. Say: O peoples of the earth, cast away your vain imaginings. The Lord of all beings hath come, and the Messengers cry out before His countenance—The Kingdom belongeth to God, the Almighty, the Exalted, the Unconstrained.’ This is the Day which hath been attributed to God in the Books, Scriptures and Tablets.

“O Andalib! The Cause is most great. The preface of the Book of Creation was adorned with the word He.’ We removed it by complete power and placed ʿI.’ By the life of God, this is a mighty matter which none can bear save him who is the most powerful in the world and who holdeth fast to the Most Great Name. The Hand of complete power hath rent asunder the veils of creation to a known measure. Now it is observed that the manifestations of idle fancies and the dawning-places of vain imaginings are veiled by other veils. Reflect upon the baseness of nature and paucity of understanding of those who are veiled, who have now returned to their initial station. I swear by the Sun of Grace that shineth from the horizon of the Prison that they are considered before God as more veiled than all religions.

Section 2: “God willing, through divine confirmations, your honor will…”

“God willing, through divine confirmations, your honor will watch over the Cause in all conditions. Verily, He is with whoever speaketh His praise and ariseth to serve His mighty and exalted Cause. The Point of the Bayan gave the glad tidings of the meeting to one of the Letters of the Living who was named Baqir and who in these days has attained the honor of meeting, and then He states: ʿBe assured that the Cause is mighty, mighty!’

“O ʿAndalib! This Cause hath had and hath no likeness. It is novel from all aspects. Like the sun, its light, its manifestation, and its deeds are evident and clear. However, due to the vain imaginings and fancies of the people, their weakness and heedlessness, the Dawning-Place of the Cause speaks these words. People of insight have always been and will always be as rare as red sulfur in the world. Thus hath spoken the Tongue of Revelation, turning unto thee that thou mayest be of the thankful ones.”

Whatever you had written in remembrance and praise of God, exalted be His glory, this servant presented before His presence. Verily, He will reward thee with the best of rewards. Verily, He is the Bestower, the Generous. Praise be to God, the Most High, the Most Great.

This servant also conveys greetings to him, namely the beloved of the soul, the Nightingale of possibility. God willing, may he ever be speaking in praise of God, exalted be His glory, and engaged in teaching the Cause. This is the deed with which no deeds can compare, and which no descriptions and mentions can surpass. Praise be to the Beloved of the horizons Who confirmed him in guiding the servants and reminding those in the lands.

Concerning Ahmad-i-Kirmani, it was written that he had not chosen for himself any proof, path, way, religion, fairness, or truth. He changes color like a chameleon and turns like a spotted snake. His being is not like wax—though I have said this before—but rather like clay, accepting any form at any moment. May God and the company of the believers protect us from that sinful liar. His claim that the “noisome smell” was revealed about him is false, by the Lord of the Throne and earth! Although now it is observed that he was indeed the intended one of that word, this blessed verse was revealed in the Kitab-i-Aqdas at a time when outwardly there was no mention of him, and the original address was to the land of Kaf and Ra, as He says: “O Land of Kaf and Ra!

We, verily, behold in thee the noisome smell.” After the revelation of the Kitab-i-Aqdas and the passing of several years, his petitions arrived successively at the Most Holy Court, as did his letters to this evanescent servant, claiming complete faith. Later, considering his own vile deeds and absurd words, he became deluded and arose in opposition. After some time, his petitions again reached the Most Holy Court, each expressing repentance, return, and remorse to a degree beyond which none is possible, and he raised up intercessors until the petitions of some reached the Throne. A Tablet was revealed from the heaven of Will with this purport: He is granted divine forgiveness if he acts not contrary to what God desires.

But he broke God’s covenant and His pact in deeds and words. He has not one face, or two, or three—he has at every moment a different face which none knows save God, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

In truth, he is an ignorant unbeliever who had and has no understanding whatsoever, but his actions and deeds identify him before the servants. One identifier has been and will be before his face. He has not spoken truth to anyone and will not. After his rejected deeds and words and his despair from the Most Holy Court, he clung to a false person and showed devotion to him. In the great city he found one like himself, obtained the book of Sijjin and papers of fire, and one night after consuming certain things, burned all those writings which were his intention. The next day when asked what he had done, he said, “In truth, I enjoyed watching the flames of those papers,” and thus occurred what occurred. After the great city too, due to his repugnant rejected deeds, they expelled him. In truth, he was not and is not worthy of mention.

Convey My greetings to the friends in that land. God willing, all must act in a manner befitting the Days of God. The triumph of God’s Cause has been and ever will be through goodly deeds and illumined, spiritual character. Indeed, in most Tablets this binding word hath flowed from the Supreme Pen, making triumph in all cases contingent upon wisdom, pure deeds, and noble conduct. Therefore this evanescent servant beseecheth the Self-Sufficing Lord that He may assist all to achieve that which He loveth and approveth. Verily, He is the Almighty, the Powerful, the Ruler over whatsoever He willeth. There is no God but Him, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy.

In Iraq, the Land of Mystery, and the Prison, mention was made from the heaven of God’s will of the cawing ones, birds of night, and the like. The people of Baha must, God willing, manifest such steadfastness that none shall find occasion for mention, much less for rejection and denial. God willing, may they hold fast to the strong and mighty cord and fix their gaze upon the straight path. Say on My behalf: O friends! Know ye your worth. By the life of the Beloved! Your station is great and your rank exalted. Let it not slip from your grasp, but preserve it in the name of Truth. The people of Baha have been mentioned in the Qayyumu’l-Asma in terms that transcend understanding and intellect.

In one place He saith: “Beyond the sea of grandeur is a Maiden of heavenly essence,” and He describeth her until He concludeth with these exalted words: “And upon her are vessels of moist red ruby, wherein none shall embark save the people of Baha.” Let them now ponder that which hath been revealed, that they may become aware of their stations and attain unto that most exalted rank, which is the station of the Most Great Steadfastness, and be established therein. Verily, He hath spoken the truth and appeared with justice and guided all unto His Self, the One Who overshadoweth all in the heavens and on earth.

As to what was mentioned about certain passages having been written and sent to some of the divines, it is known that whatsoever proceedeth from them hath been and will be in the path of God. Praise be to God, they have attained unto that which is acceptable at the Divine Threshold today. However, by command, in all matters they must observe wisdom, that outward wisdom may restrain the hellish souls from agitation and render them tranquil. That which causeth tumult today doth in truth extinguish the fire of love in souls that have newly drunk from the life-giving water and turned toward the most exalted horizon. They should devote all their energy to teaching the Cause with spirit and fragrance, wisdom and utterance. And if at times they wish to enlighten the leaders of vain imaginings and the daysprings of idle fancies, it is best that they be given certain passages that have been sent down from the heaven of God’s will, such as the Tablet to the Sultan and the like. Even this is beloved before God only when some inclination is observed. A general proclamation was made to all upon first arrival at the Most Great Prison. Blessed is he who hath recognized and turned unto Him, and woe unto the heedless and those who turn away.

Another submission of this servant is that thy poem was recited repeatedly in the gathering of the friends. Praise be to God, such a fragrance of love and fellowship was diffused that this servant is powerless to describe it. The servant beseecheth his Lord to strengthen him through His command, preserve him through His power, and exalt his station such that every tongue may testify to his grace, sincerity, dedication and detachment in the Days of God, the Mighty, the Wise.

Another submission is that Jinab-i-Nazir, upon him be 966 [Baha’u’llah], attained the Most Holy Court with a package of petitions and letters from the friends. These days the response to each one is being revealed from the heaven of bounty. God willing, they will soon be sent. Verily the servant gives glad tidings to those who are there that they may rejoice and be among the thankful ones. Praise be to our Lord, the Most Holy, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

This servant’s submission is that I convey greetings to his honor Javad, upon him be Baha’u’llah. God willing, may they be engaged in utmost joy and yearning and attraction in the remembrance of the Beloved of the worlds, and may they drink from the ocean of divine love at all times and bestow it upon the people of the earth, that perchance all may gather under the shadow of the Most Exalted Word and become engaged in praise of the Lord of creation. Likewise, I express utter nothingness to the other friends of God and beseech them all that they not forget this evanescent one in their intimate gatherings and sacred assemblies, that perchance I may be assisted in that which I am commanded.

In these days the letter of his honor the beloved and honored Nabil the Great, upon him be Baha’u’llah, the Lord of Eternity, became the cause of complete joy. God willing, through divine grace and might, a response will be written and sent. Whatever pertains to this weak, poor and destitute one—the servant beseeches his Lord to assist him in mentioning His loved ones and serving His chosen ones. Verily He is the Forgiving, the Generous. Praise be to God, the Most High, the Most Great.

God is witness that this evanescent one remembers the days of the presence of his honor Nabil ibn Nabil, upon them both be Baha’u’llah, the Mighty, the Beautiful, and utters the words “Would that I had another chance.” I beseech and hope from God, exalted be His glory, that He may ordain another gathering in the shadow of the Blessed Tree. Verily He is the Ordainer, the Powerful. Praise be to God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy. And glory be upon your first and your last, and those who love you and remember you and those with you and those who hear your words and serve you for the sake of God, the Lord of the heavens and earth and the Lord of the mighty throne.

O beloved of my heart! All the requests in the various letters of his honor Samandar, upon him be Baha’u’llah, the Lord of Power, were submitted one by one to the Most Holy Court and responses were written and sent. I swear by the beauty of the Beloved that the utterances which today flow from the tongue of the Most Merciful are the cause of eternal life. If a soul should hear one passage thereof and truly attain its sweetness, the events of time and the differences of contingent beings and the conditions of the opposers and the intimations of the corrupters and the ranks of the world and the armies of nations will not sadden him nor overcome him.

With complete freshness and utmost steadfastness he will remain engaged and delighted in the remembrance of the Lord of all beings. The sorrows of the world will not prevent this joy and the events of days will not roll up this carpet. And your honor’s supplication was also presented before His presence, and the favor of God, exalted and glorified be He, towards that beloved one is evident and clear—no need to mention it. It is likely that tomorrow we will proceed to the city to visit the friends. Glory be upon your honor and upon those who have gathered for the love of God in those parts and upon those who have taken Him as their guardian.

The servant 29 Sha’ban 1298

The sum that was sent to the Land of Ya has been reported as received at the Most Holy Court.