Volume 065: Akka 1298 A.H. (1880–1881), Part IV (1 of 4)

BH01125: Prayer for the Fast (Dawn)

I beseech Thee, O my God, by Thy mighty Sign, and by the revelation of Thy grace amongst men, to cast me not away from the gate of the city of Thy presence, and to disappoint not the hopes I have set on the manifestations of Thy grace amidst Thy creatures. Thou seest me, O my God, holding to Thy Name, the Most Holy, the Most Luminous, the Most Mighty, the Most Great, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious, and clinging to the hem of the robe to which have clung all in this world and in the world to come.

I beseech Thee, O my God, by Thy most sweet Voice and by Thy most exalted Word, to draw me ever nearer to the threshold of Thy door, and to suffer me not to be far removed from the shadow of Thy mercy and the canopy of Thy bounty. Thou seest me, O my God, holding to Thy Name, the Most Holy, the Most Luminous, the Most Mighty, the Most Great, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious, and clinging to the hem of the robe to which have clung all in this world and in the world to come.

I beseech Thee, O my God, by the splendor of Thy luminous brow and the brightness of the light of Thy countenance, which shineth from the all-highest horizon, to attract me by the fragrance of Thy raiment, and make me drink of the choice wine of Thine utterance. Thou seest me, O my God, holding to Thy Name, the Most Holy, the Most Luminous, the Most Mighty, the Most Great, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious, and clinging to the hem of the robe to which have clung all in this world and in the world to come.

I beseech Thee, O my God, by Thy hair which moveth across Thy face, even as Thy most exalted pen moveth across the pages of Thy Tablets, shedding the musk of hidden meanings over the kingdom of Thy creation, so to raise me up to serve Thy Cause that I shall not fall back, nor be hindered by the suggestions of them who have caviled at Thy signs and turned away from Thy face. Thou seest me, O my God, holding to Thy Name, the Most Holy, the Most Luminous, the Most Mighty, the Most Great, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious, and clinging to the hem of the robe to which have clung all in this world and in the world to come.

I beseech Thee, O my God, by Thy Name which Thou hast made the King of Names, by which all who are in heaven and all who are on earth have been enraptured, to enable me to gaze on the Day-Star of Thy Beauty, and to supply me with the wine of Thine utterance. Thou seest me, O my God, holding to Thy Name, the Most Holy, the Most Luminous, the Most Mighty, the Most Great, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious, and clinging to the hem of the robe to which have clung all in this world and in the world to come.

I beseech Thee, O my God, by the Tabernacle of Thy majesty upon the loftiest summits, and the Canopy of Thy Revelation on the highest hills, to graciously aid me to do what Thy will hath desired and Thy purpose hath manifested. Thou seest me, O my God, holding to Thy Name, the Most Holy, the Most Luminous, the Most Mighty, the Most Great, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious, and clinging to the hem of the robe to which have clung all in this world and in the world to come.

I beseech Thee, O my God, by Thy Beauty that shineth forth above the horizon of eternity, a Beauty before which as soon as it revealeth itself the kingdom of beauty boweth down in worship, magnifying it in ringing tones, to grant that I may die to all that I possess and live to whatsoever belongeth unto Thee. Thou seest me, O my God, holding to Thy Name, the Most Holy, the Most Luminous, the Most Mighty, the Most Great, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious, and clinging to the hem of the robe to which have clung all in this world and in the world to come.

I beseech Thee, O my God, by the Manifestation of Thy Name, the Well-Beloved, through Whom the hearts of Thy lovers were consumed and the souls of all that dwell on earth have soared aloft, to aid me to remember Thee amongst Thy creatures, and to extol Thee amidst Thy people. Thou seest me, O my God, holding to Thy Name, the Most Holy, the Most Luminous, the Most Mighty, the Most Great, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious, and clinging to the hem of the robe to which have clung all in this world and in the world to come.

I beseech Thee, O my God, by the rustling of the Divine Lote-Tree and the murmur of the breezes of Thine utterance in the kingdom of Thy names, to remove me far from whatsoever Thy will abhorreth, and draw me nigh unto the station wherein He Who is the Day-Spring of Thy signs hath shone forth. Thou seest me, O my God, holding to Thy Name, the Most Holy, the Most Luminous, the Most Mighty, the Most Great, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious, and clinging to the hem of the robe to which have clung all in this world and in the world to come.

I beseech Thee, O my God, by that Letter which, as soon as it proceeded out of the mouth of Thy will, hath caused the oceans to surge, and the winds to blow, and the fruits to be revealed, and the trees to spring forth, and all past traces to vanish, and all veils to be rent asunder, and them who are devoted to Thee to hasten unto the light of the countenance of their Lord, the Unconstrained, to make known unto me what lay hid in the treasuries of Thy knowledge and concealed within the repositories of Thy wisdom. Thou seest me, O my God, holding to Thy Name, the Most Holy, the Most Luminous, the Most Mighty, the Most Great, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious, and clinging to the hem of the robe to which have clung all in this world and in the world to come.

I beseech Thee, O my God, by the fire of Thy love which drove sleep from the eyes of Thy chosen ones and Thy loved ones, and by their remembrance and praise of Thee at the hour of dawn, to number me with such as have attained unto that which Thou hast sent down in Thy Book and manifested through Thy will. Thou seest me, O my God, holding to Thy Name, the Most Holy, the Most Luminous, the Most Mighty, the Most Great, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious, and clinging to the hem of the robe to which have clung all in this world and in the world to come.

I beseech Thee, O my God, by the light of Thy countenance which impelled them who are nigh unto Thee to meet the darts of Thy decree, and such as are devoted to Thee to face the swords of Thine enemies in Thy path, to write down for me with Thy most exalted Pen what Thou hast written down for Thy trusted ones and Thy chosen ones. Thou seest me, O my God, holding to Thy Name, the Most Holy, the Most Luminous, the Most Mighty, the Most Great, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious, and clinging to the hem of the robe to which have clung all in this world and in the world to come.

I beseech Thee, O my God, by Thy Name through which Thou hast hearkened unto the call of Thy lovers, and the sighs of them that long for Thee, and the cry of them that enjoy near access to Thee, and the groaning of them that are devoted to Thee, and through which Thou hast fulfilled the wishes of them that have set their hopes on Thee, and hast granted them their desires, through Thy grace and Thy favors, and by Thy Name through which the ocean of forgiveness surged before Thy face, and the clouds of Thy generosity rained upon Thy servants, to write down for every one who hath turned unto Thee, and observed the fast prescribed by Thee, the recompense decreed for such as speak not except by Thy leave, and who forsook all that they possessed in Thy path and for love of Thee.

I beseech Thee, O my Lord, by Thyself, and by Thy signs, and Thy clear tokens, and the shining light of the Day-Star of Thy Beauty, and Thy Branches, to cancel the trespasses of those who have held fast to Thy laws, and have observed what Thou hast prescribed unto them in Thy Book. Thou seest me, O my God, holding to Thy Name, the Most Holy, the Most Luminous, the Most Mighty, the Most Great, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious, and clinging to the hem of the robe to which have clung all in this world and in the world to come.

BH00188: 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

Praise be to God Who hath manifested Himself through truth and revealed through His sovereignty whatsoever He hath willed. He, verily, is the One foretold by the Messengers in the Books of old, that He would turn the dawn into darkness and walk upon the high places of the earth. Praise be to God Who hath named Himself Jehovah in the Torah, the Comforter and Spirit of Truth in the Gospel, and in the Qur’an the Great Announcement, at Whose appearance all who are in the heavens and on earth were thunderstruck, and the limbs of all creation trembled, save those who clung to the hem of the protection of their Lord, the All-Forgiving, the Most Generous. Exalted is the God of Hosts, the Lord of existence, the Possessor of the visible and invisible, Who is established upon the Throne resting upon the water. Exalted, exalted is His Name above the description of every describer, exalted, exalted is His remembrance above the mention of every mentioner. He, verily, is the Sovereign at Whose establishment upon the Throne the tongues of the Prophets and the Concourse on High proclaimed:

“The Kingdom belongeth unto God, the Lord of the Throne and of the dust.”

I pray, send peace, and glorify those who have heard, responded, and arisen to aid the Cause of their Lord, and acted according to that which was commanded by God, the All-Knowing, the Ordainer, the Mighty, the Wise.

O my God and the God of all names, Creator of earth and heaven! Thou seest me as a fish writhing in the dust, as I behold Thy servants turning away from Thee after Thou didst create them for Thy knowledge and service. I beseech Thee, O Lord, by Thy generosity which hath encompassed existence and by Thy sovereignty which hath prevailed over all possibility, to aid Thy servants to arise to that which beseemeth Thy days and befitteth Thy presence. O Lord! Illumine the eyes of hearts with the lights of Thy knowledge and their sight with beholding the horizon of Thy grace. Thou art He Who hath ever been and will ever be. There is none other God but Thee, the Witness, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

And further: there reached Me from the Tree of Thy being the fruits of love and knowledge. When I gathered them, I praised God, our Lord and your Lord, our God and your God, for having enabled you to make mention of Him and to praise Him. I beseech Him, exalted be He, to aid you in all that He loveth and approveth, and in the wisdom which God hath made the foundation of all deeds in the Book. After observing and perusing [your letter], it was brought before the Most Holy, Most Exalted Court, may His grandeur be glorified, and the contents were made known. This is what the Tongue of the All-Merciful hath uttered in the Kingdom of Utterance, His word, exalted be His grandeur:

O thou who hast turned thy face toward the Countenance! Give thanks unto God for having enabled thee, confirmed thee, manifested thee, caused thee to know Him, given thee utterance, roused thee to His love and guided thee to His straight path. All the souls in the world are convinced of, acknowledge and confess this path which hath been mentioned, inasmuch as in the divine Books, both of the past and present, mention hath been made of the Path, the Balance and the new matters to appear on the Divine Day, and all have been promised these things and are expectant thereof. Nevertheless, when the Lord of Hosts and God of existence became manifest and the Path became visible, all were found heedless and veiled save whom God wished.

Such was the heedlessness that seized these withered souls that they hearkened not to the cry raised between earth and heaven, nor heard the blast of the trumpet and the striking of the horn. They are occupied with transient colors and debarred and deprived of the eternal, everlasting stations. Their vain desires have withheld them from God Who created them, sustained them and quickened them through a word from His presence. Blessed is the soul who today ariseth to serve the Cause with complete wisdom, detached from all else and purely for the sake of God alone. Take thou the Book with a power from Us and a command from Our presence. Verily thy Lord is the Commander, the All-Knowing.

Whosoever today acknowledgeth the Truth and acteth according to that which God hath revealed, hath been enabled and confirmed to take the Book. Reflect upon that which the All-Merciful hath revealed in the Qur’an, His exalted Word:

“And We desired to show favor unto those who were brought low in the land, and to make them leaders, and to make them inheritors.”

Despite the ignorant divines and worthless mystics, this most exalted station hath been granted unto you and likewise unto those whom they counted as ignorant and mocked. Man must at all times take refuge in God, glorified and exalted be He, that he may be preserved from the evil of self and desire. No loftiness, sublimity or station is worthy of mention save that which God, exalted be His glory, bestoweth. For instance, as is evident today, the divines of the earth who considered themselves as banners of guidance and possessors of the highest station are not and were not mentioned before God, while you are mentioned. As is observed, the Supreme Pen hath repeatedly turned toward that direction and mention of you and the other friends hath flowed therefrom.

A hundred thousand tongues would be inadequate to render thanks for this. Verily, He Himself rendereth thanks on behalf of His servants, and this is true thanksgiving, but most people are heedless. Oceans of meaning lie concealed and hidden in the words that shine forth from the Divine Mouth. Blessed is the soul that hath attained, and woe unto the deniers. Oceans of meaning lie enshrined and concealed within the luminous words that have shone forth from the mouth of God. Blessed is the soul that attaineth; and woe betide them that turn away. Ended.

As to that which ye had written concerning the unity and concord of the friends of God (upon them be glory and honor) and likewise concerning the gathering of the loved ones and their remembrance and praise of the Beloved of all worlds–these were laid before the court of the Throne, and were graciously accepted. His exalted Word is this:

God willing, they shall be confirmed in those deeds which they have wrought for God’s sake, and, God willing, shall be aided to carry into effect all the divine ordinances. Yet, in all affairs, let them keep their gaze fixed upon wisdom; unto this divine utterance are all enjoined and bound. Ended.

The names of the souls mentioned in your letter were submitted in the Most Holy Presence. For each and every one, divine verses have been sent down from the heaven of the All-Merciful Will. God willing, all shall attain thereunto, and shall drink of the Kawthar of life that lieth hidden within the cups of the words of Him Who is the Lord of Names and Attributes. His exalted Word is this:

Jinab-i-Isma’il, brother of Rajab

He is the Expositor, the All-Knowing

O Ismail! The Lord of the Friend calls you from this most exalted station and mentions you through what flows from His Most Exalted Pen, that you may rejoice and be among the thankful. Be in the Cause of your Lord in such wise that neither the veils of the world nor the clouds of those who have disbelieved in God, the Lord of the worlds, shall hinder you. Take hold of God and leave all else besides Him. He verily suffices you in truth. Thus commands you He from Whose presence is a preserved Tablet. How many a servant has drunk from the Kawthar of life from the hands of the bounty of his Lord, the All-Merciful, and how many a servant has cast it behind him, turning away from God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. Blessed art thou and those whom vain desires have not kept back from the Creator of heaven and who have turned with radiant faces toward the countenance of God, the Mighty, the Beauteous.

To Rahmatullah, brother of Azizullah

He is the Dawning Place from the horizon of heaven

O Rahmatullah! My mercy has preceded thee and My grace has encompassed thee, and I am the All-Bountiful, the All-Generous. I have guided thee to My path and caused thee to know the Dawning Place of My Cause and the Source of My verses, and have made thee speak My praise and aided thee to turn toward My luminous horizon. We counsel thee to show forth the Greater Steadfastness in this Cause whereby the foundations of existence were shaken, save for those who held fast to the hem of the protection of their Lord, the All-Informed. Thus have We set forth the verses and sent down from the heaven of utterance that which brings joy to the eyes of those who know. Preserve the verses of thy Lord as thou wouldst preserve thine eye. He, verily, is the Preserver, the All-Knowing.

To Asadullah, brother of Azizullah

He is the One Who rules over all who are on earth and in heaven

O Asadullah! Be steadfast in the Cause, walk the straight path, be patient in adversity, grateful in prosperity, and act according to what thou art commanded. Thus does the Mother Book command thee. Should a croaker come to you with the book of the wicked ones, cast it behind you, turning toward the Mighty, the All-Bestowing. Verily He is with you, hearing and seeing, and He is the Mighty, the All-Seeing. Let nothing make thee grieve in the path of God. Rejoice in the Most Great Joy which speaks from the highest horizon of the world: “Verily there is no God but Me, the Almighty, the Unconstrained.” Soon shall the earth and its ornaments and bounties pass away, and there shall endure what hath been sent down to thee from God, the Revealer of verses.

To Agha Siyyid Kazim from K

He is the Observer, the Manifest, the All-Knowing, the All-Seeing

A Book sent down by the All-Merciful to him who has believed in God, the Supreme, the Self-Subsisting, that he may rejoice in the remembrance of God, the Lord of what was and what shall be. O Kazim! We have seen thy turning toward Us, We have turned toward thee from this Most Exalted Station and have mentioned thee with that which has perfumed the atmosphere of utterance throughout all possibility. Be grateful and say: “Praise be to Thee, O God of the seen and unseen.” We heard thy call and answered thee. His knowledge has preceded all created things and His grace has encompassed all who exist. We have accepted from thee what thou desired in the path of God and have made thee a trustee from Our presence over what thou hast, and have permitted thee to dispose of it as thou pleasest. Verily thy Lord is the One with power over whatsoever He willeth. There is no God but He, the Supreme, the Mighty, the Loving. Rejoice thou in this Most Great Favor and glorify thy Lord, the Lord of Hosts.

To Ismail son of Khudadad

He is the Most Ancient, the Most Great

O Son of the Khan! Hearken unto the Call from the Land of Decree from thy Lord, the Most Glorious. Verily, there is none other God but Him, the Mighty, the Bestower. The Call of thy Lord hath been raised from Zion, and Jerusalem hath been blessed with the fragrances of the verses of thy Chosen Lord. The City hath descended from the heaven of Will, and therein hath the Throne been established by the command of God, the Revealer of mysteries. This is the Day wherein the concealed hath been revealed and that which was recorded in the Books of God, the Lord of creation, hath come to pass. Rejoice, O Ismail, in that the Manifestation of the Friend hath made mention of thee from the most exalted station. Thus have We illumined the horizon of the heaven of utterance with the luminary of knowledge. Blessed is he who hath recognized and hath said:

“Praise be unto Thee, O Thou in Whose hand is the kingdom of verses.”

To Jinab-i-Ahya Ibn-i-Yusuf

In His Name, Who shineth from the Most Exalted Horizon

A Book sent down by the Lord of Names to those in the kingdom of creation, that the Call may draw them to God, the Lord of the worlds. O son of Yusuf! Thy mention hath been made before the Wronged One, and He hath revealed for thee this perspicuous Remembrance through which mercy hath appeared, the heavenly table hath descended, the bounty hath been perfected, and the proof hath been completed from God, the Exalted, the Great. Every soul was created for the Day of God, yet when He appeared and the Promised One manifested Himself, every heedless and remote one turned away. Blessed is he whose strength was not weakened by the affairs of creation, nor was he hindered by the doubts of those who denied the Day of Judgment.

O Ahya! When thou hast attained unto My verses and found the fragrance of My loving-kindness, praise thy Lord with myriads of holy ones. We counsel thee and those who have believed in that whereby the Cause of God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy, is uplifted. Blessed is the servant who hath attained unto that which God hath desired, and woe unto the heedless ones who have cast the ordinances behind their backs and committed that which hath caused the dwellers of the most exalted Paradise to lament in a noble station. Thus hath the ocean of thy Lord’s loving-kindness surged, and the fragrance of the Divine Garment hath wafted between the heavens and the earth.

Section 2: “To Jinab-i-Mirza Muhammad Husayn Mustawfi of Turbat…”

To Jinab-i-Mirza Muhammad Husayn Mustawfi of Turbat

He Who is established upon the throne of His Most Great Name

We have deposited the meanings of the former Books in a word from Us and have sent it to thee as a favor from Our presence that thou mayest give thanks unto thy Lord, the Generous. And it is this: He is the Hidden Treasure and the Concealed Mystery. He hath come with the truth with such sovereignty that neither the hosts of the heavens and earth can withstand Him, nor can the conditions of those who have turned away from God, the Peerless, the All-Informed, prevent Him from that which He desireth. O Muhammad-Qabil-Husayn! The Wronged One maketh mention of thee—He Who hath summoned the people unto God, the Lord of Names, and hath given glad tidings unto all of this Divine Wine, from which they who drink thereof find the sweetness of the Beloved’s oppression.

By the life of God! It is sweeter than honey and more pure than Kawthar and Salsabil. We were seated upon the throne in Our Most Great Prison when We heard thy mention and remembered thee with this Remembrance through which the world hath been perfumed and every seeker hath turned unto God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. Be thou aflame with the fire of the love of God. Soon will all thou beholdest perish, and there shall endure only that which thou hast wrought in the days of thy Lord, purely for His radiant countenance. We counsel thee to be patient and steadfast, and to that through which the station of man becometh manifest in the contingent world. Verily, thy Lord is the Counselor, the All-Knowing.

To Jinab-i-Mulla Rajab-ʿAli of Jalkih of Turbat

In My Name, the Rememberer and the Remembered

O Rajab-ʿAli! The Day hath come and the Promised One proclaimeth: “The Kingdom belongeth unto God, the Almighty, the Self-Subsisting!” How many a mighty one hath cast the world behind him, turning unto the Lord of the Ancient Days, Who hath come with manifest sovereignty! How many a learned one hath turned away from the Truth, and how many an empty one hath attained His sealed wine! They have broken God’s Covenant and His Testament, following their own idle fancies and vain imaginings. Say: O concourse of divines! Let not the world exalt you. Fear God and be of the fair-minded. Say: Beware lest ye interpret God’s verses according to your desires or expound them by that which ye possess.

Ye are learned in the eyes of your like, yet ignorant before God, the Lord of all knowledge. We established learning that it might draw you nigh unto the ocean of My loving-kindness, yet through it ye turned away and waxed proud before the Lord of the seen and the unseen. Blessed is he who hath perceived the fragrance of the Revelation and believed in God, the Lord of what was and what shall be. Strive that there may appear from thee that which the Concourse on high and they who circle round this glorious Station shall remember. Beware lest the veils of men withhold thee from the Truth, or the allusions of those who turned away when the appointed time came and the Promised One appeared. Blessing rest upon the people of Baha who have circled round the will of their Lord, the Mighty, the All-Loving.

To ʿAbbas of Furugh

He is the Most Great, the Most Glorious

This is a Book sent down by the All-Bountiful to him who was named Abbas, that he might rejoice and be of the thankful. O Abbas! We make mention of Muhammad through whom We named the Dugh as Furugh. He hath attained the ultimate goal and ascended to the Supreme Companion. Verily thy Lord is the All-Remembering, the All-Knowing. Blessed is he who hath remembered and remembereth him in accordance with what My Most Exalted Pen hath uttered before and at this hour. The Tongue of Grandeur hath testified that he was among those who turned to the Desired One and believed on a Day wherein most of the servants disbelieved. To this beareth witness He through Whose Word every mouldering bone is quickened.

We glorify him, pray for him, and send greetings upon him from this Station which hath been named with the Most Beautiful Names in the Crimson Scroll, and as Akka among the hosts of creation, and as the Protected City in the Books of the Messengers. Blessed be he and his kindred and My loved ones in that place who have cast away idle fancies and held fast unto certitude by the command of One mighty and wise. Give thanks, O Abbas, for having been mentioned before the Countenance, and for that which hath been revealed unto thee wherefrom the fragrance of the All-Merciful’s utterance hath been diffused throughout all possibility. Exalted is He Who hath remembered thee and turned toward thee from this Station both near and far.

We praise God with praise that guides all created things to extinction at His gate, for He has been made manifest with such grace that mention of it transcends the knowledge and wisdom of these servants. For every name that was in the letters, a Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablet was revealed that he might give thanks for his Lord’s grace and rejoice in His favor that has preceded existence. As commanded, those verses were written in tablets and sent, and this is another grace. Blessed is he who has attained his Lord’s favor, the Forgiving, the Merciful.

Regarding Allahverdi, upon him be the Glory of God, his petition arrived before and was presented at the Most Holy Court. A Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablet was specifically revealed for him, and likewise for those souls mentioned in his petition—all attained the grace of God. Regarding Ibn-i-Shahid, upon them both be the Glory of God, what you had written was presented at the Most Holy Court. This is what the Tongue of Grandeur spoke from the Mouth of Godhead which was gladdened by My name and My love for My loved ones in the station We accepted for My remembrance.

The mentioned souls whose petitions were presented at the Most Holy Court, and likewise in the correspondence they had sent to this evanescent servant—all names that were mentioned became the recipients of grace. However, sending all at once is not permitted as it contradicts wisdom. They will be sent gradually. God willing, all will be enkindled with the fire of God’s Word—an enkindlement that neither the associating of the ungodly, nor the turning away of the deniers, nor the objections of the objectors, nor the insinuations of the heedless shall prevent.

O true brother, a hundred thousand times must we give thanks that we have attained this supreme gift. Observe the heedlessness of people who, despite acknowledging the Day of Resurrection and confessing the Hour’s appearance and its signs, arose in rejection and objection when it appeared, save whom God willed. But light has been and will be victorious over darkness—in His presence darkness has no ruling power.

And regarding what you had written about Aqa Muhammad Husayn, upon him be the Glory of God, it was presented before the Throne. This is what the Speaker of Sinai spoke, exalted be His grandeur:

In My Name, the Manifest, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise

This is a Book sent down in truth from God, the Lord of the worlds. Verily it speaks the truth from the highest station in the world. The Day has come and the Self-Subsisting calls all to the Unique, the All-Informed. O Muhammad-Husayn! Your letter came before the Wronged One containing your name. We make mention of you that you may thank your Lord, the Strong, the Trustworthy. Beware lest the blame of the ignorant take hold of you in the Cause of God, or the insinuations of the corrupters who cast God’s commandments behind their backs and followed the ways of the mischief-makers prevent you. They claim for themselves the highest stations and wrongfully consume people’s wealth—they are truly among the lost.

Soon will come a day wherein they will cry for help but none shall help them. Thus does He inform you, with Whom is a mighty Tablet. Let nothing grieve you. Be steadfast in God’s Cause and His service. Verily He hears and sees, and He is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. Say: By God, this is the renowned Day, were you of those who know, and this is the Day of service, were you of those who hear, and this is the Day wherein is ordained for whomever God desires what shall never perish, were you of those who are certain. Blessed is the ear that hears what the Tongue of Grandeur has spoken, and the soul that has arisen in service, and the face that has turned to His luminous horizon. The Glory from Us be upon those who have held fast to this mighty Cord.

I submit: Your letter dated the sixth of Shawwal was received, and from it wafted the fragrance of love for the Peerless Beloved. God willing, may this sweet-scented breeze never cease to blow from the gardens of the heart. After all of it was perused in the Most Holy, Most Exalted Presence, They showed utmost kindness and said:

“God willing, may they become the cause of unity among all the hearts of the loved ones of God, in such wise that its fragrances may be diffused throughout all cities and the earth be seen as one single land.”

Regarding what you wrote about him who beareth the name 66 J M, on whom be the Glory of God, They said:

“Since in all Tablets We have enjoined wisdom, and he did not find these matters advisable, therefore he spoke what he spoke and uttered what he uttered. God willing, may the horizons of hearts at all times derive light and radiance from the Most Great Luminary. The efforts of souls who have arisen to serve will not and shall not be lost. ʿWhoso is for God, God is for him’—this is an ancient utterance, yet most firm and sound. Hold fast unto it, a command from the presence of the All-Wise Commander.”

And concerning what you wrote about Mirza Ibrahim of S. and Mashhadi Husayn of Y., on whom be the Glory of God, it was submitted, and a wondrous and exalted Tablet was revealed for each. God willing, may they attain unto them. Likewise for Aqa Muhammad-Taqi, on whom be the Glory of God. This servant beseecheth his Lord to draw all nigh unto Him and aid them to do what He loveth and is pleased with. It is hoped that the horizons of the world may be illumined by the lights of the stars of the heaven of manifestation. This evanescent servant conveyeth greetings and salutations to all the friends and masters.

To his honor ʿAzizu’llah, on whom be the Glory of God, I convey greetings. The replies to his letters have been written; if they do not arrive this time, God willing, they shall arrive next time. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, to aid him in what beseemeth this divine Day. Praise be to God, they are under the glance of divine favor, and the Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablet revealed specifically for them is being sent. It is hoped that they may forever remain mentioned and enduring in the gathering of the world in the name of the Ancient Lord.

Concerning what they wrote about the House and their request that God, exalted be His glory, accept it—at a special time it was submitted before the Throne, and the sun of acceptance rose from the horizon of the mouth of God’s Will. His word, exalted be His grandeur:

“We have accepted the House as a bounty from Our presence and have elevated it through a word from Us, and verily I am the Mighty, the Wise.”

God willing, may they regard all the friends wherever they may be according to their stations as set forth by the Supreme Pen. The Glory be upon thee from Us and upon those who have traversed the lands for the love of God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting.

I bear witness by God that Mulla Ali and Ibn-i-Shahid and the other friends, upon them be the Glory of God, stand before the divine eye. Previously, a Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablet was sent down from the heaven of God’s will especially for them, and God willing, will continue to be sent. Their mention is recorded at the Divine Throne and their deeds are, praise be to God, accepted. A Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablet has been revealed especially for the son of Ali, upon him be 966 [the Glory of God], and God willing it will be sent, and there is hope for their other son as well. The Command belongs to God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. Glory be upon you and upon the loved ones of God in those regions and in all directions, and upon your family and upon those women who have believed in the All-Informed Single One. And praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

An exalted Tablet will be sent especially for your wife. The special Tablets revealed for the aforementioned souls, as well as the responses to the petitions, and likewise the responses to the letters which this servant has submitted, will all be sent gradually in accordance with wisdom. The special message is that the Most Mighty, Most Blessed Branches of the Divine Lote-Tree—may my spirit, my being, my essence and all that God, my Lord, has bestowed upon me be a sacrifice for the dust of their feet—send radiant and glorious greetings from the horizon of the heaven of loving-kindness to you and all the leaves of the Tree of Divine knowledge, and remember you with wondrous mention.

BH00150: Praise befitteth the Mighty Lord Who hath caused…

Section 1: “Praise befitteth the Mighty Lord Who hath caused…”

In the Name of God, the Mighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise!

Praise befitteth the Mighty Lord Who hath caused the Living Waters to flow from the Supreme Pen, and hath enabled the realm of earth and heaven to attain unto the essence of grace and eternal, everlasting life. Glory be to God! At all times the call from the Most Exalted Horizon is raised, and the breezes of the morn of Revelation are perpetually wafting, and yet the people of the world remain deprived and debarred therefrom, save those whom the hand of divine power hath seized and delivered from the clay of idle fancies—a grace from His presence, for He is the Mighty, the Glorious, the All-Bountiful.

Glorified art Thou, O Sovereign of existence and King of the seen and the unseen! This evanescent one beareth witness to Thy permanence and the transience of all things, to Thy power and the impotence of all who dwell in earth and heaven. I beseech Thee, O Thou in Whose grasp lie the reins of creation, by the ocean of Thy signs and the manifestations of Thy grandeur and might, and by the Name through which Thou hast subdued all created things and the kingdoms of names and attributes, to unite the hearts of Thy loved ones in Thy days, to illuminate them with the light of Thy knowledge, and to adorn them with the ornament of Thy love. Then aid them to such steadfastness that their feet shall not slip by reason of that which is in the hands of those servants who have violated Thy Covenant and Thy Testament.

O Lord! Thou seest Thy loved ones in the hands of Thine enemies, and Thy trusted ones in the grasp of the treacherous among Thy creatures and the calumniators among Thy people. I beseech Thee to protect them through Thy power, sovereignty, majesty and glory. Verily, Thou art powerful over whatsoever Thou willest. There is none other God but Thee, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

The petition of that distinguished one reached the Most Holy and Exalted Court on the morning of Tuesday, the twenty-first of the month of Jumada’th-Thani, and after being presented before the Lord of all mankind, these resplendent verses were revealed. He saith, exalted be His glory and His sovereignty and His proof: “Give glad tidings unto him through whom the breezes of divine knowledge have wafted over all who are in the realm of possibility. O Khalil! Upon thee be My glory and My loving-kindness. Glory hath presented thy letter and laid it before the Face. We have sent down for thee that which hath diffused the fragrance of inner meanings and utterance throughout all religions, that thou mayest render thanks and be of them that are steadfast. This is a day whereon the doors of bounty have been opened unto the world and the Day-Star of existence hath shone forth from the horizon of God’s Will, the Lord of the worlds.

“We have indeed inhaled from thy letter the fragrance of thy love and thy turning towards Him and thy rising up to serve the Cause of God, the Lord of the Day of Judgment. Thou didst attain aforetime unto the verses of thy Lord. We beseech God to illumine through thee the hearts of His servants with the light of His knowledge and to strengthen thee with the hosts of wisdom and utterance. He, verily, is the Mighty, the Powerful. This is a day whereon the realities of all things have been attracted by the call of their Lord, the Sovereign of the Kingdom of Names, and there have shone forth from the horizons of the heaven of My Most Exalted Pen the suns of gifts and favors. Blessed is the servant who hath cast away the world and laid hold on that which hath been sent down from the kingdom of the utterance of his Lord, the All-Evident, the All-Knowing.

“O Khalil! We are encompassed by sorrows from them that have cast the Trust behind their backs and have committed that which hath caused Justice to lament, and every discerning person to weep. When thou art seized by the living waters of Mine utterance and findest the fragrance of My loving-kindness, say: My God, my God! Praise be to Thee for having given me to drink from the stream of Thy utterance when most of Thy creatures were debarred therefrom, and for having caused me to turn toward Thy most exalted horizon when the divines of vain imaginings turned away from it in Thy days. I beseech Thee by the light of Thy Cause whereby earth and heaven were illumined, and by Thy sovereignty through which Thou hast subdued all names, to assist me in Thy remembrance and praise, and to ordain for me that which Thou hast ordained for Thy chosen ones. Verily Thou art God, there is none other God but Thee, the Forgiving, the Merciful.

We have desired to make mention in the Book of Names of him who was named Mihdi—upon him be My glory and loving-kindness—and to bring him glad tidings of God’s favor, the Lord of all worlds. Hearken unto the Call from the direction of Akka: Verily there is none other God but Him, the Single, the One, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. We have mentioned thee before and have revealed unto thee that which caused the ocean of knowledge to surge in the contingent world. We beseech God to aid thee in rending asunder the veils of His servants and to make thee steadfast with such steadfastness as shall make firm the feet of His creation. Verily He is the Potent over whatsoever He willeth through His mighty and wondrous Word.

Say: O concourse of the earth! Cast aside your imaginings and idle fancies. The Self-Subsisting hath come with the standards of His signs from God, the Powerful, the Mighty. Nothing that ye possess will profit you this Day save through this Cause whereby the limbs of the oppressors have quaked and the faces of the deniers have been darkened. Say: Beware lest the might of the oppressors frighten you, or the intimations of those who have disbelieved in God or the doubts of any remote ignorant one prevent you. Arise in the name of thy Lord to His Cause and give glad tidings unto the people of this Manifestation through which the Mount has smiled and the Tree hath called out: The Kingdom belongeth unto God, the Mighty, the Praised One. We have heard thy call and have answered thee, We have seen thy turning and have turned unto thee, and have revealed for thee that whose fragrance shall never cease throughout the eternity of names and attributes.

Give thanks unto thy Lord for this most great favor and say: Praise be unto Thee, O Thou in Whose grasp are the reins of all created things. I testify that Thou hast manifested that which was hidden in knowledge and inscribed by the Most Exalted Pen in the Crimson Tablet. Blessed is he who hath attained unto Thy verses and heard Thy call, and woe unto every denier who hath denied this manifest grace. Take thou the chalice of steadfastness with thy right hand, then drink thereof in the name of thy Lord, the Sovereign over all who are in the heavens and on earth. Then give to drink those servants who have turned unto His Face through His wise remembrance. Thus hath the Tongue of the Wronged One spoken while among the heedless.

And We have desired at this time to make mention of him who was named Qasim, that he may rejoice and be of the thankful. O Qasim! This is the Day whereon secrets have been revealed, trees have spoken, and rivers have flowed, inasmuch as He Who conversed on Sinai hath seated Himself upon the throne of Manifestation, whereat the Cry hath been raised and the Herald hath proclaimed: By God! The Promised One hath come with clear sovereignty. We have commanded all to be trustworthy and religious and to that whereby the Word of God may be exalted among His servants and His Cause in His lands. Among the people are those who have turned unto Him and those who have turned away until they disbelieved in Him Who came from the heaven of grace with manifest sovereignty.

Say: O concourse of the earth! Fear God and follow not the desires of those who have denied His Manifestation and His sovereignty and have disputed His signs which have encompassed the heavens and the earth. Beware lest vain imaginings prevent you from this radiant, shining, and gleaming Light. We counsel you for the sake of God. Blessed is he who hath heard and said: Praise be unto Thee, O Thou in Whose hand are the keys of the knowledge of the first and the last. When thou hast attained unto My verses and found the fragrance of My utterance, say: My God, my God! All praise be unto Thee for having remembered me in Thy Most Great Prison and for having revealed unto me that which shall endure throughout the duration of Thy Kingdom. I beseech Thee, O Thou through Whose Name the river of Thy mercy hath flowed from the Pen of Thy bounty with the ocean of Thy utterance which hath surged before the faces of Thy servants, to make me of those who have quaffed the wine of steadfastness from the hands of Thy bestowal.

O Thou at Whose Name the ocean of Thy mercy flowed from the Pen of Thy bounty through the sea of Thy utterance which surgeth before the faces of Thy servants! I beseech Thee to make me one of those who have quaffed the wine of steadfastness from the hands of Thy generosity, and to ordain for me, O my Best Beloved, the good of all Thy worlds. Verily, Thou art the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous.

O Mahmud! The Wronged One wisheth to mention thee from His glorious station and give thee glad tidings of that which hath been ordained for them that have turned towards God in the Book of God, the Mighty, the Powerful, the All-Loving. Take hold of the Book of God with the power that proceedeth from Him, then guide the people to the horizon of understanding, by the command of God, the Lord of existence. Beware lest the clamor of the froward and the croaking of the seditious, who have broken God’s Covenant and turned away from His straight path, deter thee. This is the Day whereon the Luminary of Revelation hath dawned from the horizon of God’s will, the Lord of what was and what shall be. Say: O people of the Bayan! Fear ye the All-Merciful and believe in Him through Whom the gate of heaven was opened and that which was hidden from all eyes was revealed. Thus doth the Dove of Knowledge warble upon the highest branches. Blessed are they who hear it.

O My Most Exalted Pen! Make mention of him who was named Mirza before Taqi with such remembrance as shall attract the hearts of those who have turned to God, Who ruleth all being through His command “Be” and it is. Grieve not at anything. Put thy trust in God Who created thee and hath sent down unto thee that which shall endure as long as His Kingdom endureth. Say: O people of the earth! Adorn your heads with the crowns of detachment and your temples with the robe of godliness. Beware lest that which ye possess prevent you from that which is with God. Cast away idle fancies. The Self-Subsisting hath come with manifest sovereignty. Beware lest the veils of the divines who have turned away from the Truth, the Knower of things unseen, weaken you. The glory which proceedeth from Us rest upon thee and upon thy brother and upon those who have quaffed My sealed wine in My Name, the Best-Beloved.

O Pen! Make mention of him who was named Nasru’llah that he may rejoice in this remembrance through which the fragrances of utterance have wafted throughout all possibility and the Day-Star of proof hath shone forth by the will of God, the Lord of the seen and the unseen. O Nasr! Victory hath come, and verily it is this Cause at which the limbs of every heedless and veiled one have trembled. Sorrows have encompassed Us from all sides through that which the hands of the infidels have wrought, who have denied the Witness and the Witnessed. Blessed is the soul that hath attained to the remembrance of God in His days and hath witnessed that which God hath witnessed that there is none other God but Him, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. Blessed art thou for having cast away vain imaginings and hearkened unto the Call when it was raised in truth from this exalted Station.

Say: My God, my God! Praise be to Thee for having enabled me to turn towards Thee, and thanks be to Thee for having made known unto me Thy Cause at which the limbs of every oppressor and rejected one have trembled. O my Lord! I beseech Thee by the power of Thy Will and the potency of Thy Purpose, and by the ocean of Thy bounty and bestowal, and the heaven of Thy generosity and mercy, to aid me to remain steadfast in Thy Cause whereby the feet of Thy creatures have slipped save those whom Thou didst preserve through Thy power wherewith Thou hast subdued the kingdoms of existence. O my Lord! I am Thy servant and the son of Thy servant. I have turned towards Thy horizon. I beseech Thee not to deprive me of that which Thou hast ordained for them that are nigh unto Thee and for the sincere ones among Thy creatures. Verily, Thou art God, the Almighty, the Glorious, the Best-Beloved.

O Ancient Beauty! Turn Thy face towards another city, then make mention of him who was named Ja’far-Quli from this Most Exalted Horizon that the rapture of the Call may seize him and draw him nigh unto God, the Lord of mankind. Thy name was present in the Most Great Prison, and We have revealed for thee verses clear and manifest through which ecstasy and joy have seized the dwellers of the cities of the ardent lovers who have believed in Him Who is the Desired One and have not broken the Covenant and Testament. Beware lest anything deter thee from God or the threat of any doubting oppressor frighten thee. Take hold of the Book of God with a might which the clamor of the world and the tyranny of every wicked infidel who hath denied God, the Almighty, the Most Bountiful, cannot withhold. That which was hidden in the treasury of God’s protection and concealed from eyes hath been revealed. When thou hast drunk from the hand of My bounty the Kawthar of grace and favors, say:

My God, my God! I am Thy servant and the son of Thy servant. I acknowledge that which the tongue of Thy grandeur hath spoken and that which Thou hast revealed in Thy Book. O my Lord! I testify to Thy oneness and Thy singleness, and to the sanctity of Thy Being above all things and the exemption of Thine Essence from all similitudes. I beseech Thee by the rustling of the Divine Lote-Tree of Thy Cause and the whispering of the breezes of the dawn of Thy Revelation to make me steadfast in Thy Cause and firm in Thy love such that were all who are on earth to unite against me, my feet would not slip from Thy path. O my Lord! Ordain for me that which will aid me in every world of Thy worlds and make me mighty through Thy might. Verily Thou art the Almighty, the Powerful, the All-Bountiful.

O Fath! The Opener hath come, and with Him the key to the treasuries of knowledge and arts from God, the Lord of all men. This is a day wherein the world hath been perfumed by the breezes of Revelation, yet most of the people have turned away and denied God, the Revealer of verses. Say: O people! Fear God. The light hath shone forth from the horizon of Manifestation, and that which was recorded by the Pen of God in the Scriptures and Tablets hath come. Aid thy Lord through wisdom and utterance. Blessed art thou and blessed is he who hath done what he was commanded in the Mother Book. This is a day wherein from the waves of the ocean of utterance is heard:

“The All-Merciful hath come with a sovereignty that hath encompassed all in the realm of possibilities.”

It behooveth thee to cast the world and its varieties and ornaments behind thee, holding fast unto that which thou hast been commanded by God, the Almighty, the Unconstrained.

Say: My God, my God! Strengthen my limbs for the service of Thy Cause, then open through me the doors of the hearts of Thy creation. O my Lord! Thou seest me advancing toward Thee and attracted by Thy verses. I beseech Thee by the lights of Thy countenance and Thy might amongst Thy servants to ordain for me that which will preserve me from the suggestions of those who have denied Thy proof and broken Thy covenant and committed that which caused the Concourse on High to lament at eventide and at dawn. O my Lord! Illumine my heart with the light of Thy knowledge, then cause to appear from it the pearls of Thy love. Verily Thou art the Single, the One, the Mighty, the All-Knowing.

Section 2: “O Ali! Upon thee be My glory! Hearken…”

O Ali! Upon thee be My glory! Hearken unto the call of the Wronged One in the Persian tongue. The Cause is mighty. Whosoever desireth to draw nigh unto the Most Exalted Horizon must, at the time of turning, hold fast unto that which the All-Merciful hath revealed in the Furqan and act accordingly. He hath spoken, and His Word is the truth: “Say: God; then leave them in their vain discourse to amuse themselves.” The tree of this blessed Word was planted in the garden of the Furqan by the command of Him Who is the Desired One of the worlds, and its evil fruits are manifest today. And in turning to the hereafter is the station of the most great steadfastness. One must speak and act according to this blessed Word: “Verily, I have abandoned the ways of a people who believe not in God and who are disbelievers in the hereafter.” Whosoever hath attained unto that which hath in this moment been revealed from the Supreme Pen, he is of the people of Baha.

Let all who attain in this day to what hath streamed from the Most Exalted Pen be numbered among the people of Baha and the companions of the Crimson Ark. Otherwise these sight-deprived servants and ears polluted with vain imaginings are not, nor ever shall be, worthy to witness and hearken. Night and day do verses descend like rain showers, and the Sun of clear proofs doth shine forth and gleam from the horizons of divine Tablets. Yet the people remain veiled and heedless. Consider the Shi’ih sect: reared on suspicions and idle fancies, and clinging to the calumnies of a few, they have thus been debarred from the fragrant breezes of revelation and from hearing the Voice of Him Who spoke on Sinai. Implore God to set ablaze and illumine anew such as these and all His servants with the fire of His love and the light of His Cause. He, verily, is the Powerful, the Mighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Seeing.

O Tongue of Grandeur! Turn thy face unto him who is named Muhammad-Husayn, then send down unto him from the treasuries of Thy knowledge that which shall aid him to serve Thy Cause in Thy days. Thou art, verily, the Almighty, the Dominator of all who are in the heavens and the earth.

Today is the pavilion of grace raised aloft and the tent of glory pitched upon the highest standards. Blessed is the servant who in this wondrous, glorious Day attaineth unto the Word of God. Arise with the Sun of Truth which hath shone forth from the horizon of the Most Great Prison. None of what is witnessed can compare with the Word of God. The affairs of this world have withheld men from the Lord of all beings. Today from the rustling of the Divine Lote-Tree these words are heard:

“O earth! Blessed art thou to have been honoured by the footsteps of thy Lord, and blessed is he who hath received from Him a word in His days.”

Let prayers and supplications be repeated. From all things may be heard the cry “The Creator of the heavens hath come!” Strife, contention, denial and objection have been forbidden. The hosts of the True One, exalted be His glory, have ever been and shall remain goodly deeds and praiseworthy character. The divine mission is for the sake of souls. The blessed hosts aforementioned have arisen to aid the Cause. It behooveth the people of Baha to hold fast unto that which they have been commanded in this Tablet, and unto the fear of God, the Mighty, the Glorious, the All-Praised. Thus hath the Pen spoken while the Wronged One walketh in His Most Great Prison, as a bounty from Him upon thee and upon those who have clung to the hem of God’s commandments, the Lord of all worlds.

O ʿAbbas-Quli! The Most Great Ocean hath turned toward thee, desiring to bring forth for thee the pearls of wisdom and utterance that lay hidden in the shells preserved therein, that thou mayest praise and glorify and magnify thy gracious Lord. We have manifested that which lay concealed from time immemorial, as attested by one who possesseth a mighty Book. Observe, then remember what We revealed in the Book of one of the Messengers, wherein We informed the people of this glorious, wondrous Day. He announced the appearance of the Lord and said:

“He maketh the dawn as darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, God shall aid Him with the hosts of His name.”

Say: O people of the Bayan! Fear God. That which was inscribed in the Tablets hath appeared, and there hath been revealed that which no heavenly Books can equal. Should ye deny this Most Great Cause and that which hath been manifested in this Day by the command […] what ye possess. Be fair and be not among the heedless. The Mother Book speaketh before your faces.

Be not among the heedless ones. The Mother Book speaks before your faces while you are in a strange sleep. You have taken God’s Cause as a plaything and diversion. We testify that you are among the later ones, inscribed in a clear tablet. We beseech God, blessed and exalted be He, to adorn His servants with the ornament of fairness, to aid them in pure justice, and to grant them success in returning. Verily, He is the Forgiver, the Pardoner, the Merciful.

Grieve not over anything. Say: My God, my God! I beseech Thee by Thy chosen ones who hastened to the field of martyrdom in Thy days and sacrificed their spirits and all they possessed in Thy path, and by the Light whereby Thy earth and heaven were illumined, to strengthen me in steadfastness in Thy love. Ordain for me that which will make me rich through Thy riches, and steadfast, firm and immovable in Thy Cause. Verily, Thou art the Powerful, the Mighty, the All-Knowing.

The Glory from Us be upon thee and upon thy son. Convey My greetings unto him and give him the glad tidings of God’s mercy which has preceded all who are in the heavens and the earth. We have desired at this time to mention him who is named Ismail, that he may give thanks unto God, the Lord of the Mighty Throne. We beseech God to make thee steadfast in His Cause such that neither the doubts of the learned, nor the might of princes, nor the power of the ungodly shall cause thee to slip.

Say: Praise be to Thee, O my God, for having given me to drink from the Kawthar of immortality from the hand of Thy bounty, and honored me with the blood of Thy days, and sent down for me that which shall endure as long as Thy Kingdom endures. I beseech Thee by Thy Lamp which Thou hast preserved from stormy winds, to ordain for me that which will make me attracted to Thy verses and holding fast to the cord of Thy grace. O Lord! I am he who has acknowledged Thy unity and oneness, and Thy greatness and sovereignty. I beseech Thee by the ocean of Thy verses and the heaven of Thy mercy to aid me in serving Thy friends who have taken no helper besides Thee and who have not broken Thy covenant and Thy testament.

O Lord! Have mercy on him who has turned to Thy most exalted horizon and drunk the sealed nectar from the hands of Thy Self-Subsisting Name before the faces of all mankind. Thou art He to Whose generosity and bounty every person of insight has testified, and to Whose greatness and riches every poor one has borne witness. O Lord! Thou seest me standing before the door of Thy grace. I beseech Thee not to disappoint me from what Thou hast ordained in Thy Book for Thy trusted ones. Verily, Thou art powerful over whatsoever Thou willest, by Thy Name, the All-Encompassing over all who are in the heavens and the earth.

O Muhammad, upon thee be My glory! Praise be to God, thou hast drunk from the ocean of divine mercy and attained His favor. Repeatedly hast thou been adorned and illumined by the traces of the Most Exalted Pen. A petition was previously presented before Us. Blessed art thou and thy father. We testify that he has ascended to the Supreme Companion and attained God’s mercy which has preceded earth and heaven. This is a day wherein every one who has turned to God has attained that which none before him had attained. To this bears witness He Who speaks and has spoken that there is no God but He, the Mighty, the Bestower, the Speaker in the beginning and the return.

Be assured of thy Lord’s favor. Verily, He is with thee, hearing and seeing, and He is the Mighty, the All-Knowing. The Glory from Us be upon thee and upon thy son. We beseech God to aid you both in that which will exalt your stations among His servants. Verily, He is powerful over all things.

O Master Builder, O Abdullah! Thy name was mentioned in Our presence and attained the honor of being heard. Therefore have We mentioned thee with verses that cannot be equaled by the treasures of kings. Give thanks unto thy Lord, the Compassionate, the Generous. O Master Builder! The pillars of the house of God’s religion have been shaken by the oppression of the ungodly. Verily thou hast the power to demolish the houses of vain imaginings and suppositions of the Shi’ih party, and with hands of truthfulness and might to erect the new edifice and illumine it with the lights of the Sun of Certitude. By My life! The houses of vain imaginings of the former party prevented the hapless ones from the Ka’bih of God, hanged the Countenance of the Intended One, and martyred Him with bullets of hatred. And now they stand upon pulpits […] praying that God may purify and sanctify the earth from the likes of that party. Verily He is the Almighty, the Unconstrained.

O Pen! Make mention of him who is named Mihdi, that he may rejoice and be of the thankful ones. O Mihdi! Hearken unto the Call which hath been raised from this Most Exalted Station, from the Crimson Tree. Verily there is no God but He, the Single, the One, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. Those who have broken God’s Covenant and His Testament are among the lost ones in the Book of God, the Lord of all worlds. Say: O people! This Day hath come, and the Self-Subsisting crieth out in His Name, the Mighty, the Great. Let not that which is with the ignorant deter you from the Most Sublime Horizon. Cast aside what they possess and take what hath been given you from the presence of One Who is All-Knowing, All-Informed.

Blessed art thou, and blessed is he who hath ascended unto God. We bear witness that he hath quaffed the Kawthar of eternity from the hand of his gracious Lord’s bestowal. He hath indeed attained that which the generality of mankind have failed to attain. The Tongue of Grandeur beareth witness to this from this exalted station. Turn thou toward the Most Sublime Horizon, though the people have turned away therefrom, save those whom God hath willed—He Who is the Sovereign of the kingdom of names. Acknowledge what the Pen hath spoken, and confess what hath been sent down from the heaven of bounty from the presence of One Who is Mighty, Powerful.

We were with him at the time of his ascension and made mention of him with that which caused the ocean of forgiveness to surge and the fragrance of God’s tender mercy—the All-Forgiving, the All-Merciful—to be wafted abroad. Blessed is he, and blessed is whosoever shall remember him after his ascension through that which hath been revealed from the presence of the Ancient Revealer. Glory be upon him and upon those who have not violated the Covenant of God, the Lord of the mighty Throne.

O …! This Wronged One in this hour maketh mention of thee, and entreateth the one true God to confirm His loved ones in that which conduceth to the betterment of the world and the tranquillity of the nations. In these days a great oppression hath appeared, and one of the holy ones was martyred by the Shí’ih party without proof or demonstration. Yet when the standard of tyranny was raised, the banner of justice became manifest and evident by the Divine will. Blessed are My loved ones there, for they transgressed not the commandments and light of their Lord, and in times of affliction and tribulation they held fast with goodly patience. Among the deeds of the sovereign of that city, it became apparent that the beloved interceded with the rulers on behalf of their enemies. These are the people of Baha and the companions of the crimson Ark. We entreat the one true God to confirm all in unity and concord. In these days the fame of the deeds of the holy ones hath been exalted before God and creation. We beseech the one true God that this lofty matter be not taken amiss, and that the clouds of dissension veil not the light of harmony. He, verily, is the Strong, the Victorious, the Mighty, the Wise.

O Mahmud! The wolves of avarice and passion have encompassed the Divine flock, having entered into the great city. That which the eyes of the chosen ones beheld, and the lamentation of the Concourse on high was raised:

“They have devoured the substance of the people falsely, and have spoken that which caused the near ones to wail.”

We beseech God—blessed and exalted be He—to confirm them in returning unto Him and in turning repentantly toward the door of His bounty. He, verily, is Potent over whatsoever He willeth through His Word which dominateth over all who are in the heavens and on earth.

Glory be from Us upon thee and upon thy brother. Magnify him on My behalf, and remind him of My verses, and illumine him with the light of My exposition, the Mighty, the Wondrous. We have purposed to make mention at this time, through this luminous Pen, of one who was named Muhammad in the world of creation, that the waftings of remembrance may attract him and draw him nigh unto the Truth, the Knower of things unseen.

O Muhammad! Hear the call of the Wronged One. He hath appeared and revealed that which was hidden in the knowledge of God, the Lord of existence. Say: O people! Be fair in what hath been revealed through truth. Beware lest the veils of names shut you out from their Creator. Cast away idle fancies, then turn unto God, the Almighty, the Self-Subsisting. Thus have We sent down the verses and made them as wings for thee, that thou mayest soar in this atmosphere from whose rushing winds is heard: “The Lord and the Promised One hath come and seated Himself upon the throne with manifest sovereignty.” When thou dost inhale the fragrance of the choice wine, say: Praise be to Thee, O my God, for having honored me with Thy tokens and for having sent down unto me that which shall endure throughout the duration of Thy dominion and Thy kingdom.

I beseech Thee by Thy Manifest Book, which speaketh before all faces that God, there is none other God but He, the Single, the One, the All-Knowing, the All-Seeing, to make me in all conditions to hold fast unto Thy cord and to voice Thy praise among Thy creation. Verily Thou art the Omnipotent over whatsoever Thou willest through Thy word “Be” and it is. O my Lord! Ordain for me and for the two brothers that which befitteth the heaven of Thy bounty and the ocean of Thy grace. Then open before our faces and the faces of Thy loved ones the doors of Thy favors. Verily Thou art the All-Compelling, the Mighty, the All-Loving.

O Ni’matullah! The bounty hath appeared and the heavenly table hath been sent down, yet most of the people know not. They have cast the bounty of God behind their backs, clinging to the idle fancies and vain imaginings they possess. Say: O concourse of the earth! Know ye that He hath come at Whose appearance the Kingdom of God, the Almighty, the Self-Subsisting, hath smiled. The ocean of utterance hath surged before the faces of all religions. Be fair and be not of those who denied the bounty of God after it was sent down, who disbelieved in His proof and rejected His all-compelling evidence over what was and what shall be. Behold, behold how the light hath shone forth and gleamed from the horizon of the heaven of Revelation, and how the Tree crieth out: “The dominion belongeth unto God, the Lord of the Promised Day!” Thus hath the fragrance of utterance wafted and the ocean of knowledge surged. Blessed is he who hath found and known, and woe unto every heedless and veiled one.

BH00529: Praise, sanctified from all that the people possess, befitteth…

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

Praise, sanctified from all that the people possess, befitteth Him Who is the Beloved of all, Who hath created the entire world through a single Word, and hath adorned it with knowledge and understanding, that all might drink from the choice wine of reunion and be nourished by the Kawthar of utterance unto true knowledge.

Some among the servants, through the attraction of the Divine Word, have turned with utmost longing, joy, attraction and enkindlement toward the Dawning-Place of Revelation and the Day-Spring of Divine utterance, while others, due to the veils of idle fancies and vain imaginings, remained deprived of their Beloved. They neither hearkened to His call nor attained unto His horizon. They are deprived of the choice wine of reunion and forbidden the Kawthar of His presence, although the fire of search was kindled within all, and day and night they were occupied with the remembrance of the days of the appearance of the Lord of all names. Yet when the Hand of Power rent asunder the veil and the lights of the Sun of Truth shone forth from behind the clouds, all were found wandering in the wilderness of fancy and the valleys of vain imaginings. Blessed is the soul that hath attained unto that which is the goal of all the worlds.

Praise be to God that your honor hath, time after time and repeatedly, attained unto the ultimate goal and the purpose of all who are in earth and heaven. You have heard the call of the Lord of Names and attained unto His favors. Well is it with you and pleasant be it unto your honor. God is witness and testifier that from the day when that Beloved One returned, as bidden, to his outward homeland, he hath ever been before the sight of this servant and is mentioned in the Most Holy, Most Exalted Court.

The two missives penned by your honor brought joy and gladness. One of these two arrived on this night, which is the fifteenth night of the blessed month of Ramadan, and after this servant perused it, it attained unto the Most Holy Court and its entirety was presented. This is what the Tongue of Grandeur spoke in this station. He—exalted be His glory—said:

O Nabil, O thou who journeyest toward God! We have heard thy cry and lamentation and thy yearning in thy love for God. Verily We were with thee and shall be with thee, as a grace from Our presence. Thy Lord is indeed the All-Bountiful, the Generous. We showed thee in thy dream that which gladdened thy heart, expanded thy breast, and brought solace to thine eyes. Thy Lord is indeed the All-Witnessing, the All-Hearing. The servant in attendance has laid before Us what was in thy letter. We answered thee before and at this time. Verily thy Lord is the All-Generous.

Praise be to God that thou hast been awakened by the divine morning breeze and hast recognized the Day of God. Thou didst hear His call and wert enabled to respond “Yea” and “Here am I” with heart, tongue and limbs. At a time when heedlessness had encompassed the earth, thou became aware of the Word. All eyes were created for this Day and all ears existed for this Day, yet after its dawning, manifestation and shining forth, all were found deprived and veiled save a few, and those few are mentioned in the presence of God as being among the people of the most exalted Paradise.

O thou who walkest in My path and gazeth toward Mine horizon! Give praise to the Lord of eternity Who hath enabled thee to attain a station wherein the Most Exalted Pen hath testified in thy behalf. This station is most great—know thou this and be of the thankful ones. God willing, thou must put into practice whatsoever thou hast heard in the presence of His countenance. Wisdom must not be lost sight of, for it hath been and continueth to be among the most mighty divine ordinances. Thou must hold fast unto it in all conditions. Thou hast drunk from the Kawthar of divine knowledge, yet its effects must not be visible upon thy lips. This is the wisdom thou art bidden to observe and act upon.

That which today causeth tranquility among the servants must be adhered to, for if clamor be raised it will cause perturbation and revolution among weak souls. God, exalted be His glory, is generous and His mercy hath preceded all things, both seen and unseen. We have said before: Place not thy trust in every friendship, nor believe every speaker. One must not be assured by every soul, nor should the pearl of divine love be revealed before every soul, for most of the servants are found to be thieves, traitors and infidels. Thy Lord speaketh the truth and guideth to the Way, and He is the Mighty, the Beautiful.

From the revealed verses and utterances of the Lord of Oneness, the grace, mercy, loving-kindness and compassion of God, exalted be His glory, toward you are clear and evident. O beloved of my heart! By the life of God, you have attained to a mighty station. Today its significance is not apparent, for it is not manifest, but assuredly this station shall become evident and visible to all the worlds. As commanded, you must hold fast to all means of concealment, for if your station becomes apparent there is fear that harm may befall you, and this would be contrary to the wisdom you are bidden to observe from God. Deal with all with wisdom and forbearance. At this time, the preservation of your being is incumbent upon yourself and the other friends, for you are engaged in serving the Cause, and this station is greater than all other lofty and most exalted stations that have been heard of and continue to be heard of. This evanescent servant beseecheth God to assist you in whatsoever He hath commanded. Verily He is the All-Powerful, the Almighty.

What hath been vouchsafed by the True One is this: at the very moment thy letter was presented, an answer descended from the heaven of grace and favor. Verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, is the All-Bountiful, the Compassionate, the Bestower, the Forgiving, the Generous. These words were inscribed in the handwriting of that Beloved One:

“The neck that is raised in love will assuredly fall by the sword, and the head that is exalted in devotion will certainly be cast to the winds, and the heart that is bound to the remembrance of the Beloved will surely be filled with blood.”

When these matters were laid before His presence, He said:

“Through divine bounty and the infinite mercy of thy Lord, thou hast attained the most great martyrdom, and this station is above outward martyrdom. Today, whosoever hath clung to the divine Will and attained unto His Purpose hath attained unto the most great martyrdom, for he is extinct in his own will and purpose and alive through the Will and Purpose of God, exalted be His glory and abundant be His favors. Therefore, think not ever of outward martyrdom—thou hast attained to that which is greater. Thou must conduct thyself with the utmost patience, composure and dignity. To utter words that would cause tumult and clamor among the people is not permitted and hath been strictly forbidden in God’s Book. Thou art engaged in friendship with Him and occupied in His remembrance and service—what station could be greater than this? I swear by the Sun of Utterance that shineth from the horizon of this Prison that no station hath been nor ever shall be greater than this, and a single moment of this life and existence cannot be equaled by successive centuries and ages and manifold epochs. This is the Sun of Utterance that hath shone forth from the heaven of the All-Merciful’s favor. God willing, may ye be illumined, gladdened, and firmly attached to it.”

And as for the request of Muhammad-Qabli-ʿAli, upon him be the glory of God, for a Most Holy and Most Exalted Tablet—this was presented at the Most Holy Court and was granted. A Tablet was revealed from the heaven of grace specifically for him and sent. Deliver it to him. God willing, may he be occupied with the mention of God, the praise of God, and service to God’s Cause, and be adorned with spiritual qualities and praiseworthy deeds.

Once the Tongue of Grandeur uttered these blessed words—exalted be His glory:

“O servant and O My attendant! Write to Nabil, who turned after permission to the Most Exalted Horizon, to counsel the friends of God with the utmost joy and fragrance on behalf of the True One, and to call all to goodly conduct, pure deeds and spiritual qualities, that all may attain to that which God loveth and approveth. And likewise tell them and inform them that contention, strife, conflict and the like are the qualities of the beasts of the earth. The station of man is sanctified, pure and exempt from such things.”

O people of Baha! Aid ye the one true God, glorified be His majesty, through your deeds, and conquer the cities of hearts through His Name. The cities of this world and its lands and seas hath the True One, exalted be His station, relinquished unto kings. It hath not been and is not befitting for the friends of God, who have in truth drunk from the Kawthar of everlasting life and who gaze toward the Most Exalted Horizon, to turn thereunto. Moreover, We have commanded all to occupy themselves with some business or profession. Blessed is the soul that beareth a burden and is not himself a burden unto others. They should engage in crafts and trades; a single coin earned thereby is, in the sight of God, more beloved than a treasure amassed by unrighteous means and made ready. God willing, all shall attain unto that which hath been sent down from the Most Exalted Pen. He, verily, guideth whom He willeth unto His straight path. Praise be to God, the Mighty, the Wise.

This evanescent servant, with utmost humility, supplication, lamentation and entreaty, beseecheth the Exalted True One to assist His friends to act in accordance with that which hath been revealed in the Book. Verily, He preserveth them, draweth them nigh, and enricheth them from all else. This is naught but a mighty favor.

As to what thou didst write concerning the pilgrimage, after thy letter was submitted to the Most Holy Court the pilgrimage was performed in detail on thy behalf and praise be to God, it was graced with acceptance. Happy art thou and the servant standing before the Throne.

Regarding what thou didst write about the perfume, God willing it shall arrive and attain the blessing of reaching its destination. At present the farm is at the Greater Scene. The letter of Aqa Muhammad-ʿAli hath not yet arrived; God willing, it shall come.

Concerning what they wrote about the blessed piece, God willing it shall arrive and they shall attain unto it. May they ever be assisted and confirmed in serving the Cause and preserving themselves for the sake of service.

Verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, is the Preserver, the Mighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. The Glory be upon thee and upon those with thee and upon those who have attained unto this mighty Cause.

BH00141: The spirit of praise and its essence beseemeth…

Section 1: “The spirit of praise and its essence beseemeth…”

He is God—exalted be His station, the Grandeur and the Power

The spirit of praise and its essence beseemeth the most holy, most exalted Court of the Beloved One, Who hath caused the living waters to flow from the fountainhead of the Supreme Pen. How many were the Alexanders of bygone ages and centuries who, with the utmost endeavor and effort, ran in search of the fountain of life but found it not. Now its seas are manifest and surging in the realm of possibility, and yet true seekers are rare to find. Until the fire of search is kindled, the door of bounty will not open. It is not strange that they failed to recognize the Beloved and knew not the Object of their desire, or that they turned not to the most exalted horizon and drank not from the living waters.

What is truly strange, nay astounding, are those souls who have risen in opposition and veiled the effulgent rays of the Sun of Truth with the veils of idle fancies and vain imaginings. How many are the signs which they pass by, yet turn away from them in aversion! Blessed are they who have detached themselves from the world and all who dwell therein, and have turned to the everlasting Kawthar of God. Not every witless one is worthy of this station, nor is every lightless one deserving of this wine. A pure gem is needed to receive the outpourings of the All-Bountiful, and a sanctified heart is required to comprehend the virtues of this divine Day. So base have these times become that clay is taken for pearl, and darkness is set in the place of light.

We observe souls who have not attained to a single letter of the Book’s knowledge, nor fathomed a single mystery of divine wisdom, yet today they are the leaders of the people and guides of the servants. They have deemed God’s binding Command as void and have considered His firm and enduring foundation as weak. What strange tyranny hath appeared in the world! The Sun of Truth is at its zenith, and the eyes of the servants are open, yet still they remain deprived and forbidden.

O my God, my Goal, my Worshipped One, my Creator and my Provider! Thou hearest and seest my sighs and tears in Thy days, and the burning of my heart and soul at the manifestations of Thy grace and the appearances of Thy favors, as I behold Thee wronged among Thy creation and imprisoned among Thy servants. Thou hast manifested such power and might that Thou hast made the prison land the Most Exalted Paradise for Thy loved ones, and its abasement into glory for Thy chosen ones. Thou hast informed the servants through Thy Most Exalted Pen of what hath happened and will happen in Thy lands and realms, and hast sent down from the heaven of Thy Will that which tongues and pens are powerless to comprehend, and hast revealed thereby that which hath bewildered the hearts of the people of understanding from attaining unto it.

Despite all this, I see them among the heedless and the sleeping, nay rather among the dead. I beseech Thee, O Lord of all being and Sovereign of the hereafter and the former times, by the light of Thy countenance and the splendor of Thy Cause, to ordain for those on earth that which will draw them nigh unto Thee and cause them to recognize Thy days which Thou hast promised them in Thy Scriptures, Thy Psalms and Thy Tablets. O Lord! Withhold not Thy servants from the ocean of Thy bounty nor from the sun of Thy grace. All things have testified to Thy power and the helplessness of Thy creation, and every tongue to Thy loftiness and wealth and the poverty of all else besides Thee.

Send down upon them, O my God, from the heaven of Thy loving-kindness and the clouds of Thy mercy, that which will cause to grow from the hearts of Thy creation the flowers of Thy knowledge and the roses of Thy wisdom. Verily Thou art the Omnipotent over whatsoever Thou willest, and in Thy grasp is the kingdom of creation. There is none other God but Thee, the Omnipotent, the Almighty.

It is submitted to that honored and kind brother that your letter dated the 19th of Jamadiyu’th-Thani was received, and likewise another letter from you dated the 14th of Jamadiyu’l-Avval was received some time ago. Praise and glory be to God that all your correspondence is adorned with the mention of the Lord of all return, and in truth the fragrance of your love wafts from those words. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, to confirm you in that which is pleasing to Him, though you have been and are already confirmed, for were it not for the confirmations of the Desired One, how could such servants as these be worthy to attain the Day of Meeting or deserve to be present at the threshold of the Lord of Names?

By His very Self, the Truth, His grace has strengthened the heart and illumined the eye and caused us to attain the lights of His countenance. Were it not for His grace and favor, we would surely be among the bereft and the non-existent. At all times with a hundred thousand tongues must we give thanks, for without any deservingness He has granted that which all others are deprived of and forbidden from. Had His call not come and had the messenger of His summons not appeared, who would have attained to saying “yea” and “amen,” and had the Sun of His grace not shone, who would have found His path? A hundred thousand souls and spirits be sacrificed for the servants of His court!

By the Ancient Beauty, such longings remain in the heart of this evanescent servant that he knows not which to mention. In the world of existence, he is considered less than a moth, for the brightness of the lamp so attracted it that it circles and gives its life, while this servant, after the shinings of the Sun of Truth, still remains alive. And now the time of martyrdom has passed, since all are commanded to observe supreme wisdom and are enjoined to do that which conduceth to the preservation of humanity. O brother! People observe certain words from the holy verses that have been sent down and hear reports of events that transpire. If they were truly gazing with the eye of the heart toward the Most Exalted Horizon, or were they to taste the sweetness of the utterance of the Beloved of all creation, assuredly would the people of the earth behold that which is different from what they now witness.

You and this servant, nay all the friends, must supplicate on behalf of one another, that perchance all may attain unto the ocean of His good-pleasure, for no station hath been or ever shall be more exalted than this. Should people attain unto this most exalted and glorious station, that which is now hidden from all shall be made manifest. In any case, this evanescent servant is powerless, nay forbidden, to reveal certain ranks and stations. He verily expoundeth as He willeth, and with Him is the decisive Word.

After perusing that which flowed from your pen, it was presented at the Most Holy Court. Then did the Kingdom of Utterance speak forth that which the Tongue of the All-Merciful did pronounce, and He, exalted be His glory, said: Write unto Abu’l-Hasan and give him glad tidings of that which hath streamed forth from the Most Great Ocean, that he may rejoice and be of them that are thankful. Thou hast testified to that which My Most Exalted Pen hath testified when the Sovereign of Names was established upon the throne that there is none other God but Me, the Single, the All-Wise. Be thou assured of My grace and loving-kindness. Verily He is with whomsoever desireth Him, remembereth whoso remembereth Him, and draweth nigh unto whoso draweth nigh unto Him with a luminous countenance. O Abu’l-Hasan! Thou hast attained unto the verses of God time and again. Thy Lord is verily the All-Hearing, the Answering. God willing, may thou be adorned in all circumstances with the ornament of service to the Self-Sufficing Lord and be illumined by the effulgent lights of the sun of trustworthiness. End.

As per your request, this evanescent servant was honored with a special time for visitation. I beseech Him, exalted be He, to record its reward for you. Verily, He is the Protector of the doers of good and the Helper of them that turn unto Him.

Concerning what you wrote in your first letter about the house of his honor A, upon him be 966 [Baha’u’llah], when the friends were gathered and the holy, sacred verses that were sent were recited—blessed is the house wherein the remembrance of God is raised! The world shall soon be witnessed to be evanescent. This is a word that no soul in the world can deny. In this case, while time and opportunity remain, one must attain unto a station that is sanctified from differences and changes. Those servants who today are freed and delivered from idle fancies and vain imaginings and have attached themselves to the Truth—such souls are regarded as the most exalted of creatures in the sight of God. With utmost humility I beseech God, exalted be His glory, not to deprive these servants of the wonders of His bounty.

Concerning what you wrote about not deeming it advisable to depart due to the incomplete nature of affairs in that land—excellent is what you have done, for dealings with people must be concluded and all matters brought to completion. God willing, you are in all circumstances assisted. If you reflect a little, you will witness divine favor toward yourself. His confirmations have been and will be with you, through His grace and kindnesses.

In regard to what you wrote concerning the two sons of Jinab-i-Raj (upon him be 9 66 [Baha’u’llah]), this servant presents these glad tidings that the favors of the True One, exalted be His glory, are abundant concerning them and those related to them. They have truly arisen to serve the Cause. We beseech the True One to confirm them in all conditions. These details were presented at the Most Holy Court, and this is what the All-Merciful revealed in response:

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

This is a Book to which all the books of the world have testified, yet most people are heedless. This is an utterance which, when it appeared from the horizon of Will, the Kingdom of Utterance bowed down before it, yet most people are asleep. This is a remembrance at whose appearance the Supreme Concourse circled round, yet people remain behind an obvious veil. By God! The Books, in their innermost tongue, give glad tidings to all in the world, saying:

“The Most Great Name has appeared and with Him is the Mother Book,”

yet the idolaters remain in grievous doubt.

O son of Ra and Jim! Rejoice that the Face hath turned toward thee from this noble station, and remembereth thee with that whose fragrance shall endure in the world. Verily thy Lord is the Bearer of Glad-Tidings, the All-Informed. The Supreme Pen hath mentioned you before your names appeared before the Throne, as a favor to your father. Verily, He is the All-Bountiful, the Noble. We counsel you and those who have believed to show forth the Greater Steadfastness and to observe that which We counseled one of Our Branches who was named Badi’u’llah in the Book of Names and ʿAli-Muhammad in My Great Tablet. This is the Day of Rising, by the Lord of the worlds, and this is the Day of the Call and My firm and mighty Command.

O Ra before Jim! Upon thee be My glory! He remembereth thee in this station and counseleth thee with the wisdom which the All-Merciful hath sent down in a clear Book. None should transgress wisdom lest the clamor of the opposers be raised. Say: Hold fast unto it, as commanded by One mighty and informed. Glory be upon thee and upon thy sons and upon those who are with thee and who hearken to thy word concerning this Cause, at whose appearance all things proclaimed: “The Promise is fulfilled and the Promised One speaketh: ʿVerily there is no God but Me, the Speaker, the Manifest, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy.”’

He is the Caller between Earth and Heaven

This is a remembrance whereby the eye of the Remembrance was solaced, yet most people know not. This is an utterance which, by the life of the All-Merciful, the Bayan circleth round, yet most people comprehend not. Say: By God! The Trumpet speaketh, the Balance moveth, and the Path calleth out before the Face, yet most people perceive not.

O Rida! Hearken unto the call of thy Most Glorious Lord. We created all things for the hearing of this Call, yet when it was raised, every heedless and veiled one turned away. I created eyes for My Day, ears for My Manifestation, and hands to grasp My sealed wine, which is My preserved Book. Blessed art thou for having drunk from the Spring of Life when the All-Merciful came with manifest sovereignty. We send greetings from this station to thy father and thy brothers who have taken the Kawthar of utterance in the name of the Lord of Religions and have drunk thereof through My beloved remembrance.

From these holy, revealed, and blessed verses, the favor of the True One is evident and clear, and this evanescent servant also conveys his greetings to each one. May they dwell and find rest beneath the eternal Lote-Tree and remain occupied with the remembrance of the True One, exalted be His glory and sovereignty.

Concerning what you wrote about the Handmaidens of God, it was presented at the Most Holy and Exalted Threshold. Thus spoke the Tongue of Grandeur in this station—exalted be His glory: God willing, may the handmaidens of Truth be occupied with His remembrance and praise throughout the nights and days. O Abu’l-Hasan! Once God, exalted be His glory, spoke to the Son of Mary saying: “O My servant and son of My handmaiden.” Reflect, then give thanks to thy Lord, the Generous Bestower. Convey greetings from the Wronged One to the handmaidens of God and likewise to all other maidservants of God who dwell in that land. God willing, may all, in utmost sanctity and detachment, be engaged in the remembrance of the Goal of all the world. How many men who counted themselves among the learned and accomplished are seen to be deprived, while how many servants and women who had not seen a letter of knowledge have attained the ocean of knowledge and speak the words “Thine be the praise, O God of all worlds.”

Concerning what was written about Mosul, He said: It would have been better had they heeded the glad-tidings and “give thou good news to the patient ones” after the blessed words “We shall surely try you.” Although famine has overtaken most lands this year, yet the spreading of such matters by the friends may cause certain incidents. The mention and spreading of such matters must in all cases occur with permission. He indeed knoweth His servants better than they know themselves. He is the Single One, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

Section 2: “And whosoever desires with complete willingness and yearning…”

And whosoever desires with complete willingness and yearning to pay the Huququ’llah must give it to such as your honor and the trustees and obtain a receipt, so that whatever occurs may occur with the leave and permission of God. He is verily the Teacher, the All-Wise.

Concerning what was written that his honor ʿAyn [charged with] 966 [Baha’u’llah] had designated funds for that land—they have always been and continue to be confirmed. We beseech God—our Beloved and your Beloved, our Goal and your Goal—to aid us in manifesting that which will exalt His Cause and in spreading that which will elevate His remembrance. He is verily the Self-Sufficient, the Almighty, the Powerful.

Concerning what was written “I have no desire save His good-pleasure,” He said: This is the most exalted of stations. Blessed is the soul that has drunk from this cup which God has placed above the seas in station. God willing, may you ever attain unto it. It is better for thee and for My servants than whatsoever hath been created on earth.

And concerning what was written about his honor Aqa Mirza Asadu’llah from Alif and Shin, it was presented and He said: O Asad! We have mentioned thee before, and I am the All-Knowing Rememberer. Strive in that which befitteth these days which were the hope of the sincere ones. Whoso hath recognized this Day hath attained unto that which God hath decreed in His Mighty Book. Convey My greetings to My loved ones in Alif and Shin. We have remembered them and greeted their faces from this exalted station. For thee and for them to hold fast unto spiritual qualities and pleasing deeds and that whereby this mighty Cause may be exalted. Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

And concerning what was written about the intention to travel to the land of Ha and Mim, it was presented at the Most Holy and Exalted Threshold. Thus spoke the Tongue of Grandeur when the Beloved of the world was established upon the throne of His Most Great Name. He said, exalted be His glory:

O Abu’l-Hasan! When thou enterest the Land of Ha and findest its fragrance, convey My greetings to My loved ones therein, who have cast aside all else save Me and have taken what was revealed in My Book, and have drunk the choice wine of faithfulness from the hand of My bounty, and have turned with radiant faces toward the horizon of My grace. These are servants whom the rapture of the call of God hath so seized that they have spoken in His praise and remembrance, and have uttered that which they were bidden in a perspicuous Tablet. We make mention of the traveler in this station, who turned toward My countenance and attained My presence when the Luminary of My Cause was shining from the horizon of Zawra. We bear witness that he hath acknowledged that which God had testified to on a Day whereon feet did slip.

O Tongue of Grandeur! Make mention of him who was named with the letters Ba and Qaf, who remained faithful to the Covenant on a Day wherein necks were humbled before God, the Lord of all horizons. Hearken once again unto My call. Verily, He remembereth thee with that which nothing on earth can equal, as doth testify He with Whom is the Mother Book. Thy letter which thou didst send before, and another letter, have been received and have attained the Most Great Presence, the station wherein the Lord of Destiny proclaimeth: “There is none other God but Me, the Mighty, the All-Bountiful.” Blessed art thou for having been moved by the stirring of God’s verses in His days and for having arisen to serve the Cause with spirit and fragrance. We have made mention of thee in numerous Tablets with such mention as shall never cease to perfume the world. To this doth bear witness the Wronged One Who is imprisoned in the Most Great [Prison].

O Abu’l-Hasan! Gladden and adorn the friends in that land with the ornament of a wondrous and sublime remembrance from before the True One. With utmost joy and delight, turn towards and traverse the dominions of the All-Merciful. Two petitions from the names B and Q reached the Court of the Intended One and attained an exalted station. God willing, through divine favors they shall in all conditions be occupied with the mention of the Friend and service to His Cause with wisdom and utterance, and shall at all times partake and give others to partake of the Kawthar of divine love. No matter hath ever been or ever shall be hidden before the Throne. Verily He heareth and seeth, and He is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. Upon Him be My glory and the glory of those who circle round My Throne, and upon the Steed that turned towards the Supreme Horizon until it entered Baghdad and attained the presence of the Lord of Names and drank the choice wine of revelation from the hands of its Lord, the All-Merciful. Say unto them: Grieve not, but trust in God in all matters. Verily He is with you and will manifest what He willeth. He is indeed the Munificent Bestower.

If thou shouldst see Kamalu’d-Din, gladden him with My loving-kindness and bounty, and remind him of what We commanded him when he was present before Us. Say: O Kamal! We counseled thee to render all thy submission and humility unto God alone. Hast thou forgotten? Ask God, thy Lord, to assist thee to act according to that which thou wast bidden by the Revealer of the Book. We have mentioned thee in such wise as all the Books bear witness, and beyond them My Tongue, and beyond that My Most Exalted Pen in the Scriptures and Tablets. Verily thy Lord is with thee, He heareth thy call and seeth what appeareth in the kingdom. He is indeed the Mighty, the All-Knowing.

We make mention in this station of Our servant An-Nur who drank from the ocean of My presence and attained the honor of hearing My call in the earliest days. Glory be upon thee and upon him and upon those related to thee and upon My handmaiden who attained the presence and won that which most men were debarred from. O Kamal! Hearken with thine inner ear to the call of the Beloved of the world. Act according to what He hath commanded. Thou art among those souls who have been and are mentioned before the Throne. Know thou the value of this station. I swear by the dust of the Most Great Prison which hath been made the footstool of the Lord of eternity—were the station of a single soul illumined by the lights of the Divine Word to be made manifest to the dwellers of earth and heaven, thou wouldst behold them all bewildered, nay most of them struck dead.

O My Pen! Make mention of Al-Mahmud who turned towards the Praiseworthy Station and attained, ere the Manifestation, the Dawning-Place of Light, and believed in God, the Peerless, the All-Informed. O Mahmud! Grieve not for what hath befallen thee in the land of exile. We thank God for what hath come upon Us in the prison-city of Ta and in this mighty prison. When tribulation increaseth, the chosen ones increase in their love for God, the Lord of all beings. Thus doth the Lord of the Throne and of earth instruct thee that thou mayest be among the thankful. Blessed is the soul that hath borne hardships and difficulties in the path of God, the Lord of the Day of Judgment. We give thee glad tidings of the greatest ease after thy severest hardship. Rejoice and say: Praise be unto Thee, O Desire of the worlds! O Mahmud! None hath fathomed the mysteries of divine wisdom. Had the people of the earth acted according to the counsels of their celestial Beloved, thou wouldst have beheld the entire earth as the most exalted Paradise, and all would have attained complete freedom and perfect tranquility. Say:

Glorified art Thou, O Thou at Whose Name the limbs of the mighty have quaked and the mountains have crumbled! I beseech Thee by Thy Hidden Name, which was established upon the Throne of Manifestation on this Day whereon the Trump was blown and the decree of resurrection appeared, to enable me to make mention of Thee and to praise Thee in such wise that neither the hosts of the earth nor the mighty ones among Thy creatures shall prevent me. O my Lord! Thou seest me turning toward Thee, clinging to the cord of obedience unto Thee, and holding fast to the hem of Thy generosity. Ordain for me that which is best for me, and prescribe for me that which shall profit me in every world of Thy worlds. Thou knowest what profiteth me, and Thou art the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

O my Lord! I beseech Thee by Thy Self to deliver whosoever is imprisoned in Thy days and aid him to that which Thou lovest and art pleased with. Verily, Thou art the Almighty, the Most Exalted, the Mighty, the Bountiful.

The Ancient Beauty hath turned towards the wise ones in Ha and Mim and giveth them glad tidings of the Ridvan of God, the Lord of the worlds. Rejoice ye in that the One seated upon the Throne maketh mention of you in such wise that those near unto God perceive therefrom the fragrance of God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy. I swear by God! He Who was named Jehovah in the Torah, and the Comforter in the Gospel, and in the Qur’an as the Great News, hath come—He at Whose appearance the heaven of vain imaginings was rent asunder, the earth of idle fancies was cleft, and all who dwell on earth were terror-stricken, save such as God pleased, the Most High, the All-Knowing. Blessed are ye for having turned unto the Countenance, and joy be unto you for having attained unto this glorious station. Beware lest the affairs of men grieve you. Hold ye fast unto the truth—verily He is the Almighty, the Powerful.

O concourse of the wise ones in the land of Ha! The Most Exalted Pen declareth: This is the Day of remembrance and praise, and this is the Day for the manifestation of praiseworthy attributes. God willing, ye should give the thirsty to drink from the Euphrates of the Most Merciful’s mercy, and guide the wanderers to their true home. With utmost joy and fragrance, give the glad tidings of the Merciful’s bounty to all beings, and arise to serve with wisdom. Whatsoever appeareth from any doer of good deeds in this day shall be observed as a star in the heaven of divine knowledge. By the truth of His own Self! Nothing escapeth His knowledge. He is verily the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

Drink ye in the name of the True Friend, speak ye in His Name, and be enkindled with His love—an enkindlement whose effects shall become manifest in the world. This is not difficult for the Almighty. He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He pleaseth. He is the One, the Peerless. Those souls among you who are engaged in teaching the Cause are mentioned before the Throne and are specially favored with God’s grace.

O Abu’l-Hasan! Though some names were not mentioned outwardly, yet all are recorded and inscribed in the Preserved Tablet by the Most Exalted Pen, especially those souls who have arisen with complete dedication to teach and serve the Cause. Upon them be My glory, My mercy, and My bounty, which have preceded all worlds. Soon shall appear in the kingdom what they have wrought in My path. It behooveth them to rejoice in this mention, from which the fragrance of the essence of their Lord’s bounty hath been wafted. Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

From the precincts of the Prison, We send Our glorification upon the loved ones of God in Nun and Ra, both men and women, who have fulfilled God’s Covenant and have turned unto His luminous Countenance. O My loved ones in that land! There have come before the Wronged One the pages adorned with My mention and praise, and We have answered you as a bounty from Our presence. Verily, He is the Near One, the Answerer. Rejoice ye in My mention of you and trust in all affairs to the One, the All-Informed. Verily, He ordaineth for His loved ones that which shall profit them in His worlds. He is verily the Ruler over whatsoever He willeth through His name, the All-Wise. Verily, in the Prison He maketh mention of you in such wise as to attract the hearts of the sincere ones. Glory be upon you and upon those who have cast away vain imaginings behind their backs, turning unto God, the Lord of the worlds.

O Abu’l-Hasan! We have heard the call of the Noble One in the land of Ta before, and We make mention of him with a tongue through which the horizons were set ablaze and through which the Lord of the Day of the Covenant spoke: “The Kingdom is God’s, the Lord of Lords!” We made mention of him before, and We make mention of him at this time, that he may rejoice in the remembrance of God, the Revealer of Verses. Convey My greetings unto him and give him the glad-tidings of this remembrance which God has made the King of all remembrance. The glory from Us be upon him and upon those who have attained to the mention of this station.

Furthermore, whenever you meet the friends of God in any city or region, make mention of this evanescent one’s utter powerlessness and nothingness. God willing, may they at all times drink from the chalice of the Merciful’s love and be turned with their entire sight, hearing and soul toward the Most Exalted Horizon. This is the tree of goodness, and its fruit and leaves. God is witness that this servant does not consider himself worthy or deserving of mention in the presence of those friends who have caused their own will, desire and choice to become extinct and non-existent in the will and desire of God. Blessed is the soul that acts in accordance with that which it has been commanded in the Book of God—that is, the soul that outwardly is adorned and embellished with prescribed deeds, for it is observed that some interpret divine verses according to their own vain imaginings and continue to do so. Evil is that which they do.

The name of Jinab-i-Amin, upon him be the Glory of God, is oft-mentioned, for he has been and continues to be mentioned in every letter, and this servant has made mention of him in all correspondence, but it seems he himself has not yet written from his location. In any case, wherever he may be, may he be occupied with the mention of God and be engaged in that which He loves and with which He is well-pleased. God willing, may he attain to His presence and be blessed once again with His meeting. The Glory be upon you and upon him and upon those who are adorned with the attributes which the Revealer of Verses has sent down in His Mighty Book.

BH00250: At this hour when the heaven of grace…

Section 1: “At this hour when the heaven of grace…”

In the name of God, exalted be His Glory and Grandeur!

At this hour when the heaven of grace is raised high and the sun of loving-kindness and favors is dawning and rising from the horizon of bounty and beneficence, I am present at the threshold of mighty glory with the pen of love and the tablet of unity and concord, commemorating with wondrous praise that beloved leaf and the other leaves of that land, particularly the honored and respected matron, mother of the Haram of God and mother of that leaf and her namesake—upon them be the Glory of God—who were resident in the Land of Ta. I bear glad tidings of the wondrous divine favors, for praise be to God, His loving-kindness is manifest and evident toward each one.

This is evident from the verses revealed from the heaven of oneness addressing this lowly one, which are inscribed verbatim in this leaf, the details being that from the Land of Ta a petition was submitted to the blessed presence of the Servant of the Divine Unity—may my spirit be sacrificed for the dust of his most glorious and luminous feet. Therein were mentioned the spiritual manifestations of each of those leaves and the beloved leaf, wife of the late Aqa Muhammad Ja’far, and the sister of that leaf, and the sister of His Holiness’s beloved Aqa Mirza Mahmud—upon him be the Glory of God—and Bibi Jan and all the leaves of that land. Also as promised to you, supplication was made for forgiveness of that leaf’s late father. A response was graciously given, and among the verses that descended from the heaven of the favors of the Eternal Beloved—may the spirit of all loved ones be sacrificed for Him—they recorded blessed words of glad tidings. However, this one submits these that it may become clear and evident that deeds done purely for God’s sake shall not be lost.

Blessed are ye for that which His Most Exalted Pen hath recorded in your mention. O ye pure leaves! This is a copy of what our Glorious Lord wrote to this ephemeral, lowly one:

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

Praise be to God Who hath raised up the heaven of utterance and adorned it with brilliant stars and illumined its horizon with the Sun of the mention of the Most Great Name, whereby the world was illumined. When the air stirred and heaven moved, the ocean of knowledge surged and the Ark of God sailed thereon through His Most Glorious Name. Blessed is he who held fast to it and embarked upon it through the Name whereby the veils were rent and the coverings were torn asunder. Glorified be He Who manifested what He willed through the Most Exalted Word and spoke and caused all things to speak. What He hath spoken is indeed the straight path and the balance of justice.

Through it the lovers were attracted and soared in the atmosphere of longing, and through it the sincere arose to promote the Cause of God between earth and heaven, bearing in His love tribulations which none can reckon save God, the Lord of all names. Through it the gates of the treasuries of heaven were opened and the Kingdom of Names appeared. Through it the trumpet was blown and the call was raised amidst the concourse of creation. Through it the mountains of idle fancies were crushed and the heavens of vain imaginings were cleft asunder and the earth of learning were split among the people. At times thou beholdest it flowing like water in the valleys, and at other times blazing like fire upon the heights. Through it the hearts of the wretched were consumed while the Concourse on High rejoiced.

Can the pen ever finish mentioning it? Nay, by the Lord of Names! Can paper bear to carry it? Nay, by the Creator of heaven! It is that through which the names and all things appeared. There is nothing but that hath been consumed through its manifestation and appearance. Through it the fragrance of God was diffused throughout all else, the dwellers of the graves were stirred, and the Day of Resurrection came to pass. Exalted, exalted is He Who manifested it and created it and made it the servant and educator of all things. Exalted, exalted be He Who hath manifested and created him and made him the servant of all things and their educator! Exalted, exalted be He Who hath known Himself and taught the servants whatsoever He hath willed! Verily, He is the Almighty, the All-Powerful, the All-Bountiful!

To continue: The servant hath indeed been made to rejoice by that which hath proceeded from your pen, which moved in remembrance of God and His praise, and in the glorification of God and His Names. When it was opened and read and perused, I turned toward the heaven of the Cause and presented what you had presented before the Throne. Then did the Tongue of Grandeur speak forth that whereat the world was gladdened and the moldering bones were quickened. He said, exalted and glorified be He:

O Ali! We were established upon the throne in the Most Great Prison when the servant who was present before Our face entered with thy letter and presented what was therein—and verily We are the All-Hearing, the All-Answering. We have heard thy call and recognized the state thou art in regarding thy love for these souls. Remember when thou didst turn toward the Prison and stood before the door and heard the call of the Wronged One Who spoke from the most exalted station that there is no God but Him, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy.

O Ali! Hearken unto what the ungodly say in this Most Great Revelation whereby the limbs of the nations have quaked. Thy Lord is indeed the Manifest with truth and He is the All-Knowing. They say He hath claimed divinity and this befitteth not any among the servants to acknowledge. Thus have their hearts hardened and their souls enticed them. Thus do We recount unto thee what the heedless have uttered—and We are the Informed, the All-Knowing.

Say: By God, this is the Day of God wherein none is mentioned save Him. He is verily the One Who speaketh in the Most Great Prison and calleth between earth and heaven. No Prophet but hath given the glad-tidings of this Day to the servants, and no Book but hath been adorned with this Most Great Name. Say: None is mentioned in this Day save God and His names and what hath appeared from Him. Thus hath the command been sent down in all the Tablets, but most of the people are heedless.

Say: This is the Wondrous One through Whom the horizon of creation hath been illumined and through Whose Word hath appeared what was hidden in the treasuries of God’s protection, the Mighty, the Powerful. Say: Were He to speak other than what He hath spoken, then ye should object to Him. Say: Ponder and be not of those who turn away. Say: This is He Who hath come from the heaven of grandeur with manifest sovereignty and hath called all unto God in such wise that neither ranks nor hosts nor the utterances of the ungodly could hinder Him.

And the people of the Bayan who disbelieved in the All-Merciful have forgotten all that they were promised when they speak as spoke the people of the Furqan. Say: Woe unto them and unto you, O company of educators! They have followed vain imaginings as did their fathers before them. Thus doth the Tongue of Grandeur speak the truth.

Be thou grateful and say: Praise be unto Thee, O God of the worlds! Blessed is he who hath cast behind him vain imaginings and stood firm in this Cause whereby the feet of the mystics have slipped. Say: Fear God and follow not your desires. Follow Him Who hath come unto you with a proof whereunto the heavens and earth can bear no likeness.

Grieve thou not over anything. Verily He heareth and seeth, and We are the All-Seeing. We have mentioned thee time and again, and this is yet another time. When thou dost inhale the fragrance of thy Lord’s verses, arise and say: Unto Thee be praise, O Creator of the heavens, and unto Thee be glory, O Thou in Whose grasp is the reins of the worlds! I praise Thee and thank Thee for having caused me to turn toward Thy most exalted horizon and for having made me recognize Thy beauty after every remote misbeliever turned away from it, and for having shown me Thy countenance after the passing of all things, and for having made me hear Thy most sweet call, and for having caused me to attain unto the ocean of Thy Most Great Name, and for having given me to drink, through the hands of bounty, the Kawthar of eternity.

Every limb of My body beareth witness to Thy bounty, Thy bestowals, Thy generosity and Thy gifts. Verily Thou art the Gracious Giver. O my God! Thou seest that mine eyes are fixed upon the horizon of Thy favor and mine ears are attentive to hear Thy call. O Lord! The longing one’s yearning and attraction never cease, nor does his love and passion diminish. I beseech Thee by Thine own Self to make me in all conditions attracted to Thy verses, delighting in the fragrance of Thy raiment, clinging to Thy robe, and speaking Thy praise amongst Thy creatures. Thou art the Powerful, the Most High, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

O Akbar! The Lord of Destiny calls thee from the direction of His Most Sublime Vision as a favor from Him upon thee, that thou mayest be of the thankful ones. From this Most Holy Station We send greetings to the faces that have turned toward the Face of God and responded when the Call was raised between earth and heaven, and followed what the All-Merciful revealed in a preserved Tablet. We remember them and give them glad tidings of what is ordained for them in the Kingdom of God, the Lord of all worlds. Say: Beware lest the world prevent you from the Creator of heaven. Leave the people to their vain imaginings and take what has come to you from God, the Mighty, the Great. He loves who loves Him and remembers who remembers Him and sees who stands firm in His remembrance and service to His Cause. He is the Hearing, the Wise.

At the end of the Tablet We remember him who is named Rida, who turned to the Face and believed in God, the Single, the One, the Powerful. Convey My greetings to his face and gladden him with what has been revealed for him from God, the Ancient Revealer. Then We remember the handmaidens who have turned, drawn near, recognized and drunk of My luminous wine. Blessed are they for having fulfilled God’s Covenant and His Testament and remained steadfast in this wondrous Cause. The Glory be upon thee and upon thy family and upon those who have believed in God and held fast to His wise Book.

The verses revealed from the heaven of divine will testify and bear witness to the special favors that have been and continue to be directed toward you. Regarding what you wrote about this servant being negligent in sending letters—yes, indeed there was delay, but this was not from laziness or indolence, nor, God forbid, from any lack of sincerity. God is aware and bears witness that your mention and love have been and will remain in heart and tongue. Regarding your request that I circumambulate the Temple of Oneness on your behalf, praise be to God, this evanescent servant attained this bounty at the time of the revelation of verses, visiting and circumambulating on your behalf. Concerning what you wrote about the loved ones of Qamsar who have arisen to serve the Cause, it was presented at the Most Sublime Vision. This is what was revealed for them from God, the Lord of the worlds:

Section 2: “O My loved ones in that place! Hearken…”

O My loved ones in that place! Hearken unto My sweetest call which hath been raised from this luminous spot. Verily there is no God but He, the Mighty, the Wise. The glance of the Wronged One hath been directed toward you from this known station. He is the Hearing, the Responding One. Blessed are ye for having believed and turned toward the Supreme Horizon after the servants turned away, save those whom God, the Single, the All-Informed, wished. Hold fast to the cord of unity, then remember your Lord, the All-Merciful, with joy and fragrance. Thus doth command you the All-Knowing Ordainer. We have seen you and heard your call and have answered you with these verses through which the fragrance of utterance hath been wafted throughout all possibility. He is the Mighty, the Praiseworthy. By the life of God! There hath been ordained for you in My Most Glorious Kingdom that which the pen cannot describe, but most of the people know not.

O rejoice in My Name and drink from the Kawthar of life through My wondrous remembrance! We counsel you to show forth supreme steadfastness and to follow that which God hath revealed through the Most Exalted Pen in the Crimson Tablet. He, verily, commandeth you to do that which profiteth you in the hereafter and in this world. To this beareth witness the Lord of all beings in His mighty prison. Be illumined by My remembrance of you, for it is greater than all the treasures of the heavens and earth. Hearken unto Him Who is among you and remembereth you with the remembrance of God, the Mighty, the Beautiful.

O My Most Exalted Pen! Turn towards the Land of Kaf and make mention of them who have soared in the atmosphere of Thy nearness and have attained unto the recognition of Him Who caused thee to speak with truth. Thy Lord is, verily, the All-Bountiful, the Generous. Blessed are ye for having attained and recognized the Wronged One when every heedless one turned away from Him. The world and all that is therein shall perish, but there shall endure for you that which the All-Merciful hath revealed in His perspicuous Book. God hath witnessed your acceptance and faith. Rejoice then in this Most Great Remembrance and drink of My luminous wine. Preserve your dignity through supreme steadfastness lest the allusions of them that have disbelieved in the Lord of the worlds cause you to slip.

The glory rest upon you and upon them who have laid firm hold on the Book of God with the strength that proceedeth from Him and have acted according to that which they were bidden by their Lord, the All-Wise. The names mentioned in your letter were brought before the Most Great View. Praise be to the Beloved of the worlds that they were adorned with the ornament of His love and attained unto His recognition. They have taken the choice wine from the hand of bounty and have drunk thereof. Blessed are they and those who have attained unto this noble station.

Wheresoever ye receive a divine Tablet, ye should convey that which is inscribed therein to its people or send it to them, and especially convey to each one wondrous and sublime greetings from God. Concerning what thou didst write about the steadfast women, the humble women, the believing women, and the chaste women of that land—this was presented before the Throne. Wondrous and sublime verses have been specifically revealed for each one from the heaven of the divine Will, and the glance of mercy hath been directed towards each. Blessed are they for having attained unto the recognition of God and the service of His firm and wise Cause.

It is clear and evident to every person of understanding that whatsoever existeth in the world is transient and will pass away. Soon all that is visible shall vanish, and that which shall endure forever is the mention that floweth from the Most Exalted Pen specifically for each of the servants and handmaidens. Blessed are the souls who have attained unto this most exalted station. By the life of God! Were We to fully describe this station, all the peoples of the world would turn to the most exalted horizon and would engage in serving the Cause with the utmost joy and fragrance. Thus doth the Truth speak the truth and mention that which rejoiceth the hearts of the sincere ones and the minds of them that are firm.

Ask ye of God—and let them ask—that they may remain firm and steadfast in the Cause of God. Say: O handmaidens of God! Give thanks that your mention hath been made before the Throne and that your deeds have been for God and have been accepted in His holy court. God willing, may ye be blessed in all times with the fragrances of divine verses and be gladdened by His remembrance.

Regarding what thou didst write about the word of forgiveness concerning the late Haji Mulla ʿAli-Akbar, this was presented before the Throne. This is what was revealed from the Kingdom of Utterance from God, the Mighty, the Bestower: O My handmaiden! We give thee glad tidings of thy Lord’s favor and make mention of that which rejoiceth thy heart and the hearts of those women who have believed in God, the Mighty, the All-Bountiful. Know thou that God hath forgiven him through His grace, purified him, and caused him to ascend unto the sublime Companion. Verily, thy Lord’s favor hath encompassed all created things. Thus doth God change whatsoever He willeth and ordain what He wisheth for whomsoever He desireth. Nothing can prevent Him, nor can any matter render Him powerless. He does through His power whatever He pleases and decrees through His authority whatever He wills. Therefore praise and mention these verses which have descended from the heaven of thy Lord’s mercy, the Mighty, the All-Knowing. The glory be upon thee and upon those who have inhaled the fragrance of the garment in the days of God, who have turned to the horizon of revelation and who have heard the call of God, the Lord of Religions.

Furthermore, regarding the matters which His Holiness Ismu’llah Ha—upon him be all the most glorious glory and all the most excellent praise—has arisen to accomplish, this servant has, in accordance with the Most Holy and Exalted Command, submitted a brief account. They will surely inform that honored one and it should be carried out accordingly.

Additionally, concerning the mother of the sacred family who resides in the Land of Kaf—upon her be the glory of God—emphasize strongly that the souls dwelling in that land should show her respect, for truly she has endured numerous afflictions in the path of God. Blessed is she for what she has patiently endured in the path of our Lord and the Lord of all worlds. Now she remains in a foreign land and with utmost distress remains patient and thankful. We beseech God to assist her and grant her what befits His all-encompassing grace, and to aid those who support and honor her out of love for God, the Mighty, the Wise.

If possible, convey glad tidings to her on behalf of this evanescent one, for she is mentioned before the Divine Throne and the glance of favor is directed towards her. Blessed is she for her patience, her gratitude, her charitable giving, and her turning to God, the One, the Peerless.

This evanescent one requests that you convey to the friends and notable ones of every land the Most Glorious, Most Exalted greetings from this servant. And the other friends in the Prison Land and those circumambulating all remember that honored one with most excellent remembrances and glorifications.

The glory of God be upon your honor and your family and upon all the loved ones of God, and praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

The servant 17 Sha’ban 1290

O my beloved! This is the letter of His Honor the Servant of the Divine Unity—may my spirit be sacrificed for his most mighty and luminous sacred dust—which contains blessed utterances—may my soul and the souls of all the worlds be a ransom for each letter thereof—descended from the heaven of divine bounty, and wherein favor hath been shown unto all the people of that land, men and women alike, especially unto that handmaiden concerning whom explicit favor and bounty have been expressed without hint or allusion.

God willing, together with the special Tablets wherein I mentioned their names at the outset, ye shall recite them again and again. The counsels of His honor the servant—may my soul be a sacrifice for his sacred dust—which he hath given concerning the exalted, honored, and revered mother of the household, upon her be the glory of God, do ye observe and follow. And from the tongue of this lowly and evanescent one, do ye make mention of them in their presence with wondrous and impregnable invocations and with mighty glorifications.

The hope is cherished that evermore that handmaiden, and her namesake, and the other maidservants of God in that land shall remain enkindled with the fire of divine love and intoxicated with the wine of the Beloved, that ye may quicken the dead in the graves of heedlessness and ignorance through the wafting of the sweet-scented breaths, and refresh and gladden the withered trees in the wilderness of passion and desire with the water of remembrance and goodly deeds, so that goodly fruits may appear from all the people of that land.

By God, besides Whom there is none other than Him! If a soul should gird up the loins of endeavor and, for the sake of God, take steps in the path of assisting the Cause of Truth, even dead bones would be stirred to motion by the effect of their pure breaths, let alone heedless souls. God willing, may you all conduct yourselves with one another in perfect love and unity, with joy and fragrance. Observe how great is divine grace and favor concerning that honored lady, and offer thanks with all your being that your names are mentioned before the Divine Throne. We beseech God, and you too should beseech, that He may remove all major obstacles and open wide the gate of attainment unto His presence before the faces of all His servants, both men and women.

In brief, if the honored Aliya, namesake of that distinguished lady, is not present in that land, make a copy of the petition and send either the original or a copy thereof to her presence, and convey infinite greetings. And on behalf of this lowly one, ask pardon for the troubles caused during the time of her presence. Convey infinite greetings to the beloved Aqa Mirza Mahmud and his relatives, both female and male, especially to his honored sister. And on behalf of this lowly one, mention each and every one of the handmaidens of God in that land with wondrous and sublime remembrances, particularly the honored mother and Miss Sahib and Bibi Jan, upon whom be the Glory of God. Remember Shirin with the sweetness of the Beloved’s utterance. The honored uncle—may my spirit be a sacrifice to the dust of his footsteps—that distinguished lady, and the other handmaidens of God in that land are remembered with spiritual remembrances.

What more can this evanescent lowly one say? Document 333 dated 27th of Shawwal 90 was presented in the Holy Land. The honored Shatir sends infinite greetings.