Volume 066: Akka 1299 A.H. (1881–1882), Part I (1 of 6)

BH01707: Lawh-i-Jud

In My Name, who calleth out before the face of the world!

O Thou who bearest My Name, Jud [Bounty]! Upon thee be My Glory. Give ear unto that which thou didst hear aforetime when the Daystar of testimony was shining resplendent above the horizon of ʿIraq, when Baghdad served as the Seat of the Throne of thy Lord, the Exalted, the Mighty.

I bear witness that thou hast hearkened unto the melody of God and His sweet accents, inclined thine ear to the cooing of the Dove of divine Revelation and hast heard the Nightingale of fidelity pouring forth its notes upon the Branch of Glory: Verily there is none other God but Me, the Incomparable, the All-Informed.

O thou who bearest My Name! The glances of the loving-kindness of God have been and continue to be directed towards thee. While in His presence, thou hast heard the Voice of the One true God—exalted be His glory—and hast beheld the unveiled splendor of the Light of divine knowledge. Ponder a while! How sublime is the Utterance of Him Who is the Sovereign Truth and how abject are the idle contentions of the people! The accumulations of vain fancy have obstructed men’s ears and stopped them from hearing the Voice of God, and the veils of human learning and false imaginings have prevented their eyes from beholding the splendor of the light of His countenance. With the arm of might and power We have rescued a number of souls from the slough of impending extinction and enabled them to attain the Dayspring of glory.

Moreover We have laid bare the divine mysteries and in most explicit language foretold future events, that neither the doubts of the faithless, nor the denials of the froward, nor the whisperings of the heedless may keep back the seekers of truth from the Source of the light of the One true God. Nevertheless some people seem to have been seized with epilepsy, others are torn up even as hollow tree-stumps. They abandon God, the Most Exalted—He before Whose revelation of a single verse, all the Scriptures of the past and of more recent times pale into lowliness and insignificance—and set their hearts on lying tales and follow empty words.

Thou hast surely quaffed from the ocean of Mine utterance and hast witnessed the effulgent splendor of the orb of My wisdom. Thou hast also heard the sayings of the infidels who neither are acquainted with the fundamentals of the Faith, nor have tasted this choice Wine whose seal hath been broken through the power of My Name, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting. Beseech thou God that the believers who are endued with true understanding may be graciously enabled to do that which is pleasing unto Him.

How strange that despite this ringing Call, despite the appearance of this most wondrous Revelation, We notice that men, for the most part, have fixed their hearts on the vanities of the world and are sorely dismayed and troubled by reason of prevailing doubts and evil suggestions. Say: This is the Day of God Himself; fear ye God and be not of them that have disbelieved in Him. Cast the idle tales behind your backs and behold My Revelation through Mine eyes. Unto this have ye been exhorted in heavenly Books and Scriptures, in the Scrolls and Tablets.

Arise thou to serve the Cause of thy Lord; then give the people the joyful tidings concerning this resplendent Light whose revelation hath been announced by God through His Prophets and Messengers. Admonish everyone moreover to observe prudence as ordained by Him, and in the Name of God advise them, saying: It behooveth every one in this Day of God to dedicate himself to the teaching of the Cause with utmost prudence and steadfastness. Should he discover a pure soil, let him sow the seed of the Word of God, otherwise it would be preferable to observe silence.

Not long ago this most sublime Word was revealed in the Crimson Book by the All-Glorious Pen:

“The heaven of divine wisdom is illumined with two luminaries: consultation and compassion.”

Please God, everyone may be enabled to observe this weighty and blessed word.

Certain people seem to be entirely bereft of understanding. By clinging to the cord of idle fancy they have debarred themselves from the Sure Handle. I swear by My life! Were they to reflect a while with fairness on that which the All-Merciful hath sent down, they would, one and all, spontaneously give utterance to these words, “Verily Thou art the Truth, the manifest Truth.”

It behooveth thee to turn thy gaze in all circumstances unto the One true God, and seek diligently to serve His Cause. Call thou to mind when thou wert in My company, within the Tabernacle of Glory, and didst hear from Me that which He Who conversed with God [Moses] heard upon the Sinai of divine knowledge. Thus did We graciously aid thee, enabled thee to recognize the truth and cautioned thee, that thou mightest render thanks unto thy bountiful Lord. Thou shouldst safeguard this sublime station through the potency of My Name, the Omnipotent, the Faithful.

Convey greetings on My behalf to My loved ones and suffer them to hearken unto My sweet Voice. Thus biddeth thee the One Who hath bidden thee in the past; I am in truth the Ordainer, the All-Informed. Glory be upon thee and upon those who give ear to thy words concerning this momentous Cause and who love thee for the sake of God, the Lord of the worlds.

BH02094: O Mirza Asadu’llah, son of him who hath ascended…

O Mirza Asadu’llah, son of him who hath ascended to the Supreme Companion! He is the Most Holy, the Most Great, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious!

A mention from Us unto him who hath attained to the recognition of God when every ignorant and remote one turned away from Him, that he may rejoice in His remembrance and speak forth His praise in such wise as to attract the hearts of them that have known God. O Asad! He Who is the One, the Single, maketh mention of thee from this Spot which God hath made the point round which circle the Concourse on High and the dwellers of the Cities of Names, and then they who circle round the Throne in the name of their Lord, the Mighty, the Trusted One.

Blessed is thy father, concerning whom the Supreme Pen was moved to make mention both before his ascension and after his elevation to a station wherein he beheld the world beneath his shadow. Verily thy Lord is the All-Witnessing, the All-Informed. We have mentioned him in such wise as would cause the near ones to invoke blessings upon him at morn and eventide. Grieve not at what hath befallen thee. Verily thy Lord maketh mention of thee in such wise as would gladden every hearing and perceiving one. We make mention of him in this Spot that God’s chosen ones and His loved ones who have turned unto God, the Most Exalted, the Most Great, may remember him thereby.

O Muhsin! I bear witness that thou didst hear the Call when it was raised betwixt earth and heaven, and didst answer thy Lord, the Manifest, the All-Knowing. Blessed art thou for having quaffed the Wine of Life from the hand of the bounty of thy Lord, the All-Bountiful, and for having attained unto the most great steadfastness when feet did slip and every lofty mountain was scattered to dust. Thou art he whom neither the clamor of the divines held back from the Creator of heaven nor the assault of the oppressors from this Great Announcement. We bear witness that thou didst rend asunder the veils when the All-Bestower came riding upon the clouds, and didst acknowledge that which the Tongue of Grandeur did utter: “There is none other God but Me, the Almighty, the Powerful.” Thou art he from whom they that have known God have inhaled the fragrance of steadfastness in this Cause at whose appearance all things proclaimed: “By God! That hath appeared from which all who are in the earth have fled in terror, save those whom God hath willed, the Lord of this wondrous Day.” Thus hath the Lord of all mankind made mention of thee that the servants who have believed in God, the Lord of the worlds, may visit thee thereby.

O Asad! Divine favor toward him is manifest and evident from wondrous and sublime verses, and the testimony that hath proceeded from the Supreme Pen concerning him is, in the sight of God, greater than all the treasures of the earth. Verily He seeth and witnesseth and speaketh. Thy Lord is indeed the All-Mentioning, the All-Knowing. Though for some days in this world he bore afflictions, trials and the like, this was in accordance with God’s conclusive wisdom. I swear by the Sun of utterance that such bounty hath been vouchsafed unto him as the pens of the world and its scribes are powerless to describe. If thou shouldst perceive these words, which are more delicate than the fragrance of a garment, with an attentive ear, thou wouldst attain unto the most great joy and wouldst cry out in all nights and days “Thine be the praise, O God of the worlds!”

God willing, thou shalt drink of the choice sealed wine in the name of the Self-Subsisting—and that wine is steadfastness, for the treacherous ones and the satans are engaged with the utmost effort and striving in leading souls astray. Ask thou God to protect thee and His servants. Verily He is the Almighty, the Powerful, the All-Wise. The glory be upon thee and upon thy mother who heard and turned unto God, the Lord of this wondrous Day.

BH02984: God testifieth that there is none other God but…

He is the All-Witnessing, the All-Knowing, the All-Hearing

God testifieth that there is none other God but Him and that He Who hath come from the heaven of divine revelation is the Hidden Secret, the Impenetrable Mystery, Whose advent hath been foretold in the Book of God and hath been heralded by His Prophets and Messengers. Through Him the mysteries have been unraveled, the veils rent asunder and the signs and evidences disclosed. Lo! He hath now been made manifest. He bringeth to light whatsoever He willeth, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, invested with transcendent majesty and power.

Blessed is that strong one who will shatter the gods of vain imaginings through the potency of the Name of his Lord, He Who ruleth over all men.

O My Afnan! We would fain mention thy name as a token of grace on Our part, that the sweet savors of My remembrance may attract thee unto My Kingdom and draw thee nigh unto the Tabernacle of My majesty which hath been hoisted through the power of this Name—a Name which hath caused every foundation to tremble.

Say: O peoples of the earth! By the righteousness of God! Whatever ye have been promised in the Books of your Lord, the Ruler of the Day of Return, hath appeared and been made manifest. Beware lest the changes and chances of the world hold you back from Him Who is the Sovereign Truth. Ere long will everything visible perish and only that which hath been revealed by God, the Lord of lords, shall endure.

Say: This is the Day of meritorious deeds, did ye but know it. This is the Day of the glorification of God and of the exposition of His Word, could ye but perceive it. Abandon the things current amongst men and hold fast unto that which God, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting, hath enjoined upon you. The day is fast approaching when all the treasures of the earth shall be of no profit to you. Unto this beareth witness the Lord of Names, He Who proclaimeth: Verily, no God is there besides Him, the Sovereign Truth, the Knower of things unseen.

Well is it with thee, O My Afnan, inasmuch as thou wert honored to receive My Holy Verses, hast inhaled the sweet savors of My Revelation and responded to My Call at a time when My servants and My creatures, casting the Mother Book behind their backs and, clinging to the dictates of the exponents of idle fancy and vain imaginings, have denounced Me. Thus hath the Tongue of Grandeur spoken in the kingdom of utterance at the bidding of God, the Lord of Creation.

Persevere thou conscientiously in the service of the Cause and, through the power of the Name of thy Lord, the Possessor of all things visible and invisible, preserve the station conferred upon thee. I swear by the righteousness of God! Were anyone apprised of that which is veiled from the eyes of men, he would become so enraptured as to wing his flight unto God, the Lord of all that hath been and shall be.

May His glory rest upon thee and upon such as have drawn nigh unto Him and apprehended the meaning of that which the exalted Pen of God, the Almighty, the All-Loving, hath recorded in this Tablet.

BH03796: We make mention of him who hath been attracted…

We make mention of him who hath been attracted by Our Call when it was raised from the summit of transcendent glory and hath set his face towards God, the Lord of creation. He is numbered with such as have heard and responded to the summons of their Lord at a time when the peoples of the world are wrapt in palpable veils. He testifieth unto that whereunto God hath testified, and acknowledgeth his belief in that which the Tongue of Grandeur hath uttered. Unto this beareth witness the Lord of Names in this wondrous Tablet.

O My exalted Pen! Bring him, on My behalf, the joyful tidings concerning the things that God, the Powerful, the Omnipotent, hath reserved for him. Indeed he hath, for most of the time, been hemmed in by manifold sorrows, and verily his merciful Lord is the One Who seeth and knoweth all things. Rejoice thou with exceeding gladness inasmuch as this Wronged One hath turned His face towards thee, hath mentioned thy name aforetime and doth mention it at this very moment.

Unto My loved friends give thou remembrances in My name and convey to them the tidings of the gracious bounties of their Lord, the Giver, the All-Generous. From this exalted station We send Our greetings unto such believers as have taken fast hold on the Sure Handle and quaffed the choice wine of constancy from the hand of favor of their Lord, the Almighty, the All-Praised.

In this Day the faculty of hearing exclaimeth, “This is my Day, wherein I hearken unto the wondrous Voice coming from the precincts of the Prison of my Lord, the Perspicuous, the Hearing.” And the faculty of sight calleth aloud, “Verily this is my Day, for I behold the Dayspring of glory shining resplendent at the bidding of Him Who is the Ordainer, the All-Powerful.” Blessed the ear that hath heard the call, “Behold, and thou shalt see Me.”1 and happy the eye that hath gazed upon the most wondrous Sign, dawning from this luminous horizon.

Say: O concourse of the rulers and of the learned and the wise! The Promised Day is come and the Lord of Hosts hath appeared. Rejoice ye with great joy by reason of this supreme felicity. Aid Him then through the power of wisdom and utterance. Thus biddeth you the One Who hath ever proclaimed, “Verily, no God is there but Me, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.”

May His glory rest upon thee and upon those who are with thee and such ones as cherish thee and give ear to the words thou utterest in glorification of this mighty, this transcendent Revelation.

BH04538: In the Name of Him Who is the Goal…

In the Name of Him Who is the Goal of the world! Thy letter hath reached the ears of this Wronged One. Praise be to God that thou hast been assisted to offer praise and thanksgiving to the Beloved of the worlds, and hast quaffed from the wine of true understanding. Blessed art thou, and blessed is he who hath taught thee and imparted unto thee the Word of God, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting.

For those possessed of insight, there hath never been, nor is there now, any doubt concerning the changes, transformations and evanescence of the world. God willing, may its manifestations, effulgences and conditions not debar thee from the immortal Kingdom. Strive thou that such deeds as befit the station of man may be made manifest from thee. Thus doth the Wronged One command thee from this remote spot.

The Truth hath summoned and continueth to summon the entire world unto that which shall ensure its salvation in all the worlds. The Tongue of Grandeur beareth witness to this from Its exalted and glorious station. If thou wert to observe with the eye of fairness that which hath been manifested, thou wouldst attain, in less than that, unto the lofty station of steadfastness.

Before the appearance of proof and testimony, none was commanded to recognition. He bestowed the eye and uttered the word “observe”. He granted the tongue and revealed the word “remember”. He conferred strength and commanded to action. Verily thy Lord is the Just, the All-Wise.

Say: O my God! I beseech Thee by the trees of Thy lands and the fruits of the Tree of Thy utterance to aid me to be steadfast in Thy Cause and to enable me, under all conditions, to hearken unto Thy Call which hath been raised from the right hand of Thy Throne. Then ordain for me, by the Pen of Thy Command, that which will draw me nigh unto Thee. There is none other God but Thee, the Self-Sufficient, the Most Exalted.

BH05487: The All-Merciful hath revealed a Book for all who…

In the Name of Him Who shineth from the horizon of utterance

The All-Merciful hath revealed a Book for all who dwell in the realm of possibility, and calleth all unto God, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting. This is the Day of Resurrection, yet the people perceive it not. This is the Day of Loss and Gain, and of Recompense, yet most among mankind know it not. The Calamity hath truly come to pass, and the Sure Hour hath appeared with justice, yet the people witness it not. The Hour proclaimeth and calleth all unto this Hour that speaketh and walketh in His prison, the Mighty, the Forbidden One.

Mention was made of thee in the letter of My Afnan, upon whom rest My glory. We make mention of thee in this irrevocable Tablet. Blessed is the heart that hath turned toward My horizon, and the tongue that hath been adorned with the praise of God, the Lord of the seen and the unseen.

Render thanks unto the Beloved of the world Who hath enabled thee to turn unto Him on a Day when most of the people of the earth are deprived and forbidden. After recognition of God—exalted be His glory—that which hath been and still is of paramount importance is steadfastness. God willing, thou shalt attain unto it and preserve it through His Name, the True One.

We make mention in this place of him who is named ʿAbdu’l-Husayn. We have mentioned him in diverse Tablets as a token of Our grace. Verily thy Lord is the All-Bountiful, the Generous. The favor of God hath encompassed him and will, God willing, continue to do so. Glory be upon him and upon thee and upon those who have believed in the One, the All-Informed.

BH11345: Allah’u’Abha! O promoter of My Cause and one who…

Allah’u’Abha! O promoter of My Cause and one who gazes upon My countenance! We have desired to remember thee and have remembered thee in this Most Glorious Tablet that thou mayest give thanks unto God, the Lord of what was and what shall be.

BH00172: Praise be befitting to my Beloved, Who hath opened…

Section 1: “Praise be befitting to my Beloved, Who hath…”

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

Praise be befitting to my Beloved, Who hath opened the gates of reunion unto all the worlds through the pen and finger. Once it was said that the pen is the primary interpreter in the world after the tongue. In truth, it is a mighty sign and an exalted station. The connection of the world dependeth upon it, and likewise its separation. With a single movement in the arena of utterance, the people of the contingent world are attracted—some rendered unconscious by its shrill sound, and others made steadfast by its call. This unconsciousness of which We speak is the very essence of consciousness, nay the source thereof. Exalted is the command of the Pen in revealing what He willeth, and exalted is He Who caused it to speak and taught it. This Pen, with all these stations, fell unconscious at the first call of countless ages. This is a word I heard from the mouth of God, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting.

This evanescent servant, due to the intensity of the fire of love, whenever he wishes to present something, is ultimately put to shame by the abundance of words. The fire of love sayeth: Write! Write! Modesty sayeth: Enough! Enough! In all conditions there is hope for pardon.

Your letter arrived, along with the letter of Samandar, upon him be 966 [Baha’u’llah], which had been sent to that beloved one and which you gave to this servant. On Thursday morning, the ninth of Muharram, it was presented before the countenance of the Lord of all beings. He, exalted be His glory, said:

We have heard the call of all, and all have been adorned with the ornament of divine mention. By the life of God! Every word hath concealed within it the good of all who are first and last. In one station it appeareth as a cloud from which the rains of divine grace pour forth unceasingly. The world of knowledge hath ever been and shall ever be verdant and flourishing through it. Exalted is the Lord of Eternity Who speaketh at this moment: “Verily, there is no God but Me, the Imprisoned, the Stranger.”

At times it is the Water of Life for existence, for in truth whosoever hath partaken thereof hath attained unto everlasting, eternal life. By My life! The breeze of grace that wafteth at dawn bestoweth new and wondrous life upon decayed bones. It hath conquered and continueth to conquer the world through a word. It is the Most Great Key in the world, for through it are opened the doors of hearts which are, in truth, the gates of heaven. Were its attributes to be described as befitteth and beseemeth it, it would prove too lengthy. One of its effulgences shone forth upon the mirror of love, wherein was impressed the blessed word “I am the Beloved.” It is an ocean all-embracing and comprehensive—whatsoever is desired appeareth from it. Exalted, exalted is this most sublime station, before which the essence of loftiness and transcendence walketh, glorifying and magnifying. These stations have flowed from the Most Exalted Pen that all may know the station of divine mention and preserve this precious pearl, which is more precious than all that is hidden and visible, in the treasuries of their hearts in the name of the Beloved.

As to what you mentioned concerning Jinab-i-Haji Baba, Mashhadi Husayn, and Haji Haji ʿAli—upon them be the Glory of God—from among the people of K.L., it was submitted. He said:

“Praise be to God, they have been and are recipients of divine favor. We counsel them and My loved ones to that which causes the spirits of the hesitant to soar and draws the hearts of the heedless. That which We have enjoined in the Book has been and is the cause of tranquility and assurance for the peoples of the world. God willing, may the people of Baha be occupied and engaged in that which the All-Merciful loves with utmost joy and fragrance. The light of the goodly word and goodly deed has illumined and continues to illumine the world. Blessed are they who attain! We send Our greetings from this spot upon them and upon My loved ones there, and We make mention of the Lion and the Generous One, and We give them glad tidings of My remembrance of them. And I am the Remembering, the Wronged One. Long has My imprisonment lasted through what the hands of the enemies have wrought, yet the Spirit is in great joy.”

As to their desire to turn towards the Most Exalted Horizon, We have informed of the condition of this land and its hidden movements before and after. Therefore the Most Exalted Pen has hesitated in giving permission. If they move for the sake of God and are content and thankful in bearing hardships, there is and has been no harm. We make mention at this moment of My loved ones in A. and Sh. who have cast behind them the vain imaginings of men, advancing toward the Most Exalted Horizon through the power of the Lord of Names—exalted be the Creator of the heavens Who aided them to recognize this Cause at which the limbs of the learned and the mystics have trembled. Thus has My Most Glorious Pen spoken in My Most Great Prison.

O friends! We have sent forth and dispatched for each of you a chalice of the Water of Life in the form of a word, that you may drink therefrom and speak with utmost joy and fragrance in the assemblage of recognition in the name of the Beloved of the worlds. Today the promotion of the Cause is beloved, but with wisdom and utterance, so that the divine word may find its place in good soil and spring forth verdant. O friends! I swear by the effulgences of the Sun of inner meanings that you are the gems of existence. Know your worth and preserve your stations. All the merchants of the world are seen to be in manifest loss, but God willing, you shall be seen with great profit, and all that is hidden today shall become evident and manifest in the world. God willing, may you all drink of the wine of steadfastness in such wise that should Satan appear with all his insinuations and whisperings, you would regard him as absolute nothingness.

O friends! Today is your day. Drink and give to drink! The ocean of life surges before all faces and the sun of bounty shines resplendent before all eyes. In all matters, be mindful of wisdom. Until the clamor of the heedless is stilled, that which has been commanded, if not in accord with wisdom, should be held in abeyance. From this word the station of wisdom is clear and evident. Hold fast unto it in all conditions. We counsel all to preserve the Books and Tablets. They must exert their utmost effort in safeguarding them.

God willing, may all the divine friends be illumined and gladdened by the lights of the suns of utterance and act according to that which they have been commanded in the Book. In truth, all must not be negligent in preserving the divine Tablets. As previously, when they intended to seize some friends, their writings first fell into [others’] hands. This is not permissible. They must designate a secure place for the divine verses so they remain protected from the touch of unworthy hands, although none shall touch them save the pure ones, as it has been and ever shall be.

Concerning Jinab Aqa Siyyid Mahmud and Jinab Ustad Aqajan, upon them be the Glory of God, mentioned in your letter—a Most Holy and Most Exalted Tablet from the heaven of grace has been revealed and sent for each. O My beloved! The river flows and the ocean surges and the sun shines forth, yet few indeed are the seekers and rare are they to find. And so must it be, for not every sightless one is worthy of the pearls of inner meaning, nor is every witless one capable of receiving this precious gem. In any case, the request is that you convey on behalf of this evanescent one greetings to these two dear ones, and likewise to the friends who have previously been adorned with the grace of the True Beloved. By the life of my Beloved and your Beloved and the Beloved of all who are in the heavens and earth—nothing can compare with a single word of the divine utterances that minds have not comprehended and eyes have not seen. Give them these glad tidings and send them the two blessed Most Holy Tablets, that their breasts may be dilated, their hearts illumined, their souls detached, their faces radiant, and their vision keen.

Likewise, mention was made of two souls known as Jinab Ustad Isma’il and Na’ib Rida, as requested by Jinab Haji Baba, upon them be the Glory of God, in the Most Holy, Most Exalted Presence, and these decisive words were revealed from the heaven of grace. His word, exalted be His grandeur:

He is the Most Holy, the Most Great, the All-Knowing

O Isma’il! The Wronged One remembers thee from the prison quarter and gives thee glad tidings of God’s grace, the Lord of all worlds. By God! The veils have been rent asunder and the All-Bestower has come, riding upon the clouds, yet the people are in evident doubt. The heaven hath testified to the Lord of Names, while the people remain behind a thick veil. Blessed art thou and those who have attained unto the traces of My Most Exalted Pen and have recognized that which the Tongue of Revelation hath spoken from the Most Glorious Horizon. Exalted is the Lord of Eternity Who hath come with the Most Great Name, to the dismay of those who denied God’s proof and testimony and turned away from Him when He appeared with a sovereignty that conquered all who are in the heavens and the earth.

We make mention of all My loved ones through thee, and of My handmaidens who have believed in the All-Informed One. O My loved ones! We have remembered you before and after in the Crimson Book, before which every book and preserved tablet bows down when it appears. Rejoice in My remembrance and take the chalice of utterance in My Name, then drink therefrom with the wisdom that hath been sent down from God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. Glory be unto those whom neither the tempests of the learned nor the hurricanes of the mystics have moved, who cast the Book behind their backs and held fast to their own vain imaginings.

In My Name, the One Who dominates the horizons

God willing, may all be adorned with the ornament of His favor on this blessed day and drink from the Kawthar of divine knowledge, to the chagrin of the heedless. The door of grace is open and the heaven of generosity is raised up. Regard these heedless souls as bubbles—soon they shall be seen to vanish and disappear. That which is tainted with the dust of extinction was not and is not worthy of attention and mention. Strive to possess that which is everlasting and eternal. The objections, protests and clamor of the people of the world and their learned ones are like the rustling of dried leaves when the winds pass over them. Now observe in what station these sounds are, and in what station is the shrill voice of the Most Exalted Pen.

By My life, if a soul were to hearken unto a single melody from the birds of utterance in the garden of the All-Merciful, he would become detached from the world and all who dwell therein, and would arise with the utmost strength and steadfastness in the path of his Lord’s good-pleasure. Verily He guides all to His path and acquaints them with what He has revealed through His command and draws them near to the ocean of His good-pleasure. There is no God but Him, the Almighty, the Glorious, the Powerful.

Praise be to God that thou hast attained unto the recognition of the Hidden Mystery and the Concealed Secret. Guard this station in the name of the One True Friend. The evil ones have been and are lying in wait, and have intended by their most grievous shrieking to withhold the servants from the most pure nectar. This is what We have informed you of before in various Tablets. He is verily the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. We make mention of all the friends in that land, both men and women, and counsel them to manifest the most great steadfastness. Blessed is he who acts, woe unto the heedless.

And as for what they had inscribed concerning His Honor Aqa Muhammad-Ibrahim-i-Buyini, it was presented, and this is that which the Desired One revealed in response. He saith—exalted be His majesty:

He is the Hearer, the All-Hearing

God beareth witness that He hath appeared and manifested whatsoever He desired, and He is the Omnipotent, the Almighty. He hath indeed revealed the Books and sent forth the Messengers, and made them the banners of His command among His servants and the manifestations of His utterance among His creatures, that they might give glad-tidings unto all of this precious, wondrous Day—the Day whereof, when it appeareth, the Greatest Terror shall be made manifest and earthquakes shall seize upon all the tribes, save those whom God willeth—the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. O Ibrahim! Verily, the All-Wise remembereth thee and commandeth thee to observe the Most Great Uprightness. Verily, He is the Evident, the All-Seeing. Set aside the books of the world and take hold of this Most Great Book which speaketh forth from the prison:

“Verily, there is no God but Me, the One, the Peerless, the All-Knowing.”

Give praise unto God for that the Countenance hath turned toward thee and hath remembered thee with this evident Remembrance. The glory of God rest upon the people of Baha who have not been prevented by the affairs of the earth from the remembrance of God, the Lord of all the worlds. Here endeth the passage.

Section 2: “As for what they had inscribed concerning Aqa…”

As for what they had inscribed concerning Aqa Ilyas, one of the sons of Khalil—upon him be the glory of God—and the epistle which they had dispatched and sent to that honored one, these particulars and whatsoever was mentioned in that epistle were presented before the Countenance, and all was heard with attention, and this utterance appeared from the Kingdom of bounty. He saith—magnified be His majesty:

He is the Guardian over all who are in the earth and in the heavens!

We desire to give him who is named Ilyas to drink of the sealed nectar in the name of My Self-Subsisting One, and to show him that which the Interlocutor sought from God, the Lord of all the worlds. We have indeed aided the sons of Khalíl in this Most Great Manifestation, and guided them unto My straight path, and confirmed them in the knowledge of Me, and caused them to hear that which the Interlocutor heard upon the Mount of knowledge, and I am the Munificent, the Generous.

Give thanks unto God for that He hath made thee eloquent with this Most Great Remembrance and hath caused thee to turn unto My luminous Horizon. Be thou assured of the bounty of thy Lord, and say:

O my God! I beseech Thee by the Most Great News, whereby the pillars of the world were shaken, to make me in all conditions hold fast to the cords of Thy grace, Thy mercy and Thy loving-kindness, and to remain steadfast in Thy Cause. Verily, Thou art the All-Powerful, the Most Exalted, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. We have made mention of the sons of the Friend and the heirs of Him Who conversed with God in the letter Dal before Vav, and We have gladdened them with My mercy which hath preceded all who are in the heavens and on earth. We have heard their call and have answered them from Our presence, and verily We are the Hearer, the Answerer. We make mention of them once again through these verses which have been sent down from the heaven of the grace of their Lord, the Forgiving, the Merciful. Convey My greetings unto them, then deliver unto them this perspicuous Book that they may rejoice in this greatest favor and give thanks unto their Lord, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy. The glory be upon thee and upon them and upon the son of him who was named David and upon every one who is steadfast and upright.

Some time ago his honor Aqa Abdu’l-Husayn Ali sent this evanescent servant a letter containing the names of some of the sons of the Friend. After its reading and presentation before the Divine Throne, and after submitting what was in the letter, a most holy and exalted Tablet was revealed for each of those names and, as commanded, was sent in this servant’s handwriting. And now too, praise be to God, that which was revealed concerning all proclaims with the most exalted call the bounty, loving-kindness, compassion and mercy of the True One, exalted be His glory. God willing, may all attain unto that which God hath desired for them, drink from the cup of the utterance of the All-Merciful, and with the utmost joy and fragrance speak His praise.

This evanescent one conveys greetings to all and presents his respects to all the friends in that land. While time remains, opportunity exists and life endures, attain ye unto that wherein lieth the good-pleasure of the Goal of all the worlds. Today every soul is able to acquire everlasting bounties and an enduring mention. Blessed is the soul that hath recognized and attained, and woe unto the heedless. Can the seas of the world, the tongues of nations and the pens of all regions succeed in mentioning but a drop from the ocean of His loving-kindness? Nay, by His own Self, the True One! This is why, seeing the world and all therein to be powerless, He hath, through His own tongue, offered praise and thanksgiving unto Himself on behalf of His creation. May all creation be a sacrifice unto His grace.

And concerning what you wrote about his honor Haji Mirza Husayn 966 [Baha’u’llah] writing to you from the land of Sh that he had sent correspondence but received no reply—he speaks the truth. However, that beloved one knows and is aware that whenever there is a delay in replying to any of the gentlemen, this has been and will be due to lack of opportunity, not from any lack of sincerity or love. But by God’s grace, this week which marks the end of the month of Muharram, a most holy and exalted Tablet was revealed especially for him, and likewise a detailed letter from this evanescent servant was sent to him. God willing, may it reach him and may he attain unto the divine Tablet. I present my sincere respects to all the gentlemen and friends of that land, and I beseech the True One, exalted be His glory, to aid them all in that which will cause His mention to be adorned with the ornament of immortality throughout the earth. Verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, is the Almighty, the Most Exalted, the Bestower, the Mighty, the Generous.

That which was mentioned concerning Jinab-i-Aqa Siyyid Baqir, upon him be the Glory of God, was presented at the Most Holy Court, and these manifest verses were revealed especially for him from the heaven of loving-kindness. Blessed is he in having attained the choice wine of the utterance of our Lord, the Most Merciful. His word, exalted be His grandeur:

In My Name, the Speaking, the All-Knowing

This is a mention from the Wronged One to him who desired to make mention before the Countenance when it appeared from its most exalted horizon with His most beautiful names, that he might rejoice and be of the thankful ones. O Baqir! He Who summoned all to God, the Lord of the worlds, hath turned toward thee. Rejoice in that He Who in every state uttereth “Verily there is no God but I, the Single, the All-Informed” maketh mention of thee at this time. When the promise came and the time was fulfilled, the Dawning-Place of verses came with the standards of utterance, yet most of the people were heedless. Give thanks unto God for having aided thee to recognize the Dawning-Place of Revelation and for having sent down for thee this wondrous Tablet. We heard thy call and caused thee to hear Our call from the precincts of Our mighty Prison. Blessed art thou and he who hath ascended unto God. We have forgiven him and purified him. Verily thy Lord is the Forgiving, the Bountiful. We mentioned him before in this luminous station. Nothing whatsoever escapeth the knowledge of thy Lord. He heareth and seeth, and He is the Hearing, the Seeing.

We make mention of My loved ones in that place and give them the glad-tidings of My loving-kindness and My mercy which have preceded all who are in the heavens and the earth. And We make mention of the Nightingale who soared in My atmosphere and spoke My praise and turned to My horizon and arose to serve My mighty Cause. Blessed is he who hath loved him and heard mention of him in this wise Remembrance. The Glory be upon thee and upon him and upon My loved ones who were not kept back by the greatest clamor from this most pure nectar and who arose to serve the Cause with such steadfastness as made the pillars of those who disbelieved in God, the Single, the One, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy, to quake. And praise be unto Him Who hath appeared and made manifest His straight Path.

And as for the mention that was made of Jinab-i-Mashhadi Ali Akbar and his cousins Aqa Muhammad and Aqa Qasim and Jinab-i-Aqa Javad Dhakir and their relatives, upon them be the Glory of God, all were presented at the Most Holy Court. The Sun of loving-kindness hath shone and beamed forth upon each one. God willing, may all attain to that which God hath desired and hold fast to the cord of unity, that there might appear in the kingdom that whereby hearts and souls will find rest. If the heedless people were to become aware of what the True One, exalted be His glory, hath desired in this Most Great Revelation, all the servants, be they divines or rulers, ignorant or learned, poor or rich, would turn to the most exalted horizon. Would that His Majesty the King of Iran would show some regard and become informed of the fruits of the Tree of Revelation. What benefit is there when the outward divines and certain souls are barriers to this station and veils to this Cause? All must beseech the Invincible Truth that He may, through some means, cause that sovereign to drink from the ocean of awareness. Verily He is the Powerful, and He indeed is the All-Informed.

And as for the mention made of Aqa Muhammad-Javad and his family and son, upon them be the Glory of God, from this matter utmost joy was attained as the shadow of the banner of steadfastness was witnessed from that household. The Beloved of all creation hath declared that may the fragrance of firmness, rootedness and steadfastness, God willing, waft from that gathering. A letter addressed to his wife, upon them both be the Glory of God, went somewhere and from there came here. In truth, the fragrance of steadfastness emanated from it. And this station is very great. Blessed is she and the one who wrote it, felicitations unto her and unto the one from whose pen flowed that which spoke of truth and sincerity. I offer my utter servitude and nothingness to all.

And as for what was written regarding Aqa Mirza Muhammad-Husayn Kh A residing in the house of K D, upon him be the Glory of God, may he, through God’s grace, be blessed in all times. The petitions and writings of K D, upon him be the Glory of God, were presented one after another in their specific places before the countenance of the Lord of Oneness. In each instance the sun of grace dawned. May they, God willing, act according to what God loveth and speak His praise. The friends of God who have drunk from the wine of utterance must exert great effort in teaching the Cause with perfect wisdom. This matter is most important and very great, but with wisdom lest the cawing of the crows and the clamor of the heedless be raised.

Likewise, specifically for their guest, one Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablet was revealed and sent. However, the sending of letters and the revelation and dispatch of Tablets, the more concealed these remain in those lands, the closer it is and will be to godliness and wisdom. In this matter, consideration of wisdom is necessary, nay obligatory, for if published it may cause harm and prevention, and perhaps harm may return to the Divine Lote-Tree. In all conditions wisdom takes precedence.

And as for what was written that Nabil Ibn Nabil, upon him be all the Most Glorious Glory, mentioned that the maternal aunt of the mother of Aqa Muhammad-Taqi, and the aforementioned person himself, and their sisters had requested that mention of them be presented at the Most Holy Court—it was presented, and the rain of mercy descended from the heaven of the utterance of the All-Merciful specifically for each one. Blessed be he and they, and congratulations to the loved ones of God and His handmaidens, one and all.

And as for what was mentioned regarding the Name of God 66, J M, upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God, may he, God willing, in whatever station, place or land he may be present, abide under the shadow of God’s grace, exalted be His glory, and be occupied with quickening hearts and souls. God willing, that which indicates the grace, bounty and kindness of the Beloved of the worlds will be sent to his honor.

An Most Holy Tablet hath been sent down from the heaven of grace specifically for his honor Aqa Mirza Habib-i-Khunsari, upon him be the glory of God, wherein mention hath been made of certain loved ones of God. Let them send it to his honor, the beloved Mulla ʿAli-Akbar, upon him be the glory of God, the Lord of Power, that he may, after perusing it, forward it to others. May the Glory that is manifest, radiant, brilliant, evident and effulgent rest upon thee and upon him and upon His near ones, and praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

My spirit be a sacrifice unto Thy remembrance! All the matters mentioned in the letter of his honor, the beloved S.M., upon him be the glory of the Most Glorious, were answered one by one, and specifically regarding the names mentioned therein, Holy and Blessed Tablets were sent down from the heaven of the grace of the Lord of Oneness and dispatched. God willing, may the chalices of human temples prove worthy and capable receptacles for the rains of divine mercy which stream down and descend from the clouds of the heaven of God’s Will. We beseech God that the praise and thanksgiving which proceedeth from the tongues of creation in response to God’s infinite bounties may be adorned with the ornament of acceptance, and that He may bestow His special grace and loving-kindness upon all, and withhold not His confirmation even for a moment. Verily, He is the All-Forgiving, the All-Bountiful, the All-Merciful, the All-Kind, the All-Munificent, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.