Volume 067: Akka 1299 A.H. (1881–1882), Part II (2 of 7)

BH00044: Praise be to the Lord of the worlds Who…

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

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

Praise be to the Lord of the worlds Who summoned all peoples as one through His Most Great Name, in such wise that neither piercing weapons, nor marshalled hosts, nor the clamor of the ignorant who are known as the learned, could deter Him from His holy purpose. Through a single effulgence from the Sun of Will and Purpose He appeared, and from Him a Word was made manifest in the realm of creation, and from that Word infinite worlds were brought into being. At times He called it the Trumpet, at others the Bugle, now the Straight Path, then the Balance. And all the signs of the Day of Resurrection and the tokens of the Hour appeared through this wondrous and mighty Word by the command of the Lord of Oneness. Exalted be His might, glorified His power, and magnified His sovereignty! He is the One Who is sanctified above all numbers, and the Manifest One Who is holy beyond all witnessing, appearance and utterance. All the Messengers on the mount of understanding cry out “Show me!”, while this servant standeth bewildered and astonished in His presence.

Glory be unto Thee, O God of Names, sanctified above all that hath been created in earth and heaven! I beseech Thee by the lights of Thy countenance after the extinction of all things, and by the manifestations of Thy power in the kingdom of creation, to assist Thy servants who were prevented from hearkening when Thy most sweet call was raised, and who turned away from Thy most exalted horizon when the ocean of Thy bounty surged and the gate of reunion was opened unto all who are in Thy earth and heaven. O Lord! I beseech Thee by Thy power that hath encompassed all names, to acquaint them with that which they have neglected and to strengthen them to recognize the Dawning-Place of Thy Self, the Dayspring of Thy signs, the Source of Thy knowledge and the Manifestation of Thy Being. I beseech Thee, O my God, by Thy divine attributes, Thy manifestations, Thy signs and Thy evidences, to adorn Thy servants with the vesture of truthfulness and fairness that they may meditate upon Thy Cause and be just concerning that which hath appeared from Thee in Thy days.

This is a day, O my God, in which Thou didst command all, through the tongue of the Herald of Thy Cause and the Speaker of Thy Name, to behold Thee with Thine eyes and not with what is in the Bayan. Yet when He Who was hidden in the eternity of eternities appeared, Thy servants and creatures who clung to the cords of idle fancies turned away from Him. O Lord! Aid Thy servants to recognize Thee, then give them to drink of the choice wine of Thy revelation that it may draw them to the heaven of Thy knowledge and illumine them with the lights of the Sun of Certitude which hath shone forth by Thy leave and will.

O Lord! Thou seest them speaking as spoke the followers of the Qur’an throughout ages and centuries, yet when the test came, spite and hatred appeared from them in such wise that they pronounced judgment against Him Whom they had mentioned during nights and days. O Lord! Take the hands of Thy servants with the arms of Thy might and power, then deliver them from the depths of doubts and fancies that they may abandon what they possess and turn unto the Dawning-Place of Thy revelation through which appeared what was hidden in the treasuries of Thy Books and stored in the repositories of Thy knowledge. O Lord! Thou art the Generous, the Lord of great bounty. Thou givest and withholdest, and Thou art the Powerful, the All-Knowing, the Mighty, the Wise.

May the prayer that hath dawned from the most exalted horizon and the peace that hath descended from the heaven of Thy bounty, O Lord of Names, rest upon those who arose to mention and proclaim Thy Cause and to exalt it among the religions, and upon him who arose in Thy earliest days to celebrate Thy praise and glorification among Thy creatures, to whom the Supreme Pen hath testified regarding his devotion, humility and lowliness before Thy countenance. He is the one who heard the derision of the enemies and who suffered in Thy path that which caused Thy chosen ones to lament. O Lord! Ordain for him through Thy Most Exalted Pen that which will exalt his mention in Thy kingdom. Verily, Thou art powerful over whatsoever Thou willest. There is none other God but Thee, the Forgiving, the Bountiful.

O beloved of my heart! Thy pen’s mark hath gladdened me and that which flowed from it in remembrance of our Beloved and thy Beloved hath attracted me. By the life of the Beloved! I was seized with longing and yearning from thy utterances which spoke of naught but the Manifestation of God and His sovereignty, and guided to none but His path. From each letter thereof I drank the Kawthar of love and affection. When the sweet wine of thy utterances in remembrance of God, the Lord of all beings, intoxicated me, I directed myself to the Most Exalted Horizon and attained the presence before the Throne, and laid before Him that wherewith thou didst call upon God, our Lord and your Lord and the Lord of all who are in the heavens and on earth. Thereupon the Tongue of Grandeur spoke that which the tongues of creation are powerless to mention. His word, exalted be His glory:

Blessed art thou, O Ali, and blessed art thou, O Akbar! How felicitous art thou, O thou who rememberest Me, and My mercy be upon thee, O thou who hast turned thyself unto Mine horizon! Ponder thou upon the veils of the people. Although they have testified and continue to testify to the Manifestation of Truth, exalted be His glory, they pass their days in expectation while remaining deprived and forbidden from the Sovereign of Revelation. They measure with their own idle fancies that Truth which is sanctified and exalted above the hints, intimations and utterances of all who dwell on earth, and they rise up in opposition. They have clung to a single word and have deprived themselves of countless books.

What hath been mentioned is the condition of previous peoples. Consider the people of the Bayan, whose state is truly a cause for wonderment. No people have ever been seen to be veiled as these people are. The Sun of Truth hath risen and is manifest, and the Most Great Luminary hath dawned and is evident, yet they remain heedless—and would that they had contented themselves with heedlessness! They have uttered that which the Concourse on High did not utter at the appearance of the Seal of the Prophets, and that which the Jews did not speak at the advent of Christ. And this, notwithstanding that the Point of the Bayan proclaimed with the most exalted call and cut off all paths, saying that if prayer is mentioned, let not prayer veil you on that Most Great Day, and if fasting is mentioned, saying beware, beware lest thou be veiled thereby, and if signs and tokens are mentioned, declaring with utmost clarity that He shall not be known by any token nor by that which is mentioned in the Bayan.

O Ali, this Word is the sovereign of words. In the Bayan He saith that all the Bayan is but a leaf from His gardens. If it be accepted—O Ali—He hath made all worship, expressions, words, verses and proofs contingent upon the will of the Sovereign of Oneness. No person of insight hath had or hath any cause for hesitation. Glory be to God! Nevertheless, consider what hath come to pass. Would that the spurious, imaginary souls had been aware of the Cause! By the life of God, none save two souls have been aware of it, even as hath previously flowed from the Most Exalted Pen. These utterances which flow from the Most Exalted Pen are made in the hope that perchance certain souls who possess a breath of life might become aware of that which they are heedless. This is from the bounty of thy Lord, the Munificent, the Generous. Were it not for My mention, the Bayan would not have been revealed. To this do all things testify, but the people are in evident denial.

Convey My greetings to the friends in that land who have quaffed the choice wine of divine knowledge and who are adorned with the ornament of certitude. Say: Know ye your stations, then preserve them through the name of your Lord, the Most Merciful. Each one hath borne afflictions and tribulations in the path of God, hath heard what no one hath heard, and hath witnessed what no soul hath witnessed. Now must they know their worth and preserve their stations. Ere long shall the trees of being yield their fruits, and they shall behold this. Blessed are they and felicitous are they! God willing, the diverse conditions of the world shall not withhold the people of truth from that which beseemeth this most holy and transcendent Day. The world at every moment testifieth to its own evanescence and extinction. He who possesseth hearing and sight heareth its cry, remaineth detached therefrom, and is ever mindful of and holdeth fast unto that which is with God.

As to what was written regarding the arrival of the divine Tablets and their recitation in various gatherings, and likewise concerning the enkindlement of the loved ones of God in that land, it brought the utmost joy and delight. Praise be to God that your honor stands firm in service to the Cause of God and strives diligently to exalt the Word. If one considers that upon first arrival in the Most Great Prison, God, exalted be His glory, commanded your honor to protect and safeguard the House of the Cause—praise be to God, you have been and continue to be successful therein. You have ever been speaking in praise of God and holding fast to the guidance of mankind. This is a station of which this servant is incapable of describing. Verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, is the All-Seeing Witness.

As to what was mentioned regarding the heedless, deluded, whispering souls—God is the witness and testament that they all soar on the wings of idle fancies and speak with tongues of vain imaginings. They never had and have not any awareness. They speak according to their desires and reckon they are among the doers of good. The most holy and exalted Station of which the Primal Point—may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for Him—says “Be not veiled from Him, and hesitate not in His Cause through the Bayan and its letters,” and says “Whenever He appears, I am the first of them that worship”—despite this, these shameless and witless people have done that which even the people of the tomb did not manifest.

God willing, may you be like an unshakeable mountain, an intervening barrier through divine strength and power, that the rebellious and oppressive ones may not transgress. Verily He has power over whatsoever He willeth.

As to what was written regarding the intention to move toward the land of S, but after consultation it was decided to remain in the land of T for the protection of the weak souls—in truth this matter was the very essence of wisdom and propriety. Assuredly in such times the presence of that beloved one in that land is necessary. God willing, may you be vigilant and watchful throughout all nights and days and in all conditions. In most Tablets this exalted word hath been revealed from the Supreme Pen: The treacherous ones are prepared and the satans lie in wait.

The people of God must protect souls from the hosts of self and passion through the Name of the Lord of all humanity. Verily He is the Protector, the Mighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

As to what you wrote regarding the two youths who remained protected through God’s grace and turned toward the Most Great Ocean—blessed are they, again blessed are they. This evanescent servant conveys greetings to them and beseeches God, exalted be His glory, to aid them to be steadfast in this Most Holy, Most Great Cause and to set them ablaze with the heat of His love in such wise that the veils of idle fancies and vain imaginings may not withhold them from the Lord of all beings. The call of the All-Merciful is raised, and likewise the croaking of Satan. Would that the embodiments of delusion were aware! By God’s life! All are observed to be immersed in the ocean of heedlessness and ignorance.

Concerning what you wrote about the family of Mishkin-Qalam, upon him be the Glory of God, praise be to God, the Truth, exalted be His glory, has enabled some of His friends to execute that which was His will. In truth, Aqa Abu’l-Qasim, upon him be the Glory of God, has labored greatly and brought the mother and son to the Land of Purpose with utmost joy and fragrance, and they expressed complete satisfaction with him. Your reward is with God. In view of your intercession, Aqa Abu’l-Qasim was honored with true permission, and they gave your letter to this servant, which was presented in the Most Holy Court. Smiling, He said:

“The deed of ʿAli-Akbar, upon him be My glory, is righteous and accepted. God willing, may he act befittingly in all conditions and remain engaged in promoting the Cause as God desires, for he has ever been and continues to be confirmed in guiding the heedless and executing divine commandments. His reward is with Him Who created him in truth.”

End quote.

Mention was also made of Aqa Muhammad Husayn, upon him be the Glory of God, from the Tongue of Grandeur, and He expressed His favor. Praise be to God that he was enabled to execute the will of the Beloved of the worlds. Give him the glad tidings of the acceptance of what he has done in God’s path. Regarding what you wrote about Mirza Muhammad Husayn Kh-A, upon him be the Glory of God, details about him were written from the land of Q some time ago and presented in the Most Holy Court. A special Tablet was revealed and sent to him. God willing, may he attain to the lofty station of steadfastness through the fragrant breezes of the Most Merciful’s utterance. “Blessed is he whose likeness appears before Him Who has no likeness.” He said: “Blessed is the one who arises to serve the Cause of the Lord of the beginning and the end in the prime of youth, and is adorned with His love. The appearance of this greatest bounty is greater than the creation of the heavens and earth. Blessed are the firm ones and joy be to the steadfast.” End quote.

Section 2: “And concerning what was written about Aqa Shaykh…”

And concerning what was written about Aqa Shaykh ʿAbdu’l-Husayn, upon him be the Glory of God, it was presented in the Most Holy, Most Exalted Court, and a special Tablet was revealed for him from the heaven of grace. God willing, may he comprehend the hidden oceans of meaning from the Divine Word and drink from the cup of God’s love—a drink that neither the objections of the divines nor the insinuations of the hateful ones can prevent. May he arise with utmost power, might and steadfastness to serve this Most Great Cause. The pleasure of the world has been and is in this matter, and were its fruits to appear on earth, all would be amazed, nay, thunderstruck. This evanescent servant beseeches and hopes from God, exalted be His glory, that He will set him ablaze with the call of the Burning Tree—an ablaze whose effect will appear in the trees of existence.

This is not difficult for God. And regarding the mention you made of his petition, it was not in the envelope. The very act of turning to God is a great book and an extensive petition. Whoever turns to Him, the fragrance of his heart at that moment attains the presence of the Most Holy Court and is honored with God’s special favors. This is among the distinctive features of this Most Great Revelation. Praise be to God, they have attained to this station.

You have recalled mention of Amir Khan. A Most Holy Tablet was specifically revealed and sent for him. God willing, he will attain unto it. Likewise, a Most Holy and Wondrous Tablet was revealed and sent specifically for Mirza Mihdi. This evanescent one’s hope is that all may drink from the living waters and receive their portion from the ocean of grace. It is most regrettable that in these days when the world is illumined by the light of the Manifestation and the heaven of bounty is adorned with the Most Great Luminary, the people of the earth should be witnessed as heedless. Today is the day of the manifestation of divine favors and gifts. Blessed a hundred-thousandfold is the soul who let not the opportunity slip away and arose to make amends for what had passed him by.

In truth, should a soul turn with a true ear, from every atom among atoms and from every thing among things he would hear this word: “O people of the earth! This Day is God’s Day!” A call is raised the like of which none has ever heard nor will ever hear, and lights are shining from the horizon of the Countenance the like of which shall never be seen. In such circumstances, that beloved one and this evanescent one and other loved ones of God must raise our hands in prayer that perchance none may be deprived of this most great bounty and supreme grace. Lamentations and sighs are concealed in the heart, and their expression is forbidden. His is the command, He alone, there is no God but Him.

Regarding what you wrote about Hezekiel (upon him be 9 66 [Baha’u’llah]) and his presence, it was presented at the station of “God was, and there was nothing else besides Him.” This is what the Tongue of Grandeur spoke:

In His Name, the Single, the Independent, the Mighty, the All-Knowing

O Hezekiel, O son of Khalil! Hearken unto the call of the Glorious One Who makes mention of thee from this noble station and summons thee to God, the Single, the All-Informed. The Mount has been adorned with the lights of the Manifestation, and the Tree calls out: “Verily, there is no God but Me, the Witness, the All-Hearing.” Give thanks unto God for having made thee attain unto that which Moses attained when He heard the call of God, the Mighty, the Wise. The world hath been illumined by the lights of the Countenance, yet eyes remain behind a thick veil. This is a Day wherein Moses calls out, saying: “O people of the Torah! He Who revealed the verses hath come, through Whom what was hidden from all eternity hath been manifested, if ye be of them that know.

Cast away what ye possess and take hold of that which ye have been commanded by God, the Lord of this wondrous Day.” We make mention of thee and of them who have believed in this perspicuous Book, Which speaks in the Most Great Prison with a sovereignty that none in the heavens and earth can resist. God counsels you to show forth love, trustworthiness and unity, and commands you to that through which the essence of man may be made manifest in the contingent world. Exalted is the All-Merciful Who does what He wills and ordains what He pleases. Thus has the Most Exalted Pen raised its shrill voice. Blessed is he who has attained unto hearing it, and woe unto the heedless.

By the Sun of Truth! Any soul in whom the slightest capacity is found will surely be set ablaze by the fire of the Divine Word. The people are heedless, and this servant is bewildered and amazed. God willing, may all be illumined by the lights of God’s Day and turn with heart and soul to the most exalted horizon. It is hoped that the divers in the ocean of truth will, with perfect wisdom, present the pearls of knowledge before the eyes of the world.

A single spark from the Fire has struck all souls; A hundred thousand Sinais have been kindled in hearts

What cruelty has seized the hearts of the world that they remain deprived of this true spiritual warmth? What ailment has encompassed their vision that they are bereft of beholding these lights? Were this evanescent servant to present what he has been privileged to hear, the earth would appear transformed. How can this tongueless one move in the arena of utterance, and how can this sightless one be worthy to step into the realm of revelation and vision? In any case, holding fast to the cord of grace and clinging to the hem of bounty, the door of hope is, praise be to God, open. God willing, may all attain to what is befitting, and may the rays of the Sun of Justice dispel the darkness of the world. Verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, is the Powerful, the Mighty.

Mention was made of Nasrullah Khan, upon him be 9 66 [Baha’u’llah]. Praise be to God, he has been and God willing will continue to be remembered before the Presence. Let him not be saddened by the dispersion of affairs. After separation, the light will shine forth in gathering. These matters were presented at the court of grandeur. Thus has spoken the Tongue of Revelation, exalted be His glory:

O ʿAli-Akbar! O thou who gazest upon My face and dwellest within the pavilions of My loving-kindness! Hearken unto My call from around My shrine. Verily, there is no God but Him, the Truth, the Knower of the unseen. Convey My glorification to him who was named Nasrullah in the Kingdom of Names, and give him glad tidings of what God, the Self-Subsisting, the Sovereign Protector, has ordained for him. Say: O my God and the God of the world, my Goal and the Goal of the nations! I beseech Thee by the rustling of the Divine Lote-Tree and the pearls of the ocean of Thy knowledge, O Lord of Names and Creator of the heavens, to ordain for me through Thy Most Exalted Pen that which will cause me to be, under all conditions, turned toward Thee, content with what descends from the heaven of Thy Command, and speaking Thy praise among Thy creatures.

O Lord! Aid me in that by which my remembrance will endure in Thy Book. I know not what is with Thee, and Thou art the All-Powerful, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. Then I beseech Thee, O my God, by the Manifestation of Thy Self through Whom the horizon of the heaven of Thy Revelation was illumined, to ordain for me that which will profit me in the Hereafter and in this world. Verily, Thou art the All-Powerful over what Thou willest, and in Thy grasp are the reins of all things. There is no God but Thee, the All-Forgiving, the Most Generous.

Likewise, two Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablets were sent specifically to Aqa Mirza Muhammad-Taqi and his companion Shaykh ʿAbdu’l-Husayn, upon them be the glory of God, that their eyes might be consoled. I beseech and hope for their confirmation from the True One, exalted be His glory. The ocean of bounty has not been and will never be fully reckoned, and the Sun of grace is not bound by any limits. However, those who can expound and remind are rare. God willing, through the endeavors of your honor and the friends of God, souls will be specifically appointed to serve the Cause, that they might guide all who dwell on earth to the path of God. This matter is most momentous. Blessed is he who attains.

And regarding what you wrote about the honored lady of Ahl, upon her be the Glory of God, it was presented before His Presence, and a Tablet adorned with the ornament of the grace of the True One, glorified be His Glory, was revealed specifically for her. God willing, may she attain to the fragrances of the verses of the Manifestation of evident signs. Likewise, specifically for your honored sister, upon her be the Glory of God, a Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablet was revealed. God willing, may she attain to the visitation of the Divine Tablet.

And regarding the mention made of Aqa Siyyid Abu’l-Qasim from the people of S, upon him be the Glory of God, the mention of the loved ones of the land of S and the emigrants has ever been made in the Most Holy Court, and this servant testifies that the gaze of favor has been and is directed toward those souls who have drunk from the Kawthar of steadfastness. Nevertheless, their degrees of sincerity were presented in the Most Holy Court. This is what was revealed for him from the Supreme Pen, His words, exalted be His majesty:

In My Name, the All-Witnessing, the All-Informed

O Abu’l-Qasim! Thou hast heard what was inflicted upon the Twin Luminous Lights by the oppression of the ignorant ones of the earth who are known as divines. Now reflect upon what hath been inflicted upon this Wronged One. In the days when darkness had encompassed the world and the people of the Bayan were disturbed and concealed due to the might of the oppressors, this Wronged One arose alone to promote the Cause of God. To this bear witness the stars of My heaven and the sun of the horizon of My power, and most of the people of the earth have heard what was inflicted. Then when some measure of assurance was attained, the buzzing arose and the leaves of fire were spread by the hands of the wicked ones.

Reflect upon Hadi of Dawlat-Abad. I swear by the Sun of the horizon of utterance that he was and is heedless of the root of the Cause, and moreover his understanding is observed to be less than that of an animal. Now he is occupied with clay like unto earthworms. Fie upon him and those who follow him! Say: O friends! Hold fast to the cord of patience. Soon the falsehood of those fabricated souls will become evident and manifest. Grieve thou not at anything. We have mentioned thee before and after. Convey My greetings to the friends of that land. They should appear with such power and might in the name of the True One that they would regard the world as non-existent and null, let alone the buzzing of flies. Rejoice thou in My remembrance of thee, then thank thy Lord, the Evident, the All-Knowing.

And regarding the mention made of Aqa Mirza Zaynu’l-ʿAbidin, upon him be the Glory of God, I beseech the True One, glorified be His Glory, that he may be assisted in transcribing the verses of God, and this is accounted as one of the great bounties. God willing, may he be assisted and confirmed in that which is the cause and means of permanence. His work that was sent previously was accepted with favor and is present with this ephemeral one. Today, which is the twenty-fifth of Jamadiyu’l-Avval, these exalted words were sent down from the heaven of grace, verses were revealed specifically for him, His words, glorified be His Glory: He is the All-Witnessing, the All-Knowing:

This is a Book sent down by the All-Merciful from the heaven of grace to draw His servants nigh unto Him and to give them glad tidings of that which His Most Exalted Pen hath ordained for them. Verily, He is the Forgiving, the Bountiful. The conditions of the world cannot frustrate Him, nor can the clamor of the heedless prevent Him. He calleth out at all times with the most exalted call and guideth mankind unto the straight path of God. Blessed is the ear that hath not been debarred by the clamor of every denier, and the eye that hath not been veiled by the veils of the heedless. This is the Day which Muhammad, the Apostle of God, had formerly announced, and to which the Books of God, the Lord of all worlds, have borne witness. Those who are intoxicated by the wine of vain imaginings have turned away from the Lord of all being and clung to their idle fancies and vain images.

Section 3: “O Zayn! Hearken unto the call…”

O Zayn! Hearken unto the call of the Wronged One from the precincts of the Prison. He remembereth thee as a token of His grace and counseleth thee with that which shall exalt the Cause of God, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. Beware lest the manifestations of the world prevent thee from the Lord of eternity. Preserve thy station through the Name of thy Lord, the Almighty, the Powerful. Reflect upon that which hath appeared from God and ponder His signs. Thus doth command thee He from Whom is revealed a perspicuous Book. We have mentioned thee before and mention thee now from this glorious station. Be thou steadfast in serving the Cause and be vocal in praising God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy. Thus have We revealed the verses and sent them unto thee that thou mayest inhale from them the fragrance of thy Lord’s loving-kindness and be of the thankful ones.

This evanescent servant conveyeth his greetings to him and to Aqa Mirza Abu’l-Qasim, upon them be the Glory of God, and declareth: Today is the day when all the friends of God must exert their utmost endeavor that perchance those who have strayed in the valley of self and passion might find their way to the most exalted homeland, and those who thirst in the desert of separation and remoteness might drink from the Salsabil of reunion. It is hoped that each soul may engage in teaching the Cause of the Beloved of the worlds with the utmost joy and fragrance. O Beloved of my heart! If souls of integrity would truly adorn themselves with that which hath been revealed in the divine Tablets concerning piety, righteousness, goodly character and praiseworthy deeds, and would hold fast to teaching the Cause, ere long the attraction of their sincerity and its effect would seize most souls. In such case, all would be observed free, liberated and at rest upon the thrones of glory and elevation. As commanded, one must hold fast to wisdom in all matters and not exceed moderation.

Concerning the mention made of ʿAli-Akbar Big, upon him be the Glory of God, praise be to God, the glances of favor have been directed towards him. Detailed mention of him hath been made in the letter sent to the beloved Aqa Mirza Asadu’llah, upon him be all the most glorious Glory. God willing, they will observe it and become informed. And now again, mention of him and of Mashhadi Haydar, upon them both be the Glory of God, whose names were at the end of your letter, was made before the Throne. The Sun of grace hath risen and shone upon each one. His exalted Word: We have witnessed their turning unto Us and have heard their call. Nothing whatsoever escapeth His knowledge, and He shall manifest unto them that which God hath ordained. Verily, He doth not suffer the reward of the doers of good to be lost.

Concerning what you wrote about the minimum amount subject to Huquq, it was submitted to the Most Holy and Most Exalted Presence. This is what the Tongue of Grandeur spoke in reply:

“This matter was revealed in the Kitab-i-Aqdas as the Bayan hath spoken, and later the minimum amount was fixed before the Face at nineteen units, a wisdom from Our presence.”

The purpose of this decree was the future enrichment of the general treasury, and perhaps its details will be submitted later. Up to this point, the answer to your letter dated the seventh of Dhi’l-Qa’dah was submitted one by one, and your other letter, beloved one, which was adorned with the mention and praise of the Beloved of the worlds and dated the twenty-seventh of Dhi’l-Hijjah, illumined and enlightened both heart and sight. And concerning what you wrote about your intention to present in every city the degrees of your servitude, humility and submissiveness, and that you beseech the All-Powerful Lord to enable you to serve the Cause—these matters were submitted before the Face. His word, exalted be His glory:

He is the One Who standeth through His Name, the Self-Subsisting

We have aided thee to recognize the Dawning-Place of My verses, the Dayspring of My revelation and the Manifestation of My Cause, the All-Wise. We have caused thee to hear My call from the Mount of knowledge, and shown thee My luminous and radiant Beauty, and established thee in the service of My Cause as a bounty from My presence, for I am the Ancient Bestower. O thou who soarest in the atmosphere of My love! Hearken unto that which the idolaters say, who have taken for themselves a station behind the veil. When We manifest the Cause with power from Our presence, they emerge with the buzzing of flies and object to God, the Lord of all worlds. By God’s life!

The one whom the idolaters have taken as an idol for themselves apart from God is powerless to speak before the Face. To this testifieth every fair-minded and perceiving one. Thou didst stand firm in the Cause on a day wherein the limbs of the mighty and powerful trembled. Thou didst appear and manifest that whereof all things spoke. By God! The hidden and treasured mystery hath appeared through a command before which the hosts of earth and heaven cannot stand. Thus hath the Speaker of Sinai spoken from the Sinai of utterance. Blessed is he who hath heard, and woe unto the heedless.

Convey My glorification to the faces of My loved ones, and give them the glad-tidings of My grace, My bounty and My mercy which have preceded all in the heavens and the earth. We have mentioned them time and again. Verily thy Lord is the Compassionate, the Generous. Say: This is He of Whom the Point of the Bayan gave tidings, saying “He is the One Who speaketh in every condition, ʿVerily I am God, there is none other God but Me, the Lord of all worlds.”’ Say: This is a Day wherein the Bayan profiteth you not except through believing in that which hath been sent down regarding this Wise Remembrance. Leave what ye possess and take what ye have been commanded by God, the Strong, the Powerful. Thus hath the horizon of proof been illumined by the Sun of thy Lord, the All-Merciful’s utterance. He is verily the Expositor, the All-Knowing. The glory be upon thee and upon those who have migrated in My path, endured hardships for My Name, and acted according to what they were commanded in My perspicuous Book. End.

And the petitions of the handmaid of God, Hudhud (upon her be the glory of God), were laid before the Most Holy, the Most Inaccessible, the Most Exalted Presence. His Word is this:

O handmaid of God and leaf of the divine Tree of Love! The Manifestation of Truth, glorified be His majesty, hath appeared so that all who dwell on earth might attain unto His recognition and drink from the Kawthar of His presence and reunion. All divine Books bear witness to this truth. Though all days are associated with God, in the Holy Scriptures this Day hath been specifically designated and become known as the Day of God. The chosen ones have ever beseeched the True One, exalted be His glory, for His presence, and God hath ever loved and continues to love meeting His loved ones. However, the conditions created by the heedless and the oppression of the wrongdoers have become an intervening barrier.

That handmaid must be content in all conditions and be focused on and oriented towards the will of God, exalted be He. Thy aspiration is most lofty and thy request acceptable, but the Supreme Pen hath enjoined wisdom upon His servants and handmaidens. Therefore, attention to this direction is not advisable in these days. God willing, thou shalt be assisted to accomplish deeds that will cause the handmaids of God to be mindful. For any handmaid who attaineth unto this exalted and most sublime station, the reward of meeting Him hath been recorded by the Supreme Pen in the Crimson Book. Recognize thou this most great favor and then give thanks unto thy Lord, the Generous. O ʿAli-Before-Akbar! Convey unto her that which hath been sent down from the heaven of My Will, and glorify her on My behalf, and give her the glad tidings of that which hath flowed from the chalice of My bounty.

Speak with her on behalf of her Creator that which will gladden her eyes and rejoice her heart. The glory be upon thee and upon her and upon the handmaids of God, the Lord of the worlds. End.

Praise be to God that they have been blessed with divine mention. The verses themselves testify to the favors of the True One, glorified be His majesty. Previously also, she had attained the presence of the Greatest Holy Leaf, His sister—upon her be all the most glorious glory—and their love. Whenever a letter would arrive from them, they would mention her. The honored Mahbubi, son of the Most Truthful, upon them both be the glory of God, has also repeatedly mentioned her, and she has been blessed with the favors of the True One, glorified be His majesty. Should the veils of idle fancy be rent asunder and the station of a single mention flowing from the Supreme Pen be made manifest to the peoples of the world, then would the value of the favors, mentions and words of the Goal of all mankind become somewhat known and evident. Exalted is His bounty, glorified His grandeur, and lofty His favor. There is no God but Him.

Regarding what you wrote about the sale of property and the Huququ’llah, when this matter was submitted, He smiled and then these exalted words were revealed from the Dawning Place of utterance, the Lord of Names. His grandeur be glorified:

“Blessed is he, again blessed is he, for he hath desired to act according to what was commanded in the Book of God, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.”

In truth, he and those like him have been and are worthy of this pure and accepted deed. We have accepted from him what he intended for God’s sake, and We have forgiven him as a bounty from Our presence and a gift from Our court, for verily We are the Bestower, the Bountiful, the Helper, the Generous. End.

How wonderful for you, that the Ancient Beauty was observed to smile at this matter. This was a great accomplishment that resulted from your honor’s submission of intention, and furthermore that the intention was accepted and was then adorned with the forgiveness of God, exalted be His glory. The supreme bounty was that which was uttered from the tongue of grandeur in this station. God willing, may you ever be blessed with such bestowals. And in truth, this is that intention of which they had given tidings beforehand, saying “The intention of the believer is better than his deed.” This word claimed its station in this instance. This is from the bounty of our Lord, the Most Merciful.

And in one instance He said:

“O servant present, write to the aforementioned one, upon him be My glory: The All-Bountiful sayeth: Through the bounty thou didst intend, thou hast attained, and art reckoned among those holy souls who have rendered the Huququ’llah. Be thou thankful and among those who give thanks.”

Concerning what you wrote about Jinab Aqa Siyyid Abu-Talib, upon him be the Glory of God and His favors—praise be to God they have been freed, although true freedom has been and will always be for those souls who are immersed in the ocean of divine love, and they, through the grace of the Beloved of the worlds, have attained and continue to attain this station. This servant repeatedly heard mention of them from the Divine Tongue. Once these blessed words were heard from the All-Merciful, exalted be His utterance: “Verily he was imprisoned in the path of God and We found him patient in what befell him…” And another time these supreme words were heard, He said: “Abu-Talib has followed his Lord in prison.”

Also, a sublime Tablet was revealed especially for them from the heaven of grace some time ago which will be sent, God willing. At this moment while this evanescent one was occupied with writing, he was summoned to the Most Holy, Most Exalted Presence. After attaining the presence, He said: Write to Abu-Talib, upon him be My Glory:

“O Abu-Talib! We have heard thy lamentations and thy cries have reached the ears of the Lord of Names. Give thanks to the Beloved of the world that He has aided thee to recognize the Dawning-Place of Revelation and the Source of verses. Reflect on the tribulations that befell the Self of God, exalted be His glory. For nearly four months We were in the prison of Ta under chains and fetters. Repeatedly did We enter prison, yet with utmost joy and delight We continued to mention and utter the most excellent remembrances. After Our release We went into exile until this Most Great Prison became the seat of the Throne. Be thou joyful in what hath befallen thee, but in all conditions hold fast unto wisdom. Teaching is beloved only when a receptive place is found, otherwise it becomes the cause of mischief. Speak with wisdom, observe with wisdom, and act with wisdom.

“O Abu-Talib! We have mentioned thee before with that which nothing in all creation can equal, and We mention thee at this time as a token of grace from thy Lord, the Generous. And We make mention of thy father, to whom the All-Merciful hath testified in His perspicuous Book. He was among those who attained the presence of God when all on earth were prevented save whom thy Lord, the Almighty, the All-Powerful, did will. He stood faithfully at the gate and acted according to what was commanded by the Ordainer, the All-Wise. Blessed is he who remembereth him as revealed by the Supreme Pen of God, and blessed is he who hath loved him for the sake of God, the Lord of the worlds. O Abu-Talib! We counsel thee once again to hold fast unto the Most Great Wisdom. Cleave unto it and go not beyond its bounds. Verily thy Lord hath chosen wisdom and He is the Unconstrained, the All-Knowing. The Glory be upon thee and upon thy family and upon every assured and discerning one.”

Section 4: “This evanescent one conveys greetings and salutations…”

This evanescent one conveys greetings and salutations to them. God the All-Knowing bears witness that they have always been in mind, and the reason this perishable servant delayed in writing to them was out of wisdom. And concerning their question about their duties, this matter was presented before His presence. He said the Divine Cause must be concealed from those who are not worthy of it. The precious pearl before the blind, and the melodies of the nightingale before those deprived of hearing, have not and will never bear fruit. Therefore mention of the Cause before the government is not and has never been permitted. In all cases, the seeds of wisdom must be deposited in receptive soil. Verily He commands what is best for you if ye act accordingly.

Therefore, mention of the Cause to the government is not and has never been permissible. In any case, the seeds of wisdom must be deposited in receptive soil. Verily, He commands what is best for you—act upon it and be among those who are firm.

It is submitted that certain mentions before the government or weak souls are not and have never been permissible, including mention of sending petitions to the Most Holy Court and receiving answers from the heaven of divine will, which is strictly forbidden before the authorities, as such mention may cause harm. The teaching work is contingent upon several conditions which all must observe, that it may cause acceptance rather than rejection, and extinguish the fire of corruption rather than ignite it. The beloved ones should convey these matters to some, that all may arise to do what is acceptable in God’s sight.

For nearly thirty years, God, exalted be His glory, has forbidden all from engaging in corruption, contention and conflict. How many afflictions have befallen His loved ones, yet none has protested. Nevertheless, they have not yet desisted and are constantly engaged in oppression. The source of this oppression has been and will be the clergy. Despite the compassion, mercy, grace and favors of the Truth, the government has not yet grasped the main purpose. For if they knew God, glorified be He, to be truthful, they would surely testify that this Cause is sanctified from conflict, contention and corruption. The deeds of some in the past who were contaminated by selfish desires caused certain ones to doubt. If the government were to truly understand what is intended, they would surely arise to make amends for what has passed. But the effects of truthfulness must needs appear in the visible world, for its fragrance is evident and any possessor of smell can perceive it. I beseech Him, exalted be He, to aid the rulers in executing justice. If they would adorn themselves with fairness and justice and turn to the Tablets, they would testify that this Cause has never been and is not opposed to government, but rather supports it in executing justice.

O beloved of my heart! This servant is perplexed and knows not what to submit. Most of the servants have fallen into the sea of vain imaginings and are stupefied. In view of the trials of this servant, permission to reveal matters has not been and is not granted. Otherwise, by God besides Whom there is none other God, if they were to hear but one melody from the Bird of the Cause, all would utter the blessed words “Verily we are God’s, and verily unto Him shall we return.” In truth, until now no one has truly uttered these blessed words, though all outwardly pronounce them, for this station requires absolute effacement of self, will and desire, and return to God, recognition of Him and arising for His sake.

Some time ago this exalted word was heard from the mouth of the Will of the Lord of Names, exalted and glorified be His utterance:

“O servant in attendance! We have revealed two words about the meaning of ʿThere is no God but God.’ It was observed that some of the mystics expressed inability to comprehend it. They are heard uttering this word night and day while remaining veiled from its meaning.”

God willing, may all on earth be adorned with the ornament of fairness and ascend to the kingdom of truthfulness.

Concerning what you wrote about Jinab-i-Aqa Mirza Mihdi (upon him be the Glory of God—9 66), son of the late and elevated Vazir (upon him be all My Most Glorious Glory), it was presented at the Most Holy, Most Exalted, Most Glorious Threshold. This is what the Tongue of the Intended One spoke:

In His Name, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed

M.H. We have mentioned thee before and guided thee to God’s path and His Balance. He, verily, is the Expounding One, the All-Wise. We make mention of thee at this hour and counsel thee to remain steadfast in the Cause of God, the Lord of all beings, and We give thee glad tidings of His great favor. The whole world hath been created for the recognition of this wondrous and exalted Day, for the Dawning-Place of Revelation, the Dayspring of Light, and He Who conversed on Sinai hath appeared and been made manifest. Today the rustling of the Lote-Tree of the Far Boundary is raised high and the flow of the Kawthar of life is crystal clear, and every possessor of hearing doth hear it.

God willing, thou shalt attain unto His special favors and become detached and free from the world and all who dwell therein. Today the call of the All-Merciful is raised, and likewise the shrieking of Satan. Those souls who today attribute themselves falsely to God have not been and are not aware of this Cause. They speak according to their desires and imagine themselves to be speaking the truth. Fie upon them and upon those who have denied God’s signs, His proof, His evidence and His authority. Thou shouldst arise to serve the Cause with the utmost diligence and effort, to such extent that thou regardest the manifestations of idle fancies and vain imaginings as non-existent and count them as nothing.

O Mihdi! Be thou as an impenetrable barrier lest the Gog of self and Magog of passion transgress. Thus doth command thee He in Whose possession is the Perspicuous Book. God willing, mayest thou succeed in performing such deeds that thy mention shall endure throughout the kingdom of earth and heaven. Verily, He guideth whom He willeth unto His straight path. Praise be to God, the Mighty, the Great.

In all conditions that honored one must be vigilant and engaged in protection, even as he hath been commanded to this great service both before and after.

And concerning thy mention of the brethren (upon them be the Glory of God), after it was presented at the Most Holy Court, He manifested His favor, saying, exalted be His utterance:

“Verily they are under the glances of My favor and are mentioned in the Kingdom of My utterance. Upon them be My Glory, My mercy, My compassion and My favors.”

And concerning what was written about Jinab-i-Aqa Hasan-ʿAli (upon him be the Glory of God), who is among thy kindred, after presentation these sublime words were revealed and made manifest from the Source of verses. He, exalted be His majesty, saith:

In My Name, the Wronged One, the Unique

O Hasan! The rebellious faction waited for years for the appearance of Husayn. After the Qa’im, thou didst witness what the abominable Shi’ihs inflicted upon that Kingdom of the Spirit. In the books of that faction this great announcement is recorded and inscribed, and they have said that after the Qa’im the appearance of Husayn would illumine the world and all the Prophets and Messengers, even the Qa’im, would gather under the banner of His Cause. Yet when the world was illumined by the lights of His Revelation, all were thunderstruck, bewildered and heedless. That souls who failed to recognize the Qa’im should deny is not strange; what is strange is that the deniers of the Bayan who claim to have recognized the Qa’im are seen to be veiled and heedless of this most great Revelation which is evident and manifest as the sun, nay, have risen in such denial as no eye hath seen nor ear heard the like thereof. Blessed art thou, O Hasan-i-ʿAli, in that the Wronged One remembereth thee and commandeth thee to that which will exalt the Cause of God, the Lord of the exalted Throne. Glory be upon thee and upon all who are steadfast, firm and upright.

The request is that on behalf of this evanescent servant, greetings and salutations be conveyed to all the kindred. I beseech God that He may aid them all to do that which beseemeth this blessed Day.

As to thy mention at the end of thy letter concerning the handmaiden of God, the wife of Haji Mirza Hasan-i-Kirmani, upon them both be 9 66 [Baha’u’llah], what that beloved one wrote in this regard was presented before the Throne. This is what the Most Holy, Most Glorious, Most Exalted Tongue of our Lord spoke, exalted be His grandeur:

In My Name, the Warbler upon the Branches

O My handmaiden, My handmaiden! Rejoice thou in that he who hath arisen to serve Me and who speaketh My praise hath mentioned thee, and there hath befallen him in My path that which caused the dwellers of the highest Paradise to lament. O My leaf, O My leaf! The Divine Lote-Tree remembereth thee and calleth thee with that which hath enraptured the hearts of the Maids of Heaven in their chambers. O handmaiden of God! Today the queen of the world hath not attained unto that which thou hast attained. Thou didst hear the divine call and turn to the Most Exalted Horizon, and didst speak His praise on a day when the divines of the earth are heedless and veiled therefrom.

Wert thou to voice praise and thanksgiving to the Peerless Beloved to the number of the sands and leaves, it would appear as naught compared to this supreme bounty and mighty favor. Well is it with thee for having quaffed the wine of My love, and happy art thou for having attained unto the favor of My Cause. God willing, thou shalt ever be aided to remain firm, steadfast and resolute. We make mention of all the handmaidens in that land, that all may, with utmost eagerness, longing, attraction and rapture, gaze toward the Most Exalted Horizon and voice the praise of the Divine Lote-Tree.

O ʿAli-Qabli-Akbar! Upon thee be My Glory and My Loving-kindness! Convey that which thou hast been commanded, and remind My loved ones of that which hath been sent down from the Kingdom of My grace and the Heaven of My loving-kindness, and give them the glad-tidings of My turning towards them and My remembrance of them from this far-distant station.

What else can this evanescent servant say? From the horizon of the revealed utterances, the dawning-place of verses, the effulgences of the Sun of grace, mercy and loving-kindness are of such magnitude that no one is left with the capacity to make mention thereof. Can any soul adequately render thanks for this? Nay, by Thy life! All the world standeth powerless and wanting. However, being enkindled with the fire of love in one’s heart impelleth man to utterance and expression. In any case, despite my powerlessness and inadequacy, I beseech thee to convey greetings, mention and praise on behalf of this servant to that aforementioned leaf, upon her be the Glory of God. In truth, all that that Beloved One wrote concerning that leaf stirred up a warmth in the heart. I beseech the Exalted Truth to aid her and to raise up others like her in the earth. Verily, He is the Mighty, the Powerful. Praise be to God, the Mighty, the Most Praiseworthy. Glory be upon you and upon those whom God hath related unto you and upon those who have rent asunder the veils and shattered the idols in the name of the Lord of all men and the Sovereign of all days.

This evanescent one submitteth that the penknife which thou didst write that Aqa Muhammad and Aqa ʿAli-Asghar, upon them be the Glory of God, had given and requested be sent to the presence of the Branch of God—may my spirit and being be sacrificed for the dust of His footsteps—was received. May they, through God’s grace and loving-kindness, exalted be His glory, attain and be illumined with the lights of divine love. Likewise, all that which the daughter of the one named Ismu’llah-i-Asdaq and his cousin’s daughter, upon them be the Glory of the All-Merciful, had sent specifically for the people of the pavilion of chastity and greatness was received, and one piece of expensive fabric about which details were previously written was received. May these leaves be aided in the divine days to such deeds as would cause their mention to become the cause of remembrance for all the women of the world. Verily, He is the Helper, the Hearer, the Answerer.

The servant, 29 Jamadiyu’l-Avval 1299

BH00083: Let the honored Shahid, son of Ismu’llah al-Asdaq…

Section 1: “Let the honored Shahid, son of Ismu’llah al-Asdaq…”

Let the honored Shahid, son of Ismu’llah al-Asdaq, the beloved and esteemed Nabil-i-Akbar, upon him be all the most glorious Glory, take note:

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

A praise sanctified above all beginnings and endings befitteth the threshold of nearness to the holy presence of the Beloved Eternal One, Who hath illumined the horizon of the heaven of man with the Luminary of knowledge. What regret and sorrow that while the company of the cherubim and those nigh unto God are singing praise, and the houris of the chambers of Paradise are chanting melodies, and the divine Cup-bearer standeth ready with the everlasting wine in His hand, yet there is no ear to partake of the first, nor any lip to attain unto the second. Glorified be He Who hath manifested Himself unto the believers among His servants and concealed Himself from the idolaters among His creatures.

He is that sanctified Being Whom the tongues of the world are powerless to praise and the hearts of nations fall short of knowing. Through His complete power He hath made water appear from fire, and from fire He hath manifested light. The hand of His power hath seized the reins of the world, yet eyes are heedless of Him. His sovereign Will hath encompassed all things, yet the understanding of His servants falleth short. Blessed are they who have attained unto penetrating vision and have been adorned with new and hearing ears. These have drunk from the ocean of knowledge and have tasted of the fruits of the tree of insight. Such hearing and sight have ever been and shall ever be pure, transformed and illumined. Blessed are they who have become the object of that sight and the place of that hearing. Unto God belongeth all authority, from the past unto the future.

Glorified art Thou, O Thou at Whose separation the lamentations of those near unto Thee and the sincere ones have been raised, and at Whose remoteness the sighs of the believers and the successful ones have ascended, and the tears of the longing ones have fallen. I beseech Thee by the fire of Thy Sacred Tree, the lights of Thy countenance, the pearls of the ocean of Thy utterance, and the mysteries of Thy Kingdom and Dominion, to aid Thy chosen ones to arise to serve Thee and to turn unto Thy realms. O my Lord! Thou seest those who have detached themselves from all else but Thee and have arisen to serve Thy Cause, and have chosen the hardships of exile in Thy love and pleasure, and the adversities of the world in hope of what lieth with Thee.

I beseech Thee by the ocean of Thy generosity and the heaven of Thy grace to protect them from those who have striven to extinguish Thy light and have violated Thy covenant and Testament. Thou art He, O my God, before Whose manifestations of power the very essence of might hath bowed down, and the very embodiment of strength hath prostrated itself before the revelations of Thy strength. O Lord! Therefore send down upon him who hath arisen to serve Thee that which shall cause him to speak in such wise that silence shall not overtake him through what the hands of the wicked have wrought in Thy realm.

I beseech Thee, O Beloved of hearts and Goal of all existence, to ordain for him from Thy Most Exalted Pen that which shall manifest him through Thy Name amongst Thy servants and shall exalt him through Thy favors amidst Thy creation. There is none other God but Thee, the Protector, the Forgiving, the Bountiful. I pray, O my God, and offer peace upon him and upon those who have circled round for the exaltation of Thy Word and the revelation of Thy Cause. O Lord! Make them the lamps of Thy guidance and the standards of Thy victory. Verily Thou art He Whom nothing whatsoever can frustrate from His purpose. Thou hast ever been mighty to do what Thou willest and shalt ever continue to be even as Thou hast been from all eternity. There is none other God but Thee, the Self-Sufficient, the Most Exalted.

And then, O well-beloved of my heart! I had been slumbering when I was awakened by the breezes of your love that wafted from the traces of your pen and spread abroad from the realm of love that which my pen and tongue are powerless to describe. When I became aware and perceived this, I sought to ascend to that station whereon was established the throne of the King of Names. I attained unto His presence and presented myself, whereupon the Tongue of the Intended One spoke that whereby the realities of all things were attracted. He spoke, and His sweetest utterance is this:

He is the Preserver, the All-Seeing, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

O thou who soarest in My atmosphere, who turneth toward My Kingdom, who gazeth upon My horizon, who uttereth My praise in My days, and who standeth in service to My Cause! The servant here present hath received thy letter and laid it before the Wronged One as He walked in the place which God hath made the Most Great Scene of Vision. Verily thy Lord is the All-Powerful, the Almighty. We have heard thy call and answered thee, and having perceived the fragrance of thy sincerity, We have sent thee that from which the perfume of My luminous robe is diffused. Blessed is the servant who hath been stirred by the raptures of thy words in remembrance of God, thy Lord and the Lord of all worlds.

We have been with thee in all conditions and have revealed unto thee from My Most Exalted Pen that which shall endure as long as My most beautiful names endure. Rejoice thou in this manifest grace. God willing, My confirmations and the glances of My loving-kindness have been and shall ever be with thee. Convey My greetings to the loved ones of God and give them all the glad-tidings of God’s grace and favor, exalted be His glory. God willing, may they be enabled to achieve that which befitteth this glorious and mighty Day. Blessed is he who hath arisen today to serve the Cause.

Those who are endowed with utterance must occupy themselves with teaching. This is the imperative command of God which hath been revealed and sent down from the Most Exalted Pen in the Books and Tablets. This matter is most great. Beseech ye God, exalted be His glory, that He deprive not any soul of this lofty station. If from the beginning of the Cause, enkindled and assured souls had adhered to teaching, the world would now be illumined by the Most Great Light. It is hoped that the friends of God will all arise to teach the Cause with such arising as shall cause the people of the world to arise, with such utterance as shall cause the nations to speak.

In the early dawn the gentle breezes of the All-Merciful’s loving-kindness waft over all, and the mysteries of union and meeting are revealed unto all things. Some attain unto hearing, while others are deprived. Each acteth according to his own way. By the Sun of utterance! Should any soul become aware of the greatness of this Day, neither the world of vanities, nor the world of all things, nor the world of books would hinder or deprive him. We have enjoined unity upon all. God willing, may all attain unto this station through the endeavors of His loved ones. O ʿAli! Say: There is no human being except through fairness, and no power except through unity, and no good or well-being except through consultation.

O Muhammad! The Most Exalted Pen is occupied at all times. Beseech God that those who thirst in the wilderness of love be not deprived of this flowing Euphrates. Throughout the world this Remembrance hath been spread and its lights are manifest and evident; nevertheless the people of the earth remain veiled and heedless. Each of the various groups among this mighty community in the great cities holdeth fast to some matter and exerteth mighty efforts to promote it, to such extent that they withhold neither life nor wealth; yet the people of Persia remain heedless and veiled from this Most Great Cause which shineth like the sun at its meridian. Leave them to their vain imaginings. God willing, may the souls who are today associated with the Truth and remembered by His Name recognize and preserve their stations. Their station with God is great. Beseech ye God that He may strengthen all to preserve their stations in such wise that no matter among matters and no thing among things may hinder them or render them heedless.

O My beloved! The peoples of the earth are heedless of this most great bounty and supreme gift. With their own hands they carve out idols, and with the utmost diligence do they strengthen them, only to later lament their tyranny. The idol that hath been and is mentioned referreth to the ignorant one who, being known by the name of learning, hath in every age and dispensation been the cause and means of preventing the servants from attaining unto the outpourings of the Lord of creation, both in their beginning and their end. Should one possessed of insight ponder and examine the divine Books of former and latter times, he would testify to that which hath been mentioned.

As to what was written concerning your proceeding, together with the beloved Haji Mirza Haydar-ʿAli, upon whom be 966 [Baha’u’llah], to the land of H.M. for the exaltation of God’s Word—this matter was presented before His presence. Thus did the Tongue of Revelation speak in this station. His exalted Word: God willing, may the saplings of the divine garden be adorned with fresh vestments through the water of His chosen ones’ utterance, and through the warmth of their love attain their ultimate growth and fruition. Verily, He is the Helper, the All-Wise, and the Bestower of success, the All-Knowing.

Assuredly, from directing oneself toward various regions for the manifestation of the Cause and the exaltation of the Word, purely for the sake of God, universal fruits have appeared and will continue to appear. Utterance in the path of the All-Merciful hath been and ever shall be effective.

Concerning what was written about the intention to proceed to the land of S. and its surroundings, in accordance with the previous directive—this matter is most praiseworthy. The duty of teaching is incumbent today upon such as that beloved one. According to the command, whosoever they deem suitable—that is, possessed of eloquence and a detached heart—should be sent to the divine cities and regions to purify souls with the Kawthar flowing from the Supreme Pen. This is beloved and acceptable in the presence of God.

All souls have been created for this Day. The beloved ones must strive their utmost in this matter. It is praiseworthy, nay obligatory, if souls would turn to the tribes—for instance, toward Kermanshah and likewise to the Bakhtiari regions around Fars and elsewhere—provided these souls are adorned with the ornament of revealed wisdom. Wherever they go, they must become the cause of the purification of souls, the reformation of the people, good deeds and virtuous conduct. It is hoped that through the fire of the Divine Lote-Tree, such a company will be found in the world who will illuminate the world with the light of wisdom. Verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, is the Forgiving, the Compassionate, and He is the Mighty, the Powerful.

This is the Day of which Isaiah the Prophet gave tidings. The news of this Day hath dawned from the horizon of the divine Scriptures like the Greatest Luminary. All the Prophets have given the people of the world the glad-tidings of this Most Great Day, and all divine Books bear witness to this. But ignorance hath become a barrier and deprived people from the ocean of knowledge to such extent that they know not what is beneficial and what is harmful. The world hath been encompassed by calamity and darkness, yet none is aware. True indeed is our Lord, the Most High, the Most Glorious!

If anyone were to observe with the eye of fairness and ponder upon the Tablets and Scriptures revealed in the past, he would testify to that which hath been made manifest. Word by word, it hath been sent down from the Kingdom of divine knowledge with perfect clarity. The people imagine that the learned ones, men of knowledge, wisdom, asceticism and piety are the divines of the earth, unaware that in the sight of God they are accounted among the ignorant. These heedless souls have been and continue to be the cause of the people’s heedlessness and their being barred from the Supreme Horizon. He saith:

“The true scholar is he who hath guided the people to My path and taught them My straight way.”

The scholar who attaineth unto this station is as the sight for the body of the world. His word, exalted be His glory: The wise and knowing one and the seeing scholar are as two eyes for the body of the world. God willing, may the earth not be deprived or forbidden these two supreme gifts.

As regards what you wrote concerning the infernal pages and their dissemination, God is my witness that the same Mirza Hadi who is now engaged in misleading souls in the Land of Ta has never been and is not now aware of the Cause of the One to whom he claims allegiance. Would that the veil were rent asunder and he would, for God’s sake, attain in but a few moments to the hearing of words which, were they to be cast upon the hardest rock, would cause it to flow like running water. O company of the heedless! It is as though a blind man were to guide another blind man, or one heedless soul cleave to another. They speak according to their vain imaginings and perceive not.

Would that they might succeed in at least turning to the holy writings. This evanescent servant is bewildered and amazed—to what do they cling and what do they say? Divine verses have encompassed the world to such extent that the horizons are filled with them. By God, besides Whom there is none other God, this servant and his like are powerless to reckon them, and all devoted souls bear witness to this. Nevertheless, the chief of calumniators has written that they take two words from here and two words from there and send them abroad. Observe how confident he is in the heedlessness, lack of understanding and blindness of his followers. Were he not confident, he would not utter such delirious statements whose falsity is clear as the sun.

If one were to reflect even briefly for God’s sake upon the manifest conditions, he would become aware of how the first stirrings and origin of this Cause came to be. I beseech God to adorn the heedless with the ornament of awareness and to crown them with the diadem of fairness. Verily He is the Mighty, the Powerful.

Section 2: “As for what you wrote concerning Muhammad-Taqi, let…”

As for what you wrote concerning Muhammad-Taqi, let him be asked what he was told at the time of his departure—perchance he may remember or fear. For transient ornaments he turned away from the Dawning-Place of the Light of Oneness and exchanged the Divine Joseph for paltry coins. In demonstrating his baseness, it suffices that Husayn-i-Sukhti prevented him from the truth and took him to the known island. How strange, how passing strange! And that person in Tehran who gave him the cloak—I swear by the Beauty of God that he too, like him, had absolutely no knowledge of the essence of this Cause. He and his two brothers were outside from the beginning and were unaware of the Cause of the Primal Point—may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for Him—nay, they would repudiate it. Their house was in one quarter and the house of the Desired One in another, and due to their turning away there was separation between them for years, and most bear witness to this fact.

Regarding what you mentioned about Haji Mirza H.S.—upon him be the glory of God—and the minister’s intention, these matters were presented before His presence. He said that what is necessary today is to hold fast to the work of teaching. If the exaltation of God’s Cause becomes somewhat manifest, all ministers will arise to assist, and whatever today becomes the cause and means of comfort and freedom is beloved. End quote.

This evanescent one submits that consultation is necessary in all matters. That beloved one should greatly emphasize this point so that the practice of consultation may be established among all. Whatever has flowed and continues to flow from the Supreme Pen regarding this matter is intended to establish consultation among the friends, for it has been and will continue to be the cause and means of awareness, vigilance, welfare and safety.

As to what you wrote concerning the friends of God in every locality, God willing, may they be occupied at all times with their own betterment and that of the world, and be illumined and successful through the lights of His countenance. In truth, those souls who today have grasped the Most Great Law and are gazing toward the Most Exalted Horizon are as commanders in the world. God willing, may they strive in these divine days to manifest that which shall never be erased from the ledger of the world, throughout the duration of the Kingdom of earth and heaven. Should they become aware of their stations, by the life of the Beloved, they would attain unto the most great joy. They have borne in the path of God that which none before them had ever borne. I beseech God to assist His loved ones to preserve their stations. Verily, He is powerful over all things.

That which hath been lauded from the lands of Kh, K, Q—blessed be they all! God willing, may they remain steadfast, firm and unwavering in this Most Great Cause with utmost dedication. Mention of them was made in the Most Holy Court. The Sun of loving-kindness hath dawned upon each one. I beseech God to increase, at every moment, the fire of their love and the light of their knowledge, in such wise that the circumstances of the oppressors shall not deter them from that which they are called upon to achieve. The tyrants and pharaohs, and their like, that have been mentioned in the past and present are, in the first instance, those ignorant ones who are known as divines among the common rabble. By God’s life! These are they who have barred the way of God, these are the veils that have intervened, and these are the false books. In truth, the divines of Persia are most heedless. That which hath been in the hands of that erring and misleading group hath largely been their own calumnies, which they have uttered in the past and present and recorded in their books. These are the scrolls of vain imaginings, the registers of idle fancies, and the proclamations which they have falsely attributed to the Sacred Precinct.

On a certain occasion this evanescent one sought the most exalted goal and the loftiest summit. After attaining the most holy and glorious presence, He said: “O servant who standeth here! Tell Me, from what mine did the bullet come, and of what substance was it made, that martyred the Primal Point, the Herald of the Most Great Beauty? And of what metal and from what mine came the swords that cut the bodies of the loved ones to pieces? O servant who standeth before the Countenance! Ponder the words of the Wronged One of the horizons, that perchance through thy pondering there might appear in the peoples of the earth such power that all may reflect, with complete understanding, upon that which hath come to pass.”

At that moment, the rays of the light of the All-Merciful’s utterance so overwhelmed this evanescent one that he was, and shall ever be, powerless to describe it. For some time this servant remained standing while the Ancient Beauty remained silent. At last He said: “O servant! That iron and that bullet which caused the lamentation of those near unto God and the crying out of the sincere ones—these were the words of the heedless souls who had been raised up in the mines of ignorance and falsehood, and which ultimately issued from the mouths of the divines and martyred that Essence of being and His loved ones. O servant! Reflect carefully—were it not for the mention of Jabulqa and Jabulsa, and the Sacred Precinct, and the existence of the Qa’im with his described attributes, that which came to pass would not have occurred, and that which the pen and tongue tremble to recount would not have been witnessed.”

He said: “O servant who standeth here! If a person were to observe with justice, that very word which issued from the mine of falsehood stating that His Holiness existed and claiming His birth from unbelievers was as the bullet that struck the body of that Lord of the worlds. And now the deniers of the Bayan follow the same path and are occupied with arranging the same vain imaginings.” End.

May God protect us and all mankind from their deceit and calumnies and from that which issueth from their mouths. Verily He is the Protector, the Mighty, the Powerful.

Can no ear be found? Hath the faculty of sight been obliterated? To what realm hath justice journeyed, or hath truthfulness expired? This inadequate ignorant one knoweth not what to say. These matters transcend mention and utterance. Sighs ascend and tears fall, and the matter is in God’s hands, the Lord of the one who remembereth and speaketh.

The honorable amah (handmaiden) of God who had petitioned the True One, glorified be His majesty, seeking grace for her husband—this matter was presented before the Presence of the Lord of all creation. These are the words that the Tongue of Grandeur spoke in response, exalted be His glory:

“O Ali, O thou who standest to serve Me! O Muhammad, O thou who gazest toward My horizon and hast turned thy face unto My countenance! Hearken unto My call and give her these glad-tidings from Me—that she should read what hath been revealed by My Most Exalted Pen in this noble station:

ʿGlory be unto Thee, O Thou through Whose name the ocean of generosity hath surged and the fragrance of grace hath wafted amidst the peoples! I beseech Thee by Thy most sweet call and by the rustling of the Sadratu’l-Muntaha to ordain for me from Thy Most Exalted Pen that which shall profit me in this world and the world to come. Then write down for Thy servant that which shall draw him nigh unto Thee, shall make him recognize Thy Manifestation, Thy Revelation and Thy sovereignty, and shall teach him that of which he was heedless in Thy days. O Lord! Thy grace hath preceded and Thy mercy hath encompassed all things. I beseech Thee by the sovereignty of the Names not to deny him and me access to the ocean of Thy bounty, the heaven of Thy grace and the sun of Thy bestowals. O Lord! We know not what profiteth us—Thou art more knowing of us than we are of ourselves. There is none other God but Thee, the All-Forgiving, the All-Bountiful.”’

Observe how the grace of God, exalted be His glory, hath reached such heights that every fair-minded soul hath acknowledged and confessed that it hath no likeness or peer. God willing, may all who dwell on earth be assisted to turn toward the gate of His bounty and may they never be disappointed. Let that which hath been revealed in this station be conveyed to the handmaiden of God, upon her be the glory of God.

As for the mention that was made of the relatives of the departed and elevated Ismu’llah al-Asdaq, upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God—this was presented in the Most Holy and Exalted Court. He said that the gaze of His grace had been and would continue to be fixed upon them. Convey to all of them greetings from God. Their mention hath been revealed in God’s Book both before and after, and holy Tablets were previously sent to them. Remember them all with wondrous and sublime remembrances from God that shall cause joy and delight. Verily We hear and see them. God willing, that which hath been ordained for them shall be made manifest. Verily He unfoldeth a matter from His presence and He is the Powerful, the Munificent, the Bountiful.

Regarding what you wrote about the honored nobleman Haji Munshi Haqiqi, upon him be the glory and might of God—truly it is exactly as that beloved one hath written. This evanescent servant beseecheth the Exalted True One to increase his enthusiasm, joy and love at all times. His mention hath been and continueth to be made in the Most Holy Court, and this evanescent one shall compose and send a letter in response to his missive.

And again in another letter you mentioned His Excellency the Minister. He and his party have striven and continue to strive for prosperity and complete freedom. When the rays of the Light of Revelation were manifest from the horizon of Zowra (Baghdad), the Consul who was in Iraq came with utmost love into His presence, and whatever matter was mentioned to him, he would immediately arise to execute it. The Blessed Beauty also went to his home one day, and that was indeed a memorable day. He received and accompanied Him with such warmth that it caused astonishment to some. And at the time of departure from that land, they sent Jinab-i-Mirza Mihdi Huzur, who was the Embassy secretary, and after attaining the Most Holy Presence, he conveyed:

“His Excellency sends his greetings and says if you would turn towards our direction, transport is ready, and if there is any matter, write it down and I will send it to Her Majesty the Queen and will quickly bring back the response.”

He (Baha’u’llah) said:

“Truly, We derive the utmost joy from the love of His Excellency and his government. However, now, in response to the request of the Governor and ministers of the Sublime State, We are proceeding in that direction. The Command is in God’s hands. He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He pleaseth, and He is the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. On Our behalf, convey Our greetings to His Excellency and say We are most grateful for your kindnesses, and We beseech God, exalted be His glory, to bestow upon your illustrious government the reward for this righteous deed.”

This deed of his has been and will remain foremost among all deeds that have been manifested from the beginning of the emergence of that illustrious government until now, for the mention of this episode will endure as long as the kingdom of earth and heaven endure. God willing, may they be assisted today to accomplish that which will cause their exaltation, elevation, and remembrance to endure as long as God’s names and attributes endure.

Likewise, mention was made of Jinab-i-Aqa Mirza Ibrahim, upon him be the Glory of God. It was presented before His countenance, and this is what the Kingdom of Utterance spoke forth, exalted be His grandeur:

“O Ibrahim! Great is this Day and mighty this Cause. Whosoever today has drunk from the ocean of certitude and found his way to the Supreme Horizon is reckoned among the most distinguished of souls in the presence of God. Blessed is the eye that has been illumined by the lights of His countenance, and blessed is the ear that has hearkened to the call of the Wronged One. Today, after recognizing the Dawning Place of God’s Cause and the Source of His Revelation, steadfastness is the greatest of all deeds. Whosoever attains unto it has attained unto the most exalted summit. God willing, through His grace you shall attain this most great station and preserve it through the Name of Truth. Blessed is he who gave you to drink and taught you that which was hidden from all save whom God, the Lord of all worlds, willed.”

Section 3: “For those souls whose mention has flowed…”

For those souls whose mention has flowed from the pen of that beloved one, the infinite bounties of God, exalted be His glory, are manifest and evident. God willing, may all drink from the cup of grace and be thankful, praising, joyous, and glad through His favor and mercy. Verily, this servant prays for them in all conditions, and our Lord, the All-Merciful, is indeed the Hearer, the Answerer.

Let another Tablet of that Exalted One which thou didst send dated the 20th of Safar, and from which the fragrance of the soul was diffused, for it was adorned with the ornament of the love of the Beloved of the worlds. Praise be to God that the glad-tidings of the spiritual herald arrive continuously—His is the praise, the gratitude and the glory morning and evening. And when this evanescent servant was warmed by the heat of love and became intoxicated from the cup of remembrance and utterance, he aimed for the supreme height and ultimate goal and presented the levels before His face. This is what the tongue of our Purpose and your Purpose and the Purpose of all who are in the heavens and earth hath spoken, His word, exalted be His glory:

“O thou who rememberest Me and gazeth upon Me and circleth around My Cause! By My life, should the breeze from the rose-garden of the utterance of the All-Merciful pass over decayed bones, verily from its rustling they would attain unto the station of then We clothed the bones with flesh, so blessed be God, the best of creators.’ Yet it hath passed over heedless souls and no trace appeared from it, for they have drunk from the breast of idle fancies and are deprived and forbidden from the ocean of certitude. They never possessed sight or hearing in any way. A few ignorant ones have seized the reins of those souls and lead them wherever they desire. Their vain imaginations move them—verily they are in manifest loss. But ere long they shall witness the fruits of their deeds and shall utter Would that we were dust!’

“Convey My greetings to the friends of God who have drunk from the wine of unity and are enkindled with the fire of love, that perchance from the fragrance of that greeting they may attain unto a new life and may be observed steadfast and firm and upright in the Cause of the Lord of creation with perfect unity. The glory be upon thee and upon those whom God hath related to My Most Truthful Name. Upon him be My glory and My loving-kindness and My mercy and My tenderness. Say: Be not grieved by the conditions of the world and its hardships. God willing, that which is the cause and reason for the joy and gladness of those who are near, the believers, and the sincere ones shall appear.”

The effulgences of the Sun of bounty are of such magnitude that a hundred thousand like this servant are powerless to describe them. That honored one himself hath attained His presence and witnessed the waves of the Most Great Ocean, therefore he hath no need of mention by this evanescent one.

And regarding what thou didst write about the honored mother and sister, upon them be the glory of God, who reside in Ta, loving-kindness hath been and is being shown to them, and this evanescent one beareth witness to this matter. Nevertheless, details were submitted and attained the honor of being heard by the Beloved of the worlds. His word, exalted be His grandeur:

“O handmaiden of God! Thy mention hath flowed from the Pen of the Divine Unity repeatedly in various times, and that which thou hast attained unto, the queens of the earth have not attained. Thou hearest from the tongue of Truth, exalted be His glory, the word ʿO My handmaiden.’ By Him Who hath subjected the heavens and earth by a word from His presence, the pearls and precious gems of the earth cannot equal this word. Rejoice thou in My remembrance and be assured by My loving-kindness. The assured, steadfast, firm handmaidens are accounted as leaves of the Divine Lote-Tree and are mentioned in the Book as handmaidens and are related to the Truth. What station is greater than this? God willing, may ye hold fast unto that which God loveth and gaze toward the direction of the Prison. We convey greetings to all the handmaidens of that land and give them the glad-tidings of God’s loving-kindness, tenderness and generosity. The glory be upon thee and upon thy daughter and upon them.”

As to your mention of the honored Aqa Mirza Muhammad, the scribe (upon him be glory and honor): this is what hath been sent down for him from the heaven of the will of our Lord, the All-Forgiving, the Most Generous. Exalted be His glory:

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

O Most Exalted Pen! Make mention of him who hath turned unto My most exalted horizon, who hath heard the Call when it was raised betwixt earth and heaven, and who hath answered the Lord of Names, Who came with a sovereignty that encompassed all who are in the heavens and on earth, and by Whose command all necks were humbled. O Muhammad! Dost thou know Who maketh mention of thee in the prison? By the life of God! He Who conversed with God on Sinai maketh mention of thee, and the Lord of all being hath turned toward thee—He through Whom the Trump was sounded and the path of God, the Lord of Lords, was established. Wert thou to become aware of My loving-kindness and to discover the fragrance of My raiment, thou wouldst arise to make mention of Me and to praise Me in such wise that the affairs of earth and its colors would not hinder thee.

Thy Lord is, verily, the Mighty, the All-Knowing. Blessed is the eye that hath beheld My most great signs, the ear that hath heard My sweetest call, the face that hath turned toward My most exalted horizon, and the hand that hath been occupied in transcribing that which hath been sent down from the heaven of the bounty of its Lord, the Mighty, the All-Bestowing.

We have heard thy call and have answered thee, and having witnessed thy turning unto Us, We make mention of thee in this Tablet which shall endure as long as My names endure in My Kingdom. Verily thy Lord is the One Who hath power over whatsoever He willeth. He giveth and withholdeth, and He is the Mighty, the Bountiful. We entered the Prison and summoned all unto the Most Great Ocean. Among men are those who have broken the Covenant of God and His pledge, and among them are those who have said: “Here am I, here am I, O Revealer of verses!” We have made mention of everyone who hath turned unto the Countenance. My Pen and My Tongue bear witness to this, and beyond them My knowledge which encompasseth the horizons.

When thou art favored with this Tablet and hearest what hath been sent down from the heaven of thy Lord’s will, turn thy face toward My direction and say: “I testify that through Thee the verses have been sent down, the signs have appeared, and that which was hidden and treasured from time immemorial hath been revealed. I beseech Thee not to deprive me of the wonders of Thy bounty, O Thou in Whose grasp are the reins of all created things!” Thus have We sent down unto thee from the river of My mercy that which God hath made the cause of life for all who are in the earth and the heavens. We have forgiven her whose forgiveness thou didst seek.

Verily thy Lord is the Mighty, the All-Forgiving. The Glory rest upon thee and upon her and upon those who have cast away the world and turned unto the Most Great Name, Which uttereth in every condition that there is none other God but He, the Mighty, the Self-Subsisting.

God willing, may they be illumined by the effulgent splendors of the Sun of the Divine Word, and drink with joy and gladness from the oceans deposited therein in the name of the One Beloved.

Likewise, the petition which was enclosed within that packet from the beloved one—its answer hath been sent down from the heaven of divine bounty. God willing, may it reach its destination, and may they partake and be made recipients of the utterances revealed from the heaven of the Will of the True One—glorified be His glory—and become invested with that which befitteth this Day.

As to the inquiry made concerning the movement from the Most Great Prison, which hath flowed from the Supreme Pen in the Tablets, it was submitted, and He declared:

“Verily, it shall be made manifest, and the matter resteth in the hands of God, the Sovereign of mankind.”

Thus it endeth.

Regarding what was inscribed concerning martyrdom in the path of God, it was presented, and He of exalted majesty proclaimed:

“Verily, We have ordained for him this Most Exalted Station and this Most Glorious Remembrance. Blessed is he for that wherewith he hath been favored ere its manifestation. We have accepted from him that which he desired in God, the One, the Incomparable, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.”

End.

Concerning what you wrote about Jinab-i-Mulla Muhammad Qadi, a Most Holy and Most Exalted Tablet specifically for him has been revealed from the heaven of God’s will and sent. God willing, he will attain unto it and drink from the ocean of inner meanings. Likewise, nine exalted Tablets without names—corresponding to the Greatest Name—were sent to be delivered to the individuals listed in the sheet of names. Their names were not written, in wisdom for the Cause. The unnamed Holy Tablets should be distributed thus: that beloved one should first engage in divine remembrance to the number of the Greatest Name, then perform ablutions, then again engage in the first remembrance, and place the Tablets in an elevated location covered with a fine cloth. Then, intending any name, reach in and withdraw one Tablet, write that name on it and give it. God willing, Holy Tablets will continue to be sent in this manner hereafter. Sending them all at once is not permitted. This evanescent servant beseeches God—exalted be His glory—that through that beloved one’s being, the unconscious temples may become conscious and arise to serve God.

Mention was made of turning toward the land of Kha. Convey greetings to all the friends in that land as commanded. In these days, specifically for those whose petitions reached the Most Holy Court, and likewise some correspondence that was sent to His Eminence the Elevated One of the people of Qa’in—upon him be all the most glorious Glory of God—replies to some have been revealed and sent, that their eyes may be gladdened, their faces illumined, and tranquility may come to the hearts of those who hastened to God’s path, the Lord of all worlds.

An event that has occurred in these days in the Most Great Prison is the ascension of His Eminence Nabil-i-Qabli-ʿAli from the people of Qa’in—upon him be all the most glorious Glory of God and all His most luminous Light. He ascended to the Supreme Companion at dawn on Wednesday the 20th of Rabi’u’l-Avval. By command, the Most Great Branch of God—may my spirit and being be sacrificed for the dust of His footsteps—as well as the two most luminous Branches—may my spirit be sacrificed for them both—who were present in the palace were ordered to accompany the funeral procession and went on foot. The Most Great Branch of God—may my spirit, being and essence be sacrificed for the dust of His footsteps—was present in the prison land and was present that night and morning with him who ascended to God. This servant also sought permission to attend the funeral procession but was told:

“Your attendance is not permitted as the weather is cold and signs of weakness are observed in you.”

Afterwards this evanescent one was present before the Most Holy Presence with papers, pen and ink. That same day there was revealed from the heaven of grace specifically for that elevated deceased one that whose fragrance will endure as long as the kingdom of earth and heaven endure and whose mention will flow from the tongues of the people of the world. The bounty, favor, kindness and mercy of God are at such a degree that all the world is incapable and falls short of comprehending it as it should be. Convey greetings from this evanescent one to the friends of God. God willing, may they attain to that which is loved by God and inscribed in the Book. The Glory be upon your honor and upon them and upon those who have drunk the Kawthar of recognition from the hands of their Lord’s bounty, the Generous. Praise be to God, the Most High, the Most Great.

The servant, 29 Jamadi’u’l-Avval 1299

BH00360: Praise befitteth the most holy and most glorious court…

Section 1: “Praise befitteth the most holy and most glorious…”

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

Praise befitteth the most holy and most glorious court of the Beloved, Who hath, through a single point of knowledge, in truth guided this evanescent one to the ocean of knowledge and freed him from idle fancies and vain imaginings. And this point is that He hath declared that none but Him is capable of His praise. Therefore, whatsoever this evanescent servant might utter would be unworthy and shall ever be unworthy. With a hundred thousand tongues must one at every moment voice a hundred thousand thanks and praises that He hath reckoned the confession of powerlessness as true knowledge. Exalted be His bounty and magnificent His favors. There is no God but Him.

Glorified art Thou, O my God, my Purpose, and my Hope! Thou seest my powerlessness, my poverty, and my need before the manifestations of Thy might, Thy power, and Thy riches. I am he who, O my God, doth confess, even as Thou hast testified, to my inability to attain unto the pavilion of glory of any one of Thy chosen ones, how much less unto the revelations of the lights of Thy countenance. I beseech Thee by the glory which Thou hast made the adorning of Thy chosen ones, and by Thy Name whereby Thou hast subdued Thy servants and Thy creation, to aid me to be steadfast in Thy Cause. O my Lord! Thou seest me turning toward Thee, directing myself to the horizon of Thy good-pleasure, and awaiting the wonders of Thy mercy.

I beseech Thee to ordain for me that which beseemeth the heaven of Thy grace. O my Lord! I implore Thee by the Most Great Name, through which the limbs of the world have quaked, to strengthen him who hath mentioned Thy servant to be steadfast in Thy Cause, and to make known unto him the manifestations of Thy grace and the revelations of Thy mercy. Verily, Thou art He Whom nothing whatsoever escapeth and from Whose knowledge nothing is hidden. There is no God but Thee, the Forgiving, the Bountiful.

Furthermore, this evanescent one presents that the letter of that honored one, which bore a whole world of joy since it was adorned with the mention of the Beloved of the worlds and was redolent with the fragrance of His love, was received. After perusing its contents, having directed myself toward the most exalted summit and the highest horizon, its details were presented at the most holy and most glorious court. His blessed and exalted Word: “O Ali! Thou hast previously been blessed with the mention of the Truth and the effects of the Most Exalted Pen. God willing, thou shalt drink of the choice sealed wine and share it with those who are ready. This is the Day of mention and praise. Blessed is the soul that hath not let slip its opportunity and hath arisen to that which beseemeth the Days of God.

Say: O friends! Be not saddened by the conditions of the world. By the life of God! All that ye behold is in the grip of extinction. Hold fast unto that which is lasting and enduring. Today, the teaching of God’s Cause is binding upon every soul and is accounted as the most meritorious of all deeds in the sight of the Self-Sufficient, the Most High. It is quite evident that had all the friends, from the beginning of the Cause, held fast to this most exalted station with the utmost joy and fragrance, with kindness and forbearance, the lights of the Sun of Truth would have captured most souls. Blessed is he who hath confined his affairs to the service of God and the teaching of His Cause. The glory be upon thee and upon those who have attained unto that which the sincere ones have attained.” God willing, may you ever drink from the cup of grace of the Lord of Justice and be blessed with the bounty of the Truth, exalted be His glory.

O Ali! Thou hast attained unto that which nothing can equal. Rejoice thou and be of them that render thanks. Conclude. All praise be unto God that ye are mentioned in His Most Holy Court and have attained unto His bounty. This is a station whereof tongues and pens are powerless to make mention. Under all conditions remain mindful of wisdom, for this mighty commandment hath been revealed and sent down in diverse Tablets from the Supreme Pen. God willing, may all cleave unto it and attain thereunto.

As to thy request to attain the presence, and thy desire to enter the Most Great Prison: this matter was laid before the Countenance of the Lord of Eternity. Exalted be His glory. He saith:

Verily He loveth to behold His loved ones standing at the door of His bounty; yet have the heedless come between Us and them. Moreover, this word hath been sent down and made manifest from the Most Exalted Pen: The outward of the land of the Prison is still, but its inward is disturbed. Ere long its inward shall take the place of its outward; and even now it is not devoid of motion. The knowledge is with God, and power is His. If He willeth, He will adorn it with rest and tranquillity. Verily He is the Single, the One, the All-Compelling, the Self-Subsisting.

They who have turned unto Him must, in this day, be occupied with service. The station of meeting, and its reward—which in truth hath been, and ever shall be, the very purpose of the creation of the world—dependeth upon the movement of the Most Exalted Pen. He writeth, for whomsoever He willeth, the recompense of them that have emigrated in His path, and have bestirred themselves at His command, and have drunk of the Kawthar of His presence, and have arisen at His door, and have heard His call. Verily He is the Mighty, the All-Powerful. O ‘Ali! Thou hast attained unto that wherewith nothing can compare. Rejoice thou, and be of the thankful. End.

Praise be to God! Ye are remembered in the Most Holy, the Most Inaccessible Court, and have attained through His grace. This is a station whereof tongues and pens are powerless to speak. In all circumstances keep your gaze fixed upon wisdom, for this irresistible command hath, in divers Tablets, flowed forth and been revealed from the Most Exalted Pen. God willing, may all hold fast unto it and attain.

As to the souls who have turned towards the Most Great Ocean, which thou didst mention, this was presented at the Most Holy Court, and for each one a wondrous and glorious Tablet was revealed, as a bounty from His presence upon thee and upon them. He, verily, is the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous.

This is what was revealed for his honor Aqa Siyyid Mihdi, upon him be the Glory of God. His words, exalted be His majesty:

He is the All-Seeing, the All-Hearing

O Mihdi! The Self-Subsisting hath come and calleth aloud in the Most Great Prison, while the peoples remain veiled by a thick veil. Their desires have prevented them from turning unto the Countenance, and their idle fancies from setting their faces toward the Supreme Horizon. Thus hath the Tongue of Grandeur spoken in this exalted and glorious station. Behold thou the power and sovereignty of God! He hath transformed the prison into the Most Exalted Paradise and made it the Seat of His mighty Throne.

Say: O peoples of the earth! By God, the river of the mercy of your Lord, the All-Merciful, hath flowed, and the ocean of bounty hath surged at the center of all possibilities. Draw ye nigh and be not of the heedless. Say: Come ye, come ye, that I may show you His most exalted horizon and cause you to hear His sweetest call from this wondrous and glorious Tablet. Say: By God, the All-Merciful hath come, and the Kingdom of utterance circleth round Him. Open your eyes and be not of them that slumber. Every seated one hath risen at this Call, and every sleeping one hath been awakened by this Cry which hath been raised in truth between the heavens and the earth. O Mihdi! The Cause is mighty, mighty indeed. Be thou steadfast in such wise that what is with the parties shall not deter thee. Verily thy Lord, the Bestower, is the Expositor, the All-Knowing. We make mention of thy family from Our presence, that thou mayest thank thy Lord, the All-Informed.

That which was revealed for his honor Mirza ʿAli-Rida, upon him be the Glory of God.

In My Name, through which hearts have melted

O Ali-Qabli-Rida! Fix thy gaze upon this Most Exalted Word which is as the sun in the heaven of inner meanings and as a ship upon the ocean of wisdom. O people of the earth! Purify your souls from rancor and hatred, then inscribe upon them with the pen of truthfulness the verses of kindliness, love and fidelity. The world today is seen to be deprived of the recognition of the Most Great Name, save whom God willeth. Say: Strive that ye may not be deprived of the bounties of the True One, the All-Bountiful. This is a Day before which all days past and future bow in humility. Bereft indeed is he who hath not found it and hath not recognized its Lord. O friends! Know ye the value of your stations, and waste not your rank through the cawing and croaking of the misguided ones, nor let your deeds in God’s path come to naught. Verily He witnesseth and seeth, and He is the All-Knowing Witness, the All-Seeing Witness.

Section 2: “That which was revealed for his honor Mirza…”

That which was revealed for his honor Mirza Abu’l-Qasim, upon him be the glory of God:

In the Name of the Compassionate, the Merciful

Verily the Wronged One remembereth thee and giveth thee glad tidings of God’s grace and His mercy which hath preceded existence itself. Bear thou witness to that which God hath testified, that there is none other God but Him, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. Every soul that hath turned unto the Most Great Name hath attained, and every seeing one hath beheld that which hath shone forth and appeared from this Horizon, from which the suns have risen. We make mention of thee and of My loved ones who have cast away idle fancies and have held fast unto this Extended Cord. Arise ye to remember and praise your Lord in His days, the Lord of all names. Then make peace among yourselves through this Name that dominateth over all that was and that shall be. This is a day wherein the heaven of divine knowledge hath been adorned with the stars of wisdom and utterance. Blessed is he who hath witnessed and seen, and woe unto every heedless and veiled one. Glory be upon those who have fulfilled their covenants in the days of God and have followed that which they were bidden in a preserved Tablet.

Thanks and praise be unto Him. At no time have They ceased to make mention of the chosen ones, the loved ones and Their friends, and night and day hath the Supreme Pen been in motion. Nevertheless have the ignorant divines forbidden the people from this supreme bounty and mighty favor. They cling to the Book while turning away from its Revealer. They have made God’s religion a means for fulfilling their selfish desires and His Book an instrument for their unworthy purposes. By a single word are they deprived of the kingdom of utterance, and by a croak are they barred from the warbling of the Nightingale. We beseech God to open their eyes and show them the way. Verily He is the All-Powerful, the Almighty.

Mention was made of his honor, My brother, upon him be the glory of God. This is what was sent down for him from the heaven of the will of our Lord and your Lord and the Lord of all worlds:

He is the Most Great, the Most Mighty

O Ali-Qabli-Akbar! Give thanks unto God for having aided thee to turn unto Him and for having mentioned thee in this perspicuous Tablet. Verily He mentioneth him who maketh mention of Him, and draweth nigh unto him who draweth nigh unto Him. Verily He is the Gracious, the Generous. Mention of thee was made before the Wronged One, and there was revealed for thee that which the treasures of the world and the ornaments of the nations cannot equal. Give thanks and be of the grateful ones. Look not unto the creatures and what they possess. By the life of God! That which they desired hath passed them by, and the matter hath been decreed from God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. Be thou steadfast in the Cause and speak forth in praise of thy Lord Who hath turned toward thee from His glorious station. Say:

Praise be unto Thee, O Thou the Goal of the world, for having caused me to hear Thy call and recognize Thy Cause, from which the learned and mystics of the age have remained veiled, save him whom the hand of Thy power hath delivered. There is none other God but Thee, the Almighty, the Powerful. O my Lord! Write down for me by Thy Most Exalted Pen that which shall profit me in the Hereafter and in this world. Verily Thou art He to Whose power and grandeur all created things have testified, and to Whose might and sovereignty all beings have borne witness. Take my hand with the hand of Thy bounty, then grant me that which Thou hast sent down from the heaven of Thy generosity. Verily Thou art powerful over what Thou willest. There is none other God but Thee, the Mighty, the All-Knowing.

God willing, may they drink from the choice wine of divine meanings from the chalice of God’s words and become engaged in His mention and praise. As for what you wrote concerning Aqa Muhammad-Ali, upon him be the Glory of God, his reward is with God. God willing, may he act according to God’s will in all conditions and remain oriented toward His horizon. His desire was presented, and the Sun of Grace shone forth and was manifest toward him. And as for his supplication to God, exalted be His glory, seeking forgiveness for his parents, this was presented, and the Tongue of Grandeur spoke these words:

“Upon them be the Glory of God. God hath forgiven them both as a favor from His presence unto thee, O Ali. This is naught but a great bounty. Be thou grateful and say: Praise be unto Thee, O God of the worlds.”

This evanescent one conveys greetings and glorification to all the friends, and beseeches the Exalted True One for assistance and grace for all. God willing, may they attain unto that which God loveth and hold fast unto that which He hath revealed in the Book. Likewise, I convey greetings and glorification to the honored friend Jinab-i-Habibu’llah Kh-A, upon him be the Glory of God. God willing, may he be steadfast, speaking, remembering, watchful, successful and confirmed.

Another glad tidings is that this evanescent servant attained to pilgrimage on behalf of your honor, and it was adorned with the ornament of acceptance. This bounty has no equal, past or present. Praise be to God that this servant and your honor have been blessed with this.

And concerning what was mentioned about the friends and their gathering with wisdom, this was presented before the Divine Presence, and He said:

“Excellent is the reward of those who act. Blessed is the tongue that is honored by the mention of God, and the limbs that have attained to the service of His Cause, and the soul that hath associated with His loved ones, and the ear that hath attained to the hearing of His verses, and the house that is illumined by the light of the faces of His friends.”

In all matters, let them observe the utmost wisdom, lest the clamor of those who have turned away from God be raised.

Mention was made of his honor Aqa Siyyid ʿAbdu’l-Hadi, upon him be the glory of God and His favors. He is among the early believers and has borne grievous trials in this Most Great, Most Holy Cause. For each atom of what befell him, a hundred thousand thanksgivings must be rendered, inasmuch as it was endured in the path of God. That which hath come to pass would bring extinction to all the world, save for what God hath specially ordained for His loved ones or what hath flowed from the Most Exalted Pen in their remembrance. His honor hath been and is mentioned in the presence of the Countenance. He attained the presence repeatedly, and his family too have partaken of this cup. Mention of his passing was made in the Most Holy Court. Thus did the Tongue of the Intended One speak forth in the Kingdom of Utterance:

“She did emigrate in My path and attained My presence. We have forgiven her at the time of her ascension, purified her, and remitted her misdeeds. Verily her Lord, the Most Merciful, is the Ever-Forgiving, the Pardoner, the Generous.”

Every soul that ascendeth with love for God, glorified be His majesty, is numbered with the people of Paradise in the sight of God. Blessed is she and joy be unto her, and the glory of God rest upon her. She recognized that which the divines of the earth remained veiled from. Joy be unto her and woe unto them! Glory be unto her and regret unto them!

The glory shining forth from the horizon of eternity be upon you and upon the loved ones of God in that place and upon all who are steadfast and victorious.

The servant, 29 Jamadi 1299

BH00480: Praise befitteth the Sovereign of existence and the King…

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

Praise befitteth the Sovereign of existence and the King of the seen and unseen, Who illumined the hearts of them who are nigh and sincere with the light of His blessed Word, and kindled them with the fire of His blessed Tree—a kindling such that neither the clamor of the servants, nor the tumult of the people, nor the might of the divines, nor the turning away of the mystics could deter them; nay rather, it increased their ardor. Exalted be their stations, lofty their ranks, and mighty their steadfastness! Glory be unto Thee, O Thou through Whom the eyes are illumined and the tongues of the righteous are loosed! I beseech Thee to aid Thy servants to gaze toward Thy Most Exalted Horizon—the Station which hath been illumined by the lights of Thy countenance, O Lord of all being! Then send down upon those who have arisen to serve Thy Cause the rain of Thy mercy, and protect them from those who have turned away from Thy Beauty and have arisen to extinguish Thy light. Verily, Thou art powerful over whatsoever Thou willest, and in Thy grasp are the kingdoms of creation. There is none other God but Thee, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

Thereafter, that beloved one sent to this evanescent one the letter which he had dispatched to Hadrat-i-Ism-i-Jud, upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God, and all of it was presented in the Most Holy, Most Exalted Court. His word, exalted be His grandeur:

O ʿAli-Qabli-Akbar! We have made mention of thee once in the evening and again in the morning, and yet again at this moment when the servant in attendance hath brought another letter which thou didst send to Ism-i-Jud, who circumambulateth the House and the Most Great Throne of God at eventide and at dawn. Ponder that which hath been sent down from the heaven of God’s Will and that which every sinful doubter hath uttered. Blessed is the soul that hath cast away what the people possess and taken what it hath been commanded by God, the Lord of Lords. Say: O people of the earth! Fear God and follow not those who follow fancy and vain imaginings. Arise to redeem what hath passed you by, then turn unto Him. He, verily, is the Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving. We remind you for the sake of God—to this testify the atoms of creation and beyond them those who possess the secrets of the Book. Thus hath shone forth the Sun of Knowledge from the horizon of the heaven of thy Lord’s utterance, the Master of all mankind.

Thus ended. Praise be to God, that beloved one hath repeatedly been honored with mention by the True One, exalted be His glory, at this time. Though there was delay in responding to the letters, yet by God’s grace each word received its answer.

As for what you wrote concerning His Honor Aqa Siyyid Muhammad-i-Sahhaf, upon him be the Glory of God, it was presented in the Most Holy Court. His word, exalted be His station:

In My Name, the All-Remembering, the All-Knowing

O Muhammad! Thou hast been mentioned in the presence of the Wronged One. By the life of God, thy sighs and lamentations in separation from the Wronged One have been heard. God, exalted be His glory, beareth witness to thy sighs and tears. Thy cry is moving and thy purpose well-pleasing, but due to the darkness of the oppressors, restrain thyself, being content with My good-pleasure, patient under My decree, and vocal in My beautiful praise. We have been with thee and have witnessed thy state in thy love for thy Wronged Lord, Who hath been imprisoned in the most desolate of lands for having summoned all unto God, the Protecting, the Self-Subsisting.

O thou who art enkindled with the fire of My love! Hearken unto My call from the direction of My prison. Verily, it calleth thee and maketh mention of thee in such wise that thou mayest find therefrom the fragrance of My love and My grace. Beware, and I am the Forgiving, the Merciful. We behold thee standing at the door. Be thou assured and be of the thankful. He exalteth whom He willeth through a word from His presence and abaseth whom He desireth. He is, in truth, the Almighty, the Powerful. Consider the leaders of the earth and reflect on what the Most Exalted Pen hath moved against them. Know thou this, then conceal it from every remote oppressor.

O Muhammad! Whatsoever hath appeared and will appear in the world hath flowed from the Most Exalted Pen aforetime. Should anyone read the divine verses and ponder with insight, he would testify with absolute certainty that His knowledge encompasseth all things, His power prevaileth over all, and His Cause penetrateth all things. These words flow from the tongue of grandeur that thou mayest be assured that He hath not been and is not heedless of thee. Verily, He is with those who love Him and desire Him, and He is the Truthful, the All-Informed. The Glory be upon thee and upon every discerning believer.

His is the grace, His is the bounty, and His is the bestowal. Were the glances of His favor to be withheld for a moment, these servants would be seen as decayed bones. We have believed in Him, have placed our trust in Him, and we beseech from Him that which will draw us nigh unto Him, for He is the All-Bountiful, the Ancient of Days.

And concerning what thou didst write about Master Muhammad-Quli, the Tailor, upon him be the glory of God, mention of him too was made in the Most Great Presence and was submitted before the countenance of the Lord of existence. This is what the Desired One hath spoken in reply, exalted be His grandeur:

He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing

O Muhammad-Quli! The Wronged One of the horizons hath turned toward thee and maketh mention of thee with verses from whose fragrance the people of the graves have arisen. God, exalted be His glory, hath regarded and continueth to regard His loved ones, but the veils of heedless souls and thick coverings have become an obstacle. Verily, He desireth whomsoever hath desired Him and turneth unto whomsoever hath turned unto Him. He, verily, is the Compassionate, the Generous. Be thou not grieved, and lament not at separation. The Cause is in His hands. He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He pleaseth.

O ʿAli-Akbar! Deliver that which hath been specifically sent down from the heaven of divine will for these two souls, and give them the glad-tidings of God’s grace and favor. God willing, may they drink from the ocean of joy and be vocal in the remembrance of the Friend. This land is observed to be somewhat disturbed. The populace hath exceeded the bounds of moderation and, beyond all else, no dwelling, residence or locality is to be found.

From the lamentations of these two friends it was observed that their effect reached, in some measure, the hem of the garment of the Beloved of the worlds. His compassion and loving-kindness are of such magnitude as to leave man bewildered at their mention, for whatever might be said falls short. This evanescent one beseeches the ocean of His generosity to grant solace through the light of attainment unto the enkindled souls. In these days, due to a gathering that took place in this land, certain matters were discussed. Notwithstanding all this, it is hoped that the prayers of the friends may be answered. God willing, may some soul be assisted to establish a Mashriqu’l-Adhkar in this land, and beside it a place for the righteous, for no suitable location can be found in this land. From all directions people of every description have turned to this land specifically for commerce.

And concerning what you wrote about Aqa Muhammad and Aqa ʿAli-Asghar, upon them be the glory of God, it was presented before His presence. His blessed and exalted Word:

O Muhammad! He Who maketh mention of thee hath made mention of thee. We have mentioned thee through verses that have set the world ablaze. Verily thy Lord maketh mention of him who hath loved Him, and He is the Mighty, the Bountiful. The Truth hath come and the Balance hath appeared, yet most of the people are in doubt and discord. Rejoice thou in that thou hast been mentioned before the Wronged One, and there hath been revealed for thee that before which verses bow down. The servant in attendance brought thy likeness. Blessed is he for having attained the presence of the Countenance and for having been the object of God’s glance from the most exalted station. O Muhammad! Dost thou know Who mentioneth thee—He through Whose mention the Books of God, the Lord of lords, have been adorned? Give thanks unto God for this most great favor and say: Praise be unto Thee, O Master of all necks! I beseech Thee not to disappoint me in Thy days, but to send down upon me from the heaven of Thy bounty that which befitteth Thy generosity, O Lord of all mankind.

And We make mention of him who was named ʿAli-Asghar from this Most Great Scene and give him the glad-tidings of My mercy that hath preceded all created things. Thy likeness was presented before the Wronged One, Whom God hath made sanctified from all likenesses. We have beheld thee and have revealed for thee that whereby thy mention shall endure throughout the kingdom’s duration. He with Whom is the Mother Book beareth witness to this. Grieve not because of the people and their doings. Rather, rejoice in My mention, which cannot be equaled by all created things. When thou didst discover the fragrance of My utterance and didst attain unto My verses, turn thy face toward the Prison and say: Unto Thee be praise, O Lord of all names! I testify that through Thee the Lote-Tree of the Extremity spoke, the Most Exalted Paradise was stirred, and the Tongue of Grandeur spoke forth in the Most High Paradise that there is none other God but Me, the Mighty, the Bestower.

Praise be to God that both were blessed with His supreme bounty, for after this servant had perused the letter of Hadrat-i-Ism-i-Jud, upon him be all the most glorious Glory of God, and presented the likenesses of both names before the Throne, these decisive verses were revealed especially for them from the heaven of bounty. God willing, may they attain to their reading and become cognizant of that which is befitting. There is no power nor strength save in God. This evanescent one conveys his greetings unto them and begs from God their success.

And as to that which ye had once again written concerning the handmaid of God, the wife of the honored Haji Mirza Hasan (upon them be the glory of God): it was submitted anew, and anew did the Sun of loving-kindness arise. He saith, glorified and exalted is He:

O My handmaiden! The recompense of no soul hath ever been, nor shall ever be, lost in the sight of God. Thy love and devotion are two mighty causes for the manifestation of thy remembrance from the horizon of the Divine Will, even as He now maketh mention of thee from within the Most Great Prison. Rejoice thou in the bounty of thy Lord and say: May my spirit be a sacrifice unto Thy remembrance, O Thou Who art not mentioned by names! We make mention of thy daughter, who turned unto God and believed when she heard of this Revelation which hath appeared with mighty sovereignty. We make mention, too, of thy sons and give them the glad-tidings of My mercy and My loving-kindness. Verily thy Lord is the All-Forgiving, the Most Merciful. Blessed is he who hath, on this Day, set his face towards the Ultimate Goal, and blessed is the handmaiden who hath believed in God, the One, the All-Informed. The glory which proceedeth from Us rest upon thee and upon them, and upon everyone who is steadfast and firm.

On this occasion that handmaiden and her kindred have been honored with the remembrance of the Best-Beloved of the worlds. I beseech God that all may be enabled to hearken with true hearing. The women who have today attained unto recognition and confession and service of the friends of God are, in the sight of God, accounted among men, nay rather among the heroes, inasmuch as neither the censure of the critic, nor the scorn of the scorner, nor the clamor of the heedless hath deterred them or shall ever deter them. Their hearts are strong and their feet are firm. I swear by the Day-Star of the horizon of utterance that the mere nail-paring of one of the believing handmaidens of today is, in the sight of God, more preferred than the divines of Persia who, after thirteen hundred years of expectation, have perpetrated what the Jews have not perpetrated during the Revelation of Him Who is the Spirit [Christ]. I beseech God to bestow justice and to guide unto the straight path.

Although those hapless ones are unaware and consider what they hear of the Revelation of God and His signs and evidences to be baseless, yet I swear by the life of God that were they to be present for but an hour at the time of revelation before the Throne, the utterance of the All-Merciful would of a certainty so attract them that they would prostrate themselves involuntarily. The colors of the world and its ornaments, and the delusion of vain learning, have debarred them from the straight path of the One True God. One must pray—the grace of God, exalted be His glory, is abundant—that perchance at some time His loving-kindness may be directed towards those heedless souls and may make them aware. Verily, He is powerful over all things and worthy to answer prayers.

BH01371: In My Name, through which the Ocean of Utterance…

In My Name, through which the Ocean of Utterance hath surged throughout all creation.

Praise be to God, thou hast drunk from the ocean of divine bounty and turned thy face to the Most Exalted Horizon.

Behold, how the divers peoples and kindreds of the earth have been waiting for the coming of the Promised One. No sooner had He, Who is the Sun of Truth, been made manifest, than, lo, all turned away from Him, except them whom God was pleased to guide. We dare not, in this Day, lift the veil that concealeth the exalted station which every true believer can attain, for the joy which such a revelation must provoke might well cause a few to faint away and die.

He Who is the Heart and Center of the Bayán hath written: “The germ that holdeth within itself the potentialities of the Revelation that is to come is endowed with a potency superior to the combined forces of all those who follow Me.” And, again, He saith: “Of all the tributes I have paid to Him Who is to come after Me, the greatest is this, My written confession, that no words of Mine can adequately describe Him, nor can any reference to Him in My Book, the Bayán, do justice to His Cause.”

Whoso hath searched the depths of the oceans that lie hid within these exalted words, and fathomed their import, can be said to have discovered a glimmer of the unspeakable glory with which this mighty, this sublime, and most holy Revelation hath been endowed. From the excellence of so great a Revelation the honor with which its faithful followers must needs be invested can be well imagined. By the righteousness of the one true God! The very breath of these souls is in itself richer than all the treasures of the earth. Happy is the man that hath attained thereunto, and woe betide the heedless.

Praise be to God, thou hast attained unto this station. God willing, thou art confirmed in preserving it. The servant in attendance read thy letter. Blessed art thou for having acknowledged that which God hath acknowledged and that which was inscribed in His Books, His Scriptures and His Tablets. Concerning the gathering of souls which thou didst mention, verily We make mention of each one of them as a token of Our grace. He, verily, is the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous.

He is the Most Ancient, the Most Great

O son of My Name! My Most Exalted Pen beareth witness that thou didst migrate for the sake of God until thou didst attain the presence at the Gate and didst hear His sweetest call and didst drink the choice wine of His bounty, detached from all else but Him, and didst traverse the lands to exalt His Word and elevate His remembrance among the concourse of creation. Blessed art thou and blessed is he who hath heard thy words concerning this Cause, through which, when it was manifested, the foundations of them that disbelieved in God, the Lord of the seen and the unseen, were shaken.

He is the Manifest, the Hidden

O Asad! The Wronged One Who hath appeared through His Name, the Self-Subsisting, maketh mention of thee and calleth all to the Most Exalted Horizon, the Station from which the lights of the Countenance have shone forth after the passing away of all things. I testify that thou hast attained unto that which most of the servants have not attained. Thou hast journeyed in My path, aided My Cause, and chosen exile for love of My Beauty and desire to exalt My Word. We testify that thou art beneath the glances of the tender mercy of the Lord of all beings and art guarded by the eye of God that slumbereth not.

In My Name, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed

O Friend! We have made mention of thee before and make mention of thee at this time, that the attraction of thy Lord’s verses may so seize thee that neither the affairs of the world nor the veils of the peoples shall hold thee back. Blessed art thou and blessed is the house wherein My remembrance hath been raised and wherein My chosen ones who have turned to My horizon, spoken My praise, and arisen to serve My Cause, the Mighty, the Wondrous, have gathered.

He is the Witness, the Enduring, the All-Knowing

O Hasan! The Lord of the hidden and the manifest maketh mention of thee and counseleth thee with that whereby the Cause of God may be exalted amongst His servants and His creation. Hold fast unto that which thou hast been commanded and say:

O my God! I beseech Thee by the lights of Thy countenance and the signs of Thy grandeur to aid me in all conditions to remember Thee, to praise Thee and to serve Thy loved ones. Thou art, verily, the Almighty, the Powerful.

He is the One Who speaketh in the Kingdom of Utterance

May the Lord of all created things remember thee with that which quickeneth the dead unto everlasting sovereignty, and proclaim unto thee the glad tidings of that which the Pen of the Will hath ordained for thee–whereby the eyes of the denizens of the Kingdom of Names may be rejoiced—and may He enjoin upon thee that which behoveth this Day, a Day that was treasured in the hearts of the pure in spirit, and inscribed in the Books of God, the Lord of all men.

In My Name, the All-Speaking, the All-Wise

O Nasru’llah! By My life, he who hath known Me hath, from time immemorial, helped God, and this is the true meaning of help, as attested by the Tongue of Grandeur and confirmed by the realities of all things. Yet most men remain behind a mighty veil.

Praise be to God that souls who were mentioned in the Book—souls who were sincere, assured and content—have each become the recipients of His special favors. Be thou thankful to God for this manifest grace and say:

Glorified art Thou, O my God and the God of all things, my Beloved and the Beloved of the hearts of the chosen ones! I beseech Thee by the hearts that have melted in their love and ardor for Thee, and by the hearts that have been consumed in their separation from Thee, to ordain for me that which shall profit me in all the worlds of Thy worlds. O Lord! Thou seest me turning toward Thee and clinging to the cord of Thy bounty. I entreat Thee not to deny me the wonders of Thy generosity and the evidences of Thy grace. Thou art He before Whose Name the necks of them that are nigh unto Thee have bowed down, and before Whom the voices of them that have recognized Thy unity have been humbled. There is none other God but Thee, the Beloved of them that know Thee and the Desire of all who are in the heavens and on earth.

BH01793: In the Name of Him Who prevaileth over all…

In the Name of Him Who prevaileth over all who are in the heavens and on earth! O peoples of the earth! The Mother Book calleth out in the return, how is it ye hear not? We have sent forth the Criterion in the form of man. Verily He standeth before the Face, crying out and calling: “By God! The Truth hath come, yet the people understand not!” This is the Day which God’s Books have attested from aforetime, yet most among mankind perceive it not. The Hidden Treasure and the Stored Secret have appeared, and the world hath been adorned with the ornament of what God, the All-Compelling, the Self-Subsisting, had promised. Where are the learned ones and the mystics, and where are they who turned away from the Truth, the Knower of things unseen? Today every learned one hath clung to vain imaginings, turning away from Him Who is Known, Who hath appeared through His Name, the Self-Subsisting.

O concourse of rulers! The Lord of Names hath come, and desireth to draw you nigh unto God, the Mighty, the Loving. He hath appeared for the reformation of the world, and counseleth all with that which will manifest man’s station in creation. Exalted be the All-Merciful Who speaketh, and continueth to speak, in the Most Great Prison:

“Verily, there is none other God but Me, the Truth, the Lord of all existence!”

O Muhammad! Thy remembrance hath been mentioned at the Most Great Scene, and the Lord of Power hath remembered thee in such wise as nothing in the unseen or visible realms can equal. Blessed be the face that hath turned unto the Face, and joy be to him who hath advanced toward the Most Exalted Horizon, and delight be to him who hath drunk of My Sealed Wine.

We make mention in this station of the learned ones of the earth and its mystics, and remind them of that which hath been sent down from God, the Lord of what was and what shall be. Fear God and follow not your desires. Look unto the horizon of justice, then speak with fairness concerning this Cause whereby the standard “There is none other God but Me” hath been raised in this praiseworthy station. If ye deny Him Who hath come unto you, by what proof can ye establish that which ye claim? Bring it forth, and be not of the unjust. Set aside oppression and take hold of justice—such is the way of man, did ye but know it. We desire not what ye possess, nor do We seek your might and power. We remind you for the sake of God, would that ye might know. We have desired your life and your drawing nigh and your attainment and your ascension to the most exalted summit, yet ye have pronounced against Us an injustice at which the Messengers have lamented.

Say: Turn your ears toward the Prison that ye may hear the rustling of the Lote-Tree beyond which there is no passing, which speaketh in every state that which hath been inscribed in My Preserved Tablet. Were We to mention one verse of that which hath been traced therein by My manifest and renowned Pen, those who stood at the Mount would swoon away and every mighty edifice would be shaken. Thus hath the Nightingale warbled and the Cock crowed at this exalted Point. The Prison hath been named with the Most Beautiful Names—your Lord, the Most Glorious, Who speaketh in the Most Exalted Horizon with His supreme verses and calleth all unto the path of God, the Mighty, the Loving, doth testify to this.

O Muhammad! We have found thy turning unto Him and known thy submissiveness before God. We have mentioned thee in this Most Great Tablet that it might draw thee to the station of holy nearness and beauty, and strengthen thee to stand firm in this Cause whereby souls have been agitated. Place thy trust in this Cause in God and say: “In the Name of God and by God.” Then take the cup of eternity in the name of Baha and drink therefrom the Kawthar of certitude through the remembrance of thy Lord, the All-Merciful.

Say: “Praise be unto Thee, O Thou Who hast strengthened me and guided me to a station from which every misbeliever and rejected one hath turned away. I beseech Thee by the ocean of Thy bounty and the sun of Thy generosity to ordain for me what Thou hast ordained for Thy chosen ones, and to make me one of those who have bowed down at the appearance of Thy signs and the manifestation of Thy clear tokens. O my Lord! Thou seest me advancing toward Thee and turning to the horizon of Thy favor. I beseech Thee not to disappoint me of that which is with Thee. Verily Thou art powerful over whatsoever Thou willest, and in Thy grasp are the reins of the unseen and the visible. There is none other God but Thee, the All-Loving, the All-Forgiving.”

BH02322: The essence of praise, the quintessence of glorification…

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

The essence of praise, the quintessence of glorification, and the pure crystal of thanksgiving befitteth the most holy and most mighty court of that Beloved One Who hath given His loved ones to drink of the most pure water of life and established them in service to His Cause, that they might, with the utmost joy and fragrance and with supreme steadfastness, perfume the world with the sweet savors of the utterance of the All-Merciful. These are servants whose praise and glorification God hath sent down in His Books, His Scriptures, His Scrolls and His Tablets. These are they whom the concerns of creation have not prevented from turning unto Him and arising to serve Him. The Concourse on High, the denizens of the Most Exalted Paradise, and they that circle round the Throne at morn and eventide send their blessings upon them.

Glory be unto Thee, O my God, my Beloved, and my Heart’s Desire! Aid Thy loved ones to celebrate Thy praise and glorify Thee in such wise as to raise thereby the standards of Thy Cause. O Lord! Enable them to serve Thee, then assist them with the hosts of the unseen. Verily, Thou art the One Who hath power to do what He willeth. There is none other God but Thee, the Almighty, the Powerful.

This evanescent one submits to that honored beloved that two packets were sent, one addressed to his honor the beloved Mulla ʿAli-Akbar, upon him be 69, and the other addressed to his honor the son of the Most Truthful, upon both of them be the Glory of God. God willing that beloved one will exert the utmost effort to ensure their arrival—the sooner they arrive the better. I beseech God to confirm that honored one in service to His Cause. Praise be to God, you have been and are confirmed, and ere long its effects shall become manifest. Verily, He doth not suffer the reward of the doers of good to be lost.

As previously mentioned, this evanescent servant is sending a letter in reply to your honored missive. Its delay until now has been a cause of embarrassment, and it has happened again that while this servant was occupied outside the prison with sending replies to the correspondence of the two aforementioned persons, the reply to that beloved one had been written earlier and remained in the city, and there was no opportunity for this servant to arrange and send it. Hope for pardon has been and is present. God willing it will be sent on another occasion. A missive from His Holiness the Most Great Branch—may my spirit, my being, and my essence be a sacrifice for the dust of His most pure footsteps—was penned specifically for that beloved one and has been sent.

To all the loved ones and friends in that land who have drunk from the cup of steadfastness and are gazing toward the horizon of the Cause, I convey greetings, and for all I beseech from God, exalted be His glory, divine confirmations and assistance. Verily, He is the Confirmer, the Enabler, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. And praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

The servant 29 Jamadiyu’l-Avval 1299