Volume 071: Akka 1300 A.H. (1882–1883), Part II (5 of 8)

BH07903: In the Name of the All-Knowing, the One! O…

In the Name of the All-Knowing, the One! O My handmaiden! God, exalted be His glory, is the All-Merciful. His grace encompasses all, and likewise His knowledge. No cry is raised but that an answer descends from the Kingdom of the utterance of the All-Merciful.

He hath adorned the female believers with the blessed word “O My handmaiden” and hath distinguished the male believers with the wondrous and exalted word “O My servant.” How many among the peoples of old and of more recent times have sacrificed their lives upon hearing this word!

This word is like unto a sapling planted by the hand of power. It must be watered with the water of love and steadfastness and preserved in the name of God from poisonous winds. Know thou the value of this word. By the life of God! Were all the peoples of the world to comprehend it, they would all be set ablaze and would turn toward the most exalted horizon.

We convey Our greetings to all the handmaidens in that land and counsel them all to sanctification, detachment, and to act in accordance with what We have revealed in the Book. Blessed are they that act, both men and women.

BH01103: The primary purpose of God—exalted be His…

He is God, exalted be His station in greatness and power.

The primary purpose of God—exalted be His glory—in creating creation hath been the manifestation of bounty, mercy and loving-kindness, that all might be nurtured by the hands of grace and be adorned with the ornament of goodly character. The cause of ease, tranquility and assurance in the world of existence hath ever been and shall continue to be virtuous conduct. This station is an unfathomable ocean—were this evanescent one to attempt to make mention of its fishes, pearls and hidden treasures, he would need to compose a book equal to the books of the people. Every discerning mystic beareth witness to that which hath been mentioned, and every informed scholar doth testify thereto. Blessed are they who observe with fairness and hold fast to justice. In such case no matter shall remain obscure, nor shall doubts and imaginings veil them. This evanescent servant beseecheth and imploreth God—exalted be His glory—to aid this servant and His loved ones to achieve that which is the cause and means for the manifestation of true humanity in the world. Verily He hath power over whatsoever He willeth.

To continue: two letters were received from your honor, and as they indicated and bore testimony to the well-being of that esteemed friend, they bestowed the gift of joy and granted the food of gladness. However, that honored one should not be saddened by the delay in reply, for as you know, this servant is surrounded by diverse occupations, especially in these days when he must attend now to the garden, now to the ornamental grounds, and now to the farm, regarding certain matters pertaining to the garden. Otherwise I would have considered it necessary to reply to that friend, and God sufficeth as witness. God willing, may we arise with pure hearts, sanctified souls, and steadfast feet to serve humanity. Rancor and hatred beseemeth not the people of truth, even if it be toward those who have gone astray. This is the straight path, the mighty cord, and the command of God, the Just King, the Manifest Truth.

You wrote mentioning the esteemed Sabri Effendi and his displeasure. God is my witness that this servant has heard nothing about this until now. For some time I have been residing outside the city at Bahji. When Aqa Ghulam-ʿAli came, after receiving permission he attained my presence and met with this servant for about ten minutes before departing. And when Sabri Effendi came, this servant was at [Zeib], and after arriving at the garden I heard that he had come. This servant went specially to Akka just to see him, but they said he had left early in the morning. However, in Akka there were certain statements attributed to Haji Aqa—God knows the truth—and this servant immediately returned to the garden. In truth, in these days the planting of trees is dearer to this evanescent one than the planting of souls, for faithfulness, like the phoenix, is rare.

Glory be to God! Sabri Effendi became friends and acquainted with these souls here through love—how could they abandon what came before and cling to that which lacks it? This servant denies this matter unless proven by clear evidence. When news arrived from Beirut of Sabri Effendi’s coming, God is my witness that great joy and delight appeared and I was awaiting his arrival so that I could inquire about his days of travel and journeying through the lands. However, after his arrival they specially summoned him to Mazra’ih with the intention of meeting him there in the evening after tea, but it became known that he had asked permission and departed, and afterwards went to Nazareth. This servant was greatly surprised, but considering that all matters are bound to their appointed times, remained silent and waiting for the time when the sweet fragrances of love and fellowship would waft. This servant remains firm upon the ancient covenant and pact, and God willing shall remain steadfast.

I beseech God, exalted be His glory, to illumine his departure with the light of return, for at the time of his leaving he was very loving and enkindled. And if any slanderer has spoken, they surely had no purpose but to cause mischief. God willing this too shall become evident, for the rays of the Sun of Truth have endless manifestations, and when its light appears, convey on behalf of this servant greetings and salutations to him. God willing may he be confirmed and assisted in that which God loves, and be adorned and blessed with divine favors. The cord of this servant’s friendship does not appear to be weakened by such things. Although human beings have not been and are not free from mistakes, through God’s grace—exalted be His glory—there is hope that He will not make this servant a cause for extinguishing the light of love. And I beseech Him to graciously grant me the appearance of that which increases His light and radiance. Verily He is the Powerful, the Hearer, the Responder.

I convey greetings to my honored friend, son of him who ascended to the Supreme Companion. May he be confirmed and assisted in that which leads to the exaltation and elevation of his station. From Alexandria his honored brother has sent a letter which was forwarded—let it be delivered. This servant beseeches his Lord to assist those who have turned towards Him in that which He loves and is pleased with. Verily, He is the Lord of all beings and the Master of the hereafter and the former times. May his honor Aqa Ali Muhammad be engaged, God willing, in joy and fragrance, and be protected from pain and illness. May the saplings in his garden, God willing, be verdant and flourishing from the rain of divine favors in this spiritual springtime. Convey greetings on my behalf to his mother. Peace and Glory be upon you and upon those who are with you.

The servant 12th of Jamadi’l-Avval 1300

BH01676: Praise be to God Who illumined the horizons…

He is God, exalted be His glory, the Greatness and the Power

Praise be to God Who illumined the horizons with the light shining forth from the heaven of Hijaz, whereby the world was illumined and nations were enlightened, and that which was hidden in knowledge and recorded in the Books of God, the Lord of the worlds, was made manifest. Oceans of prayers and peace, and seas of mercy, glory and praise be upon Him and upon His family and companions, through whom was established what the All-Merciful revealed in the Furqan, and through whom were raised the banners of guidance among all peoples, and upon those who followed Him and acted according to the Book of God, Master of the beginning and end.

To continue: This servant was attracted by your mention, praise and exposition, and what flowed from your pen in praise of God and His chosen ones, His pure ones and His ambassadors. I beseech Him, exalted be He, to enable this servant to remember Him Who remembered him, and praise Him Who praised him, and to confirm him in steadfastness in His love, His remembrance and His Cause. He is the One to Whose power testify all who are in the kingdom of earth and heaven, and to Whose sovereignty bear witness all who are in the unseen and visible realms. There is no God but Him, the Single, the One, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

O beloved of my heart! Your love has ever dwelt in my heart and your remembrance has flowed from my tongue. I beseech God to assist you in all conditions and to aid you in your works, deeds, commerce and endeavors. Truly, humility, submissiveness, seeking and supplication are from the servant, and the answer is from God, our Lord and your Lord and the Lord of all in the heavens and earth.

If they desire news of this land: Through God’s grace, exalted be His glory, all enjoy the bounty of well-being. One group has attained the greatest steadfastness and drinks from the pure chalice of submission and contentment, while another group rises at times and falls at others, and as for the rest—knowledge is with God, the Lord of all beings. However, we beseech God to assist all in what is intended and to enable them to act according to what is in His Book.

Today in truth the people of God are seen to be encompassed while others are encompassing. As you have observed, they have taken over Islamic lands under various pretexts. The time has come for all to turn to the Self-Sufficing Lord with utmost lamentation, crying and supplication, that perchance the ocean of mercy might surge and the sun of grace might shine forth, and abasement be changed to glory and weakness to strength. Indeed, whatever has befallen and continues to befall the favored community is from themselves, as has been said: “All this is from our own ill-fitting, ungainly form.” Consider the former glory of Islam, what station it had attained, and now what abasement has come upon it. I seek God’s forgiveness for what I have said and say. Verily He exalts whom He wishes and abases whom He wishes. He gives and withholds. His is the creation and the command, and He is the Strong, the Predominant, the Powerful, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

If wisdom permits, convey greetings and praise to the friends of that land on behalf of this ephemeral one. This servant has sought and continues to seek confirmation and success for all. The command is in His hand. He does what He wills and decrees what He desires. He is the Powerful, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy.

Peace, mercy, glory and splendor be upon you and upon God’s sincere servants. Praise be to God, Lord of the worlds.

The paper, rose seeds, narcissus and hyacinth bulbs that were sent have arrived. God willing, the former will be honored with writing and the latter with planting. The decree belongs to God, Master of destiny.

The servant 23 Jamadiyu’l-Avval 1300

BH02455: Praise be to Him Who through His Most Exalted…

He is God, exalted be His glory, the Greatness and Power

Praise be to Him Who through His Most Exalted Word revealed the Kingdom of Creation and caused the Divine Lote-Tree to speak in the Most Exalted Paradise that which the Tongue of Grandeur had spoken before the creation of names—verily there is no God but Him, the Creator of heaven. And peace and blessings be upon Him by Whose advent the ungodly wailed, the deniers were dismayed, and honored servants who speak not before Him and act by His command rejoiced. And upon His family and companions through whom the horizons of the heavens of utterance were illumined for all creation and the banners of unity were raised among religions.

Thereafter, the gate of reunion was opened through the key of your remembrance, utterance and praise of Our purpose and the purpose of all who are in the heavens and earth. Blessed is he who attained to this praiseworthy station and acted according to what was revealed in the Book of God, the Sovereign of existence. When I drank the wine of love from the cups of your words, I approached until I attained the presence and heard in response that which diffused the fragrance of the garment in all directions. Soon you shall hear when you attain the presence. The command belongs to God, the Sovereign of the invisible and visible.

In these days, praise be to God, the sea of reunion is surging and the cups of attainment are each in melody and joy. Beyond the birds, to Him belongs praise and favor in all conditions. And we beseech Him to enable all to attain to pilgrimage to the House this year—“Pilgrimage to the House is a duty unto God for mankind.” The intoxication of this blessed word’s Kawthar has so overtaken the servants that throughout ages and centuries they have turned towards it from near and far regions, such that chronic illnesses, great hardships and trials did not prevent them—they hastened with their lives and reached their goal. Blessed is he whose deeds are adorned with acceptance, and woe to every heedless and veiled one.

What was written was seen. The response to all depends on attainment to presence. As the promise of reunion drew near, therefore the response was not presented. To the honored master, his eminence Afnan—upon him and upon them be the Most Glorious of all Glory—I present my utter servitude and nothingness. Praise be to God, they are blessed and sustained with what God loves. And likewise to my beloved, Aqa Muhammad Mustafa—upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God—and those with him, and to the spiritual friend Haji ʿAbbas and other friends I convey greetings and salutations, and I beseech confirmation and success for all. Verily our Lord is the Confirmer, the Helper, the Succourer. And praise be to God, the Lord of the Worlds.

The servant, 24 Jamadiyu’l-Avval 1300

BH00613: O Ismail! Blessed art thou for having turned unto…

He is the Evident, the All-Glorious, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed

O Ismail! Blessed art thou for having turned unto the Most Sublime Horizon and attained the presence of the Wronged One, from Whom all have turned aside except such as God, the Lord of the hereafter and of the former generations, and the Lord of the Mighty Throne, hath willed. Give thanks unto God for this most great favor. He will assist thee to recognize Him and hath drawn thee nigh unto Him at a time when every learned one hath objected to Him. Let not the circumstances of the prison sadden thee. Be thou confident in the grace of God, the Lord of all worlds.

The names which thou didst send have been presented before the Wronged One, and We have revealed for each one of them that which will bring solace to the eyes and tranquility to the hearts. Yet most of the people remain heedless.

We make mention of Ha preceding Sin, and give him the glad-tidings of My loving-kindness and mercy which have preceded all who are in the heavens and on earth. O Husayn! Hearken unto the call of the Prisoner. He maketh mention of thee in such wise as cannot be equaled by the ornaments of the world nor by that which the nations possess. He Who possesseth the mighty Book beareth witness unto this. We have inhaled the fragrance of thy love and have turned unto thee, and We have heard thy call and have answered thee with this perspicuous Tablet. Say: O peoples of the earth! Fear ye God and deny not Him Who hath come unto you with His power and sovereignty, and with that wherewith every trusted Messenger hath come.

Beware lest the veils of the divines shut you out from the Creator of heaven. Cast away what ye possess, turning unto the Most Sublime Horizon, the station wherein the Lord of Names proclaimeth: “There is none other God but Me, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.” Blessed art thou, O Husayn, for having hearkened unto My sweetest call and having turned thy face toward thy Lord, the Lord of all mankind, and for having taken hold of His Book in His Name while every ignorant doubter cast it behind him. Say: O concourse of divines! By God, through you have the sighs of the Prophets ascended and the tears of the sincere ones been shed. Cast away what ye possess, then hearken unto that which the Speaker of Sinai uttereth in this Revelation. He guideth you unto the straight path of God.

And We make mention of Mihdi and give him the glad-tidings of My loving-kindness and bounty, and guide him unto God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy. Be thou thankful unto God for having aided thee and caused thee to know Him and enabled thee to hear this wondrous call. Hold fast unto the cord of thy Lord’s loving-kindness and cleave unto His resplendent hem. Let not the affairs of men sadden thee. Leave them to themselves, turning unto the One, the All-Informed.

And We make mention of Ahmad, whom We have mentioned before with verses that cannot be equaled by the books of the world, and from which everyone possessed of a sense of smell can detect the fragrance of the garment of his Lord, the Mighty, the Beautiful.

And We make mention of him who hath been named Abdu’llah and give him glad tidings as We gave him tidings before, that he may rejoice and be of them that are thankful. O Abdu’llah! Be not grieved by the people and their utterances and that which proceedeth from their mouths. God shall soon return them to the lowest station, and ye shall behold yourselves in an exalted station. Read thou what We have sent down unto thee before and remind the people with wisdom and utterance of this Cause whereby the earth hath been cleft asunder and the heaven hath been rent and every lofty mountain laid low. Say: O concourse of divines! By God, the Truth, ye are the tyrants and the idols, and ye are they by whom the Maiden hath lamented in the Most Exalted Paradise and the Apostle in the Supreme Concourse, and by whom the eyes of them that are nigh have shed tears.

Through you hath every possessor of a heart wailed, and every possessor of eyes wept, and every possessor of a tongue cried out, and the pillars of a lofty throne have quaked. Soon shall ye know what ye have wrought and shall recognize what hath escaped you in the days of God, the Mighty, the Praised. Say: Where are the divines of the Torah and the idols who pronounced judgment against Muhammad, the Apostle of God, of old? And where are the Pharisees who pronounced judgment against the Spirit when He came with a light that illumined the horizons and every noble station? Ye have forsaken what is right and chosen what is wrong. Thus have your souls enticed you. He, verily, is the All-Numbering, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

And We make mention of Shaykh-Qabil-Muhammad and counsel him to manifest supreme steadfastness in this Cause whereby the feet of the mystics have slipped. O Muhammad! The One, the Single, maketh mention of thee and commandeth thee to that which will exalt the Cause of God and thy station. He, verily, is the Counsellor, the Forgiving, the Merciful. Say: Praise be unto Thee, O Cleaver of the Dawn and Sender of the Winds, for having remembered me in the prison when I was in the hands of the heedless. I beseech Thee by Thy Name whereby the world hath been illumined that Thou disappoint me not from the ocean of Thy mercy and the sun of Thy bounty. Thou art, verily, powerful over what Thou willest, and within Thy grasp are the reins of all who are in the heavens and on earth.

And We make mention of him who hath been named Ilyas and cast upon him of the verses of his Lord that he may arise to make mention on this Day wherein clamor hath been raised from every quarter by reason of what the transgressors have wrought against the loved ones of God, the Goal of the sincere. Beware lest the sayings of men hold thee back from the truth. Leave what they possess, holding fast unto the cord of God, the Most Strong.

And We make mention of him who hath been named Ghulam-Qabil-Rida and bid him to that which hath been sent down in the Book from the presence of One mighty, ancient. This is a day wherein the wrongdoers have denied the right of God and His Cause, and have broken His covenant and His testament. Thus have the vanities of this world deluded them. Lo! They are in thick veils. O Ghulam! Rejoice thou in that the Lord of the worlds maketh mention of thee from the precincts of His Most Great Prison and commandeth thee to manifest beautiful patience in this mighty Cause.

O Kingdom of Utterance! Make mention in the Tablet of My servants who have detached themselves from all else but God, clinging to the hem of God, the Self-Subsisting, the All-Compelling. O people of Baha in the kingdom of creation! Hearken unto the call of the Lord of Names and Creator of Heaven. He, verily, maketh mention of you and giveth you glad tidings of what He hath ordained for you, and consoleth you concerning what hath befallen you at the hands of those who have denied the proof of God, the Lord of the seen and the unseen.

O ʿAziz! Hearken unto that which the Dove of the Cause warbleth in the Supreme Paradise: He is, verily, none other than the Truth, the Knower of the unseen. We have made mention of thee in numerous Tablets, and likewise of those whose lamentations We hear in the land of Ta by reason of what hath befallen them in the path of God, the Lord of what was and what shall be.

We make mention of him who was named ʿAli, who held fast to My cord in the earliest days and spoke My Name among My servants. He is, verily, of the people of Mine Ark, as attested by the Mother Book with Me and every inscribed Tablet. Rejoice thou in the sweet savors of My Revelation and in the fragrance that hath wafted from the raiment of thy wronged Lord. That which thou didst send hath reached Our presence, and We have heard thy call and found the fragrance of thy love in this praiseworthy station.

We make mention of Kazim, who believed in God when the world turned away save whom thy Lord, the Lord of creation, did will. We have remembered thee in the Most Great Prison and in other lands with verses that draw nigh the honored servants. Blessed art thou for having turned to the Supreme Horizon and attained My Preserved Tablet.

O people of Kha! Rejoice in that the Dawning-Place of Revelation and the Dayspring of the verses of your Lord, the Mighty, the Loving, hath turned towards you. We have remembered every city that hath been illumined by the lights of remembrance, and every village wherefrom hath wafted the fragrance of My love, the Mighty, the Beloved. We have praised every spot wherein the mention of God was raised, and every servant who hath testified to that which the Tongue of Grandeur hath testified: that there is none other God but Me, the One Who doeth what He willeth through My word “Be” and it is.

O concourse of loved ones! We make mention of My Name, the Wronged One, Who was imprisoned in the land of Ta for having summoned the people unto God, the Lord of all kings. And We make mention of ʿAli-Akbar who spoke the truth when questioned about this Most Great Announcement concerning which all are in dispute. And We make mention of My chosen ones and My loved ones who turned toward the Prison through that which the hands of every heedless one had wrought. By God’s life! These are the people of the Crimson Ark, though the people perceive it not. They are servants whom the blame of the blamer hath not deterred in the path of God, nor have the veils of every unknown scholar hindered them—they who warred against God and pronounced judgment against His chosen ones without any clear proof or manifest Book.

O Most Exalted Pen! Conclude this Tablet with the mention of him who turned to My horizon and set his face toward My countenance, who arose to serve My Cause and traveled through the lands to exalt My Name and raise My Word aloft, and who bore in My path that which none knoweth save My all-pervading Self, the Witness of all that is seen and unseen. Blessed is he, and blessed is his father who cast away the world in his longing to attain the presence of the Ancient King, who traversed land and sea until he reached the Prison and stood before the Gate, and heard the call from the Dayspring of Glory, and received from the hand of His bounty His sealed nectar.

O ʿAli-Muhammad! Behold and remember when thou wert in the presence of the Throne and didst hear the call of God, the Self-Subsisting, and didst witness His most exalted horizon and drink from the ocean of His hidden favors. We were with thee when thou didst speak My Name and guide the servants to My straight path. Convey My greetings to those who have turned with radiant faces toward their imprisoned and lonely Lord. By My life! Soon shall all that the people possess perish, while the dominion of earth and heaven shall remain with the chosen ones of God, the Lord of this frequented House.

We make mention of the handmaidens who turned away from the dawning-places of ignorance and faced the Dayspring of knowledge. Blessed are ye, O My handmaidens, for having inhaled the fragrance of the Divine Robe when every mighty one, puffed up with pride, turned away therefrom. The glory shining from the horizon of My heaven of grace be upon My loved ones and friends, and upon My handmaidens and leaves who have held fast to the cord of My firm decree. And praise be to God, the Self-Subsisting.

BH02577: Praise be to our Lord, the All-Merciful, Who made…

He is God, exalted be His station, the Glory and the Power!

Praise be to our Lord, the All-Merciful, Who made the Furqan a light for the people of possibility. Verily it is the enduring blessing, the heavenly table, the Primal Word, the Mystery of Oneness and the Emblem of Unity. Whoso holdeth fast unto it is saved, and whoso turneth away is lost. And the prayer and the peace and the remembrance and the glory be upon Him Whom God sent unto the nations—He Who was the first light that shone from the horizon of grace and the last spirit that adorned the world of justice—and upon His family and His companions who walked in the Way, through whom the luminary of proof and evidence shed its radiance.

And now, the letter of that honored beloved one arrived. Praise be to God, it dispelled grief and brought joy. The essence of our capital and trade and affairs hath been and is the mention of God and His praise and arising to serve God, exalted be His glory. Praise be to God, in these matters no loss hath occurred, rather there hath been profit upon profit. The rest too, God willing, shall by His will become firm and solid and blessed. The command is in His hand. For those who have committed their affairs to Him in trust and reliance and supplication, He will carry out whatever is for their good. This is the truth, there is no doubt in it. God willing, may that honored one ever be adorned and illumined with the ornament of the name “Trustworthy”. Verily He is sufficient unto me and unto you and unto whosoever placeth his trust in Him in all matters.

The letter of the honored master, his eminence the Afnan, upon him be from all nine [Baha], which he had sent previously to this servant and afterwards to his eminence the son, this servant was honored to read both. A reply was written and sent—may that honored one deliver it. Permission to come was also granted. To the beloved honored one, his eminence Muhammad Mustafa, upon him be 9 66[Baha’u’llah] the Most Glorious, and those with him, I convey greetings and glory, and likewise to the other friends who dwell in that land. This evanescent one remembereth them all and seeketh for all from God, exalted be His glory, success and confirmation. And concerning the mention of the arrival of the honored friend, his eminence Mulla Muhammad ʿAli, upon him be 9 66 [Baha’u’llah]—if he hath departed then may he be accompanied by safety, and if he is still present in that land then welcome to him and glory be upon him. Peace and mercy and glory be upon you and upon God’s sincere servants. Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

The servant 3 Jamadiyu’th-Thani 1300

BH07687: Glory be unto Thee, O Thou through Whose light…

In the name of the One Whom the ocean of divine knowledge hath surged!

Glory be unto Thee, O Thou through Whose light of countenance all created things were drawn, and through the fire of Whose Tree all contingent beings were set ablaze! I beseech Thee by that revelation whereby Moses the Interlocutor was struck down, and by Thy most sweet call which the Beloved was blessed to hear, to ordain for Thy chosen ones that which will shield them from all else save Thee and draw them nigh unto Thee. O my Lord! My tongue, my pen, my outward being and my inmost reality all testify to Thy oneness and singleness, and that Thou hast no partner in the realm of dominion and sovereignty. Thou doest what Thou willest and ordainest what Thou pleasest, and Thou art the Mighty, the Powerful. O my Lord! Thou seest me turning toward Thee, standing before the door of Thy grace, hoping for the manifestations of Thy favors and gifts. I beseech Thee not to make me of those who denied Thy Revelation and disputed Thy signs. Write down for me, then, that which is best in this world and the next. Verily, Thou doest whatsoever Thou willest. There is no God but Thee, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

BH08173: Praise be to the sanctified Lord of all creation…

Praise be to the sanctified Lord of all creation, Who is worthy and deserving, Who hath adorned every age, era and century with that which His consummate wisdom requireth…

And further: the letter of that spiritual beloved was as a healing remedy for the seeking soul, adorned as it was with mention of the Afnan and the friends of God, upon them be the Glory of God. Likewise was it adorned with praise and glorification of the Truth, exalted be His glory. Blessed is the soul that findeth the fragrance of the garment of love. How fitting is this verse in this connection:

This breath hath caught my garment’s hem; The scent of Joseph’s robe I ken.

The very breath of the letter is fragrance itself; the remembrance of the friends is as the water of life. Blessed is he who hath found and recognized and partaken, and woe unto the heedless!

BH00129: Praise be to God Who hath manifested His Cause…

Section 1: “Praise be to God Who hath manifested His…”

He is God, exalted be His station, the Greatness and the Power

Praise be to God Who hath manifested His Cause, perfected His proof, and completed His testimony in such wise that the dwellers of the realms of might and the denizens of the kingdom have borne witness thereto. Blessed is he who hath been just in the Cause of God, exalted be His glory, and blessed is the learned one who hath turned towards the Most Sublime Horizon, and blessed is the one endued with understanding who hath testified to that which the Tongue of Grandeur testified before the creation of all things.

Glory be unto Thee, O my God! Aid Thy servants unto that which will draw them nigh unto Thee and will cause them to recognize that which will profit them in Thy worlds. O Lord! The suns of understanding have been eclipsed by the veils that have come between Thee and them from Thy creation, and the moons of acknowledgment have been darkened by the clouds that have come between Thee and them from Thy creatures. O Lord! I beseech Thee by Thy tribulation after Thy power to send down from the heaven of Thy mercy that which will purify the eyes of Thy servants and cause to grow in their hearts the roses of equity concerning Thy Cause and Thy Manifestation. Thou art He Who hath ever been powerful over whatsoever Thou hast willed and dominant over whatsoever Thou hast created. There is none other God but Thee, the Strong, the Almighty, the All-Powerful.

To continue: His Holiness’s letter dated the first of Jamadi’l-Avval transformed the smoke of sorrow into the light of joy, for in these days successive letters indicating the arrest of the friends of God, exalted be His glory, had arrived from His Holiness the Name of God—upon him be all glory most glorious—and his honor, the beloved of the heart, Ali-Qabli-Akbar—upon him be the glory of God, Lord of Power. However, all correspondence before and after spoke of the exaltation of the Word and the manifestation of the Cause without any veil or covering. Both from His Highness the noble prince and likewise from another prince, satisfaction was expressed. They attended multiple gatherings and recited some of the verses and passages. As soon as His Holiness the Name of God learned that His Highness the Crown Prince, the Regent, was seeking him, he himself wrote and sent a letter to him, the substance of which was:

“I have heard that you have summoned this servant. I am at your service and will present myself whenever you specify.”

Subsequently, His Highness the Most Noble received him with utmost love at the appointed time. All manner of subjects were discussed and the meeting passed in complete joy and delight. Similarly, another meeting took place, and with his honor Ali-Qabli-Akbar—upon him be the glory of God—repeated meetings were held and detailed discussion of divine verses and evidences occurred. The true effect and fruit of this is not known. This much became clear and evident to them: that God, exalted be His glory, has in this Most Great Revelation strictly forbidden killing, plunder, corruption, and conflict and contention in the Book. However, the ignorant ones of that land who are known as divines arose in clamor. The dust of their suppositions and imaginings surrounded that holy and blessed city.

Glory be to God! Until when will they turn away and object and say what they do not understand and speak of what they do not comprehend? The cause and reason for these matters in the first instance was the lack of observance of wisdom. His Holiness the Wronged One, meaning the Name of God—upon him be all glory most glorious—in correspondence sent to this servant has greatly complained about the unwisdom shown in the Land of Ta. In one letter he wrote that “this servant was invited to a place, but upon arrival it was observed that fifty or sixty of the friends were gathered. I said: ʿHave you not heard of wisdom, that it has been ordained that gatherings should not exceed nine persons?’ Similarly, other gatherings were observed.

If I did not attend it would cause offense. When I went, it was observed that the word of wisdom had no effect and the number exceeded the known rule.” And he wrote: “Praise be to God, the Land of Ta is adorned with the presence of the chosen ones, the saints and the beloved, and all are enkindled with the fire of love. The only thing observed contrary to this was that they did not observe wisdom, and out of complete sincerity, they would consider anyone who claimed belief to be a believer and confidant.” As such, one of the hypocrites, claiming belief, attended gatherings and assemblies and afterwards related all details to his chief, who has returned to hell.

And afterward all details were conveyed to their chief who has returned to hell, and that wicked one became the cause of uproar and corruption, issuing a decree for the shedding of pure blood. However, the hand of God’s wrath gave him no respite and returned him to the worst abode, that is, to the lowest of the low. Nevertheless, his like have not been warned, and the uproar has grown more intense. In all ages and centuries, the ignorant ones who were known by the name of learned have been the cause and source of corruption. His Holiness Ismu’llah had written that the government was in no way interfering, but the clamor of the ignorant has risen to such a degree that the state is compelled to arrest and imprison.

In any case, this evanescent servant beseeches the True One, exalted be His glory, to awaken those who sleep, grant sight to the blind, bestow awareness to the heedless, and adorn the learned of the age with fairness. In truth, these people have been and continue to be sightless, heedless, sleeping, ignorant, agitators, corrupters and oppressors. God protect us and you from the evil of these people who have sought to extinguish the light of God in every age, as attested by traditions and accounts, and beyond them the Book of God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting.

We beseech the True One, exalted be His glory, to protect the Wronged One and all who are wronged from the evil of oppressive, treacherous, and deceitful souls. Verily, He has power over all things. This was a summary of the events in the Land of Ta that was submitted. Surely His Holiness has by now been informed of the events in that land.

Concerning what you wrote about the Feast in the name of the True One, exalted be His glory, and the marriage ceremony—praise be to God, it has been accepted with favor. He says, and His sweetest utterance is:

“O Zayn, God willing, may you be a pillar of the House of Justice.”

And the dawning-place of the manifestation of Rida Ismu’llah and Ali-Qabli-Akbar and a group of friends are caught in the claws of hatred. Although outwardly the state authorities have shown consideration and tolerance and have conducted themselves with love, yet the uproar of the ignorant, namely the clergy, has risen with wickedness and audacity. It behooves you to beseech God, your Lord, night and day to protect His loved ones and chosen ones from the evil of those who have denied the rights of God, before and after.

You know the Shi’ih clergy—despite the ignorance that encompasses their outer and inner being, they are so proud that they count themselves the highest, most learned, most ascetic and most God-fearing among the peoples of the earth. May God destroy them! Blessed is My Name who spoke the truth, and he who spoke before him and after him, and he who was named Ali-Qabli-Akbar in thy Lord’s Book, and he who was named Rida in the Kingdom of Names, and he who returned from prison, and those who were imprisoned in the path of God, the Lord of the worlds. The glory shining resplendent from the horizon of the heaven of My loving-kindness be upon them and upon My loved ones in the Hunchbacked [City] and upon those who have acted according to what they were commanded in the Book of God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

These days news has arrived that some have been released. A letter has arrived from his honor Samandar, upon him be the glory of God, the Lord of Power, wherein it is written that they have requested from the friends a covenant not to gather in meetings. Whatever news has outwardly arrived, from before and after, has been submitted so that His Holiness may be informed. However, the true news and real knowledge is with our Lord and your Lord and the Lord of the Mighty Throne.

As regards Ali and his brother Haydar, upon them be the Glory of God, and the Huququ’llah, concerning which you wrote, these matters were submitted and He said:

“We magnify Ali and beseech God the Most High to aid him in that which He loves and is pleased with. We remember his brother and counsel him with that which God has revealed in the Book. Blessed is he who holds fast to God’s commandments and trusts in Him in all conditions. Verily you have spoken the truth, and others should follow in your footsteps. Blessed is he who has heard and responded to his Lord, the Mighty, the Self-Subsisting.”

It is most evident and clear that payment of the Huququ’llah has been and will always be the cause of bounty, blessing, honor and protection. Blessed is he who has recognized and acknowledged, and woe unto the deniers. This applies when one acts with complete joy and fragrance and desire to fulfill the laws of the Book. It is incumbent upon you to enjoin what is right. Whoso hearkens, it shall be to his own benefit, and whoso turns away, verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, is the Self-Sufficient, the All-Praised.

Regarding what you wrote about the basis for the Huququ’llah, this servant has previously mentioned it. As for Haydar, since you mentioned him, half of those Rights were bestowed upon him and the other half should be delivered to you, after which its decree will be issued. This too is beloved, provided it occurs with joy and fragrance; otherwise even its mention is not permitted.

Concerning what you had recorded about His Honor ʿAli-Akbar Bey—upon him be Baha’u’llah—this servant hath been informed by His Honor Haji Mirza Abu’l-Hasan—upon him be Baha’u’llah—that it will apparently be one year more or less since he last wrote to this servant. Praised be God, it was accepted, and in these days it hath been sent from the Land of Ya and is on its way. The aforementioned Mirza hath mentioned this servant repeatedly. Verily, the reward of the righteous shall not be lost.

Concerning the mention you had made of the spiritual beloved, His Honor Mulla Ali-Jan—upon him be Baha’u’llah—it was submitted and He said:

“We have accepted whatsoever he hath wrought in the path of God and whatsoever he hath sent, as well as what was sent by him who is named Aqa-Buzurg. It behooveth them both to thank their Lord for this great bounty. We have mentioned them aforetime, and from this station We magnify them both and counsel them to show goodly patience and that wisdom wherewith We have commanded all aforetime and in this time. And We have commanded the servant to send unto Ali that which will make clear unto him in the most eloquent utterance the mention of the acceptance of what he hath sent, that he may rejoice and give praise and be among the thankful.”

Thus endeth the command. According to the order, it was received and dispatched. And concerning the mention you made of the beloved ones of Zarrin-Kala, it was submitted. This is what the Master uttered in reply. He said—and His word is the sweetest:

In the Name of God, the Mighty, the Wise

O thou obedient one! God willing, through the bounty of the True One, mayest thou drink from the Kawthar of His love in all conditions, and be a herald of His remembrance, and act according to His Book. We beseech Him, the Exalted, that He may protect thee and draw thee nigh unto Him and acquaint thee with that which every ignorant doubter hath denied. Today the dark smoke of the oppression of some quarters hath taken hold. God will soon change it by a command from Him, and He is the Mighty, the All-Conquering, the All-Powerful.

He is the Witness, the All-Hearing

O servant of God, say: O Thou in Whose grasp are the reins of all created things and in Whose right hand are the destinies of all existence! I beseech Thee by the light of Thy countenance and the fire of Thy Sacred Tree to cause me in all circumstances to hold fast to Thy cord. O my Lord! Thou seest me turning toward Thy most exalted horizon and clinging to the hem of Thy bounty. O Lord of all names and Creator of the heavens! I beseech Thee not to deprive me of the ocean of Thy knowledge nor to disappoint me from the lights of the suns of Thy favors. Verily Thou art powerful over whatsoever Thou willest, and Thou art the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

He is the One Who speaketh in the Kingdom of Utterance:

O Ali! Beseech God that He may draw thee to such a station wherein the clamor of men and the oppression of those in the land shall not prevent thee from Him. Today the limbs of the world are trembling and the tribes of the earth are quaking and disturbed. The recompense of the unseemly deeds of various peoples hath encompassed them. In every land He appeareth with a different name and manifesteth Himself in a different form. Beseech ye God that He may enable all to achieve that which is pleasing unto Him. Verily He heareth and respondeth, and He is the Hearing, the All-Seeing.

Let His Honor write and send forth these words that perchance the fragrances of the perfumed garment may be diffused and that fragrance may become the cause of guidance and may draw the heedless people to the ocean of awareness. His Honor Mulla Alijan, upon him be the Glory of the All-Merciful, hath been the cause of the exaltation of the Word in the land of M. Praise be to God that they have been blessed with this great bounty. Repeatedly their mention was heard from the Blessed Tongue and numerous Tablets were sent. God willing, through the light of their sincerity, souls that are firm, steadfast, content and well-pleasing will appear in those regions and will arise to educate the people, so that all may become free and detached from corruption, conflict and bestial traits, and may be adorned with human virtues.

The people are unaware and have entertained corrupt imaginings about the Cause of God. If they would truly sanctify themselves from self and passion and turn their attention to the Will of God, exalted be His glory, all would turn in complete humility, submissiveness, resignation and contentment, would cleave unto His Holiness the Well-Known One and would turn away from all else. This evanescent servant beseecheth the True One, the Bestower, the Giver, to answer this supplication. Verily He is the Mighty, the Powerful, and worthy to answer prayers.

Your Honor’s second letter, which was dated the 16th of Jamadi’l-Avval, brought joy to the heart and gladness to the breast. God willing, may the breeze of your pen never cease and may it ever continue to waft and diffuse its fragrance. Regarding what was mentioned about the horse colt and its price, it shall be carried out and implemented exactly as has been arranged and as Your Honor has written. In any case, the matter is referred to Your Honor, and likewise the small remaining sum.

Section 2: “And regarding what you wrote about His Honor…”

And regarding what you wrote about His Honor Mulla Ahmad A.T., upon him be the Glory of God, it was submitted. This is what the Kingdom of Utterance hath spoken: Verily We make mention of him who was named Ahmad, who turned toward the Wronged One aforetime, and We mention him now with such a mention as is not equaled by aught that pertaineth to the world and its conditions, and We counsel him with that which behooveth man and that whereby the love of God, the Lord of the worlds, may be manifested. O Ahmad! Grieve not over anything. In all matters place thy trust in God, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. No one should proceed to the Prison except with His permission. Verily He commandeth every seeker according to what is best for him. To this testifieth every discerning one who hath knowledge. Be thou aflame with the fire of the love of thy Lord and occupied with that which profiteth thee and those servants of God who may come unto thee from among the assured ones. In all circumstances be thou mindful of wisdom and say:

O God of the land and sea and whatsoever is therein! I beseech Thee by the Repository of Thy knowledge, the Wellspring of Thy command, the Dawning-Place of Thy signs, and the Dayspring of Thy clear tokens, to preserve me from all that Thou hast forbidden in Thy Book and to strengthen me in that which Thou hast commanded through Thy decree. O my Lord! Thou seest me turning toward Thee, setting my face toward the horizon of Thy grace, the heaven of Thy bounty and the ocean of Thy generosity. I beseech Thee not to disappoint me from that which Thy Most Exalted Pen hath ordained for Thy loved ones and chosen ones. Verily Thou art He Whom nothing can frustrate and no decree can hinder. Thou doest what Thou willest and ordainest what Thou desirest. Verily Thou art the Almighty, the All-Powerful.

According to His command, should they return and engage in that which is reckoned as worship, it would be most beloved and still is. How many souls have turned toward the divine Kaaba from distant paths, yet after bearing hardships and difficulties were not counted among the pilgrims in the sight of God; and how many have remained in their homes yet attained the outpouring grace of the True One. The Command is in His hands and He is the Powerful, the Mighty, the Generous. This servant conveys greetings to them and seeks divine confirmation for them. In all circumstances they must hold fast to wisdom, for the people have not found the fragrance of utterance and are deprived and forbidden from the ocean of knowledge. They interpret the words of God’s loved ones and chosen ones according to their own desires and engage in dispute and conflict. They have taken as guides those who are unworthy of mention, and have considered the Dawning-Place of God’s names as one who leads astray. By God’s life! Were they to understand, they would lament, but consummate wisdom has been veiled from them and revealed to others. Blessed are they who have attained, and woe unto those who have denied God’s favor, the Lord of all worlds.

Concerning what you wrote about the leaf, the wife of His Holiness the Exalted One, Aqa Siyyid Abu-Talib, whom the Most Exalted Pen hath mentioned, it was presented, as were his verses and expressions of gratitude, praise and glorification. Blessed is she! Once these sublime words were heard from the Blessed Tongue: The loved ones of Truth must be mindful of the relatives of His Holiness the Exalted One, who was named Abu-Talib, and consider their care obligatory. Verily he hath a station in the Book. O Zayn! Blessed art thou and blessed is he who loveth thee and will love thee and hearkeneth unto thy word. We have found thee grateful, patient, content in hardship and ease, in calamity and tribulation.

Thou art he who hath aided thy Lord with thy tongue, thy hand, thy pen and thy sight. He hath adorned thee with the ornament of forgiveness and ordained for thee that which hath made the countenance of creation beam with joy. Were what hath been ordained for thee to be revealed, thou wouldst behold the world in manifest gladness. Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds. O Zayn! Convey My greetings to My handmaiden whom thou hast mentioned and to those who have believed in the One, the All-Informed. We counsel her and every handmaiden who hath believed in sanctification, detachment, trustworthiness, truthfulness and fidelity. The Command is in God’s hands, the Lord of Names and Creator of heaven.

Concerning the mention made of Aqa Muhammad, upon him be the glory of God, from the people of Ham, they had mentioned Jinab-i-Mulla Muhammad and Aqa Mahmud and their degrees of recognition—these matters were presented. Thus surgeth the Most Great Sea. He is the All-Seeing, the All-Hearing.

O Muhammad! All servants have sought knowledge and understanding, and pursued the cities of wisdom and utterance. When the blessed and goodly City appeared and the Nightingale of Faithfulness warbled upon the branch of eternity with the Most Exalted Word, all turned away save whom God, the Lord of the worlds, willed. They have regarded the Dayspring of divine unity as one with the people of misbelief, and have mistaken the River of divine wisdom for a mirage. They cling to fancy and idle imaginings, deprived of the effulgences of the Sun of certitude. The fruits of the servants’ deeds have appeared in the form of cannons, rifles and swords, as all have seen and heard. Each day a new affliction appeareth and a fresh severity is witnessed.

The wronged community is observed beneath the lashes of the heedless. The earth hath become strait unto them despite its vastness. Beseech ye God to illumine their eyes and grant them attentive ears, that perchance they may return unto the truth and attain the ornament of forgiveness. Until now, they have not known and do not know the cause and reason for this great abasement. We beseech the Exalted One to make them aware and teach them, and aid them to return. Verily He is the Ever-Forgiving, the All-Merciful. If thou findest a friend, convey My greetings and salutations and say: Arise and make good what hath escaped thee. Verily, the Wronged One summoneth all unto the Supreme Horizon and counseleth them with that which draweth them nigh unto God, the Lord of the worlds.

O Zayn! Give glad tidings to all who turn unto My turning unto Him, to all who remember My remembrance of Him, and to all who are attracted by My attraction to His countenance. Say: Fear not, neither be ye sorrowful. Answer Him Who calleth you unto goodness, forbiddeth wrong, and counseleth you with that which profiteth you in every world of the worlds of your All-Knowing, All-Wise Lord. Two souls have been mentioned. We beseech God, exalted be His glory, to confirm them and grant them the greatest steadfastness. Verily, He hath power over all things.

Your honor must observe great wisdom. The sending of letters to those regions, namely the land of S-L and the City, is not permissible except by chance, for they are exceedingly fanatical and heedless of the essence of knowledge. It seemeth the zeal of the Age of Ignorance hath raised its banner in those lands and established its dominion there. However, since they have attained the presence and been perfumed by the breezes of grace and the fragrance of the Garment, assuredly the effects thereof shall later become manifest and the fruits of the planted trees shall appear. Verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, hath power over whatsoever He willeth.

As to what was asked concerning the nine stations of the manifest verses, they said that his honor Zayn, upon him be My glory, should reflect, and he will attain to the purpose.

And your other letter, dated the 15th of Jumada’th-Thani, through its wondrous breath made fresh and verdant this ailing frame. This servant beseecheth his Lord to recompense your honor with the best of rewards and to ordain for you the good of the hereafter and of this world. This is a prayer which hath in truth already been answered, as your honor and this servant bear witness, and behind us our Lord, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting.

Regarding what you wrote about the attention of His Holiness Ism-i-66 [Allah], the Beauty—upon Him be all Glory of Glories—praise be to God, through the favors of the True One, exalted be His glory, he arrived safe and sound with his family and children in the Most Great Prison. Later, a special place near the well-known palace was designated specifically for them, and that place is connected to the palace. Now, praise be to God, they reside in the vicinity and are blessed with the honor of attaining His presence. How pleasant, wholesome and blessed this is for him. Upon his first arrival, He inquired about his condition. None but God knows the measure and extent of His favors. The whole world has been and remains incapable of limiting it. All must give thanks to Him throughout the duration of the earthly and heavenly kingdoms.

As for the mention of Aqa Muhammad Kazim, Aqa Muhammad and the son of Jinab-i-ʿAli Nur—upon them be the glory of God—it was conveyed, and this is what the Beloved uttered:

“We send them greetings and praise, and We beseech God to open before their faces the gates of goodness and blessings, and to send down upon them that which will gladden their hearts and bring tranquility to their souls. Verily, He is the All-Bountiful, the Generous.”

O My Name! The True One, exalted be His glory, has been and is the Trustworthy, the All-Informed. He has known and knows His loved ones, and whatever He deems expedient, He causes to flow and appear. Nothing escapes His knowledge. Verily, He is the All-Hearing, the Answering. O Zayn! In this Most Great Revelation, the True One, exalted be His glory, has in every instance seized the oppressors and transgressors. Nevertheless, no one has become aware. Observe what occurred in the great city and the land of Sad, and likewise in the land of Ta, where He seized with His conquering power the source of evil and its manifestation—namely Siyyid Sadiq—and similarly another soul. Yet all are observed to be heedless and veiled.

And He will seize yet another soul. Verily, He has power over all things. In no age has there occurred what has occurred in this Revelation. The abominable and displeasing deeds of the people have prevented them from the Dawning-Place of the Light of Oneness. Continuously does the Herald call out and the cry is raised above heads. What cry could be greater than the seizure of the mentioned evil one—namely the liar who was called truthful? Wonder upon wonder! In any case, since mercy has taken precedence, beseech the True One to guide the misguided to the straight path, to awaken the heedless, and not to deprive them from the ocean of His favors.

We make mention at the end of the Tablet of My Most Truthful Name and My Holy Servant who has attained to that which was hidden in knowledge and inscribed in the Books of God, the Lord of the worlds.

Another matter to submit is regarding the daughter of Jinab-i-Aqa Ghulam-ʿAli—upon him be the glory of God. For more than two years he has been seeking permission to bring her, until in this instance permission was granted and he was informed by telegraph. All these matters must, according to the Command, occur in accordance with the Divine Book. Blessed is he who fulfills God’s covenant and acts according to what He has commanded in His Clear Book.

And likewise regarding the daughter of Jinab-i-Aqa Muhammad-Sadiq, upon him be the Glory of God: Last year the mother of Jinab-i-Aqa Mirza Husayn, upon him be the Glory of God, came to this servant and requested that something be written. Since no word indicating this matter had been heard from the Most Holy Presence, it was therefore delayed until this time when it was honored with the adorning of permission and they sent word to Tel, and this matter was accepted in His presence. And she has also taken a place near the mansion which is good for both parties in every way. We beseech God to unite them and draw them near to Him. Verily He is the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous.

The people of the Name of God “Jamal” have, in service to the Haram, conveyed a word from the wife of Jinab-i-Shatir Husayn regarding his daughter, and that word was presented before His presence. According to His command: if she wishes to proceed to the Most Holy Court in accompaniment with the daughter of Jinab-i-Aqa Muhammad-Sadiq, there is no objection. All these matters must, according to His command, be carried out with spirit and fragrance and means and contentment. Verily He is the All-Bountiful, the Oft-Returning, the All-Forgiving, the Mighty, the Generous.

And likewise according to His command, they should write with wisdom and utterance to certain quarters regarding the Huquq, that which is the cause of confirmation of the servants, that perchance they may be enabled to act according to what the All-Bestowing One hath revealed in the Book. And of whatever is received, half should be given to the friends of God in that land. And previously it was commanded that funds be sent to that quarter. It is strange that until now they have not arrived. The servant beseecheth his Lord to send down upon the beloved ones of the All-Merciful and its captives that which will make them wealthy in His lands and chosen ones among His creation. Verily our Lord is the All-Powerful, the Almighty.

Another submission: Previously according to His command it was written regarding the Book that one volume should be sent to Jinab-i-Aqa Shahvirdi, upon him be the Glory of God. Until now news of its receipt has not arrived. And likewise Jinab-i-Haji Ahmad, upon him be the Glory of God, has given ten tumans so that His Holiness might write and send some of the wondrous verses specifically for him. If a copy of the book which the beloved Jinab-i-Nazim, upon him be the Glory of God, was carrying could be written and sent specifically for him, it would be most beloved. God willing it will arrive soon, as Jinab-i-Shahvirdi has repeatedly expressed this. Although this evanescent one knows that His Holiness is occupied and has not had and does not have opportunity beyond what he has already done, nevertheless God willing they will give priority to this matter and complete it.

This evanescent one’s submission is that greetings, peace and congratulations are offered to all the gentlemen and friends, and he begs from the Truth that He may illumine all with the light of unity and concord. The Glory shining and effulgent from the horizon of the heaven of the providence of our Lord and our Desire be upon your honor and upon those with you and upon those who love you and recognize your station and hear your words and upon those who act according to what they have been commanded by God, the Most Exalted, the Most Great. And praise be to God, the Lord of the Worlds.

On the 28th of the month of Rajab 1300. The servant.

The Branches of the Blessed Tree—may my spirit and being be sacrificed for the dust of their footsteps—expressed special bounties toward your honor and conveyed such greetings as are sanctified above this evanescent one’s mention and writing.

BH00403: O beloved of my heart and the one remembered…

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

O beloved of my heart and the one remembered in my soul! The decree of destiny has brought me joy while the imprisonment of the righteous and chosen ones has brought me sorrow. I praise God for his patience and forbearance, and for the mercy that preceded His servants. However, this servant sees what he dare not mention and knows what he does not wish to reveal. In this Revelation, God has seized His transgressing and oppressive servants after there descended from the kingdom of His utterance that which would sacrifice the spirits of those drawn nigh. He spoke, and His word is the truth:

“Do not transgress against those who have transgressed against you, so that your grace and kindness may be manifest among the servants.”

Thus was it sent down before from the heaven of our Ancient Lord’s will.

Glory be to God! Despite witnessing with their own eyes what has befallen the deniers, transgressors and oppressors, they remain heedless and veiled. How long will this heedlessness continue? By God’s life, the intoxication of worldly ornaments and bounties has made people heedless and prevented them from the Truth, exalted be His glory. What has occurred in these regions has occurred, and every possessor of hearing and sight has seen and heard it. What appeared in the Land of Sad is known to all, and that which is in the Land of Ta is not far from them. The liar was seized with great might, then he who spoke with oppression was taken with severe punishment.

More than this cannot be expressed. In this Most Great Revelation, the Truth has not given and will not give respite. Despite this, people’s heedlessness increases daily and the veils grow thicker with each passing day. Reflect on God’s compassion, grace and mercy, and likewise on the oppression of the rebellious tyrants. In most Tablets He says that if an oppressor transgresses against you, hold fast to the cord of patience, and if he harms you, forgive him. They have forbidden conflict, contention, corruption, killing, plunder and pillage to such an extent that most servants are aware and bear witness to this.

Nevertheless, they have imprisoned His Holiness Ismu’llah Mihdi—upon him be the Most Glorious Glory—without any proof or evidence. He is among those souls who sought only pure good for all from the Truth, exalted be His glory, and not even a mustard seed’s worth of harm came from him to anyone. He moved for God’s sake, and from this movement had no purpose except endearing creation, unifying souls, and bringing harmony and agreement among the servants—this too in a spirit of possibility and joy. Despite this, such a soul and other friends who for nearly thirty years have borne trials and tribulations in God’s path and have not transgressed against anyone, they have seized with utmost oppression and tyranny and placed in prison. By God’s life, this imprisonment has become and will become the cause of glory, elevation of station, exaltation of worth, spread of knowledge, and expansion of the carpet of justice.

However, this servant has been and remains utterly perplexed by one thing among all that has occurred, and that is the fear of some of the friends of God. Now must one reflect and speak with equity: Was the crown of thorns upon the blessed head of His Holiness the Spirit of God—may our spirits be sacrificed for Him—better in the path of God, or if Herod, who was governor and ruler, had placed upon it a crown of jewels? The rebellion of the stubborn Jews and their shameful deeds and abominable acts became the cause and reason for the exaltation of the Word, the manifestation of the Cause, the elevation of station, and the sublimity thereof, even as these stations are manifest and evident unto all the people of the world.

One must, as commanded, act with wisdom—that is, speak to each soul according to their capacity and station, and strive to refine souls, improve existence, and manifest kindness and affection to all creation for the sake of God. In this state, when his heart is illumined and his deeds are pure and sincere and his face is turned toward God, the water of life and the heavenly feast have been and will be his portion. If people were aware of the sweetness of death, they would seek this cup with a hundred thousand yearnings and joy.

Today is the day of dying. By the life of our Beloved and the Beloved of all who are in the heavens and earth, the springtime of ascension and rising has been and is in these days, for one attains infinite divine bounties and likewise the mention of the Supreme Pen, which cannot be equaled by all the treasures of the earth, and likewise the mention and attention of all things. Who can describe this most exalted, most sublime station or detail what lies therein? Most wondrous of all is that from the Supreme Pen has been revealed the preservation of all, yet sorrow and fear have seized some. And if something should come to pass, it would be for the sake of the life of the world and the manifestation of what is hidden therein, and this is the ultimate hope of all who hope.

God is witness and testament that this servant, many nights when verses of protection were being revealed, observed himself in sorrow, fearing lest I be deprived of the blessing of martyrdom and prevented from His grace, although I was not and am not worthy of this most exalted station and supreme pinnacle except through His wondrous grace and His all-encompassing favor. The servant asks, in weakness and supplication, and He is the Answerer, the Self-Sufficient, the Most Exalted.

Where can these days be found, and when do such times fall to everyone’s lot? A single moment thereof cannot be equaled by centuries and ages. Any deed that is performed for God’s sake is recorded as the king of deeds in God’s Book. Thus did my ear hear from my Lord, the Speaking, the Hearing, the All-Seeing. We beseech God to assist this evanescent one and other friends to arise to accomplish what has been missed. He is indeed the Powerful, the Mighty.

O beloved of my heart! Every person of insight and knowledge has loved and loves patience, but sometimes the oppression of aggressors reaches such a degree that one involuntarily cries out. Therefore I present to you what was sent down from the heaven of our Lord’s will in a Tablet He revealed to His Name, the Generous—upon Him be His most glorious glory. He said—and His word is the truth:

“O My Name! You were with Me and witnessed the cord of My tranquility and the ocean of My patience. Consider what caused Me to cry out between the heavens and the earth”

to the end of His exalted words. This blessed verse was revealed in the Land of Mystery.

Thus far scattered matters have been presented. Now I venture to present the main subject.

O my beloved! The exalted letter dated the seventh of Jumada II was received. Praise and gratitude be to God that in such days, amidst the clamor of the ignorant and the burning flames of passion and desire, they have arrived in that land, trusting in God and clinging to the cord of His service. This evanescent servant beseeches the True One, exalted be His glory, to aid that beloved one in all conditions and to grant him success in all that He desires for His path. Verily, He has power over what He willeth. What joy and delight was experienced from the presence of that beloved one and His Honour Mirza and His Honour Haji Siyyid Asadu’llah, upon them both be the glory of God. The servant beseeches the Lord of the worlds and the Goal of all nations to prepare for your honour the means and to manifest for your eminence the affairs in such wise that you shall see them in your right hand and within your grasp. And after being apprised of what was in the Kingdom and presenting it before the Throne, thus spoke the Lord of the worlds—His word is the truth:

O thou who art mentioned before the Throne and inscribed in the Book! Convey from Me My greetings, My glorification and My loving-kindness to My Name who was imprisoned without evidence and without any command from God, the Lord of the worlds. Then to him who spoke with justice when questioned about this mighty News. Verily, We have remembered him and those who were imprisoned, as a grace from Us and a mercy from Our presence. Verily thy Lord is the Forgiving, the Generous. O thou who gazest toward My horizon and standeth firm in the service of My Cause! Gladden the fearful and sorrowful souls with the remembrance of God, exalted be His glory, and give them to drink from the chalice of assurance in the name of the Beloved of all creation.

There hath befallen them in the path of God that which hath caused the dwellers of Paradise to lament, and the people of this noble station. We found some in seclusion and some in evident agitation. God hath pardoned them and recorded for them the reward of what befell them on this straight path. Say: Beware lest anything prevent you from God or the might of the heedless cause you to fear. Do thou beseech God, thy Lord, to aid those who have been wronged and to grant them success in turning back and returning. Verily, He is the Oft-Returning, the Merciful.

And We make mention of Haydar who confined all matters to the mention of this Most Great Remembrance. Blessed is he and those who followed him in this firm and impregnable Cause.

We make mention of him who is named Asadu’llah who traveled with thee. Convey My greetings unto him and gladden him with this gracious remembrance. Convey the greetings of the Wronged One to all the friends in that land and say: Martyrdom is like the supreme elixir—rare, nay unobtainable—and hath not been and is not destined for every soul save by His binding and wise command. Let them not be perturbed nor fear the doings of the oppressors. Let them move and speak with the utmost joy and fragrance. He verily protecteth them in truth and He is the Protector, the Helper, the Almighty, the Powerful. Let them pray for the heedless and the oppressors and beseech God, exalted be His glory, for their guidance. And if they prove unworthy of guidance, He verily is the Stern, the All-Compelling, Who will seize them as He hath seized others in this Revelation. Brief was and is the respite.

Say: Reflect on that which hath been sent down in this Revelation and hath been manifested by His penetrating, mighty, triumphant and powerful command. Gather together the sheep of God and remind them. Say: Beware lest the doings of the heedless frighten you, and beware lest ye cling to the flimsiest of houses for your protection. Put your trust in God, your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers. He is with you and will protect and help you, and if He ordaineth martyrdom for you, this is of His great bounty. He desireth it for you only after your acceptance and your seeking it. All things bear witness to this, if ye be of them that know. We have adorned Hasan and Husayn and Kazim with a garment that will never wear out and with a glory that will never be followed by abasement, through the eternity of My Best Names.

Blessed be the letters Ha and Sin who attained the supreme martyrdom and that which none knoweth save every tried, truthful and trustworthy mystic. Say: Fear not, neither be ye grieved. Be as mountains in the Cause of God, the Lord of the exalted Throne. Glory be upon thee and upon them and upon those whom neither commerce nor trade nor might nor wrath nor clamor hath deterred from the remembrance of God, the Mighty, the All-Praised.

O my beloved! Blessed are they whom neither the might of the world nor the assaults of the nations have deterred. This servant beseecheth God, exalted be His glory, to preserve all through His complete power from that which was and is unworthy, and to give them to drink at all times from the cup of awareness. Verily our Lord, the Most Merciful, is the Hearer, the Answerer.

The reply to this letter was submitted and sent in haste, and likewise previously multiple correspondences were dispatched to your presence along with two packages of passages in the blessed handwriting of the Most Great Branch—may my spirit, my being, and my essence be a sacrifice for the dust of His most pure footsteps. God willing, all have arrived and will arrive. And regarding the two letters from that beloved one dated before this letter, due to considerations of wisdom and timing, no reply was submitted. God willing, they will be sent later as appropriate. I convey greetings and salutations to the honored beloved, His Holiness Ha before Dal, and likewise to Haji who shares thy name, and to all other friends. May God, exalted be His glory, cause them all to soar on the wings of freedom in the atmosphere of inner meanings.

May the glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of the bounty of our Lord and your Lord be upon your honor and upon those with you and upon those who have turned with illumined hearts to the Most Exalted Horizon and have testified to that whereunto God testified before the creation of earth and heaven—that there is none other God but Him, the Single, the One, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. And praise be to God, the Most High, the Most Great.

BH10940: O Abdullah! Today refinement of character and virtuous conduct…

…O Abdullah! Today refinement of character and virtuous conduct are necessary for everyone. Each one must be mindful of all, not only of themselves. From the horizons of all hearts must shine forth the sun of kindness and grace. Love for one another has been and will ever be the cause of the descent of infinite bounties. To this testifies every learned one, every seeing one, every possessor of a heart, and beyond them all, with Him is the Mother Book….

BH05776: Glorified art Thou, O Thou through Whose call all…

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

Glorified art Thou, O Thou through Whose call all things were attracted in the kingdom of creation, and through the fragrance of Whose robe every ignorant one attained to the ocean of knowledge, every lover to the Beloved, every seeker to the ultimate goal, and every aspirant to the highest horizon! I beseech Thee by the sweetness of Thy utterance, the manifestations of Thine infallibility, and the evidences of Thy power and might, to protect Thy chosen ones beneath the shade of the Tree of Thy Cause. O my Lord, these are days wherein the heedless have imprisoned Thy loved ones and chosen ones, and have prevented them from reforming the world and educating the nations. Thou knowest, O my God, that they desired not corruption in the land nor the shedding of blood.

They desired only to illuminate the world with the lights of trustworthiness, chastity, truthfulness and fidelity. Thou art the Lord of all creation—Thou dost witness and behold what hath befallen them at the hands of Thy creatures. O Creator of the heavens and Lord of all names! O my Lord, deliver them through Thy power and sovereignty. Thou didst promise me in these days that Thou wouldst extinguish the fire of corruption and wickedness and manifest the light of righteousness and godliness. I beseech Thee to bestow upon Thy loved ones the heavenly manna and the water of steadfastness. Verily Thou art powerful over whatsoever Thou willest, and within Thy grasp are the reins of all things. There is no God but Thee, the Mighty, the All-Forgiving, the All-Powerful.

BH03681: In truth, all must turn their attention, remembrance, utterance…

He is God, exalted be His station, the Greatness and the Power

In truth, all must turn their attention, remembrance, utterance, humility, submissiveness, lowliness and supplication with a single essence to the True One, exalted be His glory, seeking victory for the manifest Faith. For the Moon of Batha has been eclipsed and the Sun of Hijaz is darkened. The enemies of the Faith lie in wait, and each day they cling to a new cord and rise up against the radiant Faith, snatching away one part after another.

Glory be unto Thee, O King of Kings, Merciful to the downtrodden, Remover of doubts, and Helper of the poor! I beseech Thee by the Kawthar of Thy mercy, the fire of Thy love, the rain-showers of Thy grace, and the heaven of Thy generosity to protect the blessed community from the evil ones among Thy creation and the oppressors among Thy creatures. O Lord! Thou seest Thy righteous servants beneath the claws of the wicked, Thou hearest the rumbling of their cannons, and Thou seest their scheming. I beseech Thee by Thy power which encompasseth all things, and by Him Whom Thou hast made the Manifestation of Thy Name, the First and the Last, the Outward and the Inward, through Whom Thou hast sealed the Manifestations of Thy Cause and the Repositories of Thy knowledge, to ordain for these weak ones that which will make them strong in Thy kingdom. Verily, Thou art the Omnipotent over whatsoever Thou willest, and in Thy grasp are the reins of all names. There is no God but Thee, the Mighty, the Powerful.

Thereafter, your letter arrived. Praise be to God, it contained two glad tidings: one of health and the other the fragrance of love. As the poet says:

“When I have thee, I have all; naught else do I need.”

Today, in truth, whosoever attaineth unto the love of the True One, exalted be His glory, hath possessed and possesseth every excellence and every good thing….

BH03644: By the Day-Star of the heaven of unity!…

…By the Day-Star of the heaven of unity! The tongue of the world’s heart uttereth these words: “I am most good and beloved, most subtle and ethereal, most holy and sanctified, yet my burden is heavy, dense, impure and abhorrent, save whom God willeth. My likeness is as a gilded throne usurped by an ape.” This is the day of repentance and return, the time for seeking forgiveness and showing humility. Enemies have surrounded from every direction and with utmost hatred strive and continue to strive against the resplendent Faith. Hath the stupor of heedlessness seized us, or have our unseemly deeds imposed sleep upon us? Glory be to God! If we be dead, where are our graves? And if we be alive, where are our traces? The earth is transformed. The saplings of justice and fairness, planted through God’s grace and nurtured by fostering hands, have been consumed by the fire of tyranny and oppression. From the right hand death calleth out, and from the left extinction showeth its face. The glorious herald proclaimeth before all: “Depart! Depart!” Nevertheless, the people soar on the wings of vain imaginings, heedless of all that causeth and bringeth about divine bounties and heavenly favors….

Today, whoever acts according to the Book of God and whose heart is purified and sanctified from doubts, hatred, enmity and all that is unworthy of man—such a one is counted among the Concourse on High. And if they attain the lofty station of martyrdom, this is the ultimate bounty for them. However, all these matters depend on the will of God, exalted be His glory. For a long time, the preservation of the servants has been revealed and recorded by the Pen of the Divine Purpose. Therefore martyrdom is rarely granted, and that only for the life of the world and the manifestation of crafts, sciences and arts. The existence of this station is like the existence of the phoenix in the regions of the world—mentioned in words but absent in deed. This servant beseeches God, exalted be His glory, to so attract all through the Kawthar of utterance that they see all else as non-existent and know it as void. A hundred thousand lives be sacrificed for His will, and a hundred thousand eternities circle round His Word….

…the friends must leave the deeds and actions of the oppressors to God and in no wise interfere. In times of hardship and tribulation they must hold fast to the cord of patience and resignation. God, exalted be His glory, Himself giveth victory and seizeth the oppressors through His all-conquering, overwhelming power. However, the friends must not be assured by any soul and must not believe every claimant to a cause, and until they find a receptive place they must not open their lips, and they must not be saddened by whatever may occur. The enkindled fire in the surroundings hath been and will be extinguished by the water of God’s will, exalted be His glory. This is what the Tongue of the All-Merciful hath spoken in the Kingdom of Utterance, as a command from His presence, and He is the Almighty, the Powerful….

BH00153: The spring of remembrance and utterance has come, yet…

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!

The spring of remembrance and utterance has come, yet most people do not understand. They have cast the Cause of God behind their backs, yet they perceive not. The servant laments by night and day when He sees the people behind a manifest veil. Every possessor of insight and vision is bewildered, for he observes that the people of the world attribute themselves to the Truth while remaining veiled from Him. They await the days of the Manifestation, yet are deprived of the very Manifestation Who calls out with the most exalted call. They speak of truth while clinging to creation; they speak of light while following fire. This servant knows not toward what countenance they turn, to what name they cling, what horizon they face, by what cord they move, or to what hem they hold fast.

The ocean of utterance is surging, the heaven of bounty is elevated, the Purpose is manifest—yet those souls are occupied with their own imaginings and are drowning in the seas of their vain fancies. They don turbans in the name of Truth while engaging in warfare against Him. Some turn to the synagogue while others to the mosque. If these attachments and orientations were truly for God, where are their effects? They have in truth abandoned the Synagogue of God and are occupied with the synagogues of their own souls, heedless of the circling-place of the Concourse on High, clinging to their own rejected desires. Like silkworms they have spun around themselves, yet they perceive it not. Woe unto them and away with them!

By Him Who has caused the atoms to speak His praise and glorification, if they were to reflect even less than that, they would cry out “Would that we were dust!” and exclaim “Would that we had never been born!” The smoke of heedlessness has encompassed all. At one time, the Tongue of the Lord of Names and Attributes spoke these words while revealing verses—exalted be His Word:

“O servant in attendance! Do the divines of this age imagine that in the times of the manifestation of the Daysprings of Truth, the people of the earth freely accepted the Cause of the Beloved of all creation? Do they not reflect upon the tribulations, afflictions, hardships and trials of those holy souls? Do they not ponder the blessed word ʿNo Messenger cometh unto them but they did mock at him’? What was the cause that led the Jews to rise against the Spirit (Christ) and the divines of that age to pronounce the verdict for His death? And for what reason did they rise against the Seal of the Prophets and count His companions as infidels, heedless ones and mischief-makers? Ever have the Manifestations, Daysprings and Rising-places been afflicted at the hands of enemies. Yet whatever befalls one in the path of Truth is most sweet to the soul.

“O servant in attendance! Some are observed who cling to the divine religion yet consider as false and heedless the One through Whose word the religions of the world appeared, inflicting upon Him every kind of oppression. And some believe only in what their outward senses perceive, denying all else. God curse them for their unbelief! Had they been born blind and tongueless, they would not have acknowledged the existence of anything. O servant present! The foolishness, lack of understanding and want of insight of those people has reached such a degree that one is bewildered. Say: If divine worlds were limited to this world and its manifestations, then all the Prophets, holy ones and chosen ones would have suffered loss. By Him Who caused the Tree to speak and sent down the Table! Had they known what they had done, they would have lamented in this world until they returned to their stations.” End.

They do not reflect sufficiently upon this truth, that the Prophets and holy ones and chosen servants of the Almighty have, to what end, opposed themselves unto all them that dwell upon the earth. Can it be that a single soul would arise in opposition to a Cause whereto nations and governments stand arrayed in enmity, save by the command of One Who is the Mighty, the All-Powerful? This lowly servant doth beseech and implore the one true God that He may guide mankind and draw them unto the straight Path. Were they to ponder, if only for a moment, they would become enlightened; yet the smoke of heedlessness hath obscured their vision and altered the light of the heart. No person possessed of reason would abandon the eternal for that which perisheth. All bear witness to the transience of this world, yet do they cleave unto it; they observe how all return unto dust, yet remain unmindful thereof, soaring upon the wings of self and passion. Whither was I bound, and whereunto have I fallen!

My purpose is to offer reply unto that blessed epistle, and that too with brevity, lest it should prove the cause of trouble. Yet what is decreed is decreed, and the command belongeth unto God, the Sovereign of the Throne on high and of the earth beneath.

May my spirit be offered up for your steadfastness, and may my soul be a sacrifice unto your uprightness! That blessed tablet, which was inscribed upon the second day of Rabi’u’l-Avval, hath been received—praise be to God! From every word thereof was inhaled the fragrance of sincerity and love for the Beloved of all the worlds. Blessed is the leaf that is adorned with the remembrance of God, and wherein are mentioned the stations of certitude and love of the friends and loved ones for the sake of God. This servant doth not account himself worthy of mention before any of the friends, how much less in the presence of the Afnan of the Divine Lote-Tree, whom God hath related unto Himself and made them branches of His Tree. And after gaining knowledge of this matter, I purposed to attain unto the presence of the Lord of creation, and in that most sacred and exalted court was it submitted. This is what the All-Merciful hath spoken forth in the kingdom of utterance. He said, and sweeter is His word:

In the Name of the Wronged One

Praise be to God! Thou hast inhaled the fragrances of the divine days and hast turned to the Most Exalted Horizon. By the life of God! Thou art indeed under the glances of His favor—grieve not over anything. Preserve this most holy station. Hold fast unto wisdom by My command and My will. We have verily recorded thy mention in a Book which no obliteration or extinction can reach, and from which the Concourse on High shall inhale the fragrance of eternity. To this beareth witness the Mother Book. His honor Amin, that is, Abu’l-Hasan, hath arrived and repeatedly made mention of thee. He is truly adorned with love for the Afnan of the Divine Lote-Tree and expresseth great satisfaction with thee.

O Afnan! Upon thee be My glory! The whole world hath been created for the recognition of this Most Great Day, and the Ancient Beauty hath, throughout nights and days, summoned all unto the Horizon of the appearance of God, exalted be His glory. Repeatedly hath this most exalted Word been revealed from the Supreme Pen:

“O people! Abandon wickedness and iniquity, and follow not your desires. Follow that which your Lord, the Lord of all mankind, hath revealed in His perspicuous Book.”

We have forbidden all corruption, strife, contention and unseemly deeds, and have commanded that which God loveth. These matters are evident and clear to all. Nevertheless, the Name of God and His loved ones remain imprisoned in the prison of the oppressors. There hath befallen them that which hath caused the Supreme Paradise and the Most Exalted Heaven to weep. The oppression of the people hath reached such a degree as to exceed all bounds. Glory be to God! They are awakened by no event and enlightened by no punishment. A million souls in these parts have perished, yet they remain heedless. All that was revealed in the Tablet to Ra’is hath come to pass, yet they have not awakened from their slumber. The false claimant descended into hell, yet they paid no heed. The second one returned to the flames, yet they showed no remorse. And even after the seizure of the third, they may still not come to their senses. In this Revelation, God hath granted no respite—He hath seized and continueth to seize, yet none is aware.

But by God! Were it not for the decree previously ordained in the Book, He would have seized all with but a single word from Him. God hath ever desired that His creatures should exist to engage in His praise, glorification, unity and the building of His Cause, and for other purposes which none knoweth save God, the Lord of the Throne and of the dust. Some of the friends in every land were observed to be fearful. By the life of God! The world hath never had, nor hath it now, any significance. Say: Martyrdom hath a lofty station and an exalted rank. It is not vouchsafed unto everyone. It is rarer than the most precious elixir, and like unto the phoenix—its name is mentioned but its reality is hidden, nay, lost. Had they known, they would have hastened, and had they witnessed, they would have sacrificed. We have veiled this station from eyes to preserve those on earth. He guideth whom He willeth to what He desireth. There is none other God but Him, the Almighty, the Powerful. The glory shining from the heaven of My mercy be upon thee and upon My Afnan and upon those who have recognized that which God hath recognized in His exalted station.

The waves of the ocean of favor have appeared in such wise as to require no translator, interpreter or expositor. What else can this feeble servant say that would be fitting or worthy? I beseech God, exalted be His glory, to protect that noble person and to ever make him a source of service and the recipient of His favors.

All the stations of the world bow down in humility and prostration before this station. To this beareth witness every person of insight, every learned one, and every fair-minded and discerning soul.

Concerning your mention of Mulla Hasan—upon him be the glory of Baha’u’llah—and the state in which he found himself after being vouchsafed the honour of attaining unto that most august and all-protecting Tablet of the Most Holy, Divine Presence: well is it with him, and with whosoever hath discovered the fragrance of the loving-kindness of the All-Merciful in His utterance. God Himself beareth witness and is the surety thereof, that were all who dwell upon the earth to catch but the faintest breath of a single word from among the Words of God, they would, one and all, become drunken with its rapture, and would turn, illumined, unto the lights of His Countenance. Praised be God! Through the attraction of the Divine Word they have been enkindled; naught can compare with the heat of the love of God as that which is witnessed and beheld—unto this testifieth the Lord of mankind and the Possessor of the worlds of the hereafter and the herebefore.

And as to what you have written, that the revered Akhund—upon him be the glory of Baha’u’llah and His tender mercy—had, at the prompting of another, put forth those questions: in the earliest days of this Most Great Revelation, questions of every kind were presented in the Most Holy Court, and the answer to each, in full measure, was revealed and sent down according to the Will of God. But now, for some years, it hath been declared that the Supreme Pen neither inclineth to, nor occupieth itself with, the mention of answers to questions, or with matters of scholastic learning.

The Point of the Bayan—may our souls, and all besides, be a sacrifice unto Him—hath said:

“Verily He speaketh in every matter: verily there is none other God but Me, the All-Compelling, the Self-Subsisting.”

And whatsoever, in this year, hath descended from the heaven of the gracious favour of the Self-Sufficing, the Exalted, in reply to the questions of those regions, is but a token of the solicitude of God toward the steadfast in His unity and the near ones unto Him who abide in that land and its environs.

This is of the bounty of our Lord upon His branches, and upon him who hath been named by the letter Ra before Jim—upon him be the glory of Baha’u’llah, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

There was a time when this exalted word was revealed from the tongue of the Lord of Names:

“O servant present in the land of Y, A and R, there are souls upon whom the eye of heaven gazeth.”

This exalted word is like an ocean wherein precious pearls lie hidden. Knowledge is with God, our Lord and your Lord and the Lord of the mighty throne. Blessed is the land that hath been honored by His mention, and the cities that have attained unto His loved ones, and the light that hath derived illumination from the radiance of His chosen ones’ countenance. At this point another state overtook this soul—neither having power to speak nor strength to conceal. His is the command and in His grasp is judgment. There is no God but He, the Mighty, the Powerful.

Regarding what thou didst write about the receipt document, it was sent according to the supreme instruction before, and now too it is being sent accordingly. At this moment this evanescent one was summoned to the Most Holy Court, and after attaining presence He walked for some time. After several minutes the Ancient Beauty turned His face toward the servant and said, exalted be His utterance:

“O servant present! We have forgiven the rights of J and J and adorned them with the ornament of pardon, that they may give thanks unto God their Lord and arise to serve the Cause with wisdom and utterance.”

These rights belong specifically to God, exalted be His glory.

Blessed is the soul that hath paid them and attained acceptance, and joy be to the one who, as a sign of His favor, hath been adorned with the light of forgiveness. Verily He is the One with power over whatsoever He willeth. None should hesitate in what hath been sent down from the heaven of utterance. Verily He is the Commander, the Unconstrained.

Section 2: “After witnessing this supreme bounty, whereby the intention…”

After witnessing this supreme bounty, whereby the intention of God, exalted be His glory, was to manifest grace, this servant uttered “Thine be the praise, O Beloved of the worlds” at least a thousand times that night. It is most evident and clear that all earthly things have had and have no worth, as all have witnessed that numerous sums were repeatedly presented at the Most Holy Court but were not graced with acceptance. Yet now, in view of the gathering and the exigencies of the time, they are being accepted. In any case, the purpose was solely to manifest grace, bounty and mercy. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, to assist them to arise as befitteth the Days of God. However, according to the wisdom of His Holiness the Name of God—upon Him be all His most glorious Splendor—they have described the friends of the land of Ta, and have repeatedly expressed satisfaction, especially with some.

Yet each time they wrote that wisdom had been abandoned, and this is what is inappropriate—for they had promised this servant in various gatherings, but after attending the first gathering, it was observed that nearly fifty or sixty persons were present. I said: “Have you not heard the decree of wisdom in most divine Tablets? This decree is in effect and is recorded and written with utmost clarity.” They would acknowledge this, yet on the final night the same situation was observed, and likewise in other gatherings, until finally they withdrew in seclusion. This evanescent one beseeches God, exalted be His glory, with utmost humility and supplication, that He may assist all to act according to what has been recorded in the Book by the Supreme Pen.

Every person they arrested was taken along with their writings, although divine verses should be preserved in secure and protected places. Glory be to God! What has happened? Even though this servant has mentioned this matter in numerous petitions to the friends, until now it has not been heeded. And due to the sincerity which adorns the temple of the loved ones, they accept every word and consider every claimant truthful, although in one instance this exalted Word hath shone forth from the highest horizon: “Believe not every speaker, nor trust in every newcomer.” This servant hopes that henceforth they will be assisted to do what God loveth.

Concerning what you wrote about the spiritual beloved, Jinab-i-Varqa—upon him be the glory of God and His favors—God willing, they are protected and assured through God’s grace, exalted be His glory. This very night, this evanescent one heard mention of them from the Most Holy Tongue. Repeatedly during the revelation of verses, favors have been shown to them. God willing, they are successful and assisted in mentioning God, serving the Cause, uniting hearts, and exalting the Word in such wise that from all their limbs, members, and veins the flame of detachment may be made manifest in the path of the Lord of creation. Glory be to God! Although no corruption appeared from them and they called heedless souls to the Dayspring of divine unity with utmost love, nevertheless the heedless divines and idle ignorant ones did what no oppressor had ever done, striving with all their might to extinguish the light of the Cause. But alas! Alas! Who can alter what God hath purposed, and who can outrun His commands? By the life of our Beloved and our Goal, they persist in their ancient error.

As to what was written concerning the Mashriqu’l-Adhkar, this matter must be kept most confidential, in such wise that none save steadfast, firm, upright, contented and well-pleasing souls may become aware of it. All these deeds are, before the Throne, contingent upon wisdom. That which opposeth it is not permissible. This is what the servant hath heard with his own ear from the tongue of God, the Self-Subsisting, the All-Compelling.

The people are weak and heedless, while grace, bounty and mercy are beyond reckoning. The Command of wisdom itself beareth witness to the loving-kindness, bounty and mercy of the Goal of all beings.

As to what thou didst write concerning the ascension of His Holiness Ismu’llah Javad, upon him be all the most glorious Glory and all the most effulgent Light, the servant testifieth that he attained unto the bounty of his Most Glorious Lord and ascended unto the Supreme Companion. The near ones perceived from him the fragrance of the mercy of our Lord and his Lord, the King of Names, and there was revealed for him from the Supreme Pen that which shall endure as long as God’s most beautiful names endure. O thou beloved of my heart and Essence of God standing firm in the Cause! This is the day of death, for man attaineth unto a remembrance that hath no peer or likeness, and is adorned with a crown that shall forever shine forth, radiant and luminous throughout the world. Blessed is the soul that ascendeth through divine love; if it attaineth not martyrdom, at least it attaineth this station. Although the true friends who have quaffed from the cup of steadfastness have attained unto all good and are recorded and inscribed before God among the letters of the Book—and the letters of the Book can neither be erased nor touched by extinction—the Command is in His grasp. He doeth as He willeth and ordaineth as He pleaseth.

As to what was written about various groups being present at the funeral procession, this was presented before the Ancient Beauty, and He said:

“They are but one people. None should attend save the people of Baha, for whom was created the Crimson Ark mentioned in the Qayyumu’l-Asma.”

As to the mention made of Mirza ʿAli, upon him be the Glory of God, and what was written regarding his repeated mention of constructing monuments—this found acceptance before the Throne. Although his honor looketh unto the truth and is eager to serve, yet consideration of wisdom is necessary in all circumstances. Verily, the servant giveth him glad tidings of his remembrance in the Prison and of God’s bounty, the Lord of all worlds.

As to the mention made of His Holiness Ismu’llah M.H., upon him be all the most glorious Glory, and the acquisition of land in the land of Ta [Tehran]—at present this matter is suspended in the heaven of divine Will, and after tranquility prevaileth and the kindled fire is extinguished, that which is adorned with the ornament of God’s will, exalted be His glory, shall appear according to His command.

Concerning the funds of His Name 66 (Allah), JM, may all the Most Glorious Glory rest upon him, they wrote that previously this matter had issued from the Supreme Pen and was adorned with acceptance. His Name mentioned above purchased a house, and some funds remained. A portion they used to pay their debts and loans, and another portion they spent in the path of God until they arrived in the Land of Purpose. Now they and their family reside near the mansion which is outside the prison where the Throne is established, and they are engaged in pilgrimage. Praise be to God, they attained to that which they had been seeking from God, exalted be His Glory, during the nights and days. This matter of purchasing the house and giving funds was repeatedly presented at the Most Holy Court, and each time manifestations of favor towards Afnan 202 (Muhammad ʿAli), may all the Most Glorious Glory rest upon him, were evident. In truth, they are engaged in service, although outwardly some apparent causes brought them sorrow, and this is what I heard with my own ear from an informed source. However, He said:

“God has ordained for him a station which none knoweth save God, and its effects shall appear in the world. He is, verily, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.”

This concludes the response to your first letter. Then your second letter was honored to arrive, which began with mention of the oppression that befell the innocent ones, the chosen ones, and the pillars of the earth. Has any harm come to anyone from these oppressed ones, or have they taken anyone’s property, or have they uttered anything contrary to what God hath ordained? If you were to ask about this, their answer would be naught but transgression and rebellion against God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. Consider how this community seeks the good of government and nation during nights and days from God, exalted be His Glory. Nevertheless, there hath come upon the people of Baha from these two parties that which caused the Concourse on High to weep and lament.

One day Jesus Christ, son of Mary—may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for Him—asked the Jews, saying: “For which of my good words do you rise up to harm me?” They replied: “Not for your good words, but because you say ʿI am the Son of God.”’ Their condition is evident. Our shortcoming is that we say we are the people of God and are sanctified and purified from hatred, malice, corruption, conflict and contention. The flame of hatred is kindled from every direction, but the hand of power extinguisheth it with the water of will. Verily, He is powerful over all things.

Your third letter brought joy and strengthened the spirit. Praise be to God, you are adorned with the ornament of health and are engaged in serving the Cause. Regarding what you wrote about the funds for the Doctor, may the Glory of God and His favors be upon him, this matter depends on his own news. All that you have done and written regarding the house and regarding His Name Allah (Baha), may all Glory rest upon him, is correct and acceptable and is mentioned before the Throne. The servant wishes to praise God with a thousand hundred tongues and beseech from His wondrous grace your assistance, your success, and your protection. Verily our Lord, the Most Merciful, is the Powerful, the Mighty, the Unconstrained.

Glorified art Thou, O Thou through Whose manifestation the Balance hath called out and the Path been established, the mountains have passed away, and the Tongue of Utterance hath spoken in the Kingdom of Knowledge! This is the Day of Return, and the Self-Sufficing, the Most High, hath come. I beseech Thee to protect Thy Afnan from the evil of Thine enemies, to draw them nigh unto Thee, to grant them the bounty of meeting Thee, and to ordain for them the good of this world and the next through Thy generosity and grace. O my Lord! Thou seest them turning unto Thee and clinging fast unto Thee. I implore Thee, by the fragrances of Thy Revelation, to assist whosoever hath arisen to serve Thee and to aid Thy Cause. Then ordain for him that which befitteth Thy Revelation and Thy days. Verily, Thou art the Omnipotent over whatsoever Thou willest, and within Thy grasp are the reins of all who are in the heavens and on earth.

Concerning what you wrote about the beloved Varqa, upon him be the Most Glorious Beauty of God, let him be ever mindful of wisdom in all circumstances. The ignorant masses and the calumniators, especially those evil souls who remain idle and unemployed in this world, wait day and night to seize upon any pretext to inflame their base desires and passions. May God destroy them for their sins, their hypocrisy, and their unbelief. May God protect us and you from the evil of such as these. Such souls are like hot ashes that have come out of the fire—soon their heat will cool and the devastating, sterile winds will return them to nothingness. In the Tablet of Burhan, addressing the Wolf, He says:

“Thou art like the shadow of the sun cast upon the mountains—soon it shall pass away,”

to the end of His utterance—exalted be His grandeur, sweet be His words, and great be His glory!

As for what you mentioned regarding Aqa Mas’ud and what he sent, Jinab-i-Amin, upon him be the Glory of God, forwarded his letter to the Most Holy Court where it was presented before His presence. He commanded that the honored Afnan should write him in reply and express divine favors on behalf of the Truth, that he might rejoice and be among the thankful.

Regarding what you wrote about Haji Sayyah, upon him be the Glory of God, and your expression of satisfaction with him—praise be to God that he was enabled to serve the Cause and assist the oppressed, namely those souls who themselves witness and testify that they have looked to naught but the Truth and desired naught but the reformation of the world. Blessed be he! God willing, may he ever attain this supreme bounty. The servant gives him glad tidings of his Beloved’s mention of him and His favors towards him, and beseeches his Lord to assist him in all conditions. Verily, He is the Omnipotent, the Most High.

This servant’s further submission is that if any of God’s friends attains to service, convey my greetings to them. God willing, may the dark dust of the world of oppression not prevent them from the effulgences of the lights of justice. Every deprived and heedless one hastens toward extinction while behind him the angels of punishment cry “Hasten! Hasten!” But soon those wretched, wandering, unconscious ones shall come to their senses and cry out “Oh, woe unto us!”

May the glory shining from the heaven of our Lord’s favor—your Lord and the Lord of all who are in the highest and the lowest—be upon you and upon those who love you and upon every steadfast and upright believer. Praise be to God, the Most High, the Most Great.

The servant 14th of the month of Sha’ban the Magnificent 1300

Another request: in obedience to the command, if it be possible, let the sum of fifty tumans be conveyed, in the land of Hadba, unto His Honour Ismu’llah Zaynu’l-Muqarrabin—upon him be Baha’u’llah’s Most Glorious splendour. This matter is exceedingly acceptable, and is indeed most necessary, for they are in distress. …

Another request: certain articles from the land of Kha—such as brocade, and shawls, [sugar] and the like—have been received; and Haji Mirza Abu’l-Hasan hath written, and is writing, unto Aqa ʿAzizu’llah the details thereof. The glory be upon your presence.

BH02429: Praise be to God Who has illumined the world…

He is God, exalted be His glory, the Most Great, the Most Powerful

Praise be to God Who has illumined the world with the resplendent lamp of His Cause. And peace and blessings be upon him whose advent adorned the night journey, and upon his family and companions whom God made manifestations of His Most Splendid Name. And now, my spirit be a sacrifice for your remembrance. The servant has received your letter which spoke in remembrance of God and His chosen ones and pure ones and loved ones. I beseech Him, exalted be He, to assist your honor and our brothers there in remembrance and praise and steadfastness, the like of which has no parallel in the kingdom of creation.

As for what your honor mentioned regarding the one who was in Port Said—excellent indeed was what you did for him. Praise and thanks be to God for enabling you to assist the believers and the righteous. I convey to your service that the honored physician and the prisoner and the blessed one, upon them be the peace of God, the Mighty, the Praised—they are remembered before the Lord. Soon He will send what will gladden them.

And regarding what you mentioned about Haji Ali from K, the servant has presented what your honor wrote before the Presence. The Lord said:

“O Muhammad-Qabli-Mustafa, upon you be My peace and My glory. We send greetings to him and to the other Ali from T whom We sent here to trade and be among those who earn. And We permitted Ali of Kashan what he desired on condition that you do not strengthen them with a third. They must engage in their work silently and quietly. They are not to speak about any matter. We beseech God to protect them and assist them in what He loves and is pleased with.”

End quote. O beloved of my heart, the servant wishes to expend an island of pens and an ocean of ink in your remembrance and praise and your arising to serve the Cause, but has not found the opportunity. The matter is in the hand of God, the Lord of creation and Dawning-Place of the light of oneness.

And at the end of the letter the servant sends greetings upon his eyes and tongue and limbs and pillars and the fragrances of his heart and the radiance of his brow—Abbas and Haji Ali from T and Haji Ali from K and Mirza Husayn and Muhammad Ibrahim and the other brothers, upon them be the peace of the All-Merciful. And I beseech Him by the One through whom He illumined the world to draw them near to Him in all conditions and assist them in His remembrance and praise and in acting according to what they were commanded in His Book. And I end my words with mention of the delight of eyes, Husayn Effendi and his brothers. And peace and mercy and glory be upon your honor and upon the righteous servants of God. And praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

The servant 18 Sha’ban al-Mu’azzam 1300

BH01076: Praise be to God Who hath ordained traditions…

In His Name, exalted be His station, the Grandeur and the Power!

Praise be to God Who hath ordained traditions and established laws openly, and made their source the Essence of existence and His Book sent down to him who was invested with the mantle of divine presence, through whom the mention of prophethood was sealed and there began that which draweth men nigh unto the Lord of creation. And the prayer rising from the horizon of the will of our Lord, the All-Merciful, be upon him and his family and his companions who turned toward the House and circled round it and entered through its gate. They are the emblems of victory and the standards of the Cause. Through them was the edifice of divine knowledge made firm in the contingent world and the light of the Cause shone forth amidst the concourse of religions. Blessed is he who hath heard their words and found solace in their company and clung to their hem and held fast to that which they possessed. And woe unto him who was heedless and turned away and denied.

Verily doth the servant, throughout the nights and days, beseech God to exalt His religion and manifest His proof even as He manifested it aforetime, and to honor His loved ones and chosen ones after the abasement which caused the dwellers of Paradise and the denizens of the retreats of nearness to lament. Verily He is the One with power over whatsoever He willeth. There is none other God but Him, the Single, the One, the Powerful, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

Thereafter, the servant attained unto your letter which began with the mention of God, our Goal and your Goal, our Object of worship and your Object of worship, and the Object of worship of all who are in the heavens and on earth. When I received it and read it and understood it, I hastened to the place of circumambulation and presented that which you had uttered by the tongue of your Lord. Then He spoke, and His sweetest utterance was:

“O thou who art present before the Countenance! The Wronged One hath heard that which the tongue of love hath spoken in the kingdom of creation. Blessed is he who revealed it and he who read it and he who heard it and he who sent it. O Yahya! The Wronged One remembereth thee and remembereth His loved ones there who were beneath the glances of His grace. We send Our greetings from this station to them and to My loved ones and friends in the land of Sad and other regions. And We remember and send Our greetings to the people of the House, and We beseech God to draw them nigh unto Him in all conditions and to provide them with the best of beginnings and endings, and to ordain for them the Kawthar of reunion. Verily He is the One with power over whatsoever He willeth through His word ʿBe’ and it is. There is none other God but Him, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting.”

Praise be to God! Divine favors have been and are bestowed upon them. His grace hath encompassed them and His mercy hath preceded them. All that hath been manifested concerning them is a speaking witness and a truthful testimony. This ephemeral one offereth greetings and glorification to each one of them.

Concerning what the honored Leaf—that is, the esteemed sister, upon her be Baha’u’llah’s glory—had written requesting mention of them in the Most Holy Presence: On Monday morning, the twentieth of the revered month of Sha’ban, this servant was present before Him and submitted mention of them. He expressed such loving-kindness toward them and all the household members, both female and male, that this servant is incapable of describing it. God is witness that such utterances were revealed that were they to be cast upon a mountain it would crumble from longing, were they upon the seas they would surge, and were they upon hearts they would melt. God willing, may they be joyous in all conditions and remain engaged in the remembrance of God, exalted be His glory.

And concerning their expression of regret at not receiving the missive from the household members, upon them be His most glorious splendor: their missive, at the time of departure from the first location, attained the utmost bounty. The humility of the honored sister, upon her be the glory of God and His loving-kindness, is considered as a goodly deed. One sigh in separation from God, exalted be His glory, can rend asunder a hundred thousand veils and reach the ultimate station. Blessed be the sigh and the grief that appear and manifest in His path. In any case, their deeds were presented and accepted. Happy are they, and the subsequent missive will also, God willing, attain to a glory unprecedented.

Concerning their mention of Aqa Mirza Fadlu’llah and Aqa Muhammad Hasan, upon them be the glory of God, and their degrees of longing: praise be to God, they have inhaled the fragrances of loving-kindness and attained to mention. Blessed be they both.

Concerning their mention of the esteemed aunt, upon her be the glory of God, and her purpose: it was presented and He said:

“Our Lord! Forgive me and those who have appeared before the Countenance and her and her sister’s son.”

This ended. This is a great glad-tiding. God willing, may all attain the robe of forgiveness. We continually beseech this from God, exalted be His glory, and it will surely be adorned with the honor of acceptance. With the All-Bountiful, no matter or deed is difficult. All affairs are within His mighty grasp. He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He pleaseth, and He is the Powerful, the Mighty.

To the gentlemen who are present in that land, I convey greetings and glorification to all, and I beseech God, exalted be His glory, to gather all once again beneath the shade of the Tree. These days are the celebration of one of the Most Exalted Names—everyone’s place is empty, but this servant, in lieu of congratulations, is engaged in praise and glorification in the Most Exalted Place of Security, and on behalf of those gentlemen offers congratulations and felicitations, and sometimes on their behalf, if sweets come his way, partakes of them, for He has said that our celebrations are now like the celebrations of the angels of heaven—meaning the outward means are absent as they are, but praise be to God, the true good endureth with the endurance of the Kingdom. Peace be upon you and upon God’s righteous, sincere, and unified servants, and the mercy of God and His blessings.

The servant, 20th of the revered month of Sha’ban 1300

BH01578: Praise be to the Intended One Who offered…

He is God, exalted be His glory, the Most Great, the All-Powerful

Praise be to the Intended One Who offered the living waters of knowledge to all on earth without distinction or regard for station. Among the people are those who, having turned to Him, found; who, having been commanded, took; and who drank in His Name, the Mighty, the Generous. And among them are those who turned away and denied, until they arose to extinguish the light of God, the Lord of the worlds.

May the manifest and evident prayers from the horizon of God’s loving-kindness, and the radiant, brilliant peace from the direction of His mercy which preceded all things, be upon the Sovereign of the chosen ones through whom earth and heaven were illumined, and upon His family and companions who strove in God’s path until His word was exalted among all beings and the necks of the servants bowed before it.

To continue: may my spirit be a sacrifice for your love—the letter of the beloved of the heart, his honor the Shaykh, upon him be 9 66 [Baha’u’llah], was noted. Praise be to God, they are adorned with the ornament of health, acceptance and love. This evanescent servant at all times and seasons beseeches and implores the True One, exalted be His glory, for the elevation of their station. After reviewing it, it was presented to the Master Who said:

“We beseech God, the Lord of earth and heaven, to strengthen him, make him successful, and grant him the good of this world and the next. Verily He is the Master of creation, there is no God but Him, the Mighty, the Powerful. Peace be upon him and his brother and their families in Qaf. We beseech Him, exalted be He, to protect them from the darkness of smoke. Verily He is the One with power over whatsoever He willeth through His word ʿBe’ and it is.”

And regarding the mention they made of the honored lady, the sister of Aqa Mirza ʿIsa, it was presented and He said:

“The True One, exalted be His glory, created all servants, both male and female, specifically for His knowledge. Blessed is the one who became aware of the cause and purpose of their creation, such that the oppression of oppressors and the opposition of unbelievers did not prevent them from the divine religion. Disbelief has encompassed the world, and the Truthful Informer has given this news. We must, in the night seasons and at dawn, at sunset and sunrise, with utmost humility and supplication beseech and implore the True One, exalted be His glory, to protect His loved ones with the hand of His providence and preserve them from the hosts of misbelief, disbelief, doubt, uncertainty, conjecture and idle fancies. Verily He has power over all things. Blessed is the leaf that heard the rustling of the Divine Lote-Tree and held fast to it, and woe to the heedless ones, both men and women.”

We convey greetings to his honor ʿIsa and counsel him to that which is befitting. The first thing incumbent upon the friends of God is to purify their hearts from rancor and hatred, to sanctify and cleanse themselves from bestial qualities, and to act upon the divine ordinances with the utmost joy and fragrance. By the life of God! If they hear the call of the Wronged One, ere long the world will be seen as one homeland, tongues as one tongue, and hearts as one heart. Blessed is he who holds fast to that which benefits him and turns away from every ignorant remote one.

And regarding the mention of permission on behalf of the handmaiden of God—this matter is not permissible in these days even outwardly, as quarantine exists in the surrounding areas and means of prevention are evident. We beseech and implore the True One, exalted be His glory, to enable all His servants to attain pilgrimage or record in their book the reward of pilgrims. Verily He is the Forgiving, the Generous. There is no God but Him, the Single, the One, the Mighty, the Merciful.

Furthermore, let that beloved one act in whatever way they deem advisable. If expedient, they may send this very letter, or a copy of it, or a copy of parts of it. Verily the servant fears to contravene the wisdom he has been commanded to observe. Peace be upon you, and the mercy of God, and His blessings. The end belongs to the God-fearing, and praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

The servant Tuesday night, 28th of the month of Sha’ban the Great, year 1300

BH00488: My spirit be a sacrifice for your love!…

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

My spirit be a sacrifice for your love! The letter from that beloved of heart and soul arrived and was presented in the Kingdom of Utterance. He said: “Praise be to God, the name of Jud, upon him be Baha, has attained divine favors. From the hand of power, wondrous signs have appeared this year—some are aware and others heedless. May the Truth make all aware, so that after becoming conscious they may testify that the people of Truth have appeared among creation for the reformation of the world and education of nations. However, no one is truly aware of this station as it is, therefore some ignorant clerics have issued decrees that have caused the dwellers of the highest Paradise and the supreme Heaven to lament and wail.

Corruption and tyranny have ever appeared from these heedless souls. Some who have drunk from the ocean of guidance are like sight for the temple of the world, while others are like smoke, becoming a veil between eyes and the witnessing of the lights of Beauty. God curse them! As you have witnessed and continue to witness what they have inflicted upon the friends of God and His chosen ones in the land of Ta. They imprisoned the Name of God without any crime or sin by the decree of those evil, heedless souls. Likewise Jinab-i-ʿAli-Qabl-i-Akbar, upon him be Baha, who ever called the ignorant people to the ocean of knowledge, and also Jinab-i-Abu’l-Fadl, upon him be Baha, and Jinab-i-Rida, upon him be the Glory of God, Master of Names. The heedless ones kindled a fire, but God extinguished it through His power and sovereignty. Thus was the matter decreed from before.

O Jud! Jinab-i-Siyyid Taqi arrived. The servant present submitted your letter, and the Wronged One, from the direction of the palace, turned toward you speaking these words: Ask of God, exalted be His glory, to cause all to attain to what He loves and is pleased with, and to draw people from the left hand of heedlessness to the right hand of awareness. Verily He has power over all things. As for your desire to attain Our presence, be patient until the Wronged One brings you other news. Convey greetings to all the friends in that land and say: By God’s life, you have not been and will not be forgotten from sight. Strive that sometimes, purely for His sake and gazing toward His horizon, a deed might appear from us and you that may truly become the most exalted cause. Deeds of souls are witnesses and testifiers—they testify in the world without tongue, take without hands, and grant deliverance. We beseech God to unite us with them in spirit and fragrance, and He has power over what will be and what has been.

Praise be to God, the favor of the True Beloved is more evident than fire upon a mountain and more manifest than the shining of the sun—apparent, radiant, dawning and evident. There has not been and is not any need for the mention of this evanescent one.

In response to the request of that beloved one, and likewise in view of the days of fasting, they have returned. The cherished letter from his honor the Shaykh, upon him be the Glory of God and His favors, arrived bearing blessed tidings with joyful news—blessed be he! In his letter he mentioned the loved ones of God who had attained the bounty of imprisonment in the land of Rasht. Verily this servant gave glad tidings to all of the extinguishing of the fire. He also made mention of the five Sayyids, upon them be the Glory of God. Specifically for the loved ones of Rasht, wondrous and sublime Tablets were revealed both before and after. His honor Ismu’llah, upon him be all the most glorious Glory, had presented all their names in the Most Holy Court. And the pure and sincere deeds that were manifested by the honored Sayyids, upon them be the Glory of God—namely the giving of fifty (units of currency) to the aforementioned person, as well as another person’s charitable giving according to what was written by Ismu’llah—were adorned with the ornament of acceptance. This exalted word was revealed:

“Blessed are those souls who in these days have attained to charitable giving, and blessed is that wealth which has attained to this bounty.”

Today the payment of Huququ’llah is a most momentous deed. A hundred thousand blessings upon those souls who have held fast to the Book of God and acted according to it. The mention of them, and the mention of the house wherein dwelt Ismu’llah, and those souls who were engaged in service, and those who met in love, was made in the prison in such a manner that this servant and his like are incapable and inadequate to describe it. Praise be to the Goal of all the worlds, Who enabled those cherished souls to attain that which hath no like nor equal. What more can I say? Regarding the mention of his honor ʿAndalib, upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God—when news arrived of his imprisonment and that of the other friends, this servant clung to the hem of the robe of his Lord’s mercy, the Forgiving, the Bountiful. Although God is witness and testifier that imprisonment and incarceration and the like in the path of God are more excellent than the deeds of all who are on earth, as this exalted word hath repeatedly been heard from the Kingdom of Utterance, yet due to certain considerations and the fire of love, one involuntarily seeks deliverance for the oppressed.

We beseech God to adorn all with the rewards of certitude and assurance, that they may not be fearful or disturbed by the trials of earth which in truth have no reality, though their fruits are realized and established in the realm of earthly dominion and the book of the world and the Book of the Highest Heaven. In these days He saith in certain utterances that martyrdom is like the greatest elixir and the philosopher’s stone—in these days mentioned but not found—which hath not been and will not be the portion of everyone. Would that, would that this servant had been in the land of Sad and there had befallen him what befell the Essence of the Kingdom of Creation and the King of Martyrs! But the matter hath been decreed, and this ephemeral one remaineth in his regret.

Praised be God that mention of the friends at Rasht has been concluded. Multiple letters from them arrived, and what they composed in praise and tribute has wafted like fragrance in the school of divine knowledge. Repeatedly were they mentioned, but until now, due to wisdom, no response was sent. As it happened, this servant also did not submit anything, but heart and soul and vision were attentive—and God is sufficient as witness. Concerning mention of him who ascended unto God, that which draws hearts to the ocean of assurance and bestows the chalice of certitude upon souls became manifest. The appearance of every matter depends upon its appointed time. We beseech God, exalted be His glory, to grant supreme joy to all and keep them happy in the shadow of His grace. Verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, is powerful over all things and worthy to answer prayers.

O my beloved! Heedlessness has overtaken the world. It is due to the deeds of the servants that the manifest religion and the Law of the Prince of Messengers has been weakened, to such extent that the temple of the Law, established among nations upon earth—everyone snatches away one of its members, and none can prevent it, nay rather, none can even question it. A hundred thousand eyes are needed to weep for the radiant Faith. Beseech God to assist His religion. Had the people’s deeds been in accordance with the glorious Law, it would certainly not have been weakened nor would it have been witnessed in such abasement. Most are heedless and veiled. Nevertheless, they have risen against those souls who spoke for God’s sake, who continue to speak for God’s sake, and who, for the education of the world, have borne afflictions and trials in God’s path.

With utmost tyranny they have seized some, banished some, imprisoned some, and plundered and killed others—every kind of torment have they inflicted upon these holy souls. This servant beseeches God his Lord to assist His servants to act according to what is commanded in His Book, by the honor of the Prophets and Messengers. And peace be upon you and upon God’s sincere servants. Praise be to God, Lord of the worlds.

Another submission: His honor the Shaykh, upon him be God’s peace and favors, had written regarding Haji Ahmad and his son, upon them be the glory of God. They had previously received permission to proceed—God willing may they attain their goal. Likewise mention was made of funds; if cash arrives it would be better, as that beloved one is aware of the affairs of this land. This servant, due to wisdom, especially did not submit anything to my beloved, His honor the Shaykh—upon him be all the most glorious glory. Praise be to God, they are mentioned and are distinguished by and have attained special favors. Peace be upon him and God’s mercy and blessings.

The Servant, On the night of the twelfth of the blessed month of Ramadan, year 1300. The end.

BH06294: Your letter was received. Praise be to God, it…

He is God, exalted be His station, the Greatness and the Power

Your letter was received. Praise be to God, it indicated your health and well-being. Regarding what you wrote about traveling to Persia—you came of your own accord and now too you are free to choose. In any case there is no harm in these matters; there is freedom. However, it does not appear that Persia would be better than here. You will go and you will see. In every place one must rely on means, trusting in God. In any case, the details of your desire were presented. They said it is very good—let them come and act according to their own will. We beseech God to assist His loved ones and aid them in what He loves and is pleased with, and to make known to them what benefits them in this world and the next. Verily He is the Lord of creation and the Sovereign of Oneness. There is no God but Him, the Mighty, the Powerful. Convey this servant’s greetings and praise to each of the friends. God willing, may you be joyful and adorned with the primary blessing which is health. Peace be upon you and the mercy of God and His blessings.

The servant, 11th of the blessed month of Ramadan 1300

BH01750: Praise be to God Who, should He decree “nay…

He is God, exalted be His glory, to Whom belong greatness and power!

Praise be to God Who, should He decree “nay” for anyone, it would be sweeter than possessing the kingdom of earth and heaven, and should He decree “yea,” one would choose it over the dominion of the first and the last. He is the Almighty Whom no decree of negation can frustrate and no command of affirmation can exalt. Exalted is the Lord of names and attributes, the Manifestor of clear proofs and the Revealer of verses, Who has made His Book a lamp for all creation and a guide for His servants. He is the One Who calls to goodness and commands His servants to observe it, Who has made evil manifest and forbidden people from it. Glory be unto Him! He has revealed the ordinance of religion and made His Cause manifest to those who are firm and assured, who shall fear no grief or sorrow.

May the peace that shines from the horizon of the Abode of Peace be upon the Pride of all beings and the Treasure of all existence, through whose Book the pages and tablets have been adorned, and to whose name the Prophets and Messengers have bowed down, and upon his family and companions who cast aside vain imaginings through His power and embraced certitude through His command and will.

O thou who art mentioned in the heart of this servant, O my beloved and my cherished one! This evanescent one has received your letter and presented it before His countenance, and the Beloved spoke that which I am unable to relate to you. However, when news of your arrival came like an electric current, a reply was immediately sent stating that if you desire to attain His presence, permission has been granted both before and after. This servant was assured by this reply and did not venture to send another letter. After some time, another missive arrived from that beloved one requesting a response, which caused much surprise since there had been no delay in replying and after that telegram there was nothing further requiring response. In any case, I again engaged in electrical communication and sent the final telegram.

Today, which is the thirteenth day of the blessed month of Ramadan, while I was at the farm just after arising from writing and returning to my quarters, a letter arrived from Haji Siyyid Javad, upon him be the glory of God, which included your missive as well. After it was read and presented, this reply was sent. God willing, may you ever be blessed with special favors and occupied with that which God has willed. Given the telegram, no further mention was needed or needs to be made.

His honor the beloved Haji Siyyid Javad, upon him be the glory of God, intended to fulfill what you had requested, but permission has not yet been granted since it is Ramadan and the matter of fasting has somewhat delayed social interactions. However, it is hoped that permission will be granted afterwards. In brief, permission has been granted for that beloved one to attain the honor of His presence—whenever you decide, you may proceed. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, that that beloved one may ever be confirmed and assisted.

I convey greetings to the true friends with mention and praise of God, especially to His Holiness Ismu’llah Zayn, upon him be all the most glorious glory, and those with him, and likewise to Aqa Mirza Muhammad and Aqa Mirza Abdullah and Aqa Muhammad Sadiq, upon them be the glory of God, and their brothers, and to Ustad Ali Akbar and Aqa Muhammad Hasan, as well as some of the friends residing in that land who have attained the presence of God. The intention is to convey greetings and salutations to the saints and loved ones of God residing in that land, both men and women.