Volume 071: Akka 1300 A.H. (1882–1883), Part II (6 of 8)

BH01420: Praise be to God Who sent the Messengers…

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

Praise be to God Who sent the Messengers and revealed the Book. Verily, there is no God but Him, the Mighty, the Bestower. The ocean of generosity has surged among the world, and its greatest, most manifest, most evident, and mightiest wave was named Muhammad in the Kingdom of Names. Through him God’s bounty and generosity were perfected for all who are in the heavens and earth. Blessings and peace be upon him and his family, whose lights shone forth from the horizons of the heavens of names. Exalted is the Creator of Heaven Who created them, established them in His Cause, caused them to speak forth His commandments, and made them appear to exalt His Word—and upon all who follow them, all who cling to them, and all who turn toward them.

Glory be to Thee, O Thou through the ʿH’ of Whose Beloved’s name the beings were attracted and the atoms testified to Thy oneness and singleness! O Lord, I beseech Thee by the light of Thy countenance and the fire of Thy Sacred Tree to assist all to remain steadfast in Thy Cause. Verily, Thou art powerful over whatsoever Thou willest. There is no God but Thee, the Strong, the Mighty.

And now, O my beloved, your letter was indeed a delicate mirror reflecting your sincerity, acceptance and orientation toward God, our Lord, your Lord and the Lord of the mighty throne. Praise be to God that you are confirmed in remembrance, praise and service. What you wrote concerning the beloved friends and gentlemen was indeed an inlet branching from the ocean of joy, bringing complete gladness and boundless delight. After presenting [this], perfect outward favor was manifested—may my spirit be a sacrifice for His favor.

The new tidings are that the travelers have arrived, praise be to God—two from the land of Kha and two from the land of Qaf, as you had written. This servant and you must beseech God, exalted be His glory, to protect all in the fortress of His care from the evil of the commanding self and to aid them in that which He loves and is pleased with. Letters have also arrived from every direction. Praise be to God that despite the intensity of oppression, the burning of the fire of transgression and corruption, and the coldness of those in existence, the sincere ones who have turned to Him remain warm and enkindled. Indeed, those who have drunk from the true Kawthar have ever been and will ever be seated upon the throne of joy in the gathering of the world. Blessed are they and theirs shall be a goodly beginning and end.

As for what you wrote regarding the honored master Haji Siyyid Javad, upon him be the glory of God, and likewise the sum that was transferred to him—this matter occurred some time ago and is as you have written. This servant has not yet met the travelers; after meeting them, details will be mentioned.

Regarding the mention of Aqa Azizu’llah and Aqa Ishaq, upon them be the glory of God, what you wrote—the receipt of arrival was sent, and later what will cause the greatest joy and illumination of heart will also be sent to Aqa Azizu’llah and the friends of that land, upon them be the glory of God. At this moment while engaged in writing these words, I was summoned and He commanded:

“Convey greetings from the Wronged One to the Afnan, upon them be My glory. Each one is mentioned in the presence of the Wronged One. God willing, may they be engaged in the remembrance of the Goal of the worlds with utmost joy and fragrance.”

End.

This lowly servant likewise extends greetings and self-effacement to the presence of the Most Great Master and the Most Great Lord and the Twin Stars, upon them be all the most glorious Glory of God, and may this be accepted, God willing. And likewise to the spiritual beloved, his honor Aqa Muhammad Mustafa, upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God, and his honor Haji ʿAbbas, upon him be [the Glory of God], and likewise to the spiritual beloved, his honor Aqa Ahmad, upon him be the Glory of God and His loving-kindness. It is hoped that a letter will be sent to them as well. And to the other two beloved ones, upon them be the Glory of God, who stand in service to the Afnan of the Sacred Tree, I send greetings. Praise be to God that they have attained and are mentioned in this station. This is a great bounty, by the Lord of all worlds. Peace be upon you and upon them and upon those who have intended the House and have attained and acted according to what they were commanded in the Book of God, the Exalted, the Mighty. And praise be to God, the Powerful, the All-Knowing, the Wise.

The servant 15th of the blessed month of Ramadan [1300]

BH00142: God testifieth that there is none other God but…

Section 1: “He is our Lord, the Most Holy…”

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

God testifieth that there is none other God but Him. Those who have acted unjustly are such servants as shall be seized by the breezes of chastisement from all directions—a command from His presence. And He is God, our Lord and the Lord of all things, our Goal and the Goal of all who are in earth and heaven.

Glorified art Thou, O God of Kings and the Merciful unto the servants! Thou beholdest Thy loved ones beneath the talons of hatred, and hearest their sighing from the land of Ta and other regions. I beseech Thee by Thy Name through which Thou hast subdued all names, to aid Thy chosen ones to be patient and forbearing. Then protect them with Thy hosts, O Thou in Whose grasp lieth the Kingdom of destiny.

O Lord! Thou seest what hath befallen them and hearest their crying and lamenting, and knowest what they desire in manifesting Thy Cause, reforming Thy lands, and displaying Thy bounty, generosity and grace amongst Thy creatures. O Lord! I beseech Thee by the pearls of the ocean of Thy utterance and the suns in the heaven of Thy certitude, to preserve them and aid them, and to inscribe for them from Thy Most Exalted Pen Thy most excellent Word, whereby the fragrance of Thy good-pleasure is diffused and every sincere one findeth the sweet savors of the garment of Thy loving-kindness.

Thou art He Who cannot be described by the descriptions of the world nor by what floweth from the Pen. Thou hast ever been sanctified above mention and utterance, and above the heights of knowledge and explanation. All realities have confessed their powerlessness, and all books have acknowledged their shortcoming. Can any horseman of utterance gallop in the arena of Thy knowledge, or range the wilderness of Thy handiwork? Nay, by Thy Most Exalted Self and the Sovereign of Names! Thou hast ever been self-sufficient in Thine own essence and mighty through Thy power and authority.

O Lord! Thou seest how the weak one hath clung to the cord of Thy strength, and the lowly one hath held fast to the hem of the robe of Thy glory. I beseech Thee by my soul which hath been adorned with the ornament of acceptance in Thy presence and clothed with the garment of humility before the gate of Thy grandeur, to deliver Thy loved ones and chosen ones from the oppression of Thine enemies. Then pour forth upon them patience through Thy bounty and grace, for tribulation in Thy love, O Lord of Names, is sweeter than all sweetness and more glorious than all things. Soon shall the idolaters and the heedless behold their loss from their deeds, and the sincere shall witness that which the Pen is powerless to manifest, mention and describe.

O Lord! Illumine the eyes of Thy creation that they may behold what they have neglected at the dawning of the lights of Thy Manifestation. Although, O my God, they have done that which hath not cut them off from the breezes of Thy most great bounty and the fragrances of Thy compassion and loving-kindness, yet, O my God, my Master, my Goal and my Hope, when Thou didst show me the oceans of Thy mercy and the heavens of Thy gifts, my hope and yearning increased. I beseech Thee not to deprive Thy servants from that which Thou hast manifested through Thy bounty, nor to withhold them from the waves of the ocean of Thy Manifestation. Verily Thou art the Almighty over what Thou willest and the Sovereign over what Thou desirest, and in Thy grasp are the reins of all in the heavens and the earth.

And I pray and send greetings upon the Dawning-Places of Thy Cause, the Day-Springs of Thy wisdom, and the Manifestations of Thy Self, O Lord of Names and Creator of Heaven, those who have cast away their desires and followed that which they were commanded by the decree of Thy Cause, and through whom Thou hast manifested what Thou didst will by Thy might and power. Verily Thou art God, the Lord of the worlds, the Goal of those near unto Thee, and the Ultimate Hope of the sincere ones.

And furthermore: there have reached this servant the traces of thy Pen—wherefrom there breatheth a fragrance that proclaimeth, in the most exalted call, thy sincerity, thy love, and thy steadfast uprising in the service of the Cause of God—He Who is our Purpose and your purpose, our Well-Beloved and your well-beloved, and the Object of adoration of all that are in the heavens and on the earth. When I read them and apprehended their meaning, I soared on the wings of yearning unto the Owner of the Day of Reunion. And when I attained His presence, I laid before Him what was contained in thy letter. Thereupon did the Tongue of the All-Merciful speak forth, in the Kingdom of Utterance, that whereby all things have been made to partake of the Kawthar of true knowledge. He—glorified be His majesty—hath said:

In the Name of Him through Whom surged the ocean of mysteries

O thou who hast turned toward the dominion of My Cause! Hearken unto the call of the Wronged One at this time when sorrows have encompassed Him through those who have disbelieved in the All-Merciful and violated the Covenant of God, the Self-Subsisting, the All-Compelling. The divines of the age have pronounced their verdict against My loved ones and chosen ones. God hath seized their leader—He, verily, is powerful over whatsoever He willeth through His word “Be” and it is. Yet the idolaters remained heedless of this. He seized another—He, verily, is powerful over whatsoever He willeth and in His grasp are the reins of all things. Such heedlessness hath overtaken them that they have denied God and His proof, and they comprehend not.

They enter the mosques in My name, yet they pronounce judgment against My Self and perceive it not. They occupy the highest seats in the world in My name, yet they deny Me that which was created for My servants. Thus have vain imaginings and idle fancies seized them. Thou hearest from their tongues My mention and praise, yet thou seest their tears and sighs at My commandments and ordinances. When the Dayspring of wisdom and Dawning-place of the Cause appeared, they disbelieved in Him and rose against Him with such tyranny as caused the Temple of Grandeur to lament upon the throne of His name, the Self-Subsisting. By My life! Were it not for God’s pre-existing decree, We would have shown them who is mightier and more powerful. But We have been patient until God manifests what He desireth. Verily, He is the Powerful over what He willeth. There is none other God but Him, the Truth, the Knower of the unseen.

Look not upon the power of the enemies and the fire of their souls. Rather, consider the former ages and what was manifested of thy Lord’s might, the Ruler of the seen and unseen. Verily, We see them as children playing with clay, and they know it not. Say: O thou ignorant scholar! By what proof didst thou believe in God’s previous Manifestations, and by what evidence dost thou turn away from Him Who hath come unto thee with what equalleth all the Books of God? Be fair, O heedless outcast! By God! Thou hast pronounced judgment against Him around Whom circle the Concourse on High and near-stationed servants.

Say: O company of the ignorant! Fear God and oppose not Him Who hath come from the Dayspring of power with the standards of verses, and hath revealed what was hidden in knowledge and recorded in the Books of God, the Lord of existence. Say: All things lament because of your tyranny, while ye sport with your own selves and perceive it not. Say: O concourse of divines! Where is he who was named Abdul-Husayn who rose against his Lord in Iraq and denied His favor after its bestowal? And where is he who was named Sadiq in the land of Ta who was denounced as a liar by the All-Merciful in a Book that was sealed with the seal of the Cause and preserved in His hidden knowledge?

And where is the leader of the people in the land of Sad whose tyranny caused the dwellers of the realms of might to lament, and those who circle round God’s kingdom, the Mighty, the Loving? When he disbelieved and transgressed and turned away and rebelled, God seized him with such a chastisement as the eye of creation had never seen its like. Thus was his fate sealed, as was the fate of those who tyrannized God’s loved ones without clear proof or manifest command. Soon shall the fate be sealed of those who have arisen in oppression and opposition, in such wise as to shake the pillars of the Cause and extinguish the light of God, the Mighty, the Witnessed.

O thou who gazest upon the Countenance! We desired the glory of the world, while they desired My harm and abasement. We have manifested Ourself to reform My lands and realms, while they have risen in opposition and desired to destroy this most mighty and impregnable edifice. Say: Fear God and transgress not your stations and your bounds. Verily He hath come with a power that cannot be hindered by the weapons of the world nor the armies of nations, if ye but knew. Thus hath shone forth the Luminary of utterance from the horizon of proof. Turn unto Him, O My friends in the land of Ta and round about it, then turn with illumined hearts and say:

“Hallowed and holy is the Lord of the angels and the Spirit!”

The Glory shining from the horizon of My Kingdom and the Light manifest from the heaven of My dominion be upon My friends and chosen ones who have aided My Cause and arisen to serve Me, in such wise that the Ancient King hath made mention of them in His inscribed Tablet.

Praise be to God! The verses have been sent down and the evidences have appeared, and the ocean of loving-kindness hath revealed the pearls of its favors unto His loved ones. Blessed is the soul that hath attained and the eye that hath beheld. What tongue or utterance could be worthy to mention this boundless grace that was and is. This evanescent servant, whenever he witnesseth the outpourings of the ocean of grace, riseth up on behalf of all to offer praise and thanksgiving to the Beloved of the worlds. Such is the measure of grace—and God is witness and aware—that the very ocean of grace hath appeared and the sun of loving-kindness is manifest, yet most remain heedless and veiled. The people are heedless; were they to know, they would sacrifice themselves in His straight path, His mighty way, and for His Ancient and Glorious Beauty. The deeds of the people of the world have occupied them with ornaments and colors that after two days shall become the portion of their enemies.

I heard with mine own ears from the tongue of my Lord at a certain time—and His word is the truth—saying: “O thou who art present! A single effulgence from the Sun of detachment shone forth upon one of the kings of the world. He became somewhat awakened and after his awakening uttered these words: ʿThere is no good in what I possess today, for tomorrow another shall possess it.’ Thereafter he withdrew from his royal throne and, mindful, departed to distant lands. In truth, he fled from vipers, scorpions and beasts of prey, and afterwards none found him. The ministers and nobles searched extensively but found him not.” And He said: “Were but one effulgence to shine upon all the people of the world, all would act as he acted. However, God doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He pleaseth, and He is the Single, the One, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.”

As to what you wrote—the Divine Tablets arrived and both the physical and spiritual eyes were illumined by their light. They were read in the house of Jinab-i-Nazir, upon him be the Glory of God, where Jinab-i-Aqa Mirza Mihdi and a group of the friends of God, upon them be the Glory of God, were present. Likewise, copies were sent to the friends, as well as the Tablets specifically meant for various regions, after which the originals were dispatched. All these matters, which in truth constitute true teaching, were presented in the Most Holy and Exalted Court. This is what the Kingdom of Utterance hath spoken, exalted be His glory:

O Nabil! Blessed is the land that hath been honored by the footsteps of the people of truth, and blessed is the house wherein the mention of the chosen ones hath been raised, and blessed is the tongue that hath arisen to teach the Cause. Praise be to God that thou hast attained to that which is befitting. Teach the Cause of thy Lord, then make mention of Him at all times, and attract hearts through His Name, the Mighty, the Beloved. Verily, He thanketh thee. Rejoice and be of those who are steadfast. Blessed is he who hath been named Mihdi and those who were present and heard the verses of God, the Lord of the worlds. We beseech God to assist those who have attained to His recognition in His days and have found the sweetness of His utterance. These are among the Concourse on High in the Book of Names. Upon them be the Glory of God, the Creator of the heavens.

Today the spreading of the Sacred Writings through wisdom and utterance is the greatest of deeds. A hundred thousand blessings upon him who has taught and teaches the Cause of God. There has never been any doubt that the purpose of creation is the knowledge of God, exalted be His glory, and this most great matter and ultimate goal cannot be achieved except through teaching and spreading the Sacred Writings. The servant beseeches God, the Most High, to assist His loved ones in all regions to accomplish that which He loves and with which He is pleased.

Concerning what you wrote about that soul upon whom be the Glory of God, His grace and His mercy—God is witness and testifier that this servant and the other friends beseech God, exalted be His glory, to strengthen him and adorn him with the ornament of righteous deeds. His father is mentioned among the assured ones in the Book of God. Blessed is he, blessed is he! However, that beloved one should observe that certain matters must be concealed from those who have extensive dealings with outsiders, for it often happens that they mention without any ill intent or agreement what they have heard, and this becomes the cause of incidents. The people of truth must be educated with wisdom so that such mention and deeds that cause enmity and discord among the people of the world do not become manifest. Let all act according to that which they are commanded and speak that which they are permitted.

Regarding what you wrote about Mirza-yi-Bahar, upon whom be the grace of God—Aqa Mirza Mihdi, upon whom be the Glory of God, has mentioned him and likewise sent a leaf regarding his thoughts’ denial. This ephemeral one also submitted a response which was sent. God willing, may he be assisted to do what is befitting. These are days of tranquility, joy and gladness. I earnestly beseech God that He may assist all in such wise that neither the might of the people of the world nor the oppression of nations may prevent them from God, exalted be His glory.

Concerning your mention of Master Sh, Mashhadi J B, Haji M H, and Aqa F R, upon them be the Glory of God—this was submitted in the Most Holy and Most Exalted Presence, and the waves of the sea of grace were manifest and evident toward each one. Likewise, all the friends of that land are illumined by the lights of the Sun of the Lord’s favors, for each has attained to the mention of the Beloved. Happy are they and blessed are they! This ephemeral one also extends to each his utter nothingness and submission, and beseeches God for unity and concord among those assured and steadfast souls. We beseech Him, exalted be He, to protect them from the evil of those who have arisen to extinguish His light and quench His fire. Verily, He has power over all things.

Section 2: “Regarding what you wrote that Mirza M H…”

Regarding what you wrote that Mirza M H Kh A, upon him be the Glory of God, had requested a special Tablet for his brother—this matter was submitted and, praise be to God, was granted. However, your honor should consider whether it accords with wisdom to give it. A Tablet was also revealed and sent specifically for Mirza —, upon him be the Glory of God. God willing, may he attain unto it. Likewise, two Most Holy and Most Exalted Tablets have appeared from the Dayspring of grace specifically for two souls—Mirza 32 Kabir and Muhammad-Qabl-S, upon them be the Glory of God. God willing, may they attain unto them and drink from the ocean of the utterance of the All-Merciful. This is what hath appeared from the Kingdom of Utterance for him who is named Ali, upon him be the Glory of God. His word, exalted be His majesty:

In My Name, the Wronged One, the Stranger

The dwellers of My celestial dominion have lamented at what hath befallen My loved ones who make mention of God at morn and eventide and who desire naught but the betterment of the nations of the world. To this beareth witness the Lord of eternity from a station wherein the sun of grace hath shone forth and the atoms testify that there is none other God but Him, the All-Compelling, the Self-Subsisting. Blessed art thou for having turned unto the Countenance when the ignorant ones of the earth turned away from it—nay, they understand not. The horizon of the heaven of My Hidden Name hath been illumined, yet the people perceive it not. They have violated their Covenant and cast behind them their Pledge until they disbelieved in Him in Whom they had believed throughout ages and centuries.

Say: O concourse of earth! He Who was promised in the Books of God hath appeared. Fear ye the All-Merciful and follow not every heedless and veiled one. Give thanks unto God for having aided thee, given thee knowledge and established thee before a gate that hath been opened unto all who are in earth and heaven. Verily thy Lord is the Compassionate, the Kind. Cast aside the imaginings of men and take fast hold of the hem of certitude. Thus doth He Who testifieth at every moment that there is none other God but Him, the Mighty, the Loving, command thee. Stand firm in the Cause and make mention of thy Lord at eventide and at dawn.

This is what hath appeared from the dominion of utterance to Mirza Abu’l-Qasim. His word, exalted be His majesty:

In His Name, the One Who ruleth over earth and heaven

A letter hath come before the Wronged One wherein was thy mention. We have mentioned thee with a mention that cannot be equalled by the mentions of nations nor the treasures of the world. To this testifieth He with Whom is a perspicuous Book. The standards have been raised, the verses sent down, and the evidences made manifest, yet most of the people remain heedless. They have cast the Cause of God behind their backs—verily they are among the abject ones. O Most Exalted Pen! Make mention when the people gathered to extinguish the light of God amongst His creation. Say: By God! The hands of Caesars and Pharaohs have fallen short. Fear God and be not of the wrongdoers.

The Will of God hath prevailed over the will of His creation, and His Purpose hath preceded the purpose of all who are in the heavens and the earth. No mention can stand before His mention, nor any command before His command. Did Pharaoh prevail or God, the Powerful, the Mighty? Beware lest the conditions of the ignorant prevent thee from the Lord of Names, or the clamor of those on earth from this Great Announcement. Rejoice in My mention of thee, then give thanks unto thy Lord, the Forgiving, the Generous. Thus have We illumined the horizon of the heaven of My Hidden Name with the luminary of wisdom and utterance. Verily thy Lord is the Ordainer, the All-Knowing.

This is what hath shone forth from the horizon of Will to him who was named Muhammad-ʿAli. His word, blessed and exalted be He:

In My Name, the One Who calleth between earth and heaven

The oppressors have done what their fathers did before—nay, they understand not. They slay My loved ones yet lament over what befell My Names aforetime. What aileth them that they are not awakened by the Call of God, the Lord of what was and what shall be? They have secluded themselves with idols, yet they perceive it not. Their ranks and their thousands and their ornaments have deceived them to such extent that they have cast behind them He Who created them by His command “Be, and it is.” Soon shall their ranks curse them and their ornaments disavow them—this hath been irrevocably decreed by God, the All-Compelling, the Self-Subsisting. Say: Rejoice in your vain dominion; soon shall ye lament as lamenteth the bereaved. To this testifieth He with Whom is a Hidden Book. Grieve not over what the hands of the servants have wrought. Give thanks unto God Who hath mentioned thee from His praiseworthy station. Take the chalice of steadfastness in the name of the Lord of creation, then drink therefrom in His Name, the Manifest, the Renowned.

This is what hath shone forth and appeared from the horizon of grace unto him who was named Sadiq. His glory be exalted!

In His Name, the Remembering, the All-Knowing

O Sadiq! On this day, whosoever hath turned unto the Most Exalted Horizon and attained unto the recognition of God, exalted be His glory, he verily hath been and is truthful. If one attaineth not unto this station, though he speak with truthfulness from time immemorial unto time everlasting, he shall not be reckoned among the truthful in the sight of God. Give thanks unto the Desired One of all the worlds and be thou engaged in His praise, inasmuch as the rays of the Sun of Truth have shone upon thee and guided thee unto the straight path. Throughout all ages and centuries, the enemies have striven to extinguish the divine light and quench the fire of the divine Lote-Tree, and have expended their efforts to this end.

But God hath driven them away by His command and manifested that which He desired through His mighty and wondrous Word. Were the heedless souls to ponder upon that which hath come to pass in the past, they would comprehend the station of this blessed Day and attain unto that which is intended. However, the love of the world and its concerns hath so seized them all that no awareness remaineth for any soul save whom God willeth. Blessed are those servants whom neither the knowledge of the learned nor the might of the enemies hath kept back from the divine path nor deprived of the everlasting Kawthar. The Command is in God’s hands. He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He pleaseth. He is the Single One, the One, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy.

Praise be to God! That which hath appeared unto each of those who have turned unto Him and attained His presence is, in truth, sanctified above all peer and likeness. We beseech God to assist the bearers of His tablets that they may drink of the living waters of His divine utterances. He is verily the Powerful, the Mighty.

Mention hath been made of the ascension of Muhammad-Sadiq—upon him be 966 [Baha’u’llah]—from the land of Ya. It was presented before the countenance of the Lord of ancient days, and these exalted words shone forth from the Dayspring of His Will. His glory be exalted!

He is the All-Forgiving, the Concealer

O Muhammad-Sadiq! Blessed art thou for having believed in the Truth on a day when all mankind turned away save those who willed and desired. I bear witness that thou didst turn unto the horizon of the Cause when most of the servants turned away therefrom. O Thou Symbol of the Kingdom and Sovereign of the Realm of Might! I beseech Thee by the breezes of Thy revelation in Thy days and the fragrant scents of the garment of Thy knowledge throughout Thy lands, and by the Name through which the sincere hastened unto the Dayspring of destiny, O Lord of all names, and the near ones hastened unto the place of sacrifice, O Creator of the heavens, that Thou forgive him who hath ascended unto Thee and efface his misdeeds through Thy bounty.

O Lord! Ordain for him, through Thy grace, that which Thou hast ordained for Thy chosen ones and pure ones. O Lord! Thou knowest what hath befallen Thy loved ones in Thy days and hearest their sighing and moaning in the prison of Thine enemies. I beseech Thee by them and by those who have sacrificed their spirits in their longing to meet Thee, to assist Thy loved ones in that which Thou lovest and approvest. Then send down at this moment upon him who hath ascended unto Thee and attained Thy presence that whereby his traces shall endure throughout the kingdom of earth and heaven. Verily, Thou art the One Who hath power over both sovereign and subject. There is none other God but Thee, the Mighty, the Loving.

O beloved of my heart! By the life of your Beloved and mine, this servant is filled with longing, for in these days the spring of divine favour hath encompassed the world, and it is the time of ascension and passing, for man attaineth unto a remembrance that shineth like the sun from the horizon of the heaven of God’s Book—a remembrance which neither extinction shall overtake nor annihilation find. Under all conditions one must be content and thankful, for He knoweth what is best for these servants. He knoweth what we have, and we know not what He hath, and He is the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

They had likewise made mention of Mashhadi ʿAli, upon him be the Glory of God. Time and again he hath been remembered in the divine presence. God willing, may he be assisted to serve the Cause, that the manifestation, signs and fruits of the Tree of Being may endure through the perpetuity of God’s names, evident and manifest in all things. A letter from the spiritual friend Aqa Khalil, upon him be the Glory of God, the Sovereign, the Mighty, the Glorious, addressed to Aqa Muhammad Husayn, upon him be the Glory of God, arrived and was presented at the Most Holy Court. They said:

O thou who art present! A sweet fragrance emanateth from them. God willing, may they be assisted in all conditions to remember and praise God with joy and delight. Verily We have heard his call and the mentions contained in his letter, and We have remembered them with My manifest remembrance, and strengthened them through My grace, and We counsel them with that whereby the Cause shall be exalted, and I am the Commanding, the All-Informed.

Repeatedly their mention was heard from the blessed tongue. In the letter of Aqa Mirza Mihdi, upon him be the Glory of God, mention was also made of them. Verily our Lord, the Most Merciful, is the Munificent Bestower.

They made mention of the honored Mulla Mustafa, upon him be the Glory of God. This servant beseecheth God that He may assist him to serve the Cause. O beloved of my heart! Steadfastness is a mighty matter. God willing, may they be assisted to act with wisdom and attain unto service. At this moment I was summoned to the Most Holy, Most Exalted Court, and after presenting myself before the Throne, They said: Write to Nabil-i-Qa’in, upon him be the Glory of God, to convey greetings to the loved ones of God who dwell in those regions and gladden them with God’s favors. The land of M and Y hath been under the glance of God’s favor. Blessed are My loved ones in those parts, and blessed, again blessed, is he who turned to God in the early days.

We have remembered him and remembered them through Our grace, and We counsel them to observe wisdom, calmness, dignity, and to refrain from confronting any of the servants. They should drink the Kawthar of immortality in secret, in the name of their Lord, the Forgiving, the Generous. We perceive from the land of M and R the fragrance of My love. Soon will God exalt it through justice. We counsel its people to practice righteousness and God-consciousness and whatsoever befitteth the days of God, the Lord of the worlds. We make mention of My loved ones in its surroundings and give them the glad tidings of My acceptance of them and My remembrance of them. And We make mention of S and Y and those around it.

Blessed are My loved ones there who have cast aside the vain imaginings of men, holding fast to My straight path. And We bid them observe wisdom lest there be raised the clamor of those who have been heedless of this mighty Cause.

Praise be to God! All are blessed with divine grace and are speaking His praise. Yet they must not be deceived, for deceivers and tricksters have ever sought out sincere and pure souls. As was written from the land of Ra and Shin, a certain person named Rasul, who for years served Jinab-i-ʿAndalib (upon him be Baha’u’llah’s glory) and who imagined himself soaring in the atmosphere of certitude, ultimately broke his covenant of faithfulness and returned to his former state. He then directed his attention to those regions to mislead others and acquire wealth. Therefore, you must be vigilant and alert those around you, for the armies of misbelief appear in the name of truth, and often they change their names. May God protect us and you from the evil of such people.

Likewise, emphasize that they should not be quick to believe the words of every speaker, nor trust every soul, although it is possible that due to some ill feelings between them, heedlessness has caused him to turn away from the truth. I beseech God to guide such souls, and since they have dwelt for a time beneath His shadow, may He not now deprive them. Man is prone to error—were it not for His grace and favor, this servant would be more sinful than any sinner. With a hundred thousand tongues I beseech God, exalted be His glory, to grant those souls that which purifies and sanctifies hearts, and to grant this servant that which causes steadfastness and arising to serve. Regarding most of those regions, favor has been shown; God willing, they will attain to it.

Finally, convey greetings and salutations from this evanescent servant to each of God’s loved ones and friends. I request that all not forget this evanescent one in their good prayers, that God, exalted be His glory, may assist this dust to perform the service entrusted to him. May the glory that shines resplendent from the horizon of our Lord’s favor be upon you and upon those who have drunk the wine of faith from the hand of their Lord’s bounty, the All-Forgiving, the Most Generous. Praise be to God, the Most High, the Most Great.

BH00183: The servant beareth witness that there is none other…

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 All-Glorious

The servant beareth witness that there is none other God but Him. He hath ever been and will forever be even as He hath always been, after acknowledging that He was sanctified beyond what will be and what hath been, and exalted above all names, likenesses and peers. He is God, the Self-Sufficient, the Most High. He hath sent forth the Messengers, revealed the Books, and manifested what He willed as a token of His grace, and He is the Mighty, the All-Bountiful.

And then, thy letter reached Me and I was attracted by the fragrance of thy love for our Beloved and your Beloved, our Goal and your Goal. When I took it, opened it, read it, understood it and found it, I proceeded to the ultimate destination and supreme height until I attained His presence and presented it. Then did the Countenance turn toward me and spoke that which caused the fragrance of utterance to waft throughout all creation. He spoke, and His sweetest word and His grace that transcendeth all names is this:

In His Name, the Mighty, the All-Knowing

O Mim before Ha! Hearken unto the call of the Wronged One. He maketh mention of thee even as He mentioned thee before, while the heedless surrounded Him from all sides. Among them were those who turned away, those who denied, those who disputed, and those who openly arose and pronounced judgment against God, the Lord of all worlds. They have imprisoned My loved ones with such tyranny as caused the dwellers of the eternal Paradise and the companions of this exalted station to lament. Thus did their souls entice them. We testify that they are among the most lost in the sight of God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. We have made mention of thee with such remembrance as hath no equal on earth, and We make mention of thee at this hour as a token of My grace, for I am the All-Bountiful, the Forgiving, the Generous.

Grieve thou not over anything. By the life of God! The oppressors are in the abyss of self and passion. They are indeed among the distracted ones. Can anyone prevent that which God hath willed? Nay, by My Cause, which hath dominion over all who are in the heavens and on earth! Their likeness is as the likeness of children playing with that which profiteth them not. They are indeed in manifest error. Verily, he who pronounced judgment against My loved ones hath been seized by God with His might, and the angels of punishment received him, saying: “O vile one, come! The companions of hell await thee!” When he arrived, the denizens of the fire sought refuge with God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy, from his evil and his vileness.

He seized the other one through His power, and after these two He will send yet another soul. Thus doth He recompense the oppressors through His might, and He is the Strong, the Triumphant, the Powerful.

O Mihdi! The world hath been encompassed by the punishment of deeds. Each day it appeareth in a different manner and is manifested in a distinct way. Beseech ye God that He may, through His grace, enable all to succeed and guide them to the straight path. The heedlessness of the people hath reached such a degree that they are veiled from the cause of their own existence and from the recognition thereof. They walk in darkness and perceive not. Their desires lead them whithersoever they wish, and they understand not. With the utmost diligence and effort they have striven to extinguish the divine light, but God preventeth them through a command from Him, and He is the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. Convey My greetings to the friends in that land. God willing, may they all gaze with the utmost steadfastness toward the horizon of the Cause and hold fast unto wisdom. Thus have We counseled before and at this time. Blessed is he who acteth according to that which he hath been commanded, and woe unto the heedless ones. The glory shining forth from the horizon of My loving-kindness be upon thee and upon those whom neither the oppression of the oppressors nor the ascendancy of the rulers hath frightened.

Praised be God that on this Thursday morning, the twenty-first of the blessed month of Ramadan, you have been enabled to remember God, exalted be His glory. This is a bounty that cannot be compared with all the bounties of the world. Although this evanescent one has apparently delayed in responding to your letter, God is my witness, as is your heart, that this delay and postponement has been solely out of love, wisdom, and lack of opportunity. At present there are many letters from the friends of God remaining, and this servant has not found the opportunity to respond. However, they are mentioned in the Most Holy, Most Exalted, Most Glorious Presence at the time of their arrival, and at that moment they are remembered. Therefore, if there is delay in sending replies, it matters not, for the essential purpose is that they be mentioned in the Holy Presence. As the Primal Point—may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for Him—has said, all exists so that they might be mentioned but once before the Divine Throne, and you, praise be to God, have repeatedly attained to this most exalted station.

With hands of supplication and hope, this evanescent nothing beseeches the Lord of Names to open a door before the faces of His loved ones, that all may become aware of the fruits of their deeds and their recompense, even if it be as small as the eye of a needle. By the life of our Beloved and your Beloved and the Beloved of all who are in the heavens and earth, whosoever attains unto this station sees the might, power, wealth, and dominion of the people of the world as the eye of a dead ant. Tribulation and hardship have encompassed the world, yet they remain heedless. More than this, at the decree of ignorant divines, they have not ceased to oppose those who have no purpose save God’s, whose aim is the edification of the world and the betterment of nations, and who have harmed not even an ant, let alone a human being.

The government, due to various delusions, has likewise not ceased its oppression. For thirty years or more, the Supreme Pen has, day and night, commanded His loved ones to patience and forbearance, and has strictly forbidden them in the Holy Books and Tablets from engaging in unseemly deeds, actions, conduct and utterances that are unacceptable. Nevertheless, there has befallen the chosen ones of God that which has caused the hearts of the denizens of Paradise to be consumed with the fire of grief.

Soon will the heedless ones behold the fruits of their deeds, even as they have seen the results of their past actions. Were this station to be explained even briefly, the fear of God would encompass all, and there would be danger of destruction. I end mention of this station with remembrance of the Desired One: Verily, there is no God but Him, the Single, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

Regarding what you wrote about Jinab-i-Amin, Haji Mirza Abu’l-Hasan, upon him be the Glory of God, he has been in the Holy Presence and has attained what God desired. These days, by command, he has gone to Beirut to enquire after the Afnan, upon them be the Most Glorious Glory of God. Some of your letters have reached him and he has given them to this servant, and the details of each were presented in the Holy Presence. Among these was the matter of funds mentioned in both my letter and his—what he has written is correct and has been accepted. He has assigned it to reach Jinab-i-Haji A. H., upon him be the Glory of God, or his son in Tiflis.

Concerning what you wrote about the spiritual beloved, Jinab-i-Varqa, upon him be the Glory of God, the Most Glorious—after this news reached the Most Holy Court, a word was revealed indicating his protection, and His Holiness Afnan, upon him be all Glory, was commanded to convey it to him. From the land of Sh. they had written his details, and likewise his letter written from prison to one of the friends was sent to this servant. After it was presented in the Most Holy Court, He smiled. For the moment it became a cause of joy to the Ancient Beauty, as he had written his details to the authorities. Praise be to God, he was and is under the protection and shelter of the True One, exalted be His glory. This evanescent servant beseeches God to assist him in all conditions and to grant him that which befits His grace.

Mention was made of the Hujjatu’l-Islam—he is better than most. If one were to reflect upon the abhorrent, rejected deeds of the false one named Sadiq, he would pray for mercy for Hujjatu’l-Islam. First he lost a few dirhams due to an unseemly act, but second he sold the True One, exalted be His glory, and His Prophets, chosen ones and saints for outward glory. By the life of our Beloved, he has indeed lost and returned to his station.

Moreover, from the first deed no trace of deception and hypocrisy was detected, but from the second, at every moment such deception was manifest that Satan himself would seek refuge in the All-Merciful. In any case, the helpless servants are afflicted in the hands of these oppressive, heedless, deceitful souls. It is hoped that God, exalted be His glory, will protect the helpless people from the likes of such “proofs” and guide them to the Dawning-Place of the light of absolute truth. In this most mighty, most holy Revelation, the hand of divine power has not given respite to the corrupt and oppressive ones. Nevertheless, they were not and are not awakened, and soon upon the couch of heedlessness their wailing and lamentation will rise up as they return to their abodes and are tormented by the punishment of their deeds. Glory be to God! One who cries out from a single fever—observe what pride and vanity he displays in health! Has consciousness not been created in these souls? Has the faculty of remembrance been taken from them? In all cases one must hold fast to God, exalted be His glory, and seek protection. Verily He is the Forgiving, the Generous, and He is the Hearing, the Answering One.

And concerning what you wrote about the honored beloved, the illustrious Nabil, upon him be the Glory of God—mention was made of him in the Most Holy, Most Exalted Court and perfect bounty was manifested. In these days he has also written something to this servant. God willing, an answer will be sent to him. And concerning what was written about Jinab-i-Adib-i-ʿArif, that is, the honored friend Jinab-i-Mirza-yi-Bahar, upon him be God’s grace and mercy—after the arrival and reading of the letter, this evanescent one turned toward the Most Exalted Horizon and presented it in the Most Holy, Most Glorious Court. This is what the Tongue of Grandeur spoke forth from the Supreme Summit, these are His words, exalted be His glory:

O servant! Write a reply to them and convey greetings from this Wronged One that they may inhale the fragrance of My love and arise to that which befits this Great Announcement. Say: O Spring! God willing, may you adorn the world with the ornament of this Name, that all may be clothed in new and wondrous garments. This spiritual springtime has no peer or likeness, for the rain of mercy descends at every moment. The purpose is that the veils of error and the clouds of glory may be rent asunder, and the Sun of Justice may shine forth from the horizon of the heaven of equity, that all may witness themselves in a state of contentment with utmost joy and tranquility, and may shatter the idols of ignorant fanaticism which are the cause of corruption in the world and among nations, through the Name of the Lord of Eternity, that all parties may drink from the Euphrates of the mercy of the Lord of Lords on the Day of Return, and the horizons may be illumined with the lights of unity.

In this way shall the world’s illness be cured and all shall attain everlasting health. Thus have We adorned the horizon of the heaven of utterance with the Sun of knowledge. Blessed is he who hears and acts upon that which he has been commanded by the wise Ordainer.

Section 2: “Indeed, this evanescent servant was gladdened by their…”

Indeed, this evanescent servant was gladdened by their letter and derived joy therefrom, inhaling from it the fragrance of love, for it was adorned with the mention of the Beloved of the worlds. Although outwardly the address was to this evanescent one, yet from every letter thereof wafted the fragrance of the mention of our Purpose and the Purpose of all who are in the heavens and the earth. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, to assist them in that which will cause their remembrance to endure throughout the kingdom of earth and heaven. Convey on behalf of this evanescent one greetings and salutations to them.

A letter from the spiritual friend, Aqa Khalil, upon him be 9 66 [Baha’u’llah], which he had written to Aqa Muhammad Husayn, upon him be 9 66 [Baha’u’llah], was sent to this evanescent one, and after perusal was presented at the Most Holy and Exalted Court. Both he and the names mentioned in his letter were honored with the mention of God, exalted be His glory. O what a mention this is! Were it to be cast upon a rock, living waters would flow from it; were it to be cast upon a mountain, it would bow down before the Name of God; and were it upon trees, they would instantly bear fruit… When the servant regained consciousness, he beheld the Purpose before all names. Let that honored friend convey this greatest glad-tidings to them. In all circumstances, all must observe wisdom. When any name is mentioned at the Divine Throne, the rains of remembrance descend particularly for that one from the heaven of divine mercy, but the friends must observe the time and not let go of wisdom. Often someone claims love deceitfully, intending only to gather information, and God veils this, for the tale-bearer has ever been and will ever be detested.

But the friends must look with the light of God and not open their lips until they observe the radiance of glory in a face. The Tongue of Grandeur previously uttered these exalted words, and this servant has repeatedly mentioned them: He says, exalted be He: “Believe not every speaker, and be not assured by every arrival…” and so forth, glorified and mighty be He. That honored one should convey these details to the friends of God, exalted be His glory.

The honored letter from His Excellency Nabil (upon him be the Most Glorious Beauty of God) has arrived. In truth, every letter of it testifies to his devotion and sincerity towards God and for God’s sake. Since there is intention to reply, this letter is written briefly. As commanded, His Excellency must observe the utmost wisdom. The people of Baha are permitted to visit Mecca, and the Ancient Beauty Himself (may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for Him) would attend the mosque in Iraq and associate with every group there, dealing with all in the utmost spirit of fellowship—to such extent that at the time of His departure, people wept like bereaved mothers. Later, due to lack of wisdom, what happened happened.

And now in every city some individuals appear with complete deceit, as in the land of M where by order of the oppressors and commanders, about three hundred horsemen along with two deceitful, crafty liars approached a village where divine friends resided. It is reported that they dispersed the horsemen, and the two deceivers who were leading the forces went to the house of one of the well-known believers and declared their faith. That poor soul, with complete sincerity and purity, fully hosted those two vile ones that night and informed some friends who gathered, thinking that two true friends had come either from the Beloved or from divine friends. Thus all hastened to see these two persons, and after learning about the approaching souls, they suddenly informed the horsemen who surrounded the companions of truth and captured them all.

In any case, during these days it is possible that in other places too they may seek information through such tricks and deceptions. The friends must not believe every claimant and should not trust every newcomer until gradually what is hidden in hearts becomes manifest. “Deliberation is from the All-Merciful and haste is from Satan.” Through patience and deliberation, people’s conditions become known. Any countenance in which the radiance of Baha exists is distinguished from others.

These points were mentioned so that the friends would be aware. Although if all heaven and earth were to unite, they would surely be unable to extinguish the divine light or suppress the fire of the divine Tree, and all would find themselves powerless, nevertheless the friends must move according to the will of God, exalted be His glory. Among the important matters has been and is the preservation of divine verses. Glory be to God! Despite this point being written repeatedly and sent to various regions, still in every land they have captured pure souls who had writings with them. It is as if they have prepared the Books, Scrolls, Psalms and Tablets of Truth just to surrender them. Their preservation is obligatory and essential for all. A hundred thousand regrets that the pearls of the divine ocean of knowledge have fallen into the hands of thieves and traitors. God willing, may the friends of Truth in that land be assisted in preservation.

O Lord! I beseech Thee by Thy Most Great Name and by Thy power over the world to protect Thy loved ones through Thy might and assist them in preserving what Thou hast sent down from the heaven of Thy will. Verily Thou art powerful over what Thou willest. There is no God but Him, the Single, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

To each of the friends in that land I convey my utter nothingness and effacement, along with greetings and glory. May all be assisted in that which is the cause of the betterment of the world’s peoples. Those servants who have turned to none but the Truth and who, day and night, have had no purpose except the reformation of the world and the tranquility of nations—these have been accused of corruption. Yet they themselves know that those holy souls are innocent of what has been and is being said of them. But these words are merely pretexts and excuses for seizure, plunder, pillage and the like. Verily, the curse of God be upon the oppressive people who have transgressed in the earth, violated the Covenant, and denied what was sent down from the Kingdom of God, the Lord of the worlds.

As for what was written concerning the dream, it was presented before the Most Holy Court. This is what the Kingdom of Knowledge spoke, exalted be His name and His praise:

“That which was revealed to him in the realm of dreams is all evidence of steadfastness and proof of service. God willing, may he at all times be enabled to serve the Beloved Cause of the contingent world. Likewise it is evidence of submission and contentment, and martyrdom in sleep has been and is the cause of life. May he ever gaze toward and hold fast unto the Truth. Verily, He will protect him through His grace and ordain for him the best of what He has revealed in His clear Book.”

End quote.

The glad tidings of this evanescent one are that his honor the beloved Amin’u’l-Bayan, namely Haji Mirza Abu’l-Hasan, upon him be the Most Glorious Beauty of God, attained the presence and mentioned in the Most Holy Court such things about that honored one and the loved ones of that land as caused joy to the heart of this evanescent one. Likewise mention was made of the honored mother and brothers and sister, upon them be the Glory of God. A Tablet has been revealed from the heaven of favor specifically for that honored one, along with mention of the leaves—God willing they will attain unto it. Similarly, the names which that honored one had written were presented before Him from Whose knowledge nothing is hidden. This is what the Tongue of Utterance spoke in the Kingdom of Recognition, exalted be His utterance:

O Mihdi! Upon thee be My loving-kindness! Blessed art thou and blessed are those who have believed in God, the Single, the All-Informed. Those souls whom thou hast mentioned have all attained to the remembrance of God, and clear verses have been sent down from the heaven of divine will concerning each one. Blessed are they and blessed are their fathers and mothers, for the friends of God, exalted be His glory, have appeared from among them, and His pre-existent and all-encompassing mercy hath surrounded them all. Convey glad-tidings from the Wronged One of the horizons to each one and deliver My greetings. We enjoin all to wisdom and to that which conduceth to the glory of God’s Cause, and We forbid whatsoever obscureth the essence of man.

O My loved ones in Ta! Hearken unto the call of the Wronged One Who remembereth you in prison. Were the people of the world to know the station of the remembrance of God, and were each to possess a world like unto this world, they would surely sacrifice it to attain unto even a single word. At present these stations are concealed due to the world’s lack of capacity, but God will assuredly reveal them through truth. Verily, He is powerful over all things. Under all conditions, fix your gaze upon wisdom and hold fast unto it. Consider not every soul trustworthy, and be not confident in them, for among the trustworthy is found the treacherous, and among friends the false.

Keep the pearls of the All-Merciful’s love concealed from the eyes of the treacherous and preserved from thieves. Thus doth the Wronged One command you. Verily, He is the Commander, the Counselor, the Compassionate, the All-Forgiving, the Generous.

In truth, adherence to wisdom is necessary and obligatory, for this command hath been revealed and established in most Tablets. Again, this evanescent one’s plea to the friends is that they keep the Tablets and writings most carefully concealed. Their being kept in rooms is not permitted; they must be preserved in hidden and secure places, and no one, whether from within or without, should be informed of their location. Every soul is responsible for safeguarding these precious pearls. Your honor and all the friends of God are aware that the purpose of this Most Great Manifestation hath been and is the reformation of the world, and anything else hath been strictly forbidden. Nevertheless, people are observed to be fearful and agitated, for these very acts of seizure, plunder, and pillage are evidence of the fear of both the perpetrators and the instigators. However, truth shall become manifest and the lights of justice shall encompass the world. The life of tyranny is very short. Would that the people knew, understood and comprehended! The Glory that is manifest, evident and shining from the horizon of the bounty of our Lord be upon you and upon those with you and upon His loved ones in that land.

BH02257: Praise be to God Who illumined the horizons…

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

Praise be to God Who illumined the horizons with a light that shone forth and dawned from the horizon of Hijaz, and by it He illumined the horizons of the hearts of the servants, and sent down that which caused the Kawthar of life to flow throughout the lands—blessed is he who attained unto His Cause and drank the Kawthar of His utterance and acted according to what was commanded in His Book, whereby God distinguished between truth and falsehood, and fire and light, until the Day when the trumpet shall be sounded. And may the eternal universal mercy and the light shining from the horizon of Will be upon Him and upon His family and companions, through whom the spheres of faith revolved among the followers of all religions, and that which the All-Merciful revealed in the Furqan was made manifest, and through whom the pavilion of religion was raised up and the Cause of God, the Lord of the worlds, was made manifest.

And now, the servant has received your letter which testified to the oneness of God and His sovereignty, and His singleness and His grandeur. When I read it, I presented it and He said—and His sweetest utterance is:

“We send greetings upon My Afnan and upon him and upon those who have acted according to what they were commanded by One Who is All-Knowing, All-Wise. We beseech God, exalted be He, to grant them the pilgrimage to the House built by the All-Glorious before and after the Friend’s house was built.”

End of the blessed handwriting.

The letter of his honor Afnan, “A” and “H”, upon him be all glory, which was sent has been presented. As commanded, they should add to the amount he had written so that the sum of fifty tumans reaches the people of Hadba. This matter is very important. In truth, they are steadfast in service. At one time these blessed words were heard from the Beloved’s tongue—He said: “Verily he is possessed of clear certitude, and before this he acted for the sake of God, the Lord of the worlds.” Repeatedly similar utterances were heard regarding him. This ephemeral one beseeches and hopes that the True One, exalted be His glory, will strengthen and assist his honor so that in all worlds he may gaze toward the supreme horizon and act as befitting.

The request and petition is that you convey utter effacement and nothingness on behalf of this ephemeral one to his honor the most great Aqa and his honor the honored Aqa and the two Najmayns, upon them be all glory. Whatever you wrote on behalf of the Leaves of the Divine Lote-Tree, upon them be all glory, regarding the people of the pavilion of grandeur was presented. Each one sends greetings and praise. In truth, with utmost love and affection and sincerity they mention each of those leaves, and they specifically instructed this servant to convey greetings and praise. You will certainly deliver them. I present greetings to the friends and the honored ones of that land, and God willing it will be accepted. Peace be upon you and the mercy of God and His blessings.

The servant 27th of the blessed month of Ramadan 1300

BH01566: Praise be to God Who guided us to His…

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

Praise be to God Who guided us to His path, made known His evidence, and made clear to us the wonders of His grace and the manifestations of His care. And the prayer shining forth from the horizon of the heaven of knowledge and the peace radiant and resplendent from the dawning-place of grace be upon the Secret of existence and the Manifestation of the intended Lord, through Whose appearance God’s most beautiful names were manifested and through Whose character His supreme attributes emerged, and from Whom the near ones found the fragrance of God’s hidden Name and the sincere ones that which the tongues of what was and what will be were powerless to mention. And upon His family and companions who aided the religion of God and His Cause and acted according to what they were commanded in His Book—those servants whom the manifestations of might and power did not prevent from enjoining good and forbidding evil.

They truly strove in God’s path and by their swords necks were humbled and the temple of the Cause was established upon the throne of independence among mankind. Blessed is he who attained unto them and heard from them what their Beloved and Intended One related to them. And woe unto him who turned away from acceptance and was among the deniers.

And then, the esteemed letter arrived. Praise be to God, it was a messenger bearing the fragrance of love and spoke of stations of sincerity and affection. May God, exalted be His glory, assist that spiritual friend and spread through that beloved one that which the worlds are powerless to conceal and find themselves impotent before. The Command is in God’s hand—He doeth what He willeth and decreeth what He desireth. However He hath not and will never neglect the welfare of His loved ones. This is the truth of certainty.

The first matter is to express sincere devotion and evanescence and nothingness to the presence of the gentlemen, upon them be all His Most Glorious Beauty. His honor the Great Master, upon him be God’s grandeur and might, cannot bear the hardship of turning toward the House of God from that direction, as it is very difficult, especially this year. I beseech God to grant the reward of pilgrimage. Verily our Lord is the Forgiving, the Generous. The beloved of the heart Muhammad Mustafa, upon him be the Most Glorious Beauty of God, and the other friends have been and are in this evanescent one’s thoughts. God is witness and testifier that they are ever remembered in the heart. We beseech God, blessed and exalted be He, to strengthen them and all His loved ones and to confound their enemies. Verily He is powerful over all things.

As for the matter of the beloved friend, what they have arranged is exactly right. God willing he will be assisted to render a service whose station he does not now know and of whose significance he is unaware. And regarding what they wrote about whether it would be advisable for that honored one to also accompany them to become informed of the source and reality of matters, and likewise to turn toward the intended land—this is most beloved. It is very clear that if that beloved one were to turn, it would be and is most excellent and most loved and most beauteous. All services return to that honored one through God’s grace. The servant asks Him Who is not mentioned by what is with the people to send down for you from the heaven of His bestowal at all times that which the pen is powerless to mention and to which the fingers cannot point. Verily He is the Powerful, the Mighty, the All-Bountiful.

Another matter: His honor Aqa Shukru’llah, upon him be the Glory of God, who had come from Shiraz, was delayed in Port Said due to lack of papers. They intended to proceed to Beirut. Until now no news of them has arrived. Now that honored one should designate someone to go inquire of the quarantine authorities and obtain news of him. This matter is very necessary as they are strangers and do not know the languages. If they are there and require expenses, give them whatever amount they need. Peace and mercy and glory be upon your honor and upon God’s loved ones there.

The servant 4th of Shawwal the honored 1300

BH01603: Praise be to God Who hath guided all…

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

Praise be to God Who hath guided all to His path, taught all His knowledge, and honored all through His grace and favors. He it is Who hath revealed from the drop the ocean of creation, and through Him the world was illumined and the nations were set ablaze, until even the pebble testified and the seed spoke forth, and the story of the Mount was renewed in the Sinai of Manifestation. Exalted, exalted is He above the inability of every eloquent one to praise Him and every articulate one to describe Him. He is the Single, the One, the Sanctified, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

Glory be to Thee, O Thou in Whose grasp is the reins of existence! I beseech Thee by the light of Thy countenance and the splendor of Thy face to assist Thy servants to remain steadfast in Thy Cause in such wise that the oppression of those who have denied Thy signs may not grieve them. O my Lord! Purify the earth from the defilement of these ones and sanctify it from those who have turned away from Thee and have risen to destroy Thy House which was built by the hands of Thy power. O my Lord! Ordain for me and my brothers that which will benefit us in all the worlds of Thy worlds. Verily, Thou art the Almighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

And then, your letter was received in His presence—truly sorrows have fled from the field. I beseech the Exalted One to grant you the best of what He possesses and to assist you in serving Him in every world of His worlds.

To the honored and respected Afnan, upon him be the peace of God and His favors, I convey my greetings. God willing, may they be assisted in all conditions and drink from the cup of joy at all times in such wise that the troubles of these days may not affect them nor deprive them of spirit and fragrance. O my brother, O my beloved! The ancient glory hath been ordained for them. Happy are they and blessed are they.

The delay of his holiness the Afnan, Aqa Aqa Siyyid M, upon him be all glory, and their tardiness has caused sorrow to the Leaves of the Divine Lote-Tree, upon them be the glory of God. God willing, this too shall pass according to His good-pleasure, just as this great journey was completed with perfect ease and comfort, and they attained to that which had no equal. I beseech the True One, exalted be His glory, to grant His confirmation. He is powerful over all things.

And regarding what you wrote about his holiness the Afnan, Aqa Siyyid ʿAli, upon him be the glory of God and His favors, who showed kindness—God is my witness that they have always been and continue to be before my eyes. I beseech the True One, exalted and glorified be He, to shelter all beneath the shade of the Divine Lote-Tree and grant them anew the fountain of meeting. The wretchedness of the servants has become a barrier. Once this blessed word was revealed from the Kingdom of Utterance:

“Were it not for the heedlessness of the heedless ones and the oppression of the oppressors, We would not have given the Afnan permission to return, and would have assigned them a station in this very land.”

Nevertheless, whatever has happened and continues to happen has been and is according to the requirements of divine wisdom.

To the spiritual beloved, Aqa Ahmad, upon him be the glory of God, I send greetings. God willing, may he be confirmed and assisted, and likewise to all other friends in that land, upon them be the glory of God. Regarding what you wrote about the beloved Habib, truly whatever that Beloved One hath said is correct and complete. This matter has been greatly prolonged. Your word was timely. God willing, may we attain to what He desires. Verily, what is beloved is what He desires for us, as evidenced by what we have and what is with us.

Regarding the beloved’s journey, permission has been granted that they may proceed whenever they wish. This is glad tidings from this servant to you. And God speaks the truth and guides to the path. There is no God but Him, the Mighty, the Beautiful. God willing, after completing the work with the beloved, they will proceed, and regarding what was written about Aqa Mirza Muhammad and the sum that was given, these matters are in your hands—act as you deem appropriate. Peace be upon you and upon God’s righteous servants, and praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

The servant Saturday, 14th of the honored month of Shawwal, 1300

BH00830: Praise be to God Who hath sent down…

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

Praise be to God Who hath sent down the Book and manifested the evident signs and spoke with the tongue of grandeur before the creation of earth and heavens. Verily there is no God but Him, and He hath caused all things to speak that they may testify to that which He Himself hath testified. He is indeed the Powerful One Whom the might of the world hath not hindered, and the Self-Sufficient Who is untouched by the poverty of nations, Who hath detailed from the Point the knowledge of what was and what shall be, and hath sent forth from His grace that which nothing in all creation can equal. There is no God but Him, the Omnipotent, the Supreme, the Self-Subsisting. And blessings and peace be upon His chosen one and His beloved, the Point around which revolve the spheres of knowledge and utterance, of wisdom and exposition, and upon His family and companions whom God hath made the hands of His Cause and the manifestations of His remembrance, and through whom God hath aided His religion. Verily He is the Strong, the All-Wise.

And then, your letter arrived at a time when this servant found no opportunity to offer a reply, as time was utterly lacking and no one was available in the castle to deliver the response. Thus it remained delayed. Although through divine grace you are at all times blessed with the mention, utterance, and loving-kindness of our Master (may my spirit be sacrificed for His sake), to such a degree that all bear witness to this supreme bounty and magnificent gift. The first purpose was and is the well-being of the Afnans of the Blessed Tree—upon them be all His Most Glorious Beauty—and yourself, as well as the other friends of God, upon them be God’s peace. Secondly, mention was made of Habib. God willing, may he be assisted in a matter of which he is now unaware of its fruits. Praise be to God, you went on a special mission and now return with special permission. Its beginning was peace and its end light and mercy.

Regarding what was written about the wish of the Leaf of the Blessed Tree—upon her be all His Most Glorious Beauty—in these days fourteen accepted souls intend to return from this land. It was thought that if it reaches these souls, it would be acceptable for expenditure on the path. And when it was presented before His presence, He said:

“O servant present, write to Abu’l-Hasan—upon him be My glory—that the Leaf’s own wish must be carried out. We have accepted this that it may be a glory and honor to her. We have commanded the servant in attendance to undertake the accomplishment of this service wherever possible. Otherwise, the matter is in His hands. He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He desireth, and He is the Single One, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.”

End.

Praise be to God that the effulgent rays of the Sun of acceptance illumined and adorned with its most beauteous ornament the kingdom of hope.

Upon first arrival at the barracks, His Holiness the Afnan, my master, the honorable J.A. who ascended to the Most Exalted Horizon, sent a letter expressing his desire that a set of special lamp fixtures be sent to the Holy Presence. After this was presented, it was stated that although the Point of the Bayan—may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for Him—had commanded that 2001 exquisite and sublime lamps and adorned and lofty lights be lit before Him, yet now the Wronged One dwells in military barracks, in a house whose curtains are spiderwebs and whose dilapidation is evident from all sides.

Although this ruined house is, in the sight of God, more excellent, more beloved and more glorious than a palace of rubies, yet outwardly such accoutrements befit not this desolate place. Now, through the wondrous infinite grace, that praiseworthy and accepted deed has been manifested through the intention of the Leaf, and has been honored with acceptance. His is the praise and the glory, His is the gratitude and the splendor.

Give glad tidings to that beloved of the Leaf—upon her be nine-fold most glorious splendor—of this manifest, brilliant, radiant benevolence. And all that was mentioned refers to the special grace and favor shown to the Afnan of the Sacred Tree. The servant indeed praises God his Lord and thanks Him for this bounty which has encompassed the Afnans—upon them be the glory of the All-Merciful.

This evanescent servant presents his utter effacement and nothingness to all, and likewise to the assured, steadfast, pure, sanctified and tranquil souls.

At the letter’s end: We await your most sweet, most sweet presence. Peace and glory be upon you, and God’s mercy and [blessings].

The servant 22nd of the honored month of Shawwal 1300

He is God!

It is submitted that after completing this letter, another missive arrived from that beloved one, hence it became necessary to trouble you again. God the One is witness that this servant feels the utmost gratitude and embarrassment toward that beloved one.

Indeed, you have shown the utmost diligence in investigating and searching for marble and other stones. In this world few people understand one’s purpose and grasp what is intended in matters, but that beloved one has exceeded expectations and taken great pains, recording various opinions and views. What that honored one has mentioned is correct, for marble is indeed superior, more excellent, more splendid and more beautiful. However, considering the times, various stones have been and are being mentioned, with the intention that the cost not exceed moderation.

Regarding what you wrote that there are many options available—indeed it is just as you wrote. It is very good that you have made inquiries from others besides Habib. This servant had also intended to mention to you that there are some good craftsmen there—do make inquiries from them as well as from Habib. Praise be to God that beloved one has, of his own accord, done what was in this evanescent one’s mind.

Now what is needed is to meet with you. Please determine from Nicholas the mason what daily wages would be required if we were to request a master craftsman to come to Akka. Please specify this matter. After your arrival we can discuss—if agreeable we will request that craftsman, otherwise not.

And regarding what you wrote that it was decided to bring both a simple design and an ornate design—this is good, along with the fountain designs mentioned. Now we await that beloved one’s arrival.

Another matter: there is a stone found here known as Jules stone, and Jules is a village outside of Akka at a distance of one hour. Consult with the craftsmen—if they deem it suitable, let them send a craftsman who is truly skilled and capable of completing the task, to provide instructions for cutting it. Let the craftsman finish it, then Nicola or Habib can come and assemble it. Habib’s craftsman has seen that stone, and in any case the craftsman’s fee must be determined. If it is deemed advisable, we shall request it.

Another matter: the letter of Jinab-i-Aqa Muhammad-ʿAli, upon him be Baha’u’llah’s glory, was not given. The reason for this will be mentioned when we meet. That honored one should not mention anything about this, as there was concern it might cause distress. After the meeting, whatever is deemed advisable will be carried out. The Glory be upon you.

BH00731: Praise be to God Who created the Point…

He is God—exalted be His station, the Most Great, the Most Powerful!

Praise be to God Who created the Point and from it detailed the knowledge of what was and what shall be, and with it adorned the books of the world, and made each of its letters proclaim that there is no God but Him. When the proclamation and call appeared, all things were attracted, and those near drew nigh unto the Most Exalted Horizon, and the sincere ones to the Supreme Summit, making their ultimate goal the remembrance and praise of God and the fulfillment of what they were commanded in His Book. These are servants who have confined their affairs to that which exalteth the Cause of God amongst His creatures and the banners of His Manifestation in His lands.

When the Point was detailed and knowledge and wisdom appeared, then He made it known to the one for whom it was created through His penetrating Will and His all-encompassing, all-pervading Purpose. He is the Master of the world, the Most Great Mystery, the Ancient Light, and the Sovereign of nations, by whose finger’s gesture the moon was cleft and the gate of heaven was opened unto the Manifestations of Names and Daysprings of Command in the kingdom of creation. Exalted, exalted be His station! Exalted, exalted be His transcendent loftiness and elevation! He is the One before Whose manifestations of knowledge every learned one hath confessed his ignorance, and before Whose revelations of might and power every man of insight hath acknowledged his impotence.

Through Him the horizon of origination was illumined and the mysteries of the Seal were revealed. He is the Hidden Light and the Treasured Book. Upon Him be God’s blessings and peace, and upon His family and companions whom God made the knights in the arena of triumph and victory, and the dawning-places of might and power, and upon those who held fast unto them, spoke their praise, and aided them with their wealth and their own selves. These are servants upon whom no fear shall come, nor shall they grieve. These are servants whom neither wealth nor children have occupied, and who say:

“Naught shall befall us save what God hath prescribed for us. In Him have we put our trust, and unto Him do all affairs return.”

Thereupon, the servant received a letter from one of the two Most Exalted Names, upon them be 96 [Baha’u’llah], containing what you had sent to him. When I opened and read it, I found myself sharing in your sorrows. I then proceeded to the Most Holy Court and presented your letter before the Lord. He—may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for Him—said: “O thou who art present! Verily, tribulation is for the sake of love.” In one station He declares: “Were it not for tribulations in Thy path, life would have no sweetness for me,” and in another station: “Whenever the sun of tribulation dawns from the horizon of destiny, I stand ready before it.” This Wronged One has been the target of tribulations and hardships in recent years, nay throughout His life, but whatsoever comes to pass of this nature shall soon pass into oblivion, having neither permanence nor stability. By My life! If the aforementioned soul were to become aware of the consequences of tribulations and afflictions that have befallen him, joy would seize him and he would engage in the remembrance of God, exalted be His glory, with utmost gladness and delight.

In truth, this Wronged One was saddened by what befell him, but as We fix Our gaze upon divine grace and favor, perfect calm and assurance is attained. Today is the day of supreme joy. The ocean of gladness is surging and the world is adorned with the raiment of delight. If on any day something occurs that causes grief, this is in accordance with divine wisdom, and surely joy will follow. Hearken unto what the All-Merciful hath revealed in the Qur’an: “Verily with difficulty cometh ease.” God is powerful, mighty, hearing and answering. If for a time the signs of His answering appear not, one should not be disheartened. By My life! All things testify that He is the Hearing, the Answering One. Assuredly He will answer and carry out concerning His friends that which is meet. Verily, He is the All-Bountiful, the All-Generous. Let them not be sorrowful, but rather occupy themselves with the remembrance of God, exalted be His glory.

As to what they wrote regarding the distribution and sale of properties, this is not permissible. Let them remain engaged with composure and dignity. Should God will and desire it, He will send down upon him mercy from His presence and grace from His side. They have been and are beneath His watchful gaze, and this is that sovereignty which neither perisheth nor can the hands of the oppressors reach it, nor can the eyes of the treacherous find it. Ask thou of God to preserve this most exalted station.

As to what was mentioned concerning her who hath ascended unto God, verily We have remembered her in such wise that her remembrance shall endure in the earth. Every fair-minded and discerning one beareth witness to this.

He is the Most Exalted, the Most High

Verily, We make mention of a handmaiden among the handmaidens of God who hath ascended unto Him, even as We mentioned her before. I testify that she turned toward the Most Exalted Horizon and believed in God at a time when most of His servants had broken His Covenant. We testify that she desired to plunge into the ocean of utterance, but We forbade her, as a wisdom from Our presence, and We mentioned her in such wise as nothing can equal it. We beseech God to forgive her, to remit from her whatever was unworthy of her, to sanctify her from all that His good-pleasure abhorreth, to draw her nigh unto Him, and to ordain for her what He hath ordained for His handmaidens who have detached themselves from all else but Him and have turned toward Him in such wise that neither the oppression of any oppressor nor the ascendancy of any froward tyrant deterred them. Peace and glory be upon her and upon every handmaiden who hath attained unto the recognition of God, the Lord of all worlds.

Praise be unto God that thou hast attained unto that for which all men implore the Lord, exalted be His glory. The recompense of no soul hath ever been, nor shall ever be, lost in the sight of God. The reward of them that are nigh unto Him and are sincere, and the retribution of them that deny and are heedless, shall assuredly come to pass. Observe how the fruits of men’s deeds became manifest and laid waste the land of Egypt, which was among the ancient cities of the world. These are the days of supplication, yet the people remain heedless. The servant beseecheth his Lord to adorn the world with the ornament of justice and equity, and to ordain for thee the good of the hereafter and of this world, and the good of what hath been sent down in His perspicuous Book.

His favor towards thee is manifest and evident, and out of pure loving-kindness mention was made of thy departed wife, upon her be 9 66 [Baha’u’llah], which shineth forth from the Dawning-Place of grace. Blessed is she, and joy be unto her, and glory rest upon her. Though outwardly she attained not the cup of meeting before her ascension, yet after her passing she attained that whose fragrance shall endure throughout the kingdom that abideth forever.

Concerning what was written about thy son Aqa ʿAli-Rida, upon him be the grace of God, it was submitted. He said: The people of truth must not be disturbed by outward differences. They must be as firm and steadfast as a mountain. This world, its beginning and end, its bounties and favors and ornaments, have not been, nor ever shall be, worthy of mention. By the Sun of the heaven of divine utterance! Had it possessed worth even to the extent of a needle’s eye, the people of God would not have abandoned it, nor would they have accepted such tribulations. With utmost kindness and compassion, convey greetings from the Wronged One to him and say: Grieve not. Wert thou to become aware of the favor ordained for thee, thou wouldst find thyself in such joy as is sanctified from all the sorrows of the world. Verily, We make mention of thee, console thee, and counsel thee to be patient and forbearing, and to that which manifesteth the station of man among all possibilities.

God willing, may this mentioned favor and recorded kindness bring him joy. Peace be upon thee and upon God’s sincere servants who are firm, steadfast, and upright, and praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

The servant 28th of the honored month of Shawwal 1300

Regarding the properties of that honored lady, upon her be 9 66 [Baha’u’llah], it was submitted. He said: We have given permission to Jinab-i-Aqa Muhammad-Baqir, upon him be 9 66 [Baha’u’llah], to take charge of them himself.

BH01397: Praise be to the Lord of Names, Who hath…

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

Praise be to the Lord of Names, Who hath made tribulation to be a herald from His presence that perchance the people of the realm of creation might be awakened—they who have violated His Covenant, denied His signs, disputed His proof, turned away from His traces, opposed His loved ones, and shed the blood of His chosen ones, for whom His Paradise and the dwellers of the pavilion of His glory have lamented. Exalted is He, the King of Kings and the Merciful to the possessed, Who hath sent down the Books and dispatched the Messengers to guide His servants to His straight path and His mighty Command, and to explain to creation His commandments, His laws, and that which profiteth them in His lands.

Exalted be God, the Single, the One, Who sent forth him who was named Muhammad, through whom He adorned the world and revived the nations. Through him the dust proclaimed: “The Manifestation of the Lord of Lords hath come!” The trees spoke: “He Who relateth from God concerning the beginning and the end hath appeared!” The pebbles in his hand bore witness, the date-stone cried out in His name, the atoms circled round Him, and all created things circumambulated a House that God had made blessed for His servants, a point of pilgrimage for His creation, and a refuge for His creatures.

Prayers and peace be upon him and upon his family, through whom the Euphrates of divine knowledge hath flowed throughout all possibility, and the nightingale of eternity warbled upon the branches. Verily, there is no God but Him, the Mighty, the Help in Peril. And upon his companions, through whom God’s Cause was established throughout all regions and His traces spread throughout all lands, through whom the hearts of the idolaters were disturbed and the hearts of the doubtful ones yearned, and through whom God cut off the last remnant of the wrongdoers who violated God’s Covenant and His pledge, and who followed what their own desires commanded them. These are they who took what they had and cast aside what was with God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. Thus did God seize them for their sin and set upon them servants possessed of terrible might who ravaged the lands.

Glory be unto Thee, O Creator of spirits and bodies, and Protector of all beings! I beseech Thee by Thy Name, the Mighty, the All-Knowing, whereby the Concourse on High rejoiced and the worshippers of idols lamented, to assist Thy servants to turn to Thee, to hold fast to Thy cord, and to cling to Thy robe. Then preserve, O my God, by Thy binding command and Thy Most Great Name, Thy chosen ones and Thy loved ones from the evil of Thine enemies. Then grant them every good thing sent down in Thy Book. O Lord! They are the poor and Thou art the Rich; they are the weak and Thou art the Strong, the Powerful. Nothing escapeth Thy knowledge and no decree is impossible for Thee. The atoms have testified to Thy power and might. There is no God but Thee, the Single, the One, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

Furthermore, the traces of your pen have gladdened me with news of your health, which is mentioned in the Book of Divine Favors as among the greatest bounties. When joy and delight took hold of me, I turned to the Ultimate Goal and called upon God, the Lord of all beings, to preserve you from every tribulation and calamity. Verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, is the Preserver, the Helper, the Supporter, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. Praise be to God that the Truth, through the blessing of His loved ones, preserved that city from the darkest tribulation, and the many were transformed into few, and this is naught but from His grace upon us. And in Beirut it was reduced to very little, as a token of kindness to His Afnan. Praise be to God, those beloved ones have ever been and continue to be mentioned. With a hundred thousand tongues must one thank the True Object of Worship, Who hath granted His loved ones an abundant share of the wine of utterance. May it be pleasant and wholesome unto you!

Concerning what you wrote about his honor, the elevated and blessed Haji Mulla ʿAli—upon him be God’s peace, remembrance, praise, care and favors—through God’s grace, exalted be His glory, during his life he drank what was to be drunk, and after his ascension he attained unto that which none save God can properly comprehend. Blessed is he, and his is a goodly beginning and end.

Furthermore, this evanescent servant maketh mention of his nothingness and evanescence to each and every one of the friends and loved ones in that land, and requesteth all to beseech the exalted Truth to assist this servant in that which is acceptable before Him. He is the Helper and the Powerful, and He is the Mighty and the All-Knowing. There is no God but Him, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. Peace be upon you, and God’s mercy and His blessings.

The servant

28th of the honored month of Shawwal, 1300

BH01441: In My Name, the One Who dominates over what…

In My Name, the One Who dominates over what was and what shall be.

Excellent art thou, O Mihdi! Thy letter hath reached the Wronged One, and it acknowledged God’s bounty and grace, one after another. We perceived from it the fragrance of My contentment and thy contentment. By God’s life! No station in the world and its manifestations can equal this station. To this the Mother Book beareth witness in this exalted station. Say: verily the Book speaketh in the world and calleth all to the Most Great Name, yet We see the people among the dead.

O Mihdi, upon thee be My Glory! Praise the Object of all the world’s desire, that thou hast attained to His days, His recognition and His Revelation. Thy name is mentioned before the Throne, and thy remembrance is recorded in the Tablets by the Supreme Pen. God willing, thou shalt be confirmed in preserving this most exalted station, and in remaining steadfast in the remembrance, praise and service of the Cause of the Lord of Names. Verily, He is with thee and will strengthen thee as He strengthened thee before. He is, verily, the Mighty, the Dominant, the Powerful.

The world hath been encompassed by the dust of idle fancies and vain imaginings, to such extent that they remain heedless and deprived of the Dawning-Place of divine revelation and the Dayspring of heavenly knowledge. With utmost power and might they are occupied with extinguishing the light and quenching the fire of the Divine Lote-Tree. However, God hath prevented them through the hosts of the seen and the unseen, and seized them through His Command.

O thou who gazest upon the Countenance! Observe how the Hand of Divine Power hath seized nearly one million souls in retribution for their deeds and consigned them to a most wretched destination. How many princes and ministers, together with their kings and rulers, were returned to the fire. Yet none hath become aware. The blessed Surih of Ra’is beareth witness to what hath been mentioned.

In the land of Sad, thou mayest behold how that most foul one—who was the very cause and author of the martyrdom of those two radiant and resplendent Lights—was seized with the grievousest chastisement, in such wise that all who were in the house shunned him. Yet the wearers of turbans, who have ever been the source of harm, have not taken warning, but are seen to persist in their heedlessness and remain as they were. Look, moreover, unto the land of T: the foul and deceitful one, known as “the truthful,” who was the cause and instigator of the tumult of the ignorant, was granted no respite, but returned to his appointed place; and likewise another soul after him was taken in due season—and thou shalt hear, ere long, of the matter of the third. And notwithstanding all this, the people have been, and are, sunk in their former error. In this Most Great Revelation, God—glorified be His majesty—hath granted no delay; yet none have been awakened, save such as God hath willed.

Convey unto the friends, on behalf of God, the glad tidings of a mighty “Allah-u-Abha.” All must hold fast to wisdom, and be assured of the bounty of God—glorified be His majesty. Some souls are observed, in times of adversity, to be perturbed and fearful; and this neither is nor hath been seemly, for death is inevitable—it hath come, and it shall come. Nay rather, if it overtake one in the path of God, it hath been, and shall ever be, sweeter and dearer. By the life of God! unto the palate of the sincere it is more delectable than Kawthar and Salsabil. God is, and shall remain, the Overpowering, the Almighty, the Most Powerful; who is able to hinder what He willeth? All must show forth the utmost steadfastness and confidence. Say: Martyrdom is a momentous affair—more precious and rarer than red sulphur. It hath not been, nor is it, the portion of every one. The fire hath been kindled throughout the regions, yet the Almighty hath quenched it by a power from His presence.

Thou must, with utmost spirit and fragrance, with wisdom and utterance, admonish the people, and transform the garments of ignorance and folly into the robes of knowledge and understanding, that all may be adorned with the ornament of learning and arise to the amendment of the world. Thus have We reminded thee with that which its fragrance shall never cease, by the abidingness of My Most Beauteous Names. Verily thy Lord hath borne witness unto thee with a testimony whereunto all the treasures of the earth can never be compared; and He shall assuredly exalt thee, and the heavens shall speak of thy turning, thy sincerity, thy humility, thy lowliness, and thy steadfastness in the service of God, the Lord of all worlds.

The glory that shineth from the horizon of the heaven of My Most Great Book be upon thee, and upon those who are with thee, and who hearken unto thy word in the Cause of God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy. We have remembered every name that was in thy letter, and have answered every questioner whose writing was presented before the Wronged One in this noble station. All this is of My favour upon thee; recognise it, therefore, and be of the thankful.

BH02311: Praise be to God Who has shone forth…

He is the Most Ancient, the Most Great, the Most Glorious

Praise be to God Who has shone forth with the Sun of Will upon the Kingdom of meanings and utterance, whereupon appeared the Torah, the Gospel, the Qur’an and other Books, and through them revealed the laws of religions. Glory be to Him Who hath sent down the verses and made them insights for those who turn to Him, lamps for those who draw nigh, and cords of guidance amidst humanity, that whosoever desires to draw near to the Most Sublime Horizon and the Supreme Summit may grasp them. Blessed is he who holdeth fast and woe to those who turn away.

By God! The horizon of the heaven of the world hath shone forth with the Luminary of My Most Great Name, yet the divines of the age have turned away from it and threatened Us with abasement and death. But God hath promised victory and triumph to the sincere ones. He hath come with the banners of verses and the hosts of revelation and inspiration, which none hath comprehended save the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

O thou who soarest in the atmosphere of the love of thy Lord, the Most Glorious! Hearken unto the call of the Lord of all being from the direction of the luminous Spot, the Station round which circle the Concourse on High, then those who were not commanded to prostrate themselves aforetime. Verily thy Lord is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. Say: O people of the earth! Do what ye have been commanded in the Book. This will draw you nigh unto the Mighty, the Beautiful. Transgress not against those who transgress against you, and be ye of such disposition that the gloating of enemies in God, the Lord of all worlds, grieveth you not. Those who gloat over you and shake their heads in derision, these are in manifest loss.

Thou art he who hath been faithful to God’s Covenant and His Testament, and hath spoken that which made the back of misbelief to quake. This is attested by Him with Whom are the oceans of knowledge and wisdom, and that which none hath comprehended save His Self, the One dominant over all who are in the heavens and earths. Grieve not at what the ungodly utter. Rather, rejoice in that which the Speaker of Sinai uttereth, Who hath come with the truth by a Command that hath thunderstruck all who are in the heavens and earth, save whom God willeth, the Lord of this exalted Station. Say: Fear God and follow not your desires. Follow what hath been sent down from the Supreme Pen in the Books of God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy.

O people of creation! Abandon what ye possess and take what ye are commanded by God, the Lord of this wondrous Day. Thus hath the ocean of utterance surged and the horizon of proof illumined. Blessed is he who hath witnessed and seen, and woe unto the heedless. The glory shining from the horizon of My loving-kindness be upon thee and upon those who have cast away the world, turning unto God, the Lord of eternity, and upon those who have heard the Call and have drawn nigh with humility unto a horizon illumined by the lights of the face of their Lord, the Bestower, the Forgiving, the Merciful.

BH02309: Praise be to God Who hath sent down…

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

Praise be to God Who hath sent down the verses and manifested the evidences and caused the atoms to speak that there is no God but Him, the Sovereign of the Kingdom of Names and Attributes. Glorified art Thou, O Beloved of the chosen ones and Goal of the saints! I beseech Thee by Thy Name through which Thou hast subdued the earth and heaven, that Thou protect Thy loved ones from the hands of the oppressors among Thy creatures and ordain for them from Thy Most Exalted Pen that which shall enable them to attain such a station wherein the conditions of creation shall not prevent them from turning to the effulgences of the lights of the Sun of Thy Beauty, nor veil them from gazing toward the horizon of Thy Manifestation.

O my God and my Lord! Thou seest and knowest that Thy servants have been prevented from turning unto Thee and placing their trust in Thee, and the ornaments of the world have so occupied them that they have denied Thy manifestations, Thy proofs and Thy signs. They have cast aside what hath come from Thee and have taken what their own desires have ordained in Thy days. I beseech Thee by the Crimson Ark and the Luminous Scroll to protect Thy loved ones from these people and ordain for them the good of the hereafter and of this world. Verily Thou art the Omnipotent over what Thou willest and in Thy grasp is the kingdom of the heavens and earths.

Thereafter, your letter dated the 11th of Sha’ban was received on the 5th of Dhi’l-Qa’dah, and as it indicated the well-being of that honored friend, it brought the utmost joy and delight. In all conditions We beseech and implore the Self-Subsisting Lord to assist His friends in that which draweth them nigh unto Him and to confirm them in steadfastness. Verily He is the Hearing, the Answering.

Regarding what you wrote that you had sent several letters and no reply was received—Glory be to God! How could that which is necessary and obligatory be neglected? For responding to letters hath been made obligatory in the Book of God upon every believer and one who hath turned unto Him, unless wisdom requireth otherwise or an acceptable excuse ariseth. God is witness and testifier that this servant hath not forgotten that honored one, and in some letters sent to Rangoon mention was made of you—God suffices as witness. How could friendship and love be forgotten? I beseech God that He may assist, confirm, and make you steadfast and firm in His love. These conditions that are witnessed today and the power of Pharaohs, tyrants and Caesars—all shall pass away, and that which hath appeared from His presence shall endure and benefit His servants throughout the duration of the Kingdom and the Realm.

Praise be to God, the Lord of what was and what shall be, and the Glory shining from the horizon of God’s loving-kindness be upon the one who penned your letter and upon you and upon God’s steadfast, firm, assured and upright servants.

BH02644: In the Name of God, the Almighty. O Asad!…

In the Name of God, the Almighty. O Asad! We praise God on thy behalf, for He hath aided thee to recognize that which the divines and jurists of the earth remain veiled from. The Truth, exalted be His glory, hath appeared with utmost kindness and favor, yet the people persist in utter opposition. Some of the friends, influenced by the clamor of the ignorant divines, have seized them. By the life of God! The people remain in their ancient error. Those souls who speak for the sake of God and are turned toward Him have been cast into prison due to unwarranted and unproven suspicions, thinking they could extinguish the light of God and quench His fire. Far, far from it! Even if all who are in the heavens and earth were to unite to prevent that which God hath willed, they would never be able, never have the power, and would find themselves utterly impotent. Thus doth the Lord of Names impart unto thee that which He willeth. Verily, He is powerful over all things.

Thy letter attained the presence of this Wronged One, and from it wafted the fragrance of divine love. God willing, thou shalt be aided in all conditions to serve and remain steadfast, that there may appear from thee that which beseemeth the days of thy Lord. He is, verily, the Counselor, the Trustworthy. Hold fast unto wisdom and grasp the hem of consultation. This is the binding command of God that hath been sent down and recorded in the Tablets from the Supreme Pen. Blessed is he who acteth accordingly; woe unto the heedless.

Convey greetings from this Wronged One to Mirza Baba and Mirza ʿAbdu’llah, and say: This is the Day wherein the world hath been illumined and adorned with the lights of the Most Great Name. All divine Books and Scriptures speak of Its description and bear witness to Its appearance. Nevertheless, most people remain veiled and heedless. The cause of this heedlessness are those souls who, in former ages and countless centuries, prevented people from the Kawthar of the utterance of the All-Merciful. If man were to meditate for but an hour for the sake of God and comprehend the cause of the people’s turning away from the Lord of creation, he would cry out “I believe in Thee, O Thou the Goal of the world!” The Truth hath appeared with the proofs of the first and the last, yet the people remain in evident veils. Say: Strive, that ye may not be deprived of the ocean of bounty and the lights of the Sun of Truth. Verily, He guideth all unto the Path and draweth them nigh unto Him. There is no God but Him, the Mighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

May the glory shining forth from the horizon of God’s loving-kindness rest upon Mim and Ha, who have arisen to make mention of Him and sing His praise, and upon thee, and upon thy wife, and upon those who have believed in God, the Exalted, the Great.

BH02630: Your call hath been heard, and the Face…

In the Name of God, the One, the All-Knowing!

Your call hath been heard, and the Face of the Wronged One hath turned toward you from the prison. May you, God willing, manifest joy and delight through the sweet savors of the utterance of the All-Merciful at all times.

Look toward the Supreme Horizon and what He hath manifested through His power and sovereignty. The earthly temples and artificial souls were not and are not worthy of mention. The Truth hath come for the reformation of the world and none hath the power to prevent Him. Pay no heed to the might of the oppressors this Day. Say: Consider what He hath manifested through His power that hath encompassed all existence. At times they kill, at times they imprison, and at times they lead into captivity. Nevertheless, they have been and remain defeated, while the Cause of God is ever ascending.

I swear by the Sun of the horizon of divine favor that such bounty hath been vouchsafed unto His loved ones as hath no likeness or parallel. Soon shall its effects be made manifest and evident in the earth.

O thou who gazest upon the countenance! Such a station hath been conferred upon Jinab-i-M.Sh. that, should he remain firm and preserve it, all shall soon speak his praise and bow before his name. Say: Know ye the value of this station and arise to serve. However, observe wisdom and utterance in all conditions. Ever fix your gaze upon wisdom.

The fire of corruption hath been kindled in the lands, but God hath extinguished it through His power. Blessed is he who is endowed with insight! How many signs and evidences have appeared and continue to appear, yet the people remain heedless. A hundred thousand souls have returned to their abode in fulfillment of what God revealed in the Surih of Ra’is, yet the people have not become aware. The founder of the edifice of tyranny—that truthful liar—was seized by the hand of divine wrath, yet none took notice. And He seized one greater than him, yet it yielded no fruit. Soon shall a third join them both. Verily thy Lord is the Almighty, the Powerful.

Should the entire world arise to prevent it, by the life of God, they shall find themselves impotent, and whatsoever He hath willed shall assuredly appear. Verily, He hath power over all things.

Say: O loved ones of God! What behooveth you is steadfastness in His Cause, and what behooveth Him is grace and bounty and loving-kindness. He shall surely give you your rewards. Be assured and be of those who are firmly established. Glory be upon thee and upon those who act in accordance with what hath been ordained in the Book of God, the Lord of all worlds.

BH03208: In My Name, the Guardian over all names!

In My Name, the Guardian over all names!

For several days now, Kum-i-Allah has become the seat of the Throne. This is that station which was mentioned and recorded in previous Books. The call of the Spirit was raised from this spot and all the Prophets of God gave glad tidings of its appearance. This divine hill, from the day it was created until these days, has been awaiting the cup of meeting. Praise be to God that it attained thereunto. In various stations the call was raised, the fragrance of remembrance diffused, and the light of the countenance shone forth resplendent—all that was recorded in the divine Books of old. Well is it with them that understand, and woe to the heedless!

O ʿAbdu’l-Muhammad, praise the Goal of all worlds Who aided thee and caused thee to attain His special favors. We have heard thy mention and praise, and witnessed thy turning and devotion to the love of God and service to His Cause. We make mention of thee in this clear Book. This is a Tablet from whose horizon hath shone the sun of My tender mercy—be thou thankful to God for this great bounty.

We send greetings to the friends in that land and command them to that which befitteth the days of God, that all may be adorned with the glory of honor and arise to serve the Cause with utmost wisdom.

The whole world awaited to attain unto this Most Great Revelation and be enabled to hearken unto but one word of His utterances. Yet none attained this most exalted station save whom God willed. Be grateful to thy Lord, the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous. He hath aided thee and caused thee to attain unto that which is the goal in the Books of God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy.

We make mention of him whom We named the Sublime, the Wondrous, in My exalted Book. We have mentioned him in various Tablets with such mention as causeth the sincere ones to inhale the fragrance of eternity—a favor from Our presence, and I am verily the Powerful over what I will.

The glory shining from the horizon of My tender mercy be upon you and upon those who have turned to God on this Day wherein trembling hath seized the inhabitants of all regions, save those whom God hath protected, the Lord of the Day of Judgment.

BH03800: The people of God have appeared specifically…

He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing!

The people of God have appeared specifically for the reformation of the world and the education of its peoples. By the command of God, exalted be His glory, they have arisen to serve all, their hearts sanctified and purified from rancor, hatred, doubts, idle fancies, selfish desires and vain imaginings. Nevertheless, there hath been visited upon them that which hath not been visited upon murderers, thieves, traitors and liars. These earthly temples have desired to extinguish the divine light and quench its flame. Far, far from it! Ere long they shall witness how this imprisonment and captivity hath become the cause of the exaltation of God’s Cause and its ascendancy. Blessed is the eye that seeth, blessed the ear that heareth, and blessed the heart that understandeth.

Even should all the peoples of the world, with all their armies, gather together, they could not prevent God, exalted be His glory, from His purpose. He doeth and ordaineth as He pleaseth, and He is the Commander, the Almighty, the All-Powerful.

Say: O people of the world! Be fair and act with justice. The world is fleeting, as is all that ye possess and behold therein. Strive that ye may attain unto a single word from God. That blessed and exalted word is as light unto its people, as the water of life unto the thirsty, and as spirit unto human temples. Were this station to be revealed even to the extent of a mustard seed, all would hasten and circle round it with their very souls. However, God hath concealed it from those who have turned away, and revealed it to every steadfast and upright one.

Rejoice thou in this Most Perspicuous Book which hath been sent down unto thee, and render thanks unto Him in the night season and in the days, at both dawn and dusk.

BH04056: The Supreme Pen hath made mention of thee before…

In His Name, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise!

The Supreme Pen hath made mention of thee before and after. Remember when thou wert in the presence of the Throne and didst hear the Voice of the Wronged One. Blessed is the soul that hath today attained unto the divine Will and hath held fast unto the Purpose of all the worlds.

The entire world, both its divines and others, was created specifically for this wondrous Day. Yet when the Morn of Revelation dawned and the world was illumined by the lights of His countenance, all turned away save whom God willed. The cause of veils and the source of barriers have been and continue to be the ignorant divines. They are the ones who changed God’s bounty into denial and caused their people to dwell in the abode of perdition.

God willing, mayest thou ever be the recipient of the favors of God, exalted be His glory, and celebrate His praise. Convey on behalf of the True One My greetings to the loved ones in that land, that perchance a new spirit may be manifested in those temples.

Say: Be not grieved by the deeds of the heedless and the veiled. All who dwell on earth are seen as children playing with clay, and they understand not. They worship idols and perceive not. What idol could be greater than he who was known as truthful but proved false? He was the greatest idol that was cast down by the hand of power, and likewise another idol. Soon thou shalt see the third in the flames. Verily thy Lord is the True One, the Faithful.

Say: O friends! Fix your gaze upon God and adorn yourselves with spiritual qualities. Whatever befalleth you, refer it to God. By God’s life! He will seize the wrongdoers with manifest might.

The Glory be upon thee and upon My loved ones in that place and upon those who have attained unto My mighty Tablet.

BH04596: In My Name, the Manifest, the Resplendent, the All-Knowing…

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

O concourse of divines! Fear ye God, then judge with fairness concerning this Unlettered One, to Whom testify the Books of God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. The tongue of utterance in the Kingdom of knowledge declareth: O concourse of divines! Fear ye the one true God. This

Wronged One hath neither associated with you and your like, nor seen your books, nor entered your classes. His headdress, His locks, and His attire all bear witness to what hath been said. Where hath fairness gone? In what place doth the embodiment of justice repose? Open your eyes, look with the eye of insight, and ponder, that ye may not be deprived of the rays of the Sun of Utterance nor be barred from the surging waves of the ocean of knowledge. Some among the princes and common folk have objected that this Wronged One was not among the divines and descendants of the Prophet.

Say: O people of fairness! Were ye to reflect even briefly, ye would consider this station a hundred thousand times more exalted and greater. God hath manifested His Cause from a House wherein was found naught of what the divines, the jurists, the mystics and the learned possessed. The Breath of God awakened Him and commanded Him to raise His voice. When He awoke, He arose and called all to God, the Lord of the worlds. This utterance hath regard to the weakness of the people of the contingent world; otherwise His Cause is sanctified above mention and exalted above thoughts. To this testifieth He with Whom is the Mother Book.

BH04630: O Ramadan-ʿAli, upon him be the Glory of God!…

O Ramadan-ʿAli, upon him be the Glory of God! In the Name of the one true God! Today the Ocean of Divine Bounty is surging and the radiant Lamp is bright and manifest. This is that Lamp which all sacred Books have mentioned and concerning which all the Messengers have given glad-tidings unto mankind. Today the breezes of grace are wafting and the fragrance of bounty is diffused. Whosoever hath in this blessed Day attained unto the recognition of Truth, he verily is and hath been the most enriched among all the peoples of the world. The riches of this transient world have never been, nor shall ever be, accounted as wealth in the sight of God. Strive thou that thou mayest attain unto the most great steadfastness and be confirmed in preserving this most exalted station.

The divine worlds are limitless, and the rewards for goodly deeds and spiritual qualities lie hidden and treasured in all these worlds. Grieve not over anything. Put thy trust in God, the One, the All-Knowing. Verily He ordaineth for whomsoever He willeth the good of every world among His worlds, and He is the All-Powerful, the Almighty. God hath forgiven thy wife and expiated her misdeeds. Thy Lord is verily the All-Forgiving, the Most Bountiful. Convey my greetings unto Darvish-ʿAli. God willing, may he be assisted to observe that which hath been revealed in the Book of God. The limits of travel are set forth and recorded in the Book. It must be undertaken with the consent of both parties, that is, regarding the duration. The command is in His hands. He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He pleaseth. The Glory be upon my loved ones in that place, whose names We have recorded in a Book that neither erasure can affect nor the vicissitudes of time can alter.

BH04664: O friend! You have sought to attain My presence…

He is the Most Glorious

O friend! You have sought to attain My presence, and you are justified in this, for all have been created for this purpose. However, the transgressors and oppressors have arisen with utmost might and power to obstruct and prevent this, and have exerted and continue to exert their utmost efforts to extinguish the divine light and the fire of the Sacred Tree. O Husayn! The hunter of malice lies in ambush for the gazelles of the meadows of inner meaning, and thieves lie in wait for the pearls of the ocean of oneness.

God hath manifested Himself for the preservation and reformation of the world and for its life, yet the people of tyranny and wickedness have striven to harm Him and have issued death warrants against Him. Shame upon them! Perdition upon them! Yet despite His power and might, you witness these heedless souls deprived and in loss. Grieve not at the separation. Hold fast to patience in the path of God, the Lord of all worlds. Your letter was received and its fragrance testified to your acceptance, turning to God and steadfastness. Blessed art thou and joy be unto thee! Beseech God that He may guide all to His path and lead them to the supreme horizon, that for every soul a clear pathway to the horizon of His Manifestation may become visible—meaning that all may attain and none remain deprived of the ocean of the bounty of God, exalted be His glory. The glory from Me be upon thee.

BH04719: A mention from Us to the one whom We…

He is the One manifest from the horizon of the Kingdom.

A mention from Us to the one whom We mentioned before, that he may rejoice and be of the thankful ones. O Faridun! We have remembered thee and do remember thee as a favor from Us, and We remember him who turned to My horizon and soared in My atmosphere. Verily he was named “The Exalted” in My Mighty Book.

O Rafi’! Rejoice in My Most Great Signs, then stand firm in the Cause of thy Lord, the Master of all beings. By the life of God! We shall raise up the Cause through a clear sovereignty. Grieve not over that with which the children play in the land of Ta. Verily He shall manifest His Cause as He pleaseth. All the hosts of the earth cannot prevent Him. To this beareth witness that which hath appeared from the presence of a Mighty, Ancient Being.

We have seized him who pronounced judgment against My loved ones, then We seized one who was greater than he. Verily thy Lord is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. He judgeth as He pleaseth, even as He judged in the beginning of the Cause. Read thou the Book of God that thou mayest know what hath been sent down from His wondrous Kingdom. Be thou steadfast in His Cause, speaking forth His Name and guiding unto His Straight Path.

O Badi’! Shouldst thou find the sweetness of My utterance, the wine of the river of My knowledge would so intoxicate thee that neither the clamor of all the world nor the murmuring of every far-off mystic would hinder thee. Soon shall the world and all that is therein perish, and there shall endure that which hath been sent down for thee from My Most Exalted Pen in this glorious station.

The Glory be upon thee and upon him for whom We have revealed this Clear Tablet. And praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

BH04660: O people of truth! Today you are most worthy…

In the name of the Goal of all the worlds!

O people of truth! Today you are most worthy to behold the rose garden of meanings and utterance, and to hear the melodies of the nightingales of wisdom and exposition. You were associated with truth and mentioned by the name of truth. You must soar with the wings of certitude and assurance in this subtle spiritual atmosphere.

Your letter arrived and We heard your call. Praise be to God, you have taken the cup of everlasting life from the hands of divine bounty and attained unto it. Now strive to awaken those who slumber and guide those who are lost to the straight path.

The people of the world are encompassed by heedlessness—they have passed by manifest certitude and cling to idle fancies and vain imaginings. Indeed, not every ear is worthy to hear this call, and not every face is capable of turning towards it, neither in the past nor present. Ask of God that He may manifest the gems of wisdom and utterance that lie hidden in the mines of understanding. He is powerful over all things and He is the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

The whole world was created for these days and waited through nights and days, yet when the Beauty of the Desired One removed the veil, all remained heedless and veiled save whom God willed. Praise the Goal of all the worlds Who strengthened you and gave you awareness. Know the value of this station and preserve it through His Name.

BH05217: O Safdar! God willing, thou wilt transform the darkness…

He is the All-Knowing Witness!

O Safdar! God willing, thou wilt transform the darkness of oppression and discord in all regions into the light of justice and unity. Today is the day of remembrance and today is the day of service, and service to God, exalted be His glory, hath ever been and still is the promotion of His Cause. Strive thou that in these divine days thou mayest attain unto that which was the purpose of creation and existence. God willing, thou wilt drink and cause others to drink from the ocean of the knowledge of the All-Merciful. He who quickeneth a soul is as one who hath quickened all mankind. Today the world is illumined and brightened by the lights of the countenance of the Ancient King. Blessed is the soul that hath recognized the station of this blessed Day and hath taken a portion of its bounty.

Say: Glory be unto Thee, O my God! I testify unto that whereunto the Tongue of Thy grandeur hath testified before the creation of Thy heaven and earth. Verily Thou art God, there is none other God but Thee. From everlasting Thou hast been in the heights of might and power and majesty, and in the loftiness of glory and honor and grandeur.

I beseech Thee by the lights of Thy countenance and the mysteries of Thy Book and the dawning-places of Thy revelation and the daysprings of Thy names, that Thou aid me to be steadfast in Thy Cause whereby the feet of the learned and the mystics have slipped save those whom the hand of Thy grace and favor hath delivered. Verily Thou art the Almighty over whatsoever Thou willest. There is none other God but Thee, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting.

BH05109: Thy letter hath come before Us, and from it…

He is the Hearer, the Answerer!

Thy letter hath come before Us, and from it We perceived the fragrance of sincerity for God, the Lord of the worlds. We answer thee with this Tablet, which hath no equal among all thou dost witness and behold in the earth, if thou be of them that know. Verily it is the Call of God unto all else besides Him, and the Most Great Sign among mankind, and the Luminary of knowledge in the kingdom of utterance. Blessed is he who hath found its fragrance, and woe unto them that turn away!

This is a Day wherein We have manifested that which lay hidden in God’s knowledge and treasured within the strongholds of thy Lord’s protection, the Almighty, the All-Powerful. Blessed is he who hath quaffed the choice wine of immortality from the hands of the bounty of his Lord, the Most Glorious, and joy be unto him who hath been named with the M and H in the Book of Names. We have raised him up to serve the Cause and enabled him to voice My beauteous praise. Thus hath the Tongue of Grandeur spoken, when sorrows encompassed Him from those who disbelieved in God, the Lord of the worlds. Say: O people of Baha, be not grieved by their deeds.

God shall soon seize them through a decree from Him, and they shall find themselves in manifest loss. And We make mention of thy wife who accepted when she heard, and We give her glad tidings of the grace of her Lord, the Forgiving, the Generous. God hath forgiven her as a bounty from Him, and We counsel her with that which hath been sent down in His perspicuous Book. O My handmaiden! Rejoice in My remembrance of thee. Verily, He hath remembered thee from the Most Great Prison, and those who have believed, when every ignorant one remote from God turned away from Him.

BH05119: We have sent down this Book in truth…

He is the One speaking from the Supreme Horizon

We have sent down this Book in truth and made it a bearer of glad-tidings from Our presence to all who are in the heavens and on earth. The horizon of the world hath been illumined by the splendors of the Revelation, and the call of God hath been raised from all regions, yet the people remain in evident veils.

O thou who hast turned towards God! Hearken unto the call of the Wronged One. He calleth thee and summoneth thee to that which will cause thy mention to endure through the eternity of His most excellent names. Be thankful unto thy Lord for this great bounty. Thy letter came before the Wronged One and was presented by the servant in attendance. We have answered thee with that which nothing can equal. Rejoice and be of those who render thanks.

We made mention of thee before, and at this hour when the tongue of the All-Merciful speaketh in the kingdom of utterance by His command—and He is the One Who hath power over whatsoever He willeth, there is no God but Him, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. When thou attainest unto the Tablet of God, arise and say:

“Praise be unto Thee, O Lord of Names, and glory be unto Thee, O Creator of the heavens! I beseech Thee by the lights of Thy bounty after the passing away of all things, to strengthen me in steadfastness in Thy mighty Cause, whereby the feet of the learned have slipped save those rescued by the hand of Thy favor on this wondrous Day.”

Glory be upon thee and upon thy son and upon those with thee and upon those who have quaffed the choice wine of utterance from the hands of the bounty of their Lord, the Giving, the Generous.

BH05225: O Ali, O thou who gazest upon My face!…

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

O Ali, O thou who gazest upon My face! The servant who is present hath laid before Me thy letter at a time when sorrows have encompassed Me from all directions by reason of what hath befallen My loved ones at the hands of the aggressive forces. O Ali! The idolators desired to extinguish the fire of God and put out His light. Say: Perdition betide you, O company of the lost! Did Pharaoh attain what he desired, or did Nimrod profit from what he wrought? Nay, by the Self of God Who dominateth all who are in the heavens and on earth! Be thou gladdened that We found thy letter sanctified from the allusions of the heedless. Verily, We behold the idolators as children playing with clay.

Say: Fear God, O people of the earth, and follow not every heedless doubter. He hath come Who summoneth you unto that which perisheth not through the eternity of My most beautiful Names. Draw nigh and be not of them that turn away. We have mentioned thee before in such wise that nothing in the kingdom can equal it, as doth testify He Who speaketh in the kingdom of utterance that there is none other God but Me, the Forgiving, the Generous. Look not upon the oppressor and his power. Soon shall the sincere ones behold the Day-Star of the Cause shining forth from the horizon of the will of thy Lord, the Mighty, the Triumphant, the All-Powerful. The glory that shineth from the horizon of the heaven of My kingdom be upon thee and upon those who have cast away whatsoever is on earth, turning unto the One, the All-Informed.

BH05194: In My name, the Herald between earth and heaven!

In My name, the Herald between earth and heaven!

O My handmaiden! Remember when thou wert in Iraq and didst hear the call of the Wronged One Who summoned all mankind unto God, the Lord of the worlds.

We made mention of thy father before, and We desire to make mention of him in this perspicuous Tablet. He was among those who turned toward the Supreme Horizon and hearkened unto the call of God, the Lord of Names, when the Light was shining forth from the horizon of Zawra. Thus hath the matter been decreed by God, the Mighty, the Wise.

O Karim! I bear witness that thou didst attain the presence of God and didst believe in Him in this Revelation whereby the Evil One lamented and Al-ʿUzza cried out and the pillars of every doubting soul were shaken. Blessed art thou and blessed is he who maketh mention of thee in accordance with what the Supreme Pen hath spoken in this exalted station.

Thou art he who turned and advanced until thou didst enter the luminous Spot and didst present thyself before a Gate which was opened unto all who are in the heavens and on earth. Thou art he whom neither the opposition of the ignorant nor the clamor of every heedless and remote one could deter. Thus have We made mention of thy father, and I am the All-Knowing Remembrancer.

O My handmaiden! We have read thy letter and have revealed for thee that whereby the hearts of them that are endued with understanding are attracted. Glory be upon thee and upon those who are with thee and upon every handmaiden who hath attained in this grievous age.

BH05989: O Lutfu’llah! It is observed that thou hast turned…

In the name of the one peerless God!

O Lutfu’llah! It is observed that thou hast turned unto Him Who is wronged in all the world, and hast shown attachment to One from Whom most of the peoples of the earth have turned away. What hath come to pass that thou shouldst turn unto Him Whom all have rejected and risen up to harm? Hath the sweetness of the divine call attracted thee, or hath the pure water of the All-Merciful’s Kawther seized thee? Hath the shrill voice of the Supreme Pen or the rustling of the Lote-Tree drawn thee from worldly conditions to the most holy station of “Every day He is in a new condition”?

Say: The call of Him Who hath no name hath brought me from the darkness of heedlessness and ignorance to the luminous court of knowledge and understanding. Glory be to God! The Sun of Revelation is shining and manifest, and He Who conversed on Sinai is evident and speaking, and yet there is no eye to behold and no ear to hearken. Beseech the True One, exalted be His glory, that He may enable all and adorn them with the ornament of fairness, that they may not remain deprived of the outpourings of the All-Bountiful One. Verily He is the Mighty, the Strong, the Powerful, and worthy to answer prayer.

BH05961: O thou who art mentioned before the Wronged One!…

In His Name, the Protector over the world

O thou who art mentioned before the Wronged One! The world is illumined and adorned with the lights of the Sun of Truth, and the divine Books and the tongues of His chosen ones and Prophets and saints bear witness and speak and testify to this blessed Day. Nevertheless, the children of earth who are occupied with playing in the clay have desired to prevent its lights and erase its mention. By the life of God! They are in manifest loss.

O friends! Hold fast unto unity and harmony. Soon the banners of grace and the standards of justice shall become manifest and evident in all lands. Move among the servants with perfect wisdom and utterance. By the life of God! Whatsoever hath flowed from the divine Pen hath appeared and shall appear. Say: O Mihdi! O thou who gazest upon My face! Be assured through thy Lord’s grace and trust in Him in all matters. We counsel Our chosen ones with wisdom and with that which will calm the fire of hatred in the breasts of those who follow their desires without proof or Book. The Glory be upon thee and upon him and upon those whom the clamor of the divines hath not prevented from My straight path.

BH05814: In My name, the Mighty, the All-Knowing!

In My name, the Mighty, the All-Knowing!

The horizon of the world hath been illumined through the advent of the Ancient King with His Most Great Name, Who hath testified that there is none other God but Him, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting. Thereupon the princes of the earth and its divines waxed proud against Him, even to the point where they pronounced their verdict against Him—yet they understand not. They have followed their own desires and cast their God behind their backs. Thus hath Satan made their deeds seem fair to them, and they perceive it not.

Through My Name were the stations of the learned ones exalted, but when I rent asunder the veils and manifested Myself, they denied My signs, rejected My proof, and barred the servants of the All-Merciful from turning unto His praiseworthy station. Blessed art thou for having turned and hearkened unto the Call of God, the Lord of what was and what shall be. Soon shall that which they possess perish, and that which hath been ordained for thee by My Most Exalted Pen shall endure in a preserved Tablet.

Say: O peoples of the earth! Fear God and follow not your desires. The ocean of utterance hath surged within creation and the Day-Star of knowledge hath shone forth from the horizon of God, the Lord of existence. Blessed is he who hath seen with true vision and heard with attentive ears, and woe unto every heedless one who is veiled.

Glory be upon thee and upon those who have turned unto the Countenance and cast behind them what the people possess of idle fancies and vain imaginings.

BH05657: Today the True One, exalted be His glory…

In the name of the One True Friend!

Today the True One, exalted be His glory, is seated upon the Most Great Throne, and all atoms from every direction are speaking forth “The Lord of Names and Attributes hath come!” All servants must arise today and act according to deeds befitting the divine days. Commit thy affairs unto Him and place thy trust in Him. He is the All-Seeing and He is the All-Knowing. He bestoweth that which is befitting and conformeth to His wisdom. Leave behind all remembrances and hold fast unto His All-Wise remembrance. The True One, exalted be His glory, is generous and bestoweth whatever the servants ask for. However, today is not the day of clinging, nor the day of holding fast, except unto His Name and His Cord. By the Sun of the horizon of sanctification! If but one word proceedeth from the Supreme Pen concerning a soul, it is more precious than a hundred thousand righteous children. O friends! Strive that ye may attain and possess that which is befitting—a word that is sanctified above change and extinction. Blessed art thou for having attained unto My remembrance on this night. Be thankful unto thy Lord for this great bounty. Praise be to God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

BH05781: A letter hath come before the Wronged One wherein…

In the Name of Him Who is sovereign over earth and heaven!

A letter hath come before the Wronged One wherein thou wert mentioned. We have remembered thee with a remembrance that surpasseth all the remembrances of the peoples and the treasures of the world. He, in Whose possession is a perspicuous Book, beareth witness to this.

The standards have been raised, the verses sent down, and the evidences made manifest, yet most of the people remain heedless. They have cast the Cause of God behind their backs—verily, they are among the abject ones. O Pen of the Most High! Make mention of when the people gathered to extinguish the light of God amongst His creatures. Say: By God! The hands of Caesars and Pharaohs have [word unclear]. Fear God and be not among the oppressors. The Will of God hath triumphed over the will of His creatures, and His Purpose hath preceded the purpose of all who are in the heavens and on earth. No mention can compare with His mention, no command with His command. Did Pharaoh prevail over the Cause of God, the Almighty, the Powerful? Beware lest the conditions of the ignorant hold thee back from Him Who is the Lord of Names, or the clamor of those on earth from this Great Announcement. Rejoice in My remembrance of thee, then give thanks to thy Lord, the All-Forgiving, the Most Generous. Thus have We illumined the horizon of the heaven of My Hidden Name with the luminary of wisdom and utterance. Verily thy Lord is the Ordainer, the All-Knowing.

BH06206: God beareth witness that there is none other God…

He is the All-Wise Expositor.

God beareth witness that there is none other God but Him. He hath ever been in the loftiest heights of exaltation and the most sublime realms of transcendence, and will forever continue to be as He hath been. He is the Mighty, the All-Knowing.

He hath appeared and made manifest His Cause, whereupon the divines who disdained to worship the Lord of Names denied it. These are indeed the people of the veil. They have cast the Book of God behind their backs and followed every heedless doubter, save those who cast away vain imaginings, turning toward the Supreme Horizon. These are they who are endowed with true vision in the Book of God, the Lord of lords.

This is the Day wherein the ocean of knowledge hath appeared, yet the people remain in strange drunkenness. They have cast the Cause of God behind their backs by following every wicked deceiver.

When thou attainest unto My Tablet and findest the fragrance of thy Lord’s utterance, the All-Merciful, arise and say: Praise be unto Thee, O Lord of all possibilities! I beseech Thee by Thy most sweet utterance and the Manifestations of Thy Cause in the kingdom of creation to aid me in that which Thou lovest and art pleased with. Verily, Thou art the Lord of the throne on high and of the dust below. There is none other God but Thee, the Mighty, the All-Bestowing.

BH06385: In the Name of Him Who is the All-Compelling…

In the Name of Him Who is the All-Compelling over all creation! O emigrant and son of the emigrant! Ye are they who have forsaken your homeland for the sake of God, the Lord of the seen and unseen. He verily doth witness and behold, and He is the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. He ordaineth whatsoever He willeth for whomsoever He pleaseth, and He, verily, is the Mighty, the All-Wise. Your homeland weepeth at your separation and pronounceth its curse upon your enemies who violated God’s Covenant and His Testament, even unto slaying the Guardian of His Cause, the Mighty, the Wondrous. By My life! Whoso among the emigrants remaineth steadfast, all lands make mention of him and yearn for his presence, until he arriveth at that most exalted homeland, the station at whose mere mention the Pen is struck dumb with longing for that glorious realm.

Blessed are they whom the intimations of the people have not caused to slip, and whom the might of the aggressors hath not prevented. Preserve ye the pearls of My love. By God’s life! A single one of them cannot be equaled by all that the kings and rulers possess. Soon shall their possessions return to dust, while ye shall behold what God, the All-Knowing, the Trusted One, hath stored up for you. Thus have We sent down the verses unto thee that thou mayest rejoice and praise thy Lord, the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing. Glory be upon you, O people of Baha, and upon those who have attained unto this exalted station.