Volume 073: Akka 1301 A.H. (1883–1884), Part I (2 of 6)

BH00284: Praise be to God Who assisted His loved ones…

Section 1: “Praise be to God Who assisted His loved…”

In the name of our Most Holy, Most Great, Most Exalted, Most High Lord.

Praise be to God Who assisted His loved ones to serve His chosen ones and confirmed them through His grace to remain steadfast in His Cause. And praise be to God Who sent the Messengers and revealed the Books that there is none other God but Him, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. He is the One Who caused all things to speak of His unity and singleness, and to acknowledge that which the Tongue of Grandeur spoke before the creation of humanity—that there is none other God but Him, the Mighty, the Powerful, the All-Loving.

Glorified art Thou, O my God and the God of the world, my Goal and the Goal of the nations! I beseech Thee, O Lord of existence, by Thy sovereignty which hath encompassed the seen and unseen, to transform oppression into justice and tyranny into equity. O Lord! Cleanse all eyes from the ophthalmia of desire that they may turn unto Thee and acknowledge that which Thou hast commanded them in Thy Book and Thy Tablets. O Lord! Thou seest them heedless of turning unto Thee. Make known unto them, O my God, Thy path, Thy balance, and Thy straight way. Deprive them not, O my God, through Thy bounty and grace. Draw those on earth near unto the ocean of Thy oneness and illumine their hearts with the lights of Thy knowledge.

O Lord! Thou seest Thy loved ones beneath the claws of the heedless. By Thy glory! I do not wish to call down evil upon them, for I am certain that Thy mercy embraceth all things and Thy loving-kindness encompasseth all things. I beseech Thee, O God of Names and Creator of heaven, to transform enmity into love, wickedness into virtue, and rancor into kindness. Thou art He in Whose grasp are the reins of all things and the control of adversity and hardship. There is none other God but Thee, the Strong, the Powerful.

And further: your letter was received time after time, and from each wafted the fragrance of the love of the Beloved of the worlds. After perusal and reading it attained the Most Holy, Most Exalted Presence and was presented. This is what the Tongue of Utterance spoke in the Kingdom of knowledge. His mighty word states:

In the name of God, the Lord of what was and what will be!

K. the Wronged One makes mention of thee and gives thee glad tidings of that which was ordained for thee in the Book of God, the Lord of the worlds. Praise be to God that thou hast attained to acceptance, to turning unto Him and to serving the friends of God. Thou hast been confirmed in a great blessing whose mention is adorned with the ornament of immortality. The recompense for good deeds rests with God, exalted be His glory, and it will surely become manifest. Blessed art thou and blessed is thy brother who attained the presence of God and thy other brother who was honored to attain His presence. Verily He hath forgiven you all, for He is the Ever-Forgiving, the All-Merciful.

Praise the Goal of all the worlds Who in these days hath favored you with His special grace. Blessed is thy mother from whom steadfastness was manifested in the days of fear and agitation. She is mentioned in the presence of the Wronged One and a Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablet was revealed specifically for her. We have made mention of her with a mention that is enduring and everlasting. Convey on behalf of the Wronged One greetings unto her and give her the glad tidings of that which hath been revealed for her from the heaven of the bounty of her Lord, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. The glory shining forth from the horizon of the heaven of My mercy be upon you from the Ancient Bestower.

The grace of the True One, exalted be His glory, has no need of mention by this servant, neither now nor before. This evanescent one, with both outer and inner tongue, praises the Peerless Beloved for having confirmed that honored one in service to the Cause. What you wrote was acceptable in the sight of God. God willing, its reward shall soon be manifest. O My loved one! Exercise utmost discretion in sending correspondence. Mention it not to anyone, whether from within or without, for if it were discovered it would not be good for you, and it may well be that its harm would reach the very Root of the Tree and likewise His trusted ones. Among the friends are those who give daily accounts to certain others. This is not new—it existed before and has now emerged again. In any case, discretion is necessary and obligatory. The servant speaks what he heard from the Tongue of Grandeur. Under these circumstances, great caution is most beloved.

As for what one of the friends told you about someone writing to government officials claiming to have gone to Akka and attained the presence—this is an absolute falsehood. No such person ever came to Akka, as the people of this city, both within and without, can testify. Moreover, the Iranian officials know he never came to ʿAkka. And even assuming what he said were true, it would be clear proof of the Truth, exalted be His glory. First, smoking the water pipe is not permitted in the Most Holy and Most Exalted Presence, so he wished for it and took it, but to no avail. This resembles the deeds of certain heedless ones who will ultimately find their actions fruitless and indeed suffer great loss.

As for the matter of food, where he claimed many covered dishes were brought but when uncovered contained nothing—the speaker was either a believer or a hypocrite. If a believer, he would never utter such words, for lying is among the traits of hypocrites and the heedless. Thus it is clear and evident that he was a hypocrite. Certainly he was not worthy to partake of the food served in the Supreme Presence, so though he desired it, he was not blessed to eat of it. For whatever is presented in the Most Holy Court is the true feast and heavenly sustenance. The Copts have no share of the water of the Israelites, let alone of that station which is sanctified above the mention and description of all the worlds. In any case, outwardly no such things occurred—perhaps he saw it in a dream. The friends of the True One, exalted be His glory, must not today become disturbed by what they hear. For if they pay proper attention and reflect upon what they hear, they will find every word to be a proof and evidence for the Cause. Once these supreme words were heard from the Tongue of the Lord of Names:

“Every word uttered by the enemies becomes itself a herald of this Most Great Announcement and a guide to this Straight Path.”

The people of the earth know not what hath come to pass. The religious leaders have prevented the hapless souls from the straight path and deprived them of the ocean of utterance. A hundred thousand blessings be upon the mother of that honored one, who is mentioned before the Divine Presence and hath attained His special favors. All that they have endured in the path of God in these days is recorded at the Most Holy Court. Verily, He doth not suffer to be lost the reward of the righteous, be they men or women. In this great upheaval, several of the leaves have indeed moved like steadfast and firm men, and have engaged in service to the oppressed ones. In these days, truth is distinguished from all else, and the straight path from other paths is clear and evident. Blessed are the men who have attained, and the leaves who have succeeded. Praise be to God that ye have attained with tongue, pen and utterance to the truth. This is a great bounty and a mighty favor.

All the souls mentioned in your letter are remembered in the Most Holy and Most Exalted Court, but due to wisdom, it is not permissible at this time to mention names one by one. God beareth witness that all have been illumined by the rays of the Sun of Providence, and God willing, in future all shall be done according to the requirements of wisdom. For there is fear that if the friends mentioned become aware of the sending of the letter, the news would spread, as the oppressor is ever waiting in ambush that he might find some pretext to object against the friends of God and His chosen ones. Keep hidden from all the sending of letters. This matter hath been mentioned repeatedly that it be not forgotten.

It is essential and obligatory to exercise the utmost caution and protection regarding those who associate with the great calamity and her relatives. Verily, they are among the enemies of God and His friends. Previously these matters were concealed and all were forbidden to speak or reveal anything about Mirza Rida-Quli. However, this year some of the comprehensive malevolence hidden in their hearts has been revealed through the great calamity, that impostor, and from the confidants of Mirza Rida-Quli, one of whom is Mirza Mahmud. All the friends must avoid and shun them. Whatever they learn they spread abroad. What benefit can divine friends derive from association with such malicious, lying and calumnious souls? God’s grace protected until last year, but this year a matter hath appeared from them the concealment of which is forbidden. And if visiting Thamirih (upon her be the Glory of God) becomes cause for meeting those veiled souls, that too is not permitted.

Section 2: “O friends! You have suffered hardships and endured…”

Say: O friends! You have suffered hardships and endured so many trials. Preserve your reward and station. By the life of God! Naught is found in that place save the world and whatsoever pertaineth unto it. Thus hath my Lord, the True One, the Trustworthy, informed Me. Some of the helpless ones have imagined that some of them are good, meaning they are among the devoted ones. Nay, by the Lord of the worlds! Never have they been aware of this Cause. Always these souls were concealed. After the migration from the Land of Ta, they heard certain words and for a while clung to them, but afterwards remained deprived. They have returned to the world and become occupied with it.

They consume usury and commit what is unseemly, and say that from which the Concourse on High would dissociate itself. Today those souls inwardly feel the utmost joy at what hath transpired. Those who oppose the friends of God are themselves souls who have never been worthy of mention—like bats they have dwelt and continue to dwell in their holes. In any case, in these days and during this tribulation that has befallen us, some were made fearful and others were made steadfast, while that vile band was made joyful. Light becomes distinguished from darkness in days such as these. Those souls who in these days are engaged in service to the Cause, whether men or women, occupy such a station that the Concourse on High point to them with their fingers.

O beloved, honoured and revered Ibn-i-Abhar, upon whom be the Glory of God and His grace! Some steadfast and upright souls have been mentioned, including your esteemed mother, upon whom be the Glory of God. May you be confirmed and assisted at all times, and may you remain constant in praise, glorification and service, ever-mindful and speaking. Multiple letters have been received from you, and though the lack of response has caused this evanescent one grief, yet due to the wisdom which we are all commanded to observe, there was delay in sending replies. Convey on my behalf greetings, salutations, remembrance and glory to them.

Truly, what his honor Ismullah, upon whom be all the Most Glorious Glory, has written is correct and appropriate. I beseech the True One, exalted be His glory, to protect them from the deception, trickery and schemes of certain satanic ones. Today deceit and trickery have prevailed; often the hypocrite presents himself in the guise of the faithful and mentions truth, yet his purpose is to find opportunity to insinuate some word. You and they and other friends—that is, the steadfast friends—must protect the weak ones through wisdom and utterance. Verily God forgives all sins.

God willing, may the loved ones of the Cause arise to serve the Cause with perfect detachment and trust, and turn to the reformation of the world. The buzzing of flies, croaking of frogs, and clamor of hypocrites shall not extinguish the fire of the Divine Lote-Tree nor put out the celestial light. Whatever has transpired has been and is the cause of victory, as witnessed before and after. With perfect submission and contentment, this servant and [those souls] must beseech the Exalted Truth to preserve us from discord. Whatever occurs from others becomes the cause of exaltation, but harm to the Cause comes from those who call people to truth in name only. Such souls are many and will soon become manifest. The pure ones must reach such a station that they consider such souls as non-existent.

In the days when I was writing the reply to the beloved Ibn-i-Abhar’s letter, upon whom be the Glory and praise of God, He commanded: Write to him:

“O Ibn-i-Abhar! The Wronged One remembers thee from the direction of His Most Great Prison and gives thee glad tidings of God’s grace and mercy. Verily He is the Forgiving, the Generous. Soar by the power of the Most Great Name above the world, that thou mayest see the reins of all possibilities in the grasp of thy Lord’s power, the Strong, the Dominant, the Mighty. Counsel the servants to patience and calm regarding what befalls them in the path of God, the Lord of the worlds.”

God willing, may you ever speak in the name of Truth and remain firm in His Cause. Verily He is the Witness, the Hearing One.

We counsel patience, prudence and protection of the Cause. Previously this exalted word was revealed from the Supreme Pen: “Believe not every speaker, nor trust every newcomer.” For a long time this word has issued from the Tongue of Grandeur, yet until now its effects have not been manifested from anyone. What has transpired was not caused by the government alone, nor were the investigator and informer limited to those two. Knowledge of this is with my Lord, the All-Informed. Be vigilant and consider not everyone a confidant. God willing, may the unified and sincere ones strive with utmost effort to reform the condition of the people of the world and heal the disease of the ungodly with the antidote of the word of unity.

The beloved letter of his honor Ibn-i-Abhar, upon him be the Glory of God, the Lord of the Worlds, was seen. Praise be to God, they are confirmed. The numbered letters arrived and each, after being read and reviewed, was presented at the Most Holy, Most Exalted Court at its appointed time. Whatever emanated from the Source of Command and Dawning-place of Divine Revelation was conveyed and expressed in response to their letters. However, there was a delay in sending them, and this was due solely to wisdom. Due to wisdom and the ignorance and unawareness of heedless souls, they were not sent. God willing, they will be sent henceforth. Some time ago, these words were heard from the Tongue of Truth, exalted be His glory. He said: “It would be closer to righteousness and more beloved in the sight of God if Ibn-i-Abhar were not to remain in the Land of Ta for some time.” And on another occasion He said: “His stay in the Land of Ta is not permitted. He must proceed to other lands.” This matter requires haste, as his presence in that land for any time is not permitted. He should proceed, detached from all else and relying upon the Ancient Lord. Surely he will act according to what has been written as commanded.

And regarding the mention made of the beloved one, his honor Aqa Siyyid Abu’l-Fadl, upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God—his mention was made in the Most Holy, Most Exalted Court. Praise be to God, he has received his portion from the fruits of the eternal Tree, such that the preface of the Book of existence shall be adorned with his mention. Obliteration shall not touch it, nor shall the vicissitudes of time and ages and centuries alter it. Blessed is he, blessed is he.

Mention was made of the honored friend, his honor Aqa Mirza Ayyub, upon him be the Glory of God and His favors. Praise be to God, he is adorned with the ornament of love. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, to grant success to him and this servant, that we may become wholly detached from ourselves and all else, become entirely captivated by the Peerless Friend, cling unto Him, and arise to that which will exalt His Cause. At the beginning of this month, a special visitation was performed on his behalf. I convey greetings and salutations to him, and give him this great glad-tidings that praise be to God, his brothers too have been and are being illumined by his light. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, for assistance on their behalf.

Mention was made of the honored lady, daughter of the Most Truthful Name of God, upon her be the Glory of God, and the honored Hudhud, as well as the light of the eyes, upon them be the Glory of God. Praise be to God, all have been and are recipients of God’s favors. The Glory that is manifest, evident and shining from the horizon of the heaven of grace be upon those who have been patient and have spoken that which they were commanded by God, the Lord of the Worlds.

The servant 14 Muharram 1301

BH00993: Praise be to God, and peace and blessings be…

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

Praise be to God, and peace and blessings be upon the Prophets and Messengers, whom God made the manifestations of His Self, the dawning-places of His revelation, the recipients of His knowledge, the treasuries of the pearls of His recognition, and the repositories of His precious trusts; and upon their friends, their loved ones, and their children. Then effulgent, radiant, resplendent and brilliant blessings be upon their Lord, their Source, their Seal, their First and their Last, and upon His children and companions who forsook the world for the Cause of God, the Lord of all worlds.

And then—my spirit be a sacrifice to your remembrance—the letter of that loved one was a lamp, bright and luminous to the heart, and through its contents joy and gladness were attained. After its reading and perusal it was presented before His presence. Likewise the letter of the beloved heart, his honor S.M., upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God, and also the letter of his honor Aqa Mirza Huda, upon him be [the Glory of God], which they had sent, were honored to be heard. May he, through divine grace, be blessed and may the Euphrates of mention and utterance in praise of the Beloved of the worlds flow and stream forth from the dawning-place of his words.

How many souls there are from whom whatever is imparted unto them is seen to be like an impenetrable rock, without effect or fruit; and how many souls there are who, upon merely hearing the rustling of the Divine Tree, are observed with sighs ascending and tears flowing. This is why He says: The companions of the right hand and the companions of the left hand are all seen today struck down by the blast of the trumpet, save whom God willeth. The effect of the trumpet has encompassed the world and all are observed as hollow palm-trunks. Beseech ye God that the Israfil of the spirit may breathe into the prostrate, lifeless temples a breathing whereby all may be adorned with the new and wondrous garment of life and may speak forth “The Kingdom is God’s, the Lord of all worlds.”

This is the day when intoxication hath seized all. Blessed is the soul whom human conditions have not deprived of the Most Sublime Vision. Say: Remember thou Huda on behalf of the Wronged One and say: Blessed art thou in that thou hast turned unto the Most Sublime Horizon, and hast sought the Ultimate Goal and the Most Exalted Summit, and the hosts of the heedless and the clamor of the turn-aways did not prevent thee. Give thanks unto God for this most great favor and say: O my God! By Thy might and Thy majesty and Thy beauty and Thy tenderness and Thy mercy and Thy sovereignty, wert Thou to be mine I would be independent of the world, and were Thy glance to turn toward Thy servant I would ward off from me the oppression of the peoples.

Thou art He Who created me and provided for me and made me manifest and nurtured me until Thou didst give me to drink, by the hands of Thy bounty, the cups of Thy recognition, in such wise that I turned unto Thee with my heart and my tongue spoke Thy praise and my face was set toward the horizon of Thy manifestation. O my Lord! Thou seest me cast out for Thy Name’s sake and wandering through the lands in Thy path. I beseech Thee to confirm me in all conditions upon that which I have been, O Thou Possessor of Glory and Majesty, and Sovereign of Power and Grandeur! There is no God but Thee, the Mighty, the All-Conquering, the Powerful, the Omnipotent. End.

Praise be to God, they have attained His grace—glorified be His majesty—and have been mentioned at His threshold with such mention that every letter thereof testifies to His bounty, mercy and grace. God willing, may they attain unto this and be quickened by a new spirit from its breezes. Verily, He is powerful over all things.

The beloved verses from the heart and soul of His Honor Shaykh, upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God, were presented at the Most Holy and Most Exalted Threshold. He said:

“We have heard his prose in praise and remembrance of God, and likewise his poetry.”

The true lover hath at all times a state whose mention transcendeth the utterances of the people of the mortal realm. Praise be to God, the Euphrates of remembrance floweth from him and the nightingale of utterance warbleth upon the Lote-Tree of his heart. Verily We have remembered him with gracious mention and have sent down for him that which cooleth the eyes of the mystics. From this station We pronounce Our glorification upon him and send Our blessings upon those who have attained in the days of God and have held fast to His firm cord.

The poetry of my beloved, His Honor Haji Shaykh—upon him be the Glory of God and His grace—was in truth adorned with perfect joy and fragrance. It is as though the servant perceived from it the sweet-scented perfume of his sincerity unto God, our Lord and the Lord of all who are in the heavens and the earth. He beseecheth God for his assistance and success in the affairs of this world and the next. Verily He is powerful over all things. Blessed be he and joy be unto him.

Another matter to present is that there is a sum written somewhere which according to His command must reach His Honor S.M.—upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God—that they may deliver thirty (30) thereof to His Honor A., upon him be the Glory of God and His grace, and twenty (20) to His Honor Aqa Muhammad-Taqi [upon him be the Glory of God] to deliver to his father, making fifty tumans in total. Whenever received, let it be delivered.

The mention of His Honor A. and the loved ones—upon them be the peace [of God]—who are imprisoned for God and in His path, was made during nights and days at the Most Holy and Most Exalted Threshold. This servant conveyeth his glorification and greetings unto them with the utmost humility and reverence. For God’s sake is their essence, and for God’s sake their acceptance, and for God’s countenance their imprisonment. Blessed are they and blessed is he who remembereth them and loveth them in the path of God, the Lord of the worlds.

In this blessed year, whosoever hath been subjected to hardship and tribulation hath been reckoned among the imprisoned ones. From this matter the divine favors toward the imprisoned ones are evident and manifest. Blessed are they that perceive and blessed are they that discern, and praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

If answers to some of the loved ones have been or are delayed, there is no harm, for that eminent one is present and aware of the multitude of occupations, and above all is the consideration of wisdom according to the command of God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. God willing, in these days that which is as antimony of jewels for the eye of the world and as a heart for its temple shall be sent. The command is God’s, the Lord of creation.

The servant 17th of Muharram al-Haram 1301

BH02131: Praise be to God, the tongue of Whose grandeur…

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

Praise be to God, the tongue of Whose grandeur speaks in all conditions that which was spoken before the creation of the heavens and earth—that there is no God but Him, the One, the Bestower. He sent down the Book as a grace from His presence and ordained therein what befits man. Exalted is the All-Merciful, the Master of the Day of Return. And blessings and peace be upon those who, through their blood, aided God’s Cause, raised up His law, and spread His signs throughout the realms and lands.

That which that beloved one sent was received. Its expression was the dawning-place of a new utterance and its mention was the source of joy and gladness. After presenting this, this most exalted Word was revealed from the highest horizon—His blessed and exalted Word:

“Grieve not over anything. Trust in all matters in God, the Protecting, the Self-Subsisting. Then consider them with wisdom and utterance. He will assist you and teach you what He desires and will deliver you as a grace from His presence. He is the Powerful, the All-Bountiful. We have heard your mention and praise and humility and submissiveness and supplication, and We have remembered you with that which cannot be described by pens. We beseech God not to withhold from you the stream of His mercy which has preceded all created things. Glory be upon you and upon My friends in those parts who were not stirred by the tempests of the heedless and their words and deeds in the days of God, the Lord of all men.”

When His Holiness’s letter arrived, an answer was hastened with utmost speed, that perhaps news might reach His Holiness Ism’ullah, as it has been some time since any outward token of favor has been shown to them from the Most Holy Court, although all that is revealed is replete with mention of them. However, due to wisdom, nothing has yet been sent to the prison. Therefore now, briefly, several Tablets have been revealed from the heaven of favor and sent to them and also to those souls mentioned in their letter—let them deliver these to them. A detailed letter from this servant bearing divine utterances was sent from another direction—God willing that too will arrive. However, that beloved one must exercise great discretion, that is, regarding the companions in the land of Ta, for if it spreads in that land there is danger of harm to the prisoners and others. Several Tablets were also revealed specifically for the friends of that land—God willing they will be sent. And the gentlemen who were mentioned in that beloved one’s letter have all been blessed with mention by the True One, glorified be His majesty. Perfect favor has been shown to each one, manifest and evident. God willing its effects will become visible and apparent in the land like standards.

This evanescent one also expresses nothingness and evanescence in service to all, especially in service to the honored gentleman, the illustrious Nabil, upon him be the Most Glorious Baha. The Glory shining from the horizon of grace be upon your honor and upon God’s loved ones and chosen ones who remember Him at eventide and dawn. And praise be to God, the Master of the Day of Separation.

The servant 15th of Muharram al-Haram 1301

BH10909: God is Most Glorious

God is Most Glorious

O thou who art wronged and estranged! The Most Exalted Pen maketh mention of thee and consoleth thee in what hath befallen thee in the path of God, the Lord of all mankind. We have remembered thee at eventide and at dawn with that which hath caused the fragrance of My loving-kindness to be wafted to all regions. Upon thee be My peace and My glory and My mercy which hath preceded all who are in the heavens and on earth.

BH11283: We have sent down upon thee, from the heaven…

He is the Most High, the Most Exalted.

We have sent down upon thee, from the heaven of the Bayan, the showers of wisdom and divine knowledge, that in the hearts there may spring up the ears of certitude, and that each grain thereof may cry aloud:

By God! The Day of Return hath come; therein hath the hidden been disclosed, and the decree of the Book made plain.