Volume 074: Akka 1301 A.H. (1883–1884), Part II (5 of 5)

BH00099: How wonderful that the Hand of God’s Will, exalted…

Section 1: “How wonderful that the Hand of God’s Will…”

He is God, exalted is His majesty and manifest His proof!

How wonderful that the Hand of God’s Will, exalted be His glory, is assisting, and the stars have emerged from the darkness of the prison-sky, radiant, luminous and resplendent. If prison is termed ʿheaven’, there is no harm, for it is the place of God’s loved ones—from God did they come, to God do they return, and of God do they speak. Praise befitteth the most exalted Court of the Intended One Who, from the prison, hath interpreted for the sincere ones the blessed verse “Every day He is in a new state”. Through the name of prison He hath elevated His friends to such a station that the tongues of the world fall short of describing it. He giveth and withholdeth, and He is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. He raiseth up a people through His sovereign might and bringeth low others. Verily, He hath power over all things.

His power can make fire manifest from the mystery of light, and from light the consequence of fire. The rebellion of the peoples of the world diminisheth not His mercy, nor doth the certitude of His people add aught unto Him. Were His gracious Name to shed its radiance by less than a needle’s eye, no trace of rebellion would remain in creation, and were His Name of Justice to be revealed, the frames of the world would be bent low from the burden of transgression. He is the All-Bountiful Who withholdeth not His favors despite heedlessness, nor cutteth off sustenance from the transgressor. His mercy floweth like the Euphrates, and His generosity pervadeth and penetrateth like His Word of Command. His is the praise in all conditions, and He is the Self-Subsisting, the Most High.

And further: the letters of that spiritual beloved which were addressed to the servant present, upon him be the Glory of God, were received and gained the honor of being heard in the most holy and exalted Presence. This is what the tongue of our Lord, the Most Merciful, hath spoken in the Kingdom of Utterance. His word, exalted be His might and sublime be His station:

He is the Helper, the Almighty

O thou who art imprisoned in My path! Hearken unto My call. Verily, He remembereth thee at a time when sorrows have encompassed Him from all sides. He hath delivered you from prison that the heedless may know they cannot frustrate God. He announceth unto them at this moment a grievous chastisement. Grieve not because of those who have denied and turned away; they shall soon behold what hath been ordained for them by One mighty and powerful. By God! Their wailing and weeping shall profit them not. They shall find themselves in God’s torment without helper or protector. The heedless sought victory over Us through their troops, their ranks, their swords and their steeds, while We sought victory over them through God, the Strong, the Triumphant, the Mighty, the Powerful.

Thy letter hath arrived and was read by Him Who was present before the Throne. We have answered thee with verses that all in the world cannot equal, as this perspicuous Book doth testify. That which hath befallen you in My path hath caused My Pen to lament and those who circle round My glorious Throne to cry out. Blessed art thou and those who have shown patience and gratitude in adversity and tribulation. They are indeed among those near unto God, the Lord of all worlds.

We have remembered thee and those who were previously imprisoned with a remembrance from which those near unto God inhale the fragrance of eternity. Thus hath the matter been decreed by God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. Take My Book with the strength bestowed by Me. Verily, He will assist you and draw you nigh. He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.

We have sent down the verses, yet the people hear not. We have revealed the clear proofs, yet mankind perceive not. They have cast knowledge behind their backs, hastening to a manifest delusion. He who turned away from God when He appeared with the truth and came with a mighty sovereignty. Say: O people! Fear God and take not your vain imaginings as lords besides God. Cast away what ye possess and take what ye are commanded by One All-Knowing, All-Informed.

We have remembered thee and those whose names thou didst mention, and have written for each one of them that which shall abide with them in the worlds of their Lord, the Kind, the Generous. We counsel them to preserve that which they have attained. Verily, thy Lord is the Counselor, the Trustworthy.

O ʿAli-Akbar! The Most Great Vision hath been gladdened by the mention of God, His praise, His glorification, His exaltation, His grandeur, His majesty, and the praise of His loved ones, His chosen ones, His guides, and His beloved ones. The Wronged One hath heard thy call, thy lamentation, and that which thy heart’s tongue hath uttered in remembrance of God, thy Creator, thy Sustainer, thy Maker, thy Provider, and thy Helper. Thou didst remember Me, I shall remember thee. Thou didst thank Me, I shall thank thee. Verily, thy Lord is the All-Bountiful, the Mighty, the Great.

Blessed art thou and those whom the power of the mighty did not weaken. They arose and proclaimed: “God is our Lord and the Lord of all who are in the heavens and the earth.” These are servants whom God hath described in His Books of old and those yet to come. They are servants whose excellence and loftiness His loved ones’ tongues have acknowledged, saying “Their blessedness exceedeth our blessedness.” Thus hath the Tongue of Grandeur spoken from this glorious and exalted Station.

The splendor shining from the horizon of the heaven of My mercy be upon thee and upon those who have attained unto the preservation of God’s trust, the Lord of the seen and the unseen, and the Lord of this exalted Station.

The effulgent rays of the Sun of divine favor are clear and evident from the luminous words. I swear by Him Who is the Desire of all who are in the heavens and on earth—in this instance there hath been revealed concerning the prisoners that which hath caused every living being to yearn for imprisonment. They beseech God—exalted be His glory—at all times that they may not be deprived of this bounty. He, verily, is the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous. Praise be to God that all loss hath reverted to the aggressors and all profit to those who are nigh unto God, namely the prisoners. This is among the wondrous favors of the Lord of all worlds. Though this servant did not outwardly say “Would that I were with you!”, yet the heart hath continuously uttered “Would that I were!”. Praise be to God, glad-tidings have arrived from all directions. All were saddened upon entering the prison, but rejoiced upon leaving it. This was a blessing that accorded with the temperament of all the realms of inner meaning and utterance, despite those who have denied the verses of God, the Lord of this wondrous and glorious Day.

Fresh above all else was the manifestation of kindness and favor from His Majesty the Sultan. From the Tongue of Grandeur in the Tabernacle of Glory, these words were repeatedly heard. He said that a great kindness hath been shown by His Majesty the Sultan. We beseech God to aid and assist him. Similar to this exalted word He hath repeatedly spoken—to Him be praise and gratitude. God hath assisted His Majesty the Sultan to achieve this great good. We beseech God to open before his face the gate of truth and to illumine him with the light of the Sun of Justice. Verily, He hath power over all things.

Concerning what was written about multiple letters being sent in the name of the honored servant—upon him be all the most glorious Glory of God—without receiving replies: the state of His Holiness is such that for some days, at dawn He turneth His attention to the garden, and after sunset He returneth. At times He is occupied with the planting of trees and at times with their uprooting. Permission hath been obtained for ten to fifteen days. However, it doth not appear to this lowly one that His Holiness would be neglectful in replying, or that He would delay in answering any matter. During this period, whatsoever hath arrived from any place hath been submitted, and the answer to all hath been written paragraph by paragraph, notwithstanding that from all directions letters arrive like unto rain, and no shortcoming hath occurred according to capacity. If the favor of the True One—exalted be His glory—be not vouchsafed, how can one discharge this mighty and weighty task? Through His confirmation all difficulties become easy, and without it every easy thing becometh difficult.

Praise be to God! The mention of that spiritual beloved hath been and is in the Most Holy Court. In the days of the imprisonment of the friends, replies were occasionally issued and revealed, and this was according to wisdom, for when this exalted Word was heard from the tongue of the Lord of Names, He commanded that while they are in prison, action must be taken according to the least obligation, inasmuch as the friends of God are surrounded and the aggressors are apparently encompassing them. Perfect wisdom doth not approve the sending of Tablets save to the extent possible. Perchance for this reason also the reply to some letters hath been delayed. In any case, that which arriveth once sufficeth, for in each instance a Book hath been and is being sent. We beseech the True One that whatsoever of the Tablets and their copies hath been scattered to the winds may be gathered together. The people of injustice are heedless, and outward circumstances have so beguiled them that they have had and have no regard save for the desires of the self. Every deed hath its doer and every rebellion its follower. We beseech the True One—exalted be His glory—that whatsoever they have seized through oppression—that is, the divine verses—may be returned to their rightful owners.

Regarding what you recorded concerning the brothers of His Honor Aqa Abdu’l-Azim and Aqa Haydar-ʿAli—upon both of them be the Glory of God—this was submitted to the Most Holy Court. This is what hath been revealed for them from the Kingdom of the wisdom of our Lord, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. His words—mighty is His utterance:

“O ʿAli! Verily, Akbar is great and mighty, and Haydar, in the Most Great Vision, hath attained unto the remembrance of the Lord of destiny. By My life! We have made mention of them both with that which naught that is seen on earth or that is hidden therein can equal. The Mother Book beareth witness to this in this station. Magnify them both on My behalf, and remind them with My tongue, and give them glad tidings of My mercy which hath preceded all horizons. Say: Today is a day to whose greatness the True One hath borne witness in all centuries and ages. The Scriptures and Books and Psalms—all of them speak of its excellence and confess and acknowledge its station. The world hath had and hath no significance. They must be enkindled in the love of God like unto fire, and in His recognition like unto a dawning and resplendent light, to such a degree that the fragrance of steadfastness may be diffused. The assured soul and the spirit, freed from all else save the blessed Word of the True One—exalted be His glory—taketh flight and journeyeth above the world. Neither doth the strength of the aggressors weaken it, nor doth the violence of the oppressors turn it away from the True One. Every soul shall taste of death. Death is but once, and everlasting life followeth after. Would that my people knew! We beseech the True One that He may confirm them and keep them assisted, that with perfect wisdom they may walk among the servants and be occupied in the remembrance and praise of the True One. That which is everlasting is this which hath been mentioned, and verily God is witness unto that which I say.”

Convey greetings to all the kindred, and adorn them with the ornament of the remembrance of God. Verily, He is with every one who remembereth Him, with every one who turneth unto Him, with every one who is oriented towards Him, with every one who holdeth fast unto Him, with every one who cleaveth unto Him, and with every one who gazeth toward His Most Exalted Horizon and Supreme Summit. The Glory that hath dawned from the heaven of My grace be upon them all, men and women alike, and upon them who have held fast unto My Sure Handle and clung to My Luminous Hem. His is the loving-kindness, and the bounty, and the generosity; His is the grace and the bestowal unto all who dwell on earth.

In truth, all are bewildered, for the Sun of Grace hath shone forth in such wise that for a single drop of remembrance He hath bestowed an ocean of recompense, and for an atom of goodness He hath given rewards brilliant as the sun. This hath been witnessed and continues to be witnessed by all, but such as your honor and his kindred have attained unto that which thought and utterance fail to reckon, and the pen is powerless to describe. Who can describe him who hath arisen to serve Him Who is beyond description?

Section 2: “Some time ago, this servant was present when…”

Some time ago, this servant was present when the Ancient Beauty—upon Him be the most glorious of all glory—was mentioning with His tongue of grandeur the services of the leaf who is your honor’s wife, as well as those of other kindred. This servant beareth witness that none have been forgotten. The services of all are manifest, resplendent and evident in the sight of the Lord of all knowledge. Blessed is the soul that hath attained unto service and been honored by the remembrance of God, exalted be His glory. This remembrance hath a station that transcendeth description. By the life of our Goal and your Goal, our Beloved and your Beloved, immortality itself is ashamed to be associated with it. In truth, the remembrance of God, exalted be His glory, hath a station that understanding cannot reach and human comprehension cannot grasp, except through His aid, blessed and exalted be He. This servant conveyeth greetings and salutations to all, and beseecheth God to cause all to attain unto that which beseemeth His days.

As to what was written regarding the Huquq, after being submitted before the Divine Throne, these resplendent words shone forth from the horizon of the divine heaven—exalted be His utterance:

“O Ali-Qabli-Akbar! Upon thee be My glory! Today the payment of Huquq is obligatory and binding upon everyone. We have commanded its collection provided it is done in a spirit of joy and radiance—that is, that the servants of the All-Merciful pay it of their own accord with utmost happiness and gladness. If it is not paid in this manner, its collection is not permissible. For several years We forbade the trustees from collecting it. Later, in view of the requirements of wisdom, necessity demanded that We command its collection, subject to the aforementioned conditions. Blessed is the one who hath succeeded in paying it. By the life of God! Its benefit returneth to the souls themselves, would that they knew. It must be collected and spent according to God’s command. All must act in accordance with what hath been mentioned. None may dispose of it without permission. The purpose of these utterances is that disorder may not prevail and affairs may not transgress the divine law. The Hands of the Cause must strive diligently to execute the law and fundamental ordinances of God so that all may become aware and informed of God’s commandments. That which his honor Azim, upon him be My glory, hath given hath been accepted. Blessed is he, again blessed is he. We have forgiven him and purified him as a bounty from Us. Verily thy Lord is the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous.”

That which hath been done regarding him hath been accepted before the Divine Countenance. Give him the glad-tidings of this wise remembrance. What was received hath been counted as Huquq, and this service hath been recorded in the Book by the Most Exalted Pen.

This is a Day wherein no deed is lost, nor shall be lost. If one were to reflect upon that which hath been revealed concerning the deed of his honor ʿAzim, one would attain to the recognition of this Day, the recognition of God’s friends, and the station of deeds. That which they have spent regarding that spiritual friend hath been counted as Huquq. Praise be to God Who hath assisted him to pay His dues and to obey His binding command in His perspicuous Book.

And as to what was written regarding the sister, upon her be the Glory of God, she hath indeed achieved a mighty matter. Praise be to God Who hath assisted her and enabled her to accomplish that which is celebrated by the Supreme Concourse, the dwellers of the Most Exalted Paradise, and those who circle round the mighty Throne. Mention of the sister hath been revealed in numerous Tablets. A robe was sent specifically for her. She hath been and is mentioned before the presence of the Ancient Beauty. Blessed is she, and blessed is any woman who hath done in the path of God that which the Most Exalted Pen hath mentioned from its exalted station. Praise be to God! This time all the brothers of his honor have been blessed with special favors. I beseech and implore God to assist and enable them all to serve His Cause.

The following was written concerning the matter of the meeting: After these lofty words were submitted, this was revealed from the heaven of divine will—exalted be His glory:

“In these days new circumstances have arisen in this land, therefore We have withheld permission, and afterwards action will be taken according to the requirements of divine wisdom. Convey My greetings anew to all, that joy and gladness may draw them to a station where the deeds of the aggressors, the oppression of the tyrants, and the barking of the atheists will not sadden them. Whoso is for God, God is for him.”

This blessed word was written that the loved ones may know with clear certitude that the truth has been and is with them, and if outwardly some are not granted the meeting, their reward has been recorded and revealed in the Book by the All-Bountiful Pen. This word is glad-tidings for those souls who have acted and continue to act for God’s sake.

Concerning what was written about the loved ones in the land of Ta and Alif and Shin and other lands—upon them be the glory of God and His favors, mercy and bounties—these details were submitted to the Most Holy, Most Exalted Presence. This is what was revealed for them from the heaven of grandeur and power—glorified be His majesty:

“O people of God in [Ta]! Ye have heard the Call when it was raised between earth and heaven. Hearken unto it once again from this Most Glorious Station, round which circle the Concourse on High at morn and eventide. That which hath caused the Spirit to lament and the Most Exalted Pen to cry out hath come to pass in a spot sanctified by God above all description. The dwellers of Paradise and the most exalted Garden, and they that abide in the Mansion at eve and at dawn give you glad tidings. O Ali-Akbar! Glorify them on My behalf and remind them of that which hath been sent down for them from the Kingdom of the utterance of thy Lord, the Chosen One.

Say: Beware lest ye be frightened by the might of those who enter their houses at eve and at dawn—the angels of punishment drive them to a most evil destination. Ye are they who have heard the taunts of the enemies and that which caused the Spirit and the Sovereign of the Messengers to lament in the most exalted chambers. Ye have attained in My path that which the Lord of Names hath revealed from His Most Exalted Pen—rejoice therefore, O ye who are endued with understanding. Thus have We sent down the verses unto you as a grace from Our presence, that they may attract you to a station where the intimations of those who have disbelieved in the Lord of Lords will not sadden you. Glory be upon you and upon whoso hath attained unto this Cause, whereby all things have proclaimed: The Kingdom belongeth to God, the One, the All-Forgiving.”’

And this is what was revealed from the heaven of the favors of our Exalted Lord for the people of Ta—exalted be His majesty and sublime be His utterance:

He is the Speaker, the Answerer

O people of gold! Upon you be the Glory of God, the Self-Sufficient, the Most High! The Wronged One of the world hath, from the Most Great Prison, turned toward you out of pure grace. All princes, divines, religious doctors and men of letters have yearned for this Day, beseeching God night and day for His presence. Yet when the Most Great Luminary arose from the horizon of the heaven of manifestation, shining and resplendent, and the One Who conversed on Sinai spoke forth and made mention, all remained veiled save a few souls. By the life of God! He uttered a Word whereby all who are in the heavens and on earth were thunderstruck, save a handful of letters.

The Face of God, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting, shall endure. Praise be to God that ye have attained unto this most great bounty and supreme gift. Now beseech ye God that ye may be assisted to remain steadfast with supreme steadfastness. Reflect upon the Shiite divines and that party. They all would say “hasten, O God,” yet when the rain of knowledge and wisdom poured down from the clouds of the grace of the Lord of Revelation, they all turned back, incurring God’s wrath. Reflect upon the deeds of that wicked band, that ye may henceforth remain preserved and not be deprived anew by such utterances from the straight path and the manifest, clear way. The Glory and mercy of God be upon you and upon those who are with you.

This was revealed for the people of Alif and Shin.

In My Name, the One Who ruleth over all names!

O party of God in Alif and Shin! The honored Amin, upon him be My Glory, mentioned you before, and again the honored Ali-Qabl-i-Akbar, upon him be My Glory, who was imprisoned for My Name, hath mentioned you thereafter. Therefore hath the Supreme Pen engaged in your mention. We beseech God that He may assist all to achieve that which hath been revealed in God’s Book from the Eternal Pen. The days are passing, and ere long all that is on earth shall return to nothingness. What hath been revealed for you shall endure and shall testify for you in all the worlds of your Lord. Be thankful unto God for this great bounty. God’s tender mercies have encompassed you and His grace shall be with you. Strive that ye may achieve deeds that extinction shall not overtake and that shall endure as long as the kingdom of earth and heaven endure. The mention of all hath been and shall be in the Most Holy Court. The Glory be upon you and upon those who are with you and who love you.

And this was revealed for his honor Muhammad.

O Muhammad, reflect upon what hath come to pass, that thou mayest become aware of what the modern idolaters intend. The Shi’ih sect, who considered themselves the most ancient of peoples, the most exalted of servants, and the most refined of souls, were mentioned before the Divine Countenance as the most abject of people and the most wretched of servants. At times they were deluded by mention of the Successor, and at others preoccupied with mention of the Guardian, sometimes boasting of Jabulqa and Jabulsa and the realm of falsehood. How many souls were slain by these vain imaginings, and the Lord of the world was martyred by the swords of falsehood of those souls. Now too a group hath appeared in the land of Kaf and Ra, who have adorned the steed of idle fancies with the saddle of passion and have intended Jabulqa and Jabulsa.

God protect us and you, O concourse of the sincere ones! In brief, those falsehoods have emerged anew, for they have not yet realized that today is the Day of God and no mention is beloved except His mention. What fruit did that heedless party reap from their former utterances, that these souls should again intend thus? Fie upon them and upon what their hands have wrought! Hold fast unto Him, exalted be His glory, and be free and detached from all else. Today the books of the world provide no salvation except through this perspicuous Book. Convey greetings from the Wronged One to the people of that land, that perchance they may drink from the Kawthar of steadfastness and detach themselves from all save God. The Command is in His grasp; He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He pleaseth. He is the Mighty, the Praiseworthy.

Section 3: “As to what thou didst write concerning…”

As to what thou didst write concerning the people of Mim, as well as the prisoners, all are mentioned before the Divine Throne and have attained the grace of God, exalted be His glory. Give thou glad-tidings unto them all and assure them of divine grace. And as for what thou didst mention regarding the people of Sin and Shin, after being presented before the Most Great Scene, these manifest verses were sent down from the heaven of the Will of the Lord of Destiny—exalted be His mention and His majesty:

He is the Manifest Book

He verily speaketh in this hour that which the Tongue of Grandeur spoke before the creation of the heavens and earths: He is God; there is none other God but Me, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

O My loved ones in Sin! Hearken unto My call from the precincts of My prison, then call to mind what hath befallen Me and My loved ones at the hands of them that cast the Truth behind their backs, turning unto every doubting misbeliever. The divines have prevented the people of creation from drawing nigh unto God, the Lord of all names, when He came from heaven with great sovereignty. Thus did their souls entice them. They are indeed among the most lost in the Book of God, the Lord of all worlds.

The Most Great Ocean hath surged, and the horizon of utterance hath been illumined by the sun of the loving-kindness of your Lord, the Almighty, the All-Powerful. We counsel you with that whereby the Cause will be exalted, and with the trustworthiness which We have mentioned aforetime—a command from Us, and I am the All-Commanding, the All-Knowing.

Say: O people! Fear God, and deny not the Truth through what ye possess. By the life of God! Neither the books of the world nor the scriptures of the nations shall profit you. Fear God, O concourse of earth, and be not of the heedless. He Who was hidden in the presence of knowledge and inscribed in the Books of God, the Mighty, the All-Praised, hath been made manifest. The croaking hath been raised, and that whereof We informed you aforetime hath appeared. He is, verily, the Truth, the Knower of the unseen. Soon will a croaker come unto you with the book of the wicked, to debar you from My straight path—at one time showing humility, at another with great deceit. We counseled all beforehand and gave tidings of the croaker. Blessed is the soul from whom the croakers perceive the fragrance of supreme steadfastness, such that the limbs of misbelief tremble and the hearts of the hypocrites are troubled. Whosoever uttereth any word today save the mention of God hath been and shall be rejected in God’s sight.

After manifold tribulations, bearing hardships, and exile from land to land, the Sun of Manifestation did at last shine forth and Its effulgences encompassed all. Certain ones emerged from behind the veil of concealment and firmly girded themselves to lead God’s loved ones astray. Whoso pondereth the fruits of the deeds of the Islamic sect, and likewise the false traditions whereby they have barred the hapless people from the straight path, will in no wise draw nigh unto such souls, nor will he deem their vain imaginings worthy of attention. We beseech God to aid you, draw you nigh, and grant you the good of this world and the next. He, verily, hath power over whatsoever He willeth. O people of Sin! Know ye the worth of the divine mention and inscribe it upon the tablet of the heart with the pen of steadfastness, that it may not vanish from sight and that thieves and traitors may find no way unto it. End.

As to what was revealed for the friends of God in Shin:

He is the True Speaker, the Trustworthy One

O people of Shin! The Beloved of the world confirmed you in your devotion and turning unto Him, and blessed you with the recognition of a Cause which the Prophets and Messengers yearned and hoped to recognize and attain unto. This is a supreme bounty and an exalted station that requires diligent effort to preserve. This is the Day which We heralded to Abraham, made known to Moses, and to which We guided Isaiah, John and Christ, and about whose greatness the Seal of the Prophets informed all. Were one to take its description from the divine Books, no word would remain, yet those possessed of true knowledge are well aware of this station. From the beginning of the Cause until now, We have accepted all earthly tribulations for the sake of God.

By night and day the Supreme Pen has been in motion and the waters of mercy have flowed from the right hand of the Throne. When the world was adorned with this wondrous and new ornament, the hypocrites, with the utmost deceit and craft, strove to lead souls astray. The counsel of the Supreme Pen to His loved ones is to fix their gaze solely on the highest horizon and to purify their ears from tales of the past and future, that they may attain true hearing. We beseech God, the Lord of the Throne and earth, to assist you, draw you nigh, and grant you the Kawthar of steadfastness. Verily, He is powerful over all things and worthy to answer prayers.

This lowly one beseeches the Eternal Truth not to deprive the people of that land from the sealed wine and the favors of the Self-Subsisting Lord, and to confirm them in the most great steadfastness, until all the treacherous ones, the deceitful ones, and the cawing ones find themselves powerless to prevent them. Verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, is the Mighty, the Powerful, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. The mention of greetings and salutations to all is entrusted to your honor.

The mention of the handmaiden of God, Maryam, was presented at the Most Holy and Most Exalted Court. This is what was revealed for her from the heaven of the bounty of her Lord, the All-Forgiving:

He is the All-Mentioning, the All-Knowing

O ʿAli-Akbar! We make mention in this station of him who is named Yahya and give him glad tidings of the favors of his Lord, the All-Forgiving, the All-Merciful. We have remembered those who have turned to the highest horizon and have drunk the choice wine of revelation from the hand of the bounty of their Lord, the All-Generous. O Yahya! Blessed art thou for having taken hold of the Book with strength from thy Lord. We counsel thee at this time to preserve this mighty station. We also make mention of My handmaiden whom We have adorned with the ornament of My love and given to drink of the Kawthar of My beautiful remembrance. She remembered her Lord at the time of her ascension, and We remembered her as a grace from Us and caused her to enter beneath the shade of My Lote-Tree, whose leaves proclaim:

“There is none other God but Me, the Single One, the All-Informed.”

We have forgiven her as a mercy from Us, and We are the Forgiver, the All-Wise.

Concerning what was written requesting permission to journey to the Land of Mim to console the friends in that land, this matter was presented. His blessed and exalted Word states: This matter is most praiseworthy. It is essential that someone arise to perform this great service and illumine the oppressed ones in the valley of tyranny with the light of justice, console them, and shower upon those wronged ones, from the presence of Truth, an ocean of mercy that cannot be contained within the garment of words. O Ali, all have attained the grace of God and the word of pardon has been revealed for all. Some were seized with fear and the might of oppression made them anxious. The tribulation was great and the fire of tyranny was ablaze.

The transgressors acted with such hardness of heart that the Pen is ashamed to recount it. However, the life of this world is brief. Let them not be sorrowful, for whatsoever occurred was for God’s sake and was encountered in His path. This tribulation was and is sweet to the taste of the lovers. However, your honor should consult with others in that land and act accordingly. Great wisdom is needed lest what happened before should happen again. One must move with perfect wisdom. The ignorant people have been and are waiting to cause turmoil. However, God protects His servants. He is, verily, powerful over all things. After consultation, if you decide to proceed, spend that sum in His path. Thus do We command thee. Verily, thy Lord is the Commander, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

A Tablet was previously revealed and sent especially for your honor, and likewise another Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablet was revealed but its dispatch was delayed. Now, according to the command, that too has been sent. God willing, may you drink and give others to drink from the ocean of inner meanings hidden in the revealed verses and blessed Tablets. Blessed art thou and blessed is he who drinks from thy hand the cup of thy Lord’s and my Lord’s bounty. The two mentioned Tablets were revealed from the heaven of grace during the days when you were in prison. In truth, no one can enumerate His bounties and favors. His is the praise in all conditions.

The Most Great Branch and likewise the Greater Branch, may my spirit be sacrificed for them both, convey their greetings and manifest their past and present kindness. They shared in the grief and they share in the joy. All the members of the pavilion of grandeur and infallibility convey their greetings to your honor and to the Leaf, your wife, your sister, and your male and female relatives, and express their love. In truth, this new imprisonment was different from previous imprisonments, for it was the dawning-place of the greatest sorrow and likewise the greatest joy. Praise and gratitude be to God for all that He does. He brings low and He raises up, and He is the Powerful, the Mighty. Exalted is He Who is praised in His actions and obeyed in His command, and He is the Mighty, the Wise. Peace and greetings and glory and remembrance and praise be upon you and upon those with you and upon those who have drunk the wine of revelation, detached from those who disbelieved and were heedless and associated partners with God and turned away from God, the Powerful, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

As commanded, convey My greetings to the son of the Most Holy Asdaq. The delay in answering his petitions was due to the upheaval in this land. From the time of the upheaval in the land of Ta until now, discussions have arisen concerning every matter […]. Likewise, the answer to the petitions of Mirza Asadu’llah, upon him be the glory of God, will arrive, God willing, in these days. Again convey greetings from this Wronged One to the people of the Letter Ayn and likewise to the companions in that land, and give them the glad-tidings of the favors of God, exalted be His glory. Say: Your righteousness has become as evident and manifest as the sun, for until this day—that is, from the beginning of creation until now—what has befallen you has befallen the people of truth. They are witnesses unto you and you are witnesses unto them, and God is witness unto both. O Ali-Akbar! Upon thee be My glory and My loving-kindness. All must act with wisdom and hold fast unto it. Impart the meaning of wisdom that all may act in accordance with that which God hath ordained. This is a great good.

Glory and praise be upon them and upon the steadfast servants of God.

BH06904: I beseech Thee, O my God, my Lord, my…

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

I beseech Thee, O my God, my Lord, my Creator and my Beloved, by the ocean of Thy Most Great Name, and by the heaven which Thou, O Lord of Eternity, hast raised up, to deliver Thy loved ones from those who have been so intoxicated with the wine of self-conceit that they have cast Thy Book behind their backs and followed Satan in whatsoever he commandeth them. I beseech Thee, O my Lord, by Thy Most Exalted Self and by Thy Most Glorious Name, to draw Thy servants nigh unto the shore of the ocean of Thy oneness. O my Lord! Disappoint them not of that which lieth with Thee. I testify that Thy generosity hath preceded all created things and Thy bounty hath encompassed all existence, both seen and unseen. Deal, then, with Thy servants in a manner befitting Thy majesty, Thy greatness and Thy sovereignty. Verily, Thou art the All-Powerful, the Supreme, the Compassionate, the All-Forgiving.