Volume 075: Akka 1302 A.H. (1884–1885), Part I (1 of 5)

BH01040: On the night of the 11th of Muharram…

On the night of the 11th of Muharram in the year 1302:

He is God—exalted be His glory, His majesty and His power!

Praise be to God Who created creation for His knowledge, as stated in His words:

“I was a hidden treasure and loved to be known, so I created creation that I might be known.”

It is established through proof that He, glorified and exalted be He, neither manifests through His Essence nor is known through what His creation possesses, nor can He be comprehended through conjecture and imagination. Since the way to know His Essence is barred and proof is prevented from reaching the threshold of His door, He sent to His servants the Dawning Places of His revelation, the Daysprings of His verses, and the Manifestations of His Self, making them His path among His creation and His balance among His creatures, until the paths culminated in the Most Great Path and the balance in the Most True Balance, through which prophethood and messengership were sealed. Whoso hath known Him hath known God, and whoso hath attained unto Him hath attained unto the presence of God, for God, blessed and exalted be He, made Him a mirror reflecting His most beautiful names and His most exalted attributes.

Through Him the decree of divine unity was established; were it not for Him, the clouds would not have rained, nor would the earth have yielded its fruits. Through His advent the world was adorned and the fragrance of knowledge was diffused among the nations. Upon Him be the prayers of God, His peace, His bounty, His generosity and His favors, and upon His family and His companions through whom the springs of utterance flowed throughout all possibility and the signs of the All-Merciful appeared throughout all lands, and through whom God conquered the countries and the hearts of His servants.

Glorified art Thou, O God of the yearning ones, Goal of the knowing ones, and Beloved of the hearts of those drawn nigh! I beseech Thee by Him and by them, and by the signs of Thy power which have encompassed all created things, and by the manifestations of Thy grandeur which have prevailed over all possible things, to ordain the light of Thy countenance as a lamp for Thy loved ones and the meeting with Thee as life for the sincere ones among Thy loved ones. O my Lord! Thou seest Thy chosen ones aflame with the fire of Thy love and Thy loved ones anticipating the wonders of Thy grace and mercy. Their hearts have melted in their separation and remoteness from Thee, and their hearts yearn in hope of what lieth with Thee.

I beseech Thee by the lights of Thy countenance, the mysteries of Thy Book, and that which Thou hast concealed from the eyes of Thy servants, to ordain for them what they desire of Thy bounty, Thy favors, Thy mercy and Thy grace. O my Lord! Draw them nigh unto Thee that they may stand before the gate of the City of Thy might wherein was raised Thy Call—the Call by which the ear of Thy Moses was privileged in the Sinai of Thy knowledge. Thou art He Whom nothing can prevent and no affair can veil. All power is within Thy grasp and all strength hangeth upon Thy Will. There is no God but Thee, the Almighty, the Powerful.

O my beloved, O my beloved, O my beloved! Though outwardly this servant’s mention of you was delayed, God knoweth that his inner being and heart find rest only in your remembrance, in mentioning your love, your acceptance, your service, and your humility and submission before God, your Creator and Fashioner. At this hour, which is four and a half hours past nightfall on the eleventh of Muharram al-Haram, as I was engaged in mentioning that Beloved One before His face, He said:

“O servant in attendance! We make mention of him who hath acknowledged and confessed the oneness and singleness of God and that which was uttered by the tongues of His Messengers and chosen ones. We have found from him the fragrance of the love of God and make mention of him with that which nothing can equal. We beseech Him to make him steadfast in all conditions in the service of the Self-Subsisting and to manifest through him that which perisheth not. Verily He is the Lord of all beings and the Possessor of the throne on high and of earth below. There is none other God but Him, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. We make mention of My loved ones there and counsel them with that which behooveth them and through which the Cause of their Lord, the Mighty, the Loving, may be exalted. O Muhammad! Upon thee be My peace and loving-kindness. The world hath been set ablaze by the fire of oppression and the hosts of the wicked have encompassed the righteous. From all sides is heard the rumbling of cannons. It behooveth every soul who hath believed in God and His signs to purify his heart with the water of return. We beseech God to protect His party from the tyrannous among His servants and the oppressors among His creatures. Verily He is the Single, the One, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.”

Divine favors and infinite bounties have ever encompassed and continue to encompass that beloved one. In truth, in the realm of mention thou art accounted as a letter of His Word, and in the station of praise and glorification thou art manifest in the highest degree. If a letter were to be separated from a word, or should become separated, one might conceive of your mention being separate from His presence. Praise be to God! His grace encompasseth all, His mercy precedeth all, His favor embraceth all, and His bounty descendeth upon all. Praise be to God! The successive letters from that beloved one arrive like the spring rains and waves of the sea, one after another, and every letter thereof giveth joy to the soul and light to the eye of love. I beseech Him, glorified be His majesty, not to withhold this blessing and not to deprive the garden of the heart from the fragrances of the garment of His favor. If mentions are upon the tongue, there is no harm in it, for that beloved one is witness—He is witness to the multitude of occupations and dispersion of thoughts. Khwajih Hafiz—upon him be mercy and forgiveness—spoke well:

“Seek not thy desire through opposition to custom, for I gained composure through that disheveled tress.”

The beginning of this letter was on the night of the eleventh of Muharram al-Haram when I attained His presence, and what was heard from the blessed tongue was recorded. Then occupations intervened—that is, necessary tasks, for otherwise no occupation or matter hath been or is an impediment. In any case, this station hath not needed and doth not need mention or proof—it is established, firm, known and evident. Successively and repeatedly, necessary matters prevented until this night, which is among the final nights of the aforementioned month, when the end is being or will be connected to the beginning, for it is not known whether opportunity—which is in truth the supreme elixir—will be granted and this letter will come to its close. The command is in His hand—He doeth what He willeth and decreeth what He pleaseth, and He is the Powerful, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy.

BH01291: Praise be to God! Although the darkness…

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

Praise be to God! Although the darkness of the vain imaginings of the divines of the earth—those souls who are heedless of the Truth—hath encompassed the world, and the tyranny and oppression of rulers hath shaken the very foundations of all lands, and the deeds of the idolaters and transgressors have deprived hearts of their freshness, yet the call of the Desired One of all worlds and the lights of the Countenance of His Revelation have been raised and are shining forth in such wise that, in the eyes of them that are endued with vision, naught else is to be seen. At every moment He imparteth news unto the world, and the fragrances of His verses are wafted from the direction of His Prison. He is the Spirit of the world and the cause of the existence of the sons of men. Blessed is he who hath found and recognized Him, and woe unto the heedless ones!

Glory be unto Thee, O God of existence and Lord of the Frequented Fane! I beseech Thee by the appearance of Him Who conversed on Sinai, Who calleth aloud between earth and heaven, that Thou aid Thy chosen ones to do that which beseemeth Thy sovereignty and grandeur. Verily, Thou art the One Who hath power over whatsoever He willeth. There is none other God but Thee, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. O my Lord! Thou seest and knowest that this servant desired to make mention of them who are related unto Thyself and whom Thou hast named the Afnan of Thy Tree, though this be beyond my station and rank. Yet I make mention of them lest I be deprived of this bounty, and I thank Thee for this and for having enabled me to do so. Then, after making mention, I turn in repentance unto Thee, that this may serve as evidence of my powerlessness to make fitting mention of Thy loved ones. O Lord! I beseech Thee by the Kawthar of Thy utterance and the mysteries of Thy knowledge that Thou aid Thy Afnan as Thou didst aid them before, and ordain for them that which beseemeth Thy generosity. Verily, Thou art the Munificent, the Generous.

And furthermore, may my spirit be a sacrifice for your steadfastness, your remembrance, and your service. His blessed letter, which was sent along the way, bestowed light upon the heart, expansion upon the breast, and strength upon the vision. Praise be to God, the remembrance of God, exalted be His glory, was found therein, as well as the sweet news of His health and those with Him. Thanks be to the Goal of all the worlds, for His grace has been and continues to be manifest at all times, to such an extent that all the world is incapable and falls short of enumerating it.

If you wish to know of the conditions in the Land of Purpose: His honor the most great Master, upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God, and the two Stars, upon them be the Most Glorious Glory of God, and the august ladies, upon them be the Glory of God and His grace and favor, were circumambulating. Later, according to the command, they proceeded to Beirut. God willing, may they ever be occupied with the remembrance of Truth and find rest beneath His shade.

After reading His letter before the Throne, these exalted words were revealed and sent down from the Source of verses and the Manifestation of clear proofs. He says, exalted be His glory and universal be His bounty and great be His station:

“O My Afnan, upon thee be My glory! The very arteries of the world are moved by the divine verses, and at every moment divine reinforcement reaches it, otherwise all would be seen as perished and extinct from the oppression of the people of the earth and the divines of the lands. Ask ye of God that He might knead the dust of certitude with the water of knowledge, and raise up souls who shall be seen as firm and steadfast as mountains in the Cause of the Self-Sufficient, the Most High, and who shall attain such a station that no earthly affair shall prevent them from God, exalted be His glory, and a door to another world shall be opened unto their beings. By the life of God! Any soul who attains even a trace thereof shall see all who are on earth as mere handfuls of dust. Praise be to God, repeatedly hast thou attained that with which the world cannot compare.

“Convey My greetings to Muhammad, upon him be My glory. Say: Verily God shall be with thee, He heareth and seeth, and He is the Hearing, the Responding One. Convey greetings from the Wronged One to all the Afnan and gladden them with boundless favors.”

This servant also offers greetings and salutations to each one. God willing, may all become dawning-places of God’s will. The Tablets that were previously requested have been sent, numbering fourteen, by the count of the All-Bountiful. It is hoped they will arrive and be found as keys for hearts, as Kawthar for those thirsting in the wilderness of divine love, and as light breaking forth from the darkness of these days, and that all may take their portion from the ocean of their meanings.

I offer greetings and salutations to their honors, the illustrious Afnan, upon them be the Most Glorious Glory of God, who are present in that land. Blessed are they and joy be unto them for what God has confirmed them with and mentioned them in various Tablets. Verily our Lord, the Most Merciful, is the Compassionate, the Generous. Glory and remembrance and praise be upon your honor and upon them and upon those who love them and turn unto them for the sake of God, the Lord of the worlds.

The servant 12 Muharram al-Haram 1302

BH01358: Praise, sanctified from the intimations, allusions and comprehension…

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

Praise, sanctified from the intimations, allusions and comprehension of creation, befitteth that Desired One Who, through His consummate wisdom and all-encompassing Will, brought forth His servants from utter nothingness into being. In His creation infinite wisdom is evident and perfect craftsmanship manifest and clear. Every wisdom beareth full witness to His creation, and every person of insight hath observed His signs in the horizons and within themselves. Each and every created thing is a treasury of His wisdom, and none but the Self of Truth, exalted be His glory, is aware of that which lieth concealed and hidden therein. Exalted be His power and magnificent His dominion!

Glory be unto Thee, O Thou through Whose Name the hearts of them that are nigh have been drawn, and through Whose fire of love the hearts of the monotheists have been set ablaze! I beseech Thee by Thy hidden mysteries, Thy treasured knowledge, and Thy all-embracing Word, to protect Thy loved ones from those who have denied Thee and Thy signs. Then cause them to hear that which will draw them to the seat of nearness, holiness and meeting with Thee, lest the affairs of the world make them heedless of drawing nigh unto Thee, O Thou Who art the Lord of Names. Then make known unto them, O my God, that which beseemeth them in Thy days, wherewith Thou didst give glad-tidings to the world in Thy Books, Thy Scriptures and Thy Tablets. Verily Thou art the Omnipotent over whatsoever Thou willest, and within Thy grasp is the dominion of all names. There is none other God but Thee, the Forgiving, the Bountiful.

Thereafter, this servant attained unto your letter and found therein the fragrance of humility and submissiveness before God, our Goal and your Goal, our Object of worship and the Object of worship of all who are in earth and heaven. I took it with the hand of longing, opened it, read it, and understood it. Then bewilderment seized me for a quarter of an hour. Then I placed my trust in God and repaired to the Most Exalted Station, until I attained unto His presence and presented what was in your letter. The Tongue of Grandeur spoke that which, were it to be cast upon rocks, would cause rivers to gush forth therefrom. His word, exalted be His glory and mighty His utterance:

In My Name, the Wronged One, the Stranger

Praise be to the Best Beloved of the worlds, Who is worthy and deserving, for in the midst of tribulation He summoned the people of the mortal realm to the highest horizon. Neither the might of princes nor the clamor of divines could deter Him from His purpose. The hosts of the world and the ranks of nations could not hold Him back from His will. His Cause is triumphant and His will prevails, now and forever. Blessed are they whom the vanishing ornaments and diverse things did not prevent from the Dawning Place of the Light of Divine Unity, and who arose to serve the Cause in the name of the Self-Subsisting Lord—an arising that knew no wavering and was seized by no weakness. They stood and said:

“God is our Lord and the Lord of all on earth and in heaven.”

Out of pure mercy and grace, He sent forth Moses from the Dayspring of the All-Bountiful Name and dispatched him to mankind. Then arose the clamor of the servants, the standard of denial was raised, and the pen of rejection was manifest—until God, exalted be His glory, seized the deniers, the rejecters, and the infidels with a seizure whereby all souls, deeds, possessions and traces perished and returned to nothingness, while the banner “Verily I am the Interlocutor of God” was raised as the most exalted of standards.

Thereafter He chose the Spirit (Jesus) and sent Him to mankind that He might give all the glad tidings of the Day of God and make them aware. Then the people rose against Him and visited upon Him that which caused the dwellers of the Kingdom to lament, until God seized the idolaters and deniers and strengthened those who believed in Him and His Book. As can be seen today, most of the world’s sovereigns bow in humility before His name and remove their hats in churches at His mention.

Then He sent the Sovereign of the realm of knowledge (Muhammad) with proof and evidence to mankind. The divines and jurisprudents of all religions and the generality of people arose in rejection and wrought that which caused all things to weep. Then was raised the standard “Truth has come and falsehood has perished” and the horizons of the world were illumined with the light of unity and concord.

By the life of God! Had the world been worthy, the Prophets and holy ones would not have given themselves into the hands of the idolaters. Reflect upon what has been mentioned, that perchance neither the might of princes nor the clamor of divines may prevent you from the highest horizon. God has seized the oppressors with complete conquest. He is the One with such power that the might and dominion of the people of the world cannot weaken Him. Soon will God seize those who have oppressed in the land of Ta (Tehran) just as He seized the Wolf and the Spotted One and the one who was secretly with them. Through your intercession God forgave him and remitted his sins. Verily nothing is hidden from thy Lord’s knowledge. He hears and sees, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing, the Answering….

BH11375: All praise, all glory, and all remembrance befitteth…

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

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

All praise, all glory, and all remembrance befitteth the most holy, most exalted, most sublime and wondrous court of the Desired One, whose threshold hath ever been and shall forever remain the dwelling-place of them that are nigh unto God, the refuge of them that profess His oneness and are sincere in their devotion. He is the One Almighty whom neither the barking of the dogs of the earth nor the grunting of the swine of diverse lands could deter from His purpose. The swords and hosts of the world could not withhold Him from His will. At times His call was raised from the land, at others from the sea, and at still others from the mountains, in such wise that every hearing ear hearkened thereto and every conscious heart was made aware. The more the heedless among His servants sought to harm Him, the more manifest became His Cause and the more exalted His call. Those who were honored and renowned through His Name arose at the outset of His Revelation to voice such objections and protests as the world had never before witnessed.

The primary cause and reason for their turning away and protesting were the divines of that age, whom the ignorant people blindly followed. To such an extent did they arise to harm Him that all things were moved to lamentation and weeping, and so difficult became the situation for the loved ones of God that they could find neither refuge nor repose. Yet despite all the tribulations that befell them and the afflictions that descended upon them, these steadfast souls shone forth from the horizon of the heaven of constancy like unto the Greater Luminary, for the world and all that is therein were regarded by them as worth less than a gnat’s wing, nay less still.

They are the Hands of God’s Cause and His signs amongst His servants and His standards in His lands—servants who have bowed their necks before the countenance of God, the Lord of all beings, whose voices are hushed at the mention of His Most Glorious Name, and whose eyes overflow with tears at what hath befallen God at the hands of them that have broken His Covenant and His Testament, cast behind their backs His Book, disputed His verses, and finally warred against His very Self and with manifest tyranny sent Him to this place which hath been named the Most Great Prison by the tongue of Him Who is our Goal and the Goal of all who are in the heavens and on earth.

Glorified art Thou, O Thou through Whose Name the standards have been raised aloft, the tokens have appeared, the trees of utterance have been planted in the garden of true understanding, and the river of life hath flowed throughout all contingent being! I beseech Thee to assist those whom nothing whatsoever hath deterred from Thy remembrance, O Lord of all names, and whom no earthly might hath kept back from the Most Sublime Horizon. I moreover beseech Thee, O Thou Who art the Lord of existence and the Sovereign of the seen and unseen realms, to aid Thy loved ones with the hosts of wisdom and utterance. Verily Thou art the Almighty, the Glorious, the All-Bountiful. There is none other God but Thee, the Single, the One, the Help in Peril.

To continue: thy letters were received, and each bore true witness and gave eloquent testimony to the praise and glorification of our Beloved and your Beloved, our Goal and your Goal, the Object of worship of all who dwell on earth and in heaven. In truth, the fragrance of that honored one’s love was diffused therefrom. Well is it with thee, and again, well is it with thee, for thou hast drunk from the cup of the All-Merciful’s love and partaken of the outpourings of the ocean of certitude. This servant was so delighted and gladdened by his words that the pen fails to describe it, for it is abundantly clear that every utterance and expression from which the fragrance of the love of the Beloved of the worlds is wafted brings fresh life to the soul and boundless joy to the spirit.

In truth, this station transcends description and is sanctified above all praise. A hundred thousand blessings upon that honored one who has attained to that which the world, after long anticipation, was found to be heedless of, save those whom God has willed. In any case, after reading and becoming acquainted with it, I repaired to that station where “God was, and there was none beside Him.” After attaining to the presence and observing silence, permission was granted, and thy petition and letter were presented in their entirety. These sublime words were then revealed in response from the Kingdom of Divine utterance—exalted be His might and majesty—and these are His mighty words:

In My Name, the Hearer, in My Name, the Answerer

O Muhammad-Qabli! In these days, at every moment, from the murmuring of the Kawthar of inner meanings, flowing from the right hand of the Divine Throne, a word is heard, and this exalted word has now attained to the hearing of the Lord of Names. Blessed is he who hath heard and responded, and hath arisen to serve the Cause of God, the Lord of the worlds. By the life of the Desired One! Whoso hath attained unto it is longed for by the highest Paradise and the dwellers of the most exalted Heaven and those who circle round His mighty Throne.

O Muhammad-Qabli! Thou hast heard the call of the Wronged One time and again, and this is yet another time, a bounty from His presence—and He is the All-Bountiful, the Compassionate, the Noble. The servant who is present came with thy letter and presented it before the Face while the Wronged One was in evident sorrow. By God’s life! My sorrow is not for My imprisonment, nor for what hath befallen Me at the hands of Mine enemies, but rather for those who attribute themselves to Us yet commit that which causeth the tears to flow from the eyes of them that know. This is a Day whereon it behooveth every soul who hath turned to the Face to adopt My attributes and to hold fast to that which hath been sent down in My wondrous Book.

Hear in the Persian tongue! The grief of God hath ever been due to the deeds that have appeared from His loved ones. The imprisonment of Mihdi and those who were with him, and what befell Me in the path of God, have not been and are not the cause of sorrow. Rather, this station is one of supreme joy, greatest delight and complete gladness. Today in one of the Tablets this most great verse was revealed from the Supreme Pen:

“Blessed are they who have entered prison in My path and whom tribulation hath befallen for My Name. By God’s life! Their abasement is not equaled by the glory of the world, nor their poverty by the wealth of princes, nor by the treasures of those whom riches have kept back from the Ultimate Goal.”

O Muhammad-Qabli! The opposition and objections of princes, divines and doctors are as water for the Divine Lote-Tree and as the spring breezes for it. Its effects are manifest and its fruits evident. However, unseemly deeds and conduct that conflict with God’s Book are observed to be as poison, for the heedless people attribute them to the Truth. Today one must aid the Cause of God through the hosts of spiritual virtues, goodly words, and deeds that are pleasing and acceptable. These hosts are and have ever been mightier than the hosts of the world.

O Muhammad! In truth I say, every word that shineth forth from the Dayspring of Divine utterance is as the sun, and every letter is as an ocean. How excellent is the state of him who is illumined by the splendors of the Sun of His utterance and who hath drunk from the ocean of meanings. O ʿAli! The heedless have not entered the school of awareness nor drunk from the ocean of knowledge. The fingers of power have fashioned from the tablets of utterance the armor of certitude, yet most of the people of the realm of possibilities have passed by the first adorning and clung to the garments of fancy and idle imaginings. Fie upon them and upon those who followed them without clear proof from Us and evidence from Our presence!

Gladden the loved ones of those regions and that place through God’s—glorified be His majesty—care and kindness. Say: Know ye the value of these divine days and arise as behooveth you. Today the Balance is visible, the Path manifest, the Call raised high, and the Mother Book speaking. Strive that perchance ye may be blessed with a word of acceptance from the Supreme Pen, or be assisted to perform a deed whose fragrance shall never fade. I swear by the Sun of Truth which shineth resplendent from the horizon of the Most Great Prison! If anyone were to become aware of the reward for good deeds, even to the extent of a mustard seed, he would freely sacrifice his life to attain it.

O friends! These are days around which all centuries and ages revolve, and this is a time before which all times in the world bow down in humility. Let not the diverse colors of the world deprive you of everlasting bounty and eternal, enduring blessings. We beseech God—glorified be His majesty—not to deprive those cities and lands that are the dwelling-places of His loved ones from the effulgences of the lights of the sun of religion, truthfulness and trustworthiness. He is the One with power whom the veils of the world have not hindered.

He is the All-Powerful One Whom the veils of the world have not hindered and the might of nations has not prevented from His purpose. Thou shalt not grieve over anything. Rejoice in this Most Great Tablet, from which the Concourse on High has inhaled the fragrance of the loving-kindness of thy Lord, the Lord of all beings. The splendor shining forth from the horizon of the heaven of My grace be upon thee and upon My loved ones who have been awakened by the Call and have answered their Lord, the Forgiving, the Bountiful.

The tongue of the All-Merciful speaketh; it is its own interpreter and its own expounder. The words, utterances and petitions of this evanescent one are as nothingness before His presence and as feeble before the kingdom of utterance. Yet since this is the day of supreme bounty and greatest favor, every soul may confidently engage in mentioning the Beloved. Had mercy not preceded and grace not been witnessed, this evanescent one would never have dared to speak a word. In all conditions, I beseech pardon from God, exalted be His glory, and entreat His loved ones not to forget this servant in their moments of remembrance, meditation and tranquility of heart.

That which hath flowed from the tongue of grandeur clearly manifests the degrees of love, mercy, grace and kindness of God, exalted be His glory, towards you. Praise be to God, you have attained unto that which hath no likeness or equal. You and this evanescent one and the other friends must beseech God to adorn the world with the light of justice and fairness and to guide the transgressors. He is powerful and mighty over all things.

As to your mention of Ridvan and the arrival of divine verses and the joy and gladness of the friends—these matters were presented before the throne and attained the honor of being heard by the Lord of Names. His word, exalted be His grandeur, once again:

O thou who hast turned towards Me! Blessed is he who hath attained unto My good-pleasure in My Ridvan and hath acted according to what was commanded in the Book of God, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting. Thou hast heard the Call before and after; hearken now in this moment wherein the Ancient Beauty hath spoken: Verily there is no God but Me, the Single, the One, the Mighty, the Loving. Counsel My loved ones with wisdom and utterance lest there appear that which would trouble the hearts of the weak ones. This is what hath been sent down at this moment and before in the tablets of thy Lord, the Knower of the seen and unseen. Say: O people of the village! Do what ye have been commanded in My Book. Verily He will be with you in every world of the worlds of your Lord, did ye but know. Rejoice in My remembrance of you, for nothing that hath been created on earth can equal it, to this do honored servants bear witness. None should speak that which would cause clamor to arise between the cities and villages. He counseleth you as a grace from His presence, and He is the Counselor, the Compassionate.

Blessed are those souls who have attained unto the good-pleasure of God in His Ridvan. Happy are they and joy be unto them. May the bestowal of this cup never cease and may His loved ones never be deprived of the outpourings of this chalice. Verily He is the Bestower, the Compassionate, the Bountiful.

As to their desire for circumambulation and turning towards the Most Exalted Horizon, these two matters were presented at the Threshold of Divine Unity. Permission for circumambulation was granted, and this servant proudly performed it as your representative. Praise be to God in all conditions! I swear by the Beloved of the world that if this servant were to declare that a single circumambulation around Him exceeds the worship of all humanity and the jinn, it would be truth itself. Rather, he considers himself lacking and deficient in making even this statement, for the rewards of this deed are and have been unlimited, and none save divine knowledge has encompassed it. As the Bab—may our spirits be sacrificed for His sake—addressed the honored Azim, upon him be the Most Glorious of all Glory, saying:

“Verily, to sit for one hour in His presence is better than the worship of both worlds.”

As for the matter of attaining His presence, after it was presented at the Most Holy Court, this exalted Word was revealed from the Most Exalted Horizon. He says, exalted be His glory and majesty:

“O Muhammad-Qabli-Ali! God created the world for the purpose of turning to My countenance, standing before My gate, gazing toward My horizon, and speaking My beautiful praise. Yet when the Supreme Luminary illumined the horizon of the world, the nations turned away, save whom God, the Lord of the worlds, willed. The Books of God have spoken of this Name and given glad tidings of this Day wherein He Who conversed on Sinai proclaims: ʿThere is no God but Me, the Mighty, the Powerful.’ The Cry has been raised, the Tree has called out, the Calamity has struck, the Inevitable has come to pass, the Trump has sounded, and the hidden Secret has been revealed, yet most of the people remain heedless. They have risen in opposition to such an extent that they have denied what was revealed in the Books of God, the Exalted, the Great. They have broken God’s Covenant and cast His Book behind their backs. Verily, they are among the most lost in the perspicuous Book.

“O Muhammad-Qabli-Ali! Hear in the Persian tongue what is sweeter: The whole world was created for the recognition of and meeting with Him on this blessed Day, and no deed can equal this deed. This act is seated upon the throne of glory and established at the fore of all existence. Nevertheless, the people have failed to recognize the worth of this Day and what has appeared therein, and have perpetrated that which has caused all atoms of creation, the dwellers of the highest chambers, and the manifestations of verses to lament and weep.

Section 2: “By God’s life! The path to attaining His…”

By God’s life! The path to attaining His presence is clear and evident, and His loved ones are seeking it, yet heedless servants have prevented the people of Baha from reaching the Most Exalted Horizon and have held back the companions of the Crimson Ark from movement. The darkness of oppression has encompassed the world, and until this oppression ceases, neither kings nor subjects, neither rulers nor others shall find rest. Each day brings new hardship and fresh corruption, as you have seen and heard. In these days, due to the sedition in the Land of Ta, improper talk has somewhat spread even in this land. Therefore, we have paused in granting permission, and we beseech God, exalted be His glory, to record from the Supreme Pen the reward for attaining His presence. Verily, He has power over all things and is worthy to answer.”

Man needs a hundred thousand eyes to weep at what hath been inflicted upon the Self of God, exalted be His glory—that which all created things and beings are powerless to recount. They have attributed corruption to the Ocean of reformation, and injustice to the Dayspring of everlasting lights. Glory be to God! What heedlessness is this, that hath bewildered all the realms of knowledge. In any case, since the mercy of the Desired One hath taken precedence, we must, with utmost supplication and imploring, beseech the Almighty not to deprive His servants and to grant them a portion from the ocean of vision, that perchance they may attain unto consciousness and arise to do what behooveth them. He is the Generous, He is the Merciful, and He is the Bestower, the Kind. There is no God but Him, the Mighty, the Help in Peril.

Concerning what thou didst write about the bathhouse and the Mashriqu’l-Adhkar, it was presented before Him from Whose knowledge nothing is hidden. This is what the Tongue of the Chosen One hath spoken regarding the Mashriqu’l-Adhkar, exalted be His majesty and His power:

Praise be to the Desired One of the world Who hath enabled thee to serve His Cause. Despite the clamor of the people of the world, their sedition and corruption, and the uprising of all to extinguish the divine light of remembrance, from you and His loved ones this edifice hath become manifest and evident. This structure shall be accompanied by everlasting remembrance, for it was built in the name of God during the days of God and hath been adorned with the ornament of His approval. Beseech ye God that He may enable all to serve His Cause with steadfastness and to observe what God hath revealed in His Book. This world is evanescent; soon shall all return to nothingness, and there shall endure only that which hath been ordained by the Supreme Pen from God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting.

As for what thou didst mention concerning the bathhouse and the assistance of the friends in that land, this utterance hath been revealed from the Dayspring of divine revelation. His words, blessed and exalted be He:

Blessed are they who have acted with goodness and who have arisen to serve the Cause in the days of God. Blessed are they who have labored and they who have rendered assistance. Convey to all of them greetings from the Wronged One and say: The recompense for goodly deeds is preserved and treasured with God. Rejoice in this most exalted Word. Verily your Lord, the All-Merciful, is the Announcer, the All-Knowing. Every deed that appeareth today in the path of God is recorded as the sovereign of deeds in the Book of Names and is inscribed by the Supreme Pen. Blessed are they that act and blessed are they that understand. Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

The friends whose deeds are mentioned before the Divine Throne and whose praise floweth from the Tongue of Grandeur, by the life of our Beloved and your Beloved, such souls stand in the highest station and are accounted among the most exalted of creation in the sight of God.

We hope from His grace and favor that He may enable this evanescent one and other gentlemen and friends to make up for what hath escaped us in the days of God. A whole world of tongues would be needed to make mention of that which is hidden from all eyes. None is aware of the requirements of consummate wisdom. Verily our Lord, the All-Wise, is the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

Another glad-tiding is that mention of your parents was made before His presence, and the word of forgiveness was uttered from the tongue of the All-Desired One. Verily doth the Servant praise Him and thank Him for the wondrous tokens of His grace and bounty unto him who hath turned unto Him and arisen to serve Him.

As for what thou didst write concerning thy wife and sister and others, it was laid before the Divine Throne. This is what the Tongue of Grandeur hath spoken in reply, exalted be His glory:

O Muhammad-Qabli-ʿAli! Give glad-tidings to thy wife on My behalf and make mention of her through My verses. Verily thy Lord answereth him who calleth upon Him, remembereth him who remembereth Him, and turneth unto him who turneth unto Him, as a token of His grace, for He is the Forgiving, the Generous. We have made mention of her and We have made mention of thy sister as a mercy from thy Lord, the Most Merciful. Blessed is the servant who hath believed in God on the Last Day, and blessed is the handmaiden who hath turned unto Him and attained unto the lights of the Throne whereon thy Lord, the Most High, the Most Great, is seated. Convey My greetings unto them both from the Wronged One, and unto those handmaidens who have believed in God, the Lord of all worlds.

How many a king have We found heedless of this Day, and how many a handmaiden hath attained unto this Cause whereby the feet of the learned have slipped, save whom God hath willed, the Mighty, the Most Praised. Soon shall pass away that which the queens possess, and there shall endure that which hath been sent down for My handmaidens from the Ancient Revealer. The glory be upon thee and upon them and upon every handmaiden whom the clamor of the idolaters hath not kept back.

Grace upon grace, mercy upon mercy, bounty upon bounty, loving-kindness upon loving-kindness, are manifest and evident. What praiser can adequately render praise, and what thanksgiver can render sufficient thanks? Within each loving-kindness lie concealed a hundred thousand bounties, and for each bounty a hundred thousand thanks are required. God forgive this meaningless limitation! Nay, infinite thanks are not sufficient, let alone limited, numbered thanks. Who is able to thank Him as He deserves to be thanked? Who is able to praise Him as He deserves to be praised? Nay, by His very Self, all are powerless, all fall short.

In reference to what thou didst write concerning the testament of the departed, ascended, exalted leaf, the daughter of the sister of the Most Exalted Leaf, upon her be the Glory of God, the Most Glorious—these words were heard in the Most Holy and Most Exalted Presence, He Who was God and there was naught else besides Him. Blessed is she, for she hath drunk from the chalice of My love, soared in My atmosphere, spoken My praise, attained unto the hearing of My call, submitted to My Cause, and turned with her heart to My horizon. We make mention of her with such remembrance as shall cause the near ones to perceive the fragrance of eternity. To this beareth witness the Lord of all beings in this manifest Prison.

We have accepted from those related to the Leaf such deeds as have not yet come to pass. We have previously said: The intention of the believer is better than his deed. The intention of that honored lady, upon her be the Glory of God and His mercy, hath been adorned with the ornament of acceptance. Blessed is she and joy be unto her. We have mentioned her before and make mention of her from this time forth. Every bearer of a name testifieth to My loving-kindness, My bounty, and My mercy, which encompasseth all who are in the heavens and on earth. The Tongue of Grandeur beareth witness unto her as it bore witness before—that she heard the call of her Lord, turned unto Him, and responded to her Master, the Mighty, the Generous.

That which creation beholdeth cannot be compared with My testimony. To this beareth witness He Who proclaimeth in every state that there is none other God but Me, the Single, the All-Informed. Blessed is he who readeth what hath been sent down for her from the heaven of My loving-kindness. We testify that he is among the triumphant ones. The glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of My mercy be upon her and upon those who have turned to God when the Intended One came with a mighty command.

The mention of that company hath ever been, from the first day until now, in the Most Holy and Most Exalted Presence. The servant beareth witness that they have attained unto that which hath been revealed in the Books of God, the Lord of the worlds. I beseech God to protect them and aid them in that which will cause the exaltation of His Cause. Verily, He is powerful over all things.

Likewise, I convey greetings to each one, and with utmost humility and supplication, I request them to seek divine confirmation for this evanescent one, that he may perchance fulfill this mighty service.

As to what was written regarding uncertainty about whether certain matters may be mentioned in the Most Holy and Most Exalted Presence—it is certainly permissible, nay rather, necessary, for judgment proceedeth according to what is apparent, and the affairs of the chosen ones, particularly those souls who are under the glance of divine favor, must assuredly be mentioned so that the decree may issue forth from the Source of the Cause.

He made mention of Mirza Muhammad-Husayn—may the glory of Baha rest upon him. This was laid before the Most Holy and Inaccessible Threshold, and there was revealed and dispatched unto him a weighty and exalted Tablet from the heaven of bounty. God grant that he may partake of its spiritual repast, and obtain his portion from the oceans of its meanings. Verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, is indeed the Forgiving, the Most Generous.

In like manner, a most holy and exalted Tablet was revealed and sent especially for Aqa Abu’l-Hasan. This is yet another bestowal, as a grace from Him Who is our Lord and the Lord of earth and heaven. Blessed is he that attaineth, and woe betide the heedless.

And as to the people of the village: there were revealed, on their behalf, these resplendent verses—His glorious utterance and His mighty majesty:

In My Name, the All-Preserving over the heavens.

O Most Exalted Pen! Make mention, on My behalf, of the people of My village who heard and turned, and answered their Lord, the All-Merciful, the All-Compassionate.

We did, aforetime, remember you with a remembrance which, when it issued from the mouth of My Will, caused the remembrances of the world to bow down before it—thereunto beareth witness the Book that is clear. This is the Day wherein the rivers of utterance have flowed forth in the Name of your Lord, the Mighty, the Generous. Blessed are you, in that you heard the call of your Lord from the Most Exalted Horizon, and turned unto Him with a humility whereat all created things were humbled, and beyond them every discerning world. Let not the might of princes affright you, neither suffer the aversion of the ignorant—who, without proof from God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise, lay claim unto knowledge—to veil you.

Take ye the chalice of utterance in the Name of your Lord, the All-Merciful, then drink therefrom with the wisdom We have sent down in divers Tablets and in this wondrous Tablet. This is a Cause which, when it appeared, made the idols lament, and caused every stubborn tyrant to swoon away. Blessed is the tongue that speaketh what God hath testified, and the ear that heareth what hath been sent down from His mighty Kingdom.

Thus hath the Tongue of Eternity spoken in His Most Great Prison, as a grace from Him, for those who turned unto Him with illumined faces and acted according to that which they were bidden by God, the Mighty. O people of the village! Upon you be My glory, and upon you My loving-kindness, and upon you My mercy, for as long as My Kingdom and My Dominion endure, and the cities of My might remain—cities whereunto none hath attained save those who speak, at this hour. Verily there is none other God but Me, the True One, the Manifest. Ended.

This lowly servant conveyeth unto each of the people of the village his greetings and salutations, and declareth that all must, with consummate wisdom, arise to serve the Cause, and strive this day to repair whatever hath been lost; for other days may not be possible. He beseecheth and hopeth of God that He may preserve, within the treasuries of His inviolable protection, the deeds and acts and the goodly, spiritual character of His loved ones, and lay them up for each as a store. He is the Just; He is the Faithful.

He Himself hath declared:

“He will in no wise suffer the reward of the well-doers to be lost.”

Strive ye, perchance from among you there may appear such deeds as the passing, the heedlessness, and the forgetfulness of this earthly realm shall not efface, nor shall the veils conceal from sight. He is powerful and able to do all things.

And likewise there hath been revealed a most holy and exalted Tablet especially for Aqa Mulla Hasan—may the glory of Baha rest upon him. God grant that he may be aided to recite it; for by its recitation hearts are expanded and eyes are refreshed.

And as to those servants of God, both men and women—upon them all be the glory of Baha—who were enabled to discharge the Huququ’llah and did send it: it was received—praised be God—and they were confirmed in that which hath been revealed in the Book from the Pen of the Most High. And some of the gifts that were forwarded attained unto their purpose, and unto Him Who is the purpose of the world and the Desire of all peoples—that is, they were adorned by touching His blessed body. Joy be to those who sent them, to those who fashioned them, and to every thing that, this day, attained His presence: it attained the very fruit of its existence.

According to command, that honored one should convey to each the Takbir, and gladden them with the word of acceptance. Glory, praise, and magnification be upon you, and upon those who attained unto the Days of God, the Lord of the worlds. Certain mighty Tablets were sent unto some, and hereafter also—God willing—shall be sent. And certain Tablets, in the hand of this servant, have been and shall be forwarded.

The servant, on the 15th day of Muharram, the sacred month, in the year 1302.

BH02312: Praise be to God Who hath made earning…

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

Praise be to God Who hath made earning and acquisition the treasure of man, and hath ordained for every soul that which was foreordained in His knowledge from time immemorial. Among men are those who profit and those who lose, and for each there is a portion and share in God’s knowledge. The greatest profit lieth solely in God’s good-pleasure and obedience unto Him. This is a profit that shall see no loss throughout the duration of the kingdom and the heavenly realm, as attesteth He with Whom is the Mother Book. And blessings and peace be upon the Lord of the world and the Exemplar of nations, the Cause of existence and the Ultimate Purpose, the Sovereign of the unseen and the seen, and upon His family and companions through whom the books of religions were completed and the ordinances of the All-Merciful were made manifest, and through whom were struck down the banners of Pharaohs and extinguished the fires of tyrants who denied God’s right and His Cause and violated His Covenant.

And further: O beloved of my heart: First, concerning thy inquiry about the condition of that beloved soul—I beseech God, exalted be His glory, to adorn His loved ones with true physical and spiritual health, to increase the nearness of all, and to withhold not from them that which is inscribed in the Book. He is the Hearer and the Answerer. Second, the letter from the radiant star, His Holiness the Afnan, upon him be the Most Glorious Beauty of God, hath renewed the heart and soul with the fragrances of love. In truth, mention of God’s loved ones, especially the Afnans of the Divine Tree, is like the breaths of the spirit for bodies. I hope it will ever continue to arrive without delay or interruption. This evanescent servant hath ever besought and continueth to beseech the True One, exalted be His glory, to support the Afnans of the Divine Tree, upon them be the Most Glorious Beauty of God, and to bestow upon them such special bounties as would cause every counter to confess his inability and every possessor of speech to acknowledge his shortcoming.

To his honor the esteemed Afnan-i-Kabir, upon him be all Glory most glorious, I express my utter powerlessness and nothingness. Likewise to his honor the Last Star and the honored ladies, upon him and them be God’s peace and loving-kindness, I convey mention, praise and greetings. To the honored beloved Haji Siyyid Javad and the beloved of the heart Aqa Muhammad Mustafa, upon them both be God’s peace and loving-kindness, and to the rest, I extend mention and greetings. And I beseech God, exalted be His glory, on their behalf, for that which befitteth His generosity. Peace be upon thee and upon them and upon God’s righteous servants. Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

BH01181: Praise be to God, Who was and Who shall…

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

Praise be to God, Who was and Who shall ever be as He hath been, and peace and blessings be upon the Lord of all creation, through Whom was made manifest the essence of all religions and through Whom were sealed the commandments of God, our Lord, the Most Merciful, and upon His family and companions who acted in accordance with that which they were commanded in the Book.

Your letter was received, bringing joy and gladness. We beseech the True One to confirm you in that which He loveth and is pleased with. After presenting the letter before Him, He spoke:

“O Husayn, upon thee be My peace! Give thanks to the Intended One of the world and the Lord of nations Who confirmed thee in His recognition. We testify that there is none other God but Him, acknowledging His oneness and confessing His singleness, submitting to His Cause and all that appeareth from Him. Verily, He is the Protector of whosoever loveth Him and the Answerer of whosoever calleth upon Him.”

We beseech Him to ordain for thee that which is conducive to the good of this world and the next. Be not saddened by the diverse affairs of this world. Verily, joy cometh after sorrow, ease after hardship, comfort after distress, tranquility after agitation, and glory after abasement. Thus doth the Wronged One make mention of thee that thou mayest rejoice and be of those who are thankful.

Today all the sincere ones and they that are detached must beseech the Self-Sufficing Lord for that which will safeguard and protect the Cause of God. The enemies have encompassed it and each day they demolish one of its pillars. Alexandria is on the brink of drowning, and likewise other lands. Each day they seek to destroy one of its members, and all these things are the punishment for their deeds. All must turn to the Truth, glorified be His majesty, with the utmost lowliness and supplication, and seek forgiveness, that perchance the ocean of divine mercy might surge and wash away the dust of disobedience.

The pure Faith, for numbered years, was occupied with itself and heedless of others. They disputed and quarreled with each other over words whose meaning they knew not, and their enmity became so firmly rooted that it caused the very foundation to tremble. We beseech the True Architect to protect it and save it from ruin. He is, verily, the Powerful, the Mighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

In all conditions, hold fast to the firm cord and cling to the luminous hem of divine favor. You have not been forgotten, nor shall you ever be—you and all those souls who are truly adorned with the ornament of detachment and illumined with the light of divine knowledge. We send Our greetings. Verily, the Wronged One remembers those whose names thou didst mention before in the letter that was presented. We beseech God, exalted be He, to grant them success and to ordain for them from His Most Exalted Pen that which befitteth His generosity, bounty, grace, and bestowal. Verily, He is the Generous, the Bountiful. Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

Praise be to God! In these days the heat of fasting hath increased the fire of love in the hearts of the lovers and the obedient ones, and this is among the greatest bounties of the Lord. We beseech the Truth to assist His servants that they may act in utmost joy and fragrance according to that which they have been commanded. One deed performed in the path of God hath ever been and shall ever be the cause of salvation, and is like unto a lamp before all faces in all the worlds. The explanation of this station cannot be completed nor concluded through the utterance of one such as this evanescent one. In all conditions we hold fast to the cord of His grace.

We have committed all affairs unto Him and have placed our trust in Him. Verily, He is the Hearer, the Answerer. Concerning what you wrote about Haji Ibrahim, upon him be 9 66 [Baha’u’llah], it was submitted. He commanded that they should engage in trade and business with the utmost joy and fragrance, and if they should afterwards return to Iran, this too would be well-pleasing. We beseech God to aid all, that there may be manifested from the servants that which befitteth their servitude unto Him. The bounties of the world are in the grasp of His power. Assuredly He hath not deprived and will not deprive His loved ones, and if for a few days hardship should occur, this hath been and is due to the requirements of consummate wisdom.

By My life! Soon shall the doors of ease be opened before the faces of the believers, and rivers of wealth and affluence shall flow in the cities and lands. Verily He is the Almighty, the Unconstrained.

This evanescent servant conveyeth greetings to them and beseecheth God, exalted be His glory, to preserve them beneath the shade of the Tree of His providence. Verily He hath power over all things. In all circumstances they should be mindful of wisdom and hold fast to the divine law. Goodly deeds are as lights. We beseech God not to deprive His servants of these brilliant, shining lights. We are all His servants, turning unto Him and beseeching Him. In the prayer of Kumayl ibn Ziyad al-Nakha’i it is said:

“Until all my deeds and devotions become one continuous devotion, and my state in Thy service eternal.”

We beseech Him to give His servants to drink from the Kawthar of this exalted word. He is the Generous, He is the Merciful, and He is the Kind. Peace be upon you and upon the sincere servants of God, and praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

BH11635: In My Name, the Commander, the All-Informed

…In My Name, the Commander, the All-Informed

O Ibn Abhar! Upon thee be the glory of God, the Lord of destiny. Hearken unto that which God, the Lord of all worlds, calleth unto thee. We cast upon thee aforetime that which, were it to be cast upon the heavens, would cause them to be cleft asunder, or upon the earth, would cause it to be rent in twain, or upon the mountains, would cause them to crumble to dust. Verily thy Lord is the Helper, the All-Knowing. We have given thee leave and have sent down unto thee that which will draw thee to the most exalted horizon, this glorious and wondrous station. It behooveth thee to make mention of what thou hast witnessed in the tablets of thy Lord. Thus doth command thee He from Whose presence hath been sent down this perspicuous Book. The glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of My tender mercy be upon thee and upon those who have cast away what the people possess, yearning for that which is with God, the Strong, the Mighty.

Praise be to God that His loved ones have attained unto the grace of the All-Merciful and have received their portion from the Most Great Ocean. Especially the spiritual friend, His Honour Ibn-i-Abhar, upon him be the Glory of God, the Most Glorious, who hath both been mentioned and given leave. This evanescent servant conveyeth greetings to him and the other loved ones, and beseecheth confirmation, success and protection for all….

BH00585: O Muhammad-Qabli-ʿAli! Thieves lurk in ambush and traitors lie…

In the Name of God, Exalted be His Glory, His Grandeur and His Power!

O Muhammad-Qabli-ʿAli! Thieves lurk in ambush and traitors lie in wait, whereby the path of divine knowledge is barred and the fragrance of the All-Merciful is cut off. Beseech the True One to unlock, through His mighty hand, the gates that are shut, and to guide His true loved ones to the court of His glorious oneness. Thy letter was received and the servant in attendance laid it before His face. The sweet savors of love were inhaled therefrom. We beseech God, exalted be His glory, to aid thee in that which will cause the exaltation of His Word. Summon the people unto God with wisdom and utterance, and remind them of His signs and clear evidences, that perchance they may break asunder the chains of idle fancies through the Name of the Lord of all beings, and turn with heart and soul to the Most Exalted Horizon.

Say: O people! The divine promises have been adorned with the ornament of fulfillment, and whatsoever was announced in the heavenly epistles hath become manifest and evident. Deprive not yourselves. This is the Day for the revelation and manifestation of goodly character, deeds and words. Hold fast unto wisdom and plant in blessed, hallowed, and receptive soil that which is meet and seemly. Be not grieved at the oppression of the oppressors. By the Sun of the horizon of Revelation! All shall soon perish and return to nothingness, except that which hath been uttered by the Supreme Pen. All mention, description, color and deed shall be seized by extinction and annihilation, but the divine Word which hath been sent down from the heaven of the Will of God concerning every soul shall endure for as long as the kingdom of earth and heaven shall last.

Say: Strive that perchance ye may attain unto the Word and be freed and delivered from the fetters and tribulations of this darksome world. This is the counsel of Him Who is wronged in all horizons unto the loved ones of God. Well is it with him who hath clung fast thereunto and acted in accordance therewith. He, verily, is of the people of this glorious station.

O My Most Exalted Pen! Make mention of him who hath been named Muhammad-ʿAli in thy most eloquent language and thy sweetest utterance, that he may render thanks unto his Lord, the All-Bountiful, the Speaking One. We have desired to rain down upon him from the heaven of utterance the showers of wisdom and knowledge, that the rapture of the Call may so seize him that neither the insinuations of the divines nor the whisperings of the scholars who have denied God’s right and turned away from His straight Path may sadden him.

O Muhammad-ʿAli! The Countenance of the Ancient of Days hath turned toward thee from His Most Great Prison, and hath made mention of thee in such wise as the world and all that the nations possess cannot equal. To this beareth witness the Mother Book which hath appeared in truth and speaketh forth in this glorious and exalted station. We have caused those near unto God to hear the verses of thy Lord, and have shown unto them that recognize His unity that which the Beloved beheld when He ascended to the most sublime Summit and the highest Horizon—the station whereon the All-Merciful revealed Himself in the light of His holy, mighty, and luminous countenance. By God’s life! Were We to unveil that which We have concealed from eyes, thou wouldst see the people struck down. Thus doth He Who speaketh in every matter make mention unto thee, that there is none other God but Me, the Single, the One, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

We have heard thy call and perceived the fragrance of thy love. We have answered thee with a Tablet from whose horizon shineth forth the Day-Star of thy Lord’s utterance, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. Thus have We sent down upon thee from the ocean of forgiveness a mercy from Our presence. Verily thy Lord is the All-Bountiful, the Forgiving, the Merciful.

Say: O people of the realm of dust! By God, the Lord of the Kingdom hath come with a sovereignty before which no faction among all factions, nor all the hosts of earth and heaven can stand, if ye be of them that are assured. He hath come with the truth and hath rent asunder the veils with manifest sovereignty. Fear ye the All-Merciful, and follow not the manifestations of idle fancies who have broken God’s covenant and His testament, and have changed God’s favor after it was sent down through grace. These are indeed among the most lost in God’s Book, the Lord of all worlds.

We have manifested that which lay hidden in thy Lord’s knowledge and was recorded by the Most Exalted Pen in the Crimson Tablet. To this every discerning scholar beareth witness. Among the people are those who have denied God’s proof and His testimony, and among them are those who have heard and turned toward their Lord and answered Him when every heedless doubter turned away, and among them are those who have sacrificed their souls and their wealth for love of God, the Lord of the Mighty Throne. Blessed art thou and blessed is he who hath fulfilled God’s covenant and His testament, and hath done that which he was bidden in the Book. He is assuredly among those brought near unto God in His mighty and praiseworthy Tablet.

Gladden thou on My behalf My loved ones with My tender mercy and My compassion which have preceded all who are in the heavens and on earth. Say: This is God’s Day, did ye but know it, and this is the day for deeds, were ye but doers of them. Cast aside all else through My Name and take what ye have been given by One mighty, powerful, and ancient. Thus have We adorned the temple of utterance with the robe of thy Lord the All-Merciful’s loving kindness. When thou hast attained and beheld, arise and say:

“Thine is the praise, O Thou the Goal of the world! And Thine is the glory, O Thou the Beloved of those who dwell on earth and in heaven! And Thine is the splendor, O Thou in Whose grasp are the reins of all things! I testify that Thou hast manifested that which was hidden from time immemorial. There is none other God but Thee, the Almighty, the Glorious, the Wondrous.”

We have sent down for each one mentioned in thy letter that from which the fragrance of thy Lord’s gracious and bountiful favor is diffused. We beseech God to confirm them in that which He loveth and which pleaseth Him, and to manifest through them that which beseemeth His days. He is indeed the Almighty, to Whose sovereignty all created things have testified, and to Whose power all things possible have borne witness. There is none other God but Him, the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.

We make mention of the friends of God in that land who, upon hearing the call, soared on the wings of certitude to the atmosphere of the love of the All-Merciful. These are servants unto whom God hath testified in His Books which He sent down to the Prophets and Messengers. O friends of the All-Merciful! Hearken unto the call of the Wronged One. He counseleth you to observe trustworthiness and godliness, patience and forbearance, and that whereby the Cause of God, the Mighty, the Wondrous, may be exalted. Let not the doings of men sadden you, nor the oppression of those who have wronged you without clear proof from God, the Object of the knowing ones. We counsel you with wisdom as We have counseled you and Our friends before, lest the fire of hatred be kindled in the breast of every ignorant and remote one.

Rejoice in My mention of you, then give thanks to your Lord Who speaketh at every instance that there is none other God but He, the Mighty, the All-Praiseworthy. Thus have We expounded the verses and sent them down in truth as a grace from Our presence, and I am the Wronged One, the Revealer, the Stranger. By God! We have spent what We possessed on the first day whereon the shrill voice of My Most Exalted Pen was raised between earth and heaven, but most of the people are among the ignorant. They have cast away their God and taken the calf for themselves as lord besides God. Verily they are among the most lost in My perspicuous Book. The Glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of My mercy be upon thee and upon those who have held fast to My strong cord.

O My Most Exalted Pen! Make mention of Muhammad-Qabli-ʿAli time and again, then send down for every name that was in his book that which will solace his eyes and gladden his heart. Verily thy Lord is the All-Merciful, the Bountiful.

O Rajab-Qabli-ʿAli! Hearken unto the call of the Wronged One. He maketh mention of God in the Most Great Prison and summoneth the people to His luminous horizon. We beheld thy name in the book of one who loved Me and have made mention of thee with verses that equal not what the kings and rulers possess.

We make mention of him who was named Muhammad and counsel him with that whereby the Cause of God, the Supreme, the Self-Subsisting, may be exalted. Give thanks to thy Lord at all times. He maketh mention of thee with that whose fragrance shall never be cut off. To this testifieth He Who proclaimeth that there is none other God but He, the Mighty, the Loving. Rejoice thou in My mention of thee, then assist thy Lord with the hosts of deeds. Thus hath the matter been decreed from before God, the Lord of what was and what shall be.

We make mention of the Noble One and counsel him with that wherewith We have counseled Our friends. By God! This is the Day of deeds, yet most of the people comprehend not. This is the Day of mention and praise. Blessed are the people who know. O Noble One! Make mention of thy Lord at all times, at eventide and dawn. He is with His servants, hearing and seeing, and He is the Truth, the Knower of the unseen.

O David! He Who made mention of Me hath made mention of thee, and We make mention of thee as a grace from Us, that thou mayest thank thy Lord, the Sovereign of all sovereigns. Let not the doings of men sadden thee. Cast aside what the people possess, holding fast to the cord of God, the Lord of the seen and the unseen.

O My Most Exalted Pen! Make mention of him who desired the countenance of God and was named Muhammad-Qabli-Ibrahim, and convey unto his face greetings from the Wronged One, Who proclaimeth with the most exalted call in the prison of Akka that sovereignty belongeth unto God, the Lord of the Promised Day. Give thanks unto God Who hath aided thee to recognize the Dawning-Place of His signs and the Dayspring of His evidences, and hath caused thee to hear My sweetest call when most of the people were as the dead. We have made mention of thee that thou mayest arise to aid the Cause of thy Lord through virtuous character and that which beseemeth this Day wherein all things proclaim:

“Blessed is he who hath heard the call and answered his Lord.”

He is among the most exalted of servants in the Book of God, the Mighty, the Beloved.

We make mention of him who was named Mirza Kuchik, of whom the servant present before Us made mention, and verily I am the All-Knowing Remembrancer. We have heard thy call and have answered thee, and have heard thy name and turned toward thee. Verily thy Lord is the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous. We counsel thee with that which We have sent down in the Book from the presence of an Ancient Revealer. Hold fast to the Book of God and say: O my God and my Lord! I beseech Thee by Thy days and Thy signs and Thy clear tokens and the sweet savors of Thy Revelation, to aid me in that which befitteth Thy bounty and Thy grace. Verily Thou art the Almighty over whatsoever Thou willest. There is none other God but Thee, the Strong, the All-Conquering, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. The glory from Us be upon Our loved ones there who have cast away whatsoever is with the world in hope of that which is with God, the Lord of the worlds.

BH02423: He is the Speaker, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise! O…

He is the Speaker, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise! O thou who journeyest through the lands and gazest toward the direction of thy Lord’s mercy, the Lord of creation! Hearken to the call of the Wronged One from the precincts of the prison. There is none other God but Him, the Mighty, the Bestower.

The Self-Subsisting has arisen, and the people have risen against Him in opposition—a opposition that caused the dwellers of Paradise to lament, and behind them the Concourse on High and those who circle round the Throne at morn and eventide. The servant in attendance before Me has presented thy letter before the Face, whereupon the Most Exalted Pen raised its shrill voice and mentioned thee in such wise as nothing in the world can equal, as testified by the Mother Book which is with Him.

We have called the servants to the supreme Paradise—among them are those who have heard and hastened, and those who turned away from Him Whose appearance God had promised in the Scriptures and Tablets. Grieve not at the people and their deeds. Look and remember what befell Muhammad, the Apostle of God, aforetime when He arose and called the people to God, the Lord of Lords. Then remember when the Spirit came before Him—the Jews rose against Him with such oppression as caused the hearts of the chosen ones to tremble and the livers of the pure ones to melt. Thus was the matter decreed aforetime and in these days which God has associated with His Self. Verily thy Lord is the Mighty, the All-Knowing.

Then look before Him at Moses when He came with His Lord’s signs, and the people turned away from Him on that day and denied God’s Cause after its manifestation and committed that which caused the clouds to cry out. He gave the people glad tidings of the days of God and what would appear therein. Blessed are they who heard and responded, and woe unto every doubting denier.

By the life of God! No Messenger was sent and no Book was revealed except to give glad tidings to creation of this Manifestation through which the very corners of possibility smiled. But when the appointed time was fulfilled and the Promise came and the Promised One appeared, the servants in all directions denied Him.

Say: O people! Fear God and deny not Him in Whom ye believed throughout past ages and centuries. Cast behind your backs the divines of the age and hasten to the City of Divine Knowledge, whose gates have been opened by this Name through which the Resurrection has come, the Trumpet has been blown, the Cry has been raised, the Balance has been set up, and the heaven has brought forth smoke. Thus have We sent down the verses and dispatched them to thee that thou mayest thank thy Lord by night and day, at eventide and dawn.

The glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of My mercy be upon thee and upon those whom neither the cannons of princes frightened nor the intimations of the divines who enter the mosques in My name yet turn away from Me in such wise as caused all things to lament, and whatsoever was created by the Word of God, the Lord of creation.

BH02569: O Muhammad! The people of the world, night…

He is the One Who Rules over all who are on earth and in heaven

O Muhammad! The people of the world, night and day, would beseech to attain the presence of the Dayspring of God’s Cause and the Manifestation of His Revelation. In pulpits and mosques, upon hearing His mention, they would rise to their feet and, with utmost humility and supplication, would implore His presence, crying out “May God hasten His advent!” Yet after the lights of the Sun of inner meanings dawned and the waves of the ocean of divine utterance surged forth, all turned away. Would that they had been content with mere rejection! They attributed to Him that which the Jews did not attribute to the Spirit (Christ), nor did the idolaters and others speak about the Seal of the Prophets.

This is why the people of the Last Days have been condemned in every Book. They pronounced judgment against the One whose remembrance occupied them night and day, and denied Him Whose oneness and singleness they had acknowledged throughout ages and centuries. Reflect upon the heedlessness and error of these people. Through the vain imaginings of negligent souls, they deprived themselves of the Dawning-Place of the light of divine unity, and through the doubts and conjectures of ignorant divines, they excluded themselves from the effulgences of the Sun of certitude. Blessed art thou, and blessed is the one who has rent asunder the cord of vain imaginings and has shattered the idol of doubts through the strength of certitude. Such a one is among those companions whose remembrance God, exalted be His glory, has recorded in all the Books.

O Muhammad! Thy letter was received and presented by this servant, and this Tablet has been sent down from the heaven of grace that thou mayest inhale the fragrance of the All-Merciful’s utterance and arise to serve His Cause in such wise that the varying conditions of two days shall not prevent thee or deprive thee of the eternal dominion. Convey My greetings to the friends. We beseech divine confirmation for all, lest they be dismayed by the might of those who have denied God, the Lord of all worlds. Each of the relatives mentioned in thy letter has attained God’s favor. We beseech Him, exalted be He, to strengthen them, forgive them, and ordain for them what He has ordained for His loved ones.

Verily, He is the Almighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. As for thy desire to attain Our presence—We have indeed manifested Ourself for this purpose, but the idolaters have intervened between Us and those who have believed in God, the Lord of the worlds. We beseech God to ordain for thee and thy uncle the reward of attaining His presence, and to decree for you both what He has decreed for His chosen ones. Verily, He is the Truth, there is no God but Him. He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He pleaseth. The Glory be upon thee and upon those who have believed in the One, the All-Informed.

BH02772: In My Name which shineth forth from the horizon…

In My Name which shineth forth from the horizon of creation. A mention from the Wronged One unto him who hath heard and seen and answered the call of the Lord of all beings when the summons was raised betwixt earth and heaven and the inhabitants of the cities of names were seized with the intoxication of the trumpet. Thus hath the Most Exalted Pen spoken upon the branches of the uttermost Lote-Tree. Blessed are they that hear.

Take hold of the Book of God with the power that proceedeth from Him, adhering to the wisdom which hath been sent down from God, the Lord of the worlds. None should acknowledge that which he possesseth, for the protection of those who have turned towards the Countenance—a command from the presence of One mighty and powerful.

The servant who was present brought thy letter and placed it before the Face, and there hath been revealed for thee this wondrous and glorious Tablet. Give thanks unto God for having enabled thee to turn towards Him and guided thee unto His straight path, from which the servants have turned aside except such as God hath willed, the Possessor of this mighty and exalted Cause. He hath, of His grace, forgiven thee and thy father and mother. Verily thy Lord is the Forgiving, the Merciful.

Beseech God to assist thee in that which beseemeth His days and this Cause, whereby the limbs of them that denied God’s right and His sovereignty did quake, and who disputed His signs, and turned away from His luminous countenance.

At this moment We make mention of the handmaiden whom thou didst mention in thy letter, and give her the glad-tidings of her Lord’s loving-kindness. We make mention too of her daughter and of those women who have believed in God, the Mighty, the All-Praised. We make mention of thine uncle who turned towards the Most Sublime Horizon on a day whereon the limbs of the servants trembled for fear of the Cause, save those who held fast to the cord of God, the All-Powerful. We had mentioned her aforetime with that which nothing in all creation can equal, and at this hour with a mention whereby the hearts of them that are endued with understanding are attracted.

We make mention of God’s loved ones in that land, whom the circumstances of the tyrannous ones did not frighten, and whom the power of those who disbelieved in the Day of Judgment did not weaken.

O concourse of loved ones! Conceal the pearls of divine knowledge from the eyes of the treacherous ones. None should acknowledge the Cause of God before the faces of those through whose tyranny the dwellers of the Most Exalted Paradise did lament, and every perceiving mystic did cry out.

The glory be upon you, O My loved ones, and upon you, O My handmaidens. Know ye of a certainty that soon shall perish that wherein the oppressors take pride, and there shall endure for you that which hath been ordained by the Pen of God, the Mighty, the Beautiful. Praise be to God, the Forgiving, the Generous.

BH03964: O Yahya! Today, by God’s testimony, all who are…

He is the Most Holy, the Most Great, the Most Glorious

O Yahya! Today, by God’s testimony, all who are associated with the Truth are and have been rich. Can any of those who seek to evaluate confine the station of God’s Word, or determine its worth and value? Nay, by My mighty Self! And can the treasuries of kings and princes and the wealthy compare with it? Nay, by My Cause that holds sway over the world!

Praise be to God, from the heaven of the All-Merciful’s will there hath been sent down unto thee a wondrous, luminous Tablet. The ears of the world were created specifically to hearken unto it, the eyes of nations to behold it, and all tongues to recite it. Yet now most are deprived, while thou art favored with it. Moreover, thou possessest that essence which is sanctified above mention and utterance—the love of God, exalted be His glory.

Consult outwardly with the friends in that land, and occupy thyself with whatever they deem advisable. No pursuit prevents man from any other pursuit. Whatever God hath commanded is what benefits His servants. We beseech God to assist the friends in that land to aid thee, that thou mayest engage in that which hath been made obligatory for every soul in God’s Book.

Glory be upon thee, upon thy poverty, thy remembrance, thy call, thy praise, thy beginning and end, thy outward and inward being. Were the kings of the earth to expend all that they have stored in their treasuries, without the love of God they would not attain to such a Tablet as this. Thy Lord, the All-Informed, beareth witness to this. Know thou the bounty of thy Lord, then thank Him at all times and say: Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

BH04525: O spiritual leaf, upon thee be the Glory…

O spiritual leaf, upon thee be the Glory of God! In the name of the loving Lord!

The Books of the world’s peoples have given glad tidings of the appearance of the Most Great Name, and all the Messengers and near ones have spoken of His mention and uttered His praise. He is the hidden bounty and the treasured food and the concealed secret and the determined mystery. Isaiah says: “The everlasting Father and eternal God shall come.” The Spirit (Christ) says: “The Comforter and the Perfecter and Spirit of Truth shall come.” The Qur’an calls out His Name and makes all aware. And the Author of the Bayan with loudest call counsels and with utmost humility and supplication mentions that perchance they may not through vain imaginings remain deprived of the Lord of all beings. He says that He is not confined by the intimations of the Bayan and what is revealed therein. All the Bayan is but a ring on His finger and a mention from Him and a leaf from the leaves of the gardens of His knowledge.

Nevertheless His people did that which caused the dwellers of Paradise to lament. We beseech God that He make steadfast the servants and handmaidens of that land in such wise that the cawing of the crows and the clamor of the transgressors prevent them not.

Convey greetings from the Wronged One to all and say: Blessed is the handmaiden who has taken the wine of steadfastness in the name of Him Who conversed on Sinai and has drunk thereof in His name, the Mighty, the Beloved. Thou art she who has drunk thereof and attained thereunto. Blessed art thou and blessed are they who have attained unto this mighty announcement.

The glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of My grace be upon thee and upon every handmaiden who, when she heard, arose and said: “Here am I, here am I, O Desire of the worlds!”

BH04717: A mention from Us to him who hath turned…

He is the Hearer, the Answerer

A mention from Us to him who hath turned to the Wronged One while He was in prison through what the heedless had wrought, that the fragrances of remembrance might attract him to a station wherein he seeth naught save God, the Lord of all worlds. This is a Day wherein is heard from the rustling of the Lote-Tree beyond which there is no passing: “The Kingdom belongeth unto God, the Lord of all mankind,” and from the murmuring of the Water of Life: “By God! He hath come through Whom the eye of the Bayan was solaced throughout all possibility,” and from the whistling of the winds: “He hath appeared concerning Whom the Books, the Psalms and the Tablets have testified, from God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.”

Blessed art thou and blessed is he who hath turned to God when every ignorant one remote from Him turned away. As We were walking in the House, the servant who was present entered with thy letter and read it before Our countenance. We have sent down for thee this Perspicuous Book which calleth out with the most exalted call between earth and heaven and summoneth all unto the One, the All-Informed. When thou hast attained unto the traces of My Most Exalted Pen and found the fragrance of utterance from the garment of My loving-kindness, give thanks and say: “Praise be unto Thee for having caused me to hear Thy call and enabled me to turn to Thy horizon when the people were veiled by a thick veil.”

I beseech Thee by Thy most beautiful names and the manifestations of Thy power in the kingdom of creation to aid me to be steadfast in Thy Cause whereby the limbs of the learned trembled and the pillars of the idolaters were shaken. Praise be unto Thee, O God of the worlds.

BH05627: O Leaf of Paradise! Upon thee be the Glory…

O Leaf of Paradise! Upon thee be the Glory of God, the Most Glorious! God is Most Glorious! O Leaf of Paradise! Verily the Hidden One hath come with the truth, yet the people understand not. And the Treasured One hath appeared through grace, yet the people perceive not. The Most Exalted Horizon hath been illumined through the manifestation of the Lord of all beings, yet the people recognize not. This is He Who was promised in the books of old, and before Whose name the Kingdom of Names hath bowed down. To this testifieth he who hath with him a perspicuous Book. Verily the Bayan and whatsoever was revealed therein is like a ring upon My finger. To this do testify the dwellers of Paradise and beyond them honored servants.

Blessed is the strong one whom the cawing of the wicked weakeneth not, and the steadfast one whom the clamor of every ignorant outcast causeth not to sit. I give glad-tidings unto My servants of My remembrance and My bounty which hath preceded existence. O handmaidens of the All-Merciful in all lands! We have remembered each one of you with that which no treasures or riches can equal, and We bid you show forth the Most Great Steadfastness in this Cause whereby the feet of those who turned away from the Truth did slip when it came with manifest sovereignty. Blessed is the servant who hath attained unto his Goal and the handmaiden who hath believed in God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting.

The glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of My mercy be upon thee and upon them and upon every handmaiden who hath turned and hearkened and responded when the Call was raised between earth and heaven, and the believers hastened to the horizon of Manifestation.

BH00051: This servant beareth witness to that which God hath…

Section 1: “This servant beareth witness to that which God…”

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

This servant beareth witness to that which God hath witnessed, and acknowledgeth that which the Supreme Pen hath acknowledged before the creation of all things—that there is none other God but Him. He hath appeared and made manifest that which was hidden in His knowledge, inscribed in His Book, symbolized in His Tablet, and treasured in the repository of His protection, in such wise that neither human limitations nor the whisperings of those who have denied the Lord of Destiny could prevent it. He hath arisen with such an arising that the pillars of princes and the foundations of the learned were shaken, and He hath proclaimed with the most exalted call between earth and heaven that there is none other God but Him, the All-Knowing, by Whose finger’s beckoning the ocean of knowledge surged in the realm of possibility and the breezes of the All-Merciful wafted over all lands.

Blessed is he who hath heard and hastened, and woe unto every hesitant doubter. Joy unto him who hath heard and responded, and woe unto every idolatrous disbeliever. I offer prayers, peace and glory upon His loved ones and chosen ones, whom neither the swords of enemies deterred from the Lord of all beings, nor the hosts of tyranny frightened in the days of their Lord, the Sovereign of all names. These are servants whose mention hath been voiced by every Book, whose glory and loftiness every scroll hath proclaimed, and whose excellence and sublimity every tablet hath extolled.

Glory be unto Thee, O Thou through Whose Name the world is illumined and through Whose mention the fragrance of utterance is diffused among the nations! I beseech Thee by Thy Name which Thou hast made the Breaker of the might of aggressors, the Refuge of the believers, and the Haven of the fearful, to protect Thy loved ones from the wicked among Thy servants and to aid them with such aid that in every city the banners of Thy Name and the standards of Thy mention may be raised. O Lord! Thou seest and knowest what hath befallen those whom heedlessness hath not overtaken in Thy path, and whose eyes have not witnessed sleep resting upon beds in Thy love.

They traversed lands to exalt Thy Word and visited the servants to convey Thy Cause until they were expelled, seized and imprisoned for Thy Name’s sake—the Name through which the river of life flowed and the breezes of revelation wafted over all who dwell in the realm of possibility. O Lord! Thou art He to Whose grandeur all things possible have testified, and to Whose power the tongues of all beings have witnessed. Adorn Thy loved ones, O God of Names and Creator of heaven, with that which will draw them nigh unto Thee in all conditions and grant them the chalice of Thy good-pleasure at all times. Verily, Thou art the Lord of all creation and the Ordainer of all worlds.

O beloved of my heart! By God’s life, thy mention and praise, and that which flowed from thy pen and was uttered by thy lips, time and again, have gladdened me. Many a day did this servant arise while encompassed by sorrows at what had befallen thy honor and the loved ones of the All-Merciful, and there reached him what thou hadst sent, from which every person of discernment perceived the fragrance of thy sincerity and steadfastness, and the fragrance of thy support and faithfulness in days wherein the servants cast fidelity behind their backs and violated God’s Covenant by following their own desires. When I read and understood, the wine of love for thee so intoxicated me that sorrows took flight. Thereupon I repaired to the Most Exalted Station and the heaven of the highest heavens until I attained the presence and presented myself before the Face. When the Ancient Beauty turned His attention to this servant, He spoke, exalted be His grandeur and mighty be His utterance:

We are the All-Knowing Witness

This is the Day wherein the Kingdom of Utterance calleth aloud in the midmost heart of contingency: “Blessed is he who hath aided the Cause of God and stood up to serve His Cause and quaffed the cup of tribulation in His path and the chalice of hardship in His love and was imprisoned for having summoned the people unto Him!” And from the waves of the ocean of inner meanings is heard: “Joy be to him from whom the fragrance of fidelity hath wafted throughout the realm of creation and who hath attained unto the Most Great Steadfastness in a Cause whereby the feet of the denizens of the Kingdom of Names have slipped, save whom God hath willed, the Lord of all worlds.”

O Varqa! Upon thee be My glory and My loving-kindness. The servant who is present hath come with thy letter and what thou didst send to him before and after. From every letter, every word, and every character have We inhaled the fragrance of thy love and thy steadfastness and thy sincerity and thy faithfulness and thy covenant in the Cause of God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. We bear witness that thou hast girded up thy loins to serve God and hast spoken His praise and proclaimed His Cause and rent asunder, through His Name, the veils of those who were held back from the Lord of destiny by the Most Great Veil which is called the world. We beseech God to aid thee and assist thee and preserve thee. Verily, He is potent over all things.

We make mention of thee every day and night, and We recall what hath befallen thee in this Cause, at Whose appearance all things proclaimed: “The Kingdom belongeth unto God, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.” Blessed is he who hath turned unto thee and loved thee and heard thy mention in this wondrous Cause. Say: O people of the Bayan and O people of creation! Beware lest ye deny Him Whom ye have worshipped throughout ages and centuries, through nights and days. Be fair in the name of God, then behold this Most Great Structure and hearken unto that wherewith this Great Announcement doth remind you. Say: He is the One foretold in the Torah and announced by the Spirit and Whose mention was sent down in the Qur’an from the presence of an ancient Lord. Fear God and deny not the signs of your Lord, the Most Merciful, and oppose Him not. He calleth you unto the supreme horizon, whereunto every discerning knower beareth witness.

We make mention on this night of My loved ones there and give them the glad-tidings of My loving-kindness and My mercy and My bounty, which have preceded all who are in the heavens and on earth.

We make mention of the ʿAyn and the Ba, to whom God testifieth of his acceptance, his devotion, his remembrance, his praise, and his spending in this straight Path. Remember him and give him glad tidings. By My life! He hath attained unto a remembrance that no remembrance can equal and unto a word whose fragrance shall not be cut off throughout the endurance of the names of thy Lord, the Hearing, the Responding. We have heard what thou hast mentioned concerning him, and what the Trustworthy mentioned before, and what he hath done in the path of God, the Exalted, the Great. Convey My greetings unto him and unto the faces of My loved ones, and give them glad tidings of My favors, and remind them of what We have revealed unto thee in this Clear Tablet, that perchance the attraction of the utterance of the All-Merciful may so seize them that the might of the mighty shall not weaken them, nor shall the hosts of the oppressors frighten them. God shall soon seize them as He seized the peoples before them. He, verily, is the Powerful, the Mighty. The Glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of My mercy be upon thee and upon them and upon every steadfast and upright one.

These pearls of the ocean of utterance need a hem vaster than earth and heaven to gather them together. God is Most Great! Who is able to enumerate them and who can swim in the depths of this Most Great Sea? What pearls! What are these words that this servant hath spoken and continues to speak? In truth, he should seek forgiveness throughout the endurance of the kingdom and the heavenly realm for what he hath said and continues to say. Yet praise be to the Object of the world and the Sovereign of nations, that the effulgences of the sun of His favor toward that spiritual beloved are clear, manifest and evident. We hope that they will, through the name of the Lord of existence, set hearts and souls ablaze with wisdom and utterance—an enkindling such that all who are on earth shall find themselves powerless to extinguish it. What has happened and what intoxication has seized the world? Yes, the intoxication of self and desire has prevented ears from hearing and eyes from seeing. Nevertheless, this servant holds fast to the cord of generosity and clings to the hem of favor, and beseeches Him not to deprive His servants of the waves of the ocean of meanings. Verily, He is powerful over all things.

Some time ago, letters arrived from the honored master, His Eminence the Trustee Haji Mirza Abu’l-Hasan, upon him be the Glory of God. In two letters he mentioned in detail your honor and the spiritual beloved ʿA.B., upon him be the Glory of God, and he was very pleased and satisfied. I beseech and hope from God, exalted be His glory, that He may aid them in that which is befitting and grant them that which is worthy of His generosity and mercy.

Concerning what was written about the means for promoting the Cause and spreading the divine verses and laws, this matter was presented before the Presence. This is what the Tongue of Grandeur spoke, blessed and exalted be His words:

“Today it is incumbent upon every soul to serve the Cause of God. God, exalted be His glory, has made earthly affairs dependent upon means. Every soul must pay the Huququ’llah, and one-third of the Rights of the Land of Ta and its surroundings must be spent on the interests of teaching and spreading the Cause and establishing it. All must be engaged in supporting the Cause in perfect unity and must strive to their utmost ability to exalt the Word. God has forbidden contention and conflict—this is the most great bounty and the supreme favor.”

In all ages, assured and steadfast souls have, in accordance with the command, supported the Cause with life and property. Now it is dependent on property alone. This servant beseeches and hopes from God that He may enable all to accomplish that which benefits the Cause. Verily, He is the Helper, the Generous.

The items that were sent arrived. However, when the two photographs attained the blessed presence, He observed them and then, smiling, uttered these supreme words:

“O servant! They are present in this moment in the presence, and the reward of attainment has been inscribed by the Pen of Will. Blessed be they both, and may it be wholesome for them both.”

The gaz also arrived and attained the presence, and was bestowed upon every soul who was present before Him, both at that time and afterwards. We praise God for this.

On one occasion, this servant attained the presence with a petition from the spiritual friend, his honor A.B., upon him be the Glory of God and His favors. After permission was granted, it was presented. This is what the Tongue of Grandeur spoke in reply—His glory be glorified:

He is the Near, the Answering One

The Wronged One hath heard thy call and hath answered thee with that which hath diffused the fragrance of the loving-kindness of thy Lord, the Compassionate, the All-Bountiful. This is a Day wherein the Mother Book crieth out and saith: “Blessed is the soul that hath attained unto that which was hidden in divine knowledge and recorded in the Books of God, the Lord of all worlds.” And the Mother of the Bayan calleth aloud, saying: “O peoples of the earth! By God! The veils have been rent asunder, and the Intended One is come, speaking openly before all the world: ʿThe Promise is fulfilled and this is the Promised One Who proclaimeth: Verily there is none other God but Me, the Peerless, the All-Informed.”’ And the Mother of the Tablets crieth out saying: “The gate of reunion hath been opened unto all who are in earth and heaven. Blessed is he who hath drawn nigh and attained. He is indeed of those who are brought near in a perspicuous Book.” And the Crimson Scroll proclaimeth amidst the concourse of creation, saying: “Blessed is he who hath attained unto the days of God and hath acted according to that which hath been recorded in His precious Book.”

O thou who hast turned thy face toward Mine own! Rejoice in My remembrance of thee. We have accepted what thou hast done in His path, and have sent down for thee, both aforetime and at this hour, that which nothing can equal. Verily thy Lord is the All-Remembering, the All-Knowing. We bear witness that thou hast heard the call of the All-Merciful, hast turned unto Him and held fast unto His Strong Cord. How many a servant hath heard and hastened, then turned away from God, and how many a servant hath attained unto the Most Great Steadfastness in such wise that through his constancy the limbs of the idolaters were made to quake. Read thou what We have revealed unto thee, by the hosts of My Kingdom’s denizens.

Thus doth He command thee Who possesseth a perspicuous Book. We counsel thee to observe wisdom, lest the clamor of every remote transgressor be raised. Give thanks unto God that thy deeds have been accepted, thy call hath been heard, and thy letter hath attained unto My Most Great Prison. The splendor shining from the horizon of the heaven of My grace be upon thee and upon those who are with thee among thy kindred, and upon those who have testified to that which God hath testified: that there is none other God but Me, the Single, the One, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

The Tongue of Grandeur hath spoken concerning them that which shall never perish and whose fruits shall appear day after day. This year all have been commanded to practice concealment lest clamor be raised among the people. This evanescent servant conveyeth greetings and salutations to them and declareth:

“Happy is he, for he hath attained unto the special favors of God, exalted be His glory.”

That which hath been revealed beareth witness to what hath been stated, and a Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablet hath also been sent separately. God willing, they shall attain unto it and receive their portion from the oceans of His grace. Glory be to God! This servant is astonished at these heedless people—to what have they attached their hearts and with what are they occupied? Do they deny the transience of the world, or are they unaware of its changes and transformations? They have taken conjecture in place of certitude, and fancy in place of assurance. Soon shall all return to nothingness, and there shall remain for those brought near only what God hath revealed in the Book. As commanded, they must observe wisdom and act in accordance therewith, for this matter hath been revealed from the Supreme Pen in numerous Tablets and its observance is obligatory upon all.

He verily protecteth whom He willeth and aideth whom He pleaseth, and He is the Mighty, the Praiseworthy. It is entirely clear and evident that the True Protector is God, exalted be His glory, yet it is necessary and incumbent to act in accordance with what He hath commanded, for people are not all observed to be at the same station. Therefore must the loved ones be considerate and remind them.

Regarding what was written about several souls from the land of S and Y who are heading to this land for agriculture according to the counsel of the honored beloved, the distinguished Amin, upon him be the glory of God—this matter was presented by Amin and they said:

“The prison situation is uncertain, as disturbances have been mentioned both before and after. Therefore it is more prudent for them to remain in that same land.”

Today the primary and universal divine cultivation has been and continues to be the sowing of the blessed Word. We beseech God to assist them and others in service to the Cause.

Section 2: “As for the mention of my beloved Haji…”

As for the mention of my beloved Haji Mirza Haydar-ʿAli, my beloved Ibn-i-Asdaq, and my beloved Aqa Mirza Asadu’llah, upon them be the glory of God—in these days their letters arrived addressed to this evanescent servant. Praise be to God, every word thereof spoke in praise of Truth and bore witness to their acceptance, attention, humility and submissiveness before God, our Lord and the Lord of all who are in the heavens and earths. A letter also arrived from His Holiness Ismu’llah Jamal, upon him be all the most glorious Glory, mentioning that beloved of the heart. Their intention was that that beloved one should travel to those regions. After presenting this in the Most Holy Court, they said: “It is very good, however the requirements of wisdom must be observed, for after the episode in the land of Ta, some movement has appeared in every land.” And they said: “We beseech God to assist Ismu’l-Jamal in wisdom.”

Regarding what was written about the beloved of the heart A and H, upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God, and the relatives and friends of that land, upon them be the glory of God—these matters were presented in the Most Holy, Most Exalted Court. This is what was revealed for them from God, the Lord of the worlds. His word—exalted be His majesty and mighty be His utterance:

O people of Mim! Your Ancient Lord makes mention of you with that which draws you nigh unto Him. He, verily, is the Single, the One, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. During the nights hath the Supreme Pen remembered you, and during the days it moveth upon your names. Verily your Lord, the All-Merciful, is the Compassionate, the Generous. At all times there hath flowed from the Pen of the All-Merciful the river of wisdom and utterance. Blessed are they that drink thereof. O My loved ones there! Hearken unto the call of the Wronged One when sorrows encompassed Him through those who disbelieved in the Day of Judgment. By God’s life! Were ye to hearken with true hearing—that is, were ye to hear the Call of Truth with the ear of inner truth—ye would be set ablaze in such wise that the peoples of the world would be powerless to quench it.

Today the Sun calleth out, and the waves of the ocean summon mankind unto the most exalted horizon. The rustling of the Divine Lote-Tree is raised from one direction, and from another floweth the Kawthar of the All-Merciful’s utterance. They that have not drunk from the ocean of knowledge and are deprived of hearkening to the divine call must arise with perfect steadfastness in the Cause of the Lord of all beings, in such wise that neither the aggressive, nor the irreligious, nor the deceitful may debar you from the Most Exalted Horizon.

Today the heavens of Revelation are adorned with the stars of utterance, and the horizon of the world is illumined with the splendors of the light of His countenance. Strive ye, that ye may attain unto that which beseemeth the days of God. Moses gave all men the glad-tidings of this Day, and Christ promised it. The Seal of the Prophets—may the life of all else be a sacrifice unto Him—was commanded in the mighty stronghold of the Qur’an to give the glad-tidings of the Day whereon mankind shall stand before the Lord of the worlds. Know ye the value of this time! By God’s life, it is more precious and more beloved than the crimson philosophers’ stone, for while the latter, as is said, transmuteth one color into another, or one body into another, this time and this moment, which in the Qur’an is termed “the Hour” and mentioned as “the Resurrection,” bestoweth life upon the world and conferreth the spirit of the animal.

O party of God! Arise as behoveth you and act as is worthy. Be not grieved by the might of princes, the power of the strong, or the glory of the divines. I swear by the Sun of the horizon of utterance which speaketh at this moment—ere long shall all return with utter abasement and regret to the station appointed for them as a consequence of their deeds. Praise be to God! Ye have attained unto that from which all others are veiled. Ye have drunk that whereof all are seen to be deprived, save whom God willeth. With the arm of certitude, take hold of the Perspicuous Book. This is that which shall profit you in all the worlds of your Lord, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. We have, out of wisdom from Us and protection from Our presence, veiled the mention of him who loved Me and attained unto My Tablets, and verily We are the Concealer, the All-Wise.

O people of S and Y! The Wronged One makes mention of you from the prison and gives you glad tidings of the favors of God, the Lord of all worlds. There has come before the Wronged One a letter from him who has arisen to serve My Cause, who circled round Me and soared in My atmosphere, wherein was your mention. We have made mention of you with this wondrous mention. Beware lest anything keep you back from God, the Lord of all names. Give thanks unto God for having created you, sustained you, and aided you to hearken to His most sweet call when it was raised between earth and heaven. Verily your Lord, the Most Merciful, is the Forgiving, the Compassionate. Be not grieved by the doubts of the people of the Bayan and the intimations of the divines of the earth who have broken the Covenant of God, the Lord of the mighty throne.

Blessed are they who in this day arise wholly to offer praise and glorification, but this must be done with wisdom, for the heedless people cling to the manifestations of fancy and vain imaginings. They are seen to be unaware of the sealed wine and bereft of the Kawthar of utterance. The loved ones in that land must, with perfect unity and harmony, occupy themselves with the mention and praise of the True One and aid the Creator with the hosts of goodly character. By the life of God! Were you to become aware of what hath been ordained by the Supreme Pen, you would all exclaim: “Praise be unto Thee, O God of the worlds!” Be not saddened by what hath come to pass or what may yet come to pass. The command is in His hand. He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He pleaseth. He is the Almighty, the Powerful. The glory be upon you and upon those with you and upon them that have believed in God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy.

Indeed, one matter has become the cause of great regret, namely that in every place where a believer was arrested, first the Tablets and Writings were seized, and then the owner of the house. Glory be to God! Are the Tablets and Writings to be kept in front of the houses of the friends or in places exposed to all eyes? In the land of Ta, many Tablets and Writings fell into the hands of the oppressors. A hundred thousand regrets, for they do not preserve them and may perhaps destroy them all. The people of God must exert their utmost effort in protecting the divine verses, that they may be safeguarded from treacherous eyes and thieving hands. This servant has expressed this to some of the friends. God willing, they will be assisted. Among other things, all the writings of the beloved Ali-Qabli-Akbar, upon him be the Glory of God, the Most Glorious, fell into the hands of the enemies. In any case, they took most of these along with other writings to the government. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, to preserve whatever has fallen into the hands of the oppressors. Verily He is the Preserver, the Wise.

They had written mentioning Haji Muhammad-Tahir, upon him be the Glory of God. This matter was presented in the Most Holy and Most Exalted Court. This is what was revealed for him once again from God, the Lord of all beings. His word, mighty is His utterance and manifest His proof:

He is the Compassionate, the Generous

O Muhammad-Taher! The Wronged One makes mention of thee at a time when sorrows have surrounded Him from the dawning-places of idle fancies and vain imaginings of those who claim knowledge without clear proof or evidence. These are they who would mount the pulpits to make mention of God, the Lord of creation. When they concluded their remembrances with mention of the Proof, they arose and said “May God hasten his advent.” Yet when the veils were rent asunder and the clouds parted, they arose in opposition until they pronounced their verdict against Him with such injustice as caused the trees in the mountains to lament. They passed judgment on Him Whom they had remembered throughout the nights and days.

By God! Because of their tyranny the eyes of the Most Exalted Paradise and the Supreme Heaven wept. He in Whose possession is the Mother Book bears witness to this. Blessed art thou for having cast them behind thee and for having turned to God with spirit and fragrance. We have heard thy call and what thou hast composed in remembrance of this Wronged One Who was banished and exiled throughout the lands. By the life of God! We call unto all who are on earth even as We called them before, and We make mention of what We mentioned before all faces. The might of the mighty cannot hinder Us, nor the clamor of the divines, nor the roaring of men. The hosts of the world cannot weaken Us. The Lord of Eternity, Who proclaims “There is none other God but Me, the Mighty, the All-Bountiful,” bears witness to this.

We beseech God to assist thee in preserving what He hath ordained for thee. He is verily the Helper, the All-Bountiful. Blessed is the tongue that hath spoken My remembrance, the face that hath turned toward My face, the ear that hath been honored to hear My call, and the hand that hath clung to the cord of God, the Lord of Lords. The glory shining from the horizon of the Tablet be upon thee and upon those who have cast aside what the people possess, turning unto God, the Mighty, the All-Bountiful.

Thus ends what was revealed. Praise and gratitude be to God. They have attained to that which hath no peer or likeness. The bounty of God, exalted be His glory, is evident from the fragrances of His verses. God willing, they shall be enabled to engage in remembrance, praise, and the greatest steadfastness in all conditions. This servant offers his utter nothingness and effacement in service to them, and conveys remembrance and glorification.

As to what you wrote regarding the veil, although certain ordinances have been revealed from the Most Exalted Pen, the matter of covering has been ordained and is concealed from all. However, considering wisdom, what has been observed is that in most matters the previous ruling remains in effect until the greatest separation occurs, lest it become a cause of remoteness and avoidance by the people, that perchance they may be enabled to hearken unto the Word and act according to what God has willed.

As to what was written concerning the elixir, this Most Exalted Word was repeatedly heard from the tongue of the Lord of Names—exalted be His utterance and mighty His proof:

“O servant in attendance! Whatever hath been revealed concerning the elixir from the heaven of divine Will was in response to the questions of the servants. They repeatedly asked until that which was revealed was revealed. Otherwise, the Most Exalted Pen would not have addressed it and hath not had, nor hath, any inclination to mention such matters. The Prophets have made mention of it, and likewise the philosophers have had countless discussions about the existence or non-existence of this art. Some have said that bodies other than gold are prevented from attaining to this station due to ailments, and that the power and balance of the elixir removes this and reveals their original color and essence. Others have deemed this impossible, saying that these metals are each composed of different elements and that the elixir is incapable of acting upon different contradictory things. Many philosophers have considered the transformation of essence impossible. The books of the people are filled with such mentions, objections, and differences among philosophers and others. However, if one possessed of insight and vision were to reflect upon the utterances that have flowed from the Most Exalted Pen, the matter of its existence or non-existence would become evident and manifest unto him.”

Time and again this servant has presented the petitions of the friends of God who have inquired about this matter, and some have shown utmost insistence in their questioning. Therefore there flowed from the Most Exalted Pen that which exists. Once this Most Exalted Word was heard, He said:

“O servant in attendance! If no answer were to be revealed, there would be fear that they might attribute it to a lack of divine knowledge.”

And to each person an answer was revealed containing within it a prohibition, save for one or two. The prohibition against engaging in this work has been repeatedly revealed.

The wisdom of the past has entirely differed from the wisdom of the present. In the elements, in the planets, and likewise in movements, spirits and bodies, fundamental differences have appeared, both in effects and in numbers, and assuredly in future years that which is now hidden from all eyes shall be revealed. This Most Great Revelation is the cause and reason for the opening of the gates of sciences and wisdom. No one hath yet fully enumerated the sciences and hosts of Truth. How many manifest suns have not been seen, and how many moons remain hidden from sight! If all the world were to gather and attempt to enumerate the creation of but one of the fixed stars and the planets revolving around it, they would surely find themselves powerless and would utter the blessed words “None knoweth the hosts of thy Lord save Him.”

The glad tidings are that yesterday the Ancient Beauty proceeded from the Mansion of Bahji to the Mansion of Mazra’ih with a group, and when they reached the resting place of His father—upon him be all the most glorious Glory—He paused, and there was revealed for him that whose fragrance endureth, whose mention endureth, and whose word and meaning endureth. Blessed be he and joyous be he who, in coming and going, hath attained to this most great bounty the like of which the eye of the world hath not seen. This station is beyond mention.

Concerning what was written about the Revelation of John, upon Him be the Most Glorious Beauty of God, it is correct. He has mentioned with utmost clarity, as He says that the New City shall descend from heaven, meaning the New Jerusalem shall descend in Jerusalem, as indeed it did descend. There are many signs, but time does not permit. What that beloved one wrote is correct, but the people do not understand.

As for what was mentioned about the Well-Ordered Pearl and the traditions recorded therein, it is fitting and conforming, but the people are antagonistic and hypocritical. In this land too, some have found clear signs, evident proofs, and decisive traditions in the books, all of which indicate the appearance of the Hidden Name, the Treasured Secret, and the Complete All-Embracing Word, and yet no one is aware. The Prussian group, despite acknowledging that “we have turned to this land to attain the Manifestation, for it is written in our books that the Manifestation is near or has passed,” yet they remain heedless.

The world is overtaken by the stupor of negligence. One day these words were heard from the Mouth of the Will of the Lord of all beings:

“O servant in attendance! Today the sun bears witness, the sea cries out, the earth gives tidings. The intoxication of vain desire has so seized the people that they are oblivious to themselves and others, let alone this station and the recognition of the station that has been the ultimate hope of those near to God, the believers, and the sincere ones.”

As to what was written concerning the revered Shaykh and the revered Siyyid—upon them be all the most glorious Glory of God—that among some of the friends there are discussions about their stations and ranks, claiming that the Ahmadi Revelation represents the celestial station of Muhammad and that the station of Prophethood was offered to them but they declined it—whether these statements have any foundation or are mere products of vain imaginings—they are assuredly nothing but vain imaginings. When this matter was mentioned in the presence of the Ancient Beauty, He paused for some time in His explanation and then said with great regret that the friends of God should not speak of that which is far from justice. The glory of Ahmad lies in that he became aware of certain mysteries of Prophethood and became the bearer of the Trust. This station is most exalted and sufficient for him, by the Lord of all worlds. All manifestations, revelations, sainthood, pillars, poles, chiefs, nobles and whatever stations are mentioned as praiseworthy among the servants have appeared through his word and attained their lofty stations.

Section 3: “Some mystics have said things that were not…”

Some mystics have said things that were not befitting. Some have fabricated inner meanings and counted themselves among its people. By the life of God, they are lower than a gnat in the sight of Truth! An unjust mystic has said that the station of Prophethood is the station of announcement, while the station of mystical unveiling and witnessing is above it—considering the second to be the station of saints and the first to be the station of Prophets. This sightless one devoid of truth has failed to understand even this much: that the announcements of the Prophets came after mystical unveiling and witnessing. Indeed, they were the very essence of witnessing and unveiling and its reality. Through them appeared every wise command and every great mystery. The Prophets have been the source of both Prophethood and sainthood, and through the word of the Prophets have saints appeared in the earth. In brief, most people have spoken and continue to speak according to their desires.

Many times have these exalted words been heard from the Source of verses. He has said that every day an apostate appears and takes away a river from the ocean of Muhammad’s Law, until at last the ocean was seen to be diminished, as is witnessed today. The Cause is one and the Path is one, and unity and concord are praised in the divine Books, Psalms and Scriptures. Nevertheless, these differences that are witnessed have all been from transgressors and apostates. Should anyone wish to enumerate the branches of the spiritual path that are mentioned and known among people today, he would need to spend much time.

The servant asks his Lord to adorn all with the collyrium of justice and the Kawthar of equity, and to grant them the cup of righteousness. Verily He is the Lord of all beings and the Omnipotent over whatsoever He willeth. According to His command, remind the people of these things, that perchance these vain imaginings may be effaced. Ignorant and heedless souls have afflicted the people. Convey with the utmost joy and fragrance and wisdom that which is befitting.

The station of the revered Shaykh and the elevated Siyyid—upon them be the glory of God and His favors—is most exalted. Once these blessed words issued forth from the Source of divine wisdom: “O servant in attendance! Ahmad and Kazim were aware and informed of the meanings of the divine Books. With the intention of attracting hearts, they made certain statements, and their purpose was to bring people near, that they might attain the Word of Truth—as indeed those souls who first entered the divine Law were of that party. That party it was, and this fact beareth witness to their awareness, knowledge, wisdom and the straight path to which they held fast. Well is it with them.

Towards the end, the honored Siyyid—upon him be all the most glorious glory—repeatedly stated:

“Do you not wish for me to depart so that the Truth may be made manifest?”

This was the essential meaning of his words, but in accordance with the requirements of wisdom, there appeared from him what appeared.

As to what was asked about the Manifestations of the Cause, they possessed and possess stations in the mother source, and these were revealed according to the requirements of the times and circumstances.

Concerning what was asked about the blessed verse revealed in the Kitab-i-Aqdas, His words, blessed and exalted be He: “Whoso layeth claim to a Cause before the completion of a full thousand years…” etc. This matter was presented, and this is what the Tongue of Grandeur spoke: “O thou who gazeth upon the Countenance and circleth round the Cause…” That which all are bound to recognize hath been revealed in this blessed verse, and all are obliged to acknowledge it and hold fast to it. Most of the ignorant are heedless and walk in the paths of delusion, and most people are unaware. Therefore was this blessed verse revealed as a bounty, that they might not follow every barking dog and become the cause of dissipating the Cause of God.

In truth, this blessed verse is a great bounty for all, for that Beloved One knoweth that each day a barking ariseth from some direction, and likewise deeds that have caused and led to the dissipation of God’s Cause. They imagine that the Cause of God is like children’s play, each day engaging in some game and uttering some word. Lost indeed are they who have spoken that for which they had no leave from God, and have done that which hath caused the eye of justice and equity to weep. That beloved one must remind the people.

Regarding what was asked about another blessed verse, His words, blessed and exalted be He: “Say: This is the Hidden Knowledge which shall never change…” The purpose of this utterance can be understood from the rest of the verse, His exalted words: “for it is derived from the letter Ta, which indicateth the hidden Name, the Manifest, the Impregnable, the Inaccessible” and the number of division corresponds and agrees with the complete number of the nine fractions. Today the world of the unseen and the visible circleth round the indicative Ta. By the life of Our purpose and your purpose and the purpose of all who are in the heavens and the earth, there is concealed within this sovereign of letters, namely Ta, that which all the pens of the world are powerless and incapable of describing.

As to what was written regarding his honor Aqa Ali, upon him be the glory of God, it was presented at the Most Holy and Most Exalted Court. His words, blessed and exalted be He:

“O Ali! Thou hast attained unto the grace of God in that which hath been the purpose of creation. Preserve this station for the sake of the One Beloved. The irreligious and the transgressors have been and are lying in wait. Be thou steadfast in the Cause, and fix thy gaze upon the Most Sublime Horizon, speaking My beautiful praise. In affairs take counsel, and then act, placing thy trust in God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. Verily, He is with thee and will aid thee, and He is the Mighty, the All-Loving.”

As to the repeated mention of the beloved of the heart, his honor A.B., upon him be the Glory of God and His favors, he has never been and will never be absent from this evanescent one’s sight. Praise be to God, they have attained to the favors of the True One. That which was written to this servant, and likewise the petition dispatched to the Most Holy Court, all were presented before His presence and attained the honor of His hearing. His word, exalted be His majesty and all-encompassing be His bounty:

“They have ever been and continue to be the recipients of the True One’s favors. Their requests have been heard with the ear of acceptance. They have attained to that which was revealed in the Divine Books regarding the mention of these days. This is a grace that no other grace can equal. We beseech the True One to ordain for them that which is the cause of eternal success and triumph, and not to deprive them of that which is befitting. We have granted permission for attainment of His presence and have recorded the reward thereof. O ʿAyn and Ba, give thanks to the Intended One of all worlds, Who has assisted thee to turn towards Him, to recognize Him, to love Him, and to serve His Cause. To Him be praise and glory. He has adorned thee with such an adornment whose mention shall never be erased from the world, and has ordained for thee that which He has ordained for those near unto Him. We testify that thou hast attained unto My good-pleasure and hast drunk the choice wine of recognition from the hand of My bounty. Give thanks unto God for this manifest grace.”

Each and every matter they raised was presented and received His gracious response. In each instance the sun of favor and grace dawned and shone forth from the horizon of His will. All that was done regarding that beloved one has been mentioned at the Divine Threshold and has attained the ornament of acceptance. This servant beseeches the True One to assist them in all conditions. As commanded, they must be mindful of and hold fast unto wisdom.

The robe and da’ira will also arrive, God willing.

As to the mention they made of the departed and elevated one, his honor Mirza A.B., upon him be the Glory of God and His favors, all that that beloved one mentioned was and is correct. There hath been revealed for him from the Supreme Pen that which nothing in all creation can equal. This matter too was presented in the Most Holy, Most Exalted Court. His word, blessed and exalted be He:

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

O My Most Exalted Pen! Make mention of him who ascended to the Most Glorious Horizon and quaffed the choice wine of revelation from the cup of the bounty of his Lord, the Lord of Names. Say: The glory shining forth from the heaven of thy Lord’s mercy, the Lord of creation, be upon thee, O thou who didst turn unto the Countenance when the limbs of the servants did quake. I testify that thou didst hear the Call when it was raised betwixt earth and heaven, and didst answer thy Lord when earthquakes seized the tribes of the earth and hearts were troubled through fear of God, the Lord of Lords. Blessed be thine ear, for it hath heard, and thine eye, for it hath seen, and thy heart, for it hath turned, and thy face, for it hath set itself toward the Qiblih of all horizons.

Thou art he whom neither the calumnies of the divines nor the might of the powerful could deter. Thou didst hold fast to the cord of the Cause and cling to the hem of thy Lord’s grace on a Day whereon the trumpet was sounded, and the Balance set up, and the Bridge laid down, and that which was hidden in the hearts of those who violated God’s Covenant and Testament and turned away until they pronounced judgment against Him was made manifest. Blessed art thou, O servant of God, and blessed are they who turn unto thee and visit thy grave, by virtue of what the Most Exalted Pen hath spoken in this Prison which hath been named with the Most Beautiful Names.

Blessed is he who remembereth thy days and maketh mention of that which hath been sent down unto thee from God, thy Creator, thy Fashioner, thy Provider, thy Helper, thy Supporter, the One Who giveth thee life and causeth thee to die. Glory be upon thee, and light be upon thee, and peace be upon thee from God, thy Lord, thy Beloved, thy Desire, and the Desire of all who are in the heavens and on earth.

Previously also there was revealed specially for him that which shall endure in the garden of divine books. Happy is he! And that which hath now been revealed beareth witness to this. Praise be to God, divine mercy encompassed him and His grace took him by the hand. Again, happy is he! This evanescent servant beseecheth God, exalted be His glory, to assist his son in all that is befitting. This servant conveyeth greetings and glorification unto him, and likewise unto Aqa Mirza Mahmud, upon him be the glory of God and His grace, and unto all the friends and loved ones, upon them be the glory of God. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, to intoxicate all with the wine of the realm of inner meanings, in such wise that they may behold none save the Friend and seek none save the Friend.

His honor the imprisoned one of Rasht, upon him be the glory of God, who graced that land with his presence, hath ever been and continueth to be before Our eyes. Time and again mention of him hath been heard from the tongue of Grandeur in the Most Holy Presence. God willing, may he be assisted to do that which is befitting. They made mention of the coolness of the eyes and fruits of the heart, ʿAzizu’llah and Ruhu’llah. Their mention was made in the Most Holy, Most Exalted Presence. He recited that which was and shall be the manifestation, exposition, evidence and sign of divine grace, bounty and mercy. Two Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablets were revealed and sent specially for them. God willing, may they attain unto them.

Mention was made of the friends and notables of that land. Each one hath, through the grace of God—exalted be His glory—attained unto His mention, and been recorded by the Pen of His Command. The bounty of God hath reached such heights that tongue and pen fall short of describing it. For some, special Tablets have been revealed individually, while for others mention hath been made collectively in a single Tablet. This latter approach is more conducive to preservation. Copies should be made and given to their recipients. What hath been sent this time should not exceed this, and hereafter the matter resteth in God’s hands. He doeth as He willeth and ordaineth as He pleaseth. Peace and glory and majesty be upon you, upon those with you, upon those who have attained unto that which none before them had attained, and upon every patient and grateful soul. Praise be to God, the Powerful, the Kind, the Forgiving.

The servant 11 Safar 1302

Another letter from that beloved one, dated 26 Dhi’l-Hajjih, arrived as the post was being sealed. Praise be to God, it brought joy to our eyes. Specifically for Aqa Mirza Muhammad—upon him be 966 [Baha’u’llah]—a Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablet was sent. God willing, he will attain unto it.

Concerning what was written about the disagreements of certain ones, it was presented at the Most Holy, Most Exalted Court. He—glorified be His majesty—said:

“Let them not be saddened by such matters and deplorable deeds. Soon all shall return and become aware of their loss. Your steadfastness suffices to awaken those souls. They shall soon acknowledge thy counsel and turn unto thee. The same souls who now praise such deeds shall confess their evil. Blessed art thou, and woe unto him who is heedless. Verily thy Lord is the Elucidator, the All-Knowing, and He is the Rememberer, the Counselor, the Speaker, the Compassionate, the Generous.”

This servant’s humble submission is that whatever was received from that beloved one expressing devotion, humility and submissiveness to the presence of the Two Most Great and Most Blessed Branches—may my spirit, my being and my essence be sacrificed for the dust of their footsteps—this servant presented it. They showed countless tokens of bounty, recalled the days of attainment to Their presence, and sent greetings, praise and glory. They said:

“God willing, may they remain firm in the assistance of God’s Cause as they have been.”

Whenever mention is made, this evanescent one presents it, and tokens of Their perpetual bounty are manifested. Likewise the two other Most Pure and Most Luminous Branches—may my spirit be sacrificed for their footsteps—and the dwellers of the pavilion of infallibility and grandeur, all send their greetings and make mention. All glory be upon you and upon those with you and those who love you.

BH03892: This is a Book which God hath sent down…

In the Name of Him Who is the Ruler over all who are in earth and heaven.

This is a Book which God hath sent down in truth, wherein He commandeth men to observe justice and piety. He, verily, is the Lord of all mankind, within His grasp lieth the kingdom of Command and Creation, and in His right hand are held the reins of all who are in the heavens and on earth. Stand thou firm in service to the Cause, and be thou vocal in the praise of God, the Lord of all worlds. How many a servant hath turned towards and then away from Him, hath believed and then denied, and how many a servant hath shone forth from the horizon of steadfastness with such power that before him bowed the necks of those who had turned away from His straight Path. Fix thy gaze upon the Most Sublime Horizon and hasten to perform good deeds. Thus doth the Revealer of verses command thee from the presence of the Strong, the Mighty.

Blessed art thou and blessed is he who hath acknowledged that which God hath acknowledged and hath testified to that which His Tongue had testified before the creation of the heavens and earth: “There is none other God but Me, the Almighty, the Powerful.” We have, verily, adorned the heaven of utterance with the sun of divine knowledge. Blessed are they that have attained thereunto.

O party of God! Hearken unto the Call that hath been raised from the direction of Akka: “There is none other God but Me, the Ordainer, the All-Wise.” Worship none but Him. Thus hath the Most Exalted Pen decreed while in His mighty prison. Be ye of such constancy that the power of those who have turned away from the Countenance and have committed that which caused the Spirit of God to lament shall not frighten you. The splendor that hath shone forth from the horizon of the heaven of My loving-kindness be upon thee and upon those who have attained unto this momentous News.

He is the Helper.

The missive of the beloved of the heart, his honor Varqa, upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God, in the amount of one vahid before and one vahid after, through the beloved spiritual one his honor Amin, upon him be the Glory of God and His grace, reached the servant in the prison in the month of Rabi’u’th-Thani 1305.

BH04442: The smoke of vain imaginings hath enveloped the world…

He is the All-Remembering, the All-Knowing

The smoke of vain imaginings hath enveloped the world, and the veils of idle fancies have prevented the people from beholding the lights of the supreme horizon. They worship idols, supposing themselves to be worshipping the Truth. Glory be to God! They remain heedless of the Source from which the justice and knowledge of the world have been made manifest, while clinging to ignorant and oppressive divines. In every age and century these oppressive souls have inflicted upon the Dawning-Places of divine revelation that which caused all eyes to weep and all hearts to lament. Praise be to God that in such days, when darkness hath encompassed the world, thou hast attained unto the living waters and drunk from the river of mercy. Preserve this most exalted station through the Name of the Lord of Names, and associate with the people of the earth with wisdom, utterance, spirit and fragrance, that perchance through thy mention some soul may turn to the lights of the Sun of Revelation and be remembered before the One Who remembereth. In all circumstances fix thy gaze upon wisdom.

The True One, exalted be His glory, hath enjoined wisdom in Iraq, the Land of Mystery, and in the Most Great Prison—especially after arrival in this Most Great Prison and following the martyrdom of Badi’, upon him be My Glory. Convey My greetings to the friends. Say: Beware lest the tyranny of oppressors frighten you or the might of Pharaohs weaken you. Soon shall the world and all that is therein perish, and there shall endure that which hath been ordained by God, the Lord of all worlds. The Glory be upon thee and upon those who have attained unto the recognition of God in this blessed, mighty and wondrous Day.

BH04572: This is the Most Great Announcement. He…

This is the Most Great Announcement. He is the All-Seeing from the Horizon of the Heaven of Knowledge!

O My handmaiden, O My leaf! Verily the Pen of the Most High hath borne witness unto thy recognition of Him, thy love for Him and thy turning towards the Ancient Countenance at a time when the world hath rejected Him, save those whom God, the Most High, hath willed. This is the Day foretold by the Messenger of God, and before Him by the Spirit and before Him by Him Who came with nine clear signs and was called the Interlocutor in My perspicuous Book.

O My leaf! All the Books of the past and the Messengers of God have given the people the glad-tidings of this hallowed, this most exalted Day, nevertheless, the ungodly, the ignorant and the evil ones have arisen with utmost cruelty to uproot the Holy Tree. Well is it with thee for having adorned thyself with the ornament of the love of God and for having been enabled to make mention of Him and utter His praise. Divine grace, in its entirety, is in the mighty grasp of God, exalted be He. He conferreth it upon whomsoever He willeth. How many a man considered himself a celebrated divine and a repository of heavenly mysteries, and yet when the slightest test visited him, he arose with such opposition and denial as to cause the Concourse on high to moan and lament. Through the bestowals of the Lord, however, and His infinite favour, thou hast attained unto the hidden secret and the well-guarded treasure. Preserve then, in the name of God, this lofty station and conceal it from the eyes of betrayers. The glory shining from the horizon of My Kingdom be upon thee and upon every handmaiden who hath attained the splendours of My sublime Throne.

BH05283: Today the breezes of the Kingdom are speaking forth…

He is the Desired One!

Today the breezes of the Kingdom are speaking forth this blessed and exalted word:

“Blessed is he whose strength is not weakened by armies, and whose steadfastness is not shaken by the might of kings.”

O Nabil! Upon thee be the Glory of God, the Mighty, the Beautiful! We behold the people in a strange sleep and manifest doubt. They possess neither that which would lead them to the good-pleasure of God, nor that which would attract them to the Supreme Horizon. Can what they possess equal what is with God? Nay, by His own Self, the Truth! Say: He followeth not your idle fancies, nor walketh in your ways. Fear God, and be not of the wrongdoers. Convey My remembrance to the friends of God and His loved ones, and give them the glad-tidings of My remembrance and My loving-kindness. We beseech God to draw them nigh unto Him and to ordain for them the reward of attaining His presence.

There is none other God but Him. He guideth whom He willeth unto His straight path. Say: This is the Day of steadfastness and fidelity. Blessed is he who hath arisen to serve the Cause of God—he is indeed of them that occupy this station in the sight of God, the Lord of the worlds. Remind the people with wisdom and utterance, lest the fire of hatred be kindled in the breast of every remote barking dog. The glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of My mercy be upon thee and upon them that are with thee and upon those whom neither the veils of the divines nor the ascendancy of the aggressive ones have hindered.