Volume 075: Akka 1302 A.H. (1884–1885), Part I (2 of 5)

BH05437: We left the house, turning toward another land, remembering…

He is the One Who warbles upon the branches.

We left the house, turning toward another land, remembering My early days and speaking the verses of God, the Lord of the worlds. We glorified, and all things glorified with Us—exalted be the Lord of Names Who has come with manifest sovereignty. The people of the Kingdom were attracted by the Call raised from the right side of the Mount, while the people remain in manifest error.

We proceeded until We reached the sea. We sat and heard from its murmuring:

“By God! The Beloved of the world has come, and He has appeared through Whose appearance the eyes of the Messengers were consoled.”

Thereupon We took up Our Most Exalted Pen and desired to make mention of him who spoke My praise and soared in My atmosphere and drank from the ocean of My utterance and attained My presence—he who was named Varqa in the Crimson Book by My Most Exalted Pen. Blessed is he who remembers him and hears his word concerning this wondrous Cause.

When thou hast received My Tablet and found the fragrance of My utterance, travel in My Name, then guide the people to My path and acquaint them with My Cause and give them the glad-tidings of My bounty and My loving-kindness. Then impart unto them that which We imparted unto thee, that they may choose for themselves a path to God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy. The glory shining forth from My Kingdom be upon thee and upon those who love thee for the sake of God, the Lord of the Mighty Throne.

BH05448: In My Name which has dawned from the horizon…

In My Name which has dawned from the horizon of proof

The call of the All-Merciful has been raised, and that which was recorded in the Tablets of God, the Self-Subsisting, the All-Compelling, has appeared. How many a servant desired to attain the presence of God, yet when He came and that which was hidden was made manifest, he then arose in opposition, to such extent that he pronounced judgment against Him through Whose word all in the heavens and earth were created. Blessed is he who has turned to the Countenance and held fast to God, the Mighty, the All-Praised.

We have heard thy mention and have mentioned thee. Verily thy Lord remembers him who remembers Him, and turns to him who turns to Him, as a grace from His presence, for He is the All-Bountiful, the Ancient of Days. Be thou vocal in the remembrance of the Wronged One and arise to serve His Cause. Thus does He Who speaks the truth command thee. There is none other God but Me, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

The smoke has overtaken all who dwell in the realm of possibility, save those whom the hand of power has rescued through its sovereignty over all who are in the heavens and on earth. When thou hast received My Tablet and found the fragrance of My loving-kindness, arise and say:

“Praise be to Thee, O Thou the Desire of the worlds, and glory be to Thee, O Thou through Whom every wise command has been made manifest.”

The Glory shining forth from the horizon of eternity upon those who have turned to God on the Day wherein the Promised One has appeared through His mighty Command.

BH05882: A Book sent down in truth from before One…

He is manifest from His most exalted horizon.

A Book sent down in truth from before One Who possesses knowledge of the heavens and earth, and I am the All-Knowing. Therein He informs all of what was revealed in the Book of God, before and after, and I am the All-Informed. By God! The Path has been established and the Balance set up, and I am the Straight Path. Blessed is he who, when hearing, arose; and he who, being silent, upon recognizing spoke; and he who, being hesitant, hastened to the most exalted horizon, and I am the Luminous Horizon. Say: O peoples of the earth! Fear the All-Merciful and follow not every froward devil. The Hidden has appeared and what was concealed in the Books of God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy, has been made manifest.

Cast aside vain imaginings. By God! The heaven of knowledge has been adorned with the daystar of certitude. To this testifies He Who proclaims in all things that there is none other God but Me, the Single, the One, the Powerful, the Mighty. We have heard thy mention and have mentioned thee as a bounty from Us. Know this and be of the thankful. Beware lest the allusions of those who have disbelieved in God prevent thee when He came with a manifest dominion, a mighty sovereignty and a firm, impregnable Cause. Thus have the rains of grace poured down from the clouds of justice. Blessed is he who has seen, and woe unto the heedless ones.

BH05995: In My Name, the All-Subduing over all names! O…

In My Name, the All-Subduing over all names! O thou who art wronged! Make mention of him who hath turned towards the horizon of divine knowledge, as a token of grace from thee, for thou art verily the All-Bountiful, the Generous. Say: This is the horizon of divine knowledge from which have shone forth the splendors of the lights of My revelation, the Mighty, the Wondrous. The Most Great Prison hath been honored through the Hidden Name and the Treasured Secret. To this beareth witness he who hath inhaled the fragrance of God, the Lord of all worlds. Whoso hath found the fragrance of My garment, he is indeed among the most exalted of beings before the Truth. Blessed is he who hath heard and witnessed that which God did witness before the creation of the heavens and earth.

He Who hath remembered Me and loved Me hath remembered thee. We have remembered thee through this perspicuous Tablet. Be thou thankful for this most great favor and say: Praise be unto Thee, O King of Kings and Merciful unto the servants! I beseech Thee by Thy Kingdom and Thy Dominion and by the mysteries of the Book of Thine own Self, to make me steadfast in this Cause whereby the feet of every learned one have slipped, the heart of every mystic hath been perturbed, and every proud oppressor hath lamented. The glory rest upon thee and upon those who have heard and responded to their Lord, the Mighty, the Great. We make mention of thy son and give him the glad-tidings of God’s loving-kindness, and We counsel him with that wherewith We have counseled the chosen ones in My sacred and mighty Tablet.

BH06013: In this Most Great Revelation, from the sweet-scented morning…

In the name of the One True Friend!

In this Most Great Revelation, from the sweet-scented morning breeze this blessed word is heard: The world is illumined through love and fellowship, and laid waste through hatred and enmity. O people of Baha! Hearken unto the call of the One True Counselor and strive that the light of unity may illumine the world and adorn its horizons. In all ages and centuries, discord hath been and still is the cause of degradation and abasement. Be not saddened by the tyranny of princes and the rejection of divines. Fix your gaze upon the Most Exalted Horizon and be confident in the grace of God. He will surely not deprive His loved ones of the effulgences of the lights of the Sun of Glory and Power.

Soon shall every steadfast one behold his station, and every one who hath turned unto Him shall become aware of that which hath been ordained for him. That which hath issued from the Most Exalted Pen shall never be exhausted. Blessed are they who hold fast to the cord of steadfastness and cling to the hem of grace. These are the people of Baha, whose names have been inscribed by the Most Exalted Pen in the Crimson Book. Blessed are they that hear, and woe unto the heedless. The Glory be upon thee from God, the Lord of the worlds.

BH06292: In My Name, the One Who Dawns…

In My Name, the One Who Dawns from the Horizon of the Kingdom

M.H.: We have called thee from the right side of the Mount. Verily, there is none other God but He, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. Blessed is he who hath cast away vain imaginings and taken hold of certitude by the command of God, the Lord of the worlds.

The world is ablaze with the fire of vain fancies and veiled from the lights of the divine Manifestation’s dawn. In the days and nights the pen of the Most High scratches, the call of the divine Tree is manifest, and the light of the Cause shines forth from the supreme horizon. Yet the unjust people have not awakened. Praise be to God that thou hast attained to the service of the Cause, art speaking His praise, and art turned toward His horizon, and continue thus. The heedlessness of the people hath reached such a state that they were not awakened by the cry and the trumpet blast, and did not raise their heads from their beds. Thou and the friends must hold fast to wisdom, lest the clamor of every rejected ignorant one be raised.

The Glory shining from the heaven of My grace be upon thee and upon those whom the veils of grandeur have not prevented from turning to the Self-Sufficient, the Most High. We send from this spot Our greetings upon thy mother and those with thee. Verily thy Lord is the All-Bountiful, the Ancient of Days.

BH06270: He is the One speaking from the horizon…

He is the One speaking from the horizon of the Kingdom! This is a Book sent down by the Lord of the world in His Most Great Prison, wherein He gives glad tidings to the peoples of that which has dawned and shone forth from the horizon of God’s loving-kindness, the Lord of all worlds.

Beware lest the affairs of creation hold you back from the Truth. Cast aside what the people possess, turning unto God, the Single One, the All-Informed. Beware lest the veils of the divines prevent you, or the might of princes frighten you. Take the cup of utterance in the name of the All-Merciful, then drink thereof in the days of God, the Mighty, the Praised.

Say: By God! The promise has come, and He Who was promised has appeared with a sovereignty before which neither the hosts of the world nor the might of the nations can stand, were ye of those who know. Thus has My Most Exalted Pen spoken, when the light was shining from the horizon of tribulation. Be thou thankful to God for this most great favor.

Beware, beware lest what the people possess frighten thee, or the doings of the oppressors sadden thee. Aid thy Lord with the hosts of wisdom and utterance, and the legions of deeds and character. Thus does the Commander, the All-Wise, command thee.

Blessed art thou and those who have attained unto the Word of God in His days. Woe unto every heedless remote one. The glory shining from the horizon of My Kingdom be upon thee and upon those who have laid hold on the hem of God, the One, the Single, the Mighty, the Beautiful.

BH06604: God testifieth that there is none other God but…

He is the All-Witnessing, the All-Informed

God testifieth that there is none other God but Him, and He Who speaketh upon the throne when it was upon the water is verily the Hidden Mystery which none hath known save whom God, the Most High, the Most Great, hath willed. He hath come with a power that the might of the powerful could not weaken, and with a sovereignty that the hosts of those who turned away from the Countenance and denied this Revelation, wherewith the Books of God, the Lord of all worlds, had given glad tidings, could not frighten. We have heard thy call and answered thee, and have remembered thee with a remembrance that the ornaments of the world and whatsoever is with the nations cannot equal.

To this beareth witness every discerning knower. Take thou the Kawthar of steadfastness in the name of thy Lord, then drink with His All-Wise remembrance. Blessed is the servant who hath been illumined with the lights of certitude, and woe unto every heedless doubter. Cast away what is with the world and take what We have sent unto thee through the power of God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy. Thus hath the Tongue of Grandeur spoken when He was in prison through what the hands of the heedless had wrought. The glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of My mercy be upon thee and upon every patient one and upon every learned one who hath attained unto the Most Great News.

BH06470: O friends! Today I give glad-tidings to the people…

In the Name of the Sun of Truth!

O friends! Today I give glad-tidings to the people of the world. That which was hidden has been made manifest. The straight path has appeared, the balance is visible. The mountains, plains and rivers give glad-tidings to each other of the appearance of the Hidden Name and the Treasured Mystery. Stand firm in the Cause of God with such steadfastness that it will cause the steadfastness of all the peoples of the world.

For years, mighty efforts were expended to exalt the Word and proclaim the Cause. Now it is observed that excellent souls have arisen against the Lord of Names merely for selfish desire and have set about to waste the Cause of God. Beseech God that He may guide them and prevent them from this great injustice. He is the Powerful, He is the Mighty, He is the All-Knowing, He is the All-Wise.

Thou hast been mentioned before the Wronged One and this most holy, most exalted Tablet hath been revealed that the joy of the utterance of the All-Merciful may take thee and make thee among those who are nigh. In all conditions hold fast to the cord of grace and cling to the greatest steadfastness, for thieves lie in wait in the thicket of negligence. The Glory be upon thee and upon those who have attained unto this mighty, this most holy Cause.

BH07073: This is a remembrance from Us to one who…

He is the One with power over whatsoever He willeth.

This is a remembrance from Us to one who hath attained unto the light of the Countenance and heard the Call when it was raised from My most exalted horizon, and acted according to what was ordained in My perspicuous Book. We make mention of thee with that which will attract thee, and have sent unto thee the verses to teach thee what beseemeth the days of thy Lord, the Mighty, the Wondrous. He hath come with the truth and summoneth mankind unto His straight Path. Say: O people! Cast away what ye possess and take hold of the Book of God with the power that proceedeth from Him. This is better for you than all upon which the sun shineth, if ye be of them that know. My loved ones have been imprisoned in the land of Ta by reason of what the hands of the oppressors have wrought, they who have cast the Book of God behind their backs and followed every ignorant remote one. Say: The oppressor is the divines of the earth who have pronounced judgment against the Truth without clear proof or perspicuous Book. Thus have We sent down the verses and dispatched them unto thee that thou mayest find from them the fragrance of the loving providence of thy Lord, the Forgiving, the Bountiful.

BH06990: O friends! Know ye the station of the days…

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

O friends! Know ye the station of the days of the All-Merciful. This is a day wherein one deed is greater than all the deeds of past ages and centuries and more beloved in the sight of God. Strive ye that ye may attain to that which neither the vicissitudes of time can alter nor obliterate. Thy mention was made before the Throne and thou didst attain the hearing of the Wronged One. It behooveth thee to praise God Who hath caused thee to know the Dawning-Place of His Revelation, made thee to hear His Call, and forgiven thee through His grace. He is verily the Ever-Forgiving, the Bountiful, the Generous. Say: Glory be unto Thee, O my God! I beseech Thee by the Sovereign of Names, through Whom all things were attracted, and the heaven was cleft asunder, and the earth was split, and the mountains were scattered, to ordain for me through Thy grace and bounty the reward of those who have attained unto Thy presence and drunk the choice wine of reunion with Thee. Thou art, verily, powerful over what Thou willest, and Thou art indeed the Strong, the Mighty. That which thou didst send hath been accepted with the ornament of acceptance. It behooveth thee to thank thy Lord, the Hearing, the Responding One.

BH07065: A remembrance from Our presence unto him who hath…

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

A remembrance from Our presence unto him who hath believed in God, the All-Possessing, the Self-Subsisting, that he may find assurance through his Lord’s favor and arise to serve the Cause with such wisdom as hath been sent down in the Tablets of God, the Lord of what was and what shall be. Thou hast been remembered before the Wronged One. Give thanks unto thy Lord for this favor and say:

“Praise be unto Thee, O Revealer of the verses, and thanksgiving be unto Thee, O Thou in Whose grasp is the dominion of existence!”

Blessed is thy father who sought the ultimate goal and the highest summit, and who laid down his life in exile in the path of God, the Mighty, the Loving. We have mentioned him in various Tablets with such mention as nothing on earth can equal, as beareth witness unto this He with Whom is the Preserved Tablet. We counsel thee and My loved ones to observe wisdom, lest the fire of hatred be kindled in the breasts of them that have denied the Witness and the Witnessed.

The Glory rest upon thee and upon thy mother and upon them that are with thee and upon those who have cast away idle fancies, clinging fast to the handle of the tender mercy of their Lord, the Mighty, the All-Forgiving.

BH06920: Today all atoms of creation are engaged in rejoicing…

He is the Caller from the horizon of the Throne!

Today all atoms of creation are engaged in rejoicing, for the true Beloved Who had forever been concealed behind veils hath unveiled Himself and appeared in the gathering of the world with utmost manifestation and evidence. One ray from His effulgences shone upon the people of the graves, and all attained unto a new life and turned toward the precincts of the Throne. Strive, that perchance ye may attain unto that which shall cause your mention to endure. I swear by the Sun of the heaven of inner meanings that whosoever remaineth heedless this Day and departeth in heedlessness shall be afflicted with everlasting torment and perpetual remorse and endless regret. Let the friends beseech God—exalted be His glory—for grace, that perchance the deprived ones of the world may attain their goal, the remote one may enter the ocean of nearness, and the sick may drink from the sea of healing. Verily, He is powerful over all things. The glory shining forth from the horizon of the heaven of My mercy be upon thee and upon whosoever hath heard the Call when it was raised from the Divine Lote-Tree and hath responded with manifest humility.

BH07102: He is the One calling between earth and heaven!…

He is the One calling between earth and heaven! Glorified be He Who speaks at all times, at eventide and dawn, and sends down verses as He wishes in such wise that neither the tyranny of the Pharaohs of the earth nor the oppression of the tyrants of the lands can prevent Him. Verily the Pen of the Most Merciful moves at all times and calls out with the most exalted call to all who dwell in the realm of creation, summoning all to God in their return.

This is the Day of which the Spirit gave tidings, and before Him Moses, and after Him Muhammad the Messenger of God, Who when He appeared caused the pebbles to speak and His white hand bore witness that there is no God but Him, the Mighty, the Bestower.

We have found from you the fragrance of love; We have turned to you and mentioned you with the Most Excellent of Remembrances.

When you find the fragrance of My loving-kindness and attain unto My Tablet, arise and say: I beseech Thee, O God of Names and Creator of heaven, to make me among those whom the cawing of Thine enemies has not kept back from Thy love, and whom the threatening of the wicked has not frightened in Thy days. Verily Thou art the Commander, the Ordainer, the All-Knowing.

BH07916: He is the Summoner between earth and heaven! O…

He is the Summoner between earth and heaven! O people of creation! The Lord of Names makes mention of you from this Prison wherein has been established the throne of your Lord, the Most High, the Most Great. He has come for the life of the world and has called all to the Most Great Ocean. Blessed is he who has turned and attained, and woe unto the deniers! O concourse of earth! Abandon what the people possess. By God! Nothing that is witnessed and seen will profit you this Day save through this Name which God has made the Dayspring of His names, the Manifestation of His attributes and the Dawning-Place of His firm and mighty Cause. Thus has My tongue spoken in the kingdom of My utterance. If thou hast attained, arise and say: Praise be unto Thee, O Beloved of them that know! I testify that Thou hast revealed what was hidden and made manifest what was treasured, and spoken that which guided the people to the straight path of God. The glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of My utterance be upon thee and upon those who have held fast to the cord of steadfastness in this Cause whereby the feet of the knowers have slipped.

BH07546: O people of the world! After the veil was…

In the Name of the One True God!

O people of the world! After the veil was lifted, some clung to verses—We sent down verses; and some adhered to proofs—We made these manifest; and some turned to ordinances—We revealed a most great portion thereof. Whatever they desired was fulfilled, and whatever they uttered was heard. The purpose of all that was manifested was that ears might become ready to hearken unto one exalted Word, and that is this: O people of the earth! Make not God’s religion a cause of enmity. If this Word were to take hold in the world, all would find themselves at ease and in comfort. Say: By the life of God! The divine religion and His Faith have come to unite and accord, not for difference and discord. The Mother Book beareth witness to this, but the people hear not. The splendor shining from the horizon of the heaven of My Kingdom be upon thee and upon those who have cast away idle fancies, clinging to the lights of certitude.

BH07596: In the Name of the Heaven of inner meanings!…

In the Name of the Heaven of inner meanings! The Truth is manifest and hath dawned from the horizon of power. Say: Observe ye how He hath set the world in motion. This is the earthquake of that Hour which hath appeared and seized all save a few who have drawn nigh unto the Divine Countenance. The cause of the world’s turning away hath been the divines of the age. They themselves say that when the Qa’im uttereth a word, the chiefs of the earth, who are the most exalted of creation, shall turn away from it. Yet they themselves have arisen with great presumption. Had they reflected even a little, they would surely have been reminded by the turning away of the chiefs and would not have made claims to knowledge and certitude, nor would they have visited upon the Dawning-Place of the names and attributes, the Goal of all the worlds, that which caused the thunder to lament and the clouds to weep. The glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of My grandeur be upon thee and upon all who have been just in the Cause of God, the Lord of the worlds.

BH08200: A mention from Us unto him who hath heard…

He is the Manifest, the Hidden

A mention from Us unto him who hath heard the Call and answered his Lord, the Speaking, the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing. Blessed is the one who hath arisen with strength to serve the Cause, and woe unto every man whom the might of the mighty and the power of princes hath weakened—they who have cast the Book of God behind their backs and have uttered that which hath caused the denizens of the most exalted Paradise to lament. And they who aid the Cause of their Lord at morn and eventide. Beware lest the affairs of men sadden thee. Hearken unto the Call of thy Lord—verily He calleth thee from the precincts of the Prison with a call whereby the hearts of them that have recognized Him have been attracted. Take My Book in My Name, as bidden by Me, and I am verily the Ordainer, the Ancient of Days. By My Word were the heavens raised up, and by My Name was the Throne established upon this glorious, wondrous station. Thus hath the Tongue of the Wronged One spoken while He was in the hands of the heedless. The glory from Us be upon thee and upon every upright servant.

BH08143: In the name of God, the Almighty! The Sun…

In the name of God, the Almighty! The Sun of Truth is risen and manifest, and the Speaker of Sinai is speaking and visible. Blessed are they who have attained unto this most great bounty and supreme joy, and woe unto him who hath turned away from God and denied His signs and disputed His proof. He is assuredly among the most lost in the Book of God, the Lord of all worlds. We convey Our greetings to the friends of God and guide them to the highest horizon. All must arise to serve the Cause with perfect unity—an arising that no disturbance can affect and no wavering can approach. O friends! These are the days of the All-Merciful, and the nightingales of mystic knowledge are warbling upon the branches. Beseech ye God that He may graciously grant you the blessing to arise with complete steadfastness to serve the Cause of the Lord of all beings. He is the Powerful, the Mighty. All created things have testified to His power, and all contingent beings to His sovereignty.

BH09210: In this Day the Blessed Tree of Remembrance speaketh…

He is the Light shining from the Horizon of Revelation!

In this Day the Blessed Tree of Remembrance speaketh forth in the Kingdom of Utterance saying: Well is it with the servant who hath turned his face towards Him, and embraced His truth, and with the handmaiden who hath hearkened to His Voice and become of the blissful. Verily, she is a champion of the field of true understanding. To this the Tongue of Truth beareth witness from His exalted Station.

O My leaf, blessed art thou for having responded to My call when it was raised in the name of the True One. Thou didst recognize My Revelation when men of renown were immersed in manifest idle fancies. Thou hast verily attained the mercy of thy Lord time and again. Render thanks unto Him and glorify Him with thy Praise. He is, in truth, with His handmaidens and servants who have turned towards Him. The shining glory from the Horizon of My Kingdom be upon thee and upon the one who hath guided thee to My straight path.

BH09354: A mention from the Wronged One to a leaf…

He is the One Who gazeth from His most glorious horizon

A mention from the Wronged One to a leaf who believed in her Lord when all the divines of the earth turned away from Him save whom God, the Lord of all worlds, did will. Blessed is the servant who held fast to God, the Lord of all beings, and blessed is the handmaiden who clung to His luminous hem. How many a servant turned away and denied God, and how many a leaf heard and turned to Him and said: “Here am I, O Thou Goal of the Messengers!” O My leaf! Upon thee be My glory and My remembrance and My loving-kindness and My mercy that hath preceded all who are in the heavens and on earth. Be thou thankful unto thy Lord for this most great favor and say: “Praise be unto Thee, O Beloved of them that have known Thee!”

BH10683: O my God, my Lord and my Hope! Thou…

He is the Compassionate, the All-Bountiful!

O my God, my Lord and my Hope! Thou knowest that the Wronged One loveth to make mention of the son of him who turned towards Thy horizon, who arose to serve Thee, who spoke forth Thy praise, and who led Thy sheep to Thy spring. I beseech Thee, O God of the world and Desire of the nations, to ordain for him the best of what Thou hast sent down in Thy Book. Verily, Thou art the One Who hath power over whatsoever He willeth. There is none other God but Thee, the Hearer, the Answerer.

BH10609: My Most Exalted Pen beareth witness to thy acceptance…

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

My Most Exalted Pen beareth witness to thy acceptance and thy turning unto Him and thy arising to serve the Cause when those who were expected to seek His release from God, the Mighty, the Great, turned away from it. Blessed art thou, and blessed is he who hath heard thy mention and found fellowship with thee and perceived from thee the fragrance of My wondrous love. Remind My loved ones and give them the glad-tidings of My gracious remembrance. The Glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of My bounty be upon thee and upon him who hath taken the cup of the Choice Wine in the name of his Lord, the All-Informed.

BH10837: Blessed art thou, who in thy tender age hast…

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

Blessed art thou, who in thy tender age hast acknowledged the grandeur and majesty of God. Blessed be the mother who nursed thee and fulfilled her duty as was befitting. We beseech God to inscribe for thee from His Most Exalted Pen that which beseemeth His generosity, munificence and grace. Verily, He is the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous. Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

BH01055: Praise be befitting unto that Sovereign who was not…

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

Praise be befitting unto that Sovereign who was not deterred from His will by the desires and intentions of kings and subjects. At all times, despite the peoples of the world, He speaks “I am verily the Lord of all days.” Exalted is His mention above My mention, and His attributes above My description. And blessings, peace, glory and light be upon His loved ones and chosen ones who have arisen to serve His Cause by night and by day.

And further: one envelope containing sacred, glorious and blessed Tablets was sent last week, and now another envelope previously described in detail is being sent. This evanescent servant beseeches and hopes that the True One, exalted be His glory, will assist that spiritual beloved one to exalt His Word. Verily, He is powerful over all things. At this moment while engaged in this writing, another envelope arrived containing fresh and flowing verses which, like a newly arrived flower, diffused such a fragrance of praise for the Beloved of all worlds that it gave strength to the heart and keenness to sight. However, these have not yet been presented in the Most Holy and Most Exalted Court. God willing, they will attain to the hearing of the Lord of Names this evening or tonight. Now this servant offers a hundred thousand felicitations, and God willing, they will also be accepted.

Likewise, a letter has arrived from the honored friend Mirza M.H. Qabl M.D., upon him be the glory of God, the Self-Sufficient, the Most High. A hundred thousand thanks to the Beloved of all worlds that they are aflame with the fire of divine love, turning to the highest horizon, steadfast in the Cause, and speaking His praise by night and day. I beseech the True One, exalted be His glory, for their success and confirmation. The mention of glory and salutation from this servant to them depends on your grace. Glory, praise and salutations be upon your honor, upon those with you, and upon all who are faithful, from whom the sincere ones perceive the fragrance of faithfulness in the days of God, the Lord of all worlds. And praise be to God, the Lord of the mighty throne.

The servant 24th of the blessed month of Safar 1302

Alas! Alas! O Beloved of my heart! Grief hath seized me at the completion suddenly, to such degree that my sighs and lamentations have ascended. Verily the Pen hath stopped and the Tongue is perplexed. The servant complaineth of his anguish and sorrow unto God, the Lord of all worlds and the God of all who are in the heavens and earths. After the completion of the letter, that which was the cause of infinite sorrows arrived. Glory be to God! How can one, despite claims of faith and recognition and acceptance, deviate from the straight path, abandon truth and become self-centered? Through the composition of two words or the expression of vain imaginings, pride seizes him such that he becomes deprived of the ocean upon ocean of tenderness and mercy from the Truth, exalted be His glory.

Today verses have filled the world and evidences have encompassed all things. Every child has been and is capable of writing certain words and letters. As once one of the well-known friends said to this evanescent servant that the carpet of inner meanings has been so widely spread and expansion has reached such a degree that every tongue-tied one has become articulate. The Supreme Pen hath spoken concerning the aspects of utterance in such wise that every child’s heart hath been touched, and he would mention that his faculties were so filled with the words of Truth, glorified be He, that when we take up the pen we write that which we deemed impossible to express even a letter thereof.

In any case, according to reports a new incident hath occurred and how greatly is this servant grieved. Although outwardly the details are not known, this servant with utmost helplessness beseecheth the Truth, exalted be His glory, that He may not leave us to ourselves for an instant and deprive us not from the lights of the sun of faithfulness. What happens that a person showeth the utmost love and humility and submissiveness and acceptance and helplessness and evanescence and nothingness, and then through one movement or change becomes utterly deprived? This servant and your honor and all friends must pray that perchance doubts and vain imaginings may be truly lifted from among the people and that the friends of Truth may hold fast unto the cord of providence with perfect humility and submissiveness and pure servitude. By the life of our Beloved and your Beloved! This station hath such sweetness that whoever findeth it will not let go, will complete his service and will not abandon faithfulness.

What can I say? While I was observing and deriving pleasure from several original verses of that beloved one, at that moment news arrived and prevented this servant from that with which he was occupied. And this is due to the love which this evanescent one hath had and hath for the divine friends, and he desireth that at all times they may irrigate the lands of existence with the rivers of humility and submissiveness and resignation and contentment and faithfulness, that they may appear with refined, sublime and beautiful leaves and flowers and fruits. Today no harm hath been or is greater for the Cause than discord, and this returneth to these servants, otherwise He is indeed independent of us and of our mention and of what we possess and of what hath been created between the heavens and the earth. Your honor and this servant and those who have held fast to the strong and firm cord of His providence bear witness to this.

There is fear that from these words that beloved of the heart may also become sorrowful. In truth this evanescent one and that beloved one and all friends must pray for each other that perchance the Most Great Protection may preserve all. Again, glory and praise and spirit and mercy be upon you and upon those with you and upon those who hearken to your words concerning the Cause of God, the Exalted, the Mighty.

The servant

BH02618: God testifies that there is none other God but…

He is the One Who rules over the world through His Most Great Name.

God testifies that there is none other God but Him, and He Who has come with the truth is verily the Hidden Secret, the Treasured Mystery, the Most Exalted Word, the Sovereign of Names, and the Light shining from the Supreme Horizon. He cannot be indicated by any indication of the Bayan nor by what was revealed therein from the All-Merciful. God has made all that was revealed from the Kingdom of the Bayan as glad-tidings of Him and as a leaf from the leaves of the gardens of His knowledge. Every mystic has testified to his powerlessness and every learned one to his inability to attain His presence. Blessed is he who has testified to that which God has testified, and woe unto every heedless doubter.

O ʿAziz! We have heard what your tongue has uttered and what your pen has inscribed, and We found the fragrance of your humility, submissiveness and your turning to God, the Lord of the visible and invisible, and the Lord of all worlds. Do not grieve over what has befallen you. Remember your Lord with the myriads of the supreme Paradise. By the life of God! By it are attracted the people of the Kingdom of Names and behind them the hearts of those brought near. You are the one who has attained to recognition and heard the Call when it was raised between earth and heaven. This is from His great bounty, to which My Manifest Book bears witness.

O ʿAziz! The Supreme Pen has in scriptures and tablets informed all of the appearance of the cawers, the heedless ones, and the atheists. Now from certain directions the cawing is raised. The Author of the Bayan commanded all to recognize the Promised Beauty through His own eyes and not to consider anything else as proof of His recognition, for He is known by His own Self and all else are His creation. This statement is specific to this Manifestation, yet the heedless people remain veiled from the Truth and occupied with vain imaginings, appearing like the peoples of former times. We beseech God to grant justice that they may not be deprived of the outpourings of the True Bestower in His days.

Convey My greetings to the friends and give them the glad-tidings of God’s infinite favors. Say: Pay no attention to the fly and its buzzing, nor to the crow and its cawing. Soon they shall return to their abode as returned those who wronged in those days. By the life of God! What they possess shall perish and might and power shall remain with God, the Lord of all worlds. The glory shining from the horizon of My loving-kindness be upon you and upon your brothers and upon those who have cast aside vain imaginings, holding fast to My Strong Cord. We have revealed for every name that was in your letter that from which the sincere ones will find the fragrance of God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. Verily, we are God’s and to Him we shall return.

BH00187: Praise be to God Who sent down the Furqan…

Section 1: “Praise be to God Who sent down…”

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

Praise be to God Who sent down the Furqan in the month of Ramadan. Verily it is the light of utterance that hath shone forth from the horizon of God’s knowledge, the Lord of all religions. Through it appeared the law of unity and the sign of detachment in the world of possibility. Exalted is He Who revealed it unto the King of the Messengers and the Manifestation of the Ways, through whom the hearts of those who are nigh unto God took flight, and the decree of the Book was established among the believers. The servant doth offer prayers unto Him—prayers from which the sincere ones inhale the fragrance of servitude, sincerity and faithfulness—and unto His family and companions through whom God established His Cause among His servants and His ordinances among His creation. These are honored servants whom God hath described in His Books, both past and future. Verily, He is the Truth, the Knower of the unseen.

May my spirit be a sacrifice unto your remembrance! The blessed letter which was in truth the key to the gate of joy and gladness arrived and was opened. Blessed is He Who confirmeth His loved ones through the breathings of the pens of His chosen ones. That which thou didst write was presented at the Most Holy and Most Exalted Court. Thou hast spoken with truth and justice. The Wronged One hath heard and answered thee. We beseech God, the Lord of what was and what shall be, to preserve thee and ordain for thee that which He loveth and is pleased with, and to assist His loved ones to hearken unto thy remembrance, thy praise and thy utterance.

O Zein! The glances of loving-kindness have ever been directed towards the friends of that land. Convey greetings from the Wronged One to the remaining souls. We beseech God to adorn all with the ornament of steadfastness, which in one station is reckoned as the first ornament. Verily, He is powerful over all things. God, exalted be His glory, hath loved and continues to love those who are firm and steadfast. His mercy hath preceded His servants and handmaidens, and His grace hath encompassed those who have turned unto Him with radiant faces and have acted according to what was commanded in His perspicuous Book.

Praise be to God, news of Your Eminence hath arrived and continues to arrive. In these days numerous telegrams have reached Beirut specifically announcing the release of the poor ones from the prison of the princes. His Eminence the Name 66 [of God], upon him be all 9 [Glory] most glorious, hath been released. Knowledge is with God. We beseech Him, exalted be He, to protect His loved ones and servants and deliver them from the hosts of vainglory. Verily, He is powerful over all things.

Concerning what thou didst write about Haji Khavar, upon him be 66 9 [Glory of God], and his services in the path of God, it was presented. Praise be to God, they have attained unto that which they intended. As commanded, convey greetings, and likewise from this evanescent servant.

As for what was written concerning the dear son of that noble person, the Name 66 (Allah), the Most Truthful, upon him be from every 9 (Baha) His Most Glorious Baha—a detailed reply was sent to him. If they send something to him, they should give him this glad tidings. Praise be to God, the effulgences of the Sun of Grace concerning him are manifest and evident, requiring no mention now or before.

His brother arrived in these days and attained the presence despite the turmoil in these parts. After imprisonment in the Land of Ta (Tehran), in this land day by day some new event occurs and some new discussion arises. For thirty years or more the servants were forbidden through exhortations and counsels from contention, conflict and corruption. Nevertheless neither government, nation nor people are content, imagining that there is an intent to cause corruption. Every fair-minded person has testified and continues to testify, and every person of insight has acknowledged and continues to acknowledge, that corrupt matters and reprehensible deeds have been forbidden to such a degree that they are killed but do not kill, they endure but do not inflict, they hear but do not speak.

Yet not one fair-minded person exists before the government to speak a word and inform the authorities. Although even if something were said perhaps no one would listen, if hearing is found then surely by God’s grace speech will also be found—the capacity of ears creates utterance and expression. This evanescent servant beseeches and hopes from God, exalted be His glory, that He will aid the rulers and learned ones of the earth to hearken to the blessed word of truth. Verily He is powerful over all things. There is no God but Him, the Mighty, the Beauteous.

As for what was written about Aqa Muhammad-Baqir, upon him be the Glory of God (Baha’u’llah), from the people of Naj mentioning Aqa Muhammad-Ali from the people of Riz—when this detail was submitted He said:

“O Zayn! We make mention of him who was named Muhammad before Baqir and give him glad tidings of God’s grace and favors, and We counsel him to steadfastness and to that which befits the Cause of God, the Lord of the worlds. We send greetings from this station upon him and upon the faces of those who have held fast to the cord of their Lord’s grace, the Mighty, the Powerful. And We make mention of him who was mentioned, who was named Muhammad-Ali, that he may rejoice and be of the thankful ones. Blessed is he who has turned to the Supreme Horizon, acknowledged the unity and singleness of God, recognized what was hidden and attained what was mentioned in His perspicuous Book. And We make mention of him who guided to the Path and caused him to hear that for which ears were created to hearken unto. Blessed is every guide, every hearer, every doer, and every one who has arisen to serve the Cause of God, the Lord of the worlds. O Muhammad before Hashim! Remind the people with wisdom and utterance lest the whisperings of Satan prevent them from God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.”

End quote.

Praise be to God, all three attained. This servant conveys greetings to each one and begs confirmation and seeks success for them from God, exalted be His glory. And concerning what was written about Hasan, upon him be the Glory of God (Baha’u’llah), and his wife, when submitted He said:

“O Hasan! We have made mention of you and do mention you and We beseech God to ordain for you the good of the hereafter and this world, and to decree for your wife that which benefits her and what He loves for her. Verily He is the Protector of those who do good, male and female. We send greetings from this station upon them both and upon those who have adorned their temples with the ornament of godliness. Verily the Wronged One makes mention of whoever has turned to the Supreme Horizon and loves whoever has loved God, the Lord of the worlds.”

End quote.

And furthermore, they wrote that mention had been made of Aqa Muhammad-Mahdi—may the glory of Baha rest upon him—one of the people of Kh-w, and that they had implored divine favor on behalf of certain souls in that land. These matters were laid before His presence; whereupon He said:

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

O Mihdi! Thou hast been mentioned in such wise that the fragrance thereof shall never cease to perfume creation throughout the duration of utterance. We beseech God—exalted be He—to forgive thee, thy parents and thy spouse. Verily, He is the All-Forgiving, the All-Merciful. He heareth and seeth. Verily, He answereth the prayers of all who supplicate Him. He forgiveth whom He willeth through His grace, and ordaineth as He pleaseth. He is the All-Powerful, the Almighty.

We make mention of him who is named Iskandar and counsel him to be trustworthy among all people and to observe that which God hath revealed in His perspicuous Book.

We make mention of Ali-Akbar of Kha and counsel him with that whereby the Cause of God, the Lord of all worlds, may be exalted.

O Muhammad-Hasan! The Wronged One remembereth thee from His prison and counseleth thee to be steadfast in the Cause of God, the Lord of all beings. We beseech Him to aid thee to act in accordance with His commandments, He Who is the Strong, the Ancient of Days.

O Hasan! Hearken unto the call of the Wronged One. He hath testified and doth testify to the oneness of God, exalted be His glory. He hath ever been sanctified above the mention of aught else but Him and exalted above whatsoever hearts and minds can comprehend.

O Ali! The Wronged One maketh mention of thee with that which will draw thee nigh unto God. Hold fast unto the cord of His sure and extended grace.

O Mirza! Have you recognized and turned towards Him? Say: How can I recognize Him Who cannot be known except to the extent decreed? I testify that there is none other God but Him. He created me, sustained me, and taught me that which every veiled learned one hath failed to comprehend.

Praise be to God! May each of these souls who have been mentioned act in accordance with that which will cause the exaltation of His Cause, the glorification of His Word, and the sanctification and detachment of His servants from all that God loveth not.

As to what was written concerning Aqa Mirza Habibullah, upon him be the glory and favors of God, who had sent a letter about those who have set out for the Most Great Goal through the guidance of Aqa Shaykh Muhammad, upon him be the glory and light of God, this matter was presented, as was the petition from Ja’far, upon him be God’s grace. His word, may our souls be a sacrifice for Him:

He is God—exalted be His station, might, power, grandeur and majesty!

O beloved! Your mention hath been and continues to be remembered before the Wronged One. Some time ago, a reply was sent to that which thou didst submit. In all cases, We beseech the Self-Sufficing One to aid thee. Ja’far’s letter arrived and was presented by this servant. Convey on behalf of the Wronged One greetings and salutations, and say: O Ja’far! Thy letter was received and that which flowed from thy pen in praise and glorification of the Goal of the world was heard. We beseech God to aid thee to accomplish that which today conduceth to the exaltation of His Word and the refinement of souls.

We have made mention, and continue to make mention, of the friends in that land. All are remembered and inscribed in the Tablet. We counsel all to observe trustworthiness, chastity, sincerity and faithfulness. We beseech God to aid them all to perform good deeds and eschew evil, and likewise to adorn them with the ornament of unity. The world is illumined through unity and concord, and laid waste through discord and dissension. O friends! Know ye the value of these days and with utmost love, fellowship and wisdom, remind the servants, that perchance they may turn to the supreme horizon through the fragrances of utterance and hold fast unto the divine commandments. Peace and glory be upon you and upon those who have guided you, caused you to recognize, and made you to hear.

This servant hath written the aforementioned utterances as commanded, to be sent to his honor Aqa Mirza Habibu’llah, upon him be the Glory of God. They have arisen and girded up their loins to serve. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, to manifest through them that which will cause the Word of Unity to be upraised amongst the believers. Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

Mention was made of his honor Aqa Siyyid Husayn. When presented before His countenance, He said:

“Blessed is he and his father. We counsel him to perform deeds purely for God, the Lord of the worlds.”

The adornment of the youth of the people of unity hath been and ever shall be obedience to divine laws and the good-pleasure of parents. May his honor Husayn, upon him be the peace of God, be aided. This servant beseecheth God to adorn him with the ornament of His good-pleasure.

To his honor, the cherished friend Aqa Siyyid Muhammad-ʿAli and his son, upon them be the Glory of God, I convey greetings. Praise be to God, they have not been and will not be forgotten.

Section 2: “The sister of him who hath ascended…”

The sister of him who hath ascended to the Supreme Companion, upon him and her be God’s forgiveness, mercy and loving-kindness, was mentioned, and this exalted word was revealed from the Source of bounty: We beseech God, blessed and exalted be He, to forgive her, adorn her with the greatest bounty, and cause her to enter a paradise whose breadth is as the breadth of heaven and earth. Blessed are she and her brother. God’s mercy, their Creator and Fashioner, hath preceded them.

Through his honor Aqa Muhammad-Isma’il, upon him be the Glory of God, regarding his brothers—they have attained acceptance. Happy are they and we.

The supplication of his honor Aqa Muhammad, upon him be God’s peace and loving-kindness, was read in the presence of His countenance. He said:

“We have heard that which the Tongue of the Wronged One spoke before thee, and We beseech God, blessed and exalted be He, to grant thee that which He hath ordained. Verily, He is powerful over all things and worthy to answer.”

Praise be to God, they have attained unto that which the friends of God have ever yearned and hoped for. This servant and your honor must beseech God, exalted be His glory, to aid His friends to preserve that which hath been granted. The Cause is mighty; at every moment one must seek divine confirmation. Verily our Lord, the Most Merciful, is the Near One, the Hearer, the Answerer.

Mention was made of His honor Darvish-i-Samad in the presence of His Countenance. He said:

“We make mention of him from the prison and counsel him with that which will manifest man’s station in the realm of possibility. Exalted is the All-Merciful Who created him and taught him utterance as a token of His grace, and He is verily the All-Bountiful, the Generous. O Samad! We have heard thy mention and have mentioned thee with that whereby the sincere will perceive the fragrance of love and affection. We beseech God to enable thee to do that which shall profit thee in this world and the next. He is verily the Forgiving, the Merciful. Baha enjoineth all to eschew desire and biddeth them observe righteousness and piety and that which God hath revealed in His Manifest Book.”

And regarding the mention he had made of Aqa Muhammad-Hasan, his uncle, He said:

“His mention hath been and is before the Wronged One. Praise be to God, they have attained unto that which was recorded and inscribed in the divine Books. He should beseech the True One, exalted be His glory, for that which is the cause of steadfastness and firmness. O Muhammad-Hasan! Say: Glory be unto Thee, O Thou in Whose grasp are the reins of all things! I beseech Thee by Him Who conversed with Thee on Sinai, and by Thy Preserved Tablet, and by the mysteries of Thy Book, to ordain for me that which shall profit me in this world and the next. Verily Thou art the Lord of all beings and the Lord of the Throne on high and of the dust below. There is none other God but Thee, the Almighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.”

Let them persevere with this blessed passage. God willing, the closed doors shall be opened and whatsoever is beneficial for them shall appear from the horizon of His Will. Let them act with the utmost wisdom in that land and speak with moderation. “Speak unto all men…” etc., as was previously stated. This servant also conveys greetings to them and seeks their success.

And regarding what was written about a letter received from His honor Aqa Muhammad-Hasan-i-Khayyat, upon him be the Glory of God, praise be to God he is favored with divine grace. Some time ago he wrote a letter to this servant; a detailed reply has been written and God willing will be sent. Likewise in that letter and in a Tablet given to one of the emigrants, expressions of loving-kindness and favor regarding him were recorded and inscribed. We beseech God, exalted be His station, to enable him to attain the blessing of pilgrimage. On behalf of this evanescent one, convey greetings, praise and glorification to every soul who intends to make the journey.

And likewise mention was made of His honor Aqa Mihdi (from the people of Rasht), upon him be the Glory of God. He hath been and is remembered before His Countenance. Praise be to God, he standeth firm in service and uttereth the mention and praise of the Peerless Friend. After presentation He said: “O Mihdi! Upon thee be My peace and My glory. The Wronged One hath heard thy call and remembered thee before and at this moment. Blessed art thou for having fulfilled thy covenant and pledge and cast away idle fancies, turning unto the horizon of certitude. We beseech God, exalted be He, to preserve thee and assist thee and give thee to drink of the choice wine of steadfastness. He is verily the All-Bountiful, the Generous.

“O Muhammad-Qabli-Hasan! We have made mention of thee and of him whom thou didst mention. Convey My glory unto him. We have heard his mention and perceived from it the fragrance of My love, the Mighty, the Wondrous.” Convey the greetings and salutations of the Wronged One to all thy friends and relatives. In these days mention of you hath also flowed from the Pen in other places. We beseech God to protect thee and grant thee the good of this world and the next. He is verily powerful over all things.

Another of His autograph letters, adorned with the date of the second of Safar, arrived and was presented before His presence. He said:

“O Zayn, thy mention is accepted and thy praise approved. We beseech God, exalted be His glory, to aid thee in all conditions in that which is conducive to the honor of His friends and the abasement of His enemies. The people of unity are encompassed and the ungodly encompassing. All Islam must gather together and with the utmost humility and supplication turn unto the Self-Sufficing Lord. They must free their eyes from inflammation with the drops of the water of fairness, purify their hearts and breasts with the Kawthar of trust in God and detachment, and likewise deliver their tongues from the mention of aught else, seeking salvation, nobility and glory from God, exalted be His glory. Perchance they may be delivered from the abasement that hath befallen them and strive during their remaining days to make up for what hath escaped them, exerting mighty efforts.”

As for thy mention of His Holiness the Name of God (66), upon him be all Glory (9), multiple letters from him arrived and responses were issued, but this servant hath not yet succeeded in dispatching them. God willing, they will be sent these days. Praise be to God, he is successful in service and engaged in the refinement of souls. I beseech God, exalted be His most great glory, to aid His Holiness at all times, to assist his utterance and strengthen his wisdom. Adherence to wisdom is most necessary. We beseech the Most High to aid us in holding fast to its cord and clinging to its hem.

And as for what thou didst write regarding Aqa Mirza Habibu’llah, upon him be the Glory of God (66, 9) and His favors, that he had sent a letter mentioning the believers, including Muhammad-Sharif and describing his steadfastness and service—this detail was presented before His presence. His words, may our spirits be sacrificed for Him:

In the Name of the Merciful, the Compassionate

O Muhammad-Sharif! The Wronged One hath heard thy call and answered thee from the precincts of His Most Great Prison. We have called all unto God and counseled them to righteousness and piety. Among the people are those who turned away, those who denied, and those who pronounced judgment against Us without any proof from God, the Lord of the worlds. We desired light for them; they desired fire for Us. Thus was the matter decreed. Verily thy Lord is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. Blessed is the servant who is adorned with the ornament of fairness and speaketh with justice. He is indeed among the people of unity in the Book of God, the Exalted, the Great. Blessed art thou and blessed is he who heard the call and acted according to what was commanded by the Ancient Ordainer. We beseech God to aid thee in His remembrance and praise, and to enable thee to serve His manifest Cause. And We beseech Him to forgive thy father and those for whom thou didst seek forgiveness. Verily He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.

And We make mention of him who was named Muhammad-Sadiq, who desired to detect the fragrance of the Bayan from the garment of God’s favor, the Lord of all religions. Blessed is the face that turned, the heart that advanced, and the temple that was adorned with the robe of fairness in this Cause, through which every person of insight hath testified to the unity of God, the Lord of the seen and the unseen, and the Lord of the glorious Throne. We beseech God to make him steadfast in the service of His loved ones and eloquent in His beautiful remembrance.

And likewise a youth named Imam-Ali sought favor. This matter was presented before His presence, and He said:

“O Ali! Thy mention hath been made. Praise be to God, thou hast attained unto that which most are deprived of. We counsel thee to steadfastness and faithfulness, and We beseech God to grant thee the good of the hereafter and of this world. Verily He hath power over all things.”

Concerning what was written about Ali Haydar, mentioned by Nayib Ali Akbar Bey, upon him be the Glory of God, it was presented before His Presence. A wondrous and exalted Tablet was specifically revealed and sent for him—forward it to the honored Bey to be delivered to him. The mention of the honored Bey has been and continues to be before His Presence. The Glory be upon him and upon those who have recognized the oneness and singleness of God. This servant conveys greetings and praise to them and to Ibn-i-Nur, upon them be the Glory of God.

It was mentioned that Aqa Muhammad-Ali, upon him be the Glory of God, returned from Aintab as commanded. The people of Aintab had expressed satisfaction with him. After this was presented, He said: The friends of God should, in whatever place they enter, cause joy to be manifested upon their arrival and sadness upon their departure from that city, that land, that air and its people. O Zayn, if you meet him, mention on behalf of the Wronged One that he acted according to what he was commanded upon his departure from there.

Likewise, mention Abul-Qasim. God willing, may all be assisted to perform goodly deeds and display praiseworthy conduct. This servant also conveys greetings and praise to them and all the friends, and beseeches assistance for all. His Holiness Ismu’llah Al-Asdaq, upon him be the Most Glorious Glory, was mentioned. Well is it with him.

Regarding the inquiry about Huquq, how much should be paid on nineteen mithqals—God’s ordinance has been set at nineteen percent. Calculate accordingly and it will become clear what amount applies to nineteen. It was also asked whether, if it exceeds nineteen, it must reach another nineteen or if the excess is also subject to Huquq. Whatever exceeds nineteen is not subject to Huquq until it reaches another nineteen.

As commanded, write to Nun and Jim that wherever divine Huquq remains unpaid, they should collect it and send it to Jinab-i-Amin or Jinab-i-Samandar, upon them be the Glory of God, obtain a receipt, and report back so that action may be taken according to His will. In these days, some in various regions have fallen into great hardship, including the families of the prisoners who are both in debt and face delays in their daily sustenance. May God assist all to pay the Huquq. Since affairs are dependent upon outward means, this command has come from the All-Wise Commander, that those who act according to what they were commanded in the Book may benefit from it. Glory, praise and exaltation be upon you and upon God’s sincere servants, and praise be to God, the Lord of the Worlds.

The servant 9th of Rabi’ul-Avval 1302

Regarding sending someone for the matter of the garden, God willing, what was written before will be carried out. If it be from another land, there is no harm in it.

BH01129: Praise be unto that Most Desired One, whom neither…

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

Praise be unto that Most Desired One, whom neither the doubts of the learned, nor the insinuations of the turbaned ones, nor the might of the world, nor the oppression of nations could prevent from His purpose or deter from His Will. At a time when the arrows of the enemies were flying like rain from all directions, the Tongue of Grandeur was speaking the blessed words “There is none other God but He, the One with power over what is and what has been.” How many were the transgressors and the deniers who arose to harm Him and issued decrees for the shedding of His most pure blood. Nevertheless, the ocean of grace surged with utmost waves, and the sun of loving-kindness shone with perfect radiance and brilliance. His mercy has preceded all, His favor encompasses all, His Cause prevails. Exalted be His Cause, glorified His grandeur, and mighty His sovereignty. There is none other God but Him.

Glory be unto Thee, O Thou through Whose Name the heavenly table was sent down, the bounty was made manifest, mercy preceded all, and the rains of utterance poured forth from the heaven of knowledge upon all who dwell in the realm of possibility. I beseech Thee by the mysteries deposited within Thy Most Great Name, and by the lights of Thy countenance, O Lord of eternity and Sovereign of nations, to assist Thy loved ones to remember and praise Thee, and to act in accordance with what befits Thy days. Then protect them, O my God, from the influences of the oppressors and the might of the transgressors who cast aside Thy laws, clinging to their own desires when the Dawning-Place of Thy Revelation appeared.

O Lord! Thou seest Thy servant Nabil, the traveler, in the hands of the tyrannical among Thy servants. I beseech Thee, O God of Names and Creator of heaven, to assist him in all conditions to serve Thee, to make him a champion of Thy Cause, and steadfast in carrying out what Thou hast willed through Thy sovereignty. There is none other God but Thee, the Mighty, the Exalted, the Great.

Thereafter, the letters of that spiritual beloved arrived one after another, each bearing witness to that beloved’s love, acceptance, steadfastness and service, and from every letter thereof wafted the fragrance of humility, such that the people of the realm of wisdom perceived it and received their portion. Verily, He does not allow the reward of the doers of good to be lost. By the life of our Beloved and your Beloved, every word that has flowed from the pen of that steadfast, firmly-rooted, and upright friend has testified and continues to testify. And one letter from that spiritual beloved arrived in these days; after its reading and review, it was taken to the presence of the Lord of Creation, and after permission was granted, it was presented before His face. This is what the Tongue of Grandeur spoke, exalted be His utterance and mighty His station:

He is the Helper, the All-Knowing

O Nabil, O Traveller! That which hath befallen thee is witnessed by the Lord of the world, and that which hath proceeded from thee hath been adorned with the ornament of acceptance, inasmuch as His mercy hath encompassed all things and the sun of His grace hath shone forth from the horizon of the heaven of His bounty, manifest and resplendent. For thee there is a station with thy Lord—be thou assured and be of them that render thanks. Be not grieved by any matter. Thou art under the gaze of the True One and art related unto Him. By My life! God hath created the earth and its treasures for thee and for them that are like thee. Grieve not for that which hath passed.

The ornaments of the world have ever been, and shall continue to be, worthy only of heedless and ornate souls. By the Sun of grace which shineth from the most exalted horizon of the world, resplendent and manifest: there are treasures laid up for thee with God which no thief can reach and no oppressor can find. Verily thy Lord is He Who informeth, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. God willing, thou shalt be assisted to accomplish that which We commanded thee after thy request in Our presence. The glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of My bounty be upon thee and upon them that are with thee and upon them that love thee for the sake of God, the Lord of the worlds.

Praise and gratitude be unto Him for having mentioned you, and made you know Him, and taught you His straight and manifest path. This servant beseecheth God—exalted be His glory—to aid that beloved one in all conditions. He verily hath power over whatsoever He willeth. From the last two letters, immeasurable grief was perceived. After presenting them again, they said: O servant in attendance, write to his honor the Traveller, upon him be My glory: God’s bounty hath been and shall ever be with you. With the utmost joy and fragrance, and with trust and assurance, hold fast unto that which hath been commanded. Verily thy Lord loveth thee and is with thee in all conditions. Glory be upon thee and upon thy children and upon them that are with thee and have believed in God, the Lord of the worlds.

Yet again when present in the Most Holy Court, mention of you was repeatedly made by the tongue of the Lord of Names, and the sun of bounty and favors rose resplendent and manifest. I beseech God to cause that beloved one to attain unto all that beseemeth His grace and generosity. Verily He is the Protector of whosoever loveth Him and the Helper of whosoever turneth unto Him, and He is the Concealer, the Forgiver, the All-Bountiful, the Compassionate, the Generous. Unto his honor the son, upon him be the glory of God and His bounty, I convey greetings and salutations. God willing, may he be assisted to serve his Lord and to remain steadfast in His Cause. The world shall soon perish and pass away, and that which endureth and lasteth is the bounty of God—exalted be His glory—towards His loved ones, which hath been and shall ever be. Blessed is he who hath attained unto His bounties in His days and hath drunk the choice wine of reunion from the hands of His bestowal. Glory and praise and exaltation be upon you and upon them that are with you and upon those who have heard and answered their Lord, the Speaking One, the Trustworthy. And praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

BH00787: Praise be to God Who hath enabled us…

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

Praise be to God Who hath enabled us to acknowledge His oneness and singleness, guided us to His path, blessed us with His bounties, sent down unto His Prophets His Books and Scriptures, and caused them to speak that He is the First and the Last, the Manifest and the Hidden. And peace and blessings be upon His Mystery and the Mystery of His Mystery and His Mystery veiled by His Mystery and His Mystery adorned by His Mystery, Whom He hath established as the station of His Manifestation in the world and caused to speak that which attracted the peoples who were illumined by the light of unity and attained the recognition of God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy. And upon His family and companions through whom the All-Merciful was revealed unto all creation and through whom the springtime of divine knowledge appeared amongst religions—upon them be the blessings of God, His peace, His mercy and His favors.

Thereafter, may my spirit be a sacrifice for your honor. The servant hath been blessed with your letter and found therein the fragrance of springtime. We beseech God to make it manifest in the most evident manner and to transform the thirst and heat of the earth through a complete, generous, manifest and all-encompassing watering, that thereby the countenance of the world, its beasts and its birds may be gladdened.

O God of Names and Creator of Heaven! Though we are unworthy of the wonders of Thy generosity and bounty, and undeserving of Thy mercy and favors, I beseech Thee by Thy Most Beautiful Names and Thy Most Exalted Attributes, and by the cry of those who yearn for Thee in the wilderness of separation, and by the call of Thy lovers in all regions, to have mercy upon the birds of the wilderness and desert, and the beasts of the hills and mountains. Verily, Thou art the Self-Sufficing, the Most High. There is none other God but Thee, the All-Forgiving, the Most Generous.

When I was blessed to read it, I presented it before His Presence. He—may my spirit be a sacrifice unto Him—said:

“O Muhammad Mustafa, upon thee be My peace! This is the day wherein is heard from the tongues of all things: ʿHelp us! Help us! O Lord of Days and Master of mankind!’ We beseech Him, exalted be He, to send down from the heaven of His bounty upon His servants that which befitteth His grace. Verily, He is powerful over all things and worthy to answer prayers. Peace be upon thee and upon those who are with thee.”

End.

As for what your honor mentioned regarding sending one letter and withholding the other, after presenting this He—may my spirit be a sacrifice unto Him—said:

“Well hast thou done. We testify that thou hast acted with wisdom, and We counsel thee to do so in all circumstances.”

And We make mention of the guest—We have read her letter. We beseech God to preserve her and assist her in that which He loveth and is pleased with.

And We make mention of Abdul-Wahhab and counsel him to steadfastness and to that which hath been commanded in the Book of God, the Lord of the worlds.

And We make mention of Shukrullah and those with him who have acknowledged the oneness and singleness of God. We send greetings upon him and them from this station, and We beseech God, exalted be He, to ordain for them that which will exalt their names among His servants and their remembrance in His lands, and to record for them the reward of what they have intended in His path. Verily, He is the All-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.

And We make mention of Ali and his brothers from whom We found the fragrance of return unto God and their sincerity toward Him. We beseech Him, exalted be He, to grant them success and draw them nigh unto Him, to ordain for them the good of this world and the next, and to assist them in steadfastness. Verily, He is the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous. There is none other God but He, the Most High, the Most Great.

And We make mention of Yusuf and counsel him to goodly words, goodly deeds, and virtues through which the station of man becometh manifest in creation. O Yusuf! We have heard thy call and make mention of thee, and We beseech Him, exalted be He, to grant thee success and ordain for thee that which will gladden thy heart. Verily, He is the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous.

O Muhammad Mustafa! Upon thee be My salutation! We have made mention of those whom thou didst mention in the letter thou didst send to this Servant who is present before Me. We desired to make mention of the physician, upon whom be My salutation, who sent various books. We have, as a matter of wisdom, withheld Our Pen from replying to him. The days do not warrant the sending of letters to that place. Vain imaginings have seized most of mankind. By God! They are in a wondrous sleep. We desired mercy and rest for them, yet they desired torment for Us. I make complaint of My grief and sorrow unto God, the Lord of all beings.

O physician! Upon thee be My salutation! We have read thy letters and understood their contents, and We have read the letter of My Afnan wherein mention was made of thee. In days such as these, We have abandoned speech and chosen silence, lest there appear that which would raise the clamor of every remote ignorant one. We make mention of God by night and by day, while the people fabricate against Us that which their desires command them. Know ye that they are among the heedless. We beseech God to aid His servants unto pure sincerity and unto acting in accordance with what hath been sent down in My perspicuous Book. They have said that which hath caused the dwellers of the realm of fidelity to lament and the people of this noble station to cry out. We send Our greetings to My loved ones and counsel them with that which will exalt their stations, and We beseech God to assist them in doing good. Verily, He is the Hearer, the Answerer.

We make mention of Abdullah. His letter was previously presented and read by the Servant who is present. We have made favorable mention of him. We beseech God, the Lord of the Throne and earth, to make him speak His praise, to be enkindled with His love, and to hold fast unto that which beseemeth the people of divine unity in these days wherein the smoke of hatred hath risen from all sides and the righteous are in great distress. The wicked have made the great city—and by this We mean in this instance Alexandria—a target for their cannons, whereat eyes have shed tears, hearts have been troubled, the sacred valley hath lamented, and the Hijaz hath cried out. O Abdullah! It behooveth thee and every believer who hath believed in God and His signs to beseech your Lord, the All-Merciful, by night and by day, that He may bring forth that which hath been stored away and raise up the people of divine unity through His bounty, generosity and favor, preserve them from the evil of His enemies, and grant them victory from His presence. He is the All-Powerful, the Strong, the Triumphant, the Almighty.

O Abdullah! Thy letter was previously presented. We read it, made mention of thee, and prayed to God for thee. We beseech God, exalted be He, to aid thee to be steadfast and to that from which the believers perceive the fragrance of thy sincerity unto God, the Lord of the worlds. We send Our greetings unto thee and thy son, and We beseech God to send down upon you both a blessing from His presence. Verily, He is the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous. As for what thou didst write concerning inheritance, We beseech Him to assist thee in all good and every righteous deed. Verily, He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He pleaseth, and He is the Mighty, the Wise. The End.

Praised be God that in every moment the Pen of loving-kindness, bounty, counsel, admonition, wisdom and benefit is in motion. This evanescent one begs of his Lord, the Eternal God, the Everlasting One, Who sent down the Seven Verses unto His Beloved, to protect His loved ones and His party, and to aid them to act in such wise as would immortalize their remembrance through His grace and favors. Verily, He is the Generous, the Bountiful.

I convey my greetings to my beloved, his honor the Physician, upon him be 96 [Baha’u’llah] and His blessings, my remembrance and salutations. I beseech God, the Lord of earth and heaven, to assist his honor to achieve that from which every person of discernment would perceive the fragrance of service to the Cause in that beloved and praiseworthy station.

I send greetings to the honored friend, Jinab-i-Aqa Mirza ʿAbdu’llah, and I pray for his health, well-being and service. I send greetings to the Leaf [Mihman] and to her guest, Jinab-i-Shukru’llah, and I beseech God to assist him to remember and praise Him, and to draw him near unto Him. Verily, He is the Hearing, the Responding One.

I send greetings to the believers among the people of certitude. Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

May peace, radiating, manifest and shining forth from the horizon of the heart, be upon you, upon the pupils of eyes, upon your family, upon those who are with you, and upon God’s righteous servants.

The servant 28 Rabi’u’l-Avval 1302

BH11165: O Lord of Hosts and God of all existence!…

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

O Lord of Hosts and God of all existence! I beseech Thee by the bearers of Thy throne and by the loftiness of the heaven of Thy loving-kindness, that Thou mayest send down from the clouds of Thy grace a blessing upon Thy loved ones. In Zion hath Thy call been raised, and in Jerusalem hath Thy throne been established. I implore Thee to assist the heedless to recognize the Dawning-Place of Thy Revelation and the Dayspring of Thy unity….

BH02365: Praise be to God, the Eternal, the Everlasting…

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

Praise be to God, the Eternal, the Everlasting, the Single, the One, the Endless, the Self-Subsisting. He hath taken no partner in His dominion. He is the Truth, there is no God but Him. He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He pleaseth. And peace and blessings be upon His Beloved, His Chosen One, His Manifestation and His Appearance among His servants and creation, through Whom was revealed the decree of the “B” and “E” and every hidden command and treasured secret, and upon His family and companions who arose to aid Him and strove in God with true striving until the verses were spread throughout the lands.

And then, may my spirit be a sacrifice for your remembrance, O beloved of my heart! The mention of the believer in God and the one assured of His signs, who became known as “the imprisoned one” among the friends, hath been left out. This hath caused me such grief that neither pen nor tongue can describe. The servant beseecheth his Lord to forgive his great sins and mighty transgressions, and seeketh pardon from the Lord, from your presence, and from him. Verily this evanescent one mentioned him before the Face when your letter arrived containing his mention and writing. He—may my spirit be his sacrifice—said that he should recite this prayer:

He is the Powerful over all things through His word “Be” and it is!

Glory be to Thee, O Lord of all beings and Educator of all created things! I beseech Thee by Thy chosen ones and Thy loved ones, and by those who bear the throne of Thy grandeur and whom Thou hast made the repositories of Thy mysteries, the treasuries of Thy knowledge, the dawning-places of Thy revelation, the daysprings of Thy guidance among Thy creatures, and the manifestations of Thy signs in Thy dominion, to ordain for me through Thy Most Exalted Pen that which shall profit me in the next world and in this. O my Lord! I am the sick one who hath turned toward the ocean of Thy healing, the ignorant one who hath hastened to the sun of Thy knowledge, and the needy one who hath set his face toward the sea of Thy riches. I beseech Thee by the Manifestations of Thy Self and the hidden gifts of Thy bounty to send down for me that which is best for me. I am the ignorant one and Thou art the Knower of my heart. Thou knowest what is within me while I know not what is with Thee. There is no God but Thee, the Powerful, the Ordainer, the Forgiving, the Merciful.

The Lord hath commanded me to write to your honor that you should send in full what was sent to you, and this prayer which is now being sent to your honor. We beseech Him, exalted be He, to grant your honor the good of this world and the next, though verily He, glorified and exalted be He, had already answered before it occurred to my mind or yours. Then the servant presenteth expressions of sincere submission, humility and lowliness before the presence of the honored Afnan and the two luminaries—upon them be the peace of God, the Lord of all names and Creator of heaven. And I send greetings upon your honor and upon the apples of the eyes and upon the brothers there and upon your family and those who love you, and the mercy of God and His blessings.

The servant 1 Rabi’u’th-Thani 1302

BH00121: The one God knows that heart, pen and tongue…

Section 1: “The one God knows that heart, pen…”

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

The one God knows that heart, pen and tongue have ever cherished the mention of the friends of God, especially those beloved ones whose remembrance has been deposited in the heart. The multiplicity of affairs and the exigencies of the days have caused that I trouble that loved one less frequently, yet whatsoever was previously mentioned was presented before the Throne and an answer was sent.

Concerning what you wrote about the honored beloved, His Holiness Nabil of Qa’in, upon him be the Glory of God the Most Glorious—wherever he may be, may God be his helper. We hope he will ever gaze upon this blessed verse which was revealed in his Tablet. His blessed and exalted Word: “It behoveth thee to speak forth today that which will set ablaze the hearts and cause the bodies of those who have turned towards God to soar.” And in another place His exalted Word: “Be thou like an artery pulsating in the body of creation, that through the heat generated by this motion there may appear that which will quicken the hearts of the hesitant.” And in yet another place His glorified and mighty Word: “Be thou a promulgator of God’s Cause with an utterance which will cause fire to burn in the trees and will make them proclaim: ʿThere is no God but Him, the Mighty, the Self-Subsisting.”’ And in one place, concerning the conditions of the people of Baha who arise to serve the Cause, He says, His mighty and glorious Word: “They must not look at what they possess, but at what God possesseth. They must not be attracted by what benefiteth themselves, but by that which will cause God’s Cause to be exalted.”

As to the second matter, concerning what you wrote about Haji Khalil, upon him be the Glory of God and His favors—permission for his journey was previously sent. And concerning what they said about submitting the mentioned sum with the utmost joy and fragrance—excellent is what he hath done for God, our Lord and the Lord of the worlds. In truth, this matter was among his blessings, that immediately upon its mention it was adorned with the ornament of acceptance. Well is it with him! As for his nephew, permission for his journey was previously bestowed and was not contingent upon a second mention—the sun of permission rose with perfect clarity. These matters were again presented before the Presence. This utterance was revealed from the Kingdom of the All-Merciful, His Word, exalted be His grandeur:

“O Samandar! Upon thee be My Glory! Convey My greetings to Khalil, upon him be My Glory, and gladden him with the lights of the Sun of favor of the Lord of all beings. Blessed is he and blessed is he who hath turned to the All-Informed One.”

Likewise was Karim mentioned in the Most Holy Court, and from the Speaker of Sinai the word of permission appeared and shone forth. Give them both glad tidings from Me and remind them of My verses.

The third matter was presented before the Countenance. This is what was revealed in response:

“O Samandar! Convey greetings from the Wronged One to the honorable consort of the late Khan, upon them both be the Glory of God. Their services in the path of God have not been and will never be forgotten from view, and have been recorded by the Most Exalted Pen in the Most Sublime Book. God willing, may they attain to that wherefrom the fragrance of divine good-pleasure shall be eternally wafted throughout the kingdom of earth and heaven. What they sent arrived—He with Whom is God’s Book, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy, beareth witness to this.”

End. This servant conveys greetings and salutations to that leaf, upon her be the Glory of God and His favors. May God grant them success and confirmation.

And as to what was written concerning the branch, it is most clear that the branch follows the root. When the root is reached, surely the branch is reached as well. Perfect grace from the Most Exalted Horizon hath been manifested toward that leaf. Some time ago, a Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablet was specifically revealed and sent to her. God willing, may she be counted among those whose faces the whisperings of the men and women who join partners with God cannot prevent from the Most Exalted, Most Wondrous Horizon.

And concerning what you wrote about A.B., all that that beloved one hath done is most excellent in the view of this servant. God willing, perhaps it may be the cause of his awakening. I beseech and implore God, exalted be His glory, to aid him in abandoning that with which he hath been afflicted. Verily our Lord is the All-Powerful, the Almighty. Perhaps after abandonment a new spirit may be breathed, for the Sun of Grace shineth and gleameth in such wise that one cannot despair of any matter or from any direction. Exalted be His grace, magnificent His bounty, and all-embracing His mercy.

And concerning what you wrote about Aqa ʿAli, upon him be 966 [Baha’u’llah], son of His Holiness Haji Nasir who, as God beareth witness, was martyred in His path—this was presented before His countenance, and one Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablet was specifically revealed and sent for him. Deliver it unto him. Verily, He is with whosoever is with Him. The station of His Holiness Nasir, upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God, is great in the sight of God. Blessed be he! Again blessed be he! Again blessed be he!

Mention was also made in the Most Holy, Most Exalted presence of his brother, Aqa Fadlu’llah, upon him be the Glory of God. This is what was revealed for him from the heaven of the will of our Lord, the All-Bountiful. His word, exalted be His glory:

He is the Truth, the Knower of the Unseen

O Fadlu’llah! Verily grace hath encompassed you. His favor hath been bestowed and His mercy hath preceded. Verily your Lord, the All-Merciful, is the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous. His Holiness Nasir, upon him be the Glory of God, was imprisoned for God’s sake and ascended in the path of God. He is mentioned before the Wronged One among the martyrs. I swear by the Luminary shining from the horizon of the Prison that he was given that which all who are on earth are powerless to reckon. Blessed is he! Blessed is he! He is among those whom the doubts of the divines, the might of princes, and the clamor of the ignorant could not prevent from the Lord of Names. He abandoned extinction and sought immortality. The various transient colors did not keep him back from the Dawning-Place of the Light of Oneness. Ye must all walk in his footsteps. Give thanks to God, exalted be His glory, that ye are of him and related to him. His station with God is most great. The Glory be upon thee.

We have heard before Our Throne your communication regarding the handmaiden and consort of the departed Abdul-Hamid, upon him be the Glory of God. We have not until now given permission to property owners to sell. However, since that leaf is saddened by this matter and is concerned about the encroachments upon that property, in this case its sale is necessary, for We desire that leaf to be free and unburdened, occupied at all times with the remembrance of the Creator of existence. Earthly possessions are transient, their owner transient, their possession transient—but the grace of God endures, His favors endure, His remembrance endures, His generosity endures, His verses endure, His evidences endure. Blessed is the one whom transient affairs do not hinder.

However, matters must be arranged such that no ill-feelings arise with others, as this is closer to righteousness and piety. If Sa’d is, God willing, truly sa’d (fortunate), he will not be content with that which opposes justice, and even if he be at the level of Mercury, he is still with Sa’d. We beseech God to grant him success and not deprive him from the ocean of His knowledge. Convey My greetings to that leaf and say: Be not saddened by such matters. What is befitting and worthy today, adorned with the ornament of permanence, is the remembrance that hath been revealed from God. Praise be to God that thou hast attained thereunto. And regarding her desire to attain Our presence, give her glad tidings of her Lord’s favor. We have made the word to take the place of the deed, and have accepted it from her as a bounty from Us. Verily thy Lord is the All-Bountiful.

After what transpired in the Land of Ta, certain matters have arisen in this land as well, and in previous years that which was revealed specifically for this land became known to some of the friends. In some Tablets He says, exalted be His glory: “The outer is calm while the inner is turbulent.” For this reason permission is now withheld, but through His boundless grace this intention has been accepted even before its execution. Well is it with her.

And concerning that which you inscribed regarding His Honor Aqa Hasan-ʿAli—upon him be the glory of God—this was submitted to the Most Sanctified and Inaccessible Court. This is what hath been revealed for him as a bounty from Our Lord, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. Thus saith He, exalted be His glory:

He is the All-Seeing, the All-Knowing

Mention is made of the Wronged One concerning him who hath turned his face toward the Divine Countenance and heard the call of God, the Overshadowing, the Self-Subsisting, and hath attained unto His recognition, whilst the inhabitants of earth have remained heedless of Him, save those whom God, the Sovereign of sovereigns, hath willed. We have heard thy mention and have made mention of thee, and in this hour have We revealed for thee that whereby hearts are dilated. We beseech God that He may confirm thee in steadfastness upon His command and ordain for thee that which He hath ordained for His chosen ones. Verily He is the Overshadowing Lord over all that was and shall be. Give thanks unto God for that He hath enabled thee to turn toward Him, and hath revealed for thee that from which honored servants shall inhale the fragrance of the robe. We exhort thee to steadfastness and to that whereby the Cause of God, the Lord of Hosts, is exalted. Glory be upon thee and upon those who have held fast to the cord of the Cause, detached from idle fancies and vain imaginings. End.

And this is what hath descended from the heaven of bounty for His Honor’s brother, who was named by the name of the Desired One. Thus saith He, glorified and mighty:

He is the Dayspring from the horizon of the heaven of Manifestation

O Husayn-ʿAli! Thy name is most beloved, and indicative of thy path. This is a name at which the joints of the ungodly tremble and the hearts of the transgressors are troubled. Through this name hath the standard of unity been raised, and by it hath the banner of oneness been hoisted to the most exalted station. Thy mention hath been made, and these verses revealed as a token of grace, that thy heart may rejoice thereby and thine eyes be solaced. Hearken unto the Voice of the Wronged One. Hold fast unto that which is the cause of everlasting salvation and the source of perpetual bounty. The vicissitudes and changes of the world are two most mighty proofs of its transitoriness. We beseech God to protect thee and aid thee in that which will exalt His Word. The cause and means of exaltation are goodly deeds and praiseworthy character. He, exalted be His glory, hath been and will ever be self-sufficient. He hath neither desired nor doth He desire dominion, riches, sovereignty or realm. One deed performed for God’s sake is better than all the wealth of the world. Know thou this and be of them that are steadfast.

Say: O my God! Praise be to Thee for having enabled me to recognize Thee. I beseech Thee by the light of Thy countenance, the fire of Thy Cause, the mysteries of Thy Book, and the pearls of the ocean of Thy knowledge, to aid me in that which Thou lovest and art pleased with. There is no God but Thee, the Most High, the Most Exalted, the Lord of the Throne on high and of earth below.

Praise be to God! Both have drunk from the cup of bounty and received their full portion from the ocean of God’s remembrance. God willing, they shall in all conditions hold fast unto the Self-Sufficing Lord. Their mention was also made before in the Most Holy Court.

Concerning the mention of Aqa Mulla Yusuf-ʿAli, upon him be the Glory of God, which was made, it was presented before the Most Holy and Most Exalted Court. This is what was revealed for him from the heaven of bounty and favor. His word, exalted be His glory and mighty His utterance:

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

O Yusuf! Reflect upon the days when one named Joseph was imprisoned, and likewise when he was cast into the well. Consider also Abraham, the Friend of God, and the dedication of the Sacrifice at the place of offering. Behold what befell the Spirit of God, and observe attentively. Likewise consider the Seal of the Prophets, may the spirit of all else but Him be sacrificed for His sake, and the Herald, the Point of the Bayan, may the spirit of all in the Kingdom be sacrificed for His sake, and what befell Him is not remote. Most have heard and some have witnessed that which came to pass upon the Point and the company of the Prophets and Messengers.

It hath been the cause of the exaltation of God’s Word, the promotion of His Cause and its diffusion. Every person of insight beareth witness that the loss hath been with the oppressors, and the profit with those holy and pure souls. Reflect upon the Twin Lights, namely the two martyrs, and Kazim. By the life of God! None hath been or is capable of reckoning the profit of their trading in God’s path. To this testify honored servants who have been given insight from God, the Lord of what was and what will be. Reflect upon one named Mihdi and those who were with him. Did that which befell them in God’s path cause abasement and loss, or was it the cause of the exaltation of the Word, the elevation of stations, and true profit?

The days of every soul shall pass away and come to an end. Blessed are they whom these fleeting days have not debarred from the everlasting Kingdom. Know thou with absolute certitude that thy imprisonment in God’s path hath been the cause of thy freedom and the exaltation of thy station with God. Account not this supreme bounty as small. By the life of God! It is most great and glorious. Be on thy guard, for the devils are seen lying in wait. Say:

Glorified art Thou, O my God! I beseech Thee by Thy grace through which the gates of knowledge were opened to all who dwell in the realm of possibility, and the breezes of Thy bounty wafted, and the rivers of Thy mercy flowed, to protect me from the mischief of Thine enemies who plot against Thy Cause and lead Thy servants astray. Thou, verily, art powerful to do what Thou willest. There is none other God but Thee, the Mighty, the Omnipotent.

Thou didst desire to attain Our presence, but in these days it is not permitted, for the whisperings of the transgressors and deniers have to some degree spread to these regions. We beseech God to aid thee in His remembrance and praise and in service to His firm and wise Cause. The servant in attendance here hath conveyed that wherewith thou didst call upon God, the Lord of the worlds. Blessed is the servant whose call hath been heard and for whom the verses of God, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed, have been sent down. Hold fast unto goodness and cleave to the hem of righteousness, as bidden by God, the Lord of all men. He, verily, is the Commander, the Mighty, the All-Praised.

Mention thou the loved ones of that land on behalf of the Wronged One and convey His greetings. In these days all are remembered before His countenance, for His Trustee, upon him be My glory, hath mentioned the loved ones of God in his letters, especially Afnan and His Honor A. and H., upon them be My glory and loving-kindness. Blessed are they whose remembrances, names and petitions have been presented before His countenance. Although the fruits of these deeds remain hidden due to the land’s unpreparedness, all are preserved in God’s treasury. He will soon reveal them in truth. He, verily, is the Just, the Wise. Not a single letter’s reward has been or will be lost.

Section 2: “Thou didst mention His Honor Siyyid Hashim. We…”

Thou didst mention His Honor Siyyid Hashim. We make mention of him and those who have believed in God, the Single One, the All-Informed. Blessed is the one whose strength was not shaken by the allusions of the divines and the doubts of the theologians. They arose and proclaimed:

“God is our Lord and the Lord of all who are in the heavens and on earth.”

We beseech God to sanctify the eyes of His servants from the blindness of self and desire, that they may behold the effulgences of the Sun of Truth.

Moses came and gave the people glad tidings of His manifestation, yet when Christ appeared, all turned away. The Jewish divines who for years were occupied in their temples with the praise and glorification of the Lord of Names, and were likewise awaiting the days of His appearance, all arose in rejection and protest, to such extent that the hand of mercy bore Him to heaven. Today the people of the earth must ponder upon the previous Manifestations—what caused all the Prophets, Messengers, sincere ones and near ones to suffer at the hands of enemies. The Cause of the Qa’im—may our souls be a sacrifice for Him—was greater than all, and His tribulations more severe, for it was foretold that the most exalted among creation would flee from His word. Yet none became aware or understood the purpose.

O Hashim! By the mighty Name of God, rend asunder the veils of allusions and the coverings of doubts—a rending whose sound the denizens of the Kingdom will hear. This Wronged One speaks for the sake of God: though most princes and divines have been and are in opposition, this Prisoner has arisen to manifest God’s Cause and to reveal that which He was commanded, and continues to this day with His pen alone to stand before the world and all peoples, speaking that which He was bidden and will continue to speak. The might of the rejectors and the clamor of the deniers have not and will not deter Him. Know thou the station of these days and arise to make up for what hath escaped thee. Say:

Glorified art Thou, O my God and the God of all in the world! I testify that I was heedless of the wonders of Thy remembrance and the mysteries Thou hast manifested in Thy days, in such wise that mine ears attained not unto the shrill voice of Thy Most Exalted Pen, and mine eyes beheld not the effulgences of the lights of Thine All-Glorious Horizon, until these days arrived wherein my heart, my sight, and my hearing were stirred with longing to hearken unto Thy most exalted Word, O Lord of all beings! Now dost Thou see me turning unto Thee, hoping for the wonders of Thy bounty and favors. I beseech Thee not to disappoint me from the ocean of Thy knowledge. Verily, Thou art the Generous, the Bountiful.

We make mention in this station of him who was named Ali-Akbar, who hath believed in God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. Blessed art thou and those who have acknowledged that which the Tongue of Grandeur hath spoken—that there is none other God but Him, the Single, the One, the Mighty, the Loving. We have mentioned thee out of Our grace, and We mention thee out of Our loving-kindness. Give thanks unto thy Lord, the King of Kings. Convey My greetings unto the faces of My loved ones there and give them the glad-tidings of My mercy and My grace, for I am verily the All-Bountiful, the Protector of what was and what shall be. That land hath been named Paran in the presence of the Desired One. Blessed is it and blessed is he whose letter hath come before Us in these days. We shall soon answer him and his father and those who have believed in God, the Lord of existence.

O Joseph! Give thanks to the Beloved of the world Who hath mentioned thee, and likewise the souls mentioned in the letter. We make mention of thy father and thy brother. We seek forgiveness for them both and We beseech God to forgive them and to ordain for them what He hath ordained for His devoted servants. We counsel them to be steadfast in this mighty Cause. Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds. End.

Praise be to God! Upon each of the souls mentioned the rain of mercy hath descended—a rain whose flow shall never cease, for it hath descended from the heaven of God’s grace. O beloved of my heart! On behalf of this ephemeral one, convey greetings and salutations to his honor Mulla Yusuf-ʿAli, upon him be 95 [Baha’u’llah]. It is incumbent upon all to remember and respect those who have suffered tribulations in the path of God, who have heard the taunts of the heedless, who have been imprisoned, and who have witnessed signs of wrath and anger from hostile faces. Even if some of them committed unseemly acts in prison, one should seek forgiveness for them, for in times of tribulation and hardship some cannot maintain their normal state—errors inevitably occur. However, verily our Lord is the Forgiving, the Generous, and He is the Pardoner, the Concealer, the Compassionate, the Kind, the Merciful.

The servant beseecheth his Lord to protect all through His bounty, mercy and loving-kindness. Verily, He is the Most Merciful of the merciful ones and the Most Generous of the generous ones.

And regarding the mention of his honor Aqa Mirza Mihdi and his honor Mashhadi Ali, upon them be the glory of God, it was presented before the Face. This is what was revealed for them from the heaven of our Lord’s will, the All-Informed. His words, exalted be His majesty and mighty be His proof:

He is the All-Knowing Speaker

O Mihdi! Remember Me amongst My servants. We have remembered thee before and after, and have revealed for thee that from which all who have the sense of smell can detect the fragrance of My loving-kindness, My care and My mercy, which have preceded all who are in the heavens and the earth. Be thou vocal in My praise, soaring in My atmosphere, serving My Cause, and holding fast unto the cord of My loving-kindness. I am, verily, the All-Commanding, the All-Knowing.

Thou hast been beneath the glances of thy Lord’s loving-kindness, as attesteth He with Whom is the perspicuous Book. The Glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of My loving-kindness be upon those who entered the prison for My sake and left it through My love, the Mighty, the Inaccessible.

O Ali! Upon thee be My mercy! Verily, We have mentioned thee in diverse stations and do mention thee at this hour. Be thou thankful and numbered with them that praise. Say: O my God and my Lord! I beseech Thee by the lights of Thy countenance, the pearls of the ocean of Thy knowledge, the manifestations of Thy grace, the Dawning-Place of Thy revelation and the Dayspring of Thy signs, to make me steadfast in Thy Cause and voiced in Thy praise amidst Thy creation, through the wisdom Thou hast sent down in Thy Books. Verily, Thou art the Omnipotent over whatsoever Thou willest. There is none other God but Thee, the Mighty, the Great.

This servant conveyeth greetings, glorification and salutations to each one, and beseecheth God, exalted be His glory, to adorn all with the ornament of steadfastness and the crown of submission and contentment.

As for the mention of the beloved of the heart, Aqa Muhammad-Javad and his kindred, upon them be the glory of God and His favors, it was presented before the presence of the Lord of Manifestation. Each one hath been blessed with the lights of the Sun of the mention of the Most Great Name. His is the praise and bounty in all conditions. After wondrous utterances and resplendent favors, the Tongue of Grandeur spoke this most exalted Word. His word, exalted and mighty be He: O Javad! Upon thee be My Glory! The Wronged One remembereth thee and hath remembered thee before in such wise as hath borne witness before the faces of the world to the permanence of the dominion and the Kingdom. The Lord of nations beareth witness to this. Thank Him for this most great favor, then preserve it through My Name, the Omnipotent, the Mighty. We, verily, glorify and send Our greetings from this station upon thee and upon them that are with thee and thy kindred. Verily thy Lord is the All-Remembering, the Compassionate, the Generous.

The favors and kindness of the Goal of the world’s desire toward them are truly beyond this servant’s mention. The servant beseecheth his Lord to aid him in serving the Cause as He strengthened him in the early days, and to write down for him from His Most Exalted Pen that which beseemeth His all-embracing bounty, His all-encompassing grace, and His pre-existing mercy. Verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, is the Hearer, the Answerer.

Likewise, mention was made of the cousins, especially Aqa Abdul-Baqi, upon him and them be the everlasting glory of God. It was presented at the Most Holy, Most Exalted Court. For each one particularly did the sun of grace and favor rise. The servant testifieth that they have attained unto the bounty and bestowal of our Lord. O beloved of my heart! Ye have witnessed the waves of the ocean of favor and beheld the effulgences of the Sun of grace. There was and is no need for mention by this evanescent one.

And as for the mention made of my beloved, Jinab-i-Ibn-i-Abhar, upon him be the glory of God and His favors, after it was presented in the Most Holy, Most Exalted Court, the Tongue of Grandeur spoke this word: O Samandar! Upon Ibn-i-Abhar be My glory! He hath ever been mentioned before the Face and regarded with the glance of favor. My name Mihdi, upon him be My mercy and My favors. Likewise hath Jinab-i-Amin repeatedly made mention of him in his petitions. Blessed is he and his father and his mother and those who are with him in this Cause whereby the thoughts of the nations were scattered, the structure of the world was shaken, and the hearts of those servants who broke the Covenant on the Day of Return were perturbed.

We send greetings to the friends of the land of Za, both men and women. Indeed, We have sent down verses unto them before, and in these days We have sent down unto them as a bounty from Our presence, that they may give thanks unto their Lord, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy. O people of Za! Rejoice in the favors of your Lord, the Most Glorious. He maketh mention of you from the Most Sublime Horizon in such wise as nothing can equal. He is verily the Compassionate, the Forgiving, the Merciful. God willing, may ye be enkindled with the fire of the love of God—an enkindlement which neither the oppression of the aggressors nor the ascendancy of the tyrants can quench. Take ye the chalices of prosperity in the name of God, glorified be His majesty, and drink, in spite of those who cast them behind their backs. These are days of joy, for the Beloved of the world and the Most Great Name is established upon the throne [of manifestation]. Speak ye in His Name, drink ye in remembrance of Him, and be ye occupied with His mention. Associate with one another and with all people with the utmost joy and fragrance, wisdom and utterance. Be ye never heedless of wisdom in any situation.

O son of Abhar! Upon thy father and upon thee and thy mother be My peace and My loving-kindness and My mercy. Remind My loved ones of that which We have sent down unto them from the Kingdom of My Will and the Heaven of My favor, and I am verily the Compassionate, the Kind, the Generous. This servant conveyeth greetings and salutations to them and to the friends of that land who are enkindled with the fire of the love of God and illumined with the light of the knowledge of God, and I express my utter powerlessness and nothingness, and I beseech God to grant them the blessing of attaining His presence. Verily, He is powerful over all things.

As for the mention of Himmat-Ali Khan, upon him be the Glory of God and His favors, his mention hath ever been made in the Most Holy and Most Exalted Court, and my beloved, the Trustee, upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God, hath repeatedly mentioned him in his letters which he hath sent to this servant. In these days, one Most Holy and Most Glorious Tablet hath been specifically revealed for him and was given to the beloved of the heart, His Holiness Haji Mirza Haydar-Ali, upon him be the Glory of God and His favors, to be forwarded, for he too hath repeatedly made mention of him in the Most Holy and Most Exalted Court and hath sought special favors for him from God, exalted be His glory. Praise be to God, he hath attained unto that which is befitting in this day. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, and hope that He will manifest that which He hath ordained. Verily, He is powerful over all things.

At this time I was summoned into the Most Holy and Most Exalted Presence, and after attaining the presence, the Tongue of Grandeur spoke these words:

“O servant in attendance! We wish to make mention of Samandar, upon him be My glory, and those who are with him, both male and female, young and old. O servant in attendance! Although the kindred of Samandar have been and are mentioned in the Most Holy and Most Exalted Court of the Lord of Destiny, We now desire to outwardly adorn them with the ornament of the Most Glorious Remembrance. Blessed are ye, O My handmaidens and leaves of the Tree of My love! Praise ye the Desired One of all worlds Who caused you to attain and aided you in that which most of the women of the world and the queens of the earth, despite their waiting, seeking, longing and yearning, remain veiled from. For years they followed vain imaginings and ran to churches and mosques in remembrance of the Friend, yet when the light of certainty dawned, they remained heedless and veiled. O Samandar! Convey My greetings to all the souls of that household, male and female, young and old, on behalf of the Wronged One, and gladden them with the favors of God, exalted be His glory. All have been and are under the shadow of His grace. Through divine love they have attained a great station. They have never been and will never be absent from His sight. They must be grateful for this great bounty and appear with the utmost joy and gladness. Blessed are they and happy are they.”

This servant also conveys greetings and salutations to each of the honored ladies and delight of the eyes. I beseech God to assist all His loved ones in that land to remain firm, steadfast and resolute in such wise that should all the world gather together and speak contrary to what God has ordained, they would regard them all as bubbles on the surface of water with no permanence. This indeed is the meaning of steadfastness that has been revealed in the Tablets from the Pen of God, both before and after. On one occasion these exalted words were heard from the Tongue of Grandeur:

“O servant in attendance! Whosoever has, in the name of the Self-Subsisting, drunk from the Sealed Wine must fix his gaze solely upon the Supreme Horizon. This is the station of true unity. In this case, even if all souls who consider themselves assured, enkindled, firm and steadfast should, God forbid, turn away, no doubt would enter his mind nor would any misgiving seize him. Rather, he would find himself more firmly rooted, more steadfast, more powerful and more triumphant.”

This indeed is the station of steadfast souls. Those who are moved by every wind and changed by every word were not and are not worthy of this court. This servant and that Beloved One must pray that He may not deprive His loved ones in that land and other countries from the splendors of the Sun of Unity. Verily, He is the Hearer, the Answerer. Glory, praise, spirit and laudation be upon you and upon those with you and upon those who were attracted by the call of their Lord, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. And praise be to God, the One, the Single, the Individual, the Self-Subsisting, the Powerful, the Strong, the Triumphant, the Almighty.

The servant 4 Rabi’u’th-Thani 1302

BH01767: Verily He speaketh the truth before, during, and after…

…Verily He speaketh the truth before, during, and after imprisonment. From his poems, the stages of yearning, longing, submission and contentment are manifest and evident. It is as though every vein in his body and every strand of his hair were bound by the chain of love and made fast to the Most Great Handle of divine love. Praise be to God that despite the hardships of imprisonment and the cruelties of the son, they remained ablaze with the fire of love, such that might caused no fear and power brought no hindrance. In the midst of tribulation he held fast to the Lord of Names and placed his trust in Him. Sufficient is that which the Pen hath spoken in his praise. The Command is God’s, the Lord of eternity….

BH03970: Praise be to God Who hath made us among…

Praise be to God Who hath made us among those who are assured of Him and of all that proceedeth from His presence, and Who hath enabled us to recognize His Self…

…Again, after reading the letter that was sent to the beloved one Mirza H and Sin—upon him be the Glory of God, Lord of the worlds—I became more troubled, for the heart seeks pretexts to find a way to begin again and again expressing praise, glorification, longing and yearning. They had mentioned news which is in my heart and which I cannot help but express: that on this blessed day, the 12th of Safar, from His Honor Aqa Mirza Asadu’llah—may my spirit be sacrificed for him—a telegram addressed to His Honor Aqa Ghulam-Husayn—upon him be [the Glory of God]—arrived stating:

“All the stored goods have been completely removed from storage, and this glad tidings has caused such joy and delight that I especially cannot contain myself in my clothes; my soul dances to the melody of the Beloved’s word.”

Indeed you are right, for from this incident the power and favor of God, exalted be His glory, is clear and evident. Although for the steadfast and firm ones this is not and was not anything new, yet it waters the new saplings—that is, it assists them—and that water is the water of His all-encompassing mercy. We hope that all on earth may attain to this mercy and partake of your joy in the Cause of the Lord of Names and enter upon your path, that is, the path of divine love.

BH05829: Your mention hath been made before the Wronged One…

He is the Hearing, the Answering!

Your mention hath been made before the Wronged One in His Most Great Prison, and He hath answered thee with that which hath caused the musk of inner meanings to waft among the peoples. Blessed is he who hath found and given thanks, and woe unto him who hath remained heedless and turned away.

Say: O people! This is the Book of God which hath been sent down in truth, would that ye might read it. This is the Call of the All-Merciful which hath been raised through grace, would that ye might hear it. This is the Countenance of your Lord, the All-Merciful, would that ye might behold it. By God! The shrill voice of My Pen hath been raised up, and the rushing of the winds of My mercy, and the flowing of the waters of My loving-kindness which have encompassed all existence.

Say: O concourse of the earth! How long will ye follow vain imaginings and idle fancies? Open your eyes! By God! The Sun of the Cause hath dawned from the horizon of the will of your Lord, the Mighty, the Loving. Cast aside your ignorant divines, turning unto God, the One, the Single, the All-Subduing over what was and what shall be. That which ye possess will profit you not this Day—He Who possesseth the Preserved Tablet doth testify to this.

Thus hath the Dove of Knowledge warbled upon the branch of utterance, as a command from the Lord of the Unseen and the Seen. And We make mention of Our loved ones there, and give them the glad-tidings of God’s mercy and His favor on this blessed Day and in this praiseworthy station.

BH06382: O peoples of the earth! The Most Great Name…

He is the Dawning-Place from the horizon of the world

O peoples of the earth! The Most Great Name hath come, calling you unto the Supreme Horizon. Fear ye the Lord of all beings, and be not of the heedless ones. This is the Day wherein the letters Ha’ and Ba’ cry out between earth and heaven, and the Dove of Divine Knowledge warbleth upon the branch of utterance, yet most of the people are sunk in slumber. Take heed lest the threats of the wicked frighten thee. Leave them to themselves, awaiting what God hath promised in His perspicuous Book. Heedlessness hath seized all the inhabitants of earth save whom God, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed, hath willed. O Joseph! We made mention of thee before in a Tablet that beareth witness before all existence to the perpetuity of God’s kingdom, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy.

And at this hour We remember thee in this resplendent and manifest Tablet. Grieve not over anything, for He is with whoso hath turned unto Him. God shall soon reveal in the earth the stations of them that are firmly rooted. Rejoice in what hath flowed from the Most Exalted Pen. Beware lest the affairs of the world occupy thee or the imaginings of the doubters hold thee back. They that have turned away shall soon find themselves in manifest loss. The glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of My grace be upon thee and upon them that have believed in the One, the All-Informed.

BH06327: Hast thou heard the Path speak? Say: Yea…

He is the Straight Path!

Hast thou heard the Path speak? Say: Yea, by my Lord! He hath appeared in truth and speaketh at all times, saying: “There is none other God but Me, the Single, the All-Informed.” Hast thou seen the Balance walk? Say: Yea, by the Self of God, the Lord of all worlds! Verily He hath appeared in truth and summoned all to His luminous horizon.

The Hour hath come and its signs are manifest, yet most of the people remain heedless. Such heedlessness hath seized them that they have cast God behind their backs, clinging to the idle fancies and vain imaginings they possess. Say: O people! Fear God and deprive not yourselves of this mighty grace. This is the Day wherein the ocean of utterance hath surged and the fragrance of the All-Merciful hath wafted, yet ye remain asleep. Arise in the name of your Lord, the King of Names, from the slumber of passion, then turn towards the Most Exalted Horizon that ye may hear what Moses heard in the wilderness of knowledge, and be not of the wrongdoers. Say: Thus doth the Most Exalted Pen teach you—act as ye have been commanded and be not of those who turn aside. The glory shining from the horizon of My Sacred House be upon thee and upon those who have held fast to My mighty cord.

BH07593: The Divine Being declares: At all times have We…

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

The Divine Being declares: At all times have We made the servants aware of that which draws them near and benefits them. The intent is that the diverse and ephemeral colors of the world should not deprive the peoples from the everlasting bounty and heavenly sustenance. Say: The Day of Return is manifest and the Mother Book speaks without veil or concealment that which will guide all from poverty, weakness and vain imaginings to the horizons of wealth, power and certitude. O thou who hast turned to My Kingdom! Observe what God, exalted be His glory, hath willed and what the people have done and continue to do. We call them unto God but they call Me to their desires. Verily they are among the companions of the Fire. My Glory be upon you and upon those who are with you in this Cause through which the horizons have been illumined and every clear matter hath been made manifest.

BH08568: O ʿAli! Upon thee be Me glory. Today…

He is the All-Commanding, the All-Wise!

O ʿAli! Upon thee be Me glory. Today the eye of justice is blind and the hand of tyranny upraised. We have guided them with the light of guidance, yet they point to the fire of error, and their call leadeth but to perdition. Although the fragrance of springtime is clearly distinguished from autumn, and the scent of the rose is manifestly different from all else—His signs are not hidden from those possessed of vision, and the Greater Perspective is not concealed, and the sweet breezes of His days are not to be confused with aught else—nevertheless the people have forgotten the Day and have turned away from that which is with God, cleaving to that which is with them. The True One, exalted be His glory, with power remaineth patient, and with utterance silent. Well is it with thee, for thou hast been faithful to God’s Covenant, the Lord of all worlds. Glory be unto thee, inasmuch as thou hast inhaled the fragrance of My robe, and hearkened unto My call, and hast testified to that which the Tongue of Grandeur hath testified in My mighty prison.

BH08749: At this moment, from the rustling of the morning…

He is the Eternal, Who passes not away!

At this moment, from the rustling of the morning breezes, this clear remembrance hath become manifest and apparent: Verily God sufficeth His loved ones, and maketh their good deeds in this Cause a treasure for them, and preserveth it through the hosts of revelation and the hands of power. We have heard thy mention and have remembered thee, and have revealed for thee that which the hands of centuries and ages shall fail to alter. We beseech Him, exalted be He, to assist thee and confirm thee in that which will cause thy mention to be exalted among the righteous ones. The world and whatsoever is therein shall pass away, and that which hath been revealed from the Supreme Pen shall endure. He Who possesseth the knowledge of the Book beareth witness unto this. The glory shining forth from the horizon of the heaven of grace be upon thee and upon him who hath heard and responded.

BH10364: In the name of Him Who is the Ever-Watchful…

In the name of Him Who is the Ever-Watchful, the Near One! Say: Glory be to Thee, O Thou through Whose Name the hidden Secret and the treasured Symbol were made manifest! I beseech Thee by the mysteries of Thy Most Great Name, and by the lights of Thy countenance, O Lord of eternity, and by the knowledge which no highest consciousness of contingent beings nor loftiest manifestation among created things hath comprehended, to make me one of the Hands of Thy Cause among Thy creatures, that I may arise to serve Thy Cause and make mention of Thee with wisdom and utterance in Thy kingdom. Thou, verily, art the One Who hath power over whatsoever He willeth, and in Thy grasp are the reins of all things. There is none other God but Thee, the Possessor of all names and Creator of the heavens.

BH03223: How excellent is God’s helping hand which, after centuries…

How excellent is God’s helping hand which, after centuries and ages, delivered His Holiness from prison through His all-encompassing power and overwhelming might!…

Mention was made of Haji Muhammad-Husayn resident in Egypt and Haji Muhammad-Husayn resident in Tiflis, upon them be the Glory of God, and other friends of God, upon them be the Glory of God. All these matters were presented before the countenance of the Lord of Eternity. His word, mighty and glorious:

In My Name, the Wronged One

O party of God! Upon you be His glory and His favors. My Name hath remembered you, and We make mention of you with that which draws the hearts of them that are nigh. Blessed are they who have attained unto the divine Word and divine remembrance. O party of God! Hold fast unto the cord of unity and concord, and aid the Wronged One through the hosts of goodly deeds and virtuous character. Know ye the worth and station of this time, for by My life, it hath no like nor peer. Ages and centuries circle round these days. Beseech ye God—exalted be His glory—that He may aid you to become the cause of guidance to humanity. Peter was a fisher of fish, yet became the leader of the world and guide of nations.

Abu Dharr was a shepherd, yet became the cause of enlightenment for the people of learning and wisdom. Know ye your worth and recognize your station. The might of the world and its oppression and tribulations are but for a day or two, while that which is with God hath ever endured and will continue as it hath been. While time remaineth and breath endureth, expend it in service to the Cause. By God’s life! This is that word of counsel which deserveth to adorn the frontispiece of the Mother Book. Glory be upon you and upon those who support you, guide you, cause you to know, make you to hear, and upon those who have quaffed the wine of steadfastness from the hand of the bounty of their Lord, the Generous.

Praise be to God, all have attained and been honored and adorned through the grace of God, exalted be His glory. We beseech God that He may cause a river to flow from each one and aid them through mysterious means. Although the friends of God in these days have attained more than what hath been mentioned—they have attained both His remembrance and His days—this station is most exalted. God, exalted be His glory, is witness and testifier….

And all that thou wrote separately regarding our spiritual beloved Ibn-i-Abhar, upon him be the glory of God, the Lord of Destiny—all of it was presented before the Desire of all worlds. This is what the Tongue of Grandeur spoke forth in the Most Great Prison, His Word, exalted be His grandeur and glory:

He is the Dawning-Place from the horizon of the Prison

A remembrance from Us unto him who hath grasped the cord of God, clung to His robe, uttered His praise, and attained unto service to His Cause, the Unalterable, the All-Wise. O My Name! Upon thee be My glory and My mercy. The honored Ibn-i-Abhar, upon him be My glory, is remembered before the Countenance. Wondrous and sublime Tablets have been revealed concerning him, adorned with the lights of the Sun of divine favor and mentioned in the pavilion of glory. He was created for the remembrance of God, His praise, the proclamation of His Cause, and to arise in His service. He is confirmed and assisted. We counsel him to observe wisdom in all conditions. He must be mindful of wisdom and turn his gaze solely toward the Most Exalted Horizon.

Permission to attain Our presence hath been granted unto him. Previously that honored one had requested this matter. Thanks be to God, he hath attained it. However, so long as he is occupied with service to the Cause and with planting sublime and exalted saplings, there is no harm if his presence at the Most Holy Court be delayed. We have sent unto him that which the treasures of earth cannot equal, and ordained for him that which shall solace his eyes. We beseech God to assist him to preserve what he hath been given from the presence of the Mighty, the Ancient.

We make mention of the people of Z and N who have shattered the idols of vain imaginings, turning unto God, the Peerless, the All-Informed. Blessed is he who hath drunk the choice wine of certitude when its seal was broken through My Name, the All-Compelling over all who are in the heavens and earth.

O Ibn-i-Abhar! Upon thee be My glory. Proclaim on My behalf unto the faces of My loved ones and give them the glad-tidings of My mercy and favor, and remind them of My verses. Say: Beware lest the conditions of creation withhold you from the Truth. Set aside what is with the people in hope of that which is with God, your Lord and the Lord of your fathers of old. You are in your homes while the Lord of Hosts maketh mention of you in the Most Great Prison, when sorrows have encompassed Us from those who have denied My Self and turned away from My straight path. Say: By God! The Light hath shone forth and the Speaker of Sinai hath spoken, established upon the throne of manifestation.

Beware lest your own selves prevent you from this manifest grace. Thank God for having moved My Most Exalted Pen to make mention of you—the Pen that speaketh between earth and heaven. Verily there is no God but Him, the Peerless, the All-Informed. Ye were created for My remembrance and praise, and were commanded to worship none but God, the Lord of the worlds. This is a day wherein the banner of unity hath been raised aloft and the standard of “There is no God but Him” hath been planted upon this sublime station. Take the chalice of salvation in My Name, then drink therefrom despite those who have denied God, disputed His verses, and turned away from Him when He came with manifest sovereignty.

O people of God! Aid your Lord, the Wronged One, through deeds and character. Thus have We commanded you in the Scriptures and Tablets from the presence of an Ancient Commander. The glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of My grace be upon you and upon those who have believed in God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy.

O Ibn Abhar! Upon thee be My glory! Call thou to mind when Abu-Basir departed from the house, adorned with the lights of the Kingdom and speaking forth My gracious praise. He was among those who quaffed the choice wine of steadfastness from the hand of My loving-kindness, in such wise that neither the tyranny of the oppressors nor the veils of the divines could deter him. He forsook the world, turning unto God, the Lord of eternity, until he sacrificed his life in My manifest and luminous path. We make mention of him who was named Ashraf. By the life of God! At this hour, through Our remembrance of him, the Concourse on High, the exalted Paradise, the dwellers of the holy precincts and the Kingdom of glory make mention of him. Blessed is he, and his mother, and his sister, and every maidservant who hath hearkened unto the call and answered her All-Knowing Lord.

Convey My greetings to all the loved ones in that land on behalf of the Wronged One. Say: Today the Kawthar of utterance floweth from the right hand of the throne of the All-Merciful, and the choice sealed wine hath appeared and circulated through the name of the Self-Subsisting. The pure water of Paradise existeth and the Object of the world’s desire is present. Deprive not yourselves. With the utmost endeavor and effort, beseech God, exalted be His glory, that He may enable all to attain that which beseemeth His Day. All things, from the sands of the desert to the trees, leaves and fruits, even stones and clay, all are engaged in glorifying and extolling God, exalted be His glory.

This Day hath no peer or likeness, for the true Bestower hath appeared and through His appearance the world hath been adorned with the springtime of inner meanings. Observe ye and reflect upon the handiwork of the peerless Creator. Be not saddened by the tyranny of the oppressors, the veils of the heedless, the clamor of the divines, and the turning away of the jurisprudents. God will soon reward you with the best of rewards. For each one of you there is preserved with Him a great recompense. All souls, both men and women, who have turned and are oriented toward the supreme horizon, are, through God’s grace, mentioned and recorded by the Most Exalted Pen in the Divine Book.

Rejoice ye in My remembrance of you, then give thanks to your Lord, the All-Merciful, with joy and fragrance, in such wise that the sweet-scented perfume of sincerity may waft from you to God, the Mighty, the Wise.

This servant also conveyeth greetings and salutations to them. Several letters from them have thus far been received. It is hoped that this ephemeral one may be enabled to send replies. The cause and reason for the delay in summoning them, and the blessed word of permission, was that in the days when that honored one was in prison, detailed letters arrived from them. Some were answered and sent, and for one very detailed letter, a response was begun and many pages were written, but due to wisdom in those days and the turmoil in surrounding areas, it was not sent and remains extant. The purpose is that this servant hath been mindful of them in all conditions, and the delays that occurred were due to external circumstances, otherwise they are mentioned in the heart and present before the face. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, to enable them through His special grace to open the doors of hearts with the keys of utterance….

BH01286: Praise befitteth the Beloved of the world…

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

Praise befitteth the Beloved of the world and the Desire of the nations, from whose right and left hands giving and taking are ceaselessly flowing and manifest. He taketh what He giveth, and giveth what He hath taken. Hidden in His taking are a myriad consummate wisdoms, and likewise in His giving. He hath made known the loftiness and sublimity of giving through taking. From the grain that the millstone hath ground upon doth man produce flour—from such travail doth this blessing emerge, and from such hardship doth this ease appear. For this reason have they who are nigh unto God, the sincere ones and they who recognize His unity, resigned themselves to all things and with perfect steadfastness shown patience in whatsoever hath befallen them, inasmuch as He knoweth what we have while we know not what He hath, and He is the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

The letter of that honored friend arrived and was laid before the Throne. Thus did the Tongue of Grandeur speak, exalted be His glory:

In My Name, the Wronged One

O Husayn! Reflect upon the tribulations of Husayn. Outwardly they appeared as afflictions, severe and momentous, yet through them the ocean of mercy surged, the light of recognition shone forth, and the sun of grace dawned. His martyrdom became a support and champion to the resplendent Law of the Messenger of God. His deeds were, in their essence, as the sun in the heaven of the Qur’an, and he was the tender and waterer of the garden of inner meanings. Were but one of the mysteries of tribulations in His path to be mentioned, all would freely hasten to the field and seek martyrdom. Today, whatsoever station thou mayest consider, the Truth standeth manifest therein—whether the station of father or above it or below it.

Let it suffice thee that the Supreme Pen doth in this station console thee and comfort thee, and maketh mention of him who hath ascended. He was adorned with the ornament of the love of God, and was assured and acknowledging through the utterance of the Pen of the All-Merciful. Now doth he dwell in the precincts of mercy, receiving endless bounties. Blessed is he, and blessed art thou, and blessed are they who are with thee, and blessed are they unto each of whom We sent a Tablet from whose horizon shone the sun of thy Lord’s tender mercy, the Gracious, the All-Bountiful. The glory be upon thee and upon him who hath ascended to the Most Exalted Companion and attained unto that which God, the Lord of all worlds, ordained for him.

Thy letter did truly cause complete sorrow, for it bore grievous tidings. God is Our witness that perfect anguish and grief appeared. However, when it was laid before the Most Holy, Most Exalted Presence and brilliant verses were revealed from the heaven of Will, the flames of sorrow were suddenly stilled and the fire of cares was extinguished, nay, grew cold with a coldness that shall never be warmed. For such utterances were revealed in this station from the tongue of the Desire of all things that every soul longed for death that perchance they might attain the like thereof. Blessed is he who hath ascended unto Him. Convey on behalf of this evanescent one greetings and peace to the kindred, and console them.

Another matter is that at the time of your departure, several names were written and sent to the Most Holy Court, and the promise of the revelation of Tablets from the heaven of bounty was manifest, and they were revealed some time ago. This time they are being sent according to the number ten. I beseech and implore God, exalted be His glory, to enable them to reach their destination and to adorn creation anew with a fresh raiment, that they may not be saddened or disturbed by the vicissitudes of time, the hatred of the wicked, the enmity of the divines and the envy of the doctors of law.

At one time this exalted word was revealed from the tongue of the Lord of all beings—exalted be His grandeur:

“O thou who art present! The friends of God are today the recipients of such bounty and loving-kindness as all the pens and oceans of the world are powerless to reckon. They must not be saddened by ephemeral happenings. Whatsoever may occur to their minds or whatsoever their powers of imagination may conceive is [with God], created and present and waiting for His loved ones. Under such circumstances, grief is not permissible. Joy upon joy, gladness upon gladness, delight upon delight, bounty upon bounty is their portion. To this beareth witness He Who hath spoken and speaketh: verily there is no God but Him, the Manifest, the Resplendent, the Single, the One, the Powerful, the Helper. Praise be to God, the Lord of all worlds.”

I hope that if wisdom permitteth, you will convey my greetings to the friends in that land. The yearning of my heart and soul exceedeth all bounds, but in view of the wisdom revealed in the Tablets, it is not permissible to mention names. Glory and praise and greetings be upon you and upon those who have attained unto the Cause of God, the Mighty, the Wise.

The servant 18 Rabi’u’th-Thani 1302

BH05479: This is a Book which the All-Merciful hath sent…

He is the One manifest and speaking in the Kingdom of Utterance.

This is a Book which the All-Merciful hath sent down to him who hath turned unto Him when the Trump was sounded and the Manifestation of the Cause arose with such might that feet did stumble thereby. He hath come with the truth and summoned the servants unto the Dayspring of Revelation. Among them were some who heard and turned away, and some who hastened and said: “Here am I, O Thou Revealer of verses!”

The first to pronounce a verdict against Me and turn away from My Beauty was one of the divines of My time who cast the Book of God behind their backs and rejected the Countenance without any clear proof or evidence. Thus have We adorned the Tablet with the ornament of My Most Exalted Pen that thou mayest thank thy Lord, the Lord of the Final Return.

Blessed art thou and those whom the doubts of the people have not kept back from this Day and who were not veiled by the veils of them that disbelieved in God, the Lord of Lords.

Hold thou fast unto the cord of thy Lord’s loving-kindness, and cling unto His mantle, and say:

“Praise be unto Thee, O Thou Who didst strengthen me to recognize Thee when most of Thy servants had turned away from Thee. I beseech Thee to make me steadfast in Thy love and looking unto Thee in all conditions. O my Lord! Aid me to remember Thee and to praise Thee and to serve Thy Cause. Then ordain for me through Thy Most Exalted Pen the good of this world and the world to come. There is none other God but Thee, the Mighty, the All-Bountiful.”