Volume 076: Akka 1302 A.H. (1884–1885), Part II (1 of 6)

BH00935: Praise be to God! The heaven of love has…

He is God, exalted be His station, the Most Great, the All-Powerful

Praise be to God! The heaven of love has arrived, meaning the letter, and the stars of faith, certitude, steadfastness and fidelity are manifest, resplendent, radiant and shining from its horizons. If it were called an ocean of love, that too would be true, for the shells of its words contained the pearls of inner meanings. It gave strength to vision and joy to the heart. Blessed be the pen and fingers, for though they appear as nothingness, yet a hundred thousand interpretations, explanations and meanings are true of them. The station of the gathering of all gatherings has in truth been with the Word of God in the first degree, and likewise the words that are uttered in praise, glorification, love and fidelity from the tongue of His loved ones—it expresses without a tongue and writes without pen and ink.

Well does it comprehend the mysteries of the lovers. All perfect work is His, for its fragrance shows the way and makes known the destination. His is the praise, His the perfection, His the beauty, His the power, His the grace. And prayers and peace be upon the Sovereign of the Prophets and the King of the Chosen Ones, through Whose face the world was illumined and through Whose bright utterance the horizon of possibility shone forth—He whom God made His Most Great Word the key to unlock the door of knowledge and wisdom—and upon His family, the stars in the heaven of grace and proof, and upon His companions, the standards of victory in the realm of possibility.

Thereafter, your esteemed letter arrived, bringing glad tidings, conveying news, bestowing joy. It was a messenger bearing a thousand messages, a book containing the mysteries of the lovers and the secrets of the people of harmony and the Covenant. In truth, the flame of spirit was manifest from it.

Once, this exalted word was heard from the tongue of the Lord of Names—He said that when the Sun of Unity shed its rays, in each of the hearts of those who had turned to God and were assured, a light became manifest and radiant. And that light was one, for it told of the Sun of Unity and indicated the Orb of Detachment, and in its station it was and ever will be one. Yet from its orientation to each direction, a name becomes manifest, a word becomes evident, and a cloud becomes visible. For example, through its orientation to the means of sight, vision becomes manifest, and through the means of hearing, the power of listening becomes evident, and likewise with each member of the body and each part of the parts. Exalted be His utterance, exalted His proof, exalted His remembrance, exalted His interpretation!

Though your letter was one, it brought manifold wondrous and novel gifts. The rest of the story is yours to tell—it has been read and understood and needs no interpretation, for that would lead to length, and prolongation might cause weariness. After reading, understanding, considering and reflection, proceeding to the station, after presentation He said:

Praise be to God! They are warmed by the Sun of loving-kindness and illumined by the lights of His countenance. The Truth has manifested that which was beyond the comprehension of the mystics and learned ones of the earth, and they too have arisen to serve, beyond the understanding of the people of all lands. We beseech God that He may bring to realization every word that has issued from the mine of sincerity and make manifest from it universal results throughout the earth. He is the Powerful, the Mighty. Convey greetings from this Wronged One to all the friends in that land. The One God is witness that they are mentioned in His presence and are present before His face. The end.

Praise be to God! Although these days are blessed days when fasting is among the binding divine ordinances, and weakness and lassitude are human traits, yet His grace hath bestowed bounties and favors. His Word is not weakened by fasting, nor doth abstinence prevent His work. His is the praise and glory, and His the gratitude and bestowal.

Concerning what was written about Aqa Muhammad Mihdi, upon him be God’s peace, permission is hereby granted according to His command that he may proceed to the prison and thence to whatsoever God willeth and desireth. Give him these glad tidings and convey greetings.

As to what was written concerning the Siyyid and his affairs, what transpired is well known. Those beloved ones have not and will not fall short in such matters. I beseech God to manifest through the Siyyid that which shall cause joy and delight to the friends in those regions.

What that certain person said about the companion of His Holiness Ismu’llah was false and contrary to wisdom. Glory be to God! The friends of God must be truthful, discreet, calm, patient and wise. That false statement was in no way appropriate, but rather departed from the requirements of wisdom. I beseech and implore God to make all aware and grant them knowledge. He is the Powerful, the Mighty.

From all the letters sent by each of the friends of this land, and from the detailed words and multiple letters, the fragrance of the beloved of the heart, His Holiness Muhammad, emanates. Praise and thanks be to God Who exalted the two names and adorned them with the ornament of enduring mention. This person is, in one station, the seal of bounties and the confirmer of hearts. When love takes possession of a place and fills it, no room remains for mention or praise to appear. In short, the heart has been conquered by the hosts of love; there remains no other station for manifestation and appearance.

They sent reed pens. Surely these reeds are superior to those mentioned by Rumi, for those complained of separation while these, God willing, shall tell of nearness, meeting and reunion.

The fragrant flowers sent by the aforementioned one, upon him be God’s peace, arrived. They were both used in his presence at the time of breaking the fast and also given to the friends. A line was sent in reply to his letter which they will deliver, God willing.

I convey greetings to all the friends and masters. All are mentioned and have attained the grace of the Friend. I beseech God, exalted be His station, to grant success to all, bestow blessings, give joy, grant steadfastness, and make all happy through beholding one another. This servant has ever yearned and continues to yearn for meeting the friends of God. Peace be upon you, and the mercy of God, and His blessings.

BH01260: Praise be sanctified above pen and ink unto…

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

Praise be sanctified above pen and ink unto the Lord of the Day of Reckoning, Who befittingly and worthily calleth out on that Day “Unto whom belongeth the Kingdom this Day?” and answereth by His own Self “Unto God, the One, the All-Compelling.” He is the Omnipotent Who brought forth from a Point the Letter, and from the Letter the Word, and from the Word the books of the world. Glorified be His praise and exalted be His knowledge, transcendent be His station! And blessings and peace be upon His Messenger, and upon Him Who standeth firm in His Cause, Who gazeth toward His horizon, Who speaketh forth His commandments and ordinances, Who relateth His most excellent Names and most exalted Attributes, through Whom the celestial spheres revolve and the realm of dust is adorned, and upon His family and companions through whom God’s victory and His Cause, God’s sovereignty and His power were made manifest.

Glorified art Thou, O my God and the Desire of my heart! I beseech Thee by Thy Name through which Thou didst subdue the world and didst distinguish the believers among the nations, to assist Thy servants who have acknowledged the Word of Unity and have recognized what Thou didst command them regarding the signs of detachment which testified to Thy oneness and Thy singleness, and to that which the tongue of Thy power hath uttered in the kingdom of Thy Cause. O Lord! Abandon them not among Thy heedless servants. Aid them through Thy bounty and preserve them by Thy sovereignty. Verily, Thou art the Almighty, the Strong, the Powerful.

Furthermore, in these days all must hold fast unto the truth and be supplicants of His grace, beseeching that He protect the people of unity from the ungodly. This matter is binding upon all. May He change the weakness of this community into strength. He is the Able, the Powerful.

Your letter was received, and the fragrance of love wafted therefrom. Praise be to the Goal of all the worlds that He hath confirmed you in steadfastness and love. Were the True One, exalted be His glory, to grant life and were we to desire to offer thanks for but one of His bounties throughout the duration of His earthly and heavenly kingdom, we would have sought the impossible. Therefore do we grasp the cord of His grace and cling to the hem of His generosity, that He may assist these weak and poor ones in that which is befitting and may enable them in such wise that this evanescent world may neither engage them nor deprive them of His good-pleasure.

After reading and reviewing your letter, We proceeded to the Most Great Prison and details were presented. They said:

“Praise be to God that they are occupied with the mention of God and are firm in His Cause. We beseech God that He may cause him to be steadfast in such wise that the calumnies of the corrupters and the whisperings of the atheists may not withhold him from God, exalted be His glory. O Muhammad-ʿAli! Grieve not over anything. The sorrow and joy of the world are both transient. God willing, thou shalt be confirmed in that which altereth not and shall not be erased from the scroll of names. This Wronged One hath ever besought God, exalted be His glory, for the exaltation, elevation, tranquility and steadfastness of His loved ones. Assuredly His prayer is answered and His call shall receive response, now and in the future. He it is Who hath named Himself the All-Hearing, the Answering, and He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.”

You have ever been mentioned in the prison and continue to be. You should occupy yourself, with complete joy and radiance, and trusting in Him. Verily, He confirmeth whomsoever He willeth through the hosts of strength, power and might, and He is the Exalted, the Unconstrained.

Concerning the matter of partnership about which they wrote, permission was first granted as previously explained, and now it has been referred to the honored Ism’u’llah [Name of God]. He will write you the details. All the gentlemen—may the Most Glorious Glory of God be upon them—have the utmost love for you. Their purpose in mentioning these matters is to protect wealth from the thieves and traitors of the world. For instance, when the honored Mulla Ali—may God’s peace be upon him—received a sum of people’s money in trust to sell in Aleppo and its surroundings, after arriving at his destination, divine decree overtook him and that true bird ascended on the wings of certitude. Immediately the people’s money was seized, and the consul of Aleppo auctioned it off and disposed of it before news could reach its owners and they could claim their property. The actual money disappeared—where is trustworthiness? Where is religion? Where is truthfulness? Where is purity? All these have become as rare as the philosopher’s stone, nay rather, non-existent.

In any case, it is for this reason that they have written what they have written. It is quite clear and evident that whatever you possess, you consider it to be from God. This servant, with utmost humility and supplication, begs that at all times blessings may descend upon you from the heaven of bounty like a torrential rain. He is the Powerful, He is the Mighty. The sent fabric arrived. You have always taken trouble and continue to do so. May God, exalted be His glory, grant you abundant reward. Verily, He has power over all things and is worthy to answer prayers.

BH01941: The more the hope of attaining union grows stronger…

He is God, exalted be His station in greatness and power.

The more the hope of attaining union grows stronger, the more intense becomes the fire of longing. Therefore a strong body is needed to bear it, not this weak one, for this weak one would collapse at the slightest flame. The hearing and the union must occur in a single moment, that perchance the spirit may be granted victories and recall the records of separation, for the more His fire becomes manifest and evident, the more it adds to the rank and station of the Presence of Union, which is the station of the Divine Presence.

Praise be to the Peerless Intended One Who invited and guided all the people of the mortal realm through the blessed word “Pilgrimage to the House is incumbent upon all.” His path is clear and His proof is evident. Reflect upon the power of this blessed word: from the day of its revelation until now, the people of the Covenant from all regions and directions have been and continue to be oriented toward it with utmost longing and yearning. They have borne all afflictions, calamities, hardships, injuries and difficulties of every kind on the path as they hastened toward the Friend. Glorified is He Who guided all to His House and His straight and manifest path. And the prayer dawning from the horizon of His loving-kindness be upon him by whose light the Hijaz was illumined and through whom appeared the decree of the Real and the metaphorical, by which the hidden door and treasured mystery were opened, and upon his family and companions, the banners of guidance and brilliant lights and evident signs and manifestations of oneness among creation—those servants whom God the Exalted described in His words: “honored servants who speak not until He hath spoken, and who do His bidding.”

And further: your sublime letter arrived. In truth it was a messenger from the realm of inner meanings that intended this evanescent one. After its reading and review it was presented before the Face. The Master said:

“We beseech and hope from God, exalted be His Glory, that He will assist them and adorn them with His loving-kindness. May He not withhold the heavenly feast and true bounty from them for a single moment.”

End quote.

God willing, through divine grace they will attain with utmost joy and delight to that which was intended. I beseech and hope from God that He will protect the pilgrims to His House from the heat of summer and other illnesses, for in some years in those regions the air changes due to the actions of the heedless and eventually plague breaks out. In any case, what can I say? I ask God Himself to set things right and enable His servants to do what He loves and is pleased with.

I send greetings to the honored lady, upon her be Baha’u’llah, and Mirza Inayatu’llah and Mirza Aminu’llah, upon them be Baha’u’llah, and the other lady, upon her be the peace of God, and I beseech God, exalted be His Glory, for assistance. I convey greetings to Siyyid Asadu’llah, upon him be Baha’u’llah. God willing, they will attain their goal with utmost joy and fragrance. Regarding the journey of that beloved one and others, it was decided by lot and consent that, in accordance with wisdom, they should travel gradually, for if all travel at once it will not be free of talk. Peace be upon you and upon the servants of God.

BH01305: Praise be to the Goal of the world Who…

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

Praise be to the Goal of the world Who, through the breathings of correspondence, adorns hearts with a new ornament and souls with a wondrous beauty. In truth, letters are divine messengers that arrive from the cities and regions of love, affection, fellowship and unity. We beseech Him that this grace may not be cut off and this bounty may not cease. He is the Bestower Who gave life to the world of acceptance through the Word of Unity, and in the arena of manifestation conquered cities and regions with the swords of power and certitude, and raised the banner of His Oneness over the hearts of those who have turned to Him and the sincere ones. His is the praise and the bounty, His the gratitude and the greatness, His the glory and the mercy. And blessings and peace be upon the Dayspring of His Cause, the Lord of His chosen ones, the Seal of His Prophets, the heaven of His mercy and the sun of His grace, through Whom were opened the gates of the treasuries of mysteries and distinction was made between the wicked and the righteous, and upon His family and companions who, when they heard the call from the direction of the Most Great, arose and said:

“Yea, Thou art our Lord and our God, our Goal and the Goal of all who are in earth and heaven.”

These strove with true striving and aided the Faith of God with true aid.

And further: although thy letter was not Israfil’s trumpet, yet it gave life. This is one of the talismans of the Lord of Glory, exalted be His grandeur. His names have revelations and manifestations. May God grant time that we may ponder His signs and tokens and manifestations and conditions, and clearly and evidently observe the effects of power and might and greatness and exaltation. His grace is greater than what hath been and is mentioned. Sometimes He ordaineth pleasure and delight, at times sorrow and grief, and at times He freeth and detacheth man from both. Indeed, if the drops of the sea could be counted and the sands of the deserts limited, these stations too would be bounded. Who can render thanks by hand or tongue? In all conditions I beseech for thee His aid and confirmation, and likewise for myself, though this too is wrong—man hath no self or self-will. He must be attentive to the Command and arise in service like a corpse in the hands of the washer.

After the letter was presented before His face, He said that although thou art not physically present, thou hast been and art remembered night and day. Thy mention hath been made in His presence. Repeatedly He said: “We sent him when his presence was needed. We considered the desire of the Afnan purely for the sake of God. We beseech God to grant him reward.” And now, according to what was mentioned, they intend to wait for another steamer, and He said that since We have absolute authority, permission may perhaps be granted, but We beseech God that it may not reach the point of “We strengthened them with a third.” God willing, they will return by another steamer.

And concerning what thou didst write about his honor the Hakim—truly he is the manifestation of virtues and the dawning-place of kindness. Virtues are the adornment of the world and the life-giving force of nations, and are in truth the manifestations of the highest Paradise and the most exalted Heaven. If these were to vanish from the page of the world, it would truly become a manifestation of the fire of hell. In any case, this servant praiseth the Goal of the world Who confirmed him in that which hath ever been loved and accepted by God. The grace is in His hands—He bestoweth it upon whomsoever He willeth among His creation, and He is the All-Bountiful, the All-Generous.

Verily this servant sendeth greetings to him and mentioneth him and beseecheth God to make his breaths a lamp unto the darkness of the world and his face a healing to the sick among the nations, and through the ocean of His wisdom to purify chronic and persistent diseases and base and degraded morals. And I beseech Him, exalted be He, to assist his honor with the means of the heavens and earth and to confirm him in what He loveth and approveth. He is the Lord of creation and the Sovereign of the hereafter and the former life, and the Lord of the throne and the earth.

O beloved of my heart! The servant beseecheth God to grant him a mouth as wide as the heavens that he may mention the loved ones of God and His chosen ones and His trustees in His lands, among them his honor Muhammad Mustafa, upon him be mention and praise from God, the Lord of Names and Creator of Heaven. Verily the servant remembereth his honor and doth not forget him—his Lord, to Whom is his return and abode, beareth witness to this. And he sendeth greetings to Husayn, upon him be the peace of God. His honor departed and no further news of him was received. God willing, may all attain true health. Peace be upon him and upon those with him, and peace be upon you and upon those with you.

BH01503: Praise be to God Who hath manifested, revealed, sent…

He is God, exalted be His station, the Most Great, the Most Glorious

Praise be to God Who hath manifested, revealed, sent down and made clear His Revelation, His sovereignty, His verses and His path. And peace and blessings be upon the Dawning-Place of His names, the Dayspring of His attributes, the Source of His knowledge, the Wellspring of His Cause, and the Manifestation of His commandments and ordinances, through Whom the law of unity was established in the world and the mystery of oneness among the nations. Through Him God opened the door of hope to all in earth and heaven, through Him the light appeared and the mystery of the Mount was revealed. Were it not for Him the mysteries of eternity would not have been unveiled nor would the station of nations have been exalted—He Who was named Muhammad in the kingdom of names—and upon His family and companions whom God made the lamps of His guidance, the banners of His victory, the signs of His Cause, the manifestations of His power and the evidences of His might. Through them God conquered the world and His Cause flowed among the nations. And upon those who entered beneath their shadow, drank the choice wine of their love, tasted the sweetness of their utterance, and circled round their Cause in support of God’s religion and the exaltation of His Word.

Thereafter, the servant hath received your letter, and before it your other letter, and every letter therein spoke of your mention and praise. Our purpose and your purpose and the purpose of all in the heavens and earth:

Praised be Thou, O God, my God! These are the days whereon Thou hast enjoined Thy chosen ones, Thy loved ones and Thy servants to observe the Fast, which Thou hast made a light unto the people of Thy kingdom, even as Thou didst make obligatory prayer a ladder of ascent unto those who acknowledge Thy unity. I beg of Thee, O my God, by these two mighty pillars, which Thou hast ordained as a glory and honor for all mankind, to keep Thy religion safe from the mischief of the ungodly and the plotting of every wicked doer. O Lord, conceal not the light which Thou hast revealed through Thy strength and Thine omnipotence. Assist, then, those who truly believe in Thee with the hosts of the seen and the unseen by Thy command and Thy sovereignty. No God is there but Thee, the Almighty, the Most Powerful.

The Pen was poised to range within one arena, yet the Will bore it unto another realm and another station, until it culminated in the mention of God—exalted be His glory, all-pervading His bounty, and mighty His sovereignty. In that moment did my spirit take flight and my limbs trembled, as though the blood coursed boiling through my veins. I ask God the Exalted to assist me and your honors in what He loves and is pleased with. Verily He is the Lord of all creation, there is no God but He, the Omnipotent, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. By thy life, O my beloved, thy mention brings me joy as though it were a herald bearing me glad tidings. The servant asks his Lord to enable him to manifest what is in his heart and reveal what was hidden in his inner being regarding the degrees of his love and affection for you. Verily He is powerful over all things.

As for what you mentioned regarding Darvish Ghulam-Husayn, upon him be God’s peace, We have sent him that which diffuses the fragrance of grace and favors. And regarding what you mentioned about Aqa Ahmad, upon him be God’s grace and bounty—excellent is what you intended regarding separation and detail lest there appear what is not befitting. The matter is known, uncovered, evident, requiring no mention or proof. The servant asks his Lord to preserve His servants and assist them in virtuous conduct. Verily He is the Creator, there is no God but He, the Ruler over what He wills, and He is the Mighty, the Powerful. I send greetings to the beloved ones and ask God the Mighty, the Praiseworthy for their protection and success. Peace, remembrance and praise be upon your honors and upon our brothers and beloved ones and upon God’s righteous servants. Praise be to God, Lord of the worlds.

The servant, on the 7th of the blessed month of Ramadan 1302

To his honor, the beloved of the heart, Haji Siyyid Javad, upon him be 69 [Baha’u’llah] and His care. I convey greetings. At this time his letter was received and became a crown of joy. As there was no new matter, the response will be offered, God willing, at the time of meeting. As commanded, his honor the Afnan Aqa Siyyid Muhsin, upon him be God’s most exalted peace, is preparing in detail—they are departing and they are arriving. May the Desired One bless both the going and coming. Verily He is the Forgiving, the Merciful. And peace and praise be upon his honor and upon every steadfast believer.

BH00174: Blessed is God Who brought the world into being…

Section 1: “Blessed is God Who brought the world into…”

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

Blessed is God Who brought the world into being with a single word, and from the first day gave the peoples the glad tidings of the Day of the Manifestation of Him Who conversed on Sinai. His Books testify to this glorious Cause and bear witness to this mighty announcement.

Each of the Messengers and Guides of the paths spoke of this Day and yearned for His presence. Exalted, exalted is He Who made His Day the Dawning-place of all days and the Source of commandments and laws. The eyes of those near to God awaited this wondrous Day, and the ears of the sincere were attentive to the call of the Lord of the Day of Judgment.

Praise and gratitude be to God! With the finger of power He rent asunder the veil and removed the clouds from the horizon. The essence of the Books is established upon the throne of manifestation, speaking forth the blessed, mighty, hidden, concealed and promised Word. Glory be to God! The effulgences of the Sun of Revelation are a hundred thousand times more luminous and manifest than the sun, yet eyes are deprived and forbidden from beholding it.

O God, O Generous One! The oceans of bounty are manifest through Thy generous Name, and the rain of mercy descendeth through Thy bountiful Name. Thy bestowal hath encompassed the world, and Thy mercy hath preceded all things. My God! The thirsty ones in the valley of love seek the water of life, and those enkindled with the fire of affection seek Thy presence. Thy generosity, like Thy existence, is manifest and evident. Thou didst bestow before any request and gave before any supplication. The ocean of Thy giving hath never been, nor shall ever be, contingent upon anything. Cleanse this handful of dust from defilement and deprive it not of the wonders of Thy grace. The Day is Thy Day, and the reins of power are in Thy grasp. Guide Thou the lost and direct them. Thou art the All-Knowing and the All-Powerful over all things.

O beloved of My heart! Thy letter was received—the arrival of a caravan bound for the city of the Beloved, bearing as its gift praise of the All-Merciful. In truth it brought joy and spread wide the carpet of gladness. Praise be to God that thou hast been successful in serving the Cause and confirmed in the mention and praise of the Friend. After reading and reviewing it, I proceeded to the Most Exalted Station, presented it, and after its completion, the Lord of all beings and the Sovereign of Days spoke these exalted words—mighty be His utterance and glorious His proof:

I am the One Who warbleth upon the branches with diverse melodies

O Majid! Thy Lord, the All-Praised, maketh mention of thee from this far-distant shore, and calleth thee to the supreme horizon, and counselleth thee to manifest great steadfastness in this Cause whereby the hearts of all people were shaken save those who cast away the world, turning unto that quarter from whence the call was raised betwixt earth and heaven. These, verily, are reckoned among them that are nigh unto God in His Book, the Lord of all worlds. The fragrance of revelation hath been wafted throughout all regions, and the Lord of the Covenant hath been established upon the throne of His Great Name. This is a day wherein the clouds of proof have shed the rain of knowledge. Blessed is he who hasteneth and attaineth, and woe unto the heedless!

O people of God! Hearken unto the call from the direction of Akka, from the right hand of the luminous spot, from the Divine Lote-Tree: Verily, there is none other God but Me, the Omnipotent over what I will. Neither the might of the world nor the clamor of the nations can hinder Me. I have appeared and made manifest that which was hidden in the treasuries of infallibility and power, and that which was recorded in the Books of God, the Lord of the Throne and of the dust, and inscribed by the Pen of wisdom and knowledge upon the tablets of the hearts of the Messengers. Say: O concourse of the heedless! By what proof have ye believed in your Lord, the All-Merciful, and by what reason have ye turned away from Him by Whom the countenance of faith hath been made to shine? Fear God, and be not of them who believed and then denied, who accepted and then turned away, until they returned to the nethermost fire—the abode ordained for them by God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

Say: O people of the Bayan! Fear God and utter not that which the people of the Furqan uttered, who claimed faith throughout the ages, yet when the Manifestation thereof came unto them with the standards of signs, they slew Him with such injustice as caused the dwellers of the highest Paradise and the inmates of the pavilion of glory to lament in an exalted station. Say: Cast away what ye possess. This is the Day of God wherein naught shall be mentioned save Him. Fear God, and spread not corruption in the land after its reformation, and be not of the wrongdoers. Come ye forth from the precincts of idle fancies and vain imaginings, then enter ye the City of God in peace and security. Thus doth the Supreme Pen counsel you whilst the Wronged One is in grievous sorrow. Convey My greetings unto My loved ones who have hearkened unto the call from the supreme horizon and have responded with evident submission. O people of God! This is the Day of deeds. Take ye hold of the Book of God with the power that proceedeth from Him, then observe that which ye have been commanded, and be not of them that forsake it.

O Majid! Hearken in the Persian tongue: In their first step, the people of the Bayan have reverted to that which was uttered by the heedless, rebellious and wayward group. These souls have likewise clung to and become attached to those same words. With but a slight test, they turned away from Him Who was their Ultimate Goal, Whom they had remembered throughout ages and cycles, Whose manifestation they had eagerly sought, and with swords of hatred and animosity they martyred Him. Now the people of the Bayan too have desired to spread the carpet of new vain imaginings. We beseech God to assist His party in such wise that they may see all else as non-existent and count it as naught.

Say: O friends! Until ye pass beyond the gulf of names, ye shall not attain unto the Most Great Ocean. We have previously announced that the barking ones would spread abroad like locusts. Through the blessedness of the Most Great Name must the ears of faith and recognition be preserved. This is the station of the supreme steadfastness. Blessed is the soul that hath attained thereunto and held fast unto it. This is the firm cord and the sure handle. Blessed are they that hold fast thereunto. The hearing of the friends, praise be to God, hearkeneth unto the Voice of the True One, exalted be His glory, and without delay or hesitation attaineth unto it. Such is the bounty that the noble scribes are powerless to reckon it, how much less others. How excellent is the state of those souls who have, through the Name of the True One, delivered themselves from chains and vain imaginings, and who soar with utmost freedom in the atmosphere of Divine love.

Concerning Janab-i-‘Andalib—may the loving-kindness of God be upon him—ye wrote. This matter was laid before the presence of the King of Manifestation, and attained the honor of His attentive hearing. His glory be magnified and His utterance exalted:

O Majid! These are the days of the Most Great Manifestation—days whose mention hath been on the lips of them that are nigh unto God, the sincere ones, and the Messengers. All have yearned and hoped for the attainment of this Day from God, exalted be His grace. Today the Dawning-Place of generosity, the Dayspring of bounty, the heaven of munificence, the Source of favors, and the Fountainhead of bestowals is manifest, resplendent and evident. On the first day when the King of nations entered the Ridvan, He shed the splendor of all His most excellent names upon all created things. Every thing that turned unto Him reflected His light, and that which turned away—verily the light returneth unto its source and the branch remaineth as it was.

O Majid! The grace of God hath so encompassed all that every transgressor hath deemed God heedless. From time immemorial the name Concealer’ hath clung to the hem of God’s robe, ever seeking concealment, while the name Revealer’ and Uncoverer’ seek to expose and unveil. Yet as mercy hath preceded all else, the glance of God’s loving-kindness is fixed upon the sign that exists in all things, for in all things there is a sign testifying to His oneness. Were He to judge by deeds, words and character, the matter would prove most difficult and arduous. Today the names Concealer’, Munificent’ and All-Bountiful’ are present before His face. In this Most Great Revelation, the ocean of generosity is surging and hath encompassed all. Blessed, however, is the soul that hath detached itself from its own desires, held fast unto the Will of God, and clung to such deeds and character as would exalt His Cause. The deeds of every soul are reflected in the mirror of divine knowledge. Today the loved ones of God must, with the utmost lowliness and supplication, seek forgiveness for one another and beseech divine confirmation. He is the All-Powerful, the Almighty.

And as for their supplication for forgiveness on his behalf, it was most graciously received before the Throne, and He declared: “Well spoken is he who hath uttered these words.” Here endeth the passage.

Several days prior to the arrival of that honored one’s epistle to this servant, on one of those days there was suddenly revealed from the heaven of bounty a Most Sacred Tablet in the name of His Honor Nightingale, which was graciously bestowed upon His Presence, Ism-i-Jud—upon him be the Most Great Glory of God—for transmission. The Pen of God hath, with perfect grace and mercy, given counsel therein, and every soul who reciteth it will perceive the fragrance of bounty and compassion. And after some time there arrived the petition of His Honor Nightingale himself, which was expressive of remorse, helplessness, repentance, lamentation, and supplication. And even as is evident, the plea of that honored one was at that very moment joined with acceptance and response.

The True One is witness and testimony that this servant, after the transformation of his condition, sought relief from the Sovereign of mankind throughout the nights and days. That is to say, from this circumstance there came upon this servant such grief as had never before occurred, inasmuch as he had been eloquent in praise of the Beloved of the world and occupied with His remembrance and service. And even now I beseech the True One—glorified be His glory—that He may sanctify him from that which is unseemly and confirm him in that which is meet and fitting. May pure deeds render this handful of dust the envy of the celestial spheres. The hope is such that there may be diffused from him that which shall render null and void unseemly fragrances. Verily, our Lord the Merciful is the Bountiful, the Forgiving, the Generous.

And as for their mention of souls that have turned unto God, it was presented before the Countenance of the Ancient One. This is that which was revealed in response—He saith, magnified be His command and exalted His remembrance:

O Majid! The servant in attendance before the Face is present and hath made mention of souls who have quaffed from the sealed wine in the name of the Self-Subsisting and have turned towards the Most Exalted Horizon. Say: We have heard your call and witnessed your turning unto Us and perceived the fragrance of your sincerity. We make mention of you in such wise as nothing in all creation can equal, and I am verily the All-Knowing, the All-Wise Remembrancer. Blessed is he who hath answered My call, tasted the sweetness of My utterance and found the fragrance of My luminous garment. This is the Day whereon the Mother Book hath been sent down and speaketh before the faces of the world: There is none other God but He, the Single One, the All-Informed.

O My loved ones in that land! Take ye the chalice of steadfastness in My Name, then drink therefrom in remembrance of My wondrous mention. He who attaineth unto it hath attained unto all good, as testify the Concourse on High, the Most Exalted Paradise, the Supreme Heaven and the dwellers of the Cities of Names who circle round My mighty throne. Remember them on My behalf and glorify their faces in My Name, for I am the Wronged One, the Stranger.

O Majid! The Cause is most mighty in this day. They that have turned unto it must be so steadfast that the dominion of names and remembrances of the past shall not hold them back from the heaven of inner meanings. This station cannot be attained except through reflection upon past events. The more they become aware of the lies and calumnies of the Shi’ih sect, the more steadfast they will remain in the Cause of God. Throughout ages and centuries they acted contrary to that which God desired, yet counted themselves the most exalted of creation. Consider the fruits of their deeds and words—what they were and what became of them. The outcome was that they martyred the Lord of all horizons with the swords of their malice.

Section 2: “Now certain among the people of the Bayan…”

Now certain among the people of the Bayan who have strayed from the path of the All-Merciful are engaged in the same deeds and words as those souls, making their own desires a snare for mankind in the name of Truth. We beseech God to preserve His loved ones until such time as they comprehend the station of this Day of God. Say: This is a Day wherein none is mentioned save God alone. Thus hath the Sun of Unity shone forth from the horizon of the world while the peoples remain in evident veils. This is the Day of Unity. Blessed is the one whom the idols of names have not debarred from the Creator of heaven.

O Majid! For twelve hundred years and more they were occupied with dispute and contention. Each faction cursed the other—some Shi’ih, some Sunni, some Shaykhi, while others counted themselves among the people of the Path and Truth. They were ever engaged in disputation, yet when the Day of God appeared, through a slight test they wrought against the Divine Trust that which caused the very stones to lament and the earth to weep, let alone all other things. Reflect upon this matter, that the cause of the shedding of that most pure blood was the Shi’ih sect. Their highest have become their lowest and their lowest their highest. Say: Take ye warning, O ye who are endued with insight! Say: O friends! Purify your hearts from selfish desires and reflect with justice and fairness upon these events, that perchance the gate of true knowledge may be opened and lead to the kingdom of steadfastness.

Praise and gratitude be to God! The rain of divine bounty continues to pour down and the horizon of loving-kindness remains radiant. Blessed is the state of those souls who have clung to truth and are detached and free from all else. This Revelation is the Revelation of unity, this Day is the Day of detachment wherein none is mentioned save God alone. At one time this exalted Word shone forth from the horizon of utterance of the Lord of Names, saying:

“O servant who is present! These are the days of the manifestation of this blessed verse of the Furqan: ʿSay: God; then leave them to their vain disputes.’ Blessed is the soul that hath clung to it, and woe unto him who hath been heedless of it.”

This evanescent servant at all times beseeches and hopes from God, exalted be His glory, that He may enable His loved ones to attain unto such steadfastness that neither names nor their bearers may deprive them from the Lord of Names and Attributes. That they have traveled through various lands and exerted their utmost in guiding people—all this is from God’s grace upon you. Praise be to God, they were successful and confirmed. However, you must counsel all to observe wisdom. People are prone to imitation; if they observe opposition, an uproar will arise. In this year, which is 1302, concealment has been ordained. Until this year, the loved ones of God have acknowledged and confessed the Most Great Cause and the Mighty Announcement with perfect steadfastness, power and might. However, in these days the decree of concealment hath been sent down from the heaven of divine will. One must observe and act according to the command. He doeth whatsoever He willeth, and He is the All-Commanding, the Unconstrained.

In brief, if the friends were to break the chains of imitation all at once, it would be unwise, for all would become aware and arise in opposition. God is generous and His mercy hath preceded all, therefore one must deal with people with forbearance. As you have observed, the Most Great Branch and the Most Mighty Branch—may my spirit, my being, and my essence be sacrificed for the dust of their footsteps—act in accordance with the law. This servant beseeches God that He may aid all to do that which is pleasing unto Him.

And concerning what you wrote about Aqa Mirza ʿAbdu’l-Khaliq and Aqa Siyyid Nasru’llah—upon them be the glory of God—that they were present in the gathering and sought His favor, this was granted the honor of being heard in the Most Holy, Most Exalted Presence. His word, exalted be His glory:

“We beseech God that He may enable them to promote His Cause and to mention and praise Him in such wise that neither the clamor of the people of the Bayan nor the opposition of the concourse of the Furqan may deter them or keep them back from God. O people of God! Know ye the value of these days and arise to do what behooveth you.”

These exalted words were revealed from the heaven of divine favor concerning Jinab-i-Haji Muhammad-Taqi. He—exalted and mighty be His Word—saith: O Muhammad! Noah came and they rejected him. Hud arose and they occupied themselves with denouncing him as an infidel. He sent Salih and they rose up to torment him. What was the cause of this torment, this denunciation of infidelity, this attribution of fault? By the life of God! The cause of denunciation was the opposition of the divines of that age, and the cause of fault-finding was detachment from all save God. Moses came and they deemed His words false and His Cause invalid. The Spirit (Christ) came and the doctors of the Torah rose up with such malice as cannot be imagined, save in this Revelation wherein the Shi’ih divines have arisen to perpetrate even greater acts.

Reflect upon the Seal of the Prophets (Muhammad)—may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for His sake. Although He spoke the word of Divine Unity, they reviled Him and counted the persecution of that Holy One as a means of drawing near to God. The matter became so severe as to defy description, until, by divine command, the righteous companions resolved to depart and migrated to Abyssinia. If these souls were at fault, for what crime were those holy beings afflicted with trials? Consider the blessed verse “No Messenger cometh unto them but they mock at him.” Their abominable deeds prevented them and deprived them of the divine Kawthar and heavenly Tasnim. Arise in the name of Truth, be enkindled with the fire of His love, and occupy thyself with service to His Cause.

The days are fleeting and time doth not endure. Rend asunder the veils and stand firm in such wise that neither trembling shall seize thee nor sitting follow. He is the Ruler over whatsoever He willeth through His word “Be” and it is.

As for the mention they made of Jinab-i-Aqa Mirza Abu-Talib and those with him, and Aqa Mirza Kazim and Karbala’i Iskandar and Aqa Mirza Muhammad and Aqa Mirza ʿAbdu’l-Karim and Karbala’i Qasim—upon them be the Glory of God—each one is mentioned in the Most Holy and Most Exalted Presence and hath attained the favors of the Truth, exalted be His Glory. Verily this servant giveth them glad tidings of God’s remembrance and His favor. Blessed is the soul that hath attained the remembrance of the Purpose of the world. This servant conveyeth greetings and glorification to each one, and beseecheth confirmation and divine aid for each, that they may attain to that which is everlasting and eternal. The Command is in God’s hands—our Lord and your Lord and the Lord of all who are in the heavens and the earth. As for their question concerning the blessed verse of the Furqan (Qur’an), it was presented before the Presence. This is what the Tongue of Grandeur hath spoken in reply—mighty be His utterance:

As to what thou hast asked concerning that which the All-Merciful hath revealed in the Qur’an to Muhammad, the Apostle of God, where He saith, “Who maketh the angels His messengers, having wings two, and three, and four”—know thou that the angels have diverse ranks and stations, and likewise exalted positions, some above others. Some are occupied with the education of the world, while others are charged with recording the words, deeds and conduct of the servants. The four well-known angels are each appointed to a specific service, as all have heard and known. Similarly there are angels in each of the worlds of God that exist, and some angels are immersed in the divine manifestations of the Glory of God, exalted be His majesty.

Their sustenance is the Divine Presence, their deed is nearness—this group is occupied with revelation and witnessing, and from the beginning that hath no beginning they have turned to none but God, nor will they until the end that hath no end. One group of angels is known as the Most Exalted, whom none knoweth save God, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. Another group is known as the Spirit, as witnessed by “the angels and the Spirit descend.” The Spirit itself hath various ranks known and mentioned, such as the Holy Spirit which is mentioned in the Books and which some have identified as Gabriel, and likewise the Faithful Spirit, the Spirit of Faith, the Spirit of Certitude, the Spirit of Command, the Spirit of Grandeur, the Spirit of Power, the Spirit of Beauty, the Spirit of Majesty, and the like.

As to His words “Who maketh the angels His messengers,” the meaning is that angels are intermediaries between God and His chosen ones and loved ones. They convey unto them the messages of their Lord through revelation, inspiration or vision, and teach them what they have been commanded by God. Through the angels hath God aided His Cause, manifested His Command, perfected His handiwork and made firm His signs. And as to His words “having wings two, and three, and four,” the intention is to mention the ranks of angels as was stated before. They are possessed of multiple, varied wings according to their ranks and stations, by which they descend and ascend. Some have wings numbering the divine names, as when the Seal of the Prophets met Gabriel on the night of His ascension and said “he had six hundred wings.”

Each group hath described these stations in their own way and taken their own path. This Wronged One hath mentioned the statements of certain souls. The truth of the matter resteth with God. In every decree and command they have mentioned that which was neither spoken of in the Supreme Concourse nor accepted by the people of the Most Exalted Paradise. Were the true meaning to be revealed, they would flee and say what the idolaters said before. For thirteen hundred years and more they have recited the Qur’an and written commentaries upon it, but by God’s life they have not inhaled the fragrance of a single letter thereof. “None shall touch it save the purified ones” is a truthful witness and an eloquent testimony. The people of the Bayan, that is, those souls who have turned away from the Most Exalted Horizon, are seen to be the basest of all groups.

This Wronged One hath not had, nor hath, any desire to interpret. He hath come to sanctify you through God’s most exalted Word, to purify you with the choice sealed wine, and to draw you nigh unto Him through that which hath flowed from the Pen in His wondrous and glorious Day. Baha hath not come to interpret the Books, but to fulfill what is in them and to set the world ablaze with the fire of the love of God, the Lord of all worlds. Interpretation hath not been, nor is, the province of God. And if at times the Most Exalted Pen hath engaged in it, this hath been due to the people’s request and their desire. Verily, He loveth to speak forth in every matter that which none of His heralds hath spoken before, and I am the All-Knowing, the Unique One.

Praise be to God! The outpourings of the sea of meanings and utterance that appeared from the Most High have adorned the world of hearts with a wondrous new ornament. His is the praise and the bounty. The light of His utterance has illumined the world, and the ocean of His wisdom has encompassed all. His is the greatness and the glory, and His is the praise and the bestowal. My spirit be a sacrifice for His utterance, and my spirit be a sacrifice for His Cause. I convey greetings and salutations to all the friends in that land—salutations that will guide all to the Most Great Abode of Peace, and a greeting that will confirm them in the most great steadfastness. Today is the Day of utterance, the Day of remembrance, the Day of service, the Day of unity, and the Day of detachment. I beseech Him, exalted be His glory, to assist all to achieve that which befits this blessed Day. Glory and remembrance and praise be upon you all and upon those whom the ways of the people have not prevented from the path of God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting.

The servant, 15 Ramadan 1302

Four Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablets have been revealed from the heaven of grace in response to the petitions that arrived with your envelope, and have been sent. Let them be delivered.

BH01232: All praise befitteth the most holy and exalted Court…

He is God, exalted be His glory, the Most Great, the All-Powerful

All praise befitteth the most holy and exalted Court of the Beloved One, Who from His Most Great Word created emissaries and made them heralds, that they might give glad-tidings to the peoples of the world and summon them to the most exalted horizon. And when the effulgences of the Sun of the Primal Word shed their radiance upon the Secondary Word, the world was seized by the vibration of the Word. Every soul in whom a light was manifest turned towards the Dayspring of existence, and this Secondary Word which appeared from the mouth of the emissaries penetrated the realities of men, and the lovers of the countenance of the Beloved Lord sought to attain His station, and with utmost lowliness and supplication gained permission and turned towards the Dawning-Place, the Source, the Rising-Point, the Fountainhead and the Return.

When this turning and journeying occurred in the contingent world, the pilgrim house came into being—and it is the first guest-house of the world, the shelter of the chosen ones and the near ones, and the homeland of the people of Baha. A hundred thousand blessings be upon the one who gained permission and was honored to visit that place. From the first emissaries shall appear second emissaries, and from the second emissaries other emissaries unto the end that hath no end. But blessed is he who attained unto it in His days and drank the choice wine of His revelation from the hands of His bounty and partook of His favors at the table of His generosity. In truth, all others are in the shadow of decrease, except whom our Lord and your Lord and the Lord of the heavens and earth willeth.

I submit that your letter arrived and was like musk, for from it wafted the fragrance of love for the Desired One of the worlds. After it was read and reviewed, it was presented to the Master. He said:

“Praise be to God, in this month of fasting the sun of deeds hath shone forth and illumined the temples of those who have turned to Him and drawn nigh unto Him. Blessed is he who performeth what God hath revealed, purely for His sake—he is indeed among the sincere ones in the perspicuous Book.”

End quote.

After presenting the prayer of the beloved of the heart, His Eminence Ibn-i-Abhar, upon him be the peace of God, the Lord of Power, He said before His face:

“We beseech God, exalted be He, to make him a leader of His servants unto His path. Verily He is powerful over all things. O Ibn-i-Abhar! The servant in attendance here read what thou didst supplicate at the beginning and the end. Verily the Wronged One heard and answered thee with that which causeth the fragrance of utterance to waft throughout all possibility.”

End quote.

Praise be to God, in this blessed month they are occupied with the remembrance of God, exalted be His glory, and are turned towards Him. Tomorrow afternoon, which is Tuesday the 3rd, they shall turn with another of the pilgrims. He said: “This is the reward of his deed and his remembrance.” Later they will gradually summon the others. Your Honor should convey greetings from this servant to each one. He said that Your Honor should look after the pilgrims so that they may be engaged with joy and fragrance in the praise and glorification of the Beloved of the worlds. Especially in the blessed month of Ramadan, attention is necessary. They ask thee concerning the bounty—it is water and bread. Praise be to God, they are blessed with manifold bounties: the bounty of recognition, the bounty of deeds, the bounty of turning to God, the bounty of attaining His presence, the bounty of meeting Him, the bounty of hearkening, the bounty of witnessing. Were this table of power to be spread unto the end that hath no end, it would not be exhausted. “If ye should count the bounties of God ye would not be able to number them.” End quote.

In truth the glance of favor is directed towards you. The mention of those souls has ever been and continues to be in His presence. They stated that his honor Muhammad, upon him be peace, has received and continues to receive rewards and recompense for this service. Give him my glad-tidings and say: Peace be upon you and the mercy of God and His blessings.

O beloved of my heart! Though the reply to your letter was delayed, it is compensated in this missive, for it is adorned with the mention of the Master—may our spirits be sacrificed for His sake. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, to continually grant unto all that which He has in these days bestowed upon some.

Regarding what was written about his honor Aqa Asadu’llah, upon him be the peace of God, it has been granted. Likewise, the names of the advancing souls that his honor Aqa ʿAbdu’l-Muttalib, upon him and them be the peace of God, sent have each attained what is befitting them. Happy are they! And the spiritual beloved, his honor Aqa Siyyid Asadu’llah, upon him be the peace of God and His favors—the request he had made has been granted acceptance. We ask him to act upon what was intended previously for the friends of God.

Regarding the wheat about which they wrote that it is finished, it should be mentioned to his honor the Most Exalted Name of Bounty, upon him be the peace of God, as this service pertains to him. He has ever accomplished and continues to accomplish it. His reward and recompense are with God and before God. Assuredly they should mention the details to him; consideration of this is necessary, nay, obligatory. Peace, spirit and mercy be upon you and upon the sincere servants of God. Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

The servant 16th of the blessed month of Ramadan 1302

BH06139: Your beloved handwriting arrived—it was a new…

Your beloved handwriting arrived—it was a new bounty bestowed during the days of fasting. Every particle has its suitable and befitting sustenance. The sustenance of the heart is without doubt the manifestation of love and affection of the masters and friends—of this there is no doubt. And the table of this pure, holy, spiritual bounty is correspondence. This adornment is specific to Him—He giveth as He willeth and is not asked of what He doeth. Writing and paper associated with the friends has attained this station; what then must their own station be? The knowledge is with Him.

Now that the world is not capable of this manifestation, as it is narrow and base, God willing the days of expansion will come and the hidden things will be revealed and the concealed stations will raise their banners in the realm of knowledge. This is truth, there is no doubt in it. Regarding the matters you wrote about, God willing letters and Tablets will be sent. Concerning the feast they said to seek what—verily God is with the patient ones. God willing it will be arranged. Convey greetings and praise to all. Peace be upon you and the mercy of God and His blessings.

BH00943: Praise befitteth the most holy and exalted Court…

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

Praise befitteth the most holy and exalted Court of the Desired One Who hath adorned the world of contingent being with the light of recognition and hath embellished the tablet of existence with the inscription “I am He that existeth and is to be worshipped.” He is the Omnipotent One Who hath raised high the heaven of utterance and adorned it with the stars of wisdom, Who hath made the ocean of inner meanings to be possessed of the pearls of knowledge, and Who hath perfumed the assemblage of the world with the sweet fragrances of His Most Compassionate Name. His is the praise and His the thanksgiving, His the grace and His the bounty, His the generosity and His the glory.

Glory be to God! Despite this Revelation whose light hath encompassed both the seen and the unseen, and despite this Call which hath embraced both heaven and earth, no eye capable of beholding and no ear worthy of hearkening hath been found, save whom God hath willed. He is the One Whom the conditions of the world did not prevent from the Most Great Name, and Whom the allusions of the peoples did not hinder from immersion in the ocean of inner meanings.

And peace and blessings be upon Him through Whom the hearts of the believers found rest and the hearts of the ungodly were disturbed. Every accepted one is accepted through His acceptance, and every known thing is known through His will. He is the Lord of the Prophets and the Sovereign of the chosen ones. The books of the world were sealed with His name, and the sending of Messengers was concluded with His appearance. His is the bounty and generosity in the beginning and in the return. Through His appearance the mystery of the Book was made manifest, and through His utterance the hidden meanings of the Books became clear. Through Him God sent down the proof and made manifest the way, through Him the gate of utterance was opened to all who dwell in the realm of possibility, and His ordinances were established among all religions. And upon His family and His companions who cast away all that is in the world, holding fast to the Most Great and Most Firm Cord.

And after that, the letter which you had addressed and sent unto the beloved of heart, Aqa Mirza Husayn—upon him be the peace of God—this lowly one, upon perusing it and becoming informed of its contents, set his face toward the Most Exalted Presence and laid it before His countenance. He said:

God willing, at all times may they dwell and repose beneath the shadow of the loving regard of the Desire of the worlds. Praise be to God! they have attained unto the lights of the Sun of true oneness; they have drunk from the cup of recognition and tasted of the goblet of certitude. We beseech God, exalted be He, to confirm him in that which He loveth and approveth, and to enable him to do that whereby the fragrance of His love may be diffused amongst men.

This day it behoveth all to fix their gaze upon the Most Exalted Horizon, and to implore of the Lord of the Names and Attributes the safeguarding of the people of unity; for the fire of idolatry is kindled, and the horizon of the light of oneness is veiled by the clouds of vain imaginings and idle fancies. Blessed is the soul that hath expended itself in the path of God—that is to say, hath arisen to remember God, to praise God, and to serve God. Such a one is of those of whom He saith: “Neither traffic nor commerce distracteth them from the remembrance of God,” and such a one is of those of whom He saith: “They precede Him not in speech, but act according to His command.”

All the friends of that land are, at all times, present and witnessed before the face of the Wronged One; and the Tongue of Utterance is ever speaking this word: “O God, my Adored One, my Worshipped One, my Sovereign, the Self-Sufficient! Deprive not Thy loved ones of the ocean of awareness, and withhold them not from beholding the lights of the Sun of Manifestation.

“O Thou the Generous! By a single spark of the fire of Thy love Thou hast set the world aflame, and by one effulgence of the lights of Thy countenance Thou hast sent the near ones and the sincere unto the place of sacrifice. Thou art the Sovereign Whom the power of all created things hath not weakened, and Whose will the might of rulers hath not restrained. In Thy Name, the banner of”He doeth whatsoever He willeth” is uplifted in this dark night. I beseech Thee: grant unto Thy loved ones their portion from the Kawthar of meanings, and bestow upon them a full share of everlasting life. Let not the raging winds extinguish Thy lamp, nor the floods of the world uproot the Lote-Tree of Thy Cause from its resting-place. Thy remembrance, in the mouth of lovers, is sweeter than every honey; and Thy Name, to the taste of the faithful, is more delightful and more beloved than all that is in the horizons. O Thou the Generous! Preserve Thy loved ones, and aid them in that which beseemeth them. Verily Thou art potent to do whatsoever Thou willest. There is none other God but Thee, the Mighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. Ended.

Praised be God that the fragrances of utterance have perfumed the world of possibility, yet its people remain heedless and deprived. This servant is bewildered at how one could be deprived of the sweet-scented breezes while standing in the midst of a rose garden. The light is manifest, the fire is ablaze, and the call is raised, yet the affairs of this fleeting world have prevented the senses from beholding, perceiving, and hearing. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, not to close the doors of His grace and to guide those who are lost unto the straight and firm path. He is the Powerful, the Mighty. Praise be unto Him, for He is the Lord of all names.

The one true God is witness that since the return of your honor, you have been remembered and have been the recipient of His special favors. This ephemeral one has been and continues to be mindful of the friends in that land. The loved ones of God are as one soul, though they appear to be many, for all hold fast to the sure handle and are turned unto Him, turning away from all else. For all I seek divine confirmation and assistance, that they may all be adorned with the greatest steadfastness in such wise that nothing shall prevent them from God, their Creator, their Provider, their Sustainer, their Supporter, their Helper, and their Protector.

Regarding what you wrote about the newborn child, upon him be God’s peace, it was presented, and in the Book of Names he was designated and honored as Badi’ Effendi. This evanescent servant beseeches and hopes that He may open the doors of His bounties and blessings upon your honor, and shower the wonders of His favors like abundant rain. Verily, He has power over whatsoever He willeth.

Your shipment of …, two boxes of sweets, and nine containers of rice arrived on the day the mansion became the residence, was presented, and was accepted and honored. Praise be to God that you were assisted to achieve that which the people of the world, despite their pleading, supplication, and waiting, remained deprived of. Praise be unto Him in all conditions. And peace be upon you and upon God’s sincere servants.

The servant, 24th of the blessed month of Ramadan 1302

BH00981: This evanescent servant, whenever he attempts to offer praise…

He is God—Exalted be His Station, to Him belong Greatness and Glory

This evanescent servant, whenever he attempts to offer praise and thanksgiving, it is as though he hears from all his limbs and members the cry “it cannot draw nigh unto me, for God hath placed it beyond the comprehension of all creation.” And when he turns away and sets down pen and paper, it is as though spirit, heart and soul cry out: “O heedless one! Art thou in despair, even though thou hast heard from the Tongue of Grandeur ʿDespair not of God’s mercy’?” He stands between light and fire—His light […] and His fire strikes fear, yet this servant circumambulates both, for the light is a gleam from the effulgences of the Sun of His Countenance, and the fire is a flame from the burning of the Tree of Grace. Glory be to God! The Ocean of Life surgeth, and the horizon of grace and bounty is manifest, evident, dawning and resplendent. Nevertheless, all are heedless of Him save whom God willeth.

In the Qur’an the All-Merciful saith: “None shall touch it save the purified ones.” Now this evanescent servant declareth concerning the manifestations of grace which “none behold save those who are brought nigh”: O my God, O Thou the Generous One! Thy Name of the Beloved hath attracted the world, and Thy Name of Bounty hath adorned the nations with the ornament of prosperity. The people of the world, despite their heedlessness and ignorance, seek the wonders of Thy grace, and the wayfarers, despite their weakness and poverty, are in search of the gems of Thy bounty. Thou art He the rejection of Whose grace by the ungrateful hath not withheld the rain of Thy mercy and bounty, and the ignorance of Whose servants hath not concealed the manifestations of Thy knowledge. The swords of princes and the chains of the mighty have not prevented Thee from Thy purpose. Thine is the power and the strength, and Thine is the might and the choice.

I beseech Thee to adorn Thy faithful servant, who is designated by the name of Hasan, with the lights of Thy Most Great Name amongst the world and the nations. O Generous One! Through Thy conquering power and Thy prevailing might, preserve him from the evil of the heedless and idolatrous souls. Make manifest in his heart the light of steadfastness and kindle in his being the fire of love, that he may be wholly occupied with Thee, in such wise that his name may be exalted under the shadow of Thy Name and his station may be elevated beneath the canopy of Thy station. Thine is the bounty and the generosity, and Thine is the grace and the bestowal, O Thou the Bestower of favors! Thy grace took his hand and delivered him from the doubts and vain imaginings of men. Verily, this servant hath laid hold on the hem of Thy bounty and the cords of Thy generosity and favors, that Thou mayest make him a servant of Thy Cause, standing firm in Thy service, and speaking forth Thy praise and glorification with wisdom and eloquence. Verily, Thou art the Lord of all religions and the Ruler of all existence.

Thereafter, this evanescent one, after reading ʿAli’s letter and reviewing it, turned his attention until that which was in the letter was presented before the presence of the Countenance. He said: Praise be to God! Through the confirmations of the Blessed One they have attained, and by the radiant lights of the Sun of divine knowledge they are illumined and adorned. All the peoples of the world count themselves among the faithful and assured, yet when the test came and the light of recognition shone forth from the direction of Mecca, all the divines—whether idol-worshippers, Jews, or Christians—arose in opposition, though that Holy Being called all to the word of unity. Glory be to God! The ears of the ungodly were deprived of His call and the eyes of the heedless were prevented from beholding the splendors of His beauty. Finally they issued the decree for His death and arose with utmost hatred and malice to shed His most pure blood. The more they opposed, the more manifest became the light of His Cause, and the more complete their objections, the more intense grew the fire of His Cause. His is the command and the creation, His the grandeur and the majesty. Verily He is the Lord of all names and the Creator of the heavens.

The servant in attendance read thy letter. Praise be to God, the fragrance of steadfastness and the sweet-scented breeze of love were inhaled therefrom. We beseech God to ordain for thee the good of this world and the next, and to exalt thee through His Name in the kingdom of creation. There is no God but Him, the Omnipotent over His will. Within His grasp lie the reins of all who dwell in the kingdoms of earth and heaven, and in His right hand are all who abide in the dominion of command and creation. He is the Mighty, the Supreme, the Powerful, the All-Knowing.

His is the praise and the bounty, His the majesty and the grandeur. He is the King Who has honored His loved ones at all times with mention and utterance among all possibilities. He deposited the seed of divine knowledge in the soil of hearts through His hands of mercy and watered it with the rains of His grace. Praise be to God, it has sprouted forth in such wise that neither the poisons of the world can harm it nor the afflictions of the nations can alter it. He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He pleaseth. He is the Single, the One, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy.

This servant beseecheth God, exalted be His glory, to aid thee to promote the Word with wisdom and utterance and to become the cause of spreading divine knowledge in those regions. He is the Powerful, He is the Mighty. I convey greetings of peace to the friends in that land. It is hoped they will recognize the worth and station of this time, will in all conditions drink from the cup of bounty, and will gaze toward the highest horizon. Praise be to God, the lights of the Sun of favor are shining and the ocean of grace is surging. Blessed are they who in this transient world acquire an everlasting station. This servant is occupied with the remembrance of the friends at all times. God willing, may all hold fast with utmost strength, power and assurance to the cord of the favor of the Lord of religions. Verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, is the Hearer, the Answerer.

The sweets that were sent arrived. In truth, the fragrance of love wafted from them all and the palate of God’s loved ones was sweetened thereby. After they were presented in the Most Holy Court, they were accepted and with a smile it was said: “They arrived at a good time.” According to command, some were distributed and some preserved so that others might gradually partake thereof. Peace be upon you and upon those with you and upon God’s righteous servants. Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

BH09310: Blessed is the Day of God that hath appeared…

Section 1: “In the Name of Our Lord, the Most…”

In the Name of Our Lord, the Most Holy, the Most Great, the Most High, the All-Glorious.

Blessed is the Day of God that hath appeared; blessed the fragrance of His raiment that is diffused; blessed the Lote-Tree that speaketh forth! Today, from the rustling of its leaves, this exalted Word hath shone resplendent:

Might, and power, and majesty be upon him who hath come with the truth, accompanied by the hosts of revelation and inspiration!

At every moment the verses of God are being sent down, and His clear evidences made manifest. This is the day of pure and absolute unity unto God, the True, exalted be His glory; for this Day is His Day, and none is commemorated therein save Him—despite the people of the Bayan, who have cast away that which they were commanded in the Book of God, the Lord of Names and the Creator of heaven, and have returned to their former step.

By the life of Our Well-Beloved, and the Beloved of all that dwell on earth and in heaven! In this Day they appear even lower than the Shi’ih party. Never for a single instant have they pondered: what was the fruit of that people, and what the outcome of their beliefs and deeds, save that they pronounced the sentence of death against the Prince of the world and the chosen ones of God, and upon their pulpits and in their mosques are occupied with cursing and reviling. May God bring to naught the understanding of such as discern not!

Blessings and peace be upon the friends of God in these days—those souls whom neither the mention of their names, nor the aversion and protest of the people, withheld from turning unto Him, but who, with perfect steadfastness, arose in the Cause of the Lord of all being. These are the souls in whose praise the Books of former and latter times have spoken and whose station they attest. A hundred thousand tubas be upon those souls who look with the eye of truth, and are sanctified, hallowed and purified from all else save Him. Upon them be the peace and the glorification of God, and the mercy and bounty of the Lord.

I beseech God, through them, that He may enable me and His loved ones to remain standing, firm and steadfast in such wise that no outcry of any clamorous soul, nor any plot of any treacherous schemer, may hinder us.

And now, O My beloved! Some time ago your letter arrived; from it there wafted the sweet scent of turning, of response, and of steadfastness. After reading and becoming acquainted with its contents, this servant directed his steps towards the Most Exalted Court and laid it before the Holy Presence. When this was accomplished, the Tongue of Grandeur uttered words concerning my mention and the mention of my like, the full import of which I cannot grasp. I entreat Him, in all conditions, to confirm me in guarding that which the Tongue of grace uttereth in the Kingdom of the Bayan. His blessed word was this—exalted and glorified be He:

“In My Name, the Speaker in the Most Great Prison! Verily, He guideth the nations unto God, the Lord of pre-existence, and bringeth them nigh unto Him as a bounty from His presence. Verily, He is the Bountiful, the All-Generous.”

“O thou that gazest toward the Most Exalted Horizon! The servant in attendance hath come with thy letter and laid it before My Face. We have sent down for thee that whereby thou wilt perceive the fragrance of My loving-kindness that hath outstripped all who are in heaven and on earth. This is attested by the Mother Book in this lofty station. We have perceived from thee the perfume of My love and of steadfastness in My Cause. Blessed art thou, and blessed whoso attaineth unto this mighty rank. Consider then, and call to mind what hath flowed from the tongues of the people of the Bayan who turned away from the Truth and disbelieved in God, the Lord of all worlds. They profess faith in the Point of the Bayan, yet disbelieve in Him Whom He sent in truth, and Whom He made the herald of this Announcement, through which the pillars of the divines were shaken and the earthquakes seized all tribes, save such as God, thy Lord, the Mighty, the Praised, willed to spare. I know not by what proof they once believed in God, nor for what cause they now have turned away from this luminous Horizon.”

Now will it be mentioned in the Persian tongue, that all may understand and become aware of the guile, the plotting, and the heedlessness of the idolatrous souls.

A King of existence hath been manifested—His Revelation equivalent to all the Books of God, nay rather exceeding them—for from the Kingdom of His Will there hath descended that which hath encompassed the world. Yet they have denied Him, and in their fancy reckon themselves among the people of faith.

By the life of God! The Point of the Bayan is, by reason of the injustice of these souls, engaged in lamentation and wailing.

Today, God—exalted be His glory—is in no wise in need of any other proof for the establishment of His Cause; He Himself maketh His Cause evident through that which He hath sent down from His presence and made manifest from His own Self.

Convey to the friends of that land My greetings and gladden them with the bounties and favours of God, exalted be His glory. Ere long shall their eyes be cheered with that which God hath promised them. Verily, He is the most merciful of the merciful and the One Who, over all that are in the heavens and on earth, exerciseth His sway. End.

A hundred thousand praises and thanksgivings be unto the Desire of all the worlds, for that He causeth His friends to rejoice through the fragrance of one another’s love, and transmuteth sorrow and care into joy and gladness. One word, if it proceed from a heart pure and stainless, traineth the world of humanity and draweth it unto the Shore of the Friend. Unto Him be praise and gratitude in all conditions.

From Him do I entreat and hope that He may reckon you among the appointed standards, and may so vouchsafe you confirmation that no soul shall retain any pretext for turning aside or objecting.

The lamentation and sighing of this servant are because of those souls who behold the sun and yet set themselves to veil it, and—by the true Self of God—there is fear lest once again they should hide the creation behind the same doubts and fancies as of old, and for another twelve hundred years, nay even more, remain occupied only with contention one with another.

The hope is that the party of God will protect the people, will awaken the ignorant and arouse the heedless. Blessed is the just one who is fair in what hath appeared; and woe betide the heedless and the faithless.

As to what you have written concerning the noble and exalted handmaid, Varaqatu’l-Firdaws—upon her be the glory of God, the All-Glorious—this was presented in the Sacred, Inaccessible Court. The Tongue of Grandeur uttered these words:

“All the people of the world have been created for the knowledge of the True One and for service in His Cause. Yet love of outward adornments and occupation therewith have debarred and withheld all from the special bounties of God, exalted be His glory, to such a degree that they hesitate even in rendering those rights which are directly referable to the True One Himself—although the fruit thereof returneth unto the souls themselves. Blessed are the souls who are enkindled with the fire of love and who act according to that which hath been sent down in the Book. Until now, in proportion to what might be expended for the victory of the Cause, they have not yet been confirmed. By My life, all are heedless save whomsoever God willeth; for if they were to become aware of the station of the deeds of these days, they would gladly sacrifice their very lives, how much more their fleeting possessions.” End.

This lowly servant beseecheth the True One to confirm all, that they may rend asunder every veil and arise for the service of the Cause.

As to what you have written—that a command be issued for the delivery of the Huquq to the Leaf, upon her be the glory of God and His loving-kindness—according to the divine ordinance, some soul must, for the sake of God, remind the servants, that perchance they may be enabled to discharge the Huququ’llah, and thus attain unto a lofty station and an everlasting recompense.

Let the funds be collected in the presence of a trustworthy person, and let him report the matter, that, in accordance with the Will of God, action may be taken. From those contributions, that portion which was formerly conveyed, on their behalf, to the presence of the Leaf, upon her be the glory of God, should again be delivered to her; and the details thereof should be set down in writing.

It is hoped that the heirs of Hadrat Mirza-yi-Marfu’—upon him be the glory and mercy of God—will be aided to follow in the footsteps of their honoured father, although some are veiled, some hesitant, and some wavering. It is to be hoped that the pure intention of that exalted and departed one will become the cause and reason of all-embracing divine bounties, and that he will not suffer his sons to be deprived of the abundant reward, the comely character, and the spending of their substance in the path of God. I entreat the Lord that He may confirm them in all that leadeth to the exaltation of His Word. God willing, the party of God will be granted success in that which hath been sent down in the Book.

As to what you have written regarding the saplings of the garden of knowledge and the leaves of the Lote-Tree of the love of the All-Merciful—upon them be the glory of God—who are related to your honoured self: this was submitted in the Holy Presence and attained the honour of being heard.

This is what was revealed for the son, Wali-Aqa—upon him be the glory of God:

He is the Dawn shining from the horizon of the heaven of the Bayan.

This is a remembrance from Us for him who hath attained unto the lights of the Kingdom, when the Lord of Might came with manifest sovereignty. Say:

Glorified art Thou, O Thou by Whose Name the seas of wisdom and knowledge have surged, and by the light of Whose Face the horizon of proof hath shone forth! I beseech Thee, by the Mother Book and by the breaths of Thy Revelation in the Abode [of eternity], to make me aided by Thy confirmations, steadfast in Thy Cause, gazing toward Thy horizon, and voicing Thy praise amongst Thy servants. Praise be unto Thee, O my God, for having caused me to appear in Thy days from the loins of one of Thy loved ones. I entreat Thee, by Thy power and Thy might, that Thou suffer me not to be deprived of that which is with Thee, nor disappoint me of that which Thou hast ordained for Thy chosen ones and Thy trusted ones. Verily, I am he who hath confessed, O my God, to Thy oneness and Thy singleness and to that which Thou hast sent down in Thy Book. There is no God but Thee, the All-Powerful, the One Who exerciseth His sway over whatsoever hath been and shall be.

And this is what was revealed for the daughter, Nuriyyih—upon her be the glory of God:

In My Name, sanctified above all names.

O Leaf! Hear the Call of God from the Sinai of meanings. From the beginning of the creation of the world until this moment no such Call hath been raised. By My life! Through this sweetest Call, they that dwell in heaven and the inmates of the Kingdom of Names have been enraptured.

Blessed is thy mother who gave thee suck, and thy father who reared thee. Know thou his worth and station, for he was the means of thy existence and the cause of thine acceptance. The whole world was in quest of him; yet when the lights of his being shone forth from the horizon of manifestation, all turned away from him. Thou, however, art accounted among those leaves whose names the Pen of the Most High hath inscribed upon the Crimson Scroll. Know thou, then, how exalted is this station, and be thou thankful unto the True One—exalted be His glory. The glory of God rest upon thy father and thy mother and upon thee, and upon those who have believed in God, the All-Sustaining, the Self-Subsisting.

And this is what was revealed for another daughter, ʿAla’iyyih—upon her be the glory of God:

In the Name of the one Friend.

In this Day, whosoever attaineth unto the knowledge of the True One—exalted be His glory—is, in the Book, recorded and inscribed among the people of the Supreme Paradise; and whoso is heedless is, in the perspicuous Book, numbered with the people of Sijjin. Blessed is the soul whom this world hath not debarred from the Lord of what lieth beyond. By the life of God! If she be of the Leaves, she is accounted among the mightiest of men; and if she be of the weakest of servants, she is, in the sight of the All-Glorious, known among the champions.

Blessed is the leaf whom the violent winds have not withheld from God, her Lord. We beseech the True One to keep the people of that household firm in His Cause and renowned by His Name. He is the All-Powerful, Whom the clamour of the world and the injustice of the nations cannot hinder. His Will is the breaker of the wills of the world, and His purpose the slayer of the purposes of all. Verily, He is the One, the Single, the All-Powerful, the Almighty.

And this is what was revealed for the sister—upon her be the glory of God:

He is the One potent to accomplish whatsoever He willeth and desireth.

This is a Book which the Wronged One hath sent down in the Most Great Prison, wherein He maketh mention of a handmaiden among His handmaidens and a Leaf among His leaves, that the sweetness of My utterance may draw her nigh to the Kingdom of My might, the All-Glorious, the Inaccessible. Verily, We have made mention of thee with this wondrous mention, and We entreat God that He may make it a treasure for thee in His presence. Verily, He is powerful over all things.

And this is what was revealed for another sister—upon her be the glory of God.

He is the All-Knowing, the Speaker.

Glorified be He Who hath sent down the verses and made manifest the clear evidences, and in every station hath proclaimed: “Verily, there is no God but Me, the All-Subduing, the Self-Subsisting.” Every created thing hath heard the call of its Lord, whilst the people perceive it not. Verily, We have brought forth what was hidden in the treasuries of knowledge and concealed in the Books of God, the Lord of all being. Blessed is the people that hath attained unto faith and believed in its Lord when He came with a manifest sovereignty. Take thou the Book of God with a power that cometh from Him; then render thanks unto thy Lord, the Mighty, the All-Loving. Thus have We sent down the verses and despatched them unto thee, that thou mayest remember thy Lord, the Lord of the Promised Day.

Section 2: “And this is what was sent down…”

And this is what was sent down for the “Rib” (the kinswoman), upon her be the glory of God:

He is the Seer, gazing from the horizon of the Kingdom.

This is a Book which the King of kings hath sent down, wherein He maketh mention of His handmaidens who have believed in God, the One, the All-Informed. We, of a truth, have created all things that they may hearken unto My Call and recognize My Self, which exerciseth dominion over all who are in the heavens and on earth. Among men are those who have attained unto this recognition, severed from all that is in the realm of dust; and among them are those who have taken Satan, instead of God, as a lord unto themselves. Verily, such are, in the Book of God, the Most High, the Most Great, numbered with the abased.

Take thou the Book of God with a power that cometh from Him; then be thou thankful unto thy Lord, the Mighty, the All-Praised. Verily, We have made mention of every servant who hath turned unto God, and of every handmaiden who hath directed her face unto His luminous Horizon. The glory that shineth from the heaven of My bounty rest upon thee, and upon every handmaiden whom the cavils of the divines and the insinuations of the froward have not debarred. End.

The gracious favour of God—exalted be His glory—towards this station is such that all the tongues of the world are powerless and mute to render thanks for it; yet the servants remain heedless of this lofty and exalted rank, and are busied with their own imaginings.

O beloved of my heart! In very truth the world is consumed by the fire of idle fancies and vain imaginings, and these have debarred the people from the True One. Today, a single word that floweth from the Pen of the Most High concerning a soul, and conferreth upon him an everlasting grace, is such a bounty that most of the people are wholly bereft of any understanding of its station—although all know full well that, save the True One, exalted be His glory, there hath been and will be no appointing and no helper. His loving-kindness and His tokens clothe this mortal world with the vesture of immortality.

Consider the honoured Mustawfi Marfu’—upon him be the glory of God. In this world he toiled greatly; he preferred his children to his very eyes; and yet, after him, they failed to recognize his worth and did not walk in his footsteps.

By the life of our Desire! That which remained with him and secured his eternal victory were the verses which, from the Pen of the Most High, were revealed especially in his name. One such verse is equivalent to a thousand heirs and a hundred thousand sons. Over and above the weighty Tablets, there was revealed, in connection with his visitation, a Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablet, which—by the life of God—nothing in existence can compare with. We beseech the Lord that He may likewise confirm his children, that they be not deprived of the water of life and may partake of the virtues of their father; verily, He is powerful over all things.

As to what you have written regarding the honoured, exalted, blessed veiled one, the mother—upon her be the glory and grace of God—this was submitted, and the following was revealed for her from the Kingdom of the Will of our Lord, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed:

He is the All-Forgiving, the All-Bountiful.

Glorified art Thou, O Thou in Whose Name the heaven hath rained, the earth hath brought forth her fruits, the sun hath shone, the mysteries have been disclosed, and the tokens have appeared! I beseech Thee, by the ocean of Thy mercy, by the breaths of Thy Revelation, by the manifestations of Thy signs, that Thou wilt forgive Thy handmaiden who hath ascended unto Thee and who hath sought Thy bounty, Thy grace, Thy gifts and Thy loving-kindness. O my Lord! This is Thy Day, wherein the fragrance of the vesture of Thy bounty is stirred, and the sweet scent of Thy Word is diffused. I beseech Thee to deal with her in a manner that beseemeth Thee and Thy Days and that is worthy of Thy majesty and Thy sovereignty.

Verily, Thou art He Whom naught can frustrate and Whom no affair can hinder. There is no God but Thee, the All-Powerful, the All-Forgiving, the All-Bountiful. End.

Praise be to God! The departed, chastely veiled handmaiden hath been encompassed, from every side, by the mercy of God. It behoveth us to render thanks unto Him in all conditions, and to praise Him at morn and at eventide.

Likewise, the mention of the ascension of Jinab-i-Mulla Muhammad Hasan—upon him be the glory of God—unto the all-merciful Throne was heard with attentive ear. This is what was sent down for him from the heaven of grace and bounty—exalted and blessed be His Word:

In My Name, through which the ocean of forgiveness hath surged within the realm of existence.

Glorified be He Who hath sent down the verses in truth, made manifest the proof, made clear the path, spoken and caused all things to speak, that there is no God but He, the All-Subduing, the Self-Subsisting. God Himself beareth witness that there is no God but He, and that He Who hath come with the truth is the Lord of manifestation, the Speaker on Sinai, the One named in the very heart of Baha by the hidden secret, and inscribed by the Pen of the Most High in the Gospel, the Torah, the Psalms and the Qur’an. By Him the Straight Path hath appeared, the Balance hath been set up, the Trump hath been blown, and all affairs have returned unto God, the Lord of the Day of Resurrection.

O My Pen! Make mention of him who is named Hasan with such a mention that therefrom the fragrance of the loving-kindness of God, the Lord of what was and what shall be, may be diffused.

Blessed art thou, O Hasan, inasmuch as thou didst bear witness to what God had borne witness, ere the creation of the heavens and the earth, and didst confess to that whereunto the Tongue of Grandeur confessed in His praiseworthy station. I testify that thou didst turn unto God when the servants turned away from Him, and didst answer thy Lord when the Call was raised between earth and heaven.

Thou art he who attained unto the Tablet of God, His remembrance, His Days and His Manifestation. Blessed art thou, and blessed whoso draweth nigh unto thy resting-place and visiteth thee for the sake of that which the All-Merciful hath sent down from the heaven of certitude. Verily, he is among the doers of good in the Book of God, the Lord of the visible and invisible. Thou art he whom God hath adorned with the light of faith, forgiven as a bounty from His presence, caused to enter the supreme Paradise, and given to drink of the Kawthar of bestowal, in His Name, the One Who ruleth over the unseen and the seen.

Glorified art Thou, O Lord of Names and Fashioner of the heavens! Thou knowest and beholdest that he heard Thy Call, turned unto Thy Horizon, and was enkindled with the fire of Thy love in days when the divines, the sages, and the men of letters turned aside from Thee.

O my Lord, adorn him, amidst the dwellers of Paradise, with the vesture of forgiveness, and illumine him with the light of Thy gifts and bounties, O Thou in Whose grasp is the world of creation and the Kingdom of eternity. There is no God but Thee, the All-Powerful, the All-Subduing, the Mighty, the All-Glorious. Praise be to God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. End.

Blessed is he, and blissful his state, and happy his condition! He hath attained unto that which was the hope of this servant and the longing of the company of the near ones.

By the Sun that dawneth from the horizon of the Bayan! In these days, death is indeed most beloved, if it be attained through the operation of the Pen of God. Yet this servant is, in very truth, greatly desirous of life also, that perchance a service might be vouchsafed him worthy of mention. I bear witness that this service which pertaineth unto this lowly one is great—yea, exceedingly great. From the Lord, exalted be His glory, we ask for confirmation; and from your honoured self we beg remembrance in prayer, that haply I may be enabled and may acquit myself thereof.

As to what you have written regarding Jinab-i-Abu Talib Bey and Jinab-i-Khalil Aqa—upon them be the glory of God—some months ago Jinab-i-Aqa ʿAziz’u’llah—upon him be the glory and grace of God—had written that Jinab-i-Abu Talib Bey had, some time previously, set out for Tabas, and that Jinab-i-Mir—upon him be the glory of God, the All-Glorious—had taught him the Faith, whereupon he attained the honour of belief; and that he, in turn, had taught Jinab-i-Khalil Aqa.

This matter had already been submitted in the Most Holy, Most Exalted Court of the All-Glorious, and two special Tablets for these two souls had, from the Pen of the Most High, been sent down and forwarded to Jinab-i-Aqa ʿAziz’u’llah—upon him be the glory of God—that he might deliver them. And now that the matter hath once more been presented, these exalted words have been revealed concerning these two: exalted and blessed be His Word:

In My Name, the One Who shineth forth from the Most Exalted Horizon.

O Mir! The All-Powerful calleth out unto thee in this moment wherein He is seated upon the throne of certitude and summoneth all unto His luminous Horizon. Make mention of him who is named Abu Talib, unto whom thou didst make the path plain and whom thou didst call unto God, the One, the All-Informed.

Verily, We have already made mention of him in a Tablet whence there flashed, from its horizon, the Sun of the loving-kindness of thy Lord, the compassionate, the All-Generous. Blessed art thou, for thou didst give him to drink of the Kawthar of knowledge and didst acquaint him with My straight Path.

We counsel him to the supreme steadfastness in this wondrous Cause. And We make mention of Khalil, who turned unto the All-Glorious in a Day when every ignorant and suspicious soul turned away from Him. Verily, We have made mention of him and of those who have believed, in such wise that from this mention the denizens of nearness inhale the fragrance of the loving-kindness of their Lord, the Mighty, the All-Praised.

Blessed is Abu Talib, for he broke, in the Day of God and in the Name of the Lord of all existence, the chains of the people, and turned unto the Most Exalted Horizon.

The people of the path have, in this Dispensation, for the most part been seen heedless. Blessed is the soul that hath attained unto the knowledge of the Speaker on Sinai. We entreat God to assist him, draw him nigh, and confirm him in effacing from his mind all that he hath heard aforetime, and in being awakened to that which he heareth today from the direction of the Prison from whose horizon the Sun of the Bayan hath shone forth with a command from before the All-Powerful, the Almighty.

The glory that dawneth from the heaven of My bounty rest upon thee, upon him, upon Khalil, and upon every steadfast, firm and upright soul. End.

This lowly one beseecheth the Lord that He may confirm them in that which leadeth to the exaltation of His Cause. In this Day, steadfastness is, in the sight of God, accounted among the greatest of deeds; for the evil ones, with the utmost deceit and craft, are striving to mislead sanctified souls, while they themselves remain wholly ignorant of the very foundation of the Cause.

This servant sendeth them his greetings and takbir, and for each one of them supplicateth confirmation and aid.

As to what you have written concerning Hadrat-i-Afnan, Jinab-i-Aqa Siyyid ʿAli—upon him be the glory of God, the All-Glorious: he, together with the Great Afnan, his brother, his mother, his sister, the sons of his sister, and those who are with them, are now dwelling in the neighbourhood [of the Holy Spot]. This is the third time that, according to permission, they have attained unto the Prison and are resting in the shade of the Lote-Tree.

God hath made attainment their companion, lodged them in His neighbourhood, and granted them that which had been inscribed by the Pen of the Most High and recorded in the Books of the Messengers. This lowly one hath proclaimed your mention before him; and he, in turn, is engaged in making mention of your honoured person.

All the bearers, the circumambulators, the travellers and voyagers convey to you their greetings and takbir.

Blessed is this exalted, impregnable station! Unceasingly doth this servant beseech the Eternal Beloved that He may aid your honoured self to unite hearts, enkindle souls with the fire of the love of God, and enable all to be confirmed, with utmost joy, longing and rapture, in clinging to and holding fast the wisdom of this Cause that hath come from God.

This is a favour vouchsafed to the weak; the strong must needs have regard unto them. The glory, the remembrance, and the praise of God rest upon your honoured person, upon those who are with you, and upon such as have confessed to that whereunto the Tongue of Grandeur hath testified—that there is no God but He, the Mighty, the Well-Beloved.

Another matter: the mention of the exalted and blessed Jinab-i-Aqa Muhammad-ʿAli—upon him be the glory of God—who ascended in Jeddah. In two places hath his name flowed from the Pen of the Most High: once in a Tablet revealed for his mother, the chaste and veiled one, and again in a Tablet revealed for Jinab-i-Mulla Ghulam-Husayn. He hath attained unto that which was the hope of this servant and the longing of the company of the near ones.

The servant, on the third day of the blessed month of Ramadan, 1302 A.H.

BH00095: One day I was sitting, bewildered by the Divine…

Section 1: “One day I was sitting, bewildered…”

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

One day I was sitting, bewildered by the Divine Cause and contemplating what had appeared in the land of Kaf and Ra (Kirman), wondering how these calumnies had arisen and how they were preventing the helpless people from the Divine Law. At that moment, I was reminded of the blessed verse of the Most Holy Book which was revealed at the beginning of imprisonment from the Holy Kingdom. His word, exalted be His grandeur: “O Land of Kaf and Ra! We, verily, see in thee that which is not pleasing unto God, and We behold in thee that which none knoweth except God, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. And We perceive that which secretly and stealthily proceedeth from thee. With Us is the knowledge of all things, recorded in a lucid Tablet.

Sorrow not on account of that which hath befallen thee. Erelong will God raise up within thee men possessed of mighty strength, who will magnify My Name with such constancy that neither will they be deterred by the evil suggestions of the divines, nor will they be kept back by the insinuations of the doubters. With their own eyes will they behold God, and with their own lives will they render Him victorious. These, truly, are of those who are steadfast.” I said: “God, the Most High, the Most Great, speaketh the truth.”

At that very moment, a letter arrived sealed by four individuals. By the life of my Purpose and the Purpose of all who are in earth and heaven, after seeing and considering it, I lamented for the Primal Point (may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for Him), for it was observed that the people of the Bayan had not understood a single letter of the Bayan of the All-Merciful and had not attained its purpose. For the purpose of the entire Bayan was the recognition of this Most Great Manifestation—were it not for Him, the Bayan would not have been revealed nor would its Revealer have appeared. Bewilderment was added to bewilderment, for that blessed Being throughout the entire Bayan counsels all to turn towards, submit to, and become as nothing before this Most Great Manifestation. How well the divine covenant was fulfilled and His testament carried out!

The exact copy of the letter that was received is as follows, and at the beginning of the letter the name of the True One—exalted be His glory—is not mentioned:

“And among that which the Azalis have agreed upon in their response to confirmation without obstinacy or objection are two matters: The first is the announcement of the death of a man or woman sought after at a specified time and day or night of such and such a month and such and such an hour from a particular disease, together with his name and his mother’s name and his house and his quarter and his tribe and his clan—in short, that which individuates him in all his particulars. And the second is the announcement of the birth of a specified child, whether male or female, from a specified woman by her name and her father’s name, with the determination of a specified time and specified day and such and such an hour and such and such a month in that specified year. And God is the Guide to the path of righteousness, and He is the Helper in all circumstances. On the 21st of the honored month of Rajab, 1302.”

God is my witness to what hath befallen this evanescent servant. The Primal Point—may the spirit of all else but Him be sacrificed for His sake—hath said: “Whatever ye desire on that Day, ask ye it now from Me.” And He hath said: “I have not failed to counsel this people, nor to devise means for their allegiance to their Lord and their faith in God, their Creator. Should they believe in Him on the day of His manifestation, all who dwell on earth would at that time rejoice, as would Mine own Essence, for all would have attained the summit of their existence, would have gained access to the countenance of their Beloved, and would have apprehended all that was possible within contingent being from the revelation of their Object of desire.

Otherwise, My heart would be saddened, for I have nurtured all things for this purpose—how then could anyone remain veiled?” Thus concludeth His mighty and exalted utterance. And He saith, blessed and exalted be His words: “O God! Do Thou nurture all who are in the heavens and on the earth and whatsoever lieth between them for the day of Thy manifestation, that when the Manifestation of Thy Self reciteth a verse from Thee, all may declare: ʿYea, praise be unto Thee! There is none other God but Thee! We all do truly believe in what God hath promised us in the Bayan.”’

How well they heeded the counsels of God! A hundred thousand praises upon the people of the Bayan! He declareth that at the mere hearing of a single verse all would acknowledge Him. Now, the equivalent of all heavenly Books—nay, more—hath been sent down in every mode from the heaven of God’s Will. Yet they write anew asking for details about the pregnant mirror-bearer from Manshad—what she carrieth in her womb and when she will deliver! By the life of my Beloved, and the Beloved of all who are in earth and heaven, the very eye of justice weepeth, and equity crieth out in anguish!

In the thirteenth chapter of the second Vahid of the Bayan He says, exalted be His glory, the gist of this chapter is that no questions are permitted concerning Him Whom God shall make manifest except about that which befits His station, for His station is the pure manifestation itself, such that even the essence of manifestation in the essence of manifestation appears in His shadow. Despite this clear and evident command, now observe what the people of the Bayan have said and done and what questions they have asked. O people! Fear God and do not invalidate the truth through your own imaginings. Cast aside that to which you cling and turn unto Him. Verily He is the Forgiver, the Merciful. Do they imagine that today any thing among things or any matter among matters can benefit anyone? Nay, by the Self of the All-Merciful! All that is thereon shall perish save those who have clung to His cord and held fast to His hem.

One of the provisions of the Pen of the All-Merciful in the Bayan is that He says at the beginning of every nineteenth year, each of the people of the Bayan should write to one another a book proving Him Whom God shall make manifest. His purpose was that at the appointed time of the Manifestation, which is the nineteenth year as is known in the Kitab-i-Hayakil, the tongue, pen and thought of all should be occupied with His remembrance and the proof of His Cause, and that no word of denial should issue from any soul. Glory be to God! Now in the Supreme Horizon He observes what has transpired and what they have said. It is most strange that such things have appeared from the people of Manshad.

In any case, after observing the letter, this servant was perplexed whether to present it before His countenance or conceal it, fearing lest there be some negligence in concealing it. Therefore, placing my trust in God, I intended to approach the Most Exalted Station and Supreme Summit until I arrived and stood silent and speechless until He, exalted be His glory, said: “O servant who is present! What do you have in your hand?” I submitted: “A letter has come.” He commanded: “Read it to the end.” It was submitted. Then the Tongue of the All-Bountiful spoke these exalted words in reply:

O servant in attendance! What became of the divine counsels? Where have all those covenants and pledges gone? Today the Mother Book speaks and the Mother of the Bayan is manifest. These matters were not and are not worthy of mention. They have not taken their portion from the ocean of divine counsel nor received their share from the sea of the All-Merciful’s wisdom. Any soul who today, after hearing this Most Great Cause, hesitates less than a moment is not worthy of mention. All books are dependent and conditioned upon the Word of this Manifestation. Today no mention and no deed is of benefit except by God’s leave, exalted be His glory. Say: The Will of God is other than your wills, and His way is other than your ways. He walks not in your paths nor follows your desires. He calls those on earth and guides them to His straight path. Whoso turns toward Him has attained all good, and whoso turns away is among the people of the fire in a mighty Book.

O servant who is present! It would be most regrettable if the people of the Bayan were to be seen as more lost than the people of the Furqan. After centuries and ages of tribulation, the final fruit of their deeds was that they unanimously martyred the Lord of the world, both the learned and the ignorant. I abhor using the word curse’, otherwise the Supreme Pen would have written: Lo! The curse of God be upon the wrongdoing people!’ In this Most Great Revelation and Momentous Announcement, the Supreme Pen has saved certain divines and raised them from the pit of fancy and vain imaginings. We now beseech God for their steadfastness. In one of the Tablets it is revealed: The divines in this Revelation are as sight unto the body of the world and as spirit unto physical forms. May God protect them from the deceit and trickery of heedless souls.

O servants! This is the Day of revelation and witnessing. Occupy not yourselves with questions and answers. Arise in truth to serve the Cause. In one of the Tablets this most great verse was revealed: “This is not the Day for questions. It behooveth him who hath heard the Call from the Supreme Horizon to arise and say: ʿHere am I, O God of Names! Here am I, O Desire of the worlds!”’

Say: O servants! Hatred and animosity are unseemly. All must arise with complete determination to extinguish this world-consuming fire, that the world may be purified and adorned as befitteth it. Ye have all witnessed the Shi’ih sect—ye all know their claims and the deeds and actions of that party. Now strive that perchance the people may be preserved from the fire of self and passion.

O fair-minded ones! Consider the recent letter which the people of Manshad wrote in rejection of the Truth and opposition to it, sealing it with their seals, and likewise consider the gathering of the idolaters in the Mother City, what conditions they set for faith, saying that if these appeared they would believe, and if not, then nay. God, exalted be His glory, speaks through the tongue of those idolaters, blessed and exalted be His Word: “And they say: ʿWe shall not believe in thee until thou cause a spring to gush forth for us from the earth; or thou have a garden of date-palms and grapes, and cause rivers to gush forth in their midst abundantly; or thou cause the heaven to fall upon us in pieces, as thou hast pretended; or thou bring God and the angels face to face with us; or thou have a house adorned with gold; or thou ascend up into heaven; and even then we will put no faith in thine ascension until thou bring down for us a book that we can read.”’

That which is mentioned is for pure and assured souls; otherwise, it increaseth the wrongdoers in naught but loss. O people of the earth! Hear ye the words of the All-Merciful in the Qur’an. He relateth that the idolaters said: “We will not believe in thee until thou cause a spring to gush forth for us from the earth, or thou have a garden of date-palms and grapes and cause rivers to gush forth abundantly therein, or thou cause the heaven to fall upon us in pieces as thou hast claimed, or thou bring God and the angels as a surety, or thou have a house of gold, or thou ascend to heaven.” And then from the depths of their hatred they said: “We will not believe in thy ascension unless thou bring down for us a book that we can read.” Such was their hardheartedness that they said: “O God! If this be indeed the truth from Thee, then rain down stones on us from heaven, or bring us a painful doom!”

In reflecting upon the conditions of faith for those souls and the conditions of faith for these new souls, much contemplation is required. Blessed are they who are awake and alert—those souls who have been awakened by the divine breeze and have turned toward the Most Exalted Horizon, detached from the world and all that is therein. By the life of God! These are the people of Baha and the companions of the Crimson Ark mentioned by the Supreme Pen in the Book of Names. Today the Primal Point laments, and all things are saddened, for they have denied Him whose station equals all the books before and after that descended from the heaven of His Will, and whose manifestations of power and grandeur shone forth like the sun.

Section 2: “Glory be to God! How hath heedlessness so…”

Glory be to God! How hath heedlessness so seized these souls that after years of reading the Qur’an, they remained so unaware as to speak like the idolaters. A hundred thousand pities that the people of the Bayan have been afflicted with the chronic diseases of old. Ibn-i-Ja’far-i-Kirmani claimed: “I possess a hundred books from the Primal Point and so-and-so.” Say: Thou hast lied, by the Lord of the Ka’bah! By God, thou hast spoken without justice. In any case, whatever is from the Primal Point must be sent to the Most Holy Court, for it depends upon acceptance, and as for that which is from others—read some of it and judge fairly. By the life of God! It cannot compare with a single verse. We are not concerned with rejection or acceptance, but for the sake of God We say this much: you had and have no knowledge of the foundation of the Cause and its Founder. By the life of God! This one word would guide the fair-minded to the sweet and flowing fountain, but now you are found sleeping. Ask God to awaken you with the breezes of the springtime of divine knowledge and draw you to the Most Exalted Horizon. Verily, He is powerful over all things.

The Supreme Pen laments for itself, for matters have reached such a state that the Truth Itself writes proofs. O ye who possess ears, hearken with pure ears to this verse of the Qur’an. His blessed words, exalted is He:

“If the Truth had followed their desires, verily the heavens and the earth and whosoever is therein would have been corrupted.”

He says that if the Truth had followed their desires, surely the heavens and earth and all within them would have been corrupted. O people! Hear the call of the Wronged One and abandon your desires. Fix your gaze upon the Will of God and hold fast to His Purpose. He manifests whatsoever He willeth. Blessed is the one whose will is annihilated in His Will and whose desire is dissolved in His Desire. Thus hath spoken the Truth, and He guideth the Way.

Now contemplate the attributes of the assured believer of whom God hath given tidings. His blessed words, exalted is He: “And when they hear what hath been revealed to the Messenger, thou seest their eyes overflow with tears because of what they have recognized of the truth. They say: ʿOur Lord, we believe; write us down among the witnesses.”’ And concerning the idolaters and opponents who have taken their own desires as proof for themselves, He says, blessed and exalted is He: “Even if We had sent down the angels unto them, and the dead had spoken unto them, and We had gathered all things before them, they would not have believed unless God had so willed. However, most of them are ignorant.”

This blessed verse refers to souls who have ever risen in opposition and clung to their vain imaginings and turned away from the proof and testimony of God, exalted be His glory. He saith: “Even if We had sent down the angels unto them, and the dead had spoken unto them, and We had gathered together before them all things in multitude, they would not have believed in God, exalted be His glory.” And “They swear their strongest oaths by God that if a sign should come to them, they would surely believe in it. Say: Signs are in the power of God alone, and what will make you realize that even if they came, they would not believe?” O assembly of Manshad! Be not as those who in the time of the Seal said: “By God, if He should turn Mount Safa into gold, or raise our dead to testify to the truth of His prophethood, we would believe.”

Throughout all His verses, God, exalted be His glory, hath rejected the deniers and made mention of those who are assured of His signs, in a manner befitting their faith and their turning unto God, the Single, the One, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. Moreover He saith, blessed and exalted be He:

“Are they waiting to see if the angels come to them, or thy Lord, or certain of the signs of thy Lord? The day that certain of the signs of thy Lord do come, no good will it do to a soul to believe in them then.”

Now ponder upon these verses and take heed, that perchance through divine proof and testimony ye may find your way to the straight path.

Concerning those souls who turn away from the rays of the Sun of Certitude, the Blessed and Exalted One declares: “Most of them follow nothing but conjecture. Surely conjecture can be of no avail against Truth. Verily God is well aware of all they do.” Ponder upon this blessed verse. Concerning those souls who are deprived and forbidden from seeing and hearing, He says, blessed and exalted be He: “Among them are some who listen to thee; but canst thou make the deaf to hear even though they are devoid of understanding? And among them are some who look toward thee; but canst thou guide the blind even though they see not? Take heed, O ye who are endued with understanding!”

Hearken unto the call of the Wronged One, and turn from ignorance to knowledge, from turning away to acceptance, and strive to proceed from the rivulet to the Most Great Ocean, that ye may not be deprived of the outpourings of the True Bestower. This is the Day of vision, for the highest horizon is resplendent and manifest, and the Day of hearing, for the call of the Intended One is raised. This is that Day which hath been mentioned in all the Books and Scriptures. This deafness and blindness is indeed divine retribution and the recompense of deeds, yet we beseech God, exalted be His glory, to assist all and deprive none from the ocean of divine unity on this Day.

Consider this objection of the idolaters, that perchance the breeze of fairness may waft from the direction of the heart and purify all members. The Blessed and Exalted One declares: “Those who disbelieve say: ʿWhy is not a sign sent down to him from his Lord?”’ Observe how whatever was manifested from God, exalted be His glory, the idolaters were not content therewith, but desired according to their own vain imaginings whatsoever they wished. O ye who count yourselves as believers, do ye acknowledge or not that He “doeth whatsoever He willeth, and ordaineth whatsoever He pleaseth”? Ye must today contemplate with fairness the proof of God and consider His evidence. By the life of God! This is spoken for the sake of God. The harm and benefit of the world revert to its people, as every discerning one and every informed sage doth testify. Fear God, O people, and be not among the wrongdoers.

Consider this verse:

“If there were a Qur’an with which mountains were moved, or the earth were cloven asunder, or the dead were made to speak…”

The purpose is that the idolaters among the Quraysh and those who turned away demanded such things from that holy Being that they might believe. The heavens lament and the dwellers of the highest Paradise wail. The idolaters of that age clung to such matters, and now certain followers of the Bayan are observed to be lower than those souls, for they have asked Him to reveal the gender of an expectant woman, who she is, what she carries in her womb and when she will deliver. Verily the very essence of seeking forgiveness doth ask forgiveness in this station for what they have said and say. Glory be to God! Is the mention of such matters befitting? Nay, by God! Yet this Wronged One standeth alone in the Cause and beseecheth God not to deprive His servants on this Day. Now the equivalent of all the Books of God, past and future, hath been revealed and is present. Reflect upon that which hath flowed from the Most Exalted Pen. In this Revelation hath appeared that which hath not appeared since the beginning of creation, yet opposition preventeth both the outward and inward eye from beholding. We beseech God that He may grant deliverance unto all and not deprive them from the oceans of His mercy.

O ye that are gathered together! I say unto you in truth that throughout all ages and centuries the evil ones among the people have ever been occupied with such objections. This is not the first Command that hath appeared in the Bayan, nor the first vessel that hath been broken in Islam, nor the first matter concerning which they have objected to the Prophets and Messengers. They objected to the Spirit (Christ), saying “If Thou be the Truth, command this stone to become bread,” or “Cast Thyself down from above.” He saith: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God’s will.” And it is also written: “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” Can they perceive the fragrance of these utterances and taste the sweetness of the Divine Word? This is most difficult unless the eyes, ears and hearts be cleansed through the water of return and repentance. He guideth whom He willeth and leadeth astray whom He pleaseth, and He is powerful over all things.

This is a Day wherein all must show forth obedience and turn with complete submission and contentment, offering praise unto God with both their outer and inner tongues. Instead of gratitude they have drawn forth the sword, and in place of submission they have kindled the fire of hatred. Where are they whom names have not kept back from their Creator, and where are they whom the might of sovereignty hath not frightened in the days of God?

O ye seekers who claim to be of the Shi’ih sect! Reflect, that perchance the tales and stories of old may not prevent you from the Day-Star of the divine kingdom and deprive you from the ocean of utterance. Verily He speaketh the truth and guideth to the Way. Whoso believeth, it shall be to his own benefit; and whoso turneth away, it shall be to his own loss. God is independent of all the worlds. O ye who claim knowledge! Consider this verse—blessed and exalted be His Word:

“Seest thou such a one as taketh for his god his own passion? God hath, knowing him as such, led him astray, and sealed up his hearing and his heart, and put a covering on his sight. Who, then, will guide him after God? Will ye not then be mindful?”

Take heed of the words of Truth, exalted be His glory. The days are passing swiftly. By the life of God, these objections were and are unworthy of the divine days. This is the day whereof He saith, “The earth shall shine with the light of her Lord.” This is the day whereof He saith, “The dwellers of Sinai shall be struck with thunderous awe.” Take refuge in Truth, glorified be His majesty, and with pure hearts and sanctified vision turn towards the Most Exalted Horizon. I swear by the light of the Sun of Evidence which hath shone from the highest horizon of the world that this Wronged One hath gone beyond your faith and the faith of others.

For twelve hundred years and more, people like you took pride before other sects in what they possessed, and in gatherings and from pulpits they occupied themselves with disputation, contention, revilement and cursing of one another, imagining they were serving God. In the end, the fruit of all their deeds was their agreement to shed most holy blood. Now too these souls desire to occupy themselves with cursing, reviling and disputation for another thousand years, ultimately reaching the same fruit as the previous sect, namely the Shi’ih party. What strange intoxication and what strange heedlessness hath seized them all! From the beginning of Islam until the first day of the Manifestation, not one of the Shi’ih divines was aware of the nature of the Manifestation and the presence of that Essence of Being in the loins.

This was the station of your previous divines who possessed not an atom’s weight of knowledge. Were they to reflect somewhat on this matter, they would cry out. Now the time of the previous sect hath passed, and the time of the Bayani sect hath come. Say what ye wish. That which was incumbent upon Truth, glorified be His majesty, He hath proclaimed in most eloquent terms before the faces of all the world. All things bear witness to this, if ye be not of them that deny.

Section 3: “Judge fairly: after the effulgences of the Sun…”

Judge fairly: after the effulgences of the Sun of the Bayan of the All-Merciful, and the waves of the ocean of divine knowledge, and the manifestations of the Luminary of inner meanings in the gathering of the world, is it befitting to speak like the former deniers? Nay, worse still! By God! Sanctify your hearts from the veils of idle fancies and desire, that perchance ye may hearken to the wondrous, delicate melodies of the Bird of inner meanings, warbling upon the highest branch of understanding, and may find yourselves detached and free from the world and all who dwell therein, and soar with the wings of freedom in the atmosphere of justice and fairness. It would be regrettable were ye to be seen as like unto the former deniers.

By the life of God, were it not for the Most Exalted Pen, the veils and coverings would have prevented all. Now that some of the veils have been rent asunder by the power of the Most Exalted Pen, perchance a few souls may find and remain steadfast. Observe how the verses have encompassed the world and how the evidences have become more manifest than the sun, yet despite this they have forgotten the divine counsels and broken His covenant and testament, and have perpetrated that which pen and utterance fail to describe.

O servant! We conclude with these words, blessed and exalted be His utterance:

“Verily, thou canst not make the dead to hear, nor canst thou make the deaf to hear the call when they turn their backs and flee.”

And it is better that we pass beyond all this and occupy ourselves with the remembrance of God.

O my God, my Adored One, my King! I bear witness that Thou art not to be known through the attributes of Thy creatures, nor described through the praises of created things. The perceptions of the world and the minds of nations cannot fittingly enter the precincts of Thy sanctity, nor comprehend it. What error has caused the dwellers of the City of Names to be withheld from Thine exalted horizon and deprived from drawing nigh unto Thy Most Great Ocean? A single letter from Thy Book is the Mother of all Utterance, and one word therefrom is the Source of all Being. What ingratitude has appeared from Thy servants that Thou hast withheld them all from knowing Thee! One drop from the ocean of Thy mercy can quench the flames of hell, and one spark from the fire of Thy love can set the world ablaze.

O All-Knowing One! Though we are heedless, yet we cling to Thy grace, and though we are ignorant, we turn to the ocean of Thy knowledge. Thou art He Whose abundance of grace is not hindered by the multitude of errors, nor is Thy bounty impeded by the world’s rejection. The gate of Thy grace has forever been open. A dewdrop from the ocean of Thy mercy can adorn all with the ornament of sanctity, and a sprinkle from the sea of Thy generosity can endow all existence with true wealth. O Concealer! Remove not the veil. Ever have the manifestations of Thy grace encompassed the world, and the lights of Thy Most Great Name have shone upon all. Deprive not Thy servants of the wonders of Thy grace, and grant them awareness that they may testify to Thy oneness, and bestow upon them recognition that they may hasten unto Thee.

Thy mercy hath encompassed all created things and Thy grace hath embraced all. From the waves of the ocean of Thy bestowals have appeared the seas of seeking and yearning. All that exists is Thee; what is besides Thee is unworthy of mention save through entering beneath Thy shadow and arriving at Thy court. In every state we seek Thy ancient forgiveness and search for Thy boundless grace. We hope that Thou wilt not deprive any soul of Thy grace nor withhold from anyone the ornament of justice and fairness. Thou art the Sovereign of generosity, the Lord of bounty, and the One Who ruleth over all who are in earth and heaven.

The spirit of the world be a sacrifice unto His call, and unto His remembrance, and unto His utterance! By the life of my Purpose and the Purpose of all who are in earth and heaven! At the time of the revelation of these verses, from beginning to end, all the realities of the Prophets and Messengers were present, and all the Concourse on High and dwellers of the Most Exalted Paradise were seized by the attraction of the utterance of the All-Merciful. God is witness and bearer of testimony to what befell this servant at the time of utterance—all limbs and members were agitated and convulsed, and from all directions sorrows encompassed me, that the people of the Bayan should act thus despite the counsels of the All-Merciful.

Glory be to God! This servant is astonished at how quickly the veils and idle fancies have encompassed the people. The Exalted One—may the spirit of all who are in the kingdom of Command and Creation be a sacrifice unto Him—proclaims with the most elevated call, His word, exalted and mighty:

“I have written a gem concerning His remembrance: He shall not be known through My allusions, nor through what is mentioned in the Bayan.”

Do the people of the Bayan consider these words, which flowed from the lips of the Primal Point’s Will—may the spirit of all else be a sacrifice unto Him—to be false or true? If, God forbid, they deem it false, then no further word remains. And if they accept it as true, what then are these words and these objections? Well done to the people of the Bayan! How firmly they have girded their loins to block the gates of divine bounties and how ready they are to prevent His mercy!

This evanescent servant implores and beseeches you to fix your gaze upon the truth and upon that which hath appeared from His presence. Have you not witnessed and hath there not appeared from the Truth even as much as you desired? Look ye in the revealed Books—whatsoever hath later come to pass had already flowed from the Most Exalted Pen, but there is neither sight nor hearing to observe and take heed.

This servant hath no word with anyone. What he had to say, he hath said; this was his duty and he hath discharged it. Guidance and error are in the hand of God, exalted be His glory. Yet he hath not failed, nor will he fail, to pray. The Command is in the hand of our Lord, our Beloved, our Purpose and the Purpose of all who are in the heavens and the earth.

And I beseech God, exalted be His glory, to aid these mentioned souls to return and repent, that perchance God may remit their misdeeds and transgressions, whereby the hearts of the people of Paradise have melted, the Concourse on High have lamented, and this evanescent servant was struck unconscious. For a time this servant remained unconscious and stupefied. After recovering consciousness and awakening, I besought the Self-Sufficient One with utmost lowliness and supplication not to deprive His servants of the splendors of the Sun of Divine Unity, for this is truly the Day of Divine Unity. Blessed is the soul that hath recognized the Day and the Lord of the Day.

This is the Day of the blessed word “There is none other God but He.” Hearken unto the call of this evanescent servant, and while there is yet time, arise to redeem that which hath passed you by. The greatness of this Day hath been mentioned in the Books of old and of recent times, and recorded by the Most Exalted Pen. This evanescent servant beseecheth God to aid all to perform such deeds as befit this mighty Day, and to grant His confirmation that all may turn their faces to the eternal countenance and advance toward the Most Exalted Horizon.

At the close, this evanescent servant makes mention of a word, and it is this: Let them ask, with the utmost courtesy, from their own source one of those questions which they posed here with complete discourtesy, and after witnessing how different is the reality from what they had imagined, let them turn towards the Most Holy Court, that they may gain awareness and attain unto the knowledge of God, and recognize the station of this Day and true unity. This is the most great mercy and the supreme bounty, if they be enabled to achieve it. Would that the people might recognize Him! Would that the people might know! Verily we are God’s, and verily unto Him shall we return. Glory be upon the people of Baha who were not prevented by the intimations of the people of the Bayan, those who turned away from the All-Merciful when He came to them with manifest sovereignty. And praise be to God, the Single, the One, the Powerful, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

The servant, 15 Shawwal 1302

He is God

After several days when no answer descended from the heaven of divine will, this servant once again, for the sake of God, submits these few words to the possessors of attentive ears, that perchance they may recognize the station of Truth and, through the fragrance of utterance, turn to the horizon of the All-Merciful. The people of the assembly, meaning those four souls, seek tidings of the unseen, saying “We do not understand the verses.” This statement greatly affected this servant, for it contradicts the divine verses. In the eighth chapter of the sixth Vahid of the Bayan, He says—exalted and glorified be His words: “Whoso seeks proof in aught save the Book of God and the verses of the Bayan, while all are powerless to produce the like thereof, hath no proof. And whoso relates miracles other than these, there is no truth in it…” until His exalted words: “that perchance on the Day of the Manifestation of Him Whom God shall make manifest, no why’ or wherefore’ shall be uttered concerning Him.” Would that only “why” and “wherefore” had been uttered! That which no oppressor had ever spoken was spoken. Those souls who say “We do not understand the verses”—do they not even understand their obvious meaning?

Let them ponder the blessed Surih of Ra’is and judge fairly. All that subsequently came to pass had been previously revealed from the Supreme Pen with utmost clarity. Let a group gather, free from hatred, and examine that Surih. By the life of our Lord! Word for word it hath been made manifest in the visible world. Let them observe and judge fairly, and return from the desert of heedlessness to the field of awareness, and from the darkness of fancy and conjecture to the light of certitude. Fear God, O people, and be not among the transgressors.

Be not like the heedless Shi’ih party who would first lament from the pulpit the oppression of the Letters of the Furqan, and then at the end would curse the Chief of those Letters and decree His death. In any case, by the testimony of the Bayan and the Furqan and the divine Books, the sending of that concordant writing was an error—an error whose record would be most difficult to erase from the book of deeds, save through clear repentance. They must seek forgiveness by night and day; perchance He may forgive them and expiate what they have committed. Verily He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.

Glory be to God! They have said that which its error is clear and evident to every soul. O united souls! What tidings of the unseen did ye hear from the Exalted One? In the first year of the Manifestation, ye were all heedless and turned away. What unseen thing was then revealed that ye became believers? Now observe that which is above it and far above it, and judge fairly. God is witness and testifier that in what hath been submitted, I had and have no purpose save His good-pleasure and the salvation of His servants. Verily He knoweth what is in the hearts and what is in the breasts, and He is the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

BH03897: He dawns from the horizon of the Kingdom

He dawns from the horizon of the Kingdom

A Book sent down by the King of Kings for him who hath believed in God, the Mighty, the Loving. O Karim! We have mentioned thee time after time, and again and yet again. To this beareth witness My Most Exalted Pen, and beyond it he who circleth round My mighty throne. Thou art he who responded when the Call was raised between earth and heaven, and who believed in God, the Sublime, the Great. Beware lest the breezes of aversion hold thee back from turning to the All-Informed One. Be thou so steadfast that neither the veils of the world nor the mists of the nations shall prevent thee. Thus doth command thee the Pen of the Divine Decree from the presence of One knowing, wise.

Consider those who claim belief in the Bayan—they have disbelieved in God just as did the people before them. They are indeed among the most lost. O Karim! God willing, thou shalt be blessed through His grace and stand firm in His Cause. In most times thy call hath been heard and the Most Exalted Pen hath moved at thy name. Know thou the measure of this mighty station, and as thou gazest upon the name of the Lord of Power, preserve it. Reflect upon the baseness of the people of the Bayan—they have turned away from One from Whose pen flowed the equivalent of all the books on earth and all tidings past and future, and they busy themselves with their own vain imaginings. Fie upon them and their faithlessness!

Be not grieved by hardship and difficulty. By My life, ease and relief have ever followed and shall follow. We beseech God that He assist thee and keep thee firm and steadfast in His Cause. Thy mention hath been made in the Supreme Concourse—ask thou of God that this station remain lasting and eternal. All affairs are in His grasp and He hath power over all things. There is no God but Him, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting.