Volume 076: Akka 1302 A.H. (1884–1885), Part II (2 of 6)

BH04012: In the days when the foundations of all were…

In the Name of the One Friend!

In the days when the foundations of all were disturbed and shaken through the power of oppression, this Wronged One arose to promote the Cause of God—an arising after which no sitting down was seen. Night and day did the tongue speak and the pen write, until the divine Cause was somewhat spread abroad. Then souls who were fearful, agitated and concealed behind a veil came forth with the sword of rejection and made for the truth. The curse of God be upon the wrong-doing people! Now they strive and struggle to lead the weak astray. Soon will this spread to those regions also. We beseech God that He may aid thee in that which is the cause of the Most Great Steadfastness.

For twelve hundred years and more the Shi’ih sect counted themselves above all other sects and considered themselves the most exalted of creation. In the end what happened and what became evident was that in the sight of the Lord of creation they were and are like worthless insects, for they martyred with their own hands the One they worshipped and visited upon the friends of God in every land that which tongue and pen are powerless to recount. Now the people of the Bayan are occupied with those same vain imaginings. They have not reflected even this much on what was the outcome of the deeds of the Shi’ihs and what was their fruit. By God’s life! They are accounted as transgressors in the Book of God, the True, the Manifest King.

Rejoice thou in My remembrance of thee. Verily We have been with thee in all conditions. Thy Lord doth witness and behold, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing. We have ordained for thee that which gladdeneth the heart of every one who hath turned towards God. Thy Lord, the All-Knowing, doth testify to this. Convey My greetings to the friends in those regions and remind them on behalf of God of the Most Great Steadfastness.

BH05210: He dawneth from the horizon of eternity!

He dawneth from the horizon of eternity!

O Habib! From the earliest days, when day and night appeared as one due to the dust and smoke of oppression, He appeared before the faces of the servants, and equal to the heavenly Books—nay, greater still—was that which descended from the heaven of His Will, and all matters both past and future flowed from His Pen. Yet they turned away from Him and turned instead to the dayspring of idle fancy, who had no knowledge whatsoever of His Cause.

By the life of God! The people of the Bayan are seen to be more base than the people of the Furqan, walking in the footsteps of that party. They have lost who denied My sovereignty and disputed My verses and turned away from My Beauty, the Luminous, the Shining One. We beseech God to grant justice, that perchance they may see with their own eyes and hear with their own ears the Call of God.

We made mention of thee before in a Tablet from whose horizon shone forth the luminary of thy Lord’s loving kindness, and We make mention of thee at this time with that which will draw thee nigh unto God, the Lord of all worlds. Take hold of the Book of God with His strength and with such steadfastness as cannot be shaken by the might of the oppressors. Convey My greetings to the friends and give them the glad-tidings of God’s grace, exalted be His glory.

We counsel thee and those who have believed to show forth such steadfastness as will cause the hearts of the idolaters to tremble—they who have violated God’s Covenant and His Testament and were among the heedless. The Glory be upon thee and upon all who are firm and steadfast.

BH07378: In My Name, the All-Encompassing over all names! O…

In My Name, the All-Encompassing over all names! O Rahim! The All-Bountiful, Who is imprisoned in the prison of ʿAkka, makes mention of thee, inasmuch as He hath summoned all unto God, the Lord of all names. By the life of God! The people are in manifest error. We have mentioned thee before, and in this hour We have revealed unto thee this Tablet from whose horizon hath shone forth the Sun of the utterance of thy Lord, the All-Evident, the All-Knowing. Remember thou when thou didst turn to the Most Exalted Horizon and attain the presence of the Throne, and didst hear the verses of God, thy Lord and the Lord of the worlds, and didst drink the choice wine of reunion from the hands of bounty and favor, until thou didst return by the leave of thy Lord, the Ordainer, the Ancient of Days. Preserve thou this station, then give thanks unto thy Lord, the All-Bountiful. We make mention of thy brother who was with thee, and We counsel him to be steadfast in this Great Cause, whereby the hearts of the servants have been shaken, save those whom thy Lord, the All-Forgiving, the All-Merciful, hath willed. The Glory be upon thee and upon those whom vain imaginings have not withheld from this wondrous Cause.

BH07404: O Ghulam! Praise be to God that thou hast…

He is the All-Hearing, the Answering One!

O Ghulam! Praise be to God that thou hast been assisted to attain unto the good-pleasure of the Peerless Friend and hast acted according to that which He hath commanded. Blessed are they who have attained unto God’s good-pleasure and have held fast unto that which is in the Book.

In this day the rain of mercy is pouring down abundantly from the heaven of bounty. Whoso turneth unto it shall be reckoned among them that are nigh unto God, and whoso turneth away shall be recorded among the opposers in God’s Book. The world hath been illumined by the lights of His countenance, and yet piercing vision is rare indeed. The spiritual feast hath been sent down, and yet none seeketh after it save whom God willeth. We beseech Him to kindle in the breast of the world the fire of seeking, that all may turn in devotion toward the most exalted horizon, the supreme perspective, and the ultimate goal. This is the fruit of existence and the cause of creation. Blessed are they that understand! Convey to all the kindred ones greetings from the True One. Upon thee and upon them be My glory, My loving-kindness and My mercy which hath preceded all who are in the heavens and on earth.

BH08993: This is a Book sent down by the Wronged…

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

This is a Book sent down by the Wronged One, wherein He summoneth all to God, the Almighty, the All-Praised. There hath not been a day but the rustling of My Most Exalted Pen was raised therein and My sacred tongue spoke forth, the Mighty, the Wondrous. By God! The Day hath come and He Who was hidden in the knowledge of God, the Lord of the worlds, hath been made manifest. Thy name hath been mentioned in the presence of the Prisoner and this perspicuous Tablet hath been revealed for thee. When thou attainest unto it, arise and say:

Praise be unto Thee, O Thou Who art the Goal of the world and the Object of worship of the nations, for having guided me to Thy horizon and made me to know Thy manifestation, Thy dawning and Thy radiance. I beseech Thee by the Crimson Scroll and by the mysteries of Thy Tablets, O Thou Creator of the heavens and Sovereign of all names, to assist me to be steadfast in Thy love. Verily, Thou art the Almighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

BH09626: O My handmaiden! We mentioned thee before in such…

He is the One speaking from the Supreme Horizon

O My handmaiden! We mentioned thee before in such wise as to enrapture the hearts of the devoted ones in their chambers. Thy Lord is, verily, the All-Witnessing, the All-Informed. And We make mention of thee at this time with this wondrous mention. Beware lest the affairs of men sadden thee or the clamor of those who have denied God when He came with a mighty Cause cause thee to fear. Take hold of the Book of God with the strength that cometh from Him, then thank Him for this manifest bounty. By My life! My mention of thee outweigheth all the treasures of the earth—to this testifieth every discerning servant. The glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of My mercy be upon thee and upon those who have cast away what the people possess and upon those women who have believed in the One, the All-Informed.

BH09217: Today the world is illumined with the lights…

He is the One Who gazeth from the horizon of the heaven of utterance.

Today the world is illumined with the lights of the Sun of Manifestation. This Day hath no peer or likeness, and in all the divine Books its station and rank have been recorded and inscribed. O friends! By the life of the All-Merciful! If in this Day any soul should miss performing a deed, its compensation shall be impossible thereafter. Today the mystery of the Books is made manifest, the Mother Book is speaking, the Most Great Path is clear, and the ocean of knowledge is surging. Strive that ye may not be deprived of the outpourings of the divine days. Thy name hath been mentioned before the Wronged One, and this blessed Tablet hath been revealed as a token of grace. When thou attainest unto it, say: Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

BH00944: Praise befitteth the sanctified court of the Desired One…

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

Praise befitteth the sanctified court of the Desired One Who, out of pure wrath, hath manifested the Most Great Mercy, and from fire hath made light apparent. “In retaliation there is life for you, O men of understanding!” Through His pure will, retaliation became the cause of life, and the fire became the Manifestation of His verses. He is the King Who causeth the water of life to flow from the solid rock, and from sheer weakness bringeth forth incalculable power. Glory be unto Him! Glory be unto Him! How great are His signs, how exalted His might and majesty!

And may blessings, sanctified from all conjecture and idle fancy, and peace, exalted above the comprehension of all created things, rest upon Him through Whom the back of misbelief was broken and the light of unity shone forth from the horizon of creation. Exalted is the All-Merciful Who sent Him with the truth and revealed unto Him the Criterion, to the dismay of every misbeliever who took idle fancy as lord among the religions. And upon His family and companions, through whom were revealed the mysteries of the Book and the power of God in the beginning and the return, and through whom the cities of the world were conquered and God’s decree was established among the nations, and through whom rivers flowed and oceans surged and the fragrances of the All-Merciful were wafted to all regions. And peace be upon them—a peace whose reckoning the pens are powerless to count.

Glory be unto Thee, O God of existence and King of the seen and unseen! I beseech Thee by them and by those who aided Thy Faith and arose to serve Thy Cause, that Thou assist the people of unity through Thy strength and power and sovereignty. Then protect them, O my God, from the evil of the ungodly among Thy creatures who denied Thee and Thy signs and surrounded Thy cities and habitations. Then aid, O my God, whosoever hath turned unto Thee and held fast to the cord of Thy favors, and protect him from the oppressors among Thy creatures and the rebellious ones among Thy creation. Verily, Thou art powerful over whatsoever Thou willest. There is no God but Thee, the Almighty, the All-Powerful.

The beloved’s letter was received; it was not a mere letter in form, for in meaning it was a source of joy and a fountain of gladness. Glory be to God! What a wondrous missive it was, for without speech it conveyed its message and in perfect order expressed degrees of love. Paper, ink and pen alone possess not such grace; rather these miracles, favors and extraordinary things stem from the essence of love which has penetrated the very being of its letters and words.

In any case, the door of reunion, meeting, nearness, joy and gladness was suddenly opened. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, not to withhold this subtle essence from the letters of creation, that it might permeate humanity and enable all to attain unto the word of unity.

After reading and becoming acquainted with its contents, I proceeded to the Holy Presence where it was presented. He said:

“God willing, may you fix your gaze upon the love of God, which is the cause of creation and the reason for existence, and be enkindled with its heat. From the letter Ha’ of this word, the fire of divine love surges in the breasts and hearts of the believers in unity, the near ones, and the sincere ones. From its letter Ba’, all beings have appeared, and from its point the world of distinction has come into being. Were this ʿBa’ to be expounded, the mysteries of the first and the last would become manifest through it. It is the mirror of all letters and words, wherein the mysteries of eternity are concealed and upon which the affairs of nations depend. It is the manifestation of the One, sanctified from numbers, and the dawning-place of verses and evidences.”

I beseech God, exalted be His glory, to assist your honor in that which He loves and with which He is well-pleased. Today all—that is, the community of the All-Merciful—must implore with utmost humility and supplication the Self-Sufficient Lord for the victory of His manifest Faith, and beseech the All-Powerful One to extinguish the fire of the ungodly.

Peace be upon you, upon your son, and upon him who was with Me and bore tribulations without fault or error. We praise God Who enabled him to be patient and forbearing. Verily He is the Protector of His loved ones and His friends. There is no God but He, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

Praise be to God, again praise be to God, for the door of favor is opened and the effulgences of the Sun of Unity are manifest and evident. Glory be to God! What greed and avarice have blazed in the hearts of the ungodly! They possess numerous dominions yet run with lightning speed after a single span of earth. Do they not witness the changes of the world and its transience? The evanescence of all things is clear and evident in the midst of decline. What has prevented sight and what veils have seized the heart? They seize the wealth of the people of the world and spend it on weapons and war, without any proof from God. Man was created for peace and has come for reformation. For what is this contention and for whom is this war? This handful of dust was not and is not worthy of such transfers. God is witness and testifier that this servant, in nights and days, seeks that which is the cause and means of salvation for the people of the world. In view of His favor, mercy and generosity, despair has had and has no place. He is the All-Knowing, the All-Powerful.

Concerning what you wrote about the Feast, they said it is most excellent and praiseworthy; all that was mentioned in these matters is adorned with the ornament of acceptance. Praise be to God, you are people of truth and well-wishers of all the peoples of the world. The Lord of the Prophets (may our souls be a sacrifice for His sake) would pray and seek salvation for all creation, and was adorned with the crown of the blessed words “a mercy to all the worlds.” Praise be to God, the Lord of the Worlds.

Convey my greetings to my spiritual friend, his honor Sheikh—upon him be 669 [Baha’u’llah]’s glory and favors. Mention of him has been and continues to be made in the gathering of friends, and love for him has been and will remain treasured in hearts. Convey my greetings to his honor Aqa Muhammad-Ali—upon him be Baha’u’llah’s glory. A response to his letter was written some time ago; God willing, it has arrived. Convey my greetings to Qurratu’l-Ayn, the fruit of the Tree of the Love of God, and I beseech God—exalted be His glory—for his support and confirmation.

A small amount of Huquq was received and accepted, and its purpose was designated at that very moment. This too is evidence of acceptance upon acceptance. Peace, mercy and loving-kindness be upon you and those with you.

The Servant, 26th of the honored month of Shawwal 1302

BH10325: Another submission is that whatever expressions of humility, submissiveness…

Another submission is that whatever expressions of humility, submissiveness, self-effacement, nothingness, remembrance, praise and glorification were offered in the presence of Their Holiness the Two Most Great, Most Exalted, Most Noble Branches—may my spirit and the spirits of all the worlds be sacrificed for the dust of their footsteps—were repeatedly presented, and in each instance They mentioned this one with special words reflecting pure grace and favor. Whatever this servant has presented in this station was and will remain utterly deficient.

Completed on Tuesday the 18th of Dhi’l-Qa’dih 1302.

BH00886: Praise, sanctified beyond all that can be imagined, befitteth…

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

Praise, sanctified beyond all that can be imagined, befitteth the most impregnable and most holy court of the Self-Sufficient, the Most High, Who through the first Word which shone forth from the Dayspring of the mouth of His Will, brought into being the worlds of Command and Creation. Through that Word was made manifest all that was made manifest. Whatsoever can be conceived of the Day of Resurrection, the Hour, and their conditions, appeared through Him. Glory be to God! The Most Great Exposition shone forth from Him. Fire and light, exaltation and abasement, felicity and wretchedness, guidance and error, belief and unbelief—all became manifest in creation through His appearance. Exalted be His grandeur, elevated be His power, and all-encompassing be His dominion! He is the One with such might that neither the cawing of the crows, nor the denial of the infidels, nor the clamor of the ungodly, nor the turning away of the divines, nor the power of princes could deter Him from His purpose.

Glorified art Thou, O God of Names and Creator of earth and heaven! I beseech Thee to ordain for Thy loved ones the good of this world and the world to come. O Lord! This is Thy Day wherein the ocean of Thy grace hath surged, the fragrance of Thy bounty hath wafted, the heaven of Thy generosity hath been raised up, and the sun of Thy giving hath shone forth. I beseech Thee not to drive away those who have turned toward Thy gate, nor to deprive them of the outpourings of Thy days and the rain-showers from the heaven of Thy mercy. Thou art He Who, through a letter of Thy Hidden Name, opened the doors of the mysteries of Thy Books and Scriptures, and through another letter made manifest Thy Path, Thy Evidence, and Thy Way. O Lord! Take the hands of Thy loved ones with the hands of Thy power and might. Verily, Thou art the Chosen One and the Lord of the righteous. There is none other God but Thee, the Mighty, the Compelling.

Thereafter, some time ago this evanescent servant sent a detailed letter to that spiritual beloved containing Tablets, verses and papers. As the reply was delayed, no further submission was made until this day, the second of Dhi’l-Qa’dih, when that honored one’s letter written to his honor Afnan—upon him be the Most Glorious Beauty—was sent to this land. That letter brought glad tidings that the aforementioned letter had arrived. Praise be to God, news of health, well-being, joy and gladness arrived, and the arrival of the letter and message in one instant adorned heart and soul with the ornament of joy and delight. I beseech the True One, exalted be His station, to ever grant these moths such strength that they may soar at all times and journey through cities and regions. After reading and reviewing it, I proceeded to write this letter.

If you wish to know about affairs in this land, praise be to God, as before, all are engaged in the remembrance, praise and glorification of the True One, exalted be His glory. The honored Afnans—upon them be the Most Glorious Beauty—resided in this land for some time under the shade of the blessed Divine Lote-Tree, attaining at every moment to a bounty and being sustained by the blessings of the utterance of the Beloved of creation. After fulfilling their promise, they returned to Beirut as commanded. Their place was both empty and not empty, for specifically in every gathering there was mention of the honored Afnans and other friends in the Most Holy Court. This truly is eternal salvation and everlasting success. Praise be to God Who fulfilled His promise and manifested that which was inscribed by the Pen of Revelation in a Book which none knoweth save our All-Knowing, All-Informed Lord. At this moment, the binding command hath descended from the heaven of the decree of the Ancient King. His word—exalted be His glory, universal be His bounty, and great be His station.

O Amin, upon thee be my glory! In all conditions keep thine eyes fixed upon the exaltation of the Cause. The Supreme Pen hath testified and doth testify to your deeds, and hath mentioned your services rendered purely for His sake—a mention that shineth like the sun in the Book. Be thankful unto thy Lord for this great bounty. However, We counsel thee to keep thine eyes fixed upon the horizon of glory. The loved ones of God must be reminded, with the utmost joy and fragrance, and with their gaze fixed upon the Word, of His exalted utterance: “Remind them, for surely remembrance benefiteth the believers.” Whosoever is enabled to perform deeds with joy and fragrance is recorded among the sincere ones in the Manifest Book; otherwise, none should ever reproach him. Today the True One, exalted be His glory, regardeth the hearts and the pearls hidden therein. Such is the way of the True One and His chosen ones, exalted be His glory. Ye must supplicate on behalf of the loved ones and friends that the True One may assist all to act according to what is in the Book, and that neither vain imaginings nor worldly conditions may hinder them.

O Abu’l-Hasan, upon thee be my glory! Fix thy gaze upon the glory of the Cause and speak that which attracteth the hearts and minds. The demanding of the Huququ’llah hath never been and is not permissible. This decree hath been revealed in God’s Book for certain necessary matters which have been ordained through divine causes. If someone, with utmost contentment and joy, nay rather with insistence, wisheth to attain this bounty, it may be accepted; otherwise, no.

Exert your utmost that what hath been revealed may be acted upon. Send the Tablets of the Land of Kha. Much time hath elapsed. From there Jinab-i-Haji Ahmad, upon him be the glory of God, hath repeatedly expressed his helplessness and pleaded that the Tablets which were requested be sent. We beseech God, blessed and exalted be He, to assist you in His service as He assisted you before. Praise be to God, you are mentioned in every gathering and assembly in this blessed Prison. The Tongue of Grandeur hath repeatedly mentioned you before the emigrants, the residents, and the pilgrims. He is verily the All-Bountiful, the Generous One, and the Purpose of all who are in the heavens and on earth.

In these days, responses to the communications from the Land of Ya are being sent as commanded. We implore God, exalted be His glory, to bestow sight and hearing, that all may hear the call and behold the horizon of the Cause with their own eyes. Wherever you may be, convey greetings and salutations from this evanescent one to the friends and loved ones of that land. We beseech God, exalted be His glory, to make each one of His party like unto a mountain rather than a straw. The hurricanes and tempests of the ungodly have never been and shall never be capable of moving the former, by God’s might and power; however, the latter is moved by every wind and inclines toward any direction. I beseech God to grant even the straw the strength and majesty of a mountain. He is, verily, powerful and mighty over all things. Glory, remembrance, and praise be upon you and upon those who are with you and who love you for the sake of God, the Lord of the worlds, and praise be to Him Who is the Goal of the mystic knowers.

The servant 2 Dhi’l-Qa’dih 1302

BH00190: All praise that is sanctified above the comprehension…

Section 1: “All praise that is sanctified above the comprehension…”

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

All praise that is sanctified above the comprehension of the world and the recognition of nations befitteth the court of the glory of the Most High, Who alone, through the Supreme Pen, rendered His Cause victorious in days when the Sun of justice was concealed behind the clouds and the Luminary of equity was veiled behind the mists, to such extent that the horizon was darkened and the world intoxicated and stupefied. Trembling had seized the tribes, and the streams of knowledge were cut off and prevented from flowing through creation. The clouds themselves bear witness, and the mists themselves testify, while the atoms of all created things acknowledge and the realities of all things confess that there was no helper save the shrill voice of the Supreme Pen.

In such days did He, alone, arise to champion the Cause—an arising that caused the seated to tremble and the mighty to be perturbed. And when the clouds were somewhat lifted through the grace of the Pen of the Lord of Lords, and the lights of the Luminary of justice shone forth, there arose from behind the veils clamor and croaking. Every heedless one fell into vain imaginings and every infidel arose in opposition. Instead of gratitude, they began to complain; in place of faithfulness appeared faithlessness, and in place of justice, tyranny became manifest. Those who from the beginning of the Cause were heedless and veiled laid claim to knowledge and insight, and with the utmost cunning and deceit, strove to mislead those who had accepted and become unified with the Truth.

Glorified art Thou, O Revealer of verses and Manifestor of clear proofs, Master of existence and Sovereign of the seen and unseen! I beseech Thee by the light of Thy countenance whereby the earth and all thereon were illumined, and by the fire of Thy Lote-Tree whereby all things were attracted, to aid Thy servants to return unto Thee and to repent before the door of Thy grace, even though they have committed that which caused the dwellers of Thy Paradise and the occupants of the tabernacle of Thy majesty to lament, and the Primal Point to cry out from Thy most exalted horizon, and the eyes of Thy Prophets and chosen ones and the near ones among Thy servants to weep.

O Lord! Thou seest them cast upon the earth of heedlessness and forgetfulness, their deeds having prevented them from soaring in the atmosphere of Thy love, from turning to Thy face, and from entering the paradise of Thy presence. I beseech Thee, O Desired One of the world and Lord of the nations, by Thy mercy which Thou hast made the supreme cause for the tranquility and joy of Thy chosen ones, by Thy bounty and grace and favors, to deliver them from the darkness of self and passion. Verily, Thou art powerful over whatsoever Thou willest. There is none other God but Thee, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

I beseech Thee, O my God, by the mysteries hidden in the treasury of Thy knowledge, to assist Thy servants in Thy days that they may discover the fragrance of Thy most sweet utterance whereby earth and heaven have been perfumed. O Lord! This is Thy Day and the Day of Thy manifestation. The door of Thy grace hath been opened, the ocean of Thy mercy surgeth, and the fragrance of Thy bounty is wafted. I beseech Thee not to deprive Thy servants of Thy grace and bestowals and gifts which have, by Thy command, encompassed all created things. Verily, Thou art the Single, the One, the Powerful, the Mighty.

Send Thy blessings and peace and glory, O my God, upon those faces whom Thou hast, through Thy power, exalted to a station whereunto the hands of them that are beneath them fall short of attaining. I beseech Thee by Thy power which hath prevailed and by Thy might which hath encompassed all, to strengthen them as Thou didst strengthen them before, in such wise that they may see all else but Thee as a handful of dust. Verily, Thou art the Lord of all men and the Speaker in the final return. There is none other God but Thee, the Mighty, the All-Bestowing.

My spirit be a sacrifice for your arising, your remembrance, and your praise. This evanescent servant has been blessed to receive your letter, which spoke in praise of God, proclaimed His Name, called to His Cause, made mention of His remembrance, guided to His path, and conveyed your submissiveness, humility, turning and dedication to your Creator, your Maker, our Life-Giver and your Life-Giver. When I detected the fragrance of certitude, I opened and read it, and ascended until I attained and presented it before the countenance of our Goal and your Goal and the Goal of all who are in the heavens and earth. Thereupon the Tongue of Grandeur spoke that which attracted the souls and minds. His word, exalted be His majesty and all-encompassing His bounty:

In My Name, the Manifest, the Resplendent, Who standeth before the faces of the world

O Afnan! Upon thee be My glory, My mercy and My loving-kindness. Say: By God! He hath appeared, and whoso denieth Him hath denied the Bayan and before it the Books of God, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting, even unto the Primal Point. To this testifieth all things, and beyond them the Truth, the Knower of the unseen.

O Afnan! Hear thou in Persian: Say: A Revelation hath appeared and a Sun hath dawned and a Light hath risen. Whosoever denieth or rejecteth Him, denial and rejection themselves shall curse him. Say: By God! He hath not appeared in such wise that clouds could prevent Him or mists could withhold His light. Today all the Prophets and Messengers circle round Him. By the life of God, the heedless are in grievous drunkenness.

Say: Read ye the verses of God, then judge with fairness. He hath ever been independent of you, of your acceptance and your faith. They that are endowed with insight from God are worthy to behold the lights of the Lord of Power from the Most Sublime Vision. By the Sun of certitude that shineth resplendent from the highest horizon of the world, this Wronged One hath, throughout the nights and days, made mention of the servants of God and summoned them to the supreme horizon. Neither the hosts of the world deterred Him, nor the clamor of nations. He arose with a power that none can equal and a might that none can rival—an arising that caused feet to stumble and hearts to quake, save those who detached themselves from the world and all therein and turned their gaze to the most exalted horizon.

Say: Acceptance and rejection, reward and punishment, return unto the souls themselves, while God is sanctified and detached from all. The blind are debarred from beholding the horizon of light, and the deaf are deprived of hearing the call of Him Who conversed on Sinai. Blessed is the soul that hath completely rolled up the worlds of fancy and lifted its eyes from the realm of idle imaginings. Such a one is and hath ever been worthy to behold the lights of the Sun of Truth.

Reflect upon the Shi’ih sect—what came of their zealotry, their lamentations, their seeking and their weeping? What was their end and what fruit did it yield? Say: Take ye warning, O men of understanding! Take ye warning, O men of insight!

Convey thou My greetings to all who are related to the Divine Lote-Tree. Say: The heaven hath come with manifest smoke. Guard ye yourselves through this Most Great Name. It would be regrettable should the people of the Bayan walk again in the footsteps of the Shi’ihs and follow their vain imaginings, with their end being what was witnessed.

O Afnan! By My life, thy sorrow grieveth Me even as thy joy delighteth Me. Yet know thou with clear certainty that truth is with you. The world hath written volumes about its own faithlessness—how many kings hath it dispatched from palaces to tombs, how many traces hath it erased through centuries and ages. That which endureth and lasteth is the Word of God. By the life of God, whoso attaineth unto it hath attained unto all good. Were the Supreme Pen to expound this station in detail, all would hasten to the place of sacrifice to seize and attain unto it. Consummate wisdom requireth concealment. He knoweth while people know not; He understandeth while people understand not.

The glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of My loving-kindness be upon you, upon those with you, upon those who love you, and upon those whom the cawing of the cawers hath not kept back from God, the Lord of the worlds.

Praise be to God! the splendours of the lights of the Sun of divine loving-kindness are manifest and resplendent. The word of love standeth in need of no interpreter, nor can any translator be found worthy of it. Consider ye the people of the Furqan: for twelve hundred years have they busied themselves with exposition and allegorical interpretation, and at the last it was made plain that they had not even apprehended the perfume of a single word. From all their schools arose an uproar, and in their gatherings there was clamour upon clamour; for such and such a learned man would dispute with another, and speak only to establish the truth of his own claim. The neck-veins of preachers, teachers, and self-styled investigators would stand out like spear-points; and every party would curse the other. In the end it became evident that all were heedless, and deprived of the ocean of true awareness.

Even now, assuredly, the like of such souls are found, and will continue to arise, calling the people unto the ancient misguidance. Such is the condition of mankind. The Primal Point—may our souls, and all else besides Him, be a sacrifice—hath declared that a single one among the Shi’ih understood not the Resurrection, nor that Qa’im for whom they yet await, and have awaited, nor their own deeds and beliefs.

By the life of our Lord! they have not inhaled the fragrance of true oneness. Would that they might know and perceive! God, exalted be His glory, hath rent asunder certain veils; yet the people of the Bayan, with the fingernails of conjecture and the needles of vain fancy, fashion anew the very veils. God protect the people! Yet this servant clingeth fast to the cords of His mercy, and holdeth to the hem of His loving-kindness, and maketh this supplication:

O my Lord! deprive not these poor ones of the world of the Bayan of Thy Kawthar of meanings. One man is poor in possessions, another is poor in recognition: the first lacketh the means to purchase things; the second lacketh the capacity to receive meanings and divine knowledges. By the life of our Lord! the second is the poorer, and his need of prayer is the greater.

The Afnan of the Sacred Tree, this ephemeral one, and the friends must beseech God for deliverance and protection, that perchance they may return. Otherwise, the Truth has been and remains sanctified above all. In these days it is heard that the Tongue of Grandeur recites the blessed Surih “Say: O ye unbelievers!”—even as the Primal Point, may our souls be sacrificed for His sake, foretold this. Great was the wonder at the assembly of Manshad, for it much resembled the assembly of the Mother City [Mecca], nay, was even baser. This servant, after witnessing and learning of this, paused. However, fearing that concealment might not find favor in the Most Sublime Vision, it was mentioned. After this was presented, the Ancient Tongue spoke that which would bestow the spirit of justice upon dust and confer the power of equity. Yet it is unknown what effect this will have upon the heedless, for He has said: “It increaseth nothing in the wrongdoers save loss.”

In truth, those whom God has granted insight have become aware and perceive the divine fragrances. However, it is not permissible to place these in the hands of deluded souls. In Kaf and Ra, many divine verses have been plagiarized and mixed together, thinking they might compose a book and engage in misguidance. By the life of our Lord and your Lord, our God and your God! Nothing will profit them today except that they repent and return to God, the Single, the One, the All-Informed. First it should be given to Aqa Shaykh S., upon him be the glory of God, that he may make a copy, carefully compare and verify, and if possible have someone read it to some of the people of Manshad, and then read it to the Manshadi assembly who sent the darkened page of opposition. His honor Aqa Mulla Muhammad, upon him be the Glory of God, God willing stands firm on the path of the Cause, and their clamor and croaking has not prevented him from the Lord of the Covenant.

Section 2: “Let them also consider it, and if…”

Let them also consider it, and if a copy reaches his honor, the beloved and honored Raj, upon him be the Glory of God and His favors, it would be most pleasing. Similarly, let all the souls in the surrounding areas observe it, that perchance it may become the cause of the remembrance of the servants. In truth, today is the day of the victory of the Cause. They must act in whatever way is wise and beneficial. And it would be pleasing if his honor, the honored one, his honor the Teacher, upon him be all the Most Glorious Glory, would also consider it. The purpose is that the party of God may become aware and give awareness to the heedless souls about the path of truth, the nature of truth, the deeds of those drawn nigh, and that which their tongues have uttered, that perchance they may attain their goal.

Those poor ones are observed to be asleep and heedless, as they have no knowledge, and the former Shi’ih delusions have made those souls deluded. They have no sight of their own to see, and possess no hearing to hear, and they are turned away and heedless of those souls who are aware. What remains except that the hand of pure grace and favor may grant salvation to such souls. Surely his honor has observed the letter of those souls. Hatred and animosity are so inflamed in some of those souls that they have omitted the Greatest Name at the beginning of their writing, and the verse “every important matter” has been erased from view. Observe how heedlessness has encompassed those souls. His honor is aware of some of what has appeared in this Most Great Manifestation—equivalent to the heavenly books, nay greater, is now present, and the evidences are so manifest that no one has any excuse to turn away. Nevertheless, they said and did that which none before had done.

At the end of this servant’s letter which contained the utterances of Truth, exalted be His glory, they mentioned [the word] “this ephemeral one.” It would be very good if they would act upon it and then return to the truth, that they may recognize that of which they are heedless today.

Some time ago, this servant intended to write something that might deliver and preserve the ignorant servants from the well of suspicions and delusions. During the writing, certain matters arose that caused delay, and this servant also paused for some time, for He said:

“I do not need what was revealed in previous books to prove My Cause, although God, blessed and exalted be He, has adorned His books with this Most Great Manifestation, which none can bear except he who has cast away the world, turning unto God, the Lord of the Mighty Throne.”

For this reason it remained postponed until again some friends wrote about the objections of the opposers and the calumnies of souls. Therefore it became necessary to write and send something, that perhaps God may thereby bring about a matter and preserve His servants through it. God is witness and testifier that this servant becomes ashamed to write of certain events and the deeds and actions of heedless souls, for in these days that have no likeness or similarity, it is a pity for one to occupy oneself with that which is unworthy. However, in consideration of the condition of the weak ones and some souls who have no knowledge, this ephemeral one engaged in writing certain matters and proofs and evidences. If Truth, exalted be His glory, wills, it will be sent in these days.

In the first letter, mention was made of His honor Aqa Mulla Muhammad-Rida of Muhammad-Abad, upon him be the Glory of God, who directed his steps toward Bahram-Abad, and his journey proved beneficial for the guidance of souls. When this matter was presented to the Most Holy and Exalted Presence, these blessed and exalted words were revealed: “Today, all the good that hath been revealed in the Book of God is for the one among the people of Baha who, for the sake of God, turneth toward various regions, strengtheneth the weak through the Name of God, and adorneth them with the ornament of steadfastness.

Until now, no soul hath truly attained complete understanding of the Day of God and what hath been manifested from His presence, save whom God willeth. It is incumbent and obligatory upon all souls to protect people from vain imaginings. O Afnan! Consider first the Shi’ih sect: four persons became the cause of that party’s vain imaginings, calling themselves the Gates. Those illusory cities and unreal domains were built by the hands of their suspicions, and those vain imaginings became the cause of hatred, the harm of which reached even unto the Primal Point. Were any possessor of insight to ponder the events that have transpired and the conditions that have become manifest, he would find himself detached and freed from all else but God.”

The effulgences of the Sun of Grace have dawned and shone forth upon the aforementioned personage. This evanescent servant beseecheth the True One, exalted be His glory, to confirm him that he may again turn toward various regions for the sake of God and make the servants of Truth aware of the suspicions, vain imaginings, deception and craftiness of the barking souls. This servant conveyeth his greetings and salutations to him and seeketh confirmation and assistance from the True One.

As for the mention they made of His honor Mulla Ghulam-Rida, his petition was received. In those days, whatever was submitted regarding those matters, the Supreme Pen was stayed in response until these days when the answer to the community of Manshad was revealed from the heaven of the Will of the Lord of creation. That which is ordained by God for him shall also be revealed. This evanescent servant seeketh guidance and desireth confirmation for all.

Concerning what they wrote about the incident involving His honor Mirza [Ali-Rida], upon him be the Glory of God and His favors, the deceit and trickery they perpetrated against him is but the same record of the characteristics of those souls. Glory be to God! To what degree have deceit and trickery reached! I beseech the True One, exalted be His glory, to make those souls aware of their ignorance and doubt, that they may return unto God, their Lord, and repent before Him. Verily, He is the Forgiving, the Generous. Praise be to God that his honor remained protected and the arrows of craftiness and guile had no effect upon him. I beseech the Most High to make him confirmed in His remembrance and in serving His binding and wise Cause. I convey greetings and salutations to him and seek confirmation from the True One.

Concerning what was written about Aqa Shaykh Mihdi, upon him be the Glory of God, that he exerted great effort in his introduction and rendered assistance—after this matter was presented, these sublime words were revealed in response, blessed and exalted be His utterance:

“Blessed is he and blessed is he who has attained to the service of the Cause in the Days of God, the Lord of the worlds. O Mihdi! Rejoice thou in My remembrance of thee. We have sent down for thee in these days that which nothing in all creation can equal, and We have sent it to thee as a bounty from Our presence. Verily thy Lord is the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous. Thy deed hath previously been adorned with the ornament of acceptance. Give thanks unto God for this wondrous remembrance. We send from this station Our glorification upon thee and upon him who made clear to thee My straight Path, and upon him whom thou didst guide to My manifest and perspicuous Way.”

Praise be to God, they have attained unto the lights of the utterance of the Purpose of the worlds, and their deed in that matter hath been adorned with the ornament of acceptance. This is of His latter grace. In these days they have written a letter to this servant; a reply was sent containing the verses of God. I beseech the True One to confirm them in grasping His verses with such strength that the power of the world will neither weaken nor render them helpless. According to what was mentioned, in these days they have guided a certain person, and that person hath also sent a petition to the Most Holy Court. The answer was revealed in this servant’s letter written to the Shaykh, upon him be the Glory of God. I beseech and implore the Truth, exalted be His glory, to confirm him in steadfastness and service, to protect him from the reprehensible and aid him in the commendable, and likewise to preserve him from the evil of heedless and oppressive souls.

With utmost humility I convey greetings and glorification to the honored Afnan of the Sacred Tree, upon them be all His most glorious Glory, and I beseech God, exalted be His station, for their good in this world and the next, and for all that hath flowed from the Supreme Pen in the Book. I testify that He hath related them to Himself and raised them to a station whereby the servants draw near unto God, the Lord of creation. Likewise, I convey glorification and greetings to the loved ones and friends of that land. I beseech and implore the Truth to confirm them all in the Most Great Steadfastness and enable them to remind the servants. He is powerful over all things. There is no God but Him, the Lord of Names and Creator of the heavens. Glory, peace, and praise be upon your honor, upon those with you, upon those who hear your words, and upon those who love you for the sake of God, the Lord of the worlds. Praise be to Him, for He is the Master of the Day of Judgment.

The servant 8th of Dhi’l-Hijjih al-Haram, 1302

The papers have arrived. What was requested has been sent, and previously too, the honored Amin, upon him be the Glory of God and His favors, had sent what was requested. If it has been duplicated, there is no harm; your honor may keep them.

Regarding what was written that the honored physician, upon him be the Glory of God, has requested a power of attorney—from the beginning it was decided that his honor should deed the house in your honor’s name. If they send a valid deed, they will be given power of attorney.

One receipt for what was sent by the honored Aqa Mirza Muhammad Ibrahim, upon him be the Glory of God, and what was sent by the handmaiden of God, his wife, upon her be the Glory of God, was previously dispatched. God willing, all will arrive and be delivered.

Furthermore, some time ago a special Tablet was revealed from the heaven of the Divine Will for His Honor the Teacher, and a special Tablet for His Honor Haji Mirza Aqa, and likewise a special Tablet for His Honor Aqa Siyyid M—upon them be all the Most Glorious Glory. These have now been sent and should be delivered. And several Tablets were revealed in response to the petitions of some, which have been delayed for a year until now. These too should be delivered. A wondrous and exalted Tablet was revealed from the heaven of grace specifically for His Honor Aqa Muhammad Hasan A.T., upon him be the Glory of God, and a most mighty and holy Tablet was revealed from the Kingdom of the All-Merciful’s utterance specifically for His Honor Aqa Mulla Muhammad—upon him be 966 [the Glory of God]. These have been sent, and God willing they will attain unto them.