Volume 078: Akka 1303 A.H. (1885–1886), Part II (2 of 5)
BH00851: Praise be to God Who hath guided us…
He is God, exalted be His glory, the Most Great, the All-Powerful
Praise be to God Who hath guided us to His straight path, Who hath caused us to speak of His oneness and His attributes, and Who hath enabled us to acknowledge that which His Most Exalted Pen hath uttered – that there is none other God but Him, the One, the Peerless, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. He sent forth the Messengers and revealed the Books as a token of His grace, and commanded them to guide His servants that they might manifest that which would exalt them in all His worlds, until the divine ordinances were completed through that which was revealed in the Qur’an to the Seal of the Prophets and the Chosen Ones.
Verily, it is the manifest Book of God, His mighty Command, and His radiant and resplendent Light whereby the world was illumined and nations were exalted. May the prayers that shine forth from the heaven of His grace be upon Him and upon His family and companions, who were as an ocean in their bounty, as a sword in battle, as the sky in their generosity, and as an army in their support. They manifested in every station that which was befitting and proper for them. Through them was made manifest what was made manifest, and was established what was revealed in God’s Book, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy.
Glory be unto Thee, O Lord of all beings and Lord of the Sacred House! I beseech Thee by the Sacred Place and Station, by the mysteries Thou didst confide to the heart of Thy Beloved when He ascended unto Thee on the Night of Ascension, by the manifestation of Thy power on the Day of Resurrection, and by Thy settlement upon the throne of Thy greatness, O Lord of all beings and Breaker of idols, to send down upon Thy loved ones from the heaven of Thy bounty glory, honor, mercy and blessing. Verily, Thou art the Generous, the Bountiful. There is none other God but Thee, the Mighty, the Great.
Thereafter, praise be to God, as the Shaykh said, I was seated, my thoughts turned inward – that is, contemplating my own heedlessness, failings and shortcomings – when suddenly the door of joy was opened and the countenance of the letter appeared, bringing what the spring caravan brings. No joy or delight, no pleasure or comfort can compare with it. God knows, God knows what it bestowed upon the heart, from which sprouted the sweet basil and roses of love. It is the cause and the means thereof. With but one drop it can transform barren land into good soil and grant a hundred thousand utterances to the dumb. Its mark is visible upon all things, and its trace is evident in all things. It bestows the spirit of inner meanings upon the temple of utterance. Were but a breeze from its direction to pass over the people of the world, all would turn to the most exalted horizon and detach themselves from aught else.
After reading and becoming acquainted with it, we proceeded to the station and it was presented. The Lord spoke that which was spirit to bodies, light to the righteous, and meaning to words, concluding with these most exalted words:
“We beseech God, exalted be He, to assist them in that which He loveth and is pleased with, and to adorn the pages of the world with their names, their mention, and that which proceedeth from them.”
God is witness and testifier that these beloved ones have ever been and are before His face at all times, their mention being with the Lord.
As for the mention of turning toward Egypt, and likewise the subsequent turning of the beloved of hearts, his honor M.H., upon him be the glory of God – God willing, Egypt shall be blessed and shall receive a full portion from this turning, for it hath been honored by two most exalted names. By the life of our Purpose and your Purpose, the breath of the chosen ones is effective, their existence is effective, their turning is effective, their utterance is effective.
The mention of Haji Muhammad-Baqir and others, upon them be God’s peace, which they wrote about, brought the utmost joy and fresh delight. This word was the effect of the verses of the garden of inner meanings. I beseech and implore God, exalted be His glory, to increase the reward of that beloved one.
In truth, this matter was a cause of sorrow to the Blessed Beauty. That beloved of the heart bears witness and knows that one must grasp and hold fast to all means that promote the unity of God’s loved ones, for unity itself is among the hosts of God, exalted be His glory. Indeed, had the idolaters truly witnessed the unity of the people of divine unity, they would never have dared to oppose them. The world’s ruin stems from discord, and its prosperity from unity. In one place it is stated that unity is the lamp of the heart and its guardian.
I beseech and implore God, exalted be His glory, to grant the sweetness of unity that all may taste thereof and share it. This evanescent one offers his utter nothingness in service to each of the believers in divine unity and seeks help from all, that he may perchance succeed in justice and fairness and in deeds that are the cause and means of God’s good-pleasure and salvation.
As to what was written regarding the treasury, I beseech God, exalted be His station, that from that eternal treasury may appear sweet and goodly gifts—that is, those that are praiseworthy and desirable—of trustworthiness, religious devotion, wealth, blessing, bounty, kindness, mercy and glory. However, one must first ask God to grant all the capacity to become worthy and capable of receiving true gifts.
God willing, from that treasury may the treasuries of the world be made prosperous—that is, hearts—and from that shop may both worlds receive their portion. The command is in God’s hand, our Lord and your Lord and the Lord of all who are in earth and heaven. There is none other God but Him, the Mighty, the Powerful.
As to what was written regarding ʿAli, upon him be God’s peace, and his attention to the palm trees, though outwardly they have not been seen or planted, yet inwardly they are lofty palm trees. I fear the mullas, otherwise I would say that their roots are firm and their branches reach unto heaven. These are the trials of this poor one which appear and are evident from every corner.
I beseech God, exalted be His glory, for grace and seek His bounty that He may ever keep pure the intention of this evanescent servant and make it for His sake. He is the Bestower, the Kind. I also beseech Him to assist ʿAli with all divine outpourings and to place this deed of his in the third category, according to His word, exalted be He: “And among them are those who outstrip others in good works.” Grace belongs to God, the Revealer of verses, the Manifester of clear proofs, the Remover of doubts, and He is the Protector over all names and attributes.
As mention hath been made of His honor Haji Mirza, upon him be the peace of God and His grace, and likewise mention of His honor Haji A.A., upon them both be Baha’u’llah’s [glory], if that beloved one is present in that land, convey greetings on behalf of this deprived one to each of them. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, to grant unto each one both outward and inward bounties, and sustenance both earthly and heavenly, and this will assuredly be answered through His generosity, which hath encouraged me, and through His bounty, which hath increased my certitude. And I implore God to bestow speedy recovery upon the honored beloved, His honor A.B., upon him be Baha’u’llah’s [glory]. Peace and praise and remembrance and glory be upon you and upon those who are with you and who love you for the sake of God, our Lord and your Lord and the Lord of all who are in the heavens and the earth.
BH01096: Praise be fitting unto that Desired One, unto Whom…
He is God, exalted be His glory, the Grandeur and the Power!
Praise be fitting unto that Desired One, unto Whom the hearts of all seekers have been turned from the beginning that hath no beginning unto the end that hath no end, and glorification beseemeth that Worshipped One, unto Whom the eyes of all the peoples of the world, both past and future, are fixed, from Whom they implore, and unto Whom they return. Glory be unto God! Whatever we might say or write will remain unsaid, for speech is but the fruit of comprehension, and comprehension itself beareth witness to its own impotence. The pinions of those nigh unto God, despite all their ardor and ecstasy, their attraction and rapture, are debarred from this atmosphere, and the wings of men are bound and fettered. No thought or knowledge or intelligence can traverse beyond heaven and earth—all that exists lieth between these twain. Yet the guardians of the pavilion of grandeur and the sentinels of the sanctuaries of the Kingdom exist above a hundred thousand visible worlds. This heaven, compared to that heaven, is as the earth before this heaven—nay, I seek God’s forgiveness from every limitation and delimitation. The fettered wing knoweth not how to soar, and wings besmeared with clay cannot transcend their bounds.
Glory be unto Thee, O my God! I beseech Thee to transmute our despair into hope, and to accept from us what we have failed to achieve in Thy days. Were it not for Thy grace, Thy generosity and Thy bounty, who would be able to utter a word, or take a step, or turn toward any direction, or make any sign? Glory be unto Thee, glory be unto Thee! Exalted is Thy knowledge and mighty is Thy remembrance! It beseemeth Thee alone to make mention of Thyself and to describe Thy beauty, and this transcendeth the station of Thy servants, for they cannot attain unto Thy mysteries and that which Thy wisdom requireth. There is none other God but Thee, the Almighty, the Powerful.
To continue: your letter was received. We offered thanks for your well-being and We beseech Him to assist you at all times and not deprive you of the breezes of His grace. May He bestow a bounty every moment and grant a gift every instant, for His door is open, His generosity evident, His grace manifest and His favor apparent. No sin of any among the first or the last has ever prevented His gifts.
The pouring rains bear witness, the flowing rivers testify, the abundant blessings make clear, and the descended table speaks. For were He to withhold, none of what was mentioned would exist. Existence itself bears witness to this and testifies to it. After reading, it was presented. The Lord said: “O Rida, may God be pleased with you and you be pleased with Him. When these two states of pleasure are joined and achieved, there will appear from their horizon that which shall bestow light upon the world. For whosoever has drunk a drop from the ocean of divine good-pleasure and attained true bounties, they are recorded and inscribed by the Supreme Pen in the Book of Names among the Concourse on High.
Blessed is he who has drunk, and woe to the heedless. O Rida, We counsel you in all conditions to fear God, to goodly deeds, and to that which causes the manifestation of love and kindness. What does the Book say? That which benefits you. What has God commanded? That which brings salvation and bestows rest. The sayings are for us to hear, become aware, and walk the path—a path cleansed and purified by the breezes of divine favor. Now the truth has become distinct and the tongue is silent. The Command is in the hand of God, the Lord of all religions and Creator of all possibilities.
If Sabri Effendi, upon him be the peace of God and His favor, is there, convey greetings from the Wronged One. Verily We send greetings upon him, his family and those with him, and We beseech God to grant him what he loves and desires. Verily He has power over all things. And peace be upon you, O Rida, and upon those with you, and upon those who act according to what they were commanded in the Book of God, the Lord of the worlds, through which God has separated truth from falsehood, and through which were raised the pavilions of security and safety and the tent of rest and tranquility. Verily He is the Powerful, the Mighty, the All-Bountiful.”
I send greetings to my beloved friend Sabri Effendi, upon him be God’s peace, favor and mercy. The paintbrushes, each of which was in truth a banner in the world of love and a standard in the realm of devotion, arrived. We planted them—let us see what fruit they will bear and who shall partake thereof. God knows best. How blessed are those souls who plant for God’s sake and leave it for God’s creatures. The springtime consumption and sustenance of a single being lasts but a day or two. We beseech God with utmost humility and supplication to grant us the strength to plant trees whose fruits will forever benefit and nourish the inhabitants of earth. In any case, praise be to God, the manifestations of his love are cherished and accepted. We beseech our Lord and our God to decree for him a goodly reward and make it a treasure for him in His presence. Verily He is the Guardian of those who place their hopes in Him. Praise be to Him, for He is the Most Merciful of the merciful ones.
If it would be possible with the utmost joy and fragrance to send a few seeds with the qualities that this servant has described, it would be most beloved, for they will be planted in his name and their fruits will be for all. If this would cause the slightest trouble, this ephemeral one would not be content. I send greetings to Qurratu’l-ʿAyn—upon her and her mother be the peace of God, our Lord and the Lord of the throne and earth. And praise be to Him in the hereafter and in this world.
4 Jamadiyu’th-Thani 1303
BH00122: The rain of divine mercy is pouring down…
Section 1: “In the Name of our Lord, the Most…”
In the Name of our Lord, the Most Holy, the Most Great, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious!
The rain of divine mercy is pouring down and the verses are ever being revealed from the Most Exalted Pen, and by His very truth there hath appeared that which hath no equal, no likeness, and no peer. All things are voicing the remembrance of the Lord of Names, and the dwellers of heaven are celebrating with “Blessed be God, the Lord of the Day of Judgment.” This is the Day whereof He saith: “Thou shalt see mankind as in a drunken state, yet they are not drunken: But dreadful will be the chastisement of God,” and “On that Day shall every woman that beareth a burden lay down her burden.” In truth, in the primary station are the people of the Bayan. By the life of our Lord and your Lord, our Beloved and your Beloved, none hath been seen like unto these heedless people. Though they have witnessed the waves of the ocean of utterance and beheld the dawning splendors of the morn of inner meanings, yet they have arisen in opposition in such wise as hath never been seen or heard. What have they understood from twelve hundred years of Shi’ih Islam that they should now again cling to the same vain imaginings?
I beseech God, exalted be His glory, to make His servants aware through both seen and unseen means, to grant them vision, to bestow wakefulness, to vouchsafe justice, to confer fairness. Can one imagine for this Most Great Announcement any veils or glory-clouds more manifest, more dominant, and more encompassing than those which cause every fair-minded soul to cry out “God is most evident,” “God is most great,” and “God is most glorious”? This is the Day whereof He saith: “They have eyes with which they see not,” until the end of His exalted Word. His is the command; He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He pleaseth. He is the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous. There is no God but Him, the Help in Peril, the All-Knowing.
Glorified art Thou, O my God and the God of the seen and unseen, my Goal and the Goal of Him Who hath appeared in the garment of being! I beseech Thee to assist Thy loved ones to serve Thy Cause, then aid them through the signs of Thy grandeur and the standards of Thy sovereignty, then manifest through them that whereby Thy Cause may be exalted amongst Thy servants and Thy traces in Thy lands. Thou art, verily, powerful over whatsoever Thou willest, and Thou art the Mighty One, and Thy remembrance is sweet to the taste of them that love Thee.
My God, my God! Thou seest Thy servant and he who loveth Thee (S.M.) who hath arisen to aid Thy Cause in days wherein agitation hath seized the dwellers of Thy earth and faces have been darkened through their turning away from Thy countenance. Strengthen, O my God, his limbs for the service of Thy Cause and Thy remembrance and [Thy praise]. Thou art, verily, the Strong, the Triumphant, the Powerful.
O Beloved of my heart! The letters which that loved one addressed to the beloved of the heart of His Holiness the Most Great Name and to this servant were each a garden adorned with the roses of truth and utterance and meaning and exposition, and each letter thereof was a speaking book and a manifest scroll. The fragrance of those roses transcendeth mention and description. After their perusal and examination, they were taken to the Most Exalted Station and Supreme Summit, presented before the Divine Throne, and were honored to be heard. His word, exalted be His majesty and mighty be His sovereignty:
In My Name that speaketh in all times
Today the Banner of Revelation hath been raised to its loftiest station, and the Standard proclaiming “Verily I am God” hath been planted before the faces of all mankind. The path of God is clear, the proof hath been sent down, and the evidences are manifest. Nevertheless, most of the people of the world remain heedless and veiled. By God’s life! That which hath flowed from the Most Exalted Pen is such that a single drop thereof would suffice to quicken the Concourse on High, how much more the dwellers of earth. This is the Kawthar of life that floweth between the fingers of the All-Merciful. In truth, these created beings have never been, nor are they now, capable of hearkening unto this Word that hath shone forth from the Dayspring of Revelation, nor are they worthy of recognizing it, save whom God willeth.
O thou who gazest upon His Countenance! Beseech God, exalted be His glory, to raise up and send forth through His perfect might such people as may become bearers of His Trust and guardians of the pearls of His wisdom. Say: O party of God! Ye are the knights in the arena of inner meanings and utterance. Arise with zeal and stand firm in service to His Cause, that perchance the helpless servants may not be afflicted with the vain imaginings of the past. They were worshippers of idle fancies yet counted themselves among the most learned of mankind. They were adorers of idols yet deemed themselves to be believers. Until now the true meaning of Divine Unity hath not been made manifest. Were the Most Exalted Pen to unveil but a little thereof, all would testify to their own misbelief. However, the Name “the Concealer” hath not withdrawn the hem of grace, and the Name “the All-Bountiful” hath not permitted justice to reach this station.
Blessed are they who reflect and observe what hath come to pass in the past. For whosoever becometh aware shall attain unto the choice sealed wine through the blessing of the Name “the Self-Subsisting” and shall be adorned with the ornament of supreme steadfastness. Convey greetings from the Wronged One to the party of God and give them the glad tidings of the favors of the Beloved of the worlds. All are mentioned in His presence and have attained unto the grace of God, exalted be His glory. Say: O friends! Preserve the trust of the love of the Beloved of the worlds in His Name and keep it hidden from the treacherous and the thieves. Convey my greetings to all the people of that household. Give them the glad tidings of My grace, My mercy, and My loving-kindness. The children and the teacher are all remembered. Verily, He fulfilleth His promise and He is the Compassionate, the All-Bountiful.
O Samandar! It is best that we occupy ourselves with the mention of the Peerless Friend and pass beyond all that exists and is visible, that another realm may be spread out and another world appear. Say:
My God, my God! Separation from Thee hath destroyed me, and remoteness from Thee hath consumed me, as hath that which hath befallen Thee in Thy path. My God, my God! Mine ear desireth to hear that for which it was created; withhold it not from Thy melodies and Thy tones. And mine eye desireth to behold the effulgences of the lights of Thy countenance; deprive it not of that which Thou hast manifested unto it. My God, my God! Why do I hear the call of the servants but hear not Thy call, and see Thy creation but see not the Dawning-Place of Thy revelation and the Dayspring of Thy signs? Blessed is he who hath inhaled the fragrance of Thy shirt and whom the breezes of Thy days have overtaken in such wise that he hath detached himself from all else beside Thee.
I beseech Thee, O my Lord, the All-Merciful, by the kingdom of Thy utterance, and by the sea which no ships of the world can encompass, and by the ark which the waves of nations cannot hinder, to strengthen me in all conditions as Thou didst strengthen me before and wilt strengthen me hereafter. Then send down from the heaven of Thy mercy upon Thy servants that which will draw them nigh unto Thee and acquaint them with what Thou hast purposed for them through Thy bounty and grace, and guide them to Thy path which calleth out with the most exalted call in the morning and in the evening:
“By God! I am the Straight Path and I am the Balance whereby all things small and great are weighed.”
O Lord! Deprive not Thy servants of the rustling of the Lote-Tree of the Uttermost End and the sound of Thy Most Exalted Pen. Verily Thou art He Who hath testified through Thy generosity to all created things, and through Thy grace to all beings. There is none other God but Thee, the Revealer of verses, the Lord of earth and heaven.
Praise be to God that this servant, despite numerous occupations, was blessed to make mention of that Beloved. The comfort of man hath ever been in meeting with loved ones, and when this is not possible, mention serveth as a substitute, for through mention some measure of solace is obtained. Thus it hath been said that when the rose is veiled, man findeth solace in rosewater. He beseecheth the eternal Truth and hopeth that He may grant success and confirmation, that the fire of separation may be quenched by the water of the mention of reunion and attainment. In His hand is all authority; He confirmeth whom He willeth as a grace from His presence, and He is the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous.
As to the mention of the intention to pen words—each letter of which is truly a messenger of love—to the city of seekers, this was a wondrous matter, and the poetry too was most fitting. He beseecheth God, exalted be His glory, that through the tears of that eye He may water the gardens of inner meanings, that the flowers of remembrance and utterance may be refreshed by the rain from the spring of the eyes of them that are nigh, and may be made manifest in the world. For the tears of the eye, countless stations have been ordained; they tell of the sovereign of love, they are the primary narrator and the secondary interpreter. The servant beseecheth his Lord to preserve it and extend it through the sea of His light and the effulgences of the lights of His manifestation. Verily, He is the Protector of the yearning ones and the One Who draweth nigh unto them that are brought nigh. Praise be to Him for His bestowal at this time.
Regarding the mention of Jinab-i-Khalil, upon him be the glory of God and His favors—he did indeed turn towards God, hasten forward until he arrived, heard and witnessed. Verily our Lord, the Most Merciful, is the Helper, the Generous. In truth, with the divine seal of God’s love and the fire of heavenly affection, he moved like a celestial telegraph of love. O beloved of my heart! Love accomplishes many things—before it lies the book of mysteries, it possesses the records of ruin and prosperity. It can make the rock abundant in bounty, ignite that which is extinguished, and with a single word make the inanimate flow and spread. The hand is His hand and the field is His field. Praise be to God, he arrived safely at the divine homeland, was present and observant, and after staying some days, returned as commanded. Divine favor assisted him, confirmation accompanied him, and heavenly support protected him until he attained the presence of the Most Great Throne. In such days, matters like these are counted among miracles, for despite the discord of the peoples of the world, the light of unity and harmony accomplished its work, as it did—all attained to good and returned. Happy is he and blessed is he.
Regarding the permission for Haji Muhammad Baqir, upon him be the glory of God, to come—what was written was presented to the Most Holy Court. These exalted words were revealed from the Dawning-Place of grace, the Source of verses. His word—exalted be His utterance and mighty His proof:
“O Samandar! The Truth, exalted be His glory, has appeared to bestow upon all the honor of His presence and to adorn them with the ornaments of sanctification, detachment, trustworthiness, religion, chastity and that which benefits their souls. He has manifested Himself for the meeting, but the people have prevented those who desired Him from every distant quarter.”
Due to the multitude of visitors, arrivals and seekers in the prison land, some discussions have arisen. Convey greetings from the Wronged One. We have mentioned him through Our grace with a mention before which all mention bows down. O Samandar! Give him glad tidings from Me. We beseech God to inscribe for him from the Pen of His Command the reward of His presence. Verily, He is powerful over all things. Let him strive that he may attain unto steadfastness, which after recognition and meeting is the foundation. O Samandar! Beseech God not to deprive His servants of the ornament of justice and equity. He is powerful and mighty over all things. Praise be to God, they turned towards Him, approached, and attained the traces of the Most Exalted Pen. This is a great bounty, by My Life, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.
Regarding the Huququ’llah which they have taken trouble to deliver—this is not the first service that has appeared from your honor, as attested by the Pen of God, our Lord and your Lord. From the first days you have been engaged in service and speaking in praise and glorification. This is from the favor of our Lord and your Lord upon you. Verily, He is the Witness, the Hearer, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. The papers also arrived. Whatever is entrusted to your honor, its execution is certain and requires nothing else. Regarding the remaining amount known to the beloved Ibn-i-Abhar, upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God, favor was shown, and what that beloved one wrote is correct and accepted before the Truth, for if it had been mentioned, clamor would have arisen.
Regarding the Leaf, your niece, upon her be the glory of God—praise be to God, she has arrived and attained the presence and is engaged in service in the sanctuary, and all are pleased with her—that is, the people of the pavilion of chastity and greatness. In this matter, let that beloved one be assured.
O Abdul-Baqi, upon whom be the Glory of God! Your mention hath been made before the Throne. This servant conveyeth greetings and salutations to you and all your kindred. At this moment, while engaged in penning these words in the presence of the Most Great Throne, these exalted words have issued forth from the Kingdom of the All-Merciful’s utterance:
“O Samandar! Convey greetings to the people of God on behalf of the Wronged One. Say: A handful of transgressors in the world, having adorned their heads with white and green turbans, have purposed to lead astray the people of God. From the inception of Islam until the Day of Manifestation, all have wandered in the wilderness of idle fancies and strayed in the deserts of vain imaginings. Thus when the Finger of Power rent asunder the veil, the deeds of all and their fruits became clear and evident to all. When He willeth to unveil, no veil can conceal it, and when He willeth to conceal, no power in the world nor the will of nations can expose it. Nevertheless, some among the people of the Bayan have followed suit and set about to mislead the people, even as did the former people. It is incumbent and obligatory upon all to strive and protect the servants of God, lest they be deprived of the Day-Star of certitude through former idle fancies. Convey greetings from the True One to Abdul-Baqi. Each soul is mentioned in the presence of the Wronged One and hath been blessed by the grace of the Supreme Pen. Blessed are they whom neither the doubts of the people of the Bayan nor the allusions of the people of the Furqan caused to slip, and who have acknowledged that which the Tongue of Grandeur hath acknowledged in His Most Great Prison. These are the people of God in all lands. Glory be upon them, upon their first and their last, their outward and their inward aspects.”
When mention was made of the people of God in that land, it was presented before the Throne, and each one was blessed with the mention of God, exalted be His glory. Happy are they! For some, wondrous and sublime Tablets have been revealed from the heaven of favor and sent forth. God willing, may all attain unto them. In these days, a letter was received from the beloved Amin, Haji Mirza Abu’l-Hasan, upon whom be the Glory of God and His favors, wherein he made mention of the beloved ones of that land and expressed great joy and satisfaction. This is what was again revealed for the friends of God whose names were mentioned. His blessed and exalted Word:
Section 2: “O Muhammad (Darbagh)! Hearken unto the call…”
O Muhammad (Darbagh)! Hearken unto the call of the Wronged One. He maketh mention of thee with that which nothing in all creation can equal, and counseleth thee to show forth the Greater Steadfastness and that whereby the Word of God, the Lord of all worlds, may be exalted. O Ali Akbar! The Prisoner calleth thee from the precincts of the Prison, maketh mention of thee, and beareth thee glad tidings as a bounty from His presence, and commandeth thee to that which beseemeth the days of God, thy Lord, the Lord of the Mighty Throne.
O Abdul-Husayn! Thou didst attain unto My mention in the early days and on this Day wherein the people of the Bayan have risen up even as the people of the Furqan rose up against My harm, after I had come unto them from the Dayspring of proof with the standards of verses and the banners of clear evidences. Thus did their souls entice them, and they were recorded among the idolaters in the Book of God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
O Samandar! We make mention of the sons of thy paternal and maternal uncles, as a token of Our grace. Verily, thy Lord is the All-Merciful, the Bountiful. Convey unto them the greetings of the Wronged One and give them the glad tidings of My turning towards them and My remembrance of them in a Book which none hath comprehended save God, the Mighty, the All-Praised. We have remembered them in numerous Tablets and have counseled them with that which behooveth them, and We counsel them now to show forth the Greater Steadfastness in this wondrous Remembrance. The clamor which We had foretold hath come to pass in the Land of Mystery and before it when the Light was shining from the horizon of Zawra wherein was diffused the fragrance of My luminous raiment. Thus hath the ocean of utterance surged and the sun of knowledge shone forth. Blessed is he who hath witnessed and seen, and woe unto the heedless.
All have been blessed with special favors and have partaken of the table of divine meanings. This evanescent servant beseecheth God—exalted be His glory—to aid them to recognize true divine unity, for had the people of old attained unto the effulgent rays of true divine unity, all would have been found submissive and humble on the Day of Manifestation. This is the Day of God wherein none is mentioned save Him. Blessed are they that know.
At an appropriate and beloved time, thy visit was accepted on thy behalf as desired. Well is it with you and me.
As for the testimony which flowed from thy heart, tongue and pen at the end of thy letter, it was granted the honor of being heard before His presence, and that which was revealed in response from the heaven of divine will is such that this servant is truly incapable of describing it. Pardon, pardon, pardon! Glory be to God! From what substance are those souls made who have hesitated in this Cause? In truth, it is divine wrath and the recompense of deeds that hath seized some. Verily, He is the Recompenser, the Just, the Wise.
Concerning the mention of the loved ones of the land of ʿIshq in the letter of the spiritual beloved, His Holiness the Most Generous Name, upon him be the Most Glorious Beauty of God—praise be to God, it was a spiritual glad tiding and a luminous remembrance. However, to those who drink the wine of divine love, both ease and hardship are beloved. Whatever occurs in the path of the Friend is beloved to the soul and the heart’s desire. They have been delivered from those tribulations; God willing, may they remain protected from the fire of the idolaters and transgressors. This servant conveyeth greetings and praise to all and seeketh divine confirmation and assistance for all. All letters which thou sendest to thy spiritual beloved are presented before the Divine Throne, and responses are requested. The purpose is that thou hast ever been and remaineth mentioned.
Regarding what thou didst write about the funds expended, yes, according to the command, if it can be found from any source it should be taken. And concerning what thou didst write: “Whatever is commanded, we are, God willing, obedient and content, especially in receiving funds which is a matter of obedience”—to the end of thy words—after this matter was presented in the Most Holy Court, this utterance was revealed from the Kingdom of proof—exalted and blessed be His words: “O Samandar! We bear witness that thy deceased and elevated father and thou have not been remiss in serving the Cause. Ye have obeyed whatever was commanded and acted for the sake of God, for the love of God, and in the path of God. God willing, mayest thou ever drink of this Kawthar and partake of this choice wine. Nothing can equal the testimony of thy Lord. We praise God, exalted be He, with thy tongue and thank Him with His tongue, that it may be a treasure and honor for thee throughout the duration of the Kingdom and the realm of heaven.”
The petition of the nephew of the late, ascended Diya’—upon him be the Glory of God and His mercy—was received, and several months ago a response descended from the heaven of divine will and was sent. Regarding [Yakan]—may God the Exalted strengthen him—what they wrote was presented before the Most Holy, Most Exalted Presence, and a wondrous and exalted Tablet was specifically revealed for him and sent. His blessed and exalted Word states:
“When he recognized, he soared on wings of longing unto God, the Lord of the Day of Meeting.”
This evanescent servant is truly bewildered by that which hath been manifested and made evident from the exalted Truth, and likewise by the conditions of the people. At all times he beseecheth his Lord, the All-Merciful, to assist His servants to recognize what He hath manifested through His grace, His generosity and His favors. Verily, He is the Hearer, the Answerer.
Some names that were mentioned in this letter were presented before the countenance of the Lord of the worlds, and each received their portion as befitting from the ocean of grace. Blessed are they that drink thereof.
This is what was sent down from the heaven of the providence of our Lord and your Lord and the Lord of all who are in the heavens and on earth. His word, exalted be His glory, states:
“O Muhammad-ʿAli! There came before the Presence a leaf wherein was thy mention. We have mentioned thee with a mention that all the mentions of the world cannot equal, and We counsel thee to manifest the Most Great Steadfastness in this Cause whereby the Names were shaken, as were the divines and jurisprudents of the earth. Thus hath the Sun of Grace revealed its favors that thou mayest be thankful and be of those who render praise.”
“O Pen! Make mention of him who is named Tahmasb, that he may rejoice in the mention of his Lord, the Mighty, the Bestower, who hath turned toward Him from the direction of His Most Great Prison, and mentioned him in such wise that the near ones perceive therefrom the fragrance of the loving-kindness of their Lord, the Forgiving, the Generous.”
“And We make mention of the teacher whom We mentioned before and gave him glad tidings of the favors of his Lord, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy. O Muhammad-Taqi! The Face of Him Who was wronged hath turned toward thee and calleth thee to that which will draw thee nigh unto the Supreme Horizon and will adorn thee with that which beseemeth the days of God, the Lord of the Day of Judgment.”
Concerning the mention of Haji Baba, upon whom be the Glory of God, after these sublime words were submitted, there dawned from the Dayspring of Divine Revelation and Inspiration these words—magnified be His glory:
“O Haji Baba! The Divine Lamp is luminous and bright, and the Sun of inner meanings is radiant and manifest. The tongue of utterance speaks at all times, and the ocean of proof surges before all faces. Nevertheless, all remain heedless and deprived, save whom God willeth. Reflect upon the people of the Bayan: They have newly arranged their turbans, green and white, and ascend the pulpits. They desire to establish a party like unto the Shi’ih party in the earth. By God’s life! The people of justice lament, and the manifestations of equity weep. Have they not reflected upon the fruits of the former party’s deeds? For they committed such acts as prevented eyes from beholding and ears from hearing. That party, both learned and ignorant, perpetrated what no other party had ever done, and committed that from which Satan himself fled. We beseech God to protect His servants. In brief, the divines of Iran and the opposers among the people of the Bayan are deprived of the lights of the Sun of true divine unity. More than this cannot be disclosed. Say: Fear God, and follow not your idle fancies. This is a Day wherein naught is mentioned save God, your Lord and your Goal, and the Goal of all who are in the heavens and on earth. Convey My greetings to the friends in that land on behalf of the Wronged One, and summon them to the most great steadfastness. Glory be upon thee and upon whosoever hath cast away the world, holding fast to the cord of God, the Strong, and His mighty Cause.”
This evanescent one conveys greetings to each one. All must, through God’s grace, bounty and aid, hold fast to unity and harmony, and through consultation strive to exalt the Word of God, expending mighty efforts therein.
Mention was made of Andalib, upon whom be the Glory of God. His petitions have repeatedly reached the Most Holy Court, and in these days a Tablet was specifically revealed and sent to him. At this moment these manifest verses were revealed from the heaven of God’s grace—blessed and exalted be He:
“O Samandar! Andalib, upon whom be My glory, hath been striving and endeavoring to exalt the Word night and day. This is the testimony of the Most Exalted Pen concerning him. Give him the glad tidings of My grace, My bounty, and My turning towards him. We beseech God to adorn him with such an ornament that all may behold from him the light of sanctity. By God’s life! For long periods this Wronged One was grief-stricken, until Divine grace seized him and generosity turned toward him. We beseech Him, exalted be He, to strengthen him and aid him with what He loveth and pleaseth. He hath ever been mentioned in the presence of the Wronged One, and continueth to be so.”
This evanescent servant conveys greetings to him and beseeches the Mighty God to strengthen him to make mention and praise of Him and to aid His Cause. Verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, is the Powerful, the Mighty.
Another submission: The beloved sister of His Holiness the Name of Generosity (Ismu’l-Jud), upon whom be 966 [the Glory of God] the Most Glorious, together with her son, upon them both be the Glory of God, have been granted permission to turn towards the Most Holy Court. Thus hath shone forth the sun of permission from the horizon of our Lord’s grace, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. I beseech and implore the Mighty God to strengthen them in all conditions, grant them success, and through His perfect power arrange circumstances whereby they may at all times attain unto His wondrous and sublime bounties. We verily are the Comforter, the All-Knowing.
We have desired to make mention of Our handmaiden who attained to the recognition of her Lord before her ascension, and after her ascension was blessed with the Kawthar of her Lord’s gracious favors, the Kind, the All-Merciful. We testify that she turned to God and believed when men were in manifest rejection. She drank the choice wine of recognition from the hand of her Lord’s bounty, the All-Merciful, and mention of her was recorded by the Pen of Revelation when the Wronged One was in His mighty prison. When she ascended, the Concourse on High perceived from her the sweet fragrance of the love of God, the Lord of all beings. Blessed is she and joy be unto her!
She attained unto mention in her days and unto the favors of her Lord after her ascension. We beseech God to send down upon her from the heaven of grace and bounty at all times that which befitteth His generosity, His grace and His bounty, which have encompassed all who are in the heavens and on earth. We console Our servant Abdul-Husayn, who was mentioned in the early days before God, the Lord of all mankind. We make mention of his son and daughter and counsel them to be patient in what hath come upon them in the days of God, the Lord of the worlds. We console those who were with them, as a token of Our grace, for verily We are the Almighty, the Forgiving, the Merciful. The glory from Us be upon them all.
Blessed is she, again blessed is she, for she hath been honored with mention by the Supreme Pen. In life she was adorned with His love, and in death she ascended with His love. Grace, bounty and favor are within His mighty grasp; He bestoweth them upon whomsoever He willeth. Verily, He hath power over all things.
I convey unto the honoured [Ákhund]—upon him be the glory of God and His loving-kindness—and unto the bereaved ones, upon them be the glory of God, My triumphal acclamation and salutations. And I beseech the one true God—glorified be His Name—that the Pen of the Most High may make mention of all as steadfast and thankful. In very truth have they attained unto that which is abiding and everlasting. To Him be praise and glory, and to Him be thanksgiving and favour and faithfulness.
Concerning the late Aqa Murtida-Quli, upon him be the glory of God and His mercy, the mere fact that he associated with that beloved one and entered that house and showed forth love is sufficient. Thus did the Tongue of Grandeur speak concerning him, and after being submitted before the Most Holy, Most Exalted Presence, these sublime words were revealed—exalted be His utterance and glorified His proof:
“O Samandar! Although that deceased one did not act according to divine counsels, yet in his final years signs of love were manifest from him, and his turning to your house, his presence, and his seeking—all bear witness to his recognition. Therefore he has been adorned with the grace of God, exalted be His glory, and He forgave him through His bounty, and purified him from the defilement of the world, and ordained for him a station beneath the shade of His chosen ones. Verily He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He pleaseth. He shall not be asked of His doings. He is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.”
Though he was not enkindled as befitted, yet from time to time he was mindful, and by the testimony of the Supreme Pen he possessed love to a certain degree. Therefore the all-encompassing mercy embraced him. Verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, is the All-Bountiful, the Generous, and He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.
Special mention that I conveyed your humility, submissiveness, remembrance and praise to the Holy Branches of the Blessed Tree—may my spirit, my being, and my essence be sacrificed for the dust of their footsteps. Each one manifested countless favors, especially mentioning and showing kindness to you. Likewise, the denizens of the pavilion of infallibility and grandeur all made mention of that beloved one and his household. God willing, this letter will reach you and the hidden, recorded favors will become manifest and evident.
Glory, remembrance and praise be upon your honor, upon those with you, and upon those who love you for the sake of God, our Lord and your Lord and the Lord of all who are in the heavens and the earth.
The servant 10th of Jumada al-Thani 1303
BH00723: The Branches of the Blessed Tree—may my spirit…
The Branches of the Blessed Tree—may my spirit and whatsoever my Lord hath bestowed upon me be offered for their advent—convey sacred remembrance beyond the mention and thought of this evanescent one. May the spiritual friend, his honor Ahmad—upon him be God’s peace and loving-kindness—take note.
He is God, exalted be His station, the Grandeur and the Power!
The Book of God speaketh and the Sun of Truth shineth. The light of His countenance with the word “Verily He is God” is manifest and evident after the passing of all things. The Sun of the Will of the Peerless Beloved hath so encompassed all things with its effulgences that not a single atom among all atoms is deprived of its signs and verses. Yet heedless souls remain veiled and debarred from witnessing and hearkening. The Sun calleth out, yet ears are absent. Heaven crieth aloud, yet the power to hear is non-existent. The realm of manifestation is adorned with the ornament of true unity, yet sight is nowhere to be found. From a single will the ocean of bounty came into being, and from one drop thereof the world of existence became manifest and creation appeared.
By virtue of His pre-existing mercy and all-encompassing grace, He bestowed sight and granted awareness. From His pure and absolute existence, He sent down proof and made clear the path. The King of the Path and the Manifestation of the Proof is He Who came with the truth, by Whose advent the Hijaz was adorned and from Whose fragrance Batha was perfumed, He Whose will was the Will of God, Whose desire was the Desire of God, Whose command was the Command of God, and Whose prohibition was the Prohibition of God. Through Him appeared His straight path and His firm and mighty command.
Glorified art Thou, O God of Names and Creator of heaven! I beseech Thee by the movement of Thy Most Exalted Pen, whereby Thou didst subdue all things, and by Thy Name which Thou didst make the Sovereign of names and the All-Ruling over earth and heaven, to send Thy blessings upon Thy Beloved, Whom Thou didst strengthen and exalt and cause to enter a station which the understanding of the world cannot comprehend nor the minds of nations grasp, and upon His family and companions whom Thou didst make the lamps of guidance among all creatures and the emblems of unity among kings and servants. O Lord! I beseech Thee by them and by their glory, might and power to protect Thy loved ones from the ungodly who have encompassed Thy cities and lands without any proof from Thee, and who have committed that which hath grieved the hearts of Thy chosen ones and the hearts of Thy messengers.
O Lord! Send down from the heaven of Thy grace upon those who have turned wholly unto Thee and have acted according to what Thou didst command them in Thy Book that which shall endure as long as Thy names endure and Thy attributes persist. Verily, Thou art the Almighty Whom neither the clamor of the servants nor the turning away of those in the lands can hinder. Thou doest what Thou willest and ordainest what Thou desirest. There is no God but Thee, the Mighty, the All-Praised.
And send Thy blessings, O my God, upon Thy loved ones and friends who hastened unto Thee and circumambulated Thy House by Thy command, who bore hardships in their turning unto Thee, whom neither the blame of the blamer nor the turning away of the heedless nor the sword of the oppressor nor the assault of the transgressor could deter in their love for Thee. They have turned unto Thee with radiant faces and illumined hearts. O Lord! Withhold not from them that which is with Thee, and ordain for them what Thou hast ordained for Thy trusted ones and Thy loved ones. Verily, Thou art the Almighty, the All-Ruling, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise, the Hearing, the Answering.
And furthermore, O beloved of my heart! I had been contemplating the world and reflecting on the power of its Maker, its Creator, its Fashioner, and the visible signs of God and His manifest evidences, when someone arrived with your letter. I took it and opened it, and from it wafted the fragrance of love and affection, and the intoxication of the Kawthar of love seized me in such wise that the pen is powerless to describe it and the tongue fails to express it. I opened it and read it, and found in each letter thereof that which gladdened me and attracted me, for from it wafted the fragrance of the love of our Lord and your Lord, our Goal and your Goal, and the Goal of all who are in the heavens and on earth. Then it was presented before our Master—may our souls be a sacrifice for Him—and He said:
“O thou who gazest upon the Countenance! He who was present before the Wronged One with thy letter hath come, and he read before the Countenance what thou didst praise God therein, the Lord of all worlds. We found from it the fragrance of thy turning unto God, thy sincerity, thy devotion, thy certitude, thy submissiveness, thy humility, thy resignation and thy contentment in God, the Lord of the Mighty Throne. We beseech Him, exalted be He, to send down upon thee from the heaven of His bounty that which will draw thee nigh unto Him and to make that which hath proceeded from thee in His mention and praise a treasure for thee in His heaven and a store for thee in His Kingdom. Verily, He is the One Who hath power over whatsoever He willeth. Neither the might of the world nor the oppression of the idolatrous among the nations can prevent Him. He is the Single One, the Unique One, Who hath no likeness nor peer, and there is nothing like unto Him. Every possessor of knowledge and understanding hath testified to the sanctification of His Being and the exaltation of His Essence above all else. We bear witness to that which they who are endued with constancy among His Prophets have testified: verily He is the Single One, the Unique One, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.”
Life came and bestowed life; spirit came and conferred spirit. What effect can this servant’s movement and mention have, and what purpose can they serve? Every call is as nought beside the rustling of the Most Exalted Pen, and every utterance is lost before the Kingdom of utterance. However, since the word of permission hath appeared from the horizon of the Most Great Favor, therefore we hold fast unto His mention and praise, and offer a hundred thousand thanksgivings that this permission hath been granted and this honor hath been bestowed. The world is weary and the Lord is glorious, seated upon the throne of utterance. Glory be unto Him, glory be unto Him, above my mention and the mention of those above me and those below me!
By the life of our Beloved and your Beloved, the letter of that loved one brought perfect joy and bestowed boundless delight. Prayers were offered at a propitious time and were honored to be heard. Well is it with your tongue and your pen! God willing, may they be confirmed and assisted at all times. This evanescent servant reflects how the idolaters have surrounded the lands of the believers, and such grief seizes him that he is truly unable to describe it. What hath caused these humiliations? The resplendent Law, with its supreme glory and its mighty sovereignty, is now witnessed in such a state. The eye weeps and the heart laments. What is the cause and what is the reason? In any case, we must all turn with the utmost lowliness and supplication unto the Self-Sufficing One, seek pardon for the deeds we have done, and ask forgiveness for the deeds we have not done. Perchance once again will the banner “The Kingdom is God’s” be raised by the hand of power in the most exalted station. This is not difficult for the Mighty One to accomplish.
To my honored friend, Jinab-i-Mirza, upon him be God’s peace, providence and favors—I send greetings and remembrance. Praise be to God, you have been and continue to be remembered. The servant beseeches his Lord to strengthen him, grant him success, and manifest through him that which causes the believers to find the fragrance of their Lord’s providence, the Generous Giver. Praise be to God, the Lord of the Worlds.
The mention of the beloved of the heart, one of the two Most Exalted Names, His Holiness ʿAli—upon him be God’s peace and glory—was made and presented. They said:
“Excellent is what he has done, and excellent is he who has shown gratitude, praise and contentment.”
End.
We must all, through the confirmations of God—exalted be His Glory—become possessors of virtuous character and be adorned thereby. From this matter great joy was obtained. I beseech God to grant him reward. And regarding what was written about the polished papers—this servant, upon seeing them, has seen and continues to see the countenance of that spiritual beloved reflected therein, and at times his presence appeared and appears before my sight. I beseech and hope from the Exalted Truth that He may strengthen that beloved one and grant him success. Verily He is powerful over all things and worthy to answer prayers. Peace and praise be upon you and upon those with you and upon God’s righteous and sincere servants. Praise be to God, the Lord of the Worlds.
The servant 10 Jamadi’th-Thani 1303
The specified amount was received through my beloved, His Grace Haji Siyyid Javad—upon him be the Glory of God, the Lord of Creation—and was adorned with the ornament of acceptance.
BH00864: O beloved of my heart! It is night, yet…
He is God—exalted be His glory, His greatness and His power!
O beloved of my heart! It is night, yet the sun is bright and visible, and the light manifest and clear. Glory be to God! Each of His signs is a clear book and a mighty volume. The worth of day appears through night, and its station shines through darkness. The lamp of night speaks of and indicates its station, while day itself reveals and manifests the station of day. Yet night stands opposite to day, and day opposite to night—both are limited. We seek a day that has no night following it, one illumined by the light of the Beloved’s face, not by the light of sun or moon. This is the day of the Kingdom of Heaven, nay rather the Realm above, nay even sanctified above all three. We beseech and implore God, exalted be His glory, not to deprive the people of divine unity from this day.
I know not whether I speak truth or utter delirious words. The fire of love is ablaze and at times seizes and takes the reins of control. It is a mighty champion and valiant horseman, its field the arena of the world, its course the realms of the seen and unseen.
Glory be to Thee, O my God! Thou seest and knowest that the love of Thy chosen ones hath caused me to speak, and their affection hath emboldened me, taught me and made me speak. Were I to mention the degrees of their love in my breast and their remembrance in my heart, words would fail, ink and paper would not suffice, neither pen nor tongue could express it. I beseech Thee, O God of the world and Goal of the nations, by Thy Most Great Name, to assist them in all conditions as Thou hast assisted them through Thy grace and bounty. Then manifest through them at all times that which befitteth Thy gifts and bestowals. O Lord! I beseech Thee by them, by Thy greatest signs and the manifestations of Thy grandeur in the kingdom of creation, to assist Thy servant to act according to what Thou hast commanded in Thy Book and to remember Thy chosen ones and pure ones. Verily Thou art the Helper, the Wise. There is no God but Thee, the Mighty, the Great.
The sea arrived—meaning the letter arrived. As the saying goes, I speak first and then fulfill it, for it contained the pearls of divine love. Each word was like a shell; when examined closely, it showed what was to be seen and made heard what was to be heard. By the life of our Lord! The ear is for hearing the message of love, and the eye for beholding the beloved ones of God. In any case, after its observation and perusal, it was granted the honor of being heard by the Lord. We beseech God to deposit in every heart of His loved ones a surging sea of His love, that through its waves the world may be purified and become worthy of the effulgence of the Sun of Truth.
For what was the world created? For acceptance. Why did Adam come? For recognition and submission. The meaning of ink took the form of writing, the point came into being, and the point journeyed for centuries until it became adorned and when it became expanded and submissive, its head was crowned with the diadem of ʿH’ and the Word appeared, and this Word was honored with the name of the Beloved of the world—that Beloved by whom the night journey was glorified and the heavens were adorned by His footsteps. We beseech God, exalted be He, to aid us and you, and to assist us and you in His remembrance and praise and in what He hath revealed in His Book. Verily, He is powerful over all things. The end.
The ocean hath come and the river hath departed—what can the poor and lowly one do? Where is conclusive proof, and where are these idle words? Unless His grace assist and His bounty bestow utterance upon the tongue-tied. And for what purpose is this utterance? By the life of our Lord, it is beloved for His mention and praise, for without these, speech availeth not.
O my God, my God! Inspire us with Thy remembrance and praise, and aid us in that which befitteth Thy glory and majesty. Then accept from us, through Thy grace, that which hath appeared from us in Thy path and Thy love. Thou art the Generous One Who enricheth the world through a word from Thy presence, and Who openeth the door of wealth through one of Thy names. Verily, bounty is in Thy grasp and giving is in Thy right hand. Thou hast subdued all things through Thy Most Exalted Pen. There is no God but Thee, the Lord of the Throne and earth.
Concerning what they wrote, that the spiritual friend Aqa Ghulam-Husayn and Aqa ʿAli-Akbar, upon them be the peace of God and His favors, have of their own accord requested to participate in a good deed, namely the palm grove partnership—this matter was presented and was honored with acceptance before the Lord, and these exalted words issued from the blessed tongue:
“We beseech God to strengthen their tongues for His mention and praise, their ears to hearken unto His verses, their faces to turn toward His horizon, their eyes to behold the mysteries of His creation, their hands to grasp His Book, their hearts to be enkindled with the fire of His love. And We beseech Him to ordain for them every good thing He hath sent down in His Books, His Scriptures and His Tablets. Verily, He is the Compassionate, the Generous. There is no God but He, the Forgiving, the Merciful.”
Praise be to God, ye have attained unto that which ye desired. Blessed be I and ye! Convey mention and praise on my behalf to all the friends in that land. God the One is witness that they have been and are remembered most of the time. Mention of that beloved one’s joy in what flowed from the blessed tongue regarding the palm grove partnership became the cause of complete gladness and delight. If the joy of these words was but a drop there, here it became an ocean, for He mentioned it repeatedly and smiled. The servant beseecheth his Lord for your success and confirmation, and I beseech Him to grant you that which befitteth the heaven of His generosity and the ocean of His grace. Verily, He is the Giver, the Munificent, the Generous.
Concerning the mention of Aqa ʿAli, upon him be God’s peace, they have indeed accepted hardship and difficulty. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, to bring forth from this hardship manifold ease, and from this difficulty and constraint, boundless facility. Verily, He is the Creator of all things, their Manifester, their Ordainer and their Educator. There is no God but He, the Single, the One, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. Peace, remembrance and praise be upon you, upon those with you, upon every steadfast and firm one, and upon every resolute and trustworthy one.
The servant 10 Jamadiyu’th-Thani 1303
I convey greetings and praise to the honored friend Mirza, upon him be God’s peace and favors, and I beseech God, exalted be His glory, to apply in his case the blessed words “ten times as much”—that is, to increase his successes, confirmations and rewards at every moment. Verily, He is the Hearer, the Answerer.
The blessed Branches, may my spirit and being be sacrificed for the dust of their honored footsteps, each and every one, remember that beloved one and send their greetings.
BH01046: All praise and gratitude belong to the True One…
He is God, exalted be His station, the Grandeur and the Power
All praise and gratitude belong to the True One, glorified be His majesty, Who created hearts and guided them to one another. He is the Almighty Who bestows eternal glory upon dust and places the crown of wealth upon the head of the poor. Why did Sinai become beloved of the world and mentioned among nations? What was the cause of its elevation and the reason for its nobility? From what did Sina derive its radiance and wherefore did it become the focus of the world? The Word of God was the cause, and through His grace He made stone the point of circumambulation for the world and bestowed the heart’s desire upon [clay]. In every atom the signs of His craftsmanship are perfect—an eye is needed to behold them and a perceptive faculty to comprehend them.
O God, my Purpose, my Adored One! Thy remembrance is the companion of hearts and Thy mention the solace of souls. Whosoever seeketh anyone but Thee hath been and shall ever be in loss, and whosoever desireth any other than Thee hath been and shall ever be bereft. Bid the sun of Thy grace to shine upon the dead, and the rain of Thy mercy to pour upon the realm of existence. O my God! The saplings of the garden seek water, and the flowers of the garden of inner meanings yearn for confirmation. Water and sun are Thy two great signs—deprive not Thy servants of these two. By Thy leave they are effective, and without it they neither nourish nor satisfy, and thus shall it ever be. Thy power maketh dust to become as the sun and earth to become as heaven. Take our hands, for we are helpless. Bestow Thy grace, for we are poor and lowly. Whatever cometh from Thee is the desire of hearts and the beloved of souls. Thou art the Mighty, the Powerful.
Blessings and peace be upon Him Whom Thou didst choose from among all the world and didst make a Guide for the peoples. Through Him the rivers of wisdom and utterance flowed amidst all possibility, and the gate of grace was opened before the faces of humans and jinn. And upon His family and companions whom Thou didst make as guides for Thyself—through them Thou didst manifest Thy power, Thy sovereignty, Thy might, Thy majesty, Thy dominion, and Thy will. And upon those who followed Thy laws throughout the ages and centuries. There is no God but Thee, the One, the Mighty, the Glorious, the All-Forgiving.
Furthermore, the successive letters which dawned from that honored brother’s horizon of love arrived like the spring rains one after another. Praise be to the Purpose of all worlds that He confirmed you, bestowed the power of verse, granted the ability of prose, conferred the spirit of prayer, and vouchsafed the Kawthar of remembrance. Praise be to God, you have drunk from the cup of love and attained unto the blessed Word of unity. Your mention is evident among mentions and your verse and prose are manifest among words. Whatever exists has been and shall ever be through the grace of the Peerless Friend. In brief, after becoming informed and aware, you sought the station of the Master and were honored to attain His presence.
O ʿAli-Akbar! The realm of divine knowledge hath been encompassed, and the cities of remembrance and recognition forbidden. The lamp of justice hath been beset by the winds of oppression, and the countenance of equity lieth in ambush, threatened by the wolves of tyranny. Beseech thou the True One that He may protect the horizon of justice from the clouds of His protection and safeguard the Kawthar of utterance from the hands of rebellion. the ungodly have surrounded the believers. Recompense for deeds hath sealed shut the gate of hopes and disrupted the course of destiny. We beseech God, exalted be He, to aid the people of unity and preserve them from the artillery of the ungodly, their swords, the malice of the atheists, and their spears. Verily, He hath power over all things. There is none other God but Him, the Single, the One, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
Night hath turned to morning, for the light of utterance hath dawned from its horizon, and if it be night, it hath been and shall be the best of days. Views differ: in the sight of those near and sincere, a house wherein the mention of God is raised up is the king of houses, and a night illumined by the light of praise of the Lord of Names is superior to centuries and ages. the ungodly see night, but the believers see an ocean of light—vast is the difference! I beseech and implore the True One, exalted be His glory, to keep that honored brother preserved beneath the shadow of His grace and to increase his power of utterance at all times. The verses of that beloved one have arrived at every occasion. The Lord hath taken them with His blessed hand and recited them. A hundred thousand praises upon your poetry and your prose! God willing, may every deed of deeds, every mention of mentions, and every letter of letters that appeareth for God’s sake become an adorning border on the preamble of the world’s scrolls.
Fresh tidings and a new blessing and heavenly feast: the presence of the Beloved—may the spirit of one of the two Most Exalted Names, M.H., upon him be the peace of God and His grace, and the bounty of God and His mercy—praise be to God, they have arrived with his honor Ali, who chose journey over rest, hardship over ease, and the turbulence of the sea over stillness in the path of God, the Lord of the worlds. In truth, they were a mighty blessing, the dawning-place of joy and gladness, and the manifestation of delight and rapture. Exalted be God, the Manifestation of His grace and bounty, His generosity and munificence, His favors and glory and splendor. News of the departure of his honor Aqa Ali, upon him be the peace of God, had arrived, and in letters supplication was made to the True One, exalted be His glory, that He protect him and bring him to his destination.
Praise be to God, before the letter was sent, the mentioned one arrived in perfect health and safety with what was with him. His reward and the rewards of those who preceded him rest with God, and we beseech Him, exalted be He, to ordain for them the good of the hereafter and this world. Verily, He is the Hearer, the Answerer, the Compassionate, the Forgiving, the Generous.
The exalted Branches—may my spirit and being be sacrificed for the dust of their footsteps—have conveyed greetings and praise, which this servant doth now present.
BH01308: Pure praise and glorification befit the believers, before whose…
He is God—exalted be His station, the Most Great, the All-Powerful
Pure praise and glorification befit the believers, before whose might the limbs of the ungodly tremble. These are the hosts of whom He said “O hosts of God, mount ye!” Their might obliterated the might of the world, and their power transformed the highest palaces of kings into the abode of spiders and owls. The arch of Chosroes stands as witness. The signs of victory and triumph were manifest in all regions and directions. What became of that power, and where did that might go? Had these servants held fast to the divine law and the way of Muhammad (peace be upon Him) and moved according to God’s command and His good-pleasure, surely the world would have been illumined and its people found rest. Every word of the divine utterances, nay every letter thereof, is influential and beneficial. Those souls who are illumined by the dawning lights of the Sun of Truth see in every letter a book, and every word is the dayspring of light and the dawning-place of knowledge. Where are the eyes to see and the ears to hear?
Glory be unto Thee, O God of Names and Creator of heaven! We confess our powerlessness, our shortcomings, our transgression of our bounds, and our misdeeds that have prevented us from drawing nigh unto Thee, and our sins that have come between us and the effulgences of the lights of the Sun of Thy grace and the manifestations of Thy favors. O Lord! We have fled from ourselves to the shadow of the canopies of Thy generosity. I beseech Thee by the Dawning-Places of Thy revelation, the Daysprings of Thy inspiration, the Recipients of Thy knowledge, the Manifestations of Thy Self, the Sources of Thy Cause, and by the Seal of Thy Prophets, to assist us in what hath escaped us, then illumine our hearts with the lights of Thy knowledge.
O Lord! Protect Thy servants, Thy believers, and Thy sincere ones from the evil of every misbeliever, and strengthen them through Thy power, Thy sovereignty, Thy might, and Thy dominion. Thou art He Whom nothing can frustrate and no affair can prevent. Ordain, O my God, for the believers among Thy creation that which will exalt them and aid them, that they may remember Thee among Thy servants and Thy creation, in Thy habitations and Thy lands. There is no God but Thee, the Forgiving, the Generous, the Strong, the Powerful, the Almighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
And then the letter arrived, news arrived, glad tidings arrived, for it brought joyful news of that spiritual beloved’s health and well-being. It was an auspicious messenger and a welcome herald that drove away sorrow with overwhelming power. With its coming, joy found opportunity and took sorrow’s place. Praise be to God, the rain of grace is ever-showering and the lights of bounty are ever-shining and manifest in all times. Were it not for His grace, who would be capable of mention? His is the praise and glory, His the gratitude and bounty. One revelation from the revelations of the Sun of His grace brings forth a hundred thousand worlds, and one manifestation of His justice raises a hundred thousand lamentations. What can the Manifestations say of “He doeth whatsoever He willeth”? The Command is His Command, and the power is His power, and we are among the thankful ones.
After hearing what the scribe uttered, it was presented before our Lord (may our spirits be sacrificed for Him), and He said:
“Praise be to God, they have attained to that which most are deprived of. They are turned toward the highest horizon, holding fast to the cord of grace and clinging to the hem of bounty. We beseech God to manifest through them that which will cause the countenance of existence to smile, and to aid them in His remembrance, His praise, and the service of His Cause, even as He has aided them, and to enable them to act according to what has been revealed in His Book, even as He has enabled them. Verily, He is powerful over all things. There is no God but Him, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.”
Regarding what was written about the friends in the land of Qaf and Fa and the honored friend Aqa Ahmad (upon him and them be God’s peace), it was presented and gained acceptance. God willing, We shall send him that which will gladden his heart and comfort his eyes. Likewise, We make mention of the friends of that land. Give glad tidings of Our greetings to Ahmad, and likewise to the others. We beseech God the Exalted to aid them and draw them near to Him, and to manifest through them that which shall adorn the pages of the world and be a remembrance for the nations. Verily, He is powerful over all things and worthy to answer.
Praise be to God, they have been mentioned at this time and will be mentioned hereafter. Two glad tidings should be sent. As for their request for pilgrimage, it was accepted by proxy for that beloved one. We beseech God to accept the deeds, and surely they are accepted. All the Branches (may my spirit and being be sacrificed for the dust of their footsteps), and likewise the people of the pavilion of infallibility, all send their greetings. Peace, remembrance, and praise be upon you and upon God’s sincere servants, and praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.
BH01356: Praise be unto the King of existence Who adorned…
He is God, exalted is He in might and power
Praise be unto the King of existence Who adorned the world of humanity with the ornament of utterance. The Guide, the Interpreter and the Manifestor, in His primary station, was the utterance of the All-Merciful. With one word from His Kingdom of utterance He created the world and showed the way. His path is clear and evident like the sun, and His proof is manifest and visible above that. Yet the blind ones of the world have ever rejected and continue to reject, regarding the oppressor as the oppressed and the corrupt as the upright. Distinction hath vanished. Glory be to God! It seems as though eyes and ears have become non-existent and have disappeared.
The people of God brought forth a sapling; they planted it and it grew tall. Now its fruit must be observed. The station of the fruit is clear and known from the station of the tree. At one time this exalted word was revealed from the Divine Lote-Tree:
“O servant in attendance, say to the heedless people: Fix your gaze upon the Tree and its fruits. Today the Tree of inner meanings with its wondrous, novel and subtle fruits of divine knowledge is visible. Is it permissible to abandon this and say its time has not come? O helpless one! What knowest thou of time? The Euphrates of mercy floweth from the right hand of the Throne, yet thou sayest where and when is it?’ and it must flow at another hour.’ Be fair, O people, and be not among the transgressors and the abased ones.”
The servant and the people of God must, at all times, beseech the True One to guide all. And blessings and peace be upon the best of God’s creation, the most excellent, the most ancient, the most knowing, the nearest and most articulate one, through whom the rains of wisdom and knowledge were showered upon all in creation, and through whom every mention, every name and every station was exalted. With Him the Book of Creation began and with Him it ended. Every book of His Book was detailed, and God’s decree was manifested through His arising and His utterance. And upon His family and companions who aided the Cause of God with true aid and strove in God with true striving, and profound peace be upon them.
Thereafter, the servant found the fragrance of remembrance and praise… I beseech God the Exalted to confirm thee and make thee among those who shall have no fear nor shall they grieve. After observing and becoming informed, he proceeded to the Presence and it was presented before His face. He said:
“O Ali, God willing, mayest thou be successful through divine confirmations and be assisted by the confirmations of the All-Merciful in such wise that the signs of success and confirmation become manifest and evident in the world. Thou hast been and art mentioned before the Wronged One. We beseech God the Exalted to make all your deeds as one deed and all your remembrances as one remembrance.”
Deeds and remembrances that occur for God’s good-pleasure are one deed and one remembrance. This station is the station of the oneness of deeds and remembrances. The pen hath no power to speak and the rider of the fingers no room to gallop. We beseech God the Exalted to send down upon you from the heaven of His grace that which will exalt you among His servants and draw you nigh unto Him. Verily He is the Munificent, the Generous. Praise be unto Him, for He is the Goal of the knowers and the God of all who are in the heavens and the earth.
Praise be to God! The rain of wisdom and utterance hath descended from the heaven of bounty. We were not, then we became; we were non-existent, then we existed; we were nothingness, then we became being. Whence came these bounties? They existed before our existence, and He bestowed before any request. His gift hath no end and no subsequent obligation. O God! How can we thank Thee? For whatever we say is not worthy of Thee nor befitting Thee. How can absolute nothingness describe the Ancient One? Whatever it says is worthy only of itself and from its own realm. The ant cannot equal the phoenix, and the dim-sighted hath no knowledge in this arena. When He permitted, we made mention; we received leave and hastened to the field of praise.
O Generous One! The needy one, with complete need, hath clung to Thee and taken his place on the shore of the sea of bounty. Deprive not this gathering. Show unto all what is in their hearts, that they may know with clear certainty that this people know none but Thee, see none but Thee, and desire none but Thee. They have no purpose save Thy good-pleasure and no beloved save Thee. If Thou dost enable them, they will arise to serve Thy servants; otherwise the matter is in Thy hands. Thou doest what Thou willest and ordainest what Thou desirest. There is no God but Thee, the Powerful, the Mighty.
BH02653: O Ali! The traditions of vain imaginings have returned…
In the Name of the All-Knowing, the One God
O Ali! The traditions of vain imaginings have returned once again. That which the people of the Furqan (Muslims) did, the people of the Bayan now cling to. They have intended to build imaginary cities with the hands of idle fancies and to deprive helpless souls of the choice sealed wine and the outpourings of His Holiness the Self-Subsisting. For one thousand two hundred years they considered themselves, in their own estimation, the most learned and knowledgeable in the world, and at all times they were engaged in mentioning the Promised One. Yet when the Sun of Truth shed its radiance and the horizon of the world became illumined, they became like clouds that intervened and prevented its rays. Finally they issued the decree for His death, as you have all heard and seen. In the early years, not a single one of the divines showed acceptance or attained to the Cause of God. All arose in such obvious opposition as had never been heard of in creation. The divines and their followers, one and all, engaged in cursing and vilification, and committed that which no oppressor had ever done. Even now in all lands the fire of hatred is ablaze. Well is it with them that are endued with insight!
The people of the Bayan are now freshly uttering those same words and committing those same deeds. At times they say the Bayan has been corrupted, and at times they say that which no idolator has ever said. Say: O people of God! Strive to protect people from the vain imaginings of these souls, that perchance they may soar with the wings of freedom in the luminous atmosphere of glory and attain unto true unity. These are the counsels of the True One, exalted be His glory, unto His loved ones. Blessed is he who hath heard and hath attained unto the most great steadfastness in this mighty Cause. Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds. The Glory be upon thee and upon My loved ones who have not broken My covenant and My pledge, who have arisen and have said:
“God is our Lord and the Lord of all who are in the heavens and on earth.”
O Ha and Sin! Thou hast ever been mentioned in the presence of the Wronged One and art beneath the glance of His favor. Praise be to God that the effulgences of the sun of divine love are dawning and shining forth from the horizons of hearts, and thy remembrance hath been inscribed by the Pen of loving-kindness upon the crimson scroll. Give thanks unto thy Lord for this manifest grace.
We beseech God, exalted be He, to assist the white faith and the radiant Law and preserve it from the evil of the idolators who have cast behind them the Covenant of God and His Testament and have committed that which hath made the eyes of the righteous to weep. And we beseech Him to exalt the people of unity even as He exalted them before. Verily He is powerful over all things and worthy to answer prayer.
BH02887: In My Name, the Speaker in the Kingdom…
In My Name, the Speaker in the Kingdom of Utterance
This is a Book which the All-Merciful hath sent down to him who hath turned towards the Most Sublime Horizon and hath voiced the praise of God, the Lord of Names and Creator of Heaven, that He may draw him nigh unto Him and aid him to promote His irrevocable, firm and mighty Cause.
O Muhammad! The Wronged One remembereth thee from the prison quarter and calleth thee with that which will make thee independent of the knowledge of those who have denied God’s proof and evidence, who have disputed His verses and disbelieved in His sovereignty by following every heedless and remote one.
O thou who gazest upon the Countenance! Remember, then consider the people of the Furqan who denied the All-Merciful when He came unto them with manifest sovereignty. They would wait through nights and days, mentioning Him in mosques and gatherings, yet when the promise was fulfilled and the Light shone forth from the horizon of Manifestation, they denied Him and pronounced judgment against Him with such injustice as caused every person of insight to lament. Say: Where are your remembrances and that which ye uttered at the mention of the Qa’im? And where is the justice and fairness ye claimed when the Cause was preserved in the treasury of your Lord’s protection, the Mighty, the Powerful? Consider the fruits of their deeds and words on the Day of Recompense. Thus doth He Who possesseth the perspicuous Book command thee.
Verily, We behold the people of the Bayan who have turned away from the All-Merciful to be in greater loss than they on God’s Day, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy. We have sent down from the heaven of bounty and generosity that which the books of the world cannot equal, yet most of the people are heedless. They have cast aside the Lord and seized upon their desires. Thus have their souls enticed them, and today they are among the dead.
Arise to serve the Cause with such steadfastness as cannot be prevented by the doubts of the divines who have turned away from God, who have changed His favor and caused their people to enter the fire. Thus did the Tongue of Grandeur speak before and at this time. Be thou a speaker of My Name, turn with thy heart to My horizon, and stand firm in service to My wondrous Cause. Convey My remembrance to My loved ones and give them the glad tidings of My tender mercy and loving-kindness which have preceded all in the heavens and the earth.
The glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of My bounty be upon thee, upon those with thee, and upon My party who have not been hindered by the doubts of the servants and the gestures of every remote misbeliever. Praise be to God, the Lord of the seen and the unseen, the Lord of the mighty throne.
BH03306: Go forth by God’s command and His wisdom…
He is the All-Commanding, the All-Wise!
Go forth by God’s command and His wisdom to the lands and remind them of that which was uttered before thy face, and I am the All-Knowing Rememberer. Pass through the lands with joy and fragrance, then make mention unto them of that which will draw them nigh unto God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy.
Say: O people! By God, the Most Great Treasure of God hath appeared and He Who was mentioned in the hearts of the Prophets and inscribed by the Most Exalted Pen hath come. Fear ye God and be not of the wrongdoers. Turn ye to the horizon of the Cause, then remember Him by night and by day, and be not of the silent ones. This is the Day of Remembrance, were ye of them that know, and this is the Day of Utterance, were ye of them that are certain. This is the Day wherein the Tongue of Grandeur hath spoken before all faces: Fear ye God and be not of the heedless ones. Behold ye the waves of the ocean and the lights of the sun of meanings and utterance, that your eyes may be solaced on this wondrous Day.
O Ali-Qabli-Akbar! Thou hast attained unto Our presence and witnessed and heard that which was inscribed in the Books of the Messengers. We beseech God to assist thee and confirm thee in aiding His Cause through remembrance and utterance. Verily He is the Almighty, the Powerful. Convey My greetings unto the faces of My loved ones and give them the glad-tidings of My remembrance and My favor which hath preceded every small and great one.
Say: O party of God! The Light of Proof hath dawned and that which was hidden in God’s knowledge, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy, hath appeared. Beware lest anything whatsoever prevent you from turning toward the Most Exalted Horizon or the veils of the transgressors conceal you.
O Ali-Qabli-Akbar! Be thou a bird in My atmosphere, speaking My praise, turning toward My horizon, holding fast to My cord, preserving what We have bestowed upon thee through My grace, and clinging to My luminous robe. Thus hath the scroll of inner meanings been adorned by the Pen of God, the Lord of all worlds. The glory shining forth from the horizon of the heaven of My mercy be upon thee and upon My loved ones who were not prevented by the doubts of the divines from God, the Lord of this wondrous Day.
BH03670: Thou didst journey and emigrate until thou didst attain…
In the name of the one true God!
Thou didst journey and emigrate until thou didst attain to a station that hath been recorded and inscribed by the Supreme Pen in all the divine Books. We beseech God to aid thee to preserve that which He hath bestowed. Convey My greetings to the friends of God, glorified be His majesty, and command them on behalf of the Wronged One to the Most Great Steadfastness, that all may attain to that which is acceptable and beloved in the sight of God. The dust of irreligion hath seized the world and the clouds of idle fancies have obscured the Sun of Justice. Say: O friends! Hold fast unto God and fix your gaze upon Him. Today steadfastness is accounted as the greatest of all deeds in the sight of the Self-Sufficing, the Most High. Hold fast unto it and be free and detached from all else but God.
This is truly the Day of Divine Unity—deprive not yourselves thereof. Reflect upon the people of a former religion: after lamentation, weeping and expectation, they martyred the Lord of all beings, yet to this day they remain unaware of what they have wrought. Heedlessness and pride have so seized those souls that their condition surpasseth description by pen and ink. We beseech God to guide all and deprive them not of the splendors of the Sun of Truth.
Convey greetings to all the people of the villages and say:
“The mention of each one hath flowed from the tongue of the Wronged One and been recorded by the Supreme Pen.”
Strive that ye may attain unto that from which the fragrance of eternity can be inhaled. We likewise make mention of the steadfast handmaidens and counsel them to celebrate the praise and glory of God and that which He hath revealed in His Perspicuous Book. The glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of My mercy be upon thee and upon those who have turned with illumined hearts and upon those women who have turned unto God, the Peerless, the All-Informed.
BH04121: O Muhammad! The Most Exalted Pen speaks in praise…
In the Name of the One True God
O Muhammad! The Most Exalted Pen speaks in praise and glorification of the Lord of Names, for His bounty is manifest and His mighty hand is the Savior and Deliverer. He bestowed favor and showed generosity by bringing you from the land of Ta to the Prison-land that you might hear what is recorded in the divine Books and witness what has flowed from the Most Exalted Pen. The Wronged One testifies that you have turned from your homeland to God, the Lord of the worlds, and attained the blessing of visiting His house and acted according to what was commanded in a clear Tablet. We beseech Him, exalted be He, to aid you in remembrance and praise, for He is the Protector of those who remember Him.
Convey greetings to the loved ones of God wherever you find them, and give them the glad tidings of the splendors of the Sun of Providence. All are mentioned in His presence and are sustained by the Kawthar of His grace. Ask God to assist them to preserve what He has bestowed. Verily He has power over all things.
O Muhammad! Place your trust in God in all matters. Verily He is with you in all conditions. He is verily with His trusting servants. You should proceed to different lands with the utmost joy and fragrance, like the breezes of the divine springtime of mercy, that perchance souls may be revived and arise to mention and praise God.
Say: O people of God! The world is passing away and its evanescence is fully apparent. Deprive not yourselves of the immortal Kingdom through attachment to that which is transient. The atheists and hypocrites lie in wait—protect yourselves through God’s name and occupy yourselves with the Peerless Friend. The glory from Us be upon you and upon those who have heard and responded to their Lord, the Speaker, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
BH05233: In the Name of Him Who is the Ruler…
In the Name of Him Who is the Ruler over all names! O concourse of men! The call hath been raised from the Most Great Scene, and before it in the land of Ta, and after it in Zawra, then in the Land of Mystery, and in this Great Prison. God hath made this castle His Most Great Scene which We have mentioned and adorned with the dawning splendors of the countenance of God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy.
O son of Kazim! Upon thee and upon him be My glory and My loving-kindness. We have mentioned thee and him, both before and after, through verses that draw nigh unto them the hearts of those who have drawn near. Give thanks unto God for this most great favor and say: Praise be unto Thee, O Thou in Whose grasp lie the reins of all who are in the heavens and on earth, for having taught me and made me know and guided me unto Thy straight and manifest path. I testify that whosoever hath attained unto it hath attained unto that which was sent down in the Book, both before and after. He Who possesseth the Luminous Tablet beareth witness unto this.
We make mention of His loved ones and give them the glad-tidings of My loving-kindness and My mercy, and We remind them of My verses. I am, verily, the All-Powerful, the Almighty. We counsel all to manifest the most great steadfastness, and chastity, and trustworthiness, and faithfulness, and that kindliness which We have enjoined upon all in My Most Great Book.
Blessed art thou for having heard and turned towards Him. We beseech God to aid thee to preserve that wherewith He hath honored thee. He, verily, is the All-Bountiful, the Responsive. The glory shining forth from the horizon of the heaven of My loving-kindness be upon thee and upon everyone who is steadfast and firm.
BH05040: A mention from Us to him who hath turned…
He is the One manifest from His most exalted horizon.
A mention from Us to him who hath turned unto God, the Lord of the worlds, and attained His presence, and heard His call, and beheld the waves of the ocean of His utterance and whatsoever hath appeared from Him in His mighty prison.
Hearken unto the call of the Wronged One—verily He guideth thee unto the straight path of God. Beware lest the dawning-places of idle fancies withhold thee from the remembrance of thy Lord, the Master of all beings.
Say: My God, my God! I have turned unto Thee and have laid hold on the cord of Thy grace and favor. I beseech Thee, by the splendors of the lights of the Sun of Thy unity and the waves of the ocean of Thy bounty, to ordain for me from Thy Most Exalted Pen that which will draw me nigh unto Thee in all conditions. O my Lord! Thou seest me clinging unto Thee and unto the cord of Thy generosity. Disappoint me not of that which is with Thee. Ordain for me the good of the world to come and of this world. Verily Thou art the Lord of the throne on high and of the dust below. There is none other God but Thee, the Almighty, the Powerful.
Through Thy Name the standards were raised aloft, and by Thy command the banners were unfurled. The conditions of created things cannot frustrate Thee. Thou doest what Thou pleasest and ordainest what Thou willest. Verily Thou are the Mighty, the Praised One.
I beseech Thee, O God of Names and Creator of heaven, by Thy Most Great Name, the Most Glorious, to make me a servant of Thy Cause, and one who speaketh Thy praise, and one who gazeth upon Thy countenance. Then enable me to perform such deeds from which the fragrance of Thy good-pleasure may be wafted, throughout the everlasting days of Thy kingdom and dominion. Verily Thou art the Single One, the One, the Hearing, the Answering.
BH05519: Praise be to God, thou hast attained unto…
In the Name of God, the Everlasting, the All-Merciful
Praise be to God, thou hast attained unto the Most Great Favor and hast drunk from the cup of bounty the Salsabil of the presence of the Lord of Names. The True One, exalted be His glory, hath come for the guidance and refinement of souls, and hath commanded all to be sanctified, detached and righteous, that all who dwell on earth may attain unto the ornament of unity and concord and act in accordance with that which beseemeth man. Convey My greetings to the handmaidens of God in that land on behalf of the Wronged One, and give them the glad-tidings of His favors. Say: Thieves have been and are lying in wait; preserve the pearls of divine love through His Name.
Especially convey My greetings to Khadijih, upon her be My glory. Say: By the life of God, thy grief hath caused Me to grieve. We beseech Him, exalted be He, to send down for thee that which will gladden thee and ordain for thee good in all His worlds. Verily, He is potent over all things. Likewise convey greetings from the Wronged One to she who hath attained and to her daughters. We beseech God to aid them all and enable them to do that which He loveth and is pleased with. The glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of My grace be upon thee and upon My handmaidens there who have turned unto Him and have hearkened unto the call of God, the Lord of the worlds.
BH05745: A remembrance from Us to him who hath attained…
He is the One Who speaketh at the heart of the world.
A remembrance from Us to him who hath attained the presence and won that which was inscribed in the Books of God, the Lord of all worlds.
He left his home, turning toward the Most Exalted Horizon, until he attained the presence and won that which was recorded by the Most Glorious Pen in the Crimson Tablet. He is assuredly among the triumphant ones. He entered the Prison, heard the call of the Wronged One, and beheld the countenance of God, the Most High, the Most Great. We bear witness that he responded when the Call was raised, and turned when the Most Exalted Horizon appeared, and drank the choice wine of utterance when its seal was broken by the finger of the power of his Lord, the Mighty, the Powerful.
When thou arrivest in the land of Kaf, gladden My loved ones with My remembrance and remind them of My verses. Say: Blessed is he who hath attained unto steadfastness in this Most Great Cause and this Mighty Announcement. We counsel all to manifest the greater steadfastness, for the clamor hath been raised in all regions, as attesteth the Tongue of Grandeur in this luminous station.
Remember My people on My behalf, and give glad tidings to My handmaidens of My remembrance and My loving-kindness which have preceded all who are in the heavens and on earth. The splendor shining from the horizon of My Kingdom be upon thee and upon those who have believed in God, the Mighty, the Beautiful, and upon every people that hath believed in the One, the All-Informed. Praise be to God, the Almighty, the Powerful.
BH05879: A Book hath been revealed, a manifest path made…
He is the Hearer from the Horizon of Revelation
A Book hath been revealed, a manifest path made known. The Sun of Truth is manifest, risen and evident, yet the people are seen to be heedless and dejected, nay rather dead. Those leaves who today have attained unto the recognition of God, exalted be His glory—they are mentioned and recorded by the Pen of the Self-Sufficient as being among the men. Blessed are those handmaidens who are illumined by the lights of the Sun of Truth, and woe unto those men who are deprived and forbidden.
Say: My God, my God! I am a handmaiden among Thy handmaidens and a leaf among Thy leaves. I have turned with my heart unto Thee and raised the hands of hope toward the heaven of Thy grace and bounty. I beseech Thee by the outpourings of Thy days and the breathings of Thy Revelation to ordain for me that which shall be a lamp before my face in all the worlds of Thy worlds. O Lord! Thou seest me placing my trust in Thee and holding fast unto Thee. Disappoint me not of the pearls of the ocean of Thy grace and the splendors of the lights of the sun of Thy generosity.
Thou seest Thy handmaiden turning unto Thee and hoping for the wonders of Thy grace. Ordain for her through Thy mercy which hath preceded all created things and Thy generosity which hath encompassed all contingent beings the good of the hereafter and of the former time. Verily Thou art the Lord of the Throne and the dust. There is none other God but Thee, the Mighty, the Powerful.
BH06002: He speaketh forth in truth
He speaketh forth in truth
O My leaf! Upon thee be My glory! Thy remembrance hath been and will continue to be before the Wronged One. Thy grief hath caused sorrow to the Lord of Eternity. Thy lamentation was heard and thy devotion and orientation were witnessed. Place thy trust in all things in God, thy Lord, and commit them to Him. Verily He is nearer to thee than thyself. He heareth and seeth, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing. We have beheld thy tears and heard thy sighs. By God’s life! There hath been ordained for thee that which will gladden hearts and bring solace to eyes. Whatever the requirements of God’s consummate wisdom may be will assuredly come to pass.
Praise be to God, thou hast attained unto that which most of mankind are deprived of, and hast been enabled in such wise that the Lord of Eternity hath made mention of thee in the Most Great Prison. Rejoice thou in this manifest grace. Convey My greetings to all the handmaidens in that land. We counsel all to manifest praiseworthy character, goodly deeds, love, fellowship and unity. The Most Exalted Pen hath, both formerly and recently, counseled all concerning that which is the source and origin of the appearance of the pearls of wisdom and utterance from the mine of man. Glory be from Us upon thee and upon those women who have believed in the All-Informed One.
BH05754: The path hath become manifest, and the Cause evident…
In His Name Who warbleth upon the branches!
The path hath become manifest, and the Cause evident, and the banner “Verily there is none other God but Him” hath been hoisted upon the most exalted station, and the pavilion of utterance hath been raised upon the shores of the ocean of knowledge. Yet the people of the world remain deprived and veiled. Reflect upon the exaltation of the Word of God—how it hath shone forth, risen and appeared from the horizon of the kingdom of the knowledge of thy Lord, the Compassionate, the Bountiful. Likewise reflect upon the baseness of the people of the world—they are occupied with that which they themselves acknowledge to be perishable, and are debarred from the life everlasting. Hearken unto the call of the Wronged One, then turn with thy heart toward the Most Exalted Horizon. Soon shall the world and whatsoever is seen therein perish, and there shall endure for thee that which hath been enjoined upon thee in this wondrous Tablet.
Say: My God, my God! I have perceived the fragrance of Thy Revelation and the gentle breezes of Thy inspiration, yet know not which spot hath been honored by the footsteps of the Dawning-Place of Thy knowledge and the Recipient of Thy Revelation. I beseech Thee by the waves of the ocean of Thy knowledge and the stars of the heaven of Thy utterance to aid me in Thy remembrance and praise in such wise that neither the might of the world nor the tumult of the nations shall deter me. Then ordain for me the good of this world and the world to come. There is none other God but Thee, the Almighty, the All-Conquering, the Bountiful, the Ever-Forgiving, the All-Generous.
BH06207: God testifies that there is none other God but…
In the Name of Him Who speaks from the Most Exalted Horizon
God testifies that there is none other God but Him and that He Who has come with the truth is indeed the One promised in My Books and mentioned in the hearts of My Prophets. He is the One through Whom the luminary of His Most Great Name has shone forth from the horizon of the world, through Whom the river of wisdom has flowed and the ocean of knowledge has surged, and through Whom the Dove of Utterance has warbled upon the branch of possibility: “There is none other God but Me, the Single, the All-Wise.”
Your name was mentioned before the Wronged One. He has revealed for you that from which those near unto God inhale the fragrance of God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy. And before this, he whom We named the Trusted One in My perspicuous Book mentioned you and spoke of what you had accomplished in the path of God. We beseech Him, exalted be He, to strengthen you and aid you from His presence, and to ordain for you the good of the hereafter and of this world. Verily, He is the Lord of humanity and the Lord of the throne on high and of the dust beneath.
Blessed is the tongue that has spoken His praise, and the heart that has turned toward Him, and the eye that has beheld what hath appeared from Him, and those whom neither the doubts of the transgressors nor the signs of the deniers have kept back from God, the True, the Certain. And praise be unto Him, for He is the Beloved of the mystics and the Goal of all seekers.
BH06668: In My Name which shineth forth from the horizon…
In My Name which shineth forth from the horizon of heaven!
Every name that was in thy letter hath attained unto mention by thy Lord, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. Give thanks unto God for having confirmed thee in turning unto Him, and for having caused thee to leave thy dwelling-place, and aided thee with the hosts of the seen and the unseen, until He brought thee into a spot wherein was heard the rustling of the Divine Lote-Tree, and caused thee to hear and behold that which ears were forbidden to hear and eyes to witness. Say:
My God, my God! Thy knowledge led me unto Thee until I left my home, turning my face toward Thy Sacred House, and traversed land and sea until I entered a valley wherein was raised the call of Thy Prophets and Thy Messengers. Praise be unto Thee, O my God, for having made me to know and taught me and guided me unto Thy straight path and Thy mighty station. I beseech Thee by the heaven of Thy knowledge and its stars, and by the sun of Thy utterance and its splendors, to ordain for me from Thy Most Exalted Pen that which shall profit me in the world to come and in this world. Thou knowest what is within my soul while I know not what is within Thine. Verily Thou art the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.
BH06869: In My Name which is manifest from the most…
In My Name which is manifest from the most exalted horizon
O Muhammad-ʿAli! Today the people of God must hold fast to unity and harmony, that all horizons may be illumined by the splendors of the light of the will of the Lord of the Covenant. Every word that causes harmony and is the source of unity is loved and acceptable, and without it nothing is acceptable. From the beginning, this Wronged One has summoned all on earth to the straight path of God. All are witnesses that He did not conceal or hide Himself for a moment. But when the Sun of Truth shed its radiance to some degree, the people of the Bayan arose in opposition and committed that which none had ever perpetrated from the beginning of the world until now.
Hearken to the call of the Wronged One and arise with great resolve, that perchance thou mayest succeed in serving the Cause and stand firm in it in such wise that none of the peoples of the world can prevent thee. Verily We have heard thy mention and have remembered thee in this mighty Book, that thou mayest thank thy Lord Who hath sent down for thee that from which the near ones perceive the fragrance of the bounty of their generous Lord.
BH06675: The Tongue of Grandeur hath spoken: There is none…
He is the All-Knowing Witness.
The Tongue of Grandeur hath spoken: There is none other God but Me, the Single, the All-Informed. The Promise hath come to pass, and the Promised One calleth from the prison quarter, summoning all to the All-Forgiving, the Most Generous. O people of God! Beware lest the clamor of the heedless debar you from God, the Lord of all worlds. Arise to promote the Cause with a power from Us and a might from Our presence, and I am the All-Knowing Commander. Say: O peoples of the earth! Fear the All-Merciful and deny not God when He hath come with manifest sovereignty. Turn with radiant faces toward the Dayspring of Names, then hearken unto that which hath been raised from the rustling of the Divine Lote-Tree, and be not among the heedless ones.
By God! The Hidden hath appeared with the signs of God, the King, the Truth, the Manifest, and the Treasured One hath come with His Name, the One Who overshadoweth all who are in the heavens and on earth. Thus hath the Tongue spoken when the All-Merciful was seated upon His mighty throne. We have heard thy call, We have turned toward thee and made mention of thee in this manifest Prison. The splendor shining from the horizon of My Most Exalted Pen be upon those who have laid hold on My Most Great Cord and clung to My luminous Hem.
BH07435: O Leaf! Thou hast been favored with divine grace…
He is the Hearer and the Answerer
O Leaf! Thou hast been favored with divine grace, for He hath confirmed thee in turning to and recognizing the Dawning-Place of knowledge, the Repository of verses, and the Dayspring of His revelation. How many of the divines, theologians and men of learning are seen to be deprived on this day, while thou, through His infinite bounty, hast quaffed the choice wine of recognition from the cup of His bestowal and turned thy face toward the horizon of His manifestation. Know thou the station of this most great favor and preserve it through the Name of God.
We send greetings to the leaves in that land and summon them unto God, exalted be His glory. God willing, may all attain to that which beseemeth the Day of God.
Mighty is the Cause and mighty the Day. This is that Cause which was mentioned and recorded in the former Books. This is that Treasure which hath ever been preserved and safeguarded in the treasury of God’s protection. Blessed is the soul that hath recognized it and held fast unto it. Woe unto those who remain heedless, be they men or women.
BH07045: At all times and seasons the shrill voice…
In the name of God, the Almighty.
At all times and seasons the shrill voice of the Most Exalted Pen and the rustling of the Lote-Tree of the utmost boundary are raised up, yet the people of the mortal realm are deprived of hearing, for they have followed those who have ever been the dawning-places of idle fancies and vain imaginings. Many are the learned ones who are barred from true knowledge, while thou, through God’s grace and loving-kindness, glory be to Him, hast attained unto it. Men of might and valor remain unaware of the cause of their own creation, for had they become conscious of it, they would not have deprived themselves of the dawning of the divine light. O Leaf! Thy mention hath been made in the presence of the Wronged One, and this most holy, most exalted Tablet hath been revealed especially for thee, that through it thou mayest inhale the fragrance of the loving-kindness of the Beloved of the worlds and become occupied with His praise and thanksgiving. The glory shining forth from the horizon of the heaven of utterance be upon thee, upon him who mentioned thee before the Throne, and upon those women who have heard, turned unto God and believed in God, the One, the All-Informed.
BH08501: O Amanullah! Blessed art thou, and blessed is he…
He is the Witness from His most exalted horizon.
O Amanullah! Blessed art thou, and blessed is he who reared thee, and blessed is he whom God hath aided to show kindness unto thee. We beseech God to assist thee and the dear one to that which He loveth and is pleased with. Verily He is the All-Powerful, the Almighty. Hearken in the Persian tongue: Give thanks unto the Purpose of the world and the Sovereign of nations Who hath confirmed thee and guided thee. Thou didst hearken unto His mention and attained unto His recognition. Know thou the value of this great bounty and recognize the station of thy teacher. Verily He hath made mention of thee in this Tablet that thou mayest render thanks unto Him at eventide and at dawn. Know thou the worth of God’s favor and speak forth His praise. Verily He created thee and revealed thee and guided thee. Verily He is the Compassionate, the Generous. The Glory be upon thee and upon him who reared thee from the presence of One Who is Powerful, Mighty.
BH10734: O Nuru’llah! The Wronged One of the horizons remembers…
In His Name that overshadoweth all names
O Nuru’llah! The Wronged One of the horizons remembers thee from the prison-precincts and summons thee to God, the Lord of lords. He who emigrated in My path hath appeared and mentioned thy name. We make mention of thee through verses whose fragrance shall never cease to endure throughout the eternity of the names of God, thy Lord, the Goal of all desire. Give thanks unto God for this most great favor and say: Praise be unto Thee, O Master of all necks, and laudation be unto Thee, O Dawning-Place of verses.
BH11171: O ʿAli-Akbar! You have attained the lights…
He is the All-Hearing
O ʿAli-Akbar! You have attained the lights of the Kingdom when you turned to the Most Exalted Horizon on a Day wherein the hearts of the learned were troubled and the feet of the mystics did slip. Rejoice in this Most Great Remembrance which hath been inscribed by the Pen of God, the Mighty, the Praised One.
BH00763: Praise be unto Him Who hath adorned the world…
He is God, exalted be His glory in majesty and power!
Praise be unto Him Who hath adorned the world with the ornament of knowledge, and through it made clear the path of deeds, and revealed that whereby man’s station is exalted in the contingent world, and taught them the way of guidance in both beginning and end. He is the One Who cannot be described by firstness or lastness, by outwardness or inwardness, for all these were created in His court of might and brought into being by a word from His presence. He is the One Who hath taken unto Himself no likeness, no partner, no peer, no similitude, and no offspring. Verily, He is God; there is no God but Him. He hath ever been, and there was naught else beside Him. He is the Single One, the One, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
And blessings and peace be upon Him through Whom was opened the door of all knowledge and wisdom, and through Whom the breezes of the All-Merciful wafted over all lands and the fragrance of the garment was diffused among all religions. Exalted be He Whom God hath made the Dawning-Place of His signs, the Dayspring of His power, the Source of His commandments, and the Manifestation of His laws. Through Him all created things were moved and all existing things were quickened. Through Him the sea revealed its waves, the Books their mysteries, and the earth its treasures. Through Him all things began with the name of God, and every tongue was moved to His wondrous and glorious remembrance. And upon His family and companions, whom God hath made the stars of the heaven of His grace, the waves of the ocean of His knowledge, the rain from the clouds of His mercy, and the effulgences of the lights of the sun of His wisdom, be abundant peace that cannot be bounded by limits, nor indicated by signs, nor ended by words—peace whose description, definition, praise and glorification leave those who would attempt it in utter helplessness.
Thereafter, the letter of that beloved one arrived and brought illumination. In truth it was a spiritual sign and a sweet tiding, for it brought glad news of thy well-being, adorned as thou art with the ornament of love for the Sovereign of existence and illumined by the splendors of the Sun of Truth. The food of the friends of God hath ever been news of well-being, for it is the source of joy and the wellspring of delight. After expressing gladness and joy, proceeding to the main point, all that was written was presented before His presence. The Master—may our souls be a sacrifice for Him—hath said:
O Husayn! Upon thee rest My salutations through the centuries and ages! Through the grace and favor of the Chosen One, these places and regions were adorned with the traces of the blessed word “all things are captive in the grasp of His might.” The darkened, barren lands were illumined by the lights of the Sun of Batha and made fruitful. No volume among the volumes of the world contained aught but mention of the ascendancy and dominion of the people of unity, and the verses of creation were adorned with His name, and the banners of glory and power were raised by His command. In every moment, God’s favor would arrive and victory would be granted, until hearts changed and grew dark. Gradually justice became veiled and tyranny appeared and became established in its place. Fairness was concealed behind clouds and oppression became manifest and evident in its stead. These matters became the cause and reason for the supreme abasement, as was and is witnessed: “The banners of misbelief flutter above the banners of unity.”
In brief, the glory of the favored community was transformed into abasement. We must beseech God, exalted be His glory, to grant awareness and bestow knowledge that we may discover the cause and reason for this transformation and arise to make amends for what was lost. Yet due to the evil of error, all are asleep and heedless of the cause and reason. I swear by the Sun of utterance of the All-Merciful that if time continues in this manner, soon the lamp of guidance will be extinguished and the torch of error will be raised and visible in every place.
Say: O my God, my Adored One, my Object of worship! Thy Cause is a light that the hands of the world’s oppression are powerless to extinguish, and Thy love is a fire that the oceans of the world cannot cool or quench. By Thy will the ocean of knowledge surgeth and the ships of Thy wisdom sail upon it. Thou art the King of bounty and the Lord of the Day of Recompense. Deprive not Thy servants of the waves of the ocean of Thy gifts, and grant them victory through the hosts of Thy power and might. O Forgiver! Thou art He Whose generosity the sins of His servants could not obstruct or withhold, and Thou art He Who hath ever concealed and desired not the shame of Thy servants.
Today the world is seen to be heedless. Grant awareness to all existence of the wonders of Thy generosity and guide them, that all who are on earth may turn to Thy straight path and receive their portion from the ocean of Thy knowledge. The tears of those near unto Thee flow in separation from Thee, and the sighs of the sincere ones rise in their remoteness from Thee. Bounty is Thine alone and generosity befitteth Thee. Remove the veil that eyes may be illumined and brightened by the lights of Thy most exalted horizon. Open the gate of grace with the hands of power, that all may enter Thy holy court and receive their share from the knowledge of Thy most holy and most exalted Being.
Vision is from Thee and the power of hearing lieth within the grasp of Thy will. Be generous, that eyes may not be deprived of beholding the signs of Thy craftsmanship and ears may not be bereft of hearkening to Thy sweetest call. Through Thy name the ocean of generosity surgeth and the sun of bounty shineth and existeth. Thy servants are poor and needy, while Thou art the Lord of bounty and generosity and bestowal. There is none other God but Thee, the Mighty, the All-Conquering, the Powerful.
Unto Him be praise, thanksgiving and glory! The ocean of bounty hath surged, and the station of remembrance and utterance hath reached its zenith. The fragrances of loving-kindness waft from every word, and the sea of mercy billoweth in every letter. Were the people of the world to turn, even to the extent of a needle’s eye, all would attain unto everlasting glory and drink from the eternal chalice. Blessed are they that attain, and blessed are the sincere ones.
This evanescent servant, throughout all days and nights, beseecheth from God, exalted be His glory, confirmation and success, especially for that beloved one who hath ever been and remaineth before mine eyes. A hundred thousand praises be unto the Beloved Lord, Who hath from all directions confirmed and guided that beloved one, and enabled him to remember, praise, and serve His Cause. He is the Omnipotent One, Whose will no impediment can obstruct and Whose influence nothing can cut short. Through His name, the banner of “He doeth what He willeth” hath been raised aloft, and through His sovereignty, the standard of “He ordaineth what He pleaseth” hath been made manifest. This banner shall not be seized, nor shall it be moved by any wind, yet not every eye is worthy to behold it or capable of perceiving it.
Again, a hundred thousand praises be unto the Goal of the world’s desires, Who guided that beloved one, bestowed awareness upon him, and confirmed him in all conditions. Unto Him be praise in all circumstances; verily, He is the Self-Sufficient, the Most Exalted.
I convey greetings to all the kindred, and I beseech God, exalted be His glory, for confirmation, success and protection. Likewise do I implore for the friends that which endureth and lasteth forever, and which remaineth preserved from the vicissitudes of the world. Peace and praise be upon you, and the mercy of God and His blessings.
That beloved one’s missive arrived and was accepted. We beseech the Most High to assist you with the means of the seen and the unseen, to make you a champion of His Cause and steadfast in His service. We beseech Him to make your deeds and your remembrance as enduring as the kingdom of earth and heaven. I give you glad tidings at the end of this letter of that which hath shone forth from the horizon of grace as the luminary of permission. Whenever wisdom requireth, turn ye towards it. This servant asketh his Lord for that success which hath no likeness in all the world. Verily our Lord, the Most Merciful, is the Hearer, the Answerer.
BH00971: This is a Book sent down by the All-Merciful…
He is the Dawning-Place from the horizon of utterance.
This is a Book sent down by the All-Merciful to him who hath drunk the choice wine of revelation and acknowledged that which the Tongue of Grandeur hath spoken: that there is none other God but Me, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise, that the utterance of his Lord may draw him to the highest pinnacle of knowledge and bring him near unto Him on this Day whereon all things proclaim: “The Kingdom belongeth to God, the Lord of the worlds!”
O Shafi’! Hearken unto that which My Most Exalted Pen hath voiced in this Most Holy, Most Glorious, Most Exalted Station, which God hath made the point round which circle them that are in the heavens and on earth. Thou hast been mentioned before the Throne, and there hath been sent down for thee that whose fragrance shall never cease to endure throughout the eternity of My most excellent names. Verily thy Lord is the All-Witnessing, the All-Informed.
Beware lest the gestures of the people sadden thee from My Self-Subsisting Name, through which My sealed wine was unsealed and all things proclaimed:
“The Possessor of all hath come and sovereignty belongeth unto God, the Mighty, the All-Praised.”
O Shafi’! He hath come Who was mentioned in the hearts of the Prophets and inscribed by the Most Exalted Pen in the Books of God. Blessed is he who hath recognized Him and said: “Praise be unto Thee, O God of the worlds!” Say: He hath appeared and made manifest that which was hidden in knowledge, and hath spoken before the faces of the world in such wise that neither the veils of the wrongdoers nor the gestures of the heedless have hindered Him.
Among the people are those who turned towards Him and drank the choice wine of revelation, and among them are those who turned away in such manner as caused My Herald in the Most Exalted Paradise and Muhammad the Apostle of God in the All-Highest Paradise to lament. However, most of the people are heedless. They have cast the Cause of God behind their backs, clinging to their vain imaginings and idle fancies.
Say: Fear God, and deny not His favor, dispute not His verses, and reject not His grace which hath encompassed all things both small and great. Behold, then mention those who denied the All-Merciful when He came with proof and evidence, and spoke that which none before had spoken. Thus did their souls prompt them to a matter, and today they are amongst the dead.
Arise to serve the Cause by God’s leave and His sovereignty in such wise as to cause the hearts of the people of the Bayan to tremble—they who have broken the Covenant and turned away from Him in Whom they had formerly believed. They are assuredly among the wrongdoers in God’s mighty and glorious Book. Thus have We expounded the verses and sent them unto thee that thou mayest rejoice and be of them that are thankful. When thou art blessed by them and findest the fragrance of thy Lord’s utterance, the All-Merciful, arise and say:
“Praise be unto Thee, O God of the world and the Manifest One through the Most Great Name, for having made Thyself known unto me, shown forth Thy proof unto me, and sent down Thy verses unto me. I testify that Thou art the One with power over whatsoever Thou willest. There is none other God but Thee, the Mighty, the Wise.”
In the Persian tongue We make mention, that all the people of that land may comprehend the Will of God and stand firm and steadfast in His Cause. This is the Day of steadfastness and the Day of assistance through goodly deeds and pleasing conduct.
O Shafi’, the people of the Bayan, like unto the people of the Furqan, have clung to vain imaginings and idle fancies, and are diligently engaged in leading the servants astray. Not for a moment have they pondered what the fruits of the deeds, words and beliefs of the Shi’ih party have been. By God! They are in manifest delusion.
For twelve hundred years and more they nurtured the helpless masses on vain imaginings and idle fancies, and the result was that they martyred the Purpose of all worlds with hands of hatred. All the ignorant ones of the earth—that is, the lands of Persia—pronounced their verdict to shed the blood of the Sovereign of existence, the Lord of the seen and unseen. And by the ignorant ones are meant the divines of that realm who have been and continue to be the cause of the peoples’ rejection and opposition.
And now the people of the Bayan are seen to be even more lost, more astray and more remote. They have cast aside certitude and taken fancy as their lord instead of God. They are assuredly among the wrongdoers in God’s Book, the Lord of all worlds.
The Sovereign of existence Who from the beginning of the Cause stood before the faces of all nations and spoke forth in praise and glorification, Who brought that which all the books of the past cannot equal—Him have they denied, imagining themselves to be among the people of truth, even as the Shi’ih party, despite their utter wretchedness, considered themselves more exalted, more elevated and more learned than anyone else on earth. Yet when the test came, they were found to be the basest of scholars and most tyrannical of peoples, for they martyred the Truth and His loved ones throughout all lands. Fie upon them and upon those who followed them without clear proof from God, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.
O Shafi’, protect the party of God and His sheep from the wolves of self and passion belonging to the people of the Bayan, that perchance vain imaginings and idle fancies may not this time seize the servants, that all may be illumined with the light of certitude and assurance and fix their gaze upon the horizon of God alone. Say: This is the Day of God, wherein none but He is mentioned, if ye be of them that know.
O Shafi’, until now the wayward people of the Bayan have failed to comprehend the Day of God and with the utmost cunning and deceit have striven and continue to strive to lead astray the party of God. They have gathered together whatsoever hath been revealed from the Supreme Pen. The purpose of those heedless and wayward souls is clear and evident. With thy Lord is the knowledge of all things preserved in a mighty Book. Through the power of the Most Great Name, take hold of the reins of souls and adorn all with the ornament of steadfastness in the name of Truth, that the satans and the wayward may witness the lights of steadfastness shining from the brow of each one of the party of God. The cawing of the crows hath been raised from the land of Kaf and Ra, and this is that news which was specifically revealed from the Supreme Pen in Iraq and in the Land of Mystery in the Most Holy Book. Blessed are they that know. Blessed are they that are firmly rooted. Blessed are they that are steadfast. Blessed are they that are firm.
Gather together the loved ones of God and impart unto them the Divine Tablet, that all may discover from the fragrance of its utterance that which the tongue is powerless to mention and the pen faileth to describe. The glory shining forth from the horizon of the heaven of My mercy be upon thee and upon them and upon those whom the signs of the divines have not kept back from God, the Lord of all worlds.
BH03293: O Jalal, upon thee be the Glory of God!…
In the name of the one Expounder
O Jalal, upon thee be the Glory of God! Thy letter hath arrived repeatedly and the servant made mention thereof in the presence. Praise be to God that the veils of idle fancies have been rent asunder and the clouds of vain imaginings have been lifted. Thou didst turn and direct thyself to the Most Exalted Horizon until, through the grace of God, exalted be His glory, thou didst attain unto the presence and hearken unto the divine call and drink from the Kawthar of reunion. All this is from God’s grace and mercy upon thee—know thou this and be of the thankful ones.
O Jalal! We counsel thee and all the friends to unity and harmony. Should any ill-feeling arise between you, arise at once to dispel it, for discord causeth the Word to be arrested while harmony promoteth its exaltation. Convey my greetings to the friends and say: Ye have witnessed the vain imaginings of the people of the Furqan (Muslims). Now the people of the Bayan cling to those same imaginings. Guard yourselves and take refuge in God. For twelve hundred years they made claims to knowledge and wisdom, yet the final outcome of the acts and words of the Shi’ih party was the decree to slay the Lord of the world. Now with utmost cunning the people of the Bayan have risen against the souls who have believed and are assured. God protect us and you from the evil of these people who, in both word and deed, are like unto the former party.
This is the Day of true unity wherein naught is mentioned save God, exalted be His glory. At all times be occupied with the triumph of the Cause of God, that is, guiding souls unto God, the Lord of creation. You must be so enkindled with the love of God that the heedless, upon witnessing it and its heat, will turn toward the Friend and drink from the cup of understanding. The relatives through mother, wife, mothers and sisters—all are remembered in the Most Holy and Most Exalted Court and mentioned by the Supreme Pen. The Glory be upon thee and upon them and upon thy two daughters and upon every maidservant who hath believed in God, the Lord of lords.
BH04529: By the life of God! All have been created…
He is the Hearing, the Answering One!
By the life of God! All have been created for the knowledge of God, exalted be His glory, and the exaltation of His Word, and likewise have they been brought from nothingness into being for the reformation of the world and the education of its peoples. The cause of exaltation and the means of advancement has been and ever will be the unity and concord of the servants. Say: O people of God! Strive that perchance the dust of discord may be cleansed from the world and all may be adorned and illumined with the light of harmony.
The Most Exalted Pen is occupied night and day with counsels and teachings. Blessed is the soul that has rent asunder the veils of doubts and idle fancies through the Name of the Lord of Days and has turned to the dawning-place of the lights of certitude.
O friends! The days are fleeting. By My life! Nothing among all things, no name among all names, and no mention among all mentions shall profit you except through this Name, at Whose appearance the limbs of the world trembled and the pillars of the nations were shaken—they who violated God’s Covenant and His Testament and uttered what none of the former generations had uttered.
Arise to serve the Cause. Whenever dust is stirred up, settle it. The grace of God has reached and continues to reach you, and the hidden means provide assistance. Verily your Lord, the All-Merciful, is the Hearing, the All-Seeing.
Glory be upon you and upon those with you who have turned and said:
“We have set our faces toward Him Who hath created the heavens and earth, and we are of those who are assured.”
Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.
BH06876: In My Name, Who lamenteth and speaketh
In My Name, Who lamenteth and speaketh
O people of the Bayan! Fear ye the All-Merciful, and be not of the wrongdoers. The horizons have been filled with the signs of your Lord. Be fair-minded, and be not of the abased ones. The Euphrates hath flowed from the Pen of Him Who revealeth the verses, and the Most Great Ocean hath surged before the faces of the world. Fear ye God, and be not of the transgressors. We have heard thy call and have answered thee, that thou mayest rejoice and be of the thankful ones. When thou hast attained unto the Tablet of God and its effect, arise and say:
Praise be unto Thee, O Lord of the worlds, and glory be unto Thee, O Glory of the worlds! I testify that Thou hast appeared and hast manifested that which was inscribed by the Supreme Pen in the Books of God, the Mighty, the Beautiful. Through Thee was set up the Bridge, and established the Balance, and the mountains were made to pass away, yet the people are in evident doubt. Thou art He the meeting with Whom was the hope of the chosen ones, then of the pure ones, and of those who circled round Thy mighty Throne. Give thanks unto God for having revealed unto thee in His Most Great Prison that whereby thy mention shall endure throughout the eternity of His Abiding Name. Verily thy Lord is the Forgiving, the Merciful.
BH01324: Praise be unto Him by Whose name the valley…
He is God, exalted be His station, His greatness and His power!
Praise be unto Him by Whose name the valley flowed and by Whose light the Hijaz was illumined. Through His remembrance the sincere ones have proclaimed: “The Kingdom is God’s, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting,” and those near unto Him have declared: “There is none other God but He, the Omnipotent over what was and what shall be.” Blessed is he who hath attained unto His Revelation, been illumined by His lights, drawn knowledge from the ocean of His wisdom, been enlightened by the Sun of His utterance and been raised up by His exaltation. He, verily, is the Dawning-Place of God’s signs and His proof, and the Day-Spring of His evidences and His favors. Through Him the path of God was made manifest in the world and His judgment established amongst the peoples. Upon Him rest God’s blessings, His peace, His light, His glory, His honor, His power, and upon His family and companions through whom the rains of justice poured forth from the clouds of grace and the dove of the Cause warbled upon the branches: “The Kingdom is God’s, the One, the Mighty, the Bountiful!”
Thereafter, the servant received your letter and became acquainted with what was inscribed by the pen of your love. When I found therein the fragrance of your turning unto God, I approached the Lord and presented before His presence that which your tongue had uttered in remembrance. He—may my spirit be sacrificed for Him—said:
He is the All-Knowing Witness!
Today is the day of lowliness, supplication and return, for the armies of misbelief have encompassed the world of unity, as hath been and is now witnessed. Each day the fire of hatred is kindled. By the life of God, the clash of arms shall not be silenced except through turning unto God. The people of unity must all, at all times, beseech abundance from the Self-Sufficient and implore victory, that perchance the people of unity and the inhabited cities and regions may be preserved from the flames of the blazing fire. The world was not and is not worthy of mention. Blessed is the soul whom the veils and clouds of the world and all therein have not debarred from the Dayspring of the names and attributes of God, exalted be His glory. Soon shall all that is visible vanish, and sovereignty, might and power shall remain with God, the One, the Unconstrained.
And as to that whereof thou didst enquire concerning deeds, know thou, with the knowledge of certainty and the truth of certainty, that He hath enjoined upon all, in His Books, His Scriptures, and His Tablets, trustworthiness and piety, chastity and fidelity, and whatsoever will exalt the station of man within the realm of being. By the Sun of the horizon of utterance, which hath arisen and shone forth from the direction of the Prison, this Wronged One, by night and by day, beseecheth the Lord of mankind to preserve the Bright Community and the resplendent Law, that perchance the fruits of the Tree of deeds may be guarded from the blowing of tempestuous and devastating winds.
Goodly works and seemly, well-pleasing virtues have ever been, and shall ever remain, acceptable in the sight of the incorruptible Purpose. Blessed is he who cleaveth unto them, and acteth according to that which hath been sent down in the Book of God, the Lord of the worlds. Corruption, strife, and contention have never been, nor are they now, befitting of man.
Say: My God, my God! I am Thy servant and the son of Thy servant. I have desired the wonders of Thy bounty and the manifestations of Thy grace. I beseech Thee by the lights of Thy Kingdom and Dominion, by Thy Prophets and Thy chosen ones and Thy Messengers, and by the tears of the sincere ones and the sighs of them that are nigh unto Thee, to assist me in Thy remembrance and Thy praise and in acting according to that which Thou hast commanded me in Thy Book. This lost one beareth witness to Thy existence, this poor one to Thy wealth, this ignorant one to the ocean of Thy knowledge, and this weak one to Thy power.
His tongue, both outward and inward, testifieth to Thy oneness and Thy singleness, and that Thou art God and there is none other God but Thee. Thou hast ever been the Goal and Object of the world’s worship and will continue to be what Thou hast been from time immemorial. There is none other God but Thee, the Self-Sufficient, the Most Exalted. O Lord! I beseech Thee by the Dawning-Places of Thy Revelation and the Day-Springs of Thy Command and the Manifestations of Thy Self and the Repositories of Thy knowledge, to ordain for me the good of what Thou hast revealed in Thy Book. Thou, verily, art powerful over whatsoever Thou willest. There is none other God but Thee, the All-Forgiving, the All-Bountiful.
Praise be to God! His light is resplendent, His Cause manifest, His decree [evident, His path clear, and His proof luminous. Blessed is the soul that hath clung to the cord of His bounty and hath acted in accordance with the] precepts revealed in His Book. Deeds bear witness to words and aid those who turn to Him. I beseech Him, exalted be His glory, to aid that honoured person to do that which He loveth and which pleaseth Him. I likewise implore Him to grant all a portion and share from the ocean of His good-pleasure and not to deprive them thereof. He is the Giver, He is the All-Bountiful, and He is the Self-Sufficient, the Most Exalted. Peace be upon you and upon God’s sincere, righteous, active and successful servants. Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.
The servant 26th of Jumada II, 1303