Volume 078: Akka 1303 A.H. (1885–1886), Part II (3 of 5)

BH01370: Praise be to our Lord, the All-Merciful, Who created…

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

Praise be to our Lord, the All-Merciful, Who created man and taught him utterance, and deposited within him a sign from among His greatest signs, and made known to him the path that leadeth unto Him and the way to turn toward the lights shining from the horizon of His bounty. And blessings and peace be upon the best of His creation, and His mystery, and the mystery of His mystery, and the concealer of His mystery, and the one invested with His mystery, through whom the door of divine knowledge was opened to all who dwell in the realm of possibility, and the fragrance of the All-Merciful was diffused among all religions, and upon His family and His companions, whom no blame of any blamer, nor the assault of any oppressor, nor the doubts of any learned one could deter from God. They stood with supreme steadfastness among all peoples and declared:

“God is our Lord, and the Lord of the throne and the earth, and the Master of the hereafter and this world.”

These are servants who aided the Cause of God with true aid, in such wise that neither armies nor ranks could hold them back, until the light of unity encompassed all and that which God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy, had purposed was made manifest.

Thereafter, the letter of your honor was received and the fragrance of sincerity and devotion was detected therefrom. When I found it and read it and understood it, I approached the Presence and presented it before the Lord. He—may my spirit be offered up for His sake—said: “O Lutf-ʿAli! Upon thee be My peace! The Wronged One hath heard thy call and hath answered thee with that which will draw thee nigh unto God, the Lord of the worlds. Say:

“O my God, my Lord, my Support, my Purpose, my Object of worship and my Hope! I testify to that which Thy Prophets and Messengers have testified, that Thou art God, there is no God but Thee. Thou hast ever been sanctified beyond the mention of aught else but Thee, and exalted above the description of aught besides Thee. Every possessor of hearing and sight hath testified to Thy oneness and singleness, and to that which the tongue of Thy grandeur testified before the creation of Thy earth and heaven. O Lord! Thou beholdest me turning unto Thee, directing myself toward the lights of Thy manifestation, clinging to the cord of Thy bounty, and holding fast to the hem of the robe of Thy generosity and favor. O Lord! This is one of Thy servants who hath desired to drink, from the hands of Thy bounty, the Kawthar of Thy knowledge, and to draw near, through Thy generosity, to the Dayspring of Thy signs and the Dawning-Place of Thy clear tokens. O Lord! Deprive him not of Thy outpourings and gifts, then send down upon him from the heaven of Thy mercy that which will purify him from the mention of any save Thee and strengthen him to make mention of Thee and to praise Thee.

“O Lord! Thou seest me turning away from all else but Thee and advancing toward the gate of Thy grace, hoping for that which Thy Most Exalted Pen hath ordained for such of Thy servants as are detached and such of Thy creation as are sincere, whom nothing whatsoever hath deterred from turning toward Thy horizon and drawing nigh unto the tabernacle of Thy glory. I beseech Thee, O Sovereign of existence and King of the seen and unseen, by Thy Name through which Thou hast guided Thy servants to the shore of the ocean of Thy nearness and hast manifested that which lay hidden in Thy knowledge, to number me among such as are in Thy Cause, upon whom no fear shall come, nor shall they grieve. O Lord! Adorn my head with the crown of Thy favor, my heart with the light of Thy knowledge, my tongue with Thy remembrance, and my ear with the hearing of Thy verses. O Lord! Forgive my transgressions which have prevented me from turning toward Thee, and my sins which have kept me far from the station of Thy nearness. Verily Thou art He Who hath ever been praised in His deeds, obeyed in His command, and sovereign in His will. I beseech Thee, O Lord of the world and Educator of the nations, by Thy Most Great Name, to assist me to perform such deeds as will cause the fragrance of Thy good-pleasure to be diffused, and that which Thou hast revealed in Thy Book. There is no God but Thee, the One, the Single, the Powerful, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.”

This evanescent servant beseecheth and imploreth the Ever-Abiding Truth to strengthen your honor to drink from the hidden seas contained within the manifest, shining words, and to be illumined by their lights. The world hath been deprived of the lights of the Orb of Certitude by vain imaginings. They speak but comprehend not; they talk but perceive not. In these days the blessed verse “they have eyes wherewith they see not” hath been and is manifested. However, this servant beseecheth and imploreth the Truth not to withhold from your honor the rain of His mercy, and to grant a portion from the ocean of His grace. He is the Lord of the kingdom of bounty and generosity, and He is the All-Bountiful One Whom the world and all that is therein cannot prevent from His grace and favor. His mercy hath ever preceded, and His bounty hath ever taken precedence. His is the praise in all conditions. Verily, He is the Self-Sufficient, the Most Exalted. Peace be upon you and upon God’s sincere servants, and praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

BH01433: Praise be befitting and worthy of the Lord…

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

Praise be befitting and worthy of the Lord of eternity Who illumined the world through the lights of His Most Great Name. His proof hath ever been conclusive and the light of His evidence resplendent. His verses have brought the world of existence into being, and His clear tokens have encompassed both the unseen and the visible. His is the grace and the bounty, and His is the grandeur and the majesty.

The essence of blessing and peace be upon the Point of existence and the Mirror of the unseen and the visible, namely the Beloved of the Prophets and the King of the chosen ones, through Whom the fragrances of revelation were diffused throughout the world and the luminary of divine unity shone forth amidst all peoples, and upon His family and companions—those who sacrificed their lives and possessions in the path of God and strove with the utmost diligence to aid His Cause, and who arose to manifest the truth with such arising that the peoples of the world were powerless to prevent it, until in all directions the banner of “Verily He is God” was raised and the lights of His verses became manifest and evident. They are the ones whom God hath described in His Books, both before and after. We beseech God through them to assist us in manifesting the truth among His creatures with wisdom and utterance. Verily, He is the Hearer, the Answerer.

Thereafter, your letter brought joy and bestowed gladness, for the fragrance of acceptance and love was wafted from it. In all conditions we must be engaged in thanksgiving and praise, for He doth not deprive His servants. His bounty opened the door and His favor summoned all. Blessed are they who attain, and blessed are they who achieve.

After perusal, with wings of longing you sought the supreme horizon and were mentioned before His presence. The Lord saith: O Salih! Purify thy heart with the water of turning unto God and sanctify and cleanse it from the mention of all else save Him, and say:

“My God, my God! I am Thy servant and the son of Thy servant. I have sought the ultimate goal and the highest aim—the station wherein Thy signs and clear tokens have appeared. O my Lord! Thou seest me turning toward Thee and directing myself to Thy court, and I desire to drink the Kawthar of Thy knowledge from the hand of Thy bounty. I beseech Thee not to disappoint me of what lieth with Thee, nor to deprive me of what Thou hast ordained for those near unto Thee among Thy servants and the sincere ones among Thy creation. I ask Thee, O Creator of the heavens and King of the Kingdom of Names, by the hidden and treasured mysteries in Thy knowledge and by the verses that hold sway over Thy earth and heaven, to make me one of those who have attained unto the breezes of Thy revelation and inspiration, and who have arisen to serve Thy Cause in such wise that neither the doubts of the divines nor the power of rulers prevented them. They turned with their hearts to Thy most exalted horizon and answered Thy sweetest call.

“O my Lord! Thou seest me clinging to the cord of Thy bounty and hastening to the Kaaba of Thy good-pleasure. I beseech Thee to ordain for me that which shall profit me in all the worlds of Thy worlds, then grant me the heavenly table of knowledge which Thou hast sent down from the heaven of Thy bounty. Verily, Thou art the Powerful One Whom the might of the world weakeneth not, nor doth the clamor of the nations frustrate. Thou doest what Thou willest by Thy command, and decreest what Thou pleaseth through Thy power, might and sovereignty. There is none other God but Thee, the Strong, the Dominant, the Powerful.”

Praise be to God, the door of bounty is open and the sun of favor is shining and the river of mercy is flowing. And that which is now necessary is to seek from God, exalted be His glory, that which hath been and is success. Through His assistance the tongue speaketh, the ink floweth, the pen moveth, hearts are attracted, faces are turned, and eyes are directed. Should He withdraw His aid for but a moment, existence would return to nothingness. This evanescent servant beseecheth and imploreth God, exalted be His glory, to assist His loved ones in that which is pleasing to Him, and not to deprive man of His eternal gifts through these fleeting days. He is the All-Knowing, the All-Powerful. There is none other God but Him, the Mighty, the Glorious, the Great.

When the letters arrived, the time had passed and this servant had no opportunity, therefore he wrote with utmost haste that it might cause joy or create renewed love. Verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, is powerful over whatsoever He willeth through His word “Be” and it is. Peace be upon you and upon God’s sincere servants.

BH01621: Your letter arrived at a time when opportunity was…

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

Your letter arrived at a time when opportunity was as rare as the phoenix. As Aqa Siyyid Taqi, upon him be God’s peace, intended to return, and now that three hours have passed in the night, this servant engaged in writing multiple letters, that perchance they might spread forth the carpet of joy. Then, turning toward the Presence, they were submitted before His face and He graciously heard all the letters. We beseech God, exalted be His glory, to make each one a sign in His kingdom—that is, to appear manifest and evident like banners in support of the Cause. Then, turning to you, He said: “O ʿAbdu’l-Karim! Upon you be My peace. The doubts of Iran’s divines have debarred the world from the Goal of all existence. They cling to vain imaginings while considering themselves people of certitude. After more than twelve hundred years, the fruit of their deeds was what you heard—they all issued verdicts to shed the most pure blood.

Give thanks to the peerless Beloved that He confirmed you, showed you the way, and guided you to the straight path. Praise be to God, you have drunk from the cup of recognition and attained to the remembrance and praise of the Goal of the world. What is now required is wisdom, for people are immersed in the sea of heedlessness. If they gain even slight awareness, they will arise in opposition. Until now, the purpose of this Wronged One remains unknown, for had they discovered it, all would have sought to attain His presence and, cleansing themselves with the water of return unto God from doubts, allusions and sins, would have undertaken pilgrimage. Beseech God not to deprive the peoples of the world from the Kawthar of nearness and debar them from the ocean of knowledge. He is the Powerful, the Mighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Capable.

You intended to journey to this land—consult together. If it truly accords with wisdom, there is no harm in coming; otherwise patience is preferable until We send you another command. This is quite clear and evident. The gaze of favor has been and remains fixed upon you. We beseech God, exalted be His glory, to ordain through His complete power the means of nearness. Verily He is powerful over what He willeth and He is the Strong, the Mighty.”

Praise be to God that you have attained to the true feast and drunk from the cup of recognition. This bounty has had and has no like or equal. As commanded, you must hold fast to wisdom lest the clamor of the heedless be raised. The souls who have accepted should not outwardly change, for some, out of love for Satan, wait to seize upon something and arise according to what their desires command them. Such is the state of the heedless people. Otherwise those possessed of insight know with clear certainty that there has been and is no purpose save the refinement of souls and the manifestation of true divine unity. We beseech and implore God, exalted be His glory, to guide all and lead them to the straight path.

As for your journey, the command is clear and in effect. God willing, it shall be acted upon. Verily He has guided us to the right path of utterance. To those gentlemen who have drunk from the wine of love for the All-Merciful and who gaze toward the Most Exalted Horizon, I convey greetings and praise, and I beseech God, exalted be His station, to confirm them all in what He loves and is pleased with. Two petitions arrived and after being submitted to His presence, two prayers were graciously bestowed. Let them recite these and drink of the wine of certitude concealed therein. Verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, is the All-Bountiful, the Generous. There is no God but He, the Mighty, the Great. Peace, praise and mercy be upon you and upon those who love you and upon God’s near servants. Praise be to God, Lord of the Day of Judgment.

The servant 26 Jamadiyu’th-Thani 1303

BH02368: Praise be to God Who created what was…

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

Praise be to God Who created what was and what will be, and Who was sanctified from them both. He sent forth the Messengers and made manifest the paths as a bounty from His presence, that He might draw His servants nigh unto the supreme horizon—the station wherein naught is seen save the effulgences of His Most Beautiful Names and His Most Exalted Attributes. And blessings and peace be upon the Lord of both worlds and the Cause of the manifestation of the two weighty things, through whom every person of insight hath acknowledged the oneness of God, His singleness, His power, His might and His sovereignty. And upon His family and companions whom God made the rain-showers of the heaven of His mercy among His servants and the lights of His knowledge throughout His lands. They are the trees of unity that have borne the fruits of detachment. Blessed is he who draweth nigh unto them, and woe unto the heedless.

Thereafter, O beloved of my heart, the servant hath attained unto your letter and through it the gate of joy and gladness was opened before his face. We beseech God, exalted be He, to ordain for your honor that which He ordained for His loved ones through whom the banner of knowledge was raised up in the realm of possibility. Exalted is the All-Merciful Who hath manifested whatsoever He willed through His sovereignty that dominateth what will be and what hath been.

It was presented before the Countenance and its contents were made known. The Master (may our spirits be a sacrifice for Him) said:

“Blessed art thou, O Mustafa, in that God hath chosen thee for the mention of the word of unity, and hath caused thee to know His path, and drawn thee nigh unto Him, and enabled thee to remember and praise Him, and aided thee to acknowledge that which His Prophets and His chosen ones have acknowledged. We beseech Him, exalted be He, to ordain for thee the good of the hereafter and of this world. This is what We asked for thee aforetime. Verily, He is the Hearer, the Answerer.”

We praise God, exalted be He, and We beseech from Him well-being, health, loftiness, exaltation, joy and gladness for your honor and for those who are with you and those who love you for the sake of God. And as for what you desired regarding the journey of the apple of the eye Husayn Effendi and his mother and younger brother (upon them be the peace of God), it was presented before the Master and the sun of permission shone forth for them to proceed to the Most Great Prison. We beseech God to assist them through the means of the unseen and the visible, to draw them nigh unto Him and to aid them to remember and praise Him. Verily, He is powerful over all things and worthy to answer.

We convey God’s bounty, care and mercy to the honored Afnan who have attained unto that which He hath sent down in His Book, and upon His loved ones and friends there. The servant asketh for each one of them that which will draw him nigh unto Him in all conditions. Verily, He is the Self-Sufficient, the Most High. Peace and praise be upon your honor and upon those who are with you and upon God’s sincere servants.

The servant 29 Jumada II 1303

BH00727: Praise and thanksgiving beseem the Afnan of the divine…

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

Praise and thanksgiving beseem the Afnan of the divine Lote-Tree, who were not deterred by the hosts of idle fancies and the ranks of vain imaginings from the Most Great Announcement and the Straight Path. Through God’s grace, they drank from the Kawthar of “He doeth whatsoever He willeth” and partook of the Tasnim of “He ordaineth whatsoever He pleaseth.” Neither the might of tyrannical Pharaohs nor the power of oppressive despots could deprive them of the dawning-place of loving-kindness and favor. With the finger of trust they rent asunder the veils, and with the arm of reliance they cast down the idols. Their eyes were fixed upon the Most Exalted Horizon and their faces were turned toward the light of His countenance. The diverse winds of the world could not shake their tranquility and steadfastness, nor could the perturbation and agitation of the nations find their way into their hearts. Glorified be He Who created them, caused them to know Him, drew them nigh unto Him, and exalted be He Who raised them up, preferred them, gave them utterance, showed them, and caused them to hear.

Glory be unto Thee, O my God, my Goal, my Beloved, the Beloved of the world, my Adored One and the Adored One of the nations! I beseech Thee by Thy Name through which the Hour and its signs were made manifest, and the Resurrection and its tokens appeared, to send down from the heaven of Thy bounty upon Thy Afnan that which befitteth Thy glory, Thy might, Thy generosity, Thy grace and Thy power. O Lord! Thou seest him in all conditions standing ready to serve Thy Cause and voicing Thy praise. He it is who turned to Thee on a day wherein they that dwell upon Thine earth turned away from Thee and they that inhabit Thy lands rose up against Thee.

He spent that which he possessed for the exaltation of Thy Word, the triumph of Thy Cause, and the spread of Thy verses. By Thy glory, O my God! Were this servant to attempt to mention that which hath proceeded from him in Thy days, his pen would prove powerless and his tongue would fall short. I beseech Thee, O Thou Who art the Goal of the hearts of them that are nigh unto Thee and the Beloved of the hearts of the sincere ones, by Thy Most Great Signs and by Thy Most Exalted and Most Glorious Self, to cause his deeds in Thy days to appear from the horizon of bounty and favors, that all may witness their manifestation and their light even as they behold the sun and its effulgence and its radiance.

I seek Thy forgiveness, O my God, for making mention of this station which Thou hast made to be above my station. I beseech Thee by the light of Thy oneness, from which Thy servants have been debarred, to aid him at all times to do that which Thou lovest. Verily, Thou art the Almighty, the Help in Peril. There is none other God but Thee, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

My spirit, my soul and all that I possess be a sacrifice for your love and for your steadfastness! This servant was sitting silent, contemplating the verses of God and the manifestations of His greatness, His might, His power and His sovereignty, when the Afnan—upon him be the Glory of God, the Most Glorious—arrived with your letter. I took it and opened it, and from each of its letters I seemed to discover the fragrance of the love of God, our Goal and your Goal and the Goal of all who are in the heavens and on earth. When I had read and understood it, the ecstasy of your love so overtook me that I soared on the wings of longing until I attained the presence of God, the Lord of the Day of Meeting, and I presented what was in the letter. And this is what the Tongue of Grandeur spoke in reply—exalted be His utterance and sublime His proof:

He is the Hearing, the Answering

O Afnan! Upon thee be My glory, My loving-kindness and My mercy which have preceded all who are in the heavens and on earth. The servant who was present came before Us and read that which thy tongue had uttered in praise and glorification of God, His might, His power, His sovereignty, His strength, His grandeur and His dominion. Blessed be thy tongue for having spoken the truth, and thy pen for having flowed with that wherefrom every person of understanding perceiveth the fragrance of submissiveness, humility and detachment in the love of God, the Lord of creation. My Most Exalted Pen beareth witness that thou hast been illumined with the light of unity and hast drunk from the chalice of detachment while the people were in manifest error. By My life! None hath attained unto the Day of God and what hath been manifested therein save those who have cast away the world and clung to the Most Great Name, whereby the feet of the learned have slipped, the mountains of knowledge have been scattered, the limbs of the mystics have trembled, the hearts of the wise have been perturbed, and every oppressor remote from God hath lamented.

O Afnan! I complain unto thee of those who have turned away from Him Who came unto them with verses that all the books of the world cannot equal. Were it not for Him, that which lay hidden in God’s knowledge, the Lord of all worlds, would not have been revealed. Until this time they have not comprehended the Day of God, nor have they attained unto a drop from the ocean of the blessed word “He doeth whatsoever He willeth.” For in truth, had they been illumined by the light of this exalted word, they would have closed the door of objections and turned with their whole being toward the Beloved of all creation. By God’s life! The ears that exist in the world were not and are not worthy to hear this call, nor are the eyes capable of beholding the Supreme Horizon. This Day is a mighty Day and this Cause is greater than every great thing.

Praise be to God! Thou hast attained repeatedly and hast drunk from the ocean of the Merciful’s utterance. Thou hast preceded others in serving God and championing His Cause, as attested by Him with Whom is the Mother Book. We beseech God—exalted be His glory—to protect His servants from the vain imaginings of the heedless, oppressive, and deceitful souls. Ye must exert the utmost effort in this matter and seek protection for all from God. Verily, He is with thee and heareth what thou hast desired of the wonders of His grace and favors. He is the Hearing, the Responding One.

Under all conditions, the servants must be reminded that perchance they may drink from the ocean of awareness and attain unto the splendors of the lights of wisdom. If it accordeth with wisdom, convey on behalf of this Wronged One greetings to the loved ones of God and bid them to that whereby God’s Cause may be exalted, that perishable things may not deprive them of God’s everlasting bounties. All the Afnans of the Sacred Tree are mentioned in the presence of this Face and are the recipients of special favors. Convey greetings to the Leaves and give them the glad-tidings of God’s loving-kindness. The glory shining forth from the horizon of the heaven of My grace and mercy be upon thee and upon those who are with thee and who love thee and hearken unto thy word concerning this momentous News.

Praise be to God that the waves of the ocean of loving-kindness are manifest and the lights of the Sun of compassion are evident! When this evanescent servant attained the presence of His Holiness and presented his letter, the Sun of grace shone forth and appeared in such wise that this servant and his like are powerless and incapable to describe it. During the time of offering prayers, repeatedly this most exalted Word issued from the tongue of the Master of all beings:

“How excellent is that which the Afnan hath spoken on this Day of God, the Lord of Religions!”

The revealed verses themselves bear witness and testimony; no other proof hath been or is needed. By God’s grace, His Holiness is adorned with that which beseemeth the Day of God. The honored Afnan, Aqa Siyyid ʿAli, upon him be the Glory of God, the Most Glorious, arrived and mentioned that which His Holiness had uttered, and it was granted the honor of being heard at the Divine Throne. Likewise, all the passages mentioned in the letter were, praise be to God, granted the honor of being heard and were adorned and illumined by the lights of acceptance.

This evanescent servant offereth greetings and praise to the honored Afnan, upon them be the Glory of God, the Most Glorious—and from every light the most luminous, and from every beauty the most beautiful, and from every bounty the most glorious, and from every joy the most evident, and from every blessing the most abundant, and from every feast the most complete. He beseecheth God—exalted be His glory—and imploreth Him to assist His servants and grant them success in that which is befitting, that all may turn towards the ultimate goal and the most exalted horizon, and may not remain deprived of the outpourings of these days. Verily, He is powerful over all things. Praise and glory and remembrance and magnification and peace be upon you and upon those with you, and upon those who have attained to your service and your love, and upon every one steadfast and firm, and every one established and well-informed.

The servant, in the month of Rajab, 1303

BH02229: A Book inscribed by a Pen—the Pen…

He is God—exalted be His glory in wisdom and utterance!

A Book inscribed by a Pen—the Pen of God, the All-Subduing, the Self-Subsisting! What a Tablet traced by what a Reed—the Reed of God, Lord of what was and what shall be! This is a Tablet from whose horizon hath shone forth the Day-Star of thy Lord’s favor, the Lord of all existence. We have mentioned thee before with such remembrance as cannot be equaled by all the treasures of the world nor by that which the nations possess. He Who possesseth the Hidden Book beareth witness to this. How many a learned one have We left to himself, and how many an unlettered one have We rescued through My favor that dominateth every witness and witnessed thing!

This is a Day wherein the heaven hath spoken, the sun hath testified, the moon hath proclaimed, and the Divine Lote-Tree hath cried out, yet the people understand not. The world hath been illumined by the Most Great Name, the Mount by its Interlocutor, the Throne by its Lord, the Light by its Dawning-Place, and the signs by their Source, yet most of the people know not. They hearken unto the manifestations of fancy and idle imagination that which keepeth them back from the Most Great Vision and draweth them nigh unto the fire. He Who speaketh in every condition beareth witness that there is none other God but Me, the All-Subduing, the Self-Subsisting.

Say: O people! By God, the rustling of the Divine Lote-Tree hath been raised up, and the Caller hath called from the right side of the blessed Spot, saying: Fear God and follow not your desires. Follow Him Who hath come to you with a manifest sovereignty. Thus hath the Most Great Ocean revealed the pearls of knowledge and wisdom, and the Sun its effulgence and its lights.

When thou hast attained, arise and say: Praise be to Thee, O Lord of the seen and unseen! Behold, then mention what the people of the Bayan have committed, who turned away from the All-Merciful and opposed Him with such tyranny as caused the denizens of the Kingdom to lament. They cast the Most Great Ocean behind their backs, hastening toward the pond. Verily, they perceive not. We have observed thy devotion and have turned to thee once again, mentioning thee with that which gladdeneth the eyes and rejoiceth the hearts.

When thou hast attained unto My Tablet and drunk the choice wine sealed with My Self-Subsisting Name, say: My God, my God! I perceive the fragrance of Thy Revelation and the sweet-scented breezes of Thy appearance. Hast Thou ordained for me to stand before Thy gate and attain the presence of Thy countenance? Blessed is the station that hath been illumined by the lights of Thy beauty, the land honored by Thy footsteps, and the atmosphere wherein Thy call was raised. I beseech Thee, O Lord of existence and Educator of the seen and unseen, by the Ark which the winds and waves could not hinder and which sailed through the ocean of Thy Cause, and by the subduing power of Thy Most Exalted Pen, whereby Thou hast subdued earth and heaven, to assist me to attain unto Thy presence before Thy throne, that I may hear what the Son of ʿImran heard on the Mount of Knowledge.

O Lord! Deny me not Thy presence and nearness, nor the fountain of Thy reunion and meeting. Then I beseech Thee to teach me what Thou hast intended from the ocean of Thy knowledge and the heaven of Thy grace. I am he, O my God, who knoweth not what profiteth him. Thou art more knowing of me than I am of myself. Ordain for me from Thy Most Exalted Pen that which shall profit me in every world of Thy worlds. Verily, Thou art the Almighty, the Most Exalted, the Most Great.

BH02546: He dawneth from the horizon of the heaven…

He dawneth from the horizon of the heaven of the Kingdom!

This is a Book which the Sovereign of the Kingdom and the Ruler of the Realm of Might hath sent down unto him who hath turned to the Most Exalted Horizon, at a time when the limbs of the Names trembled through the onslaught of the princes and the clamor of the divines who cast the Covenant behind them in their final abode. We have mentioned thee before with a mention before which all mentions bow down in humility. Blessed art thou and blessed are they whom the affairs of creation have not held back from the Truth—they arose and proclaimed before the faces of the world: “The Kingdom belongeth unto God, the Lord of Lords!”

O thou who gazest upon the Countenance! The Cause hath been sanctified above the knowledge of the people of the Bayan, who cast aside the Covenant of the All-Merciful by following their own desires. They are assuredly among those recorded as lost in the Scriptures and Tablets. We stood firm in the Cause and voiced the praise of God on a day wherein the limbs of the mighty trembled through fear of the wicked ones.

When the veils were rent asunder and the Sun of Revelation manifested His banner according to a decreed measure, there emerged from behind the veil the buzzing of flies who objected to Him Who aided the Cause through the hosts of inspiration and revelation. They say what the Shi’ih party said, imagining themselves to be possessed of certitude. Nay, by My life! They are worshippers of idle fancies and vain imaginings. When the horizon of Revelation manifested its banner, they turned away from it, following every heedless doubter. Say: Observe, then recall the fruits of the deeds of the people of the Furqan when the Hour came and the Herald proclaimed: “The Kingdom belongeth unto God, the Lord of all men!” Those people denied God and His sovereignty and opposed Him with an injustice whereat the Concourse on High and the dwellers of Paradise lamented at eventide and at dawn. Hatred intensified in their hearts until they pronounced judgment against Him Who is the Desired One with a tyranny that caused the heaven to withhold its rain. Thus did their souls entice them, and today they are among the lost ones. By God’s life! They committed what none before them had ever committed. Say: Take ye warning, O ye who are endowed with insight!

From this station We send Our greetings upon thy face and upon those who are with thee in this Cause whereby feet have slipped, and We send Our greetings upon My loved ones there whose names thou hast mentioned before the Wronged One in this station which God hath made among the most exalted of stations. We have remembered them and inscribed their names with the Most Exalted Pen in the Crimson Book as a grace from God, the Lord of all beings. We counsel them to manifest supreme steadfastness in the Cause of God, the Lord of all creation, and to that whereby the station of man is exalted among all religions. The glory that shineth forth from the horizon of the heaven of My mercy be upon thee and upon those who hearkened unto the call and said:

“Here am I, here am I, O Lord of Names! Here am I, here am I, O Possessor of earth and heaven!”

BH05080: The Wronged One hath heard thy call and answereth…

In His Name through Whom the Bayan was revealed!

The Wronged One hath heard thy call and answereth thee from this exalted station, that the remembrance of God may draw thee to His glorious and luminous horizon and make thee so steadfast in the Cause that neither the opposition of the opposers nor the allusions of those who have disbelieved in the Day of Judgment shall deter thee. Hearken unto that which the people of the Bayan, who have turned away from God, the Lord of all worlds, have uttered. Among them are those who have turned away from the Countenance, and those who have said that He hath fabricated lies against the All-Informed One. The dwellers of the Kingdom have lamented at what they have said, and beyond them the denizens of the realm of might and those who circle round this mighty and glorious station. Say: By what proof have ye established My fabrication, and by what evidence have ye proven that which ye possess is from God, the All-Forgiving, the All-Bountiful? Bring forth a verse, O people of the Bayan, if ye be of the truthful.

Be fair, by God, and reject not the truth by what ye possess. Turn ye unto Him unto Whom the Prophets and Messengers have turned. Thus hath My Most Exalted Pen spoken when the Wronged One was in evident sorrow. Grieve thou not at anything. Put thy trust in God. He will suffice thee through a power that proceedeth from Him. He is the Mighty, the All-Compelling, the Powerful. The splendor shining from the horizon of the heaven of My loving-kindness be upon thee and upon those who have hearkened and said:

“Praise be unto Thee, O Thou the Goal of the mystics, and praise be unto Thee, O Thou the Beloved of all who are in the heavens and on earth.”

BH05680: In My Name, the All-Subduing above all names!

In My Name, the All-Subduing above all names!

We found for the Mother Book a tongue that speaks with truth and summons the people unto God, the Lord of the worlds. Blessed is he who accepts, whom neither the doubts of the people of the Bayan deterred, nor the clamor of the oppressors frightened. The Truth has appeared and made manifest what He desired. He, verily, is the Powerful One Whom the conditions of creation have not hindered—to this testifies every fair-minded and perceiving one. Say: O people, cast aside what ye possess and take what ye have been commanded by God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy. Beware lest ornaments prevent you from the Most Exalted Horizon, or worldly treasures old and new from this Momentous Announcement. Take hold of the Book of God with the power that proceeds from Him, and be not of the fearful ones. Thus have We commanded those who believed before and in this time.

We have remembered those who have believed and shown them My most exalted horizon and caused them to hear My sweetest call, and I am the All-Knowing Witness. We beseech God to assist them to preserve what they have been given from the presence of One All-Knowing, All-Wise. Thus has the Bird of Utterance soared in the garden of inner meanings, yearning for the presence of God, the Lord of the worlds. The glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of My loving-kindness be upon thee and upon those who have not denied God’s proof and His manifest evidence.

BH05956: O people of earth and heaven, hear My call…

O people of earth and heaven, hear My call and judge fairly in My Cause and be not […]. That which was confirmed by every wise command, every clear Book, and every wondrous mention hath been made manifest. Say: Fear God and be not among the heedless. This is He Whom Adam heralded, until the matter reached the Interlocutor whom We commanded, through what We revealed in the Qur’an, to lead the people out of darkness into light and remind them of the days of God; and of Whom the Beloved informed concerning the Day when all shall stand before the Lord of the worlds.

O people of earth! Beware lest the whisperings of every contemptible slanderer keep you back. Purify your hearts through that which hath flowed from My Most Exalted Pen, then turn with radiant faces toward the station round which circle the Concourse on High and the dwellers of Paradise, morning and evening. We counsel you for the sake of God—whoso wisheth, let him accept, and whoso wisheth, let him turn away. Verily your Lord, the All-Merciful, is independent of all ye behold today. To this testifieth every discerning sage and every informed mystic. The glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of grace and bounty be upon the people of Baha who have not broken God’s Covenant and Testament and who are among the steadfast.

BH07727: The clamor hath been raised and the raven hath…

He is established upon the Throne.

The clamor hath been raised and the raven hath croaked, and the deceivers are engaged in cunning and hypocrisy. They have cast the Book of God behind their backs and have taken their own book instead. They are indeed among the most lost in the Book of God, the Lord of Lords. Say: O people of the earth! Fear God and follow not those who have denied the grace of God and His proof, and who have pronounced judgment against Him and His loved ones without any evidence or Book. Blessed is he who hath heard the Call and blessed is he who hath spoken forth this Most Great Name, and blessed is he who hath proclaimed these tidings whereby feet have slipped. We found thee loving Us, wherefore We have remembered thee, and We heard thy call and therefore have called out to thee, and We saw thy turning to Us and therefore have turned toward thee from this Spot which God hath made the Dawning-Place of lights. Thus hath the Dove of the Cause warbled, and thus hath the Bird of Eternity sung upon the branch, from God, the Lord of all men.

BH07806: This is a Book which the All-Merciful hath sent…

He is the One speaking with truth from the horizon of proof

This is a Book which the All-Merciful hath sent down when the Throne was established in this manifest Station which one of the servants hath built. Verily thy Lord ordaineth whatsoever He willeth as He pleaseth. Among the people are those who build but do not dwell therein, and among them are those who build for one who knoweth them not. Thus have matters been ordained by the Most Exalted Pen in a preserved Tablet.

We have heard thy call and have called out to thee, and have beheld thy turning toward Us, and have revealed for thee that from which the servants will find the fragrance of God, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting. Beware lest the clamor of the people of the Bayan frighten thee, or the doubts of every rejected misbeliever prevent thee. Say: O people! If ye were to hear the shrill voice of the Most Exalted Pen and the rustling of the Sadratu’l-Muntaha, by God, that which never appeared before hath now appeared. To this testifieth every knower who hath attained the lights of the Countenance on this promised Day. Thus hath the Book manifested its verses and the Light its radiance. Blessed is he who hath witnessed and seen, and woe unto every heedless one who is debarred.

BH11661: This remembrance is sent down by Us to him…

He is the All-Merciful, the Beneficent.

This remembrance is sent down by Us to him who hath drawn the servants to the utterance of his Lord, the Most Merciful, and who hath spoken before all faces that which the Tongue of Grandeur hath spoken:

“Verily, there is none other God but Me, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting.”

All things have been stirred by the Call of the Lord of Names, yet the people perceive not. They have forsaken that which they were commanded and have committed that which hath caused the Concourse on High to lament, as well as those who circle round the House at eventide and at dawn.

Be thou eloquent in the remembrance of thy Lord, steadfast in the service of His Cause, turning toward His horizon, and holding fast to His extended cord. Thus have We caused the pearls of knowledge to emerge from the shell of utterance. Blessed is he who hath witnessed and seen, and woe unto every heedless and veiled one.

The glory shining forth from the horizon of My Kingdom be upon thee and upon those who hastened when they heard the Call of God, the Lord of existence.

BH08773: God, exalted be His glory, calls the peoples…

In the name of the One True Friend!

God, exalted be His glory, calls the peoples of the world to everlasting life, yet His servants remain wrapt in idle fancies and vain imaginings. To such a degree has heedlessness encompassed mankind that they occupy themselves night and day with aught save God, and are unaware. At every moment they prepare for themselves a manifest chastisement. Ere long shall they witness the fruits of their deeds and bear witness to their own loss. Blessed is the soul whom neither the vanishing ornaments, nor the varied colors, nor the might of tyrants have withheld from the Dayspring of the Light of Oneness. He hath clung to the Truth and held fast unto Him. We beseech God not to deprive His servants and to grant them their portion of the choice sealed Wine.

BH11910: Praise be unto Thee, O Creator of the heavens…

…Praise be unto Thee, O Creator of the heavens and Possessor of all names! I beseech Thee by the ocean of Thy verses to assist me to be steadfast in Thy Cause and to ordain for me that which shall profit me in Thy worlds. Thou art, verily, the Omnipotent over whatsoever Thou willest. There is none other God but Thee, the Ordainer, the All-Wise.

BH00261: Praise, glorification, remembrance and splendor befit those champions…

Section 1: “Praise, glorification, remembrance and splendor befit those champions…”

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

Praise, glorification, remembrance and splendor befit those champions in the arena of meaning and utterance, whom neither the clamor of the ungodly, nor the tumult of the deniers, nor the croaking of men and the roaring of their mighty ones could debar from the light of attainment. With complete steadfastness they remain firm and steadfast in the Cause of God. They are the dawning-places of victory and exposition, and the daysprings of power and knowledge. They heard and responded; they saw and exclaimed: “Praise be unto Thee, O God of the world!” The veils of the world did not prevent them, nor did they remain deprived of the supreme horizon. The divine Books, both of the past and present, speak of their mention and celebrate their praise.

Glory be unto Thee, O Lord of the House, Who hath raised its pillars, illumined its walls, made manifest its traces, and revealed its fruits! I beseech Thee by the rustling of the Lote-Tree beyond which there is no passing, by the lights of Thy countenance from the supreme horizon, and by the treasuries of Thy mysteries in Thy Name that is sanctified above all names, to assist Thy loved ones to be steadfast in Thy Cause and to arise to serve Thee. O Lord! Aid them through Thy power, might and sovereignty; then strengthen them through Thy mercy, loving-kindness and bounties. Thou art He before Whose verses all verses bow down, before Whose light all lights pale, before Whose Book all books humble themselves, before Whose Manifestation all manifestations submit, before Whose rising all risings yield, and before Whose ocean all seas diminish. Through clear proof hath been established Thy power and might, O Lord of creation and Sovereign of men and spirits. There is none other God but Thee, the Strong, the Mighty, and the One worthy to answer.

To continue: The letter from that honored one arrived, bringing joy and gladness, bestowing delight. After its reading and review, turning toward the supreme horizon, all of it attained the honor of being heard before the Presence. His blessed and exalted Word states: In truth, the Supreme Pen is bewildered, for it is observed that the souls of the world were not and are not worthy to hearken to the divine words and to behold the lights of the Countenance of the Self-Subsisting. People who through ages and centuries have been reared in vain imaginings were not and will not be worthy to witness the lights of the Sun of certitude. Until now, the people of the Bayan have not perceived the fragrance of the Day of God, nor have they become aware of the hidden mysteries in the blessed word “He doeth whatsoever He willeth.”

They have not attained even a drop of this ocean. Blindly and ignorantly they run about and speak. At times they mention the alteration of the Bayan, and at other times they speak of other matters. They have contrived calumnies that perchance they might thereby conceal the lights of the Sun of the supreme horizon. In truth, they are seen to be the most lost among the parties of the world. We beseech the True One to protect His party in those regions and vicinities from the evil of devilish souls. Verily, He is powerful over all things.

Convey My greetings to the friends in that land and give them the glad-tidings of the favors of God, exalted be His glory. Perchance through the fragrance of the mention of the All-Merciful they may attain unto steadfastness and assurance. Verily, We remember them and give them glad-tidings of God’s grace, the Lord of the worlds. We beseech Him, exalted be He, to assist them with the hosts of the seen and the unseen, and to draw them nigh unto Him. Verily, He is the Hearer, the Answerer. The splendor shining forth from the heaven of My mercy be upon thee and upon those who have aided the Cause of God, the Lord of the worlds.

Praise be to God—the radiant Light, the wafting Fragrance, the manifest Appearance, and the Speaker of Sinai’s Voice. Today is the day of bounty and bestowal, and the time of grace and meeting. Blessed are they who have attained to that which hath been revealed from the Supreme Pen in God’s Book. The friends of that land have been and are, praise be to God, beneath the glances of the favor of our Beloved and the Beloved of all who are in earth and heaven, and each hath been mentioned by the Supreme Pen. I beseech God to make them all steadfast in this Most Great Cause with such steadfastness as shall cause the people of the world to turn and remain firm.

Concerning what was written about the Huququ’llah, truly much trouble hath been caused to your honor. After it was presented before the Most Holy and Exalted Presence, He said that the benefits of charitable deeds return to the souls themselves, and in these matters the utterance of a single word sufficeth. Whosoever payeth it with the utmost joy and radiance, with submission and contentment, it is acceptable before God; otherwise, He verily is independent of all worlds. Blessed art thou, O Muhammad-Qabli-ʿAli, in that thou hast been steadfast, speaking and turning toward God, the Lord of the worlds. Blessed are the souls who have attained to that which is recorded and inscribed in God’s Book. All must act according to what God hath willed, for whatsoever hath been revealed in the Book from the Supreme Pen hath been and is the cause of purification, sanctification, holiness, blessing and bounty. Blessed are they who have attained. However, regarding the mention of the Huququ’llah, let them be content with one word, and for the sake of God utter that word and no more. Insistence is not necessary, for God doth not wish that any strain should fall upon the souls who are engaged in service. Verily He is the Forgiving, the Merciful, the Bountiful, the Generous.

Those souls who have been and are successful in paying the Huququ’llah, whom your honor hath mentioned, have all been blessed with God’s mention, glorified be His majesty. No good deed hath been or will be lost. All good deeds are treasures preserved with God for their doers. Blessed is the servant, whether man or woman, who hath acted in the path of God, our Lord and the Lord of the worlds.

Concerning what was written about Muhammad-Hasan and his wife, upon them be the glory of God, after presentation He said:

“Excellent is what thou hast done, O Muhammad-Qabli-ʿAli, and excellent is what they both have done in God’s path. The Huququ’llah should be paid when possible and with the utmost joy and radiance. Those who lack the means are adorned with the ornament of God’s pardon.”

Such verses have been revealed and sent down from the Supreme Pen. In all conditions one must look to the glory of the Cause. This is most important and most beloved in the sight of God, our Lord and your Lord and the Lord of the mighty throne. Praise be to God, the aforementioned one and the handmaiden of God his wife and two leaves, upon them be the glory of God, have all been adorned with the ornament of divine mention. The grace from God, the Exalted, the Great, hath encompassed them. Their letter was also accepted. This is yet another bounty. Verily He is the All-Bountiful, the Generous.

Concerning what thou didst write previously about Mulla Muhammad-Rafi’, upon him be the glory of God, and his petition—it was presented before the Most Holy, Most Exalted Presence and was honored to be heard, and these decisive verses were revealed from the heaven of special favor for him. His word, exalted be His utterance and mighty His proof:

In My Name, the Hearer, the Answerer

O Rafi’! Upon thee be My glory! Know thou with manifest certitude that every soul that hath turned outwardly and inwardly toward the Most Exalted Horizon, and hath faced the lights of His Countenance, hath been and shall ever be blessed with the remembrance of God, exalted be His glory. They that have turned unto Him have ever been and shall ever remain beneath the glance of His grace. In this station, which is the station of pure bounty, neither veils nor clouds have been or shall be interposed. He heareth and answereth, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing. Blessed are they whom the veils and allusions of men have not debarred from the Lord of destiny nor deprived thereof. We beseech God to adorn His people with the ornament of supreme steadfastness. He, verily, is powerful over all things and mighty.

As for the mention of Muhammad Hasan, upon him be the glory of God, and his missive, and Muhammad Ali, upon him be the glory of God, and his missive, and likewise Aqa Muhammad Ali the son of thy maternal uncle and his missive, and Muhammad Hasan and Haji Isma’il, and likewise the mention of the sons of thy maternal aunt, upon them be the glory of God—all have been mentioned at the Most Holy, Most Exalted Court and have attained the remembrance of the Desired One of all worlds. Praise and gratitude be unto Him. Each hath partaken of the Kawthar of the utterance of the All-Merciful and been mentioned in the Most Exalted Horizon. This evanescent servant beseecheth God and imploreth Him to strengthen them to perform such deeds as shall endure in their fragrance throughout the kingdom of earth and heaven. He is the Compassionate, He is the Bountiful. There is none other God but Him, the Almighty, the All-Powerful.

All that was sent before and after hath been received. Praise be to God Who hath enabled them, assisted them, and guided them to His manifest and straight Path.

Regarding what they wrote seeking permission to turn to other directions for charitable works, after this matter was submitted to the Most Holy Court, this supreme utterance was revealed from the Most Exalted Horizon:

“O Muhammad ʿAli! The people of God must all strive to exalt the Word of God, but wisdom must be observed in all conditions. As for the Huququ’llah, mentioning it once sufficeth, and that in general terms. Whosoever achieveth its payment according to what hath been revealed in the Book hath attained. Ask God to assist His servants to act in accordance with that which conduceth to the good of this world and the next. This is what God hath decreed in His mighty and impregnable Book. This Day is God’s Day, and the exaltation of His Cause hath precedence. Verily, He ordaineth what benefiteth the people, and He is the Compassionate, the All-Bountiful.”

Section 2: “In these stations there hath been revealed…”

In these stations there hath been revealed from the Most Exalted Pen that which every person of sensitivity perceiveth the fragrance of bounty and riches therefrom, and the benefit of what was mentioned returneth unto the servants themselves. To this testifieth every discerning doer of good deeds.

Concerning what thou didst write about the construction of the bath-house, God willing, may all in those regions be assisted to achieve what hath been revealed in the Divine Book.

As for what was written regarding the handmaiden of God, the wife of Aqa Muhammad Hasan, upon both of them be the glory of God, that she hath confined herself to serving the Mashriqu’l-Adhkar—these matters were submitted before His presence. This is what the Tongue of Grandeur spoke, blessed and exalted be His words:

“We make mention of Our handmaiden who hath believed in God and His signs, and hath attained to serving the House built in His name, the Mighty, the Wondrous. We, from this station, glorify her and those women who have heard the call and answered God, the Lord of this mighty Cause.”

Concerning the mention made of the seven handmaidens of God, praise be to God that their mention has attained the honor of being heard, and each is adorned with God’s infinite favors. Their efforts are appreciated and their deeds accepted. Give them glad tidings from God, our Lord, your Lord, and the Lord of the mighty throne.

Concerning what was written at the end of the letter about Muhammad Sadiq Khan and Aqa Mirza Lutf-ʿAli, upon them be the glory of God, who had sought forgiveness—these matters were presented before Him, and these brilliant verses were revealed from the Dayspring of the favors of God, exalted be His glory. His blessed and exalted Word:

He is the Hearer and the Answerer

O Sadiq! The Ancient Countenance hath turned toward thee from His Most Great Prison and hath mentioned thee in such wise that the fragrance thereof shall endure throughout the eternity of His Kingdom and His Dominion and His most beautiful Names. Hold thou fast unto it. He will assist thee to remain steadfast in this mighty Cause. Say:

My God, my God! Praise be to Thee for having enabled me to turn toward Thy most exalted horizon and to hearken unto Thy most sweet call which hath been raised betwixt earth and heaven. Glorified art Thou, O Thou Who art the Goal of the Concourse on High and Who art mentioned in the hearts of the Prophets, for having enabled me to recognize the Manifestation of Thy Self, the Dayspring of Thy Revelation, the Dawning-Place of Thy inspiration and the Repository of Thy knowledge. Thou art He, O my God, Who hath shown unto Thy servants Thy straight path and Thy clear and manifest way. I beseech Thee, O Lord of all being and Educator of the seen and unseen, by the ocean of Thy knowledge and the sun of Thy bounty, to aid me under all conditions to serve Thy Cause. O Lord! Thou seest the sinner hastening toward the ocean of Thy forgiveness and the poor one toward the repository of Thy wealth. Write down for him, by Thy Most Exalted Pen, that which will purify him from all that is unworthy. Verily, Thou art the Munificent, the Generous. There is none other God but Thee, the Forgiving, the Merciful.

And this is what was revealed for his honor Mirza, upon him be the glory of God:

In My Name, the One Who ruleth over all names

O Lutf-ʿAli! Give thanks unto God that thy name hath flowed from His Most Exalted Pen. Say:

My God, my God! I am Thy servant and the son of Thy servant and the son of Thy handmaiden. I have turned toward Thee, having detached myself from all else but Thee, enkindled with the fire of Thy love, speaking Thy praise, gazing toward Thy horizon, and turning unto Thy face. I beseech Thee by the fragrances of Thy days and the manifestations of Thy power not to disappoint me of that which is with Thee. Thou seest me, O my God, standing before the door of Thy grandeur, seeking the wonders of Thy bounty and Thy gifts. O Lord! Withhold not from me that which Thou hast ordained for Thy loved ones. Ordain for me that which shall profit me in every world of Thy worlds. Moreover, I beseech Thee, O Lord of the worlds and Goal of the nations, to forgive me and have mercy upon me. Verily, Thou art the Ever-Forgiving, the All-Forgiving, the Generous. There is none other God but Thee, the Mighty, the Great.

Praise be to God that verses have been sent down from the heaven of grace and the rain of mercy hath poured forth from the clouds. I beseech God to enable all to attain and not to deprive them of the fragrances of His days. Glory be to God! Despite the fact that in every moment an ocean is surging and in every day the sun of bounty is shining, yet most remain veiled and heedless. More veiled than all other peoples are the followers of the Bayan. It is not known to what they were turning and from what they were turning away. This evanescent one beseeches and hopes that He may bestow a portion upon all and may purify the hearts of the people of the world from the fire of falsehood and hatred. He is the One with power over all things, to which all created things have borne and continue to bear witness. There is none other God but He, the Almighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

As to what was written concerning the Most Holy Tablet wherein the command was given to act according to what was revealed in the Furqan [Qur’an], this matter was specific to the Most Great Prison, for the companions in this land conducted themselves in such a way that outsiders became aware of all matters. Likewise, due to a disagreement that arose among the companions, one of them spoke certain words in public which became a cause of commotion among the people. Therefore, for the protection of souls, a Tablet was revealed from the heaven of divine command in the name of Jinab-i-Aqa Faraj, upon him be the Glory of God, wherein the command to observe the fast of the Furqan was given. This decree was specifically revealed for this land. However, in the Tablets the command has been given to observe wisdom—that is, matters which might cause commotion among the people and trials for the loved ones are better left concealed.

Blessed are those souls who are engaged in the remembrance of the Lord of the righteous in the Mashriqu’l-Adhkar. Blessed are those souls who are steadfast in serving that House, and blessed are those souls who have become the cause of its construction. They enter with peace and longing and depart with regret. We beseech God, exalted be He, our Lord and your Lord, to assist you through the means of the unseen and the visible, and to ordain for you that which shall endure as long as His Name, the All-Compelling over all names, endures. There is no God but He, the Forgiving, the Merciful. And if any new command should issue from the heaven of the command of the True Commander, it shall certainly be sent to those regions. He, verily, is the Inform­er, the Mighty, the Great.

The loved ones in the lands of Ba, Shin, Jadh­ba, Faran, Qaf, Fa, Ta, and Kha—all are mentioned in the Most Holy Court and have attained the grace of God. His blessed and exalted Word:

O people of God in all lands! Hear the call of the Wronged One. He desires to sanctify you from surmises and idle fancies, and to purify you through that which has flowed from the Supreme Pen, lest any name among all names or any thing among all things should prevent you from God, the One, the Chosen. O people of God! The followers of the Bayan have clung to matters which have ever been and shall ever be rejected in the sight of God. Should anyone today meditate upon the blessed word “He doeth whatsoever He willeth,” he would find himself freed and detached from the dawning-places of idle fancies and vain imaginings. Whosoever has drunk from the hidden Kawthar of this blessed word, neither the clamor of the followers of the Furqan nor the doubts of the people of the Bayan shall prevent him from the Goal of all worlds.

Today no mention, no name, and no book shall suffice or benefit man, for all depend upon the acceptance of the Truth, exalted be His glory. The people of the Bayan are occupied with former surmises and speak with the idle fancies of the veiled ones. They have clung to that which causes heedlessness and error, though they have never understood nor do they understand the Cause. The people of God must be so firm and steadfast in the Cause that all the peoples of the world would be powerless to prevent them. This is the command of God, were they to hear, and this is the decree of God, were they to understand.

We convey greetings to all and give them the glad-tidings of God’s grace. The glory from Us be upon them and upon those who have attained unto this mighty Cause. Praise be to God that all have attained the fragrances of the verses and received their portion from the ocean of bounty. This evanescent servant beseecheth the Eternal Lord that He may open wide the gates of mercy before the faces of all, that none may be deprived of the Most Great Grace. This servant offereth greetings and glorification to each one, and prayeth for confirmation and assistance for all, that they may be set ablaze by the fire of the Most Exalted Word which hath been revealed from the Most Exalted Pen—may the spirit of all who dwell in the kingdom of creation and command be offered up in its path—and may they, in turn, set the world aflame. Verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, hath power over all things. Glory and praise and remembrance be upon you and upon those who are with you and upon them who have hearkened and responded to their Lord, the True One, the Speaker, the Answerer. And praise be unto Him, for He is the Manifest, the Resplendent, the All-Watchful, the Ever-Near.