Volume 080: Akka 1304 A.H. (1886–1887), Part I (1 of 5)

BH02227: This is a Book sent down by the Sovereign…

He is the Witness from the horizon of the Kingdom’s heaven.

This is a Book sent down by the Sovereign of Might to one who has turned to My horizon, held fast to My cord, faced the lights of My countenance, soared in My atmosphere, and uttered My beautiful praise, and testified to that which the Tongue of Grandeur testified before the creation of the heavens and earth: that there is no God but Me, the Single, the All-Informed.

Your letter has come before My Name, and the servant in attendance before the Wronged One has read it. We answer you with this clear Tablet. The sun bears witness, the moon proclaims, and the heaven declares: The Sovereign has come and taken His seat upon the throne of utterance at the heart of contingent being. Blessed be the All-Merciful Who has manifested Himself with evident sovereignty.

We have stood before the faces of the world for successive years and called all to the Most Exalted Horizon without veil or covering. The power of the world has not frustrated Me, nor has the might of nations prevented Me. I have appeared and manifested what God, your Lord and the Lord of the earth and heaven, desired.

When the breezes of revelation take you and the fragrances of inspiration attract you, say: My God, my God! You see and know that this servant of Yours has acknowledged Your oneness and confessed Your singleness and what Your Prophets, Chosen Ones and Messengers have brought. He seeks, through the wonders of Your grace, Your nearness and meeting, to stand at Your gate, attain Your presence, and hearken to Your sweetest call by which the hearts of the Prophets were attracted.

Alas, alas, for my lack of knowledge and my failure to reach the heaven of Your knowledge and understanding of the requirements of Your wisdom! O my Lord, O my Lord, O my Lord, O my Lord, O my Lord, O my Lord, O my Lord, O my Lord, O my Lord! Has the Pen of destiny decreed for me to attain Your presence, or has Your binding decree prevented me from turning to You, O Master of eternity? By Your might, O my God, Your separation has destroyed me and Your remoteness and decree have consumed me.

I beseech You by the lights of the dawn of manifestation and by the Word whereby those in the graves arose and the decree of resurrection appeared, to ordain for me from the wonders of Your generosity and grace Your nearness and reunion, and the reward of meeting You and the reward of those martyred in Your path. You are the Omnipotent over what You will, and in Your grasp is the reins of all things. There is no God but You, the Strong, the Prevailing, the Almighty.

Then I ask You, O my God, by the river of Your mercy and the ocean of Your favor, to forgive me and accept what has appeared from me in Your days. Then assist my son and daughter to remember and praise You and turn to You in all conditions. O Lord, aid them in Your love, make them know Your path, and make clear to them Your proof and evidence. Then send down for me, O my God, and for them what will benefit us and draw us near to You. You are the Omnipotent Whose power all created things have witnessed, and the Self-Subsisting Whom all contingent things have acknowledged. There is no God but You, the Sender of verses, the Manifester of clear proofs, and in Your grasp are the reins of all in the earth and heaven.

BH02881: Thy letter was presented before the Wronged One…

He is the All-Seeing, the All-Informed

Thy letter was presented before the Wronged One and was read by the servant in attendance. We have answered thee with this perspicuous Tablet which calleth aloud between earth and heaven and summoneth all to this luminous horizon.

Say: O peoples of the earth! The Lord of Heaven hath come with great sovereignty. Fear God and follow not your idle fancies. He announceth unto you the Most Great Favor, and He is the All-Merciful, the Bountiful.

Say: Hearken unto the Call from the Divine Lote-Tree. Verily it speaketh the truth by the command of One Who is All-Knowing, All-Wise. By God! This is the Day whereof Moses gave tidings, and concerning which Muhammad, the Messenger of God, gave glad-tidings in His Book, the Book of Wisdom. Beware lest the veils of the world withhold you from the Lord of Eternity. Cast away what the people possess, turning unto God, the Mighty, the Most Praised.

Say: This is the Day whereon men have arisen unto God, the Lord of all worlds. By God! The dwellers of the graves have risen through the breezes of Revelation, and the companions of the Manifestation rejoice in the light of God, the Mighty, the All-Knowing. Thus hath the Supreme Pen spoken, when the Wronged One was in the house of one of His loved ones who was named ʿAbdu’r-Rahim in a preserved Tablet.

Say: O peoples of the earth! Behold how the Sun hath dawned from the Most Glorious Horizon and the Light hath shone forth from this noble station. By God! The Lord of Eternity hath ascended the throne of utterance, calling aloud with the most exalted call and summoning all to that which will draw them nigh unto the horizon of God, the Almighty, the All-Powerful.

O ʿAli! What hath befallen thee hath grieved Me. We beseech God, exalted be He, to ordain for thee from His Supreme Pen that which shall profit thee in all the worlds of His worlds. Verily He is the Lord of humanity and the Lord of the throne on high and of the dust beneath. He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He pleaseth.

Say: My God, my God! I beseech Thee by the mysteries of Thy knowledge, and by Him Who hath appeared before all faces calling all to Thy horizon, and by the Crimson Ark which through Thy command hath sailed upon the sea of inner meanings and utterance, to make me steadfast in Thy love, speaking Thy praise, and serving Thy Cause. Write down for me by Thy Supreme Pen that which will draw me nigh unto Thee in all conditions. Verily Thou art the Self-Sufficient, the Most High. Then open, O my God, before my face the door of bounty and ease. Verily Thou art the Sovereign of humanity. There is none other God but Thee, the Mighty, the Powerful.

BH05135: A book from the Wronged One to him who…

He is God, exalted be His glory in wisdom and utterance.

A book from the Wronged One to him who hath attained unto the remembrance of God and His praise, and hath turned towards His horizon when most of the servants turned away.

Hear thou the call from the Sadratu’l-Muntaha in the white spot known as ʿAkka: He is, verily, none other than the One, the Single, the Mighty, the All-Knowing.

We made mention of thee before, when thy verses were presented before the Countenance, with a remembrance before which all remembrance boweth down, and at this time, when thy name was presented before the Wronged One, that thou mightest give thanks unto the Lord of all mankind. Blessed is the tongue that hath spoken in praise of God, the Lord of lords.

When thou hast received this Tablet and the traces of My Most Exalted Pen, arise from thy place, turning towards God, and say: My God, my God! I beseech Thee by the fragrance of Thy raiment and the spot whereon Thy feet have trod, and by the horizon from which the Day-Star of Thy Revelation hath shone forth, and by Thy Name through which Thou hast subdued the cities and regions, to aid me under all conditions to remember Thee and to praise Thee, and to remain steadfast in Thy Cause. O my Lord! Thou seest me awaiting the wonders of Thy bounty and the manifestations of Thy mercy. I beseech Thee to ordain for me the best of what lieth with Thee. Verily Thou art He Whom the conditions of Thy servants cannot frustrate, nor can the power of Thine enemies prevent Thee, nor can the might of the ignorant among Thy creatures weaken Thee. Thou doest what Thou willest through the hosts of justice and equity, and Thou ordainest what Thou pleasest. Verily Thou are the All-Powerful, the Supreme, in the beginning and in the end.

BH00634: Praise, sanctified above the mention of all the worlds…

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

Praise, sanctified above the mention of all the worlds, befitteth the Most Holy and Most Exalted Court of the Desired One, Who hath ordained for every being seven stages: Will, Purpose, Destiny, Decree, Permission, Term, and Book. Each of these stages is a fathomless ocean, sanctified beyond all limits. The pearls thereof lie preserved and concealed within the shells of God’s protection, exalted be His glory. In truth, were one to attempt to describe these stages and stations, each of which is a dawning-place of divine knowledge and a dayspring of heavenly wisdom, this pen and paper would not suffice, nor would all the pens and pages in the realm of knowledge, which is the station of them that are nigh unto God. He is the One Who hath power over all things. Whatsoever He hath created, be it atoms or what lieth beneath or above them, all testify to and proclaim His greatness, sovereignty, might, power, generosity, grace and mercy. Glorified, glorified be He! Who can adequately praise His creation, much less His loved ones, His chosen ones, and them that are related unto Him? At this station, silence is most fitting.

Blessings and peace be upon Him through Whose name the Ark of Inner Meanings sailed upon the Sea of Utterance, through Whom the Sun of Unity shone forth from the horizon of possibility, through Whom lands were opened and the stations of servants were elevated. And peace be upon His family and companions, through whom the edifices of idols were shaken and the hearts of idol-worshippers were disturbed, through whom the signs and laws of God and His sovereignty and commandments were spread abroad, and through whom trembling seized the very foundations of those who denied the beginning and the return. And peace and abundant greetings be upon them all.

Thereafter, O beloved of my heart, thy noble letter arrived and my heart was gladdened thereby and my spirit was refreshed, for this servant perceived therefrom the fragrance of love and affection and the mention of God, the Lord of creation. When I read and understood it, I approached the Sacred Threshold and presented it before the countenance of the Lord, may our souls be a sacrifice for Him. He said:

O thou who hast turned thy face toward God and gazed upon the Most Exalted Horizon! In these days new tribulations and successive sorrows have befallen Us. Tyranny, in the name of justice, is seated upon the throne. All governmental affairs are suspended. This Wronged One hath been accused of that which none hath ever uttered and subjected to treatment without parallel. Yet this Wronged One hath clung to gracious patience and, utterly detached from all else save God, hath remained engaged in His remembrance with the utmost joy and fragrance. In truth, in His path fire is light and hardship is mercy. Thirst in this wilderness is the very essence of Kawthar—despite them and those who have debarred themselves from this glorious and wondrous station, a station wherein the ocean of light is manifest, yet they attribute darkness to it. Tyranny hath reached such heights that the very embodiment of justice is consumed in lamentation. The shrill voice of the Pen and the rustling of the Divine Lote-Tree are raised at all times, yet none can be found who would hearken unto them.

Despite all encompassing trials and tribulations, We have been and are occupied with the remembrance of God’s loved ones. Thy mention hath been before this Wronged One and, God willing, shall continue to be. We beseech God to ordain for thee that which shall gladden thine eyes and rejoice thy heart, to open before thy face the door of His mercy, and to cause the rains of His grace and favors to descend upon thee from the clouds of His bounty. Verily, He is the Hearer, the Answerer, and worthy to respond. We make mention of and convey Our greetings unto him who hath turned, heard, responded, witnessed and beheld—he who was named Muhammad in the Book of Names—and unto those who are there. We beseech God, exalted be He, to aid them, draw them nigh unto Him, and to ordain for them that which shall never perish. Verily, He is the Almighty, the All-Powerful.

Praise be to God! His grace is evident, His bounty manifest, His mercy pre-existent, and His loving-kindness all-encompassing. We beseech and supplicate Him to increase His favors at all times and to gladden the hearts of them who are nigh and sincere through the lights of the Luminary of utterance. He is the Powerful, the Mighty. There is no God but He, the Most High, the Most Exalted.

Unto the beloved of the heart, His Holiness M.H. (upon him be 9 66 [Baha’u’llah] the Most Glorious), do I convey mention, praise and greetings. Indeed, in separation man perceives the station of the blessing of reunion and understands it. I beseech and supplicate the Truth to remove the veil and reveal the Beauty. Likewise, unto the masters and all the friends do I convey greetings and praise, and I seek that which is the cause and source of the manifestation of eternal blessing. Verily our Lord is the Lord of earth and heaven, the Lord of the throne and soil. He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He desireth. He is the Strong, the Mighty.

As for thy having written, despite the multitude of affairs and occupations, about the degrees of remembrance of the beloved of the heart, His Holiness M.H. (upon him be the peace of God, the Lord of creation), and likewise thy mention of thine own heedlessness—that spiritual friend said to write that this entire letter is evidence of attention and remembrance, and every word thereof testifieth to love, steadfastness, adherence, attachment and pure servitude unto God, the Lord of the seen and unseen, the Lord of all worlds.

As to what was written concerning toil, hardship and difficulty, it is indeed the pure truth. However, since engagement in affairs is an imperative command and is also counted as worship, that very moment—meaning the moment of engagement and giving and receiving—is considered remembrance, orientation towards God, and worship. This evanescent one beseeches the Eternal Truth to assist that spiritual beloved in all conditions, in such wise that despite lack of opportunity and preoccupation, the fragrances of His love may be diffused throughout the world and its effects become manifest in souls.

Concerning what you wrote about felicity, acceptance, destiny and fate—that which is outwardly established and witnessed accords with what has been stated: “Nothing exists in heaven or earth except through Will, Purpose, Destiny, Fate, Permission, Term and Book.” Every soul that comes into the world brings with it countless means, though these may not be visible to the outward eye. This station is in truth established. That which is counted among the irrevocable things cannot be changed, while other than this changes through means and deeds. The first inclination that arises in man before the appearance of means is the station of Will; the first conception of means is the station of Purpose; Destiny is the station of measure and proportion, meaning the appearance of means in measure; and Fate is the composition of what was destined.

They have described the station of Destiny as most great, as it is said: “Destiny is a secret among God’s secrets, a command among His commands, and a protection among His protections, sealed with God’s seal…” until He says “it is a surging ocean which you cannot enter, and a dark night which you cannot traverse, abundant with fish in its depths which extend between heaven and earth, and its width extends between east and west, and in its depths is a sun that gives light.”

Man observes these stations in his own stations, meaning the seven degrees that were mentioned. After the appearance of Fate, the execution is witnessed, which is the same as Permission. For everything there is and has been a Term, meaning the duration of its existence. Then appears the Book, which is the station of the completeness of the thing. Praise be to God that today the Mother of Stations is manifest, and that is severance from all things and committing all affairs to Him. In this case, these stations themselves are unveiled.

Furthermore, praise be to God that the honored beloved, his eminence Haji—upon him be God’s most exalted peace—and his honored family and children—upon them be God’s peace—have partaken of the cups of the Most Great Chalice and from the goblets of the Most Exalted Cup. May it be wholesome and pleasant for you. It is requested that you convey greetings and praise to the friends of God, exalted be His glory—meaning those who are enkindled with the fire of love and illumined with the light of knowledge and steadfastness. I beseech the Wise, the Powerful One to assist each one in that which its mention is everlasting and eternal. Verily our Lord, the Most Merciful, is the One with power over what He wishes, and He is the Giver, the Bestower, the Generous.

At this moment, the most luminous letter of the beloved of the heart, his eminence M.H.—upon him be God’s peace and care—arrived, but there was no opportunity to write a response. God willing, it will be written and sent later. Remembrance, praise and peace be upon you and upon those with you and upon every steadfast, upright one. And praise be to God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

The servant 14 Muharram al-Haram 1304

BH02325: God is aware and the Messengers bear witness…

He is the One Who gazeth from His most exalted horizon

God is aware and the Messengers bear witness that this Wronged One hath, from the earliest days, openly and clearly arisen before the faces of all peoples and, without any veil or concealment, summoned all to the supreme horizon. Neither the opposition of rulers nor the clamor of divines could deter Him from His mighty, all-conquering purpose. The intention was that they might attain, through the traces of the Most Exalted Pen, unto the fruits of the divine Lote-Tree, and that these two fleeting days might not deprive the servants of the eternal divine Kingdom. The ocean of utterance surgeth at all times, and the Sun of Truth ever shineth from the horizon of the heaven of manifestation. The verses have been sent down in such wise that the Pen is powerless to reckon them, and the evidences are manifest. Yet all remain veiled and deprived, save whom God willeth.

O thou who gazest upon His countenance! Reflect upon the previous community. For twelve hundred years and more, not a single one of the divines became aware of that Essence of Being in the loins. They attained not a drop from the ocean of knowledge. They took mere fancy for certitude and sheer conjecture for knowledge. They were enslaved by vain imaginings while counting themselves among the people of divine unity. On the Day of Reckoning, the fruit of the deeds of those heedless souls was that they pronounced sentence against the Lord of all worlds and martyred Him. Reflect thou upon this matter, for reflection on such matters increaseth knowledge, and the lights of the Sun of Certitude shine forth without veil or covering and are witnessed.

Now certain ones among the people of the Bayan follow in the footsteps of the previous community. We see them as more lost than these, though they know it not. Today the world is illumined and hath attained unto the lights of true divine unity. Whosoever attaineth unto this findeth himself free and detached from the world and all who dwell therein. His honor Amin—upon him be My glory—made mention of thee. Praise be to God, thou hast been and art remembered in the prison. When thou findest the fragrance of the All-Merciful’s utterance and art attracted by the breezes of revelation, say:

My God, my God! Thou seest me advancing toward Thee, standing before the door of Thy grandeur, and gazing toward the horizon of Thy grace. I beseech Thee, by Thy Cause that hath subdued the heavens and earth, and by Thy Name whereby Thou hast subjected all who are in the kingdom of creation, and by the Ship that hath sailed on land and sea, to ordain for me through Thy Most Exalted Pen that which shall immortalize my remembrance in Thy Scriptures and Tablets. Thou seest, O my God, the hands of hope upraised toward the heaven of Thy favor. Ordain for me that which shall draw me nigh unto Thee and profit me in every world of Thy worlds. Verily Thou art powerful to do what Thou willest, and in Thy right hand are the reins of all things. There is none other God but Thee, the Mighty, the Great. And praise be unto Thee, for Thou art the Goal of the worlds.

BH02890: This is a Book which the Wronged One hath…

He is the One speaking in the Kingdom of Utterance

This is a Book which the Wronged One hath sent down for him who desireth to quaff the sealed wine from the hands of the bounty of his Lord, the Self-Subsisting, the All-Compelling, that the Call may draw him nigh unto the Most Exalted Horizon and strengthen him to mention and praise. Blessed is he who hath heard and attained, and woe unto every heedless and veiled one. We have heard thy mention and have mentioned thee before and at this time, as a grace from God, the Lord of the seen and unseen. The servant in attendance before the Countenance hath presented a letter from one who hath loved Me and held fast to My cord and soared in the atmosphere of My love and arose to assist My Cause amongst My servants, and therein was thy name.

We have sent down from the heaven of grace verses that nothing in existence can equal, that thou mayest thank thy Lord, the Lord of existence. Beware lest the happenings of the world prevent thee from the Ancient Beauty or the doubts of the nations veil thee from this irrevocable Cause. Say: O concourse of men! The horizon of Manifestation hath been illumined by the Lord of Destiny, and that which was hidden in the Books of God, the Mighty, the Loving, hath appeared. Cast aside what ye possess and take what ye are commanded by the Truth, the Knower of the unseen.

We turn from the eloquent tongue to the luminous tongue. Today the world is illumined by the lights of the Manifestation and all things are engaged in mention and praise and joy and gladness. In the divine Books of the past and future the Most Great Festival hath been established in remembrance of this blessed Day. Blessed is the soul that hath attained and become aware of the station of this Day. Today the shrill voice of the Divine Pen is raised up and its horizon is visible. Blessed is the soul whom the doubts and intimations of the people of the world have not prevented from the Ancient Beauty nor deprived of the Most Great Sea. Blessed art thou and blessed is he who hath given thee glad tidings and guided thee to My straight path and My mighty announcement. Thus have We caused thee to hear My sweetest call and sent thee that whereby the eyes of those near unto God are consoled.

And We make mention in this station of thy wife and remind her of My verses and give her the glad tidings of My tender mercy and loving-kindness which have preceded all in the heavens and the earth. The splendor shining from the horizon of the heaven of My loving-kindness be upon thee and upon her and upon those whom the hosts of the Pharaohs and ranks of oppressors did not frighten from God, the Lord of all worlds. Praise be to God, the True King, the Manifest Justice.

BH03158: O thou who gazest upon the countenance! The honored…

He is the One manifest from His Most Glorious Horizon.

O thou who gazest upon the countenance! The honored Amin hath made mention of thee before and after, and through the grace and favor of God, exalted be His glory, thou hast attained unto the effects of the Supreme Pen. Time and again mention of thee hath flowed from the tongue and pen. This is a bounty that cannot be equaled by aught in the world or by what the peoples possess. To this doth testify the Lord of Eternity in the Most Great Prison. He, verily, is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.

In these days the honored Amin, upon him be My Glory, hath arrived in the prison and made mention of thee in Our presence. Praise be to God that thou hast been successful in turning unto Him, in recognizing Him, and likewise in serving the Cause of God, the Lord of the mighty throne. The whole world was created for the Divine Day, yet all are heedless and veiled save whom God willeth. Give thanks unto the Peerless Beloved that He hath enabled thee to attain unto that which hath had and hath no likeness or similitude, and that is the recognition of Him Who conversed upon Sinai. Blessed art thou and joy be unto thee! Thou hast recognized the Day of God and arisen to serve.

Convey My greetings to the friends in that land. Say: O people of God! Be not grieved at anything. Verily the Most Great Joy asketh God for your meeting. To this doth testify the Mother Book in this exalted station.

Concerning what was mentioned about the king and other matters, these points have been made contingent upon consultation in God’s Book. Consult ye and hold fast unto it.

Convey greetings to H.S.L.T. Say: God hath promised to protect thee in His presence. His decree hath ever been and shall ever be enforced. He, verily, is the True One, the Trustworthy. In His grasp is glory and in His hand is protection. He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He pleaseth.

At this moment the fragrance of bounty and favor is wafting from the direction of grace. O Husayn! We counsel thee to serve the Cause. Verily it will exalt thee as He pleaseth and will bid thee to manifest the supreme steadfastness in this mighty and wondrous Cause. Glory be upon thee and upon every steadfast and firm one.

BH03427: O ʿAta! My bounty hath come from the heaven…

He is the Hearing and the Answering

O ʿAta! My bounty hath come from the heaven of My kingdom and the Kawthar of My presence hath flowed from the fountainhead of My Pen. Say: In the name of God and by God, then take it with the hand of submission and drink thereof through My love, the Mighty, the Wondrous. Say: O people of the earth! This is the Day of the Call. Fear ye God and be not of the silent ones. By God! The Mother Book speaketh before your faces, yet ye are heedless. He Who caused you to hear the Call of God and showed you His luminous horizon hath come. Say:

My God, my God! Thy most sweet call hath set me ablaze, and separation from Thee, O Lord of all beings, hath caused my death. I beseech Thee by the breezes of Thy Revelation which Thou hast made the water of life for all created things, and by the traces of Thy Most Exalted Pen and the fruits of the Sadratul-Muntaha, to make me strong through Thy strength and powerful through Thy power, such that the hosts of the earth shall not prevent me from turning to Thyself nor from beholding the lights of Thy countenance. O Lord! Thou seest me clinging to Thy cord and circling round Thee. I beseech Thee, O God of Names and Creator of heaven, to assist me in that which Thou hast commanded me in Thy Book.

O Lord! Illumine my heart with the light of Thy knowledge and my face with the lights of Thy countenance, and ordain through Thy bounty that which shall be a light unto me in every world of Thy worlds. I beseech Thee, O my God, by Thy Command whereby the staff overcame the swords of mankind and whereby Thou didst deliver Thy Moses from the dawning-places of hatred, to write down for me from the Pen of Thy grace that which shall be a treasure for me with Thee. Then enable me, O Thou Goal of the world and Object of worship of the nations, to arise to serve Thee. Verily Thou art the All-Powerful, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

O ʿAta! The Most Exalted Pen counseleth thee to teach His Cause and to make mention of Him and praise Him with wisdom and utterance. Soon shall the world and all that is therein perish, and there shall endure for thee that which hath been sent down from the presence of One powerful and ancient. Glory be upon thee and upon those whom the veils of the divines have not withheld from God, the Lord of all worlds.

BH03760: O My Most Exalted Pen! Make mention of him…

He is the One Who gazeth from His most exalted horizon

O My Most Exalted Pen! Make mention of him who hath been named Muhammad-Ibrahim, that the mention may draw him unto the most exalted horizon and bring him nigh unto God, the Lord of the worlds. The Trusted One hath appeared before the face of thy Lord and made mention of thee. We make mention of thee with that whereby thy mention shall endure throughout the duration of My most beautiful names. Be thou thankful unto thy Lord for this manifest favor. The Trusted One hath repeatedly made mention of thee. The loved ones of God have ever been remembered in the Most Holy, Most Exalted Court and have been favored with the effects of the Most Exalted Pen. We beseech God to aid thee to perform such deeds as shall cause their fragrance to waft throughout the world. Say:

O my God, my God! I am Thy servant and the son of Thy servant. I have turned toward the horizon of Thy Manifestation, the ocean of Thy bounty and the sun of Thy grace. I beseech Thee not to disappoint me of that which Thou hast ordained for Thy chosen ones, Thy trusted ones and Thy loved ones. Praise be unto Thee, O my God, my Goal and my Object of worship, for having caused me to hear Thy most sweet call when He Who is the Dayspring of Thy Revelation, the Manifestation of Thy signs and the Dawning-Place of Thy clear tokens was established upon the throne of utterance. O Lord! Aid me to turn unto Thee, detached from all else save Thee, turning away from those who have disbelieved in Thee and in Thy signs and who have violated Thy Covenant and Thy Testament.

I am he who, O my God, seeth no helper for himself except the wonders of Thy grace, no lord besides Thee and no beloved one other than Thee. I beseech Thee by Thy signs whereby Thou hast attracted the hearts of such of Thy servants as have turned toward Thee and of such of Thy creation as are sincere, to ordain for me from Thy Most Exalted Pen that which shall be a light before my face in all the worlds of Thy worlds. Then write down for me, with the pen of Thy bounty and the reed of Thy grace, the reward of attaining Thy presence. Verily, Thou art the Potent over whatsoever Thou willest. There is none other God but Thee, the Mighty, the Powerful.

The splendor shining from the horizon of the heaven of wisdom and utterance be upon thee and upon those who are with thee and upon My handmaidens who have turned toward the Most Exalted Horizon and have believed in God, the Lord of the worlds.

BH04565: O Ashraf! The ocean of utterance has surged…

He is the One speaking from His most exalted horizon.

O Ashraf! The ocean of utterance has surged, and the fragrance of the All-Merciful has wafted, and the shrill voice of the Pen and the rustling of the Tree have been raised high, yet the people do not hear. They have cast the Book of God and His Cause behind their backs and taken for themselves lords other than God. Verily they are worshippers of vain imaginings and do not understand. They have turned away from Him through Whom appeared what was hidden in the eternity of eternities and treasured in God’s knowledge, the All-Protecting, the Self-Subsisting.

Say: O people of the earth! Fear the All-Merciful and follow not the desires of those who have turned away from the Face, having followed the daysprings of heedlessness and idle fancies. Say: Behold, behold how the Sun has dawned from the horizon of proof and proclaims:

“There is none other God but I, the Protector over what was and what shall be.”

Beware lest the conditions of vain imaginings prevent you from the Day of God, the Possessor of existence. This is the Day which God’s Messengers and His Books have testified to, did ye but know. Say: Hear the call of Him Who is wronged and deprive not yourselves of the breezes of Revelation. Thus doth the Tongue of Grandeur counsel you as He sits upon the throne of His name, the All-Forgiving.

Give glad tidings of My loving-kindness to My loved ones and remind them of My verses, that the fragrances of utterance may attract them to the praiseworthy station. Say: Beware lest ye follow those who turned away from God when He came with manifest sovereignty. Proclaim “God is Most Great” before their faces.

Thus hath the Book revealed its verses and the Sun its radiance. Blessed are the people who recognize the Glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of My loving-kindness. Upon thee and upon those whom nothing among all things hath prevented from God, the Sovereign of the Kingdom.

BH05093: The evidences have come and the verses have been…

He is the Hearer, the Answerer.

The evidences have come and the verses have been sent down, yet the people do not understand. The signs have appeared and the appointed time has come and the All-Merciful has come, yet the people do not perceive. O concourse of men! By God, the Lord of Destiny has come and the Most Great Scene has been honored by His advent, and the Command of God that was hidden has appeared, yet the people do not know. He it is Who speaks in all things: “Verily, I am God, the Sovereign, the Self-Subsisting.” That which was concealed from eyes has been revealed, and that by which hearts and minds are attracted has been uttered. Thou hast been mentioned by him who was named Haydar before ʿAli, who turned to My horizon and soared in My atmosphere. We have remembered thee as a favor from Me, and I am the Truth, the Knower of the unseen.

Say: O concourse of divines! Be fair in the Cause of God and His sovereignty, and follow not fancies and idle imaginings. Behold what hath been inscribed by the Most Exalted Pen upon the Tablet of existence. God hath come with manifest sovereignty. Cast away what ye possess and take what ye have been given from God, the Mighty, the Loving. Thus hath spoken the Tongue of the Wronged One when He was in the hands of those who disbelieved in the Witness and the Witnessed. The Glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of My proof be upon those whom the conditions of creation have not prevented from the Truth, who have arisen and said:

“The Sovereign hath come and the Kingdom is God’s, the Sovereign, the Self-Subsisting.”

BH05524: In My Name which shineth forth from the horizon…

In My Name which shineth forth from the horizon of proof!

The fire of the blessed divine Lote-Tree speaketh at this moment in the Persian tongue and giveth all on earth the glad tidings of the appearance of Him Who conversed on Sinai. Today the world is adorned with a new ornament, and the Most Great Word is dawning and manifest from the horizon of God’s Book. Whosoever attaineth unto it hath attained unto all good. Thy mention was made in the presence of the Wronged One, and this Tablet, which is as light for the world and as the water of eternal life for all nations, hath shone forth from the horizon of the Most Exalted Pen that ye may discover its fragrance and turn toward it.

His honor Mirza Haydar ʿAli, upon him be My glory and loving-kindness, made mention of thee and sent the Most Exalted Remembrance. Therefore thy mention hath descended from the heaven of Will. If thou attainest unto it and perceivest the fragrance of the utterance of the All-Merciful, say: I beseech Thee, O Lord of earth and heaven and Creator of all things, by Thy Most Great Name, whereby the hearts of the nations were stirred up, to ordain for me the good of this world and the next. Then make me steadfast in Thy Cause, O Lord of all being, and firm in Thy service amidst Thy servants, and speaking forth Thy praise in Thy lands. There is no God but Thee, the Most High, the Most Great.

BH05606: O Muhsin! Hearken unto the Call of the Wronged…

He is the Hearing and the Answering

O Muhsin! Hearken unto the Call of the Wronged One, Who hath come with the truth from the heaven of might by His Own sovereign will. The hosts of the world cannot prevent Him. Verily thy Lord is the Mighty, the All-Encompassing, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

By God! The Call hath been raised once in Baghdad and again in the Land of Mystery, and in this spot which hath been named the Most Great Prison by My Most Exalted Pen. And I am, verily, powerful over whatsoever I will. There is none other God but Me, the Mighty, the Great.

We have manifested that which lay hidden in knowledge and concealed in the Books of God, the Lord of all worlds. Among the people are those who turned away, and those who uttered that which caused the hearts of them that are nigh to be consumed. The first to turn away were the divines of the land, and through them the servants objected and committed that which caused every illumined heart to lament.

Blessed art thou for having turned towards the Wronged One and attained unto the traces of His Most Exalted Pen. Give thanks unto thy Lord for this manifest grace. We have revealed the clear proofs and sent down the verses as a bounty from Us, and We are verily the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous.

Thus hath the ocean of utterance surged from the Pen of the Most Merciful and the fragrance of the garment been diffused. Blessed is he who hath found and said:

“Praise be unto Thee, O Beloved of the worlds, and glory be unto Thee, O Thou Who art the Goal of all in the heavens and on earth.”

BH05983: O Ali! Thou hast been favored with divine grace…

In the Name of the One True God!

O Ali! Thou hast been favored with divine grace and hast drunk from the ocean of recognition. We beseech God that He may aid thee in all conditions and make thee firm, steadfast and unwavering in His Cause. For certain souls are observed to be as dried leaves, moved about by the winds of self and desire whithersoever they blow. The friends of God must today be as firm as mountains in the Cause. Thou wert previously blessed with the verses of the Supreme Pen, and now We again make mention of thee and counsel thee to that which is befitting and conducive to the exaltation of God’s Cause. Whosoever is blessed in this day with but one word from the exalted words that shine forth from the horizon of the Supreme Pen hath indeed attained unto all good. We beseech God to aid all to preserve this station and rank. He is the Powerful, the Mighty. We convey Our greetings to the friends in that land and counsel them to supreme steadfastness, goodly deeds and spiritual qualities. Glory be upon thee and upon those with thee who have remained faithful to God’s Covenant and Testament and who are possessed of clear certitude.

BH08405: In My Name, the Protector over all names

In My Name, the Protector over all names

A Tablet to him who has turned to My horizon and spoken My beautiful praise. When thou hast attained unto My Tablet and found the fragrance of My loving-kindness, say: My God, my God! Praise be to Thee for having enabled me to turn towards the Dayspring of Thy Revelation when most of Thy servants turned away from it, and for having made known to me the Dawning-Place of Thy verses when the learned ones of Thy lands were heedless of it. I beseech Thee, O Thou Who hast subdued the world and given life to the nations through the lights of Thy Kingdom and the splendors of the Sun of Thy bounty, to assist me in that which Thou lovest and art pleased with. O Lord! Thou seest me turning towards Thee. I beseech Thee to make me detached from all else save Thee and speaking Thy praise amongst Thy servants. Verily Thou art He Whom the might of the world cannot weaken, nor can the power of the nations frustrate. Thou doest what Thou willest and ordainest what Thou pleasest. Thou art, in truth, the Single One, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy.

BH08557: O Sadiq! Reflect upon the power of the Supreme…

In His Name Who holdeth dominion over all who are in earth and heaven!

O Sadiq! Reflect upon the power of the Supreme Pen which, despite the opposition of the divines, the objections of the doctors of law, and the rebellion of princes, hath summoned all to the horizon of Revelation by night and by day. No oppression hindered it, no opposition prevented it. The might of the world did not diminish its strength, nor did the dissension of nations hold back its radiance. I swear by the waves of the ocean of meanings, were anyone to reflect upon that which hath been manifested, they would utter the blessed words “Thine is the greatness and the power” and would remain occupied throughout all their days in the remembrance and praise of the Lord of all mankind. Praise be to God, exalted be His glory, that thou hast attained unto that for which existence itself came into being. Preserve this most exalted station through My Name, the Mighty, the Powerful.

BH10504: The Joseph of God has been cast into…

In the Name of the Peerless Intended One!

The Joseph of God has been cast into the well of hatred. The darkness of heedlessness and ignorance hath encompassed the world and deprived all of their just reward from the Dawning-Place of Divine Revelation and the Dayspring of His Cause, save whom God willeth. The clouds of tyranny have prevented the Sun of Justice from shining forth. Blessed is the soul that hath held fast to the cord of loving-kindness and saved itself from the depths of heedlessness. Thus doth thy Lord counsel thee and mention unto thee what hath befallen Him at the hands of the hosts of the oppressors.

BH00897: Praise be to the Goal of all the world…

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

Praise be to the Goal of all the world, Who, despite the turning away of princes, the indifference of divines, and the denial of ecclesiastics, hath through His power established the knowledge that there is none other God but Him in the most exalted station, and unfurled the banner of “He doeth what He willeth” amidst those who turn away and deny. He is the Omnipotent One Whom neither ranks and multitudes, nor aversion and indifference, nor tyranny and denial could deter from His purpose. Before the faces of the world, without any veil, He standeth firm and speaketh forth, and through the movement of the Most Exalted Pen He hath conquered the hearts of them that are nigh and sincere. With a single effulgence He hath illumined the horizons. His hosts are wisdom and utterance, goodly deeds and praiseworthy character, and the commander of these hosts hath ever been the fear of God. Through these hosts He hath conquered the cities of the hearts of the chosen ones and loved ones. Glorified be His greatness and exalted be His power!

Glory be unto Thee, O Thou Who kindlest the fire in the hearts of the righteous and Who shineth forth above the Mount of Knowledge with fire! I beseech Thee by the mysteries of Thy knowledge and the manifestations of Thy power, and by the shrill voice of Thy Pen and the fruits of Thy Tree, to protect Thy Afnan from the evil of such of Thy servants as have denied Thy right and disbelieved in Thy proof. Then assist them in that whereby their mention shall endure in Thy Book. Send down upon them, O my God, the blessings of the heavens of Thy bounty, and ordain for them through Thy Most Exalted Pen that which beseemeth the ocean of Thy grace, O Thou Who art the Lord of Names and Creator of heaven! There is none other God but Thee, the Compassionate, the Generous.

And now, may my spirit be a sacrifice for your steadfastness and service. Several days ago, the beloved of hearts, Haji Siyyid Javad, upon him be the Glory of God and His favors, forwarded your letter to the Most Holy Court, and this servant presented it all before His Presence. Thereupon the Sun of favor and grace dawned forth from the Dayspring of God’s Will, exalted be His Glory. These are His blessed and exalted words:

“O My Afnan! Upon thee be My Glory and My favor! Praise be to God that thou hast attained unto the effects of the Most Exalted Pen and hast chosen thy dwelling beneath the canopies of divine favor. The Tongue of Grandeur hath testified to thy acceptance and turning unto Him, and to thy acknowledgement of that which God hath revealed in His Books, His Scrolls, His Scriptures and His Tablets. Nothing on His earth can equal this Word. We beseech God, exalted be He, to assist thee and strengthen thee in that which He loveth and which pleaseth Him. By the life of God! Should anyone attempt to mention that which hath been ordained for you through His command and will, he would find himself powerless. He, verily, is the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. The Glory shining from the horizon of the Kingdom of My utterance be upon thee and upon those who are with thee, who love thee and hearken to thy word concerning this Most Great Announcement. Praise be to God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.”

All things bear witness to the favor, grace and loving-kindness of God, exalted be His Glory, towards His loved ones and friends. However, specifically regarding the Afnan of the Blessed Tree, special verses and explicit favors have repeatedly streamed forth and been revealed from the Most Exalted Pen. Soon shall they who are nigh behold its effects, the unified ones its manifestations, and the sincere ones its fruits. We beseech God, blessed and exalted be He, to assist them with the hosts of the seen and the unseen, and to protect them through His Will, which He hath made the cause of the creation of all who were of old and all who are yet to come.

The sent items of vessels, as well as the frames and goblets, have arrived once again, and news of the tea’s arrival in Beirut has also been received. After its arrival, details will be submitted. Praise be to God, the signs of divine confirmation and success are evident and manifest from all directions. In these days when the Ancient Beauty is in prison and the people of the world are in discord, and the kings are united, and news constantly arrives, the door is open and the signs of acceptance, attention, steadfastness and service are witnessed. This is among the great bounties of the Truth, exalted be His glory, and this is a mighty station. Glory be to its Giver and Confirmer. It hath been proven with evidence that verily He doeth what He willeth and decreeth what He desireth. None can resist His command or prevent His judgment, and He is the All-Powerful, the Almighty.

This evanescent servant submitteth that if in the service of Your Honor or in that place a friend is found, convey greetings and praise. May glory and remembrance and praise and magnification be upon your honor and upon those with you and those who love you for the sake of our Lord and your Lord and the Lord of the mighty throne, and praise be to God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

The servant 28 Muharram al-Haram 1304

Another submission: Last year one of the Ottoman pashas became governor in this city. Although his name outwardly was Muhammad, yet a hundred Abu Jahls were concealed within him. Upon his arrival, the fire of hatred blazed from him night and day, in word and deed he would cause harm, although outwardly nothing had occurred to cause displeasure or grief or anything above or below that. Through numerous tricks and new schemes he demanded the house, which was relinquished. Nevertheless his fire burned more intensely and his wickedness increased more and more until suddenly the hands of divine wrath seized him and his circle of officials. The Governor of the province who resides in Damascus, and the chief who rules in Beirut, as well as other officers, all became troubled. Great causes appeared and that wicked one and his like were cast out and rejected.

And those whom the Truth outwardly confirmed for this service—it was decided that certain items should be given to them as mementos, both as a reminder and to exalt the word of favor. And since nothing new is available here, therefore according to the command of His Honor the Afnan, upon him be all-glorious glory, let him send several distinguished spectacles with frames, and if some frames are of gold it would be good, and likewise anything that is outwardly elegant and of suitable value would be appreciated if sent. I beseech and hope from the Truth, exalted be His glory, that He may confirm the Afnan in all conditions, and praise be to God, they have been and are confirmed. This is attested by what hath flowed from the Most Exalted Pen of God in the scriptures and tablets.

Again may peace and praise and magnification and glory be upon your honor and upon those with you and upon those who are honored to serve you and hold fast to love for you for the sake of God, our Goal and your Goal and the Goal of those in the heavens and earths, and praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

The servant 28 Muharram al-Haram 1304

BH07091: The Day proclaimeth, the Sun giveth glad tidings…

…The Day proclaimeth, the Sun giveth glad tidings, and the Moon beareth witness. O friends of the All-Knowing God! He hath come—bear ye witness! The Hidden Light hath become manifest—hasten with heart and soul! The waters give glad tidings, the seas dance, and the forests spread the news. O servants! Deprive not yourselves of the ocean of His knowledge, and withhold not yourselves from the Sun of His vision. The joy-giving breeze hath wafted, bestowing freshness and vigor upon the withered ones. Words fail to describe this triumphant Day, proving impotent and inadequate in explaining it. Blessed is the servant who hath recognized the station of this Day and hath testified to its blessedness. We beseech the Peerless Friend in all conditions not to deprive any from the ocean of His bounty nor prevent them from beholding the Sun of truthfulness. He is the All-Knowing, the All-Powerful, the All-Speaking, the All-Seeing….

BH00372: Praise befitteth the most holy and exalted court…

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

Praise befitteth the most holy and exalted court of the Desired One, Who hath, through a single blessed word, barred the way to doubt, misgiving, vain imaginings and idle fancies, and through the power of that same word hath preserved His loved ones from dangers. That blessed word is “He doeth whatsoever He willeth and ordereth whatsoever He pleaseth.” Whosoever is assured of this word is established upon the throne of certitude and abideth in the station of faith. The waves of idle fancies shall not withhold him from the truth of certitude, nor shall the hosts of vain imaginings keep him back from the dawning-place of the Divine Manifestation. Thus doth the Primal Point—may the spirit of all else but Him be sacrificed for His sake—declare: “Should He decree the earth to be heaven, none hath the right to question His authority; and should He decide the heaven to be earth, none dare ask why’ or wherefore’.”

This blessed word is a boundless ocean. Blessed is the one who hath attained and clung unto it; he shall be eternally inscribed in the book of steadfastness. Blessed is he! And peace and blessings be upon the loved ones of God, His chosen ones, His leaves and fruits, who move only by the breeze of His Will and Purpose. These are the servants whom God hath described in His Books of the past and future—they are the near ones, they are the triumphant.

And further: the letter from that honored leaf—upon her be the Most Glorious Glory of God—was received. As it was adorned with the mention of God, exalted be His glory, it brought boundless joy, yet as signs of sorrow were apparent therein, it caused endless grief. After its observation, reading and review, approach was made to the Throne, where it was presented and attained the honor of being heard. These are the words that the Tongue of Grandeur uttered while seated upon the Throne of Oneness:

In My Name, the Compassionate, the All-Loving

O My Leaf! Upon thee be My glory and loving-kindness. We were seated upon the Throne when the servant in attendance entered with thy letter and presented it before the face of the Wronged One. We have answered thee with this clear remembrance. We have mentioned thee time and again with a mention that surpasseth all that the peoples possess. To this doth the Lord of Eternity bear witness from His exalted station. Thy verses and prose, and that which thou didst send, have come before Us. Verily thy Lord is the All-Knowing, the True, the Trustworthy. We have answered thee with numerous tablets as a grace from Our presence. Verily thy Lord is the All-Bountiful, the Generous. We have sent down for thee that whose fragrance shall never cease to perfume the air for as long as My names and attributes endure.

Give thanks unto thy Lord for this great favor. We love Our name “the Faithful” and have ever been observant of it in all conditions. To this testifieth that which hath flowed from My Most Exalted Pen, and those who have attained Our presence and the meeting with God, the Lord of the Day of Judgment. Let nothing among all things, nor any matter, cause thee grief. Verily thy Lord is with thee, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.

O My handmaiden! Hear in Persian: The petitions of that honored leaf, both in verse and prose, were received and a special response was revealed. Likewise, the items sent by that leaf over successive years, and some time ago especially for the Leaf of Paradise—upon her be My glory and loving-kindness—and that leaf, special tablets were revealed and sent. Thou hast ever been mentioned in the presence of the Wronged One—the circling ones and visitors are aware and bear witness. Rejoice in what the Most Great Joy hath announced unto thee at this time, and say:

Praise be unto Thee, O Creator of the heavens and Dayspring of bounty, for having guided me to Thy straight path and given me to drink of Thy sealed wine through the hand of Thy grace, O God of the worlds! Thy handmaiden testifieth to Thy bounty, Thy loving-kindness and Thy mercy that have preceded Thy servants and Thy creation. Can anyone deny Thy gifts and bestowals after witnessing and beholding at every moment the evidences of Thy mercy, the manifestations of Thy favor, and the signs of Thy loving providence? O my Lord! Thou seest Thy handmaiden clinging to the Lote-Tree of Thy Cause and hoping for that which lieth with Thee. I beseech Thee by the fishes in the ocean of Thy knowledge and the splendors of the lights of the Sun of Thy wisdom to assist me in all conditions to remember and praise Thee.

O my Lord! I implore Thee by Thy Name through which Thou hast revealed Thyself unto all created things, to assist Thy handmaidens to stand firm in Thy Cause and to hold fast to the cord of Thy bounty. Verily Thou art He Whom the conditions of the world and whatsoever the nations possess cannot hinder. Thou doest what Thou willest and ordainest what Thou desirest. Thou art, in truth, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy.

God’s grace beareth witness unto itself, and likewise His loving-kindness, mercy and compassion. By the Sun of proof which hath shone forth from the dayspring of possibility by the command of the Beloved of the worlds, this servant hath ever witnessed His loving providence towards the people of that land to such a degree that he is powerless to express it. Whenever that honored leaf’s letter arrived, it was presented both in verse and prose before the presence of them that dwell within the tabernacle of glory and grandeur. After its completion, the effulgences of the Sun of divine loving-kindness shone forth and became manifest, and likewise those who circle round all made mention of that noble lady and continue to do so, and the answer to each letter was revealed. This is what the servant testifieth to, and beyond him our Lord is verily the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. That which was uttered in praise of the Truth, exalted be His glory, was adorned with the ornament of acceptance. The servant beseecheth his Lord to assist thee in remembrance and praise as He hath assisted thee before.

As for what thou didst write concerning the Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablet, that thou hast been blessed with it twice—this was from God’s special favor. If the details of the Seven Oft-Repeated Verses of old are kept in view, thou wilt be greatly rejoiced at the dawning of the luminary of this bounty—a joy that hath no peer or likeness. The blessed Surih of Praise was revealed twice, and concerning the excellence of this repetition they have written that which this leaf is incapable of mentioning. Many pages and new pens would be required. Whatever hath appeared and will appear is that Beloved of the soul and the Desire of the spirit.

As for the mention made of Aqa Muhammad-Rida, upon him be the glory of God, it was presented before the Divine Presence. This is what the Speaker of Sinai uttered when seated upon the Throne of Revelation, the word of the Lord, exalted and sanctified is He:

He is the Compassionate, the All-Bountiful

O Muhammad-Rida! Upon thee be the glory of God, the Lord of Names. Rejoice in thy Lord’s loving-kindness. He hath guided thee to His straight path and caused thee to know the Dawning-Place of His signs and the Manifestation of His Self, and hath made thee to hear His wondrous call. Praise be to God, thou hast attained unto that which hath been recorded by the Pen of the Divine Will in God’s Holy Books. Blessed are they that act, and joy be to them that have attained.

Section 2: “This servant also conveyeth his greetings unto him…”

This servant also conveyeth his greetings unto him and beseecheth from God, exalted be His glory, that which they have desired. Verily our Lord is the Hearer, the Answerer.

Concerning what you mentioned about a day when a group of the friends were gathered in this servant’s abode, and a soul asked why, given that the Bab—may our souls be sacrificed for His sake—was the Sun and this Most Holy, Most Exalted Station has been called the Sun, what then is the difference between this Revelation and that Revelation. This evanescent one suggested that perhaps this blessed Revelation is like unto the heaven, as He says that all suns rise from the horizon of this heaven and set in the west of this heaven. Someone responded, “No, this is not so—the sun creates the heaven.” Another said, “Heaven is a physical body.” This evanescent one, wishing to prevent disputation, remained silent. After presenting these matters before Him from Whose knowledge nothing escapes, the Lord of the Kingdom of Eternity, He spoke this exalted word: Thus speaks the Lord, exalted and sanctified be He:

“O My Leaf! Upon thee be My glory! Thy silence in this matter was acceptable. Convey My greetings to the friends of God and say: Fix your gaze upon this Most Great Verse which hath appeared from the Pen of the Primal Point. He saith: ʿI have written an essence regarding His remembrance, which is that He cannot be known through My allusions, nor through what hath been mentioned in the Bayan.’ They have spoken the truth, and uttered reality—this was and is no jest. Were a soul to meditate upon this blessed word that hath been mentioned, he would testify to the sanctification of this Revelation above all else and its exaltation above any likeness or comparison. Although in these days worn and tired utterances have been brought forth, claiming the Bayan has been altered—God protect us and you from the evil of those who speak according to their desires. They are assuredly among the most lost in the Book of God, the Lord of all worlds.”

In truth, the mention of the Sun and its like refers to His exalted and sublime station among the servants, otherwise every person of insight beareth witness to the sanctification of His Essence from whatsoever hath been mentioned and the detachment of His Self from whatsoever hath been or shall be comprehended. And that this Most Great Manifestation hath been or may be designated as the heaven is due to the fact that the sun, outwardly speaking, appeareth and becometh visible from the horizon of this expanse which is called heaven, and the heaven dominateth and encompasseth it, as can be observed. Consider ye, then recall what the Point of the Bayan hath spoken concerning this Revelation, saying “Verily, I am the first to worship Him.” The station of the Book, the Mother Book, the Tablet and the Preserved Tablet hath been and is manifest and evident. He saith that the Bayan and whatsoever hath been revealed therein is but a leaf among the leaves of His Paradise and is dependent upon His acceptance.

The sun hath ever had diverse manifestations and influences. The sun that riseth from the sign of Aquarius is, upon its appearance, effaced before the sun that ariseth from the sign of Leo. Every person of insight observeth countless differences. However, in these days the Most Exalted Pen hath not desired and doth not desire to occupy itself with such mentions. Whatsoever hath been or may be mentioned is from the effulgences of the lights of the Sun of bounty which hath shone forth specifically upon the friends from the horizon of the Kingdom. For all, We ask that which the comprehension of the people of possibility is powerless and incapable of knowing, especially for those souls who are adorned with the greatest steadfastness and have quaffed from the ocean of the words “He doeth whatsoever He willeth and ordaineth what He pleaseth.”

O My loved ones and My chosen ones! Hearken unto My call from the precincts of My prison. Verily, there is no God but Him, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. We have mentioned you before and after in such wise as hath gladdened the eyes of them that are nigh unto God. Praise be to God! The detached ones have attained unto the fruits of the Lote-Tree of the utmost boundary. This is the most exalted station, the highest summit and the ultimate purpose. Blessed be they that have attained and they that know. Verily, We make mention of My servants and My handmaidens, remind them of My verses, give them the glad-tidings of My bounty and inform them of My mercy which hath preceded all who are in the heavens and the earth.

The Sun of the All-Merciful’s utterance hath shone forth in such wise that this darksome night hath become even as a luminous day. Glorified be the greatness of our Lord and exalted be His favor! The loved ones of that land have ever been [in heart and soul] and still are, for they have attained unto the descended table and the special bounty. We beseech God—exalted be His glory—and hope that He will preserve these stations through His might, power and authority in such wise that the doubts of the barking ones, the suspicions of the opposers and the intimations of the transgressors will not alter them and will appear as if they had never existed. This servant conveyeth greetings and glorification to each of the loved ones and handmaidens of God, and expresseth with both outer and inner tongue: O my God, my God!

Aid them in that which will draw them nigh unto Thee and make them successful in that whose fragrance will never cease to endure throughout the eternity of Thy names and attributes. Verily, Thou art the Omnipotent over what Thou willest. There is no God but Thee, the All-Compelling, the Self-Subsisting. Glory and praise and remembrance be upon you and upon those who love you for the sake of God and upon all who are firm and steadfast. And praise be to God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

After completing the letter, He repaired to the Most Exalted Shrine. Following His presence before the Throne, the Lord, blessed and sanctified be He, spoke thus: We desire to make mention once again of him who traversed the pathway and attained the Ultimate Goal, until he presented himself at the Gate which was opened by the Key of the Will of the Lord of Names, and heard that which ears were created to hear. He was named ʿAli-before-Nabil in the Book of Names. We beseech God to assist him and to reinforce him with the hosts of the seen and the unseen, that he may aid his wronged and exiled Lord. The exile of the Lord hath been mentioned aforetime, even as David, upon him be My glory and loving-kindness, hath said: “How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?”

In any case, ʿAli-before-Nabil presented himself before the Face, and mentioned the names of the loved ones of the lands of Kha and Ta and other regions, and beseeched a special bounty for each one, and all attained to that which was the purpose of creation. The friends must all engage in the remembrance and praise of Him Who conversed on Sinai with the utmost joy and gladness. O people of God! Strive ye that ye may attain unto that which shall never perish and shall remain unchanged throughout centuries and ages. Verily your Lord, the All-Merciful, is the Mighty, the Powerful.

The glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of My mercy be upon you, O My people, and upon those whom the conditions of men have not frightened in the Cause of God, the Lord of the Throne and of the dust, and the Sovereign of the Hereafter and of this world.

BH03469: In My Name which speaketh in the Kingdom…

In My Name which speaketh in the Kingdom of Utterance!

This Wronged One calleth aloud from the prison precinct and summoneth all, for the sake of God, to the Most Exalted Horizon. Blessed is the ear that hath attained and the eye that hath beheld. O people of God! I swear by the lights of the Sun of the horizon of inner meanings that this Day hath no peer or likeness. Strive that ye may perchance attain unto the fruits of the divine Lote-Tree and drink from the chalice of bounty.

O Ghulam-ʿAli! Hearken unto the call of the Wronged One with such attention that its effect shall never fade from thine ear, and arise with supreme steadfastness to serve the Cause of the Lord of all beings. Praise be to God, thou hast turned unto Him and attained unto His verses. Say: Praise be unto Thee, O my God, for having enabled me to turn toward Thee and for having made me recognize the Dawning-Place of Thy Revelation and the Dayspring of Thine inspiration. I beseech Thee not to disappoint me of that which Thou hast ordained for Thy chosen ones who have cast away the world and have taken fast hold of that which Thou didst command them in Thy Book. There is no God but Thee, the Mighty, the Subduer, the Powerful.

And We make mention of him who was named Ghulam-Husayn with verses that cannot be equaled by all the riches of the world nor by all that the nations possess, that he may rejoice and be of them that render thanks. Beware lest anything whatsoever debar thee from the Most Exalted Horizon, or the power of princes weaken thee, or the might of them that have denied God, the Lord of all worlds, cause thee to fear.

O Abu’l-Qasim! Hearken unto the voice of the true Friend and sanctify thyself from idle fancies and vain imaginings through the living waters that have streamed forth from the Pen of the All-Merciful, and say: My God, my God! I have turned toward Thee and have laid hold on Thy cord and have clung to the hem of Thy robe. I beseech Thee by the waves of the ocean of Thy utterance and the splendors of the lights of the Sun of Thy bounty to ordain for me through Thy Most Exalted Pen that which will draw me nigh unto Thee, O Lord of the Throne on high and of the earth below, and Master of the Hereafter and of this world. There is no God but Thee, the Most High, the Most Great.

BH07001: The Sun of Truth, which hath ever been veiled…

In the name of the one incomparable Lord!

The Sun of Truth, which hath ever been veiled from all eyes, hath shone forth from the heaven of manifestation with such a radiance that no possessor of sight or hearing or heart hath denied or ever will deny it. And the hidden treasured Mystery, whereof all divine Books and Scriptures and Tablets have made mention, hath appeared unveiled and unconcealed. Glory be to God! Despite such manifestation and appearance, such signs and evidences, such tokens and such power and might, the people of the world remain heedless and unaware. Blessed art thou, for thou hast seen and heard. Beseech the True One that He may enable thee to perform such deeds as shall endure and persist. From the precincts of the Prison We have turned toward thee, and this Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablet hath been sent down from the heaven of divine Will in thy name. Take it with the power that is with Him and say: Praise be to Thee, O God of all worlds, and thanksgiving be unto Thee, O Thou Desire of the sincere ones!

BH07737: Amin hath appeared before Our presence and mentioned thee…

He is the All-Knowing, the All-Informed

Amin hath appeared before Our presence and mentioned thee. We make mention of thee in this Clear Tablet. Hearken unto the Call from the prison-quarters of thy Lord, the Lord of all names. Verily it draweth thee nigh unto a station wherein thou shalt behold naught save the lights of the countenance of thy Lord, the Manifest, the All-Knowing. We have made mention of thee before, and at this time, that thou mayest render thanks unto thy Lord, the Generous. When thou dost inhale the fragrance of the traces of My Most Exalted Pen, say:

My God, my God! I am he who hath turned unto Thee, turning away from Thine enemies who have turned away from Thee and denied Thy signs and disputed Thy proofs after Thou didst summon them unto Thy straight path and Thy mighty announcement. I beseech Thee by the ocean of Thy utterance and the sun of Thy proof to aid me to serve Thy Cause and to make mention of Thee and to praise Thee amongst Thy servants. Verily Thou art the Answerer in all circumstances, and I am the supplicant who hath clung to the hem of Thy name, the Self-Sufficient, the Most High.

BH09149: O Muhammad, The trees of hope have been cut…

He is the All-Witnessing, the All-Informed

O Muhammad, The trees of hope have been cut down by the sword of vain imaginings, and the houses of justice and fairness have been destroyed by the hands of tyranny, and the ornaments of this transient world have deprived all from the divine eternal Kingdom. O party of God, make an effort! O loved ones of the All-Merciful, strive! that perchance those who have turned towards Him may remain protected from the vain imaginings of those who have turned away. In past ages and centuries the previous party was occupied with suspicions and vain imaginings, and the fruits of the deeds of those heedless souls was that they passed judgment against the Lord of the world and martyred Him. Praise be to the Goal of the worlds Who assisted you and guided you. Say: Praise be to Thee, O God of the worlds, and glory be to Thee, O Goal of them that know.

BH01166: This is a Book sent down by the Wronged…

In the name of Him Who is the Supreme Ruler over all names

This is a Book sent down by the Wronged One from the presence of God, the Supreme, the Self-Subsisting, to him who desires to drink from the Kawthar of utterance from the cup of his Lord’s bounty, the All-Merciful, that the fragrances of revelation might draw him nigh unto this praiseworthy station. The Most Exalted Pen hath been moved and the Sadratu’l-Muntaha hath rustled when the Lord of all beings came from the heaven of bounty with manifest sovereignty.

Say: O concourse of divines! Cast aside what ye possess and take hold of that which hath come to you from the kingdom of proof. Thus doth the Book of God command you, which speaketh before the faces of all the world. Verily, there is no God but Him, the One, the Single, the Supreme Ruler of the kingdom of earth and heaven.

Say: Your sciences and your arts profit you not. Cast them behind you, turning unto God, the Lord of existence. Beware lest the world and its ornaments and favors prevent you from the path of God, the Mighty, the Loving. Purify your hearts, then turn with radiant faces toward the Supreme Horizon, the station which hath shone forth from the Day-Star of the manifestation of your Lord, the Possessor of the seen and unseen.

When thou hast attained unto My verses and found the fragrance of My utterance, arise and say:My God, my God! I have turned toward Thy Self when I was heedless of the wonders of Thy grace, and Thou didst call me when I was sleeping upon my couch in Thy days, and Thou didst remember me when I was silent in Thy remembrance, and Thou didst guide me when I was halting in Thy Cause. I beseech Thee by Thy Name through which Thou didst subdue the world and the hearts of the nations, and by the Daysprings of Thy revelation and the Dawning-Places of Thy inspiration and the Manifestations of Thy Self and the Sources of Thy commandments and power, to make me in all conditions one who speaketh Thy praise and standeth firm in Thy love.

O my Lord! Make me not of those who beheld the lights of Thy countenance and turned away from them, and who heard Thy most sweet call and Thy most great verses and denied them. I beseech Thee by the pearls of the ocean of Thy knowledge and the splendors of the lights of the sun of Thy grace not to disappoint me of that which Thou hast ordained for Thy loved ones who were not deterred by the might of the oppressors nor by the tyranny of the pharaohs from turning unto Thee and holding fast unto Thy cord and clinging to the hem of the robe of Thy mercy.

O my Lord! Withhold not mine eye from beholding Thy Supreme Horizon, nor mine ear from hearkening unto that which hath flowed from Thy Most Exalted Pen, nor my tongue from Thy remembrance, O Lord of all being and Sovereign of the throne on high and of the dust below. I know not, O my God, what deed hath kept me back from turning toward Thee in Thy days, and what thing hath intervened between me and the Dayspring of Thy verses and the Manifestation of Thy clear tokens. Thou seest, O my God, my state and hearest my lamentation. By Thy might! Thy separation hath destroyed me and melted me away.

I beseech Thee by the Manifestations of Thy power and the Dawning-Places of Thy might to aid me to propagate Thy Cause among Thy servants and to spread Thy signs throughout Thy lands. Then forgive me and those who have sought Thee. Verily Thou art He to Whose grace and pardon all created things have testified, and to Whose gifts and bestowals all beings have borne witness.

I testify unto that whereunto the Tongue of Thy grandeur hath testified when it was established upon the throne by Thy command and will, that verily Thou art God, there is no God but Thee. Thou hast ever been sanctified from the mention of aught else but Thee and exalted above the description of any besides Thee. Thou hast appeared and hast made manifest that which was hidden in Thy knowledge and treasured within the repositories of Thy protection and the treasuries of Thy preservation.

O my Lord! Thou seest me hoping for the wonders of Thy bounty and beseeching that which Thou hast ordained for Thy chosen ones and trusted ones, and awaiting the table of Thy heaven and the enduring blessing from Thy presence. Verily Thou art the All-Bountiful, the Generous. There is no God but Thee, the Forgiving, the Merciful.It is uttered in the Persian tongue, that perchance the fragrance of both eloquent Arabic and sweet Persian may be diffused.

From the first days this Call hath been raised without veil or concealment, and this Wronged One hath stood forth and spoken before all faces. Nevertheless, until now they remain deprived of the ocean of knowledge and forbidden from the dawning rays of the Sun of Truth. It is incumbent and binding upon you to arise to serve the Cause and to summon the ignorant people to the divine Law of knowledge.

The world and its might and wrath, its bounty and mercy, its ornaments and colors—all these are transient and shall return to nothingness. Blessed is the soul that endeavoreth and engageth in service to the Cause, that perchance it may find the Guide of the Way and not be deprived of that for which it was created.

Unceasingly have the pearls of wisdom and utterance appeared and shone forth from the treasuries of the Most Exalted Pen, yet until now no seeker or knower hath been found, save whom God willeth. Strive that perchance the soreness of eyes may be removed through the Name of God, exalted be His glory, and attain to the lights of the horizon of Revelation. May they turn from the world of fancy to the world of certitude, and from the abyss of conjecture to the horizon of the true world.

Praise be to God that you have attained and turned toward the horizon from which most of the people of the world are seen to turn away. You must arise in the Name of Truth and, placing your trust in Him, with wisdom and utterance bestow upon the people of possibility their portion from the Kawthar of divine knowledge. Thus doth command thee the Most Exalted Pen from the presence of God, the Lord of Names and Creator of Heaven, that thou mayest thank thy Lord, the Compassionate, the Generous.

The Glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of My mercy be upon you and upon those with you and upon those who hearken to thy words concerning this Most Great News and this Wise Command.

BH01428: These are the days of God, and the horizon…

In the name of the All-Bountiful, the All-Merciful!

These are the days of God, and the horizon of the manifestation of the Supreme Pen is luminous. The Kawthar of utterance is flowing, the verses of God are being revealed and His evidences are manifest. The light of His Cause is radiant and the fire of the Divine Lote-Tree is ablaze. O people of God! This is the day of the blessed verse “If ye would count the favours of God, ye cannot reckon them!” Bounty upon bounty, mercy upon mercy. Strive that ye may attain to the lights of the Sun of inner meanings which hath dawned from the horizon of the heaven of God’s will. The shrill voice of the Supreme Pen is raised at all times, and its purpose is that ye may partake of the fruits of the Divine Lote-Tree. Hearken unto the Pen; it speaketh, and the fruit of the Lote-Tree revealeth itself. Blessed are the men whom the might of the people of error hath not prevented or deprived from attaining unto the Lord of Destiny.

O people of Faran! What of this outpouring? Have ye discovered the sweet fragrances of the breezes of revelation? Are ye silent and still, or have other causes prevented the people of the Most Great Vision from mention and praise? The Manifestation of Truth is evident and visible like unto the sun. By the Most Great Luminary! His utterance transcendeth the utterance of the peoples of the world, His mention surpasseth the mention of all nations, and His movement and stillness are distinct from all else. To those possessed of vision and the companions of the Most Great Vision, no doubt hath arisen nor ever shall arise concerning Him.

O people of Faran! This is your penetrating vision, your subtle thoughts, the light of your horizons, the radiance of your hearts, the lamp in your breasts, and your keen sight. By the life of God! This day is your day. Be ye strong in the Cause of your Lord, the Lord of Names, in such wise that neither the power of princes nor the whisperings of divines may weaken you. O people of Faran! Unceasingly hath your mention been recorded by the Pen of the Most Merciful and your names inscribed. Ye should aid the Cause of God through the hosts of remembrance and utterance, and through deeds and conduct befitting the Day of God. Blessed is the soul that moveth for the love of God and occupieth itself with the guidance of His servants. Today, all rising and sitting, movement and rest, should be manifested for the sake of God.

Every sovereign hath his army and every cause its helper. The hosts of the Lord of Horizons have ever been righteous deeds and conduct, remembrance and utterance, and the commander and director of these hosts is the fear of God. God willing, may the people of Faran be set ablaze with the fire of love for the Beloved of all creation, and may they witness, in most times, the pearls of knowledge and wisdom which have been manifested from the treasuries of the Supreme Pen by the command of the Lord of Names, that hearts may be adorned with the ornament of certitude and detachment. The dawning-places of idle fancies and the rising-points of vain imaginings are circulating in cities and regions to lead people astray.

This is that news which was formerly uttered by the Dawning-Place of verses and the Day-Spring of knowledge. Vain imaginings deprived the Shi’ih sect from the Lord of mankind and consigned them to hell. Ye are those souls who, from the beginning of days, have turned to the supreme horizon and have soared in the atmosphere of the love of the Lord of creation with the wings of detachment. The station of this most exalted rank hath been and is great in the sight of God. We beseech God to make you the ensigns of His remembrance in His lands and the standards of His guidance among His servants. Verily, He is the Powerful over what He willeth, and He is the Mighty, the Dominant, the Omnipotent.

Out of wisdom, the names of the loved ones—those souls who have quaffed from the sealed wine and are illumined by the lights of the Kingdom—have not been mentioned. His honor ʿAli-Muhammad, son of My Most Truthful Name, upon both of whom rest My glory and loving-kindness, was present in the Most Holy Court and made mention of each one, and all have attained to the effulgences of the lights of the Sun of true divine unity. We beseech the True One to assist His people in such deeds and matters from which the fragrance of His good-pleasure may be wafted. He is the Powerful, the Mighty.

Praise be to God! The carpet of the love of God, exalted be His glory, is spread and unfurled. Blessed are the souls who have attained unto that for which they were created, and woe unto the heedless! We convey greetings to the handmaidens of God and give them the glad-tidings of God’s favors. The Wronged One asketh that He may grant them success and ordain for them the good of the hereafter and of this world, and adorn them with that which beseemeth them in the days of their Lord, the Lord of the Kingdom and the Realm, the Possessor of Glory and Might. The glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of bounty be upon you, upon them, and upon those whom the conditions of the world and its allusions, manifestations, ornaments, adornments, might, and ranks have not withheld from God, their Creator and Fashioner.

BH02989: That which hath proceeded from the pen of thy…

He is the Hearer, the Answerer.

That which hath proceeded from the pen of thy devotion and turning unto the Wronged One hath come before Him. We found therein the fragrance of the love of God, the Lord of all worlds. We have made mention of thee in diverse Tablets with a mention that surpasseth all the mentions of the world. He beareth witness unto thee in every world among the worlds of thy Lord, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. We counsel thee to preserve this station through this Name, whereby the limbs of all names have trembled and the hearts of the learned who have barred the servants from turning unto the Most Great Ocean and this Momentous Announcement have been seized with trepidation. Blessed is thy tongue for having acknowledged that which the Tongue of Grandeur hath spoken, and borne witness unto that which God hath testified. Thus hath My Most Exalted Pen moved concerning that whereon thou standest, that thou mayest give thanks unto thy Lord, the Compassionate, the Bountiful. Beware lest the deeds and words of men grieve thee. Soon shall they behold what they have wrought in the former life. Verily thy Lord is the Informed, the All-Knowing.

We make mention at this hour of him who hath ascended unto the Supreme Companion, that his remembrance may endure in the kingdom for as long as the Kingdom of God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy, shall endure. O Husayn! Blessed art thou for having sought the Ultimate Goal and the Most Exalted Horizon while the Wronged One was held beneath the talons of hatred through that which the hands of the oppressors have wrought. At the time of thy ascension there was revealed for thee that which hath diffused the sweet savors of the loving-kindness of thy Lord, the Forgiving, the Merciful. Were there to be disclosed less than a needle’s eye of that which We have bestowed upon thee in thy most exalted station, all who dwell on earth would abandon what they possess and turn unto this station, wherefrom the Tongue of Grandeur proclaimeth:

“The Kingdom belongeth unto God, the Almighty, the All-Compelling, the Most Powerful, the All-Wise.”

Blessed is the servant who remembereth thee even as the Dawning-Place of Revelation and the Source of His Command hath remembered thee. He is indeed among the triumphant ones in My perspicuous Book. We verily console his family and shall send down for them, when God willeth and desireth, that which shall gladden them after their grief. And I am verily the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous.

Convey My greetings unto them and remind them of My verses and give them the glad-tidings of My mercy. We have withheld the Pen for a time as a wisdom from Our presence, and We are verily the Almighty, the Powerful. The glory shining forth from the horizon of the heaven of My utterance be upon thee and upon those who have not broken God’s Covenant and His Testament, and whom the oppression of the aggressors hath not held back from God, the Lord of all worlds.

BH03822: On the first day of the Manifestation, the preface…

He is God, exalted be His station in wisdom and utterance.

On the first day of the Manifestation, the preface of the book of existence was adorned with the blessed words “There are no genealogies among you.” On that day all creation shall be witnessed on a single plane. Then He speaks forth with the Most Exalted Word: whosoever attains to recognition is accounted among the denizens of the Most Exalted Paradise. Today the kinship of God is accepted and beloved. Whosoever acquires nobility from this most exalted station and most glorious rank has attained to that which was ordained in God’s Book for His loved ones. This kinship is the king of kinships and this station is the sovereign of stations.

O my Leaf, upon thee be My glory!

In every sect among the diverse sects, and every community among the communities, and every party among the parties of the world, there has been and is an essence, and that essence has been and is taken through the ordering of the True Orderer and the hands of power. Blessed is the one whom outward kinship and perishable means have not prevented from the kinship of God. Whosoever today attains unto the recognition of God, which was the purpose of creation, is mentioned in the Book as being of the party of God and is truly related unto Him.

Praise be to God that that Leaf has repeatedly attained unto the divine verses and has drunk the sealed wine from the hands of the bounty of the Self-Subsisting Lord. No thing among all things can equal this favor. We beseech God to aid thee to preserve what He has bestowed. We convey greetings to the handmaidens of God and counsel all according to what God hath revealed in the Book.

Glory be upon thee and upon My handmaidens who have turned, heard, and believed in God, the Lord of the worlds.

BH05711: Say: O clamorous ones! This is the Day…

He is the Hearer, the Answerer!

Say: O clamorous ones! This is the Day of God, wherein naught is seen save Him and His signs. Today the Kingdom of Names profiteth not, nor do the mentions of the world enrich. Blessed is the soul that hath rent asunder the veils and torn away the coverings and turned toward the horizon of God alone. Such a one is among the people of Baha and the companions of the Crimson Ark.

Say: O friends! Adorn yourselves with the ornament of steadfastness, lest every heedless and remote one cause you to slip. Cast aside suppositions and idle fancies, and take hold of that which ye are commanded by God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy. Beware lest ye reject the truth by that which ye possess. Fear the All-Merciful, and be not among the heedless.

This is the Day which past ages and centuries can never rival. Know this, and be not of the ignorant. Thus warbleth the Dove of Eternity upon the branch of faithfulness, as bidden by God, the Mighty, the Beautiful. Blessed is he who hath heard and attained, and woe unto every ignorant one who hath turned away from the Truth and was among the heedless in a perspicuous Book.

We send from this Spot Our glorification upon the faces of those who have believed in God, the Peerless, the All-Informed. Glory be upon the people of Baha, whom the doubts of the opposers have not kept back from God, the Lord of the worlds.

BH05893: Praise be to God that from the very beginning…

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

Praise be to God that from the very beginning you turned to the highest horizon and drank from the cup of divine love. Preserve this most exalted and glorious station through the Name of the Lord of Names. You must be so enkindled by the fire of the Sacred Tree that its effects become manifest and evident in the world. Fix your gaze constantly upon this exalted Word, which is the blessed Word “He doeth whatsoever He willeth and ordaineth whatsoever He pleaseth.” For if a soul succeeds in drinking from the cup of this Word, he will attain the most great steadfastness, such that neither the doubts and allusions of the world nor anything therein will affect him, and he will find himself seated upon the throne of certitude and the seat of assurance.

Hold fast to the cord of favor and arise to aid the Cause. The entire world will pass away, but that which hath been revealed from the Most Exalted Pen specifically for you has been and will forever remain. This is the enduring dominion—know thou its worth. The triumph of the Cause has been and ever will be through wisdom and utterance, that none upon earth may remain deprived of the ocean of divine mercy. The glory be upon thee and upon whosoever has attained unto this most mighty, most glorious station.

BH07366: O Javad! The Lord of creation remembers thee…

In His Name, the Compassionate, the All-Bountiful!

O Javad! The Lord of creation remembers thee from His realm in such wise as will draw thee nearer unto God, the Lord of the worlds. Look not unto the people and what they possess, but rather unto that which thou hast been commanded in the Book of God, the Lord of all men. Blessed is the servant whom the affairs of men have not kept back from the Lord of destiny, and who hath arisen, saying:

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

Arise to serve the Cause, then aid thy Lord through the deeds of the sincere ones. Thus hath the Wronged One spoken while in the midst of the people, as a token of His grace—and He is the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous. When thou hast quaffed the choice wine of utterance from the Kawthar of the meanings of thy Lord, the Most Merciful, say:

“Praise be unto Thee, O Thou the Goal of all desire, for having caused me to hear Thy call and behold Thy horizon and guided me unto Thy straight path. I beseech Thee to make me steadfast in this mighty and magnificent Cause.” The glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of might be upon thee and upon those whom the veils of grandeur have not kept back from God, the Mighty, the Praised One.

BH08209: A remembrance from the Wronged One unto the people…

In the Name of Him Who is sanctified from all names.

A remembrance from the Wronged One unto the people of God in the lands, that the wine of utterance may attract them to the horizon of inner meanings, from which the call hath been raised betwixt earth and heaven: “The Kingdom belongeth unto God, the Possessor of all things.”

We make mention of thee and of them who have believed, and We counsel you with that which beseemeth the days of God. Say: Fear God and be not in doubt and schism. We have sent down from the heaven of grace that which no books of the past can equal, to this He Who hath with Him the Mother Book doth testify.

Follow not those in whom ye find not that which God loveth. Follow that which ye have been commanded in the Book of God, the Lord of lords. We have sent down the verses and revealed the clear tokens, yet the people are in heedlessness and behind a veil.

And at the end of the Book We counsel thee and those who have believed to be steadfast with the Most Great Steadfastness, lest those who have denied the Beginning and the End cause you to slip.

BH08164: The whole world hath been created to serve this…

He is the All-Seeing, the All-Informed

The whole world hath been created to serve this blessed Day. O peoples of the earth! Know ye the value of these days and be not deprived of that which is with God through that which is with you. These days shall pass away and whatsoever appeareth therein shall likewise pass away. Strive that ye may attain unto that which is with God. He is the Ever-Abiding. Blessed is the soul that in this transient world hath attained unto that which is everlasting—that is, such deeds as shed forth the fragrance of eternity, and these have been and ever shall be the Word of God. Hearken unto the divine counsel and act in accordance with that wherefrom the sweet-smelling savor of His good-pleasure may be inhaled. If thou attainest unto this exalted and most high station, thou shalt be blessed with the word of His good-pleasure from the Lord of Names. The glory be upon thee and upon them that have believed in God, the Lord of the worlds.

BH08195: A mention from Our presence unto him who hath…

He is the One Who speaketh the truth.

A mention from Our presence unto him who hath turned unto the Countenance and believed in God, the Lord of all worlds, that he may find assurance through the bounty of his Lord and utter at all times that there is none other God but Him, the Peerless, the All-Informed. Take hold of the Book of God with the power bestowed by Him, then act according to that which beseemeth His days. He, verily, is the True Counsellor, the Trustworthy. Be thou steadfast in that which is good and act in accordance with that which thou hast been commanded in the Book of God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy. We counsel thee to perform pure deeds for God, the Truth. This shall profit thee in the world to come and in this first life. He beside Whom is the Clear Book beareth witness unto this. Beware lest anything hold thee back from God or the threat of the oppressors frighten thee—they who have turned away from the Truth and followed every ignorant remote one. Thus hath the Mighty in Strength taught thee from the direction of the Ultimate Tree that thou mayest be among them that hearken.

BH10118: O My Leaf! Praise thou the Object…

He is the Remembering, the Manifest One

O My Leaf! Praise thou the Object of the worship of all worlds, Who brought thee from nothingness into being in His days, and adorned thee with the ornament of existence, and honored thee with the crown of His grace. The bounty and loving-kindness of the Blessed Tree towards Its leaves is even as the sun shining resplendent from the horizon of the heaven of grace. I beseech God that thou mayest be the recipient of His special favors and be illumined with the light of His knowledge. We implore God to assist thee and thy mother to attain unto the Most Great Steadfastness, and to aid you both with the means of earth and heaven, and to draw you near unto Him in all conditions. Verily He is the Self-Sufficient, the Most Exalted, and the Ruler in the beginning and in the end.

BH00726: Praise be to the One True Goal, Who made…

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

Praise be to the One True Goal, Who made straight the path and sent forth a guide. In every station He placed a treasure and gave tidings thereof. His chosen ones have been and continue to be His true treasures. They are the repositories of the mysteries of the Prophets and the pearls of the knowledge of His pure ones. The path has led to the straight way, and the announcement to the Great Announcement. Through Him He brought to an end prophethood and messengership, and promised the appearance of the Day of Resurrection and the Hour, and the manifestation of His power on that Day. Exalted be His might, His sovereignty, His glory, and His grandeur! And blessings and peace be upon Him Whom He made the Dawning-Place of His names, the Dayspring of His attributes, the Treasury of His knowledge, and the Source of His Cause, and upon His family and companions through whom God’s Cause encompassed the East and West of the earth, and through whom was revealed that which was inscribed in the Books and their verses.

The servant beseecheth his Lord by them, and by their power and might, and their deeds and sincerity, and their humility and submissiveness, that He may assist Islam as He assisted it in the beginning, that the whole of religion may be made manifest, though the ungodly may detest it.

To continue: O beloved of my heart! Although each of your letters was a volume telling of the sorrows experienced in separation, God is my witness that this servant too is utterly dejected and grief-stricken from separation from the loved ones. However, since beautiful patience shall be rewarded with abundant recompense, we must hold fast to it and cling thereto. Furthermore, since that beloved one’s intention in all matters has been service, therefore it is recorded and inscribed among the most excellent of deeds. In this case, they should at all times be adorned with the ornament of joy. I beseech and implore God, exalted be His glory, to grant confirmation that they may attain to that which is acceptable and remembered in His presence.

At a time when mention of your presence and your services was emanating and flowing from heart and tongue, two letters arrived addressed to that beloved one from Jinab-i-Nayyib and Jinab-i-Aqa Ali Haydar, upon them be the glory of God and His favors. After they were presented, He said: “The loved ones should look to that which is good. It is not fitting to object to one who is commissioned to serve. Ali Haydar is in truth occupied with service. All should be content, not complaining. Glory be to God! Until now they have not gained awareness of what is befitting. Acceptance and rejection belong to God, exalted be His glory. They should look to and be content with what hath been revealed in God’s Book. Blessed is the one whose will is dissolved in the Will of God and whose desire is merged in His Desire.

O Amin! Write a greeting to Jinab-i-Nayyib and ʿAli Haydar. Let them hold fast to what is good and be detached from the world. Praise be to God, they have attained recognition and are occupied with service. We beseech God, exalted be He, to ordain for them that which shall endure in the realm of being throughout the duration of the Kingdom. Verily, He is powerful over all things.” And may He assist them to achieve what befits His days. They have ever been and continue to be remembered. In all conditions We beseech for them that which shall never perish, and likewise We beseech God to grant them the good of this world and the next. Verily, He is the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous. And We counsel all to wisdom and to that whereby the station of man is exalted. Verily, He is the Mighty, the Bestower. End. This evanescent servant also conveys greetings and praise to them and beseeches God for assistance.

The letter that was addressed to that beloved one was sent, and another letter also arrived from his honor Haji Muhammad-ʿAli (M.Y.), upon him be the peace of God, addressed to that beloved one. After it was presented, He said:

“O Amin! You have repeatedly mentioned him and the other friends. You have established a right upon all. Write to him on behalf of the Wronged One: Praise be to God, you hold fast to and stand firm in that which is right. You have been and continue to be mentioned in the presence of the Wronged One. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, that He withhold not His favors from you at any time, nor keep back His mercy. He is the Powerful, the Mighty. O Amin! What he wrote is acceptable and correct. Give him and those with him the glad-tidings of the Wronged One’s mention. Verily We have mentioned him time and again that he may rejoice and be among those who have attained.”

End. His letter too was sent. Let them take note. This servant also conveys greetings and praise to them and all others. In all conditions I beseech God, exalted be His glory, for assistance and confirmation for all. Verily, He is the Hearer, the Answerer.

As to what was written regarding the trust, God willing it shall reach that beloved one. Be assured of this matter. The beloved of the heart, His honor Ibn-i-Asdaq, upon him be God’s peace and favors, sent a letter, but since that beloved one wrote that he would proceed to Batumi and from there to that direction, therefore the reply to his letter was not sent to Constantinople. I beseech the True Confirmer and Spiritual Sustainer that his reply be sent as well. His mention and that of the spiritual friend, His honor Aqa Ghulam-Husayn, upon him be God’s peace, has been and is continuous. To the honored beloved, His honor Nabil Ibn-i-Nabil and his son who attained and won victory, and the son of the honored beloved, His holiness S.M., upon them be God’s peace and favors and bounties, I convey greetings and praise, and I beseech from God, exalted be His glory, everlasting blessings and enduring bounties and a goodly life for all. Likewise to the friends of that land and the honored beloved, His honor Aqa Muhammad-ʿAli, upon him be God’s peace, I send greetings. Their mention has been and is in the heart.

O beloved of my heart! The heedlessness and pride of the people of the world have deprived them of that which profits them. They were disturbed and distressed by the might of Islam and the power of its kings, and now matters have reached such a pass that every misbeliever has arisen to perpetrate oppression and has brought about whatever he desired. Today all the people of divine unity must wholly hold fast to the cord of God’s favors, and we must beseech and implore Him that He may transform this weakness into strength and this impotence into power. If no effort is made to make amends for what was lost, new losses will occur at every moment. The sleep of heedlessness has overtaken all, and the intoxication of passion has deprived all save whom God wills.

This servant and that honored one and all must beseech the True Powerful One to first grant the success that all may be cleansed with the water of repentance and be adorned with the ornaments of trustworthiness, religiosity, chastity, truthfulness, sincerity, sanctity and faithfulness, and we must seek from Him that which is the cause of the exaltation, loftiness, ascendancy, elevation, glory and might of the people of divine unity. God is witness and well aware that what was said was for God’s sake and the purpose was the exaltation of the Word of Unity, but the heedless ones have attributed it to corruption and have brought about that which pen and tongue are powerless and fall short to mention.

In any case, I beseech God, exalted be His glory, that He may not deprive His servants of the ornament of justice and fairness. He is the Hearer and He is the Answerer. I testify that there is no God but Him, in acknowledgment of His oneness and in recognition of His singleness, and that He is the First and the Last, and the Manifest and the Hidden, and He is the Hearing, the Answering, and He is the Powerful, the Mighty. Peace be upon you and upon those with you and upon God’s righteous servants, and praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

The servant 23 Safar 1304

BH00465: Wonder upon wonder, and astonishment upon astonishment, that this…

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

Wonder upon wonder, and astonishment upon astonishment, that this evanescent one, this lost one, should at the beginning of supplications, letters, epistles and missives make mention of the Sovereign of existence Who, through one blessed Word, hath raised up this mighty Announcement. Where is the lost one and where the Sovereign of existence? This mention itself hath been and is an error. Should all the peoples of the world desire to describe or praise a single letter of the Most Exalted Word which hath issued forth from the Treasury of the Supreme Pen, they would, if they be fair, confess their impotence. At all times have the pearls of wisdom and utterance been made manifest from the Treasury of His Pen, and the sweet-scented breezes of revelation have wafted from His verses.

Yet the sight and smell of the world have been deprived and forbidden, save for those souls whom all that existeth and is visible did not prevent from turning toward Him nor hold back from drawing nigh unto Him. They have drunk from the ocean of utterance and been illumined by the lights of the Sun of Truth. These are the dawning-places of God’s names and the daysprings of His infinite attributes. In truth, mention and praise at this station pertaineth and beseemeth them. The Books, Scrolls and Tablets at this station do testify and bear witness.

Glorified art Thou, O God, Who causeth the rivers to flow, Who sendeth the winds, Who revealeth the verses and manifesteth the clear proofs! I beseech Thee by the revelations of Thy power and the evidences of Thy might and authority, to aid Thy party in a manner befitting Thy days and worthy of their relationship unto Thee. O my Lord! Thou beholdest them known by Thy Name. Adorn them with that which befitteth this supreme kinship and most exalted station. Thou, verily, art the One Who hath power over whatsoever He willeth, and in Thy grasp are the reins of all things. O my Lord! Thou seest this servant desiring to make mention of Thy Afnan and to describe him with that which Thou hast taught him through Thy bounty and favor, even though he perceiveth his tongue to fall short in making mention of him whom Thou hast related unto Thyself and made to be of the twigs of Thy Lote-Tree.

I beseech Thee, O God of existence and Lord of the seen and unseen, by Thy Name through which Thou hast adorned Thy loved ones with the ornament of service to Thee, kinship with Thee and aid to Thy Cause, to send down from the clouds of Thy generosity and the heaven of Thy grace upon Thy Afnan that which shall endure throughout the eternity of Thy dominion and Thy celestial realm. When I beheld my powerlessness, poverty and need, I raised the hands of hope to the atmosphere of Thy mercy and the heaven of Thy favors, that Thou mayest remember them as a bounty unto this feeble servant and a favor unto this poor and lowly one. Thou art He to Whose bounty all created things have testified, and to Whose loving-kindness all beings have borne witness. There is none other God but Thee, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

My spirit be a sacrifice unto your service and your steadfastness! The handwriting of your honor, which was the dawning-place of divine love, illumined like light the dwelling place, the spirit and the heart. If I say it was pure and delicate water, I speak truly, for it refreshed the limbs; and if I submit it was the fire of divine love, this is right and correct, for the warmth of love was manifest and visible from all members. Blessed be ye, and blessed be your pen, and blessed be this servant who is mindful and present. God, exalted be His glory, doth witness and testify that at every moment the manifestation of favor from the divine realm of grace toward the Afnan of the Lote-Tree becometh apparent. This servant, as though with every tongue, doth offer praise: “Thine is the praise, O God of the worlds!” In brief, after reading and becoming informed, I sought the station of the Throne, and after attaining the presence of that which was inscribed, was honored to hear the Word of the Lord, exalted and sanctified:

In My Name, the One Who gazeth from Mine all-highest horizon

The past year there appeared from the horizon of destiny that which was the measure of God’s good-pleasure. An ignorant one occupied the seat of government in this city, forsaking what is good and practicing what is wrong, manifesting such wickedness that all things secretly engaged in lamentation and moaning. Yet the Wronged One was seen in joy and gladness. Night and day that one uttered base and unworthy words. Glory be to God! Through slight means he was observed to be so heedless as though he possessed not an atom of consciousness nor had been vouchsafed a drop from the ocean of knowledge. O Afnan! Upon thee be My glory and loving-kindness. Beseech God to guide His servants and grant them awareness, that they may perchance discover their Source and Return and become cognizant of Him.

Say: O my God, my God! I beseech Thee by the station wherein Thy most sweet call was raised, and by the horizon from which the Sun of Thy Cause, O Lord of all beings, did shine forth, and by the ears that were blessed to hearken unto Thy call, and by the lands that were honored by Thy footsteps, and by the trees that attained unto the glances of the eyes of Thy loving-kindness, to aid Thy servants to turn unto Thee, to face the lights of Thy countenance, and to draw nigh unto the court of Thy glory. O Lord! Debar them not from the ocean of Thy mercy and from the heaven of Thy bounty and grace. Thou art He Whose loving-kindness hath encompassed all, Whose mercy hath preceded all, and the Sun of Whose grace hath shone forth. There is none other God but Thee, the Almighty, the All-Compelling, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

After being presented before Him there appeared that which is the cause of the life of the world and the reason for the dawning of the Sun of generosity. A hundred thousand pities that the heedless and ignorant servants are unaware and veiled from this most great bounty and supreme favor! What is the cause of awareness and what is the reason for mindfulness? The signs have encompassed the world and the evidences have filled the realm of existence. Power and might have appeared manifest and resplendent before all faces, such that from the first day, despite the opposition and denial of the divines, jurists and princes, the Truth, exalted be His glory, alone and without any veil or covering, summoned kings and subjects to the horizon of His Cause and guided them. Not for a moment did the Tongue of Grandeur pause. How can this evanescent servant be capable of mentioning what he hath seen and heard?

Praise be to God! That which hath appeared hath been before all eyes. No fair-minded one, no just one, and no truthful one hath denied or will deny it. Nevertheless, the deeds of the people have become a barrier and deprived them of their Creator. A Kurdish individual in this city was appointed to authority by the government and sat upon the seat of rule. We take refuge in God from his deeds, words and actions! Each day he manifested some injustice and was aflame with the fire of hatred. When he exceeded all bounds, divine justice seized him and the other officials who were his partners and confederates—the seizure of One mighty and powerful. In brief, through two days of authority he prepared for himself eternal retribution. Such is the condition of the people who are as beasts.

Mention was made of Jinab-i-Mirza ʿAli Khan, upon him be the Glory of God. His petition was presented at the Most Holy, Most Exalted Threshold. Praise be to God, he had previously been honored with mention by the Supreme Pen, and at this time too, a Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablet was revealed and sent especially for him from the heaven of God’s will. God willing, he will attain unto it and drink from the ocean of the All-Merciful’s utterance. Your second letter, which was adorned with the date of the second of Muharram al-Haram, arrived. Its fragrance was the cause of joy and its perfume the dawning-place of gladness. Every letter thereof testified to your steadfastness. This evanescent one beseecheth and imploreth the Eternal Truth to grant success at every moment and to enable him to make mention and offer praise of the Afnan of the Blessed Tree. After being presented again at the Most Holy Court, it attained the honor of being heard. It is evident what the ocean of utterance manifested at this station and what bounties the sun of grace bestowed. Well is it with you and blessed are you! And mention of that blessed day which you made brought joy to all the world and refreshed both spirit and heart.

Whatever I might say at this point would not be fitting. Praise be to God, you yourself have tasted its sweetness and become aware of its effects. Through its power the day of sorrow was transformed into supreme gladness. It is hoped that the darkened hearts of the people of the contingent world may be illumined by the light of faith. The heedless people have become veils unto themselves and remained deprived of a hundred thousand outward and inward bounties. Alas! Alas! These two faithless and ephemeral days have held back the servants from all else, keeping them occupied with hell and heedless of heaven. Soon will they behold their recompense when sight is prevented from beholding, the tongue from speaking, the ears from hearing, and the temple from moving. In any case, this second was the first, nay rather was the first and the last, nay rather was the first and the last and the outward and the inward. What a subtle mystery it held within! What a covenant accompanied it! A hundred thousand pities that veils have deprived the people from witnessing, hearing and perceiving the fragrance of these days, and they remain engaged in their vain imaginings, all unaware.

Your other letter, written on the sixteenth of Muharram al-Haram, bestowed fresh splendor and boundless illumination upon the gathering of the friends. After being read and reviewed, it was taken to the Presence and attained the honor of being heard. Thus saith the Lord, exalted and sanctified be He:

“O My Afnan! Upon thee be My glory and My loving-kindness. Thy mention hath ever been made in the divine Kingdom and the gaze of My favor hath been directed towards thee. The Supreme Pen hath testified to thy acceptance and devotion, and this testimony is, in the sight of God, greater than the treasures of the world and whatsoever hath appeared therein. Know thou this and be of the thankful. The servant in attendance here made mention of thy letter in Our presence. From the Dawning-Place of divine favors and the Day-Spring of the Sun of celestial mercy there appeared that before which the ancient boweth down in worship when compared to its newness. Blessed art thou and well is it with thee. And that which testified to My Afnan from thy mother and thy wife, upon both of whom be the Glory of God, was presented before Us. We have answered them with that from which the light of My loving-kindness and the sun of My grace and the moon of My mercy have shone forth. Verily thy Lord is the Compassionate, the Generous. The Glory from Us be upon thee and upon them and upon those who love thee and hearken to thy words concerning the Cause of God, the Lord of all worlds.”

Praise be to God that at all times, every moment and every instant you have been and are the recipient of His special favors. This is that bounty which description cannot attain and praise cannot reach. To this beareth witness our Lord and your Lord and the Lord of all who are in the heavens and earths. As to the mention made of Mashhadi Husayn and Khan, upon them be the Glory of God, praise be to God they are adorned with the ornament of faith and are blessed with acceptance. The servant beseecheth his Lord to assist His loved ones in all conditions in whatsoever He loveth and is pleased with, and to ordain for them that which will bring joy to their eyes and gladness to their hearts. Verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, is the One Who hath power over whatsoever He willeth, and He is the Hearer, the Answerer.

Some time ago two Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablets were revealed specifically for them and sent. God willing, they will attain unto them and be illumined by the light of the divine words. And one Tablet was also revealed and sent specifically for Aqa Mirza Jalal, upon him be the Glory of God. Let them forward it that he may inhale the fragrance of the utterance and be among the thankful ones. Glory and praise be upon you and upon those who are with you and who have attained your presence and recognized your station before God, the Lord of the worlds.

The servant. On the 24th of the month of Safar 1304.

Your remittance of twenty-nine (29) English pounds through his honor the Afnan, upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God, was received.

BH11607: All praise, sanctified from pen and ink, and purified…

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

All praise, sanctified from pen and ink, and purified from paper and tongue, befitteth the Goal of the worlds, Who, despite the barring of ways and the blocking of paths, and the opposition of rulers and the negligence of divines and the might of the clergy, hath through the finger of power unlocked the gate of attainment. Whosoever wished entered, and whosoever wished departed….

As to the mention that was made of Jadhba and Faran, after being submitted before His presence, these exalted words were revealed from the dawning-place of the heaven of utterance of the Goal of all the worlds. He saith, exalted and sanctified be He: O friends of God in Jadhba! Hearken unto the call of the Wronged One which hath been raised from the precincts of the Prison when He was in the hands of the oppressors. There hath befallen Us that which hath caused the dwellers of the all-highest Paradise to wail, and the clouds to cry out, and lamentation to arise from the Concourse on high, by reason of what the hands of the heedless have wrought. The Chief of Akka hath been set ablaze with the fire of hatred and hath committed that which Nimrod did not commit when he turned away from the Friend of God, while the Wronged One remained seated upon the throne of joy, speaking that which He desired.

Verily He is the All-Powerful, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. His circumstances and his transgressions have not withheld Us from the remembrance of God, the Lord of all worlds. My Most Exalted Pen hath been racing in the field of wisdom and utterance, despite him and those who followed him without any clear proof or illuminating Book. O people of Jadhba! Rejoice in what hath been sent down to you from the heaven of bounty—the Kawthar of eternity. Verily your Lord, the All-Merciful, is the All-Compassionate, the All-Bountiful.

O people of Faran! The Countenance of the Ancient One hath turned towards you and hath mentioned you with that which was a light among the servants, a herald throughout the lands, and a path for every truthful and faithful seeker. We have sent down for you in these days that which testifieth to God’s loving-kindness and His mercy that hath preceded all who are in the heavens and on earth. We have sent unto you a Tablet from whose horizon hath shone the light of grace from the presence of One mighty and powerful. When ye attain unto My verses and perceive the fragrance of My garment, say: Praise be to Thee, O Lord of the world, and glory be to Thee, O Desire of the nations, for having remembered us in Thy Most Great Prison when Thou wert in the hands of the opposers. We beseech Thee to aid us to be steadfast in Thy Cause and to ordain for us the reward of attaining Thy presence, the Mighty, the Inaccessible.

O party of God! Today ye must be set aglow with the fire of the Lote-Tree and be illumined by the light of oneness, that the horizons of those regions may be brightened and the light of faith may shine forth. For every deed that appeareth today for the sake of God hath no likeness or equal, inasmuch as all days, centuries and ages bow down in humility and submission before this glorious, wondrous and blessed Day. In the nights and days, beseech ye God—exalted be His glory—that He may aid you to achieve that which beseemeth His Day. The splendor shining from the horizon of the heaven of My loving-kindness be upon you and upon them who have quaffed the choice wine of recognition from the chalices of the utterance of their Lord, the All-Merciful, and who have turned toward the Supreme Horizon when the people, save those whom God desired, the Mighty, the All-Praised, turned away therefrom.

Praise be to God! Again and again have the people of attraction and Faran attained unto the divine verses. Verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, is the Clement, the Generous, the Forgiving, the Merciful. The loved ones in the surrounding regions and Kakhk have all, on this blessed night, been blessed with the effulgent lights of the Sun of grace and bounty. As bidden, make mention of them all and give them the glad-tidings of God’s grace, mercy, loving-kindness and bounty—exalted be His glory—that perchance they may be quickened by the Kawthar of divine glad-tidings and attain unto life everlasting. Verily our Lord, the All-Bountiful, is the Almighty, the All-Powerful….

BH03893: This is a Book which the Wronged One hath…

In the Name of Him Who is supreme over all names.

This is a Book which the Wronged One hath sent down to him who desireth to quaff the choice Wine sealed by My Self-Subsisting Name, and to turn toward the lights of the Countenance in the days of God, the Lord of all worlds.

O Husayn! He Who was hidden in the eternity of eternities and inscribed by the Most Exalted Pen in the Books of God, the Mighty, the All-Praised, hath been made manifest. Beware lest the ornaments of earthly sovereignty prevent thee from the Kingdom of thy Lord, the Possessor of this wondrous Day.

Say: O peoples of the earth! Fear the All-Merciful, and follow not every heedless and remote one—they who have adorned their heads with turbans and have committed that which hath caused the Concourse on High and the dwellers of this exalted Station to lament.

Say: If ye desire verses, they have indeed filled the horizons, and if ye seek clear proofs, read ye what hath been sent down from My Pen when the Wronged One was in Zawra (Baghdad) and in this mighty, exalted Station. By the life of God! The proof hath come, the evidence hath been perfected, and that which all who are in the heavens and on earth were powerless to comprehend hath appeared, except for those whom God, thy Lord, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed, hath willed.

We make mention of Our loved ones there and give them the glad-tidings of what hath been ordained for them from the presence of One mighty and powerful.

O people of God! Upon you be My glory and the glory of those who are in the heavens and the earth. When ye find the fragrance of My utterance and are overtaken by the wine of My mystic knowledge, say: Praise be to Thee, O our God, our Goal and our Beloved, for having enabled us to recognize the Dayspring of Thy signs and the Source of Thy Cause, and for having guided us to Thy straight path. We beseech Thee by the light of Thy countenance and the fire of Thy sacred Tree to make us among those whom the might of the world hath not deterred from turning toward Thee and beholding Thy signs. Verily Thou art powerful over what Thou willest. There is no God but Thee, the Mighty, the Great.

BH04890: O Buzurg! Praise be to God, thou hast repeatedly…

He is God, exalted be His glory, the All-Wise, the All-Eloquent

O Buzurg! Praise be to God, thou hast repeatedly been blessed with the fragrance of the traces of the Most Exalted Pen. How excellent is that fragrance when it wafteth! This sweet-scented breeze giveth life, showeth the way, and leadeth to the goal. Samad, upon him be My glory, hath arrived and made mention of thee. Blessed is he who loveth you for the sake of God, the Lord of the worlds. Convey My greetings to the people of God. Say: The days are passing and will continue to pass. Strive that ye may attain unto that which will ensure your salvation in this world and the next. The people of the world are occupied with the mention of the Truth, yet they remain deprived of His recognition.

The Tree hath grown, the Dawn of Hope hath broken, the Fire is ablaze and the Light is resplendent. Blessed is the soul that hath been illumined and set aglow with the fire of divine love. This fire hath ever been and shall ever remain the reality of light. This fire guided the Son of Imran to the highest horizon and enabled him to hearken unto the Voice. We beseech God to assist His people and guide them to the Most Great Ocean that all may partake of that which bestoweth life and granteth everlasting existence. Convey My greetings to those who are related to His Holiness the Martyr and give them the glad-tidings of God’s favors. The glory be upon you and upon those who have not violated God’s Covenant and His Testament and have attained unto that which He hath revealed in His perspicuous Book. Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

BH05123: A Book sent down by the All-Merciful…

He is the One Who gazeth from His most exalted horizon

A Book sent down by the All-Merciful from the Kingdom of Utterance, calling the servants unto God, the Mighty, the Powerful. O peoples of the earth! By God, the Promise hath come, and He Who was promised calleth unto you from His most exalted horizon and giveth you glad tidings of that which hath dawned and shone forth from the horizon of the will of your Lord, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy. The verses have been sent down and the clear proofs have appeared, yet most of the people remain heedless. They have cast certitude behind their backs, turning to the dayspring of vain imaginings. Thus have their souls enticed them, and they are this day accounted among the most grievous losers in the Book of God, the Lord of all worlds.

This is a Day wherein the Concourse on High circle round the Throne of God, the Lord of all beings and the Master of the Hereafter and of the former times, yet most of the people are in manifest error. Blessed is he who hath attained unto My days, and the eye that hath beheld My tokens, and the ear that hath heard My call, and the tongue that hath spoken forth My wondrous remembrance. I give thanks unto God for having aided thee to turn towards Him at a time when the learned ones of the earth and its divines have turned away from His straight path.

Thy name was mentioned in the presence of the Wronged One. We have remembered thee with verses that surpass all that the people possess, as thy Lord, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise, doth testify. We make mention, too, of thy son as a bounty from Our presence, for We are verily the Kind, the Generous. We counsel thee and him to show forth the most great steadfastness and to observe that which hath been sent down in the Book of God, the Mighty, the Great. That which thou beholdest today shall perish, while the recompense of deeds shall endure with a guardian faithful. Praise be to God, the Lord of all worlds.

BH05356: In My Name, the Subduer of all names!

In My Name, the Subduer of all names!

God is cognizant and all things bear witness that from the beginning of this Revelation until now, this Wronged One hath summoned all the peoples of the world—whether divines or rulers, believer or misbeliever—openly and without any veil, to the Most Exalted Horizon. Yet the people of the earth, both high and low, learned and ignorant, have deprived themselves of the effulgent rays of the Sun of Divine Unity, save whom God hath willed, the Lord of all worlds.

Glory be to God! They have failed to comprehend even a single letter of the Book, nor have they attained unto one drop from the ocean of divine knowledge. Those who considered themselves the most learned and accomplished among all the peoples of the world issued a decree to shed the Most Pure Blood. How many mystics who laid claim to mystical knowledge turned away when He Who conversed with God was seated upon the Throne of His Revelation, and thus found themselves deprived of the presence of the True Object of all knowledge.

O Rida! Hold thou fast to the Sure Handle and cling to the hem of the grace of the Lord of all humanity. Today the Great News hath appeared and the Truth, exalted be His glory, hath rent asunder the veils of majesty. Beseech thou God that He deprive not His servants and handmaidens, and grant them their portion from the ocean of knowledge. He is verily the Compassionate, the All-Merciful. There is no God but Him, the Mighty, the Bestower.

BH05992: O Muhammad! Hearken unto the Voice of Him Who…

In the Name of Him Who is the Goal of all existence!

O Muhammad! Hearken unto the Voice of Him Who hath been wronged. He counseleth thee to observe that which hath been sent down in the Book from the Supreme Pen. The world and whatsoever is therein hath come from nothingness and will return unto nothingness, but that which endureth and lasteth forever hath been and will ever be the Word of God. Praise be to the Ancient of Days Who hath enabled thee to attain unto it. He hath granted thee an ear that thou mayest hear His call, and bestowed upon thee eyes that thou mayest behold His signs, and extended unto thee the hand of grace that thou mayest take hold of His Book with complete certitude. His bestowals are beyond reckoning and His gifts are sanctified above all bounds.

His grace hath seized thee and His bounty hath confirmed thee. The divines and jurists of the earth are heedless and veiled, but thou, through His grace, hath attained unto His knowledge and found thy way to His straight path. Beseech thou God that He may preserve the bestowals He hath granted thee and vouchsafe unto thee a portion from the Kawthar of steadfastness. Verily, He is powerful over all things. Upon thee and upon thy brother who hath been named Ali be the Glory of God. We give him the glad-tidings of God’s grace, the Lord of all worlds. O Ali! Be thou steadfast in the Cause and speak forth My gracious praise.

BH06369: O Abdullah! His honor Samad and Mihdi, upon both…

In the name of the one God!

O Abdullah! His honor Samad and Mihdi, upon both of whom be my glory, have arrived and attained, praise be to God, unto the divine true home. They have heard that for which the ears of the world were created, and beheld that horizon for whose vision the eyes of the nations were brought from nothingness into being. Blessed is the soul whom neither the veils of the divines nor the clouds of the jurisprudents have withheld from the Most Exalted Horizon.

O Abdullah! Great is this Day, for the Mighty Announcement hath appeared, and momentous is this Cause, for the Most Great Name hath dawned above the horizon of the world. Say: O loved ones of God! Set your hearts toward the Ultimate Goal, that perchance ye may attain unto the fruits of the Uttermost Tree through the flowing of the Most Exalted Pen. We beseech God not to deprive His loved ones in that land and its surroundings from the outpourings of His days. He is verily the Powerful, the Mighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

Say: Glory be unto Thee, O my God! I beseech Thee by the Luminary of the heaven of Thy power and by the waves of the ocean of Thy knowledge to make me steadfast in Thy love and Thy Cause. Thou art verily the Powerful, the Supreme, the Self-Subsisting.

BH06103: In these days the emigrant unto God arrived…

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

In these days the emigrant unto God arrived and mentioned you in the presence of the Wronged One, and this Tablet was sent down from the heaven of will that you might attain unto it and discover the fragrance of the mercy of the All-Merciful. Today all things are occupied with remembrance and praise, yet most of the servants are heedless and veiled. Praise be to the Ancient Lord Who aided you, guided you, gave you awareness and enabled you to attain the recognition of the Dawning-Place of revelation and the Dayspring of the Cause. This station is most lofty and exalted. We beseech God to assist you to preserve it. Say: My God, my God! Praise be to Thee for having guided me and made me know Thee.

I beseech Thee by the kingdom of Thy verses and the dominion of Thy knowledge to aid me in that whereby my remembrance shall endure through the eternity of Thy most excellent names and supreme attributes. O my Lord! Thou seest me turning toward Thee and holding fast to Thy cord. Do Thou preserve me from the evil of Thine enemies and every barking dog that hath risen to harm Thee and prevented Thy servants from turning unto Thee. Then write down, O my Best-Beloved, that which Thou hast written for Thy loved ones. Verily Thou art the One Who hath power over whatsoever He willeth. There is none other God but Thee, the Almighty, the Powerful.

BH06108: The heaven of the All-Merciful’s loving-kindness is raised high…

In the name of the one incomparable God.

The heaven of the All-Merciful’s loving-kindness is raised high, the Sun of utterance is resplendent, and the lights of His countenance are manifest. Verses are being revealed and clear proofs encompass all, yet the people remain deprived and forbidden. The hosts of idle fancies and vain imaginings have held them back from the lights of certitude, save whom God willeth. Say: O servants! Strive that perchance ye may hearken unto the divine call and attain unto that which ye sought from God, exalted be His glory, throughout ages and centuries—the attainment of His presence.

O Yahya! Take hold of the Book of God with the hand of submission and certitude, despite those who cast it behind their backs, and say: My God, my God! Praise be to Thee for having strengthened me, caused me to recognize Thee, called me to Thy mighty announcement, and guided me to Thy straight path.

I beseech Thee, O Lord of the kingdom of earth and heaven and Sovereign of the realm of might, by Thy command through which Thou hast subdued the world, to make me in all conditions steadfast in Thy Cause, firm in Thy love, and speaking Thy praise amongst Thy servants. Verily Thou art powerful over whatsoever Thou willest through Thy word “Be” and it is. Ordain for me, O my God, that which shall profit me in all the worlds of Thy worlds. Verily Thou art the Almighty, the Glorious, the All-Loving.

BH06371: O ʿAli-Haydar, praise be to God that thou hast…

He is God, exalted be His station in wisdom and utterance!

O ʿAli-Haydar, praise be to God that thou hast turned unto Him and acknowledged the oneness of God, exalted be His glory. Blessed are they who attain unto this most exalted and glorious station. This is the station of true divine unity and spiritual oneness. We beseech God to aid thee to serve His Cause with such confirmations as shall endure throughout the kingdom of earth and heaven.

Convey My greetings to the loved ones in that land and give them the glad-tidings of God’s grace, that all may arise and, through the waters of wisdom and utterance, quench the fire of hatred and animosity of the parties of the world. Today the sun of loving-kindness is shining from the horizon of the heaven of divine grace.

Some time ago, a Most Holy Tablet was sent through the son of My Name Asdaq, upon them both be My glory and loving-kindness, that the thirsty ones might drink from the ocean of the utterance of the All-Merciful and become engaged in the praise and glorification of God.

The glory from Us be upon thee and upon those whom no blame of the blamer, nor doubts of the heedless, nor oppression of the tyrant, nor clamor of all the world could keep back from God.

BH06828: O Husayn! Verily, Husayn remembers thee from the prison-quarter…

He is God, exalted be His glory in wisdom and utterance.

O Husayn! Verily, Husayn remembers thee from the prison-quarter at this hour when sorrows have encompassed him from all sides through that which the hands of the heedless have wrought. We have adorned the heaven of utterance with the stars of knowledge. Blessed is he who hath recognized and attained, and woe unto every doubting denier. We have remembered thee before and after, and at this manifest hour. We beseech God to assist thee and to reinforce thee with the hosts of the unseen and the visible realm, and to draw thee nigh unto Him. Verily, He is the Hearer, the Answerer.

He who circumambulated the House hath appeared and mentioned thy name. We have remembered thee as a bounty from Us. Verily, thy Lord is the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous. When thou dost discover the fragrance of utterance, say:

“My God, my God! Praise be unto Thee for having caused me to recognize Thee and guided me and enabled me to turn toward Thee when the learned ones of the earth and its people turned away from Thee. I beseech Thee by the breezes of the morn of Thy Revelation and by the sweet-scented winds of Thy verses to aid me in that which Thou lovest and art pleased with. Verily, Thou art powerful over whatsoever Thou willest. There is none other God but Thee, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.”

BH06843: O ʿAbbas! The Wronged One of the world makes…

He is the Hearer, the All-Seeing

O ʿAbbas! The Wronged One of the world makes mention of thee with a mention whose sun shall never set nor decline from the horizon of utterance. This is the mention wherewith those near to God and the sincere ones have been mentioned, and through which they have turned to the Most Exalted Horizon. This is that Most Great News which hath been recorded by the Pen of Command in the divine Books, and whereby all who dwell on earth were given glad tidings of His days. Praise be to God that thou art enkindled with the fire of the Divine Lote-Tree and art turning unto the lights of the countenance of God. This is the testimony of the Most Exalted Pen concerning you, in the name of the Truth, exalted be His glory.

Preserve this most exalted and most high station. Blessed is the one whom the might of the world hath not kept back from the Lord of Eternity. Such a one is of the people of Paradise in the Book of God. We beseech God to aid His loved ones to that which beseemeth His Day. The glory that shineth forth and dawneth from the horizon of My Pen be upon thee and upon those who have taken hold of the Book of God with the power that proceedeth from Him, and who have testified to that whereunto God testified before the creation of the heavens and earth.

BH06628: The Promise has come, and the Promised One calls…

He is God, exalted is He in wisdom and utterance

The Promise has come, and the Promised One calls out from the most exalted horizon to all who dwell in the kingdom of creation, that He may draw them nigh unto the supreme summit—the station wherein the Lord of Names and Creator of the heavens proclaims:

“Verily there is no God but Me, the Truth, the Knower of things unseen.”

Hearken unto the call from the divine Lote-Tree raised up upon the luminous spot—verily it will draw thee near unto God, the All-Possessing, the Self-Subsisting.

When thou hearest My call and perceivest the fragrance of My utterance, arise and say:

“My God, my God! Praise be to Thee for having manifested the Dawning-Place of Thy verses and the Manifestation of Thy clear tokens unto Thy servants, and for having summoned them unto Thy path which hath appeared through Thy irrevocable decree. I beseech Thee, O King of Kings, by the mysteries of Thy dominion and that which lay hidden in the ocean of Thy knowledge, to aid me in that which befitteth Thy Revelation and Thy days. Then cause me, O my Object of Desire, to be steadfast in Thy Cause. Verily Thou art the Almighty, the Powerful. There is no God but Thee, the Single, the Everlasting, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. O Lord! Assist me to be steadfast in Thy Cause and ordain for me that which shall profit me in every world of Thy worlds. Verily Thou art the Mighty, the Bountiful, the Generous.”

BH06873: O Masum! We beseech God to illumine His loved…

He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed

O Masum! We beseech God to illumine His loved ones with the light of true unity. The pride and misbelief of the Shi’ih party deprived them on the Day of Resurrection from the Days of God and His knowledge. They did that which the Jews and Christians did […] From pulpits they engaged in cursing and reviling the Goal of all the worlds, and thereafter committed that which no oppressor had ever committed. Praise be to the Ancient Lord Who preserved thee and guided thee and […] bestowed upon thee the fruit of existence—awareness. This station is mighty; preserve it through the Name of Truth, for the croakers lie in wait and have ever done so. And beseech God that He may aid thee to preserve what He hath bestowed.

Say: My God, my God! Praise be to Thee for having enabled me to recognize the Dawning-Place of Thy Revelation and the Dayspring of Thy verses, and guided me to Thy path. I beseech Thee by the lights of Thy throne and the manifestations of Thy power and the mysteries of Thy knowledge to make me steadfast in Thy love and firm in Thy Cause. Verily Thou art the Almighty, the All-Powerful, and worthy to grant this plea.