Volume 081: Akka 1304 A.H. (1886–1887), Part II (4 of 5)
BH07143: God beareth witness that there is none other God…
He is the All-Hearing, the Answering One.
God beareth witness that there is none other God but Him, and He Who speaketh is verily the Most Great Name, Who was hidden in the eternity of eternities. Whoso turneth unto Him hath attained that whereunto the near ones have attained, and whoso turneth away is accounted among the idolaters in the perspicuous Book. Glorified be He Who hath revealed that which was treasured in knowledge and concealed in the hearts of the Messengers. He hath come with the truth and manifested what He desired. He is the Single One, the One, the Powerful, the Mighty.
We make mention of those who have been attracted by the utterance of their Lord, the Most Merciful, the Compassionate, that this remembrance may draw them nigh unto a station beyond the description of those who describe and the mention of those who make mention.
Say: Praise be unto Thee, O my God, for having given me to drink from the Kawthar of Thy utterance and sent down for me that which draweth me nigh unto Thee. I beseech Thee by the ocean of Thy bounty and the sun of Thy grace to ordain for me the good of this world and the world to come, and to decree for me what Thou hast decreed for Thy near servants. Thou art verily the Almighty, the Powerful. There is none other God but Thee, the Strong, the Triumphant, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
BH07812: This is a Book which the Wronged One hath…
He is the One Who speaketh in the Kingdom of Utterance.
This is a Book which the Wronged One hath sent down unto him who hath turned unto God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting, that the fragrances of Revelation might attract him to the Dayspring of the Cause and show him that which most of the servants have been prevented from beholding. Thus hath the Truth spoken, the Knower of the unseen.
Take thou the Book by Our command with such strength as the doubts of the learned cannot deter, nor the might of those who have denied the Witness and the Witnessed. Thy name was mentioned in the presence of the Wronged One. We make mention of thee with that which will draw thee nigh unto God, the Mighty, the Loving. Be thou steadfast in the service of the Cause and turn thy face unto the Dawning-Place of thy Lord’s verses, the Lord of all existence. Thus hath the Most Exalted Pen spoken, while the Wronged One was in the hands of every heedless one that was veiled.
The glory shining from the horizon of My utterance be upon them who have not violated the Covenant of God and His Testament, who have arisen and declared:
“God is our Lord and the Lord of the Throne and of the dust, and the Lord of the world to come and of this world.”
They are the people of Baha in My Preserved Tablet.
BH08456: The fragrances of divine revelation have permeated the world…
In the name of the One incomparable, All-Knowing God.
The fragrances of divine revelation have permeated the world, yet the servants remain heedless and veiled therefrom. All that was recorded by the Supreme Pen in previous Books has become manifest and evident, yet the doubts of the suspicious ones and the opposition of the deniers have prevented people from drawing near and deprived them of the fragrance of eternity. Today, whosoever attains to the effulgences of the lights of the Sun of Revelation is accounted among those near to God. Say:
Praise be unto Thee, O my God, for having guided me and directed me and provided me with Thy path, Thy meeting, Thy nearness and reunion with Thee. I beseech Thee to make me steadfast in Thy love, firm in Thy Cause, and dedicated to serving Thy loved ones. Verily Thou art the All-Bountiful, the Generous. There is no God but Thee, the Forgiving, the Merciful.
BH01541: Praise be to God Who hath guided us…
He is God, exalted be His station, the Greatness and the Power!
Praise be to God Who hath guided us to His path, caused us to speak His praise, sent down for us the proof and made manifest the way. He it is Who made us hear His verses and taught us what will profit us in this world and the next. Verily He is the Lord of all beings and the Lord of the throne on high and of earth below. Prayers, praise, glorification and glory be upon His chosen ones and His friends who have not broken His covenant and His testament. These are servants whom God hath described in His scrolls, His psalms and His Book. Through them God hath aided His Cause and seized the oppressors through His justice. Through them His verses were spread abroad and His proof was made manifest, and through them He conquered the lands and manifested among the servants what He desired. Upon them be the grace of God and His care in the beginning and the return.
And then, the letter of that honored friend arrived and brought joy. Praise be to God that you are confirmed in mention and praise, in love and faithfulness. As the fragrance of steadfastness and affection wafted from the letter, it became the cause of boundless joy. After its observation and reading, it was taken to the Holy Presence and presented before the Face. This is what the Tongue of Utterance spoke:
“O Mihdi! Thy letter arrived and the servant in attendance before the Face presented it. We beseech God that He may confirm thee and grant thee success, that thou mayest be occupied at all times with the mention of the Self-Sufficient, the Most High. Time and again this Wronged One hath mentioned thee with a mention that appeareth for the sake of God. It is the guide of souls and the attractor of hearts. He is the Herald and He is the Messenger of the Garden of inner meanings. Through Him the soil of hearts is transformed and temples are adorned with His ornament. God willing, at all times you will hold fast to the remembrance of God and that whereby His Cause is uplifted. Verily He is the Helper of those who turn to Him and the Guide of the seekers.”
Convey greetings and glorification to the friends wherever you meet them on behalf of the Wronged One. We beseech God to confirm all in steadfastness in His Cause. Verily He is the Answerer of prayers. Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.
And We make mention of him who is named Sadiq. Verily he was present and heard and saw and witnessed and knew. We beseech God to preserve him through the hosts of wisdom and utterance. Verily He is the Powerful, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
Praise be to the Goal of the world that you have been confirmed in that which is the cause of eternal salvation. You have ever been remembered. The days of your presence have not been forgotten. I beseech God to ordain that which contains the good of this world and the next.
The beloved of the heart, one of the two Most Exalted Names, Jinab-i-Aqa Siyyid ʿAli, may the glory of God and His care and favors be upon him, delivered your letter, and likewise the letter that was sent in his service was also seen. They have perfect love for you. In truth they are well-wishers of the world and its peoples. They themselves will surely send a reply.
Regarding what you wrote about entering Qarabagh, God willing it was and is blessed. After being presented in the Presence, the Tongue of Grandeur spoke this blessed word:
“To remain in that land, so long as it passeth in spirit and fragrance, is beloved.”
God willing, it is hoped that the days will pass for you in spirit and fragrance, and that you will be the cause of building up hearts and minds, that the heedless may become aware and the sleeping may lift their heads from the couch of negligence. The Command is in God’s hand—He doeth what He willeth and decreeth what He pleaseth.
To the honored brother Jinab-i-Aqa Mulla Muhammad-Sadiq, may the glory and care of God be upon him, I convey glorification and seek confirmation for him. God willing, may he in all conditions be mindful of wisdom, hold fast to wisdom, and speak with wisdom. And whatever he requested from the two beloved Most Exalted Names, may the glory and favors of God be upon them both, will be expressed and God willing will be sent.
Glory and remembrance and praise be upon you and upon the loved ones of God who have acted according to what they were commanded in His Clear Book. Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.
The servant 9th of the honored month of Shawwal 1304
BH00504: The purest praise and its essence befit the most…
In the Name of our Most Holy, Most Great, Most Exalted and Most Glorious Lord!
The purest praise and its essence befit the most holy and sacred threshold of the Self-Subsisting One, Who created earth and heaven through His Most Exalted Word, Who began with “We belong to God” and ended with “unto Him do we return.” Whosoever drinks from the ocean of this blessed Word shall see all else but God as non-existent and void, and shall find himself detached and free. At such time, another blessed Word truly shines forth, His word, exalted and mighty be He: “Say: God; then leave them to their vain discourses.” This is a word which the All-Merciful revealed in the Qur’an. Blessed are they who recognize, and happy are those servants who hearken.
Glory be to God! Despite this, the followers of the Bayan are seen to be the most ignorant of all peoples and the most heedless of all religions. They have failed to comprehend the Day of God and remain heedless and veiled from that which the All-Merciful revealed in the Bayan. Souls who have not attained even a drop from the ocean of knowledge, like the opposer from Kirman and his followers, have wandered through valleys of fancy and idle imagination, remaining deprived and forbidden from the lights of the Morn of certitude. They went to the isle, saw the dawning-place of vain imaginings, and returned. That station which from the beginning of time until now has stood and spoken before the faces of rulers, divines, mystics and servants—to this they paid no heed, occupied with their own imaginings and heedless of the Luminary of certitude. They heard that which was unworthy of hearing, and failed to present themselves in the place for the hearing of which all ears have been created, and for the beholding of whose horizon all eyes have been fashioned.
It is not known what these souls—these opposing souls—are saying or from whom it comes. By the life of our Lord and your Lord and the Lord of earth and heaven! From the beginning of the Cause no one has been aware. This evanescent servant spent successive years with him in Iraq and elsewhere, yet the heedless souls did not present themselves to hear that of which they are heedless and to find that from which they are now veiled. In brief, the recompense of these souls’ deeds prevented them from drawing nigh to the Most Exalted Horizon and deprived them of the Most Great Ocean. They advanced with hopes and returned with loss, yet they perceive not.
This is the Day of God wherein none but He is mentioned. Glory be to God! Those heedless souls are now occupied with establishing an imaginary sect, namely the Shi’ih. They worship the word and are deprived of the meaning. They cling to a pool while forbidden from the Most Great Ocean. For one thousand two hundred years and more, the misguided Shi’ih sect counted themselves the most excellent, most learned, most understanding and most God-fearing of all peoples, yet when the divine test came, all returned to hell-fire. Thus did their divines and jurisconsults, from all pulpits, engage in cursing the Object of the world’s adoration, denied His truth, and issued decrees for the shedding of His most pure blood. Neither the Sunnis, nor the Jews, nor the Zoroastrians, nor the Christians, nor any other peoples committed what was manifested by that people. I swear by the Sun of Truth that had that Holy Being appeared in another land, surely His station would have been exalted, His Cause manifest, His light radiant, and His Word all-encompassing.
This evanescent servant doth repeatedly make mention of such divine utterances as have been heard from the Tongue of Grandeur and have descended from the Most Exalted Pen during the revelation of the verses, that perchance the chosen ones of God—exalted be His glory—who grace the cities and lands may preserve the people from vain imaginings and idle fancies, so that the falsehoods of former times may not be renewed, and souls may be delivered from the darksome pit of delusions. Moreover, whatever the endeavors of His Holiness and the chosen ones of that land may accomplish, in all circumstances do I beseech the True One to grant His aid and render His assistance. He is verily the Powerful, the Mighty.
Glorified art Thou, O Thou Who with the movement of Thy finger didst rend asunder the veils and the sanctified clouds of glory! I beseech Thee by the lamp of Thy Cause which shineth forth from the horizon of the heaven of Thy will, and by the power of Thy Most Exalted Word, and the potency of Thy will, O Lord of all beings, to ordain for him who hath turned unto Thee the good of this world and the next, and whatsoever will draw him nigh unto Thee in all Thy worlds. Thou art, verily, the All-Powerful, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. Thou beholdest me, O my God, gazing upon Thy face and hoping for the wondrous tokens of Thy grace for Thy loved ones. Thou art He through Whose generosity all created things have testified, through Whose loving-kindness all contingent beings have been raised up, and through Whose power all existent things have been established. Thou doest as Thou willest. Thou art, in truth, the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous.
Thereafter, the letter from that honored brother arrived and was presented before the Countenance of the Lord of Eternity on Saturday night, the tenth of the honored month of Shawwal, and was favored to be heard. This is what the Tongue of the All-Merciful uttered in the Kingdom of Utterance. His word, exalted be His utterance and glorified be His majesty:
He is the Hearing, the Answering One!
A mention from Us to him whose letter was presented before the Wronged One and was submitted by the servant present. We have heard what the tongue of his heart uttered and have answered him through this Clear Book, each letter of which proclaimeth before the faces of the world:
“The Promised One hath come from the horizon of power with a great light!”
We have found from thy letter the fragrance of the love of God. We have sent down for thee that which cheereth the eyes of them that know. When thou hast attained unto My verses and the breezes of My utterance have wafted over thee, say:
My God, my God! Praise be unto Thee for having remembered me, and glory be unto Thee for having turned toward me, and might and loftiness, exaltation, grandeur and immortality are Thine. I testify in this my station to Thy oneness and Thy singleness, and that Thou hast manifested and revealed what was hidden in Thy knowledge, and hast spoken and caused all things to speak in Thy remembrance and praise. I beseech Thee, O Lord of the world and King of eternity, by Thy Most Great Name, to assist Thy loved ones in the victory of Thy Cause. O Lord! Aid them through Thy power that dominateth all things and Thy might that pervadeth earth and heaven, to protect Thy loved ones from the mischief of Thine enemies.
Then open, with the fingers of bounty, the doors of Thy grace unto all peoples, that they may enter into Thy religion and recognize Thy path and acknowledge that which the tongue of Thy grandeur and the Pen of Thy will have uttered. O Lord! Thou beholdest me turning unto Thee and turning away from all else beside Thee. I beseech Thee by the lights of Thy countenance to ordain for me what Thou hast ordained for Thy chosen ones who were not deterred by the hosts of the world and the multitudes of nations from turning to Thy most exalted horizon and hearkening to the rustling of Thy most glorious Pen. Then assist, O my God, him who hath turned toward Thee and desired to act according to what Thou hast revealed in Thy Book. Ordain for him that which shall profit him in all Thy worlds. Thou art, verily, the Almighty, the Powerful. There is no God but Thee, the Forgiving, the Merciful.
Praise be to God! That which has been revealed would guide every weary one to the ocean of utterance and every sick one to the Kawthar of His healing grace. Through His bounty He took hold of His loved ones and delivered them from the depths of idle fancies and vain imaginings. His is the praise and the glorification, His the thanks and the bestowal. That honored loved one attained to that which has no peer or likeness. I beseech Him that He may make every letter of the utterances revealed from the Tongue of Grandeur a key of guidance and may open the doors of His favor before the faces of all, especially the people of Baha who are known among the Concourse on High as the companions of the Crimson Ark mentioned in the Qayyumu’l-Asma’. Blessed are you and those whom you have mentioned and those who have attained unto the choice wine of certitude in the days of God.
Concerning what you wrote about the aforementioned person, some time ago the Trusted One, upon him be the glory of God, the True Sovereign, the Manifest, sent this servant a letter wherein this matter was mentioned. Blessed are they that act! Praise be to God, the Lord of the Worlds! The receipt was also sent as per your request. It should reach you. Convey my greetings to the friends and chosen ones of that land, especially to Aqa Mirza Habibu’llah, upon him be the glory of God, who was mentioned in your letter. On behalf of this servant, convey greetings to him. I beseech the King Who doeth what He willeth—may the spirits of all who dwell in the Kingdom and the Realm of Might be a sacrifice unto His gate—that which would cause the guidance of the servants and draw nigh those in all lands. Verily our Lord and your Lord, our Goal and your Goal, is the All-Merciful, the Bountiful, the Mighty, the Generous. Glory and praise and laudation be upon you and upon those with you and upon every steadfast and firm one and every faithful and trustworthy one.
The servant 10th of Shawwal 1304
152
After concluding the letter, the beloved of hearts, Aqa Mirza Asadu’llah, upon him be the glory of God and His favors, brought that honored brother’s letter which had been written to him. Among other things, mention was made of the ascension of his brother. This matter was answered before being asked, for in the Land of Mystery this blessed word was revealed from the Tongue of Grandeur, exalted be His glory:
Among the matters specific to this Most Great Revelation is that whosoever in this Revelation has turned to God and has drunk of the choice sealed wine in the name of the Self-Subsisting, meaning from the cup of divine love—even if his relatives are not outwardly believers, after their passing they shall attain divine forgiveness and shall be sustained from the ocean of mercy. This bounty is assured for those souls from whom no harm has reached the Truth or His loved ones. Thus has God, the Lord of the Throne and earth, and the Ruler of the hereafter and this world, decreed.
Nevertheless, this matter was again presented before the countenance of the Lord of Eternity, and this is what was revealed in response, exalted be His utterance: O thou who hast turned unto God! Give thanks unto God for having mentioned thee and for having turned toward thee from the direction of the Prison. He is verily the All-Merciful, the Generous. He hath forgiven the one for whom thou didst seek forgiveness, as a bounty from His presence, and He is the Forgiving, the Merciful. At the time of revelation, the hand of grace admitted him into an exalted paradise, as a mercy from God, the Lord of the worlds. Say: My soul be a sacrifice unto Thee, O Lord of Names, and my spirit be a sacrifice unto Thee, O Desire of the worlds!
The whole creation hath testified to Thy bounty, and all contingent beings to Thy grace. Thou art, verily, the One Who hath power over whatsoever He willeth, and Thou art, in truth, the Mighty, the All-Wise. Praise be to God! The ocean of bounty surgeth at all times with its waves, and the sun of grace shineth in every moment with its radiance. I beseech Him to aid these servants in that which beseemeth His bounty and generosity. Though this be impossible, yet with the Generous One, nothing is difficult.
Once again, glory and remembrance and praise be upon you and upon those who have heard the call and have said: “Here am I! Here am I! O Beloved of the world!” and “Here am I! Here am I! O Desire of them that have recognized Thee!”
The servant
BH00522: Praise be befitting and worthy of the Desired One…
In the Name of Our Lord, the Most Holy, the Most Great, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious
Praise be befitting and worthy of the Desired One of the world and the Lord of nations, Who through His grace hath revealed the hidden and treasured mysteries, Who hath bestowed new splendor upon utterance and adorned the Book with wondrous ornament. His Word hath endowed the world of utterance with the spirit of meaning, and the realm of words with true penetration. The power of His servants did not prevent His might, nor did the authority of those in the lands hold back His will. By His Own Self did He aid His Cause. The spiritual trumpet was His Word—it both struck down and gave life, and granted awareness. From Him was the path made manifest, through Him was the balance made evident. In every letter of the letters lieth concealed an ocean of knowledge and a Kawthar of certitude. And this Kawthar and ocean have ever been and shall continue to be reserved for His chosen ones—those souls whom the doubts and conditions of the people of the world did not prevent, who drank from the cup of patience when they tasted the venom of tribulation. These are the manifestations of steadfastness and the essences of the chosen ones. Upon them be the blessings of God and His favors, and the mercy of God and His gifts.
Glorified art Thou, O Lord of Names and Creator of heaven! I beseech Thee by the lights of Thy Throne, and the waves of the ocean of Thy mercy, and the effulgences of the Day-Star of Thy grace, to assist Thy loved ones in serving Thy Cause, in remembering Thee, and in praising Thee amongst Thy servants. Then enable them to follow the wisdom which Thou hast sent down in Thy Scriptures and Tablets. I moreover beseech Thee, O Possessor of existence and Educator of the seen and unseen, to forgive him who hath ascended unto Thee and whom Thou hast raised to Thy most exalted horizon through Thy power, Thy might and Thy sovereignty, and to forgive his relatives in such wise as to draw them nigh unto Thee. Verily Thou art the Almighty, the Exalted, the Unconstrained. There is none other God but Thee, the Single, the One, the Mighty, the All-Bountiful.
Thereafter, the letter of that spiritual friend arrived in the days when that spiritual youth, upon him be the eternal glory of God, was dwelling in prison and abiding beneath His shadow, adorned with the remembrance and praise of the Desired One of the worlds. Therefore the world was filled with joy, and after its perusal and review it ascended to the Most Exalted Horizon and was presented before His presence. This is what the Desired One hath revealed in reply, blessed and exalted be His words:
In My Name, the Remembering, the All-Knowing
Thy letter reached the Wronged One and the servant in attendance submitted it. From it We inhaled the fragrance of thy love, thy humility, thy lowliness, thy turning unto the Most Exalted Horizon, thy hearkening to the rustling of the Divine Lote-Tree, and thy steadfastness in this Cause whereby feet have slipped. We have previously revealed unto thee that which spoke of My grace and My loving-kindness, and bore witness to My mercy and My bounty. Thus hath the matter been decreed from the Pen of God, the Lord of all men. In thy letter was mentioned him who ascended unto My horizon and turned toward the Most Exalted Paradise and the Supreme Summit. We have revealed for him that which hath attracted the hearts of the righteous ones.
O My Most Exalted Pen! Make mention of him who was named Ahmad, who detached himself from all else save Me and turned toward My horizon, who bore hardships in My path and heard the taunts of the enemies for My sake in My days, who sought the Ultimate Goal and the Most Exalted Horizon, who traversed the path to attain the presence of the Glorious One and to hearken unto the proof and evidence from the tongue of his Lord, the Mighty, the Beautiful, until he arrived at the Prison and stood before the Gate, and heard the Call with his own ear and beheld the Most Exalted Horizon with his own eye. We bear witness that he attained unto that which the All-Merciful had revealed in former Books and wherewith He had, through His grace, given glad tidings unto His servants.
He took the chalice of meeting in the name of the Lord of all beings and the Kawthar of reunion through His wondrous Command. Blessed is he, and joy be unto him, and happy and wholesome be it unto him. Verily he attained, he achieved victory, he heard and he responded. We have purified him at the time of his ascension and forgiven him as a bounty from Our presence. We beseech God to send down upon him at all times a blessing from His presence and a mercy from His own Self. Verily He is the Most Merciful of the merciful ones and the Most Generous of the generous ones, and He is the Ancient Bestower. Blessed is he who visiteth him, as attested by My Pen in My prison and as hath flowed from the tongue of My loving-kindness. Verily he is of the people of this exalted station.
O Muhammad-Rida! Upon thee be the Glory of God, Creator of heaven! We have mentioned thy father in a manner unequaled by any mention among mentions. Give thanks unto thy Lord for this bounty whereby the horizons have been illumined. We enjoin thee and those with thee to gracious patience, and verily I am the All-Patient, the All-Wise. By the life of God! Were what hath been ordained for him to be revealed even less than the eye of a needle, spirits would take flight and bodies would quake. Verily thy Lord is He Who speaketh at the journey’s end.
Hearken in Persian: Praise be to God, he hath attained unto that which was recorded and inscribed in the divine Books of the past and present. He heard and saw that which came into being from nothingness for his sake, before his ascension and after. He attained unto the verses of the Supreme Pen. He hath been mentioned with such mention that were it cast upon the earth, it would quiver and say:
“Praise be unto Thee, O Lord of Names, and glory be unto Thee, O Creator of Heaven!”
We counsel thee to patience and forbearance and pure, sincere deeds, for he is in a station where he heareth and seeth. No matter of your affairs is hidden from him. He heareth and seeth, verily his Lord is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing. We have mentioned repeatedly the friends in that land, especially in these days when there hath been revealed for every city, town and village that whose fragrance shall never cease and which shall mention the loved ones in most eloquent terms. Blessed are they who attain! Praise be to God, the Lord of the Worlds.
It hath ended. Praise be to God! Before his ascension he attained unto the presence, and after his ascension they attained unto that which shall endure as long as the kingdom of earth and heaven endure. At the time of the revelation of the Visitation Tablet, the Concourse on High uttered “Well done!” and proclaimed “How pleasant!” In truth, these are the days of ascension, for man attaineth unto that which hath no peer or likeness. In any case, the reins of grace and bounty, of mention and praise, are within His grasp. Verily He is the Single, the One, the Compassionate, the Munificent, the Generous. There is no God but He, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
As to what was written that for a long time no word had come from the Desired One: One year before, nay more, when that deceased one was still adorned with outward life, this servant wrote a reply to the letter of that honored friend. However, due to the tyranny of an oppressor who occupied the seat of government in this land, there was delay in sending it, for that tyrant was daily lying in wait. After his removal and replacement, that letter was sent. It is hoped that by now it hath arrived. Praise be to God, thou hast been and art mentioned in the Most Holy, Most Exalted Court. The events of the days have caused the delay in reply. For some time in this land, the deniers and the objectors have been speaking unseemly words. Though there was delay in sending, yet nothing—neither adversity, nor tribulation, nor the opposition of the opposers, nor the denial of the transgressors, nor the authority of the oppressors—hath prevented or will prevent God, exalted be His glory, from manifesting His Cause. Verily our Lord and your Lord, our Goal and your Goal, is the Almighty, the Omnipotent.
At this time, a letter which was sent to the spiritual friend His Honor Aqa Muhammad, upon him be the Glory of God, was forwarded to the Most Holy Court and was honored to be heard in His presence. He beseeched forgiveness for the deceased and elevated one, upon him be the Glory of God, His mercy and His grace. Likewise he sought a wondrous mention for the relatives of the deceased. Once again, each one was honored with the mention of the Goal of all the worlds and His grace and mercy, one after another were mentioned in His presence. This evanescent servant begs of the True One to ordain for all both worldly and spiritual good. And concerning what was mentioned about how they desecrated the pure tomb, praise be to God that even after his ascension there befell him that which caused the Concourse on High to cry out. These abhorrent deeds are what have caused the deprivation of the servants and the descent of tribulations before and since.
After this matter was presented in the Most Holy, Most Exalted Court, He said:
“Be not grieved by this matter. I swear by the Sun of Justice which has shone forth from the horizon of the heaven of the Cause that the traces of this deed shall never be effaced from the Book of the world and the scrolls of God. The idolaters burned the remains of His Holiness the Most Holy One after his martyrdom, and after the ascension of the Primal Point—may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for Him—they did that which the signs of the wickedness and cruelty of those souls shall endure for as long as the kingdom of earth and heaven endures. O Muhammad-Rida, from the tyranny of the Pharaohs of the earth and the oppressors of the age there hath appeared that which causeth the people of the cities of justice and fairness to lament. All the tribulations that from the beginning of the Cause until now have befallen this Wronged One, since they were for God and in the path of God, have been and are beloved. Again convey mention from the Wronged One to the relatives and console them. Say: Were the tribulations that have befallen the Truth Itself to be mentioned, the world of being would beg for non-existence. Verily your Lord is the All-Patient, the Concealer, and He biddeth His loved ones to noble concealment and beautiful patience. Convey greetings from the Wronged One to the relatives of His Honor Muhammad who attained and circumambulated and was present before the Face. Verily We mentioned his father before with a mention which God, the Lord of Remembrance, hath made to endure. The Glory from Us be upon you and upon those who have held fast to the cord of God, the Lord of Lords.”
The waves of the ocean of mercy have appeared successively at their utmost height. Blessed are they who have ascended in these days, for they have attained unto that which hath no peer or likeness. In any case, this servant conveyeth greetings to all and beseecheth confirmation for each one that they may attain unto that which shall be immortalized in the Book of God. Verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, He is the Mighty, the All-Bountiful. Peace and remembrance and glory be upon the servants of God whom the rancor of the wicked hath not prevented from turning unto God, the Lord of all men.
The servant 10 Shawwal 1304
BH02987: Blessed is he who has aimed at the Most…
Blessed is he who has aimed at the Most Great Objective, and he who has turned towards the Supreme Horizon…
If a single pure and sincere deed were to appear with all its influences, manifestations, conditions, mysteries, fruits and all that behoveth it, this world would not have the capacity to contain its full exposition. Consider the point—though limited, how many worlds of words, letters and phrases lie hidden within it! Four alifs appear from its four directions, and each alif containeth a world. Were all the peoples of the world to attempt to interpret the point of the extended alif, which is expressed as ba’, they would fail to do so. Were ye to count its verses, ye would not be able to number them’—how much less the stations of the soft alif and other alifs!…
BH00485: Praise be unto the Lord of incomparable sanctity, transcending…
In the name of our Lord, the Most Holy, the Most Great, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious
Praise be unto the Lord of incomparable sanctity, transcending all mention and utterance! Worthy is He, the Supreme Goal, Who created the world through His Most Exalted Word and adorned it with the ornament of knowledge and understanding. His is all praise and glory, His is all might and majesty. His power was not weakened by the might of princes, nor was His Will impeded by the clamor of divines. From the earliest days, He arose before the faces of all humanity—the learned and the ignorant, the possessors of glory, wealth, power and grandeur—and summoned all with the most exalted call to the supreme horizon. Where were they in those days, these souls who now arise in opposition? By the life of the Desired One! They were secluded and concealed behind the veils of idle fancies and vain imaginings, behind multiple veils and barriers. Yet when the Sun of Proof shone forth from the Dayspring of the All-Merciful’s Will, they emerged from behind their veils with the swords of hatred. No person of insight, reason and understanding can deny what has been mentioned, for the Cause of this Most Great Revelation was never hidden—the hand of the enemies was ever afflicted.
Glorified art Thou, O Lord of all possibilities, Who art established upon the throne of grandeur and proof! I beseech Thee by the warbling of the doves of Thy most exalted Paradise to aid me in making mention of Thy loved ones and in praising them. O Lord! Thou seest one who hath turned unto Thee, seeking the ocean of Thy knowledge and the sun of Thy utterance. I beseech Thee not to disappoint him in what he seeketh. Verily, Thou art the Almighty, the Most Exalted, the All-Bountiful.
To continue: be it submitted that the letter of His Holiness reached this servant in the Prison of ʿAkka, and inasmuch as his words bore witness to his attraction, affection, and love, therefore was the gate of joy opened and the horizon of gladness made manifest. After its perusal and consideration, purpose was made unto the Most Sublime Station and the Loftiest Heights, and his supplication was presented on the night of the fourteenth day of the honored month of Shawwal before the Countenance of the Ancient King and the Desire of the world, after the dawning of the luminary of permission. And it was vouchsafed acceptance—this is the Great Announcement that was submitted at that time. These firm verses and resplendent words shone forth from the horizon of the Will of the Lord of Names and Attributes. He speaketh—exalted be His utterance and glorified be His proof:
He is the Speaker from His Most Sublime Horizon!
O thou who gazest toward the Countenance! A servant was present at this moment before the Countenance and read that wherewith thou didst supplicate God, the Lord of all the worlds and Lord of the Mighty Throne. Verily, We heard thy call and answered thee with that which the words of the world cannot equal, nor what is with the nations. Give thanks unto thy Lord for that which hath been sent down unto thee in the Most Great Prison that which draweth thee nigh unto Him. He, verily, is the Bountiful, the Gracious. Nothing whatsoever is hidden from His knowledge, neither do the accidents of the world hinder Him, nor do the veils of the people of iniquity and abomination shut Him out. There hath shone forth from the horizon of power a clear light whereby hath appeared that which was concealed in knowledge and treasured in the treasuries of the preservation of God, the Mighty, the Ancient.
Verily, We found in thy letter the fragrance of My love and thy standing for My remembrance and praise amongst My servants, and I am the All-Knowing, the Wise. Blessed is the tongue that is adorned with mention of the Beloved, and the ear that hath heard that whereby the Call was raised betwixt earth and heaven, and the eye that hath been favored with beholding My signs, and the heart that hath turned toward My luminous Horizon. When the breezes of My utterance have wafted over thee and thou hast attained unto My verses, say:
O my God, my God! Praise be to Thee for having remembered me by Thy Most Exalted Pen in the prison of ʿAkka, when I was in the hands of the enemies who turned away from Thee, disputed Thy signs, and denied what Thou didst reveal in Thy Book. I beseech Thee, O Lord of the worlds, by the lights of Thy dominion, the mysteries of Thy kingdom, the pearls within the shells of the ocean of Thy wisdom, and by the Manifestations of Thy Cause and the Dawning-Places of Thy Revelation, to make me in all conditions steadfast in Thy love and firm in Thy Cause, in such wise that neither the veils of glory nor the clash of swords of the people of error may keep me from Thee. O my Lord! Thou seest Thy servant turning unto Thee, detached from all else but Thee, and gazing toward the horizon of Thy grace. Send down upon him from the clouds of the heaven of Thy mercy that which will draw him nigh unto Thee in all conditions. Verily, Thou art the All-Possessing, the Most Exalted.
Hearken in the Persian tongue to the Divine Call. By the life of God! Whosoever hath attained unto hearing it, neither the might of tyrants nor the power of Pharaohs hath kept him from the Dayspring of the Light of Unity and the Dawning-Place of ancient verses. With complete certitude and manifest light hath he dispelled the darkness of vain imaginings. He is the horseman in the arena of utterance. The Pharaohs and tyrants mentioned in the Tablets, past and future, refer to the divines who have prevented the people from the Divine Law and the River of God’s mercy.
Consider the Shi’ih divines throughout the ages—how they cursed one another from the pulpits while uttering “O Qa’im!” night and day. Yet when the world was illumined by the lights of the dawn of His Manifestation, they all arose with swords of hatred and rancor against the Purpose of the world and the Educator of nations. The fair-minded know what that people did and said. Even now in Iran they are occupied with cursing from all pulpits. Glory be to God! The deniers of the Bayan also cling to the same vain imaginings. It is incumbent and essential for the people of God to exercise the utmost effort in protecting souls, lest they be afflicted by the doubts of the barking ones and the allusions of the transgressors with the vain imaginings of the former party.
These utterances have repeatedly shone forth from the Dayspring of Divine knowledge that perchance those who have turned to Him may attain the ornament of awareness and may find themselves, through the Name of God, exalted be His glory, free and detached from the world and all who dwell therein. We beseech God to assist thee and enable thee to do that which He loveth and which pleaseth Him, and that whereby His Cause may be exalted amongst His servants. Verily, He is the Protector of the sincere ones. There is no God but Him, the King, the Single, the One, the True, the Just, the Manifest.
Praise be to God that that honored friend hath been illumined by the lights of the utterance of the Lord of eternity and adorned with the traces of His Most Exalted Pen. The tongues of the world cannot adequately render thanks for this supreme bounty, nor can the pen describe or the mind comprehend this mighty table. This servant beseecheth his Lord and your Lord and the Lord of the throne on high and of earth below to give you to drink of the wine of immortality. Verily, He is the Lord of all names and the Creator of the heavens.
And regarding what was asked about the tradition which states:
“Knowledge is twenty-seven letters. All that the Messengers have brought is two letters, and until today people have not known more than these two letters. When our Qa’im arises, He will bring forth the remaining twenty-five letters”
- after being presented before the Most Holy Court, these exalted words shone forth from the Dawning-Place of Divine Knowledge—exalted be His glory:
“The intended meaning of the remaining letters refers to the station of the Blessed All-Embracing Word. Whosoever attains unto that Word will find himself independent of all the words of the world, and whosoever drinks of the hidden Kawthar contained therein will never be seized by the thirst and yearning of self and desire. This is that Word wherein all sciences and arts are concealed. This is the key to the city of steadfastness and the path of the community. This is that which breaks the might of idols and vain imaginings. Whosoever attains unto it has attained unto all that is befitting this day.
“This exalted Word has manifested from the world of the Divine Will to the world of Divine Purpose, and from Purpose to the realm of Lahut, and from Lahut to Jabarut, and from Jabarut to Malakut, and its manifestation in the form of the All-Embracing Word was revealed in the Tablet to Haydar-Ali and Husayn—upon them be My glory and loving-kindness. It speaks in the garment of I am manifest’ and is hidden in ʿI am the One witnessed.’ This is that Word which split asunder the breasts of the wayward ones, and shook the foundation of the sciences and arts of the opposers and transgressors.
“The original tradition was from the Messenger of God—may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for Him—and was mentioned by one of the letters of the Qur’an. Whosoever truly attains unto this blessed Word will see himself as the most exalted of creation and will become firm and steadfast in this Most Great Cause. He will regard the doubts of the divines and the allusions of the sources of vain imaginings as absolute nothingness and utter non-existence. Blessed are they that attain, and blessed are they that understand.
“And in one sense, what was intended by it were the sciences and arts. In these days, this Wronged One is not inclined to interpret the words of the past. It was mentioned, due to the loving-kindness shown to that soul, that which diffuses the fragrance of divine utterance. Should anyone reflect upon it and become steadfast, he will be recorded among the companions of the Crimson Ark. The Glory be upon thee and upon those who have remained faithful to God’s Covenant, the Lord of the worlds.
“The bounty of God is manifest and evident from the effulgences of the lights of His words. His grace has encompassed all, His mercy has preceded, and His loving-kindness has surrounded all. Can anyone truly thank Him as He deserves to be thanked, or praise Him as He deserves to be praised? The very act of thanksgiving requires thanksgiving, for the enabling grace of gratitude is from Him, and likewise praise. The seeing soul is truly bewildered by the wonders of the grace of the All-Bountiful and the favors of the Self-Sufficient, the Exalted.
“I send greetings and peace to the loved ones of that land, and give them the glad-tidings of God’s grace, mercy and kindness, exalted be His glory. I beseech confirmation for each one. Today the people of Baha are mentioned and recorded as the Party of God in the Psalms, Scriptures, Books and Tablets. It is hoped that through His infinite grace they will arise as befits His days and His Cause, so that through their love the world may be illumined with the light of love, and through their burning passion it may be set ablaze. Verily our Lord is the Powerful, the Mighty, the Helper, the All-Knowing. Glory, remembrance and praise be upon you and upon those who have testified to that which God has testified: that there is none other God but Him, the Single, the One, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.”
At this moment, there came to mind of this evanescent servant the honored and esteemed Aqa Ali-Haydar, upon him be the Glory of God. It was as if his presence appeared before the face of this servant. We beseech God, exalted be He, to assist him and grant him success in that which He loveth and is pleased with—though verily this prayer hath already been answered before its utterance. In any case, I convey greetings and glorification to him and to the honored Bik, upon him be the Glory of God, and to the honored A.B., upon him be the Glory of God, and to ʿA.T., upon him be the Glory of God, and to those souls mentioned in their letter.
I beseech for each one that which hath no peer or likeness. Verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, is the Powerful, the Forgiving, the Generous. The beloved of the heart, Jinab-i-Amin, upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God, in every letter maketh mention of them and the friends in that land. He hath said that Amin is a clear book in mentioning the friends of God, the Lord of the worlds. I convey greetings and glorification to all the friends in that land, especially to those gentlemen who have been adorned, honored and distinguished with the ornament of special favor from God. Glory be upon them and upon those who love them.
BH00433: Lawh-i-Abdu’l-Vahhab
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, sanctified beyond the comprehension of minds and intellects, beseemeth the holy court of that Self-Subsisting Lord Who, unaided and alone, arose before the faces of the heedless and summoned all upon earth—be they princes, divines or jurisprudents—to the Most Exalted Horizon. The might of the world restrained Him not, nor did the opposition of nations deter Him from His remembrance and utterance. The more affliction intensified, the more powerful became His utterance, until He addressed all the monarchs of the earth without veil or covering. His verses encompassed the world, and His evidences illumined receptive hearts and souls like unto the sun. Exalted be His grandeur, elevated be His dominion, triumphant be His might and power!
Glorified art Thou, O God of all beings and Educator of all created things! Thou seest Thy loved ones in the hands of Thine enemies, and Thy Self imprisoned in ʿAkka in the hands of the heedless among Thy creatures. I beseech Thee, O Thou Desire of the world, by Thy Command through which the rain of Thy knowledge was showered upon the hearts of those near unto Thee among Thy creation and those who have turned towards Thee among Thy servants, and by the penetrating influence of Thy Word and the power of Thy Will, to assist Thy loved ones and chosen ones in spreading Thy signs, Thy remembrance and Thy praise amongst Thy servants. O my Lord! Ordain for them through the Pen of Destiny that which will draw them nigh unto Thee in all conditions. Verily, Thou art the Self-Sufficient, the Most Exalted.
And thereafter it is submitted that the honored friend, His Holiness Aqa Muhammad-Kazim—upon him be the glory of God—dispatched a letter to the Beloved of hearts, Hadrat-i-Ism-i-Jud—upon him be the Most Great Glory of God. In that epistle mention was made of that Beloved of hearts and His Holiness Aqa Mirza Muhammad-Husayn—upon both of them be the glory of God—as well as the petition which that personage had forwarded to the Most Holy Threshold. After perusal, examination, and reading thereof, he proceeded to the Most Exalted Station, and in the presence of the Countenance, that which was recorded in the petition was submitted and attained the honor of a hearing. This is what the Tongue of Grandeur hath spoken in reply. His utterance—exalted be His exposition and glorified be His proof:
Verily He is the All-Seeing One from the horizon of glory
O Abdu’l-Wahhab! Upon thee be the glory of God, the Mighty, the Bestower! Hearken unto the call of the Wronged One, Who maketh mention of thee in the prison of Akka, inasmuch as He was an ocean of mercy unto all creation and a breeze of the All-Merciful unto the followers of all religions. Blessed is he who hath inhaled the fragrances of Revelation and taken fast hold of the Book with strength from God, the Lord of all the worlds.
We have heard thy call from thy book and have made mention of thee with that which draweth thee nigh unto the horizon of manifestation in the Days of God, the Mighty, the Praised. We have unlocked the door of divine knowledge with the key of utterance, yet the people remain in manifest error. They have cast the Book of God behind their backs, clinging fast to that which they possess of the whisperings of the deluded.
Say: O people! Fear ye God! The Day hath come, and the Self-Subsisting crieth out with the most mighty call:
“Arise from the slumber of passion, hastening unto God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise!”
The carpet of idle fancies hath been rolled up, and the All-Merciful hath come with a mighty decree. Verily, He is the Great Announcement whose mention the All-Merciful hath sent down in the Criterion. Blessed is he who hath perceived the fragrance of divine utterance and hath been made to triumph in this wondrous Day.
Say: O people! Deprive not yourselves of the Most Great Ocean, neither follow ye every ignorant one who is far astray. Give glad tidings unto them that have believed. Say: Blessed are ye for having hearkened unto the Call from the Most Exalted Horizon and turned your faces toward Him. Soon shall ye behold the fruits of your deeds from God, the Powerful, the Almighty. O Wahhab! If My most sweet call and the rustle of My Most Exalted Pen have attracted thee, say:
My God, my God! Praise be unto Thee for having opened before the faces of Thy loved ones the gates of wisdom and understanding, for having guided them to Thy path, illumined their hearts with the light of Thy knowledge, and taught them that which draweth them nigh unto the sanctuary of Thy holiness. I beseech Thee, O Lord, by them who hastened to the place of sacrifice in their longing to meet Thee, whom neither the might of princes deterred from turning unto Thee nor from acknowledging that which Thou didst reveal in Thy Book. I moreover beseech Thee by them who, by Thy leave, turned toward Thy horizon, who stood before the gate of Thy grandeur, who heard Thy call, who witnessed the horizon of Thy Revelation, and who circled round Thy will, to ordain for Thy loved ones that which shall aid them in making mention of Thee and offering praise unto Thee, and in promoting Thy Cause. Verily, Thou art the One Who hath power over whatsoever He willeth. There is none other God but Thee, the All-Forgiving, the All-Merciful.
O My Most Exalted Pen! Transform the most eloquent tongue into the language of light. Say: Praise be to God! Today the horizon of the heaven of understanding is illumined and radiant with the Sun of Truth. He Who conversed on Sinai is seated upon the throne of Revelation. From the rustling of the Divine Lote-Tree is heard the blessed word “He Who was promised hath come.” That soul should illumine and set ablaze hearts and minds with the light of utterance and the fire of the Divine Lote-Tree, that all may attain unto that for which they were created. This Wronged One hath, from the first day until now, without veil or concealment, summoned all unto that which God hath willed.
Blessed are they who have responded and who have uttered the word “Yea.” Glory be to God! It is not known to what the deniers cling. The verses have encompassed the world and the evidences are more manifest than the sun, yet the heedless servants remain veiled save whom God willeth. Nevertheless, the power of Truth hath prevailed and the might of the Word hath encompassed all, such that despite the opposition of kings and subjects and the worshippers of idle fancies, and despite all hindrances and prohibitions, the light of the Cause is seen dawning in every land. Soon shall appear that which We have sent down in the Holy Books and Tablets, even as appeared that which We had formerly announced unto the people. Verily, He is the Mighty, the All-Knowing.
Praise be to God! That soul hath attained unto the verses of the Most Exalted Pen and is adorned with the mention of God, glorified be His majesty. Though today the fruits of matters be hidden from all eyes, yet ere long shall appear that which hath proceeded from the tongue of grandeur, and those who have turned unto Him shall behold the fruits of their deeds. Verily, He doth not suffer to be lost the reward of the doers of good.
Section 2: “As to what was asked whether the soul…”
As to what was asked whether the soul endureth after the body’s death or not, and if it endureth, what its condition will be—after this matter was submitted before the Most Holy, Most Exalted Presence, these sublime words were revealed, blessed and exalted be His utterance:
Concerning thy question about the spirit and its survival after its ascension, know thou that it will ascend at the time of its departure until it attaineth the presence of God in a form that neither the revolution of ages and centuries, nor the changes and chances of the world can alter. It will endure as long as the Kingdom of God, His sovereignty, His dominion and power will endure. It manifests the signs of God and His attributes, and reveals His loving kindness and bounty. The pen cannot depict this station nor can any description adequately express its nature, for it is exalted above any description or praise. The Hand of Divine Bounty will cause it to enter a station that no word can appropriately describe, nor can any trace of it be found in the visible world.
Blessed is the spirit that hath emerged from the body purified from the doubts and superstitions of the nations. Such a spirit moveth in the atmosphere of God’s good-pleasure and entereth the Supreme Paradise. The Maids of Heaven, dwellers of the loftiest mansions, shall circle around it, and the Prophets of God and His chosen ones will seek its companionship. With them that soul shall freely converse, and shall recount unto them that which it hath endured in the path of God, the Lord of all worlds. Should anyone be made aware of what is pre-ordained for him in the worlds of God, the Lord of the throne on high and of earth below, he would immediately yearn with a great longing for that most exalted, most sanctified and most resplendent station.
In the Persian tongue, hear thou, O ʿAbdu’l-Vahhab, upon thee be my glory! Concerning thy question about the immortality of the spirit, this Wronged One beareth witness to its immortality. And as to thy question about its nature, verily it cannot be described and ought not to be mentioned save to a limited degree. The Prophets and Messengers came to guide mankind to the straight path of Truth, and their purpose was that the servants might be so trained that at the time of their ascension they would, with utmost sanctity, detachment and dedication, set their faces toward the Supreme Companion. By the life of God! The effulgences of these spirits are the cause of the world’s progress and the advancement of its peoples.
They are the essence of existence and the supreme cause of all the world’s appearances and crafts. Through them the clouds pour down rain and the earth bringeth forth its fruits. Nothing among all things existeth without a cause, reason and origin, and the greatest cause hath been and shall ever be these sanctified spirits. The difference between this world and that world is like unto the difference between the embryonic world and this earthly life. After ascension the soul appeareth before God in a form that is worthy of immortality and suited to that world. This immortality is temporal, not essential, for it hath a cause, while essential immortality is uncaused and belongeth exclusively to God, exalted be His glory. Well is it with them that understand!
If thou wouldst reflect upon the deeds of the Prophets, thou wouldst bear witness with absolute certitude that there are worlds besides this world. The philosophers of the earth, as revealed in the Tablet of Wisdom by the Supreme Pen, have mostly acknowledged and accepted what was revealed in the divine Books. However, the materialists who believe in nature have written concerning the Prophets that they were wise men who, for the education of the people, made mention of heaven and hell, reward and punishment. Now consider: all people in every age have regarded the Prophets as superior to all others. Some have called these pure Essences wise men, while others have recognized them as being from God. Now if such souls had considered divine worlds to be limited to this earthly life, they would never have surrendered themselves to their enemies nor endured unprecedented trials and tribulations. Should anyone with a pure heart and penetrating vision meditate upon that which hath shone forth from the Supreme Pen, he would exclaim with his innate tongue: “Now hath the truth become manifest!”
As to thy question about resurrection, that which hath been revealed in the Book of Certitude is sufficient. Well is it with them that understand!
Convey my greetings to him who is named M., upon him be the Glory of God. Today the friends must occupy themselves with service to the Cause, and that service is teaching, which must be carried out with wisdom and utterance. All must hold fast unto this. We beseech God to assist you and aid you in that which beseemeth His Day.
We make mention in this place of him who is named ʿAbdu’l-Husayn, and We remember him with Our verses and give him the glad-tidings of Our loving-kindness. We ask God to assist him in that which will draw him near unto Him in all conditions.
This evanescent servant makes mention of the friends of God and implores success for each one, that they may exert their utmost endeavor so that perchance the horizons may be illumined with the light of unity. In any case, the Cause of God has been and ever will be all-compelling. We must all beseech Him to confirm souls for the specific purpose of teaching the Cause—but souls who are adorned with the conditions set forth by the Most Exalted Pen. In one of the Tablets these sublime words were revealed from the heaven of the Will of the Lord of all beings. His blessed and exalted Word declares:
“Blessed is the soul whose head is adorned with the crown of detachment and whose temple is beautified with the ornament of resignation and contentment.”
The teachers must summon the servants to the most exalted horizon with perfect sanctity and detachment. They must speak for God and act for the sake of God alone.
These and similar utterances have repeatedly been revealed in the Book of God and the divine Scriptures and Tablets. Some, praise be to God, are illumined with the light of certitude and act according to the commandments and ordinances, but others, despite their recognition and acknowledgment of what has been revealed, hesitate in their actions. In this connection, one verse is mentioned. His blessed and exalted Word declares:
“My affliction is not My imprisonment and what I have suffered from My enemies, but rather the deeds of My loved ones who claim attachment to Me yet commit that which causes My heart and My pen to lament…”
Such verses have repeatedly descended from the heaven of Will. Blessed is he who holds fast unto them and acts according to what hath been ordained in the Book of God, the Lord of all worlds.
Glory and praise and honor be upon you and upon those who are with you in this Most Great Cause and Momentous Announcement. Praise be to God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
BH03010: This is a Book sent down by the Creator…
In the Name of Him Who is supreme over all names!
This is a Book sent down by the Creator of the heavens unto those on earth that the Call may draw them nigh unto the Most Exalted Horizon. Verily He is the Almighty, the All-Powerful. There is no God but Him, the Single, the One, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
Thy letter hath come before the Wronged One, and the servant in attendance before His Face hath read it. We have revealed for thee that which shineth forth from the horizon of the heaven of utterance, and serveth as a proof unto the followers of all religions, and as a lamp in this darkness that hath encompassed all created things, and as a guide unto My straight path.
Beware lest anything prevent thee from the Lord of all beings. Cast aside what the people possess, holding fast unto that which hath been sent down from the heaven of the will of thy Lord, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. It behooveth no one to put the Wronged One to the test, nor is this the Day of questioning. It behooveth every soul, when hearing the Call from the Most Exalted Horizon, to arise and say:
“Here am I, here am I, O Thou Goal of the world! Here am I, here am I, O Thou Who hast accepted tribulations for the salvation of the peoples!”
“I testify that Thou hast appeared and hast manifested that which was hidden from every discerning and perceiving one.” Look, then remember when Muhammad, the Apostle of God, came, He was denied by the divines of idols and of the Torah and the Gospel. Among them was he who desired a house of gold, and among them was he who asked for a spring to gush forth, and among them was he who wished a book to descend from heaven, and among them was he who said before His face: “If this be the truth, then cause stones to rain down upon us from heaven.” Thus was it decreed aforetime. Ponder that thou mayest find thyself possessed of clear certitude.
We have not entered schools. We have come from the dawning-place of utterance with a Cause before which the hosts of the heavens and earth cannot stand. Thus hath the Dove of Utterance warbled upon the highest branch of all existence. When thou hast heard and recognized this, say:
“My God, my God! Praise be to Thee for having guided me unto Thy path and made known to me Thy way. I beseech Thee by the lights of Thy Kingdom and the mysteries of Thy Dominion, and by the hearts that have soared in the atmosphere of Thy love, and by the faces that have turned unto the lights of Thy countenance, to aid me in Thy remembrance and praise and in serving Thy Cause. Then ordain for me through Thy Most Exalted Pen the good of this world and the world to come. Verily Thou art powerful over all things. There is no God but Thee, the Almighty, the All-Powerful.”
BH03583: O Muhammad-Vali! Hearken unto the call from the direction…
O Muhammad-Vali! Hearken unto the call from the direction of ʿAkka. He mentions thee with a mention before which all mentions bow down, and turns to thee from His Most Great Prison as a bounty from Him, that thou mayest thank thy Lord, the possessor of all men.
When the Promise came and the Promised One appeared, each party clung to what it possessed of idle fancies and vain imaginings. They cast the command of God behind their backs, hastening to the dawning-places of conjecture. They are indeed among the wayward in the Book of God, the Self-Sufficient, the Most Exalted.
Say: O people! Fear God and follow not those who have turned away from the Countenance, who followed every heedless doubter. Cast aside what ye possess. By God! The horizon of Revelation hath been illumined, the Desired One hath come, and that which was hidden from time immemorial hath been manifested. Fear God and refute not the truth by what ye possess. Answer Him Who hath stood before all faces and called all to the horizon of proof.
Say: By the life of God! The proof hath been perfected, the bounty completed, and the heavenly table sent down. Draw nigh, O people, with humility and contrition. Let not the riches of the world and the might of nations prevent you. Turn with radiant faces to the Most Exalted Horizon. This is what ye have been commanded by Him with Whom is the Mother Book.
This is a Day wherein all things proclaim: The Kingdom is God’s, the Almighty, the All-Compelling, the Most Glorious, the All-Forgiving. This is a Day whereof God gave glad-tidings to His servants aforetime through the tongue of the Messengers, and revealed its mention in the Books, Psalms and Tablets.
Blessed art thou for having attained unto the trace of the Most Exalted Pen and been mentioned by the Lord of all being while He was in the hands of those who denied God’s favor after its revelation and rejected Him Who came from the horizon of proof with verses that equal not what the princes possess. He Who speaketh in every condition beareth witness to this, that there is none other God but Me, the Mighty, the All-Knowing.
Thus hath the Treasury of Knowledge revealed the pearls of utterance and the Sun of Proof its effulgence and lights. Blessed art thou and blessed is he who hath found the fragrance of the Robe in the evening and at dawn.
BH03759: O Qasim! The Truth speaketh in the tongue…
O Qasim! The Truth speaketh in the tongue of every people, that all may comprehend that for which they were created. The Most Exalted Pen at times admonisheth, at times counseleth, and remembereth the events of the past, that all may become aware and not be afflicted anew with the vain imaginings of old.
Reflect upon the Shi’ih sect and the pride and arrogance of those people. They regarded as unclean the Jews and Christians, and likewise the idol-worshippers and fire-worshippers. The People of the Sunna they deemed lower, more rejected and more abominable than all other sects. Yet on the Promised Day, with but a slight test, they were found to be the most lost of all upon the earth. They perpetrated that which no sect in all ages and centuries had ever committed. They cried “O Qa’im!” and then martyred Him, and now in all the pulpits and cities of Iran the ignorant divines and base theologians revile the Truth and His followers. All must ponder upon that which hath been mentioned, that perchance they may not be afflicted in the future with that which afflicted the former people.
Praise be to the Aim of all the world Who hath remembered thee and caused thee to attain unto the evidences of the Most Exalted Pen. We make mention of thy brother, thy son-in-law and thy son with such remembrance as to attract the hearts and souls. We have remembered each one of them and We beseech God to grant them the grace to achieve the most great steadfastness and to remain unaffected by the cawing of the crows who speak the words of old and cling to the vain imaginings of the Shi’ih sect. God protect Us and you from the evil of such people.
This is a Day wherein none is mentioned save Him. Blessed is he who hath recognized, and woe unto the heedless. Glory be upon the people of Baha who have attained and hearkened unto My call and have said:
“Here am I! Here am I! O Beloved of the hearts of the longing ones and Aim of them that have recognized Thee!”
BH04435: New words have appeared and old sayings have emerged…
In the Name of the Ever-Speaking One!
New words have appeared and old sayings have emerged from the sacks of heedlessness. They say the Bayan has been corrupted, just as the previous party said and were cast into hell. Say: By God’s life, ye have fabricated against Him Who created you and sustained you, and ye are accounted this day among the wrongdoers in God’s Book, the Lord of all worlds.
Say: O heedless ones! By what proof and evidence did ye acknowledge the Bayan? Depart not from justice and equity. Do ye wish to be like the people of the Furqan (Muslims), speaking falsehood from pulpits and denouncing one another as infidels, until in the end the fruit of your deeds becomes like unto those heedless souls?
Leave aside these calumnies. By God’s life, the Bayan lamenteth for what ye have perpetrated. Though divine counsel leaveth no impression and heavenly admonition beareth no fruit, for God’s wrath hath seized them and the recompense of their deeds hath deprived them.
Beseech ye God to protect you from such heedless souls. By God’s life, their mention is a deadly poison and their utterance a consuming fire. They seek to prove the authority of a drop while turning away from the Most Great Ocean. Such is the condition of those heedless and veiled souls.
Yet be patient and calm in all conditions, for verily He loveth the patient and the calm ones. Praise be to God that thou hast attained to His remembrance, glorified be His majesty, and been illumined by His Word. Preserve this and be among the thankful ones.
Say: Praise be unto Thee, O God of the worlds and Goal of them that know Thee!
BH04436: The Seal of the Prophets, may the spirit…
In His Name, the Protector over all names!
The Seal of the Prophets, may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for Him, appeared from the Dayspring of God’s Command and, with supreme grace and infinite bounty, summoned the people to the blessed Word of Unity. His purpose was to awaken heedless souls and deliver them from the darkness of misbelief. Yet the people arose in rejection and protest, perpetrating that which caused the company of the Prophets in the Most Exalted Paradise to lament.
Reflect upon the Prophets of the past: each was afflicted by the rejection of the people. Some were accused of madness, others were called sorcerers, and yet others were denounced as liars. Like the divines of Iran who for years beseeched God, exalted be His glory, for the appearance of these days, yet when the horizon of the world became illumined and bright, all turned away and issued the decree for the shedding of His most pure blood.
When thou hearest the cooing of the Dove of My utterance upon the branches of the Tree of My knowledge, say:
“My God, my God! I testify to Thy oneness and Thy singleness, and that Thou hast no partner in Thy dominion nor any equal in Thy kingdom. I beseech Thee by the waves of the ocean of Thy power and the effulgences of the lights of the Sun of Thy oneness to protect me from the evil of Thine enemies and to draw me nigh unto Thee. O my Lord! Thou seest me turning toward Thy horizon, turning away from all else beside Thee. I beseech Thee by the fire of Thy Sacred Tree and the light of Thy Cause to ordain for me what Thou hast ordained for Thy chosen ones. Verily Thou art the Almighty, the Forgiving, the Generous. There is no God but Thee, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.”
BH04815: This is a Book from God, the Protector…
He is the One Who gazeth from His most glorious horizon.
This is a Book from God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting, unto him who hath turned unto God when the horizon of Revelation was illumined by Him Who conversed upon Sinai. They who have turned unto Him are of the party of God, inscribed in His preserved Tablet. Thy name was mentioned in the presence of the Wronged One, and He hath remembered thee in such wise as cannot be equaled by treasures and riches. Hearken unto the Call from the supreme horizon: Verily, there is none other God but Me, the Truth, the Knower of the unseen. We have made manifest that which was hidden in knowledge and concealed from the eyes of those who denied the right of God and His Cause, and who violated His Covenant and disputed His verses when they were sent down in truth. The Tongue of Grandeur beareth witness to this in its praiseworthy station.
O thou who gazest upon the Countenance! When the verses were sent down and the evidences appeared, the divines of Persia and those who followed them turned away and spoke that which the ancients never spoke. They cast the Book of God behind their backs, clinging to their own idle fancies and vain imaginings. Blessed art thou for having turned unto the Countenance when every rejected learned one turned away from it. We counsel thee and Our loved ones to observe justice and fairness, trustworthiness and righteousness, and kindliness. Take hold of thy Lord’s command, then remind the people of His verses and give them the glad tidings of His mercy which hath preceded existence both seen and unseen. The glory shining forth from the horizon of the heaven of My grace be upon thee and upon those with thee and upon all who remain steadfast, holding fast to My extended cord.
BH04922: O Muhammad-ʿAli! Verily the heaven hath turned unto thee…
O Muhammad-ʿAli! Verily the heaven hath turned unto thee and the sun hath spoken in thy remembrance from a station adorned with the lights of the Countenance, and the Tongue of Grandeur hath spoken: The Kingdom is God’s, the One, the Powerful, the Mighty, the Bestower.
Blessed is he who hath held fast to the cord of God and clung to the hem of His bounty and drunk the Kawthar of immortality from the hand of His grace and attained unto His mention in His days and turned toward His horizon when the servants of the earth turned away from Him, save whom God, the Lord of lords, did will.
Hearken unto the call from the Supreme Pen: verily He remembereth thee and those who have believed when God came with the standards of the verses.
When thou hearest the shrill voice of My Pen and the rustling of the Sadratu’l-Bayan, say: My God, my God! Praise be unto Thee for having remembered me when I was between the hands of those who violated Thy Covenant and Testament. I beseech Thee by the lands wherein the fragrances of Thy Manifestation were diffused and the breezes of Thy grace did waft, and by the regions which gloried over the heaven in that they were honored by Thy footsteps and adorned with Thy traces—O my Lord! Thou seest the hands of hope upraised toward the heaven of Thy bounty. I beseech Thee by the pearls of the ocean of Thy generosity and the splendors of the lights of the sun of Thy grace, that Thou aid me to perform that whereby my remembrance may endure in Thy Book. Then make me, O my God, of those who have attained unto the Kawthar of steadfastness, whereby nothing among all things prevented them from turning unto Thee, O Lord of Names and Creator of heaven! Verily Thou art powerful over what Thou willest.
The beings have testified to Thy greatness and all created things to Thy power. There is none other God but Thee, the Single, the One, the Mighty, the All-Knowing.
BH04988: We have mentioned thee before and gave thee glad…
In the name of the All-Loving, the Generous
We have mentioned thee before and gave thee glad tidings of God’s loving-kindness, the Lord of all worlds. Hearken unto the call from the direction of Akka—verily there is no God but Him, the Single, the All-Informed. He hath appeared and manifested what He desired as a bounty from His presence, and He is the All-Bountiful, the Generous. When thou findest the fragrances of revelation and drinkest the choice wine of grace, say:
My God, my God! Praise be to Thee for having unveiled to me and guided me to Thy path and made me know Thy Most Great Cause and Thy Mighty Announcement and given me to drink, from the cup of bounty, the Kawthar of immortality. Thou seest me, O my God, turning toward Thy most exalted horizon and turning away from those who have turned away from Thee, O Lord of all beings and Lord of the throne on high and of the dust. I testify to Thy oneness and singleness and to Thy power and might and sovereignty. I beseech Thee by the horizon which was illumined by the lights of Thy countenance, and the station which was honored by attaining Thy presence, and by the shrill voice of Thy Pen and the signs of Thy greatness, to ordain for me that which will draw me nigh unto Thee and benefit me in all Thy worlds.
I know not what lieth hidden in Thy knowledge, and Thou art more knowing of me than I am myself. I beseech Thee by Thy Name through which Thou didst guide the peoples to Thy Most Great Path, that Thou disappoint me not of what Thou hast ordained for Thy chosen ones. Verily Thou art powerful over what Thou willest and in Thy grasp are the reins of all things. There is no God but Thee, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
BH04957: Today the Blessed Tree of Baha, which hath been…
He is the One Who gazeth from the Most Glorious Horizon
Today the Blessed Tree of Baha, which hath been planted by the hand of the Lord of Names in the Most Exalted Paradise, uttereth this most sublime Word:
“O peoples of the earth! The Lord of Heaven hath come with manifest sovereignty.”
This Blessed Tree appeareth at every moment with fruits and with resplendent leaves, and uttereth a word. I swear by the Sun of utterance which hath shone forth from the horizon of the mouth of the Will of the All-Merciful that the ears of the world and the eyes of the nations were brought from nothingness into being for the purpose of hearing its call. Glory be to God! The veils and clouds of the world have prevented creation from beholding the Most Exalted Horizon in such wise that pen and tongue are powerless to describe it.
Say: O people of the world! Deprive not yourselves of the lights of the Day of Manifestation. Strive that perchance ye may partake of the fruits of the Tree and attain unto the outpourings of the All-Bountiful One. Say: Throughout His entire life this Wronged One hath been in the hands of His enemies, and hath had and hath no purpose except the reformation of the world and the edification of its peoples. He Who speaketh is sufficient as a witness unto this. Ye and the loved ones of God must arise to assist the Cause for the sake of God, and must conquer the cities of men’s hearts through virtuous deeds and actions. This is the irrevocable command which hath been sent down from the heaven of the commandments of the Lord of eternity. Blessed are they that hear! Blessed are they that act!
BH05630: A single effulgence from the Day Star of knowledge…
In the name of the Peerless Friend!
A single effulgence from the Day Star of knowledge hath shone forth from the horizon of the heaven of inner meanings. Countless books have appeared, and none but God can reckon their number. One ray from the lights of the Day Star of His grace hath appeared in the form of the sun, becoming the educator and protector of the world, illumining it with its light. Were We to interpret but one letter of the Book, it would lead to an entire world and the interpretation of that letter would have no end. O people of God! This Day is your Day, for ye have heard and recognized and turned towards Him. Ye have drunk from the ocean of divine knowledge, and have attained unto the hearing of His Word, and are illumined by the light of His grace. Preserve this station through His Name. Say:
O my God, my Adored One! From Thee have I come, and unto Thee have I returned. Illumine my heart with the light of Thy knowledge. Thou art He Whose power the might of the world and of nations hath failed to withhold. From a single effulgence of the Day Star of Thy generosity, oceans of bounty have appeared, and from one manifestation of the Day Star of Thy munificence, the world of existence came into being. O my Lord! Remove from me whatsoever is unworthy of Thy days, and grant me that which is meet. Thou art the Bestower Whose bounty knoweth no bounds. We are Thy servants, seeking Thee and supplicating Thee. Thou art the All-Bountiful, Thou art the Munificent.
BH05489: This is a Book which the All-Merciful hath sent…
He is the One Who stands supreme over all things through His Name, the Self-Subsisting
This is a Book which the All-Merciful hath sent down from the Kingdom of Utterance, confirming the Torah and the Gospel and the Qur’an. This is the Day wherein the Mother Book hath appeared and speaketh: “There is no God but Him, the Mighty, the Bestower.” It calleth all to the supreme horizon. Blessed is the ear that hath attained, and woe unto every heedless doubter. We have remembered those who have believed in God with a remembrance which God, the Lord of all remembrance, hath made. Every matter and every tiding that lay hidden in God’s knowledge, the Lord of lords, hath been made manifest.
Say: O people of the Bayan! Follow not your idle fancies, but follow Him Who hath come with truth and clear proof. Behold ye and call to mind what the divines of Persia wrought when the Lord of Eternity came with power and sovereignty. They denied God’s proof and evidence, and committed that which hath made the Pens unable to recount. They worship vain imaginings—they are indeed among the lost in God’s Book, the Self-Sufficient, the Most High. Blessed art thou for having found the fragrance of revelation and turned to a station round which lights circle. Blessed is thy father—he was remembered before the Wronged One, as attested by Him Who possesseth the Mother Book. The glory rest upon him and upon thee and upon those with you, and upon those who have shown forth supreme steadfastness in this Cause whereby feet have slipped save for those whom God, the Lord of mankind, hath willed.
BH06376: O Muhtasham! The Lord of the world remembers thee…
O Muhtasham! The Lord of the world remembers thee from the direction of His Most Great Prison with that which will assist thee in what will cause thy mention to endure throughout the kingdom of thy Lord, the Possessor of Creation. The fragrances of revelation have been diffused throughout the world, but the nations have turned away from them, having followed the dawning-places of vain imaginings. When thou hast taken the choice wine of utterance from the Merciful One, say:
My God, my God! Praise be to Thee for having made me to know the Dawning-Place of Thy verses and the Dayspring of Thy proof, and for having taught me that which drew me nigh unto Thee and guided me to Thy straight path. I beseech Thee by the pearls of the ocean of Thy knowledge and the lights of the suns of the heaven of Thy wisdom, and by the hands of Thy power and the manifestations of Thy sovereignty, to make me in all conditions a servant of Thy Cause, one who speaks of Thy remembrance and praise, and who stands firm in Thy path—the path which when it appeared caused the ways of the world to change and the limbs of the nations to tremble, except those whom the hands of Thy favor delivered.
O my Lord! I am Thy servant and the son of Thy servant, and I have aimed for the ultimate goal and the highest summit. I beseech Thee by the power of Thy Will and the penetration of Thy Purpose not to withhold from me that which Thou hast ordained for those of Thy servants who are nigh unto Thee and those of Thy loved ones who are sincere. Verily Thou art powerful over what Thou willest. There is no God but Thee, the Mighty, the All-Knowing.
BH06730: This is a Book sent down in truth…
He is the One Who gazeth from His most exalted horizon.
This is a Book sent down in truth from God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. It summoneth all to that which draweth them nigh unto Him. He, verily, is the Truth, the Knower of things unseen. He hath taught mankind the way of prosperity and made known unto them that which profiteth them, and guided them to His extended path. Blessed is the servant whom doubts have not kept back from the Lord of existence, whom the world hath not deluded, and who hath held fast unto the cord of submissiveness.
O people of Baha! Be as dawning-places of the lights of utterance unto the people of possibility, and as a heaven of bounty unto the peoples of the world. Thus have We counseled you before, and at this time, did ye but know it. Beware lest ye object to those who have not entered beneath your shadow. Set forth what ye possess. Fear God and follow not vain imaginings and idle fancies. We love to behold you as horizons of light unto the inhabitants of all lands and as daysprings of mercy unto all created things. Put aside what the people possess, holding fast unto that which ye have been given from God, the Mighty, the All-Loving. Blessed is he who hath attained unto God’s obeyed Word and unto the traces of His Most Exalted Pen. He is truly among those drawn nigh in a preserved Tablet.
BH07562: The Hands of the Cause of God have been…
In the Name of the All-Powerful Bestower!
The Hands of the Cause of God have been and are the educators of the servants. The Supreme Pen counseled all regarding the education of children and youth. Observe the trees: before grafting, their fruit is not worthy of mention, but afterwards that which is worthy of praise appears. A tree, which is counted among plants, through a small measure of cultivation attains to this station. Now reflect upon the trees of existence: if they receive the education of the true Educator, they will turn to the reformation of the world.
O Hasan-i-Qabli-ʿAli! Thou wert mentioned in the presence of the Wronged One and art favored with this most mighty, most holy Tablet. Praise the Lord of the world Who assisted thee and made thee aware of the effulgences of the lights of the Orb of Manifestation. Say: Praise be unto Thee, O my God, for having guided me and made me know Thee. Thou art He Whom nothing whatsoever can frustrate and no matter can prevent. Within Thy grasp are the reins of all affairs. Thou givest and withholdest. Verily Thou art the All-Powerful, the Almighty.
BH07934: O Letter Ha and Letter Sin before Letter ʿAyn!…
O Letter Ha and Letter Sin before Letter ʿAyn! The Most Exalted Pen hath begun to move in remembrance of those loved ones who were neither veiled by the world’s clouds of glory nor frightened by the might of nations. They have taken the sealed wine from the hands of the bounty of My Name, the Self-Subsisting, and have drunk thereof at times in My Name and at other times through My love, whereby hearts were set ablaze and the horizons illumined.
We counsel thee to manifest the greater steadfastness in this Cause whereby feet have slipped.
Say: My God, my God! Praise be to Thee for having guided me unto Thy path, given me to drink of the Kawthar of Thy utterance, and mentioned me in Thy most exalted station which Thou hast named with Thy most beauteous names. I beseech Thee, O Lord of all beings, by the lights of the dawn of Thy Revelation, and by the Tree that hath spoken through Thy command, and by the ocean of Thy bounty which surgeth through Thy will, to make me steadfast in Thy Faith and firm in Thy Cause. Verily Thou art powerful over whatsoever Thou willest and within Thy grasp are the reins of all who are in earth and heaven.
BH09721: O Yavar! Thy mention hath flowed from the Most…
O Yavar! Thy mention hath flowed from the Most Exalted Pen and the Tongue of Grandeur hath spoken thy name. Be thankful and say: Praise be unto Thee, O Dawning-Place of bounty, and glorified art Thou, O Lord of the servants! I testify to Thy oneness and singleness, and to Thy greatness and power, and I beseech Thee by the lights of the Luminary of Thy Cause and the waves of the ocean of Thy utterance to aid me in that which Thou hast revealed in Thy Book.
O Lord! Thou seest me clinging to that which hath appeared from Thy most exalted horizon and holding fast to the hem of Thy mercy, O Lord of all beings. Ordain for me that which will draw me nigh unto Thee and preserve me from those who have denied Thy proof, violated Thy Covenant, rejected Thy signs and disputed Thy testimony. Verily Thou art the Almighty, the All-Compelling, the Forgiving, the Bountiful.
BH09348: A mention from Our presence unto all who dwell…
He is God, exalted be His glory! The All-Wise, the All-Informed
A mention from Our presence unto all who dwell on earth, that the Call may draw them to the Most Exalted Horizon and bring them nigh unto God, the Almighty, the Self-Subsisting. Husayn hath appeared before Our presence and circumambulated the House, attaining unto that which was inscribed in the Books of God, the Lord of the seen and the unseen. He hath appeared and heard what the near ones heard on the Mount of Knowledge—the Call of God, the Lord of all being. We bear witness that he hath turned towards Us and traversed land and sea until he reached the Most Great Prison, the Spot wherein the Wronged One was established upon the throne of utterance with manifest sovereignty. We make mention of thee and desire to make mention of those who have believed in God, the Mighty, the All-Loving.
BH10098: O Ghulam-Qabil-Husayn! Give thanks unto God for having turned…
O Ghulam-Qabil-Husayn! Give thanks unto God for having turned unto thee the countenance of the Wronged One and for having mentioned thee in verses which God hath made the dawning-places of light. He remembereth him who remembereth Him, and desireth for him who hath desired Him bounty and bestowal, grace and glory. He remembereth whom He willeth as a token of grace from His presence, and He is the Mighty, the All-Bountiful. Whoso hath attained this Day unto My remembrance hath attained unto all good, as doth testify the Mother Book which is with Him. Say: O people! By God, the All-Bestowing One hath come at the setting-place, and He is the Hidden Book and the Treasured Mystery. He hath appeared and revealed whatsoever He desired, and He is the Almighty, the Unconstrained.
BH10916: O Baqir! We have heard thy call and witnessed…
O Baqir! We have heard thy call and witnessed thy turning unto Us. We make mention of thee with that which shall endure throughout the dominion of the earthly realm and the Kingdom. We made mention of thee before, and at this time, that thou mayest render thanks unto thy Lord, the Possessor of existence. We have sent down for whosoever hath desired the Face that which shall give him the glad-tidings of the loving-kindness of his Lord, Who hath come from the horizon of might with a Cause before which nothing can stand. To this beareth witness He Who hath circled round the Throne in this praiseworthy station.
BH00070: Praise be to God, thanksgiving to His loved ones…
Section 1: “Praise be to God, thanksgiving to His loved…”
In the Name of our Most Holy, Most Great, Most Exalted, Most Glorious Lord!
Praise be to God, thanksgiving to His loved ones, and glorification to His chosen ones who have not changed His bounty, who have arisen to serve Him, who have spent what they possessed in His path, who have hastened to that which they were commanded in His Book, and who have sought from the ocean of His generosity and the heaven of His bestowal the word of His good-pleasure. These are they whom nothing whatsoever hath deterred from God, the Creator of heaven. They speak not until He hath spoken, and act only by His leave, and acknowledge naught save that which hath been sent down from the heaven of His Will.
Glorified art Thou, O Lord of the Day of Judgment and Educator of the worlds! Thou seest Thy trusted servant clinging to the cord of Thy good-pleasure, observing the stations of Thy loved ones, and mentioning them in his correspondence that the Servant might remember them in the Most Exalted Station and the Supreme Summit. O my Lord! Assist him and those who are united with him, then aid them and reinforce them with the hosts of the seen and the unseen, and with the standards of Thy grandeur and the evidences of Thy Revelation. Verily, Thou art our God, our Goal, our Object of worship, and the Fulfiller of our needs and the needs of Thy servants and creation. Thou art He Who, O my God, hath established through proof the unity of Thy Being and the uniqueness of Thy attributes. There is no God but Thee, the Mighty, the Powerful, and Thou art worthy to answer.
The letters of that beloved one arrived continuously until two weeks ago. Their arrival was like the breezes of spring, and responses were written like rain. Despite the multitude of occupations and extensive correspondence which they have witnessed, there was no delay whatsoever in responding to the letters of that beloved one. We beseech God to assist that beloved one in that which will cause the spread of God’s signs and the sanctification and glorification of His Cause. Each time a letter was presented in the Most Holy and Most Exalted Court, the Tongue of Grandeur spoke words imbued with special favors and perfumed with the fragrances of the mercy of God, exalted be His glory. And on this blessed night, which is the sixteenth of the honored month of Shawwal, that beloved one’s letter which had arrived several weeks ago was once again presented in the Most Holy, Most Exalted Court and achieved the honor of being heard. His blessed and exalted Word:
O Amin, upon thee be the Glory of God, the True King, the Manifest Justice! Thy letters which thou didst send to the servant in attendance were presented in the Most Holy Court. That which thou didst write mentioning the loved ones of that land was all heard. Praise be to God, they have been assisted in that for which they were brought from nothingness into being. All the peoples of the world, from kings to subjects, from learned to jurisprudents and others, have been and are seekers of truth. Yet when the Sun of Truth shone forth from the heaven of will, all were prevented and veiled. Glory be to God! Despite their seeking they are deprived, and despite their longing they are barred. The people of Europe turn to churches, the Jews to temples, the Muslims to mosques, and likewise other religions to monasteries and the like—all seek the truth, yet Truth itself beareth witness to the heedlessness and remoteness of these souls. The hopes of limited days and their vanities have occupied them all and deprived them of everlasting bounties and eternal favors. To this the Tongue of Grandeur beareth witness in its praiseworthy station.
O Amin! Exert thyself to the utmost to promote unity among the loved ones of God. Gird up the loins of endeavour for the manifestation of unity among the people of love, particularly those souls who are adorned with the ornament of distinction. Say: O friends! When any soul, for the sake of God, showeth humility and submissiveness towards any one of the loved ones to exalt the word of unity, that humility and submissiveness becometh a means of elevation and ascension. To this beareth witness the Mother Book in the Kingdom of knowledge and utterance.
That which thou didst write concerning Ali Haydar, upon him be the Glory of God, hath been noted. Praise be to God, he hath been and still is successful in rendering service before the Presence. Give him the glad-tidings of My special favours. Convey to all the friends the greetings of the Wronged One. Thou didst make mention of those who are firm in their faith and who have turned towards God, who are adorned with the ornament of certitude and who are gazing towards the Most Exalted Horizon. This Wronged One hath likewise made mention of each one. God willing, may they attain unto that which will conduce to the reformation of the world and the guidance of all peoples. The glory from Us be upon thee and upon those who have attained unto this mighty Cause.
Praise and thanksgiving be unto God, for He hath ever remembered and continueth to remember His loved ones. By the effulgent lights of the countenance of our Desired One and our Beloved, were the fruits of God’s remembrance—exalted be His glory—to be revealed even to the extent of a needle’s eye, all would become detached from the world and all that is therein, yearning for but one word to be revealed from the Supreme Pen. At present most matters are hidden, but ere long that shall be manifested of which most people are now heedless.
Mention hath been made of the spiritual friend Ali Haydar and likewise the honoured master Naib, upon them both be the Glory of God and His favours. In truth, they are firm in the Cause and steadfast in service. This evanescent servant hath borne and continueth to bear this testimony before the Divine Throne.
Concerning the two supporters, two benefactors, two servants and two beloved ones—namely the honored brothers Naddaf, upon them be the glory of the All-Merciful—after presenting your letter in the Most Holy, Most Exalted Presence, these luminous words were revealed, blessed and exalted be His utterance: “O Amin, upon thee be My glory! Reflect upon God’s confirmations and assistance. Whoso is for God, God is for him. I swear by the Sun of Truth that they are more renowned and well-known among the Concourse on High and the dwellers of the heavens than among the people of earth. Divine blessing has been and continues to be with them. Consider the early days of the Most Great Prison—blessings, bounties and heavenly sustenance descended like rain, but when treachery appeared, it was cut off, such that commerce was suspended and most were scattered. The Hand of Divine Power exalted the Prison to such a degree that it rivaled the highest Paradise and the supreme Heaven, yet the treachery of the treacherous ones closed the gates of goodly gifts.
O Amin, convey to these two souls the greetings and salutations of the Wronged One. Their mention is immortalized in the Books and Scriptures of God. What thou hast written concerning their mention, their enthusiasm and their detachment is the truth in which there is no doubt. We beseech God to preserve them and make them among those who have taken their station near the mercy of their Lord in all His worlds. Verily thy Lord is the Compassionate, the Generous. Their reward is with God. The Most Exalted Pen hath testified to their acceptance, their love, their steadfastness and their service. This is a testimony that neither the riches of the world nor the treasures of nations can equal. Verily thy Lord is the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.”
The lamp of utterance is illumined with the oil of wisdom and bestoweth light and radiance upon all the cities of justice and fairness. This lamp shall never be extinguished, nor shall contrary winds prevent its light. The Command is in His grasp, He doeth what He willeth. There is no God but Him, the Mighty, the Powerful.
As for the mention made of the friends in Gokchay and Chakan, a Most Holy Tablet hath been revealed for them from the heaven of divine Will, and mention of that beloved one hath also been revealed therein. I beseech God to assist them to read and understand its meanings. Likewise, a letter was sent specifically for Isma’il Bey, upon him be the glory of God.
The Beloved One mentioned in one of His letters the meeting with the spiritual friend, Aqa ʿAli-Haydar, and Sayyah Effendi, noting that he desired to meet with both them and the Beloved One. He had also written inquiring what should be done in these matters and had sought guidance. After these passages were presented at the supreme horizon and the loftiest heights, the tongue of grandeur spoke these blessed words—His glory be exalted and His bounties be universal:
O Amin! Repeatedly hast thou seen the Wronged One, and in each instance when thou didst arrive in the prison-land, thou didst circle round for successive months and didst dwell beneath the canopies of grandeur. Face to face thou didst hear that which conduceth to the building of the world, the reformation of nations, the elevation of souls and the purification of hearts. The Supreme Pen, without veil or concealment, declareth: O My loved ones! O party of God! Know with clear certitude that this Most Great Revelation hath come to extinguish the fire of hatred and animosity that lieth hidden in hearts and minds. The company of loved ones in all regions must strive that perchance through the waters of counsel and the rivers of exhortation they may purify the world, so that the kindled fire may be quenched and the horizons may be illumined with the light of unity. From any matter wherein can be detected even an atom’s weight of mischief, conflict, contention, or the grief of any soul, the people of God must withdraw as they would from a deadly serpent.
This exalted Word proclaimeth in the scriptures, books and tablets with the most loud call, declaring in the most clear language: O peoples of the earth! The Glad-Tidings of God have come! This is the time of joy, happiness and delight, for strife, dispute and conflict have been forbidden in the divine tablets. This is the Day of reformation, not of corruption. The people of Baha, who have drunk of the choice-sealed wine in the name of the Self-Subsisting, must aid the Cause through goodly admonition, pure deeds and praiseworthy character. Say: This is the host of God, did ye but know, and this is the command of God, did ye but understand. Say: Verily the commander of My armies is the fear of God, did ye but perceive. Victory and triumph in this Most Great Revelation have been ordained to these mentioned hosts. Blessed are they that act and blessed are they that attain.
This matter hath been revealed from the Supreme Pen in the tablets to such an extent that one would be hard-pressed to enumerate them. This is the truth, and after truth there is naught but error. However, in certain instances where the outright denial of a matter would openly cause the fire of hatred to blaze forth, one must resort to wisdom. In any case, this Most Great Revelation hath never been, nor ever shall be, party to corruption. To this do bear witness My tongue, My heart, My pen, My scriptures, My books and My tablets.
O Amin! Convey My greetings to ʿAli-Haydar, upon him be My glory. Say: Praise be to God, thou art mentioned in the presence of the Wronged One and hast attained the bounties of the Dawning-Place of divine mercy. We make mention of all the loved ones in that land and bid them to unity and harmony. And I am, verily, the Commander, the Ruler, the Ancient of Days.
In the early years, certain followers of the Bayan engaged in acts at the beginning of the Cause which modesty prevents pen and tongue from mentioning. They appropriated people’s property without permission and engaged in forbidden deeds. After Our and your Beloved turned towards Iraq, He would counsel and advise them night and day, both by pen and tongue, until some attained to what God desired. Now, looking back to those days, some still seek through former delusions that which has been and remains rejected by God. In these situations one must resort to wisdom, for if accepted it would be contrary to truth since corruption has been strictly forbidden in the Book, and if denied it would cause sedition. In truth one is perplexed. In any case, this evanescent servant beseeches God to adorn souls with justice and fairness, that love of fleeting days may not prevent them from eternal, endless bounties. Verily our Lord and your Lord and the Lord of earth and heaven has power over all things.
As for the eloquent and exalted praise given of the divine loved ones in the land of Ta, after this matter was presented before the Most Holy, Most Exalted Presence, these supreme words were revealed from the Mother Book—blessed and exalted be His words:
“O Amin! Blessed art thou for having mentioned My loved ones in Ta. Convey My glory unto them, remind them of My remembrances, and give them the glad tidings of My favors. Those souls who have turned from that land towards the Most Holy Court are at this moment mentioned in the presence. We have preferred some over others and ordained for them abundant good in the Book.”
End quote. This evanescent one also extends greetings, praise and glory to all, and begs God, exalted be His glory, for assistance and confirmation for all. It is hoped they will be enkindled with the fire of love and will guide the people of the contingent world to the horizon of the All-Merciful through wisdom and utterance.
Regarding your written request to sometimes attain the presence of that Beloved One, this supplication was accepted. Praise be to God, this servant was successful and his deed was adorned with the ornament of acceptance.
Section 2: “As for your mention of the honored master…”
As for your mention of the honored master, Aqa Mirza ʿAbdu’llah, upon him be the Glory of God and His favors, after it was presented He smiled and said:
“Excellent is what Amin has done in mentioning him. We have mentioned him before and sent him a Tablet testifying to My grace towards him and My favors unto him. Give him the glad tidings We have given thee. Say: Grieve not, for the fragrance of My favor has not ceased, nor has My pen’s movement in thy mention. Verily thy Lord is with thee in all conditions.”
End quote. Indeed they have attained to that which has no equal. Happy is he and blessed is he.
And mention was made of Aqa Mirza Habibu’llah and Aqa Mirza Muhammad-Taqi, upon them be the Glory of God, and likewise their being enkindled with divine love. Today, which is the 16th of the aforementioned month, this servant has specifically written a letter to Aqa Mirza Muhammad-Taqi, upon him be the Glory of God, in response to his letter, and mention is made therein of the spiritual friend Aqa Mirza Habibu’llah, upon him be the Glory of God. That letter contains the verses of God and mentions the forgiveness of certain souls by God, exalted be His glory.
They have made mention of the spiritual friend, Haji Mirza Husayn, upon him be the Glory of God, who has requested to be remembered in the Most Holy Court. Praise be to God, he has attained to divine mention and heavenly grace. Blessed be he!
Another letter from that honored one, dated the ninth and last day of Sha’ban, arrived like a sealed vessel. When we broke its seal, musk most fragrant diffused, for it was adorned with mention of the Beloved of all worlds. After its reading and review, one night it was presented at the Most Exalted Horizon. Thus speaks the Lord, exalted and sanctified be He:
“O servant present before God! Praise be to God, the Trustee has succeeded in serving the Cause. We beseech God to assist him in uniting hearts and bringing souls into harmony. O Trustee! Regarding what you wrote about unity with Ali Haydar, We have written replies both before and after. God has ever loved unity and harmony. And concerning J and A and A and other friends of that land, as well as mention of their enthusiasm, humility, submissiveness, and arising to serve the Cause of God, exalted be His glory—all attained the honor of being heard, and each received their portion and complete share from the ocean of the All-Merciful’s utterance. Give glad tidings to all. We beseech God to ordain for them the good of every world among His worlds. Verily, He is the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous.”
Regarding what you wrote about the friends of that land and the prisoners in various countries—those souls who, in the path of God, drank from the cup of tribulations and were afflicted with hardship and adversity, and who due to the oppression of the oppressors, namely the ignorant divines, left their homeland and arrived in the Land of Ta, which had been the dawning-place of the manifestation of the Lord of Names and Attributes—all these matters and the names of those who emigrated in the path of God were presented before the throne of the World’s Intended One. After hearing them, the ocean of the All-Merciful’s utterance surged in such wise that all the pens of the world are incapable of describing it. His mighty and glorious Words declare:
“O Trustee! Upon thee be My Glory! Blessed art thou for having mentioned My loved ones who emigrated from their homeland due to what the hands of the oppressors wrought—those who changed God’s blessing into ingratitude, broke His Covenant, disputed His verses, and arose to extinguish His light. Say: Die in your wrath! Soon shall ye find yourselves in grievous torment while My loved ones dwell in the highest Paradise, and ye shall find no way unto God. Thus has the Tongue of Grandeur spoken in this impregnable fortress. We desired to mention each one of them as a token of Our grace, for We are the Expositor, the All-Knowing, and We are the Compassionate, the Generous.
“O My Pen! Make mention of him who was named Ismail. Say: Blessed art thou for having turned to God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting, and for having attained to His verses and the fragrances of His days, and for having endured what befell thee at the hands of those who violated the Covenant and the pledges. Hear My call and rejoice in My remembrance. By God’s life! The mention of all the world cannot equal it. Blessed are the people who understand. Sorrows have seized thee in My path; let joy and gladness seize thee through My remembrance. Verily thy Lord is the Single, the One, the Powerful, the Mighty, the Loving.”
O Mahmud! Upon thee be My glory! We bear witness that thou hast heard from Mine enemies that which thou wouldst not wish to hear. Hearken at this moment unto that which God hath created all creation to hear. Say: Praise be to Thee, O Thou the Goal of the world! I testify that Thy remembrance is the cause of the joy of the world, whereunto honored servants bear witness. Let not the happenings of the world sadden thee. Cast aside what the people possess, holding fast to My Name, the Mighty, the Beloved. That which delighteth the eyes hath been revealed for thee and for My loved ones.
O Siyyid Muhammad! When thou hast drunk the choice wine of revelation from the cup of Mine utterance, say: My God, my God! Praise be to Thee for having caused me to hear Thy most sweet call and the shrill voice of Thy Most Exalted Pen. I beseech Thee by Thy Name, the Self-Subsisting, through which he who announced to the servants Thy Manifestation and what would appear from Thy presence arose, to make me turn toward Thee in all conditions. Verily, Thou art the Self-Sufficient, the Most High.
O Muhammad-Rida! When thou art illumined by the lights of thy Lord, the Most Merciful’s utterance, and hearest the call of the Wronged One, say: My God, my God! Praise be to Thee for having made me to know Thee, taught me, and guided me. I beseech Thee to make me steadfast in Thy love and to drink the choice wine of knowledge from the hand of Thy bounty. Verily, Thou art the Forgiving, the Merciful.
O Muhammad-ʿAli! O sight! The Lord of Destiny remembereth thee from the direction of His Most Great Scene, remindeth thee of His verses, and giveth thee glad tidings of His grace. Say: Praise be to Thee, O Lord of the world, and thanksgiving be unto Thee, O Creator of the heavens, for having given me to drink the cup of Thy love and enabled me to acknowledge what Thou hast revealed in Thy Book. O my Lord! Thou seest me turning toward Thee and holding fast to the cord of Thy generosity. I beseech Thee, O Lord of existence, to ordain for me that which will preserve me from the arrows of the croakers’ allusions and the swords of the doubts of the infidels. Verily, Thou art powerful over what Thou willest. There is none other God but Thee, the Mighty, the Bountiful.
O Muhammad (Na’im)! When My utterance’s choice wine taketh thee and thou findest the fragrant breezes of My revelation, say: My God, my God! Praise be to Thee for having remembered me in Thy prison while Thou wert in the hands of Thine enemies. I beseech Thee by the letters of Thy all-embracing Word, by Thy revealed verses, by the movement of Thy Most Exalted Pen, and by the manifestations of Thy power in the kingdom of creation, to make me firm in Thy love and steadfast in Thy Cause. Thou art He Whom the hosts of the world have not frightened and the power of nations hath not weakened. Thou takest and givest. Verily, Thou art the Powerful, the Mighty.
O Qanbar-ʿAli! Blessed is the servant who hath borne hardships in My love and heard the derision of enemies in My path. He is among the most excellent of servants before his Lord, the Chosen One, and among the most exalted of creation before the Truth. To this beareth witness the Mother Book in its lofty station.
O Muhammad-ʿAli! Blessed is the servant who hath journeyed in My path, chosen exile for My Name, and accepted tribulations for My love. He is of the people of My paradise. Upon him be My glory, My loving-kindness, My grace, and My mercy, which have preceded all who are in the heavens and the earth.
O Muhammad-Qabli-Taqi! There hath come upon thee what hath come upon Us. By My life! Poison in My path is honey, and fire is light, and tribulation is mercy, and adversity is bounty, and hardship is a feast. Thus hath My Most Exalted Pen spoken unto thee in the prison of ʿAkka, that thou mayest hear and be of those who render thanks.
O My Most Exalted Pen! Make mention of him who hath been named Hajji Siyyid Mirza. Say: Blessed art thou for having turned unto My horizon and hearkened unto My call. Well is it with thee for having honored the dwelling-place of those who were forced to abandon their homes through the actions of the oppressors. Blessed art thou and blessed is he who hath sheltered them, honored them, fed them and shown them kindness. Verily, We are with them, hearing and seeing. Thy Lord, in truth, is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing. We beseech God to assist thee, to strengthen thee, and to ordain for thee that which shall profit thee. He, verily, is the Ordainer, the All-Wise.
All praise be to God, all have been immersed in the waves of the ocean of the All-Merciful’s utterance. After the names were presented, the Tongue of Grandeur spoke in such wise that every hearer was astounded and every speaker was rendered speechless. For each of the mentioned souls, a river flowed and mercy was bestowed. Likewise, regarding those souls who showed love and affection to the emigrants, that which hath been sent down from the heaven of divine will for each one beareth witness to the ocean of the All-Merciful’s mercy. In truth, holy souls in their stations have hoped and yearned for this station. The command is in His grasp; He assisteth whom He willeth through His mercy, and He is the Forgiving, the Merciful. This lowly one also conveyeth greetings and praise to each one, and beseecheth assistance from God, exalted be His glory.
The petition of Aqa Mirza Abu’l-Hasan (ʿA.T.), upon him be the Glory of God, was received and was presented in the Most Holy and Exalted Presence on Tuesday night, the nineteenth of the honored month of Shawwal, two hours after nightfall, and was graced with the lights of acceptance. Blessed is he and well is it with him. A sublime, most exalted, most glorious, most wondrous Tablet was revealed from the heaven of the will of the Lord of all beings specifically for him and was sent. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, to assist him to receive the blessed Tablet through His strength and His power, that he may drink from the cups of his Lord’s utterance, the Kawthar of His knowledge. Verily, our Lord and your Lord is the Compassionate, the Generous.
Concerning what was submitted about the ascension of the departed wife, upon her be the Glory of God and His mercy, and her will, He said: “Her sins are forgiven.” As mention was made of her in the Most Holy Presence, the blessed word of pardon was revealed concerning her. Regarding her will, what was done in consideration of wisdom was adorned with the honor of acceptance, and the remainder should be given to the Trustee, who should give it to certain specified persons.
Concerning what was requested about the other wife, upon her be the Glory of God, after it was presented before Him, a most mighty and exalted Tablet was revealed specifically for her and was sent. His bounty hath encompassed, His mercy hath preceded, and His favor hath been complete, yet the people are in evident opposition. Soon shall the veils be rent asunder and the servants shall discover that of which they are heedless today, and shall turn unto that from which they now turn away. Verily, our Lord and your Lord is the One Who hath power over whatsoever He willeth through His word “Be,” and it is.
And concerning what they wrote about the parents, after it was presented in the presence of Him in Whose grasp is the Kingdom of all things, these exalted words were revealed from the heaven of will. He saith, blessed and exalted be He:
My God, my God! Thou seest me attracted by Thy verses, clinging to the cord of Thy bounty, enkindled with the fire of Thy love, and soaring in the atmosphere of Thy nearness. I beseech Thee by the Hands of Thy Cause, the Daysprings of Thy power, and the Dawning-places of Thy grandeur and might, to ordain for me and for those related to me that which will draw us nigh unto Thee and guide us to Thy straight path and Thy mighty Cause. O my Lord! I am Thy servant and the son of Thy servant. I know not what harmeth or profiteth me. Verily, Thou art the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. Ordain for me, O my God, that which will enable me to serve Thy Cause and through which Thy Most Exalted Word may be upraised among all people. Verily, Thou art powerful over what Thou willest. There is no God but Thee, the Sovereign, the Self-Subsisting.
The favor of God, glorified be His majesty, hath seized them, and that which hath been revealed shall neither change nor alter. Verily the grace is in His hands; He bestoweth it upon whomsoever He willeth, and He is the Mighty, the Chosen One.
As to their question concerning the departure of the spirit and its state in the other worlds, after being submitted to the Most Holy and Exalted Presence, the Tongue of Grandeur spoke these sublime words, blessed and exalted be His utterance:
“O thou who drinkest the wine of My love and soarest on the wings of certitude in the atmosphere of My nearness! Various statements have repeatedly been revealed from the tongue of the Lord of all beings in the Tablets. The Prophets and Messengers have veiled the understanding of this station for the preservation of the world. In truth, were a soul to reflect upon that which hath streamed forth from the Most Exalted Pen regarding these stations, he would know with absolute certitude that no faculty hath been created in this world capable of comprehending and knowing its reality. However, this much may be mentioned: By the life of God! The lights and effulgences of those pure spirits who ascend detached from the world and purified from the doubts of the nations, are the cause and source of the manifestation of knowledge, wisdom, crafts, and the preservation of creation. Death shall not overtake them, and their consciousness, understanding, power and strength are beyond the reckoning of minds and comprehension. The lights of these spirits are the educators of the world and its peoples. Were this station to be fully unveiled, all souls would seek to ascend and the world would be thrown into a tumult.”
Section 3: “In these days, one of the friends…”
In these days, one of the friends from the land of Qaf and Vav asked about this matter, and an answer was revealed from the Kingdom of utterance of our Lord, the All-Merciful. It is mentioned here exactly as it was revealed, that the loved ones may drink from the wine of divine utterance and attain unto the station of supreme steadfastness.
Regarding what was asked about whether the soul endures after the body’s extinction and, if it endures, what state it will have, He, blessed and exalted be He, says: As to what you asked about the spirit and its survival after its ascension, know that it will ascend at the time of its passing until it attains the presence of God in a form which neither the succession of centuries and ages, nor the changes and chances of the world can alter. It will endure as long as the Kingdom of God, His sovereignty, His dominion and power will endure. From it will be made manifest the signs of God and His attributes, and the loving-kindness of God and His bounties.
The pen is unable to move in mentioning this station and its loftiness and sublimity as it truly is. The hand of divine grace will lead it to a station that no expression can befittingly describe, nor any other earthly thing can indicate. Blessed is the spirit that hath emerged from the body purified from the doubts and superstitions of the nations. That spirit moveth in the atmosphere of God’s pleasure and entereth the Supreme Paradise. The denizens of the retreats of the Exalted Paradise circle around it, and it consorteth with the Prophets of God and His chosen ones, conversing with them of what it hath endured in the path of God, the Lord of all worlds. If anyone were to be made aware of what hath been ordained for it in the worlds of God, the Lord of the throne on high and of earth below, he would immediately yearn with a great longing for that most exalted, most sanctified and most resplendent station.
Hear in the Persian tongue, O ʿAbdu’l-Vahhab, upon thee be My glory! As to thy question about the survival of the spirit, this Wronged One beareth witness to its immortality. And as to thy question about its nature, verily it cannot be described, nor is it meet to mention it except to a predetermined degree. The Prophets and Messengers have come to guide creation to the straight path of Truth, and their purpose hath been the education of souls so that at the time of ascension they may, with utmost sanctity, detachment and severance, set out for the Most Exalted Companion. By the life of God! The effulgences of these spirits are the cause of the development of the world and the stations of nations.
They are the essence of existence and the ultimate cause for the appearances and crafts of the world. Through them the clouds pour down rain and the earth bringeth forth. Nothing among all things existeth without cause, reason and origin, and the greatest cause hath been and shall ever be these sanctified spirits. The difference between this world and that world is like the difference between the embryonic world and this world. In brief, after ascension it attaineth the presence of God in a form worthy of immortality and suited to that world. This immortality is temporal immortality, not essential immortality, for it hath a cause, while essential immortality is without cause and belongeth exclusively to God, exalted be His glory. Well is it with them that comprehend!
If thou wouldst reflect upon the deeds of the Prophets, thou wouldst bear witness with absolute certitude that there are worlds besides this world. The philosophers of the earth, as revealed by the Most Exalted Pen in the Tablet of Wisdom, have mostly acknowledged what hath been revealed in the divine Books. However, the materialists who believe in nature have written concerning the Prophets that they were philosophers who, for the education of the people, made mention of Paradise, hell, reward and punishment. Now consider how all people, in whatever world they dwell, have regarded the Prophets as taking precedence over all others. Some consider these ethereal beings as wise philosophers while others regard them as being from God. Now if such souls had considered the divine worlds to be limited to this world, they would never have given themselves into the hands of enemies and endured sufferings and hardships that have no parallel. If a person contemplates with a pure heart and penetrating vision that which has shone forth from the Most Exalted Pen, they will speak with the tongue of their true nature saying “Now hath the truth become manifest.”
As for your letter numbered 10 dated the twenty-eighth of Ramadan, it opened a new door and brought fresh tidings, including news of your health and well-being and your arising to serve the Divine Cause, as well as word of the well-being of those friends and loved ones who are adorned with the ornament of distinction. Glory be to God! This tongueless messenger has conveyed so many words. God willing, may it ever be in motion. Patience is beloved in every station except in this one, for a messenger coming from the loved ones of Truth must move with utmost haste and arrive in quick succession.
Concerning what you wrote about the Leaf, the handmaiden of God, upon her be the Glory of God, after it was presented at the Most Holy Court, this supreme Word shone forth from the horizon of divine utterance—exalted be His blessed and transcendent Word:
“O Amin, upon thee be My glory. You and your kinfolk have been and are of the Truth. Convey greetings to each one on behalf of the Truth and give them the glad-tidings of His grace, mercy and bounty. And concerning the Leaf, what you mentioned has been adorned with the ornament of acceptance. We beseech God to aid them both in that which He loves and is pleased with. Verily He is the Lord of the Throne and Earth, and the Lord of the Last and the First.”
And likewise your other letter numbered 1 and dated the 6th of Shawwal was a book in praise and glorification of the Goal of all the worlds and His loved ones and chosen ones. A hundred thousand thanks to the Intended Lord that He granted you the grace of mention and this servant the grace of hearing. The Command is in His hand and He is the All-Commanding, the All-Wise.
Regarding what you wrote about sending the prayer of Hadrat-i-Ism-i-Jud, upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God, so that it might be presented in His presence—at this moment this evanescent servant was present in the Most Holy and Most Exalted Court and, after permission was granted, presented it. When it was concluded, the gate of this utterance was opened with the key of grace—blessed and exalted be His Word:
“Verily We have heard your call and have answered you time and again. Praise be to God, in every letter your mention has been made. The Sun of Grace has ever been shining and manifest from the horizon of the heaven of divine mercy. You have attained to that which the world has been awaiting. Grace is in His hand and bounty is in the grasp of His power. Verily He is the All-Bountiful, the Almighty, the All-Forgiving, the All-Merciful.”
Praise be to God! The Sun of Divine Bounty has encompassed the world of being and His favors are like torrential rain descending at every moment upon His loved ones. Who is capable of rendering thanks unless His aid takes hold and His bounty accepts what has appeared? He is the All-Generous and He is the All-Powerful.
The petition of Aqa Mulla Muhammad (ʿA.T.), upon him be the Glory of God, after being submitted to the Most Holy and Exalted Presence, a special Sacred Tablet was revealed and sent to him. May he, God willing, drink from the Kawthar of utterance and be illumined by the lights of the Sun of inner meanings. Furthermore, the Tongue of Utterance spoke these exalted words concerning him—blessed and exalted be His Word:
“Praise be to God that he has attained to recognition and acceptance. We beseech God to grant him steadfastness, for the liars of old have emerged from behind the veil and are diligently striving to organize a party like the party of before. O Trustee, beseech God not to deprive His servants of the luminary of justice and fairness. Verily, He is powerful over all things.”
This servant also conveys greetings to him and beseeches God, exalted be His Glory, for that which causes steadfastness and arising to serve the Cause. Praise be to God that through divine grace, mercy and forgiveness he has attained and is mentioned by the Supreme Pen. Blessed be he.
Regarding the mention of Mulla Ghulam-Riday-i-Jasbi, upon him be God’s eternal Glory, and the mention of his being set ablaze with the fire of divine love, after being submitted before the Divine Presence, these exalted words were revealed from the Supreme Pen concerning him—blessed and exalted be His Word:
“O Ghulam-Rida! Upon thee be My Glory! Thou hast ever been and art still remembered. We beseech God to assist thee in that which causes the exaltation of His Word and the steadfastness of His servants. Beseech God to protect His servants lest they become afflicted with the darkness of idle fancies and vain imaginings like the former party, and remain deprived of the lights of true unity. The people of the Bayan have newly intended to organize a Shi’ih party. May God protect Us and you from the evil of these people. Verily, He is the Powerful, the Mighty.”
This servant is astonished at how quickly they became veiled and heedless of what they have seen and continue to see. What profit did the former party gain, and what service did they render unto God on the Day of Reckoning, except to occupy themselves with cursing from pulpits and issuing verdicts for bloodshed? Now consider the lack of vision among the people. By the Sun of Truth, they are deprived of hearing, sight, and understanding. May God grant vision and bestow fairness.
And likewise regarding the mention of Mashhadi Nasru’llah, Mashhadi Husayn, Aqa Muhammad-Sadiq and his brother, upon them be the Glory of God, after this matter was submitted before the Divine Throne, these verses shone forth from the Dayspring of clear signs—blessed and exalted be His Word:
“O Nasru’llah! Upon thee be the Glory of God! For God’s sake I speak, and for His Face I declare: The luminary of fairness is veiled and the light of justice is not visible. Steadfastness is like the phoenix—mentioned but non-existent. Beseech God to make thee and His loved ones firm and steadfast in His Cause. He is the Powerful, the Mighty.
O Mashhadi Husayn! Upon thee be My Glory! This Wronged One remembers thee in prison, that perchance through the breaths of remembrance thou mayest hold fast unto the cord of the One remembered—a hold which the entire world would be powerless to sever. This is the station of man. Blessed is he who holdeth fast unto the cord of God’s grace, the Lord of all worlds.”
O Muhammad-Sadiq! The Most Exalted Pen makes mention of thee at a time when it is imprisoned and wronged before the heedless ones. It counsels thee to steadfastness in His Cause. Whosoever hath drunk from the waters of steadfastness is numbered by the Most Exalted Pen among the dwellers of the Crimson Ark. Blessed art thou and blessed are they that are with thee and have believed in God, the Lord of all worlds. Today steadfastness is accounted as the most great of all deeds in the sight of the Self-Sufficient, the Most High. Blessed is he that hath attained, and woe unto the heedless ones. Jinab-i-Amin hath made mention of each one; therefore all have been blessed through the influence of the Most Exalted Pen. We have made mention of those whose names thou didst recount before the Wronged One, and We have sent down for them that which will draw them nigh unto God, the Lord of the Day of Judgment. Blessed is he that hath turned towards Him, and woe unto them that have turned away.
This servant conveys greetings and glorification to each one, and gives them the glad-tidings of God’s favors. This is the day of turning towards God, of attention and steadfastness. Blessed are those souls whom the whisperings of Satan have not prevented from the Most Exalted Horizon nor deprived thereof. Glory and praise and honor be upon you and upon those who are with you and love you for the sake of God, the Lord of the worlds.
The servant 19th of the honored month of Shawwal 1304