Volume 081: Akka 1304 A.H. (1886–1887), Part II (5 of 5)

BH00594: He Who is our Purpose, our Beloved, and our…

Section 1: “He Who is our Purpose, our Beloved…”

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

He Who is our Purpose, our Beloved, and our Object of Worship beareth witness that there is none other God but Him, and that He Who hath appeared is His Manifestation, His Self, His Visible Form, His Sovereignty, His Cause, and His Power. He is the Hidden Mystery and the Treasured Secret. Through Him the letter Kaf was joined to its pillar, the letter Nun. The splendor shining from the horizon of the heaven of His utterance be upon His loved ones and companions who have not broken His covenant and testament, who were not hindered by the doubts of the skeptics nor the gestures of the heedless, and who were not frightened by the hosts of princes nor the clamor of those in the realm of creation. They turned with illumined hearts and radiant faces on a Day when all but those whom God, our Lord and the Lord of earth and heaven, wished, turned away.

And further: O beloved of my heart, thy letters and writings have descended like copious rain. Praise be to God, thou art remembering with thy tongue, hearing with thine ear, witnessing with thine eye, turning with thy face, accepting with thy heart, taking with thy hand, and writing with thy pen. Glory be to Him Who hath strengthened you, guided you, caused you to know, established you, and granted you a great kingdom in His remembrance and the service of His Cause. Though outwardly there hath been separation due to God’s consummate wisdom, the writing of letters hath joined that which no separation can part nor any change or transformation affect. Exalted be His glory, universal His bounty, great His grace, and mighty His bestowal! The replies to thy beloved letters were written in detail, but their dispatch was delayed this time, and this brief note is hastily submitted. For it is crystal clear that no glad tidings and no joy or delight can be greater than a message from the Most Holy Court. Its tidings revive the soul and its effect bestoweth life upon decayed bones. How then could there be delay, given your burning desire and this evanescent servant’s sincerity?

The letter from the honored friend Abbas (upon him be the Glory of God), which the spiritual friend Ali Haydar (upon him be God’s glory and favor) forwarded, was presented at the Most Holy Court. The answer to his question was revealed from the heaven of divine will, and as commanded, this servant wrote and sent it to Ali Haydar for delivery. This was truly a great bounty bestowed upon him, for questions had previously been forbidden, as revealed in response to a petition from one of the divines. His blessed and exalted Word states: “This is not the day for questions. It behooveth every soul, when hearing the call from the Supreme Horizon, to arise and say: ʿHere am I, O Lord of Names and Creator of Heaven!”’ Nevertheless, the answer to his question was graciously given and dispatched. Happy is he! We beseech God to assist him in that which befitteth His Cause and His days.

O beloved of my heart! According to the command, when you give an amount to any person, let them not think it is continuous, for if they understand this it will cause you difficulty. Often there is nothing available, as most times in this land expenses are met by borrowing from others. However, the teachers must receive sufficient means that they need not be dependent and accept nothing from others except for the love of God, love of His Cause, and the exaltation of His Word. If such souls are found, the Cause will move faster than lightning and encompass all lands.

Regarding the specified amount, according to instructions it was bestowed upon some, including Mishkin-Qalam who, with his family, left Cyprus several months ago and came to the Most Holy Court, thus losing their government pension. Many travelers have also come this year. Five people, one of whom is Mulla Muhammad-ʿAli-i-Yazdi, upon him be Baha’u’llah’s glory, were given fifty tumans. As no cash was available, according to instructions Aqa Mirza Muhammad, upon him be Baha’u’llah’s glory, obtained it from some sources to be repaid later.

Since your departure nearly a year ago, very little has been received. Though the Cause rests with God, exalted be His glory, this is meant to inform you. Regarding what you wrote about borrowing if necessary from his honor Afnan or Haji Shaykh Muhammad-ʿAli, upon them both be the Most Glorious Glory of God, nothing has been borrowed yet. Whatever was needed was obtained from outside sources and spent here and for the community, as you are aware.

When your latest letter arrived, permission was granted to receive that amount, perhaps to pay scattered debts. A small amount for the House has not yet been received but was deposited with his honor Afnan. These days there is intention to discuss the matter of the House. The pool is still not finished—had you been here, it would have been completed quickly. This servant, considering the blessed word revealed in the Book from the heaven of the Will of the Lord of Names which states “Enlarge thy skirts, O Jerusalem,” has begun this work.

Another matter: ten tumans were previously given to the honored Hajiyyih, upon her be the glory of God, from the people of Kaf. The intention was not to receive it back, but the honored lady mentioned during her departure and return about returning this amount there. It became known they had borrowed this amount as a debt and intended to repay it. Thus it was arranged to be given there to the honored beloved Ibn-i-Abhar, upon them both be the glory of God and His favors. Later it was decreed that it should not be accepted. The honored Amin should, on behalf of the Truth, relinquish it to her and convey greetings and expressions of favor on behalf of the Wronged One. This has not been forgotten and remains mentioned. End.

And likewise they said to tell him that Mulla Ahmad and Khan did not come to the Most Holy Court, although you mentioned they had said “We will go there too.” In any case, let it be known that truthfulness, justice and fairness are rare to find in the world, and if found are as scarce as the philosopher’s stone. Mulla Ahmad’s purpose is clear, but poor Khan is unaware and knows not the cause and reason thereof. May that leaf, upon her be Baha’s blessings, beseech God’s grace that He may rend asunder the veils of tyranny and oppression, and deprive not His servants of the effulgent rays of the Orb of justice and fairness. He is the Potent, the Powerful.

Regarding his honor the Bey, upon him be the glory of God and His favors, praise be to God, after his petition and that of the beloved one, it was once again crowned with acceptance, and a separate leaf concerning this matter is enclosed which will come to view. And that they wrote they are proceeding to Hamadan is very good, for one of the companions in that land committed a deed that caused the tears of the sincere to flow and the sighs of those near to ascend. Therefore some hearts were saddened. O Amin! Such souls have ever been the cause of the Faith’s abasement among the people. Beseech God to grant the doer the grace to return, that he may repent like unto Nasuh and take refuge with the Truth, exalted be His glory, from sins and transgressions.

And likewise this exalted word was uttered from the Tongue of Grandeur: O Amin, upon thee be My glory! If the people of the Furqan (Qur’an) had acted according to the Law of the Apostle of God, the lands of Islam, which they imagine to be the people of unity, would not have been encompassed by the people of misbelief. Each day they seize and take away a member and a portion thereof, and until now they have not understood what is the cause and reason. O Amin! Nevertheless We have concealed, for the Truth, exalted be His glory, is the Concealer and the All-Patient. All are commanded to gracious concealment and beautiful patience. Blessed are they that attain! The friends of that land too, if they conceal, will be accounted among those who conceal in the sight of God.

Similarly, in Kurdistan, according to what had been written, a person there committed such deeds as the Pen is ashamed to mention, but knowledge thereof rests with our Lord. If you were to journey there and convey greetings and salutations to the friends on behalf of the Truth, and show kindness and favor, it would be acceptable in the sight of God. Some barking dogs who consider the Truth heedless and themselves learned have passed through those regions and are striving to lead people astray. In any case, that beloved one, and every fair-minded person, and beyond them the Truth, exalted be His glory, bear witness that these barking ones neither were nor are aware of the foundation of the Cause.

Whatever they say, they have heard from the liars of the world—like the Shi’ih sect who heard certain fabrications from some ignorant ones, which caused them to inflict upon the souls of Truth, on the Day of Manifestation, that which made the Pen weep and the Tablet lament. It is hoped that hearts and minds will be refreshed by the sweet fragrances of that beloved one’s utterance. In any case, let the friends of Ha and Mim, as well as Kurdistan, exert mighty efforts in this matter and give glad tidings to all, that they might attain, through the breathings of revelation, to that which shall never change. Certain matters occurred in that land which this servant heard from the Tongue of Grandeur. May the Truth, exalted be His glory, grant fairness to the barking ones and sustain His loved ones with the Kawthar of supreme steadfastness. He is the Powerful, the Mighty.

Section 2: “Another matter concerns an engraver who spent some…”

Another matter concerns an engraver who spent some time in Hadba (Mosul), outwardly in agreement but inwardly a hypocrite. Glory be to God! Until now they have not realized what Day this is and what Manifestation! They drink from the spring of vain imaginings yet count themselves among the people of certitude. They walk in the wilderness of idle fancies yet consider themselves companions of assurance and tranquility. God forbid that anything like the former community, namely the Shi’ihs, should appear in the world. Reflect upon the deeds of those oppressive souls—what they claimed and what they did, how their words and deeds differed. At this moment I was summoned to the most exalted horizon, and after attending, the Tongue of Grandeur spoke these words, exalted be His utterance:

O servant in attendance! Write to his honor the physician, upon him be My greetings. For a long time the Supreme Pen has been speaking about the deeds of the former community. The wisdom in this is that later souls might become aware and informed, that perchance they might not be afflicted with former vain imaginings. The deniers of the Bayan are occupied with those same idle fancies. By God’s life! Until they cross the gulf of vain imaginings, they will not enter the ocean of certitude, and until they pass beyond the path of names, they will not attain to the lights of the Sun of inner meanings. This is the truth about which there is no doubt.

We beseech God to grant vision, for by the Finger of Power the veils have been rent asunder. We hope that the people of the Crimson Ark will not be afflicted with the suspicions and vain imaginings of the past, nor will they sully their hearts and minds with the foolish utterances of this one and that. The copy of the letter written to Husayn, known as Sukhte, was sent. Glory be to God, how he has progressed! He has become a wanderer and has learned from the white bankers. What that beloved one has seen is but a drop from his ocean of nonsense. It would be very good if he were to send such writings to all regions. Ask God to bestow a subtle light upon the vision of the people of the world. In any case, this servant has seen many things and has much in his possession, but I pray and seek assistance from all the friends that He may guide those veiled souls and remove from the world the foul odor of ignorance, unawareness, rancor and hatred. He is the Powerful, the Mighty.

If you inquire about the news of this land, praise be to God, all are well. For some time, the two luminaries of the heaven of grace, namely His Honour Aqa Mirza Diya’u’llah and His Honour Aqa Mirza Badi’u’llah—may my spirit be a sacrifice for their coming—and the people of the pavilion of purity have gone to Beirut and will return in a few days. The pilgrims to the House of God this year have been many, praise be to God, and have attained their goal. I beseech the True One not to deprive anyone and to confirm and assist all in that which He loves and is pleased with. Verily, He is the Hearing, the Responding One.

Mention was made of the friends of that land. After this matter was presented before the Lord, He said: Convey greetings to all from the Wronged One. We remember them as We have remembered them before, and We beseech God to protect them from the evil of every oppressor, to guard them with the hosts of the seen and unseen, to assist them to act according to what is in His Book, and to draw them near to Him in all conditions. Goodly deeds and praiseworthy character are God’s ladder among His creation; through these every soul ascends to the ultimate goal and the highest summit. Blessed is he who attains unto them, and woe unto him who neglects them. They must associate with all people with the spirit of fellowship and with love and affection. Love is God’s light among His creation; through it every light appears and the world is illumined by it. It is the cause of creation and its manifestation, as expressed in His exalted Word:

“I was a hidden treasure and loved to be known, therefore I created creation that I might be known.”

Hold fast, O friends of God, to love and fellowship, kindness and unity. Your station is above all stations and your conditions above all conditions, for you are the people of unity and the companions of detachment.

Ask God, your Lord and the Lord of all who are in the heavens and the earth, to protect you from the arms of the ungodly and the swords of the atheists, and to assist you against His enemies through His bounty and generosity. Verily, He is the most powerful of the powerful and the most generous of the generous. Praise be to God, for He is the goal of the mystics and the Almighty over all who are in the heavens and earth.

This ephemeral one beseeches the True One, exalted be His glory, to assist His friends in preserving the pearls of His love and in that which will quiet the fire of hatred in the world of creation.

As for the matter of the House, some time ago His Honour Alif and Ha, upon him be the Most Glorious Beauty of God, wrote to this servant that the honored physician, upon him be God’s peace and favor, has requested a power of attorney. This servant presented this before His presence and He said:

Half of the funds remain outstanding; therefore, We did not wish to issue a decree in this regard. Half of the funds have reached them; We await the remainder, after which whatever is commanded will be most acceptable. God is witness and testimony that We desire no harm to befall anyone, hence the matter remains postponed. We know not what the honored physician, upon him be peace, has done. In any case, We beseech God to soon arrange the means for these funds to be given.

In all conditions, this evanescent servant beseeches and hopes for the loftiness, exaltation, glory and elevation of that beloved one. Were it not for the unwise actions of the friends, I would have caused much trouble. Praise be to God, that beloved one is mentioned in most times. All the friends and pilgrims send their greetings and praise, and this servant conveys greetings and praise to each of the friends in that land. That land and those regions have ever been and remain in view. For each one I seek divine confirmation that they may be assisted in that which causes the elevation of the Cause and be strengthened in steadfastness, which is the mightiest foundation. Verily, He will aid them through His grace, and He is the Mighty, the Powerful.

At this moment, having intended to approach the Holy Shrine, He appeared before the Presence and the Lord spoke thus:

“We send greetings from this Station to the physician, upon him be My glory, and to the leaf who is with him, and to his son who was mentioned before and after in the presence of the Wronged One, and to the unified ones and the sincere ones. Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.”

This servant also conveys greetings to the honored leaf and to the son, upon them both be the glory of God, and beseeches God to ordain for them the good of this world and the next. Peace, praise, remembrance and glory be upon your honor and upon those who have acknowledged and recognized the word that there is no God but He, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

BH00535: Praise, sanctified above mention and utterance, befitteth Him Who…

He is God—exalted be His glory, the Greatness and the Power

Praise, sanctified above mention and utterance, befitteth Him Who is the Desire of all worlds, Who with a single call summoned the denizens of earth to the most exalted horizon. Through that call the ocean spoke forth “Here am I, here am I,” and the land proclaimed the blessed word “At Thy service.” Every created thing is engaged in His remembrance and stands ready in service. Blessed is the ear that hath been honored to hear the call of all things, and the eye that hath been adorned by beholding His lights, and blessed is he who, being informed, was not deprived or held back by the world’s rejection and denial, but rather turned toward Him in detachment from all else and attained unto the supreme honor, which is the recognition of God, exalted be His glory. Prayers and peace be upon the Lord of the world and the Desire of the nations, through Whom appeared the decree of return and the Book spoke forth “The Kingdom belongeth to God, the One, the Single, the Mighty, the All-Bestowing,” and upon His family and companions, through whom were opened the gates of grace unto all creation and through whom was manifested God’s binding Word—perpetual and eternal peace.

Glory be to Thee, O Illuminator of the horizons, by Thy Name that shineth from the heaven of Thy grace, and by the Fire kindled in the Tree of Thy Cause, and by the lights of Thy throne and the manifestations of Thy power and majesty, to ordain for Thy loved ones that which beseemeth Thy generosity and bounty and is worthy of the heaven of Thy grace and bestowal. O Lord! Thou seest them clinging to Thy cord and turning to the lights of Thy countenance. I beseech Thee by the Most Great Word and by the manifestations of Thy grandeur in the realm of creation to protect them from the evil of Thine enemies who have broken Thy covenant and Thy testament and who have encompassed Thy lands and Thy domains without any proof from Thee or any clear evidence from Thy presence. O Lord! Assist Thy loved ones in that whereby Thy Cause may be exalted amongst Thy creation. Then enable them to remain steadfast in Thy remembrance and praise. Verily, Thou art powerful over whatsoever Thou willest. There is none other God but Thee, the Mighty, the Great.

O beloved of my heart! All the exalted missives, whether addressed to the friends or to this evanescent one, all had their source and culmination in the Most Exalted Horizon, emerging from that Beloved One and reaching their intended destination. This is a testimony which every person of insight, experience, and sound knowledge would confirm. Mention of you and praise of you, since all was for the sake of God, returns to God and is accepted by Him. Every mention thereof attained to that which was intended and desired. Praise and thanksgiving be to God that these remembrances reached their station and the response emerged from the seat of grace and favors. Each one was favored in response with that which had and has no likeness or equal. They are forever mentioned by the tongue and specially favored with grace—praise be to His in all conditions.

From the opening of each letter, the musk of utterance was diffused and the fragrance of knowledge was spread abroad. After inhaling, reading, turning to, and becoming acquainted with them, they were brought to that station where they attained the honor of being heard in His presence, and then from the Dayspring of Knowledge appeared such utterances as testified of themselves to your ranks of sincerity, detachment, adherence and devotion, and likewise contained mention and praise of all the friends in that land. Each one was mentioned individually with such praise whose fragrance shall never end and shall not be erased from the Book, and whose light shall never set nor decline from the Most Exalted Horizon, now and forever. At the time of the manifestation of grace and bounty, such joy and delight seized this servant that I am powerless and unable to describe it. God, exalted be His glory, is witness and testifier to what has been submitted. Verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, is the Commander, the Powerful, the Mighty, the All-Informed.

O beloved of my heart! The fire of love has a wondrous burning that is not quenched by the water of mention and utterance. The more it is mentioned, the more the essence of being demands. In truth, this is the station of “Is there more?” At this time when the pen is moving and the face is turned and the heart is receptive, the presence of the beloved spirit of His Honor Aqa Mirza ʿAbdu’l-Husayn, upon him be the Most Glorious Beauty of God, came to mind. His mention gives strength to the spirit and his praise nourishes the soul, for it is a fragrance from the true rose garden and a flower from the spiritual paradise. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, at all times for his exaltation, ascendancy, glory and elevation.

Praise be to God that they have attained to that which is acceptable and mentioned. Further, I submit expressions of devotion to the service of the beloved of the heart, His Honor Aqa Siyyid Yahya, upon him be the Most Glorious Beauty of God. God is witness and testifier that night and day they have been and are mentioned in heart and tongue. Their mention is a wondrous bounty and a spiritual feast. The servant beseeches his Lord to strengthen him, make him successful, and honor him in all conditions. Verily He is the Self-Sufficient, the Most Exalted.

At this time when the loved ones of God, each one prominent and renowned, have turned their complete attention to that spiritual beloved, his honor Ahmad, upon him be the glory of God and His mercy, their letters each bore mention adorned with the ornament of humility, submissiveness and sincerity, with each word opening a door of joy. The servant begs for him confirmation and success, and that which will preserve his remembrance throughout the duration of the earthly and heavenly kingdoms. The Pen loves to mention the Pillars Ayn Ayn Ayn Ghayn in this station and beseeches God for their glory, advancement and elevation. In truth, the fragrance of unity was diffused in one station, as the Pillars were adorned and distinguished with three Ayns.

If all the pens of interpretation were to engage day and night in explaining this letter, they would surely fall short, for He says “The believer cannot be described.” Likewise His Holiness the letter Ghayn, upon him be the glory of God and His care, which has been and is comprehensive of perfect and complete numbers. Glory be to God! The grace of God, exalted be His majesty, has encompassed His loved ones and friends in all things. I beseech Him, exalted be His station, for their protection, loftiness and ascendancy. Verily He is the All-Bountiful, the Generous, the Forgiving, the Merciful. There is no God but Him, the Powerful, the Exalted, the Mighty, the Wise.

The offerings of that beloved one, which in truth were each like a cutting sword for the day of mourning, like a rain-bearing cloud for the day of thirst, and like a brilliant light for the day of eclipse and night of darkness, arrived and at that very moment were graced with the gaze, and this is a true testimony to the sincerity, sanctity and purity of that beloved’s deeds. God suffices as witness. Glory be to God, its radiance almost veiled the light of the sun despite its brilliance and splendor. Since the manifestations of these matters and the appearance of these causes are in truth from the effulgences of the Luminary of the love of God, therefore whatever is mentioned or flows from the tongue has been and is befitting.

The Water of Life flows from the spring of love and the comfort of the world exists through its comfort. Blessed is the soul that has attained unto it and understood its mysteries. Verily they are among the successful ones in God’s Book, the Lord of the worlds. In truth, the pen and tongue of this servant have not and will not be able to adequately praise and extol that which has appeared from that beloved one. However, I beseech God, exalted be His majesty, for confirmation and seek success, that He may reveal that which cannot be concealed and which no veil can obscure. Verily He has power over all things and is worthy to answer.

At this time mention was made of the sugar that was sent, although it has not yet arrived. Nevertheless, God is witness and testimony that the palate of the soul has been sweetened by it. All these are manifestations of love which appear and are revealed in the world of being. That very mention which flowed from the tongue of that Beloved concerning its dispatch cannot be equaled by anything hidden and treasured in the earth in the estimation of the friends and chosen ones. In truth, love is a sovereign that is mighty and a ruler that prevails. The world of motion and stillness is within the grasp of its power. Although love is the dawning-place of joy and delight, there are times when it becomes the manifestation of endless grief and sorrow, and such a time is these days, for one of the Most Exalted Names, the Beloved of the heart, ʿA.L.—upon him be the glory of God, the King, the Mighty, the All-Knowing—according to the command intends to proceed in that direction, and from this separation the very essence of being is consumed. How well did the one speak who said:

“Love has departed from this city toward another city,

From whose rising and setting two cities were turned upside down”

In any case, I have been and am beseeching from the Self-Sufficient Lord reunion, meeting, nearness and gathering. With the generous ones no affair is difficult. We beseech Him, exalted be He, to gather us beneath the shade of the Tree of His providence and the pavilions of His grandeur, and to ordain for us that which profits us in every world of His worlds, and to open before our faces the gates of His mercy, and to send down upon us from the heaven of His bestowal a blessing from His presence. Verily He is the Mighty, the Compassionate, the Forgiving, the Generous. Peace and praise and remembrance and glory be upon you and upon those who are with you and who love you for the sake of God, the Lord of the worlds.

Glory be to God! Before its arrival it possessed all those perfect mentions and was considered a wondrous and exalted blessing. Now that it has itself arrived and made the world a sugar-garden, I know not what mention to make or what to say. In any case, its sweetness surpasses all the sweetnesses of the world and its delicacy excels all the delicacies of the nations. Praise be to God! Its absence was the cause of its presence, and now its presence is the cause of eternal mention. I beseech and entreat God, exalted be His glory, to adorn this existence with such an ornament that no likeness or similitude may be seen for it. He is the Powerful, the Mighty. There is no God but He, the Single, the One, the Omnipotent over whatsoever He willeth.

Praised be God! Praised be God! God’s will prevails, His purpose penetrates. We are all as nothing; all that exists is Him. The reins of awareness are in His hand, and the cord of knowledge is in the grasp of His power. What are we? Who are we? We are but manifestations of ignorance and embodiments of forgetfulness. For when the beloved of my soul, his honor the one named M.H., upon him be God’s peace and favor, was hidden from this servant’s sight at the time of writing, after reflection and investigation into its cause and reason, I pondered what could be the cause and reason. Suddenly it became apparent that it was intended that a separate, special mention should again be made of him, and that he should repeatedly be brought before my presence.

In any case, after alertness and remembrance, he appeared before me and revealed that which all the treasures and riches of the world could not equal even one letter thereof. Blessed is he and joy be unto him! In truth, he was and is worthy of special favor, and this servant, with the tongue of the inner secret and the secret of secrets, and the manifest and the most manifest, conveys greetings and praise to him, and I beseech God, exalted be His glory, for His ancient and renewed grace. Verily, He has power over all things. The light of the new lamp has shown forth with new oil at this moment. Although mention of it existed in the world of remembrance, at this time its mention arose from the thoughts like a banner—“Here am I!

Where is my portion? What is my share?” After all, my messenger and presenter and lighter is kindled with the fire of the love of the All-Merciful. Indeed, right is with him, therefore I beseech and hope from God, exalted be His glory, that his mention and his light may ever remain luminous through the oil of wisdom and the utterance of God—exalted be His station—and continue to shine and gleam in the niche of the world with a manifest light. Verily our Lord is the One who has power over whatsoever He willeth through His word “Be” and it is.

BH01688: Praise befits the One sought by all, Who has…

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

Praise befits the One sought by all, Who has ordained the good news of the health of friends to be among the finest blessings of the world, and Who has renewed and continues to renew the world through pure and goodly tidings that are the cause of joy and delight. Praise be unto Him, again praise be unto Him. And blessings and peace be upon His Prophets and chosen ones, and upon Him with whom prophethood began and ended, and upon His family and companions, an everlasting peace forever.

And now, the letter of that spiritual friend has made old things new and withered things fresh. It was like an agile sweeper, for it swept away the straw and stubble of care and grief and spread the carpets of joy and delight. In truth it was not a sweeper but a spiritual messenger, for the fragrance of love was inhaled from it. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, to aid that honored friend and make him the recipient of special favors, together with health and wellbeing and blessing and wealth and ability. After reading and becoming informed of its contents, I turned in supplication and presented it before His presence. He said:

“O Ali, upon thee be My peace and My glory. Thy letter arrived and the servant in attendance mentioned what thou didst mention. It was right and correct. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, to aid thee and to set right all thine affairs. Be thou not sorrowful in any way. Verily He is the One Who sets right the affairs of His servants. Verily He hath power over all things.”

As to what thou didst write regarding the property at the door of the house which is with the peasants, that whatever they have should be taken, whether livestock or other things that may exist—after this matter was presented He said:

“O Ali, fix thy gaze upon the horizon of justice and fairness. Action must not depart from mercy and loving-kindness. Therefore if means exist there is no objection to taking payment, but in their absence thou must be patient. In all cases consideration for the poor is necessary before the Wronged One. Take what they are able to give and obtain promissory notes for the remainder. O Ali, mercy hath preceded and the form of compassion standeth present before His face. God is witness that were it not for this gathering, We would not take a penny. Take what is reasonable in this Cause of Mine. This is what We have counseled Our loved ones and friends before and after. Verily He is the Protector of the doers of good.”

“As to thine own debts, act as thou wishest, for thou art in debt and no blame resteth upon thee. Grieve not over this debt. For years this Wronged One was in debt and no one knew of it. Days and nights passed in prison with no sustenance at hand. Through patience and forbearance and resignation and trust the days came to an end. According to the servant present, the essence of food attributed to God was present, for in the noble tradition it is said: ʿHunger is God’s food, by which He giveth life to the bodies of the truthful.”’

“As to what was written about barley, it is not necessary since good barley can be obtained here. But as for wheat, it would be good if whatever amount possible could be obtained from there or elsewhere and sent. This too only if possible, otherwise no.”

O my God, my Lord and my Master! I beseech Thee by the Mother Book and by the Preserved Tablet and by the hearts of Thy Prophets which Thou hast made repositories of Thy utterance and treasuries of Thy remembrance, to aid him who hath turned to Thee and dwelt in Thy vicinity for successive years. O Lord! Take his hand with the hand of Thy loving-kindness, then send down upon him from the heaven of Thy bounty a blessing from Thy presence. Verily Thou art the Forgiving, the Generous. There is no God but Thee, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

The servant 6 Dhi’l-Qa’dih 1304

BH03592: I testify, O my God, my Lord and my…

He is God, exalted be His glory! Grace and favors.

I testify, O my God, my Lord and my Support, to the sanctification of Thy Being from all likeness and the exaltation of Thy Essence above all comparison, and that Thou art God, there is no God but Thee. Thou hast ever been sanctified beyond the comprehension of Thy servants and exalted above their descriptions and remembrances. Thou shalt ever be as Thou hast been from time immemorial. There is no God but Thee, the Single, the One, the Self-Subsisting, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

I beseech Thee, O God of all beings and Lord of all contingent things, by the treasuries of Thy knowledge, the dawning-places of Thy inspiration, the repositories of Thy revelation and the manifestations of Thy signs, to ordain for Thy servants that which shall profit them in every world of Thy worlds. Then enable them to do what Thou lovest and approvest. Verily Thou art He through Whose loving-kindness all existence hath testified, and to Whose grace all in the seen and unseen realms have confessed. I beseech Thee not to disappoint us of that which Thou hast ordained for Thy chosen ones and trusted ones, nor to withhold us from the ocean of Thy bounty. Verily Thou art the Almighty over what Thou willest and in Thy grasp are the reins of all things. There is no God but Thee, the All-Forgiving, the All-Bountiful.

Thou seest and knowest, O my God, him who hath turned to Thee and held fast to the cord of Thy bounty and clung to the hem of Thy generosity. I beseech Thee by the lights of Thy countenance and the pearls of the ocean of Thy wisdom to assist him in all conditions to remember Thee, praise Thee and serve Thy Cause. Verily Thou art the Almighty, the Powerful, and worthy to answer prayers. There is no God but Thee, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

He is the Supporter.

The letter of Jinab-i-Aqa Abbas-Quli, upon him be 966 [Baha’u’llah], containing nineteen French liras by draft of the beloved of hearts Jinab-i-Aqa Muhammad Mustafa, upon him be 966 [Baha’u’llah] and His grace, and through the honored Mr. AF ʿL, upon him be 966 [Baha’u’llah] the Most Glorious, reached the servant in the month of Dhi’l-Qa’dih al-Haram in the year 1304.

BH01045: Praise be sanctified above tablet and ink unto…

He is God, exalted be His glory, His greatness and His power!

Praise be sanctified above tablet and ink unto the Educator of countless worlds, Who is worthy and deserving, Who created creation and manifested all necessary means through His mighty strength and perfect power. He bestowed sight that His signs might be beheld, hearing that His utterance might be heard, tongue that it might move in His praise, heart that it might be illumined with the lights of His knowledge, hands that they might grasp His Book, and feet that they might stand firm in His Cause. His is the grace and the bestowal, His the greatness and the praise, His the favor and the glory.

Glorified art Thou, O my Creator and Illuminator of my heart and Strengthener of my limbs! I beseech Thee by the ocean of Thy bounty and the pearls concealed therein, and by the splendors of the Sun of Thy grace and whatsoever wisdom Thou hast ordained therein, to assist Thy loved ones to remember Thee and praise Thee and to act according to what Thou hast revealed in Thy Book. O Lord! Thou seest Nabil-i-Nabil clinging to Thy cord and holding fast to Thy robe and standing in service to Thy servants. I beseech Thee by Muhammad, Thy Beloved and Thy Chosen One, and by the ocean of His knowledge and the light of His countenance and the heaven of His wisdom and the sun of His grace, to make him assisted in that which will draw him near unto Thee. O Lord! Thou seest him speaking Thy praise; enable him to achieve that which will elevate the station of man in the contingent world. O Lord! Thou seest him in all conditions mindful of Thy verses, gladdened by Thy favors, and steadfast in Thy love amongst Thy servants. Strengthen him through Thy sovereignty, then ordain for him what befitteth Thy bounty and Thy bestowal. Verily, Thou art the Mighty, the All-Bountiful.

And now, O beloved of my heart! Praise be to God, thou art ever remembered. From God—exalted be His glory—I have sought, and do ever seek, for that well-beloved one, honour and exaltation, loftiness and sublimity. Continually do the breaths of utterance of the beloved of hearts, His Holiness S-M—upon him be the glory of God, the Lord of all creation—reach us. In truth, with consummate mercy and compassion doth he deal with the servants of God, of whatsoever kind. This servant beseecheth his Lord to confirm his presence, to strengthen him through His bounty and generosity, and to grant him success by His loving-kindness. Verily He hath power over all things.

The friends—namely, the delight of the eyes, Jinab-i-Ibn and Ibn-Akh—upon them be the peace of God and His loving-kindness—I convey unto them greeting; and likewise, should another friend be found, I remember him also, and implore, on his behalf, aid from God—exalted be His glory.

To the honoured friend, Jinab-i-Aqa Muhammad-ʿAli (S)—upon him be the peace of God and His mercy—I offer greeting. This servant entreateth the Lord of the seen and the unseen to confirm him in that which shall render him honoured among His servants, noble amidst His creatures, and remembered by the tongue of His creation. He, verily, is powerful to do whatsoever He willeth; by His word “Be,” and it is.

Jinab-i-Aqa ʿAbdu’l-Husayn and Aqa Ahmad—upon them be the peace of God—have been, and are, remembered. The days of their sojourn and their presence, and, in very truth, their humility, have not passed from sight, nor shall they ever pass.

Furthermore: the limpid verses of that spiritual friend, Jinab-i-Aqa Mirza Mihdi—upon him be the glory of God—were received, and were read, at a time when the Beloved stood before the countenance of the Desire of the worlds, even while those within the pavilion of loftiness were present. Happy is he—blessed is he—for the warbling of the dove of his remembrance upon the bough of the Lote-Tree of his recognition. We beseech God to confirm him in that which He loveth and approveth. Verily He is potent to do whatsoever He willeth. We have remembered him aforetime, and We remember him now, that he may rejoice and be of the thankful. End.

Thy own verses likewise were read repeatedly. In truth, the leaf was adorned with remembrance, praise, supplication, and steadfast adherence unto God—exalted be His glory. He said: Blessed be his tongue, for that which hath flowed from it hath borne witness unto that which behoveth; and blessed be his heart, for that it hath turned; and blessed be his ear, for that it hath heard. We beseech God to sustain him, confirm him, and grant him success, as a bounty from His presence and a grace from His threshold. Verily He is the Most Bountiful, the All-Generous. End.

If you write anything to the spiritual beloved, His Honour Aqa Mirza Mihdi, upon him be God’s peace, convey on behalf of this servant greetings, praise, remembrance and glory. Praise be to God, they are blessed with the heavenly feast and eternal bounty which is the recognition of the Truth, exalted be His glory. May it be pleasing and wholesome unto him.

Another matter concerns the return of the beloved of the heart, His Honour Amin, upon him be God’s peace and favors. Until now, which is nearly a year, nothing substantial has arrived. That beloved one is aware that in these days they wrote to this servant that if you wish to receive two hundred Ottoman liras from the beloved His Honour Shaykh, upon him be Baha’u’llah’s glory, the funds are available here. They wished to send it to His Honour, the beloved of the heart, upon him be the Most Glorious Beauty of Baha’u’llah, and they also sent some to purchase and send silk from Rasht. Then they suspended it, writing that they feared it might result in loss like the shawl of the previous year. In any case, if possible, they should send it. That beloved one is aware of the affairs here and the expenses of this land.

Likewise, thirty Ottoman liras have been sent as a personal trust by His Honour Afnan, Jinab-i-Alif va Ha, upon him be the Most Glorious Beauty of Baha’u’llah. They have written for that beloved one to send this as well. Surely that beloved one will act as befitting, but must act according to what is possible. This matter was mentioned as it was necessary, otherwise it was not and is not worthy of mention. Peace, praise, remembrance and glory be upon you and upon those with you and upon those who act according to what they are commanded in the Book of God, the Lord of the worlds.

The servant 2nd of Dhi’l-Qa’dih al-Haram 1304

BH03485: Your letter was received and read. Praise be…

He is God, exalted is He in might and power

Your letter was received and read. Praise be to God, it indicated your well-being and good health. Praise be to the Goal of the worlds, Whose mercy and bounty have preceded and made these servants hopeful. Both the disobedient and obedient partake at His table of generosity. His ocean of grace has no shore and His sun of bounty knows no bounds—it shines upon both garden and wasteland. What tongue is capable of giving thanks for these bounties and what heart is worthy to comprehend these stations? From Him do we seek assistance and from Him do we beseech help. In truth, if His grace were to pause, we would all perish. In all conditions, I beseech and hope from God, exalted be His glory, that He may assist you to remember and praise Him and to act in accordance with that which leads to eternal salvation.

Praise be to God that we met and renewed our bond of friendship. God willing, may you be enabled to do that which befits servitude before God, the True One. However, this servant did not think that you would remain in Beirut until now, since according to instructions you should proceed to Iraq via Aleppo and from Iraq to Iran. I beseech God to assist you to act according to what has been ordained.

God willing, with the utmost joy and fragrance proceed from Iraq toward Iran. As was told to you, we shall write your recommendation to Iran. Be assured. The grace of God, exalted be His glory, has encompassed and continues to encompass all. We beseech Him, exalted be He, to assist and enable you to do what is right. Verily He is the Most Wise of judges and the Most Merciful of the merciful. There is no God but He, the King, the True One, the Manifest Justice. Peace be upon you and upon God’s sincere servants.

BH00444: This is the Tablet of God, the All-Protecting…

Section 1: “This is the Tablet of God, the All-Protecting…”

This is the Tablet of God, the All-Protecting, the Self-Subsisting, to the loved ones of God in Khalajabad.

He is the One Who speaks in the Kingdom of Utterance.

We have desired to make mention of My friends out of My grace, for verily I am the Ancient Bestower, that the call may attract them to the Supreme Horizon and draw them nigh unto a station wherein naught is seen save God and His signs. Thus hath the Pen spoken while the Lord of Eternity was in His Most Great Prison.

O Baqir! We have sent down verses unto thee and revealed that which testifieth to My loving-kindness, My grace, My bounty, My generosity and My mercy, which have encompassed all who are in the heavens and on earth. Give thou the glad-tidings of My remembrance unto My servants and of that which hath been sent down from the heaven of My Will, that they may give thanks unto their Lord, the All-Bountiful, the Ever-Forgiving, the Merciful. We have made mention of them before and adorned them with the tokens of My Most Exalted Pen, for I am the Compassionate, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy.

O ʿAli-Akbar! We have seen thy remembrance and have remembered thee, and We have heard thy call and have answered thee through this Clear Book, every letter of which beareth witness to the unity of God and His singleness, and to that which hath been sent down in His precious and wondrous Tablet. Give thanks unto God for this most great favor and say: Praise be unto Thee, O Lord of the worlds, for having guided me unto Thy straight path and caused me to turn toward Thy horizon while the people were in manifest denial. Beware lest the doubts of those who have denied the Day of Judgment keep thee back. Arise to serve the Cause and remind the people of the verses of God, the Almighty, the Powerful. Thus have the waves of the ocean of utterance surged and the fragrances of the All-Merciful been wafted. Blessed is he who hath found and turned towards Him, and woe unto every heedless and remote one.

O ʿAli-Asghar! When thou art illumined by the lights of the Day-Star of utterance and hast quaffed the choice wine of life from the Book of thy Lord, the All-Merciful, say: My God, my God! Nearness to Thee is my hope, beneath Thy shadow is my purpose, in Thy presence is my aim, before Thee is my desire, meeting Thee is the utmost object of my hope, and attaining Thy presence is my wish. I beseech Thee not to disappoint me through Thy grace and mercy, O Thou Most Merciful of the merciful!

O namesake of the Desired One! When the fire of the Divine Lote-Tree hath enkindled thee on the Mount of Utterance and the attraction of thy Lord’s call hath seized thee, say: My God, my God! Thy call hath attracted me, and the fire of Thy love hath enkindled me, and Thy separation hath taken patience from my grasp. Have mercy upon me, O my Creator and my Desired One! Ordain for me to attain unto Thy presence and to stand before the door of Thy grandeur, or decree for me the reward of meeting Thee. Verily Thou art the Almighty, the Powerful.

O ʿAli-Akbar! When thou hast attained unto the Kawthar of immortality which hath flowed from My Most Exalted Pen, say: My God, my God! Praise be unto Thee for having given me to drink of the Kawthar of Thy utterance and guided me unto Thy path and sent down unto me Thy verses. I beseech Thee by the lights of the morn of Thy Manifestation and the signs of Thy unity and the banners of Thy power to ordain for me that which will draw me nigh unto Thee. Verily Thou art the Almighty, the All-Protecting, the Self-Subsisting.

O My Pen! Make mention of him who hath been named Lutf-ʿAli and give him the glad-tidings of My loving-kindness and inform him of that which hath appeared and shone forth in the days of God, the Lord of the worlds. Verily thy mention is a lamp of prosperity for the people of the world and a sign of eternity amidst the nations. Blessed is he who hath attained, and woe unto the heedless ones.

O Siyyid Muhammad! When thou beholdest the waves of the ocean of My utterance and art seized by the fragrances of My verses, say:

My God, my God! Blessed is the pathway that leadeth unto Thee and the evidence sent down from the heaven of Thy loving-kindness. Blessed is the earth honored by Thy footsteps, the place that hath been granted Thy presence, and the servant who hath heard Thy call and turned with his heart toward Thy most exalted horizon. O Lord! I beseech Thee by Thy Cause through which the treasures of knowledge and arts were revealed and the river of utterance flowed throughout creation, to ordain for me that which shall make me content with Thy good-pleasure and acknowledging of what hath proceeded from Thy Most Exalted Pen. May I never say concerning any of Thy commandments, “why” or “wherefore.” O Lord! I wish to be submissive, humble and content before the manifestations of Thy power and decree. Thou art the Mighty, the Bountiful.

O Siyyid ʿAli! Thy name hath been honored by the glance of thy Lord’s loving-kindness, and He hath revealed for thee that which fire cannot consume, nor dust devour, nor air alter, nor the passage of ages and centuries change. It shall endure as long as My kingdom and My remembrance among My servants endure. Preserve this station through My Name. Verily thy Lord is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

O Ahmad! When thou hearest the nightingales of My utterance singing upon the highest branches and the dove of My knowledge cooing from the most exalted station, say: My God, my God! Praise be unto Thee, O Lord of Names and King of the Kingdom of eternity! Glory be unto Thee, O Thou in Whose grasp are the reins of all things! I beseech Thee by the light of Thy Cause, the rustling of the Tree of Thy Manifestation, the flowing of the Kawthar of Thy utterance, and the rushing of the winds in the garden of Thy bounty, to ordain for me what Thou hast ordained for Thy chosen ones who have offered up their breasts in Thy path, their eyes for Thy love, their spirits for the exaltation of Thy Most Exalted Word, and their bodies for the manifestation of Thy Cause, O Lord of all beings and Master of the throne above and the earth below! Thou art the Omnipotent through Thy will and the All-Compelling through Thy sovereignty. There is none other God but Thee, the Ordainer, the Ancient of Days.

O Pen! Make mention of Hasan who hath heard and turned, and desired to drink the Kawthar of utterance from the hand of the bounty of his Lord, the All-Merciful, and to arise to serve His Cause and His loved ones through whom the signs of God, the Supreme, the Self-Subsisting, have been spread abroad.

O Husayn! The Ancient Beauty turneth unto thee from the Most Great Prison and counseleth thee and His loved ones to justice and fairness, and to trustworthiness whereby the light of glory and detachment hath shone forth throughout creation. Give thanks unto God, thy Lord. He hath assisted thee and honored thee with the traces of His Most Exalted Pen. He is, verily, the Almighty in both the beginning and the return.

O Habibu’llah! The Beloved hath come, yet the servants turned away and the people of the lands opposed Him. The matter grew so severe that the verse of emigration was sent down from the heaven of divine Will. When He departed, the House wept at His separation while the smile of Yathrib appeared at His meeting. O people of God! Behold then remember what befell God’s Messengers and His chosen ones, and what was said concerning Him Who sent them, and what was visited upon Him by a wicked and most lost people.

Section 2: “O Muhammad Ja’far! The Wronged One mentioneth thee…”

O Muhammad Ja’far! The Wronged One mentioneth thee for the sake of God that thou mayest find the fragrance of utterance and remain steadfast in a Cause at which every deceiver hath lamented, every heedless one hath been disturbed, the foot of every ignorant one hath slipped, and the fire of hatred hath been kindled in the heart of every remote scholar and every stubborn oppressor. We beseech God to assist thee and My loved ones to remain steadfast in this mighty Cause.

O Muhammad-Kazim! Is He Who is remembered in prison or under the will of every oppressor who turned away and denied? Is the Beloved among His loved ones or between the fangs of wolves? The embodiment of tyranny has mounted the throne of oppression and has committed that which caused the countenances of the Most Exalted Paradise to strike their faces in grief. Thus has the matter been decreed in this manifest Prison. Yet his oppression hath not prevented Us from manifesting justice, nor his denial from exalting the Word, nor his misbelief from proclaiming the unity of God, the Single, the One, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. Neither his might nor his power have deterred Us, nor have his hosts frightened Us. To this beareth witness whosoever hath attained Our presence and every truthful and trustworthy one.

O Ali-Murad! The Beloved of the world lamenteth for Himself and saith: The peoples enter temples, churches, mosques and cloisters in My name, yet they are heedless of My Self, turn away from My presence, and do that which causeth My breast to be straitened and My heart, My Pen, the dwellers of the pavilion of My glory and the tabernacle of My grandeur to lament. Thus hath heedlessness encompassed them from all sides. We beseech God to unveil for them a token of His grace and guide them to the straight path.

O Muhammad-Hashim! The call is most loud, yet the channels of hearing are in manifest constraint. Beseech ye God not to deprive His servants. Praise be to God, souls who have accepted the Faith have each been blessed with the lights of the Luminary of utterance and have drunk from the hand of bounty the water of everlasting life. O people of God! Ye are the fruits of the Tree of Knowledge. Let not this exalted station slip from your grasp. Hold fast unto that which is befitting and worthy.

O Muhammad-Husayn! Hearken unto the call of the Wronged One. He counseleth all to that which is the cause and source of God’s good-pleasure, exalted be His glory. Great is the Cause. The people of God must at all times fix their gaze upon the horizon of the All-Merciful and beseech Him to protect them from the doubts of the barking ones and the insinuations of the transgressors. We beseech God to protect thee and His loved ones from the evil of those who have broken God’s Covenant and His Testament, who have disputed His verses and denied His proof and His evidence. Verily, He is the Almighty over whatsoever He willeth, and He is the Single, the One, the Protector, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

O Muhammad-ʿAli! When thou hearest the call of God, the Lord of Lords, and drinkest the choice wine of utterance at journey’s end, turn thy face toward God, the Self-Subsisting, the All-Compelling, and say:

My God, my God! I have cast away all else but Thee, holding fast the cord of Thy grace. I beseech Thee by the fragrances of Thy verses, the rustling of the Lote-Tree beyond which there is no passing, the shrill voice of Thy Most Exalted Pen, and by the Word whereby they who have professed Thy unity have soared to the atmosphere of Thy nearness and good-pleasure, and the sincere ones to the precincts of Thy might and grandeur, to ordain for me that which Thou hast ordained for such of Thy servants as are drawn to Thee, who have been so inebriated by the wine of Thy sweet utterance that they have forgotten all else but Thee, turning their faces to the light of Thy countenance. O Lord! Thou seest me gazing toward the horizon of Thy Cause, awaiting the wonders of Thy grace. Send down upon me a mercy from Thy presence. Verily, Thou art He through Whose Name the ocean of generosity hath surged in the world. There is none other God but Thee, the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Generous.

O Ghulam-Husayn! The Wronged One calleth aloud from the horizon of the prison, guiding all mankind. Glory be to God! The lights of His Revelation have encompassed the world, and the Cause of God hath appeared manifest as the sun. Yet the peoples of the world remain occupied with their own concerns, deprived and forbidden from the rain of divine mercy and the spring showers of heavenly grace. The conjectures of His servants have prevented them from that which is hidden, and their vain imaginings have debarred them from the Self-Subsisting Lord. Blessed is he whom the people’s turning away hath not hindered, and mighty is he whom the oppression of the servants hath not weakened. If anyone today should deny this Most Great Cause, what other cause could he succeed in proving? Nay, by God! He who turneth away from this manifest and evident Cause hath ever been turned away from the Truth. To this beareth witness My Pen, through whose scratching all things were attracted and moved to utterance: The Promise hath come, and the Promised One hath appeared with manifest sovereignty.

O Ahmad! The One True God hath come with the standards of His verses and appeared with the banners of His clear signs. Yet the various peoples remain deprived and forbidden from Him. Each faction holdeth fast to a cord and cleaveth to a vain imagination. The colors of the world and the ornaments of the peoples are a barrier that interveneth. Blessed is the one possessed of power who, with the arm of certitude, hath rent asunder the veils and removed the barrier. Throughout the nights and days, the Tongue of Grandeur hath mentioned and continueth to mention the peoples with loving counsels and goodly exhortations, reminding them thereof. We beseech God to aid all and guide them to the Dayspring of lights. He is the Powerful, the Mighty.

O Most Exalted Pen! Make mention of My handmaidens who have heard the call and turned to the Most Exalted Horizon, and who have believed in Him Who hath come from the horizon of might with the standards of verses. We beseech God to aid them, make them successful, and ordain for them that which will draw them nigh unto God, the Lord of Lords. O My handmaidens and My leaves! Give praise to the Goal of the world in that ye have, in the Most Great Prison, attained unto the word “O My handmaiden!” The ears of God’s loved ones have ever awaited this blessed word, and most have lamented in their longing to hear the word “O My servant!”

The reins of grace have ever been and still are in the mighty grasp of God. He doeth what He willeth and is not asked of what He doeth. He is indeed the All-Powerful, the Unconstrained. Blessed are ye, for ye have recognized the days of God’s Manifestation and attained unto the knowledge of the True Goal. Well is it with you and joy be unto you. Beseech ye God that He suffer not His handmaidens to be afflicted with vain imaginings as were the handmaidens of the Shi’ih sect. Verily, He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing, and worthy to answer prayer.

BH01261: Praise be to that Desired One Who is worthy…

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

Praise be to that Desired One Who is worthy and befitting of all praise, Whose love is the cause of unity among all the peoples of the world, and servitude unto Whom is the cause of salvation. Glory be unto Him! Glory be unto Him! Verily praise cannot reach the court of His might, and mention cannot attain the threshold of His sanctity. Whatever is composed of letters and expressed in words is created—how can it be worthy of the most holy and exalted Court of the Desired One, Who hath created the world with a single word? In any case, since He hath commanded us to praise Him, we praise Him, and since He hath enjoined love, we attribute ourselves to Him in all conditions and seek from the ocean of His grace that which pleaseth Him.

Glory be unto Thee, O our God! Aid us to remember Thee and praise Thee, and to accomplish that which will improve the affairs of Thy servants. Verily Thou art the Almighty, the Powerful, and worthy to answer prayer.

Thereafter, thy letter arrived and was received. After it was read and understood, it was presented at the Holy Threshold, and He said:

O thou who gazest toward the Most Sublime Horizon! This Wronged One hath, from the earliest days until now, accepted countless afflictions for the unity of God’s servants. How many nights in the prison of Tihran did He endure the cruelty of enemies. If ye were to count the tribulations of the Wronged One, ye could not reckon them. Repeatedly were We imprisoned and banished, and from land to land were We carried, until finally the prison of ʿAkka was designated as Our abode. These fleeting days of the world have never been, nor are they now, worthy of any attention. Man must strive to prepare for God’s infinite worlds and arise with complete determination to accomplish that which is pleasing to the Friend. We beseech God, blessed and exalted be He, to assist His loved ones in that which He loveth and is pleased with.

Praise be to God! His honour hath been confirmed, and what he wrote is true and hath been graciously accepted. As to Jinab-i-Aqa Muhammad-Rahim—upon him be the glory of God—leave of favour was accorded; yet his coming dependeth upon his own inclination. And as to the sojourn of thyself in that land, permission, as an act of grace, hath been granted for a time; nevertheless thou must keep thine eye fixed upon wisdom. Jinab-i-Aqa Muhammad-Ali—upon him be the glory of God—likewise hath leave to set out, that is, to turn his face thither. In sum: whatsoever thou didst write, after being laid before the Presence, hath received leave of favour—concerning thy remaining, and the turning of Jinab-i-Aqa Muhammad-Ali, and likewise the coming of Jinab-i-Aqa Muhammad-Rahim—upon them both be the peace of God.

This servant seeketh from God that He may assist His loved ones in that which will cause the reformation of the world and the education of its peoples. I convey greetings, praise, love and affection to Aqa Muhammad-ʿAli, upon him be the Glory of God, and I say that deeds performed for God’s sake will not remain nor ever shall remain concealed. A pure deed is like the spring rain—its effects are manifest and evident. I beseech God to assist him in that which will transform the sorrows of that land into joy and delight, that the seeds of love, affection, unity and concord may sprout forth.

Praise be to God, he hath intended to make the journey, and this intention hath been accepted. After it was presented before Him, He said:

“God willing, may he be assisted in that which is the cause and means of eternal salvation. Praise be to God, he hath attained unto that which most people are observed to be deprived of. Now he must strive, perchance he may become the cause of awakening those who sleep and the salvation of the heedless.”

We beseech God to assist him to turn toward the Wronged One, that he may hear and see. Verily He is the Lord of all creation. There is none other God but Him, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

This Wronged One hath ever desired the good of God’s servants and commanded love, affection, kindness, unity and concord, and such deeds and character as would cause the manifestation of human perfections. God sufficeth as a witness.

God willing, may all be assisted and enabled to act according to that which hath been mentioned. This servant mentioneth in His presence that which would cause the light of unity to be acquired. Indeed, it hath been long since we have seen him. It would be most excellent if he would come, both to be freed from sorrows for a while and to attain the most great bounty. We beseech God, exalted be He, to assist us in that which He loveth and is pleased with.

You wrote nothing about your spiritual friend, that spiritual youth, upon him be the Glory of God and His favors. Wherever he may be, God’s favor hath been and is with him. Glory, remembrance and praise be upon you and upon him and upon every steadfast, firm and upright one, and praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

BH01385: Praise be unto Him Who is the Purpose…

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

Praise be unto Him Who is the Purpose of the world, Who befits all glory, Who created the world through love, ignited it with love, guided it with love, and caused it to attain its goal. Exalted be His favors and magnificent be His grace!

To continue: The letter from that light of mine eyes arrived. Praise be to God, the news of health and well-being and the arrival of each was the source of joy and delight. Likewise, after your petition was presented before Him, He spoke thus:

“Verily, the Wronged One implores God, the Lord of the Throne and earth, the Master of the hereafter and this world, to assist you with the hosts of wisdom and utterance, to confirm you in that which will exalt the station of man, and to aid you in achieving that which He loves and is pleased with.”

Perchance the friends of God may become the cause of humanity’s salvation and the means of extinguishing the fire of hatred that has ever been and continues to be ablaze in the hearts of the world’s peoples.

We beseech God to confirm you. We make mention of Nabil-ibn-Nabil, upon whom rest God’s peace and grace. God is aware and bears witness that this Wronged One has ever desired for him that which has no equal, and none of what was said concerning him was confirmed. We mentioned to ʿAbdu’l-Husayn, upon whom be peace: let them not be saddened, for none of what people have said has been accepted. From the earliest days until now, both S.M. and Nabil-ibn-Nabil have arisen to serve, having surpassed their peers and companions. They have ever been and continue to be confirmed. What We desired was that all tongues should speak in praise and glorification of their trustworthiness and piety. This is a great bounty and a mighty favor.

If one or two souls should speak ill out of personal motives, it is unworthy of mention. Truth has been and will be distinguished from falsehood. Say: God, then leave them to their vain imaginings. We beseech God to grant such confirmation that its effects shall become manifest throughout all regions. No slanderer’s word is acceptable, and no mischief-maker’s mention is worthy of attention. If certain matters appear dubious to some, they are clear and evident before God. They must arise to serve humanity with perfect wisdom and engage in their work with the utmost joy and fragrance, in such wise that they neither become distressed by the vexing words of the world’s heedless ones nor be hindered from their own affairs. They have taken hold of the Cause and are occupied with it. Deeds must be for God’s sake. Not an atom’s weight of good works has been or will ever be left unrewarded.

O Nabil-i-ʿAli! Be assured of thy Lord’s grace, seek His mercy, call upon Him for help, rely upon His favors, hold fast to His cord, and cling to His robe. Can that which is done for God’s sake remain concealed or be altered? Nay, by His very Self! He verily witnesses and sees, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing. In all conditions, we seek His aid and assistance. This Wronged One has ever been among the fangs of wolves, yet the tongue remains eloquent and the Pen in motion. The knowledge thereof is with God, the Lord of all worlds.

The Glory be upon thee, O Nabil-ibn-Nabil, and upon thy son, and upon whosoever unites with thee in God’s Cause, assists thee, and stands with thee in all conditions. Can one imagine a greater favor than this? Nay, by His very Self! The mention testifies, the utterance bears witness, and the Word identifies, speaks, and proclaims. Every possessor of hearing and sight beholds the light of favor dawning from the horizon of these words. Blessed are they that behold! Blessed are they that hear!

This evanescent servant beseeches God to confirm that beloved one in such wise that none shall have cause for words. Assuredly this prayer has been and will be answered. Verily, He does not suffer to be lost the reward of the doers of good, the reward of those who act, the reward of those who turned to Him in the early days when most of the servants in all lands turned away. Verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, is the Witness, the Beholder, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

I remember that light of mine eyes, Aqa Shaykh Ahmad, upon whom be God’s peace, and I beseech God for his health, well-being, elevation, and exaltation. Peace, praise, remembrance, and glory be upon you and upon God’s friends and loved ones.

The servant 12th of Dhi’l-Qa’dih 1304

BH02681: After praise to the Pure Knower and Raiser…

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

After praise to the Pure Knower and Raiser of the celestial spheres and Revealer of the station of dust, it is submitted that once again the detailed letter that was promised was not sent, as various necessary writings intervened. This much is submitted that, praise be to God, the prison land is now calmer compared to before. Some of the friends of God arrive and others depart—each day He is in a new condition and His Cause in a new state. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, to assist that honored one in that which will remain forever mentioned and enduring. To the friends in every land and place where they may be, I convey greetings, glorification and praise. God willing, may they drink from the Kawthar of steadfastness in such wise that the books of the world will not prevent them from the Most Great Book, and likewise that words will not hold them back from the ocean of meaning. This is not difficult for God our Lord.

Regarding what you wrote about obtaining four hundred from two sources—nothing can be obtained from the two mentioned sources. According to what was stated, they have no cash on hand. And likewise you said that the honored Amin, upon him be the glory of God, has written nothing. In any case, it would be difficult for them to fulfill payment of this sum. These two matters were written so that that beloved of the heart may be informed.

And regarding what you wrote about proceeding to the land of H and M—this is very good, and likewise to Kurdistan, for two souls in those regions have spoken that which caused divine displeasure and have done that which made justice itself weep. However, we have concealed their names—you too should conceal them. Verily your Lord is the Concealer. This matter is necessary, namely attention to those two places. And now those two individuals have departed. Some of the imaginary hosts have also passed through those regions. Glory be to God! Most of the servants are occupied with previous vain imaginings and have not realized that those vain imaginings of the previous party produced no fruit, such that now they should again remain deprived of the Lord of Names through vain imaginings. The Command is in His grasp—He does and decrees as He wishes, and He is the Powerful, the Mighty. Glory and remembrance and praise be upon you and upon those with you.

BH05750: This is a remembrance from the Wronged One…

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

This is a remembrance from the Wronged One to the chosen ones of God and His friends who have believed in Him and His perspicuous Book, that the remembrance may draw them to the Most Exalted Horizon and bring them near unto God, the One, the All-Knowing. Hearken unto the call of the Wronged One—verily He will aid thee to manifest supreme steadfastness in this Cause whereby the feet of the deluded ones have slipped. Verily He maketh mention of thee, that when thou attainest unto My remembrance and hearest My call, thou shalt remember God, thy Lord, the Lord of the mighty Throne. We beseech Him, exalted be He, to aid thee and assist thee and ordain for thee that which He hath ordained for His near servants. Say:

My God, my God! Praise be to Thee for having made clear unto me Thy path, and revealed unto me Thy proof, and guided me unto Thy testimony, and given me to drink from the cup of Thy utterance. I beseech Thee, O God of Names and Creator of heaven, to make me of those whom the world hath not kept back from turning toward Thy most exalted horizon, and whom the ornaments of earth have not prevented from drawing nigh unto Thee, O Lord of all beings and Ruler of the throne above and the dust beneath. I beseech Thee by the wonders of Thy bounty to ordain for me the good of the world to come and of this present one. Verily Thou art God, there is none other God but Thee, the Almighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. The glory shining forth from the horizon of God’s loving-kindness rest upon you and upon all who are steadfast and firm.

BH06263: This is a Book which the All-Merciful hath sent…

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

This is a Book which the All-Merciful hath sent down unto him who hath turned towards the Supreme Horizon and heard what the Tongue of Grandeur hath spoken:

“Verily, there is none other God but Me, the Mighty, the Bestower!”

Thy letter hath come before the Wronged One. We have remembered thee in a Tablet from whose horizon hath shone the Sun of thy Lord’s loving-kindness, the Mighty, the Self-Subsisting. We have heard thy call and witnessed thy turning unto Us. We have remembered thee with that which the treasures of the world cannot equal, as He with Whom is the Mother Book doth testify.

Say: O people of the earth! By God, the Lord of Religions hath come! The Kingdom is God’s, the Lord of Lords. Fear ye God, and follow not your desires. This is what ye were commanded in the Scriptures and Tablets.

When the breezes of revelation waft over thee, say:

“My God, my God! Praise be unto Thee for having made known unto me and taught me that from which the people of Thy realm have turned away—they who violated Thy Covenant and Testament. I beseech Thee by the oceans of Thy mercy and the heaven of Thy bounty and the fruits of the Tree beyond which there is no passing and the traces of Thy Most Exalted Pen, to make me steadfast in Thy love, speaking forth Thy Name and turning unto Thy Face. Thou art, verily, the Powerful over whatsoever Thou willest. There is none other God but Thee, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.”

BH06142: This is a mention from the Wronged One…

He is the Hearing, the Answering One!

This is a mention from the Wronged One to him who hath attained unto the Choice Wine when the Self-Subsisting appeared with manifest sovereignty. This is a Book which calleth aloud between earth and heaven and summoneth all unto the All-Knowing, the One. O people of the earth! Hearken unto the Call, and be not of the heedless ones. Raise up your heads from the couch of heedlessness and desire. By God! The Cry hath been raised, the mountains have passed away, the Balance hath been set up, the Trumpet hath been blown, and all who are in earth and heaven have swooned away, save whom God, the Almighty, the All-Powerful, hath willed. Beware lest ye deprive yourselves of that which hath appeared with truth.

Cast away vain imaginings and their sources, and idle fancies and their dawning-places, turning unto the lights of certitude. This is the Day whereof ye were promised in the Books of God, the Lord of the worlds. Thus hath the Tongue spoken, as the Wronged One was seated upon His mighty throne. When thou findest the fragrance of My utterance and hearest My Call [and attainest unto My Tablet], say: My God, my God! Praise be to Thee for having remembered me when I was among the heedless ones. I beseech Thee to make me steadfast in Thy Cause, firm in Thy love, and holding fast to Thy mighty cord. There is none other God but Thee, the Forgiving, the Merciful.

BH06358: O people of God! Inquire ye of the people…

O people of God! Inquire ye of the people of the Qurʼan: Where is Jabulqa, and what of Jabulsa? What hath become of those illusory cities?’ They have condemned as a liar that hapless Jaʻfar, who did not speak falsely. For uttering a single truthful remark, he hath been branded a liar from the early days of Islam to the present time. God’s malison on the head of the people of tyranny!

BH07946: O Rahim! His Holiness Moses appeared with mighty signs…

He is the Hearer, the Answerer

O Rahim! His Holiness Moses appeared with mighty signs, yet they did not accept Him. Each day He manifested with a proof, a clear evidence, and verses revealed, yet still the opposers and deniers acted without justice or fairness, until the cry “the hosts of God, they shall be victorious!” was raised from the horizon of divine triumph and the banners of victory were planted upon the loftiest stations. Thus were Pharaoh and his hosts drowned as recompense for their deeds. Verily God seized him for his sin and delivered Moses and his companions. He is the Mighty, the Powerful.

Praise be to the Goal of the world that He guided thee and directed thee to the straight path. Thou hast heard what Moses heard upon the Mount. Give thanks unto thy Lord for this supreme bounty. Say: Praise be to Thee for having unveiled for me and rent asunder my veils and strengthened me to acknowledge Thy unity and taught me Thy Cause and guided me to Thy straight path. Praise be to Thee, O Goal of the mystics!

BH07878: This is the Day whereon He Who conversed…

He is the Hearing, the Answering One

This is the Day whereon He Who conversed with God hath been established upon the throne of utterance and calleth all who are in the realm of creation unto God, the Lord of Lords. O concourse of men! By God, the Most Sublime Vision hath appeared and the Tongue of Grandeur hath spoken from the most exalted horizon:

“Verily there is none other God but Me, the Mighty, the Bestower.”

Cast away what ye possess and what the divines and theologians possess, and take hold of that which hath been revealed from My Most Exalted Pen. Verily He is with you in every world of the worlds of your Lord. Beware lest fancies and vain imaginings withhold you from the horizon of certitude. Thus doth My Most Exalted Pen counsel you. Make haste and be not of them who saw and denied the bounty of God, the Lord of the Day of Return. The glory shining forth from the horizon of the heaven of My loving-kindness be upon them who have held fast unto My cord and soared in Mine atmosphere and have not violated My Covenant and My Testament. These are the people of Baha, to which testifieth the Mother Book that is with Him.

BH08550: In My Name, the All-Subduing above all names!

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

O Rahim! Thy mention hath been made in the presence of the Wronged One, therefore have We made mention of thee. Strive thou that perchance thine eyes may be enabled to perceive that for which they were created, and likewise thine ears to hearken unto the Call that is raised.

The whole world maketh mention of the Truth, each according to their own measure offering praise, yet when the time of His manifestation came, all were found to be heedless and turned away. We beseech God that He may aid thee to make mention and to offer praise, and to remain steadfast.

The clamourers and the hypocrites are occupied with leading the servants astray, and likewise the divines and the doctors of law. Say: My God, my God! Protect Thy servants from the evil of the barking ones and the hypocrites who have taken for themselves lords besides Thee. Then I beseech Thee to make me steadfast in Thy love and firm in Thy Cause. Verily Thou art the Mighty, the Powerful.

BH02430: Praise be to God Who hath sent down…

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

Praise be to God Who hath sent down from the heaven of bounty the table of utterance, and through it hath adorned the world and quickened the nations. And blessing and peace be upon the Most Mighty Pillar and the Most Hidden Mystery, Who was concealed in knowledge and treasured in hearts, through Whose movement the celestial spheres were set in motion and the mysteries of eternity were revealed and the nightingale of proof sang upon the highest branch in the world that there is none other God but Him. And upon His family and companions through whom the breeze of the All-Merciful wafted throughout creation and the Word encompassed all religions. There is none other God but Him, the Almighty, the Help in Peril.

And furthermore, may my spirit be a sacrifice for your love. The servant hath attained to that which was the dawning-place of joy and gladness and the treasury of remembrance and praise. When he drank from his words the wine of mystical knowledge, he approached the Most Exalted Station and presented it before His presence. The Lord, may our spirits be a sacrifice for Him, said:

“O thou who soarest in the atmosphere of nearness and reunion! Thy letter hath repeatedly come before the Wronged One. We have read it and made mention of thee with a mention that illumineth the eyes. We beseech God to assist thee and aid thee with the hosts of wisdom and utterance, and to send down upon thee a blessing from His presence, from the heaven of His bounty. This is what the Wronged One desired for thee in the beginning of days. Verily He heareth and seeth, and He is the Hearing, the Answering. Peace and glory be upon thee and upon those with thee and upon all who are steadfast and firm.” End.

Unto God be glory and praise, and unto Him be power and grace and bounty. He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He pleaseth. He is the Almighty, the Exalted, the All-Bountiful.

As for what thou didst mention regarding Abbas-Quli, upon him be 966 [Baha’u’llah], and what he desired regarding the decree of the Book, after it was presented before His presence, this is what was revealed in reply:

“O Muhammad-Mustafa! We have heard what thou didst write regarding Abbas-Quli and what he desired in the path of God, the Lord of the worlds. We beseech God to assist him and make him successful in all conditions. Verily He is the Almighty, the Powerful. Make mention of him on My behalf and remind him of what hath flowed from My Pen, and give him the glad-tidings of the acceptance of what he sent, that he may rejoice and be of the thankful ones. Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.” Thus it ended.

The servant remembereth him and beseecheth God his Lord to ordain for him the good of the hereafter and of this world. Verily He is the Lord of all beings and He is the Mighty, the All-Bounteous. Peace and remembrance and praise be upon your honor and upon those with you and upon those who love you for the sake of God, the Lord of the Promised Day.

The servant, on the 20th of Dhu’l-Qa’dah al-Haram, 1304

BH02424: O thou who gazeth upon Mine horizon and drinketh…

In the Name of Him through Whom the fragrance of My loving-kindness hath been wafted among My servants!

O thou who gazeth upon Mine horizon and drinketh the wine of Mine utterance from the hand of My bounty! Hearken unto My call from the precincts of My prison. Verily it draweth thee to the horizon of the heaven of My Revelation and bringeth thee nigh unto the court of My holiness and giveth thee to drink once again, from the hands of My favor, the choice wine of Mine utterance.

I bear witness that thou hast taken the chalice of utterance in the name of thy Lord, the All-Merciful, and drunk therefrom despite those who turned away from the Most Exalted Horizon and exchanged the grace of God for disbelief and hypocrisy. Thus did their souls entice them, and they are recorded among the most lost in the Book of God, the Lord of all worlds.

As We sat upon the throne, the servant in attendance entered with thy letter and read it before the face of the Wronged One. We found it purified from the allusions of the world and the doubts of the nations. Blessed be thy pen, thy tongue and thy heart. Give thanks unto God for this most great favor. He hath testified for thee with that whose fragrance shall never cease throughout the duration of His mighty and glorious Kingdom.

We have heard thy call and answered thee, and have seen thy turning and turned unto thee with the ocean of utterance. Verily thy Lord is the Almighty, the All-Powerful. Thus hath the ocean of knowledge revealed the pearls of wisdom and understanding from the shell of proof. Blessed is he who hath witnessed and attained. Woe unto the heedless!

When thou art illumined by the lights of Mine utterance and findest the fragrance of the Robe from My words and verses, say: My God, my God! Praise be to Thee for having mentioned me in the Most Great Prison, enabled me by Thy power and might to shatter the idols, illumined mine eyes to behold Thy signs, purified mine ears from the words of the world that I might hearken unto Thy call, loosened my tongue to make mention of Thee and praise Thee, and adorned my heart with the ornament of Thy love and the light of Thy knowledge.

I beseech Thee by Thy Manifestation before which the necks of the Pharaohs bowed down and the limbs of tyrants trembled, to make me in all conditions steadfast in Thy service, speaking Thy praise and holding fast to what Thou hast revealed in Thy Book. O Lord! Assist me through Thy grace and bounty to open the doors of hearts through Thy name and remembrance, to remind them of Thy signs and give them glad tidings of Thy generosity which hath encompassed existence and Thy grace which hath preceded the seen and the unseen.

O Lord! Thou beholdest me attracted by Thy verses and soaring in the atmosphere of Thy love. I beseech Thee by the mysteries of Thy knowledge which none hath known save Thyself, to preserve me and Thy servants from the doubts of the baying ones, the allusions of the heedless and the clamor of the deniers. Verily Thou art powerful over what Thou willest and in Thy grasp are the reins of all things.

Every tongue testifieth to Thy power, every eye to Thy might, and every heart to Thy greatness and choice. Thou art He by Whose command the standard of the Most Great Name was raised before the nations and the banner of utterance was hoisted on the most exalted station. The power of the world and the might of the nations cannot frustrate Thee. Thou doest what Thou willest and ordainest what Thou pleasest. Verily Thou art the Strong, the Dominant, the Almighty.

BH03845: Glorified be He Who testified to His own Self…

He is the One manifest through proof, holding in His right hand the evidence and explanation

Glorified be He Who testified to His own Self by His own Self before the creation of earth and heaven. There is none other God but Him. He doeth whatsoever He willeth and within His grasp lies the kingdom of creation. He giveth life and causeth death, He taketh and He giveth, and He is the Almighty, the Exalted, the Unconstrained. This is a letter from the Wronged One on the Day of God, Lord of mankind, to him whose name was brought before Him in the Most Great Prison, that the explanation might draw him nigh unto his Lord, the Most Merciful, and strengthen him to shatter the idols through God, the Mighty, the All-Knowing. We have stood before all faces on a Day wherein the hearts of the learned were sorely troubled and the limbs of all names did tremble, and We have manifested the Cause without veil or concealment.

Among the people were those who turned toward the horizon of Revelation, and among them were those who turned away, and among them were those who took hold of the Book with such might as could not be weakened by the hosts and armies of the world. Thus hath the Supreme Pen spoken when the Wronged One was in the hands of the wicked. When thou hast drunk from the ocean of My utterance and beheld the lights of the Sun of My Revelation, say:

My God, my God! My hope is in Thy nearness and my desire is Thy good-pleasure. I beseech Thee by the movement of Thy Most Exalted Pen and the Finger of Thy Will, O Lord of all beings and Lord of the Throne on high and of the dust below, to make me steadfast in Thy Cause and firm in Thy love and detached from all else but Thee and speaking in Thy praise. O Lord! Thou seest me clinging to Thee and drawn by Thy signs, and I desire naught but to stand before Thy face and attain Thy presence. I beseech Thee, O Lord of existence and King over the seen and unseen, to withhold not from me what I seek from the wonders of Thy grace. Ordain for me the reward of meeting Thee and standing before Thy gate. Verily Thou art the Almighty, the All-Compelling, the Self-Sufficient, the Most Exalted.

BH03979: Verily the Letters call out from the Divine Lote…

He is the Dawning Place from the Horizon of Utterance

Verily the Letters call out from the Divine Lote Tree that there is none other God but Him, the Mighty, the All-Knowing. The world hath been set ablaze by the fire of the love of the All-Merciful, yet the people are in doubt and behind a veil. We have sent down the verses and made manifest the clear proofs, yet the people are in strange delusion. This is the Day wherein the Tongue of Grandeur calleth out with the most exalted call, summoning all unto God, the Lord of Lords. Verily the Book speaketh through this Most Great Name, whereby the hearts of the world were shaken, save those who heard the Call and said:

“Here am I, O Lord of the verses! We heard Thy call, we called out to Thee from the shore of the Most Great Sea, and we saw Thy remembrance and remembered Thee with that which its fragrance shall never be cut off. Verily thy Lord is the Mighty, the All-Bountiful.”

When thou hast taken the choice-sealed wine from the hand of My bounty and drunk thereof in My Name, say:

“My God, my God! I testify that Thou hast created me to know Thee and to hearken unto Thy call and to stand before Thy throne. I beseech Thee, O Lord of the worlds and King of eternity, to confirm me in that for which Thou didst create me. I testify that Thou hast appeared and made manifest Thy straight path and Thy mighty announcement. I beseech Thee, O Sovereign of existence and Lord of the seen and unseen, by the Word whereby Thou didst illumine the world and guide the peoples, and by the Lote Tree which appeared on the Mount of Knowledge unto the son of Imran, to make me in all conditions attracted to Thy verses, enkindled with the fire of Thy love, and steadfast in Thy remembrance and praise among Thy servants with the wisdom which Thou hast commanded all to observe in Thy scriptures and Tablets. O Lord! Thou seest me turning unto Thee and holding fast unto Thee. I beseech Thee not to disappoint me of that which Thou hast ordained for them that are nigh unto Thee among Thy servants and the sincere ones among Thy creatures. Verily Thou art the Most High, the Most Great.”

BH04349: In My Name, the All-Encompassing over all names!

In My Name, the All-Encompassing over all names!

O Muhammad, hearken unto the call of the Wronged One. He maketh mention of thee and remindeth thee of the verses of God, the All-Encompassing, the Self-Subsisting.

O Perfumer, He Who hath been chosen from among the hands of the wicked calleth thee from this Most Great Prison wherein the Herald proclaimeth: The Kingdom belongeth unto God, the Lord of all kings. Thy letter which the Trusted One sent hath arrived and been read by the servant who was present. We have answered thee with that which will draw thee nigh unto God, the Lord of what was and what shall be. Let nothing among all things nor worldly events cause thee grief. Set aside what the people possess, taking what thou hast been given from God, the Lord of existence.

We have heard the call of thy wife. We beseech God to aid her in that which He loveth and is pleased with. Verily He is the Truth, the Knower of things unseen. She may say:

“My God, my God! I have turned to Thee and have placed my trust in Thee. I beseech Thee by Thy Prophets and Thy chosen ones who soared in the atmosphere of Thy nearness and gave up their spirits in Thy path, to ordain for this Thy maidservant that which shall profit her in all the worlds of Thy worlds. Thou knowest what is in her heart and what profiteth her and what she possesseth. She knoweth not what is with Thee and what profiteth her. Thou art the All-Forgiving, the All-Merciful. O my Lord! Aid her and ordain for her the good of the hereafter and of this world. Thou art the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.”

And We make mention of thy other wife. We beseech God to draw her nigh and aid her to be steadfast in this Cause which God hath sent down in the books of old as a token of His grace. He is the Single One, the One, the Mighty, the All-Loving.

The glory be upon thee and upon them both from God, the Lord of the seen and the unseen.

BH05033: The Wronged One maketh mention of him from God…

He is seated upon the throne of utterance.

The Wronged One maketh mention of him from God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting—mention of one who hearkened to the Call and turned towards it when the people were in manifest opposition. Blessed is the heart that turned towards God in His days, and woe unto every doubting learned one.

Say: O people, cast aside what ye possess. By God, that which the pens are powerless to recount hath come to pass. Come ye, come ye, that I may show you God’s most exalted horizon and cause you to hear His sweetest call. Beware lest the paths of the world hold you back from His straight path. How many a servant lamented in separation, yet when the Sun of Manifestation dawned, denied God, the Lord of the seen and unseen.

When thou hast drunk the choice wine of My utterance and heard My call from the words of My Book, say: My God, my God! I have forsaken the world out of love for meeting with Thee and for what lieth with Thee, and have cast aside what the peoples possess in hope of Thy grace, O Thou Who art the Lord of eternity and Who hast appeared through the Most Great Name. I beseech Thee by the lights of Thy countenance to assist me in serving Thy Cause in such wise that the doubts of Thine enemies and the signs of the tyrants among Thy creatures shall not hold me back. O Lord! Take the hand of this poor one with the hand of Thy bounty, then deliver him from the darkness of idle fancies through Thy power and might. Write down for him that which will draw him nigh unto Thee in every world of Thy worlds. Thou art, verily, the Almighty, the All-Powerful. There is none other God but Thee, the Mighty, the All-Bestowing.

BH05867: A Book sent down by the Wronged One…

He is God, exalted is He in wisdom and utterance

A Book sent down by the Wronged One for him who hath chosen for himself a path unto God, that he may render thanks unto God at morn and eventide. We have heard thy call and have addressed thee from the precincts of the Prison, and having beheld thy name We have remembered thee in a Tablet which God hath made a guide unto His servants. Verily He is, over all things, powerful. That which He desired hath appeared and been made manifest, as a token of His grace. Thus hath it been sent down from the Pen which was, by God’s command, set in motion. Let not the might of the people weaken thee, nor the tyranny of any oppressor who standeth remote from the truth cause thee to fear. Take hold of the Tablet of God with the power that proceedeth from Him, and follow not any overbearing doubter in this Cause. Take the chalice of Mine utterance in My Name, then drink thereof through My remembrance which hath caused the limbs of every oppressor who was deprived of the breezes of revelation to tremble. When thou hast inhaled the fragrance of My verses and attained unto My Book, say:

My God, my God! I beseech Thee by the Fire through which Thou didst manifest Thyself on the Mount of Knowledge unto the son of Imran, and by Thy Command whereby Thou didst subdue both men and lands, to aid me to remember Thee and serve Thy Cause in such wise that the clamor of the people of Thy kingdom and the opposition of Thy creation shall not hinder me. Verily Thou art the Powerful, the Strong, the All-Conquering, the Almighty.

BH06938: Verily the Tablet appears at times in human form…

He is the Hearing, the Responding One!

Verily the Tablet appears at times in human form, calling all to the Mighty, the Bestower. At other times it appears in the form of a Book, proclaiming: “The Promised One has come with a Cause before which all parties are powerless.” And yet again you behold it elevated like the heaven, with suns and moons dawning from the horizons of its utterance—which none has comprehended save the Mighty, the All-Knowing. In all conditions it gives glad tidings to the servants and reminds them of the signs of God, the Lord of all religions. Blessed is the one whose strength the power of the world could not weaken, and blessed is the one whose steadfastness the might of the wicked could not subdue.

Give thanks to God for the Wronged One’s remembrance of you in prison and His revelation to you of that which draws you near to the Mighty, the Chosen One. We beseech God to make you enkindled with the fire of His love and speaking His praise among His servants, such that through your call the call of the world will be raised up. Verily your Lord is the Powerful, the Mighty, the Forgiving. The glory be upon you and upon those who have not changed God’s bounty, who have accepted and taken hold and have said: “Praise be to Thee, O Master of all necks and Subjugator of the winds!”

BH07309: All the world hath ever loved and still loveth…

In the Name of the one true God!

All the world hath ever loved and still loveth the Truth. All turn unto Him and consider themselves to be of Him. The transgressor is confident in His grace and bounty, and the obedient one is enkindled and gladdened by His love and favor. All seek Him, yet remain heedless of Him, for the paths have become diverse, but His path is manifest and clear to them that possess insight. Say: O my God, my Worshipped One! I make mention of Thee, and hold fast to the cord of Thy bounty, and cling to the hem of Thy mercy. I seek from Thee Thine ancient forgiveness and search after Thy boundless grace.

I beseech Thee by the lights of Thy Prophets and Messengers that Thou aid me to remember Thee and praise Thee and to act according to that which Thou hast commanded me in Thy Book. Thou art, verily, the One with power over whatsoever Thou willest. There is none other God but Thee, the All-Forgiving, the All-Bountiful. Remember the handmaiden of God on behalf of the Wronged One. We beseech God that He may aid her to remember Him and praise Him and to observe that which hath been revealed in His perspicuous Book.

BH07994: The Wronged One begs His Lord to assist His…

He is the Hearer, the Answerer

The Wronged One begs His Lord to assist His loved ones to remember Him, praise Him, and serve His Cause, the firm, the mighty, the impregnable. We have heard thy mention and have remembered thee, that thou mayest thank thy Lord, the All-Powerful, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. When thou hearest the call from the Most Exalted Horizon, say:

My God, my God! Praise be to Thee for having awakened me through the breathings of Thy Revelation, made known to me Thy ancient bounty, and shown me Thy wondrous generosity. I beseech Thee by the waves of the ocean of Thy knowledge and the signs of Thy grandeur, and by Thy Prophets and Messengers whom neither the might of the oppressors deterred from drawing nigh unto Thee, nor the tyranny of the Pharaohs from turning toward the light of Thy countenance, to make me steadfast in Thy Cause and firm in Thy love. O Lord! Illumine my heart with the light of Thy knowledge, adorn my temple with the ornament of piety, and my head with the crown of virtuous deeds. Thou art the Judge on the Day of the Covenant and the Illuminator of the horizons. Then ordain for me the good of this world and the next. There is no God but Thee, the Omnipotent over whatsoever Thou willest through Thy word “Be” and it is.

BH08313: The True One hath come, yet the people remain…

He is the One Who speaketh in the Kingdom of Utterance

The True One hath come, yet the people remain behind a manifest veil. The Promise hath appeared, yet mankind abideth in strange delusion. The horizon of divine knowledge hath dawned with the Day-Star of certitude, yet most men remain heedless. They have cast aside that which is with God, clinging to that which they possess, and verily they are accounted among the most lost in the Book of God, the Lord of all worlds. We counsel thee and those who have believed to that whereby the Cause of God, the Mighty, the All-Praised, may be exalted. This is a Day in which the sweet savors of past ages have been wafted abroad. Blessed is he who hath turned towards it and discovered it; woe unto every heedless doubter. We beseech God to assist thee and reinforce thee with the hosts of the seen and the unseen, to draw thee nigh unto Him, and to aid thee to serve His binding, mighty and wondrous Cause. The glory from Us be upon the people of Baha who have not broken God’s covenant and His testament, who have turned with radiant faces toward the horizon of their Lord’s mercy, the All-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.

BH11691: Praise and glory befit His chosen ones, who have…

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

Praise and glory befit His chosen ones, who have ever been and shall forever remain the manifestations of the Divine Will and the embodiments of His All-Merciful Purpose. These are they who have drunk from the chalice of steadfastness and have partaken of the choice wine of God’s love. By the Sun of Truth I swear, with every drop they drink thereof, the denizens of the highest Paradise exclaim “How pleasant!” and the inhabitants of the loftiest Heaven cry out “How delightful!” These are they who are the dawning-places of the effulgent light of God’s Name, the All-Powerful, and the manifestations of His victorious Name, the All-Subduing. Before their might, all worldly power is accounted as the weakest of things, and in the face of their steadfastness, the armies of nations are reckoned among the most abject of servants. They have drunk from the cup of immortality and have detached themselves from all else but God. The colors of the world deceive them not, and its ornaments engage them not. Through their endeavors is raised the tabernacle of glory, and by their service are hoisted the banners of triumph. Glorified be their Creator, their Sustainer, their Helper, their Strengthener, their Guide, and their Inspirer!

Glorified art Thou, O Thou through Whose command was revealed that which lay hidden in the treasuries of Thy knowledge and concealed within the repositories of Thy power, and through the breezes of Whose Revelation the dwellers of the graves arose in Thy days. I beseech Thee by the suns of the heavens of Thy bounty and the mysteries enshrined within Thy Book, to aid Thy servants in that which will establish the sanctity of Thy Being and the transcendence of Thine Essence. My God, my God! This servant beareth witness to Thy unity and Thy oneness, and acknowledgeth that which Thou hast revealed in Thy Book. I beseech Thee, O Lord of the worlds, by the Most Great Name, to forgive Thy servants through Thy grace and bounty, and to assist them with the hosts of Thine invisible realm.

Verily, Thou art powerful over whatsoever Thou willest. There is none other God but Thee, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. O my Lord! Thou beholdest him who hath been named ʿAli-Akbar, who hath arisen to serve Thy Cause, who hath spoken Thy praise, and who hath desired to spread Thy verses and to exalt Thy Word. I beseech Thee to strengthen him through Thy grace and favors, and to ordain for him the good of this world and of the world to come. Verily, Thou art the Lord of all beings and the Lord of the throne on high and of the dust below.

And furthermore, the letters which that spiritual beloved sent in the name of the beloved of the heart, Hadrat-i-Ism-i-Jud, upon Him be the Most Glorious Beauty of God, and likewise to the spiritual beloved, his honor Aqa Mirza Muhammad, upon him be the Glory of God, attained the Most Holy Court and were presented before the Countenance of the Object of the world’s desire and were honored to be heard. His blessed and exalted Word:

In My Name, the Wronged One, the Stranger

Verily, We were speaking in remembrance and praise of God, pacing in My chambers and pondering upon the Most Great Announcement and what was visited upon it by His enemies who violated His Covenant and Testament, who denied His signs and disputed His proof. Then the servant who was present came with thy letter and presented it before Our face. We hearkened unto it and revealed from the Kingdom of Utterance that which guideth the servants unto God, the Lord of the worlds.

O ʿAli-Akbar! The Wronged One hath appeared and made manifest the Cause of God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy. He hath guided the servants unto the Dayspring of His signs, made known unto them His path, caused them to hear His call, and revealed for them that which draweth them nigh unto His horizon. Among them are those who denied, those who turned away, those who pronounced judgment against Him, and those who cast aside the world in their longing to attain His presence and their ardent love for His verses. Thus hath the Most Exalted Pen spoken from the Most Glorious Horizon. Blessed is he who hath heard and attained, and woe unto the heedless. Blessed art thou for having hearkened unto the Call and departed from thy home, seeking the Ultimate Goal and the Most Exalted Summit, until thou didst attain His presence, hear and witness. Verily thy Lord loveth His loved ones, maketh mention of them in His Book, and giveth them the glad-tidings of His mercy which hath preceded all who are in the heavens and on earth.

Convey My greetings unto My loved ones who have cast aside all else save Me and have taken what hath been sent down from My presence. These are among the Concourse on High in the Book of God, the Goal of them that know. Say to the Daysprings of idle fancies: Cast aside this day what the people possess, for the Self-Subsisting hath come with manifest sovereignty. Beware lest vain imaginings prevent you from the dawning-places of the Sun of Certitude. Cast aside conjectures and take hold of that which ye have been bidden by God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. Say: He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He pleaseth. This is a word—whoso holdeth fast unto it, neither the doubts of the world nor the intimations of the suspicious shall cause him to slip. Blessed is the servant who hath held fast unto it; he is reckoned among the people of certitude in the Book of God, the Lord of the Day of Judgment.

When thou hast drunk from the chalice of My utterance and been seized with the wine of the Kawthar of My knowledge, say: My God, my God! Praise be unto Thee for having enabled me to turn unto Thee and to proclaim that which Thou didst command me. I was heedless, but the fragrances of Thy verses and the breezes of the dawn of Thy Manifestation awakened me. I was asleep, but the hands of Thy bounty aroused me. I was ignorant, but Thy gift made me to know. I was seated, but Thy firm Command caused me to arise. O Lord of Eternity! I beseech Thee by the lights of Thy mighty Throne and by what was hidden in Thy knowledge, O Goal of them that know, to aid me in that which Thou lovest and art pleased with. O Lord! Illumine the hearts of Thy servants with the lights of Thy utterance and adorn their temples with the ornament of resignation and contentment in the kingdom of creation. Verily Thou art powerful over whatsoever Thou willest. There is none other God but Thee, the Single, the One, the Powerful, the Almighty.

Praise be to God! The effulgences of the rays of the Most Great Luminary have encompassed the world. That which hath been revealed—its fragrances shall never fade nor perish, and its mention shall endure in the Book of God as long as the kingdom of earth and heaven shall last. Praise be to God! They have drunk that which most of the peoples of the world are deprived of, and have heard that which ears were forbidden to hear, save those whom God hath willed—our Lord and your Lord, our Goal and your Goal, and the Goal of them that are nigh unto Him. Today the Truth seeketh a helper who would sacrifice himself for the sake of God—that is, who would occupy himself day and night with teaching and with whatsoever may promote the Cause of God, inasmuch as the cawers in every land and region either arrive or emerge therefrom. This is among the tidings that flowed from the Most Exalted Pen during the days when the Most Great Luminary was shining from the horizon of Zawra. At one time the Tongue of Grandeur uttered this most exalted Word—His blessed and exalted Word:

“O servant in attendance! Often it happens that in this land too a cawer is found. Certain souls have loved and do love discord, lying in wait until they find a calf to raise the standard of dissension. The friends of God must be vigilant and remain so steadfast that none shall find occasion for such mentions that cause corruption and are the source of discord.” Thus it ended.

This evanescent servant beseecheth God—exalted be His glory—and imploreth Him to assist His servants and grant them fairness, that all may, with utmost steadfastness and detachment from the world and all that is therein, hold fast unto that which guideth mankind. Assuredly that spiritual friend exerteth mighty efforts in refining souls, purifying hearts, and establishing the steadfastness of the servants. At one time this blessed word was uttered by the Tongue of Grandeur—exalted be His utterance:

“O servant in attendance! This land, in its inmost mystery, is not free from corruption.” Thus it ended.

Thus did He Who possesseth the knowledge of all things inform us aforetime and afterward in a perspicuous tablet. This servant conveyeth greetings to all the friends in that land and beseecheth God to assist each one to achieve that which is enduring and everlasting. The world and all that is therein shall perish, save the Divine Word. Blessed is the soul that hath attained thereunto, and likewise the deed that hath appeared for the sake of God. Verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, heareth and seeth, and He is the All-Knowing Witness.

The sublime, blessed, and holy Tablets which were requested in the letter of his honor Ism-i-Jud and Aqa Mirza Muhammad—upon them be 9 66 [Baha’u’llah]—for certain friends, have all, in accordance with that spiritual friend’s request, been revealed from the heaven of divine favor and have been given that they may be dispatched. Among the coincidental events is that some time ago this evanescent servant sent especially for that spiritual friend a letter containing the words of God. After some time it became known that its dispatch was delayed and it was returned again to this ephemeral one. The purpose is that ye have ever been and continue to be remembered.

As to what you have written regarding my brother, that he has not given any funds for his Huquq and that from here a receipt was sent, and this matter has become a cause of hesitation or doubt or, God forbid, a cause of turning away—Glory be to God! These matters pertain to this servant. For whatever names you send, this servant sends receipts. What relation do these matters have to the Most Holy and Most Exalted Sanctuary? Moreover, what has been understood from the words “He doeth what He willeth”? Whatever appears from the True One, glorified be His majesty, is truth in which there is no doubt, as the Primal Point, may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for His sake, has said: “Should He pronounce the earth to be heaven, or heaven to be earth, He speaketh the truth; and should anyone say Why?’ or Wherefore?’ such a one hath disbelieved in God.” In any case, such matters pertain to this servant, and this servant sends the receipt.

As to what Jinab-i-Amin, upon him be the Glory of God, the Most Glorious, has written regarding this matter—that his honor Ustad, upon him be the Glory of God, the Most Glorious, has sent two payments and this servant has requested and sent receipts. However, regarding Ustad Kazim, my brother, his honor Ustad has never sent any receipt in his name. Yes, his honor Ustad Kazim Haddad Ardikani, upon him be the Glory of God, had given several payments for which I requested receipts. Two or three receipts arrived and I sent them to the honored Afnan, his honor A. H., upon him be the Glory of God, the Most Glorious, to deliver. Since the note did not mention Ustad Kazim Ardikani, his honor the esteemed one thought it was for this Ustad Kazim. As he would profess belief before me and his honor Afnan, while at times associating with the manifestations of Satan, divine tests overtook him in this way. I beseech the Exalted True One not to test this servant, for no soul can emerge from tests except through God’s grace taking his hand.

These matters have been written by Jinab-i-Amin. Today relationship is cut off, for the relationship with God has come between. Now that spiritual beloved is related to the Truth and to those near and sincere. Beyond the stages of acceptance, devotion and faith, they have been engaged in service for years and have held fast to teaching God’s Cause. Whatever is hidden is manifest before God. Not an atom of deeds has been or will be without reward. I beseech God to confirm that honored one in all conditions, just as He has confirmed him before. He is the Powerful, the Mighty. Glory and praise and laudation be upon you and upon God’s loved ones there who have drunk the wine of steadfastness from the cup of the bounty of our Lord, the Powerful, the Mighty.