Volume 084: Akka 1305 A.H. (1887–1888), Part I (5 of 5)
BH00103: Praise, glory, gratitude and honor befit the Lord…
Section 1: “Praise, glory, gratitude and honor befit the Lord…”
In the Name of our Most Holy, Most Great, Most Exalted, Most Glorious Lord
Praise, glory, gratitude and honor befit the Lord of the Kingdom of Names, Who through His grace and bounty brought the world from nothingness into being, adorned it with the ornament of existence, and bestowed the gift of knowledge that all might attain to His recognition, which was the purpose of creation. Whosoever has attained to this station is adorned with such deeds and character as conduce to the reformation of the world and the tranquility of nations. Blessed are they whom the affairs of the world and its vicissitudes have not withheld from the Truth nor debarred from the divine path. These are the flowing rivers and the enduring stars; these are the dawning-places of goodness and the daysprings of benevolence. The servant beseecheth his Lord to strengthen them with His hosts, to protect them by His sovereignty, and to aid them through the signs of His victory. Verily, He hath power over all things.
My God, my God! The servant beseecheth Thee, by the mysteries of Thy Divinity and the manifestations of Thy Lordship, and by Thy Command through which the flowers of Thy grace and bounty have sprung forth from the gardens of Thy glorious Oneness, that Thou protect Thy loved ones from the evil of every clamourer, every idolator, and every heedless one who hath turned away from Thy proof and evidence and violated Thy Covenant and Testament. Verily, Thou art the Omnipotent over whatsoever Thou willest. There is none other God but Thee, the Witness, the Hearer, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
And further: O beloved of my heart! Thy exalted letters arrived one after another, each a straight path, a truthful and manifest proof, and for His Holiness the Trustworthy One a clear testimony and an eloquent witness. Through the grace of God he hath received and hath been granted the outward and inward bounty. A hundred thousand thanks to the Goal of all the worlds Who hath made His loved ones the manifestations of grace and favor, that they may not withhold from His servants love and mercy. In any case, after observing the first letter dated the ninth of the sacred month of Dhi’l-Qa’dah, numbered 2, We repaired to the Most Exalted Station and Supreme Summit, attaining the presence before the face of the Lord of all beings. This is what was sent down from the heaven of the grace of our Lord, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
His blessed and exalted Word: “O Amin! Upon thee be the glory of God, the Lord of the worlds! We have heard thy call and whatsoever thou didst mention hath attained the honor of being heard. The Supreme Pen hath ever mentioned and continueth to mention His loved ones. Know thou with evident certitude that none among the peoples of the earth except His loved ones are capable of hearing this Call which hath been raised from the Most Exalted Horizon. These heedless ones have been seized by the slumber of negligence to such extent that in the Mother Book they are accounted as dead. The world hath never witnessed itself adorned and illumined as in these days. O Amin! This is the Day concerning which He saith: The whole earth shall be but His handful on the Day of Resurrection, and the heavens shall be rolled together in His right hand.’ Do they appear worthy of recognition of this Most Exalted Station and Supreme Summit? The Primal Point declared I am the first to worship Him,’ yet behold what they have said and what hath come to pass. Beseech God that He deprive not His servants of the lights of the Most Great Luminary.
Glory be to God! Some of the handmaidens have appeared with the might of men, adorned with the ornament of knowledge and blessed with supreme steadfastness. He is the All-Bountiful and He is the Generous. Should a dried leaf from among the trees take precedence, it is, in the sight of God, preferred above those who sit upon the thrones of ordinances and recline upon the couches of commandments—that is, the divines of the earth and its jurisprudents. Alas! Alas! The wolf hath devoured and the serpent hath struck. Give thanks to the Goal of the world Who hath turned toward thee from the direction of the Prison and maketh mention of thee. This mention cannot be equaled by the pearls of all the seas nor matched by the jewels of kings. The ornaments of the world are not worthy of mention before Him. Blessed is My mention for which one hath sacrificed his life in My path. This is that mention concerning which He saith ʿThe remembrance of God is the greatest.’
In all days and nights he uttereth mention of this Wronged One and is aware and informed of the tribulations that have befallen Him from the people of the Bayan and others. By the life of God! He hath lamented and wailed in the Garden of the Bayan and beseeched that perchance the people of the Bayan might not be sullied with the dust of idle fancies and might not cause grief to come upon the Lord of existence and the Sovereign of the seen and the unseen. Say: O ye who have turned away from the Face of God! Look with fairness and speak with justice. They have turned away from Him Who from the beginning of the Cause until now hath arisen before the faces of all and summoned all without any veil, and have turned to the dawning-place of vain imaginings. They are indeed in evident loss. Nevertheless, we beseech God, exalted be His glory, for the salvation of these people. What a pity that ears should be deprived of hearing and eyes prevented from beholding.
O Amin! Convey, on behalf of the Wronged One, greetings of magnification to His loved ones—those souls who have drunk from the hand of bestowal the cup of everlasting life, and who have renounced the world and all that is therein for His sake. Say: Today is the day of bounty and mercy, the day of service and of victory; and victory hath ever been, and shall ever remain, through wisdom and utterance, and its hosts are righteous character and pure deeds. In most of the Tablets this exalted word hath been revealed, that all may become acquainted with the Will of God, may discover the Purpose, and may recognize the hosts that do His bidding. The glory that shineth forth from the horizon of the heaven of My loving-kindness be upon thee, and upon them that have cast away vain imaginings and hastened unto the horizon of certitude—these are the people of Baha, in the Crimson Book and in this lucid Tablet. End.
Within every word uttered by Him Who is the Desire of the world are hidden gems of peerless splendour and meanings resplendent as pearls. The rulers of the earth and the learned among the peoples are powerless and deficient to reckon their worth. Who is able to number the bounties of God, His favours, His signs and His clear testimonies? Every learned one hath confessed his helplessness, and every knower his insufficiency—save the sanctified, all-encompassing Soul, Who hath encompassed them; He alone hath numbered them, and He alone shall number them. Sufficient is He as Witness and as Knower.
As to what thou hast written concerning Jinab-i-Aqa Mulla Qasim (the maker of mirrors)—upon him be the glory of God—and his feast: it was submitted in the presence of the Most Holy, the Most Exalted Court. He—blessed and exalted be He—hath spoken:
“O Aba’l-Qasim! Thou hast spoken the truth. We mentioned thee in another place with such a remembrance that bodies soared thereby, much more spirits. And now, once again, render thou thanks unto God for this mighty favour. We beseech Him to strengthen thee in the Most Great Steadfastness, in such wise that neither the treasuries of the world nor the hosts of the peoples may hinder thee. Verily thy Lord is the Omnipotent, the Almighty. He hath come down from the heaven of utterance with proof and demonstration, yet the people have turned away from Him, inasmuch as they have followed every ignorant, doubting one.”
We make mention of him who is named (Mirza) Muhammad, that he may rejoice in the remembrance of the Wronged One and give thanks unto his gracious Lord. O Muhammad! Muhammad came, and the people denied Him; and before Him the Spirit came, and the servants turned away from Him and broke the covenant of God and His testament—yet they are in manifest error. And before Him the One Who conversed with God came with signs upon signs; the people rose up against Him and committed that whereat every fair-minded, discerning soul must lament. Consider what the All-Merciful hath revealed in the Furqan: “No Messenger came unto them but they mocked him.” Blessed is he who hath cast off the people, holding fast unto His Name, the Self-Subsisting; verily he is of the people of this lofty station. End.
His Holiness the Name of God—may the glory of all glory be upon Him—turned His face towards the mention of Aqa Mulla Qasim, and likewise towards the tea and its being served in His blessed Presence; the purport being that his act was adorned with the ornament of acceptance. Happy is he!
And as to thy mention of Aqa Muhammad Ja’far and his son Aqa Muhammad Mahdi—upon them be the glory of God: it was laid before the Most Holy Court, and these shining verses were sent down from the heaven of the Divine Will. He—glorified and exalted be He—hath spoken:
He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.
O Muhammad Ja’far! The Truth is manifest, and He hath commanded His servants to that which is the cause of the exaltation of being, glory and benefit. He hath repeatedly revealed in scriptures and tablets the path that leadeth unto Him, and hath counselled justice, fairness, trustworthiness and godliness. Blessed are they who have hearkened unto the voice of the Self-Sufficing and acted according to His bidding. After godliness, trustworthiness is mentioned as the first ornament and is inscribed as the primal word. Its light hath dominated and continueth to dominate all other lights even as the light of the sun. Blessed is the one who hath been illumined by its light and hath recognized its station. Be not grieved by the vicissitudes of time. Praise be to God, thou hast attained unto the tokens of the Most Exalted Pen. Preserve this station through His Name, the Truth, and say:
“Praise be unto Thee, O God of the worlds and Lord of all nations, and glory be unto Thee, O Thou the Goal of them that know.”
That which hath befallen thee in the path of God—its recompense is preserved and treasured with the Trustworthy One, that is, with God, exalted be His glory. Rejoice and be of them that render thanks.
We make mention of him who is named Muhammad before Mihdi and give him the glad-tidings of God’s loving-kindness, the Lord of the worlds. His honor the Trustworthy One, upon him be My glory, made mention of you. Therefore have We brought forth from the treasured pearls of utterance that which lay hidden in the treasuries of the Most Exalted Pen, that thou mayest with the utmost assurance and certitude fix thy gaze upon the Most Sublime Horizon, detached and free from aught else. There is no harm in the loss of material possessions. However, should that which causeth the elevation of existence and is the source of human stations be lost, it would be a cause for a hundred thousand regrets. We beseech God to assist thee and ordain for thee that which conduceth to the good of this world and the next. He is the Powerful, the Mighty.
This servant conveyeth greetings to him. His letter was received some time ago and truly caused grief. God, exalted be His glory, hath ever counselled His servants to goodly deeds and to that which attracteth the people of the world. Without doubt trustworthiness, godliness, praiseworthy character and goodly deeds are the cause of attraction, while their opposites are the cause of aversion. This exalted word was previously uttered by the Lord of all being. Blessed and exalted be His word:
“God, exalted be His glory, hath come for the manifestation of the gems of inner meanings from the mine of man.”
Throughout nights and days there hath been sent down from the heaven of loving-kindness that which is the cause of the glory of existence. This evanescent servant beseecheth God to assist His servants and enable them to achieve that which is befitting. Verily He is the Compassionate, the All-Bountiful. This much is submitted: nothing hath been or is hidden from God, exalted be His glory, and the recompense of every deed is clear and evident. Were it not for His mercy that hath preceded all, most of the people of the world would assuredly have been seized by the scourges of His wrath. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, by His ancient forgiveness, to enable His servants to be truthful, just and fair. He is the Powerful, and He is the Mighty.
That they have written that they gave four tumans to Jinab-i-Aqa Shaykh Hasan, upon him be Baha’u’llah’s glory, and likewise nineteen qirans to the emigrants of the land of Sad, upon them be Baha’u’llah’s glory, and similar instances—after being presented before the Most Holy and Most Exalted Presence, He said:
“Whatever is given to the friends of God is acceptable and approved. Permission has already been given to assist the companions to the extent possible. Would that nineteen tumans had been given instead of nineteen qirans.”
Although that beloved of hearts is aware and informed of the details of that land, nevertheless the poor ones of those regions have ever been and continue to be in the sight of the True One, exalted be His glory. It is beloved that they show consideration to the extent of their ability. The command is in His hands and He is the All-Bountiful, the Generous.
At this moment the Supreme Pen makes mention of the friends of Qamsar and Mazgan. His blessed and exalted Word:
“O My loved ones! Hear the call of the Wronged One in the Persian tongue. Praise be to God, ye are all mentioned in the presence and have attained a special bounty. We have, out of wisdom, concealed the names. God acts according to the requirements of His wisdom and has likewise commanded all to do the same. Praise be to God, in the Most Great Prison repeatedly have the glances of favor been directed to those regions and He has made mention and continues to make mention of His friends. Jinab-i-Amin, upon him be My glory and loving-kindness, has mentioned you and has sought special favors from the Wronged One for all. We beseech God to aid you in that which He loves and is pleased with, to draw you nigh unto Him, and to ordain for you the reward of those who soared in the atmosphere of His love, hearkened unto His call, turned toward His horizon, stood before the door of His grandeur, and offered up their souls in His path. Rejoice, O My loved ones! Be glad, O My friends, in what hath flowed from My Pen concerning you in this station which hath been named the Most Great Prison through that which the hands of the heedless have wrought. The glory from Us be upon you and upon those who have cast behind their backs what the people possess, turning unto God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting.”
As for what was written regarding the son of the Martyr, upon them both be Baha’u’llah’s glory, it was presented and was honored with acceptance in the Most Holy, Most Exalted Presence, and mention was made of each one from the Tongue of Grandeur. Blessed are they who have been enabled to give and who spend to the extent of their ability in the path of God. Give to all the glad-tidings of this mighty blessing. This evanescent servant beseeches God, exalted be His glory, to assist those who give in carrying out what they have undertaken. Verily He is the Helper, the Forgiving, the Merciful.
On this blessed night the Tongue of Grandeur utters these exalted words, His blessed and exalted Word: “O Amin! This time thou didst not make mention of Jinab-i-Navvab, upon him be My glory. In consideration of his demonstration of faithfulness, We make mention of him and We beseech God, exalted be His glory, on his behalf for that which shall make his reward everlasting and his mention eternal. O Navvab! The All-Giving says: The world is transient. At every moment its changes are manifest and its evanescence evident. Praise be to God that thou hast attained unto that which is mentioned in the Divine Kingdom. Preserve this most mighty, most exalted station and say:
“O my God, my Lord, O Gracious One, O Merciful One, O Self-Sufficient One! Thou hast shown favor, Thou hast bestowed grace. Thou hast drawn me from the left hand of idle fancies to the right hand of certitude, and from the crooked path of the people to Thy straight path and mighty announcement. No thanksgiving or praise can adequately meet Thy gifts or compare with them. I beseech Thee not to deprive me of the rain-showers of Thy Most Merciful grace and to preserve me through Thy mighty hand. Thou art the Hearer and Thou art the Powerful.”
This servant also conveys greetings to them and beseeches God, exalted be His glory, to inflame him with the heat generated by His love and to grant him eternal life from the Kawthar of utterance that flows from His Pen, that there may appear from him that which shall endure throughout the duration of His earthly and heavenly dominion.
Concerning the mention made of the spiritual friend, His honor Haji Siyyid Nasru’llah, upon him be the glory of God, and his father and his wife, the leaf who is the daughter of his paternal uncle, and the honored aunt, upon them be the glory of God—and likewise concerning the mention of their troubles and services and their acts of hospitality that were recorded—all were presented at the Most Holy, Most Exalted Court, and there was revealed specifically for each one that which this servant is unable and powerless to enumerate. The waves of the ocean of His bounty have not been and never shall be counted. Who is able to mention or enumerate that which hath appeared from a station that cannot be indicated by any indication, nor described by any description, nor mentioned by any mention? In truth, the souls mentioned have attained unto that of which the peoples of the world are deprived, save whom our Lord and your Lord and the Lord of the mighty throne hath willed.
Section 2: “To each one I convey greetings and salutations…”
To each one I convey greetings and salutations. The troubles of the spiritual friend, His honor Haji Siyyid Nasru’llah, upon him be the glory of God and His favors—which in truth are the cause of eternal rest and everlasting favor—are evident and manifest from the garden. Praise be to God that mention of them hath been and continueth to be made in the Most Holy Court. Blessed is he and happy is he.
And regarding the mention made of Hakim Reyhan and his son, and likewise their feast, after being submitted before the Throne of the Lord, these exalted words were revealed, blessed and exalted be His utterance:
“O Abu’l-Hasan! Make mention of each one on behalf of the Wronged One and say: The desire of this Wronged One is that the horizons be illumined with the light of unity, and that the rancor and hatred in the hearts of the various peoples be transformed into love and concord. We have mentioned that which conduceth to the refinement of souls, the betterment of the world, and the elevation and advancement of nations. We beseech God to aid all to act in accordance with that which hath been sent down from the Supreme Pen in the Tablets. Verily, He is the Helper, the All-Bountiful.”
All the souls mentioned have been honored with divine remembrance and adorned with His favors. Which tongue can adequately render thanks, and which soul can befittingly hold fast unto what is meet? All are seen to be wanting and deficient, save those souls who are adorned with His remembrance, confirmed in His praise, and steadfast in service to His Cause. Blessed are they that act, and blessed are they that are firm.
As to what was written that “Today I am a guest at the home of Aqa Muhammad Husayn (Uncle Zaynal), upon him be the Glory of God,” and a request was made for mention of those gathered in that assembly—this was granted, and after being submitted, these verses dawned from the Dayspring of favors, blessed and exalted be His utterance: “O Mirza Hasan! Thy faithful mention hath caused Us to make mention of thee with that which shall never lose its fragrance throughout the duration of the Kingdom of God, the Lord of the worlds. Preserve this most exalted station through My Name, the Mighty, the Wondrous. O Ali (Aqa Hasan)! Ali came as the Creator; the Ali-worshippers cursed Him and finally martyred Him.
We beseech God not to afflict the peoples of the world with the vain imaginings of the Shi’ih sect. He is verily the Powerful, the Almighty. O Mihraban! The Light is manifest, the Sun is shining, the Fire is speaking, the Manifestation is evident, yet the people remain heedless and veiled. Blessed is the soul that hath recognized the station of the Day of God and hath arisen as behooveth it. O Ali (Isma’il)! Ask the Shi’ihs: What was the fruit of your deeds on the Day of Reckoning and what became of them? They perpetrated that which no other sect in the world hath done. Woe unto them and unto those who led them astray.
O Jamshid! From the fire of divine love the light appeareth. This is the Day of attainment. The Mount hath attained unto its Interlocutor and the Tree unto its Fire. Blessed are they who have seen and recognized, and woe unto the heedless.
O Mashhadi Husayn! Thy name was present at the Most Holy, Most Exalted Court, therefore have We turned unto thee and made mention of thee. Know thou the station of this mention and through the Name of God conceal it from the eyes of the heedless.
O Ali-Akbar! The Lord of Power hath made mention of thee from the Most Great Scene, that thou mayest give thanks unto thy Lord, the All-Bountiful. Praise be to God, thou wast present, thou didst attain, and thou didst drink from the cups of the world’s Sovereign. Verily thy Lord is the All-Bounteous, the Mighty, the Great.”
O Husayn (Uncle Zaynal) Amin, upon him be the Glory of God! Mention hath been made of thee and of thy household. Blessed is the house wherein My loved ones gather and from which My remembrance and praise are raised! We beseech God to protect thee, draw thee nigh unto Him, and ordain for thee the good of this world and of the world to come. We implore Him to make thee steadfast in His Cause, to enable thee to speak His praise, and to aid thee to serve His loved ones. Verily, He is the Most Merciful of the merciful ones and the Answerer of prayers.
Praise be to God! Each one hath been blessed with infinite bounties. The grace of God, exalted be His glory, hath encompassed the world. Today even the pebbles are engaged in remembrance and praise, yet souls remain deprived and forbidden. Glory be to our Lord! What a strange talisman—with eyes they see not, with ears they hear not. The Command is in God’s hands, the Possessor of Destiny.
Mention was made of Aqa Ghulam-ʿAli, upon him be the Glory of God. The Supreme Pen hath repeatedly made mention of him. Specifically, one day at the farm, a Tablet was revealed in his name, wherein mention was also made of his son. I beseech God to deliver it and grant him attainment.
Likewise, mention was made of Aqa Muhammad-Hashim and Aqa Muhammad, sons of Aqa Husayn, upon them be the Glory of God. After being presented before Him, these verses were specifically revealed for them:
“O My loved ones! The Wronged One remembereth you from the prison and giveth you glad tidings of God’s favor, the Lord of the Day of Judgment. The gate of heaven hath been opened, and its Creator hath come with a clear command. He maketh mention of those who have turned unto Him, attained His presence, and quaffed the choice wine of recognition from the hand of the bounty of their Lord, the Generous. Take hold of that which hath been sent down unto you with power from God, the One, the Single, the Mighty, the Powerful. Glory be upon you both and upon those who have cast the idols behind them, hastening unto the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.”
Regarding the mention of Haji Nabil-i-Qa’ini, upon him be the Glory of God, favor hath been and continueth to be shown unto him. They said that from the earliest days he hath arisen to serve. God willing, until the end of his days he will remain focused on the Most Exalted Horizon, holding fast to the cord of grace and clinging to the hem of bounty. At the time of departure from the Land of Purpose, We specifically commanded his protection. Praise be to God, he attained unto the ocean of divine forgiveness. The glances of favor have been and are with him. We beseech God to assist him and ordain for him the good of this world and of the world to come.
As for the mention of the nephew of the one who turned away, after being presented before Him, these verses were revealed:
He is the All-Seeing, the All-Informed
O ʿAli-Akbar! In the letter of Amin, mention was made of thee; therefore, the glance of the Wronged One’s favor was directed towards thee. We beseech God to aid thee in such wise that the doubts and intimations of the people of the world may not hold thee back from thy goal. Throughout ages and centuries, the Shi’ihs sought after the Truth and searched for Him; yet when He appeared, they martyred Him. Give thanks unto the Desired One of the world, Who aided thee and guided thee to the straight path and the Great Announcement. Say:
My God, my God! I have turned toward Thee, detached from all else but Thee. I beseech Thee by the ocean of Thy verses and the heaven of Thy clear signs, and by the hearts which have soared unto Thee in their longing to attain Thy presence, to render me steadfast in Thy remembrance and successful in serving Thy Cause. Verily, Thou art the Lord of the world and the Sovereign of eternity, seated upon the Most Great Throne. There is none other God but Thee, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.
O Ali! Blessed art thou and blessed is thy father who was named Hasan. We beseech God to grant from the chalice of steadfastness in such wise that the world shall be powerless to hinder. Take thou the Book of God with the hand of submission and resignation and preserve it through His might and power. Whosoever attaineth thereunto this day is mentioned as one of those who are nigh unto God. Verily He is the Protector of the sincere ones. There is none other God but Him, the Single, the One, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
The second letter from that beloved one was dated the twenty-fifth of Dhi’l-Hajjih, number 3, and the last letter was dated the twenty-ninth of Dhi’l-Hajjih, number 4. It transformed the cottage into a palace and the eye into an ocean, and attained to hearing in the most exalted horizon. However, mention of that which hath been sent down from the heaven of bounty is beyond this evanescent one’s power to describe. That beloved of the heart hath himself witnessed and knoweth the waves of the ocean of bounty. A hundred thousand blessings be upon those souls who in this spiritual springtime have been blessed by the rain of the All-Merciful’s utterance.
Mention was made of arrival in the Land of Y and before that, proceeding to A and R. Likewise mention was made of Mirza R.F. and Mirza M.H., upon them be the Glory of God, and the friends of God in that land, upon them be the Glory of God. These matters were presented before His presence. This is what was revealed from the heaven of our Lord’s will, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. He saith, exalted be His glory:
“O Amin! Upon thee be My glory. Those related to the Most Great Victory, upon them be My glory and My bounty, and likewise the friends in that land have ever been and are mentioned in the Most Holy Court, especially Rafi’, upon him be My glory, and Muhammad, upon him be My bounty.”
Two Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablets were revealed from the heaven of the All-Merciful’s mercy and were sent. God willing, they shall drink from the ocean of utterance and be illumined by the lights of the Sun of meanings.
Praise be to God, there hath been revealed for them that which would resurrect decayed bones and adorn the world of heedlessness with the ornament of awareness. Likewise there hath been revealed especially for the friends of that land, both men and women generally, that with which nothing in the world can compare. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, to grant joy supreme to all.
Mention was made of the honored leaf, the mother of Mirza Hasan, upon her be the Glory of God. After being presented in the Most Holy, Most Exalted Court, this supreme word was revealed from the highest Kingdom. He saith, blessed and exalted be He:
“O My handmaiden! Amin, upon him be My glory, hath mentioned thee, and likewise mentioned Muhammad-i-Qabli-Hasan, and hath beseeched bounty for you. Therefore the Sun of utterance hath shone forth from the horizon of the Supreme Pen’s heaven with His mention. Ye have been blessed with His mention. God willing, ye shall remain steadfast in His love. The doubts of the peoples have deprived the world from the Lord of eternity. Blessed is the handmaiden who hath turned and attained, and woe unto the heedless ones, both women and men. We counsel you to fear God and to that which leadeth to sanctity and detachment.”
And as to what thou hast written concerning the wife of the honoured Naẓir—upon him be the glory of God—yea, in obedience to the command, this servant remitted the sum of one hundred and fifty; no more. And the mention of Haji Malik-Husayn—upon him be the glory of God—and of that which hath befallen him, was submitted, and attained the honour of being laid before the Most Holy, the Most Exalted Court.
He—blessed and exalted be He—hath spoken:
O Husayn! The Tongue of Utterance in the Kingdom of Divine Knowledge, at this hour when two hours of night have passed, makes mention of thee and turns toward thee from the prison quarters. The treasures of the world and the wealth of nations cannot compare with this exalted Word which hath appeared from the Dayspring of the mouth of the Will of the Lord of all beings. The Command is in His hand and wealth is in the grasp of His power. Fleeting riches became the cause of everlasting mention. By the Sun of Truth! The profit is with thee and the loss with the taker. Verily thy Lord is the Powerful, the Unconstrained. He changes the Command as He pleaseth, and He is the Mighty, the Bestower.
Indeed, after hearing what befell them, boundless grief occurred, but after it was presented in His presence and verses were revealed, an ocean of joy appeared. All the world cannot compare with what hath been revealed. Every truthful and trustworthy one beareth witness to this. The Command is in the hand of God, our Lord and the Lord of all worlds.
O Amin! We have heard thy call and have repeatedly made mention of thee. The ocean of utterance is ever-surging and the cities of mention and praise are adorned through the will of the Lord of Names. Blessed is the one who possesseth hearing and attaineth unto listening, and likewise possesseth sight. Remind the friends in those regions of the mention, praise, bounty and favors of the Wronged One. Thou didst make mention of Ghulam, upon him be My glory. His name accordeth with his being. He hath attended and drunk the choice wine of utterance from the cup of his Lord’s bounty, the Mighty, the Bestower. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, to aid him to attain such a station wherein the conditions of the world—its elevation and abasement, its ugliness and beauty—will not change him. May he remain seated upon the throne of tranquility and repose upon the couch of certitude. He hath attained unto the good from the presence of the Good One. The Lord of all mankind in His days beareth witness to this, and He sufficeth as a witness. We send Our greetings upon him, and peace be upon him from God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
Thou didst make mention of M.H. (formerly R.D.), upon him be the glory of God. He hath attained unto the Kawthar of divine mention. We mentioned him before and at this moment the Wronged One giveth him glad-tidings. We beseech God to strengthen him in that which will draw him near unto Him in all His worlds and to ordain for him, through His Most Exalted Pen, the good of the hereafter and of this world. Verily, He is the Generous, the Bountiful.
O trustee! Each of the souls mentioned in the papers has attained to that which hath no peer or likeness. Give them the glad tidings of such grace and mercy as hath preceded existence itself, both seen and unseen. This evanescent servant conveyeth greetings and glorification to the friends, especially to those gentlemen—upon them be the Most Glorious Glory of God—who were present at the aforementioned feast. Blessed are they, and joy be unto them! Praise be to our Lord and thanks be unto Him for having adorned them with His greatest ornament, which is the love of His Exalted Self, and for having aided them, caused them to recognize Him, and enabled them to hear in a Day wherein eyes were blind and ears were deaf. Thus did the grace of our Lord and your Lord, the Lord of the Mighty Throne, encompass all.
I beseech the True One, exalted be His glory, to aid each one to guide mankind. Verily, He is the Omnipotent over whatsoever He willeth through His Word “Be” and it is. In this station, responses to the letters of that beloved one were mentioned one after another. The praise and thanksgiving that adorned and illumined the opening of these letters were each as volumes expressing divine bounty and manifesting the mercy of the All-Merciful. Praise be to God that that beloved one hath tasted the sweetness of recognition and acknowledgment, and hath mentioned, by the will of the True One, exalted be His glory, that which is befitting. The purpose is that your words and deeds have been accepted in the Most Holy and Most Exalted Court.
We thank God, our Lord and the Lord of earth and heaven, Who created us, caused us to recognize Him, and aided us to mention and praise Him in His glorious and wondrous Day. Glory, remembrance and praise be upon you and upon those with you who hearken unto your words in praise of God, our Lord and your Lord, the Lord of the Mighty Throne and the Lord of the Exalted Seat. And praise be to God, the Mighty, the Inaccessible.
The servant 22 Rabi’u’l-Avval 1305
BH01829: Praise be to God Who completed His First Most…
He is God, exalted be His glory. Might and power are His.
Praise be to God Who completed His First Most Exalted Word with His Last Word, which is “He doeth whatsoever He willeth.” Glory be unto Him! Glory be unto Him! How great is His station and how mighty His sovereignty!
And blessings and peace be upon the Divine Lote-Tree through which appeared the fruits of wisdom and utterance and the leaves of knowledge and understanding—He Who was named Muhammad in the Kingdom of Names. Verily He is the Manifestation of His most beautiful names and His most exalted attributes, and the Manifestation of His Command, and the Dawning-Place of His Revelation, and the Recipient of His knowledge—blessings eternal and everlasting.
And now, O beloved of my heart, the luminary of your words has shone forth from the horizon of your love and sincerity towards God, our Lord and your Lord and the Lord of the mighty throne. At that moment I attained joy and gladness, for from your words wafted the fragrance of the oneness of God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy.
Thereafter I approached the Most Exalted Station and presented myself before the countenance of the Lord. He—may our spirits be sacrificed for His sake—said:
“We have made mention of him and have beseeched the Lord of the exalted Throne to ordain for him the good of the hereafter and of this world, and to aid him to perform deeds that will be as light before his face in all the worlds, and to make them a treasure preserved with Him. We testify that he has testified to the oneness of God, His singleness, His might, His greatness and His sovereignty. Peace be upon him from the Wronged One, and upon those with him, and upon God’s righteous servants.”
Thus ended His words.
As for what you mentioned regarding Jinab-i-ʿAbdu’l-Mihdi—upon him be God’s peace—he is among those who have attained to turning towards God and drawing near, and has attained His presence and associated with the friends and taught the Cause. However, O beloved of my heart, sincerity and certitude and faith and knowledge are not perfected through words but through deeds. God has counseled His servants in His perspicuous Book regarding spiritual and praiseworthy conduct. This servant conveys greetings to him and counsels him with that which God has counseled His servants in His firm and perspicuous Book.
And regarding what you mentioned about God’s servants and His loved ones in Abu Sida and Ya’quba and ʿAwashiq, after presenting this before the countenance of the Lord, He—may our spirits be sacrificed for His sake—said:
“We make mention of them and counsel them to justice and fairness and to that which befitteth man. O servants of God! God has commanded you to act with righteousness, and the Wronged One counsels you to fear God. Blessed is he whose head is adorned with the crown of detachment, whose temple with the ornament of the fear of God, and whose heart with the light of recognition. Hasten to that which pleaseth God. He hath ordained for those who act in the Most Exalted Paradise stations which the pens are powerless to describe. And We counsel you, O My loved ones, to fellowship and unity that the horizons may be illumined with the light of accord. We beseech God, exalted be He, to ordain for you that which will bring joy to your eyes and gladden your hearts and expand your breasts, and to aid you in that which will benefit yourselves and your brethren, and to assist you with the hosts of wisdom and utterance. Verily He is the Powerful, the Mighty, the Bestower. We send greetings from this station to My loved ones whose names you mentioned before the Wronged One, and We make mention of them with My mention and remind them of My words and give them glad tidings of God’s loving-kindness, the Lord of the worlds.”
Thus ended His words.
And this servant conveys greetings to them and beseeches God his Lord to send down upon them from the heaven of His bounty and the clouds of His grace the rain of His mercy and generosity, and to aid them to act according to what He has revealed in His Book. Verily He is the Hearer, the Answerer. There is no God but Him, the Single, the One, the Mighty, the Wise. And he conveys greetings to your honor and to those with you and to those among God’s servants who are firm in His unity, the Lord of the worlds. And praise be to Him, for He is the Goal of the mystics and the Beloved of the hearts of the sincere ones.
The servant 25 Rabi’u’l-Avval 1305
BH02274: Praise be to Him Who is sanctified beyond all…
He is God, exalted be His station, the Greatest and Most Powerful
Praise be to Him Who is sanctified beyond all limitations, the Praised One, Who is worthy and befitting, for through His Name the praised station was made manifest and through His station was revealed “We raised him to an exalted station.” He is the Representative of God, glorified be His majesty, among creation. He is the Seal of the Prophets and the King of all paths. Through Him the Hijaz was illumined and metaphor was transformed into reality. Through Him Batha received the waters of divine knowledge and Yathrib was adorned with the light of the Sun of Manifestation. Upon Him and His family and companions be the blessings of God, His peace, His grace, His favors, His mercy and His beneficence.
And now, the letter of that beloved of the heart arrived, bringing boundless joy. From your good health, the spirit found rest, and from news of your child, the heart received glad tidings. Praise be to God, His bounty and mercy, His grace and generosity have been and continue to be bestowed upon His loved ones morning and evening. The tongues of the world and the pens of nations are powerless and fall short of mentioning this station. After presenting myself before my Lord, the tongue of loving-kindness spoke these blessed words:
O ʿAli-Akbar! Infinite bounties and imperishable glory have been and continue to be specially reserved for the chosen ones of God. I swear by the Sun of the horizon of utterance, the divine names and attributes are manifest and evident in the world particularly for the Prophets and their loved ones. “All glory belongs to God and to His Messenger and to the believers.” Glory seeks those of equal station. All attributes seek their place and are in love with their station, and that place and station have been and continue to be the chosen ones and pure ones of God.
When thou hearest My call and drinkest the choice wine of My utterance, arise, then turn thy face toward the Qiblih and say:
“My God, my God! Praise be to Thee for having guided me unto Thy straight path, taught me recognition of Thee and turning toward Thee, and made known to me the oneness of Thy Being and the sanctity of Thy Self. I beseech Thee by the Daysprings of Thy Cause, the Dawning-Places of Thy grace, and the Recipients of Thy knowledge and wisdom, to bless that which Thou hast given me through Thy bounty and bestowal, and ordain for me, for her mother, and for her the good of this world and the next. Verily, Thou art the Lord of all beings, and Thou art the Hearing, the Answering One.”
As for the leaf, We have named her Zuhuriyyih.
Praise be to God that beloved of the heart has been the recipient of favors and bounties. This evanescent one begs from the Eternal Truth that He may bestow blessing and bounty from the heaven of generosity. He is the Giver and He is the Generous One. I convey greetings to the honored leaf, upon her be God’s peace, and I beseech for her divine confirmations. Peace and praise be upon you and upon those with you and upon God’s righteous servants.
The servant 25 Rabi’u’l-Avval 1305
Some rock candy has also been sent as a gift. This sweetness is for you, but our sweetness lies with you. This is our prayer—I beseech God that He may assist you until such time as you can repay the world.
BH00560: Praise, sanctified beyond mention and utterance, befitteth the Lord…
In the Name of our Most Holy, Most Great, Most Exalted, Most Glorious Lord
Praise, sanctified beyond mention and utterance, befitteth the Lord of all creation, Who from agitation brought forth tranquility, and from tumult created assurance. He illumined the horizons of the world with the light of His Revelation and adorned it with the ornament of His grace. He is the Speaker on Sinai, the Hidden Secret, and the Treasured Mystery mentioned and recorded in the divine Books of the past and present. In the midst of tribulations He raised the standard of utterance, and in the center of hardship and adversity He hoisted the banner of steadfastness. Before the faces of the world, without veil or covering, He summoned all to the Lord of all beings. He rent asunder the veils and tore away the coverings until the eyes of those who were ready beheld His presence and the hearts of the knowing ones were adorned with the ornament of wisdom. Glorified be His majesty, mighty be His proof, and exalted be His utterance! He guided the lost and bestowed the Kawthar of knowledge upon the ignorant. The world’s abasement diminisheth not His glory, nor can the might of nations hold back His will. But today the seeing one attaineth, and the informed one witnesseth, even as He hath said:
“Verily, those who have been given insight from God, these are they who see with His eyes and witness what God Himself hath witnessed before the creation of the heavens and earth.”
Glorified art Thou, O Mystery of existence and Lord of the seen and unseen! I bear witness that through Thy most exalted Word the ocean of utterance surged within creation, and through Thy Will the Dove of Paradise warbled upon the highest branches, declaring that Thou art God, there is no God but Thee. Thou hast ever been sanctified beyond the remembrance of those who remember, the praise of those who praise, and the description of those who describe. Thou wert hidden from the sight of Thy creation and concealed from the eyes of Thy servants. Then, when Thou didst desire to manifest Thyself, Thou didst shine upon the world with a light from the lights of the Orb of Thy Cause, according to a determined measure.
Thereupon, the lovers throughout the lands were seized with ecstasy and sought to attain Thy presence and reunion, and the people of the Covenant hastened forth—they whom neither the world’s tribulations nor the oppression of nations could deter. I beseech Thee, O God of Names and Creator of heaven, by them and by those who cast aside treasures and riches, seeking Thy most exalted station and Thy loftiest summit, to assist Thy chosen ones to achieve such steadfastness as cannot be shaken by the clamor of the deniers nor the murmuring of the ungodly.
O Lord! Thou seest and knowest that this servant desired to make mention of Thy Afnan, whom Thou didst choose for Thy recognition, establish in Thy service, acquaint with Thy path, and distinguish among Thy servants for the exaltation of Thy Word. Thou didst give him to drink from the Kawthar of Thy love and honor him with attaining Thy presence. Praise be to Thee, O my God, and thanksgiving be unto Thee, O my Beloved and my Heart’s Desire, for having ordained for him that which tongues are powerless to recount and enumerate. I beseech Thee to send down upon him from the heaven of Thy bounty, at every moment, a new mercy from Thy presence and a fresh benevolence from Thy side. There is no God but Thee, the All-Bountiful, the Generous, the Hearing, the Answering.
May my spirit be a sacrifice for your steadfastness, your firmness and your service. In these days mention of your honor has repeatedly been made in the Most Holy and Most Exalted Presence, and at this moment these sublime words have been revealed from the Dayspring of special favors for your honor. Blessed and exalted be His Word:
“O My Afnan! Upon thee be My glory, My favors and My mercy.”
My Name Mihdi, upon him be My glory and My favors, was present and made mention of you, and sought bounty and mercy from the Dawning-Place of generosity of the Sovereign of existence. Praise be to God that the ocean of grace is surging and the effulgences of the Sun of favor are manifest and visible.
The gaze of the Wronged One has ever been directed towards the Afnan. In days when the world was in upheaval and the fire of hatred and animosity was ablaze in the hearts and souls of the nations, He summoned the servants to the fear of God and to that which would profit them unto all eternity. He mentioned, in clear statements and evident, kindly utterances, those qualities that are the cause of the salvation and exaltation of the servants, that all might hold fast unto them and be preserved from the abasement of self and passion and its evil. Nevertheless some forgot the counsel of God and regarded His Cause as insignificant. Soon shall they behold the recompense of their deeds in this vain life. They shall call for help but none shall help them. They abandoned that which they were commanded to observe and practiced that which was forbidden them. The praiseworthy attributes—their source, their origin, their influence, their operation, and their glory and exaltation—have repeatedly flowed from the Supreme Pen.
These exalted words were revealed in one of the Tablets addressed to one of the friends: Say: O My loved ones in My lands! Hearken unto the counsel of Him Who counseleth you for the sake of God. He verily created you and manifested for you that which exalteth you and profiteth you, and taught you His Straight Path and His Mighty Announcement. O Jalil! Counsel the servants to fear God. By God! It is the greatest commander amongst thy Lord’s hosts, and its troops are praiseworthy deeds and an upright character. Through them have the cities of men’s hearts been opened throughout the ages and centuries, and the standards of triumph and victory been raised upon the loftiest poles.
We make mention unto thee of Trustworthiness and its position with God, thy Lord, the Lord of the Mighty Throne. One day We repaired unto Our Green Island. Upon Our arrival, We found its streams flowing, and its trees luxuriant, and the sunlight playing in their midst. Turning Our face to the right, We beheld what the pen faileth to describe; nor can it set forth that which the eye of the Lord of Mankind witnessed in that most sanctified, that most sublime, that blessed, and most exalted Spot. Turning, then, to the left We gazed on one of the Beauties of the Most Sublime Paradise, standing on a pillar of light, and calling aloud saying: ʿO inmates of earth and heaven!
Behold ye My beauty, and My radiance, and My revelation, and My effulgence. By God, the True One! I am Trustworthiness and the revelation thereof, and the beauty thereof. I will recompense whosoever will cleave unto Me, and recognize My rank and station, and hold fast unto My hem. I am the most great ornament of the people of Baha, and the vesture of glory unto all who are in the kingdom of creation. I am the supreme instrument for the prosperity of the world, and the horizon of assurance unto all beings.’ Thus have We sent down for thee that which will draw men nigh unto the Lord of creation.
O Afnan! Upon thee be My glory and My loving-kindness! In the watches of the night and throughout the days, the Pen of the Lord of all names hath been engaged in admonition and counsel, yet these utterances and words—each like unto a sun in the heaven of existence—have been forsaken, and men cleave instead to their own vain imaginings, each of which is but a gate to abasement and loss. I pour out My grief and sorrow unto thee. Were they, in truth, to observe with the eye of justice and fairness the pearls and gems of counsel that have been revealed from the Treasury of the Most Exalted Pen, they would forsake the world and all that is therein and turn unto these counsels. The days pass like lightning, nay swifter still, while they rejoice in them, heedless and unmindful of the eternal realms. I beseech God to grant the world of existence understanding, that all may become aware of that which harmeth them and that which profiteth them, and that they may hold fast unto the divine commandments and ordinances which are the cause and means of protecting existence, preserving souls, exalting the Word, and elevating their stations.
The Afnan too must, in all conditions, awaken some of the heedless souls. To enjoin what is right beseemeth the Afnan who are adorned with the ornament of distinction. However, this must be done with wisdom, lest the clamor of every malicious enemy and every stubborn misbeliever be raised. We have ordained that every matter be resolved through consultation, and this binding decree hath repeatedly flowed from the Most Exalted Pen in Scriptures and Tablets. Nevertheless, some act without consultation, rather in mere obedience to self and passion, doing that which hath been and is the cause of grief to God’s loved ones. The True One hath ever loved the name “Concealer”; despite His knowledge and all-encompassing awareness, He concealeth and will conceal. He is the Concealer. He hath commanded all to observe sublime concealment, and He is the All-Patient, and hath commanded His servants to practice beautiful patience.
Let your honor beseech God to aid His servants in that which pleaseth Him. Verily, He is the Hearer, the Answerer. Praise be to God! From the earliest days thou wert blessed to attain and didst arise to serve the Cause. This testimony of the Most Exalted Pen is preserved and immortalized in God’s Book. By the life of God! Were this most exalted station to be unveiled, all would sacrifice their lives in pursuit thereof. To this doth testify He with Whom is the Mother Book. The Glory that is manifest, evident, and shining from the horizon of the heaven of God’s Will be upon thee and upon those who are with thee and who love thee and hearken unto thy words concerning this Most Great Cause and Mighty News. End.
His is the praise and the glory, and His is the laudation and the splendor. His grace hath encompassed His Afnan, and the Sun of His bounty hath so brilliantly shone forth that its light hath taken hold of the world. In each of His verses there is concealed an ocean, and from every letter floweth a river. This evanescent servant ever beseecheth the Self-Subsisting One to ordain for each of your honor’s deeds and remembrances a treasure, that your remembrances and traces may endure throughout the dominion of the Kingdom. Though in truth these bounties have already been answered before being asked, and there hath descended from the heaven of the bounty of God, exalted be His glory, that before which every mention boweth down and every station is humbled.
I beseech God to illumine the hearts and souls of His servants with the lights of the Day-Star of His knowledge, and to open the doors of His grace that all may attain and none remain deprived. However, the heedlessness and misguidance of the leaders have prevented and deprived the people. Glory and remembrance and praise be upon your honor and upon those who are with you and who love you and who do not oppose you and who hearken unto your words concerning the Cause of God, our Lord and your Lord and the Lord of the Mighty Throne. And praise be unto Him, for He is the God of all who are in the heavens and on earth.
The servant, 6 Rabi’uth-Thani 1305
BH00738: Glorified be God, exalted be His majesty, universal His…
He is God, exalted is He in power and might
Glorified be God, exalted be His majesty, universal His bounty, mighty His power, and great His dominion! At times He bestows reunion, at times He afflicts with separation. Through nearness and union He gives life, and through remoteness and separation He causes death. What need then of Azrael, when this separation and remoteness is sufficient poison for the heart? Indeed, what wondrous power lies concealed in these hosts! Verily it has and shall ever surpass the power of the world. According to what is heard, His Holiness the Prophet (may our souls be a sacrifice for His sake) was fond of jest. Therefore if anything of this nature appears from these servants in such contexts, there is no harm in it.
Praise, sanctified from reality and metaphor, befits the Self-Sufficient Lord Who, through His Most Exalted Word, has bestowed infinite love between the hearts and souls of His friends and established spiritual unity. No blessing has been or is greater than this blessing. Every knowledgeable one bears witness and every informed one testifies. However, this blessing has been and is exclusive to the friends of Truth. The people of metaphor have no awareness of this mystery and no share in this blessing.
He created the servants with perfect power, sent Messengers, revealed Books, that all might find the path of truth and sincerity, love and faithfulness, and live in this world by these fruits which are in truth the fruits of the soul. The Exalted Truth, glorified be His majesty, is worthy of a hundred thousand thousand worlds of praise and glorification at every moment—though not by these tongues nor by these perceptions.
And blessings and peace be upon His Beloved and Chosen One, the Dawning-Place of His names and the Manifestation of His attributes and the Source of His Cause, through Whom His mysteries and the meanings of His Books and the symbols of His Messengers were revealed, and upon His family and companions through whom the decree of the word “there is no God but Him” was established and the banner of power was raised among the righteous ones.
And then, O beloved of my heart, the letter arrived—a clear writing in the eyes of those possessed of vision. Nothing was found therein save degrees of yearning and longing, love and unity. In truth, all of it concluded with the blessed word “Verily, we are God’s.” After hearing the melodies of the nightingales of meanings and utterance, and witnessing the symbols of the mysteries of wisdom and exposition, it was taken to the station and presented before His presence. The Master (may our spirits be a sacrifice for Him) said:
He is the All-Knowing, the All-Informed
Thou hast ever been and art remembered before the Wronged One. We beseech God to manifest through thee that which will draw people near unto Him. Verily, He is the Generous, the Bountiful. And We beseech Him by His Prophets and His chosen ones to protect thee by His protection and guard thee by His guardianship, and to ordain for thee the good of the hereafter and of this world. Verily, He is the Lord of the throne and the earth.
We have ever mentioned and continue to mention the friends, and counsel them with that which will elevate the stations of man. We hope that the trees of existence may, through the rain of divine mercy, become adorned with delicate, gathered fruits. The fruits of the Tree of existence have been and are goodly deeds and praiseworthy character. Blessed is the soul that turns from what the people possess to what God possesses—such a one is accounted among those who have turned to Him in the Perspicuous Book. This Wronged One conveys greetings to each one and seeks for each that which is everlasting and eternal.
Praise be to God! The purpose hath been attained, and Divine favors have become manifest and evident. At all times I have beseeched and do now beseech the Self-Sufficient Lord to grant us the grace to do that which pleaseth Him. All that you wrote was fitting and true—indeed they were words imbued with reality, meaning, strength and purity. Today in certain cities where one or two of the friends reside, the radiance of submission and contentment must shine forth from their countenances. It is hoped that through the endeavors of that beloved of hearts, the unworthy thorns of self and desire will be consumed by the fire of that beloved one’s counsels and exhortations, so that in the realm of fancy certainty may prevail, and in the abode of tyranny justice may find its dwelling place. This is not difficult for God to achieve.
Praise be to God! The spiritual beloved, the honored Shaykh, upon him be God’s peace and favors, has ever been engaged in service through God’s grace and has spoken words of praise and glorification. The glances of divine favor have been and continue to be directed towards him. In these days Aqa Ahmad, son of his eminence the departed and exalted one, upon them both be the Glory of God, sent a letter wherein he mentioned his transactions in the Sublime Porte, and likewise wrote to Hadrat-i-Ism-i-Jud. They stated that there is no blame upon the honored Shaykh, as this transaction was done with his knowledge and was sent to Mirza Mihdi in Tabriz. The Shaykh was in no way at fault in this matter. Mirza Mihdi must fulfill his obligation and send the funds. At most, the honored Shaykh, out of love, assisted him in the transaction and offered help—this is cause for gratitude, not complaint.
From all these utterances the fragrances of grace waft. Praise be to God! They have regarded and continue to regard the station of His loved ones. And then the letter of the honored Shaykh himself—upon him be the Glory of God—arrived, and it became clear that for him it yielded naught but trouble. There is no doubt that the bearing of these burdens was for the sake of God. The reward for these deeds rests with God. We beseech Him to protect His loved ones and to sanctify them from the doubts, insinuations and calumnies of His servants. Verily, He hath power over all things.
This servant conveyeth greetings to each of the friends and seeketh for each that which is befitting.
They mentioned the feast of Jinab-i-Aqa Muhammad-Ali, upon him be the peace of God. After presenting it, they said: “Excellent is what he hath done! Blessed is he who hath honored thy dwelling place.” I beseech God to illumine that land through the goodly deeds and praiseworthy character of His loved ones, that all may bear witness to their detachment, trustworthiness, truthfulness and refinement of soul. This servant hath ever beseeched this from the heaven of bounty of the Lord of existence, at all times, and it will assuredly be answered, for He hath promised: “Call upon Me and I shall answer you.” He is the All-Forgiving, He is the All-Merciful, He is the All-Hearing, He is the Answerer. The affairs there have surely by now been uncovered and become known, so that it may be evident to every soul that which they had imagined without proof.
Here the Afnan all testify to the trustworthiness, religiosity, mercy and kindness of the beloved Shaykh, upon him be 966 [Baha’u’llah]. Some time ago this servant wrote and sent a letter to the honored brother Aqa Muhammad-Ali, upon him be 966 [Baha’u’llah]. It has surely arrived. I beseech God that complete affection and complete unity may appear between them in such wise as to cause all to wonder. This matter was heard from the tongue of the Desired One. In any case, this servant ever hopes for that which is the cause of loftiness, exaltation, glory, and bounty. This hope hath not been and will not be cut off. After Divine grace, until now, whatsoever we have beseeched from the heaven of generosity and sea of bounty, He hath granted.
Verily He is the All-Bountiful, the All-Generous, and He is the All-Forgiving, the All-Merciful. Peace and praise be upon you and upon those who are with you and who love you for the sake of God, the Lord of all worlds.
BH00913: Praise and gratitude befit the sanctified and most holy…
He is God, exalted is He in might and power
Praise and gratitude befit the sanctified and most holy court of that Remembered One Who hath illumined the world of being with the new radiance and wondrous light of utterance. At the first dawning of His effulgence, countless veils and shrouds appeared, all of which He rent asunder with the finger of divine power, causing His Cause to become manifest from the most exalted horizon. The desires of the world and its peoples could not prevent Him. With supreme steadfastness He conveyed His message before all humanity, and through this conveyance illumined the world. Glory be unto God, Who made the Perfect Power, the Source of the lights of knowledge, learning, books, scriptures and arts, to appear in the Hijaz—a place adorned with naught but rocks and thorny shrubs.
Glorified be His grandeur, His power, His might and His sovereignty, that He made such a place the point of adoration for all who dwell on earth and in heaven, and likewise the Kaaba of the believers and those near unto God. Were one to truly reflect, he would spend his entire life uttering “Power belongeth unto God!” How many unbelievers strove and labored to extinguish the Muhammadan Light, yet the Hand of Power preserved the lamp of His knowledge and wisdom within the glass of grace and bounty, despite the ungodly and the proud ones.
Glory be unto Thee, O my God and my Aim! Send down at all times the rain of Thy mercy upon the believers. O Lord! Thou seest them encompassed by Thy creation. Deliver them, through Thy power which hath conquered all contingent things, from their evil and their greed. Then preserve, O my God, Thy cities and Thy lands through the angels and the Spirit. Verily, Thou art the Almighty, the Powerful.
Thereafter, the letter of that beloved of the heart arrived, bringing comfort and blessing, with fresh fruits arranged in perfect order within vessels of words. Praise be to God, each was a delicate food and a luminous blessing. We partook with sincere appetite, offered thanks and praise, and became occupied with glorification. Following its presentation, He said: O Yahya, upon thee be the peace of God, the Lord of all beings! Never has the mention of your honor and the fruit of the tree of love been forgotten, nor shall it ever be, God willing. Praise be to God, your deeds are accepted and your efforts appreciated. Repeatedly mention the fruit on behalf of the Wronged One. It is incumbent upon all to assist him in every matter. We beseech God to illumine the world of existence with the light of His loved ones and to cause new, wondrous, and fresh fruits to appear from the trees of the garden of meanings and utterances. He is the Powerful One Whom the limitations of the contingent world cannot reach. His Command is truth and His decree is certain. In that station, there is no place for why and wherefore.
O Abdul-Husayn! God is witness and aware that thou art beheld as sustenance upon the table, present both day and night. We beseech God to assist thee in that which He loveth and pleaseth, and to make thee among those who have aided His Cause through wisdom and utterance. Verily, He is the Powerful, the Mighty, the All-Bountiful. We have mentioned and continue to mention the loved ones of that land. We have sent a small stream from the rivers of the Sadat to that direction, namely Inayatullah. We beseech God to protect him and those who have turned unto Him with radiant faces and illumined hearts. Verily, He is the Hearer, the Answerer, and worthy to respond.
The Ocean of Utterance surgeth at all times, and the Luminary of Assurance dawneth in every moment. Glory be to God! The deniers perceive the mirage as water, even as they have counted the learned as ignorant, called the trustworthy treacherous, and named the reformer a corrupter. This evanescent servant hath ever beseeched the True One, exalted be His glory, to increase the power of hearing and preserve the eyes from inflammation and veils, that all may observe with their own eyes and hearken with their own ears.
I convey greetings to the apple of mine eye, nay the apple of existence and the beloved of hearts, that is, Aqa Mirza ʿAbdu’l-Husayn—upon him be God’s peace and favors. I beseech the True One, glorified be His majesty, on his behalf whatsoever shall cause the appearance of lasting fruits and eternal qualities. This is not difficult for God, our Lord and our Goal.
The friends are all remembered, nay they are present in the heart and visible before the eyes. The outpourings of the true Bestower have ever encompassed all and continue to do so, for ye have entrusted all unto Him and have placed your reliance in Him. Verily He is with whosoever hath desired Him, loved Him and mentioned Him. There is no God but He.
The mention of the beloved of the heart, Aqa Mirza Ahmad—upon him be the Glory of God—was made in His presence and attained the honor of His hearing. We made mention of him and besought from the True One, glorified be His majesty, whatsoever would cause the exaltation of the Word and the advancement of being. God willing, he shall be assisted in the remembrance and praise of the True One and be confirmed in that which hath been recorded and inscribed in God’s Book by the divine Pen.
O Yahya, upon thee be God’s peace! Make mention on behalf of the Wronged One to him and his relations, both mother and sister. Praise be to God, they have attained that which hath no equal.
Jinab-i-Sad—upon him be the peace of God, the Lord of creation—praise be to God, attained the privilege of visiting the House of God, and after the visitation and circumambulation proceeded in that direction. We beseech God to protect him from the wolves and dogs of the earth. Verily He hath power over all things.
This concludes what this evanescent servant hath performed on behalf of him and on behalf of Aqa Mirza Ahmad—upon them both be the Glory of God—that which causeth the loftiness and elevation of the stations of His friends.
Another submission: Your choice dates which truly reflected the bounty of the True One, glorified be His majesty, arrived distinguished and acceptable. However, the spiritual friend, His honor Aqa Siyyid Taqi—upon him be God’s peace—was negligent in retrieving and saving them from the steamship house. Nevertheless they arrived. They partook of them repeatedly and repeatedly bestowed them upon the kindred and the circumambulators. “Well may it do you!” was heard repeatedly from the blessed tongue, and these “Well may it do you!” refer to your honor. I beseech the True One that He may cause a lofty tree to appear from each one and adorn it with the dates of wisdom and utterance. Verily He hath power over all things and is worthy to answer.
Peace, remembrance and praise be upon your honor and upon those with you and upon those who have heard and responded and acknowledged the oneness of His Essence and His attributes.
The servant, on the first of Rajab 1305
BH11326: He is the All-Seeing, the All-Hearing
…He is the All-Seeing, the All-Hearing
Since the name “the village” [qaryih] was pleasing unto the Wronged One, We therefore did not change it. It is hoped that by the Most Exalted Pen it may be designated as the Mother of Villages [Um al-Qara], inasmuch as the gaze of God’s loving-kindness is directed towards that quarter….
BH01146: Praise be to God Who guided His servants…
He is God, exalted be His glory, majesty and power!
Praise be to God Who guided His servants to His straight path, informed them of His momentous announcement, and gave them glad tidings of the Day when mankind shall stand before the Lord of the worlds. We beseech Him, exalted be He, not to disappoint us from what He has ordained for His loved ones and to protect us on that Day when the heaven shall be cleft asunder, the earth shall be split, and the mountains shall pass away. Verily, He is the Generous, the Self-Sufficient, the Most High. And blessings and peace be upon Him through Whom was established the sovereignty of God, His grandeur, His commandments, His laws, the encompassing nature of His power and His might, and upon His family and companions whom neither the swords of the world nor the ranks of nations frightened.
They arose with limited numbers before the hosts of the world, aided the Cause of God with true victory and strove in God’s path with true striving. Through them the idols were shattered and the manifestations of vain imaginings were struck down. These are the servants whom the All-Merciful described in the Furqan, whom no blame of any blamer could turn away from God. We bear witness that there is no God but Him, in acknowledgment of His oneness and singleness, and in recognition of His grace and bounty.
Your noble letter was received, and from it I sensed the fragrance of the exalted Gate. Blessed are they who circumambulate the House and visit Yathrib and Batha. By the life of our Beloved, the people of vision would not exchange a single pebble thereof for all the jewels of the world. Verily, whenever the spirit hears mention of those places, it thrills with joy and gladness. All this is from God’s grace, the Lord of lords.
The letter of that spiritual friend arrived, diffusing the fragrance of divine love. After reading and perusing it, I approached the sacred threshold and presented it before the Master. He said: “Praise be to God, you have attained and performed the circumambulation.” Say:
“My God, my God! I testify to the sanctity of Thy Being above mention and utterance, and the exaltation of Thy Self above what is ordained in contingent existence. Thou hast created creation for the recognition of the Dawning-Place of Thy Cause, the Manifestation of Thy Self, and the Dayspring of Thy signs. Yet when He appeared, most of Thy creation turned away from Him—among them were those who denied Him, those who objected to Him, and those who arose to shed His blood. I beseech Thee, O Master of existence and Ruler of the seen and unseen, by Thy Command through which appeared the pearls of the ocean of Thy knowledge and the effulgences of the heaven of Thy grace, to ordain for this servant of Thine the good of the hereafter and of this world. O Lord! Thou seest me clinging to the cord of Thy oneness and holding fast to the hem of Thy generosity. I beseech Thee to ordain for me that which shall accompany me in all the worlds of Thy worlds.
“O Lord! The thirst of separation from Thee hath consumed me—where is the sweet water of Thy mercy? My transgressions have removed me far from the court of Thy nearness—where are the waves of the ocean of Thy forgiveness? I beseech Thee by Thy Book which Thou didst reveal unto Thy Beloved, whereby Thou didst separate truth from falsehood and light from darkness, to preserve me in all conditions from whatsoever might prevent me from turning to Thee, O Lord of mankind and Lord of the Sacred Place and Station! By Thy glory, O Desired One of the world and Worshipped One of the nations, I have desired naught from Thee except that which would make me, by night and day, speak Thy praise, utter Thy remembrance, and arise to serve Thy loved ones. Assist me, O my God, through Thy bounty and generosity; enable me, O my Beloved, through Thy power and loving-kindness. Verily, Thou art He Whom the wishes and desires of the nations cannot frustrate. There is no God but Thee, the Forgiving, the Merciful.” End
Praise be to God that your honor and those with you are successful in all conditions. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, on behalf of that spiritual beloved, whatsoever is worthy of His bounty. After mention of the distinguished lady upon whom be 966 [Baha’u’llah], the Master spoke:
O handmaiden of God! This Wronged One makes mention of thee and beseeches God, exalted be His glory, on thy behalf whatsoever is conducive to thy good in this world and the next. Thou hast ever been and art remembered before the Wronged One. Give thanks to the Peerless Beloved Who guided thee and taught thee the blessed Word of Unity. This is a great bounty and a mighty favor from God. Know thou its worth and recognize its station. Praise be to God Who caused thee to associate with one who possesses true unity and spiritual knowledge. Be thankful unto thy Lord for this supreme blessing and this greatest gift. The glory from Us be upon him and upon thee and upon him who was named Muhammad-ʿAli and upon the leaf whom God hath given unto you both.
This evanescent servant beseeches the Eternal Truth to assist all to mention, meditation, and acceptance, as well as to deeds from which the fragrance of divine acceptance is inhaled. Now, praise be to God, your honor hath attained unto that which is the greatest cause for the mention and praise of God, exalted be His glory. We beseech Him to make His grace continuous. He is the Powerful, the Mighty. And likewise may He grant whatsoever is conducive to the exaltation of His Word. This evanescent one also conveys greetings to the distinguished lady and children, makes mention of them, and beseeches God for the good of this world and the next for each one. Peace, remembrance and praise be upon your honor and upon those with you and those who love you and upon God’s sincere and righteous servants. And praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.
BH00120: The testimony of Truth, exalted be His glory…
Section 1: “The testimony of Truth, exalted be His glory…”
In the Name of our Most Holy, Most Great, Most Exalted, Most Glorious Lord.
The testimony of Truth, exalted be His glory, is sufficient for His Own Self. He has said, and His word is the truth: “He cannot be described by any description besides His Own, nor can He be known by any besides Himself.” The praise of those who praise and the glorification of those who glorify are bounded by human limitations, and from the Most Great Horizon to the human station lies an endless path. How can the condition of a servant be compared with that station which is sanctified beyond all sanctification and glorification, let alone other stations? The station that cannot be comprehended is not known through comprehension, and that which cannot be described is not encompassed by description.
Exalted be His grandeur, elevated be His dominion, and magnificent be His majesty! It has been said of old: “The way is blocked, and the path is barred.” However, the letters of the friends and their mention, praise, detachment and attraction open a joyful door and diffuse a sweet fragrance. Though we may not attain to befitting praise and description, they have brought us somewhat closer to the path. For when that beloved one’s letter arrives, the heart records something and joy takes hold from all directions. Though the letter has no tongue, yet it speaks and expresses with eloquent language. Wherever one places one’s hand, no ear is found, yet what a wonderful hearer and what an excellent bearer of news it is!
Its fragrance spreads news and its acceptance and attention listen attentively. Whence comes this power, and whence this witnessing and hearing? All this is from God’s grace—our Lord, your Lord, and the Lord of the heavens and earths.
I beseech God to make the world one region and one homeland, as has been revealed in the Tablets from the heaven of His Will, and to grant His servants the ability to occupy themselves with the betterment of the world and the refinement of their own souls, so that the light of knowledge may encompass all possibility. The purpose of knowledge is those matters that preserve humans from what is unworthy and guide them to what is worthy. We beseech Him to grant this success which He has revealed in His scriptures and tablets, and to deliver His servants from the abyss of suppositions and idle fancies which is in truth the abyss of perdition. He is the Powerful, He is the Mighty.
And further: that beloved of the heart’s handwriting, dated the twelfth of the month of Safar and numbered 6, its effect superior to the spring rains and the springtime of creation, gave freshness to the heart and illumined the sight. After reading and inhaling its fragrance, proceeding to the station of the Lord of all beings, it was presented before the Seat of Grandeur, and at that moment a pleasing command was manifested, and this too is evidence of the grace of Truth, exalted be His glory, upon His servants, His loved ones, and His companions. The Tongue of Grandeur was speaking and this servant was engaged in writing before His presence when three persons arrived from His Honor Afnan, Mr. Mirza Aqa—upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God—each carrying in hand a tray filled with true confections. In truth, this is evidence of that beloved one’s sincerity, detachment, and spiritual orientation. In any case, after returning, the Tongue of Grandeur spoke these verses, exalted be His utterance and mighty be His proof:
He is the All-Witnessing, the All-Informed
O Amin! Hear the call of God, the True King, the Manifest One, on this Day of Judgment. He calleth aloud with the most exalted voice, making mention of all who dwell in the kingdom of creation, and summoneth them unto God, the Possessor of this luminous Day. The servant who is present hath appeared and read thy letter before the Wronged One. We have answered thee with that which draweth the hearts of them that hearken. We made mention of thee before, and sent unto thee from the precincts of the Prison the fragrances of the All-Merciful, that thou mightest inhale them and be amongst the thankful. It behooveth one to write the verses of God with gold rather than with ink. Verily, thy Lord is the All-Knowing Teacher. Blessed is the servant who hath cast away his desires, clinging fast to the Lord of all humanity, Who hath come from the heaven of bounty with a mighty command and hath desired naught save the unity of hearts. To this testifieth every fair-minded and discerning soul. Corruption hath been abolished and righteousness established by the command of God, the Lord of all worlds.
Say: O concourse of the earth! Fear ye God and be not of the wrongdoers. Arise to that which profiteth and exalteth you. Verily, He hath appeared with the truth and hath bidden all to godliness and that whereby man’s station in creation may be made manifest. Exalted is the All-Merciful, the Manifestor of that which draweth people nigh unto His straight Path. We beseech God to aid all to do that which He loveth and approveth. Verily, He is the Protector of them that act. Blessed art thou, O Amin, for having girded up thy loins to serve God, thy Lord, the Lord of the mighty Throne. He is with thee and beholdeth what thou doest and heareth what thy tongue uttereth concerning this manifest News.
Beware lest the veils of glory prevent thee from the lights of beauty, or the power of the oppressors weaken thee in regard to the Cause of God, the Possessor of this wondrous Day. Make mention of My loved ones on My behalf and give them the glad tidings of the heaven of My mercy, the ocean of My bounty, and the sun of My loving-kindness. Say: By God! Ye have attained unto that which none besides you hath attained. To this beareth witness the Book of God, the Speaking, the All-Knowing. We counsel you, O My loved ones, to be trustworthy and godly, that the attributes of your Lord and His sanctification may be made manifest among His servants and throughout the lands.
He, verily, is the Ordainer, the Ancient of Days. Thus have We expounded the verses as a grace from Our presence and sent them unto thee, that thou mightest give thanks unto thy Lord, the Almighty, the All-Powerful.
Give ear in the Persian tongue: Every utterance and remembrance that contains His praise is beloved in whatsoever language it may be—Persian, Turkish, Arabic or other tongues. However, the Arabic language is most eloquent, comprehensive and expansive. Praise be to God, thou hast attained that which befitteth His servants in this Day. The Breath of God hath awakened thee and the warmth of the Sun of Truth hath taken hold of thee. Thou hast arisen to serve and clung to the hem of detachment. All that hath come to pass is from His grace and bounty. Awaken the friends to the Call of Truth.
If thou shouldst meet Haydar-Qabli-Ali, upon him be My glory and favor, convey My greetings and say: O Haydar-Qabli-Ali, hearken with thy inner ear to the Divine Call. For the teacher, naught is needed save confirmatory proofs, for they are knowing of God and recognize Him according to their capacity. This is the gate of guidance and salvation. No knowledge save this is required. Whoso seeketh or asketh for more hath erred. Today, knowledge of God is beloved, recognition of Him is accepted, and His utterance is the goal. Among the sincere ones, the knowledge of God hath been and is the knowledge of devotion, detachment, and awareness of the path. Consider Jesus, son of Mary. His disciples in the early days were sanctified and free from outward knowledge.
Likewise were the companions of the Seal of the Prophets, may our souls be a sacrifice for His sake, in the beginning of His revelation. Many were from the marketplaces. O Haydar-Qabli-ʿAli, the fisherman became the fisher of men, and the wooden staff struck down the swords of the world. These are the works of steadfastness, reliance and sanctification. Praise be to God, thou hast attained unto the Kawthar of inner meanings and utterance from the Hand of the All-Merciful’s bounty. Thou art the cupbearer of the choice sealed wine, possessing it in the name of the Self-Subsisting. Drink and give to drink, that perchance the heedless servants may become aware, find the path of God and hold fast to His cord.
The divers branches of learning wherewith the wearers of the turban pride themselves are such as have led them, in the cities and provinces of Íran, to ascend the pulpits and revile Him Who is the Desire of the world—God forbid! May God preserve us and thee from their vain imaginings, their doubts, and their insinuations. One craft, of the crafts of the peoples of the West and of the East, which in this day is of service to mankind, and which ministereth to their comfort and tranquillity, is, in the sight of God, more excellent than all that these heedless souls have borne about in their minds and proclaim from the pulpits. Know thou, with firm and manifest assurance, that the effulgence of this Most Great Revelation hath encompassed the whole world; and ere long such means and such arts shall appear in the realm as shall be witnessed to confound the minds of men of understanding, who will be found powerless to fathom their secret.
Praise be to God, thou hast attained unto true knowledge. Now recognition and acceptance are needed, that all servants may be adorned with the ornament of recognition and illumined by the lights of acceptance. From this recognition and acceptance shall appear that which no eye hath ever beheld. Reflect upon Christ and the outward crafts. Verily thy Lord is the Expositor, the All-Knowing, and He is the Wise Craftsman. The most great cause and supreme reason for whatsoever was seen before or shall be seen hereafter, or hath appeared or shall appear, hath been and is the Divine verses and the Will and Purpose of the Lord. The ladder of knowledge is high, and the feet of the servants are afflicted with paralysis. The horizon is radiant, but vision is weak. In any case, I beseech the Self-Sufficient, the Exalted to show generosity, to bestow bounty, to grant healing in His Name, the Healer. He is the Powerful, the Mighty.
Concerning the Afnan upon him be the Glory of God, who is attracted to the verses of God and immersed in the ocean of His love and soaring in the atmosphere of His affection and will, who was named Muhammad in the Book of God, the Lord of all beings, what you wrote was presented before the Most Holy, Most Exalted Presence. The Lord, exalted and sanctified be He, speaks:
“O Amin! Verily Muhammad has attained My presence and circled round My throne and stood before the gate of My grandeur and spoke My praise. He is the one mentioned in My prison and witnessed before My countenance. Give him the glad tidings of My favor. We beseech God to send down upon him that which will draw him near in all conditions. Verily He is the Self-Sufficient, the Most High.”
And likewise concerning the honored Afnan, His Excellency Aqa Mirza Muhammad-Baqir, upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God, after being presented at the highest horizon and supreme height, these verses were revealed from the heaven of the will of the Lord of all beings. His blessed and exalted Word:
“O My Afnan! Upon thee be My Glory! Praise the Desired One of the world Who granted confirmation and bestowed success, Who gave determination, manifested capacity and ability until He guided thee to the supreme height and ultimate goal. Say: Praise be unto Thee, O my God, for having guided me to the path of Thy good-pleasure and caused me to hear the verses of Thy Most Exalted Pen when the seat of Thy throne was established in the prison of ʿAkka, and for having taught me what was hidden in the treasuries of Thy knowledge from time immemorial. I beseech Thee, O King of Kings and Ruler of the Kingdom, by Thy Most Great Name, to ordain for me from Thy Most Exalted Pen that which will cause my mention to endure among all mentions, my name among all names, and my spirit among all spirits. Verily Thou art the Lord of all beings and within Thy grasp is the key to success. There is none other God but Thee, the Forgiving, the Generous.”
This evanescent servant conveys greetings and glorification to each of these gentlemen. Praise be to God, they are present and have attained His favor. The servant beseeches his Lord to ordain for them both that which will cause them to be among those who circle round His mighty throne. There is none other God but He, the Fulfiller of the needs of all who ask. Supreme joy, delight and happiness have been attained because that beloved one has in every instance recorded mention of the Afnan and their adherence to the Divine Lote-Tree and their being set ablaze with the fire of the Lote-Tree and whatsoever hath been manifested from them in the path of God, and likewise the mention of the loved ones of God and what hath appeared from them in His path. That beloved one hath ever been and continues to be the cause of the manifestation of divine bounties and favors concerning His loved ones. This is a mighty grace and a great blessing.
And as to what thou hast mentioned concerning Aqa Muhammad-Husayn—upon him be the glory of God—his turning towards God, his eager response, and his being kindled with the fire of Divine love; and likewise concerning Aqa Muhammad-Hasan—upon him be the glory of God—his neighbour, and his attention and acceptance: these remembrances were laid before the Countenance of that Holy One, the Spirit of all in the kingdom of command and of creation be a sacrifice unto Him. Whereupon there was revealed that which hath descended from the heaven of the Will of our Lord and your Lord and the Lord of the Throne and of the dust. He—blessed and exalted be He—hath spoken:
O Amin, upon thee be My glory! Thou didst make mention of Muhammad-Husayn, upon him be My glory. Praise be to God that he hath been enkindled with the fire of the love of God, hath turned toward the Most Exalted Horizon, and remaineth steadfast in his love for the Peerless Friend. He hath been and continueth to be oriented in his countenance, remembering with his tongue, beholding with his eye, accepting with his heart and grasping with his hand. The deeds of that household have ever been remembered in the presence of the Wronged One—with Him is the knowledge of all things in a clear Book. Give him My glad-tidings and illumine him with that which hath shone forth from the horizon of the heaven of My Pen, that he may rejoice and be among the thankful ones.
O Muhammad-Husayn! The call of the Wronged One is raised, and the lights of His countenance shine forth from the Most Exalted Horizon without veil or covering. Yet the veils of fancy and vain imaginings of the hearts have outwardly prevented the sincere ones from drawing nigh and have held back those who are near from attaining His presence. Praise be to God that in these days when darkness hath encompassed the world, thou hast attained unto the light of the Cause. Beseech God to preserve His people in this Revelation from the fancies and vain imaginings of the former party, namely the Shi’ites, lest they become like that party who hath lost both this world and the next.
Reflect upon the baseness of understanding and the heedlessness of that party. For years they counted themselves the most learned and exalted in the world, yet on the Day of Resurrection they were found to be the most ignorant and abased. Now the new deniers of Bayan desire to occupy people with the vain imaginings of the former party. Glory be to God! That party which clung to the true Ali put to death its Creator, Manifestation and Source on the Day of His appearance. Now what will these souls who cling to the false Ali do, and what excellence will they manifest? It behooveth those possessed of insight to weep and lament, for they have sullied the Day of God with their own delusions.
Today a thousand Alis are circumambulating, created by a single word of the chosen ones and holy ones. The former party, with their countless claims and immeasurable pride, their most renowned, most learned and most ascetic ones occupy the pulpits cursing the Goal of all the worlds. They testified to the infidelity of the King of being, Whom they had beseeched night and day with utmost humility, submissiveness and lamentation to attain His presence, and issued the verdict for His blood to be shed. What then hath befallen and will befall the new deniers? This utterance hath repeatedly descended from the heaven of knowledge as a token of grace, that the people of God may be aware and may protect the servants from new fancies and vain imaginings.
Thus hath My Most Exalted Pen spoken, as a favor from Me unto thee. When thou hearest it, say: Praise be to Thee, O Thou Goal of the world! And glory be to Thee, O Thou Beloved of the hearts of the sincere ones!
Section 2: “This is what was revealed for Muhammad Hasan…”
This is what was revealed for Muhammad Hasan, upon him be the Glory of God. He, blessed and exalted, says: O Muhammad Hasan, upon you be My Glory! The honored Amin, upon him be My Glory, mentioned you and sent it to the Most Holy Court. We beseech God to assist you and enable you to do that which He loves and is pleased with, and to make you among those who have arisen to serve the Cause and have held fast to the cord of God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy. Blessed art thou for having turned to the Wronged One while He was imprisoned in the hands of the heedless. Say:
My God, my God! Illumine my face with the lights of Thy countenance and my heart with the radiance of Thy knowledge. I beseech Thee by Thy Most Great Signs and by the traces of Thy Most Exalted Pen to make me, in all conditions, steadfast in Thy Cause and firm in Thy love, such that nothing whatsoever shall prevent me from Thy remembrance, O Thou Lord of Names and Creator of heaven! There is none other God but Thee, the Omnipotent, the All-Conquering, the All-Powerful, the Mighty, the Beauteous.
Praise be to God! The waves of the divine ocean of generosity have encompassed both, and the rain of grace is so abundantly pouring and descending that no speaker can find words to describe it. His mercy is continuous and His grace is successive. Every person of insight is bewildered and every person of understanding is perplexed, for His grace has exceeded all reckoning and His generosity has transcended all bounds. How lofty is this most exalted station and supreme summit! Glorified be He Who raised it, glorified be He Who established it, and glorified be He Who confirmed it. There is no God but Him.
As for the repeated mention of Haji H.S. (upon him be the Glory of God) and the supplications made for divine favors upon him, his mention has repeatedly flowed from the Most Exalted Pen, and at this time these blessed words and radiant verses have been revealed from the heaven of grace. He, blessed and exalted, says: The mention of Muhammad-before-H and S, upon him be My Glory, has repeatedly been revealed. God has forgiven him as a favor from His presence, purified him, and enabled him to serve His Cause. He turned in the early days to the Most Exalted Horizon and drank the sealed nectar from the hand of the bounty of My Name, the Self-Subsisting. He shattered the idols of fancy and vain imaginings through the power of his Lord, the Possessor of mankind, and rent asunder the veils through My Name, the Mighty, the Bestower.
O Amin! These deeds which have been manifested by him from the beginning of the Cause until now have not been and will not be forgotten. Verily, thy Lord is the Compassionate, the Generous, and He is the Forgiving, the Merciful. Make mention of him on behalf of the Wronged One and convey to him what has been revealed for him from the Most Exalted Pen. Likewise for the emigrants who emigrated and attained with him the Most Holy Court. By the life of God! There has been ordained for each one, male and female, that which the outward eye has not been and is not capable of beholding. He Who possesses the Clear Book bears witness to this. Convey greetings to all on behalf of the Wronged One and give them the glad tidings of the waves of the ocean of utterance which have at this time appeared from the Pen of the Most Merciful specifically for them, that the utterance may attract them to the Kingdom of knowledge and bring them to a station wherein the conditions of the world will not change them nor the doubts of the nations sadden them.
O Amin! Blessed art thou and joy be to thee! In every letter thou hast made mention of the friends and hast spoken of A and M and their daughters and other daughters in each of thy letters, and each hath attained to that which hath no equal. In these days, especially for some of the leaves, upon them be 9 66 [Baha’u’llah], the Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablet hath been sent down from the heaven of will. We beseech God to confirm all to that which beseemeth His days. In truth, some from the beginning until now have been engaged in service, turning to Him and making mention of Him. Verily, He doth not suffer to be lost the reward of those men and women who do good and who are devout.
This servant conveyeth greetings to all and beareth witness before God, exalted be His glory, to the turning, the devotion, the steadfastness, and the praise and glorification of these assured souls mentioned, and from the ocean of the All-Merciful’s mercy and the sea of divine bounty, he seeketh for each that which shall endure throughout the sovereignty of earth and heaven. Verily our Lord is the One Who hath power over whatsoever He willeth, He is the Speaker of Truth, and He is the Hearer, the Answerer.
Concerning what thou didst write about Sirri Effendi, upon him be the glory of God, after it was presented before the Most Holy, Most Exalted Presence, He said: “Yes, O Amin, the one mentioned hath protected and continueth to protect, and from the beginning the sweet savors of love have wafted from him. However, those who have dealings with the government, it often happens that without intention a word escapeth from their tongue. Therefore concealment in this matter is preferable. Thou didst write about this before and an answer was sent. The command remaineth the same and the decree is unchanged. Beseech God to reveal unto all the purpose of this Revelation and His will, that what is hidden in the hearts may become as evident as the sun.
In such case all would arise to assist the oppressed. But now the Cause is veiled and doubts and idle fancies are an obstacle. Therefore ye must observe prudence according to the requirements of the time. The former deeds of this group have grieved hearts and minds, therefore until now they cling to their vain imaginings. We beseech God to aid all to witness the signs and fruits of the divine Tree. In such case doubt will be transformed to certitude and agitation to tranquility, and the tongues of all created things will proclaim ʿThe Truth hath come.”’
Concerning what they wrote about thy loved ones, Mulla Husayn and Aqa Hasan, upon them be the glory of God, it was presented before the Most Holy, Most Exalted Presence. The word of the Lord, exalted and sanctified is He:
He is the Hearer, the Answerer
O Husayn! Upon thee be My glory! The Trusted One made mention of thee, and We make mention of thee in this Clear Tablet. Blessed is the heart that hath on this day turned toward the Supreme Horizon, and the face that hath directed itself to the light of the countenance of its Lord, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. Everyone possessed of discernment perceiveth in all things the fragrance of transience. Blessed is the strong one who hath cast it behind him, turning unto God, the Kind, the Generous. Every tongue hath acknowledged the transience of the world and its transformation. Blessed is the seeing one who hath turned away from it and faced toward God, the Lord of the worlds. Say:
Praise be unto Thee, O my God, for having guided me and made me know and hear, and for having revealed unto me that which hath set me ablaze with Thy love. I beseech Thee by Thy Name through which Thou hast subdued the kingdom of earth and heaven, to make this servant of Thine one who gazeth upon Thee, who speaketh Thy praise, and who holdeth fast unto Thy cord. Then ordain for me the good of this world and the world to come. Verily Thou art the Lord of all mankind. There is none other God but Thee, the Almighty, the Powerful.
This is what was revealed for Hasan, upon him be the Glory of God: He is the One Who gazeth from the horizon of the heaven of bounty
O Hasan Amin, upon thee be My glory and loving-kindness! Thou hast been mentioned and We have remembered thee. Praise be to God, thou hast attained and hast drunk from the Kawthar of bounty which floweth from the Supreme Pen. His mercy hath preceded all things and His loving-kindness hath encompassed all. He hath manifested Himself and made clear the path of success, guiding His servants thereto. Some have heard and attained, while others remain deprived and forbidden from the eternal bounty and the heavenly feast. The cause of their deprivation are those souls who have usurped His station in His name and pass judgment among the servants. Ever have those who outwardly cling to the Truth and are honored by His name sent the people to the abode of perdition. Give praise to the Desired One of the world Who hath made you aware and guided you, and Who hath sent down in the Most Great Prison, by His will, that which hath been and ever shall be the cause of the preservation of names and mention. Glory be upon thee and upon those who have drunk the wine of steadfastness from the hand of the bounty of their Lord, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.
This lowly one conveyeth greetings to each one, and at all times beseecheth from the Desired One of the worlds the exaltation of His loved ones, especially those souls who are associated with and cling to His servants. Verily He is the All-Bountiful, He is the Generous. There is none other God but He, the Forgiving, the Merciful.
Regarding the mention of my beloved Ibn-i-Abhar, upon them both be the Glory of God, the Lord of Power, and likewise regarding the sum that was sent to him, this matter hath been accepted in the Most Holy and Exalted Presence. His blessed and exalted Word: “O Amin! Excellent is what thou hast done.” We beseech God to aid him to assist His Cause through wisdom and utterance. Spending in His path and assisting His loved ones is acceptable.
Mention was made of Muhammad Husayn, upon him be the Glory of God. His petition attained the Most Holy Court and a most wondrous and glorious Tablet was revealed and sent down from the horizon of will. Let him rejoice and give thanks unto our Lord, the All-Bountiful, the Generous.
Likewise mention was made of Aqa Mirza Asadu’llah and Aqa Mirza Javad, the two dyers, upon them both be the Glory of God. The mention of both was heard in the Greatest Scene before the face of the Lord of Power, and these brilliant verses were sent down from the heaven of bounty. His blessed and exalted Word:
He is the Faithful Speaker
O Asadu’llah! God willing, thou shalt remain firm and steadfast in the Cause of God with the power and might of a lion. True steadfastness maketh the world steadfast and spiritual attraction causeth the world to become attracted. Ever fix thy gaze upon this word: “He is praised in His deeds and obeyed in His command.” Whosoever holdeth fast to this exalted word, the calumnies of the servants shall not affect him and the clamor of the oppressors and the doubts of the barkers shall not deprive him from the Most Great Ocean. The Trustworthy One hath mentioned thee, and We mention thee as a bounty from Us, and verily We are the All-Bountiful, the Generous. Blessed art thou for having turned, hearkened, and witnessed that which the Tongue of Grandeur hath spoken before the creation of all things. Verily there is none other God but He, the Single, the One, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. Glory be upon thee and upon those who have drunk the wine of utterance from the hand of the bounty of their Lord, the Forgiving.
And this is what was revealed for Javad, upon him be the Glory of God, the Lord of Creation. His blessed and exalted Word:
In My Name, the All-Bountiful, the Generous
O Javad! Ask the leaders of the Shia sect what became of those demands, what happened to that cry of ʿMay God hasten’, what were those lamentations in the month of Muharram, and what were those dirges? Judge fairly—you considered yourselves most profitable but were found to be most lost; you counted yourselves most learned but were observed to be most ignorant. O faithless ones! You have torn the veil of honor. The King of existence, through whose bounty all created things were adorned with the ornament of being—Him you cursed and reviled from your pulpits, and finally pronounced the verdict for His martyrdom. Now fear God and have mercy upon yourselves. How long will heedlessness endure? Until when will tyranny persist? The Jews keep their distance from you, let alone the People of the Sunna. For twelve hundred years you played the game of successorship, and finally busied yourselves with cursing the Truth from your pulpits. Shame upon you and upon your beliefs and your faith!
O Javad! Now ponder these matters and thank God that He saved you by the hands of His will and delivered you from ghouls and demons. You heard the call of the Wronged One and responded to it. Blessed art thou and joy be unto thee! He hath mentioned thee with that which no mention can equal. Verily thy Lord is the All-Remembering, the All-Wise, the Helper, the All-Knowing. The glory be upon thee and upon those who have cast the rejectors behind them, turning unto God, the One, the Mighty, the Great.
They mentioned Jinab-i-Aqa Mirza Farajullah, upon him be the glory of God and His favors, that he is engaged in praise and thanksgiving and is steadfast in serving the Cause. After this matter was presented before the Most Glorious Horizon, a most holy and mighty Tablet was revealed from the heaven of favor and was sent. God willing, may they obtain eternal life from its verses and drink of the everlasting Kawthar. Praise be to God, they have attained to that for which existence itself was brought into being. This servant conveys greetings and salutations to him and the mentioned souls, upon them be the glory of God, and seeks confirmation and success for them. Verily our Lord, the Most Merciful, is the Almighty, the Powerful, and He is the Hearer, the Answerer.
Concerning the mention of the ascension and passing of the elevated, deceased and blessed His Holiness Raj, upon him be the glory of God, His mercy and His favors—after this was presented in the Most Holy and Most Mighty Presence, there was revealed from the heaven of Will that which is the cause of exaltation and elevation. He was ever remembered in the Most Great Scene. There hath been revealed concerning his station and rank that which the tongues of all created things are powerless to recount. He turned to God on a day when all the divines were engaged in rejection, and he acknowledged the Truth at a time when all were denying it, save those whom God willed. His is a station with God.
Likewise mention hath been made of his honor Ibn, upon him be the Glory of God—that is, his honor Shaykh M.H.—and such verses have been revealed as have caused the fragrance of loving-kindness to be diffused among the concourse of those near unto God and them that circle round His throne. Similarly have his other sons, upon them be the Glory of God, been remembered, each one being mentioned in the presence of the Truth. Nothing whatsoever escapeth the knowledge of our Lord. Verily, He doth not suffer to be lost the reward of the doers of good.
This servant beseecheth and imploreth God, exalted be His glory, that He may keep them aflame at all times with the fire of His love and illumined with the light of His Cause, that they may arise to render service and lead men from that which they possess unto that which God possesseth. At this time there is no opportunity to write and send more, but at another time, God willing, it shall be sent, that their eyes may be solaced thereby, their hearts gladdened, and their breasts dilated. Verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, is the Compassionate, the All-Forgiving, the Most Merciful. There is no God but Him, the Single, the One, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. Glory and praise and honor be upon you and upon them that are with you and love you for the sake of God, the Lord of the worlds.
The servant 16 Rabi’u’th-Thani 1305
BH01445: O son of My name! Hearken unto My call…
He is the One Who gazeth from His Most Glorious Horizon
O son of My name! Hearken unto My call from around My throne. Verily it draweth thee to a station wherein the affairs of creation shall not grieve thee, nor shall the doubts of the doubters hinder thee. This is the call which the Interlocutor heard on Sinai when We revealed unto him from this Manifestation, whereby the Hand of Bounty appeared from the kingdom of creation and gave to drink the sealed wine, through His Name the Self-Subsisting, unto such servants as turned unto Him. Thus did the Luminary of grace shine forth from the horizon of this heaven, and the Tongue of Grandeur did speak: The Kingdom belongeth unto God, the Lord of the worlds.
This is the day wherein the Dove of Knowledge warbled and the nightingales of utterance sang upon the highest branches. O people of the world! By our Lord, the All-Merciful! This is the day wherein the Hidden One hath revealed His beauty, and the Concealed One His mysteries, and the Ocean its waves, and the Divine Lote-Tree its fruits, and the Sun its effulgence, and the verses their sweet savors. Blessed is he who hath found and recognized, and woe unto every remote denier. Verily We withheld the Pen for a time. Thy Lord doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He desireth. He is the Powerful, the Mighty.
O beloved! Remember when thou didst seek the Ultimate Goal and the Supreme Summit. We aided thee with the hosts of love and affection until thou didst attain the presence of the Wronged One in His mighty prison, and beheld the Dawning-Place of thy Lord’s verses, and heard His sweetest call, and stood before a door which was opened unto all who are in earth and heaven. Verily thy Lord is the All-Bountiful, the Generous. The iniquity of the world and the transgressions of the nations have not withheld His mercy. He ordaineth for whomsoever He willeth whatsoever He pleaseth. He is the Single One, the One, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
We counsel thee and those who have believed to be trustworthy and religious, and to that which elevateth the station of man. I am the Counselor, the All-Knowing. Say: Aid ye My Cause with these My hosts. Thus were ye commanded aforetime in diverse Tablets, as attesteth he who hath in his possession a perspicuous Book. Aid your Lord through wisdom and utterance, through deeds and character. By the life of God! Through these are manifested the sanctification of My Being and the purification of Mine Essence. Blessed is he who hath understood My purpose, and woe unto the heedless. Say: Adorn your temples with the ornament of fear of God. He is the Leader of My hosts and their Chief. Thus hath the All-Wise decreed while seated upon His exalted throne.
We make mention of My loved ones there. We have mentioned them before and given them glad tidings of My favor which hath encompassed all who are in the heavens and on earth. We beseech God to aid them and My loved ones in all lands to act in accordance with what He hath revealed in His Book. He is the Helper, the Powerful, the Mighty, the All-Praised. O beloved! Upon thee be My glory. We have desired at this time to make mention of My leaf and My handmaiden who hath ascended unto the Supreme Companion. Verily thy Lord is the All-Merciful, the Most Merciful.
The Light shining from My Most Exalted Horizon and the Fragrance wafting from the Supreme Perspective be upon thee, O handmaiden of God! I testify that thou didst hear the Call and answer thy Lord, and didst turn unto Him when the people were in manifest aversion, and thou didst win the days of thy Lord and didst hearken unto His verses when the handmaidens of the earth were heedless thereof. We beseech God to send down upon thee mercy from His presence and grace from His own Self, and to show thee in all times the manifestations of grace and bounty. He is verily powerful over what He willeth, and He is the Hearer, the Answerer.
Blessed is the servant who hath remembered her through what hath been revealed from My Most Exalted Pen, and the handmaiden who hath turned unto her. He verily heareth and seeth, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.
O beloved! Give thanks unto God for what He hath revealed unto thee of verses while the Wronged One was imprisoned in the hands of the oppressors. Say: O my God, my God! Withhold not Thy servants from turning to the Most Great Ocean, nor deprive them of the effulgent rays of Thy luminous horizon. Through Thy bounty and generosity, ordain for them that which will draw them nigh unto Thee. Verily, Thou art He in Whose grasp are the reins of grace and munificence. There is no God but Thee, the Mighty, the Generous. Thy generosity hath encompassed all creation and Thy grace hath pervaded all beings. Deliver Thy servants from the promptings of self and passion, that they may turn with their hearts unto Thee, hearken unto Thy call, and recognize that which Thou hast ordained for them through Thy bounty.
There is no God but Thee, the Omnipotent, the Supreme, the Mighty, the All-Conquering, the Glorious, the All-Wise. Illumine, O my God, the faces of those who have turned to the light of Thy countenance, and their hearts with the light of Thy knowledge. Verily, Thou art the Most Wise of judges and the Most Merciful of the merciful. I testify that Thou hast manifested Thyself as a token of Thy bounty and an evidence of Thy loving-kindness. Close not, O my God, the door which Thou hast opened unto the world. Verily, Thou are the Strong, the Powerful. Glory be upon Thee and upon Thy loved ones there, and upon those who are with Thee. Verily, thy Lord is the All-Remembering, the All-Knowing.
BH03061: Today the horizon of the world is illumined…
He is God, exalted be His station of grandeur and power
Today the horizon of the world is illumined with the lights of the manifestation of the Most Great Luminary. The Prophets and Messengers, both before and after, gave glad tidings to all on earth of the appearance of Him Who conversed with Moses. The Primal Point—may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for Him—states:
“I have written an essence regarding His mention, which is that He cannot be known through My allusion nor through what was revealed in the Bayan.”
He is the true Herald Who appeared to inform the people, that they might make themselves ready and clear the paths, even as John son of Zacharias, who is mentioned in the Books as John the Baptist, gave glad tidings of the appearance of Christ while he was in prison when Jesus son of Mary declared His Cause. Blessed is the one whom the doubts and allusions of the people of the world did not prevent or deprive from beholding the Supreme Horizon.
Today the path is clear and the proof is revealed. The friends of God must arise to serve the Cause and through wisdom and utterance draw the people of the contingent world to the divine law. This transient world and all that exists therein will soon return to nothingness. Strive that there may appear from you deeds that will endure in the gathering of the world through the eternality of the divine names and attributes.
O thou who gazest upon the Countenance! The servant of the Cause today is one who, should he pass by cities of gold and silver, would not open his eyes, and his heart would remain pure and sanctified from all that he beholds—that is, from the ornaments and bounties of the world. I swear by the Sun of Truth that his soul is effective and his word is attractive. We beseech God to assist thee in that which befits His Day. Thou hast ever been and art remembered. Arise by My leave, then help thy Lord with the hosts of wisdom and utterance. Verily He is the Mighty, the Bestower. Peace and glory be upon thee and upon those who have not exchanged the enduring bounty for transient benefits, and upon every steadfast and firm one, and every knowing and perceiving one.
BH04571: O My handmaiden and My leaf! Your mention has…
In the Name of the one true God!
O My handmaiden and My leaf! Your mention has ever been present at the Most Holy Court. We heard your call and all that proceeded from you in praise and glorification of the Goal of the worlds was received with hearing. Nothing escapes His knowledge. All matters are manifest and evident before God. Veils do not prevent Him from beholding. That which is apparent and that which is hidden are witnessed in the presence of Divine knowledge.
O My leaf! Were but one manifestation from among the manifestations of stations ordained for My Most Truthful Name to become manifest and visible in the world, all the tongues of the peoples of the world would speak forth “Blessed be God, the Compassionate, the Generous!” This Wronged One has ever been afflicted in the hands of enemies, therefore We act according to what wisdom requires. We beseech God to increase your success in all times.
Convey greetings from this Wronged One to the handmaidens of that city. God willing, may they drink in all conditions from the choice wine of the love of the Beloved of the worlds, and may they speak His praise and mention, and be accounted before God among the men, not like the women and men of the Shi’ih party who for one thousand two hundred years occupied themselves with successor and guardian and chiefs and nobles, then on the Day of Reckoning arose to deny and turn away from His Holiness the Desired One. They martyred the King of existence by Whose word a thousand Alis could be created.
O My handmaidens! The Day is the Day of God. Pass beyond the river of names that you may attain unto the ocean of meanings. Glory be upon you and upon My handmaidens who have believed in God, the Single, the All-Informed.
BH07715: Blessed is he who hath arisen to serve…
He is the One Who gazeth from His Most Exalted Horizon.
Blessed is he who hath arisen to serve and who hath awakened the servants from the slumber of heedlessness through the fragrances of revelation and the rustling of the Supreme Pen. Whosoever attaineth unto this honor must have his head adorned with the crown of detachment, his temple embellished with the robe of godliness, and his heart illumined with the light of divine knowledge. This Day is different from other days, and this Cause different from other causes. Beseech ye God that He deprive not eyes from beholding His signs, nor ears from hearkening to the rustling of His Supreme Pen. Strive that thou mayest attain unto that which shall never cease to yield fruit, and whose mention shall not be erased from God’s Book. Glory be unto the people of Baha who have not broken God’s Covenant and His Testament, who have turned with their hearts and said:
“Praise be unto Thee for having remembered us while Thou wert imprisoned in the hands of the heedless ones.”
BH01951: The traces of the Pen of love and purity…
He is God, exalted be His glory, the Greatness and the Power
The traces of the Pen of love and purity have bestowed purity upon the world and removed the dust of events from hearts and souls. It was a clear proof and a crying herald. It mentioned thirty-hour journeys which were like thirty years. The length of this journey nearly caused the sweetness of nearness to be erased from the heart, but divine grace provided assistance and the true sea showed generosity. And after being presented in the court of His presence, a word was revealed that transformed every remoteness into nearness and every separation into union. Therefore the luminary of hope for nearness has risen from the horizon of the heart. We hope that soon the meeting will be attained and union will open a new book. “Without the help of the people of truth and the chosen ones of truth, even if one be a king, his page is black.”
In all conditions we hold fast to the cord of His grace and cling to the hem of His generosity. We have no other sorrow. Surely the sorrows of the world cannot darken this station, nor can the events of nations scatter it. Although outwardly dispersion is apparent, inwardly we are united and watchful. The loved ones, wherever they may be, are beneath the pavilions of His grandeur. This heaven is but one dome of that royal tent. Whatever we are, we are from Him, and wherever we are, we are with Him. The effulgences of the Sun of grace have shone forth in such wise that the learned one of creation can neither describe nor mention it. The world of existence appears as but a span, nay less, before the expanse of His generosity.
Praise be to God, again praise be to God, for awareness comes from His grace and knowledge from His endless bounty. With one word He kindled the fire of His love in hearts and souls until all, without intention, ran toward Him and found rest in His shadow. This fire was reserved for the hearts of those near and sincere. Glory be to God! His jealousy is such that He accepts no rival. This is why the world appears frozen. Were He to lift the veil, new souls would gather in such wise as to make the space too narrow for the former friends. Nay, by His very Self! The blessed word “The foremost ones are the foremost ones—these are they who will be brought near” has ever been and will ever be established and realized. Every person of insight bears witness and every hearing ear attests.
Better now to leave this theme and turn to mention the Afnan of the Blessed Tree and the loved ones, upon them be God’s peace. The honored presence of the most great Afnan, upon him be the Most Glorious Beauty, has ever been and is remembered. The days of his presence are witnessed and observed. Repeatedly his mention was heard from the tongue of the Master, may our spirits be sacrificed for Him, especially in these days. Furthermore, I convey greetings and nothingness to both luminaries—the brilliant star, his honor Afnan, and the honored beloved, his honor Haji, and the spiritual beloved, his honor Muhammad Mustafa, and likewise his honor Aqa Mirza Mihdi and all the other loved ones, upon them all be God’s peace and praise. Praise be to God, they are mentioned and present before His face. Peace and praise and remembrance and glory be upon you and upon God’s sincere servants.