Volume 086: Akka 1305 A.H. (1887–1888), Part III (4 of 4)

BH00308: Tarazat (Ornaments)

Section 1: “In My Name, which standeth supreme above all…”

In My Name, which standeth supreme above all names

Praise and glory beseem the Lord of Names and the Creator of the heavens, He, the waves of Whose ocean of Revelation surge before the eyes of the peoples of the world. The Day-Star of His Cause shineth through every veil and His Word of affirmation standeth beyond the reach of negation. Neither the ascendancy of the oppressor nor the tyranny of the wicked hath been able to thwart His Purpose. How glorified is His sovereignty, how exalted His dominion!

Great God! Although His signs have encompassed the world and His proofs and testimonies are shining forth and manifest as the light, yet the ignorant appear heedless, nay rather, rebellious. Would that they had been content with opposition. But at all times they are plotting to cut down the sacred Lote-Tree. Since the dawn of this Revelation the embodiments of selfishness have, by resorting to cruelty and oppression, striven to extinguish the Light of divine manifestation. But God, having stayed their hands, revealed this Light through His sovereign authority and protected it through the power of His might until earth and heaven were illumined by its radiance and brightness. Praise be unto Him under all conditions.

Glory be unto Thee, O Lord of the world and Desire of the nations, O Thou Who hast become manifest in the Greatest Name whereby the pearls of wisdom and utterance have appeared from the shells of the great sea of Thy knowledge, and the heavens of divine revelation have been adorned with the light of the appearance of the Sun of Thy countenance.

I beg of Thee, by that Word through which Thy proof was perfected among Thy creatures and Thy testimony was fulfilled among Thy servants to strengthen Thy people in that whereby the face of the Cause will radiate in Thy dominion, the standards of Thy power will be planted among Thy servants, and the banners of Thy guidance will be raised throughout Thy dominions.

O my Lord! Thou beholdest them clinging to the rope of Thy grace and holding fast unto the hem of the mantle of Thy beneficence. Ordain for them that which may draw them nearer unto Thee, and withhold them from all else save Thee. I beg of Thee, O Thou King of existence and Protector of the seen and the unseen, to make whosoever ariseth to serve Thy Cause as a sea moving by Thy desire, as one ablaze with the fire of Thy Sacred Tree, shining from the horizon of the heaven of Thy Will. Verily Thou art the mighty One Whom neither the power of all the world nor the strength of nations can weaken. There is no God but Thee, the One, the Incomparable, the Protector, the Self-Subsistent.

O thou who hast quaffed the wine of Mine utterance from the chalice of My knowledge! These sublime words were heard today from the rustling of the divine Lote-Tree which the Lord of Names hath, with the hand of celestial power, planted in the All-Highest Paradise:

The first Taraz and the first effulgence which hath dawned from the horizon of the Mother Book is that man should know his own self and recognize that which leadeth unto loftiness or lowliness, glory or abasement, wealth or poverty. Having attained the stage of fulfilment and reached his maturity, man standeth in need of wealth, and such wealth as he acquireth through crafts or professions is commendable and praiseworthy in the estimation of men of wisdom, and especially in the eyes of servants who dedicate themselves to the education of the world and to the edification of its peoples. They are, in truth, cup-bearers of the life-giving water of knowledge and guides unto the ideal way. They direct the peoples of the world to the straight path and acquaint them with that which is conducive to human upliftment and exaltation. The straight path is the one which guideth man to the dayspring of perception and to the dawning-place of true understanding and leadeth him to that which will redound to glory, honour and greatness.

We cherish the hope that through the loving-kindness of the All-Wise, the All-Knowing, obscuring dust may be dispelled and the power of perception enhanced, that the people may discover the purpose for which they have been called into being. In this Day whatsoever serveth to reduce blindness and to increase vision is worthy of consideration. This vision acteth as the agent and guide for true knowledge. Indeed in the estimation of men of wisdom keenness of understanding is due to keenness of vision. The people of Baha must under all circumstances observe that which is meet and seemly and exhort the people accordingly.

The second Taraz is to consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship, to proclaim that which the Speaker on Sinai hath set forth and to observe fairness in all matters.

They that are endued with sincerity and faithfulness should associate with all the peoples and kindreds of the earth with joy and radiance, inasmuch as consorting with people hath promoted and will continue to promote unity and concord, which in turn are conducive to the maintenance of order in the world and to the regeneration of nations. Blessed are such as hold fast to the cord of kindliness and tender mercy and are free from animosity and hatred.

This Wronged One exhorteth the peoples of the world to observe tolerance and righteousness, which are two lights amidst the darkness of the world and two educators for the edification of mankind. Happy are they who have attained thereto and woe betide the heedless.

The third Taraz concerneth good character. A good character is, verily, the best mantle for men from God. With it He adorneth the temples of His loved ones. By My life! The light of a good character surpasseth the light of the sun and the radiance thereof. Whoso attaineth unto it is accounted as a jewel among men. The glory and the upliftment of the world must needs depend upon it. A goodly character is a means whereby men are guided to the Straight Path and are led to the Great Announcement. Well is it with him who is adorned with the saintly attributes and character of the Concourse on High.

It beseemeth you to fix your gaze under all conditions upon justice and fairness. In The Hidden Words this exalted utterance hath been revealed from Our Most August Pen:

ʿO Son of Spirit! The best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom if thou desirest Me, and neglect it not that I may confide in thee. By its aid thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of others, and shalt know of thine own knowledge and not through the knowledge of thy neighbour. Ponder this in thy heart; how it behoveth thee to be. Verily justice is My gift to thee and the sign of My loving-kindness. Set it then before thine eyes.’

They that are just and fair-minded in their judgement occupy a sublime station and hold an exalted rank. The light of piety and uprightness shineth resplendent from these souls. We earnestly hope that the peoples and countries of the world may not be deprived of the splendours of these two luminaries.

The fourth Taraz concerneth trustworthiness. Verily it is the door of security for all that dwell on earth and a token of glory on the part of the All-Merciful. He who partaketh thereof hath indeed partaken of the treasures of wealth and prosperity. Trustworthiness is the greatest portal leading unto the tranquillity and security of the people. In truth the stability of every affair hath depended and doth depend upon it. All the domains of power, of grandeur and of wealth are illumined by its light.

Not long ago these sublime words were revealed from the Pen of the Most High:

ʿWe will now mention unto thee Trustworthiness and the station thereof in the estimation of God, thy Lord, the Lord of the Mighty Throne. One day of days We repaired unto Our Green Island. Upon Our arrival, We beheld 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 is powerless 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 blest, 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:

“O 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 people of Baha! Trustworthiness is in truth the best of vestures for your temples and the most glorious crown for your heads. Take ye fast hold of it at the behest of Him Who is the Ordainer, the All-Informed.

The fifth Taraz concerneth the protection and preservation of the stations of God’s servants. One should not ignore the truth of any matter, rather should one give expression to that which is right and true. The people of Baha should not deny any soul the reward due to him, should treat craftsmen with deference, and, unlike the people aforetime, should not defile their tongues with abuse.

In this Day the sun of craftsmanship shineth above the horizon of the occident and the river of arts is flowing out of the sea of that region. One must speak with fairness and appreciate such bounty. By the life of God! The word ʿEquity’ shineth bright and resplendent even as the sun. We pray God to graciously shed its radiance upon everyone. He is in truth powerful over all things, He Who is wont to answer the prayers of all men.

Section 2: “In these days truthfulness and sincerity are sorely…”

In these days truthfulness and sincerity are sorely afflicted in the clutches of falsehood, and justice is tormented by the scourge of injustice. The smoke of corruption hath enveloped the whole world in such wise that naught can be seen in any direction save regiments of soldiers and nothing is heard from any land but the clashing of swords. We beseech God, the True One, to strengthen the wielders of His power in that which will rehabilitate the world and bring tranquillity to the nations.

The sixth Taraz

Knowledge is one of the wondrous gifts of God. It is incumbent upon everyone to acquire it. Such arts and material means as are now manifest have been achieved by virtue of His knowledge and wisdom which have been revealed in Epistles and Tablets through His Most Exalted Pen—a Pen out of whose treasury pearls of wisdom and utterance and the arts and crafts of the world are brought to light.

In this Day the secrets of the earth are laid bare before the eyes of men. The pages of swiftly-appearing newspapers are indeed the mirror of the world. They reflect the deeds and the pursuits of divers peoples and kindreds. They both reflect them and make them known. They are a mirror endowed with hearing, sight and speech. This is an amazing and potent phenomenon. However, it behoveth the writers thereof to be purged from the promptings of evil passions and desires and to be attired with the raiment of justice and equity. They should enquire into situations as much as possible and ascertain the facts, then set them down in writing.

Concerning this Wronged One, most of the things reported in the newspapers are devoid of truth. Fair speech and truthfulness, by reason of their lofty rank and position, are regarded as a sun shining above the horizon of knowledge. The waves rising from this Ocean are apparent before the eyes of the peoples of the world and the effusions of the Pen of wisdom and utterance are manifest everywhere.

It is reported in the press that this Servant hath fled from the land of Ta (Tihran) and gone to Iraq. Gracious God! Not even for a single moment hath this Wronged One ever concealed Himself. Rather hath He at all times remained steadfast and conspicuous before the eyes of all men. Never have We retreated, nor shall We ever seek flight. In truth it is the foolish people who flee from Our presence. We left Our home country accompanied by two mounted escorts, representing the two honoured governments of Persia and Russia until We arrived in Iraq in the plenitude of glory and power. Praise be to God! The Cause whereof this Wronged One is the Bearer standeth as high as heaven and shineth resplendent as the sun. Concealment hath no access unto this station, nor is there any occasion for fear or silence.

The mysteries of Resurrection and the events of the Last Hour are openly manifest, but the people are sunk in heedlessness and have suffered themselves to be wrapt in veils. ʿAnd when the seas shall boil… And when the Scriptures shall be unrolled.’ By the righteousness of God! The Dawn hath truly brightened and the light hath shone forth and the night hath receded. Happy are they that comprehend. Happy are they that have attained thereunto.

Glorified be God! The Pen is perplexed what to write and the Tongue wondereth what to utter. Despite unprecedented hardships and after enduring years of imprisonment, captivity and woeful trials, We now perceive that veils thicker than the ones We have already torn asunder have intervened, obstructing the vision and causing the light of understanding to be obscured. Moreover We observe that the fresh calumnies which are now rife are far more malicious than those of former days.

O people of the Bayan! Fear ye the merciful Lord. Consider the people of former times. What were their deeds and what fruit did they gather? Every thing they uttered was but imposture and whatever they wrought hath proved worthless, except for those whom God hath graciously protected through His power.

I swear by the life of Him Who is the Desire of the world! Were a man to ponder in his heart he would, free of all attachment to the world, hasten unto the Most Great Light and would purge and purify himself from the dust of vain imaginings and the smoke of idle fancy. What could have prompted the people of the past to err and by whom were they misled? They still reject the truth and have turned towards their own selfish desires. This Wronged One calleth aloud for the sake of God. Whosoever wisheth, let him turn thereunto; whosoever wisheth, let him turn away. Verily God can well afford to dispense with all things, whether of the past or of the future.

O people of the Bayan! It is men like unto Hadi Dawlat-Abadi who, with turban and staff, have been the source of opposition and hindrance and have so grievously burdened the people with superstitions that even at the present time they still expect the appearance of a fictitious person from a fictitious place. Be ye warned, O men of understanding.

O Hadi! Give ear unto the Voice of this trustworthy Counsellor: direct thy steps from the left unto the right, that is turn away from idle fancy unto certitude. Lead not the people into error. The divine Luminary shineth, His Cause is manifest and His signs are all-embracing. Set thy face towards God, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting. Renounce thy leadership for the sake of God and leave the people unto themselves. Thou art ignorant of the essential truth, thou art not acquainted therewith.

O Hadi! Be thou of one face in the path of God. When in company with the infidels, thou art an infidel and with the pious, thou art pious. Reflect thou upon such souls as offered up their lives and their substance in that land, that haply thou mayest be admonished and roused from slumber. Consider: who is to be preferred, he who preserveth his body, his life and his possessions or the one who surrendereth his all in the path of God? Judge thou fairly and be not of the unjust. Take fast hold of justice and adhere unto equity that perchance thou mayest not, for selfish motives, use religion as a snare, nor disregard the truth for the sake of gold. Indeed thine iniquity and the iniquity of such people as thyself have waxed so grievous that the Pen of Glory was moved to make such observations. Fear thou God. He Who heralded this Revelation hath declared: ʿHe shall proclaim under all conditions: “Verily, verily, I am God, no God is there but Me, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting.”’

O people of the Bayan! Ye have been forbidden to contact the loved ones of God. Why hath this ban been imposed and for what purpose? Be ye fair, I adjure you by God, and be not of the heedless. Unto such as are endued with insight, and before the Most Great Beauty, the object of this ban is known and evident; it is so that no one may become aware of his (Hadi’s) secrets and deeds.

O Hadi! Thou hast not been in Our company, thou art therefore ignorant of the Cause. Act not according to thine idle imaginings. Aside from these things, scrutinize the Writings with thine own eyes and ponder upon that which hath come to pass. Have pity upon thyself and upon the servants of God and be not the cause of waywardness like unto the people aforetime. The path is unmistakable and the proof is evident. Change injustice into justice and inequity into equity. We cherish the hope that the breaths of divine inspiration may strengthen thee and that thine inner ear may be enabled to hear the blessed words: ʿSay, it is God, then leave them to entertain themselves with their cavillings.’ Thou has been there (Cyprus) and hast seen him (Mirza Yahya).

Now speak forth with fairness. Do not misrepresent the matter, neither to thyself nor to the people. Thou art both ignorant and uninformed. Give ear unto the Voice of this Wronged One and hasten towards the ocean of divine knowledge that perchance thou mayest be adorned with the ornament of comprehension and mayest renounce all else but God. Hearken unto the Voice of this benevolent Counsellor, calling aloud, unveiled and manifest, before the faces of kings and their subjects, and summon the people of the world, one and all, unto Him Who is the Lord of Eternity. This is the Word from Whose horizon the day-star of unfailing grace shineth resplendent.

O Hadi! This Wronged One, rid of all attachment to the world, hath striven with utmost endeavour to quench the fire of animosity and hatred which burneth fiercely in the hearts of the peoples of the earth. It behoveth every just and fair-minded person to render thanks unto God—exalted be His glory—and to arise to promote this pre-eminent Cause, that fire may turn into light, and hatred may give way to fellowship and love. I swear by the righteousness of God! This is the sole purpose of this Wronged One. Indeed in proclaiming this momentous Cause and in demonstrating its Truth We have endured manifold sufferings, hardships and tribulations. Thou thyself wouldst bear witness unto that which We have mentioned, couldst thou but speak with fairness. Verily God speaketh the truth and leadeth the Way. He is the Powerful, the Mighty, the Gracious.

May Our Glory rest upon the people of Baha whom neither the tyranny of the oppressor nor the ascendancy of the aggressor have been able to withhold from God, the Lord of the worlds.

BH03478: In My Name, through which the ocean of utterance…

In My Name, through which the ocean of utterance surgeth and the fragrance of the All-Merciful is wafted!

Praise be unto the King of earth and heaven Who hath adorned the world of existence with the Most Exalted Word, and raised aloft the banner of “He doeth what He willeth.” Neither the might of princes nor the oppression and ignorance of divines could prevent Him from mentioning the Most Sublime Horizon. Exalted is His dominion, His proof, His testimony and His sovereignty! This is the Day wherein the Divine Lote-Tree hath spoken before all mankind, yet the people remain behind a thick veil. Say: By God! The Day hath come, yet the people are in manifest error. They have taken their vain imaginings and cast aside their Lord—they are truly among the heedless. The call hath been raised from the horizon of Akka, yet most of the people remain in evident remoteness.

O thou who art mentioned before the Wronged One! By God’s life, ears and eyes were created to witness and hearken unto that which in these days hath appeared and been raised from the Most Exalted Horizon, yet they find themselves prevented. Their deeds have hindered them and their imaginings have veiled them, and they comprehend not. Previously in one of the Tablets this most exalted Word flowed from the Pen of the Wronged One:

“O Son of My Name! Were the entire spiritual realm to be transformed into the power of hearing, one could say it would be worthy to hearken unto this Call that hath been raised from the Most Exalted Horizon. Otherwise these ears that are defiled with false tales were not and are not worthy to hear.”

Ask ye of God that He may enable all to attain unto that for which they were created. The Call hath been raised in such wise that none hath room for denial. From the beginning of days until now, We have summoned mankind, without veil or concealment, unto that which will draw them nigh, make them aware, exalt them and honor them. The oppression of the world did not become a veil, nor did its harm become an obstacle. When the light of the Cause shed its radiance upon the horizons of the world, certain souls emerged from behind the veil with swords of hatred, intending to strike at the Sun of Truth. Thus did their souls beguile them. By My life! They comprehend not.

For twelve hundred years the people of old clung to names and worshipped the idols of their desires. On the Day of Reckoning there appeared from them that which caused the Most Exalted Pen to weep and the Tablet to lament. From the beginning of Islam until this day, not one of the divines who considered themselves the guides of the people and guardians of God’s Law was aware of the nature of His Revelation. Now it is incumbent upon that honored one and the sanctified, assured souls to protect the helpless servants, lest they again become afflicted with the vain imaginings of old. This Wronged One hath borne all tribulations for the purification of hearts and sanctification of souls, that perchance they may attain their purpose and not remain deprived of the fruits of the Blessed Tree which hath been raised before the faces of all in the world.

Today the rustling of the Divine Lote-Tree is raised and the flowing of the celestial Kawthar is heard, yet most of the servants remain heedless and veiled. Throughout nights and days they built cities with hands of fancy and conjecture, spoke of certain souls, and all people waited for these mentioned matters to appear, considering their success and prosperity to lie in the manifestation of imaginary forms. The people were thus occupied with these inventions, and when the dawn of Revelation broke and the lights of the Sun of Truth shone forth from the horizon of God’s Will, all turned away save a few of the companions of the revered Shaykh, upon him be the Glory of God, the Most Glorious.

Would that they had been content with that! But finally the divines of various lands, together with their followers, gave voice to cursing and execration, and moreover issued a decree for the shedding of His most pure blood. The purpose of these utterances is that you should arise, for the sake of God, to do that which will preserve the servants from the suspicions of the prevaricators and calumniators. Now again a group is occupied with forming a party like the party of before. We beseech God to preserve His servants from their suspicions and imaginings and draw them nigh unto Him. Verily He is powerful over all things.

Today the Mother Book is manifest and speaking, having counseled the world, both past and future, with utmost clarity, and uttereth these manifest and decisive verses: “O Concourse of Divines! Set down your pens, for lo, the Most Glorious Pen hath moved in the Most Exalted Horizon. Cast aside what ye have composed with the hands of fancy and vain imagination. By God, the Truth! The gate of knowledge hath been opened by the key of certitude, and this is verily a Book sent down by the All-Merciful as a grace from Him—and He is the All-Bountiful, the All-Generous.” And likewise concerning the kings, this most exalted Word and greatest Verse was revealed: “O Concourse of Kings! The King hath come and sovereignty belongeth unto God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting.” And with these decisive verses did We summon all. He is the One Who speaketh in the Kingdom of Utterance.

The Light of Lights hath shone forth from the horizon of the heaven of mysteries upon the Most Hidden Secret and the Secret veiled by Secret, which appeared in the form of the upright Alif in the preamble of the Most Great Book after the letters Ba and Ha, witnessed in truth. By it the spheres of inner meaning and utterance have revolved, and the All-Merciful hath been established upon the throne of proof, revealing that which had been justly concealed from sight. Blessed are they who have soared on the wings of certitude in this atmosphere, from whose rushing winds can be heard:

“He Who was promised hath come with a sovereignty that was inscribed by the Pen of the All-Bountiful in the Mother Book in truth!”

O peoples of the earth! Cast aside your books and pens, for the Mother Book hath appeared at the final goal before the faces of the parties, and the Pen speaketh with wisdom and utterance, moving in remembrance of those for whom was revealed in the Qayyumu’l-Asma that which drew unto itself the heart of him who was mentioned in truth before the Face in the Most Hidden Secret.

Thus have We brought forth from the treasuries of Our Most Exalted Pen the pearls of remembrance and praise upon the waves of My knowledge, which hath been witnessed before all eyes without any veil. Behold, O people of Baha, His greatest signs, then aid Him with the hosts of justice and equity, and be not of those who have been justly deprived of the ocean of grace.

Thus hath the Most Exalted Pen rent asunder the veils of the peoples of creation and caused them to hear that which draweth them nigh unto a station that transcendeth understanding. Glorified be He Who hath sent down the verses and revealed the clear proofs and made known to His servants His Most Great Announcement, whereby the hearts of the nations were stirred, save those rescued by the hand of power with a sovereignty that encompassed all worlds.

Say: O people of mystical knowledge! By God, the heaven of idle fancies hath been cleft asunder and the All-Merciful hath come with a Cause before which neither the hosts of earth nor of heaven can stand. To this beareth witness the Mother Book, before which have bowed the necks of those who have quaffed the choice wine of revelation from a cup that was witnessed upon the throne of light before the Manifestation.

O thou who soarest in My atmosphere, gazeth upon My countenance, and standeth in service to My Cause! Hear My call time and again. Verily thy Lord hath been with thee and hath mentioned thee in such wise as shall endure throughout the dominion of earth and heaven. To this doth the Tongue of Grandeur bear witness. Verily, He is wise over all things.

God testifieth that there is none other God but Him, and He Who hath come with the truth is the Ocean of knowledge unto all who are in creation, and the Most Great Book among the nations, and the Salsabil of praise unto the people of creation, and the choice wine of utterance for all religions. Blessed is he who hath cast aside idle fancies, turned with the power of certitude, and believed in God, the Lord of all parties.

Say: O peoples of the earth! The Divine Lote-Tree calleth out in truth: Fear God and be not of the heedless. Beware lest that which the people possess prevent you. Cast it behind you, turning unto God, the One, the All-Informed. He hath come with verses that none deny save those who have turned away from the truth on a day wherein every learned one and every well-informed mystic hath advanced toward Him. By God’s life! That which ye possess shall profit you not. To this doth God’s Most Exalted Pen bear witness from its lofty station.

Hearken, O peoples of the earth, unto that which hath been raised from the direction of the Prison, then behold what hath shone forth and appeared from this luminous horizon. The breeze of grace hath wafted, and the Temple of Justice proclaimeth before the faces of all who are in the heavens and earth: Have mercy upon yourselves and follow not every obstinate oppressor. Say: Look with the eye of justice upon the Divine Lote-Tree and its fruits, upon the Tablets and their verses, upon the Books and their mysteries, upon the sea and its waves, upon the light and its effulgence, and be not of the heedless.

O thou who art mentioned before the Wronged One! After Our departure from the Land of Ta, We exhorted the people of God by day and by night to observe what is good and shun what is evil, until swords were converted into ploughshares. Now nigh upon forty years have elapsed during which hostilities and conflict have ceased, to such degree that in certain cities, when they were slain they slew not in return. Prior to these forty years, as thou knowest and hast heard, battles took place every year wherein multitudes of souls were slain. All things bear witness that this Wronged One hath acted in a manner which hath conduced to the welfare and protection of the peoples of the earth. Yet neither the nation nor the government hath become aware or taken notice thereof.

Some time ago a grievous event occurred in ʿIshqabad when one of the loved ones of God was martyred in such wise that the effects of his martyrdom influenced foreign powers. None among this party rose up in retaliation or sought to exact vengeance. Rather, they interceded for the murderer. Nevertheless, it is observed that the malice of the opposers hath waxed greater than before. Glory be to God! Justice hath become like the phoenix, non-existent, and the sun of equity hath remained hidden beneath the clouds of tyranny. We beseech God, blessed and exalted be He, to assist His servants to return unto Him and to repent before the gate of His bounty. Verily, He is powerful over all things.

The glory shining forth from the horizon of the heaven of My mercy be upon you and upon those with you, and upon everyone who is steadfast and firm, and upon everyone who is established and faithful.

BH01672: O Muhammad-Quli, upon thee be My glory! I bear…

He is God, exalted be His station of utterance in the world.

O Muhammad-Quli, upon thee be My glory! I bear witness that they who have turned to My horizon, attained My presence and drunk the choice wine of revelation from the hand of My bounty—they have achieved that which was the hope of those who are nigh and the sincere ones from time immemorial. The Word of thy Lord cannot be compared with the books of the people, with what they possess, or with what lay hidden in the treasuries of kings and sovereigns. Thus hath the Supreme Pen raised its shrill voice and mentioned thee on this blessed, mighty and wondrous Day.

His honor ʿAli-Qabli-Akbar, upon him be My glory and loving-kindness, who was present before the gate of My grandeur and before My throne, sent thy letter to the Wronged One. We have answered thee with this evident remembrance, whereby the very rocks have taken flight, let alone the spirits. Verily thy Lord is the Almighty, the Powerful. Blessed is he who hath soared in this atmosphere and heard the rustling of the winds of My loving-kindness and the sound of the wings of the birds of My grace and mercy. He is among the sincere ones in the Book of God, the Lord of the worlds.

O Na’im! We have heard thy mention and mentioned thee, and seen thy name. We have revealed for thee that which, were it to be cast upon the mountains, thou wouldst see them speaking in remembrance of God, thy Lord, the Lord of the mighty throne. We have sent down for thee from the heaven of grace that which shall endure as long as the kingdom of God, the Mighty, the Wondrous, shall endure. That which hath befallen you in the path of God hath caused the Pen to lament, and the wrongdoers shall soon see the recompense of their deeds. By the life of God! There hath been ordained for them such chastisement as no tongue can describe. Thy Lord doth testify, and He is the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

Grieve not over anything. The days shall pass away, and sovereignty shall remain with God and His loved ones who have borne hardships in His love and good-pleasure, whom neither the might of the oppressors nor the clamor of the aggressors hath deterred from drawing nigh unto His holy and luminous horizon. O Na’im! God hath favored thee on this Day whereon the Wronged One hath desired to turn in another direction by His command, and He is the Ordainer, the Ancient of Days. They who have held fast to My strong cord, turned to the lights of My countenance and entered beneath the shadow of My loving-kindness see themselves detached from all save God and from the names which the deniers have adopted for themselves as lords beside God. Thus hath the Pen spoken while the people were in evident doubt.

Say: O company of deniers! Die in your wrath. Neither your remembrances, nor your children, nor your deeds, nor your words, nor your orientation shall profit you except through holding fast to this Cord, by whose movement all created things were moved. The very atoms bear witness to this, if ye be of them that deny. Say: O scheming one! Steal not My verses nor alter them. Be fair concerning that which hath been sent down in truth from God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. Thy calumnies shall not profit thee, nor thy embellishments, nor shall the Baqir or any other benefit thee, nor shall it avail thee to hold fast to all things. Thy Lord speaketh the truth, and He is the Truth, the Knower of the unseen.

Thou hast not seen thy brother nor associated with him. The world and its adornments have deceived thee as they deceived people before thee. Fear God, then return unto Him. He is verily the All-Bountiful, the Almighty, the Glorious, the Loving. We summoned thee unto God, but thou didst turn away after having accepted. Repent unto God Who created thee and fashioned thee, and be not of those women who witnessed, then denied and broke God’s covenant, the Lord of what was and what shall be. How many a maidservant hath heard, accepted and drunk the choice wine of revelation from the hand of the bounty of her Lord, the Lord of the earthly realm and the Kingdom! Thus hath the tongue of grandeur spoken as a grace from Him. He is verily the Mighty, the Kind, the Forgiving.

O Muhammad-Quli! We have desired to mention thee once again at the end of the Tablet, and We say: The Glory from Us be upon thee and upon those with thee, and upon every servant who hath turned and every maidservant who hath turned and achieved this Cause whereby the idolaters have lamented and the Evil One hath cried out.

BH02357: O thou who drinkest the choice wine of My…

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

O thou who drinkest the choice wine of My utterance and soarest in the atmosphere of My love! Hear My testimony that there is none other God but Him, the Single, the One, the Powerful, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. Thou hast made mention of the friends and desired for each that which abideth and endureth in the Book of God. These souls have been and are remembered, and for each hath been ordained that which the minds and souls of the peoples of the world are powerless to comprehend and reckon. At some time, act on behalf of His Holiness ʿAyn [the Bab], upon him be My glory and loving-kindness, and perform that which hath been the hope of the Messengers.

The people of Baha, that is, those souls who have arisen to assist and are engaged in service, have each been blessed with the traces of the Most Exalted Pen. We beseech God to aid all to do that which He loveth and is pleased with. Convey on behalf of this Wronged One greetings to each one and gladden them with the bounties of God, exalted be His glory.

The ocean of divine verses surgeth, and the lights of the Day-Star of grace shine forth and are manifest from the horizon of His will. Soon shall be made known the stations of those who have turned to the Most Exalted Horizon and have acknowledged that which the Tongue of Grandeur hath spoken from His Most Glorious Station. At all times verses descend like rain from the heaven of the favor of the Lord of the Worlds—nay, even more abundantly—yet the people remain in evident doubt and mighty suspicion.

His honor Nabil, son of Nabil, hath from the first days until now been blessed with favor and engaged in service. However, in the great city there befell him that which caused grief to those near unto God. With the permission of this Wronged One he arrived in that land and attained unto His good-pleasure. We beseech God, exalted be His glory, to transform his sorrows into supreme joy, and We ask Him, exalted be He, to draw him nigh and ordain for him to attain the presence of the Wronged One. Verily He is the Almighty, the Powerful.

O Nabil! His honor ʿAli-Akbar, upon him be My glory and loving-kindness, hath repeatedly made mention of thee. He kept faith with the Covenant and made mention of the loved ones of the All-Merciful in a missive which he sent to the Wronged One. We have answered him at this time with this Perspicuous Tablet.

We beseech God to ever aid His loved ones to that which will lead to the reformation of the world and the tranquility of the nations. By My life! There shall appear from them that which God, the Lord of the Mighty Throne, hath willed. Whatsoever hath been revealed in the Book of God for each of the loved ones shall assuredly come to pass. Neither might nor wealth, neither glory nor loftiness, neither hosts nor ranks, neither guns nor rifles, neither tyranny nor oppression shall prevent it. Verily He is the Almighty, the Powerful, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Informed.

BH02759: The hosts of God shall be triumphant. These hosts…

In the Name of Him Who speaketh in the Kingdom of Utterance

The hosts of God shall be triumphant. These hosts, in the first station and primary rank, have been and shall ever be the verses of God. He is the triumphant, He is the All-Compelling, He is the All-Encompassing. His revelation is manifest and evident in the horizons and in the souls, yet in every station it appeareth according to measure and degree. None save those possessed of penetrating vision, pure souls and illumined hearts can truly comprehend it as befitteth its station.

And in one station the hosts of Truth are the Hands of His Cause, that is, those souls who arise for the sake of God to educate the peoples and reform the world, who make the inhabitants of earth aware through wisdom and utterance and guide them to the supreme horizon.

And in one station, goodly deeds and praiseworthy conduct have been and shall ever be the hosts of God. Thus in this most great Revelation We have commanded all to triumph through the fear of God and to adorn the world with the ornament of security and tranquility.

The outward hosts and armies belong unto the kings—they are the manifestations of divine power. If they enter beneath the shade of the pavilions of grandeur they are ascribed unto the Truth; otherwise the command is His—He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He pleaseth.

In this Revelation the host that hath arisen to serve is the Pen of the Ancient King. Through it the standard of triumph hath been raised and the banner of victory hath been unfurled. It moveth by night and by day with a motion that hath stirred all created things. It is the horseman that raceth in the arena of wisdom and utterance. Its power is not weakened by the might of the world, and its purpose is not hindered by the desires of the nations. It is the prevailing one, it is the triumphant one. Glory be unto God! In the divine days the vanquished is beheld as the victor. Blessed are they that ponder, blessed are they that perceive, and blessed are they that attain.

And He hath hosts and armies that none knoweth save His own Self. These hosts are not seen with outward eyes. His is the command in all circumstances, and His is the decree in the beginning and in the end.

O thou who gazest! He Who is mentioned and Who converseth from the Sinai of Utterance speaketh these exalted words, that they may draw thee to the horizon of detachment and bring thee near unto the Truth, the Knower of the unseen. We beseech Him, exalted be He, to strengthen thee with such steadfastness as shall tranquilize hearts and souls. The glory from Us be upon thee and upon those who have quaffed of My sealed wine.

BH03291: O handmaiden of God! The fragrances of divine revelation…

In the name of the Desired of the world!

O handmaiden of God! The fragrances of divine revelation have perfumed the realms of earth and heaven, and the effulgences of the Light of Manifestation have illumined the world. The accepted handmaiden hath been honored with the blessed word “O My handmaiden,” and the accepted servant glorified with “O My servant.” Today the gate of the most exalted Paradise hath been opened in the name of the Lord of Names, and hidden mysteries have become manifest and evident without any veil or concealment. Blessed is the eye that hath beheld the lights of the supreme horizon, and blessed is the ear that hath been honored to hear the call of the Desired One of the world and the Ancient King. Today the waves of the ocean of divine bounty are visible before all faces at their highest surge. Blessed art thou, O My handmaiden, for thine ear hath hearkened to My call and thine eye hath witnessed My signs. Give glad tidings to the youth and say: The true rose garden hath appeared and the spiritual nightingales are warbling upon its branches and twigs. Strive that ye may not be deprived of the outpourings of the All-Bountiful Lord in this spiritual morn and luminous atmosphere.

The Sun of generosity hath dawned from the horizon of the world, and through but one of its rays the world of existence came into being. O people of God! The Hidden Countenance hath unveiled Itself and the Treasured Secret become manifest and evident. With complete detachment, take and drink the sealed wine in the name of the Self-Subsisting. Mention each of their children on behalf of the Wronged One and convey greetings. We beseech God to aid them to be steadfast and to render victory. Today victory is through remembrance and utterance, not through sword and spear. Weapons have been transformed into means of peace, discord into concord, and war into peace. The Command is in God’s hands, the Possessor of the seen and unseen. He is the Powerful One Whom the power of the world hath not hindered and the might of nations hath not prevented from His purpose. O handmaiden of God! We have mentioned and continue to mention all the friends, and We counsel them to that which leadeth to elevation and advancement. Verily thy Lord doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He pleaseth. He is the Powerful, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy.

BH03260: A Book hath been sent down in truth…

He is the All-Witnessing, the All-Informed.

A Book hath been sent down in truth from God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. In this very hour it walketh forth and proclaimeth:

“The gate of heaven hath been opened, and the Lord of Names hath come with manifest sovereignty. Through Him the Names have shone forth and the mysteries been unveiled, while most of the people remain in heedlessness. Through Him the ocean of the Bayan hath surged within the realm of being, and the sweet savours of God, the Mighty, the All-Beautiful, have been stirred.”

Blessed is he who hath found and drawn nigh, who hath hearkened and responded. And woe betide those who have turned away, who have cast the Book of God behind their backs, following the ways of the ignorant.

Verily, the Wronged One, from the quarter of His prison, maketh mention of thee with that which shall draw thee unto God, the One, the All-Informed.

Say: O concourse of earth! The call of the Lord of Names hath been raised from the quarter of ʿAkka. Turn ye unto it, then hearken, and be not of the lost. The gate of bounty hath been flung open, and the Day-spring of justice hath come with a Word at whose utterance all who are in the heavens and on the earth fell thunderstruck, save such as God, the All-Powerful, the Almighty, hath willed.

Say: Cast away what ye possess, and lay hold on that which ye have been vouchsafed. This is that whereunto ye were commanded aforetime and in this perspicuous Tablet.

And when thou hast quaffed the wine of Revelation from the cup of My bounty, and heard My sweetest call from the quarter of My prison, then say:

O my God, my God! Thou beholdest how the very core of my being is melted in the fire of separation from Thee. Where is the Kawthar of Thy reunion, O Desire of them that truly know? The fire of remoteness hath consumed me—where is the light of Thy nearness, O Beloved of the near ones?

The very limbs and pillars do tremble—where are the tokens of Thy loving care, O God of all who are in the heavens and on the earth? I beseech Thee, by the Lamp of Thy Cause, by the pavilion of Thy glory, and by Thy Name through which Thou hast planted the standards of Thy guidance throughout Thy lands, that Thou mayest make me aided in the service of Thy Cause and in the service of the sincere among Thy servants. Then ordain for me that which shall draw me nigh unto Thee in all conditions. Verily, Thou art the All-Sufficing, the Most Exalted. There is no God but Thee, the Mighty, the All-Praised.

O my Lord! Disappoint not him who hath turned unto Thee, neither withhold from him who hath set his face toward Thy nearness and Thy presence. Thou art He of Whom all created things have borne witness, through Thy power and Thy might, and all contingent beings, through Thy greatness and Thy sovereignty. There is no God but Thee, the One, the Single, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

BH03384: This is a Book sent down in truth…

He is established upon the Throne of Utterance.

This is a Book sent down in truth from God, the Lord of the worlds, and it summons all people to a station wherein all things proclaim: “The Kingdom belongeth unto God, the Almighty, the All-Praised!” Blessed is he who is endowed with vision whom the veils of men have not hindered, and blessed is he who is endowed with hearing whom the clamor of the heedless has not shut out. Blessed is the servant who has broken the chains of idle fancies through the Name of the Lord of Days and hastened with his heart to this luminous horizon.

We have beheld thy turning unto the lights of the Countenance and have revealed for thee that whereby the eyes of those who have drawn nigh are solaced—they who have borne in the path of God that which none among His servants hath borne. To this doth testify He with Whom is a mighty Book.

When thou dost inhale the sweet-scented breezes of the All-Merciful’s utterance, arise, detached from all else but God, turning unto the Station and say:

“My God, my God! I beseech Thee by the lights of Thy Countenance, and the pearls of the ocean of Thy knowledge, and the mysteries of Thy Book, to aid me in all conditions to serve Thee and to serve Thy loved ones. O my Lord! Thou seest me agitated in Thy days and attracted by Thy verses. By Thy glory, O my God! My heart findeth no rest save in attaining Thy presence, and my soul no repose save in hearkening to Thy call. Alas, alas, should Thy decree prevent me from attaining the court of Thy glory! I beseech Thee, O Lord of the worlds and Goal of the nations, to forgive my grievous sins and mighty transgressions. Then ordain for me what Thou hast ordained for Thy loved ones who have offered up their spirits and all they possessed in Thy path. Verily Thou art the Almighty, the Peerless, the One, the All-Forgiving, the All-Bountiful. There is none other God but Thee, the Almighty, the All-Glorious.

“O God! My God and the God of all beings, my Goal and the Goal of all created things! Send Thy blessings, O my God, upon those whom neither the might of the oppressors hath deterred from drawing nigh unto Thee, nor the hosts of the aggressors from turning to the light of Thy Countenance. They have arisen to promote Thy Cause and have spoken forth Thy Name before the faces of Thine enemies, despite those who denied Thy proof and Thy signs, and who committed that which caused the dwellers of Thy Kingdom and Thy Realm to lament. There is none other God but Thee, the One, the Peerless, the Almighty, the All-Powerful.”

BH03528: He it is that moveth through His most exalted…

He it is that moveth through His most exalted Pen

The Supreme Pen declares: In the moment of utterance We are silent, and in the moment of silence We speak. How strange is the world that has appeared, while the servants remain heedless of it! All things give glad tidings and proclaim that which causes bodies to soar, let alone spirits. O thou who gazest upon the Countenance! The Sun of Truth has risen, the ocean of utterance is surging, and He Who conversed on Sinai is seated upon the throne of Revelation. At one time He turns to the right and says:

“O people of Baha! This day is your day, which has come for your joy, your gladness and your delight. By God the Truth! That which was recorded in the Books of God and stored up in His knowledge has been manifested. Arise to help your Lord through wisdom and utterance.”

And at another time He turns to the left and says:

“O company of the heedless! Be fair in this manifest Cause. Beware lest the books of the world hold you back from the remembrance of the Lord of Eternity. He has come with clear proof and evidence, by which the hearts of those near unto God and the sincere ones have been attracted. Say: O people! The signs of God have come to you and the fragrance of utterance has been wafted throughout all contingent being.

“Cast aside that which keeps you from drawing nigh unto God, your Purpose, and take hold of that which you have been commanded in His Books, His Scriptures and His Tablets. He will assist you with the truth and ordain for you that which will bring joy to your eyes, expand your breasts and gladden your hearts. He is, verily, the Most Merciful of the merciful. Give thanks to thy Lord, for He has remembered thee when He was wronged at the hands of the oppressors, that thou mayest arise to serve His Cause and be among the triumphant. The glory from Us be upon thee and upon those who have held fast to the cord of God, the Lord of all worlds, and whom the tyranny of the Pharaohs did not prevent—they turned to Him and said: ʿPraise be unto Thee, O Thou in Whose grasp is the dominion of all who are in the heavens and on earth.”’

BH04170: O servants! Know ye the worth of the days…

In the Name of the Peerless Lord

O servants! Know ye the worth of the days of the Lord of Names and arise to make good what hath escaped you. The sea this day speaketh forth “The Truth hath come” and the Bayan uttereth “The All-Merciful hath appeared.” Let not your eyes be prevented from beholding, nor your ears be deprived of hearing. The hand of power taketh and bestoweth. None questioneth His doings, and He is the All-Powerful, the Unconstrained. Night and day the rain of mercy descendeth from the heaven of bounty, and the pearls of wisdom and utterance appear from the treasury of the Most Exalted Pen. Blessed is he whom the ornaments of the world have not prevented, nor kept back from turning toward the Most Glorious Horizon.

Say: O ye that turn aside from the Bayan, ye have committed that which no faction among the factions hath committed. Hearken unto the call of the Wronged One and with attentive ears and penetrating eyes observe and ponder upon that which hath appeared, that perchance the river of words may not deprive you from the ocean of verses. The Truth is manifest, His call is raised. Blessed is he who hath turned with justice and fairness to the evidences. He is of the people of the Crimson Ark, whose name hath been mentioned in the Book of God, the Lord of all beings and the Lord of the hereafter and the former times. Praise be to the Ancient Beauty and the Desired One of the nations, Who hath mentioned thee in the Most Great Prison and guided thee to the supreme horizon. Verily, He is the Almighty, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. We are God’s and unto Him do we return.

BH04597: O peoples of the earth! Hearken unto…

He is the Manifest, the Speaking One, the All-Knowing

O peoples of the earth! Hearken unto that which the Tongue of Grandeur doth speak from the most exalted station. Verily, He remembereth you through His grace, and remindeth them of His signs, and guideth them to the straight path. Fear God, O people, then look with the eye of fairness upon that which hath appeared before your faces, and follow not every heedless doubter. Behold, the Sun hath dawned from the horizon of the heaven of manifestation. Hearken, for He speaketh and saith: There is none other God but Him, the Single, the One, the Mighty, the Bestower. Do ye worship vain imaginings after ye behold the dawning-manifestations of the Daystar of certitude from the most exalted station? Say: Cast aside your doubts. By God! The Self-Subsisting hath come with a sovereignty before which all the hosts of the world cannot stand. Fear God, O ye who are endued with insight.

When thou hast attained unto the pearls of My utterance, say: My God, my God! Praise be unto Thee for having enabled me to attain unto the revelations of Thy Most Exalted Pen while I was in the hands of the enemies, and for having sent down unto me that which every letter of the letters of its words beareth witness to Thy grace and Thy loving-kindness and Thy mercy which have preceded Thy servants. O my Lord! I beseech Thee by the kingdom of Thy beauty and the dominion of Thy glory, and by Thy power before the manifestation of which the people of Thy realm and Thy dominion have bowed down, to ordain for me that which shall make me steadfast in Thy Cause, firm in Thy love, standing in Thy service, and acting according to that which Thou hast commanded me in Thy Book. Verily, Thou art the Powerful One Whom the affairs of Thy creation cannot frustrate, nor can the opposition of Thy servants. Thou art He Whose mercy hath preceded all and Whose sovereignty hath encompassed all. There is none other God but Thee, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

BH04467: God testifieth that there is none other God besides…

He is the All-Seeing, the All-Informed

God testifieth that there is none other God besides Him, and that He Who hath come with the truth needeth not the mention of anyone, nor the testimony of any soul. He was ever self-sufficient in His own wealth and sovereign in His authority, manifest through His signs and speaking in His Kingdom. The knowledge of all created things and the understanding of all contingent beings have failed to encompass His Revelation. God hath made My manifestation and appearance and My establishment upon the throne of grandeur and power, and the seat of loftiness and will, sanctified above minds and comprehension. I have ever been all-encompassing, and all else encompassed. To this testifieth whosoever hath soared in the atmosphere of My knowledge and drunk the choice wine of My love from the chalice of My bounty. Such a one is indeed of the people of this exalted and glorious station.

We bear witness that thou didst attain in the earliest days to the recognition of God, the Lord of all worlds, and hast turned unto Him before and again in these days wherein the Sadratu’l-Muntaha calleth out:

“The Kingdom belongeth unto God, the Lord of the Day of Judgment.”

Blessed art thou for having taken hold of My Book and soared in the atmosphere of My love and drunk the choice wine of My favor and attained unto My presence. All this is from God’s grace upon thee. He is verily the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous. Arise to serve Me, then cause the servants to enter beneath the tabernacles of My grandeur. We beseech God to aid thee and strengthen thee and assist thee with the hosts of wisdom and utterance. He is verily the Almighty, the Glorious, the All-Bounteous. The glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of the Mother Book be upon thee and upon those who have heard what thy tongue hath spoken concerning the Cause of God, the Lord of the beginning and the end.

BH05635: I testify, O my God and the God…

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

I testify, O my God and the God of all things, my Creator and the Creator of the heavens, my Fashioner and the Fashioner of the Kingdom of Names, that Thou hast not manifested the servants except for the recognition of the Dawning-Place of Thy Revelation, the Dayspring of Thy verses, the Source of Thy Command, the Manifestation of Thy Self, and the Fountainhead of Thy knowledge and Thy laws. I beseech Thee, O Lord of the worlds and Master of nations, by the Most Great Name, and by Thy pervading Will and Thy all-encompassing Purpose, to make me turn toward Thee and withdraw from all else but Thee, and to stand firm in Thy Cause in such wise that neither the doubts of the dubious nor the signs of the wayward may hold me back.

O my Lord! I testify to Thy oneness and Thy singleness, and to Thy might and Thy power and Thy grandeur and Thy sovereignty. O my Lord! Withhold me not from beholding the signs of Thy power in the kingdom of creation, nor from hearkening to the shrill voice of Thy Most Exalted Pen. I beseech Thee, O Thou Who art the Goal of them that have recognized Thee and the Object of worship of all who are in the heavens and on earth, by Thy Prophets and Thy Chosen Ones who hastened to the field of martyrdom in their longing for Thy Beauty, to ordain for me the good of this world and of the world to come. Verily Thou art the Lord of all beings and the Lord of the Throne on high and of the dust beneath. There is none other God but Thee, the All-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.

BH05675: We have heard thy call and have answered thee…

He is the Dawning One from the horizon of the Kingdom of Utterance!

We have heard thy call and have answered thee with verses by which the hearts of the Concourse on High and the dwellers of the Most Exalted Paradise have been attracted. Give thanks unto thy Lord for this most great favor and say: Praise be unto Thee, O Lord of the worlds, for having rent asunder the veils and manifested that which had been concealed from time immemorial. Thou art He Who hath revealed His Cause, fulfilled His Promise, and spoken before all faces that which had been hidden in Thy knowledge and treasured within the repositories of Thine infallibility.

O my Lord! Thou beholdest me detached from all save Thee and clinging to the cord of Thy grace. I beseech Thee by Thy Most Beautiful Names and Thy Most Exalted Attributes, and by Thy Cause through which Thou hast subdued the world and guided the nations, to make me voice Thy praise amongst Thy servants. O my Lord! The thirst of separation hath seized me—where is the Kawthar of Thy reunion, O Thou Who art the Goal of the mystics? And the fire of remoteness hath consumed me—where is the light of Thy Cause, O Thou Who art the Object of desire of all in the heavens and earth? Alas! Alas! My heart hath melted in my remoteness from the court of Thy nearness, and Thy separation hath destroyed me, O Thou in Whose grasp lieth the reins of all them that dwell on earth. I beseech Thee by the lights of Thy countenance and the dawning-places of Thy revelation to make me among those who have aided Thy Cause through wisdom and utterance. Verily Thou art the Mighty, the Glorious, the All-Bountiful.

BH05784: In My Name, the Manifest above all creation

In My Name, the Manifest above all creation

God beareth witness that there is none other God but Him, and He Who hath come with the truth is verily the Preserved Tablet and the Hidden Book. Through Him the Most Exalted Pen was breathed upon, and all who dwell in the kingdom of names fell unconscious. Through Him was set up the Path and established the Balance, and all things in the dominion of earth and heaven proclaimed: The Kingdom and the Realm, then the Greatness and the Might belong unto God, the One, the All-Powerful, the Mighty, the Bestower. When thou hast attained unto the proof of the All-Merciful and hearkened unto the call of the Wronged One at the midmost heart of creation, say:

My God, my God! Praise be unto Thee for having given me to drink from the cup of Thy knowledge and caused me to hear the shrill voice of Thy Pen and made me to turn toward the Dayspring of Thy verses when most of Thy creation turned away from Thee. I beseech Thee, O Light of the world and Illuminer of the nations, by Thy Most Great Name through which earthquakes seized the idols of idle fancies and vain imaginings and the hearts of them who denied the proof and evidence were made to tremble, to ordain that I may in all conditions be moved by Thy will and drawn by Thy verses. Thou art He from Whose knowledge nothing escapeth. Thou hearest and seest; verily Thou art the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing. Ordain for me, O my God, that which will protect me from the evil of Thine enemies and exalt me amidst Thy creation. Verily Thou art the Almighty, the Powerful. There is no God but Thee, the Mighty, the All-Praised.

BH06719: A Book sent down by the Lord of all…

He is the All-Seeing, the All-Informed.

A Book sent down by the Lord of all men to him who hath believed in God, the Mighty, the All-Bountiful. Verily it guideth the servants unto the Most Great Path and draweth them nigh unto the horizon of the Manifestation. This is the station which God hath made among the most exalted of stations. We have revealed the Cause and sent down from the heaven of utterance that which hath attracted the hearts of the righteous. Through My Name the fragrance of the Desired One hath been wafted, and at My Call all religions have swooned away, save such as God, the Cleaver of the daybreak, hath willed.

O peoples of the earth! Fear ye the All-Merciful, and follow not them who have denied the favor of God after its descent. Thus hath the Tongue of Grandeur spoken, as bidden by Him, and He is the Mighty, the All-Knowing.

We have heard thy mention and have mentioned thee, and have seen thy turning to Us and have turned toward thee from the precincts of the Prison, as bidden by God, the Lord of lords. Thus have the traces of My Most Exalted Pen been spread abroad on this Day which God hath made the Lord of all days.

The Glory be upon thee from Us and upon them who have quaffed the wine of revelation from the hands of the bounty of their Lord, the Mighty, the Most Bountiful.

BH07363: O Badi’! Repeatedly have thy calls been heard…

He is the Compassionate, the All-Bountiful!

O Badi’! Repeatedly have thy calls been heard by Us. There is no call but He heareth it, and no deed but He seeth it. Verily, He is with those who love Him and make mention of Him. Some receive answers that are outwardly revealed and sent, while the answers to others are recorded in God’s Book and inscribed by the Pen of His bounty. In all cases, He is the Hearer, He is the Answerer.

O Badi’! Praise the Object of the world’s adoration, Who hath enabled thee to attain unto that which is, in God’s estimation, greater than all else—namely this Divine Tablet which hath at this moment been inscribed in thy name and sent unto thee.

Say: Praise be unto Thee, O Lord of all mankind, for having remembered me through Thy Most Exalted Pen! I beseech Thee, by the ocean of Thy bounty and the sun of Thy generosity, to assist me to remain steadfast in Thy love and Thy Cause, and to ordain for me in all circumstances that which will draw me nearer unto Thee. Verily, Thou art the Self-Sufficient, the Most Exalted.

BH06994: O My handmaiden and child of My handmaiden! Hear…

He is the One manifest before all.

O My handmaiden and child of My handmaiden! Hear My call and hold fast to that which is the cause of the exaltation of thy station with God. Today a good deed is like the sun among all past deeds and cannot be equaled by even a single “yea” from those people who denied God’s proof and His evidence and His greatness and His sovereignty.

O My handmaiden! Praise the Goal of all the worlds, Who confirmed thee and mentioned thee on this Night of the Festival of Sacrifice in the most exalted height. If thou wouldst hearken to a single word with the ear of the spirit, thou wouldst freely sacrifice thy life in His path.

We beseech God to sanctify thee and the handmaidens of that land from whatsoever is unworthy of His days, and to grant that which befitteth His generosity. Verily He is the Generous, the Bountiful. Say: All praise be unto Thee, O God of the world, and all thanksgiving be unto Thee, O Goal of them that have known Thee.

BH07629: A mention from Us to the one who has…

He is the One Who commands with truth.

A mention from Us to the one who has heard My call, turned to My horizon, and held fast to the cord of My loving-kindness, that he may rejoice and be among the thankful ones. We have sent down from the heaven of utterance that which has brought delight to the eyes of those near unto God, and We have mentioned that which aids the servants to practice justice and fairness. Blessed are those who have attained unto virtuous character. Through good character the stations of creation are revealed, and through justice their ranks are made manifest. Blessed is he who has attained unto the recognition of that which the Supreme Pen has uttered in this exalted station.

We have arisen today speaking in praise of God, the Lord of the worlds, and the rapture of remembrance has so seized Us that We have rent asunder the veils, speaking that which caused those of Sinai to swoon. Thus has the matter been decreed on this wondrous Day. Blessed is the ear that has heard My utterance, and the eye that has beheld My horizon, and the heart that has turned to God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. The splendor from Us be upon you and upon those whom the affairs of creation have not prevented from turning to the Lord of the Day of Judgment.

BH07972: O Muhammad! Blessed is your father who was…

He is the All-Hearing, the All-Answering.

O Muhammad! Blessed is your father who was with Me most days and bore witness to that which God Himself had testified—that there is none other God but Him, the Mighty, the All-Knowing. He attained My presence in the land of Ta [Tehran] and in the land of Taff [Karbila] and in Zawra [Baghdad] from whose horizon shone forth the Sun of your Lord’s loving-kindness, the Mighty, the All-Bestowing. There hath been revealed from My Most Exalted Pen that which shall never be exhausted through the eternity of God, the Lord of Lords.

Thy letter hath come before Us. We have heard thy call. We beseech God to assist thee in that which He loveth and is pleased with. He is verily the Almighty, the Unconstrained.

Say: My God, my God! Praise be to Thee for having remembered me in Thy prison. I beseech Thee by Thy Name, the All-Forgiving, that Thou forgive me and my family. Then write down, O my God, for me and for her that which will draw us near unto Thee and cause us to speak Thy praise. Verily Thou art God. There is none other God but Thee, the Mighty, the All-Bountiful.

BH10722: O Muhammad-Hasan! He who hath attained My presence…

He is the All-Commanding, the All-Ruling, the All-Knowing.

O Muhammad-Hasan! He who hath attained My presence, and drunk the choice wine of My utterance, and guided the people to My path, hath made mention of thee. We make mention of thee in this perspicuous Book, and have beseeched the Lord of the throne and of earth to grant thee permission to attain His presence. Then did the Sun of permission shine forth from the horizon of the heaven of thy Lord’s command, the Almighty, the Powerful. Turn thou unto the Most Exalted Horizon, and hold fast unto wisdom in thy path. Thus hath spoken the tongue of the All-Commanding, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

BH01660: Unto Him be praise and greatness and glory…

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

Unto Him be praise and greatness and glory, for He hath ordained for His loved ones in His presence the blessing of nearness and meeting, and in absence the food of remembrance and praise. At times He speaketh in presence in the form of utterance, and at others in absence in the form of writing. Unto Him be praise for all of this and in all conditions. And blessings and peace be upon His Beloved, whom He made a Book wherein was inscribed that which none knoweth save His own Self, and established him in His station in the realm of creation, and made him the Dawning-Place of His names and the Rising-Point of His attributes and the Manifestation of His signs and evidences, and upon his family and companions through whom was raised the Most Great Word whereby earth and heaven were illumined, and through whom eyes witnessed and tongues proclaimed that there is none other God but Him.

These are servants through whose might was revealed God’s justice throughout creation and His power amongst the servants—blessings which the speaking tongues, enkindled hearts and penetrating, all-encompassing perceptions are powerless to reckon. The servant beseecheth his Lord to aid us in that which He loveth and approveth. Verily He heareth and seeth. There is none other God but Him in the hereafter and the former times.

The letter of that beloved of the heart was as collyrium for the eye of love, an antidote for the temple of affection, and a heavenly stream for the thirsty in the valley of search. After manifestations of joy and gladness, delight and rapture, it was brought before the Face. He said—may our spirits be sacrificed for Him—He is the Helper, the Mighty, the All-Wise.

O Mahmud! Upon thee be the peace of God, the Lord of the seen and unseen. The servant was present before the Face with thy letter and was honored to hear the Wronged One. Every word thereof testified in the most exalted call to thy steadfastness, attachment, love and affection. Well is it with thee for having drunk the wine of love from the cup of thy Lord’s bounty, the Lord of creation, and for having attained that which the world was debarred from, save whom God, the Lord of eternity, wished. We beseech Him, exalted be He, to aid and assist thee in that whereby His remembrance may be exalted amongst His servants and His Word in His lands. Peace be upon thee and upon those with thee and upon those who have drunk the wine of recognition from the cup of their Lord’s bounty, the Mighty, the All-Wise.

We make mention of his honor the Emigrant who hath emigrated from his place, seeking the Most Exalted Station, that joy may take hold of him and draw him nigh unto Him. Verily He is the Protector of those who love Him. There is none other God but Him, the Mighty, the Powerful. Praise be to God, his honor ʿAli-Qabli-Muhammad hastened with his heart in love of God until he attained the presence and beheld the waves of the ocean of utterance and heard that which was the hope of those in former ages and centuries. The Wronged One beseecheth God to aid him in that whereby his mention may endure amongst mentions, his name amongst names, his deed amongst deeds, and his spirit amongst spirits. Verily He is the Ruler over what He willeth through His word “Be” and it is. That which he sent hath been adorned with the ornament of acceptance. He should rejoice and be of the thankful. Peace be upon him and upon the two leaves and upon every believing servant and every maidservant who hath turned unto God, the Lord of the worlds.

Praise be to God, they have attained unto the wine of utterance and been honored by the bounty of the Goal of the world’s peoples. From mention and utterance the degrees of grace and bounty are evident and clear. Well is it with thy honor and with him. This servant conveyeth greetings and praise to them and beseecheth from God, exalted be His glory, whatsoever is the cause of exaltation and advancement. Verily our Lord is the All-Bountiful, the Generous, and He is the Forgiving, the Merciful. Peace and remembrance and praise be upon your honors and upon those with you and upon those who love you for the sake of God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy.

BH00836: Praise, sanctified from all beginning and end, befitteth…

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

Praise, sanctified from all beginning and end, befitteth and beseemeth the Most Holy and Most Exalted Court of that Eternal Being, Who, through the effulgent rays of the Sun of Yathrib and Batha, hath adorned the people of the mortal realm—who were deprived of knowledge and learning—with the ornament of wisdom, utterance, knowledge and understanding.

His Will is the sovereign of all created wills, and His Purpose the ruler of the purposes of all servants. He hath illumined the world with the light of the Most Exalted Word, and by its penetrating power hath He subjugated all. Glorified be His grandeur, exalted be His might, glorified be His glory, magnificent be His proof, and all-encompassing be His testimony!

And blessing and peace be upon the Lord of existence from the unseen and the visible, through Whom the ocean of utterance surged before the faces of all religions, and through Whom were manifested those stations that elevated humanity in the contingent world; and upon His family and companions, through whom flowed the Euphrates of mercy amongst all creatures and through whom was fulfilled the judgment of the Resurrection Hour—they who gave glad tidings to the servants of that which the All-Merciful revealed in the Qur’an through His exalted words:

“The Day when mankind shall stand before the Lord of the Worlds”

—blessings whose fragrance shall never cease throughout the duration of God’s Kingdom, our Lord and the Lord of the Mighty Throne.

And now, may my spirit be a sacrifice for your exile, your distress, and your homeland. This blessed word was heard from the Blessed Tongue—He said:

“His homeland is with Me and beneath the canopies of My loving-kindness. Praise be to God, and to Him belongs bounty, generosity, grandeur and glory.”

For repeatedly hath He mentioned that noble one with such words that were the hand of detachment to squeeze them, the water of life would flow therefrom.

In any case, after reading and becoming informed, I proceeded to His presence and attained the honor of listening. His Word—may our spirits be a sacrifice for Him—the tongue of the realm of knowledge, speaketh this exalted word:

“Verily the Divine Lote-Tree hath spoken the truth before all faces in the earliest of days, and hath mentioned its branches in such wise as hath rendered all pens impotent to describe. By the life of the Beloved! His profit and loss in all conditions returneth unto Us. This is a word that transformeth loss into the greatest profit, and it is the sun of utterances that hath risen from the horizon of the heaven of the Pen of grace and bounty. Blessed are those servants who have inhaled the fragrance of utterance and have attained unto that which God, the Lord of the Throne and of the dust, hath desired. O My Afnan! Upon thee be the peace of God and His loving-kindness, and the grace of God and His mercy.”

The mention of you and those Afnan who are with you hath ever been and continues to be like the spring showers of divine mercy in the true springtime in this Most Great Prison.

We beseech God, exalted be He, to ordain for you every good that was in His Book and hidden in His knowledge. Verily, He is the Powerful, the Chosen One.

Praise be to God! His grace encompasseth all and His loving-kindness accompanieth all. There is no God but He, the Mighty, the All-Bountiful.

Glory be unto God! The successful, confirmed soul clearly and evidently beholdeth the traces of the universe and its fruits from the Most Exalted Pen. The world standeth bewildered at what hath been deposited therein, which no exhaustion can diminish. The door of its treasury hath been opened by the key of the will of our Lord, the Lord of the Throne and of the dust, and at every moment the pearls of wisdom and utterance appear with such a radiance and shine with such a light that the true experts are powerless to enumerate and behold them.

Glory be to our Goal, our Object of worship, our Beloved, and the Beloved of earth and heaven! In this field the steed of mention is bewildered and true understanding is thunderstruck. A hundred thousand blessings be upon those souls who have recognized the station of this Day, who have hearkened unto the Call, and who have attained, with most pure vision and illumined heart, unto the lights of the Most Great Scene. These are honored servants who speak not until He hath spoken, and who act by His command.

Another august letter arrived in the afternoon of Tuesday, bearing glad tidings of your health and well-being and that of the Son, upon him be the peace and glory of God. However, after reading and learning of its contents, grief came from one direction. Later, having repaired to the Holy Place and presented the matter before His presence, He said:

“In his loss there is profit, and in his harm there is benefit. We beseech God to make this very loss the essence of blessing and bounty. Verily, He is powerful over all things. O Afnan! Thou hast been and art with Us. Whatever befalleth, We are partners therein. Verily, He Who hath taken no partner unto Himself is God. We beseech Him to change hardship into ease, and difficulty into comfort. Verily, He is the Most Generous of the generous ones and the Goal of them that know.”

A hundred thousand thanks and praise unto the Goal of the world, Who hath aided thee to mention, extol, and serve His Cause. Every soul who hath passed by that direction hath, of his own accord and by his very essence, spoken in praise and glorification of the Afnan of the Sacred Tree, acknowledging and confessing His bounty. This is that blessing which hath had and hath no likeness or parallel.

This evanescent servant, at all times, beseecheth and imploreth the true Omnipotent One to manifest that which is the cause of the appearance of what He hath sent down in the Book. None can repel His command or prevent what He willeth. Verily, He is the Goal in the beginning and in the end.

I convey greetings to the friends of Truth who are in the vicinity, and I seek for them that which is the cause of enduring mention. Verily, He is the Hearer, the Answerer. There is no God but He, the Single, the One, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy. Peace, remembrance, and glory be upon you and upon those who are with you, who love you, and who hearken to your words concerning the Cause of our Lord, the Most Merciful.

The servant 5 Dhi’l-Hajjih 1305

152

May my spirit be a sacrifice for your mention, your utterance, and your word! This petition was written some time ago in response to the blessed letter, but at the time of sending, the beloved of the heart, Hadrat-i-Ism-i-Jud—upon Him be Baha’u’llah, the Most Glorious—informed that the vessel had departed.

This day, which is Wednesday the 22nd of Dhi’l-Hajjih, another blessed letter arrived. Praise be to the Goal of the worlds that news of health and well-being, which is among the great divine bounties, has arrived and continues to arrive.

As regards what you wrote concerning Aqa ʿAbdu’r-Rahim—upon him be Baha’u’llah—they stated that things have transpired exactly as was wisest. His grace and favor are clear and evident, and all acknowledge this. Praise be to God Who confirmed and assisted you in that which would be remembered before Him and recorded by the Supreme Pen in the scriptures and tablets. They had mentioned before God the beloved and honored Ibn—upon him be Baha’u’llah, the Most Glorious—and his expression of meekness. He stated:

“We beseech God to transform it into glory, power, wealth and exaltation. Verily, He doeth what He willeth and He is the Mighty, the Bestower.”

This evanescent servant hath beseeched and continueth to beseech, night and day, for that which is the cause of elevation, ascendancy, exaltation, glory and power. Verily our Lord is the Omnipotent, the Supreme, the Unconstrained.

Then peace, praise, remembrance and glory be upon you and upon those who are with you and who serve you for the sake of God.

The servant, 22 Dhi’l-Hijjih

BH00530: Praise be unto the Desired One of the world…

He is God—exalted be His station, the Most Great, the Most Powerful!

Praise be unto the Desired One of the world, Who befittingly and graciously bestoweth awareness upon His loved ones at all times concerning the deception and schemes of the transgressors and the lies and calumnies of the oppressors. Praise be unto God that the veil hath been lifted, and the veils of glory have been rent asunder, and the falsehoods and calumnies of the heedless souls have become as manifest as the sun to that Beloved One. Glory be unto God! What hath become of perception? Whither hath reason fled? They imagine not that perchance the hearer may be aware of matters. They speak with their mouths and act in ways that are forbidden in the Book of God.

Verily, the letters of that beloved of the heart have arrived. Each word therein bore true witness to the falsehoods and calumnies of heedless, fabricating souls. From their imaginary writing their ranks and stations became evident. Praise be to God, that beloved one has become informed and aware. Wonderment seized this servant and the people of the cities of sight and hearing, and one beheld one’s servant like one bewildered and astonished. The mind and understanding cannot fathom how a person’s utterances could be contrary to what flows from their tongue. Here lies wonder upon wonder, not in the stories of Rumi, upon whom be mercy.

Verily, the ocean of utterance hath appeared with its waves, and the Most Great Luminary hath risen with manifest and brilliant lights, such that for the fair-minded there hath been and is no occasion for pause. These matters were presented before the countenance after being informed, and were honored to be heard. He said: “O thou who gazest upon the Face! God willing, thou shalt be assisted to serve the servants and reform the world. What thou hast mentioned of the calumnies of the heedless soul is correct, there is no doubt in it. Would that in the aforementioned reply [they had stated] I have one request of thee, and that is that thou shouldst come with fairness and justice and hear what is said.

“Thou hast said that a person [arrived] and stated that for four hours they tried to write two lines but could not, manifest inability. This word of yours is bereft of truth and honesty. Now we make an agreement with you—send yourself or a representative to me, on the condition that in one hour a thousand verses shall be revealed. If the scribe can manage it, for after writing one hundred and fifty verses the pen pauseth. This is one matter. Another matter: thou hast said that whatever is written is from the utterances of the Primal Point, may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for Him. This matter too this servant guarantees. You or your representative may mention matters the like of which have never been heard before, and ask questions in person, that you may hear the answer at that moment and witness with your outward eye the waves of the ocean of utterance and the effulgent lights of the Sun of meanings.”

Man is like unto a treasure, and the pearls of knowledge, truthfulness, and purity lie hidden and concealed within him. It is a pity that through conjecture and doubt one should deprive oneself of the kingdom of justice and fairness. Today the gate of bounty is opened and the sun of wisdom is manifest and evident. That honored one should, for the sake of God, reflect upon this Most Great Cause and Most Mighty News, and witness with his own eyes the fruits of the Lote-Tree of the Most Exalted Paradise. This servant is present and thou art present. We must strive in the path of God and distinguish truth from falsehood. How long shall vain imaginings persist? How long shall doubts continue?

Have you forgotten the Shi’ih sect? For one thousand two hundred years and more they counted themselves as the most mighty and exalted of all the religions of the world and prided themselves on mention of the Successor, but finally on the Day of Reckoning it became clear and evident to those possessed of insight that they had been worshippers of vain imaginings, not followers of revelation and divine inspiration. They manifested such tyranny as the eye of creation had never witnessed the like of. They pronounced death sentences against that Sovereign of existence Whose mention had occupied them throughout ages and centuries, and with utmost degradation martyred Him. To this day they have not desisted. Every day a people have risen and continue to rise in opposition, and those oppressors left none, whether young or old, male or female.

Now too the deniers of the Bayan are occupied with childish games, and in the end they cling in their deeds and actions to that party. And that woman whom thou didst mention in the land of Ta—she who reads this writing—she hath never been and is not capable of reading a single verse. Sixty years of her life have passed, and she hath not discerned her right from her left. She hath lately busied herself with deceiving men. I swear by Him Who revealeth the verses that she hath not seen Mirza Yahya since this Cause. She and her like kept their distance, for they were bereft of faith and stained with hypocrisy. She moveth as her soul desireth, consumed by the fire of passion, and causeth souls to stray from the truth.

We beseech God to enable all to attain unto that from which the fragrance of truthfulness is wafted. Verily, He is powerful over all things.

This servant, with utmost humility and supplication, beseecheth that while there is yet time, they may investigate this Cause for the sake of God and cling to its hem, that perchance they may not remain deprived of the ocean of utterance. This servant hath not seen her and beseecheth God, exalted be His glory, to remove the veil and dispel the intervening barriers, that eyes may attain unto that for which they were created from nothingness. Today the Sun is shining, the Kawthar flowing, and the Salsabil evident before all faces. It would be a pity should man be deprived of the manifest light through false statements and fabricated claims. This servant beseecheth God to assist her to arise for His sake to accomplish what hath been mentioned. But alas, alas! The recompense of deeds hath prevented it. The justice of God, exalted be His glory, hath decreed that which every person of insight hath witnessed and every informed one hath recognized.

My God, my God! Illumine their eyes to behold Thy signs and adorn their hearts with the light of Thy knowledge. O Lord! Withhold them not from that which Thou hast manifested through Thy bounty and generosity, and from that which Thou hast sent down through Thy grace and favors. Verily, Thou art the Almighty, the Mighty, the All-Wise.

From these associations it hath become clear that they have ever clung and continue to cling to the cord of calumnies. Their path is falsehood and their way of speech and utterance hath deviated from truth. According to her own words, during the time she was with him, he spoke but two words, and even these, by her own admission, were delirious. It is not known what she hath seen that she would use it to prove his authority and open the gates of calumny. Say: O man, thou who art thyself aware of thine own falsehood, no matter how many veils of lies thou addest thereto, thou hast not and will never have the slightest worth in thine own eyes or the eyes of others.

The Shi’ih sect numbers several millions, yet in the sight of God they have not the worth of a single crippled believer. This is their station and the station of the knights of truthfulness, justice and fairness. These immature ones of the world were not and are not worthy of mention. Verily our Lord, the All-Merciful, hath ever been and is sanctified above them, above what they possess, and above their words, sayings, deeds, attributes and understanding, and above what was and what will be. Verily, we are God’s and to Him shall we return.

O beloved of my heart! Evil people have appeared who consume calumnies like sweetmeats. Has he not heard that Mirza Nasru’llah, Mirza Rida-Quli and their sister left the deluded party? Rida-Quli’s sister cursed Yahya two thousand times, and there was strife and contention between them for some time. They took another house and settled there, and the Beauty of the Desired One bestowed their expenses. Later, when leaving the Land of Mystery, despite much insistence that she go to her husband, she refused. That person should be told: if Mirza Nasru’llah, Mirza Rida-Quli and their sister were with Mirza Yahya, why did they come to ʿAkka? In any case, that beloved of the heart knows the details better than to bring his own petition and give trouble to others. What need is there to speak of matters whose falsehood is as evident as the sun? God has sealed their eyes and ears—they neither see nor hear.

And as to what that beloved of the heart wrote regarding his consultation with the honored Shaykh, Aqa Muhammad-Ali and Aqa Azizu’llah, upon them be God’s peace, and that the consultation resulted in his remaining in that land—after this matter was presented, it was approved and accepted. Repeatedly it was said: “Perhaps God will bring about through this some matter.” Perhaps they will be the cause of something becoming manifest whereby people will realize that this place was not and is not a place of corruption, strife and contention. And they said We counsel Jinab-i-Nazir, glory be upon him, with wisdom—he must hold fast to it in all conditions.

As for the money that was stolen, when this was presented, they said:

“We beseech God to assist His servants to truthfulness, trustworthiness and religious devotion.”

In most Tablets this matter has been beseeched from God, exalted be His glory. Verily He is the Hearer, the Answerer. Perhaps through His complete power He will make the servants aware of the light of trustworthiness and the darkness of treachery. In Iraq also such a matter occurred once. The treacherous have always been and are lying in wait. This is not the first flask that has been broken in Islam.

The honored Qurratu’l-ʿAyn Aqa Mirza Habib’u’llah, upon him be 96 [Baha’u’llah], dwells under the shadow and is blessed with favors. All mention that beloved one and continue to do so. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, to assist that beloved of the heart in that which is the cause of joy, the source of delight and the dawning-place of gladness. Furthermore, I convey greetings to the friends of that land and I beseech for each one that from which the fragrance of eternity wafts. Verily our Lord, the Most Merciful, is powerful over whatsoever He willeth, and He is the Hearer, the Answerer. Peace, remembrance and glory be upon you and upon those with you and upon God’s sincere servants. And praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

The servant 27 Dhi’l-Hijjih 1305

BH02008: For what were the world and nations created?…

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

For what were the world and nations created? For the recognition of the Ancient Lord. Why does the sun rise? To be evidence of His power. Why does heaven exist? To bear witness to His grandeur. Why did the sea come from nonexistence into being? To preserve the pearls of His knowledge. Glory be to Him, glory be to Him, beyond my mention and the mention of all things, beyond my knowledge and the knowledge of all things. Glory be to You, O God of all beings and Goal of all contingent things. I beseech You by the movement of Your cord, by whose movement all existence, both seen and unseen, was set in motion, to assist me and Your servants in Your remembrance and praise and in acting according to what You commanded us through the tongue of Your Beloved [Muhammad]. You are He Whom no command can prevent nor any thing [sadden]. I testify, O my God, that Your power has conquered all beings and Your might has encompassed all things. You are indeed the Powerful, the Strong, the Conquering, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

Thereafter, the letter of that honored one arrived. Praise be to God, it brought joy and renewed the heart. After being presented at the court, the Sun of favor rose and shone forth. This servant is incapable and falls short of mentioning it. Regarding what was written about the beloved of the heart, his eminence the Observer, upon him be 9 66 [Baha’u’llah] and His favors, and his stay, and likewise what the spiritual friend his eminence Aqa ʿAzizu’llah, upon him be 9 66 [Baha’u’llah] eternally, related—their stay in that land has been accepted, since in all correspondences the command of consultation was mentioned, and as the collective opinion settled upon this and purely for the sake of God their stay emerged from consultation, therefore it was adorned with the ornament of acceptance.

It is hoped that great beneficial matters will appear from them. However, observance of wisdom is obligatory, for some were not and are not aware, clinging to conjecture and holding fast to suppositions, and these two are mighty barriers preventing the servants. Verily our Lord is the Powerful, the Mighty, the Bestower. I mention the friends with a hundred thousand tongues and beseech the One God for each one an enduring mention and eternal everlasting word. He is indeed the All-Bountiful and He is the Mighty, the Generous.

Regarding the funds that must be sent, according to the command they must reach here the beloved of the heart, his eminence Aqa Rida and Aqa Faraj, upon them be 9 66 [Baha’u’llah], as they are requesting it at the door. On this day the honored master, his eminence Afnan Aqa Mirza Muhsin, upon him be 9 66 [Baha’u’llah] the Most Glorious, mentioned that “I receive here [and in] Istanbul from his eminence Aqa Muhammad-ʿAli, upon him be God’s peace.” Therefore the amount of sixty-five Ottoman liras was received from him which you should give to them there. The servant asks his Lord to open upon your faces the doors of blessing and bounty and that whereby your hearts may rejoice. He is the Hearer, the Answerer, and He is the Forgiving, the Merciful. Peace and remembrance and praise be upon you and upon God’s assured and sincere servants. And praise be to God, the Goal of the mystics.

The servant, on 27 Dhi’l-Hijjih 1305

BH01301: Both outer and inner eye are fixed upon…

He is God, exalted be He in Grandeur and Power

Both outer and inner eye are fixed upon the horizon of the utterance which the All-Merciful hath revealed in the Qur’an, blessed and exalted be His Word: “Verily with difficulty cometh ease.” It is hoped that this ease will appear with the Most Great Light from the horizon of the favors of the Truth, exalted be His glory, accompanied by the hosts of joy, delight, gladness, wealth and affluence. Universal are His favors, perfect His beneficence, all-encompassing His grace, and His mercy hath preceded all else.

And blessings and peace be upon the Knight of the arena of might and power, through whom the breezes of revelation were cut off from among the nations and prophethood in the world came to an end, and upon His family and companions, the standards of justice and the banners of guidance, through whom God revealed His power, His might, His sovereignty, His grandeur and His authority—blessings that are eternal and everlasting. Verily He is the Mighty, the All-Knowing.

The letter from that beloved one arrived with spirit and fragrance, and was honored to be read before Our presence. O Muhammad, be not sorrowful. By the life of God, the world is seen as but a handful of dust. The winds of divine will blow upon it, carrying it wheresoever they list and giving it whatsoever shape they desire. It hath not been, nor is it, worthy of mention in the sight of the people of Baha. The purpose is that your honor should not be saddened or distressed by its events. Praise be to God that trustworthiness is established and detachment proven, resolve and prudence are present, and the matter is in God’s hands. In such case, sorrow is not permitted nor grief befitting, for this is a day of joy. Indeed, the grief and sorrow of those who are nigh and sincere arise only when they witness from someone, God forbid, a deed from which the fragrance of treachery or wrongdoing emanates. Praise be to God, your honor’s intention and deeds have been for God’s sake; their end shall be good.

Convey My greetings to the friends in that land, and We counsel them with that which God hath counseled His servants aforetime in His Books, His Scriptures and His Tablets. They must, with sanctified and illumined hearts, with complete resolve and perfect wisdom, unite in holding fast to the reformation of their affairs, that their good deeds may be proven before God and their striving to uphold the truth, to manifest the Most Great Trust among the peoples, and to establish this Most Exalted Cause may be proven before men. This Wronged One ever mentioneth each one of them and seeketh for each in this transitory world that which is lasting and eternal. May God illumine their faces and their hearts and exalt their stations and ranks. Verily He is the Protector of the doers of good and the Helper of those who act. Praise be to Him, for He is the Goal of the mystics.

Two letters from your honor arrived, each a door to meeting and reunion. Though outwardly this appeareth difficult, yet with God and the manifestations of His power it is easy and simple. I beseech the exalted Truth, glorified be His majesty, to manifest that which is the cause of joy and the source of gladness. Verily He is knowing of all things. In the nights and at dawn, in the mornings and evenings, I beseech the True One for that which is the cause of elevation and advancement. Verily He is powerful over whatsoever He willeth. I bear witness, and all things bear witness, to His power, His sovereignty, His might, His generosity, His grace and His favors. There is no God but He, the Hearer, the Answerer, and He is the All-Bountiful, the Forgiving, the Merciful.

To those honoured ones in that land I convey my greetings. They are present before my eyes and before my sight—how could they be effaced from my heart, when the saplings of love have been planted therein and watered by the rains of God’s grace, exalted be His glory? The love of friends neither diminishes nor perishes, for God, exalted be His glory, has thus described it. God willing, may each one act in accordance with what befits the station of His chosen ones. God is my witness that when the first letter arrived, mentioning the illness of that beloved one, what it did to this lowly one! Praise be to God, afterwards the glad tidings of recovery arrived and made amends.

According to the command of that beloved one, they must not be sorrowful, for sorrow is the cause of certain manifestations. Verily our Lord knoweth, and He is the All-Healing, the All-Wise. And though from the second letter there wafted at first the fragrance of sorrow, yet at its end the light of joy was evident. Praise be to God and thanks be to Him in all conditions. May prayer and peace and remembrance and praise be upon you all and upon those who are with you and who love you for the sake of God, our Lord and your Lord and the Lord of the glorious throne.

BH01379: Praise be to God! The bounty of utterance flows…

He is God, exalted be His glory, in majesty and power!

Praise be to God! The bounty of utterance flows forth and the feast of love descends. Joy is manifest from every direction, for the traces of the pen of the chosen ones appear continuously and successively. In truth, what a wondrous remedy it is for the malady of sorrow, anxiety and grief. Mighty is the arm of the Physician Who compounded this remedy, and the will that was connected with it. Were there justice, we should, throughout our lives, be engaged in thanksgiving, be occupied in praise, and be characterized by humility. This is the truth of what was submitted. However, the excesses of the transgressors and the calumnies of the atheists have deprived the world of most bounties. They utter that which hath no likeness in the world, let alone its essence, and whose branch hath not been seen, let alone its root. I beseech God to assist the believers with the hosts of His grace, to bring forth the vanished standards, and to raise high the lowered banners. He is the Mighty, the Powerful.

O beloved of my heart! The ignorance and folly of the servants have become the cause and reason for abasement. We must, with the utmost lowliness and supplication, beseech the Self-Sufficing Lord for that which is the cause of victory and joy. The believers are in utmost weakness, the ungodly in utmost strength, and the decree is in none other than God’s hand, our Lord and your Lord. The cause of weakness is evident, and likewise the reason for power.

After praise and glorification of God, exalted be His glory, and mention of the Most Great Book of His Holiness the Seal, may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for His sake, I submit that your esteemed letter arrived. Glory be to God! It was crowned with the crown of joy and adorned with the ornament of favor, for its reading reminded the spirit and its perusal refreshed the soul. After reading and observing it, I proceeded to the presence, and it was presented before His face. He said:

“O thou who soarest in the atmosphere of love and affection! Hear the call of the Wronged One. He remembereth thee even as He remembered thee before with a remembrance whereby the hearts of them that are endued with understanding were attracted.”

Praise be to God, thou art mentioned in the court of the Wronged One. We beseech God to open before thy face the gate of bounty and to make thee succeed to infinite favors. The servant in attendance mentioned thy letter. From every word was heard that which testified to love, fellowship, devotion and humility. A truthful and trustworthy one spoke. We beseech God to make thee in all circumstances a cause for the exaltation of His Word and the manifestation of His Cause, and to grant thee the best of what He hath revealed in His perspicuous Book. Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

From these radiant utterances, the stations of favor are clear and manifest, visible before the face without veil or covering. The interpreters have no path to this station, and the translators of the world no standing. Concerning what thou didst write about thine own affairs, after it was presented to the Lord, He spoke this word: This Wronged One beseecheth God, exalted be His glory, to manifest that which is the cause of steadfastness, bounty, blessing and tranquility. Verily, He heareth the call of them that beseech Him. Outwardly, these matters depend upon consultation. In truth, let several souls gather together for the sake of God, and whatsoever appeareth from consultation, whether there or here, let them hold fast unto it. The principle of consultation hath ever been and is acceptable before God, and in the Books of both past and present this firm decree hath been revealed from the Presence of the All-Wise. His is the command, and ours is submission and obedience. His is the decree, and ours is acceptance and compliance. He is the Ruler in the beginning and in the end.

This evanescent servant hopeth that the gate may be opened and joy and bounty may descend. With utmost humility and submissiveness, I convey greetings to all the loved ones of that land, and I beseech the Goal of the world to confirm each one in unity, harmony and steadfastness. This is a great bounty and a mighty favor.

My God, my God! Deprive us not of that whereby the stations of Thy loved ones are elevated among Thy servants and Thy chosen ones in Thy lands. O Lord! Thou seest them clinging to the cord of Thy grace. Aid them to hear that which will profit them through Thy bounty and exalt them through Thy generosity and bestowal. Verily, Thou art the Mighty, the Powerful.

Salutations, praise, remembrance and glory be upon you and upon those who are with you, who love you and who hearken to your words for the sake of God, our Lord and your Lord.