Volume 088: Akka 1306 A.H. (1888–1889), Part I (5 of 5)

BH04896: O Haydar-ʿAli! Hearken with thy spiritual ear…

He is the Speaker of Truth!

O Haydar-ʿAli! Hearken with thy spiritual ear to the divine call, store up the pearls of His wisdom in the shell of thy heart, and preserve them from the eyes of the treacherous and the thieves in the name of the Lord of the Day of Judgment. God, thy Lord, the Lord of the mighty Throne, speaketh the truth. That which hath shone forth in Iraq from the Pen of the Luminary of the horizons is manifest, and from every land the croaking is raised. Glory be to God! The ocean of divine knowledge hath appeared at its utmost height, and the waves of utterance are at every moment visible before all faces. Beseech thou God that He deprive not His servants of this most great bounty.

Say: My God, my God! My soul is a sacrifice for Thy love, and my spirit is a sacrifice for Thy grace. Thy servants are occupied with themselves in their homes while Thou, in the Most Great Prison, art occupied with their remembrance. What pen can reckon such bounty and what understanding can attain to the atmosphere of its nearness? Every letter of its letters is the Most Great Gate for those who have recognized His oneness and have turned unto Him. By the life of God! Were but one word of His words to reveal the hidden meanings within itself, all the heedless ones of the earth would utterly proclaim:

“We turn unto Thee, O Forgiver of sins! We return unto Thee, O Concealer of faults!”

Thus doth the Lamp of God reveal its light, and the Most Great Sea its waves. Blessed art thou and blessed is he who hath remained faithful to God’s Covenant, the Lord of the worlds.

BH05469: Say: Praise be unto Thee, O my God…

He is the One Who gazes from this luminous horizon.

Say: Praise be unto Thee, O my God, for having caused, through my Name, the pearls of utterance to emerge from the shell of the ocean of Thy mercy, and for having remembered me through that which was treasured within the Pen of Thy grace. I beseech Thee, O Thou Who rulest over the Kingdom of proof and Who art the Sovereign of the realm of utterance, to rain down upon me from the heaven of Thy mercy and the clouds of Thy loving-kindness the showers of wisdom and knowledge.

O my Lord! Thou seest me turning toward the lights of Thy countenance and awaiting the wonders of Thy grace. I beseech Thee not to disappoint me of that which Thou hast ordained for such of Thy servants as are sincere, whom neither swords could deter from clinging to equity in Thy Cause, nor could the hosts of the wicked frighten from turning toward the sanctuary of Thy nearness.

My God, my God! Thou seest the servant turn toward the door of his Master’s loving-kindness, clinging to the cord of His grace in his movements and his rest. I beseech Thee by the light of Thy Cause and the fire of Thy Tree to ordain for him that which Thou hast ordained for Thy chosen ones in Thy days—those through whom the ocean of utterance surged before the faces of all religions. There is no God but Thee, the Mighty, the Bestower.

O my Lord! Strengthen him and Thy handmaiden who hath believed in Thee and in Thy signs, that through them Thy remembrance may be exalted amongst Thy servants and Thy Cause amongst Thy creation. O my Lord! Ordain for her that which Thou hast ordained for Thy handmaidens who circle round Thy mighty throne. There is no God but Thee, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

BH06335: O Ahmad-i-ʿAli, hear the Call from the Divine Lote-Tree…

He is the Hearer, the Answerer!

O Ahmad-i-ʿAli, hear the Call from the Divine Lote-Tree, planted by the hands of grace in the Most Exalted Paradise. Verily, there is none other God but Me, the Mighty, the Bestower. We have heard thy cry and have answered thee with a Tablet from which the horizons have been illumined.

When thou attainest unto it, say: Glory be unto Thee, O my God! I beseech Thee by Thy Great Announcement. Glory be unto Thee, O my God, by Thy Most Merciful Name, to illumine the hearts of Thy servants with the light of Thy knowledge and to adorn their heads with the crown of Thy loving-kindness and their temples with the ornament of Thy trustworthiness.

O Lord! I am Thy servant and the son of Thy servant. I have held fast unto the cord of Thy grace. I beseech Thee by the lights of Thy countenance and the mysteries of Thy wisdom treasured within the repositories of Thy knowledge, to make me one who circles around Thy Will and stands ready to serve Thy Cause. By Thy might, O Thou Who art the Master of my being! I desire naught save what Thou desirest.

I beseech Thee not to disappoint me of that which Thou hast ordained for Thy chosen ones—those whom neither the might of the world nor the clamor of the nations could deter, who turned with radiant faces toward Thy most exalted horizon and said:

“Praise be unto Thee for having caused us to hear Thy most sweet call and shown us the traces of Thy Pen, O Thou Who art the King of the Kingdom of Names! There is none other God but Thee, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise!”

BH06702: The Most Great Book, which had forever been treasured…

He is the Manifest Counselor.

The Most Great Book, which had forever been treasured in the Divine Treasury of Knowledge, hath appeared and with the most exalted call hath summoned all to the supreme horizon. The fire of hatred and enmity of the world did not prevent it, and the might and dominion of the pharaohs of the earth did not weaken it. It appeared for the sake of God and endured tribulations in the path of God, and there befell it that which hath no likeness or parallel. It became the target of the desires of the opposers, the object of derision of the infidels, and the victim of the harm of the oppressors. Whatever they desired, they carried out against it, for this Wronged One was without helper or assistant. His food was pieces of liver and His drink was heart’s blood. Every day a new harm appeared and a fresh tribulation descended. From the clouds of tyranny, without cease, rained down the arrows of hatred, yet in all conditions the fire of divine love burned more intensely and steadfastness grew stronger. His is the praise in all conditions. Verily He is the Self-Sufficient, the Most Exalted. Thus have We adorned the crown of thy love with the diadem of God’s favor, the Lord of all worlds.

BH07409: O Gulistan! Your mention hath been made and thy…

He is the One dawning from the horizon of the heaven of mystic knowledge.

O Gulistan! Your mention hath been made and thy name hath flowed from the Most Exalted Pen. Know thou the worth and station of this most great favor. Divine bounty hath ever encompassed and continueth to encompass all—the seeing and the blind, the learned and the ignorant, male and female—all stand in one spot. Whosoever hath attained unto the blessed words “O My servant” and “O My handmaid” is reckoned among the people of Baha, inscribed by the Most Exalted Pen in the Crimson Book. Recognize the bounty of thy Lord and be among the thankful ones in the Book of God, Lord of all worlds.

Verily the grace is in His hand and the bounty in His grasp. He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He pleaseth. Blessed is the handmaid who hath attained, and woe unto the servant who hath been deprived of drawing nigh unto God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy.

We beseech God to assist His handmaidens to sanctification and detachment, and to the chastity which God hath made the first ornament of His steadfast handmaidens and steadfast servants.

BH08503: O My handmaiden! Your name was mentioned…

He is the All-Forgiving, the All-Merciful!

O My handmaiden! Your name was mentioned in the presence of the Wronged One, and the Tongue of Divine Evidence in the Kingdom of Utterance mentioned you with these exalted words: Give thanks unto your Lord and glorify His Name, for verily He is the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous.

We have made mention of all the handmaidens of the earth and summoned them to the Most Exalted Horizon, yet none attained except a few. Beseech God that He may assist His handmaidens and not deprive them of the Kawthar of divine knowledge. He is the Powerful, the Mighty, and He is the Kind, the Merciful.

When thou dost inhale the fragrance of My loving-kindness, say: Praise be unto Thee for having remembered me in the prison of ʿAkka, and thanks be unto Thee for having enabled me to turn towards Thy Most Glorious Horizon. I beseech Thee to ordain for this handmaiden of Thine the good of this world and of the world to come. Verily, Thou art the Lord of the throne above and of the earth below. There is none other God but Thee, the Most Exalted, the Most High.

BH08597: O Morteza, upon thee be the Glory of God…

He is the All-Witnessing, the All-Hearing

O Morteza, upon thee be the Glory of God, Lord of all beings. The Herald of this Most Great Revelation hath spoken: All existence is for the sake of being mentioned but once in His presence. Today the treasures of the world cannot be compared to the Word of acceptance which hath been sent down from the Supreme Pen. Blessed are they who have attained unto the Word and become possessors of the divine Tablet. All that hath befallen His loved ones hath been recorded and inscribed in the blessed Crimson Tablet. The profit of the world belongeth to His loved ones, and its loss is the portion of the oppressors and transgressors. Erelong the enemy shall return to the fire, and the friend to the Most Great Scene. Give thanks to the Goal of all beings, Who assisted thee and caused thee to attain unto the revelations of the Supreme Pen. Verily, He is powerful over all things.

BH08950: Say: My God, my God! I testify that Thou…

He is God, exalted be He in remembrance and utterance

Say: My God, my God! I testify that Thou hast created all creation as a manifestation of Thy bounty and bestowal, as an expression of Thy generosity and mercy, as an affirmation of Thy unity and oneness, and as an acknowledgment of Thy grandeur and sovereignty. O Lord! Thou seest this servant of Thine assured of Thy most great signs and the manifestations of Thy sovereignty in the realm of creation, and of what Thou hast sent down from Thy Most Exalted Pen in Thy Scriptures, Thy Books, Thy Scrolls and Thy Tablets.

O Lord! I beseech Thee by the Primal Word through which Thou didst create earth and heaven, and by the breathings of Thy Revelation whereby the hearts of Thy servants were attracted, and by the ocean of Thy bounty in the kingdom of Thy riches, to make me a servant of Thy Cause, a helper of Thy Faith, and one who speaks Thy praise. Thou art, verily, the Powerful over what Thou willest. There is none other God but Thee, the All-Forgiving, the All-Merciful.

BH09126: O Shirin, O my handmaid! Praise be…

He is the One standing before the faces of all!

O Shirin, O my handmaid! Praise be to the Goal of the world Who bestowed upon thee and granted thee a portion from the choice wine of utterance. All created things testify to His generosity and all contingent beings are assured of and acknowledge His grace. Today whoever attained His recognition became the essence of all sweetness in the world, and whoever was deprived became the bitter colocynth. Say: Praise be to Thee, O my God, for having given me to drink from the Kawthar of Thy utterance and guided me to the ocean of Thy knowledge. Verily Thou art the Powerful One Whom nothing among all things could prevent, nor the hatred of those in the realm of creation. Thou hast appeared and manifested that which befitteth Thy Revelation, Thy greatness and Thy power. There is no God but Thee, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

BH09767: We have made thee among those who have attained…

He is the Ordainer, the Ancient of Days

We have made thee among those who have attained My favors and have entrusted to them the service of the Holy Places. Take what thou art commanded and be of the thankful ones. Say: Glory be unto Thee, O my God! I beseech Thee by Thy Most Great Name. Glory be unto Thee, O my God! I beseech Thee by the Light whereby Thou hast illumined the world and by Thy Command whereby Thou hast subdued the nations, to make me a servant of Thy Cause, O Lord of Names, and of Thy Most Exalted Word, O Lord of all mankind, and one who gazeth toward Thy Most Glorious Horizon and holdeth fast unto Thy cord, O Possessor of the kingdoms of sanctity and righteousness, Who art established upon the throne of imprisonment through that which the hands of the oppressors have wrought.

BH00337: These days are days of new joy…

Section 1: “These days are days of new joy…”

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

These days are days of new joy, for in the City of Lovers a lover has attained his heart’s desire and achieved that which is beloved. Though in one sense it is a time of grief, lamentation and mourning—for it is observed that the thirst of the oppressors remains unquenched, and each day they are seen in fresh flames and boundless conflagration—yet when one who seeks attains the supreme homeland, and a lover resolves to sacrifice himself, drinking with utmost desire and love from the cup of annihilation in the path of the Lord of eternity—a draught whereat the angels of the highest heaven and the cherubim exclaimed “Well done! Well done!” and beyond them the Tongue of Grandeur from the Throne of Glory spoke the words “Blessed, blessed is he!”—this is a station of greatest joy and supreme gladness.

For a lover from the City of Lovers has attained that which was the ultimate hope of those who draw nigh and those who yearn. In these days the court of the presence of the Lord of all beings is perfumed with his mention and illumined by the light of utterance. Would that this cup were destined for me and His grace would bestow upon me that which He has bestowed upon the sincere and the sanctified ones. His is the praise and the glory, His the thanks and the bounty. There is no God but He, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious.

O beloved of my heart and joy of my soul! Your letter arrived like spiritual springtime blossoms from the divine Lote-Tree and was beheld. The water of the love of God flows from its every word, for the fragrance of detachment, sincerity and love for the Lord of the worlds and the Ancient King wafts from it and spreads abroad. We beseech God to strengthen your pen and your treasury of love, from which has appeared that which brings delight to eyes and illumination to hearts. After its perusal and reading, it was presented before the Divine Presence, after which permission was granted, and He, blessed and exalted be He, spoke thus:

“O Varqa! Upon thee be My glory, My grace and My mercy! These days are different days, for the fragrance of steadfastness has pervaded the world and fresh musk of utterance is wafting anew from the Lote-Tree of the Purpose of all worlds. The lovers are seized with fresh ecstasy and those who are attracted have a new melody. The breeze of the dawn of Revelation has strengthened the Sinai to utter the final call, the supreme attraction, the sweetest chant, and the most glorious song. This song in one station renews the world and gladdens the nations. In this station the tongue of grace speaks this most exalted word:

The blessed fruit has sought the divine Lote-Tree and the goodly leaf has intended the supreme Paradise. The blessed Word of the Book has returned to the Mother Book, and the cry ʿThe Truth has appeared’ has reached the Tree of Sinai. No utterance can fully describe this station, nor can the bird of understanding soar in this atmosphere. What has been mentioned is but a drop from the ocean of the love of God.” And in another station the Tongue of Grandeur speaks thus: “O Varqa! Upon thee be My glory and My grace! Verily the serpent has opened its mouth and swallowed its master. Glory be to God! Oppression has reached such a state that justice laments, patience is struck down, and forbearance has taken flight. Yet these countless transgressions and oppressions are the cause and reason for the appearance of the greatest justice, and these sorrows that have come to pass are the cause of supreme joy. Those possessed of vision behold this, and accepted souls comprehend it. Soon will God purify the earth from the defilement of these people. Verily He is the Ruler in the beginning and the end.”

The letter of A. H., upon him be my glory and loving-kindness, attained unto hearing, and the gaze of the Wronged One and the glance of the Beloved were directed towards it. His call hath ever been heard by the Most High. The Hand of Supreme Benevolence and the Great Bestowal hath manifested for him that which transcendeth description by ink, pen, and paper. Lofty and graceful trees have been specially planted for him. How many were the servants who, from the earliest days and thereafter, desired to render assistance and service, yet attained not thereunto; while he desired and attained, reaching that which had been the hope of those near unto God and the desire of the sincere ones. O dove! The Supreme Pen hath testified and doth testify. Reflect upon the bounty of God and His mercy, and say: Praise be unto Thee, O Thou the Goal of the world! And thanksgiving be unto Thee, O Lord of all names! And glory be unto Thee, O Beloved of those who are in the heavens and on earth!

Convey My greetings to the loved ones of that land on behalf of the Wronged One, and draw them from the north of sorrow to the right hand of joy through the fragrances of the revealed and inscribed verses. Verily thy Lord is the All-Forgiving, the Merciful, and He is the All-Knowing, the Wise. The servant in attendance hath appeared before the Countenance and presented that wherewith thou didst call upon God, the Lord of Bounty and the Sovereign of existence. Blessed be thy tongue for what it hath acknowledged, and thy pen for what it hath confessed, and thy heart for what it hath accepted. We beseech God, blessed and exalted be He, to aid thee to exalt that which He hath willed and to manifest that which hath been forbidden to the peoples of the earth. The world is bewildered by these heedless people. At every moment the world calleth out and giveth tidings and showeth forth, yet all remain veiled and heedless save whom God willeth.

The loved ones of God must today engage in the assistance of the Truth with perfect patience, forbearance, calm and dignity, and act in accordance with that which is befitting. Say: By the life of God! This is the Day before whose revelation centuries and ages bow down in worship. O loved ones of God and His party! Strive that perchance ye may raise up the dwellers of the graves through the sealed wine. Today is the day of arising, not of sitting, but arising through wisdom and utterance. Blessed is the soul who, through the Name of God, glorified be His majesty, hath purified both the seen and the unseen from the dust of idle fancies and vain imaginings through the Kawthar of His utterance, and hath turned with a pure heart toward the court of God.

Though such a one be asleep, yet in the sight of God he is vigilant, hearing and speaking, for all his limbs, members and hair have been manifested through the love of God, have derived strength from His grace and favor, and have arisen to serve. Neither the clamor of the world can prevent this arising, nor can the chains of the people of the contingent world hold back this tongue from utterance. Before all faces He hath said and continueth to say: The Day hath come, yet the people are in a strange sleep.

Thus hath the Sun revealed its light and radiance, and the sea its waves, and the Tree its fruits, and the Pen its tokens. We, from this Prison, send Our glorification at this moment to Our loved ones who are described by the All-Merciful in the Qur’an as “honored servants who speak not until He hath spoken, and who do His bidding,” and through what the All-Merciful hath revealed at this time. These are servants whom the power of the world cannot weaken, nor can the hosts of nations prevent. He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He pleaseth, and He is the Almighty, the Glorious, the All-Praised. The splendor shining from the horizon of My heaven, and the wave surging from the ocean of My favor, and the light dawning from My western horizon be upon thee and upon My loved ones there, and upon all who are steadfast and firm. There is no God but He, the Single, the One, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

Section 2: “Glory be to God! The inanimate is moved…”

Glory be to God! The inanimate is moved, attracted and gladdened by the fragrances of the utterances of the Lord of creation, yet the people are all deprived save whom our Lord, the Lord of the Throne and of earth, willeth. All the world and the communities of nations have been and are beseeching and yearning for God, glorified be His majesty, to hear the blessed word “O My servant” or a word from which the fragrance of relationship might be inhaled. Yet in these days, when they hear at every moment the blessed words “My servant,” “My leaf,” “My fruit,” “O thou who hast turned to the lights of My countenance,” “O My loved one,” and “O thou who seeketh Me,” they pay no heed, for they are deprived of the ocean of knowledge, though the lamp of loving kindness shineth bright and luminous before all faces, and the radiant beams of the Sun of Truth are manifest and visible from every horizon.

They have forsaken all divine favors and heavenly bounties, occupying themselves instead with ancient names. They have taken fancy as their lamp and conjecture as their remedy. I seek forgiveness from God the All-Glorious for the deeds of these heedless souls and the beliefs of this rejected band. Soon shall the hand of divine power rend asunder the veils and remove the barriers. At that time, the opposers shall be afflicted with a punishment the like of which no ear hath heard nor eye hath seen. The actions of these days have surely reached the ears of that Beloved One. In the land of Sad, what Ibn-i-Dhi’b hath done and continueth to do—verily he hath surpassed his father in oppression, unbelief, hypocrisy and tyranny.

In any case, this servant beseecheth, imploreth and asketh from God, exalted be His glory, that which will cause the removal of veils and the lifting of barriers. Verily our Lord is the Strong, the Powerful, the Single, the One, the Mighty, the Great.

Concerning the mention of Karbila’i Zayn, upon him be the glory of God, and likewise his request, after this matter was presented before the Most Holy Court, these blessed words were revealed from the Tongue of Grandeur. The Lord, blessed and sanctified be He, saith:

“O Zayn! Upon thee be the glory of God, the Lord of Creation. Turn thy face toward the House, then turn to Him with such detachment that all created things shall turn with thee. Thus hath the Luminary of utterance shone forth from the horizon of thy Lord’s will, the All-Merciful. He is the Hearing, the Answering. We have permitted thee what thou didst desire in the path of God, thy Lord, the Lord of all lords. Say: Praise be unto Thee, O my God, for having guided me and permitted what I asked from the ocean of Thy bounty and generosity. My limbs, my members, my outer and inner being all testify that Thou art the Forgiving, the Merciful.”

It endeth thus.

Praise be to God that after this submission, the sun of permission hath risen and shone forth from the horizon of the heaven of God’s will. Blessed is he and joy be unto him. This servant conveyeth greetings and praise to all the friends in that land, and beseecheth and hopeth that all will seek divine confirmation and assistance for him. Verily our Lord hath power over whatsoever He willeth. He heareth and seeth. There is no God but Him, the Hearing, the Seeing.

Especially for the pilgrims, upon them be the glory of God—meaning those souls who are related to the presence of A and H, upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God—wondrous and exalted Tablets have been revealed, each adorned and illumined with the seal of the Lord of the Day of Judgment. A hundred thousand congratulations would be insufficient, nay less than that. As commanded, one must hold fast to wisdom. The people are both ignorant and heedless. In all cases, forbearance is necessary and wisdom is essential. It endeth thus.

In truth, the honored master, His Holiness the Haji, upon him be the eternal glory of God, performed in the days of the Manifestation that which the people of the world are deprived of. This is a testimony which this servant hath repeatedly heard with his own ears from the Tongue of Grandeur.

Another matter is that His Excellency the Crown Prince has not, to this time, outwardly been involved in the blood of this community—this is a gift and favor from God, exalted be His glory, towards him. Would that His Excellency could become aware of this great bounty. If one of the pure-hearted, fair and just officials were to be inspired regarding this matter and make it known, it would be most excellent, for then he would become aware of the divine confirmation and favor that has thus far been shown him and would recognize the value of this great blessing and supreme gift. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, to protect His Excellency from this manifest injustice. Praise be to God who has protected him until now and will continue to do so, for verily He has power over all things and is worthy to answer prayers. This matter must be confirmed by someone outside this community who will say it, for He inspires whom He wishes with what He wishes, and He is the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

The cause of martyrdom of the honored teacher (upon him be the Most Glorious Glory and the Most Resplendent Light) in the land of Sad in these days was not sedition, for those who intended sedition had their intentions rejected and were not accepted. God Himself, exalted be His glory, knows of His favors and gifts. Praise and glory be unto Him. He has commanded all to reform and forbidden them from corruption, and through His supreme grace prevented the manifestation of rancor and hatred. Verily He has power over whatsoever He willeth. There is no God but He, the Ruler, the All-Knowing, the Supreme, the Self-Subsisting.

Regarding what was mentioned about the two sacred books, they were instructed to bring the volumes to His presence so that His Excellency could make multiple copies, after which His Holiness Alif and Ha (upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God) and each of the steadfast ones could obtain copies. Those two were read in his presence and corrected. The previous verses with anyone should be erased as they are not correct.

And regarding what was mentioned about the Chief Artist (upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God) and his intention, it was presented in the Most Holy and Exalted Presence. His blessed and exalted Word states: “Excellent is what he has intended. Praise be to God.” His work and service are present before the Face. In truth, this work of his has no equal and will be eternally preserved in the Book of God. We give permission for him to paint a limited number for Abu’l-Jamal and Abu’l-Hasan specifically for that honored one and one or two of the friends. This is from God’s favor, His Most Great Bounty, and His Most Perfect and Complete Gift. Glory from Us be upon him, his son, his wife, and upon those who have witnessed what God, the Lord of the Mighty Throne, has witnessed.

A limited number is permitted; if increased it is not beloved, and the reason is known. Praise be to God, they are assisted and confirmed, and likewise are the seekers and those who have attained. The Branches of the Blessed Tree (may my spirit, my being, and my essence be sacrificed for the dust of their footsteps) mention that beloved one with utmost grace and send greetings and praise. Glory, remembrance and praise be upon your honor and upon those who are with you and who hear your words in this Most Great, Mighty and Protected Cause.

The servant 27 Rabi’u’th-Thani 1306