Volume 094: Akka 1307 A.H. (1889–1890), Part II (3 of 4)

BH00087: Praise, glory, gratitude and splendor be unto that most…

Section 1: “Praise, glory, gratitude and splendor be unto…”

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

Praise, glory, gratitude and splendor be unto that most holy and transcendent Being, the Object of all desire, Whom the tyranny of oppressors, the rejection and opposition of the wayward, and the calumnies of slanderers failed to deter. His Will is sovereign and His Purpose prevails, to such extent that, without helper or assistant, He raised up His Cause in the prison of ʿAkka, so that now in the assemblies of the kings of the world, ministers, divines and mystics, this mention has been and continues to be made, leaving all bewildered. Glorified be His dominion, magnificent His signs, and mighty His proof!

At all times I beseech the Self-Sufficing Lord to adorn His loved ones with the ornament of patience and tranquility, to illumine them with the light of patience and forbearance, and to cause them to supplicate that He may show kindness unto the kings—who are the manifestations of His power and majesty—and grant them success in distinguishing between the reformer of the world and its corrupter. Verily, He is the Helper, the Wise, the All-Knowing Teacher.

O beloved of my heart! Your letters have repeatedly arrived, but the delay in replying rests upon your forgiveness. Your latest letter, dated the first of the month of Jim, brought fresh joy to this grieving heart. It has been said of old that the remembrance of friends gladdens the Friend. After its perusal, ascent was made to the supreme heights and the most exalted Kingdom, and it was presented before the countenance of the Lord of all beings, attaining the honor of His attention. Thus speaks He, exalted be His glory, mighty His sovereignty, all-encompassing His proof and evidence:

I am the Caller before the faces of all mankind from the prison of ʿAkka

O thou who soarest in My atmosphere, who standest before My throne, and drinkest the choice wine of My utterance! Hear My call: verily there is no God but He, the Single, the One, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. O spiritual youth! The Point announced unto the people the establishment of Him Who conversed on Sinai upon the throne of Manifestation. Yet when He appeared and was established, mankind turned away, save those whom God, the Lord of the mighty throne, willed.

Say: O people, fear God! He Who was promised hath come, He Who was hidden hath appeared, He Who was treasured hath been made manifest. Through His appearance the call hath been raised from every direction: ʿThe Revelation is God’s, the Kingdom is God’s, the Greatness is God’s, the One, the Single, the Mighty, the Beautiful!’ Say: Hath the eye of creation beheld the like of what hath appeared in truth? Have ears heard the like of what hath been sent down from the heaven of bounty? Nay, by the Self of God, Who standeth over the Cause with manifest sovereignty! Say: O concourse of men! Cast away what ye possess and take what ye are commanded in the Tablet.

Verily it will preserve you, exalt you, and bring you near unto the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. Say: Raise your heads from the couch of heedlessness. The Sun hath risen from the horizon of the heaven of bounty, and the ocean of grace surgeth in the name of your Lord, the Most Glorious. Beware lest ye deprive yourselves of the bounty of God, the Lord of all worlds. Say: Will vain imaginings profit you? Nay, by His very Self, the Truth! Will idle fancies guide you? Nay, by His Name, the Mighty, the Great! Shatter the idols by the name of the Lord of Days. Verily He will deliver you through grace and save you from grievous torment.

The people of the Bayan have taken for themselves what the former people took. Thus have their souls enticed them and made them among the most lost. Say: He hath come, for Whom the near ones sacrificed themselves in His path, and He hath appeared Who was mentioned in God’s Books, yet most people remain heedless. We have sent down to them from the heaven of bounty that which solaceth the eyes of the mystics.

O spiritual youth! Upon thee be My glory and My loving-kindness! God, exalted be His glory, hath manifested Himself in such wise that no possessor of hearing or sight hath denied or will deny Him. Without armies or legions He hath aided His Cause—an aid that is now celebrated and renowned in every gathering and assembly. Exalted be His might and His power! There is none other God but Him.

Praise be to God! We have effaced discord and strife from the Holy Books and have established the Cause of God with justice upon the throne of manifestation. Glory be to God! Strange it is that while all the people of the Bayan became aware of the tyranny, infidelity, misbelief and hypocrisy of the former party, yet some have again clung to the fabricated tales and false utterances of that people. Woe unto them, then woe unto them for having taken their vain imaginings as lords beside God! They are indeed among the oppressors in My manifest Book.

We make mention of the loved ones in that land—a mention that enkindleth and causeth detachment. O thou who art immersed in the ocean of My love! Reflect upon divine power and the influence of His Word. His Cause hath been aided and exalted from the earliest days until now, standing manifest and eloquent before all faces. The clamor of the ignorant divines of Persia who have appropriated unto themselves the name of knowledge, and the tumult of the common folk of that land, did not prevent the Lord of creation from revealing His Cause. In all conditions He hath spoken this most exalted Word:

“The Lord of all being hath come, and sovereignty belongeth unto God, the All-Compelling, the Self-Subsisting.”

Say: O people of God! Have ye heard the call and remained patient, or were ye among the heedless? O hosts of God! Have ye perceived the fragrance of God and remained tranquil, or were ye among the negligent? In most of Our Tablets We have made mention of what is meant by the hosts, that the world might be preserved from corruption and strife. In this most great Revelation, the banner of divine favor and the standard of preexistent mercy have been raised high. The divine hosts are goodly character, and His armies are praiseworthy deeds.

O spiritual youth! Although in this year the calumnies of the calumniators and the oppression of the oppressors have encompassed from every direction, yet through God’s grace and bounty the greatest joy hath been manifest and visible at all times. The cause of this is the adherence of the loved ones to the firm handle of divine commandments. From the time of Our arrival in Iraq, We forbade all from strife, conflict, corruption, murder and plunder. For nearly forty years no one hath transgressed God’s command. In every land, the oppressors of the world have inflicted upon the people of God that which caused the solid rock to weep and the hearts of the faithful to be consumed. Whatever befell them, they held fast to the cord of patience and clung to the hem of resignation.

They were slain but slew not. The proof of this are the events that occurred in the lands of Sad [Isfahan], Kha [Khurasan], Ta [Tehran] and other cities. Blessed are they who are enraptured with love! The oppressors of the world perpetrated in that land what no oppressor had ever perpetrated, yet the people of God did not retaliate. Rather, they interceded for their oppressors and murderers. Well is it with them and may they rejoice! We beseech God to assist them to achieve unity and harmony. Nevertheless, the learned ones have not become aware.

Say: My God, my God! Purify Thy servants from the stench of oppression and adorn them with the vesture of justice. O Lord! Transform the land of oppression into the throne of equity. O Lord! Anoint their eyes with the collyrium of light, that they may behold whatsoever hath appeared with the eye of justice. Verily, Thou art the Possessor of grace, and in Thy hand are the reins of all things, both of the first and the last. The resplendent Light shining forth from the horizon of the heaven of My Will be upon thee, and upon thy household, and upon those who are with thee, and who love thee for the sake of God, the Lord of the worlds. End.

O Beloved of my heart! Man standeth bewildered, knowing not what to utter. The sight of the peoples of the world hath been altered, the power of vision hath been lost, and the faculty of hearing hath become extinct. That Cause whose appearance hath outshone the sun, and that Ocean whose waves have encompassed the world—this have they denied. This denial beareth witness to their sightlessness, and this failure to hearken testifieth to their deafness. Glory be to God! What, then, have been the reasons for such opposition, and what are they now? There hath been no doubt, nor is there any, that it is the recompense of their deeds that hath deprived them all, and now naught remaineth save powerlessness and supplication at the threshold of the Lord of Being. O my God! O my God! Thy servants have turned away from Thee, directing their gaze toward the manifestations of idle fancies and vain imaginings. I beseech Thee, O Sovereign of existence, by Thy Name through which Thou hast subjected both the seen and the unseen, to cleanse Thy servants from the dust of illusions and to adorn them with the lights of certitude. Verily, Thou art the Lord of all religions. There is no God but Thee, the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Generous.

The mention of the honored brethren and esteemed friends, the beloved companions—upon them be the splendor of the All-Merciful—was made, and after supplication in the Most Sacred and Exalted Court, these resplendent verses dawned from the Dayspring of Utterance, the Desire of all the worlds. This is what was revealed for His Honor Muhammad, upon him be the glory of God. Thus speaketh He, exalted be His utterance and glorified His proof:

He is the Rememberer and He is the Remembered

O Muhammad! Rejoice in that thy name hath been made manifest in that station which God hath ordained as the circling-point of those who have drawn nigh unto Him. Give thanks for the fragrance of the love of God, the Lord of all the worlds, that hath been wafted from thee. Praise be unto thee for that the Wronged One hath turned toward thee from the direction of His prison, and hath revealed unto thee that which hath enraptured the Concourse on High and the denizens of the loftiest Paradise, and the people of the Tabernacle of Glory in the Kingdom of the Most Glorious. From the horizon of every word hath shone forth the Orb of Bounty from God, the Sovereign of the Kingdom of Names.

O Muhammad! Verily, the Wronged One maketh mention of thee when tribulations have encompassed Him—a mention which, when revealed, causeth the books of the world to bow down in submission. The Ancient of Days beareth witness to this in this sublime station. Neither armies nor the tyranny of the Pharaohs of the earth can prevent Him. He hath appeared and manifested whatsoever He desired through a sovereignty that hath overcome all who are in the heavens and on the earth.

When thou art seized by the attraction of the Call, turn toward the Most Exalted Horizon and say:

“Praise be unto Thee, O my God, for having given me to drink from the chalice of Thy bounty the Kawthar of Thy utterance. I beseech Thee by the pearls hidden in the treasury of Thy protection, and by Thy verses treasured in the heaven of Thy will, and by the mysteries of Thy Most Great Name which hath encompassed the world, to inscribe for me with the pen of Thy grace that which will draw me nigh unto Thee and make me detached from all save Thee. Verily, Thou art He Who hath power over whatsoever Thou willest. There is no God but Thee, the Mighty, the Bountiful.”

And this is what was revealed for His Honor ʿAli, upon him be the glory of God:

He is in the Most Exalted Horizon

O Ali! Has the rapture of thy Lord’s utterance seized thee? Hast thou drunk the choice wine of detachment from the hand of His bounty, or art thou of them that linger? We beseech God to adorn thee with the most great profit in this trade wherewith the Concourse on High is occupied, to illumine thy head with the crown of fidelity, and to make thee among the horsemen in the arena of wisdom and utterance on this Day wherein He Who conversed on Sinai hath been established upon the throne of Revelation, to the dismay of every doubtful scholar and every remote mystic.

Say: O people of the Bayan! Adorn your heads with the crown of the remembrance of Him Who heralded Me. His word is the truth, and I have written a gem concerning His remembrance: He shall not be known through My allusions nor through what was revealed in the Bayan. Beware, O people of the Bayan, lest ye seek proof through what ye possess. By God’s life! The books of the world shall profit you not this day save through this Book that walketh and speaketh. He is God; there is none other God but Him, the Mighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. Say: Neither the promptings of the Guide nor of Mihdi who spoke that which caused the dwellers of the pavilions of grandeur and majesty to lament in the days of God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy, shall deliver you.

Say: The Herald gave you glad tidings and informed you, saying “All the Bayan is as a ring upon His finger.” Ye have cast the command of God behind your backs. What aileth you, O company of wrong-doers? Thus hath the Tongue of Grandeur spoken in this exalted station. Light and spirit and glory be upon you, O party of God, from this time until such time as the sun shall continue to shine from the horizon of the will of God, the Lord of the exalted Throne.

This was revealed for His Honor Hasan, upon him be the Glory of God:

In My Name, through which the ocean of bounty surged

O Hasan! Upon thee be My glory! The verses of God have encompassed the world, and from the clouds of bounty, in place of rain, the pearls of wisdom and utterance have showered down. The Call of Sinai is raised high, proclaiming “The Revelation hath appeared!” Yet the embodiments of imitation and the daysprings of limitation are deprived and forbidden from all the outpourings of the Day of God. The deniers of the Bayan are a thousand times greater than the deniers of the Qur’an. They behold power yet deny it, they hear the verses yet turn away from them. The ocean is manifest before all faces, yet those heedless souls, lacking sight, seek right and left that perchance they might find some fetid pool to which they might cling.

The ocean needeth its fish, and the sky its soaring eagle. The lizard was not and is not capable of plunging into the sea. Say: O people of the Bayan! Look with justice and fairness and speak. If this Most Great Revelation be denied, none shall be able to establish proof of any Manifestation. This clear Cause and this mighty Announcement bear witness to that. Glory be from Us upon Our loved ones who have taken hold of the Book of God with such power that the might of all who are in the heavens and earth hath failed to prevent them.

Section 2: “Every fair-minded one hath testified to the inability…”

Every fair-minded one hath testified to the inability of servants to reckon the grace and loving-kindness of God, exalted be His glory. At all times there hath descended from the heaven of divine verses that which is the cause of the life of the peoples of the world. Yet most nations are heedless and unaware. For the sake of two days of earthly life they have forsaken everlasting life and eternal blessing. Fie upon them and their understanding! It behooveth Me to recite in this place what the All-Merciful hath revealed in the Qur’an through His words, exalted be He: “Leave them to plunge in vain discourse and play.” And let us cleave to the remembrance of the loved ones before the countenance of the Lord of all humanity, that there may be sent down for each one of them that which shall endure as long as His names and attributes endure. Verily, He is the Compassionate, the Bountiful.

This was revealed for His Honor Ahmad who attained the presence and won the victory—His word, exalted be His proof and mighty His evidence and glorious His verses:

In the name of Him through Whom the light hath shone forth from the horizon of the world

This is the Day whereon the Mother Book hath, in the Kingdom of Utterance, been enthroned upon the seat of knowledge, proclaiming: O peoples of the earth! Fear God, and follow not those who have disbelieved in His proof when it appeared, who cast aside His verses when they were sent down, His evidence when it was perfected, His mercy when it preceded all else, and His grace when it encompassed all things. Thus hath the gate of counsel been opened. Blessed is the soul that hath hearkened and attained, and woe unto every heedless and remote one.

This is a Book from Us to him who hath turned and attained, and hath drunk the choice wine of knowledge from the cup of the All-Merciful’s grace time and again. We have remembered him in diverse Tablets with a remembrance whose fragrance shall not cease so long as the Kingdom of God, the Mighty, the Praised, shall endure.

O thou who gazest upon the Countenance! We have raised up the Cause with a sovereignty that hath conquered the world and have revealed that which lay hidden before the faces of the nations. Among them are those who denied, those who turned away, those who disbelieved, and those who hearkened, turned towards God and said:

“Praise be unto Thee for having manifested Thyself, O Thou God of all who are in the heavens and on earth!”

Take thou the Most Great Key in My Name, then unlock therewith the doors of hearts through My remembrance, the Mighty, the Wise. Thou hast attained unto that which perisheth not, as doth testify the Lord of all beings in His mighty prison.

We have enjoined upon the servants trustworthiness, godliness, truthfulness and faithfulness, yet they have wrought that which hath caused the Most Exalted Pen to lament, save those whom God, the All-Merciful, the Gracious, hath willed. Glorify in My name the faces of My loved ones, remind them of My verses, and illumine them with the light of My knowledge. Verily thy Lord is the Counselor, the All-Remembering, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

The glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of My grace be upon thee, upon those with thee, and upon those who have hearkened and responded to their Lord, the Ancient of Days.

And this is what was revealed for Jinab-i-ʿAyn, upon him be the Glory of God

He is the Hearer, the Answerer

O ʿAli! Upon thee be My glory! The Cause of God hath come and the Most Great Proof hath been made manifest, yet the nations have turned away, save those whom God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting, hath willed. The Hidden Treasure hath been revealed and the Concealed Mystery unveiled, though the generality of mankind comprehend not. They have cast aside the Kawthar of Divine Unity and seized upon the wine of idle fancy, yet they perceive it not.

Cast thy gaze upon the divines and reflect upon their deeds. They mount the pulpits and utter words that cause tears to flow from the eyes. They were created for My succor, yet they have aided Mine enemies, though they understand not. They have spurned the Guide and turned away from the Path. Erelong shall they behold the recompense of their works before the throne of God’s justice—He Who is the Sovereign of the seen and the unseen. They have violated the Covenant of God and His Testament, and have devoured the substance of men wrongfully. To this do testify honored servants of God. The verses have encompassed all regions, and He Whose advent the Books of God, the Mighty, the Well-Beloved, have heralded, hath appeared.

Verily, We have made mention of thee aforetime in divers Tablets. Blessed is the servant who hath attained unto My remembrance, hath uttered My praise, and hath clung fast to My extended Cord. We beseech God to confirm thee in that whose fragrance is wafted amongst the servants, through the eternity of His dominion and sovereignty. The world shall perish, yet that which hath been revealed unto thee shall endure. By My life! Its influence shall never cease in the realm of creation. To this beareth witness He with Whom is the preserved Tablet. The Glory shining forth from the horizon of the heaven of My providence be upon thee and upon those who are with thee and who have believed in God, the Lord of all existence.

This is what was revealed for His Honor Baha by Baha’u’llah, the Sovereign of all Names

In the Name of Him through Whom the light of God, the Lord of all the worlds, hath shone forth

The Book hath been sent down in truth unto him who hath turned towards the Straight Path of God. O Ba’, hearken unto the call from the precincts of ʿAkka. Verily there is none other God but Him, the Single, the One, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. The gate of heaven hath been opened and the Lord of Names hath come with a Cause before which the hosts of the heavens and earth cannot stand. When thou drinkest the choice wine of divine knowledge from the goblets of thy Lord’s bounty, say: Praise be unto Thee, O my God, for having revealed unto me that which was hidden from Thy servants and acquainted me with that which was treasured in Thy knowledge.

I beseech Thee by Thy most great signs and by the lights of Thy countenance, O Lord of all beings, and by Thy Name at Whose utterance all names bow down, and by Thy light at Whose dawning all lights submit, to make me in all conditions one who gazeth toward Thy horizon, who speaketh Thy praise, and who aideth Thy Cause through wisdom and utterance. I testify, O my God, to Thy oneness and Thy singleness, and to Thy mercy which hath preceded Thy servants and Thy creation. O Lord, I am Thy servant and the son of Thy servant. Thou seest me clinging to Thy cord and hoping for the wonders of Thy grace. I beseech Thee not to disappoint me of that which Thou hast ordained for Thy chosen ones and Thy loved ones.

Verily Thou art He through Whose command the names appeared and the letter Kaf was joined to its pillar, the letter Nun. There is none other God but Thee, the One Who ruleth over what hath been and what shall be.

And this is what was revealed for His Honor Mirza Muhammad-ʿAli, upon him be the Glory of God:

In My Name through which the Sun of Utterance hath shone forth

A remembrance from Our presence unto him who hath drunk the choice wine of knowledge in the days of God, the Lord of the Day of Return. We have turned toward him from the precincts of the Prison and have revealed for him that whereby the realities of all things were attracted in this Day wherein the Herald hath proclaimed from the precincts of ʿAkka: The Kingdom belongeth unto God, the Lord of Lords.

O Muhammad-ʿAli, give thanks unto God for having aided thee, drawn thee nigh, and given thee to drink of the pure water from the hand of the grace of the Lord of the Day of Manifestation, and guided thee unto this Cause whereby feet have slipped save for those whom God, the Lord of mankind, hath willed. Counsel My servants on My behalf and remind them of My verses, then read what We have revealed unto thee with joy and fragrance. This is a day wherein hearts have melted and servants have lamented by reason of what hath befallen the Wronged One at the hands of those who have denied His proof and His evidence, and have violated that which they were bidden in the Mother Book.

Say: Fear God, O company of the heedless! By God, the Lord of the Day of Judgment hath come with a sovereignty that hath conquered all who are in earth and heaven. Thy name was mentioned before the Wronged One, and We have revealed for thee that whereby the hearts of such servants as have heard and responded were attracted—these are they who, in the sight of God, the Lord of all beings, are among the people of this station. Take the Book by My command and say: Praise be unto Thee, O Thou the Goal of the world, for having aided me to turn toward Thee and remembered me through that whereby the fragrance of the garment hath wafted throughout all lands.

O Lord, Thou seest the ocean of poverty desiring the ocean of Thy riches, and it beseecheth Thee by Thy Most Great Name through which Thou hast subdued the nations, to send down upon me from the clouds of Thy grace and the heaven of Thy bounty that which shall render me detached from all except Thee and holding fast unto Thee and unto Thy verses and unto all that hath appeared from Thee. O Lord, weakness hath seized me in Thy days. I beseech Thee to make me strong through Thy strength and mighty through Thy might. Verily Thou art He unto Whose sovereignty every tongue hath testified, and to Whose greatness and power every one possessed of understanding hath borne witness. There is none other God but Thee, the Single, the One, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

And this is what was revealed for His Honor Mirza Davud, upon him be the Glory of God:

In My Name through which the horizon of utterance hath been illumined

O Davud! The verses of God are being revealed from every direction, and His evidences are pouring forth like rain from the clouds of grace. That which was hidden is now manifest, and the Speaker of the Mount is speaking without veil or covering before all faces. The Psalms are being chanted and the call is raised from the highest horizon. Blessed is the one whom the wall of Gog did not prevent—and these Gog are the divines of Persia who from the earliest days until now have prevented the servants from the Law of God. Blessed is the soul whom their clamor did not hinder, whose strength their might did not weaken, and whom their dominion did not frighten.

These are servants whose mention God has revealed in His Books, His Psalms and His Tablets. O David! God willing, through the power and might of the Truth, exalted be His glory, thou shalt rend asunder the veils of the heedless and give unto all the glad tidings of the Great Announcement, that perchance they may not remain deprived of the ocean of bounty. Strive thou, and beseech God that He may not prevent His servants from the outpourings of His days. He is the Forgiver of sins, and He is the Transformer of hearts. We have mentioned thee before and made known unto thee the path of God, the Lord of the House and the Possessor of this lofty station.

The glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of My mercy be upon thee and upon those who have testified to that which God hath testified and who have acknowledged that which hath been sent down from the Supreme Pen in His mighty and wondrous Book.

And this is what was revealed for his honor Mirza Muhammad-Amin, upon him be the glory of God:

He is the Expositor, the All-Knowing

O Amin! Upon thee be My manifest glory. Blessed is the soul that is illumined by the light of trustworthiness and adorned with the ornament of faithfulness. In most Tablets We have commanded the servants to perform good deeds and display praiseworthy conduct, but some heeded not the divine counsel and clung to their own desires, and there befell the temple of trustworthiness from heedless and oppressive souls that which caused the eye of justice to weep. This Wronged One hath, during the nights and days, counseled the servants of God concerning that which would draw them nigh and profit them, yet defiled ears attained not unto hearing. Strange, nay most strange, that they remain heedless of that which profiteth them and cling to that which harmeth and destroyeth them.

Ere long shall the carpets of the world be rolled up, and the embodiment of justice shall be established upon the throne of equity, and the station of the blessed words “Give unto each his due” shall become manifest and evident. We beseech God to illumine all through the lights of the Day-Star of Justice and to sever them from aught else beside Him. He is the Powerful, the Mighty. Glory be upon thee and upon those who have held fast unto the cord of counsel from God, the Lord of the worlds.

Section 3: “And this is what was revealed for his…”

And this is what was revealed for his honor Ya’qub-ʿAli, upon him be the glory of God:

In My Name, through Whose light the earth and heaven were illumined

O Ya’qub! The Joseph of God dwelleth in the well of the oppressors, and at every moment there befalleth Him that which causeth the people of the cities of justice and equity to lament. We commanded trustworthiness, yet they clung to treachery; We enjoined equity, yet they embraced tyranny. Through what they possess they remain heedless and veiled from what is with God. Do they not see that they die and dwell in their tombs? Do they not see that they depart and return not? Glory be to God! Heedlessness hath reached such a state that pen and ink are powerless to describe it. They waited for My days, but when they came they turned away and pronounced against Me a grievous judgment.

Their vain desires have prevented them from drawing nigh unto God, the Peerless, the All-Informed. We beseech God to assist thee and His loved ones to champion His Cause through wisdom and utterance, and to strengthen you with the hosts of goodly deeds and virtuous character. He is verily the Almighty, the All-Powerful. Say: My God, my God! Thou seest Thy devoted servants amidst Thy rebellious ones, and beholdest the wolves surrounding Thy loved ones. I beseech Thee by the lights of the Sun of Thy knowledge and by the mysteries deposited in Thy Tablets to enable them to return unto Thee, to draw near to the court of Thy nearness, and to stand before the door of Thy bounty. Thou art verily the Almighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

Praise be to God Who hath removed our grief, manifested unto us His signs, and sent down upon us His favors. The heavenly food and the bounty of utterance descendeth at all times. We implore God to assist His servants that they may attain unto it and not be deprived. O Thou in Whose hand is grace and bounty! Have mercy on Thy servants with the mercy that hath preceded existence, then unveil unto them through Thy generosity, O Loving One, that they may turn to the lights of Thy countenance and seek shelter in the shadow of Thy care. I testify that Thou art the All-Bountiful in all conditions. There is no God but Thee, the Self-Sufficient, the Most Exalted.

Mention was made of Nuru’llah and Diya’u’llah, upon them be the Glory of God. After its presentation in the Most Holy and Most Exalted Court, these words were revealed from the Dayspring of the divine will. His mighty utterance and glorious proof proclaim:

In the Name of the Kind Friend

O Nuru’llah! In this hour when the Wronged One of the world walketh in the Most Great Prison, He hath turned toward thee and maketh mention of thee. We beseech God to water the saplings of the garden of divine knowledge with the rains of grace and bounty, that they may reach the station of maturity, which is the station of the appearance of fruits. He is the Hearer, the Answerer. God willing, thou shalt abide beneath the shadow of God’s special favor, glorified be His majesty, and be illumined by the lights of Him Who conversed on Sinai. Praise be to God, thy father attained the Most Sublime Vision and his presence was adorned with acceptance. He heard the Call on a day when most of humanity was prevented from hearing, and drank the choice wine of utterance from the hand of the bounty of his Lord, the All-Merciful. Blessed art thou, and blessed is he, and blessed are those who are with you on this blessed, mighty, wondrous Day. The glory from Us be upon thee and upon every one who hath attained to this mighty Cause.

And this is what was revealed for Diya’u’llah, upon him be the Glory of God:

In the Name of the One God

O Diya’! Upon thee be the Glory of God, the Lord of Names! Praise thou the Desired One of all worlds Who brought thee from nothingness into being and adorned thee with the ornament of existence in days for which there hath been no peer or likeness. Thou and the love of God have, in truth, come into being as twins. Blessed be the loins that have attained unto this wondrous remembrance. The gaze of divine favor hath ever been and will continue to be directed towards thee. Praise be unto Thee, O my God, for having illumined the hearts of them that have turned towards Thee with the light of Thy knowledge, and caused their tongues to speak Thy praise and glorification, and revealed unto them that which was hidden from most of Thy servants. O Lord! Draw them nigh through Thy bounty and grant them the Kawthar of Thy utterance. Verily Thou art the Mighty, the Powerful, verily Thou art the Compassionate, the Generous.

O spiritual youth! Upon thee be the everlasting Glory of God! Convey to all the kindred and relatives the greetings from the Wronged One, and give them all the glad-tidings of the effulgences of the Day-Star of grace and bounty. Say: Blessed are ye for having attained unto the days of God, the Lord of the mighty throne and the exalted seat. We make mention of all the loved ones in that land. Say: O loved ones of God and His party! We beseech Him that He may cause to flow forth from you, in His name, that which shall endure throughout the perpetuity of His dominion. Blessed be ye, and His mercy be upon you. Ye are they whom neither the harm of the oppressors nor the opposition of the transgressors hath withheld. We counsel you to observe wisdom—wisdom being such deeds and actions as would cause the heedless ones of the world to become aware and draw them nigh unto the party of God. The helpless servants have been reared by the divines in vain imaginings. The wise ones of the earth must, with the utmost kindness and love, summon the people to the Law of God and the Dawning-Place of His favors. Should they become adorned with the ornament of awareness, all will circle round it.

O party of God! We beseech Him that He may manifest from you steadfastness—a steadfastness the like of which hath never been seen. The former people were deprived of the Dawning-Place of divine revelation through vain imaginings and doubts. They considered themselves the most profitable of all the world, yet on the Day of Manifestation they were seen to be the most lost. Say: God protect us and you, O party of God, from their vain imaginings and doubts, and from their deeds and actions and words and beliefs. For had their deeds and beliefs been in harmony, they would surely have attained recognition and been blessed with the knowledge of God, exalted be His glory. It hath been repeatedly mentioned that the recompense of the deeds of that tyrannical group deprived them of the Dawning-Place of divine justice and the Source of His mercy. The false tales of old prevented the people from the Most Great News which was mentioned in the divine Books of the past and future.

My God, my God! Aid them to return unto Thee and to make good what they missed when the Sun of Thy Revelation shone forth. All created things have testified to Thy grace and all contingent beings to Thy mercy. Deprive not Thy servants of the ocean of Thy bounty, from whose waves can be heard: The kingdom and the dominion belong unto God, the Lord of the worlds. The Glory shining from the horizon of Revelation be upon you, O loved ones of God and His friends, upon your first and your last, your outward and your inward being, and the mercy of God and His blessings.

Concerning what was mentioned about prayer, the prayer whose ordinance was revealed in the Kitab-i-Aqdas, that prayer along with many other sacred writings was sent from the prison to another location. And the new prayer that was later revealed—its recitation depends on times when one observes a certain state within oneself. In truth, it hath been revealed in such wise that were it to be recited upon a rock, that rock would stir and speak forth, and were it upon a mountain, it would move and flow. Blessed is he who reciteth it and is among those who act. The recitation of either prayer sufficeth. Should one observe with justice and fairness any verse of its verses or any word of its words, he would pass beyond his own understanding and that of the people, and fix his gaze upon that which is with God.

As for what ye mentioned concerning the slaughtered animal that hath died, its ruling is as before. Thus hath the Lord decreed at this time. And concerning what was asked about the heavens and the stars, this hath already been revealed by the Supreme Pen regarding these matters—there is no need for repeated mention. And regarding the permission for pilgrimage about which ye wrote, after this firm decree was presented, this utterance was manifested from the tongue of grandeur: whenever the means are available and wisdom requireth it, they may make the pilgrimage.

Concerning the mention of Aqa Mirza Ibrahim, upon him be the Glory of God and His mercy that precedeth all, after these shining words were presented, there dawned from the horizon of will these words—exalted and blessed be He:

“O spiritual youth! Praise be to God Who aided thee to fulfill what was incumbent upon thee according to God’s decree, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. Convey My greetings unto him and give him the glad tidings of the acceptance of his deed. We beseech God to open before his face the gates of grace and bounty, and to ordain for him that which shall be a light unto him and shall go before his face in all the worlds of God. Verily He is the Protector of those who have believed in Him and have acted according to what they were commanded in His perspicuous Book.”

This servant doth likewise offer praise and glorification, and doth beseech the True One—exalted be His glory—to vouchsafe unto them that which is enduring and everlasting. The leaves recording their arrival have likewise been perused and have been adorned before the Countenance with the embellishment of divine acceptance. The remainder of the sum must needs reach the Beloved of hearts, His Honor Amin—upon him be the glory of Baha’u’llah—inasmuch as the amount of fifty tumans hath been consigned unto him, that he may convey it unto certain souls in the Land of Sad. Well is it with those who labor in the path of God and with those who are endued with true knowledge!

Mention was made of His Honor Mulla Husayn—upon him be the glory of Baha’u’llah—and likewise reference was made unto his craft. After this matter was submitted to the Most Sacred and Inaccessible Threshold, these resplendent verses were revealed specifically for him from the heaven of the Will of the Sovereign of Names and Attributes. Thus speaketh He Whose utterance is mighty and Whose proof is glorious:

He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing

The Book speaks before the faces of the parties and says: O concourse of earth! Know ye the value of the Day of God, and deprive not yourselves of His infinite bounties. This Day has no peer or likeness. The bounty of utterance and the banquet of knowledge have descended from the heaven of the favor of the Beloved of all creation. Blessed is the soul that has turned and attained, and woe unto the heedless! O Husayn! After this, the Lord of all beings has turned toward thee from the prison quarter and makes mention of thee. In the estimation of those endowed with insight and the denizens of the most exalted Paradise, the riches of the world and the treasures of nations cannot equal this mention. Say: Praise be unto Thee, O Lord of the worlds, and glory be unto Thee, O Glory of those who are in the heavens and on earth! Your handiwork has been presented and has attained the glance of favor. Reflect upon the sublimity of the ocean of divine grace.

By My life! All the things of the world were and are unworthy of mention in the Holy Court, but as your handiwork has appeared through love and you have sent a spiritual youth, it has been adorned with the ornament of mention by the One Who is the Goal of all beings and illumined with the light of acceptance. Verily, He is the All-Bountiful, the Mighty, the Wise. Praise be unto Him, as He is the Beloved of the mystics and the Goal of the sincere ones. The ocean of bounty has appeared with waves upon waves. A single atom of deeds that have appeared and do appear in His path stands forth in His presence as lofty as the heavens. Can anyone enumerate this bounty? Nay, by His manifest sovereignty! Although the thanksgiving and praise of this servant do not and will not reach the hem of this blessing, unless His grace takes hold and His mercy accepts. Every created thing has testified to His loftiness, His transcendence, His grace, His giving, His favor, and His bounty. There is no God but He, the Forgiving, the All-Merciful, the Single, the One, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

I make mention of the loved ones of that land, both young and old, and hope from the grace and mercy of the sovereign Who doeth as He willeth that in those regions the light of submission and contentment may shine forth and all may attain unto that which hath been sent down from the heaven of the Divine Will in the holy Tablets. In truth, that which is obligatory today according to His command is that all should hold fast to such deeds as will attract the people of the earth. I beseech Him to assist and enable all to do that which they have been commanded in the Book. Verily, He is the Generous, the Possessor of great bounty. There is no God but He, the Mighty, the All-Knowing.

Glory and mention and praise be upon you and upon those with you and upon everyone who has turned, recognized, and attained unto this wise Remembrance and this mighty Command.

The servant 27 Ramadan 1307

BH00760: Praise be to God, the Everlasting, the Eternal…

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

Praise be to God, the Everlasting, the Eternal, the All-Powerful, Who hath encompassed earth and heaven through His Supreme Word, Who hath created man and distinguished him above all other created things, taught him His path, enabled him to voice His praise, and caused him to know that which draweth him nigh unto His most holy court and sacred threshold. He, verily, is the One Who doeth what He willeth through His word “Be,” and it is. Glory and splendor be upon the Hands of His Cause who have arisen to serve Him and have traversed the lands by His leave to exalt His Word. These are honored servants, triumphant servants, servants who have held fast to the cord of God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting.

Thereafter, the letter of that beloved of the heart was received repeatedly. In truth, in each one the signs of the vernal breeze were evident, and since it was adorned with the mention of the Peerless Friend, it brought freshness to the world of being. After its reading, having sought permission to present it at the Most Exalted Station and the Dawning-Place of the revelation of the Lord of all beings, it was entirely submitted and achieved the honor of being heard. And this is what was sent down from the heaven of grace and bounty in reply, His Word—exalted be His majesty, mighty be His proof, and great be His sovereignty:

O Amin! Upon thee be the glory of God, the Lord of the worlds! Thy letters were received repeatedly and repeatedly achieved the honor of being presented and answered in the Most Holy Court. We beseech God, thy Lord and the Lord of the throne and earth, to aid thee to that which will elevate the station of humanity in the world of creation. Verily, He doeth whatsoever He willeth. We ask of the Truth to assist thee.

O Amin! Thy name is associated with the name of God, and thy relation is mentioned and attributed to Him. We hope that this station and this rank will remain before thine eyes that thou mayest act according to their requirements. Thou hast ever been occupied with the mention of the friends. In every letter thou hast made mention of the sincere ones and those who are nigh with most excellent remembrances, and hast sought special favors for each one. God willing, hereafter too, even as before, nay rather like unto the sun among the companions, thou shalt be radiant and luminous. Great is the station of the servants with God, how much more that of His loved ones, how much more that of His chosen ones, how much more that of the companions of the Crimson Ark who have detached themselves from all save Him and regard and have regarded all else as non-existent.

Names did not veil them, nor did might and glory prevent them. Their purpose hath been and is none other than the exaltation of the Word and the quenching of the fire that hath been kindled, through wisdom and utterance. In this Revelation the sun of mercy hath risen and is manifest from all directions. There is no place for warfare, and no station for strife. The heat of the sword and wrath have been transformed into the gentle breezes of compassion and kindness.

The souls who are associated with the Most Great Name must at all times assist the purpose of the worlds through the hosts of utterance, and must recognize the station of the helpers and not transgress the rights of the servants. In this day, every one of the kings who hath arisen to help and who hath protected the sheep from the wolves—this party of truth must recognize this favor and, throughout the kingdom of earth and heaven, must engage in praise and gratitude to God and in glorification and laudation of the helper.

O my God, my God! Aid the rulers of the earth and its learned ones to look upon what Thou hast manifested with justice and fairness. Then assist them, O my God, in that which will profit them in all the worlds of Thy worlds. Verily, Thou art the Almighty, the Glorious, the Unconstrained.

Convey My greetings to the loved ones and say: Strive ye, and through kindliness and compassion and unity and oneness, guide the servants to the Dayspring of Revelation and the Source of Inspiration. O people of Baha! By the Luminary of Utterance which hath shone forth from the horizon of the will of the Lord of all beings in this darksome night, to whatever degree ye increase in hearts the love which is a divine trust, the lights of guidance will encompass and illumine the world. Attention, vision and deeds must be for the sake of God, not for the desires of self and passion. In creation the effulgences of the Light of Divine Manifestation exist and are witnessed. Cast aside hatred and hold fast to supreme love. We beseech God to draw you nigh unto Him and cause you to speak that which will attract the hearts of His servants, and to aid you in that which will guide creation to His path and acquaint them with the way of righteousness. Verily He is the Lord of the servants and the Ruler on the Day of Return.

The mention of that beloved one is ever present in heart and tongue. I beseech the True Omnipotent to increase at every moment his resolve and success in service. Verily He is the Powerful, the Mighty.

The letter from that beloved one which arrived from Beirut was read. Regarding the mount mentioned therein, after presentation They said: The honored Amin is aware of the multitudes in this land. The existing mounts should be offered for sale rather than new ones acquired.

The letter of the spiritual beloved, the honored ʿAyn, upon him be the Glory of God, the Most Glorious, which was sent to that honored one and forwarded to the Most Holy Court, was presented in its entirety. They said: The aforementioned one, upon him be My glory and loving-kindness, though he expressed in his letter lack of success, yet Truth beareth witness to his success and confirmation. The King of deeds and Master of acts is the recognition of God, as acknowledged by the Self-Sufficient. Praise be to God, he hath attained unto this and hath quaffed from the choice wine of utterance and the Kawthar of exposition. And that tribulations and hardships sometimes befall him is due to his connection to the Divine Cause. From the earliest days until now, the Ancient Beauty hath suffered at the hands of the peoples that which caused the essence of being to lament and the eye of reality to weep.

O Amin! We bear witness to his acceptance and turning unto God in days when acceptance was as rare as the philosopher’s stone—mentioned in word but absent in meaning. The honored Varqa, upon him be My glory and loving-kindness and grace, is present in that land. Let them consult with him and with any of the loved ones they wish, and adhere to what emerges from consultation. By the life of God, ʿAbdu’llah is present and witnessed in the court of the Wronged One. We have given him to drink of the Kawthar of My remembrance from the hand of My bounty and have mentioned him in that which will preserve his remembrance in My perspicuous Book.

O Amin! In every city thou enterest, mention the loved ones on behalf of the Wronged One. Say: Reflect upon the Shi’ih sect. Until now they have not found rest or peace, and are so aflame with the fire of hatred and animosity that if every atom of creation were given a tongue, or if a hundred tongues were ordained for each, they could not enumerate it. Every discerning one beareth witness to this. With utmost effort preserve the people lest they again fall prey to the vain imaginings of the deniers of the previous dispensation. Verily He speaketh the truth and guideth to the Way. There is none other God but He, the Mighty, the Beautiful.

This evanescent servant conveyeth greetings and salutations to the friends in every city and every land, and beseecheth God—exalted be His glory and abundant be His favors—for whatsoever leadeth to the exaltation of His Word and the elevation of His Cause. Verily our Lord is the One Who hath power over whatsoever He willeth, and He is the Counsellor, the All-Remembering, the Trustworthy. Praise be to God, the Lord of all worlds. Glory and remembrance and praise be upon you and upon the people of Baha who have stood firm with supreme steadfastness in this momentous Cause.

The servant 26 Ramadan 1307

BH05773: Glorified art Thou, O my God! I know not…

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

Glorified art Thou, O my God! I know not by what thing and by what name…. When I behold in Thy creation the signs of Thy craftsmanship and the tokens of Thy power, I beseech Thee by the heaven and its stars and its radiance, and the moon and its light, and the earth and its waters and its bounties and its trees and what is treasured therein, and the seas and their pearls concealed within their shells, and by that which is within Thy knowledge and the treasuries of Thy power, to protect Thy loved ones from the evil of Thine enemies. Then exalt them, O my God, through Thy Name, in defiance of the oppressors among Thy creatures who have adorned their heads with turbans and thereby prevented the people from arriving at the shore of the ocean of Thy oneness. O Lord! Seize them through Thy power, then aid Thy loved ones through Thy loving-kindness and Thy handmaidens through Thy grace. I testify at this moment that victory is their being aided to know Thee and enabled to remember and praise Thee. I beseech Thee to assist them in all conditions. Verily Thou art the Self-Sufficient, the Most Exalted.

O Lord! Thou seest one of Thy handmaidens and another handmaiden of Thine who have turned unto Thee and desired to carry out what Thou hast commanded them in Thy Book. Ordain for her that which will make her steadfast in Thy love, then accept her deed. Verily Thou art the Powerful, the Mighty, the All-Bountiful.

BH04202: At this moment this servant is present before…

In the name of our eternal Lord who does not pass away!

At this moment this servant is present before the Seat of the Lord, and this Most Great Glad-Tidings flows from the Supreme Pen, blessed and exalted be His Word: Although the conditions of this land are not known, yet as a token of My loving-kindness unto him, I proclaim and say: O Ali, upon thee be My Glory! Turn thy face toward the Most Exalted Horizon with such turning that all created things will thereby turn unto God, the Revealer of verses and the Manifestor of clear proofs. Thus hath the Sun of Permission shone forth from the horizon of the heaven of God’s will, the Lord of all men.

O Haydar-ʿAli! Give him these glad-tidings of this most great bounty and illumine him with the lights of the Luminary of God’s loving-kindness, his Lord, the All-Bountiful.

His honor Amin, upon him be the Glory of God, the True Sovereign, the Manifest, has, according to the command, turned toward those regions. We make mention of him as We mentioned him in successive years. We beseech God to preserve him and aid him to serve His Cause. Verily He is the Mighty, the All-Conquering, the Powerful. Thus it ends. Unto God be praise, glory, thanksgiving and splendor.

At this moment the Countenance of the Ancient King turned toward this servant, and the Sun of Permission aforementioned rose and shone from the horizon of the heaven of will. And when the command was concluded, He smiled and said:

“Blessed be he and joy be unto him! May the spirit of all who dwell in the kingdom of command and creation be a sacrifice unto His loving-kindness and bounty!”

This servant too beseeches for the friends that which will cause the appearance of joy and fragrance in the world and among the peoples. Verily He is the Fulfiller of needs and the Revealer of verses.

Diya’, on the 5th of the revered month of Shawwal 1307.

BH09560: Praise be unto Thee, O Lord of the Kingdom…

…Praise be unto Thee, O Lord of the Kingdom and Ruler of the Realm of Might! I beseech Thee by Thy Name through which Thou didst establish the Resurrection and manifest its mysteries, and the Hour and its signs, and through which Thou didst rend asunder the veils and shrouds, to make me steadfast in Thy service and firm in that which Thou hast caused me to know through Thy bounty and generosity. O my Lord! I testify that from the thirst of remoteness the livers of Thy chosen ones have melted, and from the fire of separation the hearts of Thy loved ones have been consumed. I beseech Thee by the lights of Thy countenance and the mysteries of Thy knowledge to draw me nigh unto the ocean of Thy bounty and the river of Thy mercy. Verily Thou art the Omnipotent, the Mighty, the Bestower….

BH06510: Praise be to the Omnipotent Sovereign Who hath illumined…

Praise be to the Omnipotent Sovereign Who hath illumined the realm of wisdom and utterance with the lights of the Sun of Truth. Each of His names is a gateway to blessing, mercy, grace, bounty, protection and generosity, and the effects of each have been and continue to be the cause of order in the world and the preservation of nations. Through His name the Educator, He hath educated and continueth to educate the world, and in the Perspicuous Book He hath called Himself the Lord of all worlds. Yet the people of Persia have restricted this greatest of bounties and imagined it to be exclusively their own. Through His name the Quickener, the breath of life was breathed, and through His name the Powerful, other effects appeared…

Death is nothing more than ascending from one world to another world more subtle than the first. It is being transferred from one state of existence to another. The detached amongst My servants look forward to this state and beseech God, glorified be His glory, to attain it, for after the soul ascendeth, it shall circle around God and enjoy His presence, after which it shall turn towards the station which is preordained for it…

BH00265: Praise be to Thee, O my God, for having…

Section 1: “Praise be to Thee, O my God…”

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

Praise be to Thee, O my God, for having manifested Thy Cause, sent down Thy verses, revealed Thy proofs, and enabled the Hands of Thy Cause to exalt Thy Word. Thou hast granted them success in proclaiming that which Thou hast willed through Thy bounty and favor, given them to drink of Thy sealed wine, guided them to Thy extended path, and united their hearts through Thy beloved Name. I beseech Thee, O Lord of the Kingdom and Sovereign of grandeur and might, by Thy Name through which Thou hast conquered the hearts of Thy servants and adorned them with the light of Thy knowledge, to adorn them with the ornament of Thy Name, the All-Encompassing over all who dwell in Thy earth and heaven, that they may arise through Thy power to serve Thee and may open the doors of Thy servants’ hearts with the keys of Thy most excellent names and exalted attributes. There is no God but Thee, the Single, the One, the Mighty, the Powerful, the All-Bountiful.

The handwriting of that beloved of the heart, like a rose from the garden of inner meanings, perfumed the courtyard of the heart, for all its letters and words spoke in praise and remembrance of the Lord of Names, bringing new joy to both the visible and invisible realms. Praise be to God that, beyond the supreme blessing and mighty feast that is the mention and praise of the Lord of all beings, it carried another joy, which was the glad tidings of the health and well-being of that beloved one. After its observation, reading and understanding, approach was made to the eternal gate, and before the seat of the Goal of all worlds, following permission and leave, all of it was presented.

Thereupon the lips of the Lord of Destiny smiled, and He spoke that which caused the ocean to surge and the fragrance to waft, and that which had been hidden from all eyes appeared, and that which had been preserved from comprehension and minds was revealed, until the utterance concluded with that which I am unable to mention to thee, O beloved of my heart, for when the waves of the ocean of utterance of our Lord, the Most Merciful, surge forth, none can contain and relate it save according to their capacity, through His might and power. Glorious is His utterance, mighty His proof, and magnificent His bestowal.

In My Name, warbling upon the branches with diverse melodies

O thou who gazest upon the Countenance and uttereth praise! Hear My call from the Prison of Akka. Verily, He maketh mention of thee in such wise as to bestow upon thee wings of moist crimson ruby, that thou mayest soar thereby in this atmosphere from whose rushing winds is heard that which the son of Imran heard on the Mount of Knowledge. Verily thy Lord hath turned toward thee at the most excellent of times and maketh mention of thee in such wise that its fragrances shall endure throughout the eternity of His mighty and wondrous Kingdom.

We have brought forth from the shells of the ocean of knowledge the pearls of wisdom and utterance, and from the treasuries of My Pen the jewels of knowledge and certitude. Blessed art thou for having attained unto My presence, for having tasted the sweetness of My utterance, and for having witnessed the light shining resplendent from the horizon of the heaven of My Revelation, and for having achieved that which was inscribed in the Books of God, the Lord of all worlds.

Be thou eloquent amongst My servants with such detachment as shall attract their hearts and tranquilize their souls. Verily thy Lord is the All-Wise Teacher, the Inspiring One, the Mighty, the Powerful.

Thy letter hath arrived and was presented by the servant who standeth before the Face. We have sent down for thee that which shall draw thee nigh unto God, the Lord of this exalted station. We have indeed revealed verses throughout the nights and days in such wise that they have encompassed all created things and reached the East and West of the earth. Verily thy Lord is powerful over whatsoever He willeth through His Word that prevaileth over all who are in the heavens and the earth. Nothing escapeth His knowledge, nor can the oppression of the oppressors frustrate Him.

O son of My Most Truthful Name! Upon thee be My glory and My loving-kindness. We have remembered Our loved ones in days wherein trials and tribulations have encompassed Us. This is attested by that which hath flowed from My Pen and been uttered by My tongue. Verily thy Lord is the Rememberer, the Commander, the All-Wise.

Arise to serve the Cause with such steadfastness as cannot be hindered by hosts nor shaken by the clamor of the heedless. Say: O people! He hath come for your life and desireth naught save the refinement of your souls and the unity of your hearts. This is witnessed by that which hath been revealed in the Scriptures, the Tablets, and His perspicuous Book. We have lifted the law of holy war as a bounty from Our presence and have commanded all to unity and concord as a mercy from Us, and We are verily the Forgiving, the Merciful.

Say: O My loved ones in Kha! The Lord of all mankind remembereth you as He hath remembered you before in various Tablets. Fear God, then help your Lord with the hosts of utterance, as bidden by Him. He will protect you and guard you, and He is the Protector, the Mighty, the Powerful, the All-Wise. We counsel you to be patient and forbearing in all circumstances. He hath chosen for you what He hath chosen for Himself. Rejoice in this utterance from which wafteth the fragrance of the loving-kindness of your Lord, the All-Merciful, the Most Merciful.

O people of God! Purify your ears from the sayings of the heedless and the oppressors, that they may be illumined by the light of the utterance of the Purpose of all worlds. Whosoever attaineth unto this, neither the oppression of the world nor the tyranny of the nations shall keep him back from the Ancient of Days. Your station in the sight of God is great. Were you to catch a glimpse thereof for an instant, you would hasten toward it with heart and soul.

Know ye the value of these days and the divine gifts and favors. Strive that ye may attain unto such deeds as shall be crowned with His good-pleasure. The whole world hath been created for the Day of God, yet all are heedless while ye have attained. Give thanks unto your Lord by night and by day, and praise Him at eventide and at dawn.

The Glory manifest and resplendent and the Light bright and shining be upon thee and upon those who are with thee and who hearken unto thy words concerning the Cause of God, the Mighty, the Great.

All praise and glory be unto Him, all thanksgiving and radiance be unto Him, for He hath made mention of His loved ones in both states of sorrow and joy, in such wise that from every word thereof the fragrance of His bounty is wafted and the sweet savors of His generosity and bestowals are diffused. No matter and no thing can ever prevent the Most Great Ocean from the waves of His grace. Once these exalted words were heard from the Tongue of the Lord of all beings—exalted be His utterance:

“O servant! The clamor of the people, the oppression of the tyrannical, and the transgressions of the mighty ones and pharaohs of the earth have not and will never prevent the Sun from its rays nor the Ocean from its waves.”

Praise be to God, the Ocean is surging in such wise that were He to will it, He would verily draw all unto Himself and bring them near. However, He leaveth them be so that there might be manifested from them that which was deposited within them. The servant beseecheth his Lord to strengthen those whom He hath made the Hands of His Cause in His Book to mention and praise Him with joy and fragrance. Verily, He is the Almighty, the Glorious, the All-Bountiful.

Mention was made of the spiritual friend, Jinab-i-Mahmud, upon him be the Glory of God, and may He confirm him in that which He loveth and pleaseth. After being presented at the Most Holy and Exalted Court, the river of utterance flowed from the Tongue of Grandeur. A petition from his brother hath attained the Most Holy Court; a reply will be sent later. And this is what hath been revealed for them at this time from the heaven of greatness and power—blessed and exalted be His words:

“O son of My Name! Remind them of My verses, give them the glad-tidings of My bounty, and illumine them with the light of My knowledge.”

They have ever been and continue to be mentioned. We beseech God, blessed and exalted be He, to aid them with the hosts of utterance. Verily, He is the One Who hath power over whatsoever He willeth through His mighty and wondrous word.

Mention was made of Jinab-i-Fa’iz, upon him be the Glory of God and His bounty, and likewise his letter was presented at the Most Holy and Exalted Court. Blessed and exalted be His words:

“Praise be to God that on a day when most of the people of the world turned away, he attained unto acceptance and received the most great bounty from the effulgences of the lights of the Sun of Truth. This station is great. We beseech God to strengthen him to preserve that which He hath given him and honored him with.”

He hath repeatedly attained unto the Sacred Writings and been illumined by the light of utterance. A Most Holy and Exalted Tablet will be sent especially for him later. This servant beseecheth the True One, exalted be His glory, to open through his presence the doors of hearts and to ordain for him every good thing which He hath revealed in His Clear Book.

Regarding their will, as commanded both before and after, these matters are referred to the beloved of hearts, His Holiness the Trustee, upon him be the Glory of God and His favors. Whatever that beloved one has sent from the Sacred Writings to that land was truly a great bounty for the friends of that region—blessed and congratulations to them! At this time, these words have been revealed from the Mouth of the Will of the Lord of all possibilities, He, exalted and sanctified, says:

“O son of My Name! Upon thee be My Glory and My favors. Beseech God to assist the friends to act according to that which hath been revealed in the Book on the Day of Return from the Pen of the Lord of all beings. For if they succeed in this, ere long will all the people of Iran turn towards the Horizon of the Appearance of the Desire of the worlds. We have commanded all to wisdom, and wisdom consists in such deeds and character as will draw people closer to the Most Great Ocean and become the cause of attraction for all. We beseech God to assist His servants to perceive the sweetness of His utterance, for if they find this sweetness, all will hold fast to what is with Him and abandon what is with themselves. Repeatedly in the divine Tablets have We commanded all to perform goodly deeds and display praiseworthy conduct. By My life! The victorious hosts have ever been and shall ever be goodly deeds. O son of My Name! Praiseworthy character constitutes the victorious standards in the world. Blessed is the one whose love for a day or two prevents him not from eternal life and everlasting bounty. We counsel all to assist the Cause of God through the hosts of deeds and character. Any deed performed by any soul for the sake of God that becomes the cause of guiding others is worthy to be recorded and, by the testimony of this Wronged One, neither obliteration shall overtake it nor change find its way unto it. We beseech God to assist them in that which will exalt His Cause among His servants. Verily, He is the Lord of creation and the Ruler in the beginning and in the end.”

Section 2: “The mention was made of the ascension…”

The mention was made of the ascension of Mas’ud, upon him be the Glory of God and His mercy. After being presented before the Divine Presence, these sublime words were revealed especially for him. He, blessed and exalted, says:

He is the All-Forgiving, the Merciful

Blessed art thou, O Mas’ud, for having turned to the Supreme Companion in the Days of God, thy Lord and the Lord of thy forefathers, and for having attained unto His traces in thy life and after thy death. We make mention of thee at this time in such wise as the near ones bear witness to God’s loving-kindness, His grace and His mercy that have preceded all who are in the heavens and on earth. The resplendent Light shining from the horizon of the heaven of My loving-kindness and the Grace dawning from the kingdom of My utterance be upon thee, O thou who soarest in the atmosphere of My love and who hast turned toward the lights of My countenance.

Thou art he who hath recognized the Manifestation of God, His sovereignty, His grandeur and His power, and who turned unto Him when His servants turned away. Blessed art thou, O Mas’ud! At the time We desired to make mention of thee, the ocean of forgiveness surged by the command of thy Lord, the All-Merciful, and the fragrance of the Divine Vesture wafted as a token of His grace—and He is the All-Merciful, the Generous. We beseech Him, exalted be He, to make thee a companion of His chosen ones in the Most Exalted Paradise and to send down upon thee at all times a blessing from His presence and mercy from His side. Verily, He is the Mighty, the All-Bountiful.

We praise and thank Him for the wonders of His grace and the effulgences of the Sun of His bounty. He hath sent down for His loved ones, throughout the nights and days, that which shall endure as long as His dominion and His kingdom endure. Verily, He is the Mighty, the Ever-Giving.

The mention was made of the honored mother, upon her be the Glory of God and His favors. This is what was revealed for her from the heaven of the bounty of our Lord, the All-Forgiving, the All-Merciful. He, exalted be His majesty and mighty be His utterance, says:

He is the Manifest One, speaking from His Most Exalted Horizon

O My leaf and My handmaiden! Upon thee be My glory and My loving-kindness. We have previously mentioned thee in such wise that the hearts of all things were attracted, and We have revealed unto thee that which brought solace to the eyes of the Concourse on High. We called out to thee from the shore of the ocean of utterance with a call that caused rivers to flow and trees to speak. Dominion belongeth unto God, the One, the Chosen. Rejoice in what hath been sent down unto thee, then give thanks unto thy Lord, the Mighty, the Bestower.

Convey to those who are related to My Most Truthful Name, upon them be My glory, loving-kindness and mercy, the greetings of the Wronged One, and give them the glad-tidings of the dawning lights of the Day-Star of divine grace. Verily, He is the Bearer of Glad-Tidings, the Powerful over all who dwell on earth and in the heavens.

That honored lady, upon her be the Most Glorious Glory of God, hath ever been and will continue to be remembered. Who can reckon the bounties, favors, grace and gifts of God? In truth I say, were we to soar for a hundred thousand years, we would not reach the source of this supreme bounty from which at every moment an ocean floweth, nor the dawning-place of the Day-Star of generosity from which countless suns shine forth at every instant. The ocean of loving-kindness hath no shore, and the sun of grace never pauseth in bestowing its light. The servant beseecheth Him at all times, for himself and for the loved ones, for divine confirmation and assistance. Verily, He is the Compassionate, the Generous.

Concerning the mention of the first day of Ridvan and the mention of the Hands of the Cause and the gathering of the loved ones in the house of that beloved one, after being presented before the Most Exalted Horizon in the presence of the Throne of the Lord of the Kingdom of Names, these supreme verses were revealed from the heaven of the will of the Lord of all being. The Lord, exalted and sanctified be He, saith:

O son of My Name! Upon thee be My glory. Blessed are the Hands of My Cause who have attained unto My remembrance and praise and the service of My Cause, and joy be unto My loved ones who have drunk the choice wine of revelation from the hand of My bounty, and who have soared in My atmosphere and cast aside all else but Me. We have mentioned them in every world among My worlds with such mention as hath been confirmed by the tongue of My grandeur. Through their names have flowed rivers of wisdom and utterance before the faces of all religions. Exalted be the All-Merciful Who hath revealed for the Hands of His Cause and His loved ones that which drew nigh unto it the celestial spheres to hearken unto it, and the realities of all things to listen unto it.

Thus hath spoken the Tongue of the Ancient of Days when He was the Lord of all peoples in this most exalted station, which hath been named with all names in His Mighty Book. Blessed is the house wherein My remembrance and praise have been raised, and blessed are the leaves who have clung to the Tree of My loving-kindness, and blessed are the handmaidens who have held fast to the cord of My grace. We give them the glad-tidings of My remembrance and praise, My loving-kindness and My mercy, which have preceded existence in both the unseen and visible worlds. Convey My greetings unto them, both men and women, and give them the glad-tidings of that which hath shone forth and appeared from the horizon of God’s will, the Supreme, the Self-Subsisting.

O beloved of My heart! Although time is scarce and petitions are countless from every direction, and it is the day for sending tablets, nevertheless that which illumined the world with the light of loving-kindness was revealed. Blessed are the horsemen of this field, and joy be unto the handmaidens who have gathered in the house, from God, our Lord, the Lord of the Mighty Throne.

Concerning Mirza (Siyyid ʿA.B.) and his son, upon them be the glory and favor of God, they wrote. His honor, praise be to God, has attained the divine verses both before and after, and now a Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablet has been specifically revealed and sent to his son, Aqa Mirza Siyyid Muhammad, upon him be the glory of God. It is hoped that they will drink from the seas of the words of the Desired One of all worlds that which is the cause of eternal life. I beseech the True One, exalted be His glory, to water these saplings of the garden at all times with the water of utterance. Verily, He is the Powerful, the Mighty.

Concerning S., what they have mentioned is correct, but in view of what he manifests, forbearance is necessary. However, association with him is not permitted, as his harm is clear and evident, unless it occurs for the sake of wisdom, concealed from the servants.

The prayer at the end of that beloved one’s letter was presented before the Presence and was honored to be heard. God enumerates what hath flowed from the mouth of His favor, what hath shone forth from the horizon of the heaven of His grace, and what hath caused the ocean of His bounty to surge. That which was revealed, all the pens of the world are incapable and powerless to recount. This ephemeral one hopes that that beloved one’s orientation toward Kha will cause the promotion of God’s Cause and the spread of His verses. Verily, He is the Helper, the All-Wise.

Mention was made of the spiritual friend Ayn and Ta, upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God. Repeatedly from the Tongue of Grandeur was this supreme utterance heard, His word, exalted be His glory:

“Verily, Ayn and Ta attained in the first days. We have mentioned him and his father in Tablets that testify for them in every world of the worlds of their Lord, and We have mentioned those who were in that house with a mention whose fragrance hath spread throughout all regions. My Tongue of Grandeur beareth witness to this in this hour wherein the Ancient Beauty walketh and calleth His loved ones who have recognized this Most Great News.”

This servant conveyeth greetings to the Hands of the Cause and all the loved ones, both male and female, young and old, and I beseech for each one the infinite favors of God. Verily, He is the Generous, the Possessor of Great Grace. The Branches of the Blessed Tree—may my spirit and being be sacrificed for the dust of their footsteps—have shown favor and each one hath mentioned that beloved of the heart with perfect sweetness. Likewise, the people of the pavilion of chastity and grandeur have shown kindness, and all have sought confirmation for that beloved one for the spreading of God’s verses throughout creation. God willing, this journey should take precedence over all journeys and lead all the servants of those regions to the court of oneness. Verily our Lord is the Helper, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. Glory and mention and praise be upon you and upon those who are with you and who hear your words and your mention and your utterance concerning the Cause of God, our Lord and your Lord and the Lord of all who are in the heavens and earths.

The servant 27 Shawwal 1307

BH00850: Praise be to God Who hath spoken and caused…

He is God, exalted be He in Might and Power!

Praise be to God Who hath spoken and caused all things to speak, Who hath appeared and revealed that which was hidden from the eyes of all created beings. Exalted be His grace and exalted be His generosity. He hath guided His servants to His path, illumined them with the lights of His knowledge, adorned them with the garment of His love, and ordained for them, through His bounty and generosity, that which no eye hath seen nor any soul perceived.

I testify that there is none other God but Him, and He Whom He hath sent with truth and justice is verily the Dayspring of His names, the Dawning-place of His attributes, the Manifestation of His Self, and the One Who hath arisen to serve His Cause, through Whom His fragrance hath been wafted abroad and His laws have been spread throughout all lands. And upon His family and His companions, through whom the limbs of the oppressors were made to quake and the hearts of the sincere were made tranquil.

We beseech God, blessed and exalted be He, by Him and by them, to aid His servants to exalt His Word, to manifest His oneness, and to spread His signs. Verily, He is powerful over whatsoever He willeth. There is none other God but Him, the Single, the One, the Powerful, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

And then, O beloved of my heart, thy noble letters arrived like a true friend. In truth, the letters of the friends are friendship itself, which no worldly events can alter, and they are likewise mirrors reflecting love and affection in such wise that neither the veils of the prejudiced nor the clouds of the misguided can obscure or prevent them.

Glory be to God! This too is one of the fruits of divine wisdom. Who is capable of mentioning it as it deserveth mention, or of knowing it as it deserveth to be known? After perusing and studying each one, I proceeded to the Most Exalted Station and presented them before the countenance of my Lord.

He said:

“O Javad! Upon thee be My peace, My remembrance, and My praise. Thou dost bear witness and art well aware that this Wronged One hath, from the earliest days, summoned the servants unto trustworthiness, which is the greatest means for the wealth and tranquility of nations, and likewise unto religion, which is a mighty stronghold for the protection of the peoples of the world. Yet in the end, the unjust ones in the world arose in tyranny. They abandoned gratitude and began to complain. In place of love appeared enmity, and in place of faithfulness, hatred.”

Say: “My God, my God! Thou seest Thy chosen ones in the hands of Thy heedless servants. O my Lord! Aid them with the hosts of justice, then send down upon them from the clouds of grace Thy mercy and from Thyself Thy loving-kindness.

I beseech Thee, O God of all beings and Educator of all created things, by Thy Most Exalted Pen and by Thy Most Great Signs, and by the Dawning-Place of Thy unity and the Manifestation of Thy singleness, through Whom the vale of Mecca flowed and the throne of Thy justice was established in the kingdom of creation, to assist me and Thy loved ones to observe religion and trustworthiness and whatsoever Thou hast revealed in Thy Book. Verily, Thou art powerful over whatsoever Thou willest, and within Thy grasp are the reins of all things. There is none other God but Thee, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.”

The servant came with your letter and read it before His face. We found from it the fragrance of your sincerity and certitude in the Cause of God, the Goal of all who are in the heavens and earth. We testify that you attained in the early days, aided the Wronged One, and acted as commanded by the exiled and lonely One. We beseech God to assist you and aid you in that which will make known to the people His straight path, guide them to His mighty announcement, and draw them near to the court of His chosen ones who did not break His covenant and His bond, and who said, despite the enemies:

“The kingdom belongs to God, our Lord, the Lord of our fathers, and the Lord of the glorious throne.”

Convey My greetings to the faces of My loved ones and illumine them with My beauteous remembrance.

With firm and certain proof that that beloved of the heart has not been forgotten and has ever been and continues to be remembered. I beseech and hope from God, exalted be His glory, that He will adorn that beloved one with His special bounties and aid him to serve His Cause at all times. Verily He is the Omnipotent, as witnessed by His own Self to His own Self, and He is the Generous by the testimony of the kingdom of His wondrous utterance, and He is the Single, the One, the Mighty, the Inaccessible.

I send greetings and praise to the loved ones of that land. Their station is truly in the heart and their place is in prison, for they are of this element and of this earth. This is the holy valley mentioned in the Furqan, which, despite the divines of Iran, has been and continues to be the object of the gaze of those near and sincere. We hope that God will transform these dispersions into unity so that we may all sit together and engage in the remembrance of the Peerless Friend.

As for Haji ʿAmu, upon him be God’s peace, God willing, the blessed Tablet will be sent. That beloved one and his relatives – all their connection is to God, exalted be His glory. God willing, may they know the worth of this greatest bounty and hold fast to what is befitting.

As for the letter of the Master, upon him be God’s peace, in the early days during the incident that occurred in Ayn and Shin, all were honored with mention and the luminary of favor, and specifically for each one a separate Tablet was sent, half of which expressed favor to the recipient of the Tablet and the other half was a visitation for His Holiness the exalted Martyr. Repeatedly all were forbidden from discord and commanded to unity. Some time passed and afterward no mention of the Master was heard concerning them. The ocean of grace paused. The Master and some of the loved ones repeatedly sent letters mentioning the events of that land. Nevertheless, the decree of silence appeared until in these days news arrived from them and Aqa Mirza Abdu’l-Karim and others, and it is hoped that in these days answers will be graciously given to all. I beseech God to assist the Master in uniting hearts – this is a righteous and acceptable deed. The Command is in the hand of God, the Kind, the Forgiving.

And regarding the fact that Aqa ʿAli, upon him be God’s peace, has intended to send children to school – this matter was presented and the greatest prohibition appeared. The wisdom of non-acceptance is clear and evident, needing no mention now or ever.

In mentioning the true Beloved in the direction of the two names, His Holiness Mim and Ha, upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God, this verse is appropriate which was said before:

A moon went forth from this city and journeyed unto another,

By whose setting and rising both cities were upturned and overthrown.

One day They decided to visit the garden, and after Their arrival Their place became clear and evident. How many days They arose to serve, purely for the sake of God! Praise be to God, the straight path for all to follow became manifest through Them. It is hoped that through Their endeavors the path of all in the world may become clear and known, so that all may find the straight path and forever engage in praising and thanking the Causer of causes. Light, remembrance and glory be upon you and upon God’s loved ones there who are not distracted from God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting, by commerce or by what people possess.

BH01458: Praise be to God Who hath guided us…

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

Praise be to God Who hath guided us to the Dawning-Place of His signs, the Dayspring of His evidences, the Manifestation of His names, the Source of His attributes, and the Fountainhead of His commandments and ordinances—He through Whose appearance the law of unity was established, the standards of detachment were raised, the Dove of Utterance warbled, and the Tree of Knowledge spoke forth. Sovereignty belongeth unto God, the Lord of all worlds. I pray and offer salutations upon Him and upon His family and companions, whom God made the dawning-places of His power amidst His creation and the daysprings of His glory amongst His servants. Through them appeared God’s might, His sovereignty, His power and His grandeur, and through them the tongues of all creation spoke forth in recognition of His unity and the sanctification of His Being. He is the All-Powerful, the All-Bountiful, in the beginning and in the end.

The letter from that spiritual beloved arrived like the light of true love, illumining the court of the heart and adorning the carpet of existence with fresh joy and delight. Glorified be He Who strengtheneth thee, assisteth thee, inspireth thee, preserveth thee and aideth thee. After reading it, I proceeded to the Holy Presence where it was presented. He said: “O Ali, upon thee be My peace and My remembrance.” Praise be to God that the invisible confirmations enabled you to attain His presence and meeting, and to dwell in His vicinity. We beseech His exalted Self to send down upon thee that which will set thy affairs aright and gather what is scattered, and to ordain for thee that which will make thee detached from all else save Him, at rest beneath His shade, and speaking forth His praise with wisdom and utterance. Verily, He is the Mighty, the Bestower.

Repeatedly have we beseeched and continue to beseech protection, victory, triumph and that which will gladden thy heart from the True One. Verily, He is the All-Powerful, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. At this moment, this servant is present and attaining in thy stead, and the Wronged One’s tongue attesteth to its acceptance. Well is it with thee, and may it be wholesome for thee. We beseech God to make the end of all affairs good through His grace and a mercy from His presence. Verily, He is the Commander, the Powerful, the Mighty, the Wise.

This evanescent servant clings to the hem of divine grace and bounty, that He may assist, grant success, deliver that spiritual beloved, and free him from all that saddeneth him. Since this entreaty and supplication hath been and is for the sake of God, it shall be answered. Verily our Lord is the All-Bountiful, possessed of great bounty, the Ever-Flowing, possessed of manifest grace.

I convey greetings and praise to the loved ones if they are present, especially to the sapling of the divine garden and the crystal spring of eternal life, the beloved of heart and soul, His Honor Aqa Mirza Alireza, upon him be 9 66 [Baha’u’llah] the Most Glorious. In truth, his existence is blessed and adorned with the aforementioned attributes that are pleasing before God, exalted be His glory. We beseech God, blessed and exalted be He, to assist his honor in preserving his most exalted station. Verily, He doeth whatsoever He willeth.

They are remembered in the heart and the heart of hearts. Their mention bringeth complete joy and true gladness. In all conditions, I beseech and hope from God, exalted be His glory, for their protection, health and well-being. Verily, He is the Answerer of prayers.

The circular items sent, each representing the globe, arrived—nay, the tongue is silent from comparison and limitation, for they were offerings from the dawning-place of love and the dayspring of humility and submissiveness unto God, our Lord, the Lord of the mighty throne and the Possessor of the manifest Message. Therefore they arrived and were presented, and at that time, as commanded, one was presented to His presence and some was partaken of. All this appeared and was evident due to the care shown to that spiritual beloved.

Now again I beseech the True One to bring near the days of presence and meeting, and to ordain the blessing of nearness. Verily, He hath power over all things and is worthy to answer.

The Most Pure and Most Luminous Branches—may my spirit be a sacrifice unto the dust of their footsteps—and the people of the pavilion of infallibility and grandeur remember that spiritual beloved with a mention sanctified above the mention of any tongue, and they beseech God, exalted be His glory, for blessing, wealth, glory, loftiness and exaltation.

Peace, remembrance and glory be upon you and upon God’s righteous servants.

The servant 29 Shawwal 1307

BH00805: Praise befitteth and is meet for the Lord…

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

Praise befitteth and is meet for the Lord of existence Who, through His pure bounty, hath made manifest the world of being through the Word of His command, and hath ordained such means as lead to fellowship, unity, comfort and concord, that all may attain true repose in the cradle of security and peace, and become occupied in and give voice to divine praise. Great is His favor and His bestowals are beyond measure and reckoning. At every moment the signs of His greatness are made manifest and the waves of the ocean of His mercy are resplendent. Blessed is the soul that hath not let slip the time and hath clung to the hem of the Lord’s generosity. The servant beseecheth his Lord not to withhold His servants from the outpourings of His days, nor to deprive them of that which hath appeared from the horizon of the heaven of His grace. Verily, He is the Compassionate, the All-Bountiful.

My soul be offered up for your remembrance, your praise, and your steadfastness. Your esteemed letter arrived during a time when the rains of divine bounty were falling in the divine springtime. After reading it and inhaling the fragrances of the flowers of meaning that had bloomed in the garden of divine decree, I presented myself before His presence. He said: “We have ever beseeched and continue to beseech the Eternal Truth that He withhold not the glances of His favor and deprive not His Afnan of the fruits of the Tree of Glory and Mercy.

O Ali, upon thee be My peace. This Wronged One hath at all times considered the honor of thy person and the preservation of thy station, and continues to do so. The True One, exalted be His glory, hath ordained means for every thing and every matter, as He hath said: ʿGod hath refused to cause things to happen except through their means.’ One must hold fast to these means. According to what his honor Aqa Siyyid Mirza, upon him be God’s peace, hath written, your honor must not be remiss in gathering these means. It is strange that until now the brethren have not known what has entered and what has left the storehouse in Beirut, and the cause of their lack of knowledge has been the delay in your books and accounts. Now it is necessary and obligatory that you send a clear account so all may understand what has transpired.

O Ali, the blame for these matters falls upon the Dayspring of Justice, for they are unaware and know not. Often it happens that, due to your stillness in this land, they suppose the reason for not sending funds or accounts was the House. This Wronged One has ever called all to trustworthiness, religiosity, truthfulness and sincerity, yet proper action is not evident. One must at all times hold fast to the cord of trustworthiness and religiosity, and the state of these two is truly not known—whether they have been implemented or not. Knowledge thereof is with God, the Knower of the unseen.

A portion of the proceeds from the door of the House had been in the possession of Jinab-i-Afnan, Jinab-i-Sayyid Muhsin. The Greater Branch, in view of the expenses, had requested its remittance. Jinab-i-Afnan, Sayyid Muhammad, had stated that it would be referred to Sayyid Ali, inasmuch as he was to dispatch these funds to this Land. Likewise, Jinab-i-Sayyid Mirza had written that whatsoever remained in Beirut should be sent without delay to the Land of Ta. Some time ago, too, Jinab-i-Afnan Alif and Ha had referred the sum from the door of the House for payment by that honoured personage. Thus, according to this reckoning, certain sums remain in your possession which must needs be delivered. How long will negligence persist? If in truth payment is due, then render it with the utmost fidelity and rectitude; otherwise, forward an account, that it may be known whether or not anything remains with you. O Ali! Hold fast to trustworthiness and to the fear of God.

It is now necessary to set forth certain matters solely for your own awareness. Among them is the case of Jinab-i-Muhammad-Mustafa—upon him be Baha’u’llah’s glory—who sent to you four shares for remittance, yet you neither dispatched the funds nor gave any account thereof, until such time as the late, exalted Haji Muhammad-Rida arrived. When, in the presence of one of the Branches, the matter was raised—whether any sum sent by Jinab-i-Muhammad-Mustafa had reached you—your reply was, “We have neither heard of it nor seen it.” The late Haji was greatly astonished and said that, should Jinab-i-Muhammad-Mustafa be apprised, it would be most regrettable. Whereupon, for the sake of protecting your station and preserving the Faith, the word “received” was, in connection with that matter, denied.

If in these minor affairs trustworthiness and truthfulness are not observed, what then will be the case in matters of greater moment? Once such funds are received, they should either be forwarded without delay or a written authorization obtained, permitting their use. Be assured that whatsoever exists, and is rightfully yours, shall assuredly be bestowed upon you. For a long time you have been in Our company, and are aware of the trustworthiness and the management of the affairs of the House. It behoveth one to reflect upon these matters and to act with perfect integrity and faithfulness.

At present, the most prudent course is this: if the sum you received from the door of the House for payment to the assayer has already been paid, then collect it anew; and if it has not yet been paid, then withhold it. For it may be that others will again intervene, sowing the seeds of confusion, as in the affair of Islambul, wherein all was lost. In this case, it would be preferable that the money-changer remain the creditor. This course, in view of present circumstances and in order to safeguard the funds, is indeed wise.

Be not perturbed by the vicissitudes of affairs. In times past and to come, events have befallen humanity weightier than mountains; yet, when all hope and expectation had been cut off, the grace of God encompassed them. Grieve not, but with joy of spirit, with fragrance and steadfastness in the name of God—glorified be His glory—banish all negligence, and set thyself in order to the affairs, that all may know no treachery hath occurred, nor anything been lost.

At present, Jinab-i-Sayyid Mirza lays—and will continue to lay—all shortcomings at the feet of Aqa Sayyid Ahmad and yourself; and in truth he is justified, for you do not write what hath transpired. Hearken, then, to the counsel of this Wronged One. And as for the treasury of Muhammad-Mihdi, if it belongeth to the people, it is not permissible for you to send it elsewhere. We exhort you to trustworthiness and its conditions, to piety and its obligations.

From the letters of the honored Afnan, Jinab-i-Aqa Siyyid Mirza and His Holiness Haji Siyyid Muhammad, upon them both be the Most Glorious Beauty of God, it appears they suppose you have funds in your possession. This matter must be clarified so this accusation does not return upon you and the above. This matter is most necessary and obligatory. We beseech God, blessed and exalted be He, to assist you with the means of the heavens and earth and to open before your faces the gates of divine gifts and favors. Verily He is the Giver, the Forgiving, the Generous.

I send greetings to the friends in that land and declare “Would that I were with them!” Regarding affairs, act according to whatever the Afnan-i-Kabir deems advisable, as commanded. Peace, remembrance and praise be upon you and upon those with you and upon God’s righteous servants.

BH00756: In every moment of all moments, the successive…

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

In every moment of all moments, the successive and continuous blessings of the Desired One are manifest and evident. Existence is from Him, health is from Him, manifest, and bounty descends from Him, and protection through the hosts of His means is resplendent. Were details to be mentioned, pen and ink would find themselves impotent. With all these favors, gifts and bounties, each of which requires a hundred thousand thanks, how can one tongue suffice and fulfill its gratitude? Thus it is proven by demonstration: the impotence of servants and the admission of inadequacy. Every fair-minded one bears witness to what has been mentioned.

O God, O Generous One, O Merciful One! I beseech Thee by Thy power which hath conquered all created things, and by Thy sovereignty which hath encompassed all existence, to ordain for every particle of Thy creation a speaking tongue in Thy remembrance, praise, and thanksgiving for Thy bounties and favors. My God, my Lord, and my Support! I beseech Thee by the confession of those near unto Thee and the believers, and by the acknowledgment of the sincere ones and the mystics, and by Thy Name which Thou hast made the Dawning-Place of Thy attributes and names, to assist Thy servants in that which befitteth Thy pardon, Thy bestowal, Thy mercy and Thy power. O Lord! Thou art the Strong, the Powerful, and Thy servants are weak and poor. Adorn them with the ornament of Thy strength and power. Verily, Thou art the Powerful, the Mighty, the Bestower.

May my spirit be a sacrifice for your mention, your arising, and your steadfastness! Your letter arrived and truly wondrous effects were evident from it—the glad tidings of health and the transformation of sorrows and griefs into joy and delight, and furthermore awareness and knowledge of affairs. Blessed be God, it possessed both outward and inward bounties, and truly for this poor one it was a spiritual wealth in the realm of knowledge. Praise be to God, it conveyed degrees of love, affection, favor and mercy. After its reading and review, approach was made to the Presence, it was presented before His face and achieved the honor of His listening. He said that the mention and utterance of the Afnan, upon him be God’s peace and favor, is the cause of gladness and joy.

We beseech God, blessed and exalted be He, to assist him in guiding His creation, exalting His Word, and manifesting that which adorns the servants with His attributes. O My Afnan! Upon thee be God’s peace and bounty. Thou art remembered on the carpet of the Wronged One and art the recipient of special favor. Thy mention was adorned with His hearing. Praise be to God, each word thereof was like a muezzin who, from a lofty and elevated station, summoned people to the gathering place. Despite the radiant favors, manifest bounties, and brilliant bestowals, some persist in opposition and deny what is manifest. Say:

O my God, my God! Illumine the hearts of Thy servants with the light of Thy justice and their temples with the ornament of Thy forgiveness. O Lord! Prevent them not from turning to the ocean of Thy knowledge and the heaven of Thy grace. Thou art the One with power through Thy sovereignty, before which neither the dominion of the world nor the might of nations can stand. O Lord! Assist Thy Afnan through Thy bounty and generosity, then open before his face the doors of Thy grace and mercy—that whereby he may become known through Thy name, mighty through Thy might, and obeyed through Thy grace. Verily, Thou art the Powerful, the All-Bountiful, the Mighty, the All-Wise.

We make mention of the son and give him the glad tidings of God’s loving-kindness and favors. Give him My greetings from the Wronged One and remind him of what hath been uttered in this irrevocable Tablet. We make mention of him who hath been adorned with the love of God and His loved ones, and We beseech God to aid His loved ones to do that which He loveth and is pleased with. Verily, He is the Munificent, the One possessed of manifest grace. Peace and remembrance and glory be upon you and upon those who love you for the sake of God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

Praise be to God! His successive favors are evident and manifest. Mention of that honored one hath been made at all times, and bounties and favors have been revealed in such wise that this servant is unable to describe them. That honored one knoweth and will know. As for the account of the land of Shin, it appeareth that the Siyyid of that land’s inattention hath caused an uproar to arise. His Holiness Afnan (upon him be the Glory of God, the Most Glorious) sent a petition to the Most Holy Court, and likewise a letter to this evanescent servant, and this was before the arrival of the Blessed Tablet. The turmoil in that land was the cause.

Now a letter containing verses and clear proofs hath been sent to the spiritual friend, His Honor Haji Ghulam-Husayn Kh-A (upon him be the peace of God). It will reach that honored one’s attention; let him consider it and send it on. We beseech and hope from the Intended One the improvement of that honored one’s affairs. Assuredly any attention that is given for the sake of God will have its effect and its wisdom will become manifest. The affairs of His Holiness Afnan of the land of Shin (upon him be the Glory of God, the Most Glorious) have apparently suffered somewhat due to the disorder in the affairs of certain other Afnans (upon them be the Glory of God and His loving-kindness), as their sudden movement during the rainy season and their physical illness prove what hath been submitted. Indeed they have borne a great burden in that at such a time they have turned their attention to that land for attending to affairs and occupations. This servant beseecheth his Lord to protect His Holiness and to aid him and to set right his affairs as a mercy from His presence and a favor from His court. Verily He is the All-Bountiful, the Munificent. There is no God but He, the Hearing, the Seeing.

There was a passage in the blessed supreme letter that caused much smiling from the Master (may our spirits be sacrificed for Him). It was repeatedly presented and successive favors were evident and manifest. Indeed all passages of the letter were the cause of joy and gladness. We beseech God, blessed and exalted is He, to manifest through you that which will gladden the hearts of the world and bring solace to the eyes of the nations. Verily He is the Answerer, the Choose One.

That which was written mentioning the spiritual friend, His Honor Haji Niyaz Effendi (upon him be the Glory of God), was presented before His countenance and achieved the honor of His hearing. Now praise be to God, they are present in the vicinity and speak in remembrance of that honored one, and the supreme favor is evident and manifest toward them. It is hoped that they will ever be adorned with this bounty and illumined with this light. He said: “Niyaz is truly in need.” God willing, may the divine will manifest that which is the cause of true wealth.

The tin tube with its inner contents, that is to say the pieces, arrived.

I send greetings unto his honor the Afnan, the Most Luminous Star and Most Brilliant Orb, upon him be the peace and glory of God. I offer congratulations and hope that through the grace of the All-Bountiful One he may attain to all that conduceth to exaltation and elevation. Likewise unto the other friends who are illumined by the light of certitude and enkindled with the fire of love do I send greetings, and I beseech God, glorified be His majesty, on their behalf whatsoever causeth the exaltation of His Word. The Branches of the Blessed Tree—may my spirit be a sacrifice unto the dust before their feet—and the dwellers of the Pavilion of Sanctity and Grandeur make mention of that honored one in the most exalted station, sending salutations, praise, glory and splendor.

They ceaselessly beseech the Most High on behalf of that honored one whatsoever is sanctified and elevated above all comparison and likeness. Verily our Lord is the All-Hearing, the Answerer of Prayer. There is no God but Him, the Mighty, the Powerful. Peace and remembrance and mercy and glory be upon your honor and upon those who are with you and upon those who love you and hearken unto your words, for the sake of God, the Lord of the Day of Judgment. And praise be unto Him, for He is the Protector of the sincere ones and the Lord of all the worlds.

The servant, on the 28th of Dhi’l-Qa’dah the Sacred, 1307

BH04370: My God, my God, my Lord, my Support…

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

My God, my God, my Lord, my Support, and my Hope! By Thy might, Thy majesty, Thy sovereignty and Thy grandeur, I desire not that my tongue should utter aught except Thy remembrance and praise, nor that my face should turn except toward the lights of Thy countenance, nor that my heart should incline except toward Thy horizon. O Lord! Thou hearest from my limbs and members, my outer and my inner being, my cry and my lamentation at what hath befallen Thy loved ones from those who have violated Thy Covenant and Testament. O Lord! Thou seest how hatred hath encompassed Thy chosen ones. Where is the ocean of Thy assistance and the heaven of Thy power? I beseech Thee, O Originator of existence, by the ocean of Thy bounty and the heaven of Thy knowledge, to cause Thy chosen ones to hold fast to the cord of Thy bestowal, to hasten unto the ocean of Thy utterance, to speak forth the wonders of Thy remembrance and praise, to remain firm in Thy service, and to act according to what Thou hast revealed in Thy Gracious Book. There is no God but [Thou, the Almighty], the All-Forgiving, [the Mighty], the Most Great.

O Lord! Thou seest one of Thy servants who was named Ali-Akbar raising his hands toward the heaven of Thy loving-kindness, beseeching from the wonders of Thy bounty that which shall adorn him with the ornament of Thy remembrance. [He is the one who] hath turned toward Thy horizon and acted according to what Thou didst command him in Thy Tablets. O Lord! Aid him to accomplish what Thou lovest and art pleased with, and ordain for him what Thou hast ordained for Thy loved ones in the latter and former days. Verily Thou art the Lord of all names and the Protector of those who are in the heavens and [on earth].

BH03708: Praise be to God Who hath manifested and revealed…

Praise be to God Who hath manifested and revealed His Cause with a power that the clamor of men could not deter…

Wherever We may be, and whatever may befall Us, the people of God must fix their gaze with perfect steadfastness and confidence upon the Most Sublime Horizon and occupy themselves with the reformation of the world and the education of peoples. Whatsoever hath befallen and will befall hath been and is the cause of the exaltation of His Cause….

Each year Haji Mir Karim Khan wrote a refutation of this Most Great Cause, thinking thereby to render service to religion. The title of his first book was “The Shooting Star in Refutation of the Bab.” And the author of Nasikh’t-Tawarikh wrote that which was the cause of the greatest consternation. At one time this exalted word was revealed from the tongue of the Lord of the Kingdom of Names—exalted be His utterance: “O servant in attendance! At times God, exalted be His glory, propagates His Cause through His chosen ones, and at times through His enemies.” After the return of the Day-Star of the horizons to Iraq, all know that the Cause was concealed and no mention was made of it.

Then, according to the words “He will blow the trumpet a second time,” each day they pronounced a word, and that word was a light for those who accepted and a fire for those who denied. Both this light and this fire served to proclaim the Cause. Those who accepted, with joy and fragrance, summoned the people of the contingent world to the horizon of the Divine Manifestation with proof and evidence, while those who denied, inflamed with the fire of hatred, unwittingly spread the Cause in all directions with their clamor. Who can prevent that which God has willed through His might, His power and His sovereignty? He has manifested and caused to appear whatsoever He desired. Verily He is the Single One, the Mighty, the Powerful, the Bestower….

Praise be unto Thee, O my God, and thanksgiving be unto Thee, O my Lord, my Support and my Heart’s Desire! I beseech Thee by Thy Cause that hath encompassed the world and the nations, and by Thy Name through which Thou didst raise the standard of Thy Manifestation upon creation, to change the sorrows of Thy loved ones into the Greatest Joy and their hardship into ease, O Thou Who holdest the reins of destiny! O Lord! Strengthen their hearts and limbs through Thy power, then aid them to mention Thee, praise Thee and spread Thy signs with wisdom and utterance. O Lord! Disappoint not the one who hath raised his hands in supplication toward the heaven of Thy bounty. Ordain for him that which will exalt him through Thy Name amongst Thy servants. O Lord! Disappoint not him who hath raised his hands in supplication toward the heaven of Thy bounty. Ordain for him that which will exalt him through Thy Name among Thy servants, and will make him mighty through Thy power, powerful through Thy strength, and steadfast in Thy Cause. Verily, Thou art the Omnipotent over whatsoever Thou willest. There is none other God but Thee, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise….

BH11687: Praise be befitting unto the Desired One Who, through…

Section 1: “Praise be befitting unto the Desired One Who…”

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

Praise be befitting unto the Desired One Who, through His blessed, goodly and pure Word, created beings illumined with compassion, with mercy, with love. They are familiar with all tongues and are truthful in them all. Intrigues and evil whisperings are rejected in their religion. They are intimate with truthfulness and flee from all else. Whatsoever proceedeth from them is a faithful witness to the sincerity of their intention and the truth of their reality. We hope that the world may be illumined by the lights of the faces of the sincere ones and those brought nigh, and that these impurities which, like unto clay, have become the cause of the contamination of existence, may be cleansed by the Kawthar of the utterance of the Desired One of the worlds, and that the path may become manifest and the way evident.

This evanescent servant beseecheth the True One, exalted be His glory, to unite the hearts of the friends in that land, to bestow fellowship upon them, and to illumine them with the light of trust and resignation. Verily, He is powerful over all things.

O beloved of my heart! Thy noble letters, each like unto the morning star, illumined the horizons of hearts. After they were read and noted, they were taken to the Presence and attained the honor of His attention. He said: “O Muhammad, upon thee be My peace! That which is acceptable and desired before the True One today is the preservation of the reputation of the friends of God in that land, that through the grace of the Lord and the requirements of His Name, the All-Merciful and the Lord of all, their reputation may encompass the world, and every region may acquire trustworthiness, religiosity, truthfulness and sincerity from the dawning-places of that land. The nature of this world is known and evident, and its transitoriness is manifest and obvious to every possessor of vision and understanding.

In the city of love one matter hath become apparent, and that was the martyrdom of Him Who is mentioned in the Tablets. The friends, in view of the prohibition against interference which was revealed from the Supreme Pen, did not interfere and held fast unto beautiful patience and glorious concealment. Glory be to God! Through the supreme oppression, the True One, exalted be His glory, hath aided His Cause and informed both East and West. We hope that all the friends will hold fast unto that which God hath desired.

God willing, confident and steadfast souls shall become the cause of the exaltation of the Word and the advancement of existence, and in every place and station they shall quench and extinguish the fire of hatred, animosity, rebellion and immorality with the pure water of patience, steadfastness, reliance and detachment. These few days have no significance in the sight of God and His friends. The man of insight will assuredly not defile himself beneath it nor soil his most pure hem. Blessed are they who came with joy and passed with fragrance, and with complete trust returned unto the Desired One.

O Muhammad! The friends of that land and its surroundings are mentioned in the presence of the Wronged One and are illumined by the light of utterance. Convey greetings to all of them and gladden them with the effulgences of the lights of the Luminary of divine gifts and favors. Verily, He will assist thee, aid thee and help thee with the hosts of wisdom and utterance. There is no God but He, the Powerful, the Mighty, the Bestower.

Praise be to God that He granted success and power to this indigent one to be engaged in service to His Cause at all times, detached from all else. How excellent is the work of those who are nigh and sincere, for therein is cut off and forbidden the fragrance of seeking personal desires. His is the grace and the bounty, and His the generosity and the glory. The power of the world and the desires of nations did not prevent Him, nor hold Him back from His prevailing and supreme Will. Exalted be His dominion and exalted be His power! With one word He gave life, and with another word He took it away. Who can say why or wherefore, save he who removes himself from His sovereignty and flees from His dominion? Such a one has no station, no mention, and no description. In truth, such beings are considered non-existent and lost in the sight of those firmly established in the Crimson Ark. In any case, this servant beseeches the one true God on your behalf for that which is the cause of eternal life. Verily, He is the Powerful, the All-Seeing, and He is the Hearer, the Answerer. There is no God but He, the Single, the One, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

As commanded, a letter was written at this time to his honor Aqa ʿAli, upon him be the peace of God and His favors, and was sent to that true loved one that he might consider it and, if deemed advisable, deliver it. We beseech God to protect him through His power and sovereignty and to make him among the helpers.

As to what you wrote regarding Port Said and Egypt and other places, from meeting that beloved of hearts in any land, God willing, fruits will appear therefrom and the light of love will shine forth. In every matter and every thing there is a trace and hidden treasure from God’s perfect power, but these gradually appear through outward means day after day, and the effects themselves make the servants aware and inform them. Verily God has power over all things. God willing, from the warmth of love of that beloved one, the effects of warmth will appear in all regions.

His Holiness the Afnan, upon him be 9 66 [Baha’u’llah’s] Most Great Glory, has always been and continues to be mentioned. In truth, they are the cause of the exaltation of the Cause. We beseech God to assist him and make him successful through a sovereignty from His presence. Verily He is the Powerful, the Wise.

His Excellency the Minister, may God the Blessed, the Most High, strengthen him, praise be to God, is sanctified from that which is unworthy and adorned with that which is worthy and befitting. God willing, may he be assisted in exalting this Most Great Cause. According to the command, that beloved one must in all conditions hold fast to wisdom and utterance. Meeting itself, without words, affects some receptive souls—it guides without speech and shows the way without description. Such a minister must be appreciated and, to the extent possible, love, affection, sincerity and purity toward him are necessary. This party must ask God for his honor and elevation. Verily God is the Hearing, the Seeing.

And as for the Khan, may God make him successful, God willing he is praiseworthy in deed, praised in mention, and beloved in utterance. Thanks be to God that He has servants who are adorned with the ornaments of truthfulness, purity, love and faithfulness. Mention was made of the honored Haji and the details of attendance in that blessed presence, and certainly it is blessed, for it was a gathering of the friends. Every spot of earth where God is mentioned takes pride over other spots. This is a truth in which there is no doubt. Although that spot in those days was sorrowful, for due to the sorrow of his honor the Haji and those with him, upon them be the glory of God, those with penetrating vision observed the friends and acquaintances to be grief-stricken. However, the revealed tablets, from the horizon of each of which the sun of bounty was shining, transformed all sadness into joy, gladness, delight and expansion.

Section 2: “And as to what you wrote about performing…”

And as to what you wrote about performing a prostration of gratitude after reading—glory be to God! The fragrance of this gratitude certainly ascended and attained the most exalted station. They commanded: Mention these words: I swear by the Sun of Truth which has illumined the worlds of justice and fairness and the hearts and minds of the companions—if the veil were lifted and that station were beheld, they would manifest such joy as has had and has no likeness in the world. Verily it has attained and ascended to a station where, upon its arrival, the maidens called out from the chambers:

“The fragrance of a leaf of the Blessed Tree has wafted! Rejoice at meeting it and be glad at its presence!”

By the life of God, the attraction of this tribulation seized everyone in the Most Glorious Paradise and the Supreme Heaven. Verily God is the Bestower, the Generous, and He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.

I convey greetings to His Honor, the beloved of hearts, Aqa Siyyid Ali, upon him be God’s peace and care. In truth, his loving remembrances attract hearts and souls. I beseech God, exalted be His grace, to grant him that which causes the descent of mercy and favor from the clouds of His generosity and bounty. And for myself I seek confirmation that each time I make mention of what is hidden in the heart, I may remember the other loved ones of that land, and for each one I beseech God’s assistance. How beloved in the sight of God is the manifestation of love between His loved ones! When mention was made of His Honor Haji Abbas, upon him be God’s peace—how during the days of tribulation he was aflame with love in the house of His Honor the Haji and stood with complete dedication in service—repeatedly did He say: “Blessed is he, again blessed is he!”

We must be engaged day and night in thanksgiving and praise that He bestowed His grace, showed the way, and granted glory. The utter abasement that was specially reserved for this community in Iran—now, praise be to God, some have realized that this community has another purpose and another aspiration: they have had and have no thought save the tranquility of nations and the prosperity of the world. Every person of insight testifies to this and every hearing ear acknowledges it. And if some clods of earth, due to their lack of fairness and justice, have spoken or may speak otherwise, they are outside the school of God’s justice. His bestowals, favors and kindness have reached such a degree that the tongues of the world are powerless to mention them.

One day He repaired to the garden where a new pavilion of glory had been raised, and by His command the loved ones were present and gathered in that place. After His will was made known and all were assembled, He proceeded from the first garden with the Branches of the Blessed Tree to that spot. After being seated and the reading of heavenly verses, He made such mention of recent tribulations that all became sorrowful.

Then He spoke other words that truly caused sanctified spirits to attempt ascension that they might, after their ascent, attain to such a gathering. And in those two days when truly the sun of favor rose manifest from its horizon, there appeared all that testified to His supreme grace and mighty compassion, and in His presence was done what was befitting. Verily God, our Lord and your Lord, is the All-Bountiful, the Generous; He is the All-Merciful, the Forgiving, the Compassionate.

Likewise, mention of that beloved of hearts’ charitable deeds was repeatedly made by the blessed tongue. Indeed, not even to the extent of a needle’s eye has anyone’s reward been or will be lost. He said that from the earliest days until now, Muhammad has stood firm in service and held fast to the cord of grace, and throughout this long period nothing appeared from him contrary to His good-pleasure. This is a description for which the highest Paradise and loftiest Heaven yearn. At this point we should say:

“Praise be to God Who confirmed and assisted you and caused to appear from you that which the Lord of creation and the Sovereign of the seen and unseen described. We beseech God to make you a key to every door, steadfast in every matter, and mindful at all times. Verily He is the Most Powerful of the powerful. There is no God but He, the Protector of all who are in the heavens and the earth.”

The other gifts of that Beloved One have arrived. As they have been blessed with the mention and remembrance of that Beloved One, they will surely be acceptable. Since their relation is to the True One, exalted be His glory, each of their pages is the envy of paradise. I beseech the True One, exalted be His glory, to establish their reward in the garden of inner meanings and utterance, and to manifest its effusions in the aforementioned garden—this is not difficult for Him. This servant testifies to His power and sovereignty, His might and authority, and beseeches Him to ordain for your honor the good of all worlds among His worlds. Verily, He is the Powerful, the Mighty, the Wise.

To the light of the heart, His Honor Haji Siyyid Javad, upon him be the glory of God, the Lord of creation, I offer greetings and praise, and with utmost sincerity I beseech the True One, exalted be His glory, to aid him at all times and seasons in His service—a service that will forever bear witness to his attention, devotion, love and steadfastness. In the gathering of lovers his mention has been and continues to be made. It is hoped that in the remaining days we may arise to serve collectively and occupy ourselves with that which God desires. Verily, He is the Helper, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

Praise be to God that this letter ends with his mention. This ending is paired with the beginning; indeed, in one sense it can be said to take precedence, for the station of His Holiness the Seal (upon him be the spirit of all else) from the first beginning that was the beginning, is beyond all description and praise. This is the one who mentions and this is the witness. The remembrance and praise of God be upon you, O dawning-places of love and affection and mines of love and unity. There is no God but He, the Mighty, the Munificent.

The loved ones and chosen ones of that land are remembered in the heart and preserved through the protection of God’s favor, exalted be His glory. The world of love requires at all times the mention and praise of the loved ones, especially those saplings that have been nurtured in the shade of mercy, have been raised up, and are sustained by the fresh wine. Such souls should be mentioned by a pure tongue, and a sanctified heart should express love for them. In brief, they are remembered at the point of the heart and enkindled with the warmth of the heart. Praise be to God, they have attained that which has no opposite and is sanctified from peer. Their mention is the key to treasures and their love is the door to victories. All this is from God’s favor, grace and bounty. We beseech Him to gather them beneath His shade, to exalt them through His Name, and cause them to speak His beautiful praise.

Peace and remembrance and glory, then honor and exaltation and sublimity be upon your honor and upon those who love you and hear your word concerning the Cause of God, the Lord of the worlds.