Volume 099: Akka 1308–1309 A.H. (1890–1892), Part I (1 of 3)

BH00238: Lawh-i-Dunya (Tablet of the World)

Section 1: “In My Name, calling aloud in the Kingdom…”

In My Name, calling aloud in the Kingdom of Utterance

Praise and thanksgiving beseem the Lord of manifest dominion Who hath adorned the mighty prison with the presence of their honours ʿAli Akbar and Amin, and hath illumined it with the light of certitude, constancy and assurance. The glory of God and the glory of all that are in the heavens and on the earth be upon them.

Light and glory, greeting and praise be upon the Hands of His Cause, through whom the light of fortitude hath shone forth and the truth hath been established that the authority to choose rests with God, the Powerful, the Mighty, the Unconstrained, through whom the ocean of bounty hath surged and the fragrance of the gracious favours of God, the Lord of mankind, hath been diffused.

We beseech Him—Exalted is He—to shield them through the power of His hosts, to protect them through the potency of His dominion and to aid them through His indomitable strength which prevaileth over all created things. Sovereignty is God’s, the Creator of the heavens and the Lord of the Kingdom of Names.

The Great Announcement proclaimeth: O people of Persia! In former times ye have been the symbols of mercy and the embodiments of affection and kindliness. The regions of the world were illumined and embellished by the brightness of the light of your knowledge and by the blaze of your erudition. How is it that you have arisen to destroy yourselves and your friends with your own hands?

O Afnan, O thou that has branched from Mine ancient Stock! My glory and My loving-kindness rest upon thee. How vast is the tabernacle of the Cause of God! It hath overshadowed all the peoples and kindreds of the earth, and will, ere long, gather together the whole of mankind beneath its shelter. Thy day of service is now come. Countless Tablets bear the testimony of the bounties vouchsafed unto thee. Arise for the triumph of My Cause, and, through the power of thine utterance, subdue the hearts of men. Thou must show forth that which will ensure the peace and the well-being of the miserable and the downtrodden. Gird up the loins of thine endeavour, that perchance thou mayest release the captive from his chains, and enable him to attain unto true liberty.

Justice is, in this day, bewailing its plight, and Equity groaneth beneath the yoke of oppression. The thick clouds of tyranny have darkened the face of the earth, and enveloped its peoples. Through the movement of Our Pen of glory We have, at the bidding of the omnipotent Ordainer, breathed a new life into every human frame, and instilled into every word a fresh potency. All created things proclaim the evidences of this world-wide regeneration. This is the most great, the most joyful tidings imparted by the Pen of this Wronged One to mankind. Wherefore fear ye, O My well-beloved ones? Who is it that can dismay you? A touch of moisture sufficeth to dissolve the hardened clay out of which this perverse generation is moulded. The mere act of your gathering together is enough to scatter the forces of these vain and worthless people.

Strife and conflict befit the beasts of the wild. It was through the grace of God and with the aid of seemly words and praiseworthy deeds that the unsheathed swords of the Babi community were returned to their scabbards. Indeed through the power of good words, the righteous have always succeeded in winning command over the meads of the hearts of men. Say, O ye loved ones! Do not forsake prudence. Incline your hearts to the counsels given by the Most Exalted Pen and beware lest your hands or tongues cause harm unto anyone among mankind.

Referring to the land of Ta (Tihran) We have revealed in the Kitab-i-Aqdas that which will admonish mankind. They that perpetrate tyranny in the world have usurped the rights of the peoples and kindreds of the earth and are sedulously pursuing their selfish inclinations. The tyrant of the land of Ya (Yazd), committed that which hath caused the Concourse on High to shed tears of blood.

O thou who hast quaffed from the wine of Mine utterance and hast fixed thy gaze upon the horizon of My Revelation! How strange that the people of Persia, who were unrivalled in sciences and arts, should have sunk to the lowest level of degradation among the kindreds of the earth. O people! In this blessed, this glorious Day, deprive not yourselves of the liberal effusions of bounty which the Lord of abounding grace hath vouchsafed unto you. In this Day showers of wisdom and utterance are pouring down from the clouds of divine mercy. Well is it with them who judge His Cause with fairness, and woe betide the unjust.

Every man of insight will, in this day, readily admit that the counsels which the Pen of this Wronged One hath revealed constitute the supreme animating power for the advancement of the world and the exaltation of its peoples. Arise, O people, and, by the power of God’s might, resolve to gain the victory over your own selves, that haply the whole earth may be freed and sanctified from its servitude to the gods of its idle fancies—gods that have inflicted such loss upon, and are responsible for the misery of their wretched worshippers. These idols form the obstacle that impedeth man in his efforts to advance in the path of perfection. We cherish the hope that the Hand of divine power may lend its assistance to mankind and deliver it from its state of grievous abasement.

In one of the Tablets these words have been revealed: O people of God! Do not busy yourselves in your own concerns; let your thoughts be fixed upon that which will rehabilitate the fortunes of mankind and sanctify the hearts and souls of men. This can best be achieved through pure and holy deeds, through a virtuous life and a goodly behaviour. Valiant acts will ensure the triumph of this Cause, and a saintly character will reinforce its power. Cleave unto righteousness, O people of Baha! This, verily, is the commandment which this Wronged One hath given unto you, and the first choice of His unrestrained Will for every one of you.

O friends! It behoveth you to refresh and revive your souls through the gracious favours which in this Divine, this soul-stirring Springtime are being showered upon you. The Day-Star of His great glory hath shed its radiance upon you, and the clouds of His limitless grace have overshadowed you. How high the reward of him that hath not deprived himself of so great a bounty, nor failed to recognize the beauty of his Best-Beloved in this, His new attire. Watch over yourselves, for the Evil One is lying in wait, ready to entrap you. Gird yourselves against his wicked devices, and, led by the light of the name of the All-Seeing God, make your escape from the darkness that surroundeth you. Let your vision be world-embracing, rather than confined to your own self. The Evil One is he that hindereth the rise and obstructeth the spiritual progress of the children of men.

It is incumbent upon every man, in this Day, to hold fast unto whatsoever will promote the interests, and exalt the station, of all nations and just governments. Through each and every one of the verses which the Pen of the Most High hath revealed, the doors of love and unity have been unlocked and flung open to the face of men. We have erewhile declared—and Our Word is the truth -: Consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship.’ Whatsoever hath led the children of men to shun one another, and hath caused dissensions and divisions amongst them, hath, through the revelation these words, been nullified and abolished. From the heaven of God’s Will, and for the purpose of ennobling the world of being and of elevating the minds and souls of men, hath been sent down that which is the most effective instrument for the education of the whole human race.

The highest essence and most perfect expression of whatsoever the peoples of old have either said or written hath, through this most potent Revelation, been sent down from the heaven of the Will of the All-Possessing, the Ever-Abiding God. Of old it hath been revealed: Love of one’s country is an element of the Faith of God.’ The Tongue of Grandeur hath, however, in the day of His manifestation proclaimed: ʿIt is not his to boast who loveth his country, but it is his who loveth the world.’ Through the power released by these exalted words He hath lent a fresh impulse and set a new direction to the birds of men’s hearts, and hath obliterated every trace of restriction and limitation from God’s holy Book.

This Wronged One hath forbidden the people of God to engage in contention or conflict and hath exhorted them to righteous deeds and praiseworthy character. In this day the hosts that can ensure the victory of the Cause are those of goodly conduct and saintly character. Blessed are they who firmly adhere unto them and woe betide such as turn away therefrom. O people of God! I admonish you to observe courtesy, for above all else it is the prince of virtues. Well is it with him who is illumined with the light of courtesy and is attired with the vesture of uprightness. Whoso is endued with courtesy hath indeed attained a sublime station. It is hoped that this Wronged One and everyone else may be enabled to acquire it, hold fast unto it, observe it, and fix our gaze upon it. This is a binding command which hath streamed forth from the Pen of the Most Great Name.

This day when the gems of constancy that lie hid in the mine of men’s inner selves should be made manifest. O people of Justice! Be as brilliant as the light and as splendid as the fire that blazed in the Burning Bush. The brightness of the fire of your love will no doubt fuse and unify the contending peoples and kindreds of the earth, whilst the fierceness of the flame of enmity and hatred cannot but result in strife and ruin. We beseech God that He may shield His creatures from the evil designs of His enemies. He verily hath power over all things.

All praise be to the one true God—exalted be His glory—inasmuch as He hath, through the Pen of the Most High, unlocked the doors of men’s hearts. Every verse which this Pen hath revealed is a bright and shining portal that discloseth the glories of a saintly and pious life, of pure and stainless deeds. The summons and the message which We gave were never intended to reach or to benefit one land or one people only. Mankind in its entirety must firmly adhere to whatsoever hath been revealed and vouchsafed unto it. Then and only then will it attain unto true liberty.

The whole earth is illuminated with the resplendent glory of God’s Revelation. In the year sixty He Who heralded the light of Divine Guidance—may all creation be a sacrifice unto Him—arose to announce a fresh revelation of the Divine Spirit, and was followed, twenty years later, by Him through Whose coming the world was made the recipient of this promised glory, this wondrous favour. Behold how the generality of mankind hath been endued with the capacity to hearken unto God’s most exalted Word—the Word upon which must depend the gathering together and spiritual resurrection of all men.

Whilst in the Prison of ʿAkka, We revealed in the Crimson Book that which is conducive to the advancement of mankind and to the reconstruction of the world. The utterances set forth therein by the Pen of the Lord of creation include the following which constitute the fundamental principles for the administration of the affairs of men:

First: It is incumbent upon the ministers of the House of Justice to promote the Lesser Peace so that the people of the earth may be relieved from the burden of exorbitant expenditures. This matter is imperative and absolutely essential, inasmuch as hostilities and conflict lie at the root of affliction and calamity.

Second: Languages must be reduced to one common language to be taught in all the schools of the world.

Third: It behoveth man to adhere tenaciously unto that which will promote fellowship, kindliness and unity.

Fourth: Everyone, whether man or woman, should hand over to a trusted person a portion of what he or she earneth through trade, agriculture or other occupation, for the training and education of children, to be spent for this purpose with the knowledge of the Trustees of the House of Justice.

Fifth: Special regard must be paid to agriculture. Although it hath been mentioned in the fifth place, unquestionably it precedeth the others. Agriculture is highly developed in foreign lands, however in Persia it hath so far been grievously neglected. It is hoped that His Majesty the Shah—may God assist him by His grace—will turn his attention to this vital and important matter.

Section 2: “Were men to strictly observe…”

Were men to strictly observe that which the Pen of the Most High hath revealed in the Crimson Book, they could then well afford to dispense with the regulations which prevail in the world. Certain exhortations have repeatedly streamed forth from the Pen of the Most High that perchance the manifestations of power and the dawning-places of might may, sometime, be enabled to enforce them. Indeed, were sincere seekers to be found, every emanation of God’s pervasive and irresistible Will would, for the sake of His love, be revealed. But where are to be found earnest seekers and inquiring minds? Whither are gone the equitable and the fair-minded? At present no day passeth without the fire of a fresh tyranny blazing fiercely, or the sword of a new aggression being unsheathed. Gracious God! The great and the noble in Persia glory in acts of such savagery that one is lost in amazement at the tales thereof.

Day and night this Wronged One yieldeth thanks and praise unto the Lord of men, for it is witnessed that the words of counsel and exhortation We uttered have proved effective and that this people hath evinced such character and conduct as are acceptable in Our sight. This is affirmed by virtue of the event which hath truly cheered the eye of the world, and is none other than the intercession of the friends with the high authorities in favour of their enemies. Indeed one’s righteous deeds testify to the truth of one’s words. We cherish the hope that men of piety may illumine the world through the radiant light of their conduct, and We entreat the Almighty—glorified and exalted is He—to grant that everyone may in this Day remain steadfast in His love and stand firm in His Cause. He is, in truth, the Protector of those who are wholly devoted to Him and observe His precepts.

O people of God! Countless are the realms which Our Pen of Glory hath revealed and manifold the eyes to which it hath imparted true enlightenment. Yet most of the people in Persia continue to be deprived of the benefits of profitable counsels and remain sorely lacking in useful sciences and arts. Formerly these sublime words were especially revealed by the Pen of Glory in honour of one of the faithful, that perchance those that have gone astray may embrace the Truth and become acquainted with the subtleties of the Law of God.

The unbelievers and the faithless have set their minds on four things: first, the shedding of blood; second, the burning of books; third, the shunning of the followers of other religions; fourth, the extermination of other communities and groups. Now however, through the strengthening grace and potency of the Word of God these four barriers have been demolished, these clear injunctions have been obliterated from the Tablet and brutal dispositions have been transmuted into spiritual attributes. Exalted is His purpose; glorified is His power; magnified is His dominion!

Now let us beseech God—praised be His glory—to graciously guide aright the followers of the Shi’ih sect and to purge them of unseemly conduct. From the lips of the members of this sect foul imprecations fall unceasingly, while they invoke the word Mal’un’ (accursed)—uttered with a guttural sound of the letter ayn—as their daily relish.

O God my God! Thou hearest the sighing of Him Who is Thy Light (Baha), hearkenest unto His lamentations in the daytime and in the night season and knowest that He desireth naught for Himself but rather seeketh to sanctify the souls of Thy servants and to deliver them from the fire with which they are beset at all times. O Lord! The hands of Thy well-favoured servants are raised towards the heaven of Thy bounty and those of Thy sincere lovers are lifted up to the sublime heights of Thy generosity. Disappoint them not, I entreat Thee, in that which they seek from the ocean of Thy favour and from the heaven of Thy grace and the day-star of Thy bounty. Aid them, O Lord, to acquire such virtues as will exalt their stations among the peoples of the world. Verily Thou art the Powerful, the Mighty, the Most Generous.

O people of God! Give ear unto that which, if heeded, will ensure the freedom, well-being, tranquillity, exaltation and advancement of all men. Certain laws and principles are necessary and indispensable for Persia. However, it is fitting that these measures should be adopted in conformity with the considered views of His Majesty—may God aid him through His grace—and of the learned divines and of the high-ranking rulers. Subject to their approval a place should be fixed where they would meet. There they should hold fast to the cord of consultation and adopt and enforce that which is conducive to the security, prosperity, wealth and tranquillity of the people. For were any measure other than this to be adopted, it could not but result in chaos and commotion.

According to the fundamental laws which We have formerly revealed in the Kitab-i-Aqdas and other Tablets, all affairs are committed to the care of just kings and presidents and of the Trustees of the House of Justice. Having pondered on that which We have enunciated, every man of equity and discernment will readily perceive, with his inner and outer eyes, the splendours of the day-star of justice which radiate therefrom. The system of government which the British people have adopted in London appeareth to be good, for it is adorned with the light of both kingship and of the consultation of the people.

In formulating the principles and laws a part hath been devoted to penalties which form an effective instrument for the security and protection of men. However, dread of the penalties maketh people desist only outwardly from committing vile and contemptible deeds, while that which guardeth and restraineth man both outwardly and inwardly hath been and still is the fear of God. It is man’s true protector and his spiritual guardian. It behoveth him to cleave tenaciously unto that which will lead to the appearance of this supreme bounty. Well is it with him who giveth ear unto whatsoever My Pen of Glory hath proclaimed and observeth that whereunto he is bidden by the Ordainer, the Ancient of Days.

Incline your hearts, O people of God, unto the counsels of your true, your incomparable Friend. The Word of God may be likened unto a sapling, whose roots have been implanted in the hearts of men. It is incumbent upon you to foster its growth through the living waters of wisdom, of sanctified and holy words, so that its root may become firmly fixed and its branches may spread out as high as the heavens and beyond.

O people of the world! Among the bounties of this Most Great Revelation is this: that whatsoever is the cause of dissension, corruption, and discord We have blotted out from the Book, and whatsoever is the source of fellowship, unity, and concord We have inscribed therein. Bliss be unto them that act accordingly.

Time and again have We enjoined, and still do enjoin, the friends to shun whatever yieldeth the odor of corruption—nay rather, to flee therefrom. The world is in travail, and the thoughts of men are diverse. We beseech God to adorn them with the light of His justice and to make known unto them that which shall profit them under all conditions. Verily, He is the Self-Sufficing, the Most Exalted.

Heretofore We uttered this most exalted word: Those souls who are related to this Wronged One must, in the hour of bestowal and bounty, be as the raining cloud, and in restraining the insistent self be as a blazing flame. Praised be God! In these days there hath appeared that which is a cause of astonishment. As hath been heard, a certain person entered the seat of sovereignty in Iran and, by his own design, brought a number of eminent men under his sway. In truth, this is a station for lamentation and woe. What hath come to pass that the manifestations of supreme glory have chosen for themselves utter abasement? Whither hath constancy fled? Where is self-respect gone? The sun of greatness and wisdom hath ever dawned and shone from the horizon of the heaven of Iran; yet now matters have declined to such a degree that some among its men have made themselves the playthings of the ignorant.

That same person hath written concerning this community, in the newspapers of Egypt and in the encyclopaedia of Beirut, that which caused the possessors of knowledge and learning to marvel. Thereafter he repaired unto Paris and printed a journal entitled Urvatu’l-Vuthqa, which he sent unto the regions of the world and also forwarded to the prison of Akka, thereby making a show of affection, though his purpose was but to make amends for what had gone before. Be that as it may, this Wronged One chose silence concerning him. We beseech God to protect him and to illumine him with the light of justice and fairness. Unto Him it belongeth to speak.

O God, my God! Thou seest me standing before the door of Thy forgiveness and benevolence, turning my gaze toward the horizon of Thy bountiful favors and manifold blessings. I beg of Thee by Thy sweet accents and by the shrill voice of Thy Pen, O Lord of all mankind, to graciously aid Thy servants as it befitteth Thy days and beseemeth the glory of Thy manifestation and Thy majesty. Verily potent art Thou to do what Thou willest. All they that dwell in the heavens and on the earth bear witness to Thy power and Thy might, to Thy glory and Thy bounty. Praise be to Thee, O Lord of the worlds and the Well-Beloved of the hearts of all such as have recognized Thee.

Thou seest, O my God, the essence of poverty seeking the ocean of Thy wealth and the substance of transgression looking toward the heaven of Thy forgiveness and tender mercy. Grant Thou, O my God, that which beseemeth Thy great glory and befitteth the loftiness of Thy boundless grace. Thou art in truth the All-Bountiful, the Lord of grace abounding, the Ordainer, the All-Wise. No God is there but Thee, the Most Powerful, the All-Compelling, the Almighty.

O people of God! In this day everyone should fix his eyes upon the horizon of these blessed words: ʿAlone and unaided He doeth whatsoever He pleaseth.’ Whoso attaineth this station hath verily attained the light of the essential unity of God and is enlightened thereby, while all others are reckoned in the Book of God among the followers of idle fancy and vain imagination. Incline your ears to the Voice of this Wronged One and safeguard the integrity of your stations. It is highly necessary and imperative that everyone should observe this matter.

Unveiled and unconcealed, this Wronged One hath, at all times, proclaimed before the face of all the peoples of the world that which will serve as the key for unlocking the doors of sciences, of arts, of knowledge, of well-being, of prosperity and wealth. Neither have the wrongs inflicted by the oppressors succeeded in silencing the shrill voice of the Most Exalted Pen, nor have the doubts of the perverse or of the seditious been able to hinder Him from revealing the Most Sublime Word. I earnestly beseech God that He may protect and purge the people of Baha from the idle fancies and corrupt imaginings of the followers of the former Faith.

O people of God! Righteous men of learning who dedicate themselves to the guidance of others and are freed and well guarded from the promptings of a base and covetous nature are, in the sight of Him Who is the Desire of the world, stars of the heaven of true knowledge. It is essential to treat them with deference. They are indeed fountains of soft-flowing water, stars that shine resplendent, fruits of the blessed Tree, exponents of celestial power, and oceans of heavenly wisdom. Happy is he that followeth them. Verily such a soul is numbered in the Book of God, the Lord of the mighty Throne, among those with whom it shall be well. The glory which proceedeth from God, the Lord of the Throne on High and of the earth below, rest upon you, O people of Baha, O ye the companions of the Crimson Ark, and upon such as have inclined their ears to your sweet voices and have observed that whereunto they are bidden in this mighty and wondrous Tablet.

BH00309: Tremors have seized the tribes, and turmoil hath encompassed…

Section 1: “Tremors have seized the tribes, and turmoil hath…”

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

Tremors have seized the tribes, and turmoil hath encompassed the dwellers of earth, save whom God hath willed. That which hath appeared hath transcended the power of comprehension. Conjecture hath no path to what hath been manifested, and fancy hath no movement in this arena for Persia. Glorified be the All-Bountiful, the Possessor of Great Grace! The King of Names hath astounded the manifestations of might and wealth, and realms which their men had imagined to be free from decline now show evident cracks. Indeed, the fair-minded and discerning are increasingly amazed, for the outward causes in no way correspond to what hath transpired. Praise be to God Who hath appeared and made manifest His Cause, and made all things speak according to His Will, despite every heedless doubter.

May the light that shineth and blazeth from the heaven of bounty and generosity be upon the Afnans of the Divine Lote-Tree and its loved ones, whom neither clamor nor that which hath appeared in the realm of creation hath frightened. The lights are astounded by their radiance, all who are steadfast by their steadfastness, and all who are influential by their influence. These are they who see death in His love as a gateway to His mercy, and martyrdom in His path as a crown that telleth of His glory and sovereignty. It is naught but the door to rest and tranquility from the All-Merciful. Blessed is he who pondereth upon it and upon the mysteries deposited therein.

Glory be unto Thee, O my God! Thou seest the Afnans of Thy Lote-Tree amidst the enemies of Thy Self and the wolves of Thy earth, who desire naught in the kingdom but to extinguish the light of Thy Cause and quench the fire of Thy love. I beseech Thee, O Educator of the world and Goal of the nations, by Thy Most Great Name and by the Manifestations of Thy supreme Word, through whom Thou hast adorned Thy cities and lands, to protect him who hath acknowledged Thy manifestation and appearance, then guard him from the oppression of those who have violated Thy covenant and denied Thy signs. O Lord! I beseech Thee by the Word whereby hearts and minds were attracted, to protect the lamps of Thy guidance from the violent winds. Verily, Thou art the Revealer of verses and the Lord of names and attributes. There is no God but Thee, the Almighty, the All-Bountiful.

May my spirit be a sacrifice for your steadfastness, your constancy, and your utterance. The two exalted letters, each of which truly shineth as a lamp, have illumined the heart and pillars, and brought to remembrance the days of presence and meeting. Their mention is the cause of remembrance, and their reading the cause of awakening. From each word the fragrance of the detached ones wafteth. The servant beseecheth his Lord to raise your honor for the exaltation of His Cause and the elevation of His Word. Verily, He is the Most Powerful of the powerful ones. And after the recitation, reading, and contemplation, having aimed for the supreme height, it was presented before the countenance of Him Who conversed on Sinai and was blessed with the honor of His attention. Thereupon the ocean of grace and bounty surged, and He revealed that whereby the realities of all things were attracted. His word, exalted be His glory:

In My Name, the Manifest, the Speaker before the faces of the world

The fire of oppression and tyranny has been kindled, and every treacherous one has arisen with lies and calumnies, consumed by the fire of greed and passion—a recompense for his deeds in this worldly life. We beseech God to illumine all regions and to ordain for His servants that which will draw them nigh unto Him and guide them to His straight path. They have denied God and His signs, and have rejected what hath appeared from Him. Thus have their souls enticed them. God will soon seize them as He seized those before them. Verily, He is the One Who hath power over whatsoever He willeth through His mighty and wise command.

Glory be to God! Although it hath become clear and evident to all, the rejected souls inflamed with the fire of tyranny and wickedness have not yet awakened. However, to those endowed with vision and those who possess the Most Sublime Vision, good deeds are clearly distinguished from evil ones. They have committed that which hath no parallel in the world. In all circumstances, We have commanded the loved ones of God to patience and tranquility, lest there occur that which is contrary to what hath been ordained, both aforetime and hereafter. We have sent down the verses and manifested the clear proofs, and have commanded all to that which will exalt them and adorn them among the servants—yet they have wrought that which causeth every just and discerning one to lament. Greed hath taken hold of their reins, and they have devoured the wealth of the people. We testify that they have cast behind them that which was sent down from the heaven of God’s Will, the Lord of creation, and have taken that which their passions commanded them. They are indeed in darkness and error.

Although they witness at all times the evanescence of the world and its variations and passing away, they have clung to deeds and actions from which even Satan would shrink. Today the verses have encompassed all regions, and the rivers of wisdom and utterance flow and are visible before all faces, and the Sun of Truth shineth resplendent above all heads. Yet this hath had no effect upon the manifestations of turning away and the dawning-places of heedlessness. However, whatsoever hath been revealed in the Tablets from the Pen of God hath all come to pass and will continue to do so. There is no doubt in this: verily these have been sent down from God, the Mighty, the Glorious, the All-Knowing.

Despite the lack of means and the differences both internal and external, the Cause of God hath encompassed all, and now most are observed to be searching and seeking. Soon will God’s Cause encompass the East and the West of the earth, and there shall appear that which the All-Merciful hath revealed in the Qur’an through His words: “The unbeliever shall say, ʿWould that I were dust!”’ Each day some harm befalleth and some falsehood becometh manifest, yet since it occurreth in the path of God, it is beloved and acceptable. Praise be to God!

That honored one is aware that nothing but goodness hath been shown by the Afnan towards that heedless one. Nevertheless, through the instigation of certain ones, he hath acted in such a way regarding people’s property that now the people of the great city testify to his falsehood, wickedness, and treachery. We beseech God to make the heedless ones aware and not to deprive the world of the lights of the Day-Star of justice and equity. That honored one’s journey at such a time became a cause of grief. Hidden matters have become evident and clear. Previously, there was expressed to the Afnan, Aqa Siyyid Mirza, upon him be the Glory of God, that which was expedient for the time and conducive to the exaltation of the Word. Negligence in affairs and the latter matter have caused delay and suspension in outward occupations. However, that blessed soul must, under all circumstances, manifest such joy and gladness as shall cause all to rejoice. Every sorrow that befalleth is, in the sight of God, one of the keys of His bounty, mercy, loving-kindness, grace and munificence, whereby the portals of joy and gladness shall ere long be thrown open.

We have previously mentioned: O Afnan! Your dominion is established in the divine Kingdom, not in the earthly soil of water and clay. All that exists must be placed for sale and given to the creditors. Now they have accepted this matter, but had it been done before these matters arose it would have been more beloved and excellent in the sight of God and men. All must consult together and act according to what they deem advisable. We beseech God to assist them, grant them success, and ordain for them that which will exalt them through His Name amongst His servants. Verily, He is the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous.

His Holiness Afnan (A. and H.), upon him be the Glory of God the Most Glorious, had no desire to travel to the land of Ha. When the letter from His Holiness Afnan Haji Siyyid Mirza, upon him be the Glory and Grace of God, arrived, it was sent to him to consider and act as he deemed appropriate, for it was known to God that his journey to the land of Ha would bear no fruit whatsoever. Indeed, these exalted words were heard from the Blessed Tongue: They said that if his journey to that land would have borne any fruit, We would certainly have commanded him to proceed in that direction.

Section 2: “It is strange that His Holiness Afnan Haji…”

It is strange that His Holiness Afnan Haji Siyyid Mirza still writes that if Aqa Siyyid Ahmad had gone to India, matters would not have turned out this way. During those days, someone from that land arrived in Beirut and did not speak well of certain affairs of the honored ones. Even if His Holiness A. and H., upon him be the Glory of God, had gone to that region and the accounts were settled, where would the funds have been found to pay the creditors? In those days, some understood the details and would not deal with him in trade at all.

Now he must, detached from all else, hold fast to what has been commanded. Whatever was present in the house was given without discussion. Among these, the remaining balance of the late Haji Shaykh, upon him be the Glory and Favor of God, amounting to six hundred and seven Ottoman liras, was paid in cash, which included some of his own funds that he had relinquished. When in the early days of the arrival of Samandar, upon him be the Glory of God the Most Glorious, he sent two thousand tumans through the late Haji Shaykh, upon him be the Glory of God—one thousand tumans in silk and one thousand in cash—to the Most Holy Court, after being presented it was not accepted until, considering the distress of the aforementioned one, they accepted it to remain with him for trading purposes. After the loss occurred, the deceased was commanded to pay his brother’s debt from that amount, and Samandar also agreed to pay it, though it appears difficult that he would be able to do so.

And considering the helplessness of His Holiness Afnan Haji Siyyid Mirza, upon him be the Glory of God the Most Glorious, who had written in his letter that Shaykh knows this money was not ours, now what answer shall we give to the creditors? This matter was settled after the aforementioned payment was made. Likewise, His Holiness Afnan Aqa Siyyid Ahmad, upon him be the Glory of God the Most Glorious, after proceeding to the Threshold, received all possible assistance, both apparent and hidden, and His Holiness Afnan Aqa Mirza Muhsin, upon him be the Glory and Might of God, knows of some matters, and other affairs have also occurred of which His Holiness may be aware of some.

The honored Amin, upon him be the Glory of God, also gave some funds, and he too was instructed not to demand repayment. Divine favor has always been with them, both openly and secretly, but what emanated from them was not befitting, and after the arrival of Mirza’s letter, absolutely Jinab-i-A.H. was not prohibited from proceeding, nor was there an explicit command given, for it was stated that it has been and would be fruitless and would yield naught but embarrassment. This was expressed to his honor Afnan, Haji Siyyid ʿAli, upon him be the Glory of God, the Most Glorious, and a firm decree was issued that you must send an account statement so it would become clear to all what has entered the storehouse in Beirut, what has left, and what remains.

What is evident and visible here is that there is a plot of land acquired in Haifa, whose value has now increased. According to the command, it must be auctioned and the proceeds given to settle debts, with everyone’s knowledge. Similarly, there is a house which, having met with the blessed approval, was purchased, though it is small, being around one hundred liras and some change. Until now, no ruling has been issued regarding this matter. Regarding the land, a command was issued to his honor Afnan to proceed with all haste to ʿIshqabad for the sale of properties. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, to moderate the negligence and delay of Afnan. Verily, He has power over all things. And in all circumstances, one must act according to the command with trustworthiness, religious devotion and justice. Verily, He aids those who hold fast to trustworthiness and justice. Indeed, He is the Guardian of those who do good.

In any case, a brief account of each matter has been submitted, as these days are more suited to other mentions and other utterances. It would be better that I submit that your supplications were presented before His presence at the designated times, and in response to each one was revealed that which no treasure could equal and no mention could fulfill. In one instance, these exalted words were revealed from the Source of verses and the Manifestation of clear proofs. His word, exalted be His utterance:

O My Afnan! Upon thee be My glory, My loving-kindness and My mercy. We testify that thou hast been with Me from the earliest days, and hast attained to the hearing of the Call and the beholding of the Supreme Horizon, and We have known from thee what We have known from none else. He is thy Helper in all conditions. We beseech God to transform your sorrow into an ocean of joy and delight, and to ordain for you that which will attract all things. The servant in attendance here hath recited before Our face what thou didst send regarding the mention of God and His praise, from every word of which was wafted the fragrance of detachment, trust and supplication. We beseech Him, exalted be He, to open through thee the doors of goodly things and to raise through thee the standards of triumph throughout all lands and the banner of victory amongst the servants. He is, verily, the Lord of creation and the Omnipotent over whatsoever He willeth.

We make mention of all the Afnans. We hope they will succeed in acting according to that which hath flowed from the Most Exalted Pen. When deeds are pure and sanctified, man is assured and joyous before God and within himself. The pen cannot adequately describe this station. Your honor is aware to the extent possible. We beseech Him not to withhold the rain of His grace, bounty and generosity, nor to deprive His Afnans. Should a soul be confirmed even slightly and take one step beyond this world, he will witness what hath been ordained for those related to Him, namely the Afnans whom He hath claimed as His own. By the Sun of Truth, all would be bewildered, nay thunderstruck, at beholding it, except whom God willeth—their Lord, their Master, their Manifestation and their Sovereign.

Repeatedly have they mentioned that which hath been recorded in the inner reality of the world, which no obliteration can affect nor seizure take hold of. That they have made mention of his honor the Afnan Nuru’d-Din Hasan, upon him be the Glory of God, the Most Glorious—after presenting these supreme words, the obvious is known. As commanded, they have acted and continue to act in accordance with wisdom.

They repeatedly mentioned the difficulty and necessity of that honored one’s migration from Fars, until news arrived of his arrival in that land. This servant clingeth to the hem of that honored one’s special favors and beseecheth him to manifest that which will cause the exaltation of God’s Cause. Verily, He is powerful over all things. I convey greetings and nothingness to the honored Afnans of that land, upon them be the Glory of God and His favors, and I beseech from the ocean of divine generosity that which is the cause of glory and exaltation. Nothing escapeth His knowledge. He worketh and judgeth, and He is the Commander, the All-Knowing.

I make mention of all the friends of God and convey glorification, praise and greetings. It is hoped that all will be assisted to achieve what God loveth and is pleased with. Glory and remembrance and praise be upon your honor and upon those who are with you and who love you and who hearken to your words concerning God’s Great Announcement and His Wise Remembrance.

The servant 6 Muharram al-Haram 1308

As instructed, mention was made of giving money to the Beloved; yet it is better that the matter remain concealed.

BH00860: Praise be to the Goal of the worlds Who…

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

Praise be to the Goal of the worlds Who hath manifested in that land whatsoever distinguisheth those who have turned towards Him from those who have turned away, the truthful from the false, the slanderers and corruptors from the reformers. All those corruptions are clear and evident, their source being from the Island and his disciple who is in that land. Now that honored friend must ponder who is the guide and who the guided. I beseech God to make manifest penetrating vision and to sanctify some eyes from the ophthalmia of self and desire.

O my brother! The path of God is clear and evident from all else. The turning away souls deem it necessary to lie and slander, as thou hast witnessed and dost witness. They have attributed to the Afnan—whose sanctity and purity every fair-minded one doth testify to—that which all the atoms of creation bear witness is false. Inform the people—meaning those souls who were and are in other cities—that perchance they may become aware and hold fast to righteousness and piety instead of tyranny and wickedness.

O my God, my Adored One, my Object of worship! Purify Thy servants from falsehood, doubt, hatred, tyranny and wickedness, that they may turn from what they possess to what Thou possessest. Thou art the Powerful, the Mighty. O God! Thou knowest the intentions of the sincere and obedient among Thy servants. Have mercy and confirm all servants generally in truthfulness, trustworthiness, sincerity and purity. Thou art powerful over that which is the cause of salvation for all. Disappoint not those who hope in Thee and deny not those who seek Thee. Verily Thou art God, the Powerful, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy.

The letter of that spiritual friend arrived. Christ said to His disciples: “O sheep of God, I wish to send you among wolves.” Now what hath befallen that spiritual friend is even greater than that. However, after the presentation of that friend’s letter before the countenance of the Master, He said: Be not grieved by what hath befallen thee, and despair not of God’s justice. His justice shall ultimately seize the oppressors and liars, and His grace shall not deprive His loved ones. He is the Owner of existence and the Sovereign of the seen and unseen. Speak thou of truth with complete assurance and perfect trust and resignation, and remain firm and steadfast in setting affairs aright. Verily He aids every oppressed one, every trustworthy one, and every truthful one. Hold fast to the cord of His favor which hath preceded all who are in the heavens and on earth.

O Zaynu’l-‘Abidin! Praise God, glorified be His majesty, that thou hast become aware of the deeds and actions of the Island. Behold what his disciple doeth. They have ever been and continue to be engaged in corruption. Trustworthiness, religion and truthfulness are as rare as the phoenix among that party, as thou hast witnessed. Say: O my God, my God! Aid the slanderers to truthfulness, the oppressors to justice, and the treacherous to trustworthiness. Verily Thou art powerful over whatsoever Thou willest through Thy word “Be” and it is.

The honored gentleman, his holiness the Afnan, has arrived and attained the presence, and will soon return. Concerning all the persecution inflicted thus far—that is, from those individuals who received the utmost love and kindness from the honored Afnans, upon them be the Most Glorious Glory of God—they showed patience and left it to God. However, praise be to God, all that was falsely claimed has become clear and evident to all. By God’s grace, what they have said has become known to the wise ones and the manifestations of justice. Glory be to God! They consider their honor to lie in persecuting this community, for this community has had and has no one but the Truth. Due to having no helper or supporter from the earliest days until now, they have endured what none but God knows. The oppression of this community reached such a point that in one city, on the word of a single attendant, twenty people were martyred. In any case, persecuting the oppressed is easy and unimpeded, but if at any time or moment the sun of justice should appear or shine forth, the deeds of all will become clear and evident.

Glory be to God! This servant is greatly astonished that in that city, not enough just and fair-minded souls can be found to protect even one oppressed person. Despite the Afnans’ acknowledgment—upon them be God’s peace—of the kindness and love of His Excellency the Iranian Minister (may God strengthen him), how is it that such matters occur? Someone wrote from Beirut about a telegram that caused astonishment, for the Iranian Consul himself has risen to harm his own subject and has accused him of theft. What has been observed thus far is that those souls who reside in these parts have been and are the most obedient and best subjects of the exalted government of Iran. However, these matters are proof of their oppression and the manifestation of the stations of the detached ones.

That spiritual friend should act with justice and fairness in all conditions, speak with truthfulness, and ask from God whatever they hope and long for. We beseech God to assist you and make you successful, and to make you helpers of His Cause through compassionate counsels and wise advice, and through virtues that have won the glory of acceptance and pleasure before God, Creator of heaven. In all matters we have trusted in Him and committed our affairs to Him, and at all times we pray for those who have risen to humiliate this community, and we ask God not to deprive us and them of the adorning of justice.

If deemed advisable, mention to His Excellency the Deputy and First Vice-Consul that this latest action of Muhammad ʿAli in making accusations of theft is true testimony to the truth of their previous actions. However, by way of counsel I submit that in all cases the honored Iranian ambassadors (may God strengthen them) should exert their utmost effort in protecting individuals and preserving dignity and station, for if they are subjects, they are God’s trust with them, and if they are not subjects, human compassion requires kindness.

From the very moment of Our arrival in this land until now, whensoever the envoys of the Sublime State have come to these regions and inquired as to which party hath, in all respects, remained obedient, this party it was and is. Whatsoever hath befallen them they have endured with patience. How many the events that, in this land, have transpired wholly at variance [with propriety], yet not a word was spoken, nor any matter set forth; for whatsoever came to pass—its truth or its falsity—was as manifest and luminous as the sun. These few words, likewise, have been set down inasmuch as it was deemed possible that, after their presentation before the officials in authority, they might become aware of that which hath been inflicted upon this wronged party. Nevertheless, in all circumstances do We render thanks and praise unto God, and entreat Him for that measure of assistance which He loveth and is well-pleased with. Verily, He is the All-Powerful, the Almighty.

BH01124: Praise be to God, the Sovereign of earth…

He is God—exalted be His station, the Most Great and All-Powerful

Praise be to God, the Sovereign of earth and heaven, the Lord of might and power. He hath revealed through the Pen of Destiny that which preserveth and guardeth His servants and causeth them to hold fast to the cord of pardon, bounty, grace and glory. He, verily, is the Lord of all mankind and the Master of the beginning and the end. Were it not for His grace, who would recognize His straight Path and His manifest and brilliant Way? We praise and thank Him until that Day whose end hath not appeared and whose bounties are limitless. And may the resplendent prayers that shine forth from the horizon of God’s Will rest upon His chosen ones, His loved ones, and the Hands of His Cause, whom He hath described in His Book with the words “No fear shall be upon them, nor shall they grieve.”

My spirit be a sacrifice for your remembrance! Your noble letter arrived like the arrival of the Beloved to the lover, or like the descent of spring rains upon the luminous and receptive ground. God knoweth that the servant found in its words and letters that which transformed the most great sorrow into the greatest joy. We beseech Him, exalted be He, to preserve you, to assist you, and to cause you to speak that which will attract the heart of every seeker, every aspirant, and every one who hath turned unto Him. Verily our Lord, the Most Merciful, is the Hearer, the Answerer of prayers, the Compassionate, the All-Powerful, the Forgiving, the Merciful.

When I had read and understood it, I approached the Most Great Spot and presented it before the Lord. He—may our souls be a sacrifice for Him—said:

“O Muhammad Mustafa! Upon thee be the peace of God, the Lord of all beings. We have enjoined upon all wisdom and utterance, conciliation and harmony, religion and faithfulness. However, they who claim love and fellowship have cast behind their backs that which they were commanded and have chosen that which hath kindled the fire of corruption. We beseech God to aid His loved ones to that which will exalt their station in the earth. He, verily, is the Hearer, the Answerer of prayers.”

The Wronged One beareth witness that the Sultan who was named ʿAbdu’l-Hamid—may God assist him—was holding fast to the cord of justice and equity and was detached from tyranny and oppression. All affairs return unto him, and he—may the All-Merciful assist him—was seated upon the throne of consultation, at all times consulting with the ministers and the learned ones regarding affairs, choosing what the people chose. He possessed sound judgment and penetrating and brilliant intelligence. It behooveth all to beseech God to assist him, preserve him, and aid him through His might, His sovereignty, His strength and His power. Verily, He is powerful over all things. Nothing hath appeared from him that would grieve Us, and We beseech God, blessed and exalted be He, to preserve him and assist him henceforth in protecting the oppressed and succouring the poor and needy. We counsel Our loved ones to observe religion and trustworthiness, and that which would gladden the heart of the Sultan. He, verily, is the Almighty, the Glorious, the Bestower.

We have read the letter of Mim—may God, exalted be He, assist him. He hath spoken with truth and justice and hath mentioned Muhammad Mihdi and the sons of the Deputy in a manner befitting them. We beseech God to assist them and enable them to act in accordance with that which they have been commanded in the Book of God, the Lord of all worlds. We beseech Him, exalted be He, to protect them from the evil of enemies and to ordain for them that which will draw them near unto Him in all conditions. He, verily, is the Self-Sufficient, the Most High. We send greetings from this Spot to My loved ones and My friends, and We counsel them with that which would gladden the hearts of the world.

Blessed is he who hath heard and acted upon that which the All-Merciful hath revealed in the Qur’an, and woe unto every heedless doubter. Verily the servant loveth to make mention of His Honor Mim, upon him be 9 66 [Baha’u’llah], the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. Praise be to God that there hath appeared from His presence that which hath silenced the lying tongues. Verily our Lord is the Compassionate, the All-Bountiful. We beseech the Lord to manifest through his presence the standards of trustworthiness, guidance, chastity and fidelity, and to open before his face the door of His grace. Verily He is the One with power over whatsoever He willeth through His All-Wise Name. And I send greetings upon the faces of the friends that were transformed for the sake of God from the buffetings of the oppressors and tyrants.

I beseech Him, blessed and exalted be He, to assist His loved ones to spread the verses of wisdom, fellowship, love and unity, that the world may be illumined by the light of security and peace. Verily He is the Mighty, the All-Bountiful.

At the end of the Book, the tongue of the Lord spoke in remembrance of the fruit of the heart, the son of His Honor Mim—upon them both be the peace and loving-kindness of God—and said: Verily We desired to seal this remembrance with mention of him who was named ʿAbdu’l-Husayn, that he may rejoice and be among the triumphant.

O my Lord! I beseech Thee by the lights of Thy throne and by that which hath appeared from Thy presence, and by this lamp which hath been beset by tempestuous winds from every direction, that Thou protect him and Thy loved ones there, and ordain for him and for them that which shall never cease to shed its fragrance throughout the eternity of Thy names and attributes. Verily Thou art the Revealer of verses and the Manifester of clear proofs. There is no God but Thee, the Mighty, the All-Bestowing.

The servant greeteth him and maketh mention of him through the loving-kindness of the Lord, and remindeth him of verses that cannot be prevented by the might of those in the kingdom of creation.

O God, my God, my Lord and my Support! Ordain for him and for Thy loved ones there that which befitteth the ocean of Thy grace and the heaven of Thy bounty. Verily Thou art the Powerful, the Mighty, the Most Generous.

And I send greetings upon the delight of eyes and the loved ones of God who are there, and I ask for them every good thing He hath ordained, and every glory He hath decreed, and every light He hath sent down, and every splendor and loftiness He hath raised up.

O God of the world and Beloved of the nations! Ordain for Thy loved ones that which shall protect them from the calumnies of every liar and the opposition of every opposer. Verily Thou art the Powerful, the Mighty, the All-Knowing.

The servant 26 Muharram 1308

BH00131: Praise and thanksgiving belong, in the first degree…

Section 1: “Praise and thanksgiving belong, in the first degree…”

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

Praise and thanksgiving belong, in the first degree, to His Beauty and, in the second degree, to His chosen ones who, in such an age when the world of limitations and restrictions has reached its end, have arisen with perfect steadfastness to open the gate of a temperate, acceptable, and balanced freedom of expression. The insinuations of the opposers and the doubts of the transgressors did not prevent them from the Lord of the Day of Judgment. Despite being surrounded by enemies from all directions, the oppression of tyrants, and the waves of armies of wickedness and vice, they were not deprived of hearing the Call raised from the Most Exalted Horizon. Exalted be His Glory, universal His bounty, and mighty His dominion! Verily the servant speaks and presents:

My God, my God! Open the gates of hearts with the keys of Thy most beautiful Names and illumine them with the lights of Thy utterance in Thy Days. Aid them to return unto Thee and to acknowledge what Thou hast revealed in Thy Books, Thy Scriptures, Thy Scrolls, and Thy Tablets. O Lord! Thou seest and knowest what hath appeared from the calumniators and the heedless ones who have made treachery a crown for their heads and falsehood an ornament for their temples. I beseech Thee, O Sovereign of existence and Educator of the seen and unseen, by Thy greatest signs and Thy traces in the kingdom of creation, to send down from the clouds of Thy mercy that which will transform darkness into light and falsehood into truth. Verily, Thou art the All-Bountiful, the Almighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

O thou who art mentioned in my heart and upon my tongue! Multiple letters from that beloved of the heart have arrived, their fragrance testifying to love, affection, detachment, and steadfastness. Whenever each arrived in the Most Holy, Most Exalted Court, it attained the honor of being presented and heard, but due to the multitude of pressing matters, there was delay in response. In truth, the decree of delay in this station is not permissible in any station, for the All-Knowing Lord of the Unseen and that beloved one bear witness to the sincerity of love and purity of that honored one, and likewise to the annihilation of the will of these servants in the Will of God. Moreover, the traces that have come to that honored one are more than can be counted, and surely you will say that new and fresh expressions have another splendor in the heart, and this word is truth, there is no doubt in it.

It is hoped that henceforth, through the favors of the Goal of the worlds, there shall appear from this servant that which will renew the remembrance of the chosen ones and increase the joy and delight of true friends. Glorified is He Who has subjected the wills of the servants to His Will and their wishes to His Wish, and He is the Commander, the Ruler, the Mighty, the Great.

And after turning and becoming aware, intending the station of grandeur, after presenting before the Throne of Grace, the Tongue of Grandeur spoke these verses, Mighty be His utterance and Glorious His proof:

I am the Wronged One, the Stranger

All things bear witness to My rising, My remembrance, My praise, My steadfastness, My care, My grace, and My mercy. Blessed is he who hath heard and attained. He is, before God, the Lord of the worlds, among the people of Baha and the companions of the Crimson Ark. Say: O people! This is not the day of your questioning, your mention, your speech, and your call. It behooveth you to turn with your ears to the Most Exalted Horizon that ye may hear what hath been raised therein. By the life of God! What ye possess will not profit you. Cast it away by a power from Us and a strength from Our presence, and take with hands of submission the Book of God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

O Ali-Akbar! Upon thee be My glory, My loving-kindness and My mercy. Verily most of the people have not recognized this Day and its station. They utter that which the ignorant of the earth uttered before. Thus have their souls enticed them. They are indeed among the lost, the wrongdoers, the transgressors, and the heedless. They have not perceived the fragrance of the Day of God, nor have they recognized what hath been revealed therein. We bear witness that they are but worthless creatures in the sight of God, the Mighty, the Praised. They have cast the Truth behind their backs, clinging to their vain imaginings and idle fancies.

The ears say: O my God, my Lord and my Support! I beseech Thee by the Power that hath encompassed all created things to protect me from the roaring of Thine enemies and from hearkening to that which proceedeth from the mouths of the ignorant among Thy creatures. My Lord! I testify that Thou didst create me to hearken unto Thy most sweet call and the shrill voice of Thy Most Exalted Pen. I beseech Thee to assist me to manifest that for which Thou hast created me. Verily, Thou art the Almighty, the All-Powerful.

Glory be to God! The immature ones of the world have said that which caused the ears to lodge their complaint before Him. His honor knoweth that the Truth, exalted be His glory, hath revealed in the Kingdom of grace that which is the cause of the exaltation of the peoples of the world. Every person of understanding and fairness beareth witness to that which hath appeared from the treasury of the Most Exalted Pen. In truth, the Luminary of utterance hath so manifested itself that no excuse remaineth for the peoples of the world. Consider the idle words of Hadi, the son of Mirza Yahya. By the Sun of Truth! No heedless one in this age hath uttered such words. It is not known what he hath understood of the Truth and what he comprehendeth of usurpation. From all his utterances, conduct and deeds, the station and condition of that party hath become evident and clear. Say: Thou wert not with thy father, thou didst not see thy father, and thou art not aware of the Cause of God. Fear God and be not of the calumniators.

As to what thou hast mentioned that “they have usurped my father’s right”—these are the same meaningless utterances of the past spoken for the sake of leadership, and such words and their like have caused the stations and ranks of the chosen ones and successors to be lost. The Prince of Martyrs, exalted be his deed, said: “O my brother, what manner of compromise was this that thou didst make?” He replied that it was due to lack of trust in the friends. He asked: “Why didst thou make the acceptance of money the main pillar of the compromise?” Most of the companions objected and reviled and rejected that holy being. In truth, a reprehensible matter appeared, for the basis of the compromise was set as the customs revenues of Kufa and Jahrum of Fars.

The Lord of Lovers was greatly saddened by this incident. But poor Hadi knew not what to say. He and others cling to fabricated claims of persecution that they might thereby cast hatred into the hearts of the servants. Whenever anyone goes to Cyprus they say that the night before or the day before people came from Akka to kill so-and-so. Had they found the people to be fair-minded, they would never have uttered such words, for all know that for years he dwelt in complete comfort under protection. By the life of God! Not a single blow struck him, but the disease of prejudice is severe. We beseech God to grant healing that all may speak with justice and fairness and reflect upon what hath occurred.

During this time not a drop of his blood or that of his associates was shed in God’s path. The lands themselves bear witness to this. But the people were and are worshippers of vain imaginings.

O Ali-Qabli-Akbar! With the dawning rays of the Sun of Divine favor, exalted be His glory, they intended the martyrdom of the Desire of the worlds, and when that which was hidden in their breasts was revealed, they spoke that which thou hast heard. After this incident, this Wronged One left his wives and children safe and sound, and departed. To this beareth witness every truthful and trustworthy one, and every fair-minded and well-informed person.

Say: O Hadi! Thy father was not a man of wisdom. Throughout his life he occupied himself with pastimes and diversions. Were it not for the attention and favor of this Wronged One, neither thou, nor thy father, nor the Cause of God would have existed. Be fair: neither thou, nor thy sister, nor Siyyid Muhammad-i-Isfahani, nor Mirza Hadi-i-Dawlat-Abadi were ever with Us, nor were ye aware of the essence of the Cause. For the sake of God, ponder upon the divine verses, or present thyself that perchance the breezes of revelation may make thee aware and grant thee that for which thou wert brought from nothingness into being.

O Hadi! Go to the prison of the government and ask the deputy to show thee the chain known as Salasil, and likewise the last chain known as Qarahguhar, that thou mayest become aware of the tribulations and afflictions of the Wronged One. For four months did the Wronged One bear the weight of these chains, as well as other afflictions which most of the people of that region have heard of and know about.

O Hadi! An unseemly word hath proceeded from thee. We did not usurp thy father’s rights; rather, We have been and are his protector, helper and benefactor. This statement is, first of all, very old and meaningless, and the station of the Letters of the Living hath, in the eyes of those possessed of keen sight and attentive ears, been degraded by such words. For if their right was to earthly clay and water, that is of no account to those who are detached, who have passed beyond this mortal world of dust and have set their faces toward the immortal divine Kingdom. And if the right mentioned refers to divine bounties and the mysteries of sacred Books, no one hath power to lay claim to these. Had We been present in that time, We would certainly have forbidden them from uttering such unseemly words.

O Hadi! Leave aside these mentions and reflect upon the penetrating power of the Supreme Pen and the authority of the Most Exalted Word, which, without armies and hosts, hath achieved the Most Great Victory. Such a victory hath never been witnessed by the people of impregnable fortresses and mighty strongholds from the beginning of the world until now. Those who have uttered such words did so at a time when some of the lands, villages and cities of the world were under Islamic rule, whereas now this people do not possess even a hand’s breadth of earth that could be subject to seizure or usurpation.

O Hadi! Whither has thy perception fled? It beseemeth not man to utter vain imaginings. We have borne all the afflictions of the earth for the exaltation of God’s Cause. When the world of darkness was somewhat illumined by the dawning light of the Day Star of divine guidance, thou and thy father and others emerged from behind the veil with the swords of hatred. Instead of being grateful, thou dost complain. Were the events of the past to flow from the Most Exalted Pen and be made manifest, the very mountain of thy being would be crushed. He Who possesseth the Mother Book beareth witness unto this. Furthermore, this Wronged One hath never claimed vicegerency, deputyship, guardianship, succession, leadership, nobility or to be the fourth pillar. The Primal Point testified to this station in His words: “He verily speaketh in every condition, saying: ʿVerily, I am God,”’ and so forth as revealed through the tongue of revelation.

O Hadi! Thy words reveal that thou hast not recognized the establishment of Him Who conversed on Sinai upon the throne of Manifestation. The world is a different world and the Cause a different Cause. Open thine eyes that perchance thou mayest become aware and attain unto the splendors of the Day of God. Be fair—had it not been for this Wronged One, would thy father have possessed such power and strength as to arise before the faces of the world and speak that which transformed the darkness of vain imaginings into the light of certitude? Be fair and be not of the wrongdoers. This Wronged One arose to proclaim the Cause in days when the limbs of the world trembled with fear. Were it not for Baha, who would have dared to speak before the faces of the world and deliver the verses of God, the Lord of all worlds? He hath said that should anyone produce a single verse, reject him not. Ponder this utterance, that perchance thou mayest become aware of the wrong committed against this Wronged One. Now, despite countless revealed verses and manifest proofs, thou dost continue to instill hatred in the hearts of the weak. Nothing but falsehood hath appeared from you in every matter.

Haji Siyyid Javad was with this Wronged One; his petitions in his own handwriting still exist, and We sent two of his letters to the land of Ya and other regions wherein appeared that which proved the truth and still exists. Nevertheless, they have obtained his photograph and included it with some other photographs and that of Mirza Yahya, made copies of all and distributed them among the people.

Where is justice? Whither has fairness fled? Apart from all this, would ye be content that another sect like the Shi’ih sect should appear in the world? What was manifested on the Day of Judgment from their thousand and two hundred years of deeds? Reflect, and with the power of justice and fairness, break the back of tyranny and oppression. By God! We desire naught for thee but good, and We desire only to guide thee to the straight path of God and His mighty Message. For a thousand and two hundred years that sect considered themselves the most learned and distinguished of all people, yet on the Day of Judgment they were seen to be the most lost. From the year sixty until now, all the divines have been engaged in cursing and vituperation from their pulpits. By God! We hear the lamentation of the pulpits saying:

“O my God! Thou didst create us for the exaltation of Thy Word, Thy remembrance, Thy praise, and Thou hearest, O my God, the wailing of the dwellers of Thy Paradise and the inhabitants of Thy sacred precincts. O Lord! Deliver us from these embodiments of tyranny and oppression, and adorn us with Thy near servants and sincere trusted ones.”

Now again they are occupied with forming a party like the Shia party, bringing up mentions of succession and casting hatred in people’s hearts against a station from which naught but the Most Great Mercy was manifest, which nurtured and protected thy father and those with him under the wing of loving-kindness. Rend asunder the veils of idle fancy! I swear by the Sun of Truth shining from the horizon of the prison of Akka that no purpose was intended save the guidance of the servants. Say: In the name of God and by God, and arise from thy station, turning toward the Kaaba of God, the All-Compelling, the Self-Subsisting, and say:

“My God, my God! I have abandoned the community of people who believed not in Thee and Thy signs. Aid me to purify hearts and souls through the Kawthar and the Euphrates and the Salsabil that have flowed from the mouth of Thy Will and Purpose.”

Section 2: “O Hadi! Beseech God not to afflict His…”

O Hadi! Beseech God not to afflict His servants anew with the vain imaginings of the Shia party. Those same imaginings were transformed into bullets and on the Day of Retribution were visited upon the Lord of the world. This Wronged One’s purpose hath never been and is not religious leadership, but rather to purify the world from the calumnies and falsehoods of the past, and likewise to extinguish the fire of hatred hidden and concealed in the hearts of the various parties. We have sacrificed Our life for the reformation of the world and the education of the peoples.

Some were not and are not worthy to hearken unto this call, for in the first instance they must ascend the steps of names and aim for the heaven of inner meanings. Not every weak one is capable of this arena, and not every horseman is worthy of this field.

O Hadi! Great is the Cause of God. Reflect upon the Twin Luminous Lights, that is, Hasan and Husayn, and be fair: despite their glory, wealth and exaltation, they freely sacrificed their lives at the feet of the Beloved of the worlds. Likewise other souls, which all have heard about and know. And consider the conduct of Mirza Hadi Dawlat-Abadi, who for successive years remained concealed behind a veil, but when the Ishqabad affair and the favors of His Majesty the Sultan became apparent in Tehran, and likewise when the light shone forth from the influence of the Supreme Word and the power of the Most Exalted Pen, and the Cause became manifest and the Euphrates flowed, he rushed forth.

Would that he had remained in his initial concealment, for no sooner did he hear himself called a Babi than he mounted the pulpit and uttered that which caused the eyes of the Concourse on High to weep blood. In those days both His Honor Ashraf was seized and that same word was spoken concerning him. Now Ashraf lies beneath the earth while the other moves about with throne and pomp. What was the cause of the first one’s martyrdom and what was the reason for the second one’s survival? Know thou and thou shalt know, and the world shall know that the first one’s martyrdom was due to truthfulness, sincerity and sacrifice, while the second one’s survival was due to falsehood, denial and hypocrisy.

He was the only one of that party who was heard to have come forth—and would that he had not left his house and had not uttered what he uttered! Yea, they have attributed and continue to attribute every good thing to themselves.

Among them was Siyyid Isma’il-i-Zavari’i who was with this Wronged One in Iraq, and the matter concerning him hath been revealed in detail from the heaven of utterance in another place. Blessed is he who hath witnessed and seen and shown justice in the Cause of God and the penetration of His most exalted Word. One night he came wearing the turban of the Imam, and went to the Gate, and afterward proceeded to the place of sacrifice, and turning toward the House, performed that which caused the company of them who are detached to be astonished. Although that deed was not permissible, yet the fire of love had taken possession of his entire being. There occurred no meeting between him and Mirza Yahya—to this testifieth he who was with Us in Iraq.

Hearken thou unto the voice of this Wronged One. Know thou of a certainty that the Successor is he who hath bidden the servants to serve Me, and the Guardian is he who hath stood before My gate, and the Leader is he who hath announced to the people My Manifestation before My face, and the Qa’im is he who hath informed the servants of the heaven of My utterance and the ocean of My bounty. We beseech God to grant all the grace to return. Time and again there hath flowed from the Most Exalted Pen mention of stations that would suffice, yet the servants have departed from justice and are bereft of fairness, save whom God willeth.

Hearken thou unto this Wronged One and speak not with unseemly words and unacceptable imaginings of the Shi’ih sect, and beseech God to sanctify the Cause from the like of that party. From the earliest days until now, luminous, holy and speaking Tablets have rained like the rain from Iraq and the Land of Mystery and the Most Great Prison upon those regions, until it hath reached this stage that in Sudan someone made mention and now a hundred thousand souls have arisen to serve him. The testament of this Wronged One is that thou shouldst ponder upon the Shi’ih sect and their deeds and words on the Day of Resurrection and Manifestation, that perchance thou mayest return unto the truth and deliver thyself from vain imaginings. By the life of God! Baha hath not uttered, nor will He ever utter, aught from mere desire, but rather that which will draw the people nigh unto the Most Sublime Horizon. And peace be upon him who followeth guidance.

Glory be to God! The breaths of pride and leadership have seized the deniers, who at every moment cling to some word and worship some name. Were they to reflect for but a moment, they would bring themselves from the darkness into the blessed realm of light. Every possessor of life should ponder what has been manifested, and likewise consider by what proof and by what evidence he has clung to the Point of the Bayan, and likewise before that to Muhammad the Messenger of God. The All-Bountiful has withheld from all the recompense of their deeds. They have denied the Lord of Dominion, Whose verses have encompassed the world and Whose evidences are more luminous than the sun, notwithstanding that each of the attributes that has dawned from the horizon of will is a supreme proof and a most brilliant and glorious evidence. When all were veiled, He arose before all faces and, without veil or covering, made all aware of that which would draw them near and profit them.

Praised be God! Through the potency of the Most Exalted Word, this Cause is now noised abroad in all gatherings of divines, rulers, and mystics, and all are busied with the investigation thereof. For this bounty it behoveth all to render thanks; yet, contrariwise, they have complained and still complain. At a time when afflictions and adversities assail from every side, and spears are hurled from every direction, the friends and the chosen ones were guided unto that which befitteth these days and were inspired accordingly. Among the places concerned is Istanbul, wherein each day they attribute some theft to a certain person and refer it to Him Who is the Manifestation of the Ocean of sanctity. Formerly they ascribed such a matter to Jinab-i-Nazir, upon whom be the glory of God; of this ye have assuredly heard. And in these days likewise, when His Holiness Afnan, Jinab-i-Alif-Ha, upon whom be the Most Glorious Glory of God, purposed to journey unto this region, the opponents resorted to fresh devices, and informed the embassy and others that the aforesaid person had stolen ninety liras in cash, together with certain banknotes, and had fled to ʿAkka.

In brief, all these calumnies were spread abroad from the island, and Shaykh Muhammad Yazdi, through the instigation of that hidden wrongdoer, became the cause and occasion of these lying events. It is said that Akhtar, his daughter, hath been given in marriage to the son of Mulla Ja’far Kirmani. Though in these days the station of the Dayspring of holiness and purity be concealed from some, yet erelong shall the veil be lifted, and all shall bear witness unto that which hath streamed and been revealed from the Most Exalted Pen in books, pages, and Tablets. This servant beseecheth his Lord to transmute the injustice of the oppressors into justice, their darkness into light, and their turning away into turning unto Him. He, verily, is the Mighty, the All-Bountiful.

Some time ago Jinab-i-Habib of the blessed Green Land, upon whom be the Baha and loving-kindness of God, addressed a letter to His Holiness Ism-i-Jud, upon whom be the Most Glorious Baha of God, and therein made mention that Hadi Dawlat-Abadi had arrived in that land with a company and equipage, and had taken up residence in the house of His Holiness Khalil, upon whom be the Baha of God. From the beginning of the Cause the glance of favor was directed towards him, and Tablets and sacred Writings were repeatedly sent unto him. Entreat ye God that He may preserve him from the deadly poison. Verily, this servant, in nights and days, beseecheth his Lord to protect His servants from the evil of those who have broken His Covenant and Testament, disbelieved in Him and in His signs.

And for the sake of God and for His good-pleasure, this servant maketh known unto the friends that they should arise, through the power and might of God—glorified be His majesty—to do that which shall conduce to the protection of the servants of God, lest a faction should appear in the land like unto the party of the Shi’ah. In the name of the Vicegerent they gloried exceedingly; yet when the Day of Reckoning was made manifest, the divines of that people, one and all, pronounced sentence for the martyrdom of the Sovereign of being—He by Whose power a hundred thousand vicegerents have been and are created—and, with utter injustice, hanged Him and put Him to death. This single instance sufficeth as proof of the virtues of that people.

It is hoped that Jinab-i-Khalil, upon whom be the Baha of God, will not forget the covenant of His Holiness the Glorious One, but will deliver himself from the water and clay of that people, and will arise, with celestial power, to render assistance.

Praised be God! Once again have men’s eyes been veiled by the same coverings of former times, and their ears likewise have grown accustomed to lying and unworthy words. We beseech God to graciously enable all to attain unto that which beseemeth them. At one time among times this exalted utterance was revealed and streamed forth from the tongue of the Lord of mankind. Blessed and exalted be He! He saith:

“O people of Baha! Return ye unto the Writings, and sanctify your ears from the unworthy falsehoods of men, lest ye become afflicted, as in former days, with the pit of vain imaginings. This is the Sun of counsel that hath shone forth from the horizon of the heaven of the Most Exalted Pen. Blessed are they that behold, and blessed are they that hear.”

End.

This servant is confounded—nay, the very world of justice and fairness is confounded. The Author of the Bayan—may my soul and all else save Him be a sacrifice unto Him—hath declared: “And I have written a jewel in mention of him, which is this: that he is not to be consulted by My sign, nor by that which hath been revealed in the Bayan.” And in another place He saith—exalted be His mention—“If any soul bring forth but one verse, reject it not.” For what end were these utterances revealed? What was intended thereby? Blessed are the fair-minded.

At all times they have resorted unto devices and stratagems the like of which hath not been heard. This servant, in every season, hath sought for all that which would conduce unto the success and salvation of all. Yet from this servant—though all know that he hath ever been in the presence and is cognizant of all affairs—they inquire not; rather do they question heedless souls concerning that whereunto they cleave. In truth they have laid hold on the cord of idle fancy and vain imaginings, and have clung to the hem of falsehood.

Likewise Jinab-i-Habib of Khadra—upon him be the Baha and loving-kindness of God—hath written that Jinab-i-Nayyir and Jinab-i-Sina, upon them both be the Baha of God, arrived in that land, and that the نائبِ شاهزاده—may God assist him—sought a meeting with them. They, however, inasmuch as it lay beyond the bounds of wisdom, promised him an interview upon their return. Now, should any soul journey unto those regions bearing certain Tablets and books, and converse with the aforesaid dignitary and with such as seek, in wisdom and utterance, it may be that a true thirsty one will direct his steps toward the Most Great Ocean and attain unto that which is intended. O my God! Withhold not the seekers from beholding the horizon of Thy Revelation, nor the wayfarers from the Dayspring of Thy inspiration and the Source of Thy divine intimations. Thou, verily, art powerful to do whatsoever Thou willest. There is none other God but Thee, the Ordainer, the All-Wise.

Some years ago they had written that one of the well-known friends who was in that land had been summoned. Yet in that meeting they attained not unto that which they desired, for the person who appeared before them, and with whom they sought an interview, concealed the Cause and in no wise uttered a word that might kindle the heart or become the cause of turning unto Him. I beseech God—glorified be His majesty—that in such occasions He may inspire His loved ones with that which shall cause faces to turn toward the lights of His countenance. He, verily, is powerful over all things.

Hadi Dawlat-Abadi hath passed through those regions, and in some measure the poison hath already exerted its effect upon him. Wherefore it is necessary that one of the detached souls should, for the sake of God, turn his steps toward those parts. The purpose is this: that once again there should not arise in the world a faction like unto the Shi’ah. In this matter the friends must exert their utmost endeavor, as a mercy unto the servants and a bounty unto them. In these days, moreover, that honored soul must likewise hold fast unto the cord of kindness and forbearance, for upon most men the foul odors of irreligion have, so far as possible, passed; therefore, by reason of but a single utterance cast among them, they disclose that which was hidden, and the fire of dissension is kindled.

We beseech God, blessed and exalted be He, to grant Your Honor success and to strengthen you, even as He hath strengthened you in nights and days, to establish His Cause through wisdom and utterance. No deed hath been lost, nor shall it ever be lost. Likewise, from the book which hath ever been privileged to attain the presence, that which was written concerning Hadi ibn Yahya shall not be effaced. The purpose, however, was to inform others, not him, for he hath not been, nor is he now, worthy of service unto the friends in that land.

Unto the friends of that region I convey greetings, praise, glorification, and Baha. It is hoped that, with tranquillity, dignity, patience, and steadfast endurance, they may bring these days of upheaval to their close. God willing, from each one of them there shall appear that which will cause the fire of hatred to be stilled and the Most Exalted Word to be uplifted. We beseech God to illumine the world with the lights of the resplendent Luminary of the Bayan. He, verily, is powerful to do whatsoever He willeth. Baha, remembrance, and praise be upon Your Honor, and upon those who are with you and love you and heed your word in the Cause of God, our Lord and your Lord, and the Lord of them that are nigh unto Him and of the sincere.

The servant 18th of Safar 1308

BH01373: Praise be to God Who hath aided His loved…

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

Praise be to God Who hath aided His loved ones to be patient and forbearing, and enabled them to remain steadfast in whatsoever He hath willed, through His Name, the All-Compelling, the Chosen One. He it is Who hath made manifest His Path and revealed that which was hidden from the eyes of His servants. By this He desired naught except the salvation of His creation and the protection of His creatures from the wolves of His earth. Verily, He is the Almighty over whatsoever He willeth through His binding and wise command. And blessings and peace be upon the Lord of Yathrib and Batha, through whom the gates of Names were opened unto all beings, and upon his family and companions, the oceans of bounty and the heavens of generosity and high resolve—blessings whose sweet fragrances and scents shall never cease throughout the duration of His Name, the One Who dominates all names.

O beloved of my heart and thou who art mentioned in my soul! Thy letter arrived, and in truth it was like a trade yielding the profit of two or three years in ʿAkka. Among the profits that neither change nor alter is the mention of the Master concerning that spiritual beloved, and another profit is thy submission and contentment in all matters, and yet another is thy turning to the heaven of the favors of God, exalted be His glory. Were anyone to count the profits of these days, he could not reckon them, for these days possess endless mercy. I beseech the one true God to bestow upon thee from the heaven of bestowal countless blessings. Verily, He is the Compassionate, the Generous.

After reading and reciting, it was presented before the Master’s presence. He said:

“O ʿAli, upon thee be the peace of God and His grace. Thou hast ever been and will continue to be mentioned in the gathering of the believers. Thy letter arrived and the servant in attendance mentioned it before His face. Praise be to God, from all its letters and words wafted the fragrance of faithfulness and sincerity. We beseech God, exalted be He, to assist thee and aid thee in that which He loveth and is pleased with, and to send down upon thee from the heaven of His generosity and the clouds of His grace a blessing from Him, a gift from His presence, and a mercy from His side. Verily, He is the One through Whose Name the gates of generosity were opened to the world and the fragrance of divine knowledge was diffused among the nations. The oppression of the oppressors cannot prevent Him from that which He willeth. Verily, He is the Almighty in the beginning and in the end. We make mention of My loved ones there who were with Me in all conditions. We beseech God to open through them the gates of grace and bounty unto all beings and to aid them in that which will draw them nigh unto Him. Verily, He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing. There is no God but He, the Mighty, the Glorious, the All-Bountiful.”

This servant, at all times, hath besought and continues to beseech relief for that beloved one, and God willing, his relief is near, for His loved ones and friends have no purpose save Him. In this land of exile, they have chosen their abode in His path. In such circumstances, His grace will surely not abandon them. This matter hath been recorded and inscribed in all books, both of old and recent times.

Regarding the funds that were mentioned, according to thy arrangement and by the command of the Beloved of hearts, his honor Aqa Rida (upon him be the Most Glorious Beauty) hath acted accordingly. We hope that in these days we may all attain the honor of presence and meeting. With the All-Bountiful Lord, no matter is difficult. We beseech Him to aid thee in His service, to exalt you through His Name, and to ordain for you that which will set right all your affairs. Verily, He is the Answerer of those who supplicate and the Beloved of sincere hearts.

As for the matter of consultation regarding the distribution of goods in those parts, after it was presented, He said:

“Last year too they intended to distribute for the payment of debts and relief from difficulties, and We did not approve. However, afterwards it was observed that distribution is closer to piety and deliverance, for that honored one hath endured much hardship and left his home and dwelling. This is not acceptable to Us. Therefore, if action is taken according to last year’s intention, it would be good, both for thy relief and for the manifestation of the love and affection of the companions.”

This servant, in all conditions, beseecheth and imploreth God, exalted be His glory, for the relief of that beloved of the heart and for tranquility in the shade of the pavilion of glory, namely the Mansion of Bahji. I cling to the hem of His generosity that He may open a new door and protect and purify that beloved one from all sorrows. He is the Powerful, the Mighty.

Salutations, praise, mercy, and glory be upon you and upon the companions of guidance.

The servant 23 Safar 1308

BH03637: Praise be unto the Omnipotent Lord, Who is worthy…

He is God, exalted be His glory and power!

Praise be unto the Omnipotent Lord, Who is worthy and deserving of all glorification, for having gathered together in this land—which in the estimation of men is a place of exile for murderers and thieves—through His all-encompassing power and supreme might, a company of the oppressed. Through His supreme grace, His infinite bounty and His greatest mercy, He hath transformed the circumstances of imprisonment. In truth, He hath adorned hell itself with the ornaments of the paradise of Eden. Exalted be His might and glorified be His dominion! Glory be to God! This power, more manifest than the sun itself, remaineth unperceived by all save the oppressed ones of the world….

I beseech God at all times to grant that which will cause unity and harmony among the hearts and souls of the friends of God, exalted be His glory, in such wise that no place remains for sorrows and no station exists for troubles. Although in one respect:

The grief that for the Loved One’s sake we bear Is sweeter far than any joy elsewhere; The ruby, lacking sunlight, shines not bright— And Love, in sorrow’s sea, knows no despair

In truth, when love appears, all books are rolled up. Blessed is the soul that is warmed by the heat of love and illumined by its light. Such a one transforms darkness into light and the unseemly into beauty….

BH01210: Praise be to the peerless Lord who, despite…

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

Praise be to the peerless Lord who, despite the convulsions of the world, the hatred of certain peoples, the calumnies of the slanderers, and the clamor of the deceivers, guided and led His loved ones to the Most Great Prison. Glory be to God! Despite a thousand intrigues and evil whisperings, through His absolute, prevailing, and penetrating Will, He gathered an assembly beneath the Blessed Tree, bringing together the sincere ones and the believers. During the nights and days, He favored each one with a mention and adorned each with a gift. His is the greatness and the power, His is the glory and the might and the will. He ordaineth as He pleaseth, and He is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

For a time no outward news or trace had come from that beloved of hearts, upon him be the glory of God, the Lord of creation, and this caused distress among many, as from every quarter they were inquiring and seeking news, O Trusted One, until news arrived of arrival in the land of H and M. The servant beseecheth his Lord to protect His loved ones from harm and tribulation, and from rancor and hatred. Verily He is the Almighty, the All-Powerful.

And when news of arrival was presented before the Throne, the Tongue of Grandeur spoke these exalted words—exalted be His utterance and His proof:

“O Amin, upon thee be My glory and My loving-kindness! Ever hast thou been and art remembered in the Most Holy Court. In these days, consummate wisdom hath required that thou shouldst proceed to the region of Kha and visit Ibn-i-Asdaq, upon him be the glory of God. Then shall appear what We have purposed. Verily thy Lord is the Ordainer, the Ancient of Days.”

After receiving the letter and becoming informed, proceed at once to the destination. Thus hath the matter been decreed by the All-Commanding, the All-Wise. Patience is forbidden after the manifestation of the divine will from the presence of the Mighty, the Powerful.

Say: My God, my God! Praise be to Thee for having enabled me to turn to Thee and for revealing to me what was hidden and concealed from the eyes of Thy creatures. I beseech Thee, O Fulfiller of the needs of all seekers, to assist Thy Cause through wisdom and utterance. Strengthen, O my God, Thy loved ones to remain steadfast in Thy love and service. O Lord! Thou seest Thy trusted servant traversing the lands to manifest Thy Cause and exalt Thy Word. Aid him, O my God, with the hosts of revelation and inspiration, and with the angels on high. Verily Thou art the All-Bountiful, and within Thy grasp are the reins of all who are in the heavens and on earth.

Convey My greetings to the loved ones in every land and set them ablaze with the fire of utterance of the Lord of religions. In these days certain blessed Tablets have been revealed from the heaven of oneness, specifically for one who ascended in the land of Sh. We were with him at the time of his ascension. Verily thy Lord is the Most Merciful of the merciful ones and the Goal of them that know. Beseech God, exalted be His glory, to grant steadfastness to His loved ones, lest the names prevent them from their Owner, their Quickener, their Slayer, and their Creator. Glory be to God! Hadi of Dawlatabad hath raised a standard and desired to guide the people. Say: Be silent, O heedless one, and bridle thy self, O ignorant one! By God’s life, thou art not the horseman of this field. We invited him to attend and listen, but pride seized him such that he cast the Cause behind him and committed that which caused the denizens of the pavilion of glory to lament. He who possesseth the Supreme Tablet beareth witness to this. The End.

This servant has ever been distressed and saddened by the tribulations of this Most Great Announcement and what hath been visited upon it by the enemies, to such extent that he seeth no deliverance for himself therefrom, for the Truth did arise to promote His Cause for forty years, without helper or assistant, and through the power of His Word did set the world in motion, such that from all directions they arose to investigate this Cause. And when the light became resplendent and the Cause manifest, the deniers emerged from behind the veil and wrought that which every possessor of ears heard and every person of insight witnessed. It behooveth us to overlook what he and his followers have done.

After His ascension until now, the same message that His Holiness Afnan, Alif and Ha, upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God, had sent, was received. Nothing else has been received since then. Therefore it became necessary to inform that beloved one, for they had instructed that whenever it becomes necessary to inform of a matter, inform [him]. Thus was this detail submitted. The Command is in God’s hands—He doeth and decreeth as He pleaseth, and He is the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous. That beloved one’s journey to the land of Kha to see His honor Ibn-i-Asdaq, upon him be [the Glory of God] 966, is necessary and should not be delayed in any way. Upon receiving word they should set forth at once.

I convey greetings, glorification and light to all the loved ones wheresoever they may be, and I beseech steadfastness for all on this day, for that is the most excellent of all deeds before [the Most High]. Glory and praise and benediction be upon you and upon those with you and those who love you and hearken unto your words concerning the Cause of our Lord, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. The servant. 17 [Rabi’u’l-Avval 1308]

BH00276: Praised be the peerless Lord and the incomparable Object…

Section 1: “In the name of our Lord, the Most…”

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

Praised be the peerless Lord and the incomparable Object of all desire, Who hath not deprived His loved ones of the cause of existence and the source of being. He hath given glad tidings unto all and, in the Books of the past and present, promised this blessed Day which is the Lord of all days. In truth, were all the pens of the world and the tongues of all nations to attempt to describe and enumerate the attributes of this Most Great Day, they would surely find themselves powerless to do so. Glorified be He Who hath manifested Himself, sent down His verses, chosen His loved ones, and aided them to make mention of Him and praise Him, to teach His Cause and carry out His commandments and laws.

These are the servants whom He hath described by the tongue of His grandeur in His Books, His Scrolls and His Tablets. Through them His names and attributes are made manifest among His servants. The servant beareth witness to that which God hath witnessed, that they are honored servants who speak not until He hath spoken and who act by His command. Neither do the ornaments of the world distract them, nor do the affairs of men occupy them from drawing nigh unto God, the Creator of heaven and the Lord of the Kingdom of Names.

The exalted letter, like a brilliant star, illumined the realm of being, for it was adorned with the mention and praise of the Object of all the world’s desire. From each of its letters wafted the fragrance of love and diffused the sweet-scented breeze of affection. In truth, in this Day, should a soul attain unto recognition and steadfastness, he is the head of the world and the heart of nations. Well is it with him! Praise be to God, that spiritual friend hath attained unto this most exalted station. I beseech God that He may, day by day, nay, moment by moment, aid and assist him to make mention and praise of Him and to serve His Cause. Verily, He is the All-Powerful, the Almighty.

After reading, beholding, and experiencing joy and gladness, it was taken to the highest horizon and most exalted summit, and was presented before the countenance of the Lord of all beings, attaining the honor of His attention. Then the Tongue of Grandeur spoke that which caused the fragrance of grace and favors to waft to all regions. Exalted be His utterance and glorified His praise, and there is no Beloved besides Him.

He is the All-Speaking, the All-Knowing.

O Nazim! What can this Wronged One mention when hearing ears are as rare as the philosopher’s stone, and what can He reveal when eyes are afflicted with the dust of idle fancies and prevented from seeing? The atoms of all created things bear witness that today the call of the Lord of Names is raised from the Prison of Akka, and the effulgences of the Sun of Truth are manifest and evident from this horizon. The Most Great Name hath appeared in such wise that the fair-minded ones from diverse communities are all bewildered and amazed. In the days and nights the Pen of the Lord of all beings moveth, despite the denial of the wicked, the indifference of the heedless, the prevention of the envious, and the oppression of the corrupt. The signs and traces of the Blessed Tree have become somewhat manifest from every direction and quarter. Say: Exalted is God, the Sovereign, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting! Exalted is He Who hath manifested His Cause despite every ignorant rejected one! Exalted is He Who hath revealed from the Pen the mysteries of eternity—blessed are they who know!

From the earliest days, when the fire of wrath was kindled and the world trembled at the might of the oppressors, this Wronged One, with no helper or supporter, raised aloft the standard of “There is none other God but Him.” With the finger of power He rent asunder the intervening veils that had become obstacles and cast them aside. Before the faces of all He proclaimed His Cause and revealed sacred and blessed Tablets specifically for the kings and rulers—some reached their destination while others were withheld. Neither the clamor of the people prevented Him, nor did the flame of hatred and enmity hold Him back from calling out. God is aware of what befell Him in the days and nights. We bore what no one else hath borne. The love of God made every poison sweet as honey, and every wrath a mercy.

When the effects of the Most Exalted Word and the power of the Supreme Pen became manifest, those who were concealed and veiled emerged from behind the veil with lying tongues and sharp swords to attack the Wronged One, and secretly engaged in stirring up government officials. Nevertheless, We concealed it and left it to God. Glory be to God! Although the waves of the divine ocean of utterance and the effulgences of the Daystar of the Lord’s Revelation were visible and manifest before all faces, and likewise the Lote-Tree of the utmost boundary appeared with countless fruits and its rustling was raised at all times, saying “O people! The Promised Day is come, deprive not yourselves of its outpourings”—despite this, all remained heedless and turned away, save those souls who held fast to the firm handle and whose hearts were freed and detached from all else but God.

When thou dost inhale the fragrant breeze of thy Lord’s utterance and drink the wine of joy from the cup of His bounty, say: My God, my God! Thou seest Thy chosen ones in the hands of the oppressors and Thy trusted ones under the rule of the treacherous. I beseech Thee by Thy horizon from which the Daystar of utterance shone forth upon all possibility, and by Thy Name through which Thou didst subdue all religions, to assist me and Thy loved ones to attain such steadfastness as would render powerless the promptings of the heedless and the doubts of the wayward. O my Lord! Thou seest me turning toward Thee and detached from all else but Thee. Ordain for me that which will exalt me through Thy Name amongst Thy servants and through my relationship to Thee in Thy lands. Then open before the faces of Thy loved ones the gates of Thy grace and bounty. Verily, Thou art the Almighty Whom the power of the world cannot weaken, nor can the conditions of the nations prevent. There is none other God but Thee, the Strong, the Triumphant, the All-Powerful.

Despite the sorrows inflicted, the successive calumnies and the tribulations that have descended, the True One, exalted be His glory, makes mention of His loved ones and gives them the glad-tidings of His special favors. That which hath been sent down from the heaven of divine Will specifically for that spiritual friend testifieth to a bounty and generosity that hath no likeness, and a gift the like of which hath never come into existence from nothingness. Exalted is our Lord, exalted is His bounty, exalted is His gift, and exalted is His generosity. He is verily the All-Bountiful, the Kind, the Compassionate.

The Most Great Glad-Tidings is that the prayer of that spiritual friend was presented before the countenance of the Lord of all beings at a certain time and was honored to be heard, and when it was concluded these sublime words were revealed from the heaven of verses, manifest and evident. His blessed and exalted Word:

“O thou who hast held fast to My cord! We testify that thou hast attained unto My utterance time and again, and unto My verses repeatedly. Blessed are thine ears and thine eyes and thy heart, inasmuch as they have attained unto hearing, witnessing and understanding. By the life of God! No mention from among My mentions can equal the mentions of the world and the books of nations. To this beareth witness the Most Great Name in this station which God hath made the point of circumambulation of the most exalted Paradise and the supreme Heaven. Blessed is he who hath acknowledged and confessed that which the Tongue of Grandeur hath spoken when seated upon the throne of utterance before the faces of all religions. Verily those who have been prevented from hearing have no share of this ocean from whose waves can be heard: ʿThere is none other God but I, the All-Bountiful, the Generous.’ We have heard that wherewith thou didst commune with God. We have answered thee through this perspicuous Book, at whose appearance the Kingdom of Utterance bowed down in its longing to hearken unto the call of God, the Lord of the exalted Throne. We beseech God, blessed and exalted be He, to aid thee in His remembrance and praise, and in the promotion of His Cause with wisdom and utterance. Blessed is he who hath heard and acted upon that which he was commanded. He is truly among the triumphant ones by the Pen of God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. Give thou glad-tidings unto My loved ones on My behalf and remind them of that which hath been sent down from the heaven of My tender mercy and the atmosphere of My loving-kindness, that joy and gladness may take hold of them and draw them unto a station wherein the call of God, the sovereign Lord, the Just, the Manifest Truth, hath been raised.”

For the proof of His all-encompassing and perfect grace, no mention of created things nor description of contingent beings is necessary or needed, for the utterance itself is a truthful witness to His infinite grace. A hundred thousand thanks unto the Desired One Who caused that soul to attain unto a mention before which the remembered ones of the world bow down in humility and submission. Soon that which is hidden shall be made manifest. None can repel His command or avert His judgment. He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He pleaseth. He is the Single One, the Unique, the All-Powerful, the Almighty.

Concerning what was written at the time of the ascendancy of longing and yearning, attraction and rapture, I know it as though some disorder of the senses and confusion of mind had befallen this evanescent one, for what are these mentions, and what meaning have these utterances, where to speak them and before whom to express them? However, since it is divine madness, excellent is this madness, and since it is the frenzy of love for the Eternal Beloved, excellent is this disorder. Would that all the people of the world were, like me, mad with love for Thee! Excellent is what you mentioned, for after these stages were presented, they smiled. From every direction of the seat of divine tokens grace and mercy were manifest. In truth, that soul and this servant, nay all created things, are incapable of offering thanks for even the least of His bounties and mercy. In such case, one must enter the realm of madness and make such mention as would cause the blessed lips to smile. For now, you have attained this greatest bounty. Well is it with you!

Section 2: “With regard to the matter of movement…”

With regard to the matter of movement which was made contingent upon wisdom, after this matter was presented They said:

Praise be to God that you have attained unto recognition, acceptance, mention, praise and attention, and have partaken of the sealed wine and received your portion from the ocean of utterance of Him Who is the Desired One. All this is from God’s bounty unto you. We testify that the grace hath encompassed thee, mercy hath preceded thee, and the Call hath attracted thee. We beseech God to ordain for thee from His Most Exalted Pen that which will draw thee nigh unto Him in all conditions. Verily He is the Self-Sufficient, the Most High.

In all circumstances keep your gaze fixed upon wisdom and hold fast unto its requirements. Verily, should He desire, He would record for thee the reward of attaining His presence, of appearing before His countenance, of hearkening unto His call, and of standing before the door of His bounty. Thy Lord ordaineth what He pleaseth for whomsoever He willeth. He is the Single, the One, the Powerful, the Unconstrained.

Concerning what was written about your brother who is named Mirza Siyyid Mihdi, upon him be the Glory of God, and likewise the mention of his ardor, his drawing nigh, his praise and mention, and his hospitality—these matters were presented and heard in the Most Holy, Most Exalted Presence. One Blessed Tablet was specifically revealed for him from the heaven of the Divine Will and was sent, and likewise another Blessed Tablet was revealed specifically for his wife, upon her be the Glory of God. We hope they will drink from the hidden oceans in the divine verses and attain unto the fragrance of the utterance of the Desired One of all worlds.

Mention was made of the honored wife and the other wife, upon them be the Glory of God, and likewise of their offspring and progeny, upon them be the Glory of God. After presentation in the Most Holy Presence, these manifest verses were revealed—His words, blessed and exalted be He:

He is the All-Mentioning, the All-Knowing

O Nazim! We have made mention of thee time and again with such mention as hath diffused the fragrance of God’s loving-kindness, the Lord of all worlds. And We have mentioned those who were with thee, both female and male. Verily thy Lord is the Compassionate, the Generous. Nothing whatsoever escapeth His knowledge. He seeth and mentioneth, and He is the Witness, the All-Knowing.

Hearken in the Persian tongue that all may hear and become aware of God’s loving-kindness. Convey to each one greetings from the Wronged One, offer them from the cup of utterance of the Desired One of all worlds, and give each one the glad-tidings of God’s loving-kindness—exalted be His glory—a loving-kindness that hath preceded existence itself. We beseech God, blessed and exalted be He, to ordain for each one of them that which will profit them and exalt them. Verily He hath power over all things. Thou and those with thee have attained unto verses that cannot be equaled by the fruits of trees nor by what appeareth from the seas and rivers. Verily thy Lord is the Expositor, the True One, the Trustworthy. The Glory from Us be upon thee and upon them, and upon every believing man and believing woman in God, the Single, the All-Informed.

This servant also conveyeth greetings, praise and salutations to each one, and beseecheth from God—exalted be His glory—whatsoever is the cause of glory, blessing and joy for all. Verily our Lord is the Hearer, the Answerer.

We make mention of Jinab-i-Aqa Mirza Muhammad-Sadiq, upon him be the Glory of God. In truth, whosoever is mentioned before the Countenance of the All-Mentioned is the recipient of the Most Great Favor, even though he may not have attained the station of acceptance, attention and nearness to the Most Exalted Station, which is the station of presence and proximity. Yet the Hand of Providence will seize him and, in due time, will draw him to its loftiest heights. This is among the hidden pearls concealed within the Treasury of Divine Remembrance. Thus did the Herald, the Primal Point—may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for His sake—declare that all exists for the sake of being mentioned but once in His presence. After this matter was presented before the Throne of the Intended One, these decisive verses were revealed from the Kingdom of Utterance—exalted and glorified be His words:

“O Muhammad-Sadiq! We have mentioned thee before, and at this hour with verses from which the mystics perceive the fragrance of the mercy of thy Lord, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. Hearken unto the Call raised in truth from the direction of Akka, as a token of God’s grace, the Lord of existence. Cast aside what the people possess and take what thou hast been given of this Announcement, through which differences have appeared among the various sects. Verily, thy Lord is the Truth, the Knower of the unseen. Blessed is he who hath heard My mention, the rustling of the Sadratu’l-Muntaha of My grace, the flowing of the Kawthar of My utterance, and the murmuring of the breezes of the dawn of My manifest and impregnable Revelation. From this station, We send Our greetings upon thee and upon thy wife who hath believed in God, the Mighty, the Loving. We beseech God to aid her at all times and to mention her in such wise that her remembrance shall endure throughout the kingdom of earth and heaven. We make mention of the two daughters and give them glad tidings of God’s loving-kindness, the Mighty, the Beloved. We beseech God to draw them all nigh unto Him and to open before their faces the gates of grace and bounty. Verily, He is the Omnipotent over whatsoever He willeth through His command Be,’ and it is.”

This servant likewise maketh mention of each one and beseecheth from the Truth confirmation and assistance for them. My God, my God! These are Thy servants and handmaidens. I beseech Thee by Thy Most Exalted Word, through which Thou hast created all things, to assist them in that which will cause Thy Cause to be exalted among Thy servants. O Lord! Thou seest them clinging to Thee and to Thy verses, and holding fast to the hem of the robe of Thy mercy. I beseech Thee not to deprive them of the ocean of Thy generosity and the heaven of Thy grace. Thou art, verily, the Omnipotent, the Mighty, the Wise.

They made mention of the honored mother—upon her be the Glory of God. After this was presented, He said: “O Nazim, O thou who gazest upon the Countenance! We make mention of thee and those with thee—the mother, the brother, the wife, and those who are with them—and give them glad tidings of the Most Great Favor from this Momentous Announcement. We beseech God to ordain for thee and for them the good of the hereafter and of this world. Verily, He is the Mighty, the Generous. Say: Praise be unto Thee, O my God, for having remembered me and those with me through Thy mercy that hath preceded existence and through Thy grace that hath encompassed all in the heavens and the earth.

We make mention of him who was named ʿAli-Akbar and his wife, and give them glad tidings of Our acceptance of them, which nothing in existence can equal. To this doth the Lord of creation bear witness in this exalted station. We beseech God, blessed and exalted be He, to aid them, draw them nigh, and open before their faces the gates of goodly deeds. Verily, He is the Guardian of good deeds. There is no God but Him, the Forgiving, the Merciful. The Glory from Us be upon you all.”

Another glad-tiding is that a most mighty and holy Tablet hath been revealed from the heaven of grace and bounty specifically for his honor Aqa Mirza Sadiq, upon him be the Glory of God. This evanescent servant beseecheth and imploreth the True One to confirm him in teaching the Cause, a service whose mention hath ever been and shall forever be immortalized in the Books, Scriptures and Tablets. We hope that he may drink from the Kawthar of utterance and become a cup-bearer of the divine wine. Verily our Lord is the Hearer, the Answerer.

I convey greetings and glory to the loved ones of that land, and I seek divine confirmation that all may drink from the chalice of unity and arise, united and in complete accord, for the reformation of the world and the refinement of the souls of all peoples. Blessed is the one who hath sanctified himself from whatsoever pertaineth to the ways of savagery and the deeds of the predators of the earth, and who hath adorned the servants with kindness and care in that which will protect and preserve them from self and passion. Command and bounty and justice are in the hand of God, our Lord and the Lord of the mighty throne. Praise be unto Him, for He is the Goal of all Prophets and Messengers. Glory and remembrance and praise be upon you and upon those with you and upon those who have attained unto this most mighty Day and this most great, most wondrous, mighty and impregnable Revelation.

The servant 15 Rabi’u’th-Thani 1308

BH00531: All praise, thanksgiving, mention, glorification, tribute and honor befit…

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

All praise, thanksgiving, mention, glorification, tribute and honor befit the Peerless Beloved, Who hath illumined the world of existence with the light of justice. He is the Being through Whose command absolute nothingness is adorned with the ornament of being. Exalted is His utterance and mighty His proof! All glory and splendor rest upon His trustees, mystics, and Hands of His Cause, whom God hath adorned with the ornament of trustworthiness among all people and ordained for them that which shall draw them nigh unto Him in all conditions. Verily, He is the Self-Sufficient, the Most High.

The servant beseecheth his Lord not to withhold from all lands the effulgent rays of the Orb of His justice and trustworthiness. They who have cast trustworthiness behind their backs—these cannot be truly accounted as human, nor befit its station and rank. To this testify the Books of God, our Lord and the Lord of the mighty Throne.

Thereafter, the letters of that beloved of heart descended like the spring rain upon this evanescent servant—a rain that made fresh the tree of being. Glorified be the loving kindness of our Lord, His grace and His mercy that have preceded us from every direction! Verily, He is the Source of good deeds.

After reading and reciting these, he repaired to the Most Exalted Station and the Supreme Summit, and presented them before the Countenance of the Lord of all being, both seen and unseen. Thereupon the Ancient Countenance turned toward the servant and spoke that which perfumed the world with the fragrance of utterance. He spoke, and His word is the truth:

He is the All-Knowing Expositor

O Trustee! Upon thee be the Glory of God, the Lord of the worlds! We bear witness that thou hast attained unto that which was inscribed by the Supreme Pen in His Books, Psalms and Tablets, and hast quaffed the choice wine of utterance from the chalice of His bounty, and hast held fast unto His cord and clung to the hem of the robe of His mercy that hath preceded all in the heavens and the earth. We make mention of thee and those who have believed with a mention that attracteth the world and adorneth it with that which draweth it nigh unto God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

O Trustee! Verily, He created creation to make them treasuries of His justice, repositories of the pearls of His Covenant, dawning-places of His trustworthiness, and daysprings of His religion. To this testify the dwellers of My celestial kingdom and My realm of might, and those who circle round the Throne at all times. He hath made the prison the circling-place of the Supreme Concourse and the Most Exalted Paradise. Blessed is he whom God hath enabled to achieve this praiseworthy deed.

O thou who standeth firm in My service! In most Tablets We have enjoined the servants of God to observe trustworthiness, religiosity, justice and fairness, and forbidden them from transgression and immorality, commanding them to righteousness and godliness. Yet this increased not the heedless save in loss. Had the servants acted according to the will of God, exalted be His glory, the earth would now be beheld as one adorned, luminous and sanctified expanse.

Say: My God, my God! I beseech Thee by Thy Glory at its most glorious, and all Thy Glory is indeed glorious. O God! I beseech Thee by the whole of Thy Glory to adorn Thy loved ones with the ornament of justice and illumine them with the light of trustworthiness. Verily, Thou art the Almighty over what Thou willest, and in Thy grasp are the reins of all things, both seen and unseen.

This prayer was a treasure of divine loving kindness, first cast upon the heart of the Seal of the Prophets—may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for His sake—and then unto others. In this prayer is found the Most Great Name, and He saith that were the servants to know or recognize the station of this prayer, they would assuredly strive to obtain it even by the sword. We beseech the True One to open the doors of grace and bounty through the key of His gracious Name. Verily, He hath power over all things.

Your letters that you sent to this servant all achieved presence and were heard. Praise be to God, from their words and letters wafted the musk of divine love. What you mentioned regarding that distinguished person who has arisen wholly to serve the Cause—you have spoken truly. Indeed, his like is rare to find. All the friends and loved ones should arise to support him. This is a deed that would not be manifest from anyone in days other than the days of God. This is a great confirmation and a great success.

O Amin! From the beginning of the Cause, regarding debts, a firm and mighty ruling was revealed from the Divine Pen, and we sent copies thereof to various regions, and likewise we sent it to you as well. In no way was it considered as it deserved. What was befitting was revealed. Blessed is he who reads and hears and acts. By God’s life, the treasures of earth cannot compare with what was revealed from the All-Giving Pen regarding this matter. Blessed are they who act, and blessed are the fair-minded. Today all the friends of God must be treasuries of the pearls of divine attributes, for the hosts of virtuous character are the mightiest hosts in the world. Blessed is the soul who with these hosts conquers the citadels of hearts. We beseech God, blessed and exalted be He, to assist the people of Baha to perform deeds from which will waft the fragrance of His acceptance and the sweet scent of His good-pleasure. Verily, He is powerful over all things.

O Amin! A great deed was manifested by that distinguished person—they were and are mentioned in God’s presence. Blessed are those souls who acted as he did. Love of gold and silver did not prevent them from doing what the time required. Assuredly, for any soul who acts for the sake of God in what was mentioned, divine relief will encompass them and that will become manifest which imagination and fancy cannot tread upon and before which they will find themselves powerless. O friends of God! We counsel you with that whereby your stations and ranks will be elevated. Beware lest the events of the world and its ornaments and bounties prevent you. Verily your Lord, the Most Merciful, is the Counselor, the Compassionate, the Generous.

Concerning the matter of religion, that which every fair-minded soul would assuredly hold fast to hath been repeatedly recorded by the Supreme Pen. His Holiness the Afnan, the honored Haji Siyyid Ali, upon him be the Glory of God, the Most Glorious, was commanded to proceed to Ishqabad for the sale of properties and the payment of debts. By the life of Our Purpose! Were they to act in accordance with what they have been commanded, the gates of blessings and goodly gifts would be opened before their faces, and God would exalt them among His servants through His Name. Verily, He is the Mighty, the All-Bountiful.

The honored Afnans and the loved ones must all strive earnestly to settle the debts. This is the day of service, of earnest endeavor, of justice and fairness. As commanded, We write again to His Holiness the Afnan, the honored Haji Siyyid Mirza, upon him be the Glory of God, the Most Glorious, that which will cause the manifestation of God’s grace and favor, exalted be His Glory. The servant, throughout the nights and days, beseecheth God, the Lord of the Throne and the Lord of the Chair, and the Possessor of the heavens and earths, to assist His Afnans in that which He loveth and is pleased with, and to aid them to achieve that detachment whereby their stations shall be made manifest among all possibilities. Verily, He is the Mighty, the Bestower.

In truth, His Holiness the Worker, upon him be the Glory of God, the Most Glorious, is a man of action; they have accomplished a great deed. Should the honored Afnans, upon them be the Glory of God and His grace, be negligent in this matter, it would cause great sorrow. In any case, I convey to all the loved ones greetings and praise, glorification and exaltation, remembrance and glory. God, the All-Knowing, beareth witness that they are forever remembered in my heart, and for each one I have sought and continue to seek that which befitteth the favor of God, exalted be His Glory.

The letter from the beloved of hearts His Holiness Ali-Qabl-i-Akbar, upon him be the Glory of God, the Most Glorious, was received. After presenting it, they said that he must not be sorrowful at all, as these matters are dependent upon the decree of God, exalted be His glory. Repeatedly have His own kin first made declarations and with the utmost earnestness made their requests, and after acceptance, recanted. And they said: “O Ali-Qabl-i-Akbar, these matters have not and will not cause sorrow. What causes the greatest sorrow are the deeds of certain ones. Repeatedly in the Tablets hath this exalted word been revealed: ʿMy affliction is not My imprisonment, nor what hath befallen Me from Mine enemies, but rather the deeds of My loved ones who claim connection with My Being yet commit that which causeth My heart and My pen to lament.’

However, in view of the weakness of some, forbearance is necessary, for if ones like you were to object, it would cause the fire of hatred to be kindled. I truly say that patience and overlooking are necessary in certain matters. The divine counsels and heavenly exhortations are a mighty mirror for the sanctification, detachment and ascent of the servants unto righteousness. And if after the appearance of this matter it proves ineffective, silence is preferable.

In all the parties of the world these things have appeared. Consider the Cause of the Seal of the Prophets, may our souls be a sacrifice for Him. Not only men but women too became apostates, including the sister of Umm-Salama, upon her be the Glory of God, and five other handmaidens who clung to the cords of the deluded ones and returned to their former state. And since in these days the Sun of Truth is shining, grace hath therefore taken precedence and giving and receiving have raised two banners from the right and the left. We beseech God, blessed and exalted be He, to protect all through the hosts of the seen and unseen and to aid them to remain steadfast in this mighty Cause.”

Praise be to God that beloved of hearts, namely His Holiness Ali-Qabl-i-Akbar, upon him be the Glory of God, the Most Glorious, is engaged in service and occupied with guiding people. The work of teaching is a mighty matter and His Holiness is successful therein. By the testimony of His Holiness the Present One, may our souls be a sacrifice for Him, the dwellers of the pavilion of infallibility and grandeur have also said that he should never be sorrowful. His answer will be sent again. I beseech God to manifest that which will cause the exaltation of His Word. Verily, He is the Hearer, the Answerer.

As to the affairs of this prison, praise and thanks be to God, all are well and healthy. Blessed be God, this year the Most Great Prison hath been honored by numerous souls; from every direction they have turned and arrived. However, henceforth His Holiness should cause those who desire to attain the presence to remain where they are. The reasons for prohibition are present; for the Cause, it is not free from harm. And they said that if they act according to what was mentioned before, in truth the reward of attaining the presence and meeting will be recorded for them. Verily, He is powerful over all things. Glory and remembrance and praise be upon you and upon them that are detached and steadfast and firm and upright and standing firm in the Cause of our Lord and the Lord of all who are in the heavens and the earth.

The servant 29 Rabi’u’th-Thani 1308

BH11804: Glory be to the Lord of the world…

Glory be to the Lord of the world, and thanks be to the Hands of His Cause, and praise be to the Trustees of His House of Justice, who, in their endeavours to raise aloft His Word and exalt His utterance, have renounced themselves and all created things, and are regardful of and tenaciously adhering to whatsoever will promote the Cause of God. We fain would hope that there may appear from these chosen ones of God, who are related to the Most Great Name, that which in the realm of action shall be the king of deeds, and in the realm of speech the prince of utterances. Through the benevolent exertions of these souls, the world is radiant and luminous with the light of justice and equity. Glorified be the majesty of God, our Lord and the Lord of the Mighty Throne….

BH08276: God testifieth that there is none other God but…

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

God testifieth that there is none other God but Him. His is the creation and the command. He guideth and withholdeth, giveth and taketh away, causeth to die and quickeneth to life, and He is the Ever-Living, the Manifest, the Articulate, established upon the throne. He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He pleaseth. He is the Mighty, the All-Praised.

Glory be unto Thee, O my God! Aid Thou Mihdi, who hath emigrated from his homeland out of love for meeting Thee and standing before Thy gate. O Lord! Ordain for him what Thou hast sent down in Thy Book for those who are nigh unto Thee among Thy creatures. Verily, Thou art the Mighty, the Powerful, the All-Bountiful.

9 He is the Helper

The letter of Aqa Mirza Mihdi, upon him be the Glory of God […] was received by the servant in Jamadiyu’l-Avval 1308 [A portion of the receipt which is marked with […] in the text of the Tablet has been erased in the original copy of the blessed Tablet]

BH10754: O my God, my God! I beseech Thee…

…O my God, my God! I beseech Thee by the waves of the ocean of Thy mercy, and by the pearls hidden in the depths of Thy bounty, and by Thy Prophets and Thy Messengers and Thy Books and Thy Scriptures, to aid me to remember Thee and praise Thee, and to practice righteousness and godliness through Thy care and Thy bestowal. Ordain for me the good of this world and the world to come. Verily, Thou art the Lord of all names, and within Thy grasp is the dominion of all who are in the heavens and on earth….

BH01189: Praise, glory, thanksgiving and splendor belong unto Him Who…

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

Praise, glory, thanksgiving and splendor belong unto Him Who, blessed and exalted be He, through earthly and heavenly means, has enabled those thirsting after true love to attain the waters of reunion, and guided those seeking the presence of Him Who conversed on Sinai to the most exalted station and the loftiest summit. Glorious is His bounty, mighty is His grace, pre-existent is His mercy, and there is no God but Him.

My spirit be a sacrifice for your remembrance, your utterance, and your steadfastness! Your letter, which is the dawning-place of the inscriptions of the world of love, illumined like a lamp the city of heart and soul with its light. In truth it was a helpful assistant and trustworthy messenger, for it brought glad tidings of your blessed self’s well-being, as well as the arrival of the leaves of the Tree of Mercy. Perfect joy was attained, and after its perusal and observation, it was presented before His presence and achieved the honor of His attention, whereupon these exalted words issued forth from the Source of utterance and the Dawning-place of wisdom. His words, may our spirits be a sacrifice for Him:

He is the Kind, the All-Bountiful!

O My Afnan! Upon thee be the peace of God and His loving-kindness. Thou hast ever been and art still mentioned in the presence of the Wronged One. The glances of love and bounty have been directed toward thee, and the numerous Tablets that have shone forth from the Dayspring of love and faithfulness bear witness to that which hath flowed from the tongue of utterance. We testify to that which thou hast mentioned, and thou thyself hast borne and dost bear witness to the stations and degrees of special favors. This grace and bounty shall be made manifest both in the realm of creation and in the kingdom of divine bestowal. Soon shall they who are nigh unto God witness that which they were promised in the Book of God, the Lord of all worlds. Be thou not grieved at anything. Put thy trust in Him Who hath strengthened thee, caused thee to know Him, brought thee into His presence, and enabled thee to hear the call of the Wronged One in His Most Great Prison. Say:

My God, my God! Praise be to Thee for having shown me the waves of the ocean of Thy utterance and caused me to hear Thy most sweet call through the tongues of Thy Messengers and Thy chosen ones. I beseech Thee by the fragrance of Thy garment in Yathrib and Batha, and by the breezes of Thy Revelation amongst mankind, to number me among such as have aided Thy Cause, raised the standards of Thy guidance and the banners of Thy utterance. Then open before my face, through the key of Thy Most Great Name, the doors of bounty, munificence and grace. Verily, Thou art the Almighty over what Thou willest. There is no God but Thee, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. O my Lord! Thou seest me turning toward Thee, clinging to Thy cord, and hoping for Thy grace and bounty. I beseech Thee not to deny me the pearls within the shells of the ocean of Thy generosity, O Thou Who art the Possessor of all existence and the Lord of the seen and unseen.

We send Our greetings to those who are in thy presence, and We beseech God, blessed and exalted be He, to protect them by His sovereignty and to ordain for them that which befitteth His grace and generosity. Verily, He is the Munificent, the All-Bountiful. There is no God but Him, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

Mention thou, on behalf of the Wronged One, the honored Ibn and the leaves, each one of them, and illumine them with the splendors of the Day-Star of the Cause. They have had and continue to have permission to turn toward Him. Whenever wisdom and timing require it, let them turn toward Him. We beseech God to manifest that which is the cause of joy and the source of gladness. Verily, He is the All-Bountiful, the Mighty, the Great.

Praise be to God! Loving-kindness, compassion and mercy are manifest and evident from every word. That honored master has ever been remembered in the heart and concealed in the human reality. I hope that this love may neither change nor be altered—though it entered with mother’s milk, it shall not depart with the soul. God willing, its departure has not been ordained and never shall be. That which I have beseeched and continue to beseech from God, exalted be His glory, through nights and days and at every hour, has been and remains protection, bounty, wealth, and service to the Cause—which is the greatest of divine bounties. I hope that through your presence in those regions there may be manifested that which will lead the servants to the stream of divine will and enable them to attain that for which they were created. Verily our Lord is the Almighty, the Powerful, and worthy to answer prayer.

To each of the kinsmen and visitors I convey greetings, praise, glory and splendor, and I beseech God, exalted be His glory, for eternal remembrance and everlasting favor for each one. Verily He is the Fulfiller of needs, the Revealer of verses, and the Lord of all names and attributes. Regarding what was written about Aqa Muhammad-ʿAli, upon him be the Glory of God [Baha’u’llah], after it was presented, He wrote:

“His turning and devotion have attained the glory of acceptance, as a favor from Us to My Afnan, upon him be My peace and loving-kindness.”

End quote. I convey greetings to the friends of that land and beseech for them that which bears the renown of the Beloved. Verily supplication is from the servant and its answer from God, the Forgiving, the Merciful. Peace, praise, remembrance and glory be upon you and upon those with you and those who love you for the sake of God, the Lord of the worlds and the Goal of all who are in the heavens and on earth.

The servant 12 Jamadiyu’l-Avval 1308

BH02652: I am the Answerer from the Most Sublime Horizon

I am the Answerer from the Most Sublime Horizon

O Ali! The vain imaginings of the people of the Furqan are clear and evident to all, yet the people of the Bayan are seen to be even more heedless. For twelve hundred years they cursed one another over mention of the Successor and similar matters, and issued verdicts for each other’s blood to be shed. Now the same sayings of old and fresh imaginings have emerged among those who count themselves among the people of the Bayan. The world bears witness that this Wronged One has, throughout the days and nights, reminded the servants of that which leads to exaltation, ascendancy, detachment and the fear of God, and has taught them. None of the deniers appeared openly but remained concealed behind clouds and veils, yet when the light of the Cause shone forth they emerged with swords of hatred. Blessed is the soul that has rent asunder the veils of names and clung to the Day of God and what hath appeared therein. By God’s life! The former people are recorded with God as being worse than the idolaters. Each day they clung to some cause and uttered some mention, ascribing partners to God. We testify they are among the most lost in Our clear Book.

Convey My greetings to the loved ones. Verily We have mentioned them before and after, and aided them with a spirit from Our presence. To this bears witness He Who speaks: There is none other God but Him, the True One, the Knower of the unseen. Say: O people of the earth! Cast away what ye possess, then turn your faces to the Most Sublime Horizon, the place wherefrom the call has been raised that your Lord, the All-Merciful, is the Almighty, the Supreme, the Self-Subsisting. Say: The Day is come but ye recognize it not. The Hidden is revealed but ye perceive it not. Take ye the Book of God with His strength, then assist it with the hosts of utterance, a command from His presence. He is truly the Supreme over what was and what shall be.

Blessed art thou, for the Pen moves to make mention of thee while the Lord of Eternity is in the Most Great Prison. Say: Praise be to Thee, O Lord of existence, Who hath appeared through Thy name, the All-Loving, for having remembered me in Thy prison and revealed for me what no treasures can equal. I beseech Thee to make me steadfast in Thy love such that the doubts of those who have denied Thy proof, turned away from Thy testimony, and disputed Thy verses which have encompassed the kingdom of earth and heaven, shall not cause me to slip. The glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of My manifestation be upon thee and upon those who have acted according to what they were commanded in My preserved Tablet….