Volume 100: Akka 1308–1309 A.H. (1890–1892), Part II (1 of 3)

BH00568: Bisharat (Glad-Tidings; =Lawh-i-Nida)

This is the Call of the All-Glorious which is proclaimed from the Supreme Horizon in the Prison of ʿAkka

He is the Expounder, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

God, the True One, testifieth and the Revealers of His names and attributes bear witness that Our sole purpose in raising the Call and in proclaiming His sublime Word is that the ear of the entire creation may, through the living waters of divine utterance, be purged from lying tales and become attuned to the holy, the glorious and exalted Word which hath issued forth from the repository of the knowledge of the Maker of the Heavens and the Creator of Names. Happy are they that judge with fairness.

O people of the earth!

The first Glad-Tidings which the Mother Book hath, in this Most Great Revelation, imparted unto all the peoples of the world is that the law of holy war hath been blotted out from the Book. Glorified be the All-Merciful, the Lord of grace abounding, through Whom the door of heavenly bounty hath been flung open in the face of all that are in heaven and on earth.

The second Glad-Tidings

It is permitted that the peoples and kindreds of the world associate with one another with joy and radiance. O people! Consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship. Thus hath the daystar of His sanction and authority shone forth above the horizon of the decree of God, the Lord of the worlds.

The third Glad-Tidings concerneth the study of divers languages. This decree hath formerly streamed forth from the Pen of the Most High: It behooveth the sovereigns of the world—may God assist them—or the ministers of the earth to take counsel together and to adopt one of the existing languages or a new one to be taught to children in schools throughout the world, and likewise one script. Thus the whole earth will come to be regarded as one country. Well is it with him who hearkeneth unto His Call and observeth that whereunto he is bidden by God, the Lord of the Mighty Throne.

The fourth Glad-Tidings

Should any of the kings—may God aid them—arise to protect and help this oppressed people, all must vie with one another in loving and in serving him. This matter is incumbent upon everyone. Well is it with them that act accordingly.

The fifth Glad-Tidings

In every country where any of this people reside, they must behave towards the government of that country with loyalty, honesty and truthfulness. This is that which hath been revealed at the behest of Him Who is the Ordainer, the Ancient of Days.

It is binding and incumbent upon the peoples of the world, one and all, to extend aid unto this momentous Cause which is come from the heaven of the Will of the ever-abiding God, that perchance the fire of animosity which blazeth in the hearts of some of the peoples of the earth may, through the living waters of divine wisdom and by virtue of heavenly counsels and exhortations, be quenched, and the light of unity and concord may shine forth and shed its radiance upon the world.

We cherish the hope that through the earnest endeavours of such as are the exponents of the power of God—exalted be His glory—the weapons of war throughout the world may be converted into instruments of reconstruction and that strife and conflict may be removed from the midst of men.

The sixth Glad-Tidings is the establishment of the Lesser Peace, details of which have formerly been revealed from Our Most Exalted Pen. Great is the blessedness of him who upholdeth it and observeth whatsoever hath been ordained by God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

The seventh Glad-Tidings

The choice of clothing and the cut of the beard and its dressing are left to the discretion of men. But beware, O people, lest ye make yourselves the playthings of the ignorant.

The eighth Glad-Tidings

The pious deeds of the monks and priests among the followers of the Spirit1—upon Him be the peace of God—are remembered in His presence. In this Day, however, let them give up the life of seclusion and direct their steps towards the open world and busy themselves with that which will profit themselves and others. We have granted them leave to enter into wedlock that they may bring forth one who will make mention of God, the Lord of the seen and the unseen, the Lord of the Exalted Throne.

The ninth Glad-Tidings

When the sinner findeth himself wholly detached and freed from all save God, he should beg forgiveness and pardon from Him. Confession of sins and transgressions before human beings is not permissible, as it hath never been nor will ever be conducive to divine forgiveness. Moreover such confession before people results in one’s humiliation and abasement, and God—exalted be His glory—wisheth not the humiliation of His servants. Verily He is the Compassionate, the Merciful. The sinner should, between himself and God, implore mercy from the Ocean of mercy, beg forgiveness from the Heaven of generosity and say:

O God, my God! I implore Thee by the blood of Thy true lovers who were so enraptured by Thy sweet utterance that they hastened unto the Pinnacle of Glory, the site of the most glorious martyrdom, and I beseech Thee by the mysteries which lie enshrined in Thy knowledge and by the pearls that are treasured in the ocean of Thy bounty to grant forgiveness unto me and unto my father and my mother. Of those who show forth mercy, Thou art in truth the Most Merciful. No God is there but Thee, the Ever-Forgiving, the All-Bountiful.

O Lord! Thou seest this essence of sinfulness turning unto the ocean of Thy favor and this feeble one seeking the kingdom of Thy divine power and this poor creature inclining himself towards the daystar of Thy wealth. By Thy mercy and Thy grace, disappoint him not, O Lord, nor debar him from the revelations of Thy bounty in Thy days, nor cast him away from Thy door which Thou hast opened wide to all that dwell in Thy heaven and on Thine earth.

Alas! Alas! My sins have prevented me from approaching the Court of Thy holiness and my trespasses have caused me to stray far from the Tabernacle of Thy majesty. I have committed that which Thou didst forbid me to do and have put away what Thou didst order me to observe.

I pray Thee by Him Who is the sovereign Lord of Names to write down for me with the Pen of Thy bounty that which will enable me to draw nigh unto Thee and will purge me from my trespasses which have intervened between me and Thy forgiveness and Thy pardon.

Verily, Thou art the Potent, the Bountiful. No God is there but Thee, the Mighty, the Gracious.

The tenth Glad-Tidings

As a token of grace from God, the Revealer of this Most Great Announcement, We have removed from the Holy Scriptures and Tablets the law prescribing the destruction of books.

The eleventh Glad-Tidings

It is permissible to study sciences and arts, but such sciences as are useful and would redound to the progress and advancement of the people. Thus hath it been decreed by Him Who is the Ordainer, the All-Wise.

The twelfth Glad-Tidings

It is enjoined upon every one of you to engage in some form of occupation, such as crafts, trades and the like. We have graciously exalted your engagement in such work to the rank of worship unto God, the True One. Ponder ye in your hearts the grace and the blessings of God and render thanks unto Him at eventide and at dawn. Waste not your time in idleness and sloth. Occupy yourselves with that which profiteth yourselves and others. Thus hath it been decreed in this Tablet from whose horizon the daystar of wisdom and utterance shineth resplendent.

The most despised of men in the sight of God are those who sit idly and beg. Hold ye fast unto the cord of material means, placing your whole trust in God, the Provider of all means. When anyone occupieth himself in a craft or trade, such occupation itself is regarded in the estimation of God as an act of worship; and this is naught but a token of His infinite and all-pervasive bounty.

The thirteenth Glad-Tidings

The men of God’s House of Justice have been charged with the affairs of the people. They, in truth, are the Trustees of God among His servants and the daysprings of authority in His countries.

O people of God! That which traineth the world is Justice, for it is upheld by two pillars, reward and punishment. These two pillars are the sources of life to the world. Inasmuch as for each day there is a new problem and for every problem an expedient solution, such affairs should be referred to the Ministers of the House of Justice that they may act according to the needs and requirements of the time. They that, for the sake of God, arise to serve His Cause, are the recipients of divine inspiration from the unseen Kingdom. It is incumbent upon all to be obedient unto them. All matters of State should be referred to the House of Justice, but acts of worship must be observed according to that which God hath revealed in His Book.

O people of Bahá! Ye are the dawning-places of the love of God and the daysprings of His loving-kindness. Defile not your tongues with the cursing and reviling of any soul, and guard your eyes against that which is not seemly. Set forth that which ye possess. If it be favorably received, your end is attained; if not, to protest is vain. Leave that soul to himself and turn unto the Lord, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. Be not the cause of grief, much less of discord and strife. The hope is cherished that ye may obtain true education in the shelter of the tree of His tender mercies and act in accordance with that which God desireth. Ye are all the leaves of one tree and the drops of one ocean.

The fourteenth Glad-Tidings

It is not necessary to undertake special journeys to visit the resting-places of the dead. If people of substance and affluence offer the cost of such journeys to the House of Justice, it will be pleasing and acceptable in the presence of God. Happy are they that observe His precepts.

The fifteenth Glad-Tidings

Although a republican form of government profiteth all the peoples of the world, yet the majesty of kingship is one of the signs of God. We do not wish that the countries of the world should remain deprived thereof. If the sagacious combine the two forms into one, great will be their reward in the presence of God.

In former religions such ordinances as holy war, destruction of books, the ban on association and companionship with other peoples or on reading certain books had been laid down and affirmed according to the exigencies of the time; however, in this mighty Revelation, in this momentous Announcement, the manifold bestowals and favors of God have overshadowed all men, and from the horizon of the Will of the Ever-Abiding Lord, His infallible decree hath prescribed that which We have set forth above.

We yield praise unto God—hallowed and glorified be He—for whatsoever He hath graciously revealed in this blessed, this glorious and incomparable Day. Indeed if everyone on earth were endowed with a myriad tongues and were to continually praise God and magnify His Name to the end that knoweth no end, their thanksgiving would not prove adequate for even one of the gracious favors We have mentioned in this Tablet. Unto this beareth witness every man of wisdom and discernment, of understanding and knowledge.

We earnestly beseech God—exalted be His glory—to aid the rulers and sovereigns, who are the exponents of power and the daysprings of glory, to enforce His laws and ordinances. He is in truth the Omnipotent, the All-Powerful, He Who is wont to answer the call of men.

BH02686: Prefatory letter and note to the Bisharat

Introduction

In the name of Him, Who binds together the hearts, in the name of Him, the Great, the Beloved

Praise be to God, Who having increased the friendship of [His] chosen ones and their love, caused a new remembrance and a new word to appear every day from the treasuries of the hearts in such manner that attracted prepared and faithful souls. Exalted is His utterance and exalted is His argument, and there is no God but Him.

The letter of that spiritual friend overwhelmed the [whole] being and opened the gate of joy and delight. Indeed, exultation and joy having assumed shape appeared in the form of a leaf of paper. Its arrival is [the source of] exultation and its fragrance is a blessing. We ask [God], the True One, that this blessing will not change [or] be replaced and will not be withheld by the Heaven of Will, because He is the Excellent, the Generous. A letter from friend to friend is a great blessing. Its station is so high that the gems of oceans cannot equal it. At certain moments [lit. at one moment of moments] this most high Word arises from the Dawn of the Utterance of the One Who is the Desire of the denizens of the world. His Word [reflects] the full grandeur of His Utterance. If there is a way to conceive an analogy or parallel for the breezes of Revelation, it is the breezes of the utterance of a true friend. The truth is God’s [who is] the Most High and Great.

After the arrival of the letter, [its] consideration [lit. contemplation] and reading, it was directed to the Horizon of the Heaven of Command and was reported on in His presence. He decreed: ʿPraise God [Who] is embarked on a Cause which is the means of the tranquillity of [His] servants and the peace of the inhabitants of the lands. We testify that He planted the lotus-tree of love with a mighty hand [lit. hand of firmness] and watered it with the spring rain of closeness and benevolence. This tree will soon be made manifest by visible and invisible fruits. These ripe fruits are, by God’s grace, abiding and everlasting.’

Some of the Divine ordinances contained in sundry epistles were sent to this spiritual friend a little while ago. After the report on them in the Most Holy Realm, He decreed: ʿWrite down and send the ordinances and commands which have so far been collected, to wit the commands which are the cause of the grace of God, glorified be He.’ They have now been collected, reported on [in His] presence and sent. [We] hope that the inhabitants of the world will become aware of that which profits them and will hold fast to it. We ask [God], the True One: May He increase the light of love at any time. For He is the All-Mighty and is quick in responding to prayers. 22nd January 1891 corresponding to 11th Jamadi uth-thani 1308

Badi’

Prefatory note to the text of Bisharat

…These Divine ordinances and commands, formerly revealed in sundry epistles, in the Kitab-i-Aqdas, in the Illuminations’ (Ishraqat), Effulgences’ (Tajallıyat), ʿOrnaments’ (Tarazat), etc., have, agreeably to the Supreme and Most Holy Command, been collected, that all may become cognizant of the grace, mercy, and favour of God (great is His Glory!) in this Most Mighty Manifestation and this Great Announcement, and may engage in praise and thanksgiving to the Desired Object of all the inhabitants of the world. Verily He helpeth His servants unto that which He willeth, for He is the Wise Ordainer.

BH02600: Universal praise hath appeared from the Kingdom of divine…

He is God, exalted be His majesty, His greatness and His power.

Universal praise hath appeared from the Kingdom of divine favor, and in this station thanksgiving from all things is necessary, for from its rustling is heard the blessed word “Verily, I am God’s greatest handiwork”, though only sanctified and refined ears can hear it—others have no share or portion in this call. In the first station and primary rank, the hearers of this sweetest call have been the chosen ones and near ones, through whom God’s straight path and His mighty Cause were made manifest, and through whom the Lamp of existence spoke both eve and morn concerning that which was revealed and appeared—that which had been hidden from sight. The kingdom belongeth unto God, the One, the Chosen.

The letter of that beloved of the heart arrived after his return, and after its perusal and reading it was taken to the Holy Presence and submitted. He said:

“O Rida! Upon thee be the peace of God, the Lord of Names and Creator of heaven. We have heard thy call. Praise be to God, thou art successful in attaining unto contentment, reconciliation and goodness. This is a testimony which this Wronged One hath given and giveth before those possessed of hearing ears, penetrating vision, and the gathering of the assured and sincere ones. Thou wert with Us in thy childhood and grew to maturity beneath the sheltering grace of God, the Lord of the worlds, and thou didst migrate with the Wronged One until imprisonment ended in the Most Great Prison. We beseech Him, exalted be He, to make thee and those with thee among those who have no fear and who do not grieve. Verily, we are God’s and unto Him do we return.”

Thus did it end.

Praise be to God, that beloved of the heart hath ever been engaged in remembrance and steadfast in service. The greatest of all great bounties is that from the beginning of days thou wert nurtured in the shadow of thy Lord and didst grow and develop. Thou wert with Him and art with Him, and assuredly the end is too sacred for mention by this evanescent one and those like him. By the testimony of the Beloved, the end hath been and is good. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, that this most great bounty may endure as long as the kingdom and the heavenly realm endure. And whatever was commanded should be given to the loved ones—take from the aforementioned amount and give it. The blessed month of Ramadan hath come, assistance to some is necessary. We beseech God to send down upon His loved ones a blessing from His presence and a bounty from His own Self. The receipt was also sent. Peace, mercy and glory be upon you and upon those with you and upon His loved ones and chosen ones.

BH04834: Your letter, that opening word adorning the preface…

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

Your letter, that opening word adorning the preface of the book of love, illumined the heart with the light of joy. After perusal it was brought to the Most Holy and Most Exalted Presence and presented, that is, whatever had been mentioned and submitted. He said:

He is the Preserver, the Helper!

O Rida, O thou who circlest round Me and gazest toward My horizon and turnest thy face toward My countenance! The servant in attendance hath appeared and read that which thou didst commune with God, the Lord of the worlds, and presented what was inscribed in another leaf. We beseech Him, exalted be He, to assist thee to attain continuous connection in all conditions, in such wise that no separation may affect it, nor any remoteness or severance overtake it. Verily, He is the Hearer, the Answerer. The Glory from Us be upon thee and upon him who was named Habibu’llah in the Book of Names, and upon his mother and his two sisters. Convey My greetings unto them and give them the glad-tidings of My remembrance.

The mention of trustworthiness and faithfulness in your letter proved touching. He said: God willing, may you ever be and continue to be adorned with these two most precious and radiant garments.

That which you sent attained the presence and was honored with apportionment. In the words of Jinab-i-Ism-i-Jud, upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God, may it endure. The servant beseecheth his Lord for your preservation, your continuance, and your steadfastness in what you are upon in His mighty and impregnable Cause.

BH06760: To the presence of the beloved of hearts, Jinab-i-Haji…

…To the presence of the beloved of hearts, Jinab-i-Haji Siyyid Javad, upon him be the glory of God and His grace, I convey greetings and express my sincere devotion. His missive truly caused the appearance of joy and gladness. The remembrance of friends is auspicious to the Friend. At this moment there is no more time, as it is the day of writing in His presence. We beseech Him, blessed and exalted is He, to assist us and grant us success in that which He has commanded in His perspicuous Book. Peace, remembrance and glory be upon you, upon those with you, and upon God’s friends and chosen ones there and in every quarter, near and far.

BH00162: Praise be befitting unto the Lord of all beings…

Section 1: “Praise be befitting unto the Lord of all…”

He is the Manifest, the Speaker, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise

Praise be befitting unto the Lord of all beings, Who through His Most Exalted Word summoned the dwellers of the mortal realm to the highest horizon and bestowed upon them a portion of the sealed wine. This Word is, in one station, the water of life unto them that are dead through self and desire, and in another station, it is a shining light for the guidance of the inhabitants of earth and heaven. At times it appeareth in the form of fire—it is the cause of divine love’s warmth appearing in the hearts and minds of all peoples. And at times it is as a sovereign seated upon the throne of bounty and grace. It is the ocean of favor wherein are hidden the pearls of wisdom and utterance. It is the heaven of justice from which the stars of trustworthiness and religion are visible. Blessed is the soul that hath, through this radiant and effulgent light, set out for its true homeland, and joy be to the one who hath turned towards the Most Great News. Exalted be the majesty of God and His dominion, exalted be His remembrance and His utterance, and mighty be His proof. There is no God but Him.

Glory be unto Thee, O God of the world and Goal of the nations! Thou knowest and seest that one of Thy chosen servants hath turned to Thy servant who was named Diya’ in the Book of Names, and desired to mention him in the court of Thy might and the sanctuary of Thy holiness. I beseech Thee, O Lord of the worlds, by Thy Most Great Name through which Thou hast caused the rain of generosity to descend upon the nations, and by Thy sovereignty which hath encompassed all existence both seen and unseen, and by the waves of the ocean of Thy mercy, and by the splendors of the luminary of Thy grace, to ordain for him and for those whom he hath mentioned in his letter that which will draw them nigh unto Thee and give them to drink of the water of everlasting life from the hand of Thy bounty, and attract them to the atmosphere of Thy might and the heaven of Thy mercy. Then write down for them, with Thy Most Exalted Pen, the reward of attaining Thy presence, O Lord of all beings and Lord of the throne on high and of the dust beneath. There is no God but Thee, the Forgiving, the Generous.

Thy letter was received, and as it was a bearer of a petition intended for the Possessor of the Point of Existence and the King of the seen and unseen, after its presentation and permission before the Seat of Justice, all of it was presented and was honored to be heard. Then the waves of the ocean of utterance appeared and the sun of grace shone forth from the horizon of the bounty of our Lord, the Most Merciful. He spoke, and His word is the truth: In My Name, the Manifest, the Speaker, the All-Knowing.

O Na’im! Upon thee be My glory! One of the Branches named Diya’ appeared before Me with thy letter. Blessed be thy tongue for having uttered the praise of God, and thy heart for having turned unto Him, and thy face for having been directed towards the light of His countenance, and thy pen for having flowed with His remembrance, and thy heart for having given birth to the maidens of remembrance and utterance. We beseech God to aid thee and to assist thee, and to make what hath flowed from thy tongue a treasure for thee with Him. Verily, He is the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous.

This is a Day wherein all things have been stirred up by the breezes of Revelation, yet most of the people are in evident doubt. The Sun of Utterance hath dawned from the horizon of the heaven of proof, and the Dove of Knowledge hath warbled upon the highest branches. O concourse of creation! Your Lord, the All-Merciful, hath come with power and sovereignty. Beware lest ye deprive yourselves from drawing nigh unto Him. Cast away what ye possess, turning unto God, the Lord of all men. The treasures of the earth shall profit you not; cast them behind you and take what hath been given you by God, the Lord of Lords.

Blessed art thou, O Na’im, for having attained unto My bounty, which is My favor in one station and My knowledge in another, and My grace which We sent down aforetime and afterwards, and on this Day which hath been named the Day of God in the Scriptures and Tablets. Beware lest the happenings of the world grieve thee or the clamor of the nations prevent thee from My Choice Wine, whose seal We have broken with the fingers of might and power. We have desired to give thee to drink thereof cup after cup and chalice after chalice, that it may take thee from thyself and attract thee to a station whereon hath been raised the banner of grandeur by the command of God, the Commander, the All-Wise.

Say: O people! Fear God and follow not the dawning-places of idle fancies and vain imaginings. This is a Day wherein the Call hath been raised in the prison of ʿAkka. Blessed is he who hath heard and responded, and woe unto every heedless doubter. We have adorned the preamble of the Book of Existence with this Name at which the limbs of the wicked have quaked. When thou hearest My call and takest and drinkest the choice wine of My utterance, turn with thy heart to the Dawning-Place of inspiration and say:

Praise be to Thee, O my God, and thanksgiving be unto Thee, O my Aim, and glory be unto Thee, O Beloved of my heart, and bounty be unto Thee, O my Adored One, for having guided me unto Thy path, given me to drink of the wine of Thy bestowal, and shown me Thy signs. I beseech Thee by the Lote-Tree beyond which there is no passing, and by its fruits and its rustling, and by the flowing rivers and their murmuring, and by the breezes of Thy Day and their whistling, to manifest through me that which will draw the people nigh unto the court of Thy grace and the threshold of Thy nearness. O Lord! Thou beholdest me speaking Thy praise amongst Thy servants and holding fast unto the cord of Thy bounty, O Lord of existence and Sovereign of the seen and unseen! There is none other God but Thee, the Bestower, the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous.

Verily, We desire at this time to make mention of him who was attracted by My verses and achieved the spreading of My writings throughout My lands and spoke My praise amidst My servants—he who was named Sina in the Tablet of Names. We testify that he turned, hastened, heard and answered his Ancient Lord. O Sina! Hearken unto My Most Glorious call from the horizon of the Prison of Akka. Verily, it attracts thee and draws thee nigh unto God, the Lord of all worlds. We have mentioned thee time and again, and answered thee repeatedly, and revealed for thee that which shall be immortalized in My perspicuous Book. We have heard thy call and that which the tongue of thy heart hath uttered. Verily thy Lord heareth and seeth, and He is the Hearing, the Responding. We testify that thou didst turn to the Most Exalted Horizon when every heedless and remote one turned away. Thou didst take hold of the Book of God with a power from Him and didst convey His Cause in such wise that neither the might of princes nor the doubts of the divines could deter thee. Verily thy Lord was with thee in all conditions. He is the Hearing, the All-Seeing.

Say: O concourse of the earth! The promised Day hath come, and the Promised One calleth from His glorious station, summoning all unto the straight Path of God. Beware lest the world and whatsoever is therein prevent you from turning toward the light of His Countenance. Turn ye, and be not of the heedless ones. The ocean of utterance hath surged in creation before the faces of all religions. Hear! Hear! And be not of them that hesitate. O Sina! This is the Day wherein the lips of Sinai smiled at meeting its Interlocutor, and the Tree at its Speaker. Blessed is the ear that heard, called out and said:

“Thine is the praise, O Thou Who art the Goal of all who are in the heavens and on earth!”

We have mentioned thee in numerous Tablets and preserved thee through a company of angels drawn nigh.

O My Most Exalted Pen! Turn thy face toward him who was named Nayyir in My Luminous Book, then make mention of him in such wise as to attract the hearts of the sincere ones. We have heard thy call and answered thee with a Tablet wherewith God hath adorned the preface of His Preserved Book. We testify that thou didst traverse the lands to spread the signs of thy Lord, the Speaking, the All-Knowing. Say: O people! The Day that was promised in the Books of God, the Mighty, the Praised, hath come. Beware lest ye deprive yourselves of that which hath been manifested therein through truth. Fear God and be not of the wrongdoers.

Your remembrances have been presented, and that which dawned from the horizon of your hearts in praise of your Creator, Who came with manifest sovereignty. We found therein the fragrance of your sincerity and your turning unto Him, and your steadfastness in this Cause whereby the limbs of the servants trembled, save those whom the hand of thy Lord’s power delivered—the Strong, the Mighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. This is the Day wherein the rustling of the Lote-Tree of the Uttermost End and the flowing of the Kawthar of utterance in the Supreme Paradise were raised high, yet the people remain behind a thick veil. Blessed is the power that rent asunder the veils and cast away names, turning unto the Ocean of Knowledge, from whose waves one heareth:

“The gate of heaven hath been opened and the Lord of the Kingdom of Eternity hath come with a Cause before which all the hosts of the heavens and earth cannot stand.”

Thus have We remembered thee and cast upon thee that which attracteth thee once and again, raising thee to a station beyond which the remembrances and descriptions of the servants are cut off. To this testifieth He Who speaketh in every condition that there is none other God but Me, the Forgiving, the Merciful.

Praise be to God! The light of utterance hath dawned from the horizon of the Will of Him Who is the Desire of all worlds—a dawning that hath illumined all hearts and souls. Blessed is this Day, for the hidden treasure hath been revealed and the concealed mystery hath become manifest. I beseech God not to debar or deprive His servants from the shore of the ocean of mercy. Glory be to God! Despite the doors of divine favors being flung wide, the Sun of Truth shining forth, and the rivers of bounty flowing, most are seen to be veiled and debarred on this Day which is attributed to God, known by Him, and recorded by the Eternal Pen in the divine Books as the Day of God. Nevertheless, they remain occupied with their own like and heedless of that which is with God. This Prisoner declareth:

My God, my God! I testify to Thy sovereignty that hath encompassed all created things, to Thy power that hath subdued all possibilities, and to the sanctification of Thy Being and the exaltation of Thine Essence above the description of all creatures. I beseech Thee, O Lord of the worlds and Beloved of the nations, by Thy Most Great Name through which the door of the hidden treasure was opened and the pearls concealed in the shells of the ocean of Thy hidden knowledge were revealed, to assist Thy servants to draw nigh unto Thee and to turn unto the lights of Thy countenance in Thy days. O Lord! Make known to them Thy straight path and Thy mighty Message, and enable them to return to the door of Thy mercy and to draw nigh unto the court of Thy glory. O Lord! Deny them not through Thy grace and bounty. I testify, and all things testify, to Thy power, Thy sovereignty, Thy greatness and Thy might. There is none other God but Thee, the Single One, the Unique, the Protector of all that is in the heavens and the earth.

Mention was made of Master Ibrahim Saffar, upon him be the Glory of God, the Chosen One. After being presented before the Seat of Justice, these brilliant verses were sent down from the heaven of the Lord of the Kingdom of Names. His word—exalted be His utterance and mighty His proof:

He is the All-Knowing Expositor

O Saffar! The Wronged One of the world hath turned toward thee from the Most Great Prison and maketh mention of thee. Rejoice thou in this most great favor that hath encompassed existence both seen and unseen. I testify to that which God hath testified: There is none other God but He, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting.

O Ibrahim! The Friend of all regions sent sacrifices to the place of martyrdom, yet none took notice. These are souls who gave their lives and uttered not an unseemly word. Indeed, they manifested such power, might and detachment as had no likeness or equal. The pens of the world and tongues of nations are powerless to praise them and fall short of describing them. Each one shone forth from the horizon of the heaven of detachment like the sun, neither concealed by the clouds of idle fancies nor veiled from light by the mists of vain imaginings. Glorified be He Who aided them and brought them into being! Thus hath the Tongue of Grandeur spoken at this moment from His exalted station. The resplendent and manifest glory be upon thee and upon thy son who turned toward God, the Lord of the Mighty Throne, and attained recognition at a time when ignorance had encompassed most of creation to such extent that they turned away from the Speaking One, the Manifest, the All-Knowing.

This is what was revealed for Mirza Husayn, upon him be the Glory of God.

He is the Protector, the Self-Subsisting.

O Husayn! Upon thee be My Glory! This blessed Day is associated with Truth and in it hath appeared that which no eye in the world hath seen its like. The bounty of utterance is manifest, the table of knowledge is descended, the ocean of generosity is surging, and the sun of divine knowledge is shining from the horizon of the heaven of proof. Yet the people remain heedless, for the veils of fancy have so seized them that they cannot distinguish nearness from remoteness, nor knowledge from ignorance. Blessed is the soul that hath passed beyond tales of doubt, allusions, conjectures and fancies, and hath turned toward the horizon of certitude. Such a one is of the people of Baha and the companions of the Crimson Ark. When thou findest the fragrance of utterance, say:

“Praise be unto Thee, O my Lord, the All-Merciful, for having illumined my heart with the light of Thy knowledge, enabled me to turn unto Thee, and guided me to Thy path and to Thy Great Announcement, whereby the limbs of Thy creatures have trembled, save those whom Thou didst deliver by Thy power. O Lord! Thou seest Thy servant turning unto Thee and clinging to Thee and to Thy sovereignty. I beseech Thee to make me firm, steadfast and upright in Thy Cause and in Thy love. Verily Thou art the All-Powerful over what Thou willest, and Thou art the Mighty, the All-Bountiful.”

Section 2: “This Prisoner beseecheth God, exalted be His glory…”

This Prisoner beseecheth God, exalted be His glory, to send down especially for His loved ones that which is everlasting and enduring, which centuries and ages cannot alter, and which armies and hosts cannot erase. Thou art He Who is so powerful that the denial and opposition of the wicked cannot prevent Thee from Thy purpose nor hold Thee back from showing forth Thy bounty.

Mention was made of Aqa Murad-ʿAli-i-Kirmani, upon him be the Glory of God. After being submitted before the Luminous Countenance, these words shone forth from the horizon of the Divine Will. He saith, blessed and exalted be He:

He is the Single One, the All-Informed

O Murad! Upon thee be the Glory of God, the Lord of creation! Hear the call of the Desired One from the direction of the Most Great Prison. Verily He will strengthen thee, prosper thee, and bring thee nigh unto the Most Exalted Paradise, the Station wherein the Call was raised and the mysteries of what was and what will be were revealed, and whereby the Lote-Tree of the Uttermost Boundary and the Green Tree in the Supreme Paradise spoke, and the Dove of Utterance warbled upon the branch of possibility. The dominion of earth and heaven belongeth unto God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. This is a Day wherein every one possessed of ears hath heard the mention of all things, and every one possessed of sight hath beheld the horizon of Revelation.

Grieve not over anything, nor over the vicissitudes and changes of the world. Hold fast unto that which beseemeth this Day wherein the Mount hath been seized by the rapture of the utterance of thy Lord, the Possessor of existence. Verily the Hijaz crieth out, and Batha speaketh, and Yathrib hath exclaimed saying: “Glory be unto thee, O Akka, in that the Throne of Justice hath been established upon thee and the Tongue of Grandeur hath spoken: Grandeur belongeth unto God, the Lord of the seen and the unseen.”’ Thus have We sent down the verses and dispatched them unto thee that thou mayest rejoice and give thanks unto thy Lord, the Mighty, the All-Forgiving.

And this is what was revealed for Aqa Muhammad, son of him who attained the recognition of our Lord, the All-Merciful, in these days. He saith, mighty be His utterance, great His verses, and glorious His proof:

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

O Muhammad! Upon thee be My glory! We have mentioned thee before in verses from which there flowed the rivers of wisdom and utterance throughout all contingent being. Exalted is thy Lord, the All-Merciful, Who hath turned toward thee from the precincts of the Prison and remembered thee in such wise as to attract the hearts and souls. Blessed art thou and blessed are they whom names have not kept back from their Lord and Sovereign. Verily thy Lord is the Omnipotent over whatsoever He willeth through His word “Be,” and it is. Say: O people of the Bayan! Fear the All-Merciful and follow not your idle fancies. Follow the Truth, the Knower of things unseen, Who hath come from the horizon of power with the standards of His signs.

Read, then be fair, and be not of those who behold the light yet deny it. That which was never manifest in the world hath appeared, and He hath come through Whose remembrance the Bayan was adorned, and before it the Qur’an, and before it the Torah, the Gospel and the Psalms. Beware lest ye deprive yourselves of that which hath been manifested in truth. Cast away the people and what they possess, then your conjectures and imaginings. Thus doth He command you from Whose presence is a preserved Tablet. The resplendent, effulgent light be upon thee and upon those who have hearkened unto the call and have said: “Here am I! Here am I! O Thou Lord of the seen and unseen!”

This was revealed for Ustad Hasan of K. Upon him be the Glory of God.

In My Name, the One with Power over all names.

O Hasan! Upon thee be My Glory! The Treasure hath appeared and the mysteries have been revealed and the trees have put forth leaves, yet the people hear not. This is the Day wherein the Mount calleth out: “By God! The Lord of the Manifestation hath come, and He is my Interlocutor through Whom hands were raised toward God, the Mighty, the Loving, and through Whom the eyes of those near unto God were gladdened, and all things proclaimed: ʿGlory and Dominion belong unto God, the Lord of the Promised Day!”’ O concourse of kings! Turn with radiant faces toward the Supreme Horizon, the Station wherein the Sovereign was established upon the throne of utterance and spoke that whereby the dwellers of the graves arose. O company of the heedless! Be fair before God—by what proof did ye believe in God’s Messengers of old, and by what evidence do ye turn away from Him at Whose call all things have spoken and at Whose rising all within the kingdom of creation have arisen to serve the Cause of God, the All-Forgiving, the Most Kind? Read what ye possess and We shall read what We possess, that ye may recognize the Dawning-Place of God’s Manifestation and the Dayspring of all matters.

This is the Day wherein the murmuring of the Water of Life hath been raised throughout all contingent being, yet most of the people comprehend not. They have cast justice aside and taken injustice as their helper instead of God. Verily, they are accounted among the most lost in My preserved Tablet. Say: Praise be unto Thee, O my God, for having sent down unto Thy servant Thy greatest signs and manifested unto him Thy mighty evidences. I beseech Thee to assist me in that which shall cause my remembrance to endure among Thy servants, and to aid me in deeds from which the fragrance of Thy good-pleasure may be diffused. Thou art, verily, the Omnipotent, the Mighty, the Beloved.

This was revealed for Muhammad-Rida. Upon him be the Glory of God and His loving-kindness.

He is the One Who ruleth over all names.

We have made mention of thee time and again, and have sent down unto thee that which hath diffused the fragrances of divine Revelation throughout the world. To this beareth witness the Mother Book in its ultimate retreat. We have made mention of them that have believed when, as the Voice was raised from the mouth of God’s Will, the Concourse on High cried out:

“O peoples of the earth! This is your Lord, the Most Glorious, Who hath come from the heaven of bounty with power and sovereignty.”

This is the Day that hath been inscribed by the Most Exalted Pen, in the Sacred Scrolls and Tablets. Say: O people of the Bayan! Die in your wrath! The Hidden Treasure hath appeared, and He Who was concealed in God’s knowledge, the Lord of all men, hath been made manifest. Say: The Sun hath risen, and the Light hath shone forth, and the Fire in the Tree on Sinai doth call aloud and give glad-tidings unto the people of this Revelation which was promised in the Books of God, the Lord of Lords. Can anyone stand before Him in the presence of all creation? Can any horseman gallop with Him in the arena of wisdom and utterance? Fear ye the All-Merciful, and follow not your desires. Follow Him Who calleth you unto God, the Lord of all Religions. Thus hath the Most Exalted Pen spoken in the prison of Akka, as bidden by God, the Almighty, the All-Bountiful.

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

In My Name, the Compassionate, the Generous

O Muhammad! Thou hast been blessed by My mention time and again, and by My favor repeatedly. O Tailor! Upon thee be the glory of God, the Revealer of verses. Behold, then remember what We revealed in the Tablet to His Majesty the Sultan, may the All-Merciful assist him. We said: We were sitting beneath a sword suspended by a thread, not knowing whether it would fall soon or after a while. The matter is in God’s hands, the Lord of the worlds. Remember My loved ones on My behalf and say: The lamp is surrounded by winds, yet it hath taken neither guardian nor protector. To this testifieth the Mother Book which is with Him. The glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of My mercy be upon thee and upon My loved ones who have turned unto My horizon, who have attained unto My mention and My traces, and who have drunk the choice wine sealed from the hand of My bounty. We testify that they are My loved ones in the Hereafter and in this world, and We beseech God to open before their faces the doors of grace, favor, and bounty. Verily, He is the Lord of existence and in His grasp is the dominion of all who are in earth and heaven.

And this is what was revealed for His Honour Haydar, upon him be the glory of God, the Lord of destiny:

He is the All-Bountiful, the Generous

O Haydar! Upon thee be My glory and My glorification. Hear My call at this time when sorrows have encompassed Me from those who have violated the Covenant and Testament. They have cast the ocean of utterance behind their backs, turning unto the daysprings of fancy and idle imagination. By My life! They worship idols and know not. We testify that they are among the most lost in God’s Book, the Lord of the Kingdom. Say: O people of the Bayan! The Sun of Truth hath risen from the horizon of Will and the rivers of wisdom and utterance have flowed. Fear God, O daysprings of fancy! This is the Day wherein the earth hath revealed its treasures, the heaven its mysteries, the sun its radiance, and the Tree its fruits.

Cast away your vain imaginings, then hasten unto God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. We have mentioned thee before and have sent unto thee that which hath diffused the fragrances of utterance throughout all possibility. To this testifieth the Book of God, the Lord of what was and what shall be. Glorify My loved ones on My behalf, remind them of My verses, and illumine them with the light of My favor. Verily thy Lord is the All-Bountiful, the Mighty, the Forgiving. And We remember My handmaidens who have believed in God, the Lord of this exalted station. Glory be upon thee and upon them from God, the Knower of the unseen.

He is the Hearing, the Answering.

O Pen! Make mention of him who was named Shaykh Muhammad, son of him who turned to My countenance, soared in My atmosphere, migrated with Me and heard My sweetest call when it was raised between earth and heaven. We testify that he is among those near to God, the Lord of Hosts. Verily he hath a station and rank with his Lord. Blessed is he who maketh mention of him and readeth what We have revealed for him in this praiseworthy station.

O Muhammad! When thou hast been blessed to hearken unto My verses, say: Praise be unto Thee, O my God, for having remembered me in Thy Most Great Prison and revealed unto me that which the understanding of nations hath failed to grasp. O Lord! I am Thy servant and the son of Thy servant. I have turned unto Thee, detached from all else but Thee. I beseech Thee by the lights of the hearts of Thy loved ones and their submission when reading Thy verses and Thy signs, and by the hidden mysteries of Thy knowledge which were veiled from understanding and sight, to make me steadfast in Thy love such that neither the mighty tempests of injustice nor the storms of every rejected misbeliever may move me. O Lord! Ordain for me from Thy Most Exalted Pen that which will preserve me from all else save Thee and draw me nigh unto Thee. Verily, Thou art powerful over whatsoever Thou willest. There is none other God but Thee, the Omnipotent, the Supreme, the Mighty, the Loving.

O Na’im! Upon thee be My glory! Each of the mentioned loved ones hath drunk from the cup of bounty and received his portion from the effulgences of the light of the Sun of proof. Say: My God, my God! Praise be unto Thee throughout the everlasting dominion of the Kingdom, and glorification be unto Thee throughout the eternal sovereignty of the Realm of Might, for having turned toward Thy servant from the direction of Thy Prison—he whom Thou didst aid to turn toward Thee in the days of Thy Manifestation and gave to drink from the Salsabil of bounty through Thy generosity and grace. I beseech Thee, O Lord of the worlds, by the lights of Thy countenance and by the Tree beyond which there is no passing, from which Thy call was raised, to aid Thy servants and creatures to make up for what hath escaped them in Thy days. Verily Thou art the Omnipotent, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. The glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of My mercy be upon thee and upon those who have believed in God and His signs, and turned unto Him when His call was raised, and upon every one steadfast, upright and trustworthy.

Glad tidings! Glad tidings! For the ocean of utterance hath appeared in the pole of contingent being with such waves as the eye of creation hath not seen from the beginning of the first beginning until now, nor shall it see the like thereof. In this luminous dawn, when granted audience, was heard that of which each letter was a spirit for bodies and a light for the lands. Glory be to God! The Sun of proof shineth from one direction, the Sun of utterance riseth from another direction. The tongues of the world fall short and are powerless to mention that which was observed and witnessed.

My God, my God! Withhold not Thy loved ones from drawing nigh unto Thee and turning toward the court of Thy might. I beseech Thee by Thy Most Exalted Word, which the sincere ones behold as the Water of Life for the renewal of contingent being, and the near ones see as the light of the All-Merciful in the lands, and the detached ones as the Most Great Mystery among the nations, and the believers as the healing medicine for the sick—blessed is he who hath heard and seen, and happy is he who hath drunk the water of immortality and been seized by the rapture of the Call to a station wherein he seeth naught save God, the Single One, the Omnipotent, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

Make mention of each of the loved ones in that land on behalf of the Prisoner and convey greetings, and illumine them with the light of the utterance of the Desired One of the worlds. Verily He loveth His loved ones and remembereth them with that whereby their stations are exalted. He is the Protector of the doers of good, the Helper of the sincere ones, and the Master of the Day of Judgment. Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds. The glory and the remembrance and the praise and the light that hath shone forth from the horizon of God’s will, the Lord of Names, be upon thee and upon God’s loved ones there who have cast away the world, holding fast to the Luminous Handle, by the command of God, the Lord of the worlds.

Diya’, On the 23rd of the month of Sha’ban in the year 1308.

BH11215: My God, my God! Withhold not Thy loved ones…

…My God, my God! Withhold not Thy loved ones from the ocean of Thy bounty, nor disappoint them of what lieth with Thee of the wonders of Thy generosity and the sun of Thy grace. I beseech Thee, O Illuminator of the horizons with the light of the Covenant, to ordain for Thy loved ones every good thing Thou hast sent down in Thy Book and destined for Thy chosen ones. Verily, Thou art the Mighty, the Glorious, the All-Bountiful….

BH05734: Praise be to the Lord of creation Who, through…

Praise be to the Lord of creation Who, through His Most Exalted Word, bestowed upon the people of the mortal realm the Kawthar of divine knowledge. The water of life and the fountain of existence have ever flowed and continue to flow from the Divine Word. He is the Bestower of eternal life and everlasting existence. Blessed is the soul that perceived His fragrance and hastened toward His direction, in such wise that neither the means of the world, nor its wealth and riches, nor its ornaments could deter him from his purpose. With complete power did he turn and partake thereof. Glorified be the Creator, glorified be the Originator, glorified be the Bestower Who, through a single word, granted heavenly sustenance and true bounty, which is the knowledge of God’s Own Self, exalted be His glory. Like the spring showers of the All-Merciful, He caused the rain of wisdom and utterance to pour upon the earth of the hearts of them that are sincere and devoted, that all might attain the fruits of their own being and become aware of the purpose for which they were brought forth from nothingness into the realm of existence. This bounty cannot be comprehended by the understanding of the world, nor can the pens of nations enumerate it….

BH10938: We love thee and those whom thou seest adorned…

We love thee and those whom thou seest adorned with the ornament of trustworthiness and piety, and with that which they have been commanded concerning truthfulness and chastity in the Book of God, the Lord of the Mighty Throne. Blessed is the soul that hath found the fragrance of utterance and heard that which hath been sent down from God, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. God hath willed to aid His Cause through the hosts of deeds and character. Blessed is he who hath recognized and attained, and woe unto the heedless and the deniers….

O servant in attendance! For twelve years We associated and consorted with the people of Iraq with perfect love, harmony and favor. At the time of Our departure from the house and arrival in the garden which was named Ridvan, most of the officials and notables of the government and country were grieved to witness it, and some of the princes wept. In truth, a new resurrection arose….

We make mention of all Our loved ones and counsel them to observe trustworthiness, which is God’s trust amongst all things, and righteousness, which God hath made a shelter for such of His servants as are nigh unto Him and a stronghold for such of His bondsmen as are sincere in their faith, and whatsoever will exalt their stations among the peoples….

BH00824: Praise be to the One God, whose Call…

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

Praise be to the One God, whose Call is matchless, whose mention is matchless, and whose Revelation is matchless. Uniqueness befitteth Him and peerlessness is the station of His loved ones, how much more His own Essence, exalted be He—nothing can be likened unto His likeness. There is no God but Him, the Single, the One, the All-Compelling, the Self-Subsisting.

Light and radiance, glory and splendor be upon the Hands of His Cause, who broke not His covenant and disputed not His verses, who responded when they heard and turned towards Him when the people were in manifest rejection. We beseech God to guide all to the horizon of His grace and draw them nigh unto Him. Verily, He is powerful over all things.

O beloved of my heart! The letters sent from the city of Qaf arrived one after another like the spring rain. Praise be to God, each of these letters was a clear book mentioning the Purpose of all who are in the heavens and earth. After their perusal and reading, they were presented before the presence of the Lord of the Day of Resurrection. This is what the Tongue of Grandeur spoke, exalted be His glory and mighty be His utterance:

O Amin! Upon thee be the glory of God, the Lord of the worlds. Praise be to the Purpose of the world Who granted thee success in serving His Cause and confirmed thee in that which its mention shall endure throughout the kingdom of earth and heaven. All that thou didst mention regarding the friends was heard. We beseech God to enable all to achieve the most great steadfastness, such that neither ranks and multitudes nor the means and colors of the world shall prevent them from the straight path. Say: O people of the earth! This is the Day of God wherein none is mentioned save Him. Fear God and be not of the heedless ones. Cast away what ye possess and take what ye are commanded by God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

O Amin! From the beginning of days until now thou hast stood firm in service, held fast to the hem of trustworthiness, and clung to the cord of steadfastness. This is from the bounties of the Day of God which have encompassed thee. The affairs of God are entrusted to thee. That which hath appeared from thee in service to the Cause thus far hath been attested to by the Tongue of Grandeur. Blessed art thou and joy be unto thee. We beseech God to enable all to achieve that which will cause the exaltation of His Cause.

He who standeth in service hath indeed been blessed with special favors. The Tongue of Grandeur in the most exalted station beareth witness to his service and his turning unto God. What thou didst mention regarding him is the truth, no doubt therein. Divine success and confirmation are present at his right hand and his left. We beseech God, blessed and exalted be He, to exalt him through His Name, to assist him with His hosts, and to strengthen him through His bounty. Verily, He is powerful over what He willeth, and He is the Single, the One, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

O Amin! In all conditions, keep thy gaze fixed upon God and His attributes. The purpose is that all should be pleased with thee. The Most Exalted Pen hath testified concerning thee to that which causeth the exaltation of the Word of God. However, following the example of God, exalted be His glory, in all conditions is beloved, especially for thee who art associated with Him, mentioned through Him, and known by Him. The fragrance of thy character should be so diffused that no one would find cause for discussion. Verily, He hath aided thee and will aid thee and will be with thee, and He is the Compassionate, the Trustworthy.

We behold the friends of that land with loving-kindness, remember them with grace, and turn to them with love. Praise be to God, they are engaged in service and illumined with the light of recognition. Soon shall they witness the rewards of their deeds and what God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy, hath ordained for them. Due to the arrival of the Most Great Branch and the coming and going of the friends, the response to Jamal and ʿAli-Akbar—upon them be My glory and loving-kindness—was delayed. God willing, they shall attain hereafter to what is befitting. Give them glad tidings, and to My friends, from God, the Bestower, the Generous.

Praise be to God, the grace and loving-kindness of the True One, exalted be His glory, hath ever been and continueth to be directed towards His servants. The sincere ones and those drawn nigh, by the testimony of God—exalted be His glory—are present before the Seat of Justice. Happy are they!

Regarding what you wrote about Ghulam—upon him be the glory of the All-Merciful—having allocated funds to be delivered over four months by him who serveth the Cause—upon him be the glory of God and His loving-kindness—they commanded that two months thereof be [delivered] to the teachers—upon them be the glory of God, His loving-kindness and His mercy. O Trustee! Those assured souls must be considered until God openeth before their faces the gates of His blessings. Verily, He is the Powerful, the Unconstrained.

It is submitted that in the Most Holy Presence, unless funds are needed they are not accepted. For some time no funds reached this land until a debt of three hundred liras accumulated, hence those funds were allocated. Yesterday Ism-i-Jud—upon him be the glory of God and His loving-kindness—arrived and mentioned the receipt of the allocated funds.

Regarding the purchase of land in Haifa previously mentioned, most of the shares from various places, namely Egypt, Port Said, Beirut, and Akka, were, according to instructions, returned to their owners since no land was found to purchase. The manager of this matter was our Master, His Holiness the Blessed Branch, Aqa Mirza Badi’u’llah—may my spirit be a sacrifice for his coming—therefore whatever they deemed appropriate was done and the remainder is being returned these days. After the arrival of your beloved letter, the command was again issued to proceed to that land for some days that if found, they may purchase it in your name. This is from God’s grace upon you and upon the sincere ones and those drawn nigh among His servants.

As for the Leaf—upon her be the glory of God—after submission to the Most Holy and Most Exalted Presence, they commanded that these matters and affairs pertaining to rights revert to you. Thus it hath ever been and God willing shall continue to be. If she seeketh to attain the presence, you should make arrangements and send her. If she proceedeth with ʿAli-Akbar it is acceptable, as he originally mentioned this matter, or with another person who meets with his approval.

You should be engaged in the refinement of souls and the exaltation of the Word in all regions with perfect detachment. We beseech God to assist you, to aid you, and through you to raise the standards of His acceptable [virtues] among His servants. Verily, He hath power over all things.

Other matters will be sent later, God willing. Five Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablets along with papers have been received and sent. God willing, may they reach their owners.

I have been and am remembering all the friends, and I beseech God for His grace and bounty towards all. Verily He is [the Mighty, the Powerful]. Glory, remembrance and exaltation be upon you and upon God’s friends and chosen ones there, and upon every steadfast, faithful, firm and upright believer. Praise be to [God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise].

The servant. On the 7th of the Blessed Month of Ramadan 1308.

Your honor should review the papers, as some may [again] be sent.

BH06925: Today the essence of praise is speaking “There…

Today the essence of praise is speaking “There is no God but Him,” and the reality of thanksgiving is proclaiming “He is the First and the Last, the Manifest and the Hidden.”…

O My Afnan! Today is the day for the revelation and manifestation of what lies within all existence. Read what the All-Merciful hath revealed in the Qur’an in the Surih of Luqman: ʿO my son! If there be the weight of a mustard seed and it be in a rock, or in the heavens, or in the earth, God will bring it forth.’ The divine hand of power has revealed that which was hidden. The secrets of hearts and the treachery of eyes are all manifest and evident. Yet discerning ears, penetrating vision, and enlightened hearts are rare. We beseech God to aid His servants to justice and fairness. He is the Possessor of gifts and favors.”…

BH00279: While We were pacing in the house and hearing…

Section 1: “While We were pacing in the house…”

He is the True and Trusted Expounder

While We were pacing in the house and hearing the discourse of the earth, suddenly there arose a call from the Most Exalted Paradise: “O concourse of earth and heaven! Glad tidings, glad tidings, for ʿAli-Qabli-Akbar hath turned towards the prison for the sake of God, the Lord of Destiny!” Then the call was raised again from the Most High Paradise: “O people of the Crimson Ark! Rejoice, for the Trusted One hath arrived at a mighty fortress and a manifest prison for the sake of God, the Lord of all the worlds!”

Today is the day of joy and delight. By My life, in the Concourse on High a feast of gladness hath been spread that shall never be folded up, for on this day the lovers in the city of unity and concord have, with utmost yearning, spent their souls in the path of the Luminary of the horizons and sacrificed them for the sake of the Peerless Beloved. The might of bloodthirsty oppressors did not prevent them, nor did the fire of bestial wrath deter them from their purpose. Today in the city of lovers melodies are raised and spiritual, delicate whispers are heard. Blessed are the ears that have attained to hearing and have not been deprived of the Most Sweet Call and the rustling of the Most Exalted Pen.

Fresh news has arrived from the land of Ta and Ya. His Majesty the King (may God strengthen him) has seized a group of people, including two souls from among the people of Baha and companions of the Crimson Ark, even though all bear witness that this community’s purpose has been and continues to be the reformation of the world and the refinement of the peoples’ souls. The reported cause of this seizure was that certain letters and papers were found in inns and marketplaces that were deemed contrary to the views of the government and nation, and it was suspected that some of these were from this community.

I swear by the Sun of Truth that today shines forth from the horizon of the prison of Akka that this community has ever been and continues to be sanctified and pure from unseemly deeds and rejected actions. These matters and their like are from the base elements among the people. The people of Baha have, without any veil or covering, openly stated before the faces of princes and divines whatsoever would cause the unity and accord of the servants of God, as well as the prosperity of lands, hoping thereby to remove the foundation of corruption and strife from the earth and to transform the world’s weapons into means of reformation. God is witness and His Majesty the King (may God strengthen him) can testify to what has been mentioned.

For forty years this community has been subjected to the lash of oppressors, to such an extent that even children have been slain. How many sons have been beheaded before their fathers’ eyes! Homes and possessions have been plundered and pillaged. Yet not one from this community has uttered a word of protest or risen in defense. Among the incidents that occurred was the event in Ishqabad, and likewise what transpired in the land of Sad that caused the pen and paper to lament.

The most grievous matter that caused the greatest sorrow was when a known person arrived in Akka from a prominent figure and made certain statements—we seek refuge in God from such statements, the mention of which is in no way permissible, for the darkness of oppression has veiled, nay obliterated, the light of justice. No soul can be found who would raise a breath for the sake of God and hear the petitions of the oppressed ones of the world. Is there any ear that would hear what has befallen Us, and any eye that would behold Our tears? We beseech God to adorn the rulers with the ornament of justice and the learned with the light of fairness, and to aid them to turn unto Him. Verily, He is the Forgiving, the Oft-Returning.

And when that person’s demands were not accepted, he and his sender rose up in enmity. They martyred an illustrious Siyyid from among the descendants of the Prophet and the progeny of the Virgin in the land of Sad, and afterward burned and dismembered his luminous and pure body. Through this all things lamented, but the people remain in heedlessness and error. And from that day until now, matters have manifested with utmost oppression and enmity. The properties of this oppressed community have been seized each day under some pretext. Now multiple deeds exist in hand, but they remain concealed until God comes with His light of justice.

Among those apprehended in the land of Ta was Siyyah Effendi. When his master learned of this dire news, fear seized his very being, dreading that hidden secrets would be revealed and concealed animosities would become manifest. Glory be to God! Despite His Majesty the King having maintained justice in every station and having striven to the utmost of his ability for the development of his lands and the comfort of his subjects, those who attained exalted positions and became treasurers through royal favors have plotted harm against him. Yet His Majesty remained unaware of these enemies within. In any case, when he heard the news of Siyyah’s arrest, he kindled in the land of Ya such a fire of oppression as had no equal or parallel, hoping perhaps through these actions to purify and exonerate himself.

As for the account of the Land of Ya [Yazd], on the twenty-third night of the blessed Ramadan, the governor of that land, by order of the chief oppressor, moved against the friends of God. They seized Aqa Ali and Aqa Ali-Asghar (upon them be the glory and mercy of God) in the mosque of Shaykh Hasan-i-Sabzivari. With utmost degradation, they were taken by the governor’s deputy, Haji Nayib, into his presence. After the fire of tyranny and wrath was kindled, they were sent to prison where, as reported, they were relieved of their worldly possessions and released. Later, by order of the governor, these two along with several other innocent souls were seized again. The names of these holy beings are recorded and inscribed by the Pen of Justice in the divine ledger.

At the place of their arrest, these innocent ones were bound in chains, and along the way the tyrannical people struck them with sticks, stones and chains until they were brought before the governor, who was greatly pleased. Then the clergy were summoned and incited. Praise be to God, these holy souls showed forth the utmost steadfastness—neither their power prevented them from the straight path, nor did their wrath deprive them of the light of certitude. To whatever they were asked, they gave complete and sufficient answers.

Then the order for imprisonment was given, and in prison they extracted payment. On Monday morning, the honorable governor Jalal’ud-Dawlih summoned Aqa Shaykh Hasan and his sons Shaykh Baqir and Shaykh Ja’far, as well as Aqa Siyyid Ali the teacher with two other sons, and a group of other clergy. They threw a rope around the neck of the innocent Aqa Ali-Asghar in their presence, and took him and six others with that most pure body, with trumpets, drums and music. Behind the telegraph office, they beheaded the divine philosopher, His Holiness Mulla Mihdi. While still alive, they cut open his stomach and stoned him. Then they took his pure body to another quarter and set it on fire. They also beheaded Aqa ʿAli at the door of one of the clergy’s houses, raised his head on a spear, and made his pure body a target for stones of hatred.

As reported, they brought the divine mystic Mulla Ali-i-Sabzivari to Shaykh Hasan’s door, but that one intoxicated with the wine of “Am I not your Lord?” said to the people: “In the land of Taff, the Prince of Martyrs (may my soul be sacrificed for him) said Is there any helper who will help me?’ This servant says ʿIs there any observer who will observe me?”’ Glory be to God! From these sublime words the light of detachment dawned. We testify that he drank the wine of immortality from the hands of his Lord’s bounty, the Kind, the Compassionate. The sealed wine so overtook him that he passed beyond the world and all within it, and sacrificed his life—the most precious thing in existence—in the path of the Friend. Him too they beheaded, and stoned his blessed body. The attraction and longing of the lovers on that day astonished the Concourse on High.

Section 2: “Can anyone be found in the world who…”

Can anyone be found in the world who would protect the sheep from the wolves for the sake of God and in His path? Have the kings of the earth reserved all matters for their own preservation? What answer will they give before the divine throne of justice?

O Times! O bearer of words and source of news! Pause for an hour over the oppressed ones of Iran and observe how the dawning-places of justice and the daysprings of equity suffer under the sword of the oppressors. Children are left without milk, and families are captive in the hands of the wicked. The earth is adorned with the blood of lovers, and the sighs of those near to God have set the world of being ablaze.

O kings of the earth! Ye are but the manifestations of power, and might, and the daysprings of glory, and grandeur, and authority of God. Cast your eyes upon the state of the oppressed. O manifestations of justice! The tempestuous winds of rancor and hatred have extinguished the lamps of virtue and piety. At daybreak the breezes of divine mercy passed over the charred and scattered remains, and from their whispering were heard these sublime words: “Woe, woe unto you, O people of Iran! Ye have shed the blood of your friends, and ye perceive it not. Were ye to become aware of your deeds, ye would flee to the wilderness and lament your tyranny and cruelty. O misguided people! What sin had the children committed? It is reported that in those days some from among the followers of the Spirit (Jesus)—upon Him be the peace and mercy of God—secretly sent sustenance, and out of pure compassion aided those oppressed ones. We beseech God to aid all to do that which is pleasing unto Him.

O newspapers of the cities and lands! Have ye heard the moaning of the oppressed and their lamentations, or have these remained concealed from you? We hope that ye will investigate and proclaim that which hath occurred, that perchance your wise counsels and admonitions may awaken the heedless servants and adorn them with the ornament of justice.

O Mihdi! Blessed art thou! We bear witness that God was with thee when thou didst speak the truth. We testify that thou didst drink the choice wine of martyrdom in His path and didst sacrifice thyself for the exaltation of His Word. My tongue and My Pen bear witness that thou didst champion the Cause of God with true championship, and didst endure with patience that which befell thee at the hands of His heedless servants.

And they also beheaded Jinab-i-Aqa Muhammad-Baqir at the house of Sadr’ul-ʿUlama and stoned him. They took two brothers to the Shah Square—they beheaded Aqa Asghar and drove Aqa Hasan with blows of clubs to the end of the square. One of the prince’s attendants said to him, who was the youngest of all, “Come and speak ill [of the Faith] and I will buy you and give you money.” That sapling of the garden of divine love replied, “What shall I say? You do what you are ordered and carry it out.” At that moment, a cruel one struck his blessed side with a sword, and several others with daggers cut that sacred body into pieces, and another oppressor thrust a spear into that breast which was a treasury of divine love.

Then the executioner came and severed the head, placed it on a spear, and took it to the house of Aqa Shaykh Hasan Mujtahid. Then they committed acts which no one before or since had done and which the eye of creation had never witnessed. It is reported that the Shaykh gave a reward to the executioner. Then they paraded the head through the streets and dragged the pure bodies on the ground while people struck them with stones and sticks. They threw them into pits, and the Noble Prince ordered the city to be illuminated and people to engage in revelry and offer congratulations.

That night they repeatedly gathered at the doors of the martyred innocents’ homes playing music, while the families of the oppressed locked their doors in fear and dread. God alone knows what was said and done and what befell those innocent ones. They released two of Jinab-i-Mulla Mihdi’s sons to bring three hundred tumans. So far they have martyred seven people and imprisoned several others. It is not known what they will do to those souls and other servants. Verily our Lord is the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. One of those souls spoke words that were most touching—when the Noble Prince Jalal’ud-Dawlih told one of the confident and assured believers to deny and repudiate [the Faith] to be freed, that elder of the city of the Bayan said:

“For forty years I have awaited this day when my white beard would be stained with blood in the path of God.”

From these words his stations of love and devotion became manifest and evident. Blessed are they that understand.

According to what they have written, these abhorrent acts were not from His Majesty the King of Iran, may God strengthen him, and no order was issued from the government. In truth, for several years His Majesty, may God strengthen him, has dealt with the oppressed ones of the world with kindness and mercy. This order and others like it were issued by the Noble Prince Zillu’s-Sultan, and it is said that when he heard news of the arrest of Siyyah [the wanderer], he wanted through these acts to dispel certain suspicions. God knows best. It is not for us to mention what we know. We beseech God, blessed and exalted be He, to make known to His Majesty the Sultan what has been hidden from him. Verily He is the Hearer, the Answerer.

Some time ago, papers were discovered in homes and localities and were brought to the sublime presence of His Majesty the King—may God strengthen him. Certain enemies attributed these to the Babis. His Majesty stated that no such actions had ever been witnessed from this community, and that this deed must be from a person who had taken refuge at the Shrine of Abdul-Azim and resided there. He then commanded that this person be seized and expelled from the borders of Iran. After his expulsion, papers were again found daily in some homes and marketplaces containing whatever would cause sedition and corruption. After seeing these papers, orders were given to arrest two members of this community. These two took solemn oaths and submitted with utmost humility that, by divine grace, the hem of this community is sanctified and pure, for this community is loyal to both government and nation, and is free and clear of such unseemly falsehoods.

In brief, through divine justice, the determination of His Majesty, and the earnest efforts of loyal government servants, the author of the papers was caught. His name is Ahmad, from Kerman. Upon his arrest, he confessed to his deed. When asked about the reason and cause, he stated that enmity towards the Babi community had compelled him to write these papers, his purpose being to once again afflict this oppressed community. All know that this oppressor has harbored and continues to harbor the utmost enmity towards this community and is aflame with the fire of hatred, for he is of the opposition party and his antagonism is clear and evident as the sun.

O King! I adjure thee by God’s justice and sovereignty, and by the Manifestations of His grace and the Dawning-places of His signs, to investigate so that the truthfulness of these oppressed ones and their freedom from corruption and their well-wishing may become clear and evident in the royal presence. O King! I swear by the Sun of Truth that this community is loyal to the government, for they are wise. Their character is adorned with praiseworthy manners and their nature with spiritual, pleasing qualities. We hope that through the radiance of His Majesty the King’s sun of justice, the people of the world may be adorned and illumined with the ornament of rest and tranquility. Command and rule are within the grasp of God’s power, the Lord of the mighty throne and the exalted seat.

Three letters were sent from the Land of Ya describing the kindling of the fire of hatred and the martyrdom of souls who were content, pleasing and assured. However, the contents of each contradicted the others. Through pure grace, a tablet was revealed from the heaven of will corresponding to each one. Blessed are they who attain! And this blessed scroll is one of them. Blessed are they who read!

BH01128: The appearance of trials and tribulations in the Land…

The appearance of trials and tribulations in the Land of Ya”.

He is the Ever-Abiding Speaker.

The eye of justice weeps and equity laments. Glory be to God! In Iran, pride is taken in tyranny, oppression, cruelty and the behavior of savage beasts of field and prairie. The wolves of the isles of ignorance have torn the divine sheep. Great loss they count as mighty gain. Today the lamentation of all things is raised in the land of Ya, and the cry and moan of the Josephs of inner meaning ascends from the well of the oppressors’ station. A grievous wound has been inflicted upon the breast of justice and a mighty blow dealt to the temple of equity. The gazelles of the wilderness of love and purity are pursued by the hunters of malice, and shameless tyrants chase after the children in their cradles. The station of justice and its hosts are established through oppression and its armies. In Iran, mercy is like the phoenix—known by name but without trace—and equity is like the philosopher’s stone—mentioned but unseen.

On the twenty-third night of Ramadan, a great cloud of dust and smoke arose from the hatred and malice of the deniers and opposers, such that it veiled, nay obliterated, the effulgent rays of the Sun of Justice. Two helpless and unaided souls, Aqa Ali and Aqa Ali-Asghar—upon them be the glory of God and His favors—were seized without cause or reason in the mosque of Shaykh Hasan-i-Sabzivari. They were taken with utter humiliation by the deputy of the governor, Haji Na’ib, before His Excellency, where they were subjected to various punishments and then imprisoned. It is reported that they seized whatever worldly goods they could and then released them. Thereafter another smoke arose from the dawning-places of tyranny and vice, and that was the seizure of sacred souls for a second time.

Seven souls were taken, among them the honored Mulla Ali-i-Sabzivari and likewise the honored Mulla Mihdi—upon them both be the glory of God and His favors. His Excellency said to one, “Recant and you will be freed.” That true seeker replied, “For forty years I have awaited this day, and praise be to God, today I have attained it.” And another, while being paraded through the markets with executioners, attendants and footmen, proclaimed: “O people! The Lord of the Martyrs said Is there any who will help me?’ and I say, ʿIs there any who will behold me?”’ In brief, the fire of hatred was so intensely kindled that the pen is powerless to describe it. These two blessed souls and the others sacrificed their lives with complete steadfastness.

The blood of these souls has caused the people of Iran to now hear certain utterances and remain silent, and even accept them. The people of Iran would not walk with any foreigner, for they regarded all, God forbid, as unclean and would never consider speaking with them. Now through the grace of this Most Great Revelation, the gates of knowledge have been opened. That excessive savagery, rejection and protest have been lifted, and He gave glad-tidings of His presence and meeting to all and enabled them to attain it. The blood of the lovers performed miracles throughout the horizons, dispelled the causes of remoteness with the whips of utterance, and established nearness in its rightful station and abode. Now most associate with all parties and truly love them—indeed, such love toward all has become manifest that its appearance was considered impossible by the servants. Blessed be the Generous One, the Lord of great bounty. Now all have become sight that they might see, and hearing that they might hear. The hosts of acceptance have removed denial. Reflect upon the penetrating power of the Supreme Pen and the potency of the Most Exalted Word—how He transformed and drew near.

In any case, they martyred these souls with the worst torments of the world. They put a rope around one and dragged him to the edge of town while beating and driving the rest behind him—some with stones, some with sticks, some with chains, and some with weapons. They cut those holy temples to pieces, then burned them and threw their bones into pits. It is reported that a thousand fled to the wilderness—it is not known where they went or what became of them. In those days, no one inquired about the families and children of those oppressed ones, nor approached them out of fear. Those wronged ones remained without sustenance. It is said that some from the community of Christ—may God strengthen them—secretly assisted them without anyone’s knowledge and sent them daily provisions.

O spiritual friend! Today the wailing of pebbles rises from the wilderness and the moaning of trees is loud. That night, by government order, the people celebrated and held a great festival as if they had conquered a territory. Glory be to God! Oppression and ignorance reached such a degree as to astound all in the heavens and earth. Soon shall they see the recompense of their deeds, for after every injustice the light of justice dawns, and after every tyranny the sun of equity shines forth. In all conditions, we beseech God, blessed and exalted be He, to aid His servants to turn to Him and to make amends for what has escaped them at all times. Verily, He is the Mighty, the All-Knowing.

BH10385: Praise be to God that in this luminous dawn…

…Praise be to God that in this luminous dawn the vernal showers of mercy have, by the leave of the Most High, renewed and adorned the world. This bounty and favor is especially evident in the holy land. And the showers of the All-Merciful’s mercy, descending from the clouds of the Supreme Pen, shall adorn the lands of assured hearts and souls that are well-pleased and acceptable with the flowers of inner meanings, utterance, wisdom and exposition. How great and boundless is this favor! Well is it with them that understand. This blessing is such that all the peoples of the world find themselves powerless and incapable of rendering thanks for it….

BH00685: Praise be to God! Your letter was a true…

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

Praise be to God! Your letter was a true glad tiding, for it conveyed the health and well-being of that beloved of the heart. Today one must offer thanks for such tidings, for the world is in turmoil, the air is in upheaval, and affairs are scattered. After its reading, We repaired to the Sacred Place where it was presented, and the tongue of favor spoke these words:

O thou who gazeth upon the Countenance! The letters which thou didst send to the Branches and to the servant who is present were all laid before this Wronged One and their contents were made known. Praise be to the Lord of existence Who hath assisted and continueth to assist His loved ones in all matters, and Who hath opened wide the gates of nearness and reunion before their faces. This is among the great bounties of the Truth, exalted be His glory. In the days when the fire of the calumnies of the opposers and deniers was ablaze and the doors of joy, gladness, delight and expansion were shut, this Wronged One was and is occupied with the remembrance of His loved ones.

O thou who art mentioned in the presence of the Wronged One! Know thou with clear certainty that varying winds have encompassed the Lamp of the world; nevertheless, It hath had and hath no purpose save reformation. It behooveth that honored one and the friends to occupy themselves with the remembrance of God, the Most Exalted, by night and by day, and to beseech Him to preserve the Lamp. However, in one station, the Kingdom of utterance speaketh these words:

Thou seest, O my God, that the winds of hatred have encompassed Thy Lamp from all sides, and It declareth: O my God! I have surrendered my will to Thy will and my desire to the revelation of Thy desire. By Thy might! I desire not myself and my survival except to arise to serve Thy Cause, and I love not my being save for sacrifice in Thy path. O my Lord! Thou seest and knowest that they from whom we desired justice and fairness have arisen against us with tyranny and oppression. Outwardly they were with me, but inwardly they aided mine enemies who arose to violate my honor. My God, my God! I testify that Thou didst create the princes and ministers to champion Thy Cause and exalt Thy Word, yet they have aided Thine enemies. I beseech Thee by Thy Cause that hath encompassed existence and by Thy Name through which Thou hast subdued the seen and the unseen, to adorn the people of the earth with the light of Thy justice and to illumine their hearts with the radiance of Thy knowledge.

O my Lord! I am Thy servant and the son of Thy servant. I testify to Thy unity and Thy singleness, and to the sanctity of Thy Being and the detachment of Thine Essence. O my Lord! Thou seest Thy trusted ones in the hands of the treacherous among Thy creatures and the slanderers among Thy creation, and Thou knowest what hath befallen us from those of whom Thou art more aware than we are. They have committed that which hath rent asunder the veil of them that are nigh unto Thee among Thy creatures. I beseech Thee to aid them to regain what hath escaped them in the days of the Dawning-Place of Thy Revelation and the Dayspring of Thine inspiration. Verily Thou art the Almighty over what Thou willest, and within Thy grasp is the reins of all who are in the heavens and on earth.

O thou who gazeth upon the horizon of Revelation! Upon thee be My glory! We have beseeched and continue to beseech from God good, blessing, attention, detachment, confirmation and success for His loved ones. We hope that all may attain to that which is the cause of the glory of existence and the exaltation of the servants. Verily, He is powerful over all things. The loved ones of that land have ever been and are beneath the glances of favor. Convey to each one of them greetings from the Wronged One. We beseech God to adorn them all with the raiment of trustworthiness and righteousness and to illumine them. He is the Powerful, the Mighty. There is none other God but Him, the Most Exalted, the Most High.

Praised be God! His grace hath at all times encompassed and continueth to encompass all things. We cherish the hope that through His bounty the gates of mercy may be opened from every direction, and all may be enabled to achieve that which will exalt His blessed Word.

As regards what was written concerning the son of that departed and exalted soul upon whom be the Glory of God and His mercy, it was presented and gained the honour of being heard. Thus hath the Kingdom of Utterance spoken. He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.

O thou who gazest upon His countenance! The world hath been encompassed by successive and interlinked tribulations. I do not complain of My distress and sorrow to anyone. We beseech God, blessed and exalted be He, to open before the faces of His loved ones the gates of His grace and mercy, and to confirm them in trustworthiness and religious devotion, and in that which will draw them nigh unto Him. Verily, He hath power over all things.

They have surely heard of the affairs of the Afnan. Conditions have become so unstable that when some of the friends make drafts for the Huquq, the Afnan are unable to honour them. This matter hath caused visible impediments. In these days, a sum was owed on the house. Finally, matters reached such a state that We had to request funds from the Land of Ta. According to the letter of the Trustee written in the name of Jud, upon him be the Glory of God, he had collected from some and in every city he must deliver profits to their owners. Now affairs here are as described, therefore nothing can be drafted to the Afnan, nor can they be charged with matters requiring immediate payment. Thus is this Wronged One perplexed. Aqa Ali-Haydar and the Trustee have also been afflicted. The honored Afnan Haji Siyyid Ali has gone to ʿIshqabad where, as bidden, all properties have been put up for sale that perhaps… Thus this Wronged One beseecheth God to grant relief to all. He is the Bestower, the Almighty.

The Afnan have not, until now, squandered anyone’s property. They have many claims of various kinds, but their collection has been delayed. This Wronged One, and that soul, and all the loved ones should beseech from God whatsoever will cause the fragrance of trustworthiness and detachment to be diffused. God, exalted be His glory, hath said: “Verily, with hardship goeth ease.” It is hoped that affairs will be set right. With the generous, tasks are not difficult. That soul should not be sorrowful. The affairs of the world have ever alternated between hardship and ease, yet bounty is from God and generosity from Him. Assuredly these hardships will be followed by mercy, and this difficulty by ease. Soon will He fulfill His promise and manifest that which beseemeth His might, His majesty and His generosity.

Convey My greetings to the loved ones in that land. God willing, may all be enabled to accomplish such deeds and actions as will cause their eternal remembrance. Verily, He loveth His servants, and He is the Forgiving, the Generous. End.

In truth, matters have been greatly disturbed, and that which some have referred has remained delayed. However, now the honored Afnan gentlemen—His Honor Haji Siyyid Mirza, His Honor Haji Siyyid Muhammad, and His Honor Haji Siyyid Ali, upon them be the Glory of God—have firmly girded up their loins to settle the debts, and the imperative command has been issued from the Source of Authority that all properties should be sold and the debts paid. Indeed, all have adhered to this and there has been no laxity in carrying out the decree. They have announced that they will sell whatever they possess in Ishqabad, and seekers from every direction have come forward for the purchase of the properties. Now, according to the news received, they are occupied with this matter day and night. The servant beseeches His Lord to assist them and to open before their faces the gates of His mercy and grace. Verily, He is the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous.

The loved ones of that land are, by God’s grace and mercy, mentioned in the presence of their Lord, and the glances of His loving-kindness are directed towards them. It is certain that ere long that which shall cause the greatest joy will become manifest, for their intentions are all pure, and God, exalted be His glory, loves His servants, especially His trusted ones. If all attain unto this station, divine relief will assuredly come and encompass all. Verily, He has power over all things. Peace and praise and remembrance and glory be upon you and upon those with you and upon God’s loved ones there.

BH00661: God testifieth that there is none other God but…

He is God, exalted be His glory, the Almighty and the All-Powerful

God testifieth that there is none other God but Him. He doeth whatsoever He willeth and ordaineth whatsoever He pleaseth. He is the Almighty, the Most Glorious, the All-Praised. My limbs and members bear witness that there is none other God but Him. He guideth whom He willeth and leadeth astray whom He pleaseth. He is the Omnipotent over all things, and in His grasp are the reins of all affairs. Neither the turning away of men, nor their deeds, nor the utterances of every heedless and veiled one can hinder Him. He is the One Who created creation for His knowledge, made known unto them His path, perfected His proof, and manifested His clear evidence, the Mighty, the Wondrous.

O beloved of my heart, thou who art mentioned in my inmost being and reality! In all conditions there appeareth that which beareth witness to your love, your turning to God, and your arising to serve God and His loved ones—they who have cast behind their backs all else but God and have committed what their passions have commanded them. These, verily, are among those who have gone astray.

The spiritual messenger and embodied temple of wisdom, namely the honored Shaykh-ʿAli, hath arrived—an arrival like water to the withered saplings in the garden of inner meanings. Blessed be God Who hath aided His loved ones to make mention of Him, to praise Him, to serve His Cause, and to arrange what He hath willed through His bounty and grace. Verily, He is the Most Generous of the generous ones and the Most Merciful of the merciful ones.

The one mentioned was in truth like soil and the Euphrates to that which was planted in the garden. At first his virtues were concealed, but later they became manifest in such wise as to cause wonderment among the dwellers of that place. A hundred thousand thanks be unto the True Object of Worship Who confirmed His loved ones in that which is the cause of everlasting remembrance. Indeed, the person mentioned was peerless in the science of cultivating palm trees and their offspring, as evidenced by clear and manifest proof, namely that his service was rendered in such a station that every knowledgeable scholar and wise sage would testify to it, both outwardly and inwardly. Glory be to God! As his deeds were for the sake of God, they illumined the world of deeds at this station. Now is the station of the blessed word which declareth:

“Verily, He doth not suffer the reward of the righteous to perish.”

It is hoped that the fruits of his deeds will remain preserved in the scrolls of glory. A testimony that testifieth to the truth and uprightness of his deed is his attainment unto His presence before his desire. A good deed hath a pleasing reward, for the Judge of Justice is God, exalted be His glory. Praise be to God, the unexpected divine bounty encompassed him. Though he is now unaware of it, the time will come when he shall become conscious thereof. Verily, He is the All-Wise Teacher and the All-Knowing Expositor.

The letter from your honor, which contained wondrous and sublime mentions, brought joy to all limbs and members, for it was adorned with that which all today behold. Should he and all the pens in the world attempt to describe its virtues and fruits, verily the pens would be exhausted while it would remain steadfast in its station. However, I beseech God, exalted be His glory, to perfume and illumine the world with the fragrance of love of that beloved of the heart. Verily, He is powerful over all things. I ask and hope from the True One that He may transform the difficulties of your honor into ease and grant a portion thereof to the people of the earth. Verily, He is the Munificent Bestower.

And after expressing greetings before His presence, He said: O Muhammad! The sea and its waves, the sun and its effulgences, and the Kingdom of utterance and its verses are manifest, radiant and shining before all faces, yet the blind hath no share or portion thereof. This Wronged One hath, throughout the nights and days, spoken forth loving counsels and wise exhortations, and hath had, and hath, no purpose save the manifestation of fellowship, unity, love and harmony. Nevertheless, from the beginning of His days until now, He hath been afflicted in the hands of the heedless. Every possessor of sight and hearing hath hearkened unto the call of the Wronged One and beheld the horizon of Revelation. We beseech God that through the endeavors of those endowed with sight and hearing, He may guide and awaken the heedless to the holy, pure and luminous City.

O Muhammad! On this triumphant day the attraction of the Call hath seized all things, and ere long shall wondrous and exalted creatures, brought forth by the Most Great Word in the All-Highest Paradise, adorn and bless the earth with their footsteps. He, verily, is the Powerful, the Mighty. The river of mercy hath encompassed all, and the light of utterance hath illumined all creation. Blessed is the soul that hath attained unto His recognition and freed itself from all else. O Muhammad! Upon thee be the peace of God and His loving-kindness.

Ere long shall the fruits of thy deeds become manifest in the schools of the world and the gatherings of nations. Thy Lord, verily, is the Almighty, the Powerful. Give the friends in that land their portion of the flowing river of mercy and the effulgences of the new and wondrous Luminary, and gladden them with exalted and decisive verses. We beseech God, blessed and exalted be He, to aid and strengthen them to exalt His Cause through wisdom and utterance. He, verily, is the Mighty, the Glorious, the All-Bountiful.

That which is the cause and means of God’s infinite bounties hath ever been mentioned and continueth to be mentioned, and that dear one hath, with complete assurance and perfect devotion, held fast unto that which is itself the cause of the opening of all sealed doors. Our Lord is indeed the All-Bountiful, the Gracious, the Almighty, the All-Knowing, the Wise. I convey greetings to the friends in that land and beseech God to grant each one such endeavor that their deeds and actions may be accepted in the sight of all, though the essential purpose is that deeds be adorned with acceptance by God, exalted be His glory. Yet since in all things the means are present and their relation to God is evident, whatsoever is spoken is beloved and acceptable. We beseech God to aid them, assist them, and make them of those who have achieved the supreme steadfastness in His most holy, most luminous, most exalted Cause.

The beloved of the heart of ʿAbdu’l-B.H. hath ever been and continueth to be remembered. In truth, their prayers, which issued from the tongue of Truth, to this day remain sweet and established in the soul. It is hoped that in all conditions they may be assisted in raising aloft the Word and in exalting the Cause of God, the Lord of all worlds. Verily our Lord is the One Who hath power over whatsoever He willeth, and in His grasp are the reins of all who are in the heavens and on earth. Glory and majesty belong unto God, the Mighty, the Most Praised.

Praise be to God that the sent palms became the ornament of the luminous garden with utmost honor. We moved them with infinite prayers and salutations, and in the name of God deposited them in God’s treasure which is the earth. This deed was accomplished through His favor; its elevation, manifestation and fruits now rest with God, exalted be His glory. Praise be to God, two palms were planted in the name of ʿAbdu’l-Baha, upon Him be the Most Glorious Beauty of God, and it is hoped that, as the intention was pure, their manifestation will bestow a portion upon the realm of trees, and God, exalted be His glory, will make them the dawning-place of the growth of the world’s trees. Verily, He is powerful over all things. And two more were planted in His name. The outward deed is complete, and the inner manifestation is in the hand of God, Lord of the mighty throne.

Furthermore, truly His Honor Aqa ʿAli, upon him be 966 [Baha’u’llah], has labored greatly in this journey and his work was evidently for the sake of God, therefore it was accepted, as witnessed by his repeated attainment of the presence and his being received once or twice at night, and his supplication to God for the mention of good for all. And now that it is the twentieth night of the honored month of Shawwal, their mention flows from the tongue of the Beloved thus: This is true bounty and eternal preceding mercy. Blessed be he, then joy be unto him. He has attained the presence and returned by leave of Him Who possesseth all, and this is the manifest triumph. I beseech God, exalted be His glory, to cause him to attain that which befits the station of the believers and the sincere ones. Verily, He is the All-Bountiful, the All-Generous. Peace and praise and remembrance and glory be upon you and upon those with you and those who love you for the sake of God, the Goal of all worlds and the Beloved of all who are in the heavens and the earth.

BH02558: O My Afnan! Upon thee be My peace…

…O My Afnan! Upon thee be My peace and My glory! In truth, justice hath vanished and oppression is manifest. From every direction the fire of tyranny is ablaze while the light of justice is concealed. God is My witness, and the Manifestations of His names and attributes bear testimony, that the purpose of raising the call was that the ears of all possibility might be cleansed, through the waters of utterance, from false tales, and become ready to hearken unto the blessed, supreme Word that hath appeared from the treasury of knowledge. Blessed are the fair-minded!

This Wronged One hath never had, nor hath, any desire of His own. God is My witness, and the Manifestations of justice bear testimony, that the purpose of mention and utterance hath been the refinement of souls and the extinction of the fire of hatred through wisdom and utterance. Your honor and the other loved ones who are illumined with the light of detachment and adorned with the ornament of fairness bear witness to the truthfulness of this Wronged One and to His known character.

For nigh upon forty years We have forbidden the servants, through compassionate counsels and wise exhortations, from corruption, conflict and contention. This purpose, through the absolute Divine Will and His aid, gained influence in the realms of Persia, to such an extent that when they heard evil, they spoke good; when they witnessed ugliness, they showed forth beauty; when they were slain, they interceded on behalf of their slayers. Nevertheless, neither from the government nor from the people did anyone take notice. How many vain imaginings appeared by night and day, in word and writing, while the wronged ones of the world clung to the cord of patience and held fast to the hem of resignation, uttering not a word in response. The Seal of the Prophets and Guide of all paths—may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for His sake—hath said: “O Abu Dharr! For everything there is an evidence: the evidence of intellect is contemplation, and the evidence of contemplation is silence.” And likewise He hath said: “O Abu Dharr! The most excellent worship is silence.” By God! In all instances of oppression and tyranny, We have shown patience and left matters to God….

BH00207: Praise be to that Omnipotent Lord Who befitteth…

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

Praise be to that Omnipotent Lord Who befitteth and deserveth all glorification, Who hath transformed the weakness of His servants on the Day of Return into strength and hath bestowed distinction in such wise that He hath sent forth, through His conquering might and overwhelming power, without any weapon, the Wondrous Name unto a realm adorned with ranks of armies and successive multitudes. Indeed there hath appeared a power that hath no likeness in the world nor any peer among the nations. Were the servants to ponder upon this, they would cast away all they possess, turning unto God, the Lord of Lords. Prayers, peace, glory and splendor be upon the friends of God and His chosen ones who have arisen to unite the hearts of His servants and have acted according to what they were commanded in the Book. He, verily, is the Mighty, the Bestower. My spirit be a sacrifice unto your remembrance and unto your service.

The exalted letters of Your Holiness arrived like showers of mercy. Each was a key to the gate of joy and a gift for the gladness of hearts. After reading and contemplating them, they were directed to the Supreme Heights and were presented before the countenance of the Lord of all beings, attaining His presence and hearing. His utterance, mighty be His exposition and glorious His proof:

O My Afnan! Upon thee be My glory and My loving-kindness. Each of thy letters was a manifest glad-tiding and an evident joy. Praise be to God that thou hast witnessed, with both outer and inner sight, the waves of the ocean of utterance and hast taken up thy station beneath the blessed Lote-Tree. This bounty hath no likeness, and this grace hath had and hath no equal. The world and its ornaments, its embellishments and its colors shall by inevitable decree return to nothingness, while that which hath been revealed from the Supreme Pen and hath streamed forth from the clouds of mercy shall endure and remain established. We testify that there is no God but Him. His are the glory and the splendor, the grandeur and the majesty. He giveth unto whomsoever He willeth whatsoever He desireth, and He withholdeth. Verily, He is the Powerful, the Unconstrained.

The worlds of dominion and kingdom have all borne and continue to bear witness to this supreme grace that hath encompassed the world and its peoples, and hath manifested that which the Daysprings of knowledge and the Dawning-places of utterance are powerless to mention and describe. Nay rather, all have acknowledged their impotence and confessed their shortcoming. Blessed is the soul that hath held fast to the Self-Subsisting Name, and hath taken and quaffed the choice-sealed wine from the hand of divine bounty. Praise be to God that that Afnan is the cup-bearer of the choice wine and the bestower of rank and station. We beseech God, blessed and exalted be He, to make thee a herald of His Name, a harbinger of His Revelation, one who standeth in service to His Cause and speaketh forth His praise, and to ordain for thee that which will exalt thee through His Name and honor thee through His glory.

He, verily, is the One Whom the conditions of men have not hindered, nor hath the might of princes deterred. He hath come with a power before which the power of the world stood powerless, and with signs at whose appearance the signs of the nations were obliterated. He, verily, is the Most Great Book, the Speaker, the One Who remembereth before the faces of all who are in the heavens and the earth.

Your letters which were sent to this servant were each adorned with the light of divine unity and aflame with the fire of the divine Lote-Tree. Great is the station of this Day, for the Ancient Lord hath appeared in manifest sovereignty, speaking and conversing upon the Mount of Knowledge. Blessed is the ear and eye that hath attained to witnessing and hearing. The loved ones of that land are each remembered before the Wronged One with a mention that is, with God, more memorable than the most memorable mention, and hath been inscribed by the Supreme Pen. Say: O people of God! Be not saddened by the calumnies of the servants, the oppression of the oppressors, the turning away of those who turn away, and the cawing of the crows.

Had people recognized the excellence of My Day, they would have cast away the treasures of the world, turning to My horizon from which hath shone forth the Day-Star of My Revelation, whereby the heavens and earths were illumined. Glory be to God! The Tongue of Utterance speaketh upon the Mount of Knowledge before the faces of all religions, and divine verses descend like the spring rains of God. Yet the servants remain barred from drawing nigh and deprived of witnessing. Glad tidings, O My loved ones, for how the Wronged One hath turned toward you and mentioned you with a mention whereat the Most Exalted Paradise and the Supreme Heaven spoke forth:

“O people of earth and heaven! The gate of generosity hath been opened and the Ancient Lord hath appeared with a sovereignty before which all that the people possess cannot stand—they who abandoned what they were commanded and did what they were forbidden in the Book of God, Lord of the Mighty Throne.”

In most pages the Pen that revealeth verses hath been occupied with mentioning His loved ones. Happy are they and blessed are they. All must hold fast to love, fellowship, unity and harmony, and must speak with the tongue of truth these exalted words which were previously revealed from the Pen of Utterance:

“Death to the veiled ones! Pain to the frozen ones! The King of kings hath come! That perfect Treasure hath come! That hidden Mystery hath been made manifest! To the chagrin of the base multitude!”

By the Sun of Truth! Today the oppressors, transgressors and all they possess are as a handful of dust before the Lord of Lords—nay, more contemptible still. Arise to promote the Cause through heavenly power and divine might, but with wisdom and utterance. Wisdom consists in deeds and actions that cause the people of earth to turn unto God. O My loved ones! I do not wish for any of you to be tainted with the dust of rancor and hatred. In truth I say: Your essential realities were created from light. You must be radiant and effulgent before all faces, in such wise that the people of East and West may be guided by and attain unto that light. Verily your Lord, the All-Merciful, is the Forgiving, the Kind, the Compassionate, the Generous, possessed of great bounty. In all conditions We have beseeched and do beseech God, exalted be His glory, for the protection of His loved ones. Verily He is the Hearer, the Answerer. There is no God but Him, the Single, the One, the Mighty, the All-Informed.

This day is specially dedicated to His Holiness the Prince of Martyrs, Husayn ibn Ali. A visitation tablet was revealed from the Tongue of Grandeur, and Mirza Mihdi, glory be upon him, had previously requested it. Now it is sent that the sincere ones may recite it. Say: O My loved ones! The deed of that holy one among the manifest deeds in the world is as the sun among the stars. Blessed is the soul who, in the days of Ashura, mentioned that Essence of being with this Most Great Remembrance and Most Perfect, Most Complete Word, and who attained to its recitation. Say: Take the tablet of God with a power from Him and a strength from His presence, then do what ye have been commanded by One Wise in Command.

His letters are in truth eloquent harbingers of the fellowship and unity of His loved ones, and likewise of the rectification of matters that have occurred and become manifest through Him. Such lofty and goodly deeds are truly befitting of Him. This servant beseeches his Lord to manifest unto His Afnan that which will cause them to appear among His servants like suns in the horizons. One letter caused sorrow and grief, but praise be to God, it was not long before the details became clear. A soul like unto a spiritual beloved, his honor Aqa Mirza ʿAbdu’l-Karim, upon him be the glory of God and His favors, who is mentioned before the Throne and inscribed in the Book—surely his grief becomes the cause of grief to the loved ones and friends.

One envelope from Him wherein you had written the details did not arrive, but praise be to God, it arrived afterwards, mentioning his deliverance and his sanctity, and this became the cause of supreme joy after complete anguish, and evident ease after great hardship. Praise be to God that the matter did not become doubtful and there became manifest to all that which was the cause of his success, triumph and sincerity of deed. After this matter was presented before the Most Holy Court, these exalted words were revealed:

“O My Afnan! Upon thee be My glory! Glorify on My behalf the countenance of ʿAbdu’l-Karim—upon him be My glory—and illumine him with the lights of My utterance. Then recite unto him that which hath been sent down from the heaven of My grace. It behooveth him to render thanks unto God throughout the nights and days, inasmuch as He hath manifested that which was the cause of supreme joy to the loved ones of God and His chosen ones, and to them that are nigh unto Him among His creation. The Most Great Host and the Manifest Helper! Today it is pure and goodly deeds—by My life, through them God glorieth before His near angels. Blessed is he and joy be unto him!

O ʿAbdu’l-Karim! The Tongue of the Ancient of Days at this moment, on thy behalf, rendereth thanks unto Its own Self and uttereth and maketh mention of the blessed word of praise, for the praise that befitteth His Most Holy and Most Exalted Court is the praise that appeareth from the horizon of the utterance of the Goal of all the worlds. Say: Unto Thee be thanks, and unto Thee be praise, and unto Thee be bounty, and unto Thee be glory! Thou beholdest me, O my God, confessing to my powerlessness and the powerlessness of all on earth, acknowledging my poverty and the poverty of all in the lands. I beseech Thee, O Ocean of Generosity, by the heaven of Thy bounty and the Sun of Thy munificence, to aid me and Thy loved ones in that which will exalt Thy Cause and manifest the sanctification of Thy Being from all else but Thee, and the detachment of Thine Essence from aught else save Thee.

I beseech Thee by Thy Most Sweet Call and Thy Most Beautiful Names, and by the manifestations of Thy power in the kingdom of creation, and by Thy Announcement whereby earthquakes seized the tribes of Thy earth and the limbs of them that turned away from among Thy creatures trembled, to make Thy loved ones in this station the manifestations of Thy mercy, the dawning-places of Thy forgiveness, the sources of Thy attributes and the daysprings of Thy bounty, that their station may thereby be exalted among Thy servants. O Lord! We are Thy servants and Thy creation. We have turned toward Thee, detached from all else but Thee. I beseech Thee by Thy Lamp which the winds have encompassed, and by the light of Thy Cause which the doubts of the people of error have not veiled, to open before the faces of Thy loved ones the doors of Thy providence, and to ordain for them that which beseemeth the Ocean of Thy generosity and the Sun of Thy glory. Verily, Thou art the Almighty, the Most Exalted, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.”

In truth I say the friends are at most times present before My face and are adorned with the luminous ornament of divine remembrance. We beseech God to manifest from them each day that which will draw them nearer unto Him. Verily He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.

O Afnan! You mentioned the Afnans, upon them be the glory of God, His care, mercy and grace. At the moment of presentation before Him, the sun of joy rose and shone from the horizon of the House. Blessed are they both and joy be unto them. They have done what was befitting of them in the days of their Lord. At their mention, the river of God’s care flowed and the ocean of His bounty and remembrance surged. We testify that they have done that which has diffused the fragrance of sincerity and steadfastness among all creatures. We beseech God, blessed and exalted be He, to inscribe for them from His Most Exalted Pen that which nothing can equal—neither what is treasured on earth nor what is seen in heaven. Thus has the Pen of My loving-kindness moved in the field of My utterance, as a bounty from Me, and I am the Mighty, the All-Bountiful.

Section 2: “Surely you too were pleased with what was…”

Surely you too were pleased with what was manifested. This Wronged One testifies that the mention of this praiseworthy deed has attracted the people of the cities of love and detachment. My tongue in My prison bears witness to this, as a mercy from Me to all who are in the heavens and on earth. Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

Glory be to God! The mention of this matter caused joy to those who circle round the Lord of all beings and the dwellers of the Most Glorious Pavilion, and they all uttered: “Praise be to Thee, O God of the world!” This bounty has no end and this ocean no shore. It behooveth the people of God to hold fast to the cords of the Lord of the world’s generosity, to thank Him, praise Him, mention Him and describe Him for having enabled them and aided them in that which is befitting of His days. Verily He is the Helper, the All-Knowing, the Confirmer, the Generous. That which has become the cause of the exaltation of the station and elevation of the ranks of His loved ones has been made manifest. I beseech Him to protect them and to ordain for them that which will gladden their hearts and tranquilize their souls. He is verily the Powerful, the Chosen One, the Mighty, the All-Bestowing.

As for your mention of the payment of debts and the resolve of the friends of that land and their assistance—all was presented, and He made special mention of each one in such wise that the very rocks of the world beseeched God for the power of hearing, that they might attain unto that which was revealed. Verily He is the Powerful, the Mighty, and worthy to answer. All your deeds during this journey have been adorned with the ornament of acceptance and the glory of His good-pleasure. This is the greatest of all the world’s bounties, now and forever. And all that you wrote regarding the dominion of this land was presented before Him and was honored to be heard. The Most Great Branch—may my spirit and being be offered up for the dust of His footsteps—specifically commanded that what was mentioned should be adhered to. He said the intention of the Afnan is in itself effective and beneficial. This is the truth, there is no doubt therein.

The servant beseeches his Lord to ordain for His Afnan that which will attract the hearts of the world and the souls of the nations. Verily He is the Hearer, the Answerer. There is no God but Him, the Single, the All-Informed.

After the submission of the petition, other tidings arrived—verily, fresh glad-tidings were manifested—and these concern the account of a banquet which Jinab-i-Hajji Alif and Ha, upon them be the Glory of God, did offer unto the righteous and the strangers alike. Blessed be he for this deed! This is indeed a meritorious act, inasmuch as it is the cause of the turning of souls toward God. After submission before the Sacred Threshold of the Most Inaccessible and Most Holy, this utterance was sent down from the Kingdom of Divine Knowledge, His Word—exalted be His glory:

O Afnan! Upon thee be my glory! The aforementioned feast was among the requirements of divine wisdom. This deed hath been adorned with the ornament of acceptance. We testify that it was indeed a crown upon the heads of deeds and a sun in the heaven of actions. Convey my glad-tidings unto him and remind him of what hath been revealed by my Pen. By my life! He hath done what behooveth the days of his Lord. I have illumined him with the light of my utterance and my good-pleasure that he may rejoice and be among the thankful ones. Such deeds are a mighty cause for the unity of hearts and the turning of faces toward the Lord of all existence.

Today all must hold fast to that which causeth the nearness and attraction of the peoples of the world. O Afnan! Glad-tidings! Glad-tidings! In these days the Orator of utterance ascended the pulpit in the City of Lovers and proclaimed with the most exalted call: “O people of the Most Exalted Paradise and O Manifestations of the Supreme Heaven! Rejoice and be glad in that the lovers have hastened to the place of sacrifice on the Day of the Covenant!” Then the Herald called from another direction: “This is the day wherein the companions of the Crimson Ark have attained victory through that which befell the Lord of all creation in the Land of Ta. God, the Lord of Destiny, hath illumined the prison-land through the arrival of ʿAli-before-Akbar.”

Then the Herald called from the right of the luminous spot: “O concourse of earth and heaven! This is the day wherein the Trusted One arrived at a manifest prison in the path of God, the Lord of all the worlds.”

Glory be to God! The oppressors imagine that through these afflictions and the kindled fire, the divine light and the fire of the Lord’s Tree will be extinguished and destroyed. The Wronged One testifieth that were all who are in the heavens and earth to gather to extinguish the light, they would find themselves utterly powerless. The Books of God have testified to this, both in the past and future. Blessed are they who understand.

The Afnan and the loved ones of that land all bear witness that the people of God have never intended, nor do they intend, conflict, corruption or disputation with anyone. For nearly forty years they have endured and resigned themselves to countless hardships and tribulations. Nevertheless, the fire of hatred in the breasts of the people of hypocrisy is observed to be greater than before. God hath sealed their hearing, their sight, and their understanding, for through these rejected satanic deeds they earn everlasting punishment and perceive it not. Soon shall perish the world and all that they possess, and they shall find themselves in grievous torment.

The protection of His Majesty the Most Great Emperor, may God assist him, hath become the cause of the inflammation of the fire of hatred. For some time they have been secretly engaged in instigation and zealously seeking means of oppression, until in these days the hidden contents of the breasts of the oppressors have become manifest and evident. Surely they have heard some of what hath transpired. Convey greetings to the General of that land on behalf of these people who are scattered throughout the world, and say: This people, in view of the favor that hath shone forth from the horizon of the heaven of justice of His Majesty the Emperor, are all looking unto him and holding fast unto his good-pleasure.

For this reason the oppressive souls have instigated a group against this wronged people, and have again stained the soil of some lands with blood shed in the path of God. We beseech God to assist that Dawning-Place of justice and equity in protecting this wronged band. Verily, He is powerful over all things. In truth, the cause and reason for this hatred is the manifestation of the favor that His Majesty the Most Great Emperor hath shown toward these wronged ones. We beseech God to assist His Majesty in protecting His flock. Verily, He is the Helper of those who help and the Supporter of the just ones. There is none other God but Him, the Single, the One, the Powerful, the Mighty.

Your Excellency should mention to the General all that has transpired. It is hoped that His Honor will convey to His Imperial Majesty what will evoke His favor and ensure the protection of these oppressed ones. This servant, nay the world itself, is astonished that although these wronged ones have been and continue to be more submissive and humble than all other groups in Iran, and have obeyed whatever was commanded and ordained, and in all circumstances and instances of oppression and transgression did not raise a hand nor resort to defense—as the General himself and the noble officers of the illustrious government (may God assist it) have known and know—yet every day some evil from the wicked people becomes manifest. His oppression of us is intense and evident; We have no recourse save to make it known

Let us see what the justice of His Imperial Majesty requires and commands. They have repeatedly stated that the purpose of these declarations is to inform, so that all may become aware and cognizant of the oppression of the tyrannical souls and the patience of these wronged ones. In truth, the matter is in God’s hands. He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He pleaseth. He is the Protector, the Helper, the Succourer. Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

The servant, in closing, beseecheth God, his Lord, to protect His loved ones through the hosts of the seen and the unseen, and to exalt them through His Name amongst all peoples. Verily, He is the Guardian of the doers of good and the Lord of those who place their trust in Him. There is no God but Him, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

In all conditions, I beseech the True One, exalted be His glory, to assist these wronged ones in that which is the cause of the Most Great Steadfastness. Verily, our Lord is the Helper, the Almighty, the Powerful, the All-Knowing. In these days, the Throne is established in Haifa, together with a company of those who circle round it, the emigrants, and the travelers. Praise be to God, all are adorned with piety and illumined with the light of detachment. Each day they attain the honor of presence and meeting. This is a peerless, mighty grace. I beseech Him, exalted be He, to ordain for His loved ones that which befitteth the heaven of His bounty. Verily, He is the Almighty, the All-Powerful.

A further submission is that several months ago, a sacred Tablet known as Nida [Proclamation] and Bisharat [Glad-Tidings], was dispatched according to the command of the Lord of the Unseen and the Seen. This Tablet contains laws that were scattered throughout the Most Holy Book and other Tablets, which the Blessed Being Himself gathered together. In that Tablet it was mentioned so that all may know and discover those laws that are the cause of tranquility for the peoples of the world, the comfort of nations, the elimination of discord and dissension, and the establishment of unity and harmony, and that they may raise their voices in praise and gratitude to the Goal of all the world’s peoples. In truth, the most great favor hath been made manifest, but the unjust ones of the earth have risen in such opposition that the Concourse on high are engaged in lamentation and weeping. O my God! O my God! Protect Thy servants, then aid them through Thy power and might. Verily Thou art the Most Powerful of the powerful and the Most Merciful of the merciful.

Until now, no news of the arrival of that most mighty, most holy Tablet hath been received, and if it hath arrived, it must needs be translated so that their Majesties the kings—may God assist them—may become aware of its purpose and know of a certainty that this Community hath had and hath no purpose save the removal of corruption and the manifestation of justice and fairness. I beseech the True One to cause that Tablet to reach its destination. Verily He is the Powerful, the Commander, the All-Wise. Glory and remembrance and praise be upon your honor and upon those who are present before you and who hearken unto your words and your mention of the Cause of God, our Lord and your Lord and the Lord of all who are in the heavens and the earth. And praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.