Volume 101: Akka 1873–1892 year unknown, Part I (2 of 2)

BH00744: The Book of God, the All-Compelling, the Self-Subsisting

The Book of God, the All-Compelling, the Self-Subsisting

He is the Witness, the Hearer, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed

Praise be to the Self-Subsisting Lord, Who is worthy and deserving, Who through the hands of bounty hath bestowed the choice-sealed wine upon all the peoples of the world. The waves of the ocean of His wrath did not withhold His mercy, and the chains of kings and sovereigns did not prevent the tongue of His grandeur from speech. He is the Speaker of Sinai and the Lord of Revelation Who, through His exalted Word, bestowed new life upon the dwellers of the graves, and engaged them in service. None knoweth them save He Who speaketh in the Most Great Prison before the faces of all nations:

“The King hath come! The Kingdom is God’s, the All-Compelling, the Self-Subsisting!”

Glory, radiance, light and splendor be upon the hands of the Cause of God who have aided His Cause throughout all lands and regions. These are servants whom We have made keys to the doors of knowledge and understanding in the contingent world. Exalted is the All-Merciful Who hath assisted them to arise to serve His firm and mighty Cause.

The honored Branch hath presented before Me thy letter which thou didst send to the Beloved, upon him be My glory and loving-kindness, and he read it before My face. We answer thee with verses whereby all things were attracted and the atoms cried out before all faces: “The Kingdom is God’s, the Almighty, the Exalted, the Unconstrained!” Should anyone ask thee about the Glory, say: “By God’s life! He is under the claws of hatred, yet He remembereth His loved ones with that which the fragrance thereof shall never cease to endure, by the perpetuity of God, the Lord of the hidden and the manifest.” O Fadlu’llah! Hear the call from the horizon of ʿAkka—verily there is no God but He, the Single, the One, the Mighty, the Exalted, the All-Knowing.

Nothing whatsoever escapeth His knowledge. He witnesseth and seeth, and He is the Mighty, the All-Bestowing. Blessed art thou for having remembered thy Lord at a time when the factions had surrounded Him from all sides. Say: This is the Day of Victory; aid ye it through remembrance and utterance. Thus hath the All-Merciful decreed in the Scriptures and Tablets. The eyes of the pure ones in the Most Exalted Paradise have wept by reason of that which hath befallen the friends of God in the City of Ya. Thus was the matter decreed from God, the Lord of lords. By God’s life! Through this God hath aided His Cause and exalted it to a station beyond which all mention is cut off. Soon shall the sincere ones behold the power of God and His sovereignty. Thus did the Tongue of Grandeur speak as He walked in the mansion which God had made the Dayspring of lights.

O ʿAli-Qabli-Muhammad! We have mentioned thee before in a Tablet through which the fragrances of God were wafted to all regions. Thou wert mentioned before the Throne through verses at which feet have slipped save those who were encompassed by the tender mercies of their Lord, the Lord of all men. We beseech God, blessed and exalted be He, to unite through thee the hearts and to strengthen thee in all conditions. Read what We have revealed in Our Most Holy Book and give glad-tidings thereof to My servants who have arisen to serve My Cause, who have soared in My atmosphere, and who have spoken that which the tongue of My grandeur hath spoken from the most exalted station. Say: O people! This is the Day of Teaching. Cast aside what ye possess, clinging to the cord of God, the Lord of the Day of Resurrection. The glory from Us be upon thee and upon those who love thee for the sake of God, Who is supreme over the Sacred Place and the Station.

O Muhammad-Qabli-Hasan! The loved ones of the earth and the letter Mim have always been and continue to be before Our sight. No veil separateth between the Wronged One and them. To this beareth witness the Mother Book and beyond it the Tongue of God, the Mighty, the All-Bountiful. O My loved ones! This is the Day of triumph and the Day of utterance. Arise to teach the Cause of God, and in all conditions bestow with spirit and fragrance, with wisdom and utterance, from the choice sealed wine which hath been unsealed by the finger of the bounty of the Lord, the Self-Subsisting, that perchance the heedless ones of the world may find their way to the ocean of awareness and arise to render service. O party of God, His loved ones and His chosen ones! Shun ye whatsoever giveth forth the odor of mischief, and adorn yourselves with the ornament of patience and resignation. By the life of God! The recompense of your deeds hath not been, nor shall ever be, lost, but is preserved and treasured with the Trustee. Rejoice ye in this word which no words in the world can equal. To this beareth witness the Lord of Eternity at this manifest time.

We wish at this time to make mention of him who was named Javad in the Book of God, which speaketh in the final return. O Javad! That which hath appeared is such as no eye in the world hath seen the like thereof, nor hath any ear in the realm of possibility heard its parallel. Yet certain deluded ones are seen who, like unto the people of the Bayan and the Qur’an, cling to the cord of idle fancies and are deprived of the lights of the Day-Star of certitude. Say: O people! Today the ocean of inner meanings is surging and the sun of divine knowledge is shining and manifest. Have mercy upon yourselves and the Cause; be not once again the cause of dissension.

Fix your gaze upon the horizon of the one true Revelation. This is the station of true unity and the light of divine wisdom. The former people claimed a new Lord each day, and you have seen and heard what was the fruit thereof on the Day of Judgment. Blessed art thou and blessed is he who hath cast away idle fancies in the days of God, the Lord of lords. Make mention of the loved ones on behalf of the Wronged One and give them the glad tidings of that which hath been sent down from the heaven of the mercy of the All-Merciful and the bounty of the All-Glorious, that the utterance of the All-Merciful may attract them and draw them nigh unto Him at all times.

O Pen! Make mention of him who hath loved Me and cast away all else, holding fast unto that which hath been sent down in the Psalms and Tablets. We wish to end this Tablet with his mention, that he may rejoice in the bounty of his Lord, the Lord of creation. We testify that he hath attained unto that which was recorded and inscribed by the Most Exalted Pen in the Book of God, the Mighty, the All-Bestowing. O thou who gazest upon the Countenance! Hearken unto the call of the Wronged One in the Persian tongue. In these days that hath come to pass which causeth the heart of the world to be sorrowful. The martyrdom of assured souls hath been and continueth to be the cause of the exaltation of the Word, yet some have added that which is not worthy of mention. Glory be to God! Those who considered themselves the daysprings of steadfastness are seen to be the dawning-places of vain imaginings. Prayer for this Wronged One is necessary.

O Haydar-Ali! Should anyone ask thee about the Lamp, say: By God, it is amidst the winds! And should anyone ask thee about the Tree, say: It is beneath the swords of malice! Have they not read the Most Holy Book? Have they not discovered the fragrance of its verses? Tribulation, hardship, martyrdom, adversity and torment in the path of God are sweeter than honey and constitute a supreme bounty. However, the suspicions of certain loved ones have caused the heart to melt. By My life! Hearts have been consumed by the waves of hatred that have encompassed the Ark of God, the Lord of all beings. Convey My greetings, glory, mention and splendor to the true loved ones. We beseech God to aid all to that which will cause the exaltation of His Word. He is the Powerful, the Mighty. Under all conditions, occupy thyself with the refinement of souls. Verily He teacheth you, preserveth you, and aideth you through the hosts of wisdom and utterance, from God, the Mighty, the Bestower. The glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of My Kingdom be upon thee and upon My loved ones who have cast the world behind them, and have stood before all faces saying:

“God is our Lord, the Lord of our forebears, and the Lord of the mighty throne and the elevated seat.”

Blessed is Ali-Akbar, whom We informed beforehand of his captivity and what would befall him from the hosts of the oppressors. These assured and contented souls were mentioned aforetime by the Supreme Pen. Verily We informed him of this as a bounty from God, the Mighty, the Powerful. Blessed is he who remembereth him, assisteth him and respondeth to him on this blessed, mighty and wondrous Day. Convey My greetings to his wife and give her the glad-tidings of My loving-kindness and mercy which have preceded all things. There is no God but Him, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. At this moment We make mention of him who was named Amin in My perspicuous Book. We beseech God to protect him from the evil of the heedless ones, to aid him through the hosts of the exalted ones, and to draw him ever closer unto Him. Verily He is the Most Merciful of the merciful. Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

BH00743: Eulogy for Ashraf

He is the All-Bountiful, the Possessor of Great Grace

Rapture and ecstasy have appeared in the City of Lovers, for a precious gem among gems [Mulla Ashraf] has sought its mine, and a lover among lovers has outstripped all others and sacrificed himself in the path of the Desire of all worlds. The wolf has devoured, the oppressor has slain, and the serpent has opened its mouth and swallowed. Glory be to God! Deeds that cause wonder to the Concourse on High have no effect upon ignorant servants. The events of the days and the appearance of lights and the manifestation of mysteries are visible before all faces, yet they are seen to be without effect and observed to be fruitless, for rebellion has cut down the tree of worthiness and erased hope from hearts. Until now, the light of the Cause and its grace and essence have not appeared in the being of the servants. Ask thou of God to transform and change this. Verily, He is the Generous, the Bountiful.

Upon thee be the light of God and His mercy, and the glory of God and His favor. The event in the land of Sad was the cause of preventing corruption. When the intention and purpose of the oppressors was not accepted, they arose to tyranny. Thou art witness, and those near to God and the sincere ones bear testimony, that this Wronged One protected those souls through the hosts of exhortations, counsels, wisdom and utterance. However, due to the lack of mention of this supreme favor, it remained concealed, and its concealment is preferable with God to its disclosure. They are innocent of what I do, and I am innocent of what they do. However, We counsel all the friends to patience and forbearance. All must fix their gaze upon the Most Exalted Horizon. Commit all affairs to God, exalted be His glory. Blessed are they who put their trust in God, who have relied in all matters upon God, the Lord of the Day of Resurrection.

Know thou with clear certainty that these great oppressions prepare the way for supreme justice. The tyranny of Pharaoh prepared the way for the justice of Moses, and the hand of power brought forth from his house that which he strove with all his might to avoid and whose removal he sought. The power of God is above their power, and the Cause of God is above their commands, and the Will of God is above their wills.

Thy letter which thou didst send with Ism-i-Jud was presented before the Wronged One, and whatsoever was mentioned therein was heard. Thou didst seek martyrdom and hast asked about its station from God, exalted be His glory, both before and after. The Most Exalted Pen beareth witness to thy martyrdom. Be grateful to thy Lord for this manifest grace.

The Supreme Pen testified to the martyrdom of the King of Martyrs before his physical martyrdom, uttering these sublime words:

“Verily the martyr walketh and speaketh and serveth the Cause of his Lord.”

Several years before his ascension, his name was recorded by the Supreme Pen in the register of martyrs. Today, your service and support of the Most Great Cause surpasseth any other deed. Glory be to God! The blind of the world are deprived of sight, and the deaf are forbidden to hear.

O thou who speaketh in My name and uttereth My praise! The sheep of God are surrounded by wolves, having had and having no guardian or protector save God. Your honor must act with the utmost wisdom and hold fast to that which is needful in this day. First, in towns and cities where the fire of sedition is ablaze, it is not permissible to turn in that direction. Justice and fairness in Iran have become like the phoenix. For a time His Majesty the King had endeavored to protect the sheep of God. In any case, they have had and continue to have superiority over other servants. His kindness, mercy and favor have had and have no comparison to others. From the land of Sad they have mentioned and sent forth calumnies. We do not wish to reveal that which is concealed behind the pavilion of knowledge.

Second, regarding those friends who are observed to be distressed and fearful in adversity and hardship, no blame resteth upon such souls. How is the state of a bird that beholdeth an eagle, and the condition of a sheep that seeth wolves on all sides? The utmost kindness must be shown to such souls, and even if they commit a wrong deed or utter an unseemly word, one must hold fast to gracious patience and take refuge in the greatest concealment, which is one of the fruits of God’s Name, the Concealer. For if someone’s oversight is mentioned, it would cause grief and embarrassment to that helpless one, and this is not beloved before God. The condition of this Wronged One is known to all, and His purpose is clear, and never hath He considered, nor doth He consider, the preservation of His own self.

In the Tablet to the King, these exalted words were revealed from the Supreme Pen, the meaning of which in Persian is this: This Wronged One is seated beneath a sword suspended by a thread or a hair; it is not known whether it will fall now, or in another hour, or another day. Many times We were imprisoned, and like captives We were paraded through streets and bazaars, and all that befell Us and We bore was for the purpose that all the peoples of the world might be sanctified from rancor and hatred and be illumined with the light of love, fellowship and unity.

In any case, in these days it is not permissible to turn towards the lands of Shin and Sad. The accepted souls—the three and the fourth, upon them be the glory of God—have both friends and enemies. The satans of the earth and its wolves have been and are lying in wait. Therefore, your honor’s entry into that land is not advisable. In the land of Sad, someone from that land must now arise to serve and hold fast to wisdom, illumining hearts and minds with the light of utterance. We beseech God to raise up therein one who will remember Me and aid Me, whom oppression will not deter from justice, nor clamor from steadfastness in the Cause of God, the Lord of the Mighty Throne. In these days it is not permissible to mention the names of the friends at the head of holy Tablets. However, without names, Tablets have been sent written by the two Branches and the servant, and the number of ha by the Greater Branch. We have commanded Jud to mention the details of the bestowal of Tablets.

Mention hath been made of Jinab-i-Mirza Mihdi Khan, upon him be the Glory of God. He verily witnesseth and seeth, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing. Let them be confident in God’s grace and assured of His bounty. Praise be to God, from the earliest days they drank from the Kawthar of utterance and received a great portion from the sealed wine. We send greetings and salutations to him and the loved ones of that land, and We give them the glad-tidings of the effulgences of the Sun of Truth. In these days their mention hath again been revealed from the Most Exalted Pen. Should We wish, We would send it as a token of Our grace, for thy Lord is verily the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous. Make mention of all the loved ones in those regions on behalf of the Wronged One. Say: Be not grieved by the oppression of the oppressors. We beseech God, blessed and exalted be He, to make known unto you the stations of those who turned towards Him and responded when the Call was raised between earth and heaven, and who drank the wine of steadfastness from this Cup which glorieth over the seas.

O Haydar-ʿAli, upon thee be My glory! Say:

My God, my God! With Thee are the treasuries of sight and hearing. I beseech Thee by Thine eye that sleepeth not, and by Thy Name through which Thou didst subdue all created things, and by the ocean of Thy verses and the kingdom of Thine utterance, that Thou deprive not Thy servants of beholding and hearkening. Thou art, verily, the Lord of all men. There is none other God but Thee, the All-Bountiful, the All-Seeing. O my God! Send Thy blessings upon Thy chosen ones and Thy trusted ones, whom the swords of the world could not frighten, nor could the veils of those who denied the Day of Judgment prevent. Verily, Thou art the Almighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

BH00767: Praise befitteth the Lord of existence and the Sovereign…

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

Praise befitteth the Lord of existence and the Sovereign of the seen and unseen, Who, through a single effulgence from the Day-Star of His Name, the Self-Subsisting, hath made manifest the mysteries of the blessed words “And when the trumpet is blown a second time, at once they will be standing and looking on.” Great indeed is this Day, and greater still are its requirements.

O Nasr, upon thee be the Glory of God, Lord of destiny! Today the secrets of hearts and the treachery of eyes are visible before all faces. Beseech the True One that He deprive not His servants of the outpourings of the Lord of creation on the Day of Return. Man’s life in this world is like a breeze that enters through one door and exits through another. Today the friends of the Desired One of all worlds, who have drunk from the ocean of knowledge and are gazing toward the horizon of the All-Merciful, must, with utmost love, spirit, fragrance, wisdom and utterance, awaken the heedless and rouse the slumbering ones.

Say: O friends! Today is the dawn of the Day of Justice. Strive that ye may become manifestations, daysprings and dawning-places of goodly deeds and spiritual, praiseworthy characteristics. In these days man is able to acquire that which ensures eternal permanence and everlasting life.

His honor Asad, upon him be My glory, presented himself with thy letter. Praise be to God, the fragrance of service and steadfastness emanated therefrom. Today one must hold fast unto any matter from which wafteth the fragrance of justice, equity and goodness, purely for the sake of God, Lord of existence and Commander on the Promised Day. This binding command hath ever been revealed from the Wise, the All-Knowing Commander, as witnessed by the divine Books. He hath commanded all to righteousness and piety, and forbidden transgression and wickedness. Blessed is the city that the vicissitudes of time have not prevented from the light of religion, trustworthiness and chastity. These blessed words have shone forth like the Most Great Luminary from the horizon of divine Tablets. Blessed is he who hath recognized and acted accordingly, and woe unto the heedless ones.

O Nasr! Thou knowest that outwardly the utmost kindness was shown to one who was present at the Sacred Threshold, yet that faithless one, consumed by the fire of greed and passion, melted down the trust and dealt a mighty blow to justice and fairness. He committed that which had no equal. His treachery was ever manifest and evident, yet the Name “the Concealer” veiled it until at last, through the temptation of God’s enemy, he rent asunder the veil. Now in the City of Divine Justice lamentations are raised, for the harm of his deeds hath affected the Very Tree. The Afnan assisted him, and the friends’ commercial dealings were referred to him from every direction. Nevertheless, he preferred greed to contentment, and likewise oppression to justice.

I swear by the Sun of Truth which hath shone forth from the heaven of will—not a single dinar from those two treasuries rightfully belonged to him. We confirmed this matter for his benefit—namely his trading at the Sacred Threshold—and likewise for the manifestation of the light of trustworthiness among the people. Yet that unjust one occupied himself with falsehood and betrayal day and night, until finally with the hands of greed and avarice he kindled a fire that consumed the vitals of trustworthiness, religion, truthfulness and sincerity. Glory be to God! In the station of faithfulness appeared faithlessness, and in the station of trustworthiness appeared treachery. We beseech God to aid him to return and repent. He, verily, is the Ever-Forgiving, the Pardoning, the Generous. Treachery, greed and oppression have reached such a state that their eradication is impossible save through the Will of God, the Lord of the Throne and of the dust, the Master of the Last and the First.

That which thou didst mention regarding the consultative assembly and its members hath been accepted. The loved ones of God must at all times occupy themselves with that which conduceth to the refinement of souls, the elevation of beings, and the exaltation of the Word of God. Its appearance dependeth upon the consultation of the trustees of the House of Justice. Blessed are they who have arisen to serve the world. The effects of such souls shall lead the world from hardship to comfort, from poverty to wealth, and from abasement to glory. We beseech God to assist them in righteousness and piety, and to open before their faces the doors of grace, mercy, blessing and abundance. Verily, He doeth what He willeth, and in His grasp are the reins of all things. He doeth and judgeth, and He is the Ordainer, the Ancient of Days, the All-Knowing Ruler.

Praise be to God that his honor Muhammad-Quli hath been enabled to serve mankind. God willing, the very intention shall prove penetrating and effective, and universal fruits shall appear therefrom. All must at all times fix their gaze upon this exalted word: “O people of Baha! Aid ye the Lord through deeds and character!” The influence of deeds is more potent than the influence of words. Goodly deeds and spiritual qualities are each a herald of truth amongst the servants. The triumph of God’s Cause dependeth upon these hosts. Perchance souls may arise for the sake of God and deliver the servants from the oppression of the ravenous ones of the earth, that corruption may be transformed into reformation, war into peace, and discord into concord. Say: “My God, my God! Adorn Thy servants with the ornament of Thy attributes and qualities, that there may appear that which Thou hast purposed for them through Thy bounty and generosity.”

O Nasr! By the life of God, this Wronged One, though in the dragon’s mouth, calleth all unto the horizon of the All-Merciful. Say:

“Hold fast, O people, to the hem of piety, for verily it delivereth the servants and draweth them nigh unto God, the Lord of creation.”

The loved ones of God in those regions must assist the aforementioned soul to the extent possible. Every deed that appeareth today is recorded as the most excellent of deeds by the Most Exalted Pen. Blessed are they that act!

Thou didst mention his honor Mirza Muhammad, upon him be My Glory. Praise be to God, he is confirmed in remembrance and glorification and in that which causeth the love of God to be diffused throughout all regions. We beseech the Most High to assist him and confirm him in the Greater Steadfastness. The corrupt ones of the Threshold are occupied with spreading false and slanderous reports. Glory be to God! Every person of insight is astonished that one whose treachery is evident as the sun still claimeth religiosity and trustworthiness. Now the property of a number of the companions is suffering and afflicted in the grip of the treacherous one’s betrayal. O Nasru’llah! In the land of exile, in prison, there hath befallen this Wronged One that which the pen and ink are powerless to recount. Convey My greetings to the loved ones of that land and give them the glad-tidings of the favors of God, glorified be His majesty. Each is illumined by the lights of the Sun of Grace. We have refrained from mentioning names due to wisdom’s requirements; however, the companions of the Crimson Ark are present before the Face and standing at the Door. Blessed are they! Likewise, gladden the handmaidens of that land with special favors. Say:

O my God, my God! Praise be unto Thee for having manifested unto Thy servants the billowing oceans of Thy utterance and the effulgent rays of Thy Revelation. I beseech Thee, O Sovereign of existence, by Thy mighty cord and Thy perspicuous utterance, and by Thy Most Exalted Word wherewith Thou didst once again quicken such of Thy servants as have drawn nigh unto Thee, to assist Thy loved ones and Thy chosen ones to attain unto such steadfastness as shall not be shaken by the doubts of the nations, nor by the clamor of the croakers, nor by the onslaught of those who have denied the Day of Judgment. O Lord! Aid them through the wisdom Thou hast sent down in Thy Books, Thy Scrolls, and Thy Tablets. Then send down upon them from the heaven of Thy mercy the rains of bounty and bestowal, and ordain for them that which shall draw them nigh unto the court of Thy glory and the carpet of Thy fellowship. Verily, Thou art the Omnipotent, the Almighty. There is none other God but Thee, the Single, the One, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

BH00764: O Ism-i-Sin! God calleth thee from this manifest station…

He is the Blessed and Exalted!

O Ism-i-Sin! God calleth thee from this manifest station. Verily, there is none other God but Him, the Powerful, the Most High, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. That which thou didst send to Ism-i-Jud hath come before Our presence, and the servant standing before the Throne hath read it. Verily thy Lord is the All-Hearing. We have heard and answered thee, even as We answered thee before. Verily thy Lord is the All-Bountiful. Grieve not over separation, for He remembereth thee through His Name, the Near One. Hold fast to the cord of teaching with wisdom and utterance, that haply the people of creation might turn unto the countenance of their Lord, the All-Knowing. Blessed is he who hath adorned himself with this robe and followed the command of his Lord. Verily thy Lord is the All-Wise. We make mention of thee and thy brother. Blessed be he and thou, and whoso hath attained unto the recognition of God in this wondrous Day.

We make mention of Kaf and Dal who have believed in God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. Say: Hearken unto the call from the tongue of the Wronged One from this known quarter. Verily, there is none other God but Him, the Mighty, the Beloved. Say: Hold fast to the cord of [My love] and cling to the hem of My Name, the All-Loving. Abandon all else but Me and soar in My atmosphere, then drink what hath been ordained in the kingdom of My favors and the dominion of My providence. Verily thy Lord is the All-Compassionate. We have made mention of thee in numerous tablets. Arise to remember thy Lord in such wise that hearts may be attracted thereby. By the life of God! Shouldst thou inhale the fragrances of thy Lord’s verses, thou wouldst forsake all who are on earth and arise to make mention of this Prisoner.

O My Most Exalted Pen! Make mention of him who hath spoken in remembrance of thee and become renowned for thy praise, that he may rejoice in thy bounty which hath encompassed the horizons. O Ashraf! The servant in attendance hath recited what thou didst compose in remembrance of God, the Lord of all mankind. Well is it with thee, then blessed art thou for having occupied thyself with that which hath brought joy to the Concourse on High and those who circle round the Throne at eventide and at dawn. We make mention of thee even as We mentioned thee before, whereunto testifieth that which hath flowed from My [swift-moving] Pen. Beseech God to make thee steadfast in this Most Great Cause and eloquent in that which shall endure throughout the ages. Make mention of thy Lord amongst the people, that perchance they may abandon what they possess and take hold of that which hath come unto them from God, the Lord of all beings. Glory be upon thee and upon that which hath proceeded from thee in praise of thy Lord, the All-Bestowing.

O Ism-i-Jud! Hearken to the call of the Desired One Who maketh mention of thee from this praiseworthy station. The servant who is present hath laid before Us that which thou didst send to Ism-i-Jud who hath migrated with God, the Lord of what was and what shall be. We make mention of thee and thy son and those who are with thee, that ye may give thanks unto God, the Lord of the seen and unseen.

O Javad! Make thyself ready to hearken unto the verses of thy Lord, then hear what the Lord of creation calleth unto thee from this forbidden station. Verily, the Hidden Mystery speaketh with My tongue and hath not been made manifest except through My Revelation, which is established upon the throne in this Most Great Prison and proclaimeth:

“There is none other God but I, the True One, the Knower of things unseen.”

Say: O loved ones of the All-Merciful in the realm of possibility! Turn with illumined hearts toward the White Spot, this station wherefrom the Dayspring of Glory proclaimeth: “There is none other God but I, the Mighty, the Witnessed.” Hold fast unto the cord of My remembrance and abandon all else—those who have cast the path of God behind their backs and followed every vain imagination. Rejoice in what hath been mentioned by the tongue of thy Lord, then make mention of My loved ones through these words whereby the graves have been quickened. Say: Despair not of the mercy of your Lord. Rejoice in the choice wine of My beloved remembrance.

Say: O My loved ones! Hold fast unto the cord of unity. By the life of God! Through it shall the Cause of God be exalted and His sovereignty be made manifest among all who witness and are witnessed. Say: Divide not the Word of God. Gather ye together around that which I have commanded you in My perspicuous Tablet. Act according to that which the All-Merciful hath sent down in His Most Holy, Sacred and Blessed Book.

O Pen! Make mention of him who hath been named Diya in the Kingdom of Names. Say: Rejoice in this most great favor and cling to this exalted station. By the life of God! This is the Day of remembrance and praise. Leave all else and speak forth this wondrous remembrance. Say: O people of the graves! By God! The trumpet hath been sounded and the mountains have passed away and the heaven hath come with a manifest command. Arise and turn with shining faces toward the Supreme Horizon. Beware lest the world hold you back from this mighty favor. No day like this day shall come unto you, nor any remembrance like this wise remembrance. God shall soon make manifest that which hath appeared from His loved ones and shall exalt them in truth as a grace from His presence. He, verily, is the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

Say: Ye were created for My remembrance and praise. To this doth the Tongue of My grandeur bear witness in the pavilion of My glory and the tabernacle of My mighty Command. Act in such wise as would gladden the Concourse on High, not in that which would delight the people of the world. By My life! It shall perish, while there shall endure for you in My Kingdom that which the pens are powerless to describe. Say: Thus doth the Wronged One make mention of you, though sorrows encompass Him. He, verily, is the Expositor, the All-Knowing.

O friends! Beseech God, glorified and exalted be He, that He may enable all to succeed in matters that will perpetuate their remembrance. All must be like unto the morning star, radiant and resplendent from the horizons of the heaven of divine love. That which is possible to be manifested in these days cannot be manifested at any other time. Therefore, all must arise to compensate for what hath escaped them, for that which is lost today can never be retrieved. He verily speaketh the truth and guideth to the Way. Convey wondrous and sublime greetings to all the loved ones of God. Though not all names were mentioned, all are remembered before His Countenance, and those souls who have newly turned to the stream of divine knowledge are blessed with God’s favors. Blessed are they for having cast away all else and taken hold of this Name, whereby all souls were shaken except such as God hath willed. All friends must engage in teaching God’s Cause with perfect unity and harmony, and must in all conditions observe wisdom, lest that occur which may disturb the hearts.

We make mention of him whom God hath adorned with My servitude, he who is named ʿAbdu’l-Husayn. O servant! The servant who is present hath come and presented before the Countenance thy letter which thou didst send to Ism-i-Jud, and the Lord of creation maketh mention of thee in this perspicuous scroll. Rejoice in that thou hast been mentioned by My Most Exalted Pen, and in that the face of thy Lord hath turned toward thee from this distant station. Be thou of such character that the sincere ones may inhale from thee the fragrance of steadfastness in this mighty Cause. Blessed art thou for having attained unto the recognition of God and for having known the Beloved when every heedless doubter turned away. Thus have We mentioned thee that thou mayest rejoice and give thanks unto thy Lord, the Stranger.

O Pen! Make mention of the handmaidens who have remembered their Lord and turned toward God, the Lord of all worlds. O My handmaidens! Blessed are ye and blessed is every maidservant who hath believed in God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy. We make mention of every leaf who hath held fast to the Tree of the Cause and hath called upon her Lord, the Almighty, the Powerful. We have heard your call and have turned toward you from the direction of My mighty Throne. God counseleth His handmaidens with that which beseemeth His days and His Name, whereby the mightiest idol hath lamented and the back of every distant misbeliever hath been broken.

We make mention of her who hath turned toward God and hath attained the honor of visiting the House in this Most Great Prison. Verily her Lord, the Most Merciful, is the Munificent Giver. O My handmaiden! Thy letter was presented and what was contained therein was read before the Throne, and We have answered thee as a grace from Our presence, and We are the Answerer. Hold thou fast unto the cord of sanctity, then make mention of that which thou wast bidden before the Countenance. He, verily, is the Counselor, the All-Knowing. Glory be upon the people of Baha and upon those handmaidens who have believed in God, the All-Informed.