Volume 102: Akka 1873–1892 year unknown, Part II (1 of 2)

BH01367: O thou, My friend! By the life of God!…

He is the Most Holy, the Most Great!

O thou, My friend! By the life of God! The tale of sacrifice hath returned, together with that which lay hidden in the knowledge of God, the Lord of all worlds. The Bird of Fidelity hath winged its flight from the branch of this world unto the furthermost Lote-Tree, through that which the hands of the unjust have wrought. We bear witness that he abideth in a joy wherewith no joy in all creation can compare, while his loved ones are plunged in grief, mourning for him such that all things lament with them. Verily, thy Lord is He Who expoundeth all things, the All-Knowing.

By God! They have profited in their commerce, whilst the oppressors have suffered loss. Verily, they are indeed in manifest perdition. Hath My name, Husayn, suffered loss because he offered up his spirit in the path of God? Or rather they who wronged him, in that they followed every depraved and wayward soul? Oppression hath reached such a pass that the tongue is powerless to describe it, though behind it standeth One Who counteth all things and knoweth all things. They have kindled a fire whose blaze shall not be quenched throughout the world. Thus doth He in Whose presence is the knowledge of all things inform thee in a perspicuous Book.

O Khalil! Behold how plainly and manifestly the truth of the True One and the waywardness of falsehood have been revealed. All bear witness that from that Wronged One there hath proceeded the utmost love, compassion, and loving-kindness toward all peoples and kindreds, and that no act contrary thereto—that is, no act that might be the cause of sedition or the occasion of corruption—ever appeared from him. And how many were the destitute abroad whom, in days of dire distress, he did assist! To this every truthful soul beareth witness, and beyond them thy Lord, the All-Informed.

Should any soul reflect upon him and upon that which, through the bounties of his Lord, became manifest from him, he would, with the eye of certitude, perceive that in all that hath come to pass there was, and shall be, a mighty wisdom. The Most Great Sacrifice and the Supreme Immolation have been made manifest in this mighty Cause. In ʿIraq, when he attained the Divine Presence, such loving-kindness streamed forth concerning him from the Source of the Cause that certain souls, lost in the wilderness of idle fancy, gave utterance to words. Thereupon did the True One, by His consummate power, raise up that Lote-Tree unto a station whereof none is aware save His own Self, the All-Knowing; and for him He sent down blessing from His presence and mercy from His nearness. Verily, He is the All-Powerful, the Almighty.

Diverse letters from him reached the Throne, and in them he besought God, his Lord, the Sovereign of the world to come and of the world that now is, that He might ordain for him the Most Great Martyrdom. By thy life, O Khalil! Through his calamity all other calamities have been effaced. To this beareth witness thy Lord, the wronged and lonely One. We have sent down for him from the heaven of grace that which the kingdoms of earth and heaven can never equal. Ere long shall God cause that which he hath sown in the land of Bayan to spring forth. Verily, He is the Almighty, Whom neither the hosts of the world nor the ranks of the oppressors can hinder.

O Khalil! That divine Lote-Tree which the hand of the Sovereign Will hath planted in the blessed and goodly land hath ever been, and shall continue to be, watered by the blood of the sincere and the true believers in the divine unity. Soon shall the effect of the deeds of the oppressors appear and be made manifest in the earth. Did the oppressor imagine that God was heedless of that which he hath wrought? Nay, by His own Self, the Self that overshadoweth all worlds! By His own true Self! He shall bring to pass in the earth, openly and visibly, that which He hath revealed in the Book. To this beareth witness whoso hath been endowed with insight from God, the Lord of all worlds.

Peruse the Suriy-i-Ra’is and other Tablets. By the life of God, thy heart and the hearts of the true knowers shall rejoice at that which hath been revealed therein. Were He to so desire, He could seize all who dwell on earth with but a single word from Him; yet doth He manifest His Cause through the wisdom that lay hidden in His all-encompassing knowledge. By the Sun shining above the horizon of power! Had this world possessed any worth, the Ancient Beauty would not have dwelt for long years within the Most Great Prison. Man, so long as he remaineth in this world, is in truth ever in the agonies of death—save those empty and detached hearts that, through the divine eye, behold all things.

God willing, it behoveth thy honor, according to thy capacity, to cast the spirit of peace and assurance into illumined hearts, that tranquillity may overtake them after their agitation, and joy after their sorrow. Thus doth He Who remembereth thee in this exalted station command thee.

O Khalil! A mighty event hath been brought to pass in the world—though one greater than it hath already appeared, as thou thyself art witness and testifiest. Yet because for a long time the hand of power had preserved it, and thereafter this irrevocable decree was suddenly made manifest, it hath become the cause of lamentation, mourning, and trembling. But with thy Lord there is that which shall rejoice hearts after this grievous sorrow. Say: This is a martyrdom whose effects have gone forth throughout the world, and God shall ere long make it manifest in truth. Verily, He is powerful to do whatsoever He willeth.

The glory be upon thee, and upon those who have hearkened unto thy words in the Cause of God, the Lord of the Day of Judgment.

BH01037: O Nur! The Lord of Manifestation in the Mount…

He is God, exalted be His glory in wisdom and utterance!

O Nur! The Lord of Manifestation in the Mount of knowledge, which is the prison-abode of the Desire of all worlds, maketh mention of thee. The purpose is that the Divine Call may attract His people and confirm them in that which will cause the exaltation of the Word of God. Night and day We have made mention of the loved ones and commanded them to chastity, purity and trustworthiness. Some have become aware and have drunk the Kawthar of knowledge from the hand of the bounty of God, exalted be His glory, while others have denied and opened their mouths in ingratitude for God’s favor. They have done that which caused the sighs of those near unto God to ascend and the tears of the sincere ones to flow.

Glory be to God! The heedless servants are occupied with what they possess and are negligent and veiled from what is with God. The people of the Bayan have been seen to be the most oppressive of all peoples. Woe unto them and away with them! They have denied the verses of God after their revelation and have rejected His favor after its manifestation. Say: Fear ye God and invalidate not the Cause through what ye possess. Soon shall ye return and find yourselves in the lowest depths of the fire.

Thy letter which thou didst send to this servant was presented at the Most Holy Court and attained the honor of being heard. Blessed art thou, O Nur! Thou art he who hath attained unto My days and dwelt beneath My shadow. Behold, then remember when thou didst stand before the Countenance and didst attain unto the verses of God, the Lord of all worlds. Blessed art thou and thy father who believed in the Day wherein the limbs of all names trembled for fear of God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy. We testify that he hath attained unto the Most Exalted Station and the Most High Rank. We beseech God, exalted be He, to send down upon him at all times that which beseemeth the heaven of His mercy and the ocean of His bounty. Verily, He is the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous.

Mention was made in thy letter of several names, each of whom hath been honored with the verses of the Most Exalted Pen that they may give thanks unto their Lord, the Forgiving, the Generous. This is what hath been revealed for his honor Mirza Sadiq, upon him be the glory of God.

He is the Hearer, the Answerer

A mention from Us to him who hath attained unto the lights of the Countenance and believed in God, the One, the All-Informed. O Sadiq! We make mention of thee in truth and counsel thee with that whereby the Cause of God, the Lord of this wondrous Day, may be exalted. Say:

My God, my God! Thy most sweet call hath attracted me. I beseech Thee by Thy Most Great Signs and the breaths of Thy Revelation, O Lord of all beings, to assist me in that which beseemeth Thy days, then cause me in all circumstances to hold fast unto Thee and unto Thy verses. Verily Thou art the Powerful over what Thou willest. There is none other God but Thee, the Mighty, the Powerful.

And We make mention of him who is named Muhammad, who hath turned unto God, the Mighty, the Wise. O Muhammad! Hold fast unto divine wisdom and cling unto His grace. Each day the Herald of Glory hath given and giveth tidings unto the servants, and that which is acceptable and beloved today is the teaching of God’s Cause. Blessed is he who hath, with spirit and joy, guided the people of the world to the Purpose of the worlds.

And We make mention of Javad who hath attained unto the Most Exalted Horizon, and We counsel him with that which beseemeth the days of God, the Lord of all worlds. And We make mention of him who is named Muhammad-Baqir and give him glad tidings of God’s tender mercy, his Lord. We have made mention of them in numerous Tablets, one letter of which cannot be equaled by all the treasures of the earth. To this testifieth every discerning knower.

And We make mention of him who is named Muhammad-Isma’il that he may rejoice in the remembrance of his Lord and be of the thankful ones.

O Abdu’r-Rahim! Hearken unto the call from the direction of Akka. Verily, He hath made mention of thee in that whereby the hearts of the Concourse on High were attracted and the eyes of those near unto God were solaced.

O Mahmud! The Wronged One is in the Most Great Prison, remembering His loved ones with a fragrance that will never cease to endure throughout the Kingdom of God, the Mighty, the Praised.

We make mention of him who was named Muhammad-ʿAli and counsel him to manifest great steadfastness in this Cause which hath made the limbs of all names to quake. Thus hath the Tongue of Grandeur spoken, while established upon the throne of utterance in this exalted station.

O ʿAbdu’l-Karim! The Countenance of the Ancient One hath turned toward thee, counselling thee to be trustworthy and religious, and to that whereby the Cause of God, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed, may be exalted.

We make mention of Muhammad-Husayn with a remembrance by which hearts and souls are attracted. We beseech God to make thee steadfast and firm in this Most Great Cause and this Mighty Announcement.

O ʿAbdu’llah! Blessed is the ear that hath heard My call, and the eye that hath beheld the traces of My Pen, and the face that hath turned toward the lights of My luminous countenance.

O Darvish-ʿAli! Thy name was present before the Wronged One. The Countenance of the Ancient One hath turned toward thee from the direction of His Most Great Prison, remembering thee with a remembrance wherewith the books of the world have been adorned. Blessed is he who hath witnessed and recognized, and woe unto the heedless.

We make mention at this time of him who was named ʿAbdu’l-Karim, and We cast upon him from the verses of his Lord that he may be among those who are firm in this Cause whereby feet have slipped and the hearts of the doubters have been troubled.

O Ghulam-Rida! The Lord of Names maketh mention of thee at this time, and of all the friends, and counselleth all to that which will exalt the Word of God amongst His creatures. O people of God! In Our Tablets We have commanded all to unity and harmony, for harmony hath ever been and remains the cause of the exaltation of the Word. The triumph of the Cause cometh through the hosts of goodly deeds and character, and through the fear of God, the Lord of all worlds. O people of Baha! Hold fast unto that which hath flowed from the Most Exalted Pen. God willing, through the grace of the True One, exalted be His glory, all shall be and have been assisted in that which is His good-pleasure.

O Nur! Convey greetings from the tongue of the Wronged One to all the kindred. Give them the glad-tidings of My loving-kindness and remind them of My verses. The kindred of the Name of Kamal have always been and are before Our sight, both before and after his ascension. After his ascension there was revealed from the Most Exalted Pen, specifically for him, that which hath no likeness or parallel. Verily, We purified him at the time of his ascension and forgave him as a bounty from Our presence, and drew him nigh unto Us and caused him to enter the Most Exalted Paradise as a mercy from Our presence. Verily thy Lord is the All-Merciful, the Most Compassionate. All praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

BH01365: O My namesake! The letters from the Afnan…

In the name of the one true God

O My namesake! The letters from the Afnan which ye have forwarded were received. This servant perused them all and made mention thereof. Praise be to God, they have attained through His grace and are gathered beneath the shadow of the Divine Lote-Tree. Mention was also made of Jinab-i-Muballigh, of Jinab Mirza Aqa, and of the other Afnan—upon them be My glory. God willing, they shall be confirmed in remembrance, in praise, and in service to the Cause.

As to what Jinab Afnan-i-Nabil—upon him be My glory—had previously written concerning the matter of Jinab Mulla Rajab—upon him be the glory of God—it was accepted. Let half the revenues of that land be distributed among the poor of that same land. Yet let them strive that all the people be occupied with some craft or undertaking; for from the heaven of divine bounty there descendeth a blessing from Him. He, verily, is the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous. Let them cling firmly to this injunction. Other modes of apportionment, such as had obtained aforetime, have not been, nor are they now, worthy of the station of man. We desire to behold Our loved ones engaged in work, not waiting in idleness. The Most Exalted Pen hath enjoined upon all that whereby their honour, their station, and their rank may be exalted. Ere long that which hath shone forth from the ocean of the Divine Will shall be witnessed upon earth. The command is in His grasp: He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He pleaseth, and He is the Ordainer, the All-Wise.

There is a prescribed ruling for the Huququ’llah. After the House of Justice hath come into being, the law thereof will be made manifest, in conformity with the Will of God.

Thou hadst mentioned Jinab A. and S. of the land of Sad. God grant that they may attain unto the Most Great Steadfastness, and that they may deal with the family of Sultanu’sh-Shuhada with the utmost love. Their service before God is that which hath been set forth. Well is it with them that give ear. A Tablet hath been revealed especially for them and will be sent. As to Jinab Mirza Sadiq, God willing, he shall be confirmed in that which God loveth. Some time ago the mention of them all flowed from the Most Exalted Pen, and hereafter also, if God so willeth, they shall attain thereto. Blessed is he who maketh mention of Sad and of that which hath befallen therein.

Sorrows and calamities have compassed the world about, and assuredly that which hath been spoken shall come to pass. Consider ʿUbaydu’llah the Second: verily he is one of the evil deeds of the Wolf and of the Viper. How many lands and souls were consumed and laid waste by the flame of the fire of his self! If the servants attain not unto repentance and return, they shall behold that which no eye hath seen. The end belongeth to the God-fearing.

And that which was set forth by the wish of Jinab Afnan Sayyid Qabl-Mim—upon him be My glory—was accepted. Blessed is he! The True One beareth witness that in what they have spoken they are sincere, and that their deed hath been, and still is, for God. The divine Tablet which in former years was revealed and sent especially for them standeth as witness and testimony unto this. Verily, He is the Witness, the All-Informed. Yet must they perform, with utmost joy and gladness, whatsoever appeareth from the Dayspring of the Cause, that they may be reckoned among those souls who have drunk from the ocean of Divine good-pleasure. By the life of God! this station is exceedingly exalted. Even as the Point of the Bayan hath declared, all must strive to attain unto the word of contentment.

Their request was accepted: let it remain in their own possession, and let them engage in trade. Whatever profit is realized, let one half thereof be for their own use, and let the other half be expended according to whatsoever command shall be issued. In truth, We have accepted this sum; and the sign of its acceptance is this: that one hundred tumans thereof should be sent to two places. One half should be sent to Alexandria, unto Jinab Aqa Muhammad, and be set apart for the orphans of Aqa ʿAli Qarabaghi—upon him be My glory—who, in Egypt, ascended unto the highest companionship. The other half should be delivered in the land of Kaf unto Umm-i-Haram, for debts have been incurred; and regarding the remainder, let them act according to that which hath been mentioned.

And as for the matter of Jinab Mirza Muhammad, one of the Afnan—upon him be My glory—the decree hath gone forth, and bounty hath reached its utmost, through the munificence of his Lord, the Bestowing, the Generous.

O Mahdi! These pure deeds—their effects penetrate and pervade the earth, even as the deeds of corrupt souls are the cause and occasion of the world’s afflictions and disasters. Likewise, these holy and sincere acts, which are manifested for the sake of God, have been and shall continue to be the cause of life and the source of beneficent outpourings. Unto all the Afnan We convey Our glorification and bear unto them glad tidings. God willing, they have been and shall remain assisted and confirmed. It behoveth them to render thanks unto God in the nights and in the days, inasmuch as He hath aided them through His grace, made known unto them His path, caused them to speak His praise, enabled them to witness that from which the eyes of most men were withheld, and made them to hear that whereunto none in all the lands hath attained save whomsoever God, the Lord of the Day of Judgement, hath willed.

The glory from Us rest upon them.

BH11708: Meet and befitting is the praise of the Most…

Meet and befitting is the praise of the Most Great Name, inasmuch as by His most exalted Word He hath illumined the people of the realm of dust with the light that distinguisheth truth from falsehood, and hath encompassed the Sovereign of existence, both the unseen and the seen. The sealed wine is made present, the Kawthar is manifest, the Salsabil is flowing before all; and blessed is he who hath turned thereunto, who hath taken and drunk thereof, in His Name—the All-Protecting, the Self-Subsisting.

Glorified art Thou, O God of earth and heaven! I beseech Thee by Thy Most Great, Most Exalted, Most Noble, Most Mighty, Most High, Most Splendid Name, to confirm Thine loved ones and Thy chosen ones in that whereby Thy Cause may be exalted among men and Thy wisdom made manifest throughout the lands. Verily Thou art the Possessor of creation, the Speaker at the beginning and at the end.

A gracious letter, fragrant and embodied with generosity, was received—one that bore witness to steadfastness, attraction, and love. After it was read and its meaning apprehended, the intention was formed to attain the presence of the Possessor of creation. The entire letter was submitted, and, by permission, acceptance was attained.

He—exalted be His utterance and mighty His proof—hath said:

“He is the Counsellor, the All-Knowing. O Mihdi! Upon thee be My glory and My care. The noble Iqbal—upon him be the glory of God, His care and His grace—hath been remembered repeatedly before the heaven of the loved ones of that land. Praise be to God! All have, through supreme favor and the remembrance of the Lord of mankind, attained success.”

At this moment the sacred Branch of the Blessed Lote-Tree was admitted into the Presence, and mention was made of thee. We beseech God, the Lord of the Mighty Throne and the Exalted Seat, to confirm thee in the service of His Cause, and to raise thee up by His Name among His servants. Verily He is powerful over all things. Glory be upon thee, and upon thy father and mother, thy sisters and brothers, and upon those whose kinship God hath ordained with thee. Verily He is the Mighty, the Generous.

Convey abundant greetings unto all. O Mihdi! The friends of God in that land have ever been remembered and are still remembered. Hold thou fast unto the means whereby the servants are drawn nigh. Blessed is he who doeth that which he is commanded in the manifest Book.

All grace is God’s; all bounty is God’s. He loveth His loved ones and remembered them aforetime with verses whereby hearts were drawn and mountains took flight. This Prisoner, in all conditions, beseecheth God—exalted be His glory—to preserve His loved ones. Ask thou, therefore, of the All-Generous that which is sanctified, ordained, and exalted, even that which transcendeth all understanding. Verily He is the Hearer, the Answerer, the Most Bountiful, the All-Bestowing, the Compassionate, the Forgiving, the Merciful.

Mention hath been made of Jinabi Muhammad-Quli and of Mashhadi ʿAli—upon them be the glory of God. After their names were submitted at the Most Holy Court, the radiant light of assurance shone forth upon the horizon of the heaven of the Will of God, our Lord and the Lord of the mighty Throne.

He—glorified be His Word and exalted His signs—hath said:

“O Mashhadi Muhammad-Quli! Thou hast been remembered before My presence and before the most noble Branches. We have remembered thee with verses whereat all who dwell in the heavens and on the earth were thunderstruck, save such as held fast unto My firm Cord and clung unto My shining hem. Blessed art thou for having mentioned Me before the Wronged One, through that which preserveth true knowledge by the everlasting endurance of My Name, the All-Protecting, over the former and the latter. And let Mashhadi ʿAli be likewise remembered, that he may render thanks unto God, his Lord, and be of the victorious.”

Hearken unto the Call! It hath been raised from the Pole of the world: there is no God but Him, the One, the All-Knowing. We bear witness and give glad tidings unto thee and unto Our loved ones of that which hath been ordained for them by My Most Exalted Pen in My mighty, wondrous Book.

In truth, this is a bounty greater and mightier than all else, that the remembrance of God should conclude in serenity and assurance, until hearing, sight, insight, and justice all bear witness unto favors beyond all reckoning. Blessed is he who hath attained unto His remembrance in His days; such a one is numbered among the near ones in the sight of God, our Lord and the Lord of the Exalted Seat.

The letter of Jinab-i-Dust-Karam Haydar-ʿAli—upon him be the glory of God—hath been received and its veil removed. It is hoped that by the splendors of these manifest signs the worlds of hearts and souls may be illumined. Verily our Lord is the All-Bountiful, the Generous.

This Prisoner conveyeth greetings and magnification unto all the loved ones, and is ever engaged in the remembrance of the Lord and in invoking His sanctifying mercy. Remembrance, glory, magnification, and praise be upon thee and upon the friends of God in all regions. Praise be to God, the Possessor of gifts and bounties.

BH01446: O friends of God and His party! Today…

He is God, exalted is He in justice and bounty!

O friends of God and His party! Today the light of justice has become veiled, nay obliterated, by the oppression of the world’s oppressor, for grievous blows from the wicked ones have been inflicted upon His blessed body. In the land of Ya, clamor has been raised; pure and assured souls have been seized out of sheer wickedness and for the taking of money, bound with ropes in utmost humiliation, and the masses struck them with chains, stones and clubs, and brought them before the exalted deputies—the dawning-places of tyranny and vice, the daysprings of self and passion. After seizing whatever possessions they had, they martyred them with the most grievous torment.

The Pharaoh of the age said to one of those blessed souls, “Come, recant.” In reply he said: “For forty years I have awaited this day, and praise be to God, today I have attained unto it.” Another, while passing before the faces of the oppressors, uttered these exalted words: “O people! The Lord of the Martyrs said Is there any who will help me?’ and this servant says Is there any who will behold me?”’ His purpose was that that oppressed one yearned for the draught of martyrdom rather than awaiting a helper. At these blessed words, the tears of the denizens of Paradise descended and the sighs of the people of Paradise ascended.

Glory be to God! In these days two mighty things have appeared: from the right, the banquet of the friends, and from the left, the battle of the wicked ones. The Wronged One of the world would recite one verse befitting the pavilion of the feast, and reveal another verse in remembrance of the martyrs. And in these days the greatest glad-tidings was mentioned in the Most Great Scene, and that was the ascension of one of the friends to the Supreme Companion and the Most Glorious Horizon. Exalted be His grace that hath encompassed the world and all peoples, and exalted be His utterance whereby the Concourse on High and the dwellers of the seat of the throne have been enraptured.

He who was named Abdu’llah in the Book of Names—we testify that he turned to the Lord of mankind in the earliest days when most in the land turned away, and we testify that he acknowledged what the Tongue of Grandeur spoke in the prison of Akka and before it, and recognized God, His sovereignty, His Manifestation, and His power amidst His world and His creation. He it is who endured hardships and tribulations out of love for God, the Lord of Names, and there befell him at the hands of the enemies that which caused the people of the pavilion of purity and chastity in the Most Exalted Paradise to weep.

We beseech God, blessed and exalted be He, to send down upon him in every moment mercy from His presence and loving-kindness from His own Self. Verily He is the Mighty, the Bestower. And we beseech Him, exalted be He, to establish his station in the shade of the Divine Lote-Tree and give him to drink of the Kawthar of immortality from the hands of grace and bounty. Verily He is the Powerful over what He willeth. There is no God but He, the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous, the Forgiver, the Mighty, the Bestower.

The Wronged One testifieth that at his mention the ocean of forgiveness surged and the fragrance of his Lord’s loving-kindness was diffused, and the Herald called out from the Kingdom of Utterance:

“O people of the earth! Hear, then know that through his ascension and rising, the lips of the Concourse on High and the people of the pavilion of glory in the Most Exalted Paradise have smiled.”

Blessed is he who remembereth him with what hath been revealed from My Most Exalted Pen in this Most Holy, Most Exalted, Most Glorious Station. We beseech God to comfort his sons, his family and his loved ones, and to adorn them with the ornament of patience and composure. Verily He is the Mighty, the Powerful, the Unconstrained.

We send greetings to the friends of that land and counsel them with that which will exalt their stations amongst the servants. O physician, upon thee be My salutation and My glory. We beseech God to aid thee in that which He loveth and is pleased with, and to assist thee in that which will draw thee nigh unto Him in all conditions. Praise be to God! Mention of you hath been and is before the Wronged One. We hope that henceforth thou wilt hold fast unto that which will cause the world of utterance to testify to the loftiness of thy station and thy exalted rank. His honor Mirza Zaynu’l-Abidin, upon him be the peace of God and His loving-kindness, must in all conditions fix his gaze upon the Truth.

Praise be to God! He hath spent all his days in the love of God and hath been occupied in offering praise unto Him. We beseech God to protect him and to open before his face the door of His loving-kindness. Verily, He is powerful over all things. All the friends are remembered in the presence of the Wronged One. For each one We ask that which is the cause of success and prosperity. The command is in the hand of God, the Lord of what was and what shall be. Verily, we are God’s, and to Him shall we return.

BH01576: Praise be sanctified above all expression and understanding, befitting…

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

Praise be sanctified above all expression and understanding, befitting the Most Holy, Most Exalted Presence of the Intended One, Who has made manifest the hidden mysteries within hearts and minds, and has confirmed the decree revealed by the All-Merciful in the Qur’an:

“Though 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. Verily God is subtle, informed of all things.”

The secrets of breasts and treacherous glances have been made so evident that none has any way to deny.

O Afnan, upon thee be My glory and loving-kindness! In days which, through the tyranny of the oppressors and the rejection of the followers of religions, were like the darkest night, this Wronged One arose before the faces of all to render assistance, such that the effulgences of the light of the Luminary of Revelation became manifest from every direction. None can deny this save he who is deprived of justice and fairness. Then emerged from behind the wine-jars the embodiments of tyranny with swords of hatred, and there appeared from them that which testified to their lies and to the calumnies of their own selves, whereat the Tablet lamented and My glorious, wondrous Pen cried out. One whom We had, from the beginning of days, granted a place beneath the pavilions of grandeur and appointed watchful eyes to protect, at last united with others like himself and issued decrees to oppress and seize people’s property. Each day some falsehood appears and some harm arrives. To whoever turns toward this spot they attribute something. They seized money through theft and brought it to Akka, and oppression reached such a point that they even attributed to Aqa Siyyid Ahmad that which befitted their own selves.

God is witness, and the atoms of creation bear testimony, that the Greater Afnan came to this land solely for seclusion, not trade. They have written concerning him that which proclaimed their own heedless, idolatrous selves. But glory be to Him—nothing among all things has prevented Him from what He desired, nor any grief from among griefs. He has spoken and continues to speak before all faces with a power that the hosts of the world cannot weaken and with a sovereignty that the ranks of nations cannot prevent. We beseech God to give all to drink from the Kawthar of His justice and bounty, to cause them to return unto Him, and to aid them to turn repentant to His gate. Verily He has power over all things.

To everyone the corruption of those souls has become evident and clear. Glorified be He Who has manifested what was in their breasts and hearts, and glorified be He Who has ascended the throne of utterance and given glad tidings to all of the appearance of their Lord, the All-Merciful. Verily He is the Almighty, the Glorious, the Bestower.

Your supplication arrived. Blessed be your tongue for having uttered that which has diffused the fragrance of God throughout all things, and blessed be your heart for having turned to Him on a day wherein appeared what had been hidden from all eyes. We beseech God, blessed and exalted be He, to raise you up through His sovereignty and draw you nigh through His verses, and through you to raise up the standards of His victory and the banners of His might, and to ordain for you what He has sent down in His Book for His chosen ones who were not prevented by the world and its ornaments and colors, who arose and said: “O concourse of earth and heaven! By God, He Who created them both has come with a Cause before which all in the kingdom of names cannot stand firm.” To this testifies the Most Great Book which speaks among the nations, and He chose imprisonment for Himself for the salvation of the world. Blessed is he who has turned, found, recognized and said: “Praise be to Thee, O Beloved of the world, and glory be to Thee, O Desired One of all in the heavens and earths.”

Convey greetings from the Wronged One to the loved ones of that land. Say: Hold fast to wisdom and occupy yourselves with teaching. Say: This is the Day of God—recognize its station and what has been ordained therein from the presence of a Mighty, Powerful One. The glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of My mercy be upon you and upon your family and upon those who love you and hear your word concerning this Most Great Announcement and this mighty Cause. Praise be to Him, for He is the Goal of those who know.

BH01667: O thou who gazeth upon the Countenance and standeth…

He is the One Who calleth before the faces of all peoples.

O thou who gazeth upon the Countenance and standeth before the Gate! Hearken unto that which hath been raised from the rustling of the Sadratu’l-Muntaha in the prison of ʿAkka. Verily it attracteth thee and draweth thee nigh unto God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. The mysteries have been revealed, yet most of the people understand not. The verses have been sent down, yet they hear not. We have manifested that which was hidden. Verily thy Lord is the Omnipotent over whatsoever He willeth through His word “Be” and it is.

O son of My Name! Upon thee be My glory and My loving-kindness. Thou hast ever been mentioned in the presence of the Countenance. We beseech God that He may aid thee in such deeds as are the cause of sanctification and the source of detachment. The Son of Mary said unto His companions that they should emigrate from any land for the sake of God and the exaltation of His Word, taking nothing with them from that land, not even its dust, meaning that neither their garments nor their limbs should be soiled with dust. Praise be to God, thou hast been favored with His special bounty and the gaze of His loving-kindness hath at all times been directed towards thee.

Say: My God, my God! Aid this Thy servant in that whereby Thy Cause may be exalted amongst Thy servants and Thy signs may be spread throughout Thy lands. O my Lord! Thou seest me clinging unto Thee and detached from all else beside Thee. I beseech Thee by the burning of the hearts of Thy lovers in their separation from Thee, and by the yearning of those who long for Thee in their remoteness from Thee, to aid me in that whereby the hearts of Thy creation may be attracted and the stations of Thy friends may be exalted. O my Lord! Thou art the Generous, possessed of great bounty. Ordain for me in all conditions that which will draw me nigh unto Thee. Verily Thou art the Self-Sufficient, the Most Exalted.

Glory be to God! Although the veils of idle fancies and vain imaginings have been rent asunder by the finger of divine Will, and the Pen of the Lord of all mankind hath been engaged day and night in counsels and admonitions, yet now it is observed that veils greater than before have withheld the people. Hadi of Dawlatabad, despite having mounted the pulpit and repeatedly uttered that which caused the hearts of them that are nigh unto God to melt, is now again occupied with nurturing the Shi’ih party. Not for a single moment did he turn with pure intention to the divine verses. Time and again did We mention him and summon him with kindly counsels and admonitions to the straight path of God, yet no effect was manifest.

It is incumbent, nay obligatory, upon that honored one and the other friends to protect the weak servants from the claws of his hatred, lest they be afflicted as were the previous party. Although these are the days of God, exalted be His glory, and ears should at all times be turned to the supreme horizon that they may hear that which appeareth from the Kingdom of Utterance of God, the Lord of all worlds, yet some are observed to be deprived of the Truth and clinging to vain imaginings through a name among names or a word among words of the barking ones.

Say: My God, my God! Protect Thy friend whom Thou hast mentioned in verses that are not equaled by the mention of the world, from the whisperings of them that have turned away from Thee. Verily Thou art the Omnipotent, the Mighty, the Unconstrained.

The letter of Jinab-i-Fa’iz, upon whom be the glory of God, His loving-kindness and His mercy, which thou didst send hath attained the Most Holy Court, and the answer hath been sent down from the heaven of favor. Let him rejoice and be of them that are thankful. Say: Grieve not over anything. Soon will God open before thy face the gate of joy and gladness. O son of My Name! Great favor hath been shown towards him. We have commanded him to that which is the cause of eternal life and everlasting sovereignty.

Say: My God, my God! Aid him in that which beseemeth Thy days, then assist him with the hosts of the unseen and the visible, then open before his face the doors of bounties and favors. Verily Thou art the Omnipotent over what Thou willest. There is none other God but Thee, the Mighty, the Great.

Convey greetings from the Wronged One to the friends of that land. The glory from Us be upon thee and upon him who heareth thy word concerning this Most Great News.

BH11606: The Most Exalted One, He is God, Exalted be…

The Most Exalted One, He is God, Exalted be His Glory in Wisdom and Utterance

O Ibn-i-Abhar! Upon thee be My peace, My loving-kindness and My mercy. The letter thou didst send through Badi’u’llah attained the honor of being heard at His presence. Praise be to God, it was adorned with the mention of God, the All-Glorious, the Most High, and was illumined with the lights of divine love. We beseech God to confirm thee in service to His Cause. Should thou turn, with wisdom and utterance, toward the land of Za, it would be acceptable in the sight of God, and from there to other lands. Verily thy Lord is the All-Explaining, the All-Knowing.

Likewise, the letter thou didst via Ism-i-Jud, upon him be My glory and loving-kindness, was mentioned before His presence. These days are the days of God. Thou must engage in teaching the Cause for the sake of God, that perchance the turning away of the servants may be transformed into acceptance, their unbelief into faith, and their misbelief into unity. The grace of God hath been and ever will be infinite. How strange that some souls, for the sake of the fleeting colors of this world and a life of but two days, have remained deprived of God’s eternal bounties and everlasting life. Beseech God that through the finger of the Hands of His Cause—that is, souls who are firm, steadfast, assured and well-pleasing—He may rend asunder the veils, dispel the clouds of glory, and remove the intervening barrier. He is the Powerful, the Mighty.

Thou didst mention Fakhru’d-Din, upon him be My glory. We make mention of him at this hour with the verses of God, the Lord of all worlds, and give him the glad-tidings of My grace and My mercy, for I am the Gracious Herald. O Fakhru’d-Din! He who loveth Me hath made mention of thee, and We make mention of thee in this perspicuous Book. Verily He loveth those who love Him and remembereth those who remember Him, as a mercy from His presence, for He is the All-Bountiful, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy. Cast aside what the people possess and take what thou hast been given from God, the Powerful, the Almighty. Beware lest what the servants possess should prevent thee from the Lord of creation, or the gloating of the transgressors sadden thee. Take hold of the Book with the strength from Us and the wisdom from Our presence. Verily thy Lord is the Commanding, the All-Knowing.

Say: My God, my God! Praise be to Thee for having enabled me to turn unto Thee and to face toward Thy horizon. I beseech Thee by the tabernacle of Thy glory and the pavilion of [Thy protection], and by Thy Cause through which Thou hast subdued Thy servants and Thy creation, to make me steadfast, firm and upright in Thy Cause. Then write down for me, O my God, by Thy Most Exalted Pen that which will draw me near unto Thee in all conditions. Verily Thou art the Self-Sufficient, the Most High.

O Ibn-i-Abhar! At this moment We make mention of thy mother who turned unto God, heard and believed in God, the Mighty, the Beautiful. We have previously made mention of her in such wise that its fragrance will never cease to endure throughout the eternity of My Best Names, and I am the Faithful Witness Who speaketh. Blessed is she and joy be unto her for having fulfilled her covenant and not having broken her pledge. Blessed is she and those who love her for the sake of God, the Mighty, the Great. Convey My greetings unto her face and remind her of that which hath been sent down from the heaven of bounty, and give her the glad-tidings of My mercy that hath preceded all who are in the heavens and on earth.

Thou didst mention the new believer. Make mention of her on behalf of this Wronged One and say: O My handmaiden! The world was created for the knowledge of God, glorified be His majesty. Yet when the Purpose was made manifest and the proof was perfected and the verses were revealed and the evidences were resplendent, all turned away and occupied themselves with denunciation and cursing. Praise be to God Who, through His grace, saved thee and guided thee. Thou hast attained unto that which hath no peer nor likeness. Give thou glad tidings unto My handmaidens of My grace and remembrance and mercy and bounty which have encompassed all existence both seen and unseen.

Convey on behalf of this Wronged One greetings to the uncle and his namesake. Their mention hath been made in the presence of this Prisoner and each hath attained unto the verses and favors of God. We beseech God to assist them and enable them to celebrate His praise and glorification and to serve His Cause, the Mighty, the Wondrous. The Glory be upon thee and upon those who have hearkened and responded, and upon those women who have believed in God, the One, the Peerless, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

BH02040: Jinab-i-Amin, upon him be the Glory of God, arrived…

He is God, exalted be His glory, the All-Wise, the All-Eloquent

Jinab-i-Amin, upon him be the Glory of God, arrived and brought a register containing the names of the people of God and His loved ones from the servant, upon him be the Glory of God. Among them was mentioned Afnan from the land of Sh and China and H and B, upon them be the Most Glorious Glory of God, as well as the friends of Sh and its dependencies, men and women, upon them be the Glory of God, and the loved ones of the land of T, upon them be the Glory of God, and the land of K and the land of A and B and the land of Q, and likewise the friends of Z and Baku, upon them be the Glory of God, and the loved ones of the Great City and S and M, upon them be the Glory of God.

And likewise was mentioned in that document Jinab-i-Haji Mirza Haydar-Ali and Haji Mirza Husayn, upon them both be the Most Glorious Glory of God, and Aqa Ali Haydar, upon him be the Glory of God, and mention was made of Jinab-i-Aqa Mirza Siyyid ʿAli and Aqa Mirza Muhammad-Baqir, upon them both be the Glory of God. And they desired that on behalf of the aforementioned souls they might repeatedly attain the presence and be honored with visitation.

Praise be to God that the people of God who dwell in the cities and lands of God, exalted be His glory, have been blessed with the effulgences of the Sun of Providence and adorned with the traces of the Most Exalted Pen. Blessed are they and joy be unto them.

And they have made Jinab-i-ʿAli and Muhammad-Baqir partners in their deeds of visitation and feasting and attention and presence, and now they have again sought permission to attain the presence by proxy and to hold several feasts with tea and other things on behalf of the aforementioned loved ones. This has been adorned with the ornament of acceptance and it was commanded that they should engage in feasting and Jinab-i-Amin in service.

The people of God must give thanks, for in days when the standards of discord were raised in all regions and the fire of hatred was ablaze in the breasts of most people, and the True One was wronged and imprisoned in the Most Great Prison, the hand of power was manifest and the blessing of the presence was witnessed, and the aforementioned one arose to serve and feast on behalf of the loved ones. These are deeds that have had and will have no equal. O Amin! Give him the glad tidings of the acceptance of what he desired. Verily thy Lord is the Compassionate, the Generous.

Praise be to God, the Mighty, the Wise. The Glory be upon you and upon them and upon those who have acknowledged that which the Tongue of Grandeur hath spoken. Verily, there is none other God but Him, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting.

Again it is mentioned that they have sought permission for themselves and the two aforementioned souls, upon them be the Glory of God. This matter has been adorned with the ornament of acceptance and the sun of permission has risen and shone forth from the horizon of the heaven of God’s will. However, they must in all circumstances be mindful of wisdom, that nothing contrary to its requirements may occur. If it accords, then attendance is beloved, and if not, the reward of His presence is written for them. Verily He is the Powerful, the Mighty.

O Amin! Give the glad tidings to the servant that God hath forgiven his father and mother and hath mentioned them in such wise that the fragrances of grace and mercy shall endure through the eternity of His most beautiful names. Verily He is the Compassionate, the Forgiving, the Merciful.

BH02354: O My Afnan, upon thee be My glory!…

He is God, exalted be His station in wisdom and utterance.

O My Afnan, upon thee be My glory! From the rustling of the Divine Lote Tree in the Most Exalted Paradise this word is revealed: “Be Mine that I may be thine.” Praise be to God, they have attained and succeeded, and are illumined and adorned with the lights of the Most Great Steadfastness.

O My Afnan, upon thee be My glory and My loving-kindness! Thy letter which thou didst send to the Afnan, upon him be My glory and My loving-kindness, was seen. Every letter thereof was illumined with the light of unity and voiced the words “there is none other God but Him.” Reflect upon God’s loving-kindness—the letter hath attained to this most exalted station and supreme height, while those who considered themselves the most learned and knowledgeable among nations have deviated from the Path and returned to their own abode. I testify that the grace hath encompassed you, and the mercy is with you, and the bounty is yours.

Regarding the matter mentioned to his honor Afnan Muhsin, upon him be My glory, that which is now intended was mentioned. From the first day that honored one hath arisen with complete dedication to serve the Lord of all beings. This is a testimony uttered by the Tongue of Grandeur in His Most Great Prison. In truth, that honored one is numbered among the inheritors of this Cause. Let him act in whatever way he deemeth advisable. The purpose is that there should appear in that land that which will cause the exaltation of the Word of God. The Command is in His hand—He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He pleaseth. The glory and the remembrance and the greatness be upon you and upon those who are with you and who love you for the sake of God, the Lord of the worlds.

O helper of God’s Cause! If wisdom permiteth, inform some of that which befitteth not the days of God and is unacceptable before His Presence. Some of the servants make their own interpretations to justify certain things as lawful, without any evidence from God. Until now no word hath been revealed from the Most Exalted Pen exposing the deeds of such souls, for the Name “the Concealer” hath ever clung to the hem of grace. Therefore concealment hath taken precedence. Verily He is the Concealer Who seeth and concealeth, and He is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

Although in these days the ocean of forgiveness is surging and the sun of grace is shining from the highest horizon of the world, yet for every deed there is ordained its own effect. Today those servants who gaze toward the Greatest Scene must hold fast to such deeds from which the fragrance of sanctity is wafted and which cause the people of the world to turn towards God. Most strange, utterly strange, are those souls who for the sake of a moment’s pleasure deprive themselves of God’s good-pleasure which is the cause of eternal life and everlasting bounty. We beseech God to assist them to return and to adorn them with the ornament of fear of God. Verily He is the Lord of all beings and the Lord of the throne on high and of earth below.

BH02480: To be typed

To be typed.

BH02640: The adorned letter, bearing the name of the Most…

In the Name of God, the All-Merciful.

The adorned letter, bearing the name of the Most Great Branch, hath arrived and been perused. We beseech God—exalted be His glory—that He may enable you to do that which is conducive to the interests of the Cause.

Concerning trade, inasmuch as you wrote with wisdom in view, We approve. Yet in that land the means requisite for profitable commerce are not to be found, unless the Hand of power should itself provide the necessary instruments. In this matter all are commanded to engage in trade, and most especially the Branches. No doubt He will manifest unto you that which is best for you.

As to the matter of Jinab-i-Ashraf, the command had already gone forth for his return to Iran, for the affairs of his son are left pending there, and care for children and offspring is in the divine Books enjoined and made obligatory.

Write another brief piece, and in like manner compose and send certain short passages. The travellers are eager and hopeful to obtain whatsoever is possible, and no negligence should be shown in acquiring it—that is, the useful sciences. This ordinance is set forth in the perspicuous Book, and is of universal application.

Zayn al-Muqarrabin had asked certain questions. The same document was forwarded, and he hath requested from you an answer; therefore send what hath been written.

As to Jinab-i-Nazir, God willing, through the grace of God he may be blessed, gladdened, content, and thankful. Whatever arrived from that land in his name was forwarded—that is, it had already been sent on.

During this journey a letter from Mirza Abu’l-Hasan arrived. He had spoken therein of the despair arising from the conduct of his family; that is, his letter did in some measure indicate despondency. Yet from the Land of Mim a recommendation was made. Beyond this, all dependeth upon divine confirmation and upon what merit may require. Let Jinab-i-Nazir leave the matter unto God and not be distressed.

Above all, permanence in this land is uncertain. In every case, God willing, affairs shall come to pass in conformity with His good-pleasure. The matter is in the hand of God: He doeth whatsoever He willeth.

Convey greetings unto the friends—that is, unto the souls who are present. Some time ago, something was sent especially to the Afnan in reply to the petitions. God willing, it hath arrived.

Peace be upon you, and the mercy of God, and His blessings.

Let not Jinab-i-Ashraf be sorrowful. Verily, He will assist him through a grace from His presence. We beseech the Most High that He may enable him to do that which is meet and seemly.

The honoured Afnan are present together with a number of travellers, and all are seen to be in the utmost joy and gladness. The Afnan had previously been in Beirut. Out of wisdom, permission for the renewed presence of his son was not granted. We have given leave to Hadrat-i-Kabir—upon him be the glory of God—should he wish to remain, that is, to stay in Beirut.

BH02611: May the meadows and fields of the hearts…

He is.

May the meadows and fields of the hearts of lovers ever be illumined by the Sun of the Beauty of the Beloved, and may the pools in the lands of yearning souls ever overflow and be immersed in the Kawthar of the ruby-red lips of the Beloved. We hope that as long as that Lamp of spiritual beauty shines forth in the horizons of manifestation, these lamps of hearts will be set ablaze by it, and as long as that Living Water flows in the inner realms of contingent being, these souls will be refreshed by it.

God willing, may the rains of separation ever pour down from the clouds of union upon the gathering places of loving hearts and the stations of yearning souls, not through any merit of their own, and may that Spring cause fragrant flowers to grow in these gardens at all times, so that through the joy of this atmosphere, the minds of spirits veiled by darkened forms may become pure and clean, and behold themselves naked in the presence of the Beloved. Indeed, each soul has an ordained capacity and every thing has a fitting rank and station wherein it is mentioned.

However, some are given a prescribed sustenance according to a known measure and reckoning, while others receive an undefined portion from the treasury of “Thou givest sustenance to whom Thou willest without account.” One is brought to a limited reward after traversing the stages of limitation and annihilating the degrees of existence, while another is raised up in his very place of sitting from the invisible and visible realms and drawn to the ultimate goal and shown the bow-length nearness of the Worshipped One.

What more can be said? How many brands have been placed upon the faces of lovers, and how many yearning souls have been consumed in separation! When the pen reached the description of this state, the power of expression withdrew and the book of explaining this separation was rolled up.

The rest of this tale comes without words, To the heart of one who possesses the light of soul

In any case, in all conditions praise with joy and give thanks with delight, for you have been rewarded before the labor and mentioned before remembrance, for He is the ever-Powerful, the Doer without being questioned, the Ever-Living, the Almighty, the All-Encompassing, the Most High.

To the travelers in the land of India, the arrivers at the Kaaba of certitude, and the seekers of the face of the Beloved—to each one by whatever name and title is fitting and suitable—He makes mention in loving unity through the stages of oneness. Although there was no previous connection or precedence, the new custom caused the ancient covenant to be forgotten, as it is said: Love for You has abrogated mention of what came before. And peace.

BH02994: God, blessed and exalted, has said: “If ye would…

God, blessed and exalted, has said:

“If ye would count the favors of God, ye cannot reckon them.”

Among these favors are mention and praise, and utterance and expression….

To continue: the handwritten lines upon that exalted page were submitted in the Holy Presence, and the bounties of the Dawning-Place of clear tokens and the Day-Spring of verses—their description, in truth, is exalted above all the stations of this world, not for me alone, but for all the cherubim of the celestial realm….

Write to Husayn Effendi to pray for matar [rain], that God may send rain. Apparently, lack of rain hath become a barrier and kept thee from the Source. God willing, rain will come, roads will be adorned and closeness attained. Tabasha in ʿAkka may not be less than tabasha in Haifa. We beseech God to protect thee, aid thee, confirm thee, render thee successful and bring thee close to Him. He is the Mighty and Powerful. He is the Answerer of prayers…

Day and night We beseech God, glorified be His grandeur, to send to this servant [Khadimu ʿllah] that bough of the Blessed Tree, His honour the solace of the world Aqay-i Husayn Effendi, upon him be peace from the All-Merciful, that the eyes of the longing souls may be brightened and the hearts of the yearning ones may be gladdened and assured. One cannot wish better than this from an offspring. May the world be ever green and verdant through his name, and may humanity rejoice and be enamoured of his love. The beauty of the world is evident and manifest. However, its adornments are trees, and trees are adorned with leaves. Therefore, the exalted leaf, the fruit of the Tree, her honour Diya’iyyih Khanum, upon her be God’s Glory, serving the light of eternity, His Highness Husayn Effendi, upon him be a thousand glories and a thousand praises, is engaged in looking after essential affairs. Most certainly, he needs such a companion, and that is the Leaf of the Beauteous Tree, exalted above praise….

BH03003: This evanescent servant has been blessed by the fragrant…

In the Name of God, the Most Exalted, the Most Holy, the Most Glorious

This evanescent servant has been blessed by the fragrant breezes wafting from your noble letter, which diffused the sweet-scented perfume of love and affection and the fragrance of sincerity towards God, the Lord of creation. I beseech and implore God, exalted and mighty be He, to perpetually sustain your honor upon this pleasing path and exalted favor. Some time ago, when your gracious letter was received by this servant, a detailed response was submitted along with two Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablets—one specifically for the Leaf and another for the Wondrous Leaf, upon them both be the glory of God—and these were dispatched from that direction. Therefore, this time, due to complete preoccupation, there was no opportunity to write in detail.

What can this evanescent servant say? In these days he is so occupied that not a moment’s respite can be found. Outwardly, I have not seen and do not see this weak existence capable of performing this momentous task. Thus it is that divine confirmations provide assistance, otherwise how could this greatest of tasks and this evanescent, weak and lowly servant be reconciled? Likewise, this time Most Mighty, Most Exalted Tablets have descended from the heaven of oneness specifically for that beloved one and the honored and revered Aqa Aqa Mir Siyyid ʿAyn Allah, and the Leaf, and the Wondrous Leaf, and the son, and these were sent through Rafi’. God willing, they will attain to their perusal.

I request from your kindnesses that you convey to his honor the aforementioned Aqa, upon him be the glory of God, expressions of pure devotion and utter self-effacement, and the Most Wondrous, Most Exalted, Most Sublime, Most Glorious salutation on behalf of this servant. Her Holiness the Leaf, upon her be the glory of God, and likewise the sons, upon them be the glory of God—the conveying of wondrous and exalted salutations depends on your kindness and favors.

The servant of God.

All the Branches and Twigs of the Blessed Tree and the members of the pavilion of divine infallibility remember your honor with wondrous and exalted remembrances and glorify you with jewels of praise. Verily, glory be upon you and upon those with you.

BH03036: O Asad! Upon thee be My glory! The letter…

He is the Guide to His Straight Path!

O Asad! Upon thee be My glory! The letter of His Honor Abu’l-Fadl—upon him be My glory—which he wrote to thee was present before Me and I gave ear to it. Praised be God, every word of his words testified to his endeavor and service purely for the sake of God. In the land of H, the luminary of detachment rose and shone forth from the horizon of his deeds. Verily thy Lord is the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

This year complaints have been received from some teachers in various regions, despite what hath repeatedly been revealed from the Supreme Pen concerning the qualifications of teachers—that which hath perfumed the world of detachment with its fragrance. We beseech God, blessed and exalted be He, to assist His loved ones in that which will attract the hearts of His servants. Verily He is powerful over all things. The deeds and actions of every soul reveal his station and rank. Blessed are they who are endowed with insight! However, the arrival of Abu’l-Fadl in any land hath been and is the cause of the enkindlement of souls. Reports about him have repeatedly arrived from the land of A, and an answer that would be the cause of awareness and the key to wisdom was sent. All must today hold fast to means that will cause the acceptance of those outside the Faith, that they may come and find. Some deeds and words are the cause of flight and denial, while others are proof of nearness and acceptance. We beseech God, blessed and exalted be He, to make him a guide to His creation in His kingdom. Verily He is the Powerful, the Unconstrained.

The souls whom they have mentioned have each attained unto the waves of the divine ocean of utterance, and there hath been revealed from the Supreme Pen that which shall not change. We give glad tidings to Our loved ones there and make mention of them with that which will remind them and draw them nigh unto the Great Announcement of God. The glory from Us be upon him and upon the loved ones of God who are there, and upon those whom nothing whatsoever hath prevented from God, the Powerful, the Mighty, the Bestower.

O Asad! One of My Branches who was named Badi’ presented himself with the letter of His Honor Fadl—upon him be My grace and My glory. He received an answer and sent it forth. We beseech God to assist all in that which He loveth and is pleased with. Verily He is powerful over all things.

BH03100: A mention from Us to him who attained…

He is the One dawning from the horizon of the heaven of proof.

A mention from Us to him who attained to acceptance on a day wherein the men who claimed knowledge without any proof from God, the Lord of the worlds, turned away. Through their turning away the people turned away, whereby there befell the Lord of the world that which caused the Faithful Spirit to lament.

O My Afnan! Upon thee be My glory and My mercy and My loving-kindness. The servant in attendance hath presented that wherewith thou didst call upon God, the Lord of earth and heaven and Lord of the mighty throne. He read it before Our face. We found therein that which beseemeth thee in the days of thy Lord, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. We have heard and answered thee. Verily He is the Hearing, the Seeing. We bear witness that thou hast arisen to serve the Cause and hast manifested that whose fragrance shall never be cut off throughout the endurance of the names and attributes of God. Verily thy Lord is the True, the Faithful.

Say: My God, my God! I desire to remember Thee in such wise that from the very stones Thy remembrance and praise might be raised up, and from the seas Thy glorification and Thy celebration of unity. O my Lord! Aid me in such remembrance whereby there might appear in all things a tongue speaking of Thy verses and testifying to what Thou hast manifested in Thy days. Thou art He to Whose power and might and grandeur and dominion all created things have testified. Write down for me then from Thy Most Exalted Pen what beseemeth Thy grace and Thy favors and Thy generosity and Thy gifts.

O my Lord! How can I recount the wondrous tokens of Thy loving-kindness? By Thy glory, O Thou Goal of the world and Beloved of the nations! I see myself powerless to enumerate them, much less to render thanks for them. Through Thy grace Thou hast shown me what was withheld from Thy Moses on the Mount of Rapture and caused me to hear what Thy Beloved heard in His night ascent. I beseech Thee, O Lord of Names and Creator of heaven, by Thy Name through which the mysteries were revealed and rivers flowed from rocks, and by the pearls of the ocean of Thy knowledge and the splendors of the lights of Thy countenance, to draw me nigh unto Thee in the manifest exterior even as Thou hast drawn me nigh in the interior. Then preserve me, O my God, from the evil of Thine enemies who violated Thy Covenant and Thy Testament, who disputed Thy verses and denied Thy proof. There is no God but Thee, the Powerful, the Mighty, the All-Compelling.

BH03304: The Divine Day calleth out by itself and summoneth…

He is Powerful over whatsoever He willeth, and He is the Protecting, the Self-Subsisting.

The Divine Day calleth out by itself and summoneth those on earth to the most exalted horizon. This Day in one station is a brilliant light that guideth those near unto God to the straight path and bestoweth awareness of the momentous announcement.

O Vav! Upon thee be My glory and My loving-kindness. At this time one of My Branches, who was named Diya’ in the Crimson Book, was present and We made mention of thee with verses that have encompassed those in the heavens and on earth.

And in another station this Day is the Water of Life for all who dwell in the realm of possibility. It is the true Salsabil and the spiritual Kawthar. From the hand of bounty It bestoweth upon the thirsty that which is the cause of everlasting life. Say: Well is it with them that drink!

O Ra! Upon thee be My glory and My loving-kindness. The whole world hath been created for the recognition of this blessed Day, and yet most of the people of the world are deprived, save whom God, thy Lord, willeth.

And in one station It possesseth the Book of the world and with It are the secrets of all peoples. At one time thou seest It seated upon the throne of utterance, teaching the people that which draweth them nigh, causeth them to know, and profiteth them. At another time thou beholdest It interpreting for all the different groups. Thus hath My Most Exalted Pen spoken at this blessed and manifest time. And were the mysteries of this Day to be mentioned, thou wouldst see all rendered unconscious save a few.

O Varqa! Upon thee be the glory of God, the Lord of the Kingdom of Names. Praise be to God that thou didst attain and act upon that which was imparted in the presence. Blessed art thou and blessed is he who hath heard thy call concerning the Cause of thy Lord. Time and again in these days hast thou been mentioned by the Most Exalted Pen. We beseech God to assist thee to conquer hearts through the name of thy Lord, the Mighty, the Beloved.

O thou who art dear at the Throne! Thou art mentioned and hast attained unto grace. O Spirit of God! Give thanks unto God for having assisted thee, granted thee success, brought thee into His presence, and caused thee to hear His sweetest call from His most exalted horizon. Glory be upon you and upon those who love you and hearken to your words in this mighty Book.

BH03393: He has dawned from the horizon of the heaven…

He has dawned from the horizon of the heaven of utterance

This is the day wherein the attraction of the Call that was raised from the direction of ʿAkka hath seized Mount Sinai. Thereupon all things cried out:

“At Thy service, O Lord of Names and Creator of heaven! Blessed be the city that hath attained unto Thy presence, and the land that hath been honored by Thy footsteps. Woe betide him who hath heard and denied the announcement of God, the Mighty, the Wise.”

And Carmel called out:

“Praise be unto Thee, O Desire of the world and Beloved of the nations, for having manifested Thyself and honored me with Thy presence after the fire of separation from Thee had well-nigh destroyed me. I testify that through Thee was fulfilled that which was recorded in the Books and inscribed by the Pen of God, the Lord of the worlds.”

Then the Call was raised from Bethlehem saying:

“At Thy service, O Thou through Whom the ocean of knowledge surged before the faces of all religions! At Thy service, O Thou through Whom the gate of reunion was opened when Thou didst give Thy lovers to drink, from the hand of Thy bounty, the Kawthar of Thy presence! I beseech Thee by the breathings of Thy verses and by that which hath been raised from the direction of Thy prison, to aid Thy people to acknowledge Thy Manifestation and to confess that which Thou hast revealed through Thy grace. I testify that Thou hast fulfilled Thy Covenant and that which Thou didst promise to Thy loved ones and servants in Thy Books and Tablets, and Thou hast come from the horizon of power with Thy great glory.”

Hearken unto the Call of the Lord of all being in the luminous tongue: Today Mount Sinai is gladdened by the presence of its Beloved and with the most exalted call giveth the glad-tidings unto all things, while Zion speaketh the word “Hasten ye!” Blessed is the soul that hath drunk from the imperishable Kawthar and hath attained unto the hearing of the Call.

O thou who hast turned unto Us! We have heard thy call and from the direction of the prison have turned toward thee and made mention of thee with verses that shall never change nor be effaced. Say: My God, my God! Aid me to remember Thee and to praise Thee amongst Thy servants with the wisdom Thou hast sent down in Thy Book. I beseech Thee to enable me to arise to serve Thee and to mention that which hath appeared in Thy days. Verily Thou art the Mighty, the Powerful, the All-Bountiful.

BH03392: Praised be God, your letters have arrived in constant…

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

Praised be God, your letters have arrived in constant succession. Each one was a testimony to trust, turning unto God, assurance, steadfast adherence, and supplication; and the blessing of health hath in every condition been the key that opened the door of joy and gladness.

Jinab-i-Afnan and the Afnan—upon them be the grace of God, His bounty, and His splendour—have been and continue to be with you; wherefore estrangement hath neither station nor effect. This is of the bounty of God.

Concerning the printing of the pages and books, whatsoever hath been done is good; yet it should be done in the name of the Afnan, or of some other person, and not in your own name. The mention of Badi’ was intended only in jest, and for no other purpose.

As to the books, whatever needed to be said was mentioned; Mishkin accepted it and hath begun the work. Mention was also made to certain others. In these days petitions have arrived in your name from Jinab-i-Mirza Hasan, the calligrapher—upon him be Baha’u’llah’s glory. Until now they have not become aware of your journey. This time a reply is being sent, but hereafter it was commanded that Jinab Muhammad and ʿAli should send unto you paper, pen, ink, and books. They arrived and were delivered.

With regard to the books, in whatsoever manner you acted, you have attained the grace of acceptance; for the obtaining of every book hath become easy. Whatever of the handwriting of the Wronged One is in existence, preserve it separately.

We beseech God that He may confirm the honoured Afnan in all conditions. Verily, He is powerful over all things. All are at all times occupied in your remembrance. We ask God to ordain for you that whereby the ensigns of His Cause may be raised amidst the signs of His might and sovereignty. Verily, He is the All-Powerful, the Almighty.

Glory be upon you and upon those who love you, circle around you, and hearken unto your words in this great Announcement.

The latest news is this: on this night We gave his wife in marriage to Jinab ʿAbdu’l-Karim. We beseech God, through His bounty and loving-kindness, to bring harmony between the two.

BH11587: Lawh-i-Bismi al-Mazzah (the Humorist)

In My Name, the Humorist

We are the lovers of Thy face, The dwellers in Thy dwelling-place, Enthralled by every tress of grace—

I seek Thy goodly pleasure’s light, I seek Thy presence day and night, For Thee I yield my soul outright.