Volume 103: Akka 1868–1892 year unknown, Part I (2 of 5)

BH00138: This is the Day wherein the Book speaketh before…

Section 1: “This is the Day wherein the Book speaketh…”

He is the Dawning-Place above the horizon of the heaven of utterance!

This is the Day wherein the Book speaketh before the face of all humanity: “There is no God but Him, the Mighty, the Bestower!” My Name, upon Him be My glory, hath appeared at the dawning of the Sun of Manifestation, and mentioned are the names of those who have sought the Ultimate Goal, the Supreme Summit, and the Highest Aim. Among them are those who attained and drank and triumphed, those who intended and hastened, those who acknowledged a single drop from the Most Great Ocean, and those whom the wine of recognition so intoxicated that they soared in the atmosphere of their Lord’s love, the All-Merciful, and were set ablaze with the fire of their Lord’s Cause, the Compassionate, the Mighty, the Gracious. Verily do We make mention of every name mentioned before His countenance, for He is the Mighty, the All-Bountiful.

O Nasru’llah! The Wronged One hath mentioned thee aforetime with a mention before which all mentions bow down. We counsel thee and those who have believed to that whereby the signs of the All-Merciful may be made manifest in all possibility, and His Cause be exalted amongst His servants. When the morn of Revelation unfurled its standard and the Speaker of Sinai came forth, the divines arose in opposition. Among them were those who pronounced Him an infidel, those who turned away, those who objected, and those who unjustly pronounced against Him, whereby the veil of sanctity was rent asunder and the eyes of the righteous shed tears. Thus did their souls entice them. We bear witness that they are among the companions of the Fire.

Say: O people of the Bayan! Cast aside your vain imaginings. Beware lest ye act as they acted aforetime. Fear the All-Merciful and be not of those who turned away from God, the Lord of Lords.

O Qasim! Cast aside what the people possess, taking hold of My Book with such strength that neither armies nor swords shall deter thee.

Say: O people of the earth! We have shown you the evanescence of all ye possess and caused you to hear mention of departure at all times. Cast aside your surmises and idle fancies; take what ye have been given from God, the Lord of all mankind. Be thou steadfast in serving My loved ones, speaking My praise, and holding fast to the cord of My loving-kindness. Thus doth the Wronged One command thee from the most exalted station.

We make mention in this station of Muhammad-Qabli-ʿAli, whose flesh was mingled with the flesh of his Lord, his blood with His blood, his body with His body, and his bones with the bones of his Lord, the Mighty, the Bestower. My Most Exalted Pen beareth witness that he hath attained unto that which none before him attained, and there befell him that of which no ear hath heard the like. Upon him be My glory and the glory of My Kingdom and My Dominion, and the people of the cities of justice and fairness. Blessed art thou, O Muhammad, in that thou hast attained unto the choice wine of utterance from thy Lord, the All-Merciful. Thus hath the Sun of proof shone forth from the horizon of the heaven of thy Lord’s loving-kindness, the Lord of all beings.

O ʿAbdu’l-Karim! The All-Bountiful hath come, yet every possessor of doubts turned away from Him. The ocean of generosity hath surged before all existence, yet most of the people are in astonishing delusion. They have cast the Command of God behind their backs. Verily, they are among the veiled ones in the sight of God, the Revealer of verses.

Aqa Mirza Muhammad-i-Qazvini

O Muhammad! We have mentioned thee aforetime and at this moment, and there hath come before the Wronged One what thou didst send to My Name, the Mihdi. We answer thee again through this Tablet which hath shone forth from the horizon of thy Lord’s loving-kindness, the Subduer of the winds. Blessed is the essence that opposition hath not prevented and the spirit that bodies have not veiled from this horizon before which, when it shone forth, the spirits prostrated themselves. And blessed is he who hath attained unto the mention of his Lord on this Day wherein the horizons have arisen in hypocrisy.

Aqa Mirza Abu-Talib

O Abu-Talib! Thou art he who hath sought the Most Exalted Goal and traversed land and sea until thou didst arrive at the Valley of the Noble One wherein was raised the call of the Glorious One:

“Verily, there is none other God but Me, the Protector over what is and what hath been.”

Thou wert present and beheld what was hidden from the peoples of the world and heard what the Primal Point heard. The Mother Book that is with Him beareth witness to this. Remind the servants of what thou hast seen and heard, and be so firm in the Cause that neither the veils of the divines nor the power of princes shall deter thee. Place thy trust in all matters in God, the Lord of all men. Convey My greetings to the faces of My loved ones who have turned to the Most Exalted Horizon and testified to that which God hath testified at the beginning and the end.

O Ali Ashraf! Give thanks unto God for having honored thee with this Cause whereby the hearts of the idolaters were disturbed and the hearts of the righteous were assured. We have made mention of thee and those who have believed, as a token of grace from Us. Verily thy Lord is the Mighty, the All-Bountiful.

O Aqa Bala! The Lord of creation mentioneth thee from His Most Great Prison in such wise as will draw thee nigh unto God, the One, the Peerless, the Mighty, the Forgiving. We counsel thee and those who have believed with the wisdom We have sent down through grace in the Scriptures and Tablets. Take hold of that which ye are commanded and follow not those who have violated God’s covenant and testament—they are assuredly among the wayward. Thus doth the Pen of the Most Merciful move in the arena of wisdom and utterance that ye may be drawn to a station wherein naught is seen save the signs of God, the Manifester of clear evidences. We make mention of thy brother who is named Qasim and give him glad tidings of God’s loving-kindness and grace, and counsel him with that whereby the station of man is exalted in the realm of possibility.

O Abdul-Khaliq! Behold and then remember when the Creator came, the creation turned away with such rejection that the clouds wailed. They turned away and denied until they pronounced judgment against Him without any proof or evidence. Set aside creation and what it possesseth, clinging to the Truth that calleth from the highest horizon of the world: “There is none other God but Me, the Mighty, the All-Knowing.” Most people are playing with the clay of their vain imaginings. By God! They are more contemptible than flies in the sight of the Self-Sufficient, the Most High. Blessed are the people of Baha who have mounted, in His Name, the crimson ark that moveth over land and sea by His Name, the Protector over all names. Be steadfast in My Cause, speaking My praise, soaring in My atmosphere, and clinging to My robe which God, the Lord of all raiment, hath ordained. We have found from thee the fragrance of My love and have mentioned thee with a call whereby the realities of remembrance were attracted. Say: By God! The Hidden One hath appeared and those of Sinai were thunderstruck save him whom God preserved as a grace from Him and protected through the hands of power.

O Siyyid! The Lord of the world mentioneth thee from His Most Great Prison that thou mayest rejoice and be in a state of gladness and delight. Let not the affairs of creation sadden thee. Fix thy gaze upon the Most Exalted Horizon and hold fast to the cord of God, the Sender of rains. Say: O people of the Bayan! Associate not partners with God and dispute not about the verses whereby your faith in God, the Lord of creation, is established. Say: Set aside what ye possess and take what is with God. He verily guideth you to the straight path. The glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of My loving-kindness be upon the people of Baha who have cast aside all else, turning unto the Dayspring of lights.

Karbila’i Iskandar

O My Pen! Make mention of him who is named Iskandar and give him glad tidings of that which hath shone forth from the horizon of the All-Merciful as the Day-Star of utterance, that he may rejoice and be of them that are thankful. Thou hast attained unto the mention of My Most Exalted Pen aforetime and at this hour. Beware lest anything sadden thee or the might of them that have denied the Lord of the Day of Judgment cause thee to fear. Take hold of the Book with strength from thy Lord and say: O people! Fear ye God and be not of the wrongdoers. Behold what hath shone forth from the horizon of proof, then hearken unto that which hath been raised from the Lote-Tree of utterance: Verily, there is none other God besides Me, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

This is the Day whereon the Point of the Bayan crieth out, saying: O people of the realm of possibility! By My life, the world hath been honored by the lights of the Manifestation, and everyone possessed of a sense of smell perceiveth the fragrance of His perspicuous raiment. Beware lest ye deprive yourselves of the outpourings of your bountiful Lord or be veiled by the veils of the heedless. Blessed is the soul that hath cast the world behind it out of longing for the presence of the Ancient of Days. He is assuredly of the people of Baha in the Book of God, the Lord of all worlds. We counsel all to manifest supreme steadfastness, lest the doubts of the people of the Bayan, who have exchanged the grace of God for unbelief, cause them to slip.

They are indeed of them that have gone astray, as recorded in a clear tablet. We beseech God to assist thee and aid thee, that there may appear from thee that whose fragrance shall never be cut off. Verily, He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.

Mulla Sadiq

O Sadiq! We counsel thee with supreme wisdom even as We counseled thee when thou wert standing before the door and didst hear the call of God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy. Say: Wisdom is the head and master of deeds. Hold fast unto it, as bidden by an ancient Commander. Remember My days and what thou didst hear from My tongue and what thou didst witness from this most exalted horizon. Thus doth the Lord of Names command thee. Take hold and be of them that act. Let not anything prevent thee. Remind thyself, then remind the souls of the servants, that they may discover the fragrance of utterance and be of them that are assured. The days shall pass more swiftly than lightning, yet most of the people know not. Say: Fear ye God and follow not your desires. Follow the Book of God, for verily it hath been sent down in truth from His presence, and He is the Truth, the Knower of the unseen. Say: This is the Day of remembrance, yet ye are silent. Say: This is the Day of service, yet ye are sleeping, and this is the Day of hearkening, yet ye are as dead. Blessed is the soul over which the breezes of its Lord’s will have passed, and it hath arisen saying:

“Praise be unto Thee, O God of the worlds and desire of them that have recognized Thee, for having awakened me and guided me unto Thy straight path.”

Mirza Israfil Hakim

We make mention of thee and pronounce upon thee Our blessing as a favor from Our presence, and I am verily the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous. O Israfil! By the life of God, We have sounded the Trumpet, whereupon all who are in the heavens and earth have swooned away, save whom God, thy Lord and the Lord of thy forefathers, willeth. By it earthquakes have seized the tribes of the earth, every learned one hath been perturbed, every foot hath slipped, every wise one hath lamented, every prince hath been struck with terror, every mystic hath been bewildered, and every seeing one who sought hath attained. How many a learned one hath been kept back from the Cause, and how many an ignorant one hath hastened and said: “I believe in Thee, O Thou Desire of the mystics!” How many a maidservant hath heard and turned and attained, and how many a hero hath denied and turned away from God, the Mighty, the Beautiful. O Israfil! Remember thy Lord at all times, and hold fast in all conditions to His firm cord.

Iskandar Qap

O Iskandar! The Lord of Power has come for the life of humanity, yet the people seized Him and imprisoned Him in this remote place. Behold and remember when the Spirit came, the divines of the Torah turned away from Him and pronounced judgment against Him unjustly—every atom cried out at this, as every fair-minded and knowing one will testify. The Comforter has come in truth, yet the people are in manifest error. You have not yet recognized Him who came to them with a sovereignty that has conquered all who are in the heavens and the earth, and with His mighty glory. I am indeed the heaven whereunto the Son of Mary ascended, as the Tongue of Grandeur bears witness, though most of the people are heedless. Give thanks unto God that He has made mention of thee while the Seat of the Throne was in a mighty prison.

Iskandar Mulla-Ughli

O Iskandar! Behold and remember when Muhammad, the Apostle of God, came—the divines of the Torah and the Gospel turned away from Him. Among the people were those who denied Him, those who turned away from Him, and those who rose up to oppress Him, whereat the foundations of patience were shaken and the eyes of those near to God shed tears. The divines pronounced judgment against Him as they had pronounced judgment against the Spirit before Him. The Books of God, both past and future, bear witness to this, as doth this wronged and lonely One. When thou hast attained unto My verses and found the fragrance of My utterance, turn thy face toward God and say:

“Praise be unto Thee, O Thou Who art the Goal of the Prophets and the Messengers!”

I beseech Thee to make him steadfast in Thy remembrance and in the service of Thy Cause. Verily, Thou art the Almighty, the Powerful.

We make mention of thy brother who desired to drink from the Kawthar of utterance from the hand of the bounty of his Lord, the Generous. Give him My glad-tidings and greet him, that he may rejoice and be of those who render thanks.

Haji Muhammad Mihdi

O Muhammad Mihdi! The Lord of the worlds makes mention of thee as a bounty from Him, and He is the All-Bountiful, the Generous. Purify thine ear from what thou hast heard that thou mayest hearken unto the call of God, the Lord of all worlds. This is a Day wherein every confident one has been shaken, every learned one has been terrified, every silent one has cried out, and the Tongue of Grandeur has testified that sovereignty belongs to God, the Most High, the Most Great. Say: O people! Help your Lord, the Most Merciful, and be not of the heedless ones. Know then that victory has been ordained in the remembrance and utterance, even as was revealed at the beginning of this Manifestation, and most of the people are witnesses thereof.

We have forbidden the servants to wage war and to contend. Among them are those who committed what We forbade and transgressed the bounds set by God, the Master of the Day of Judgment, and among them are those whom God has pardoned as a bounty from Him, for He is the Forgiving, the Merciful. Say: Cast not the ordinances of God behind you, and do what ye are commanded by One All-Knowing, All-Wise. Those who have found the fragrances of revelation are among the most exalted of servants before God, the Hearing, the Answering. And he who is prevented is among the most lost of servants before God, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

Muhammad Hanifih

We make mention of thy brother and counsel him with what befits the days of his Lord, the Master of this wondrous Day. O Pen! Make mention of him who is named Muhammad, who has drawn near to the Most Great Sea to drink and to be of the thankful ones. Say: The Day has come, yet most of the people are at ease. The Light has appeared, yet most of the people have turned away. Say: Take hold of the Book of God with the power granted by Him and cast aside that which keeps you from it. This is God’s command unto you, if ye be of those who know. If your eye causes you to stumble in this, pluck it out for love of your Lord’s Cause, the All-Merciful, the Generous. Blessed is he who has attained unto My days, recognized My path, hastened with his heart to My horizon, and arisen to serve My mighty Cause. We have made mention of thee that the remembrance might attract thee to a station wherein thou wilt recognize My clear and straight path.

Section 2: “Aqa Mir ʿAllam…”

Aqa Mir ʿAllam

O Mir! The Prisoner remembereth thee from the prison-ward with that which draweth thee nigh unto God, the All-Subduing, the Self-Subsisting. In the earliest days We stood before the faces of all the world, with the banners of verses on Our right and the standards of clear proofs on Our left, and We called all unto God, the Sovereign of what was and what shall be. The factions rose against Us with swords of tyranny—among them were those who claimed authority over God, and those who turned away and denied what was sent down from God, the King of Kings. Say: This is a light whereby the world is illumined, and a fire whereby are consumed the hearts of every ignorant outcast. Say: O people, judge fairly concerning that which hath appeared in truth, and follow not every veiled scholar. Thus surgeth the ocean of utterance before the face of the All-Merciful, yet most of the people understand not.

Aqa Mirza Abdu’l-Ali

O Abdu’l-Ali! The remembrance of God from the Lote-Tree beyond which there is no passing, before the face of the Lord of all mankind, hath verily been upraised. Blessed is he who hath heard the Call; he is indeed among the righteous recorded by the Pen of Revelation in the Book of the Exalted Ones. Say: O people of the Bayan, come ye, come ye, that He may show you God’s most sublime horizon and cause you to hear His sweetest call, at whose raising the Prophets and Messengers stood forth, crying “Yea, verily, O Lord of Names and Creator of the heavens!” Blessed is the eye that hath beheld the horizon of Revelation, the ear that hath heard the Call of Him Who conversed on Sinai, and the heart that hath turned to the Station illumined by the lights of His Countenance.

Say: Do ye deny the ocean and its waves, the sun and its radiance? Fear ye the All-Merciful and be not of them who denied God’s grace and favors, and follow not every denier who is far from truth. Judge fairly, O people of the Bayan, concerning your Lord’s Cause. Have ye not witnessed the waves of My ocean of utterance and the effulgent lights of the sun of My wisdom’s heaven? Fear God and refute not the truth with what ye possess. Soon shall ye return to your stations and be questioned about your deeds in this world. Then shall ye find yourselves in manifest loss.

Karbala’i Aqa Kishi

We make mention of thy brother and beseech God to strengthen him that he may find for himself a path unto God. O thou who hast turned to the Countenance! Hear the call of the Wronged One from the prison-ward; verily He summoneth thee to a station that hath been raised up in God’s name. This is a Day wherein the Book calleth out with its most exalted voice and summoneth all to a horizon radiant with the lights of His Countenance.

O people! Cast aside that which keepeth you from the Lord of Destiny, Who hath come from the Source of Command with the banners of verses and with a sovereignty that encompasseth all the worlds. Thus moveth the Most Exalted Pen when it was between the fingers of thy Lord, that thou mayest give thanks and remain firm and steadfast in the Cause.

Karbala’i Aqa Dadish

O thou who art turned towards the Truth! Praise God for this Most Great Remembrance which hath guided mankind to a path raised up by God’s command. We counsel thee and those who have believed in that which hath been sent down in a Book inscribed by the Pen of Revelation in truth. Say: O peoples of the earth! Weigh what We have against what ye possess. Be fair and follow not every ignorant one who is deprived of justice. Thus have the rains of knowledge and wisdom poured down from this heaven which hath been raised up in truth, and God is witness to what I say.

The friends of God

Verily We make mention of the friends of God in that place, whose names have not been mentioned outwardly, and We counsel them with that which We have counseled before, for verily I am the Compassionate, the Bountiful. Take ye the Book of God as a command from Him, then recite His verses with the melodies of them that are attracted. Blessed is the servant who hath turned unto Him and attained, and woe unto them that turn aside! We counsel you to be steadfast lest your feet slip through the hints of the learned and the doubts of the babblers. These have denied God and rejected that which He hath sent down from His glorious and wondrous Kingdom.

Handmaidens of God: We make mention of My handmaidens there and give them glad tidings of My mercy which hath preceded all and My grace which hath encompassed all existence. We beseech God to assist them in that which He loveth and approveth, and to ordain for them that which shall gladden the eyes of the devoted ones who have attained in the early days to the recognition of God, the Lord of the worlds.

Friends of God: We make mention at this time of the friends of God in Kukachay and remind them of the verses of God, the All-Subduing, the Self-Subsisting. Blessed is the soul that hath attained unto the mention of My Most Exalted Pen and hath testified to that whereunto God Himself hath testified: that there is none other God but Me, the Subduer of what was and what shall be.

Ismail Bey

O Ismail! The Ancient Beauty hath turned toward thee from His Most Great Prison and revealed for thee that which hath perfumed the world of being with the fragrance of the All-Merciful, that thou mayest rejoice and be of them that fear not, neither are they grieved. Thy name was presented before Us and We have remembered thee in this blessed and irrevocable Tablet. We have adorned thee with the ornament of remembrance, and likewise My loved ones there who have not broken God’s Covenant and His Testament, but have held fast unto the cord of their Lord’s loving providence, the Mighty, the Loving. Joy be unto you and blessed are ye for having attained unto the remembrance of God and the traces of His Most Exalted Pen, when the seat of the Throne was this glorious and forbidden station. Thus have the breezes of revelation been wafted abroad when the Tongue of Grandeur did proclaim: There is none other God but Me, the Mighty, the Beloved.

Tiflis Friends of God

O loved ones of the All-Merciful in Tiflis! Hearken unto that which hath been raised from the right hand of the luminous spot on the crimson earth from the Divine Lote-Tree, at whose rustling all things proclaimed: The Desire of the world and the Most Great Name is come, through Whom the gates of meaning and utterance have been opened in the world of being. Exalted be God, the Creator of what was and what shall be! By God’s life! There is not a single verse but My Most Exalted Pen hath revealed it, as attesteth His preserved Tablet. Blessed be your faces for having turned, your hearts for having accepted, your eyes for having beheld, and your ears for having heard the Call of God, the Lord of the seen and the unseen. Thus have We adorned the Kingdom of proof with My remembrance and the Heaven of exposition with that which My tongue hath uttered in this exalted station.

Aqa Baba

O Aqa Baba! The Lord of the world maketh mention of thee and giveth thee glad tidings of His turning toward thee from this station wherein the Ancient Beauty hath been imprisoned through that which the hands of the deniers of the Witness and the Witnessed have wrought. Be thou at all times observant of My most exalted horizon, attentive to My sweetest call, and take hold of My Book, at whose revelation all the books of the world have bowed down, as attesteth His inscribed Tablet.

Aqa Sattar

O Concealer! The Concealer makes mention of thee from this station which hath been named by the Most Beautiful Names, and He calleth and sayeth: This is the day wherein the Mount was honored by the presence of its Interlocutor, and the Tree by its Manifestation, and the Books by their Revealer, yet most of the people understand not. By God! Every matter hath been revealed and every mystery hath emerged, and rivers of life have flowed from the rocks, yet the people perceive not. They hear the verses of God and deny them, and they behold His signs and then object to them. Say: Fear God, O people, and follow not every rejected ignorant one. Thus have We sent down the verses as a grace from Our presence that ye may give thanks unto your Lord, the Sovereign of the Kingdom.

Aqa Mirza ʿAli

O ʿAli! Behold and then remember when We sent forth the Spirit with clear signs; the Jews and their divines rose against Him and unjustly condemned Him, whereat every stone lamented and every clod cried out and eyes shed tears. Behold and then remember the concourse of the Furqan who wept in the mosques and upon the pulpits over its letters, yet when their Lord came they slew Him unjustly—an act which erased all mention of joy and gladness from the Book of Lovers. They condemned Him Whom they had mentioned throughout ages and centuries. Thus did their souls prompt them, and today they rejoice not. They surrounded the Bird of the Most Exalted Paradise with the talons of hatred and wrought that which caused the eyes to cease their flow and the sun to withhold its radiance and the clouds their manifest outpouring. By the life of God! The people of the Bayan who turned away from the All-Merciful are more lost than any faction, more remote than any remote one, and more reprobate than any reprobate. They arose in opposition in such wise as caused the denizens of the heavenly dominion to lament.

Karbala’i Akbar

O Akbar! He Who holdeth dominion over destiny maketh mention of thee at a time when sorrows have encompassed Him from those who disbelieved in the All-Merciful and denied this bounty which hath shone forth from the horizon of the world and this light which hath gleamed amongst the nations. Verily thy Lord is the Truth, the Knower of the unseen. Nothing escapeth His knowledge. From His Most Exalted Pen have been sent down the secrets of what hath been and what shall be. Neither the clamor of the world nor the veils of the nations can hinder Him. He hath come with the greatest of signs and revealed what He willeth with power and sovereignty. Say: O people of the Bayan! Fear God and refute not the truth with what ye possess, and be not of them who denied God’s proof and His testimony when He came unto the final goal. If ye deny this Revelation, by what proof can ye establish that which ye possess? Bring it forth and be not of the people of error. Fear God, O people of the Bayan, and oppose not Him through Whose command every Prophet hath spoken and every Messenger hath uttered speech. Thus doth the Most Exalted Pen counsel you from its most exalted station.

Aqa ʿAbdu’r-Ra’uf

O ʿAbdu’r-Ra’uf! The Kind One calleth thee, He Who hath been imprisoned in the path of God, the Lord of lords. He it is Who arose in the earliest days before the faces of all people and summoned all unto God, the Lord of all men. Were it not for Him, the decree of the Book would not have been revealed and the Sun of Revelation would not have shone forth from the horizon of the heaven of proof. Verily, He hath come with the truth and mentioned that which He was commanded in the Tablet. Whoso believeth, it shall be to his benefit, and whoso turneth away, it shall be to his detriment. Verily He is sanctified and exalted above mention and utterance. Thus hath the ocean of My knowledge surged and the sun of My proof shone forth and the rains have poured down from the heaven of My grace.

Karbala’i Yusuf

O Yusuf! We made mention of thee before and make mention of thee at this time as a grace from My presence, and I am the Mighty, the All-Bountiful. Say: My God, my God! I perceive the fragrance of Thy raiment and love Thy mention and praise and nearness to the seat of Thy throne, whereon is established the temple of Thy grandeur. Ordain for me through Thy grace, O my God, that which centuries and ages cannot alter, that it may endure as long as Thy names endure and serve as a sign of Thee amongst Thy servants and creation. O Lord! Thou seest me turning toward Thee and speaking Thy praise. I beseech Thee not to withhold from me the waves of the ocean of Thy bounty and the effulgences of the sun of Thy generosity. Thou art He Whom the affairs of the world cannot hinder, nor can the clamor of nations prevent. He doeth what He willeth through His power. There is none other God but Thee, the Mighty, the Glorious, the All-Bountiful.

O ʿAli-Akbar! Hear what the Sun speaketh, to which the Book hath borne witness: Verily there is none other God but Him, the Mighty, the All-Knowing. Thou hast indeed attained unto the waves of the ocean of My remembrance aforetime and the effulgences of the Luminary of My utterance, as witnessed by the Mother Book. Behold the creation and the weakness that hath encompassed them. They have cast behind their backs Him through Whose name every truth hath been manifested, turning instead to the source of vain imaginings. By God! The very atoms should weep for this Light that hath been prevented from shining forth by reason of what the hands of the wicked have wrought. They drink corruption while fleeing from the Living Waters that lie before their faces. Thus hath Satan made their deeds seem fair unto them, and they remain in doubt and schism. Neither their deeds nor their remembrance nor their turning profit them, as witnessed by all things and those who circle round the Throne at morn and eventide. Grieve not at anything, but trust in the One, the All-Informed, throughout all days.

O My Name! There have come before the Wronged One the names of those mentioned by the Truthful One. We make mention of them as a grace from Us, for verily We are the Mighty, the Glorious, the Bountiful. Blessed is he and those whom he hath mentioned, and whoso hath held fast to the cords of God, the Lord of all mankind.

O Kazim! Rejoice in My mention of thee. By God! Nothing in all creation can compare with it, as thy Lord doth testify, seated upon the throne of wisdom and utterance. Be steadfast in the Cause and speak in praise of thy Lord, detached from those who have denied the Beginning and the Return. Blessed is the servant who hath attained unto the choice wine of My utterance and the sweet waters of My mercy and My grace that have encompassed all regions. When the Standard of Revelation was raised to its loftiest station, the people denied it—some rejected it, some turned away, some objected, and some approached with sword and spear. Were We to recount what befell Us, all created things would lament and spirits would be severed from bodies. Thus have We arranged the verses in clear evidence and sent down from the heaven of knowledge that which hath attracted the hearts of the righteous.

O Muhammad! Hear the call of the Single One from the prison quarter. He mentioneth thee purely for the sake of God, the Revealer of verses. By God’s life! Were anyone to hearken to My sweetest call, the attraction of the verses would seize him in such wise that he would leave all created things, turning toward God, the Manifestation of clear evidences. Say: O people! Fear God and commit not what the people of the Furqan committed, nor what the Jewish divines and idolaters committed before them.

O Pen! Make mention of him who hath been named Muhammad, that he may give thanks unto his Lord, the Mighty, the Glorious, the All-Seeing. Praise God that thy mention hath flowed from the ocean of grace and thou hast been mentioned by the Dayspring of Certitude. Hold fast to the cord of thy Lord’s loving kindness and say:

O my God, my God! I have turned to Thee with my whole being. I beseech Thee by the Ark which at times soareth in the air with the wings of detachment, and at other times moveth across the land by Thy power which holdeth sway over all humanity, and traverseth the sea by Thy Name which exerciseth dominion over all who are in the heavens and on earth, to make me steadfast in Thy Cause whereby hearts have been sorely troubled and feet have stumbled. O my Lord! Deprive not Thy servants of the sweet savours of Thy days, nor keep them back from the pavilions of Thy grace which have been raised above the most exalted standards. The glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of My mercy be upon you, O My loved ones, and upon My handmaidens who have believed in God, the Lord of creation. Praise be to God, the Lord of all beings.

BH00271: Tafsir-i-Va’sh-Shams (Commentary on the Surih of the Sun)

Section 1: “All praise be to God Who caused…”

In the name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate

All praise be to God Who caused the dove of utterance to warble upon the twigs of the tree of exposition with diverse melodies that there is none other God but Him. He hath brought the worlds into being and created all possibility through His Primal Will, whereby He hath created all that was and all that shall be. And praise be to God Who hath adorned the heaven of reality with the sun of meaning and knowledge, whereon hath been inscribed by the Most Exalted Pen: “The Kingdom belongeth unto God, the Omnipotent, the Overshadowing, the Self-Subsisting”—Who hath manifested the Most Great Ocean gathered from the water flowing from the Source of the letter Ha’, which leadeth to the Most Ancient Name, wherefrom the Primal Point was differentiated and the all-embracing Word appeared and Truth and Law came forth, and whereby the believers have soared into the atmosphere of revelation and presence, and the sincere ones unto the manifestation of their Lord, the Mighty, the Loving.

And blessings and peace be upon the Dayspring of the Most Beautiful Names and the Most Exalted Attributes, in every letter of Whose name are treasured all names, and through Whom existence, both seen and unseen, hath been adorned—Who was named Muhammad in the Kingdom of Names and Ahmad in the Realm of Eternity—and upon His family and companions from this Day until the Day whereon the Tongue of Grandeur shall proclaim: “The Kingdom belongeth unto God, the One, the All-Compelling!”

Thy letter hath come before Us and We have taken note of thine allusions therein. We beseech God to aid thee in that which He loveth and is pleased with, and to draw thee nigh unto the shore of the sea which surgeth in the name of thy Most Exalted Lord, wherein every drop proclaimeth that there is none other God but Him, and that He is verily the Creator of names and the Originator of the heavens.

O thou who asketh! When thou intendest to reach the sacred precincts and the Sinai of nearness, purify thy heart from all else but Him, then put off the sandals of idle fancies and vain imaginings that thou mayest behold with the eye of thy heart the revelations of God, the Lord of the Throne and of the dust. For this is the Day of revelation and witnessing—separation hath passed and union hath come, and this is through the grace of thy Lord, the Mighty, the Beloved. Leave question and answer to the people of dust. Soar on the wings of detachment unto the atmosphere of the nearness of thy Lord’s mercy, the Most Merciful, the Compassionate.

Say: O people! The Primal Point hath been differentiated, the all-embracing Word hath been completed, and the sovereignty of God, the Overshadowing, the Self-Subsisting, hath been made manifest. Say: O people! Ye occupy yourselves with the rivulet while the sweet sea surgeth before your faces—what aileth you that ye comprehend not? Do ye speak of the knowledge ye possess after He hath appeared Who stood at the Point of Knowledge, from which all things have appeared and unto which they have returned and reverted, and from which have appeared the decrees of God and the knowledge which had ever remained treasured within the protection of your Lord, the Most High, the Most Great? Leave allusions to their people and seek the station wherein ye shall find the fragrances of knowledge from its atmosphere.

Thus doth counsel you this servant, whose every limb and vein beareth witness that there is none other God but Him. He hath ever been in the heights of grandeur and glory and the summit of loftiness and majesty. And those whom He hath sent with truth and guidance—these are the Daysprings of His revelation among His creation, the Dawning-Places of His command among His servants, and the Recipients of His inspiration in His creation. Through them have the mysteries appeared, the laws been ordained, and the Cause of God, the Omnipotent, the Mighty, the Unconstrained, been made manifest. There is none other God but Him, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.

O questioner! Know that people take pride in knowledge and praise it, yet this servant complains of it. Were it not for knowledge, the Beauty would not have been imprisoned in the Most Great Prison of Akka, nor would He have drunk the cup of tribulation at the hands of His enemies. Rhetoric has distanced me, the science of meanings has brought me low, mention of union has disjointed my limbs, brevity has become the cause of prolixity in my hardship and tribulation, morphology has turned me from rest, syntax has erased joy and delight from my heart, and my knowledge of God’s mysteries has become chains around my neck. Despite this, how can I mention what you asked about the verses sent down from the heaven of might and grandeur, verses whose meaning has bewildered the minds of the wise and to whose heights the birds of understanding have failed to soar?

The wings of this bird have been clipped by the shears of envy and hatred. If this bird, whose primary and secondary feathers have been cut, could find wings to fly in the atmosphere of meanings and utterance, it would warble upon the branches of the tree of knowledge and exposition such melodies as would cause the hearts of the sincere to soar to the heaven of longing and attraction, where they would behold the effulgences of their Lord, the Mighty, the Bestower.

But now I am prevented from revealing what is treasured, from expanding what is condensed, and from disclosing what is hidden. Rather, we must conceal rather than reveal. Were I to speak of what God has taught me through His grace and bounty, people would disperse from around me and flee, save those who have drunk from the Kawthar of life from the cups of the words of their Lord, the All-Merciful. For every word sent down from the heaven of revelation to the Prophets and Messengers is filled with the pure water of meanings, utterance, wisdom, and exposition. Blessed are they who drink thereof.

However, since We have perceived from you the fragrance of love, We shall mention briefly what you have asked, that you may detach yourself from the people of metaphor who have turned away from the truth and its mystery, clinging instead to their own suppositions and idle fancies, even after it was revealed aforetime that “conjecture profiteth nothing against truth” and in another place, “truly some suspicion is a sin.”

Then know that the sun mentioned in the blessed Surah has diverse applications. In its primary rank, in the station of divine unity and the ancient, heavenly sanctuary, it is a mystery of God’s mysteries, a protection from God’s protections, treasured in God’s treasuries, concealed in God’s knowledge, sealed with God’s seal. None has comprehended it save the One, the Single, the All-Informed, for in that station it is the Primal Will itself and the dawning of Divine Unity, shining forth by itself upon the horizons, illuminating whoever turns toward it. Just as when the sun rises, its radiance encompasses the world, except for lands that are veiled by some obstacle. Observe how lands without roofs and walls are illumined by it, while those with walls are prevented from its radiance. Similarly, behold how the Sun of Truth shines forth with the lights of meanings and utterance upon all creation. Whoever turns toward it is illumined by its lights, and their heart is brightened by its radiance and effulgence. But whoever turns away finds no portion thereof, for between them and it stands the veil of self and desire. Thus they remain far from the manifestation of the Sun of Truth that has dawned from the horizon of the heaven of names.

Then in another sense it [the word “sun”] is applied to the Prophets of God and His chosen ones, for they are the suns of His names and attributes amidst His creation. Were it not for them, no one would be illumined by the lights of divine knowledge. As thou observest, each of the peoples of the earth hath been illumined by one of these radiant Suns, and he that denieth hath been deprived thereof. For instance, the followers of Christ were illumined by the Sun of His knowledge until the Orb of the horizons dawned from the horizon of Hijaz. Those among the Christians and other peoples who denied Him were deprived of that Sun and its rays. Their very denial became as a wall between them and the Light that shone from the horizon of the Cause of thy Lord, the Mighty, the Help in Peril.

And in another sense it is applied to the friends of God and His loved ones, for they are the suns of divine guardianship among all creatures. Were it not for them, darkness would envelop the whole earth, save whom thy Lord willeth. And it hath diverse other applications. If ten scribes were to appear before Us and We were to dictate unto them for a year or two, they would witness their own impotence. And were it not for the denial of certain ignorant ones, We would extend the time further and the Pen of God, the All-Praised, would transcend all limitations.

Know thou that just as thou art convinced that there is no end to His words, be likewise convinced that their meanings also have no end—but this is known only to their Interpreter and the treasurers of their mysteries. Those who look into books and use them to oppose the Manifestation of divine authority are dead, not living, even though they walk and talk and eat and drink.

Alas! Alas! Were that which hath been treasured within the heart of Baha, of that which His Lord, the Lord of all names, hath taught Him, to be revealed, those whom thou seest on earth would fall senseless. How many meanings are there that words cannot contain! How many of them have no expression and have been given neither statement nor allusion! And how many of them cannot be uttered because their time hath not come, as it hath been said:

“Not all that is known can be disclosed, nor is the time ripe for all that can be disclosed, nor are the people capable of hearing all for which the time is ripe.”

And there are those whose mention dependeth upon knowledge of the Dawning-Places wherein We have expounded the sciences and revealed what was hidden. We beseech God to enable thee and assist thee to know the Source of knowledge, that thou mayest become independent of those who claim knowledge without clear proof or illuminating Book. Hold fast to the Source of knowledge and its Mine, that thou mayest find thyself independent of all who claim knowledge without clear evidence or an illuminating Book.

Section 2: “And in another sense it is applied…”

And in another sense it is applied to the Most Beautiful Names, whereby each Name of God, exalted be He, becometh a sun shining upon the horizons. For instance, observe the Name of God “the All-Knowing”—it is a sun that hath risen from the horizon of the will of thy Lord, the Most Merciful, and its lights, effects and splendors shine upon the temples of knowledge. Know thou that any true knowledge thou findest with the learned ones who follow not their own desires, who acknowledge the Cornerstone of divine decree and hold fast to the firm Handle—know that it is truth and its knowledge is a ray from the rays of this Sun.

We have interpreted the Names and explained their mysteries, splendors, lights, outer and inner meanings, the secrets of their letters, and the wisdom of their composition in the Book We wrote for one of Our loved ones who asked about the Names and what they contain. Know thou that the Word of God, blessed and exalted be He, in its primary reality and first station, comprehendeth meanings that most people are veiled from perceiving. We testify that His words are perfect, and in each word of His are concealed meanings that none hath understood save His own Self and those endowed with the knowledge of the Book. There is no God but He, the Mighty, the Powerful, the Bestower.

Know then that the interpreters who have interpreted the Qur’an were of two kinds: those who neglected the outward meaning and interpreted it according to the inner meaning, and those who interpreted it according to the outward meaning and neglected the inner meaning. Were We to mention their statements and explanations, such weariness would overtake thee as would prevent thee from reading what We have written for thee. We have therefore omitted their mention in this place. Blessed are they who have taken both the outward and the inner meanings—these are servants who have believed in the all-embracing Word. Know that whoso taketh the outward meaning and abandoneth the inner is ignorant, and whoso taketh the inner meaning and abandoneth the outward is heedless, and whoso taketh the inner meaning while maintaining the outward meaning is a perfect sage. This is a word that hath shone forth from the horizon of knowledge—recognize its worth and value its price highly. We make mention of Our purpose through allusions in Our signs and words. Blessed is he who apprehendeth it, for he is of those who have attained.

Say: O people! By God, the Dove hath warbled on the branches, the Cock of the Throne hath crowed with wisdom and utterance, and the wings of the Peacock have spread in the Garden of Paradise. How long will ye slumber on the couch of heedlessness and error? Arise from the beds of passion and turn unto the dawning-place of the mercy of your Lord, the Lord of eternity and the Revealer of names. Beware lest ye object to him who calleth you unto God and His ways. Fear God and be not of the heedless ones.

Then know that the Blessed and Exalted One hath sworn to His Prophet by the sun of Divinity, the sun of Providence, the sun of the Divine Will, the sun of Purpose, the sun of Names, and by the lights of these suns and their effulgences, their manifestations, their appearances, and their influences, and by the visible sun that shineth from the horizon of this exalted heaven.

“And by the moon when it followeth it”—and the moon is the station of Providence which followed the sun of Prophethood, that is, appeared after it to establish the Prophet’s Cause amongst the servants. Were We to mention the stations of the moon, thou wouldst find the book to be of great volume.

“And by the day when it revealeth it”—the intended meaning of the day in its primary reality is every day wherein appeared a Prophet from among God’s Prophets and His Messengers to establish His remembrance amongst His servants and to execute His laws among His creatures, wherein the Manifestation of the Cause revealed Himself to the manifestations of all things, and on that day the lights of the sun appear and it revealeth them in this sense, that is, in it and through it the sun of Prophethood illumined and shone forth.

“And by the night when it enshroudeth it”—the intended meaning of night is the veil of Oneness behind which was concealed the Primal Point, which, after Its descent from Its station, became established in the seat of Unity, the station of Primary Unity, from which came the flexible alif, and beneath the veil of Primary Unity It appeared with the moving alif, which is the upright alif, and the enshrouding is the veil, and that which is enshrouded is the Primal Point, which was the reality of the sun of Prophethood.

“And by the heaven and That which built it”—heaven hath diverse applications among the people of truth: the heaven of meanings, the heaven of mystical knowledge, the heaven of religions, the heaven of knowledge, the heaven of wisdom, the heaven of grandeur, the heaven of loftiness, the heaven of glory—and That which built it means He Who created these mentioned heavens and what thou seest outwardly.

“By the earth and its expanse”—The meaning of “earth” is the earth of hearts, which is vaster than earth and heaven, for the heart is the Most Great Throne for the establishment of thy Lord’s revelation, Creator of nations and Fashioner of bones. Verily it is the earth wherein God hath deposited the seeds of His knowledge and love, that from it may spring forth the ears of knowledge and certitude. Say: O people! Today is the day of sowing. Sow ye in your hearts, with the hands of certitude, that which ye have been given by your Lord, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. For “earth” there are countless meanings, and We have chosen but one of them. “And its expanse” means: and by Him Who spread it forth by His power and the sovereignty of His command.

“By the soul and Him Who perfected it”—The soul hath many ranks and diverse stations. Among them are the heavenly soul, the celestial soul, the divine soul, the godly soul, the holy soul, the assured soul, the content soul, the well-pleased soul, the inspired soul, the reproving soul, and the commanding soul. What is meant in that which was revealed is the soul which God made comprehensive of all deeds, whether of acceptance or rejection, of error or guidance, of faith or unbelief. “And Him Who perfected it” means: and by Him Who created it and established it.

“And inspired it with its wickedness and its righteousness” means He taught it and informed it of its wickedness—that is, the deeds which profit it not and distance it from its Lord and Creator—and its righteousness—that is, He inspired it with that which sanctifieth it from what is forbidden. In other words, He created it and made known to it the path of guidance and error, truth and falsehood, light and darkness. Then He commanded it to abandon what was forbidden and to turn toward what was commanded.

“Successful indeed is he who purifieth it”—this is the answer to the oath, meaning that he hath prospered who purifieth it, who cleanseth it from imperfections and desires and from all that is forbidden in the Book. Consider those who have purified their souls in these days. By My life! They are the prosperous ones. They are men whom neither the world nor all that is therein hath prevented from turning toward the Straight Path. They are the exemplars of this blessed verse, who have made righteousness their garment and have clung to the hem of their Lord’s grace in these days wherein feet have slipped. We bear witness to that which God hath witnessed, and We acknowledge that which hath been sent down from Him. Verily He is the Truth, and after truth there is naught save error.

“And failed indeed is he who corrupteth it” means he hath lost who hath corrupted it, who hath neglected it and hath not purified it, who hath not restrained it from what was forbidden and hath not commanded it to what was enjoined.

“Thamud denied through their transgression”—Thamud, as mentioned in the Books, were a people to whom God sent Salih, peace be upon him. They denied him after he commanded them to good and forbade them evil. They followed not God’s command and obeyed not that which they were commanded, and abandoned God’s command and His ways until they hamstrung the she-camel.

“So their Lord destroyed them for their sin” means God was wroth with them and made them a lesson to the worlds. But in truth, whoever turneth away from the Truth is of Thamud, from whatever lineage he may be. Soon shall punishment encompass them even as it encompassed the factions of old. Verily thy Lord is the Mighty, the Powerful. And praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

We have not mentioned what the commentators have said in their interpretation of the blessed Surah, for their books of interpretation are readily available among the people. Whosoever wishes to examine their commentaries and explanations may consult their books. They have interpreted the sun as the visible sun, and likewise with the moon, and to the end of the Surah they have followed the path of the literal meaning and have contented themselves with what they possess. However, We have interpreted it in ways not mentioned in the books. We beseech God to make each letter of what hath been mentioned a chalice of meanings and knowledge, and to give thee to drink therefrom that which shall sever thee from all that His good-pleasure abhorreth and shall draw thee nigh unto the station which He hath ordained for His chosen ones. Verily, He is the All-Forgiving, the All-Merciful. And praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

Glorified art Thou, O my God! I beseech Thee by Thy Name through which all things proclaim Thy praise, to open the eyes of Thy creatures that they may behold the manifestations of Thy mighty oneness and the dawning-places of the Sun of Thy bounty. O Lord! Leave them not to themselves, for they are Thy servants and Thy creation. Draw them, through the Most Exalted Word, to the Dayspring of Thy most excellent names and the Treasury of Thy most exalted attributes. Thou art, verily, the All-Powerful over what Thou willest. There is none other God but Thee, the Almighty, the All-Wise.

BH00286: In the Name of Him through Whom the Herald…

Section 1: “In the Name of Him through Whom…”

In the Name of Him through Whom the Herald called out on the Day of Return: “The Kingdom belongs to God, the Lord of all beings!”

O Zayn! Upon thee be My glory and My loving-kindness! There hath come before the Wronged One the letter sent to thee by him who was named Husayn in the Book of Names. We testify that from this Most Exalted Horizon he hath attained the choice wine of revelation and, through the grace of his Lord, the All-Merciful, hath taken and drunk from the cup of recognition in His name, the Mighty, the Wondrous. We have read his letter and answered him with a remembrance before which all remembrances bow down, with an utterance around which all utterance circles, and with a Book that proclaimeth before the faces of the world:

“The gate of heaven hath been opened and the Lord of Names hath come with the hosts of revelation and inspiration!”

Blessed is he who hath heard and attained, and woe unto the heedless!

O Husayn! Hear the call from the direction of the Wronged One—verily there is no God but Him, the Peerless, the All-Informed. He hath come for the salvation and life of the world. To this testifieth He Who proclaimeth in every state: “There is no God but Me, the Mighty, the All-Praised!” Thy letter hath attained unto the hearing of the Wronged One, and He hath sent down for every name mentioned therein that which beareth witness to His grace, His bounty and His mercy that hath preceded all who are in the heavens and the earth.

Jinab-i-Mir Muhammad-ʿAli, upon him be 66-9 [Baha’u’llah]:

O Pen! Make mention of him who was named Muhammad-ʿAli, that this remembrance may draw him near unto God, the One, the Single, the Peerless, the Mighty, the Generous. Blessed is the temple adorned with the ornament of detachment, and blessed is the head honored with the crown of godliness from God, the Lord of the worlds. Say: Shatter the idols of vain desire through the name of the Lord of all humanity, and follow not every deluded remote one. Say: O people! The Day hath come, and the Self-Subsisting calleth out from the most exalted horizon: Fear God and be not among the oppressors! Cast aside the sources of idle fancies, turning unto the Self-Subsisting Who hath come with an authority before which neither the hosts of Pharaohs nor the ranks of tyrants can stand.

Thus hath the Pen spoken when the Wronged One was established upon this exalted station. Take hold of the Book of God with the power from Him, then read what hath been sent down therein from One All-Knowing, All-Informed. The glory be upon thee, upon thy wife and thy son. We beseech God to assist them in what He loveth and is pleased with, and to ordain for them the good of the hereafter and of this world. Verily, He is powerful over all things.

Jinab-i-Mirza Abu’l-Qasim, upon Him be the glory of God:

O Abu’l-Qasim! He Who is encompassed by sorrows mentioneth thee that thou mayest thank thy Lord, the Master of the Day of Judgment. By the life of God! The Most Exalted Pen hath raised its shrill voice at all times, yet most of the people are heedless. They have not heard the Cry, nor the Call, nor the lamentation of those near ones who have lamented for what hath befallen Us at the hands of the oppressors. We counsel thee to fear God and to observe trustworthiness, which God hath made a wealth for His servants and a treasure for His creation. Verily, He is the Almighty, the Powerful. Give thanks unto God for that the Wronged One hath mentioned thee in this Great Prison. The glory be upon thee, upon thy brother, and upon whoso is with thee and hath attained unto the Kawthar of utterance from the hands of the bounty of his Lord, the Kind, the Forgiving, the Merciful.

Jinab-i-Ustad ʿAli, upon Him be the glory of God:

O Ali! The world hath been illumined by a Light that hath shone forth and gleamed from the highest horizon, yet the people have turned away therefrom and opposed it, following the sources of conjecture and idle fancy—they who have broken the Covenant and disbelieved in God, the Lord of all worlds. This is the Day wherein the Mount calleth out: “My Interlocutor hath come!” and the Light proclaimeth: “My Creator hath appeared!” The rapture of this Revelation hath seized all things, and the highest Paradise hath trembled with longing to attain the presence of God, Lord of the throne and of the dust, and Sovereign of this wondrous Day. Take hold of the Book of God with the strength that cometh from Him and say: “Praise be unto Thee, O Thou Who hast remembered me, and glory be unto Thee, O Thou Who hast honored me with the tokens of Thy Most Exalted Pen and remembered me when I was heedless of Thee. I testify that Thou hast appeared and hast manifested that whereby the dwellers of the graves have arisen, and the Dove of Revelation hath warbled upon the branch of the Mount. The appointed time hath come, and the abode of signs hath appeared through a manifest command.”

Jinab-i-Ustad Hasan Sabbagh, upon Him be the glory of God:

O Sabbagh! Hear the call from the direction of Akka—verily there is no God but Him, the Single, the All-Informed. He hath created all things through a word from Him; He is the Powerful, the Mighty. We have preferred white above all other colors. Verily thy Lord doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He pleaseth. It is the mother of colors in the Book of God, the Mighty, the Great. Blessed is he who is dyed with the dye of God, which is sanctification from the world and its colors and all that is therein. Thus hath spoken the Tongue of the Wronged One while in the hands of the oppressors. We counsel thee and those who have believed to show forth the utmost steadfastness in this Cause, whereby the feet of those who claimed knowledge without clear proof or manifest Book have slipped.

O My loved ones in Jowshaqan! Hearken unto the call of the Wronged One, Who hath borne all tribulations for the manifestation of God’s Cause, the Lord of all worlds. We counsel you to wisdom and utterance, and to those virtues which We have made the hosts of the Cause in this mighty Announcement. Aid your Lord through goodly deeds and through that which We have revealed in a Tablet from whose horizon the light of your Lord’s command, the Strong, the Powerful, hath shone. The glory from Us be upon you and upon the handmaidens of God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy.

O My loved ones in Badegan! We make mention of My loved ones in Badegan that the remembrance may draw them to the highest horizon and bring them near unto God, the Mighty, the Great.

Jinab-i-Mirza Mahmud, upon Him be the glory of God:

O Mahmud! We have heard thy call and have answered thee; thy name was present and We mentioned thee with a wondrous mention. Take hold of the Book of God with the strength that cometh from Him and say:

“Praise be to Thee, O Thou the Goal of the world, for having caused me to hear Thy call and to behold the tokens of Thy Pen, and for having guided me to Thy path. I beseech Thee to aid me to be steadfast in this Cause whereby the skin of the deniers who heard and turned away when the All-Merciful came with a mighty proof hath quivered.”

Let not the affairs of the world sadden thee, nor the doubts of any heedless one far removed from God hold thee back. Arise to serve My Cause with wisdom and utterance, then give thanks to thy Lord, the Compassionate, the Generous. He hath guided thee to His path and hath mentioned thee in His prison with the tongue of the Dayspring of His verses, the Dawning-place of His clear tokens, and the Source of His luminous, resplendent Command.

Ghulam-ʿAli, upon Him be the glory of God:

O Ghulam-ʿAli! Hearken unto the call of Him Who standeth before the faces of the world, speaking by the command of God, the Lord of Religions. We have arisen and summoned the servants unto that which thou wast bidden by the One True God, the Chosen One. The happenings of the world and the books of nations have not deterred Us, as doth testify He with Whom is the Mother Book. We have manifested the Cause and revealed the verses by the command of God, the Lord of all men. Blessed is he who hath gathered the fruits of My Lote-Tree and hath attained unto My Cause, at Whose appearance all necks were humbled.

Muhammad Aqa, upon Him be the glory of God:

O Muhammad! The Wronged One remembereth thee at this hour when His sighs have ascended and His tears have fallen by reason of what hath befallen the Cause of God from them that denied Him when He came with power and dominion. They awaited the days of the Manifestation, yet when the ocean of utterance surged in the realm of possibility and the Dayspring of the Cause appeared, they turned away and denied the proof and the evidence. We counsel thee and them that have believed in that which beseemeth the Lord of Days. Blessed is the strong one whom the might of the people hath not shaken, and the steadfast one whom the power of the wicked hath not deterred. Thus hath the Pen spoken when the Wronged One was in the Most Great Prison through that which the hands of the evil ones have wrought.

Muhammad Sadiq, upon Him be the glory of God:

O Muhammad-Sadiq! Hast thou heard the call of thy Lord when it was raised in truth, and hast thou beheld His signs when they encompassed the horizons? When thou findest the fragrance of that which hath been revealed from My Most Exalted Pen, say: Praise be unto Thee, O Lord of all beings and God of the throne on high and of earth below, for having enabled me to turn unto Thee and to acknowledge that which Thy tongue hath uttered. I beseech Thee by Thy greatest signs and the manifestations of Thy Will amongst all created things, to make me and them that have believed to be among such as hold fast unto the cord of Thy commandments and laws. Then assist us, O our God, with the hosts of wisdom and utterance. Verily Thou art the Mighty, the Glorious, the All-Bountiful. Then ordain for us that which shall be a treasure with Thee. Verily Thou art the Mighty, the All-Munificent.

Badaqan—And We make mention of the servants of God there whose names were not mentioned before the Face, and We remind them of My verses and give them the glad-tidings of God’s loving-kindness, the Lord of Lords. The glory from Us be upon them and upon the leaves who have clung to the Tree which was planted by the hand of power in the midst of Paradise. Is there any with hearing to hear the melodies of My Pen and the cooing of the Dove of My utterance upon the branches? Blessed is the servant whom the ornaments of the world have not kept back from the Lord of nations, and the heart that hath been illumined with the light of faith.

Section 2: “Zavarih—O Husayn! Upon thee be…”

Zavarih—O Husayn! Upon thee be the glory of Husayn. We have heard thy call and what thou didst mention regarding the enkindlement of God’s loved ones in Qaf. We bear witness that they have attained when the All-Bountiful came with the kingdom of utterance. We make mention of them with My remembrance and remind them of My verses and give them the glad-tidings of God’s loving-kindness, the Lord of the final end. Thou didst mention him who ascended to the Supreme Companion, who was named ʿAbdu’r-Rahim in the Book of God, the Lord of creation. He ascended with the light of certitude and the Concourse on High received him with the banners of verses, and We mentioned him before his ascension and after it with that whose fragrance shall not cease to endure as long as the Book of God, the Mighty, the All-Bestowing, shall endure. And We make mention of his sons at this time and We beseech God to aid them to be so steadfast that neither the hosts of the world nor the doubts of them that denied when the Desired One came with might and power shall deter them.

To Aqa Mirza Mihdi, son of him who ascended unto God:

O Mihdi! Hear thou the call of the Wronged One. Verily He hath appeared before all faces without veil or covering. Hast thou not heard His call betwixt earth and heaven? Hast thou not witnessed His power which neither the might of princes nor the oppression of the divines who denied the Manifestation when He came from the Mount of Knowledge with God’s proof, the Self-Sufficient, the Most High, could weaken? Husayn made mention of thee, and We too make mention of thee as a token of Our grace, for I am verily the All-Knowing Rememberer. Blessed art thou for having turned toward the horizon of the Cause when the Wronged One was in the most desolate of lands. We beseech God to aid thee to be steadfast and to reinforce thee with the hosts of utterance that thou mayest establish thy Lord’s Cause amongst all peoples. We make mention of thy wife and give her glad tidings of her Lord’s mercy which hath preceded the earth and the heavens.

O My loved ones! The Wronged One calleth unto you from the Most Great Prison with that which shall exalt God’s Cause, the Revealer of verses. I have witnessed in the prison that which I love not to witness and have heard that which I love not to hear. To this testifieth He with Whom are the treasuries of wisdom and utterance. That hath befallen Me at which all things have lamented, yet the people are wrapped in heedlessness and veils.

Aqa Siyyid Mahmud, upon Him be the glory of God:

O Mahmud! He Who hath come with an irrevocable decree from God, the Supreme Ordainer, the Self-Subsisting, maketh mention of thee. Husayn made mention of thee, and We too make mention of thee that thou mayest give thanks unto thy Lord, the Mighty, the Loving. Arise to serve the Cause of thy Lord, then remind the servants of that which hath appeared and shone forth from the most exalted horizon. Thus hath the Mother Book spoken forth in this praiseworthy station. When the wine of My utterance hath taken hold of thee, say:

My God, my God! I testify that Thou hast manifested Thy Cause, guided Thy servants, made known unto them Thy path, shown them Thy horizon, and sent down unto them Thy proof. Some have turned away and some have turned toward Thee. I beseech Thee, O Lord of the worlds and Goal of all peoples, by Thy Most Great Name, to aid Thy servants to turn toward Thee, to acknowledge that which Thy tongue hath uttered, and to act according to what Thou hast revealed in Thy Book. Verily Thou art the Omnipotent over what Thou willest. There is none other God but Thee, the Truth, the Knower of things unseen.

The loved ones in Hamadan: We make mention of the land of Ha and Mim, that God’s loved ones who believed in Him when He came with His choice-sealed wine may rejoice thereby. O My loved ones in that land! We made mention of you before with a mention by which hearts were attracted, and We make mention of you at this time when the Wronged One is between the jaws of wolves through that which the hands of every malicious oppressor have wrought. Aid ye your Lord through utterance. We have lifted the decree of holy war by the sword and have made it to be waged through refinement, goodly character and knowledge. Blessed is he who hath cast away his vain desire, taking hold of My preserved tablet.

O Exalted Pen! Make mention of My loved ones in Dawlatabad and give them the glad-tidings of the loving-kindness of their Lord, the Possessor of existence. O My loved ones in that place! Hearken unto My call. Verily, there is none other God but He, the Single, the One, the Powerful, the Mighty, the Loving. We have mentioned you before and have sent down for you that which caused the Most Exalted Paradise to be stirred. My inscribed Tablet beareth witness to this. We have veiled your names as a wisdom from Our presence and as a protection from Us. We beseech God to aid you to champion His Cause through remembrance and utterance, and to make you ensigns of love amongst all people. Verily, He is the One Who has power over whatsoever He willeth through His word “Be” and it is. We behold those who have turned towards the Countenance and We hear their mention of this Cause whereby hearts have been perturbed and souls have lamented. The glory rest upon you and upon those whom neither the ranks of the world nor the cannons and armies have deterred.

The loved ones of God in Khalajabad: O Temple of Utterance! Turn thy face towards My loved ones in Khalajabad, then bring forth from the ocean of utterance the pearls of wisdom and explanation. Verily, Thou art powerful over whatsoever Thou willest and within Thy grasp are the reins of all affairs. O loved ones of God in that place! We have mentioned you before and have acquainted you with God’s extended path, and We have revealed for you that which has brought solace to the eyes of the people of the cities of knowledge and wisdom. To this beareth witness He Who summons all to the horizon of the Revelation from God, the Lord of the unseen and the seen.

Give thanks unto God for having aided you to turn towards Him and for having sent down for you that whereby your mention shall endure amongst His servants. Verily, He is the Powerful over what was and what shall be. Nothing whatsoever escapeth His knowledge. He witnesseth and seeth, and He is the Speaker, the Hearer, the Mighty, the Beloved. Soon shall the cawing be raised in that place. This is what We have informed you of before, did ye but know. This is the Day which Muhammad, the Apostle of God, and before Him the Gospel, the Torah, and the Psalms have foretold. Blessed is he who hath laid hold on the Most Great Cord and clung to the hem of the mercy of his Lord, the Sovereign, the Self-Subsisting.

The loved ones of God in Shahabad: We make mention of My loved ones in Shahabad and counsel them to perform pure deeds for God, the Lord of the worlds. Hearken unto My call. Verily, it will draw you nigh unto God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy. Beware lest the doubts of the cawing ones debar you from the straight path of God. Take hold of the Book of God with the strength that proceedeth from Him and follow not every heedless sinner from among those who have violated God’s covenant and His testament by following the promptings of the Evil Ones. Thus hath the Pen spoken when the Wronged One was in His mighty prison. Blessed are ye for having turned towards the Most Exalted Horizon when every transgressor and doubter turned away. Ye have drunk the choice wine of utterance from the hands of the bounty of your Lord, the Most Merciful. We counsel you to be steadfast in this Most Great Cause whereby the hearts of the deceivers have been perturbed.

The loved ones of God in Sultanabad: O Thou Who art wronged! Make mention of Thy loved ones in the land of Sin and Lam and give them the glad-tidings of the loving-kindness of their Lord, the Compassionate, the Generous. O My loved ones in that place! We have mentioned each one of you in the Crimson Scroll by My Most Exalted Pen as a bounty from God, the Powerful, the Mighty. We mentioned you before with that which all the treasures of kings cannot equal. Ye have attained unto the traces of the Most Exalted Pen, to this doth testify He with Whom is the clear Book. Rejoice, then give thanks to your Lord, the Most Merciful, for this great bounty. We have mentioned the names as a command from Us. Verily your Lord, the Most Merciful, is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. We beseech Him to aid you in His remembrance and praise, and in steadfastness in this wondrous Cause.

O Husayn! We have made mention of the loved ones of God in Nun and Jim in various Tablets. Their names were present before the Wronged One, and We revealed for each one of them that which brought solace to the eyes of the sincere ones. From this station We send Our greetings to them and bid them to deeds and virtuous conduct. Thus have We counseled Our loved ones before and after. Blessed are they who act!

The glory from Our presence be upon His loved ones and chosen ones who were moved neither by the tempests of hatred nor the storms of adversity. They heard the Call from the Most Exalted Horizon and said:

“Here am I, O Thou Goal of the mystics! Here am I, O Thou Who art worshipped by all who are in the heavens and on earth!”

BH00320: This is a remembrance from Us to those who…

Section 1: “This is a remembrance from Us to those…”

He is the Most Ancient, the Most Great, the Most Exalted, the Most High!

This is a remembrance from Us to those who have held fast to the cord of God, the Sure, and have clung to the hem of the robe of their Lord, the All-Forgiving, the All-Bountiful.

O Solomon! The fragrance of the All-Merciful hath been wafted throughout creation. Turn unto Him with a luminous heart. We have seen thy name and have revealed unto thee this perspicuous Tablet that thou mayest give thanks unto thy Lord, the Mighty, the All-Praised.

O Judah! The Lord of Names in the prison of ʿAkka hath turned toward thee with a countenance whereby the heavens and earth were illumined. Blessed is he who hath seen, and woe unto the heedless! O Solomon! We have seen thy name and have made mention of thee with a remembrance from whose horizon hath shone the sun of thy Lord’s loving-kindness, the Mighty, the All-Wise. We counsel thee and them that have believed with that whereby the Cause of God, the Lord of all worlds, may be exalted.

O Mihdi! The Lord of inner meanings maketh mention of thee with a remembrance whereby the fragrance of utterance hath been diffused throughout all creation. Give thanks unto thy Lord for this great favor. Beware lest the affairs of the world withhold thee from the Lord of Eternity. Cast away what the people possess and take what thou hast been bidden by thy Lord, the Commander, the Ancient of Days.

O Chayim! We have turned toward thee from the precincts of the Prison and have sent down unto thee that wherefrom those near unto God perceive the fragrance of God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. Take hold of the verses of God with the strength that proceedeth from Him and say:

“Praise be unto Thee, O Thou Who hast remembered me in Thy Most Great Prison and hast turned toward me from Thy far-distant station.”

O Lalehzar! We make mention of those who have believed in God and have turned unto the Most Sublime Horizon. Blessed is he who hath seen with insight and heard with hearing ears the call of God, the Sovereign, the Mighty, the All-Loving. Beware lest human affairs grieve thee and withhold thee from the Lord of Decree. Thus have We commanded thee. Act according to what thou hast been bidden for the sake of God, thy Lord, the Most Merciful, the Compassionate.

O Nasir! The Almighty hath heard thy call and hath answered thee with exalted words and brilliant verses. By the life of God! He shall suffice thee throughout the dominion of earth and heaven. O Joseph! We make mention of thee even as We made mention of thy father. Verily, thy Lord is the All-Remembering, the All-Informed. Rejoice in My favor unto thee and My remembrance of thee in My Great Prison.

O Isaac! The Lord of the Covenant maketh mention of thee on this Day of Meeting. Give thanks and say: “Praise be unto Thee, O Thou in Whose grasp is the dominion of existence.” We counsel those who have believed to manifest deeds and virtuous character. Verily, thy Lord doeth what He willeth through His word “Be,” and it is.

O Joseph! Hear the call from the Most Exalted Word in the prison of ʿAkka: “There is none other God but Me, the Almighty, the All-Powerful.” We have sent the Messengers and revealed the Books as a grace from Us, and We are verily the All-Bountiful, the All-Wise.

O Benjamin! The All-Wise maketh mention of thee from this Most Exalted Station which God hath made as a canopy for Himself, that thou mayest give thanks unto thy Lord, the Mighty, the All-Knowing. Arise to serve the Cause with supreme steadfastness. Say:

“Glory be unto Thee, O Lord of Names! I beseech Thee to make me steadfast in Thy Cause and to hold fast unto Thy Most Great Name.”

O Mihdi! The Promised One hath come and the Herald hath proclaimed: “The Kingdom is God’s, the Lord of the Day of Judgment.” Among the people are those who have turned away, those who have denied, those who have pronounced judgment against Us without clear proof or illuminating Book, and those who have forsaken the world out of their longing for the Most Great Name. Thus hath the matter been decreed, and most of the people are among the ignorant.

O Jacob! The story of Job hath returned, and the Intended One is in grievous affliction. Sorrows have encompassed Him from all directions by reason of what the hands of the idolaters have wrought. O people of God! Be not grieved by what hath befallen Us. God shall soon exalt His Cause through His grace, and He is verily the Almighty, the All-Powerful.

O Mihdi! Verily We summon the world unto light while they call Me unto fire. By this have the dwellers of the Most Exalted Paradise wailed, yet most of the people are fast asleep. Reflect upon the greatness of thy Lord’s patience despite His power and His mighty dominion.

O Yari! We have mentioned thee before and at this hour with that whereby thy remembrance shall endure in the Book of God, thy Lord and the Lord of thy forefathers. Say: O people of the earth! By God, the Friend from the Kingdom of utterance doth call out: O peoples of the earth! The Glorious One hath come with a manifest Cause. Cast aside the books of the world and hold fast unto this wondrous Book. By God! Verily it is the Mother Book, speaking throughout the world and calling all unto the Most Great Name. To this testifieth every discerning knower. Arise to serve the Cause with a power that the hosts of the world cannot weaken. Verily thy Lord is the Ordainer, the All-Wise.

O Khudadad! Hearken unto that which the Lord of Creation calleth out on the Day of Return:

“Verily there is none other God but Me, the Mighty, the Bestower.”

Blessed is the servant who hath turned toward the Most Exalted Horizon, and woe unto every heedless and remote one. Take thou the chalice of recognition in My Name, then drink therefrom through My wise remembrance. Thus did My Most Exalted Pen move when the Wronged One was in a mighty fortress.

O Solomon! The Lord of all creation mentioneth thee that the rapture of remembrance might seize thee and bring thee to a station wherein naught is heard save the verses of thy Lord, the Almighty, the All-Powerful. Beware lest the clamor of the divines hold thee back from the Lord of Names, or the might of princes from the Creator of the heavens. Soon shall all thou seest today perish, and there shall remain for thee what hath flowed from the Most Exalted Pen in this wondrous Tablet. We make mention in this station of him who heard My call, turned unto My face, attained unto My days, and ascended unto the Most Glorious Companion, being among the triumphant. He was named Aqajan in the Tablet of the All-Merciful. Blessed is he and blessed is he who remembereth him according to what was revealed for him from the presence of a trusted Speaker. We have remembered him before and after, and I am the All-Knowing Rememberer.

O Moses! The Speaker of Sinai hath come, and the Temple of Revelation proclaimeth, saying:

“Look and thou shalt behold Me, the One powerful over whatsoever I will through My blessed, mighty, and great Word.”

Be thou vocal in My remembrance, steadfast in the service of My Cause, turned toward My face, and advancing toward My luminous horizon.

O Chayim! The Bestower hath come, riding upon the clouds, yet the people behold and do not give thanks. He Who was hidden in the Books of God and inscribed by the Most Exalted Pen hath appeared, yet most of the people do not understand. The divines have taken for themselves lords besides God. Indeed, they are the ignorant ones, though they perceive it not. Say: O people! The Self-Subsisting hath come and proffereth unto you His sealed wine. Come ye, and be not among the slumberers. The Most Great Name hath appeared for the life of the world, yet most of the nations do not comprehend. Blessed is he who hath laid hold on the Most Firm Handle and clung to the hem of the robe of his Lord’s loving-kindness, the Sovereign of all sovereigns. Be thou in such wise that neither the ranks of princes nor the intimations of divines grieve thee. Thus doth the Pen of Revelation counsel thee as it moveth upon the Tablet.

O Rubin! This is the Day wherein the Call hath been raised from the Most Exalted Horizon, yet the people do not hear. That which was hidden in knowledge and treasured in the repositories of thy Lord’s power, He Who overshadoweth what was and what shall be, hath been made manifest.

O Aaron! Say: The Speaker (Moses) prostrated before the face of God, and Aaron circled round His throne, and the Spirit proclaims:

“The Object of all desire has come! The Kingdom is God’s, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting!”

We counsel thee and those who have believed to show forth the supreme steadfastness in this Cause whereby the hearts of the men of insight have been troubled and the foundations of those who denied the Witness and the Witnessed have been shaken. Say: O children of the Friend! By God, the Glorious One has come and calls you to a station wherein the call has been raised from God, the Sovereign of the Kingdom. Grieve not at anything, place thy trust in God in all matters. Verily He protects whomsoever He willeth through His authority, and He is the Truth, the Knower of the unseen.

O Moses! The Tree of the Cause has been raised up and calls out to the world: “O Moses! Verily I am God, the Lord of the worlds!” This is the right valley on the right side of the Garden of Paradise, and it proclaims with the most exalted call: “There is no God but Me, the Mighty, the Great!” When thou hearest My call and findest the sweetness of My utterance and knowest the mysteries of My Kingdom, arise and say: “Praise be unto Thee, O Lord of the world and Educator of the nations, for having made known unto me the Dawning-Place of Thy signs and having manifested unto me Thy clear tokens. I beseech Thee by the Most Great Sign and the manifestations of Thy Cause in creation to make me steadfast in Thy remembrance and praise amongst Thy servants. Verily Thou art the Omnipotent over what Thou willest, and within Thy grasp are the reins of all who are in the heavens and on earth.”

Section 2: “O Solomon! Be wise in My days. Beware…”

O Solomon! Be wise in My days. Beware lest things prevent thee from the Lord of Names or the might of princes veil thee. Arise and say: “God is our Lord and the Lord of all on earth and in heaven.” Thus doth thy Lord teach thee from the Kingdom of eternity that thou mayest thank Him and be of them that stand firm. Thus have We mentioned thee and sent down for thee the verses and expounded them in truth and dispatched them unto thee. Give thanks and say: “Praise be to Thee, O Thou the Goal of the worlds!”

O Ishmael! Dost thou know what hath appeared in My age and in My days? How many sacrifices have We sent to the place of martyrdom who gave up their lives in this straight Path! We have a sacrifice in Iraq who slept turning toward the House, and his throat was cut in his longing to meet God, the Mighty, the Beautiful. And We have a sacrifice in Sad—by the life of God, the Concourse on high were amazed by him—and likewise another sacrifice, and before them another sacrifice. Verily thy Lord recounteth unto thee what hath appeared in His mighty Day. And We have a sacrifice in Ta who was circled round by the Concourse on high, who was named “The Wondrous” in My Wondrous Book.

And We have another sacrifice who was named ʿAli in the Book of God, the Lord of the worlds. He advanced to the place of sacrifice with such steadfastness as amazed the denizens of the highest Paradise and those who circle round the throne of God, the Great. He proceeded, and with him proceeded the angels and the Spirit and the souls of those brought near and the sincere ones. He reached the station and took the cup of martyrdom in the name of the Lord of Names and drank thereof with spirit and fragrance, with a love that enraptured the dwellers of the highest Paradise and the Lote-Tree of the utmost boundary. Blessed is he and pleasant it is unto him and unto those who remember him through what the All-Merciful hath revealed after his ascension. He verily is the Rememberer, the Forgiving, the Generous.

By God the True One! The Spirit (Jesus) hath circled round My Cause and the Speaker (Moses) calleth out before My face, yet the people are among the dead. They were not awakened by the Call nor by the Cry when it was raised in truth. Verily thy Lord is the Expositor, the Mighty, the Praised. And I have sacrifices in the land of Ta and Ya, to which testifieth the Lord of Names and the Creator of heaven from His exalted station.

O ʿAziz! The Mighty One remembers thee, He Who accepted abasement in the path of God, the Mighty, the All-Knowing. Say: By God, abasement in His path is glory, poverty is wealth, mercy is comfort, and adversity is healing. Blessed is he who attains unto that which My Most Exalted Pen hath uttered, and woe unto the oppressors who have denied the rights of God and His loved ones, and have wronged in such wise as caused the dwellers of the cities of names and those who circle round My mighty throne to lament.

O Solomon! Hearken once again to the call of thy Most Glorious Lord, which hath been raised from the highest horizon, and be thou of the thankful. He hath sent down for thee that which shall endure as long as the kingdom and the realm endure. Of this doth testify the Preserved Tablet in His presence.

O Elijah! The Lord of all creation remembers thee and counsels thee to remember God in all conditions. Be thou steadfast in the Cause and speak forth that which the All-Merciful hath revealed in the Book. Read what hath been sent down from the Kingdom of Utterance. It will draw thee to the court of nearness, of holiness, and of reunion. Grieve not over anything and place thy trust in all matters in God, the Lord of Lords.

O Ezekiel! The Glorious One hath come, and the Friend is at His right hand, calling:

“O people of the Torah! The Revealer of verses hath come with clear evidences. Beware lest what ye possess prevent you from Him by one of Whose revelations the dwellers of Sinai were thunderstruck and the limbs of the righteous did tremble, save him whom the hand of power did rescue and raise to the most exalted station.”

Take hold of the Book of God with the strength that cometh from Him, then make mention of Him amongst the servants with wisdom and utterance.

O Pen! Make mention of him who is named Khudadad that he may give thanks unto his Lord, the Lord of creation, Who remembers him in His Most Great Prison—this station wherein the Tongue of Grandeur doth proclaim: “The kingdom belongeth unto God, the One, the Chosen!” Thus have We sent down the verses and manifested the evidences as a grace from Us, and verily I am the Generous, the Bountiful. Blessed are they who have not broken the Covenant of God and His pledge; these are indeed the people of this station.

O Solomon! The Wronged One makes mention of thee and counsels thee with that which will make manifest the station of man in the contingent world. Hold fast unto the Most Great Cord and cling to the hem of thy Lord, the Lord of the Return. Thus hath flowed the river of knowledge from the Pen of thy Lord, the All-Merciful, that thou mayest give thanks and arise to serve the Cause in the evening and at dawn.

O My Most Exalted Pen! Make mention of him who hath been named Mirza Aqa, and give him the glad-tidings of the loving-kindness of his Lord, the Mighty, the All-Bountiful. Say: By the life of God! A single verse from among the verses of God outweigheth the treasures of earth and heaven. Blessed is he who hath attained unto His mention, hath turned unto His horizon, hath arisen to serve Him, hath uttered His praise, and hath soared in an atmosphere wherein naught can be heard save the rushing winds of the mercy of his Lord, the Mighty, the All-Forgiving. Thus hath the Dove of the Pen warbled upon the branches, as a token of grace from God, the Manifestation of all religions. Glory be unto you, O children of the Friend and heirs of Him Who conversed with God, from One Who is the Daybreak.

O Most Exalted Pen! Make mention of those whose names were not mentioned before the Face, and say: O people of God! We counsel you with that which will draw you nigh unto Him, and We strengthen you to remain steadfast in this Cause whereby the feet of the mystics have slipped. We have heard your cries and lamentations by reason of that which hath befallen you in the path of God, the Lord of all lords. We have been with you in all conditions. We bear witness and We see, and verily I am the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.

Grief hath seized you when ye heard the gloating of the enemies. Rejoice ye now, for the Lord of all beings speaketh unto you. He is with those who love Him and make mention of Him at eventide and at dawn. We counsel you to be trustworthy, religious, to perform goodly deeds and to manifest praiseworthy conduct, and with that which will exalt you to the most sublime station. That which ye behold shall perish, but that which We have built with the hands of knowledge shall endure. It changeth neither from the sun nor from the rains. Rejoice in My remembrance of you. By the life of God! It is a treasure for you with God, the Lord of all beings. The glory shining from the horizon of the heaven of My Kingdom be upon you and upon those who have held fast unto certitude, turning away from idle fancies.

We make mention of My handmaidens and the sons and daughters of My loved ones, as a token of grace from Me, and I am the Generous, the All-Bountiful. O handmaidens of God! The Wronged One remembereth you from His prison cell and counseleth you to manifest pure devotion unto God, the Lord of all men. It behooveth you to hold fast unto the cord of God and to cling to the hem of His mercy, which hath preceded all who are in earth and heaven. O sons and daughters of My loved ones! Rejoice in My remembrance, then give thanks unto your Lord, the Mighty, the Unconstrained. Soon will there come unto you one who will croak to lead you astray from the path. Leave him behind you, turning unto God, the Lord of the Day of Judgment.

Thus hath the Sun of loving-kindness shone forth from the horizon of grace, and the verses have been sent down in truth. Rejoice in this bounty which hath no equal in the possession of His servants. He who hath attained My presence and soared in My atmosphere and visited the Temple of the Ancient of Days as your representative hath appeared, and this blessed deed, whose decree hath been sent down in the Book of God, the Manifester of clear evidences, hath been accepted before the Face. The glory that hath dawned resplendent from the horizon of My loving-kindness be upon you and upon those who have cast away what the people possess, yearning for that which is with God, the Revealer of verses.

BH02186: Praised be God, Who hath made Himself known unto…

Section 1: “Praised be God, Who hath made Himself known…”

Praised be God, Who hath made Himself known unto us, taught us His Cause, made plain unto us the paths of truth and certitude, and manifested, for the sake of His bounty unto all the worlds, that which it behoveth Him to bestow. We thank Him in every state with that thanksgiving whereof utterance hath been made in His Book and the knowledge of which He, through His grace and sovereignty, hath imparted unto us. And may exaltation and glory rest upon those who have stood firm in His Cause, voiced His praise, attained unto the honour of hearkening to His call, turned toward the horizon of His bounty, and drawn nigh unto the ocean of His Most Great Name.

Praised be God, Who hath distinguished the realms of creation through the Most Exalted Word; through it have idle fancies been made to ebb and the oceans of knowledge to surge. Exalted is the Ever-Abiding One, Who hath illumined the world with the Most Great Name and ordained for the nations that which draweth them nigh unto the court of might, grandeur and glory, and unto the dawning-place of power, strength and majesty. From all eternity He hath been sanctified above mention and praise, and He shall ever remain exalted above that which the people of creation may speak concerning Him. Since the path unto Him is cut off, and every proof and testimony falleth short of His Reality, we describe Him only as He hath described His own Self by His own Self for His own Self, and we make mention of Him only with that wherewith He hath made mention of Himself through Himself for Himself: verily, no God is there but He, the All-Subduing, the Self-Subsisting.

And now: The servant hath attained unto the bounty of your letter, which was a token of your love for the Beloved of the worlds and of your turning toward the Object of the knowers. I lauded God for that whereby He hath confirmed you in making mention of Him among His creatures and in your rising up to diffuse His traces throughout His dominion. We entreat our Lord, the All-Merciful, to cause us at all times to hearken unto that wherewith the Dove warbleth betwixt earth and heaven, and to ordain for you the good of the life to come and of this first life.

The details of that honoured one’s correspondence were submitted in the Sacred Presence. He said: God willing, their words will be such as draw hearts and cause souls to take wing in the atmosphere of meanings and exposition. The substance that enkindleth the world of the Divine Will and the Word of God is His Will and His Word themselves; they verily are the red sulphur that hath been, and shall be, the cause of the ignition of all things. God grant that the cold hearts of heedless souls may, through this divine sulphur, be set aflame and turn toward the Shore of the All-Merciful.

Thus far. As to what you had written regarding the Risali-i-Suluk [The Seven Valleys], which hath been revealed in the Persian tongue: this treatise was sent down, ere the dawning of this Revelation, in the language of the people. The reason for its revelation was that a certain person—learned and mystically minded, and of the people of Sunni Islam—had, while in Iraq, addressed a petition to the Sacred Court. Wherefore, in accordance with divine wisdom, this treatise was revealed in a form current among that people.

In this day, whosoever turneth his face toward the Most Exalted Horizon and becometh truly conscious of what is set forth therein concerning the Seven Valleys or Seven Stages, hath attained them all; for in this Manifestation the veils of idle fancy have been rent asunder. All, once they have attained unto the knowledge of the True One, are commanded to acquire sciences that are profitable, and to abandon vain and illusory pursuits. We beseech God to assist His servants to attain that which He desireth for them of the wondrous tokens of His bounty, His grace and His loving-kindness. Verily, He is the Protector of them that turn unto Him and the Lord of the sincere. These utterances have been heard from the tongue of Truth—blessed are they that attain thereunto.

The honoured Muhammad-Mustafa is among those whom God hath succoured to arise in His service; and erelong shall that which he hath sown in Iraq spring forth in full verdure, for He verily is the Wise Cultivator.

As for the shop and what concerneth it: that which hath come to pass will, God willing, prove good, and we beseech the True One to cause a goodly outcome to appear therefrom. It is incumbent upon all the loved ones in that region to strive with utmost earnestness and endeavour for the proper conduct of your affairs. Although the True One hath ever been, and remaineth, all-sufficient, yet the merit of righteous deeds returneth unto the very souls who perform them. We entreat God to aid them in love for you and in whatsoever rejoiceth thy tender and noble heart.

Moreover, this lowly, mortal servant hath had, and hath, no knowledge of the condition of the honoured sister, nor hath he heard from the Tongue of Eternity any word concerning her that would bespeak her turning unto God or the reverse thereof. On one of the holy nights, while present before the Throne, a Tablet, special to Jinab Mahmud, her esteemed brother, was sent down; and in that Tablet this blessed verse was revealed—His word, exalted be His majesty:

“Verily We have made mention of thee and do make mention of thee in truth, for We love faithfulness, and We have made it one of the greatest of Names. Ponder that which hath flowed from the Most Exalted Pen, that thou mayest find therein the fragrance of the Beloved.”

When this servant was, in the Holy Presence, engaged in transcribing it, lo, a fire was suddenly enkindled within his heart; for I called to mind the night when I was in the house of Jinab-i-Dhabih—upon him be the glory of God—and she too was there. It was from her that I first heard the mention of the Beloved, as she was reciting those verses which had been sent down from the Dawning-Place of the Bayan, the Revealer of the verses: “Rashh-i-ama az jazbih-yi-ma mirizad …” (Tis from Our rapture that the clouds of realms above are raining down) unto the end. With rapture, ecstasy, and inward attraction did she chant them, such that, from the wafts of her melodies, it was as though the very mouldering bones were stirred to motion by the attraction of the divine Bayan; and this servant clearly beheld how the power of that voice encompassed all the people of creation and summoned them all to the seat of the manifestation of guidance.

Convey, on behalf of this mortal servant, words of glorification unto her, and say: What hath become of those wondrous strains, those impregnable melodies, that yearning and that burning in the love of the Luminary of the horizons? Since this verse concerning faithfulness hath descended from the Source of the Lord of Names, this servant, out of regard for faithfulness, hath ventured to make so bold, in the hope that, in some wise, she may once again be drawn and enkindled by the marvellous divine harmonies and the songs of the birds of the crimson Ark, that she may attract all the handmaidens of the All-Merciful and draw them unto the Friend.

And I further called to mind that day when she had taken up a sword and, unveiled, had wished to leave the house, crying aloud in the name of God, until the people of that household seized and restrained her. Say unto her: Today is the day of that same attraction and longing, for this is the Naw-Ruz of days and the Prince of all seasons. O world, surge forth from thy very soul; cry out from thy breast; bestir thyself with all thy frame; and from thy lips quaff the wine of the remembrance of the Beloved. Arise in His love and cry “drink and be inebriated”, that sense and consciousness may be carried away, and that the hidden celestial Herald may, within the hearts, become vocal with the mention of the Beloved.

These words have I set forth, having regard unto faithfulness; for, since in the beginning I drank the wine of the Bayan of the All-Merciful from the beaker of her mention, I have desired now that she may taste, from this most wondrous, most exalted, most holy and most sweet chalice, somewhat of the state of this servant.

Strange it is that, on this Most Great Day, when all the world is enkindled with the fire of the Word of the Ancient King, no news is heard from that land, nor is any warmth made manifest. Yet, God willing, that well-beloved one will kindle the friends with the remembrance of the Lord of lords—that is, those souls who, through the forged and “Ja’fari” breathings, have been shut out from the shore of the Divine Oneness. Say unto them: Ye apprehended not the Word of Truth, nor did ye distinguish the Right from the wrong. Ye did not even ponder so far as this: What became of those promises of Mulla Ja’far, who, every three months, would assure his intimates of a “Ja’fari” manifestation—that is, the manifestation of his own self? All are aware of this matter, and yet they have remained unawakened. O thou beloved, remind the people with these utterances, that haply they may not, in this Most Great Day, be deprived of the grace of the Ancient King.

Section 2: “The people are weak, and the veil…”

The people are weak, and the veil is thick. Where is the hand of certitude that, in the Name of the Lord of all the worlds, will rend it asunder and cause the light of the heart to shine forth from behind that veil? In any case, let that cherished one not desist from teaching with wisdom and with utterance; for, erelong, this world shall be ended and pass away. God willing, ye must, through the confirmations of God, arise to serve, that its effect may be made manifest in the realm of existence. We beseech God to succour those who have turned, yet then have halted, and not to debar them from the ocean which hath encompassed whomsoever is in the heavens and on the earth. Those hapless ones are unaware: false and lying traditions have estranged those souls who had turned in receptivity. Yet we hope that all may drink from the cup of nearness and quaff from the crimson wine of certitude. Blessed are they, then blessed are they! May it be well for them, then well for them!

In accordance with the command, it is that the will of the late Jinab Haji—upon him be the glory of God, His mercy, His care, His grace and His bounties—should be carried into effect; for We desire not that, after him, aught be done contrary to his good-pleasure. Thus shall the blessings be sent down upon you from the heaven of the bounty of your bounteous Lord. And in whatsoever he hath made no bequest, let recourse be had to the Book of God—that is, the Most Holy Book—and let men act in accordance with that which hath been sent down therein.

Thus far. As to what ye had written—that, should circumstances so require, certain exalted utterances which would conduce to the education of the people and the encouragement of souls might be set down and forwarded, that they may be printed in the aforesaid paper—this servant would state: whatsoever hath, in very truth, been the cause of the training and the means of the progress of mankind hath, from time immemorial and shall forevermore, flowed from the Pen of the Most High. Yet the many have been, and still are, heedless of it; and the mind of the world hath taken but scant share from that rose-garden of meanings which is the source of order and of moderation.

Now, with phrases that are the cause of trial, of tumult, and of the constriction of the world, do they speak, and in them do they glory. Even though, in these days, the face of the world is set toward recklessness, licence and irreligion, yet erelong shall there appear, in the world of the Kingdom, keen-sighted eyes and attentive ears, and the wide-spread carpet shall be rolled up, even as it hath been rolled up aforetime. Certain terms are now current among the peoples in foreign lands and elsewhere, and all alike, learned and unlearned, make mention thereof, and each layeth claim to the qualities they imply—such words as “civilization”, “freedom”, “humanity”, “love”, “unity”, “fraternity”, “liberty”, “equality”, and the like. Lengthy and wide-ranging explanations and commentaries on these expressions are set forth in the newspapers of the world.

In such a station it behoveth the Tongue of Truth to utter but this word: “Bring forth your deeds, if ye be of the truthful!” What is witnessed today is this: that if a tree were to come into the hands of the people beneath whose shade the tokens of true humanity and whatsoever lieth above it might be set forth, they would surely hew it down and burn it. We entreat God—glorified and exalted be He—for the rising of the sun of justice from the horizons of the hearts of men, that haply they may speak the word of truth and act in accordance therewith.

And as to what ye have written concerning Jinab Mirza, may God, exalted be He, aid him: God willing, through his loving and compassionate counsels, the inmates of the hell of ignorance and oppression may attain unto the bliss of justice and equity. We beseech Him, exalted is He, that Akhtar may become a mirror for the people of insight, that they may behold therein the present condition and that which is veiled behind the curtain of the future.

Moreover, the full text of your letter was submitted in the Sacred Presence. He said: That which should appear from the Pen hath already appeared; whatsoever should be spoken hath been spoken; and whatsoever should be made manifest in the assemblage of the world shall, if God so willeth, be made manifest. For the present, patience and silence are most beloved and are accounted among the most meritorious of all deeds. Thus far.

He is the Most Holy, the Most Glorious

It is submitted that the book of that honoured one—which, in very truth, was a volume of love for the Lord of creation, and a scroll of affection and unity—illumined the eyes of this most lowly servant, and refreshed and rejoiced his heart. The wafting of its remembrances strengthened the inmost mind of the soul, and the sweet breezes of its tidings bestowed gladness upon the spirit. This servant had thought that, in reply to that distinguished personage, he would set forth at length a description that would indicate and attest the degrees of sincerity, affection, unity and love; but, through lack of time, he was deprived of this bounty. Hereafter Jinab Samandar—upon him be the glory of God—will relate the details. By night and by day this servant is occupied; therefore on this occasion only this brief letter hath been submitted. Pardon is hoped.

Likewise the honoured master, Jinab Mulla ʿAbdu’r-Razzaq, upon him be the glory of God, hath written an epistle to this servant. Never was there opportunity to send him a separate reply. The company who attained and entered the Sacred Court are all witnesses thereto; wherefore, convey to him the glorification, remembrance and greetings of this servant. God willing, at all times may he be busied, with wisdom and with utterance, in giving victory to the Cause of the All-Merciful.

Furthermore, the letter from the honoured Mirza Sami’ Khan and Mirza Rahim Khan, upon them be the glory of God, hath been received. Praise be to God, from the heaven of the divine Will a Most Mighty, Most Holy Tablet, specially for them, hath been sent down and despatched; and likewise a Tablet hath been revealed especially for the loved ones of God who dwell in Kakun. Let that honoured one recite it, in particular, for the friends in that place.

Moreover, regarding the arrangement that was made there on behalf of the travellers: it was laid before the honoured Ismu’l-Jud, upon him be the glory of God, and He graciously accepted it. It is evident that such matters as pertain to charity and goodly deeds have ever been acceptable at the heavenly Throne; and this particular provision—especially inasmuch as it hath occurred in that honoured house—hath been, and will remain, beloved. Yet, in accordance with the command, no soul among the friends is to make any demand upon any one; whosoever, of his own accord, hasteneth forward and attaineth unto this bounty—blessed is he! God will richly recompense him with twice what he hath expended in His path; verily He is the All-Forgiving, the Most Bountiful.

Convey most fervent praise to all the friends, and, on behalf of this mortal one, submit unto them: The Kawthar of life is flowing—drink, drink thereof! The true bounty is descending—partake, partake thereof! The ocean of favours is surging—boil therewith, cry out therefrom! And, in the assemblage of the people of Baha—who are enraptured with the crimson wine of remembrance and praise, and are, by reason of the burning of separation, in lamentation—gladden this poor servant and thrall with a single draught.

Glory be upon you, O people of Baha.

BH00357: May my spirit and being be offered up…

In the Name of the One True God!

May my spirit and being be offered up as a sacrifice unto Thee! From the intimations of the divine utterances, this servant hath understood that with the emergence of a fresh ordeal, the breezes of the All-Merciful have been cut off from the hearts of most of humanity, and they have been deprived of the shore of ancient glory, save those who have detached themselves wholly from all things and have held fast to the Most Firm Handle in these days wherein the standards of His decree have been raised aloft and the cawing of the ravens hath been lifted up between earth and heaven. These are they whose hearts God hath sanctified from the winds of self and passion, and hath made them to be numbered with the pure ones.

For a long time all paths were cut off and all ways were blocked. Now that one of the friends is departing, I trouble you with these few words. You have observed that although in all the Tablets the tribulations of these grievous days were foretold, yet all were found to be disturbed. The purpose of these announcements from the Pen of the All-Powerful was that all might be informed, lest on that Day they turn away from the King of Oneness due to worldly events. Verily there is no escape from divine destiny, and in the time when the winds of tests blow, none shall find refuge. All are seen as dried leaves before fierce winds, except those whom thy Lord willeth.

Although all were forbidden from causing corruption—by God besides Whom there is none other God—such was the prohibition that in some Tablets it was revealed that should harm befall this servant, it would be more acceptable than for any of those associated with the Truth to harm anyone. As you have observed in all the Tablets, He says that victory is through wisdom and utterance, not through contention, objection, warfare and conflict. Nevertheless what was destined came to pass. Things reached such a point that these actions became an excuse for the deniers of the Bayan to cling to, attributing to the Truth all that they had perpetrated during this long period. Yet you know that in the books written by the deniers previously, they explicitly and without ambiguity prescribed the killing of all souls and issued such rulings.

From the first arrival in Iraq, the Ancient Beauty forbade everyone, especially in this land where after arrival He repeatedly prohibited all from conflict, contention, bloodshed and other reprehensible and unacceptable deeds. Nevertheless each person committed, according to their own desires, things that were forbidden in all the Tablets. Thus most unknowingly commit all that is prohibited, and the harm of all returns to the Truth, as all know that whatever occurs they say is from the Source of the Cause. Especially in this wondrous Revelation which is afflicted between internal and external enemies. I know not what has happened that people have entirely forgotten all they have seen and heard of the deeds of Truth, while the unseemly actions of the deniers have become so prominent in their sight.

Now observe the deeds of the True One and those of other than He. You have been informed of the details of the Ancient Beauty’s arrival in Istanbul and have heard from everyone how He departed with such honor, wealth and independence, and for four months associated with no one and made no demands, such that His conduct was praised even by enemies, let alone by the friends. For six months the one who associated partners with God went to Istanbul on behalf of the Manifestation of the Letter ʿAyn and the Essence of Nun and the Primal F, entering every door and beginning complaints until they inquired from Istanbul from the Holy Presence what was being given to these people in every city.

He replied: Give these greedy souls all that you send, that perhaps they may cease their disgraceful behavior, and the fire of their greed would be stilled, and they would not send women to beg daily, nor run about for a morsel of bread. They sold the Truth and all that pertains to it for a few dirhams. Although there were only nine persons who had come to this land, Siyyid Muhammad and that known person claimed, “We are twenty,” until they were given fourteen tumans to Siyyid Muhammad himself and twenty-six tumans to that mentioned person from the funds that were specifically sent for the servants. Nevertheless, they write to various places saying, “We have no bread and are destitute.”

By God, double what the government was sending was being spent in every city and given to all. Now observe the deed of Truth and the deed of its opposite. I know not what garment they have clothed this deed in, that they mention it among the people of the Bayan.

O my Siyyid and my beloved, you know not how deceitful and crafty they are, and how confident they are that whatever they say will be heeded. Thus one day, when one of his wives forbade him concerning certain matters, saying that it was not befitting for him to commit certain acts, he replied,

“Be assured, whatever I write, the people of the Bayan will accept it.”

By God, besides Whom there is none other God, what I have here submitted is the pure truth, and indeed he understood correctly, as you observe how different these two deeds are from each other—that one the path of the All-Merciful, and this one the path of Satan. From the one wafts the fragrances of divine detachment, and from the other emanates satanic exhalations. Yet no one is aware. He has denied the money for which he sent you the receipt and which is now in his possession. What more can I submit? And you know not what vile accusations that impure soul made against the Ancient Beauty in the great city. However, praise be to God, they are absolute nothingness and utter non-existence. Although your grief is known, and all matters are visible in the presence of the King of Names and Attributes, still the heart awaits news from you outwardly.

Say to his honor Dhib on my behalf to convey greetings, and inform him that these are the days mentioned in the Tablets, and likewise the Point of the Bayan (may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for Him) foretold that all would turn away from the Most Holy Shore, as now the clamor of the ungodly has been raised and each soul has returned to his own station. In these days the ungodly have spread new rumors, as someone has claimed that verses are not proof, and likewise they have rejected miraculous deeds and manifestations of grace, knowledge and perfection—for their purpose has been to deny whatever has appeared from the Truth. That misbeliever was asked what then constitutes proof of the Truth, and he said something else. By God, they have clung to such a vain imagination that the imaginings of all nations and peoples of the earth are as nothing compared to their fancy.

Now observe how the Point of the Bayan (may the spirit of all in the kingdoms of existence be sacrificed for Him) removed such imaginings, yet these ungodly souls have returned to them. It seems they have taken stupidity, deceit, lies, calumny and begging as proof, and counted hatred, rancor and hypocrisy as evidence. Now passing over all this, say to the opposers that if you have not seen that imaginary being, you have seen Siyyid Muhammad Isfahani whom you have taken as a guide, while turning away from the Truth through whom you have witnessed and understood all divine proofs. O people of fairness, say by what evidence have you taken as guide such a one from whose countenance the signs of misbelief and error are manifest? Although such a person is fitting for people, as most inhabitants of earth from various sects are still idol-worshippers.

Moreover, this much hath been known and witnessed: that this servant hath not sought the things of this world, nor cherished any desire for leadership. Even so have I myself served the people of the Bayan, and still do serve them; I have been the servant of all. For fourteen years I have consorted, by day and by night, with that veiled soul. Yet, notwithstanding this, the word of this servant is held of no account, whereas the word of Siyyid Muhammad Isfahani—who, at most, in ʿIraq met him but in two or three gatherings, and was never in the least informed of any matter—is heard and accepted, although they have ever disclaimed one another and held each other in derision, as indeed most have witnessed during this journey of exile.

Consider now this imaginary being. Reflect upon him: after the corruption he wrought in the land of Ta, he fled and concealed himself in Iraq. By God, beside Whom there is none other God! such was his fear that, when certain of the loved ones came to Iraq and, in the presence of the Ancient Beauty, sought a meeting with him, he would say:

“Whence is it known that these souls are believers and bear love, and are not spies? Perhaps they have come solely to discover my whereabouts and report them unto mine enemies.”

So it was that whenever the slightest tale or rumor arose, he would take flight.

And now, throughout all this period during which, out of fear for his life, he hath hidden himself in women’s garments, he layeth claim to detachment, and ascribeth unto God all that which he hath inwardly wrought. This, though the Ancient Beauty hath remained manifest in the midst of enemies, and all are aware that each year he would summon a virgin from the outlying regions. By God, the Almighty! I have neither heard nor seen that any soul hath passed his days in this world in such ease and indulgence as he. Yet now he writeth what he writeth and saith what he saith.

I cherish the hope that Your Excellency may wholly sever yourself from this company and remain occupied with the praise of the Self of God. By God! I have no aim save this: that I long to admonish the loved ones of God, that haply the sincere may not be veiled by the illusory coverings of these temples of idolatry—beings whose true reality is made manifest by their deeds.

Likewise convey my greetings to his honor N.S. and say that this is a day wherein the breaths of steadfastness and certitude must waft from pure hearts, for these are the days about which they have foretold that soon a pack of wolves will emerge from the thickets of hypocrisy. They have also foretold that Satan will appear in different forms in every land—to some in the form of written sheets, to some in the form of messengers, and to some in the form of letters. In short, he has appeared in all forms until that which was revealed in the Tablets is fulfilled. Furthermore, God willing, your honor should remain steadfast in the Cause of Truth to such a degree that all are amazed. As the way was blocked, no bold step was taken until now, and even now only a brief mention is made until, God willing, a detailed account can be presented later.

Convey my greetings to his honor Z.M. and say that by God, besides Whom there is no other God, the Truth has informed of what was sent to you and to the one who sent it to you from the renowned city. One year ago, in a special Tablet addressed to him—which your honor may have seen since copies of it may exist in that land—some of the passages revealed in this connection are these, exalted be His grandeur:

“Soon there shall come before you that which will cause the Youth to show aversion, and you will be commanded by a command. Then turn not towards it and leave it behind you by the power of your Lord, the Everlasting, the All-Wise. This is of the tidings of the unseen which We have informed you with truth that you may act according to what you have been commanded by the All-Informed Commander. All this is from My love for you, and all things, of what has been and will be created, bear witness to this, and then this Faithful Pen.”

Again, out of love for you, it is submitted that God willing, you should remain firm in the Cause of God and not be deprived of the breaths of the All-Merciful by Satan himself. By the Truth, if you would reflect even briefly on recent events, you would confirm this servant and become steadfast in the Cause of God. Blessed are they who are firmly rooted. And if in these days you would examine those Tablets that were previously revealed and sent to your honor, it would be most beloved, for some matters were foretold to your honor personally. Blessed are they who read and who perceive.

Furthermore, convey infinite greetings to his honor J., upon whom be the praise of God. The intention was to submit a special letter to each of the gentlemen, but in consideration of current circumstances, this has been postponed.

And convey to the friends of God, both men and women, who are today seated upon the cushions of steadfastness, the greetings of this evanescent servant, particularly to your brother and those who are related to your honor.

And further, two brief exalted Tablets have been revealed from the Most Great Scene specifically for your honor and for J, and have been dispatched. And the spirit and glory and might and splendor be upon you and upon those who are today among the steadfast in the Cause of God.

BH11866: May my spirit be sacrificed for thee! The flowing…

He is the Most Holy, the Most Glorious

May my spirit be sacrificed for thee! The flowing pen of your holiness has stirred all pillars and roots. Willingly have we drunk from its cup the wine of love and joy. And since it indicated the good health of your eminence, it brought the utmost gladness and delight, and was presented before His face. This is what the Tongue of Grandeur spoke: We beseech God to strengthen him at all times, draw him near in all seasons, and grant him what hath been ordained for him from the All-Merciful. He is verily the Mighty, the Bestower.

Regarding what had been written inquiring about the divine utterances in the assembly, that which remains in this servant’s memory is hereby presented: On the first night, at the time of the evening prayer, He proceeded to the Pasha’s assembly where a large gathering had congregated, all in utmost trepidation and anxiety. The Ancient Beauty reclined at the head of the assembly and remained entirely silent, as the attendees were occupied in consultation and discourse among themselves. None accompanied Him to that assembly save His Holiness the Most Great Branch, may my spirit be sacrificed for the dust of His holy steps. Then the Pasha arose and stated that “You should proceed to another location, as we now wish to interrogate these prisoners.” Thus did the Beauty of Unity proceed to another place known as the administrative chamber. In that place, the Two Most Great Branches, Aqay-i-Aqa Mirza Muhammad-Quli, Aqa Muhammad-Ali Isfahani, Aqa Muhammad-Javad, and Aqa Muhammad-Husayn ibn Haji Ali-ʿAskar were present before Him, along with some officers and others from the palace. He remained there until the seventh hour, continuously revealing verses of grandeur. Among other things, He said to this servant, “Do you remember the verses that were revealed the night before?” Then He recited those verses in the most exalted tone, and those verses are:

In the Name of the Everlasting, the Eternal, the Mighty, the Great

The ocean of tribulation hath surged, and its waves have encompassed the Ark of God, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting. Fear not, O Mariner, the tempestuous winds, for He Who causeth the dawn to break is with thee in this darkness that hath enveloped the worlds. Put thy trust in God under all conditions, and fear not the blasts of the winds of hatred. Take refuge in God, thy Lord, the All-Powerful, the All-Knowing. He protecteth whom He willeth through His authority; He is verily the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

In the midst of darkness, the Face was radiant with a light that encompassed all who are in the heavens and on earth. In that state, We summoned all creation unto God, and the gathering of those who disbelieved in God when He came with a wondrous Cause did not frighten Us.

The thief hath stolen what was revealed from the Throne and presented it to those who rule over the servants. Thus did that remote misbeliever. Say: Die in thy fury, O ignorant one! Dost thou imagine that thou canst outstrip Us? Nay, by My Name through which the fragrance of the Spirit hath wafted over all things small and great! We delivered the Cause through Our messengers, for verily We were powerful. Then We spread it through the hands of those who turned away. The scheming of schemers shall not harm it.

The slinking whisperer came with My Book before the people, thinking thereby they would assault the Dayspring of the Cause and thereby degrade the station of God before all else. Thus did his soul entice him, and the word of punishment from the presence of the Mighty, the All-Encompassing, was fulfilled against him. Say: Thereby is His Cause exalted, His verses spread abroad, and this Remembrance elevated, whereby every wise matter hath been ordained.

Would that the servants would gather against Us and shed Our blood in this straight Path! We have sacrificed what We possessed in the path of God, as attested by the tribulations We are in, and behind them the Pen whereby the Cause of God, the Mighty, the Wise, hath been established. Say: I await the day wherein I shall behold Myself among the parties of the armies of the oppressors. By God! Then shall they hear what they have never heard before, and see what no eyes of those gone before have seen. He is verily the Ruler over what He willeth, and He is the Strong, the Mighty.

Say: O lowly gnat! Canst thou soar with the Dove in this atmosphere wherein the birds of the world have never soared? All that befalleth Us is a mercy unto Us, as every discerning believer doth testify. The atoms weep at Our affliction, while We are in manifest joy. We have manifested gladness from the horizon of sorrows. He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth what He pleaseth.

At that time, they paid no attention whatsoever to the officials. The Blessed Countenance was turned toward the Most Great Branch and the Greater Branch, may my spirit be sacrificed for them both, and some of the loved ones who were present in service. Then the ocean of the All-Merciful’s utterance surged forth. Among other things He said:

“God, the Blessed and Exalted, revealed to one of His Prophets in His revelation: ʿBy My glory and majesty! I shall surely cut off the hope of every hopeful one who hopes in other than Me, clothe him with the garment of disgrace before all people, and remove him far from My grace and relief. Does My servant hope in other than Me in times of hardship, while its key is in My hand? What is wrong with Me that I see My servant turning away from Me when I have given him what he has not asked of Me? Should I be asked and not be generous? Never! Does not generosity and munificence belong to Me? Are not this world and the next in My hands?

If everyone in the heavens and earth were to ask Me the equivalent of the heavens and earth, and I were to grant it, this would not diminish My dominion by even as much as a gnat’s wing.”’ And similar utterances which are mostly not remembered continuously flowed from the All-Merciful’s lips. “He partook of the cups of utterance from the wine of thy Lord, the All-Merciful’s mention.” What can I say of how the signs of power, grandeur and sovereignty poured forth and descended on that blessed night! “The Salsabil of utterance was bestowed upon all contingent beings, the ocean of generosity sprinkled upon the nations, and the mystery enshrouded in mystery was revealed to all in the unseen and visible realms.” Many of the utterances have completely vanished from this servant’s memory. Some that remain in mind have been presented.

Later, at the seventh hour, one of the officers came and took away the Ancient Beauty, the two Most Great Branches, and Aqay-i-Aqa Mirza Muhammad-Quli. The Ancient Beauty and the Greater Branch were placed in a location adjacent to the prison, Aqay-i in another place, and the Most Great Branch in the prison under strict guard. This servant and the other friends were imprisoned under strict guard in a very dark place in the same building.

On the second night, a telegram came from the governor and they changed the Ancient Beauty’s location to a high domed chamber above the prison. This was at the time of the evening prayer, and the Most Great Branch, the Greater Branch and Aqay-i were also in the Most Holy Presence. The stay in the dome was thirty-eight and a half hours. Then again on Thursday, at the fourth hour after sunrise, they summoned them to the building for questioning. While proceeding to the assembly, the Tongue of Grandeur uttered these words repeatedly:

“You have taken hold of your own principles and cast the principles of God behind your backs. What is wrong with you that you do not understand?”

After the Pasha and the members of the assembly arrived, they apologized saying that they were obliged to investigate since three people had been killed and all the people of the city were frightened and terrified, therefore the law must be followed. Apparently the poor man had no knowledge even of the law.

When they inquired about His blessed name and homeland, stating that according to law these questions must be asked and recorded, He declared: “It is more evident than the sun.” When asked again, He said: “It is not befitting to mention the name. Look at the government decree which you have.” Then, with utmost gentleness, they requested that He Himself declare it. Thereupon, the Temple of Grandeur sat upright upon the chair and spoke with the tongue of power and might: “My name is Baha’u’llah and My dwelling place is Nur.” Then the Ancient Beauty turned to the Mufti and said, may His grandeur be exalted: “Had you known, We would have caused you to hear the cooing of the Dove of Grandeur upon the branch of the Divine Lote-Tree, that you might understand the meaning of ʿServitude is a substance, the essence of which is Lordship.”’

Those present were stunned by this eternal Word of God. Then, addressing all present, He said: “What is the purpose of this gathering and these questions and answers? If you wish, I will acknowledge what is your intention and the desire of your hearts, for I do not wish to remain in this world even for a moment.” And He recited verses from the Surih of the Kings, including this blessed passage: “I have never passed by a tree, but My heart addressed it saying: ʿO would that thou wert cut down in My name, and My body crucified upon thee in My Lord’s way.”’ During His utterance, the foundations of the All-Merciful were seized with trembling. Then He arose and the Beauty of the All-Knowing turned toward another place outside the gathering.

O my master, what can I say? It was a wondrous day and a wondrous time. In some souls the Sun of the Word of God shone forth and they showed forth love. In truth, this servant is incapable of mentioning the divine utterances. The author of the Mathnavi has mentioned something appropriate to this station:

That discourse which the Prophet spoke that day, If it should strike the night, would turn it day;

That dark night would become bright as the morn, But I cannot speak that sacred tongue now born.

You know what says the sun in Aries To herbs and plants in gardens such as these;

You know what says that pure and flowing stream To plants and flowers that on its borders gleam.

Verily, this servant was and shall ever be powerless to make mention of the divine utterances and heavenly terms.

Subsequently the Pasha sent word requesting a return to the house and sought pardon for what had transpired. They said return to the original prison was preferable as some were imprisoned there. Certain ones came into His presence and submitted that the townspeople were in commotion and the prisoners could not be brought out—it would be better to wait a few days. Then they returned to the house at eleven o’clock in the day.

From the beginning of departure from the sanctuary until the final return thereto, sixty-nine and a half hours had elapsed: five and a half hours’ stay in the serai the first night, eighteen and a half hours in the prison adjoining the barracks, thirty-eight and a half hours in confinement in the tower above the barracks, and seven hours’ stay in the serai the second time. In truth it was observed that this letter had become very lengthy, therefore I have confined myself to this much, although the fire of love cries out “Is there more?” and by whatever means possible seeks to make mention and cause trouble. We beseech God to assist your honor and this servant and all the friends to remember and praise Him. Verily He is powerful over all things.

As to what you wrote concerning Muhammad Mustafa, upon him be the Glory of God, having sent a copy of the Beirut newspaper—its origin was not from Beirut but was printed in London. The details are that some Europeans came and strove earnestly to attain the presence but were not accepted. They spent some days in the service of the Most Great Branch—may my spirit be a sacrifice unto the dust of His sacred feet—and after returning to their countries, they recorded the details which were published in newspapers. In Beirut they translated the London newspaper which was in English into Arabic and printed some parts, while refraining from mentioning others for fear of the government, as in the original newspaper which is now in this servant’s possession they wrote of the afflictions as well.

Similarly newspapers came from Prussia where they also gave details and questioned how the Sublime State had not acted according to this matter but rather had arisen to cause harm—all of these are in this servant’s possession. However, after the recent events, a malicious person from this land sent a letter to the director of the Beirut press, and that poor man unknowingly printed it in Al-Najah. Although in his own mind what he wrote was out of enmity, in reality he proclaimed the Cause without understanding. Regarding this the blessed verse was revealed:

“Verily We have proclaimed the Cause through the agency of Our messengers, for verily We were powerful. Then We spread it through the hands of those who turned away. Verily the scheming of the schemers shall not harm it.”

Furthermore I request that you convey the expressions of evanescence, nothingness and sincerity of this transient servant to each of the friends, especially to Zaynu’l-Muqarrabin, Haji Abdu’l-Majid, Aqa Muhammad-Rida, Aqa Muhammad-Sadiq, and Aqa Abdu’llah—convey to all the Most Glorious and Most Wondrous greetings. The Branches of the Divine Lote-Tree remember your honor with wondrous and sublime mention, and likewise the friends trouble you with expressions of boundless sincerity.

Verily the spirit, glory and splendor be upon you and upon those with you and those who love you.

The servant 66 [of God] Dated 20 Safar