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Chapter 29
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The firm handle -- The Prophets (both Independent and Dependent/Lesser Prophets).
1)
The firm handle, Baha'u'llah, the Independent Prophet.
They that judge with fairness testify that since the early days of the
Cause this Wronged One hath arisen, unveiled and resplendent, before
the faces of kings and commoners, before the rulers and the divines,
and hath, in ringing tones, summoned all men unto the straight Path. He
hath had no helper save His Pen, nor any succourer other than Himself.
Those who are ignorant or heedless of the motivating purpose of the
Cause of God have rebelled against Him. Such men are the foreboders of
evil, whom God hath mentioned in His Book and Tablets and against whose
influence, clamour and deception He hath warned His people. Well is it
with those who, in the face of the remembrance of the Lord of Eternity,
regard the peoples of the world as utter nothingness, as a thing
forgotten, and hold fast to the firm handle of God in such wise that
neither doubts nor insinuations, nor swords, nor cannon could hold them
back or deprive them of His presence. Blessed are the steadfast;
blessed are they that stand firm in His Faith.
-- Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 123
2)
The firm handle, Abdu'l-Baha (the Branch).
O thou spiritual youth and merciful young man!
Consider the grace of thy Master; how He hath directed thee to the
fountain of salvation, until thou hast drunk from the salsabil (i.e.,
clear water of life) of the guidance of God, in this holy and rich
garden.
Cling to this firm handle and make thy feet steady in this path, so
that the bounties of thy Supreme Lord may successively pour upon thee
and make thee a sign of His mighty knowledge.
-- `Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 256
"O Lord, I ask of Thee by the Supreme Word, whereat whosoever is in the
earth and the heaven feareth save him who taketh hold of the `Most Firm
Handle,' that Thou wilt not abandon Me amongst Thy creatures: lift Me
up unto Thee, and make Me to enter in under the shadow of Thy mercy,
and give Me to drink of the pure wine of Thy grace, that I may dwell
under the canopy of Thy glory and the domes of Thy favors: verily Thou
art powerful unto that Thou wishest, and verily Thou art the
Protecting, the Self-Sufficing.
-- `Abdu'l-Bahá, A Traveler's Narrative, p. 76
3)
The "most trustworthy hand-hold"
[firm handle], the Holy Imams (Dependent Prophets of Muhammad); cited
in "Introduction to Shi'i Islam" by Moojan Momen, p. 151-153.
2:256 Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear
from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in God hath grasped the
most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And God heareth and
knoweth all things.
2:257 God is the Protector of those who have faith: from the depths of
darkness He will lead them forth into light. Of those who reject faith
the patrons are the evil ones: from light they will lead them forth
into the depths of darkness. They will be companions of the fire, to
dwell therein (For ever).
-- Qur'an: 2 - AL-BAQARAH
31:21 When they are told to follow the (Revelation) that God has sent
down, they say: "Nay, we shall follow the ways that we found our
fathers (following). "What! even if it is Satan beckoning them to the
Penalty of the (Blazing) Fire?
31:22 Whoever submits his whole self to God, and is a doer of good, has
grasped indeed the most trustworthy hand-hold: and with God rests the
End and Decision of (all) affairs.
31:23 But if any reject Faith, let not his rejection grieve thee: to Us
is their return, and We shall tell them the truth of their deeds: for
God knows well all that is in (men's) hearts.
31:24 We grant them their pleasure for a little while: in the end shall We drive them to a chastisement unrelenting.
-- Qur'an: 31 - LUQMAN.
4)
My chosen servants [chosen ones], the Dependent Prophets of Baha'u'llah, who are also the Sure Handle [firm handle] and the Cord of God.
Assist ye, O My people, My chosen servants who have arisen to make
mention of Me among My creatures and to exalt My Word throughout My
realm. These, truly, are the stars of the heaven of My loving
providence and the lamps of My guidance unto all mankind. But he whose
words conflict with that which hath been sent down in My Holy Tablets
is not of Me. Beware lest ye follow any impious pretender. These
Tablets are embellished with the seal of Him Who causeth the dawn to
appear, Who lifteth up His voice between the heavens and the earth. Lay
hold on this Sure Handle and on the Cord of My mighty and unassailable Cause.
-- Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 61
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