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LAWH-I-MAQSÚD (Tablet of Maqsúd)
Out of respect, the Bahá'ís, rather than addressing
Bahá'u'lláh directly, would write to His amanuensis,
Mírzá Áqá Ján, surnamed `Servant of God' and `Servant-in-Attendance'.
The reply would be in the form of a
letter from Mírzá Áqá Ján quoting words of Bahá'u'lláh,
but would, in fact, be dictated in its entirety by Bahá'u'lláh.
Thus all parts of the Tablet, even those which ostensibly
are the words of Mírzá Áqá Ján himself, are Sacred
Scripture revealed by Bahá'u'lláh. The Tablet of Maqsúd
is in this form. It was addressed to Mírzá Maqsúd, one of
the early believers living at that time in Damascus and
Jerusalem.
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1 |
He is God, exalted is He, the Lord of Majesty and Power
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2 |
A PRAISE which is exalted above every mention or
description beseemeth the Adored One, the
Possessor of all things visible and invisible, Who
hath enabled the Primal Point to reveal countless
Books and Epistles and Who, through the potency of
His sublime Word, hath called into being the entire creation,
whether of the former or more recent generations.
Moreover He hath in every age and cycle, in conformity
with His transcendent wisdom, sent forth a divine Messenger
to revive the dispirited and despondent souls with
the living waters of His utterance, One Who is indeed the
Expounder, the true Interpreter, inasmuch as man is unable
to comprehend that which hath streamed forth from
the Pen of Glory and is recorded in His heavenly Books.
Men at all times and under all conditions stand in need of
one to exhort them, guide them and to instruct and teach
them. Therefore He hath sent forth His Messengers, His
Prophets and chosen ones that they might acquaint the
people with the divine purpose underlying the revelation
of Books and the raising up of Messengers, and that everyone
may become aware of the trust of God which is latent
in the reality of every soul.
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3 |
Man is the supreme Talisman. Lack of a proper education
hath, however, deprived him of that which he doth
inherently possess. Through a word proceeding out of the
mouth of God he was called into being; by one word more
he was guided to recognize the Source of his education; by
yet another word his station and destiny were safeguarded.
The Great Being saith: Regard man as a mine rich in gems
of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to
reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom.
If any man were to meditate on that which the
Scriptures, sent down from the heaven of God's holy Will,
have revealed, he would readily recognize that their purpose
is that all men shall be regarded as one soul, so that the seal
bearing the words `The Kingdom shall be God's' may be
stamped on every heart, and the light of Divine bounty, of
grace, and mercy may envelop all mankind. The One true
God, exalted be His glory, hath wished nothing for Himself.
The allegiance of mankind profiteth Him not, neither
doth its perversity harm Him. The Bird of the Realm of
Utterance voiceth continually this call: `All things have I
willed for thee, and thee, too, for thine own sake.' If the
learned and worldly-wise men of this age were to allow
mankind to inhale the fragrance of fellowship and love,
every understanding heart would apprehend the meaning
of true liberty, and discover the secret of undisturbed peace
and absolute composure. Were the earth to attain this
station and be illumined with its light it could then be truly
said of it: `Thou shall see in it no hollows or rising hills.'
[Qur'án 20:106]
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Blessing and peace be upon Him
[Muhammad.]
through Whose
advent Bathá
[Mecca.]
is wreathed in smiles, and the sweet savours
of Whose raiment have shed fragrance upon all mankind--
He Who came to protect men from that which would
harm them in the world below. Exalted, immensely
exalted is His station above the glorification of all beings
and sanctified from the praise of the entire creation.
Through His advent the tabernacle of stability and order
was raised throughout the world and the ensign of knowledge
hoisted among the nations. May blessings rest also
upon His kindred and His companions through whom the
standard of the unity of God and of His singleness was uplifted
and the banners of celestial triumph were unfurled.
Through them the religion of God was firmly established
among His creatures and His Name magnified amidst His
servants. I entreat Him--exalted is He--to shield His Faith
from the mischief of His enemies who tore away the veils,
rent them asunder and finally caused the banner of Islám to
be reversed amongst all peoples.
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Thy letter from which the fragrance of reunion was
inhaled hath been received. Praised be God that following
the firm decree of separation, the breeze of nearness and
communion hath been stirred and the soil of the heart is
refreshed with the waters of joy and gladness. We offer
thanksgiving unto God in all circumstances and cherish the
hope that He--exalted be His glory--may through His
gracious providence guide all who dwell on earth towards
that which is acceptable and pleasing unto Him.
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Behold the disturbances which, for many a long year,
have afflicted the earth, and the perturbation that hath
seized its peoples. It hath either been ravaged by war, or
tormented by sudden and unforeseen calamities. Though
the world is encompassed with misery and distress, yet no
man hath paused to reflect what the cause or source of that
may be. Whenever the True Counsellor uttered a word in
admonishment, lo, they all denounced Him as a mover of
mischief and rejected His claim. How bewildering, how
confusing is such behaviour! No two men can be found
who may be said to be outwardly and inwardly united.
The evidences of discord and malice are apparent everywhere,
though all were made for harmony and union. The
Great Being saith: O well-beloved ones! The tabernacle of
unity hath been raised; regard ye not one another as
strangers. Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one
branch. We cherish the hope that the light of justice may
shine upon the world and sanctify it from tyranny. If the
rulers and kings of the earth, the symbols of the power of
God, exalted be His glory, arise and resolve to dedicate
themselves to whatever will promote the highest interests
of the whole of humanity, the reign of justice will assuredly
be established amongst the children of men, and the effulgence
of its light will envelop the whole earth. The Great
Being saith: The structure of world stability and order hath
been reared upon, and will continue to be sustained by, the
twin pillars of reward and punishment. And in another
connection He hath uttered the following in the eloquent
tongue:
[Arabic.]
Justice hath a mighty force at its command. It is
none other than reward and punishment for the deeds of
men. By the power of this force the tabernacle of order is
established throughout the world, causing the wicked to
restrain their natures for fear of punishment.
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In another passage He hath written: Take heed, O concourse
of the rulers of the world! There is no force on
earth that can equal in its conquering power the force of
justice and wisdom. I, verily, affirm that there is not, and
hath never been, a host more mighty than that of justice
and wisdom. Blessed is the king who marcheth with the
ensign of wisdom unfurled before him, and the battalions
of justice massed in his rear. He verily is the ornament that
adorneth the brow of peace and the countenance of
security. There can be no doubt whatever that if the day-star
of justice, which the clouds of tyranny have obscured,
were to shed its light upon men, the face of the earth would
be completely transformed.
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The Great Being, wishing to reveal the prerequisites of
the peace and tranquillity of the world and the advancement
of its peoples, hath written: The time must come
when the imperative necessity for the holding of a vast, an
all-embracing assemblage of men will be universally
realized. The rulers and kings of the earth must needs
attend it, and, participating in its deliberations, must consider
such ways and means as will lay the foundations of the
world's Great Peace amongst men. Such a peace demandeth
that the Great Powers should resolve, for the sake of the
tranquillity of the peoples of the earth, to be fully reconciled
among themselves. Should any king take up arms against
another, all should unitedly arise and prevent him. If this
be done, the nations of the world will no longer require
any armaments, except for the purpose of preserving the
security of their realms and of maintaining internal order
within their territories. This will ensure the peace and composure
of every people, government and nation. We fain
would hope that the kings and rulers of the earth, the
mirrors of the gracious and almighty name of God, may
attain unto this station, and shield mankind from the onslaught
of tyranny.
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Likewise He saith: Among the things which are conducive
to unity and concord and will cause the whole
earth to be regarded as one country is that the divers
languages be reduced to one language and in like manner
the scripts used in the world be confined to a single script.
It is incumbent upon all nations to appoint some men of
understanding and erudition to convene a gathering and
through joint consultation choose one language from
among the varied existing languages, or create a new
one, to be taught to the children in all the schools of the
world.
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The day is approaching when all the peoples of the
world will have adopted one universal language and one
common script. When this is achieved, to whatsoever city
a man may journey, it shall be as if he were entering his
own home. These things are obligatory and absolutely
essential. It is incumbent upon every man of insight and
understanding to strive to translate that which hath been
written into reality and action.
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In these days the tabernacle of justice hath fallen into the
clutches of tyranny and oppression. Beseech ye the One
true God--exalted be His glory--not to deprive mankind
of the ocean of true understanding, for were men but to
take heed they would readily appreciate that whatever
hath streamed from and is set down by the Pen of Glory is
even as the sun for the whole world and that therein lie the
welfare, security and true interests of all men; otherwise
the earth will be tormented by a fresh calamity every day
and unprecedented commotions will break out. God grant
that the people of the world may be graciously aided to
preserve the light of His loving counsels within the globe
of wisdom. We cherish the hope that everyone may be
adorned with the vesture of true wisdom, the basis of the
government of the world.
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The Great Being saith: The heaven of statesmanship is
made luminous and resplendent by the brightness of the
light of these blessed words which hath dawned from the
dayspring of the Will of God: It behoveth every ruler to
weigh his own being every day in the balance of equity and
justice and then to judge between men and counsel them to
do that which would direct their steps unto the path of
wisdom and understanding. This is the cornerstone of
statesmanship and the essence thereof. From these words
every enlightened man of wisdom will readily perceive
that which will foster such aims as the welfare, security and
protection of mankind and the safety of human lives. Were
men of insight to quaff their fill from the ocean of inner
meanings which lie enshrined in these words and become
acquainted therewith, they would bear witness to the
sublimity and the excellence of this utterance. If this lowly
one were to set forth that which he perceiveth, all would
testify unto God's consummate wisdom. The secrets of
statesmanship and that of which the people are in need lie
enfolded within these words. This lowly servant earnestly
entreateth the One true God--exalted be His glory--to
illumine the eyes of the people of the world with the
splendour of the light of wisdom that they, one and all,
may recognize that which is indispensable in this day.
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That one indeed is a man who, today, dedicateth himself
to the service of the entire human race. The Great Being
saith: Blessed and happy is he that ariseth to promote the
best interests of the peoples and kindreds of the earth. In
another passage He hath proclaimed: It is not for him to
pride himself who loveth his own country, but rather for
him who loveth the whole world. The earth is but one
country, and mankind its citizens.
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Such exhortations to union and concord as are inscribed
in the Books of the Prophets by the Pen of the Most High
bear reference unto specific matters; not a union that would
lead to disunity or a concord which would create discord.
This is the station where measures are set unto everything, a
station where every deserving soul shall be given his due.
Well is it with them that appreciate the meaning and grasp
the intent of these words, and woe betide the heedless.
Unto this all the evidences of nature, in their very essences,
bear ample testimony. Every discerning man of wisdom is
well acquainted with that which We have mentioned, but
not those who have strayed far from the living fountain of
fairmindedness and are roving distraught in the wilderness
of ignorance and blind fanaticism.
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The Great Being saith: O ye children of men! The
fundamental purpose animating the Faith of God and His
Religion is to safeguard the interests and promote the unity
of the human race, and to foster the spirit of love and
fellowship amongst men. Suffer it not to become a source
of dissension and discord, of hate and enmity. This is the
straight Path, the fixed and immovable foundation. Whatsoever
is raised on this foundation, the changes and chances
of the world can never impair its strength, nor will the
revolution of countless centuries undermine its structure.
Our hope is that the world's religious leaders and the rulers
thereof will unitedly arise for the reformation of this age
and the rehabilitation of its fortunes. Let them, after
meditating on its needs, take counsel together and, through
anxious and full deliberation, administer to a diseased and
sorely-afflicted world the remedy it requireth.
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The Great Being saith: The heaven of divine wisdom is
illumined with the two luminaries of consultation and
compassion. Take ye counsel together in all matters, inasmuch
as consultation is the lamp of guidance which leadeth
the way, and is the bestower of understanding.
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At the outset of every endeavour, it is incumbent to look
to the end of it. Of all the arts and sciences, set the children
to studying those which will result in advantage to man,
will ensure his progress and elevate his rank. Thus the
noisome odours of lawlessness will be dispelled, and thus
through the high endeavours of the nation's leaders, all will
live cradled, secure and in peace.
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The Great Being saith: The learned of the day must
direct the people to acquire those branches of knowledge
which are of use, that both the learned themselves and the
generality of mankind may derive benefits therefrom. Such
academic pursuits as begin and end in words alone have
never been and will never be of any worth. The majority
of Persia's learned doctors devote all their lives to the study
of a philosophy the ultimate yield of which is nothing but
words.
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It is incumbent upon them who are in authority to
exercise moderation in all things. Whatsoever passeth
beyond the limits of moderation will cease to exert a
beneficial influence. Consider for instance such things as
liberty, civilization and the like. However much men of
understanding may favourably regard them, they will, if
carried to excess, exercise a pernicious influence upon
men.
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If this point were to be expounded an elaborate explanation
would be required which, it is feared, might become
tedious. It is the ardent hope of this lowly one that God--
exalted be His glory--may grant all men that which is
good. For he who is endowed therewith is the possessor of
all things. The Great Being saith: The Tongue of Wisdom
proclaimeth: He that hath Me not is bereft of all things.
Turn ye away from all that is on earth and seek none else
but Me. I am the Sun of Wisdom and the Ocean of
Knowledge. I cheer the faint and revive the dead. I am the
guiding Light that illumineth the way. I am the royal
Falcon on the arm of the Almighty. I unfold the drooping
wings of every broken bird and start it on its flight.
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And likewise He saith: The heaven of true understanding
shineth resplendent with the light of two luminaries:
tolerance and righteousness.
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O my friend! Vast oceans lie enshrined within this brief
saying. Blessed are they who appreciate its value, drink
deep therefrom and grasp its meaning, and woe betide the
heedless. This lowly one entreateth the people of the world
to observe fairness, that their tender, their delicate and
precious hearing which hath been created to hearken unto
the words of wisdom may be freed from impediments and
from such allusions, idle fancies or vain imaginings as
`cannot fatten nor appease the hunger', so that the true
Counsellor may be graciously inclined to set forth that
which is the source of blessing for mankind and of the
highest good for all nations.
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At present the light of reconciliation is dimmed in most
countries and its radiance extinguished while the fire of
strife and disorder hath been kindled and is blazing fiercely.
Two great powers who regard themselves as the founders
and leaders of civilization and the framers of constitutions
have risen up against the followers of the Faith associated
with Him Who conversed with God.
[Moses.]
Be ye warned, O
men of understanding. It ill beseemeth the station of man
to commit tyranny; rather it behoveth him to observe
equity and be attired with the raiment of justice under all
conditions. Beseech ye the One true God that He may,
through the power of the hand of loving-kindness and
spiritual education, purge and purify certain souls from the
defilement of evil passions and corrupt desires, that they
may arise and unloose their tongues for the sake of God,
that perchance the evidences of injustice may be blotted out
and the splendour of the light of justice may shed its
radiance upon the whole world. The people are ignorant,
and they stand in need of those who will expound the
truth.
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The Great Being saith: The man of consummate learning
and the sage endowed with penetrating wisdom are the two
eyes to the body of mankind. God willing, the earth shall
never be deprived of these two greatest gifts. That which
hath been set forth and will be revealed in the future is but
a token of this Servant's ardent desire to dedicate Himself
to the service of all the kindreds of the earth.
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O my friend! In all circumstances one should seize upon
every means which will promote security and tranquillity
among the peoples of the world. The Great Being saith: In
this glorious Day whatever will purge you from corruption
and will lead you towards peace and composure, is indeed
the Straight Path.
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Please God, the peoples of the world may be led, as the
result of the high endeavours exerted by their rulers and the
wise and learned amongst men, to recognize their best
interests. How long will humanity persist in its waywardness?
How long will injustice continue? How long is chaos
and confusion to reign amongst men? How long will
discord agitate the face of society?
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This humble servant is filled with wonder, inasmuch as
all men are endowed with the capacity to see and hear, yet
we find them deprived of the privilege of using these
faculties. This servant hath been prompted to pen these
lines by virtue of the tender love he cherisheth for thee.
The winds of despair are, alas, blowing from every direction,
and the strife that divideth and afflicteth the human
race is daily increasing. The signs of impending convulsions
and chaos can now be discerned, inasmuch as the prevailing
order appeareth to be lamentably defective. I beseech God,
exalted be His glory, that He may graciously awaken the
peoples of the earth, may grant that the end of their conduct
may be profitable unto them, and aid them to
accomplish that which beseemeth their station.
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Were man to appreciate the greatness of his station and
the loftiness of his destiny he would manifest naught save
goodly character, pure deeds, and a seemly and praiseworthy
conduct. If the learned and wise men of goodwill
were to impart guidance unto the people, the whole earth
would be regarded as one country. Verily this is the undoubted
truth. This servant appealeth to every diligent and
enterprising soul to exert his utmost endeavour and arise to
rehabilitate the conditions in all regions and to quicken the
dead with the living waters of wisdom and utterance, by
virtue of the love he cherisheth for God, the One, the
Peerless, the Almighty, the Beneficent.
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No man of wisdom can demonstrate his knowledge save
by means of words. This showeth the significance of the
Word as is affirmed in all the Scriptures, whether of former
times or more recently. For it is through its potency and
animating spirit that the people of the world have attained
so eminent a position. Moreover words and utterances
should be both impressive and penetrating. However, no
word will be infused with these two qualities unless it be
uttered wholly for the sake of God and with due regard
unto the exigencies of the occasion and the people.
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The Great Being saith: Human utterance is an essence
which aspireth to exert its influence and needeth moderation.
As to its influence, this is conditional upon refinement
which in turn is dependent upon hearts which are detached
and pure. As to its moderation, this hath to be combined
with tact and wisdom as prescribed in the Holy Scriptures
and Tablets.
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Every word is endowed with a spirit, therefore the
speaker or expounder should carefully deliver his words at
the appropriate time and place, for the impression which
each word maketh is clearly evident and perceptible. The
Great Being saith: One word may be likened unto fire,
another unto light, and the influence which both exert is
manifest in the world. Therefore an enlightened man of
wisdom should primarily speak with words as mild as milk,
that the children of men may be nurtured and edified
thereby and may attain the ultimate goal of human existence
which is the station of true understanding and nobility.
And likewise He saith: One word is like unto springtime
causing the tender saplings of the rose-garden of knowledge
to become verdant and flourishing, while another word is
even as a deadly poison. It behoveth a prudent man of
wisdom to speak with utmost leniency and forbearance so
that the sweetness of his words may induce everyone to
attain that which befitteth man's station.
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O friend of mine! The Word of God is the king of
words and its pervasive influence is incalculable. It hath
ever dominated and will continue to dominate the realm of
being. The Great Being saith: The Word is the master key
for the whole world, inasmuch as through its potency the
doors of the hearts of men, which in reality are the doors of
heaven, are unlocked. No sooner had but a glimmer of its
effulgent splendour shone forth upon the mirror of love
than the blessed word `I am the Best-Beloved' was reflected
therein. It is an ocean inexhaustible in riches, comprehending
all things. Every thing which can be perceived is but an
emanation therefrom. High, immeasurably high is this
sublime station, in whose shadow moveth the essence of
loftiness and splendour, wrapt in praise and adoration.
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Methinks people's sense of taste hath, alas, been sorely
affected by the fever of negligence and folly, for they are
found to be wholly unconscious and deprived of the sweetness
of His utterance. How regrettable indeed that man
should debar himself from the fruits of the tree of wisdom
while his days and hours pass swiftly away. Please God, the
hand of divine power may safeguard all mankind and direct
their steps towards the horizon of true understanding.
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Verily our Lord of Mercy is the Helper, the Knowing,
the Wise.
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I would like to add that thy second letter which had been
sent from Jerusalem hath been received and that which thou
hadst written and set forth therein was perused and read in
His presence. He bade me write as follows:
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O Maqsúd! We have heard thy voice and perceived the
sighing and lamentation thou didst raise in thy longing and
eagerness. Praised be God! The sweet savours of love could
be inhaled from every word thereof. Please God, this
bounty may last for ever. The Servant-in-Attendance
recited the verses thou hast composed. Thy name is often
mentioned in the presence of this Wronged One and the
glances of Our loving-kindness and compassion are directed
towards thee.
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37 |
Great is the station of man. Great must also be his
endeavours for the rehabilitation of the world and the well-being
of nations. I beseech the One true God to graciously
confirm thee in that which beseemeth man's station.
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38 |
Be thou guided by wisdom under all conditions, inasmuch
as persons who harbour evil motives have been and
are still diligently engaged in intriguing. Gracious God!
Unto that immeasurably exalted Being Who seeketh
naught but to foster the spirit of love and fellowship
amongst men, and to revive the world and ennoble its life,
they have imputed such charges as the tongue and the pen
are ashamed to recount.
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39 |
We have remembered thee and make mention of thee
now. We entreat Him--exalted is His glory--to protect
thee with the hands of might and power and enable thee to
recognize that which will serve thy best interests both in
this world and in the next. He is the Lord of Mankind, the
Possessor of the Throne on High and of the world below.
No God is there besides Him, the Omnipotent, the Powerful.
God grant that this Wronged One may observe fidelity.
He hath not forgotten nor will He ever forget thee.
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40 |
Thou hast mentioned thine intention to stay in Damascus
until spring, then to proceed to Mosul, should the means be
forthcoming. This lowly servant entreateth God--exalted
is His glory--to provide such means as is deemed expedient,
and to aid thee. He is Potent and Powerful.
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41 |
Although all the inhabitants of this region have been
treated with the utmost kindness, yet no evidence of fellowship
can be discerned from them. Thou shouldst observe
much tact and wisdom, for they seek at all times to cavil at and
deny the Cause. May the One true God grant them equity.
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42 |
Concerning thine own affairs, if thou wouldst content
thyself with whatever might come to pass it would be
praiseworthy. To engage in some profession is highly commendable,
for when occupied with work one is less likely
to dwell on the unpleasant aspects of life. God willing thou
mayest experience joy and radiance, gladness and exultation
in any city or land where thou mayest happen to sojourn.
This lowly servant will never forget that distinguished and
kind friend. He hath remembered and will continue to
remember thee. The decree lieth with God, the Lord of all
worlds. I fain would hope He may vouchsafe divine assistance
and grant confirmation in that which is pleasing and
acceptable unto Him.
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43 |
Every word of thy poetry is indeed like unto a mirror in
which the evidences of the devotion and love thou cherishest
for God and His chosen ones are reflected. Well is it with
thee who hast quaffed the choice wine of utterance and
partaken of the soft flowing stream of true knowledge.
Happy is he who hath drunk his fill and attained unto Him
and woe betide the heedless. Its perusal hath truly proved
highly impressive, for it was indicative of both the light of
reunion and the fire of separation.
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44 |
Far be it from us to despair at any time of the incalculable
favours of God, for if it were His wish He could cause a
mere atom to be transformed into a sun and a single drop
into an ocean. He unlocketh thousands of doors, while man
is incapable of conceiving even a single one.
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45 |
So heedless is this servant that with words such as these
he seeketh to vindicate the supreme power of God--
exalted be His glory. I implore pardon of God, the Most
Great, for these assertions and affirm that this servant at all
times recognizeth his grievous trespasses and misdeeds. He
entreateth remission of his sins from the ocean of the
forgiveness of his Lord, the Most Exalted, and beggeth for
that which will make him wholly devoted to God and
enable him to utter His praise, turn himself toward Him
and to put his whole trust in Him. Verily He is the Potent,
the Forgiving, the Merciful. Praised be God, the Almighty,
the All-Knowing.
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46 |
This lowly one hath read the descriptions of the dialogue
with the traveller which thou hast recounted in thy letter to
my Lord, may my life be offered up for His sake. The
explanations which were set forth awaken the people from
the slumber of heedlessness. Indeed the actions of man
himself breed a profusion of satanic power. For were men
to abide by and observe the divine teachings, every trace of
evil would be banished from the face of the earth. However,
the widespread differences that exist among mankind and
the prevalence of sedition, contention, conflict and the like
are the primary factors which provoke the appearance of
the satanic spirit. Yet the Holy Spirit hath ever shunned
such matters. A world in which naught can be perceived
save strife, quarrels and corruption is bound to become the
seat of the throne, the very metropolis, of Satan.
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47 |
How vast the number of the loved and chosen ones of
God who have lamented and moaned by day and by night
that haply a sweet and fragrant breeze might blow from the
court of His good-pleasure and dispel altogether the loathsome
and foul-smelling odours from the world. However,
this ultimate goal could not be attained, and men were
deprived thereof by virtue of their evil deeds, which
brought upon them the retribution of God, in accordance
with the basic principles of His divine rule. Ours is the duty
to remain patient in these circumstances until relief be
forthcoming from God, the Forgiving, the Bountiful.
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48 |
Magnified be Thy Name, O Lord of all beings and
Desire of all created things! I beseech Thee, by the Word
which hath caused the Burning Bush to lift up its Voice and
the Rock to cry out, whereby the well-favoured have
hastened to attain the court of Thy presence and the pure
in heart the dayspring of the light of Thy countenance, and
by the sighing of Thy true lovers in their separation from
Thy chosen ones and by the lamentation of them that long
to behold Thy face before the dawning splendour of the
light of Thy Revelation, to graciously enable Thy servants
to recognize what Thou hast ordained for them by Thy
bounty and Thy grace. Prescribe for them then through
Thy Pen of Glory that which will direct their steps to the
ocean of Thy generosity and will lead them unto the living
waters of Thy heavenly reunion.
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49 |
O Lord! Look not at the things they have wrought,
rather look unto the loftiness of Thy celestial bounty which
hath preceded all created things, visible and invisible. O
Lord! Illumine their hearts with the effulgent light of Thy
knowledge and brighten their eyes with the shining
splendour of the day-star of Thy favours.
|
50 |
I entreat Thee, O Lord of Names and Creator of the
heavens, by the blood spilt in Thy Path, and by the heads
carried aloft on spears for the sake of Thy love, and by the
souls that have melted in their separation from Thy loved
ones, and by the hearts broken for the exaltation of Thy
Word, to grant that the dwellers of Thy realm may unite
together in their allegiance to Thine incomparable Word
so that they may all acknowledge Thy unity and Thy oneness.
There is no God but Thee, the Omnipotent, the Most
Exalted, the Knowing, the Wise.
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51 |
I fain would hope that He Who is the All-Sufficing, the
Inaccessible, may heed the solicitation of this lowly servant,
may attire the people of the world with the raiment of
goodly deeds and purge them from evil inclinations. He is
the Mighty, the Powerful, the All-Wise, the All-Perceiving.
He heareth and seeth; He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.
SÚRIY-I-VAFÁ
[Muhammad Husayn, one of the early believers of Shíráz, surnamed `Vafá (Fidelity) by Bahá'u'lláh.]
(Tablet to Vafá)
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52 |
He is the All-Knowing
|
53 |
O VAFÁ! Render thanks unto thy Lord for having
aided thee to embrace His Cause, enabled thee
to recognize the Manifestation of His Own
Self and raised thee up to magnify Him Who is
the Most Great Remembrance in this glorious Announcement.
|
54 |
Blessed art thou O Vafá, inasmuch as thou hast been
faithful to the Covenant of God and His Testament at a
time when all men have violated it and have repudiated the
One in Whom they had believed, and this notwithstanding
that He hath appeared invested with every testimony, and
hath dawned from the horizon of Revelation clothed with
undoubted sovereignty.
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55 |
It behoveth thee, however, to exert thine utmost to
attain the very essence of fidelity. This implieth to be well
assured in thy heart and to testify with thy tongue to that
whereunto God hath testified for His Own exalted Self,
proclaiming: `Verily, self-subsisting am I within the Realm
of Glory.' Whoso is enabled in these days to solemnly affirm
this truth, hath attained unto all good, and the heavenly
Spirit shall descend upon him in the daytime and in the
night season, shall graciously assist him to glorify the
Name of his Lord and suffer him to unloose his tongue and
uphold with his words the Cause of his Lord, the Merciful,
the Compassionate. And none can ever achieve this except
he who hath purged his heart from whatsoever is created
between heaven and earth, and hath entirely detached himself
from all but God, the sovereign Lord, the Almighty,
the Gracious.
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56 |
Arise thou to serve the Cause and say: I swear by the
righteousness of God! Verily this is the Primal Point,
arrayed in His new attire and manifested in His glorious
Name. He at present beholdeth everything from this
Horizon. Indeed He is supreme over all things. Amongst
the Concourse on High He is known as the Most Great
Announcement and in the Realms of Eternity as the
Ancient Beauty, and before the Throne by this Name
[The Most Great Name.]
which hath caused the footsteps of them that are endued
with understanding to slip.
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57 |
Say, I swear by God! In this Revelation even before a
single verse was sent down from the realm of holiness and
sublimity, the supreme testimony of God had been fulfilled
for all the inmates of heaven and the dwellers on earth;
moreover, We have revealed the equivalent of whatsoever
was sent down in the Dispensation of the Bayán. Fear ye
God and suffer not your deeds to be rendered vain and be
not of them that are sunk in heedlessness. Open your eyes
that ye may behold the Ancient Beauty from this shining
and luminous station.
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58 |
Say, God is my witness! The Promised One Himself
hath come down from heaven, seated upon the crimson
cloud with the hosts of revelation on His right, and the
angels of inspiration on His left, and the Decree hath been
fulfilled at the behest of God, the Omnipotent, the
Almighty. Thereupon the footsteps of everyone have
slipped except such as God hath protected through His
tender mercy and numbered with those who have recognized
Him through His Own Self and detached themselves
from all that pertaineth to the world.
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59 |
Hearken thou unto the Words of thy Lord and purify
thy heart from every illusion so that the effulgent light of
the remembrance of thy Lord may shed its radiance upon
it, and it may attain the station of certitude.
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60 |
Know thou moreover that thy letter reached Our
presence and We perceived and perused its contents. We
noted the questions thou hast asked and will readily answer
thee. It behoveth everyone in this Day to ask God that
which he desireth, and thy Lord will heed his petition with
wondrous and undeniable verses.
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61 |
Thou hast asked regarding the subject of the return.
Know thou that the end is like unto the beginning. Even as
thou dost consider the beginning, similarly shouldst thou
consider the end, and be of them that truly perceive. Nay,
rather consider the beginning as the end itself, and so conversely,
that thou mayest acquire a clear perception. Know
thou moreover that every created thing is continually
brought forth and returned at the bidding of thy Lord, the
God of power and might.
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62 |
As to the Return, as God hath purposed in His sacred and
exalted Tablets wherein He hath made this theme known
unto His servants; by this is meant the return of all created
things in the Day of Resurrection, and this is indeed the
essence of the Return as thou hast witnessed in God's own
days and thou art of them that testify to this truth.
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63 |
Verily God is fully capable of causing all names to appear
in one name, and all souls in one soul. Surely powerful and
mighty is He. And this Return is realized at His behest in
whatever form He willeth. Indeed He is the One Who
doeth and ordaineth all things. Moreover, thou shouldst not
perceive the fulfilment of the Return and the Resurrection
save in the Word of thy Lord, the Almighty, the All-Knowing.
For instance, were He to take a handful of earth
and declare it to be the One Whom ye have been following
in the past, it would undoubtedly be just and true, even as
His real Person, and to none is given the right to question
His authority. He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth
whatsoever He pleaseth. Moreover, in this station take thou
heed not to turn thy gaze unto limitations and allusions, but
rather unto that whereby the Revelation itself hath been
fulfilled and be of them that are discerning. Thus do We
explain for thee in a lucid and explicit language that thou
mayest comprehend that which thou didst seek from thine
ancient Lord.
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64 |
Consider thou the Day of Resurrection. Were God to
pronounce the lowliest of creatures among the faithful to
be the First One to believe in the Bayán, thou shouldst have
no misgivings about it and must be of them that truly
believe. In this station look not upon human limitations
and names but rather upon that whereby the rank of the
First One to believe is vindicated, which is faith in God,
and recognition of His Being and assurance in the fulfilment
of His irresistible and binding command.
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65 |
Consider thou the Revelation of the Point of the Bayán
--exalted is His glory. He pronounced the First One
[Mullá Husayn.]
to
believe in Him to be Muhammad, the Messenger of God.
Doth it beseem a man to dispute with Him by saying that
this man is from Persia, the Other from Arabia, or this one
was called Husayn while the Other bore the name of
Muhammad? Nay, I swear by God's holy Being, the
Exalted, the Most Great. Surely no man of intelligence and
insight would ever pay attention unto limitations or names,
but rather unto that with which Muhammad was invested,
which was none other than the Cause of God. Such a
man of insight would likewise consider Husayn and the
position he occupied in the Cause of God, the Omnipotent,
the Exalted, the Knowing, the Wise. And since the First
One to believe in God in the Dispensation of the Bayán
was invested with command similar to that with which
Muhammad, the Messenger of God, was invested, therefore
the Báb pronounced him to be the latter, namely His
return and resurrection. This station is sanctified from every
limitation or name, and naught can be seen therein but
God, the One, the Peerless, the All-Knowing.
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66 |
Know thou moreover that in the Day of Revelation
were He to pronounce one of the leaves to be the manifestation
of all His excellent titles, unto no one is given the right
to utter why or wherefore, and should one do so he would
be regarded as a disbeliever in God and be numbered with
such as have repudiated His Truth.
|
67 |
Beware, beware lest thou behave like unto the people of
the Bayán. For indeed they erred grievously, misguided the
people, ignored the Covenant of God and His Testament
and joined partners with Him, the One, the Incomparable,
the All-Knowing. Verily they failed to recognize the Point
of the Bayán, for had they recognized Him they would not
have rejected His manifestation in this luminous and
resplendent Being. And since they fixed their eyes on
names, therefore when He replaced His Name `the Most
Exalted' by `the Most Glorious' their eyes were dimmed.
They have failed to recognize Him in these days and are
reckoned with those that perish. Indeed, had they known
Him through His own Self or by virtue of that which He
hath revealed, they would not have repudiated Him when
He appeared in this glorious and incomparable Name, which
God hath ordained to be the Sword of His Revelation
between heaven and earth, and through which truth is
separated from error, even from now until the Day when
mankind shall stand before the Lord of the worlds.
|
68 |
Know thou moreover that in the Day of His Manifestation
all things besides God shall be brought forth and placed
equally, irrespective of their rank being high or low. The
Day of Return is inscrutable unto all men until after the
divine Revelation hath been fulfilled. He is in truth the
One Who ordaineth whatsoever He willeth. When the
Word of God is revealed unto all created things whoso
then giveth ear and heedeth the Call is, indeed, reckoned
among the most distinguished souls, though he be a carrier
of ashes. And he who turneth away is accounted as
the lowliest of His servants, though he be a ruler amongst
men and the possessor of all the books that are in the heavens
and on earth.
|
69 |
It behoveth thee to look with divine insight upon the
things We have revealed and sent unto thee and not
towards the people and that which is current amongst
them. They are in this day like unto a blind man who,
while moving in the sunshine, demandeth: Where is the
sun? Is it shining? He would deny and dispute the truth,
and would not be of them that perceive. Never shall he be
able to discern the sun or to understand that which hath
intervened between him and it. He would object within
himself, voice protests, and would be among the rebellious.
Such is the state of this people. Leave them unto themselves,
saying: Unto you be that which ye desire and unto
us that which we desire. Wretched indeed is the plight of
the ungodly.
|
70 |
Know thou moreover that the former Manifestation
affirmed that the return and rising of the spirits would occur
on the Day of Resurrection, while in truth there is a return
and resurrection for every created thing. However We do
not wish to mention aught that is not set forth in the Bayán,
lest perchance the people of malice raise a great outcry. O
would that that which interveneth between the children of
men and their Creator were dispelled that they might be
enabled to behold God's invincible sovereignty and dominion,
quaff from the wellspring of His heavenly streams, be
sprinkled with the outpourings of the ocean of true understanding
and be purged from the defilements of the ungodly
and the suspicious.
|
71 |
As to thy question concerning the worlds of God. Know
thou of a truth that the worlds of God are countless in their
number, and infinite in their range. None can reckon or
comprehend them except God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
Consider thy state when asleep. Verily, I say, this
phenomenon is the most mysterious of the signs of God
amongst men, were they to ponder it in their hearts.
Behold how the thing which thou hast seen in thy dream is,
after a considerable lapse of time, fully realized. Had the
world in which thou didst find thyself in thy dream been
identical with the world in which thou livest, it would have
been necessary for the event occurring in that dream to
have transpired in this world at the very moment of its
occurrence. Were it so, you yourself would have borne
witness unto it. This being not the case, however, it must
necessarily follow that the world in which thou livest is
different and apart from that which thou hast experienced
in thy dream. This latter world hath neither beginning nor
end. It would be true if thou wert to contend that this same
world is, as decreed by the All-Glorious and Almighty God,
within thy proper self and is wrapped up within thee. It
would equally be true to maintain that thy spirit, having
transcended the limitations of sleep and having stripped
itself of all earthly attachment, hath, by the act of God,
been made to traverse a realm which lieth hidden in the
innermost reality of this world. Verily I say, the creation of
God embraceth worlds besides this world, and creatures
apart from these creatures. In each of these worlds He hath
ordained things which none can search except Himself, the
All-Searching, the All-Wise. Do thou meditate on that
which We have revealed unto thee, that thou mayest
discover the purpose of God, thy Lord, and the Lord of all
worlds. In these words the mysteries of Divine Wisdom
have been treasured. We have refrained from dwelling
upon this theme owing to the sorrow that hath encompassed
Us from the actions of them that have been created
through Our words, if ye be of them that will hearken
unto Our Voice.
|
72 |
Where is the one who can help Me and shield Me from
the swords of these faithless souls? Where is the man of
insight who will behold the Words of God with his own
eyes and rid himself of the opinions and notions of the
peoples of the earth?
|
73 |
O servant! Warn thou the servants of God not to reject
that which they do not comprehend. Say, implore God to
open to your hearts the portals of true understanding that
ye may be apprised of that of which no one is apprised.
Verily, He is the Giver, the Forgiving, the Compassionate.
|
74 |
Thou hast moreover asked Me concerning the ordinances
of God. Know thou of a truth that whatsoever hath been
prescribed in the Book is indeed the truth, no doubt is
there about it, and it is incumbent upon everyone to
observe that which hath been sent down by Him Who is
the Revealer, the All-Knowing. Were a man to put them
away despite his being aware thereof, God would truly be
clear of such a one and We too would be clear of him,
inasmuch as His ordinances constitute the fruits of the
divine Tree and none other than the heedless and the
wayward will deviate therefrom.
|
75 |
As to Paradise: It is a reality and there can be no doubt
about it, and now in this world it is realized through love
of Me and My good-pleasure. Whosoever attaineth unto
it God will aid him in this world below, and after death
He will enable him to gain admittance into Paradise whose
vastness is as that of heaven and earth. Therein the Maids
of glory and holiness will wait upon him in the daytime
and in the night season, while the day-star of the unfading
beauty of his Lord will at all times shed its radiance upon
him and he will shine so brightly that no one shall bear
to gaze at him. Such is the dispensation of Providence,
yet the people are shut out by a grievous veil. Likewise
apprehend thou the nature of hell-fire and be of them that
truly believe. For every act performed there shall be a
recompense according to the estimate of God, and unto
this the very ordinances and prohibitions prescribed by
the Almighty amply bear witness. For surely if deeds were
not rewarded and yielded no fruit, then the Cause of God
--exalted is He--would prove futile. Immeasurably high
is He exalted above such blasphemies! However, unto them
that are rid of all attachments a deed is, verily, its own
reward. Were We to enlarge upon this theme numerous
Tablets would need to be written.
|
76 |
I swear by the righteousness of the One true God! The
Pen is unable to move by reason of that which hath befallen
its Lord, and it weepeth sore, and so do I weep, and likewise
weepeth the eye of Him Who is the Essence of
Grandeur behind the Tabernacle of Names while seated on
the Throne of His glorious Name.
|
77 |
Purge thou thy heart that We may cause fountains of
wisdom and utterance to gush out therefrom, thus enabling
thee to raise thy voice among all mankind. Unloose thy
tongue and proclaim the truth for the sake of the remembrance
of thy merciful Lord. Be not afraid of anyone,
place thy whole trust in God, the Almighty, the All-Knowing.
Say, O people, fulfil whatever ye understand of
the Persian Bayán and whatever ye understand not ask this
unerring Remembrance that He may set forth clearly that
which God hath intended in His Book, for in truth He
knoweth that which is enshrined in the Bayán by virtue of
the Will of Him Who is the Omnipotent, the Powerful.
|
78 |
Thou hast enquired about the warning We gave to the
people at the time of Our departure from `Iráq to the effect
that when the Sun disappeareth from sight, birds of darkness
will be in motion and the standards of Samírí
[The maker of the Golden Calf. See Qur'án 20:87-98]
will be
reared high. I swear by God! Those birds have stirred in
these days and Samírí hath raised his clamour. Well is it
with him who recognizeth and is numbered with men of
understanding. We have also warned them against the
appearance of the calf. God is My witness! All Our warnings
have come to pass, as indeed, they are bound to,
inasmuch as they have issued from the fingers of glory and
might. Beseech thou God to protect thee from the mischief
of these men and to purify thee from the insinuations of the
froward. Strengthen thy loins then for the promotion of
the Cause and pay no attention unto the words uttered by
the people of the Bayán, for they are truly incapable of
understanding and have failed to comprehend the essence
of the Cause as is revealed in this august, this Most Great
Announcement. Thus have We inspired thee, and infused
into thy heart that which will make thee independent of the
allusions of mankind.
|
79 |
The glory of God be upon thee and upon them that give
ear unto the words thou dost utter for the love of God, thy
Lord, and remain steadfast in His Cause. All praise be unto
God, the Lord of the worlds.
|