PART TWO
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Verily He Who is the Day-star of Truth and
Revealer of the Supreme Being holdeth, for all time, undisputed sovereignty
over all that is in heaven and on earth, though no man be found on earth to
obey Him. He verily is independent of all earthly dominion, though He be
utterly destitute. Thus We reveal unto thee the mysteries of the Cause of God,
and bestow upon thee the gems of divine wisdom, that haply thou mayest soar on
the wings of renunciation to those heights that are veiled from the eyes of
men.
THE significance and essential purpose underlying these words is to
reveal and demonstrate unto the pure in heart and the sanctified in spirit that
they Who are the Luminaries of truth and the Mirrors reflecting the light of
divine Unity, in whatever age and cycle they are sent down from their invisible
habitations of ancient glory unto this world, to educate the souls of men and
endue with grace all created things, are invariably endowed with an
all-compelling power, and invested with invincible sovereignty. For these
hidden Gems, these concealed and invisible Treasures, in themselves manifest
and vindicate the reality of these holy words: "Verily God doeth
whatsoever He willeth, and ordaineth whatsoever He pleaseth."
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To every discerning and illumined heart it is evident that God, the unknowable Essence, the divine Being, is immensely exalted beyond every human attribute, such as corporeal existence, ascent and descent, egress and regress. Far be it from His glory that human tongue should adequately recount His praise, or that human heart comprehend His fathomless mystery. He is and hath ever been veiled in the ancient eternity of His Essence, and will remain in His Reality everlastingly hidden from the sight of men. "No vision taketh in Him, but He taketh in all vision; He is the Subtile, the All-Perceiving."(1) No tie of direct intercourse can possibly bind Him to His creatures. He standeth exalted beyond and above all separation and union, all proximity and remoteness. No sign can indicate His presence or His absence; inasmuch as by a word of His command all that are in heaven and on earth have come to exist, and by His wish, which is the Primal Will itself, all have stepped out of utter nothingness into the realm of being, the world of the visible.
Gracious God! How could there be conceived any existing relationship or possible connection
1. Qur'án 6:103.
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between His Word and they that are created of it? The verse: "God would
have you beware of Himself"(1)
unmistakably beareth witness to the reality of Our argument, and the words:
"God was alone; there was none else besides Him" are a sure testimony
of its truth. All the Prophets of God and their chosen Ones, all the divines,
the sages, and the wise of every generation, unanimously recognize their
inability to attain unto the comprehension of that Quintessence of all truth,
and confess their incapacity to grasp Him, Who is the inmost Reality of all
things.
The door of the knowledge of the Ancient of Days being thus closed in the face of all beings, the Source of infinite grace, according to His saying: "His grace hath transcended all things; My grace hath encompassed them all" hath caused those luminous Gems of Holiness to appear out of the realm of the spirit, in the noble form of the human temple, and be made manifest unto all men, that they may impart unto the world the mysteries of the unchangeable Being, and tell of the subtleties of His imperishable Essence. These sanctified Mirrors, these Day-springs of ancient glory are one and all the Exponents on earth of Him Who is the
1. Qur'án 3:28.
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central Orb of the universe, its Essence and ultimate Purpose. From Him proceed
their knowledge and power; from Him is derived their sovereignty. The beauty of
their countenance is but a reflection of His image, and their revelation a sign
of His deathless glory. They are the Treasuries of divine knowledge, and the
Repositories of celestial wisdom. Through them is transmitted a grace that is
infinite, and by them is revealed the light that can never fade. Even as He
hath said: "There is no distinction whatsoever between Thee and them;
except that they are Thy servants, and are created of Thee." This is the
significance of the tradition: "I am He, Himself, and He is I,
myself."
The traditions and sayings that
bear direct reference to Our theme are divers and manifold; We have refrained
from quoting them for the sake of brevity. Nay, whatever is in the heavens and
whatever is on the earth is a direct evidence of the revelation within it of
the attributes and names of God, inasmuch as within every atom are enshrined
the signs that bear eloquent testimony to the revelation of that most great
Light. Methinks, but for the potency of that revelation, no being
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could ever exist. How resplendent the luminaries of knowledge that shine in an
atom, and how vast the oceans of wisdom that surge within a drop! To a supreme
degree is this true of man, who, among all created things, hath been invested
with the robe of such gifts, and hath been singled out for the glory of such
distinction. For in him are potentially revealed all the attributes and names
of God to a degree that no other created being hath excelled or surpassed. All
these names and attributes are applicable to him. Even as He hath said:
"Man is My mystery, and I am his mystery." Manifold are the verses
that have been repeatedly revealed in all the heavenly Books and the holy
Scriptures, expressive of this most subtle and lofty theme. Even as He hath
revealed: "We will surely show them Our signs in the world and within
themselves."(1) Again He
saith: "And also in your own selves: will ye not then behold the signs of
God?"(2) And yet again
He revealeth: "And be ye not like those who forget God, and whom He hath
therefore caused to forget their own selves."(3) In this connection, He Who is the eternal
King--may the souls of all that dwell within the mystic Tabernacle be
1. Qur'án 41:53.
2. Qur'án 51:21.
3. Qur'án 59:19.
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a sacrifice unto Him--hath spoken: "He hath known God who hath known
himself."
I swear by God, O esteemed and honoured friend! Shouldst thou ponder these words in thine heart, thou wilt of a certainty find the doors of divine wisdom and infinite knowledge flung open before thy face.
From that which hath been said it
becometh evident that all things, in their inmost reality, testify to the
revelation of the names and attributes of God within them. Each according to
its capacity, indicateth, and is expressive of, the knowledge of God. So potent
and universal is this revelation, that it hath encompassed all things, visible
and invisible. Thus hath He revealed: "Hath aught else save Thee a power
of revelation which is not possessed by Thee, that it could have manifested
Thee? Blind is the eye which doth not perceive Thee." Likewise, hath the
eternal King spoken: "No thing have I perceived, except that I perceived
God within it, God before it, or God after it." Also in the tradition of
Kumayl it is written: "Behold, a light hath shone forth out of the Morn of
eternity, and lo! its waves have penetrated the inmost reality of all
men." Man, the noblest and
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most perfect of all created things, excelleth them all in the intensity of this
revelation, and is a fuller expression of its glory. And of all men, the most
accomplished, the most distinguished and the most excellent are the
Manifestations of the Sun of Truth. Nay, all else besides these Manifestations,
live by the operation of their Will, and move and have their being through the
outpourings of their grace. "But for Thee, I would have not created the
heavens." Nay, all in their holy presence fade into utter nothingness, and
are a thing forgotten. Human tongue can never befittingly sing their praise,
and human speech can never unfold their mystery. These Tabernacles of holiness,
these primal Mirrors which reflect the light of unfading glory, are but
expressions of Him Who is the Invisible of the Invisibles. By the revelation of
these gems of divine virtue all the names and attributes of God, such as
knowledge and power, sovereignty and dominion, mercy and wisdom, glory, bounty
and grace, are made manifest.
These attributes of God are not
and have never been vouchsafed specially unto certain Prophets, and withheld
from others. Nay, all the Prophets of God, His well-favoured, His holy, and
chosen
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Messengers, are, without exception, the bearers of His names, and the embodiments
of His attributes. They only differ in the intensity of their revelation, and
the comparative potency of their light. Even as He hath revealed: "Some of
the Apostles We have caused to excel the others."(1) It hath therefore become manifest and evident
that within the tabernacles of these Prophets and chosen Ones of God the light
of His infinite names and exalted attributes hath been reflected, even though
the light of some of these attributes may or may not be outwardly revealed from
these luminous Temples to the eyes of men. That a certain attribute of God hath
not been outwardly manifested by these Essences of Detachment doth in no wise
imply that they Who are the Daysprings of God's attributes and the Treasuries
of His holy names did not actually possess it. Therefore, these illuminated
Souls, these beauteous Countenances have, each and every one of them, been
endowed with all the attributes of God, such as sovereignty, dominion, and the
like, even though to outward seeming they be shorn of all earthly majesty. To
every discerning eye this is evident and manifest; it requireth neither proof
nor evidence.
1. Qur'án 2:253.
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Yea, inasmuch as the peoples of the world have failed to seek from the luminous and crystal Springs of divine knowledge the inner meaning of God's holy words, they therefore have languished, stricken and sore athirst, in the vale of idle fancy and waywardness. They have strayed far from the fresh and thirst-subduing waters, and gathered round the salt that burneth bitterly. Concerning them, the Dove of Eternity hath spoken: "And if they see the path of righteousness, they will not take it for their path; but if they see the path of error, for their path will they take it. This, because they treated Our signs as lies, and were heedless of them."(1)
To this testifieth that which hath been witnessed in this wondrous and exalted Dispensation. Myriads of holy verses have descended from the heaven of might and grace, yet no one hath turned thereunto, nor ceased to cling to those words of men, not one letter of which they that have spoken them comprehend. For this reason the people have doubted incontestable truths, such as these, and caused themselves to be deprived of the Ridván of
1. Qur'án 7:145.
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divine knowledge, and the eternal meads of celestial wisdom.
And now, to resume Our argument
concerning the question: Why is it that the sovereignty of the Qá'im, affirmed
in the text of recorded traditions, and handed down by the shining stars of the
Muhammadan Dispensation, hath not in the least been made manifest? Nay, the
contrary hath come to pass. Have not His disciples and companions been
afflicted of men? Are they not still the victims of the fierce opposition of
their enemies? Are they not today leading the life of abased and impotent
mortals? Yea, the sovereignty attributed to the Qá'im and spoken of in the
scriptures, is a reality, the truth of which none can doubt. This sovereignty,
however, is not the sovereignty which the minds of men have falsely imagined.
Moreover, the Prophets of old, each and every one, whenever announcing to the
people of their day the advent of the coming Revelation, have invariably and
specifically referred to that sovereignty with which the promised Manifestation
must needs be invested. This is attested by the records of the scriptures of
the past. This sovereignty hath not been solely and exclusively attributed
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to the Qá'im. Nay rather, the attribute of sovereignty and all other names and
attributes of God have been and will ever be vouchsafed unto all the
Manifestations of God, before and after Him, inasmuch as these Manifestations,
as it hath already been explained, are the Embodiments of the attributes of
God, the Invisible, and the Revealers of the divine mysteries.
Furthermore, by sovereignty is
meant the all-encompassing, all-pervading power which is inherently exercised
by the Qá'im whether or not He appear to the world clothed in the majesty of
earthly dominion. This is solely dependent upon the will and pleasure of the
Qá'im Himself. You will readily recognize that the terms sovereignty, wealth,
life, death, judgment and resurrection, spoken of by the scriptures of old, are
not what this generation hath conceived and vainly imagined. Nay, by
sovereignty is meant that sovereignty which in every dispensation resideth
within, and is exercised by, the person of the Manifestation, the Day-star of
Truth. That sovereignty is the spiritual ascendancy which He exerciseth to the
fullest degree over all that is in heaven and on earth, and which in due time
revealeth itself to the world in
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direct proportion to its capacity and spiritual receptiveness, even as the
sovereignty of Muhammad, the Messenger of God, is today apparent and manifest
amongst the people. You are well aware of what befell His Faith in the early
days of His dispensation. What woeful sufferings did the hand of the infidel
and erring, the divines of that age and their associates, inflict upon that
spiritual Essence, that most pure and holy Being! How abundant the thorns and
briars which they have strewn over His path! It is evident that wretched
generation, in their wicked and satanic fancy, regarded every injury to that
immortal Being as a means to the attainment of an abiding felicity; inasmuch as
the recognized divines of that age, such as `Abdu'lláh-i-Ubayy, Abú-`Amír, the
hermit, Ka'b-Ibn-i-Ashraf, and Nadr-Ibn-i-Hárith, all treated Him as an
impostor, and pronounced Him a lunatic and a calumniator. Such sore accusations
they brought against Him that in recounting them God forbiddeth the ink to
flow, Our pen to move, or the page to bear them. These malicious imputations
provoked the people to arise and torment Him. And how fierce that torment if
the divines of the age be its chief instigators, if they denounce Him to their
followers, cast Him out from their
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midst, and declare Him a miscreant! Hath not the same befallen this Servant,
and been witnessed by all?
For this reason did Muhammad cry out: "No Prophet of God hath suffered such harm as I have suffered." And in the Qur'án are recorded all the calumnies and reproaches uttered against Him, as well as all the afflictions which He suffered. Refer ye thereunto, that haply ye may be informed of that which hath befallen His Revelation. So grievous was His plight, that for a time all ceased to hold intercourse with Him and His companions. Whoever associated with Him fell a victim to the relentless cruelty of His enemies.
We shall cite in this connection
only one verse of that Book. Shouldst thou observe it with a discerning eye,
thou wilt, all the remaining days of thy life, lament and bewail the injury of
Muhammad, that wronged and oppressed Messenger of God. That verse was revealed
at a time when Muhammad languished weary and sorrowful beneath the weight of
the opposition of the people, and of their unceasing torture. In the midst of
His agony, the Voice of Gabriel, calling from the Sadratu'l-Muntahá, was heard
saying: "But if their opposition
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be grievous to Thee--if Thou canst, seek out an opening into the earth or a
ladder into heaven."(1)
The implication of this utterance is that His case had no remedy, that they
would not withhold their hands from Him unless He should hide Himself beneath
the depths of the earth, or take His flight unto heaven.
Consider, how great is the change today! Behold, how many are the Sovereigns who bow the knee before His name! How numerous the nations and kingdoms who have sought the shelter of His shadow, who bear allegiance to His Faith, and pride themselves therein! From the pulpit-top there ascendeth today the words of praise which, in utter lowliness, glorify His blessed name; and from the heights of minarets there resoundeth the call that summoneth the concourse of His people to adore Him. Even those Kings of the earth who have refused to embrace His Faith and to put off the garment of unbelief, none the less confess and acknowledge the greatness and overpowering majesty of that Day-star of loving kindness. Such is His earthly sovereignty, the evidences of which thou dost on every side behold. This sovereignty
1. Qur'án 6:35.
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must needs be revealed and established either in the lifetime of every
Manifestation of God or after His ascension unto His true habitation in the
realms above. What thou dost witness today is but a confirmation of this truth.
That spiritual ascendency, however, which is primarily intended, resideth
within, and revolveth around Them from eternity even unto eternity. It can
never for a moment be divorced from Them. Its dominion hath encompassed all
that is in heaven and on earth.
The following is an evidence of the
sovereignty exercised by Muhammad, the Day-star of Truth. Hast thou not heard
how with one single verse He hath sundered light from darkness, the righteous
from the ungodly, and the believing from the infidel? All the signs and
allusions concerning the Day of Judgment, which thou hast heard, such as the
raising of the dead, the Day of Reckoning, the Last Judgment, and others have
been made manifest through the revelation of that verse. These revealed words
were a blessing to the righteous who on hearing them exclaimed: "O God our
Lord, we have heard, and obeyed." They were a curse to the people of
iniquity who, on hearing them affirmed: "We have heard and rebelled."
Those
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words, sharp as the sword of God, have separated the faithful from the infidel,
and severed father from son. Thou hast surely witnessed how they that have
confessed their faith in Him and they that rejected Him have warred against
each other, and sought one another's property. How many fathers have turned
away from their sons; how many lovers have shunned their beloved! So
mercilessly trenchant was this wondrous sword of God that it cleft asunder
every relationship! On the other hand, consider the welding power of His Word.
Observe, how those in whose midst the Satan of self had for years sown the
seeds of malice and hate became so fused and blended through their allegiance
to this wondrous and transcendent Revelation that it seemed as if they had
sprung from the same loins. Such is the binding force of the Word of God, which
uniteth the hearts of them that have renounced all else but Him, who have believed
in His signs, and quaffed from the Hand of glory the Kawthar of God's
holy grace. Furthermore, how numerous are those peoples of divers beliefs, of
conflicting creeds, and opposing temperaments, who, through the reviving
fragrance of the Divine springtime, breathing from the Ridván of God, have been
arrayed with the new robe of
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divine Unity, and have drunk from the cup of His singleness!
This is the significance of the well-known words: "The wolf and the lamb shall feed together."(1) Behold the ignorance and folly of those who, like the nations of old, are still expecting to witness the time when these beasts will feed together in one pasture! Such is their low estate. Methinks, never have their lips touched the cup of understanding, neither have their feet trodden the path of justice. Besides, of what profit would it be to the world were such a thing to take place? How well hath He spoken concerning them: "Hearts have they, with which they understand not, and eyes have they with which they see not!"(2)
Consider how with this one verse which hath descended from the heaven of the Will of God, the world and all that is therein have been brought to a reckoning with Him. Whosoever acknowledged His truth and turned unto Him, his good works outweighed his misdeeds, and all his sins were remitted and forgiven. Thereby is the truth of these words concerning Him made manifest: "Swift is
1. Isaiah 65:25.
2. Qur'án 7:178.
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He in reckoning." Thus God turneth iniquity into righteousness, were ye to
explore the realms of divine knowledge, and fathom the mysteries of His wisdom.
In like manner, whosoever partook of the cup of love, obtained his portion of
the ocean of eternal grace and of the showers of everlasting mercy, and entered
into the life of faith--the heavenly and everlasting life. But he that turned
away from that cup was condemned to eternal death. By the terms "life"
and "death," spoken of in the scriptures, is intended the life of
faith and the death of unbelief. The generality of the people, owing to their
failure to grasp the meaning of these words, rejected and despised the person
of the Manifestation, deprived themselves of the light of His divine guidance,
and refused to follow the example of that immortal Beauty.
When the light of Qur'ánic
Revelation was kindled within the chamber of Muhammad's holy heart, He passed
upon the people the verdict of the Last Day, the verdict of resurrection, of
judgment, of life, and of death. Thereupon the standards of revolt were
hoisted, and the doors of derision opened. Thus hath He, the Spirit of God,
recorded, as spoken by the infidels: "And if thou
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shouldst say, `After death ye shall surely be raised again,' the infidels will
certainly exclaim, `This is nothing but manifest sorcery.'"(1) Again He speaketh: "If
ever thou dost marvel, marvellous surely is their saying, `What! When we have
become dust, shall we be restored in a new creation?'"(2) Thus, in another passage, He
wrathfully exclaimeth: "Are We wearied out with the first creation? Yet
are they in doubt with regard to a new creation!"(3)
As the commentators of the Qur'án and they that follow the letter thereof misapprehended the inner meaning of the words of God and failed to grasp their essential purpose, they sought to demonstrate that, according to the rules of grammar, whenever the term "idhá" (meaning "if" or "when") precedeth the past tense, it invariably hath reference to the future. Later, they were sore perplexed in attempting to explain those verses of the Book wherein that term did not actually occur. Even as He hath revealed: "And there was a blast on the trumpet,--lo! it is the threatened Day! And every soul is summoned to a reckoning,--with
1. Qur'án 11:7.
2. Qur'án 13:5.
3. Qur'án 50:15.
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him an impeller and a witness."(1)
In explaining this and similar verses, they have in some cases argued that the
term "idhá" is implied. In other instances, they have idly
contended that whereas the Day of Judgment is inevitable, it hath therefore
been referred to as an event not of the future but of the past. How vain their
sophistry! How grievous their blindness! They refuse to recognize the
trumpet-blast which so explicitly in this text was sounded through the revelation
of Muhammad. They deprive themselves of the regenerating Spirit of God that
breathed into it, and foolishly expect to hear the trumpet-sound of the Seraph
of God who is but one of His servants! Hath not the Seraph himself, the angel
of the Judgment Day, and his like been ordained by Muhammad's own utterance?
Say: What! Will ye give that which is for your good in exchange for that which
is evil? Wretched is that which ye have falsely exchanged! Surely ye are a
people, evil, in grievous loss.
Nay, by "trumpet" is meant the trumpet-call of Muhammad's Revelation, which was sounded in the heart of the universe, and by "resurrection" is meant His own rise to proclaim the Cause of God.
1. Qur'án 50:20.
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He bade the erring and wayward arise and speed out of the sepulchres of their bodies, arrayed them with the beauteous robe of faith, and quickened them with the breath of a new and wondrous life. Thus at the hour when Muhammad, that divine Beauty, purposed to unveil one of the mysteries hidden in the symbolic terms "resurrection," "judgment," "paradise," and "hell," Gabriel, the Voice of Inspiration, was heard saying: "Erelong will they wag their heads at Thee, and say, `When shall this be?' Say: `Perchance it is nigh.'"(1) The implications of this verse alone suffice the peoples of the world, were they to ponder it in their hearts.
Gracious God! How far have that people strayed from the way of God! Although the Day of Resurrection was ushered in through the Revelation of Muhammad, although His light and tokens had encompassed the earth and all that is therein, yet that people derided Him, gave themselves up to those idols which the divines of that age, in their vain and idle fancy, had conceived, and deprived themselves of the light of heavenly grace and of the showers of divine mercy. Yea, the abject beetle can never scent the fragrance of holiness, and the
1. Qur'án 17:51.
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bat of darkness can never face the splendour of the sun.
Such things have come to pass in the days of every Manifestation of God. Even as Jesus said: "Ye must be born again."(1) Again He saith: "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."(2) The purport of these words is that whosoever in every dispensation is born of the Spirit and is quickened by the breath of the Manifestation of Holiness, he verily is of those that have attained unto "life" and "resurrection" and have entered into the "paradise" of the love of God. And whosoever is not of them, is condemned to "death" and "deprivation," to the "fire" of unbelief, and to the "wrath" of God. In all the scriptures, the books and chronicles, the sentence of death, of fire, of blindness, of want of understanding and hearing, hath been pronounced against those whose lips have tasted not the ethereal cup of true knowledge, and whose hearts have been deprived of the grace of the holy Spirit in their day.
1. John 3:7.
2. John 3:5-6.
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Even as it hath been previously recorded: "Hearts have they with which they understand not."(1)
In another passage of the Gospel it is written: "And it came to pass that on a certain day the father of one of the disciples of Jesus had died. That disciple reporting the death of his father unto Jesus, asked for leave to go and bury him. Whereupon, Jesus, that Essence of Detachment, answered and said: "Let the dead bury their dead."(2)
In like manner, two of the people of Kúfih went to `Alí, the Commander of the Faithful. One owned a house and wished to sell it; the other was to be the purchaser. They had agreed that this transaction should be effected and the contract be written with the knowledge of `Alí. He, the exponent of the law of God, addressing the scribe, said: "Write thou: `A dead man hath bought from another dead man a house. That house is bounded by four limits. One extendeth toward the tomb, the other to the vault of the grave, the third to the Sirat, the fourth to either Paradise or hell.'" Reflect, had these two souls been quickened by the trumpet-call of `Alí, had they risen from the grave
1. Qur'án 7:178.
2. Luke 9:60.
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of error by the power of his love, the judgment of death would certainly not
have been pronounced against them.
In every age and century, the
purpose of the Prophets of God and their chosen ones hath been no other but to
affirm the spiritual significance of the terms "life,"
"resurrection," and "judgment." If one will ponder but for
a while this utterance of `Alí in his heart, one will surely discover all
mysteries hidden in the terms "grave," "tomb,"
"sirat," "paradise" and "hell." But oh! how strange
and pitiful! Behold, all the people are imprisoned within the tomb of self, and
lie buried beneath the nethermost depths of worldly desire! Wert thou to attain
to but a dewdrop of the crystal waters of divine knowledge, thou wouldst
readily realize that true life is not the life of the flesh but the life of the
spirit. For the life of the flesh is common to both men and animals, whereas
the life of the spirit is possessed only by the pure in heart who have quaffed
from the ocean of faith and partaken of the fruit of certitude. This life
knoweth no death, and this existence is crowned by immortality. Even as it hath
been said: "He who is a true believer liveth both in this world and in the
world to come."
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If by "life" be meant this earthly life, it is evident that death
must needs overtake it.
Similarly, the records of all the scriptures bear witness to this lofty truth and this most exalted word. Moreover, this verse of the Qur'án, revealed concerning Hamzih, the "Prince of Martyrs,"(1) and Abú-Jahl, is a luminous evidence and sure testimony of the truth of Our saying: "Shall the dead, whom We have quickened, and for whom We have ordained a light whereby he may walk among men, be like him, whose likeness is in the darkness, whence he will not come forth?"(2) This verse descended from the heaven of the Primal Will at a time when Hamzih had already been invested with the sacred mantle of faith, and Abú-Jahl had waxed relentless in his opposition and unbelief. From the Wellspring of omnipotence and the Source of eternal holiness, there came the judgment that conferred everlasting life upon Hamzih, and condemned Abú-Jahl to eternal damnation. This was the signal that caused the fires of unbelief to glow with the hottest flame in the heart of the infidels, and provoked them openly to repudiate
1. Title of the uncle
of Muhammad.
2. Qur'án 6:122.
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His truth. They loudly clamoured: "When did Hamzih die? When was he risen?
At what hour was such a life conferred upon him?" As they understood not
the significance of these noble sayings, nor sought enlightenment from the
recognized expounders of the Faith, that these might confer a sprinkling of the
Kawthar of divine knowledge upon them, therefore such fires of mischief
were kindled amongst men.
Thou dost witness today how,
notwithstanding the radiant splendour of the Sun of divine knowledge, all the
people, whether high or low, have clung to the ways of those abject
manifestations of the Prince of Darkness. They continually appeal to them for
aid in unraveling the intricacies of their Faith, and, owing to lack of
knowledge, they make such replies as can in no wise damage their fame and
fortune. It is evident that these souls, vile and miserable as the beetle
itself, have had no portion of the musk-laden breeze of eternity, and have
never entered the Ridván of heavenly delight. How, therefore, can they impart
unto others the imperishable fragrance of holiness? Such is their way, and such
will it remain for ever. Only those will attain to the knowledge of the Word of
God
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that have turned unto Him, and repudiated the manifestations of Satan. Thus God
hath reaffirmed the law of the day of His Revelation, and inscribed it with the
pen of power upon the mystic Tablet hidden beneath the veil of celestial glory.
Wert thou to heed these words, wert thou to ponder their outward and inner
meaning in thy heart, thou wouldst seize the significance of all the abstruse
problems which, in this day, have become insuperable barriers between men and
the knowledge of the Day of Judgment. Then wilt thou have no more questions to
perplex thee. We fain would hope that, God willing, thou wilt not return,
deprived and still athirst, from the shores of the ocean of divine mercy, nor
come back destitute from the imperishable Sanctuary of thy heart's desire. Let
it now be seen what thy search and endeavours will achieve.
To resume: Our purpose in setting
forth these truths hath been to demonstrate the sovereignty of Him Who is the
King of kings. Be fair: Is this sovereignty which, through the utterance of one
Word, hath manifested such pervading influence, ascendancy, and awful majesty,
is this sovereignty superior, or is the worldly dominion of these kings
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of the earth who, despite their solicitude for their subjects and their help of
the poor, are assured only of an outward and fleeting allegiance, while in the
hearts of men they inspire neither affection nor respect? Hath not that
sovereignty, through the potency of one word, subdued, quickened, and
revitalized the whole world? What! Can the lowly dust compare with Him Who is
the Lord of Lords? What tongue dare utter the immensity of difference that
lieth between them? Nay, all comparison falleth short in attaining the hallowed
sanctuary of His sovereignty. Were man to reflect, he would surely perceive
that even the servant of His threshold ruleth over all created things! This
hath already been witnessed, and will in future be made manifest.
This is but one of the meanings of
the spiritual sovereignty which We have set forth in accordance with the
capacity and receptiveness of the people. For He, the Mover of all beings, that
glorified Countenance, is the source of such potencies as neither this wronged
One can reveal, nor this unworthy people comprehend. Immensely exalted is He
above men's praise of His sovereignty; glorified is He beyond that which they
attribute unto Him!
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And now, ponder this in thine heart: Were sovereignty to mean earthly sovereignty and worldly dominion, were it to imply the subjection and external allegiance of all the peoples and kindreds of the earth--whereby His loved ones should be exalted and be made to live in peace, and His enemies be abased and tormented--such form of sovereignty would not be true of God Himself, the Source of all dominion, Whose majesty and power all things testify. For, dost thou not witness how the generality of mankind is under the sway of His enemies? Have they not all turned away from the path of His good-pleasure? Have they not done that which He hath forbidden, and left undone, nay repudiated and opposed, those things which He hath commanded? Have not His friends ever been the victims of the tyranny of His foes? All these things are more obvious than even the splendour of the noon-tide sun.
Know, therefore, O questioning
seeker, that earthly sovereignty is of no worth, nor will it ever be, in the
eyes of God and His chosen Ones. Moreover, if ascendency and dominion be
interpreted to mean earthly supremacy and temporal power, how impossible will
it be for thee to explain these
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verses: "And verily Our host shall conquer."(1) "Fain would they put out God's light with
their mouths: But God hath willed to perfect His light, albeit the infidels
abhor it."(2) "He
is the Dominant, above all things." Similarly, most of the Qur'án
testifieth to this truth.
Were the idle contention of these foolish and despicable souls to be true, they would have none other alternative than to reject all these holy utterances and heavenly allusions. For no warrior could be found on earth more excellent and nearer to God than Husayn, son of `Alí, so peerless and incomparable was he. "There was none to equal or to match him in the world." Yet, thou must have heard what befell him. "God's malison on the head of the people of tyranny!"(3)
Were the verse "And verily Our host shall conquer" to be literally interpreted, it is evident that it would in no wise be applicable to the chosen Ones of God and His hosts, inasmuch as Husayn, whose heroism was manifest as the sun, crushed and subjugated, quaffed at last the cup of martyrdom in Kárbilá, the land of Táff. Similarly, the
1. Qur'án 37:173.
2. Qur'án 9:33.
3. Qur'án 11:18.
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sacred verse "Fain would they put out God's light with their mouths: But
God hath willed to perfect His light, albeit the infidels abhor it." Were
it to be literally interpreted it would never correspond with the truth. For in
every age the light of God hath, to outward seeming, been quenched by the
peoples of the earth, and the Lamps of God extinguished by them. How then could
the ascendancy of the sovereignty of these Lamps be explained? What could the
potency of God's will to "perfect His light" signify? As hath already
been witnessed, so great was the enmity of the infidels, that none of these
divine Luminaries ever found a place for shelter, or tasted of the cup of tranquillity.
So heavily were they oppressed, that the least of men inflicted upon these
Essences of being whatsoever he listed. These sufferings have been observed and
measured by the people. How, therefore, can such people be capable of
understanding and expounding these words of God, these verses of everlasting
glory?
But the purpose of these verses is
not what they have imagined. Nay, the terms "ascendancy,"
"power," and "authority" imply a totally different station
and meaning. For instance, consider the
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pervading power of those drops of the blood of Husayn which besprinkled the
earth. What ascendancy and influence hath the dust itself, through the
sacredness and potency of that blood, exercised over the bodies and souls of
men! So much so, that he who sought deliverance from his ills, was healed by
touching the dust of that holy ground, and whosoever, wishing to protect his
property, treasured with absolute faith and understanding, a little of that
holy earth within his house, safeguarded all his possessions. These are the
outward manifestations of its potency. And were We to recount its hidden
virtues they would assuredly say: "He verily hath considered the dust to
be the Lord of Lords, and hath utterly forsaken the Faith of God."
Furthermore, call to mind the
shameful circumstances that have attended the martyrdom of Husayn. Reflect upon
his loneliness, how, to outer seeming, none could be found to aid him, none to
take up his body and bury it. And yet, behold how numerous, in this day, are
those who from the uttermost corners of the earth don the garb of pilgrimage,
seeking the site of his martyrdom, that there they may lay their heads upon the
threshold
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of his shrine! Such is the ascendancy and power of God! Such is the glory of
His dominion and majesty!
Think not that because these things have come to pass after Husayn's martyrdom, therefore all this glory hath been of no profit unto him. For that holy soul is immortal, liveth the life of God, and abideth within the retreats of celestial glory upon the Sadrih of heavenly reunion. These Essences of being are the shining Exemplars of sacrifice. They have offered, and will continue to offer up their lives, their substance, their souls, their spirit, their all, in the path of the Well-Beloved. By them, no station, however exalted, could be more dearly cherished. For lovers have no desire but the good-pleasure of their Beloved, and have no aim except reunion with Him.
Should We wish to impart unto thee
a glimmer of the mysteries of Husayn's martyrdom, and reveal unto thee the
fruits thereof, these pages could never suffice, nor exhaust their meaning. Our
hope is that, God willing, the breeze of mercy may blow, and the divine
Springtime clothe the tree of being with the robe of a new life; so that we may
discover the mysteries of divine Wisdom, and,
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through His providence, be made independent of the knowledge of all things. We
have, as yet, descried none but a handful of souls, destitute of all renown,
who have attained unto this station. Let the future disclose what the Judgment
of God will ordain, and the Tabernacle of His decree reveal. In such wise We recount
unto thee the wonders of the Cause of God, and pour out into thine ears the
strains of heavenly melody, that haply thou mayest attain unto the station of
true knowledge, and partake of the fruit thereof. Therefore, know thou of a
certainty that these Luminaries of heavenly majesty, though their dwelling be
in the dust, yet their true habitation is the seat of glory in the realms
above. Though bereft of all earthly possessions, yet they soar in the realms of
immeasurable riches. And whilst sore tried in the grip of the enemy, they are
seated on the right hand of power and celestial dominion. Amidst the darkness
of their abasement there shineth upon them the light of unfading glory, and
upon their helplessness are showered the tokens of an invincible sovereignty.
Thus Jesus, Son of Mary, whilst
seated one day and speaking in the strain of the Holy Spirit, uttered words
such as these: "O people! My food is
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the grass of the field, wherewith I satisfy my hunger. My bed is the dust, my
lamp in the night the light of the moon, and my steed my own feet. Behold, who
on earth is richer than I?" By the righteousness of God! Thousands of
treasures circle round this poverty, and a myriad kingdoms of glory yearn for
such abasement! Shouldst thou attain to a drop of the ocean of the inner
meaning of these words, thou wouldst surely forsake the world and all that is
therein, and, as the Phoenix wouldst consume thyself in the flames of the
undying Fire.
In like manner, it is related that
on a certain day, one of the companions of Sádiq complained of his poverty
before him. Whereupon, Sádiq, that immortal beauty, made reply: "Verily
thou art rich, and hast drunk the draught of wealth." That
poverty-stricken soul was perplexed at the words uttered by that luminous
countenance, and said: "Where are my riches, I who stand in need of a
single coin?" Sádiq thereupon observed: "Dost thou not possess our
love?" He replied: "Yea, I possess it, O thou scion of the Prophet of
God!" And Sádiq asked him saying: "Exchangest thou this love for one
thousand dinars?" He answered: "Nay, never will I exchange it, though
the world
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and all that is therein be given me!" Then Sádiq remarked: "How can
he who possesses such a treasure be called poor?"
This poverty and these riches, this abasement and glory, this dominion, power, and the like, upon which the eyes and hearts of these vain and foolish souls are set,--all these things fade into utter nothingness in that Court! Even as He hath said: "O men! Ye are but paupers in need of God; but God is the Rich, the Self-Sufficing."(1) By `riches' therefore is meant independence of all else but God, and by `poverty' the lack of things that are of God.
Similarly, call thou to mind the day when the Jews, who had surrounded Jesus, Son of Mary, were pressing Him to confess His claim of being the Messiah and Prophet of God, so that they might declare Him an infidel and sentence Him to death. Then, they led Him away, He Who was the Day-star of the heaven of divine Revelation, unto Pilate and Caiaphas, who was the leading divine of that age. The chief priests were all assembled in the palace, also a multitude of people who had gathered to witness His sufferings, to deride and injure Him. Though they repeatedly questioned
1. Qur'án 35:15.
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Him, hoping that He would confess His claim, yet Jesus held His peace and spake
not. Finally, an accursed of God arose and, approaching Jesus, adjured Him
saying: "Didst thou not claim to be the Divine Messiah? Didst thou not
say, `I am the King of Kings, My word is the Word of God, and I am the breaker
of the Sabbath day?'" Thereupon Jesus lifted up His head and said: "Beholdest
thou not the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power and might?"
These were His words, and yet consider how to outward seeming He was devoid of
all power except that inner power which was of God and which had encompassed
all that is in heaven and on earth. How can I relate all that befell Him after
He spoke these words? How shall I describe their heinous behaviour towards Him?
They at last heaped on His blessed Person such woes that He took His flight
unto the fourth Heaven.
It is also recorded in the Gospel
according to St. Luke, that on a certain day Jesus passed by a Jew who was sick
of the palsy, and lay upon a couch. When the Jew saw Him, he recognized Him,
and cried out for His help. Jesus said unto him: "Arise from thy bed; thy
sins are forgiven
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thee." Certain of the Jews, standing by, protested saying: "Who can
forgive sins, but God alone?" And immediately He perceived their thoughts,
Jesus answering said unto them: "Whether is it easier to say to the sick
of the palsy, arise, and take up thy bed, and walk; or to say, thy sins are
forgiven thee? that ye may know that the Son of Man hath power on earth to
forgive sins."(1) This
is the real sovereignty, and such is the power of God's chosen Ones! All these
things which We have repeatedly mentioned, and the details which We have cited
from divers sources, have no other purpose but to enable thee to grasp the
meaning of the allusions in the utterances of the chosen Ones of God, lest
certain of these utterances cause thy feet to falter and thy heart to be
dismayed.
Thus with steadfast steps we may tread the Path of certitude, that perchance the breeze that bloweth from the meads of the good-pleasure of God may waft upon us the sweet savours of divine acceptance, and cause us, vanishing mortals that we are, to attain unto the Kingdom of everlasting glory. Then wilt thou comprehend the inner meaning of sovereignty and the like, spoken of in the traditions
1. Cf. Luke 5:18-26.
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and scriptures. Furthermore, it is already evident and known unto thee that
those things to which the Jews and the Christians have clung, and the cavilings
which they heaped upon the Beauty of Muhammad, the same have in this day been
upheld by the people of the Qur'án, and been witnessed in their denunciations
of the "Point of the Bayán"--may the souls of all that dwell within
the kingdom of divine Revelations be a sacrifice unto Him! Behold their folly: they
utter the self-same words, uttered by the Jews of old, and know it not! How
well and true are His words concerning them: "Leave them to entertain
themselves with their cavilings!"(1)
"As Thou livest, O Muhammad! they are seized by the frenzy of their vain
fancies."(2)
When the Unseen, the Eternal, the divine Essence, caused the Day-star of Muhammad to rise above the horizon of knowledge, among the cavils which the Jewish divines raised against Him was that after Moses no Prophet should be sent of God. Yea, mention hath been made in the scriptures of a Soul Who must needs be made manifest and Who
1. Qur'án 6:91.
2. Qur'án 15:72.
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will advance the Faith, and promote the interests of the people, of Moses, so
that the Law of the Mosaic Dispensation may encompass the whole earth. Thus
hath the King of eternal glory referred in His Book to the words uttered by
those wanderers in the vale of remoteness and error: "`The hand of God,'
say the Jews, `is chained up.' Chained up be their own hands! And for that
which they have said, they were accursed. Nay, outstretched are both His
hands!"(1) "The
hand of God is above their hands."(2)
Although the commentators of the Qur'án have related in divers manners the circumstances attending the revelation of this verse, yet thou shouldst endeavour to apprehend the purpose thereof. He saith: How false is that which the Jews have imagined! How can the hand of Him Who is the King in truth, Who caused the countenance of Moses to be made manifest, and conferred upon Him the robe of Prophethood--how can the hand of such a One be chained and fettered? How can He be conceived as powerless to raise up yet another Messenger after Moses? Behold the absurdity of
1. Qur'án 5:64.
2. Qur'án 48:10.
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their saying; how far it hath strayed from the path of knowledge and understanding!
Observe how in this day also, all these people have occupied themselves with
such foolish absurdities. For over a thousand years they have been reciting
this verse, and unwittingly pronouncing their censure against the Jews, utterly
unaware that they themselves, openly and privily, are voicing the sentiments
and belief of the Jewish people! Thou art surely aware of their idle
contention, that all Revelation is ended, that the portals of Divine mercy are
closed, that from the day-springs of eternal holiness no sun shall rise again,
that the Ocean of everlasting bounty is forever stilled, and that out of the
Tabernacle of ancient glory the Messengers of God have ceased to be made
manifest. Such is the measure of the understanding of these small-minded,
contemptible people. These people have imagined that the flow of God's
all-encompassing grace and plenteous mercies, the cessation of which no mind
can contemplate, has been halted. From every side they have risen and girded up
the loins of tyranny, and exerted the utmost endeavour to quench with the
bitter waters of their vain fancy the flame of God's burning Bush, oblivious
that the globe of power shall within its own mighty stronghold
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protect the Lamp of God. The utter destitution into which this people have
fallen doth surely suffice them, inasmuch as they have been deprived of the
recognition of the essential Purpose and the knowledge of the Mystery and
Substance of the Cause of God. For the highest and most excelling grace
bestowed upon men is the grace of "attaining unto the Presence of
God" and of His recognition, which has been promised unto all people. This
is the utmost degree of grace vouchsafed unto man by the All-Bountiful, the
Ancient of Days, and the fulness of His absolute bounty upon His creatures. Of
this grace and bounty none of this people hath partaken, neither have they been
honoured with this most exalted distinction. How numerous are those revealed
verses which explicitly bear witness unto this most weighty truth and exalted
Theme! And yet they have rejected it, and, after their own desire, misconstrued
its meaning. Even as He hath revealed: "As for those who believe not in
the signs of God, or that they shall ever meet Him, these of My mercy shall
despair, and for them doth a grievous chastisement await."(1) Also He saith: "They who
bear in mind that they shall attain unto the Presence of their Lord, and that
unto Him
1. Qur'án 29:23.
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shall they return."(1)
Also in another instance He saith: "They who held it as certain that they
must meet God, said, `How oft, by God's will, hath a small host vanquished a
numerous host!'"(2) In
yet another instance He revealeth: "Let him then who hopeth to attain the
presence of his Lord work a righteous work."(3) And also He saith: "He ordereth all things.
He maketh His signs clear, that ye may have firm faith in attaining the
presence of your Lord."(4)
This people have repudiated all these verses, that unmistakably testify to the reality of "attainment unto the Divine Presence." No theme hath been more emphatically asserted in the holy scriptures. Notwithstanding, they have deprived themselves of this lofty and most exalted rank, this supreme and glorious station. Some have contended that by "attainment unto the Divine Presence" is meant the "Revelation" of God in the Day of Resurrection. Should they assert that the "Revelation" of God signifieth a "Universal Revelation," it is clear and evident that such revelation already existeth in all things. The truth of this We have already
1. Qur'án 2:46.
2. Qur'án 2:249.
3. Qur'án 18:111.
4. Qur'án 13:2.
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established, inasmuch as We have demonstrated that all things are the
recipients and revealers of the splendours of that ideal King, and that the
signs of the revelation of that Sun, the Source of all splendour, exist and are
manifest in the mirrors of beings. Nay, were man to gaze with the eye of divine
and spiritual discernment, he will readily recognize that nothing whatsoever
can exist without the revelation of the splendour of God, the ideal King.
Consider how all created things eloquently testify to the revelation of that
inner Light within them. Behold how within all things the portals of the Ridván
of God are opened, that seekers may attain the cities of understanding and
wisdom, and enter the gardens of knowledge and power. Within every garden they
will behold the mystic bride of inner meaning enshrined within the chambers of
utterance in the utmost grace and fullest adornment. Most of the verses of the
Qur'án indicate, and bear witness to, this spiritual theme. The verse:
"Neither is there aught which doth not celebrate His praise"(1) is eloquent testimony thereto;
and "We noted all things and wrote them down,"(2) a faithful witness thereof. Now, if by
1. Qur'án 17:44.
2. Qur'án 78:29.
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"attainment unto the Presence of God" is meant attainment unto the
knowledge of such revelation, it is evident that all men have already attained
unto the presence of the unchangeable Countenance of that peerless King. Why,
then, restrict such revelation to the Day of Resurrection?
And were they to maintain that by "divine Presence" is meant the "Specific Revelation of God," expressed by certain Súfís as the "Most Holy Outpouring," if this be in the Essence Itself, it is evident that it hath been eternally in the divine Knowledge. Assuming the truth of this hypothesis, "attainment unto the divine Presence" is in this sense obviously possible to no one, inasmuch as this revelation is confined to the innermost Essence, unto which no man can attain. "The way is barred, and all seeking rejected." The minds of the favourites of heaven, however high they soar, can never attain this station, how much less the understanding of obscured and limited minds.
And were they to say that by
"divine Presence" is meant the "Secondary Revelation of
God," interpreted as the "Holy Outpouring," this is admittedly
applicable to the world of creation, that is,
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in the realm of the primal and original manifestation of God. Such revelation
is confined to His Prophets and chosen Ones, inasmuch as none mightier than
they hath come to exist in the world of being. This truth all recognize, and
bear witness thereto. These Prophets and chosen Ones of God are the recipients
and revealers of all the unchangeable attributes and names of God. They are the
mirrors that truly and faithfully reflect the light of God. Whatsoever is
applicable to them is in reality applicable to God, Himself, Who is both the
Visible and the Invisible. The knowledge of Him, Who is the Origin of all
things, and attainment unto Him, are impossible save through knowledge of, and
attainment unto, these luminous Beings who proceed from the Sun of Truth. By
attaining, therefore, to the presence of these holy Luminaries, the
"Presence of God" Himself is attained. From their knowledge, the
knowledge of God is revealed, and from the light of their countenance, the
splendour of the Face of God is made manifest. Through the manifold attributes
of these Essences of Detachment, Who are both the first and the last, the seen
and the hidden, it is made evident that He Who is the Sun of Truth is "the
First and the Last, the Seen, and the
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Hidden."(1) Likewise the
other lofty names and exalted attributes of God. Therefore, whosoever, and in
whatever Dispensation, hath recognized and attained unto the presence of these
glorious, these resplendent and most excellent Luminaries, hath verily attained
unto the "Presence of God" Himself, and entered the city of eternal
and immortal life. Attainment unto such presence is possible only in the Day of
Resurrection, which is the Day of the rise of God Himself through His
all-embracing Revelation.
This is the meaning of the "Day of Resurrection," spoken of in all the scriptures, and announced unto all people. Reflect, can a more precious, a mightier, and more glorious day than this be conceived, so that man should willingly forego its grace, and deprive himself of its bounties, which like unto vernal showers are raining from the heaven of mercy upon all mankind? Having thus conclusively demonstrated that no day is greater than this Day, and no revelation more glorious than this Revelation, and having set forth all these weighty and infallible proofs which no understanding mind can question, and no man of learning
1. Qur'án 57:3.
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overlook, how can man possibly, through the idle contention of the people of
doubt and fancy, deprive himself of such a bountiful grace? Have they not heard
the well-known tradition: "When the Qá'im riseth, that day is the Day of
Resurrection?" In like manner, the Imáms, those unquenchable lights of
divine guidance, have interpreted the verse: "What can such expect but
that God should come down to them overshadowed with clouds,"(1) --a sign which they have
unquestionably regarded as one of the features of the Day of Resurrection --as
referring to Qá'im and His manifestation.
Strive, therefore, O my brother, to grasp the meaning of "Resurrection," and cleanse thine ears from the idle sayings of these rejected people. Shouldst thou step into the realm of complete detachment, thou wilt readily testify that no day is mightier than this Day, and that no resurrection more awful than this Resurrection can ever be conceived. One righteous work performed in this Day, equalleth all the virtuous acts which for myriads of centuries men have practised--nay, We ask forgiveness of God for such a comparison! For verily the reward which such a deed deserveth is immensely
1. Qur'án 2:210.
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beyond and above the estimate of men. Inasmuch as these undiscerning and
wretched souls have failed to apprehend the true meaning of
"Resurrection" and of the "attainment unto the divine
Presence," they therefore have remained utterly deprived of the grace
thereof. Although the sole and fundamental purpose of all learning, and the
toil and labour thereof, is attainment unto, and the recognition of, this
station, yet they are all immersed in the pursuit of their material studies.
They deny themselves every moment of leisure, and utterly ignore Him, Who is
the Essence of all learning, and the one Object of their quest! Methinks, their
lips have never touched the cup of divine Knowledge, nor do they seem to have
attained even a dewdrop of the showers of heavenly grace.
Consider, how can he that faileth
in the day of God's Revelation to attain unto the grace of the "Divine
Presence" and to recognize His Manifestation, be justly called learned,
though he may have spent aeons in the pursuit of knowledge, and acquired all
the limited and material learning of men? It is surely evident that he can in
no wise be regarded as possessed of true knowledge. Whereas,
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the most unlettered of all men, if he be honoured with this supreme
distinction, he verily is accounted as one of those divinely-learned men whose
knowledge is of God; for such a man hath attained the acme of knowledge, and
hath reached the furthermost summit of learning.
This station is also one of the signs of the Day of Revelation; even as it is said: "The abased amongst you, He shall exalt; and they that are exalted, He shall abase." And likewise, He hath revealed in the Qur'án: "And We desire to show favour to those who were brought low in the land, and to make them spiritual leaders among men, and to make of them Our heirs."(1) It hath been witnessed in this day how many of the divines, owing to their rejection of the Truth, have fallen into, and abide within, the uttermost depths of ignorance, and whose names have been effaced from the scroll of the glorious and learned. And how many of the ignorant who, by reason of their acceptance of the Faith, have soared aloft and attained the high summit of knowledge, and whose names have been inscribed by the Pen of Power upon the Tablet of divine Knowledge. Thus,
1. Qur'án 28:5.
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"What He pleaseth will God abrogate or confirm: for with Him is the Source
of Revelation."(1)
Therefore, it hath been said: "To seek evidence, when the Proof hath been
established is but an unseemly act, and to be busied with the pursuit of
knowledge when the Object of all learning hath been attained is truly
blameworthy." Say O people of the earth! Behold this flamelike Youth that
speedeth across the limitless profound of the Spirit, heralding unto you the
tidings: "Lo: the Lamp of God is shining," and summoning you to heed
His Cause which, though hidden beneath the veils of ancient splendour, shineth
in the land of Iraq above the day-spring of eternal holiness.
O my friend, were the bird of thy mind to explore the heavens of the Revelation of the Qur'án, were it to contemplate the realm of divine knowledge unfolded therein, thou wouldst assuredly find unnumbered doors of knowledge set open before thee. Thou wouldst certainly recognize that all these things which have in this day hindered this people from attaining the shores of the ocean of eternal grace, the same things in the Muhammadan
1. Qur'án 13:41.
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Dispensation prevented the people of that age from recognizing that divine
Luminary, and from testifying to His truth. Thou wilt also apprehend the
mysteries of "return" and "revelation," and wilt securely
abide within the loftiest chambers of certitude and assurance.
And it came to pass that on a certain day a number of the opponents of that peerless Beauty, those that had strayed far from God's imperishable Sanctuary, scornfully spoke these words unto Muhammad: "Verily, God hath entered into a covenant with us that we are not to credit an apostle until he present us a sacrifice which fire out of heaven shall devour."(1) The purport of this verse is that God hath covenanted with them that they should not believe in any messenger unless he work the miracle of Abel and Cain, that is, offer a sacrifice, and the fire from heaven consume it; even as they had heard it recounted in the story of Abel, which story is recorded in the scriptures. To this, Muhammad, answering, said: "Already have Apostles before me come to you with sure testimonies, and with that of which ye speak. Wherefore slew ye them? Tell me, if ye are men
1. Qur'án 3:183.
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of truth."(1) And now,
be fair; How could those people living in the days of Muhammad have existed,
thousands of years before, in the age of Adam or other Prophets? Why should Muhammad,
that Essence of truthfulness, have charged the people of His day with the
murder of Abel or other Prophets? Thou hast none other alternative except to
regard Muhammad as an impostor or a fool--which God forbid!--or to maintain
that those people of wickedness were the self-same people who in every age
opposed and caviled at the Prophets and Messengers of God, till they finally
caused them all to suffer martyrdom.
Ponder this in thine heart, that the sweet gales of divine knowledge, blowing from the meads of mercy, may waft upon thee the fragrance of the Beloved's utterance, and cause thy soul to attain the Ridván of understanding. As the wayward of every age have failed to fathom the deeper import of these weighty and pregnant utterances, and imagined the answer of the Prophets of God to be irrelevant to the questions they asked them, they therefore have attributed ignorance and folly to those Essences of knowledge and understanding.
1. Qur'án 3:182.
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Likewise, Muhammad, in another verse, uttereth His protest against the people of that age. He saith: "Although they had before prayed for victory over those who believed not, yet when there came unto them, He of Whom they had knowledge, they disbelieved in Him. The curse of God on the infidels!"(1) Reflect how this verse also implieth that the people living in the days of Muhammad were the same people who in the days of the Prophets of old contended and fought in order to promote the Faith, and teach the Cause, of God. And yet, how could the generations living at the time of Jesus and Moses, and those who lived in the days of Muhammad, be regarded as being actually one and the same people? Moreover, those whom they had formerly known were Moses, the Revealer of the Pentateuch, and Jesus, the Author of the Gospel. Notwithstanding, why did Muhammad say: "When He of Whom they had knowledge came unto them"--that is Jesus or Moses-- "they disbelieved in Him?" Was not Muhammad to outward seeming called by a different name? Did He not come forth out of a different city? Did He not speak a different language, and reveal a different Law? How then can the truth of this
1. Qur'án 2:89.
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verse be established, and its meaning be made clear?
Strive therefore to comprehend the
meaning of "return" which hath been so explicitly revealed in the
Qur'án itself, and which none hath as yet understood. What sayest thou? If thou
sayest that Muhammad was the "return" of the Prophets of old, as is
witnessed by this verse, His Companions must likewise be the "return"
of the bygone Companions, even as the "return" of the former people
is clearly attested by the text of the above-mentioned verses. And if thou
deniest this, thou hast surely repudiated the truth of the Qur'án, the surest
testimony of God unto men. In like manner, endeavour to grasp the significance
of "return," "revelation," and "resurrection," as
witnessed in the days of the Manifestations of the divine Essence, that thou
mayest behold with thine own eyes the "return" of the holy souls into
sanctified and illumined bodies, and mayest wash away the dust of ignorance, and
cleanse the darkened self with the waters of mercy flowing from the Source of
divine Knowledge; that perchance thou mayest, through the power of God and the
light of divine guidance, distinguish the Morn of everlasting
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splendour from the darksome night of error.
Furthermore, it is evident to thee that the Bearers of the trust of God are made manifest unto the peoples of the earth as the Exponents of a new Cause and the Bearers of a new Message. Inasmuch as these Birds of the Celestial Throne are all sent down from the heaven of the Will of God, and as they all arise to proclaim His irresistible Faith, they therefore are regarded as one soul and the same person. For they all drink from the one Cup of the love of God, and all partake of the fruit of the same Tree of Oneness. These Manifestations of God have each a twofold station. One is the station of pure abstraction and essential unity. In this respect, if thou callest them all by one name, and dost ascribe to them the same attribute, thou hast not erred from the truth. Even as He hath revealed: "No distinction do We make between any of His Messengers!"(1) For they one and all summon the people of the earth to acknowledge the Unity of God, and herald unto them the Kawthar of an infinite grace and bounty. They are all invested with the robe of Prophethood, and honoured with the mantle of glory. Thus hath
1. Qur'án 2:285.
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Muhammad, the Point of the Qur'án, revealed: "I am all the Prophets."
Likewise, He saith: "I am the first Adam, Noah, Moses, and Jesus."
Similar statements have been made by `Alí. Sayings such as this, which indicate
the essential unity of those Exponents of Oneness, have also emanated from the
Channels of God's immortal utterance, and the Treasuries of the gems of divine
knowledge, and have been recorded in the scriptures. These Countenances are the
recipients of the Divine Command, and the day-springs of His Revelation. This
Revelation is exalted above the veils of plurality and the exigencies of
number. Thus He saith: "Our Cause is but one."(1) Inasmuch as the Cause is one and the same,
the Exponents thereof also must needs be one and the same. Likewise, the Imáms
of the Muhammadan Faith, those lamps of certitude, have said: "Muhammad is
our first, Muhammad our last, Muhammad our all."
It is clear and evident to thee that all the Prophets are the Temples of the Cause of God, Who have appeared clothed in divers attire. If thou wilt observe with discriminating eyes, thou wilt behold them all abiding in the same tabernacle, soaring
1. Qur'án 54:50.
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in the same heaven, seated upon the same throne, uttering the same speech, and
proclaiming the same Faith. Such is the unity of those Essences of being, those
Luminaries of infinite and immeasurable splendour. Wherefore, should one of
these Manifestations of Holiness proclaim saying: "I am the return of all
the Prophets," He verily speaketh the truth. In like manner, in every
subsequent Revelation, the return of the former Revelation is a fact, the truth
of which is firmly established. Inasmuch as the return of the Prophets of God,
as attested by verses and traditions, hath been conclusively demonstrated, the
return of their chosen ones also is therefore definitely proven. This return is
too manifest in itself to require any evidence or proof. For instance, consider
that among the Prophets was Noah. When He was invested with the robe of
Prophethood, and was moved by the Spirit of God to arise and proclaim His
Cause, whoever believed in Him and acknowledged His Faith, was endowed with the
grace of a new life. Of him it could be truly said that he was reborn and
revived, inasmuch as previous to his belief in God and his acceptance of His
Manifestation, he had set his affections on the things of the world, such as
attachment to earthly goods, to
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wife, children, food, drink, and the like, so much so that in the day-time and
in the night season his one concern had been to amass riches and procure for
himself the means of enjoyment and pleasure. Aside from these things, before
his partaking of the reviving waters of faith, he had been so wedded to the
traditions of his forefathers, and so passionately devoted to the observance of
their customs and laws, that he would have preferred to suffer death rather
than violate one letter of those superstitious forms and manners current
amongst his people. Even as the people have cried: "Verily we found our
fathers with a faith, and verily, in their footsteps we follow."(1)
These same people, though wrapt in all these veils of limitation, and despite the restraint of such observances, as soon as they drank the immortal draught of faith, from the cup of certitude, at the hand of the Manifestation of the All-Glorious, were so transformed that they would renounce for His sake their kindred, their substance, their lives, their beliefs, yea, all else save God! So overpowering was their yearning for God, so uplifting their transports of ecstatic delight, that the world and
1. Qur'án 43:22.
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all that is therein faded before their eyes into nothingness. Have not this
people exemplified the mysteries of "rebirth" and "return"?
Hath it not been witnessed that these same people, ere they were endued with
the new and wondrous grace of God, sought through innumerable devices, to
ensure the protection of their lives against destruction? Would not a thorn
fill them with terror, and the sight of a fox put them to flight? But once
having been honoured with God's supreme distinction, and having been vouchsafed
His bountiful grace, they would, if they were able, have freely offered up ten
thousand lives in His path! Nay, their blessed souls, contemptuous of the cage
of their bodies, would yearn for deliverance. A single warrior of that host
would face and fight a multitude! And yet, how could they, but for the
transformation wrought in their lives, be capable of manifesting such deeds
which are contrary to the ways of men and incompatible with their worldly desires?
It is evident that nothing short
of this mystic transformation could cause such spirit and behaviour, so utterly
unlike their previous habits and manners, to be made manifest in the world of
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being. For their agitation was turned into peace, their doubt into certitude,
their timidity into courage. Such is the potency of the Divine Elixir, which,
swift as the twinkling of an eye, transmuteth the souls of men!
For instance, consider the substance of copper. Were it to be protected in its own mine from becoming solidified, it would, within the space of seventy years, attain to the state of gold. There are some, however, who maintain that copper itself is gold, which by becoming solidified is in a diseased condition, and hath not therefore reached its own state.
Be that as it may, the real elixir will, in one instant, cause the substance of copper to attain the state of gold, and will traverse the seventy-year stages in a single moment. Could this gold be called copper? Could it be claimed that it hath not attained the state of gold, whilst the touch-stone is at hand to assay it and distinguish it from copper?
Likewise, these souls, through the
potency of the Divine Elixir, traverse, in the twinkling of an eye, the world
of dust and advance into the realm of holiness; and with one step cover the
earth of limitations and reach the domain of the Placeless. It
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behooveth thee to exert thine utmost to attain unto this Elixir which, in one
fleeting breath, causeth the west of ignorance to reach the east of knowledge,
illuminates the darkness of night with the resplendence of the morn, guideth
the wanderer in the wilderness of doubt to the well-spring of the Divine
Presence and Fount of certitude, and conferreth upon mortal souls the honour of
acceptance into the Ridván of immortality. Now, could this gold be thought to
be copper, these people could likewise be thought to be the same as before they
were endowed with faith.
O brother, behold how the inner mysteries of "rebirth," of "return," and of "resurrection" have each, through these all-sufficing, these unanswerable, and conclusive utterances, been unveiled and unravelled before thine eyes. God grant that through His gracious and invisible assistance, thou mayest divest thy body and soul of the old garment, and array thyself with the new and imperishable attire.
Therefore, those who in every
subsequent Dispensation preceded the rest of mankind in embracing the Faith of
God, who quaffed the clear waters of knowledge at the hand of the divine
Beauty, and attained the loftiest summits of faith
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and certitude, these can be regarded, in name, in reality, in deeds, in words,
and in rank, as the "return" of those who in a former Dispensation
had achieved similar distinctions. For whatsoever the people of a former
Dispensation have manifested, the same hath been shown by the people of this
latter generation. Consider the rose: whether it blossometh in the East or in
the West, it is none the less a rose. For what mattereth in this respect is not
the outward shape and form of the rose, but rather the smell and fragrance
which it doth impart.
Purge thy sight, therefore, from
all earthly limitations, that thou mayest behold them all as the bearers of one
Name, the exponents of one Cause, the manifestations of one Self, and the
revealers of one Truth, and that thou mayest apprehend the mystic
"return" of the Words of God as unfolded by these utterances. Reflect
for a while upon the behaviour of the companions of the Muhammadan
Dispensation. Consider how, through the reviving breath of Muhammad, they were
cleansed from the defilements of earthly vanities, were delivered from selfish
desires, and were detached from all else but Him. Behold how they preceded all
the
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peoples of the earth in attaining unto His holy Presence--the Presence of God
Himself--how they renounced the world and all that is therein, and sacrificed
freely and joyously their lives at the feet of that Manifestation of the
All-Glorious. And now, observe the "return" of the self-same
determination, the self-same constancy and renunciation, manifested by the
companions of the Point of the Bayán.(1)
Thou hast witnessed how these companions have, through the wonders of the grace
of the Lord of Lords, hoisted the standards of sublime renunciation upon the
inaccessible heights of glory. These Lights have proceeded from but one Source,
and these fruits are the fruits of one Tree. Thou canst discern neither
difference nor distinction among them. All this is by the grace of God! On whom
He will, He bestoweth His grace. Please God, that we avoid the land of denial,
and advance into the ocean of acceptance, so that we may perceive, with an eye
purged from all conflicting elements, the worlds of unity and diversity, of
variation and oneness, of limitation and detachment, and wing our flight unto
the highest and innermost sanctuary of the inner meaning of the Word of God.
1. The Báb.
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From these statements therefore it hath been made evident and manifest that should a Soul in the "End that knoweth no end" be made manifest, and arise to proclaim and uphold a Cause which in "the Beginning that hath no beginning" another Soul had proclaimed and upheld, it can be truly declared of Him Who is the Last and of Him Who was the First that they are one and the same, inasmuch as both are the Exponents of one and the same Cause. For this reason, hath the Point of the Bayán--may the life of all else but Him be His sacrifice!--likened the Manifestations of God unto the sun which, though it rise from the "Beginning that hath no beginning" until the "End that knoweth no end," is none the less the same sun. Now, wert thou to say, that this sun is the former sun, thou speakest the truth; and if thou sayest that this sun is the "return" of that sun, thou also speakest the truth. Likewise, from this statement it is made evident that the term "last" is applicable to the "first," and the term "first" applicable to the "last;" inasmuch as both the "first" and the "last" have risen to proclaim one and the same Faith.
Notwithstanding the obviousness of
this theme, in the eyes of those that have quaffed the wine of
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knowledge and certitude, yet how many are those who, through failure to
understand its meaning, have allowed the term "Seal of the Prophets"
to obscure their understanding, and deprive them of the grace of all His manifold
bounties! Hath not Muhammad, Himself, declared: "I am all the
Prophets?" Hath He not said as We have already mentioned: "I am Adam,
Noah, Moses, and Jesus?" Why should Muhammad, that immortal Beauty, Who
hath said: "I am the first Adam" be incapable of saying also: "I
am the last Adam"? For even as He regarded Himself to be the "First
of the Prophets"--that is Adam--in like manner, the "Seal of the
Prophets" is also applicable unto that Divine Beauty. It is admittedly
obvious that being the "First of the Prophets," He likewise is their
"Seal."
The mystery of this theme hath, in
this Dispensation, been a sore test unto all mankind. Behold, how many are
those who, clinging unto these words, have disbelieved Him Who is their true
Revealer. What, We ask, could this people presume the terms "first"
and "last"--when referring to God--glorified be His Name!--to mean?
If they maintain that these terms bear reference to
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this material universe, how could it be possible, when the visible order of
things is still manifestly existing? Nay, in this instance, by
"first" is meant no other than the "last" and by
"last" no other than the "first."
Even as in the "Beginning
that hath no beginnings" the term "last" is truly applicable
unto Him who is the Educator of the visible and of the invisible, in like
manner, are the terms "first" and "last" applicable unto
His Manifestations. They are at the same time the Exponents of both the
"first" and the "last." Whilst established upon the seat of
the "first," they occupy the throne of the "last." Were a
discerning eye to be found, it will readily perceive that the exponents of the
"first" and the "last," of the "manifest" and the
"hidden," of the "beginning" and the "seal" are
none other than these holy Beings, these Essences of Detachment, these divine
Souls. And wert thou to soar in the holy realm of "God was alone, there
was none else besides Him," thou wilt find in that Court all these names
utterly non-existent and completely forgotten. Then will thine eyes no longer
be obscured by these veils, these terms, and allusions. How ethereal and lofty
is this station, unto which
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even Gabriel, unshepherded, can never attain, and the Bird of Heaven,
unassisted, can never reach!
And, now, strive thou to comprehend the meaning of this saying of `Alí, the Commander of the Faithful: "Piercing the veils of glory, unaided." Among these "veils of glory" are the divines and doctors living in the days of the Manifestation of God, who, because of their want of discernment and their love and eagerness for leadership, have failed to submit to the Cause of God, nay, have even refused to incline their ears unto the divine Melody. "They have thrust their fingers into their ears."(1) And the people also, utterly ignoring God and taking them for their masters, have placed themselves unreservedly under the authority of these pompous and hypocritical leaders, for they have no sight, no hearing, no heart, of their own to distinguish truth from falsehood.
Notwithstanding the divinely-inspired admonitions of all the Prophets, the Saints, and Chosen ones of God, enjoining the people to see with their own eyes and hear with their own ears, they have disdainfully rejected their counsels and have blindly followed, and will continue to follow, the
1. Qur'án 2:19.
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leaders of their Faith. Should a poor and obscure person, destitute of the
attire of men of learning, address them saying: "Follow ye, O people! the
Messengers of God,"(1)
they would, greatly surprised at such a statement, reply: "What! Meanest
thou that all these divines, all these exponents of learning, with all their
authority, their pomp and pageantry, have erred, and failed to distinguish
truth from falsehood? Dost thou, and people like thyself, pretend to have
comprehended that which they have not understood?" If numbers and
excellence of apparel be regarded as the criterions of learning and truth, the
peoples of a bygone age, whom those of today have never surpassed in numbers,
magnificence and power, should certainly be accounted a superior and worthier
people.
It is clear and evident that whenever the Manifestations of Holiness were revealed, the divines of their day have hindered the people from attaining unto the way of truth. To this testify the records of all the scriptures and heavenly books. Not one Prophet of God was made manifest Who did not fall a victim to the relentless hate, to the denunciation,
1. Qur'án 36:20.
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denial, and execration of the clerics of His day! Woe unto them for the
iniquities their hands have formerly wrought! Woe unto them for that which they
are now doing! What veils of glory more grievous than these embodiments of
error! By the righteousness of God! to pierce such veils is the mightiest of
all acts, and to rend them asunder the most meritorious of all deeds! May God
assist us and assist you, O concourse of the Spirit! that perchance ye may in
the time of His Manifestation be graciously aided to perform such deeds, and
may in His days attain unto the Presence of God.
Furthermore, among the "veils of glory" are such terms as the "Seal of the Prophets" and the like, the removal of which is a supreme achievement in the sight of these base-born and erring souls. All, by reason of these mysterious sayings, these grievous "veils of glory," have been hindered from beholding the light of truth. Have they not heard the melody of that bird of Heaven,(1) uttering this mystery: "A thousand Fátimih I have espoused, all of whom were the daughters of Muhammad, Son of `Abdu'lláh, the `Seal of the
1. Imám `Alí.
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Prophets?'" Behold, how many are the mysteries that lie as yet unravelled
within the tabernacle of the knowledge of God, and how numerous the gems of His
wisdom that are still concealed in His inviolable treasuries! Shouldest thou
ponder this in thine heart, thou wouldst realize that His handiwork knoweth
neither beginning nor end. The domain of His decree is too vast for the tongue
of mortals to describe, or for the bird of the human mind to traverse; and the
dispensations of His providence are too mysterious for the mind of man to
comprehend. His creation no end hath overtaken, and it hath ever existed from
the "Beginning that hath no beginning"; and the Manifestations of His
Beauty no beginning hath beheld, and they will continue to the "End that
knoweth no end." Ponder this utterance in thine heart, and reflect how it
is applicable unto all these holy Souls.
Likewise, strive thou to
comprehend the meaning of the melody of that eternal beauty, Husayn, son of
`Alí, who, addressing Salmán, spoke words such as these: "I was with a
thousand Adams, the interval between each and the next Adam was fifty thousand
years, and to each one of these I declared
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the Successorship conferred upon my father." He then recounteth certain
details, until he saith: "I have fought one thousand battles in the path
of God, the least and most insignificant of which was like the battle of
Khaybar, in which battle my father fought and contended against the
infidels." Endeavour now to apprehend from these two traditions the
mysteries of "end," "return," and "creation without
beginning or end."
O my beloved! Immeasurably exalted is the celestial Melody above the strivings of human ear to hear or mind to grasp its mystery! How can the helpless ant step into the court of the All-Glorious? And yet, feeble souls, through lack of understanding, reject these abstruse utterances, and question the truth of such traditions. Nay, none can comprehend them save those that are possessed of an understanding heart. Say, He is that End for Whom no end in all the universe can be imagined, and for Whom no beginning in the world of creation can be conceived. Behold, O concourse of the earth, the splendours of the End, revealed in the Manifestations of the Beginning!
How strange! These people with one
hand cling to those verses of the Qur'án and those traditions
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of the people of certitude which they have found to accord with their
inclinations and interests, and with the other reject those which are contrary
to their selfish desires. "Believe ye then part of the Book, and deny
part?"(1) How could ye
judge that which ye understand not? Even as the Lord of being hath in His
unerring Book, after speaking of the "Seal" in His exalted utterance:
"Muhammad is the Apostle of God and the Seal of the Prophets,"(2) hath revealed unto all people
the promise of "attainment unto the divine Presence." To this
attainment to the presence of the immortal King testify the verses of the Book,
some of which We have already mentioned. The one true God is My witness!
Nothing more exalted or more explicit than "attainment unto the divine
Presence" hath been revealed in the Qur'án. Well is it with him that hath
attained thereunto, in the day wherein most of the people, even as ye witness,
have turned away therefrom.
And yet, through the mystery of the former verse, they have turned away from
the grace promised by the latter, despite the fact that "attainment unto
the divine Presence" in the "Day of Resurrection"
1. Qur'án 2:85.
2. Qur'án 33:40.
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is explicitly stated in the Book. It hath been demonstrated and definitely
established, through clear evidences, that by "Resurrection" is meant
the rise of the Manifestation of God to proclaim His Cause, and by
"attainment unto the divine Presence" is meant attainment unto the
presence of His Beauty in the person of His Manifestation. For verily, "No
vision taketh in Him, but He taketh in all vision."(1) Notwithstanding all these indubitable facts
and lucid statements, they have foolishly clung to the term "seal,"
and remained utterly deprived of the recognition of Him Who is the Revealer of
both the Seal and the Beginning, in the day of His presence. "If God
should chastise men for their perverse doings, He would not leave upon the
earth a moving thing! But to an appointed time doth He respite them."(2) But apart from all these
things, had this people attained unto a drop of the crystal streams flowing
from the words: "God doeth whatsoever He willeth, and ordaineth whatsoever
He pleaseth," they would not have raised any unseemly cavils, such as these,
against the focal Center of His Revelation. The Cause of God, all deeds and
words, are held
1. Qur'án 6:103.
2. Qur'án 16:61.
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within the grasp of His power. "All things lie imprisoned within the
hollow of His mighty Hand; all things are easy and possible unto Him." He
accomplisheth whatsoever He willeth, and doeth all that He desireth.
"Whoso sayeth `why' or `wherefore' hath spoken blasphemy!" Were these
people to shake off the slumber of negligence and realize that which their
hands have wrought, they would surely perish, and would of their own accord
cast themselves into fire--their end and real abode. Have they not heard that which
He hath revealed: "He shall not be asked of His doings?"(1) In the light of these
utterances, how can man be so bold as to question Him, and busy himself with
idle sayings?
Gracious God! So great is the folly and perversity of the people, that they have turned their face toward their own thoughts and desires, and have turned their back upon the knowledge and will of God--hallowed and glorified be His name!
Be fair: Were these people to acknowledge the truth of these luminous words and holy allusions, and recognize God as "Him that doeth whatsoever He pleaseth," how could they continue to cleave
1. Qur'án 21:23.
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unto these glaring absurdities? Nay, with all their soul, they would accept and
submit to whatsoever He saith. I swear by God! But for the divine Decree, and
the inscrutable dispensations of Providence, the earth itself would have
utterly destroyed all this people! "He will, however, respite them until
the appointed time of a known day."
Twelve hundred and eighty years have passed since the dawn of the Muhammadan Dispensation, and with every break of day, these blind and ignoble people have recited their Qur'án, and yet have failed to grasp one letter of that Book! Again and again they read those verses which clearly testify to the reality of these holy themes, and bear witness to the truth of the Manifestations of eternal Glory, and still apprehend not their purpose. They have even failed to realize, all this time, that, in every age, the reading of the scriptures and holy books is for no other purpose except to enable the reader to apprehend their meaning and unravel their innermost mysteries. Otherwise reading, without understanding, is of no abiding profit unto man.
And it came to pass that on a
certain day a needy man came to visit this Soul, craving for the ocean
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of His knowledge. While conversing with him, mention was made concerning the
signs of the Day of Judgment, Resurrection, Revival, and Reckoning. He urged Us
to explain how, in this wondrous Dispensation, the peoples of the world were
brought to a reckoning, when none were made aware of it. Thereupon, We imparted
unto him, according to the measure of his capacity and understanding, certain
truths of Science and ancient Wisdom. We then asked him saying: "Hast thou
not read the Qur'án, and art thou not aware of this blessed verse: `On that day
shall neither man nor spirit be asked of his Sin?'(1) Dost thou not realize that by `asking' is not
meant asking by tongue or speech, even as the verse itself doth indicate and
prove? For afterward it is said: `By their countenance shall the sinners be
known, and they shall be seized by their forelocks and their feet.'"(2)
Thus the peoples of the world are judged by their countenance. By it, their
misbelief, their faith, and their iniquity are all made manifest. Even as it is
evident in this day how the people of error are, by their countenance, known
and distinguished
1. Qur'án 55:39.
2. Qur'án 55:41.
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from the followers of divine Guidance. Were these people, wholly for the sake
of God and with no desire but His good-pleasure, to ponder the verses of the
Book in their heart, they would of a certainty find whatsoever they seek. In
its verses would they find revealed and manifest all the things, be they great
or small, that have come to pass in this Dispensation. They would even
recognize in them references unto the departure of the Manifestations of the
names and attributes of God from out their native land; to the opposition and
disdainful arrogance of government and people; and to the dwelling and
establishment of the Universal Manifestation in an appointed and specially
designated land. No man, however, can comprehend this except he who is
possessed of an understanding heart.
We seal Our theme with that which was formerly revealed unto Muhammad that the seal thereof may shed the fragrance of that holy musk which leadeth men unto the Ridván of unfading splendour. He said, and His Word is the truth: "And God calleth to the Abode of Peace;(1) and He guideth whom He will into the right way."(2)
1. Baghdád.
2. Qur'án 10:25.
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"For them is an Abode of Peace with their Lord! and He shall be their
Protector because of their works."(1)
This He hath revealed that His grace may encompass the world. Praise be to God,
the Lord of all being!
We have variously and repeatedly set forth the meaning of every theme, that perchance every soul, whether high or low, may obtain, according to his measure and capacity, his share and portion thereof. Should he be unable to comprehend a certain argument, he may, thus, by referring unto another, attain his purpose. "That all sorts of men may know where to quench their thirst."
By God! This Bird of Heaven, now dwelling upon the dust, can, besides these melodies, utter a myriad songs, and is able, apart from these utterances, to unfold innumerable mysteries. Every single note of its unpronounced utterances is immeasurably exalted above all that hath already been revealed, and immensely glorified beyond that which hath streamed from this Pen. Let the future disclose the hour when the Brides of inner meaning will, as decreed by the Will of God, hasten forth, unveiled, out of their mystic mansions,
1. Qur'án 6:127.
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and manifest themselves in the ancient realm of being. Nothing whatsoever is
possible without His permission; no power can endure save through His power,
and there is none other God but He. His is the world of creation, and His the
Cause of God. All proclaim His Revelation, and all unfold the mysteries of His
Spirit.
We have already in the foregoing pages assigned two stations unto each of the Luminaries arising from the Daysprings of eternal holiness. One of these stations, the station of essential unity, We have already explained. "No distinction do We make between any of them."(1) The other is the station of distinction, and pertaineth to the world of creation and to the limitations thereof. In this respect, each Manifestation of God hath a distinct individuality, a definitely prescribed mission, a predestined Revelation, and specially designated limitations. Each one of them is known by a different name, is characterized by a special attribute, fulfils a definite Mission, and is entrusted with a particular Revelation. Even as He saith: "Some of the Apostles We have caused to excel the others. To some God hath spoken, some He hath raised and exalted. And to Jesus, Son of Mary, We gave
1. Qur'án 2:136.
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manifest signs, and We strengthened Him with the Holy Spirit."(1)
It is because of this difference in their station and mission that the words and utterances flowing from these Well-springs of divine knowledge appear to diverge and differ. Otherwise, in the eyes of them that are initiated into the mysteries of divine wisdom, all their utterances are in reality but the expressions of one Truth. As most of the people have failed to appreciate those stations to which We have referred, they therefore feel perplexed and dismayed at the varying utterances pronounced by Manifestations that are essentially one and the same.
It hath ever been evident that all these divergences of utterance are attributable to differences of station. Thus, viewed from the standpoint of their oneness and sublime detachment, the attributes of Godhead, Divinity, Supreme Singleness, and Inmost Essence, have been and are applicable to those Essences of being, inasmuch as they all abide on the throne of divine Revelation, and are established upon the seat of divine Concealment. Through their appearance the Revelation of God
1. Qur'án 2:253.
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is made manifest, and by their countenance the Beauty of God is revealed. Thus
it is that the accents of God Himself have been heard uttered by these
Manifestations of the divine Being.
Viewed in the light of their second station--the station of distinction, differentiation, temporal limitations, characteristics and standards,--they manifest absolute servitude, utter destitution and complete self-effacement. Even as He saith: "I am the servant of God.(1) I am but a man like you."(2)
From these incontrovertible and fully demonstrated statements strive thou to apprehend the meaning of the questions thou hast asked, that thou mayest become steadfast in the Faith of God, and not be dismayed by the divergences in the utterances of His Prophets and Chosen Ones.
Were any of the all-embracing Manifestations of God to declare: "I am God!" He verily speaketh the truth, and no doubt attacheth thereto. For it hath been repeatedly demonstrated that through their Revelation, their attributes and names, the Revelation of God, His name and His attributes, are made manifest in the world. Thus, He hath revealed: "Those shafts were God's, not
1. Qur'án 19:31.
2. Qur'án 18:110.
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Thine!"(1) And also He
saith: "In truth, they who plighted fealty unto thee, really plighted that
fealty unto God."(2) And
were any of them to voice the utterance: "I am the Messenger of God,"
He also speaketh the truth, the indubitable truth. Even as He saith:
"Muhammad is not the father of any man among you, but He is the Messenger
of God."(3) Viewed in
this light, they are all but Messengers of that ideal King, that unchangeable
Essence. And were they all to proclaim: "I am the Seal of the
Prophets," they verily utter but the truth, beyond the faintest shadow of
doubt. For they are all but one person, one soul, one spirit, one being, one
revelation. They are all the manifestation of the "Beginning" and the
"End," the "First" and the "Last," the
"Seen" and "Hidden" --all of which pertain to Him Who is
the innermost Spirit of Spirits and eternal Essence of Essences. And were they
to say: "We are the servants of God," this also is a manifest and
indisputable fact. For they have been made manifest in the uttermost state of
servitude, a servitude the like of which no man can possibly attain. Thus in
moments in which these Essences of being were deeply
1. Qur'án 8:17.
2. Qur'án 48:10.
3. Qur'án 33:40.
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immersed beneath the oceans of ancient and everlasting holiness, or when they
soared to the loftiest summits of divine mysteries, they claimed their
utterance to be the Voice of divinity, the Call of God Himself. Were the eye of
discernment to be opened, it would recognize that in this very state, they have
considered themselves utterly effaced and non-existent in the face of Him Who
is the All-Pervading, the Incorruptible. Methinks, they have regarded
themselves as utter nothingness, and deemed their mention in that Court an act
of blasphemy. For the slightest whispering of self, within such a Court, is an
evidence of self-assertion and independent existence. In the eyes of them that
have attained unto that Court, such a suggestion is itself a grievous
transgression. How much more grievous would it be, were aught else to be
mentioned in that Presence, were man's heart, his tongue, his mind, or his
soul, to be busied with anyone but the Well-Beloved, were his eyes to behold
any countenance other than His beauty, were his ear to be inclined to any
melody but His voice, and were his feet to tread any way but His way.
In this day the breeze of God is
wafted, and His Spirit hath pervaded all things. Such is the outpouring
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of His grace that the pen is stilled and the tongue is speechless.
By virtue of this station, they have claimed for themselves the Voice of Divinity and the like, whilst by virtue of their station of Messengership, they have declared themselves the Messengers of God. In every instance they have voiced an utterance that would conform to the requirements of the occasion, and have ascribed all these declarations to Themselves, declarations ranging from the realm of divine Revelation to the realm of creation, and from the domain of Divinity even unto the domain of earthly existence. Thus it is that whatsoever be their utterance, whether it pertain to the realm of Divinity, Lordship, Prophethood, Messengership, Guardianship, Apostleship or Servitude, all is true, beyond the shadow of a doubt. Therefore, these sayings which We have quoted in support of Our argument must be attentively considered, that the divergent utterances of the Manifestations of the Unseen and Daysprings of Holiness may cease to agitate the soul and perplex the mind.
Those words uttered by the
Luminaries of Truth must needs be pondered, and should their
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significance be not grasped, enlightenment should be sought from the Trustees
of the depositories of Knowledge, that these may expound their meaning, and
unravel their mystery. For it behooveth no man to interpret the holy words
according to his own imperfect understanding, nor, having found them to be
contrary to his inclination and desires, to reject and repudiate their truth.
For such, today, is the manner of the divines and doctors of the age, who occupy
the seats of knowledge and learning, and who have named ignorance knowledge,
and called oppression justice. Were these to ask the Light of Truth concerning
those images which their idle fancy hath carved, and were they to find His
answer inconsistent with their own conceptions and their own understanding of
the Book, they would assuredly denounce Him Who is the Mine and Wellhead of all
Knowledge as the very negation of understanding. Such things have happened in
every age.
For instance, when Muhammad, the Lord of being, was questioned concerning the new moons, He, as bidden by God, made reply: "They are periods appointed unto men."(1) Thereupon, they
1. Qur'án 2:189.
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that heard Him denounced Him as an ignorant man.
Likewise, in the verse concerning the "Spirit," He saith: "And they will ask Thee of the Spirit. Say, `the Spirit proceedeth at My Lord's command.'"(1) As soon as Muhammad's answer was given, they all clamorously protested, saying: "Lo! an ignorant man who knoweth not what the Spirit is, calleth Himself the Revealer of divine Knowledge!" And now behold the divines of the age who, because of their being honoured by His name, and finding that their fathers have acknowledged His Revelation, have blindly submitted to His truth. Observe, were this people today to receive such answers in reply to such questionings, they would unhesitatingly reject and denounce them--nay, they would again utter the self-same cavils, even as they have uttered them in this day. All this, notwithstanding the fact that these Essences of being are immensely exalted above such fanciful images, and are immeasurably glorified beyond all these vain sayings and above the comprehension of every understanding heart. Their so-called learning, when compared with that Knowledge, is utter falsehood, and all their understanding naught but
1. Qur'án 17:85.
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blatant error. Nay, whatsoever proceedeth from these Mines of divine Wisdom and
these Treasuries of eternal knowledge is truth, and naught else but the truth.
The saying: "Knowledge is one point, which the foolish have
multiplied" is a proof of Our argument, and the tradition: "Knowledge
is a light which God sheddeth into the heart of whomsoever He willeth" a
confirmation of Our statement.
Inasmuch as they have not apprehended the meaning of Knowledge, and have called by that name those images fashioned by their own fancy and which have sprung from the embodiments of ignorance, they therefore have inflicted upon the Source of Knowledge that which thou hast heard and witnessed.
For instance, a certain man,(1) reputed for his learning and attainments, and accounting himself as one of the pre-eminent leaders of his people, hath in his book denounced and vilified all the exponents of true learning. This is made abundantly clear by his explicit statements as well as by his allusions throughout his book. As We had frequently heard about him, We purposed to read
1. Hájí Mírzá Karím Khán.
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some of his works. Although We never felt disposed to peruse other peoples'
writings, yet as some had questioned Us concerning him, We felt it necessary to
refer to his books, in order that We might answer Our questioners with
knowledge and understanding. His works, in the Arabic tongue, were, however,
not available, until one day a certain man informed Us that one of his
compositions, entitled Irshadu'l-`Avám,(1) could be found in this city. From this title We
perceived the odour of conceit and vainglory, inasmuch as he hath imagined
himself a learned man and regarded the rest of the people ignorant. His worth
was in fact made known by the very title he had chosen for his book. It became
evident that its author was following the path of self and desire, and was lost
in the wilderness of ignorance and folly. Methinks, he had forgotten the
well-known tradition which sayeth: "Knowledge is all that is knowable; and
might and power, all creation." Notwithstanding, We sent for the book, and
kept it with Us a few days. It was probably referred to twice. The second time,
We accidentally came upon the story of the "Mi'ráj"(2) of Muhammad, of
1. "Guidance unto
the ignorant."
2. Ascent.
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Whom was spoken: "But for Thee, I would not have created the
spheres." We noticed that he had enumerated some twenty or more sciences,
the knowledge of which he considered to be essential for the comprehension of
the mystery of the "Mi'ráj". We gathered from his statements that
unless a man be deeply versed in them all, he can never attain to a proper
understanding of this transcendent and exalted theme. Among the specified
sciences were the science of metaphysical abstractions, of alchemy, and natural
magic. Such vain and discarded learnings, this man hath regarded as the
pre-requisites of the understanding of the sacred and abiding mysteries of divine
Knowledge.
Gracious God! Such is the measure
of his understanding. And yet, behold what cavils and calumnies he hath heaped
upon those Embodiments of God's infinite knowledge! How well and true is the
saying: "Flingest thou thy calumnies unto the face of Them Whom the one
true God hath made the Trustees of the treasures of His seventh sphere?"
Not one understanding heart or mind, not one among the wise and learned, hath
taken notice of these preposterous statements. And yet, how clear and evident it
is to every discerning
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heart that this so-called learning is and hath ever been, rejected by Him Who
is the one true God. How can the knowledge of these sciences, which are so
contemptible in the eyes of the truly learned, be regarded as essential to the
apprehension of the mysteries of the "Mi'ráj," whilst the Lord of the
"Mi'ráj" Himself was never burdened with a single letter of these
limited and obscure learnings, and never defiled His radiant heart with any of
these fanciful illusions? How truly hath he said: "All human attainment
moveth upon a lame ass, whilst Truth, riding upon the wind, darteth across
space." By the righteousness of God! Whoso desireth to fathom the mystery
of this "Mi'ráj," and craveth a drop from this ocean, if the mirror
of his heart be already obscured by the dust of these learnings, he must needs
cleanse and purify it ere the light of this mystery can be reflected therein.
In this day, they that are
submerged beneath the ocean of ancient Knowledge, and dwell within the ark of
divine wisdom, forbid the people such idle pursuits. Their shining breasts are,
praise be to God, sanctified from every trace of such learning, and are exalted
above such grievous veils. We have
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consumed this densest of all veils, with the fire of the love of the
Beloved--the veil referred to in the saying: "The most grievous of all
veils is the veil of knowledge." Upon its ashes, We have reared the
tabernacle of divine knowledge. We have, praise be to God, burned the
"veils of glory" with the fire of the beauty of the Best-Beloved. We
have driven from the human heart all else but Him Who is the Desire of the
world, and glory therein. We cleave to no knowledge but His Knowledge, and set
our hearts on naught save the effulgent glories of His light.
We were surprised exceedingly when
We observed that his one purpose was to make the people realize that all these
learnings were possessed by him. And yet, I swear by God that not one breath,
blowing from the meads of divine knowledge, hath ever been wafted upon his
soul, nor hath he ever unravelled a single mystery of ancient wisdom. Nay, were
the meaning of Knowledge ever to be expounded unto him, dismay would fill his
heart, and his whole being would shake to its foundation. Notwithstanding his
base and senseless statements, behold to what heights of extravagance his
claims have reached!
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Gracious God! How great is Our amazement at the way the people have gathered around him, and have borne allegiance to his person! Content with transient dust, these people have turned their face unto it, and cast behind their backs Him Who is the Lord of Lords. Satisfied with the croaking of the crow and enamoured with the visage of the raven, they have renounced the melody of the nightingale and the charm of the rose. What unspeakable fallacies the perusal of this pretentious book hath revealed! They are too unworthy for any pen to describe, and too base for one moment's attention. Should a touchstone be found, however, it would instantly distinguish truth from falsehood, light from darkness, and sun from shadow.
Among the sciences which this
pretender hath professed is that of alchemy. We cherish the hope that either a
king or a man of preeminent power may call upon him to translate this science
from the realm of fancy to the domain of fact and from the plane of mere
pretension to that of actual achievement. Would that this unlearned and humble
Servant, who never laid any pretension to such things, nor even regarded them
as the criterion of true knowledge, might undertake the same
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task, that thereby the truth might be known and distinguished from falsehood.
But of what avail! All this generation could offer Us were wounds from its
darts, and the only cup it proffered to Our lips was the cup of its venom. On
our neck We still bear the scar of chains, and upon Our body are imprinted the
evidences of an unyielding cruelty.
And as to this man's attainments, his ignorance, understanding and belief, behold what the Book which embraceth all things hath revealed; "Verily, the tree of Zaqqúm(1) shall be the food of the Áthím."(2) And then follow certain verses, until He saith: "Taste this, for thou forsooth art the mighty Karím!"(3) Consider how clearly and explicitly he hath been described in God's incorruptible Book! This man, moreover, feigning humility, hath in his own book referred to himself as the "áthim servant": "Áthím" in the Book of God, mighty among the common herd, "Karím" in name!
Ponder the blessed verse, so that the meaning of the words: "There is neither a thing green nor sere
1. Infernal tree.
2. Sinner or sinful. Qur'án 44:43-44.
3. Honourable--Qur'án 44:49.
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but it is noted in the unerring Book,"(1) may be imprinted upon the tablet of thy heart.
Notwithstanding, a multitude bear him allegiance. They have rejected the Moses
of knowledge and justice, and clung to the Samírí(2) of ignorance. They have turned away their eyes
from the Day-star of truth which shineth in the divine and everlasting heaven,
and have utterly ignored its splendour.
O my brother! A divine Mine only can yield the gems of divine knowledge, and the fragrance of the mystic Flower can be inhaled only in the ideal Garden, and the lilies of ancient wisdom can blossom nowhere except in the city of a stainless heart. "In a rich soil, its plants spring forth abundantly by permission of its Lord, and in that soil which is bad, they spring forth but scantily."(3)
Inasmuch as it hath been clearly shown that only those who are initiated into the divine mysteries can comprehend the melodies uttered by the Bird of Heaven, it is therefore incumbent upon every one to seek enlightenment from the illumined in heart and from the Treasuries of divine mysteries
1. Qur'án 6:59.
2. A magician contemporary with Moses.
3. Qur'án 7:57.
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regarding the intricacies of God's Faith and the abstruse allusions in the
utterances of the Day-springs of Holiness. Thus will these mysteries be
unravelled, not by the aid of acquired learning, but solely through the
assistance of God and the outpourings of His grace. "Ask ye, therefore, of
them that have the custody of the Scriptures, if ye know it not."(1)
But, O my brother, when a true seeker determineth to take the step of search in the path leading to the knowledge of the Ancient of Days, he must, before all else, cleanse and purify his heart, which is the seat of the revelation of the inner mysteries of God, from the obscuring dust of all acquired knowledge, and the allusions of the embodiments of satanic fancy. He must purge his breast, which is the sanctuary of the abiding love of the Beloved, of every defilement, and sanctify his soul from all that pertaineth to water and clay, from all shadowy and ephemeral attachments. He must so cleanse his heart that no remnant of either love or hate may linger therein, lest that love blindly incline him to error, or that hate repel him away from the truth. Even as thou dost witness in this
1. Qur'án 16:43.
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day how most of the people, because of such love and hate, are bereft of the
immortal Face, have strayed far from the Embodiments of the divine mysteries,
and, shepherdless, are roaming through the wilderness of oblivion and error.
That seeker must at all times put his trust in God, must renounce the peoples
of the earth, detach himself from the world of dust, and cleave unto Him Who is
the Lord of Lords. He must never seek to exalt himself above any one, must wash
away from the tablet of his heart every trace of pride and vainglory, must
cling unto patience and resignation, observe silence, and refrain from idle
talk. For the tongue is a smouldering fire, and excess of speech a deadly
poison. Material fire consumeth the body, whereas the fire of the tongue
devoureth both heart and soul. The force of the former lasteth but for a time,
whilst the effects of the latter endure a century.
That seeker should also regard
backbiting as grievous error, and keep himself aloof from its dominion,
inasmuch as backbiting quencheth the light of the heart, and extinguisheth the
life of the soul. He should be content with little, and be freed from all
inordinate desire. He should
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treasure the companionship of those that have renounced the world, and regard
avoidance of boastful and worldly people a precious benefit. At the dawn of
every day he should commune with God, and with all his soul persevere in the
quest of his Beloved. He should consume every wayward thought with the flame of
His loving mention, and, with the swiftness of lightning, pass by all else save
Him. He should succour the dispossessed, and never withhold his favour from the
destitute. He should show kindness to animals, how much more unto his
fellow-man, to him who is endowed with the power of utterance. He should not
hesitate to offer up his life for his Beloved, nor allow the censure of the
people to turn him away from the Truth. He should not wish for others that
which he doth not wish for himself, nor promise that which he doth not fulfil.
With all his heart should the seeker avoid fellowship with evil doers, and pray
for the remission of their sins. He should forgive the sinful, and never
despise his low estate, for none knoweth what his own end shall be. How often
hath a sinner, at the hour of death, attained to the essence of faith, and,
quaffing the immortal draught, hath taken his flight unto the celestial
Concourse. And how often hath a devout believer,
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at the hour of his soul's ascension, been so changed as to fall into the
nethermost fire. Our purpose in revealing these convincing and weighty
utterances is to impress upon the seeker that he should regard all else beside
God as transient, and count all things save Him, Who is the Object of all
adoration, as utter nothingness.
These are among the attributes of the exalted, and constitute the hall-mark of the spiritually-minded. They have already been mentioned in connection with the requirements of the wayfarers that tread the Path of Positive Knowledge. When the detached wayfarer and sincere seeker hath fulfilled these essential conditions, then and only then can he be called a true seeker. Whensoever he hath fulfilled the conditions implied in the verse: "Whoso maketh efforts for Us,"(1) he shall enjoy the blessing conferred by the words: "In Our ways shall We assuredly guide him."(2)
Only when the lamp of search, of earnest striving, of longing desire, of passionate devotion, of fervid love, of rapture, and ecstasy, is kindled within the seeker's heart, and the breeze of His
1. Qur'án 29:69.
2. Ibid.
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loving-kindness is wafted upon his soul, will the darkness of error be
dispelled, the mists of doubts and misgivings be dissipated, and the lights of
knowledge and certitude envelop his being. At that hour will the mystic Herald,
bearing the joyful tidings of the Spirit, shine forth from the City of God
resplendent as the morn, and, through the trumpet-blast of knowledge, will
awaken the heart, the soul, and the spirit from the slumber of negligence. Then
will the manifold favours and outpouring grace of the holy and everlasting
Spirit confer such new life upon the seeker that he will find himself endowed
with a new eye, a new ear, a new heart, and a new mind. He will contemplate the
manifest signs of the universe, and will penetrate the hidden mysteries of the
soul. Gazing with the eye of God, he will perceive within every atom a door
that leadeth him to the stations of absolute certitude. He will discover in all
things the mysteries of divine Revelation and the evidences of an everlasting
manifestation.
I swear by God! Were he that
treadeth the path of guidance and seeketh to scale the heights of righteousness
to attain unto this glorious and supreme station, he would inhale at a distance
of
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a thousand leagues the fragrance of God, and would perceive the resplendent
morn of a divine Guidance rising above the dayspring of all things. Each and
every thing, however small, would be to him a revelation, leading him to his
Beloved, the Object of his quest. So great shall be the discernment of this
seeker that he will discriminate between truth and falsehood even as he doth
distinguish the sun from shadow. If in the uttermost corners of the East the
sweet savours of God be wafted, he will assuredly recognize and inhale their
fragrance, even though he be dwelling in the uttermost ends of the West. He
will likewise clearly distinguish all the signs of God--His wondrous
utterances, His great works, and mighty deeds--from the doings, words and ways
of men, even as the jeweller who knoweth the gem from the stone, or the man who
distinguisheth the spring from autumn and heat from cold. When the channel of
the human soul is cleansed of all worldly and impeding attachments, it will
unfailingly perceive the breath of the Beloved across immeasurable distances,
and will, led by its perfume, attain and enter the City of Certitude. Therein
he will discern the wonders of His ancient wisdom, and will perceive all the
hidden teachings from
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the rustling leaves of the Tree--which flourisheth in that City. With both his
inner and his outer ear he will hear from its dust the hymns of glory and
praise ascending unto the Lord of Lords, and with his inner eye will he
discover the mysteries of "return" and "revival." How
unspeakably glorious are the signs, the tokens, the revelations, and splendours
which He Who is the King of names and attributes hath destined for that City!
The attainment of this City quencheth thirst without water, and kindleth the
love of God without fire. Within every blade of grass are enshrined the
mysteries of an inscrutable wisdom, and upon every rose-bush a myriad
nightingales pour out, in blissful rapture, their melody. Its wondrous tulips
unfold the mystery of the undying Fire in the Burning Bush, and its sweet
savours of holiness breathe the perfume of the Messianic Spirit. It bestoweth
wealth without gold, and conferreth immortality without death. In every leaf
ineffable delights are treasured, and within every chamber unnumbered mysteries
lie hidden.
They that valiantly labour in
quest of God's will, when once they have renounced all else but Him, will be so
attached and wedded to that City that a
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moment's separation from it would to them be unthinkable. They will hearken
unto infallible proofs from the Hyacinth of that assembly, and receive the
surest testimonies from the beauty of its Rose and the melody of its
Nightingale. Once in about a thousand years shall this City be renewed and
re-adorned.
Wherefore, O my friend, it
behooveth Us to exert the highest endeavour to attain unto that City, and, by
the grace of God and His loving-kindness, rend asunder the "veils of
glory"; so that, with inflexible steadfastness, we may sacrifice our
drooping souls in the path of the New Beloved. We should with tearful eyes,
fervently and repeatedly, implore Him to grant us the favour of that grace.
That city is none other than the Word of God revealed in every age and
dispensation. In the days of Moses it was the Pentateuch; in the days of Jesus
the Gospel; in the days of Muhammad the Messenger of God the Qur'án; in this
day the Bayán; and in the dispensation of Him Whom God will make manifest His
own Book--the Book unto which all the Books of former Dispensations must needs
be referred, the Book which standeth amongst them all transcendent
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and supreme. In these cities spiritual sustenance is bountifully provided, and
incorruptible delights have been ordained. The food they bestow is the bread of
heaven, and the Spirit they impart is God's imperishable blessing. Upon
detached souls they bestow the gift of Unity, enrich the destitute, and offer
the cup of knowledge unto them who wander in the wilderness of ignorance. All
the guidance, the blessings, the learning, the understanding, the faith, and
certitude, conferred upon all that is in heaven and on earth, are hidden and
treasured within these Cities.
For instance, the Qur'án was an impregnable stronghold unto the people of Muhammad. In His days, whosoever entered therein, was shielded from the devilish assaults, the menacing darts, the soul-devouring doubts, and blasphemous whisperings of the enemy. Upon him was also bestowed a portion of the everlasting and goodly fruits-- the fruits of wisdom, from the divine Tree. To him was given to drink the incorruptible waters of the river of knowledge, and to taste the wine of the mysteries of divine Unity.
All the things that people
required in connection with the Revelation of Muhammad and His laws
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were to be found revealed and manifest in that Ridván of resplendent glory.
That Book constitutes an abiding testimony to its people after Muhammad,
inasmuch as its decrees are indisputable, and its promise unfailing. All have
been enjoined to follow the precepts of that Book until "the year
sixty"--the year of the advent of God's wondrous Manifestation. That Book
is the Book which unfailingly leadeth the seeker unto the Ridván of the divine
Presence, and causeth him that hath forsaken his country and is treading the
seeker's path to enter the Tabernacle of everlasting reunion. Its guidance can
never err, its testimony no other testimony can excel. All other traditions,
all other books and records, are bereft of such distinction, inasmuch as both
the traditions and they that have spoken them are confirmed and proven solely
by the text of that Book. Moreover, the traditions themselves grievously
differ, and their obscurities are manifold.
Muhammad, Himself, as the end of
His mission drew nigh, spoke these words: "Verily, I leave amongst you My
twin weighty testimonies: The Book of God and My Family." Although many
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traditions had been revealed by that Source of Prophethood and Mine of divine
Guidance, yet He mentioned only that Book, thereby appointing it as the
mightiest instrument and surest testimony for the seekers; a guide for the
people until the Day of Resurrection.
With unswerving vision, with pure heart, and sanctified spirit, consider attentively what God hath established as the testimony of guidance for His people in His Book, which is recognized as authentic by both the high and lowly. To this testimony we both, as well as all the peoples of the world, must cling, that through its light we may know and distinguish between truth and falsehood, guidance and error. Inasmuch as Muhammad hath confined His testimonies to His Book and to His Family, and whereas the latter hath passed away, there remaineth His Book only as His one testimony amongst the people.
In the beginning of His Book He saith: "Alif. Lám. Mím. No doubt is there about this Book: It is a guidance unto the God-fearing."(1) In the disconnected letters of the Qur'án the mysteries of the divine Essence are enshrined, and within their
1. Qur'án 2:1.
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shells the pearls of His Unity are treasured. For lack of space We do not dwell
upon them at this moment. Outwardly they signify Muhammad Himself, Whom God
addresseth saying: "O Muhammad, there is no doubt nor uncertainty about
this Book which hath been sent down from the heaven of divine Unity. In it is
guidance unto them that fear God." Consider, how He hath appointed and
decreed this self-same Book, the Qur'án, as a guidance unto all that are in
heaven and on earth. He, the divine Being, and unknowable Essence, hath,
Himself, testified that this Book is, beyond all doubt and uncertainty, the
guide of all mankind until the Day of Resurrection. And now, We ask, is it fair
for this people to view with doubt and misgiving this most weighty Testimony,
the divine origin of which God hath proclaimed, and pronounced it to be the embodiment
of truth? Is it fair for them to turn away from the thing which He hath
appointed as the supreme Instrument of guidance for attainment unto the
loftiest summits of knowledge, and to seek aught else but that Book? How can
they allow men's absurd and foolish sayings to sow the seeds of distrust in
their minds? How can they any longer idly contend that a certain person hath
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spoken this or that way, or that a certain thing did not come to pass? Had
there been anything conceivable besides the Book of God which could prove a
more potent instrument and a surer guide to mankind, would He have failed to
reveal it in that verse?
It is incumbent upon us not to depart from God's irresistible injunction and fixed decree, as revealed in the above-mentioned verse. We should acknowledge the holy and wondrous Scriptures, for failing to do this we have failed to acknowledge the truth of this blessed verse. For it is evident that whoso hath failed to acknowledge the truth of the Qur'án hath in reality failed to acknowledge the truth of the preceding Scriptures. This is but the manifest implication of the verse. Were We to expound its inner meanings and unfold its hidden mysteries, eternity would never suffice to exhaust their import, nor would the universe be capable of hearing them! God verily testifieth to the truth of Our saying!
In another passage He likewise
saith: "And if ye be in doubt as to that which We have sent down to Our
Servant, then produce a Súrah like it, and summon your witnesses, beside God,
if ye are men
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of truth."(1) Behold,
how lofty is the station, and how consummate the virtue, of these verses which
He hath declared to be His surest testimony, His infallible proof, the evidence
of His all-subduing power, and a revelation of the potency of His will. He, the
divine King, hath proclaimed the undisputed supremacy of the verses of His Book
over all things that testify to His truth. For compared with all other proofs
and tokens, the divinely-revealed verses shine as the sun, whilst all others
are as stars. To the peoples of the world they are the abiding testimony, the
incontrovertible proof, the shining light of the ideal King. Their excellence
is unrivalled, their virtue nothing can surpass. They are the treasury of the
divine pearls and the depository of the divine mysteries. They constitute the
indissoluble Bond, the firm Cord, the Urvatu'l-Vuthqá, the
inextinguishable Light. Through them floweth the river of divine knowledge, and
gloweth the fire of His ancient and consummate wisdom. This is the fire which,
in one and the same moment, kindleth the flame of love in the breasts of the
faithful, and induceth the chill of heedlessness in the heart of the enemy.
O friend! It behooveth us not to waive the injunction
1. Qur'án 2:23..
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of God, but rather acquiesce and submit to that which He hath ordained as His
divine Testimony. This verse is too weighty and pregnant an utterance for this
afflicted soul to demonstrate and expound. God speaketh the truth and leadeth
the way. He, verily, is supreme over all His people; He is the Mighty, the
Beneficent.
Likewise, He saith: "Such are the verses of God: with truth do We recite them to Thee. But in what revelation will they believe, if they reject God and His verses?"(1) If thou wilt grasp the implication of this verse, thou wilt recognize the truth that no manifestation greater than the Prophets of God hath ever been revealed, and no testimony mightier than the testimony of their revealed verses hath ever appeared upon the earth. Nay, this testimony no other testimony can ever excel, except that which the Lord thy God willeth.
In another passage He saith: "Woe to every lying sinner, who heareth the verses of God recited to him, and then, as though he heard them not, persisteth in proud disdain! Apprise him of a
1. Qur'án 45:5.
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painful punishment."(1)
The implications of this verse, alone, suffice all that is in heaven and on
earth, were the people to ponder the verses of their Lord. For thou hearest how
in this day the people disdainfully ignore the divinely-revealed verses, as
though they were the meanest of all things. And yet, nothing greater than these
verses hath ever appeared, nor will ever be made manifest in the world! Say
unto them: "O heedless people! Ye repeat what your fathers, in a bygone
age, have said. Whatever fruits they have gathered from the tree of their
faithlessness, the same shall ye gather also. Ere long shall ye be gathered
unto your fathers, and with them shall ye dwell in hellish fire. An ill abode!
the abode of the people of tyranny."
In yet another passage He saith: "And when he becometh acquainted with any of Our verses he turneth them to ridicule. There is a shameful punishment for them!"(2) The people derisively observed saying: "Work thou another miracle, and give us another sign!" One would say: "Make now a part of the heaven to fall down upon us";(3) and
1. Qur'án 45:6.
2. Qur'án 45:8.
3. Qur'án 26:187.
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another: "If this be the very truth from before Thee, rain down stones
upon us from heaven."(1)
Even as the people of Israel, in the time of Moses, bartered away the bread of
heaven for the sordid things of the earth, these people, likewise, sought to
exchange the divinely-revealed verses for their foul, their vile, and idle
desires. In like manner, thou beholdest in this day that although spiritual
sustenance hath descended from the heaven of divine mercy, and been showered
from the clouds of His loving kindness, and although the seas of life, at the
behest of the Lord of all being, are surging within the Ridván of the heart,
yet these people, ravenous as the dogs, have gathered around carrion, and
contented themselves with the stagnant waters of a briny lake. Gracious God!
how strange the way of this people! They clamour for guidance, although the
standards of Him Who guideth all things are already hoisted. They cleave to the
obscure intricacies of knowledge, when He, Who is the Object of all knowledge,
shineth as the sun. They see the sun with their own eyes, and yet question that
brilliant Orb as to the proof of its light. They behold the vernal showers
descending upon them, and yet seek an evidence of that
1. Qur'án 8:32.
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bounty. The proof of the sun is the light thereof, which shineth and envelopeth
all things. The evidence of the shower is the bounty thereof, which reneweth
and investeth the world with the mantle of life. Yea, the blind can perceive
naught from the sun except its heat, and the arid soil hath no share of the
showers of mercy. "Marvel not if in the Qur'án the unbeliever perceiveth
naught but the trace of letters, for in the sun, the blind findeth naught but
heat."
In another passage He saith: "And when Our clear verses are recited to them, their only argument is to say, `Bring back our fathers, if ye speak the truth!'"(1) Behold, what foolish evidences they sought from these Embodiments of an all-encompassing mercy! They scoffed at the verses, a single letter of which is greater than the creation of heavens and earth, and which quickeneth the dead of the valley of self and desire with the spirit of faith; and clamoured saying: "Cause our fathers to speed out of their sepulchres." Such was the perversity and pride of that people. Each one of these verses is unto all the peoples of the world an unfailing testimony and a glorious proof of His truth. Each of them verily sufficeth all mankind,
1. Qur'án 45:24.
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wert thou to meditate upon the verses of God. In the above-mentioned verse
itself pearls of mysteries lie hidden. Whatever be the ailment, the remedy it
offereth can never fail.
Heed not the idle contention of those who maintain that the Book and verses thereof can never be a testimony unto the common people, inasmuch as they neither grasp their meaning nor appreciate their value. And yet, the unfailing testimony of God to both the East and the West is none other than the Qur'án. Were it beyond the comprehension of men, how could it have been declared as a universal testimony unto all people? If their contention be true, none would therefore be required, nor would it be necessary for them to know God, inasmuch as the knowledge of the divine Being transcendeth the knowledge of His Book, and the common people would not possess the capacity to comprehend it.
Such contention is utterly
fallacious and inadmissible. It is actuated solely by arrogance and pride. Its
motive is to lead the people astray from the Ridván of divine good-pleasure and
to tighten the reins of their authority over the people. And yet, in the sight
of God, these common people are
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infinitely superior and exalted above their religious leaders who have turned
away from the one true God. The understanding of His words and the
comprehension of the utterances of the Birds of Heaven are in no wise dependent
upon human learning. They depend solely upon purity of heart, chastity of soul,
and freedom of spirit. This is evidenced by those who, today, though without a
single letter of the accepted standards of learning, are occupying the loftiest
seats of knowledge; and the garden of their hearts is adorned, through the
showers of divine grace, with the roses of wisdom and the tulips of
understanding. Well is it with the sincere in heart for their share of the
light of a mighty Day!
And likewise, He saith: "As for those who believe not in the verses of God, or that they shall ever meet Him, these of My mercy shall despair, and these doth a grievous chastisement await."(1) Also, "And they say, `Shall we then abandon our gods for a crazed poet?'"(2) The implication of this verse is manifest. Behold what they observed after the verses were revealed. They called Him a poet, scoffed at the verses of God, and exclaimed saying:
1. Qur'án 29:23.
2. Qur'án 37:36.
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"These words of his are but tales of the Ancients!" By this they
meant that those words which were spoken by the peoples of old Muhammad hath
compiled and called them the Word of God.
Likewise, in this day, thou hast heard the people impute similar charges to this Revelation, saying: "He hath compiled these words from the words of old;" or "these words are spurious." Vain and haughty are their sayings, low their estate and station!
After the denials and
denunciations which they uttered, and unto which We have referred, they
protested saying: "No independent Prophet, according to our Scriptures,
should arise after Moses and Jesus to abolish the Law of divine Revelation.
Nay, he that is to be made manifest must needs fulfil the Law." Thereupon
this verse, indicative of all the divine themes, and testifying to the truth
that the flow of the grace of the All-Merciful can never cease, was revealed:
"And Joseph came to you aforetime with clear tokens, but ye ceased not to
doubt of the message with which He came to you, until, when He died, ye said,
`God will by no means raise up a Messenger after Him.' Thus God misleadeth him
who is the transgressor
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the doubter."(1)
Therefore, understand from this verse and know of a certainty that the people
in every age, clinging to a verse of the Book, have uttered such vain and
absurd sayings, contending that no Prophet should again be made manifest to the
world. Even as the Christian divines who, holding fast to the verse of the
Gospel to which We have already referred, have sought to explain that the law
of the Gospel shall at no time be annulled, and that no independent Prophet
shall again be made manifest, unless He confirmeth the law of the Gospel. Most
of the people have become afflicted with the same spiritual disease.
Even as thou dost witness how the people of the Qur'án, like unto the people of old, have allowed the words "Seal of the Prophets" to veil their eyes. And yet, they themselves testify to this verse: "None knoweth the interpretation thereof but God and they that are well-grounded in knowledge."(2) And when He Who is well-grounded in all knowledge, He Who is the Mother, the Soul, the Secret, and the Essence thereof, revealeth that which is the least contrary to their desire, they bitterly oppose Him and shamelessly deny Him. These thou
1. Qur'án 40:34.
2. Qur'án 3:7.
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hast already heard and witnessed. Such deeds and words have been solely
instigated by leaders of religion, they that worship no God but their own
desire, who bear allegiance to naught but gold, who are wrapt in the densest
veils of learning, and who, enmeshed by its obscurities, are lost in the wilds
of error. Even as the Lord of being hath explicitly declared: "What
thinkest thou? He who hath made a God of his passions, and whom God causeth to
err through a knowledge, and whose ears and whose heart He hath sealed up, and
over whose sight He hath cast a veil--who, after his rejection by God, shall
guide such a one? Will ye not then be warned?"(1)
Although the outward meaning of "Whom God causeth to err through a
knowledge" is what hath been revealed, yet to Us it signifieth those
divines of the age who have turned away from the Beauty of God, and who,
clinging unto their own learning, as fashioned by their own fancies and desires,
have denounced God's divine Message and Revelation. "Say: it is a weighty
Message, from which ye turn aside!"(2)
Likewise, He saith: "And when
1. Qur'án 45:22.
2. Qur'án 38:67.
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Our clear verses are recited to them, they say, `This is merely a man who would
fain pervert you from your father's worship.' And they say, `This is none other
than a forged falsehood.'"(1)
Give ear unto God's holy Voice, and heed thou His sweet and immortal melody. Behold how He hath solemnly warned them that have repudiated the verses of God, and hath disowned them that have denied His holy words. Consider how far the people have strayed from the Kawthar of the divine Presence, and how grievous hath been the faithlessness and arrogance of the spiritually destitute in the face of that sanctified Beauty. Although that Essence of lovingkindness and bounty caused those evanescent beings to step into the realm of immortality, and guided those destitute souls to the sacred river of wealth, yet some denounced Him as "a calumniator of God, the Lord of all creatures," others accused Him of being "the one that withholdeth the people from the path of faith and true belief," and still others declared Him to be "a lunatic" and the like.
In like manner, thou observest in this day with what vile imputations they have assailed that Gem
1. Qur'án 34:43.
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of Immortality, and what unspeakable transgressions they have heaped upon Him
Who is the Source of purity. Although God hath throughout His Book and in His
holy and immortal Tablet warned them that deny and repudiate the revealed
verses, and hath announced His grace unto them that accept them, yet behold the
unnumbered cavils they raised against those verses which have been sent down
from the new heaven of God's eternal holiness! This, notwithstanding the fact
that no eye hath beheld so great an outpouring of bounty, nor hath any ear
heard of such a revelation of lovingkindness. Such bounty and revelation have
been made manifest, that the revealed verses seemed as vernal showers raining
from the clouds of the mercy of the All-Bountiful. The Prophets "endowed
with constancy," whose loftiness and glory shine as the sun, were each
honoured with a Book which all have seen, and the verses of which have been
duly ascertained. Whereas the verses which have rained from this Cloud of
divine mercy have been so abundant that none hath yet been able to estimate
their number. A score of volumes are now available. How many still remain
beyond our reach! How many have been plundered and have fallen into the
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hands of the enemy, the fate of which none knoweth.
O brother, we should open our eyes, meditate upon His Word, and seek the sheltering shadow of the Manifestations of God, that perchance we may be warned by the unmistakable counsels of the Book, and give heed to the admonitions recorded in the holy Tablets; that we may not cavil at the Revealer of the verses, that we may resign ourselves wholly to His Cause, and embrace wholeheartedly His law, that haply we may enter the court of His mercy, and dwell upon the shore of His grace. He, verily, is merciful, and forgiving towards His servants.
And likewise, He saith: "Say, O people of the Book! do ye not disavow us only because we believe in God and in what He hath sent down to us, and in what He hath sent down aforetime, and because most of you are doers of ill?"(1) How explicitly doth this verse reveal Our purpose, and how clearly doth it demonstrate the truth of the testimony of the verses of God! This verse was revealed at a time when Islám was assailed by the infidels,
1. Qur'án 5:62.
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and its followers were accused of misbelief, when the Companions of Muhammad
were denounced as repudiators of God and as followers of a lying sorcerer. In
its early days, when Islám was still to outward seeming devoid of authority and
power, the friends of the Prophet, who had turned their face toward God,
wherever they went, were harassed, persecuted, stoned and vilified. At such a
time this blessed verse was sent down from the heaven of divine Revelation. It
revealed an irrefutable evidence, and brought the light of an unfailing
guidance. It instructed the companions of Muhammad to declare the following
unto the infidels and idolators: "Ye oppress and persecute us, and yet,
what else have we done except that we have believed in God and in the verses
sent down unto us through the tongue of Muhammad, and in those which descended
upon the Prophets of old?" By this is meant that their only guilt was to have
recognized that the new and wondrous verses of God, which had descended upon
Muhammad, as well as those which had been revealed unto the Prophets of old,
were all of God, and to have acknowledged and embraced their truth. This is the
testimony which the divine King hath taught His servants.
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In view of this, is it fair for this people to repudiate these newly-revealed verses which have encompassed both the East and the West, and to regard themselves as the upholders of true belief? Should they not rather believe in Him Who hath revealed these verses? Considering the testimony which He Himself hath established, how could He fail to account as true believers them that have testified to its truth? Far be it from Him that He should turn away from the gates of His mercy them that have turned unto and embraced the truth of the divine verses, or that He should threaten those that have clung to His sure testimony! He verily establisheth the truth through His verses, and confirmeth His Revelation by His words. He verily is the Powerful, the Help in peril, the Almighty.
And likewise, He saith: "And had We sent down unto Thee a Book written on parchment, and they had touched it with their hands, the infidels would surely have said `This is naught but palpable sorcery.'"(1) Most of the verses of the Qur'án are indicative of this theme. We have, for the sake of brevity, mentioned only these verses. Consider,
1. Qur'án 6:7.
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hath anything else besides the verses been established in the whole Book, as a
standard for the recognition of the Manifestations of His Beauty, that the
people might cling to, and reject the Manifestations of God? On the contrary,
in every instance, He hath threatened with fire those that repudiate and scoff
at the verses, as already shown.
Therefore, should a person arise
and bring forth a myriad verses, discourses, epistles, and prayers, none of
which have been acquired through learning, what conceivable excuse could
justify those that reject them, and deprive themselves of the potency of their
grace? What answer could they give when once their soul hath ascended and
departed from its gloomy temple? Could they seek to justify themselves by
saying: "We have clung to a certain tradition, and not having beheld the
literal fulfilment thereof, we have therefore raised such cavils against the
Embodiments of divine Revelation, and kept remote from the law of God?"
Hast thou not heard that among the reasons why certain Prophets have been
designated as Prophets "endowed with constancy" was the revelation of
a Book unto them? And yet, how
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could this people be justified in rejecting the Revealer and Author of so many
volumes of verses, and follow the sayings of him who hath foolishly sown the
seeds of doubt in the hearts of men, and who, Satan-like, hath risen to lead
the people into the paths of perdition and error? How could they allow such
things to deprive them of the light of the Sun of divine bounty? Aside from
these things, if these people shun and reject such a divine Soul, such holy
Breath, to whom, We wonder, could they cling, to whose face besides His Face
could they turn? Yea--"All have a quarter of the Heavens to which they
turn."(1) We have shown
thee these two ways; walk thou the way thou choosest. This verily is the truth,
and after truth there remaineth naught but error.
Amongst the proofs demonstrating the truth of this Revelation is this, that in every age and Dispensation, whenever the invisible Essence was revealed in the person of His Manifestation, certain souls, obscure and detached from all worldly entanglements, would seek illumination from the Sun of Prophethood and Moon of divine guidance, and would attain unto the divine Presence. For this
1. Qur'án 2:148.
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reason, the divines of the age and those possessed of wealth, would scorn and
scoff at these people. Even as He hath revealed concerning them that erred:
"Then said the chiefs of His people who believed not, `We see in Thee but
a man like ourselves; and we see not any who have followed Thee except our
meanest ones of hasty judgment, nor see we any excellence in you above
ourselves: nay, we deem you liars.'"(1) They caviled at those holy Manifestations, and protested
saying: "None hath followed you except the abject amongst us, those who
are worthy of no attention." Their aim was to show that no one amongst the
learned, the wealthy, and the renowned believed in them. By this and similar
proofs they sought to demonstrate the falsity of Him that speaketh naught but
the truth.
In this most resplendent Dispensation, however, this most mighty Sovereignty, a number of illumined divines, of men of consummate learning, of doctors of mature wisdom, have attained unto His Court, drunk the cup of His divine Presence, and been invested with the honour of His most excellent favour. They have renounced, for the sake of the Beloved, the world and all that is therein. We
1. Qur'án 11:27.
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will mention the names of some of them, that perchance it may strengthen the
faint-hearted, and encourage the timorous.
Among them was Mullá Husayn, who
became the recipient of the effulgent glory of the Sun of divine Revelation.
But for him, God would not have been established upon the seat of His mercy,
nor ascended the throne of eternal glory. Among them also was Siyyid Yahyá,
that unique and peerless figure of his age,
Mullá Muhammad Alíy-i-Zanjání
Mullá Alíy-i-Bastamí
Mullá Sa'íd-i-Barfurúshí
Mullá Ni'matu'lláh-i-Mázindarání
Mullá Yúsúf-i-Ardibílí
Mullá Mihdíy-i-Khú'í
Siyyid Husayn-i-Turshízí
Mullá Mihdíy-i-Kandí
Mullá Báqir
Mullá `Abdu'l-Kháliq-i-Yazdí
Mullá Alíy-i-Baraqání
and others, well nigh four hundred in number, whose names are all inscribed
upon the "Guarded Tablet" of God.
All these were guided by the light
of that Sun of divine Revelation, confessed and acknowledged His truth. Such
was their faith, that most of them renounced their substance and kindred, and
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cleaved to the good-pleasure of the All-Glorious. They laid down their lives
for their Well-Beloved, and surrendered their all in His path. Their breasts
were made targets for the darts of the enemy, and their heads adorned the
spears of the infidel. No land remained which did not drink the blood of these
embodiments of detachment, and no sword that did not bruise their necks. Their
deeds, alone, testify to the truth of their words. Doth not the testimony of
these holy souls, who have so gloriously risen to offer up their lives for
their Beloved that the whole world marvelled at the manner of their sacrifice,
suffice the people of this day? Is it not sufficient witness against the
faithlessness of those who for a trifle betrayed their faith, who bartered away
immortality for that which perisheth, who gave up the Kawthar of the divine
Presence for salty springs, and whose one aim in life is to usurp the property of
others? Even as thou dost witness how all of them have busied themselves with
the vanities of the world, and have strayed far from Him Who is the Lord, the
Most High.
Be fair: Is the testimony of those
acceptable and worthy of attention whose deeds agree with their
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words, whose outward behaviour conforms with their inner life? The mind is
bewildered at their deeds, and the soul marvelleth at their fortitude and
bodily endurance. Or is the testimony of these faithless souls who breathe
naught but the breath of selfish desire, and who lie imprisoned in the cage of
their idle fancies, acceptable? Like the bats of darkness, they lift not their
heads from their couch except to pursue the transient things of the world, and
find no rest by night except as they labour to advance the aims of their sordid
life. Immersed in their selfish schemes, they are oblivious of the divine
Decree. In the day-time they strive with all their soul after worldly benefits,
and in the night-season their sole occupation is to gratify their carnal desires.
By what law or standard could men be justified in cleaving to the denials of
such petty-minded souls, and in ignoring the faith of them that have renounced,
for the sake of the good-pleasure of God, their life, and substance, their fame
and renown, their reputation and honour?
Were not the happenings of the life of the "Prince of Martyrs"(1) regarded as the greatest of all events, as the supreme evidence of his truth?
1. Imám Husayn.
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Did not the people of old declare those happenings to be unprecedented? Did
they not maintain that no manifestation of truth hath ever evinced such
constancy, such conspicuous glory? And yet, that episode of his life,
commencing as it did in the morning, was brought to a close by the middle of
the same day, whereas, these holy lights have, for eighteen years, heroically
endured the showers of afflictions which, from every side, have rained upon
them. With what love, what devotion, what exultation and holy rapture, they
sacrificed their lives in the path of the All-Glorious! To the truth of this
all witness. And yet, how can they belittle this Revelation? Hath any age
witnessed such momentous happenings? If these companions be not the true
strivers after God, who else could be called by this name? Have these
companions been seekers after power or glory? Have they ever yearned for
riches? Have they cherished any desire except the good-pleasure of God? If
these companions, with all their marvellous testimonies and wondrous works, be
false, who then is worthy to claim for himself the truth? I swear by God! Their
very deeds are a sufficient testimony, and an irrefutable proof unto all the
peoples of the earth, were men to ponder in their hearts the mysteries
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of divine Revelation. "And they who act unjustly shall soon know what lot
awaiteth them!"(1)
Furthermore, the sign of truth and falsehood is designated and appointed in the Book. By this divinely-appointed touchstone, the claims and pretensions of all men must needs be assayed, so that the truthful may be known and distinguished from the imposter. This touchstone is no other than this verse: "Wish for death, if ye are men of truth."(2) Consider these martyrs of unquestionable sincerity, to whose truthfulness testifieth the explicit text of the Book, and all of whom, as thou hast witnessed, have sacrificed their life, their substance, their wives, their children, their all, and ascended unto the loftiest chambers of Paradise. Is it fair to reject the testimony of these detached and exalted beings to the truth of this pre-eminent and glorious Revelation and to regard as acceptable the denunciations which have been uttered against this resplendent Light by this faithless people, who for gold have forsaken their faith, and who for the sake of leadership have repudiated Him Who is the First Leader of all mankind? This,
1. Qur'án 26:227.
2. Qur'án 2:94, 62:6.
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although their character is now revealed unto all people who have recognized
them as those who will in no wise relinquish one jot or one tittle of their
temporal authority for the sake of God's holy Faith, how much less their life,
their substance, and the like.
Behold how the divine Touchstone hath, according to the explicit text of the Book, separated and distinguished the true from the false. Notwithstanding, they are still oblivious of this truth, and in the sleep of heedlessness, are pursuing the vanities of the world, and are occupied with thoughts of vain and earthly leadership.
"O Son of Man! Many a day hath passed over thee whilst thou hast busied thyself with thy fancies and idle imaginings. How long art thou to slumber on thy bed? Lift up thine head from slumber, for the Sun hath risen to the zenith; haply it may shine upon thee with the light of beauty."
Let it be known, however, that
none of these doctors and divines to whom we have referred was invested with
the rank and dignity of leadership. For well-known and influential leaders of
religion, who occupy the seats of authority and exercise
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the functions of leadership, can in no wise bear allegiance to the Revealer of
truth, except whomsoever thy Lord willeth. But for a few, such things have
never come to pass. "And few of My servants are the thankful."(1) Even as in this Dispensation,
not one amongst the renowned divines, in the grasp of whose authority were held
the reins of the people, hath embraced the Faith. Nay, they have striven
against it with such animosity and determination that no ear hath heard and no
eye hath seen the like.
The Báb, the Lord, the most exalted--may the life of all be a sacrifice unto
Him,--hath specifically revealed an Epistle unto the divines of every city,
wherein He hath fully set forth the character of the denial and repudiation of
each of them. "Wherefore, take ye good heed ye who are men of
insight!"(2) By His
references to their opposition He intended to invalidate the objections which
the people of the Bayán might raise in the day of the manifestation of
"Mustagháth,"(3)
the day of the Latter Resurrection, claiming that, whereas in the Dispensation
of the Bayán a number of divines
1. Qur'án 34:13.
2. Qur'án 59:2.
3. He Who is invoked.
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have embraced the Faith, in this latter Revelation none of these hath
recognized His claim. His purpose was to warn the people lest, God forbid, they
cling to such foolish thoughts and deprive themselves of the divine Beauty.
Yea, these divines to whom We have referred, were mostly unrenowned, and, by
the grace of God they were all purged of earthly vanities and free from the
trappings of leadership. "Such is the bounty of God; to whom He will He
giveth it."
Another proof and evidence of the
truth of this Revelation, which amongst all other proofs shineth as the sun, is
the constancy of the eternal Beauty in proclaiming the Faith of God. Though
young and tender of age, and though the Cause He revealed was contrary to the
desire of all the peoples of earth, both high and low, rich and poor, exalted
and abased, king and subject, yet He arose and steadfastly proclaimed it. All
have known and heard this. He was afraid of no one; He was regardless of
consequences. Could such a thing be made manifest except through the power of a
divine Revelation, and the potency of God's invincible Will? By the
righteousness of God! Were any one to entertain so great a Revelation in his
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heart, the thought of such a declaration would alone confound him! Were the
hearts of all men to be crowded into his heart, he would still hesitate to
venture upon so awful an enterprise. He could achieve it only by the permission
of God, only if the channel of his heart were to be linked with the Source of
divine grace, and his soul be assured of the unfailing sustenance of the
Almighty. To what, We wonder, do they ascribe so great a daring? Do they accuse
Him of folly as they accused the Prophets of old? Or do they maintain that His
motive was none other than leadership and the acquisition of earthly riches?
Gracious God! In His Book, which He hath entitled "Qayyúmu'l-Asmá,"--the first, the greatest and mightiest of all books--He prophesied His own martyrdom. In it is this passage: "O thou Remnant of God! I have sacrificed myself wholly for Thee; I have accepted curses for Thy sake; and have yearned for naught but martyrdom in the path of Thy love. Sufficient Witness unto me is God, the Exalted, the Protector, the Ancient of Days!"
Likewise, in His interpretation of
the letter "Há," He craved martyrdom, saying: "Methinks
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I heard a Voice calling in my inmost being: `Do thou sacrifice the thing which
Thou lovest most in the path of God, even as Husayn, peace be upon him, hath
offered up his life for My sake.' And were I not regardful of this inevitable
mystery, by Him, Who hath my being between His hands even if all the kings of
the earth were to be leagued together they would be powerless to take from me a
single letter, how much less can these servants who are worthy of no attention,
and who verily are of the outcast... That all may know the degree of My
patience, My resignation, and self-sacrifice in the path of God."
Could the Revealer of such
utterance be regarded as walking any way but the way of God, and as having
yearned for aught else except His good-pleasure? In this very verse there lieth
concealed a breath of detachment, which if it were to be breathed full upon the
world, all beings would renounce their lives, and sacrifice their souls.
Reflect upon the villainous behaviour of this generation, and witness their
astounding ingratitude. Observe how they have closed their eyes to all this
glory, and are abjectly pursuing those foul carcasses from whose bellies
ascendeth the cry
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of the swallowed substance of the faithful. And yet, what unseemly calumnies
they have hurled against those Daysprings of Holiness? Thus do We recount unto
thee that which the hands of the infidels have wrought, they who, in the Day of
Resurrection, have turned their face away from the divine Presence, whom God
hath tormented with the fire of their own misbelief, and for whom He hath
prepared in the world to come a chastisement which shall devour both their
bodies and souls. For these have said: "God is powerless, and His hand of
mercy is fettered."
Steadfastness in the Faith is a sure testimony, and a glorious evidence of the truth. Even as the "Seal of the Prophets" hath said: "Two verses have made Me old." Both these verses are indicative of constancy in the Cause of God. Even as He saith: "Be thou steadfast as thou hast been bidden."(1)
And now consider how this Sadrih of the Ridván of God hath, in the prime of youth, risen to proclaim the Cause of God. Behold what steadfastness that Beauty of God hath revealed. The whole world rose to hinder Him, yet it utterly
1. Qur'án 11:113.
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failed. The more severe the persecution they inflicted on that Sadrih of
Blessedness, the more His fervour increased, and the brighter burned the flame
of His love. All this is evident, and none disputeth its truth. Finally, He
surrendered His soul, and winged His flight unto the realms above.
And among the evidences of the
truth of His manifestation were the ascendancy, the transcendent power, and
supremacy which He, the Revealer of being and Manifestation of the Adored,
hath, unaided and alone, revealed throughout the world. No sooner had that
eternal Beauty revealed Himself in Shíráz, in the year sixty, and rent asunder
the veil of concealment, than the signs of the ascendancy, the might, the
sovereignty, and power, emanating from that Essence of Essences and Sea of
Seas, were manifest in every land. So much so, that from every city there
appeared the signs, the evidences, the tokens, the testimonies of that divine
Luminary. How many were those pure and kindly hearts which faithfully reflected
the light of that eternal Sun, and how manifold the emanations of knowledge
from that Ocean of divine wisdom which encompassed all beings! In every city,
all the divines and dignitaries rose to
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hinder and repress them, and girded up the loins of malice, of envy, and
tyranny for their suppression. How great the number of those holy souls, those
essences of justice, who, accused of tyranny, were put to death! And how many
embodiments of purity, who showed forth naught but true knowledge and stainless
deeds, suffered an agonizing death! Notwithstanding all this, each of these
holy beings, up to his last moment, breathed the Name of God, and soared in the
realm of submission and resignation. Such was the potency and transmuting
influence which He exercised over them, that they ceased to cherish any desire
but His will, and wedded their soul to His remembrance.
Reflect: Who in this world is able
to manifest such transcendent power, such pervading influence? All these
stainless hearts and sanctified souls have, with absolute resignation,
responded to the summons of His decree. Instead of complaining, they rendered
thanks unto God, and amidst the darkness of their anguish they revealed naught
but radiant acquiescence to His will. It is evident how relentless was the
hate, and how bitter the malice and enmity entertained by all the peoples
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of the earth towards these companions. The persecution and pain they inflicted
on these holy and spiritual beings were regarded by them as means unto
salvation, prosperity, and everlasting success. Hath the world, since the days
of Adam, witnessed such tumult, such violent commotion? Notwithstanding all the
torture they suffered, and manifold the afflictions they endured, they became
the object of universal opprobrium and execration. Methinks patience was
revealed only by virtue of their fortitude, and faithfulness itself was
begotten only by their deeds.
Do thou ponder these momentous
happenings in thy heart, so that thou mayest apprehend the greatness of this
Revelation, and perceive its stupendous glory. Then shall the spirit of faith,
through the grace of the Merciful, be breathed into thy being, and thou shalt
be established and abide upon the seat of certitude. The one God is My witness!
Wert thou to ponder a while, thou wilt recognize that, apart from all these
established truths and above-mentioned evidences, the repudiation, cursing, and
execration, pronounced by the people of the earth, are in themselves the
mightiest proof and the surest testimony of the truth of these heroes of the
field of resignation
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and detachment. Whenever thou dost meditate upon the cavils uttered by all the
people, be they divines, learned or ignorant, the firmer and the more steadfast
wilt thou grow in the Faith. For whatsoever hath come to pass, hath been
prophesied by them who are the Mines of divine knowledge, and Recipients of
God's eternal law.
Although We did not intend to make
mention of the traditions of a bygone age, yet, because of Our love for thee,
We will cite a few which are applicable to Our argument. We do not feel their
necessity, however, inasmuch as the things We have already mentioned suffice
the world and all that is therein. In fact, all the Scriptures and the
mysteries thereof are condensed into this brief account. So much so, that were
a person to ponder it a while in his heart, he would discover from all that
hath been said the mysteries of the Words of God, and would apprehend the
meaning of whatever hath been manifested by that ideal King. As the people
differ in their understanding and station, We will accordingly make mention of
a few traditions, that these may impart constancy to the wavering soul, and tranquillity
to the troubled mind. Thereby, will the testimony of God unto the people,
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both high and low, be complete and perfect.
Among them is the tradition,
"And when the Standard of Truth is made manifest, the people of both the
East and the West curse it." The wine of renunciation must needs be
quaffed, the lofty heights of detachment must needs be attained, and the
meditation referred to in the words "One hour's reflection is preferable
to seventy years of pious worship" must needs be observed, so that the
secret of the wretched behaviour of the people might be discovered, those
people who, despite the love and yearning for truth which they profess, curse
the followers of Truth when once He hath been made manifest. To this truth the
above-mentioned tradition beareth witness. It is evident that the reason for
such behaviour is none other than the annulment of those rules, customs,
habits, and ceremonials to which they have been subjected. Otherwise, were the
Beauty of the Merciful to comply with those same rules and customs, which are
current amongst the people, and were He to sanction their observances, such
conflict and mischief would in no wise be made manifest in the world. This exalted
tradition is attested and substantiated
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by these words which He hath revealed: "The day when the Summoner shall
summon to a stern business."(1)
The divine call of the celestial Herald from beyond the Veil of Glory, summoning mankind to renounce utterly all the things to which they cleave, is repugnant to their desire; and this is the cause of the bitter trials and violent commotions which have occurred. Consider the way of the people. They ignore these well-founded traditions, all of which have been fulfilled, and cling unto those of doubtful validity, and ask why these have not been fulfilled. And yet, those things which to them were inconceivable have been made manifest. The signs and tokens of the Truth shine even as the midday sun, and yet the people are wandering, aimlessly and perplexedly, in the wilderness of ignorance and folly. Notwithstanding all the verses of the Qur'án, and the recognized traditions, which are all indicative of a new Faith, a new Law, and a new Revelation, this generation still waiteth in expectation of beholding the promised One who should uphold the Law of the Muhammadan Dispensation. The Jews and the
1. Qur'án 54:6.
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Christians in like manner uphold the same contention.
Among the utterances that
foreshadow a new Law and a new Revelation are the passages in the "Prayer
of Nudbih": "Where is He Who is preserved to renew the ordinances and
laws? Where is He Who hath the authority to transform the Faith and the
followers thereof?" He hath, likewise, revealed in the Zíyárat:(1) "Peace be upon the Truth
made new." Abú-`Abdi'lláh, questioned concerning the character of the
Mihdí, answered saying: "He will perform that which Muhammad, the
Messenger of God, hath performed, and will demolish whatever hath been before
Him even as the Messenger of God hath demolished the ways of those that
preceded Him."
Behold, how, notwithstanding these and similar traditions, they idly contend
that the laws formerly revealed, must in no wise be altered. And yet, is not
the object of every Revelation to effect a transformation in the whole
character of mankind, a transformation that shall manifest itself both outwardly
and inwardly, that shall affect both its inner life and external conditions?
For if the character
1. Visiting Tablet
revealed by `Alí.
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of mankind be not changed, the futility of God's universal Manifestations would
be apparent. In the "Aválím," an authoritative and well-known book,
it is recorded: "A Youth from Baní-Háshim shall be made manifest, Who will
reveal a new Book and promulgate a new law;" then follow these words:
"Most of His enemies will be the divines." In another passage, it is
related of Sádiq, son of Muhammad, that he spoke the following: "There
shall appear a Youth from Baní-Háshim, Who will bid the people plight fealty
unto Him. His Book will be a new Book, unto which He shall summon the people to
pledge their faith. Stern is His Revelation unto the Arab. If ye hear about
Him, hasten unto Him." How well have they followed the directions of the
Imáms of the Faith and Lamps of certitude! Although it is clearly stated:
"Were ye to hear that a Youth from Baní-Háshim hath appeared, summoning
the people unto a new and Divine Book, and to new and Divine laws, hasten unto
Him," yet have they all declared that Lord of being an infidel, and
pronounced Him a heretic. They hastened not unto that Háshimite Light, that
divine Manifestation, except with drawn swords, and hearts filled with malice.
Moreover, observe how explicitly the enmity
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of the divines hath been mentioned in the books. Notwithstanding all these
evident and significant traditions, all these unmistakable and undisputed
allusions, the people have rejected the immaculate Essence of knowledge and of
holy utterance, and have turned unto the exponents of rebellion and error.
Despite these recorded traditions and revealed utterances, they speak only that
which is prompted by their own selfish desires. And should the Essence of Truth
reveal that which is contrary to their inclinations and desires, they will
straightway denounce Him as an infidel, and will protest saying: "This is
contrary to the sayings of the Imáms of the Faith and of the resplendent
lights. No such thing hath been provided by our inviolable Law." Even so
in this day such worthless statements have been and are being made by these
poor mortals.
And now, consider this other
tradition, and observe how all these things have been foretold. In
"Arbá'in" it is recorded: "Out of Baní-Háshim there shall come
forth a Youth Who shall reveal new laws. He shall summon the people unto Him,
but none will heed His call. Most of His enemies will be the divines. His
bidding they will not obey,
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but will protest saying: `This is contrary to that which hath been handed down
unto us by the Imáms of the Faith.'" In this day, all are repeating these
very same words, utterly unaware that He is established upon the throne of
"He doeth whatsoever He willeth," and abideth upon the seat of
"He ordaineth whatsoever He pleaseth."
No understanding can grasp the
nature of His Revelation, nor can any knowledge comprehend the full measure of
His Faith. All sayings are dependent upon His sanction, and all things stand in
need of His Cause. All else save Him are created by His command, and move and
have their being through His law. He is the Revealer of the divine mysteries,
and the Expounder of the hidden and ancient wisdom. Thus it is related in the
"Biháru'l-Anvar," the "Aválím," and the "Yanbú'"
of Sádiq, son of Muhammad, that he spoke these words: "Knowledge is twenty
and seven letters. All that the Prophets have revealed are two letters thereof.
No man thus far hath known more than these two letters. But when the Qá'im
shall arise, He will cause the remaining twenty and five letters to be made
manifest." Consider; He hath declared Knowledge to consist of twenty and
seven
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letters, and regarded all the Prophets, from Adam even unto the
"Seal," as Expounders of only two letters thereof and of having been
sent down with these two letters. He also saith that the Qá'im will reveal all
the remaining twenty and five letters. Behold from this utterance how great and
lofty is His station! His rank excelleth that of all the Prophets, and His
Revelation transcendeth the comprehension and understanding of all their chosen
ones. A Revelation, of which the Prophets of God, His saints and chosen ones,
have either not been informed, or which, in pursuance of God's inscrutable
Decree, they have not disclosed,--such a Revelation these mean and depraved
people have sought to measure with their own deficient minds, their own
deficient learning and understanding. Should it fail to conform to their
standards, they straightway reject it. "Thinkest thou that the greater
part of them hear or understand? They are even like unto the brutes! yea, they
stray even further from the path!"(1)
How, We wonder, do they explain the aforementioned tradition, a tradition which, in unmistakable terms, foreshadoweth the revelation of
1. Qur'án 25:44.
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things inscrutable, and the occurrence of new and wondrous events in His day?
Such marvellous happenings kindle so great a strife amongst the people, that
all the divines and doctors sentence Him and His companions to death, and all
the peoples of the earth arise to oppose Him. Even as it hath been recorded in
the "Káfí," in the tradition of Jabír, in the "Tablet of
Fátimih," concerning the character of the Qá'im: "He shall manifest
the perfection of Moses, the splendour of Jesus, and the patience of Job. His
chosen ones shall be abased in His day. Their heads shall be offered as
presents even as the heads of the Turks and the Daylamites. They shall be slain
and burnt. Fear shall seize them; dismay and alarm shall strike terror into
their hearts. The earth shall be dyed with their blood. Their womenfolk shall
bewail and lament. These indeed are my friends!" Consider, not a single
letter of this tradition hath remained unfulfilled. In most of the places their
blessed blood hath been shed; in every city they have been made captives, have
been paraded throughout the provinces, and some have been burnt with fire. And yet
no one hath paused to reflect that if the promised Qá'im should reveal the law
and ordinances of a former Dispensation, why
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then should such traditions have been recorded, and why should there arise such
a degree of strife and conflict that the people should regard the slaying of
these companions as an obligation imposed upon them, and deem the persecution
of these holy souls as a means of attaining unto the highest favour?
Moreover, observe how these things that have come to pass, and the acts which have been perpetrated, have all been mentioned in former traditions. Even as it hath been recorded in the "Rawdíy-i-Káfí," concerning "Zawrá." In the "Rawdíy-i-Káfí" it is related of Mu'áviyih, son of Vahháb, that Abú-`Abdi'lláh hath spoken: "Knowest thou Zawrá?" I said: "May my life be a sacrifice unto thee! They say it is Baghdád." "Nay," he answered. And then added: "Hast thou entered the city of Rayy?",(1) to which I made reply: "Yea, I have entered it." Whereupon, He enquired: "Didst thou visit the cattle-market?" "Yea," I answered. He said: "Hast thou seen the black mountain on the right hand side of the road? The same is Zawrá. There shall eighty men, of the children of certain ones, be slain, all of whom
1. Ancient city near
which Tihrán is built.
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are worthy to be called caliphs." "Who will slay them?" I asked.
He made reply: "The children of Persia!"
Such is the condition and fate of
His companions which in former days hath been foretold. And now observe how,
according to this tradition, Zawrá is no other but the land of Rayy. In that
place His companions have been with great suffering put to death, and all these
holy beings have suffered martyrdom at the hand of the Persians, as recorded in
the tradition. This thou hast heard, and unto it all testify. Wherefore, then,
do not these grovelling, worm-like men pause to meditate upon these traditions,
all of which are manifest as the sun in its noon-tide glory? For what reason do
they refuse to embrace the Truth, and allow certain traditions, the
significance of which they have failed to grasp, to withhold them from the
recognition of the Revelation of God and His Beauty, and to cause them to dwell
in the infernal abyss? Such things are to be attributed to naught but the
faithlessness of the divines and doctors of the age. Of these, Sádiq, son of
Muhammad, hath said: "The religious doctors of that age shall be the most
wicked of the divines beneath the shadow of
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heaven. Out of them hath mischief proceeded, and unto them it shall
return."
We entreat the learned men of the
Bayán not to follow in such ways, not to inflict, at the time of Mustagháth,
upon Him Who is the divine Essence, the heavenly Light, the absolute Eternity,
the Beginning and the End of the Manifestations of the Invisible, that which hath
been inflicted in this day. We beg them not to depend upon their intellect,
their comprehension and learning, nor to contend with the Revealer of celestial
and infinite knowledge. And yet, notwithstanding all these admonitions, We
perceive that a one-eyed man, who himself is the chief of the people, is
arising with the utmost malevolence against Us. We foresee that in every city
people will arise to suppress the Blessed Beauty, that the companions of that
Lord of being and ultimate Desire of all men will flee from the face of the
oppressor and seek refuge from him in the wilderness, whilst others will resign
themselves and, with absolute detachment, will sacrifice their lives in His
path. Methinks We can discern one who is reputed for such devoutness and piety
that men deem it an obligation to obey him, and to whose command they consider
it necessary
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to submit, who will arise to assail the very root of the divine Tree, and
endeavour to the uttermost of his power to resist and oppose Him. Such is the
way of the people!
We fain would hope that the people
of the Bayán will be enlightened, will soar in the realm of the spirit and
abide therein, will discern the Truth, and recognize with the eye of insight
dissembling falsehood. In these days, however, such odours of jealousy are
diffused, that--I swear by the Educator of all beings, visible and invisible--
from the beginning of the foundation of the world --though it hath no
beginning--until the present day, such malice, envy, and hate have in no wise
appeared, nor will they ever be witnessed in the future. For a number of people
who have never inhaled the fragrance of justice, have raised the standard of
sedition, and have leagued themselves against Us. On every side We witness the
menace of their spears, and in all directions We recognize the shafts of their
arrows. This, although We have never gloried in any thing, nor did We seek
preference over any soul. To everyone We have been a most kindly companion, a
most forbearing and affectionate friend. In the company of the poor We
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have sought their fellowship, and amidst the exalted and learned We have been
submissive and resigned. I swear by God, the one true God! grievous as have
been the woes and sufferings which the hand of the enemy and the people of the
Book inflicted upon Us, yet all these fade into utter nothingness when compared
with that which hath befallen Us at the hand of those who profess to be Our
friends.
What more shall We say? The
universe, were it to gaze with the eye of justice, would be incapable of
bearing the weight of this utterance! In the early days of Our arrival in this
land, when We discerned the signs of impending events, We decided, ere they
happened, to retire. We betook Ourselves to the wilderness, and there,
separated and alone, led for two years a life of complete solitude. From Our
eyes there rained tears of anguish, and in Our bleeding heart there surged an
ocean of agonizing pain. Many a night We had no food for sustenance, and many a
day Our body found no rest. By Him Who hath My being between His hands!
notwithstanding these showers of afflictions and unceasing calamities, Our soul
was wrapt in blissful joy, and Our whole being
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evinced an ineffable gladness. For in Our solitude We were unaware of the harm
or benefit, the health or ailment, of any soul. Alone, We communed with Our
spirit, oblivious of the world and all that is therein. We knew not, however,
that the mesh of divine destiny exceedeth the vastest of mortal conceptions,
and the dart of His decree transcendeth the boldest of human designs. None can
escape the snares He setteth, and no soul can find release except through submission
to His will. By the righteousness of God! Our withdrawal contemplated no
return, and Our separation hoped for no reunion. The one object of Our
retirement was to avoid becoming a subject of discord among the faithful, a
source of disturbance unto Our companions, the means of injury to any soul, or
the cause of sorrow to any heart. Beyond these, We cherished no other
intention, and apart from them, We had no end in view. And yet, each person
schemed after his own desire, and pursued his own idle fancy, until the hour
when, from the Mystic Source, there came the summons bidding Us return whence
We came. Surrendering Our will to His, We submitted to His injunction.
What pen can recount the
things We beheld upon Our return! Two years have elapsed during
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which Our enemies have ceaselessly and assiduously contrived to exterminate Us,
whereunto all witness. Nevertheless, none amongst the faithful hath risen to
render Us any assistance, nor did any one feel inclined to help in Our
deliverance. Nay, instead of assisting Us, what showers of continuous sorrows,
their words and deeds have caused to rain upon Our soul! Amidst them all, We
stand, life in hand, wholly resigned to His will; that perchance, through God's
loving kindness and His grace, this revealed and manifest Letter may lay down
His life as a sacrifice in the path of the Primal Point, the most exalted Word.
By Him at Whose bidding the Spirit hath spoken, but for this yearning of Our
soul, We would not, for one moment, have tarried any longer in this city.
"Sufficient Witness is God unto Us." We conclude Our argument with
the words: "There is no power nor strength but in God alone."
"We are God's, and to Him shall we return."
They that have hearts to
understand, they that have quaffed the Wine of love, who have not for one
moment gratified their selfish desires, will behold, resplendent as the sun in
its noon-tide glory, those tokens, testimonies, and evidences that attest the
truth of this wondrous Revelation, this transcendent
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and divine Faith. Reflect, how the people have rejected the Beauty of God, and
have clung unto their covetous desires. Notwithstanding all these consummate
verses, these unmistakable allusions, which have been revealed in the
"Most weighty Revelation," the Trust of God amongst men, and despite
these evident traditions, each more manifest than the most explicit utterance,
the people have ignored and repudiated their truth, and have held fast to the
letter of certain traditions which, according to their understanding, they have
found inconsistent with their expectations, and the meaning of which they have
failed to grasp. They have thus shattered every hope, and deprived themselves
of the pure wine of the All-Glorious, and the clear and incorruptible waters of
the immortal Beauty.
Consider, that even the year in
which that Quintessence of Light is to be made manifest hath been specifically
recorded in the traditions, yet they still remain unmindful, nor do they for
one moment cease to pursue their selfish desires. According to the tradition,
Mufaddál asked Sádiq saying: "What of the sign of His manifestation, O my
master?" He made reply: "In the year sixty,
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His Cause shall be made manifest, and His Name shall be proclaimed."
How strange! Notwithstanding these explicit and manifest references these people have shunned the Truth. For instance, mention of the sorrows, the imprisonment and afflictions inflicted upon that Essence of divine virtue hath been made in the former traditions. In the "Bihár" it is recorded: "In our Qá'im there shall be four signs from four Prophets, Moses, Jesus, Joseph, and Muhammad. The sign from Moses, is fear and expectation; from Jesus, that which was spoken of Him; from Joseph, imprisonment and dissimulation; from Muhammad, the revelation of a Book similar to the Qur'án." Notwithstanding such a conclusive tradition, which in such unmistakable language hath foreshadowed the happenings of the present day, none hath been found to heed its prophecy, and methinks none will do so in the future, except him whom thy Lord willeth. "God indeed shall make whom He will to hearken, but We shall not make those who are in their graves to hearken."
It is evident unto thee that the
Birds of Heaven and Doves of Eternity speak a twofold language. One language,
the outward language, is devoid of
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allusions, is unconcealed and unveiled; that it may be a guiding lamp and a
beaconing light whereby wayfarers may attain the heights of holiness, and
seekers may advance into the realm of eternal reunion. Such are the unveiled
traditions and the evident verses already mentioned. The other language is
veiled and concealed, so that whatever lieth hidden in the heart of the
malevolent may be made manifest and their innermost being be disclosed. Thus
hath Sádiq, son of Muhammad, spoken: "God verily will test them and sift
them." This is the divine standard, this is the Touchstone of God,
wherewith He proveth His servants. None apprehendeth the meaning of these
utterances except them whose hearts are assured, whose souls have found favour
with God, and whose minds are detached from all else but Him. In such
utterances, the literal meaning, as generally understood by the people, is not
what hath been intended. Thus it is recorded: "Every knowledge hath
seventy meanings, of which one only is known amongst the people. And when the
Qá'im shall arise, He shall reveal unto men all that which remaineth." He
also saith: "We speak one word, and by it we intend one and seventy
meanings; each one of these meanings we can explain."
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These things We mention only that the people may not be dismayed because of certain traditions and utterances, which have not yet been literally fulfilled, that they may rather attribute their perplexity to their own lack of understanding, and not to the non-fulfilment of the promises in the traditions, inasmuch as the meaning intended by the Imáms of the Faith is not known by this people, as evidenced by the traditions themselves. The people, therefore, must not allow such utterances to deprive them of the divine bounties, but should rather seek enlightenment from them who are the recognized Expounders thereof, so that the hidden mysteries may be unravelled, and be made manifest unto them.
We perceive none, however,
amongst the people of the earth who, sincerely yearning for the Truth, seeketh
the guidance of the divine Manifestations concerning the abstruse matters of
his Faith. All are dwellers in the land of oblivion, and all are followers of
the people of wickedness and rebellion. God will verily do unto them that which
they themselves are doing, and will forget them even as they have ignored His
Presence in His day. Such is His decree unto those that have
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denied Him, and such will it be unto them that have rejected His signs.
We conclude Our argument with His words-- exalted is He--"And whoso shall
withdraw from the remembrance of the Merciful, We will chain a Satan unto him,
and he shall be his fast companion."(1) "And whoso turneth away from My remembrance, truly his
shall be a life of misery."(2)
Thus hath it been revealed aforetime, were ye to comprehend.
Revealed by the "Bá'" and the "Há."(3)
Peace be upon him that inclineth his ear unto the melody of the Mystic Bird
calling from the Sadratu'l-Muntahá!
Glorified be our Lord, the Most High!
1. Qur'án 43:36.
2. Qur'án 20:124.
3. B and H meaning Bahá.
END