The fifth question concerneth the Bridge of Sirát, Paradise,
and Hell. The Prophets of God have come in truth and have spoken the truth.
Whatsoever the Messenger of God hath announced hath been and will be made
manifest. The world is established upon the foundations of reward and punishment.
Knowledge and understanding have ever affirmed and will continue to affirm the
reality of Paradise and Hell, for reward and punishment require their
existence. Paradise signifieth first and foremost the good-pleasure of God.
Whosoever attaineth His good-pleasure is reckoned and recorded among the
inhabitants of the most exalted paradise and will attain, after the ascension
of his soul, that which pen and ink are powerless to describe. For them that
are endued with insight and have fixed their gaze upon the Most Sublime Vision,
the Bridge, the Balance, Paradise, Hellfire, and all that hath been mentioned
and recorded in the Sacred Scriptures are clear and manifest. At the time of
the appearance and manifestation of the rays of the Daystar of Truth, all
occupy the same station. God then proclaimeth that which He willeth, and whoso
heareth His call and acknowledgeth His truth is accounted among the inhabitants
of Paradise. Such a soul hath traversed the Bridge, the Balance, and all that
hath been recorded regarding the Day of Resurrection, and hath reached his
destination. The Day of God’s Revelation is the Day of the most great
Resurrection. We cherish the hope that, quaffing from the choice wine of divine
inspiration and the pure waters of heavenly grace, thou mayest attain the
station of discovery and witnessing, and behold, both outwardly and inwardly,
all that which thou hast mentioned.
- Baha’u’llah (‘The Tabernacle of Unity,
Bahá’u’lláh’s Responses to Mánikchí Sáhib and Other Writings’)
