Morning
All that thou hast heard regarding Muhammad the son of
Hasan [1] -- may the souls of all that
are immersed in the oceans of the spirit be offered up for His sake—is true
beyond the shadow of a doubt, and we all verily bear allegiance unto Him. But
the Imáms of the Faith have fixed His abode in the city of Jábulqá, [2] which
they have depicted in strange and marvellous signs. To interpret this city
according to the literal meaning of the tradition would indeed prove
impossible, nor can such a city ever be found. Wert thou to search the
uttermost corners of the earth, nay probe its length and breadth for as long as
God’s eternity hath lasted and His sovereignty will endure, thou wouldst never
find a city such as they have described, for the entirety of the earth could
neither contain nor encompass it. If thou wouldst lead Me unto this city, I
could assuredly lead thee unto this holy Being, Whom the people have conceived
according to what they possess and not to that which pertaineth unto Him! Since
this is not in thy power, thou hast no recourse but to interpret symbolically
the accounts and traditions that have been reported from these luminous souls.
And, as such an interpretation is needed for the traditions pertaining to the
aforementioned city, so too is it required for this holy Being. When thou hast
understood this interpretation, thou shalt no longer stand in need of
“transformation” or aught else.
Know then that, inasmuch as all the Prophets are but one and the same soul, spirit, name, and attribute, thou must likewise see them all as bearing the name Muhammad and as being the son of Hasan, as having appeared from the Jábulqá of God’s power and from the Jábulsá of His mercy. For by Jábulqá is meant none other than the treasure-houses of eternity in the all-highest heaven and the cities of the unseen in the supernal realm. We bear witness that Muhammad, the son of Hasan, was indeed in Jábulqá and appeared therefrom. Likewise, He Whom God shall make manifest abideth in that city until such time as God will have established Him upon the seat of His sovereignty. We, verily, acknowledge this truth and bear allegiance unto each and every one of them. We have chosen here to be brief in our elucidation of the meanings of Jábulqá, but if thou be of them that truly believe, thou shalt indeed comprehend all the true meanings of the mysteries enshrined within these Tablets.
- Baha’u’llah (‘Gems of Divine Mysteries’, ‘Javáhiru’l-Asrár’)
[1]The twelfth Imám, Muhammad al-Mahdí, the son of Hasan
al-‘Askarí.
[2] According to Shí’ih traditions, the twin cities of Jábulqá and Jábulsá are the dwelling place of the Hidden Imám (the Promised One), whence He will appear on the Day of Resurrection.
Evening
The third Tajallí is concerning arts, crafts and sciences. Knowledge is as wings to man’s life, and a ladder for his ascent. Its acquisition is incumbent upon everyone. The knowledge of such sciences, however, should be acquired as can profit the peoples of the earth, and not those which begin with words and end with words. Great indeed is the claim of scientists and craftsmen on the peoples of the world. Unto this beareth witness the Mother Book on the day of His return. Happy are those possessed of a hearing ear. In truth, knowledge is a veritable treasure for man, and a source of glory, of bounty, of joy, of exaltation, of cheer and gladness unto him. Thus hath the Tongue of Grandeur spoken in this Most Great Prison.
- Baha’u’llah (‘Tablets of Baha’u’llah revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas’)
