Morning
God, however, knoweth and they know not. He Who, through the might and power of God, hath arisen before the face of all the kindreds of the earth, and summoned the multitudes to the Supreme Horizon, hath been repudiated by them and they have clung instead unto such men as have invariably withdrawn themselves behind veils and curtains, and busied themselves about their own protection. Moreover, many are now engaged in spreading lies and calumnies, and have no other intention than to instill distrust into the hearts and souls of men. As soon as someone leaveth the Great City (Constantinople) to visit this land, they at once telegraph and proclaim that he hath stolen money and fled to Akká. A highly accomplished, learned and distinguished man visited, in his declining years, the Holy Land, seeking peace and retirement, and about him they have written such things as have caused them who are devoted to God and are nigh unto Him to sigh.
- Baha’u’llah (‘Epistle to the Son of the Wolf’)
Evening
In all these journeys [the seven valleys] the wayfarer must
stray not a hair’s breadth from the Law, for this is indeed the secret of the
Path and the fruit of the Tree of Truth. And in all these stages he must cling
to the robe of obedience to all that hath been enjoined, and hold fast to the
cord of shunning all that is forbidden, that he may partake of the cup of the
Law and be informed of the mysteries of Truth.
…..
These journeys have no visible ending in this temporal world, but the detached wayfarer—should invisible confirmation descend upon him and the Guardian [1] of the Cause assist him—may traverse these seven stages in seven steps, nay rather in seven breaths, nay even in a single breath, should God will and desire it. This is “a token of His grace vouchsafed unto whomsoever He pleaseth.” [2]
- Baha’u’llah (‘The Seven Valleys’, revised translation by the Baha’i World Center included in
‘The Call of the Divine Beloved’)
[1] “The word ‘Guardian’ in the Seven Valleys has no
connection with the Bahá’í Guardianship.” (From a letter dated 8 January 1949
written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi.)
[2] Qur’án 2:90.
