Morning
Know then that the paradise that appeareth in the day of God surpasseth every other paradise and excelleth the realities of Heaven. For when God—blessed and glorified is He—sealed the station of prophethood in the person of Him Who was His Friend, His Chosen One, and His Treasure amongst His creatures, as hath been revealed from the Kingdom of glory: “but He is the Apostle of God and the Seal of the Prophets”, [Qur’án 33:40] He promised all men that they shall attain unto His own presence in the Day of Resurrection. In this He meant to emphasize the greatness of the Revelation to come, as it hath indeed been manifested through the power of truth. And there is of a certainty no paradise greater than this, nor station higher, should ye reflect upon the verses of the Qur’án. Blessed be he who knoweth of a certainty that he shall attain unto the presence of God on that day when His Beauty shall be made manifest.
- Baha’u’llah (‘Gems of Divine Mysteries’, ‘Javáhiru’l-Asrár’)
Evening
Were I to recount all the verses that have been revealed in
connection with this exalted theme, it would weary the reader and divert Us
from Our purpose. The following verse shall therefore suffice Us; may thine
eyes be solaced therewith, and mayest thou attain unto that which hath been
treasured and concealed therein: “It is God who hath reared the heavens without
pillars thou canst behold; then mounted His throne, and imposed laws on the sun
and moon: each travelleth to its appointed goal. He ordereth all things. He
maketh His signs clear, that ye may have firm faith in the presence of your
Lord.” [Qur’án 13:2]
Ponder then, O My friend, the words “firm faith” that have been mentioned in this verse. It saith that the heavens and the earth, the throne, the sun and the moon, all have been created to the end that His servants may have unswerving faith in His presence in His days. By the righteousness of God! Contemplate, O My brother, the greatness of this station, and behold the condition of the people in these days, fleeing from the Countenance of God and His Beauty “as though they were affrighted asses”. [Qur’án 74:50] Wert thou to reflect upon that which We have revealed unto thee, thou wouldst undoubtedly grasp Our purpose in this utterance and discover that which We have desired to impart unto thee within this paradise. Perchance thine eyes may rejoice in beholding it, thine ears take delight in hearing that which is recited therein, thy soul be enthralled by recognizing it, thy heart illumined by comprehending it, and thy spirit gladdened by the fragrant breezes that waft therefrom. Haply thou mayest attain unto the pinnacle of divine grace and abide within the Ridván of transcendent holiness.
- Baha’u’llah (‘Gems of Divine Mysteries’, ‘Javáhiru’l-Asrár’)
