Morning
On this plane, [THE COURT OF THE ALL-PRAISED] the traveller
meeteth with many a trial and reverse. Now is he lifted up to heaven, now is he
cast into the depths. As it hath been said: “Now Thou drawest me to the throne
of the realms above, again Thou scorchest me in the fire of hell.” The hidden
mystery of this station is divulged in the following blessed verse from the
Súrih of the Cave:
“And thou mightest have seen the sun when it arose, pass on the right of their cave, and, when it set, leave them on the left, while they were in its spacious chamber. This is one of the signs of God. Guided indeed is he whom God guideth; but for him whom He misleadeth, thou shalt by no means find a guardian and guide.” [Qur’an 18:17]
If a soul could grasp the allusions that lie hid in this single verse, it would suffice him. Such indeed are those whom He hath extolled as “men whom neither merchandise nor traffic beguile from the remembrance of God”. [Qur’an 24:37]
This station is that of the true standard of knowledge and the final end of tests and trials. Nor is it needed, in this realm, to seek after knowledge, for He hath said concerning the guidance of wayfarers on this plane, “Fear ye God; God will teach you”, [Qur’an 2: 282] and again, “Knowledge is a light which God casteth into the heart of whomsoever He willeth.” [From a Hadith]
- Baha’u’llah (‘The Four Valleys’, revised translation by the Baha’i World Center included in ‘The Call of the Divine Beloved’)
Evening
…one must make ready the receptacle and become worthy of the descent of heavenly bestowals, that the all-sufficing Cup-Bearer may give one to drink of the wine of bounty from the crystal chalice of mercy. “For this let the striving strive!” [Qur’an 83:26] And now do I say, “Verily, we are God’s, and to Him shall we return.” [Qur’an 2: 156]
- Baha’u’llah (‘The Four Valleys’, revised translation by the Baha’i World Center included in ‘The Call of the Divine Beloved’)
