The Cause of God hath come as a token of His grace. Happy
are they who act; happy are they who understand; happy the man that hath clung
unto the truth, detached from all that is in the heavens and all that is on
earth. 
O people of the world! When the Mystic Dove will have winged
its flight from its Sanctuary of Praise and sought its far-off goal, its hidden
habitation, refer ye whatsoever ye understand not in the Book to Him ['Abdu'l-Baha] Who hath
branched from this mighty Stock.
Blessed, doubly blessed, is the ground which His
[‘Abdu’l-Baha’s] footsteps have trodden, the eye that hath been cheered by the
beauty of His countenance, the ear that hath been honoured by hearkening to His
call, the heart that hath tasted the sweetness of His love, the breast that
hath dilated through His remembrance, the pen that hath voiced His praise, the
scroll that hath borne the testimony of His writings.
The Will of the divine Testator is this: It is incumbent
upon the Aghsan, the Afnan and My Kindred to turn, one and all, their faces
towards the Most Mighty Branch. Consider that which We have revealed in Our
Most Holy Book: 'When the ocean of My presence hath ebbed and the Book of My
Revelation is ended, turn your faces toward Him Whom God hath purposed, Who
hath branched from this Ancient Root.' The object of this sacred verse is none
other except the Most Mighty Branch [Abdu'l-Bahá]. Thus have We graciously
revealed unto you Our potent Will, and I am verily the Gracious, the All-Powerful.
O my brother! A divine Mine only can yield the gems of
divine knowledge, and the fragrance of the mystic Flower can be inhaled only in
the ideal Garden, and the lilies of ancient wisdom can blossom nowhere except
in the city of a stainless heart. “In a rich soil, its plants spring forth
abundantly by permission of its Lord, and in that soil which is bad, they
spring forth but scantily.” (Qur’an 7:57)
All this generation could offer Us were wounds from its
darts, and the only cup it proffered to Our lips was the cup of its venom. On
our neck We still bear the scar of chains, and upon Our body are imprinted the
evidences of an unyielding cruelty.
We have consumed this densest of all veils, with the fire of
the love of the Beloved—the veil referred to in the saying: “The most grievous
of all veils is the veil of knowledge.” Upon its ashes, We have reared the
tabernacle of divine knowledge. We have, praise be to God, burned the “veils of
glory” with the fire of the beauty of the Best-Beloved. We have driven from the
human heart all else but Him Who is the Desire of the world, and glory therein.
We cleave to no knowledge but His Knowledge, and set our hearts on naught save
the effulgent glories of His light.
… these Essences of being [Manifestations of God] are
immensely exalted above… and… immeasurably glorified beyond all… vain sayings
and above the comprehension of every understanding heart.
…it behooveth no man to interpret the holy words according
to his own imperfect understanding, nor, having found them to be contrary to
his inclination and desires, to reject and repudiate their truth.
By the righteousness of God! Every morning I arose from My
bed, I discovered the hosts of countless afflictions massed behind My door; and
every night when I lay down, lo! My heart was torn with agony at what it had
suffered from the fiendish cruelty of its foes. With every piece of bread the
Ancient Beauty breaketh is coupled the assault of a fresh affliction, and with
every drop He drinketh is mixed the bitterness of the most woeful of trials. He
is preceded in every step He taketh by an army of unforeseen calamities, while
in His rear follow legions of agonizing sorrows.
Eschew all manner of wickedness, for such things are
forbidden unto you in the Book which none touch except such as God hath
cleansed from every taint of guilt, and numbered among the purified.”
The civilization so often vaunted by the learned exponents
of arts and sciences, will, if allowed to overleap the bounds of moderation,
bring great evil upon men.... If carried to excess, civilization will prove as
prolific a source of evil as it had been of goodness when kept within the
restraints of moderation.
Disencumber yourselves of all attachment to this world and
the vanities thereof. Beware that ye approach them not, inasmuch as they prompt
you to walk after your own lusts and covetous desires, and hinder you from
entering the straight and glorious Path.
Know of a certainty that in every Dispensation the light of
Divine Revelation hath been vouchsafed unto men in direct proportion to their
spiritual capacity. Consider the sun. How feeble its rays the moment it
appeareth above the horizon. How gradually its warmth and potency increase as
it approacheth its zenith, enabling meanwhile all created things to adapt
themselves to the growing intensity of its light. How steadily it declineth
until it reacheth its setting point. Were it, all of a sudden, to manifest the
energies latent within it, it would, no doubt, cause injury to all created
things.... In like manner, if the Sun of Truth were suddenly to reveal, at the
earliest stages of its manifestation, the full measure of the potencies which
the providence of the Almighty hath bestowed upon it, the earth of human
understanding would waste away and be consumed; for men's hearts would neither
sustain the intensity of its revelation, nor be able to mirror forth the
radiance of its light. Dismayed and overpowered, they would cease to exist.
Let not, however, thy soul grieve over that which God hath
rained down upon Us. Merge thy will in His pleasure, for We have, at no time,
desired anything whatsoever except His Will, and have welcomed each one of His
irrevocable decrees. Let thine heart be patient, and be thou not dismayed.
Follow not in the way of them that are sorely agitated.
Recall thou to mind My sorrows, My cares and anxieties, My
woes and trials, the state of My captivity, the tears that I have shed, the
bitterness of Mine anguish, and now My imprisonment in this far-off land. God…
beareth Me witness. Couldst thou be told what hath befallen the Ancient Beauty,
thou wouldst flee into the wilderness, and weep with a great weeping… Be thou
grateful to God, that We have refused to divulge unto thee the secrets of those
unsearchable decrees that have been sent down unto Us from the heaven of the
Will of thy Lord, the Most Powerful, the Almighty.
Say: It behoveth you, O Ministers of State, to keep the
precepts of God…and to be of them who are guided aright. Better is this for you
than all ye possess, did ye but know it. If ye transgress the commandment of
God, not one jot or one tittle of all your works shall be acceptable in His sight.
Ye shall, erelong, discover the consequences of that which ye shall have done
in this vain life, and shall be repaid for them. This, verily, is the truth,
the undoubted truth.
Call Thou to remembrance Thine arrival in the City
(Constantinople), how the Ministers of the Sulṭán thought Thee to be
unacquainted with their laws and regulations, and believed Thee to be one of
the ignorant. Say: Yes, by My Lord! I am ignorant of all things except what God
hath, through His bountiful favor, been pleased to teach Me. To this We
assuredly testify, and unhesitatingly confess it.
That which hath touched this Wronged One is beyond compare
or equal. We have borne it all with the utmost willingness and resignation, so
that the souls of men may be edified, and the Word of God be exalted.
Consider that which the Merciful Lord hath revealed in the
Qur’án, exalted are His words: “Worship ye God, join with Him no peer or
likeness; and show forth kindliness and charity towards your parents...”
Observe how loving-kindness to one’s parents hath been linked to recognition of
the one true God! Happy they who are endued with true wisdom and understanding,
who see and perceive, who read and understand, and who observe that which God
hath revealed in the Holy Books of old, and in this incomparable and wondrous
Tablet.
The religion of God and His divine law are the most potent
instruments and the surest of all means for the dawning of the light of unity
amongst men. The progress of the world, the development of nations, the
tranquillity of peoples, and the peace of all who dwell on earth are among the
principles and ordinances of God.
It is incumbent upon everyone to firmly adhere to and
observe that which hath streamed forth from Our Most Exalted Pen. God, the True
One, beareth Me witness, and every atom in existence is moved to testify that
such means as lead to the elevation, the advancement, the education, the
protection and the regeneration of the peoples of the earth have been clearly
set forth by Us and are revealed in the Holy Books and Tablets by the Pen of
Glory.
Whatever hath been constructed for the worship of the one
true God, such as mosques, chapels and temples, must not be used for any
purpose other than the commemoration of His Name. This is an ordinance of God,
and he who violateth it is verily of those who have transgressed. No harm
attacheth to the builder, for he hath performed his deed for the sake of God,
and hath received and will continue to receive his just reward.
Religion bestoweth upon man the most precious of all gifts,
offereth the cup of prosperity, imparteth eternal life, and showereth
imperishable benefits upon mankind. It behoveth the chiefs and rulers of the
world, and in particular the Trustees of God’s House of Justice, to endeavour
to the utmost of their power to safeguard its position, promote its interests
and exalt its station in the eyes of the world. In like manner it is incumbent
upon them to enquire into the conditions of their subjects and to acquaint
themselves with the affairs and activities of the divers communities in their
dominions.
The purpose of religion as revealed from the heaven of God’s
holy Will is to establish unity and concord amongst the peoples of the world;
make it not the cause of dissension and strife.
O Jalíl! He Whom the world hath wronged now proclaimeth: The
light of Justice is dimmed, and the sun of Equity veiled from sight. The robber
occupieth the seat of the protector and guard, and the position of the faithful
is seized by the traitor. A year ago an oppressor ruled over this city, and at
every instant caused fresh harm. By the righteousness of the Lord! He wrought
that which cast terror into the hearts of men. But to the Pen of Glory the
tyranny of the world hath never been nor will it ever be a hindrance.
The people aforetime joined partners with God, though they
professed belief in His unity; and although they were the most ignorant amongst
men, they considered themselves the most accomplished. But, as a token of
divine retribution upon those heedless ones, their erroneous beliefs and
pursuits have, in this Day of Judgement, been made clear and evident to every
man of discernment and understanding.
The fruits that best befit the tree of human life are
trustworthiness and godliness, truthfulness and sincerity; but greater than
all, after recognition of the unity of God, praised and glorified be He, is
regard for the rights that are due to one’s parents. This teaching hath been
mentioned in all the Books of God, and reaffirmed by the Most Exalted Pen.
The Birth of the Abhá Beauty was at the hour of dawn on the
second day of the month of Muharram, [1] the first day of which marketh the
Birth of His Herald. These two days are accounted as one in the sight of God.
O Muhammad! The Ancient of Days hath turned His countenance
towards thee, making mention of thee, and exhorting the people of God to
educate their children. Should a father neglect this most weighty commandment
laid down in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas by the Pen of the Eternal King, he shall forfeit
rights of fatherhood, and be accounted guilty before God. Well is it with him
who imprinteth on his heart the admonitions of the Lord, and steadfastly
cleaveth unto them. God, in truth, enjoineth on His servants what shall assist
and profit them, and enable them to draw nigh unto Him. He is the Ordainer, the
Everlasting.
The world is in travail, and its agitation waxeth day by
day. Its face is turned towards waywardness and unbelief. Such shall be its
plight, that to disclose it now would not be meet and seemly. Its perversity
will long continue. And when the appointed hour is come, there shall suddenly
appear that which shall cause the limbs of mankind to quake. Then, and only
then, will the Divine Standard be unfurled, and the Nightingale of Paradise
warble its melody.
Say: He is not to be numbered with the people of Bahá who
followeth his mundane desires, or fixeth his heart on things of the earth. He
is My true follower who, if he come to a valley of pure gold, will pass
straight through it aloof as a cloud, and will neither turn back, nor pause.
Such a man is, assuredly, of Me. From his garment the Concourse on high can
inhale the fragrance of sanctity.... And if he met the fairest and most comely
of women, he would not feel his heart seduced by the least shadow of desire for
her beauty. Such an one, indeed, is the creation of spotless chastity. Thus
instructeth you the Pen of the Ancient of Days, as bidden by your Lord, the
Almighty, the All-Bountiful.
A just king is the shadow of God on earth. All should seek shelter under the shadow of
his justice, and rest in the shade of his favour. This is not a matter which is either specific
or limited in its scope, that it might be restricted to one or another person,
inasmuch as the shadow telleth of the One Who casteth it. God, glorified be His remembrance, hath
called Himself the Lord of the worlds, for He hath nurtured and still nurtureth
everyone. Glorified be, then, His grace
that hath preceded all created things, and His mercy that hath surpassed the
worlds.
Thus it is that whatsoever be their utterance, whether it
pertain to the realm of Divinity, Lordship, Prophethood, Messengership,
Guardianship, Apostleship or Servitude, all is true, beyond the shadow of a
doubt. Therefore, these sayings which We have quoted in support of Our argument
must be attentively considered, that the divergent utterances of the
Manifestations of the Unseen and Daysprings of Holiness may cease to agitate
the soul and perplex the mind.
One of the signs of the maturity of the world is that no one
will accept to bear the weight of kingship. Kingship will remain with none
willing to bear alone its weight. That day will be the day whereon wisdom will
be manifested among mankind. Only in order to proclaim the Cause of God and
spread abroad His Faith will anyone be willing to bear this grievous weight.
Well is it with him who, for love of God and His Cause, and for the sake of God
and for the purpose of proclaiming His Faith, will expose himself unto this
great danger, and will accept this toil and trouble.
O members of parliaments throughout the world! Select ye a
single language for the use of all on earth, and adopt ye likewise a common
script. God, verily, maketh plain for you that which shall profit you and
enable you to be independent of others. He, of a truth, is the Most Bountiful,
the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. This will be the cause of unity, could ye
but comprehend it, and the greatest instrument for promoting harmony and
civilization, would that ye might understand!
O concourse of earth and heaven! This is that first night,
[Birth of the Báb] which God hath made to be a sign of that second night,
[Birth of Baha’u’llah’] whereon was born He Whom no praise can befittingly
extol and no attribute describe. Well is it with him who reflecteth upon them
both: Verily, he will find their outer reality to correspond to their inner
essence, and will become acquainted with the divine mysteries that lie
enshrined in this Revelation, a Revelation through which the foundations of
misbelief have been shaken, the idols of superstition have been shattered, and
the banner hath been unfurled which proclaimeth, “No God is there but Him, the
Powerful, the Exalted, the Incomparable, the Protector, the Mighty, the
Inaccessible.”
Blessed art thou, O night [Birth of the Báb]! For through
thee was born the Day of God, a Day which We have ordained to be the lamp of salvation
unto the denizens of the cities of names, the chalice of victory unto the
champions of the arenas of eternity, and the dawning-place of joy and
exultation unto all creation.
In the name of the One born on this day, Him Whom God hath
made to be the Herald of His name, the Almighty, the All-Loving!
This is the night [Birth of Baha’u’llah] wherein the limbs
of Jibt were made to tremble, and the Most Great Idol fell upon the dust, and
the foundations of iniquity were shattered, and Manát lamented in its inmost being,
and the back of ‘Uzzá was broken and its face blackened;[1] for the Morn of
divine Revelation hath dawned, and there hath appeared that which hath solaced
the eyes of glory and majesty, and beyond them the eyes of all the Prophets and
Messengers of God. All glory, then, to this Dawn which hath broken above the
dayspring of effulgent glory!
This is the night [Birth of Baha’u’llah] round which have
circled the Nights of Power, [Cf. Qur’án, súrih 97] wherein the angels and the
Spirit have come down bearing cups filled at the streams of Paradise, the night
wherein Heaven itself was adorned with the ornament of God, the Almighty, the
All-Gracious, the Most Bountiful, wherein every created thing was brought to
life, and all the peoples of the earth were surrounded by His grace. All joy to
the concourse of the Spirit for this manifest and resplendent bounty!
This is the night [Birth of Baha’u’llah] wherein the doors
of Paradise were flung open and the gates of Hell were shut fast, the night
wherein the paradise of the All-Merciful was unveiled in the midmost heart of
creation, the breezes of God were wafted from the retreats of forgiveness, and
the Last Hour ushered in through the power of truth, could ye but know it. All
joy to this night through which all days have been suffused with light, though
none can apprehend this save those that are endued with certitude and
discernment!
O concourse of the seen and the unseen! Rejoice with
exceeding gladness in your hearts and souls, for the night hath come for the
harvesting of the ages and the gathering up of past cycles, the night wherein
all days and nights were called into being and the time preordained for this
Revelation was fulfilled at the behest of Him Who is the Lord of might and
power. All joy to the Concourse on high at the appearance of so glorious, so
wondrous a Spirit!
Say: The Books have
been sent down for naught but My remembrance.
Whosoever is receptive to their call shall perceive therefrom the sweet
fragrances of My name and My praise; and he who hath unstopped the ear of his
inmost heart shall hear from every word thereof: “The True One is come! He
indeed is the beloved of the worlds!”
…know thou of a certainty that these Luminaries
[Manifestations & Chosen Ones of God] of heavenly majesty, though their
dwelling be in the dust, yet their true habitation is the seat of glory in the
realms above. Though bereft of all earthly possessions, yet they soar in the
realms of immeasurable riches. And whilst sore tried in the grip of the enemy,
they are seated on the right hand of power and celestial dominion. Amidst the
darkness of their abasement there shineth upon them the light of unfading
glory, and upon their helplessness are showered the tokens of an invincible
sovereignty.
Set thine heart towards Him Who is the Point of adoration
for the world, and say: “O peoples of the earth! Have ye denied the One in
Whose path He Who came with the truth, bearing the announcement of your Lord,
the Exalted, the Great, suffered martyrdom?” Say: This is an Announcement
whereat the hearts of the Prophets and Messengers have rejoiced. This is the
One Whom the heart of the world remembereth, and is promised in the Books of
God, the Mighty, the All-Wise. The hands of the Messengers were, in their
desire to meet Me, upraised towards God, the Mighty, the Glorified. Unto this
testifieth that which hath been sent down in the sacred Scriptures by Him Who
is the Lord of might and power.
Some lamented in their separation from Me, others endured
hardships in My path, and still others laid down their lives for the sake of My
Beauty, could ye but know it. Say: I, verily, have not sought to extol Mine own
Self, but rather God Himself, were ye to judge fairly. Naught can be seen in Me except God and His
Cause, could ye but perceive it. I am
the One Whom the tongue of Isaiah hath extolled, the One with Whose name both
the Torah and the Evangel were adorned. Thus hath it been decreed in the Scriptures of thy Lord, the Most
Merciful. He, verily, hath borne witness
unto Me, as I bear witness unto Him. And
God testifieth to the truth of My words.
And now, ponder this in thine heart: Were sovereignty to
mean earthly sovereignty and worldly dominion, were it to imply the subjection
and external allegiance of all the peoples and kindreds of the earth—whereby
His loved ones should be exalted and be made to live in peace, and His enemies
be abased and tormented—such form of sovereignty would not be true of God
Himself, the Source of all dominion, Whose majesty and power all things
testify. For, dost thou not witness how the generality of mankind is under the
sway of His enemies? Have they not all turned away from the path of His good-pleasure?
Have they not done that which He hath forbidden, and left undone, nay
repudiated and opposed, those things which He hath commanded? Have not His
friends ever been the victims of the tyranny of His foes? All these things are
more obvious than even the splendour of the noon-tide sun.