calumniated and presented false accusations against these exiled ones,
before the throne of His Imperial Majesty, the Padeshah of the Ottomans;
while these oppressed ones were entirely free from those calumnies. The
government, conformable with prudent measures, arose to investigate these
calumnies and dispatched some commissioners (or examiners) to this city.
Therefore it is evident that the field which was found by the ill-wishers
and the flood which was brought about by them, can neither be written nor
explained. However, relying upon God, we conducted ourselves with the
utmost patience and submission, resignation and calmness; so much so that
if one did not know anything about these matters, he would have thought
that we were in perfect ease of soul, enjoying the tranquillity of heart
and mind, and were engaged in happiness and felicity. The matters reached
to such an issue that the plaintiffs and calumniators entered into
alliance and intrigue with the officials, in regard to the carrying out of
the work of investigation. Consequently, the plaintiff, the magistrate and
the witness became as one single soul. Therefore it is clear what things
transpired! But here one witnesses the fairness and impartiality of His
Imperial Majesty, the Padeshah of the Ottomans, who so far has not given
any consideration to these slanders, statements, stories and calumnies,
but has dealt with the utmost justice and equity. Truly, I say, if there
had been any other person except this Padeshah, no trace of these exiled
ones would remain. This is the truth! We must not overlook justice. In
reality today in the Asiatic world, the Padeshah of the Ottoman Empire and
the Shah of Persia, Mozeffer-Eddin, are peerless and have no equals. If
you could realize the degree of the malignity of the enemies, and the
wickedness and mischief done by the ill-wishers, especially by the unkind
brother, both here and in Persia, and that notwithstanding these seditions
and villainies, these two kings have treated us with tranquillity and
mildness, ye would undoubtedly feel sure that both are just. If they were
like kings of bygone ages, unquestionably every day thousands of souls
would have been deprived of life in Persia. Therefore pray ye earnestly in
behalf of these two kings, beseech for them protection and confirmation in
the threshold of the Almighty, and ask for them, from God, victory and
triumph; especially for the Padeshah of the Ottoman Empire, who has dealt
at all times in justice with these exiled ones.
O Thou Omnipotent God! Perfume the nostrils of the friends in the Occident
with the breaths of the Holy Spirit; and illumine the horizon of the West
with the light of guidance. Make the remote ones the near ones, change the
strangers into compassionate friends, awaken those who are asleep, and
make heedful those who are heedless.
O Thou Glorious Lord! Confirm and assist these noble friends with Thy good
pleasure, suffer them to become the well-wishers of the known and unknown,
enter them in the world of the everlasting Kingdom, confer upon them a
share from the outpouring of the Realm of Might, make them real Bahais and
sincere godly ones, deliver them from superficiality and establish them in
Truth, make them the signs of the Kingdom and brilliant stars in the
horizon of the world, make them the cause of the prosperity and composure
of the world of humanity and the servants of the universal peace,
intoxicate all of them with the wine of Thy commands and exhortations and
grant to all good morals and conduct in the path of Thy teachings.
O my God! The desire of this Servant of the Threshold is to see that the
friends of the West have embraced the beloved of the East, and the
individuals of the world of humanity are with the utmost kindness the
members of one assemblage, the drops of one ocean, the birds of one
rose-garden, the pearls of one sea, the leaves of one tree and the rays of
one sun.
"O thou who art attracted by the Fragrances of God!..."
O thou who art attracted by the Fragrances of God!
Verily, I received thy letter which proved thy yearning to the Kingdom of
God, thy exceeding desire to the Beauty of God and thy great attachment
unto the Word of God.
Know, verily, that thy letters did not reach me until now; but I love thee
with all my heart and my soul, for the sake of God.
Regarding thy presence, at this time, in this Brilliant Spot(39)--it is not
in accord with the wisdom revealed in the Book. But I pray God to make
thee a manifestation of His hidden favors, so that thou be with me in His
Sublime Kingdom.
We send for thee and thy revered wife, stones of the Greatest Name.(40)
"O thou who art advancing unto God!..."
O thou who art advancing unto God!
Verily I pray to God to make thee and thy revered husband--under the shadow
of His Greatest Name--confirmed in all conditions, aided in the service of
the Cause of God with a confirmation on the part of the Merciful Lord.
O my God! O my God! I ask thee to protect these two birds in the orchard
of Thy mercy, confirmed in joy and happiness in the garden of Thy
bounties, warbling with the best melodies in the wood (garden) of Thy
knowledge. Verily Thou art the Precious, the Mighty, the Protecting!
"O ye two accepted ones in the Kingdom of God!..."
O ye two(41) accepted ones in the Kingdom of God!
Your letter was read and its contents caused joy and happiness. Thank God
that in such a cycle ye have stepped into the plane of existence, attained
the glory of the Lord of the Kingdom, obtained light from the Sun of Truth
and were ushered in under the shadow of the Tree of Life in the paradise
of joy.
Give the name "Rooha" (i.e., Spiritual) to your new born child, and let
your own name be "Saffa" (this, in Arabic, means Peter or Rock).
"O ye two truthful believers!..."
O ye two(42) truthful believers!
Your letter was received. It contents were faith, certainty and sincerity.
It was an evidence of perceiving eyes, attentive ears and acute mind. Were
it not so, ye would not have witnessed the lights of the Sun of Truth,
heard the divine Call, nor attained the knowledge of God.
Although in body we are far from one another, yet--praise be to God! --with
life and heart we are present in one assembly; we enjoy the spiritual
meeting, abide under the shadow of one Blessed Tree, are attracted to the
beauty of one Beloved and gaze in the direction of one Object. Therefore,
be not sorry on account of the remoteness, but rather engage in the
commemoration of God and praise Him. I hope that we may be together in all
the worlds of God.
Teach the dear child Rooha this commune:
O God! Rear this little babe in the bosom of Thy love and give it milk
from the breat of Providence. Cultivate this fresh plant in the
rose-garden of Thy love and nurture it by showers from the clouds of
Providence. Make it a child of the Kingdom and lead it to the divine
world. Thou art powerful and kind! Thou art the Giver, the Bestower, whose
blessings precede all else!
"O thou who art attracted by the Word of God!..."
O thou who art attracted by the Word of God!
Verily, I read thy letter which contained new significances. I ask God to
make thee a new creature so that the lights of human perfections may shine
through thee and to make thee kind hearted unto all human beings so that
thou mayest be a mercy unto souls, absolute goodness to all, a sign of
kindness, a word of tenderness. Verily, thy Lord is the Mighty, the
Powerful! He reviveth whomsoever He wisheth by the spirit of righteousness
and granteth unto whom He wisheth great bounty, guideth whom He wisheth
unto the path of life and confirmeth whom He desireth in attaining the
Kingdom of God.
As to thee, be confident in the mercy of thy Lord, and ask what thou
desirest. Verily, God is the Generous, the Giver!
"O maid-servant of God, who art supplicating unto the..."
O maid-servant of God, who art supplicating unto the Sublime Kingdom!
Grieve not at the divine trials. Be not troubled because of hardships and
ordeals; turn unto God, bowing in humbleness and praying to Him, while
bearing every ordeal, contented under all conditions and thankful in every
difficulty. Verily thy Lord loveth His maid-servants who are patient,
believing and firm. He draws them nigh unto Him through these ordeals and
trials.
Be not sorrowful on account of the departure of thy good son. He hath
indeed departed from this narrow and gloomy world which is darkened by
unlimited sorrow, unto the Kingdom which is spacious, illumined, joyous
and beautiful. God delivered him from this dark well and promoted him unto
the Supreme Height! He gave him wings whereby he soared to the heaven of
happiness. Verily this is the great mercy from Him who is precious and
forgiving.
"O thou who art advancing to the Dawning-point of..."
O thou who art advancing to the Dawning-point of Lights!
Extend the hands of communion unto the sacred and brilliant Threshold and
read the following prayer:
O my God! O my God! Glory be unto Thee for that Thou hast confirmed me to
the confession of Thy Oneness, attracted me unto the word of Thy
Singleness, enkindled me by the fire of Thy love, and occupied me with Thy
mention and the service of Thy friends and maid-servants.
O Lord, help me to be meek and lowly and strengthen me in severing myself
from all things and in holding to the hem of the garment of Thy Glory, so
that my heart may be filled with Thy love and leave no space for the love
of the world and the attachment to its qualities.
O God! Sanctify me from all else save Thee, purge me from the dross of
sins and transgressions and cause me to possess a spiritual heart and
conscience.
Verily Thou art merciful and verily Thou art the Generous, the Helper.
"O thou dear maid-servant of God!..."
O thou dear maid-servant of God!
Thy likeness (photograph) was received through Mrs. .......... and was
seen. The light of faith shone in thy brow and the smile of the Kingdom in
thy face. When I saw that likeness, I supplicated and implored, at the
Threshold of the Lord of the Kingdom, to make thee a dear one of the two
realms and to free thee from every fetter save the love of God.
"O thou flower perfumed by the Breaths of the Love..."
O thou flower perfumed by the Breaths of the Love of God!
Verily, I read thy written letter and have supplicated unto God to receive
thee in His Kingdom, to make thee worthy to be called a child of the
Kingdom, to be firm in the Covenant of God as firm mountains and to
proclaim in His Great Covenant which He hath entered into which the people
of heaven and earth by a trace of His Supreme Pen, until thou mayest be
confirmed to diffuse the fragrance of holiness in those climes and
regions.
"O thou who dost believe in the Unity of God!..."
O thou who dost believe in the Unity of God!
Know verily nothing will benefit a person save the love of the Merciful
One. Nothing illuminates a man's heart save the radiance which shines
forth from the Kingdom of God! Put away every thought and doubtful
mentioning and keep thy thoughts entirely on that which uplifts man to the
heaven of the gift of God and that which causes every bird that belongs to
the Kingdom to soar unto the incomparable realms, the center of
everlasting grandeur in this world.
"O servant of God!..."
O servant of God!
What thou hast written and that which thou hast retained in mind are
evident. Appreciate Mrs. ...... who reminds you of God and explains His
divine mysteries.
Regarding thy question concerning a verse in the 22nd chapter of Exodus:
We gave a brief explanation of it in a letter to Mrs. .......... Please
refer to that. Owing to the great (press of) work, I have not the time for
several explanations.
I ask God that thou mayest attain such a state of perception, as will
enable thee to expound with knowledge the words of the Holy Bible.
"O thou who art supplicating unto the Kingdom of God!..."
O thou who art supplicating unto the Kingdom of God!
Rest assured in the mercy of thy Lord; be rejoiced for my remembering
thee; gladden thyself by the appearance of the Kingdom of God, be
attracted by the fragrance of God and call out: "Ya Baha El-ABHA!"--from
the depths of thy heart with all meekness and supplication, attracted by
the fire of the love of God. (Then annoint or rub all the parts of the
body.)
Verily, I say unto thee, if thou attainest the condition we demonstrate to
thee (i.e., if thou followest the directions given) be confident in the
speedy recovery through the favor of God.
"O thou who art advancing unto the Kingdom of God!..."
O thou who art advancing unto the Kingdom of God!
I ask God to make thee a helper to the maid-servants of the Merciful, to
walk in the path of salvation, to disperse the clouds of doubt from the
horizon of the hearts, to make the sun of knowledge manifest unto souls
and spirits and to confirm thee in a matter which will make thee to raise
the banner of the Covenant in the world.
"O dear servant of God!..."
O dear servant of God!
Observe how dear thou wert that He guided thee to the Kingdom of Light,
and how near to His Threshold, that He granted thee admission into His
Court. Thou were poor in spirit; He led thee to the Heavenly Treasure.
Thou wert in quest of illumination; He enlightened thee through the rays
of the Sun of Truth. Thou wert athirst; He led thee to the Spring of Life.
Thou wert sick; He bestowed upon thee the Heavenly Remedy.
I have read thy letter and have considered its contents. Know this: That
today whoever turns to the Kingdom of the Glorious God, holds communion
with the Almighty One, the Omniscient, and lives wholly the true and good
life, the doors of progress and help will be opened unto him everywhere;
such an one will be aided, victorious and protected.
Therefore, turn to the Supreme Kingdom, forget thyself entirely and remain
firm in the spiritual trials, so that thou mayest see the favors of the
Kingdom and realize the heavenly confirmation.
"O thou who art uttering the praise of God!..."
O thou who art uttering the praise of God!
Verily I read thy letter, which expressed thy surprise at some of the
commandments of the law of God, such as that concerning the hunting of
innocent animals. Be not surprised at this. Ponder over the contingent
realities, their mysteries, wisdom, connection and relations. The world is
harmonious in all things and the connection therein is mighty and nothing
is missing. All things are eaters and eaten in the physical creation. The
plant sucks from the mineral, the animal eats and swallows the plant, and
the human eats the animal. Then the mineral (in turn) eats the human body.
Physical bodies are transferred from death to death and life to life.
Therefore, all things are subject to transfer and change except the Cause
of existence, which cannot be changed or transferred, because it is the
foundation for life in all kinds and species and in all possible realities
in the world of creation.
If thou observest closely through a microscope the water which man drinks
and the air which he breathes, thou wilt see that in every breath which
man breathes, that breath contains numerous animals, and in every draught
of water great number of animals exist. This could not be prevented
because the existent beings are eaters and eaten and, by this, existence
is caused; otherwise, the relations between existent things would cease.
When a thing decomposes and decays, being bereft of life, it becomes
promoted to a world of life greater than the former. For instance, it
ceased in a mineral life and was promoted to the vegetable life; then
leaves the vegetable life and is elevated to that of the animal; then
leaving the animal life it advances to the human, and this is on account
of the favor of thy Lord, the Merciful, the Clement.
I ask God to strengthen thee in comprehending the mysteries deposited in
the reality of existence, to lift up the veil before thee and thy sister,
so that the concealed mystery and the hidden reality become manifest as
the sun at noon, and to confirm thy sister and thy husband in entering the
Kingdom of God, and heal thee from all physical and spiritual disease in
the world of creation.
"O thou maid-servant of God!..."
O thou maid-servant of God!
Thy writing was considered. I ask God that thy mind(43) may be illumined
with the light of knowledge and faith to the extent that thy face will
radiate its glory, even as a light, when set aglow in the lamp, will cast
its rays to the surrounding regions.
I hope that the darkness of evil suggestions shall be dispersed and that
the veil of uncertainty shall be torn asunder; that the beauty of truth
may become manifest with glory and the light of mercy become radiant. Thus
mayest thou, O maid-servant of God, with thy honorable husband and revered
son, become free from the severe trials and appear with grace in the
gatherings of the people of God.
The nineteen-day fast(44) is a duty to be observed by all. All should
abstain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset. This fast is
conducive to the spiritual development of the individual. The Greatest
Name should be read every day.
"O thou lamp ignited by the fire of the Love of God!..."
O thou lamp ignited by the fire of the Love of God!
I ask God to make thee a sign of love, standard of agreement, means of
union and harmony and spreader of peace among the people.
O maid-servant of God! Strive with all thy powers in diffusing the spirit
of real union among the people, so that all who are on earth become one
family, loving, united, agreed, bound by the bonds of love and united with
all harmony in all things and conditions; this is the greater happiness of
the human race in the world of possibilities and the cause of attaining to
all hopes and reaching unto the Supreme Kingdom, after ascending unto the
world of God.
"O thou who art attracted by the Fragrances of God!..."
O thou who art attracted by the Fragrances of God!
Verily, I chanted thy poem. Its significance was beautiful, its
composition eloquent and its words excellent. It was like the melody of
the birds of holiness in the paradise of El-ABHA. The breasts of the
maid-servants of the Merciful were exhilarated by its chanting. Blessed
art thou for uttering forth such an excellent poem and brilliant pearl.
Verily, these verses shall be sung in the divine meetings and in the
assemblages of the spiritual in the course of ages and centuries to come,
for thou hast uttered the praise of thy Lord and expressed significant
meanings in eulogy of thy Lord, the Merciful, the Clement. All poems shall
be forgotten in the course of time save those that are extraordinary; thy
poem shall be chanted with melody and best voices in the Center of Worship
(or Mashrak-el-Azcar) forevermore.
"O thou who art attracted by the Fragrances of God!..."
O thou who art attracted by the Fragrances of God!
Verily, I read thy poem, which contained new significances and beautiful
words. My heart was dilated by its eloquent sense. I prayed God to make
thee utter more beautiful compositions that this. Thus thou mayest be the
first to praise the Beauty of El-ABHA and the first utterer of His Name
among the women.
Chant the verses of guidance among the people and commence [the
composition of] melodies of great beauty and effect in praise and
glorification of the Generous Lord.
We sent those poems to all countries, so that the friends of God may
remember thee and pray for confirmation and aid in this great Cause in thy
behalf.
O maid-servant of God! Warble as birds in the garden of joy and pray to
thy forgiving Lord, so that the souls may rejoice through the psalms of
the descendant of David.
"O maid-servant of God!..."
O maid-servant of God!
Thy letter reached me and I prayed God to bless thee by His heavenly
blessing in thy marriage with Mr. ........ and to confirm both of you with
comfort and repose and the turning of your heart to the Kingdom of God.
May His divine providence abide with you in all conditions and
circumstances.
"O thou bird of pleasing tones!..."
O thou bird of pleasing tones!
Thy little book of poems, which were very sweet, was read. It was a source
of joy, for it was a spiritual anthem and a melody of the love of God.
Continue as long as thou canst this melody in the gatherings of the
beloved; thus may the minds find rest and joy and become in tune with the
love of God. When eloquence of expression, beauty of sense and sweetness
of composition unite with new melodies the effect is very great,
especially if it be the anthem of the verses of oneness and the songs of
praise to the Lord of Glory.
Endeavor your utmost to compose beautiful poems to be chanted with
heavenly music; thus may their beauty affect the minds and impress the
hearts of those who listen.
"O thou spiritual lad!..."
O thou spiritual lad!
May God uphold thee and edify thee in the flower of thy youth and in the
spring-time of thy life and may He illumine thy face with the lights of
advancement unto God and turning unto the Kingdom of God. If thou become
firm and steadfast in the love of God, thou shalt be confirmed with a
confirmation whereby thy face will be gladdened, thy heart rejoiced and
all thy family will be happy and pleased. Therefore, confine thy thoughts
and ideas in turning to God and submitting unto Him and chant the signs
(verses) of thanks and praise for that by reason of which He hath
strengthened thee to attain this great gift.
"O thou daughter of the Kingdom!..."
O thou daughter of the Kingdom!
Thank and praise God that He hath cause thee to drink from the cup of the
gifts and caused thee to suckle from the bosom of guidance while yet very
young and didst possess but a few years of age. I beg of God and hope that
the love of God may be mingled (and mixed) in thy flesh and bones and run
in thy whole being, like the running (or circulation) of the spirit in the
veins and in the arteries.
"O thou who art ignited through the brilliant Flame..."
O thou who art ignited through the brilliant Flame which is blazing in
this Blessed Spot!
Verily, I considered the meanings of thy letter and my heart overflows
with perfect and spiritual love unto thee and unto the beloved ones of
God, whose eyes are brightened by witnessing the lights of God and whose
innermost hearts are purified by the love of God and whose consciences are
made clear by the knowledge of God and whose hearts are tranquilized by
the commemoration of God. Theirs is the treasury of the Kingdom and the
abundant wealth of the storehouse of the divine world! They are wealthy,
not poor; they are powerful, not weak; they are grandees, not mean
persons; and they are kindred, not strangers! Because, verily, their
wealth and honor is divine and supreme and will never be consumed. Blessed
are they! Glad-tidings be unto them!
As to those souls who are preaching the Word of God, it behooveth them to
shake the dust of every land which they have passed by off their shoes and
to be with God and without need of the rich--although their bed is the
soil, their light is the stars of the sky and their food is the herbs of
the desert--because theirs is the wealth of the Kingdom, the honor of the
realm of might and the bounty of the divine world; and they are not in
want of this world and its cares. Their throne is the mat of humility,
their honor is in suffering every lowliness in the path of the Loving Lord
and their wealth is being empty-handed from the pomps of the world and its
vanities and their provision is trusting in God and being severed from all
that is on the earth and its wealth.
As to thee: Associate thou with the poor and be united with the weak souls
and hold intercourse with the needy, with a compassionate heart and great
love. Because thereby is ordained for thee an eternal glory in the Kingdom
of God. Invite thou the people to the Exalted World, to the Supreme
Horizon and to the Kingdom of El-ABHA!
There is no harm in thy loneliness in those regions; for verily, the hosts
of confirmation are thy help, thy Glorious Lord is thy protector and the
angels of the Kingdom are thy fellow-speakers. Glad-tidings be unto thee
for this! Blessed art thou for this!
"***O maid-servant of God!..."
***O maid-servant of God!
If thou seekest eternal glory, let thyself be humble and meek in the
presence of the beloved of God; make thyself the servant of all, and serve
all alike. The service of the friends belongs to God, not to them. Strive
to become a source of harmony, spirituality and joyfulness to the hearts
of the friends and the maid-servants of the Merciful. This is a cause of
great satisfaction to Abdul-Baha.***
"O thou leaf who art well watered through the out-pouring..."
O thou leaf who art well watered through the out-pouring of the cloud of
favor from God!
Verily, I beseech, with all earnestness, the Omnipotence of Might and
Glory to brighten thy face by the light gleaming from the lamp of the
Alliance and to quicken thy mind by the spirit which out-pours from the
Kingdom of God and to make thee a sign of His signs which are shining in
the horizons. He grants that which He wisheth and to whomsoever He
wisheth. Verily, He is powerful and mighty!
"O servant of God!..."
O servant of God!
Faith is the magnet which draws the confirmation of the Merciful One.
Service is the magnet which attracts the heavenly strength. I hope thou
wilt attain both.
"O maid-servant of God!..."
O maid-servant of God!
How blessed thou hast been to have entered the Kingdom of God! HOw near
thou hast been to the Paradise of ABHA to have been ushered in!
I hope that thou mayest become a source of joy to the hearts, a good
example for people, imbued with spiritual qualities in the world of
humanity, and mayest promulgate the divine teachings, so that the various
people may find unity and become freed from discord.
"O thou who art advancing toward God!..."
O thou who art advancing toward God!
Verily I read thy letter of wonderful expression and eloquent composition
and thanked God that He hath poured upon thee the bounty of guidance and
hath made thy heart a lamp of piety.