people have shunned the Truth. For instance, mention of the sorrows, the
imprisonment and afflictions inflicted upon that Essence of divine virtue
hath been made in the former traditions. In the "Bihar" it is recorded:
"In our Qa'im there shall be four signs from four Prophets, Moses, Jesus,
Joseph, and Muhammad. The sign from Moses, is fear and expectation; from
Jesus, that which was spoken of Him; from Joseph, imprisonment and
dissimulation; from Muhammad, the revelation of a Book similar to the
Qur'an." Notwithstanding such a conclusive tradition, which in such
unmistakable language hath foreshadowed the happenings of the present day,
none hath been found to heed its prophecy, and methinks none will do so in
the future, except him whom thy Lord willeth. "God indeed shall make whom
He will to hearken, but We shall not make those who are in their graves to
hearken."
It is evident unto thee that the Birds of Heaven and Doves of Eternity
speak a twofold language. One language, the outward language, is devoid of
allusions, is unconcealed and unveiled; that it may be a guiding lamp and
a beaconing light whereby wayfarers may attain the heights of holiness,
and seekers may advance into the realm of eternal reunion. Such are the
unveiled traditions and the evident verses already mentioned. The other
language is veiled and concealed, so that whatever lieth hidden in the
heart of the malevolent may be made manifest and their innermost being be
disclosed. Thus hath Sadiq, son of Muhammad, spoken: "God verily will test
them and sift them." This is the divine standard, this is the Touchstone
of God, wherewith He proveth His servants. None apprehendeth the meaning
of these utterances except them whose hearts are assured, whose souls have
found favour with God, and whose minds are detached from all else but Him.
In such utterances, the literal meaning, as generally understood by the
people, is not what hath been intended. Thus it is recorded: "Every
knowledge hath seventy meanings, of which one only is known amongst the
people. And when the Qa'im shall arise, He shall reveal unto men all that
which remaineth." He also saith: "We speak one word, and by it we intend
one and seventy meanings; each one of these meanings we can explain."
These things We mention only that the people may not be dismayed because
of certain traditions and utterances, which have not yet been literally
fulfilled, that they may rather attribute their perplexity to their own
lack of understanding, and not to the non-fulfilment of the promises in
the traditions, inasmuch as the meaning intended by the Imams of the Faith
is not known by this people, as evidenced by the traditions themselves.
The people, therefore, must not allow such utterances to deprive them of
the divine bounties, but should rather seek enlightenment from them who
are the recognized Expounders thereof, so that the hidden mysteries may be
unravelled, and be made manifest unto them.
We perceive none, however, amongst the people of the earth who, sincerely
yearning for the Truth, seeketh the guidance of the divine Manifestations
concerning the abstruse matters of his Faith. All are dwellers in the land
of oblivion, and all are followers of the people of wickedness and
rebellion. God will verily do unto them that which they themselves are
doing, and will forget them even as they have ignored His Presence in His
day. Such is His decree unto those that have denied Him, and such will it
be unto them that have rejected His signs.
We conclude Our argument with His words--exalted is He--"And whoso shall
withdraw from the remembrance of the Merciful, We will chain a Satan unto
him, and he shall be his fast companion."(184) "And whoso turneth away
from My remembrance, truly his shall be a life of misery."(185)
Thus hath it been revealed aforetime, were ye to comprehend.
Revealed by the "Ba'" and the "Ha."(186)
Peace be upon him that inclineth his ear unto the melody of the Mystic
Bird calling from the Sadratu'l-Muntaha!
Glorified be our Lord, the Most High!
END
FOOTNOTES
1 Qur'an 36:30.
2 Qur'an 40:5.
3 Qur'an 11:38.
4 Qur'an 71:26.
5 Qur'an 29:2.
6 Qur'an 35:39.
7 Qur'an 11:61, 62.
8 Abraham.
9 Qur'an 40:28.
10 Qur'an 11:21.
11 Qur'an 2:87.
12 Qur'an 3:70.
13 Qur'an 3:71.
14 Qur'an 3:99.
15 Qur'an 3:7.
16 Qur'an 76:9.
17 Qur'an 5:117.
18 Qur'an 14:24.
19 The Greek word used (Thlipsis) has two meanings: pressure and
oppression.
20 Matthew 24:29-31.
21 The passage is quoted by Baha'u'llah in Arabic and interpreted in
Persian.
22 Luke 21:33.
23 "Lamentation" attributed to the Twelfth Imam.
24 Qur'an 55:5.
25 Qur'an 67:2.
26 Qur'an 76:5.
27 Qur'an 6:91.
28 Qur'an 41:30.
29 Qur'an 70:40.
30 Qur'an 82:1.
31 Qur'an 14:48.
32 Qur'an 39:67.
33 The direction toward which the face must be turned when praying.
34 Mecca.
35 Medina.
36 Qur'an 2:144.
37 Prostrations.
38 At Mecca.
39 Qur'an 2:149.
40 Qur'an 2:115.
41 Qur'an 2:143.
42 Qur'an 74:50.
43 Qur'an 28:20.
44 Qur'an 24:35.
45 Qur'an 26:19.
46 Qur'an 19:22.
47 Qur'an 19:28.
48 Matthew 2:2.
49 Qur'an 3:39.
50 Matthew 3:1-2.
51 Shay_ah_ Ahmad-i-Ahsa'i and Siyyid Kazim-i-Rashti.
52 Qur'an 55:29.
53 Qur'an 51:22.
54 Qur'an 2:282.
55 Qur'an 55:56.
56 Qur'an 2:87.
57 Qur'an 25:25.
58 Qur'an 25:7.
59 Qur'an 2:210
60 Qur'an 44:10.
61 Qur'an 3:119.
62 The sixth Imam of the _Sh_i'ihs.
63 Qur'an 25:7.
64 Qur'an 4:45.
65 Qur'an 2:75.
66 Qur'an 2:79.
67 Qur'an 24:35.
68 Qur'an 9:33.
69 Qur'an 29:51
70 Qur'an 2:176.
71 Qur'an 6:103.
72 Qur'an 3:28.
73 Qur'an 41:53.
74 Qur'an 51:21.
75 Qur'an 59:19.
76 Qur'an 2:253.
77 Qur'an 7:145.
78 Qur'an 6:35.
79 Isaiah 65:25.
80 Qur'an 7:178.
81 Qur'an 11:7.
82 Qur'an 13:5.
83 Qur'an 50:15.
84 Qur'an 50:20.
85 Qur'an 17:51.
86 John 3:7.
87 John 3:5-6.
88 Qur'an 7:178.
89 Luke 9:60.
90 Title of the uncle of Muhammad.
91 Qur'an 6:122.
92 Qur'an 37:173.
93 Qur'an 9:33.
94 Qur'an 11:18.
95 Qur'an 35:15.
96 Cf. Luke 5:18-26.
97 Qur'an 6:91.
98 Qur'an 15:72.
99 Qur'an 5:64.
100 Qur'an 48:10.
101 Qur'an 29:23.
102 Qur'an 2:46.
103 Qur'an 2:249.
104 Qur'an 18:111.
105 Qur'an 13:2.
106 Qur'an 17:44.
107 Qur'an 78:29.
108 Qur'an 57:3.
109 Qur'an 2:210.
110 Qur'an 28:5.
111 Qur'an 13:41.
112 Qur'an 3:183.
113 Qur'an 3:182.
114 Qur'an 2:89.
115 Qur'an 2:285.
116 Qur'an 54:50.
117 Qur'an 43:22.
118 The Bab.
119 Qur'an 2:19.
120 Qur'an 36:20.
121 Imam 'Ali.
122 Qur'an 2:85.
123 Qur'an 33:40.
124 Qur'an 6:103.
125 Qur'an 16:61.
126 Qur'an 21:23.
127 Qur'an 55:39.
128 Qur'an 55:41.
129 Baghdad.
130 Qur'an 10:25.
131 Qur'an 6:127.
132 Qur'an 2:136.
133 Qur'an 2:253.
134 Qur'an 19:31.
135 Qur'an 18:110.
136 Qur'an 8:17.
137 Qur'an 48:10.
138 Qur'an 33:40.
139 Qur'an 2:189.
140 Qur'an 17:85.
141 Haji Mirza Karim _Kh_an.
142 "Guidance unto the ignorant."
143 Ascent.
144 Infernal tree.
145 Sinner or sinful. Qur'an 44:43-44.
146 Honourable--Qur'an 44:49.
147 Qur'an 6:59.
148 A magician contemporary with Moses.
149 Qur'an 7:57.
150 Qur'an 16:43.
151 Qur'an 29:69.
152 Ibid.
153 The year 1260 A.H., the year of the Bab's Declaration.
154 Qur'an 2:1.
155 Qur'an 2:23.
156 Qur'an 45:5.
157 Qur'an 45:6.
158 Qur'an 45:8.
159 Qur'an 26:187.
160 Qur'an 8:32.
161 Qur'an 45:24.
162 Qur'an 29:23.
163 Qur'an 37:36.
164 Qur'an 40:34.
165 Qur'an 3:7.
166 Qur'an 45:22.
167 Qur'an 38:67.
168 Qur'an 34:43.
169 Qur'an 5:62.
170 Qur'an 6:7.
171 Qur'an 2:148.
172 Qur'an 11:27.
173 Imam Husayn.
174 Qur'an 26:227.
175 Qur'an 2:94, Qur'an 62:6.
176 Qur'an 34:13.
177 Qur'an 59:2.
178 He Who is invoked.
179 Qur'an 11:113.
180 Qur'an 54:6.
181 Visiting Tablet revealed by 'Ali.
182 Qur'an 25:44.
183 Ancient city near which Tihran is built.
184 Qur'an 43:36.
185 Qur'an 20:124.
186 B and H meaning Baha.