O ye friends of God!
'Abdu'l-Baha is day and night thinking of you and mentioning you, for the
friends of God are dear to Him. Every morning at dawn I supplicate the
Kingdom of God and ask that you may be filled with the breath of the Holy
Spirit, so that you may become brilliant candles, shine with the light of
guidance and dispel the darkness of error. Rest assured that the
confirmations of the Abha Kingdom will continuously reach you.
Through the power of the divine springtime, the downpour of the celestial
clouds and the heat of the Sun of Reality, the tree of life is just
beginning to grow. Before long, it will produce buds, bring forth leaves
and fruits, and cast its shade over the East and the West. This Tree of
Life is the Book of the Covenant.
In America, in these days, severe winds have surrounded the Lamp of the
Covenant, hoping that this brilliant Light may be extinguished, and this
Tree of Life may be uprooted. Certain weak, capricious, malicious and
ignorant souls have been shaken by the earthquake of hatred, of animosity,
have striven to efface the Divine Covenant and Testament, and render the
clear water muddy so that in it they might fish. They have arisen against
the Center of the Covenant like the people of Bayan who attacked the
Blessed Beauty and every moment uttered a calumny. Every day they seek a
pretext and secretly arouse doubts, so that the Covenant of Baha'u'llah
may be completely annihilated in America.
O friends of God! Be awake, be awake; be vigilant, be vigilant! His
Holiness, the Bab, made a Covenant for Baha'u'llah with all the people of
the Bayan, so that on the day of appearance of "Him Whom God shall
manifest"--and of the radiation of the Light of Baha'u'llah, they might
believe and be assured, arise in service and promulgate the Word of God.
Later the people of the Bayan, like Mirza Yahya and many others, arose
against the Blessed Beauty, invented every sort of calumny, aroused doubt
in the minds of the people, and from the Books of His Holiness the
Bab--that were full of references to "Him Whom God shall manifest"--tried to
prove Baha'u'llah false. Every day they wrote and spread a pamphlet
opposing Baha'u'llah, caused trouble and perplexity among the people; they
inflicted the greatest injury and cruelty, yet counted themselves firm in
the Covenant of His Holiness, the Bab. However, when the light of the
Covenant of His Holiness, the Bab, lighted the universe, then all the
faithful and sincere souls were freed from the darkness of the violation
of the people of the Bayan and shone like brilliant candles.
Baha'u'llah, in all the Tablets and Epistles, forbade the true and firm
friends from associating and meeting the violators of the Covenant of His
Holiness, the Bab, saying that no one should go near them because their
breath is like the poison of the snake that kills instantly.
In the Hidden Words, He says: "Esteem the friendship of the just, but
withhold both mind and hand from the company of the wicked."
Addressing one of the friends, He says: "It is clear to your honor that
before long Satan, in the garb of man, will reach that land and will try
to mislead the friends of the Divine Beauty through temptations which
arouse the desires of self, and will cause them to follow the footsteps of
Satan away from the right and glorious path, and prevent them from
attaining the Blessed Shore of the King of Oneness. This is a hidden
information of which we have informed the chosen ones lest they may be
deprived of their praiseworthy station by associating with the embodiments
of hatred. Therefore, it is incumbent upon all the friends of God to shun
any person in whom they perceive the emanation of hatred for the Glorious
Beauty of Abha, though he may quote all the Heavenly Utterances and cling
to all the Books." He continues-- Glorious be His Name!--"Protect yourselves
with utmost vigilance, lest you be entrapped in the snare of deception and
fraud." This is the advice of the Pen of Destiny.
In another address, He says: "Therefore, to avoid these people will be the
nearest path by which to attain the divine good pleasure; because their
breath is infectious, like unto poison."
In another Tablet, He says: "O Kazim, close thine eye to the people of the
world; drink the water of knowledge from the heavenly cup bearers, and
listen not to the nonsensical utterances of the manifestations of Satan,
because the manifestations of Satan are occupying today the observation
posts of the glorious path of God, and preventing the people by every
means of deception and ruse. Before long you will witness the turning away
of the people of Bayan from the Manifestation of the Merciful."
In another Tablet, He says: "Endeavor to your utmost to protect
yourselves, because Satan appears in different robes and appeals to
everyone according to each person's own way, until he becomes like unto
him--then he will leave him alone."
In another Tablet, He says: "Shun any man in whom you perceive enmity for
this Servant, though he may appear in the garb of piety of the former and
later people, or may arise to the worship of the two worlds."
In another Tablet, He says: "O Mahdi! Be informed by these utterances and
shun the manifestations of the people of hell, the rising place of
Nimrods, the rising place of Pharees, the fountain of Tagut, and the
soothsayers."
Again He says: "Say, O my friend and my pure ones! Listen to the Voice of
this Beloved Prisoner in this Great Prison. If you detect in any man the
least perceptible breath of violation, shun him and keep away from him."
Then He says: "Verily, they are manifestations of Satan."
In another Tablet, He says: "And turn your faces to the Great Countenance
for before long the foul odors of the wicked persons will pass over these
regions. God willing, you may remain protected during these days."
In the 18th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, 6th to 9th verses, His
Holiness Christ says: "But whosoever shall offend one of these little ones
which believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged
about his neck and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto
the world because of offenses, for it must needs be that offenses come,
but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh. Wherefore if thy hand or
thy feet offend thee, cut them off and cast them from thee; it is better
for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands
or two feet, to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend
thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee."
And in the 21st chapter and 38th verse of the Gospel of Matthew, He says:
"But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, this is
the heir, come let us kill him and let us seize on his inheritance. And
they caught him and cast him out of the vineyard and slew him."
Also in the 22nd chapter and the 14th verse of the Gospel of Matthew, He
says "But many are called and few are chosen."
In the Holy Writings of His Holiness, Baha'u'llah, in a thousand places at
least, the violators of the Covenant are execrated and condemned. Some of
the heavenly passages will be mentioned.
In short, all the friends in America know that the founders of this
sedition--namely, the violators of the Covenant--are people whose aims are
known to all the friends. Yet, O glorious God, they are deceived by them!
Praise be to God, you know with perfect clearness that His Holiness
Christ, was extremely kind and loving, yet there were people like Judas
Iscariot who--by their own deeds--separated themselves from Christ.
Therefore, what fault of Christ's could that be? Now the Nakazene say that
'Abdu'l-Baha is despotic, drives some people out and excommunicates like
the Pope. This is not so at all! Any person who has left (the Cause), did
so because of his own actions, intrigues and evil plots. If this objection
be raised against 'Abdu'l-Baha, they must also object to the Blessed
Beauty who, with distinct and conclusive command, forbids the friends from
companionship and familiarity with the violators of the people of Bayan.
Supplication! O Lord of the Covenant! O luminous Star of the world! The
persecuted 'Abdu'l-Baha has fallen into the hands of persons who appear as
sheep and in reality are ferocious wolves; they exercise every sort of
oppression, endeavor to destroy the foundation of the Covenant,--and claim
to be Baha'is. They strike at the root of the Tree of the Covenant--and
count themselves persecuted--just as did the people of Bayan who broke the
Covenant of His Holiness, the Bab, and from six directions shot arrows of
reproach and calumny at Thy Blessed Body. Notwithstanding this great
oppression, they call themselves oppressed. Now this Servant of Thy
Threshold has also fallen into the hands of oppressors. Every hour they
contrive new intrigues and fraud, and bring forth new calumny.
Ya-Baha'u'l-Abha! Protect the Stronghold of Thy Cause from these thieves,
and safeguard the lamps of the Kingdom from these malevolent winds!
Ya-Baha'u'l-Abha! 'Abdu'l-Baha did not rest a moment until He had raised
Thy Cause and the Standard of the Kingdom of Abha waved over the world.
Now some people have arisen with intrigues and evil aspirations to trample
this flag in America, but My hope is in Thy confirmations. Leave Me not
single, alone and oppressed! As Thou didst promise, verbally and in
writing, that Thou wouldst protect this deer of the pasture of Thy love
from the attacks of the hounds of hatred and animosity, and that Thou
wouldst safeguard this persecuted sheep from the claws and teeth of the
ferocious wolves,--now do I await the appearance of Thy bounties and the
realization of Thy definite promise. Thou art the true Protector, and Thou
art the Lord of the Covenant! Therefore, protect this Lamp which Thou hast
lighted, from the severe winds.
Ya-Baha'u'l-Abha! I have forsaken the world and its people, am heartbroken
because of the unfaithful, and am weary. In the cage of this world I
flutter like a frightened bird and long for the flight to Thy Kingdom.
Ya-Baha'u'l-Abha! Make me to drink the cup of sacrifice, and free Me!
Relieve Me from these difficulties, hardships, afflictions and troubles!
Thou art the assister, the helper, the protector and the supporter!
Now some of the writings, prayers and verses of the Blessed Beauty will be
mentioned in which association with the violators is forbidden. In the
Iranian Commune, He says:
"Protect this Servant from the doubts of the persons who have turned away
from Thee and are deprived of the sea of Thy knowledge. O God! O God!
Protect this Servant through Thy bounty and generosity from the evil of
Thine enemies who have broken Thy Covenant and Testament."
In another place He says: "O My God and the Aim of My Life! Protect this
weak one with Thy Mighty hand from the voice of the Naegh."
Also He says: "Ye have taken one whom I hate to be thy beloved, and My
enemy to be thy friend."
Also He says: "The company of the wicked ones increaseth sorrow, and the
association with the pious ones removeth rust from the heart. The one who
desires to associate with God, let him associate with His friends; the one
who wishes to hear the Words of God, let him hear the words of His chosen
ones."
Also He says: "Do not associate with the wicked, because the company of
the wicked changeth the light of life into the fire of remorse. If thou
asketh for the bounties of the Holy Spirit, associate with the pure ones,
because they have quaffed the eternal chalice from the hands of the
Cupbearer of eternity."
Also He says: "The greatest of degradation is to leave the Shadow of God
and enter under the shadow of Satan."
Also He says: "O ye servants! There is nothing in this heart save the
effulgences of the splendor of the morn of Meeting, and it does not speak
but the absolute truth from your Lord. Therefore, do not follow self;
break not God's Covenant and violate not His Testament. Proceed with
perfect steadfastness, and with heart, soul and tongue, turn unto Him, and
be not of the thoughtless."
And still He says: "You have forgotten God's Covenant and violated His
Testament."
And again He says: "If anyone comes to you with the book of the wicked,
put him behind you."
"Among the people are those who have broken the Covenant, and among them
are those who have followed what was ordained by the All-Knower, the
All-Wise. My affliction is not from My imprisonment and persecution, or
from what comes to Me from My rebellious servants,--but from the actions of
those who attribute themselves to this persecuted One and commit among the
people that which is degrading to the honor of God. Verily, they are of
the seditious."
Likewise speaking for the violators, He says: "Thou hast made the pulpits
for Thy mention, the proclamation of Thy Word and the manifestation of Thy
Cause, and we have ascended them to proclaim the breaking of Thy Covenant
and Testament."
Likewise, He says: "Take what has been ordained for you and follow not
those who have broken God's Covenant and Testament, for lo! they are the
people of error."
Again He says: "Those who have broken the Covenant of God, notwithstanding
His Commands, and have turned away, they are the people of error before
the most Opulent, the Exalted."
And He says: "Those who have been faithful to God's Covenant are of the
highest ones in the sight of the exalted Lord. Those who have become
negligent are of the people of fire in the sight of Thy Lord, the Beloved,
the Independent."
Likewise He says: "Blessed is the servant or maid-servant who believes,
and woe to the polytheists who have violated the Covenant of God and His
Testament, and deviated from My Right Path."
Likewise He says: "I implore of Thee not to deprive me of what Thou
possessest or what Thou hast ordained for Thy chosen ones who have not
broken Thy Covenant and Testament. Say! Die with your hatred! Verily, He
is come by Whom the pillars of the world have been shaken and because of
Whom the feet have stumbled--save those who have not broken the Covenant,
but have followed what God revealed in His Book."
Likewise He says: "The Supreme Concourse will pray for the one who is
adorned with the garment of faithfulness between heaven and earth; but he
who breaks the Covenant is cursed by heaven and earth."
Likewise He says: "Take hold of what has been revealed unto you, with a
power superior to that of the hands of the unbelievers who have violated
the Covenant of God and His Testament, and have turned from the Face."
Also He says: "O Yahya! Verily the Book has come! Take it with a power
from Us and do not follow those who have broken the Covenant of God and
His Testament, and have denied what has been revealed from the Powerful,
the All-Knower."
Likewise He says: "I awoke this morning, O My God, under the shadow of Thy
great bounty and have taken, with Thy power, the pen to mention Thee with
such mention as shall be a light unto the pure, and fire unto the wicked
who have violated Thy Covenant, denied Thy Verses and put aside the
Kaw_th_er of life which appeared by Thy command and was revealed by the
finger of Thy will."
Here, in a Tablet to 'Abdu'l-Baha, He says also: "O God! This is a Branch
which has sprung forth from the Tree of Oneness, the Sadrat of Thy Unity.
O God! Thou seest Him looking to Thee and clinging to the rope of Thy
Bounties. Protect Him in the shelter of Thy Mercy! Thou knowest, O My God,
that I do not desire Him save for what Thou dost desire Him, and I do not
choose Him save for what Thou dost choose Him. Assist Him with the Hosts
of Thy earth and Thy heaven. Assist, O God, those who assist Him, and
choose those who choose Him. Confirm those who draw nigh unto Him, and
debase those who deny Him and do not want Him. O God, Thou seest that at
this moment of Revelation My Pen shakes and My Being trembles. I ask Thee,
By My impatience in Thy Love and My willingness to proclaim Thy Cause, to
ordain for Him and His friends, what Thou hast ordained for Thy Messengers
and the faithful ones of Thy Revelation. Verily, Thou art the powerful and
the omnipotent! By God, O people, My eye weeps, and the eye of 'Ali weeps
in the Supreme Concourse; My heart throbs, and the heart of Muhammad
throbs in the Courts of Abha; My heart and the hearts of the Prophets
lament with the people of knowledge, if you are those who are possessed of
sight. My sorrow is not for Myself, but for the One Who comes after Me in
the Shadow of the Cause with a clear, undeniable reign; because these will
not acknowledge His Manifestation and will deny His evidences and verses,
will dispute His power, will antagonize Him and will be traitors to His
Cause--as they did to His Person in those days--and ye were witnesses."
Again in a Tablet to 'Abdu'l-Baha, He says: "O Greatest Branch! Verily,
Thy illness caused Me sorrow, but God will cure Thee, and He is the most
generous and best helper. Glory be upon Thee and upon those who serve Thee
and encircle Thee! Woe and torment be upon him who opposes and torments
Thee! Blessed is he who befriends Thee, and hell be for him who opposes
Thee!"
Likewise He says: "Is it possible that after the dawning of the sun of Thy
Testament from the horizon of Thy greatest Tablet, that any feet shall
slip away from the right Path? We said, O My Supreme Pen, it behoves Thee
to do as Thou hast been bidden by God, the exalted and the great. Do not
ask about that which melts Thy heart and those of the denizens of Paradise
who encompass Thy wonderful Cause. Thou shouldst not know what We have
hidden from Thee. Thy Lord is the veiler and the knower. Turn Thy most
luminous Face to the greatest aspect and say: O My Merciful God! Decorate
the Heaven of Bayan with the stars of steadfastness, trust and truth.
Verily, Thou art the Powerful over what Thou willest. There is no God save
Thee, the wise and the generous."
In short, from these Holy Utterances and those of His Holiness Christ, it
becomes clear, evident and proved, that man should associate with people
who are firm in the Covenant and Testament, and befriend the pure ones;
because bad associates bring about infection of bad qualities. It is like
leprosy; it is impossible for a man to associate and befriend a leper and
not be infected. This command is for the sake of protection and to
safeguard.
Consider this text of the New Testament: the brothers of His Holiness
Christ, came to Him and they said: "These are your brothers." He answered
that His brothers were those who believed in God, and refused to associate
with His own brothers.
Likewise Qurratu'l-'Ayn, who is celebrated in all the world, when she
believed in God and was attracted to the Divine Breaths, she forsook her
two eldest sons, although they were her two oldest children, because they
did not become believers, and thereafter did not meet them. She said: "All
the friends of God are my children, but these two are not. I will have
nothing to do with them."
Consider! The Divine Gardener cuts off the dry or weak branch from the
good tree and grafts to it, a branch from another tree. He both separates
and unites. This is that which His Holiness Christ says: that from all the
world they come and enter the Kingdom, and the children of the Kingdom
shall be cast out. Noah's grandson, Canaan, was detested in the sight of
Noah and others were accepted. The brothers of the Blessed Beauty detached
themselves from Him, and the Blessed Beauty never met them. He said: "This
is an eternal separation between you and Me." All this was not because the
Blessed Beauty was despotic; but because these persons, through their own
actions and words deprived themselves from the bounties and bestowals of
the Blessed Beauty. His Holiness Christ did not exercise despotism in the
case of Judas Iscariot and His own brothers,--but they separated
themselves.
In short, the point is this: 'Abdu'l-Baha is extremely kind, but when the
disease is leprosy, what am I to do? Just as in bodily diseases we must
prevent intermingling and infection and put into effect sanitary
laws--because the infectious physical diseases uproot the foundation of
humanity; likewise one must protect and safeguard the blessed souls from
the breaths and fatal spiritual diseases; otherwise violation, like the
plague, will become a contagion and all will perish. In the early days,
after the Ascension of the Blessed Beauty, the center of violation was
alone; little by little the infection spread; and this was due to
companionship and association.