Tablets of Baha'u'llah Revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas
by Baha'u'llah
Edition 1, (October 28, 2005)
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CONTENTS
Baha'i Terms of Use
References to the Qur'an
LAWH-I-KARMIL (Tablet of Carmel)
LAWH-I-AQDAS (The Most Holy Tablet)
BISHARAT (Glad-Tidings)
TARAZAT (Ornaments)
TAJALLIYAT (Effulgences)
KALIMAT-I-FIRDAWSIYYIH (Words of Paradise)
LAWH-I-DUNYA (Tablet of the World)
ISHRAQAT (Splendours)
LAWH-I-HIKMAT (Tablet of Wisdom)
ASL-I-KULLU'L-KHAYR (Words of Wisdom)
LAWH-I-MAQSUD (Tablet of Maqsud)
SURIY-I-VAFA (Tablet to Vafa)
LAWH-I-SIYYID-I-MIHDIY-I-DAHAJI (Tablet to Siyyid Mihdiy-i-Dahaji)
LAWH-I-BURHAN (Tablet of the Proof)
KITAB-I-'AHD (Book of the Covenant)
LAWH-I-ARD-I-BA (Tablet of the Land of Ba)
EXCERPTS FROM OTHER TABLETS
"GOD testifieth that there is none other God but..."
"ALL praise be to Thee, O my God, inasmuch as Thou..."
"O HUSAYN! God grant thou shalt ever be bright and..."
"THIS is a Tablet which the Lord of all being hath sent..."
"O FRIEND! In the Bayan We directed everyone in this..."
"O JAVAD! Such is the greatness of this Day that the Hour..."
"WE make mention of him who hath been attracted by Our..."
"O THOU who bearest My Name, Jud [Bounty]! Upon..."
"O HAYDAR! This Wronged One hath heard thy voice..."
"BY the righteousness of God! The Mother Book is made..."
"O MUHAMMAD HUSAYN! Be thou prepared to receive the..."
"O MY handmaiden and My leaf! Rejoice with great joy..."
"AT one time this sublime Word was heard from the..."
"THIS is a Tablet sent down by the All-Merciful from the..."
"O MY handmaiden, O My leaf! Render thou thanks unto..."
"O HANDMAID of God! Hearken unto the Voice of the..."
"FIX your gaze upon wisdom in all things, for it is an..."
"THIS Wronged One doth mention him who hath set his..."
"HE Who leadeth to true victory is come. By the righteousness..."
"THIS is a Tablet sent down by the Lord of mercy that the..."
"WE desire to mention him who hath set his face towards..."
"GIVE ear unto that which the Spirit imparteth unto thee from..."
"THIS Wronged One hath perused thy letter in the Most..."
REFERENCES TO THE QUR'AN
In footnotes referring to the Qur'an the surihs have been numbered
according to the original, whereas the verse numbers are those in
Rodwell's translation which differ sometimes from those of the Arabic.
LAWH-I-KARMIL (TABLET OF CARMEL)
ALL glory be to this Day, the Day in which the fragrances of mercy have
been wafted over all created things, a Day so blest that past ages and
centuries can never hope to rival it, a Day in which the countenance of
the Ancient of Days hath turned towards His holy seat. Thereupon the
voices of all created things, and beyond them those of the Concourse on
High, were heard calling aloud: 'Haste thee, O Carmel, for lo, the light
of the countenance of God, the Ruler of the Kingdom of Names and Fashioner
of the heavens, hath been lifted upon thee.'
Seized with transports of joy, and raising high her voice, she thus
exclaimed: 'May my life be a sacrifice to Thee, inasmuch as Thou hast
fixed Thy gaze upon me, hast bestowed upon me Thy bounty, and hast
directed towards me Thy steps. Separation from Thee, O Thou Source of
everlasting life, hath well nigh consumed me, and my remoteness from Thy
presence hath burned away my soul. All praise be to Thee for having
enabled me to hearken to Thy call, for having honoured me with Thy
footsteps, and for having quickened my soul through the vitalizing
fragrance of Thy Day and the shrilling voice of Thy Pen, a voice Thou
didst ordain as Thy trumpet-call amidst Thy people. And when the hour at
which Thy resistless Faith was to be made manifest did strike, Thou didst
breathe a breath of Thy spirit into Thy Pen, and lo, the entire creation
shook to its very foundations, unveiling to mankind such mysteries as lay
hidden within the treasuries of Him Who is the Possessor of all created
things.'
No sooner had her voice reached that most exalted Spot than We made reply:
'Render thanks unto thy Lord, O Carmel. The fire of thy separation from Me
was fast consuming thee, when the ocean of My presence surged before thy
face, cheering thine eyes and those of all creation, and filling with
delight all things visible and invisible. Rejoice, for God hath in this
Day established upon thee His throne, hath made thee the dawning-place of
His signs and the dayspring of the evidences of His Revelation. Well is it
with him that circleth around thee, that proclaimeth the revelation of thy
glory, and recounteth that which the bounty of the Lord thy God hath
showered upon thee. Seize thou the Chalice of Immortality in the name of
thy Lord, the All-Glorious, and give thanks unto Him, inasmuch as He, in
token of His mercy unto thee, hath turned thy sorrow into gladness, and
transmuted thy grief into blissful joy. He, verily, loveth the spot which
hath been made the seat of His throne, which His footsteps have trodden,
which hath been honoured by His presence, from which He raised His call,
and upon which He shed His tears.
'Call out to Zion, O Carmel, and announce the joyful tidings: He that was
hidden from mortal eyes is come! His all-conquering sovereignty is
manifest; His all-encompassing splendour is revealed. Beware lest thou
hesitate or halt. Hasten forth and circumambulate the City of God that
hath descended from heaven, the celestial Kaaba round which have circled
in adoration the favoured of God, the pure in heart, and the company of
the most exalted angels. Oh, how I long to announce unto every spot on the
surface of the earth, and to carry to each one of its cities, the
glad-tidings of this Revelation--a Revelation to which the heart of Sinai
hath been attracted, and in whose name the Burning Bush is calling: "Unto
God, the Lord of Lords, belong the kingdoms of earth and heaven." Verily
this is the Day in which both land and sea rejoice at this announcement,
the Day for which have been laid up those things which God, through a
bounty beyond the ken of mortal mind or heart, hath destined for
revelation. Ere long will God sail His Ark upon thee, and will manifest
the people of Baha who have been mentioned in the Book of Names.'
Sanctified be the Lord of all mankind, at the mention of Whose name all
the atoms of the earth have been made to vibrate, and the Tongue of
Grandeur hath been moved to disclose that which had been wrapt in His
knowledge and lay concealed within the treasury of His might. He, verily,
through the potency of His name, the Mighty, the All-Powerful, the Most
High, is the ruler of all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth.
LAWH-I-AQDAS (THE MOST HOLY TABLET)(1)
This is the Most Holy Tablet sent down from the holy kingdom unto the one
who hath set his face towards the Object of the adoration of the world, He
Who hath come from the heaven of eternity, invested with transcendent
glory
In the name of the Lord, the Lord of great glory.
THIS is an Epistle from Our presence unto him whom the veils of names have
failed to keep back from God, the Creator of earth and heaven, that his
eyes may be cheered in the days of his Lord, the Help in Peril, the
Self-Subsisting.
Say, O followers of the Son!(2) Have ye shut out yourselves from Me by
reason of My Name? Wherefore ponder ye not in your hearts? Day and night
ye have been calling upon your Lord, the Omnipotent, but when He came from
the heaven of eternity in His great glory, ye turned aside from Him and
remained sunk in heedlessness.
Consider those who rejected the Spirit(3) when He came unto them with
manifest dominion. How numerous the Pharisees who had secluded themselves
in synagogues in His name, lamenting over their separation from Him, and
yet when the portals of reunion were flung open and the divine Luminary
shone resplendent from the Dayspring of Beauty, they disbelieved in God,
the Exalted, the Mighty. They failed to attain His presence,
notwithstanding that His advent had been promised them in the Book of
Isaiah as well as in the Books of the Prophets and the Messengers. No one
from among them turned his face towards the Dayspring of divine bounty
except such as were destitute of any power amongst men. And yet, today,
every man endowed with power and invested with sovereignty prideth himself
on His Name. Moreover, call thou to mind the one who sentenced Jesus to
death. He was the most learned of his age in his own country, whilst he
who was only a fisherman believed in Him. Take good heed and be of them
that observe the warning.
Consider likewise, how numerous at this time are the monks who have
secluded themselves in their churches, calling upon the Spirit, but when
He appeared through the power of Truth, they failed to draw nigh unto Him
and are numbered with those that have gone far astray. Happy are they that
have abandoned them and set their faces towards Him Who is the Desire of
all that are in the heavens and all that are on the earth.
They read the Evangel and yet refuse to acknowledge the All-Glorious Lord,
notwithstanding that He hath come through the potency of His exalted, His
mighty and gracious dominion. We, verily, have come for your sakes, and
have borne the misfortunes of the world for your salvation. Flee ye the
One Who hath sacrificed His life that ye may be quickened? Fear God, O
followers of the Spirit, and walk not in the footsteps of every divine
that hath gone far astray. Do ye imagine that He seeketh His own
interests, when He hath, at all times, been threatened by the swords of
the enemies; or that He seeketh the vanities of the world, after He hath
been imprisoned in the most desolate of cities? Be fair in your judgement
and follow not the footsteps of the unjust.
Open the doors of your hearts. He Who is the Spirit verily standeth before
them. Wherefore keep ye afar from Him Who hath purposed to draw you nigh
unto a Resplendent Spot? Say: We, in truth, have opened unto you the gates
of the Kingdom. Will ye bar the doors of your houses in My face? This
indeed is naught but a grievous error. He, verily, hath again come down
from heaven, even as He came down from it the first time. Beware lest ye
dispute that which He proclaimeth, even as the people before you disputed
His utterances. Thus instructeth you the True One, could ye but perceive
it.
The river Jordan is joined to the Most Great Ocean, and the Son, in the
holy vale, crieth out: 'Here am I, here am I O Lord, my God!', whilst
Sinai circleth round the House, and the Burning Bush calleth aloud: 'He
Who is the Desired One is come in His transcendent majesty.' Say, Lo! The
Father is come, and that which ye were promised in the Kingdom is
fulfilled! This is the Word which the Son concealed, when to those around
Him He said: 'Ye cannot bear it now.' And when the appointed time was
fulfilled and the Hour had struck, the Word shone forth above the horizon
of the Will of God. Beware, O followers of the Son, that ye cast it not
behind your backs. Take ye fast hold of it. Better is this for you than
all that ye possess. Verily He is nigh unto them that do good. The Hour
which We had concealed from the knowledge of the peoples of the earth and
of the favoured angels hath come to pass. Say, verily, He hath testified
of Me, and I do testify of Him. Indeed, He hath purposed no one other than
Me. Unto this beareth witness every fair-minded and understanding soul.
Though beset with countless afflictions, We summon the people unto God,
the Lord of names. Say, strive ye to attain that which ye have been
promised in the Books of God, and walk not in the way of the ignorant. My
body hath endured imprisonment that ye may be released from the bondage of
self. Set your faces then towards His countenance and follow not the
footsteps of every hostile oppressor. Verily, He hath consented to be
sorely abased that ye may attain unto glory, and yet, ye are disporting
yourselves in the vale of heedlessness. He, in truth, liveth in the most
desolate of abodes for your sakes, whilst ye dwell in your palaces.
Say, did ye not hearken to the Voice of the Crier, calling aloud in the
wilderness of the Bayan, bearing unto you the glad-tidings of the coming
of your Lord, the All-Merciful? Lo! He is come in the sheltering shadow of
Testimony, invested with conclusive proof and evidence, and those who
truly believe in Him regard His presence as the embodiment of the Kingdom
of God. Blessed is the man who turneth towards Him, and woe betide such as
deny or doubt Him.
Announce thou unto the priests: Lo! He Who is the Ruler is come. Step out
from behind the veil in the name of thy Lord, He Who layeth low the necks
of all men. Proclaim then unto all mankind the glad-tidings of this
mighty, this glorious Revelation. Verily, He Who is the Spirit of Truth is
come to guide you unto all truth. He speaketh not as prompted by His own
self, but as bidden by Him Who is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
Say, this is the One Who hath glorified the Son and hath exalted His
Cause. Cast away, O peoples of the earth, that which ye have and take fast
hold of that which ye are bidden by the All-Powerful, He Who is the Bearer
of the Trust of God. Purge ye your ears and set your hearts towards Him
that ye may hearken to the most wondrous Call which hath been raised from
Sinai, the habitation of your Lord, the Most Glorious. It will, in truth,
draw you nigh unto the Spot wherein ye will perceive the splendour of the
light of His countenance which shineth above this luminous Horizon.
O concourse of priests! Leave the bells, and come forth, then, from your
churches. It behoveth you, in this day, to proclaim aloud the Most Great
Name among the nations. Prefer ye to be silent, whilst every stone and
every tree shouteth aloud: 'The Lord is come in His great glory!'? Well is
it with the man who hasteneth unto Him. Verily, he is numbered among them
whose names will be eternally recorded and who will be mentioned by the
Concourse on High. Thus hath it been decreed by the Spirit in this
wondrous Tablet. He that summoneth men in My name is, verily, of Me, and
he will show forth that which is beyond the power of all that are on
earth. Follow ye the Way of the Lord and walk not in the footsteps of them
that are sunk in heedlessness. Well is it with the slumberer who is
stirred by the Breeze of God and ariseth from amongst the dead, directing
his steps towards the Way of the Lord. Verily, such a man is regarded, in
the sight of God, the True One, as a jewel amongst men and is reckoned
with the blissful.
Say: In the East the light of His Revelation hath broken; in the West have
appeared the signs of His dominion. Ponder this in your hearts, O people,
and be not of those who have turned a deaf ear to the admonitions of Him
Who is the Almighty, the All-Praised. Let the Breeze of God awaken you.
Verily, it hath wafted over the world. Well is it with him that hath
discovered the fragrance thereof and been accounted among the
well-assured.
O concourse of bishops! Ye are the stars of the heaven of My knowledge. My
mercy desireth not that ye should fall upon the earth. My justice,
however, declareth: 'This is that which the Son hath decreed.' And
whatsoever hath proceeded out of His blameless, His truth-speaking,
trustworthy mouth, can never be altered. The bells, verily, peal out My
Name, and lament over Me, but My spirit rejoiceth with evident gladness.
The body of the Loved One yearneth for the cross, and His head is eager
for the spear, in the path of the All-Merciful. The ascendancy of the
oppressor can in no wise deter Him from His purpose. We have summoned all
created things to attain the presence of thy Lord, the King of all names.
Blessed is the man that hath set his face towards God, the Lord of the Day
of Reckoning.
O concourse of monks! If ye choose to follow Me, I will make you heirs of
My Kingdom; and if ye transgress against Me, I will, in My long-suffering,
endure it patiently, and I, verily, am the Ever-Forgiving, the
All-Merciful.
O land of Syria! What hath become of thy righteousness? Thou art, in
truth, ennobled by the footsteps of thy Lord. Hast thou perceived the
fragrance of heavenly reunion, or art thou to be accounted of the
heedless?
Bethlehem is astir with the Breeze of God. We hear her voice saying: 'O
most generous Lord! Where is Thy great glory established? The sweet
savours of Thy presence have quickened me, after I had melted in my
separation from Thee. Praised be Thou in that Thou hast raised the veils,
and come with power in evident glory.' We called unto her from behind the
Tabernacle of Majesty and Grandeur: 'O Bethlehem! This Light hath risen in
the orient, and travelled towards the occident, until it reached thee in
the evening of its life. Tell Me then: Do the sons recognize the Father,
and acknowledge Him, or do they deny Him, even as the people aforetime
denied Him (Jesus)?' Whereupon she cried out saying: 'Thou art, in truth,
the All-Knowing, the Best-Informed.' Verily, We behold all created things
moved to bear witness unto Us. Some know Us and bear witness, while the
majority bear witness, yet know Us not.
Mount Sinai is astir with the joy of beholding Our countenance. She hath
lifted her enthralling voice in glorification of her Lord, saying: 'O
Lord! I sense the fragrance of Thy garment. Methinks Thou art near,
invested with the signs of God. Thou hast ennobled these regions with Thy
footsteps. Great is the blessedness of Thy people, could they but know
Thee and inhale Thy sweet savours; and woe betide them that are fast
asleep.'
Happy art thou who hast turned thy face towards My countenance, inasmuch
as thou hast rent the veils asunder, hast shattered the idols and
recognized thine eternal Lord. The people of the Qur'an have risen up
against Us without any clear proof or evidence, tormenting Us at every
moment with a fresh torment. They idly imagine that tribulations can
frustrate Our Purpose. Vain indeed is that which they have imagined.
Verily, thy Lord is the One Who ordaineth whatsoever He pleaseth.
I never passed a tree but Mine heart addressed it saying: 'O would that
thou wert cut down in My name, and My body crucified upon thee.' We
revealed this passage in the Epistle to the Shah that it might serve as a
warning to the followers of religions. Verily, thy Lord is the
All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
Let not the things they have perpetrated grieve thee. Truly they are even
as dead, and not living. Leave them unto the dead, then turn thy face
towards Him Who is the Life-Giver of the world. Beware lest the sayings of
the heedless sadden thee. Be thou steadfast in the Cause, and teach the
people with consummate wisdom. Thus enjoineth thee the Ruler of earth and
heaven. He is in truth the Almighty, the Most Generous. Ere long will God
exalt thy remembrance and will inscribe with the Pen of Glory that which
thou didst utter for the sake of His love. He is in truth the Protector of
the doers of good.
Give My remembrance to the one named Murad and say: 'Blessed art thou, O
Murad, inasmuch as thou didst cast away the promptings of thine own desire
and hast followed Him Who is the Desire of all mankind.'
Say: Blessed the slumberer who is awakened by My Breeze. Blessed the
lifeless one who is quickened through My reviving breaths. Blessed the eye
that is solaced by gazing at My beauty. Blessed the wayfarer who directeth
his steps towards the Tabernacle of My glory and majesty. Blessed the
distressed one who seeketh refuge beneath the shadow of My canopy. Blessed
the sore athirst who hasteneth to the soft-flowing waters of My
loving-kindness. Blessed the insatiate soul who casteth away his selfish
desires for love of Me and taketh his place at the banquet table which I
have sent down from the heaven of divine bounty for My chosen ones.
Blessed the abased one who layeth fast hold on the cord of My glory; and
the needy one who entereth beneath the shadow of the Tabernacle of My
wealth. Blessed the ignorant one who seeketh the fountain of My knowledge;
and the heedless one who cleaveth to the cord of My remembrance. Blessed
the soul that hath been raised to life through My quickening breath and
hath gained admittance into My heavenly Kingdom. Blessed the man whom the
sweet savours of reunion with Me have stirred and caused to draw nigh unto
the Dayspring of My Revelation. Blessed the ear that hath heard and the
tongue that hath borne witness and the eye that hath seen and recognized
the Lord Himself, in His great glory and majesty, invested with grandeur
and dominion. Blessed are they that have attained His presence. Blessed
the man who hath sought enlightenment from the Day-Star of My Word.
Blessed he who hath attired his head with the diadem of My love. Blessed
is he who hath heard of My grief and hath arisen to aid Me among My
people. Blessed is he who hath laid down his life in My path and hath
borne manifold hardships for the sake of My Name. Blessed the man who,
assured of My Word, hath arisen from among the dead to celebrate My
praise. Blessed is he that hath been enraptured by My wondrous melodies
and hath rent the veils asunder through the potency of My might. Blessed
is he who hath remained faithful to My Covenant, and whom the things of
the world have not kept back from attaining My Court of holiness. Blessed
is the man who hath detached himself from all else but Me, hath soared in
the atmosphere of My love, hath gained admittance into My Kingdom, gazed
upon My realms of glory, quaffed the living waters of My bounty, hath
drunk his fill from the heavenly river of My loving providence, acquainted
himself with My Cause, apprehended that which I concealed within the
treasury of My Words, and hath shone forth from the horizon of divine
knowledge engaged in My praise and glorification. Verily, he is of Me.
Upon him rest My mercy, My loving-kindness, My bounty and My glory.
BISHARAT (GLAD-TIDINGS)
This is the Call of the All-Glorious which is proclaimed from the Supreme
Horizon in the Prison of Akka
He is the Expounder, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.
GOD, the True One, testifieth and the Revealers of His names and
attributes bear witness that Our sole purpose in raising the Call and in
proclaiming His sublime Word is that the ear of the entire creation may,
through the living waters of divine utterance, be purged from lying tales
and become attuned to the holy, the glorious and exalted Word which hath
issued forth from the repository of the knowledge of the Maker of the
Heavens and the Creator of Names. Happy are they that judge with fairness.
O people of the earth!
The first Glad-Tidings which the Mother Book hath, in this Most Great
Revelation, imparted unto all the peoples of the world is that the law of
holy war hath been blotted out from the Book. Glorified be the
All-Merciful, the Lord of grace abounding, through Whom the door of
heavenly bounty hath been flung open in the face of all that are in heaven
and on earth.
The second Glad-Tidings
It is permitted that the peoples and kindreds of the world associate with
one another with joy and radiance. O people! Consort with the followers of
all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship. Thus hath the
day-star of His sanction and authority shone forth above the horizon of
the decree of God, the Lord of the worlds.
The third Glad-Tidings concerneth the study of divers languages. This
decree hath formerly streamed forth from the Pen of the Most High: It
behoveth the sovereigns of the world--may God assist them--or the ministers
of the earth to take counsel together and to adopt one of the existing
languages or a new one to be taught to children in schools throughout the
world, and likewise one script. Thus the whole earth will come to be
regarded as one country. Well is it with him who hearkeneth unto His Call
and observeth that whereunto he is bidden by God, the Lord of the Mighty
Throne.
The fourth Glad-Tidings
Should any of the kings--may God aid them--arise to protect and help this
oppressed people, all must vie with one another in loving and in serving
him. This matter is incumbent upon everyone. Well is it with them that act
accordingly.
The fifth Glad-Tidings
In every country where any of this people reside, they must behave towards
the government of that country with loyalty, honesty and truthfulness.
This is that which hath been revealed at the behest of Him Who is the
Ordainer, the Ancient of Days.
It is binding and incumbent upon the peoples of the world, one and all, to
extend aid unto this momentous Cause which is come from the heaven of the
Will of the ever-abiding God, that perchance the fire of animosity which
blazeth in the hearts of some of the peoples of the earth may, through the
living waters of divine wisdom and by virtue of heavenly counsels and
exhortations, be quenched, and the light of unity and concord may shine
forth and shed its radiance upon the world.
We cherish the hope that through the earnest endeavours of such as are the
exponents of the power of God--exalted be His glory--the weapons of war
throughout the world may be converted into instruments of reconstruction
and that strife and conflict may be removed from the midst of men.
The sixth Glad-Tidings is the establishment of the Lesser Peace, details
of which have formerly been revealed from Our Most Exalted Pen. Great is
the blessedness of him who upholdeth it and observeth whatsoever hath been
ordained by God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
The seventh Glad-Tidings
The choice of clothing and the cut of the beard and its dressing are left
to the discretion of men. But beware, O people, lest ye make yourselves
the playthings of the ignorant.
The eighth Glad-Tidings
The pious deeds of the monks and priests among the followers of the
Spirit(4)--upon Him be the peace of God--are remembered in His presence. In
this Day, however, let them give up the life of seclusion and direct their
steps towards the open world and busy themselves with that which will
profit themselves and others. We have granted them leave to enter into
wedlock that they may bring forth one who will make mention of God, the
Lord of the seen and the unseen, the Lord of the Exalted Throne.
The ninth Glad-Tidings
When the sinner findeth himself wholly detached and freed from all save
God, he should beg forgiveness and pardon from Him. Confession of sins and
transgressions before human beings is not permissible, as it hath never
been nor will ever be conducive to divine forgiveness. Moreover such
confession before people results in one's humiliation and abasement, and
God--exalted be His glory--wisheth not the humiliation of His servants.
Verily He is the Compassionate, the Merciful. The sinner should, between
himself and God, implore mercy from the Ocean of mercy, beg forgiveness
from the Heaven of generosity and say:
O God, my God! I implore Thee by the blood of Thy true lovers who were so
enraptured by Thy sweet utterance that they hastened unto the Pinnacle of
Glory, the site of the most glorious martyrdom, and I beseech Thee by the
mysteries which lie enshrined in Thy knowledge and by the pearls that are
treasured in the ocean of Thy bounty to grant forgiveness unto me and unto
my father and my mother. Of those who show forth mercy, Thou art in truth
the Most Merciful. No God is there but Thee, the Ever-Forgiving, the
All-Bountiful.
O Lord! Thou seest this essence of sinfulness turning unto the ocean of
Thy favour and this feeble one seeking the kingdom of Thy divine power and
this poor creature inclining himself towards the day-star of Thy wealth.
By Thy mercy and Thy grace, disappoint him not, O Lord, nor debar him from
the revelations of Thy bounty in Thy days, nor cast him away from Thy door
which Thou hast opened wide to all that dwell in Thy heaven and on Thine
earth.
Alas! Alas! My sins have prevented me from approaching the Court of Thy
holiness and my trespasses have caused me to stray far from the Tabernacle
of Thy majesty. I have committed that which Thou didst forbid me to do and
have put away what Thou didst order me to observe.
I pray Thee by Him Who is the sovereign Lord of Names to write down for me
with the Pen of Thy bounty that which will enable me to draw nigh unto
Thee and will purge me from my trespasses which have intervened between me
and Thy forgiveness and Thy pardon.
Verily, Thou art the Potent, the Bountiful. No God is there but Thee, the
Mighty, the Gracious.
The tenth Glad-Tidings
As a token of grace from God, the Revealer of this Most Great
Announcement, We have removed from the Holy Scriptures and Tablets the law
prescribing the destruction of books.
The eleventh Glad-Tidings
It is permissible to study sciences and arts, but such sciences as are
useful and would redound to the progress and advancement of the people.
Thus hath it been decreed by Him Who is the Ordainer, the All-Wise.
The twelfth Glad-Tidings
It is enjoined upon every one of you to engage in some form of occupation,
such as crafts, trades and the like. We have graciously exalted your
engagement in such work to the rank of worship unto God, the True One.
Ponder ye in your hearts the grace and the blessings of God and render
thanks unto Him at eventide and at dawn. Waste not your time in idleness
and sloth. Occupy yourselves with that which profiteth yourselves and
others. Thus hath it been decreed in this Tablet from whose horizon the
day-star of wisdom and utterance shineth resplendent.
The most despised of men in the sight of God are those who sit idly and
beg. Hold ye fast unto the cord of material means, placing your whole
trust in God, the Provider of all means. When anyone occupieth himself in
a craft or trade, such occupation itself is regarded in the estimation of
God as an act of worship; and this is naught but a token of His infinite
and all-pervasive bounty.
The thirteenth Glad-Tidings
The men of God's House of Justice have been charged with the affairs of
the people. They, in truth, are the Trustees of God among His servants and
the daysprings of authority in His countries.
O people of God! That which traineth the world is Justice, for it is
upheld by two pillars, reward and punishment. These two pillars are the
sources of life to the world. Inasmuch as for each day there is a new
problem and for every problem an expedient solution, such affairs should
be referred to the Ministers of the House of Justice that they may act
according to the needs and requirements of the time. They that, for the
sake of God, arise to serve His Cause, are the recipients of divine
inspiration from the unseen Kingdom. It is incumbent upon all to be
obedient unto them. All matters of State should be referred to the House
of Justice, but acts of worship must be observed according to that which
God hath revealed in His Book.
O people of Baha! Ye are the dawning-places of the love of God and the
daysprings of His loving-kindness. Defile not your tongues with the
cursing and reviling of any soul, and guard your eyes against that which
is not seemly. Set forth that which ye possess. If it be favourably
received, your end is attained; if not, to protest is vain. Leave that
soul to himself and turn unto the Lord, the Protector, the
Self-Subsisting. Be not the cause of grief, much less of discord and
strife. The hope is cherished that ye may obtain true education in the
shelter of the tree of His tender mercies and act in accordance with that
which God desireth. Ye are all the leaves of one tree and the drops of one
ocean.
The fourteenth Glad-Tidings
It is not necessary to undertake special journeys to visit the
resting-places of the dead. If people of substance and affluence offer the
cost of such journeys to the House of Justice, it will be pleasing and
acceptable in the presence of God. Happy are they that observe His
precepts.
The fifteenth Glad-Tidings
Although a republican form of government profiteth all the peoples of the
world, yet the majesty of kingship is one of the signs of God. We do not
wish that the countries of the world should remain deprived thereof. If
the sagacious combine the two forms into one, great will be their reward
in the presence of God.
In former religions such ordinances as holy war, destruction of books, the
ban on association and companionship with other peoples or on reading
certain books had been laid down and affirmed according to the exigencies
of the time; however, in this mighty Revelation, in this momentous
Announcement, the manifold bestowals and favours of God have overshadowed
all men, and from the horizon of the Will of the Ever-Abiding Lord, His
infallible decree hath prescribed that which We have set forth above.
We yield praise unto God--hallowed and glorified be He--for whatsoever He
hath graciously revealed in this blessed, this glorious and incomparable
Day. Indeed if everyone on earth were endowed with a myriad tongues and
were to continually praise God and magnify His Name to the end that
knoweth no end, their thanksgiving would not prove adequate for even one
of the gracious favours We have mentioned in this Tablet. Unto this
beareth witness every man of wisdom and discernment, of understanding and
knowledge.
We earnestly beseech God--exalted be His glory--to aid the rulers and
sovereigns, who are the exponents of power and the daysprings of glory, to
enforce His laws and ordinances. He is in truth the Omnipotent, the
All-Powerful, He Who is wont to answer the call of men.
TARAZAT (ORNAMENTS)
In My Name, which standeth supreme above all names
PRAISE and glory beseem the Lord of Names and the Creator of the heavens,
He, the waves of Whose ocean of Revelation surge before the eyes of the
peoples of the world. The Day-Star of His Cause shineth through every veil
and His Word of affirmation standeth beyond the reach of negation. Neither
the ascendancy of the oppressor nor the tyranny of the wicked hath been
able to thwart His Purpose. How glorified is His sovereignty, how exalted
His dominion!
Great God! Although His signs have encompassed the world and His proofs
and testimonies are shining forth and manifest as the light, yet the
ignorant appear heedless, nay rather, rebellious. Would that they had been
content with opposition. But at all times they are plotting to cut down
the sacred Lote-Tree. Since the dawn of this Revelation the embodiments of
selfishness have, by resorting to cruelty and oppression, striven to
extinguish the Light of divine manifestation. But God, having stayed their
hands, revealed this Light through His sovereign authority and protected
it through the power of His might until earth and heaven were illumined by
its radiance and brightness. Praise be unto Him under all conditions.
Glory be unto Thee, O Lord of the world and Desire of the nations, O Thou
Who hast become manifest in the Greatest Name whereby the pearls of wisdom
and utterance have appeared from the shells of the great sea of Thy
knowledge, and the heavens of divine revelation have been adorned with the
light of the appearance of the Sun of Thy countenance.
I beg of Thee, by that Word through which Thy proof was perfected among
Thy creatures and Thy testimony was fulfilled among Thy servants to
strengthen Thy people in that whereby the face of the Cause will radiate
in Thy dominion, the standards of Thy power will be planted among Thy
servants, and the banners of Thy guidance will be raised throughout Thy
dominions.
O my Lord! Thou beholdest them clinging to the rope of Thy grace and
holding fast unto the hem of the mantle of Thy beneficence. Ordain for
them that which may draw them nearer unto Thee, and withhold them from all
else save Thee. I beg of Thee, O Thou King of existence and Protector of
the seen and the unseen, to make whosoever ariseth to serve Thy Cause as a
sea moving by Thy desire, as one ablaze with the fire of Thy Sacred Tree,
shining from the horizon of the heaven of Thy Will. Verily Thou art the
mighty One Whom neither the power of all the world nor the strength of
nations can weaken. There is no God but Thee, the One, the Incomparable,
the Protector, the Self-Subsistent.
O thou who hast quaffed the wine of Mine utterance from the chalice of My
knowledge! These sublime words were heard today from the rustling of the
divine Lote-Tree which the Lord of Names hath, with the hand of celestial
power, planted in the All-Highest Paradise:
The first Taraz and the first effulgence which hath dawned from the
horizon of the Mother Book is that man should know his own self and
recognize that which leadeth unto loftiness or lowliness, glory or
abasement, wealth or poverty. Having attained the stage of fulfilment and
reached his maturity, man standeth in need of wealth, and such wealth as
he acquireth through crafts or professions is commendable and praiseworthy
in the estimation of men of wisdom, and especially in the eyes of servants
who dedicate themselves to the education of the world and to the
edification of its peoples. They are, in truth, cup-bearers of the
life-giving water of knowledge and guides unto the ideal way. They direct
the peoples of the world to the straight path and acquaint them with that
which is conducive to human upliftment and exaltation. The straight path
is the one which guideth man to the dayspring of perception and to the
dawning-place of true understanding and leadeth him to that which will
redound to glory, honour and greatness.
We cherish the hope that through the loving-kindness of the All-Wise, the
All-Knowing, obscuring dust may be dispelled and the power of perception
enhanced, that the people may discover the purpose for which they have
been called into being. In this Day whatsoever serveth to reduce blindness
and to increase vision is worthy of consideration. This vision acteth as
the agent and guide for true knowledge. Indeed in the estimation of men of
wisdom keenness of understanding is due to keenness of vision. The people
of Baha must under all circumstances observe that which is meet and seemly
and exhort the people accordingly.
The second Taraz is to consort with the followers of all religions in a
spirit of friendliness and fellowship, to proclaim that which the Speaker
on Sinai hath set forth and to observe fairness in all matters.
They that are endued with sincerity and faithfulness should associate with
all the peoples and kindreds of the earth with joy and radiance, inasmuch
as consorting with people hath promoted and will continue to promote unity
and concord, which in turn are conducive to the maintenance of order in
the world and to the regeneration of nations. Blessed are such as hold
fast to the cord of kindliness and tender mercy and are free from
animosity and hatred.
This Wronged One exhorteth the peoples of the world to observe tolerance
and righteousness, which are two lights amidst the darkness of the world
and two educators for the edification of mankind. Happy are they who have
attained thereto and woe betide the heedless.
The third Taraz concerneth good character. A good character is, verily,
the best mantle for men from God. With it He adorneth the temples of His
loved ones. By My life! The light of a good character surpasseth the light
of the sun and the radiance thereof. Whoso attaineth unto it is accounted
as a jewel among men. The glory and the upliftment of the world must needs
depend upon it. A goodly character is a means whereby men are guided to
the Straight Path and are led to the Great Announcement. Well is it with
him who is adorned with the saintly attributes and character of the
Concourse on High.
It beseemeth you to fix your gaze under all conditions upon justice and
fairness. In The Hidden Words this exalted utterance hath been revealed
from Our Most August Pen:
'O Son of Spirit! The best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice;
turn not away therefrom if thou desirest Me, and neglect it not that I may
confide in thee. By its aid thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not
through the eyes of others, and shalt know of thine own knowledge and not
through the knowledge of thy neighbour. Ponder this in thy heart; how it
behoveth thee to be. Verily justice is My gift to thee and the sign of My
loving-kindness. Set it then before thine eyes.'
They that are just and fair-minded in their judgement occupy a sublime
station and hold an exalted rank. The light of piety and uprightness
shineth resplendent from these souls. We earnestly hope that the peoples
and countries of the world may not be deprived of the splendours of these
two luminaries.
The fourth Taraz concerneth trustworthiness. Verily it is the door of
security for all that dwell on earth and a token of glory on the part of
the All-Merciful. He who partaketh thereof hath indeed partaken of the
treasures of wealth and prosperity. Trustworthiness is the greatest portal
leading unto the tranquillity and security of the people. In truth the
stability of every affair hath depended and doth depend upon it. All the
domains of power, of grandeur and of wealth are illumined by its light.
Not long ago these sublime words were revealed from the Pen of the Most
High:
'We will now mention unto thee Trustworthiness and the station thereof in
the estimation of God, thy Lord, the Lord of the Mighty Throne. One day of
days We repaired unto Our Green Island. Upon Our arrival, We beheld its
streams flowing, and its trees luxuriant, and the sunlight playing in
their midst. Turning Our face to the right, We beheld what the pen is
powerless to describe; nor can it set forth that which the eye of the Lord
of Mankind witnessed in that most sanctified, that most sublime, that
blest, and most exalted Spot. Turning, then, to the left We gazed on one
of the Beauties of the Most Sublime Paradise, standing on a pillar of
light, and calling aloud saying: "O inmates of earth and heaven! Behold ye
My beauty, and My radiance, and My revelation, and My effulgence. By God,
the True One! I am Trustworthiness and the revelation thereof, and the
beauty thereof. I will recompense whosoever will cleave unto Me, and
recognize My rank and station, and hold fast unto My hem. I am the most
great ornament of the people of Baha, and the vesture of glory unto all
who are in the kingdom of creation. I am the supreme instrument for the
prosperity of the world, and the horizon of assurance unto all beings."
Thus have We sent down for thee that which will draw men nigh unto the
Lord of creation.'
O people of Baha! Trustworthiness is in truth the best of vestures for
your temples and the most glorious crown for your heads. Take ye fast hold
of it at the behest of Him Who is the Ordainer, the All-Informed.
The fifth Taraz concerneth the protection and preservation of the stations
of God's servants. One should not ignore the truth of any matter, rather
should one give expression to that which is right and true. The people of
Baha should not deny any soul the reward due to him, should treat
craftsmen with deference, and, unlike the people aforetime, should not
defile their tongues with abuse.
In this Day the sun of craftsmanship shineth above the horizon of the
occident and the river of arts is flowing out of the sea of that region.
One must speak with fairness and appreciate such bounty. By the life of
God! The word 'Equity' shineth bright and resplendent even as the sun. We
pray God to graciously shed its radiance upon everyone. He is in truth
powerful over all things, He Who is wont to answer the prayers of all men.
In these days truthfulness and sincerity are sorely afflicted in the
clutches of falsehood, and justice is tormented by the scourge of
injustice. The smoke of corruption hath enveloped the whole world in such
wise that naught can be seen in any direction save regiments of soldiers
and nothing is heard from any land but the clashing of swords. We beseech
God, the True One, to strengthen the wielders of His power in that which
will rehabilitate the world and bring tranquillity to the nations.
The sixth Taraz
Knowledge is one of the wondrous gifts of God. It is incumbent upon
everyone to acquire it. Such arts and material means as are now manifest
have been achieved by virtue of His knowledge and wisdom which have been
revealed in Epistles and Tablets through His Most Exalted Pen--a Pen out of
whose treasury pearls of wisdom and utterance and the arts and crafts of
the world are brought to light.
In this Day the secrets of the earth are laid bare before the eyes of men.
The pages of swiftly-appearing newspapers are indeed the mirror of the
world. They reflect the deeds and the pursuits of divers peoples and
kindreds. They both reflect them and make them known. They are a mirror
endowed with hearing, sight and speech. This is an amazing and potent
phenomenon. However, it behoveth the writers thereof to be purged from the
promptings of evil passions and desires and to be attired with the raiment
of justice and equity. They should enquire into situations as much as
possible and ascertain the facts, then set them down in writing.
Concerning this Wronged One, most of the things reported in the newspapers
are devoid of truth. Fair speech and truthfulness, by reason of their
lofty rank and position, are regarded as a sun shining above the horizon
of knowledge. The waves rising from this Ocean are apparent before the
eyes of the peoples of the world and the effusions of the Pen of wisdom
and utterance are manifest everywhere.
It is reported in the press that this Servant hath fled from the land of
Ta (Tihran) and gone to 'Iraq. Gracious God! Not even for a single moment
hath this Wronged One ever concealed Himself. Rather hath He at all times
remained steadfast and conspicuous before the eyes of all men. Never have
We retreated, nor shall We ever seek flight. In truth it is the foolish
people who flee from Our presence. We left Our home country accompanied by
two mounted escorts, representing the two honoured governments of Persia
and Russia until We arrived in 'Iraq in the plenitude of glory and power.
Praise be to God! The Cause whereof this Wronged One is the Bearer
standeth as high as heaven and shineth resplendent as the sun. Concealment
hath no access unto this station, nor is there any occasion for fear or
silence.
The mysteries of Resurrection and the events of the Last Hour are openly
manifest, but the people are sunk in heedlessness and have suffered
themselves to be wrapt in veils. 'And when the seas shall boil... And when
the Scriptures shall be unrolled.'(5) By the righteousness of God! The
Dawn hath truly brightened and the light hath shone forth and the night
hath receded. Happy are they that comprehend. Happy are they that have
attained thereunto.
Glorified be God! The Pen is perplexed what to write and the Tongue
wondereth what to utter. Despite unprecedented hardships and after
enduring years of imprisonment, captivity and woeful trials, We now
perceive that veils thicker than the ones We have already torn asunder
have intervened, obstructing the vision and causing the light of
understanding to be obscured. Moreover We observe that the fresh calumnies
which are now rife are far more malicious than those of former days.
O people of the Bayan! Fear ye the merciful Lord. Consider the people of
former times. What were their deeds and what fruit did they gather? Every
thing they uttered was but imposture and whatever they wrought hath proved
worthless, except for those whom God hath graciously protected through His
power.