Dispensation it voiced this all-glorious utterance: They that are
possessed of wealth and invested with authority and power must show the
profoundest regard for religion. In truth, religion is a radiant light and
an impregnable stronghold for the protection and welfare of the peoples of
the world, for the fear of God impelleth man to hold fast to that which is
good, and shun all evil. Should the lamp of religion be obscured, chaos
and confusion will ensue, and the lights of fairness and justice, of
tranquillity and peace cease to shine. Unto this will bear witness every
man of true understanding.
The second Ishraq
We have enjoined upon all mankind to establish the Most Great Peace--the
surest of all means for the protection of humanity. The sovereigns of the
world should, with one accord, hold fast thereunto, for this is the
supreme instrument that can ensure the security and welfare of all peoples
and nations. They, verily, are the manifestations of the power of God and
the daysprings of His authority. We beseech the Almighty that He may
graciously assist them in that which is conducive to the well-being of
their subjects. A full explanation regarding this matter hath been
previously set forth by the Pen of Glory; well is it with them that act
accordingly.
The third Ishraq
It is incumbent upon everyone to observe God's holy commandments, inasmuch
as they are the wellspring of life unto the world. The heaven of divine
wisdom is illumined with the two luminaries of consultation and compassion
and the canopy of world order is upraised upon the two pillars of reward
and punishment.
The fourth Ishraq
In this Revelation the hosts that can render it victorious are the hosts
of praiseworthy deeds and upright character. The leader and commander of
these hosts hath ever been the fear of God, a fear that encompasseth all
things and reigneth over all things.
The fifth Ishraq
Governments should fully acquaint themselves with the conditions of those
they govern, and confer upon them positions according to desert and merit.
It is enjoined upon every ruler and sovereign to consider this matter with
the utmost care that the traitor may not usurp the position of the
faithful, nor the despoiler rule in the place of the trustworthy. Among
the officials who in the past have governed in this Most Great Prison
some, praise be to God, were adorned with justice, but as to others, We
take refuge with God. We beseech the One true God to guide them one and
all, that haply they may not be deprived of the fruit of faith and
trustworthiness, nor be withheld from the light of equity and justice.
The sixth Ishraq is union and concord amongst the children of men. From
the beginning of time the light of unity hath shed its divine radiance
upon the world, and the greatest means for the promotion of that unity is
for the peoples of the world to understand one another's writing and
speech. In former Epistles We have enjoined upon the Trustees of the House
of Justice either to choose one language from among those now existing or
to adopt a new one, and in like manner to select a common script, both of
which should be taught in all the schools of the world. Thus will the
earth be regarded as one country and one home. The most glorious fruit of
the tree of knowledge is this exalted word: Of one tree are all ye the
fruit, and of one bough the leaves. Let not man glory in this that he
loveth his country, let him rather glory in this that he loveth his kind.
Concerning this We have previously revealed that which is the means of the
reconstruction of the world and the unity of nations. Blessed are they
that attain thereunto. Blessed are they that act accordingly.
The seventh Ishraq
The Pen of Glory counselleth everyone regarding the instruction and
education of children. Behold that which the Will of God hath revealed
upon Our arrival in the Prison City and recorded in the Most Holy
Book.(48) Unto every father hath been enjoined the instruction of his son
and daughter in the art of reading and writing and in all that hath been
laid down in the Holy Tablet. He that putteth away that which is commanded
unto him, the Trustees are then to take from him that which is required
for their instruction, if he be wealthy, and if not the matter devolveth
upon the House of Justice. Verily, have We made it a shelter for the poor
and needy. He that bringeth up his son or the son of another, it is as
though he hath brought up a son of Mine; upon him rest My Glory, My
Loving-Kindness, My Mercy, that have compassed the world.
The eighth Ishraq
This passage, now written by the Pen of Glory, is accounted as part of the
Most Holy Book: 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 House of Justice that the members thereof 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 ninth Ishraq
The purpose of religion as revealed from the heaven of God's holy Will is
to establish unity and concord amongst the peoples of the world; make it
not the cause of dissension and strife. The religion of God and His divine
law are the most potent instruments and the surest of all means for the
dawning of the light of unity amongst men. The progress of the world, the
development of nations, the tranquillity of peoples, and the peace of all
who dwell on earth are among the principles and ordinances of God.
Religion bestoweth upon man the most precious of all gifts, offereth the
cup of prosperity, imparteth eternal life, and showereth imperishable
benefits upon mankind. It behoveth the chiefs and rulers of the world, and
in particular the Trustees of God's House of Justice, to endeavour to the
utmost of their power to safeguard its position, promote its interests and
exalt its station in the eyes of the world. In like manner it is incumbent
upon them to enquire into the conditions of their subjects and to acquaint
themselves with the affairs and activities of the divers communities in
their dominions. We call upon the manifestations of the power of God--the
sovereigns and rulers on earth--to bestir themselves and do all in their
power that haply they may banish discord from this world and illumine it
with the light of concord.
It is incumbent upon everyone to firmly adhere to and observe that which
hath streamed forth from Our Most Exalted Pen. God, the True One, beareth
Me witness, and every atom in existence is moved to testify that such
means as lead to the elevation, the advancement, the education, the
protection and the regeneration of the peoples of the earth have been
clearly set forth by Us and are revealed in the Holy Books and Tablets by
the Pen of Glory.
We entreat God to graciously aid His servants. What this Wronged One doth
expect from everyone is justice and fairness. Let no one be content with
mere hearing; rather doth it behove everyone to ponder that which this
Wronged One hath revealed. I swear by the Day-Star of utterance, shining
above the horizon of the Kingdom of the All-Merciful, had there been any
expounder or speaker discernible, We would not have made Ourself the
object of the censure, ridicule and slander of the people.
Upon Our arrival in 'Iraq We found the Cause of God sunk in deep apathy
and the breeze of divine revelation stilled. Most of the believers were
faint and dispirited, nay utterly lost and dead. Hence there was a second
blast on the Trumpet, whereupon the Tongue of Grandeur uttered these
blessed words: 'We have sounded the Trumpet for the second time.' Thus the
whole world was quickened through the vitalizing breaths of divine
revelation and inspiration.
Certain souls have now sallied forth from behind the veils, intent on
inflicting harm upon this Wronged One. They have hindered and denied the
outpouring of this priceless bounty.
O ye that judge with fairness! If this Cause is to be denied then what
other cause in this world can be vindicated or deemed worthy of
acceptance?
Such as have turned away from the Cause of God are diligently seeking to
collect the Holy Writings of this Revelation; and they have already,
through gestures of friendship, managed to secure certain of these
Writings from those who held them in their possession. Moreover, when they
meet the followers of any religion, they hold themselves out as believers
therein. Say, die ye in your wrath! Verily He hath appeared with so great
an authority that no man of vision, of hearing, of insight, of justice or
of equity can ever deny Him. Unto this beareth witness in this resplendent
Hour the Pen of Him Who is the Ancient of Days.
O Jalil! Upon thee be My glory. We exhort the loved ones of God to perform
good deeds that perchance they may be graciously assisted and may hold
fast to that which hath been sent down from the heaven of His Revelation.
The benefits arising from this divine utterance shall fall upon such as
observe His precepts. We beseech God to enable them to do that which is
pleasing and acceptable unto Him, to grant that they may deal equitably
and may observe justice in this all-compelling Cause, to acquaint them
with His Holy Writings and to direct their steps towards His straight
Path.
Our Exalted Herald--may the life of all else besides Him be offered up for
His sake--hath revealed certain laws. However, in the realm of His
Revelation these laws were made subject to Our sanction, hence this
Wronged One hath put some of them into effect by embodying them in the
Kitab-i-Aqdas in different words. Others We set aside. He holdeth in His
hand the authority. He doeth what He willeth and He ordaineth whatsoever
He pleaseth. He is the Almighty, the All-Praised. There are also
ordinances newly revealed. Blessed are they that attain. Blessed are they
that observe His precepts.
The people of God should make the utmost endeavour that perchance the fire
of hatred and malice which smouldereth in the breasts of kindreds and
peoples may, through the living waters of utterance and the exhortations
of Him Who is the Desire of the world, be quenched and the trees of human
existence may be adorned with wondrous and excellent fruit. He is, in
truth, the Admonisher, the Compassionate, the All-Bountiful.
May the brightness of His glory shining above the horizon of bounty rest
upon you, O people of Baha, upon every one who standeth firm and steadfast
and upon those that are well grounded in the Faith and are endued with
true understanding.
As to thy question concerning interest and profit on gold and silver: Some
years ago the following passage was revealed from the heaven of the
All-Merciful in honour of the one who beareth the name of God, entitled
Zaynu'l-Muqarrabin(49)--upon him be the glory of the Most Glorious.
He--exalted be His Word--saith: Many people stand in need of this. Because
if there were no prospect for gaining interest, the affairs of men would
suffer collapse or dislocation. One can seldom find a person who would
manifest such consideration towards his fellow-man, his countryman or
towards his own brother and would show such tender solicitude for him as
to be well-disposed to grant him a loan on benevolent terms.(50) Therefore
as a token of favour towards men We have prescribed that interest on money
should be treated like other business transactions that are current
amongst men. Thus, now that this lucid commandment hath descended from the
heaven of the Will of God, it is lawful and proper to charge interest on
money, that the people of the world may, in a spirit of amity and
fellowship and with joy and gladness, devotedly engage themselves in
magnifying the Name of Him Who is the Well-Beloved of all mankind. Verily
He ordaineth according to His Own choosing. He hath now made interest on
money lawful, even as He had made it unlawful in the past. Within His
grasp He holdeth the kingdom of authority. He doeth and ordaineth. He is
in truth the Ordainer, the All-Knowing.
Render thou thanks unto thy Lord, O Zaynu'l-Muqarrabin, for this manifest
bounty.
Many ecclesiastics in Persia have, through innumerable designs and
devices, been feeding on illicit gains obtained by usury. They have
contrived ways to give its outward form a fair semblance of lawfulness.
They make a plaything of the laws and ordinances of God, but they
understand not.
However, this is a matter that should be practised with moderation and
fairness. Our Pen of Glory hath, as a token of wisdom and for the
convenience of the people, desisted from laying down its limit.
Nevertheless We exhort the loved ones of God to observe justice and
fairness, and to do that which would prompt the friends of God to evince
tender mercy and compassion towards each other. He is in truth the
Counsellor, the Compassionate, the All-Bountiful. God grant that all men
may be graciously aided to observe that which the Tongue of the One true
God hath uttered. And if they put into practice what We have set forth,
God--exalted be His glory--will assuredly double their portion through the
heaven of His bounty. Verily He is the Generous, the Forgiving, the
Compassionate. Praise be unto God, the Most Exalted, the Most Great.
Nevertheless the conduct of these affairs hath been entrusted to the men
of the House of Justice that they may enforce them according to the
exigencies of the time and the dictates of wisdom.
Once again We exhort all believers to observe justice and fairness and to
show forth love and contentment. They are indeed the people of Baha, the
companions of the Crimson Ark. Upon them be the peace of God, the Lord of
all Names, the Creator of the heavens.
LAWH-I-HIKMAT (TABLET OF WISDOM)
_This Tablet was addressed to Aqa Muhammad, a distinguished
believer from the town of Qa'in, who was surnamed Nabil-i-Akbar
(see Memorials of the Faithful pages 1-5). Another distinguished
believer of Qa'in, Mulla Muhammad-'Ali, was known as
Nabil-i-Qa'ini (see Memorials of the Faithful pages 49-54). In the
abjad notation the name 'Muhammad' has the same numerical value as
'Nabil'._
THIS is an Epistle which the All-Merciful hath sent down from the Kingdom
of Utterance. It is truly a breath of life unto those who dwell in the
realm of creation. Glorified be the Lord of all worlds! In this Epistle
mention is made of him who magnifieth the Name of God, his Lord, and who
is named Nabil in a weighty Tablet.
O Muhammad! Hearken unto the Voice proceeding out of the Realm of Glory,
calling aloud from the celestial Tree which hath risen above the land of
Za'faran(51): Verily, no God is there but Me, the Omniscient, the Wise. Be
thou as the breezes of the All-Merciful for the trees of the realm of
existence and foster their growth through the potency of the Name of thy
Lord, the Just, the All-Informed. We desire to acquaint thee with that
which will serve as a reminder unto the people, that they may put away the
things current amongst them and set their faces towards God, the Lord of
the sincere.
We exhort mankind in these days when the countenance of Justice is soiled
with dust, when the flames of unbelief are burning high and the robe of
wisdom rent asunder, when tranquillity and faithfulness have ebbed away
and trials and tribulations have waxed severe, when covenants are broken
and ties are severed, when no man knoweth how to discern light and
darkness or to distinguish guidance from error.
O peoples of the world! Forsake all evil, hold fast that which is good.
Strive to be shining examples unto all mankind, and true reminders of the
virtues of God amidst men. He that riseth to serve My Cause should
manifest My wisdom, and bend every effort to banish ignorance from the
earth. Be united in counsel, be one in thought. Let each morn be better
than its eve and each morrow richer than its yesterday. Man's merit lieth
in service and virtue and not in the pageantry of wealth and riches. Take
heed that your words be purged from idle fancies and worldly desires and
your deeds be cleansed from craftiness and suspicion. Dissipate not the
wealth of your precious lives in the pursuit of evil and corrupt
affection, nor let your endeavours be spent in promoting your personal
interest. Be generous in your days of plenty, and be patient in the hour
of loss. Adversity is followed by success and rejoicings follow woe. Guard
against idleness and sloth, and cling unto that which profiteth mankind,
whether young or old, whether high or low. Beware lest ye sow tares of
dissension among men or plant thorns of doubt in pure and radiant hearts.
O ye beloved of the Lord! Commit not that which defileth the limpid stream
of love or destroyeth the sweet fragrance of friendship. By the
righteousness of the Lord! Ye were created to show love one to another and
not perversity and rancour. Take pride not in love for yourselves but in
love for your fellow-creatures. Glory not in love for your country, but in
love for all mankind. Let your eye be chaste, your hand faithful, your
tongue truthful and your heart enlightened. Abase not the station of the
learned in Baha and belittle not the rank of such rulers as administer
justice amidst you. Set your reliance on the army of justice, put on the
armour of wisdom, let your adorning be forgiveness and mercy and that
which cheereth the hearts of the well-favoured of God.
By My life! Thy grievances have plunged Me into sorrow. Regard not the
children of the world and all their doings but fix thy gaze upon God and
His never-ending dominion. Verily, He calleth to thy remembrance that
which is the source of delight for all mankind. Drink thou the life-giving
water of blissful joy from the chalice of utterance proffered by the
Fountainhead of divine Revelation--He Who hath made mention of thee in this
mighty stronghold. Endeavour to the utmost of thy powers to establish the
word of truth with eloquence and wisdom and to dispel falsehood from the
face of the earth. Thus directeth thee the Dayspring of divine knowledge
from this luminous horizon.
O thou who speakest in My Name! Consider the people and the things they
have wrought in My days. We revealed unto one of the rulers that which
overpowereth all the dwellers of the earth, and requested him to bring Us
face to face with the learned men of this age, that We might set forth for
him the testimony of God, His proofs, His glory and His majesty; and
naught did We intend thereby but the highest good. However, he committed
that which hath caused the inmates of the cities of justice and equity to
lament. Thus hath judgement been given between Me and him. Verily thy Lord
is the Ordainer, the All-Informed. In such circumstances as thou seest,
how can the Celestial Bird soar into the atmosphere of divine mysteries
when its wings have been battered with the stones of idle fancy and bitter
hatred, and it is cast into a prison built of unyielding stone? By the
righteousness of God! The people have perpetrated a grievous injustice.
As regards thine assertions about the beginning of creation, this is a
matter on which conceptions vary by reason of the divergences in men's
thoughts and opinions. Wert thou to assert that it hath ever existed and
shall continue to exist, it would be true; or wert thou to affirm the same
concept as is mentioned in the sacred Scriptures, no doubt would there be
about it, for it hath been revealed by God, the Lord of the worlds. Indeed
He was a hidden treasure. This is a station that can never be described
nor even alluded to. And in the station of 'I did wish to make Myself
known', God was, and His creation had ever existed beneath His shelter
from the beginning that hath no beginning, apart from its being preceded
by a Firstness which cannot be regarded as firstness and originated by a
Cause inscrutable even unto all men of learning.
That which hath been in existence had existed before, but not in the form
thou seest today. The world of existence came into being through the heat
generated from the interaction between the active force and that which is
its recipient. These two are the same, yet they are different. Thus doth
the Great Announcement inform thee about this glorious structure. Such as
communicate the generating influence and such as receive its impact are
indeed created through the irresistible Word of God which is the Cause of
the entire creation, while all else besides His Word are but the creatures
and the effects thereof. Verily thy Lord is the Expounder, the All-Wise.
Know thou, moreover, that the Word of God--exalted be His glory--is higher
and far superior to that which the senses can perceive, for it is
sanctified from any property or substance. It transcendeth the limitations
of known elements and is exalted above all the essential and recognized
substances. It became manifest without any syllable or sound and is none
but the Command of God which pervadeth all created things. It hath never
been withheld from the world of being. It is God's all-pervasive grace,
from which all grace doth emanate. It is an entity far removed above all
that hath been and shall be.
We are loath to enlarge on this subject, inasmuch as the unbelievers have
inclined their ears towards Us in order to hear that which might enable
them to cavil against God, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting. And
since they are unable to attain to mysteries of knowledge and wisdom from
what hath been unravelled by the Source of divine splendour, they rise in
protest and burst into clamour. But it is true to say that they object to
that which they comprehend, not to the expositions given by the Expounder,
nor the truths imparted by the One true God, the Knower of things unseen.
Their objections, one and all, turn upon themselves, and I swear by thy
life that they are devoid of understanding.
Every thing must needs have an origin and every building a builder.
Verily, the Word of God is the Cause which hath preceded the contingent
world--a world which is adorned with the splendours of the Ancient of Days,
yet is being renewed and regenerated at all times. Immeasurably exalted is
the God of Wisdom Who hath raised this sublime structure.
Look at the world and ponder a while upon it. It unveileth the book of its
own self before thine eyes and revealeth that which the Pen of thy Lord,
the Fashioner, the All-Informed, hath inscribed therein. It will acquaint
thee with that which is within it and upon it and will give thee such
clear explanations as to make thee independent of every eloquent
expounder.
Say: Nature in its essence is the embodiment of My Name, the Maker, the
Creator. Its manifestations are diversified by varying causes, and in this
diversity there are signs for men of discernment. Nature is God's Will and
is its expression in and through the contingent world. It is a
dispensation of Providence ordained by the Ordainer, the All-Wise. Were
anyone to affirm that it is the Will of God as manifested in the world of
being, no one should question this assertion. It is endowed with a power
whose reality men of learning fail to grasp. Indeed a man of insight can
perceive naught therein save the effulgent splendour of Our Name, the
Creator. Say: This is an existence which knoweth no decay, and Nature
itself is lost in bewilderment before its revelations, its compelling
evidences and its effulgent glory which have encompassed the universe.