"There is no special physical significance in the remains of the Prophets
or relics of Their Persons. But there is a profound spiritual significance
in the sense that Their dust was the physical mirror of the greatness of
God. In other words we know God through His Prophets, Who have bodies;
these bodies--Their very dust--are precious through association. It is
natural for people to be touched by a lock of hair or some token of one
they loved; how much more should we treasure and feel moved by a relic of
the Beloved of God?
"The Bab has told us to bury the dead in silk (if possible) in coffins of
crystal. Why? Because the body, though now dust, was once exalted by the
immortal soul of man! The portrait of the Bab should be regarded as an
inestimable privilege and blessing to behold, as past generations were
denied a glimpse of the Face of the Manifestation, once He had passed on."
"The atoms of the Prophets are just atoms, like all others, but the
association of this great spiritual power with them leaves in the place
they are laid to rest a spiritual atmosphere, if one can use this
expression. They are, no doubt, endowed with a tremendous spiritual
influence and far-reaching power. But the physical character of their
atoms are not different from other people's, any more than their bodies
and physical functions are different."