# Bahai Prayers (1900) *Exported from [Holy-Writings.com](https://www.holy-writings.com/) on 2026-06-21 — 1 clipping.* --- > Prayers, > Tablets, > Instructions and > Miscellany > > Gathered by > American Visitors to the > Holy City > During the Summer of 1900 > > > > > PRAYER TO BE SAID ON FIRST > AWAKENING > > Praise be unto Thee, Oh my God, that Thou > hast awakened me after my sleep, caused me to > appear after my absence, and raised me from > my insensibility. I arose facing the Lights of > the Dawn of Thine Appearance, by which the > horizons of the Heavens of Thy Power and Thy > Majesty were enlightened, confessing Thy > Signs, assured in Thy Book, and holding to > Thy Rope. > > I beg of Thee, by the Power of Thy Will, and > by the Penetration of Thy Purpose, to ordain > that which Thou hast showed me in my vision, > as the most solid foundation for the dwelling > place of Thy love in the hearts of Thy Friends, > and the best cause for the appearance of Thy > Favour and Thy Grace. > > Oh my Lord, ordain to me, by Thy Supreme > Pen, the blessings of the world to come, and > the present one. I bear witness, that verily the > reins of affairs are in Thy Grasp, and that Thou > changest them as Thou desirest. There is no > God but Thee, the Powerful and the Faithful. > > Thou art the One whose Command changeth > lowliness into might; weakness into strength; > humility to authority; confusion to tranquility, > and doubt to conviction. There is no God but > Thee, The Glorious, The Generous. Disappoint > > not whosoever entreateth Thee, and forbid > not whosoever desireth Thee. Ordain that > which befitteth the Heaven of Thy Bounty, and > the Ocean of Thy Generosity. Verily Thou art > the Powerful, the Mighty. > > PRAYER TO BE SAID BEFORE GOING > TO BUSINESS > > He is the Protector and the Self-Subsistent. > > I arose by Thy Favour, oh my God, and left > the house depending upon Thee, and confiding > my affairs unto Thee. Then send down upon > me a blessing from before Thee, from the > Heaven of Thy Mercy. Then make me to return > to the house in safety, as Thou didst cause > me to leave it in safety and steadfastness. There > is no God but Thee, The Single, The One, The > Knowing and the Wise. > > PRAYER TO BE SAID ON FIRST > AWAKENING > > I arise in Thy Shelter, and it behooveth him > who seeketh Thy protection to be under the > shield of Thy Guard, and in the Fortress of Thy > Defence. O my Lord, enlighten me inwardly > by the Lights of the Day-break of Thy Manifestation, > as Thou hast enlightened me outwardly > by the Light of the dawn of Thy Favour. > > PRAYER TO BE SAID ON ENTERING OR > LEAVING A CITY > > O my God, ordain this place fortunate and > safe. Then guard me, oh my God, at the moment > > of my entering and of my leaving it. Then > ordain it as a fortress to me, and to those who > adore Thee and worship Thee, that they may > be fortified therein through Thy Favour, and > protected therein from the thrusts of the infidels > by Thy Power. > > Verily Thou art the Mighty, the Powerful, > the Protector, the Honoured and the Self-Subsistent. > > PRAYER TO BE SAID BEFORE GOING > TO SLEEP > > Thou are the Praiser and the Praised One. > O my God, and my Master and my Desire. > This, thy servant desireth to sleep in the shelter > of Thy Mercy, and to rest under the shadow of > the Dome of Thy Favour, assisted by Thy Protection > and Thy Guard. O my Lord, I invoke > Thee, by Thine Eye which sleepeth not, to protect > mine eye from beholding aught beside > Thee. Then increase its light by witnessing > Thy Signs, and by looking towards the Horizon > of Thy Manifestation. Thou art He before > whose Appearances of Might, the existence of > power is subdued. > > There is no God but Thee, the Powerful, the > Conqueror, the Chosen One. > > A SHORT PRAYER > In case of necessity, may be used instead > of the longer daily prayer > > After ablution of face and hands, turn towards > Acca, and say: > > > > I testify, oh my God, that Thou hast created > me for Thy knowledge and for Thine adoration. > I testify at this instant, to my powerlessness, > and to Thy Power; to my weakness, and > to Thy Might; to my poverty, and to Thy > Riches. There is no God but Thee, The Protector, > The Self-Subsistent. > > PRAYER TO BE SAID BEFORE GOING > TO SLEEP > > O my God, O my God! How can I choose > to sleep whilst the eyes of the yearning ones > are awaken because of separation from Thee, > and how can I rest on the bed whilst the minds > of Thy lovers are troubled by Thine Absence. > O my Lord, I confide my spirit and my essence > in the right hand of Thy Authority and > Thy Security, and I lay my head on the bed > by Thy Power; then raise it therefrom by Thy > Will and Thy Desire. Verily Thou art the Protector, > the Guardian, the Powerful and the > Mighty. > > By Thy Might, naught I desire from sleep, > neither from waking, but that which Thou desirest. > I am Thy servant, and in Thy Grasp. > Confirm me to that whereby the scent of Thy > Satisfaction is diffused. This is my hope, and > the hope of those who are near to Thy Presence. > Praise be unto Thee, O God of the creatures. > > > > TABLET REVEALED FROM THE BLESSED > PERFECTION TO THE EXALTED LEAF > > This Book is from before Us to her who hath > heard and attained, and she hath sprung from > this Pre-Existent Root, and hath appeared in > My Name, and hath tasted My Most Holy and > Wonderful Saliva. We have given her to drink > from My Sweetest Mouth, and once from the > Mighty and Shining Kawther. May My Glory > and the Fragrance of My Shining Garment be > upon her. > > The Greatest > > Oh thou blessed and sparkling Leaf! Sing > and chant on the Twigs of the Bower of Beha > in this exalted Word; Verily there is no God > but Him, the Lord of the Beginning and the > End. We have surely ordained thee as the best > of the maid-servants, and have bestowed upon > thee such a station from before Our Presence > to which no women have preceded (thee). In > this wise We have preferred thee, and have > given thee precedence as a Favour from before > the Lord of the Throne and the earth. We have > surely created thine eye to perceive the Lights > of My Face, and thine ears to hear My Verses, > and thy temple to stand before the Throne. > Thank thy Lord, the Lord of all creatures! > How sweet is the witness of The Tree for His > Leaf, and the Bower of Singleness for His > Fruit! She ought to diffuse the scent of musk > with My Remembrance. Blessed is whosoever > discoverth it and saith: Praise be unto Thee, > > oh my Lord, The Behi-ul-Abha! How sweet is > thy presence before My Face, and My Regard > unto thee, and My Favour unto thee, and My > Good-will upon thee, and My Remembrance of > thee in this Tablet which we have ordained as > the Sign of My Favour unto thee, both secretly > and openly. > > The Abha > > Oh My Leaf, hear My Call! Verily there is > no God but Me, the Mighty, the Wise! I discover > from thee the breaths of My Love, and > the Fragrance of the Garment of My Name, > The Most Holy, The Shining. Wave on the > tree as thou wilt, then speak in the praise of thy > Lord among all the creatures. Be not grieved > with the world, and hold to this Tree from > which God hath caused thee to spring forth. > By My Life, it behooveth the lover to hold to > the Beloved! This is the Beloved of all the > creatures! > > Oh My God and My Lord! Praise be unto > Thee for that Thou hast made to appear the > Sun of Thy Beauty from behind the clouds, in > days whereof the eye of mankind hath not beheld > the life. Then, oh My God, make the faces > of Thy servants to emerge from behind the > calyx, and to behold Thee manifestly on the > Throne of Thy Grandeur and Glory. May the > Peace of God and His Favour and His Mercy > be upon ye! > > > > EXTRACT FROM TABLET REVEALED BY > THE BLESSED PERFECTION > > Oh friends of The True One! The object of > enduring the successive afflictions and these > succeeding calamities, is this--that the souls > assured to God may behave with one another > with the greatest harmony, in such a manner > that discord and duellism and difference be > effaced from among them, with certain exceptions > revealed in Divine Scriptures. A man of > insight will in no wise be subject to any defect; > all that will take place will be a proof of the > greatness of his station, and of the purity of his > nature. For instance, if some one should humble > himself before the lovers of God for the > sake of God, that submission will be as to God, > because it has regard to his belief in God. > Likewise, if the former (the one to whom the > submission is shown) does not act like the latter, > or if pride appear from him, the man of insight > has attained the summit of his action, and has > attained and will attain to its reward, and the > evil of the deed of the former soul will turn to > himself. So also, if someone act proudly, that > pride will turn him from God (I take refuge in > God) oh possessors of mind. I swear by the > Greatest Name, in these days it is too pitiful > that a soul should consider non-essential > grades. Stand up for the Divine Cause, and > behave with the utmost affection one with the > other. Burn the carnal coverings sincerely before > the Face of the Beloved with the fire of > > Unity, and have intercourse with one another > with bright and glad faces. Ye have all seen > the natural qualities of the True One, that it > hath not been pleasing to Him that one night > should pass in which one of the believers of > God should be displeased with this youth. The > core of the world is enkindled by the Divine > Word; it is pitiful for ye not to be enkindled > with this fire. Please God, We hope ye will appoint > this blessed night "the night of agreement" > and ye will all unite one with the other, > and will be adorned with the embroidery of > good and praiseworthy inward qualities. And > your care must be this--to guide one from the > chambers of mortality to the River of Life, and > to behave in such a manner among the servants > that the traces of the True One may show forth > from ye. Because ye are the first of the adorers, > and the first of the worshippers, and the > first of the encirclers; then by The One who > hath caused Me to speak in that which is desired, > your names are more renowned in the > exalted Kingdom than the names before ye. > Believe not that this utterance is imagination. > > Would that ye could have seen that which > your Lord, The Merciful, sees of the greatness > of your station, and the greatness of your > worth, and the loftiness of your position! I beg > God that your passionate desires will not prevent > ye from that which is ordained for ye. We > hope that ye will behave with one another with > > the utmost harmony, affection and friendship-- > in such a manner that the Ensign of Unity may > be raised, and the standard of polytheism be annihilated, > and that ye may advance one before > the other in good deeds, and in showing forth > the acceptance (of God). To Him is the Command > and the Creation, He doeth that which > He willeth, and ordereth that which He desireth; > and verily He is The Powerful, The > Mighty, The Omnipotent. > > REVEALED IN AKKA BY THE BLESSED > PERFECTION FOR ROUHA KHANUM > > He is established upon the Throne of the > Beyan. > > Praise, acclamation, remembrance and glory > are ascribed to the Most Holy and Inaccessible > Court of the Presence of the Beloved, who > quickened the world and the nations by the > waves of Revelation, and adorned them with > the embroidery of Existence. He is the Powerful, > on whose rebuff or reception are and have > been dependent the deeds and actions of all created > things. If one were to invoke and worship > the Presence of the Exalted Wealthy One, from > the First from before which there is no beginning, > unto the Last, of which there is no ending, > in deserts, lands, mountains and hills,--whilst > the scent of God's Satisfaction were not diffused > from him, he hath never been, nor will be accepted. > > At a time when once the Residence of the > > Seat of the Lord was in one direction of the > directions, a certain one in the Presence, > praised a servant of the servants, and mentioned > that day and night he was employed in > supplication to the Supplier of all necessities. > In answer to him We commanded that if the > watcher by night and the invoker by day has > gained favour, he is beloved and accepted before > God; otherwise it hath been and will be of > no use. Nay rather, in this condition, that > which is just and that which is forbidden, > piety and atrocious sin, are adjudged > the same; whereunto beareth witness the Ommul > Kitab (the "Mother of the Book"; > this name is applied both to the Manifestor in > every age who reveals scriptures, and to the > revealed Book), and verily He is The Truthful > and The Faithful. > > Oh Rouha! may the Beha of God, the Lord > of the creatures, be upon thee! In the Days of > the Manifestation, holy and pure deeds and > pleasing and spiritual inborn qualities are beloved. > Deeds are counted as fruits of the > Blessed Tree before God; blessed are the doers, > both men and women. But the favour therein > is dependent on permission; otherwise it will > be of no value and remembrance before God, > The Remembrancer and The Knowing. > > On this morn this order is revealed from the > Heaven of the Desire. Break thy fast, Oh Leaf > of My Tree, because, when hurtful, fasting has > been, and will be, of no benefit. > > > > Say: Oh my God, oh my God, behold Thy > Leaf who is holding to the Tree of Thy Command, > and clinging to the Hem of Thy Favour. > I beg Thee to assist her to that which is beloved > and pleasing. By Thy Might, she hath seized > Thy Favour, and hath cut herself from the > favour of all that is in the world, and hath approached > Thee, and hath cast away all that is > in the heavens and earths, except that which > Thy Will hath Wished, and Thy Desire hath > Desired, which protecteth all, both small and > great. > > Oh My Leaf, oh My Leaf! take the Chalice > of Immortality in the Name of God, the Lord > of the Kingdom of Names! then drink thereof > in His Name, The Commander, the Omnipotent. > > Verily I say, there is a great station before > God for fasting and prayer, but the favour > therein exists when in health; when in feebleness, > this action is not allowed. This is the > Commandment of the True One (Whose Glory > is Exalted) both in the past and in the future. > Blessed are the hearers and doers, both men > and women. Praise be unto God, The Revealer > of the Scriptures! > > I praise Thee, oh my God, oh the Desired > One of all contingent beings, and the Beloved > One of all created things! I beg Thee to preserve > Thine Household from the evil of those > who violated Thy Covenant and Thine Alliance, > > and denied Thy Right, and disbelieved in Thy > Signs. Then cause to descend upon them the > rains of Thy Generosity and Grace, from the > Clouds of Thy Mercy. Then write for them by > Thy Supreme Pen, that which will exalt them in > Thy Name from among Thy servants. Verily > Thou art Powerful to all that Thou desirest. > There is no God but Thee, The Mighty, The > Great. May the glory shining forth and arising > from the Horizon of the Heaven of Thy Generosity, > be upon ye, oh Household, and upon > whosoever is with ye, and loves ye, and encircles > ye, and upon those who have sought a position > for themselves in your vicinity. Verily He is > The Assister, The Powerful, The Mighty, The > Generous. > > MONOJAT OF THE BLESSED PERFECTION > REVEALED BEFORE THE MANIFESTATION > IN BAGDAD > > He is God, The King, The Mighty, The Majestic, > The Holy. > > I invoke Thee, oh My God, at the time that > the Lamp of Unity will be lighted in the White > Niche, and this Eternal Candle will be melted > in the Red Globe, and the Heart will be burnt > with the fire of grief in the Liver of Beha, and > the Cock of the Command shall cry out in the > Supreme Kingdom, and red tears flow on yellow > cheeks, then verily though He write before > Thee with the Pen of Black on the Green Tablet, > > yet, within His Mind, He writeth with the > Pen of Blood on the Fragments of His Lovers, > that which no one is able to hear in the lower > Kingdom of Might. > > Therefore the Breezes of Spirit ceased from > the City of Eternity, and the Fruits of the Tree > of Tooba (a tree of blessedness in Paradise) fell > down, and the Branches of the Sadrat-el-Montaha > broke, the melodies of the Nightingale > were silenced in the Supreme Concourse, and in > the Chambers of Abha, the delight of the Pure > Ones was changed, because I was surrounded > by the scorpions of the mountains and the dogs > of the ocean; in such wise that if I desire to look > at the right hand, the poisons thereof will touch > Me, and if I look to the left hand, the dogs will > wound Me there. If I desire to raise My Head, > millstones will fall upon it. > > The matter hath reached to such an extent, > that all the delicacies of the world are cut from > Me. If I desire to drink water, I drink the > Blood of My Heart; and if I desire to taste > food, I eat from the fragments of My Liver. > > Oh My God, all these are affairs that are inflicted > upon Me in Thy Love, and have come > upon Me because of Thine Obedience. Verily, > Oh My God, if Thou wilt at this time be powerful > in protecting Me, then protect Me, and if > Ye do not so, then build Me an House near the > Throne of Thy Glory, beyond the Heavens of > the Might of Thine Eternity. Then raise Me > > unto Thee, that I may dwell in it by Thy Favour, > and repose in the Neighborhood of Thy > Mercy. For verily I have not found for Myself > in Thine earth, a retreat wide enough to put > My Foot on, or to stand upon. For verily Thy > servants have hated Me, and have reviled Me, > and every day they are consulting about My > murder, and are saying in respect of Me all that > they desire, and all that they wish they are deciding > against Me, so that I am perplexed in > My work, and have not found a refuge to flee > unto, nor a place to settle in, neither is there a > shelter for Me to dwell in. > > Alas! Alas! I have no mother to weep over > my condition, and I have no sister to strip her > head in mourning for Me in My misfortune; > there is no near friend to be associated with Me > in My calamity, or to befriend Me in My affliction. > I am, however, contented with what is inflicted > upon Me in Thy Path. Would that Thy > servants could be satisfied therewith, and that > it would have sufficed them to do all these > things unto Myself. No! by Thy Might! this > shall never satisfy them. Nay, they will attack > the Countenance which Thou hast raised (to be) > in Thy Place, and whom Thou hast established > to be on the Throne of Thy Sovereignty; whom > Thou hast concealed under the Tents of Thy > Glory, and under the Canopy of Thy Sublimity, > whom Thou hast branched from the Ocean of > Thy Singleness and enkindled with the Fire of > Thine Eternity, whom Thou hast elevated to > > the station which is never comprehended by > anyone, and is never known by any soul, whom > Thou hast appointed a fortress unto Thy servants, > and a Light unto the countries, whom > Thou hast ordained the people to have recourse > unto, as they have their recourse unto Thee, > and to be submissive under His Hands as their > submission unto Thee. Notwithstanding all > this, they contradicted Him, and waged war > against Him, both in secret and public, in such > wise that they raised banners of contradiction > against Him and standards of sedition against > His Cause. > > At this time, I beg Thee, oh My God, by the > Light of Thine Eternity, whereby the heavens > and earth are illumined, to make My Feet of > iron by which I may stand in His service, and > the service of whosoever loveth Thee, that I > may become a helper of Thy Religion, and a > guardian of Thine Orders, until I suffer martyrdom > in His Path in Thy Presence, Oh Thou in > whose Hand is the Kingdom of all things. And > verily Thou art the Almighty! > > Then I beg of Thee, oh My God, by the > grief that befell Me in Thy Way, and that left > Me not for one instant of Thine Instants, to > cause Me to ascend to the Paradise of Thine > Eternity, and to raise Me therein by Thy Favour, > and to forbid Me not from that which is > ordained therein of the wonderful Graces of Thy > Singleness, and of the Essence of Thine Eternal > Gifts, whereby I may be one of the Dwellers and > > one of the Travellers in the Neighborhood of > Its Favour. That the whispers of devils hinder > Me not from My Love unto Thee, and from My > yearning after Thee, and My Desire unto Thee, > and from My Passion towards Thee. Verily > that is the Paradise which Thou hast created > from the seeds of Thy Power, and formed from > the subtilties of Thy Might, so that the Sun > shines therein uneclipsed; its Moon is beaming > unveiled; its stars fall not; its houses are indestructible; > its trees are unchangeable; its fruits > unalterable; its mysteries unveiled; its treasures > unfailing; its light unquenchable; its garment > weareth not out; its signs are unobliterable; its > bunches are pendant; its fruits everlasting; its > leaves continuous; and its blessings accomplished. > Its Sun is forever in the noon-day and > is Moon in the day-spring of beauty. > > Therefore praise be unto Thee, praise be unto > Thee, Oh My God. By Thine Honour! were I > to mention Thee as long as the Might of Thy > Dominion and the Eternity of Thine Absolute > Power continues, the description of one sprinkle > of that which Thou hast created therein > from the Appearances of Thy Sovereignty and > the grades of the Holiness of Thy Divinity, I > would be impotent, dumb, and hopeless before > having declared one Letter from the Essences > which Thou hast created therein by Thy Power, > and hast caused to appear therein by Thy Purpose. > > Therefore praise be unto Thee, praise be unto > Thee! > > > > The Robe of Majesty and Honour, and the > Essences of Power and Authority behooveth > One like unto Thee. Verily Thou art the Powerful > in truth, and verily We are all worshipping > Thee and returning unto Thee. > > TABLET REVEALED IN ADRIANOPLE BY > THE BLESSED PERFECTION TO MIRZA > ALY REZA KHORAZANI > > He is Immortal in the Horizon of Abha! > > The Cause of God hath come in the shades of > the Beyan, and the polytheists are in great torment > in this day. The hosts of Revelation have > surely descended with the Ensigns of Inspiration > from the Heaven of the Tablet in the Name > of God, the Powerful, The Omnipotent. Then > the Unitarians shall rejoice with the victory of > God and His absolute Power, and in this day > the deniers will be in manifest agitation. > > Oh ye people, are ye fleeing from the Mercy > of God after that it hath surrounded the contingent > beings created between the heavens and > earth? Change not the blessing of God upon > yourselves, and deprive not yourselves thereof; > whosoever turneth away therefrom will be in > great loss. The similitude of blessing is like > unto the Verses; verily they descend from the > same Heaven, and the Unitarians drink the > Wine of Life from them, and the polytheists > drink therefrom the water of Hameen[1]. When > the Verses of God are read unto them, the fire > > of hatred kindles in their hearts. In this wise, > they change the blessing of God upon themselves > and are of the heedless. > [1. A fountain of boiling water in Hell spoken of in the Koran.] > > Oh people! enter under the shadow of the > Word; then drink from It the choice Wine of > Significations and Beyan, because the Kawther > of the Gracious One is treasured therein, and > hath appeared from the Will of your Lord, the > Merciful, with wonderful Lights. > > Say: The Ocean of Pre-existence hath surely > branched forth from this great Ocean; then > blessed is whosoever abides on Its Shore and > will be of the dwellers. This Holy and Abha > Temple, the Branch of Holiness, hath surely > branched forth from the Sadrat-el-Montaha. > May it be healthful to whosoever seeketh refuge > under Its Shadow, and is of the reposers. > > Say: The Branch of the Cause hath surely > sprung forth from this Root which God hath > made firm in the Ground of Will, and hath elevated > Its Branch to a Station that hath surrounded > all the existence. Then exalted be this > Lofty, Blessed, Mighty and Inaccessible Creation! > > Oh people! draw nigh unto It, and taste the > Fruits of Wisdom and Knowledge from It, from > before The Mighty, The Knowing. Whosoever > will not taste of It will be deprived of the blessing > of God, although he may have nourished > himself with all that is in the earth, if thou art > of the knowing. > > Say: A Word is surely severed in favour > > from The Greatest Tablet, and God hath > adorned it with the embroidery of His Self, and > hath ordained it as a King over all that is on > earth, and as a Sign of His Grandeur and His > Power amongst all the creatures, whereby people > may glorify their Lord, The Mighty, The > Powerful, The Wise, and that by which they > may magnify their Creator, and sanctify the Self > of God, Who standeth upon all things. This is > naught but a revelation from before The Knowing, > The Pre-Existent. > > Say: Oh people! then thank God for Its > Manifestation (The Branch), for verily He is the > Greatest Favour unto ye, and the most perfect > Blessing for ye, and that by which every decayed > bone is quickened. > > Whosoever faceth unto Him, hath surely > faced unto God, and whosoever turneth away > from Him, hath surely turned away from My > Beauty and disbelieved in My Proof and is of > the prodigal. Verily He is The Trust of God > among ye, and His Deposit within ye, and His > Appearance upon ye, and The Dawn among His > servants who are nigh. > > In this wise I am ordered to deliver unto ye > the Message of God your Creator, and I delivered > unto ye all whereunto I was commanded. > Therefore thereunto witnesseth God, then His > Angels and His Apostles, then His holy servants. > Inhale the scent of the Rizwan from Its > Flowers (The Branches), and be not of those > who are deprived thereof. Take advantage of > > the Favour of God upon ye, and be not veiled > therefrom; and verily we have surely raised It > in the Temple of Man; then blessed be God, the > Originator of all that He wills by His affirmed > and wise Command. Verily those who deprived > themselves from the Shade of the Branch, are > those who lose their way in the wilderness, and > the heat of passionate desire burneth them and > they are of the perishing. Hasten oh people, > unto the Shadow of God, that ye may be preserved > from the heat of the day in which no > one shall find for himself any shade or abode, > except under the Shadow of His Name, The > Forgiving, The Merciful. > > Wear oh people, the raiment of Assurance to > guard ye from the thrust of suspicion and imagination, > that ye may be of the assured in those > days in which one shall never be assured and > shall never be established in the Cause but by > cutting himself from all that is in the hands of > the people, and facing the Holy and Brilliant > Countenance. > > Oh people! do ye take the Djelet as an assistant > to yourselves without God? and do ye take > the Taghout as a lord without your Lord, The > Powerful, The Omnipotent? Leave their remembrance, > oh people! (The Djelet and the > Taghout were the two Meccan idols mentioned > in the Koran, and which were destroyed by > Aly.) Then take the Cup of Life in the Name > of your Merciful Lord: By God! the existence > is quickened with one drop thereof, if ye are of > the knowing. > > > > Say: In this day there is no shelter for any > one but the Cause of God, and there is no place > of refuge for any soul but God--and this is that > which is true, and there is naught after the truth > but manifest error. > > God hath surely compelled every soul to deliver > His Cause as much as he has power therein. > In this wise the Command is pre-ordained > by the Finger of Power and Authority on the > Tablets of great Might. Whosoever quickeneth > one soul in this Cause, it is as if he quickened > all the servants, and God shall raise him in the > Day of Judgment in the Rizwan of Oneness, > with the embroidery of His Soul, The Protector, > The Mighty, The Generous. Verily this is your > assistance unto your Lord, and nothing but this > shall ever be remembered in this day before > God, your Lord, and the Lord of your forefathers. > > Verily thou, oh servant, hear that which We > have commanded thee in the Tablet; then seek > the Favour of Thy Lord at every moment. Then > publish the Tablet before those who believe in > God and His Verses, that they may follow whatever > is in It, and may be of the benevolent. > > Say: Oh people! commit not corruptions on > the earth and dispute not with men, because > verily this agreeth not with the state of those > who have taken a station under the Shadow of > their Lord, which is in truth secure. > > When ye find a thirsty one, then give him to > drink of the Cup of Kawther and Tasneen (Waters > > of Paradise), and if ye find a possessor of > attentive ears, then read unto him the Verses of > God, The Powerful, The Mighty, The Merciful. > Unloose your tongue in able explanation; then > admonish men if ye find them drawing nigh > unto the sanctuary of God; otherwise abandon > them to themselves, then leave them in the > depth of hell. Beware of scattering the pearls > of Inner Significance before every barren blind > one, because the blind are verily deprived of > beholding the Light, and distinguish not the > stone from the holy, precious Pearl. Verily, if > thou produce wonderful signs of might for one > thousand years unto the stone, will it understand > them in itself, or will they take effect in > it? No, by thy Lord, The Clement, The Merciful! > And if thou read all the Verses of God > unto the deaf, will he hear a single letter thereof? > No! by the Pre-Existent Beauty of Might. > > In this wise we have brought to thy notice the > jewels of Wisdom and Beyan, that thou mayest > be a gazer unto the Direction of thy Lord, and > cut away from all the creatures. > > May the Spirit and Glory be upon thee and > upon those who have dwelt in the Holy Residence, > and are in the Cause of their Lord with > manifest steadfastness. > > EXTRACT FROM TABLET REVEALED IN BAGDAD > TO HAJI KHALEEL OF KASVIN, BY > THE BLESSED PERFECTION IN ANSWER > TO SOME QUESTIONS > > As to thy questions regarding My Son. Know > that verily My Sons, if they follow the ordinances > > of God, and exceed not that which is > limited in Beyan--the Book of God, The Protector > and the Self-Subsistent; and if they command > their own souls to that which is just; and > if they forbid that which is forbidden; and if > they witness to that which God hath witnessed > in His firm, established and ordained Verses; > and if they believe in Him Whom God shall > cause to appear in the Day that will be counted > of the earliest and of the latter time, in which > all will contradict God, their Lord; and if they > disagree not in the Cause of God; and if they > bear not enmity to His ordained and decreed > Law; then know that verily they will be the > Leaves of the Tree of Unity, and Its Fruits, and > by whom the clouds shall rain, and the sky shall > lift with favour--if ye are of the assured--and > they will be of the Family of God among ye, > and His Household in your midst, and His > Favour upon the creatures--if ye are of those > who know. From them the Breezes of God > shall blow upon ye, and the Winds of the Might > of the Beloved will pass by those who are nigh. > They will be the Pen of God and His Cause and > His Word among mankind, and by them they > receive and bestow--if thou art of the instructed. > > By them the earth is illumined with the Light > of thy Lord, and the Signs of His Favour appear > unto those who deny not the Signs of God. > Then whosoever listeneth to them, will have > surely listened to Me, and whosoever shunneth > > them, will have shunned the Path of God, The > Protector, The Self-Subsistent. > > Thou shalt soon find the opposition of the > contradictors, and their haughtiness upon Us, > and their oppression upon Ourselves, without > any proof, or any preserved Book. Say: O > people, verily they are the Signs of God among > ye. Beware, and dispute not with them, and > kill them not, and be not of those who oppress > and are senseless. They are the captives of > God on the earth, and have fallen under the > hands of the oppressors in this land, which is > situated behind lofty mountains. All this was > inflicted upon them whilst they were yet little > ones in the world, and had no sin--nay rather, > in the Path of God, The Powerful, The Potent, > The Mighty, The Beloved. > > But the One who will appear among them in > illuminate knowledge, God will cause the Verses > of His Power to flow from His Tongue, and He > is the One to whom God has assigned His > Cause. Verily there is no God but Him, in > Whom is the creation and the command, and > verily we are all performing His Commands. > > I beg God to incline them to His obedience, > and to nourish them with that whereby their > mind is satisfied, and the minds of those who > are facing the direction of God at every instant, > and to overlook their oppression, and to ordain > them of those who will inherit the Heaven of > Paradise from before God, The Mighty, The > Protector, The Self-Subsistent. > > > > EXTRACT FROM ANOTHER TABLET BY > THE BLESSED PERFECTION > > Verily I have devoted My Soul and My Spirit > for the exaltation of The Word, and for glorifying > the Command of Thy Lord, the Mighty, The > Benevolent. If I see any one of the Branches > opposing that which God hath desired, in truth > He will expel him, and we are The Powerful, > The Avenger. > > EXTRACT FROM THE "TABLET RIZWAN EL > IGRAR" (THE GARDEN OF CONFESSION). > > Revealed by The Blessed Perfection to Aga Mohammed > Aly Yazdi, who is still living > in Sidon. (July, 1900) > > ...My Eye weeps, and the eyes of Aly weep > before the Supreme Companion; and My Heart > laments, and the heart of Mohammed laments > under the Canopy of Abha; and my Mind cries > out, and the minds of the Apostles cry out before > the Sadrat-el-Montaha, if ye are of the onlookers. > > My sadness is not for Myself, but for the One > Who shall come after Me in the Shadow of the > Command with Manifest and Evident Power. > Verily there are who will not consent to His > Manifestation, and will protest against His > Verses, and will disbelieve His Proof, and will > fight against His Person, and will use deceit in > His Affair, just as they are inflicting upon Him > in these days, and ye are witnessing thereto. > > > > Verse revealed in Koran (Chap. 39) regarding > the word "choose." > > > > "And We have given the Book of Koran in > heritage unto such of Our servants as We have > chosen: of them (there is) who oppresseth his > own soul[1]; and of them (there is) who keepeth > midway[2]; and of them (there is) who outstrippeth > in good works, by the permission of > God. > [1. By not practicing what he is taught and > commanded in the Koran.] > [2. That is, who performs his duty for the > most part, but not perfectly.] > > EXTRACT FROM THE "TABLET OF JAMAL." > REVEALED BY THE BLESSED > PERFECTION > > ...Make mention of Him in thy days, and the > misfortunes that were inflicted upon Him by > those who had not discerned the scent of faithfulness, > and followed fancies. Verily thou art > informed of what was inflicted upon Us in the > Land of Mystery, by the oppression of those > two persons (Mirza Riza-gholi and his sister) > of the God, the Lord of the Days. God seized > one of them by the violence of His Presence, > and when he saw them, he said. "I have repented > before Thee, Oh Thou in Whose Grasp > is the Guiding rein of mankind." > > At length he was present and did penitence > in hypocrisy, and the Lord rent not the veil until > the fixed hour came. > > And when We entered the Prison (Acca) he > committed such deeds that the veneration of > God was destroyed amidst His servants. By > > My Life, We were patient and veiled it, until the > matter reached to such a degree that the Cause > was on the point of changing. So We expelled > him and his sister from the Gate. > > Oh Jamal! I have expended My Soul and > My Life to honour the Word, and honour the > Cause of thy Lord, The Mighty, The Beneficent. > If we see any one of the Branches in opposition > to that which is desired by God, in > truth We will expel him; and I am The Powerful > and The Avenger. Verily thou art informed of > their deeds (Mirza R. and sister.) By God, the > Eye of Pre-Existence wept under the Most > High Canopy, and the Righteous Ones lamented > for that which they committed. > > EXTRACT FROM THE BOOK OF BADI, > REVEALED BY THE BLESSED > PERFECTION > > ...Oh ye who are heedless of the meanings > of the Divine Words, and oh ye who are not > benefited by the fruits of the Lordly Tree! First > understand what is the religion of the Beyan, > and what is the purpose of the Point of Revelation > (Whose grandeur is exalted) of His Words > and of His Signs; then occupy yourselves in investigation. > Be not of those souls who interpret > the Divine Words according to their sensual > passions, and falsify the meanings thereof. > > This is the religion of Beyan, as follows: > > He calls the Origin of the Manifestation, a > Tree, and the Branches, Twigs, Leaves and > Fruit, the Appearances of that Manifestation, as > > it will be observed. For example, the First > Point Himself (may the spirit of what is beside > Him, redeem Him) was the Tree of Divine > Manifestation, and the followers of His Cause > were all counted as His Leaves, Branches, > Twigs and Fruit. Likewise consider all other > Manifestations, and mention them under whatsoever > name thou mayest please. > > For example, take the Point of Revelation as > the Ocean, and the others as Its Waves. Likewise > as the Sun, and the others as Mirrors. In > this Station, if He says to each one of the Appearances > of the Manifestation, "He is Me, and > I am Him," it is true, and there is no doubt of > it. Such are the Letters of the Living, some of > whom are yet alive.... (As far as His Exalted > Speech, which says) If the Person of the Manifestation > says to every Tree of those Trees > planted in this holy Ground, that this is a Proof > to all things, verily it is the Proof; just as He > has created the Proofs from before times ... as > far as His Exalted speech (may its remembrance > be honoured) which says: "Know that as long > as they are under the shadow of God, and are > depending upon His Name, these names will be > true, and this honor will remain upon them. But > after transgressing and exceeding the limitations, > The Robe of Honour of Names will be > stripped from off them, and they will be mentioned > by God as rejected and cast away." ...as > far as His exalted speech (may His Explanation > be honoured) which says as follows: "Consider > > the Appearance of the Manifestation as > the Fruit of the Tree of the Manifestation, and > of these Fruits they are counted, as long as they > are holding to the Tree. But after being cut off > from the Tree, they will be so changed by the > blowing of the winds of passion and lust, that > they will be deprived of, and lose all flavour, > delicacy and freshness." > > EXTRACT FROM THE SAME BOOK > > ...In the Appearance of the Manifestation, > naught is seen but the Self of the Manifestation. > Therefore, in all the Appearances of the Manifestation, > whether in the age of the Koran, Gospel, > Psalms or Bible, naught is seen but the Self > of the Manifestation. Likewise, in the people > of the Beyan, naught is seen but the Manifestation > of the Point of the Beyan; that is, as long > as they are under the shade of the Beyan. And > if one leave it (I take refuge in God) naught is > seen in him but only Satan and his deeds. > > EXTRACT FROM A TABLET TO A WOMAN, > REVEALED BY THE BLESSED PERFECTION > IN ADRIANOPLE > > ...O My Maid-servant, thus did My sister; > the world deluded her to such an extent that she > denied God, The Mighty and The Wise. Verily > We have not condemned her unto thee on account > of Ourself, but when she contradicted > God, We turned away from her. In this wise, > We commanded from before The Powerful and > The Potent. > > > > We have cut off the rope of relationship between > Us and her, by an order from before Him, > for she disbelieved in Him Who hath created > her, and verily God is a Witness to that which > I say. > > If one of My sons should exceed beyond the > ordinances of God, by God, My Eye shall not > turn to him at all, and to this bear witness all > the just and the informed. > > Verily thou, O My Maid-servant, guard thyself, > lest relationship prevent thee from God, > thy Lord, and the Lord of the creatures. Cut > off the ties from all relations and hold to the > relationship of God, The Forgiver and The Merciful. > By God! with His relationship, the people > will be in no need of the relationship of all creatures. > > ...Verily We have cut off the rope of relationship > from all relations except those who believe > in God and turn away from infidels. O > My servants, if one among ye may hear that his > brother or sister hath turned away from God, > it behooveth him to turn away from him or her, > and turn to God, the Beloved of the sincere. > > TALKS WITH OUR LORD AT THE TABLE AT > DIFFERENT TIMES, AUGUST, 1900 > > Our Lord said that He had seen the faces of > the American believers and He was very glad > --for their faces were radiant with the Light of > the Covenant of God, for the faces of those who > violated the Covenant of God would appear > veiled in darkness. > > > > The Covenant of God is like the sun--the > brilliance and light of the Covenant radiates and > shines forth from the faces of those who are firm > in it. He said "I pray to the Blessed Perfection > that He will so turn their faces to the Covenant, > that all America may be enlightened by the > brightness of their light." Abdel Kerim stands > with the greatest sincerity in the Cause of God. > Beholding the likeness of these believers is, as > it were, bringing them into the Holy Place. > > He said that He prayed for them all in the > visit to the Holy Tomb. He sends His best > greetings and love to all the believers; though > they are not present bodily, they are present > in the heart, and their remembrance brings the > greatest joy and fragrance. > > Our Lord said: How strange it is that I am > from Persia, and you are from America. It is a > long distance from America to Persia. The > greatness of the power of the Cause of God is > manifested in bringing this to pass. > > During the thirty years of Christ's life, there > were only eleven believers, and at the end of His > life, even they wavered, until Mary Magdalen > confirmed them in the truth of God--but the > radiance of this Sun has been felt from here to > America, and notwithstanding all this, the violaters > desire to quench the Light of the Covenant > of God. They wish to extinguish this > Light, but they do not know that the Light of > God's Covenant is kindled and comes from the > Presence of God, and though it were surrounded > > by all the winds of the earth, they could not prevail > to blow it out. > > The existent contingent world was shaken by > the Covenant of God, and yet they wish to remove > it by their most weak power. It is as > if a handful of earth should endeavor to stop the > waves of the ocean. It is like a mote trying to > stop the rays of the sun from reaching the earth. > > Christ said that He would not drink of the > fruit of the vine, until He took it in the kingdom > of His Father. There are no grapes in that > kingdom; the meaning is spiritual. > > > > "As we find ourselves eating with each other > here, so we hope that we shall partake of the > Divine Food with each other in the Kingdom of > Heaven. The body is quickened by this food, > but by the spiritual food, the spirit is quickened. > The first is for giving power and force to the > body, whilst the essential food is for giving > power and force to the spirit. The body needs > food to give it strength, but the spirit is purified > by the essential food. Without food the body > will perish; so also, the spirit will die without > the spiritual food. Bread is the food of the body, > whilst the Breath of God is the food of the > Spirit. The Gifts and Favours of God are the > food of the spirit, so also is the love of God, and > affection and union." > > Then looking at the photographs of the > American believers, our Lord said: "The faces > are reflected in the hearts and minds, and not on > > the paper. The reflection is not durable on the > paper, but it is so in the hearts. The figures on > the paper may fade, but when they are in the > heart, they are preserved from fading and destruction." > He was sorry that Dr. Kheiralla had > thrown away the great foundation God had prepared > for him. It sometimes happens that God > crowns a man with His great mercies and favours, > and that then the man, with his own > hands, takes off the crown and casts it on the > ground. > > Many of these faces bear good tidings of the > Kingdom--they shall progress in the Cause > greatly. Only you must wait three or four years, > and then you will see a great advancement in > the Cause of God. This is, as it were, only the > beginning of the fall of the rain--it is raining > now, drop by drop. The believers in America > are like a field in which the corn has newly > sprung up. This is the dawn of the day, when > only a faint, few rays of the sun are visible. As > in the early morning, only a faint radiance is > visible in the horizon, so it is now. The people > in America see the truth but little now, but the > Sun of Truth will shine brightly there afterwards. > > We must remember that this truth is not for > the people of a single religion, or for a single > nation; therefore we must be able to give proofs > that will completely satisfy the seeker from each > religion. If we give proofs from the Taurat, > that will only convince the Jews; if from the > > Gospels, the Christians only will believe; if from > the Koran, it will appeal only to the Mohammedans; > and so on with all the other religions. But > this religion is a universal one--a religion for > the whole world, therefore we must be able to > convince each one from his own standpoint. > > To every one who believes in an inspired > Scripture, we are able to prove this religion > from the signs given in their own Books, but > as the religion is general and for every one, and > not only for those who hold to inspired writings, > therefore we must be able to give general arguments > that will convince and satisfy the materialists > and every kind of free thinker. > > The first thing to do is to satisfy the enquirer > of the need of a Creator and an educator. He > must be sure that there can be nothing in the > world of existence without a Power to put it into > existence, and that nothing can grow or take > effect without one who is complete and perfect > to care for it. For instance, a plant requires, in > order to grow, the rays of the sun to shine upon > it, the rain to water it, the breezes to blow upon > it; otherwise it will not be properly developed. > So too, with a child, unless he has some one to > train him and instruct him, he would grow up a > savage. Though everything in this world receives > growth and development by natural laws, > yet we find the cultivator necessary to give order > and arrangement. Not only does the plant > require for its existence the sun, rain and > breezes, but it also needs a gardener to watch > > over and cultivate it, in order that it may gain > its full perfection. If a garden is left to itself, > it quickly becomes a wilderness; the flowers > will not attain full beauty, and the trees will not > produce good fruit. So it is with the souls. > After they have been put into existence by the > Being, it is necessary for them to have an instructor, > in order that they may progress and > develop and attain their highest station, and > their every good and progress depends on such > a trainer. > > For instance, before the manifestation of > Moses, when Moses gave his instructions and > commands to the Hebrew people, they were > savage and uncivilized, and so inferior to the > Egyptians that they would not hire them as servants, > but gave them the roughest, rudest work > to do. But when Moses appeared among them, > and opened before their faces the Gates of Divine > Favours, by receiving the spiritual knowledge, > they became, from its light, a great and > civilized nation, renowned for their learning and > their arts. > > Before Christ manifested, the Sun of the Revelation > of Moses had disappeared from the horizon > of this world, and for a long period the people > had lost its light, and had sunk into a condition > of abasement and subjection, but when > this new Instructor, this new Educator, appeared, > they received a new impetus and a new > life from His teachings, and then the effect > showed itself in a new and great civilization. > > > > When Mohammed appeared in the wilderness > of Hadjaz, the people were wandering tribes in > the lowest depths of idolatry and paganism. So > degraded were they, that they used to bury their > own children alive. He delivered his teachings > to savage tribes, even far more savage than the > Arabs of the present day, but under the power > and life of the instructions imparted to them by > Mohammed, these barbarians quickly became a > civilized people, and from them appeared men > famed for their learning and arts and sciences > throughout the whole world. > > According to history, sixty centuries have > elapsed since the time of Adam, the first man of > whom we have any record, but never in any > period of this long age, has humanity been in > the high condition in which it is now, in inventions, > sciences, arts and material prosperity of > every kind. All historians are agreed in this > fact, that there never has been such a time of > high attainment for humanity as exists in this > nineteenth century. This is nothing but the effect > of the highest and most perfect Revelation. > The Blessed Perfection has appeared upon the > horizon of this world from the Kingdom of > Eternity, and the effect of the Rays of His Glory > is visible in every direction. And this is true, > even though its effects are only partially visible > now, for His Laws and Commands have not > yet been put into practice, by means of which > the highest development of humanity will be > possible. If such a high condition is apparent > > now, in the beginning of this Revelation, what > a great state must we not look for when the full > power of Its Light is manifested. > > August. 10th > > There are two kinds of attachments or unions > --one the material or elementary, that is to say, > the attachment that is formed by means of the > four elements. > > Such is the union between members of an > household. In order to furnish people's needs > and desires, and to obtain their comforts and > conveniences, they must have attachment, communication, > friendship and concord. As long > as there is no bond nor communication between > the members of an household, there is no comfort > nor rest for them, and they cannot have their > needs supplied. From the household, turn to > the people of a city. When citizens are linked > one with another, if one wishes to build a house, > he can send for materials and masons, and then > for carpenters to construct the doors, window > frames, etc. Each one must be linked with the > other, in order that they may communicate with > and help one another. Then when several cities > are united together, they form a territory > or dominion. In one part of this territory perhaps > they grow rice, whilst in another part of > it, there may be no rice, but some other kind of > grain or food, and each part can prepare something > the other is in need of. So we see the > union between cities is the same as between > members of an household. This is the material > > attachment or union of the four elements. The > more solid the union between the people of the > material world, the greater will be their comforts. > In the beginning, when man was created, > he only thought of himself. He thought "What > shall I do for myself?" But when presently he > became united with others, a household was > formed, and then he began to think of them, of > their wants and desires, and then he cried > "What shall I do for them?" So at first, he only > thought of himself, and secondly for his family. > Afterwards many families united together, and > so were formed into a city, and man then begun > to think from the family to the city, and said, > "What shall we do for the city?" Then many cities > united together and constituted a territory or > country, then the thoughts of the people were > "What shall we do for the progress of our > country?" Afterwards because of intercommunication, > the wisdom of people began to consider > "What shall we do for the comfort of our > race?" Now all this effect was caused by the > power of communication, which enabled them to > think of the wide world, instead of only themselves > and their families. You will see in the > future that the power of communication will be > greatly strengthened in this age, so that in time, > all mankind will unceasingly consider the comfort, > right guidance and well-being of the > others. > > These bonds of union that we have been considering, > have to do only with material conditions, > > and are important as enabling bodily necessities > to be furnished--they are necessary for > uniting one with another, and for furnishing the > needs of the material world. > > Now if we compare these bonds and their connections > with the spiritual union, we will find > that there is no comparison between the degree > of one with the other. It is like a drop of water > to the ocean, or a grain of sand to the whole. > And we will surely find that the spiritual union > is absolutely necessary for the attachment and > happiness of the essential or spiritual world. > > We have two conditions or states of life--the > material and the essential. If we consider the > material life of the world, which only lasts for > 40, 50 or 100 years, we will find it is nothing in > comparison with the spiritual life. The body is > in existence only for a certain time, but the essence > or soul is of far other duration. So as we > find that the essential or spiritual life, is greater > and better than the material, we must know also > that the spiritual links must be so much the > higher and greater than the bodily ties. There > can be no greater or stronger tie than that which > exists between the brother and sister, or between > the father, mother and children. But > when a member of a family dies, his relations > follow his remains to the grave, mourn his departure > a short time, and then take up the work > of life without him. > > Now let us consider the power of the spiritual > union or connection. For instance, those who > > live in the world a thousand years from to-day, > will read of those who are living now in this great > day, and will have great honour for them. They > have connection with us by a spiritual union, > and they will think of us who have been in the > days of this Manifestation. This is a proof of > the infinite superiority of the spiritual over the > material union. Look at the solidity of the > spiritual union. For instance, we think of Abraham > and his followers, and we rejoice as we > speak of their good qualities, although so many > hundreds of years have passed since their time. > This is one of the effects of the Spiritual union. > > We who are at this time, under the guidance > of the directions of the Blessed Perfection, hope > to reach to the fullest extent and highest degree > of the union between the spiritual and material, > because when the spiritual connections unite > with the material connections, everything will > be complete both in the spiritual and in the material. > Then, when these two are united and > become one, the earth shall become the Paradise > of Abha. > > The mass of stones is formed of single atoms. > If there were no connection between these > atoms, formation would be impossible. Next > above this stage comes the plant life. There the > connection is greater than that of the stones, > because the stones are only formed of atoms by > the power of attraction, but with the plants there > are two kinds of connections--one is the connection > of atoms by which the plant is formed, > > and the other is the power of growth. So there > is a greater bond in the plant than in the stone, > because the stone has only a single connection, > whereas the plant has two. In the animal life, > we find three connections--first, that which belongs > to the atom; then that which belongs to > the power of growth manifest in plants, and to > the animal life, there is added a third bond-- > that of sensation and feeling, for, if we break a > bough from a tree, there is no sensation in the > tree; but if a man breaks an arm or a limb, his > whole body suffers, because he has the power of > feeling. That power is not found in the other > kingdoms. Now, all these connections in the > stone, plant or animal, are material, but when > we come to the highest point of the existence, > we find man, who is greater than all in wisdom > and power. Man himself, is both spiritual and > material, for, in man, we find that, in addition > to all the material connections, is added the > spiritual connection or union. > > > > Our Lord said that people should come from > the east and from the west; that Persians and > Americans should come from different parts and > meet at the Holy Place. There are two sorts of > meetings, the meeting of the body, and the > meeting of the souls. People can live in the > same house, and be of the same flesh and blood, > and eat at the same table, and yet be at variance, > because they are not one in heart, but that > others, even though they have different customs > > and habits, and be of different races, would be > in love and harmony when they came together, > because their souls had met. For instance, Judas > Iscariot, though he was with his Lord so much, > yet did not know Him, because his heart was > far distant. > > > > We are in the condition of babes in the womb; > the baby does not understand why it has eyes, > ears, etc. It has no use for them there, but > when it leaves the womb, then it finds their use. > So through the revealed laws of our God, we > gain the spiritual features or powers, as it were, > of which we shall understand the real use after > leaving the body. > > > > Our Blessed Lord said: It is not the body > that feels pain or trouble, but the soul. If we > have a pain in our arm, the defect is in the body, > but it is the soul that feels the pain and is troubled, > not the body, though the body is the cause > of the trouble. > > There are two kinds or conditions of life or > existence. There is that existence which is palpable > to our touch, but does not grow or feel-- > the mineral kingdom. Then there is the higher > stage of existence--the plant life, which grows, > but cannot feel. Above this, is the animal kingdom, > which is palpable to the touch, and has the > power of growth and feeling, but cannot attain > to the position or grade of man, which is the > highest degree of all. That which is lower, cannot > > perceive the higher. The minerals cannot > understand or feel the plants, the plants cannot > understand or perceive the animals, and the animals > cannot understand man. Now, these grades > all belong to one kingdom; they are all composed > of matter. If it is impossible for these > different kingdoms belonging to the same world, > to understand the other, rather is it impossible > for man to understand the things of the future > life. For, as is the difference between these > grades or conditions, so is the difference between > man and the spiritual kingdom--it is impossible > for him to perceive or understand it, > because he has no power with which to perceive > it. As a child in the womb of its mother could > not understand if some one were to tell him > about the world outside, so is the human condition > on this earth. We can form no conception > or idea of the heavenly kingdom, because we > have no senses with which to perceive it. > > As it is not yet shown while the child is in the > womb of its mother, what its condition will be, > whether it will have all the gifts of God or not, > whether it will be perfect in all its members or > not, whether it will be blind, or deaf, or dumb-- > but afterwards, when it enters the world, then it > becomes clearly apparent if it is defective or > not--so it is with the soul in this present state. > Its perfection or its lackness is not understood > until it enters the heavenly kingdom; then it is > clearly seen, and then the soul understands > whether or not it is lacking in the gifts of God. > > > > All the time too that the child is in the womb > of its mother, it receives all its life and nourishment > from outside of itself; if it were cut off > from that life, it would be in a dead state; so it > is with the soul here, if it is cut off from its > spiritual food, it is dead. > > As the child in the womb does not yet know > the use of its members, it does not know what > its eyes are for, neither its nose, nor ears, nor > tongue--so also it is with the soul on earth. It > cannot understand here the uses and powers of > its spiritual gifts, but directly it enters the eternal > kingdom, it will become clearly apparent. > > > > Fasting is of two kinds--spiritual and material. > The spiritual fasting comes first, and is > the soul's refusal or denial of all kinds of evil > actions and habits--this is the important fasting. > The bodily fasting or abstinence from > food, is a sign or witness to the inward fasting, > and is of no value by itself. But when both > kinds of fasting go together, then the effect upon > the soul is as "light upon light." > > > > The meaning of Christ's saying "Verily I say > unto you, this generation shall not pass away till > all these things be fulfilled" is this: There are > two generations--a spiritual one and a physical > one. Thirty-three years is counted one physical > generation (Christ himself was thirty > years old when He began to teach, and was > crucified when He was thirty-three) but in this > > saying, Christ was not speaking of the physical > but of the spiritual generation or epoch, and > meant that His dispensation or epoch would not > pass away, until all things should be fulfilled-- > which took place at the coming of Mohammed. > > > > Our Lord explained the real meaning of > Christ's saying that He should come from Heaven > at His second coming, as follows: "That > heaven is the same that Christ spoke of when > He said 'I came down from Heaven, not to do > Mine own will, but the Will of Him who sent > Me.' And also when He said 'No man hath > ascended into heaven, but He that came down > from heaven, even the Son of man, who is in > heaven.' Christ here said of Himself that He > came down from heaven, although He was born > of Mary. For His coming to this earth must > be both spiritually and materially--spiritually, > from the Heaven of the Divine Will, and in a > material body, that He may be manifested on > this earth to us. There are not two heavens; > the only real heaven is the Heaven of the Divine > Will; it is not the empty space to which > we give the name of 'the heavens'--it cannot be > that Christ would come from there." > > THE ISRAELITES > > The Israelites wandered in the wilderness-- > that is the outer story. The meaning of the wilderness > is pride, which its name "Teen" also > signifies. That is why it is said that the Israelites > > could not advance on their way to the > Promised Land, because it is impossible for > those who are in the wilderness of pride to make > any spiritual progress. Another reason why the > Israelites were so long in entering and inheriting > the Promised Land, which in reality belonged > to them, was that they were afraid to > fight their enemies, though God had promised > that they should overcome them. We also, if > we lose heart, and cease to hold to the Garment > of God's mercies and promises, shall be detained > from the promised blessings. > > THE SIN AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST > > Our Exalted Lord said that the meaning of > Christ's saying that he that speaketh against > the Father and the Son, it shall be forgiven him, > but he that speaketh against the Holy Ghost, > shall not be forgiven, is this: Speaking against > God means to keep far from Him--to deny Him > --this is the same as cursing Him. Now we > cannot know the Father or the Son, but > through the Holy Spirit; it is impossible to approach > God in any way except by the Holy > Spirit. The way for mankind to the Holy Spirit > is open, but not the way to the Father or the > Son. For the Father and the Son is like the > physical sun, and the Holy Spirit like its rays. > We can only see the sun and receive its benefits > through its rays, and we have no means of approaching > the sun except through its rays. > There is no reality in those who say that they > > believe in God, and yet deny the Holy Spirit, > as do the Jews, who for centuries have worshipped > God, and yet have denied His Holy > Spirit--such cannot really believe in God. > > > > Our Exalted Lord said that a great Manifestation > appears on the earth every 500,000 years. > The difference between a great Manifestation > and a lesser One, is as that between the sun and > the planets. The 7th "day" of Genesis, 1st chapter, > refers to the Great Manifestation. > > MELCHISEDECK > > When the writer of the "Epistle to the Hebrews" > spoke of Melchisedeck, he did so in > order to prove to the Jews that the spiritual > relationship is far higher, greater, and more to > be considered than the material; that, even > though as the Jews objected, Christ was not of > the line of Levi from which line all the priests > came, and so, they said, He could not be the > promised Messiah--yet neither was Melchisedeck > also, and yet Abraham gave him tithes, > showing that he was a prophet. That he is said > to be without father, mother, etc., means that, > though according to the flesh, he was not of the > line of Levi by either father or mother, yet, according > to the Spirit, he was a true prophet and > priest, and therefore, as he was of the Spirit, > and the Spirit is eternal, it can be said of him > that he was without beginning and without > end. > > > > THE TEMPTATION IN THE WILDERNESS > > It would be impossible, even if the devil were > to take Christ up to the very top of the highest > mountain in the world, that he could see more > than a very small part of it, and even if he were > to rise high up above the world, he could not > do more, for the world is round, not flat. The > "high mountain" means a high condition; the > devil signifies the human nature of Christ. Now, > human nature always desires the things of the > senses, so here we are told, that the promptings > of Christ's human nature showed Him that He > could attain, with His great powers, if He chose, > the highest ruler in the world, and the greatest > possible earthly position, if He would only "fall > down and worship"--that is, follow the ways of > the world. But the Holy Spirit in Christ refused > to worship; it was impossible for Him to > do so, for all the earthly glories were as nothing > to Him in comparison with doing the "Will > of the Father." > > BAPTISM > > John the Baptist baptized the people with > water, but he said that the one who was to come > after him would baptize with fire. What is the > meaning of this, for in the material world, these > two elements are contrary the one to the other, > and then, if Christians take the water literally, > they ought also to take the fire literally. The > meaning is this: as everything in the material > world has its beginning of life in water, so water > > is a type of the beginning of the spiritual life-- > the new birth, which also John preached when > he exhorted people to repent, and so their > hearts were changed from material desires to a > living faith in God. When the soul has begun > this new life, then the fire of the love of God will > purify them into a higher condition. > > THE NEW NAME > > In reference to the "new name" of Revelations, > our dear Lord said that the new name has a > spiritual and inward meaning, not an outward > one, that it does not mean something that can > be pronounced by the tongue, but it means that > when a soul comes into the great Kingdom of > God, the "attributes" or "names" of God light > upon him, and by this he receives new consciousness > and new understanding, and he becomes > a new man. Just, as when in springtime, > the sun and rain come to the earth, all the trees > and herbs spring up and bear new flowers. Man > is, as it were, in shadow, but when the sun > shines upon him, all the shadows disappear. > > REDEMPTION > > The Jews taught that every man who commits > sin must redeem himself by the sacrifice of > an animal. When Christ taught that He was > the living bread that gave life to the world, His > followers understood "life" to mean, the forgiveness > of sins. But the real redemption is, > when a man wishing to give the knowledge of > > their God to the people, sacrifices himself--that > is to say, he strips himself from all the cares of > the body, from his rest, comforts, and pleasures, > and thinks only of the service of God and giving > the truth to the people. Now it is certain > that one man cannot stand up against all the > world without danger to himself; he will be > opposed on every side, and his life will be in > danger. Our dear Lord said that, for Himself, > His life was not safe for one moment--if He > considered His safety, He would never walk in > the street, as His enemies might attack Him at > any time. Now when He left the table, He > might receive a telegram from the Sultan's > officers, ordering Him to be put in prison. But > all this was nothing to Him. The service of > El-Beha is everything. > > > > In answer to a question asked Seyyid Mohsin > as to whether or not our Lord was not the same > as the Blessed Perfection, because the same > power was manifested in Both, he said that our > Lord always said that their difference was the > same as is the difference between the sun and > the moon. The light of the sun subsists in > itself, while the moon receives her light from > the sun. Both shine and give light, but the one > from itself, and the other by reflection. > > > > Our Lord said that, when He was a little boy > in Teheran, He was followed and beaten by > boys and people, because He was a Babi, but > > His own people were very glad of this, for they > knew that the power of God is manifested in > persecution. If a tree is watered by the sun > and the rain falls upon it, is it any the worse if > a little dust falls upon its leaves? If the father > is pleased with his child, what does it care about > the neighbors' opinion? > > > > At this time, those who serve in the Covenant > shall find that which they can only realize > now as a drop will become a mighty ocean, and > the star will become a sun. In autumn and winter > we see few changes in the growth of plants, > but in spring and summer great changes come > rapidly. So it is at this time--this is the spring > time, and therefore we must expect and look for > a great and rapid growth of the souls and a development > in every way--such as would not > happen at another time, because this is the > spring time. > > > > In the Kingdom of God, there is no difference > between the men and the women; both > are considered alike--only the one who works > the hardest surpasses the other. In the time of > Christ, women were the great agents in spreading > the Kingdom. The disciples would not > have been confirmed if it had not been for them > --Peter would not have been strengthened. In > cultivating a garden, it makes no difference > whether the gardener is a man or a woman-- > but if the woman works hard and takes care of > > the plants, she will certainly have a better reward > than the man who idles. > > > > All the Beloved of the Lord will have great > trouble, but unless we suffer, we will not be > fitted to receive the Powers and Gifts of God. > At the time of Christ and soon after His death, > those who taught the doctrine and spread the > Light, were persecuted in every way, but those > witnesses received great spiritual gifts which > those coming after did not receive. Unless the > ground is first ploughed up, it is not able to receive > the seeds and bear fruit. The tree spends > all its powers in growing, in trying to become > taller and greater, and when the rain beats > upon its leaves, it becomes all the fresher, > greener and stronger. > > > > All the teachers of the religion of God are > like a doctor healing a sick person--the sick > man does not like the medicine, but the doctor > knows what will do him good better than he > does, and must try and heal him with the remedies. > Humanity is in a sick condition, and does > not love the Commands of God, but these are > they only which will bring happiness. Teachers > are like schoolmasters--the children do not like > their lessons, and are not sorry if the teacher > falls ill, or some trouble happens which prevents > him from giving them their lessons. So it will > be with the spiritual guides--human nature does > not desire the things of the Kingdom. But the > > teachers must be wise, and gently draw souls into > the Kingdom by all means in their power, > and then the Mercy and the Power and the Gifts > of God will rest upon them. The weak will become > strong who work in this great cause, the > little ones great, the ignorant wise, and the weak > women will be as strong men. > > > > Jesus Christ said only a few words to Peter, > telling him that upon that rock He would build > His church. He left no written instruction or > will, and yet because it was the Word of God, > it took root, and millions have obeyed it. And > now, when the Covenant has been written and > established, how can anyone be foolish enough > to imagine that they can resist it? No, the Ensign > of the Covenant has reached to the Supreme > Heights, and its authority will be spread > all over the earth. > > INSTRUCTIONS FROM OUR LORD > > The kingdom of Heaven resembles the year. > As the year has four seasons, so also the kingdom > of God on earth has its periods or seasons, > and remember that the seasons are caused by > the movement of the earth, and not by the > movement of the sun. > > Before the coming of the spring, the earth > looks as if dead and lifeless, but when it appears, > all the world seems to spring into life and brightness > --into a new existence of beauty and joy. > All nature is clad in fresh green, the grass > > springs up, the leaves bud, and the trees are > covered with blossoms. But the spring passes, > and then comes the summer, in which the promise > of the spring is fulfilled; the spring blossoms > ripen into fruit, and the fields are covered with > yellow grain; the result of the new life of the > spring is manifested. Then comes the autumn, > in which the life of the spring and summer > begins slowly to fade, and finally winter > comes round, and the life of the earth seems to > be completely extinct--dead. > > So it is also in the spiritual things. The cycle > of every prophet has its period of spring, of > summer, of autumn and of winter. When > Moses appeared, and the new Life and Light of > God shone on the earth through him, the people > to whom he came were as dead souls--without > life. But when he gave his teaching, then began > the spring time of souls, and they awoke > into life, full of joy and beauty. Afterwards > came the period of their summertime when the > lives of these followers of Moses had become > gradually fashioned and moulded by his teachings, > and the fruit of his labors appeared. But > after a time, hearts became heavy, faith grew > slack, and the people gradually lost the truth > and reality of the revelation of their great teacher, > and then presently the period of their winter > came, when they grew corrupted by outer > influences, and were as dead, without fruits and > without life. > > Then came the spring time of the revelation > > of Jesus Christ, which also, in its cycle, passed > through the periods of rise, fullness, decline and > fall, until, at the time of the appearance of Mohammed, > the people were as dead--given over > to materialities and dogmas, having lost the > truth of the revelation of the Manifested Word. > > So too, with the revelation of Mohammed, it > also passed through these same conditions, till, > when the Blessed Perfection appeared, again the > time of spring came to this earth, and to souls > enveloped and shrouded in darkness, a new season > of life and joy and gladness begin. (The > people that walked in darkness have seen a > great light; they that dwelt in the land of the > shadow of death, upon them hath the light > shined.) > > That passage of the Old Testament in which > it is said that Jerusalem shall go into the wilderness, > could not mean that the city of Palestine > should be removed into the wilderness--no, it > means that a new Revelation of God should appear > in the wilderness, which took place when > Mohammed preached to those wild tribes in the > desert--savage, uncivilized people as they were. > > But always, when the word of God is manifested, > the eyes of the spiritually blind are > opened, the ears that were deaf to the Voice of > the Holy Spirit, are at last unsealed; those who > were crippled in the powers of their soul, become > strong; the lame man leaps as an hart, and > the tongue of the dumb shall sing the praises of > God. > > > > INSTRUCTIONS FROM OUR LORD > > Life is of two kinds--material and spiritual. > If we wish to understand what the spiritual life > is, we must look to the material world, which > is an outward figure or symbol of the inward > spiritual reality. For instance, there are two > suns--a spiritual one, and also a material--an > outward and an inward. When we consider the > physical symbol or picture, we shall understand > something of the spiritual sun, of which it is > the outer mirror. For, as when the sun rises > and shines on the earth, all existence receives > life and benefit from its rays, and without it, > there would be no life; so also, when the real, > the spiritual sun arises and shines in this world, > all souls receive their life and light from Its Appearance, > and without It, they would remain in > a condition of darkness and death. Also, as by > reason of the earth, the sun seems to appear > and disappear, in reality to itself, there is no > rising and no setting, but it remains always in > the same glory of light. So it is with the spiritual > Sun. It has Its time or period of Epiphany > and Its time of Occultation on this earth, when > It manifests to humanity, and then disappears > from their view. But to Itself, there is no Epiphany > and no Occultation, and the Kingdom of > Heaven is a continuous Kingdom--an eternal > dominion in the souls. John the Baptist called > the people to repentance, and to be baptized of > him, in order to prepare them for the appearance > of the Light of the Spiritual Sun, which > > was then on the point of arising to illuminate > the world. The time of John the Baptist was > like the early dawn which precedes the Light. > > INSTRUCTIONS FROM MOWLANA > > We must first find out whether he who claims > to be a prophet, is surely so or not; then if we > find that he is, we must accept whatever he says, > because his voice is the voice of God, and he has > the creative power, and what he commands or > does, must be the will of God. > > He has the power to abrogate the commands > of the preceding Revelator, as did Jesus, who > broke the Sabbath, although the keeping of the > Sabbath was one of the strictest commands of > Moses. For this reason, the Jews rejected His > teachings, not knowing that every Revelator > gives and establishes his own laws. The revelation > of Moses was not like the revelation of > Abraham, as the revelation of Jesus was unlike > the revelation of Moses. The Revelator is > thereby over all preceding commands, as is > shown when Jesus said to the woman that was > a sinner, who bathed His Feet, "Thy sins be > forgiven thee," although the sin of adultery, according > to the law of Moses, was one of the > gravest. Although the prophet gives laws and > commands to the people, he is not bound by > the laws, because he is lord and maker of the > laws. > > > > INSTRUCTIONS FROM MOWLANA FOR > FIRST TEACHINGS > > Every material thing we see around us, represents > some spiritual idea. As there is an outward, > material reality, so there is also an inward, > spiritual reality. Take for example--the > sun; there is a material sun, and there is also a > spiritual sun. As the physical sun rises and > sets, so also does the spiritual sun. When the > sun rises, the darkness vanishes. So also, when > the Sun of Truth arises, all errors and ignorance > disappear. As everything in the world depends > entirely upon the material sun for life > and growth, and for producing fruit--for without > its rays, no fruit would be possible--so also, > without the Light of the Spiritual Sun, souls > can produce no fruit, but where It shines, fruits > follow in due season. Unless we dig and plant > a piece of ground, and have a gardener to care > for the plants, we can have no garden; we shall > have no beautiful flowers or plants, but there > will be a wild forest instead. So also, with children, > unless they have some one to rear them > and care for them, and cultivate their minds, > they would become like wild animals. Everything > in the world must have some thing or > some one to care for it, to enable it to live and > grow. As the children need a teacher, a trainer, > so also the souls need a Master. Who are these > Masters, who train souls in spiritual knowledge? > They are the Prophets, who teach in > the school of God, and they are the greatest and > highest of all teachers and instructors. > > — *Bahai Prayers (1900)*