# Fire Tablet

*Exported from [Holy-Writings.com](https://www.holy-writings.com/) on 2026-06-18 — 1 clipping.*

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> Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: Bahá'u'lláh, Fire Tablet, New York: British Academic Press, 1994, bahai-library.com.
> ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
> 
> Fire Tablet
> 
> Bahá'u'lláh
> 
> Denis MacEoin, translator
> published in Rituals in Babism and Bahá'ísm pp. 134-137
> 
> New York: British Academic Press, 1994
> 
> translated
> by Denis MacEoin[1]
> authorized translation
> 
> In
> the Name of God, the Most Ancient, the Most Great!
> 
> They that are consecrated unto God have been consumed by the fire of
> separation; Where is the flashing of the lights of Thy presence, 0 Beloved of
> the Worlds?
> 
> They that are nigh unto God have been left abandoned within the shadows of
> exile; Where are the dawning rays of the moon of Thy union, 0 Desire of the
> Worlds?
> 
> The bodies of the chosen ones have been cast into confusion on the earth of
> remoteness; Where is the ocean of Thy nearness, 0 Thou that drawest unto Thee
> the Worlds?
> 
> The hands of longing are lifted up unto the heaven of grace and bounty; Where
> are the rains of Thy bestowal, O Thou that answerest the prayers of the
> Worlds?
> 
> The infidels have risen up with violence in every direction; Where is the
> victory of the Pen of Thy decree, 0 Conqueror of the Worlds?
> 
> The barking of dogs hath been raised on every hand; Where is the lion of the
> jungle of Thy power, 0 Subduer of the Worlds?
> 
> All creation hath been overcome with cold; Where is the heat of Thy love, 0
> Fire of the Worlds?
> 
> Afflictions have reached their height; Where are the revelations of Thy
> gladness, 0 Joy of the Worlds?
> 
> Darkness hath overwhelmed most beings; Where are the lights of Thy radiance, 0
> Light of the Worlds?
> 
> Necks have grown high with hypocrisy; Where are the swords of Thy retribution,
> 0 Destroyer of the Worlds?
> 
> Wretchedness hath increased to its utmost degree; Where are the signs of Thy
> majesty, 0 Glory of the Worlds?
> 
> Sadness hath overtaken the dawning-place of Thy name, the Merciful; Where is
> the joy of the manifestations of Thy revelation, 0 Happiness of the Worlds?
> 
> All mankind hath been plunged into grief; Where are the tokens of Thy
> rejoicing, 0 Gladness of the Worlds?
> 
> Thou dost behold the dawning-place of the verses behind the veils of vain
> allusions. Where is the finger of Thy might, 0 Power of the Worlds?
> 
> The trembling of thirst hath shaken all in the realm of creation; Where are the
> sweet waters of Thy bounty, 0 Mercy of the Worlds?
> 
> Greed hath taken hold of all in the realm of existence; Where are the
> dawning-places of detachment, 0 Lord of the Worlds?
> 
> (p 135) Thou seest the Oppressed One alone amongst strangers; Where is the
> host of the heaven of Thy command, 0 Monarch of the Worlds?
> 
> I have been left alone in the land of exile; Where are the dawning points of
> Thy fidelity, 0 Constancy of the Worlds?
> 
> The agonies of death have taken fast hold of the horizons of the world; Where
> are the waters of Thy living ocean, 0 Life of the Worlds?
> 
> The evil whisperings of Satan have encompassed all that dwell upon the earth;
> Where are the shooting stars of Thy fire, 0 Light of the Worlds?
> 
> Most men have been altered by the drunkenness of desire; Where are the
> dawning-places of piety, 0 Desire of the Worlds?
> 
> Thou seest the Wretched One in the veil of darkness among the people of Syria;
> Where is the glow of the light of Thy morning, 0 Lamp of the Worlds?
> 
> Thou seest me prohibited from speaking; Where will Thy melodies appear, 0 Dove
> of the Worlds?
> 
> Vain superstitions and imaginings have rendered unconscious most of mankind;
> Where are the dawning-places of Thy certitude, 0 Tranquillity of the Worlds?
> 
> Bahá has been submerged beneath the ocean of tribulations; Where is the
> Ark of Thy salvation, 0 Saviour of the Worlds?
> 
> Thou beholdest the dawning-place of Thy verses amidst the shadows of the
> contingent world; Where is the Sun of the horizon of Thy bounty, 0 Thou Who
> bestowest illumination on all the Worlds?
> 
> The lamps of truthfulness and purity, of zeal and faithfulness have been
> extinguished; Where are the tokens of Thy zeal, 0 Thou Who settest in motion
> the Worlds?
> 
> Dost thou see anyone who will come to thy assistance or who will ponder on what
> has befallen thee, out of love for thee? Whereupon the pen hesitated, 0 Beloved
> of the Worlds?
> 
> The branches of the Lote-tree beyond which there is no passing have been
> snapped by the blowing of the winds of fate; Where are the banners of Thy
> victory, 0 Conqueror of the Worlds?
> 
> My face has remained upon the dust of false accusations; Where are the breezes
> of Thy mercy, 0 Thou that showest compassion to the Worlds?
> 
> The hem of the robe of holiness hath been sullied by the people of deceit;
> Where is the ornament of Thy purification, 0 Thou that adornest the Worlds?
> 
> The ocean of bounty hath been stilled by what the hands of men have wrought;
> Where are the billows of Thy grace, 0 Aim of the Worlds?
> 
> The Gate of Meeting hath been locked by the tyranny of the people of enmity;
> Where is the key of Thy favour, 0 Thou that openest the Worlds?
> 
> (p 136) The leaves have turned yellow with the poisonous winds of treachery;
> Where are the heavy rains of the clouds of Thy bounty, 0 Thou art bountiful to
> the Worlds?
> 
> The entire creation hath been covered in the dust of rebellion; Where are the
> breezes of Thy forgiveness, 0 Thou Who forgivest the Worlds?
> 
> The Youth hath been abandoned in a barren land; Where are the showers of the
> heaven of Thy grace, 0 Thou that sendest rain upon the worlds?
> 
> 0 Most Exalted Pen! We have heard thy most sweet call from the kingdom of
> eternity. Give ear, then, to that which the Tongue of Grandeur speaketh, 0
> Wronged One of the Worlds.
> 
> Were it not for the freezing cold, how should the heat of thine utterance be
> manifested, 0 thou that givest explanation unto the Worlds?
> 
> And were it not for affliction, how should the Sun of thy patience rise above
> the horizon, 0 Perplexed One of the Worlds?
> 
> Grieve not over the wrongdoers, for thou wast created to be longsuffering, 0
> Patience of the Worlds.
> 
> How sweet is thy shining forth above the horizon of the covenant among the
> people of treachery, and thy longing for God, 0 Love of the Worlds.
> 
> Through thee, the ensign of independence was lifted up upon the highest
> mountains and the sea of bounty surged, 0 Passion of the Worlds.
> 
> Through thy oneness, the Sun of divine unity shone forth, and through thy
> banishment the homeland of divine singleness was adorned; wherefore, be
> patient, 0 Stranger of the Worlds.
> 
> We have made abasement the robe of glory and affliction the ornament of thy
> tabernacle, 0 Pride of the Worlds.
> 
> Thou beholdest the hearts filled with rancour, but it is for thee to show
> forbearance, 0 Coverer of the sins of the Worlds.
> 
> Shouldst thou behold the sword, advance towards it; and should an arrow be let
> fly, turn your steps in its path, 0 Sacrifice of the Worlds.
> 
> Is it thou who lamentest, or is it I? Nay, I cry out aloud for the fewness of
> them that have lent thee their aid, 0 thou through whom hath been raised the
> lamentation of the Worlds.
> 
> I have heard thy cry, 0 most glorious Beloved. Whereupon, the face of
> Bahá hath been set aglow with the heat of tribulation and the lights of
> Thy luminous words, and he hath risen up with the utmost faithfulness in the
> place of martyrdom and sacrifice, gazing unto Thy good-pleasure, 0 Thou Who
> appraisest the Worlds.
> 
> 0 `Alí Akbar, give thanks unto God for this Tablet from which you may
> (p137) discover the fragrance of the wrongs I have suffered and that which I
> have endured in the path of God, the Object of the devotion of the Worlds.
> 
> Should all My servants without exception read it and meditate upon it, there
> shall be ignited in every vein of their bodies a conflagration that shall set
> ablaze the Worlds.
> 
> (Tasbih va Tahlil, pp.219-24; Ad'iyyih-i- H.Mahbub, pp. 169-79)
> 
> In the Name of God, the Most Ancient, the Most Great.
> 
> Indeed the hearts of the sincere are consumed in the fire of separation: Where
> is the gleaming of the light of Thy Countenance, O Beloved of the worlds?
> 
> Those who are near unto Thee have been abandoned in the darkness of desolation:
> Where is the shining of the morn of Thy reunion, O Desire of the worlds?
> 
> The bodies of Thy chosen ones lie quivering on distant sands: Where is the
> ocean of Thy presence, O Enchanter of the worlds?
> 
> Longing hands are uplifted to the heaven of Thy grace and generosity: Where are
> the rains of Thy bestowal, O Answerer of the worlds?
> 
> The infidels have arisen in tyranny on every hand: Where is the compelling
> power of Thine ordaining pen, O Conqueror of the worlds?
> 
> The barking of dogs is loud on every side: Where is the lion of the forest of
> Thy might, O Chastiser of the worlds?
> 
> Coldness hath gripped all mankind: Where is the warmth of Thy love, O Fire of
> the worlds?
> 
> Calamity hath reached its height: Where are the signs of Thy succor, O
> Salvation of the worlds?
> 
> Darkness hath enveloped most of the peoples: Where is the brightness of Thy
> splendor, O Radiance of the worlds?
> 
> The necks of men are stretched out in malice: Where are the swords of Thy
> vengeance, O Destroyer of the worlds?
> 
> Abasement hath reached its lowest depth: Where are the emblems of Thy glory, O
> Glory of the worlds?
> 
> Sorrows have afflicted the Revealer of Thy Name, the All-Merciful: Where is the
> joy of the Dayspring of Thy Revelation, O Delight of the worlds?
> 
> Anguish hath befallen all the peoples of the earth: Where are the ensigns of
> Thy gladness, O Joy of the worlds?
> 
> Thou seest the Dawning Place of Thy signs veiled by evil suggestions: Where are
> the fingers of Thy might, O Power of the worlds?
> 
> Sore thirst hath overcome all men: Where is the river of Thy bounty, O Mercy of
> the worlds?
> 
> Greed hath made captive all mankind: Where are the embodiments of detachment, O
> Lord of the worlds?
> 
> Thou seest this Wronged One lonely in exile: Where are the hosts of the heaven
> of Thy Command, O Sovereign of the worlds?
> 
> I have been forsaken in a foreign land: Where are the emblems of Thy
> faithfulness, O Trust of the worlds?
> 
> The agonies of death have laid hold on all men: Where is the surging of Thine
> ocean of eternal life, O Life of the worlds?
> 
> The whisperings of Satan have been breathed to every creature: Where is the
> meteor of Thy fire, O Light of the worlds?
> 
> The drunkenness of passion hath perverted most of mankind: Where are the
> daysprings of purity, O Desire of the worlds?
> 
> Thou seest this Wronged One veiled in tyranny among the Syrians: Where is the
> radiance of Thy dawning light, O Light of the worlds?
> 
> Thou seest Me forbidden to speak forth: Then from where will spring Thy
> melodies, O Nightingale of the worlds?
> 
> Most of the people are enwrapped in fancy and idle imaginings: Where are the
> exponents of Thy certitude, O Assurance of the worlds?
> 
> Bahá' is drowning in a sea of tribulation: Where is the Ark of Thy salvation, O
> Savior of the worlds?
> 
> Thou seest the Dayspring of Thine utterance in the darkness of creation: Where
> is the sun of the heaven of Thy grace, O Lightgiver of the worlds?
> 
> The lamps of truth and purity, of loyalty and honor, have been put out: Where
> are the signs of Thine avenging wrath, O Mover of the worlds?
> 
> Canst Thou see any who have championed Thy Self, or who ponder on what hath
> befallen Him in the pathway of Thy love? Now doth My pen halt, O Beloved of the
> worlds?
> 
> The branches of the Divine Lote-Tree lie broken by the onrushing gales of
> destiny: Where are the banners of Thy succor, O Champion of the worlds?
> 
> This Face is hidden in the dust of slander: Where are the breezes of Thy
> compassion, O Mercy of the worlds?
> 
> The robe of sanctity is sullied by the people of deceit: Where is the vesture
> of Thy holiness, O Adorner of the worlds?
> 
> The sea of grace is stilled for what the hands of men have wrought: Where are
> the waves of Thy bounty, O Desire of the worlds?
> 
> The door leading to the Divine Presence is locked through the tyranny of Thy
> foes: Where is the key of Thy bestowal, O Unlocker of the worlds?
> 
> The leaves are yellowed by the poisoning winds of sedition: Where is the
> downpour of the clouds of Thy bounty, O Giver of the worlds?
> 
> The universe is darkened with the dust of sin: Where are the breezes of Thy
> forgiveness, O Forgiver of the worlds?
> 
> This Youth is lonely in a desolate land: Where is the rain of Thy heavenly
> grace, O Bestower of the worlds?
> 
> O Supreme Pen, We have heard Thy most sweet call in the eternal realm: Give
> Thou ear unto what the Tongue of Grandeur uttereth, O Wronged One of the
> worlds?
> 
> Were it not for the cold, how would the heat of Thy words prevail, O Expounder
> of the worlds?
> 
> Were it not for calamity, how would the sun of Thy patience shine, O Light of
> the worlds?
> 
> Lament not because of the wicked. Thou wert created to bear and endure, O
> Patience of the worlds.
> 
> How sweet was Thy dawning on the horizon of the Covenant among the stirrers of
> sedition, and Thy yearning after God, O Love of the worlds.
> 
> By Thee the banner of independence was planted on the highest peaks, and the
> sea of bounty surged, O Rapture of the worlds.
> 
> By Thine aloneness the Sun of Oneness shone, and by Thy banishment the land of
> Unity was adorned.
> 
> Be patient, O Thou Exile of the worlds. We have made abasement the garment of
> glory, and affliction the adornment of Thy temple, O Pride of the worlds.
> 
> Thou seest the hearts are filled with hate, and to overlook is Thine, O Thou
> Concealer of the sins of the worlds.
> 
> When the swords flash, go forward! When the shafts fly, press onward! O Thou
> Sacrifice of the worlds.
> 
> Dost Thou wail, or shall I wail? Rather shall I weep at the fewness of Thy
> champions, O Thou Who hast caused the wailing of the worlds.
> 
> Verily, I have heard Thy call, O All-Glorious Beloved; and now is the face of
> Baha flaming with the heat of tribulation and with the fire of
> 
> Thy shining word, and He hath risen up in faithfulness at the place of
> sacrifice, looking toward Thy pleasure, O Ordainer of the worlds.
> 
> O Ali-Akbar, thank thy Lord for this Tablet whence thou canst breathe the
> fragrances of My meekness, and know what hath beset Us in the path of God, the
> Adored of all the worlds.
> 
> Should all the servants read and ponder this, there shall be kindled in their
> veins a fire that shall set aflame the worlds.
> 
> Bahá'í Prayers, US Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1991, pp. 214-220
> 
> Note
> 
> This translation of
> Lawh-i-Qad-Ihtaraqa`l-Mukhlisún
> (the Fire Tablet) was scanned by Mehdi Wolf from MacEoin, Denis. Rituals in
> Babism and Bahá'ísm. Pembroke Persian Series, Vol. 2, Charles Melville
> Series ed. (London and New York: British Academic Press, 1994) pp. 134-7
> (Appendix XIX). Initial Re-paragraphing, editing, and formatting by Mehdi Wolf.
> 
> METADATA
> 
> Views13219 views since posted 2001-05; last edit 2025-06-13 05:40 UTC;
> 
> previous at archive.org.../bahaullah_qad-ihtaraq_mukhlisun_maceoin;
> URLs changed in 2010, see archive.org.../bahai-library.org
> Language
> English
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> Scanned 2001-04 by Mehdi Wolf; Formatted 2001-05 by Jonah Winters.
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> Shortlink: bahai-library.com/785
> Citation: ris/785
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> — *Fire Tablet (Used by permission of the curator)*