# Gems of Mysteries: Wilmette Institute faculty notes

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

---

> The Gems of Mysteries was written before Kitáb-i-Íqán; in the
> latter, Bahá'u'lláh has referred to it as the "Arabic Tablets", as
> Gems of Mysteries is entirely in Arabic. Its English translation
> would probably comprise about 130 pages, if we were to compare it
> to Íqán in terms of number of pages. The first portion of it is
> similar to Íqán in style: Bahá'u'lláh quotes from the Bible, the
> Quran, and traditions in order to prove the new Revelation, explain
> pre-requisites for searching truth, etc. For instance, He explains
> the meaning of the coming of the Son of Man in clouds, accompanied
> by angels.
> 
>         From the content, we can guess the type of questions that Hájí
> Siyyid Muhammad Isfahani, to whom this Tablet is addressed, must
> have asked.  He was concerned about the signs of the coming of the
> Promised One, the stages of search, distortion of Holy books, and
> other concepts similar to those treated in Íqán.
> 
>         Bahá'u'lláh must have been surrounded with enemies at this
> time, as He makes references to enemies who were actively plotting
> against Him.  Next Bahá'u'lláh describes the calamities heaped upon
> the Manifestations of God from non-believers, who in their
> ignorance, think that by doing this they are defending the religion
> of God. It is possible that Siyyid Muhammad has had mystical
> tendencies; Bahá'u'lláh's language in this tablet is more mystical
> than in Íqán, even in the first section where He deals mostly with
> theological issues. For example, we come across terms such as
> Veiled Maidens, Black Dust, Crimson Earth, Thrones of Lahot &
> Jabarot, Egypt of Ama', and others.
> 
>         Similar to the verses at the beginning of the Book of Aqdas,
> Bahá'u'lláh says that the standard for judging truth from falsehood
> is the Word of God which is brought to people by His
> Manifestations.  Should one fail to recognize the Manifestation of
> God and obey Him, he has gone astray, even though he be the author
> of every good (because the measure of goodness and badness, again,
> is the Word of God in every age).
> 
>         In the second portion of the book, which is similar to the
> Seven Valleys, Bahá'u'lláh says that in response to Siyyid
> Muhammad's questions He will briefly address the pre-requisites and
> stages of the mystic path. (I should mention at this point that I
> have arbitrarily divided this Tablet into two portions based on the
> contents, viz., theological & mystical, otherwise the Tablet itself
> does not have such a division). In this section The Blessed Beauty
> describes the seven valleys, but the names and orders of valleys
> are slightly different from those found in the book of Seven
> Valleys. Here is a list of valleys or stages, which you can compare
> to those in the book of Seven Valleys:
> 
>  The GARDEN of SEARCH: the steed of this valley is
> detachment. In this valley the seeker will experience all sorts of
> change and transformation.
> 
>  The CITY LOVE and ATTRACTION: in this city the winds of
> love and breezes of spirit will waft over the seeker and occupy him
> such that he will not know the left form the right, and the land
> from the sea, and desert from mountain. At once will laugh and cry;
> he will tremble and stay calm at the same time. In the heat of fire
> he shall be found cool and calm; in the midst of water he shall be
> found dry; he walks but not in the physical realm.
> 
>  The CITY of UNITY: (this is the largest segment of the
> book, comprising about 40% of the entire Tablet. In this section
> Bahá'u'lláh addresses mystical subjects from theological
> perspective.  Some of the topics of this section are:
>  The wayfarer should see everything with the eye of unity.
>  "Knowledge is one point (letter); the ignorant have
> multiplied it."
>  Oneness of Manifestations of God.
>  God, an unknowable essence.
>  Station of Manifestations of God.
>  meaning of Hell & Heaven, resurrection & re-birth.
>  Two
> types of life: Physical & Spiritual.
>  The meaning of Sword in the Bible and in Islamic traditions.
>  Manifestations of God are not bound to fulfill the
> prophecies of the past; however, they do that out of their bounty
> so that people will not fall victim to their expectations. 
> 
>  The GARDEN of WONDERMENT: The wayfarer upon entering this
> stage will experience bewilderment due to the majesty of God and
> complexity of His creation. This is a dangerous city and many a
> seeker will fail to pass this stage.
> 
>  The CITY of ANNIHILATION: This is the annihilation of self,
> body, soul, essence, and in sum, everything. It is as if the
> wayfarer does not exist. The Beloved at this point appears to the
> lover; how can the lover exist when the Beloved reveals himself?
> 
>  The CITY of LIFE or PERMANENCE: The seeker will find
> himself in the state of contentment above any annihilation; he will
> drink from the spring of eternal life, will soar in the air of
> permanence, eat from the fruit of permanence, walk on the earth of
> permanence, and associate with the people of eternal life.
> 
>  The CITY WHICH IS BEYOND ANY NAME, DESCRIPTION, MENTION, OR
> SOUND: Oceans of eternity flow in this city and the Sun of unseen
> shines from its horizon. No one except God and His Manifestations
> have any knowledge of this city.
> 
>         Finally, Bahá'u'lláh tells Siyyid Muhammad to ponder upon
> these Words in order to gain all the knowledge and reach the
> station of true understanding.
> 
>         Briefly, these are some of the main topics of this important
> Book of the Blessed Beauty.
>
> — *Gems of Mysteries: Wilmette Institute faculty notes (Used by permission of the curator)*