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raiment of His mercy to gain admittance into the pristine Abode, which is
the station of recognizing the Source of divine commandments and the
Dayspring of His Revelation, hath everlastingly attained unto all good.
Having reached this lofty station a twofold obligation resteth upon every
soul. One is to be steadfast in the Cause with such steadfastness that
were all the peoples of the world to attempt to prevent him from turning
to the Source of Revelation, they would be powerless to do so. The other
is observance of the divine ordinances which have streamed forth from the
wellspring of His heavenly-propelled Pen. For man’s knowledge of God
cannot develop fully and adequately save by observing whatsoever hath been
ordained by Him and is set forth in His heavenly Book.
A year ago the Most Holy Book was sent down from the heaven of the bounty
of the Lord of Names. God willing, thou mayest be graciously enabled to
fulfil that which hath been revealed therein.
Concerning the means of livelihood, thou shouldst, while placing thy whole
trust in God, engage in some occupation. He will assuredly send down upon
thee from the heaven of His favour that which is destined for thee. He is
in truth the God of might and power.
Yield thou thanks unto God that thy letter hath reached the presence of
this Prisoner and from the Seat of divine authority the answer hath been
revealed and is being sent to thee. This is an incalculable blessing
vouchsafed by God. Although it is not evident at present, it soon shall
be. It behoveth thee to say:
Magnified be Thy Name, O Lord my God! I am the one who hath turned his
face towards Thee and hath placed his whole reliance in Thee. I implore
Thee by Thy Name whereby the ocean of Thine utterance hath surged and the
breezes of Thy knowledge have stirred, to grant that I may be graciously
aided to serve Thy Cause and be inspired to remember Thee and praise Thee.
Send down then upon me from the heaven of Thy generosity that which will
preserve me from anyone but Thee and will profit me in all Thy worlds.
Verily, Thou art the Powerful, the Inaccessible, the Supreme, the Knowing,
the Wise.
FOOTNOTES
1 Sometimes referred to as Tablet to the Christians.
2 Jesus.
3 Jesus.
4 Jesus.
5 Qur’án 81:6, 10.
6 Mírzá Hádí Dawlat-Ábádí, one of the divines of Iṣfáhán, who became a
follower of the Báb, later supported Mírzá Yaḥyá, and was appointed
his representative in Írán and his successor. During the
persecutions against the Bábís he recanted his faith.
7 The insignia of a mullá.
8 Qur’án 6:91.
9 Ustád ‘Alí-Akbar, one of the staunch believers in Yazd. He designed
the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár of Ishqábád and his design was approved by
‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Ustád ‘Alí-Akbar offered up his life as a martyr in
Yazd in 1903.
10 Arabic.
11 Ḥájí Mírzá Ḥaydar-‘Alí, outstanding Persian Bahá’í teacher and
author. He spent nine years in prison and exile in Khártúm,
travelled extensively in Írán, and passed away in 1920 in the Holy
Land. Western pilgrims knew him as the Angel of Mount Carmel.
12 Qur’án 34:12.
13 Jesus.
14 Ḥájí Mullá Hádí Sabzívarí, a renowned philosopher and poet of Írán
contemporary with Bahá’u’lláh. He passed away in 1873.
15 Mírzá Abu’l-Qásim Faráhání, the Qá’im Maqám, a distinguished poet
and scholar during the reign of Fatḥ ‘Alí Sháh. He was a friend of
Mírzá Buzurg, father of Bahá’u’lláh. Qá’im Maqám became Prime
Minister of Persia in 1821, but in 1835 he was put to death by order
of Muḥammad Sháh, at the instigation of Ḥájí Mírzá Aqásí.
16 cf. Qur’án 4:129.
17 Qur’án 59:9.
18 Muḥammad Javád-i-Qazvíní, upon whom Bahá’u’lláh bestowed the title
Ismu’lláhi’l-Júd (The Name of God, Bounty). He transcribed numerous
Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh during His Ministry, but subsequently broke
the Covenant. (See God Passes By pages 247 and 319.)
19 A village near Iṣfáhán.