October 17, 2018

A synopsis of sorrowful events of [Bahá’í] martyrs in Yazd and Isfahán [in 1903] – by ‘Abdu’l-Baha

-- provisional translation by Ahang Rabbani


He is God!

In this enlightened age, which is the century of the Almighty God, by the effulgence of the Sun of Reality, the lights of civilization are diffused over all horizons, and human attainments and divine virtues, just as dawn swells in the morning, are so spread in the East and the West that ferocity and bloodshed among mankind are abandoned; nay, rather, in civilized countries they are entirely forgotten. Religious contentions are completely eradicated and the prejudices of the dark ages are abolished. Among diverse groups and tribes no conflicts, discords or hostilities have remained save national conflicts and political ambitions. All peoples and nations, reposing in the cradle of security and safety, are well protected against the cruelty of tyrants.

In Iran, when the Divine Call was raised, the radiant morn appeared and the Sun of Truth arose, many people were delivered from the lowest depths of ignorance, attained the highest human perfections, became the center of heavenly virtues, spirit incarnate and righteousness embodied – appearing in the world of humanity with spiritual qualities and holy attributes. However, the adherents of the old religions still held fast to their former teachings and traditions, and day by day became more ignorant until they degenerated into ferocious wolves and rabid dogs, even surpassing the ravenous man-eating beasts. Thus, they began to oppose those holy souls, each day instigating persecution, every hour causing new oppressions, each moment kindling the fires of destruction, burning the sanctified ones in the flames of hatred and malice, setting their heads upon spears, torturing, their children, plundering houses and property, looting wealth and possessions, and banishing women and children from their native land. The honorable were debased, the revered were despised, and the virtuous were taken captive.

Among such outrages are numbered the recent events of Yazd and Isfahán, which caused the hearts to burn and quake, and the people of equity to shed tears of blood and beat their breasts. Although the Bahá’ís are brave and courageous, and in the field of combat each able to battle a large number of opponents, and when war ensues they manifest such valor as would quickly break the ranks of their foes [1] , as it has been proven that in bravery they have no equal or like, yet, because by the divine and firm decree of God, they are commanded to maintain universal peace and entrusted with absolute meekness, when tyrants extend to them the hand of cruelty, attacking them like blood-thirsty wolves, the Divine Friends must submit like lambs before them, without offering the least resistance, accepting the wounds of daggers and swords as babes accept the honey and milk [from their mothers], kissing the hand of the assassin while receiving a stab in the heart; and, while yielding their lives in the path of God, begging His forgiveness for the oppressors and asking for remission of their sins.

August 13, 2018

Lawh-i-Liqa (The Tablet of the Divine Presence) – by Baha’u’llah

-- provisional translation by Nima Rafiei

He is the Eternal!

Lo, We made this epistle to be the attainment of Our presence for such as have turned unto God in these days, wherein the nations have been made to tremble. Whosoever gazeth upon that which hath been sent down from the Throne of glory in this Tablet and findeth himself in doubt as to whether he hath attained the presence of his Lord, he is of them who have turned away from God, the One Who causeth the dawn to break.

O ye birds of the most exalted paradise! Give ear unto the call of the Beloved in these days wherein the feet of men have slipped. The Concourse on high have rejoiced by reason of your acceptance of this Cause, and the voice of the denizens of the cities of eternity hath been raised aloud in grief and lamentation by virtue of your remoteness from Him and your burning thirst, notwithstanding your nearness to the Ocean of His presence!

O how glorious is this blissful joy, this bitter anguish! Methinks both have embraced in the Day of God, the Powerful, the Almighty, and the Omnipotent! The hearts of the infidels have been set ablaze by that which We have revealed aforetime, and still they plot against Me day and night!

Blessed are ye for having entered the city and attained unto that which hath been ordained by your Lord, the Mighty, and the Bestower. It behooveth you to show forth from your countenances utmost joy and bliss that all may discern in you the tokens of resignation and submission. Thus hath it been decreed by the pen of Glory; verily, your Lord is the Most Merciful, the Knower of the unseen and the seen.

O men of insight! Ye are beneath the shadow of My loving kindness and the canopy of My mercy, thus is the gaze of God fixed upon you. Blessed are ye and whosoever loveth you and turneth unto you wholly for the sake of God, the Almighty, the All-Compelling. God and such as have circled round the Throne bear witness that ye have attained unto His presence, circumambulated the Kaaba [1] of His command, and beheld His countenance.

Potent is He over whatsoever He willeth. No God is there but Him, the Mighty, the Munificent! By My life! We have granted that which ye have desired, and We are with you at all times. The glory of Him Who is the Almighty and the Helper rest upon you!
(Published in ‘Lights of Irfan’, vol. 18)
[1] Kaaba is a reference to the point of adoration, where worship is directed. In Islám, the Kaaba is identified as the city of Mecca, the spot constructed by the prophet Abraham, which had later been used to house pagan idols.

July 20, 2018

An excerpt from Star of the West – by Baha’u’llah: “the religion of' God… was revealed for the uniting of the whole world.”

-- provisional translation

O friends! In this day the door of heaven is opened by the key of the godly Name, the ocean of' generosity is manifested and is rolling, before your faces, and the Sun of Providence is shining, and gleaming. Do not be exclusive nor destroy your most precious time through the speech of this or that person. Gird up the loins of endeavor and do your best in training, the people of the world. Do not imagine that the Cause of God is a cause of opposition, hatred or wrath. The Sun of Greatness hath said, that which is revealed from the heaven of will in this Supreme Manifestation, is to unite the people with love and friendship toward all. The people of' Baha, who have drunk of the pure wine of reality, must associate with all the world with a perfect spirit of joy and fragrance, and remind them of that which is for the benefit of' all. This is the Commandment of the Wronged One to his saints and sincere ones.

O people the earth! Make not the religion of' God a cause of variance among you. Verily of a truth, it was revealed for the uniting of the whole world. Blessed is he who loves the world simply for the sake of the Face of his Generous Lord. With perfect compassion and mercy have we aided and directed the people of the world to that whereby their souls shall be profited. I declare by the Sun of Truth and which hath shown forth from the highest Horizon of' the world, that the people of Baha had not and have not any aim save the prosperity and reformation of the world and the purifying, of the nations. 
- Baha’u’llah  (Star of the West, vol. 6, no. 1, March 21, 1915)

June 14, 2018

Lawh-i-Shikkar Shikan (Tablet of Shikkar Shikan Shavand) - by Bahá'u'lláh

--provisional translation by Shahrokh Monjazeb

He is the Supreme, the Most Exalted.

Warblers, mellifluous-toned, all the parrots of Ind shall be,
Because of this Pársí sugar-cone which to Bengal goes. [1]

Your letter having reached this mortal spot of isolation was brought forth and stored in Our treasury of submission and acquiescence. What thou had written was noted and everything expressed therein was found to be true and correct. However, they that yearn for the abode of the Beloved [2], they that circle round the sanctuary of the Desired One, are not apprehensive of trials and adversities, nor do they flee from that which is ordained by God. They receive their portion from the ocean of resignation and drink their fill from the soft-flowing stream of His mercy. They would not surrender the good-pleasure of the Friend in exchange for the kingdom of both worlds, nor would they barter that which the Well-Beloved hath decreed in return for dominion over the realms of the infinite. They would eagerly drink the venom of woe as if it were the water of life and would drain deadly poison to its bitter dregs just as a sweet and life-giving draught. In the arid wastes of desolation they are stirred with enthusiasm through the remembrance of the Friend, and in the dreary wilds of adversity they are eager and impatient to offer themselves as a sacrifice. Unhesitatingly have they renounced their lives and directed their steps towards the abode of the Best Beloved. They have closed their eyes to the world and fixed their gaze upon the beauteous countenance of the Friend, cherishing no desire but the presence of the loved One and seeking no attainment save reunion with Him. They fly with the feathers of trust in God, and soar with the wings of adherence unto His Will. In their estimation a blood-shedding blade is more desirable than finest silk and a piercing dart more acceptable than mother’s milk. ‘High-spirited souls by the myriad are deemed necessary in this path, To lay down a hundred lives with every fleeting breath.’ [3]

June 12, 2018

Lawh-i Ridvánu’l-‘Adl (Paradise of Justice) – by Baha’u’llah

--- provisional translation by Adib Masumian

This is the Paradise of Justice, which hath appeared as a token of God’s grace and been adorned by Him with glorious and wondrous fruits.

In the Name of the All-Just, the All-Wise.

This is a Tablet in which God hath raised up His Name, ‘The Just’, and from which He hath breathed the Spirit of Justice into the mortal frames of all that dwell on earth, that they may arise to rule over themselves and over others with pure justice – a justice from which they shall not deviate by one jot or one tittle. 

O this name! We, verily, have made thee one of the suns of Our most excellent names between earth and heaven. Shed thou thy mighty and wondrous splendour upon the whole of creation that perchance they may gather together beneath thy shadow, cast the ways of oppression behind their backs, and be illumined by thy hallowed and resplendent light.

O this name! We have indeed made thee the very source of Our justice amidst such among Our servants as are near unto Us. Through thee We have manifested the justice of every just one, and have adorned the sincere ones among Our servants with thine ornament.

O this name! Beware lest this station deceive thee and prevent thee from showing humility before God, the Almighty, the Most Powerful. Know thou that thy relationship unto Us is the same as any other relationship; no distinction is there between thee and all else besides thee that have been created in heaven and on earth. For when We ascended the throne of justice, We fashioned all created things through a single word from Our side. Thy Lord is the All-Wise, and His wisdom encompasseth all things. We have exalted certain names to the kingdom of eternity as a token of Our grace, and I verily am the Most Powerful, the Most Exalted, the Mighty, the Incomparable.

June 1, 2018

A Tablet from the Báb to the Seventeenth Letter of the Living

-- provisional translation by Adib Masumian

This is that which We have sent down unto the seventeenth temple [1] at the behest of God, the Almighty, the Incomparable

He [2]

In the Name of God, the Most Exalted, the All-Praised

Glorified be He before Whom all the dwellers of earth and heaven humble themselves! Say: All shall find life in Him. He it is Who holdeth in His hands all who are in heaven and on earth. Say: All have been created through His bidding. He it is Who hath arisen in His Cause; He shall recompense whomsoever He willeth through His bountiful favor. Say: All men beseech His blessings. Hallowed be He Who createth whatsoever He willeth by His Word of command “Be,” and it is. Magnified be He Who calleth into being whatsoever He willeth through His peerless grace. Say: All are originated at His behest.

This is an epistle from the letter Tháʼ [3] unto the seventeenth temple. Bear thou witness that there is none other God but Him, and that unto Him do we all, verily, bear allegiance. His are the kingdoms of earth and heaven, and all abide by His bidding.

May 18, 2018

Prayer by the Guardian unto the Most Exalted One [the Báb]

-- provisional translation by Joshua Hall

Our Lord, the Most Exalted One! We beseech Thee by the reality of Thy blood spilt upon the dust to answer our supplication, to shelter us in the bosom of Thy care and protection, to send down upon us the rains of Thy grace and benediction; and to aid and assist us in walking on Thy path, cleaving unto the bond of Thy love, establishing the validity of Thy proof, spreading abroad Thy writings, resisting the evil of Thine enemies, acquiring Thy virtues, and proclaiming the Cause of Him Who is Thy Beloved, the All-Glorious, for Whose sake Thou didst sacrifice Thyself and in the path of Whose love Thou didst desire naught else but martyrdom.

Help us, O Well-Beloved of our hearts, the Most Exalted One! Fortify our strengths, make firm our steps, forgive us our faults and pardon us our sins. Let loose our tongues in Thy praise and glorification. Adorn our deeds and endeavors with the crown of Thine acceptance and good-pleasure, and grant that our lives’ end be such as Thou hast ordained for the devoted amongst Thy creatures. Bring us into the precincts of Thy mercy, grant that we step over the threshold of the light of Thy nearness and be gathered among them that have drawn nigh from amongst Thy loved ones. Destine for us, moreover, that we stand before Thee and be overcome by the intoxicating wine of Thy presence. Grant, then, that we forever abide in the gardens of Thy holiness and that we be provided with every good Thou hast ordained in Thy kingdom, O Thou Solace unto the Worlds!
(From the Lawh-i-Qarn)
(http://joshuahalltranslations.com)

April 5, 2018

Revealed by Baha’u’llah for ‘Abdu’l-Baha

-- provisional translation

O Thou Greatest Branch!

Thy letter was surely presented before this Oppressed One, and I heard that which Thou hast communed with God, the Lord of the world.

Verily, We have ordained Thee the Guardian of all the creatures, and a Protection to all those in the heavens and earth, and a Fortress to those who believe in God, the One, the Omniscient!

I beg of God to protect them by Thee; to enrich them by Thee; to nourish them by Thee; and to reveal to Thee that which is the Dawning point of riches to the people of Creation, and the Ocean of Generosity to those in the world, and the Rising point of Favor to all nations. Verily, He is the Powerful, the All-Knowing and the Wise!

I beg of Him to water the earth and all that is in it by Thee, that there may spring up from it the Flowers of Wisdom and Revelation and the Hyacinths of science and knowledge.

Verily, He is the Friend to those who love Him, and an Assistant to those who commune with Him! There is no God but He, the Mighty and the Magnified! 
- Baha’u’llah  (Star of the West, vol. 5, no. 15, December 12, 1914)

March 14, 2018

Tablet of the Howdah (Lawh-i-Hawdaj/Samsun) – by Baha’u’llah

--provisional translation by Stephen N. Lambden

[Sighting from His howdah the Black Sea, as He approached the port of Samsun, Bahá'u'lláh, at the request of Mirza Aqa Jan, revealed a Tablet, designated Lawh-i-Hawdaj (Tablet of the Howdah), which by such allusions as the "Divine Touchstone," "the grievous and tormenting Mischief," reaffirmed and supplemented the dire predictions recorded in the recently revealed Tablet of the Holy Mariner. (Shoghi Effendi, ‘God Passes By’)]

These are verses which were disclosed in the Pavilion of Eternity and the Howdah of Holiness at the moment when the Greatest Name arrived at the precinct of majesty in the land of Sāmsūn, at the shore of a mighty ocean. Then did the hosts of the inspiration of God descend, so splendidly ornamented, that all who are in the heavens and on earth were thunderstruck thereat. Before them did the Sun of the Divine Beauty radiate forth in an holy, ethereal Temple and addressed the Ark with the like of that which had streamed forth from the Pen of God aforetime, in a Tablet in which We addressed the Holy Mariner with a secret, sorrowful Call. And this in accordance with what hath this moment been sent down in this Tablet from an holy, luminous Pen. And whomsoever desires to comprehend the mysteries of the Command on the part of One, Wise, All-Knowing, let such an one consider these two Tablets and thus become cognizant of the mysteries of God; eyes solaced thereby and one numbered among such as are possessed of certainty.

The times of reclining in the Howdah of Holiness hath been completed and the Beauty of the Divine Essence hath emerged unto a mighty, noble panorama. Say: 'The terrestrial journey hath found completion at the shore of a mighty ocean.' At this did the Howdah of Immortality weep and a luminous Ship of Holiness rejoice.

January 18, 2018

Panj Kanz (The Five Treasures) - an oral discourse given by Baháʼuʼlláh in Baghdád to a group of expatriate Persian princes, transcribed by Nabíl-i-Zarandí, who was present.

-- provisional translation by Adib Masumian

[More contextual information on the Panj Kanz, is also provided by Adib Taherzadeh in ‘The Revelation of Baháʼuʼlláh’, vol. 2, pp. 140–143]
[Please note: Baha’u’llah’s utterances are in quotes.]

The First Treasure

One day, the Beauty of the All-Knowing [Baha’u’llah] was walking in the bírúní [1] of the Most Great House in Baghdád when some of the princes of Persia, who were residing in that land, entered His presence. With the utmost solicitude, the Ancient Beauty [Baha’u’llah] inquired after them and asked about the current affairs of that land. One of them made this remark, “How is it that You discuss spiritual matters with Your friends when they attain Your presence, but with us You ask only of the town and the market? It seems You do not consider us worthy,” by which he intended to ask, “Why should these people—bereft of exquisite clothing, wealth, knowledge, and insight—take precedence over us, with our riches and sagacity?”

The Blessed Beauty responded:

“Dost thou know what sort of person is worthy of hearing My words and is fit to enter My presence? I will say it that thou shalt know. Suppose one should find himself in a limitless space, unbounded in every direction. To the right, there existeth every pomp and glory, pleasure and comfort, and sovereignty eternal and stainless; and to the left is prepared every calamity and hardship, vengeance and poverty, and vicissitude unyielding and perpetual. Suppose then that the Faithful Spirit should call out, from the precincts of the Lord of the Worlds, to that one, saying, ‘Shouldst thou choose the right—with its eternal pleasures and all that is therein—over the left, thou wouldst not, in the estimation of God, be abased in the least; and shouldst thou choose the left—with its perpetual hardships and all that is therein—over the right, it would not add an ounce to thy worth in the sight of the Almighty, the Unconstrained.’ Should that one choose, at that moment, the left over the right—afire with ardor and zeal, and filled with rapture and ecstasy—then would he be fit to enter My presence and worthy of hearing My magnificent words.”