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]

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.

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.