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November 18, 2020

Tablet of Glad-Tidings to the Jewish People – by Baha’u’llah

-- provisional translation

He is the Powerful, the Mighty, the Self-Subsistent!

Rejoice! Rejoice! O Children of Israel, in the grace of the Manifestation of the Glorious Lord.

Thanks and praise be unto God, that the Sun of Truth hath dawned upon the horizon of Unity, and it is dispersing and expelling the darkness of differences and oppression.

Now, the flowers of significance have blossomed upon the Branch of Generosities, and the Nightingale of the invisible Flower-Garden hath left its Nest; the dwellers of the Holy Place have adorned the plane of the earth with profuse benefits, and have illumined the feasting-place of nearness with every variety of ornament.

Blessed is the brave one who, with a firm step, walks out of the corridors of intimacy and takes a place in the ranks of the lovers of God and men; that he may become enlisted among the faithful and assured ones, the truthful and holy ones; that he may be constantly promoted in both worlds and ever favored with eternal exaltation.

O ye possessors of sight! With the inner eyes contemplate the Horizon of the world, that ye may behold the Mount of Sinai and the Country of Safety resplendent through the Light of God and radiating with the Manifestation of the Lord! Look not in the least with the eyes of the unbelievers and the wicked ones, for verily they are blinded by the world and cannot behold eternity.

Peace be upon him who followeth Guidance!

 - Baha’u’llah (Star of the West, vol. 4, no. 17, January 19, 1914)

August 10, 2020

To ‘Abdu’l-Baha – by Baha’u’llah

-- provisional translation

O Thou My 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 worlds.

Verily, We have ordained Thee the Guardian of all the creatures, and a Protection to all those in the heavens and earths, 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. 4, no. 14, November 23, 1913)

May 14, 2020

Meanings of the Terms “Angels” and “Jinn” – by ‘Abdu’l-Baha

-- provisional translation by Adib Ma'sumian and Peyman Sazedj

O thou who hast turned thy face towards the court of eternity, and art even as a brand afire with the flames of the Burning Bush! Concerning thy question about the term “angels” and the meaning thereof in Divine Scripture—know, verily, that by “angels,” various meanings are intended.

In relation to creation, the term “angels” applieth to those who have sanctified the hem of their garments from corrupt desires, and who mirror forth every attribute of Him Who is the Lord of the heavens. The term “angel” is a reference to their spiritual condition and a testimony to their inner being and reality. These are they whom God hath mentioned in His verses and remembered by various names. I will now recount unto thee some of these names and expound their meanings, that thou mayest understand what the Adored One hath intended through His words. Among them is “the bearers of the throne.” [1] Know thou that by “throne” is meant the heart of man, even as He Who is the Nightingale of Eternity and the Celestial Dove hath warbled: “The heart of the believer is the throne of the All-Merciful,” [2] and the Tongue of Grandeur hath, in the Hidden Words, proclaimed: “Thy heart is My home; sanctify it for My descent. Thy spirit is My place of revelation; cleanse it for My manifestation.” [3] For the heart is the recipient of the effulgences of divine Beauty, and the seat upon which the love of God, the Lord of the beginning and the end, hath established its sovereignty.

In relation to God, the term “angels” referreth to the Prophets of God and His Messengers, even as He hath said in the Qurʼán: “Praise be to God, Fashioner of the heavens and the earth, Who sendeth forth the angels as His Messengers with two, or three, or four pairs of wings…” [4] That which the All-Glorious God hath intended by “wings” in this verse are the modes of revelation and the kinds of proofs wherewith He hath sent His Messengers. These “wings” He hath made the means by which men may attain to the Wellspring of divine guidance, and all creation be led aright to the paradise of love and affection. For this, above all else, will conduce to the advancement of the world, and serve as the most potent of wings whereby the pure in heart may soar unto the Paradise of Oneness and the sacred abode of Divine Unity. Thus hath it been referred to as “wings” in the Scriptures of God.

January 16, 2020

Lawh-i-Hizar Bayti (One Thousand Verses Tablet) – by ‘Abdu’l-Baha

-- provisional translation by Ahang Rabbani and Khazeh Fananapazir

[The first of two Tablets known by this name. It was revealed in 1897 in response to a letter that ‘Abdu’l-Baha received from Mirza Abu’l-Fadl]

He is the All-Glorious!

O thou who have devoted your life to the exaltation of the Word of God!

What you have written has been perused, and in accordance with your urging, its contents were noted with the utmost attention. It was read time and time again, until the taste buds were utterly sweetened with its purport, like tasting twice-refined sugar, because it was written with the best of intentions.

You had written, ‘All confess belief in the Kitab-i-Aqdas and the Kitab-i-‘Ahd and there are no deniers. What are these differences, and from where do they come?’

It is evident unto your honoured self that ‘They say with their tongues what is not in their hearts.’ [1] Moreover, steadfastness is necessary; mere words are not sufficient. ‘In the case of those who say, “Our Lord is God,” and further, stand straight and steadfast, the angels descend on them.’ [2] For those who acknowledge and swear allegiance to the Kitab-i-Aqdas and the Kitab-i-‘Ahd, opposition is unseemly, whatever the circumstances. For example, some of the friends in the Holy Land affirm their firmness and loyalty to the Covenant and Testament with fine words and elegant phrases yet, despite the strictest admonitions of this servant that, in accordance with divine wisdom, no one should write abroad without my knowledge, they secretly and continuously send letters in every direction, so that by every means possible they may cast doubt in the hearts. Their affirmations are far removed from such persistence in instilling doubt. This is one example of the clear discrepancies; there are many more like it.

Concerned lest anyone from this direction should write something that would have contrary fragrances, this servant, despite his endless duties, has taken upon himself the toil of reading all communications and erasing anything that by implication or allusion is inappropriate. By your dear life! For four years now every day – in blotting out certain statements – I would imbibe a measure of ink, in the hope that the matter might remain confidential, so far as possible. [3]

Then suddenly I noticed that from all directions bundles of surreptitious letters were being returned [to me]. When their contents were observed, it was evident that all these letters were replete with attempts to cast doubts. Now reflect on the sorrows of this servant. I am immersed in a sea of calamities, all the enemies are on the attack from every side, difficulties are endless and troubles and hardships are limitless; under these conditions, I am nevertheless engaged day and night in exalting the Word of God. I am single, alone and powerless among the [diverse] factions of the world.