BB00031: Answer to seven questions

Introduction

In the Name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate

Praise be to God Who caused to shine forth that which shone forth, and caused to rise that which rose, and caused to gleam that which gleamed, and made utterance the letter of derivation at the beginning of separation. Then He created the ordinances for the people of the Covenant, and created the water of the seed of those who act with hypocrisy beneath the temples of this Light wherewith He filled the horizons and whereby was illumined all that was thunderstruck and then recovered, and whereby shall be uncovered leg from leg on the Day when the Herald shall call out according to the decree of the Covenant.

O God! Thou knowest that today there hath come down to me a letter from one who hath borne injury in the path of certitude from the people of concord, and he hath asked concerning seven questions which have bewildered the minds of the people of concord when God desired to reveal their inner meanings as on the Day when leg shall be uncovered from leg. But since I knew what the people know not, and what the people of discord desire for the people of justice and the Covenant, I opened not his letter which descended in weakness unto the horizon of fellowship and the portico. But since I knew that in his heart there stirred that which the deniers from among the people of discord and hypocrisy had fabricated, I sprinkled a sprinkling from the ocean of the glory of realities concerning that which he asked and desired before the day of his meeting, in verses of mysteries and hidden subtleties, of that which wavereth in the hidden secrets of souls and shineth in the essences of the depths of minds.

And I seek God’s help in what I desire regarding the path of the inward and the manifest outward appearance from the Light that shone forth upon the Mount and the Symbol concealed in the Preserved Book and the Outspread Parchment and the Frequented House.

O thou questioner who art veiled and afflicted by the trial of the languid one from among those who lack understanding! Ask thy Lord about the six matters referred to in the Preserved Book, and We have given thee the limit in one of them, and rely upon God, the All-Forgiving.

On visitation in the days of fear to the Sacred Sanctuary

As to what thou hast asked concerning visitation in the days of fear to the Sacred Sanctuary which hath dawned from the light of the Eternal Morn and which hath spoken through the Two Letters from the First Letter: empty thy heart, calm thy mind, steady thy thoughts, and purify thy body according to what is prescribed in the Holy Law. Then perform ablutions, and when thou hast finished, don thy finest attire and use perfume. Then stand facing the House in the Sacred Mosque and pray two cycles of prayer with the Surih of the Spirit. When thou hast finished, recite the Prayer of Occultation for the Proof (upon him be peace). Then arise, look toward a point in the heavens and say:

I bear witness that there is no God but God, alone without partner, even as He hath testified to His own Self by His own Self, and none of His servants can comprehend His knowledge. Glory be to Him and exalted is He above what they describe. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant whom He chose from the midst of creation to stand in His own station in fulfillment and decree, for verily sight comprehendeth Him not, but He comprehendeth all sight, and He is the All-Subtle, the All-Informed. And I bear witness that the successors of Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family)—Ali, Hasan, Husayn, Ali, Muhammad, Ja’far, Musa, Ali, Muhammad, Ali, Hasan and the Qa’im (may God’s blessings be upon them all)—are the Imams of religion and guides of all creation, pillars of justice and certitude, preservers of knowledge and the Clear Book. They are God’s trustees in the kingdoms of command and creation. Nothing precedes them, no knowledge is hidden from them, and they have no authority except by God’s leave. They are honored servants who speak not until He hath spoken, and act by His command.

O God! I bear witness before Thee to that which Thou dost witness concerning their rights. And I know that religion is not complete except through knowledge of them and repudiation of their enemies who deny their station which God hath ordained for them, while they neither know nor understand. And I bear witness, O my God, that in every age Thou hast a Living Proof, renowned yet fearful and concealed, lest anyone should say “Had God made His Proof known to me, I would have followed him and been among the believers.” And I bear witness that today Thy Proof is the Concealed Light, the Praised One who is hidden, whose name Thou didst reveal in Thy Book when Thou didst say—and Thy word is truth—“What remaineth of God is best for you if ye be believers.”

I testify that through His very being the signs are made manifest in the heaven of the immaterial realm, by that Light wherewith Thou didst reveal Thyself unto Moses, son of ʿImran; whereupon he recovered, and the tokens were unfolded throughout the realities of the horizons. The evidences quivered within the hidden recesses of the hearts of the people of the Covenant, while the inward secrets of the people of schism and hypocrisy were laid bare. Glory be to Thee, O my God! I am powerless to reckon His praise; for even as He is, He is a light from Thy countenance, a disclosure of Thy very Being, a sign of Thy oneness, a visage of Thy dominion. No description pertaineth unto Him drawn from aught that existeth, inasmuch as all things came into being through the radiance of the traces of His revelation upon the forms of material existence. Neither hath He mention within any thing, for mention itself ariseth only through the presence of His remembrance within the essential realities.

Glory be to Thee, O my God! None but Thee can know His praise, nor doth it befit Thy holy court that any save Thyself should describe Him. If I say that He is the light of Thine eternity, all who dwell in the kingdom of command and creation would at once gainsay me; for that which Thou hast named the Light of God is but a remnant of His manifestation in Thee, and a sign of His self-disclosure within the hearts. And if I say, “I know nothing of His description,” and thereafter keep silence, then doth Thy dealing with those brought nigh unto Thee stir my longing in His praise; for when they described Him, Thou didst graciously accept it from them through Thy bounty, and didst not repel them, such is the plenitude of Thy favor.

So glory be to You, O my God! You know my secret and my manifest self. Far be it from me to claim that my existence before His beauty is even like a particle of rock, or that my praise before His majesty is even like the blink of an ant’s eye. I seek Your forgiveness for attempting to define the infinite, for His existence has ever been through the light of Your existence, and my existence has no mention before His existence, and likewise is the state of my praise.

Glory be to You, O my God! I bear witness before You and those who bear witness in Your presence that if You were to punish me with all that You are capable of at the time of reckoning as recompense for mentioning my existence and praise before the court of His might and the majesty of His sovereignty, I would truly deserve it. You have ever been and will ever be praised. None questions Your actions, while all are supplicants at Your gate, fearful of Your justice, seeking refuge in Your presence, apprehensive of Your might, and there is no shelter for anyone except with You.

Glory be to You and exalted are You! I bear witness that all You promised regarding Your Proof concerning the laws of his occultation, his emissaries, and those who falsely claim the truth has come to pass. What remains are the signs, tokens and proofs You promised, at which minds will be bewildered, and whose realities none will understand until after the setting star appears.

O God! Hasten his days, manifest his sovereignty, complete his proof, exalt his word, and make him prevail over all religion until none worship You on earth while associating anything of Your signs with You, even though the unbelievers despise it.

O God! The deaf strife has occurred among Your servants—some deny others and some reject others. You know the realities of affairs and what is hidden behind veils. So manifest Your word and complete his proof through Your signs. You know all things and nothing in the heavens or earth escapes You, and You are the Mighty, the Wise.

O God! I bear witness before You and those who bear witness in Your presence that every Proof must have an emissary who knows the laws of religion and the hints of God’s Clear Book, to bring people to true certainty through signs and tokens from certain knowledge. You know all things, O my God! Some have claimed this lofty station and exalted word while being unable to demonstrate even the inner meanings of the Qur’an’s knowledge or the laws of the people of the Bayan. You know their realities, and there is no doubt that Your Proof in every matter is conclusive, Your word is complete, Your will is swift, and none has any argument against You, for You have made clear, completed, perfected and beautified all that creation desired regarding the path of Your Proof. Those who ascribe partners to God have lied and gone clearly astray.

O God! Establish Your proof in the hearts of the believers and make them adhere to the word of piety lest they go astray after guidance and become wretched. There is no doubt, O my God, for Your friends that You have nullified the work of the deniers through what their hands have earned. Thou hast spoken, and Thy word is truth:

“If God were to punish men for their deeds, He would not leave on the earth a single creature, but He reprieves them to an appointed time; when their term comes, then verily God is All-Seeing over His servants.”

O God! I bear witness that I believe in Thee and in Thy Book and in those whom Thou lovest as Thou wouldst have them loved, and none knoweth this save Thee. I am innocent of those among Thy servants who have fabricated lies about Thee, some saying words at which the heavens are well-nigh rent asunder, and the earth split open, and the mountains fall down in ruins—that Thou art one of three, or questioning where God is, or claiming that Thou art poor while they are rich. Glory be to Thee! Glory be to Thee! Glory be to Thee! Thou art God, there is none other God but Thee, the Single, the Self-Subsisting, the One, the All-Sufficient, the All-Powerful, the Self-Subsisting. No description can grasp Thee, nor any attribute define Thee. Thou art as Thou art—none can know Thee, and no servant can describe Thee.

Therefore forgive me for mentioning the words of the polytheists in the presence of the blind concerning Thy friends, for if they possessed certain knowledge, they would see the fire in their own souls as a manifest truth before Thy face, for verily Thou art the All-Sufficient, the Most Generous. Among them are those who rejected Thy Messengers, and those who rejected Their successors, and those who rejected the believers, both men and women, who followed them—as though they were dead, having no awareness. O God! Curse them in the most hidden recesses and in open manifestation, and deal with them as Thou hast ordained in the Tablets for their forebears.

I swear by Thy might, I am quit of them and of all that pertaineth unto them, and of those who love them as they follow their vain desires while imagining themselves to be guided. O God! I know not all that Thou knowest. Therefore, O God, deal with those who revile Thy friends before Thee and who show enmity toward them without right, according to Thy might, power, majesty and grandeur. Verily, Thou art the Strong, the All-Compelling. Thou didst say—and Thy word is the truth—“It was incumbent upon Us to help the believers.” Then Thou didst say: “Verily the promise of God shall come to pass.”

O God! Make us to be of Thy party, for they are the doers of good, and if they be slain or oppressed, these are they who shall triumph. O God! Hasten Thy promise and assist Thy Cause, and show us His countenance which reflecteth the light of Thy glory and beauty. Fill the earth through Him with equity and justice after it hath been filled with oppression and tyranny. Verily, Thou art the Mighty, the All-Wise.

Then turn toward the door of the Sacred House from the eastern corner wherein is the Stone, and say: Peace be upon thee, O faithful servant who art concealed, O fearful and expectant one who art renowned, whose mention God hath made in a Book inscribed on an outstretched parchment and in the Frequented House—the Light of God that shone upon the Mount through less than a needle’s eye from the dawning-place of Manifestation, whereupon there appeared that which appeared from the light of God’s Name, the Ever-Living, the All-Forgiving. Then He filled the horizons therewith, manifesting thereby God’s Name, the Ever-Living, the All-Praising, illumining thereby the darkest depths of night.

I testify that thou art light upon light upon light, whereby every light is illumined. I bear witness that thou hast believed in what God hath revealed in the Qur’an and hast followed the path of the people of the Bayan. Thou art the one whom the All-Merciful taught the science of utterance without having learned from any human being. Thou art he who set down the decree of the sun and moon according to measure. The darknesses alter thee not from the ordinances of the people of the Bayan, nor do the deeds of those who have fabricated lies against God render thee powerless to judge with certitude.

I testify that thy likeness in the Qur’an is as a tree whose knowledge almost enlighteneth, though no fire hath touched it. Thou hast spoken to the people of that which God bestowed upon thee as a sign, according to the decree of the Criterion, as was promised in the Qur’an where He said—and His word is the truth:

“Fear God and He will grant you a criterion to judge between people”

and nullify the works of those who fabricate from among the friends of Satan. I testify that thou hast revealed what thou didst bear of the inner meanings of the Book, and hast expounded what thou didst know of the decrees of decisive utterance, and hast written what thou didst attain in the path of servitude in volumes of intimate prayers that bring the servant to the ordinances of the Day of Return, and hast explained what people need in books whose knowledge none can comprehend save whom God willeth, from the fundamentals of religion to the decree of dust.

Sufficient honor is this for the sincere party and the chosen band, for through thy verses the decree of this Faith is established with a proof of truth that none can deny unless he denieth what he believed before, and through them are nullified the works of those who denied the Imams of Justice.

I bear witness that the deniers have slandered Thee as the misguided deniers slandered those nigh to God in former times. They have uttered words at which the heavens are well-nigh rent and cleft asunder, and the earth split open, and the mountains crumble to dust, words that no human soul can comprehend. Some among them claimed that He asserted the authority of the Guardianship and its sisters; others that He claimed divine revelation and the sending down of verses and the Criterion; still others that He pronounced in His book a ruling making obligatory the law of fasting on the Day of Warning and the Sacred Month—and this is the decree that was revealed in the Qur’an—then some claimed it was a promise unfulfilled, then a decree abrogated.

The decree was inscribed in golden ink, and in his words were verses that accorded with the decree of the Qur’an, though between them was no connection, like what the Arabs said concerning the decree of heaven which He raised and established the balance. Then some were inspired by Satan to claim that he had added to the laws of the Faith and claimed the word of the Bab with what was not in truth revealed. God shall slay them for what they have fabricated against thee and transgressed in thy decree and violated what God commanded to be fulfilled, and desired to spread corruption in the earth and conceal the word of truth. But God will perfect His light though the idolaters be averse.

I bear witness before God and His angels and His Prophets and His faithful servants that thou art innocent of these words, and of those who believed such false words concerning thee, and those who slandered thee and wronged thee. Those who have acted unjustly shall soon know what fate awaits them. I bear witness that thou claimed naught save pure servitude, which thou didst express and to which testified those pages that filled the East and West of the earth, wherein God revealed through thy hands in six hours whatsoever He willed as He willed—and this verily is the great attainment.

I bear witness that thou claimed not the decree of the Qur’an nor divine revelation except what God promised in the Furqan to the believers and the revelation of verses to Moses and all who were with him. I bear witness that thou hast not violated a single letter of God’s religion nor added a letter to God’s Book—and whoso doeth this is an idolater and doubter. I bear witness that thou hast expounded the inner meanings of the verses and traditions in ways that no minds of the discerning and far-seeing can encompass, as attested by the well-known books among both the righteous believers and the wicked transgressors.

I bear witness that God knoweth thy station and sendeth blessings upon thee as He promised in the Qur’an to the believers. Had He known thou desired aught but His good-pleasure, He would have invalidated thy proof by creating a mortal who could naturally recite God’s verses as thou dost recite and write, which none among creation can do. This suffices as a remembrance from God—and this verily is the supreme triumph, for by this proof are established the laws of that true Faith with such justice that none can deny it unless they disbelieve what they believed before. And through it shall the religion of Islam triumph over those Arabs who disbelieved, and conflicting laws shall return to one law, though the unbelievers be averse.

O thou patient and wronged one, O thou Name concealed yet known! How can I praise and thank God for honoring me in thy days with thy recognition and belief in thy verses and following those who love thee, and disclaiming those who denied thee and opposed thee and those who wronged thee and slandered thee. Here I stand in this station—God and those who witness with Him bear witness—loyal to whomsoever is loyal to thee, hostile to whomsoever is hostile to thee, loving whomsoever loveth thee, detesting whomsoever detesteth thee, submitting to whomsoever submitteth to thy decree, and warring alongside whomsoever warreth with thee, and I testify with certitude that faith profiteth not, and deeds are not accepted, except through acceptance of this bounty from God in thy regard.

I seek refuge with God and His words from being among those who recognize the bounty of God and then deny it, or from being among those who hear what Thou didst pronounce in the Sacred Mosque seventy times before God and the witnesses from among His creation, yet believe not in God’s Cause regarding thee, or from those who look upon these words and thereafter fabricate falsehood knowingly and spread doubt. O God! I testify before Thee that I believed naught regarding this Thy servant save what Thou lovest and art well-pleased with, and I have no doubt that Thou hast described with the tongue of Thine infallible ones [what] hath been decreed concerning those who believe in Thy signs that they cannot be described.

Glorified art Thou, O my God! Since Thou didst reveal these words concerning them, I verily know that all these verses cannot ascend unto them, for they, through Thy grace and bounty, are far exalted above such description. Glorified art Thou, O Lord of the Throne, above what they describe! Then turn unto the House of Light, the Garment of Manifestation, the Hidden Name, and the Resplendent Light, and say: I testify that they who falsely attribute to Thee the word “Babi” like unto the Four Gates, through a specific text from the Imams, have indeed gone astray and led others astray unknowingly. I bear witness that Thou didst not speak such words, and in the words Thou didst utter Thou intended naught save such goodly names as Thou didst attribute to Thyself. And I firmly believe that Thy proof is conclusive and Thy word is complete, and that wert Thou to desire through such proof to do whatsoever Thou willest, it would be right, and none could question Thee about it or ask “why” or “wherefore” lest they bear the burden of sin and transgression forthwith. Yet Thou hast not done, nor wilt Thou do, aught save that whose decree hath been revealed in the Qur’an, whereunto the people of the Bayan do testify.

And verily, when my heart is emptied through Thy remembrance, and my innermost being is gladdened through the recitation of Thy prayers, and my heart findeth tranquility in standing before Thy glory, I recite in this my station before Thee what ʿAli, the Commander of the Faithful, peace be upon him, hath spoken in his sermon, alluding to Thy decree. Then say: Praise be to God Who hath guided us to this; we could not have found the way had it not been that God guided us. Indeed, the messengers of our Lord did bring the truth. And they shall be called: This is Paradise which ye have inherited for what ye used to know.

I beseech Thee, O God, by the right of Muhammad and his family, Thy blessings be upon them, to hasten Thy days and to pour forth patience upon us in what hath been sent down from Thee, and to grant us victory over those who have transgressed against Thy right, and to gather us among those who have repented and turned unto Thee and followed Thy path. And protect them, O Lord, from the torment of the Fire. I seek Thy forgiveness, O my God, for what I have said before Thy Beauty and what I have committed before Thy Majesty. Verily, Thou sufficest all things and nothing sufficeth apart from Thee. Therefore suffice me, O God, through Thy generosity, and guard me through Thy grace, and assist me from Thy presence, and fill my heart with fear of Thee, and show me the countenance of Thy proof, and inspire me at all times with Thy beginning and Thy seizure, then with hope in Thee and Thy grace. Verily, Thou art God, the Lord of the worlds.

We have, indeed, in former times sprinkled forth, in the exposition entitled Tamtam of the Sea, a measure of those matters whose immensity hath bewildered minds in certain of their aspects, and whose realities have been partially apprehended in the exposition of the Luminous Visitation that shone forth from the effulgences of the Light of the Morn of Eternity. And now, by the leave of God, I but allude to some portion thereof, even as a few drops overflowing from the all-encompassing Ocean upon the slope of the mountain. Know thou of a certainty the truth of that which We have sent down unto thee from the Spirit of God; for God confirmeth whomsoever He willeth by His grace, and verily He is Powerful, Mighty.

Be thou therefore assured with a certainty beyond doubt concerning the second question which thou didst ask, touching the saying of ʿAli—peace be upon him—in the supplication for the Day of Sha’ban, wherein he saith, exalted be His remembrance: Make me of those who continually remember Thee, who break not Thy covenant, who are not heedless of Thy gratitude, nor make light of Thy divine command; and join me to the Light of Thy might, that I may know Thee, turn away from all beside Thee, and fear Thee with watchfulness. For all that are in the heavens and on the earth abide beneath the shadow of a single letter thereof, even as a leaf of myrtle; and whatsoever is intended in those allusions—its source none can encompass save Him alone.

I do but point, by the Spirit of Divinity wherewith I have been invested—and which is that very Word—unto the prayer: Join me to the most resplendent Light of Thy might. For the servant attaineth not unto the Light wherewith God hath revealed Himself unto him, and which He hath made His most glorious Light within the being of His remotest servant, save through the removal of veils and the signs, stations, and tokens thereby disclosed. These, however, are unveiled only by denying disclosure itself, and by negating negation upon negation; and when that which is negated is itself negated from negation, then doth the Light of the Manifest One arise within the temple of thy heart. At that moment shalt thou become even as He—exalted be His remembrance—hath said: that I may know Thee.

And His saying—exalted be His remembrance—“and turning away from all beside Thee” is itself the very essence of unity in the midst of multiplicity, after the third journey through its abodes and at the threshold of the first stages of the fourth journey. This day, however, the greater part of those who profess unity are veiled from that station, save such as God willeth. The third rank implied in His words—“turning away from all beside Thee”—is a reality following upon the primal reality expressed in “that I may know Thee.” Alas, alas! I myself breathe as one sore oppressed, and cry aloud like the separated ones, in the ocean of decree.

I point to my breast and swear by my Lord: within this is a vast knowledge. Were I to expound all that the knowledge of God hath encompassed in a single letter of that supplication—concerning the station of His unity at the summit of Names and Attributes—it would be beyond the power of God’s command to convey. Yet this day none can bear that whereunto I have alluded in that station, save whom God willeth. Sufficient is that which We have distilled and caused to shine forth for thee. Purify therefore thy heart for God, and turn away from all beside Him; for this day thou art unable to recognize any Cause save by God’s leave. Verily, to God do we belong, and unto our Lord shall we return.

On His saying “Say: the Day of Justice shall be…”

As for that which thou didst ask concerning His saying—exalted be His remembrance—“Say: the Day of Justice shall be the day of separation between me and you; on that day God shall inform you of that which ye have laid up and concealed, and which ye understood not”—there is no knowledge thereof today save on the Day of Justice, when God shall instruct me; then shall God acquaint thee with that which He willed. Fear not, however; for in the spacious realm of severance the judgement of reunion is written in the Book of God as truth. Verily, to God do we belong, and unto Him do we return.

On the exposition of the tradition of al-Rida

And as for that which thou didst ask regarding the exposition of the tradition of al-Rida—peace be upon him—addressed to the Exilarch: one letter thereof would not be exhausted by the oceans of heaven and earth. Be thou assured, however, of that which the Imam—peace be upon him—made known to thee in his saying that the Cause is twofold, faith is twofold, yet the judgement concerning them is one.

Disbelief, likewise, is twofold; denial is twofold; Satan himself is twofold. Each of these true conditions is a letter of unity within the letter Haʼ; and in like manner, the conditions of falsehood are letters of association within the letter Waw. Their conjunction is unity as facing the unity of the Essence; thereafter is the Cause in prophethood as facing the unity of the Attributes; then the twofold faith is faith in the Cause of guardianship as facing the unity of the Acts; then the Cause in the pillar of the Shi’ah as facing the unity of attraction.

The judgement within these ranks is the knowledge of utterance: that God is the Essence whom no servant shall ever know or worship; from everlasting He is, without the mention of any thing. Whoso seeketh to know Him hath in that very instant associated others with Him; and whoso seeketh to affirm His unity denieth, for as He is, none but He can know Him, and none but He can affirm His oneness. His essentiality severeth all essences from comprehension; His beingness withholdeth all modes of being from expression. He is known through His signs, described by His tokens. Whoso apprehendeth His judgement in the fifth rank glorifieth God to the utmost degree of possibility in the stations of His unity, acknowledging that He as He is can be known by none save Himself, and that He hath no description as He is in Himself. Whoso describeth Him by a description and worshippeth Him thereby hath indeed associated others with Him, and hath not affirmed His unity in the truth of possibility—which is the utmost portion of the servant from creation, and the share of all beings from origination.

He hath no partner in act nor in worship. He createth what He willeth, as He willeth—choosing the thing at the moment of choice, at the moment of choice—without compulsion and without delegation. Nay, this is the mystery of destiny: that there is no creator save God, and no effective power but God. God hath created all things as they are, endowed with choice, and recompenseth them, at the moment of origination, according to their description; He judgeth them, at the moment of their response, by the response of the decree, through a hidden judgement. For the answer, at the moment of origination, is itself the very question. None perceive, amid the splendors of majesty, those radiant allusions from the horizon of origination, save the men of hearts, in that very instant.

Sufficient for thee, concerning faith, is that which the All-Merciful hath sent down in the Qur’an: The All-Merciful—He hath taught the Qur’an; He created man; He taught him utterance. Were it not for my sorrow over that which the hands of men have wrought, that which lieth within existence would have been made manifest to open vision. Yet today, by God’s leave, I withhold from them that which He hath granted me in the knowledge of utterance; upon Him do I rely, at the beginning and at the return.

When you have understood what I have cast upon you of the elixir of unity in the letter Ha’, then know the number of the Vav, for these two forms of denial exist and these two rejections are manifest and these two satans are at work. None can attain to the Most Glorious Light in the stations that indicate after the negation of indication except after knowing it in the number of the Vav and being free from its aspects in what they are of that which God, exalted be His glory, detests. The one who gazes with the light of the heart knows from the flowing pen that all that God detests in His knowledge is from the aspects of that number, and its pillars are: denial of the efficient cause in the presence of the unity of the Essence, then the material cause in the presence of the unity of the Attributes, then the formal cause in the presence of the unity of Acts, then the final cause in the raptures of holiness and glory, then the preservation of those manifestations in a single soul, then hesitation in disclaiming what denies a decree from the all-encompassing soul.

Let not the allusions confuse you, nor the indications be difficult for you, for the Essence is the Truth, and whoever has unified Him through the unity of the Essence has unified Him in all stations. All else is His creation and in His grasp. Whoever associates anything of His creation with Him in His unity or His attribute or His act or His worship has denied Him and not unified Him, and will be gathered in the shadow of the number of the Vav and punished by its limits. Whoever worships God purely and sincerely through His attributes with which He has described Himself in His Book has reached the lowest point of the zenith of possibility and ascended the stages of Truth in certitude.

Therefore cleave thou to fear of bada’ and rely upon God against the evil of decree; for the Tree of Sinai, by the grace of God, uttereth the Name of Baha in every age. Unto God belongeth praise for what He is in the act of creation. None comprehend these allusions, nor the melodies of the birds of the immaterial realm, nor their trills and purifications within the atmosphere of divinity, nor the reeds of the thicket of dominion, nor the indications of the signs of sovereignty and the Kingdom, save whom God willeth. Despair not of the Spirit of God, for despair is a condition belonging to the letter Waw; rather, beseech God of His bounty, for this is a condition among the manifestations of the letter Ha’. And in every circumstance say: There is no power and no might save in God, the Most Exalted, the Most Great.

On the deeds that God loveth for thee: the silence

As for that which thou didst ask concerning the deeds that God loveth for thee: the silence of the tongue amid the assemblies of Satans; the remembrance of the Utterance in the presence of God and the sincere; and thereafter beware of any deed that stirreth sedition in the religion of God, for such a deed is more grievous than killing in the Book of God. Grieve not over what thou beholdest in the religion of God: the Christians forged lies against God, the desert Arabs against the Messenger of God—may God’s blessings be upon Him and His kindred—and whosoever beareth a light from God hath no escape from encountering the darkness of men. The servant attaineth not unto the station of faith until he behold all falsehood as utterly dead, black as the pupil of a lifeless eye.

Nay—God forgive me for speaking in terms of excess. Be patient, even as the believers before thee were patient; for God hath said—and His word is truth—It was incumbent upon Us to succor the believers. And if thou wert to look today with the eye of reality, thou wouldst behold the victory of God within thine own self; for victory is the truth. Concerning Us it hath been written: I will assuredly prevail, I and My Messengers. Verily God is Powerful, Mighty.

Though it hath ever been witnessed by all that the Messengers of God were accounted liars, and some were slain; yet in the very hour of abasement and seeming defeat they were the true victors and the conquerors. Today the fire of hell hath encompassed the unbelievers. Fear not, neither be thou dismayed; but say as God hath said in the Qur’an: The Messenger hath believed in that which hath been sent down unto him from his Lord, and so have the believers. All believe in God, His angels, His Books, and His Messengers; we make no distinction between any of His Messengers. And they say: We have heard and we obey. Grant us Thy forgiveness, O our Lord, and unto Thee is the return.

God burdeneth no soul beyond its capacity; it shall have the good it hath earned, and bear the ill it hath wrought. Our Lord! Take us not to task if we forget or err. Our Lord! Lay not upon us a burden such as Thou didst lay upon those before us. Our Lord! Burden us not with that which we have no strength to bear. Pardon us, forgive us, and have mercy upon us. Thou art our Protector; so help us against the people who disbelieve. And say: Our Lord! Pour out upon us patience, and give us victory over the transgressing people. And verily, unto our Lord are we steadfast.

On the holy passage from the Prayer of Lamentation, know thou

As for what thou hast asked concerning the holy passage from the Prayer of Lamentation, know thou with certainty that all letters tell of but a single letter, and all differences return to a single point, and the Cause of God is but one. And that which he—may my spirit be a sacrifice for him—hath indicated in his words “And I have offered unto them the Most Exalted Remembrance and the Most Glorious Praise” is a reference to that which God hath specially conferred upon the Imams of Justice through the sublimity of His Will and the praise of His Purpose, wherein no thing can precede them in that nobility, nor can any servant equal them in that station. All besides them have no mention in their presence, and if they are mentioned, they are only mentioned in the shadow of their manifestation unto others through their own selves.

They are the foremost ones in the heaven of divinity and the praise of the realm of might and in the dark clouds of dominion and kingdom. Nay, there is no life in the existence of creation except through them and their manifestation. Through them move the moving things among those who are in the depths of union, and through them rest the resting things among those who are in the depths of separation. They are servants of God who act according to His command, and they are in fear of His awe. Among them is a living Imam from whom nothing of knowledge is hidden, and verily he is the one who renews the tradition with the new tradition, and verily he is the fulfiller who restores the glorious sovereignty. None knoweth him in this station save He Who created him, and we are but submitters unto Him.

On the inner interpretation of that blessed verse

As for what thou hast asked concerning the inner interpretation of that blessed verse “Until, when the apostles despaired, and the people imagined that they had been untruthful, Our help came unto them, and whom We would was delivered. But Our punishment will not be averted from the people who are sinners,” verily its reality hath appeared. Nay, by thy Lord, there shall come unto men God’s term, then suddenly the Hour, then all shall be gathered unto God thy Lord. Then the Hour of God shall arrive [in perfect eloquence], suddenly shall it come, then all shall be gathered unto God thy Lord. And verily from knowledge of these signs thou shalt understand the meaning of this verse from the Qur’an: “The heaven, We have built it with might, and We verily are powerful to expand it.”

Indeed what is meant by His exalted mention “with might” is the repetition of the degrees of action which equal in their number the letters of “hand,” being fourteen in count, and this is the mystery of the name “the All-Bountiful,” “the Countenance,” “the Generous,” and “the Hand.” He who knoweth the signs understandeth that which the Lord of Names and Attributes knoweth not, neither through signs nor their negation. Verily the opposites in the judgment of the Book return through justice when thou observest therein the decree of [grace].

What We have indicated to thee regarding the Seven sufficeth by what We have sworn by the Seven, and they are: Will, Purpose, Destiny, Decree, Permission, Term, and the Book. When thou observest the signs of the Answer, thou shalt witness the Balance of correspondence in the pavilion of the Cause. Verily in those impenetrable, pitch-dark, blind, and gloomy depths of hell is the number of the letter Vav, and in the presence of the Manifestation of the Word is that which equals the number of the letter Ha.

The possessors of understanding know not here except through what is here. Through this the decree was known once. The signs in the depths of those indications were known, but today thou art not able save by God’s leave. And whoso knoweth what hath dawned and gleamed, and witnesseth what hath shone forth and glittered and illumined, yet turneth away—his connection is severed after having been joined in what he hath attained and seen. He knoweth the decree of connection in the midst of separation between the letter Alif and Lam. Thus hath he attained the seats of mysteries and witnessed the light of lights and feared the justice of the Almighty, for the cycles have been adorned with mountain peaks and the repetitions have been adorned with cycles.

And verily through the traditions [from] the pure ones, the decree of the righteous returneth through the mystery of free will to the Book of the chosen ones, and the decree of mysteries through the law of necessity to the Book of the wicked. And upon God do thou rely, then by God’s command be silent in manifesting through proclamation, for when the sun is raised in the fourth heaven, all shall witness God’s command therein that unto God return all matters. Glory be to God, Lord of the Throne, above what they attribute, and peace be upon the Messengers, and praise be to God, Lord of the worlds.

Take from this red elixir what God hath permitted thee, and revive thereby all the verses and traditions. For when thou gatherest together the opposites on the Day which is equivalent to a thousand years of your reckoning, they are transformed by God’s leave into harmonious elements. And likewise with all that thou desirest regarding the path of things conjoined and separate. And whatsoever thou hast asked concerning the verses and traditions shall be revived with thy Lord through this flowing water from the spring which God hath created in this House, which hath no end. If thou comprehendest what We have distilled unto thee and thy heart findeth rest in what We have bestowed upon thee, then praise God, thy Lord. Otherwise, ask thereafter from the Book of Justice, for therein is the decree of all things which We have detailed in a clear Book.

As for what thou didst desire regarding the derivative laws, take all that thou hast understood from Our allusions, and concerning that which thy knowledge encompasseth not, act according to what hath been revealed in the traditions to the utmost degree. We have not neglected anything in the Book. How canst thou mention the words of Kazim—may my spirit be a sacrifice for him—regarding the station of the Shi’ih while not acting upon its laws, when thou seest that the ray hath been concealed like unto its source? But think not that I am veiled from manifest presence, for your Guardian is not heedless of what ye need. If ye have learned all that ye desired in Our days, then give thanks to God, your Creator. Otherwise, let your souls be at rest through the proof that hath shone forth from the dawn of eternity, which none can produce the like thereof, just as ye act upon the Qur’an and traditions though ye know not all their laws. Say: Despair not of God’s Spirit, for the gates of questioning are opened and the answer is assured for whosoever calleth upon Him. He is not veiled from you nor heedless of your concerns.

Say to those who desire disputation and dwell beneath the tree of argument: Close the gates of your questioning and act according to what hath been revealed in the “Alfayn” from your Guardian, and dispute with people through it and through what We have revealed in the interpretation of [the Surah of] Kawthar, for it is a Book wherein are mentioned, when God willeth, the laws of Return and what ye desire.

On the rapturous allusions, the Hour hath come unto thee

As for what thou asked regarding the rapturous allusions, the Hour hath come unto thee with truth and thy Lord shall reward thee for thy striving. And concerning what thou asked about healing thine eye from the white spot, if God willeth to remove it, recite after every prayer the Verse of Light:

“God is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The parable of His Light is as a niche wherein is a lamp. The lamp is in a glass. The glass is as it were a shining star. (Kindled) from a blessed tree […] though fire touched it not. Light upon Light. God guideth unto His Light whom He will. God speaketh to mankind in allegories, and God knoweth all things.”

As for what was written regarding the law of answering through the Tongue of Life, far be it to think of thee thus, for verily the abode of the Hereafter is Life indeed, if ye be of them that are certain.

On the four names in the air, be thou discerning

And concerning what thou asked about the four names in the air, be thou discerning and perceptive regarding the allusions. The air is that which God created between the body of the Imam and his heart, and when it descendeth, it descendeth at once upon the Messenger of God and then upon the Imams of Justice—the blessings of God be upon them—and there is nothing with them except that the Messenger of God—peace be upon him—hath preceded them therein. And verily the Messenger of God (peace be upon Him and His family) preceded them, and verily the Kawthar water which We gave thee to drink brought those signs to life.

On the two prostrations of forgetfulness, recite in them

As to what thou hast asked concerning the two prostrations of forgetfulness, recite in them “In the Name of God” and “By God” and “God’s blessings be upon Muhammad and His family.” And when thou sittest, recite the two testimonies, then send blessings upon Muhammad and His family, then speak the word of peace. And unto God do we make our complaint, both in the Hereafter and in this world.

On pre-seminal and seminal fluid, there is nothing prescribed for them

And as to what thou hast asked concerning pre-seminal and seminal fluid, there is nothing prescribed for them, but I love cleansing when God hath permitted man to purify himself.

On the matter of disagreement—if thou didst intend

And as to what thou hast asked concerning the matter of disagreement—if thou didst intend the ruling about doubt in the evening prayer, then complete the prayer, and if thou intended another matter, then inform me so that I may reveal unto thee another verse.

And as for what thou desired concerning complete understanding in the laws of purity, if God were to permit me I would mention it afterwards, God willing, but God hath revealed all jurisprudence in these words:

“Fear ye God; God shall teach you, and verily God’s promise shall be fulfilled.”

As for what thou hast mentioned regarding thy wonderment at marveling at my Cause—if thou dost marvel, then marvel, and if thou dost not marvel, then marvel at thy soul’s wonderment. We have not neglected anything in the Book, and no one hath any proof against Me; rather, the proof is Mine against all the worlds. Know thou these days, for never hath the sun risen upon their like. Raise up the Cause of God and fear not the party of Satan nor the friends of those who disbelieve and transgress, for verily the party of Satan was ever weak. But fear God, lest thou utter a word that would cause sedition around us, and speak unto them in kindly words.

On commerce, mention unto the people Our signs and raise up

As for what thou didst inquire regarding commerce, mention unto the people Our signs and raise up Our tokens, for God hath ever been a profitable commerce for the sincere ones. And concerning what thou didst ask about anointing the head during ritual impurity, it is incumbent upon thee three times, but for the right and left sides once sufficeth thee—like oil when thou canst not find water or art unable to use it. Say: Verily He is All-Encompassing.

As for thy question about washing the hands, it is as is known among you from the elbow to the fingertips. And regarding what thou asked about being compelled away from Me, fear not, for the believers in that sedition are like the leaves of the tree of love—the tree doth not turn away from thee when thou hast not withered. Cast not thyself down, but fear God and hold fast to the firm handle that cannot be broken, and be thou of the thankful ones.

As for what dawned upon thee concerning what God revealed unto thee when thou desired wondrous proofs, matchless verses, beautiful stations and subtle signs—God knoweth them; I have no knowledge save what my Lord hath taught me. Verily I have forsaken the path of the people who believe not in the Hereafter and are disbelievers. Say: Had I that which ye seek to hasten, the matter would be decided between me and you. God knoweth best the questioners. But verily I saw thee one day in the sacred court and spoke with thee. Alas! Alas! Were the Master alive he would lift my sorrow and give me peace. O Lord, draw nigh the days of meeting Thee, for this world hath passed and unto Thee do we return.

As for thy question about defiled vessels, once sufficeth thee in running water, but in standing water when thou seest signs of cloudiness, wash twice. And regarding what thou asked about the call to prayer and the standing prayer—I love not that thou shouldst abandon them in obligatory prayers, though if thou abandon them entirely, no blame attacheth to thee. The call to prayer may be omitted if thou desirest not to give it, but the standing prayer is incumbent upon thee from God’s Book, glory be to Him.

As for thy question about the two prostrations of forgetfulness, recite them after prayer when thou hast entered into prayer. And regarding the prayer of precaution, I judge not for thee separation but rather continuation, lest something be omitted from thy prayer. If thou practice separation, God will question thee concerning it, though God is kind to His servants.

As for thy question about recitation, verily I know not the people’s conventions, and though I would love to know I know not. But the balance is in My hands—it is the pure nature. However, proper pronunciation in its proper places is the right of the eloquent reciter. Those whose voices cause hearts to recoil are among those who follow Satan’s promptings—these are they who are the lost.

And verily those whose voices repel hearts are among those who follow the promptings of Satan, and these are they who are the lost. And as for those who ask thee concerning the tradition regarding one like unto Yaqtin, say: I have no knowledge. God effaceth what He willeth and confirmeth what He willeth, and with Him is the Mother of the Book.

On seeing him, peace be upon him, God hath willed

And concerning what thou hast asked about seeing him, peace be upon him, God hath willed that none should see him save the truthful ones, as mentioned by Muhammad ibn ʿIsa al-Bahrani. And whosoever claims to have seen him, say: they lie. And as for what hath come in his missive, peace be upon him, it is true that God effaceth what He willeth and confirmeth what He willeth, and with Him is the Mother of the Book. And concerning what thou hast asked about the Book of Laws, act according to it, but compare it with what hath been revealed by Me, for verily conjecture is a sin that availeth naught against truth. And verily what hath been revealed here for thee, if thou seest no error in it, is truth, and if thou seest an error in any book from Me, then I shall change it by God’s leave, for it is not from Me, and God knoweth all that people know not.

On the prayer of making up missed prayers, make them up

And concerning what thou hast asked about the prayer of making up missed prayers, make them up as hath been ordained and perform the obligatory prayers at their appointed times, for God loveth from among the believers those who act according to what He hath commanded them, and He is indeed Self-Sufficient, All-Appreciating.

On the tradition of Jabir, I have indeed sprinkled a drop

And concerning what thou hast asked about the tradition of Jabir, I have indeed sprinkled a drop from the ocean of divine decree in its interpretation in the tongue of the Persians, and if thou wishest to interpret it in truth, take from the elixir which I have cast unto thee and revive therewith the earth of hearts and souls, for God loveth the believers.

On the ordinance of thy obedience on the witnessed night, God

And concerning what thou hast asked about the ordinance of thy obedience on the witnessed night, God knoweth its wisdom, for knowledge belongeth unto God and unto whomsoever He willeth. And verily thy newborn on the indicated night is a remembrance from God that thou mayest know the power of God in the nineteen days which was the number of gates […] before the sacred month which is the gate of Paradise. And rely thou upon God, then pray for mankind and curse the sun and moon in their calculated courses.

On the Imams of justice, peace be upon them, having made

And concerning what thou hast asked about the Imams of justice, peace be upon them, having made themselves a condition of mentioning God, exalted be He, this is true, and We have indeed removed the veil from this mystery in the interpretation of Kawthar—read what We have revealed therein, for it is indeed a wondrous matter.

On the prayer of precaution […] and verily the punishment

And concerning what thou hast asked about the prayer of precaution […] and verily the punishment is inevitable, and none can avert the decree of God.

Concerning adhan and iqamah—yes, they may be omitted. However, on Friday if you perform the Friday prayer with a just person, then yes [they should be performed]. But [on Friday] if you pray the noon prayer alone, I love that you recite after it the Prayer of Lamentation, then give the call to prayer and perform the afternoon prayer. And this is God’s grace to all the believers.

On speaking with [strange] women whom God has not permitted you

As for what you asked about speaking with [strange] women whom God has not permitted you to see—God has not permitted it in the Book except out of necessity, and then only five words. Fear God and be not among the despairing ones.

On contracts—it is right in God’s Book that they

And as for what you asked about contracts—it is right in God’s Book that they be between two parties, and thus should the sincere ones act.

On the laws of fasting and its customs, and the laws

Concerning what you asked about the laws of fasting and its customs, and the laws of purification and its conditions—if God permits me I shall expound upon these later, God willing. But you should avoid among people dust which would alter your taste, and if something reaches you, expel it with your mouth, for I do not love for anyone [to be other than among the God-fearing].

On taking certain properties from the believers, both men and women

As for what you asked about taking certain properties from the believers, both men and women—know that for the fifth (khums) among people, half is the right of the assured believers in this Cause [from the descendants of Hashim] and half is the right of the Imam, peace be upon him. And it is obligatory upon its owner to deliver it to whom God has appointed to His Cause, or to make provision in his property until the Day when God takes His right. And verily, may my spirit be sacrificed for him, his right is not lawful for people, as was explicitly stated in that sublime directive from that holy, exalted, most high One:

“In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate. The curse of God and the angels and all mankind be upon whoever makes lawful for himself even one dirham from our properties.” However, concerning the descendants of Ali, peace be upon him, according to what the scholar mentioned in his chapter from beyond the White Sea, on the authority of the trusted noble Munir Shams al-Din son of the Fifth Proof, peace be upon him—and this ruling is in accordance with the primary traditions that were revealed regarding permissibility from [illegible] [peace be upon them] the pure ones, upon them be the blessings of God, the Almighty Sovereign.

And you—take the right of justice when anyone sends it to you, then preserve it until I give you permission. But fear God and be among the humble ones. Glory be to God, Lord of the Throne, above what they describe. And peace be upon the Messengers, and praise be to God, Lord of the worlds.