BB00319: Letter to Khal-i-Akbar from Masqat II

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

Read the Book and magnify the name of thy Lord Who now sendeth down unto thee a manifest Book. Give thanks unto God, thy Lord, then prostrate thyself before His wisdom, for this is God’s bounty unto thee, and verily there is no God but Him, the Mighty, the Wise. Follow the decree that is transmitted unto thee from the presence of a manifest Leader, for He is the Truth in the heavens and on earth, calling mankind unto a mighty Balance. Indeed, the people have come unto the Remnant of God, confirming what was brought by the Penitent Ones and the Messengers from God, that they should worship none but Him, and this verily casteth the mighty Faith.

Rejoice, O thou who art in this state, in the Day of Remembrance, and fear no one in the path of God, for all shall return unto God, thy Lord. We have gathered all creation from a single day, and magnified the Cause through those who were truthful and followed God’s verses—these are they who are guided. But whosoever denieth the Book of thy Lord and followeth vain desires, naught of his deeds shall avail him, and these are they who are the lost.

We have indeed sent a Book from Al-Mahamis before, then from Al-Masqat thereafter, wherein are clear signs from Our presence for people who hear. We verily know that thou art in fear of My Self, and that the sovereign hath not believed in the decree, but God had already decreed in the Qur’an beforehand, and God is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.

God hath decreed for the most exalted ones:

“I and My Messengers—verily there is no God but Him, the Strong, the Mighty.”

Know thou the decree of thy Lord at this moment, for I have not written concerning any matter nor revealed in the Book a single letter save by the leave of the Remnant of God, the Proof of thy Lord, the true Imam, the All-Hearing. Know thou that when the Name appeareth amongst the people, it is not permissible for anyone to enter upon Him except those who are near, and God is the All-Informed, the All-Knowing. Nay, the Remnant of God hath forbidden the face that mentioneth thy Lord’s name to face the faces of those who turn away, and the touch of His hands with the hands of the idolaters, and God is the Mighty, the Praiseworthy.

And if it be written on the Day of Justice concerning a learned one regarding My return, I have indeed chosen a house for Myself, and God is Wise over thee. Be patient in God’s decree and fear not, for were We to will, We would reveal in every letter the like of the Qur’an, and none can reject the proof of thy Lord, and verily there is no God but Him, the Strong, the Mighty.

Know that the Remnant of God hath commanded me to speak to no one on the Day of the Covenant except in clear Arabic, for God hath made my tongue in every utterance like unto the decree of the Qur’an. And for him who heareth, it is incumbent to write in like manner, for this is a proof from God unto all creation. And upon that utterance the descent of melodies is not permitted. Behold then what appeareth in the decree of this moment, and God is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

And for every soul there is an appointed term that hath been ordained in a clear Book. And be thou aware that wert thou to be slain in the path of thy Lord, or to pass unto God thy Lord, verily thou wouldst be gathered together. And verily the Spirit of Truth hath circled round my heart by thy Lord’s decree, and all dominion is before me as but a written letter. And whether all believe in the Remembrance of thy Lord or deny Him, it diminisheth naught from my knowledge of God. And verily the Spirit strengtheneth me at all times by God’s leave, and God is the Strong, the Praiseworthy.

And now there descendeth the subdued ark upon the water, then the sea. This is what God hath willed. There is no power nor strength except through God. In Him do I place my trust and unto God is the journey’s end. Through God’s grace, there existeth not within my soul fear to the measure of a mustard seed, nor do I seek help from my self less than that. And I say, by the decree of the Book: I seek forgiveness of God, Who hath taken unto Himself no son, and Who hath no partner in sovereignty, and Who hath taken unto Himself no protector out of weakness. There is no God but Him, glorified and exalted be He above what they associate with Him.

And glorified be God, thy Lord, the Lord of the Throne, above what they describe. And peace be upon the Messengers, and praise be to God, the Lord of all the worlds.

O Hafiz, exalted be His glorious and mighty station!

At the port of Bushihr, for the Shaykh.