BB00056: Kitabu’l-Fasl

Part 1: “I bear witness unto God at the outset…”

In the name of God, the Mighty, the Wise

I bear witness unto God at the outset of religion that there is none other God but Him and all are His worshippers, and that the Primal Point is His servant and His Glory unto all who are in the heavens and the earth and whatsoever lieth between them, and that the Guides of Truth are the Letters of His Self, all acting by His command from Him. There is no God but God, that same God Who is your Lord; His is the creation and the command, and all bow down before Him.

Know ye, O My servants, that He Whom We have manifested in truth by the name of ʿAli before Nabil is My proof both before and after, and ye shall be questioned concerning Him. And He Whom I shall make manifest thereafter is the Primal Point in the Hereafter—how little do ye remember! We make no distinction between any of those We have manifested. Fear ye God and ascribe no partners unto Him.

At the beginning ye shall say: There is none other God but Him, and the Primal Point is His Remembrance and His Glory, and the most excellent Guides are the Letters of His Self—all are His guides and all are His worshippers. Fear ye God and follow not the footsteps of Satan, that ye may prosper. Those who turn away from God’s Cause—these are the ignorant rabble, and on that Day they shall not receive mercy. Those unto whom guidance hath been vouchsafed from Us—these are the companions of paradise, wherein they shall abide forever.

We have indeed explained the verses in truth for people who understand. We have sent down Our books aforetime and expounded the verses in truth that ye might believe in the manifest truth. Those who follow not are all ignorant rabble—they understand not. Fear ye God and turn not away from the truth after the Star hath risen—will ye not understand?

It hath been forbidden in the Book to drink wine and smoke tobacco, also opium and wrongful deeds, and intoxicants and whatsoever is not sanctioned by God, and the consumption of all unclean things—how little do ye remember! Those who drink wine and commit indecencies and turn away from God’s command and His prohibition—these understand not.

God hath prescribed mercy for Himself, that He will surely reward those who have believed in God and His verses, and those who have placed their trust in their Lord. There is no God but God, and His is the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all are submissive unto Him.

God hath ordained that ye should remember God ninety-five times every day and night—will ye not fear Him? And ye shall say nineteen times “Allah-u-Akbar”, then likewise “Allah-u-A’zam”, then likewise “Allah-u-Anvar”, then likewise “Allah-u-Ajmal”, then likewise “Allah-u-Azhar”, that ye may thus turn toward God, your Lord.

God hath ordained that on Friday ye shall say, facing the sun:

“Bear thou witness that there is none other God but Him, the Subduer, the Self-Subsisting.”

God hath prescribed pilgrimage to the House for men, apart from women, that ye may be thankful. Visit ye the Point and then the Living Guides, that through them ye may draw nigh unto God, your Lord. Whosoever visiteth the Primal Point, God will surely grant him the reward of two thousand martyrs—will ye not fear Him? And whosoever visiteth the first to believe in Him or the last to whom He was revealed, God will surely grant him the reward of a thousand martyrs—will ye not understand? And whosoever visiteth the Most Excellent Guides, God will surely ordain for him a mighty reward and will grant him five hundred martyrs—will ye not know? There is no God but Him, and His is the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all are submissive unto Him.

God hath ordained that ye should recite five times every day and night the words “God testifieth that there is none other God but Him and that the Point of the Bayan is His servant and His Splendor, and that the Letters of the Living are the letters of His Own Self, all of whom are created by His command.” Whosoever knowingly neglecteth this must give five mithqals of white diamonds, but if one forgeteth, no penalty shall be required, even throughout one’s life, that ye may be grateful in the religion of God. God hath decreed concerning the vessel the measure of the kurr, and likewise concerning the well, though ye be heedless thereof. Say: Water is pure, purifying and cleansing, if ye but knew it. Fear ye God, and cleanse your bodies, and shun all things unclean, and purify your garments and your souls in water, that ye may be God-fearing.

God hath prescribed unto thee nineteen rak’ahs of prayer, which We shall explain in detail hereafter, if God willeth, if ye be of them that believe. God hath indeed ordained that ye should perform your ablutions with rose water if ye are able, and if this be not available, then water alone shall suffice you—will ye not understand? Wash ye your hands, then your faces from the wrist upward, and dry your faces with a towel that ye may be thankful. Use ye perfume, then rose water, then whatsoever beareth a pleasant fragrance—little do ye show gratitude.

God hath ordained mutual love between you—little do ye understand this. What ye behold in dreams is pardoned you, but ye must keep your bodies and your garments clean. These are verses of the Book which We recite unto you in truth, that ye may be thankful. God hath ordained that ye should not sleep alone if ye are able to do otherwise. And if ye desire to take wives, bring them together in an assembly and then marry them. Whoso marrieth other than a man or woman—his works shall be rendered vain. Fear ye God, that ye may prosper.

God hath fixed the dowry at nineteen mithqals of gold, increasing by one mithqal until it reacheth ninety-five mithqals if the bride be from among the people of the city; and if she be from among the people of the villages, nineteen mithqals of silver, increasing by one mithqal until it reacheth ninety-five mithqals—little do ye comprehend this.

God hath ordained that both the man and woman should be present, and that the dowry should be placed in the hands of the woman, and that the man should utter the word of consent, saying “We are, all of us, content in God,” and likewise should the woman say “We are, all of us, content in God”—this is a limit set in the Book of God, that ye may not transgress it. Look ye to what hath been set forth in detail in the Bayan and act according to what hath been revealed therein concerning the laws of marriage, that ye may attain unto certitude in God.

God hath ordained that ye should take a document from both the man and woman wherein they write their mutual consent, and it is better that the woman should keep the document rather than the man—will ye not fear God? These are the bounds set by God; transgress them not, that ye may obtain mercy. We have indeed expounded the verses in truth for people who understand. Whoso abandoneth what hath been ordained in the Book—his work shall be rendered vain. Fear God, O all ye people. This is Our faithful counsel unto you, though little do ye know it. Verily God is the Truth, both in the past and in the future, and all are prostrate before Him.

God hath ordained that ye should recite the verses of the Bayan and that which hath been revealed in explanation of the Bayan, ninety-five firm verses each day and night, that ye may attain unto that which God hath purposed and reach your destination.

God hath decreed that ye should rise from your seats when ye hear mention of Him Whom God shall make manifest and the exponents of His Cause, that ye may be among the God-fearing. Fear ye God and send blessings upon Him Whom God shall make manifest and His exponents when ye hear mention of Him, if ye be true believers.

God hath ordained that ye should be kind to women, honor them and revere them, that ye may be merciful. Women are as a tilth unto you, and God expoundeth His verses in truth that ye may be God-fearing. There is no blame on them if they adorn themselves and beautify their faces for their husbands. These are the bounds set by God, and none deny the verses of God save the company of unbelievers. There is no blame on them in prayer if their hair should emerge from their veils—this is God’s grace and mercy upon them, that they may give thanks unto God Who created them, and that ye too may be thankful.

When women experience their courses or are with child, they are exempt from fasting and prayer, nor need they make up for these, save that they should perform their ablutions and sit facing the Qiblih at noon, reciting ninety-five times “Glory be to God, the Lord of Beauty and Glory”—this is a mercy from God upon them and a bounty upon all, that people may be thankful in the days of their Lord.

There is no blame if ye wear garments of silk and cotton, though prayer offered in pure silk is raised up unto God. God expoundeth His verses in truth that ye may be God-fearing. Indeed God loveth that ye should wear silk on festive nights that ye may rejoice. God hath prescribed that ye should wear the cloak throughout your lives—will ye not then be God-fearing? There is no blame on you in days of cold to wear long coats—this is God’s grace and mercy that ye may be thankful. They who turn away from the verses of the Book are they who understand not.

God hath prescribed that there should be pools of water in your houses that ye may be God-fearing. Fear ye God and place pools of water in your houses if ye be true believers. Whoso turneth away from his Lord’s command, his work shall be made vain, if ye but knew. God expoundeth all things in detail that ye may obtain mercy. Say: Water verily purifieth you, and there is no blame if ye wash in water, if ye but knew. Say: Air and fire, then water and earth purify you by God’s leave—will ye not understand? Say: The Name of God purifieth you when ye find no water—recite ninety-five times “God is Most Pure,” then bear witness to the hidden mystery. Say: The glance of the Point purifieth all things when He looketh upon anything, then likewise before Him, if ye but knew. Say: The water from which ye were created, God hath indeed purified in truth—will ye not be thankful? Say: They who act according to what We have expounded in the Book, these are the true believers. God forgiveth not those who are not guided by His verses.

God hath ordained marriage for your female offspring after they have reached the number of Bahhaj [2+5+1+3 =11], as a mercy from God unto you, that ye may be thankful. And if the woman hath attained unto the number of Ya’ [10] and the man unto the number of Bahhaj, this is best for you, if ye be of them that fear God. This is from the Book of the Command which We have expounded with truth, that ye may show forth gratitude.

God hath permitted you to use the finest silk that can be obtained, if ye be gracious. Keep it pure and clean. If ye are able to possess goblets of crystal to the number of Huda, then possess them, and if ye are not able, then ask God of His bounty. Verily, He bestoweth His bounty upon all who are possessed of bounty, and all do seek His generosity. He it is Who determineth the measure of all things, and all are submissive unto Him. There is no God but Him, and He is powerful over His command, and all are resigned unto Him.

God hath prescribed that ye should entertain nineteen persons each month, even if ye have but water to offer. This is of the bounty wherewith God hath preferred some of you above others. Will ye not then be thankful? And if ye be poor, ask ye God of His bounty, until He enricheth you out of His abundance. Will ye not then fear God? Unto God belongeth the wealth of the heavens and of the earth and of all that is between them. He bestoweth upon whomsoever He willeth of His creation, and all do seek His bounty.

God hath ordained that every soul should have a maid to serve him day and night, yet few among you are grateful. Whoso hath the means and acteth not accordingly, verily his works shall be made void, and God is witness, and there is no God but Him in Whom the God-fearing have believed.

Fear ye God and consume not usury, even to the extent of a single grain, that ye may prosper. Whoso taketh aught from a believer, whether man or woman, verily his work shall be rendered void, and he shall not be of them who are guided by the signs of God.

God hath prescribed justice unto you, that ye harm no soul even to the extent of a single grain—even should one but lay a hand upon another’s shoulder. Whoso transgresseth, it is prescribed that he pay nineteen mithqals of gold, and if he be not able to pay in gold, then in silver, and to restore unto him whom he hath wronged the limit set forth in the Book of God, that ye may not transgress.

Part 2: “And whoso grieveth another soul deliberately, he shall…”

And whoso grieveth another soul deliberately, he shall pay that which hath been prescribed aforetime, if ye be able to do so. And if ye be not able, then seek ye God’s forgiveness nineteen times, that ye may be of them who believe in the signs of God.

Fear ye God, O ye that dwell on earth, and grieve not any soul, that ye may not be grieved by Him Whom God shall make manifest in the next Resurrection. Verily God will accomplish His purpose, and all are submissive unto Him. Nothing in the heavens or on earth can frustrate Him, and all are resigned unto Him.

God hath permitted you to engage in buying and selling when mutual satisfaction is established between you, as a bounty from Him and a mercy, that ye might show compassion unto others. And when the word of mutual satisfaction appeareth among you, it sufficeth you in your commerce regarding whatsoever ye wish to transact. Fear ye God and take not from anyone even so much as a mustard seed, for they that do so are among the wrongdoers. God hath set the measure of all things that ye might not transgress His bounds. Verily God accomplisheth His purpose, and He is the Omnipotent over His creation, and all are submissive unto Him.

God hath prescribed that ye look into a mirror each day and night. If God hath created you with beauty, then pray ye for the Primal Point and the Exponents of His Cause, that ye might be merciful. And if ye be created without beauty, then seek forgiveness of God Who created you and all things. Verily there is no God but Him and all act by His command. All this is of God’s grace and mercy toward you, that ye might be enabled to believe in the signs of God on the day of His Manifestation.

Fear ye God, then turn away from wickedness and indecency if ye wish to be guided by the signs of God.

God hath prescribed fasting for you during nineteen days, as ordained in the Bayan, that ye might not transgress. Fear ye God and observe ye the fast in the Most Great Month of God, then believe in God and His signs. There is no God but God and His is the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all are devoted unto Him.

Fear ye God, O people, and conceal not testimony among you, that ye might be God-fearing. If there be two just witnesses among you in testimony, it shall suffice when ye bear true witness. And regarding women, the number corresponding to Dal [4] in testimony shall equal two men. All this is of God’s grace and mercy that ye might be thankful. And if there be believing women to the number of Ba’ [2], it shall suffice in testimony even as one man would suffice. All this is of God’s mercy unto you, O people of the Bayan, that ye might be God-fearing. The testimony of two women is equal to that of one man, as decreed in the Book of God. Fear ye God and transgress not. Verily God accomplisheth His purpose and He hath power over all things, and all are submissive unto Him. God determineth the measure of all things that ye might be guided by His signs. Verily God is the Lord and His is whatsoever is in the heavens and the earth, and all are sincere unto Him.

God hath prescribed that ye should trim the hair of your faces for four months at the beginning of your maturity, as a bounty from God and a mercy, that the hair on your faces might grow strong and full, that ye might be thankful. It is prescribed that ye use henna once every nineteen days if ye are able, and if ye are not able then once every four months, and depilatory every ten days, then whatsoever else ye love to use. It is prescribed that ye should trim the nails of your hands and feet once every seven days, and that ye should cut the hair of your heads and faces and groom your appearance, that ye might be thankful for what God hath bestowed upon you of His grace.

Fear ye God and neglect not cleanliness and the toothpick when ye eat anything. God hath prescribed that ye believe in Him Whom God shall make manifest, the Proof of your Lord, and that ye shall bear witness to the truth of God, there is no God but Him, if ye desire to enter into the mercy of your Lord.

Fear God and make peace among yourselves, that ye may be numbered with them that are guided by His signs. God hath ordained that whoso drinketh wine shall pay a fine of ninety-five mithqals of gold, to be given to the poor, that ye may show forth mercy. O ye poor! Grieve not, but rejoice in the Paradise promised unto you. Verily God will reward you most excellently for all that ye do. God is powerful over all things and supreme over His creation. He is the All-Compelling, the Self-Subsisting. He annulleth what He pleaseth and confirmeth what He willeth, and with Him is the Mother Book preserved.

God hath prescribed that ye write the verses of the Bayan in the most excellent and beloved calligraphy within your power. Whoso is able and writeth not, his works shall be made vain. Fear God with true fear, O ye possessed of calligraphy, all of you together. Write ye the verses of the Book in your finest hand, that God may recompense you through His grace, and that ye may be thankful.

God hath ordained that ye shall not cut off from any soul the measure of an ear, or nose, or hand, or foot, or head, that ye may be God-fearing in His religion. God hath ordained that ye shall not seek forgiveness from anyone save Him Whom God shall make manifest, the proof of your Lord, or from your own selves before God, that ye may prosper. Fear God and be not like the people of the Furqan who openly denied God, yet they perceive it not.

Fear God, O people, and never slay a soul. Whoso slayeth one soul is as though he had slain all mankind. Fear God, O ye possessors of power, all of you together. It is not for you to slay any soul, for God alone hath power over whom He willeth. Fear God and be ye God-fearing.

God hath prescribed honor and love between you, then forgiveness and mercy, that ye may be thankful for what God hath bestowed upon you of His grace. Fear God and take not from any soul even as much as a grain of mustard seed, and never wrong anyone, forever and ever. God hath prescribed justice among you, O people of the Bayan, that ye may be God-fearing in His religion. Those who turn away from the Truth after it hath come unto them, these are the companions of the fire, wherein they shall abide forever.

God hath prescribed that ye should recite the verse of power after the Bismillah from what hath been revealed in the Bayan, that ye may attain unto all good.

God hath prescribed that ye should perform the ablution for the state of ceremonial impurity once during the days of the week in the Book of God, that ye may be thankful.

And O ye believers, when ye desire to perform the ablution, when ye immerse yourselves in water once, it shall suffice you for all that ye wish to cleanse, when ye find a pool of water. And if ye find no pool of water, then fear God and be God-fearing, then perform the ablution in this manner: for the right side two handfuls of water suffice you, then likewise for the left side, then thrice for the head, that ye may be thankful for what God your Lord hath commanded you. All this when ye can find seven handfuls of water to perform the ablution. And ye shall say at the beginning of all your acts this verse:

“Verily, I perform this for God, the Lord of the heavens and of the earth and of what is between them, the All-Compelling, the Self-Subsisting.”

God desireth to extend to you His religion which He hath chosen for you, that ye may prosper. If ye find no water, then perform ablutions with pure earth in the manner We have prescribed in the Book regarding the laws of ablution, that ye may receive mercy. This is of God’s bounty and grace, that ye may be thankful.

And if ye are traveling in the cold and are unable to wash or perform ablution or purification with earth, ye are relieved of all these acts, save that ye shall recite ninety-five times “Allah-u-Athar” that ye may believe in God’s verses and be assured.

God hath ordained that ye render unto each their due right, and that ye shall never consume aught belonging to another. Fear God and show mercy to orphans, the poor, and the wayfarer, if ye desire to enter into the mercy of your Lord.

God hath ordained that ye elevate the station of the Point and the Living Letters, that ye may be God-fearing in His religion.

God hath ordained that ye attend yearly the place of punishment according to what hath been detailed in the Bayan. This is God’s favor upon you, O people of the Bayan, that ye may be God-fearing. Whoso is God-fearing benefits his own soul, and whoso transgresseth doeth so to his own detriment. Verily God is the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting. To Him belongeth whatsoever is in the heavens and the earth and whatsoever lieth between them, and all are submissive unto Him. He it is Whose mercy encompasseth all who are in the heavens and on earth and whatsoever lieth between them, and all act according to His command.

Fear God and approach not women during their periods until they are cleansed, as ordained in God’s Book, if ye be among those who know. Fear God and deal justly between them, that ye may be among those who act according to God’s command.

It is prescribed for fathers and mothers to arrange marriages for their offspring according to what hath been ordained in the Book, that they may be thankful. And whoso leaveth no progeny, his deeds shall be rendered void and he is not of those who are guided by God’s verses.

God hath ordained for you, O women, to purify your bodies after your courses have ended, and to immerse yourselves once in water, which shall suffice you as a bounty from God and His mercy. Verily, He is the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. This is part of what We have detailed in the Book that ye may be God-fearing.

Fear God, O people, and say not that which ye know not.

Fear God and sell not His verses for a paltry sum of counted dirhams, if ye wish to be guided.

Fear God and exchange not guidance for error, that ye may prosper.

Fear God and deny not God and His verses after having believed in them before. Verily, God changeth not His favor until people change what is in themselves—how little do ye remember! Those who turn away from the verses of the Book are they who know not. Say: The Lord of Command hath more authority over you than your own selves—God will judge between you with truth; woe unto you, how you fail to reflect! God hath created all that is in the heavens and the earth and whatsoever lieth between them for the Manifestation of His Self—how little do you understand! Say: All are His servants and all bow down before Him. Verily those who turn away from the Truth after it hath come unto them are sunk in heedlessness—what aileth these people that they perceive not? Fear ye God, O people, for the life of this world is vain, and unto God shall ye all return.

This is from the Book of Distinction [Kitabu’l-Fasl] which We recite unto you in truth, that ye may be mindful of the signs of God. When the Star of the Cause setteth, ye hear not what ye heard before, neither do ye witness. Verily He is the Manifestation of Mine Own Self—do ye present yourselves before Him, and do ye hearken unto the verses of the Book, and do ye witness how We reveal unto Him—little do ye remember. And should all who are in the heavens and on the earth and whatsoever lieth between them gather together to produce the like of what We have revealed in truth, they would never be able, nor would they understand.

These are among the verses of the Tablet which We recount in truth—yet how few are they who reflect! Is there any god besides God? Glory be to God! He is God, and unto Him belongeth whatsoever is in the heavens and on the earth and whatsoever lieth between them, and all bow down before Him in adoration.

This have We expounded unto you the verses, did ye but know. And with God is the conclusive proof, and with Him is the kingdom of all things, and all are worshippers unto Him. And He is is mighty over His Cause, and all stand in awe before Him.