BB00487: Statement in defense of Tahirih

As to what thou hast spoken of the degrees of difference and dispute: what hast thou to do with the recounting of such reports? For the outward aspect of religion accordeth with its inward reality. Paradise is true, and Hell is true; the Path is true, and the Balance is true; the Resurrection is true, and the Gathering is true; and whatsoever God hath revealed in the Qur’an is true. Whoso denieth even a single letter of the ordinances of the Hereafter is as though he had denied the Self-Subsistence of the All-Merciful and His sanctity and holiness.

And as to attributing such matters unto the Pure Leaf: verily do I call God to witness that she is free and innocent of all this, and hath believed in naught save that which is set forth in the clear Book.

In the Faith the believers have the right that none among them should repudiate another. If one heareth from another some word and it be not conveyed to him in confidence, he should not pass judgment upon him until he know the source thereof and it be made plain whether it be true. And if he be informed and find it contrary to his understanding, let him refer to him in whose hands God hath placed the Final Word; for whoso judgeth otherwise than by his judgment is as though he had judged otherwise than by that which God hath revealed.

I therefore counsel thee to the fear of God, exalted be His remembrance, for it is the summit and crown of the Cause. One such as thou should not befit aught save to become the point of return in differences, and the gatherer of opposites into unity…

And as to what thou hast asked—that the Pure Leaf hath claimed for herself the station of being a proof unto others [hujjiyyah]—this is no great matter, nor an affair of grave moment; for hujjiyyah hath praiseworthy meanings…

And she hath recognized the stations of My judgment and hath been illumined by the lights of My verses. Wherefore should he who hath followed Me repudiate her? For she speaketh not save through the shining guides from among the People of Infallibility and the radiant tokens from among the people of truth. Sufficient is this as an honor for this righteous company; and God sufficeth as Witness over me and over mankind.