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Part 1: “Verily, O my God, Thou didst rear me…”

Verily, O my God, Thou didst rear me among the non-Arabs and nurture me like unto the unlettered ones for the day when, shouldst Thou desire that I manifest Thy signs, none would fabricate lies against me and all would submit to Thy signs. Thou hast indeed ordained obedience to the true divines for this my day, lest anyone should deny me in anything, for I call the people to Thy Book, the Qur’an, unto which falsehood approacheth not from before it nor from behind it.

And whoso desireth to believe in me needeth no proof, as though I were one of their divines whom Thou hast made their rejection to be Thy rejection and their obedience Thy obedience. But since Thou knowest that pure truth will not be accepted save by a few, Thou hast sent down unto me Thy verses in such wise that were all to gather together to produce the like of a single verse, they would neither be able nor capable, lest anyone should think of me other than the truth. And Thou hast filled my heart with verses of intimate communion with Thee in such wise that none of the believers can surpass me, nor can any of the truthful ones withstand me.

And Thou hast expanded my breast with the subtleties of knowledge and the realities of what is known in such wise that none among all the people can surpass me, as though all Thy signs encompassed me from every direction, such that none around me can do aught but deny Thy signs and be numbered among the idolaters. And Thou hast made my hand a power of truth whereby I write whatsoever I will by Thy leave without thought, and Thou hast established in my heart such strength that I have called all unto Thee and feared no one.

And today, O my God, Thou knowest my station, and I do complain unto Thee of my tribulations, for they have debased what Thou hast exalted and exalted what Thou hast abased in Thy Book, and they have grown proud against Thy servants who have no portion in my judgment save helplessness, until the oppressor hath oppressed, and the reviler hath reviled, and the denier hath denied, and he hath verified what was false, and praised what was reprehensible, and exalted that which hath no standing among the people.

Alas, alas, O my God! Verily the divines pass judgment against anyone with a judgment that none can reject through Thy judgment. What is decreed is accomplished, and there is no power save in God.

And verily, O my God, through the workings of Thy wisdom, Thou hast made my proof in Thy religion like unto the proof of the verses of Muhammad, the Apostle of God, may God’s blessings be upon Him and His family, lest anyone should doubt my truth, and should all who are on earth desire to believe, they would have no proof before Thee. And were naught else to exist alongside it, nothing would diminish from Thy proof, for Thou hast made the proof a sign that transcendeth all signs, with which no token can compare, from which no evidence can be separated, and wherein the deeds of the idolaters cannot be conceived. And by it are all Thy servants tested and Thy loved ones proved, until there hath issued forth from Thy presence that wherein is naught of Thy wrath, and that which is wholly Thine alone, no partner hast Thou. None hath any proof against Thee, for Thy proof hath reached all hands, and even if Thou didst make the entire proof of Thy beloved Muhammad, the Apostle of God, may God’s blessings be upon Him and His family, to be the Surih of Kawthar, none would have the right to utter a word concerning it, and it is incumbent upon all to believe in it.

After Thou hast ordained for those verses a limit, Thou dost send down in every circumstance whatsoever Thou willest, as Thou willest, through what Thou willest, when Thou willest. None can repel Thy command, none can reverse Thy words, and no proof before Thee and before the believers among Thy servants is greater than Thy verses, for the spirit of divine lordship and the mystery of eternality, which is Thy love for me, is made manifest.

Concerning her in Thy verses, which are a proof for those of Thy servants who are nigh unto Thee. Thou hast made the outward meaning of Thy verses a proof for the idolaters, that they might witness their own powerlessness to produce the like thereof throughout all ages and the eternity of manifestations. Thus was Thy proof made complete against all mankind, that he who perisheth might perish with clear evidence, and he who liveth might live with clear evidence, and that none might say “Had God made His verses known to me, I would have been among the believers.”

O my God! I bear witness that on the day when Thou didst complete Thy proof concerning my own self, Thou didst complete it for all through a scroll of Thy intimate communion, lest anyone should fabricate falsehood. Verily Thou didst choose the pure ones of creation and made them beforehand from among the followers of Muhammad and Kazim, Thy two servants who fulfilled Thy covenant and were faithful to Thy decree, and were among those possessed of certitude. All know that when a youth from their community debates with any of the great scholars, he prevails over him and renders him utterly confounded, such that he cannot answer him, when he follows the truth and is among the truthful ones.

Thou knowest that when their days were ended, the necks of their great ones were raised up to assume their station, by reason of its loftiness, majesty, grandeur and beauty, until Thou didst manifest Thy servant wherein none had discerned their cause, and Thou didst send it down upon one of Thy unlettered servants of whom none suspected knowledge. Therefore didst Thou conceal my name, and had none ever appeared, I would not have manifested it, for Thou knowest therein what none save Thee can know, until what was to appear appeared and what was to be achieved was achieved. At the time of manifestation, it was raised to such a station as to reach the East and West of the earth, such that I myself heard some Bedouins speaking of it in the Sacred Mosque.

Thou knowest, O my God, that on the first day I did not think anyone would see my scroll with patience concerning my right, or would say “nay,” for the gates of knowledge and the keys of truth were stored and unveiled in my words. I attributed my writings to Thy Living Proof lest anyone should magnify himself or lie, though all good descended from Him and upon Him does one rely. Had the Messengers attributed to me, the people would not have believed, for none of the learned ones came with such, and it is a station of Thy good proofs and great in the eyes of the people.

O my God! When Thou didst desire to try Thy servants, Thou didst send down trials and made the companions of Thy trial to be oppressed, until the oppressor oppressed and the liar lied, and the fabricators found comfort in their knowledge. Thou didst know their station and didst reveal the inner states of Thy servants who believed and conveyed and migrated by what they did and wrote and took. Verily Thou knowest all things and nothing is hidden from Thee. Thereby didst Thou try all from the first day until none remained in that land save one or two or three, moving with the shadow, fearful and apprehensive.

Glorified art Thou! Glorified art Thou! How mighty is Thy proof, how generous Thy gift, and how great Thy trial! I seek refuge in Thee and hold fast to Thy cord. There is no power nor strength save in Thee. I thank Thee for what Thou willest when Thou willest, and I praise Thee for what Thou pleasest. None can resist Thy command or reverse Thy decree. Thou hast tried all in such wise that none hath any proof against Thee, and Thou hast made Thy mighty Cause so humble that every soul among Thy servants can recognize it and draw nigh unto it. But since they were veiled from Thy countenance, Thy angels intervened between them such that they were unable to draw nigh. Glorified art Thou! Glorified art Thou! This is naught but Thy trial.

Thou causest whom Thou willest to go astray, and guidest whom Thou willest. Verily, those who lead themselves astray through their own doings have no refuge, and they have no guide. And those who are certain of Thy judgment shall never be led astray. And here am I, O my God, seeking Thy forgiveness for what my hands have wrought. Thou knowest that I have not drawn near to this Cause except out of fear of Thee alone—there is no God but Thee. From the days when Thou didst not manifest Thy Covenant, no one belied me. And now Thou hearest what Thou hearest concerning me, and seest what Thou seest regarding my judgment. I have placed my trust in Thee and committed my affairs unto Thee.

The calumniators have transgressed against me just as the ancients transgressed against those who were nigh unto Thee. One says this, then that, and I, by Thy glory, am ashamed before Thee to let flow from my pen what they fabricate and know. I complain unto Thee of my anguish and grief, and all that they utter against me without right. I see it as similar to what the Christians say concerning Thee. None of them can harm me save as Thou willest, but since Thou didst nurture me aforetime with sweet words, my heart is grieved by what I now hear from the calumniators—those about whom people say what they say. I praise Thee and thank Thee that to this day no one has overcome me through truth, but through falsehood beyond what Thy Book can enumerate and Thy knowledge encompass.

Thou knowest that to him who claimed the station of Kazim (peace be upon him), I initiated the Book that he might be reminded or fear. I wrote to him certain verses, and he was unable to reply to me with the like of my writing, for it is a proof against all. Had he been able, he would have sent it by now. Thereafter he transgressed in ways Thou knowest better than I. And as for him who took a book wrongfully—Thou knowest, O my God, that I asked of them a single utterance like unto my verses, but they were unable to produce it. Had they been able, I have no doubt they would have sent it. Thereafter they committed sins against Thee and worshipped Satan unawares. People imagine that producing an utterance like unto the verses is an easy matter, but nay! Thou knowest, O my God, that this was made Thy proof in the Qur’an, and Muhammad Thy Messenger (Thy blessings be upon him and his family) used it as an argument against the people, and it is a proof from Thee until the Day of Resurrection.

Thou dost witness, O my God, that after these mighty signs and supreme proofs, I have made no claim before Thee save what Thou hast established through truth. Dost Thou not know that if I had made a false claim, Thy glory would not have been content except to destroy me instantly or invalidate my proof by causing someone to produce the like of my Book—which I revealed in fourteen thousand verses, each one of which suffices for all who are in the heavens and on earth? I am certain in my love for Thee and Thy love for me that hadst Thou wished to invalidate this Cause, Thou wouldst have inspired one of Thy creatures to recite verses like mine, thereby nullifying my proof, and I would have remained silent. But now, knowing Thy good-pleasure, I commune with Thee: How hast Thou honored me, O my God, with this supreme proof, yet Thou dost not send down another sign to reassure the hearts of the fearful and oppressed? And how is it that the servant whom Thou hast raised to the station of greatness does not manifest all the qualities of that station, lest anyone be able to attribute any inadequacy to him?

Glorified art Thou, glorified art Thou, O my God! I am assured that naught can frustrate Thy power. Perchance Thou hast willed thereby to try all mankind; for wert Thou to vouchsafe unto me a proof like unto the rod of Moses, not a soul would depart from Thy decree. But now Thou hast honored me with that which is greater, and those in whose hearts is perversity turn away from Thy path.

Perchance Thou didst desire to make manifest on the Day of Resurrection, among Thy near ones from among Thy servants, when Thou permittest their signs to appear before Thee, so that Thy Living Proof might glory in the Book of His servant before all people.

And perchance Thou didst desire to elevate my station through trials, as hath been Thy practice with those near ones who came before. And if Thou hadst honored me with a physical sign by which all hearts would be subdued, I would not have experienced sorrow in Thy path, and thereby would not have attained the stations Thou hast promised to the patient ones. And as the life of this world passeth away, He hath chosen for me the eternal life and its stations, wherefore the people’s causing me grief in Thy days grieveth me not.

Part 2: “And perchance through these verses Thou didst desire…”

And perchance through these verses Thou didst desire to establish the authority of the Qur’an among all, that those who doubt the right of the Imams of justice might believe.

And perchance through these verses Thou didst desire to nullify the deeds of the people of the towns and those around them from among the Arabs who believe in Muhammad, Thy Messenger, peace be upon him and his family, and in his Book, yet who deny the names of the Imams of justice and their traditions, and to test them that they might either believe as do the believers or deny Thy favors.

And verily, if Thou hadst manifested other than these verses, they would not have believed, even as they believed not before in the miracles of the Imams of justice. But today they have no escape when they read the Book of Justice except to believe in it or to deny the Qur’an that came before, for there is not in it a single letter without connection, nor contrary to the rules of the people, and through it God nullifieth the deeds of all the idolaters.

And perchance I am not worthy that Thou shouldst honor me with another sign, but far be it to harbor such thoughts about Thee, for Thou hast honored me with the most mighty of all Thy signs, and he who is worthy of such a great bounty is worthy of all Thy manifestations and signs.

And verily, O my God, Thou hast not established with Thee any sign of justice other than this proof, and physical signs have no station with Thee, for therein both those near ones and the transgressors participate. But in Thy Word none can fabricate, for from the first day of Adam all have fabricated concerning all signs, yet none among the fabricators hath produced a book from Thee that would render all on earth unable to produce its like.

Glorified art Thou, glorified art Thou! Far be it from me to harbor thoughts of any deficiency in Thee. Rather, Thou hast made the Proof a sign that transcendeth every sign, from which none can escape. And verily, if Thou shouldst open unto me the gate of knowledge of the unseen or control over things, all would harbor doubts about Thee and would confuse the deeds of the fabricators with those of the near ones, and none among the possessors of understanding would be able to attain certainty of Thy truth, for such manifestations appear among the Christians and the idolatrous peoples.

But with this station none hath come save Muhammad, the Messenger of God. Nay, by Thy might, none can say aught concerning Thy proof, for those who say there is no connection between the verses and that they were revealed contrary to the rules of the people might look to the Commentary on the Surih of Joseph. Yea, verily they know not how to write the forms of that which hath been revealed, and thereby do all differ concerning it, and I have changed it. But concerning the Book of Justice, none can say aught about it save a contentious fabricator and liar.

Glorified art Thou, O my God! How perfect is Thy proof, how great is Thy favor, how mighty are Thy blessings, and how exalted art Thou! By Thy might, if anyone should read the Book of Justice and not believe in the Book of Thy servant, he is more astray than any beast before Me, and I am ashamed to call him bestial, for even beasts remember their Lord, while he who denies perceives nothing.

Glory be unto Thee, O my God! I know not Thy purpose regarding me, nor the manifestation of Thy signs within my soul, but I know that Thou didst desire to demonstrate to all that today there is a Hidden Proof for mankind, and none among those idolatrous peoples can deny it, for He Who brought these mighty signs was His servant and friend. All believe in Him while unseen and await His days, and support His servant that he might cause the religion of God’s Messenger—peace be upon him and his family—to triumph over all and nullify the deeds of the transgressors.

By Thy might and majesty, if people knew what their support of Thy Faith entailed, none would turn away but would aid Thy Cause until all religion belonged to Thee alone, without partner.

Glory be unto Thee, O my God! I thought in that station that Thou hadst manifested nothing from me save that Proof and those signs of love, lest anyone say this is the work of Satan or grieve me with evil words.

Glory be unto Thee, O my God! I complain of my sorrow to Thee that if this Cause should abrogate any decree without the authority of the Qur’an and Traditions, its Bearer must produce a proof. But now I make myself like any of the divines who look to the traditions and convey all ordinances to the people. The difference between me and them is that they acquire their knowledge from men and are licensed by some scholars to issue rulings, while I have studied under none—rather God was my teacher and His verses and communes my license. This is indeed possible, as God revealed in the Qur’an before: “Fear God,” and I did fear God my Lord, and thereby did God teach me all things.

Can one who stands upon a clear proof from Thee be like one who has no proof save the desires of the transgressors? I take refuge in Thee, O my God! Thou knowest that though they issue Thy rulings by permission of certain scholars and their license, most of the Muslim divines and accomplished mujtahids whom none would deny except those who wish to disbelieve in Thee have followed me.

I complain to Thee, O my God, that had the divines not turned away from my judgment, none would have been wronged. And now the sin of all rests upon them though they perceive it not. Thou knowest the divines imagine this Cause is like that of Ahmad before Kazim—peace be upon them—and therefore they follow me not and think wrongly of me. Far be it that I should think thus of that Cause! This is a Cause that breaks the back of all and nullifies the deeds of all who turn away. It has a proof like unto the pillar of prophethood—were all to gather to nullify the Truth they would fail. Indeed, those who look to the word of reality know that all the proofs of the three pillars are manifested in this Cause—nay, in but one verse from its Bearer’s verses.

Glory be unto Thee! How mighty is Thy proof in my hands, how great Thy power within my soul, how sweet Thy remembrance in my heart, how lofty Thy strength in my being! Through myself alone hast Thou manifested my Cause and sent messengers bearing glad tidings and warnings according to the ordinances of the Qur’an without changing a letter, and Thou hast brought low the station of the oppressors until the Day of Resurrection, with an irrefutable proof that none among Thy creation can escape, and I have endured all manner of tribulation with contentment and patience, fearing none in the path that leads to Thy presence.

I know not, O my God, whether I am beguiled by Thy proof or whether all men are as dead ones who perceive not that one among the Jews believed in Musa ibn Ja’far, Thy proof, when he witnessed his patience. All people know my station and observe my patience, yet they perceive not and find no way unto Thee.

By Thy might! My breast is constricted by that which, were it to settle upon the Throne, would cause it to quake; were it to rest upon the Chair, would cause it to break; were it to descend upon the heaven, would cause it to split asunder; were it to fall upon the earth, would cause it to cleave in twain; were it to touch the mountains, would cause them to crumble; were it to be recited upon the sea, would cause it to surge; were it to be inscribed upon the Tablet, would cause it to darken; were it to be mentioned by the Pen, would cause it to split; were it to draw nigh unto fire, would cause it to be extinguished; were it to be raised unto the trees, would cause them to wither and their branches to become as dry wood; were it to be read unto hearts, would cause them to tremble and fall down; were it to be mentioned unto minds, would cause them to be seized with fear; were it to be recited unto souls, would cause them to be humbled; were it to appear unto bodies, would cause them to shudder; were it to be recorded by pens, verily eyes would overflow with tears.

O my God! Is there anyone encompassed by Thy knowledge who, upon reading this my epistle, would cry out as do those who cherish hope? Is there anyone who would enumerate Thy Book who, upon hearing this prayer, would weep for me as do those who are drowned? Is there anyone among Thy servants upon whom that Book would descend who would feel his skin crawl, who would arise to aid me and guard his tongue lest he stir up sedition around me, and who would exalt the religion of God as do these transgressors? Is there anyone among Thy creation who, upon writing these intimate prayers, would be moved in his heart and would beseech God by the sanctity of the Imams of justice for my deliverance?

O my God! Thou knowest my station and my solitude, and here am I, before Thee, calling upon Thy believing servants—those who are alive and those who shall yet live by Thy leave—to help Thy religion and not destroy themselves, to have mercy upon my soul and not draw near to sedition, nor assist in sin and transgression. If they can follow God’s decree, let them believe; if not, let them remain silent until God makes His signs manifest and guides them aright.

O God! I beseech Thee by the right of Muhammad and the family of Muhammad to bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, and to have mercy upon the weak souls whom Satan touches every moment, with all Thy mercy and Thy signs. Guard them from the evil of the wicked among the jinn and men, and deposit in their hearts and in all my verses and prayers that Name of Thine which Thou didst entrust to Azrael, peace be upon him, whereby souls are forcefully affected. Verily, Thou art the Bestower, the All-Praised.

O God! Let them read that blessed verse from the sacred Tree, that their souls may be preserved from the evil of the transgressors. Lord! I ask of Thee a spiritual, radiant, brilliant, and everlasting support that would strengthen my essential and accidental powers, then my angelic and animal powers, then my universal and particular powers, until thereby I and my servants might overcome every overwhelming soul, such that the sign of their subtle essences would contract with such force as to cause their powers to fall, leaving no living thing in existence but that the fire of my conquest would consume its back. O Powerful One! O Mighty One! O Severe One! O Thou Who art possessed of overwhelming strength and kingly power! O Subduer, O All-Subduing! I beseech Thee by that which Thou hast entrusted to ʿIzra’il of Thy subduing Names—whereby souls are overpowered beneath his sway—that Thou wilt, at this very hour, deposit within me this secret, that through it I may render every hardness pliant and humble every stubborn resister, through Thy might, O Thou Possessor of Strength, the All-Strong, and through Thy power, O Thou Who holdest sway over both dominions.

Verily Thou art God, the Lord of the worlds. There is no strength nor power except through Thee. Thou art God, my Protector, Who hath ever been and will ever be. Verily Thou art my Protector and Thou art the Ever-Abiding. In Thee have I placed my trust, and in Thy protection have I taken refuge. Through Thy will have I sought assistance, to Thy glory have I held fast, and upon Thee have I relied. I say: whatsoever God willeth shall come to pass. There is no strength nor power except through God, the Most High, the Most Great. Glory be to Thee, Lord of Might, above what they describe. And praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.