BB00412: Letter to Qurrat al-’Ayn (Chihriq)

He is the Most Great, the Most Beautiful, the Most Gracious!

The first effulgence that shone forth and gleamed, then rose and dawned, then illumined and thundered, then radiated and ascended from the most holy court of nearness was the Camphor of holiness, the Essence of purity, the Unseen of manifestation, the Countenance of the Hidden One, the Garment of the Manifest One, the Praised Remembrance, the Manifest Jealousy, the Remembered Rememberer, the Dweller in the absolute heaven of Sinai, the Summoner to the hidden mystery, the recorded symbol, the Frequented House, the precinct of light, the dispeller of darkness—the Proof of God, my Master, upon the Blessed Tree, its root, branch, twigs, fruits and shadows.

By the cooing of the dove upon the branches of the Tuba tree in Paradise, and by the warbling of birds upon the leaves of the Lote Tree of the Uttermost Boundary in the shade of Paradise! Then give thanks to God, for I have indeed observed your sealed letter. God will deliver you from what you fear and dread. Know that from the gems of your knowledge have appeared the inner meanings of traditions and you have walked in places of trials. Therefore patience, patience in remembrance of the sea of Eden and the spring of Yemen.

They have falsely attributed to you certain incidental matters. Therefore destroy their edifice with a clear and lofty explanation: that Husayn, peace be upon him, was indeed martyred, and whoever claims he was not killed has forgotten God’s decree and what minds have witnessed, and is not more rightly guided than what was believed and said. Then know that Paradise and Hell are created and in them are servants whose number none knows save God, and before the Day of Resurrection they will not be revealed to anyone. God suffices regarding them both and God suffices as witness.

Then know that the return of the Qa’im is the manifestation of that Light. I seek God’s forgiveness from that! What am I alone? By Him Who created me, I am utter nothingness before His presence and await His days. None like me fears Him. Sufficient are my great sins and enormous transgressions as mention of essence before Him. Sufficient is His mention as my glory, His concealment as my covering, His forgiveness as my sin. Now I seek forgiveness and turn to Him. He is indeed the Generous, the Gracious.

Then know that the return of the Family of God has not occurred, and the Hour is coming, the Resurrection has arisen, Paradise has drawn near, Hell has been kindled, and the beasts have been gathered. I seek refuge with God from false judgment. All that is pure falsehood. By your life, all that will appear afterwards and is established with justice. Whoever denies a letter of the outward religion has denied God’s decree. I am but one of the penitent servants.

Write the mention of the Cause in a recorded book to the number of seven hundred, concealed by the guides of the manifestations of light. Convey to the King of time and Administrator of affairs. Call His servants to relief. Love me, I will love you. Say: Praise be to God, Lord of the worlds. Keep silent and do not speak with those permitted in the Book. Answer through the tablet and pen. Be certain that all the outward aspects of the Law remain, and whoever abandons any part of it has abandoned all of it, for whoever commits one sin is as though he committed all sins. And cease smoking tobacco for it is forbidden to all the peoples of the world.

The blessed signature is complete.