Kingship: justice, shared responsibility, and lasting sovereignty

Fear the sighs and tears of this Wronged One, and lay not excessive burdens on your peoples. Do not rob them to rear palaces for yourselves; nay rather choose for them that which ye choose for yourselves. … Your people are your treasures. Beware lest your rule violate the commandments of God, and ye deliver your wards to the hands of the robber. By them ye rule, by their means ye subsist, by their aid ye conquer.

Kings are the manifestations of divine power, and what is intended is their justice - if they observe this, they are related to the Truth.

God hath committed into your hands the reins of the government of the people, that ye may rule with justice over them, safeguard the rights of the downtrodden, and punish the wrongdoers.

… Thou art God's shadow on earth. Strive, therefore, to act in such a manner as befitteth so eminent, so august a station.

We beseech God to aid His Majesty the sovereign in protecting His flock and safeguarding them from the wolves of the earth. A just sovereign possesseth a great station in the sight of God and occupieth an exalted rank. By the life of God! The most excellent garment for the temple of sovereignty is the garment of justice. It is the supreme adornment and the most resplendent robe.

The just king is the lamp of the world and the cause of the reformation and prosperity of nations.

The just king is as the head to the body of the world.

The fourth Glad-Tidings

Should any of the kings -- may God aid them -- arise to protect and help this oppressed people, all must vie with one another in loving and in serving him.

… The fifteenth Glad-Tidings

Although a republican form of government profiteth all the peoples of the world, yet the majesty of kingship is one of the signs of God. We do not wish that the countries of the world should remain deprived thereof. If the sagacious combine the two forms into one, great will be their reward in the presence of God.

Dr. Esslemont quoted from Baha'u'llah's Glad Tidings: "'Although a republican government profits all the people of the world, yet the majesty of Kingship is one of the signs of God. We do not wish that the countries of the world should be deprived thereof.'

In one of the Tablets it was revealed that among the signs of the world's maturity is that no one will accept to bear alone the weight of kingship. Sovereignty will remain, but none will be willing to bear alone its burden. Those will be the days when wisdom will be manifest among mankind, save for him who may take on this mighty weight for the sake of propagating God's Cause and spreading His Faith.

In reality it is not just that vast countries should be governed from a single center, for no matter how great the ability and wisdom of the statesmen of that center, or how developed their sense of justice, they will still not be fully informed of the needs of every town and village and cannot exert themselves justly for the betterment of their surrounding dependencies.

We hope that he may be confirmed and assisted in service to the world of humanity and become the cause of unity and accord between the government and nation, so that these two mighty pillars may blend together like milk and honey. He should possess lofty ambition and noble purpose, not sullying himself with trivial aims and ordinary matters like others, but rather lay an eternal foundation and render service to the Divine Court, that he may find his way to the exalted pavilion of the All-Merciful, bestow life upon the world of humanity, and shine forth from the horizon of eternal glory.

In reality, Shah Mozaffar is very gentle in his action and it is not indeed possible for him to show you more consideration than he does. Besides, God has now brought it about that the administration of affairs be in the hands of both the Government and the people.

Consider how powerful, triumphant, at peace and secure the constitutional government of England is. His Majesty the Emperor is in the utmost glory and confidence, and the people are in the utmost freedom and joy, with government and people in continuous progress. What could be better than this, that all serve the monarch while he lives in the utmost comfort, ease, joy, delight, and abundant glory.

Consider how his royal highness, the King of England, spendeth his days, in the plenitude of happiness, of tranquility, of peace and prosperity, and is the most exalted Monarch among the kings of the world. Neither is he responsible for a matter, nor doth he take any blame. The assemblage of the people and the pillars of the government render to their King the most earnest service and bear for him the weight of every burden, while his sovereignty is in continuous progress and the nation at constant rise.

Among constitutional laws in the Sacred Tablets, the English law is given precedence, but now greater consideration must be given to royal authority as current conditions require. Therefore, in some clauses where national power is strongly emphasized, some moderation is needed, and royal authority must be highly respected. Further adjustments will be possible in the future.

The inhabitants of a nation must intelligently fulfill the requirements of the constitutional government and abide by all its conditions, otherwise it will bring upon them greater lawlessness and disintegration; for the reins will be taken out of the hands of an able, absolute Monarch and placed into the hands of a number of self-interested, useless parasites.

It is impossible that a despotic government could make any progress in these days. All the kings of the world were at first despotic, but later they have become either constitutional or republican. Even some of the kings, by their own will, granted a constitution; such as the Mikado of Japan, who willingly granted one, and two years ago the Ameen of Montenegro, in Turkish Europe, also granted one. Why? Because today a despotic government cannot be held any more, and until the Royalist and Nationalist can become blended as milk and sugar, tranquility and prosperity cannot be obtained, and further, you must proceed to punish those who martyred one of the Bahais, Seyid Yah Yah, in the city of Sirjan.

Thirty years ago I wrote to Sultan Abdul Hamid that if thou desirest to protect thy Empire thou must give complete freedom of rights to all thy subjects no matter to what religion they may belong and establish a constitution but he did not listen and you see today the results.

Abdul Baha: There will be constitutional monarchy, but they will have no independent power. Baha'u'llah says that in each country there should be one head (king) but there will not be a supreme king for the whole world. The universal Beit-ul-Adl will be the supreme authority.

O ye the loved ones and the trustees of God! Kings are the manifestations of the power, and the daysprings of the might and riches, of God. Pray ye on their behalf. He hath invested them with the rulership of the earth and hath singled out the hearts of men as His Own domain.

Say: O people! Sow not the seeds of discord among men, and refrain from contending with your neighbor, for your Lord hath committed the world and the cities thereof to the care of the kings of the earth, and made them the emblems of His own power, by virtue of the sovereignty He hath chosen to bestow upon them. He hath refused to reserve for Himself any share whatever of this world's dominion.

The kingdom of wealth lieth in the hand of your merciful Lord. He bestoweth it upon whomsoever He pleaseth at His behest. He, verily, is the All-Powerful, the All-Compelling, the Most Generous. Know ye, moreover, that God hath entrusted the earth into the hands of the kings and made them to be the manifestations of His power amongst His creation, should they enter beneath the shade of the Tree of His Cause. Beyond this, He holdeth in His grasp the power to command.

Blessed be the king whose sovereignty hath withheld him not from his Sovereign, and who hath turned unto God with his heart. He, verily, is accounted of those that have attained unto that which God, the Mighty, the All-Wise, hath willed. Erelong will such a one find himself numbered with the monarchs of the realms of the Kingdom.

O ye beloved of the Lord! It is incumbent upon you to be submissive to all monarchs that are just and to show your fidelity to every righteous king. Serve ye the sovereigns of the world with utmost truthfulness and loyalty. Show obedience unto them and be their well-wishers. Without their leave and permission do not meddle with political affairs, for disloyalty to the just sovereign is disloyalty to God Himself.

Asked if it were ever right to rebel against an earthly ruler, He replied:

"Yes, if he deals unjustly and tyranically with his people he forfeits the right to govern them."

That which is necessary today is obedience to government and adherence to wisdom. In truth, the reins of preservation, tranquility and assurance outwardly lie within the grasp of governmental authority. Thus hath God willed it and thus hath He ordained it.

God, exalted and glorified be He, hath bestowed the visible kingdom upon its rulers. It is not permissible for anyone to commit that which would be contrary to the views of the leaders of the realm.

The Lord of all worlds hath entrusted the order of countries and the security of paths to the effort of government and the power of sovereignty, and hath made the comfort of the subjects and the prosperity of the people dependent upon the influence and might of the kings of the world. Should there occur any weakening in this mighty force which preserves the life, happiness, comfort and peace of creation, the felicity of human life would be disturbed, and the base, vile, rejected and riffraff would become dominant and prevailing.

All these matters arise from the weakness of the government. Therefore, we pray that God may grant strength and victory to the government. Soon you will observe that the government will gain strength, and when it acquires power to maintain order, these problems will be solved.

Rectify, therefore, the utterances and omit some of the sayings and with gentle words and in a spirit of utmost purity elaborate thou on the hardships of war and the advantages of peace, on the benefits of harmony and the harms of discord, on the readiness of the human world in these troubled times, on the nearness of the realization of lasting peace through the assistance of God and the joyful tidings that have encompassed the whole world, without protesting against anyone with a single word of reproach, how much less against the rulers and the kings of the earth, insofar as this is at variance with the explicit Text of the Book.

The majesty of kingship is the means of glory for the nation, and the influence of the government will ensure protection of the populace; however it should go hand in hand with Justice. His majesty the King is, praised be God, an accomplished person, he is the embodiment of justice and reason, and distinguished for his forbearance. Therefore all must rise with magnanimity and strive for that which is conducive to the establishment of a powerful government, a mighty monarchy, a potent order, a flourishing country and a progressive nation.

Today by the grace of God and the spiritual influence of His universal Manifestation, the fair-minded ruler of Iran has gathered his people into the shelter of justice, and the sincerity of the imperial purpose has shown itself in kingly acts. Hoping that his reign will rival the glorious past, he has sought to establish equity and righteousness and to foster education and the processes of civilization throughout this noble land, and to translate from potentiality into actuality whatever will insure its progress.

Therefore His Imperial Majesty the Shah of Iran, may his power endure, undertook to protect and support the oppressed ones, and to the extent possible, preserved and safeguarded them from the hands of the oppressors and accusers. May God strengthen his power, increase his success, and cause him to attain the highest degree of prosperity and triumph, through the intercession of the Concourse on High.

In any case, praise be to God, His Imperial Majesty shows utmost patience and resists oppression and tyranny with justice and fairness. … Pray that His Imperial Majesty may be victorious and triumphant and his enemies defeated and subdued, for truly he is a kind king and a benevolent monarch full of favors.

Therefore raise your hands in supplication and bow down at the threshold of the Self-Sufficient Lord, saying:

O Lord! Keep this fortunate monarch safe in the shelter of Thy protection, and keep this justice-spreading sovereign under the gaze of Thy favor. Aid him with Thy heavenly hosts and assist him with Thy celestial armies. Increase his might and make his sovereignty firm and established. Preserve this crown and throne from the evil of traitors to the state, and protect it from the corruption of rebels and insurgents. Add to his might day by day, and gladden the eyes of his well-wishers.

Thy letter was received and its contents were understood. Indeed, it is as thou hast written. We hope that, through divine assistance and bounty, the just monarch, the generous king, may be successful and confirmed in all matters and become the cause of comfort and tranquility for his subjects, so that the pavilion of Iran's ancient glory may be raised high at the pole of possibility, and His Majesty's sovereignty may attain its former station and rank.

Praise be to God, His Imperial Majesty the Shah, preserved and protected, hath returned to the seat of sovereignty, and during this journey conducted himself in every land in such manner as caused the joy and delight of these wanderers, for he moved with utmost dignity, composure, kindness and nobility. The friends of God, in gratitude for this kingly virtue, must show the utmost effort in obedience, submission, well-wishing and service to the royal throne, and be occupied day and night with prayers for His Imperial Majesty the Shah.

Although praise be to God, even now His Imperial Majesty is like a radiant moon in the eastern horizon - nay rather, a brilliant sun - yet it is hoped that in this cycle of the All-Merciful and divine age, the Lord of the worlds will place such a crown of bounty upon the heads of Iran's monarchs that its brilliant jewel will shine and radiate forever in the east of prosperity and the zenith of eternal heaven.

To say more would exceed the bounds of wisdom, yet We beseech God to assist and confirm His Majesty the Shah and grant him the knowledge to perceive, for should he become aware, he would hold fast to that which would ensure the perpetuity of his sovereignty and the reformation and advancement of his realm.

In truth, considering the opposition of the clergy and the hardness that has seized those souls, His Majesty the Sultan has conducted himself very well. In any case, the government shows consideration for the people of the nation, as undertaking anything that would cause general public disturbance has never been and is not acceptable to the government, for it must preserve its throne and sovereignty.

His Majesty the Sultan of these realms--may God, the Blessed, the Most High, assist him and strengthen his government--has shown the utmost kindness toward the great claimant of Iran. Twice were matters sent to his presence, and both times he responded favorably and as desired.

O thou who hast drawn nigh! We desire to conclude the Book with mention of His Majesty the Sultan. We beseech God, exalted be He, to aid him, strengthen him, and protect him from the evil of the ignorant divines who act according to their own desires and judge among people by that which God hath not ordained.

And it became evident and manifest that the divine teachings of His Holiness Baha'u'llah are conducive to the well-being and tranquility of all mankind. In the blessed Tablets, the esteemed British sovereignty hath been extolled, time and again, for the fairness of its statesmanship. However, now it has become apparent that, in very truth, the people of this land, after great vicissitudes, have attained ease and tranquillity.

The Queen of London goes daily to church in the name of God and, in her own imagination, is occupied with the remembrance of God, yet God hath testified and doth testify to her heedlessness, for she is deprived of His recognition and is clinging merely to His name. And likewise are the other empresses of the world.

Agreeably to this view' a letter was issued addressed to the Bab in his Majesty's own writing, and, according to the traditional account of the tenor of this letter, the epitome thereof is this:

(After the titles). "Since the royal train is on the verge of departure from Tihran, to meet in a befitting manner is impossible. Do you go to Maku and there abide and rest for a while, engaged in praying for our victorious state; and we have arranged that under all circumstances they shall show you attention and respect. When we return from travel we will summon you specially."

He likewise declares that all shall be gathered together as prisoners and confined in prison. Now consider that which was revealed by the Supreme Pen upon first arrival at the prison. He declares that glory was taken from two groups - from kings and from divines. This theme has been repeatedly revealed, and enlightened, steadfast and successful souls have seen and heard it.

You will see the name of the Qajar obliterated, and no trace of them or their rule will remain.

How many wealthy ones in these years of war became impoverished, and how many honored ones became humbled, even kings became subjects and emperors became extinct and ruined. Crowns and thrones were overturned and diadems and coronets fell into the dust of abasement.

In former centuries kings and rulers have absolutely dominated millions of men and have been thereby enabled to carry out whatsoever they desire. If they willed to bestow happiness and peace, they could do so; and if they determined to inflict suffering and discomfort, they were equally capable.

A great war and commotion shall inevitably take place in the world. Things will come to such a pass that the generality of mankind will rise against the statesmen of the world and say, 'You sit in your palaces in perfect comfort; you eat and drink sumptuously; you sleep blissfully; you eat delicious food and relax in gardens with beautiful views. But for the sake of your name and worldly fame, you throw us, your subjects, into war, shed our blood and tear our bodies to pieces. But no thorn ever pricks your hands and not for a moment do you leave your rest and comfort.'

The Emperors and Kings of Europe are so situated today that either by inclination or rivalry; political considerations or patriotic motives, geographical locations or fear of foreign invasion - cannot take an initiative in the Cause of Universal Peace and the reduction of armaments. So long as this mad competition exists amongst them they think they must go on increasing their Military and Naval budgets and pile destructive armaments upon armaments unt[il] millions of souls are crushed under its sheer weight.

[T]he kings and rulers of the world are not yet ready to acknowledge that universal peace is conducive to the life of the world of humanity.

Today the true duty of a powerful king is to establish a universal peace: for verily it signifies the freedom of all the people of the world.

It is incumbent upon the kings and the spiritual leaders of the world to lay fast hold on religion, inasmuch as through it the fear of God is instilled in all else but Him."

… It would be preferable and more fitting that the highly honored kings themselves should attend such an assembly, and proclaim their edicts. Any king who will arise and carry out this task, he verily will, in the sight of God, become the cynosure of all kings. Happy is he, and great is his blessedness!

We cherish the hope that through the endeavors of those in authority - the divinely chosen ones, that is, the kings and rulers who are the manifestations of God's power - this Cause may be assisted, that all may become free and unfettered and occupy themselves with their own affairs and that which profiteth them.

The well-known Persian students of the past were unable to bring about any advancements in their native land, but God grant that you all, on the other hand, will be able to render some service to Persia - that you will study such disciplines as will redound to the rehabilitation of that country, such that you will, upon your return there, become the very means of its revival, and the instrument through which the Cause of God is spread; that you will resolve to rectify the character of all humankind, and promote holiness and sanctity; that your efforts to make progress and bring prosperity will be granted divine confirmations and crowned with heavenly success; and that you will achieve outstanding proficiency in agriculture, industry, and commerce.

Observe how many calamities, afflictions, trials and tribulations surround kingship. No king is ever at peace for a moment, and all monarchs are slaves to pain and suffering.

If thou art confirmed as thou oughtest to be, thou wilt certainly establish an eternal Kingdom. This Kingdom is greater than that of Mikado, for the sovereignty of the Emperor of Japan is for numbered days, but this sovereignty is lasting and will stand unto the Eternity of Eternities.

That sovereignty can be hidden under one handful of dust, that is when Mikado goes beneath the handful of dust, he is entirely effaced and erased, but this Kingdom withstands the greatest revolution of the worlds, and will stand with perfect stability unto eternity.

O two remnants of the ancients! The Kayanian kings possessed crowns and diadems and raised golden parasols, but what benefit was it? It did not endure. Some among them in the other world also raised the banner of eternal glory and became noble.

Crowned monarchs with their diadems became bedfellows with dust, while he, like a radiant star from the East, shines eternal in the firmament of universal dominion, ever-luminous and light-bestowing.

The sovereignty of Napoleon ceased as soon as he died but the Kingdom of Christ is eternal. The former established his mortal kingdom with bloodshed and the sword while Christ established the Kingdom of God with the life-giving breaths of the Holy Spirit. Napoleon established his kingdom through the power of oppression while Christ established His through the power of the love of God. A hundred thousand Napoleons may be effaced but the Kingdom of Christ will remain forever.

In speaking of the kings and queens of earth, Abdul-Baha said: "Their glory is but temporal and mortal, for they are but rules of this ephemeral sphere, where all things change from day to day and finally pass away entirely: But the women and men who in the time of a divine Manifestation come forward to acknowledge and believe in Him become real kings and queens, whose reign, glory and dominion are immortal.

Say: O concourse of princes! Beware lest the veils of the world withhold you from the Lord of all men. That which ye possess shall perish in less than a moment and ye shall find yourselves in manifest loss.

O King, if thou seekest royal grandeur and kingly glory, serve at the threshold of God and seek servitude at the Most Great Court. The glory of kings is like the abasement of subjects - but for a moment, and the surging ocean of their grandeur is merely a dewdrop. Their brilliant lamp is a dark and extinct morning, and their exalted star sets in the depths of a small grave.

O servant of the friends of the Most Glorious Beauty, may my spirit be sacrificed for them! Kings are in truth enslaved servants, needy and destitute. The true sovereigns of the kingdom of real dominion are the servants of the loved ones of God and the bondsmen of the divine Threshold.

O servant of God! The monarchs of the world are servants of the servants of the Truth, and the rich of the earth are destitute in the presence of the friends, for the friends possess a spiritual treasure and limitless glory.

O King! Be thou a guide to every seeker in the divine dominion, that thou mayest become a sovereign in the kingdom of mystic knowledge and a monarch in the realm of certitude. Through thy kingly qualities, become a ruler in the world of the spirit, and through thy royal attributes, become an intermediary for the diffusion of the revelation of the All-Merciful.

Consider what wonderful love is this that has been established between us through the Power of His Holiness Baha'u'llah! The Shah of Persia came twice to Stuttgart. Although he was a royal King he did not find one real heartfelt friend. The utmost was the government received him officially according to its long-established custom just as it would have received any other royal Personage. But [we] who were Prisoners for 40 yrs have come here and have found so many heartfelt, cordial friends whose love and affection are lasting and not temporary.

On Sunday, wearing his crown and royal attire, he entered with all his ministers and representatives in their official dress. The king cast off his crown and prayed. Then he came out and announced that Christianity was universal. The monarchy continued in his family until Bonaparte's time when it became a republic.

I see the monarchs of earth, having removed their crowns, reverently, submissively and humbly, with tears flowing, carrying baskets of colorful flowers on their heads, approaching the Shrines of Baha’u’llah and the Bab. Much in the same way that Christ wore the crown of thorns on His head, the kings of earth will carry flowers to the Shrines.

In the future, on foot and holding bouquets of flowers above their heads and carrying wreaths, the monarchs of the earth will come on pilgrimage to the Sacred Shrines. "And will raise to the Supreme Concourse the voice of their fervent supplications and will lift to the Abha Kingdom the tone of their prayers that, 'They endured banishment, imprisonment and martyrdom for the comfort of the friends!

The kings of earth, bareheaded, and the queens, will walk up the boulevard of the Shrine of the Bab carrying bouquets of flowers. They will prostrate themselves, kiss that Sacred Threshold and place their crowns on that ennobled earth.

I now see ships have anchored in this bay, and with utmost humility and modesty monarchs will come to visit the Shrine of the Exalted One [the Bab].

Ships carrying the flag of "Ya Baha'u'l-Abha!" will anchor at the port [of Haifa] and kings will disembark. On foot and bareheaded, and with humility and modesty, and in a state of supplication and entreaty, chanting divine verses and prayers, they will attain to a visit of the Shrine of the Exalted One [the Bab].

Make this just sovereignty everlasting... May it endure forever and ever for the authorities.

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