Adorn your heads with the crowns of justice, Bahá’u’lláh tells the kings of the earth, and turn to the poor, for God created you and them from one thing. The speaker was a prisoner in ‘Akká, stripped of every worldly means, and from there he wrote to the Sultan, the Shah, the Czar, Queen Victoria, the Pope and Napoleon III, summoning them to arbitration and the Most Great Peace, arraigning them for the oppression of their subjects, and asking them to hear his claim fairly. The Báb had addressed the king of the Muslims and his minister before him. Napoleon, who had boasted that the cry of drowning Turks woke him, was tested on that very claim, failed to answer, and was warned that his kingdom would pass from his hands; the accounts of what followed read events as fulfilment and must be heard as attributed interpretation. Daniel’s counsel to Nebuchadnezzar to break off his sins by righteousness and his iniquities by mercy to the poor stands as an ancient parallel to this prophetic confrontation with power [1]. The summons extends to subjects as well as sovereigns, and the blessed king is the one who casts away kingship for the Kingdom. The journey continues into the prayers revealed for governments and rulers, the petitions addressed to authorities, and the future of monarchy itself.
O concourse of kings! Adorn your heads with the crowns of justice, that their lights may illumine all regions. Thus do We command you as a bounty from Our presence, O concourse of sovereigns. God shall soon manifest in the earth kings who shall recline upon the cushions of justice and shall judge amongst men even as they judge their own selves. These are among the choicest of My creatures among all created things.
(Bahá’u’lláh, Ridvanu'l-'Adl (the Garden of Justice), to Siyyid Muhammad Rida Shahmirzadi -- BH00195)
02
O concourse of princes! Turn ye unto the poor. God hath created you and them from one thing. Make ye in your possessions a portion for them.
When We arrived at the Prison We desired to convey unto the kings the messages of their Lord, the Lord of all men, that they might know that tribulation hath not prevented God from exercising His sovereignty.
(Bahá’u’lláh, ca. 1289-1290?, to Aqa Siyyid Ahmad son of Haji Mirza Siyyid Hasan Afnan -- BH07178)
04
Say: O concourse of kings! By God, We have not come except for the reformation of the world and the edification of the nations. Fear ye the All-Merciful, and deny not yourselves that which hath been ordained for you in the Most Exalted Paradise by God, the Mighty, the Beauteous. Cast away what ye possess and take hold of that which ye have been bidden by Him Who is the Powerful, the Almighty. This shall profit you in all the worlds of His worlds and shall exalt you to a station wherein ye shall behold yourselves in a noble state.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1304 ? [1886-1887], to Muhammad Husayn Khan -- BH00517)
05
O kings of the earth! Give ear unto the Voice of God, calling from this sublime, this fruit-laden Tree, that hath sprung out of the Crimson Hill, upon the holy Plain, intoning the words: "There is none other God but He, the Mighty, the All-Powerful, the All-Wise." … Fear God, O concourse of kings, and suffer not yourselves to be deprived of this most sublime grace. Fling away, then, the things ye possess, and take fast hold on the Handle of God, the Exalted, the Great. Set your hearts towards the Face of God, and abandon that which your desires have bidden you to follow, and be not of those who perish.
(Bahá’u’lláh, Suriy-i-Muluk (Surih to the Kings) -- BH00021)
06
Say: O concourse of princes and divines, deal with equity in this Cause, through which the Luminary of utterance has shone forth from the horizon of the heaven of God's will, the Mighty, the Well-Beloved.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1307 ? [1889-1890], to Muhammad -- BH06543)
07
O concourse of kings! By God, We desire for you naught save what profiteth you in this world and the next. Fear ye the Lord of all being, then act according to what ye have been commanded in the Books of God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy. Hold fast unto that which ye have been counseled from the Tongue of Grandeur in a perspicuous Book. Beware lest your power delude you. Cast away what ye possess and take hold of what ye have been commanded by One Who is All-Knowing, All-Informed.
From the prison He addressed the Kings and rulers of the world and in His famous Tablets and Epistles He exhorted them to lay the foundation of the palace of Peace.
He arraigned the Kings for their utter disregard of the rights of their subjects and censured them for their cruelty, tyranny and oppression.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to the friends, spoken on 1915-Apr-19 -- ABU0159)
09
Under the chains he unfurled the flag of the oneness of the world of humanity; in the prisons he spread the principles of universal peace and brotherhood; from behind the barracks he wrote his famous epistles to the kings and rulers of the world, arraigning the oppressors of the earth and calling upon them in the name of God the exalted not to place their sovereignty above that of His Highness the Almighty.
From this prison, from within its walls, He wrote epistles to all the kings. He summoned them to arbitration and the Most Great Peace.
Some of the sovereigns received this summons with haughty pride. One of these was the Ottoman King, another the French Emperor; the latter sent no reply; then another epistle was addressed to Napoleon III stating: "I have already sent you an epistle, summoning you to the Cause, but you heeded it not.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken ca. 1916 in Abu Sinan -- ABU0198)
11
O King of the Muslims! After the Book, aid Our Most Great Remembrance in truth, for verily God hath ordained for thee and for those who circle round thee, on the Day of Resurrection, a station of questioning upon the Bridge, according to the truth.
(The Báb, Qayyumu'l-Asma' (Commentary on the Surah of Joseph), 1260-05 [1844-May] -- BB00002)
12
O King! Follow thy Lord's decree and bear witness to justice in My verses that thou mayest be among the triumphant. Then prostrate thyself before God thy Lord for what We have revealed unto thee from His presence, that thou mayest be among the believers. Verily God thy Lord hath willed that Rome and most of the people of the earth should believe in His verses. Aid thou the religion of God, that on the Day of Resurrection thou mayest, verily, be among the victorious.
(The Báb, Epistle to Muhammad Shah 2, 1261 (Bushihr) [1844-1845], to Muhammad Shah -- BB00224)
13
O ye two kings [Haji Mirza Aqasi]! Follow the decree of your Lord, then present yourselves before God, then read the Book of Remembrance with justice, that ye may be numbered among the triumphant. We have indeed sent down the verses as a Book unto the king that thou mightest recite the Book of Command with truth, and be among those who in the Faith of God are well-assured.
(The Báb, Epistle to Haji Mirza Aqasi 1, 1261 (Bushihr) [1844-1845], to Mirza Aqasi -- BB00241)
14
O concourse of the people of Rome! Fear ye God, your Lord, the Most Merciful, regarding this decree, for verily it is truth like unto that which ye firmly believe in God's Covenant. Those have indeed disbelieved who followed after [...] the decree of the false one and the companions of the Fire, and these are they who in God's Book are the unbelievers, and these are they who are the leaders of the Fire, and in God's religion they prostrate not, and these are they who are the companions of the Fire, in God's Book dwelling forever therein.
(The Báb, Tablet to Sultan 'Abdu'l-Majid, 1261 [1844-1845], to Sultan 'Abdu'l-Majid -- BB00229)
The available source contains an omission or incomplete wording; sentence boundaries need review.
15
We have sent down a Book to the Governor of Baghdad concerning this petition of thine. Read God's Book before him and command him to send it to the King of Rum, for it is truly a Book from the Remnant of God, the manifest and just Imam.
(The Báb, Letter to Mulla Hasan-i-Gawhar, 1261 [1844-1845], to Mulla Hasan-i-Gawhar -- BB00439)
16
O Kings of the Bayan! Command your envoys, when the Sun of Certitude dawneth from the horizon of the All-Glorious, to proceed with God's announcement and His Tablets throughout all lands and to inform the people of the holy and wondrous lights. Command these to carry the traces of God to all regions, that the breezes of holiness may waft over all the worlds.
O King of the Earth! Hearken unto the call of this Vassal: Verily, I am a Servant Who hath believed in God and in His signs, and have sacrificed Myself in His path. Unto this bear witness the woes which now beset Me, woes the like of which no man hath ever before sustained.
(Bahá’u’lláh, Lawh-i-Sultan, to Nasirid-Din Shah -- BH00038)
18
The spirit and meaning of the Tablet to Nasiri'd-Din Shah was, in short, this: "Now that the time has come, when the Cause of the Glory of God has appeared, I ask that I may be allowed to come to Tihran and answer any questions the priests may put to Me.
"I exhort you to detach yourself from the worldly magnificence of your Empire. Remember all those great kings who have lived before you--their glories have passed away!"
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1911-Nov-07 in Paris -- ABU0065)
19
The Blessed Perfection (Glory be to him!), in his holy days, declared himself universally, sent notices to queens and kings, and taught all who wished to know the truth. To the Shah of Persia he wrote with the greatest evidence, and the Persians as well as the different nations, are informed of this. In his letter to the Shah of Persia, he requested that all of the learned men be called together for the purpose of asking him about miracles or arguments until either truthfulness or falsity should become manifest.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Will and Wendell Dodge, spoken on 1901-Nov-20 -- ABU1385)
20
In this glorious Tablet to the King of Persia Baha'u'llah has perfected His Proof from every standpoint. There has been left for him no loophole through which he might escape. First, there are ample references to history, both spiritual and descriptive. Second, there are supplications, the effect of which would move the hearts and melt the adamantine rock. Third, there are exhortations, advice, behests, and counsels. Fourth, there are glowing spiritual utterances whereby mankind might turn their faces toward God, receive the Bestowals of their Maker, walk in the path of righteousness and be characterized with the qualities of severance and detachment from the world and its material conditions.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to the friends, spoken on 1915-Jun-03 -- ABU0164)
21
We have revealed to the King of Iran: "O King! Wert thou to hear the shrill voice of the Most Exalted Pen and the cooing of the Dove of Eternity upon the branches of the Divine Lote-Tree in remembrance of God, the Creator of Names and Fashioner of earth and heaven, it would bring thee to a station wherein thou wouldst behold in existence naught save the effulgence of the Worshipped Beauty, and wouldst see sovereignty as the most contemptible thing, leaving it to whomsoever might desire it, and would turn toward the Horizon which shineth with the light of His Countenance."
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1290-05-15 [1873-Jul-11], to Mirza Kuchak -- BH10905)
22
Among them was the King of Persia, to whom We unveiled the beauty of the Cause and made Ourselves known, after We had chosen one from among the distinguished ones, breathed into his heart the spirit of might and power, and sent him unto him like a ball of fire with a Tablet from thy Lord, the Mighty, the Powerful.
(Bahá’u’lláh, Lawh-i-Sahab (Tablet of the Cloud) -- BH00739)
23
From Our Most Great Prison We were moved to address to the several rulers and crowned heads of the world Epistles in which We summoned them to arise and embrace the Cause of God. To the Shah of Persia We sent Our messenger Badi', into whose hands We entrusted the Tablet.
(Bahá’u’lláh, Words spoken in the house of Aqay-i-Kalim to Nabil-i-A'zam 2, 1306-05-08 ca. [1889-Jan-10], to words to Nabil-i-A'zam -- BHU0002)
24
Hadrat-i-Badi', who bore the letter to the Sultan and stood before him, raised the letter and proclaimed: "O King, I have brought thee from the Most Great Announcement a Mighty Book." Surely they have heard the details of how, with what power and might, he declared his mission before His Majesty the Sultan, while wearing but a single shirt.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1306-08-01 [1889-Apr-2], to Haji Mirza Husayn Shirazi et al -- BH08184)
25
O King of Paris! Tell the priests to ring the bells no longer.
… O King! Bear thou witness unto that which God hath Himself and for Himself borne witness ere the creation of earth and heaven, that there is none other God but Me, the One, the Single, the Most Exalted, the Incomparable, the Inaccessible. Arise with the utmost steadfastness in the Cause of thy Lord, the All-Glorious.
(Bahá’u’lláh, Lawh-i-Napoleon II, 1285 ca. [1868-1869], to Mulla Muhammad Ali Rais-i-Bahrih -- BH00259)
26
Immediately upon His arrival in prison, He addressed an epistle to Napoleon which He sent through the French ambassador, the substance of which was: "Ask what crime We have committed to be confined in this prison." Napoleon made no reply. Then a second epistle was issued, which is contained in the Suriy-i-Haykal, and which in substance says: "O Napoleon! Since thou hast failed to heed and answer My call, thou shalt lose Thy dominion and be reduced to naught."
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Chapter 9, Baha'u'llah, 1904 ca. -- AB00029)
27
The first of the "Letters to the Kings", which was written to Napoleon was quite a short one, and was to the effect that God had him (Napoleon) with great powers and influence; and requesting him to inquire why those Baha'is were more oppressed? What evil or sedition had they committed which caused them to be so closely confined, etc? But Napoleon never replied to this letter. Whereas, after at time, the Blessed Perfection wrote the long letter to Napoleon, prophesizing the downfall of his Empire, etc. and this letter was published and circulated through Persia, at least two years before these events happened.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to E.J. Rosenberg et al, spoken around Feb. 1901 -- ABU0378)
28
In the second tablet he says: 'I wrote to thee to test thee. For thou hadst said when the Ottoman fleet was sunk by the Russians in the Black Sea and when the Czar of Russia said to thee, 'O Emperor, I am a Christian and thou art a Christian, why does thou not come to my assistance?' - thou didst say, 'The cry of those (i.e., the Turks) who were drowned in the Black Sea reached my ears and awakened me.' I wrote to thee, 'How did that cry affect thee?' But thou didst not answer. Then it became evident that it was not that cry of lamentation that awakened thee.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Fugeta, Dr. Esslemont et al, spoken on 1920-Jan-09 -- ABU0402)
29
And in the prison of 'Akka, the Blessed Beauty summoned the kings, including the Emperor of France. When he paid no heed, a second Tablet was revealed to him stating: "It is evident that thou art not sincere in thy claim of being the protector of the oppressed. Thou hast been heedless, and therefore thy kingdom shall soon pass from thy hands. The lamentations of the people shall rise, women shall wail, and children shall be trampled underfoot."
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Public address given at the Emery home on 1912-Apr-18 -- ABU0223)
30
Know ye that during Our sojourn in the Land of Mystery, sublime Tablets were sent down and dispatched to certain monarchs in order to complete God's testimony. Among these was a Tablet revealed to the King of Paris who at that time was foremost among sovereigns.
O Queen in London! Incline thine ear unto the voice of thy Lord, the Lord of all mankind, calling from the Divine Lote-Tree: Verily, no God is there but Me, the Almighty, the All-Wise! Cast away all that is on earth, and attire the head of thy kingdom with the crown of the remembrance of thy Lord, the All-Glorious.
(Bahá’u’lláh, Lawh-i-Malikah Victoria (Tablet to Queen Victoria), 1285 ca. [1868-1869], to Queen Victoria -- BH00662)
32
O Czar of Russia! Incline thine ear unto the voice of God, the King, the Holy, and turn thou unto Paradise, the Spot wherein abideth He Who, among the Concourse on high, beareth the most excellent titles, and Who, in the kingdom of creation, is called by the name of God, the Effulgent, the All-Glorious. Beware lest thy desire deter thee from turning towards the face of thy Lord, the Compassionate, the Most Merciful.
(Bahá’u’lláh, Lawh-i-Malik-i-Rus (Tablet to Czar Alexander II), 1285 ca. [1868-1869], to Czar Alexander II -- BH01042)
33
O Sultan, hear the call of the Sovereign from the direction of thy Lord's merciful throne, that it may detach thee from all that hath been created in the worlds and draw thee nigh unto His Beauty, the All-Merciful, a station holy and resplendent.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1290 [1873] or earlier, to Sultan Arab -- BH02833)
34
But the Blessed Perfection addressed all the kings. When 'Abdu'l-'Aziz, the former sultan of Turkey, was at the climax of his sovereignty, He, Baha'u'llah, arraigned him severely and clearly foretold the upheaval of his kingdom on account of the oppression he had committed.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Juliet Thompson et al, spoken on 1909-Jul-11 -- ABU0247)
35
O Pasha! Hearken unto the call of the Wronged One from the precincts of 'Akka. He summons thee unto God, the Lord of the Final End.
O King! It behooveth, nay it is imperative upon Your Majesty in such days as these that the justice of God's shadow on earth inquire of Sayyah Effendi, the true minister of the noble court: What was the purpose of your journey to Akka in that known year? By whose direction was it made? What was your objective? And what response did you receive?
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1308-12-19 [1891-Jul-26], to Aqa Siyyid Ahmad Afnan -- BH00340)
37
The protection of His Majesty the Most Great Emperor, may God assist him, hath become the cause of the inflammation of the fire of hatred. For some time they have been secretly engaged in instigation and zealously seeking means of oppression, until in these days the hidden contents of the breasts of the oppressors have become manifest and evident.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1308-11-24 [1891-Jul-1], to Siyyid Ali Afnan son of Afnan Kabir et al -- BH00207)
38
Therefore specifically for each of the rulers of the earth a special Tablet was revealed from the heaven of the Divine Will, and each was designated by a name - the first by "The Cry", the second by "The Calamity", the third by "The Inevitable", the fourth by "The Awakening", the fifth by "The Overwhelming", and likewise by "The Deafening Clamor", "The Imminent", "The Great Terror", "The Trumpet Blast", "The Horn", and their like - so that all the people of the earth might become certain and witness with their outer and inner sight that the Lord of Names has been and shall ever be triumphant over all.
(Bahá’u’lláh, ca. 1289-1290?, to Mulla Muhammad Qa'ini (Nabil-i-Akbar) -- BH00497)
39
Know then, O Sultan, that We dwelt among the people as one of them, such that We would sit with them and walk before them morning and evening, and none among them recognized Us, for they were seized with vain imaginings and were drowned in the ocean of fancy. When the days were fulfilled and the promise came, We emerged from behind the veils with manifest power and rent asunder the veils of fancy and showed forth Our countenance from this Dawn which was radiant from the horizon of God.
(Bahá’u’lláh, to Shaykh Sultan (Baghdad) -- BH03977)
40
I sacrificed my all for Thy Cause, O Thou in Whose hand is the kingdom of earth and heaven. I delivered Thy messages unto the kings with clear proof and evidence, that they might know that tribulation hath not deterred Me from that which I purposed, O Thou in Whose grasp is the kingdom of creation. I sent to each one of them a Tablet wherein I opened the gates of meaning and exposition, and from whose horizon shone forth the Sun of truth and explanation for all who dwell in the realm of possibility.
(Bahá’u’lláh, to Aqa Siyyid Muhammad Rida, Sad -- BH00420)
41
We have delivered unto the kings the messages of their Lord, and neither their might nor the tribulations that have befallen Us have deterred Us. Thus was the matter ordained in the Tablet of Destiny by the Most Exalted Pen, in truth, recorded.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1290 [1873] or earlier, to Aqa Ali Akbar -- BH02708)
42
Through His love, no harm from those in the worlds can dismay Us, nor can what the hands of the aggressors have wrought sadden Us. Thus have We set forth the verses for thee and sent them down in truth that thou mayest find the sweetness of the table that hath descended from heaven. By My life, through it shall thy face shine forth amongst Our hesitating servants.
(Bahá’u’lláh, to Mirza Fath-Ali Fath-i-Azam -- BH03274)
43
The Ancient Beauty and the Most Great Name, after arriving at the Most Great Prison, has been occupied with a momentous and mighty matter - namely, the proclamation of God's Cause to all the rulers of the earth, so that they may know with perfect certitude that the tribulations that have befallen Him have not prevented the Truth, exalted be His mention, from that which He has willed.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1285 ca. [1868-1869], to Ahmad -- BH03052)
44
When We arrived at the prison, We desired to convey unto the kings the message of their Lord, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.
(Bahá’u’lláh, ca. 1289-1290?, to Siyyid Aqa Kuchak -- BH05392)
45
Under chains and in prison He exalted the Word of God, and in the fortress of Akka He addressed those proclamations to kings and rulers...
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1914-Aug ca., to Maude M Holbach -- AB01065)
The available source contains an omission or incomplete wording; sentence boundaries need review.
46
He wrote epistles to all the sovereigns. He wrote to Napoleon 3rd, to the Emperor of Germany, to the Shah of Persia, to the Ottoman Vizier (Ali Pasha), To Sultan Abdul Aziz. In prison his power became apparent.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Fugeta et al, spoken on 1920-Jan-07 -- ABU0513)
47
When We entered into prison, We summoned the kings with a sovereignty that encompassed all who are in the heavens and on earth, and commanded them to abandon what they possessed, turning unto God, the Almighty, the Glorious, the Best-Beloved.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1291-03 [1874-Apr], to Jinab-i-Taqi -- BH11630)
48
Christ did not write even a letter to Herod and Pilate who were two governors of the Holy Land, but the Blessed Beauty sent sufficient and complete proclamations to all the kings of the world.
O Ali! Today from the rustling of the Divine Lote-Tree this most exalted word was heard: "O concourse of kings and subjects! Cast away idle fancies and vain imaginings. By God! From the horizon of power hath appeared your Lord, the Chosen One, with manifest sovereignty."
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1304-04-25 [1887-Jan-21], to Aqa Muhammad 'Ali -- BH02068)
50
There remained no king except We summoned him to the straight path of God, and no subject except We acquainted him with what hath been revealed from the presence of the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1300-02-15 [1882-Dec-26], to Mirza Mihdi Baghbanbashi -- BH06387)
51
Say: O my God! I beseech Thee by Him Who accepted tribulations in Thy path and summoned all to Thine all-highest horizon while imprisoned amidst His enemies, such that no king or subject remained except He made known to them Thy way and proclaimed to them Thy sovereignty and power - to give me to drink, at all times, from that which floweth from the fountainhead of Thy Pen and the heaven of Thy utterance.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1292-06-03 [1875-Jul-7], to Mirza Muhammad Taqi Afnan -- BH08944)
52
That which was treasured in the storehouse of knowledge hath appeared and been made manifest, and He hath spoken before the faces of kings: The Kingdom is God's, the Possessor of the Kingdom!
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1306-02-12 [1888-Oct-18], to Haji Javad -- BH04576)
53
Blessed is the king who hath attained unto this Day and hath cast away kingship, turning unto the Kingdom.
(Bahá’u’lláh, ca. 1289-1290?, to Aqa Abu-Talib -- BH07863)
54
O concourse of rulers! Your ornaments and that which ye possess have preoccupied you. Soon shall the breezes of annihilation seize you from every direction. Then shall ye see yourselves in manifest loss.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1298 ? [1880-1881], to Siyyid Mihdi Dahaji et al -- BH00576)
55
Where are the Caesars and their palaces? Where are the Pharaohs and their might? Where are the tyrants and their dominion? They have returned from their palaces to their tombs. Verily thy Lord is the Remembrancer, the All-Wise. Where is the Prime Minister of Iran and his pride? Where is his grandeur and his power? Where is his beaming smile and his decisive command and his pampered form? He hath returned to his abode, fearful, agitated, trembling from the fear of God, the Lord of all worlds.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1298 ? [1880-1881], to Mirza Mahmud -- BH03584)
56
Tell the king that this territory will pass out of his hands, and his affairs will be thrown into confusion. Not I speak these words, but God speaketh them....
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1285-04-30 ca. [1868-Aug-20], to words to a Turkish officer -- BHU0020)
The available source contains an omission or incomplete wording; sentence boundaries need review.
57
From behind the barrack He wrote His famous epistles to the kings and rulers of the earth. Some of these sovereigns were arraigned severely, the fall of others was predicted, which came to pass a few years after.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Address at weekly meeting, 15 Rue de Greuze in Paris, 1913-Feb-14 -- ABU0046)
58
You saw what became of the blessed Tablet addressed to the sovereign of Iran, you saw what became of the blessed Tablet addressed to the Ottoman Sultan, you saw what became of the blessed Tablet addressed to Napoleon the king of France, you saw what became of the blessed utterance regarding Germany."
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Nuru'd-Din Mumtazi et al in May 1920 -- ABU2454)
59
He addressed the kings from the prison, each individually, summoning all to the oneness of humanity, and the most great peace, arraigning some, and predicting what would happen in their kingdoms, and these predictions have come to pass!
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1912-May-10 in Washington -- ABU1415)
60
He wrote special Epistles covering these facts to all the kings and rulers of nations. Sixty years ago He conveyed His message to the leaders of the political world and to high dignitaries of the spiritual world.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Public address given at Church of the Ascension on 1912-Apr-14 -- ABU0275)
61
While in prison Baha'u'llah sent a tablet to Abdul Majid, father of the present Shah, arraigning him severely, telling him he would be dethroned. All that was foretold has come to pass, literally.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Ida Finch and Fanny and Alma Knobloch, spoken on 1908-Nov-08 -- ABU2369)
62
If thou wouldst observe the Tablets which were sent down from the heaven of the Divine Will specifically for the kings of the earth, thou wouldst surely attain unto the blessed words "Verily, I have believed in Thee, O God of the worlds."
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1297-12-15 [1880-Nov-18], to Mahmud -- BH05230)
63
O kings! The Sovereign hath come and calleth you unto the Cause whereby every wise command hath been made manifest. Say: O princes! Take heed lest names hold you back from their Lord. Cast away what ye possess, then hasten unto the Dawning-Place of Revelation, and be not of them that tarry.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1290-04 [1873-May], to Jinab-i-Mirza Abu'l-Hasan akh Jamal -- BH02870)
64
Know thou that when We reached the prison, We purposed to convey unto the kings the Message of God. Therefore was there revealed unto each one of them a Tablet wherein We proclaimed the Cause with power and sovereignty.
(Bahá’u’lláh, ca. 1289-1290?, to Ali Akbar -- BH05285)
65
O kings! Hearken ye unto My call and then judge fairly in My Cause. How long will ye follow your desires? Follow Him Who hath come with manifest sovereignty. He desireth to draw you nigh unto Him and to deliver you from that wherein ye are immersed.
The kings saw no benefit for themselves in acknowledging Him, and likewise the ministers and clergy, even though in the divine Books and Scriptures the Purpose has been clearly and explicitly made manifest, and the True One has proclaimed in the most exalted utterance that this supreme Manifestation has come for the reformation of the world and the advancement of the peoples.