Qur’an and Hadith: listening for meanings that transform

One day Kumayl ibn Ziyad al-Nakha'i rode behind 'Ali (peace be upon him) on his camel. Kumayl asked, "O my master, what is Truth?" 'Ali replied, "What have you to do with Truth?" Kumayl said, "Am I not a confidant of your secret?" 'Ali answered, "Indeed you are, but that which overflows from me only trickles upon you." Kumayl said, "Would one such as you disappoint a seeker?" 'Ali (peace be upon him) replied, "The removal of the veils of glory without indication."

When the heavenly flood flows forth, each valley receives according to its capacity, as it is said: "We send down water from the sky, and the valleys flow according to their measure, and the flood beareth along a swelling foam. And from that which they heat in the fire for the sake of making ornaments, there ariseth a foam like unto it. Thus doth God set forth truth and falsehood. As for the foam, it passeth away as dross upon the banks, while that which is of use to mankind, remaineth in the earth."

This is why it says in the Qur'an: "As for the foam, it vanishes as jetsam, and as for that which benefits mankind, it remains on the earth."

Another interpretation was given by Me in some other Tablets. Also those people who are well versed in science and learning have given other interpretations all of which coincide with truth and reality.

In the Qur'an too it was revealed with perfect clarity: "Surely those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabians - whoever believes in God and the Last Day and does good, they shall have their reward from their Lord. And there will be no fear for them, nor shall they grieve."

But if you go straightway to the Koran you will find no verse which may even indicate slightly the formulation of such a strange, narrow creed. On the contrary you will come across the following significant verse: 'The people of the Books, such as Christians, Jews, Moslems and Sabeans and those who believe in the Unity and Singleness of God and the immortality of the soul and practice charity and are benevolent and are kind to the poor and take care of the orphans,- they are the people of Salvation.'

The Qur'an is of two kinds: decisive verses and allegorical verses. This is of the allegorical kind and has an interpretation. This is of the kind that "none knoweth its interpretation save God and those well-grounded in knowledge." And there are many verses of this kind, such as the story of Dhul-Qarnayn, Solomon and Bilqis, and their like.

None knoweth their interpretation save God and whom We will of His sincere servants. Ask ye the Remembrance concerning its interpretation, for He is, by God's grace, knowledgeable about His verses according to the Book's decree.

O thou who art alive with the water of life! Look with the gaze of the Beginning at what thou hast asked concerning the path of wisdom, and be assured that the letters of the Qur'an have stations that none among creation can encompass, and of them are those that none among the servants can encompass, even as God hath revealed in the Qur'an, addressing His Beloved: "Thou knewest not what the Book was, nor what the faith."

Similarly, questions were asked about the disconnected letters. During the sojourn of the Day Star of the horizons in Iraq, countless verses were revealed concerning these matters, some of which were sent. By My life! If thou wert to look with penetrating vision, thou wouldst find therein that which would make thee soar in the atmosphere of wisdom and utterance. Reflect upon those revealed verses, for We have deposited in the depths of those allusions the mysteries of thy Lord, the Source of verses. Oceans of meanings lie concealed therein, and divine consummate wisdom is hidden therein.

Mr. McCarthy: I would like to ask the meaning of the capital letters at the commencement of the suras of the Kur'an.

During the sojourn in Iraq, many aspects of interpretation were revealed, such that if a discerning knower were to reflect on the Book of the Uncle [the Kitab-i-Iqan] and likewise on the interpretation of the disconnected letters and other matters, he would comprehend all previous verses and find their meaning.

That which thou hast comprehended and expressed regarding the Hidden Word doth not accord and agreeth not with its true meaning. The essential matter is that which was sent down aforetime from the heaven of the Divine Will.

Say: O concourse of divines! Beware lest ye muddy the pure water of this spring with what ye possess of conjecture and fancy.

They were very well understood by their contemporaries and hearers, but as time changed terminologies changed and commentaries arose which darkened the light of the truths they taught.

Through their ignorance of these meanings people have always remained veiled from the manifestations of the bounties of Him Who is the Causer of Causes. Although in the divine scriptures mention is made of a heaven and an earth other than the physical heaven and earth, yet they have interpreted these signs literally and have deprived themselves of spiritual worlds and divine knowledge.

Our Lord said that all miracles have their mystic and hidden meaning enfolded within them, and that this miracle of the walking on the water is of the very first importance.

In the Koran are many things referring to Christ not mentioned in the Gospel. For instance: It is said that Christ took a bit of clay and shaped it into the form of a bird. Then he blew upon it, and it flew away.

The interpretation of this is that the bird symbolizes an earthly man, who received spiritual education through the Christ.

These two opposite natures stood on the top of the mountain (mountain-top means lofty station). The Satan or earthly nature showed to the Divine Nature all the worldly riches and joys, urging the Divine Nature to take and enjoy them (for Christ, of course, would have been a material king, the greatest the world ever saw). Then the Divine Nature triumphed and showed forth all the great spiritual gifts of the Kingdom of God which that Nature preferred to all else.

Regarding Abraham, Islam mentions that the sun stood still - this is what is meant. For example, the splitting of the moon - if one who saw it had believed because of it... These things have meanings, but Islam absolutely will not accept this interpretation.

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As for Khidr, he was the reality of Moses himself, not another person. By virtue of divine reality, ordinances were issued that human minds were incapable of comprehending, for they were extraordinary. The purpose of this story is that the Holy Manifestations of God do whatsoever They will and decree whatsoever They desire. Whatever They command must be obeyed. One should never harbor doubt or hesitation as to whether such a decree outwardly conforms with justice and fairness. Such mental wandering leads to rebellion and transgression.

Question: Please explain the meaning of this verse from the Koran: "Verily those who disbelieve our signs we will cause to be boiled in hell fire so often as their skins shall be well burned we will give them other skins in exchange that they may take the sharper."

We have explained before that what the sacred scriptures most often mean by the Holy City or divine Jerusalem is the religion of God, which has at times been likened to a bride, or called "Jerusalem", or depicted as the new heaven and the new earth.

Likewise the description of air is applied to it because through its stirring all things were stirred, and it is like the spring breezes which pass not over any tree among the trees of the temples of those who have turned unto God except that it clothed it in the garments of knowledge, adorned it with the leaves of inner meaning and utterance, and crowned it with the flowers of wisdom and exposition.

Shelter him, then, by that sacred verse of the Qur'an from all that breathes in the night and in the day, when the gloom draweth close -- for God is the Light of the heavens and of the earth. The likeness of His Light is as a niche wherein is a lamp; the lamp enclosed in glass; the glass as it were a glittering star, kindled from a blessed tree, an olive neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil well-nigh shineth though no fire touch it -- Light upon Light!

It is of this Light Muhammad is speaking when he says, 'Allah is the light of the Heavens, and of the Earth'.

In the name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

This blessed Surah contains seven definitive verses in the sight of God:

The first verse is the Book of Muhammad, may God's peace be upon him and his family, wherein God hath ordained the laws of existence that hath no beginning and no end, and it is the Paradise of Heaven.

Thou hadst asked concerning the blessed verse of the Qur’an, "We have given thee the seven twice-repeated." The doctors of outward learning have interpreted "the seven twice-repeated" as referring either to the seven Ha-Mim Surihs or to the Surih of the Fatihih. They say that it is called "twice-repeated" because the Surih of the Fatihih was revealed twice: once in Mecca and again in Medina; and, since it consisteth of seven verses, it is therefore termed "the seven twice-repeated."

But the true meaning is the mystery of Divine Unity and the outpourings of heavenly grace, and that is the glad-tidings of the advent of the subsequent Revelation, in which the Bearer of the seven letters hath appeared twice. The first seven letters correspond to "'Ali-Muhammad", and the second seven to "Husayn-'Ali". This is the meaning of the "twice-repeated seven". Yet another meaning is that Muhammad, the universal Manifestation of the Quranic Dispensation, together with thirteen distinguished souls, make fourteen, which is seven twice repeated.

And al-Qummi relates from him saying that He made an exception for His chosen ones among His creation where He said "Verily man is in loss, except such as have believed" in the authority of the Commander of the Faithful, "and enjoin on each other truth" - their descendants and those who succeeded them in authority enjoined it and were patient in it. And in the Majma' from the Sadiq and al-Qummi from 'Ali, they both read "By the time! Verily man is in loss" until the end of time. And in the Thawab al-A'mal and the Majma' from the Sadiq: "Whosoever recites 'By the time!' in his voluntary prayers, God will raise him on the Day of Resurrection with his face radiant, his teeth gleaming, and his eyes bright, until he enters Paradise."

When you reach this station, what Ali said to Kumayl ibn Ziyad when asked about Reality becomes manifest to you: "That which overflows from me trickles upon you."

Praise be to God Who created creation for His knowledge, as stated in His words: "I was a hidden treasure and loved to be known, so I created creation that I might be known."

And also He saith: "Know thou with absolute certainty, and through the firmly established and most irrevocable decree, that He -- exalted be His glory, and magnified be His might, and sanctified be His holiness, and glorified be His grandeur, and lauded be His ways, maketh each thing to be known through its own self; who then can know Him through any one except Himself?"

For example, orthodox (rightly believing) Muslims taught that the Qur'an had been revealed to the Prophet at a certain time, but that it, the Qur'an, as the Word of God, had originated in eternity, that it was one of the eternal attributes of God. The freethinkers, however, the Mu'tazilites, said that it was unseemly to believe in an eternal Qur'an next to Allah, that this was idolatry and contrary to the concept of the absolute unity, absolute eternity, absolute indivisibility of God!

'Abdu'l-Baha responded,

"The solution to this issue is simple. Kalam appears in three types. One is oral, which is composed of airwaves, impacts the orifice of the ear and is made and assembled of letters. The other is intellectual: that is, things that a person will comprehend after one has contemplated over them. And lastly, spiritual. The first two are created, but the third one is ancient, since it pertains to divine knowledge, and has its beginning in the knowledge of God, which is eternal."

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It is evident that, according to the consummate wisdom of God, during the time of the Seal of the Prophets - may my spirit be a sacrifice unto Him - certain events occurred, and according to the requirements of the time and circumstances, the events of former Prophets were revealed and explained. Therefore, the mention of certain Prophets and the events of their days was made in the Mighty Qur'an according to the consummate wisdom.

No man shall attain the shores of the ocean of true understanding except he be detached from all that is in heaven and on earth. Sanctify your souls, O ye peoples of the world, that haply ye may attain that station which God hath destined for you and enter thus the tabernacle which, according to the dispensations of Providence, hath been raised in the firmament of the Bayan.

The essence of these words is this: they that tread the path of faith, they that thirst for the wine of certitude, must cleanse themselves of all that is earthly -- their ears from idle talk, their minds from vain imaginings, their hearts from worldly affections, their eyes from that which perisheth. They should put their trust in God, and, holding fast unto Him, follow in His way. Then will they be made worthy of the effulgent glories of the sun of divine knowledge and understanding, and become the recipients of a grace that is infinite and unseen, inasmuch as man can never hope to attain unto the knowledge of the All-Glorious, can never quaff from the stream of divine knowledge and wisdom, can never enter the abode of immortality, nor partake of the cup of divine nearness and favor, unless and until he ceases to regard the words and deeds of mortal men as a standard for the true understanding and recognition of God and His Prophets.

Consider the past. How many, both high and low, have, at all times, yearningly awaited the advent of the Manifestations of God in the sanctified persons of His chosen Ones. How often have they expected His coming, how frequently have they prayed that the breeze of divine mercy might blow, and the promised Beauty step forth from behind the veil of concealment, and be made manifest to all the world. And whensoever the portals of grace did open, and the clouds of divine bounty did rain upon mankind, and the light of the Unseen did shine above the horizon of celestial might, they all denied Him, and turned away from His face -- the face of God Himself. Refer ye, to verify this truth, to that which hath been recorded in every sacred Book.

Ponder for a moment, and reflect upon that which hath been the cause of such denial on the part of those who have searched with such earnestness and longing. Their attack hath been more fierce than tongue or pen can describe. Not one single Manifestation of Holiness hath appeared but He was afflicted by the denials, the repudiation, and the vehement opposition of the people around Him. Thus it hath been revealed: "O the misery of men! No Messenger cometh unto them but they laugh Him to scorn." Again He saith: "Each nation hath plotted darkly against their Messenger to lay violent hold on Him, and disputed with vain words to invalidate the truth."

In like manner, those words that have streamed forth from the source of power and descended from the heaven of glory are innumerable and beyond the ordinary comprehension of man. To them that are possessed of true understanding and insight the Surah of Hud surely sufficeth. Ponder a while those holy words in your heart, and, with utter detachment, strive to grasp their meaning. Examine the wondrous behavior of the Prophets, and recall the defamations and denials uttered by the children of negation and falsehood, perchance you may cause the bird of the human heart to wing its flight away from the abodes of heedlessness and doubt unto the nest of faith and certainty, and drink deep from the pure waters of ancient wisdom, and partake of the fruit of the tree of divine knowledge. Such is the share of the pure in heart of the bread that hath descended from the realms of eternity and holiness.

Shouldst thou acquaint thyself with the indignities heaped upon the Prophets of God, and apprehend the true causes of the objections voiced by their oppressors, thou wilt surely appreciate the significance of their position. Moreover, the more closely thou observest the denials of those who have opposed the Manifestations of the divine attributes, the firmer will be thy faith in the Cause of God. Accordingly, a brief mention will be made in this Tablet of divers accounts relative to the Prophets of God, that they may demonstrate the truth that throughout all ages and centuries the Manifestations of power and glory have been subjected to such heinous cruelties that no pen dare describe them. Perchance this may enable a few to cease to be perturbed by the clamor and protestations of the divines and the foolish of this age, and cause them to strengthen their confidence and certainty.

Among the Prophets was Noah. For nine hundred and fifty years He prayerfully exhorted His people and summoned them to the haven of security and peace. None, however, heeded His call. Each day they inflicted on His blessed person such pain and suffering that no one believed He could survive. How frequently they denied Him, how malevolently they hinted their suspicion against Him! Thus it hath been revealed: "And as often as a company of His people passed by Him, they derided Him. To them He said: 'Though ye scoff at us now, we will scoff at you hereafter even as ye scoff at us. In the end ye shall know.'" Long afterward, He several times promised victory to His companions and fixed the hour thereof. But when the hour struck, the divine promise was not fulfilled. This caused a few among the small number of His followers to turn away from Him, and to this testify the records of the best-known books. These you must certainly have perused; if not, undoubtedly you will. Finally, as stated in books and traditions, there remained with Him only forty or seventy-two of His followers. At last from the depth of His being He cried aloud: "Lord! Leave not upon the land a single dweller from among the unbelievers."

And now, consider and reflect a moment upon the waywardness of this people. What could have been the reason for such denial and avoidance on their part? What could have induced them to refuse to put off the garment of denial, and to adorn themselves with the robe of acceptance? Moreover, what could have caused the nonfulfillment of the divine promise which led the seekers to reject that which they had accepted? Meditate profoundly, that the secret of things unseen may be revealed unto you, that you may inhale the sweetness of a spiritual and imperishable fragrance, and that you may acknowledge the truth that from time immemorial even unto eternity the Almighty hath tried, and will continue to try, His servants, so that light may be distinguished from darkness, truth from falsehood, right from wrong, guidance from error, happiness from misery, and roses from thorns. Even as He hath revealed: "Do men think when they say 'We believe' they shall be let alone and not be put to proof?"

And after Noah the light of the countenance of Hud shone forth above the horizon of creation. For well-nigh seven hundred years, according to the sayings of men, He exhorted the people to turn their faces and draw nearer unto the Ridvan of the divine presence. What showers of afflictions rained upon Him, until at last His adjurations bore the fruit of increased rebelliousness, and His assiduous endeavors resulted in the willful blindness of His people. "And their unbelief shall only increase for the unbelievers their own perdition."

And after Him there appeared from the Ridvan of the Eternal, the Invisible, the holy person of Salih, Who again summoned the people to the river of everlasting life. For over a hundred years He admonished them to hold fast unto the commandments of God and eschew that which is forbidden. His admonitions, however, yielded no fruit, and His pleading proved of no avail. Several times He retired and lived in seclusion. All this, although that eternal Beauty was summoning the people to no other than the city of God. Even as it is revealed: "And unto the tribe of Thamud We sent their brother Salih. 'O my people,' said He, 'Worship God, ye have none other God beside Him....' They made reply: 'O Salih, our hopes were fixed on thee until now; forbiddest thou us to worship that which our fathers worshipped? Truly we misdoubt that whereunto thou callest us as suspicious.'" All this proved fruitless, until at last there went up a great cry, and all fell into utter perdition.

Later, the beauty of the countenance of the Friend of God appeared from behind the veil, and another standard of divine guidance was hoisted. He invited the people of the earth to the light of righteousness. The more passionately He exhorted them, the fiercer waxed the envy and waywardness of the people, except those who wholly detached themselves from all save God, and ascended on the wings of certainty to the station which God hath exalted beyond the comprehension of men. It is well known what a host of enemies besieged Him, until at last the fires of envy and rebellion were kindled against Him. And after the episode of the fire came to pass, He, the lamp of God amongst men, was, as recorded in all books and chronicles, expelled from His city.

And when His day was ended, there came the turn of Moses. Armed with the rod of celestial dominion, adorned with the white hand of divine knowledge, and proceeding from the Paran of the love of God, and wielding the serpent of power and everlasting majesty, He shone forth from the Sinai of light upon the world. He summoned all the peoples and kindreds of the earth to the kingdom of eternity, and invited them to partake of the fruit of the tree of faithfulness. Surely you are aware of the fierce opposition of Pharaoh and his people, and of the stones of idle fancy which the hands of infidels cast upon that blessed Tree. So much so that Pharaoh and his people finally arose and exerted their utmost endeavor to extinguish with the waters of falsehood and denial the fire of that sacred Tree, oblivious of the truth that no earthly water can quench the flame of divine wisdom, nor mortal blasts extinguish the lamp of everlasting dominion. Nay, rather, such water cannot but intensify the burning of the flame, and such blasts cannot but ensure the preservation of the lamp, were ye to observe with the eye of discernment, and walk in the way of God's holy will and pleasure. How well hath a believer of the kindred of Pharaoh, whose story is recounted by the All-Glorious in His Book revealed unto His beloved One, observed: "And a man of the family of Pharaoh who was a believer and concealed his faith said: 'Will ye slay a man because he saith my Lord is God, when He hath already come to you with signs from your Lord? If he be a liar, on him will be his lie, but if he be a man of truth, part of what he threateneth will fall upon you. In truth God guideth not him who is a transgressor, a liar.'" Finally, so great was their iniquity that this selfsame believer was put to a shameful death. "The curse of God be upon the people of tyranny."

And now, ponder upon these things. What could have caused such contention and conflict? Why is it that the advent of every true Manifestation of God hath been accompanied by such strife and tumult, by such tyranny and upheaval? This notwithstanding the fact that all the Prophets of God, whenever made manifest unto the peoples of the world, have invariably foretold the coming of yet another Prophet after them, and have established such signs as would herald the advent of the future Dispensation. To this the records of all sacred books bear witness. Why then is it that despite the expectation of men in their quest of the Manifestations of Holiness, and in spite of the signs recorded in the sacred books, such acts of violence, of oppression and cruelty, should have been perpetrated in every age and cycle against all the Prophets and chosen Ones of God? Even as He hath revealed: "As oft as an Apostle cometh unto you with that which your souls desire not, ye swell with pride, accusing some of being impostors and slaying others."

Reflect, what could have been the motive for such deeds? What could have prompted such behavior towards the Revealers of the beauty of the All-Glorious? Whatever in days gone by hath been the cause of the denial and opposition of those people hath now led to the perversity of the people of this age. To maintain that the testimony of Providence was incomplete, that it hath therefore been the cause of the denial of the people, is but open blasphemy. How far from the grace of the All-Bountiful and from His loving providence and tender mercies it is to single out a soul from amongst all men for the guidance of His creatures, and, on one hand, to withhold from Him the full measure of His divine testimony, and, on the other, inflict severe retribution on His people for having turned away from His chosen One! Nay, the manifold bounties of the Lord of all beings have, at all times, through the Manifestations of His divine Essence, encompassed the earth and all that dwell therein. Not for a moment hath His grace been withheld, nor have the showers of His loving-kindness ceased to rain upon mankind. Consequently, such behavior can be attributed to naught save the petty-mindedness of such souls as tread the valley of arrogance and pride, are lost in the wilds of remoteness, walk in the ways of their idle fancy, and follow the dictates of the leaders of their faith. Their chief concern is mere opposition; their sole desire is to ignore the truth. Unto every discerning observer it is evident and manifest that had these people in the days of each of the Manifestations of the Sun of Truth sanctified their eyes, their ears, and their hearts from whatever they had seen, heard, and felt, they surely would not have been deprived of beholding the beauty of God, nor strayed far from the habitations of glory. But having weighed the testimony of God by the standard of their own knowledge, gleaned from the teachings of the leaders of their faith, and found it at variance with their limited understanding, they arose to perpetrate such unseemly acts.

Leaders of religion, in every age, have hindered their people from attaining the shores of eternal salvation, inasmuch as they held the reins of authority in their mighty grasp. Some for the lust of leadership, others through want of knowledge and understanding, have been the cause of the deprivation of the people. By their sanction and authority, every Prophet of God hath drunk from the chalice of sacrifice, and winged His flight unto the heights of glory. What unspeakable cruelties they that have occupied the seats of authority and learning have inflicted upon the true Monarchs of the world, those Gems of divine virtue! Content with a transitory dominion, they have deprived themselves of an everlasting sovereignty. Thus, their eyes beheld not the light of the countenance of the Well-Beloved, nor did their ears hearken unto the sweet melodies of the Bird of Desire. For this reason, in all sacred books mention hath been made of the divines of every age. Thus He saith: "O people of the Book! Why disbelieve the signs of God to which ye yourselves have been witnesses?" And also He saith: "O people of the Book! Why clothe ye the truth with falsehood? Why wittingly hide the truth?" Again, He saith: "Say, O people of the Book! Why repel believers from the way of God?" It is evident that by the "people of the Book," who have repelled their fellowmen from the straight path of God, is meant none other than the divines of that age, whose names and character have been revealed in the sacred books, and alluded to in the verses and traditions recorded therein, were ye to observe with the eye of God.

With fixed and steady gaze, born of the unerring eye of God, scan for a while the horizon of divine knowledge, and contemplate those words of perfection which the Eternal hath revealed, that haply the mysteries of divine wisdom, hidden ere now beneath the veil of glory and treasured within the tabernacle of His grace, may be made manifest unto you. The denials and protestations of these leaders of religion have, in the main, been due to their lack of knowledge and understanding. Those words uttered by the Revealers of the beauty of the one true God, setting forth the signs that should herald the advent of the Manifestation to come, they never understood nor fathomed. Hence they raised the standard of revolt, and stirred up mischief and sedition. It is obvious and manifest that the true meaning of the utterances of the Birds of Eternity is revealed to none except those that manifest the Eternal Being, and the melodies of the Nightingale of Holiness can reach no ear save that of the denizens of the everlasting realm. The Copt of tyranny can never partake of the cup touched by the lips of the Sept of justice, and the Pharaoh of unbelief can never hope to recognize the hand of the Moses of truth. Even as He saith: "None knoweth the meaning thereof except God and them that are well-grounded in knowledge." And yet, they have sought the interpretation of the Book from those that are wrapt in veils, and have refused to seek enlightenment from the fountainhead of knowledge.

And when the days of Moses were ended, and the light of Jesus, shining forth from the dayspring of the Spirit, encompassed the world, all the people of Israel arose in protest against Him. They clamored that He Whose advent the Bible had foretold must needs promulgate and fulfill the laws of Moses, whereas this youthful Nazarene, who laid claim to the station of the divine Messiah, had annulled the law of divorce and of the sabbath day -- the most weighty of all the laws of Moses. Moreover, what of the signs of the Manifestation yet to come? These people of Israel are even unto the present day still expecting that Manifestation which the Bible hath foretold! How many Manifestations of Holiness, how many Revealers of the light everlasting, have appeared since the time of Moses, and yet Israel, wrapt in the densest veils of satanic fancy and false imaginings, is still expectant that the idol of her own handiwork will appear with such signs as she herself hath conceived! Thus hath God laid hold of them for their sins, hath extinguished in them the spirit of faith, and tormented them with the flames of the nethermost fire. And this for no other reason except that Israel refused to apprehend the meaning of such words as have been revealed in the Bible concerning the signs of the coming Revelation. As she never grasped their true significance, and, to outward seeming, such events never came to pass, she, therefore, remained deprived of recognizing the beauty of Jesus and of beholding the face of God. And they still await His coming! From time immemorial even unto this day, all the kindreds and peoples of the earth have clung to such fanciful and unseemly thoughts, and thus have deprived themselves of the clear waters streaming from the springs of purity and holiness.

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Regarding the she-camel of Salih, in the sacred writings it indicates that it was the holy person of Salih himself, and from the milk of inner meanings flowing from the divine breast of that blessed being, spiritual sustenance and divine milk was bestowed. But the evil souls hamstrung that divine she-camel, denied and rejected it, and were seized with painful torment of deprivation, unbelief and rebellion, falling into eternal destruction.

By the Naqih [She-camel] is intended the Prophet Salih. They injured Him and decided to slay Him. However those who planned to destroy the Faith of God, were themselves destroyed by God.

Reflect upon the she-camel of Salih - when she was hamstrung in the path of friendship, all the tongues of the world, from that day unto the day that hath no end, have been and shall ever be engaged in her praise and glorification.

Be ye fair therefore in your judgement concerning His upright Religion, for the love of this Youth Who is riding high upon the snow-white She-Camel betwixt earth and heaven; and be ye firm and steadfast in the path of Truth.

O Region of Sad! Why do I see and hear thy birds and their song, but see not My she-camel nor hear her cry? Is she in the garden above the earth or beneath it?

Where is My she-camel - is she grazing, or have the enemies of God who denied the Beginning and the Return hamstrung her?

Then Hud came and called the people of the earth to the Lord of existence and the Sovereign of the unseen and seen. … Then Salih came and with perfect joy and fragrance guided the people of earth to the horizon of the favor of the Desired One of the worlds.

This is why He addresses Noah saying "he is not of thy family, his work is unrighteous" referring to Canaan.

And when He had organized the affairs and edified the people, He withdrew into solitude, which is why it is revealed in the Qur'an, "And we uplifted Him to a place on high."

Therefore they said if the People of the Book had precedence and excellence over others, how could Rome be defeated by a nation like the Persians? That is when the blessed verse "Alif, Lam, Mim. The Romans have been defeated...but after their defeat they will soon be victorious" was revealed - that although Rome was defeated, they would soon be victorious.

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How impressive are the commentaries which the Muslims of former times wrote concerning these verses: "The Romans have been defeated... but after their defeat, they shall defeat their foes."

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Immediately I felt that the governor being a philosophic man abhors such dry theological discussions so without any preliminary remark I quoted a verse from the Koran in which it is said:- "Therefore Moses cried out, O Lord! let me behold Thy Face" and the Lord answered:- "Look and thou shalt see me." (Now according to the orthodox school of theology the "face of God" cannot be seen, because they argue; God is spirit and formless and how can a formless spirit be endowed with face) Then I said:- We all believe that the prophets of God never speak vainly and their words are the words of truth.

One time he came to Me and said, 'Given His large body and girth, with what kind of ladder did Muhammad ascend to heaven?' I responded, 'With the same ladder that Christ used [to reach the heaven].'

Upon his recovery, he manifested evident embarrassment in my presence, though I extended to him every courtesy and kindness. He remained apprehensive of the reproach and derision of his community. On one occasion, I observed him engrossed in a volume and, upon inquiry, he revealed it to be an account of the Prophet's Night Journey. When asked what benefit he derived from such study, he responded with unmistakable sarcasm that he wished to ascertain the manner of the Prophet's ascension to heaven.

Those souls who attain eternal life realize that it is the dawning of the Sun of Truth and it is the first blast, through which the spirit of life is received from spiritual realities, and the world of heart and soul becomes ready for the second blast, concerning which He says: "Then it shall be blown again, and lo! they shall stand up, waiting, and the earth shall shine with the light of its Lord." Through the second blast, spiritual realities and sublime essences receive life and are set in motion by the dawning of the Sun of Truth.

Thus do they describe Thy power with Thine own description in the Book, where Thou hast said - and Thy Word is the Truth in utterance: "They measure not God with His true measure. The whole earth will be His handful on the Day of Resurrection, and the heavens will be rolled in His right hand. Glory be to Him! High be He exalted above the partners they attribute to Him!"

O namesake of 'Abdu'l-Baha! In the clear Book of God, the Qur'an, He says: "The Day whereon a man shall flee from his mother and his father, and his sister and his brother, and his wife and his children." That is, on the Promised Day, which is the Greater Resurrection, man will flee from father, mother, brother, sister, spouse and son, for perhaps one becomes a believer and certitude-possessor in God while his kith and kin turn away from God.

Should anyone reflect upon what the All-Merciful hath revealed in the Qur'an, he would become aware of the greatness of this blessed Day. Among the verses revealed from the heaven of Will concerning the meeting with God, He says, glorified and exalted be He: "It is God Who hath raised the heavens without pillars thou canst behold; then mounted His throne, and imposed laws on the sun and moon: each travels to its appointed goal. He ordereth all things. He maketh His signs clear, that ye may believe with certainty in the meeting with your Lord."

O Thou God of all worlds!" Indeed, not every soul is worthy of this spiritual Kawthar. They have not yet understood the meaning of "Seal of the Prophets" as revealed in the Qur'an, for it is clear and evident that after the ending of Prophethood, both implicitly and explicitly, the appearance of God is mentioned and recorded in the Divine Book.

Say: Can the seal suffice thee in place of the Ancient of Days? Nay, by His Most Great Name! Awaken, O heedless outcast!

Say: Even wert thou to possess all the scriptures of those who have gone before and those who shall come after, each adorned with the seal of the Dawning-Places of My Cause and the Manifestations of My Names, it would profit thee not this Day except that thou shouldst follow this Straight Path.

This is the Day which the All-Merciful hath revealed in the Qur'an: "The Kingdom on that Day shall be God's," yet most of the people perceive not.

If thou hast read the Qur'an aforetime, thou must surely be convinced that it is a Book from God, Whom all do worship. We revealed it for none other than that Book, and all that thou hast read was not permitted thee except that thou mightest read this, and We granted thee not permission to read this save that thou mightest read the Book of Him Whom God shall make manifest on the Day of Resurrection, if thou be of the knowing ones.

Even as God hath revealed, aforetimes, in this verse of the Qur'an: "We will surely show them Our signs in the world and within themselves, until it becometh manifest unto them that He is the Truth."

… Thus in this Resurrection, God hath asked through the lips of His Word, "Whose Book is the Qur'an?" All His faithful replied: "It is God's Book." Then He asked them, "Is there any difference seen between the Furqan and the Bayan?" to which those endued with understanding heart answered, "Nay! By God! All are from our Lord, and none will take heed except those who are endued with vision."

And We revealed in the Qur'an in the Surih of the Spider: "Is it not enough for them that We have sent down unto thee the Book which is recited to them? Verily in this is a mercy and a reminder to people who believe."

At a meeting with Manuchihr Khan, this question was posed to the Bab: 'Was the Qur'an intended only for those who were present at the time of its revelation, or was it addressed also to those who were absent?' The Bab responded, 'There is no distinction between present and absent in the estimation of God.'

For if at this moment a law were to be sent down from the heaven of divine Will, commanding all servants to observe it, and subsequently its abrogation were revealed, none hath the right to object, for that which your Lord, the Lord of the Appointed Day, hath willed is what shall be accomplished. Consider the abrogating and abrogated verses in the Furqan, how certain verses were revealed and then abrogated by subsequent ones.

Among the objections of the idolaters was to this blessed verse which declareth "We make no distinction between any of His Messengers." They objected that "ahad" cannot be used between, and thus did they mock and protest against this divine and conclusive Word. Likewise did they object to the blessed verse "He it is Who hath created for you all that is on earth, then turned He to the heaven and fashioned it as seven heavens," saying it contradicted other verses wherein the creation of heaven preceded that of earth.

They claimed there was no apparent connection between certain verses, and that some verses violated Arabic grammar rules, such as His words, exalted be His mention: "His name shall be the Messiah" and "Verily this is one of the greatest" and "These two are certainly sorcerers."

As to the matter of statements attributed to Shaykh Ahmad-i-Ahsa'i, upon him be all the Most Glorious Glory of God: the original statements were written by one of the Shaykhi school who inquired about them in Iraq. Several errors were observed therein, but no attention was paid to correcting them. The statements were copied exactly as written by the scribe, as is also referenced in the Tablet to Mir Karim Khan.

And if God were to manifest all its powers, no one would deny Him, for if proof came with all that everyone desires and asks for, all would believe, and the wretched would not be distinguished from the blessed. Therefore God revealed in the Qur'an and educated His Beloved in His saying: "Say: If what ye would hasten were in my power, the matter would be decided between me and you; but God knoweth best the wrong-doers."

In the Quran it is mentioned that seven tribes came before the Secret of Being and Essence of Purpose, His Holiness Muhammad, peace be upon Him. Each made his faith contingent upon a miracle. One said: "Bring down a book from heaven." Another said: "Cast down a fragment of heaven to earth." Another said: "Make a spring to flow." Another said: "Ascend to heaven." Another said: "Show us the Lord with His hosts." Another said: "Produce a treasure." Another said: "Bring forth the lofty paradise." In reply to all of these He declares: "Say: Glory be to my Lord! Am I aught but a mortal messenger?"...

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He replied: "If I knew the unseen, I would have secured more good and I know not what will be done with me or with you tomorrow." This is the text of the Qur'an, not a tradition.

You wrote that they have some knowledge of the Qur'an - then how is it the clear text of the Qur'an was not considered? The Beauty of Muhammad, by the explicit text of the Qur'an, states: "If I had knowledge of the unseen, I would have secured abundance of good, nor do I know what shall befall me and you tomorrow."

If you have read the Qur'an, remember the verse: "Had I known the unseen, I would have had abundance of good, and I know not what shall befall me and you tomorrow."

The majority of scholars who knew not the meaning of the Qur'an and wished to reconcile the clear verse with Ptolemaic principles - which were but illusions or like a mirage in the desert that the thirsty one supposeth to be water - said that the beings that move by will in heaven refer to the angels of the Supreme Concourse.

The Qur'an clearly states: "And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the living creatures He has scattered through them both." It says "in them both" not "in it" - clearly indicating that living creatures exist in both, since "creature" refers to a living, moving being. Despite this clarity, no one until now has noticed this.

As for the story of Zayd and Zaynab, these are external accounts - the truth can be derived from the Quran itself, as it is explicit in the Quran. In brief, Zayd was the Prophet's adopted son and He had arranged Zayd's marriage contract with Zaynab. … But in the Quran the wife of an adopted son is not forbidden to the adoptive father - marriage is permitted.

And God hath not forbidden unto any soul save what Israel forbade unto himself, whereunto the Worshipped One hath referred in His praiseworthy utterance: "All food was lawful unto the Children of Israel save what Israel forbade for himself."

Verily, Ali - peace be upon him - forbade nothing unto himself save what the Thing forbade unto itself, for God created all things through him and granted them, in the form of their acceptance, the judgment of their own souls.

From the beginning of existence until the Promised Day men retained superiority over women in every respect. It is revealed in the Qur'an: "Men have superiority over women."

But in this wondrous Dispensation, the supreme outpouring of the Glorious Lord became the cause of manifest achievements by women.

Although this servant submitted his resignation from being an interpreter of the Book at the threshold of the Most Glorious Beauty - for praise be to God, there are mujtahids present who have the power and capacity to derive laws from the Book and there is no need for 'Abdu'l-Baha - yet solely for thy sake, the explanation of this blessed verse is given: The residence and special clothing belong to the eldest son, meaning the most senior offspring of the deceased, not to all male offspring.

You had asked about the interpretation of the verse "I will show you the abode of the transgressors." … Rather, the interpretation of the hadith "Egypt was my home" is necessary.

Though all human beings are adorned with the garment of humanity, they remain unaware of its reality. This universal gift is manifested in human reality, yet man remains heedless and forgetful. This is one meaning of the blessed verse "Verily he was unjust and ignorant."

Make each of thine endeavours the most great trust of God "We did indeed offer this Trust to the heavens, to the earth and to the mountains but they did refuse it being afraid thereof. But Man hath undertaken it." [Q33:72].

From the Covenant of "Am I not your Lord?" and "We send down of the Qur'an that which is a healing and mercy to the believers, but it increases not the wrongdoers except in loss."

When thou hast recognized the decree of divine manifestation, make the qiblih of thy heart the appearance of the verse "There is no God but God", and the qiblih of thy mind "Muhammad is the Messenger of God, peace be upon him and his family", and the qiblih of thy soul him whom God hath named today as the Remnant of God, who is better for the believers than their own selves, would they but understand.

Thus hast Thou described them in Thy perspicuous verses, saying - and Thy word is the truth: "Honored servants who speak not until He hath spoken, and who do His bidding."

"Say: Call upon Allah, or call upon Rahman: by whatever name ye call upon Him, (it is well): for to Him belong the Most Beautiful Names."

O faithful servant of God! In the glorious Qur'an it is stated: "The handiwork of God - and who is better than God in handiwork?"

Consider the divine bounty and gift in this Most Great Revelation, that through a single turning, the grace of "I have turned my face toward Him Who created the heavens and earth, turning away from all else, and I am not of those who join partners with God" becomes realized, and through a single attachment the gift of "And We wished to show Our favor unto those who were oppressed in the earth, and to make them leaders and to make them inheritors" becomes manifest.

God, the all-glorious Lord, saith in the wondrous Qur'an: "And We wished to be Gracious to those who were being depressed in the land, to make them leaders and make them heirs."

This service is a jewel that shineth in the crown of the kings of the Kingdom, for it is the Ark concerning which it is stated in the Qur'an: "A sign of his kingdom is that there shall come to you the Ark wherein is tranquility."

O thou who art illumined by the divine light! In the glorious Quran He says: "They desire to extinguish God's light with their mouths, but God refuses to do aught save perfect His light."

It is also stated in the Qur'an: "Thou wast heedless of that; but We have removed thy veil, and keen is thy sight this day."...

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Say: O people of the Bayan, be fair and speak with justice. Be not of those who, after witnessing, denied, nor of those concerning whom the Desired One of all creation hath said in the Qur'an: "How many a sign do they pass by and turn away therefrom!"

Consider what is said in the Qur'an: "Alas for the servants! There comes not a Messenger to them but they mock at him. What! Whenever there came to you a Messenger with what your souls desired not, you were arrogant, so you called some liars and some you slew."

The decree in the Qur'an has been fulfilled: "Every sect rejoices in what it possesses."

The people of the Furqan have remained deprived of true unity. Were the Supreme Pen to move in this station according to what is intended, clamor would be raised from all directions. Therefore doth it speak with measure and uttereth according to measure.

The traditions (hadith) which are passed down in Islam have been the cause of ruin for many homes, sources of disunity and division, and of suffering and calamities.

One, like the second Caliph, said "The Book of God is sufficient for us." Another, like the son of Hind, began to weep and lament and cry out "Alas for he of the two lights! Woe unto him who equipped the army of difficulty!" Another cried "Alas for the Law! Alas for the Religion!" And another, like those who hated the Prince of Martyrs, declared "He has made lawful what God made unlawful and made unlawful what God made lawful, and abandoned fasting and prayer."

Whenever anything concerning historical chronicales or religious traditions and commentaries was asked of him, he would immediately fabricate some lie in response. When he was asked what the term 'Iram of the Pillars' mentioned in the Qur'an [Q89:6-14] referred to, he replied:

"This was a garden situated opposite the garden of Paradise itself and created by Shaddad.

He said, "I have not seen any mention of myself in it." He replied, "It is there where it says: 'She said: I seek refuge from thee with the Beneficent God, if thou art God-fearing.'" He became very angry but did not express anything, and asked, "Is there anything about my father Qurban Khan as well?" He replied, "Yes there is." He asked, "Explicitly or by allusion?" He replied, "Explicitly, where it says: 'Why do you not bring us an offering which fire [from heaven] shall consume?'"

The man told him then "Have you not read in the Koran 'you must not turn away a questioner'?"

The Mullah in turn rejoined:- "hast thou not read also in the same holy book the injunction, 'Give thou not thy possessions to the fool'?

It is revealed in the Qur'an, "They think that every shout is against them." Every noise is raised, they think it is the enemy. Like a thief who thinks every sound forebodes his arrest, they are disturbed and distraught.

Then shone forth the sun of the word that dawned from the horizon of the mouth of Muhammad, the Messenger of God - His word is the truth - when He said: "When Satan says to man 'Disbelieve!', then when he disbelieves, Satan says 'I am innocent of you.'"

It seems they have not read the blessed Qur'anic verse which states: "Verily, over My servants thou hast no power."

Read what the All-Merciful hath revealed in the Qur'an. Mighty is His utterance and exalted His proof: "Until, when they rejoiced in that which they were given, We seized them unawares, and lo, thy Lord is ever watchful."

All glory be to him who believeth in Thee, even if he possesseth not in this first life the measure of a mustard seed, for without this he hath no glory with Thee, as Thou didst permit unto the people of Thy love what Thou didst reveal aforetime in the Qur'an: "Were it not that mankind would have become one community, We would have given those who disbelieve in the All-Merciful, houses with roofs of silver, and stairs whereon to mount, and doors to their houses, and couches whereon to recline, and ornaments. Yet all this would have been but a provision of the life of this world. And the Hereafter with thy Lord is for the God-fearing."

Read what the All-Merciful hath revealed in the Qur'an: "Wealth and children are an adornment of the life of this world: But the good deeds which endure are better in thy Lord's sight for reward, and better in respect of hope."

By My life, these are the good deeds that endure mentioned in the Qur'an: "The good deeds which endure are better and more lasting."

In the Qur'an it states: "Then We gave the Book for an inheritance to such of Our servants as We chose: but there are among them some who wrong their own souls; some who follow a middle course; and some who are, by God's leave, foremost in good deeds. That is the highest Grace."

This is why again in the Qur'an He says: "Like a seed which sends forth its blade, then makes it strong; it then becomes thick, and it stands on its own stem, delighting the sowers."

Just as it is said in the Qur'an, 'Ye shall never receive blessings until ye give of that which ye love.'

O thou who spendest in the path of God! In the mighty Qur'an, which is the glorious Text of the All-Merciful, the Most Compassionate, among the characteristics of the people of faith is this verse: "and they prefer others before themselves, although poverty be their own lot" and "The likeness of those who spend their wealth in God's way is as the likeness of a grain that groweth seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains. Allah giveth increase manifold to whom He will."

Thus was revealed a verse in the Qur'an directing the faithful to be generous towards the poor, the captive and the homeless and to give preference to these people over themselves.

This is why it says in the Qur'an: "Make not thy hand tied to thy neck, nor stretch it forth to its utmost reach, but seek between these a middle course."

'He brings forth the living from the dead, and the dead from the living.' 'No soul shall bear another's burden'. … In the Quran it says: 'Let those who are solicitous about the welfare of their young children after their own death take care not to wrong orphans.'

It is said in the Koran, "Hadst thou been severe and hard-hearted, they had surely separated themselves from about Thee."

However, in the Qur'an it states: "Had you been harsh and hard-hearted, they would have scattered from around you." Therefore, to the extent possible, one must deal with all the friends with utmost kindness.

In the Qur'an it states "Do not forget the grace between you."

And if some souls speak ill and criticize Abdul-Baha, act according to the blessed verse of the Quran which states: "And when they pass by vain talk, they pass by with dignity."

In the Qur'an it is stated: "As often as they kindle a fire for war, God extinguisheth it."

In the seventy fourth chapter of the Koran called "The Greeks" the following verse occurs significant of the present situation: 'Destruction hath appeared by land and by sea on account of what men's hands have wrought, that it might make them taste somewhat of the fruit of their doings, that haply they might turn to God.'

These are the days of the appearance of that which the All-Merciful revealed in the Qur'an, blessed and exalted be His Word: "And if there be the weight of a mustard seed and it be in a rock, or in the heavens, or in the earth, God will bring it forth."

His blessed and exalted Word states: "And if there be the weight of a mustard seed and it be in a rock, or in the heavens, or in the earth, God will bring it forth."

Then this blessed verse was revealed: "If good befalls them they say 'This is from God,' and if evil befalls them they say 'This is from you.' Say: All is from God. What is wrong with these people that they fail to understand any discourse?"

As mentioned in the Quran: "What is wrong with these people that they fail to understand any discourse?" The more we spoke, the less they heard.

Have you not recited the Qur'an and pondered carefully its verses about tests? Have you not heard "Do they not see that they are tried every year once or twice?" Have you not read "We shall surely test you with something of fear and hunger, and decrease of goods and lives and fruits"? Have you not read "Do men think that they will be left alone on saying 'We believe' and they will not be tested"?

God saith in His mighty Book: "And We will surely try you with something of fear and hunger and loss of wealth and lives and fruits; but give glad tidings to the patient." And likewise He saith: "Those who patiently persevere will truly receive a reward without measure."

For the people of Faith, calamities, trials and tribulations are conducive to spiritual progress; provided one endures them patiently and with severance from all else save God. It is said in the Quran: 'Did ye suppose that ye will enter the Paradise, but when trials, similar unto those suffered by men before you, come upon you, you were overcome with grief and afflictions?'

It is revealed in the Qur'an: "Do ye think that ye shall enter the Garden of bliss without such trials as came to those who passed away before you?" [Q2:214] All the holy ones encountered suffering and adversity. The Primal Point and the Most Great Name, the Abha Beauty, spent all the days of Their lives surrounded by troubles and adversities. How can we demand happiness and comfort in our lives, therefore, unless of course we blind ourselves to faithfulness and follow the ways of the unfaithful?

In the Qur'an He says: "Do you suppose that you will enter Paradise while yet there has not come to you the like of what came to those who passed away before you? Affliction and adversity befell them."

In the Qur'an He says: "Verily, the patient ones shall be paid their recompense without measure."

"Verily with difficulty comes ease." In the Qur'an He says: "Despair not of God's mercy, for God forgives all sins."

In the divine hadith He says: "Whoever is not content with My decree, let him seek another Lord besides Me."

This is why it is stated in the tradition: "All people shall perish except the believers, and all believers shall perish except those who are tested, and all who are tested shall perish except the sincere ones, and the sincere ones are in grave danger."

Glory be to God! In the Qur'an He says: "And indeed We seized them with the lesser punishment before the greater punishment, that they might return."

Recite what the All-Merciful hath revealed in the Qur'an: "Every soul shall taste of death. We are God's and to Him shall we return."

"Think not of those who are slain in God's way as dead. Nay, they live, finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord."

"Think not of those who are slain in God's way as dead. Nay, they are living! With their Lord they have provision."

Through divine glad tidings may they be so moved to joy and delight that each one stands firm against all on earth, and under sword and blade cries out "O my eager desire for the supreme martyrdom!", and under the dagger raises the cry of "O Glory of the Most Glorious!" from their throat, and recites the verse "Would that my people knew!", and utters "Think not of those who are slain in God's way as dead. Nay, they live, finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord."

The Prince of Martyrs in Karbala had his body torn to pieces, yet was still victorious, for "verily it was incumbent upon Us to help the believers."

O self-sacrificing servant of the Abha Beauty! In the Qur'an the All-Merciful Lord declares: "If ye help God, He will help you."

In the Qur'an, the Book of God, He says: "If ye help God, He will help you."

When in March 629 the Prophet made the well-known pilgrimage from Medina to Mecca at the head of two thousand camel-riders, all devoted Muslims, the Prophet was asked by His servant how he should safely care for El-Kaswa, the famous camel of Muhammad, the Lord Muhammad answered him: 'First give it to drink and eat, then tie it up, and afterwards commend it to the protection of God the Most High.' And has not the Prophet said also in the Qur'an (2.191): 'Do not cast yourself into destruction', and elsewhere: 'Help comes from God, the Most High, to him who asks Him for it - but first he should try to help himself'.

God says in the Glorious Qur'an: "He singles out for His mercy whomsoever He willeth." Praise be to God that thou hast been singled out for divine grace and bounty.

This is why the Qur'an states "You cannot guide whom you love, but God guides whom He wills." Therefore divine confirmations and heavenly guidance are necessary, and capacity and attainment of the outpourings of the All-Merciful are essential.

In any case, the point is that if you could make a journey soon to those regions of Yazd it would be most fitting and appropriate, for detailed letters are being written and most are pure fabrication - perhaps some of the weak ones might fall into doubt. When truth comes, falsehood vanishes - this will be achieved through your journey.

In the mighty Qur'an, the Book of God, He says "If ye are thankful, I will add more (favors) unto you."

God says in the great Koran: "The Building of the Mosques of God is carried along by those souls who believe in God and in the day of judgment."

O eloquent poet, the poets of the world mostly spoke and composed contrary to reality, hence the famous saying "the greatest of them are the biggest liars" and in the Qur'an it states "And the poets - [only] the deviators follow them."

Convey My greetings to Mr. Mirza Davud Khan, upon him be the Glory of God, the Most Glorious, and say that God declares in the Quran: "O David! We have made thee a vicegerent on earth."

O Aqa Mahmud! In the mighty Qur'an, addressing the Beloved One, He saith: "And watch in vigil some part of the night as a work of supererogation for thee; it may be that thy Lord will raise thee to a Station of Praise (Maqam-i-Mahmud)."

O 'Abdu'l-Ghafur! "A holy city, and a Lord Ever-Forgiving" is the glorious utterance and the explicit text of the Qur'an.

O people of Baha, hear what the All-Merciful has revealed in the Qur'an. Concerning the Beloved's ascension, He quotes one of the Prophets saying: "Verily, I have abandoned the religion of a people who believe not in God and who are disbelievers in the Hereafter."

Similarly, in the Qur'an it is said to Muhammad: "We have granted Thee a manifest victory, that God may forgive Thee Thy past and future sins." Now, these words, though apparently addressed to Muhammad, were in reality meant for all His people; and this proceeds from the consummate wisdom of God, as we said previously, so that hearts might not be troubled, perplexed or dismayed.

The verses of guidance have been chanted and the meanings of revelation have been interpreted.

'What art thou doing? Hast thou not heard the saying of Mohamad that when El Koran is read every one must listen?'

This is possible in this way: that one should occupy oneself with reciting the Qur'an, and in connection with its verses, relate the events that occurred in the time of the Prophets - the oppositions that arose, the calamities that descended, the trials that came, the insolence of the peoples, the blindness of the masses, and the imprisonment of the loved ones of the All-Merciful, which are the literal translation of the Qur'an.

… As much as thou canst, recite the Qur'an and explain its interpretation and inner meaning. And from time to time, recite prayers and the Sahifa-i-Sajjadiyya with utmost humility and submissiveness.