Walking the spiritual path; spiritual wayfaring; the virtuous life

6 And further: the stages that mark the wayfarers' journey from their mortal abode to the heavenly homeland are said to be seven. Some have referred to them as seven valleys, and others, as seven cities. And it is said that until the wayfarer taketh leave of self and traverseth these stages, he shall never attain the ocean of nearness and reunion nor taste of the matchless wine.

That seeker must at all times put his trust in God, must renounce the peoples of the earth, detach himself from the world of dust, and cleave unto Him Who is the Lord of Lords. He must never seek to exalt himself above anyone, must wash away from the tablet of his heart every trace of pride and vainglory, must cling unto patience and resignation, observe silence, and refrain from idle talk.

… At the dawn of every day he should commune with God, and with all his soul persevere in the quest of his Beloved. He should consume every wayward thought with the flame of His loving mention, and, with the swiftness of lightning, pass by all else save Him.

If thou wouldst hear from this servant, cast away the wings of limitation and imitation and soar with the wings of detachment in this atmosphere of divine unity, that thou mayest find thyself sanctified from delusory doubts and skeptical allusions, and illumined with the lights of certitude.

First, he must be fair-minded and detached from all save God. His heart must be entirely directed towards the Supreme Horizon and freed from the bondage of vain and selfish desires, for these are obstacles on the path. Furthermore, he must endure every tribulation, embody the utmost purity and sanctity, and renounce the love or hatred of all the peoples of the world, lest his love for one thing hinder him from investigating another, or his hatred for something prevent him from discerning its truth.

There are three paths through which man obtains spiritual happiness. The first path is the path of ordeals, trials and difficulties. His feet are torn with thorns and thistles, he goes through many pains and torments but finally he reaches to his destination.

The second path is a pleasant path but the traveler makes slow progress. He advances surely but slowly. Step by step he comes nearer and nearer to the goal. It may take many years but the persevering, determined, cheerful traveler goes on and on.

The third path is the path of faith. With one step the traveler finds himself in the Kingdom; even less than the twinkling of an eye the change is wrought. In one moment, he travels from the world of negation into the world of affirmation.

O wayfarer on the path of God! Many have traversed day and night according to their own imaginings, and saw no fruit but doubt, and reaped no harvest but uncertainty and misgiving. They dove into the ocean of vain fancies and sought knowledge of the precious truth of the All-Knowing. They descended into a barren wilderness yet yearned for the flame of the Mount and the radiance of light.

Know thou of a truth that the seeker must, at the beginning of his quest for God, enter the Garden of Search. In this journey it behoveth the wayfarer to detach himself from all save God and to close his eyes to all that is in the heavens and on the earth. There must not linger in his heart either the hate or the love of any soul, to the extent that they would hinder him from attaining the habitation of the celestial Beauty.

Every servant during these days must renounce three things in order to attain three things. The three things that must be renounced are covetousness, idle fancy, and selfish desire, and the three things to be attained are recognition, acknowledgement, and certitude.

Thou hast traversed the highway of the law and the path until thou didst reach the truth. Thou hast been freed from the delusions of others and attained to the essence of knowledge.

He had heard that the Bab wore a green turban, as did all the descendants of Muhammad. This believer went to see the Bab, and he looked for the green turban. It so happened that just before his arrival the Bab had taken off his green turban, putting on instead, a Persian cap. So the man did not recognize Him.

Self-discipline is the first aim of one who desires to live a true life. But as to this do not misunderstand me; I do not mean the discipline, widely practised in old times and even by many at the present day, which consists in mortifying the flesh and deadening the emotions. Enjoy pleasant things, look with pleasure upon beautiful things, but without clinging to them, without longing to possess them, without holding them dearer than God.

And this utterance of thine was most acceptable: "My God! I disavow that worship which leadeth me to pride, and I desire that sin which bringeth me to contrition."

O thou who prostrateth thyself at the threshold of the Ancient Beauty!

Prostration is evidence of the absence of being--that is, of utter humility, evanescence and nothingness.

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Man's power and courage lie in overcoming self and passion, not in bloodthirstiness and savagery and brutality and violation.

His honor, Mr. Remey is, verily, of perfect sincerity. He is like unto transparent water, filtered, lucid and without any impurity. He worked earnestly for several years, but he did not have personal motive. He has not attachment to anything except to the Cause of God. This is the spirit of the firm and this is the characteristic of the sincere.

And verily religion is established upon four pillars: the unity of God [al-tawhid], the reality of prophethood [al-nubuwwa], the succession of authority [al-walaya], and the community of followers [al-shi'a]: four gates, the first of which cannot be sound without the last. All of these are the Face of God which perisheth not, and it is the love of the Family of God, which is none other than the love of God Himself, Who is the Hidden Treasure. The Prophet alluded to this station when He said: "Above every good deed is another good deed, until one loveth Us. When one loveth Us, there is no good deed above it." [Biharu'l-Anwar]

Love [hubb], the beloved [habib], the lover [muhibb], and the one who is loved [mahbub] are four signs of the manifestation of the Family of God within thee, and they are thy very self. When these four signs are remembered within thee, and thy heart is illumined, and thy mind is enraptured, and thy spirit is quickened, and thy body trembleth with longing, then art thou truly of the people of Paradise and of the companions of the Commander of the Faithful. At that moment thou art upon the straight religion, the true balance, and the clear and manifest path. There is no good deed above this station, and through it thou advanceth through the eternity of God. The love of God hath neither limit nor end, and this is the pivot of all conduct.

The entire Law is but a path for the servant to journey toward his Lord, but through movement toward the pivot We have indicated. As for the way to reach this pivot, know thou that attaining unto the station of thine own reality is attaining unto thy Lord, and it is the station of pure God-fearingness, as one of the Prophets asked about God, saying: "How can one reach Thee?" God, the Exalted, replied: "Cast away thyself and come unto Me." This station is for beginners, to turn away from what the soul desireth and to bear what it detesteth, for there is no veil more forbidding than one's own self.

If thou turnest toward thyself and attainest unto the station of nearness and remembrance, and findest comfort in the shade of thy Beloved, and preferrest Him above all else, thou wouldst not be heedless of His station even wert thou to be cut into pieces, for the heart of one who knoweth God is with God, and he neither speaketh, nor gestureth, nor acteth save through God, the Exalted. Be not heedless of striving, deprive not thyself of thy portion of this world, and "do good even as God hath done good unto thee". [Q28:77] If thou art heedless, thy regret on the Day of Resurrection shall be prolonged, and thou shalt be among those who say: "Alas for my negligence in regard to God!" [Q39:56]

Go forth as thou art commanded and fear not the censure of any censurer.

In the Qur'an, the Divine Book, among the characteristics of the people of unity, He has mentioned the suppression of anger, as He says: "Those who suppress their anger and pardon people, and God loves the doers of good." Although this station is great and its attainment difficult and arduous, yet for the people of Baha (may my spirit be sacrificed for them) there is another station and another rank. The ultimate aim and desire of their existence is to sacrifice all attributes for the sake of the life of the world and the revival of the peoples and tribes of the nations.

When the wayfarer reaches this most exalted and supreme station, firstly no anger arises in him that he should need to suppress it, and no self remains that should need to forgive.

...As to the means of attaining a goodly end, one must shun pride and vainglory, must regard self-admiration as abhorrent, must be abashed at all times, must be detached from the promptings of self and passion, must keep aloof from the people of lethargy and pride, and must remain firm in the Covenant. The most glorious splendor be upon you.

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Close one eye and open the other. Close one to the world and all that is therein, and open the other to the hallowed beauty of the Beloved.

O servants! The body without spirit is dead, and the heart without the remembrance of God is withered. Therefore commune ye with the Friend and shun the enemy.

In the Persian Hidden Words this most exalted Word was revealed from the Supreme Pen: "O My servant! Barter not the everlasting dominion for a single emanation, nor the sovereignty of the Celestial Paradise for a fleeting desire."

Therefore, we learn that nearness to God is possible through devotion to Him, through entrance into the Kingdom and service to humanity; it is attained by unity with mankind and through loving-kindness to all; it is dependent upon investigation of truth, acquisition of praiseworthy virtues, service in the cause of universal peace and personal sanctification. In a word, nearness to God necessitates sacrifice of self, severance and the giving up of all to Him. Nearness is likeness.

Every good habit, every noble quality belongs to man's spiritual nature, whereas all his imperfections and sinful actions are born of his material nature. If a man's Divine nature dominates his human nature, we have a saint.

Man has the power both to do good and to do evil; if his power for good predominates and his inclinations to do wrong are conquered, then man in truth may be called a saint.

This is a splendid gathering, a meeting of the maidservants of the Merciful and the beloved of God. Whenever such gatherings have taken place in this world, the results have been very great. They have exerted an influence upon the world of hearts and minds. Wherever a lamp is lighted in the night, naturally people are attracted and gather around it. When you see such an assemblage as this, you may know that a light is illumining the darkness. There are lamps the light of which is limited. There are lamps the light of which is unlimited. There are lamps which illumine small places and lamps which illumine the horizons. The lamp of the guidance of God, wherever lighted, has shed its radiance throughout the East and the West. Praise be to God! It has been lighted in this country; day by day its radiance is becoming more resplendent and its effulgence more widespread. This is not known now, but later on its traces will become evident. Consider the days of Christ: how the light of guidance brightened twelve hearts. How limited it seemed, but how expansive it became afterward and illumined the world!

You are not a large body of people, but because the lamp of guidance has been lighted in your hearts, the effects will be wonderful in the years to come. It is evident and manifest that the world will be illumined by this light; therefore, you must thank God that -- praise be to God! -- through His grace and favor the lamp of the most great guidance has been ignited in your hearts, and He has summoned you to His Kingdom. He has caused the call of the Supreme Concourse to reach your ears. The doors of heaven have been opened unto you. The Sun of Reality is shining upon you, the cloud of mercy is pouring down, and the breezes of providence are wafting through your souls. Although the bestowal is great and the grace is glorious, yet capacity and readiness are requisite. Without capacity and readiness the divine bounty will not become manifest and evident. No matter how much the cloud may rain, the sun may shine and the breezes blow, the soil that is sterile will give no growth. The ground that is pure and free from thorns and thistles receives and produces through the rain of the cloud of mercy. No matter how much the sun shines, it will have no effect upon the black rock, but in a pure and polished mirror its lights become resplendent. Therefore, we must develop capacity in order that the signs of the mercy of the Lord may be revealed in us. We must endeavor to free the soil of the hearts from useless weeds and sanctify it from the thorns of worthless thoughts in order that the cloud of mercy may bestow its power upon us.

The doors of God are open, but we must be ready and fitted to enter. The ocean of divine providence is surging, but we must be able to swim. The bestowals of the Almighty are descending from the heaven of grace, but capacity to receive them is essential. The fountain of divine generosity is gushing forth, but we must have thirst for the living waters. Unless there be thirst, the salutary water will not assuage. Unless the soul hungers, the delicious foods of the heavenly table will not give sustenance. Unless the eyes of perception be opened, the lights of the sun will not be witnessed. Until the nostrils are purified, the fragrance of the divine rose garden will not be inhaled. Unless the heart be filled with longing, the favors of the Lord will not be evident. Unless a perfect melody be sung, the ears of the hearers will not be attracted. Therefore, we must endeavor night and day to purify the hearts from every dross, sanctify the souls from every restriction and become free from the discords of the human world. Then the divine bestowals will become evident in their fullness and glory. If we do not strive and sanctify ourselves from the defects and evil qualities of human nature, we will not partake of the bestowals of God. It is as if the sun is shining in its full glory, but no reflection is forthcoming from hearts that are black as stone. If an ocean of salubrious water is surging and we be not thirsty, what benefit do we receive? If the candle be lighted and we have no eyes, what enjoyment do we obtain from it? If melodious anthems should rise to the heavens and we are bereft of hearing, what enjoyment can we find?

Therefore, we must endeavor always, cry, supplicate and invoke the Kingdom of God to grant us full capacity in order that the bestowals of God may become revealed and manifest in us. And as we attain to these heavenly bounties, we shall offer thanks unto the threshold of oneness. Then shall we rejoice in the Lord that in this wonderful century and glorious age, under the shelter of the Kingdom of God we have enjoyed these bestowals and will arise in praise and thanksgiving. Therefore, I first exhort myself and then I entreat you to appreciate this great bestowal, recognize this most great guidance, accept these bounties of the Lord. You must endeavor day and night to become worthy of a generous portion of these gifts and realize full capacity of attainment. Praise be to God! Your hearts are illumined, your faces are turned toward the Kingdom of God. It is my hope that all of these degrees may be reached and these friends attain a station which shall be an example and stimulus for all friends in the world. May the love of God spread from here onward and outward; may the knowledge of God be sent broadcast from this place; may spiritual forces become effective here; may the lights of the Kingdom shine; may intelligent souls be found here so that with all power they may be occupied in the service of God, furthering the oneness of the human world and the cause of the Most Great Peace. May these souls be lighted candles and fruitful trees; may they be pearls of the shells of providence; may they be stars of heaven. This is my supplication to God. This is my request from the Beauty of Abha: that He may submerge all of you in the ocean of His grace.

Would that I had attained unto it! This servitude--its essence is servitude itself. The way is barred and the search rejected. This is complete servitude which hath shone forth from the Dayspring of the mouth of the Will of the King of Oneness. Whosoever attaineth unto this station hath attained unto all good.

From time immemorial until now, whosoever hath detached himself from all save God and turned unto Him hath, in every station, attained his heart's desire, for in the stages of spiritual nearness, physical distance hath never been, nor ever shall be, a barrier. That which hath forever stood as a veil between the Truth and creation hath been the veils of self and desire. So long as these veils persist, the servant remaineth far removed from the assemblage of nearness, even should he stand before the Divine Throne. Yet after these veils are rent asunder, he standeth before His countenance, though outwardly he be a hundred thousand leagues distant.

On the other hand, man must acquire heavenly qualities and attain divine attributes. He must become the image and likeness of God. He must seek the bounty of the eternal, become the manifestor of the love of God, the light of guidance, the tree of life and the depository of the bounties of God.

Asceticism is not necessary. A soul grows by the exercise of human virtues and the observance of human morals and by divine favor.

O servant of the Court of the All-Bountiful! Every shadow save the shadow of Truth is utter darkness, and every fortress more fragile than a spider's web. Seek thou a companion who will at every moment refresh and revive thee with divine fragrances, not one who will render thee listless, neglectful, idle and lifeless.

The Afnans of the Blessed Tree must show complete meekness and lowliness, so that they may teach with all humility and submissiveness, and impart absolute effacement and complete evanescence. For they are, in the words of Christ, the salt of the earth. Verily salt must be salty.

O Shir-'Ali! The lion is the recurring warrior, the disperser of the wicked ones. The heedless ones are but a pack of rabbits. Like a lion in the arena of divine knowledge, let forth the roar of lions and display the might of those intoxicated with the wine of God's love.

Make the claw of the love of God into a sword of steel, and with the talon of divine proof as a sharp-cutting dagger, rend asunder the vitals of ignorance and scatter the insistent self. This, O my dear child, is spiritual valor.

Do not wonder at this and do not look at thine own capacity. The splendor of the Sun of Reality transforms the stone into the brilliant sapphire and the rain of the cloud of Mercy will clothe the naked tree with leaves, blossoms and fruits.

But it is conditioned upon the fact that thou mayst forget thyself, shun self-adoration and with all thy heart become attracted to the Kingdom of Abha!

Currently most of the friends are in the first stage, meaning they have traversed the Valley of Search and found their Beloved. But after the station of search they must reach the station of love, attain the degrees of unity, drink from the cup of knowledge, become immersed in the sea of wonderment, achieve utter evanescence and bow their heads in submission and contentment.

Know thou that there are seven degrees of knowledge [ma'rifat]. The first is the knowledge of God, to which reference has been made, and verses have been revealed for the knowers in the first sermon and second gate, that all might acquire knowledge through separation from the point of union to distinction. The four stations of unity return to the essence of unity itself.

13 The story is told of a mystic knower who went on a journey with a learned grammarian for a companion. They came to the shore of the Sea of Grandeur. The knower, putting his trust in God, straightway flung himself into the waves, but the grammarian stood bewildered and lost in thoughts that were as words traced upon the water. The mystic called out to him, "Why dost thou not follow?" The grammarian answered, "O brother, what can I do? As I dare not advance, I must needs go back again." Then the mystic cried, "Cast aside what thou hast learned from Sibavayh and Qawlavayh, from Ibn-i-Hajib and Ibn-i-Malik, and cross the water!"

Thus do the wayfarers in the wilderness of solitude and search experience events and conditions which, though to outward seeming be a mortal poison, are inwardly a wholesome draught, and though in appearance a passing mirage, are in reality pure and refreshing waters. Were I to attempt a full description of this station, neither could I express it nor the hearer grasp it. And whoso observeth with the eye of innate knowledge will confess, openly as well as privily, the selfsame truth.

The love of God is like unto the rays of the sun - until the mirror is freed from rust, the rays of the sun cannot be manifested and visible therein, for the manifestation of the sun's rays, which is the love of God, is conditional upon the mirror's delicacy and purity.

Regarding the stages of the soul, such as the soul that commandeth to evil, the self-reproaching soul, the inspired soul, the assured soul, the pleased soul, the soul that is well-pleasing, and the like - these have been mentioned before and the books of the people are replete with such references. The Most Exalted Pen hath had and hath no desire to mention these stations.

After a man has come under the care of the Teachers, after he has perceived and understood the nature of man in its purity, then, having gained discrimination, he learns what virtue is. Such a man realises his faults. He takes himself to task because of his unworthy and evil qualities. He is ever contrite- repentant for his evil deeds. He longs for goodness and virtue.

This is the second state or condition of the perceiving soul; it is the first stage of the progress of the soul to God. This repentance, this longing for the virtues of God, is the means whereby are acquired the inner sight of enlightenment.

As to what thou hast asked concerning the Truth and the Path, know thou that in these days the Path is My Name, the All-Merciful, the All-Compassionate, for through it are people guided to the hidden, treasured, and concealed Reality that is veiled from the worlds. Say: Verily it is God's path between the heavens and earth, and God's way in the kingdom of Command and Creation, and the manifestation of Truth among all created things. And in one sense, Truth referreth to the Primal Point of Will, the First Emanation, the First Pearl, the Most Exalted Word, the First Remembrance, and the Act from which the worlds derive their sustenance. And whatsoever guideth people and connecteth them to the station of true knowledge is the Path.

Though this Path is one, it differeth according to the capacities of those who seek it. As thou observest, among the people are those who recognized God merely upon hearing of His Manifestation; some upon attaining the presence of His Countenance; others believed after hearing what was revealed from the direction of the Throne and were numbered among the guided ones; some clung to proofs and arguments, tarrying upon the path and were among those who hesitated; and others traversed the way in less than the twinkling of an eye and reached the most great vista, the station whereon the Ancient Beauty was established with manifest sovereignty. Blessed is he who passeth over the path as lightning through the clouds and followeth the most great path in this mighty Announcement.

Say: O people! The path of truth is manifest like unto His own being. Beware lest ye stray into the ways of those who associated partners with God and follow the paths of the deniers. He who is today seized by the fragrances of the All-Merciful and findeth the holy fragrance from the garment of My Most Glorious Name shall be so attracted that he will know neither path nor way, and will reach the Sun of Eternity in less than a moment. And in one station, the Path is My verses and the Truth is My hidden and concealed Self, secreted from the eyes of the heedless.

Know thou further that the Manifestation in its essence is sanctified above all universality and particularity, and is one in its reality. Those who have ascended unto it and upon whose hearts are impressed the lights of the revelation of the Manifestation - these are the proofs of His Self, the ways of His guidance, the mines of His wisdom, the dawning-places of His Cause, and the daysprings of His revelation. All names and attributes may be applied to them so long as they remain oriented toward the Sun of Manifestation. After turning aside, no station remaineth for them with God and they are numbered among the lost. Thus have We imparted unto thee the word of truth that thou mayest thank God, thy Lord, and aid Him in these days wherein the hosts of Satan have encompassed Him. And the Glory be upon thee and upon every discerning believer.

The religion of God consists of two parts: One is the very foundation and belongs to the spiritual realm; that is, it pertains to spiritual virtues and divine qualities. This part suffers neither change nor alteration: It is the Holy of Holies, which constitutes the essence of the religion of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Christ, Muhammad, the Bab, and Baha'u'llah, and which will endure throughout all the prophetic Dispensations. It will never be abrogated, for it consists in spiritual rather than material truth. It is faith, knowledge, certitude, justice, piety, high-mindedness, trustworthiness, love of God, and charity. It is mercy to the poor, assistance to the oppressed, generosity to the needy, and upliftment of the fallen. It is purity, detachment, humility, forbearance, patience, and constancy.

As to what God, the Exalted, hath said: "When Moses said unto his servant: 'I will not cease until I reach the junction of the two seas, though I march on for ages,'" [Q18:60] know thou that when Moses attained the most exalted stations and traversed the paths of immortality and was illumined by the lights of grandeur and majesty, he desired to draw nigh unto the Tree of Divine Decree and the Lote-Tree of Accomplishment, that he might witness what was ordained in the Preserved Tablet.

Briefly, intelligible realities such as the praiseworthy attributes and perfections of man are purely good and have a positive existence. Evil is simply their non-existence. So ignorance is the want of knowledge, error is the want of guidance, forgetfulness is the want of remembrance, foolishness is the want of understanding: all these are nothing in themselves and have no positive existence.

Through them the believers in the Divine Unity have turned towards Him Who is the Object of the adoration of the entire creation, and by them the hearts of the righteous have found rest and composure, could ye but know it!

… O Ears of this Temple! Purge yourselves from all idle clamour and hearken unto the voice of your Lord.

Verily the believers, when it is the pleasure of thy Lord to raise up or cast down, find therein no abasement at all, for abasement lieth only in that which is contrary to thy Lord's good-pleasure, if they but knew.

Therefore gain insight into your cause, and consider your affairs, and seek help from God your Lord, and remember God throughout your life - not merely with the remembrance of your tongues, for this is a portion of a portion of the remembrances. For this shall profit you when it is followed by your remembrance being established in all regions, and your mention being appointed in all cycles, and your word being confirmed in all ages.

The All-Merciful will not question you on the Day of Resurrection about what they do for themselves, but God will question you about what ye do in secret and in public, and God is indeed aware of what ye do.

… O servants of the All-Merciful! Fear ye God regarding Our trusts within you, and preserve them as ye would preserve yourselves -- a beautiful preservation in truth and by truth. If ye are unable, then return it to God, the True One, and cast it behind the Red Sea in the realm of blindness, and conceal it at the pole of glory upon Mount Sinai in truth.

Think not that you are capable, for the water of this Path is finer than the water of detachment in the glass veins of hearts. Lo, I sprinkle upon you from this water that your soul may be certain through witnessing this pure water, and that it may establish you upon this Path with true certainty.

O Pen of the Most High! Recount unto him who hath turned unto Thy Lord, the All-Glorious, that which shall enable him to dispense with the sayings of men. Say: Spirit, mind, soul, and the powers of sight and hearing are but one single reality which hath manifold expressions owing to the diversity of its instruments. As thou dost observe, man's power to comprehend, move, speak, hear, and see all derive from this sign of his Lord within him.

The essence of wisdom is the fear of God, the dread of His scourge and punishment, and the apprehension of His justice and decree.

The essence of religion is to testify unto that which the Lord hath revealed, and follow that which He hath ordained in His mighty Book.

The source of all glory is acceptance of whatsoever the Lord hath bestowed, and contentment with that which God hath ordained.

O servant of the sanctified threshold! Your letter was received at a time when the most great ocean of tasks, tribulations and literary communications is well-night overwhelming. The answer to the question which you requested cannot possibly be entered into in any great detail; a brief answer, therefore, is being written.

The human spirit (ruh-i insani), in other words the rational soul (nafs-i natiqa), in the world of existence is the intermediary between things corporeal ('disengaged' mujarradat) and delimited worldly things (mutahayyizat); that is to say, between realities spiritual and things corporeal. From one vantage point it possesses spiritual refinement while from the other it exhibits the crassness of carnality, animalistic traits and worldly characteristics. It is neither an absolute abstraction nor is it completely of the world but is the confluence of two seas (majma' al-bahrayn) and a barzakh ("barrier", "isthmus") between two realities (amrayn). If the spiritual aspect dominates it becometh lofty, luminous, merciful, tranquil (mutma'inna), contented (radiya) and approved (mardiyya). And if it is contaminated with contingent, worldly concerns, it becometh immersed in the ocean of darknessess, reproachful (lawwama), commanding to evil (ammara) and residing in the nethermost regions of the world of existence.

It is thus the case that the human spirit has two aspects. If the luminous aspect of the human intellect overcometh the world of nature, it will acquire the power of discovery which is the basis for wondrous insights, and become informed about the realities and the characteristics of things. From this brief explanation perceive the detailed significances.

The enraptured maidservant of God, enkindled with the fire of the love of God, daughter of the One Who attained the Meeting with his Lord; convey on my behalf to his eminence Dhabih, the resplendent, the utmost kindness and compassion. The hope is that, on account of the Divine Grace, the assembly of the maidservants of the Merciful may attain perfect organization, and, through their efforts in achieving complete continuity, realize their much-appreciated services. Convey the glad-tidings of the Divine Grace to those maidservants of the Merciful. And upon you be the glory of the All-Glorious.

Were I to explain in detail, a book would not suffice and I would not be able to fulfill it, just as that divine mystic and knower of divine mysteries, the lordly Imam, mentioned a drop from these stations in defining the world of the heart, which has surely come to your noble attention - that the final rank of these three stations is the journey from God unto God. In this station and rank, existence is effaced from self and subsists through the Truth. All are from God and unto God shall they return, and "Say: All things are from God" is sufficient witness and adequate proof of this point, as the mystic of Rum has said:

His attributes are annihilated in the attributes of Him While His essence remains through the survival of His essence

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Concerning what you mentioned about the stations of the heart, it was presented. He said that whatever was mentioned before regarding these stations was specific to those days. In these days all must gaze toward the Most Exalted Horizon and witness, without veil or covering, the effulgences of the lights of the Manifestation of God's Cause.

Question: What is the virtue and benefit of being without a father?

Answer: A great man is a great man, whether or not he is born of a human father. If being without a father were a virtue, Adam would excel and surpass all the Prophets and Messengers, for He had neither father nor mother. That which is conducive to greatness and glory are the splendours and outpourings of the divine perfections.

When a person of insight enters the path of spiritual wayfaring, after purifying and sanctifying the soul from all that God loveth not, multiple paths appear and he traverses them. This is why they have said "The paths to God are as numerous as the breaths of created things." However, if through God's grace the eye is blessed with the light of truth, it will be observed that the Truth is one, the Path is one, and the Cause is one. This is the station of unity that makes the limbs of the ungodly tremble and the root of heedlessness quake.

Those meanings are devotion and supplication, detachment and attraction, ecstasy and joy, truthfulness and fairness, trustworthiness and religion, enthusiasm and rapture, yearning and delight, heavenly exaltation and eternal glory, everlasting life, and human virtues through the merciful spirit.

It is easy to read the Holy Scriptures, but it is only with a clean heart and a pure mind that one may understand their true meaning. Let us ask God's help to enable us to understand the Holy Books. Let us pray for eyes to see and ears to hear, and for hearts that long for peace.

O Mihdi! Take wing and become light as a spirit, unburdened by all else but God, that thou mayest be enabled to traverse the realms of eternity and its holy gardens, until thou becomest aware of mysteries that none hath known and of which not a letter hath been discovered.

The figurative world and the physical world are both pure nonexistence, but they appear in the garb of being. The first is the grief of the wayfarers and the second is the test of those who have attained. Therefore, it is necessary that a supreme effort be made, so that the compassionate spirit might overcome these two spiritual obstacles by the power of the All-Praised...

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Not every heart is capable of acting as a repository for divine love. For not every soul is suited for growing wondrous herbs--only the heart of a human being who continues to bear the trustworthiness of the All-Merciful and to give the fruit of wisdom and eloquence.

Blessed be the All-Merciful, who is endued with grace and beneficence.

Not everyone who has the form of a human being is worthy of the Most Great Panorama, nor will such a one necessarily be accounted a human being before God. For all who remain bereft of the robe of mystical insight are reckoned as beasts of the field by God.

O divine lover! The seekers of truth and the yearners for the Absolute Beauty sought the rising of the Sun of Truth in the horizons of the world and within themselves. Some beheld a gleam, others a flame, while some became bewildered and wandered astray. They searched in the dust of the mystery of "were it not for Thee" and sought in the realities and essences of animal, plant and mineral the all-encompassing truth of origin and return.

Faith is like a glowing candle, the human heart like a glass chimney, and the human body like a lamp-niche. That lamp and this glass and this niche - the light of that lamp shines upon the glass and from the glass it is diffused upon the niche. This means that the perfections of the human world have their center in faith. From faith do these perfections emanate.

'When the soul has travelled through many valleys, it reaches to the city of Love. That city contains four pillars.

The divine who hath seized and quaffed the most holy Wine, in the name of the sovereign Ordainer, is as an eye unto the world. Well is it with them who obey him, and call him to remembrance.

Then let him say:

O Thou Who art the Lord of all names and the Maker of the heavens! I beseech Thee by them Who are the Day-Springs of Thine invisible Essence, the Most Exalted, the All-Glorious, to make of my prayer a fire that will burn away the veils which have shut me out from Thy beauty, and a light that will lead me unto the ocean of Thy Presence.

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I bear witness, O my God, that Thou hast created me to know Thee and to worship Thee. I testify, at this moment, to my powerlessness and to Thy might, to my poverty and to Thy wealth. There is none other God but Thee, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting.

Short obligatory prayer, to be recited once in twenty-four hours, at noon.

I hope that you will become the manifestation of the favors of the Blessed Beauty and day by day increase in faith, certitude and knowledge. At night engage in devotion, supplication and prayer, and by day carry out whatever is necessary.

The spiritual life postulates simplicity, and contemplation combined with usefulness and well-guided activity.

He is the Ever-Living, the Ever-Abiding, the Self-Subsisting.

God testifieth to the unity of His Godhood and to the singleness of His own Being. On the throne of eternity, from the inaccessible heights of His station, His tongue proclaimeth that there is none other God but Him. He Himself, independently of all else, hath ever been a witness unto His own oneness, the revealer of His own nature, the glorifier of His own essence. He, verily, is the All-Powerful, the Almighty, the Beauteous.

He is supreme over His servants, and standeth over His creatures. In His hand is the source of authority and truth. He maketh men alive by His signs, and causeth them to die through His wrath. He shall not be asked of His doings, and His might is equal unto all things. He is the Potent, the All-Subduing. He holdeth within His grasp the empire of all things, and on His right hand is fixed the Kingdom of His Revelation. His power, verily, embraceth the whole of creation. Victory and overlordship are His; all might and dominion are His; all glory and greatness are His. He, of a truth, is the All-Glorious, the Most Powerful, the Unconditioned.

Praise be to Thee, to Whom the tongues of all created things have, from eternity, called, and yet failed to attain the heaven of Thine eternal holiness and grandeur. The eyes of all beings have been opened to behold the beauty of Thy radiant countenance, yet none hath succeeded in gazing on the brightness of the light of Thy face. The hands of them that are nigh unto Thee have, ever since the foundation of Thy glorious sovereignty and the establishment of Thy holy dominion, been raised suppliantly towards Thee, yet no one hath been able to touch the hem of the robe that clotheth Thy Divine and sovereign Essence. And yet none can deny that Thou hast ever been, through the wonders of Thy generosity and bounty, supreme over all things, art powerful to do all things, and art nearer unto all things than they are unto themselves.

Far be it, then, from Thy glory that anyone should gaze on Thy wondrous beauty with any eye save Thine own eye, or hear the melodies proclaiming Thine almighty sovereignty with any ear except Thine own ear. Too high art Thou exalted for the eye of any creature to behold Thy beauty, or for the understanding of any heart to scale the heights of Thine immeasurable knowledge. For should the birds of the hearts of them that are nigh unto Thee be ever enabled to soar as long as Thine own overpowering sovereignty can endure, or to ascend as long as the empire of Thy Divine holiness can last, they shall, in no wise, be able to transcend the limitations which a contingent world hath imposed upon them, nor pass beyond its confines. How, then, can he whose very creation is restricted by such limitations, attain unto Him Who is the Lord of the Kingdom of all created things, or ascend into the heaven of Him Who ruleth the realms of loftiness and grandeur?

Glorified, immeasurably glorified art Thou, my Best-Beloved! Inasmuch as Thou hast ordained that the utmost limit to which they who lift their hearts to Thee can rise is the confession of their powerlessness to enter the realms of Thy holy and transcendent unity, and that the highest station which they who aspire to know Thee can reach is the acknowledgement of their impotence to attain the retreats of Thy sublime knowledge, I, therefore, beseech Thee, by this very powerlessness which is beloved of Thee, and which Thou hast decreed as the goal of them that have reached and attained Thy court, and by the splendours of Thy countenance that have encompassed all things, and by the energies of Thy Will whereby the entire creation hath been generated, not to deprive them that have set their hopes in Thee of the wonders of Thy mercy, nor to withhold from such as have sought Thee the treasures of Thy grace. Ignite, then, within their hearts the torch of Thy love, that its flame may consume all else except their wondrous remembrance of Thee, and that no trace may be left in those hearts except the gem-like evidences of Thy most holy sovereignty, so that from the land wherein they dwell no voice may be heard except the voice that extolleth Thy mercifulness and might, that on the earth on which they walk no light may shine except the light of Thy beauty, and that within every soul naught may be discovered except the revelation of Thy countenance and the tokens of Thy glory, that haply Thy servants may show forth only that which shall please Thee and shall conform wholly unto Thy most potent will.

Glory be to Thee, O my God! The power of Thy might beareth me witness! I can have no doubt that should the holy breaths of Thy loving-kindness and the breeze of Thy bountiful favour cease, for less than the twinkling of an eye, to breathe over all created things, the entire creation would perish, and all that are in heaven and on earth would be reduced to utter nothingness. Magnified, therefore, be the marvellous evidences of Thy transcendent power! Magnified be the potency of Thine exalted might! Magnified be the majesty of Thine all-encompassing greatness, and the energizing influence of Thy will! Such is Thy greatness that wert Thou to concentrate the eyes of all men in the eye of one of Thy servants, and to compress all their hearts within his heart, and wert Thou to enable him to behold within himself all the things Thou hast created through Thy power and fashioned through Thy might, and were he to ponder, throughout eternity, over the realms of Thy creation and the range of Thy handiwork, he would unfailingly discover that there is no created thing but is overshadowed by Thine all-conquering power, and is vitalized through Thine all-embracing sovereignty.

Behold me, then, O my God, fallen prostrate upon the dust before Thee, confessing my powerlessness and Thine omnipotence, my poverty and Thy wealth, mine evanescence and Thine eternity, mine utter abasement and Thine infinite glory. I recognize that there is none other God but Thee, that Thou hast no peer nor partner, none to equal or rival Thee. In Thine unapproachable loftiness Thou hast, from eternity, been exalted above the praise of any one but Thee, and shalt continue for ever, in Thy transcendent singleness and glory, to be sanctified from the glorification of any one except Thine own Self.

I swear by Thy might, O my Beloved! To make mention of any created thing beseemeth not Thy most exalted Self, and to bestow any praise upon any one of Thy creatures would be wholly unworthy of Thy great glory. Nay, such a mention would be but blasphemy uttered within the court of Thy holiness, and such praise would amount to no less than a transgression in the face of the evidences of Thy Divine sovereignty. For the mere mention of any one of Thy creatures would in itself imply an assertion of their existence before the court of Thy singleness and unity. Such an assertion would be naught but open blasphemy, an act of impiety, the essence of profanity and a wanton crime.

Wherefore, I bear witness with my soul, my spirit, my entire being, that should They Who are the Daysprings of Thy most holy unity and the Manifestations of Thy transcendent oneness be able to soar so long as Thine own sovereignty endureth and Thine all-compelling authority can last, they will fail in the end to attain unto even the precincts of the court wherein Thou didst reveal the effulgence of but one of Thy most mighty Names. Glorified, glorified be, therefore, Thy wondrous majesty. Glorified, glorified be Thine unattainable loftiness. Glorified, glorified be the pre-eminence of Thy kingship and the sublimity of Thine authority and power.

The highest faculties which the learned have possessed, and whatsoever truths they, in their search after the gems of Thy knowledge, have discovered; the brightest realities with which the wise have been endowed, and whatever secrets they, in their attempts to fathom the mysteries of Thy wisdom, have unravelled, have all been created through the generative power of the Spirit that was breathed into the Pen which Thy hands have fashioned. How, then, can the thing which Thy Pen hath created be capable of comprehending those treasures of Thy Faith with which, as decreed by Thee, that Pen hath been invested? How can it ever know of the Fingers that grasp Thy Pen, and of Thy merciful favours with which it hath been endowed? How can it, already unable to reach this station, be made aware of the existence of Thy Hand that controlleth the Fingers of Thy might? How can it attain unto the comprehension of the nature of Thy Will that animateth the movement of Thy Hand?

Glorified, glorified be Thou, O my God! How can I ever hope to ascend into the heaven of Thy most holy will, or gain admittance into the tabernacle of Thy Divine knowledge, knowing as I do that the minds of the wise and learned are impotent to fathom the secrets of Thy handiwork--a handiwork which is itself but a creation of Thy will?

Praise be to Thee, O Lord, my God, my Master, my Possessor, my King. Now that I have confessed unto Thee my powerlessness and the powerlessness of all created things, and have acknowledged my poverty and the poverty of the entire creation, I call unto Thee with my tongue and the tongues of all that are in heaven and on earth, and beseech Thee with my heart and the hearts of all that have entered beneath the shadow of Thy names and Thine attributes, not to shut us from the doors of Thy loving-kindness and grace, nor to suffer the breeze of Thy bountiful care and favour to cease from being wafted over our souls, nor to permit that our hearts be occupied with any one except Thee, or our minds to be busied with any remembrance save remembrance of Thy Self.

By the glory of Thy might, O my God! Wert Thou to set me king over Thy realms, and to establish me upon the throne of Thy sovereignty, and to deliver, through Thy power, the reins of the entire creation into my hands, and wert Thou to cause me, though it be for less than a moment, to be occupied with these things and be oblivious of the wondrous memories associated with Thy most mighty, most perfect, and most exalted Name, my soul would still remain unsatisfied, and the pangs of my heart unstilled. Nay, I would, in that very state, recognize myself as the poorest of the poor, and the most wretched of wretches.

Magnified be Thy name, O my God! Now that Thou hast caused me to apprehend this truth, I beseech Thee by Thy Name which no scroll can bear, which no heart can imagine and no tongue can utter--a Name which will remain concealed so long as Thine own Essence is hidden, and will be glorified so long as Thine own Being is extolled--to unfurl, ere the present year draw to a close, the ensigns of Thine undisputed ascendancy and triumph, that the whole creation may be enriched by Thy wealth, and may be exalted through the ennobling influence of Thy transcendent sovereignty, and that all may arise and promote Thy Cause.

Thou art, verily, the Almighty, the All-Highest, the All-Glorious, the All-Subduing, the All-Possessing.

Occupy thyself in remembrance of the Beauty of Him Who is the Unconstrained at early morn, and seek communion with Him at the hour of dawn.

Praise and glory be to Thee, O Lord my God! This is a choice sapling which Thou hast planted in the meads of Thy love and hast nurtured with the fingers of Thy Lordship. Thou hast watered it from the well-spring of everlasting life which streameth forth from the gardens of Thy oneness and Thou hast caused the clouds of Thy tender mercy to shower Thy favours upon it. It hath now grown and developed beneath the shelter of Thy blessings which are manifest from the Dayspring of Thy divine essence. It hath burst forth into leaves and blossoms, is laden with fruit through the providence of Thy wondrous gifts and bounties and is stirred by the fragrant breeze wafting from the direction of Thy loving-kindness.

O Lord! Cause this sapling to become verdant, fresh and flourishing by the outpourings of Thy special bounty and favour, wherewith Thou hast endued the tabernacles of holiness in Thy eternal Kingdom and hast adorned the essences of unity in the arena of reunion.

O Lord! Assist him through Thy strengthening grace which proceedeth from Thine invisible Kingdom, aid him with such hosts as are hidden from the eyes of Thy servants and grant that he may have a sure footing in Thy presence. Unloose his tongue to make mention of Thee and gladden his heart to celebrate Thy praise. Illumine his face in Thy Kingdom, prosper him in the realm above and graciously confirm him to serve Thy Cause.

Thou art the All-Powerful, the All-Glorious, the Omnipotent.

Jinab-i-Amin, upon him be the glory of God, the All-Glorious, hath spoken in the highest praise of that sapling of the garden of the love of God: that, praise be unto God, through the grace and bounty of the Ancient Beauty, thou hast a heart like unto the meadows of Paradise, and a countenance made luminous with the freshness of the love of God, the envy of the lamp of heaven. Through the special favor of the Lord, I hope that thou mayest advance in these degrees, and become a lamp of light in the assemblage of the lovers, and a cypress moving by the stream of divine knowledge; that in the Abha Kingdom thou mayest kindle thy face like the stars of the heaven of the All-Merciful, and burn away the veils of a whole world. And upon thee be Baha.

And these bounties shall not be attained except through severance from all else save God, attraction to the fragrances of God, being set ablaze with the fire of the love of God, complete effacement and annihilation, humility and submissiveness before the beloved of God, service to the friends, and servitude to the loved ones.

Enable me, then, to obtain a seat of truth in Thy presence, bestow upon me a token of Thy mercy and let me join with such of Thy servants as shall have no fear nor shall they be put to grief.

And shouldst Thou behold, O my God, any branch, leaf, or fruit upon Me that hath failed to bow down before Him, on the day of His Revelation, cut it off, O My God, from that Tree, for it is not of Me, nor shall it return unto Me.

Truly the spiritual quality of the holy place, its fresh skies and delicate air, its crystal waters and sweet plains and charming seascape, and the holy breathings from the Kingdom all do mingle in that Sacred Fold. Thou art right to linger there...

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The Greatest Name should be found upon the lips in the first awaking moment of early dawn. It should be fed upon by constant use in daily invocation, in trouble, under opposition, and should be the last word breathed when the head rests upon the pillow at night.

Whatever man strives for in this mortal world yields no result - he came naked into this world and naked shall he depart from it - unless he turns to God and offers prayers to the Kingdom of God, unless he strives in God's path and renders service to the Truth, unless he attains a pure heart and seeing eyes and hearing ears and a spirit rejoicing in the divine glad-tidings. This yields results and bears fruit. Otherwise man attains nothing from life.

But when the friends have the intention of entering into these meetings they must disengage the heart from all other reflections, ask the Inexhaustible Divine Confirmation, and with the utmost devotion and humility set their feet in the gathering-place.

My thoughts are turned towards you, and my heart leaps within me at your mention. Could ye know how my soul glows with your love, so great a happiness would flood your hearts as to cause you to become enamored with each other.

Know thou, moreover, that We love to see all thy pursuits unified into a single pursuit, and all thy deeds and purposes transformed into a single remembrance - the remembrance of this wondrous Remembrance - that We may behold thee extinct to thy will and abiding by the will of God, the Almighty, the All-Compelling, the All-Powerful.

In the Name of God, the Most Holy, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious!

May my spirit be a sacrifice for Thy love! Glory be unto Thee, O my God! I beseech Thee by the Lamp which was kindled in the heart of creation, and which was surrounded by the winds of sorrow, and which, whenever the tempestuous winds passed over it, increased in its radiance through Thy sovereignty and might, to make him who has arisen to aid Thy Cause a fire unto the hearts of the Messengers and a light unto the hearts of those who have turned towards Thee. O Lord! Protect him through Thy protection, aid him through Thy assistance, make him a promoter of Thy verses, an expounder of Thy laws and ordinances. Furthermore, I beseech Thee, O my God, to make us as one soul, one remembrance, and one pillar standing firm, that we may unite to manifest Thy sovereignty, demonstrate Thy power, and exalt Thy Cause. Verily, Thou art the One Who hath power over whatsoever Thou willest. There is none other God but Thee, the Mighty, the Generous.

It was previously submitted that a da'ira would be sent, the details of which are as follows: The beginning of this da'ira existed before, and at the beginning of the Manifestation of the Point of the Bayan - may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for Him - permission was granted to some to keep it with them specifically for protection and countless affairs. However, its greatest pillar remained concealed and was not completed except in this most mighty, most holy, and most wondrous Revelation. It has come to the blessed attention and specifically permitted that you are authorized to give it to whomever you wish.

Previously, one mithqal of gold was set as an offering for this da'ira, but His Holiness the Exalted - may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for Him - granted a reduction. The purpose of the offering is for the person who receives the da'ira. The Manifestations of Truth have never had, nor will ever have, any attachment to this world and what it contains. Whoever received it would spend it, on behalf of the Truth, either for those they knew to be deserving or for other beneficial purposes they deemed appropriate.

However, the actual drawing of it requires some effort - they must be very careful that it is correct in every aspect. You are authorized to implement it in whatever manner you deem appropriate. It may also be written on paper - there is no harm in this. It was written specifically for you on cloth for durability.

Whoever wishes to carry it should sit in a private place, recite the Verse of Power which is in the first circle (previously the Throne Verse was written in its place), recite the Divine Names which are in the second circle, and then recite the prayer written in the figure at the center of the circle. Afterward, with complete attention, detachment, and turning to God, they should take it and fold it, and while folding it, recite nineteen times "He is the Protector, the Helper, the Succourer, the All-Assisting." Then they should not open it again, but keep it with them wrapped in wax paper and sewn in another cloth. It may be carried on the head, chest, or arm - the main purpose is that it should be with them, and they are permitted to carry it in whatever manner they wish.

The Seven Valleys was revealed for spiritual wayfaring, and spiritual wayfaring is greatly beloved.

Fix your gaze upon and hold fast to this blessed word which is like a lamp in the darkness of the world. He saith: "Do good even as God hath dealt goodly with thee." Blessed is the state of one who hath acted according to this blessed word.

Beware lest ye forget courtesy, for a person is known by his courteous behavior, not by his wealth. Take pride in your knowledge and refinement, not in your ancestors and garments. Hearken unto My counsel and be not of the heedless ones.

O My loved ones! Adorn your tongues with truthfulness, and your hands with generosity, and your bodies with dignity, and your souls with courtesy, and your hearts with My love and then with My exalted remembrance.

To do battle, as stated in the sacred verse, doth not, in this greatest of all dispensations, mean to go forth with sword and spear, with lance and piercing arrow -- but rather weaponed with pure intent, with righteous motives, with counsels helpful and effective, with godly attributes, with deeds pleasing to the Almighty, with the qualities of heaven. It signifieth education for all mankind, guidance for all men, the spreading far and wide of the sweet savours of the spirit, the promulgation of God's proofs, the setting forth of arguments conclusive and divine, the doing of charitable deeds.

You had asked how I should train myself to know whether what I do is right. Compare your deeds with the teachings of Baha'u'llah - if they conform, they are right.

Children are even as a branch that is fresh and green; they will grow up in whatever way ye train them. Take the utmost care to give them high ideals and goals, so that once they come of age, they will cast their beams like brilliant candles on the world, and will not be defiled by lusts and passions in the way of animals, heedless and unaware, but instead will set their hearts on achieving everlasting honour and acquiring all the excellences of humankind.

If a person be unlettered, and yet clothed with divine excellence, and alive in the breaths of the Spirit, that individual will contribute to the welfare of society, and his inability to read and write will do him no harm. And if a person be versed in the arts and every branch of knowledge, and not live a religious life, and not take on the characteristics of God, and not be directed by a pure intent, and be engrossed in the life of the flesh -- then he is harm personified, and nothing will come of all his learning and intellectual accomplishments but scandal and torment.

If, however, an individual hath spiritual characteristics, and virtues that shine out, and his purpose in life be spiritual and his inclinations be directed toward God, and he also study other branches of knowledge -- then we have light upon light: his outer being luminous, his private character radiant, his heart sound, his thought elevated, his understanding swift, his rank noble.

For the physician, the first qualifications are: Good intentions, trustworthiness, tenderness, sympathy for the sick, truthfulness, integrity, and the fear of the Lord.

...Since the orderly running of your association dependeth upon the devotion, integrity, fair-mindedness and sanctity of purpose manifested by the friends of God, they should show forth in their management of its affairs such purity, nobility and far-sighted wisdom that they will become a model for other societies, and all people may be edified and enlightened by their example. In this way the Baha'is will become known to all as people who are dependable and honest, virtuous and enlightened, pure and refined; who are industrious and high-principled, liberal-minded and promoters of freedom; whose concern is to serve the common good, not to advance their own interests, and whose aim is to further the welfare and prosperity of the people, not to foster their own well-being....

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Let nothing grieve thee, and be thou angered at none. It behooveth thee to be content with the Will of God, and a true and loving and trusted friend to all the peoples of the earth, without any exceptions whatever. This is the quality of the sincere, the way of the saints, the emblem of those who believe in the unity of God, and the raiment of the people of Baha.

For you I desire spiritual distinction; that is, you must become eminent and distinguished in morals. In the love of God you must become distinguished from all else. You must become distinguished for loving humanity; for unity and accord; for love and justice. In brief, you must become distinguished for all the virtues of the human world; for faithfulness and sincerity, for justice and fidelity, for firmness and steadfastness, for philanthropic deeds and service to the human world, for love toward every human being, for unity and accord with all people, for removing prejudices and promoting international peace.

This servant submits that your honor should never be saddened by these matters, for truly if several times that amount were at your service and were all lost in transactions, not an atom would be diminished from your station at the Most Holy Court. For the Most Pure, Most Luminous, Most Holy gaze has not been and is not directed to such matters, and losses in trade and commerce have no bearing on your honor.

O true friend Ahmad! The literal meaning of Ahmad is "I praise and glorify." And praise and glorification are of three kinds: conscientious, verbal and physical. The conscientious kind consists of the light of faith and love of the All-Merciful. The verbal kind consists of acknowledgment and recognition of the favors of the All-Glorious. And the physical kind consists of deeds, actions, conduct and acts of worship that herald the new outpouring from the presence of the Self-Subsisting Lord.

Let there be naught in your demeanour of which sound and upright minds would disapprove, and make not yourselves the playthings of the ignorant. Well is it with him who hath adorned himself with the vesture of seemly conduct and a praiseworthy character. He is assuredly reckoned with those who aid their Lord through distinctive and outstanding deeds.

Say: Honesty, virtue, wisdom and a saintly character redound to the exaltation of man, while dishonesty, imposture, ignorance and hypocrisy lead to his abasement. By My life! Man's distinction lieth not in ornaments or wealth, but rather in virtuous behaviour and true understanding.

… In the estimation of the people of Baha man's glory lieth in his knowledge, his upright conduct, his praiseworthy character, his wisdom, and not in his nationality or rank.

"Be generous in prosperity, and thankful in adversity. Be worthy of the trust of thy neighbor, and look upon him with a bright and friendly face. Be a treasure to the poor, an admonisher to the rich, an answerer to the cry of the needy, a preserver of the sanctity of thy pledge. Be fair in thy judgment, and guarded in thy speech. Be unjust to no man, and show all meekness to all men. Be as a lamp unto them that walk in darkness, a joy to the sorrowful, a sea for the thirsty, a haven for the distressed, an upholder and defender of the victim of oppression. Let integrity and uprightness distinguish all thine acts.

The substance of this gate is this, that the essence of all knowledge is the knowledge of goodly characters and traits. Man must act in conformity with it, that by virtue of such knowledge of ethics he would neither witness any grief in his soul, nor inflict sorrow upon any other soul.

Valiant acts will ensure the triumph of this Cause, and a saintly character will reinforce its power. Cleave unto righteousness, O people of Baha! This, verily, is the commandment which this Wronged One hath given unto you, and the first choice of His unrestrained Will for every one of you.

… Every verse which this Pen hath revealed is a bright and shining portal that discloseth the glories of a saintly and pious life, of pure and stainless deeds.

O peoples of the world! Forsake all evil, hold fast that which is good. Strive to be shining examples unto all mankind, and true reminders of the virtues of God amidst men. He that riseth to serve My Cause should manifest My wisdom, and bend every effort to banish ignorance from the earth. Be united in counsel, be one in thought. Let each morn be better than its eve and each morrow richer than its yesterday. Man's merit lieth in service and virtue and not in the pageantry of wealth and riches.

For the attributes of the people of faith are justice and fair-mindedness; forbearance and compassion and generosity; consideration for others; candor, trustworthiness, and loyalty; love and loving-kindness; devotion and determination and humanity.

… A good character is in the sight of God and His chosen ones and the possessors of insight, the most excellent and praiseworthy of all things, but always on condition that its center of emanation should be reason and knowledge and its base should be true moderation.

We said: O Badi'! Be generous in prosperity and grateful in adversity. Be trustworthy in all things, cheerful in countenance, a treasure to the poor and a counselor to the rich. Be answering to the call, faithful to thy promise and fair in thy judgment. Be silent in the multitude, just in thy verdict, submissive unto man. Be as a lamp in darkness, a joy to the sorrowful, a sea for the thirsty, a haven for the distressed, a helper and defender of the victim of oppression.

The third Taraz concerneth good character. A good character is, verily, the best mantle for men from God. With it He adorneth the temples of His loved ones. By My life! The light of a good character surpasseth the light of the sun and the radiance thereof. Whoso attaineth unto it is accounted as a jewel among men. The glory and the upliftment of the world must needs depend upon it. A goodly character is a means whereby men are guided to the Straight Path and are led to the Great Announcement.

The most vital duty, in this day, is to purify your characters, to correct your manners, and improve your conduct. The beloved of the Merciful must show forth such character and conduct among His creatures, that the fragrance of their holiness may be shed upon the whole world, and may quicken the dead, inasmuch as the purpose of the Manifestation of God and the dawning of the limitless lights of the Invisible is to educate the souls of men, and refine the character of every living man---so that blessed individuals, who have freed themselves from the murk of the animal world, shall rise up with those qualities which are the adornings of the reality of man.

The purpose of the one true God in manifesting Himself is to summon all mankind to truthfulness and sincerity, to piety and trustworthiness, to resignation and submissiveness to the Will of God, to forbearance and kindliness, to uprightness and wisdom. His object is to array every man with the mantle of a saintly character, and to adorn him with the ornament of holy and goodly deeds.

The cornerstone of the Religion of God is the acquisition of the Divine perfections and the sharing in His manifold bestowals. The essential purpose of Faith and Belief is to ennoble the inner being of man with the outpourings of grace from on high. If this be not attained, it is indeed deprivation itself. It is the torment of infernal fire.

Now the friends of God must strive to establish the foundation of eternal glory - that is, to be associated with the people through divine attributes. They must be forbearing and mild, truthful and trustworthy, humble and submissive, benevolent and kind. They must obey the government and show goodwill toward all peoples. Should anyone fail to follow the path of justice and commit oppression and tyranny, they must pay no heed, but rather respond to cruelty with faithfulness, and to the sting of the serpent with honey and sweetness. They must counter abuse with care, and ignorance with knowledge and wisdom. They must respond to cursing and striking with praise and concealment, and treat wounds and injuries with love and healing.

Be ye in that land vanguards of the perfections of humankind; carry forward the various branches of knowledge, be active and progressive in the field of inventions and the arts. Endeavor to rectify the conduct of men, and seek to excel the whole world in moral character.

O ye lovers of God! Be kind to all peoples; care for every person; do all ye can to purify the hearts and minds of men; strive ye to gladden every soul. To every meadow be a shower of grace, to every tree the water of life; be as sweet musk to the sense of humankind, and to the ailing be a fresh, restoring breeze. Be pleasing waters to all those who thirst, a careful guide to all who have lost their way; be father and mother to the orphan, be loving sons and daughters to the old, be an abundant treasure to the poor.

He is the Most Holy, the Most Great

O Badi'! We exhort thee to patience, to composure, and to that trustworthiness which hath been the trust of God committed unto His creatures. Blessed are they who raise aloft its banners and who guard its station.

O 'Ali, son of Muhammad!

Be generous in prosperity, and thankful in adversity.

Be worthy of the trust of thy neighbor, and look upon him with a bright and friendly face.

Be a treasure to the poor, an admonisher to the rich, an answerer of the cry of the needy, a preserver of the sanctity of thy pledge. Be fair in thy judgment, and guarded in thy speech.

Be unjust to no man, and show all meekness to all men. Be as a lamp unto them that walk in darkness, a joy to the sorrowful, a sea for the thirsty, a haven for the distressed, an upholder and defender of the victim of oppression. Let integrity and uprightness distinguish all thine acts.

Be a home for the stranger, a balm to the suffering, a tower of strength for the fugitive.

Be eyes to the blind, and a guiding light unto the feet of the erring.

Be an ornament to the countenance of truth, a crown to the brow of fidelity, a pillar of the temple of righteousness, a breath of life to the body of mankind, an ensign of the hosts of justice, a luminary above the horizon of virtue, a dew to the soil of the human heart, an ark on the ocean of knowledge, a sun in the heaven of bounty, a gem on the diadem of wisdom, a shining light in the firmament of thy generation, a fruit upon the tree of humility.

All men say they love what is good, and hate everything that is evil! Sincerity is to be admired, whilst lying is despicable. Faith is a virtue, and treachery is a disgrace to humanity. It is a blessed thing to gladden the hearts of men, and wrong to be the cause of pain. To be kind and merciful is right, while to hate is sinful. Justice is a noble quality and injustice an iniquity.

Therefore must the friends of God engender that tenderness which cometh from Heaven, and bestow love in the spirit upon all humankind. With every soul must they deal according to the Divine counsellings and admonitions; to all must they show forth kindness and good faith; to all must they wish well. They must sacrifice themselves for their friends, and wish good fortune to their foes. They must comfort the ill-natured, and treat their oppressors with loving-kindness.

Care for the stranger as for one of your own; show to alien souls the same loving kindness ye bestow upon your faithful friends. Should any come to blows with you, seek to be friends with him; should any stab you to the heart, be ye a healing salve unto his sores; should any taunt and mock at you, meet him with love. Should any heap his blame upon you, praise ye him; should he offer you a deadly poison, give him the choicest honey in exchange; and should he threaten your life, grant him a remedy that will heal him evermore. Should he be pain itself, be ye his medicine; should he be thorns, be ye his roses and sweet herbs.

God willing, may all attain to that which is intended, namely that all should move for the sake of God and not make the divine religion a cause of rancor and hatred. They should meet all with the utmost kindliness, forbearance and love, and present the Word. If it is accepted and the radiance of the All-Merciful is observed in their countenance, let them be thankful to God the Exalted. Otherwise, they should leave such a one to himself, without allowing him to perceive any lack of love.

Time and again have We said that the victory mentioned in the Books, Scriptures and Tablets hath been through wisdom and utterance, as well as through deeds and character. By the life of God! The mightiest hosts of the world have been and are goodly character and pure deeds. The sword of virtue is keener than a blade of steel, were ye to understand.

Indeed, all on earth know that an upright character is praiseworthy and acceptable and that baseness of character is blameworthy and rejected, that justice and fairness are favoured and agreeable whilst cruelty and tyranny are unacceptable and rejected. Notwithstanding this, all people, but for a few, are devoid of a praiseworthy character and bereft of a sense of justice.

It behoves each one of you to manifest the attributes of God, and to exemplify by your deeds and words the signs of His righteousness, His power and glory.

The very members of your body must bear witness to the loftiness of your purpose, the integrity of your life, the reality of your faith, and the exalted character of your devotion.

The station of man is and shall ever be mercy, love, compassion and forbearance towards all the peoples of the world.

Let God's beloved, each and every one, be the essence of purity, the very life of holiness, so that in every country they may become famed for their sanctity, independence of spirit, and meekness. Let them be cheered by draughts from the eternal cup of love for God, and make merry as they drink from the wine-vaults of Heaven.

Convey my utmost kindness to your brother and tell him that in whatever government department he becomes employed, he should not rest day or night but rather serve the government and nation, demonstrate the utmost truthfulness, honesty, trustworthiness, purity and nobility, be content with his salary however small it may be, and be free and sanctified from all defilement - so that it may become evident that the Baha'is are heavenly angels who have no desire except service to humanity, especially to their homeland.

Convey to the friends in that land the greetings of this Exile and say: God grant that ye may be occupied in making mention of God with the utmost wisdom, so that your words may stir the hearts. We counsel you to observe compassion, mercifulness, forbearance, trustworthiness, and sincerity, that haply this darksome world may be illumined with the light of a praiseworthy character and goodly deeds.

O ye the cherished loved ones of Abdu'l-Baha! It is a long time now since my inward ear hath heard any sweet melodies out of certain regions, or my heart been gladdened; and this despite the fact that ye are ever present in my thoughts and standing clearly visible before my sight. Filled to overflowing is the goblet of my heart with the wine of the love I bear you, and my yearning to set eyes upon you streameth like the spirit through my arteries and veins. From this it is clear how great is my affliction. At this time and throughout this tempest of calamities now tossing its waves to high heaven, cruel and incessant darts are being hurled against me from every point of the compass, and at every moment, here in the Holy Land, terrifying news is received, and every day bringeth its quota of horror.

The Centre of Sedition had imagined that it needed but his arrogant rebellion to bring down the Covenant and Testament in ruins; it needed but this, so he thought, to turn the righteous away from the Holy Will. Wherefore he sent out far and wide his leaflets of doubt, devising many a secret scheme. Now he would cry out that God's edifice had been subverted and His divine commands annulled, and that accordingly, the Covenant and Testament was abolished. Again he would set himself to sighing and groaning that he was being held a prisoner and was kept hungry and thirsty day and night. Another day he would raise an uproar, saying that the oneness of God had been denied, since another Manifestation had been proclaimed, prior to the expiration of a thousand years.

When he saw that his calumnies had no effect, he gradually formed a plan to incite a disturbance. He began stirring up mischief, and went knocking at every door. He started making false accusations to the officials of the Government. He approached some of the foreigners, made himself their intimate, and together with them prepared a document and presented it to the Seat of the Sultanate, bringing consternation to the authorities. Among the many slanderous charges was this, that this hapless one had raised up a standard of revolt, a flag bearing the words Ya Baha'u'l-Abha; that I had paraded this throughout the countryside, to every city, town and village, and even among the desert tribes, and had summoned all the inhabitants to unite under this flag.

O my Lord, verily I seek refuge with Thee from the very thought of such an act, which is contrary to all the commandments of Baha'u'llah, and which would indeed be a mighty wrong that none but a grievous sinner would ever perpetrate. For Thou hast made it incumbent upon us to obey the rulers and kings.

Another of his slanders was that the Shrine on Mount Carmel was a fortress that I had built strong and impregnable -- this when the building under construction compriseth six rooms -- and that I had named it Medina the Resplendent, while I had named the Holy Tomb at Bahji Mecca the Glorified. Yet another of his calumnies was that I had established an independent sovereignty, and that -- God forbid! God forbid! God forbid! -- I had summoned all the believers to join me in this massive wrongdoing. How dire, O my Lord, is his slander!

Yet again, he claimeth that since the Holy Shrine hath become a point visited by pilgrims from all over the world, great damage will accrue to this Government and people. He, the Centre of Sedition, averreth that he himself hath had no hand in all these matters, that he is a Sunni of the Sunnites and a devoted follower of Abu-Bakr and Umar, and regardeth Baha'u'llah as only a pious man and a mystic; all these things, he saith, were set afoot by this wronged one.

To be brief, a Commission of Investigation was appointed by the Sultan, may the glory of his reign endure. The Commission journeyed hither and immediately upon arrival betook themselves to the house of one of the accusers. They then summoned the group who, working with my brother, had prepared the accusatory document and asked them whether it was true. The group explained the contents of the document, stated that everything they had reported therein was nothing but the truth, and added further accusations. Thus they functioned at one and the same time as plaintiffs, witnesses, and judge.

The Commission hath now returned to the seat of the Caliphate, and reports of a most frightful nature are coming in daily from that city. However, praised be God, Abdu'l-Baha remaineth composed and unperturbed. To none do I bear ill will because of this defamation. I have made all my affairs conditioned upon His irresistible Will and I am waiting, indeed in perfect happiness, to offer my life and prepared for whatever dire affliction may be in store. Praise be to God, the loving believers also accept and remain submissive to God's Will, content with it, radiantly acquiescent, offering thanks.

The Centre of Sedition hath imagined that once the blood of this wronged one is spilled out, once I have been cast away on the wide desert sands or drowned in the Mediterranean Sea -- nameless, gone without trace, with none to tell of me -- then would he at last have a field where he could urge his steed ahead, and with his mallet of lies and doubts, hit hard at the polo ball of his ambitions, and carry off the prize.

Far from it! For even if the sweet musk-scent of faithfulness should pass, and leave no trace behind, who would be drawn by the stench of perfidy? And even if some gazelle of heaven were to be ripped apart by dogs and wolves, who would go running to seek out a ravening wolf? Even should the day of the Mystic Nightingale draw to its close, who would ever lend his ear to the raven's croak, or the cawing of the crow? What an empty supposition is his! What a foolish presumption! 'Their works are like the vapour in a desert which the thirsty dreameth to be water, until when he cometh unto it, he findeth nothing.'

O ye loved ones of God! Be ye firm of foot, and fixed of heart, and through the power of the Blessed Beauty's help, stand ye committed to your purpose. Serve ye the Cause of God. Face ye all nations of the world with the constancy and the endurance of the people of Baha, that all men may be astounded and ask how this could be, that your hearts are as well-springs of confidence and faith, and as mines so rich in the love of God. Be ye so, that ye shall neither fail nor falter on account of these tragedies in the Holy Land; let not these dread events make you despondent. And if all the believers be put to the sword, and only one be left, let that one cry out in the name of the Lord and tell the joyous tidings; let that one rise up and confront all the peoples of the earth.

Gaze ye not upon the dire happenings at this Illumined Spot. The Holy Land is in danger at all times, and here, the tide of calamities is ever at the flood; for this upraised call hath now been heard around the world, and the fame of it hath gone forth to the ends of the earth. It is because of this that foes, both from within and from without, have turned themselves with subtlety and craft to spreading slander. It is clear that such a place as this would be exposed to danger, for there is no defender here, none to arise and take our side in the face of calumny: here are only a few souls that are homeless, hapless, held captive in this stronghold. No champion have they; there is none to succour them, none to ward off the arrows of lies, the darts of defamation that are hurled against them: none except God.

It behoveth you to ponder on all those well-beloved ones who hastened to the holy field of sacrifice, those precious souls who offered up their lives. Bear ye in mind what streams of sacred blood were poured away, how many a righteous heart was commingled with its gore, how many a breast was the target of tyranny's spear, how many a chaste body was ripped to shreds. How then could it be right for us even to think of saving ourselves! To curry favour with stranger or kin, and make a show of compromise! Should we not, rather, take the pathway of the righteous, and follow in the footsteps of those great ones gone before?

These few brief days shall pass away, this present life shall vanish from our sight; the roses of this world shall be fresh and fair no more, the garden of this earth's triumphs and delights shall droop and fade. The spring season of life shall turn into the autumn of death, the bright joy of palace halls give way to moonless dark within the tomb. And therefore is none of this worth loving at all, and to this the wise will not anchor his heart.

He who hath knowledge and power will rather seek out the glory of heaven, and spiritual distinction, and the life that dieth not. And such a one longeth to approach the sacred Threshold of God; for in the tavern of this swiftly-passing world the man of God will not lie drunken, nor will he even for a moment take his ease, nor stain himself with any fondness for this earthly life.

Nay rather, the friends are stars in the high heavens of guidance, celestial bodies in the skies of divine grace, who with all their powers put the dark to flight. They break down the foundations of malevolence and hate. They cherish but one desire for the world and all its peoples: well-being and peace. By them, the ramparts of warfare and aggression are battered down. They have truthfulness and honest dealing and friendship for their goal, and kindness even toward a vicious foe; until at last they change this prison of treachery, the world, into a mansion of utmost trust, and turn this gaol-house of hatred and malevolence and spite, into God's Paradise.

O ye loving friends! Strive ye with heart and soul to make this world the mirror-image of the Kingdom, that this nether world may teem with the blessings of the world of God, that the voices of the Company on high may be raised in acclamation, and signs and tokens of the bounties and bestowals of Baha'u'llah may encompass all the earth.

Jinab-i-Amin hath expressed the greatest admiration for you honoured men and enlightened women, naming and commending you each by each, telling at length of the firmness and constancy ye all have shown, saying that, God be praised, in all Persia the men and women are standing together, straight, strong, unmoveable -- a mighty edifice solidly raised up; and that ye are engaged with love and joy in spreading abroad the sweet savours of the Lord.

These were tidings of great joy, especially as they have reached me in these days of extreme peril. For the dearest wish of this wronged one is that the friends be spiritual of heart and illumined of mind, and once this grace is granted me, calamity, however afflictive, is but bounty pouring down upon me, like copious rain.

O God, my God! Thou seest me plunged in an ocean of anguish, held fast to the fires of tyranny, and weeping in the darkness of the night. Sleepless I toss and turn upon my bed, mine eyes straining to behold the morning light of faithfulness and trust. I agonize even as a fish, its inward parts afire as it leapeth about in terror upon the sand, yet I ever look for Thy bestowals to appear from every side.

O God, my God! Make thou the believers in other lands to partake of Thine abounding grace, deliver Thou, by Thine unfailing help and bounty, whoso among Thy loved ones in the farthermost climes sigheth over the bitter cruelty of his foe. O Lord, they are the captives of Thy love, the prisoners taken by Thy troops. They are the birds that fly in the heavens of Thy guidance, the whales that swim in the ocean of Thy bestowals, the stars that sparkle on the horizon of Thy gifts. They are the defenders of the fortress of Thy law. They are the banners of Thy remembrance amongst men. They are the deep wells of Thy divine compassion, the fountains of Thy favours, the well-springs of Thy grace.

Keep them ever in safety beneath Thine all-protecting eye. Assist them to exalt Thy Word; make Thou their hearts to be constant in Thy love; strengthen Thou their backs that they may serve Thee well; in servitude, strengthen Thou their powers.

Spread Thou through them Thy sweet savours far and wide; expound through them Thy Holy Writ; make known through them Thine Utterance; fulfil through them Thy Words; through them pour out Thy mercy.

Thou art verily the Mighty, the Powerful. Thou art verily the Clement, the Compassionate.

Today the greatest form of divine piety is firmness in the Covenant, and pure deeds means the conduct, actions and words of true Baha'is that conform to divine counsels and exhortations.

You must become distinguished for loving humanity, for unity and accord, for love and justice. In brief, you must become distinguished in all the virtues of the human world -- for faithfulness and sincerity, for justice and fidelity, for firmness and steadfastness, for philanthropic deeds and service to the human world, for love toward every human being, for unity and accord with all people, for removing prejudices and promoting international peace. Finally, you must become distinguished for heavenly illumination and for acquiring the bestowals of God.

The hearts of all children are of the utmost purity. They are mirrors upon which no dust has fallen. But this purity is on account of weakness and innocence, not on account of any strength and testing, for as this is the early period of their childhood, their hearts and minds are unsullied by the world.

And what is the fruit of the human tree? It is the Love of God. It is love for humankind. It is to wish good for all the people of the earth. It is service to humanity. It is truthfulness and honesty. It is virtues and good morals. It is devotion to God. It is the education of souls. Such are the fruits of the human tree. Otherwise it is only wood, nothing else.".

O Muhammad-Qabli-Husayn! In these days complaints have come from every direction, and the Hands of the Cause have related strange tales concerning certain teachers which were and are unseemly. In truth I say, from whomsoever appeareth the fire of desire and passion, he is not of the Truth, and never shall be. The teacher must be adorned with the ornament of detachment, godliness, trustworthiness and piety. This is the command of God, before and after.

All divine teachings are focused on eliminating these thoughts of special interests, improving human morals, and establishing equality and fellowship among all humanity, so that each individual would sacrifice their life for others. This is the divine foundation, this is the heavenly law, and such a firm foundation can only be established through one overwhelming universal force that affects human feelings, for every power is inadequate except the power of the Holy Spirit.

O beloved of God and His chosen ones! With a heart enkindled by the fire of your love, a breast dilated by your remembrance, an eye gazing toward you, an ear hearkening to your call, tears flowing in longing for your success, and abundant prayers for your prosperity, I address you from this blessed and luminous Spot, and say:

Blessed are ye, O ye who have turned your faces unto Him! Glad tidings be unto you, O ye sincere ones! Blessed are ye, O ye steadfast ones! Glad tidings be unto you, O ye devout ones! Blessed are ye, O ye awakened by the breeze of God! Glad tidings be unto you, O ye quickened by the Spirit of God! Blessed are ye, O ye who have entered the Kingdom of God! Glad tidings be unto you, O ye who are drawn by the fragrances of God!

Verily I supplicate to God to strengthen you by an influential and Divine Power from the Supreme World and to reinforce you in these Days with the Hosts of Inspiration, and the Army of Peace, in such wise that ye may small the scent of Life from the Garment of Joseph (which is the Covenant) that in all times ye may be enlightened by the Lights which are dazzling from the Orb of Effulgence, that they may arise with union and agreement for the purpose of Exalting the Word of God, spreading the Signs of God and hoisting the Standard of God on the tops of the highest hills.

If ye be truly united, if ye agree to promote that which is the essential purpose, and to show forth an all-unifying love, I swear by Him Who causeth the seed to split and the breeze to waft, so great a light will shine forth from your faces as to reach the highest heavens, the fame of your glory will be noised abroad, the evidences of your preeminence will spread throughout all regions, your power will penetrate the realities of all things, your aims and purposes will exert their influence upon the great and mighty nations, your spirits will encompass the whole world of being, and ye will discover yourselves to be kings in the dominions of the Kingdom, and attired with the glorious crowns of the invisible Realm, and become the marshals of the army of peace, and princes of the forces of light, and stars shining from the horizon of perfection, and brilliant lamps shedding their radiance upon men.

Hasten! Hasten! O ye beloved of the Merciful. Be ye on the alert and hasten, O ye who have sincere thoughts. Be ye on the alert and hasten. O ye seers of the Kingdom of God. Be ye on the alert and hasten, O ye utterrers of the Name of God. Be on the alert and hasten, O ye who are illumined with the Lights of God – to unity, agreement, love and affinity, to have Word, to serve the matter of God, to turn to the Kingdom of God, to be firm in the Covenant of God, to render victorious the Religion of God, to spread the traces of God, and to straightforward in the Cause of God.

Thou didst ask for a rule whereby to guide thy life.

Believe thou in God, and keep thine eyes fixed upon the exalted Kingdom; be thou enamoured of the Abha Beauty; stand thou firm in the Covenant; yearn thou to ascend into the Heaven of the Universal Light. Be thou severed from this world, and reborn through the sweet scents of holiness that blow from the realm of the All-Highest. Be thou a summoner to love, and be thou kind to all the human race. Love thou the children of men and share in their sorrows. Be thou of those who foster peace. Offer thy friendship, be worthy of trust. Be thou a balm to every sore, be thou a medicine for every ill.

The handmaidens of God and the bondsmaids in His divine Court should reveal such attributes and attitudes amongst the women of the world as would cause them to stand out and achieve renown in the circles of women.

That is, they should associate with them with supreme chastity and steadfast decency, with unshakeable faith, articulate speech, an eloquent tongue, irrefutable testimony and high resolve.

These are not the marks of distinction.

On the other hand there are sanctified souls, the signs of their divine sanctity and spirituality become apparent in the hearts of others. People are unconsciously attracted to them through their pure morality, their justice and loving-kindness. Every one is drawn to them through their praiseworthy attributes and pleasing qualities and all the faces are illumined by the lights of their virtues and integrity.

Now, in gratitude for these infinite bestowals, it behoveth us to arise to carry out the counsels and admonitions of the Blessed Beauty, and to act in accordance with His teachings and ordinances. We must strive with heart and soul to drink a brimful cup of this heavenly wine, that our words, our deeds, and our conduct may be those of the righteous.

O honored Qabil! We must recite the Persian and Arabic Hidden Words day and night, and implore and supplicate that we may act according to these divine counsels. These sacred words were revealed for action, not just for hearing.

That is to say, every soul is known by (his) conduct, manners, words and deeds. Therefore, we must strive with life and heart that, day by day, our deeds may be better, our conduct more beautiful and our forbearance greater.

You belong to the world of purity, and are not content to live the life of the animal, spending your days in eating, drinking, and sleeping. You are indeed men! Your thoughts and ambitions are set to acquire human perfection. You live to do good and to bring happiness to others. Your greatest longing is to comfort those who mourn, to strengthen the weak, and to be the cause of hope to the despairing soul. Day and night your thoughts are turned to the Kingdom, and your hearts are full of the Love of God.

To live the life.

To be no cause of grief to any one.

To love each other very much.

To be kind to all people and to love them with a pure spirit.

Should opposition or injury happen to us, we must bear it and be as kind as ever we can be, and through all, we must love the people.

Turn all your thoughts toward bringing joy to hearts. Beware! Beware! lest ye offend any heart. Assist the world of humanity as much as possible. Be the source of consolation to every sad one, assist every weak one, be helpful to every indigent one, care for every sick one, be the cause of glorification to every lowly one, and shelter those who are overshadowed by fear.

In brief, let each one of you be as a lamp shining forth with the light of the virtues of the world of humanity.

O Samandar! The hosts of victory are goodly deeds and praiseworthy attributes. In the divine Tablets this word hath repeatedly been revealed: We have enjoined upon all the fear of God and that whereby stations and ranks are elevated. Blessed are they that act. One word setteth ablaze, and another extinguisheth.

It behoveth the loved ones of God to occupy themselves under all circumstances with that which is conducive to the edification of human souls, the advancement of the world of being, and the exaltation of the Word of God, the realization of which dependeth upon the deliberations of the trustees of the House of Justice. Well is it with them that strive to render service to the world of humanity. The influence of these souls will lead the world from hardship to comfort, from poverty to wealth, and from abasement to glory.

Say: Today it behooveth everyone to fix their gaze upon the horizon of the Cause and that which appeareth from His presence, and to occupy themselves with the refinement of their own souls, that all may be adorned with the ornament of trustworthiness, religiosity, truthfulness, purity, goodly deeds and whatsoever God hath revealed in the Book.

They must promulgate the law of the Kingdom with deeds and not words. Thus may they become the quintessence of being, the signs of the Kingdom of God, standards of the Supreme Concourse. May ye be salutary water for the thirsty, an evidence of guidance for the seeker, protection and support for the helpless, a shelter and home for the wanderers, the treasury of the Kingdom for the poor; the source of hope and happiness for the disappointed; the remedy of the heart and soul for the ailing.

Strive then to the best of thine ability to let these children know that a Baha'i is one who embodieth all the perfections, that he must shine out like a lighted taper -- not be darkness upon darkness and yet bear the name "Baha'i".

The friends should be like this, striving to honor and venerate one another, whether living or deceased. Now that you have arisen to perform this righteous deed and carried that deceased one's casket with the utmost respect, causing others to marvel, rest assured that the recompense for these good deeds will be bestowed from the Kingdom of the Lord of Signs.

And detachment brings divine love, and love seeks the recitation of verses and communes with God, and the attraction of verses refines character - that is, truthfulness in the path of God and fairness with people and mastery over self and association with the righteous and avoidance of the ignorant and respect for the great ones and kindness to the lesser ones and giving counsel to friends and forbearance with enemies and generosity to the poor and love for all people and guidance of those who have gone astray.

Then it is evident that excellence does not depend upon color. Character is the true criterion of humanity. Anyone who possesses a good character, who has faith in God and is firm, whose actions are good, whose speech is good -- that one is accepted at the threshold of God no matter what color he may be.

Act in accordance with the teachings of Baha'u'llah. All His Books will be translated. Now is the time for you to live in accordance with His words. Let your deeds be the real translation of their meaning.

The essential principles of His healing remedies are the knowledge and love of God, severance from all else save God, turning our faces in sincerity toward the Kingdom of God, implicit faith, firmness and fidelity, loving-kindness toward all creatures and the acquisition of the divine virtues indicated for the human world.

In the College of Beirut you must become the shining candles of moral precepts and spiritual ideals and be the means of the illumination of others. Clothe your bodies with the robes of virtues. Characterize yourselves with the characteristics of the people of divine morality. Shun all manner of vices as you shun a poisonous snake or a leper.

Let the corps of the professors and the students be impressed with the purity and holiness of your lives - so that they may take you as paragons of worthiness, nobility of nature, observance of the moral laws, the subordination of the lower element by the higher spirit, the conquering of self and the overmastering of wholesome vital forces in all the avenues of life.

Strive always to be at the head of your class through hard study and true merit...

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The greater the aim of man the nobler his purpose.

A man must ever be thoughtful of others and be polite and courteous toward his fellow-beings. This will win for him the good pleasure of the Lord and the satisfaction of the general public.

Be thankful to God for having enabled you to recognize His Cause. Whoever has received this blessing must, prior to his acceptance, have performed some deed which, though he himself was unaware of its character, was ordained by God as a means whereby he has been guided to find and embrace the Truth.

O thou daughter of the Kingdom! Display ye the utmost charity toward the poor, the orphans and the helpless ones of all communities and nations and have ye for them exceeding consideration. Serve ye them like unto the real servants. Know ye them as excellent persons, and count yourselves day and night the thralls of mankind.

And it is evident that such strengthening is impossible save through instituting divine virtues and morals. When virtues are established and characters refined, progress in all matters is assured. No nation can attain prosperity and success save through the refinement of morals. When characters are improved, sciences and arts flourish; minds become vastly enlightened; hearts are filled with truthfulness and trustworthiness, with zeal, devotion, and determination; statesmanship attaineth its highest degree; new industries become widespread; commerce is expanded; and courage and audacity raise aloft their banner.

Be thou compassionate to every sorrowful one, a dispeller of afflictions to every grieving one, a refuge to every fearful one, heavenly sustenance to every destitute one, refreshing water to every thirsty one, a healing medicine to every sick one, a soothing balm to every wounded one, a consolation to every dejected heart, a blessing to every wretched soul, a treasure to every seeker, and a succour to every lost one---so that thou mayest become a banner of guidance and the essence of piety amidst the maidservants of thy Lord, the Most High.

Unless this union is brought about, the Breath of the Holy Spirit shall not have any effect, for the physical body must find capacity so that the life of the Spirit may breathe through it.

O thou who art pure in heart, sanctified in spirit, peerless in character, beauteous in face! Thy photograph hath been received revealing thy physical frame in the utmost grace and the best appearance. Thou art dark in countenance and bright in character. Thou art like unto the pupil of the eye which is dark in color, yet it is the fount of light and the revealer of the contingent world.

Be thankful unto God that Baha'u'llah has given us a firm and solid foundation. He left no place for sadness in hearts, and the writings of His sacred pen contain consolation for the whole world. He had the words of truth, and anything that is contrary to His teaching is false. The chief aim of all His work was to do away with division.

"Does material pursuit prevent spiritual progress?"

… Spiritual powers always come to the assistance of such affairs, they increase the moral insight and responsibility of man and add to his awareness and mindfulness."

The Blessed Beauty often remarked: 'There are four qualities which I love to see manifested in people: first, enthusiasm and courage; second, a face wreathed in smiles and a radiant countenance; third, that they see all things with their own eyes and not through the eyes of others; fourth, the ability to carry a task, once begun, through to its end.'

Today the mightiest sword in the world hath been and remaineth the fear of God. O My loved ones! Aid your Lord, the All-Merciful, through deeds and goodly character. Blessed is the soul that retireth to its bed at night with a heart purified from rancor and hatred, and that seeketh from God the good of all who dwell on earth.

We all have one melody and one song, one harp and one lute, and that is the love of God and the knowledge of God, divine counsels and heavenly admonitions, the teachings of the Most Glorious Beauty and kindness to humanity, love for all people, truthfulness and friendship toward all, reviving the dead and comforting the dispossessed, helping the fallen, the spirit of life and the path of salvation, the way of guidance and the means of grace, and success and prosperity from beginning to end.

They are pure souls and holy beings of the human world who serve the unity of humankind and are kind to all peoples, making no distinctions between them and loving all.

As for your own situation, be patient and forbearing as much as you can, and do not become distressed by anyone based on mere conjecture.

For in this wondrous Dispensation, after the recognition of the exalted Truth, the greatest excellence of the human world is the acquisition of material and literary sciences and arts. Therefore, the loved ones of God must strive diligently in their studies.

But the greatest foundation of learning is the improvement of character.

It is your duty to be exceedingly kind to every human being, and to wish him well; to work for the upliftment of society; to blow the breath of life into the dead; to act in accordance with the instructions of Baha'u'llah and walk His path -- until ye change the world of man into the world of God.

Then invite me, and that heavenly food consists of deeds that conform to the divine teachings. The first food is the love of God. The second food is attraction to the breaths of the Holy Spirit. The third food is unity and harmony among all the divine friends. The fourth food is charitable deeds and sincere intentions. The fifth food is truthfulness and trustworthiness and kindness and purity of intention and service to all humanity.

The provisions for this journey are truthfulness, uprightness, humility, and lowliness. This is the reality of the situation, so choose for yourself what you wish.

If the heart be filled with light, that man is nigh unto the threshold of his Lord; but if not, that man is careless of his Lord, be he white or be he black.

O thou who speakest in praise of God! In this arena of the world, where the promptings of passion and wickedness have gained ascendancy over the hearts of all created things, and where the manifestations of tyranny and depravity have encompassed the hearts of men, do thou lay hold on the Most Great Handle and cling to the hem of piety, and turn thy face toward the Sun of Guidance, that the verses of divine sanctification may become established signs within the essence of thy being, not merely deposited therein.

The likeness of a goodly word is as a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches reach to heaven.

Know thou that when virtuous character and refined manners - which are widespread and well-known throughout all regions - are combined with noble lineage, this constitutes a universal divine relationship and a luminous spiritual reality.

O handmaid of God! In this Most Great Revelation, manliness and valor are shown through the manifestation of the signs of the love of God and the shining forth of the lights of the knowledge of God, not through physical form, body, temple and name. If thou art enkindled with this divine fire that hath been kindled, thou shalt attain the most great station of men and become a valiant one in the arena of glory.

We hope that the friends of God and handmaidens of the Merciful will, in accordance with heavenly teachings, serve the unity of the human world, consider religion as the foundation of love and fellowship among humanity, and strive to reconcile religion and science. May they become a treasure of wealth for every poor one, a refuge and shelter for every seeker of protection, a spirit and delight for the destitute, and divine assistance for the helpless.

This is in truth a Baha'i house. Every time such a house or meeting place is founded it becomes one of the greatest aids to the general development of the town and country to which it belongs. It encourages the growth of learning and science and is known for its intense spirituality and for the love it spreads among the peoples.

The foundation of such a meeting-place is always followed by the greatest prosperity. The first Baha'i Assembly that existed in Tihran was singularly blessed! In one year it had grown so rapidly that its members had increased to nine times their original number. Today, in far-away Persia, there are many such assemblies where the friends of God meet together in the fullness of joy, love and unity. They teach the Cause of God, educate the ignorant, and draw heart to heart in brotherly kindness. It is they who help the poor and needy and give to them their daily bread. They love and care for the sick and are messengers of hope and consolation to the desolate and oppressed.

Oh, ye in Paris, strive that your assemblies may be like unto this, and may bear even greater fruits!

Oh, friends of God! If ye will trust in the Word of God and be strong; if ye will follow the precepts of Baha'u'llah to tend the sick, raise the fallen, care for the poor and needy, give shelter to the destitute, protect the oppressed, comfort the sorrowful and love the world of humanity with all your hearts, then I say unto you that erelong this meeting-place will see a wonderful harvest. Day by day each member will advance and become more and more spiritual. But ye must have a firm foundation and your aims and ambitions must be clearly understood by each member. They shall be as follows:

1. To show compassion and goodwill to all mankind.

2. To render service to humanity.

3. To endeavor to guide and enlighten those in darkness.

4. To be kind to everyone, and show forth affection to every living soul.

5. To be humble in your attitude towards God, to be constant in prayer to Him, so as to grow daily nearer to God.

6. To be so faithful and sincere in all your actions that every member may be known as embodying the qualities of honesty, love, faith, kindness, generosity, and courage. To be detached from all that is not God, attracted by the Heavenly Breath---a divine soul; so that the world may know that a Baha'i is a perfect being.

Strive to attain this at these meetings. Then, indeed and in truth will ye, the friends of God, come together with great joy! Render help one to the other, become as one man, having reached perfect unity.

I pray to God that daily ye may advance in spirituality, that God's love may be more and more manifested in you, that the thoughts of your hearts may be purified, and that your faces may be ever turned towards Him. May you one and all approach to the threshold of unity, and enter into the Kingdom. May each of you be like unto a flaming torch, lighted and burning bright with the fire of the Love of God.

O Merciful, Compassionate, Generous One! East and West are illumined by the lights shining from Thy Beauty, and the nostrils of the spiritual ones are perfumed by the fragrances of Thy holiness. O Lord! Shelter these servants beneath the shadow of Thy bounty, make the ignorant aware of the mysteries of reality, grant the destitute a refuge and give the wanderers a home. Make happy the broken hearts and give flight to birds with broken wings. Give the thirsty to drink from the spring of bounty and make the poor rich from the treasury of the Kingdom. Nurture the children in the cradle of Thy grace until they reach maturity, heal the sick with heavenly medicine that they may find health and wellbeing. O Lord! Give sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf. Bring the dead to life and make the withered fresh and verdant. Make the hopeless hopeful and make the deprived worthy of every gift. Thou art the Bestower, the Giver, and Thou art the Kind One. O Lord! Though we are weak, Thou art strong. Though we are poor, Thou art rich. Though we are lowly, Thou art mighty. So look not upon our poverty and weakness, but grant according to what befits Thy absolute wealth and power and strength. Thou art the Merciful, Thou art the Compassionate, Thou art the Bestower, Thou art the Kind One.

A bright and happy face cheers people on their way. If you are sad, and pass a child who is laughing, the child, seeing your sad face, will cease to laugh, not knowing why. If the day be dark, how much a gleam of sunshine is prized; so let believers wear smiling happy faces, gleaming like sunshine in the darkness. Let the Light of Truth and Honesty shine from them, so that all who behold them may know that their word in business or pleasure will be a word to trust and depend upon.

I desire for you a universal patriotism. A high soaring bird attaches not its heart to its earth nest and abode. At every dawn it sings a new melody and at every eve it warbles the streams of divine mysteries in a new meadow. At one time it rises above the summit of the green mountains and spreads its imperial wings over deserts and plains and anon it breaks into ideal harmonies and chants the secrets of God.

It is not attached to home and comfort nor is it limited to nest and abode.

The basis of the teaching of Baha'u'llah is as follows: "Bear in your heart great love to all races on earth, to the end that unity may be established between them. Take an interest in everyone and find out how you can help them, so that all may see that your love is truly universal. Do the Will of God, do not only speak about it; the elect of God do this.

When you are plowing the ground or sowing the seeds or reaping the harvest let all your thoughts and subconscious thinking be of God. Your hands and feet will be working but your heart must be attached to the Almighty. The body of man is created for this world but his heart is made for the habitation of the Holy Spirit.

Our actions reveal what we are, no matter what the tongue speaks.

Goodly deeds and praiseworthy character are God's ladder among His creation; through these every soul ascends to the ultimate goal and the highest summit. Blessed is he who attains unto them, and woe unto him who neglects them.

Close not, O people, to the face of the poor, the portals of bounty, lest there be shut against you the gates of the grace of God. Whoso entereth not the garden of resignation and contentment hath indeed gone forth from the stronghold of God; and he that hath gone forth from the stronghold of God is verily blind to the vision of the light of God. Say: Fear ye God, and expend upon your needy that which hath been allotted unto you from the presence of God; then seek ye His aid, that He may cause to descend upon you the showers of His all-encompassing mercy.

We counsel each one to that which is the cause of the manifestation of love and the reformation of the world. The station of man is wisdom, nobility, kindliness, trustworthiness and religiosity. Goodly character is accounted as the mightiest of hosts in the world.

The spiritual result is the appearance of divine bounties. The material result is the children who are born in the cradle of the love of God, who are nurtured by the breast of the knowledge of God, are brought up in the bosom of the gift of God and are fostered in the lap of the training of God. Such children are those of whom it was said by Christ: "Verily, they are the children of the Kingdom."

Therefore we must arise in thanksgiving to the One True God and not squander such a bounty, nor leave it without effect and fruit. And the effect and fruit is the acquisition of those perfections which adorn human reality - namely, unity and the abandonment of estrangement, and freedom from personal interests and thoughts. Direct all your thoughts to the progress of all, strive for the betterment of the condition of all souls and the refinement of character, and become endowed with divine attributes. Until character is reformed and human virtues and excellences are made manifest, the Beloved of eternal glory will not unveil His face....

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That is to say, consider (people's) morals and character, then consider the person himself and be attentive (to detect) one's manners and conduct and consider his faith and assurance.

If you act according to the counsels of Baha'u'llah, be assured that spiritual fragrances will perfume your nostrils, the rays of the Sun of Truth will shine upon your heart and soul, and you will succeed in serving the world of humanity, for kindness to all is worship of the All-Glorious Lord.

O thou who gazest upon the Kingdom of God!

In this spiritual age and divine century, when the atoms of existence in the realms of the seen and unseen are in ecstasy and motion, and the reality of all created things and the essence of all beings are advancing and stirring, the loved ones of God who are illumined by the Sun of Truth must associate with the people of the world with seeing eyes, hearing ears, radiant countenance, divine consciousness, expansive breast, capacious heart, spiritual openness and godly beneficence.

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They must be gentle and forbearing, patient and tolerant, and deal with all souls - whether righteous or wicked - with kindness and courtesy.

O faithful servant of God! Be a truthful speaker and a skilled physician. Heal the sick and be a balm to the wounded heart and soul. Seek the well-being of all horizons and strive for the comfort of all who dwell on earth. Be the cause of gladness to the world of humanity and the means of prosperity for the servants of God.

O thou who seekest the good-pleasure of God! The excellence of the servants of God is of two kinds: some are in a state of excellence and others in a state of highest excellence. Excellence is attained through obligatory acts, while highest excellence is achieved through voluntary deeds. "They ask thee what they should spend. Say: That which is superfluous" pertains to excellence, while "They prefer others before themselves, though poverty be their own lot" manifests highest excellence.

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." This vicegerency means adorning oneself with the attributes of the Most Merciful and acquiring the characteristics of the Lord, the Beloved of the world.

For example, a person thrown headlong in the lowest degree of immorality rises to the glorious height of sanctity and purity; the bloodthirsty tyrant becomes a just and upright man; the coward is changed into a brave soul; the traitor becomes most trustworthy and the heedless mindful. Whereas formerly he was afflicted with all the debasing and social sins he becomes cleansed through the purifying water of the Holy Spirit.

The morals of tribal peoples are in many ways superior to those of city dwellers, for instance in forgiveness, generosity, and tolerance. If someone has killed another's father and then takes refuge in his tent, he is safe.

If a man is illiterate, yet adorned with these attributes he is by far superior to the man who is learned and educated but lacks morality and spirituality. Human Society is not harmed by the former, but if the latter abuses his learning and changes it into cunning much harm will be the outcome...

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Know, O thou possessors of insight, that true spirituality is like unto a lake of clear water which reflects the divine. Of such was the spirituality of Jesus Christ. There is another kind which is like a mirage, seeming to be spiritual when it is not. That which is truly spiritual must light the path to God, and must result in deeds. We cannot believe the call to be spiritual when there is no result. Spirit is reality, and when the spirit in each of us seeks to join itself with the Great Reality, it must in turn give life.

The hearts must receive the bounties of the Holy-Spirit; the legislators must become prompted by a sense of moral rectitude, the lawyers must be inspired by the spirit of righteousness, the judges must have the fear of God and the representatives of the people voice rigorously the public opinion against dens of shame and moral squalor.

First they must they clear their own house, then start to clean the houses of the people.

Be not the slave of your moods, but their master. But if you are so angry, so depressed and so sore that your spirit cannot find deliverance and peace even in prayer, then quickly go and give some pleasure to someone lowly or sorrowful, or to a guilty or innocent sufferer! Sacrifice yourself, your talent, your time, your rest to another, to one who has to bear a heavier load than you - and your unhappy mood will dissolve into a blessed, contented submission to God.

The best man is that person who cheers and gladdens the broken-hearted ones and the worst man is that soul who causes suffering and pain to one's heart. Consequently strive as much s you are able to rejoice the hearts and uplifts the spirits.

Religion is an attitude toward God which reflects itself in our attitude towards men.

Exercise discernment in thine affairs; defame no one; follow not thy passions; and place thy trust in God, thy Lord. Walk then upon the earth with a dignity born of God; shun those in whose hearts thou perceivest resentment towards God and His loved ones; and enter not into disputation with the unbelievers.

Beware lest ye transgress the bounds set forth in the Tablets. He, verily, is the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. Under all conditions place thy trust in God and conduct thyself with the utmost gentleness and forbearance toward thy relatives and others.

Let your acts be a guide unto all mankind, that from your behaviour and conduct they may be enabled to recognize the signs and commandments of God.

O mindful one! You know that this path is the pathway of love for the Lord and the way of knowledge of the Creator. It is not traversed with ease, nor is it traveled with physical comfort and tranquility. Every step is a diamond, and every sorrow is a companion. In every breath there is poison and honey and sugar, and wounds are medicine and balm.

While suffering death on the pathway of God is the highest attainment, still, that dying which continues on throughout life, giving lift to other souls, is the station of 'living martyrdom'.

O thou who art happy with the glad tidings of divine bestowal!

There are those who believe that the cause of salvation is none other than a confession of Divine Unity. There are those who say: "This is not sufficient. Belief in Divine Unity must be combined with righteous deeds as prescribed by the All-Merciful." There are still others who aver that the above must be combined with a most praiseworthy character blessed by God. And yet again there are those who assert that one must encompass all the grades of spiritual perfection and attain the beauty of an inner conscience before one can be truly saved.

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If thou seekest ease, hearken to this true utterance which declares: Purify thyself from the defilement of self and desire, that thou mayest attain unto everlasting ease. This ease is found in the shadow of Truth and naught else, for naught but His shadow is today accounted as aught but desert waste in the sight of God.

… Say: O servant, hear My words! By God the Truth, thou shalt not find for thyself a counselor more faithful than I. Tarry not upon the Path, but pass along it as a cloud passeth.

O army of God! Beware lest ye harm any soul, or make any heart to sorrow; lest ye wound any man with your words, be he known to you or a stranger, be he friend or foe. Pray ye for all; ask ye that all be blessed, all be forgiven. Beware, beware, lest any of you seek vengeance, even against one who is thirsting for your blood. Beware, beware, lest ye offend the feelings of another, even though he be an evil-doer, and he wish you ill.

And as to the deeds thou didst enquire after: in Tablets such as these it is not permissible to set them forth, by reason of the weakness of the servants. Yet the deeds and acts enjoined by God are clear and manifest, even as they have been sent down and recorded in all the heavenly Books---such as trustworthiness and truthfulness; purity of heart in the remembrance of God; forbearance; contentment with that which God hath decreed for him; satisfaction with what hath been measured out for him; patience in afflictions---nay, thanksgiving therein; and reliance upon Him in all conditions.

As for you, O ye lovers of God, make firm your steps in His Cause, with such resolve that ye shall not be shaken though the direst of calamities assail the world. By nothing, under no conditions, be ye perturbed. Be ye anchored fast as the high mountains, be stars that dawn over the horizon of life, be bright lamps in the gatherings of unity, be souls humble and lowly in the presence of the friends, be innocent in heart.

They must endeavour to consort in a friendly spirit with everyone, must follow moderation in their conduct, must have respect and consideration one for another and show loving-kindness and tender regard to all the peoples of the world. They must be patient and long-suffering, that they may grow to become the divine magnets of the Abha Kingdom and acquire the dynamic power of the hosts of the realm on high.

"As long as one has not taken a portion of the Mystery of Sacrifice it is impossible for him to attain the Kingdom of God. So long as you do not have the cup free from every sort of liquor, it is impossible that you put good and pure water therein.

All must walk among the righteous and the wicked with rectitude, steadfastness, dignity and composure, that the number of the righteous may increase and the wicked be called to the Chosen One. A goodly deed is in its essence a promoter of the Cause and a guide to the path of truth.

In all matters be patient, dignified, thankful, calm, kind, compassionate, humble and forbearing, for this is the character of those who are near to God.

The beautiful perfume of your noble lives will permeate everywhere. The light of truth kindled in your hearts will shine out to the distant horizon!

O 'Ali! Every deed performed for God's sake shall be accepted. Work in the new land accordeth with wisdom, and the tongue of consultation hath confirmed it.

Spend not your time in admonishing the negligent or counselling them who vacillate, nor waste your days in countering the vain imaginings of the irresolute, for the days of your lives are infinitely more precious.

Those who merely seek for ease in this material world will be unable to harvest the full fruits from life's tree but those embodiments of true love, those symbols of spiritual recognition and such as are personifications of the divine attributes will always yearn for a myriad calamities in His path. They will see suffering as pure mercy punishment as generosity, torture as a soothing drink and pain as a remedy. Their very wounds will be a balm to them and their sickness the essence of well being. They will hasten to the field of martyrdom and give up their lives with joy.

When beauty, glory and perfection are established in one plane and station - that is, when these three attributes are gathered in one soul - then that soul becomes worthy of firmness and steadfastness in the Covenant and Testament.

O Majid!

With My own hands have I reared thee, and in My exalted Paradise have I planted thee, that through My loving care thou mightest bring forth goodly branches, pure boughs, and blessed fruits. And now is the time of thy fruition.

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Entrance into the Kingdom is through the love of God, through detachment, through sanctity and holiness, through truthfulness and purity, through steadfastness and faithfulness, and through self- sacrifice.

However, those who have thoroughly investigated the questions of divinity know of a certainty that the material worlds terminate at the end of the arc of descent; that the station of man lies at the end of the arc of descent and the beginning of the arc of ascent, which is opposite the Supreme Centre; and that from the beginning to the end of the arc of ascent the degrees of progress are of a spiritual nature.

...one must not be content with any degree of spiritual perfection and divine bestowals. Rather must one continually say "Lord, increase my wonderment in Thee," for human perfections are a bounty from the infinite divine bounties. Standing still is not permitted; rather, progress must be continuous, else after halting comes descent.

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A long time ago His Holiness Baha'u'llah wrote an epistle in which he said that man must attain to such a condition that his spirit will be soaring though he is sitting in a state of tranquility and serenity. That is the kind of sitting that is like unto walking. That is the kind of serenity that is really motion. That is the kind of tranquility that is really flying.

Today, humanity is bowed down with trouble, sorrow and grief, no one escapes; the world is wet with tears; but, thank God, the remedy is at our doors. Let us turn our hearts away from the world of matter and live in the spiritual world! It alone can give us freedom!

Nevertheless, contentment with the divine decree, joyfulness during tribulation, and fortitude whilst bearing the supreme affliction are among the necessary attributes and characteristics of the people of Baha.

Soar upon the wings of joy in the atmosphere of the love of God. Regard the people of the world as dead and seek the fellowship of the living. Whoso hath not breathed the sweet fragrance of the Beloved at this dawntide is indeed accounted among the dead.

By what means can man acquire these things? How shall he obtain these merciful gifts and powers? First, through the knowledge of God. Second, through the love of God. Third, through faith. Fourth, through philanthropic deeds. Fifth, through self-sacrifice. Sixth, through severance from this world. Seventh, through sanctity and holiness. Unless he acquires these forces and attains to these requirements, he will surely be deprived of the life that is eternal.

O phoenix of that immortal flame kindled in the sacred Tree! Baha'u'llah - may my life, my soul, my spirit be offered up as a sacrifice unto His lowly servants - hath, during His last days on earth, given the most emphatic promise that, through the outpourings of the grace of God and the aid and assistance vouchsafed from His Kingdom on high, souls will arise and holy beings appear who, as stars, would adorn the firmament of divine guidance; illumine the dayspring of loving-kindness and bounty; manifest the signs of the unity of God; shine with the light of sanctity and purity; receive their full measure of divine inspiration; raise high the sacred torch of faith; stand firm as the rock and immoveable as the mountain; and grow to become luminaries in the heavens of His Revelation, mighty channels of His grace, means for the bestowal of God's bountiful care, heralds calling forth the name of the One true God, and establishers of the world's supreme foundation.

These shall labour ceaselessly, by day and by night, shall heed neither trials nor woe, shall suffer no respite in their efforts, shall seek no repose, shall disregard all ease and comfort, and, detached and unsullied, shall consecrate every fleeting moment of their lives to the diffusion of the divine fragrance and the exaltation of God's holy Word. Their faces will radiate heavenly gladness, and their hearts be filled with joy. Their souls will be inspired, and their foundation stand secure. They shall scatter in the world, and travel throughout all regions. They shall raise their voices in every assembly, and adorn and revive every gathering. They shall speak in every tongue, and interpret every hidden meaning. They shall reveal the mysteries of the Kingdom, and manifest unto everyone the signs of God. They shall burn brightly even as a candle in the heart of every assembly, and beam forth as a star upon every horizon. The gentle breezes wafted from the garden of their hearts shall perfume and revive the souls of men, and the revelations of their minds, even as showers, will reinvigorate the peoples and nations of the world.

I am waiting, eagerly waiting for these holy ones to appear; and yet, how long will they delay their coming? My prayer and ardent supplication, at eventide and at dawn, is that these shining stars may soon shed their radiance upon the world, that their sacred countenances may be unveiled to mortal eyes, that the hosts of divine assistance may achieve their victory, and the billows of grace, rising from His oceans above, may flow upon all mankind. Pray ye also and supplicate unto Him that through the bountiful aid of the Ancient Beauty these souls may be unveiled to the eyes of the world.

The glory of God rest upon thee, and upon him whose face is illumined with that everlasting light that shineth from His Kingdom of Glory.

I addressed unto thee aforetime an Epistle in the lucid Arabian tongue, and I now reveal for thee this Tablet in wondrous Persian prose, that thou mayest hear, in the glorious accents of the Nightingale of 'Iraq, the sweet melodies of the nearness of the heavenly Paradise that had, ere this, been intoned in the language of Hijaz. Perchance thou mayest become pure spirit; attain, without taking a single step, the loftiest stations of mystic ascent; and explore, without leaving thine outward habitation, the furthermost reaches of the worlds of inner significance. Thereupon wouldst thou, with a divine rapture, experience true spiritual attraction, lay down thy life in the path of the Friend, and sacrifice thy soul in the wilderness of His love. This indeed is the meaning of stillness in flight and flight in stillness, of fluidity in solidity and solidity in fluidity.

To continue: It is clear that the wayfarers in the wilderness of search and longing, of attainment and reunion, have numerous degrees and countless stations. Some, after spiritual struggle and physical toil, ascend from the lower reaches of "no God is there" to the lofty bowers of "but God", flee from the shadow of negation to abide in the limitless realm of affirmation, and abandon the privation of a transient existence for the bountiful assemblage of reunion. This is the uttermost limit of the realm of effort and striving.

Others, without receiving the least intimation of "no God is there", pass beyond the highest horizon of "but God"; without even tasting a dewdrop of the degrees of self-surrender ascend unto the kingdom of life everlasting; and without partaking from the wellspring of utter abnegation quaff the wine of the Ancient of Days. These souls, as they traverse the stages of wayfaring and ascend unto the stations of reunion, walk a different path and occupy a different rank.

Still others, without having perused a single letter of the kingdom of names or acquired the faintest intimation from the realm of attributes, which pertaineth to this world, dawn above the invisible horizon of eternity and return again thereunto. A hundred thousand seas of glory surge in their luminous hearts, and yet to outward seeming their lips are parched; a myriad rivers of holiness stream within their breasts, and yet no trace thereof is to be seen; the books of God's consummate wisdom are recorded upon the tablets of their hearts, and yet they breathe not a word thereof in the world of appearances. They dwell in the Egypt of certitude and journey in the lands of resignation. They are intoxicated with the beauty, and entranced by the glory, of Him Who is the All-Glorious. Heart to heart they whisper hidden secrets; soul to soul they unfold abstruse matters. The mysteries of the Divine Essence glow upon their brows, and the lights of Divine Unity shine from their peerless faces. They clothe themselves in the robe of concealment and cast their sleeves over both this world and the world to come. Without wings they soar, without feet they walk, without hands they grasp and hold. They speak an unknown tongue and observe an unseen grammar, of which all the world's inhabitants know not a single letter, save those whom thy Lord hath willed. Unto each hath a share been vouchsafed in His Book, and they shall all attain unto that which hath been destined for them.

It is clear and evident that, in this Dispensation wherein the banner of utterance hath been raised aloft and the candle of discernment hath been lit, there is no Lord but the Exalted One. He it is Who is one in His essence and one in His attributes, single in the kingdom of names and peerless in the realm of actions. It is by virtue of His blessed name that the seas of Divine Unity have been made to surge; it is through the power of His resistless command that the immutable decrees of destiny have been enforced; it is through the potency of His sovereign might that the dictates of fate have been fixed. Who hath the power to soar in that exalted atmosphere or to cherish another beloved than Him? We all abide beneath His shadow and seek our portion from the ocean of His grace. However far the gnat may fly, it can never traverse the length and breadth of heaven, and however high the sparrow may soar, it can never attain the tree of immortality. Since all do not possess the same degree of spiritual understanding, certain statements will inevitably be made, and there shall arise, as a consequence, as many differing opinions as there are human minds, and as many divergent beliefs as there are created things. This is certain and settled, and can in no wise be averted. Now, it is clear that some are virtuous, others are sinful, and still others are rebellious. One must call the people to love and faithfulness, to zeal and contentment, that the sinful may be admonished and the ranks of the virtuous may swell. Nor is it possible that there be no sinners: So long as the name "the Ever-Forgiving" shineth resplendent above the horizon of existence, there will be sinners in the world of creation, for the latter cannot appear without the former and the former cannot exist without the latter.

Our aim is that thou shouldst urge all the believers to show forth kindness and mercy and to overlook certain shortcomings among them, that differences may be dispelled; true harmony be established; and the censure and reproach, the hatred and dissension, seen among the peoples of former times may not arise anew. Perchance they may be educated and, in the latter Resurrection, inflict not upon that cherished Spirit and Essence of existence, that exalted and subtle Reality, the least of that which the Point of the Bayan was made to suffer.

Moreover, a reply to thine enquiries was sent aforetime. It is evident that whatever question is asked will be answered through the ocean of eternal grace, but such questions also add to the burden of duties imposed upon the servants. That which hath been recorded at God's behest in the Persian Bayan is indeed sufficient unto all, and none will be held to account for what it hath not commanded. Consider how numerous were those in the early days of the Revelation who obeyed, without the slightest deviation, every least one of its injunctions and yet reaped no benefit therefrom. The beginning of religion is love for God and for His Chosen Ones, and its end is to manifest that love to His servants.

I swear by God! Whoso faileth to obey the commandments of God can in no wise be numbered among His loved ones, for among the conditions of His love is to follow His commandments and observe His prohibitions. But since these are the days of concealment, and the Sun of eternity remaineth hidden beneath the horizon of being, one must gather together everyone with love and protect them. The time for the completion of the commandments and the perfection of deeds will assuredly come.

All the seas of the world cannot equal one drop from the ocean of contentment. Blessed is the soul that hath spoken for God's sake and walked in His path. Today the sun of bounty is shining and the orb of loving-kindness is dawning and the heaven of mercy is raised up. Blessed are they who, for the sake of these two fleeting days, have not deprived themselves of the immortal Kingdom. … Every deed that appeareth purely for the sake of God is as a shining and luminous sun.

Ye are the hands of His Cause in His lands, and the stars of His bountiful care amidst His servants. Through you the daystars of knowledge dawned forth, the heavens of all religions were illumined, the lights of the sciences shone brightly amongst the nations, and the sphere of the arts was expanded throughout the world. Ye are the dawning-places of God's Revelation upon the earth and the daysprings of His signs in the world of creation.

Then it is clear that the honour and exaltation of man cannot reside solely in material delights and earthly benefits. This material felicity is wholly secondary, while the exaltation of man resides primarily in such virtues and attainments as are the adornments of the human reality. These consist in divine blessings, heavenly bounties, heartfelt emotions, the love and knowledge of God, the education of the people, the perceptions of the mind, and the discoveries of science. They consist in justice and equity, truthfulness and benevolence, inner courage and innate humanity, safeguarding the rights of others and preserving the sanctity of covenants and agreements. They consist in rectitude of conduct under all circumstances, love of truth under all conditions, self-abnegation for the good of all people, kindness and compassion for all nations, obedience to the teachings of God, service to the heavenly Kingdom, guidance for all mankind, and education for all races and nations. This is the felicity of the human world!

In brief, my hope is that from the bounties of Baha'u'llah, thou mayest daily advance in the Kingdom, that thou mayest become a heavenly angel, confirmed by the breaths of the Holy Spirit, and mayest erect a structure that shall eternally remain firm and unshakable....

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Man is created in the image of the Merciful [God], that is, with divine attributes. Therefore, while physical characteristics will perish, divine qualities will endure. The soul is a divine emanation while the body is an earthly composition. Upon you be the divine attributes.

But, praised be the Lord, thou art engaged in that which secureth for thee a gain that shall eternally endure; and that is naught but thine attraction to the Kingdom of God, thy faith, and thy knowledge, the enlightenment of thine heart, and thine earnest endeavour to promote the Divine Teachings.

May the peace of God be with those who have been guided aright through the power of divine guidance.

Endeavor each day to attain to a new station and in every moment seek after lofty ranks. Make your resolve great, for divine grace is mighty and great.

Similarly, man's spiritual reality progresses through stages. One must traverse the stations and stages of spiritual progress until attaining the station of "We have indeed created man in the best of forms." If during the traversing of stages any weakness or defect occurs, or any negligence or delay is accepted, progress becomes impaired and one remains fixed at the stage of imperfection.

The soul does not evolve from degree to degree as a law -- it only evolves nearer to God, by the Mercy and Bounty of God.

The ideal happiness of man, if he be spiritually confirmed, consists in the acquisition of knowledge, in the love of God, in the knowledge of God, in the attractions of the conscience, and in service to the world of humanity.

He that partaketh of the waters of My Revelation will taste all the incorruptible delights ordained by God from the beginning that hath no beginning to the end that hath no end.

Spirit hath illimitable stations and innumerable conditions or degrees. But in the world of existence they are generally limited and enumerated as the cohesive mineral, the growing vegetable, the sensible animal, the mortal human, the abased soul (amarih), the self-accusing soul (lawwamih), the inspired soul (mulhamih), the assured soul (mutma'innih), the contented soul (radiyyih), the approved soul (mardiyyih), the perfect soul (kamalih), the soul of the kingdom (Malakut), the soul of the Dominion (Jabarut), [and] the Divine Soul (Lahut)....

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The soul (nafs) hath numerous stations and divers planes. Among them is the soul of Malakut, the soul of Jabarut, the soul of Lahut, the Divine Soul (ilahiyih), the soul of holiness (qudsiyih), the benevolent soul (mutma'innih), the contented soul (radiyih), the approved soul (mardiyih), the inspired soul (mulhamih), the self-accusing soul (lawwamih), and the abased soul (amarih).

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In Arabic the word nafs means at once soul, self and ego. As ordinarily understood, the nafs is the source of limitation, passion and gravity, the source of all that makes man selfish and self-centered. This nafs which is called the al-nafs al-ammarah (the soul which inspires evil), following the terminology of the Quran, must be transfigured through death and purgation. It must be controlled by the higher self. With the help of the Spirit the nafs al-ammarah becomes transformed into the nafs al-lawwamah (the blaming soul), gaining greater awareness of its own nature, an awareness that is made possible through the transmutation of its substance. In the further stage of inner alchemical transmutation, the nafs al-lawwamah becomes transformed into the nafs al-mu|tma'innah (the soul at peace), attaining a state in which it can gain knowledge with certainty and repose in peace because it has discovered its own center, which is the Self. Finally according to certain Sufis, the nafs al-mu|tma'innah becomes transmuted into the nafs al-ra|diyah (the satisfied soul), which has attained such perfection that it has now become worthy of being the perfect bride of the Spirit, thus returning to its Lord, as the Quran asserts, and finally realizing the Self through its own annihilation (fana') and subsequent subsistence (baqa') in God.

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...we should make all speed to take flight from this world to the other, and that means becoming like the divine so far as we can, and that again is to become righteous with the help of wisdom.

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Man is like unto a tree. If he be adorned with fruit, he hath been and will ever bee worthy of praise and commendation. Otherwise a fruitless tree is but fit for fire. The fruits of the human tree are exquisite, highly desired and dearly cherished. Among them are upright character, virtuous deeds and a goodly utterance... The Water for these trees is the living water of the sacred Words uttered by the Beloved of the world. In one instant are such trees planted and in the next their branches shall, through the outpourings of the showers of divine mercy, have reached the skies.

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He, verily, shall increase the reward of them that endure with patience. The virtues and attributes pertaining unto God are all evident and manifest, and have been mentioned and described in all the heavenly Books. Among them are trustworthiness, truthfulness, purity of heart while communing with God, forbearance, resignation to whatever the Almighty hath decreed, contentment with the things His Will hath provided, patience, nay, thankfulness in the midst of tribulation, and complete reliance, in all circumstances, upon Him. These rank, according to the estimate of God, among the highest and most laudable of all acts.

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to exert the utmost effort and endeavour to refine characters and manners

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Distinguish yourselves through your sanctity and detachment, your loftiness of purpose and magnanimity, your determination and nobility of mind, your tenacity, your high aims and your spiritual qualities that you may become the means of exaltation and glory to the Cause of God and the dawning places of His heavenly bestowals.

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These requirements [spiritual prerequisites of success] are none other than a high sense of moral rectitude in their social and administrative activities, absolute chastity in their individual lives, and complete freedom from prejudice in their dealings with peoples of a different race, class, creed, or color.

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A rectitude of conduct, an abiding sense of undeviating justice, unobscured by the demoralizing influences which a corruption-ridden political life so strikingly manifests; a chaste, pure, and holy life, unsullied and unclouded by the indecencies, the vices, the false standards, which an inherently deficient moral code tolerates, perpetuates, and fosters; a fraternity freed from that cancerous growth of racial prejudice, which is eating into the vitals of an already debilitated society -- these are the ideals which the American believers must, from now on, individually and through concerted action, strive to promote, in both their private and public lives, ideals which are the chief propelling forces that can most effectively accelerate the march of their institutions, plans, and enterprises, that can guard the honor and integrity of their Faith, and subdue any obstacles that may confront it in the future.

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The guiding principles of the Baha'is are: honesty, love, charity and trustworthiness; the setting of the common good above private interest; and the practice of godliness, virtue and moderation.

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The life of a Baha'i will be characterized by truthfulness and decency; he will walk uprightly among his fellowmen, dependent upon none save God, yet linked by bonds of love and brotherhood with mankind; he will be entirely detached from the loose standards, the decadent theories, the frenetic experimentation, the desperation of present-day society, will look upon his neighbors with a bright and friendly face, and be a beacon light and haven for all those who would emulate his strength of character and assurance of soul.

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What is needed to achieve success in the teaching field is a complete dedication on the part of the individual, consecration to the glorious task of spreading the Faith, and the living of the Baha'i life, because that creates the magnet for the Holy Spirit, and it is the Holy Spirit which quickens the new soul. Thus, the individual should be as a reed, through which the Holy Spirit may flow, to give new life to the seeking soul.

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Apart from these provisions Baha'u'llah exhorts His followers to consort, with amity and concord and without discrimination, with the adherents of all religions; warns them to guard against fanaticism, sedition, pride, dispute and contention; inculcates upon them immaculate cleanliness, strict truthfulness, spotless chastity, trustworthiness; hospitality, fidelity, courtesy, forbearance, justice and fairness; counsels them to be "even as the fingers of one hand and the limbs of one body"; calls upon them to arise and serve His Cause; and assures them of His undoubted aid.

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How often the beloved Master was heard to say: Should each one of the friends take upon himself to carry out, in all its integrity and implications, only one of the teachings of the Faith, with devotion, detachment, constancy and perseverance and exemplify it in all his deeds and pursuits of life, the world would become another world and the face of the earth would mirror forth the splendours of the Abha Paradise. Consider what marvellous changes would be effected if the beloved of the Merciful conducted themselves, both in their individual and collective capacities, in accordance with the counsels and exhortations which have streamed from the Pen of Glory.

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The chosen ones of God... should not look at the depraved conditions of the society in which they live, nor at the evidences of moral degradation and frivolous conduct which the people around them display. They should not content themselves merely with relative distinction and excellence. Rather they should fix their gaze upon nobler heights by setting the counsels and exhortations of the pen of Glory as their supreme goal. Then it will be readily realized how numerous are the stages that still remain to be traversed and how far off the desired goal lies -- a goal which is none other than exemplifying heavenly morals and virtues.

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Life in this world is a succession of tests and achievements, of falling short and of making new spiritual advances. Sometimes the course may seem very hard, but one can witness, again and again, that the soul who steadfastly obeys the law of Baha'u'llah, however hard it may seem, grows spiritually, while the one who compromises with the law for the sake of his own apparent happiness is seen to have been following a chimera: he does not attain the happiness he sought, he retards his spiritual advance and often brings new problems upon himself.

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