The Word of God: recognition, meaning, and transforming power

May your souls be illumined by the light of the Words of God, and may you become repositories of the mysteries of God, for no comfort is greater and no happiness is sweeter than spiritual comprehension of the divine teachings. If a man understands the real meaning of a poet's verses such as those of Shakespeare, he is pleased and rejoiced. How much greater his joy and pleasure when he perceives the reality of the Holy Scriptures and becomes informed of the mysteries of the Kingdom!

Know thou, moreover, that the Word of God - exalted be His glory - is higher and far superior to that which the senses can perceive, for it is sanctified from any property or substance. It transcendeth the limitations of known elements and is exalted above all the essential and recognized substances. It became manifest without any syllable or sound and is none but the Command of God which pervadeth all created things.

What is truth? Truth is the word of God, which gives life to humanity. It restores sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf; it makes eloquent those who are dumb, and living beings out of dead beings; it illumines the world of heart and soul; it reduces into nothingness the iniquities of the neglectful and erring ones. … The road to attain to this Truth is the love of God. When the light of the love of God is burning in the mirror of the heart, that flame shows the way and guides to the Kingdom of the Word of God.

They have even failed to realize, all this time, that, in every age, the reading of the scriptures and holy books is for no other purpose except to enable the reader to apprehend their meaning and unravel their innermost mysteries.

… For compared with all other proofs and tokens, the divinely revealed verses shine as the sun, whilst all others are as stars. … They are the treasury of the divine pearls and the depository of the divine mysteries. … Through them floweth the river of divine knowledge, and gloweth the fire of His ancient and consummate wisdom. This is the fire which, in one and the same moment, kindleth the flame of love in the breasts of the faithful, and induceth the chill of heedlessness in the heart of the enemy.

Blessed is the one who discovereth the fragrance of inner meanings from the traces of this Pen through whose movement the breezes of God are wafted over the entire creation, and through whose stillness the very essence of tranquillity appeareth in the realm of being.

For the Word of God is collective wisdom, absolute knowledge and eternal truth.

Know thou, that I have wafted unto thee all the fragrances of holiness, have fully revealed to thee My word, have perfected through thee My bounty and have desired for thee that which I have desired for My Self. Be then content with My pleasure and thankful unto Me.

The mystic and wondrous Bride, hidden ere this beneath the veiling of utterance, hath now, by the grace of God and His divine favor, been made manifest even as the resplendent light shed by the beauty of the Beloved. I bear witness, O friends! that the favor is complete, the argument fulfilled, the proof manifest and the evidence established. Let it now be seen what your endeavors in the path of detachment will reveal. In this wise hath the divine favor been fully vouchsafed unto you and unto them that are in heaven and on earth.

In this Revelation the Lord of the universe hath deigned to bestow His mighty utterances and resplendent signs upon the Point of the Bayan, and hath ordained them as His matchless testimony for all created things. Were all the people that dwell on earth to assemble together, they would be unable to produce a single verse like unto the ones which God hath caused to stream forth from the tongue of the Point of the Bayan. Indeed, if any living creature were to pause to meditate he would undoubtedly realize that these verses are not the work of man, but are solely to be ascribed unto God, the One, the Peerless, Who causeth them to flow forth from the tongue of whomsoever He willeth, and hath not revealed nor will He reveal them save through the Focal Point of God's Primal Will.

The essence of the matter is that God, exalted be His glory, in His consummate wisdom, hath in the Dispensation of Muhammad, the Apostle of God, ordained the Furqan to be the Proof. This was a bounty not vouchsafed to any people before Muhammad, the Apostle of God - that a verse from the Book of God should serve as proof for all who dwell on earth, demonstrate the powerlessness of all, and establish the power of God.

Say: God is the Hidden of all hidden, if ye be of them that magnify His remembrance. Doth not that Book suffice you wherein is the decree of all things? Will ye not then be thankful? Say: A single verse sufficeth as a proof from God unto all who are in the heavens and on the earth and whatsoever lieth between them, would ye but know it.

What sign could be greater than the verses of the Qur'an revealed from the presence of the Mighty, the Wise? And if all were to gather to produce the like of a single verse that We have revealed unto thee in this Book, they would never be able, even were We to aid them with the like of themselves inexhaustibly. This is the certain truth.

Know thou that a single verse of what We have revealed unto thee sufficeth as proof for all who dwell on earth, and God is the All-Witnessing, the All-Knowing.

Should men and jinn combine to produce the like of this Book, and should the jinn assist them in their weakness, they would never be able, nor would they have the power, even were they to be helpers one of another.

Say: If mankind were to gather together to produce the like of this Book, they would not be able to do so, even if they were to assist one another, and God suffices as witness and helper.

Say: Should all mankind gather together hoping to produce the like of this Book, they shall never be able, nor shall they have the power, even if they were learned ones on earth.

And verily one verse from the verses of this Book equalleth in decree the verses of the Prophets. And after all creation there shall be none to question the proofs of God. And were men to gather together concerning this Cause, and the jinn to aid them in their weakness, they would never be able to produce the like of this Book, even if they were helpers one of another.

If ye are able to produce the like of this Book - to you be your religion and to Me be God's religion, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy. And if ye are unable - and ye shall never be able, even if all were to assist you, ye shall never be able - then turn away from that which is false and enter the Gate, prostrating yourselves, that ye might prosper.

Should all people gather together to produce the like of these verses, they would never be able, even if they were helpers one to another. This is a perfect proof from God's Book for all on earth, and God sufficeth as a witness over the worlds.

Can any besides God reveal a single verse? Do you not see? If all who are on earth were to gather together to produce the like of this Book from God, they would never be able to do so, and God bears witness to this, as do those possessed of knowledge who are witnesses in God's religion.

Should all men gather to produce the like of a single verse from the verses of that Book, they would never be able, though they should aid one another.

Read the Book We have sent down of nine hundred decisive verses, and traverse the east and west of the earth - if thou seest or hearest from anyone the like of one verse, then turn back from My Cause and seek what thou willest. Otherwise, God's conclusive proof is upon thee, just as the truth hath ever been conclusive through it.

By the Lord Who is the Seal Bearer, if all the peoples of the earth were to gather together to produce a single verse, they would be powerless to do so. And if they did produce something, it would be plagiarized words, not expressions flowing naturally from their tongues, just as in early Islam when the eloquent Arabs made their claims but were ultimately disgraced and humiliated.

He himself hath witnessed to the number of one hundred thousand verses; and though all mankind, within the bounds wherein they stand, advance their claims, none hath been seen to bring the like. Is it that they are able yet refrain? Nay, for had it been in their power, long since would they have done so.

Verily God hath sent it down through His power from His presence, and men are unable to produce its like, even as similitude unto similitude, let alone as a likeness.

Could any other than Him send down letters like these letters? Glory be to Him above what the wrongdoers fabricate concerning His verses.

As for the scholarly matters and sermon-verses that none, not even Ahmad and Kazim (God's blessings upon them both), could surpass - behold what We have revealed in the commentary on Surah al-Kawthar, for verily a single letter thereof equals not all the books of former times, nor what We revealed in the commentary on al-Baqarah for the weak among the believers.

And verily the Book from Him is the Bayan wherein all things have been detailed, and God has no Book except this wherein the laws of all things have been sent down, and it is indeed a mighty guardian Book.

It is a conclusive proof and clear evidence for all, leaving no escape for anyone except every stubborn denier, concerning whom He says: "They say, 'Confused dreams! Nay, he hath forged it! Nay, he is but a poet! Let him then bring us a sign like the ones that were sent to those of old!'"

Ask those who were present before the Throne when the ocean of verses surged. By My life! They are sent down in such wise that all in the realm are powerless to compose their like, yet most of the people know not.

We have sent down verses in such measure that every learned enumerator hath failed to reckon them.

Now also the Writings of the Blessed Beauty cannot be translated. No matter how it is translated it cannot be like the original. The original is quite different. It is in the utmost eloquence and beauty. It is so marvellous that no one is able to produce the like. It is so eloquent, so complete. In Persian and Arabic it is extraordinary. All is written in a new style. No one has ever written in such a style.

When the rich and highly-gifted spiritual Artist breaks forth into a concourse of soft lays and colorful tones of minstrelsy, them the melodies and scores of the earthly singers will sink lower and lower till at least they are lost in a sea of eternal silence,- obscure and mystifying. When the sweet harmonies of the Bird of the Supreme Paradise are raised, the buzzings of the bees are not heeded.

No lower thing can comprehend what is above it - just as the stone and tree, no matter how much they progress, cannot comprehend the reality of the animal, and the animal, no matter how much it progresses, cannot comprehend the reality of man. Thus man, no matter how much he progresses, cannot fathom the reality of the Word of God.

Say: By God! This is a Revelation which the Books have not comprehended, and which none hath understood save His Self, the One Who dominateth the worlds.

Say: He soareth above your minds, for that which ye possess deserveth not the name of mind.

O Shaykh! No breeze can compare with the breezes of Divine Revelation, whilst the Word which is uttered by God shineth and flasheth as the sun amidst the books of men.

The Word of God, even if limited to a single word, cannot be equaled by all the books of the world.

By the life of my Beloved and your Beloved and the Beloved of all who are in the heavens and earth - nothing can compare with a single word of the divine utterances that minds have not comprehended and eyes have not seen.

Know thou that a single letter thereof is more precious than the creation of the heavens and earth - this for him who is possessed of true insight.

Say: O people of the earth, by God, one Tablet from the traces of God is better than the kingdom of the first and the last ones - nay, I seek forgiveness from God for this, for by one letter thereof were all these created, were ye of those who perceive. And one letter thereof is sweeter than what hath appeared through the Pen and flowed from the tongue and been uttered behind the holy veils by the glorifying concourse.

He hath come to you with verses whereof a single letter cannot be equaled by all who are in the heavens and earth.

Say: By God! All who are in the heavens and earth cannot equal a single letter that proceedeth from My Pen, and I am the Bestower, the All-Bountiful, the Ancient of Days.

O emigrant! The divine verses are distinguished from all else - all that is mentioned and concealed between the heavens and earth cannot equal a single word thereof.

Say: All the books of the world cannot compare with that which hath been sent down from His presence. To this beareth witness the Ancient King in His glorious and wondrous station.

We have sent down in every matter that which cannot be equaled by aught revealed in creation, and I am verily the Truth, the Knower of things unseen.

The entire world cannot equal a single word of the divine utterances.

By God's life! All that the world possesseth cannot equal one word from thy Lord's utterances. To this testifieth His Book Preserved and His Decree Irrevocable.

The whole world cannot be compared to a single word from the divine utterances.

One word from the exalted utterances that appears from the Dayspring of the pronouncement of the Lord of Names is, in the sight of God - exalted be His glory - superior to all that is observed on earth.

That which is in the hands of men cannot be compared with the Word of God.

Say: A single word thereof excelleth all the books of the people, as attested by the Scriptures of God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy.

Say: O people! By God! Were all who are in the heavens and earth to be filled with books, psalms, scrolls and tablets, they would not equal a single letter of that which proceeds from the mouth of God, if ye be of the fair-minded.

Say: All the books of the world cannot be compared to one Tablet from Him. The Tongue of Grandeur hath testified to this, and behind it all things, if ye be of them that hear.

Glory be to God! The wondrous, transcendent verses that have been sent down bear no resemblance to verses of the past, and yet they have said that which no oppressor hath said in the days of Manifestation.

They have turned away from the Countenance and pronounced judgment against the Point of the Bayan with such tyranny as hath caused the cities of justice and fairness to tremble. By God's life! All the books of the world cannot compare with what hath been sent down - to this testifieth the Mother Book which is with Him.

All books are but a letter of this Book, and all scriptures proclaim His Name, the Guardian over all worlds.

The books of the world have submitted to My Most Great Book, and the tongues of nations throughout the ages and centuries have testified.

Can that which was revealed aforetime be compared with His verses? Nay, by God's very Self, if ye would but perceive it.

We have indeed revealed in the Book that which no books of the past can equal, as testifies to this He with Whom is the Mother Book.

Say: This is He, one word of Whose Book cannot be equaled

by all that was revealed aforetime.

The available source contains an omission or incomplete wording; sentence boundaries need review.

The Beloved of creation declares: One word from the Divine Word in that Most Great Manifestation is better than all that was revealed in the Bayan.

That which hath been sent down in truth causeth all the books of the world to bow down before it, did ye but know.

The Mother Book calleth out with the most exalted voice and summoneth the people to the supreme horizon.

Whosoever hath attained unto acceptance and taken hold of it with the hand of certitude, he verily hath acknowledged and confessed all the divine Books. Without this, even if one were to memorize all Books, it would yield no fruit.

Verily He has sent down that which the world is powerless to produce the like thereof. To this testifies every fair-minded and informed person. That which has shone forth from the horizon of My knowledge is more manifest than the sun and cannot be mistaken by anyone.

If thou observest with the eye of truth, thou wilt testify that nothing that is witnessed on earth can compare with this Tablet.

I swear by the Ocean of inner meanings, which surgeth through the winds of divine Will, that shouldst thou observe with the eye of insight this mention that hath appeared from the Pen of the Divine Command, thou wouldst assuredly find it more precious than the rarest substance, nay more precious than whatsoever hath been created in the heavens and on earth.

All that is treasured in the coffers of kings and rulers cannot be compared with a single word from the divine utterances, for worldly ornaments, adornments and riches are transient and will return to nothingness, while that which floweth from the Most Exalted Pen endureth throughout the dominion of earth and heaven.

By the life of God! Neither the riches of the world nor whatsoever is with the kings and rulers can equal one word thereof.

By God! The treasures of the earth and whatsoever the kings possess of hoards and riches cannot equal it.

By the life of God! The pearls in the ocean's shells and all that lies hidden in the mines cannot compare with My utterance.

This is a Tablet that cannot be equaled by the treasures of the world nor matched by the books of all creation.

And when thou hast finished, clothe it with two comely coverings, according as ... of the believers; and preserve that which We have revealed unto thee even as thine own eyes---for one letter of the words of God is not to be equalled by all the worlds.

The available source contains an omission or incomplete wording; sentence boundaries need review.

We have found from thee the fragrance of turning unto God, wherefore hath been sent down unto thee this Tablet, with which nothing created on earth can compare.

The traveler mentioned thee, and this Most Holy, Most Exalted Tablet, with which the entire world cannot compare even with a single letter thereof, hath been revealed that thou mayest rejoice thereat and speak forth the praise of God, exalted be His glory.

Be thou grateful that thou hast been mentioned by the tongue of the Beloved, and that this Book hath been sent down unto thee, whereunto nothing in the heavens and the earth can compare.

By the Sun of the horizon of sanctification! If but one word proceedeth from the Supreme Pen concerning a soul, it is more precious than a hundred thousand righteous children.

Blessed is the state of those souls who have attained to the remembrance of God in His days and have been honored with the sprinkling drops from the ocean of His grace, for a single letter from Him is more exalted and mightier than the creation of all things.

Not one word that hath been sent down before or will be sent down hereafter can equal His Word, and every letter revealed from His presence is verily the water of life for all who dwell in the realm of possibility, and the emblem of eternity for all in the world, and a sign of guidance for all who are in the heavens and on earth.

By the life of God! All the deeds of the world and all the morals of the nations cannot equal one word from Him. To this testifieth every fair-minded and clear-sighted one.

I swear by the lights of His countenance that whatsoever is witnessed cannot be compared with a single word from the words of God.

By the life of God! It hath no peer in all creation. To this beareth witness the Tongue of Grandeur from His exalted and glorious station.

One Book or Tablet of the Blessed Perfection is more comprehensive than fifty volumes of the world' s greatest wisdom.

If we strive to upbuild this Cause with faith and love in our hearts, it will overpower all the science, philosophy, and metaphysics of this Day.

By God! A single letter thereof is better for thee than all that hath been created on earth, and none deny this save the wicked and the remote. Say: Verily the Word of God is the most exalted, and it is God's testimony unto all the worlds.

Had human beings been able to accomplish this deed surely someone would have brought forth at least one verse during the period of twelve hundred and seventy years which hath elapsed since the revelation of the Qur'an until that of the Bayan. However, all men have proved themselves impotent and have utterly failed to do so, although they endeavoured, with their vehement might, to quench the flame of the Word of God.

Catalogue reference: BB00001 · passage alignment is approximate; supplied wording retained.

The word which the one true God uttereth in this day, though that word be the most familiar and commonplace of terms, is invested with supreme, with unique distinction.

Catalogue reference: BH09995 · passage alignment is approximate; supplied wording retained.