Preserving the writings: care for the words entrusted to us

In a Tablet from the Bab to Yahya and written in Yahya's own handwriting, he is directed by the Bab to ascertain God's intention by asking Siyyid Husayn, the amanuensis.

Thou hast asked regarding the contribution toward the education of the children of the school of Tarbiat. Cooperation and mutual assistance are the basis of the religion of God. The East must assist the West and the West must assist the East. Whosoever quotes any thing from my tongue ask him an authority either with my pen or with my signature. If he has such an authority in his hand all right, if he has no such authority do not give importance to traditions. Keep always this as a criterion in view.

Whosoever claims that Abdul-Baha has given to him a tablet or sent a cablegram he must prove it (by showing it). Do not accept the saying of anyone on mere statement. He must bring forth the unmistakable and valid evidence, signed by my own written signature and not the signature on a cablegram which cannot be substantiated.

Regarding those arriving from the Holy Land and their accounts that you wrote about - any account without documentation should not be trusted, for even if true it still causes confusion. Only the sacred texts should be followed, nothing else.

According to the explicit and luminous Text, this servant is the Interpreter of the Holy Writ, and whatsoever of the writings is not confirmed by Him cannot be trusted, save for that which is in the hand of Baha'u'llah Himself, and even that must be examined with the utmost care and attention to ensure that not an iota hath been added, subtracted or changed.

The leaf you sent was presented at the Most Holy Court, however on its first page "tasaluka ila maqam la tara" was seen while in the original manuscript it was "tawasuluka." Exercise utmost care in correcting the treatise.

Many of the copies made by scribes differed from one another. Now people know not which variations from the Most Holy Court were revealed as such, and which arose from the scribes' inattention. What hath been revealed from God is truth without doubt, but since Jinab-i-Nazir (upon him be the Glory of God) wished to print some of the books, We therefore commanded the Greater Branch and this servant in attendance to compare them and submit whatever variations they found, for most people were and are not aware of these matters and are not informed about the nature of revelation.

Regarding what is being sent, it is beloved that copies be made and, after comparison and verification, be given to their owners.

Whatever is given must be correct. Some copies of the Iqan that exist in this land have not all attained the standard of correctness.

They must make a diligent effort in preserving the Book of God, for once again the correct manner of reading has been revealed - whatever is in the hands of the servants must be made to conform and agree with it. And regarding the Book of Iqan, its correct version was bestowed upon His Honor Ali-Qabl-Akbar, glory be upon him - the existing copies must either be made to conform with it or be rewritten anew from it, this latter being preferable and more fitting.

Regarding the blessed Book that was printed under the interference of the Center of Violation, compare it with the handwriting of His Holiness Zaynu'l-Muqarrabin, who attained the presence of his Lord. Whatever is in Zayn's handwriting is correct; rely upon that.

As for the blessed Tablet of the Temple which is in the handwriting of Zein, that is preserved, protected and ancient.

The passage that was written in the letter of Andalib is correct. There was one manifestation outside Baghdad and another manifestation in Akka. Do not change the passage, for there is wisdom in it.

And concerning the blessed verse, they made mention that the person in question had said: 'They have altered the verses,' and had written ya'ti Allah in place of ya'tihum Allah": it is clear and evident that no change was intended, rather it was a reference to the meaning of the verse.

This treatise [on the Hidden Treasure] was written during childhood (in Adrianople). In certain instances, some expressions have been used with regard to the disposition or outlook of certain persons. The true intention must be observed, for like the flow of spirit through veins and arteries, it flows and courses through the words.

This is not a narrative that its narrator could be denied, nor is it in the handwriting of a scribe that could give rise to doubts and result in lack of confidence. Rather, it is by the pen of the Most High.

Among the divine confirmations was that they investigated at the Baghdad consulate and discovered the truth, not opening their mouths to allegations but investigating and examining secretly with complete composure, privately comparing that letter with Abdu'l-Baha's handwriting, signature and seal. It became clear that it was a fabrication and forgery.

These are the Tablets of the Kingdom written by the Supreme Pen in the Preserved Tablet. Such Tablets have not descended from the Realm of the Kingdom to the earthly world; nay they are preserved and protected in an invisible treasury. If at any time a soul shows such Tablets attributing them to God saying that it is the "Ruby Tablet" or the "Fifth Tablet of Paradise", it is without truth.

I have come to these parts and I find out that certain people have attributed to me certain statements of which I am innocent. Anybody who has an opinion and desires to circulate it will attribute it to me. Anyone quoting me must have authority written either with my own hand, or tablets signed with my seal. Otherwise, those statements do not belong to me. Every instruction, every teaching that I desire to spread, I will write with my own hand. You must know this generally. Never accept statements without my writing which is signed and sealed - any statement.

Now that I am leaving you I counsel you not to accept any one coming to you with strange stories attributed to me without first demanding his signed credentials which must be in my handwriting. … Therefore do not credit such statements. Accept nothing purporting to come from me without my signature.

When in America I repeatedly said that no one must believe one word said by another regarding any commands, teachings or statements made by me unless they can produce the same in writing over my signature.

If any one has a Tablet in his hand proving that I am not in favor of the progress of the Society let him bring it out, otherwise why should any one rely upon such hearsays? I have often remarked in America that only my Tablets are authority and nothing else.

I briefly submit that not a single word was from this servant - all were revealed from the Kingdom of God, my Lord and your Lord and the Lord of all who are in heaven and on earth. At all times, letters that were in this servant's name were, after permission, read in the Most Holy and Most Exalted Presence, and He would command "Take up the pen," and all responses from beginning to end would be revealed from the blessed mouth and recorded.

'Abdu'l-Baha responded:

All of those Tablets were revealed by the lips of the Blessed Beauty. During the final blessed days [of Baha'u'llah], one of the friends asked [the same question] of Mirza aqa Jan, but did not receive an affirmative response. For this reason, a number of the friends rose against him. This took place during the period of illness of the Blessed Person. I realized that the friends were divided into two camps. One group was led by Nabil Zarandi, and the other was led by the wife of Mirza Siyyid 'Ali Afnan, and they were bitterly fighting each other. I sternly admonished them, saying, "Have you no shame for creating two factions at this time of His blessed illness?"

We arose this day and left the house, proceeding to another place. When We arrived, We commanded the servant in attendance before Us, and he heard and wrote down what the Tongue of Grandeur spoke forth in his luminous station.

And regarding what you had written and inquired about certain phrases - whatever is revealed of divine verses, this servant mostly writes them in His presence, and often they are revealed in such a manner that no one is capable of writing them, for when once measured, one thousand two hundred verses were revealed in an hour. In such case, all are powerless to write, and this servant might possibly write eight hundred in an hour. For half an hour the hand cooperates, and in the other half it moves involuntarily. Therefore, sometimes they are revealed at a pace that allows this servant to manage the writing, and whatever is revealed is not reviewed by the Most Holy Gaze, though sometimes they are recited again in His presence.

In those days when I would write the sacred Tablets, each Tablet would be one hundred or two hundred verses. From morning until six o'clock at night I would sit. Sometimes sleep would overcome me. I would nod off and continue writing. Then I would rest my head upon the book and sleep.

At a specific time your letters were presented before the Most Holy Court, and answers descended from the heaven of grace. However, due to the volume of correspondence and other matters, this servant has not found the opportunity to write to you, as each day travelers arrive bearing letters from many believers, and this servant is occupied day and night writing countless replies.

Regarding your request for the Hidden Words in Arabic and Persian - consider the manifold occupations of this servant. The land of Qaf is but one province; observe how many divine Tablets and letters from this servant reach that land yearly, all of which this servant must write. Likewise for the lands of Ta, Ya, Za, Sad, Kaf, Ta, the lands of Kha, India, and other regions too numerous to mention. Divine verses are sent to all these realms in like manner.

Tablets have been revealed in these days and mention made of that person, but since no scribe was available to make copies, they were not sent, until we see what divine destiny will require.

Quickly deliver copies of the Persian Tablets to His Holiness Ismu'llah-i-Munir and His Holiness Zaynu'l-Muqarrabin. Send as many wondrous verses as possible to Nayriz and the Land of Sultan. Some Tablets in the script of revelation were sent from this servant in attendance before the Throne, as there was no time for finishing.

O Aqa Siyyid Asadu'llah! Many pages are being sent. There is no time for details. Bandar Jaz is correct, but sometimes in the address of letters errors occur from the pen of the secretary, and 'Abdu'l-Baha never has time to read them a second time except for some letters which are very important. But since the friends do not accept them without seal and signature, therefore they are signed and sealed.

"Baha'u'llah dictated the Book of Ighan to me 1275 A.H. (1858-1859 A.D.) in less than twenty-four hours."

As to what has issued from my hands from the year 1260 to the year 1262, after half its months had passed, there were four consummate books and ten perfect sahifahs, each one of which would suffice as proof of servitude for all who dwell in the heavens and the earth.

We did indeed change the Book of Joseph [Qayyumu'l-Asma] before, and We sent down the Book of Justice [Kitabu'l-'Adl] thereafter, and verily therein are clear verses for people who believe.

Those few sections which had been dispatched from Shiraz arrived in a single day, most of them grievously faulty; and in certain passages they have been altered and corrupted. Inform Mulla Sadiq that some of its verses have, without knowledge and without warrant, been changed; and such a thing, in mine own sight, possesseth no authority -- though for the people, one verse thereof, rightly set down, is sufficient.

I would have returned unto Thee all the verses, evidences, scriptures and words that Thou hast sent down unto me. Therefore, O my God, bear witness that I have created these letters in the most excellent manner, then fashioned them in the Book, in a mighty and impregnable Book, in the most beautiful script, on the most delicate paper, with the most noble refinement, in the most wondrous and original way.

I counsel thee by the Most Great Truth, and unto those who gaze upon this leaf: Write not with black ink a single letter of what God hath caused to flow from the Pen of the Gate. Write the Book with yellow water of red gold, for all that hath proceeded from the Gate, if ye are able. And if ye are unable, then write with white, or yellow, or green, or red ink. For God hath forbidden unto the believers black ink in this Most Great Gate.

And send thou likewise this Book unto the King of that region with golden ink that thou mayest be numbered among the helpers of that which is written. And whoso denieth Our verses and departeth not from his house as an emigrant unto the Land of Remembrance - We shall reveal his decree in the Book even as was revealed concerning Abu Lahab in the Qur'an. Fear ye God, O concourse of men, and have mercy upon yourselves, and disgrace not your subjects through what hath been sent down unto you after God's decree, and after all people shall read.

Thou didst request permission to transcribe a book in thine own hand. It would be most agreeable to me if thou wouldst write two large-format books in clear handwriting, with the utmost perfection, upon very fine and delicate paper of moderate thickness - not thin - and with permanent ink that will not stick together from moisture in the future. Include therein the Tablets of Tarazat, Tajalliyat, Bisharat, Kalimat and Ishraqat. Prepare two copies, and let Jinab-i-'Andalib add delicate illumination, but illuminate only the margins, not the text itself, and prepare very fine bindings.

This servant wrote a letter to his eminence Ibn-i-Asdaq the Most Holy, upon them both be the Glory of God. His honor should make a copy of it, but in such a way that the original letter does not change, meaning it should not become blackened, and they should compare it with utmost care.

In these days the revealed Tablets are being read in Our presence, for many Tablets written both before and after were dispatched to various regions without being compared. Therefore, in these days they are repeatedly being read in Our presence, that what God hath intended and what the Tongue of Grandeur hath spoken may become manifest. … The people of God must make a mighty effort to preserve and protect the Tablets.

From the year 69 until the ascension of Baha'u'llah in 1309 A.H., Salman would arrive once a year, bringing letters, leaving with the Tablets, faithfully delivering each one to him for whom it was intended. Every single year throughout that long period, he came on foot from Persia to Iraq, or to Adrianople, or to the Most Great Prison at 'Akka; came with the greatest eagerness and love, and then went back again.

The honored uncle, in the blessed days, served with utmost truthfulness and trustworthiness, and was the means for transmitting Tablets and letters.

The honored Mirza Mihdi hath been specially favored with God's all-embracing mercy. He hath, at no time, been careless in recording the words of God, nor hath he neglected their dispatch.

The letter that was sent in the company of Aqa Rafi' - since in those days tablets were not sent by post and no special courier was departing, the reply was consequently delayed. If the postal service is reliable, there shall never be any delay in replies. God willing, it shall be sent hereafter. Regarding the blessed verse in the Surih of the Kings that was mentioned, both versions are correct, though if the first remains as it is, it would be sweeter and better.

Now a letter from this servant along with six holy and exalted Tablets has been sent. If there is opportunity, may your eminence observe them and make copies, otherwise if there is mail service, send them, as they must reach him quickly.

And, in accordance with the command, this Tablet was revealed from the heaven of His Will; it was transcribed from the original Revelation and sent forth. Likewise were dispatched the numbered lists, in the Name of the Most Great Name, of the Tablets which thou hadst previously requested.

Be it known that certain exalted Tablets have been revealed and sent. Make copies of all of them and afterward deliver them according to the requirements of the time and the capacity of the people. For these are days in which even the near angels are in distress and agitation, how much more so these people who are constantly undergoing strange transformations.

Previously certain Tablets were revealed unto you wherein were recorded from the Pen of the Most High explanations of the revelation of certain Quranic verses and some stories of earlier times. Those Tablets, nay rather all that hath been sent unto you, should be dispatched to all lands, for they shall prove most beneficial. Some of the servants are unaware of what hath come to pass and are heedless of what shall come to pass, therefore such Tablets shall be profitable. Those to whom copies are sent should make copies themselves and send them abroad.

Divine verses have rained down like copious rain upon that land and its people, such that in every year revealed verses have been sent to that region and other regions, that all might attain to what God has willed and receive their portion from the ocean of His generosity.

And further: one envelope containing sacred, glorious and blessed Tablets was sent last week, and now another envelope previously described in detail is being sent. This evanescent servant beseeches and hopes that the True One, exalted be His glory, will assist that spiritual beloved one to exalt His Word. Verily, He is powerful over all things. At this moment while engaged in this writing, another envelope arrived containing fresh and flowing verses which, like a newly arrived flower, diffused such a fragrance of praise for the Beloved of all worlds that it gave strength to the heart and keenness to sight.

The two packages of leaves that were sent, one by your brother and the other by Jinab-i-Aqa Mirza Ibrahim, upon them be the Glory of God, arrived.

O thou who art beloved! Be ye informed that the Tablets contained in these four packets should not be lost.

Regarding what you wrote about not having received the Tablets revealed from the heaven of the Divine Will, and your request for copies of those exalted Tablets - a special volume hath been revealed from the divine heaven of authority specifically for you, and the answer to the questions of the Afnan [the Kitab-i-Iqan], upon them be the Most Glorious Glory of God, hath also been revealed therein.

Three sacred Tablets have thus far been sent in his name and one more remains. Due to wisdom they were not all sent at once, but in those same days when his handwriting arrived all Tablets were revealed and present.

It is submitted to that Samandar of the Fire of Divine Love - upon him be the Most Glorious Glory of God - that previously a packet of sublime and inaccessible Holy Tablets was sent addressed to His Honor Ibn-i-Abhar - upon him be the Glory of God. Due to wisdom, some Tablets that should have been sent in that same packet were delayed at that time. They are being sent this time.

In response to the person mentioned, a sublime Tablet was revealed and sent. … Additionally, a brief Tablet was written to Kalim - review it and send it.

Although this servant is abashed for not having sent a reply to your distinguished letter, yet considering that several successive months passed without any word being revealed from the heaven of divine Will until these special days when certain Afnans - upon them be the glory of the All-Merciful - received and were sent some Tablets, therefore this servant, in utter bewilderment, did not impose upon your honor.

Another reason for the delay in submitting my petitions was that several months passed during which no verses were revealed from the heaven of divine favor, and this servant was greatly perplexed. When I observed that the Supreme Pen had paused, I did not dare to submit a petition.

Some receive answers that are outwardly revealed and sent, while the answers to others are recorded in God's Book and inscribed by the Pen of His bounty.

A further submission is that several months ago, a sacred Tablet known as Nida [Proclamation] and Bisharat [Glad-Tidings], was dispatched according to the command of the Lord of the Unseen and the Seen. This Tablet contains laws that were scattered throughout the Most Holy Book and other Tablets, which the Blessed Being Himself gathered together.

The light of these glad-tidings hath shone forth from the Supreme Horizon and the Most Glorious Horizon and hath encompassed the world, yet their manifestations are not yet known - they shall become known later. We gathered them from the Books, Psalms and Tablets and compiled them in one Tablet that all might attain unto God's special favors and be freed and delivered from all else.

All divine Tablets have the status of one book, like the Qur'an - although it has multiple chapters, it is one book. Say: All are from God. All are the Preserved Tablet and the Unfurled Scroll. Therefore, mention of any holy soul in any one of them suffices.

Will the Tablets and Utterances of Baha'u'llah be added to our Bible?

No, they are a distinct Revelation of God and will form a Book larger than our Bible.

It is not permissible to combine the writings of this servant with the holy and blessed Tablets in one book. The divine Tablets cannot be combined with any other writings.

Another submission is that according to the command, several souls who are adorned with the ornament of trustworthiness, religiosity, and contentment, and who possess eloquence and utterance, should turn to various regions and with perfect wisdom engage in teaching the Cause. Tablets have been revealed to such an extent that it is impossible to enumerate them. From the Persian and Arabic, whatever is suitable for these days should be gathered and the divine words should be imparted according to the requirements of the station and the souls. God willing, may the warmth of assured souls dispel the coldness and frigidity of heedless souls.

Concerning what was written about printing, when presented before the Most Holy Court, it was stated that although We have commanded that the divine books be written in the finest script and most exquisite adornment, yet now it is necessary that they be printed, for without this the spread of the verses of God would be delayed.

What they have written regarding the printing of the book is correct and adorned with the ornament of truth. These matters depend upon time, place, occasion and requirements. In all things they must be mindful of wisdom.

As regards the publication of the book of my addresses, you may publish it in any way you deem advisable.

You too should certainly collect there as many correct, error-free Sacred Writings as possible, having them written in the most beautiful calligraphy to be sent to the London library.

Therefore, the Bayan must be published in all parts and corners of the world after the publication of the Kitab-i-Aqdas, so that readers may know that those severe laws have been abrogated and canceled. Before the publication of the Kitab-i-Aqdas and its translation, and before its laws become well known, the publication of the Bayan is not permissible.

Concerning what thou didst write about the translation of the Kitab-i-Aqdas made by one of the loved ones of God - although the intentions of the translator were good, yet since such matters in these days become a cause of differences, therefore it is not permissible....

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

The "Blessed Perfection Baha'u'llah" ordained, in the days of His corporeal existence (i.e. during His lifetime), that the Holy Book of Laws and Ordinances (Kitab-i-Aqdas) should not be translated into other languages. It is in the Arabic language, the holy language of Prophecy, the mystic language of Revelation, written in the first instance for the peoples of the East.

As to what was written about the wife of Aqa Muhammad, what his honor has done is certainly meritorious and appropriate. The Book of Laws was revealed in the language of verses in this land, and likewise some were revealed in Persian in the Land of Mystery. However, permission for their dissemination has not yet dawned. Since mention of the aforementioned wife was made twice in his honor's letter, this servant presented it at the Most Holy Court, and afterwards extracted and sent those verses concerning marriage from the Book of Laws.

Likewise, in these days a marriage sermon has been revealed from the heaven of unity. After the consent of both parties and the consent of the parents, they should gather in a place among the God-fearing and recite this blessed sermon with the utmost joy and fragrance. After the recitation of the sermon, the beloved and his beloved should, in a separate place, recite these two blessed verses that were revealed in the Bayan. [The verses mentioned in the Bayan should be written.] Then the husband should deliver the dowry to his wife, and both parties should sign the document, as well as the witnesses.

A single seal bearing the Greatest Name, may His glory be exalted, which was promised has been sent. However, it is commanded that no one should make a copy of it or reproduce it on paper. This has been forbidden to the believers. After completion, it should be placed in a location and its cover sealed firmly with a seal and sent to the Most Holy Court.

The photographs of the Bab's Tablet have arrived - may thy face be illumined! If thou canst obtain the original Tablet which is in His own handwriting, even if up to five hundred tumans must be paid, it would be most fitting and would constitute a mighty service to the Cause, for that blessed Tablet must not remain in the hands of the people.

The Tablets that belonged to the King of Martyrs and have come into the possession of the friends from strangers - preserve and protect these Tablets with the utmost reverence and honor.

'Abdu'l-Baha: "For the present it is better to keep all the documents in the safety deposit vault in New York. Then later you may put all of them in the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar. Hang them on the walls, not in a safe."

Sometimes after my arrival a woman brought to me a big bundle containing all my Epistles written to Mrs Cole. She said: 'Mrs Cole has bequeathed these precious, spiritual letters to me. She considered these to be her greatest possessions. I have now thought to bring them to you. As I am not a Baha'i I would not like to keep them without your permission.' Then I told her, 'Because this was her last wish, I am sure you are the proper person to take care of these epistles.'

There are several supplementary ordinances in the Blessed Handwriting, but the Covenant-breakers stole 'Abdu'l-Baha's papers and that document was among them. A few days before the Ascension of the Blessed Beauty, may my spirit be sacrificed for His loved ones, He commanded 'Abdu'l-Baha to gather the papers in His blessed chamber and put them in a bag. According to His blessed command, the papers were collected and placed in two bags. He said "These papers are entrusted to you."

That Tablet also contained other laws, all written by the Supreme Pen. This Tablet was in the blessed casket which was entrusted to Abdu'l-Baha before the ascension. That casket contained numerous papers, but the unfaithful ones took it away under some pretext and now it is in their possession.

This sacred place has been explicitly designated by the Supreme Pen in a special tablet, and that tablet contains other laws as well, all by the Supreme Pen. That tablet was in the blessed case which was entrusted to Abdu'l-Baha before the Ascension. That case contained numerous papers, but the unfaithful ones took it away under some pretext and now it is with them.

As it is, he has appropriated many papers and Tablets written by the Blessed Perfection. It is possible for these writings to be altered, as the meanings in Persian are greatly changed by a single dot here and there. Before His Ascension, the Blessed Perfection said to me, 'I have given You all the papers.' He put them in two satchels and sent them to Me. After His Ascension, Muhammad-'Ali said, 'You had better give me the two satchels to take care of.' He took them away and never returned them.

At the time of the ascension of Baha'u'llah, as we were otherwise occupied, I gave him [Mirza Muhammad-'Ali] for safekeeping two boxes containing divine Writings. He has concealed them. He has kept them so that after my passing he might bring them out and use them in accord with his personal inclination.

A few days before his departure Baha'u'llah called me into his bedroom and commanded me to gather together all his writing and Tablets telling me that 'they shall belong to thee'.

At the intimation of His Holiness my Master, he transcribed a complete collection---most of it from the handwriting of Aqa Siyyid Husayn---of the writings of His Holiness the Exalted One; and all of it was corrected and collated. With what pains His Holiness my Master had obtained these writings, and at last brought them to 'Akka; but what Mirza Muhammad-'Ali did with them is not known. If such Tablets as these should be lost, it would be a loss to the Cause.

After the Ascension, a committee was formed under the leadership of Mirza Muhammad-'Ali, that the blessed Tablets might be gathered together and authenticated, so that thereafter they might be known and accounted for. … They interfered with and tampered with the writings of the Blessed Beauty, and exerted themselves that I should be slain.

At the time of emergence from between Gog and Magog, who were two idolaters, I sent a box containing blessed writings of the Exalted One and Aqa Siyyid Husayn, along with His seal, to that one who turned away from God. And in the early years of the new Cause, for four years We commanded him to copy from the writings of His Holiness, such that now writings of that apostate in the style of His Holiness exist. In these days he hath begun using those same writings and writing whatever Satan inspires in him, sealing it with His Holiness's seal and showing it to vile souls like himself.

O Muhammad-Rafi' Dawlatabadi and those with him have intended to steal the Book of God - that is, the Persian Bayan and Ahsanul-Qisas. Since these two clear Books are adorned with utterances that give glad tidings to all of the appearance of the Great Announcement, they have therefore intended to destroy them. It is obligatory and incumbent upon all the friends of Truth that whosoever possesses them should preserve them and guard them from this rebellious and transgressing band.

They [the Covenant-breakers] attributed a Tablet to the Ancient Beauty and produced it, in which---God forbid!---the scattering and dispersion of the blessed Cause was explicitly appointed according to the number of 'all things.' (361) Somehow the friends managed to obtain a copy of this tablet and sent it to the presence of 'Abdu'l-Baha, Who said there were numerous tablets corrupted like this one and that it was unimportant. "The House of Justice will put things right," He said. "It will gather together all the Sacred Writings, scrutinized them carefully, and pronounce its conclusive findings, and should any make contradictory remarks, he would be severely dealt with." Then He gave an explanation about how such a tablet never existed and was not from the Ancient Beauty and was not in His blessed idiom.

O Siyyid of the Worshippers! Although those books and tablets were jeweled pages and a great treasure, yet the original tablets are preserved and recorded in the divine Kingdom of Abha. This was but a reflection of that Preserved Tablet and that unfurled scroll.

Until this Manifestation, verses alone have been proof for all, for We had sent down this decree in all previous Books.

Although in this Manifestation all signs of power, manifest proofs, wondrous verses, glorious manifestations and divine attributes have appeared - and all this as a grace from Us to all created things - yet henceforth the matter resteth in God's hands, that He may designate what shall be proof for future Manifestations.