"The Sun of Truth is the Word of God, ... Its appearance in every mirror is conditioned by the colour of that mirror."

 

St. Petersburg, FL © Chuck Egerton 2024

"The Sun of Truth is the Word of God, upon which dependeth the education of those who are endowed with the power of understanding and of utterance. It is the true spirit and the heavenly water, through whose aid and gracious providence all things have been and will be quickened. Its appearance in every mirror is conditioned by the colour of that mirror. For instance, when its light is cast upon the mirrors of the hearts of the wise, it bringeth forth wisdom. In like manner, when it manifesteth itself in the mirrors of the hearts of craftsmen, it unfoldeth new and unique arts, and when reflected in the hearts of those that apprehend the truth, it revealeth wondrous tokens of true knowledge and discloseth the verities of God’s utterance."

—Bahá’u’lláh

(Additional Tablets and Extracts from Tablets Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh)
www.bahai.org/r/485472535

"Craftsmanship is a book among the books of divine sciences, and a treasure among the treasures of His heavenly wisdom."

 

Painting in TG Collection  © Chuck Egerton 2024

"One of the names of God is the Fashioner. He loveth craftsmanship. Therefore any of His servants who manifesteth this attribute is acceptable in the sight of this Wronged One. Craftsmanship is a book among the books of divine sciences, and a treasure among the treasures of His heavenly wisdom. This is a knowledge with meaning, for some of the sciences are brought forth by words and come to an end with words."

—Bahá’u’lláh

(Additional Tablets and Extracts from Tablets Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh)
www.bahai.org/r/853046943

"The one true God, exalted be He, loveth to witness handiworks of high craftsmanship produced by His loved ones."

 

Golden Ratio, Fibonacci  Sequence Quilt by Margarete P.

"The one true God, exalted be He, loveth to witness handiworks of high craftsmanship produced by His loved ones. Blessed art thou, for what thy skill hath produced hath reached the presence of thy Lord, the Exiled, the Wronged. Please God every one of His friends may be enabled to acquire one of the crafts, and be confirmed in adhering to what hath been ordained in the Book of God, the All-Glorious, the All-Wise."

—Bahá’u’lláh

(Additional Tablets and Extracts from Tablets Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh)
www.bahai.org/r/609753174

"Today, the greatest of all deeds is service to the Cause. Souls that are well assured should, with utmost discretion, teach the Faith, so that the sweet fragrances of the Divine Garment will waft from all directions."

 

photo by Trina G.

"Thou didst beg the Supreme Lord ... to bestow upon thee a station whereat in the path of His love thou wouldst give up everything: thy life, thy spirit, thy reputation, thine existence, all in all. All of these behests were submitted in the most sanctified, most exalted Presence of the Abhá Beauty. Thus did the Tongue of the Merciful speak in the Kingdom of Utterance: “God willing, he shall be seen in utmost purity and saintliness, as befitteth the Day of God, and attain the station of the most great martyrdom. Today, the greatest of all deeds is service to the Cause. Souls that are well assured should, with utmost discretion, teach the Faith, so that the sweet fragrances of the Divine Garment will waft from all directions. This martyrdom is not confined to the destruction of life and the shedding of blood. A person enjoying the bounty of life may yet be recorded a martyr in the Book of the Sovereign Lord. Well is it with thee that thou hast wished to offer whatsoever is thine, and all that is of thee and with thee in My path.”

—Bahá’u’lláh

(Additional Tablets and Extracts from Tablets Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh)
www.bahai.org/r/731249780

"In recent days the Kitáb-i-Aqdas hath been revealed from the heaven of holiness. Blessed is the man who will read it and ponder the verses sent down in it by the omnipotent, self-subsisting Lord. "

 

House of Bahá'u'lláh in Adrianople

"In recent days the Kitáb-i-Aqdas hath been revealed from the heaven of holiness. Blessed is the man who will read it and ponder the verses sent down in it by the omnipotent, self-subsisting Lord. The reason was this: Over the course of some years, questions concerning the laws of God were received from divers lands, but the Supreme Pen did not respond to them; then, in the Land of Mystery,¹ a brief tablet was revealed in the Persian language but was not sent out, and, as directed, it was kept in a safe place. Recently, once again petitions containing questions have reached the Most Holy Threshold. Thereupon this wondrous and sublime Book hath been sent down in the form of Divine verses. As Áqá J. M., upon him rest the glory of God, was on a visit here, that which was suitable for release at present was shared with him; namely, he was permitted to take a copy. God willing, you will receive the Text and act in accordance with wisdom."

—Bahá’u’lláh

1 Adrianople.

(Additional Tablets and Extracts from Tablets Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh)

https://www.bahai.org/r/676213188

"By God! Thine illness hath saddened Me, but God will heal Thee and protect Thee."

 

Moonbow photo by Trina G.

"He is the Healer, the Almighty, the All-Wise.

O Most Great Branch! By God! Thine illness¹ hath saddened Me, but God will heal Thee and protect Thee. He is the Most Generous, the Best of Helpers.

The glory of God rest upon Thee and upon whosoever serveth Thee and circleth around Thee. Woe, great woe, betide him that opposeth and injureth Thee. Well is it with him that sweareth fealty to Thee; the fire of hell torment him who is Thine enemy."

—Bahá’u’lláh

1 Literally “cold”.

(Additional Tablets and Extracts from Tablets Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh)
www.bahai.org/r/893604726

"Erelong will God reveal unto them the fruits of their noble deeds, as they soar into the blessed heaven of holiness on wings of ruby."

 

photo by Trina G.

"Remember us to all those in thy land who have believed in God and in His signs, as well as those who journeyed towards God and gained admission into the precincts of the court of Him Who is the Almighty, the All-Bountiful. Among them is the letter Káf, who is the recipient of His unsurpassed mercy. Thus do We make mention of him in this Tablet with the sweet melodies of the pure in heart. Another is the letter Qáf, who journeyed unto the court of God in His days and is reckoned among the righteous. Likewise the letter Há’, who embarked on this journey, hath returned home by Our leave, and is now immersed in the ocean of divine love. The letter Rá’ is yet another one who hearkened to the wondrous melodies of the Nightingale and entered beneath the sheltering shadow of God, the Gracious, the All Knowing. And among them are such as have left their homes and since returned. We have not mentioned their names, but all have attained a station of grace that is beyond the comprehension of all created things. Erelong will God reveal unto them the fruits of their noble deeds, as they soar into the blessed heaven of holiness on wings of ruby. There are still others who have made this journey in their hearts and whose names were inscribed with the Pen of power upon the spirits of transcendent glory. Soon will God open before their faces the portals of Paradise and they will enter therein in a state of peace and mercy from Our presence and abide there forever in bliss."

—Bahá’u’lláh

(Additional Tablets and Extracts from Tablets Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh)
www.bahai.org/r/554404196

"Occupy not the days of your lives with the betterment of your own affairs; arise, rather, for the betterment of the world."

 

Jináb-i-Áqá Muḥammad Ṣádiq

He is resplendent above His most exalted Horizon.

Give ear, O people of Bahá, to the counsel of the Most Exalted Pen: Renounce the promptings of your own will and fix your gaze upon the will of God, inasmuch as none is aware of that which can harm or profit him; whereas the one true God, magnified be His glory, knoweth and embraceth all things, and will of a certainty ordain that which is best. Occupy not the days of your lives with the betterment of your own affairs; arise, rather, for the betterment of the world. Such indeed is the station of the people of Bahá as recorded in the Crimson Book by the Pen of the Most High. Show forth the utmost love to all the peoples of the world and the diverse kindreds of the earth. The one true God, exalted be His glory, beareth Me witness! Whoso observeth this commandment is accounted among those who tread the path of Truth: In God doth he dwell and to God doth he turn."

—Bahá’u’lláh

(Additional Tablets and Extracts from Tablets Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh)
www.bahai.org/r/159909148

"Regard faith as a tree: its fruits and leaves, its branches and boughs are, and ever have been, truthfulness, trustworthiness, rectitude of conduct, and forbearance."

 

© Chuck Egerton 2024

He is the True, the Faithful.

O Abu’l-Ḥasan!¹ God willing thou art sustained by His lordly favours and art occupied with such deeds as befit His Day. Regard faith as a tree: its fruits and leaves, its branches and boughs are, and ever have been, truthfulness, trustworthiness, rectitude of conduct, and forbearance. Be assured of God’s sustaining grace, and engage thyself with service to His Faith. We have designated thee a trustee of God, have bidden thee to observe that which shall exalt the Cause of Him Who is the Lord of the worlds, and have bestowed upon thee the right to receive Ḥuqúqu’lláh. Consort with the people in a spirit of amity and concord, and be unto them a loyal counsellor and a loving companion. Content thyself then with that which We have ordained for thee.

In this Day it is incumbent upon all to evince true resignation. The Primal Point Himself hath informed every soul and summoned them to this lofty and sublime station, that all may attain unto the good-pleasure of God, may forsake their own desires, of whose ultimate consequence they remain ignorant, and may fix their gaze upon the will of God. Nor is this fleeting life of such worth that it should distract any soul from the True One or deflect him from that which is pleasing unto Him.

Convey Our greetings to all Our loved ones and remind them of this station, which in truth is the loftiest of stations. Thus hath this Wronged One bidden thee, that thou mayest yield thanks to thy God, the Lord of utterance and bounty. My glory be upon thee and upon them that have acted as bidden by Him Who is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise."

—Bahá’u’lláh

1 Known as Jináb-i-Amín, Trustee of the Ḥuqúq in the days of Bahá’u’lláh.

(Additional Tablets and Extracts from Tablets Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh)
www.bahai.org/r/441401089

"He is among those that God hath singled out for His Cause."

 

'Abdu'l-Bahá

"You asked about My sons.... And one of them will be manifested through the power of the true Faith, and God will cause signs of His might to flow from his tongue. He is among those that God hath singled out for His Cause. There is no God but Him."

—Bahá’u’lláh

(Additional Tablets and Extracts from Tablets Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh)
www.bahai.org/r/635376331

“O members of parliaments throughout the world! Select ye a single language for the use of all on earth....”

 

Rosetta Stone

"Concerning the question of language: In the Kitáb-i-Aqdas hath been revealed that which is sufficient unto all.... “O members of parliaments throughout the world! Select ye a single language for the use of all on earth....” And this categorical ordinance is revealed from the Ancient Realm of Glory for the people of the world in general and the members of parliaments in particular, inasmuch as the application of the laws and ordinances revealed in the Book hath been left to the men of divine Houses of Justice. This command is the greatest means of unity and the most powerful cause of fellowship and solidarity among the people of the world."

—Bahá’u’lláh

(Additional Tablets and Extracts from Tablets Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh)
www.bahai.org/r/468235112

“This is the Day promised unto you in the Holy Books of old.”

 

© Chuck Egerton 2024

"By God! The Preserved Tablet hath appeared; it walketh amongst His servants and calleth out: “This is the Day promised unto you in the Holy Books of old.” "

—Bahá’u’lláh

(Additional Tablets and Extracts from Tablets Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh)
www.bahai.org/r/905085121

"In the early days, when the Divine verses were revealed, absolutely no regard was given to the grammatical conventions of the people ..."

 

Illuminated Tablet in handwriting of Bahá'u'lláh

"In the early days, when the Divine verses were revealed, absolutely no regard was given to the grammatical conventions of the people, whereas in these days, out of considerations of wisdom, regard is being paid to them. If, therefore, a previously revealed Tablet is read out before Our countenance, new wording is, in certain places, revealed to take the place of the old. Such modifications, however, concern only the outward aspects of the wording, for in reality it is correct in the form in which it was originally revealed."

—Bahá’u’lláh

(Additional Tablets and Extracts from Tablets Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh)
www.bahai.org/r/959315823

"As for thy mention of the Obligatory Prayer: In truth, anyone who readeth this with absolute sincerity will attract all created things, and confer new life upon the world of being."

Moonbow - Photo by Trina G.

"As for thy mention of the Obligatory Prayer: In truth, anyone who readeth this with absolute sincerity will attract all created things, and confer new life upon the world of being. This servant beseecheth his Lord to assist His loved ones in that which will deliver them from this world’s vicissitudes, its preoccupations, its frustrations, and its darkness, and will adorn them with that which shall under all conditions draw them nigh unto Him.¹ He, verily, is the All-Possessing, the Most High.

This Obligatory Prayer is different from that revealed in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. That prayer, together with the writings of the Primal Point—may the souls of all else but Him be offered up for His sake!—was for reasons of prudence sent to another place. Then, a few years later, another prayer was revealed, which is also not in hand. Finally, the three present prayers were revealed from the heaven of Him Who is the Desire of the world.

The intention is the use of one of these three prayers: In other words, if one is used, the other two are not obligatory. Likewise, with regard to communal and individual prayer, the rule regarding this will be despatched hereafter. In accordance with instructions, whatsoever hath been revealed with regard to the laws will be forwarded on the next occasion. These same particulars were communicated by Him to Jináb-i-‘Alí-Akbar—upon him be the Glory of God, the Most Glorious!"

—Bahá’u’lláh

(Additional Tablets and Extracts from Tablets Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh)
www.bahai.org/r/150486855

1. This Tablet was revealed in the voice of Bahá’u’lláh’s amanuensis, Mírzá Áqá Ján, surnamed Khádimu’lláh (Servant of God). Out of respect, the Bahá’ís, rather than addressing Bahá’u’lláh directly, would write to Mírzá Áqá Ján. The reply would be in the form of a letter from Mírzá Áqá Ján quoting words of Bahá’u’lláh, but would, in fact, be dictated in its entirety by Bahá’u’lláh. All parts of such Tablets, even those which ostensibly are the words of Mírzá Áqá Ján himself, are Sacred Scripture revealed by Bahá’u’lláh.

" ... for a name alone is not sufficient in this day: rather what is requisite and fitting is a matching character, a reality that correspondeth to the name."

 

Owl - photo by Trina G.

"The maidservant of God Khurshíd in the Land of Alif

He is the Most Glorious.

O Khurshíd! Thy letter hath come into the presence of God, and attained unto the court wherein His mercy-seat hath been established. Thanks and praise be unto Him. O Khurshíd! Strive that thou mayest become in reality like unto thy name—a heavenly luminary shining brilliantly above the horizon of the firmament of love;¹ for a name alone is not sufficient in this day: rather what is requisite and fitting is a matching character, a reality that correspondeth to the name. How many are the souls who, though in name “Beloved”,² are in reality detested of the Lord! Please God, thou wilt, both inwardly and outwardly, exemplify thy name.

I swear by the Day-Star of the heaven of Divine Unity! Were the sun of this physical heaven to be acquainted with the sorrows that have afflicted the Beauty of the All-Merciful, it would rise no more above its dawning-place, and would divest itself of the robe of its refulgency and light. Howbeit, We have concealed Our woes from all created things, lest they that are the embodiments of names in the kingdom of creation should be consumed away.

Be not then afflicted, and occupy thyself at all times with the remembrance of the Well-Beloved. Be not saddened by the sorrows of the world, nor gladdened by its joys, for with the swiftness of lightning both shall pass away and come to naught. Detach thy heart from all that perisheth, and enter thou the imperishable dominion. Render thanks unto the Well-Beloved that thou hast attained unto His love, a love that purifieth the soul of sickness and transgression, and answereth one’s wants and needs. Please God thou wilt remain constant in His love, and wilt not deviate from the straight path of His Cause. The sign of those that love Him, however, is that they should walk in the ways of His good-pleasure, and not in the pathway of their evil passions and desires. Abide thou ever neath the shadow of His mercy, and detach thyself from all save Him. Do thou convey Our salutation and blessing to all those handmaidens who are devoted unto Him. The Glory of God rest upon you."

—Bahá’u’lláh

1 A punning reference to the fact that the addressee’s name, “Khurshíd”, is also the Persian word for “sun”.
2 i.e, who bear the name “Maḥbúb” or “Maḥbúbih” (“Beloved”).

(Additional Tablets and Extracts from Tablets Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh)
www.bahai.org/r/404852139

"Through the benevolent exertions of these souls, the world is radiant and luminous with the light of justice and equity."

 

St. Croix photo by Trina G. 

"Glory be to the Lord of the world, and thanks be to the Hands of His Cause, and praise be to the Trustees of His House of Justice, who, in their endeavours to raise aloft His Word and exalt His utterance, have renounced themselves and all created things, and are regardful of and tenaciously adhering to whatsoever will promote the Cause of God. We fain would hope that there may appear from these chosen ones of God, who are related to the Most Great Name, that which in the realm of action shall be the king of deeds, and in the realm of speech the prince of utterances. Through the benevolent exertions of these souls, the world is radiant and luminous with the light of justice and equity. Glorified be the majesty of God, our Lord and the Lord of the Mighty Throne."

—Bahá’u’lláh

(Additional Tablets and Extracts from Tablets Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh)
www.bahai.org/r/393829373

“The destructive effects of inequality prevent men from maturing and developing the qualities necessary to meet the challenges of the new millennium."

"Women and men have been and will always be equal in the sight of God."

(Additional Tablets and Extracts from Tablets Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh)

www.bahai.org/r/156706577 

“Men have an inescapable duty to promote the equality of women. The presumption of superiority by men thwarts the ambition of women and inhibits the creation of an environment in which equality may reign. The destructive effects of inequality prevent men from maturing and developing the qualities necessary to meet the challenges of the new millennium. “As long as women are prevented from attaining their highest possibilities,” the Bahá’í Writings state, “so long will men be unable to achieve the greatness which might be theirs.”

( ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Paris Talks: Addresses Given by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Paris in 1911, 12th ed. (London: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1995), 40.33)  Quoted in Two Wings of a Bird – National Spiritual Assembly of United States

"Every handmaiden who attaineth unto the recognition of the King of Names is accounted in the Book of God a true man, and so recorded by the Pen of the Most High."

 

Monticello cabin for the enslaved, © Chuck Egerton 2024

"He it is Who shineth forth in splendour from the supreme horizon.

O My handmaiden! How many the men who, throughout the centuries and ages, expectantly awaited the promised Manifestation, yet when His radiance dawned above the horizon of the world all turned away from Him but for a few. Every handmaiden who attaineth unto the recognition of the King of Names is accounted in the Book of God a true man, and so recorded by the Pen of the Most High. Yield thou thanks unto the Best-Beloved of the world, for having graciously assisted thee to recognize the Dayspring of His perspicuous signs and the Dawning-Place of His undoubted proofs. Great is this bounty, and mighty this bestowal. Do thou preserve it in the name of the one true God."

—Bahá’u’lláh

(Additional Tablets and Extracts from Tablets Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh)
www.bahai.org/r/057512604

"Most of the wealth of men is not pure."

 

photo by Margarete P.

"O Samandar! How many are the souls who, with the utmost endeavour and effort, collect a handful of worldly goods and greatly rejoice in this act, and yet in reality the Pen of the Most High hath decreed this wealth for others; that is, it is not meant to be their lot or it may even fall into the hands of their enemies! We seek shelter in God from such an evident loss. One’s life is wasted; by day and by night, troubles are endured, and wealth becometh a source of affliction. Most of the wealth of men is not pure. Should they follow what is revealed by God, they would assuredly not be deprived of His grace and they would, in all circumstances, be protected under His bounty and blessed by His mercy."

—Bahá’u’lláh

(Additional Tablets and Extracts from Tablets Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh)
www.bahai.org/r/772109960

"The world is evanescent, and one’s life fleeting."

 

photo by Trina G.

"O Zayn! It behoveth thee to entreat God to graciously enable His faithful servants to meet the obligation of Ḥuqúq. The world is evanescent, and one’s life fleeting. Therefore if one is privileged to offer that which is binding upon him, such an act hath ever been and will be nearer to piety and righteousness.... It is incumbent upon everyone to fulfil that which hath been set forth in the Book of God, exalted be His glory."

—Bahá’u’lláh

(Additional Tablets and Extracts from Tablets Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh)
www.bahai.org/r/793994980

“We, verily, have ordained for him this exalted station, this high designation."

 

© Chuck Egerton 2024

"What thou hadst written regarding martyrdom in the Path of God was presented, and He spoke thus, supreme is His Power: “We, verily, have ordained for him this exalted station, this high designation. Well it is with him that he attained this station prior to its appearance, and We accepted from him that which he intended in the path of God, the One, the Single, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.” "

—Bahá’u’lláh

(Additional Tablets and Extracts from Tablets Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh)
www.bahai.org/r/632401213

" ... that thou didst present thyself and didst stand at the door ..."

St. Croix photo by Trina G. 

 

"We testify that thou didst enter the prison, that thou didst present thyself and didst stand at the door, and thou didst hear the words of this Wronged One, by Whom all lamps are ignited."

—Bahá’u’lláh
(Additional Tablets and Extracts from Tablets Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh)
www.bahai.org/r/539797135

" ... to make known unto them that which will exalt their stations and will transmute their abasement into glory, their poverty into wealth, their ruin into prosperity, their agitation into quiet calm, and their fear into peace and security. "

 

© Daily Star

"The state of affairs hath changed, the countries are agitated, and Islam hath thereby been weakened and is beset by enemies. It is incumbent upon this people to supplicate God, at morn and at eventide, and beseech Him to confirm the entire community of the followers of Islam to attain that which is beloved and pleasing unto Him, to raise them up through the power of His might and sovereignty, and to make known unto them that which will exalt their stations and will transmute their abasement into glory, their poverty into wealth, their ruin into prosperity, their agitation into quiet calm, and their fear into peace and security. He is, verily, the All-Merciful. There is no God but Him, the All-Bounteous, the All-Glorious."

—Bahá’u’lláh

(Additional Tablets and Extracts from Tablets Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh)
www.bahai.org/r/101304057

"After man’s recognition of God, and becoming steadfast in His Cause, the station of affection, of harmony, of concord, and of unity is superior to that of most other goodly deeds."

 

© Chuck Egerton 2024

"Thou hast asked about affection and reconciliation in the case of Mírzá.... This matter was mentioned in the Holy Presence. This is what the tongue of our All-Merciful Lord uttered in response: “This is regarded with favour and is well pleasing. After man’s recognition of God, and becoming steadfast in His Cause, the station of affection, of harmony, of concord, and of unity is superior to that of most other goodly deeds. This is what He Who is the Desire of the world hath testified at every morn and eve. God grant that ye may follow that which hath been revealed in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas.” "

—Bahá’u’lláh

(Additional Tablets and Extracts from Tablets Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh)
www.bahai.org/r/009237198