Thursday, March 19, 2015

" ... However, shouldst thou return unto Us, We would convert thy negation into affirmation."





"In truth We tested thee and found that thou wert not of them that are endowed with understanding, wherefore We passed upon thee the sentence of negation, as a token of justice from Our presence; and verily We are equitable.

However, shouldst thou return unto Us, We would convert thy negation into affirmation. Verily We are the One Who is of immense bounteousness. But should the Primal Point cease to be with you, then the judgment given in the Words of God shall be final and unalterable and every one will assuredly uphold it."

-The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

“Is not the rising of the Morn, foreshadowed in the Mother Book, to be near at hand?"



"THE angels and the spirits, arrayed rank upon rank, descend, by the leave of God, upon this Gate 1 and circle round this Focal Point in a far-stretching line. Greet them with salutations, O Qurratu’l-‘Ayn , for the dawn hath indeed broken; then proclaim unto the concourse of the faithful: “Is not the rising of the Morn, foreshadowed in the Mother Book, to be near at hand? …”"
2

-The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb, Excerpts from the Qayyúmu’l-Asmá’


1 cf. Qur’án 78:38. 
∑ In these passages of the Qayyúmu’l-Asmá’ the name Qurratu’l-‘Ayn (Solace of the Eyes) refers to the Báb Himself. 
2. cf. Qur’án 11:83.

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

"Thou hast inspired my soul to offer its supplication to Thee, and but for Thee, I would not call upon Thee."



"I beg Thy forgiveness, O my God, and implore pardon after the manner Thou wishest Thy servants to direct themselves to Thee. I beg of Thee to wash away our sins as befitteth Thy Lordship, and to forgive me, my parents, and those who in Thy estimation have entered the abode of Thy love in a manner which is worthy of Thy transcendent sovereignty and well beseemeth the glory of Thy celestial power.

O my God! Thou hast inspired my soul to offer its supplication to Thee, and but for Thee, I would not call upon Thee. Lauded and glorified art Thou; I yield Thee praise inasmuch as Thou didst reveal Thyself unto me, and I beg Thee to forgive me, since I have fallen short in my duty to know Thee and have failed to walk in the path of Thy love."

-The Báb, Bahá’í Prayers: A Selection of Prayers Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Monday, March 16, 2015

“Would that we had followed the path of the Báb! Would that we had sought refuge only with Him ..."



"DO men imagine that We are far distant from the people of the world? Nay, the day We cause them to be assailed by the pangs of death1 they shall, upon the plain of Resurrection, behold how the Lord of Mercy and His Remembrance were near. Thereupon they shall exclaim: “Would that we had followed the path of the Báb! Would that we had sought refuge only with Him, and not with men of perversity and error! For verily the Remembrance of God appeared before us,2 behind us, and on all sides, yet we were, in very truth, shut out as by a veil from Him.” Chapter VII."

-The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb, Excerpts from the Qayyúmu’l-Asmá’


1. cf. Qur'an 68:42
2. cf. Qur’án 7:63, 69

Sunday, March 15, 2015

"INDEED We conversed with Moses by the leave of God from the midst of the Burning Bush in the Sinai ..."



"INDEED We conversed with Moses by the leave of God from the midst of the Burning Bush in the Sinai and revealed an infinitesimal glimmer of Thy Light upon the Mystic Mount and its dwellers, whereupon the Mount shook to its foundations and was crushed into dust.…

O peoples of the earth! I swear by your Lord! Ye shall act as former generations have acted. Warn ye, then, yourselves of the terrible, the most grievous vengeance of God. For God is, verily, potent over all things. Chapter LIII."

-The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb , Excerpts from the Qayyúmu’l-Asmá’

Saturday, March 14, 2015

"I AM the Mystic Fane which the Hand of Omnipotence hath reared. ..."



"I AM the Mystic Fane which the Hand of Omnipotence hath reared. I am the Lamp which the Finger of God hath lit within its niche and caused to shine with deathless splendor. I am the Flame of that supernal Light that glowed upon Sinai in the gladsome Spot, and lay concealed in the midst of the Burning Bush. Chapter XCIV."

-The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb, Excerpts from the Qayyúmu’l-Asmá’

Friday, March 13, 2015

" ... Indeed they will not lay plots but against themselves...."



"ARE ye wickedly scheming, according to your selfish fancies, an evil plot against Him Who is the Most Great Remembrance of God? By the righteousness of God, all who are in the heaven and on earth and whatsoever lieth between them are regarded in My sight even as a spider’s web,1 and verily God beareth witness unto all things. Indeed they will not lay plots but against themselves. God hath caused this Remembrance to be, in very truth, independent of all the dwellers of earth and heaven. Chapter XXV."

-The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb, Excerpts from the Qayyúmu’l-Asmá’


1. c.f. Qur'án 29:40