"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