,the ,will ,and ,testament of ',abdu'l-,bah by ',abdu'l-,bah ,edition #a1 7,september #bjjf7 ,,baha',i ,,terms ,,of ,,use ,you have permission to freely make and use copies of the text and any other information 7,content7 available on this ,site including printing1 emailing1 posting1 distributing1 copying1 downloading1 uploading1 transmitting1 displaying the ,content in whole or in part subject to the following3 #a4 ,our copyright notice and the source reference must be attached to the ,content2 #b4 ,the ,content may not be modified or altered in any way except to change the font or appearance2 #c4 ,the ,content must be used solely for a non-commercial purpose4 ,although this blanket permission to reproduce the ,content is given freely such that no special permission is required1 the ,bah' ,international ,community retains full copyright protection for all ,content included at this ,site under all applicable national and international laws4 ,for permission to publish1 transmit1 display or otherwise use the ,content for any commercial purpose1 please contact us 7http3_/_/reference4bahai4org_/en_/conta ct4html74 ,,contents ,baha'i ,terms of ,use ,part ,one ,part ,two ,part ,three ,,part ,,one ,herein ,follow the ,tablets and ,testament of ',abdu'l-,bah ,all-praise ,to ,him ,who1 by the ,shield of ,his ,covenant1 hath guarded the ,temple of ,his ,cause from the darts of doubtfulness1 ,who by the ,hosts of ,his ,testament hath preserved the ,sanctuary of ,his most ,beneficent ,law and protected ,his ,straight and ,luminous ,path1 staying thereby the onslaught of the company of ,covenant-breakers1 that have threatened to subvert ,his ,divine ,edifice2 ,who hath watched over ,his ,mighty ,stronghold and ,all-,glorious ,faith1 through the aid of men whom the slander of the slanderer affect not1 whom no earthly calling1 glory and power can turn aside from the ,covenant of ,god and ,his ,testament1 established firmly by ,his clear and manifest words1 writ and revealed by ,his ,all-,glorious ,pen and recorded in the ,preserved ,tablet4 ,salutation and praise1 blessing and glory rest upon that primal branch of the ,divine and ,sacred ,lote-,tree1 grown out1 blest1 tender1 verdant and flourishing from the ,twin ,holy ,trees2 the most wondrous1 unique and priceless pearl that doth gleam from out the ,twin surging seas2 upon the offshoots of the ,tree of ,holiness1 the twigs of the ,celestial ,tree1 they that in the ,day of the ,great ,dividing have stood fast and firm in the ,covenant2 upon the ,hands 7pillars7 of the ,cause of ,god that have diffused widely the ,divine ,fragrances1 declared ,his ,proofs1 proclaimed ,his ,faith1 published abroad ,his ,law1 detached themselves from all things but ,him1 stood for righteousness in this world1 and kindled the ,fire of the ,love of ,god in the very hearts and souls of ,his servants2 upon them that have believed1 rested assured1 stood steadfast in ,his ,covenant and followed the ,light that after my passing shineth from the ,dayspring of ,divine ,guidance--for behold6 he is the blest and sacred bough that hath branched out from the ,twin ,holy ,trees4 ,well is it with him that seeketh the shelter of his shade that shadoweth all mankind4 ,o ye beloved of the ,lord6 ,the greatest of all things is the protection of the ,true ,faith of ,god1 the preservation of ,his ,law1 the safeguarding of ,his ,cause and service unto ,his ,word4 ,ten thousand souls have shed streams of their sacred blood in this path1 their precious lives they offered in sacrifice unto ,him1 hastened wrapt in holy ecstasy unto the glorious field of martyrdom1 upraised the ,standard of ,god's ,faith and writ with their life-blood upon the ,tablet of the world the verses of ,his ,divine ,unity4 ,the sacred breast of ,his ,holiness1 the ,exalted ,one 7may my life be a sacrifice unto ,him71 was made a target to many a dart of woe1 and in ,mzindarn1 the blessed feet of the ,abh ,beauty 7may my life be offered up for ,his loved ones7 were so grievously scourged as to bleed and be sore wounded4 ,his neck also was put into captive chains and ,his feet made fast in the stocks4 ,in every hour1 for a period of fifty years1 a new trial and calamity befell ,him and fresh afflictions and cares beset ,him4 ,one of them3 after having suffered intense vicissitudes1 ,he was made homeless and a wanderer and fell a victim to still new vexations and troubles4 ,in ',irq1 the ,day-,star of the world was so exposed to the wiles of the people of malice as to be eclipsed in splendor4 ,later on ,he was sent an exile to the ,great ,city 7,constantinople7 and thence to the ,land of ,mystery 7,adrianople71 whence1 grievously wronged1 ,he was eventually transferred to the ,most ,great ,prison 7,akk74 ,he ,whom the world hath wronged 7may my life be offered up for ,his loved ones7 was four times banished from city to city1 till at last1 condemned to perpetual confinement1 ,he was incarcerated in this prison1 the prison of highway robbers1 of brigands and of man-slayers4 ,all this is but one of the trials that have afflicted the ,blessed ,beauty1 the rest being even as grievous as this4 ,and still another of ,his trials was the hostility1 the flagrant injustice1 the iniquity and rebellion of ,mrz ,yahy4 ,although that ,wronged ,one1 that ,prisoner1 had through ,his loving-kindness nurtured him in ,his own bosom ever since his early years1 had showered at every moment ,his tender care upon him1 exalted his name1 shielded him from every misfortune1 endeared him to them of this world and the next1 and despite the firm exhortations and counsels of ,his ,holiness1 the ,exalted ,one 7the ,bb7 and ,his clear and conclusive warning2--,beware1 beware1 lest the ,nineteen ,letters of the ,living and that which hath been revealed in the ,bayn veil thee6 yet notwithstanding this1 ,mrz ,yahy denied ,him1 dealt falsely with ,him1 believed ,him not1 sowed the seeds of doubt1 closed his eyes to ,his manifest verses and turned aside therefrom4 ,would that he had been content therewith6 ,nay1 he even attempted to shed the sacred blood 7of ,bah'u'llh7 and then raised a great clamor and tumult around him1 attributing unto ,bah'u'llh malevolence and cruelty towards himself4 ,what sedition he stirred up and what a storm of mischief he raised whilst in the ,land of ,mystery 7,adrianople76 ,at last1 he wrought that which caused the ,day-,star of the world to be sent an exile to this1 the ,most ,great ,prison1 and sorely wronged1 and in the ,west of this ,great ,prison ,he did set4 ,o ye that stand fast and firm in the ,covenant6 ,the ,center of ,sedition1 the ,prime ,mover of mischief1 ,mrz ,muhammad ',al1 hath passed out from under the shadow of the ,cause1 hath broken the ,covenant1 hath falsified the ,holy ,text1 hath inflicted a grievous loss upon the true ,faith of ,god1 hath scattered ,his people1 hath with bitter rancor endeavored to hurt ',abdu'l-,bah and hath assailed with the utmost enmity this servant of the ,sacred ,threshold4 ,every dart he seized and hurled to pierce the breast of this wronged servant1 no wound did he neglect to grievously inflict upon me1 no venom did he spare but he poisoned therewith the life of this hapless one4 ,i swear by the most holy ,abh ,beauty and by the ,light shining from ,his ,holiness1 the ,exalted ,one 7may my soul be a sacrifice for ,their lowly servants71 that because of this iniquity the dwellers in the ,pavilion of the ,abh ,kingdom have bewailed1 the ,celestial ,concourse is lamenting1 the ,immortal ,maids of ,heaven in the ,all-,highest ,paradise have raised their plaintive cries and the angelic company sighed and uttered their moanings4 ,so grievous the deeds of this iniquitous person became that he struck with his axe at the root of the ,blessed ,tree1 dealt a heavy blow at the ,temple of the ,cause of ,god1 deluged with tears of blood the eyes of the loved ones of the ,blessed ,beauty1 cheered and encouraged the enemies of the ,one ,true ,god1 by his repudiation of the ,covenant turned many a seeker after ,truth aside from the ,cause of ,god1 revived the blighted hopes of ,yahy's following1 made himself detested1 caused the enemies of the ,greatest ,name to become audacious and arrogant1 put aside the firm and conclusive verses and sowed the seeds of doubt4 ,had not the promised aid of the ,ancient ,beauty been graciously vouchsafed at every moment to this one1 unworthy though he be1 he surely would have destroyed1 nay exterminated the ,cause of ,god and utterly subverted the ,divine ,edifice4 ,but1 praised be the ,lord1 the triumphant assistance of the ,abh ,kingdom was received1 the hosts of the ,realm above hastened to bestow victory4 ,the ,cause of ,god was promoted far and wide1 the call of the ,true ,one was noised abroad1 ears in all regions were inclined to the ,word of ,god1 ,his standard was unfurled1 the ensigns of ,holiness gloriously waved aloft and the verses celebrating ,his ,divine ,unity were chanted4 ,now1 that the true ,faith of ,god may be shielded and protected1 ,his ,law guarded and preserved and ,his ,cause remain safe and secure1 it is incumbent upon everyone to hold fast unto the ,text of the clear and firmly established blessed verse1 revealed about him4 ,none other transgression greater than his can be ever imagined4 ,he 7,bah'u'llh7 sayeth1 glorious and holy is ,his ,word3--,my foolish loved ones have regarded him even as my partner1 have kindled sedition in the land and they verily are of the mischief-makers4 ,consider1 how foolish are the people6 ,they that have been in ,his 7,bah'u'llh's7 ,presence and beheld ,his ,countenance1 have nevertheless noised abroad such idle talk1 until1 exalted be ,his explicit words1 ,he said3--,should he for a moment pass out from under the shadow of the ,cause1 he surely shall be brought to naught4 ,reflect6 ,what stress ,he layeth upon one moment's deviation3 that is1 were he to incline a hair's breadth to the right or to the left1 his deviation would be clearly established and his utter nothingness made manifest4 ,and now ye are witnessing how the wrath of ,god hath from all sides afflicted him and how day by day he is speeding towards destruction4 ,ere long will ye behold him and his associates1 outwardly and inwardly1 condemned to utter ruin4 ,what deviation can be greater than breaking the ,covenant of ,god6 ,what deviation can be greater than interpolating and falsifying the words and verses of the ,sacred ,text1 even as testified and declared by ,mrz ,bad'u'llh6 ,what deviation can be greater than calumniating the ,center of the ,covenant himself6 ,what deviation can be more glaring than spreading broadcast false and foolish reports touching the ,temple of ,god's ,testament6 ,what deviation can be more grievous than decreeing the death of the ,center of the ,covenant1 supported by the holy verse3--,he that layeth a claim ere the passing of a thousand years4441 whilst he 7,muhammad ',al7 without shame in the days of the ,blessed ,beauty had advanced such a claim as this and been confuted by ,him in the aforementioned manner1 the text of his claim being still extant in his own handwriting and bearing his own seal4 ,what deviation can be more complete than falsely accusing the loved ones of ,god6 ,what deviation can be more evil than causing their imprisonment and incarceration6 ,what deviation can be more severe than delivering into the hands of the government the ,holy ,writings and ,epistles1 that haply they 7the government7 might arise intent upon the death of this wronged one6 ,what deviation can be more violent than threatening the ruin of the ,cause of ,god1 forging and slanderously falsifying letters and documents so that this might perturb and alarm the government and lead to the shedding of the blood of this wronged one1--such letters and documents being now in the possession of the government6 ,what deviation can be more odious than his iniquity and rebellion6 ,what deviation can be more shameful than dispersing the gathering of the people of salvation6 ,what deviation can be more infamous than the vain and feeble interpretations of the people of doubt6 ,what deviation can be more wicked than joining hands with strangers and with the enemies of ,god6 ,a few months ago1 in concert with others1 he that hath broken the ,covenant1 hath prepared a document teeming with calumny and slander wherein1 the ,lord forbid1 among many similar slanderous charges1 ',abdu'l-,bah is deemed a deadly enemy1 the ill-wisher of the ,crown4 ,they so perturbed the minds of the members of the ,imperial ,government that at last a ,committee of ,investigation was sent from the seat of ,his ,majesty's ,government which1 violating every rule of justice and equity that befit ,his ,imperial ,majesty1 nay1 with the most glaring injustice1 proceeded with its investigations4 ,the ill-wishers of the ,one ,true ,god surrounded them on every side and explained and excessively enlarged upon the text of the document whilst they 7the members of the ,committee7 in their turn blindly acquiesced4 ,one of their many calumnies was that this servant had raised aloft a banner in this city1 had summoned the people together under it1 had established a new sovereignty for himself1 had erected upon ,mount ,carmel a mighty stronghold1 had rallied around him all the peoples of the land and made them obedient to him1 had caused disruption in the ,faith of ,islm1 had covenanted with the following of ,christ and1 ,god forbid1 had purposed to cause the gravest breach in the mighty power of the ,crown4 ,may the ,lord protect us from such atrocious falsehoods6 ,according to the direct and sacred command of ,god we are forbidden to utter slander1 are commanded to show forth peace and amity1 are exhorted to rectitude of conduct1 straightforwardness and harmony with all the kindreds and peoples of the world4 ,we must obey and be the well-wishers of the governments of the land1 regard disloyalty unto a just king as disloyalty to ,god ,himself and wishing evil to the government a transgression of the ,cause of ,god4 ,with these final and decisive words1 how can it be that these imprisoned ones should indulge in such vain fancies2 incarcerated1 how could they show forth such disloyalty6 ,but alas6 ,the ,committee of ,investigation hath approved and confirmed these calumnies of my brother and ill-wishers and submitted them to the presence of ,his ,majesty the ,sovereign4 ,now at this moment a fierce storm is raging around this prisoner who awaiteth1 be it favorable or unfavorable1 the gracious will of ,his ,majesty1 may the ,lord aid him by ,his grace to be just4 ,in whatsoever condition he may be1 with absolute calm and quietness1 ',abdu'l-,bah is ready for self-sacrifice and is wholly resigned and submitted to ,his ,will4 ,what transgression can be more abominable1 more odious1 more wicked than this6 ,in like manner1 the focal ,center of ,hate1 hath purposed to put ',abdu'l-,bah to death and this is supported by the testimony written by ,mrz ,shu''u'llh himself and is here enclosed4 ,it is evident and indisputable that they are privily and with the utmost subtlety engaged in conspiring against me4 ,the following are his very words written by him in this letter3--,i curse at every moment him that hath kindled this discord1 imprecate in these words ',lord6 have no mercy upon him' and ,i hope ere long ,god will make manifest the one that shall have no pity on him1 who now weareth another garb and about whom ,i cannot any more explain4 ,reference he doth make by these words to the sacred verse that beginneth as follows3--,he that layeth a claim ere the passing of a thousand years444 ,reflect6 ,how intent they are upon the death of ',abdu'l-,bah6 ,ponder in your hearts upon the phrase ,i cannot any more explain and realize what schemes they are devising for this purpose4 ,they fear lest1 too fully explained1 the letter might fall into alien hands and their schemes be foiled and frustrated4 ,the phrase is only foretelling good tidings to come1 namely that regarding this all requisite arrangements have been made4 ,o ,god1 my ,god6 ,thou seest this wronged servant of ,thine1 held fast in the talons of ferocious lions1 of ravening wolves1 of bloodthirsty beasts4 ,graciously assist me1 through my love for ,thee1 that ,i may drink deep of the chalice that brimmeth over with faithfulness to ,thee and is filled with ,thy bountiful ,grace2 so that1 fallen upon the dust1 ,i may sink prostrate and senseless whilst my vesture is dyed crimson with my blood4 ,this is my wish1 my heart's desire1 my hope1 my pride1 my glory4 ,grant1 ,o ,lord my ,god1 and my ,refuge1 that in my last hour1 my end may even as musk shed its fragrance of glory6 ,is there a bounty greater than this8 ,nay1 by ,thy ,glory6 ,i call ,thee to witness that no day passeth but that ,i quaff my fill from this cup1 so grievous are the misdeeds wrought by them that have broken the ,covenant1 kindled discord1 showed their malice1 stirred sedition in the land and dishonored ,thee amidst ,thy servants4 ,lord6 ,shield ,thou from these ,covenant-breakers the mighty ,stronghold of ,thy ,faith and protect ,thy secret ,sanctuary from the onslaught of the ungodly4 ,thou art in truth the ,mighty1 the ,powerful1 the ,gracious1 the ,strong4 ,in short1 ,o ye beloved of the ,lord6 ,the ,center of ,sedition1 ,mrz ,muhammad ',al1 in accordance with the decisive words of ,god and by reason of his boundless transgression1 hath grievously fallen and been cut off from the ,holy ,tree4 ,verily1 we wronged them not1 but they have wronged themselves6 ,o ,god1 my ,god6 ,shield ,thy trusted servants from the evils of self and passion1 protect them with the watchful eye of ,thy loving kindness from all rancor1 hate and envy1 shelter them in the impregnable stronghold of ,thy care and1 safe from the darts of doubtfulness1 make them the manifestations of ,thy glorious ,signs1 illumine their faces with the effulgent rays shed from the ,dayspring of ,thy ,divine ,unity1 gladden their hearts with the verses revealed from ,thy ,holy ,kingdom1 strengthen their loins by ,thy all-swaying power that cometh from ,thy ,realm of ,glory4 ,thou art the ,all-,bountiful1 the ,protector1 the ,almighty1 the ,gracious6 ,o ye that stand fast in the ,covenant6 ,when the hour cometh that this wronged and broken-winged bird will have taken its flight into the ,celestial ,concourse1 when it will have hastened to the ,realm of the ,unseen and its mortal frame will have been either lost or hidden neath the dust1 it is incumbent upon the ,afnn1 that are steadfast in the ,covenant of ,god and have branched from the ,tree of ,holiness2 the ,hands1 7pillars7 of the ,cause of ,god 7the glory of the ,lord rest upon them71 and all the friends and loved ones1 one and all to bestir themselves and arise with heart and soul and in one accord1 to diffuse the sweet savors of ,god1 to teach ,his ,cause and to promote ,his ,faith4 ,it behooveth them not to rest for a moment1 neither to seek repose4 ,they must disperse themselves in every land1 pass by every clime1 and travel throughout all regions4 ,bestirred1 without rest1 and steadfast to the end1 they must raise in every land the triumphal cry ,y ,bah'u'l-,abh6 7,o ,thou the ,glory of ,glories71 must achieve renown in the world wherever they go1 must burn brightly even as a candle in every meeting and must kindle the flame of ,divine love in every assembly2 that the light of truth may rise resplendent in the midmost heart of the world1 that throughout the ,east and throughout the ,west a vast concourse may gather under the shadow of the ,word of ,god1 that the sweet savors of holiness may be diffused1 that faces may shine radiantly1 hearts be filled with the ,divine spirit and souls be made heavenly4 ,in these days1 the most important of all things is the guidance of the nations and peoples of the world4 ,teaching the ,cause is of utmost importance for it is the head corner-stone of the foundation itself4 ,this wronged servant has spent his days and nights in promoting the ,cause and urging the peoples to service4 ,he rested not a moment1 till the fame of the ,cause of ,god was noised abroad in the world and the celestial strains from the ,abh ,kingdom roused the ,east and the ,west4 ,the beloved of ,god must also follow the same example4 ,this is the secret of faithfulness1 this is the requirement of servitude to the ,threshold of ,bah6 ,the disciples of ,christ forgot themselves and all earthly things1 forsook all their cares and belongings1 purged themselves of self and passion1 and with absolute detachment scattered far and wide and engaged in calling the peoples of the world to the divine guidance2 till at last they made the world another world1 illumined the surface of the earth1 and even to their last hour proved self-sacrificing in the pathway of that beloved ,one of ,god4 ,finally in various lands they suffered glorious martyrdom4 ,let them that are men of action follow in their footsteps6 ,o my loving friends6 ,after the passing away of this wronged one1 it is incumbent upon the ,aghsn 7,branches71 the ,afnn 7,twigs7 of the ,sacred ,lote-,tree1 the ,hands 7pillars7 of the ,cause of ,god and the loved ones of the ,abh ,beauty to turn unto ,shoghi ,effendi--the youthful branch branched from the two hallowed and sacred ,lote-,trees and the fruit grown from the union of the two offshoots of the ,tree of ,holiness1--as he is the sign of ,god1 the chosen branch1 the ,guardian of the ,cause of ,god1 he unto whom all the ,aghsn1 the ,afnn1 the ,hands of the ,cause of ,god and ,his loved ones must turn4 ,he is the ,interpreter of the ,word of ,god and after him will succeed the first-born of his lineal descendents4 ,the sacred and youthful branch1 the ,guardian of the ,cause of ,god1 as well as the ,universal ,house of ,justice to be universally elected and established1 are both under the care and protection of the ,abh ,beauty1 under the shelter and unerring guidance of the ,exalted ,one 7may my life be offered up for them both74 ,whatsoever they decide is of ,god4 ,whoso obeyeth him not1 neither obeyeth them1 hath not obeyed ,god2 whoso rebelleth against him and against them hath rebelled against ,god2 whoso opposeth him hath opposed ,god2 whoso contendeth with them hath contended with ,god2 whoso disputeth with him hath disputed with ,god2 whoso denieth him hath denied ,god2 whoso disbelieveth in him hath disbelieved in ,god2 whoso deviateth1 separateth himself and turneth aside from him hath in truth deviated1 separated himself and turned aside from ,god4 ,may the wrath1 the fierce indignation1 the vengeance of ,god rest upon him6 ,the mighty stronghold shall remain impregnable and safe through obedience to him who is the ,guardian of the ,cause of ,god4 ,it is incumbent upon the members of the ,house of ,justice1 upon all the ,aghsn1 the ,afnn1 the ,hands of the ,cause of ,god to show their obedience1 submissiveness and subordination unto the ,guardian of the ,cause of ,god1 to turn unto him and be lowly before him4 ,he that opposeth him hath opposed the ,true ,one1 will make a breach in the ,cause of ,god1 will subvert ,his ,word and will become a manifestation of the ,center of ,sedition4 ,beware1 beware1 lest the days after the ascension 7of ,bah'u'llh7 be repeated when the ,center of ,sedition waxed haughty and rebellious and with ,divine ,unity for his excuse deprived himself and perturbed and poisoned others4 ,no doubt every vainglorious one that purposeth dissension and discord will not openly declare his evil purposes1 nay rather1 even as impure gold1 will he seize upon divers measures and various pretexts that he may separate the gathering of the people of ,bah4 ,my object is to show that the ,hands of the ,cause of ,god must be ever watchful and so soon as they find anyone beginning to oppose and protest against the ,guardian of the ,cause of ,god1 cast him out from the congregation of the people of ,bah and in no wise accept any excuse from him4 ,how often hath grievous error been disguised in the garb of truth1 that it might sow the seeds of doubt in the hearts of men6 ,o ye beloved of the ,lord6 ,it is incumbent upon the ,guardian of the ,cause of ,god to appoint in his own life-time him that shall become his successor1 that differences may not arise after his passing4 ,he that is appointed must manifest in himself detachment from all worldly things1 must be the essence of purity1 must show in himself the fear of ,god1 knowledge1 wisdom and learning4 ,thus1 should the first-born of the ,guardian of the ,cause of ,god not manifest in himself the truth of the words3--,the child is the secret essence of its sire1 that is1 should he not inherit of the spiritual within him 7the ,guardian of the ,cause of ,god7 and his glorious lineage not be matched with a goodly character1 then must he1 7the ,guardian of the ,cause of ,god7 choose another branch to succeed him4 ,the ,hands of the ,cause of ,god must elect from their own number nine persons that shall at all times be occupied in the important services in the work of the ,guardian of the ,cause of ,god4 ,the election of these nine must be carried either unanimously or by majority from the company of the ,hands of the ,cause of ,god and these1 whether unanimously or by a majority vote1 must give their assent to the choice of the one whom the ,guardian of the ,cause of ,god hath chosen as his successor4 ,this assent must be given in such wise as the assenting and dissenting voices may not be distinguished 7i4e41 secret ballot74 ,o friends6 ,the ,hands of the ,cause of ,god must be nominated and appointed by the ,guardian of the ,cause of ,god4 ,all must be under his shadow and obey his command4 ,should any1 within or without the company of the ,hands of the ,cause of ,god disobey and seek division1 the wrath of ,god and ,his vengeance will be upon him1 for he will have caused a breach in the true ,faith of ,god4 ,the obligations of the ,hands of the ,cause of ,god are to diffuse the ,divine ,fragrances1 to edify the souls of men1 to promote learning1 to improve the character of all men and to be1 at all times and under all conditions1 sanctified and detached from earthly things4 ,they must manifest the fear of ,god by their conduct1 their manners1 their deeds and their words4 ,this body of the ,hands of the ,cause of ,god is under the direction of the ,guardian of the ,cause of ,god4 ,he must continually urge them to strive and endeavor to the utmost of their ability to diffuse the sweet savors of ,god1 and to guide all the peoples of the world1 for it is the light of ,divine ,guidance that causeth all the universe to be illumined4 ,to disregard1 though it be for a moment1 this absolute command which is binding upon everyone1 is in no wise permitted1 that the existent world may become even as the ,abh ,paradise1 that the surface of the earth may become heavenly1 that contention and conflict amidst peoples1 kindreds1 nations and governments may disappear1 that all the dwellers on earth may become one people and one race1 that the world may become even as one home4 ,should differences arise1 they shall be amicably and conclusively settled by the ,supreme ,tribunal1 that shall include members from all the governments and peoples of the world4 ,o ye beloved of the ,lord6 ,in this sacred ,dispensation1 conflict and contention are in no wise permitted4 ,every aggressor deprives himself of ,god's grace4 ,it is incumbent upon everyone to show the utmost love1 rectitude of conduct1 straightforwardness and sincere kindliness unto all the peoples and kindreds of the world1 be they friends or strangers4 ,so intense must be the spirit of love and loving kindness1 that the stranger may find himself a friend1 the enemy a true brother1 no difference whatsoever existing between them4 ,for universality is of ,god and all limitations earthly4 ,thus man must strive that his reality may manifest virtues and perfections1 the light whereof may shine upon everyone4 ,the light of the sun shineth upon all the world and the merciful showers of ,divine ,providence fall upon all peoples4 ,the vivifying breeze reviveth every living creature and all beings endued with life obtain their share and portion at ,his heavenly board4 ,in like manner1 the affections and loving kindness of the servants of the ,one ,true ,god must be bountifully and universally extended to all mankind4 ,regarding this1 restrictions and limitations are in no wise permitted4 ,wherefore1 ,o my loving friends6 ,consort with all the peoples1 kindreds and religions of the world with the utmost truthfulness1 uprightness1 faithfulness1 kindliness1 good-will and friendliness1 that all the world of being may be filled with the holy ecstasy of the grace of ,bah1 that ignorance1 enmity1 hate and rancor may vanish from the world and the darkness of estrangement amidst the peoples and kindreds of the world may give way to the ,light of ,unity4 ,should other peoples and nations be unfaithful to you show your fidelity unto them1 should they be unjust toward you show justice towards them1 should they keep aloof from you attract them to yourselves1 should they show their enmity be friendly towards them1 should they poison your lives1 sweeten their souls1 should they inflict a wound upon you1 be a salve to their sores4 ,such are the attributes of the sincere6 ,such are the attributes of the truthful4 ,and now1 concerning the ,house of ,justice which ,god hath ordained as the source of all good and freed from all error1 it must be elected by universal suffrage1 that is1 by the believers4 ,its members must be manifestations of the fear of ,god and daysprings of knowledge and understanding1 must be steadfast in ,god's faith and the well-wishers of all mankind4 ,by this ,house is meant the ,universal ,house of ,justice1 that is1 in all countries a secondary ,house of ,justice must be instituted1 and these secondary ,houses of ,justice must elect the members of the ,universal one4 ,unto this body all things must be referred4 ,it enacteth all ordinances and regulations that are not to be found in the explicit ,holy ,text4 ,by this body all the difficult problems are to be resolved and the ,guardian of the ,cause of ,god is its sacred head and the distinguished member for life of that body4 ,should he not attend in person its deliberations1 he must appoint one to represent him4 ,should any of the members commit a sin1 injurious to the common weal1 the ,guardian of the ,cause of ,god hath at his own discretion the right to expel him1 whereupon the people must elect another one in his stead4 ,this ,house of ,justice enacteth the laws and the government enforceth them4 ,the legislative body must reinforce the executive1 the executive must aid and assist the legislative body so that through the close union and harmony of these two forces1 the foundation of fairness and justice may become firm and strong1 that all the regions of the world may become even as ,paradise itself4 ,o ,lord1 my ,god6 ,assist ,thy loved ones to be firm in ,thy ,faith1 to walk in ,thy ways1 to be steadfast in ,thy ,cause4 ,give them ,thy grace to withstand the onslaught of self and passion1 to follow the light of ,divine ,guidance4 ,thou art the ,powerful1 the ,gracious1 the ,self-,subsisting1 the ,bestower1 the ,compassionate1 the ,almighty1 the ,all-,bountiful4 ,o friends of ',abdu'l-,bah6 ,the ,lord1 as a sign of ,his infinite bounties1 hath graciously favored ,his servants by providing for a fixed money offering 7,huqq71 to be dutifully presented unto ,him1 though ,he1 the ,true ,one and ,his servants have been at all times independent of all created things1 and ,god verily is the ,all-,possessing1 exalted above the need of any gift from ,his creatures4 ,this fixed money offering1 however1 causeth the people to become firm and steadfast and draweth ,divine increase upon them4 ,it is to be offered through the ,guardian of the ,cause of ,god1 that it may be expended for the diffusion of the ,fragrances of ,god and the exaltation of ,his ,word1 for benevolent pursuits and for the common weal4 ,o ye beloved of the ,lord6 ,it is incumbent upon you to be submissive to all monarchs that are just and to show your fidelity to every righteous king4 ,serve ye the sovereigns of the world with utmost truthfulness and loyalty4 ,show obedience unto them and be their well-wishers4 ,without their leave and permission do not meddle with political affairs1 for disloyalty to the just sovereign is disloyalty to ,god ,himself4 ,this is my counsel and the commandment of ,god unto you4 ,well is it with them that act accordingly4 99 99 99 99 99 7,this written paper hath for a long time been preserved under ground1 damp having affected it4 ,when brought forth to the light it was observed that certain parts of it were injured by the damp1 and the ,holy ,land being sorely agitated it was left untouched47 ,,part ,,two ,he ,is ,god ,o ,my ,lord1 my heart's ,desire1 ,thou ,whom ,i ever invoke1 ,thou ,who art my ,aider and my ,shelter1 my ,helper and my ,refuge6 ,thou seest me submerged in an ocean of calamities that overwhelm the soul1 of afflictions that oppress the heart1 of woes that disperse ,thy gathering1 of ills and pains that scatter ,thy flock4 ,sore trials have compassed me round and perils have from all sides beset me4 ,thou seest me immersed in a sea of unsurpassed tribulation1 sunk into a fathomless abyss1 afflicted by mine enemies and consumed with the flame of their hate1 enkindled by my kinsmen with whom ,thou didst make ,thy strong ,covenant and ,thy firm ,testament1 wherein ,thou biddest them turn their hearts to this wronged one1 to keep away from me the foolish1 the unjust1 and refer unto this lonely one all that about which they differ in ,thy ,holy ,book1 so that the ,truth may be revealed unto them1 their doubts may be dispelled and ,thy manifest ,signs be spread abroad4 ,yet now ,thou seest them1 ,o ,lord1 my ,god6 with ,thine eye that sleepeth not1 how that they have broken ,thy ,covenant and turned their backs thereon1 how with hate and rebelliousness they have erred from ,thy ,testament and have arisen intent upon malice4 ,adversities have waxed still more severe as they rose with unbearable cruelty to overpower and crush me1 as they scattered far and wide their scrolls of doubt and in utter falsehood hurled their calumnies upon me4 ,not content with this1 their chief1 ,o my ,god1 hath dared to interpolate ,thy ,book1 to fraudulently alter ,thy decisive ,holy ,text and falsify that which hath been revealed by ,thy ,all-,glorious ,pen4 ,he did also maliciously insert that which ,thou didst reveal for the one that hath wrought the most glaring cruelty upon ,thee1 disbelieved in ,thee and denied ,thy wondrous ,signs1 into what ,thou didst reveal for this servant of ,thine that hath been wronged in this world4 ,all this he did that he might beguile the souls of men and breathe his evil whisperings into the hearts of ,thy devoted ones4 ,thereunto did their second chief testify1 confessing it in his own handwriting1 setting thereupon his seal and spreading it throughout all regions4 ,o my ,god6 ,could there be a more grievous injustice than this8 ,and still they rested not1 but further strove with stubbornness1 falsehood and slander1 with scorn and calumny to stir up sedition in the midst of the government of this land and elsewhere1 causing them to deem me a sower of sedition and filling the minds with things that the ear abhorreth to hear4 ,the government was thus alarmed1 fear fell upon the sovereign1 and the suspicion of the nobility was aroused4 ,minds were troubled1 affairs were upset1 souls were perturbed1 the fire of anguish and sorrow was kindled within the breasts1 the ,holy ,leaves 7of the ,household7 were convulsed and shaken1 their eyes rained with tears1 their sighs and lamentations were raised and their hearts burned within them as they bewailed this wronged servant of ,thine1 fallen a victim into the hands of these1 his kindred1 nay1 his very enemies6 ,lord6 ,thou seest all things weeping over ,me and ,my kindred rejoicing in ,my woes4 ,by ,thy ,glory1 ,o my ,god6 ,even amongst mine enemies1 some have lamented my troubles and my distress1 and of the envious ones a number have shed tears because of my cares1 my exile and my afflictions4 ,they did this because they found naught in me but affection and care and witnessed naught but kindliness and mercy4 ,as they saw me swept into the flood of tribulation and adversity and exposed even as a target to the arrows of fate1 their hearts were moved with compassion1 tears came to their eyes and they testified declaring3--,the ,lord is our witness2 naught have we seen from him but faithfulness1 generosity and extreme compassion4 ,the ,covenant-breakers1 foreboders of evil1 however1 waxed fiercer in their rancor1 rejoiced as ,i fell a victim to the most grievous ordeal1 bestirred themselves against me and made merry over the heartrending happenings around me4 ,i call upon ,thee1 ,o ,lord my ,god6 with my tongue and with all my heart1 not to requite them for their cruelty and their wrong-doings1 their craft and their mischief1 for they are foolish and ignoble and know not what they do4 ,they discern not good from evil1 neither do they distinguish right from wrong1 nor justice from injustice4 ,they follow their own desires and walk in the footsteps of the most imperfect and foolish amongst them4 ,o my ,lord6 ,have mercy upon them1 shield them from all afflictions in these troubled times and grant that all trials and hardships may be the lot of this ,thy servant that hath fallen into this darksome pit4 ,single me out for every woe and make me a sacrifice for all ,thy loved ones4 ,o ,lord1 ,most ,high6 ,may my soul1 my life1 my being1 my spirit1 my all be offered up for them4 ,o ,god1 my ,god6 ,lowly1 suppliant and fallen upon my face1 ,i beseech ,thee with all the ardor of my invocation to pardon whosoever hath hurt me1 forgive him that hath conspired against me and offended me1 and wash away the misdeeds of them that have wrought injustice upon me4 ,vouchsafe unto them ,thy goodly gifts1 give them joy1 relieve them from sorrow1 grant them peace and prosperity1 give them ,thy bliss and pour upon them ,thy bounty4 ,thou art the ,powerful1 the ,gracious1 the ,help in ,peril1 the ,self-,subsisting6 ,o dearly beloved friends6 ,i am now in very great danger and the hope of even an hour's life is lost to me4 ,i am thus constrained to write these lines for the protection of the ,cause of ,god1 the preservation of ,his ,law1 the safeguarding of ,his ,word and the safety of ,his ,teachings4 ,by the ,ancient ,beauty6 ,this wronged one hath in no wise borne nor doth he bear a grudge against any one2 towards none doth he entertain any ill-feeling and uttereth no word save for the good of the world4 ,my supreme obligation1 however1 of necessity1 prompteth me to guard and preserve the ,cause of ,god4 ,thus1 with the greatest regret1 ,i counsel you saying3 ,guard ye the ,cause of ,god1 protect ,his law and have the utmost fear of discord4 ,this is the foundation of the belief of the people of ,bah 7may my life be offered up for them73 ,his ,holiness1 the ,exalted ,one 7the ,bb71 is the ,manifestation of the ,unity and ,oneness of ,god and the ,forerunner of the ,ancient ,beauty4 ,his ,holiness the ,abh ,beauty 7may my life be a sacrifice for ,his steadfast friends7 is the ,supreme ,manifestation of ,god and the ,dayspring of ,his ,most ,divine ,essence4 ,all others are servants unto ,him and do ,his bidding4 ,unto the ,most ,holy ,book every one must turn1 and all that is not expressly recorded therein must be referred to the ,universal ,house of ,justice4 ,that which this body1 whether unanimously or by a majority doth carry1 that is verily the truth and the purpose of ,god ,himself4 ,whoso doth deviate therefrom is verily of them that love discord1 hath shown forth malice1 and turned away from the ,lord of the ,covenant4 ,by this ,house is meant that ,universal ,house of ,justice which is to be elected from all countries1 that is from those parts in the ,east and ,west where the loved ones are to be found1 after the manner of the customary elections in ,western countries such as those of ,england4 ,it is incumbent upon these members 7of the ,universal ,house of ,justice7 to gather in a certain place and deliberate upon all problems which have caused difference1 questions that are obscure and matters that are not expressly recorded in the ,book4 ,whatsoever they decide has the same effect as the ,text itself4 ,inasmuch as the ,house of ,justice hath power to enact laws that are not expressly recorded in the ,book and bear upon daily transactions1 so also it hath power to repeal the same4 ,thus for example1 the ,house of ,justice enacteth today a certain law and enforceth it1 and a hundred years hence1 circumstances having profoundly changed and the conditions having altered1 another ,house of ,justice will then have power1 according to the exigencies of the time1 to alter that law4 ,this it can do because these laws form no part of the divine explicit ,text4 ,the ,house of ,justice is both the initiator and the abrogator of its own laws4 ,and now1 one of the greatest and most fundamental principles of the ,cause of ,god is to shun and avoid entirely the ,covenant-breakers1 for they will utterly destroy the ,cause of ,god1 exterminate ,his ,law and render of no account all efforts exerted in the past4 ,o friends6 ,it behooveth you to call to mind with tenderness the trials of ,his ,holiness1 the ,exalted ,one1 and show your fidelity to the ,ever-,blest ,beauty4 ,the utmost endeavor must be exerted lest all these woes1 trials and afflictions1 all this pure and sacred blood that hath been shed so profusely in the ,path of ,god1 may prove to be in vain4 ,ye know well what the hands of the ,center of ,sedition1 ,mrz ,muhammad ',al1 and his associates have wrought4 ,among his doings1 one of them is the corruption of the ,sacred ,text whereof ye are all aware1 the ,lord be praised1 and know that it is evident1 proven and confirmed by the testimony of his brother1 ,mrz ,bad'u'llh1 whose confession is written in his own handwriting1 beareth his seal1 is printed and spread abroad4 ,this is but one of his misdeeds4 ,can a transgression be imagined more glaring than this1 the interpolation of the ,holy ,text8 ,nay1 by the righteousness of the ,lord6 ,his transgressions are writ and recorded in a leaflet by itself4 ,please ,god1 ye will peruse it4 ,in short1 according to the explicit ,divine ,text the least transgression shall make of this man a fallen creature1 and what transgression is more grievous than attempting to destroy the ,divine ,edifice1 breaking the ,covenant1 erring from the ,testament1 falsifying the ,holy ,text1 sowing the seeds of doubt1 calumniating ',abdu'l-,bah1 advancing claims for which ,god hath sent down no warrant1 kindling mischief and striving to shed the very blood of ',abdu'l-,bah1 and many other things whereof ye are all aware6 ,it is thus evident that should this man succeed in bringing disruption into the ,cause of ,god1 he will utterly destroy and exterminate it4 ,beware lest ye approach this man1 for to approach him is worse than approaching fire6 ,gracious ,god6 ,after ,mrz ,bad'u'llh had declared in his own handwriting that this man 7,muhammad ',al7 had broken the ,covenant and had proclaimed his falsification of the ,holy ,text1 he realized that to return to the ,true ,faith and pay allegiance to the ,covenant and ,testament would in no wise promote his selfish desires4 ,he thus repented and regretted the thing he had done and attempted privily to gather in his printed confessions1 plotted darkly with the ,center of ,sedition against me and informed him daily of all the happenings within my household4 ,he has even taken a leading part in the mischievous deeds that have of late been committed4 ,praise be to ,god affairs recovered their former stability and the loved ones obtained partial peace4 ,but ever since the day he entered again into our midst1 he began afresh to sow the seeds of sore sedition4 ,some of his machinations and intrigues will be recorded in a separate leaflet4 ,my purpose is1 however1 to show that it is incumbent upon the friends that are fast and firm in the ,covenant and ,testament to be ever wakeful lest after this wronged one is gone this alert and active worker of mischief may cause disruption1 privily sow the seeds of doubt and sedition and utterly root out the ,cause of ,god4 ,a thousand times shun his company4 ,take heed and be on your guard4 ,watch and examine2 should anyone1 openly or privily1 have the least connection with him1 cast him out from your midst1 for he will surely cause disruption and mischief4 ,o ye beloved of the ,lord6 ,strive with all your heart to shield the ,cause of ,god from the onslaught of the insincere1 for souls such as these cause the straight to become crooked and all benevolent efforts to produce contrary results4 ,o ,god1 my ,god6 ,i call ,thee1 ,thy ,prophets and ,thy ,messengers1 ,thy ,saints and ,thy ,holy ,ones1 to witness that ,i have declared conclusively ,thy ,proofs unto ,thy loved ones and set forth clearly all things unto them1 that they may watch over ,thy ,faith1 guard ,thy ,straight ,path and protect ,thy ,resplendent ,law4 ,thou art1 verily1 the ,all-,knowing1 the ,all-,wise6 ,,part ,,three ,he ,is the ,witness1 the ,all-,sufficing ,o ,my ,god6 my ,beloved1 my heart's ,desire6 ,thou knowest1 ,thou seest that which hath befallen this servant of ,thine1 that hath humbled himself at ,thy ,door1 and ,thou knowest the sins committed against him by the people of malice1 they that have broken ,thy ,covenant and turned their backs on ,thy ,testament4 ,in the day-time they afflicted me with the arrows of hate and in the night-season they privily conspired to hurt me4 ,at dawn they committed that which the ,celestial ,concourse did lament and at eventide they unsheathed against me the sword of tyranny and hurled in the presence of the ungodly their darts of calumny upon me4 ,notwithstanding their misdeeds1 this lowly servant of ,thine was patient and did endure every affliction and trial at their hands1 though by ,thy power and might he could have destroyed their words1 quenched their fire and stayed the flame of their rebelliousness4 ,thou seest1 ,o my ,god6 how my long-suffering1 my forbearance and silence have increased their cruelty1 their arrogance and their pride4 ,by ,thy ,glory1 ,o ,beloved ,one6 ,they have misbelieved in ,thee and rebelled against ,thee in such wise that they left me not a moment of rest and quiet1 that ,i might arise as it is meet and seemly1 to exalt ,thy ,word amidst mankind1 and might serve at ,thy ,threshold of ,holiness with a heart that overfloweth with the joy of the dwellers of the ,abh ,kingdom4 ,lord6 ,my cup of woe runneth over1 and from all sides blows are fiercely raging upon me4 ,the darts of affliction have compassed me round and the arrows of distress have rained upon me4 ,thus tribulation overwhelmed me and my strength1 because of the onslaught of the foemen1 became weakness within me1 while ,i stood alone and forsaken in the midst of my woes4 ,lord6 ,have mercy upon me1 lift me up unto ,thyself and make me to drink from the ,chalice of ,martyrdom1 for the wide world with all its vastness can no longer contain me4 ,thou art1 verily1 the ,merciful1 the ,compassionate1 the ,gracious1 the ,all-,bountiful6 ,o ye the true1 the sincere1 the faithful friends of this wronged one6 ,everyone knoweth and believeth what calamities and afflictions have befallen this wronged one1 this prisoner1 at the hands of those who have broken the ,covenant at the time when1 after the setting of the ,day-,star of the world1 his heart was consumed with the flame of ,his bereavement4 ,when1 in all parts of the earth1 the enemies of ,god profiting by the passing away of the ,sun of ,truth1 suddenly and with all their might launched their attack2 at such a time and in the midst of so great a calamity1 the ,covenant-breakers arose with the utmost cruelty1 intent upon harm and the stirring up of the spirit of enmity4 ,at every moment a misdeed they did commit and bestirred themselves to sow the seeds of grievous sedition1 and to ruin the edifice of the ,covenant4 ,but this wronged one1 this prisoner1 did his utmost to hide and veil their doings1 that haply they might regret and repent4 ,his long-suffering and forbearance of these evil deeds1 however1 made the rebellious ones still more arrogant and daring2 until1 through leaflets written with their own hands1 they sowed the seeds of doubt1 printing these leaflets and scattering them broadcast throughout the world1 believing that such foolish doings would bring to naught the ,covenant and the ,testament4 ,thereupon the loved ones of the ,lord arose1 inspired with the greatest confidence and constancy and aided by the power of the ,kingdom1 by ,divine ,strength1 by heavenly ,grace1 by the unfailing help and ,celestial ,bounty1 they withstood the enemies of the ,covenant in well-nigh three score and ten treatises and supported by conclusive proofs1 unmistakable evidences and clear texts from the ,holy ,writ1 they refuted their scrolls of doubt and mischief-kindling leaflets4 ,the ,center of ,sedition was thus confounded in his craftiness1 afflicted by the wrath of ,god1 sunk into a degradation and infamy that shall be lasting until the ,day of ,doom4 ,base and wretched is the plight of the people of evil deeds1 they that are in grievous loss6 ,and as they lost their cause1 grew hopeless in their efforts against the loved ones of ,god1 saw the ,standard of ,his ,testament waving throughout all regions and witnessed the power of the ,covenant of the ,merciful ,one1 the flame of envy so blazed within them as to be beyond recounting4 ,with the utmost vigor1 exertion1 rancor and enmity1 they followed another path1 walked in another way1 devised another plan3 that of kindling the flame of sedition in the heart of the very government itself1 and thus cause this wronged one1 this prisoner to appear as a mover of strife1 inimical to the government and a hater and opponent of the ,crown4 ,perchance ',abdu'l-,bah may be put to death and his name be made to perish whereby an arena may be opened unto the enemies of the ,covenant wherein they may advance and spur on their charger1 inflict a grievous loss upon everyone and subvert the very foundations of the edifice of the ,cause of ,god4 ,for so grievous is the conduct and behavior of this false people that they are become even as an axe striking at the very root of the ,blessed ,tree4 ,should they be suffered to continue they would1 in but a few days' time1 exterminate the ,cause of ,god1 ,his ,word1 and themselves4 ,hence1 the beloved of the ,lord must entirely shun them1 avoid them1 foil their machinations and evil whisperings1 guard the ,law of ,god and ,his religion1 engage one and all in diffusing widely the sweet savors of ,god and to the best of their endeavor proclaim ,his ,teachings4 ,whosoever and whatsoever meeting becometh a hindrance to the diffusion of the ,light of ,faith1 let the loved ones give them counsel and say3 ,of all the gifts of ,god the greatest is the gift of ,teaching4 ,it draweth unto us the ,grace of ,god and is our first obligation4 ,of such a gift how can we deprive ourselves8 ,nay1 our lives1 our goods1 our comforts1 our rest1 we offer them all as a sacrifice for the ,abh ,beauty and teach the ,cause of ,god4 ,caution and prudence1 however1 must be observed even as recorded in the ,book4 ,the veil must in no wise be suddenly rent asunder4 ,the ,glory of ,glories rest upon you4 ,o ye the faithful loved ones of ',abdu'l-,bah6 ,it is incumbent upon you to take the greatest care of ,shoghi ,effendi1 the twig that hath branched from and the fruit given forth by the two hallowed and ,divine ,lote-,trees1 that no dust of despondency and sorrow may stain his radiant nature1 that day by day he may wax greater in happiness1 in joy and spirituality1 and may grow to become even as a fruitful tree4 ,for he is1 after ',abdu'l-,bah1 the ,guardian of the ,cause of ,god1 the ,afnn1 the ,hands 7pillars7 of the ,cause and the beloved of the ,lord must obey him and turn unto him4 ,he that obeyeth him not1 hath not obeyed ,god2 he that turneth away from him1 hath turned away from ,god and he that denieth him1 hath denied the ,true ,one4 ,beware lest anyone falsely interpret these words1 and like unto them that have broken the ,covenant after the ,day of ,ascension 7of ,bah'u'llh7 advance a pretext1 raise the standard of revolt1 wax stubborn and open wide the door of false interpretation4 ,to none is given the right to put forth his own opinion or express his particular conviction4 ,all must seek guidance and turn unto the ,center of the ,cause and the ,house of ,justice4 ,and he that turneth unto whatsoever else is indeed in grievous error4