A Description Of The Kitab-i-aqdas By Shoghi Effendi
Categories: Kitab-i-AqdasSources: The Kitab-i-aqdas
Taken from _God Passes By_, His History of the First Baha'i Century
Unique and stupendous as was this Proclamation, it proved to be but a
prelude to a still mightier revelation of the creative power of its
Author, and to what may well rank as the most signal act of His
ministry--the promulgation of the Kitab-i-Aqdas. Alluded to in the
Kitab-i-Iqan, the principal repository of that Law which the Prophet
Isaiah had anticipated, and which the writer of the Apocalypse had
described as the new heaven and the new earth, as the Tabernacle of
God, as the Holy City, as the Bride, the New Jerusalem coming down
from God, this Most Holy Book, whose provisions must remain inviolate
for no less than a thousand years, and whose system will embrace the
entire planet, may well be regarded as the brightest emanation of the mind
of Baha'u'llah, as the Mother Book of His Dispensation, and the Charter of
His New World Order.
Revealed soon after Baha'u'llah had been transferred to the house of Udi
KHammar (circa 1873), at a time when He was still encompassed by the
tribulations that had afflicted Him, through the acts committed by His
enemies and the professed adherents of His Faith, this Book, this treasury
enshrining the priceless gems of His Revelation, stands out, by virtue of
the principles it inculcates, the administrative institutions it ordains
and the function with which it invests the appointed Successor of its
Author, unique and incomparable among the world's sacred Scriptures. For,
unlike the Old Testament and the Holy Books which preceded it, in which
the actual precepts uttered by the Prophet Himself are non-existent;
unlike the Gospels, in which the few sayings attributed to Jesus Christ
afford no clear guidance regarding the future administration of the
affairs of His Faith; unlike even the Qur'an which, though explicit in the
laws and ordinances formulated by the Apostle of God, is silent on the
all-important subject of the succession, the Kitab-i-Aqdas, revealed from
first to last by the Author of the Dispensation Himself, not only
preserves for posterity the basic laws and ordinances on which the fabric
of His future World Order must rest, but ordains, in addition to the
function of interpretation which it confers upon His Successor, the
necessary institutions through which the integrity and unity of His Faith
can alone be safeguarded.
In this Charter of the future world civilization its Author--at once the
Judge, the Lawgiver, the Unifier and Redeemer of mankind--announces to the
kings of the earth the promulgation of the Most Great Law; pronounces
them to be His vassals; proclaims Himself the King of Kings; disclaims
any intention of laying hands on their kingdoms; reserves for Himself the
right to seize and possess the hearts of men; warns the world's
ecclesiastical leaders not to weigh the Book of God with such standards
as are current amongst them; and affirms that the Book itself is the
Unerring Balance established amongst men. In it He formally ordains the
institution of the House of Justice, defines its functions, fixes its
revenues, and designates its members as the Men of Justice, the
Deputies of God, the Trustees of the All-Merciful; alludes to the
future Centre of His Covenant, and invests Him with the right of
interpreting His holy Writ; anticipates by implication the institution of
Guardianship; bears witness to the revolutionizing effect of His World
Order; enunciates the doctrine of the Most Great Infallibility of the
Manifestation of God; asserts this infallibility to be the inherent and
exclusive right of the Prophet; and rules out the possibility of the
appearance of another Manifestation ere the lapse of at least one thousand
years.
In this Book He, moreover, prescribes the obligatory prayers; designates
the time and period of fasting; prohibits congregational prayer except for
the dead; fixes the Qiblih; institutes the Huququ'llah (Right of God);
formulates the law of inheritance; ordains the institution of the
Mas{}h{}riqu'l-Adhkar; establishes the Nineteen Day Feast, the Baha'i
festivals and the Intercalary Days; abolishes the institution of
priesthood; prohibits slavery, asceticism, mendicancy, monasticism,
penance, the use of pulpits and the kissing of hands; prescribes monogamy;
condemns cruelty to animals, idleness and sloth, backbiting and calumny;
censures divorce; interdicts gambling, the use of opium, wine and other
intoxicating drinks; specifies the punishments for murder, arson, adultery
and theft; stresses the importance of marriage and lays down its essential
conditions; imposes the obligation of engaging in some trade or
profession, exalting such occupation to the rank of worship; emphasizes
the necessity of providing the means for the education of children; and
lays upon every person the duty of writing a testament and of strict
obedience to one's government.
Apart from these provisions Baha'u'llah exhorts His followers to consort,
with amity and concord and without discrimination, with the adherents of
all religions; warns them to guard against fanaticism, sedition, pride,
dispute and contention; inculcates upon them immaculate cleanliness,
strict truthfulness, spotless chastity, trustworthiness, hospitality,
fidelity, courtesy, forbearance, justice and fairness; counsels them to be
even as the fingers of one hand and the limbs of one body; calls upon
them to arise and serve His Cause; and assures them of His undoubted aid.
He, furthermore, dwells upon the instability of human affairs; declares
that true liberty consists in man's submission to His commandments;
cautions them not to be indulgent in carrying out His statutes; prescribes
the twin inseparable duties of recognizing the Dayspring of God's
Revelation and of observing all the ordinances revealed by Him, neither
of which, He affirms, is acceptable without the other.
The significant summons issued to the Presidents of the Republics of the
American continent to seize their opportunity in the Day of God and to
champion the cause of justice; the injunction to the members of
parliaments throughout the world, urging the adoption of a universal
script and language; His warnings to William I, the conqueror of Napoleon
III; the reproof He administers to Francis Joseph, the Emperor of Austria;
His reference to the lamentations of Berlin in His apostrophe to the
banks of the Rhine; His condemnation of the throne of tyranny
established in Constantinople, and His prediction of the extinction of its
outward splendour and of the tribulations destined to overtake its
inhabitants; the words of cheer and comfort He addresses to His native
city, assuring her that God had chosen her to be the source of the joy of
all mankind; His prophecy that the voice of the heroes of Khurasan
will be raised in glorification of their Lord; His assertion that men
endued with mighty valour will be raised up in Kirman who will make
mention of Him; and finally, His magnanimous assurance to a perfidious
brother who had afflicted Him with such anguish, that an ever-forgiving,
all-bounteous God would forgive him his iniquities were he only to
repent--all these further enrich the contents of a Book designated by its
Author as the source of true felicity, as the Unerring Balance, as the
Straight Path and as the quickener of mankind.
The laws and ordinances that constitute the major theme of this Book,
Baha'u'llah, moreover, has specifically characterized as the breath of
life unto all created things, as the mightiest stronghold, as the
fruits of His Tree, as the highest means for the maintenance of order
in the world and the security of its peoples, as the lamps of His wisdom
and loving-providence, as the sweet-smelling savour of His garment, and
the keys of His mercy to His creatures. This Book, He Himself
testifies, is a heaven which We have adorned with the stars of Our
commandments and prohibitions. Blessed the man, He, moreover, has
stated, who will read it, and ponder the verses sent down in it by God,
the Lord of Power, the Almighty. Say, O men! Take hold of it with the hand
of resignation... By My life! It hath been sent down in a manner that
amazeth the minds of men. Verily, it is My weightiest testimony unto all
people, and the proof of the All-Merciful unto all who are in heaven and
all who are on earth. And again: Blessed the palate that savoureth its
sweetness, and the perceiving eye that recognizeth that which is treasured
therein, and the understanding heart that comprehendeth its allusions and
mysteries. By God! Such is the majesty of what hath been revealed therein,
and so tremendous the revelation of its veiled allusions that the loins of
utterance shake when attempting their description. And finally: In such
a manner hath the Kitab-i-Aqdas been revealed that it attracteth and
embraceth all the divinely appointed Dispensations. Blessed those who
peruse it! Blessed those who apprehend it! Blessed those who meditate upon
it! Blessed those who ponder its meaning! So vast is its range that it
hath encompassed all men ere their recognition of it. Erelong will its
sovereign power, its pervasive influence and the greatness of its might be
manifested on earth.
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85 He Hath Granted Them No Right To The Property Of Others #61
The injunction to show kindness to Baha'u'llah's kindred does not give them a share in the property of others. This is in contrast to Shi'ih Muslim practice, in which lineal descendants of Muhammad are entitled to receive a share of a certain tax.... 86
In this station, all changing and varying realities are manifest before thee. Whosoever denieth this truth hath verily turned aside from the Cause of God, rebelled against His rule, and gainsaid His sovereignty. For it is indeed within the power of H... 86 Should Anyone Intentionally Destroy A House By Fire
him also shall ye burn; should anyone deliberately take another's life, him also shall ye put to death. 62 The law of Baha'u'llah prescribes the death penalty for murder and arson, with the alternative of life imprisonment (see note 87). In ... 87
O My brother! In this stage, which marketh the beginning of the journey, thou shalt behold divers stations and differing signs, even as was mentioned in connection with the City of Search. All these hold true in their respective planes. It behoveth t... 87 Should Ye Condemn The Arsonist And The Murderer To Life Imprisonment
it would be permissible according to the provisions of the Book. 62 Shoghi Effendi, in response to a question about this verse of the Aqdas, affirmed that while capital punishment is permitted, an alternative, life imprisonment, has been provide... 88
By My Lord! Notwithstanding all that We have revealed unto thee of the mysteries of utterance and the degrees of exposition, methinks I have spoken not a single letter of the ocean of God's hidden knowledge and the essence of His inscrutable wisdom. ... 88 God Hath Prescribed Matrimony Unto You #63
Baha'u'llah, in one of His Tablets, states that God, in establishing this law, has made marriage a fortress for well-being and salvation. The Synopsis and Codification, section IV.C.1.a.-o., summarizes and synthesizes the provisions in the Kitab... 89
Know thou, moreover, that the bird that taketh flight in the atmosphere of the realm on high will never be able to soar unto the heaven of transcendent holiness, nor taste of the fruits which God hath brought forth therein, nor quaff from the streams... 89 Beware That Ye Take Not Unto Yourselves More Wives Than Two
Whoso contenteth himself with a single partner from among the maidservants of God, both he and she shall live in tranquillity. 63 While the text of the Kitab-i-Aqdas appears to permit bigamy, Baha'u'llah counsels that tranquillity and contentm... 8: O Son Of Glory! Be Swift In The Path Of Holiness And Enter The
O SON OF GLORY! Be swift in the path of holiness, and enter the heaven of communion with Me. Cleanse thy heart with the burnish of the spirit, and hasten to the court of the Most High. ... 8: O Son Of Spirit! There Is No Peace For Thee Save By Renouncing
O SON OF SPIRIT! There is no peace for thee save by renouncing thyself and turning unto Me; for it behooveth thee to glory in My name, not in thine own; to put thy trust in Me and not in thyself, since I desire to be loved alone and above all that... 9
In the second Gospel, according to Mark, the Dove of holiness speaketh in such terms: "For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be."(7) And it singeth la... 9 We Have Set Forth The Details Of Obligatory Prayer In Another Tablet#8
The original Obligatory Prayer had for reasons of wisdom been revealed by Baha'u'llah in a separate Tablet (Q and A 63). It was not released to the believers in His lifetime, having been superseded by the three Obligatory Prayers now in use. Sh... 90
Comprehend, in like manner, every station, sign, and allusion, that thou mayest perceive all things in their own place and consider all matters in their proper light. For in this station, the City of Divine Unity, are to be found those who have enter... 90 He Who Would Take Into His Service A Maid May Do So With Propriety #63
Baha'u'llah states that a man may employ a maiden for domestic service. This was not permissible under Shi'ih Muslim practice unless the employer entered into a marriage contract with her. Baha'u'llah emphasizes that the service referred to in thi... 91
Know then that all thou hast heard and witnessed that Daystar of Truth, the Primal Point, ascribe to Himself from the designations of former times is only on account of the weakness of men and the scheme of the world of creation. Otherwise, all names... 91 This Is My Bidding Unto You; Hold Fast To It As An Assistance To Yourselves #63
While marriage is enjoined in the Kitab-i-Aqdas, Baha'u'llah clarifies that it is not obligatory (Q and A 46). Shoghi Effendi, in a letter written on his behalf, also declared that marriage is by no means an obligation, and he affirmed that in the... 92
Know, moreover, that all that We have mentioned concerning these journeys is intended for none but the elect amongst the righteous. And shouldst thou spur on the charger of the spirit and traverse the meads of heaven, thou wouldst complete all these ... 92 We Have Conditioned It Upon The Permission Of Their Parents #65
In a letter written on his behalf, Shoghi Effendi has commented on this provision of the law: Baha'u'llah has clearly stated the consent of all living parents is required for a Baha'i marriage. This applies whether the parents are... 93
O My brother! If thou be a champion of this arena, speed within the lands of certitude, that thy soul may be delivered in this day from the bondage of misbelief, and that thou mayest perceive the sweet savours that waft from this garden. Verily, the ... 93 No Marriage May Be Contracted Without Payment Of A Dowry #66
The Synopsis and Codification, section IV.C.1.j.i.-v., summarizes the main provisions concerning the dowry. These provisions have their antecedents in the Bayan. The dowry is to be paid by the bridegroom to the bride. It is fixed at 19 mithqals... 94
His fragrant breaths diffused in Eastern lands could well To sick ones in the West restore their sense of smell!(59) ... 94 For City-dwellers At Nineteen Mithqals Of Pure Gold And For
village-dwellers at the same amount in silver 66 Baha'u'llah specifies that the criterion for determining the dowry payment is the location of the permanent residence of the bridegroom, not of the bride (Q and A 87, 88). ... 95
After this heavenly journey and mystical ascent the wayfarer will enter within the Garden of Wonderment. Were I to disclose unto thee the reality of this station, thou wouldst lament and bewail the plight of this Servant Who remaineth in the hands of... 95 Whoso Wisheth To Increase This Sum
it is forbidden him to exceed the limit of ninety-five mithqals... If he content himself, however, with a payment of the lowest level, it shall be better for him according to the Book. 66 In answer to a question about the dowry, Baha'u'llah sta... 96
Were I to recount unto thine eminence the dire adversities that have befallen Me, thou wouldst be so grieved as to forsake the mention of all things and to forget thyself and all that the Lord hath created on earth. But as this is not Our wish, I hav... 96 Should Any One Of His Servants Intend To Travel He Must Fix For His Wife A Time When He Will Return Home #67
If the husband leaves without informing his wife of the date of his return, and no news of him reaches her and all trace of him is lost, Baha'u'llah has stated that, should the husband have been aware of the law prescribed in the Kitab-i-Aqdas, th... 97
As We have digressed from Our theme, let Us leave aside these allusions and return to Our discussion of this city. Verily, whoso entereth therein shall be saved, and whoso turneth aside therefrom will assuredly perish. ... 97 It Behoveth Her To Wait For A Period Of Nine Months After Which There Is No Impediment To Her Taking Another Husband #67
In the event of the husband's failure, either to return at the end of the specified period of time or to notify his wife of a delay, the wife must wait nine months, after which she is free to remarry, though it is preferable for her to wait longer... 98
O thou who art mentioned in these Tablets! Know thou that he who embarketh upon this journey will marvel at the signs of the power of God and the wondrous evidences of His handiwork. Bewilderment will seize him from every side, even as hath been atte... 98 She Should Choose The Course That Is Praiseworthy #67
Baha'u'llah defines the course that is praiseworthy as the exercise of patience (Q and A 4). ... 99
I knew not what amazement was Until I made Thy love my cause. O how amazing would it be If I were not amazed by Thee!(63) ... 99 Two Just Witnesses #67
Baha'u'llah sets out the criterion of justness in relation to witnesses as a good reputation among the people. He states that it is not necessary that the witnesses should be Baha'is since The testimony of all God's servants, of whatever ... 9: O Fleeting Shadow! Pass Beyond The Baser Stages Of Doubt And Rise To
O FLEETING SHADOW! Pass beyond the baser stages of doubt and rise to the exalted heights of certainty. Open the eye of truth, that thou mayest behold the veilless Beauty and exclaim: Hallowed be the Lord, the most excellent of all creators! ... 9: O Son Of Being! My Love Is My Stronghold; He That Entereth Therein
O SON OF BEING! My love is My stronghold; he that entereth therein is safe and secure, and he that turneth away shall surely stray and perish. ... A Baha'i Wedding
Quite an oriental note was struck toward the end of 'Abdu'l-Baha's London visit, by the marriage of a young Persian couple who had sought his presence for the ceremony, the bride journeying from Baghdad accompanied by her uncle in order to meet he... A Description Of The Kitab-i-aqdas By Shoghi Effendi
Taken from _God Passes By_, His History of the First Baha'i Century Unique and stupendous as was this Proclamation, it proved to be but a prelude to a still mightier revelation of the creative power of its Author, and to what may well rank ... A Loving Farewell Greeting
After leaving London and during his two months stay in Paris, 'Abdu'l-Baha frequently sent back messages to his English friends, some of whom journeyed over to take advantage of the conferences there. On the eve of his departure for Alexandria, he... A Message From 'abdu'l-baha
Written for The Christian Commonwealth and published September 29th, 1911. God sends Prophets for the education of the people and the progress of mankind. Each such Manifestation of God has raised humanity. They serve the whole world by the bo... A True Baha'i
A student of the modern methods of the higher criticism asked 'Abdu'l-Baha if he would do well to continue in the church with which he had been associated all his life, and whose language was full of meaning to him. 'Abdu'l-Baha answered: You must... Address Given By 'abdu'l-baha At The City Temple
Sunday, September 10th, 1911 O noble friends; seekers after God! Praise be to God! Today the light of Truth is shining upon the world in its abundance; the breezes of the heavenly garden are blowing throughout all region... All Glory Be To Thee, O Lord My God! I Bear
All glory be to Thee, O Lord my God! I bear witness for Thee to that whereto Thou Thyself didst bear witness for Thine own Self, ere the day Thou hadst created the creation or made mention thereof, that Thou art God, and that there is none other G... All Glory Be To This Day The Day In Which The
All glory be to this Day, the Day in which the fragrances of mercy have been wafted over all created things, a Day so blest that past ages and centuries can never hope to rival it, a Day in which the countenance of the Ancient of Days hath turned ... All Praise And Glory Be To God Who
All praise and glory be to God Who, through the power of His might, hath delivered His creation from the nakedness of non-existence, and clothed it with the mantle of life. From among all created things He hath singled out for His special favor th... All Praise Be To God Who Hath Adorned
All praise be to God Who hath adorned the world with an ornament, and arrayed it with a vesture, of which it can be despoiled by no earthly power, however mighty its battalions, however vast its wealth, however profound its influence. Say: the ess... All Praise Be To Thee, O Lord, My God! How Mysterious
All praise be to Thee, O Lord, my God! How mysterious the Fire which Thou hast enkindled within my heart! My very limbs testify to the intensity of its heat, and evince the consuming power of its flame. Should my bodily tongue ever attempt to desc... All Praise Be To Thee, O My God! Thou Beholdest
All praise be to Thee, O my God! Thou beholdest my helplessness and poverty, and bearest witness unto my woes and trials. How long wilt Thou abandon me among Thy servants? Suffer me to ascend into Thy presence. The power of Thy might beareth me wi... All Praise To The Unity Of God And All
All praise to the unity of God, and all honor to Him, the sovereign Lord, the incomparable and all-glorious Ruler of the universe, Who, out of utter nothingness, hath created the reality of all things, Who, from naught, hath brought into being the... All Praise, O My God, Be To Thee Who Art The
All praise, O my God, be to Thee Who art the Source of all glory and majesty, of greatness and honor, of sovereignty and dominion, of loftiness and grace, of awe and power. Whomsoever Thou willest Thou causest to draw nigh unto the Most Great Ocea... All-praise Be To Thee, O Lord, My God! I Know
All-praise be to Thee, O Lord, my God! I know not how to sing Thy praise, how to describe Thy glory, how to call upon Thy Name. If I call upon Thee by Thy Name, the All-Possessing, I am compelled to recognize that He Who holdeth in His hand the im... Amongst The Proofs Demonstrating The Truth
Amongst the proofs demonstrating the truth of this Revelation is this, that in every age and Dispensation, whenever the invisible Essence was revealed in the person of His Manifestation, certain souls, obscure and detached from all worldly entangl... And Now Concerning Thy Question
And now concerning thy question whether human souls continue to be conscious one of another after their separation from the body. Know thou that the souls of the people of Baha, who have entered and been established within the Crimson Ark, shall a... And Now Concerning Thy Question Regarding
And now, concerning thy question regarding the creation of man. Know thou that all men have been created in the nature made by God, the Guardian, the Self-Subsisting. Unto each one hath been prescribed a pre-ordained measure, as decreed in God's m... And Now Concerning Thy Question Regarding
And now concerning thy question regarding the soul of man and its survival after death. Know thou of a truth that the soul, after its separation from the body, will continue to progress until it attaineth the presence of God, in a state and condit... And Now Concerning Thy Reference To The
And now concerning thy reference to the existence of two Gods. Beware, beware, lest thou be led to join partners with the Lord, thy God. He is, and hath from everlasting been, one and alone, without peer or equal, eternal in the past, eternal in t... And Now Regarding Thy Question "how
And now regarding thy question, "How is it that no records are to be found concerning the Prophets that have preceded Adam, the Father of Mankind, or of the kings that lived in the days of those Prophets?" Know thou that the absence of any referen... Are Superstitions Useful
A lady enquired whether some superstitions might not be good for ignorant people, who, if they were without them might perhaps be without beliefs of any kind? 'Abdu'l-Baha replied that superstitions were of two kinds; those that were harmful an... Art
A painter asked: Is art a worthy vocation? 'Abdu'l-Baha turning to her impressively, said: Art is worship. An actor mentioned the drama, and its influence. The drama is of the utmost importance. said 'Abdu'l-Baha. It has been a great educational... As To Thy Question Concerning The Origin
As to thy question concerning the origin of creation. Know assuredly that God's creation hath existed from eternity, and will continue to exist forever. Its beginning hath had no beginning, and its end knoweth no end. His name, the Creator, presup... As To Thy Question Concerning The Worlds
As to thy question concerning the worlds of God. Know thou of a truth that the worlds of God are countless in their number, and infinite in their range. None can reckon or comprehend them except God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. Consider thy sta... At Brooklands
The morning of the second day, a neighbour sent over her car asking if 'Abdu'l-Baha would not like to take his guests to the Brooklands aviation ground. Though it was windy, an aviator was on the track, when he heard who the visitor was offered to... At Byfleet
On the afternoon of September 9th, a number of working women of the Passmore Edwards' Settlement, who were spending their holidays with Miss Schepel and Miss Buckton at Vanners, in Byfleet, a village some twenty miles out of London, had the great ... At One Time We Address The People Of The Torah And Summon
At one time We address the people of the Torah and summon them unto Him Who is the Revealer of verses, Who hath come from Him Who layeth low the necks of men.... At another, We address the people of the Evangel and say: 'The All-Glorious is come i... Be Generous In Prosperity And Thankful In
Be generous in prosperity, and thankful in adversity. Be worthy of the trust of thy neighbor, and look upon him with a bright and friendly face. Be a treasure to the poor, an admonisher to the rich, an answerer of the cry of the needy, a preserver... Be Not Dismayed O Peoples Of The World
Be not dismayed, O peoples of the world, when the day star of My beauty is set, and the heaven of My tabernacle is concealed from your eyes. Arise to further My Cause, and to exalt My Word amongst men. We are with you at all times, and shall stren... Because Of You The Apostle (muhammad) Lamented,
BECAUSE of you the Apostle (Muhammad) lamented, and the Chaste One (Fatimihs) cried out, and the countries were laid waste, and darkness fell upon all regions. O concourse of divines! Because of you the people were abased, and the banner of Islam ... Behold How The Divers Peoples And Kindreds
Behold, how the divers peoples and kindreds of the earth have been waiting for the coming of the Promised One. No sooner had He, Who is the Sun of Truth, been made manifest, than, lo, all turned away from Him, except them whom God was pleased to g... Behold The Disturbances Which For Many A
Behold the disturbances which, for many a long year, have afflicted the earth, and the perturbation that hath seized its peoples. It hath either been ravaged by war, or tormented by sudden and unforeseen calamities. Though the world is encompassed... Bestir Yourselves O People In Anticipation Of
Bestir yourselves, O people, in anticipation of the days of Divine justice, for the promised hour is now come. Beware lest ye fail to apprehend its import and be accounted among the erring. ... Better Conditions
After two years of the strictest confinement permission was granted me to find a house so that we could live outside the prison walls but still within the fortifications. Many believers came from Persia to join us but they were not allowed to do s... Beware O Believers In The Unity Of God
Beware, O believers in the Unity of God, lest ye be tempted to make any distinction between any of the Manifestations of His Cause, or to discriminate against the signs that have accompanied and proclaimed their Revelation. This indeed is the true... Blessed Art Thou O My Servant Inasmuch
Blessed art thou, O My servant, inasmuch as thou hast recognized the Truth, and withdrawn from him who repudiated the All-Merciful, and was condemned as wicked in the Mother Tablet. Walk thou steadfastly in the love of God, and keep straight on in...