The Temple

This is the Sura of the Temple which God has made the Mirror of His among Names between the earth and heaven and the sign of His remembrances the people of the world. He is The Wonderful, The Most Glorious! Glory be to Him who hath caused the signs to descend to those who perceive! Glory be to Him who hath caused the signs (verses) to descend to those who understand ! Glory be to Him who guideth whomsoever He wisheth to His Path! Say, verily it is the path of God to those who are in heaven and on earth: Blessed are they who hasten toward it. Glory be to Him who hath caused the signs to descend to those who know! Glory be to Him who speaketh from the Might of command, and who is not known to any save his noble servants. Glory be to Him who quickeneth whom He wisheth, by merely saying \"Be\" and it is. Glory be to Him who elevateth whom He willeth to the heaven of bounty, and bringeth down that which He pleaseth to a predetermined measure. Blessed is He who doeth what He pleaseth by a command on His part; verily He is the True One, the Knower of secrets and unseen things. Blessed is He who giveth by inspiration to whom He willeth that which He wisheth through His hidden and irresistible command. Blessed is He who assisteth whom He pleaseth by the hosts of the unseen; verily He is the Doer of that which He willeth, and He is the Mighty, the Self- existing! Blessed is He who strengtheneth whom He pleaseth by the dominion of His Power, and confirmeth whom He wisheth to accomplish what He willeth: blessed are they who know ! Blessed is He Who hath ordained to everything a measure decreed in a hidden tablet! Blessed is He who hath caused to descend upon His servant, that, by reason of which all the hearts and minds will be enlightened! Blessed is He who hath caused to descend upon His servant, that kind of calamity, whereby the hearts of those who rested inside the awnings of eternity, were burned with anguish; then also the hearts of those who are near! Blessed is He who hath caused to descend upon His servant, from the cloud of Fate, the arrows of disaster- and still He findeth Me in Supreme Patience. Blessed is He who hath ordained to His servant that which was not ordained to any other one of His servants: Verily He is the One, the Mighty, the Self- subsistent. Blessed is He who hath caused to descend upon His servant, from the clouds of the detestation of those who closed their eyes and feigned to take no notice, the spears of the irreversible decree- and still He sees Him offering great thanks. Blessed is He who hath caused to descend upon his servant that which equals the weight of the earth and the heaven, for which We indeed praise Him; and of this no one is cognizant save those who understand. Glory be to Him who hath placed His Beauty under the claws of the rancour of the immoral; verily We are contented with that, and no one can comprehend this save discerning. Glory be to him who hath entrusted el-Huseyn amongst the factions of the enemies, while at all times, the spears of hatred and ill treatment were brought upon His body; verily We thank Him for all that He hath decreed upon His servant, the sad, the distressed. But when I saw myself at the culmination of calamity, I heard, from above my head, the Most Wonderful and Melodious Voice, and when I turned I witnessed an Houri (Nymph of Paradise) of the celebration of the Name of my Lord, suspended in the air on a level with my head; I saw her, that she was indeed rejoicing within herself as though the embroidered Garment of pleasure was manifesting itself upon her face, and the brightness of the Merciful was apparent upon her cheeks; and between the earth and heaven, she was uttering a call, by which all the hearts and minds will be drawn, and at the same time, gladdening all the limbs of my internal and external being, with glad-tidings that made my soul rejoice, and those of the noble servants. Then with her finger, she pointed to

my head, and addressed all those in heaven and earth saying: \"By God, This is indeed the Beloved of the universe, but ye do not understand This is the Beauty of God among you, and His Dominion within you, if ye are of those who know! This is the Mystery of God, His Treasure, the Command of God, and His Glory, to those who are in the Kingdom of power and creation- were ye of those who reason! This is the One whose meeting will be longed for by all those who dwell in the everlasting spiritual world, and who have taken a station for themselves in the tents of El ABHA- while ye yourselves are turned away from His Beauty ! O People of the World! If you do not assist Him, God will certainly assist Him with the hosts of earth and heaven and those of the Unseen, through His command that is simply \"Be\" and it is! He will send forth by His will certain individuals, unknown to anyone but Himself, the Protector, the Self-existent. He will purify them from the stain of conjecture and passion, elevate them to the rank of sanctity, and through them He will manifest the traces of the glory of His kingdom on earth. This is the decree of God, the Mighty, the Beloved. O People of the World! Are you denying the One for whose meeting you were created, yet still you sit idle and rejoice? Do you reject Him, who, to God, is worth more than all that is in heaven and earth, and still you mock Him? O People of the World! Show what evidence you possess, that I may know by what proof you believed in the manifestation of God's Command in the past, and today what evidence makes you exalt yourselves? By the One who created Me from the Light of His Beauty, I have never encountered such negligence among the neglectful, or such ignorance among the ignorant, as I see in you. You take as evidence for your belief in God, the Tablets that you have, but when the Signs descended and the Lamp shone, you denied the One from whose Pen all matters were decreed in a Preserved Tablet. Do you read the signs and yet deny their Originator and Revealer? Thus has God deprived you of sight as punishment for your actions, if you could but perceive. Do you record the verses at twilight and dawn, yet hide from the One who sent them down? The Supreme Assembly will see you in the midst of your misdeeds and disown you while you are deaf to their verdict. One after another will ask: \"What are these ignorant people saying? In what vale are they lingering? Do they close their eyes while they can still see?\" By God, O people of the world, the inhabitants of the Cities of Names are perplexed by your actions, yet you remain bewildered in the barren valley, devoid of understanding. O Thou Supreme Pen! Hear the voice of Thy Lord from the Divine Lote-tree within the resplendent Sea of Unity. Let yourself find exhilaration and cheerfulness from the melodious Voice of Thy Lord, the Merciful. Become sanctified from all sorrows through the potent fragrance emanating from the region of My Name, the Pardoner. Then, from this Temple, prompt the Temples of Unity to speak within the Kingdom of Creation, of their Lord, the Supreme, the Most Glorious. Be among those who gain illumination from the Lights of their Lord. Truly, We have ordained this Temple as the genesis of the new creation, to convince all that I am indeed capable of doing what I wish, merely by saying, \"Be,\" and it is. Beneath the shadow of each letter forming this Temple, We will send forth people whose number is known only to God, the Protector, the Self-existent. From this Temple, God shall create individuals who will not be clouded by the illusions of those who acted wrongfully against God. These individuals will perpetually drink from the pure water of life - are they not indeed those who are successful? They are those servants who have positioned themselves under the Mercy of their Lord and were not deterred by the detractors. In their faces, the luminance of the Merciful is apparent, and from their hearts, the utterance of My Hidden and Mighty Name resonates. Their lips, when opened in praise of their Lord, bring

forth praises echoed by all within the earth and the heavens. But alas, only a few truly hear. Open your eyes, O People of the World, and witness! With the movement of these people, all things will be set in motion, and with their tranquility, all things will find rest. Through them, the earth has found its place, the clouds have poured rain, and the table of Knowledge has descended from the Heaven of Bounty. These individuals are the guardians of God's Command on earth, shielding its beauty against the dust of speculation and doubt. They fear not for themselves but willingly sacrifice themselves in God's cause, yearning for the meeting with the Beloved who has appeared by this Name - the Mighty, the Able, the Precious, the Holy. O Thou, this Temple, rise independently, with such vigor that all beings will rise in your wake. Then assist Thy God with the power and might We have bestowed upon Thee! Fear not on the day when all else tremble in fear. Be the Manifestation of My Name, the Protector, the Self-existent. Empower Thy Lord through the might that lies within Thee. Disregard the creatures and their utterances, as insignificant as the buzz of an insect in a vast, boundless valley. Imbibe the pure water of life in My Name, the Merciful, then share it with those near to God, those of this rank. Let them sever ties with the Names, and guide them to seek refuge within this blessed and far- reaching shadow. O Thou, this Temple, We have assembled all things by Thee, everything created in the earth and heavens. We questioned them about the reason why We administered the oath upon them at the dawn of eternity. Behold! We found most of them mute and sightless, a minority of them with radiant faces and eloquent tongues. From these, We have brought forth a creation of what was and is. Thus, God has kept their faces averted from turning to the polytheists, and made them dwell in the protective shadow of the Divine Lote-tree. Thus, He has bestowed upon them tranquility and fortified them with the armies of the Seen and the Unseen. O Thou, the Eye of this Temple! Do not gaze upon the heavens and what they contain, nor upon the earth and its occupants. Indeed, We created Thee for My Beauty - Behold, this is It! Look as it pleases Thee, and do not prevent Thine eye from the Beauty of Thy Lord, the Precious, the Beloved. Through Thee, We will provide keen eyes and ever-vigilant sight, enabling them to perceive the signs of their Creator and divert their gaze from the mundane matters grasped by the worldly wise. O Thou, the Ear of this Temple! Purify thyself from the clamor of every forsaken crier, then listen to the voice of Thy Lord. Verily, He reveals unto thee from the direction of the Throne, asserting that indeed there is no God but ME, the Precious, the Powerful, the Protector, the Self-existent. Through Thee, We shall bring forth cleansed ears that listen to the Word of God and to that which has emanated from the dawn of the Revelation, Thy Lord, the Merciful. O Thou, the Tongue of this Temple! We have created Thee in My Name, the Merciful, and imparted to Thee that which was stored in el-Beyan (the revelation), enabling Thee to speak for the grand commemoration in the world of contingencies. Therefore, utter this commemoration and fear not the manifestation of Satan. For this, Thou was created by My Command, the Protector, the Self-existent. By Thee, We made the tongue reveal that which was, and by My Dominion, We articulate that which is. By Thee, We bring forth eloquent tongues that resound with praise in the Supreme Assembly, and among the people of creation. Thus, the signs have descended, and the matter has been decreed by the King of Names and Attributes. Truly, your Lord is the True One and the Knower of all Unseen. Nothing can prevent these tongues from praising their Creator; by them, all things will rise for the commemoration of the King of Names - verily there

is no God but Me, the Able, the Mighty, the Beloved. The tongues of those who remember never speak unless driven by this Tongue, from this Station. Yet only a few among the people truly understand this. Everyone is capable of praising their Lord and uttering His remembrance, but some comprehend and remember, while others remember but do not understand. O Houri of Knowledge! Emerge from the chamber of words by the permission of God, the Sovereign of heaven and earth. Then appear adorned with the Divine Embroidered Garment and offer the spiritual wine of Jabarout with ruby-tinted fingers. Then perhaps, the people of mankind will behold what has radiated from the horizon of the Kingdom through the emergence of the Sun of Eternity from the dawn of Splendor (Beha), and rise in praise between earth and heaven in commemoration of this Page, established upon the Throne of His Name, the Helper, amidst Paradise. Upon His face, the brilliance of the Merciful (God) is evident, and from His eyes emerge the eyes of God, and from His affairs flow the affairs of God, the Protector, the Precious, the Beloved. If you, O Houri, find no one to receive from your white hand the red wine in the Name of your Lord, the High, the Supreme, who appeared once more after His first appearance in His Name, El Abha (the Most Glorious), do not despair. Leave these people to themselves, then return to the pavilion of Greatness and Might, where you will find people with faces shining like the midday sun, singing and praising their Lord in this Name, which arose in the abode of sovereignty with the dominion of glory and power. Indeed, you will hear from them nothing but mention and praise - verily, your Lord is a witness to all that I say. None among those who were created from the Word of God in the eternity of eternities have come to know these people. Thus, we have narrated this matter in detail and analyzed the signs - perhaps people will reflect upon the traces of their Lord. Truly, these people were not commanded to prostrate before Adam, nor did they turn their faces from the Face of your Lord, and by the grace of sanctity, they delight at all times. Thus, the Pen of the Merciful has recorded the secrets of what was and what will be, and from it, the people may gain insight. God will cause these people to emerge on the earth, and through them, He elevates His mention, disseminates His traces, confirms His Word, and promulgates His Signs despite those who denied and contradicted and were among those who abjured His Words. O thou Face of Unity! If thou canst find them and meet with them, relate to them what this Page is sharing with thee of His own stories and trials, that they may study what was inscribed on a preserved tablet. Inform them of the tribulations of this Page and how He was struck with adversity and injuries, so that they may recall My ordeals and be among those who understand. Then mention to them that, verily, We have selected one of Our brothers, shown him a tiny droplet from the vast ocean of knowledge, clothed him in the garment of one of the Names, and elevated him to a status whereby everyone rose to praise him. We protected him from the harm of the wrongdoer in such a way that the mighty could not touch him. We were present before all in heaven and on earth during the days when all people rose to slay Me, and we were amongst them, pronouncing God's mention and His praise and upholding His cause until the Word of God became established among His creatures, His traces became renowned, His power exalted, and His dominion expanded, to which the noble servants bear witness. Indeed, when My brother saw the matter becoming notorious, he was filled with pride and delusion. Consequently, he came forth from behind the veils and combated Me, disputed My signs, falsified My proof, and denied My traces. Yet the insatiable hunger of the greedy was not satisfied until he desired to consume My flesh and drink My blood. The servants who took refuge with God and those who are near to God will testify to this. In this, he conspired with one of My servants and incited him to consent to this deed. But lo! God defended Me with the hosts of the Seen and Unseen, safeguarded Me with truth, and sent down upon Me that which thwarted him from achieving his desire. He put an end to the trickery of those who denied the signs of the Merciful - were they not truly

cunning and deceitful? When his evil intentions were exposed, and the exiles became aware of his deceit, a cry of outrage was raised by these people. They reached such a level of notoriety that they were almost known throughout the city. Then We restrained them and granted them the word of patience that they should indeed be among those who endure. By God, who is the only God, and there is none other than He! Indeed, We were patient, and verily, We enjoined the servants to exercise endurance and forbearance. We departed from those people and settled in a different house so that the flame of vehement hatred might be extinguished in his heart and he might become one of those who are guided. We did not retaliate against him, nor did We see him afterward; We stayed in the house, awaiting God's bounty, the Protector, the Self-existent. When he realized that the matter had become widely known, he took up the pen of falsehood and wrote to the servants, attributing all that he had done to My Beauty, the Oppressed, the One, aiming to sow discord among the servants and plant seeds of resentment in the hearts of those who believed in God, the Precious, the Beloved. By the life of Him in whose hand My soul is, We were astounded by his deceit, and all the hosts of both the Seen and Unseen were shocked by him. His heart's malice did not cease until he committed acts that the pen dares not describe, thereby undermining My dignity - the dignity of God, the Mighty, the Precious, the Praiseworthy. If I were to recount what he did, such deeds could not be fully chronicled even if all the seas of the earth were turned into ink and all things on earth transformed into pens. Thus, We relate what has befallen Me - if you are among those who understand. O Thou Pen of Eternity! Do not grieve over what has befallen Thee, for God shall bring forth people who see with their eyes and remember what happened to Thee. Restrain the pen from mentioning these people, then employ it in mentioning the King of the Ancient. Ignore the contingent beings; then drink from the sealed and pure wine of My remembrance. Be careful not to engage thyself in mentioning those from whom thou dost not find but the scent of intense hatred, those who are so overwhelmed by the love of temporal authority that they destroy themselves to elevate their reputation and perpetuate their names. God has recorded these individuals as worshippers of names, in a preserved tablet. Speak of what you desire to this Temple so that its traces may appear on earth and the light of this Radiance may fill the horizons and cleanse the earth from the pollution of those who denied God. Thus, We have sent down the signs and explained the matter to those who know. O Thou this Temple! Extend Thy hand over whoever is in heaven and on earth, and seize the reins of command with the grip of Thy will. Indeed, We have placed in Thy right hand the dominion of everything; do as Thou willest and fear not those who do not know. Then raise Thine hand to the tablet that shone from the horizon of the fingers of Thy Lord, and grasp it with strength. By doing so, the hands of all that exists will also grasp it - this is befitting if thou art of those who understand. By the elevation of Thy hand to the heaven of My bounty, the hands of everything will be raised to God, the Mighty, the Precious, the Beloved. We shall send forth from Thy hand the hands of strength, power, and might, and through them, We will manifest My power to whoever is in the Kingdom of command and creation, to assure the Servant that there is no God but Me, the Protector, the Self-existent. By them, We give and take, and none know this save those who see with the Spiritual Eye. Say, O people, do you flee from the Power of God? By God, there is no escape for you today, and no refuge for anyone, except from the Mercy of God, through His Bounty - verily He is the Forgiving, the Generous. Say, O people! Set aside what you have, then enter into the shadow of your Lord, the Merciful. This is better for you than what you have done or are doing - fear God, and do not deprive yourselves of the fragrances of the days of the King of

the Names and attributes. Do not alter the Word of God, nor transpose its meaning - fear God and be among the devout. Say, O people! This is the Hand of God that has been above your hands - if you are of those who reason. Through It, We have ordained good for the heavens and the earth in such a way that no good is manifested unless it comes from It - thus have We made It the source and repository of all good for all that has been and will be. Say, all that has flowed in the tablets of the rivers of evidence and explanation is connected with this Most Great Sea - if you are among those who perceive. And that which was detailed in the books traces back to this Supreme Word that shone from the Mouth of the Will of El-ABHA (the Most Glorious) in this manifestation, which caused the mouths of both the seen and unseen to break into smiles. God shall send forth from the sleeves of Might the hands of power and victory, and certain individuals to assist this Servant, and to purify the earth from the impurity of every defiant polytheist. They shall rise in favor of this matter, open the countries in My Name, the Powerful, the Self-existent, enter their boundaries, and their threats shall reach all the servants; this is from the strength of God: Verily His Strength is immense in favor of Justice. Truly, He encompasses everyone on earth and in heaven, and sends down what He pleases according to a predetermined measure. If anyone from those people were to stand up and confront all that is created in the universe, he would surely be the conqueror through My victory. This is from My power, but My people do not know; this is from My dominion, but My creatures do not understand; this is from My command, but My servants do not perceive; this is from My victory, but mankind is not grateful. Except for those whose eyes God has enlightened with the Light of the Knowledge of Himself, and whose hearts He has made the repositories of His inspiration, and whose souls are carriers of His Command; these are the people who, from the garment of His Name, will inhale the fragrances of the Merciful, and rejoice continually at the signs of God. As for those who have denied and associated others with God, the wrath of God will be upon them, and they will be dragged into the fire, where they will lament in its layers; thus do We delineate the signs and explain the truth with clear proofs, in the hope that people will reflect on the signs of their Lord. O thou, this Temple! We have made Thee the sign of My Might in all that has been and will be; We have made Thee the sign of My Matter between the earth and heaven, by My saying \"Be\" and it is. (Words to the four letters of HYKL spelling \"Temple\" or \"Body.\") O thou \"Ha\" of He (Deity) of this Name, We have made Thee the repository of My Will, and the hiding place of My Wish for everyone in the Kingdom of Creation and Command, as a favor from the Protector, the Self-existent. O thou \"Ya\" of My Mighty Name, We have made thee the manifestation of My dominion and the rising place of My Names; and I am the Powerful over all that which I say. O thou \"Kaf\" of My Noble Name, We have made Thee the dawning place of My generosity amidst My creatures and the spring (origin) of My benevolence amongst My people; I am the Mighty in My Dominion; nothing is hidden from My Knowledge of that which was created between the earth and heaven, and I am the True One, the Knower, of all secrets and unseen things. O thou Pen! Bring down from the clouds of Thy generosity that which will satisfy the contingent beings; do not withhold Thy benevolence from existence; verily Thou art the Generous in the everlasting spiritual world (Jabarout el-beka), and the possessor of the great Bounty to whomsoever is in the Kingdom of the Names. Look not to the people and what they have in their possession; look to the beauty of thy gifts and to thy incomparable grants; make the servants enter into thy extended shadow; stretch out the hand of munificence on the contingent beings and the fingers of generosity over the existing beings; this behooves Thee, but the people do not understand.

Indeed, the spiritual journey towards God is from His bounty, and anyone who turns away from this path does so at their own loss, for God is sufficient for all that He has created. This is a truth attested to by the sincere among His servants. Through the embodiment of God's divine attributes, powerful forces will be sent forth to aid in the spiritual growth and transformation of humanity. These forces will issue a call so compelling that it will deeply stir the hearts and souls of people. It has been ordained that their emergence will be so significant that it will cause great consternation among humanity. But in this new era, it has been decreed that violence is not the means to resolve our conflicts or bring about change. The sword of physical force has been replaced with the sword of the tongue, which refers to the power of words, reason, and persuasion. In this context, the \"sword of evidence\" is a metaphor for the power of rational and spiritual argument that can subdue the hearts and minds of people, not through force or coercion, but through love, understanding, and conviction. God encourages us to use this \"sword of evidence\" to assist in spreading His teachings of mercy and love. And so, the forces of divine revelation and spiritual inspiration are being unleashed upon humanity from God, who is the Protector and the Self-existent, Precious and Beloved. These forces will be instrumental in guiding humanity towards a path of unity, compassion, and spiritual fulfillment. In this passage, the speaker—presumably embodying divine revelation—speaks of the profound spiritual realities that have been ordained in the Temple, referring metaphorically to the spiritual embodiment of divine teachings. These teachings encompass all knowledge of existence and have been inscribed with divine wisdom that surpasses human understanding. They also contain profound spiritual truths, the understanding of which leads to blessings and enlightenment. The speaker emphasizes the divine unity in everything, asserting that nothing can be seen in their own nature, movement, stillness, or actions that is not a reflection of God's attributes. This assertion mirrors the principle of Tawhid in Islamic theology, which is the belief in the oneness of God. The speaker further expresses a transcendental unity where all particles of their being declare the divine truth of monotheism, that there is no deity but God. They embody this truth both in the spiritual realm and in the kingdom of names, which could refer to the earthly realm or the realm of attributes. In the final part of the passage, the speaker refers to two divine attributes: Lordship and Divinity. They assert that for the attribute of Lordship, manifestations have been created in the kingdom, perhaps referring to the manifestations of God's attributes in the world. For the attribute of Divinity, places of rising have been made, possibly meaning spiritual centers or individuals who guide others to the worship of God. All of the divine names (or prophets) hold these truths, and understanding them is key to spiritual knowledge and enlightenment. In this passage, the letter \"L\" (Lam of El-Fadhl or Bounty) is represented as a symbol of bounty between heaven and earth. It is identified as the origin and return point of all manifestations of generosity among beings, with an indication that this generosity will manifest again through divine command. This alludes to the cyclical nature of divine grace and mercy. The concept of \"Bounty\" (El-Fadhl) as symbolized by the letter \"L\" is underscored, emphasizing its unending flow towards all creation. The passage refers to the divine bounty as being hidden from sight, yet fruitful and enriching to all things, even if not perceived by the majority of people.

There's also an echo of the concept of \"each according to its kind\" from Genesis in the Bible, where it's said that God created all things to reproduce according to their own kind. This is represented here as fruits from trees, jewels from the sea, knowledge from humans, the transfiguration of the Merciful from the universe, and something incomprehensible from the earth. The passage concludes by positing that if humans struggle to comprehend the boundless bounty of God, understanding the essence of God Himself becomes an even greater mystery. This aligns with many religious and spiritual traditions which acknowledge that the divine essence surpasses human comprehension. This passage begins by addressing the \"Temple of the Command,\" likely a metaphoric representation of a divine entity or principle. The Temple is advised not to grieve if none approach to receive its gifts because it was created solely for divine celebration. The text then indicates that those with pure hearts and clear sights, who can recognize and appreciate divine gifts, will eventually be raised. The passage also conveys the idea of the Temple being protected and preserved from the impure influences of the world, and the divine promise that seekers will eventually flock to the Temple. The \"Hosts of Revelation\" are described as powerful forces of divine truths that dispel falsehoods and misconceptions. However, some people fail to recognize these divine truths, often due to their illusions or misconceptions. The passage then states that the Holy Spirit was created by a letter of what descended from the \"Most Great Spirit,\" likely referring to a divine principle or law. In this context, \"Fitrat\" is an Arabic term used in Islamic theology to refer to the natural disposition or inherent nature within every human being to know God and affirm His unity. The passage ends by saying that the Temple or the Divine does not boast of its creation but acknowledges that everything else was created through divine command. This underscores the transcendent nature of the divine, which is beyond all created things, indicating the foundational principle of monotheism - the oneness of God. This passage begins by declaring the divine authority to reveal signs under various conditions, each one demonstrating the dominion of God over all things. It emphasizes that these signs are enough to convince anyone, but that most people are heedless or unaware. The passage also suggests that if God willed, these signs could have been revealed under countless other conditions. The text then calls upon people to be mindful of their words and actions, emphasizing the importance of respect and humility towards the divine. The reminder that humans were formed from a \"drop of water\" underscores our humble origins and the miraculous power of creation. In terms of the \"nature of God,\" this is a reference to \"Fitra\" in Islamic thought, which represents the innate predisposition of humans to recognize and be in harmony with God's will. The passage suggests that those who seek God's presence will be brought into a state aligned with their original divine nature. The theme of divine bounty and the equality of all things in their creation is touched upon, stating that everything has been created equally according to their kind. Those who remember and acknowledge the divine reality will be saved, while those who turn away will deny God's existence. The passage concludes by highlighting the unique status of God's Word. Unlike the words of His creatures, God's Word is sovereign or supreme. Similarly, His Soul is the ruler of all souls, and His Command governs all that was and is. This serves to distinguish the divine reality from the creation, emphasizing

God's ultimate authority and transcendence. This passage implores people to enter the \"chief city of Assurance,\" which can be metaphorically understood as embracing a state of certainty and trust in divine guidance. Those who follow the divine commandments are assured of God's bounty. Yet there are some who resist and question the legitimacy of divine signs, echoing those who've similarly doubted and now suffer in spiritual ignorance or \"hellfire.\" The text challenges those who reject these signs to produce their own proof of belief in God. It suggests that the disbelievers' accusations of sorcery are mere attempts to undermine the divine revelations, driven by their inability to produce anything comparable. The passage also highlights how the followers of Islam reacted when confronted with a new divine message. It states they prevented people from seeking the divine wisdom embodied by the \"Beauty of the Ancient\" (a title often referring to God or His manifestation). It further accuses them of dissuading others from following this new divine path, by calling it enchantment or a form of leading astray. This text underscores the gravity of attributing the signs of God to sorcery. It equates such accusations with denying the authenticity of all of God's messengers, resulting in a spiritual loss and the perpetuation of ignorance. It reiterates the underlying principle of unity in all divine revelations and warns against rejecting them due to misunderstanding or prejudice. This passage continues the appeal to individuals to acknowledge the divine authority and wisdom. It insists on the importance of impartiality and justice in one's self, cautioning against the attempt to imitate God, which implies setting up one's own wisdom and judgement as superior to divine guidance. It reminds individuals of the revitalizing power of divine revelation and suggests that acknowledging this divine authority brings life to all things and renews the spiritual vitality of people. The text encourages everyone to witness the divine beauty, listen to the divine voice, and receive illumination from the divine light, metaphorically represented as \"the Throne.\" It reiterates that these spiritual experiences are the bounty God has granted to humanity. The passage also insists on people's self-presentation before the throne of God with unbiased and just speech. It questions whether people truly believe that God is powerful and unconstrained in His actions, or whether they merely repeat these beliefs out of tradition. The text asserts that God's manifestation is evident through unique signs and conditions not found elsewhere in creation. It insists that everything ultimately relates to these divine signs and that God's command has universal authority, which only the \"iniquitous infidel\" would deny. Finally, the passage advises people not to try to conceal divine beauty or prevent the divine spirit's expression. It urges belief in God's messengers, dominion, and greatness, warning against associating with those who deny the divine truth after having initially accepted it. In Islamic tradition, each letter of the Arabic alphabet has symbolic meanings. The letter \"Kaf\" is associated with knowledge and support in certain interpretations. This passage appears to include specific instructions for a person or an entity referred to as the \"Foot of this Temple.\" Here, the \"Temple\" could metaphorically represent the spiritual institution or body through which divine guidance is disseminated.

In this metaphor, the Foot is said to be created from iron, perhaps symbolizing strength and steadfastness. It is directed to remain firm on its path, not swayed by violent hatred or adverse circumstances. The aim of the Foot's existence seems to be the guidance and support of the devout, helping them to walk straight on their spiritual path. This directive acknowledges the challenges that the Foot of the Temple will face, including opposition equal to all the forces of the past and present. However, the passage reassures that the entire bounty of divine grace is within grasp and will be bestowed upon those near to God. The final directive to the Foot of the Temple is to praise God in such a way that inspires all beings to do the same. This implies a role of spiritual leadership and influence, carrying the responsibility of guiding others toward divine praise and recognition. Please note that the specific details related to the symbol of \"Kaf\" and the \"Great Support\" being Abbas Effendi are not universally accepted interpretations within Islamic or Baha'i traditions. These interpretations appear to be specific to the source text and may reflect particular theological or interpretive perspectives. It's always important to understand religious texts within their specific contexts and traditions. This excerpt speaks to a metaphorical entity referred to as the \"Temple.\" The passage implores the Temple to rise and assist in a divine matter, emphasizing the power and dominion that the entity has been given. The Temple is also instructed to guide others by sharing the knowledge that has been imparted to it. The passage then addresses the people, asking them to purify their hearts and eyes. This seems to symbolize a call to spiritual purification and enlightenment, so they may recognize their Creator manifested in the holy and brilliant Garment. The Garment could be interpreted as a metaphorical reference to a divine messenger or revelation. The text further describes the Temple as the Servant established upon the Throne of Glory, who has appeared with dominion and power. The Servant calls upon the people of the universe, questioning why they have denied their Lord and turned away from His praise. Next, the passage speaks to the Temple of Holiness, stating that it has been cleansed and sanctified from worldly influences, so it may reflect the lights of Divine Beauty. The Temple is declared as chosen above all others, reflecting a special status within the Kingdom of Command and Creation, signifying an eternal status, not confined by time. The last part is a metaphysical assertion: the day of God is eternal, and He Himself is this day. This suggests that God's presence and influence are perpetual, unbounded by the constraints of time or remembrance. This provides a poetic reflection on the timeless and infinite nature of the divine. This excerpt continues the address to the \"Temple of Holiness,\" which seems to be a metaphor for a divinely ordained messenger, a repository of divine knowledge, or an enlightened soul. The \"Breast of this Temple\" is portrayed as a mirror that reflects the divine light onto the \"breasts of the contingent beings,\" symbolizing the purification of hearts from false interpretations and illusions. It implies that the divine wisdom and enlightenment reflected from the Temple purifies other beings, leading them toward truth and clarity. The Temple is said to be the \"store of knowledge,\" suggesting it is a source of divine wisdom. It is implied that this divine knowledge is beyond human

understanding and that even a single word from this knowledge can cause great disturbance, shaking the foundations of everything known and believed. This emphasizes the transformative power and profundity of this divine knowledge. Moreover, the passage suggests that there exist other divine sciences so profound that humanity is not yet ready to hear of them. These remarks underscore the infinite nature of divine knowledge and wisdom, beyond human comprehension and endurance. The passage ends by stating that if appropriate vessels (individuals capable of understanding and conveying this knowledge) were found, treasures of knowledge would be given to them. It is implied that such knowledge is so vast that a single letter of it could encompass the whole world, emphasizing the extraordinary potency and expansive nature of this divine wisdom. O People ! Hear God and deny not the One whose Mercy has encompassed the contingent beings, and His Bounty preceded the existing beings, and the dominion of His Command encircled your external and internal, your beginning and end; honor God and be of those who are Godly. Beware of being like those upon whom the signs of God passed and they failed to know them; verily are they not of those who are neglectful? Say, do ye worship him who doth not hear or see, but was, rather, the lowest and most despised of the servants? Why do ye not follow the One who came from the rising place of Command with the message of God, the Supreme, the Great. O people!, be not like those who came before the Throne and could not perceive; verily are they not of those to be ignored? Verily we read to them the signs to which the people of might and the inhabitants of the Kingdom will be drawn; but they went back and veiled themselves from them, waiting anxiously to hear the voice of one of the servants who calls the people to prayer by the will of God. Thus we do convey to you that which will guide you to the same path as that of those who are near (to God). How many a servant entered the spot of Paradise, the station of the Throne, and stood before their Lord the Supreme, the Great, and asked concerning the \"Four Doors\" or regarding one of the Imams of the Furkan (Koran);- thus was the condition of these people,- were ye of those who know. In like manner in these days do ye see those who deny and associate others with God and adhere to one Name of the Names, but turn away from the One who created these Names; verily we testify that they are of the people of Fire. They ask the Sun of that which the shadow hath said, and the Truth of that which the preachers uttered;- were ye of those who bear witness. Say,O people! The sun hath nothing in itself but its effulgence and that which appears from it, and all things beside it are illuminated by its light. Fear God and be not of those who are ignorant. Some of them asked the darkness about the light. Say, open thine eyes that thou mayest see the effulgences surrounding the horizons; verily it could be seen by the naked eye- this is a Light which hath shoneand appeared from the horizon of the Dawn with evident brightness. Do ye ask the Jews whether the Spirit (Christ) was of a truth from God? Or the Idols, whether Mohammed was a Prophet (Messenger)? Or the people of the Koran concerning the Reminder (the Bab} of God, the Supreme, the Great? The passage continues to advocate for spiritual transformation and awakening. The speaker commands the people to let go of their previously held religious doctrines and to follow the commandments given in this new divine revelation, and warns them not to repeat the mistakes they made with previous divine manifestations. The phrase \"el-Fitrat\" is an Arabic term that generally refers to the innate nature or the primordial state of existence. In this context, it's used to point out that even this innate nature was created by the divine words and revolves around the divine essence. The speaker blesses those who have opened their hearts to the new divine revelation and have been spiritually enlightened by it.

The passage further addresses the \"Temple\" - possibly a reference to the divine manifestation or messenger. The speaker describes this entity as a mirror reflecting the divine kingdom, a guide to the divine path, and a manifestation of the divine soul. This entity has been given authority and wisdom, and is tasked with sending forth \"speaking mirrors and high letters\" - perhaps messengers or teachings - to tell of the divine dominion and power. In the last part, the speaker warns these \"mirrors\" or messengers not to feel arrogant against their creator at the time of his appearance, reminding them to maintain humility in the face of divine authority. This underscores the theme of divine transcendence and the need for humility before the divine. In this passage, the speaker continues to address the \"Mirrors,\" which may symbolize divine messengers or manifestations. They are urged to maintain their humility, even when they hold a high spiritual station, and to disconnect themselves from earthly attachments. The speaker asserts their power, mentioning that they could instantly transform all things into divine manifestations or invert the existing order of the world. The speaker then offers a stern warning to these divine manifestations. Even if they dedicate themselves to God's cause and practice extreme piety, their deeds will be meaningless if they reject or object to new divine manifestations. The speaker suggests that turning towards and accepting the new divine revelation could potentially erase their past mistakes. The speaker then turns their attention to those who practice religious rituals such as fasting but object to new divine manifestations. These individuals are labeled as ignorant. The speaker criticizes those who suffer hardships in order to maintain their reputation and authority. They caution that any reputation they might gain would not be beneficial, especially if it displeases God. In the concluding part, the speaker encourages the people to follow the divine instructions given in the Book, to consume what God has lawfully given them, and not to burden themselves with unnecessary hardships. Instead, they should pay attention to and follow the divine revelation revealed through evident proofs and signs. In this passage, the speaker addresses a group referred to as \"Assembly of Ulama,\" likely a group of religious scholars or divines. The speaker first urges them not to pride themselves on merely following the prohibitions set forth in their religious texts, such as abstaining from wine, as this does not inherently confer virtue or dignity. Instead, the speaker suggests that truly honorable conduct lies in submission to the \"word of the Truth\" and in focusing one's devotion to God, both in private and in public. The speaker also blesses the scholar who does not let their knowledge become a barrier between them and God. When God or divine truth is revealed, such a scholar would approach with openness and positivity. The speaker implies that such a scholar is one of the inheritors of the wisdom of the prophets, and that to see and approach such a scholar is tantamount to seeing and approaching divine truth. Finally, the speaker cautions these scholars, referring to them as \"Dawning Places of Science,\" against changing their inner selves. The speaker warns that such a change in these influential figures might result in changes in their followers, equating this to an act of self-oppression. The scholars are likened to a spring from which rivers flow - if the spring changes, so do all the rivers it feeds. The speaker then implores them to fear God and maintain piety. This passage emphasizes the immense responsibility of these scholars or divines to maintain their spiritual integrity, as their actions and attitudes have the potential to influence many others. In this text, the speaker continues with the spiritual guidance and instruction, using a variety of metaphors to express profound truths. The speaker draws an

analogy between the human condition and a tree: when the heart (or roots) becomes corrupted, so too do all other aspects of the individual (or the branches, twigs, leaves, and fruits of the tree). The speaker is emphasizing that one's inner spiritual state directly affects all aspects of one's life and actions. The speaker then draws attention to the Black Stone of the Kaaba in Mecca and the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, significant religious sites in Islam. The speaker asserts that the inherent significance of these places is not due to the physical sites themselves but due to the spiritual reality they represent, the manifestations of God's revelation. In this context, the speaker is possibly referring to the spiritual leaders or messengers who have symbolically or literally been associated with these locations. The speaker emphasizes the importance of spiritual understanding over physical materialism. People are encouraged to detach themselves from worldly desires and instead focus on the horizon of Revelation, possibly referring to the recognition and acceptance of God's newest manifestation or revelation. This focus on spiritual enlightenment over material gain is presented as the true path to blessedness and divine knowledge. The speaker concludes this section by reminding listeners that all wisdom comes from God, and they should seek to understand what God wills for them. This suggests the need for humility and a recognition that ultimate knowledge and understanding come from a divine source. The speaker in this passage urges the listeners to prepare themselves for a great spiritual event, the manifestation or \"Appearance\" of the divine, referred to as the \"Sun of Truth\". The speaker advises listeners to purify their hearts and to detach themselves from all earthly attachments, including both positive (love) and negative (detestation) emotions for people or things on earth. This total detachment is presented as necessary for understanding the divine command and for experiencing the transformative power of the divine revelation. The speaker then admonishes listeners for forgetting the Promise of God and for violating His Covenant, suggesting a failure to recognize or accept the spiritual leader or divine revelation now manifesting. The speaker encourages listeners to purify their sight, implying a spiritual vision, and to consider the evidences of the Prophets and Messengers. This suggests a call to recognize the continuity of divine revelation throughout history and to see the current manifestation as part of this ongoing spiritual reality. Finally, the speaker asserts that the Promised One has arrived with \"great sovereignty\", emphasizing the divine authority and majesty of the current manifestation. This statement serves to underline the importance and spiritual significance of the present moment. This passage is filled with admonishments, pleas, and exhortations directed towards those who reject the speaker's message. The speaker is reminding the audience of the divine omnipotence and unity, stating that all was created by God's will. It criticizes those who, although they claim to follow God, have turned away from the divine message when it has been revealed to them in a new form. The speaker bemoans that these people are lost in their own lusts and prejudices, blinding themselves to the divine revelation. They claim to know God's message but deny its new manifestation, a contradiction that the speaker finds deeply regrettable. The passage also refers to the relationship between the speaker and the \"First Point\" (Bab), stating that they would have delighted in each other's company had they lived at the same time. This is possibly a reference to progressive revelation, the concept in some religions (like Baha'i) that God's message is periodically renewed through different prophets or messengers.

Finally, the speaker empathizes with the \"First Point\", mourning his separation and longing to meet the speaker, revealing the deep spiritual connection between these two figures. The last lines depict the speaker's sadness at the injustice and oppression experienced in the course of their divine mission. This passage appears to continue the themes of earlier passages, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and accepting divine revelations. The speaker addresses an audience that was called to a sacred station (the \"Most Great Outlook\") and taught about the \"days of God\", a term that could refer to the times of divine revelation. However, when the divine truth was manifested (\"the most great Veil became rent\"), the audience rejected it, hence they are referred to as \"assembly of infidels\". The passage calls for humility and worship of God in the face of these divine revelations. It speaks of the Sun of the Signs, possibly a metaphor for the divine message, and the Finger of the King of the Names and Attributes, which could symbolize the messenger or prophet delivering this message. The audience is urged to prostrate and worship God at the sight of this divine revelation, emphasizing that such humility is more valuable than all the possessions of heaven and earth. Throughout the passage, the speaker uses strongly metaphorical language to convey spiritual truths, urging the audience to recognize and accept the divine message being presented to them. This passage continues the spiritual and metaphorical dialogue urging individuals to turn away from earthly and sinful influences and towards divine wisdom and guidance. The speaker is reminding people of the importance of devotion and faithfulness to God's divine revelations and warns against the lure of Satan and the self, which lead towards wickedness and injustice. The passage makes use of religious symbolism such as the 'Embroidered Garment' that could signify the intricate and awe-inspiring nature of divine revelations, and the 'Voice of the Merciful' likely refers to the divine messages of God. In contrast, the 'voice of Satan' represents misleading and sinful temptations. A significant assertion is made in the final lines of this passage; that anyone harboring even the smallest degree of love for anything other than the divine ('less than a mustard seed') is unfit to enter God's kingdom. This likely emphasizes the complete dedication and devotion expected from followers of this spiritual path. The speaker affirms this assertion by claiming that it is evidenced in the 'Book of Existence,' which could symbolize the universal truth of life and existence. In this passage, the speaker is announcing the arrival of a divine revelation or manifestation, which could be interpreted as a significant spiritual event or enlightenment. The use of the terms 'Most Great Bounty' and 'Beloved of the world' signify the importance of this revelation. This moment is portrayed as so profound that every aspect of existence, from 'the supremest heaven to the lowest earth', is engaged in a celebration of this divine emergence. Symbols such as the 'Temple of the Manifestation' and the 'Temple of the Secrets' are probably references to different aspects of spirituality or religious institutions, called upon to herald this moment. The 'Houri of Paradise', a reference to heavenly beings in Islamic tradition, is invoked to announce the divine manifestation to all the inhabitants of the universe. The speaker also urges individuals to act swiftly in embracing this divine revelation, cautioning that any hesitation could lead to spiritual ruin. The phrase 'River of Bounty' may symbolize the flow of divine blessings, while 'the station of overwhelming grief and constraint' could represent a state of spiritual deprivation or loss. The passage overall emphasizes the urgency and significance of recognizing and accepting divine revelations when they appear.