Selections From the Writings of the BábBab, ʻAli Muhammad Shirazi
Religion
Selections From the Writings of the Báb
Bab, ʻAli Muhammad Shirazi
Babism; Bahai Faith
Dost thou imagine him whom thou hast appointed Chancellor in thy kingdom
to be the best leader and the best supporter? Nay, I swear by thy Lord. He
will bring thee into grievous trouble by reason of that which Satan
instilleth in his heart, and verily, he himself is Satan. He comprehendeth
not a single letter from the Book of God and is seized with fear by reason
of that which his hands have wrought. Fain would he extinguish the light
which thy Lord hath kindled, so that the old impiety which is concealed in
his inner being may not be revealed. Hadst thou not appointed him as thy
Chancellor no one would have paid him the slightest attention. Indeed in
the estimation of the people he is naught but manifest darkness...
Fear thou God and suffer not thy soul to be chastised beyond that with
which it hath already been tormented; for ere long thou shalt pass away
and shalt declare thyself clear of the devil whom thou hast appointed as
thy Chancellor, saying: ‘O would that I had not taken the devil as my
Chancellor, nor appointed an impostor as my guide and adviser.’
Why dost thou burden thy soul with that which is far more abject than the
deeds of Pharaoh, and still callest thyself one of the faithful? How dost
thou peruse the verses of the Qur’án, while thou art of the unjust? Never
would the Jews, nor the Christians nor any such people as have rejected
the truth consent to inflict wrongs upon the son of their Prophet’s
daughter. Woe betide thee, for the day of chastisement is approaching.
Dost thou not dread the wrath of thy Lord, the Almighty, the Lord of the
heavens, the Lord of all worlds? Indeed these manifest verses are
conclusive testimony for those who seek true guidance.
I have no desire to seize thy property, even to the extent of a grain of
mustard, nor do I wish to occupy thy position. If thou followest Me not,
then unto thee be the things thou dost possess, and unto Me the land of
unfailing security. If thou obeyest Me not, wherefore dost thou look
disdainfully upon Me and seek to treat Me with sore injustice? Verily,
behold My habitation—a lofty mountain wherein no one dwelleth. Woe betide
them that wrongfully do injustice to people, and unjustly and deceitfully
usurp the property of the believers in violation of His lucid Book;
whereas I, Who, in very truth, am the rightful Sovereign of all men,
designated by the true, the undeniable Leader, would never infringe on the
integrity of the substance of the people, were it to the extent of a grain
of mustard, nor would I treat them unjustly. Rather would I consort with
them even as one of themselves, and I would be their witness.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account