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
Likewise behold this Revelation. The essences of the people have, through
divinely-conceived designs, been set in motion and until the present day
three hundred and thirteen disciples have been chosen. In the land of Sád
[Iṣfáhán], which to outward seeming is a great city, in every corner of
whose seminaries are vast numbers of people regarded as divines and
doctors, yet when the time came for inmost essences to be drawn forth,
only its sifter of wheat donned the robe of discipleship. This is the
mystery of what was uttered by the kindred of the Prophet Muḥammad—upon
them be the peace of God—concerning this Revelation, saying that the
abased shall be exalted and the exalted shall be abased.
Likewise is the Revelation of Him Whom God shall make manifest. Among
those to whom it will never occur that they might merit the displeasure of
God, and whose pious deeds will be exemplary unto everyone, there will be
many who will become the personification of the nethermost fire itself,
when they fail to embrace His Cause; while among the lowly servants whom
no one would imagine to be of any merit, how great the number who will be
honoured with true faith and on whom the Fountainhead of generosity will
bestow the robe of authority. For whatever is created in the Faith of God
is created through the potency of His Word. VIII, 14.
“In the manifestation of the Apostle of God all were eagerly ...”
In the manifestation of the Apostle of God all were eagerly awaiting Him,
yet thou hast heard how He was treated at the time of His appearance, in
spite of the fact that if ever they beheld Him in their dreams they would
take pride in them.
Likewise in the manifestation of the Point of the Bayán, the people stood
up at the mention of His Name and fervently implored His advent night and
day, and if they dreamt of Him they gloried in their dreams; yet now that
He hath revealed Himself, invested with the mightiest testimony, whereby
their own religion is vindicated, and despite the incalculable number of
people who yearningly anticipate His coming, they are resting comfortably
in their homes, after having hearkened to His verses; while He at this
moment is confined in the mountain of Mákú, lonely and forsaken.
Take good heed of yourselves, O people of the Bayán, lest ye perform such
deeds as to weep sore for His sake night and day, to stand up at the
mention of His Name, yet on this Day of fruition—a Day whereon ye should
not only arise at His Name, but seek a path unto Him Who personifies that
Name—ye shut yourselves out from Him as by as veil. VI, 15.
“At the time of the manifestation of Him Whom God ...”
At the time of the manifestation of Him Whom God shall make manifest
everyone should be well trained in the teachings of the Bayán, so that
none of the followers may outwardly cling to the Bayán and thus forfeit
their allegiance unto Him. If anyone does so, the verdict of ‘disbeliever
in God’ shall be passed upon him.
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