BB00287: Letter to Mulla Husayn I (from Medina)

In the name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate

This is a Book which hath been sent down by the leave of thy Lord from the presence of One All-Wise. Verily, He standeth upon a straight path. Thy Lord knoweth the mysteries of the heavens and the earth, and that wherein men differ. And God, thy Lord, knoweth what thou hast endured in the path of His Word, and God, thy Lord, shall soon reward thee with an abundant recompense.

The decree of God hath been ordained in truth; say: “I find no change in the way of God.” The Word of thy Lord is well pleased with thee; how excellent is thy station with thy Lord as a resting-place! Therefore, be thou steadfast as thou art bidden, and be patient with what hath befallen thee in the path of the remembrance of thy Lord’s name, for verily unto them that strive is ordained a holy station, inscribed with thy Lord.

The mention of thy Lord’s name hath witnessed among the sedentary ones the word of chastisement. God hath changed His favor toward them, and We seized them for their deeds contrary to truth, that perchance they might believe in the meeting with God. Thy Lord faileth not in what He hath decreed and numbered, but the wayward ones deny the signs of God.

Thy Lord hath prescribed mercy for thyself, and God beareth witness concerning thee in the sacred month of pilgrimage to the House as one performing ʿUmrah. God witnesseth naught for those who come save the word of chastisement. God shall soon judge between Me and them with truth on the Day of Decision, and thy Lord is not unjust to His servants.

God, thy Lord, witnesseth concerning the months of pilgrimage to the House only for thyself and for those who follow the decree as thou dost, and for the soul that came with Me to the pilgrimage. This is God’s decree in His Book, and God, thy Lord, witnesseth naught for the wrongdoers save aversion. Turn away from the idolaters and speak to them a gracious word.

Thy Lord hath perfected His proof against a man from both parties in the sacred month near the Sacred House of God concerning the word that was revealed in the Qur’an. God, thy Lord, beareth witness concerning it only according to what hath preceded in the decree of the Book regarding his affair. Soon will God cancel what Satan hath suggested in his breast and guide him to a straight path.

Say to one of them: “Dost thou not fear God, unto Whom is thy return and final destination? Wait thou, for God is witness over thee.” If thou return, We shall return, and verily the decree of thy Lord was ordained in the Mother Book. “Do they then seek the judgment of ignorance?” The mention of thy Lord’s name hath not revealed in the Book a single letter save by His leave, and God sufficeth as a witness, and He Who sent down the verses from His presence.

Thy Lord hath detailed His decrees in this thy Book. Fear God and turn away from the idolaters. Fear not anyone in thy Lord’s path, for whether thou diest or art slain, unto God shalt thou be gathered. The Word of God doth not permit His servant for His command, and for everything in thy Lord’s Book there is an appointed term. When God, thy Lord, decreeth a matter, then on that day God’s decree is manifest.

Go forth from the land wherein God hath prescribed for thee the pilgrimage to the House, if thou art able to find a way thereto. Verily, the soul hath been concealed by the command of thy Lord’s decree. Therefore, veil the word of His name, for the decree from thy Lord is obligatory. God knoweth thy place of rest and sojourn, and God sufficeth as thy helper and guardian.

And verily the Word of thy Lord hath not yet reached the deniers. God, thy Lord, hath transformed the word of polytheism into this path. I hold authority over no affair save what thy Lord willeth; lo, He hath ever encompassed all things.

Observe the word of dissimulation while thou art imprisoned, and grieve not for what hath passed from thee in the path of thy Lord. Say: The word of the Criterion is based upon wisdom. And a believing man of Pharaoh’s folk who kept hidden his faith said:

“Would ye kill a man because he saith ʿMy Lord is God’, when he hath brought you clear proofs from your Lord? If he is a liar, then his lie is upon him; and if he is truthful, then some of that wherewith he threateneth you will strike you. Lo! God guideth not one who is a prodigal, a liar.”

Perchance God will bring to pass afterward some new thing.

Convey the greetings of the remembrance of thy Lord’s name to the fourteen who have gone before, and say unto them: “Proceed to the purified land, the place of security, if ye be secure in the decree of the Cause.” Glorified be thy Lord, the Lord of the Throne, above what they describe. And praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds. And peace from the remembrance of thy Lord’s name be upon the followers. Exalted be God above what the wrongdoers assert concerning the decree of His Word, with great exaltation. And if men gather in the Holy Land for the Cause, say: “Be patient until the decree cometh unto you from Me, for God’s appointed time will come, and verily God, thy Lord, hath power over all things.”