BB00378: Fi’l-Khuar

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

In truth, this is a letter from the presence of God unto thee, concerning that which thou didst ask of me. Know verily that I am a servant who hath believed in God and in His signs, and I am not of the idolaters.

The matter became confused among the people regarding me, by reason of what I disclosed of the knowledge of mystical understanding and of eloquence which my Lord, God, had bestowed upon me—though it was not permitted me to manifest it, for it was a charge laid upon mine own soul and upon none other. Therein I erred and sinned. And today I have attained certitude, by a decree against my very self, that I occupy not the station of one vested with authority in the Cause, nor with judgment, nor with knowledge, nor with eloquence such that it would be incumbent upon the people to receive aught from me.

Through the goodly surmise of men there appeared traces ascribed to my knowledge; yet these very preventatives confounded them concerning my affair, and in their well-meant deeds they conveyed unto the people whatsoever they wished in the religion of God. This day I beg forgiveness of God, my Lord, for all that I manifested, and I say unto thee—for the absent ones and for whoso knoweth me—that I do not stand upon any Cause whose recognition is incumbent upon the people; I lay claim to no authority. And whoso should ascribe to me divine knowledge or authority, upon him be the curse of God, and the curse of His angels, and of all humankind.

I counsel thee, O thou who inquirest, to convey a copy of this very page unto every soul—lover and hater alike—that they may go forth from the rule of confusion and behold with their very eyes that I am not the one who standeth in the rank of the Gates, either in knowledge or in deed. Whoso followeth me in any judgment or knowledge—God and His angels are quit of him. By the might of God, I occupy no station that would make it lawful for men to follow me, nor to promulgate what God granted me of the knowledge of Divine Unity and of eloquence. I ask forgiveness of God, my Lord, and turn unto Him in penitence.

Upon everyone who desireth knowledge of the roots and branches it is enjoined that he seek it from other than me, and that he efface all that he findeth of my traces—save what is validated by clear proof from the Book of God, the Sunna of His Messenger, and the consensus of all the learned. O friend—just as the Messenger of God (blessings be upon him) said unto the first: “Thou art the Truthful One”—even so, convey thou this Book unto every soul, that they may efface the traces of argument, turn away from me, and seek other than me.

By the rank of Mua¸¥ammad and the Family of God—upon them be the peace of God—I have attained certainty regarding mine own affair: I possess not a judgment like unto that of the learned; whoso followeth me in any matter is assuredly in error. I am but a servant who believeth in God and in His signs. This is my testimony before God and before everyone who readeth this Book with certitude, unto the Day of Resurrection: God shall question him thereof, and he shall be, before God, mustered among the sinners.

All that flowed from my pen before this page hath no authority. And now I am certain in my judgment that I am not upon a Cause that would make obedience unto me incumbent upon the people. I beg forgiveness of God, my Lord—there is no God but He, the Lord of plenteous bounty. And praise be to God, the Lord of all the worlds.