BB00416: Fi Mas’alati’l-Bada’ (Letter on the alteration of the Divine Will) (part I)

In the Name of God, the Originator, the All-Knowing—there is none other God but He—the Mighty, the All-Wise

He hath initiated the invention of words within the steadfastness of the people of the heavenly splendors, to the end that they might bear witness, by the Book, unto that which God hath ordained for the People of the Gate—those foremost in understanding. A soul questioned a soul concerning the knowledge of beginnings; and I, by leave of the Most Exalted, set down part after part, that every soul may be recompensed for that which it hath striven. “Hast thou seen him who forbiddeth a servant when he prayeth? Hast thou seen if he be upon the right guidance, or enjoin piety? Knowest thou not that God beholdeth?” [cf. Q96:9-14] Verily, man shall have naught save that for which he striveth, and his striving shall be made manifest; then shall he be recompensed with the fullest recompense; and unto thy Lord is the eventual end. Shall man obtain what he desireth? Nay, unto God belong the latter life and the former.

The questioner inquired of the Bada’ of God that hath been sent down. Be thou apprised, through the splendors of the proofs We have vouchsafed thee. Say: Hath not the Ordainer of destiny informed thee—He Who seateth in a Seat of Truth, established with a King Omnipotent? “The Hour hath drawn nigh and the moon is rent asunder.” Should they behold a sign, they turn aside and say, “A magic, unceasing!” They have belied and followed their lusts, while every matter hath its appointed course. And verily the Decreer shall make it known in a firm tiding on the Day when the heaven shall be opened with welling water, when the waters meet according to a decree foreordained.

Know, then, that God hath set the knowledge of Bada’ above the Throne of Baha’, and hath distinguished it for the people of exaltation above the zone of praise. He hath sealed by His decree [qada] that, after its execution [imda’], there is no further Bada’; none shall attain unto its knowledge save he who hath rent the veils and taken his seat upon the Throne of Baha’. Him doth the All-Merciful apprise of whatsoever God willeth within the realm of possibility: that trial is the fourth degree after the form of the triad; that God hath willed for Bada’ what Bada’ hath willed for decree; that after execution there is no Bada’ for the decree; and that this ordinance is a decisive fiat from the Presence of the Originator, the All-Informed.

For God hath adjudged for His servants, through Bada’, according to the hidden mystery of execution—upon that to which it is entitled of the exaltation of requirement—after the flow of decree. God willeth not save as His servants will, in that which accepteth the decree for the rectitude of requirement, by what He hath treasured in the secret of Bada’ for the very being of things—save only the execution. And thy Lord wrongeth not His servants.

Lo, the radiance of the Sun of Bada’ hath dawned upon thee; wherefore the secret of God hath been veiled by the decree according to what He hath appointed within Bada’. For every edifice hath a fixed station; and God shall assuredly make known the draught of those who believe at a true resting-place in the presence of a King Omnipotent. There is no power nor strength save in God, the Exalted, the Most Great.