BB00658: Letter to Rahim

Part 1: “Verily, I am God; there is none other…”

Verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me. From the First that hath no beginning I was, the Best of gods; verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me, and unto the Last that hath no end shall I ever be, the Best of gods.

Verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me. From the First that hath no beginning I was, the Best of Lords; verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me, and unto the Last that hath no end shall I ever be, the Best of Lords.

Verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me. From the First that hath no beginning I was, the Best of the One and Only; verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me, and unto the Last that hath no end shall I ever be, the Best of the One and Only.

Verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me. From the First that hath no beginning I was, the Best of the Single; verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me, and unto the Last that hath no end shall I ever be, the Best of the Single.

Verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me. From the First that hath no beginning I was, the Best of the Self-Sufficient; verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me, and unto the Last that hath no end shall I ever be, the Best of the Self-Sufficient.

Verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me. From the First that hath no beginning I was, the Best of the Unique; verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me, and unto the Last that hath no end shall I ever be, the Best of the Unique.

Verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me. From the First that hath no beginning I was, the Best of the All-Knowing; verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me, and unto the Last that hath no end shall I ever be, the Best of the All-Knowing.

Verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me. From the First that hath no beginning I was, the Best of the All-Powerful; verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me, and unto the Last that hath no end shall I ever be, the Best of the All-Powerful.

Verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me. From the First that hath no beginning I was, the Best of the Sovereigns; verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me, and unto the Last that hath no end shall I ever be, the Best of the Sovereigns.

Verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me. From the First that hath no beginning I was, the Best of the Drawers-nigh; verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me, and unto the Last that hath no end shall I ever be, the Best of the Drawers-nigh.

Verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me. From the First that hath no beginning I was, the Best of the Comingled; verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me, and unto the Last that hath no end shall I ever be, the Best of the Comingled.

Verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me. From the First that hath no beginning I was, the Best of the Bountiful; verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me, and unto the Last that hath no end shall I ever be, the Best of the Bountiful.

Verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me. From the First that hath no beginning I was, the Best of the Wealthy; verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me, and unto the Last that hath no end shall I ever be, the Best of the Wealthy.

Verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me, From the First that hath no beginning I was, the Most Splendid of the Splendid; verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me, and unto the Last that hath no end shall I ever be, the Most Splendid of the Splendid.

Verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me, From the First that hath no beginning I was, the Best of the Exalted; verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me, and unto the Last that hath no end shall I ever be, the Best of the Exalted.

Verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me, From the First that hath no beginning I was, the Best of the Most High; verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me, and unto the Last that hath no end shall I ever be, the Best of the Most High.

Verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me, From the First that hath no beginning I was, the Best of the Most Glorious; verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me, and unto the Last that hath no end shall I ever be, the Best of the Most Glorious.

Verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me, From the First that hath no beginning I was, the Best of the Most Mighty; verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me, and unto the Last that hath no end shall I ever be, the Best of the Most Mighty.

Verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me, From the First that hath no beginning I was, the Best of the Inaccessible; verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me, and unto the Last that hath no end shall I ever be, the Best of the Inaccessible.

Verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me. From the First that hath no beginning I was, the Best of the Guarded; verily, I am God; there is none other God but Me, and unto the Last that hath no end shall I ever be, the Best of the Guarded.

These are the verses which it behoveth to be engraved upon crystal, treasured by the sovereigns of the faithful, and upon tablets of marble, upon which there shall rest a remembrance from God for the two assured angels.

O Most Exalted Name! Bear Thou witness that there is none other God but Me, the sovereign, the omnipotent.

Bear Thou witness that there is none other God but Me, the all-knowing, the unapproachable.

Bear Thou witness that there is none other God but Me, the Possessor, the exalted.

Bear Thou witness that there is none other God but Me, the all-powerful, the illumined.

Bear Thou witness that there is none other God but Me, the Glory, the enrobed in majesty.

Bear Thou witness that there is none other God but Me, the King, the Possessor.

Bear Thou witness that there is none other God but Me, the Minister, the Invested.

Bear Thou witness that there is none other God but Me, the Security, the Trusted.

Bear Thou witness that there is none other God but Me, the Commander, the Obeyed.

Bear Thou witness that there is none other God but Me, the Judge, the Arbiter.

Bear Thou witness that there is none other God but Me, the Knower, the Learned.

Bear Thou witness that there is none other God but Me, the Gatherer, the Assembler.

Bear Thou witness that there is none other God but Me, the Peace, the Resigned.

Bear Thou witness that there is none other God but Me, the Knower of secrets, the Confessor.

Bear Thou witness that there is none other God but Me, the Renowned, the Proclaimed.

Bear Thou witness that there is none other God but Me, the Mighty, the Magnified.

Bear Thou witness that there is none other God but Me, the Tremendous, the Self-Exalted.

Bear Thou witness that there is none other God but Me, the Splendour, the Effulgent.

Bear Thou witness that there is none other God but Me, the Munificent, the Overflowing.

Bear Thou witness that there is none other God but Me, the Lofty, the Proud.

Bear Thou witness that there is none other God but Me, the Majestic, the Dignified.

Bear Thou witness that there is none other God but Me, the Subduer, the Subjugating.

Bear Thou witness that there is none other God but Me, the Manifest, the Self-Revealed.

Bear Thou witness that there is none other God but Me, the Sovereign, the All-Ruling.

Bear Thou witness that there is none other God but Me, the Self-Sufficient, the Enriched.

Bear Thou witness that there is none other God but Me, the Glory, the Radiant.

I have created all things by My command, from the First that hath no beginning; and verily I am powerful over all that I have created. And I shall create, unto the Last that hath no end, all things; and verily I am over whatsoever I create potent, omnipotent, all-powerful.

Whatsoever is seen of that Temple is a Throne whereon I revealed Myself from the First that hath no beginning; and verily I was sanctified above the majesty of those thrones and above all the worlds. And I shall manifest Myself through those thrones unto the Last that hath no end, after I had been concealed from them and from all things, unknown to the remembrance of the rememberers.

O that Name! Say: There is none other God but God, from the First that hath no beginning; in Him all believe and are assured. And unto the Last that hath no end say: In Him all believe and are assured.

Seest thou the Throne whereon I revealed Myself unto thee in the days of Adam and Noah, then Abraham, then Jesus and Moses, then Muhammad? Say: All are in the Point of the Bayan, and I am all for all believers. Even so shalt thou behold in Him Whom God shall make manifest, and in Him Who shall appear after Him, and in Him Who shall appear after him, and after him, and after him, without end, unto the Last that hath no end.

This is the most exalted of remembrances in My heart and in the hearts of the unitarians. Whosoever believeth in Him Whom God shall make manifest hath indeed believed in God and in all the thrones of His manifestation, from the First that hath no beginning unto the Last that hath no end. This is the Straight Path.

When days are fulfilled, write the Book of the Gardens of inviolable might. In the first Tablet, inscribe the Name of God and His Most Beautiful Names, a remembrance from Us unto the worlds. Then, in His presence, sanctify God above the names which ought to be denied Him—such as that He be seen, or bounded, or embodied, or substance—names unbefitting to the Lord of the worlds.

In another Tablet, set forth the remembrance of the Sun of Truth, from the First that hath no beginning unto the Last that hath no end, and ascribe unto Him every beautiful attribute; then withhold from Him whatsoever befitteth not the Throne of God, for We are the Sanctifiers.

Then stand thou, in its presence, purified of whatsoever befitteth not the Throne of God; for verily We have ever been of those who sanctify. And after these two unities—wherein is mentioned God, and the Throne of His Manifestation, from the First Who hath no beginning unto the Last Who hath no end—nothing therein shall be altered nor changed throughout the passing of ages among the worlds.

Therefore make mention of a Tablet wherein is commemorated the Point of the Bayan, and inscribe therein that all which hath been created hath returned unto Him, and that whatsoever shall yet come to be must inevitably appear from Him, unto the Last Who hath no end; verily We have been the Recorders. Then make mention of His Proof, which is the Signs of God among the worlds; for in like manner was the proof of every Throne of Truth from the First Who hath no beginning unto the Last Who hath no end. This is a Proof whose authority endureth until its latter consummation, and by it all are able to draw their conclusions.

Part 2: “Then record the circumstances of His singleness…”

Then record the circumstances of His singleness, the span of His life, and that which was decreed concerning Him; and also the circumstances thou hast formerly witnessed in a like Book—set down as a remembrance for those who shall come after, that thereby they may be instructed. And that which is recorded is the remembrance of the Dawning-places of Light in the horizon of Manifestation, then the Dawning-places of Power in the horizon of Concealment, then the Dawning-places of the Most Exalted in the horizon of the Most Great—then whatsoever appeareth by the leave of God, the All-Dominating, the Self-Subsisting.

And write this as a tradition concerning the merit of him who visiteth Him—a remembrance from Our presence; verily We have been the Rememberers. Verily I am God; there is no God but Me. Whoso entereth the ocean of My Names, so that naught remaineth after God nor before God, shall abide forever in the recompense of him who attaineth unto the remembrance of Paradise and all that is therein; for this is a creation I have brought forth by My command, and I have not dealt unjustly therein. Glorified am I—glorified beyond the remembrance of those who remember.

And whoso, from the ocean of creation, visiteth this Throne with a pure and noble heart, it shall be as though he had visited all the Thrones of My Manifestations from the First Who hath no beginning—and it may be continued unto the Last Who hath no end. This is the grace of God and His mercy unto the worlds; yet ye are they who know and are assured that God is Living, All-Dominating, Self-Subsisting, and that the Throne whereon God hath established Himself is living, enduring, and beloved.

Yet ye were commanded this, that ye might magnify the Cause of God and be of those who seek refuge in Him. O Name of the All-Glorious! When the sun setteth, no knowledge encompasseth the place of its setting; nor doth it rise again save on the Day of Him Whom God shall make manifest. Such is the Lord of the worlds. Yet ye love and show kindness unto those who are in the Bayan—haply ye shall not be veiled from that Essence.

For the Throne of the One is a Throne living as thou wert living, and was living; yet that which befitteth it none comprehendeth save God, the Lord of the worlds. There is a Throne whereon verses are not recited, but patience is borne until the Day of Resurrection—the Day God willeth to make it manifest. Then shall He proclaim, from God: There is no God but Me, the Mighty, the Beloved. And if He willeth, He maketh Himself known by the Name of Him Whom God shall make manifest; and if He willeth, He remaineth patient until creation is brought forth through Him; then He maketh Himself known. He is not questioned as to what He doeth, yet all shall be questioned.

The first Throne hath ever been living—none comprehendeth it save the Lord of the worlds; and the latter Throne hath ever been living—none comprehendeth it save the Lord of the worlds. And that which ye were commanded concerning the One, We bestowed upon Him Our signs and made Him the Throne of Our inwardness for the worlds.

Say: O people of the Bayan! Differ not concerning the Cause of God; stand ye firm upon one Path, and God shall aid you—for the Truth is among you, yet ye perceive it not. We enjoined you, and all who are in the Bayan, to know the worth of your lives, and to safeguard, according to your ability, the religion of God your Lord.

And concerning that which thou didst ask of God thy Lord: after the number of the Most Holy came unto thee, He shall bestow upon thee the number of Sovereignty; verily We have been watchers over all. That which We bestowed upon thee before is better for thee and for those in the Bayan than this—therefore exalt thyself thereby, for thou art of the exalted.

God loveth that all which was revealed in the Bayan should be made manifest through thy hands, and preserved with thee for the monotheists. And when God willeth the Day of Might for the believers, thou shalt spread before the Name of the One the remembrance of God for the worlds. This is what God thy Lord hath loved—and shall love hereafter—for He is the Best-Beloved of the beloved.

We have commanded all who are in the Bayan to convey unto thee whatsoever they earn, in just measure sufficient for thy sustenance; then did He command thee with a remembrance from God—for He is the Most Mindful of those who remember. Grieve not, for God shall assuredly aid that Cause through the power of the powerful, and exalt that Bayan through the exaltation of the exalted. Verily for all things there is an appointed term and a Book from God; verily We are patient concerning all.

The land of Najaf, wherein ʿAlí—peace be upon Him—was seen until the Day of His seventh Proof, was not encompassed by the knowledge of the monotheists; then God raised it up by His command—for He is powerful, omnipotent, mighty. It is as though I behold the regions of Unity—how all descend upon them seeking refuge therein, adorned with what God willeth of their forms, means, and honors; all is from God, and verily We give thanks unto Him.

We have commanded, in truth, that the First One be One for thee; none profiteth thereby save whom God willeth among the worlds. And that which thou gainest through the remembrance of God is better than that which yieldeth fruit; and God is the Most Generous of the generous.

So long as the sun shineth, all are illumined by its light; thereafter, those who recite the signs of God by their innate nature—ye are illumined by its radiance. And if thereafter one like unto it should arise, then by it ye shall be guided; and ye shall remain illumined by the light of God until the One is fulfilled—then the matter returneth unto God.

O people of the signs! Perceive ye: the Cause belongeth unto God, and God willeth not that it be made manifest save on the Day of Him Whom God shall make manifest. On that Day ye shall hasten in God’s victory, offering all that hath been created and shall be created—even the hair thereof. If ye but knew what God hath decreed, creation would not suffice to veil it from Him; if ye but beheld it with the Eye of God, that would suffice you beyond all creation—if ye be content with God and His signs.

O Name of the All-Merciful! None among those of the Bayan is looked upon save through the veil and shelter of God; verily We are all Veilers. By thy life! Were it not for Him Whom God shall make manifest—and His guides therein—I would judge them even as He shall judge them after His appearance. Yet ye are the mystery of God—do not expose yourselves; and the veil of God—do not grieve.

Therefore live your lives in spirit, ease, and contentment, abiding in joy and splendor, that none among you may be grieved by another beyond the measure of a sign. Consider those who were people of the Gospel after Muhammad arose—and those, men and women, who believed in Him—how they became like gardens whose waters were taken away. Though thou seest them living, they are dead in the sight of God; and though thou beholdest their multitude, wealth, honor, and dominions, they possess no reality in Truth—for all are ennobled only through God.

God exalteth whom He willeth, abaseth whom He willeth, and uplifteth whom He willeth. There is no God but Him, the Chosen, the Loving. And ye who are in the Bayan know and are assured of the like.

Know ye that within them is the Throne of God, then His Names and His Attributes; and restrain one another from sorrow for their sake—not for others. If ye but reach their limit, ye shall know. O people of the Bayan! Verily We created you and made you witnesses from Our presence. Ye hold fast to that word and are exalted thereby; yet on the Day when the Originator of the Word cometh unto you, it shall be as though ye know Him not.

If ye be in doubt concerning this, then reflect upon the witnesses who were in the days of Muhammad, then in the days of the Point of the Bayan—then take heed, and show mercy unto yourselves. For ye are the fire itself, yet they imagine you to be light. And when God informeth you of that which He hath announced through Him Whom God shall make manifest, ye announce it not.

By My life! There was not in the Bayan any soul, male or female, but that he believed in Him Whom God shall make manifest and in His words; all else are in the fire. O people of the Bayan! Then in the Book of the Gardens is mentioned what was decreed in the Bayan, that ye may be wary; and the great events that occurred in the Days of God, that those who incline thereafter may take heed.

Whoso writeth verses in the presence of God is one from the One, the First; ye shall surely be questioned concerning that which was revealed in the Bayan as God’s intent. The outward meaning of the word is grasped before us; but the inward meaning—were the heavens and the earth and all between them made ink, they would not suffice for it. Verily We have encompassed all this in Our knowledge.

O creation of the Bayan! Hold fast unto the witnesses who call you to that which was revealed in the Bayan of God’s religion until the Day of Him Whom God shall make manifest. On that Day they shall follow none but Him. And if ye bear witness that your witnesses follow not the Truth, then stand against them, lest He Whom God shall make manifest bear witness of sorrow, and ye be among the joyful on the Day of God.

If ye seek victory through God, and through the Unique Name, God shall grant you victory—if ye be capable, through that which God hath decreed and ordained, of acting and ordering. Commit therefore your affairs unto God your Lord, and be of those who trust in God, your Merciful Lord.

Those upon the highest earth who are among the guides of thy Lord, the companions of good pleasure—may God bless their first and their last, their outward and their inward—as recompense for their sincerity in the religion of God.

Glorified art Thou, O God! Verily Thou hast revealed the Bayan by Thy word, for Thou art the Best of revealers. Preserve, O God, what Thou hast revealed, from every living and every dead thing, even as Thou willest—for Thou art the Best of preservers—until the whole of the Bayan be presented unto Him Whom Thou shalt make manifest, as a bounty from Thee; verily Thou art the Best of the best.

Before that, gather it all together, that not a single letter fall away, and that it may reach the remembrance of Thy Name—the One, the Unique, the Singular—so that it may bear witness to all that was revealed therein, and be according to whatsoever Thou willest of the interpreters.

Verily we all began with God, and verily we all return unto God. God sufficeth us—there is no God but Him, the All-Dominating, the Self-Subsisting.