Tablet Concerning the Birth of the Greatest
Name II
(Lawh-i-Imawlud-i-’Ism-i-A’zám II)[1]
Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh to Commemorate His Birth
(November 12th, 1817)
Translated by William McCants 11-7-99
He is God!
O concourse of the lovers of God! By
the righteousness of the Almighty! This, verily, is a night the like of which
hath never been manifested in the world of creation. Truly, this bounty is from
God, the All-Powerful, the Beneficent.
On this night, the Spirit spoke with a voice that threw
into commotion the realities of men: "Rejoice, O Concourse on high in the
inmost essence of Paradise!" Thereupon, God cried out from behind the Holy
Veil of divine bestowals: "This, truly, is a night during which the Reality
of the All-Merciful hath been born and the meaning of every eternal decree hath
been divulged by the Pen of the All-Glorious." Therefore, rejoice and
exult, O people of the Bayán!
During this night, the Nightingale lifted up Its voice
upon the boughs and branches, proclaiming: "Rejoice, O denizens of
Paradise!"
Say: This night the veils of glory concealing the light
of certitude were rent in twain and the Dove of Heaven chanted and sang in the
midmost heart of Paradise. Therefore, rejoice O Temples of Holiness dwelling in
the city of time! On this night, God revealed His light through every exalted
Name. Moreover, He hath been established upon every pure and radiant heart. So
rejoice, O ye people of the Bayán!
During this night, the oceans of forgiveness have
surged and the breezes of divine bestowals were wawafted. Therefore, rejoice
with exceeding gladness, O companions of the All-Merciful! On this night, all
the sins of mankind have been forgiven. This is a joyous message unto all
created things!
Say: This, verily, is a night during which a
pre-ordained measure of bounty and grace hath been decreed in the Scrolls of
celestial glory and certitude, so that sorrow may be dispelled from all created
things forever more. Therefore, rejoice in thy hearts, O ye who hath entered the
realms of being and creation!
At this, the Herald of the Spirit crieth out in the
midmost heart of eternity -- the center of transcendent glory and sublimity.
This is by the grace of God, the Omnipotent, the Beneficent!
By God! The Hand of Power, endowed with ascendant
sovereignty, hath opened the musk-scented seal. Verily, this bounty is from God,
the Exalted, the Beneficent!
Through the Beauty of the All-Glorious, the hand of the
Divine Joseph hath borne round the cup of pomegranate[2]
wine. Verily, this bounty is from God, the Exalted, the Beneficent!
Therefore, O peoples of the world, hasten and partake
of this Salsabil[3]
of everlasting life. Verily, this bounty is from God, the Exalted, the
Beneficent!
Say: O concourse of the lovers of God! The unveiled and
naked Beauty of the Beloved hath shone forth. Verily, this bounty is from God,
the Exalted, the Beneficent!
O concourse of the loved ones of God! The Beauty of the
Best-Beloved hath risen above the Horizon of Holiness. Therefore, bestir
yourselves and arise, O people of the Bayán! Verily, this bounty is from God,
the Exalted, the Beneficent!
The Testimony[4]
and the Proof[5]
hath appeared, for the Resurrection hath come to pass through God’s
Manifestation of His own Self, the Ancient of Days. Verily, this bounty is from
God, the Exalted, the Beneficent!
The ages have persisted, the cycles have repeated, and
the Lights have rejoiced, for God hath shed the splendor of His effulgent glory
from the branches of every Tree. Verily, this bounty is from God, the Exalted,
the Beneficent!
Bestir yourselves, O chosen ones of God, for the
spirits have emerged, the divine winds have been diffused, the likenesses of God
have been torn asunder, and the Tongues of Eternity have sung upon the boughs of
every Tree. Verily, this bounty is from God, the Exalted, the Beneficent!
By God! The veils have been rent asunder, the dense
coverings have been consumed by fire, the abstruse allusions have been unveiled,
and the subtle signs have been unraveled by Him Who is endowed with Power and
Omnipotence. Verily, this bounty is from God, the Exalted, the Beneficent!
Rejoice and silently conceal this secret and hidden
Symbol, lest your foes learn of that which ye have quaffed from this wine of
rapturous joy. Verily, this bounty is from God, the Exalted, the Beneficent!
O people of the Bay‡n! I swear by God! The favour of
God is fulfilled, His mercy perfected,[6]
and the light of the divine Countenance hath shone forth with exultation and
rapture. Verily, this bounty is from God, the Exalted, the Beneficent!
Drink ye, O concourse of people and assemblage of
God’s loved ones, from this effulgent and radiant Salsabil! Verily, this
bounty is from God, the Exalted, the Beneficent!
Notes
[1]
Source: Bahá’u’lláh, Ayyam-i-Tis`ih [Nine Days]. `Abdu’l-Hamíd
Ishráq-Khavárí, ed. Kalimát Press, 1981, pgs. 55-9. The date,
and even the period for this text, at present, is unknown. It is also not known
to whom this Tablet was addressed (McCant’s note, expanded by MW.)
[2]
In the Qur’án, pomegranates are one of the fruits of Paradise (Qur’án
55:68). They are also spoken of in relation to God's divine bestowals upon
mankind (Qur’án 6:99, 6:141). (McCant’s note)
[3]
A river in Paradise (Qur’án 76:18). The Guardian also translates it as
"soft-flowing waters" or "soft-flowing stream(s)." Yusef `Alí
notes that the word literally means, "Seek the Way." (McCant’s note)
[4]
al-Hujjah. See, for example, Qur’án 6:83, 149. (McCant’s
note)
[5]
al-burhán. See Qur’án 4:174 (McCant’s note).
[6]
Seems to be an allusion to Qur’án 5:3: "Today I have perfected your
religion for you and completed my favour upon you..." (McCant’s note).
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