47. Part Two — 27
1All these confessed, obeyed and were guided to that Sun of Manifestation (Bab), to such an extent that most of them abandoned property and family, and joined themselves to the Good Pleasure of the Possessor of Glory. They sacrificed their lives for the sake of the Beloved One and expended all they possessed. Their breasts became targets for the arrows of the adversaries and their heads adorned the lances of the infidels. No land remained which did not drink the blood of these abstracted souls and no sword that did not touch their necks. Their deeds are a sufficient proof of the truth of their words. Is not the testimony of these holy souls who in this manner gave life in the way of the Friend, and at the sacrifice of whose heart and soul the whole world was astonished, sufficient for these servants? Is it not witness against the denial of other servants who gave religion for gold, exchanged immortality for mortality, bartered the Kawther of Nearness for salt fountains, and who have no aim except seizing the property of people? For it is seen that all of them are occupied with the vanities of the world and have kept afar from the Supreme Lord. Now be just; whether the testimony of those is acceptable and credible whose deeds are consistent with their words, and whose outward is in accord with their inward, so that minds are bewildered at their deeds, and souls are astonished at their self-restraint, and at that which their bodies have endured? Or is the testimony of these opposers who do not breathe except in selfish desire, and are not delivered from the cage of false imaginations? who lift not the head from the bed by day except to strive as the dark bat in search of the mortal world, and do not rest by night save to labor in planning for worthless things? who are occupied with selfish designs and are heedless of the Divine decree? who by day exert themselves diligently for livelihood, and by night seek to adorn the means of the bed? Is it justified by any law or creed that people should cling to the contradiction of these limited souls and ignore the faith and acknowledgment of souls who have sacrificed life, property, name, office, reputation and honor in the Good Pleasure of the True One? Was not the matter of the " Lord of the Martyrs" (Hosein, son of Ali) formerly considered the greatest occurrence and mightiest proof of the truth of His Holiness? Was it not declared that no such event had happened in the world, and no truth had appeared with such steadfastness and evidence, although the incident of His Holiness extended only from morn till noon? Yet eighteen years have elapsed, during which, from all directions, calamities have fallen upon these holy lights like rain. With what love, affection, devotion and longing did they voluntarily expend life in the path of the Praised One, as is clear and evident to all! In view of this, how can they consider it a simple matter? Has such a momentous affair appeared in any age? If these companions be not strivers in God, who then shall be strivers? Were they seekers of honor, wealth or affluence? Had they any other purpose than the Good Pleasure of the True One? If, notwithstanding such wonderful evidences and marvellous deeds, all these companions be false, who then is worthy to claim truth? I swear by God that their very deeds are sufficient proof and clear evidence to all upon earth, were people to reflect upon the mysteries of the Command! " And they who act unjustly shall soon know with what treatment they shall be treated" (K. S. 26).
2Furthermore, the sign of truthfulness and that of falsehood is designated and appointed in the Book. The claims and pretensions of all the servants should be tested by this Divine touchstone, in order that it may distinguish the truthful from the false. This touchstone is " Wish for death if ye say truth" (K. S. 2). Consider these sincere martyrs, the truth of whose words is testified by the texts of the Book, and all of whom as ye have seen, expended life, property, wife, children, and all they possessed, and ascended to the highest chambers of the Rizwan. Yet the testimony of these lofty faces and severed souls in acknowledging this lofty and exalted Cause is not accepted; while the testimony of those people who have forsaken religion for gold and avoided the First Emanation (BAB) in order to occupy the high seat, is acceptable and allowable against this shining Light; even though all the people have known them, and have comprehended that they do not relinquish the least amount of outward temporal honor for the sake of the Divine Religion; how much less, life, property and the like!
3Consider how, according to the text of the Book, the Divine touchstone hath differentiated and distinguished between the pure and impure; still these people are not mindful, and in the sleep of heedlessness are occupied in gaining the mortal world and outward leadership.
4O Son of man, days have already passed thee during which thou hast been occupied with the imaginations and superstitions prompted by thine egotism. How long wilt thou be asleep upon thy couch? Lift thy head from slumber, for verily the sun hath already reached mid-day; that it may shine upon thee with the lights of Beauty. Finis.
5But let it be known that not one of these learned men and doctors already mentioned had any outward leadership. It is impossible for well-known and influential divines of the age, seated upon the high seat of command and established upon the throne of authority, to follow the True One; " except whomsoever thy Lord wishes." Save a few, no such thing hath appeared in the world, " for few of my servants are thankful" (K. S. 34). In this day, not one of the noted divines, in the grasp of whose authority are the reins of the people, hath believed; nay rather, they have exerted themselves in suppression, with such hatred and denial that no ear hath heard and no eye hath seen.