The Kitáb-i-Aqdas
the “Six” raised up by virtue of this “Upright Alif”; he, verily, is of those whose faith is true. How many the outwardly pious who have turned away, and how many the wayward who have drawn nigh, exclaiming: “All praise be to Thee, O Thou the Desire of the worlds!” In truth, it is in the hand of God to give what He willeth to whomsoever He willeth, and to withhold what He pleaseth from whomsoever He may wish. He knoweth the inner secrets of the hearts and the meaning hidden in a mocker’s wink. How many an embodiment of heedlessness who came unto Us with purity of heart have We established upon the seat of Our acceptance; and how many an exponent of wisdom have We in all justice consigned to the fire. We are, in truth, the One to judge. He it is Who is the manifestation of “God doeth whatsoever He pleaseth”, and abideth upon the throne of “He ordaineth whatsoever He chooseth”.
158Blessed is the one who discovereth the fragrance of inner meanings from the traces of this
Pen through whose movement the breezes of God are wafted over the entire creation, and through whose stillness the very essence of tranquillity appeareth in the realm of being. Glorified be the All-Merciful, the Revealer of so inestimable a bounty. Say: Because He bore injustice, justice hath appeared on earth, and because He accepted abasement, the majesty of God hath shone forth amidst mankind.
159It hath been forbidden you to carry arms unless essential, and permitted you to attire yourselves in silk. The Lord hath relieved you, as a bounty on His part, of the restrictions that formerly applied to clothing and to
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| ¶158 |
¶159 |
Why has justice appeared on the earth?
Why has the majesty of God shone forth amidst mankind?
What have we been permitted to attire ourselves with?
Complete this quotation:
“Let there be naught . . . ”
What reasons would be essential for carrying arms?
What will the international peace-keeping force provide?
What does Bahá’u’lláh say about the weapons of war in the Tablet of Bishárát?
What is left to the “discretion” of the individual?
What are the believers called upon not to transgress?
What are the believers called upon to exercise?