Lord, the Unconstrained, Who had established His
seat within thy walls? What is it, O throne of God, that hath altered thy
countenance, and made thy pillars to tremble? What could have closed thy
door to the face of them that eagerly seek thee? What hath made thee so
desolate? Couldst thou have been told that the Beloved of the world is
pursued by the swords of His enemies? The Lord bless thee, and bless thy
fidelity unto Him, inasmuch as thou hast remained His companion through
all His sorrows and His sufferings.

I testify that thou art the scene of His transcendent glory, His most holy
habitation. Out of thee hath gone forth the Breath of the All-Glorious, a
Breath that hath breathed over all created things, and filled with joy the
breasts of the devout that dwell in the mansions of Paradise. The
Concourse on high, and they that inhabit the Cities of the Names of God,
weep over thee, and bewail the things that have befallen thee.

Thou art still the symbol of the names and attributes of the Almighty, the
Point towards which the eyes of the Lord of earth and heaven are directed.
There hath befallen thee what hath befallen the Ark in which God's pledge
of security had been made to dwell. Well is it with him that apprehendeth
the intent of these words, and recognizeth the purpose of Him Who is the
Lord of all creation.

Happy are those that inhale from thee the sweet savors of the Merciful,
that acknowledge thine exaltation, that safeguard thy sanctity, that
reverence, at all times, thy station. We implore the Almighty to grant
that the eyes of those who have turned away from thee, and failed to
appreciate thy worth, may be opened, that they may truly recognize thee,
and Him Who, through the power of truth, hath raised thee up on high.
Blind, indeed, are they about thee, and utterly unaware of thee in this
day. Thy Lord is, verily, the Gracious, the Forgiving.

I bear witness that through thee God hath proved the hearts of His
servants. Blessed be the man that directeth his steps toward thee, and
visiteth thee. Woe to him that denieth thy right, that turneth away from
thee, that dishonoreth thy name, and profaneth thy holiness.

Grieve not, O House of God, if the veil of thy sanctity be rent asunder by
the infidels. God hath, in the world of creation, adorned thee with the
jewel of His remembrance. Such an ornament no man can, at any time,
profane. Towards thee the eyes of thy Lord shall, under all conditions,
rema