the way of the
people. They ignore these well-founded traditions, all of which have been
fulfilled, and cling unto those of doubtful validity, and ask why these
have not been fulfilled. And yet, those things which to them were
inconceivable have been made manifest. The signs and tokens of the Truth
shine even as the midday sun, and yet the people are wandering, aimlessly
and perplexedly, in the wilderness of ignorance and folly. Notwithstanding
all the verses of the Qur'an, and the recognized traditions, which are all
indicative of a new Faith, a new Law, and a new Revelation, this
generation still waiteth in expectation of beholding the promised One who
should uphold the Law of the Muhammadan Dispensation. The Jews and the
Christians in like manner uphold the same contention.

Among the utterances that foreshadow a new Law and a new Revelation are
the passages in the "Prayer of Nudbih": "Where is He Who is preserved to
renew the ordinances and laws? Where is He Who hath the authority to
transform the Faith and the followers thereof?" He hath, likewise,
revealed in the Ziyarat:(181) "Peace be upon the Truth made new."
Abu-'Abdi'llah, questioned concerning the character of the Mihdi, answered
saying: "He will perform that which Muhammad, the Messenger of God, hath
performed, and will demolish whatever hath been before Him even as the
Messenger of God hath demolished the ways of those that preceded Him."

Behold, how, notwithstanding these and similar traditions, they idly
contend that the laws formerly revealed, must in no wise be altered. And
yet, is not the object of every Revelation to effect a transformation in
the whole character of mankind, a transformation that shall manifest
itself both outwardly and inwardly, that shall affect both its inner life
and external conditions? For if the character of mankind be not changed,
the futility of God's universal Manifestations would be apparent. In the
"Avalim," an authoritative and well-known book, it is recorded: "A Youth
from Bani-Hashim shall be made manifest, Who will reveal a new Book and
promulgate a new law;" then follow these words: "Most of His enemies will
be the divines." In another passage, it is related of Sadiq, son of
Muhammad, that he spoke the following: "There shall appear a Youth from
Bani-Hashim, Who will bid the people plight fealty unto Him. His Book will
be a new Book, unto which He shall summon the people to pledge their
faith. Stern is His Revelati