use them to
dwell in the infernal abyss? Such things are to be attributed to naught
but the faithlessness of the divines and doctors of the age. Of these,
Sadiq, son of Muhammad, hath said: "The religious doctors of that age
shall be the most wicked of the divines beneath the shadow of heaven. Out
of them hath mischief proceeded, and unto them it shall return."

We entreat the learned men of the Bayan not to follow in such ways, not to
inflict, at the time of Mustaghath, upon Him Who is the divine Essence,
the heavenly Light, the absolute Eternity, the Beginning and the End of
the Manifestations of the Invisible, that which hath been inflicted in
this day. We beg them not to depend upon their intellect, their
comprehension and learning, nor to contend with the Revealer of celestial
and infinite knowledge. And yet, notwithstanding all these admonitions, We
perceive that a one-eyed man, who himself is the chief of the people, is
arising with the utmost malevolence against Us. We foresee that in every
city people will arise to suppress the Blessed Beauty, that the companions
of that Lord of being and ultimate Desire of all men will flee from the
face of the oppressor and seek refuge from him in the wilderness, whilst
others will resign themselves and, with absolute detachment, will
sacrifice their lives in His path. Methinks We can discern one who is
reputed for such devoutness and piety that men deem it an obligation to
obey him, and to whose command they consider it necessary to submit, who
will arise to assail the very root of the divine Tree, and endeavour to
the uttermost of his power to resist and oppose Him. Such is the way of
the people!

We fain would hope that the people of the Bayan will be enlightened, will
soar in the realm of the spirit and abide therein, will discern the Truth,
and recognize with the eye of insight dissembling falsehood. In these
days, however, such odours of jealousy are diffused, that--I swear by the
Educator of all beings, visible and invisible--from the beginning of the
foundation of the world--though it hath no beginning--until the present day,
such malice, envy, and hate have in no wise appeared, nor will they ever
be witnessed in the future. For a number of people who have never inhaled
the fragrance of justice, have raised the standard of sedition, and have
leagued themselves against Us. On every side We witness the menace of
their spears, and in all directions We recognize the shaft