business transactions that are current
amongst men. Thus, now that this lucid commandment hath descended from the
heaven of the Will of God, it is lawful and proper to charge interest on
money, that the people of the world may, in a spirit of amity and
fellowship and with joy and gladness, devotedly engage themselves in
magnifying the Name of Him Who is the Well-Beloved of all mankind. Verily
He ordaineth according to His Own choosing. He hath now made interest on
money lawful, even as He had made it unlawful in the past. Within His
grasp He holdeth the kingdom of authority. He doeth and ordaineth. He is
in truth the Ordainer, the All-Knowing.

Render thou thanks unto thy Lord, O Zaynu'l-Muqarrabin, for this manifest
bounty.

Many ecclesiastics in Persia have, through innumerable designs and
devices, been feeding on illicit gains obtained by usury. They have
contrived ways to give its outward form a fair semblance of lawfulness.
They make a plaything of the laws and ordinances of God, but they
understand not.

However, this is a matter that should be practised with moderation and
fairness. Our Pen of Glory hath, as a token of wisdom and for the
convenience of the people, desisted from laying down its limit.
Nevertheless We exhort the loved ones of God to observe justice and
fairness, and to do that which would prompt the friends of God to evince
tender mercy and compassion towards each other. He is in truth the
Counsellor, the Compassionate, the All-Bountiful. God grant that all men
may be graciously aided to observe that which the Tongue of the One true
God hath uttered. And if they put into practice what We have set forth,
God--exalted be His glory--will assuredly double their portion through the
heaven of His bounty. Verily He is the Generous, the Forgiving, the
Compassionate. Praise be unto God, the Most Exalted, the Most Great.

Nevertheless the conduct of these affairs hath been entrusted to the men
of the House of Justice that they may enforce them according to the
exigencies of the time and the dictates of wisdom.

Once again We exhort all believers to observe justice and fairness and to
show forth love and contentment. They are indeed the people of Baha, the
companions of the Crimson Ark. Upon them be the peace of God, the Lord of
all Names, the Creator of the heavens.

LAWH-I-HIKMAT (TABLET OF WISDOM)

_This Tablet was addressed to Aqa Muhammad, a distinguished
b