The Kitáb-i-Íqán eBook

Bahá'u'lláh
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 184 pages of information about The Kitáb-i-Íqán.

The Kitáb-i-Íqán eBook

Bahá'u'lláh
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 184 pages of information about The Kitáb-i-Íqán.

The mystery of this theme hath, in this Dispensation, been a sore test unto all mankind.  Behold, how many are those who, clinging unto these words, have disbelieved Him Who is their true Revealer.  What, We ask, could this people presume the terms “first” and “last”—­when referring to God—­glorified be His Name!—­to mean?  If they maintain that these terms bear reference to this material universe, how could it be possible, when the visible order of things is still manifestly existing?  Nay, in this instance, by “first” is meant no other than the “last” and by “last” no other than the “first.”

Even as in the “Beginning that hath no beginnings” the term “last” is truly applicable unto Him who is the Educator of the visible and of the invisible, in like manner, are the terms “first” and “last” applicable unto His Manifestations.  They are at the same time the Exponents of both the “first” and the “last.”  Whilst established upon the seat of the “first,” they occupy the throne of the “last.”  Were a discerning eye to be found, it will readily perceive that the exponents of the “first” and the “last,” of the “manifest” and the “hidden,” of the “beginning” and the “seal” are none other than these holy Beings, these Essences of Detachment, these divine Souls.  And wert thou to soar in the holy realm of “God was alone, there was none else besides Him,” thou wilt find in that Court all these names utterly non-existent and completely forgotten.  Then will thine eyes no longer be obscured by these veils, these terms, and allusions.  How ethereal and lofty is this station, unto which even Gabriel, unshepherded, can never attain, and the Bird of Heaven, unassisted, can never reach!

And, now, strive thou to comprehend the meaning of this saying of ’Ali, the Commander of the Faithful:  “Piercing the veils of glory, unaided.”  Among these “veils of glory” are the divines and doctors living in the days of the Manifestation of God, who, because of their want of discernment and their love and eagerness for leadership, have failed to submit to the Cause of God, nay, have even refused to incline their ears unto the divine Melody.  “They have thrust their fingers into their ears."(119) And the people also, utterly ignoring God and taking them for their masters, have placed themselves unreservedly under the authority of these pompous and hypocritical leaders, for they have no sight, no hearing, no heart, of their own to distinguish truth from falsehood.

Notwithstanding the divinely-inspired admonitions of all the Prophets, the Saints, and Chosen ones of God, enjoining the people to see with their own eyes and hear with their own ears, they have disdainfully rejected their counsels and have blindly followed, and will continue to follow, the leaders of their Faith.  Should a poor and obscure person, destitute of the attire of men of learning, address them saying:  “Follow ye, O people! the Messengers of God,"(120) they would, greatly surprised at such a statement,

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Project Gutenberg
The Kitáb-i-Íqán from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.