The divine call of the celestial Herald from beyond the Veil of Glory, summoning mankind to renounce utterly all the things to which they cleave, is repugnant to their desire; and this is the cause of the bitter trials and violent commotions which have occurred.  Consider 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 Revelation unto the Arab.  If ye hear about Him, hasten unto Him.”  How well have they followed the directions of the Imams of the Faith and Lamps of certitude!  Although it is clearly stated:  “Were ye to hear that a Youth from Bani-Hashim hath appeared, summoning the people unto