a new and Divine Book, and to new and Divine laws, hasten unto Him,” yet have they all declared that Lord of being an infidel, and pronounced Him a heretic.  They hastened not unto that Hashimite Light, that divine Manifestation, except with drawn swords, and hearts filled with malice.  Moreover, observe how explicitly the enmity of the divines hath been mentioned in the books.  Notwithstanding all these evident and significant traditions, all these unmistakable and undisputed allusions, the people have rejected the immaculate Essence of knowledge and of holy utterance, and have turned unto the exponents of rebellion and error.  Despite these recorded traditions and revealed utterances, they speak only that which is prompted by their own selfish desires.  And should the Essence of Truth reveal that which is contrary to their inclinations and desires, they will straightway denounce Him as an infidel, and will protest saying:  “This is contrary to the sayings of the Imams of the Faith and of the resplendent lights.  No such thing hath been provided by our inviolable Law.”  Even so in this day such worthless statements have been and are being made by these poor mortals.

And now, consider this other tradition, and observe how all these things have been foretold.  In “Arba’in” it is recorded:  “Out of Bani-Hashim there shall come forth a Youth Who shall reveal new laws.  He shall summon the people unto Him, but none will heed His call.  Most of His enemies will be the divines.  His bidding they will not obey, but will protest saying:  ’This is contrary to that which hath been handed down unto us by the Imams of the Faith.’” In this day, all are repeating these very same words, utterly unaware that He is established upon the throne of “He doeth whatsoever He willeth,” and abideth upon the seat of “He ordaineth whatsoever He pleaseth.”

No understanding can grasp the nature of His Revelation, nor can any knowledge comprehend the full measure of His Faith.  All sayings are dependent upon His sanction, and all things stand in need of His Cause.  All else save Him are created by His command, and move and have their being through His law.  He is the Revealer of the divine mysteries, and the Expounder of the hidden and ancient wisdom.  Thus it is related in the “Biharu’l-Anvar,” the “Avalim,” and the “Yanbu’” of Sadiq, son of Muhammad, that he spoke these words:  “Knowledge is twenty and seven letters.  All that the Prophets have revealed are two letters thereof.  No man thus far hath known more than these two letters.  But when the Qa’im shall arise, He will cause the remaining twenty and five letters to be made manifest.”  Consider; He hath declared Knowledge to consist of twenty and seven letters, and regarded all the Prophets, from Adam even unto the “Seal,” as Expounders of only two letters thereof and of having been sent down with these two letters.  He also saith that the Qa’im will reveal all the remaining twenty and five letters.  Behold from this utterance how