The third Ishraq

It is incumbent upon everyone to observe God’s holy commandments, inasmuch as they are the wellspring of life unto the world.  The heaven of divine wisdom is illumined with the two luminaries of consultation and compassion and the canopy of world order is upraised upon the two pillars of reward and punishment.

The fourth Ishraq

In this Revelation the hosts that can render it victorious are the hosts of praiseworthy deeds and upright character.  The leader and commander of these hosts hath ever been the fear of God, a fear that encompasseth all things and reigneth over all things.

The fifth Ishraq

Governments should fully acquaint themselves with the conditions of those they govern, and confer upon them positions according to desert and merit.  It is enjoined upon every ruler and sovereign to consider this matter with the utmost care that the traitor may not usurp the position of the faithful, nor the despoiler rule in the place of the trustworthy.  Among the officials who in the past have governed in this Most Great Prison some, praise be to God, were adorned with justice, but as to others, We take refuge with God.  We beseech the One true God to guide them one and all, that haply they may not be deprived of the fruit of faith and trustworthiness, nor be withheld from the light of equity and justice.

The sixth Ishraq is union and concord amongst the children of men.  From the beginning of time the light of unity hath shed its divine radiance upon the world, and the greatest means for the promotion of that unity is for the peoples of the world to understand one another’s writing and speech.  In former Epistles We have enjoined upon the Trustees of the House of Justice either to choose one language from among those now existing or to adopt a new one, and in like manner to select a common script, both of which should be taught in all the schools of the world.  Thus will the earth be regarded as one country and one home.  The most glorious fruit of the tree of knowledge is this exalted word:  Of one tree are all ye the fruit, and of one bough the leaves.  Let not man glory in this that he loveth his country, let him rather glory in this that he loveth his kind.  Concerning this We have previously revealed that which is the means of the reconstruction of the world and the unity of nations.  Blessed are they that attain thereunto.  Blessed are they that act accordingly.

The seventh Ishraq

The Pen of Glory counselleth everyone regarding the instruction and education of children.  Behold that which the Will of God hath revealed upon Our arrival in the Prison City and recorded in the Most Holy Book.(48) Unto every father hath been enjoined the instruction of his son and daughter in the art of reading and writing and in all that hath been laid down in the Holy Tablet.  He that putteth away that which is commanded unto him, the Trustees are then to take from him that which is required for their instruction, if he be wealthy, and if not the matter devolveth upon the House of Justice.  Verily, have We made it a shelter for the poor and needy.  He that bringeth up his son or the son of another, it is as though he hath brought up a son of Mine; upon him rest My Glory, My Loving-Kindness, My Mercy, that have compassed the world.