What follows is my provisional translation (in other words, not official or authorized; see here for more) of a Tablet of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the original text of which has been published in Muntakhabátí az Makátíb-i-Ḥaḍrat-i-‘Abdu’l-Bahá, vol. 6, p. 187 (selection no. 268). It has also been published in ‘Andalíb, no. 86, p. 80, where it appears with some contextual endnotes (two of which I have carried over in the translation below) as part of an article by Muhammad Fallah titled “Taríkh-i-Mukhtaṣar-i-Díyánat-i-Bahá’í dar Rafsanján” [“A Short History of the Bahá’í Faith in Rafsanján”] and published in ibid., pp. 66–80. According to Fallah, this Tablet was written to the Bahá’ís of Rafsanján following the martyrdom of a Bahá’í there named Ustád Mírzá Dávarání, who is discussed in the aforementioned article.
O servants of the Abhá Beauty! The letter ye had addressed to Siyyid Taqí[1] hath been perused and its contents noted. Ye had written of the transgressions of the villainous Taqí,[2] who like unto a wicked mule is refractory and unruly, obstinate and prone to fearful flight, and whose incessant kicks assail the souls of the noble ones. These people have the traits of scorpions, the nature of serpents, and the behavior of vipers. The masses, nay even the government, are ensnared by their evil, yet heedless that the avenging Lord, though long-suffering, is also stern. Erelong will He strike such a blow at the root of these oppressors that the trees of their aspirations shall be completely uprooted. “Verily, thy Lord is ever watchful.”[3]
Place your trust in God and respond to their actions with the utmost meekness, patience, love, kindness, and good conduct. Should they unsheathe the dagger, offer ye the life-giving draught. Should they proffer deadly poison, bestow ye in return the choicest honey. Should they let fly their arrows and spears, lavish upon them joy and radiance. Should they inflict a wound to your vitals, apply ye a soothing balm and become the remedy of hearts and souls. “Each soul acteth after his own manner.”[4] These are the divine admonitions and the celestial counsels.
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[1] Siyyid Muḥammad-Taqí Manshádí, a devoted Baháʼí and distributor of mail between ʻAbdu’l-Bahá and other Baháʼís. See Memorials of the Faithful, ch. 18.
[2] Shaykh Muḥammad-Taqí, who was then an influential mujtahid in Rafsanján.
[3] Qur’án 89:14.
[4] Qur’án 17:84.
A typescript of the original Persian text of this Tablet appears below.
Adib Masumian 