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 has not been published; a typescript of it was shared with me by Marc Soudon, who received it from the National Bahá’í Archives of France.
This Tablet was addressed to Gabriel Sacy (20 November 1858 – 21 March 1903), an Egyptian Catholic and Martinist who seems to have become a Baháʼí around the turn of the twentieth century, apparently under the guidance of Mírzá Abu’l-Faḍl Gulpáygání, who was also living in Egypt at the time. Sacy spoke seven languages, studied at the Syrian Protestant College (now the American University of Beirut), and worked as the head of the personnel office at the Ministry of Finance in Cairo. E.G. Browne writes that Sacy “had become a fervent Baháʼí with a very remarkable faculty for interpreting the prophecies of the Old and New Testaments, especially those of the Book of Daniel and Revelation, in support of the Bábí and Bahá’í claims” (Materials for the Study of the Bábí Religion, pp. 185–86).
He is God!
Egypt
To the honorable Jibrán Effendí Ṣáṣí [Gabriel Sacy]
He is God!
O my spiritual friend! I have intoned thy recent letter and rendered thanks unto God that it demonstrated the equilibrium of thy soul and body, thine exceeding joy through the fragrances of the All-Glorious, and thy communion with God out of thy love for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Though physically thou art busy with a demanding occupation, yet from a spiritual perspective thou art serving the Cause of God in His vineyard, and I beseech Him to grant thee even greater success than this.
As to the matter of expounding on the letter Alif and its four stations: God willing, we shall mention it to thee verbally, as writing it would prove lengthy and I have absolutely no time. I render thanks unto God that He hath unveiled to thee the mysteries of the Spirit,* and soon will the mysteries of God Himself be disclosed to thee. Upon thee be greetings and praise.
Postscript:
O my friend! I have received thy second letter. The man in question, who is the son-in-law of the elder one, hath no purpose save to seek information from thee. Therefore, divulge nothing to him with regard to us, as this would be most prudent, and place thy trust in God.
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* Likely a reference to Jesus Christ.
A typescript of the original Arabic text of this Tablet appears below (all punctuation and short vowel marks mine).
Adib Masumian 