Shrine of the Bab at night
A human being is “the noblest and most perfect of all created things,” wrote Baha’u’llah in the Kitab-i-Iqan (Book of Certitude), and “the most distinguished and the most excellent” of all men are the Prophets, who are the Messengers of God. They are the “Birds of Eternity,” He wrote, sent by God to educate the souls of humankind .
He told the stories of Abraham, whom He called the “Friend of God,” and of Moses, “He Who held converse wih God.” He told about the light of Jesus and the beauty of Muhammad. There were other Prophets of God, too, in the far reaches of time and human history. One and all, Baha’u’llah wrote, They were “Treasuries of divine knowledge.”
Like clearly polished mirrors reflecting the light of the sun, They reflected “the light of unfading glory” – the spiritual light of God Himself. Their lives and teachings revealed “the names and attributes of God,” Baha’u’llah explained, “such as knowledge and power, sovereignty and dominion, mercy and wisdom, glory, bounty and grace.” Through Them “the sun of knowledge, . . . the moon of wisdom, and . . . the stars of understanding and utterance” shone brightly.
“Human tongue can never befittingly sing their praise,” wrote Baha’u’llah in the Book of Certitude, “and human speech can never unfold their mystery.”
The birth of each Prophet of God was heralded by various signs in the heavens and on earth. A new star appeared in the sky, and a special teacher prepared the way, instructing others how to recognize the new Messenger of God. Each Prophet, “a pure and stainless Soul,” appeared with God’s guidance at a different time and place in human history. It was part of God’s Covenant with humanity – His promise that He would never leave them without guidance.
“Not for a moment,” wrote Baha’u’llah, “hath His grace been withheld, nor have the showers of His loving-kindness ceased to rain upon mankind.” . . . .
. . . . . A Prophet demonstrated the truth of His message, wrote Baha’u’llah, through His own life, through His revelation of the Word of God, and through the wondrous effects of His revelation on the hearts of His followers. He was steadfast in proclaiming the Cause of God, no matter how bitter the opposition. Each Prophet – the Messenger of God – accepted the Prophets before Him and predicted the One who would follow Him after a certain period of time.
All of these things were true of the Bab, Baha’u’llah explained in the book of Certitude. Astronomers had found a new star in the heavens. Shaykh Ahmad and Siyyid Kazin, “those twin resplendent lights,” had prepared the way among men. The Bab Himself “was afraid of no one” in proclaiming the Cause of God. “All have known and heard this,” wrote Baha’u’llah. “He was regardless of consequences.” The more severe the persecution they inflicted on Him, “the more His fervor increased, and the brighter burned the flame of His love.” Already, people who had been strangers had been brought together as believers in the Bab. Could such a thing take place except through the power of God? . . .
The compelling story of the Bab, Whose life and Revelation was closely intertwined with that of Baha’u’llah, is told in “Part One – The Dawn” of The Story of Baha’u’llah. For more on the Bab see these blog posts:
The Bab: "Afraid of No One" - stories of the Bab's early life
The Bab: 'Gate" to an Era of Maturity - story of the Bab at Mah-Ku & video link to life of the Bab
'The Gate' to an Era of Maturity (author essay)
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