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And finally, in that same Commentary, this startling prophecy is recorded: "Erelong We will, in very truth, torment such as waged war against Husayn (Imam Husayn), in the Land of the Euphrates, with the most afflictive torment, and the most dire and exemplary punishment." "Erelong," He also, referring to that same people, in that same Book, has written, "will God wreak His vengeance upon them, at the time of Our Return, and He hath, in very truth, prepared for them, in the world to come, a severe torment." (89:1) As to Baha'u'llah, the passages I cite in these pages constitute but a fraction of the references to the Muslim divines with which His writings abound. "The Lote-Tree beyond Which there is no passing," He exclaims, "crieth out, by reason of the cruelty of the divines. It shouteth aloud, and bewaileth itself." "From the inception of this sect (Shi'ih)," He, in His "Epistle to the Son of the Wolf," has written, "until the present day, how great hath been the number of the divines that have appeared, none of whom became cognizant of the nature of this Revelation. What could have been the cause of this waywardness? Were We to mention it, their limbs would cleave asunder. It is necessary for them to meditate, nay to meditate for a thousand years, that haply they may attain unto a sprinkling from the ocean of knowledge, and discover the things whereof they are oblivious in this day. I was walking in the Land of Ta (Tihran) - the dayspring of the signs of thy Lord - when lo, I heard the lamentation of the pulpits and the voice of their supplication unto God, blessed and glorified be He! They cried out and said: 'O God of the world and Lord of the nations! Thou beholdest our state and the things which have befallen us, by reason of the cruelty of Thy servants. Thou hast created us and revealed us for Thy glorification and praise. Thou dost now hear what the wayward proclaim upon us in Thy days. By Thy might! Our souls are melted, and our limbs are trembling. Alas, alas! Would that we had never been created and revealed by Thee!' The hearts of them that enjoy near access to God are consumed by these words, and from them the cries of such as are devoted to Him are raised." (89:2) "These thick clouds," He, in that same Epistle, has stated, "are the exponents of idle fancies and vain imaginings, who are none other than the divines of Persia." "By 'divines' in the passage cited above," He, in that same connection, explains, "is meant those men who outwardly attire themselves with the raiment of knowledge, but who inwardly are deprived therefrom. In this connection We quote, from the Tablet addressed to His Majesty the Shah, certain passages from the 'Hidden Words' which were revealed by the Abha Pen under the name of the 'Book of Fatimih,' the blessings of God be upon her! O ye that are foolish, yet have a name to be wise! Wherefore do ye wear the guise of the shepherd, when inwardly ye have become wolves, intent upon My flock? Ye are even as the star, which riseth ere the dawn, and which, though it seem radiant and luminous, leadeth the wayfarers of My city astray into the paths of perdition.' And likewise He saith: 'O ye seemingly fair yet inwardly foul! Ye are like clear but bitter water, which to outward seeming is but crystal pure but of which, when tested by the Divine Assayer, not a drop is accepted. Yea, the sunbeam falleth alike upon the dust and the mirror, yet differ they in reflection even as doth the star from the earth: nay, immeasurable is the difference!'"
(89:3)
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