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As inferred from the contents of a second Tablet, Manikchi Sahib was not entirely satisfied with this reply, having anticipated a more expansive discussion of his specific questions. Baha'u'llah's further reply is contained in a lengthy Tablet, revealed on 14 Sha'ban 1299 (1 July 1882) in the voice of His amanuensis Mirza Aqa Jan. The Tablet is addressed to the eminent Baha'i scholar Abu'l-Fadl, who at the time was employed as the personal secretary of Manikchi Sahib, but a lengthy portion of it addresses the latter's questions. Baha'u'llah states at the outset that he had "failed to consider the matter closely, for otherwise he would have readily admitted that not a single point was omitted", and explains that out of wisdom his questions had not been directly answered, but that even so, "the answers were provided in a language of marvellous concision and clarity". Throughout the remainder of the Tablet, the text of each of Manikchi Sahib's questions is successively quoted and detailed replies are given to each, in some cases connecting the questions to the universal principles enunciated in the first Tablet. (0:3) The Tablet is noteworthy for its discussion of a range of questions regarding the tenets of both Abrahamic and non-Abrahamic religions, as understood by Manikchi Sahib, including the nature of creation, the connection between faith and reason, the reconciliation of the differences that exist among the laws and ordinances of various religions, their respective claims to exclusivity and their differing degrees of eagerness to welcome others into their fold. Baha'u'llah's responses emphasize that which is right and true in the various doctrines and beliefs under examination, rather than discarding them outright for inaccuracy or insufficiency. (0:4) Included here as well with these two major works are the Lawh-i-Haft Pursish (Tablet of the Seven Questions), addressed to Ustad Javan-Mard, a prominent early Baha'i of Zoroastrian background and former student of Manikchi Sahib, and two other Tablets also revealed to believers of the same origin. Together, these five Tablets offer a glimpse of Baha'u'llah's love for, and special relationship with, the followers of a religion that had arisen, many centuries before, in the same land that witnessed the birth of His own Faith. (0:5) A portion of the Lawh-i- Manikchi Sahib and several excerpts from the other Tablets were previously translated by Shoghi Effendi; these have been incorporated into the text of the translations and listed in the appendix. (0:6) It is hoped that the publication of this volume will enable a deeper appreciation of the fundamental principle of the oneness of religion and lend a fresh impetus to the efforts of those who strive to promote its understanding in an age that needs it more acutely with every passing day.
(0:7)
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