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The Book of the Most Holy CHAPTER EIGHTEENThe Book of the Most Holy CHAPTER EIGHTEEN Division 551-575
THE MOST HOLY 551. Ask ye that which shall be of profit to you in the Cause of God and His dominion, for the portals of His tender compassion have been opened before all who dwell in heaven and on earth. 552. The number of months in a year, appointed in the Book of God, is nineteen. 553. Of these the first hath been adorned with this Name which overshadoweth the whole of creation.
554. The Lord hath decreed that the dead should be interred in coffins made of crystal, of hard, resistant stone, or of wood that is both fine and durable, and that graven rings should be placed upon their fingers.
He, verily, is the Supreme Ordainer, the One apprised of all.
555. The inscription on these rings should read, for men: 556. " Unto God belongeth all that is in the heavens and on the earth and whatsoever is between them, and He, in truth, hath knowledge of all things"; 557. and for women: " Unto God belongeth the dominion of the heavens and the earth and whatsoever is between them, and He, in truth, is potent over all things". 558. These are the verses that were revealed aforetime, yet lo, the Point of the Bayá n now calleth out, exclaiming,
559. " O Best-Beloved of the worlds! Reveal Thou in their stead such words as will waft the fragrance of Thy gracious favours over all mankind. 560. We have announced unto everyone that one single word from Thee excelleth all that hath been sent down in the Bayá n. 561. Thou, indeed, hast power to do what pleaseth Thee. 562. Deprive not Thy servants of the overflowing bounties of the ocean of Thy mercy! 563. Thou, in truth, art He Whose grace is infinite. " 564. Behold, We have hearkened to His call, and now fulfil His wish. 565. He, verily, is the Best-Beloved, the Answerer of prayers.
566. If the following verse, which hath at this moment been sent down by God, be engraved upon the burial-rings of both men and women, it shall be better for them; We, of a certainty, are the Supreme Ordainer: 567. " I came forth from God, and return unto Him, detached from all save Him, holding fast to His Name, the Merciful, the Compassionate. " 568. Thus doth the Lord single out whomsoever He desireth for a bounty from His presence. 569. He is, in very truth, the God of might and power.
570. The Lord hath decreed, moreover, that the deceased should be enfolded in five sheets of silk or cotton. 571. For those whose means are limited a single sheet of either fabric will suffice. 572. Thus hath it been ordained by Him Who is the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. 573. It is forbidden you to transport the body of the deceased a greater distance than one hour's journey from the city; rather should it be interred, with radiance and serenity, in a nearby place.
574. God hath removed the restrictions on travel that had been imposed in the Bayá n. 575. He, verily, is the Unconstrained; He doeth as He pleaseth and ordaineth whatsoever He willeth.
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