Súrah al-Sultán, The King

By Muin Afnan

First presented at the Irfan Colloquia Session #40
Bosch Bahá'í School: California, USA
May 23–26, 2002
(see list of papers from #40)

    This relatively long Tablet which is entirely in Arabic appears to have been revealed in Akká because in one passage Bahá'u'lláh refers to His calamities and exile in a land where no one was allowed to enter, which is reference to pilgrims not being allowed to enter Akká to see Bahá'u'lláh. This is one of the most beautiful Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh in Arabic from linguistic point of view. Many of the passages are in the form of rhymed prose full of metaphors and mystic expressions. It contains a wide variety of subjects from apologetics, historical points, moral teachings, and mystical concepts. The name of the Tablet, Sultan, appears to have been derived from a sentence where reference is made to the city of Sultán-Abád, which today is known as Arák.

    Bahá'u'lláh mentions names of several individuals and to each one gives special counsels. Some of the main themes in this Tablet include:
    • Importance of accepting the Word of God and being steadfast in His Cause.

    • Several summons and counsels to Yahyá Azal. Bahá'u'lláh tells him that while he was spending a time of comfort alongside his wives, Bahá'u'lláh was in chain defending the cause of Truth. Then He tells him that His whole being has been the target of shafts of deceit and machination launched by Azal and his associates. Even then, He harbors no anger or ill feeling toward Yahyá; however, unless he changes his behavior and turns to God soon he and his associate will witness their spiritual decay.

    • Today the only thing which will benefit humankind is recognition of the Manifestation of God and love of this Youth (Bahá'u'lláh).

    • God, through His inscrutable wisdom, has hidden from people the end result of many affairs until it is beneficial to reveal them.

    • Ones actions should speak louder than his words. Attire yourselves with the ornaments of justice, forbearance, truthfulness, helping the needy, and keeping your promise.

    • The cornerstone of faith is being steadfast in calamities for the sake of the love of God.

    • God has built His House in the hearts of His servants. Be vigilant and safeguard this House which is the true place for pilgrimage.
    At the end of this Tablet Bahá'u'lláh bids the handmaidens of God to be patient in the calamities they have suffered for the sake of the Cause, and assures them of His blessings.

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