Question: Why is the
expression “He is God” used at the beginning of the Tablets and Epistles?
Answer: This is a
common practice in the East among the Muslims, and their intent is that one
must begin all things with the mention of God. But what is intended in the
divine Tablets is that the reality of the divine Essence is sanctified above
all understanding, exalted beyond all imagination. For whatsoever man may
imagine is encompassed by him, and that which encompasses is without a doubt
greater than that which is encompassed. It is therefore clear that what is
imagined is the creation, not the Creator. For the reality of Divinity is
sanctified above all human fancy. In this day all people are worshippers of
idle fancies, for they conceive a god in the realm of imagination and worship
him. Thus if you were to ask someone who is engaged in prayer: “Whom are you
worshipping?” he would say: “God.” “What God?” “God as I imagine Him.” Whereas
that which is in his imagination is not God. All people are therefore
worshippers of their own thoughts and fancies. Thus for man there is no path to
tread and no place to turn save unto the holy Manifestations. For, as already mentioned, the reality of
Divinity is transcendent, sanctified, and beyond all imagination. All that can
be imagined are the holy and divine Manifestations. There is nowhere else for
man to direct his gaze, and should he pass beyond this he will fall prey to
delusion. Thus what is meant by the words “He is God” is that that manifest
Being is the promised Beauty and the Day-Star of Truth, the Exponent of the
secrets of Lordship and Divinity, the Repository of the mysteries of the
All-Merciful, and the Source of the signs of His Singleness; and that I have
begun my discourse with His blessed Name.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a talk, new
resources prepared by the Baha’i World Center; Baha’i Reference Library)
