…the praiseworthy qualities
and the greatness and nobility of Anúshírván the Generous and the Just.
[1] That fair-minded monarch came to power at a time when the once solidly
established throne of Persia was about to crumble away. With his Divine gift of
intellect, he laid the foundations of justice, uprooting oppression and tyranny
and gathering the scattered peoples of Persia under the wings of his dominion.
Thanks to the restoring influence of his continual care, Persia that had lain
withered and desolate was quickened into life and rapidly changed into the
fairest of all flourishing nations. He rebuilt and reinforced the disorganized
powers of the state, and the renown of his righteousness and justice echoed
across the seven climes, [2] until the peoples rose up out of their degradation
and misery to the heights of felicity and honor. Although he was a Magian, Muhammad,
that Center of creation and Sun of prophethood, said of him: “I was born in the
time of a just king,” and rejoiced at having come into the world during his
reign.
(‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘The Secret of Divine
Civilization’)
[1] Sásáníyán king who reigned 531–578 A.D
[2] i.e., the whole world
