e Gracious, the All-Powerful!" And if they shed His blood,
every drop thereof shall cry out and invoke God in this Name through which
the fragrance of His raiment hath been diffused in all directions.

117 Though threatened by the swords of Our enemies, We summon all mankind
unto God, the Fashioner of earth and heaven, and We render Him such aid as
can be hindered by neither the hosts of tyranny nor the ascendancy of the
people of iniquity. Say: O peoples of the earth! Scatter the idols of your
vain imaginings in the name of your Lord, the All-Glorious, the
All-Knowing, and turn ye unto Him in this Day which God hath made the King
of days.

118 O Supreme Pontiff! Incline thine ear unto that which the Fashioner of
mouldering bones counselleth thee, as voiced by Him Who is His Most Great
Name. Sell all the embellished ornaments thou dost possess, and expend
them in the path of God, Who causeth the night to return upon the day, and
the day to return upon the night. Abandon thy kingdom unto the kings, and
emerge from thy habitation, with thy face set towards the Kingdom, and,
detached from the world, then speak forth the praises of thy Lord betwixt
earth and heaven. Thus hath bidden thee He Who is the Possessor of Names,
on the part of thy Lord, the Almighty, the All-Knowing. Exhort thou the
kings and say: "Deal equitably with men. Beware lest ye transgress the
bounds fixed in the Book." This indeed becometh thee. Beware lest thou
appropriate unto thyself the things of the world and the riches thereof.
Leave them unto such as desire them, and cleave unto that which hath been
enjoined upon thee by Him Who is the Lord of creation. Should anyone offer
thee all the treasures of the earth, refuse to even glance upon them. Be
as thy Lord hath been. Thus hath the Tongue of Revelation spoken that
which God hath made the ornament of the book of creation.

119 Consider a pearl which shineth by virtue of its inherent nature. If it
be covered with silk, its lustre and beauty will be concealed. Likewise,
man's distinction lieth in the excellence of his conduct and in the
pursuit of that which beseemeth his station, not in childish play and
pastimes. Know that thy true adornment consisteth in the love of God and
in thy detachment from all save Him, and not in the luxuries thou dost
possess. Abandon them unto those who seek after them and turn unto God, He
Who causeth the rivers to flow.

120 Whatever proceeded from the tongue of the So