232 Concerning the prerequisites of the learned, He saith: "Whoso among
the learned guardeth his self, defendeth his faith, opposeth his desires,
and obeyeth his Lord's command, it is incumbent upon the generality of the
people to pattern themselves after him...."(36) Should the King of the Age
reflect upon this utterance which hath streamed from the tongue of Him Who
is the Dayspring of the Revelation of the All-Merciful, he would perceive
that those who have been adorned with the attributes enumerated in this
holy Tradition are scarcer than the philosopher's stone; wherefore not
every man that layeth claim to knowledge deserveth to be believed.

233 Again concerning the divines of the Latter Days, He saith: "The
religious doctors of that age shall be the most wicked of the divines
beneath the shadow of heaven. Out of them hath mischief proceeded, and
unto them it shall return." And again He saith: "When the Standard of
Truth is made manifest, the people of both the East and the West curse
it."(37) Should anyone dispute these Traditions, this Servant will
undertake to establish their validity, since the details of their
transmission have been omitted here for the sake of brevity.

234 Those doctors who have indeed drunk of the cup of renunciation have
never interfered with this Servant. Thus, for example, Shaykh
Murtada(38)--may God exalt his station and cause him to repose beneath the
canopy of His grace!--showed forth kindness during Our sojourn in 'Iraq,
and never spoke of this Cause otherwise than as God hath given leave. We
beseech God to graciously assist all to do His will and pleasure.

235 Now, however, all have lost sight of every other consideration, and
are bent upon the persecution of this people. Thus, if it be inquired of
certain persons who, by the grace of their Lord, repose beneath the shadow
of thy royal mercy and enjoy countless favours, "What service have ye
rendered in return for these royal favours? Have ye through wise policy
annexed a further territory to the realm? Have ye applied yourselves to
aught that would secure the welfare of the people, the prosperity of the
kingdom, and the lasting glory of the state?", they will have no other
reply than to designate, justly or falsely, a group of people before thy
royal presence as Babis, and forthwith to engage in massacre and pillage.
In Tabriz, for instance, and in the Egyptian town of Mansuriyyih, a number
of this people were ransomed and larg