dorned them, O my Lord, with the ornament of the fast
prescribed by Thee, do Thou adorn them also with the ornament of Thine
acceptance, through Thy grace and bountiful favor. For the doings of men
are all dependent upon Thy good pleasure, and are conditioned by Thy
behest. Shouldst Thou regard him who hath broken the fast as one who hath
observed it, such a man would be reckoned among them who from eternity had
been keeping the fast. And shouldst Thou decree that he who hath observed
the fast hath broken it, that person would be numbered with such as have
caused the Robe of Thy Revelation to be stained with dust, and been far
removed from the crystal waters of this living Fountain.

Thou art He through Whom the ensign "Praiseworthy art Thou in Thy works"
hath been lifted up, and the standard "Obeyed art Thou in Thy behest" hath
been unfurled. Make known this Thy station, O my God, unto Thy servants,
that they may be made aware that the excellence of all things is dependent
upon Thy bidding and Thy word, and the virtue of every act is conditioned
by Thy leave and the good pleasure of Thy will, and may recognize that the
reins of men's doings are within the grasp of Thine acceptance and Thy
commandment. Make this known unto them, that nothing whatsoever may shut
them out from Thy Beauty, in these days whereon the Christ exclaimeth:
"All dominion is Thine, O Thou the Begetter of the Spirit (Jesus)"; and
Thy Friend (Muhammad) crieth out: "Glory be to Thee, O Thou the
Best-Beloved, for that Thou hast uncovered Thy Beauty, and written down
for Thy chosen ones what will cause them to attain unto the seat of the
revelation of Thy Most Great Name, through which all the peoples have
lamented except such as have detached themselves from all else except
Thee, and set themselves towards Him Who is the Revealer of Thyself and
the Manifestation of Thine attributes."

He Who is Thy Branch and all Thy company, O my Lord, have broken this day
their fast, after having observed it within the precincts of Thy court,
and in their eagerness to please Thee. Do Thou ordain for Him, and for
them, and for all such as have entered Thy presence in those days all the
good Thou didst destine in Thy Book. Supply them, then, with that which
will profit them, in both this life and in the life beyond.

Thou, in truth, art the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

--Baha'u'llah

MARTYRS AND THEIR FAMILIES

"He is God! O Lord my God! O Thou Helpe