In the name of the Eternal, the Ancient, the Generous Lord and Merciful Master: the One, exalted beyond the description of individual ones; the Unique, who resembles no other individual; transcending the marks of number and rivals; the Lord, too great for consorts and children; al-Ḥākim, before whose majesty all servants bow. He is not of one kind with anything of a kind; the descriptions of those who describe cannot reach His reality, the vision of beholders cannot perceive Him, and the thoughts of thinkers cannot encompass His being.
He originated all originated things by His power and united things through His will. He brought hearts into being to know obedience to Him; hearts took from knowledge of Him as much as they could bear, and He disclosed to them of His hidden secret as much as they could know. He originated things without a model and is the Enduring One whose dominion shall not pass away. He is alone in divinity and strengthens those who obey Him with the Holy Spirit. He originated the spiritual ranks and raised some above others in degree. He singled me out and preferred me above them through His aid and blessings.
Praise, then, be to Him who originated me from His light, strengthened me with His Holy Spirit, singled me out for His knowledge, delegated His command to me, and revealed to me His hidden secret.
I am the source of His originated things, the keeper of His secret and His trusts, singled out for His knowledge and blessings.
I am His straight path, and by His command I am wise and knowing.
I am the Mount, the inscribed Book, and the frequented House.
I am the master of resurrection and the raising of the dead.
I am the one who, by the permission of the Lord—glory be to Him—blows the trumpet.
I am the Imam of the God-fearing, the clear sign, the tongue of the believers and the support of the Unitarians.
I am the master of the first great convulsion, and through my hand the blessings shall follow one another.
I am the abrogator of the religious laws, and the destroyer of the people of association and innovations.
I am the demolisher of the two directions of prayer, the abolisher of the two laws and the overthrower of the two professions of faith.
I am the Messiah of the nations. From me blessings overflow, and through my hand punishment comes upon the people of association.
I am the kindled fire that rises over the hearts.
I am the support of the ranks, the guide to the unity of the One worshipped, and the annihilator of the people of association and denial.
I am the unsheathed sword of unity, and the destroyer of every stubborn tyrant.
I am the Riser of the Age, the possessor of the proof, and the guide to obedience to the Merciful.
Woe, utter woe, to whoever turns aside from obedience to me, rejects it, and does not acknowledge the unity of the Lord—glory be to Him—or my Imamate. He has revealed to me that the promised decree must inevitably be fulfilled, that every oppressive unbeliever shall be killed, and that I shall annihilate the people of association, obstinacy, hypocrisy, and opposition. With my sword I shall possess all lands and rule over all servants. One group shall find happiness, and another shall fall into eternal torment.
Whoever believes before the promise is revealed, declares the unity of the One worshipped, acknowledges my Imamate, and knows the degrees of the ranks shall attain deliverance with the righteous and dwell in the abode of delight and lasting rest. Whoever does not know the ranks or declare the unity of the One worshipped remains in denial and rejection: he shall pay the poll tax, undergo punishment, and lose the means of escape. The destruction of the hypocrites, killing of the wicked, and humiliation of the unbelievers must come to pass. They shall pay the poll tax in abasement, be compelled to wear distinctive clothing against their will, and suffer loss, transformation, and the disgrace of the ancient dominion.
So rejoice, O Unitarians, at the prospect of possessing their descendants, property, and land, the ruin of their homes, the taking captive of their women and children, and the mingling of their men's blood with that of their dogs. They shall be branded with the mark of servants, and even your weakest shall possess every stubborn tyrant among them. That day they shall seek deliverance, but the unbeliever shall say, 'There is no escape today.' They shall have no intercessors or affectionate friend. Their wretchedness will have overcome them already, while they had remained heedless of it.
The ranks called them, but they did not answer, nor did they turn away from their error and ignorance. They were invited to knowledge but did not awaken; they were warned of punishment but did not take warning. Their eyes were not blind, but their hearts were blind; their souls were ignorant because of their denial and error. They turned away from what they had been called to and turned their backs on what the Truth had indicated; they shall regret what they neglected and recognize the bonds that held them. Do not listen to their ornamented speech or answer the inventions they compose. Seek wisdom from its sources; do not occupy yourselves with this world and its wreckage. Inevitably the incoming supplies will be cut off, and afflictions and trials will multiply among you. Remain patient through the trials, and you shall obtain forgiveness and beneficence.
Protect wisdom from those who are not its people, but do not deny it to those worthy of it. Whoever withholds wisdom from its rightful people has defiled his trust and his religion. Whoever delivers it to those not worthy has departed from certainty in following the truth. You must guard it and protect it from outsiders, and conceal yourselves beneath what is familiar to those among whom you live. Do not reveal yourselves to people overcome by their misfortune and ignorance. You see them from a position from which they do not see you. You know what they possess and recognize the ornamented sayings they have adopted. They, however, are unaware of what is in your hands and excluded from the light of wisdom that you have received. They have been made mute while you speak, deaf while you hear, blind while you see, and ignorant while you know.
Praise the Lord—glory be to Him—for the shade of mercy He has poured over you, for the insight into His knowledge He has given you, and for singling you out with the light of His wisdom. Praise Him with praise without end, as His beginning has no beginning.
Give thanks to me and know me as I truly am. I am the one who stands among you by His command, upheld by His Holy Spirit. Recognize my station in relation to my spiritual ranks and Callers. Know the ranks by their names and qualities, and place them at their proper grades and stations, for they are the gates of wisdom and the keys of mercy.
I command you to protect your brethren, for by protecting them your faith is perfected. Answer their appeals, meet their needs, accept their excuses, oppose those who wrong them, visit their sick, show kindness to their weak, support them, and do not abandon them.
Hear my words, O Unitarians, and understand what wisdom has uttered. Accept what I have commanded you, refrain from what I have forbidden, and await what I have promised.
Peace upon whoever follows the truth, believes what has been promised to creation, and makes unity and truthfulness the foundation of his religion. Praise belongs to our Lord; in Him I seek help. He suffices me.