I put my trust in our Lord al-Ḥākim in His own essence, apart from His originated things. From the guide and warner of the community, the deliverer and protector of His friends from the trial of humankind, appointed over the Respondents as guide and Imam.
Now then: praise be to Him who clothed me in glory and entrusted the keys of the Imamate to me at departure and return. To Him belongs enduring praise and abundant commendation. He cannot be described by the attributes of creatures, lest He become one of the same kind as other things. Imagination and conjecture cannot contain Him. He is exalted beyond the kāf and nūn. The sharpest eyes cannot behold Him, nor can He be described by movement or stillness. Such is your God and the God of your fathers: worship Him.
Know, O brethren sincere in their religion, distinguished from all creatures by your belief and certainty: may our Lord keep you secure through obedience to Him and fulfill your hopes through His grace and mercy. The finest treasure to acquire for the hereafter and store up for the salvation of the soul is to persist steadfastly in loyalty, conviction, and belief in what all the other communities of humankind have rejected. He has revealed to me that this is what is sought and required of you, so that the proof may be established against the corrupt and obstinate.
Know that I am the Imam who is sought and intended, and that through my hand shall come the recompense of the servants. Beware lest lying tongues turn you away from me or the failing community snatch you up. Do not let the delay in the manifestation of your right make you despair of publicly proclaiming the word of sincere devotion. By my hand will come repayment and retaliation; from me forgiveness and deliverance shall be sought. Hold fast to the ranks and persevere in this undertaking with your utmost efforts. Beware of opposing my ranks, persist in counseling them and being in agreement with them, bind yourselves to them closely, and rejoice in what they have imparted to you.
By my hand will come the reward of whoever obeys and follows the decree, and the punishment of whoever rebels and turns aside from the truth he has understood, on the day I rise with the sword of our Lord al-Ḥākim—glory be to Him—and judge all creatures. I shall avenge you with the true retaliation, bestow my beneficence upon your faithful and sincere people, wrench souls out of bodies among the corrupt and obstinate, kill fathers and children, give you their property and their captive women, and kill their men, until they seek deliverance and find none. Your enemies shall suffer the fullest retribution, and the proclamation shall spread throughout the regions; the hypocrites shall find neither protector nor affectionate friend.
Whoever comes to you obediently, listens and submits, shall attain victory and forgiveness and be happy in the gardens. Whoever departs from the command of his Lord and allows corruption to overwhelm his mind and heart shall be held accountable for his deeds and his sins. This affair will occur through my hand soon, and the friends of God will see what gladdens hearts and delights eyes. Turn toward me, then, O people obedient to me, Unitarians who declare our Lord—glorious be His name—transcendent, all the people of my party.
For I am the kindled fire that rises over hearts. Nothing escapes my command, and nothing departs from my age. I am the master of the two stations, the abolisher of the two laws, and the overthrower of the two professions of faith. I am the master of the great convulsion, and by my hand successive blessings will come.
Know, brethren, that my absence from you is an absence meant to test you and all the people of the religions. Whoever of you keeps the covenant made with him and does not turn back on his heels shall receive from me a mighty reward and a noble station. Whoever turns backward, falls into error, turns away from truth and despairs, and listens to the devil's embellishments and whisperings, shall be placed under the poll tax, subjected to humiliation and disgrace for what he has committed, and brought to an evil end because he resisted and denied. Do not incline toward the devil's adornments or desire falsehood and lies. Turn instead to the missionaries of the Merciful; harvest the fruits of wisdom and proof, and you will be among those who attain success and forgiveness.
Soon a message will come to you that will heal your hearts and their burning pain. When it appears, it will bring a comprehensive blessing to the people of unity and complete vengeance upon their opponents. It will be brought by a man who comes from his home, whose reports have ceased, hidden behind veils, looking both far and near. He is one of the Helpers; knowledge of his rank brings religious distinction and honor. He comes neither from the Turks nor from the Khazars, and at his appearance he will be known as al-Muẓaffar (the Victorious). Though he may seem a stranger, he is rightly guided and supported in his actions.
Awaken from your slumber and turn away from your distraction: the manifestation has drawn near, and the appointed time has come.
I have sent this epistle to those who obey me and hold fast to my Imamate, as an excuse and a warning, a guidance and a clarification.
Be ready, brethren, for what concerns you. Do not think that your present circumstances are an evil for you. Rather, they are good for you.
Only a few ages will pass before you see your opponents' wives widowed, their people cast into dangers and ruin, their wealth and dominions plundered, and themselves handed over to Mālik [the angel of punishment]. They will be compelled to wear distinctive clothing, destruction will descend upon them, and vengeance on your behalf will be taken from them. You will be called people of spiritual distinction and described as nobles. Whoever receives your testimony will triumph and obtain delight; whoever is not granted speech by you will not be reckoned among the people of religion and excellence, and this will be torment and disaster for him.
You are the finest of nations and the best of those whose feet have trodden the earth, for you worshipped the Existing One while they devoted themselves to worshipping the absent non-existent.
Soon I will make their greatest men servants to your least, and their mighty will obey and prostrate themselves to each of you. I shall kill the associators and apostates with the sword of our Lord al-Ḥākim, God of the worlds and Creator of all beings.
Understand my counsel and remain steadfast beside my ranks, for your obedience to them is obedience to me.
Peace upon whoever turns toward me, repents, and holds fast to my ranks.
Finished, with praise to our Lord alone.