Upon her be Baha’u’l-Abha!
He is God
O thou who art firm in the Covenant!
Thy letter was received. According to the clear text of the Book of Akdas and the explicit contents of the Book of the Covenant, ‘Abdu’l-Baha is the Interpreter of all the Works and Books of the Blessed Perfection, and not only of the Book of Aqdas. This question is clear and evident to those who are informed of the Writings and Tablets (of Baha’u’llah). Were this not the case, everyone would have given an interpretation according to his own inclination and considered his interpretation preferable to the interpretation of others—this would naturally lead to great differences. If someone interprets one verse of the Verses of God, and his interpretation is not approved by ‘Abdu’l-Baha, it is not authoritative.
Now is not the time for interpretation. This is the time of teaching. All the believers must unloose the tongue of teaching the Cause of God. For teaching is the cause of the guidance of all the inhabitants of the earth; teaching is the means of the illumination of mankind; teaching is conducive to the enlightenment of the world of humanity; teaching is promotive of the confirmations of the Breaths of the Holy Spirit. This is the most great affair!
But if a soul on reading one of the blessed verses utters an explanation which does not harm the Cause, do not oppose him; for his talk is based upon explanation (elucidation) and not on interpretation.
Upon thee be Baha’u’l-Abha!
(Signed) ‘Abdu’l-Baha Abbas
(Star of the West, vol. 5, no. 9, August 20, 1914)
