"In order to appreciate and possibly understand the reason for the revelation of the Fire Tablet, it is important to look at the situation within the community at that time, and how the Bahá'í community was impacted by these situations which were instigated by the Covenant breakers. A small band of Covenant breakers was determined to undermine and destroy Bahá'u'lláh and His Cause. This enmity was triggered by jealousy, thereby attempting to discredit Bahá'u'lláh and His followers in the eyes of the community. A situation which caused further sorrow for Bahá'u'lláh (and more significantly) involved a plot to be carried out by a few Bahá'ís. The aim of this plot was to end the vicious activities of the Covenant breakers, even though Bahá'u'lláh forbid them not to initiate any of their plans (a counsel which was ignored, hence Bahá'u'lláh's retreat from the community). It is during this time that the Fire Tablet is revealed. Its revelation can be viewed as a means of Bahá'u'lláh 'pouring out His heart'."
1. The great number of afflictions descending upon Bahá'u'lláh at the time this Tablet was written
2. The tremendous power with which this Tablet is invested
3. The sorrow which such Covenant-breaking brings to the hearts of Manifestations of God
4. The indivisibility of the Manifestation of God... that is, that His human nature and His divine spirit are mingled together, and at no time is this not true
5. The deceit and treachery of Siyyid Muhammad and his followers.
6. Bahá'u'lláh invokes the wrath of God against these infidels
7. He clarifies in another Tablet that the reason for this supplication is to call attention to the tremendous sufferings that can be created when a few evil men disregard the commandments of God.
8. People are enjoined to practice unity, love and compassion towards all on earth
"'The late Hájí Siyyid Alí-Akbar-i-Dahájí was one of the early believers. Seldom has there been a soul so distinguished and pious as he. He was a nephew of Siyyid Mihdí, the Ismu'lláh ...Physically he was very handsome and had a sweet melodious voice. One might say that whenever he chanted the Words of God, even the Concourse on high and the Denizens of the Kingdom of Abha were exhilarated by his voice... I have never heard anyone chant so beautifully as he did. He attained the presence of the Blessed Beauty several times and became the recipient of Bahá'u'lláh's infinite favours and bounties. His relationship with Him was truly that of a lover and the Beloved. There are many Tablets revealed in his honour. Notable among them is the Tablet of Ihtiráq. [the Fire Tablet] ...Hájí Siyyid Alí-Akbar passed away in Tihrán on his way back from the Holy Land after having attained the presence of Bahá'u'lláh for the last time. After his death, Bahá'u'lláh indicated that He was so attached to Hájí Siyyid Alí-Akbar that He wished the name of this believer mentioned in His presence. He thereafter instructed that henceforth his uncle Siyyid Mihdí, the Ismu'lláh, be called Siyyid Alí-Akbar.'"
"There were [those] who remained in the Faith for several decades, although from the beginning it became clear to many that they were corrupt and sinful men. Notorious among them were Jamál-i-Burújirdí, entitled by Bahá'u'lláh, Ismu'lláhu'l-Jamál (The Name of God, Jamál), and Siyyid Mihdíy-i-Dahájí entitled Ismu'lláhu'l-Mihdí (The Name of God, Mihdí). For many years these ambitious and deceitful men were foremost among the teachers of the Faith and their fame spread throughout the community. However, their hypocrisy was known to those who were close to them. Bahá'u'lláh concealed their faults, revealed many Tablets for each of them, exhorted them to faithfulness and nobility and with forbearance and magnanimity overlooked their shortcomings. However, He admonished them for some of their actions which were harmful to the Faith.... Siyyid Mihdí was entitled by Bahá'u'lláh Ismu'lláhu'l-Mihdí (The Name of God, He Who is Guided). He was one of the famous teachers of the Cause during Bahá'u'lláh's ministry, but like Jamál-i-Burújirdí, who was also entitled 'Ismu'lláh', was a proud and ambitious man who in the end broke the Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh and rebelled against Abdu'l-Bahá...
Siyyid Mihdí was a native of Dahaj in the province of Yazd. He attained the presence of Bahá'u'lláh in Baghdad, Adrianople and Akká and received His unfailing bounties. Like Jamál, he travelled widely throughout Persia and was much honoured by the believers. Yet people who were endowed with discernment found him to be insincere, egotistical and deeply attached to the things of this world...
During His ministry, Bahá'u'lláh concealed the faults and wrongdoings of Siyyid Mihdí. In His Tablets He showered His loving-kindness upon him and exhorted him to sincerity, purity and detachment. There is scarcely a Tablet revealed in his honour in which these points are not emphasized. When Bahá'u'lláh left Baghdad for Constantinople, He bade Siyyid Mihdí move into His house and become its caretaker."
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