:
See online text here The
Súriy-i-Haykal () or
Tablet of the Temple, is a composite work which consists of a tablet followed by five messages addressed to
Pope Pius IX,
Napoleon III, Tsar
Alexander II of Russia,
Queen Victoria, and
Naser al-Din Shah Qajar. The messages were written while Baháʼu'lláh was in Adrianople, and shortly after its completion, Baháʼu'lláh instructed the Surih and the tablets to the kings be written in the form of a
Haykal (
temple), a five-pointed star, and added to it the conclusion:
Shoghi Effendi, who described the tablet as one of Baháʼu'lláh's most challenging works, writes about the
Súriy-i Haykal, "words which reveal the importance He attached to those Messages, and indicate their direct association with the prophecies of the
Old Testament", referring to the prophecy where
Zechariah had promised the rebuilding of the Temple in the
End of Times. In the
Book of Zechariah it is recorded: Shoghi Effendi, in
The Promised Day is Come (pp. 47–8), refers to this rebuilding of the temple as fulfilled in the return of the
Manifestation of God in a human temple. Throughout the tablet, Baháʼu'lláh addresses the
Haykal ("the
Temple") and explains the glory which is invested in it. Baháʼu'lláh, in response to a question, has stated that the Haykal is the person of Baháʼu'lláh.
Adib Taherzadeh has written that "[i]t is fascinating to know that the One Who speaks with the voice of God in this Tablet is identical with the One spoken to." Regarding the Haykal, Baháʼu'lláh writes that it refers to the human or physical temple of the Manifestation of God (prophets of God). He states that the Manifestation of God is a pure mirror that reflects the sovereignty of God and manifests God's beauty and grandeur to mankind. In essence Baháʼu'lláh explains that the Manifestation of God is a "Living Temple" and every time that Baháʼu'lláh addresses the Haykal he shows a new facet of God's revelation. The Haykal, which represents the Manifestation of God who spreads the Word of God in the form of a human temple, has members each of whom symbolize one of the signs and attributes of God. To the eyes of the Haykal he asks it to not look at the world of creation, but instead to focus on the beauty of God. To the Haykal's ears Baháʼu'lláh asks it to become deaf to the voices of the ungodly and to listen to the Word of God. To the tongue of the Haykal Baháʼu'lláh states that it has been created to mention the name of God. To the hands of the Haykal Baháʼu'lláh asks them to stretch out upon all humankind and hold within their grasp the reins of God. Finally, Baháʼu'lláh states that from the heart of the Haykal knowledge will emerge and raise scientists who will bring about technological achievements. Another symbol used by Baháʼu'lláh in describing the Haykal is through the four letters (H, Y, K, and L) that compose the word in
Arabic. Baháʼu'lláh in the tablet explains the spiritual significance of each letter: H is for Huwiyyah (Essence of Divinity), Y is for Qadír (Almighty), K is for Karím (All Bountiful), and L is for Fadl (Grace). Regarding the five other messages to the rulers that form the pentacle of the Súriy-i-Haykal, Baháʼu'lláh tells them he is the Manifestation of God for this day, and that they should accept his message. The message to Naser al-Din Shah Qajar, which is the longest message, was delivered to the Shah by
Badíʻ, a youth who was killed by the Shah shortly thereafter. ==''Súriy-i-Ra'ís'' "Tablet of the Chief"==