O ye beloved of the Lord!
The Cause of God hath never had any place for denouncing others as infidel or
profligate, nor hath it allowed anyone to humiliate or belittle another.
Contend and wrangle not with any man, and seek ye not the abasement of any soul.
Disparage not anyone's name, and wish no harm upon anyone. Defile not your
tongues with calumny, and engage ye not in backbiting. Lift not the veil from
the doings of others, and so long as a person professeth to be steadfast,
remonstrate not with him, nor expose him.
Let not these very words
be a pretext for dispute and contention. Through your constancy and
steadfastness destroy the edifice of vacillation, and by your faithful
adherence and scrupulous observance, strengthen the foundations of the Cause of
God. Leave the people of negligence unto themselves and refer them for
judgement to the Lord of the Covenant and Testament. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, included in
a letter dated 18 April 2001 written on behalf of the Universal House of
Justice to an individual believer)
