…the Law of God is divided into two parts. One is the
fundamental basis which comprises all spiritual things—that is to say, it
refers to the spiritual virtues and divine qualities; this does not change nor
alter: it is the Holy of Holies, which is the essence of the Law of Adam, Noah,
Abraham, Moses, Christ, Muhammad, the Báb, and Bahá’u’lláh, and which lasts and
is established in all the prophetic cycles. It will never be abrogated, for it
is spiritual and not material truth; it is faith, knowledge, certitude,
justice, piety, righteousness, trustworthiness, love of God, benevolence,
purity, detachment, humility, meekness, patience and constancy. It shows mercy
to the poor, defends the oppressed, gives to the wretched and uplifts the
fallen.
These divine qualities, these eternal commandments, will
never be abolished; nay, they will last and remain established for ever and
ever. These virtues of humanity will be renewed in each of the different
cycles; for at the end of every cycle the spiritual Law of God—that is to say,
the human virtues—disappears, and only the form subsists.
(‘Abdu’l-Baha, table
talks in Akka, authenticated by ‘Abdu’l-Baha; ‘Some Answered Questions’)
