Be constantly attached to and seek always the confirmations
of Bahá’u’lláh for these turn the drop into a sea and convert the gnat into an
eagle.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha)
December 30
The people of
America have a great capacity for the acquisition of spiritual qualities but
they are immersed in material affairs. They are like machines which move
uncontrollably; they move but are devoid of spirit. They will attain perfection
when the spirit of divine civilization is breathed into them and this material
civilization becomes infused with spiritual refinement.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, October 5, 1912, San
Francisco, USA, recorded by Mahmud Zarqani; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)
December 29
O thou who art tested with a great calamity!
Be not grieved nor troubled because of the loss which hath
befallen thee -- a loss which caused the tears to flow, sighs to be produced,
sorrow to exist and hearts to burn in great agony; but know, this hath
reference only to the physical body, and if thou considerest this matter with a
discerning and intelligent eye, thou wilt find that it hath no power
whatsoever, for separation belongeth to the characteristics of the body. But
concerning the spirit, know that thy pure son shall be with thee in the Kingdom
of God and thou shalt witness his smiling face, illumined brow, handsome spirit
and real happiness. Accordingly, thou wilt then be comforted and thank God for
His favor upon thee.
December 28
O thou who hast humbled thyself before the Kingdom of God!
Blessed art thou that thine heart is attracted to the Beauty
of God, is illumined with the light of knowledge and the ray of the Kingdom
hath shone within it.
Know thou, verily, God is with thee under all circumstances
and guards thee from the concerns of the world and makes thee a servant in His
great vineyard.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, vol. 1)
December 27
Today the most remarkable favour of God centereth around
union and harmony among the friends; so that this unity and concord may be the
cause of the promulgation of the oneness of the world of humanity, may
emancipate the world from this intense darkness of enmity and rancour, and that
the Sun of Truth may shine in full and perfect effulgence.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha)
December 26
The Cause of
Bahá'u'lláh is the same as the Cause of Christ. It is the same Temple and the
same Foundation. Both of these are Spiritual Springs, the seasons of the
soul-refreshing awakening and the cause of the renovation of the life of
mankind. The spring of this year is the same as the spring of last year. The
origin and end are the same. The sun of today is the sun of yesterday. In the
coming of Christ, the divine teachings were given in accordance with the
infancy of the human race. The teachings of Bahá'u'lláh have the same basic
principles, but are according to the stage of the maturity of the world and the
requirements of this illumined age
- ‘Abdu'l-Baha (Star of the West, vol. 19,
no. 1, April 1928)
December 25
While in London, a
friend asked ‘Abdu’l-Baha how the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh contrasted with the
teachings of Jesus Christ. ‘Abdu’l-Baha responded:
The teachings are
the same. It is the same foundation and the same temple. Truth is one, and
without division. The teachings of Jesus are in a concentrated form. Men do not
agree to this day as to the meaning of many of His sayings. His teachings are
as a flower in the bud. Today, the bud is unfolding into a flower! Bahá'u'lláh
has expanded and fulfilled the teachings, and has applied them in detail to the
whole world.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (‘Abdu'l-Baha in London’)
December 24
O maid-servant of God! Chant the Words of God and, pondering
over their meaning, transform them into actions! I ask God to cause thee to
attain a high station in the Kingdom of Life forever and ever.
December 23
O thou lady of the Kingdom! Thy letter sent from New York
hath been received. Its contents imparted joy and gladness for they indicated
that with a firm resolve and a pure intention thou hast determined to travel to
Paris, that thou mayest in that silent city enkindle the fire of the love of
God and in the midst of that darkness of nature shine like unto a resplendent
candle. This journey is highly praiseworthy and suitable. When thou reachest
Paris, thou must strive, no matter how small the number of the friends may be,
to institute the assembly of the Covenant and to vivify the souls through the
power of the Covenant.
Paris is exceedingly dispirited and is in a state of torpor
and so far it hath not burst into flames although the French nation is an active
and lively one. But the world of nature hath fully stretched its pavilion over
Paris and hath done away with religious sentiments. But this power of the
Covenant shall heat every freezing soul, shall bestow light upon
everything that is dark and shall secure for the captive in the hand of nature
the true freedom of the Kingdom.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings
of ‘Abdu’l-Baha)
December 22
Whenever an illumined assembly of the friends of God is
gathered, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, although bodily absent, is yet present in spirit and in
soul. I am always a traveller to America and am assuredly associating with
spiritual and illumined friends. Distance is annihilated and prevents not the
close and intimate association of two souls that are closely attached in heart
even though they may be in two different countries. I am therefore thy close
companion, attuned and in harmony with thy soul.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections
from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha)
December 21
O thou who hast sought illumination from the light of
guidance! Praise thou God that He hath directed thee to the light of truth and
hath invited thee to enter the Kingdom of Abhá. Thy sight hath been illumined
and thy heart hath been turned into a rose garden. I pray for thee that thou
mayest ever grow in faith and assurance, shine like unto a torch in the
assemblies and bestow upon them the light of guidance.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha)
December 20
When delivering the glad tidings, speak out and say: the
Promised One of all the world’s peoples hath now been made manifest. For each
and every people, and every religion, await a Promised One, and Bahá’u’lláh is
that One Who is awaited by all; and therefore the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh will
bring about the oneness of mankind, and the tabernacle of unity will be
upraised on the heights of the world, and the banners of the universality of
all humankind will be unfurled on the peaks of the earth. When thou dost loose
thy tongue to deliver this great good news, this will become the means of
teaching the people.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha)
December 19
Glorification
of God is the cause of attraction of confirmation and draws down the bounties
of the Glorious Lord.
- 'Abdu'l-Bahá (From a Tablet, Star of the West, vol. 2,
no.10, September 8, 1911)
December 18
I hope that
the bounties of the True One may become realized in thee, but it is conditional
upon thy serving the Real Master and living in accord with the manners and
behaviour of the real Bahá'ís and showing the utmost sincerity and beauty of
intention.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha Abbas (From a Tablet, Star of the West, vol. 2, no.10,
September 8, 1911)
December 17
When Joseph
found that his envious brothers and his jealous relations and friends were
heedless and unmindful, he unveiled his face in the market of the Egyptians, so
that in exile he might destroy the foundation of strangeness and raise the
banner of unity. Therefore, it is the aim of this exiled one, that, God
willing, he may become the Herald and carry the glad tidings of the Kingdom to
the empires of the West. Perchance the splendour of the Beauty of the real
Joseph - the Most Great Name - may my life be a sacrifice to Him - may shine
from the countries of the Occident; and I beg of God that the glances of
mercifulness may assist.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha
Abbas (From a Tablet, Star of the West,
vol. 2, no.10, September 8, 1911)
December 16
Rivalry
between the different races of mankind was first caused by the struggle for existence
among the wild animals. This struggle is no longer necessary: nay, rather
interdependence and co-operation are seen to produce the highest welfare in nations.
The struggle that now continues is caused by prejudice and bigotry.
Today
nothing but the power of the Divine Word, which embraces the Reality of all
things, can draw together the minds, hearts, and spirits of the world under the
shadow of the heavenly Tree of Unity.
The Light
of the Word is now shining on all horizons. Races and nations, with their
different creeds, are coming under the influence of the Word of Unity in love
and in peace.
- 'Abdu'l-Bahá (From a Tablet, Star of the West, vol. 2, no.
9, August 20, 1911)
December 15
The Blessed
One, Bahá'u'lláh, likens the existing world to a tree, and the people to its
fruits, blossoms and leaves. All should be fresh and vigorous, the attainment
of their beauty and proportion depending on the love and unity with which they
sustain each other and seek the Life eternal. The friends of God should become
the manifestors in this world of this mercy and love. They should not dwell on
the shortcomings of others. Ceaselessly should they be thinking how they may
benefit others and show service and co-operation. Thus should they regard every
stranger, putting aside such prejudices and superstitions as might prevent
friendly relations.
- 'Abdu'l-Bahá (From a Tablet, Star of the West, vol.
2, no. 9, August 20, 1911)
December 14
Where love
dwells, there is light! Where animosity dwells, there is darkness!
- 'Abdu'l-Bahá
Abbas (From a Tablet, Star of the West, vol. 2, no. 9, August 20, 1911)
December 13
As to the
terminology I used in my letter, bidding thee to consecrate thyself to service
in the Cause of God, the meaning of it is this: limit thy thoughts to teaching
the Faith. Act by day and night according to the teachings and counsels and
admonitions of Bahá’u’lláh. This doth not preclude marriage. Thou canst take
unto thyself a husband and at the same time serve the Cause of God; the one
doth not preclude the other. Know thou the value of these days; let not this
chance escape thee. Beg thou God to make thee a lighted candle, so that thou
mayest guide a great multitude through this darksome world.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
December 12
God
created man after His own image and likeness . . . but now, behaving contrarily,
man has become more merciless and fearless than rapacious beasts. A beast kills
only one animal each day for his food, while merciless man tears apart a
hundred thousand people in a day merely for fame and dominion. Should a wolf
tear a sheep apart, they would kill it; but if a man massacres a hundred
thousand men in blood and dust, he is given an ovation and is pronounced a
marshall or a general. If a man kills another or sets fire to a house, he is
condemned as a murderer; but if he annihilates an army and overturns a country,
he is called a conqueror and is admired. If a man steals a dollar he is thrown
into prison but if he plunders the homes of people and lays waste a city he is
called a commander and is praised.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, October 4, 1912, San Francisco, USA, recorded by
Mahmud Zarqani; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)
December 11
The
Mashriqu’l-Adhkár is one of the most vital institutions in the world, and it
hath many subsidiary branches. Although it is a House of Worship, it is also
connected with a hospital, a drug dispensary, a traveller’s hospice, a school
for orphans, and a university for advanced studies. Every Mashriqu’l-Adhkár is
connected with these five things. My hope is that the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár will
now be established in America, and that gradually the hospital, the school, the
university, the dispensary and the hospice, all functioning according to the
most efficient and orderly procedures, will follow. Make these matters known to
the beloved of the Lord, so that they will understand how very great is the
importance of this ‘Dawning-Point of the Remembrance of God.’ The Temple is not
only a place for worship; rather, in every respect is it complete and whole.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
December 10
…the religions of
God are the true source of the spiritual and material perfections of man, and
the fountainhead for all mankind of enlightenment and beneficial knowledge… By
the Lord God, and there is no God but He, even the minutest details of
civilized life derive from the grace of the Prophets of God. What thing of
value to mankind has ever come into being which was not first set forth either
directly or by implication in the Holy Scriptures?
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘The Secret of
Divine Civilization’)
December 9
In the early ages of
Islám the peoples of Europe acquired the sciences and arts of civilization from
Islám as practiced by the inhabitants of Andalusia. A careful and thorough
investigation of the historical record will establish the fact that the major part
of the civilization of Europe is derived from Islám; for all the writings of
Muslim scholars and divines and philosophers were gradually collected in Europe
and were with the most painstaking care weighed and debated at academic
gatherings and in the centers of learning, after which their valued contents
would be put to use. Today, numerous copies of the works of Muslim scholars
which are not to be found in Islamic countries, are available in the libraries
of Europe. Furthermore, the laws and principles current in all European
countries are derived to a considerable degree and indeed virtually in their
entirety from the works on jurisprudence and the legal decision of Muslim
theologians. Were it not for the fear of unduly lengthening the present text, We
would cite these borrowings one by one.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘The Secret of Divine
Civilization’)
December 8
O thou dear handmaid of God! If only thou couldst know what
a high station is destined for those souls who are severed from the world, are
powerfully attracted to the Faith, and are teaching, under the sheltering
shadow of Bahá’u’lláh! How thou wouldst rejoice, how thou wouldst, in
exultation and rapture, spread thy wings and soar heavenward—for being a
follower of such a way, and a traveller toward such a Kingdom.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings
of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
December 7
It is related that once in the days of the Apostle of God
[Muhammad] He signified His desire that an army should advance in a certain
direction, and leave was granted unto the faithful to raise contributions for
the holy war. Among many was one man who gave a thousand
camels, each laden with corn, another who gave half his substance, and still
another who offered all that he had. But a woman stricken in years, whose sole
possession was a handful of dates, came to the Apostle and laid at His feet her
humble contribution. Thereupon the Prophet of God—may my life be offered up as
a sacrifice unto Him—bade that this handful of dates be placed over and above
all the contributions that had been gathered, thus asserting the merit and
superiority thereof over all the rest. This was done because that elderly woman
had no other earthly possessions but these.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
December 6
One of the wondrous
events that has of late come to pass is this, that the edifice of the
Mashriqu’l-Adhkár is being raised in the very heart of the American continent,
and numerous souls from the surrounding regions are contributing for the
erection of this holy Temple. Among these is a highly esteemed lady of the city
of Manchester, who hath been moved to offer her share.
Having no portion of
goods and earthly riches, she sheared off with her own hands the fine, long and
precious tresses that adorned her head so gracefully, and offered them for
sale, that the price thereof might promote the cause of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár…
And though this was uncalled
for, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá would not have consented to such a deed, yet as it doth
reveal so high and noble a spirit of devotion, He was deeply touched thereby…
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
December 5
In this
enlightened age everything has been renewed -- sciences have been renewed, new
arts have come into being, new skills have appeared, new thoughts have been
expressed, new inventions have come to light and new discoveries have been
made. In reality, the world of being has become a new world. Thus, the
principles of religion also must be renewed.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, October 4, 1912, San Francisco, USA, recorded by
Mahmud Zarqani; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)
December 4
The phenomenal world is entirely subject to the rule and
control of natural law. These myriad suns, satellites and heavenly bodies
throughout endless space are all captives of nature. They cannot transgress in
a single point or particular the fixed laws which govern the physical universe.
The sun in its immensity, the ocean in its vastness are incapable of violating
these universal laws. All phenomenal beings—the plants in their kingdom, even
the animals with their intelligence—are nature’s subjects and captives. All
live within the bounds of natural law, and nature is the ruler of all except
man. Man is not the captive of nature, for although according to natural law he
is a being of the earth, yet he guides ships over the ocean, flies through the
air in airplanes, descends in submarines; therefore, he has overcome natural
law and made it subservient to his wishes.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a talk, 15 April, 1912, New York; ‘The Promulgation
of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Bahá during His Visit to the
United States and Canada in 1912’)
December 3
After morning prayers, two
Japanese Bahá'ís came to see ‘Abdu'l-Bahá. The Master expressed His happiness
on seeing their faith and sincerity in the Cause, saying:
This is
an historic event. It is out of the ordinary that an Iranian should meet
Japanese people in San Francisco with such love and harmony. This is through
the power of Bahá'u'lláh and calls for our thankfulness and happiness. If it be
said that Bahá'u'lláh brought a man from heaven and another from earth and
caused them to meet midway between the earth and heaven, do not be surprised.
The power of Bahá'u'lláh makes all difficulties simple. I like the Japanese
greatly because they are audacious and intelligent. Whatever they turn their
attention to, it becomes a success.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, October 4, 1912, San Francisco, USA, recorded by
Mahmud Zarqani; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)
December 2
… the affinity and
love manifest in this meeting, the divine susceptibilities witnessed here are
not of this world but of the world of the Kingdom. When the souls become
separated and selfish, the divine bounties do not descend, and the lights of
the Supreme Concourse are no longer reflected even though the bodies meet
together. A mirror with its back turned to the sun has no power to reflect the
sun's effulgence.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From talk at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Howard
MacNutt, 12 April, 1912, New York; ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks
Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in
1912’)
December 1
Regard not the
person of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, for He will eventually take His leave of you all; nay,
fix your gaze upon the Word of God... The loved ones of God must arise with
such steadfastness that should, in one moment, hundreds of souls even as
‘Abdu’l-Bahá Himself be made a target for the darts of woe, nothing whatsoever
shall affect or lessen their ... service to the Cause of God.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Quoted by Shoghi Effendi in ‘God Passes By’)
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