That Source of
Divine wisdom, that Manifestation of Universal Prophethood [Muhammad],
encouraging mankind to acquire sciences and arts and similar advantages has
commanded them to seek these even in the furthermost reaches of China; yet the
incompetent and caviling doctors forbid this, offering as their justification
the saying, “He who imitates a people is one of them.” They have not even
grasped what is meant by the “imitation” referred to, nor do they know that the
Divine religions enjoin upon and encourage all the faithful to adopt such
principles as will conduce to continuous improvements, and to acquire from
other peoples sciences and arts. Whoever expresses himself to the contrary has
never drunk of the nectar of knowledge and is astray in his own ignorance,
groping after the mirage of his desires.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘The Secret of
Divine Civilization’)
