May 31

Convey the greetings of this imprisoned one to the beloved of God in the spiritual assembly of Kenosha. Say unto them: “The Cause is Great! Great! and the Kingdom of the Majestic Lord overshadoweth heaven and earth. Your spiritual assembly should be a source of joy to the world of humanity and be so illumined with light as to dispel the darkened horizons, withstand the power of tests, remain firm and constant, be not disturbed by ordeals and feel no difficulty in spreading the light of guidance. If ye attain this attitude of firmness, the confirmation of the Divine will verily penetrate the world through your meeting. But this requires disinterestedness in worldly things and devotion to the Kingdom of ABHA, perseverance and effort are requisites and firmness is a necessity. I beg God to illumine the faces of each of you so that they may shine as stars in the high firmament.” 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, vol. 1’)

May 30

O thou servant who art near and dear to the Glorious Threshold!

Give thanks to God for having been ushered into His Kingdom, partaken of the heavenly table and the “lord’s supper,” attained ecstasy by the wine of His love, become enrolled as a soldier for life among the hosts of the Lord, and [for His having] blessed thy head with a crown of great guidance, whose gems and pearls illumine the ages. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, vol. 1’)

May 29

O ye beloved of God! As long as ye can strive to set aglow the hearts with love, be attracted to one another and be members of each other. Every soul of the beloved ones must adore the other and withhold not his possession and life from them, and by all means he must endeavor to make that other joyous and happy. But that other (the recipient of such love) must also be disinterested and life-sacrificing. Thus may this Sunrise flood the horizons, this melody gladden and make happy all the people, this divine remedy become the panacea for every disease, this Spirit of Reality become the cause of life for every soul. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, vol. 1’)

May 28

A few stations beyond Cincinnati, a doctor sitting near the Master asked permission to speak with Him and inquired about the object of His journey. The Master said to the doctor:

My aim is to create harmony and concord among the different groups and to eradicate prejudice, hatred and enmity so that the peoples and nations of the world may become brothers and well-wishers of mankind and not engage in wars and massacres, and that catastrophes such as that in the Balkans with their bloodshed and annihilation of families may not occur again. Until such events cease, humanity will find no rest, the tabernacle of universal peace will not be raised and the oneness of the world of man will not be realized. We are all the flock of God, members of the same human race and the creatures of one Creator. God is kind to all and His bounties are equally bestowed upon all. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, November 5, Cincinnati, recorded by Mahmud Zarqani; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)

May 27

Sixty years ago Bahá'u'lláh… advocated the establishment of universal peace and the oneness of humanity. The Sháh of Persia and the Sultán of Turkey threw us into prison. They killed twenty thousand of us hoping that this Cause would be annihilated and that these teachings of Bahá'u'lláh would be forgotten. But in spite of these obstacles the religion of Bahá'u'lláh progressed day by day. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, November 5, Cincinnati, recorded by Mahmud Zarqani; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)

May 26

O Friends of the Pure and Omnipotent God! To be pure and holy in all things is an attribute of the consecrated soul and a necessary characteristic of the unenslaved mind. The best of perfections is immaculacy and the freeing of oneself from every defect. Once the individual is, in every respect, cleansed and purified, then will he become a focal centre reflecting the Manifest Light. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)

May 25

…the world of humanity cannot truly advance through mere physical powers and intellectual attainments. Nay rather, in order that the world may really and wonderfully advance, the protection of the Holy Spirit is needed; the Divine Father must assist the human world to attain maturity. The human body is in need of material force, but the spirit has need of the Holy Spirit. Were it not for the protection of the Holy Spirit the human world would be extinguished.

His Holiness Jesus Christ declared "Let the dead bury the dead." This statement of His Holiness indicates “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit," and it becomes manifest that the human spirit which is not protected beneath the Holy Spirit is dead. It is clear that the human spirit is in need of the resuscitation of the Holy Spirit, otherwise though materially advanced, man cannot attain frill and complete progress. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (From a talk, June 9, 1912’ Baptist Temple, Philadelphia; Star of the West, vol. 5, no. 7, July 13, 1914)

May 24

As soon as the Báb revealed His Cause, Bahá’u’lláh proclaimed: “This great Man is the Lord of the righteous, and it is incumbent upon all to bear allegiance unto Him.” He arose to promote the Cause of the Báb, adducing decisive proofs and conclusive arguments of His truth. Although the divines of the nation had obliged the Persian government to exert the most vehement opposition; although they had all issued decrees ordering the massacre, pillage, persecution, and annihilation of the Báb’s followers; and although throughout the land the people had undertaken to kill, burn, and plunder them, and even harass their women and children—despite all this, Bahá’u’lláh was engaged, with the utmost constancy and composure, in exalting the word of the Báb. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (Table talks in Akka, authenticated by ‘Abdu’l-Baha; ‘Some Answered Questions’ – 2014 revised translation by the Baha’i World Centre)

May 23

The government, the nation, the clergy, and prominent leaders sought to extinguish His [the Báb’s] light, but to no avail. At last His moon rose, His star shone forth, His foundation was secured, and His horizon was flooded with light. He trained a large multitude through divine education and exerted a marvellous influence upon the thoughts, customs, morals, and manners of the Persians. He proclaimed the glad-tidings of the manifestation of the Sun of Bahá to all His followers and readied them for faith and certitude. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (Table talks in Akka, authenticated by ‘Abdu’l-Baha; ‘Some Answered Questions’ – 2014 revised translation by the Baha’i World Centre)

May 22

Alone, He [the Báb] undertook a task that can scarcely be conceived, for the Persians are known throughout the world for their religious fanaticism. This illustrious Being arose with such power as to shake the foundations of the religious laws, customs, manners, morals, and habits of Persia, and instituted a new law, faith, and religion. Though the eminent men of the State, the majority of the people, and the leaders of religion arose one and all to destroy and annihilate Him, He single-handedly withstood them and set all of Persia in motion. How numerous the divines, the leaders, and the inhabitants of that land who with perfect joy and gladness offered up their lives in His path and hastened to the field of martyrdom! 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (Table talks in Akka, authenticated by ‘Abdu’l-Baha; ‘Some Answered Questions’ – 2014 revised translation by the Baha’i World Centre)

May 21

As for the Báb — may my soul be His sacrifice!—it was at a young age, that is, in the twenty-fifth year of His blessed life, that He arose to proclaim His Cause. Among the Shí‘ihs it is universally acknowledged that He never studied in any school, nor acquired learning from any teacher. To this the people of Shíráz, each and all, bear witness. Nevertheless, He suddenly appeared before the people, endowed with consummate knowledge, and though but a merchant, confounded all the divines of Persia. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (Table talks in Akka, authenticated by ‘Abdu’l-Baha; ‘Some Answered Questions’ – 2014 revised translation by the Baha’i World Centre)

May 20

The same education for all mankind is a necessity. All the standards of education in schools must be the same, that is to say the same curriculum should be followed and the basis of ethics should be one. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (From a talk, June 9, 1912’ Baptist Temple, Philadelphia; Star of the West, vol. 5, no. 7, July 13, 1914)

May 19

The soul is a link between the body and the spirit. It receives bounties and virtues from the spirit and gives them to the body just as the outward senses carry to the inward senses what they receive from the outer world in order that it may remain deposited in the memory and may be made serviceable by man through his power. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (Responding to a question aboard the Cedric, April 2, 1912, recorded by Mahmud Zarqani; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)

May 18

Whatever a man’s tongue speaketh, that let him prove by his deeds. If he claimeth to be a believer, then let him act in accordance with the precepts of the Abhá Kingdom. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)

May 17

So long as the mother faileth to train her children, and start them on a proper way of life, the training which they receive later on will not take its full effect. It is incumbent upon the Spiritual Assemblies to provide the mothers with a well-planned programme for the education of children, showing how, from infancy, the child must be watched over and taught. These instructions must be given to every mother to serve her as a guide, so that each will train and nurture her children in accordance with the Teachings. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)

May 16

[One of the friends asked ‘Abdu’l-Baha about the leaders and Hands of the Cause in this Dispensation.]

‘Abdu’l-Baha said:

The Blessed Perfection has extirpated superstitions, root and branch. The Hands of the Cause in this dispensation are not heirs to any name or title; rather, they are sanctified souls, the rays of whose holiness and spirituality throw light on the hearts of all. Hearts are attracted by the beauty of their morals, the sincerity of their intentions, and their sense of equity and justice. Souls are involuntarily enamored of their praiseworthy morals and laudable attributes. Faces turn in spontaneous attraction to their outstanding qualities and actions. `Hand of the Cause' is not a title that may be awarded to whomever it may please to have it, nor is it a chair of honor upon which whoever wishes may sit. The Hands of the Cause are the hands of God. Therefore, whomsoever is the servant and promoter of the Word of God, he is the hand of God. The object is a matter of the spirit and not one of letters or words. The more self-effacing one is, the more assisted he is in the Cause of God; and the more meek and humble, the nearer he is to God. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (Responding to a question aboard the Cedric, April 2, 1912, recorded by Mahmud Zarqani; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)

May 15

Among the teachings of Baha’u’llah are principles which concern the readjustment of livelihood, that is to say, certain regulations are revealed which insure the welfare and well-being of all humanity. Just as the rich man enjoys his rest and his pleasures surrounded by luxuries, the poor man must likewise have a home be provided with sustenance, and not be in want. In order that all human kind may be at ease, the readjustment of the economic situation is necessary and of the utmost importance; until this is effected, happiness is impossible. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (From a talk, June 9, 1912’ Baptist Temple, Philadelphia; Star of the West, vol. 5, no. 7, July 13, 1914)

May 14

O ye loving mothers, know ye that in God’s sight, the best of all ways to worship Him is to educate the children and train them in all the perfections of humankind; and no nobler deed than this can be imagined. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)

May 13

O handmaid of God!... To the mothers must be given the divine Teachings and effective counsel, and they must be encouraged and made eager to train their children, for the mother is the first educator of the child. It is she who must, at the very beginning, suckle the newborn at the breast of God’s Faith and God’s Law, that divine love may enter into him even with his mother’s milk, and be with him till his final breath. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)

May 12

[An American passenger aboard the ship asked ‘Abdu’l-Baha whether the Bahá'í Faith accepted the Bible.]

‘Abdu'l-Bahá replied:

This Cause acknowledges the truth of all the Books and all the Manifestations of God. The heavenly teachings are composed of two kinds of commandments. One kind is concerned with spiritual verities, with the perfections and virtues of the world of humanity. These commandments never change or alter. Each of the Books and the Prophets was the promulgator of these principles upon which all the religions are based, hence the foundation of all the divine religions is one. The second category of commandments is concerned with material principles and social issues. These are altered according to the exigencies of the age. For example, at the time of Christ the social laws of the Torah were changed. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (Responding to a question aboard the Cedric, March 27, 1912, recorded by Mahmud Zarqani; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)

May 11

Verily, I say unto you that the Word of God has assuredly been explained and has become an evident sign and a strong and solid proof, and its traces shall be spread in the East and West, and to these all heads shall bow and all souls shall submit and kneel down with their faces to the ground. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, vol. 1)

May 10

Everything that nurtures prejudice, whether that prejudice be religious, sectarian, patriotic or political, is a destroyer of the firm foundation of humanity. Prejudice is the destroyer of human happiness, no matter what form it assumes. Until existing prejudices pass away it is impossible for the world of humanity to advance. Everywhere we witness religious, racial, sectarian, patriotic or political bias or partisanship.

For six thousand years the world of humanity has been restless and the cause of its restlessness is prejudice. As long as prejudice remains, warfare will continue, animosity and hatred will prevail. Therefore, if we seek to establish peace we must cast aside all these prejudices for otherwise it is impossible to find agreement and composure. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (From a talk, June 9, 1912’ Baptist Temple, Philadelphia; Star of the West, vol. 5, no. 7, July 13, 1914)

May 9

What a great difference exists between men. One person degrades himself to such a degree that he idolizes and worships stones, lifeless images, motionless effigies, notwithstanding that God has given him understanding and favored him with the honored robe of humanity! Another person reaches such a pinnacle of perfection that he becomes a sign of God and an educator of the world of humanity! Consider what a great distance there is between the one and the other. Although the object of both Buddha and Krishna was the one God and they proclaimed the unity of God, yet now their followers cling to and believe in idols and images. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (Commenting aboard the Cedric, March 27, 1912, recorded by Mahmud Zarqani; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)

May 8

Those who have provided the means for transporting arms and ammunition and the instruments of wars and massacres on earth will do so in the air. There will come to exist such instruments as to cause all the means of destruction in the past to be looked upon as children's playthings. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (Responding to a question aboard the Cedric, April 2, 1912, recorded by Mahmud Zarqani; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)

May 7

It is the hope of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá that those youthful souls in the schoolroom of the deeper knowledge will be tended by one who traineth them to love. May they all, throughout the reaches of the spirit, learn well of the hidden mysteries; so well that in the Kingdom of the All-Glorious, each one of them, even as a nightingale endowed with speech, will cry out the secrets of the Heavenly Realm, and like unto a longing lover pour forth his sore need and utter want of the Beloved. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)

May 6

[An American passenger aboard the ship asked ‘Abdu’l-Baha about reincarnation]

‘Abdu'l-Bahá answered:

It is not as people have understood. What is intended is the return of pre-existent attributes and perfections in new forms. Moreover, in all realms of existence the spirits are in a state of development; for instance, the mineral spirit ascends and progresses to the vegetable kingdom, and the vegetable spirit to the animal kingdom, and the animal spirit to the human kingdom. In like manner, the human spirit ascends into the divine worlds and the exalted realms. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (Responding to a question aboard the Cedric, March 27, 1912, recorded by Mahmud Zarqani; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)

May 5

It is incumbent upon you to strip yourselves of every old garment (i.e., old beliefs and past customs). It is incumbent upon you to be severed from this contemptible earthly world. It is incumbent upon you (to seek after) the Kingdom, in this great Day!

Purify ye your hearts, sanctify your souls and cleanse your spirits; so that ye may attain to this great success. Then ye will become the angels of heaven, will enter among the Supreme Concourse and will permanently abide in the paradise of union (with God), and will be associated with the Beauty of Abha. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, vol. 1)

May 4

…Religion must correspond with science. For God has endowed man with mind or reason whereby he is required to determine the verity of propositions. If religious questions be contrary to the standards of science, they are no other than pure superstition and imagination. For the opposite of knowledge is ignorance. Unquestionably religion must agree with science. It must be reasonable in order that it may instill man with confidence. If a question be contrary to reason and science, it is impossible for man to attain confidence; he will always be vacillating. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (From a talk, June 9, 1912’ Baptist Temple, Philadelphia; Star of the West, vol. 5, no. 7, July 13, 1914)

May 3

Ye are the angels, if your feet be firm, your spirits rejoiced, your secret thoughts pure, your eyes consoled, your ears opened, your breasts dilated with joy, and your souls gladdened, and if you arise to assist the Covenant, to resist dissension and to be attracted to the Effulgence! 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, vol. 1)

May 2

O people of loyalty, O people of faithfulness, O people who are awakened by the Breath of God, O people who are inhaling the scent of life from the Spirit of God! The path hath become smooth, the way straightened, the carpet of the Kingdom is spread, the Tabernacle hath been elevated upon the Hill of Might, the powers of heaven have been shaken, the corners of the earth have quaked, the sun has been darkened, the moon ceased to give light, the stars have fallen, the nations of the earth have lamented, and the Son of Man hath come upon the clouds of heaven with power and great glory, and He hath sent His angels with the sound of the great trumpet, and no one knows the meaning of these emblems save the wise and informed. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, vol. 1)

May 1

Among the principles of Baha’u’llah is one which concerns the equality of men and women; that men and women are all the progeny of Adam. For female and the male gender are not particularized to humanity. Gender also exists in the vegetable and animal kingdoms, but without distinction or preference. Consider that in the vegetable kingdom there is no preference whatsoever between male and female; there is complete equality. Likewise in the animal kingdom, between male and the female there is no preference whatever; all are beneath the protection of God. Man is the noblest of creatures. Is it becoming that he should observe such distinction? Unquestionably it is not. The lack of progress and development by women has been due to the lack of equal education. If women had been educated equally with men, there is no doubt that they would be the peers of men, and that the capacities of the men would be acquired by them. The happiness of mankind will be realized when women advance equally with men. Then will it be complete. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (From a talk, June 9, 1912’ Baptist Temple, Philadelphia; Star of the West, vol. 5, no. 7, July 13, 1914)