Counsels and Explanations by 'Abdu'l-Baha : March 2019

March 31

Observe how the power of the Cause of God has created a tumult in the hearts and what a revolution it has produced. See how the aid and assistance of the Abhá Beauty have reached us constantly and invariably the lights of victory have shone from the supreme horizon. These have been from the promised confirmations of the Kingdom of God and the assistance of the invisible sovereignty of the Abhá Beauty, which He has promised clearly in the verse, `Verily, We behold you from Our realm of Glory, and shall aid whosoever will arise for the triumph of Our Cause with the hosts of the Concourse on high and a company of Our favored angels.'

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha to one of His companions aboard the ship as they left America, December 4, New York, recorded by Mahmud Zarqani; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)

March 30

O thou who art steadfast in the Covenant! Thy letter of 9 September 1909 hath been received. Be thou neither grieved nor despondent over what hath come to pass. This trouble overtook thee as thou didst walk the path of God, wherefore it should bring thee joy. We addressed the friends in writing ere this, and made a verbal statement as well, to the effect that the friends in the West will unquestionably have their share of the calamities befalling the friends in the East. It is inevitable that, walking the pathway of Bahá’u’lláh, they too will become targets for persecution by the oppressors.

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

March 29

For nine months I have been touring America, calling the people to the oneness of humanity. I have delivered addresses in churches and large assemblies in many cities, inviting the people to the oneness of mankind and to love and unity. The people of America extended a cordial welcome to me. In fact, Americans are a noble nation, with capacity to acquire every virtue and investigate every truth.

Since I shall leave your shores tomorrow, I bid you farewell. I pray that divine confirmations, heavenly glory and eternal life may be granted to you, so that you may reach the highest pinnacles of the world of man. I am most grateful to you and shall never forget you. I shall ever supplicate at the court of the Almighty and beg divine assistance and heavenly bounty for you.

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, December 4, New York, recorded by Mahmud Zarqani; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)

March 28

Indeed, the attacks and the obstructiveness of the ignorant but cause the Word of God to be exalted, and spread His signs and tokens far and wide. Were it not for this opposition by the disdainful, this obduracy of the slanderers, this shouting from the pulpits, this crying and wailing of great and small alike, these accusations of unbelief levelled by the ignorant, this uproar from the foolish—how could news of the advent of the Primal Point and the bright dawning of the Day-Star of Bahá ever have reached to east and west? How else could the planet have been rocked from pole to pole? How else could Persia have become the focal point of scattering splendours, and Asia Minor the radiating heart of the beauty of the Lord? However else could the flame of the Manifestation have spread into the south? By what means could the cries of God have been heard in the far north? How else could His summons have been heard in the continents of America and of Africa…?

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

March 27

Throughout this endless universe, the greatest means for the progress and renewal of existence is that all things are eaters and eaten. This is a condition that applies to all the particles of the universe, and it is through this means that created things are renewed, transformed into one another, and endowed with a new reality unlike the previous one. And this indeed is the means of renewal.

For instance, in the mineral kingdom the soil absorbs the air and the water and decomposes the creatures within it, and thus enables the existence of plants. The more microscopic animals exist in the soil, the better the plants will grow. And when the plant has grown, it is consumed by the animal, is incorporated in its body, and is endowed with a new existence. Thus it progresses further and assumes a higher reality than that which it initially possessed. This indeed is the means of progress and renewal from the mineral to the vegetable, from the vegetable to the animal, and from the animal to the human world.

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a talk, new resources prepared by the Baha’i World Center, 2019; Baha’i Reference Library)

March 26

...When thou art disdained and rejected by the wicked doers be not cast down; and at the power and stiffneckedness of the presumptuous be neither vexed nor sick at heart; for such is the way of heedless souls, from time out of mind. ‘O the misery of men! No Messenger cometh unto them but they laugh Him to scorn!’ [ Qur’án 36:29]

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

March 25

The fleeting hours of man’s life on earth pass swiftly by and the little that still remaineth shall come to an end, but that which endureth and lasteth for evermore is the fruit that man reapeth from his servitude at the Divine Threshold. Behold the truth of this saying, how abundant and glorious are the proofs thereof in the world of being!

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

March 24

It is impossible that this great bounty should cease, that this divine bestowal should end and that the Sun of Reality should sink forever into a setting not followed by a sunrise, a death not followed by a revival. How can the Sun of Reality, shining from the divine world, remain set forever and be precluded from educating the world of existence? No, by God! The function of the sun is to give illumination. How can it set forever and its effulgence brought to an end? Its bounty is eternal, its luster is ever manifest, its rays are perpetually radiant, its breezes are continually wafting and its bestowals are ever apparent. We must be expectant and hopeful, turning our gaze in the direction of His bountiful Kingdom that through the appearance of these holy Manifestations humanity may attain the blessings of the All-Glorious, that the earth be changed and the contingent world may become a garden and a paradise of delight.

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, December 4, New York, recorded by Mahmud Zarqani; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)

March 23

…when Moses appeared they erred anew, for Pharaoh’s people regarded the teachings and the law of Moses as mere fancy and accorded them no importance, considering their own ideas to represent the truth. But after a short time it became clear and evident that what Moses had proclaimed was indeed the truth and had come to pass, that the religion of God had been put into full effect and had secured the honour and advancement of all Israel, and that it was the thoughts and imaginations of the Egyptians that were the idle fancies...

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a talk, new resources prepared by the Baha’i World Center, 2019; Baha’i Reference Library)

March 22

As to thy question concerning Christ: Know thou, He was perfect in respect to spirit as well as body. His material (body) was a perfect body in every respect; none of His material conditions were imperfect at all, inasmuch as imperfection is contrary to perfection. His heavenly condition was also a perfect one, comprising all the divine perfections. Reflect thou upon these words, so that the door of knowledge may be opened before thy face.

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

March 21

Now Bahá’u’lláh has appeared, the divine teachings and admonitions have been unveiled, the call of the oneness of humanity has been sounded, the banner of the kingdom of peace is flying, and the tabernacle of love and harmony amongst all mankind has been raised in the very heart of the world and is summoning all people. And yet again some ignorant souls imagine that these divine teachings are without foundation and regard their own imaginations as lofty thoughts. But before long it will become manifest that what He has proclaimed is sound, proven, and compelling, and that all other thoughts are vain and idle.

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a talk, new resources prepared by the Baha’i World Center, 2019; Baha’i Reference Library)

March 20

O maid-servant of God! It is incumbent upon thee to supplicate to thy Lord, to seek His nearness with thy heart, to be submissive and humble before His maid-servants and to serve His great vineyard.

Forsake the mortal grades (i.e., things of the world) and be engaged in praising thy Lord; so that His Holy Spirit may assist thee; may make thee a sign of faith and illumine thy heart with the light of assurance, and that thou mayest become a sign of peace, a servant of reconciliation, love and security. Verily, my Merciful Lord is gracious under all aspects!

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

March 19

Know thou, verily, the Kingdom is a magnet of the divine world, and it attracteth the iron of pure hearts which are capable of the bounties of the Lord of Might. Blessed art thou, for thou hast turned unto the Lord of Heaven, thy heart hath relied upon the Light of guidance, thou hast advanced toward the Center of righteousness, and thy spirit is cheered by the bounty of the Supreme Concourse.

Verily, I beseech God to strengthen thee with the Most Great Power, so that the Spirit may pour upon thee the teachings of the Beauty of Abha, and to baptize thee with the water of life, the fire of the love of God and with the spirit of confirmation among the maid-servants.

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

March 18

[Question:] Is the Divine Manifestation, God?

[Answer by ‘Abdu’l-Baha:] Yes, and yet not in Essence. A Divine Manifestation is as a mirror reflecting the light of the Sun. The light is the same and yet the mirror is not the Sun. All the Manifestations of God bring the same Light; they only differ in degree, not in reality. The Truth is one. The light is the same though the lamps may be different; we must look at the Light not at the Lamp. If we accept the Light in one, we must accept the Light in all; all agree, because all are the same. The teaching is ever the same, it is only the outward forms that change.

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Notes of conversations; ‘Abdu’l-Baha in London’)

March 17

Those who would have men believe that religion is their own private property once more bring their efforts to bear against the Sun of Truth: they resist the Command of God; they invent calumnies, not having arguments against it, neither proofs. They attack with masked faces, not daring to come forth into the light of day.

Our methods are different, we do not attack, neither calumniate; we do not wish to dispute with them; we bring forth proofs and arguments; we invite them to confute our statements.

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a talk, Paris, November 20, 1911; ‘Paris Talks’)

March 16

In this glorious Faith marriage arrangements which are made by parents for their children while the latter are young and have not yet attained the age of maturity are not acceptable. This matter is the responsibility of the couple when they attain the age of maturity.

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a Tablet; compilation: ‘Consent of Parents to Marriage’, prepared by the Research Department)

March 15

Know ye that the Torah is that which was revealed in the Tablets to Moses, may peace be upon Him, or that to which He was bidden. But the stories are historical narratives and were written after Moses, may peace be upon Him.

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a Tablet; compilation: ‘Holy Scriptures of previous Dispensations’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice and accompanied a letter dated January 1, 1981 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice)

March 14

This Book is the Holy Book of God, of celestial Inspiration. It is the Bible of

Salvation, the noble Gospel. It is the mystery of the Kingdom and its light. It is the Divine Bounty, the sign of the guidance of God.

- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Written by 'Abdul-Baha in the Bible of the pulpit of the City Temple in London, quoted in "Star of the West", Vol. 2, No. 11; compilation: ‘Holy Scriptures of previous Dispensations’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice and accompanied a letter dated January 1, 1981 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice)

March 13

The connection between God and His creation is that of the originator and the originated, of the sun and the dark bodies of the universe, of the craftsman and his handiwork. Not only is the sun sanctified in its very essence above all the bodies that receive its illumination, but its light is also, in its essence, sanctified from and independent of the earth. So, though the earth is nurtured by the sun and is the recipient of its light, the sun and its rays are nonetheless sanctified above it. But were it not for the sun, the earth and all terrestrial life could not exist.

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

March 12

O ye the sincere loved ones of the Abhá Beauty! In these days the Cause of God, the world over, is fast growing in power and, day by day, is spreading further and further to the utmost bounds of the earth. Its enemies, therefore, from all the kindreds and peoples of the world, are growing aggressive, malevolent, envious and bitterly hostile. It is incumbent upon the loved ones of God to exercise the greatest care and prudence in all things, whether great or small, to take counsel together and unitedly resist the onslaught of the stirrers up of strife and the movers of mischief. They must endeavour to consort in a friendly spirit with everyone, must follow moderation in their conduct, must have respect and consideration one for another and show loving-kindness and tender regard to all the peoples of the world. They must be patient and long-suffering, that they may grow to become the divine magnets of the Abhá Kingdom and acquire the dynamic power of the hosts of the realm on high.

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

March 11

This is the first age, and the early beginnings of the dispensation of the Most Great Light, wherefore, within this century, virtues must be acquired, goodly qualities must be perfected within this span of time. In these very days the Abhá Paradise must pitch its pavilions on the plains of the world. The lights of reality must now be revealed, and the secrets of God’s bestowals must now be made known, and now must the olden grace shine forth and this world change into the pleasure-ground of heaven, the garden of God. And out of pure hearts, and through heavenly bounties, all the perfections, qualities and attributes of the divine must now be made manifest.

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

March 10

…amidst all the peoples of the world must the beloved arise, with a heart even as the day-star, a strong inward urge, a shining brow, a musk-scented breath, a tongue speaking ever of God, an exposition crystal-clear, a high resolve, a power born of heaven, a spiritual character, a confirmation nothing short of the divine. Let them one and all become as a splendour on the horizon of heaven, and in the skies of the world a dazzling star. Let them be fruitful trees in the celestial bowers, sweet-scented blooms in the divine gardens; let them be verses of perfection on the page of the universe, words of oneness in the Book of Life.

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

March 9

In this day, any deed, however infinitesimal, when not performed for the sake of God, is manifest loss; and any word, when not uttered for the sake of God, can cause a conflagration.

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a Tablet; compilation: ‘Give Me Thy Grace to Serve Thy Loved Ones’, prepared by the prepared by the International Teaching Centre for the Continental Counsellors and their Auxiliaries, May 2018, online Baha’i Reference Library of the World Center)

March 8

Know thou that in every word and movement of the obligatory prayer there are allusions, mysteries and a wisdom that man is unable to comprehend, and letters and scrolls cannot contain.

- ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (From a Tablet; compilation: ‘Prayer and Devotional Life, prepared by the Baha’i World Center February, 2019)

March 7

Rest not, even for an instant, and seek not comfort, even for a moment; rather labour with heart and soul that thou mayest render devoted service to but one amongst the friends and bring happiness and joy to but one luminous heart. This is true bounty, and by it the brow of'Abdu'l-Baha is illumined. Be thou my partner and associate therein.

March 6

When your hearts are wholly attracted to the one true God you will acquire divine knowledge, will become attentive to the proofs and testimonies and will commit to memory the glad-tidings concerning the Manifestation of the Beauty of the All-Merciful, as mentioned in the heavenly Scriptures. Then ye shall behold how wondrous are His confirmations and how gracious is His assistance.

- ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (From a Tablet; compilation: ‘Prayer and Devotional Life, prepared by the Baha’i World Center February, 2019)

March 5

We should memorize the Hidden Words, follow the exhortations of the Incomparable Lord, and conduct ourselves in a manner which befitteth our servitude at the threshold of the one true God.

- ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (From a Tablet; compilation: ‘Prayer and Devotional Life, prepared by the Baha’i World Center February, 2019)

March 4

O ye loved ones of God! Out of gratitude for firmness in the eternal Covenant arise to serve the threshold of the omnipotent Lord, observe obligatory prayer and fasting, and spend your time in diffusing the sweet savours of God and in spreading the Divine verses. Tear asunder the veils, remove the obstacles, proffer the life-giving waters, and point out the path of salvation. This is what 'Abdu'l-Bahá admonisheth you every morn and eve.

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a Tablet; compilation: ‘The Importance of Obligatory Prayer and Fasting’, compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice; published in The American Baha'i, September 2000)

March 3

A letter which was signed by you in general was received. Its content was of the utmost beauty, sweetness, eloquence and perfection. While reading it the utmost happiness was produced. It spoke of fasting during the month of the Fast. Happy is your condition for you have executed the divine command; and have arisen to fast in these blessed days. For this physical fasting is a symbol of the spiritual fasting, that is, abstaining from all carnal desires, becoming characterized with the attributes of the spiritual ones, attracted to the heavenly fragrances and enkindled with the fire of the love of God.

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

March 2

Fasting is the cause of the elevation of one's spiritual station.

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a Tablet; compilation ‘The Importance of Obligatory Prayer and Fasting’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice; The American Baha’i September 2000)

March 1

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Compilation: ‘The Importance of Obligatory Prayer and Fasting’, compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice; published in The American Baha'i, September 2000)