O maid-servant of God! Verily opposition will wax fierce
upon thee and denial and unbelief will day by day increase. People will arise
to oppression and people will torment thee for thou hast believed in God, art
attracted to the fragrances of God and hath spoken His praise among the
maid-servants. They will execrate, revile, curse and oppress thee with acute
tongues. Be not distressed at this; nay, rather continue with an increased
firmness and stanchness in the Cause of God. For through calamity the heart of
Abdu'l-Baha is attracted; through (suffering) oppression the breast of
Abdu'l-Baha is dilated; through enduring afflictions the faithfulness of Abdul-Baha
is proven; through imprisonment the soul of Abdu'l-Baha is cheered; at every
moment he wishes to quaff the cup of sacrifice in the path of God.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha ('Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, vol. 2')
