Briefly, all His[Baha’u’llah’s] adversaries in the Orient
acknowledged His greatness, grandeur, knowledge and virtue; and though they
were His enemies, they always spoke of Him as “the renowned Bahá’u’lláh.”
At the time when this great Light suddenly arose upon the
horizon of Persia, all the people, the ministers, the ‘ulamá and men of other
classes rose against Him, pursuing Him with the greatest animosity, and
proclaiming “that this man wishes to suppress and destroy the religion, the
law, the nation and the empire.” The same was said of Christ. But Bahá’u’lláh
alone and without support resisted them all, without ever showing the least
weakness. At last they said, “As long as this man is in Persia, there will be
no peace and tranquillity; we must banish him, so that Persia may return to a
state of quietude.” (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Some Answered Questions’)
March 30
Now I want to tell you about the law of God. According to the Divine law, employees should not
be paid merely by wages. Nay, rather they should be partners in every work. The
question of socialization is very difficult. It will not be solved by strikes
for wages.
All the governments of the world must be united, and organize an assembly, the
members of which shall be elected from the parliaments and the noble ones of the nations.
These must plan with wisdom and power, so that neither the capitalists
suffer enormous
losses, nor the laborers become needy. In the utmost moderation they should make the
law, then announce to the public that the rights of the working people are to be
effectively preserved; also the rights of the capitalists are to be protected. When such a
general law is adopted, by the will of both sides, should a strike occur, all
the governments
of the world should collectively resist it. Otherwise the work will lead to
much destruction, especially in Europe. Terrible things will take place. (‘Abdu'l-Bahá, from
a talk, Dublin, New Hampshire, 1912; ‘Baha'u'llah and the New Era’, by Dr. J.E.
Esslemont)
March 29
Praise be to Him through Whose splendours the earth and the
heavens are aglow, through Whose fragrant breathings the gardens of holiness
that adorn the hearts of the chosen are trembling for joy, to Him Who hath shed
His light and brightened the face of the firmament. Verily there appeared
luminous and sparkling stars, glittering, shining out, and casting forth their
rays upon the supreme horizon. They derived their grace and brilliance from the
bounties of the Abhá Realm, then, stars of guidance, they poured down their
lights upon this earth.
Praise be to Him Who hath fashioned this new era, this age of majesty, even as an unfolding pageant where the realities of all things can be exposed to view. Now are clouds of bounty raining down and the gifts of the loving Lord are clearly manifest; for both the seen and the unseen worlds have been illumined, and the Promised One hath come to earth and the beauty of the Adored One hath shone forth. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
Praise be to Him Who hath fashioned this new era, this age of majesty, even as an unfolding pageant where the realities of all things can be exposed to view. Now are clouds of bounty raining down and the gifts of the loving Lord are clearly manifest; for both the seen and the unseen worlds have been illumined, and the Promised One hath come to earth and the beauty of the Adored One hath shone forth. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
March 28
The gift of God to this enlightened age is the knowledge of
the oneness of mankind and of the fundamental oneness of religion. War shall
cease between nations, and by the will of God the Most Great Peace shall come;
the world will be seen as a new world, and all men will live as brothers. (‘Abdu’l-Baha,
from an address given at London’s
City Temple, Sunday, September 10th, 1911; ‘’Abdu’l-Baha in London’)
March 27
When a man turns his face to God he finds sunshine
everywhere. All men are his brothers. Let not conventionality cause you to seem
cold and unsympathetic when you meet strange people from other countries. Do
not look at them as though you suspected them of being evil-doers, thieves and
boors. You think it necessary to be very careful, not to expose yourselves to
the risk of making acquaintance with such, possibly, undesirable people.
March 26
The sacred and youthful branch, the Guardian of the Cause of
God, as well as the Universal House of Justice to be universally elected and
established, are both under the care and protection of the Abhá Beauty, under
the shelter and unerring guidance of the Exalted One (may my life be offered up
for them both). Whatsoever they decide is of God. Whoso obeyeth him not,
neither obeyeth them, hath not obeyed God; whoso rebelleth against him and
against them hath rebelled against God; whoso opposeth him hath opposed God;
whoso contendeth with them hath contended with God; whoso disputeth with him
hath disputed with God; whoso denieth him hath denied God; whoso disbelieveth
in him hath disbelieved in God; whoso deviateth, separateth himself and turneth
aside from him hath in truth deviated, separated himself and turned aside from
God. May the wrath, the fierce indignation, the vengeance of God rest upon him!
The mighty stronghold shall remain impregnable and safe through obedience to
him who is the Guardian of the Cause of God. It is incumbent upon the members
of the House of Justice, upon all the Aghsán, the Afnán, the Hands of
the Cause of God to show their obedience, submissiveness and subordination unto
the Guardian of the Cause of God, to turn unto him and be lowly before him. He
that opposeth him hath opposed the True One, will make a breach in the Cause of
God, will subvert His Word and will become a manifestation of the Center of
Sedition. Beware, beware, lest the days after the ascension (of Bahá’u’lláh) be
repeated when the Center of Sedition waxed haughty and rebellious and with
Divine Unity for his excuse deprived himself and perturbed and poisoned others.
No doubt every vainglorious one that purposeth dissension and discord will not
openly declare his evil purposes, nay rather, even as impure gold, will he
seize upon divers measures and various pretexts that he may separate the
gathering of the people of Bahá. My object is to show that the Hands of the
Cause of God must be ever watchful and so soon as they find anyone beginning to
oppose and protest against the Guardian of the Cause of God, cast him out from
the congregation of the people of Bahá and in no wise accept any excuse from
him. How often hath grievous error been disguised in the garb of truth, that it
might sow the seeds of doubt in the hearts of men! (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘The Will and
Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
March 25
After
the Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh I did everything within my power to promote the
Cause of God. I clung to spiritual methods and rendered such servitude at the
Threshold of God so that the divine Cause might advance throughout the world.
And my correspondence was so heavy that, at the time of the death of an
American maidservant of God, my letters to her were counted and numbered
sixty-seven; so you can imagine the situation! (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, Montclair,
USA, June 24, 1912; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)
March 24
O noble friends; seekers after God! Praise be to God! Today
the light of Truth is shining upon the world in its abundance; the breezes of
the heavenly garden are blowing throughout all regions; the call of the Kingdom
is heard in all lands, and the breath of the Holy Spirit is felt in all hearts
that are faithful. The Spirit of God is giving eternal life. In this wonderful
age the East is enlightened, the West is fragrant, and everywhere the soul
inhales the holy perfume. The sea of the unity of mankind is lifting up its
waves with joy, for there is real communication between the hearts and minds of
men. The banner of the Holy Spirit is uplifted, and men see it, and are assured
with the knowledge that this is a new day.
This is a new cycle of human power. All the horizons of the world are luminous, and the world will become indeed as a garden and a paradise. It is the hour of unity of the sons of men and of the drawing together of all races and all classes. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, from an address given at London’s City Temple, Sunday, September 10th, 1911; ‘’Abdu’l-Baha in London’)
This is a new cycle of human power. All the horizons of the world are luminous, and the world will become indeed as a garden and a paradise. It is the hour of unity of the sons of men and of the drawing together of all races and all classes. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, from an address given at London’s City Temple, Sunday, September 10th, 1911; ‘’Abdu’l-Baha in London’)
March 23
O people of Persia! The heart is a divine trust; cleanse it
from the stain of self-love, adorn it with the coronal of pure intent, until
the sacred honor, the abiding greatness of this illustrious nation may shine
out like the true morning in an auspicious heaven. This handful of days on
earth will slip away like shadows and be over. Strive then that God may shed
His grace upon you, that you may leave a favorable remembrance in the hearts
and on the lips of those to come. “And grant that I be spoken of with honor by
posterity.” [Qur’án 26:84]
Happy the soul that shall forget his own good, and like the chosen ones of God, vie with his fellows in service to the good of all; until, strengthened by the blessings and perpetual confirmations of God, he shall be empowered to raise this mighty nation up to its ancient pinnacles of glory, and restore this withered land to sweet new life, and as a spiritual springtime, array those trees which are the lives of men with the fresh leaves, the blossoms and fruits of consecrated joy. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘The Secret of Divine Civilization’)
Happy the soul that shall forget his own good, and like the chosen ones of God, vie with his fellows in service to the good of all; until, strengthened by the blessings and perpetual confirmations of God, he shall be empowered to raise this mighty nation up to its ancient pinnacles of glory, and restore this withered land to sweet new life, and as a spiritual springtime, array those trees which are the lives of men with the fresh leaves, the blossoms and fruits of consecrated joy. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘The Secret of Divine Civilization’)
March 22
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 economical
situation is necessary and of utmost importance; until this is effected
happiness is impossible. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, from a talk, Philadelphia, June 9, 1912
‘Star of the West, vol. 23, no. 3, June 1932)
March 21
At the time of the vernal equinox in the material world a
wonderful vibrant energy and new life-quickening is observed everywhere in the
vegetable kingdom; the animal and human kingdoms are resuscitated and move
forward with a new impulse. The whole world is born anew, resurrected. Gentle
zephyrs are set in motion, wafting and fragrant; flowers bloom; the trees are
in blossom, the air temperate and delightful; how pleasant and beautiful become
the mountains, fields and meadows. Likewise, the spiritual bounty and
springtime of God quicken the world of humanity with a new animus and
vivification. All the virtues which have been deposited and potential in human
hearts are being revealed from that Reality as flowers and blossoms from divine
gardens. It is a day of joy, a time of happiness, a period of spiritual growth.
I beg of God that this divine spiritual civilization may have the fullest
impression and effect upon you. May you become as growing plants. May the trees
of your hearts bring forth new leaves and variegated blossoms. May ideal fruits
appear from them in order that the world of humanity, which has grown and
developed in material civilization, may be quickened in the bringing forth of
spiritual ideals. Just as human intellects have revealed the secrets of matter
and have brought forth from the realm of the invisible the mysteries of nature,
may minds and spirits, likewise, come into the knowledge of the verities of
God, and the realities of the Kingdom be made manifest in human hearts. Then
the world will be the paradise of Abhá, the standard of the Most Great Peace
will be borne aloft, and the oneness of the world of humanity in all its
beauty, glory and significance will become apparent. And now in your presence I
wish to pray in your behalf. Let your hearts be attentive and directed to the
Kingdom of Abhá. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, from a talk, 21 April, 1912, Washington DC; ‘The
Promulgation of Universal Peace’) (To read the entire talk please visit Talksof ‘Abdu’l-Baha)
March 20
Be thankful unto God that Bahá’u’lláh has given us a firm
and solid foundation. He left no place for sadness in hearts, and the writings
of His sacred pen contain consolation for the whole world. He had the words of
truth, and anything that is contrary to His teaching is false. The chief aim of
all His work was to do away with division.
The testament of Bahá’u’lláh is a Rain of Goodness, a Sun of Truth, Water of Life, the Holy Spirit. Thus open your hearts to receive the full power of His Beauty, and I will pray for you all that this joy may be yours. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Paris Talks’)
The testament of Bahá’u’lláh is a Rain of Goodness, a Sun of Truth, Water of Life, the Holy Spirit. Thus open your hearts to receive the full power of His Beauty, and I will pray for you all that this joy may be yours. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Paris Talks’)
March 19
This is the springtime of Bahá’u’lláh. The verdure and
foliage of spiritual growth are appearing in great abundance in the gardens of
human hearts. Know ye the value of these passing days and vanishing nights.
Strive to attain a station of absolute love one toward another. By the absence
of love, enmity increases. By the exercise of love, love strengthens and
enmities dwindle away. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, excerpt from a talk given in New York, 12
April, 1912; ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace’)
March 18
You must always be happy. You must
associate with joyous and happy people and be adorned with divine morals.
Happiness has a direct influence in preserving our health while being upset
causes illness. The basis of eternal happiness is spirituality and divine
virtue, which is not followed by sorrow. But physical happiness is subject to a
thousand changes and vicissitudes.
Have you heard the story of the emperor who looked into the mirror and became very sad and despondent? He said, `Oh! What a healthy and vigorous body I had but how worn it has become now! What a handsome face I had but how ugly it has become now! What graceful stature I had but how bent my body has become with age!' Thus he spoke one by one of the physical conditions of his youth and expressed his sadness at their loss. Such is the end of the physical happiness. (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, New York, June 19, 1912; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)
Have you heard the story of the emperor who looked into the mirror and became very sad and despondent? He said, `Oh! What a healthy and vigorous body I had but how worn it has become now! What a handsome face I had but how ugly it has become now! What graceful stature I had but how bent my body has become with age!' Thus he spoke one by one of the physical conditions of his youth and expressed his sadness at their loss. Such is the end of the physical happiness. (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, New York, June 19, 1912; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)
March 17
Thou didst write of reincarnation. A belief in reincarnation
goeth far back into the ancient history of almost all peoples, and was held
even by the philosophers of Greece, the Roman sages, the ancient Egyptians, and
the great Assyrians. Nevertheless such superstitions and sayings are but
absurdities in the sight of God.
The major argument of the reincarnationists was this, that according to the justice of God, each must receive his due: whenever a man is afflicted with some calamity, for example, this is because of some wrong he hath committed. But take a child that is still in its mother’s womb, the embryo but newly formed, and that child is blind, deaf, lame, defective—what sin hath such a child committed, to deserve its afflictions? They answer that, although to outward seeming the child, still in the womb, is guilty of no sin—nevertheless he perpetrated some wrong when in his previous form, and thus he came to deserve his punishment.
The major argument of the reincarnationists was this, that according to the justice of God, each must receive his due: whenever a man is afflicted with some calamity, for example, this is because of some wrong he hath committed. But take a child that is still in its mother’s womb, the embryo but newly formed, and that child is blind, deaf, lame, defective—what sin hath such a child committed, to deserve its afflictions? They answer that, although to outward seeming the child, still in the womb, is guilty of no sin—nevertheless he perpetrated some wrong when in his previous form, and thus he came to deserve his punishment.
March 16
O ye beloved of the Lord!
The Cause of God hath never had any place for denouncing others as infidel or
profligate, nor hath it allowed anyone to humiliate or belittle another.
Contend and wrangle not with any man, and seek ye not the abasement of any soul.
Disparage not anyone's name, and wish no harm upon anyone. Defile not your
tongues with calumny, and engage ye not in backbiting. Lift not the veil from
the doings of others, and so long as a person professeth to be steadfast,
remonstrate not with him, nor expose him.
Let not these very words be a pretext for dispute and contention. Through your constancy and steadfastness destroy the edifice of vacillation, and by your faithful adherence and scrupulous observance, strengthen the foundations of the Cause of God. Leave the people of negligence unto themselves and refer them for judgement to the Lord of the Covenant and Testament. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, included in a letter dated 18 April 2001 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)
Let not these very words be a pretext for dispute and contention. Through your constancy and steadfastness destroy the edifice of vacillation, and by your faithful adherence and scrupulous observance, strengthen the foundations of the Cause of God. Leave the people of negligence unto themselves and refer them for judgement to the Lord of the Covenant and Testament. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, included in a letter dated 18 April 2001 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)
March 15
Regarding the use of liquors: According
to the texts of the Book of Aqdas, both light and strong drinks are prohibited.
The reason for this prohibition is that it leads the mind astray and is the
cause of weakening the body. If alcohol were beneficial, it would have been
brought into the world by the divine creation and not by the effort of man.
Whatever is beneficial for man exists in creation. Now, it has been proved and
is established medically and scientifically that liquors are harmful.
Therefore the meaning of that which is written in the Tablets: "I have chosen for thee whatsoever is in the heaven and earth," signifies those things which are according to the divine creation and not the things which are harmful. For instance, poison is one of the things: now, can we say that poisons are to be used habitually because God has created them for man? However, spirituous liquors, if prescribed by a physician for the patient and their use is necessary, then they may be used as directed.
In brief, I hope that thou mayest find eternal bliss and receive inexhaustible joy and happiness. The after effect of drinking is depression, but the wine of the Love of God bestows exaltation of the spirit. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, from a Tablet, Star of the West, vol. 1, no. 6, June 24, 1910)
Therefore the meaning of that which is written in the Tablets: "I have chosen for thee whatsoever is in the heaven and earth," signifies those things which are according to the divine creation and not the things which are harmful. For instance, poison is one of the things: now, can we say that poisons are to be used habitually because God has created them for man? However, spirituous liquors, if prescribed by a physician for the patient and their use is necessary, then they may be used as directed.
In brief, I hope that thou mayest find eternal bliss and receive inexhaustible joy and happiness. The after effect of drinking is depression, but the wine of the Love of God bestows exaltation of the spirit. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, from a Tablet, Star of the West, vol. 1, no. 6, June 24, 1910)
March 14
O my loving friends! After the passing away of this wronged
one, it is incumbent upon the Aghsán (Branches), the Afnán (Twigs) of
the Sacred Lote-Tree, the Hands (pillars) of the Cause of God and the loved
ones of the Abhá Beauty to turn unto Shoghi Effendi—the youthful branch
branched from the two hallowed and sacred Lote-Trees and the fruit grown from
the union of the two offshoots of the Tree of Holiness,—as he is the sign of
God, the chosen branch, the Guardian of the Cause of God, he unto whom all the
Aghsán, the Afnán, the Hands of the Cause of God and His loved ones must
turn. He is the Interpreter of the Word of God and after him will succeed the
first-born of his lineal descendents. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘The Will and Testament of
‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
March 13
Fasting is the cause of the elevation of one's spiritual
station. (‘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)
March 12
Obligatory prayer and supplication cause man to reach the kingdom of mystery, and the worship of the Supreme One. They bestow nearness unto His threshold. There is a pleasure in offering prayers that transcendeth all other pleasures, and there is a sweetness in chanting and singing the verses of God which is the greatest desire of all the believers, men and women alike. While reciting the Obligatory Prayer, one converseth intimately and shareth secrets with the true Beloved. No pleasure is greater than this, if one proceedeth with a detached soul, with tears overflowing, with a trusting heart and an eager spirit. Every joy is earthly save this one, the sweetness of which is divine. (‘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)
March 11
O ye friends of God! The world is like the body of man—it hath become sick, feeble and infirm. Its eye is devoid of sight, its ear hath become destitute of hearing and its faculties of sense are entirely dissolved. The friends of God must become as wise physicians and care for and heal this sick person, in accord with the divine teachings, in order that—God willing—it may perchance gain health, find eternal healing and that its lost powers may be restored; and that the person of the world may find such health, freshness and purity that it will appear in the utmost beauty and charm.
The first remedy is to guide the people, so that they may turn unto God, hearken unto the divine commandments and go forth with a hearing ear and seeing eye. After this swift and certain remedy hath been applied, then according to the divine teachings, they ought to be trained in the conduct, morals and deeds of the Supreme Concourse, encouraged and inspired with the gifts of the Kingdom of ABHA. The hearts should be purified and cleansed from every trace of hatred and rancor and enabled to engage in truthfulness, conciliation, uprightness and love toward the world of humanity; so that the East and the West may embrace each other like unto two lovers, enmity and animosity may vanish from the human world and the universal peace be established! (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’, vol. 1)
The first remedy is to guide the people, so that they may turn unto God, hearken unto the divine commandments and go forth with a hearing ear and seeing eye. After this swift and certain remedy hath been applied, then according to the divine teachings, they ought to be trained in the conduct, morals and deeds of the Supreme Concourse, encouraged and inspired with the gifts of the Kingdom of ABHA. The hearts should be purified and cleansed from every trace of hatred and rancor and enabled to engage in truthfulness, conciliation, uprightness and love toward the world of humanity; so that the East and the West may embrace each other like unto two lovers, enmity and animosity may vanish from the human world and the universal peace be established! (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’, vol. 1)
March 10
Consider! The station and the confirmation of the apostles
in the time of Christ was not known, and no one looked on them with the feeling
of importance—nay, rather, they persecuted and ridiculed them. Later on it
became evident what crowns studded with the brilliant jewels
of guidance were placed on the heads of the apostles, Mary Magdalene and Mary
the mother of John.
The range of your future achievements still remains undisclosed. I fervently hope that in the near future the whole earth may be stirred and shaken by the results of your achievements. The hope, therefore, which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá cherishes for you is that the same success which has attended your efforts in America may crown your endeavors in other parts of the world, that through you the fame of the Cause of God may be diffused throughout the East and the West and the advent of the Kingdom of the Lord of Hosts be proclaimed in all the five continents of the globe. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Tablets of Divine Plan’)
The range of your future achievements still remains undisclosed. I fervently hope that in the near future the whole earth may be stirred and shaken by the results of your achievements. The hope, therefore, which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá cherishes for you is that the same success which has attended your efforts in America may crown your endeavors in other parts of the world, that through you the fame of the Cause of God may be diffused throughout the East and the West and the advent of the Kingdom of the Lord of Hosts be proclaimed in all the five continents of the globe. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Tablets of Divine Plan’)
March 9
O thou spiritual friend! Thou hast asked about the wisdom of
obligatory prayer. Know thou that such prayer is mandatory and binding. Man
under no pretext whatsoever is excused from observing the prayer unless he is
incapable of performing it or some great obstacle interveneth. The wisdom of
obligatory prayer is this: That it causeth a connection between the servant and
the True One, because at that time man with all his heart and soul turneth his
face towards the Almighty, seeking His association and desiring His love and
companionship. For a lover, there is no greater pleasure than to converse with
his beloved, and for a seeker, there is no greater bounty than intimacy with
the object of his desire. It is the greatest longing of every soul who is
attracted to the Kingdom of God to find time to turn with entire devotion to
his Beloved, so as to seek His bounty and blessing and immerse himself in the
ocean of communion, entreaty and supplication. Moreover, obligatory prayer and
fasting produce awareness and awakening in man, and are conducive to his
protection and preservation from tests. (‘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)
March 8
Ye have asked
concerning the wisdom of referring certain important laws to the House of
Justice. Before all else, this divine cycle is purely heavenly and spiritual,
and concerned with the matters of the soul. It hath but little connection to physical,
temporal, or worldly matters. The Christian dispensation was in like manner
solely spiritual. Thus, in the entire New Testament, there appeareth naught but
the prohibition of divorce and the allusion to the abrogation of the Sabbath. Even
as He saith, 'the Son of man came not to judge the world but to save the world'.
This most great cycle is likewise of purely spiritual character and is the
bestower of life eternal. For the head cornerstone of the religion of God
consisteth in refining the characters, reforming the manners, and improving the
attributes of men. The purpose is that beings that are veiled may see, and that
dark and defective realities may become illumined. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, included in a letter dated 18 April
2001 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual
believer)
March 7
Fidelity demands roaming over deserts and mountains. True fidelity is attained when a wanderer, nameless and traceless, becomes a target for the arrows of oppression on the plain of martyrdom. O Lord! Ordain for Thy servant the realization of his utmost wish, this bounty which shines resplendent upon the horizon of fidelity, like unto the sun arisen at dawn. One request I have to put to the loved ones of Bahá, that they prostrate themselves before the holy threshold, lay their heads on the ground and ask that the sinful ‘Abdu'l-Bahá be granted the cup of immolation, so that he may, in servitude to the threshold of Bahá, taste the sweet savor of a drop from the ocean of fidelity. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, from a Tablet, June 18, 1912, New York, ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)
March 6
Ye had written of the fasting month. Fortunate are ye to have obeyed the commandment of God, and kept this fast during the holy season. For this material fast is an outer token of the spiritual fast; it is a symbol of self-restraint, the withholding of oneself from all appetites of the self, taking on the characteristics of the spirit, being carried away by the breathings of heaven and catching fire from the love of God. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
March 5
O Divine Providence! As I am abstaining from bodily desires
and not occupied with eating and drinking, even so purify and sanctify my heart
from the love of anyone save Thyself and shield and protect my soul from corrupt
desires and satanic qualities so that my spirit may commune with the breaths of
holiness and fast from the mention of all else besides Thee. (‘Abdu’l-Baha,
from a talk in Akka, ‘Table Talks by ‘Abdu’l-Baha’; Corinne True, booklet
published by Baha’i Publishing Society, Chicago 1907; revised translation by
the Baha’i World Centre in ‘Fasting a Baha’i Handbook, by Duane Herrmann)
March 4
Third wisdom [of fasting]: Fasting is of two kinds, material and spiritual. The material fasting is abstaining from food or drink, that is, from the appetites of the body. But spiritual, ideal fasting is this, that man abstain from selfish passions, from negligence and from satanic animal traits. Therefore material fasting is a token of the spiritual fasting. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, from a talk in Akka, ‘Table Talks by ‘Abdu’l-Baha’; Corinne True, booklet published by Baha’i Publishing Society, Chicago 1907)
March 3
The second wisdom [of fasting] is this: Fasting is the cause of awakening man. The heart becomes tender and the spirituality of man increases. This is produced by the fact that man's thoughts will be confined to the commemoration of God, and through this awakening and stimulation surely ideal advancements follow. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, from a talk in Akka, ‘Table Talks by ‘Abdu’l-Baha’; Corinne True, booklet published by Baha’i Publishing Society, Chicago 1907)
March 2
The state in which one should be to seriously search for the
truth is the condition of the thirsty, burning soul desiring the water of life,
of the fish struggling to reach the sea, of the sufferer seeking for the true
doctor to obtain the divine cure, of the lost caravan endeavoring to find the
right road, of the lost and wandering ship striving to reach the shore of
salvation.
Therefore, the seeker must be endowed with certain qualities. First of all, he must be just and severed from all else save God; his heart must be entirely turned to the supreme horizon; he must be free from the bondage of self and passion, for all these are obstacles. Furthermore, he must be able to endure all hardships. He must be absolutely pure and sanctified, and free from the love or the hatred of the inhabitants of the world. Why? because the fact of his love for any person or thing might prevent him from recognizing the truth in another, and, in the same way, hatred for anything might be a hindrance in discerning truth. This is the condition of seeking, and the seeker must have these qualities and attributes. Until he reaches this condition, it is not possible for him to attain to the Sun of Reality. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Some Answered Questions’)
Therefore, the seeker must be endowed with certain qualities. First of all, he must be just and severed from all else save God; his heart must be entirely turned to the supreme horizon; he must be free from the bondage of self and passion, for all these are obstacles. Furthermore, he must be able to endure all hardships. He must be absolutely pure and sanctified, and free from the love or the hatred of the inhabitants of the world. Why? because the fact of his love for any person or thing might prevent him from recognizing the truth in another, and, in the same way, hatred for anything might be a hindrance in discerning truth. This is the condition of seeking, and the seeker must have these qualities and attributes. Until he reaches this condition, it is not possible for him to attain to the Sun of Reality. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Some Answered Questions’)
March 1
Question: What Divine wisdom is there in fasting?
Answer: The Divine wisdom in fasting is manifold. Among them is this: As during those days (i.e. the period of fasting which the followers afterward observe) the Manifestation of the Sun of Reality, through Divine inspiration, is engaged in the Descent of Verses, the instituting of Divine Law and the arrangement of Teachings, through excessive occupation and intense attraction there remains no condition or time for eating and drinking. For example, when His Holiness Moses went to Mount Tur (Sinai) and there engaged in instituting the Law of God, he fasted forty days. For the purpose of awakening and admonishing the people of Israel, fasting was enjoined upon them.
Likewise His Holiness Christ in the beginning of instituting the Spiritual Law, the systematizing of the Teachings and the arrangement of counsels, for forty days abstained from eating and drinking. In the beginning the disciples and Christians fasted. Later the assemblages of the chief Christians changed fasting into Lenten observances.
Answer: The Divine wisdom in fasting is manifold. Among them is this: As during those days (i.e. the period of fasting which the followers afterward observe) the Manifestation of the Sun of Reality, through Divine inspiration, is engaged in the Descent of Verses, the instituting of Divine Law and the arrangement of Teachings, through excessive occupation and intense attraction there remains no condition or time for eating and drinking. For example, when His Holiness Moses went to Mount Tur (Sinai) and there engaged in instituting the Law of God, he fasted forty days. For the purpose of awakening and admonishing the people of Israel, fasting was enjoined upon them.
Likewise His Holiness Christ in the beginning of instituting the Spiritual Law, the systematizing of the Teachings and the arrangement of counsels, for forty days abstained from eating and drinking. In the beginning the disciples and Christians fasted. Later the assemblages of the chief Christians changed fasting into Lenten observances.
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