O people of the world!
The dawn of the Sun of Reality is assuredly for the
illumination of the world and for the manifestation of mercy. In the assemblage
of the family of Adam results and fruits are praiseworthy, and the holy bestowals
of every bounty are abundant. It is an absolute mercy and a complete bounty,
the illumination of the world, fellowship and harmony, love and union; nay,
rather, mercifulness and oneness, the elimination of discord and the unity of
whosoever are on the earth in the utmost of freedom and dignity. The Blessed
Beauty said: “All are the fruits of one tree and the leaves of one branch.” He
likened the world of existence to one tree and all the souls to leaves,
blossoms and fruits. Therefore all the branches, leaves, blossoms and fruits
must be in the utmost of freshness, and the bringing about of this delicacy and
sweetness depends upon union and fellowship. Therefore they must assist each
other with all their power and seek everlasting life. Thus the friends of God
must manifest the mercy of the Compassionate Lord in the world of existence and
must show forth the bounty of the visible and invisible King. They must purify
their sight, and look upon mankind as the leaves, blossoms and fruits of the
tree of creation, and must always be thinking of doing good to someone, of
love, consideration, affection and assistance to somebody. They must see no
enemy and count no one as an ill wisher. They must consider every one on the
earth as a friend; regard the stranger as an intimate, and the alien as a
companion. They must not be bound by any tie, nay, rather, they should be free
from every bond. In this day the one who is favored in the threshold of
grandeur is the one who offers the cup of faithfulness and bestows the pearl of
gift to the enemies, even to the fallen oppressor, lends a helping hand, and
considers every bitter foe as an affectionate friend. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Baha’i World
Faith’)
