The foundation of all religions is one and the aim of all
creeds of the world is also one. All are believers in the oneness of God. All
believe that a mediator between the Creator and the creatures is needed. The
question is that to the Jews Moses is the last, to the Christians it is Christ,
to the Muslims it is Muhammad and to the Parsis it is Zoroaster. But their
differences are only those of names.
If these names are set aside, it is evident that their aim
is one. Every divine religious law was complete for its time. The renewal of
the laws of God and the appearance of the Manifestations of the bounties of the
Lord in each cycle are necessary. Thus the people who seek truth and inner
meanings can discover the divine mysteries and become aware of the secrets of
the Books of God. They know God to be the Supreme, His bounties infinite and
the doors of His mercy unbarred. They believe in all the Prophets and affirm
`No difference do we make between any of them' [Qur'án 2:130]. But those who adhere
to outer meanings only, who worship outer form, cling to imitations and follow
their superstitions. They use the allegories set forth in the verses of God to
deny the Cause of the Lord of Signs. Therefore, offer thanks to God that you
have attained unto reality, have responded affirmatively to the Call of God,
have given up dogmatic imitations and have become cognizant of the mystery of
oneness. Offer thanks to God. Be grateful to your Lord.
(‘Abdu’l-Baha’s, from a
talk, September 7, 1912, Montreal, Canada; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)
