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, from a newly translated Tablet included in a letter
dated April 2001 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an
individual believer)
