Be constantly attached to and seek always the confirmations
of Bahá’u’lláh for these turn the drop into a sea and convert the gnat into an
eagle.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha)
December 30
The people of
America have a great capacity for the acquisition of spiritual qualities but
they are immersed in material affairs. They are like machines which move
uncontrollably; they move but are devoid of spirit. They will attain perfection
when the spirit of divine civilization is breathed into them and this material
civilization becomes infused with spiritual refinement.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, October 5, 1912, San
Francisco, USA, recorded by Mahmud Zarqani; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)
December 29
O thou who art tested with a great calamity!
Be not grieved nor troubled because of the loss which hath
befallen thee -- a loss which caused the tears to flow, sighs to be produced,
sorrow to exist and hearts to burn in great agony; but know, this hath
reference only to the physical body, and if thou considerest this matter with a
discerning and intelligent eye, thou wilt find that it hath no power
whatsoever, for separation belongeth to the characteristics of the body. But
concerning the spirit, know that thy pure son shall be with thee in the Kingdom
of God and thou shalt witness his smiling face, illumined brow, handsome spirit
and real happiness. Accordingly, thou wilt then be comforted and thank God for
His favor upon thee.
December 28
O thou who hast humbled thyself before the Kingdom of God!
Blessed art thou that thine heart is attracted to the Beauty
of God, is illumined with the light of knowledge and the ray of the Kingdom
hath shone within it.
Know thou, verily, God is with thee under all circumstances
and guards thee from the concerns of the world and makes thee a servant in His
great vineyard.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, vol. 1)
December 27
Today the most remarkable favour of God centereth around
union and harmony among the friends; so that this unity and concord may be the
cause of the promulgation of the oneness of the world of humanity, may
emancipate the world from this intense darkness of enmity and rancour, and that
the Sun of Truth may shine in full and perfect effulgence.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha)
December 26
The Cause of
Bahá'u'lláh is the same as the Cause of Christ. It is the same Temple and the
same Foundation. Both of these are Spiritual Springs, the seasons of the
soul-refreshing awakening and the cause of the renovation of the life of
mankind. The spring of this year is the same as the spring of last year. The
origin and end are the same. The sun of today is the sun of yesterday. In the
coming of Christ, the divine teachings were given in accordance with the
infancy of the human race. The teachings of Bahá'u'lláh have the same basic
principles, but are according to the stage of the maturity of the world and the
requirements of this illumined age
- ‘Abdu'l-Baha (Star of the West, vol. 19,
no. 1, April 1928)
December 25
While in London, a
friend asked ‘Abdu’l-Baha how the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh contrasted with the
teachings of Jesus Christ. ‘Abdu’l-Baha responded:
The teachings are
the same. It is the same foundation and the same temple. Truth is one, and
without division. The teachings of Jesus are in a concentrated form. Men do not
agree to this day as to the meaning of many of His sayings. His teachings are
as a flower in the bud. Today, the bud is unfolding into a flower! Bahá'u'lláh
has expanded and fulfilled the teachings, and has applied them in detail to the
whole world.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (‘Abdu'l-Baha in London’)
December 24
O maid-servant of God! Chant the Words of God and, pondering
over their meaning, transform them into actions! I ask God to cause thee to
attain a high station in the Kingdom of Life forever and ever.
December 23
O thou lady of the Kingdom! Thy letter sent from New York
hath been received. Its contents imparted joy and gladness for they indicated
that with a firm resolve and a pure intention thou hast determined to travel to
Paris, that thou mayest in that silent city enkindle the fire of the love of
God and in the midst of that darkness of nature shine like unto a resplendent
candle. This journey is highly praiseworthy and suitable. When thou reachest
Paris, thou must strive, no matter how small the number of the friends may be,
to institute the assembly of the Covenant and to vivify the souls through the
power of the Covenant.
Paris is exceedingly dispirited and is in a state of torpor
and so far it hath not burst into flames although the French nation is an active
and lively one. But the world of nature hath fully stretched its pavilion over
Paris and hath done away with religious sentiments. But this power of the
Covenant shall heat every freezing soul, shall bestow light upon
everything that is dark and shall secure for the captive in the hand of nature
the true freedom of the Kingdom.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings
of ‘Abdu’l-Baha)
December 22
Whenever an illumined assembly of the friends of God is
gathered, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, although bodily absent, is yet present in spirit and in
soul. I am always a traveller to America and am assuredly associating with
spiritual and illumined friends. Distance is annihilated and prevents not the
close and intimate association of two souls that are closely attached in heart
even though they may be in two different countries. I am therefore thy close
companion, attuned and in harmony with thy soul.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections
from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha)
December 21
O thou who hast sought illumination from the light of
guidance! Praise thou God that He hath directed thee to the light of truth and
hath invited thee to enter the Kingdom of Abhá. Thy sight hath been illumined
and thy heart hath been turned into a rose garden. I pray for thee that thou
mayest ever grow in faith and assurance, shine like unto a torch in the
assemblies and bestow upon them the light of guidance.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha)
December 20
When delivering the glad tidings, speak out and say: the
Promised One of all the world’s peoples hath now been made manifest. For each
and every people, and every religion, await a Promised One, and Bahá’u’lláh is
that One Who is awaited by all; and therefore the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh will
bring about the oneness of mankind, and the tabernacle of unity will be
upraised on the heights of the world, and the banners of the universality of
all humankind will be unfurled on the peaks of the earth. When thou dost loose
thy tongue to deliver this great good news, this will become the means of
teaching the people.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha)
December 19
Glorification
of God is the cause of attraction of confirmation and draws down the bounties
of the Glorious Lord.
- 'Abdu'l-Bahá (From a Tablet, Star of the West, vol. 2,
no.10, September 8, 1911)
December 18
I hope that
the bounties of the True One may become realized in thee, but it is conditional
upon thy serving the Real Master and living in accord with the manners and
behaviour of the real Bahá'ís and showing the utmost sincerity and beauty of
intention.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha Abbas (From a Tablet, Star of the West, vol. 2, no.10,
September 8, 1911)
December 17
When Joseph
found that his envious brothers and his jealous relations and friends were
heedless and unmindful, he unveiled his face in the market of the Egyptians, so
that in exile he might destroy the foundation of strangeness and raise the
banner of unity. Therefore, it is the aim of this exiled one, that, God
willing, he may become the Herald and carry the glad tidings of the Kingdom to
the empires of the West. Perchance the splendour of the Beauty of the real
Joseph - the Most Great Name - may my life be a sacrifice to Him - may shine
from the countries of the Occident; and I beg of God that the glances of
mercifulness may assist.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha
Abbas (From a Tablet, Star of the West,
vol. 2, no.10, September 8, 1911)
December 16
Rivalry
between the different races of mankind was first caused by the struggle for existence
among the wild animals. This struggle is no longer necessary: nay, rather
interdependence and co-operation are seen to produce the highest welfare in nations.
The struggle that now continues is caused by prejudice and bigotry.
Today
nothing but the power of the Divine Word, which embraces the Reality of all
things, can draw together the minds, hearts, and spirits of the world under the
shadow of the heavenly Tree of Unity.
The Light
of the Word is now shining on all horizons. Races and nations, with their
different creeds, are coming under the influence of the Word of Unity in love
and in peace.
- 'Abdu'l-Bahá (From a Tablet, Star of the West, vol. 2, no.
9, August 20, 1911)
December 15
The Blessed
One, Bahá'u'lláh, likens the existing world to a tree, and the people to its
fruits, blossoms and leaves. All should be fresh and vigorous, the attainment
of their beauty and proportion depending on the love and unity with which they
sustain each other and seek the Life eternal. The friends of God should become
the manifestors in this world of this mercy and love. They should not dwell on
the shortcomings of others. Ceaselessly should they be thinking how they may
benefit others and show service and co-operation. Thus should they regard every
stranger, putting aside such prejudices and superstitions as might prevent
friendly relations.
- 'Abdu'l-Bahá (From a Tablet, Star of the West, vol.
2, no. 9, August 20, 1911)
December 14
Where love
dwells, there is light! Where animosity dwells, there is darkness!
- 'Abdu'l-Bahá
Abbas (From a Tablet, Star of the West, vol. 2, no. 9, August 20, 1911)
December 13
As to the
terminology I used in my letter, bidding thee to consecrate thyself to service
in the Cause of God, the meaning of it is this: limit thy thoughts to teaching
the Faith. Act by day and night according to the teachings and counsels and
admonitions of Bahá’u’lláh. This doth not preclude marriage. Thou canst take
unto thyself a husband and at the same time serve the Cause of God; the one
doth not preclude the other. Know thou the value of these days; let not this
chance escape thee. Beg thou God to make thee a lighted candle, so that thou
mayest guide a great multitude through this darksome world.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
December 12
God
created man after His own image and likeness . . . but now, behaving contrarily,
man has become more merciless and fearless than rapacious beasts. A beast kills
only one animal each day for his food, while merciless man tears apart a
hundred thousand people in a day merely for fame and dominion. Should a wolf
tear a sheep apart, they would kill it; but if a man massacres a hundred
thousand men in blood and dust, he is given an ovation and is pronounced a
marshall or a general. If a man kills another or sets fire to a house, he is
condemned as a murderer; but if he annihilates an army and overturns a country,
he is called a conqueror and is admired. If a man steals a dollar he is thrown
into prison but if he plunders the homes of people and lays waste a city he is
called a commander and is praised.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, October 4, 1912, San Francisco, USA, recorded by
Mahmud Zarqani; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)
December 11
The
Mashriqu’l-Adhkár is one of the most vital institutions in the world, and it
hath many subsidiary branches. Although it is a House of Worship, it is also
connected with a hospital, a drug dispensary, a traveller’s hospice, a school
for orphans, and a university for advanced studies. Every Mashriqu’l-Adhkár is
connected with these five things. My hope is that the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár will
now be established in America, and that gradually the hospital, the school, the
university, the dispensary and the hospice, all functioning according to the
most efficient and orderly procedures, will follow. Make these matters known to
the beloved of the Lord, so that they will understand how very great is the
importance of this ‘Dawning-Point of the Remembrance of God.’ The Temple is not
only a place for worship; rather, in every respect is it complete and whole.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
December 10
…the religions of
God are the true source of the spiritual and material perfections of man, and
the fountainhead for all mankind of enlightenment and beneficial knowledge… By
the Lord God, and there is no God but He, even the minutest details of
civilized life derive from the grace of the Prophets of God. What thing of
value to mankind has ever come into being which was not first set forth either
directly or by implication in the Holy Scriptures?
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘The Secret of
Divine Civilization’)
December 9
In the early ages of
Islám the peoples of Europe acquired the sciences and arts of civilization from
Islám as practiced by the inhabitants of Andalusia. A careful and thorough
investigation of the historical record will establish the fact that the major part
of the civilization of Europe is derived from Islám; for all the writings of
Muslim scholars and divines and philosophers were gradually collected in Europe
and were with the most painstaking care weighed and debated at academic
gatherings and in the centers of learning, after which their valued contents
would be put to use. Today, numerous copies of the works of Muslim scholars
which are not to be found in Islamic countries, are available in the libraries
of Europe. Furthermore, the laws and principles current in all European
countries are derived to a considerable degree and indeed virtually in their
entirety from the works on jurisprudence and the legal decision of Muslim
theologians. Were it not for the fear of unduly lengthening the present text, We
would cite these borrowings one by one.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘The Secret of Divine
Civilization’)
December 8
O thou dear handmaid of God! If only thou couldst know what
a high station is destined for those souls who are severed from the world, are
powerfully attracted to the Faith, and are teaching, under the sheltering
shadow of Bahá’u’lláh! How thou wouldst rejoice, how thou wouldst, in
exultation and rapture, spread thy wings and soar heavenward—for being a
follower of such a way, and a traveller toward such a Kingdom.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings
of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
December 7
It is related that once in the days of the Apostle of God
[Muhammad] He signified His desire that an army should advance in a certain
direction, and leave was granted unto the faithful to raise contributions for
the holy war. Among many was one man who gave a thousand
camels, each laden with corn, another who gave half his substance, and still
another who offered all that he had. But a woman stricken in years, whose sole
possession was a handful of dates, came to the Apostle and laid at His feet her
humble contribution. Thereupon the Prophet of God—may my life be offered up as
a sacrifice unto Him—bade that this handful of dates be placed over and above
all the contributions that had been gathered, thus asserting the merit and
superiority thereof over all the rest. This was done because that elderly woman
had no other earthly possessions but these.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
December 6
One of the wondrous
events that has of late come to pass is this, that the edifice of the
Mashriqu’l-Adhkár is being raised in the very heart of the American continent,
and numerous souls from the surrounding regions are contributing for the
erection of this holy Temple. Among these is a highly esteemed lady of the city
of Manchester, who hath been moved to offer her share.
Having no portion of
goods and earthly riches, she sheared off with her own hands the fine, long and
precious tresses that adorned her head so gracefully, and offered them for
sale, that the price thereof might promote the cause of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár…
And though this was uncalled
for, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá would not have consented to such a deed, yet as it doth
reveal so high and noble a spirit of devotion, He was deeply touched thereby…
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
December 5
In this
enlightened age everything has been renewed -- sciences have been renewed, new
arts have come into being, new skills have appeared, new thoughts have been
expressed, new inventions have come to light and new discoveries have been
made. In reality, the world of being has become a new world. Thus, the
principles of religion also must be renewed.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, October 4, 1912, San Francisco, USA, recorded by
Mahmud Zarqani; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)
December 4
The phenomenal world is entirely subject to the rule and
control of natural law. These myriad suns, satellites and heavenly bodies
throughout endless space are all captives of nature. They cannot transgress in
a single point or particular the fixed laws which govern the physical universe.
The sun in its immensity, the ocean in its vastness are incapable of violating
these universal laws. All phenomenal beings—the plants in their kingdom, even
the animals with their intelligence—are nature’s subjects and captives. All
live within the bounds of natural law, and nature is the ruler of all except
man. Man is not the captive of nature, for although according to natural law he
is a being of the earth, yet he guides ships over the ocean, flies through the
air in airplanes, descends in submarines; therefore, he has overcome natural
law and made it subservient to his wishes.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a talk, 15 April, 1912, New York; ‘The Promulgation
of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Bahá during His Visit to the
United States and Canada in 1912’)
December 3
After morning prayers, two
Japanese Bahá'ís came to see ‘Abdu'l-Bahá. The Master expressed His happiness
on seeing their faith and sincerity in the Cause, saying:
This is
an historic event. It is out of the ordinary that an Iranian should meet
Japanese people in San Francisco with such love and harmony. This is through
the power of Bahá'u'lláh and calls for our thankfulness and happiness. If it be
said that Bahá'u'lláh brought a man from heaven and another from earth and
caused them to meet midway between the earth and heaven, do not be surprised.
The power of Bahá'u'lláh makes all difficulties simple. I like the Japanese
greatly because they are audacious and intelligent. Whatever they turn their
attention to, it becomes a success.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, October 4, 1912, San Francisco, USA, recorded by
Mahmud Zarqani; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)
December 2
… the affinity and
love manifest in this meeting, the divine susceptibilities witnessed here are
not of this world but of the world of the Kingdom. When the souls become
separated and selfish, the divine bounties do not descend, and the lights of
the Supreme Concourse are no longer reflected even though the bodies meet
together. A mirror with its back turned to the sun has no power to reflect the
sun's effulgence.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From talk at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Howard
MacNutt, 12 April, 1912, New York; ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks
Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in
1912’)
December 1
Regard not the
person of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, for He will eventually take His leave of you all; nay,
fix your gaze upon the Word of God... The loved ones of God must arise with
such steadfastness that should, in one moment, hundreds of souls even as
‘Abdu’l-Bahá Himself be made a target for the darts of woe, nothing whatsoever
shall affect or lessen their ... service to the Cause of God.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Quoted by Shoghi Effendi in ‘God Passes By’)
November 30
Remember, whether or
not I be on earth, My presence will be with you always.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Quoted
by Shoghi Effendi in ‘God Passes By’)
November 29
Whoso reciteth this
prayer with lowliness and fervour will bring gladness and joy to the heart of
this Servant; it will be even as meeting Him face to face.
He is the
All-Glorious!
O God, my God! Lowly
and tearful, I raise my suppliant hands to Thee and cover my face in the dust
of that Threshold of Thine, exalted above the knowledge of the learned, and the
praise of all that glorify Thee. Graciously look upon Thy servant, humble and
lowly at Thy door, with the glances of the eye of Thy mercy, and immerse him in
the Ocean of Thine eternal grace.
Lord! He is a poor
and lowly servant of Thine, enthralled and imploring Thee, captive in Thy hand,
praying fervently to Thee, trusting in Thee, in tears before Thy face, calling
to Thee and beseeching Thee, saying:
O Lord, my God! Give
me Thy grace to serve Thy loved ones, strengthen me in my servitude to Thee,
illumine my brow with the light of adoration in Thy court of holiness, and of
prayer to Thy Kingdom of grandeur. Help me to be selfless at the heavenly
entrance of Thy gate, and aid me to be detached from all things within Thy holy
precincts. Lord! Give me to drink from the chalice of selflessness; with its
robe clothe me, and in its ocean immerse me. Make me as dust in the pathway of
Thy loved ones, and grant that I may offer up my soul for the earth ennobled by
the footsteps of Thy chosen ones in Thy path, O Lord of Glory in the Highest.
With this prayer
doth Thy servant call Thee, at dawntide and in the night-season. Fulfil his
heart's desire, O Lord! Illumine his heart, gladden his bosom, kindle his
light, that he may serve Thy Cause and Thy servants.
Thou art the
Bestower, the Pitiful, the Most Bountiful, the Gracious, the Merciful, the
Compassionate.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha ('Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha')
November 28
My name is
'Abdu'l-Bahá. My qualification is 'Abdu'l-Bahá. My reality is 'Abdu'l-Bahá. My
praise is 'Abdu'l-Bahá. Thraldom to the Blessed Perfection is my glorious and
refulgent diadem, and servitude to all the human race my perpetual religion...
No name, no title, no mention, no commendation have I, nor will ever have,
except 'Abdu'l-Bahá. This is my longing. This is my greatest yearning. This is
my eternal life. This is my everlasting glory."
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Quoted by
Shoghi Effendi, ‘The World Order of Baha'u'llah’)
November 27
Today, the Lord of
Hosts is the defender of the Covenant, the forces of the Kingdom protect it,
heavenly souls tender their services, and heavenly angels promulgate and spread
it broadcast. If it is considered with insight, it will be seen that all the
forces of the universe, in the last analysis serve the Covenant.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá’)
November 26
It is indubitably
clear, that the pivot of the oneness of mankind is nothing else but the power
of the Covenant.... The power of the Covenant is as the heat of the sun which
quickeneth and promoteth the development of all created things on earth. The
light of the Covenant, in like manner, is the educator of the minds, the spirits,
the hearts and souls of men.
- 'Abdu'l-Bahá (Quoted by Shoghi Effendi in
"God Passes By")
November 25
Today the pulsating
power in the arteries of the body of the world is the spirit of the Covenant -
the spirit which is the cause of life. Whosoever is vivified with this spirit,
the freshness and beauty of life become manifest in him, he is baptized with
the Holy Spirit, he is born again, is freed from oppression and tyranny, from
heedlessness and harshness which deaden the spirit, and attains to everlasting
life. Praise thou God that thou art firm in the Covenant and the Testament and
art turning thy face to the Luminary of the world, His Highness Bahá'u'lláh.
- 'Abdu'l-Bahá (Cited in "Star of the West, vol. 14, No. 7, October 1923;
The Compilation of Compilations, vol. 1, The Covenant)
November 24
A few days ago I
arrived in New York, coming direct from Alexandria. On a former trip I traveled
to Europe, visiting Paris and London. Paris is most beautiful in outward
appearance. The evidences of material civilization there are very great, but
the spiritual civilization is far behind. I found the people of that city
submerged and drowning in a sea of materialism. Their conversations and
discussions were limited to natural and physical phenomena, without mention of
God. I was greatly astonished. Most of the scholars, professors and learned men
proved to be materialists. I said to them, “I am surprised and astonished that
men of such perceptive caliber and evident knowledge should still be captives of
nature, not recognizing the self-evident Reality.”
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a talk,
15 April, 1912, New York; ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered
by 'Abdu'l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912’)
November 23
Man has two powers;
and his development, two aspects. One power is connected with the material
world, and by it he is capable of material advancement. The other power is
spiritual, and through its development his inner, potential nature is awakened.
These powers are like two wings. Both must be developed, for flight is
impossible with one wing. Praise be to God! Material advancement has been
evident in the world, but there is need of spiritual advancement in like
proportion. We must strive unceasingly and without rest to accomplish the
development of the spiritual nature in man, and endeavor with tireless energy
to advance humanity toward the nobility of its true and intended station. For
the body of man is accidental; it is of no importance. The time of its disintegration
will inevitably come. But the spirit of man is essential and, therefore,
eternal. It is a divine bounty. It is the effulgence of the Sun of Reality and,
therefore, of greater importance than the physical body.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a
talk, 25 April, 1912, Washington, D.C.; ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace:
Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and
Canada in 1912’)
November 22
All the sciences, arts and discoveries were mysteries of
nature, and according to natural law these mysteries should remain latent,
hidden; but man has proceeded to break this law, free himself from this rule
and bring them forth into the realm of the visible. Therefore, he is the ruler
and commander of nature. Man has intelligence; nature has not. Man has
volition; nature has none. Man has memory; nature is without it. Man has the
reasoning faculty; nature is deprived. Man has the perceptive faculty; nature
cannot perceive. It is therefore proved and evident that man is nobler than
nature.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a talk, 15
April, 1912, New York; ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by
'Abdu'l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912’)
November 21
In the innate
nature of things there is no evil—all is good. This applies even to certain
apparently blameworthy attributes and dispositions which seem inherent in some
people, but which are not in reality reprehensible. For example, you can see in
a nursing child, from the beginning of its life, the signs of greed, of anger,
and of ill temper; and so it might be argued that good and evil are innate in
the reality of man, and that this is contrary to the pure goodness of the
innate nature and of creation. The answer is that greed, which is to demand
ever more, is a praiseworthy quality provided that it is displayed under the
right circumstances. Thus, should a person show greed in acquiring science and
knowledge, or in the exercise of compassion, high-mindedness, and justice, this
would be most praiseworthy. And should he direct his anger and wrath against
the bloodthirsty tyrants who are like ferocious beasts, this too would be most
praiseworthy. But should he display these qualities under other conditions, this
would be deserving of blame.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Table talks in Akka,
authenticated by ‘Abdu’l-Baha; ‘Some Answered Questions’ – 2014 revised
translation by the Baha’i World Center)
November 20
O ye friends of God!
Exert ye with heart and soul, so that association, love, unity and agreement be
obtained between the hearts, all the aims may be merged into one aim, all the
songs become one song and the power of the Holy Spirit may become so
overwhelmingly victorious as to overcome all the forces of the world of nature.
Exert yourselves; your mission is unspeakably glorious. Should success crown
your enterprise, America will assuredly evolve into a center from which waves
of spiritual power will emanate, and the throne of the Kingdom of God will, in
the plentitude of its majesty and glory, be firmly established.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Tablets of the Divine Plan’)
November 19
No one was a denier
of His [Baha’u’llah’s] virtues. All the wise men of the East considered Him the
greatest person in the world. But they said, `Alas, that He has claimed
divinity for Himself.' Many of the people of the East said and wrote about me,
too, `all agree that he excels in knowledge, learning, speech and explanation,
but, alas! he is the propagator of a new law'. They expected us to be servants
and propagators of their old dogmas and customs, not knowing that we are
obliged to serve humanity and spread universal love and harmony.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of
‘Abdu’l-Baha, October 3, 1912, San Francisco, USA, recorded by Mahmud Zarqani; ‘Mahmud’s
Diary’)
November 18
Observe the
influence on material situations of that training which is inculcated by the
true Educator. Here were tribes so benighted and untamed that during the period
of the Jáhilíyyih [Age of Ignorance] they would bury their seven-year-old
daughters alive—an act which even an animal, let alone a human being, would
hate and shrink from but which they in their extreme degradation considered the
ultimate expression of honor and devotion to principle—and this darkened
people, thanks to the manifest teachings of that great Personage, advanced to
such a degree that after they conquered Egypt, Syria and its capital Damascus,
Chaldea, Mesopotamia and Írán, they came to administer single-handedly whatever
matters were of major importance in four main regions of the globe.
The Arabs then
excelled all the peoples of the world in science and the arts, in industry and
invention, in philosophy, government and moral character. And truly, the rise
of this brutish and despicable element, in such a short interval, to the
supreme heights of human perfection, is the greatest demonstration of the
rightfulness of the Lord Muhammad’s
Prophethood.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Secret of Divine Civilization’)
November 17
As there are four
seasons in this material world, so it is in the spiritual world. When the
divine spring is over and the heavenly bounty ceases, the trees of being lie
dormant. Lifelessness and stillness prevail over the world of man. People
become spiritless and withered. Autumn and winter set in. There exists no
flower or greenery, no cheerfulness or mirth, no happiness or joy. Then the
spiritual spring spreads its tent once more. The gardens of the hearts regain
their freshness, charm and verdure. The buds of knowledge open and the anemones
of reality appear. The world of man becomes another world. This is the divine
law and is a requirement of the world of creation. This is the cause of the
appearance of the many Manifestations of God.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, October 3, 1912, San Francisco, USA, recorded by
Mahmud Zarqani; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)
November 16
‘Abdu’l-Bahá hath
long cherished the desire that a Mashriqu’l-Adhkár be upraised in that region.
Praised be God, thanks to the strenuous efforts of the friends, in recent days
the joyful news of this hath been announced. This service is highly acceptable
at the Threshold of God, for the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár inspiriteth the lovers of
God and delighteth their hearts, and causeth them to become steadfast and firm.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
November 15
The first Mashriqu’l-Adhkár
in America was instituted in Chicago, and this honor and distinction is
infinite in value. Out of this Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, without doubt, thousands of
Mashriqu’l-Adhkárs will be born.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Tablets of the Divine Plan’)
November 14
A hundred
thousand glad-tidings be upon ye that the Sun of the Reality of the Beauty of
Abha hath shone forth from the Horizon of the Contingent Being and hath
illumined the regions with the lights of the Most Great Guidance. The realities
of the Old Testament and the Gospel are already fulfilled and the Mysteries of
the Heavenly Books have become manifest. This is the century of the Merciful
One and the Period of Joy and Gladness. O ye heedless ones, become mindful! O ye
sleeping ones, be awakened! O ye blind ones, become seeing! O ye deaf ones,
become hearing! O ye dumb ones, become speakers! O ye dead ones, become living!
O ye deprived ones, take a portion! This is the effulgence of the Merciful and
the moving of the Depthless Sea. This is the outpouring of the wonderful and
new springtime and the falling of the showers of the Bounty of the Most Great
Lord!
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a Tablet; Star of the West, vol. 2, no. 6, June 24,
1911)
November 13
The foundation of
the belief of the people of Bahá (may my life be offered up for them) is this:
His holiness the exalted One (the Báb) is the Manifestation of the unity and
oneness of God and the Forerunner of the Ancient Beauty (Bahá’u’lláh). His
holiness, the Abhá Beauty (Bahá’u’lláh) (may my life be offered up as a
sacrifice for His steadfast friends) is the supreme Manifestation of God and
the Day-Spring of His most divine Essence.
November 12
Every proof and prophecy,
every manner of evidence, whether based on reason or on the text of the
scriptures and traditions, are to be regarded as centered in the persons of
Bahá’u’lláh and the Báb. In them is to be found their complete fulfillment.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Quoted by Shoghi Effendi in ‘The Dispensation of Baha’u’llah’)
November 11
The call of the
Kingdom was in the very beginning raised from Chicago. This is indeed a great
privilege, for in future centuries and cycles, it will be as an axis around
which the honor of Chicago will revolve.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Tablets of the Divine
Plan’)
November 10
Among these half
animal people Muhammad was sent with His divine Message. He taught the people
that idol worship was wrong, but that they should reverence Christ, Moses and
the Prophets. Under His influence they became a more enlightened and civilized
people and arose from the degraded state in which He found them.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a talk, Paris, October 27, 1911; ‘Paris Talks’)
November 9
Christ was the
Prophet of the Christians, Moses of the Jews—why should not the followers of
each prophet recognize and honour the other prophets also? If men could only
learn the lesson of mutual tolerance, understanding, and brotherly love, the
unity of the world would soon be an established fact.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a
talk, Paris, October 27, 1911; ‘Paris Talks’)
November 8
O ye old believers
and intimate friends:
God says in the
great Qur’án: “He specializes for His Mercy whomsoever He willeth.” [Qur’an
2:105; 3:74]
These twelve Central
States [1] of the United States are like unto the heart of America, and the
heart is connected with all the organs and parts of man. If the heart is
strengthened, all the organs of the body are reinforced, and if the heart is
weak all the physical elements are subjected to feebleness.
Now praise be to God
that Chicago and its environs from the beginning of the diffusion of the
fragrances of God have been a strong heart. Therefore, through divine bounty
and providence it has become confirmed in certain great matters.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Tablets of the Divine Plan’)
[1] “Michigan,
Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota,
South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas.”
November 7
Look at the Gospel
of the Lord Christ and see how glorious it is! Yet even today men fail to
understand its priceless beauty, and misinterpret its words of wisdom.
Christ forbade war!
When the disciple Peter, thinking to defend his Lord, cut off the ear of the
servant of the High Priest, Christ said to him: ‘Put up thy sword into the
sheath’. Yet, in spite of the direct
command of the Lord they profess to serve—men still dispute, make war, and kill
one another, and His counsels and teaching seem quite forgotten.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a talk, Paris, October 27, 1911; ‘Paris Talks’)
November 6
Thou hast asked about places of worship and the underlying
reason therefor. The wisdom in raising up such buildings is that at a given
hour, the people should know it is time to meet, and all should gather
together, and, harmoniously attuned one to another, engage in prayer; with the
result that out of this coming together, unity and affection shall grow and
flourish in the human heart.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
November 5
Verily I say unto
thee the truth, that I am with you in spirit and in heart, that I rejoice by
your joy and am happy by your happiness; and hear with the ear of spirit your
calling and scent with the spiritual nostrils the fragrances of your garden.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, vol. 1’)
November 4
I ask God to make ye
lamps ignited by the great Light, so that ye may stand with all power,
meekness, humbleness, sacrifice and self-resignation and thus become examples
for the people and pure types for the world, be salt of the earth, stars of
guidance, great trees with broad foliage and excellent fruits of fragrant
scent, growing by the bounty of the cloud of the Kingdom of El-Abha.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, vol. 1’)
November 3
Note thou carefully
that in this world of being, all things must ever be made new. Look at the
material world about thee, see how it hath now been renewed. The thoughts have
changed, the ways of life have been revised, the sciences and arts show a new
vigour, discoveries and inventions are new, perceptions are new. How then could
such a vital power as religion—the guarantor of mankind’s great advances, the
very means of attaining everlasting life, the fosterer of infinite excellence,
the light of both worlds—not be made new? This would be incompatible with the
grace and loving-kindness of the Lord.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the
Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
November 2
It is incumbent upon human society to expend all its forces
on the education of the people, and to copiously water men's hearts with the
sacred streams that pour down from the Realm of the All-Merciful, and to teach
them the manners of Heaven and spiritual ways of life, until every member of
the community of man will be schooled, refined, and exalted to such a degree of
perfection that the very committing of a shameful act will seem in itself the
direst infliction and most agonizing of punishments, and man will fly in terror
and seek refuge in his God from the very idea of crime, as something far harsher
and more grievous than the punishment assigned to it.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a
Tablet; included in a Memorandum from the Research Department of the Universal
House of Justice dated 23 May 1991, forwarded to an individual believer by the
Department of the Secretariat of the Universal House of Justice)
November 1
In regard
to the verse, which is revealed in the Qur'án, that His Highness Christ, was
not killed and was not crucified by this is meant the Reality of Christ.
Although they crucified this elemental body, yet the merciful reality and the
heavenly existence remain eternal and undying, and it was protected from the
oppression and persecution of the enemies, for Christ is Eternal and Everlasting.
How can He die? This death and crucifixion was imposed on the physical body of
Christ, and not upon the Spirit of Christ. ...
- 'Abdu'l-Bahá (From a Tablet; Star of the West, vol. 2, nos. 7 & 8,
August 1, 1911)
October 31
The Sun of Truth
hath shone faith from the Horizon of Unity upon all the regions. All contingent
things are clad with the garment of existence through the rays of the sun. Were
it not for the rays of the sun no being would step forth upon the arena of
life. Everything would have remained hidden; nay, rather, the life of the
terrestrial beings is continued through the light and heat of the sun to such
an extant that all the infinitesimal atoms, which move through this realm of
earth, owe their life to the reflection of the sun. Of course, each being
manifests its inward tendencies according to its ability and capacity. However,
no matter how much the sun reflects itself through all the contingent beings,
yet it never leaves its supreme height and exalted station. It (the Divine Sun)
is not divided among these beings, so that every being may became a part and a
portion of Divinity.
Descent, division,
transmission and transmigration in the stations of life are the conditions of
the contingent beings, but the Eternal Reality is wholly beyond and above these
conditions; for when you behold that a being is subject to division, descent
and disintegration, this is a proof of the contingency and impermanency of that
being. The Ancient, the Ever-living, and the omniscient Lord, who is above the
comprehension of humanity and is qualified with self-existent perfections, will
never descend to the stations of life, and will not be divided so that every
man may become an atom or a part of Him. Children can understand the
untenability of this proposition. This is the pure imagination of the weak
minds.
- 'Abdu'l-Bahá (From a
Tablet; Star of the West, vol. 2, nos. 7 & 8, August 1, 1911)
October 30
Thou hast asked
about the statement in the Hidden Words, which reads: "O Son of Spirit!
Turn thy face so that thou mayest find Me within thee. Powerful, Mighty and
Supreme." This is the statement to which His Holiness the Christ, referred
His apostles in the Gospel, saying. "The Father is in the Son, and the Son
is in you."
This is evident that, when the hearts are purified and through divine education and heavenly teachings become the manifestors of infinite perfections, they are like clear mirrors, and the Sun of Truth will reflect with might, power and omnipotence in such a mirror, and to such an extent that whatever is brought before it is illumined and ignited. This is a brief interpretation because of the lack of time. Therefore, do thou reflect and ponder over it so that the doors of significance may be opened before thine eyes.
This is evident that, when the hearts are purified and through divine education and heavenly teachings become the manifestors of infinite perfections, they are like clear mirrors, and the Sun of Truth will reflect with might, power and omnipotence in such a mirror, and to such an extent that whatever is brought before it is illumined and ignited. This is a brief interpretation because of the lack of time. Therefore, do thou reflect and ponder over it so that the doors of significance may be opened before thine eyes.
- 'Abdu'l-Bahá (From a Tablet; Star of the West, vol. 2, nos. 7 & 8, August 1, 1911)
October 29
The believers of God
must assemble and associate with each other in the utmost love, joy and
fragrance. They must conduct themselves (in the meetings) with the greatest dignity
and consideration, chant divine verses, peruse instructive articles, read the
Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, encourage and inspire each other with love for the
whole human race, invoke God with perfect joy and fragrance, read the verses of
glorification and praises of the Self-Subsistent Lord and deliver eloquent
speeches.
- 'Abdu'l-Bahá (From a Tablet; Star of the West, vol. 2, no. 6, June
24, 1911)
October 28
O thou handmaid who art a captive of the beauty of the
All-Glorious:
I have received thy letter, including thy question as to the
wisdom of capital punishment, it being the most odious of all things in such a
holy Dispensation as this, that hath come down as a mercy to all mankind.
Know thou, it is an established principle that man hath not
the right to seek revenge, for vengeance is verily a thing blameworthy and
detestable in the sight of God. He chastiseth whomsoever He willeth, with
whatsoever means He chooseth. But legal punishment, far from being an act of
vengeance, is in reality a bounty, and kindness itself. Although to outward
seeming it is vengeance, it is like the requital by a father who punisheth his
son for the son's wrongdoing: seemingly infliction, but truly benediction. For
this kind of torment proceedeth from the father's tender and pitying heart,
warding off from his child all that is base, driving him on to all excellence;
and from it, step by step, will the cherished son be led into perfections and
all good ways of life.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a Tablet; included in a Memorandum
from the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice dated 23 May
1991, forwarded to an individual believer by the Department of the Secretariat
of the Universal House of Justice)
October 27
It is my hope that
you all may become the product of the life of Bahá’u’lláh and the outcomes of
His heavenly training. When the people ask you, “What has Bahá’u’lláh
accomplished?” say to them, “He has created these; He has trained us.”
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (From a talk at Columbia
University, New York, 16 November 1912; ‘The Promulgation of Universal
Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States
and Canada in 1912’)
October 26
The fundamental truth of the Manifestations is peace. This
underlies all religion, all justice. The divine purpose is that men should live
in unity, concord and agreement and should love one another. Consider the
virtues of the human world and realize that the oneness of humanity is the
primary foundation of them all. Read the Gospel and the other Holy Books. You
will find their fundamentals are one and the same. Therefore, unity is the
essential truth of religion and, when so understood, embraces all the virtues
of the human world. Praise be to God! This knowledge has been spread, eyes have
been opened, and ears have become attentive. Therefore, we must endeavor to
promulgate and practice the religion of God which has been founded by all the
Prophets. And the religion of God is absolute love and unity.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a talk at Columbia
University, New York, 19 April 1912; ‘The Promulgation of Universal
Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States
and Canada in 1912’)
October 25
You have
written concerning the spiritual meetings. The foundation of the spiritual
meetings must be the teaching and delivering of the Cause of God. In these
meetings the believers and maid-servants of the Merciful must proclaim the
proofs and arguments and explain the signs of the appearance of the beauty of
Abhá - May my life be a sacrifice to the beloved ones! Meanwhile they may read
some Tablets, and Communes, and at the end of the meetings, if they desire to
sing with the utmost supplication and meekness, it is acceptable. But the
fundamental principle of the establishment of spiritual meetings is for the
sake of teaching and delivering the Truth so that those souls who are present
may become informed of the Divine Evidences and Proofs.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Star of
the West, vol. 2, no. 6, June 24, 1911)
October 24
…concerning
the established (organized assemblies), altogether outside conversation must
not be introduced therein. Nay, rather, conversation must be limited to the
reading of verses, the perusing of Words and affairs which pertain to the Cause
of God, such as explaining proofs and evidences, delivering clear and
irrefutable arguments and announcing the signs of the Beloved of the creatures.
Those souls
who are in that assembly before their entrance therein must be adorned with
utmost purity, turn their faces toward the Kingdom of Abhá and enter with
infinite humility and meekness, and when someone reads Tablets they must be
silent and attentive. Should anyone
desire to speak, he must do it with the utmost courtesy and with perfect
eloquence and fluency by the consent and permission of the people of the
assembly.
- ‘Abdu'l-Bahá ('Star of the West', vol. 2, no. 6, June 24, 1911)
October 23
…regarding
teaching the Truth: One must teach with wisdom, amiability, good-naturedness
and kindness.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a Tablet, ‘Star of the West', vol. 2, no. 6,
June 24, 1911)
October 22
Thou hast
inquired regarding the teachings and instructions of Baha'u'llah! Thou must instruct
the people of the world in the Love of God, that they may eradicate the
foundation of warfare and strife, be attracted by the Glad-tidings of the
kingdom of Abha, lay the basis of love and amity, raise the melody of affinity,
and the oneness of the Kingdom of humanity; transmute tyranny and persecution
into love and faithfulness, efface the traces of bloodshed and carnage;
construct the edifice of reconciliation, dispel the darkness of estrangement,
diffuse the light of unity; change the poison of animosity into the honey of
sympathetic affection; destroy the religious, national and social prejudices
from the individuals of humanity; live and act, with and toward each other as
though they were from one race, one country, one religion, and one kind.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Star of the West, vol. 2, no. 6, June 24, 1911)
October 21
Thou hast
written concerning the meetings and gathering-places of the believers of God.
Such assemblies and gatherings will greatly aid the promotion of the Word and
all the audience, whether friends or not, will become affected. But when the
friends have the intention of entering into these meetings they must disengage
the heart from all other reflections, ask the Inexhaustible Divine
Confirmation, and with the utmost devotion and humility set their feet in the
gathering-place. Let them not introduce any topic in the meeting except the
mentioning of the True One, neither must they confuse that merciful assembly
with complex outside questions. They must either teach or open their tongue in
propounding arguments, either commune or supplicate and pray to God, either
read Tablets or give out advices and exhortations.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Star of the
West, vol. 2, no. 6, June 24, 1911)
October 20
Moses came during a time of darkness, when ignorance and
childishness prevailed amongst the people, and they were waverers. Moses was
the teacher of God; He gave the teachings of holiness and educated the
Israelites. He raised up the people from their degradation and caused them to
be highly honoured. He taught them Sciences and Arts, trained them in
civilization and increased their human virtues.
- ‘Abdu'l-Baha (From a talk, ‘Abdu'l-Baha
in London, September 8, 1911’)
October 19
Whensoever a company of people shall gather in a meeting
place, shall engage in glorifying God, and shall speak with one another of the mysteries
of God, beyond any doubt the breathings of the Holy Spirit will blow gently
over them, and each shall receive a share thereof.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections
from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
October 18
The Messengers of God are the principal and the first
teachers. Whenever this world becomes dark, and divided in its opinions and
indifferent, God will send one of His Holy Messengers.
- ‘Abdu'l-Baha (From a
talk, ‘Abdu'l-Baha in London, September 8, 1911’)
October 17
All the teaching of the Prophets is one; one faith; one
Divine light shining throughout the world. Now, under the banner of the oneness
of humanity all people of all creeds should turn away from prejudice and become
friends and believers in all the Prophets. As Christians believe in Moses, so
the Jews should believe in Jesus. As the Muhammadans believe in Christ and
Moses, so likewise the Jews and the Christians should believe in Muhammad. Then
all disputes would disappear, all then would be united. Bahá’u’lláh came for
this purpose. He has made the three religions one. He has uplifted the standard
of the oneness of faith and the honour of humanity in the centre of the world.
Today we must gather round it, and try with heart and soul to bring about the
union of mankind.
- ‘Abdu'l-Baha (From a talk, ‘Abdu'l-Baha in London, September
29, 1911’)
October 16
Every child is potentially the light of the world -- and at
the same time its triple darkness; wherefore must the question of education be
accounted as of primary importance. From his infancy, the child must be nursed
at the breast of God's love, and nurtured in the embrace of His knowledge, that
he may radiate light, grow in spirituality, be filled with wisdom and learning,
and take on the characteristics of the angelic host. Since ye have been
assigned to this holy task, ye must therefore exert every effort to make that
school famed in all respects throughout the world; to make it the cause of
exalting the Word of the Lord.
- ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (‘Selections from the Writings of
'Abdu'l-Bahá’)
October 15
In this day everyone must be tested, as the time of the
''chosen ones" to prove their worth is indeed very short. The day of
attainment is drawing to a close for them. The "first fruits" must be
ripened in spirit, mellowed in love, and consumed by their self-sacrifice and
severance. None other are acceptable as first fruits, and all who fail to
attain to the standard through the tests, are relegated to the "many who
are called."
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu'l-Baha in answer to questions asked by Dr.
Edward C. Getsinger during a few brief meetings at Haifa, January 26 to
February 5, 1915, and recorded by Dr. Getsinger at the time; Star of the West,
vol. 6, no. 6, June 24, 1915)
October 14
O thou who art turning unto God! Thy letter was an
inheritance of joy and happiness unto me, for its significance was a
supplication and an entreaty unto God to make thee a pure servant, exempt from
all material desires, sanctified and severed from all save God, that thou
mayest be characterized with the attributes of the
heavenly angels, cleansed from all desires and earthly wishes, with thy heart
severed from all save the knowledge of the divine teachings. Verily, I pray God
to nourish thee upon the breast of bounty and rear thee in such a manner that
all men of learning shall be amazed, and to make thee a miracle of guidance
among the servants.
October 13
The savage peoples of the Hijáz, before that Flame of
supreme Prophethood was lit in the lamp of Mecca, were the most brutish and
benighted of all the peoples of the earth. In all the histories, their depraved
and vicious practices, their ferocity and their constant feuds, are a matter of
record. In those days the civilized peoples of the world
did not even consider the Arab tribes of Mecca and Medina as human beings. And
yet, after the Light of the World rose over them, they were—because of the
education bestowed on them by that Mine of perfections, that Focal Center of
Revelation, and the blessings vouchsafed by the Divine Law—within a brief
interval gathered into the shelter of the principle of Divine oneness. This
brutish people then attained such a high degree of human perfection and
civilization that all their contemporaries marveled at them. Those very peoples
who had always mocked the Arabs and held them up to ridicule as a breed devoid
of judgment, now eagerly sought them out, visiting their countries to acquire
enlightenment and culture, technical skills, statecraft, arts and sciences.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘The Secret of Divine Civilization’)
October 12
When the unworthy acts and thoughts and the discreditable
purposes of the leaders had stilled the sweet savors of the Spirit of God
(Jesus) and they ceased to stream across the world, and the darkness of
ignorance and bigotry and of actions that were displeasing to God, encompassed
the earth, then the dawn of hope shone out and the Divine spring drew on; a
cloud of mercy overspread the world, and out of the regions of grace the fecund
winds began to blow. In the sign of Muhammad, the Sun of Truth rose over Yathrib
(Medina) and the Hijáz and cast across the universe the lights of eternal
glory. Then the earth of human potentialities was transformed, and the words
“The earth shall shine with the light of her Lord,” [Qur’án 39:69] were
fulfilled. The old world turned new again, and its dead body rose into abundant
life. Then tyranny and ignorance were overthrown, and towering palaces of
knowledge and justice were reared in their place. A sea of enlightenment
thundered, and science cast down its rays.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘The Secret of Divine
Civilization’)
October 11
Gracious God! The
change in the outward form of the smallest thing proves the existence of a
creator: Then how could this vast, boundless universe have created itself and
come to exist solely through the mutual interaction of the elements? How
patently false is such a notion!
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Table talks in Akka,
authenticated by ‘Abdu’l-Baha; ‘Some Answered Questions’ – 2014 revised
translation by the Baha’i World Centre)
October 10
God has created us all human, and all countries of the world
are parts of the same globe. We are all His servants. He is kind and just to
all. Why should we be unkind and unjust to each other? He provides for all. Why
should we deprive one another? He protects and preserves all. Why should we
kill our fellow creatures? If this warfare and strife be for the sake of
religion, it is evident that it violates the spirit and basis of all religion.
All the divine Manifestations have proclaimed the oneness of God and the unity
of mankind. They have taught that men should love and mutually help each other
in order that they might progress.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a talk at Columbia University, New
York, 19 April 1912; ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by
'Abdu'l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912’)
October 9
It befitteth the friends to hold a gathering, a meeting,
where they shall glorify God and fix their hearts upon Him, and read and recite
the Holy Writings of the Blessed Beauty—may my soul be the ransom of His
lovers! The lights of the All-Glorious Realm, the rays of the Supreme Horizon,
will be cast upon such bright assemblages, for these are none other than the Mashriqu’l-Adhkárs,
the Dawning-Points of God’s Remembrance, which must, at the direction of the
Most Exalted Pen, be established in every hamlet and city... These spiritual
gatherings must be held with the utmost purity and consecration, so that from
the site itself, and its earth and the air about it, one will inhale the
fragrant breathings of the Holy Spirit.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the
Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
October 8
We hear that thou hast in mind to embellish thy house from
time to time with a meeting of Bahá’ís, where some among them will engage in
glorifying the All-Glorious Lord... Know that shouldst thou bring this about,
that house of earth will become a house of heaven, and that fabric of stone a
congress of the spirit.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings of
‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
October 7
O ye who are set aglow with the fire of God’s Love! Blessed
are ye for having been chosen by God for His love, in this new age, and joy be
to you for having been guided to the Great Kingdom! Verily, your Lord hath
chosen you to show the path to the Kingdom of God, among the people. The attracted
maid-servant of Go… praised you in beautiful expressions and informed me of
your earnest endeavors in serving, teaching and offering the chalice of Truth
to the maid-servants of God. I rejoiced to hear of your efforts in the Cause of
God. This is indeed good service.
October 6
Depend upon God, be sincere and sever thyself from all else
save Him. Thus thou wilt receive the teaching of God and thy heart will be made
happy. May thy tongue praise Him and thy sight behold the light shining from
the Sun of Truth.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, vol. 1’)
October 5
The Theosophists
believe that man will return time and again on the arc of ascent until he
reaches the Supreme Centre, where matter becomes as a spotless mirror, the
light of the spirit shines forth in the plenitude of its power, and essential
perfection is attained. However, those who have thoroughly investigated the
questions of divinity know of a certainty that the material worlds terminate at
the end of the arc of descent; that the station of man lies at the end of the
arc of descent and the beginning of the arc of ascent, which is opposite the
Supreme Centre; and that from the beginning to the end of the arc of ascent the
degrees of progress are of a spiritual nature. The arc of descent is called
that of “bringing forth” and the arc of ascent that of “creating anew”. The arc
of descent ends in material realities and the arc of ascent in spiritual
realities. The point of the compass in describing a circle does not reverse its
motion, for this would be contrary to the natural movement and the divine order
and would disrupt the regularity of the circle.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Table talks
in Akka, authenticated by ‘Abdu’l-Baha; ‘Some Answered Questions’ – 2014
revised translation by the Baha’i World Centre)
October 4
…the inner reality of man is a demarcation line between the
shadow and the light, a place where the two seas meet; [1] it is the lowest point
on the arc of descent, and therefore is it capable of gaining all the grades
above. With education it can achieve all excellence; devoid of education it
will stay on, at the lowest point of imperfection.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections
from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá’)
[1] Qur'án 25:55, 35:13, 55:19-25
October 3
Because, in this most momentous of ages, the Sun of Truth
hath risen at the highest point of the spring equinox, and cast its rays on
every clime, it shall kindle such tremulous excitement, it shall release such
vibrations in the world of being, it shall stimulate such growth and
development, it shall stream out with such a glory of light, and clouds of
grace shall pour down such plentiful waters, and fields and plains shall teem
with such a galaxy of sweet-smelling plants and blooms, that this lowly earth
will become the Abha Kingdom, and this nether world the world above. Then will
this fleck of dust be as the vast circle of the skies, this human place the
palace-court of God, this spot of clay the Dayspring of the endless favours of
the Lord of Lords.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá’)
October 2
The
progress of the world of humanity dependeth upon knowledge, and its decline is
due to ignorance. When the human race gaineth in knowledge it becometh
heavenly, and when it acquireth learning it taketh on lordly attributes.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Quoted by the Universal
House of Justice in a letter dated 17 January 2011 addressed to the Believers
in the Cradle of the Faith)
October 1
Today it behoveth one and all to forgo the mention of all
else, and to disregard all things. Let their speaking, let their inner state be
summed up thus: ‘Keep all my words of prayer and praise confined to one
refrain; make all my life but servitude to Thee.’ That is, let them concentrate
all their thoughts, all their words, on teaching the Cause of God and spreading
the Faith of God, and inspiring all to characterize themselves with the
characteristics of God; on loving mankind; on being pure and holy in all
things, and spotless in their public and private life; on being upright and
detached, and fervent, and afire. All is to be yielded up, save only the
remembrance of God; all is to be dispraised, except His praise. Today, to this
melody of the Company on high, the world will leap and dance: ‘Glory be to my
Lord, the All-Glorious!’ But know ye this: save for this song of God, no song
will stir the world, and save for this nightingale-cry of truth from the Garden
of God, no melody will lure away the heart. ‘Whence cometh this Singer Who
speaketh the Beloved’s name?’
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings of
‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
September 30
…man through the possession of this ideal endowment of
scientific investigation is the most noble product of creation, the governor of
nature. He takes the sword from nature’s hand and uses it upon nature’s head.
According to natural law night is a period of darkness and obscurity, but man
by utilizing the power of electricity, by wielding this electric sword
overcomes the darkness and dispels the gloom. Man is superior to nature and
makes nature do his bidding. Man is a sensitive being; nature is without sensation.
Man has memory and reason; nature lacks them. Man is nobler than nature. There
are powers within him of which nature is devoid. It may be claimed that these
powers are from nature itself and that man is a part of nature. In answer to
this statement we will say that if nature is the whole and man is a part of
that whole, how could it be possible for a part to possess qualities and
virtues which are absent in the whole? Undoubtedly the part must be endowed
with the same qualities and properties as the whole. For example, the hair is a
part of the human anatomy. It cannot contain elements which are not found in
other parts of the body, for in all cases the component elements of the body
are the same. Therefore, it is manifest and evident that man, although in body
a part of nature, nevertheless in spirit possesses a power transcending nature;
for if he were simply a part of nature and limited to material laws, he could
possess only the things which nature embodies. God has conferred upon and added
to man a distinctive power—the faculty of intellectual investigation into the
secrets of creation, the acquisition of higher knowledge—the greatest virtue of
which is scientific enlightenment.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a talk at Columbia University, New
York, 19 April 1912; ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by
'Abdu'l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912’)
September 29
Ye have written as to the meetings of the friends, and how
filled they are with peace and joy. Of course this is so; for wherever the
spiritually minded are gathered together, there in His beauty reigneth
Bahá’u’lláh. Thus it is certain that such reunions will yield boundless
happiness and peace.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
September 28
‘Abdu'l-Baha is the interpreter of the aims, intents, and
purposes of the Words of the Blessed Perfection (Baha’u’llah) and is the
interpreter of his own written words, and none can say that this or that is the
intention conveyed therein, save ‘Abdu'l-Baha. The spirit of unity exists in
the Divine Words, and one who interprets them in such wise as to create a
division and discord is indeed one who errs.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of Abdu'l-Baha in answer to
questions asked by Dr. Edward C. Getsinger during a few brief meetings at
Haifa, January 26 to February 5, 1915, and recorded by Dr. Getsinger at the
time; Star of the West, vol. 6, no. 6, June 24, 1915)
September 27
…it is our duty to put forth our greatest efforts and summon
all our energies in order that the bonds of unity and accord may be established
among mankind. For thousands of years we have had bloodshed and strife. It is
enough; it is sufficient. Now is the time to associate together in love and
harmony. For thousands of years we have tried the sword and warfare; let
mankind for a time at least live in peace. Review history and consider how much
savagery, how much bloodshed and battle the world has witnessed. It has been
either religious warfare, political warfare or some other clash of human
interests. The world of humanity has never enjoyed the blessing of universal
peace.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a talk at Columbia University, New York, 19 April 1912; ‘The Promulgation
of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Bahá during His Visit to the
United States and Canada in 1912’)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)