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’)
