Moses was for a long time a shepherd in the wilderness. To
outward seeming He was a man Who had been reared in the bosom of tyranny, had
become reputed among men as a murderer, had taken up the shepherd’s staff, and
was fiercely hated and reviled by Pharaoh’s government and people. It was such
a man Who freed a great people from the fetters of captivity and persuaded them
to leave Egypt and settle in the Holy Land.
That people had sunk to the depths of degradation and were
lifted up to the heights of glory. They were captives and were set free. They
were the most ignorant of peoples and became the most learned. By virtue of
that which He established, they so progressed as to be singled out among all
nations, and their fame spread to every land, to such a degree that when the
inhabitants of neighbouring lands wanted to praise someone they would say,
“Surely he must be an Israelite!” Moses established laws and ordinances that
conferred new life upon the people of Israel and led them to attain the highest
degree of civilization at that time.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Table talks in Akka,
authenticated by ‘Abdu’l-Baha; ‘Some Answered Questions’ – 2014 revised
translation by the Baha’i World Centre)
June 29
...Thou hast written about the girls' school. What was
previously written still holdeth true. There can be no improvement unless the
girls are brought up in schools and centres of learning, unless they are taught
the sciences and other branches of knowledge, and unless they acquire the
manifold arts, as necessary, and are divinely trained. For the day will come
when these girls will become mothers. Mothers are the first educators of children,
who establish virtues in the child's inner nature. They encourage the child to
acquire perfections and goodly manners, warn him against unbecoming qualities,
and encourage him to show forth resolve, firmness, and endurance under
hardship, and to advance on the high road to progress. Due regard for the
education of girls is, therefore, necessary. This is a very important subject,
and it should be administered and organized under the aegis of the Spiritual
Assembly....
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a Tablet, The Compilation of Compilations,
vol. II, Women)
June 28
A Cause which changed such a weak people [“the children of
Israel”] into a powerful nation, rescued them from captivity, caused them to
attain to sovereignty, transformed their ignorance into knowledge and
philosophy, granted them prosperity and endowed them with an impetus to advance
along all paths of attainment, such a Cause makes it evident that religion is a
source of honor and progress for humanity, a foundation for eternal happiness.
But blind imitations and dogmas which crept in later, those are ever a destructive force and the cause of the retrogression of nations. It is written in the Torah and in historical records that when the Jews were fettered by forms and imitations the wrath of God became manifest.
When the foundation of the law of God was ignored, God sent Nebuchadnezzar. He killed the men, enslaved the children, laid waste the Holy Temple, took seventy thousand Jews into captivity to Babylon and caused the Torah to be burned.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, From a talk at San Francisco’s Jewish Temple, October 12, 1912, San Francisco, USA, recorded by Mahmud Zarqani; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’) (To see the entire talk please visit Talks of ‘Abdu’l-Baha)
But blind imitations and dogmas which crept in later, those are ever a destructive force and the cause of the retrogression of nations. It is written in the Torah and in historical records that when the Jews were fettered by forms and imitations the wrath of God became manifest.
When the foundation of the law of God was ignored, God sent Nebuchadnezzar. He killed the men, enslaved the children, laid waste the Holy Temple, took seventy thousand Jews into captivity to Babylon and caused the Torah to be burned.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, From a talk at San Francisco’s Jewish Temple, October 12, 1912, San Francisco, USA, recorded by Mahmud Zarqani; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’) (To see the entire talk please visit Talks of ‘Abdu’l-Baha)
June 27
Though the human body is sensitive, its spirit is hidden; it
is the spirit which commands the body. The spirit acts in two ways: One way is
by instruments; that is, it sees with the eyes, it hears with the ears and
speaks with the tongue. These instruments work by the spirit, which is their
motor; though its senses are manifested by the body, they come from the faculty
of the spirit. The other way is that of being and acting without instruments;
as in dreams and visions, it sees without eyes, hears without ears, speaks
without the tongue, walks without feet. All the faculties of the spirit are
clear and distinct in the world of visions. Hence it is evident that the spirit
acts in two ways: First, by the instruments of the body; second, without the
instruments of the body.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, from a talk given at Alliance
Spiritualiste of Paris, Nov. 9, 1911; ‘Star of the West, vol. 2, no. 17,
January 19, 1912)
June 26
Man is not man by the body, he is man by the spirit, for by
the body he is the associate of the animal; that which distinguishes him is the
spirit. As the sun illumines the earth, so the spirit illumines the body. It
renders man celestial; gives him kindness by the breath of the Holy Spirit;
makes him understand the reality of things; discovers all sciences; offers
eternal life; unites the nations; joins the Orient and the Occident, and
changes the human world into a divine world. Consequently, those who receive
the bounties of the Spirit give life to others.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, from a
talk given at Alliance Spiritualiste of Paris, Nov. 9, 1911; ‘Star of the West,
vol. 2, no. 17, January 19, 1912)
June 25
Again I repeat that the future of Canada, whether from a
material or a spiritual standpoint, is very great. Day by day civilization and
freedom shall increase. The clouds of the Kingdom will water the seeds of
guidance which have been sown there. Consequently, rest ye not, seek ye no
composure, attach not yourselves to the luxuries of this ephemeral world, free
yourselves from every attachment, and strive with heart and soul to become
fully established in the Kingdom of God. Gain ye the heavenly treasures. Day by
day become ye more illumined. Draw ye nearer and nearer unto the threshold of
oneness. Become ye the manifestors of spiritual favors and the dawning-places
of infinite lights! If it is possible, send ye teachers to other portions of
Canada; likewise, dispatch ye teachers to Greenland and the home of the
Eskimos.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Tablets of the Divine Plan’)
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Tablets of the Divine Plan’)
June 24
O ye believers of God! Be not concerned with the smallness
of your numbers, neither be oppressed by the multitude of an unbelieving world.
Five grains of wheat will be endued with heavenly blessing, whereas a thousand
tons of tares will yield no results or effect. One fruitful tree will be
conducive to the life of society, whereas a thousand forests of wild trees
offer no fruits. The plain is covered with pebbles, but precious stones are
rare. One pearl is better than a thousand wildernesses of sand, especially this
pearl of great price, which is endowed with divine blessing. Erelong thousands
of other pearls will be born from it. When that pearl associates and becomes
the intimate of the pebbles, they also all change into pearls.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Tablets of the Divine Plan’)
June 23
If thy daily living becomes difficult, soon (God) thy Lord
will bestow upon thee that which shall satisfy thee. Be patient in the time of
affliction and trial, endure every difficulty and hardship with dilated heart,
attracted spirit and eloquent tongue in remembrance of the Merciful. Verily
this is the life of satisfaction, the spiritual existence, heavenly repose,
divine benediction and the celestial table! Soon thy Lord will extenuate thy
straightened circumstances even in this world. - ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, vol. 1’)
June 22
It behooveth thee to sever thyself from all desires save thy
Lord, the Supreme, expecting no help or aid from anyone in the universe, not
even from thy father or children. Resign thyself to God! Content thyself with
but little of this world’s goods! Verily, economy is a great treasure. If one
of thy relations oppress thee, complain not against him before the magistrate;
rather manifest magnificent patience during every calamity and hardship. Verily
thy Master is the Lord of Faithfulness! Forgive and overlook the shortcomings
which have appeared in that one, for the sake of love and affection. Know that
nothing will benefit thee in this life save supplication and invocation unto
God, service in His vineyard, and, with a heart full of love, be in constant
servitude unto Him.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, vol. 1’)
June 21
Bahá’u’lláh has drawn the circle of unity, He has made a
design for the uniting of all the peoples, and for the gathering of them all
under the shelter of the tent of universal unity. This is the work of the
Divine Bounty, and we must all strive with heart and soul until we have the
reality of unity in our midst, and as we work, so will strength be given unto
us. Leave all thought of self, and strive only to be obedient and submissive to
the Will of God. In this way only shall we become citizens of the Kingdom of
God, and attain unto life everlasting.
- ‘Abdu'l-Baha (Words of 'Abdu'l-Baha from a talk, October 28, 1911, Paris; ‘Paris Talks’)
- ‘Abdu'l-Baha (Words of 'Abdu'l-Baha from a talk, October 28, 1911, Paris; ‘Paris Talks’)
June 20
O bird that singeth sweetly of the Abhá Beauty! In this new
and wondrous dispensation the veils of superstition have been torn asunder and
the prejudices of eastern peoples stand condemned. Among certain nations of the
East, music was considered reprehensible, but in this new age the Manifest
Light hath, in His holy Tablets, specifically proclaimed that music, sung or
played, is spiritual food for soul and heart.
The musician’s art is among those arts worthy of the highest
praise, and it moveth the hearts of all who grieve. Wherefore, O thou Shahnáz,
[1] play and sing out the holy words of God with wondrous tones in the
gatherings of the friends, that the listener may be freed from chains of care
and sorrow, and his soul may leap for joy and humble itself in prayer to the
realm of Glory.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha ('Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha')
[1] Shahnáz, the name given to the recipient of this
Tablet, is also the name of a musical mode.
June 19
Where then can one find in man this mind that resides in him
and whose existence is beyond doubt? Were you to examine the human body with
the eye, the ear, or the other senses, you would fail to find it, even though
it clearly exists. The mind, therefore, has no place, although it is connected
with the brain.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Table talks in Akka, authenticated by
‘Abdu’l-Baha; ‘Some Answered Questions’ – 2014 revised translation by the
Baha’i World Centre)
June 18
In the promotion of the divine principles he [‘Abdu’l-Baha]
found no antagonist and no adversary. The believers he met in that city
[Montreal] were in the utmost spirituality, and attracted with the fragrances
of God. He found that through the effort of the maidservant of God Mrs. Maxwell
a number of the sons and daughters of the Kingdom in that Dominion were
gathered together and associated with each other, increasing this joyous
exhilaration day by day. The time of sojourn was limited to a number of days,
but the results in the future are inexhaustible. When a farmer comes into the
possession of a virgin soil, in a short time he will bring under cultivation a
large field. Therefore I hope that in the future Montreal may become so
stirred, that the melody of the Kingdom may travel to all parts of the world
from that Dominion and the breaths of the Holy Spirit may spread from that
center to the East and the West of America.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Tablets of the Divine Plan’)
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Tablets of the Divine Plan’)
June 17
We
should be aware that the purpose of the religion of God has been to promote
amity and fellowship among men. Therefore, the foundation of the religions of
God is one. Reality does not accept multiplicity.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, From a talk at San
Francisco’s Jewish Temple, October 12, 1912, San Francisco, USA, recorded by
Mahmud Zarqani; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)
June 16
Now the day has arrived in which the edifice of God, the
divine sanctuary, the spiritual temple, shall be erected in America! I entreat
God to assist the confirmed believers in accomplishing this great service and
with entire zeal to rear this mighty structure which shall be renowned
throughout the world. The support of God will be with those believers in that
district that they may be successful in their undertaking, for the Cause is
great and great; because this is the first Mashriqu’l-Adhkar in that country
and from it the praise of God shall ascend to the Kingdom of Mystery and the
tumult of His exaltation and greetings from the whole world shall be heard!
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, vol. 1)
June 15
O thou who art attracted by the Fragrances of God!
Be rejoiced through the grace of thy Lord and happy through
the bounties of thy God, the Most Merciful of the Merciful. Thy Lord hath
indeed chosen thee for His love, guided thee unto the straight path, attracted
thee by the magnet of His knowledge, from among women, and crowned thee with
the diadem of guidance among the maid-servants. Praise thy Lord for this great
favor, heavenly mercy and bounty which hath no equal in the world of creation.
Gladden the maid-servants of the Merciful through the grace of thy Lord. Thus
their breasts may become dilated by the holy fragrances emanating from the
Kingdom of Abha.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, vol. 1)
June 14
As to thy revered husband: It is expedient that thou
shouldst behave toward him in the best way and persevere in his good pleasure
(i.e., please him) and treat him with kindness under all aspects; until (or so
that) he may find that through thy turning toward the Kingdom of God (i.e., by
becoming a believer) thy affection toward him and thy love for God is increased
and that thou hast regard for his good will in every condition.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, vol. 1)
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, vol. 1)
June 13
In the churches and meetings of that Dominion [Canada] he [‘Abdu’l-Baha]
called men to the Kingdom of God with
the utmost joy, and scattered such seeds which will be irrigated with the hand
of divine power. Undoubtedly those seeds will grow, becoming green and verdant,
and many rich harvests will be gathered.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Tablets of the Divine
Plan’)
June 12
This
material world has an outward appearance, as it has also an inner reality. All
created things are interlinked in a chain leading to spirituality and
ultimately ending in abstract realities. I hope that these spiritual links will
become stronger day by day and that this communication of hearts, which is
termed inspiration, will continue. When this connection exists, bodily
separation is not important; this condition is beyond the world of words and
above all description.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha to Agnes Parsons, Washington DC,
April 28, 1912; Mahmud’s Diary)
June 11
It [science] is a bestowal of God; it is not material; it is
divine. Science is an effulgence of the Sun of Reality, the power of
investigating and discovering the verities of the universe, the means by which
man finds a pathway to God. All the powers and attributes of man are human and
hereditary in origin -- outcomes of nature's processes -- except the intellect,
which is supernatural. Through intellectual and intelligent inquiry science is
the discoverer of all things. It unites present and past, reveals the history of
bygone nations and events, and confers upon man today the essence of all human
knowledge and attainment throughout the ages. By intellectual processes and
logical deductions of reason this superpower in man can penetrate the mysteries
of the future and anticipate its happenings.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a
talk in New York, 23 April 1912; ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace’)
June 10
Every
religion is divided into two parts. One part is concerned with the world of
morality, the upliftment and advancement of the world of humanity, the
knowledge of God and the discovery of the realities of things. This part of
religion is spiritual and is its essential and fundamental part. It is the
foundation of all the religions of God. Therefore, all religions are one and
the same.
The
second part has to do with social relationships. This part is not essential; it
is subject to change according to the requirements of the time. In the time of
Noah certain conditions required that all sea foods be made lawful. Because of
certain exigencies at the time of Abraham, it was lawful for a man to marry his
sister, even as Abel and Cain had done, but in the Torah this practice was
prohibited. .
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha,
From a talk at San Francisco’s Jewish Temple, October 12, 1912, San Francisco,
USA, recorded by Mahmud Zarqani; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’) (To see the entire talk
please visit Talks of
‘Abdu’l-Baha)
June 9
… we ask for things which the divine wisdom does not desire
for us, and there is no answer to our prayer. His wisdom does not sanction what
we wish. We pray, "O God! Make me wealthy!" If this prayer were
universally answered, human affairs would be at a standstill. There would be
none left to work in the streets, none to till the soil, none to build, none to
run the trains. Therefore, it is evident that it would not be well for us if
all prayers were answered. The affairs of the world would be interfered with, energies
crippled and progress hindered. But whatever we ask for which is in accord with
divine wisdom, God will answer. Assuredly!
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (From a talk, 5 August 1912, Dublin, New Hampshire; The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912’)
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (From a talk, 5 August 1912, Dublin, New Hampshire; The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912’)
June 8
The primary characteristic of true believers is
trustworthiness whereas the primary characteristic of the rebellious is
faithlessness.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a Tablet, The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Trustworthiness: A Cardinal Bahá'í Virtue)
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a Tablet, The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Trustworthiness: A Cardinal Bahá'í Virtue)
June 7
The
hearts of children are extremely pure and simple. A person's heart must be like
a child's, pure and free from all contamination.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, From a talk at October 15: Pleasanton, California, USA, recorded by Mahmud Zarqani; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, From a talk at October 15: Pleasanton, California, USA, recorded by Mahmud Zarqani; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)
June 6
Praise be to God! —that the Blessed Perfection hath freed
the necks from the bonds and fetters and released all from racial attachments
by proclaiming, “Ye are all the fruits of one tree and the leaves of one
branch.” Be ye kind to the human world, and be ye compassionate to the race of
man, deal with the strangers as you deal with the friends, be ye gentle toward
the outsiders as you are toward the beloved ones…
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, vol. 1)
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, vol. 1)
June 5
Now is the time when the signs and the perfections of the
“Most Great Name” become manifest and clear in this golden cycle in order that
it may become demonstrated and established beyond doubt that this period is the
period of the Blessed Perfection, and this cycle is distinguished from all other
cycles and epochs.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, vol. 1)
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, vol. 1)
June 4
If you observe that a soul has turned his face completely
toward the Cause of God, his intention is centralized upon the penetration of
the Word of God, he is serving the Cause day and night with the utmost
fidelity, no scent of selfishness is inhaled from his manners and deeds, and no
trace of egotism or prejudice is seen in his personality—nay rather is he a
wanderer in the wilderness of the love of God, and one intoxicated with the
wine of the knowledge of God, occupied wholly with the diffusion of the
fragrances of God, and attracted to the signs of the Kingdom of God; know ye of
a certainty that he is confirmed with the powers of the Kingdom, assisted by
the heaven of Might; and he will shine, gleam and sparkle like unto the morning
star with the utmost brilliancy and splendor from the horizon of the
everlasting gift. If he is alloyed with the slightest trace of passion, desire,
ostentation or self-interest, it is certain that the results of all efforts
will prove fruitless, and he will become deprived and hopeless.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, vol. 1)
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, vol. 1)
June 3
The Christ
rose like a star in the horizon of the East, but the Light of His influence has
taken root more firmly in the West. This shows us that the people of the West
are very faithful in their hearts and they do not easily forget. The West is
like a good plant. When the rain falls gently upon it to give it nourishment
and the sun shines upon it to give it warmth, then does it blossom forth and
bear good fruit.
It is a long time since the Sun of Righteousness has shed its Radiance upon the West, for the Face of God has been hidden by the sin and forgetfulness of man; but now, thanks be to God! the Sun shines forth in all its glory and the breath of the Holy Spirit is watchful over the nations. Let us pray to God that the light and refreshment may awaken the people and give them new life, that they shall find a second life and there shall be a new creation. Humanity shall put on a new garment and the Mercy of God will be showered upon the people. My earnest desire is that you will work for this end, that you may be the cause of it. It is certain that the Flag of Divinity has been raised and the Sun of Righteousness of God appears upon the horizon. Be faithful and loving workers that you may be among the blest of God and receive the benefits of the Kingdom of Abhá.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a talk, October 23, 1911, Paris, France; ‘Star of the West Vol. 2, no. 16, December 31, 1911)
It is a long time since the Sun of Righteousness has shed its Radiance upon the West, for the Face of God has been hidden by the sin and forgetfulness of man; but now, thanks be to God! the Sun shines forth in all its glory and the breath of the Holy Spirit is watchful over the nations. Let us pray to God that the light and refreshment may awaken the people and give them new life, that they shall find a second life and there shall be a new creation. Humanity shall put on a new garment and the Mercy of God will be showered upon the people. My earnest desire is that you will work for this end, that you may be the cause of it. It is certain that the Flag of Divinity has been raised and the Sun of Righteousness of God appears upon the horizon. Be faithful and loving workers that you may be among the blest of God and receive the benefits of the Kingdom of Abhá.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a talk, October 23, 1911, Paris, France; ‘Star of the West Vol. 2, no. 16, December 31, 1911)
June 2
It is clear that life in this fast-fading world is as
fleeting and inconstant as the morning wind, and this being so, how fortunate
are the great who leave a good name behind them, and the memory of a lifetime
spent in the pathway of the good pleasure of God.
It is all one, if it be a throne
Or the bare ground under the open sky,
Where the pure soul lays him
Down to die. [Sa’dí, a Persian poet]
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘The Secret of Divine Civilization’)
It is all one, if it be a throne
Or the bare ground under the open sky,
Where the pure soul lays him
Down to die. [Sa’dí, a Persian poet]
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘The Secret of Divine Civilization’)
June 1
At whatever time
the heavenly Teachings are spread abroad, and their pillars are set firm and
deep, and their walls raised up, and their rule is well established over the
hearts, it is certain that man will not raise his hand against man to the point
where such punishments as imprisonment, flogging, torment or the forfeiture of life
would ever be called for. "And God sufficeth the believers in their
fight". [Qur'an 33:25] This verily is peace for all mankind, and complete tranquillity,
and the highest perfection destined by God for man.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a Tablet, quoted in a Memorandum dated October 16, 1994, from the Research department of the Universal House of Justice)
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a Tablet, quoted in a Memorandum dated October 16, 1994, from the Research department of the Universal House of Justice)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)