In all the cycles of the prophets the philanthropic affairs
were confined to their respective peoples only - with the exception of small
matters, such as charity, which was permissible to extend to others. But in
this wonderful dispensation, philanthropic affairs are for all humanity,
without any exception, because it is the manifestation of the mercifulness of
God. Therefore, every universal matter – that is, one that belongs to all the
world of humanity – is divine; and every matter that is sectarian and special
is not universal in character – that is, it is limited. Therefore, my hope is
that the friends of God, every one of them, may become as the mercy of God to
all mankind.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Star of the West, vol. 9, no. 1, March 1918; quoted
in A Compilation on ‘Social and Educational Development’, prepared by the
Research Department of the Universal House of Justice; The Compilation of
Compilations, vol. 3; compilation: Lights of Guidance)
