The Divine Reality presupposes a creation, the All-Provider
presupposes a recipient of His bounty. To imagine a God without His creatures
is like imagining a king without a country and a people. A king must have a
kingdom. Could there be a king without a country and subjects? It is an
impossibility. If there had been a time when there were no country and no army,
how could we say there was a king at that time? Thus he must have had his
people. Thus, as the Divine Eternity is infinite, His creation is also without
beginning and without end. From everlasting God was the Creator, the
All-Provider, the Quickener and the Bestower. There was no time when His
attributes did not express themselves. Cessation is wholly inconceivable.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, December 4, New York, recorded by Mahmud
Zarqani; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)
