- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha to
one of His companions aboard the ship as they left America, December 4, New
York, recorded by Mahmud Zarqani; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)
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March 31
Observe how the power of the Cause of God has created a
tumult in the hearts and what a revolution it has produced. See how the aid and
assistance of the Abhá Beauty have reached us constantly and invariably the
lights of victory have shone from the supreme horizon. These have been from the
promised confirmations of the Kingdom of God and the assistance of the
invisible sovereignty of the Abhá Beauty, which He has promised clearly in the
verse, `Verily, We behold you from Our realm of Glory, and shall aid whosoever
will arise for the triumph of Our Cause with the hosts of the Concourse on high
and a company of Our favored angels.'
March 30
O thou who art steadfast in the Covenant! Thy letter of 9
September 1909 hath been received. Be thou neither grieved nor despondent over
what hath come to pass. This trouble overtook thee as thou didst walk the path
of God, wherefore it should bring thee joy. We addressed the friends in writing
ere this, and made a verbal statement as well, to the effect that the friends
in the West will unquestionably have their share of the calamities befalling
the friends in the East. It is inevitable that, walking the pathway of
Bahá’u’lláh, they too will become targets for persecution by the oppressors.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
March 29
For nine months I have been touring America, calling the
people to the oneness of humanity. I have delivered addresses in churches and
large assemblies in many cities, inviting the people to the oneness of mankind
and to love and unity. The people of America extended a cordial welcome to me.
In fact, Americans are a noble nation, with capacity to acquire every virtue
and investigate every truth.
Since I shall leave your shores tomorrow, I bid you
farewell. I pray that divine confirmations, heavenly glory and eternal life may
be granted to you, so that you may reach the highest pinnacles of the world of
man. I am most grateful to you and shall never forget you. I shall ever
supplicate at the court of the Almighty and beg divine assistance and heavenly
bounty for you.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, December 4, New York,
recorded by Mahmud Zarqani; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)
March 28
Indeed, the attacks and the obstructiveness of the ignorant
but cause the Word of God to be exalted, and spread His signs and tokens far
and wide. Were it not for this opposition by the disdainful, this obduracy of
the slanderers, this shouting from the pulpits, this crying and wailing of
great and small alike, these accusations of unbelief levelled by the ignorant,
this uproar from the foolish—how could news of the advent of the Primal Point
and the bright dawning of the Day-Star of Bahá ever have reached to east and
west? How else could the planet have been rocked from pole to pole? How else
could Persia have become the focal point of scattering splendours, and Asia
Minor the radiating heart of the beauty of the Lord? However else could the
flame of the Manifestation have spread into the south? By what means could the
cries of God have been heard in the far north? How else could His summons have
been heard in the continents of America and of Africa…?
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
March 27
Throughout this endless universe, the greatest means for the
progress and renewal of existence is that all things are eaters and eaten. This is a condition that applies to all the
particles of the universe, and it is through this means that created things are
renewed, transformed into one another, and endowed with a new reality unlike
the previous one. And this indeed is the
means of renewal.
For instance, in the mineral kingdom the soil absorbs the
air and the water and decomposes the creatures within it, and thus enables the
existence of plants. The more
microscopic animals exist in the soil, the better the plants will grow. And when the plant has grown, it is consumed
by the animal, is incorporated in its body, and is endowed with a new
existence. Thus it progresses further
and assumes a higher reality than that which it initially possessed. This indeed is the means of progress and renewal
from the mineral to the vegetable, from the vegetable to the animal, and from
the animal to the human world.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a talk, new resources
prepared by the Baha’i World Center, 2019; Baha’i Reference Library)
March 26
...When thou art disdained and rejected by the wicked doers
be not cast down; and at the power and stiffneckedness of the presumptuous be
neither vexed nor sick at heart; for such is the way of heedless souls, from
time out of mind. ‘O the misery of men! No Messenger cometh unto them but they
laugh Him to scorn!’ [ Qur’án 36:29]
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the
Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
March 25
The fleeting hours of man’s life on earth pass swiftly by
and the little that still remaineth shall come to an end, but that which
endureth and lasteth for evermore is the fruit that man reapeth from his
servitude at the Divine Threshold. Behold the truth of this saying, how
abundant and glorious are the proofs thereof in the world of being!
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
March 24
It is impossible that this great bounty should cease, that
this divine bestowal should end and that the Sun of Reality should sink forever
into a setting not followed by a sunrise, a death not followed by a revival.
How can the Sun of Reality, shining from the divine world, remain set forever
and be precluded from educating the world of existence? No, by God! The
function of the sun is to give illumination. How can it set forever and its
effulgence brought to an end? Its bounty is eternal, its luster is ever
manifest, its rays are perpetually radiant, its breezes are continually wafting
and its bestowals are ever apparent. We must be expectant and hopeful, turning
our gaze in the direction of His bountiful Kingdom that through the appearance
of these holy Manifestations humanity may attain the blessings of the
All-Glorious, that the earth be changed and the contingent world may become a
garden and a paradise of delight.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha,
December 4, New York, recorded by Mahmud Zarqani; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)
March 23
…when Moses appeared they erred anew, for Pharaoh’s people
regarded the teachings and the law of Moses as mere fancy and accorded them no
importance, considering their own ideas to represent the truth. But after a short time it became clear and
evident that what Moses had proclaimed was indeed the truth and had come to
pass, that the religion of God had been put into full effect and had secured
the honour and advancement of all Israel, and that it was the thoughts and
imaginations of the Egyptians that were the idle fancies...
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From
a talk, new resources prepared by the Baha’i World Center, 2019; Baha’i
Reference Library)
March 22
As to thy question concerning Christ: Know thou, He was
perfect in respect to spirit as well as body. His material (body) was a perfect
body in every respect; none of His material conditions were imperfect at all,
inasmuch as imperfection is contrary to perfection. His heavenly condition was
also a perfect one, comprising all the divine perfections. Reflect thou upon
these words, so that the door of knowledge may be opened before thy face.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, vol. 1)
March 21
Now Bahá’u’lláh has appeared, the divine teachings and
admonitions have been unveiled, the call of the oneness of humanity has been
sounded, the banner of the kingdom of peace is flying, and the tabernacle of
love and harmony amongst all mankind has been raised in the very heart of the
world and is summoning all people. And yet again some ignorant souls imagine
that these divine teachings are without foundation and regard their own
imaginations as lofty thoughts. But before long it will become manifest that
what He has proclaimed is sound, proven, and compelling, and that all other
thoughts are vain and idle.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a talk, new resources prepared
by the Baha’i World Center, 2019; Baha’i Reference Library)
March 20
O maid-servant of God! It is incumbent upon thee to
supplicate to thy Lord, to seek His nearness with thy heart, to be submissive
and humble before His maid-servants and to serve His great vineyard.
Forsake the mortal grades (i.e., things of the world) and be
engaged in praising thy Lord; so that His Holy Spirit may assist thee; may make
thee a sign of faith and illumine thy heart with the light of assurance, and
that thou mayest become a sign of peace, a servant of reconciliation, love and
security. Verily, my Merciful Lord is gracious under all aspects!
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, vol. 1)
March 19
Know thou, verily, the Kingdom is a magnet of the divine
world, and it attracteth the iron of pure hearts which are capable of the
bounties of the Lord of Might. Blessed art thou, for thou hast turned unto the
Lord of Heaven, thy heart hath relied upon the Light of guidance, thou hast
advanced toward the Center of righteousness, and thy spirit is cheered by the
bounty of the Supreme Concourse.
Verily, I beseech God to strengthen thee with the Most Great
Power, so that the Spirit may pour upon thee the teachings of the Beauty of
Abha, and to baptize thee with the water of life, the fire of the love of God
and with the spirit of confirmation among the maid-servants.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, vol. 1)
March 18
[Question:] Is the Divine Manifestation, God?
[Answer by ‘Abdu’l-Baha:] Yes, and yet not in Essence. A
Divine Manifestation is as a mirror reflecting the light of the Sun. The light
is the same and yet the mirror is not the Sun. All the Manifestations of God
bring the same Light; they only differ in degree, not in reality. The Truth is
one. The light is the same though the lamps may be different; we must look at
the Light not at the Lamp. If we accept the Light in one, we must accept the
Light in all; all agree, because all are the same. The teaching is ever the
same, it is only the outward forms that change.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Notes of conversations; ‘Abdu’l-Baha in London’)
March 17
Those who would have men believe that religion is their own
private property once more bring their efforts to bear against the Sun of
Truth: they resist the Command of God; they invent calumnies, not having
arguments against it, neither proofs. They attack with masked faces, not daring
to come forth into the light of day.
Our methods are different, we do not attack, neither
calumniate; we do not wish to dispute with them; we bring forth proofs and
arguments; we invite them to confute our statements.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a
talk, Paris, November 20, 1911; ‘Paris Talks’)
March 16
In this glorious Faith marriage arrangements which are made
by parents for their children while the latter are young and have not yet
attained the age of maturity are not acceptable. This matter is the responsibility
of the couple when they attain the age of maturity.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a
Tablet; compilation: ‘Consent of Parents to Marriage’, prepared by the Research
Department)
March 15
Know ye that the Torah is that which was revealed in the
Tablets to Moses, may peace be upon Him, or that to which He was bidden. But
the stories are historical narratives and were written after Moses, may peace
be upon Him.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a Tablet; compilation: ‘Holy Scriptures of
previous Dispensations’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal
House of Justice and accompanied a letter dated January 1, 1981 written on
behalf of the Universal House of Justice)
March 14
This Book is the Holy Book of God, of celestial Inspiration.
It is the Bible of
Salvation, the noble Gospel. It is the mystery of the
Kingdom and its light. It is the Divine Bounty, the sign of the guidance of
God.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Written by 'Abdul-Baha in the Bible of the pulpit of the City Temple in
London, quoted in "Star of the West", Vol. 2, No. 11; compilation:
‘Holy Scriptures of previous Dispensations’, prepared by the Research
Department of the Universal House of Justice and accompanied a letter dated
January 1, 1981 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice)
March 13
The connection between God and His creation is that of the
originator and the originated, of the sun and the dark bodies of the universe,
of the craftsman and his handiwork. Not only is the sun sanctified in its very
essence above all the bodies that receive its illumination, but its light is
also, in its essence, sanctified from and independent of the earth. So, though
the earth is nurtured by the sun and is the recipient of its light, the sun and
its rays are nonetheless sanctified above it. But were it not for the sun, the
earth and all terrestrial life could not exist.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Table talks in
Akka, authenticated by ‘Abdu’l-Baha; ‘Some Answered Questions’ – 2014 revised
translation by the Baha’i World Centre)
March 12
O ye the sincere loved ones of the Abhá Beauty! In these
days the Cause of God, the world over, is fast growing in power and, day by
day, is spreading further and further to the utmost bounds of the earth. Its
enemies, therefore, from all the kindreds and peoples of the world, are growing
aggressive, malevolent, envious and bitterly hostile. It is incumbent upon the
loved ones of God to exercise the greatest care and prudence in all things,
whether great or small, to take counsel together and unitedly resist the
onslaught of the stirrers up of strife and the movers of mischief. They must
endeavour to consort in a friendly spirit with everyone, must follow moderation
in their conduct, must have respect and consideration one for another and show
loving-kindness and tender regard to all the peoples of the world. They must be
patient and long-suffering, that they may grow to become the divine magnets of
the Abhá Kingdom and acquire the dynamic power of the hosts of the realm on
high.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
March 11
This is the first age, and the early beginnings of the dispensation
of the Most Great Light, wherefore, within this century, virtues must be
acquired, goodly qualities must be perfected within this span of time. In these
very days the Abhá Paradise must pitch its pavilions on the plains of the
world. The lights of reality must now be revealed, and the secrets of God’s
bestowals must now be made known, and now must the olden grace shine forth and
this world change into the pleasure-ground of heaven, the garden of God. And
out of pure hearts, and through heavenly bounties, all the perfections,
qualities and attributes of the divine must now be made manifest.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
March 10
…amidst all the peoples of the world must the beloved arise,
with a heart even as the day-star, a strong inward urge, a shining brow, a
musk-scented breath, a tongue speaking ever of God, an exposition
crystal-clear, a high resolve, a power born of heaven, a spiritual character, a
confirmation nothing short of the divine. Let them one and all become as a
splendour on the horizon of heaven, and in the skies of the world a dazzling
star. Let them be fruitful trees in the celestial bowers, sweet-scented blooms
in the divine gardens; let them be verses of perfection on the page of the
universe, words of oneness in the Book of Life.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from
the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
March 9
In this day, any deed, however infinitesimal, when not
performed for the sake of God, is manifest loss; and any word, when not uttered
for the sake of God, can cause a conflagration.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a Tablet; compilation: ‘Give Me Thy Grace to Serve
Thy Loved Ones’, prepared by the prepared by the International Teaching Centre
for the Continental Counsellors and their Auxiliaries, May 2018, online Baha’i
Reference Library of the World Center)
March 8
Know thou that in every word and movement of the obligatory
prayer there are allusions, mysteries and a wisdom that man is unable to
comprehend, and letters and scrolls cannot contain.
- ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (From a
Tablet; compilation: ‘Prayer and Devotional Life, prepared by the Baha’i World
Center February, 2019)
March 7
Rest not, even for an instant, and seek not comfort, even
for a moment; rather labour with heart and soul that thou mayest render devoted
service to but one amongst the friends and bring happiness and joy to but one
luminous heart. This is true bounty, and by it the brow of'Abdu'l-Baha is
illumined. Be thou my partner and associate therein.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a Tablet; compilation:
‘Give Me Thy Grace to Serve Thy Loved Ones’, prepared by the prepared by the
International Teaching Centre for the Continental Counsellors and their
Auxiliaries, May 2018, online Baha’i Reference Library of the World Center)
March 6
When your hearts are wholly attracted to the one true God
you will acquire divine knowledge, will become attentive to the proofs and
testimonies and will commit to memory the glad-tidings concerning the
Manifestation of the Beauty of the All-Merciful, as mentioned in the heavenly
Scriptures. Then ye shall behold how wondrous are His confirmations and how
gracious is His assistance.
- ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (From a Tablet; compilation: ‘Prayer
and Devotional Life, prepared by the Baha’i World Center February, 2019)
March 5
We should memorize the Hidden Words, follow the exhortations
of the Incomparable Lord, and conduct ourselves in a manner which befitteth our
servitude at the threshold of the one true God.
- ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (From a Tablet;
compilation: ‘Prayer and Devotional Life, prepared by the Baha’i World Center
February, 2019)
March 4
O ye loved ones of God! Out of gratitude for firmness in the
eternal Covenant arise to serve the threshold of the omnipotent Lord, observe
obligatory prayer and fasting, and spend your time in diffusing the sweet
savours of God and in spreading the Divine verses. Tear asunder the veils,
remove the obstacles, proffer the life-giving waters, and point out the path of
salvation. This is what 'Abdu'l-Bahá admonisheth you every morn and eve.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a Tablet; compilation: ‘The Importance of Obligatory Prayer and Fasting’,
compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice; published in
The American Baha'i, September 2000)
March 3
A letter which was signed by you in general was received.
Its content was of the utmost beauty, sweetness, eloquence and perfection.
While reading it the utmost happiness was produced. It spoke of fasting during
the month of the Fast. Happy is your condition for you have executed the divine
command; and have arisen to fast in these blessed days. For this physical
fasting is a symbol of the spiritual fasting, that is, abstaining from all
carnal desires, becoming characterized with the attributes of the spiritual
ones, attracted to the heavenly fragrances and enkindled with the fire of the
love of God.
- ‘Abdu'l-Baha (Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha vol. 1)
March 2
March 1
O ye loved ones of God! Out of gratitude for firmness in the
eternal Covenant arise to serve the threshold of the omnipotent Lord, observe
obligatory prayer and fasting, and spend your time in diffusing the sweet
savours of God and in spreading the Divine verses. Tear asunder the veils,
remove the obstacles, proffer the life-giving waters, and point out the path of
salvation. This is what 'Abdu'l-Bahá admonisheth you every morn and eve.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Compilation: ‘The Importance of Obligatory Prayer and Fasting’,
compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice; published in
The American Baha'i, September 2000)
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