… among the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh is voluntary sharing of
one’s property with others among mankind. This voluntary sharing is greater
than equality, and consists in this, that man should not prefer himself to
others, but rather should sacrifice his life and property for others. But this
should not be introduced by coercion so that it becomes a law and man is
compelled to follow it. Nay, rather, man should voluntarily and of his own
choice sacrifice his property and life for others, and spend willingly for the
poor, just as is done in Persia among the Bahá’ís.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From the
First Tablet to the Hague, 17 December 1919; revised translation under the
direction of the Universal House of Justice, available at the online ‘Baha’i
Reference Library’ site of the Baha’i World Center)
