God, the Maker of the worlds, hath created the realm of
humanity to be the Paradise of Eden (or the Garden of Paradise) if the edifice
of Peace, Reconciliation, Love, and Faithfulness is founded on a solid and firm
basis; nay, rather, He bath willed it to become the mirror, reflecting the Delectable
Paradise. Then, and not until then, will all the divine bounties become
manifold; happiness and wellbeing infinite; the virtues of the world of
humanity revealed and resplendent; and the rays of the Sun of Reality visible
from every direction.
Consider that his holiness Adam and others were living in
Paradise. But as soon as strife became known between Him and Satan, everyone
was driven away from Eden, so that the children of humanity might learn a
lesson and realize that quarrels and strife, even though with Satan, are
conducive to deprivation.
Therefore, in this radiant century, according to the
heavenly teachings, altercation and dispute are not allowable, even though
assailed by Satan himself.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Star of the West, vol. 4, no. 1, March
21, 1913)
