Bahá’í World/Volume 1/Extracts from Bahá’í Sacred Writings
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WE exhort mankind in these days when the countenance of Justice is soiled with dust, when the flames of unbelief are burning high and the robe of wisdom rent asunder, when tranquillity and faithfulness have ebbed away and trials and tribulations waxed severe, when covenants are broken and ties are severed, when no man knoweth how to discern light and darkness or to distinguish guidance from error.
O peoples of the world! Forsake all evil, hold fast that which is good. Strive to be shining examples unto all mankind, and true reminders of the virtues of God amidst men. He that riseth to serve My Cause should manifest My wisdom, and bend every effort to banish ignorance from the earth. Be united in counsel, be one in thought. Let each morn be better than its eve, each morrow richer than its yesterday. Man’s merit lies in service and virtue and not in the pageantry of wealth and riches. Take heed that your words be purged from idle fancies and worldly desires and your deeds be cleansed from craftiness and suspicion. Dissipate not the wealth of your precious lives in the pursuit of evil and corrupt affection, nor let your endeavors be spent in promoting your personal interest. Bestow in your days of plenty, be patient in the hour of loss. Adversity is followed by success, and rejoicings follow woe. Guard against idleness and sloth, and cling unto that which profiteth mankind, whether young or old, whether high or low. Beware lest ye sow tares of dissension among men or plant the thorns of doubt in pure and radiant hearts. O ye beloved of the Lord! Commit not that which defileth the limpid stream of love or destroyeth the sweet fragrance of friendship. By the righteousness of the Lord! ye were created to show love one to another and not perversity and rancor. Take pride not in love for yourselves but in love for your fellow-creatures. Glory not in love for your country but in love for all mankind. . . . .
Let your eye be chaste, your hand trustworthy, your tongue sincere and your heart heedful. . . .Set your reliance on the army of justice, put on the armor of wisdom, let your adorning be forgiveness and mercy. . . . . Regard not the children of the world and all their doings but fix your gaze upon God and His never-ending dominion. . . . Endeavor to the uttermost of your powers to establish the word of truth with eloquence and wisdom and to dispell falsehood from the face of the earth. . . (Lawh-i-Hikmat: Bahá’u’lláh)
The purpose of every Divine Revelation is the knowledge of God and the promotion of amity and concord amidst men; yet behold how in these days the law of God hath been made the cause of perversity and hate! Many, alas, have clung to their own ways and remained oblivious and unmindful of the Way of God . . . O people[Page 36]
of Bahá! Gird up the loins of endeavor, haply sectarian contention and strife may be removed, nay utterly banished from the face of the earth. Arise in the love of God and of His servants for the triumph of this mighty Cause. Religious enmity and hate are a world-consuming fire the flames whereof are hard to quench. What but the Hand of Divine power can save the peoples of the world from this devastating calamity?. . . Beware lest ye be shedders of blood; unsheath the sword of your tongue from the scabbard of utterance for therewith ye shall conquer the citadels of men’s hearts. We have annulled the command to slay men for unbelief; verily His mercy hath encompassed all created things could ye but perceive. . . . Kindle not discord on earth, shed not the blood of any soul, consume not the substance of your neighbor and be not the follower of every command and clamorous seducer . . . . As the pillars of religion have tottered so hath the power of the foolish, their temerity and arrogance waxed great. Whatsoever doth lower the exalted station of Religion will surely increase the heedlessness of the ungodly, and this in the end can lead but to confusion and chaos. Give ear, O discerning ones; and ye that perceive, take heed. . . . Hold fast unto chastity, cling ye to trustworthiness and faith. Show the utmost regard to the true interests of humanity, and seek not to gratify your personal desire. O ye who follow Him whom the world hath wronged! Ye are the shepherds of mankind; protect the fold from the wolves of evil and selfish desires and adorn it with the fear of God. . . . By the righteousness of the Lord, the Sword of Virtue and goodly behaviour is keener than blades of steel. (Epistle to the son of Shaykh Báqir: Bahá’u’lláh.)
The sovereigns of the world (may the Lord assist them with His grace) must with one accord hold fast unto the Most Great Peace-the greatest of all means for the protection of mankind. Our hope is that they will arise to promote that which is conducive to the tranquillity of all peoples. It is incumbent upon them to convene a universal assembly, to attend it in person or delegate their ministers, to enforce such measures as will secure the establishment of unity and concord, and to turn from destructive armaments to the betterment of mankind. Should one sovereign rise against another, let all the rest arise to withstand him. In this manner will armies and instruments of war be rendered unnecessary save in such measure as is needful for national security. If the sovereigns of the world attain unto this most great boon, the peoples of every nation will joyfully and in peace engage in the pursuit of their own affairs and the lamentations and wailing of the many will thereby cease. We beseech God that He may graciously assist them to do that which is His Will and Pleasure, and He verily is the Lord of the throne above and of the dust beneath, the King of this world and the next. It is better and preferrable that the honoured sovereigns attend this assembly in person and lay down such measures as are necessary. Whoever among them doth arise to fulfill this command, he verily is the Prince of sovereigns in the sight of God. Happy and blessed is he. (Epistle to the son of Shaykh Báqir: Bahá’u’lláh.)
O peoples of the world! Verily, verily I declare: This wronged One hath not sought neither doth He seek leadership. His one purpose hath ever been to banish that which causeth difference among the kindreds of the earth and leadeth to the separation[Page 37]
of peoples; that all may have peace and freedom to pursue that which profiteth them. We entreat Our friends not to defile the purity of the Cause with the dust of falsehood, nor abase its exalted and sanctified station by recounting marvels and miracles of which they may hear. Gracious God! This is the day when the wise should seek the counsel of this wronged One and supplicate the Almighty to grant them that which is the cause of abiding tranquillity and glory. Yet behold! how on the contrary they have striven with all their power to extinguish this brilliant and shining light. . . . In the face of all they have spoken We have remained patient at all times. We have left them in the hands of God. (Epistle to the son of Shaykh Báqir: Bahá’u’lláh.)
The Luminary of true understanding adorns this day the firmament of knowledge; well is it with him that beholds and turns thereunto. All that hath been foretold is made manifest in this day. Say, O friends! choose not to stay afar from the Ocean of God’s forgiveness for lo! He is so nigh unto you. He who was hidden from sight is come and now appears in all His glory. In one hand He bears the Water of Life, in the other He brings the Message of true liberty. Lay down and hold fast: lay down all that pertains to this earth, hold fast unto that which His generous Hand doth bestow. He, the like of Whom the eyes of the world have not seen, is now come. O friends! hasten, hasten unto Him; hearken, hearken to His call. The doings of the divines have turned the people away from God, and in the place of pious devotion malice reigns. They have strayed from God’s holy way; they have erred grievously and still claim to lead the way. We have instructed those leaders, called upon them to bear witness unto this day, and lead the servants unto God, the Most Holy. Say, O ye divines! Awake from your slumber, shake off your heedlessness, and be straightway mindful. (Epistle to Mihrabán: Bahá’u’lláh.)
The world is in turmoil and its agitation waxeth day by day. Its face is turned toward waywardness and irreligion. So grievous shall be its plight that to disclose it now would not be meet and seemly. Many a day shall pass ere it be relieved from its sore travail. And in the fulness of time there shall appear all of a sudden that which will cast terror into the very heart of mankind; then and only then will the Divine Standard be unfurled, then will the Nightingale of Holiness warble its melody upon the Tree of Life. (Prophetic utterances of Bahá’u’lláh revealed in Shavval 1925 A. H.—(circa 1878 A. D.)
O SON OF MAN! If thou lovest Me turn away from thyself, and if thou seekest My pleasure regard not thine own; that thou mayest die in Me and I eternally live in thee. (Hidden Words: Bahá’u’lláh.)
O SON OF BEING! My love is My stronghold; he that entereth therein is safe and secure, and he that turneth away shall surely stray and perish. (Hidden Words: Bahá’u’lláh.)
O SON OF SPIRIT! I created thee rich, why dost thou impoverish thyself? Noble I made thee, wherewith dost thou abase thyself? Out of the essence of knowledge I manifested thee, why seekest thou enlightenment from anyone beside Me? Of the clay of love I moulded thee, how dost thou busy thyself with another? Turn thy sight unto thyself that thou[Page 38]
mayest find Me abiding in thee, mighty, powerful and self-subsisting. (Hidden Words: Bahá’u’lláh.)
O SON OF SPIRIT! Vaunt not thyself over the poor for I lead him on his way and behold thee in thine evil plight and confound thee evermore. (Hidden Words: Bahá’u’lláh.)
O SON OF BEING! How couldest thou forget thine own faults and busy thyself with the faults of others? Who doeth this is accursed of Me. (Hidden Words: Bahá’u’lláh.)
O SON OF MAN! Breathe not the sins of others so long as thou art a sinner. Shouldst thou transgress this command accursed art thou and to this I testify. (Hidden Words: Bahá’u’lláh.)
O SON OF MAN! My calamity is My providence; outwardly it is fire and vengeance but inwardly it is light and mercy. Hasten thereunto that thou mayest become an eternal light and an immortal spirit. This is My command unto thee, do thou observe it. (Hidden Words: Bahá’u’lláh.)
O SON OF BEING! Busy not thyself with this world for with fire We test the gold and with gold We test Our servants. (Hidden Words: Bahá’u’lláh.)
O SON OF MAN! Bestow My wealth upon My poor, that in heaven thou mayest draw from spheres of unfading splendour and treasures of imperishable glory. But by My life! to offer up thy soul is a more glorious thing couldst thou but see with Mine eye. (Hidden Words: Bahá’u’lláh.)
O CHILDREN OF MEN! Know ye not why We created you from one clay? That no one should exalt himself over the other. Ponder at all times in your hearts how ye were created. Since We created you all from one same substance it behooveth you to be even as one soul, to walk with the same feet, eat with the same mouth and dwell in the same land; that from your inmost being, by your deeds and actions, the signs of oneness and the essence of detachment may be made manifest. This is My counsel unto you, O Concourse of light! Heed ye this counsel that ye may obtain the fruit of holiness from the tree of wondrous glory. (Hidden Words: Bahá’u’lláh.)
O SON OF DUST! Verily I say unto thee, of all men the most negligent is he that disputeth idly and seeketh to advance himself over his brother. Say: O brethren! Let deeds, not words, be your adorning. (Hidden Words: Bahá’u’lláh.)
O SONS OF EARTH! Know verily the heart wherein lingers the least trace of envy shall never attain My everlasting Dominion, nor inhale the fragrance of sanctity breathing from My holy Kingdom. (Hidden Words: Bahá’u’lláh.)
O LIVING DUST! I am in communion with thee, yet thou wouldst have no trust in Me. The sword of rebelliousness hath cut down the tree of thy hope. I am at all times near unto thee but thou art ever far from Me. Imperishable glory have I chosen for thee, yet boundless degradation hast thou chosen for thyself. While there is yet time return and lose not thy chance. (Hidden Words: Bahá’u’lláh.)
O YE THAT ARE FOOLISH YET HAVE A NAME TO BE WISE! Wherefore wear ye the guise of the sheperd yet inwardly are but wolves intent upon My fold? Ye are even as [Page 39]
the star that preceedeth the dawn which appeareth radiant and luminous yet leadeth the wayfarers of My city astray into paths of perdition. (Hidden Words: Bahá’u’lláh.)
O FAIR IN SEMBLANCE YET INWARDLY FOUL! Ye are even as clear yet bitter water which to outward seeming is crystal pure but when proved by the Divine Assayer not a drop thereof shall be accepted. Yea, the sunbeam falleth alike upon the mirror and the dust, yet differ they in reflection even as doth the star from the earth, nay immeasurable is the difference! (Hidden Words: Bahá’u’lláh.)
O SON OF DUST! All that is in heaven and on earth I have destined for thee except the hearts of men which I have made the habitation of My beauty and glory; yet thou didst give My home and dwelling to another than Me. And whensoever the manifestation of My holiness repaired unto His abode a stranger found He there, and, homeless, hastened unto the sanctuary of the Beloved. Notwithstanding, I revealed not thy secret and desired not thy shame. (Hidden Words: Bahá’u’lláh.)
O CHILDREN OF DUST! Tell the rich of the midnight sighing of the poor lest negligence lead them unto destruction and deprive them of their share of the Tree of wealth. Bounty and Generosity are attributes of Mine; well is it with him that adorneth himself with My attributes. (Hidden Words: Bahá’u’lláh.)
O RICH ONES OF THE EARTH! The poor among you are My trust; guard ye My trust, and be not wholly occupied with your own ease. (Hidden Words: Bahá’u’lláh.)
O MY FRIEND! Thou art the day-star of the heavens of My holiness, let not the defilement of the world eclipse thy splendour. Rend asunder the veil of negligence, that from behind the clouds thou mayest emerge resplendent and adorn all beings with the robe of Life. (Hidden Words: Bahá’u’lláh.)
O CHILDREN OF NEGLIGENCE! Set not your affections on mortal sovereignty and rejoice not therein. Ye are even as the heedless bird that with entire abandon warbleth upon the bough, when of a sudden the fowler Death doth hurl it upon the dust. Then will no trace remain of its melody, its form or colour. Wherefore, take heed, O bond-slaves of passion! (Hidden Words: Bahá’u’lláh.)
O MY SERVANTS! Ye are the trees of My garden; ye must bring forth goodly and wondrous fruits, that ye yourselves and others may profit therefrom. Thus it is encumbent upon everyone to engage in crafts and professions, for therein lies the secret of wealth, O men of understanding!. . . Trees that yield no fruit have been and will ever be fit for fire. (Hidden Words: Bahá’u’lláh.)
O MY SERVANT! The basest of men are they that yield no fruit upon the earth. They are counted as dead; nay better are the dead in the sight of God than these idle and worthless souls. (Hidden Words: Bahá’u’lláh.)
The source of all good is trust in God, submission unto His command, and contentment with His holy will and pleasure. . .
True reliance consists in pursuing one’s calling and profession in this[Page 40]
world, holding fast unto God and seeking naught but His grace, inasmuch as in His hands is the destiny of His servants. . .
True courage and power is to promote the Word of God and stand steadfast in His love. . .
The source of true wealth is love for Me; whoso loveth Me is the possessor of all things, and he that loveth Me not is indeed of the poor and needy. . .
The essence of faith is fewness of words and abundance of deeds; he whose words exceed his deeds, know verily his death is better than his life . . . .
The root of all learning is the knowledge of God, exalted be His glory, and this can never be attained save through the knowledge of His Divine Manifestation . . . .
The essence of all that We have revealed for thee is Justice—to free one’s self from idle fancy and imitation, to discern with the eye of oneness His glorious handiwork, and look into all things with a searching eye . . (Words of Wisdom: Bahá’u’lláh.)
Consider man even as a mine that holdeth stones of precious beauty. Education alone can reveal its treasures and bestow its benefit upon mankind . . .
The Lord, exalted be His glory, hath desired naught for Himself. The allegiance of mankind profiteth Him not, neither doth its disobedience bring Him loss. At every moment doth the Bird of the realm of utterance voice the call: “All things have I desired for thee, and thee for thine own self.” Should the worldy-wise-men of the day suffer the peoples of the world to inhale the fragrance of love and unity, then will men of understanding learn the meaning of true liberty and attain unto perfect tranquillity and peace. . .
Would to God that His grace and bounty may be vouchsafed unto the peoples of the world, that He may guide the kindreds of the earth and direct their steps to the path of His good-pleasure. Behold! Years have passed away and neither the world nor they that dwell therein have yet attained to peace and quiet. At one time they are in the throes of war, at another they fall victims to unforseen afflictions. Woes and tribulations have encompassed the world, and yet no one doth perceive the cause. And if the true Counsellor utter a word, they deem Him a stirrer of strife and reject His counsel. Man is bewildered and knoweth not what to think and say. . .
It is incumbent upon the leaders of the world to observe moderation in all things, and whatsoever exceedeth this will be rendered void of value. Consider: liberty, civilization and the like, though acclaimed by men of learning, will if carried to excess result in the utmost harm . . . (Epistle to Maqsúd: Bahá’u’lláh.)
When the Day-star of Wisdom rose above the horizon of God’s holy Dispensation it voiced this all-glorious utterance: They that are possessed of wealth and invested with authority and power must show the profoundest regard for Religion. In truth, Religion is a radiant light and an impregnable stronghold for the protection and welfare of the peoples of the world, for the fear of God impelleth man to hold fast to that which is good and shun all evil. Should the lamp of Religion be obscured, chaos and confusion will ensue,[Page 41]
and the lights of fairness and justice, of tranquillity and peace cease to shine. Unto this will bear witness every man of true understanding. (Ishráqát: Bahá’u’lláh.)
We have enjoined upon all mankind the Most Great Peace—the surest of all means for the protection of humanity. The sovereigns of the world should with one accord hold fast thereunto, for this is the supreme instrument that can ensure the security and welfare of all peoples and nations. They verily are the manifestations of the power of God and the daysprings of His authority. We beseech the Almighty that He may graciously assist them in that which leadeth to the well-being of their subjects. (Ishráqát: Bahá’u’lláh.)
It is incumbent upon everyone to observe God’s holy commandments inasmuch as they are the well-spring of life unto the world. The firmament of Divine Wisdom is illumined with the twin orbs of Counsel and Compassion, and the canopy of world order is upraised upon the two pillars of Reward and Punishment. (Ishráqát: Bahá’u’lláh.)
The triumphant hosts of this Divine Dispensation are laudable deeds and praiseworthy character, and the leader and marshal thereof is the fear of God. Verily this comprehendeth and ruleth all things. (Ishráqát: Bahá’u’lláh.)
Governments should fully acquaint themselves with the conditions of those they govern, and confer upon them positions according to desert and merit. It is enjoined upon every ruler and sovereign to consider this matter with the utmost care that the traitor may not usurp the position of the faithful nor the despoiler rule in the place of the trustworthy. (Ishráqát: Bahá’u’lláh.)
From the beginning of time the light of unity hath shed its Divine radiance upon the world, and the greatest means for the promotion of that unity is for the peoples of the world to understand one another’s writing and speech. In former Epistles We have enjoined upon the Trustees of the House of Justice either to choose one language from among those now existing or to adopt a new one, and in like manner to select a common script, both of which should be taught in all the schools of the world. Thus will the earth be regarded as one country and one home. The most glorious fruit of the Tree of Knowledge is this exalted Word: “Of one tree are all ye the fruit, and of one bough the leaves.” “Let not man glory in that he loves his country, let him rather glory in this that he loves his kind.” (Ishráqát: Bahá’u’lláh.)
The Pen of Glory counselleth everyone regarding the instruction and education of children. . . . It is enjoined upon every father to provide for the instruction of his sons and daughters in the art of learning and writing and in that which hath been prescribed in My Epistles. He that neglecteth that whereunto he is bidden, if he be wealthy, the Trustees are to take from him that which is required for their education, and if he be poor, the matter shall devolve upon the House of Justice. Verily have We made it a shelter for the poor and a refuge for the needy. He that bringeth up his own son or the son of another, it is as though he had brought up a child of Mine own; upon him rest My glory, My loving-kindness and My mercy that encompasseth all mankind. (Ishráqát: Bahá’u’lláh.)
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The Lord hath ordained that in every city a House of Justice be established, wherein shall gather counsellors to the number of Baha (9), and should this number be exceeded it shall not matter. When gathered together they should remember the Presence of God in their midst. It behooveth them to be the trusted ones of the Merciful amongst men and the ministers of God to all that dwell on earth. It is incumbent upon them to take counsel together and care for the interests of the servants of God, for His sake, even as they care for their own and to choose that which God hath chosen. (Kitáb-i-Aqdas: Bahá’u’lláh.)
O servants of the Merciful! Arise to serve the Cause of God in such wise that cares and sorrows caused by them that have disbelieved in the Dayspring of the si!gns of God may not afflict you. . . . Lament not in your hours of trial, neither rejoice therein; seek ye the middle way which is remembrance of Me in your afflictions and meditation on that which may hereafter befall you . . . . (Kitáb-i-Aqdas: Bahá’u’lláh.)
True liberty lies in observing My commandments, did ye but know. Were men to follow that which We have revealed unto them from the heaven of Revelation, they would of a certainty attain unto absolute freedom. Well is it with him that hath known the purpose of God in that which hath been revealed from the heaven of His will that transcendeth all mankind. Say: the liberty that profiteth you is to be found only in servitude to God, the True One, and whoso hath tasted the sweetness thereof will never barter it for all the dominion of heaven and earth . . . (Kitáb-i-Aqdas: Bahá’u’lláh.)
O people of Baha! Be as the cloud that from you may be showered that which will refresh and animate the earth. . . . Ponder God in your heart, reflect on His Manifestations, and be not of them that are devoid of understanding. . . . I came not to proclaim that which ye already possess. Verily, verily, this day is a new day; He that hath come is the Wondrous, and His bidding the wonder of all that is in heaven and on earth. . . . We have desired naught for ourselves, but desired for you that which will profit you in the Kingdom of God, the Gracious, the All-Bountiful. . . . Glory is not his that proclaimeth his faith, but glory is his that doeth that which the All-Merciful hath revealed in His wondrous Book. . . . 0 people of the world! Hearken to the call of the Lord, the King of eternity. He biddeth you to follow righteousness, to do that which giveth you peace and exalteth your station. He verily is the faithful Counsellor. . . . Regard not the world and its fleeting shadows, but fix your gaze upon God and His signs that have encompassed all creation . . Detachment is as the sun; in whatsoever heart it doth shine it quencheth the fire of covetousness and self. He whose sight is illumined with the light of understanding will assuredly detach himself from the world and the vanities thereof. . . . Let not the world and its vileness grieve you. Happy is he whom riches fill not with vain-glory, nor poverty with sorrow. . . . O concourse of rulers! Turn unto the poor; verily God hath created them and you from the selfsame substance. Let a portion of your wealth be shared by them. This is that which will profit you throughout all times and ages. Bestow a part of that which God in His grace hath given you; for thereby will your wealth be increased . . . . Unfaithful is the world. . . . Were it worthy of regard or acceptable in the sight of God, they that were the Manifestations[Page 43]
of Justice would not have fallen victims to the talons of tyranny. What greater proof of the baseness of the world and its degradation in the eyes of the Almighty?. . . Exalted is the station of man, if he be adorned with the true attributes of humanity; otherwise he is counted as the basest of all creatures. . . . O My loved ones! Ye are the world’s spiritual physicians. It is incumbent upon you, through the power and might of God, to heal by the sovereign remedy of the Most Great Name the soul-sickness of the kindreds of the earth and clarify the vision of all mankind. . . . Give ear to the voice of the Ancient Beauty calling you aloud from this most great Prison. Forsake oppression and cruelty, cling to the fear of God. Purge yourselves from satanic deeds, be adorned with the virtues of God. Verily, strife and sedition beseem not the people of God. Eschew wicked works, and walk in the ways of holiness, of resignation and contentment. . . . Be calm and self-dependent in your relations with your fellow-men, and deal with them in fairness and justice. Turn treachery to trust, slander to brotherly counsel, oppression to justice, heedlessness to the remembrance of God. (Extracts from the Epistles of Bahá’u’lláh.)
It behoveth him that desireth to teach the Cause of his Lord to adorn his head with the crown of detachment and the temple of his body with the fear of God. . . . Happy are the righteous that have attained unto the most great truth; happy are the wise that have recognized the straight path of God and turned unto His Kingdom; happy are the glad and sincere, the lamps of whose hearts burn with the knowledge of the All-Merciful and are protected by self-abnegation from the rough winds of test and sorrows; happy are the brave whose hearts the power of the oppressor cannot daunt; happy are the clear-sighted that have learned to distinguish the transitory from the eternal, that have turned their face to the Imperishable and are named among the Immortals in the realm of power and glory. . . . O friends! The thief and the traitor are lying in wait; beware lest ye be heedless, O bearers of God’s trust! Protect from the robber’s hand the pearls of the love of God. . . . In this day, whosoever rendeth not asunder the veil of his idle imaginings will assuredly fail to hear the Voice of God. Well is it with them that with the aid of the power of God have shattered the idols of their fancies and, with ear attentive to His call, have risen from the dead. . . . Words must be followed by deeds; words without deed are as bees that yield no honey, as trees that bear no fruit. . . Regard not the Cause of God as child’s play, neither be unmindful of His all-embracing, all-discerning wisdom. Distinquish yourselves one and all among mankind by the radiance of your countenance, the sincerity of your speech, the purity of your heart, the steadfastness of your purpose, the trustworthiness of your conduct, the sanctity of your soul, the blamelessness of your life. . . (Extracts from the Epistles of Bahá’u’lláh.)
O ye beloved of the Lord! In this sacred Dispensation conflict and contention are in no wise permitted. Every aggressor deprives himself of God’s grace. It is incumbent upon everyone to show the utmost love, righteousness, straightforwardness and heartfelt kindliness unto all the peoples and kindreds of the world, be they friends or strangers. Nay, the spirit of affection and loving kindness must so prevail that the stranger may find himself a friend, the enemy a true companion, and every least
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trace of difference be removed. For universality is of God and all limitations earthly. Hence man must strive to show forth such virtues and perfections as may illumine all mankind. The light of the sun shineth upon all the world and the merciful showers of Providence fall upon all peoples. The life-giving breeze reviveth every soul and all living creatures obtain their share and portion at His heavenly board. In like manner the affections and loving kindness of the servants of the One True God must be bountifully and universally extended to all mankind. Regarding this, restrictions and limitations are in no wise permitted.
Wherefore, O my loving friends! Consort with all the peoples and kindreds and religions of the world with the utmost truthfulness, uprightness, faithfulness, kindliness, good-will and friendliness; that all the world of being may be filled with the holy ecstasy of the grace of Bahá, that ignorance, enmity, hate and malice may vanish from the world and the darkness of estrangement amidst the peoples and kindreds of the world may be turned into the light of unity. Should other peoples and nations be unfaithful show fidelity unto them, should they be unjust be just unto them, should they avoid you attract them, should they show enmity be friendly, should they poison you sweeten their lives, should they inflict a wound upon you be a salve to their sores. Such are the attributes of the sincere! Such are the attributes of the truthful!. . .
The disciples of Christ forgot themselves and all earthly things, forsook all their cares and belongings, purged themselves of self and passion, and with absolute detachment scattered far and wide, and engaged in calling the peoples of the world to the light of Guidance, till at last they made the world another world, illumined the surface of the earth, and even to their last hour proved self-sacrificing in the pathway of that beloved One of God. Finally in various lands, they suffered glorious martyrdom. Let them that are men of action follow in their footsteps! (The Will and Testament: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.)
