[Page 21]
Sacred Writings -
From the Writings of Bahé’u’lléh
All men have been created to carry forward an ever-advancing civi- lization. The Almighty bcareth Me witness: To act like the beasts of the field is unworthy of man. Those virtues that befit his dignity are forbearance, mercy, compassion. and loving—kindness towards all the peoples and kindred: of the earth.
‘32.:
It is incumbent upon everyone to firmly adhere to and observe that which hath streamed forth from Our Most Exalted Pen. God, the True One. beareth Me witness, and every atom in existence is moved to testify that such means as lead to the elevation, the advancement, the education, the protection, and the regeneration of the peoples of the earth have been clearly set forth by Us and are revealed in the Holy Books and Tablets by the Pen of Glory.
('8:
0 Friends! You must all be so ablaze in this day with the fire of the love of God that the heat thereof may be manifest in all your veins, your limbs and members of your body. and the peoples of
the world may be ignited by this heat and turn to the horizon of the Beloved.
2]
12 THE BAHA’f WORLD 2002—2003
(at)
The third Taraz concerneth good character. A good character is, verily, the best mantle for men from God. With it He adorneth the temples of His loved ones. By My life! The light of a good charac— ter surpasseth the light of the sun and the radiance thereof. Whoso attaineth unto it is accounted as a jewel among men. The glory and the upliftment 0f the world must needs depend upon it.
qt:
It is incumbent upon every man of insight and understanding to strive to translate that which hath been written into reality and action.... That one indeed is a man who, today, dedicateth himself to the service of the entire human race. The Great Being saith: Blessed and happy is he that ariseth to promote the best interests of the peoples and kindreds 0f the earth. In another passage He hath proclaimed: It is not for him to pride himself who loveth his own country, but rather for him who loveth the whole world.
(X:
God hath prescribed unto everyone the duty of teaching His Cause. Whoever ariseth to discharge this duty, must needs, ere he ptoclaimeth His Message, adorn himself with the ornament of an upright and praiseworthy character, so that his words may attract the hearts of such as are receptive to his call. Without it, he can never hope to influence his hearers. Thus doth God instruct you. He, ver— ily, is the Ever—Forgiving, the Most Compassionate...
Say: We have ordained that our Cause be taught through the power of utterance. Beware lest ye dispute idly with anyone. Whoso ariseth wholly for the sake of his Lord to teach His Cause, the Holy Spirit s_hall strengthen him and inspire him with that which will illumine the heart of the world, how much more the hearts of those who seek Him. 0 people ofBahzi! Subdue the citadels of men’s hearts
with the swords of wisdom and of utterance.
(K:
Strive that ye may be enabled to manifest to the peoples of the earth the signs of God, and to mirror forth His commandments. Let your
[Page 23]
SACRED WRITINGS 2;
acts be a guide unto all mankind, for the professions of most men, be they high or low, differ from their conduct. It is through your deeds that ye can distinguish yourselves from others. Through them the brightness of your light can be shed upon the whole earth. Happy is the man that heedeth My counsel. and keepeth the precepts pre— scribed by Him Who is the All-Knowing, the All—Wise.
qt,
Be generous in prosperity, and thankful in adversity. Be worthy of the trust of thy neighbor, and look upon him with a bright and friendly face. Be a treasure to the poor, an admonisher to the rich, an answerer of the cry of the needy, a preserver of the sanctity of thy pledge. Be fair in thy judgment, and guarded in thy speech. Be unjust to no man, and show all meekness to all men. Be as a lamp unto them that walk in darkness, 3 joy to the sorrowful, a sea for the thirsty. a haven for the distressed, an upholder and defender of the victim of oppression. Let integrity and uprightness distinguish all thine acts. Be a home for the stranger, a balm to the suffering, a tower ofstrength for the fugitive. Be eyes to the blind, and a guiding light unto the feet of the erring. Be an ornament to the countenance of truth, a crown to the brow of fidelity, a pillar of the temple of righteousness. a breath of life to the body of mankind. an ensign of the hosts ofjustice, a luminary above the horizon of virtue, a dew to the soil of the human heart, an ark on the ocean of knowledge, a sun in the heaven of bounty, a gem on the diadem of wisdom, a shining light in the firmament of thy generation, a fruit upon the tree of humility.
fix»
Great care should be exercised that whatever is written in these days doth not cause dissension, and invite the objection of the people. Whatever the friends of the one true God say in these days is lis— tened to by the people of the world.. .. Whatever is written should not transgress the bounds of tact and wisdom. and in the words used there should lie hid the property of milk, so that the children of the world may be nurtured therewith, and attain maturity. We have said in the past that one word hath the influence of spring and causeth hearts to become fresh and verdant, while another is like
14 THE BAHA’f WORLD 2001—2003
unto blight which causeth the blossoms and flowers to withert God grant that authors among the Friends will write in such a way as would be acceptable to fair-minded souls, and not lead to caviling by the people.
From the Writings and Utterances of ‘Abdu’l-Bahé
God has created man loFry and noble, made him a dominant factor in creation. He has specialized man with supreme bestowals, conferred upon him mind, perception. memory, abstraction. and the powers of the senses. These gifts ofGod to man were intended to make him the manifestation of divine virtues, a radiant light in the world of creation, 3 source of life and the agency of constructiveness in the infinite fields of existence.
(X:
God has given man the eye of investigation by which he may see and recognize truth. He has endowed man with ears that he may hear the message of reality and conferred upon him the gift of reason by which he may discover things for himself. This is his endowment and equipment for the investigation of reality. Man is not intended to see through the eyes of another, hear through another’s ears, nor comprehend with another's brain. Each human creature has indi— vidual endowment, power, and responsibility in the creative plan of God. Therefore. depend upon your own reason and judgment and adhere to the outcome of your own investigation; otherwise. you will be utterly submerged in the sea of ignorance and deprived of all the bounties of God. Turn to God, supplicate humbly at His threshold, seekng assistance and confirmation, that God may tend asunder the veils that obscure your vision. Then will your eyes be filled with illumination, face to face you will behold the reality of God. and your heart become completely purified From the dross of ignorance, reflecting the glories and bounties of the Kingdom. Holy souls are like soil which has been plowed and tilled with much earnest labor. the thorns and thistles cast aside and all weeds uprooted. Such soil is most fruitfitl, and the harvest from it will prove full and plenteous. In this same way man must free himselffi'om the weeds of ignorance, thorns ofsuperstitions, and thistles of imitations
j
[Page 25]
SACRED WRITINGS 25
that he may discover reality in the harvests of true knowledge. Other— wise, the discovery of reality is impossible, contention and divergence of religious belief will always remain, and mankind. like ferocious wolves, will rage and attack each other in hatred and antagonism.. .. Man is a child of God, most noble, lofty, and beloved by God, his Creator. Therefore, he must ever strive that the divine bounties and virtues bestowed upon him may prevail and control him. Just now the soil of human hearts seems like black earth, but in the innermost substance of this dark soil there are thousands of fragrant flowers la— tent. We must endeavor to cultivate and awaken these potentialities, discover the secret treasure in this very mine and depository of God, bring forth these resplendent powers long hidden in human hearts. Then will the glories of both worlds be blended and increased and the quintessence of human existence be made manifest.
OK:
Ye should strive to widen the circle of those with whom ye enjoy friendly relations. and to establish the closest contact with those benevolent souls whose only thought is to do good. who are labor— ing in the cause of universal peace, and who cherish no desire but to witness the unification of the world of humanity. Ye should seek out the company ofsuch people as these, that ye may imbue them with an awareness of the heavenly Kingdom, for albeit their motives are of the finest. yet they do not realize that all the powers of the earth are impotent either to establish universal peace or to promote the oneness of the human world. Nothing short of the power of the Word of God and the breaths of the Holy Spirit can ever succeed.
(X)
If a soul of his own accord advances toward God he will be accepted at the Threshold of Oneness, for such a one is free of personal con— siderations, of greed and selfish interests, and he has taken reFuge within the sheltering protection of his Lord. He will become known among men as trustworthy and truthful, temperate and scrupulous. high—mlnded and loyal. incortuptible and God—fcating. In this way the primary purpose in revealing the Divine Law—which is to bring about happiness in the after life and civilization and the refinement of character in this—will be realized. As for the sword, it will only
i, —r
26 THE BAHA’I WORLD 2002—2003
produce a man who is outwardly a believer, and inwardly a traitor and apostate.
qt:
Bahé‘u'lléh stated that God, through His Prophets and Chosen Ones, explained that the heart of man is His home; it should be sanctified for His entry, and that his spirit is His place ofRevelation; it should be cleansed so that it may become His abode. We, there- fore, understand that neamess to God is possible through setting our Faces towards Him. Nearness to God is through entrance into the Kingdom of God. Nearness to God is made possible through service to humanity. Neatness to God is possible through the unity ol'all peoples and religions. Neatness to God is dependent upon kindness to all mankind. Nearness to God is made possible through investigation of the Truth. Nearness to God is through the acqui— sition of knowledge and praiseworthy virtues. Nearness to God is possible through service to universal peace. Nearness [0 God is dependent upon purity and sanctity. Nearness to God is dependent upon self—sacrifice, self-abnegation, and the giving up oFone’s glory and position for Him.
(K)
0 ye friends of‘Godl Because, in this most momentous of ages. the Sun ofTruth hath risen at the highest point of the spring equinox, and cast its rays on every clime, it shall kindle such tremulous excite— ment. it shall release such vibrations in the world of being, it shall stimulate such growth and development, it shall stream out with such a glory of light, and clouds of grace shall pour down such plentiful waters, and fields and plains shall teem with such a galaxy of sweet— smelling plants and blooms, that this lowly earth will become the Abhfi Kingdom, and this nether world the world above... Wherefore, O loved ones of God! Make ye a mighty effort till you yourselves betoken this advancement and all these confirmations. and become focal centers of God’s blessings, daysprings of the light of His unity, promoters of the gifts and graces of civilized life. Be ye in that land vanguards of the perfections of humankind; carry forward the various branches of knowledge, be active and progres- sive in the field of inventions and the arts. Endeavor to rectify the
[Page 27]
SACRED WRITINGS 17
conduct of men, and seek to excel the whole world in moral char— acter. While the children are yet in their infancy feed them from the breast of heavenly grace, Foster them in the cradle of all excellence, rear them in the embrace of bounty. Give them the advantage of every useful kind of knowledge. Let them share in every new and rare and wondrous craft and art. Bring them up to work and strive, and accustom them to hardship. Teach them to dedicate their liVes to matters of great import, and inspire them to undertake studies that will benefit mankind.
qt:
Act in accordance with the counsels of the Lord: that is. rise up in such wise. and with such qualities, as to endow the body of this world with a living soul, and to bring this young child. humanity, to the stage of adulthood. So far as ye are able, ignite a candle of love in every meeting. and with tenderness rejoice and cheer ye every heart. Care for the stranger as for one of your own; show to alien souls the same loving kindness ye bestow upon your faithful friends. Should any come to blows with you, seek to be friends with him; should any stab you to the heart, be ye a healing salve unto his sores; should any taunt and mock at you. meet him with love. Should any heap his blame upon you, praise ye him; should he offer you a deadly poison, give him the choicest honey in exchange; and should he threaten your life, grant him a remedy that will heal him evermote. Should he be pain itself, be ye his medicine; should he be thorns, be ye his roses and sweet herbs. Perchance such ways and words from you will make this darksome world turn bright at last; will make this dusty earth turn heavenly, this devilish prison place become a royal palace of the Lord—so that war and strife will pass and be no more, and love and trust will pitch their tents on the summits of the world.
qty
Let the loved ones ofGod. whether young or old, whether male or female. each according to his capabilities, bestir themselves and spare no efforts to acquire the various current branches of knowledge. both spiritual and secular, and of the arts. Whensoevet they gather in their
28 THE BAHA’I’ WORLD 2002—2003
meetings let their conversation be confined to learned subjects and to information on the knowledge of the day.
IF they do thus. they will flood the world with the Manifest Light, and change this dusty earth into gardens of the Realm of Glory.
C&v
Again, is there any deed in the world that would be nobler than ser- vice to the common good? 15 there any greater blessing conceivable for a man, than that he should become the cause of the education, the development, the prosperity and honor of his fellow-creatutes? No, by the Lord God! The highest righteousness of all is for blessed souls to take hold of the hands of the helpless and deliver them out of their ignorance and abasement and poverty, and with pure mo— tives, and only for the sake of God. to arise and energetically devote themselves to the service of the masses, forgetting their own worldly advantage and working only to serve the general good. . ..
Glory be to God! What an extraordinary situation now obtains. when no one, hearing a claim advanced, asks himself what the speaker’s teal motive might be, and what selfish purpose he might not have hidden behind the mask of words. You find, for example, that an individual seeking to Further his own petty and personal concerns, will block the advancement of an entire people. To turn his own water mill, he will let the farms and fields of all the others patch and wither. To maintain his own leadership, he will everlast- ingly direct the masses toward that prejudice and Fanaticism which subvert the very base of civilization. ..
0 People of Persia! Open your eyes! Pay heed! Release yourselves From this blind following of the bigots, this senseless imitation which is the principal reason why men fall away into paths of ignorance and degradation. See the true state of things. Rise up; seize hold of such means as will bring you life and happiness and greatness and glory among all the nations of the world.
(X;
The world of politics is like the world of man; he is seed at first, and then passes by degrees to the condition of embryo and foetus, acquiring a bone structure, being clothed with flesh, taking on his own special form, until at last he teaches the plane where he can
[Page 29]
SACRED WRITINGS 29
befittingly Fulfill the words: “the most excellent of Makers.“ Just as this is a requirement ofcreation and is based on the universal Wis— dom, the political world in the same way cannot inStantaneously evolve from the nadir ofdefectiveness to the zenith of tightness and perfection. Rather. qualified individuals must strive by day and by night, using all those means which will conduce to progress. until the government and the people develop along every line from day to day and even from moment to moment.
‘32.-
You have written on the question of how the friends should pro- ceed in their business dealings with one another. This is a question of the greatest imponance and a matter that deserveth the liveliest concern. In relations of this kind, the friends ofGod should act with the utmost trustworthiness and integrity. To be remiss in this area would be to turn one's Face away from the counsels of the Blessed Beauty and the holy precepts of God. If a man in his own home doth not treat his relations and friends with entire trustworthiness and integrity, his dealings with the outside wotld—no matter how much trustworthiness and honesty he may bring to them—will prove barren and unproductive. First one should order one's own domestic affairs. then attend to one's business with the public.
1X:
0 ye lovers of God! The world is even as a human being who is dis— eased and impotent, whose eyes can see no longer, whose ears have gone dmf, all ofwhose powers are corroded and used up. Wherefore must the friends of God be competent physicians who, following the holy Teachings, will nurse this patient back to health; Perhaps, God willing. the world will mend, and become permanently whole, and its exhausted faculties will be restored. and its person will take on such vigor, Freshness, and verdancy that it will shine out with comeliness and grace.
‘16
‘ Qur’an 23:14: “Blessed therefore be God, the most excellent of Makers."
7’ "7‘!"
30 THE BAHA’I’ WORLD 2002—2003
The first remedy of all is to guide the people aright, so that they will turn themselves unto God, and listen to His counselings, and go forth with hearing ears and seeing eyes. Once this speedily effec- tive draught is given them, then, in accordance with the Teachings, they must be led to acquire the characteristics and the behavior of the Concourse on high, and encouraged to seek out all the bountia of the Abhd Realm. They must cleanse their hearts from even the slightest trace of hatred and spite, and they must set about being truthful and honest, conciliatory and loving to all humankind—so that East and West will, even as two lovers, hold each other close; that hatred and hostility will perish from the earth, and universal peace be firmly rooted in their place...
Indulge not your bodies with rest. but work with all your souls, and with all your hearts cry out and beg of God to grant you His succor and grace. Thus may ye make this world the Abhfi Paradise, and this globe of earth the parade ground of the realm on high. If only ye exert the effort, it is certain that these splendors will shine out, these clouds ofmercy will shed down their rain. these life—giving winds will rise and blow, this sweet—smelling musk will be scattered Far and wide.
cat,
[Ht is evident that the Prophets of God have come to unite the Children of men and not to disperse them, to establish the law of love and not enmity. Consequently, we must lay aside all preju— dice—whether it be religious, racial, political. or patriotic; we must become the cause of the unification of the human race. Strive for universal peace. seek the means of love, and destroy the basis of disagreement so that this material world may become divine, the world of matter become the realm of the Kingdom, and humanity attain to the world of perfection.
qt.
Now the new age is here and creation is reborn. Humanity hath taken on new life. The autumn hath gone by, and the reviving spring is here. All things are now made new. Arts and industries have been reborn, there are new discoveries in science, and there are new inven- tions; even the details of human affairs, such as dress and personal
[Page 31]
SACRED WRITINGS 31
effects—cven weapons——all these have likewise been renewed. The laws and procedures ofevery government have been revised. Renewal is the order of the day.
And all this newness hath its source in the fresh outpourings of wondrous grace and favor from the Lord of the Kingdom, which have renewed the world. The people, therefore. must be set completely Free from their old patterns of thought, that all their attention may be focused upon these new principles, for these are the light of this time and the very spirit of this age.
Unless these Teachings are elTectively spread among the people, until the old ways, the old concepts, are gone and forgotten, this world of being will find no peace, nor will it reflect the petfeetions of the Heavenly Kingdom.
qt;
Let all your striving be for this, to become the source of life and immortality, and peace and comfort and joy, to every human soul, whether one known to you or a stranger, one opposed to you or on your side. Look ye not upon the purity or impurity of his nature: look ye upon the all—embracing mercy of the Lord. the light ot‘Whose grace hath embosomed the whole earth and all who dwell thereon, and in the plenitude of Whose bounty are immersed both the wise and the ignorant. Stranger and friend alike are seated at the table of His Favor. Even as the believer, the denier who turneth away from God doth at the same time cup his hands and drink from the sea of His besrowals.
It behooveth the loved ones of the Lord to be the signs and tokens of His universal mercy and the embodiments of His own excelling grace. Like the sun, let them cast their rays upon garden and rubbish heap alike. and even as clouds in spring, let them shed down their rain upon flower and thorn. Let them seek but love and faithfulness, let them not follow the ways of unkindness, let their talk be confined to the secrets of friendship and of peace.
qt:
Make every effort to acquire the advanced knowledge of the day. and strain every nerve to carry forward the divine civilization. Establish schools that are well organized, and promote the fundamentals of
[Page 32]
32 THE BAHA’f WORLD 2002—2003
instruction in the various branches of knowledge through teachers who are pure and sanctified, distinguished for their high standards of conduct and general excellence, and strong in faith—scholars and educators with a thorough knowledge of sciences and arts.
QR;
In the Bahé‘l Cause arts, sciences, and all crafts are [counted as] worship. The man who makes a piece of notepapet to the best of his ability, conscientiously, concentrating all his forces on perfecting it, is giving praise to God. Briefly, all 65011 and exertion put forth by man from the fullness of his heart is worship, if it is prompted by the highest motives and the will to do service to humanity. This is worship: to serve mankind and to minister to the needs of the people. Service is prayer. A physician ministering to the sick, gently, tenderly, free from prejudice and believing in the solidarity of the human race, he is giving praise.
ix:
In this enlightened world of the West, woman has advanced an im— measurable degree beyond the women of the Orient. And let it be known once more that until woman and man recognize and realize equality, social and political progress here or anywhere will not be possible. For the world of humanity consists of two parts or mem— bers: one is woman; the other is man. Until these two members are equal in strength, the oneness of humanity cannot be established, and the happiness and felicity of mankind will not be a reality.
