A Message From 'abdu'l-baha
Sources: 'abdu'l-baha In LondonWritten for The Christian Commonwealth and published September 29th, 1911.
God sends Prophets for the education of the people and the progress of
mankind. Each such Manifestation of God has raised humanity. They serve
the whole world by the bounty of God. The sure proof that they are the
Manifestations of God is in the education and progress of the people. The
Jews were in the lowest condition of ignoran
when Moses appeared and raised them to a high state of civilization. Thus
was the reign of Solomon brought about and science and art were made known
to mankind. Even Greek philosophers became students of Solomon's teaching.
Thus was Moses proved to be a Prophet.
After the lapse of time the Israelites deteriorated, and became subject to
the Romans and the Greeks. Then the brilliant Star of Jesus rose from the
horizon upon the Israelites, brightening the world, until all sects and
creeds and nations were taught the beauty of unity. There cannot be any
better proof than this that Jesus was the Word of God.
So it was with the Arabian nations who, being uncivilized, were oppressed
by the Persian and Greek governments. When the Light of Muhammad shone
forth all Arabia was brightened. These oppressed and degraded peoples
became enlightened and cultured; so much so, indeed, that other nations
imbibed Arabian civilization from Arabia. This was the proof of Muhammad's
divine mission.
All the teaching of the Prophets is one; one faith; one Divine light
shining throughout the world. Now, under the banner of the oneness of
humanity all people of all creeds should turn away from prejudice and
become friends and believers in all the Prophets. As Christians believe in
Moses, so the Jews should believe in Jesus. As the Muhammadans believe in
Christ and Moses, so likewise the Jews and the Christians should believe
in Muhammad. Then all disputes would disappear, all then would be united.
Baha'u'llah came for this purpose. He has made the three religions one. He
has uplifted the standard of the oneness of faith and the honour of
humanity in the centre of the world. Today we must gather round it, and
try with heart and soul to bring about the union of mankind.
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By My Lord! Notwithstanding all that We have revealed unto thee of the mysteries of utterance and the degrees of exposition, methinks I have spoken not a single letter of the ocean of God's hidden knowledge and the essence of His inscrutable wisdom. ... 88 God Hath Prescribed Matrimony Unto You #63
Baha'u'llah, in one of His Tablets, states that God, in establishing this law, has made marriage a fortress for well-being and salvation. The Synopsis and Codification, section IV.C.1.a.-o., summarizes and synthesizes the provisions in the Kitab... 89
Know thou, moreover, that the bird that taketh flight in the atmosphere of the realm on high will never be able to soar unto the heaven of transcendent holiness, nor taste of the fruits which God hath brought forth therein, nor quaff from the streams... 89 Beware That Ye Take Not Unto Yourselves More Wives Than Two
Whoso contenteth himself with a single partner from among the maidservants of God, both he and she shall live in tranquillity. 63 While the text of the Kitab-i-Aqdas appears to permit bigamy, Baha'u'llah counsels that tranquillity and contentm... 8: O Son Of Glory! Be Swift In The Path Of Holiness And Enter The
O SON OF GLORY! Be swift in the path of holiness, and enter the heaven of communion with Me. Cleanse thy heart with the burnish of the spirit, and hasten to the court of the Most High. ... 8: O Son Of Spirit! There Is No Peace For Thee Save By Renouncing
O SON OF SPIRIT! There is no peace for thee save by renouncing thyself and turning unto Me; for it behooveth thee to glory in My name, not in thine own; to put thy trust in Me and not in thyself, since I desire to be loved alone and above all that... 9
In the second Gospel, according to Mark, the Dove of holiness speaketh in such terms: "For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be."(7) And it singeth la... 9 We Have Set Forth The Details Of Obligatory Prayer In Another Tablet#8
The original Obligatory Prayer had for reasons of wisdom been revealed by Baha'u'llah in a separate Tablet (Q and A 63). It was not released to the believers in His lifetime, having been superseded by the three Obligatory Prayers now in use. Sh... 90
Comprehend, in like manner, every station, sign, and allusion, that thou mayest perceive all things in their own place and consider all matters in their proper light. For in this station, the City of Divine Unity, are to be found those who have enter... 90 He Who Would Take Into His Service A Maid May Do So With Propriety #63
Baha'u'llah states that a man may employ a maiden for domestic service. This was not permissible under Shi'ih Muslim practice unless the employer entered into a marriage contract with her. Baha'u'llah emphasizes that the service referred to in thi... 91
Know then that all thou hast heard and witnessed that Daystar of Truth, the Primal Point, ascribe to Himself from the designations of former times is only on account of the weakness of men and the scheme of the world of creation. Otherwise, all names... 91 This Is My Bidding Unto You; Hold Fast To It As An Assistance To Yourselves #63
While marriage is enjoined in the Kitab-i-Aqdas, Baha'u'llah clarifies that it is not obligatory (Q and A 46). Shoghi Effendi, in a letter written on his behalf, also declared that marriage is by no means an obligation, and he affirmed that in the... 92
Know, moreover, that all that We have mentioned concerning these journeys is intended for none but the elect amongst the righteous. And shouldst thou spur on the charger of the spirit and traverse the meads of heaven, thou wouldst complete all these ... 92 We Have Conditioned It Upon The Permission Of Their Parents #65
In a letter written on his behalf, Shoghi Effendi has commented on this provision of the law: Baha'u'llah has clearly stated the consent of all living parents is required for a Baha'i marriage. This applies whether the parents are... 93
O My brother! If thou be a champion of this arena, speed within the lands of certitude, that thy soul may be delivered in this day from the bondage of misbelief, and that thou mayest perceive the sweet savours that waft from this garden. Verily, the ... 93 No Marriage May Be Contracted Without Payment Of A Dowry #66
The Synopsis and Codification, section IV.C.1.j.i.-v., summarizes the main provisions concerning the dowry. These provisions have their antecedents in the Bayan. The dowry is to be paid by the bridegroom to the bride. It is fixed at 19 mithqals... 94
His fragrant breaths diffused in Eastern lands could well To sick ones in the West restore their sense of smell!(59) ... 94 For City-dwellers At Nineteen Mithqals Of Pure Gold And For
village-dwellers at the same amount in silver 66 Baha'u'llah specifies that the criterion for determining the dowry payment is the location of the permanent residence of the bridegroom, not of the bride (Q and A 87, 88). ... 95
After this heavenly journey and mystical ascent the wayfarer will enter within the Garden of Wonderment. Were I to disclose unto thee the reality of this station, thou wouldst lament and bewail the plight of this Servant Who remaineth in the hands of... 95 Whoso Wisheth To Increase This Sum
it is forbidden him to exceed the limit of ninety-five mithqals... If he content himself, however, with a payment of the lowest level, it shall be better for him according to the Book. 66 In answer to a question about the dowry, Baha'u'llah sta... 96
Were I to recount unto thine eminence the dire adversities that have befallen Me, thou wouldst be so grieved as to forsake the mention of all things and to forget thyself and all that the Lord hath created on earth. But as this is not Our wish, I hav... 96 Should Any One Of His Servants Intend To Travel He Must Fix For His Wife A Time When He Will Return Home #67
If the husband leaves without informing his wife of the date of his return, and no news of him reaches her and all trace of him is lost, Baha'u'llah has stated that, should the husband have been aware of the law prescribed in the Kitab-i-Aqdas, th... 97
As We have digressed from Our theme, let Us leave aside these allusions and return to Our discussion of this city. Verily, whoso entereth therein shall be saved, and whoso turneth aside therefrom will assuredly perish. ... 97 It Behoveth Her To Wait For A Period Of Nine Months After Which There Is No Impediment To Her Taking Another Husband #67
In the event of the husband's failure, either to return at the end of the specified period of time or to notify his wife of a delay, the wife must wait nine months, after which she is free to remarry, though it is preferable for her to wait longer... 98
O thou who art mentioned in these Tablets! Know thou that he who embarketh upon this journey will marvel at the signs of the power of God and the wondrous evidences of His handiwork. Bewilderment will seize him from every side, even as hath been atte... 98 She Should Choose The Course That Is Praiseworthy #67
Baha'u'llah defines the course that is praiseworthy as the exercise of patience (Q and A 4). ... 99
I knew not what amazement was Until I made Thy love my cause. O how amazing would it be If I were not amazed by Thee!(63) ... 99 Two Just Witnesses #67
Baha'u'llah sets out the criterion of justness in relation to witnesses as a good reputation among the people. He states that it is not necessary that the witnesses should be Baha'is since The testimony of all God's servants, of whatever ... 9: O Fleeting Shadow! Pass Beyond The Baser Stages Of Doubt And Rise To
O FLEETING SHADOW! Pass beyond the baser stages of doubt and rise to the exalted heights of certainty. Open the eye of truth, that thou mayest behold the veilless Beauty and exclaim: Hallowed be the Lord, the most excellent of all creators! ... 9: O Son Of Being! My Love Is My Stronghold; He That Entereth Therein
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. ... A Baha'i Wedding
Quite an oriental note was struck toward the end of 'Abdu'l-Baha's London visit, by the marriage of a young Persian couple who had sought his presence for the ceremony, the bride journeying from Baghdad accompanied by her uncle in order to meet he... A Description Of The Kitab-i-aqdas By Shoghi Effendi
Taken from _God Passes By_, His History of the First Baha'i Century Unique and stupendous as was this Proclamation, it proved to be but a prelude to a still mightier revelation of the creative power of its Author, and to what may well rank ... A Loving Farewell Greeting
After leaving London and during his two months stay in Paris, 'Abdu'l-Baha frequently sent back messages to his English friends, some of whom journeyed over to take advantage of the conferences there. On the eve of his departure for Alexandria, he... A Message From 'abdu'l-baha
Written for The Christian Commonwealth and published September 29th, 1911. God sends Prophets for the education of the people and the progress of mankind. Each such Manifestation of God has raised humanity. They serve the whole world by the bo... A True Baha'i
A student of the modern methods of the higher criticism asked 'Abdu'l-Baha if he would do well to continue in the church with which he had been associated all his life, and whose language was full of meaning to him. 'Abdu'l-Baha answered: You must... Address Given By 'abdu'l-baha At The City Temple
Sunday, September 10th, 1911 O noble friends; seekers after God! Praise be to God! Today the light of Truth is shining upon the world in its abundance; the breezes of the heavenly garden are blowing throughout all region... All Glory Be To Thee, O Lord My God! I Bear
All glory be to Thee, O Lord my God! I bear witness for Thee to that whereto Thou Thyself didst bear witness for Thine own Self, ere the day Thou hadst created the creation or made mention thereof, that Thou art God, and that there is none other G... All Glory Be To This Day The Day In Which The
All glory be to this Day, the Day in which the fragrances of mercy have been wafted over all created things, a Day so blest that past ages and centuries can never hope to rival it, a Day in which the countenance of the Ancient of Days hath turned ... All Praise And Glory Be To God Who
All praise and glory be to God Who, through the power of His might, hath delivered His creation from the nakedness of non-existence, and clothed it with the mantle of life. From among all created things He hath singled out for His special favor th... All Praise Be To God Who Hath Adorned
All praise be to God Who hath adorned the world with an ornament, and arrayed it with a vesture, of which it can be despoiled by no earthly power, however mighty its battalions, however vast its wealth, however profound its influence. Say: the ess... All Praise Be To Thee, O Lord, My God! How Mysterious
All praise be to Thee, O Lord, my God! How mysterious the Fire which Thou hast enkindled within my heart! My very limbs testify to the intensity of its heat, and evince the consuming power of its flame. Should my bodily tongue ever attempt to desc... All Praise Be To Thee, O My God! Thou Beholdest
All praise be to Thee, O my God! Thou beholdest my helplessness and poverty, and bearest witness unto my woes and trials. How long wilt Thou abandon me among Thy servants? Suffer me to ascend into Thy presence. The power of Thy might beareth me wi... All Praise To The Unity Of God And All
All praise to the unity of God, and all honor to Him, the sovereign Lord, the incomparable and all-glorious Ruler of the universe, Who, out of utter nothingness, hath created the reality of all things, Who, from naught, hath brought into being the... All Praise, O My God, Be To Thee Who Art The
All praise, O my God, be to Thee Who art the Source of all glory and majesty, of greatness and honor, of sovereignty and dominion, of loftiness and grace, of awe and power. Whomsoever Thou willest Thou causest to draw nigh unto the Most Great Ocea... All-praise Be To Thee, O Lord, My God! I Know
All-praise be to Thee, O Lord, my God! I know not how to sing Thy praise, how to describe Thy glory, how to call upon Thy Name. If I call upon Thee by Thy Name, the All-Possessing, I am compelled to recognize that He Who holdeth in His hand the im... Amongst The Proofs Demonstrating The Truth
Amongst the proofs demonstrating the truth of this Revelation is this, that in every age and Dispensation, whenever the invisible Essence was revealed in the person of His Manifestation, certain souls, obscure and detached from all worldly entangl... And Now Concerning Thy Question
And now concerning thy question whether human souls continue to be conscious one of another after their separation from the body. Know thou that the souls of the people of Baha, who have entered and been established within the Crimson Ark, shall a... And Now Concerning Thy Question Regarding
And now, concerning thy question regarding the creation of man. Know thou that all men have been created in the nature made by God, the Guardian, the Self-Subsisting. Unto each one hath been prescribed a pre-ordained measure, as decreed in God's m... And Now Concerning Thy Question Regarding
And now concerning thy question regarding the soul of man and its survival after death. Know thou of a truth that the soul, after its separation from the body, will continue to progress until it attaineth the presence of God, in a state and condit... And Now Concerning Thy Reference To The
And now concerning thy reference to the existence of two Gods. Beware, beware, lest thou be led to join partners with the Lord, thy God. He is, and hath from everlasting been, one and alone, without peer or equal, eternal in the past, eternal in t... And Now Regarding Thy Question "how
And now regarding thy question, "How is it that no records are to be found concerning the Prophets that have preceded Adam, the Father of Mankind, or of the kings that lived in the days of those Prophets?" Know thou that the absence of any referen... Are Superstitions Useful
A lady enquired whether some superstitions might not be good for ignorant people, who, if they were without them might perhaps be without beliefs of any kind? 'Abdu'l-Baha replied that superstitions were of two kinds; those that were harmful an... Art
A painter asked: Is art a worthy vocation? 'Abdu'l-Baha turning to her impressively, said: Art is worship. An actor mentioned the drama, and its influence. The drama is of the utmost importance. said 'Abdu'l-Baha. It has been a great educational... As To Thy Question Concerning The Origin
As to thy question concerning the origin of creation. Know assuredly that God's creation hath existed from eternity, and will continue to exist forever. Its beginning hath had no beginning, and its end knoweth no end. His name, the Creator, presup... As To Thy Question Concerning The Worlds
As to thy question concerning the worlds of God. Know thou of a truth that the worlds of God are countless in their number, and infinite in their range. None can reckon or comprehend them except God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. Consider thy sta... At Brooklands
The morning of the second day, a neighbour sent over her car asking if 'Abdu'l-Baha would not like to take his guests to the Brooklands aviation ground. Though it was windy, an aviator was on the track, when he heard who the visitor was offered to... At Byfleet
On the afternoon of September 9th, a number of working women of the Passmore Edwards' Settlement, who were spending their holidays with Miss Schepel and Miss Buckton at Vanners, in Byfleet, a village some twenty miles out of London, had the great ... At One Time We Address The People Of The Torah And Summon
At one time We address the people of the Torah and summon them unto Him Who is the Revealer of verses, Who hath come from Him Who layeth low the necks of men.... At another, We address the people of the Evangel and say: 'The All-Glorious is come i... Be Generous In Prosperity And Thankful In
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... Be Not Dismayed O Peoples Of The World
Be not dismayed, O peoples of the world, when the day star of My beauty is set, and the heaven of My tabernacle is concealed from your eyes. Arise to further My Cause, and to exalt My Word amongst men. We are with you at all times, and shall stren... Because Of You The Apostle (muhammad) Lamented,
BECAUSE of you the Apostle (Muhammad) lamented, and the Chaste One (Fatimihs) cried out, and the countries were laid waste, and darkness fell upon all regions. O concourse of divines! Because of you the people were abased, and the banner of Islam ... Behold How The Divers Peoples And Kindreds
Behold, how the divers peoples and kindreds of the earth have been waiting for the coming of the Promised One. No sooner had He, Who is the Sun of Truth, been made manifest, than, lo, all turned away from Him, except them whom God was pleased to g... Behold The Disturbances Which For Many A
Behold the disturbances which, for many a long year, have afflicted the earth, and the perturbation that hath seized its peoples. It hath either been ravaged by war, or tormented by sudden and unforeseen calamities. Though the world is encompassed... Bestir Yourselves O People In Anticipation Of
Bestir yourselves, O people, in anticipation of the days of Divine justice, for the promised hour is now come. Beware lest ye fail to apprehend its import and be accounted among the erring. ... Better Conditions
After two years of the strictest confinement permission was granted me to find a house so that we could live outside the prison walls but still within the fortifications. Many believers came from Persia to join us but they were not allowed to do s... Beware O Believers In The Unity Of God
Beware, O believers in the Unity of God, lest ye be tempted to make any distinction between any of the Manifestations of His Cause, or to discriminate against the signs that have accompanied and proclaimed their Revelation. This indeed is the true...