That Which Thou Hast Heard Concerning
Sources:
Gleanings From The Writings Of Baha'u'llah
That which thou hast heard concerning Abraham, the Friend of the
All-Merciful, is the truth, and no doubt is there about it. The Voice of
God commanded Him to offer up Ishmael as a sacrifice, so that His
steadfastness in the Faith of God and His detachment from all else but Him
may be demonstrated unto men. The purpose of God, moreover, was to
sacrifice him as a ransom for the sins and iniquities of all the peoples
of
he earth. This same honor, Jesus, the Son of Mary, besought the one
true God, exalted be His name and glory, to confer upon Him. For the same
reason was Husayn offered up as a sacrifice by Muhammad, the Apostle of
God.
No man can ever claim to have comprehended the nature of the hidden and
manifold grace of God; none can fathom His all-embracing mercy. Such hath
been the perversity of men and their transgressions, so grievous have been
the trials that have afflicted the Prophets of God and their chosen ones,
that all mankind deserveth to be tormented and to perish. God's hidden and
most loving providence, however, hath, through both visible and invisible
agencies, protected and will continue to protect it from the penalty of
its wickedness. Ponder this in thine heart, that the truth may be revealed
unto thee, and be thou steadfast in His path.