“Take an interest in everyone and find out how you can help them, so that all may see that your love is truly universal.”

I wish you to study the works of the Blessed Beauty and to live according to His teaching. The basis of the teaching of Baha’u’llah is as follows: Bear in your heart great love to all races on earth, to the end that unity may be established between them. Take an interest in everyone and find out how you can help them, so that all may see that your love is truly universal. Do the Will of God, do not only speak about it; the elect of God do this. People do much speaking to advance their own glory and to make themselves appear superior to their neighbors. But if you do the Will of God and do not blazon it abroad, then you will change the whole world. They who do most speak least.

Man must ever be thinking of drawing nearer to God… 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, October 17, 1911, Paris, France; Star of the West, vol. 2, no. 16, 31 December 1911) 

“waves of the mind”

While looking from the window ‘Abdu’l-Baha said: 

"We hear the murmur of the sea always continuing. It never ceases. Were it to cease the world would be dead, stagnant, lifeless. But the waves of the mind of man are far greater than those of the sea. They also are ceaseless. They never stop for one instant. This movement is good. If these waves of the mind are few the man is dull and quiet. What pearls and jewels are contained in the depths of the sea! But the pearls and jewels hidden in the mind of man are the knowledge, virtues, capabilities, etc. These pearls can grow and increase in luster forever but the pearls of the sea remain always the same. These waves from our minds go forth and create movement and thought in other minds. From one strong thought of love what great results may be produced." 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of Abdul-Baha; from notes of Miss Rosenberg, London, England; taken at Acca, January, 1909; Star of the West, vol. 8, no. 2, April 9, 1917)

“The holy, divine Manifestations are all heavenly artists.”

To an artist, 'Abdu'l-Baha said:

"Can you paint upon the page of the world the ideal pictures of the Supreme Concourse? The pictures which are in the ideal world are eternal. I desire you to become such an artist. Man can paint those ideal pictures upon the tablet of existence with the brush of deeds.

"The holy, divine Manifestations are all heavenly artists. Upon the canvas of creation, with the brush of their deeds and lives and actions they paint immortal pictures which cannot be found in any art museum of Europe or America. But you find the masterpieces of these spiritual artists in the hearts." 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of Abdul-Baha; Star of the West, vol. 5, no. 10)

Man’s intelligence and reliance on God

God has endowed man with intelligence so that he may use his intelligence. Therefore he must supply himself with all that science can offer. He must be most deliberate and most careful. He must ever be thorough in his undertakings. He must build a thing well. Build the best ship that his ingenuity can lead him to and employ the most skilled captain, but with all that, let him rely upon God. Let him consider God as the one keeper. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of Abdul-Baha; Star of the West; Vol. 3, No. 3, p. 16)

‘Abdu’l-Baha had predicted world war

One of those present inquired about the possibility of a world war. In response, the Master said:

“In America, I stated that the Balkan War' was the beginning of the world war to which you refer.” 

At that moment I [Mahmud Zarqani] recalled that, when we were in America, Mirza Ahmad Sohrab told me that the Master had previously made this same remark when asked about the prospect of a world war.

(Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha en route to Liverpool, on board the Celtic, 13 December 1912; recorded by Mahmud Zarqani, His secretary and chronicler during His travels in the West; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’, vol. 2: ‘Abdu’l-Baha in Europe 1912-1913)

The two kinds of material affairs

Material affairs are of two kinds. The first kind are those concerns which have no direct relation to life. They contribute toward luxury, effeminacy, indolence. Indulgence in these things makes one negligent of God and stifles all traces of spirituality. The other kind are those affairs which contribute toward the maintenance of livelihood, adding to the comfort, happiness and progress of the human family. Spiritual powers come always to the assistance of such affairs, —they increase the moral insight and responsibility of man and add to his awareness and mindfulness. 

-' Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of Abdu’l-Baha; from the Diary of Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, May 14, 1914; Star of the West, vol. 8, no. 2, April 9, 1917)

“Let those who meet you know without your saying so that you are a Baha’i.”

Let those who meet you know without your saying so that you are a Baha’i. You must manifest the most sincere love for all. Your hearts must burn with love for all. Let the people see that you are filled with universal love. If you meet a Persian, talk with him without ceremony, ask where he lives and try to help him. Likewise speak to all strangers who seem lonely and give them your willing service. Be loving to them, Turks, Arabs, Indians, Chinese, Americans, Japanese—all. If they are poor, help them with money; if they are sad, comfort them; if they are distraught, quiet them; till all the world shall see that you have in truth the universal love. It is all very well for you to say that you agree with all this, that it is good—but you must put it into practice. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha from discourses given in London and Paris; Star of the West, vol. 2, no. 19, March 2, 1912)

“Be kind to all strangers. Those who come from all parts of the world, make them feel at home.”

Be kind to all strangers. Those who come from all parts of the world, make them feel at home. Speak to those from Turkey, Japan, Persia, China, all countries, find out where they live, ask if you can be of service to them. The English are so polite and conventional that to Easterners they often seem cold. You must forget conventionality when you speak with them, they are not accustomed to these ways.

When you see a foreigner...you think you must be careful. Don't think of yourself…go out of your way to be kind to them—it will help them to become better. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha from discourses given in London and Paris; Star of the West, vol. 2, no. 19, March 2, 1912)

“London should be a place for a great proclamation of the Message”

Heaven has blessed this day. It was said that London should be a place for a great proclamation of the Message. I was tired when I boarded the steamer, but when I reached London and beheld the faces of the believers, my fatigue left me. Your great love refreshes me. I am very pleased with the English believers. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha from discourses given in London and Paris; Star of the West, vol. 2, no. 19, March 2, 1912)

‘Abdu’l-Baha’s comments about Greek Philosopher Galien(Galen) and his views about religion

Galien, a Greek Philosopher who died at the time when the Christian Religion was in its growth—and was not himself a Christian—wrote many books about material civilization and development. He states as his belief that Religion is the basis of all true civilization, that is to say that not only must the brain and gifts of a nation be educated, but also the moral character. The Christians, he points out, are an example to show the truth of this theory, for theirs was the basis upon which the largest and most prosperous civilization of the world had been founded and their morals were very high. They were taught not to fear death, and to love their neighbors as themselves and live only for the good of humanity, and only to think of doing good to mankind. If these principles had been carefully carried out by the followers of Jesus Christ, then there would be no need for the world to be reawakened. But winter fell upon the hearts of men, and God sent His prophets to shine upon them with the Spring of the Sun of righteousness that they may be again awakened and blossom forth and bear fruit. Because mankind has shut its ears to the Voice of God and has neglected His teachings, wars and tumults, unrest and misery have fallen upon them. Let us make every effort to reopen the hearts of men to the Will of God. I pray God to give you power to bring humanity beneath the rays of the Sun of Truth and Peace. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, October 20, 1911, Paris, France; Star of the West, vol. 2, no. 16, 31 December 1911)

Condition of the soul before entering the body

Question: In what condition is the soul before entering the body?

Answer: In a state of potentiality, possessing no consciousness as we understand it. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, October 18, 1911, Paris, France; Star of the West, vol. 2, no. 16, 31 December 1911)

Aims and ambitions of Bahá'ís

• Pity and good-will towards all mankind.
• The rendering of service to humanity.
• To guide and enlighten hearts.
• Each member must try to be kind to everyone and to show forth great affection towards every living soul.
• Humility towards God and constant prayer to Him so as to be enabled to grow daily "Nearer God".
• Always in every word and action to be faithful and sincere, so that each member may be known to the world as embodying the qualities of Sincerity, Faith, Kindness, Love, Generosity and Bravery.  That we may be detached from all that is not God, attracted by the Heavenly Breath, divine beings - so that the world may know that a Bahá'í is a perfect being.

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (Words of 'Abdu'l-Baha. Paris, 6 November 1911; Discourses given by ‘Abdu’l-Baha in London and Paris’; Star of the West, vol. 2, no. 19, March 2, 1912)

“Today the force for unity is the Holy Spirit of Baha’u’llah”

The magnet of your love brought me here. My hope is that the divine light may shine here, and that the heavenly Star of Baha’u’llah may strengthen you, so that you may be the cause of the oneness of humanity, that you may help to make the darkness of superstition and prejudice disappear and unite all creeds and all nations.

We have had wars and disputes for over 6,000 years. Even if we look on this state of affairs as an experiment, surely it is sufficient, surely it is time to stop. This is a brilliant century. Eyes are open now to the beauty of the oneness of humanity, of love and brotherhood. The darkness of suppression will disappear and the light of unity will shine. We cannot bring love and unity to pass only by talk. Knowledge is not enough. Wealth, science, education are good, we know that, but we must also work and study.

Knowledge is the first step; Resolve, the second step; Action, the fulfilment, is the third step. To make a building, first of all one must make a plan, then one must have the power (money) to build, then, after all these preparations, one can build. One forms a Society of Unity—that is good—but meetings and talk are not enough. In Egypt these meetings take place, there is only talk and no result. These meetings here in London are good, the knowledge and the intention are good, but how can there be a result without action? 

Today the force for unity is the Holy Spirit of Baha’u’llah. He manifested this Spirit of Unity. Baha’u’llah brings East and West together. Go back, search history, you will not find a precedent for this. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Discourses given by ‘Abdu’l-Baha in London and Paris’; Star of the West, vol. 2, no. 19, March 2, 1912)

Making pilgrimage to the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh on foot

After going for a lengthy stroll on the deck, the Master seated Himself and said:

I have taken 4,600 steps. This is the distance between the city of ‘Akká and the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh. I wish to practise walking, that I may be able to travel to the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh on foot. In the latter days of my time in the Holy Land, I had grown so weak as to be deprived of the bounty of making pilgrimage on foot. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha en route to Liverpool, on board the Celtic, 5 December 1912; recorded by Mahmud Zarqani, His secretary and chronicler during His travels in the West; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’, vol. 2: ‘Abdu’l-Baha in Europe 1912-1913)

“A seed has been planted in the states of America.”

A seed has been planted in the states of America. Many people have become stirred and roused to excitement. The rest is now in Gods hands. Praised be God, we have acted in accordance with the injunction of Jesus Christ - in every land and city through which we have passed, no dust has settled on our hem or on our shoes,’ and we have spread the sweet savours of God and promulgated His Word with the utmost detachment. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha en route to Liverpool, on board the Celtic, 5 December 1912; recorded by Mahmud Zarqani, His secretary and chronicler during His travels in the West; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’, vol. 2: ‘Abdu’l-Baha in Europe 1912-1913)

An example of “true brotherly love”

One day some soldiers came to the house of a believer and asked for one of his guests to be brought to them, that they might take him to his execution, according to their warrant. The host gave himself up in his guest place and was killed in his stead. This is an instance of true brotherly love. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha from discourses given in London and Paris; Star of the West, vol. 2, no. 19, March 2, 1912)

‘Abdu’l-Baha compares His visit to London with a former Persian ambassador

These are wonderful days! We see an Eastern guest received with love and courtesy in the West. I have been drawn here, in spite of my ill health, by the magnet of your love and sympathy.

Some years ago an ambassador was sent from Persia to London where he stayed five years. (His name was Abdul Hassan Khan.) When he returned to Persia they asked him to tell them about the English people. He answered: “I do not know the English people. Although I have been in London five years, I have only met the people of the Court.” This man was a great man in Persia, and sent to England by princes, and yet he did not know the people, although he lived among them five years. Now I, a prisoner, come to England for the first time, and although my visit is so short, I have already met many dear friends and I can say I know the people. Those I have met are true souls working for peace and unity. Think of this subject: What a difference there is between this time we are living in now, and seventy years ago! Think of the progress! the progress toward unity and peace! 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha from discourses given in London and Paris; Star of the West, vol. 2, no. 19, March 2, 1912)

“The real life is the life which is everlasting. Let your thoughts be fixed upon that which is eternal, that you may have no fear of death, and ever regard yourself as one alive.”

The permanence of those souls, [those who are “content with this earthly life”] when compared with that of the sanctified souls, is even as non-existence itself. It is similar to this wood, which does exist, but has no real life when compared with the world of humanity. Therefore, the existence and permanence of worldly souls, when compared with heavenly existence and permanence, cannot truly be called life. If this mortal life had any real significance, Jesus Christ would not have consented to be crucified. This ephemeral life is nothing but grief and sorrow. With every passing day, people grow anxious about their hopes and dreams, or mourn the loss of a loved one, or suffer an unforeseen calamity. What sort of life is this? The real life is the life which is everlasting. Let your thoughts be fixed upon that which is eternal, that you may have no fear of death, and ever regard yourself as one alive. Be courageous! A persons heart must overflow with life, his spirit must be filled with gladness, and his understanding must be vast and all-embracing; otherwise, he is like the animal - no, baser would he be! If merit lies in material existence, then the birds fare better than we. How hard must one work to live, and what hardships one must endure to survive! Yet, the birds of the mountains and prairies live effortlessly on the highest peaks and branches of trees. The fields and plains are their scenery, and the seeds and crops their wealth. No human knows such peace! If physical comfort were the only criterion, rhe lives of these birds would assuredly be superior to human life. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha en route to Liverpool, on board the Celtic, 5 December 1912; recorded by Mahmud Zarqani, His secretary and chronicler during His travels in the West; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’, vol. 2: ‘Abdu’l-Baha in Europe 1912-1913)

“One must embark upon the divine Ark, for this world is a turbulent ocean.”

Afterwards, the subject of the stillness of the ocean and the gentle course of the ship was raised. The Master stated:

One must embark upon the divine Ark, for this world is a turbulent ocean. All the people of the earth, more than two billion in number, shall all be drowned within the next hundred years, except for them that have boarded the divine Ark; they shall be saved. That Ark is the Ark of the Kingdom; it is a heavenly Ark. He that embarks thereon shall never drown. How many the kings who came into the world! How many the men of stature who lived in it! And yet they all drowned, while the apostles of Christ were spared. My meaning is this, that those who are illumined with the light of God will shine from the horizon of everlasting glory. One must be wise; one should not be content with this earthly life, which will eventually come to an end. A wise person is one who seeks eternal life and perpetual glory. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha en route to Liverpool, on board the Celtic, 5 December 1912; recorded by Mahmud Zarqani, His secretary and chronicler during His travels in the West; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’, vol. 2: ‘Abdu’l-Baha in Europe 1912-1913)