Disciples of Christ: - How they were badly treated when alive but revered years later

Consider how the disciples [of Christ] were treated. While they were alive people would not have anything to do with them, but later on they felt greatly glorified if they had even the remotest relationship with them. They became respected and revered;—even the earth that was touched by their feet. Now the people prostrate themselves before their tombs, but they were persecuted while they lived. At that time people did not like to be known as relatives of these Disciples of Christ.

While I was traveling in Palestine I came across a stony piece of ground. I saw that a number of people had gathered around one stone, kissing it, weeping and supplicating. I asked one, ‘What is this’? He told me that the Apostles of Christ, once upon a time, had passed by this place and sat upon these rocks, but there were so many rocks they did not know on which the Apostles had sat. Therefore they prostrated themselves before all of them that perchance they might come across and kiss the right stone. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha to some believers in Philadelphia, June 8-10, 1912; Star of the West, vol. 5, no. 6, June 24, 1914)

Next Manifestation of God: “not definite that it will be 1000 years; it may be 2000, or 10,000 or 20,000 years”

…during the cycle of the Blessed Perfection —May My life be a sacrifice to His believers—all are beneath His shadow. He is the Unique and Peerless One till the next Manifestation. It is, however, not definite that it will be 1000 years; it may be 2000, or 10,000 or 20,000 years; but it is definite that for the coming 1000 years there will appear no Manifestation; for 1000 years there shall arise no Sun. All the appearances will be beneath the shade of the Most Great Appearance; they will be as stars of guidance. All of them shall gather around this Fountain of Life; all of them will become illumined with the rays of this Sun; all of them will receive a share and a portion from this great Sea; all of them will become vivified with this soul imparting breeze and all of them will be under the down-pour of this rain. The aim is this: His Holiness the Báb gave the Glad-tidings concerning the Appearance of the Manifestation of God, and His Holiness, the Blessed Perfection, was the “Promised One” of all the nations and religions. The Báb was the “Morning Star,” heralding the glorious Dawn of the Sun of Reality. Now all of us are under Its shadow and receive the refulgent Bestowals from It. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, recorded by Ahmad Sohrab, one of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá's secretaries and translators from 1912 to 1919; Star of the West, volume 5, no. 6, June 24, 1914)

“Jesus taught that fasting and praying give strength to the spirit of man”

In Mark, 9:7-29, is related the story of the afflicted child who was brought to Jesus by the disciples after their vain efforts to cast out from him the spirit which tormented him and of his being healed by Jesus, who said, in reply to a question from the disciples, that: "This kind can come forth by nothing but by prayer and fasting.”

Thus Jesus taught that fasting and praying give strength to the spirit of man, so that it may become enabled to heal the different violent and strong sicknesses which possess him. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From Table Talks by ‘Abdu’l-Baha, recorded Corinne True, Haifa; Star of the West, vol. 4, no. 18, February 7, 1914)

“Nothing, after prayer, will cause the development of the spirit, save fasting.”

Nothing, after prayer, will cause the development of the spirit, save fasting. The First Point, the Báb, ordained for all the people to fast until they should reach the age of forty-two, but the Blessed Perfection [Bahá’u’lláh] said: “We love fasting! Unless the people become old and weak, they should fast.” Thus the limit for fasting was appointed. One should begin to observe the fast from the age of fifteen, and continue the observance of it until the body may become too weak to do so without injury. His Holiness, the Blessed Perfection, used to fast throughout the set time every year.

In the Kitab-i-Aqdas the rules for fasting are as follows: Eating and drinking should cease before the rising of the sun and until the setting thereof. The traveler, the sick, pregnant women and nursing mothers are free from this obligation. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From 'Table Talks' by ‘Abdu’l-Baha, recorded by Corinne True, Haifa; Star of the West, vol. 4, no. 18, February 7, 1914)

“One of the chief reasons” why “the divine principles…[are] neglected and thrown aside and forgotten”

Material and spiritual matters have always advanced hand in hand but at the present time the material side is predominant and the divine principles have been neglected and thrown aside and forgotten. One of the chief reasons for this growing apathy is that the ministers of religion have taught that religion is opposed to science and reason and have thus enforced imitation. You must, therefore, relate religious verities to science. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, April 12, 1912, New York, recorded by Mahmud Zarqani, His secretary and chronicler during His travels in the West; ‘Mahmud’s Diary, vol. 1’)

“Differences between religions are due to misunderstanding and imitation.”

Differences between religions are due to misunderstanding and imitation. If these imitations were to be eliminated, all religions would be united. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha to a reporter, April 11, 1912, New York, recorded by Mahmud Zarqani, His secretary and chronicler during His travels in the West; ‘Mahmud’s Diary, vol. 1’)

Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha to Howard MacNutt, after the Titanic disaster.

A great steamship has been lost at sea. Today newspaper accounts of the Titanic are reflecting the sorrow and mourning of the whole world, all the power of man, all his pride and the skill of human invention were helpless against the power of the sea. Men of great wealth, men of prominence and celebrity, likewise men who were unimportant and unknown in the eye of the world,—all have found the same tomb under the waves. If this fate marked the end of human accomplishment, if this death was oblivion to human hopes and possibilities, the whole world might mourn. Unless the soul of man is quickened by the breaths of the Holy Spirit and he becomes vivified by the life of the Supreme Kingdom, all his powers, efforts and accomplishments are in vain. Look about you as we ride in this automobile. Shall any of these things you are now looking upon remain or endure? If you possessed all you could wish for,—these great buildings, wealth, luxury, the pleasures of life in this world, would any of these things increase your eternal happiness or insure you everlasting existence? I am summoning you to the world of the Kingdom. I am calling you away from this world. Nothing you can ever think of here will remain. You, yourself, will pass away as the roses wither at the touch of winter’s breath. I wish for you heavenly happiness. I am praying that the confirmations of God may descend upon you, that you may become His servant, that you may go forth to save mankind from the bondage of this mortal world. I wish you to escape from this hell of materialism. Be not occupied with material things. Have no anxiety about your affairs. You are under the protection of Baha’u’llah, —in His service. Live in the spiritual world as I do. Think of nothing else.

‘Abdu’l-Baha’s counsel to Lua Getsinger: “Thou must be firm and unshakable in thy purpose, and never, never let any outward circumstances worry thee.”

Thou must be firm and unshakable in thy purpose, and never, never let any outward circumstances worry thee. I am sending thee to India to accomplish certain definite results. Thou must enter that country with a never-failing spirituality, a radiant faith an eternal enthusiasm, an inextinguishable fire, a solid conviction, in order that thou mayest achieve those services for which I am sending thee.

Let not thy heart be troubled. If thou goest away with this unchanging condition of invariability of inner state, thou shalt see the doors of confirmation open before thy face, thy life will be a crown of heavenly roses, and thou shalt find thyself in the highest station of triumph.

Strive day and night to attain to this exalted state. Look at me! Thou dost not know a thousandth part of the difficulties and seemingly unsurmountable passes that rise daily before my eyes. I do not heed them; I am walking in my chosen highway; I know the destination. Hundreds of storms and tempests may rage furiously around my head; hundreds of Titanics may sink to the bottom of the sea, the mad waves may rise to the roof of heaven; all these will not change my purpose, will not disturb me in the least; I will not look either to the right or to the left; I am looking ahead, far, far. Piercing through the impenetrable darkness of the night, the howling winds, the raging storms, I see the glorious Light beckoning me forward, forward. The balmy weather is coming, and the voyager shall land safely.

1912: ‘Abdu’l-Baha gives examples of “many capable women appear who have displayed special genius in government and political administration”

In history many capable women appear who have displayed special genius in government and political administration, such as Semiramis; Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra, and Queen Victoria, of England. In the religious world,—the Israelites wandered for forty years in the wilderness and could not conquer the Holy Land. Finally a woman achieved the signal victory. During the Christian dispensation the apostles became agitated after the Crucifixion of Jesus; even Peter denied Him thrice, but Mary Magdalene became the cause of their becoming firm and steadfast. In the religion of Baha’u’llah, Qurrat al-‘Ayn [Tahirih] and many other Persian women demonstrated their knowledge and wisdom to such an extent that even the men were astonished, and listened to their advices and lectures. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha from an interview with a San Francisco newspaper reporter, October 3, 1912; Star of the West volume 4, no. 12, October 16, 1913)

There should be “complete equality” between men and women

Correspondent: I have heard that you advocate the complete equality of men and women. This radical teaching coming from an Oriental thinker is of great interest and supreme significance. Just at this juncture the California women are clamoring for the right to vote for all the national and state officials, and your opinion on this important question will be greatly appreciated by the people.

‘Abdu’l-Baha: The question of equality between men and women has made greater advancement in America than elsewhere, and day by day it is assuming greater importance and becoming nearer to realization. However, as long as complete equality does not exist between male and female, the world of humanity will not make extraordinary progress. The woman is an important column, and there is another equally important. If we aim to have a durable building, the foundations of both columns must be laid very deep. The women are the first teachers and instructors of the small children. They teach them and inculcate morality in their minds and hearts. Later they go to universities for higher education and specialization. Now if the teacher or instructor is deficient, how can the schooler be properly trained? Therefore, it is proven that the culture and refinement of the men are intensified and will bloom and attain to perfect fruition when the women are equally educated and given the same educational facilities. Consequently the women must enjoy all the learning they are able to assimilate, in order that they may reach to the same level as men. The same privileges and opportunities must be conferred upon women;—so that just as they share together life and its responsibilities, they may also share with him the same virtues of the world of humanity. Undoubtedly partnership in education and culture presupposes equality in rights.

Material versus Divine Civilization

• Divine civilization is the light.
• Material civilization is the lamp.
• Material civilization is the body; in itself it is not sufficient, and humanity from every standpoint stands in sore need of divine civilization.
• Natural civilization insures material welfare and prosperity;
• Divine civilization vouchsafes to man ideal virtues.
• Material civilization serves the physical world;
• Divine civilization serves the world of morality.
• Divine civilization is a symposium of the perfections of the world of humanity.
• Divine civilization is the improvement of the ethical life of a nation.
• Divine civilization is the discovery of the reality of phenomena.
• Divine civilization is the spiritual philosophy.
• Divine civilization is the knowledge of God with rational and intellectual evidences.
• Divine civilization is Eternal Life.
• Divine civilization is the immortality of the soul.
• Divine civilization is the Breath of the Holy Spirit.
• Divine civilization is heavenly wisdom.
• Divine civilization is the reality of all the Teachings of the ancient prophets.
• Divine civilization is Universal Peace and the oneness of the world of humanity.

The holy Manifestations of God have been the Founders of Divine civilization, the first Teachers of mankind, and the Spreaders of the fragrances of holiness and sanctity amongst the children of men.

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha from an interview with a San Francisco newspaper reporter, October 3, 1912; Star of the West volume 4, no. 12, October 16, 1913)

“The continent of America is most progressive”: - “The natural civilization is well-nigh perfect; but it is in need of the civilization of heaven—Divine civilization”

Reporter: Are you pleased with the United States?

‘Abdu’l-Baha: The continent of America is most progressive. The means of instructions are prepared; the educational institutions are thoroughly equipped and the pupils are being systematically trained and educated. The wealth is on an upward tendency. Its government is democratic. Its advancement is unceasing. Its nation is hospitable. Its people are loyal, energetic and noble. Its inhabitants are free and the lovers of liberty. Its men are civilized and its women are cultured, refined and idealistic. On the other hand, all these advantages are on the material plane, and I observe the majority of the people are submerged in the sea of materialism and agnosticism. The natural civilization is well-nigh perfect; but it is in need of the civilization of heaven—Divine civilization. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha from an interview with a San Francisco newspaper reporter, October 3, 1912; Star of the West volume 4, no. 12, October 16, 1913)

One of the meanings of “sacrifice”: - the “natural state of man, which is the animalistic state, must, be sacrificed”

As long as you are interested in the Movement, and interested seriously, and you are investigating reality, you are the lover of reality, there is no doubt that you will attain.

When man dedicates his life to a cause, he must dedicate entirely, then he is really dedicated. It is not through word, but through deed. One must dedicate his life completely, fully, in reality, just as the dead branch sacrifices its life to the fire, and just as the oil sacrifices its life to give light. This is the great station—the station of sacrifice. There is no greater station than this.

In Oriental language, there is the expression, "May my life be a sacrifice to you," and a man writing a hundred letters a day might use these words a hundred times and yet he would not sacrifice anything for his friend. But this is a custom—a usage. Everybody who writes a letter to his friend says "May my life be a sacrifice to you," and perhaps he does not realize the meaning at all.

The station of sacrifice is the great foundation. When you read the Old and New Testament, you will find that constantly the word "sacrifice" is mentioned. It is recorded that the Israelites sacrificed sheep so that their sins might be forgiven. In the time of Adam, Cain made sacrifice of sheaves of wheat and Abel made sacrifice of sheep. Now this is a symbol, and this word extended after the time of Christ.

What is the symbol? Just as the sheep sacrificed its life, likewise this natural state of man, which is the animalistic state, must, be sacrificed. How should it be sacrificed? The vices of the animalistic state of man must be entirely annihilated, and he must be characterized with divine virtues. It was a symbol and before His Holiness Christ appeared, all the Israelitish prophets made sacrifice of animals. This was a mystery of that higher sacrifice and when Christ came He said, I will sacrifice myself for the sake of the salvation of all. What did He mean? He meant to change their characters, and in this way make them heavenly, in this way make them God- like, spiritual and divine.

This is one of the meanings of sacrifice.

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha to a Baha’i, October 22, 191; Star of the West, volume 4, no. 12, October 16, 1913)

“it is not permissible to quarrel even with the devil”

Yesterday, the editor-in-chief of ‘The Christian Commonwealth’ requested that I write something for publication in his newspaper. I wrote a piece for him describing how, because of his quarrel with Satan, Adam was banished from Paradise, and explaining how, for this reason, it is not permissible to quarrel even with the devil.' It is likewise forbidden to engage in conflict and contention with ones enemies, inasmuch as this would render one deprived of the grace of the loving Lord. One must leave one’s opposers to themselves. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, 25 December 1912, London, England 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 heat of the love of God…lies dormant and hidden within every heart”

The property of heat exists in all things, but a power is needed for that heat to be made manifest. In the realm of religion, it is the power of Bahá’u’lláh that causes the heat of the love of God - that power which lies dormant and hidden within every heart – to appear, and widens the ken of the human mind. This heat confers gladness and imparts guidance. You, too, must now manifest this heat. With this power, you must pave the way to the Kingdom and deliver humankind to the abode of salvation. Such a path is even better than the tracks of railroads’ Lift up your voice, then, to the Kingdom of God. Yea, lift it up even as John the Baptist lifted up his voice, that you may pave the way, for the Kingdom of God is at hand. Such a way must be paved, and to such a path must humanity be guided. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, 24 December 1912, London, England 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)

“Baha'u'llah at the time of His Departure had from one to two hundred thousand followers.”

When Christ was crucified He left only eleven Disciples, and yet see how Christianity encompassed the world! Baha'u'llah at the time of His Departure had from one to two hundred thousand followers. While they have already filled the world with His light, see how marvellous will be its effects in the future! When we were exiled to Constantinople from Baghdad, the Persian Ambassador at the former city did his best to bring about our total destruction. Supposing he had succeeded in destroying us - could he destroy the Cause of God? They said they would wholly annihilate the Cause by destroying the Báb. Could they do so? No. the very martyrdom of the Báb strengthened His Cause a thousand-fold. Now some people imagine the Cause of God depends upon my existence: and that by destroying me they could destroy the Cause! Verily, this is far from reality. Nay, when I go the Cause will make great progress after me. Remember this. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha recorded by Ali Kuli Khan, 'Abdu'l-Baha's English-language secretary during 1899 to 1901; ‘Ali-Kuli Khan 1906 Pilgrim Notes’)

The senseless efforts of the enemies of the Cause to resist “the Power of Baha'u'llah”

On Friday, June 29. 1906. in the evening. 'Abdu'l-Baha addressed us (the pilgrims) in the following words. Pointing to the stars in the Heavens. He said in part:

"Were the whole world to act together in order to prevent these stars from giving light - verily they will fail to do so. Now. see how unwise are the enemies of the Cause - who are endeavoring to resist this Truth and quench this Light. How senseless are they! They do not see the Power of Baha'u'llah who proves the Truth of Christ to unbelievers after nineteen centuries, the Truth of Islam after thirteen centuries and the Truth of Abraham after four thousand years! They do not realize the Bounty of this Manifestation in that it upholds the Truth of all the Religions and unifies mankind upon the basis of faith in one God.” 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha recorded by Ali Kuli Khan, 'Abdu'l-Baha's English-language secretary during 1899 to 1901; ‘Ali-Kuli Khan 1906 Pilgrim Notes’)

‘Abdu’l-Baha’s reference to World War I

I hope that the Balkan War shall come to an end, and that the rights of both belligerents’ be protected and preserved. Otherwise, the flame of this war shall devour the earth - in particular Europe, which is even as an arsenal filled with explosives, and needs only a single spark to utterly obliterate the entire continent. Thus, there is no recourse but to embrace universal peace. This, indeed, is the most pressing issue of the day; I pray God that this peace will be realized. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, 24 December 1912, London, England 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)

Characteristics of “divine civilization” to be established in countries

America and Europe have advanced to the utmost in terms of material civilization; day by day, they continue to make material progress. My hope, however, is that divine civilization shall likewise be established in these countries - a civilization whose foundation was laid by the prophets of God, whose success depends on the realm of saintly character and spiritual education, and whose existence shall be the cause of spiritual advancements in the world of humanity. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, 24 December 1912, London, England 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)