Compiled by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice Translated by a Committee at the Bahá’í World Center and by Marzieh Gail
Wilmette, Illinois
Originally published by the Bahá’í World Center, Haifa, Israel © 1978 The Universal House of Justice Bahá’í Publishing, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091-2844 Copyright © 2010 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States All rights reserved. Published 2010 Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper ∞ 13 12 11 10 4 3 2 1 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1844–1921. [Selections. English. 2010] Selections from the writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá / compiled by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice ; translated by a Committee at the Baha’i World Center and by Marzieh Gail. p. cm. Originally published: Haifa : Bahá’í World Centre ; Wilmette, Ill. : Distributed in the U.S. by Bahá’í Pub. Trust, 1978. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-931847-74-2 (alk. paper) 1. Bahai Faith. I. Universal House of Justice. Research Dept. II. Title. BP363.A3 2010 297.9’3824—dc22 2009054202 Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was ³rst issued in 1978 in both hardcover (ISBN 0-85398-081-0) and softcover (0-85398-084-5) editions. A lightweight edition (0-85398-1361) was issued in 1982. By permission of the Bahá’í World Center the first pocket-size edition was released in 1996. Cover design by Robert A. Reddy Book design by Patrick Falso
Contents
Preface / vii Introduction / 1 Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá / 5 Glossary / 443 Notes on Translations / 453 Index / 459
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Preface ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s exposition of the Bahá’í Revelation is recorded in His written works, in the many compilations of His recorded utterances, and in His correspondence. The written works such as The Secret of Divine Civilization, A Traveler’s Narrative, the Will and Testament, are available in English translations. Likewise many compilations of His recorded utterances, among which may be mentioned Some Answered Questions, Memorials of the Faithful, Paris Talks, are kept in print. Not for sixty years, however, has any large compilation, in English, of His innumerable letters been made; the three volumes of Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá published in the United States between 1909 and 1916, although running into second editions, have long been out of print. The present compilation attempts a much wider selection than was made for those early volumes, and its perusal will give some indication of the vast range of subjects dealt with by the Master in His correspondence. Included are a number of Tablets translated by a Committee at the World Center using early drafts made by Shoghi E²endi during ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s lifetime, and a large number by Marzieh Gail, sent vii
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to her from the World Center’s collection of more than 19,000 original and authenticated copies. Some famous Tablets, such as the correspondence with Auguste Forel, or the greater part of the Tablet to the Hague, have been omitted since they are available in separate publications. The happy and blessed recipients of the vast majority of the Tablets here included were the early believers of the east and west, whether individuals, groups, organized committees or assemblies of the friends, and their value to the nascent communities of the west in those days when Bahá’í literature in English was meager in the extreme, cannot be overestimated. It is believed that publication of these writings of the Master’s will serve to increase the fervor of His lovers in responding to His call and add to their perception of that wondrous harmony of the human and divine which He, the Mystery of God, so perfectly exempli³ed.
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Introduction
‘Abdu’l-Bahá (23 May 1844–28 November 1921) was the eldest surviving son and designated successor to Bahá’u’lláh, the Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’í Faith. Though he was known as “‘Abbas E²endi” outside of the Bahá’í community, Bahá’ís often refer to him as “the Most Great Branch,” “the Mystery of God,” and “the Master”—titles bestowed on him by Bahá’u’lláh. After Bahá’u’lláh’s passing in 1892, he chose to refer to himself as “‘Abdu’l-Bahá,” meaning “Servant of Bahá.” The Bahá’í Faith originated in Iran in the middle of the nineteenth century, and owes its origin to the labors of two successive founding Prophets: the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh. As the former explained, His mission was to prepare the way for “Him Whom God shall make manifest,” the Manifestation of God awaited by the followers of all faiths. During the course of successive waves of persecution that followed this announcement and that
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claimed the lives of the Báb and several thousands of His followers, Bahá’u’lláh declared Himself to be the ful³llment of the Divine promise. As a child ‘Abdu’l-Bahá recognized his father’s spiritual station even before it was revealed publicly and accompanied Bahá’u’lláh in his banishment and exile beginning at age eight. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá often served as his father’s deputy when dealing with o¹cials and with the public. Upon Bahá’u’lláh’s passing in 1892, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá became the head of the Bahá’í Faith in accordance with provisions made in Bahá’u’lláh’s writings. As Bahá’u’lláh’s successor and chosen interpreter of his writings, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá holds a special spiritual station of his own. Bahá’ís consider him the perfect exemplar of the Bahá’í Faith, endowed with divine knowledge, although he is not a prophet. During his remarkable ministry ‘Abdu’l-Bahá corresponded with Bahá’ís all over the world, providing them with an abundance of practical and spiritual guidance. Although many of the letters compiled in this volume were addressed to individuals in response to speci³c questions, the guidance they impart contains universal truths worthy of study by all. The correspondence and written works collected here cover a wide range of topics
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and contain a deep spiritual wisdom that remains as relevant and vital today as when it was ³rst committed to paper.
SELECTIONS FROM THE WRITINGS OF ‘ABDU’L‑BAHÁ
1. O peoples of the world! The Sun of Truth hath risen to illumine the whole earth, and to spiritualize the community of man. Laudable are the results and the fruits thereof, abundant the holy evidences deriving from this grace. This is mercy unalloyed and purest bounty; it is light for the world and all its peoples; it is harmony and fellowship, and love and solidarity; indeed it is compassion and unity, and the end of foreignness; it is the being at one, in complete dignity and freedom, with all on earth. The Blessed Beauty saith: “Ye are all the fruits of one tree, the leaves of one branch.” Thus hath He likened this world of being to a single tree, and all its peoples to the leaves thereof, and the blossoms and fruits. It is needful for the bough to blossom, and leaf and fruit to ·ourish, and upon the interconnection of all parts of the world‑tree,
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dependeth the ·ourishing of leaf and blossom, and the sweetness of the fruit. For this reason must all human beings powerfully sustain one another and seek for everlasting life; and for this reason must the lovers of God in this contingent world become the mercies and the blessings sent forth by that clement King of the seen and unseen realms. Let them purify their sight and behold all humankind as leaves and blossoms and fruits of the tree of being. Let them at all times concern themselves with doing a kindly thing for one of their fellows, o²ering to someone love, consideration, thoughtful help. Let them see no one as their enemy, or as wishing them ill, but think of all humankind as their friends; regarding the alien as an intimate, the stranger as a companion, staying free of prejudice, drawing no lines. In this day, the one favored at the Threshold of the Lord is he who handeth round the cup of faithfulness; who bestoweth, even upon his enemies, the jewel of bounty, and lendeth, even to his fallen oppressor, a helping hand; it is he who will, even to the ³ercest of his foes, be a loving friend. These are the Teachings of the Blessed Beauty, these the counsels of the Most Great Name. O ye dear friends! The world is at war and the human race is in travail and mortal combat. The
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dark night of hate hath taken over, and the light of good faith is blotted out. The peoples and kindreds of the earth have sharpened their claws, and are hurling themselves one against the other. It is the very foundation of the human race that is being destroyed. It is thousands of households that are vagrant and dispossessed, and every year seeth thousands upon thousands of human beings weltering in their lifeblood on dusty battle³elds. The tents of life and joy are down. The generals practice their generalship, boasting of the blood they shed, competing one with the next in inciting to violence. “With this sword,” saith one of them, “I beheaded a people!” And another: “I toppled a nation to the ground!” And yet another: “I brought a government down!” On such things do men pride themselves, in such do they glory! Love—righteousness—these are everywhere censured, while despised are harmony, and devotion to the truth. The Faith of the Blessed Beauty is summoning mankind to safety and love, to amity and peace; it hath raised up its tabernacle on the heights of the earth, and directeth its call to all nations. Wherefore, O ye who are God’s lovers, know ye the value of this precious Faith, obey its teachings, walk in this road that is drawn straight, and show ye this way to the people. Lift up your voices and sing out
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the song of the Kingdom. Spread far and wide the precepts and counsels of the loving Lord, so that this world will change into another world, and this darksome earth will be ·ooded with light, and the dead body of mankind will arise and live; so that every soul will ask for immortality, through the holy breaths of God. Soon will your swiftly passing days be over, and the fame and riches, the comforts, the joys provided by this rubbish‑heap, the world, will be gone without a trace. Summon ye, then, the people to God, and invite humanity to follow the example of the Company on high. Be ye loving fathers to the orphan, and a refuge to the helpless, and a treasury for the poor, and a cure for the ailing. Be ye the helpers of every victim of oppression, the patrons of the disadvantaged. Think ye at all times of rendering some service to every member of the human race. Pay ye no heed to aversion and rejection, to disdain, hostility, injustice: act ye in the opposite way. Be ye sincerely kind, not in appearance only. Let each one of God’s loved ones center his attention on this: to be the Lord’s mercy to man; to be the Lord’s grace. Let him do some good to every person whose path he crosseth, and be of some bene³t to him. Let him improve the character of each and all, and reorient the minds of
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men. In this way, the light of divine guidance will shine forth, and the blessings of God will cradle all mankind: for love is light, no matter in what abode it dwelleth; and hate is darkness, no matter where it may make its nest. O friends of God! That the hidden Mystery may stand revealed, and the secret essence of all things may be disclosed, strive ye to banish that darkness for ever and ever. 2. O my Lord! I have drawn nigh unto Thee, in the depths of this darksome night, con³ding in Thee with the tongue of my heart, trembling with joy at the sweet scents that blow from Thy realm, the All‑Glorious, calling unto Thee, saying: O my Lord, no words do I ³nd to glorify Thee; no way do I see for the bird of my mind to soar upward to Thy Kingdom of Holiness; for Thou, in Thy very essence, art sancti³ed above those tributes, and in Thy very being art beyond the reach of those praises which are o²ered Thee by the people that Thou hast created. In the sanctity of Thine own being hast Thou ever been exalted above the understanding of the learned among the Company on high, and forever wilt Thou remain enwrapped within the holiness of Thine own reality, unreached by the knowledge of those dwellers in Thine exalted Kingdom who glorify Thy Name.
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O God, my God! How can I glorify or describe Thee inaccessible as Thou art; immeasurably high and sancti³ed art Thou above every description and praise. O God, my God! Have mercy then upon my helpless state, my poverty, my misery, my abasement! Give me to drink from the generous cup of Thy grace and forgiveness, stir me with the sweet scents of Thy love, gladden my bosom with the light of Thy knowledge, purify my soul with the mysteries of Thy oneness, raise me to life with the gentle breeze that cometh from the gardens of Thy mercy—till I sever myself from all else but Thee, and lay hold of the hem of Thy garment of grandeur, and consign to oblivion all that is not Thee, and be companioned by the sweet breathings that waft during these Thy days, and attain unto faithfulness at Thy Threshold of Holiness, and arise to serve Thy Cause, and to be humble before Thy loved ones, and, in the presence of Thy favored ones, to be nothingness itself. Verily art Thou the Helper, the Sustainer, the Exalted, the Most Generous. O God, my God! I beg of Thee by the dawning of the light of Thy Beauty that hath illumined all the earth, and by the glance of Thy divine
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