Waiting on God’s Direction
However, relying upon God, we conducted ourselves with the utmost patience and submission, resignation and calmness; so much that if one did not know anything about these matters, he would have thought that we were in perfect ease of soul, enjoying the tranquility of...
Have Hope. This Too Shall Pass
Thou wert created to bear and endure, O Patience of the worlds. (Bahá’u’lláh, The Fire Tablet, Bahá’í Prayers, p. 317) Remember My days during thy days, and My distress and banishment in this remote prison. (Bahá’u’lláh, The Fire Tablet, Bahá’í Prayers, p. 317) Have...
The Truth About Unbearable Tests
No one should expect, upon becoming a Bahá’í, that faith will not be tested, and to our finite understanding of such matters these tests may occasionally seem unbearable. (Universal House of Justice, Lights of Guidance, p. 341) This Plan will test their stamina, their...
The Definition of Heroism
These, indeed, are the days when heroism is needed on the part of the believers. Self sacrifice, courage, indomitable hope and confidence are the characteristics they should show forth, because these very attributes cannot but fix the attention of the public and lead...
Days of Blissful Joy
O my servants! Sorrow not if, in these days and on this earthly plane, things contrary to your wishes have been ordained and manifested by God, for days of blissful joy, of heavenly delight, are assuredly in store for you. Worlds, holy and spiritually glorious, will...
The Commotions of Adolescence
The long ages of infancy and childhood, through which the human race had to pass, have receded into the background. Humanity is now experiencing the commotions invariably associated with the most turbulent stage of its evolution, the stage of adolescence, when the...
Adjusting our Motives
First and foremost, one should use every possible means to purge one’s heart and motives, otherwise, engaging in any form of enterprise would be futile. It is also essential to abstain from hypocrisy and blind imitation, inasmuch as their foul odour is soon detected...
Finding Insights to Problems
If you read the utterances of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá with selflessness and care and concentrate upon them, you will discover truths unknown to you before and will obtain an insight into the problems that have baffled the great thinkers of the world. (In the...
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Love for the Sacrifices Made By the Poor and Lowly
When we read biographies of the early heroes and heroines of the Faith, we often read about people who were able to find time and money to serve the Faith, but we seldom read about how 'Abdu'l-Baha regarded the sacrifices made by those with extremely limited means. He...
How ‘Abdu’l-Baha Cheered the Hearts of the Poor
In this last of a series of articles on 'Abdu'l-Baha's love for the poor, we look at how he welcomed them and cheered their hearts. He made people feel completely at ease: In London it was noted that inquirers often hated to leave. If any were still present...
‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Justice for the Poor
‘Abdu’l-Bahá never let anyone take advantage of Him. When giving out money, He had people with Him to regulate the crowds: During this time this friend of the poor has not been unattended. Several men wearing red fezes, and with earnest and kindly faces, followed him...
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Practical Assistance to the Poor
He Gave Them Food Although He might not have any earthly means, He cut off what most of us would consider to be necessities (food, clothes, possessions): How could this Prisoner give to the needy of 'Akká every Friday morning? Had not His exiled family's wealth and...
How ‘Abdu’l-Baha Treated the Poor
‘Abdu’l-Baha’s generosity was not lost on others. Even though He was a prisoner, and lived in prison or exile from the age of 9, He was still generous with what He had: This man who gives so freely must be rich, you think? No, far otherwise. Once his family was the...
‘Abdu’l-Baha’s Love for The Lowly, Abased and Downtrodden
Baha’ullah set this standard: If ye meet the abased or the down-trodden, turn not away disdainfully from them, for the King of Glory ever watcheth over them and surroundeth them with such tenderness as none can fathom except them that have suffered their wishes...