Center of the Covenant

As to the most great characteristic of the revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, a specific teaching not given by any of the Prophets of the past: It is the ordination and appointment of the Center of the Covenant.
By this appointment and provision He has safeguarded  and protected the religion of God against differences and schisms, making it impossible for anyone to create a new sect or faction of belief. To ensure unity and agreement He has entered into a Covenant with all the people of the world, including the interpreter and explainer of His teachings, so that no one may interpret or explain the religion of God according to his own view or opinion and thus create a sect founded upon his individual understanding of the divine Words.
The Book of the Covenant or Testament of Bahá’u’lláh is the means of preventing such a possibility, for whosoever shall speak from the authority of himself alone shall be degraded. Be ye informed and cognizant of this....

`Abdu'l-Bahá: The Promulgation of Universal Peace P. 456

O my God, my Lord and my Master!

Photo from Glenn Thomas Franco Simmons

O my God, my Lord and my Master!
 I have detached myself from my kindred and have sought through Thee to become independent of all that dwell on earth and ever ready to receive that which is praiseworthy in Thy sight.
 Bestow on me such good as will make me independent of aught else but Thee, and grant me an ampler share of Thy boundless favors.
Verily, Thou art the Lord of grace abounding.

 The Báb

The power of utterance ....

The Books, the Scriptures and Holy Writings of previous ages have all proclaimed the joyful tidings that the purpose underlying this most mighty Revelation is none other than the rehabilitation of the world and its nations; that perchance the power of utterance may prevail over the power of arms, and the world’s affairs be administered through the potency of love.
We ask God, the True One, to invest all with the mantle of trustworthiness, for that is the world’s comeliest garment.

 ~ Bahá’u’lláh

O YE THAT PRIDE YOURSELVES ON MORTAL RICHES!

O YE THAT PRIDE YOURSELVES ON MORTAL RICHES! Know ye in truth that wealth is a mighty barrier between the seeker and his desire, the lover and his beloved.
The rich, but for a few, shall in no wise attain the court of His presence nor enter the city of content and resignation.
Well is it then with him, who, being rich, is not hindered by his riches from the eternal kingdom, nor deprived by them of imperishable dominion.
By the Most Great Name! The splendor of such a wealthy man shall illuminate the dwellers of heaven even as the sun enlightens the people of the earth!

The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh

Beware! Beware!

...Turn all your thoughts toward bringing joy to hearts.

Beware! Beware! lest ye offend any heart.
Assist the world of humanity as much as possible.
Be the source of consolation to every sad one, assist every weak one, be helpful to every indigent one, care for every sick one, be the cause of glorification to every lowly one, and shelter those who are overshadowed by fear.
In brief, let each one of you be as a lamp shining forth with the light of the virtues of the world of humanity. Be trustworthy, sincere, affectionate and replete with chastity...

`Abdu'l-Bahá: The Promulgation of Universal Peace

Honesty is the door of

Bahá’u’lláh says in the Tablet of Tarazát:

— Verily, Honesty is the door of tranquillity to all in the world, and the sign of glory from the presence of the Merciful One. Whosoever attains thereto has attained to treasures of wealth and affluence. Honesty is the greatest door to the security and tranquillity of mankind. The stability of every affair always depends on it, and the worlds of honor, glory and affluence are illumined by its light. …
 O people of Bahá! Honesty is the best garment for your temples and the most splendid crown for your heads. Adhere thereto by the Command of the Omnipotent Commander.
Again He says:—“The principle of faith is to lessen words and to increase deeds. He who words exceed his acts, know verily, that his nonbeing is better than his being, his death better than his life.”

Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era

O Brother!

O Brother! Not every sea hath pearls; not every branch will flower, nor will the nightingale sing thereon. Then, ere the nightingale of the mystic paradise repair to the garden of God, and the rays of the heavenly morning return to the Sun of Truth—make thou an effort, that haply in this dust heap of the mortal world thou mayest catch a fragrance from the everlasting garden, and live forever in the shadow of the peoples of this city. And when thou hast attained this highest station and come to this mightiest plane, then shalt thou gaze on the Beloved, and forget all else.

Bahá'u'lláh:  The Seven Valleys

The third Ishráq

It is incumbent upon everyone to observe God’s holy commandments, inasmuch as they are the wellspring of life unto the world.

The heaven of divine wisdom is illumined with the two luminaries of consultation and compassion and the canopy of world order is upraised upon the two pillars of reward and punishment.

Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh , ISHRÁQÁT (Splendours)

Truthfulness and Honesty

‘Abdu’l-Bahá says:
— Truthfulness is the foundation of all the virtues of mankind. Without truthfulness, progress and success in all of the worlds are impossible for a soul. When this holy attribute is established in man, all the other divine qualities will also become realized.
 Let the light of truth and honesty shine from your faces so that all may know that your word, in business or pleasure, is a word to trust and be sure of. Forget self and work for the whole.

Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era

The second Ishráq

We have enjoined upon all mankind to establish the Most Great Peace—the surest of all means for the protection of humanity.

The sovereigns of the world should, with one accord, hold fast thereunto, for this is the supreme instrument that can ensure the security and welfare of all peoples and nations.
They, verily, are the manifestations of the power of God and the daysprings of His authority. We beseech the Almighty that He may graciously assist them in that which is conducive to the well-being of their subjects. A full explanation regarding this matter hath been previously set forth by the Pen of Glory; well is it with them that act accordingly.

Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh , ISHRÁQÁT (Splendours)

Courtesy is, in truth, ..

We, verily, have chosen courtesy, and made it the true mark of such as are  nigh unto Him.
Courtesy is, in truth, a raiment which fitteth all men, whether young or old. Well is it with him that adorneth his temple therewith, and woe unto him who is deprived of this great bounty.

Bahá'u'lláh: The Summons of the Lord of Hosts P.72

The first Ishráq

When the Day-Star of Wisdom rose above the horizon of God’s Holy Dispensation it voiced this all-glorious utterance: They that are possessed of wealth and invested with authority and power must show the profoundest regard for religion.
In truth, religion is a radiant light and an impregnable stronghold for the protection and welfare of the peoples of the world, for the fear of God impelleth man to hold fast to that which is good, and shun all evil.
Should the lamp of religion be obscured, chaos and confusion will ensue, and the lights of fairness and justice, of tranquillity and peace cease to shine. Unto this will bear witness every man of true understanding.

Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, ISHRÁQÁT (Splendours) P.126

Trustworthiness and the station thereof

We will now mention unto thee Trustworthiness and the station thereof in the estimation of God, thy Lord, the  Lord of the Mighty Throne.

One day of days We repaired unto Our Green Island. Upon Our arrival, We beheld its streams flowing, and its trees luxuriant, and the sunlight playing in their midst. Turning Our face to the right, We beheld what the pen is powerless to describe; nor can it set forth that which the eye of the Lord of Mankind witnessed in that most sanctified, that most sublime, that blest, and most exalted Spot. Turning, then, to the left We gazed on one of the Beauties of the Most Sublime Paradise, standing on a pillar of light, and calling aloud saying: ‘O inmates of earth and heaven! Behold ye My beauty, and My radiance, and My revelation, and My effulgence. By God, the True One!
 I am Trustworthiness and the revelation thereof, and the beauty thereof.
I am the most great ornament of the people of Bahá, and the vesture of glory unto all who are in the kingdom of creation.
I am the supreme instrument for the prosperity of the world, and the horizon of assurance unto all beings.’
Thus have We sent down for thee that which will draw men nigh unto the Lord of creation.

Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, ISHRÁQÁT (Splendours) P. 123

“Will you tell us how you felt while in prison and how you regard your freedom?” I asked. “We are glad that you are free.”
“Thank you,” he said graciously, and continuing— “Freedom is not a matter of place. It is a condition. I was thankful for the prison, and the lack of liberty was very pleasing to me, for those days were passed in the path of service, under the utmost difficulties and trials, bearing fruits and results. “Unless one accepts dire vicissitudes, he will not attain. To me prison is freedom, troubles rest me, death is life, and to be despised is honour. Therefore, I was happy all that time in prison. When one is released from the prison of self, that is indeed release, for that is the greater prison. When this release takes place, then one cannot be outwardly imprisoned. When they put my feet in stocks, I would say to the guard, ‘You cannot imprison me, for here I have light and air and bread and water. There will come a time when my body will be in the ground, and I shall have neither light nor air nor food nor water, but even then I shall not be imprisoned.’
 The afflictions which come to humanity sometimes tend to centre the consciousness upon the limitations, and this is a veritable prison. Release comes by making of the will a Door through which the confirmations of the Spirit come.”

‘Abdu’l-Bahá in London