As our knowledge of things,

As our knowledge of things, even of created and limited things, is knowledge of their qualities and not of their essence, how is it possible to comprehend in its essence the Divine Reality, which is unlimited? For the substance of the essence of anything is not comprehended, but only its qualities.
For example, the substance of the sun is unknown, but is understood by its qualities, which are heat and light. The substance of the essence of man is unknown and not evident, but by its qualities it is characterized and known. Thus everything is known by its qualities and not by its essence. Although the mind encompasses all things, and the outward beings are comprehended by it, nevertheless these beings with regard to their essence are unknown; they are only known with regard to their qualities.

Selected Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá P.322

Blessed are they ...

Blessed are they that have soared on the wings of detachment and attained the station which, as ordained by God, over shadoweth the entire creation, whom neither the vain imaginations of the learned, nor the multitude of the hosts of the earth have succeeded in deflecting from His Cause.
 Who is there among you, O people, who will renounce the world, and draw nigh unto God, the Lord of all names?
Where is he to be found who, through the power of My name that transcendeth all created things, will cast away the things that men possess, and cling, with all his might, to the things which God, the Knower of the unseen and of the seen, hath bidden him observe?
Thus hath His bounty been sent down unto men, His testimony fulfilled, and His proof shone forth above the Horizon of mercy. Rich is the prize that shall be won by him who hath believed and exclaimed: “Lauded art Thou, O Beloved of all worlds! Magnified be Thy name, O Thou the Desire of every understanding heart!”

Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, P.35

Attract the hearts of men, through

Attract the hearts of men, through the call of Him, the one alone Beloved.
Say: This is the Voice of God, if ye do but hearken.
This is the Day Spring of the Revelation of God, did ye but know it.
This is the Dawning-Place of the Cause of God, were ye to recognize it.
This is the Source of the commandment of God, did ye but judge it fairly.
This is the manifest and hidden Secret; would that ye might perceive it.

O peoples of the world! Cast away, in My name that transcendeth all other names, the things ye possess, and immerse yourselves in this Ocean in whose depths lay hidden the pearls of wisdom and of utterance, an ocean that surgeth in My name, the All-Merciful.
Thus instructeth you He with Whom is the Mother Book.


Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, P.34

Look not upon

Look not upon the creatures of God except with the eye of kindliness and of mercy, for Our loving providence hath pervaded all created things, and Our grace encompassed the earth and the heavens.
This is the Day whereon the true servants of God partake of the life-giving waters of reunion, the Day whereon those that are nigh unto Him are able to drink of the soft-flowing river of immortality, and they who believe in His unity, the wine of His Presence, through their recognition of Him Who is the Highest and Last End of all, in Whom the Tongue of Majesty and Glory voiceth the call: “The Kingdom is Mine. I, Myself, am, of Mine own right, its Ruler.”

 Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh

This is the Day

This is the Day whereon naught can be seen except the splendors of the Light that shineth from the face of Thy Lord, the Gracious, the Most Bountiful. Verily, We have caused every soul to expire by virtue of Our irresistible and all-subduing sovereignty. We have, then, called into being a new creation, as a token of Our grace unto men. I am, verily, the All-Bountiful, the Ancient of Days.
This is the Day whereon the unseen world crieth out: “Great is thy blessedness, O earth, for thou hast been made the foot-stool of thy God, and been chosen as the seat of His mighty throne.” The realm of glory exclaimeth: “Would that my life could be sacrificed for thee, for He Who is the Beloved of the All-Merciful hath established His sovereignty upon thee, through the power of His Name that hath been promised unto all things, whether of the past or of the future.”
This is the Day whereon every sweet smelling thing hath derived its fragrance from the smell of My garment—a garment that hath shed its perfume upon the whole of creation.
This is the Day whereon the rushing waters of everlasting life have gushed out of the Will of the All-Merciful. Haste ye, with your hearts and souls, and quaff your fill, O Concourse of the realms above!

Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh

King of Festivals Riḍván

Followers of the Bahá’í Faith around the world are currently celebrating the 12 day long Festival of Ridvan which commences on the 21st of April and culminates on the 2nd of May. Ridvan means paradise.
The Ridvan Festival is the most important festival in the Baha’i Faith. Baha’u’llah Himself designated Ridvan as the “Most Great Festival” and the “King of Festivals” while Shogi Effendi, the Guardian of the Baha’i Faith described Ridvan as “the holiest and most significant of all Bahá’í festivals” (Baha’u’llah, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 212).

  The holy period of Ridvan commemorates the proclamation of Baha’u’llah to the world that He is the Promised One awaited by all the religions of the world.
Through Baha’u’llah’s proclamation, the Messianic prophecies found in the sacred scriptures of the religions of the world were fulfilled. To Jews He was the Lord of Hosts, to Hindus the Kalki Avatar, to Zoroastrians the Shah Bahram, to Buddhists the Maitreya Amitabha, to Christians Christ returned in the Glory of the Father, to Muslims the Great Announcement and to Bab’is He whom God shall make manifest.

Foundation of all evil, is lying

In creation and nature evil does not exist at all; but when the natural qualities of man are used in an unlawful way, they are blameworthy.
If a rich and generous person gives a sum of money to a poor man for his own necessities, and if the poor man spends that sum of money on unlawful things, that will be blameworthy. It is the same with all the natural qualities of man, which constitute the capital of life; if they be used and displayed in an unlawful way, they become blameworthy.
Therefore it is clear that creation is purely good.
Consider that the worst of qualities and most odious of attributes, which is the foundation of all evil, is lying. No worse or more blameworthy quality than this can be imagined to exist; it is the destroyer of all human perfections, and the cause of innumerable vices. There is no worse characteristic than this; it is the foundation of all evils.

Selected Writings of Abdu’l-Bahá P.321

There is no evil

In creation there is no evil; all is good. Certain qualities and natures innate in some men and apparently blameworthy are not so in reality. For example, from the beginning of his life you can see in a nursing child the signs of desire, of anger, and of temper. Then, it may be said, good and evil are innate in the reality of man, and this is contrary to the pure goodness of nature and creation. The answer to this is that desire, which is to ask for something more, is a praiseworthy quality provided that it is used suitably. So, if a man has the desire to acquire science and knowledge, or to become compassionate, generous, and just, it is most praiseworthy. If he exercises his anger and wrath against the bloodthirsty tyrants who are like ferocious beasts, it is very praiseworthy; but if he does not use these qualities in a right way, they are blameworthy.
Then it is evident that in creation and nature evil does not exist at all; but when the natural qualities of man are used in an unlawful way, they are blameworthy. So, if a rich and generous person gives a sum of money to a poor man for his own necessities, and if the poor man spends that sum of money on unlawful things, that will be blameworthy.

Selected Writings of Abdu’l-Bahá P.320

Peace and tranquillity

The Great Being, wishing to reveal the prerequisites of the peace and tranquillity of the world and the advancement of its peoples, hath written: The time must come when the imperative necessity for the holding of a vast, an all-embracing assemblage of men will be universally realized. The rulers and kings of the earth must needs attend it, and, participating in its deliberations, must consider such ways and means as will lay the foundations of the world’s Great Peace amongst men.
Such a peace demandeth that the Great Powers should resolve, for the sake of the tranquillity of the peoples of the earth, to be fully reconciled among themselves. Should any king take up arms against another, all should unitedly arise and prevent him. If this be done, the nations of the world will no longer require any armaments, except for the purpose of preserving the security of their realms and of maintaining internal order within their territories. This will ensure the peace and composure of every people, government and nation. We fain would hope that the kings and rulers of the earth, the mirrors of the gracious and almighty name of God, may attain unto this station, and shield mankind from the onslaught of tyranny.

Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh

Religion is a

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

“Most Great Peace” shall come….

We desire but the good of the world and happiness of the nations; yet they deem us a stirrer up of strife and sedition worthy of bondage and banishment….
That all nations should become one in faith and all men as brothers; that the bonds of affection and unity between the sons of men should be strengthened; that diversity of religion should cease, and differences of race be annulled—what harm is there in this?…
Yet so it shall be; these fruitless strifes, these ruinous wars shall pass away, and the “Most Great Peace” shall come….
Do not you in Europe need this also? Is not this that which Christ foretold?…
Yet do we see your kings and rulers lavishing their treasures more freely on means for the destruction of the human race than on that which would conduce to the happiness of mankind….
These strifes and this bloodshed and discord must cease, and all men be as one kindred and one family….
Let not a man glory in this, that he loves his country; let him rather glory in this, that he loves his kind….

“Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era”