Here are some brief excerpts from the writings of Bahá'u'lláh, the Báb and `Abdu'l-Bahá
O CHILDREN OF MEN! Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust? That no one
should exalt himself over the other. Ponder at all times in your hearts how ye were
created. Since We have created you all from one same substance it is incumbent on you to
be even as one soul, to walk with the same feet, eat with the same mouth and dwell in the
same land, that from your inmost being, by your deeds and actions, the signs of oneness
and the essence of detachment may be made manifest. Such is My counsel to you, O concourse
of light! Heed ye this counsel that ye may obtain the fruit of holiness from the tree of
wondrous glory.
Bahá'u'lláh
Among these teachings was the independent investigation of reality so that the world of
humanity may be saved from the darkness of imitation and attain to the truth; may tear off
and cast away this ragged and outgrown garment of a thousand years ago and may put on the
robe woven in the utmost purity and holiness in the loom of reality. As reality is one and
cannot admit of multiplicity, therefore different opinions must ultimately become fused
into one.
`Abdu'l-Bahá
These sanctified Mirrors, these Day Springs of ancient glory, are, one and all, the Exponents on earth of Him Who is the central Orb of the universe, its Essence and ultimate Purpose. From Him proceed their knowledge and power; from Him is derived their sovereignty. The beauty of their countenance is but a reflection of His image, and their revelation a sign of His deathless glory. They are the Treasuries of Divine knowledge, and the Repositories of celestial wisdom. Through them is transmitted a grace that is infinite, and by them is revealed the Light that can never fade.... These Tabernacles of Holiness, these Primal Mirrors which reflect the light of unfading glory, are but expressions of Him Who is the Invisible of the Invisibles. By the revelation of these Gems of Divine virtue all the names and attributes of God, such as knowledge and power, sovereignty and dominion, mercy and wisdom, glory, bounty, and grace, are made manifest.
These attributes of God are not, and have never been, vouchsafed specially unto certain
Prophets, and withheld from others. Nay, all the Prophets of God, His well-favored, His
holy and chosen Messengers are, without exception, the bearers of His names, and the
embodiments of His attributes. They only differ in the intensity of their revelation, and
the comparative potency of their light.
Bahá'u'lláh
Religion and Science are inter-twined with each other and cannot be separated. These
are the two wings with which humanity must fly. One wing is not enough. Every religion
which does not concern itself with Science is mere tradition, and that is not the
essential. Therefore science, education and civilization are most important necessities
for the full religious life.
`Abdu'l-Bahá
In proclaiming the oneness of mankind He taught that men and women are equal in the
sight of God and that there is no distinction to be made between them. The only difference
between them now is due to lack of education and training. If woman is given equal
opportunity of education, distinction and estimate of inferiority will disappear. The
world of humanity has two wings, as it were: One is the female; the other is the male. If
one wing be defective, the strong perfect wing will not be capable of flight. The world of
humanity has two hands. If one be imperfect, the capable hand is restricted and unable to
perform its duties. God is the Creator of mankind. He has endowed both sexes with
perfections and intelligence, given them physical members and organs of sense, without
differentiation or distinction as to superiority; therefore, why should woman be
considered inferior? This is not according to the plan and justice of God. He has created
them equal; in His estimate there is no question of sex. The one whose heart is purest,
whose deeds are most perfect, is acceptable to God, male or female.
`Abdu'l-Bahá
Concerning the prejudice of race: it is an illusion, a superstition pure and simple! For God created us all of one race. There were no differences in the beginning, for we are all descendants of Adam. In the beginning, also, there were no limits and boundaries between the different lands; no part of the earth belonged more to one people than to another. In the sight of God there is no difference between the various races. Why should man invent such a prejudice? How can we uphold war caused by an illusion?
God has not created men that they should destroy one another. All races, tribes, sects
and classes share equally in the Bounty of their Heavenly Father.
`Abdu'l-Bahá
Thou hast asked Me whether man, as apart from the Prophets of God and His chosen ones, will retain, after his physical death, the self-same individuality, personality, consciousness, and understanding that characterize his life in this world. If this should be the case, how is it, thou hast observed, that whereas such slight injuries to his mental faculties as fainting and severe illness deprive him of his understanding and consciousness, his death, which must involve the decomposition of his body and the dissolution of its elements, is powerless to destroy that understanding and extinguish that consciousness? How can any one imagine that man's consciousness and personality will be maintained, when the very instruments necessary to their existence and function will have completely disintegrated?
Know thou that the soul of man is exalted above, and is independent of all infirmities
of body or mind. That a sick person showeth signs of weakness is due to the hindrances
that interpose themselves between his soul and his body, for the soul itself remaineth
unaffected by any bodily ailments. Consider the light of the lamp. Though an external
object may interfere with its radiance, the light itself continueth to shine with
undiminished power. In like manner, every malady afflicting the body of man is an
impediment that preventeth the soul from manifesting its inherent might and power. When it
leaveth the body, however, it will evince such ascendancy, and reveal such influence as no
force on earth can equal. Every pure, every refined and sanctified soul will be endowed
with tremendous power, and shall rejoice with exceeding gladness.
Bahá'u'lláh
As to the soul of man after death, it remains in the degree of purity to which it has
evolved during life in the physical body, and after it is freed from the body it remains
plunged in the ocean of God's Mercy.
From the moment the soul leaves the body and arrives in the Heavenly World, its evolution
is spiritual, and that evolution is: The approaching unto God.
`Abdu'l-Bahá
Create in me a pure heart, O my God, and renew a tranquil conscience within me, O my
Hope! Through the spirit of power confirm Thou me in Thy Cause, O my Best-Beloved, and by
the light of Thy glory reveal unto me Thy path, O Thou the Goal of my desire! Through the
power of Thy transcendent might lift me up unto the heaven of Thy holiness, O Source of my
being, and by the breezes of Thine eternity gladden me, O Thou Who art my God! Let Thine
everlasting melodies breathe tranquillity on me, O my Companion, and let the riches of
Thine ancient countenance deliver me from all except Thee, O my Master, and let the
tidings of the revelation of Thine incorruptible Essence bring me joy, O Thou Who art the
most manifest of the manifest and the most hidden of the hidden!
Bahá'u'lláh
Thy name is my healing, O my God, and remembrance of Thee is my remedy. Nearness to
Thee is my hope, and love for Thee is my companion. Thy mercy to me is my healing and my
succor in both this world and the world to come. Thou, verily, are the All-Bountiful, the
All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
Bahá'u'lláh
O my God! O my God! Unite the hearts of Thy servants, and reveal to them Thy great
purpose. May they follow Thy commandments and abide in Thy law. Help them, O God, in their
endeavor, and grant them strength to serve Thee. O God! Leave them not to themselves, but
guide their steps by the light of Thy knowledge, and cheer their hearts by Thy love.
Verily, Thou art their Helper and their Lord.
Bahá'u'lláh
Is there any Remover of difficulties save God? Say: Praised be God! He is God! All are
His servants, and all abide by His bidding!
The Báb
Sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Detroit
Revised July 05, 2002
Written by Roger Reini (roger@rreini.com)