Note: Since most of the excerpts included in the print version of this publication are already available elsewhere at this site (see the List of References), only the items not available elsewhere online have been provided below: the Table of Contents, the Preface, the Index, and six quotations of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, originally from the Bahá'í Peace Programme (1930), the Teaching Manual used at the 1948 European Teaching Conference, Star of the West (volumes 4 and 11) and "Selection from Bahá'í Scripture". We have also added a section for pointing out where one can find equivalent versions online for those sources cited in the "List of References" which might not be obvious due to the cited reference being no longer in print or otherwise obscure, and a cross-reference table showing which section numbers correspond to which page numbers. |
+v
CONTENTS |
|
PREFACE | page ix |
FOREWORD | xiii |
|
Part I: BAHÁ'U'LLÁH |
|
I. PROCLAMATION TO THE KINGS AND LEADERS OF RELIGION | 3 |
1. To Kings collectively | 3 |
2. To Queen Victoria of Britain | 9 |
3. To the Emperor Napoleon III of France | 12 |
4. To Czar Alexander II of Russia | 18 |
5. To Emperor "William I of Germany | 20 |
6. To Emperor Francis Joseph of Austria-Hungary | 21 |
7. To Sultan 'Abdu'l-'Aziz | 21 |
8. To Nisiri'd-Din Shah of Persia | 26 |
9. To the Pope Pius IX | 29 |
10. To the Leaders of Religion Collectively | 31 |
|
II. SELECTION FROM "GLEANINGS FROM THE WRITINGS OF BAHÁ'U'LLÁH" | 35 |
1. The Day of God | 35 |
2. God and His Manifestations | 40 |
(i) The Unity of God | 40 |
(ii) The Messengers of God | 43 |
(iii) Divine Revelation | 49 |
(iv) The Sequence of the Prophets | 52 |
(v) The Glory of God | 59 |
3. Man | 61 |
(i) The Soul of Man | 61 |
(ii) Life after Death | 69 |
4. Towards World Unity | 74 |
(i) The World's Sickness | 74 |
(ii) The Divine Physician's Remedy | 74 |
(iii) Contribution of the Individual | 78 |
(iv) The Laws of Bahá'u'lláh | 83 |
(v) When the Victory arriveth | 87
|
vi
|
|
5. Individual Conduct and the Path of God | 87 |
(i) General Ethical Teachings | 87 |
(ii) The Cause of God | 93 |
(iii) The Path of God | 97 |
III. SELECTION FROM "THE HIDDEN WORDS" | 109 |
1. From the Arabic | 109 |
2. From the Persian | 112 |
IV. THE SEVEN VALLEYS | 117 |
V. SOME IMPORTANT TABLETS | 138 |
1. Words of Wisdom | 138 |
2. Tablet of Carmel | 139 |
3. Ridván Tablet | 141 |
4. Tablet of Tarázát | 146 |
5. Tablet of Tajallíyát | 151 |
6. Tablet of Ishráqát | 156 |
VI. THE COVENANT | 161 |
VII. MEDITATI0NS | 165 |
|
Part II: 'ABDU'L-BAHÁ |
VIII. THE COVENANT | 183 |
1. The Centre of the Covenant | 183 |
2. The Power of the Covenant | 185 |
3. Firmness in the Covenant | 187 |
IX. THE MASTER'S LAST TABLET TO AMERICA | 191 |
X. FROM THE TABLETS OF THE DIVINE PLAN | 200 |
1. The Need for Detachment | 200 |
2. Means for Unity | 201 |
3. Conditions for success | 203 |
XI. TABLET TO THE HAGUE | 208 |
vii | |
XII. TABLET TO DR FOREL | 220 |
XIII. GOD AND HIS MANIFESTATIONS | 232 |
1. God is Beyond Human Comprehension | 232 |
2. The Source of Unity | 234 |
3. Religion is Progressive | 237 |
4. Religious Cycles | 240 |
5. The Universal Cycles | 244 |
6. Two Classes of Prophets | 245 |
7. Commentary on an Old Testament Prophecy | 246 |
XIV. CONCERNING CHRISTIANITY | 250 |
1. Prophecies concerning the Coming of Christ | 250 |
2. The Greatness of Christ is due to His Perfections | 251 |
3. The Resurrection of Christ | 253 |
4. The Symbolism of the Bread and the Wine | 254 |
5. The Second Coming of Christ | 256 |
XV. MAN | 259 |
1. The Origin of Man | 259 |
2. The Significance of human life on Earth | 261 |
3. Soul, Spirit, and Mind | 263 |
4. The Two Natures in Man | 264 |
5. The Power of the Holy Spirit | 265 |
6. Pain and Sorrow | 267 |
7. Healing by Spiritual Means | 269 |
8. Reincarnation | 271 |
9. Immortality of Children | 276 |
10. Psychic Forces | 277 |
11. Perfections are without limit | 277 |
XVI. SOME ETHICAL AND SOCIAL TEACHINGS | 280 |
1. 'Abdu'l-Bahá's first Public Address in the West | 280 |
2. The World is Infirm | 281 |
3. Dispel this Darkness | 282 |
4. O Army of Life | 284 |
5. Harmony in Diversity | 286 |
6. Some Bahá'í Principles | 288 |
viii |
|
7. Collective Security | 292 |
8. Industrial Justice | 294 |
9. Justice, Crime, and Forgiveness | 297 |
10. Practise Kindness to Strangers | 301 |
11. Kindness to Animals | 302 |
12. Bahá'í Marriage | 303 |
13. Prayer | 304 |
14. Obligation to deliver the Message | 305 |
15. Consultation | 305 |
XVII. EXCERPTS FROM THE WILL AND TESTAMENT OF 'ABDU'L-BAHÁ | 307 |
LIST OF REFERENCES | 319 |
INDEX | 323 |
ix
PREFACE
PROBABLY no one will find in this compilation every piece of
Bahá'í Scripture he seeks. Even the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh
and 'Abdu'l-Bahá available in English are too numerous for
any single volume to contain everybody's particular choice. That
most people will find in this book most of the passages they value
most is the apex of the compiler's aspiration.
Although intended primarily as a handy comprehensive volume
for Bahá'ís, it should serve inquirers well who know something of
the history and teaching of the Bahá'í Faith and wish to deepen
their knowledge. For many purposes, serious students of religion
will also find it adequate.
Bahá'í Scripture in a broad sense consists of the Words of all the
Sacred Figures Who founded the great religions or promulgated
their teachings, for Bahá'ís revere all as holy; but usually the phrase
denotes the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, the Báb and 'Abdu'l-Bahá, the
Sacred Figures of this age. More strictly, the Writings of the Báb belong
to the Bábí Dispensation which preceded the Dispensation of
Bahá'u'lláh and they have for Bahá'ís something of the significance
of an Old Testament. In this book, Works of Bahá'u'lláh and
'Abdu'l-Bahá only are included.
Bahá'u'lláh revealed His Message between 1853 and 1892. His
earliest Writings, revealed in Baghdád between 1853 and 1863, include
the Kitáb-i-Íqán, the Hidden Words and the Seven Valleys.
In Adrianople between 1863 and 1868 most of His Tablets to kings
and leaders of religion were revealed. After 1868 in 'Akká came the
remainder of these and the Tablets expounding His laws. Here also
was revealed the Most Holy Book of the Baha'f Revelation, the
Kitáb-i-Aqdas, of which much is included in "Gleanings from the
Writings of Bahá'u'lláh", a selection of His Writings made and
translated by Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith.
Throughout the period, Bahá'u'lláh revealed prayers and meditations,
and wrote Tablets of varying weight and importance both
to His followers and to others. Many of these Tablets are not yet
x
collected and others not yet translated into English, but most of
His foremost Writings have been collected and translated.
Since Bahá'ís do not recognize as scripture unauthenticated reports
of the sayings of the Founders of their Faith, the authenticity
of Scripture is more easily established in the Bahá'í Dispensation
than formerly. Only documents in the handwriting of the Central
Figures, or signed by Them, or authenticated by Them in some
other way, are acceptable. The validity of translations is more difficult
to determine. None except those which were made by or in
consultation with the Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith, until his
passing in 1957, or by the Universal House of Justice since its
election in 1963, are of unexceptionable validity.
Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá wrote in Persian and Arabic. In
the early days of the Bahá'í Faith in the West, translating was done
by Eastern Bahá'ís whose English was defective so that many translations
of the period are faulty and few have the advantage of good
literary English. Fortunately the Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith,
Shoghi Effendi, has rendered into beautiful English most of the
important Writings of Bahá'u'lláh and several of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's
Tablets. His translation has been used wherever one exists.
'Abdu'l-Bahá's Writings are mostly Tablets to individuals and
Bahá'í Assemblies, of which many are still uncollected. Until His
passing in 1921, He wrote Tablets in Persian to correspondents all
over the world. These Tablets were translated into English with
varying competence by Eastern Bahá'ís whose native language
was not English. He gave many talks, but few records have been
authenticated and even those with an authentic Persian record are
available in English only as unauthenticated notes of the imperfect
translation accompanying the talk. Extensive compilations of
'Abdu'l-Bahá's Works have, therefore, to include either translations
of authentic Works into a strange idiom, or more easily
read, but unauthenticated, records of talks. Thus the quotations in
this compilation from "Paris Talks", "The Promulgation of
Universal Peace" and "Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era" are not
authentic scripture although consistent with known teaching of
Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá.
All translations which deviate excessively from ordinary English
usage, whether of the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh or 'Abdu'l-Bahá,
have been excluded from the compilation. Such translations are
xi
difficult to read with true understanding and probably distort the
meaning of the original.
The book comprises for the most part complete Tablets and excerpts
picked out by the Guardian himself. The Tablets represent
groups of teachings brought together for some reason by the One
Who gave them and these have been separated only when the
Guardian's authority or the context gave clear reason for doing so.
No prayers will be found here, as selections of Bahá'í Prayers are
easily available, but meditations which most prayer books omit
have been included.
The classification of items is the compiler's own, and no attempt
will be made either to describe or to justify it. If it helps the reader
to locate passages, it will have served its purpose.
Selections in Bahá'í Revelation which cannot readily be found elsewhere online (all are by 'Abdu'l-Bahá):
163. The spirit of this age is the Covenant and the Testament of God. It is like the pulsating artery in the body of the world.
(Teaching Manual used at the 1948 European Teaching Conference, 48)
164. Turn thy face unto the Kingdom of the Covenant, thy heart beating with the love of God, thy soul attracted to the fragrances of God, thy tongue speaking of the appearances of the Kingdom of God, thy insight rending veils asunder and disclosing the realities of things–and with a power which may move the heart of all in the world.
This is a confirmation from the Lord of the effulgence, while all else save this shall never profit thee! This is that by reason of which thy face shall gleam, thy heart shall de dilated with joy, thy soul become pure, thy back strengthened, thy spirit rejoiced and thy identity quickened. Leave the people of suspicion behind thy back and adhere to the manifest signs.
(
Star of the West, IV, 10)
165. The world of the Covenant is like unto the Blessed Tree which is growing beside the river of the Water of Life in the utmost delicacy and beauty, and day by day it is developing and adding to its verdancy.
(Teaching Manual used at the 1948 European Teaching Conference, 49)
171. That which has come out of the centre of the Covenant you must take fast hold of. That which issues from my lips and that which is written with my pen is the reality. With this you can irrigate the vineyard of God. With this you can make the tree of the Cause of God become verdant. Through this the name of the Kingdom of God will be spread over the world. Through this the sun of reality will shine. Through this the clouds of mercy will pour down.
(Teaching Manual used at the 1948 European Teaching Conference, 50)
The following is only in part at Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 228, no. 192, though it contains two additional sentences as well:
179. Today, those who are firm in the Covenant are soaring by the bounties of the Holy Spirit in lofty regions, while the wavering ones are depressed, dejected and afflicted with a thousand pains and calamities. This is because the confirmations of the Abhá Kingdom have been cut off from them. They have been deprived of the Light of the Sun of Truth and have no share from the breezes of the Holy Spirit. They resemble these souls who arose to agitate the minds of men after the time of Christ. Each one, by every subtle means, gathered around himself a group of souls, but all were eventually led to face disappointment, loss and failure. This was because the result of their principles was like unto a tree destitute of roots, or like the ocean foam. A rootless tree, no matter how tall and hardy it may seem, will ultimately wither away; and the ocean foam, however formidable it may appear, shall at last vanish and disappear.
In brief—the Covenant is like unto the ocean which preserves Bahá'í unity, and these souls are like unto the foam upon it. They manifest a temporary activity, but soon, like unto Judas Iscariot and his associates and those who approved of his conduct, they shall be completely forgotten. The ocean of the Covenant, on the other hand, is eternally surging, for it preserves Bahá'í unity.
Today, the Lord of Hosts is the defender of the Covenant, the forces of the Kingdom protect it, heavenly souls tender their services, and heavenly angels promulgate and spread it broadcast. If it is considered with insight, it will be seen that all the forces of the universe, in the last analysis, serve the Covenant. In the future it shall be made evident and manifest. In view of this fact, what can these weak and feeble souls achieve?
(
Star of the West, XI, 240)
Paragraphs 3-4 of the following are in 30 October 1924 to a Local Spiritual Assembly - translated from the Persian, in Compilation on Trustworthiness, no. 2076 and also part of paragraph 3 and paragraph 4 are in Excellence in All Things, no. 19 cited as being from 'Abdu'l-Bahá, in "Bahá'í Year Book" ["The Bahá'í World"], vol. 1 (New York: Bahá'í Publishing Committee, 1926), p. 12:
4. O ARMY OF LIFE
214. O Army of Life! East and West have joined to worship
stars of faded splendour, and have turned in prayer unto darkened
horizons. Both have utterly neglected the broad foundation of
God's sacred laws, and have grown unmindful of the merits and
virtues of His religion. They have regarded certain customs and
conventions as the basis of the Divine faith, and have firmly established
themselves therein. They have imagined themselves as having
attained a glorious pinnacle of achievement and prosperity,
when in reality they have touched the innermost depths of heedlessness
and deprived themselves wholly of God's bounteous gifts.
The cornerstone of the religion of God is the acquisition of divine
perfections and the sharing in His manifold bestowals. The essential
purpose of faith and belief is to ennoble the inner being of man with
the outpourings of grace from on high. If this be not attained, it is,
indeed, deprivation. It is the realization of this deprivation that is
the true eternal fire.
Therefore, it is incumbent upon all Bahá'ís to ponder this delicate
and vital matter in their hearts, that, unlike other religions, they
may not content themselves with the noise, the clamour, the hollowness
of religious doctrine. Nay, rather, they should exemplify in
every aspect of their lives the attributes and virtues that are born of
God, and should arise to distinguish themselves by their goodly behaviour.
They should justify their claim to be Bahá'ís by deeds, not
by name.
He is a true Bahá'í who strives by day and by night to progress
and advance along the path of human endeavour, whose cherished
desire is so to live and act as to enrich and illumine the world; whose
source of inspiration is the Essence of Divine perfection; whose aim
in life is to conduct himself so as to be the cause of infinite progress.
Only when he attains unto such perfect gifts can it be said of him
that he is a Bahá'í.
In this holy dispensation, the crowning glory of bygone ages
and cycles, faith is no mere acknowledgement of the unity of God,
but rather the living of a life that manifests the virtues and perfections
implied in such belief.
His Holiness the exalted One, may my life be a sacrifice to Him,
has shown us the way of behaviour, has guided us to the path of
self-sacrifice, has taught us how to despise earthly rest and comfort,
and how to lay down our lives for each other. That sanctioned Being,
despite the loftiness of His position and the exaltation of His
spirit, chose to be chained and fettered that we might obtain the
light of divine guidance. All the days of His life He rested not for a
moment. He sought no repose nor laid His head upon the couch of
ease and security. His days were passed amid afflictions and suffering.
How can we follow Him and yet remain idle and at ease?
O my friends, arise to tend the pure and widely-scattered seed
planted in the hearts of men. Dedicate yourselves wholly to the
service of humanity. Then will the world be turned into a paradise;
then will the surface of the earth mirror forth the glory of the Abhá
Kingdom. Should you fail in this, great will be your deprivation
and grievous your loss.
O servant of truth, wouldst thou obtain the sovereignty of earth
and heaven? Seek nought but true servitude upon the threshhold
of the Abhá Beauty. Wouldst thou win the joy of liberty in this
world and the next? Desire but submission unto His holy will.
Wouldst thou discover the true way to God? Follow the path of
His covenant. Wouldst thou behold the light of eternal splendour?
Fix thy gaze upon His bountiful grace vouchsafed from the Abhá
Kingdom.
(Selection from Bahá'í Scripture, 331)
Online sources for items in the List of References which might not be readily obvious:
Note: All references to "America's Spiritual Mission" can be found in
Tablets of the Divine Plan
Note 2:
Dispensation of Bahá'u'lláh is published within
World Order of Bahá'u'lláh.
159: `Abdu'l-Bahá,
Star of the West, Vol. III, No. 14, p. 9 in
Covenant and Administration, p.
17
160:
World Order of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 133
161: Mirza Ahmad Sohrab: Diary Notes, July 7, 1914, p. 41, in
Bahá'í Scriptures, p. 304 (no. 622)
166 `Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablet,
Star of the West, Vol. X, p. 233, in
Covenant and Administration, p.
34
167:
Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 223 (paragraphs reversed in order but are both present on this page)
168:
Bahá'í Scriptures, pp. 320-321
169: `Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablet,
Star of the West, Vol. VIII, pp. 213-214 in
Covenant and Administration, p.
33
172: `Abdu'l-Bahá,
Star of the West, Vol. III, No. 14, p. 9; also Vol. XII, p. 227 in
Covenant and Administration, p.
25
173: `Abdu'l-Bahá, from Tablet,
Star of the West, Vol. X, p. 251, cited in
Covenant and Administration, p.
26
175:
Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá Abbás, p. 443
176:
Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá Abbás, p. 83
180: Ten Days in the Light of Akká (under "
Obedience") p. 48, in Star of West, Vol. VIII, p. 222, and cited on p.
25 of
Covenant and Administration
182:
Bahá'i World Faith, pp. 429-438
186:
Tablet on the Hague
187:
Tablet to Auguste Forel
213:
Bahá'i World Faith, pp. 215-217
217:
Secret of Divine Civilization, pp. 64-67
319
LIST OF REFERENCES
(Note: for assistance in finding unclear references, please see
here and
here.
KEY
Abbreviation | Title of book |
|
A.S.M. | America's Spiritual Mission (1936) |
B.P.P. | Bahá'í Peace Programme (1930) |
B.W.F. | Bahá'í World Faith (1943) |
D.B. | Dispensation of Bahá'u'lláh (British Edition 1947) |
E.T.C. | Teaching Manual used at the 1948 European Teaching Conference |
G. | Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh |
H.W.A. | Hidden Words (Arabic) |
H.W.P. | Hidden Words (Persian) |
P.M. | Prayers and Meditations |
P.D.C. | Promised Day is Come (1941) |
P.T. | Paris Talks (British Edition 1951) |
P.U.P. | Promulgation of Universal Peace (1922) |
S.A.Q. | Some Answered Questions (1930) |
S.W. | Star of the West (various volumes specified) |
T.A.B. | Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá (1909) |
T.B. | Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh (1917) |
The dates are those of the first impressions of the editions consulted. Where no date is given, references are to section numbers, which remain invariant; otherwise references are to page numbers. American editions were used if no British edition existed.
[Regarding the sources for the foreword, a note at the end of the foreword states, "This material was compiled from two sources,
The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh and
The Faith of Bahá'u'lláh (a statement prepared for the United Nations Special Palestine Committee) both written by Shoghi Effendi.")]
BAHÁ'U'LLÁH
I. Proclamation to the Kings and Leaders of Religion
1. G.CV
2. P.D.C.20, G.CXVI, G.CXVIII
3. P.D.C.34. G.CXX, G.CXIX, P.D.C. 35 |
4. Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, 46
5. P.D.C. 32
6. P.D.C. 36
7. P.D.C. 37
8. G.CXIV |
9. P.D.C. 40
10. P.D.C. 30
11. G.XCVIII
12. P.D.C. 81
13. P.D.C. 115
|
320
II. Selection from "Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh"
14. G.III
15. G.IV
16. G.VII
17. G.VIII
18. G.X
19. G.XVI
20. G.LXX
21. G.LXXII
22. G.XXVI
23. G.LXXXIV
24. G.XIX
25. G.XXI
26. G.XXII
27. G.XXIV
28. G.XXV
29. G.XXXVIII
30. G.XCIX
31. G.LXXIV
32. G.LXXXIX
33. G.XIII
34. G.XXXVI
35. G.XLVII
36. G.XLV
|
37. G.XLVI
38. G.XLIX
39. G.XL
40. G.LXXVII
41. G.LXXXII
42. G.XCV
43. G.LXXIII
44. G.LXXIX
45. G.LXXX
46. G.LXXXI
47. G.LXXXVI
48. G.LXI
49. G.CVI
50. G.CXI
51. G.LXII
52. G.CXVII
53. G.CX
54. G.CIX
55. G.CXXXI
56. G.XLVI
37. G.XLIII
58. G.CLV
59. G.CLIX
|
60. G.LXXXVIII
61. G.CII
62. G.CL
63. G.II
64. G.CXXX
65. G.CXXXVI
66. G.CXXVI
67. G.CXXXIV
68. G.XLVII
69. G.XLVI
70. G.CXLV
71. G.XCII
72. G.CXLIV
73. G.CLVII
74. G.CXLIX
75. G.CLXI
76. G.XCVI
77. G.CXXV
78. G.CLIII
79. G.CXLVIII
80. G.CXXIX
|
III. Selection from the Hidden Words
81. | H.W. Introduction |
82-109. | H.W.A. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 16, 18, 27, 30, 31, 32, 33, 36, 40, 42, 44,
48, 49, 50, 54, 55, 59, 61, 67, 68 |
110-133. | H.W.P. 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 12, 14, 16, 18, 35, 38, 40, 41, 44, 50, 53, 56, 59,
66, 70, 76, 78, 80 |
IV. The Seven Valleys
134. The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys P.I.
V. Some Important Tablets
135. B.W.F. 140
136. G.XI |
137. G.XIV
138. T.B. 3 |
139. T.B. 71
140. T.B. 124
|
VI. The Covenant
141. Kitáb-i-'Ahd |
142. G.CLXV |
+321
VII. Meditations
143. G.I
144. P.M. I
145. P.M. IX
146. P.M. XVIII
147. P.M. XXX
|
148. P.M. LXV
149. P.M. XCIV
150. P.M. CI
151. P.M. CII
152. P.M. CXI
|
153. P.M. CXVIII
154. P.M. CXIX
155. P.M. CXXII
156. P.M. CXLI
157. P.M. CXLIX |
'ABDU'L-BAHÁ
VIII. The Covenant
158. B.W.F. 358
159. S.W. XII, 227
160. E.T.C. 1948, 47
161. S.W. XI, 243
162. D.B. 56
163. E.T.C. 1948, 48
164. S.W. IV, 10
165. E.T.C. 1948, 49
166. S.W. X, 233
|
167. S.W. X, 153
168. S.W. IV, 10
169. S.W. VIII, 213
170. D.B. 21
171. E.T.C. 1948, 50
172. S.W. XII, 227
173. S.W. X, 251
174. T.A.B. 442
175. E.T.C. 1948. 49
|
176. E.T.C. 1948, 50
177. B.W.F. 410
178. T.A.B. 42
179. S.W. XI, 240
180. E.T.C. 1948, 48
181. Bahá'í Scripture (1923) No. 988
|
IX. The Master's Last Tablet to America
182. S.W. XIII, I
X. From the Tablets of the Divine Plan
183. A.S.M. 15 |
184. A.S.M. 17, 19 |
185. A.S.M. 22, 26
|
Xl. Tablet to the Hague
186. B.P.P. 11
XII. Tablet to Dr Forel
187 B.P.P. 31
XIII. God and His Manifestations
188. P.T. 19
189. P.U.P. 185
190. P.U.P. 55 |
191. S.A.Q. 83
192. S.A.Q. 183 |
193. S.A.Q. 188
194. S.A.Q. 72
|
XIV. Concerning Christianity
195. P.T. 48
196. S.A.Q. 102 |
197. S.A.Q. 119
198. S.A.Q. 112 |
199. S.A.Q. 126
|
+322
XV. Man
200. S.A.Q. 222
201. S.A.Q. 233
202. S.A.Q. 243
203. P.T. 53
|
204. P.T. 153
205. P.T. 100
206. S.A.Q. 293
207. S.A.Q. 324
|
208. S.A.Q. 278
209. Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era, 206
210. S.A.Q. 267
|
XVI. Some Ethical and Social Teachings
211. 'Abdu'l-Bahá in London, 3
212. T.A.B. 36
213. B.P.P. 27
214. Selection from Bahá'í Scripture, 331
|
215. P.T. 45
216. P.T. 117
217. B.P.P. 7
218. S.A.Q. 313
219. S.A.Q. 307
220. P.T. 11
221. T.A.B. 722
|
222. T.A.B. 115
223. B.W.F. 368
224. T.A.B. 390
225. Principles of Bahá'í Administration, 54
|
XVII. Excerpts from the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá
226. British Edition, 1950, 4
Cross-reference between the selection number and page number
Selection # | Page #'s |
Contents | v-viii |
Preface | ix-xi |
Foreword | xiii-xvi |
1 | 3-4 |
2 | 4-9 |
3 | 9-12 |
4 | 12-18 |
5 | 18-20 |
6 | 20-21 |
7 | 21 |
8 | 21-26 |
9 | 26-29 |
10 | 29-31 |
11 | 31-32 |
12 | 32-34 |
13 | 34 |
14 | 35 |
15 | 35-36 |
16 | 36 |
17 | 36-37 |
18 | 37 |
19 | 37-38 |
20 | 38-39 |
21 | 39-40 |
22 | 40-42 |
23 | 42-43 |
24 | 43-45 |
25 | 45 |
26 | 45-49 |
27 | 49 |
28 | 49 |
29 | 49-50 |
30 | 50 |
31 | 50-51 |
32 | 51-52 |
33 | 52-58 |
34 | 58-59 |
35 | 59 |
36 | 59-60 |
37 | 60 |
38 | 60 |
39 | 61-62 |
40 | 62-63 |
41 | 63-66 |
42 | 66-67 |
43 | 67-68 |
44 | 68-69 |
45 | 69-70 |
46 | 70-72 |
47 | 72-73 |
48 | 74 |
49 | 74 |
50 | 74-75 |
51 | 75-76 |
52 | 76-77 |
53 | 77-78 |
54 | 78 |
55 | 78-79 |
56 | 79-80 |
57 | 80-83 |
58 | 83-85 |
59 | 85 |
60 | 86 |
61 | 86 |
62 | 87 |
63 | 87 |
64 | 87 |
65 | 87-89 |
66 | 89-90 |
67 | 91 |
68 | 91-92 |
69 | 92 |
70 | 92-93 |
71 | 93 |
72 | 93-94 |
73 | 94 |
74 | 95 |
75 | 95-96 |
76 | 96-97 |
77 | 97-101 |
78 | 101-104 |
79 | 104-105 |
80 | 105-108 |
81 | 109 |
82 | 109 |
83 | 109 |
84 | 109 |
85 | 109 |
86 | 109-110 |
87 | 110 |
88 | 110 |
89 | 110 |
90 | 110 |
91 | 110 |
92 | 110 |
93 | 110 |
94 | 110 |
95 | 110 |
96 | 110-111 |
97 | 111 |
98 | 111 |
99 | 111 |
100 | 111 |
101 | 111 |
102 | 111 |
103 | 111 |
104 | 111 |
105 | 111 |
106 | 112 |
107 | 112 |
108 | 112 |
109 | 112 |
110 | 112 |
111 | 112 |
112 | 113 |
113 | 113 |
114 | 113 |
115 | 113 |
116 | 113 |
117 | 113 |
118 | 113 |
119 | 113-114 |
120 | 114 |
121 | 114 |
122 | 114 |
123 | 114 |
124 | 114 |
125 | 114 |
126 | 114-115 |
127 | 115 |
128 | 115 |
129 | 115 |
130 | 115 |
131 | 115 |
132 | 116 |
133 | 116 |
134 | 117-137 |
135 | 138-139 |
136 | 139-141 |
137 | 141-146 |
138 | 146-151 |
139 | 151-156 |
140 | 156-160 |
141 | 161-164 |
142 | 164 |
143 | 165-166 |
144 | 166 |
145 | 166-167 |
146 | 167-168 |
147 | 168 |
148 | 168-170 |
149 | 170-171 |
150 | 171-173 |
151 | 173-174 |
152 | 174-175 |
153 | 175-177 |
154 | 177-178 |
155 | 178 |
156 | 178-179 |
157 | 179-180 |
158 | 183 |
159 | 183-184 |
160 | 184 |
161 | 185 |
162 | 185 |
163 | 185 |
164 | 185 |
165 | 185 |
166 | 185 |
167 | 186 |
168 | 186 |
169 | 186 |
170 | 186 |
171 | 187 |
172 | 187 |
173 | 187 |
174 | 187 |
175 | 187 |
176 | 188 |
177 | 188 |
178 | 188 |
179 | 188-189 |
180 | 189 |
181 | 189-190 |
182 | 191-199 |
183 | 200-201 |
184 | 201-203 |
185 | 203-207 |
186 | 208-219 |
187 | 220-231 |
188 | 232-234 |
189 | 234-237 |
190 | 237-240 |
191 | 240-244 |
192 | 244-245 |
193 | 245-246 |
194 | 246-249 |
195 | 250-251 |
196 | 251-252 |
197 | 253-254 |
198 | 254-256 |
199 | 256-258 |
200 | 259-261 |
201 | 261-263 |
202 | 263-264 |
203 | 264-265 |
204 | 265-267 |
205 | 267-269 |
206 | 269-271 |
207 | 271-276 |
208 | 276-277 |
209 | 277 |
210 | 277-279 |
211 | 280-281 |
212 | 281-282 |
213 | 282-284 |
214 | 284-286 |
215 | 286-288 |
216 | 288-292 |
217 | 292-293 |
218 | 294-297 |
219 | 297-300 |
220 | 301-302 |
221 | 302-303 |
222 | 303-304 |
223 | 304-305 |
224 | 305 |
225 | 305-306 |
226 | 307-317 |
List of References | 319-322 |
Index | 323-339 |
INDEX
'Abdu'l-Bahá (
see also Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh)
Did not rest, 195, 200, 310
His Name might be taken in vain, 216-17
Longs to leave this earth, 195, 309
Station of, 162-3, 183, 184, 197-8
Tribulations of, 268-9, 308-9
Words of, 187
Abraham, 183, 236, 243, 245, 252
Adam, 46, 210, 234, 245, 251-2, 289
Afnán, 80, 163, 309, 310-11, 317
Aghsán, 163, 310-11
Alchemy, 50
'Alí (son-in-law of Muhammad), 46, 198, 290
Angels, 29, 39, 87, 94, 141, 170, 187, 203, 265
Animals (
see Creation: Kingdoms of; Ethical Teachings: Kindness to Animals; Man: Station of)
Aristotle, 220
Armaments (
see Peace)
Arts, 50, 154
Báb, The
Covenant of, 183, 191-2, 194
Herald of Bahá'u'lláh, 82, 155-6, 183, 191-2
Oneness with other Manifestations of God, 59, 236
People of the Bayán, 155, 191-2, 193, 194, 198, 217
Prophesied by Muhammad, 183
Rejection of, 5, 235, 308
Station of, 154, 184, 245, 315
Bahá'u'lláh (
see also Day of God)
Apostles of, 204
Appeared at a place and time of darkness, 209
Ascension of, 39, 161, 199, 317
Birth of Mission, 26-7, 167, 168-9
Coming prophesied in Holy Books, 20, 31, 35, 36, 175-6
Covenant of (
see Covenant)
Episodes in His Life, 151, 156, 158
Had no schooling, 27, 32
His obedience to civil authority, 26
His precepts maintain order (
see also Ethical Teachings: Obedience), 83-4, 160
Knowledge of, 13, 14, 17, 18, 36, 51-2
Laws of, 23, 84-5, 86, 157, 247, 315-16
Newspaper reports about Him mostly false, 151
Proclamation of His coming, 3, 4, 5, 9, 12, 13, 18, 20, 21-2, 29, 31, 36, 113, 125, 141-6
Purpose
The unification of mankind, 12, 75, 77, 79, 159-60, 161
Other objects, 4, 79, 81-2, 86, 161
Recognition
All able to recognize Him, 82, 90, 117
First duty of man, 10, 35, 83, 91, 93
Station of recognition, 32, 63, 67, 81, 96, 145, 152, 162, 175
Rejection (
see also Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh: Covenant-Breakers)
Condemnation of those who deny, 10, 12, 110, 126, 152, 154, 156, 162
Could not prevent spread of His Faith, 146
General failure to recognize Him, 36, 38, 39
Prevented further Revelation, 28, 69, 142, 178
Reasons for (
see also Knowledge: Idle Fancies), 38, 57-8, 126, 127, 153
Relation to former Messengers
Greater intensity of His Revelation, 95-6, 101, 143, 151-2, 155-6
His coming prophesied in Holy Books, 35, 66, 106-7, 151-2, 153, 183, 247
Oneness with Them, 15, 21, 29, 59, 81, 153, 178-9, 236
Station of "The Father", 19, 30
Their attitude to Him, 20, 35
Universal Manifestation, 245, 315
Remembrance of His Name, 79, 89
Revelation
Brings knowledge of God, 152, 153-4, 248
Brings new life, 12, 39, 50, 74, 80-3, 93, 126, 141-6, 163-4, 280
Brings unity, 12, 80, 82-3, 201-2, 209, 219, 235, 247, 248, 287
Criterion of truth in this Day, 31, 73, 106-7
Distinguishing feature of, 83
Intended for all mankind, 78, 82, 143
Token of the Grace of God, 39, 60, 78, 81, 90, 104, 145
Whole earth illumined by, 82, 102, 140, 146, 147, 214
Station
Ascendancy over all, 31, 40, 62, 78, 152
Human Station, 60
Mirror of God, 20, 27, 60, 104, 143-5, 146-7, 155-6, 168, 177, 178, 184, 245
Sovereignty of (
see also God: Sovereignty of) 4, 19, 59, 60, 140, 143
Unable to discover Essence of God, 41, 142, 165-6
Treated righteous and sinner alike, 90
Tribulations
Accepts without complaint, 29, 60, 79, 174, 178-9
Are transitory, 25, 28
Could not deter Him, 16, 156, 169-70, 173, 174-5, 216
Effect is beneficial, 29, 59, 60, 89, 92, 169, 285
Endured voluntarily, 59-60, 92, 161, 235, 285
Forbearance, 19, 25
Increased love for God, 16, 166-7
Intensity of, 6, 15-16, 26, 28, 88, 308
Yearns for martyrdom, 16, 28, 30, 59
Yearns for tribulation, 16, 25, 28, 174
Words of
Embrace all other truth, 214-15, 230-1
Hidden mysteries of (
see God: Knowledge of, Its sacred depths) 19, 38, 66, 102-3, 114, 145
Power of, 88, 152
Bayan. People of (
see Báb, The)
Berlin, 21
Bible (
see Holy Books)
Buddha, 231
Burning Bush, 13, 16, 19, 32, 56, 82, 90, 100, 141
Carmel, 139-41
Causation, 226
Cause of God (
see also Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh; Steadfastness)
American believers. Station of, 191
Arise to help it, 79, 80, 88, 93-4, 200, 287-8, 310
Consultation, 93, 157, 305-6
Early believers
Station of, 63, 90, 92, 93, 96-7
Sufferings of, 166, 170-3, 216, 235, 308
Fear of God will ensure triumph, 90
Guardian of, 137, 207, 306, 310-12, 314, 316
Hands of, 307, 309, 310, 311-13, 317
His chosen ones, 106, 178, 203-7
House of Justice, 156, 158, 159, 160, 311, 314, 315-16
Insincere believers, 60, 95, 311-12
Obedience to Bahá'í Assemblies, 305
Protection of, 90, 307-8, 315, 316
Put the Cause first, 90, 94, 97, 316
Righteous deeds will ensure triumph, 79, 81, 90, 157, 163, 266
Scattering of opposing forces, 80
Service to
Do not rest, 285, 308-9, 316
Station of service, 94, 97, 159, 310
Spiritual Assembly, 188, 305-6
Teaching (
see also Man: Heart of, Subdued by Wisdom and Utterance)
An obligation (
see also Enjoined,
below), 37, 83, 93, 305, 309-10
Consequences:
For mankind, 37, 74, 203, 283, 285, 313
For the individual, 111, 138, 316
Deputization, 97
Do not press those who turn aside, 39, 95, 106, 159
Enjoined (
see also An Obligation, above) 88, 106, 203, 283-4,
General advice for teachers, 89, 95, 207, 316
Heavenly aid in, 39, 93-4, 94, 95, 106, 188-9, 204
Pioneering and Travelling Teaching, 94, 206, 310
Preparation for, 79, 94, 206, 266
Station of, 94, 95, 147, 310, 316
The true Bahá'í, 285, 301, 304
Triumph assured, 7, 78, 80, 87, 140
Unity in (
see also Unity: Contention forbidden)
A condition of success, 189, 205-6, 305-6
Do not let dissension arise, 39, 77, 159-60, 162, 163
The eternal collective centre, 201-2, 248
When unity is threatened, 92, 207
Civilization, 77, 78, 213, 239, 292, 300
Composition and Decomposition, 217-18, 225-6, 262-3, 272-3
Concourse on High, 39, 106, 139, 148, 172
Confucius, 231
Covenant
of Bahá'u'lláh (
see also Manifestations of God: Next Manifestation)
Centre of the Covenant appointed, 162-3, 183, 184, 190
Covenant-Breakers, 186, 189-99, 205, 307, 311, 316, 317
Firmness in, 185, 187-90, 191-9, 205, 286, 306, 316
Implications will become manifest, 186, 191
Mentioned in Holy Books, 186
Power of, 185-6, 189, 306
of former Manifestations of God, 183-4, 191-2, 194
of God, 84, 104, 109, 189, 190
Creation (
see also God: Creator; God: Grace of; God: Will of; Man: Station of)
All things bear sign of God, 28, 42, 61-2, 64, 87, 117, 118, 122-5, 132, 142, 173, 286
Dependence on God, 43, 65, 71
Identity of two beings impossible, 272
Kingdoms of Creation, 221-2, 224, 232-3, 263, 277-8
The Physical Universe, 65
Without beginning or end, 41, 62, 65
Criminals, 17, 157, 212-13, 297-300
Czar of Russia, 14, 18
David, 245, 250
Day of God (
see also Bahá'u'lláh)
A Day of Judgment, 31, 39
Greatness of
Exalted Character, 13, 37, 49, 95, 97, 107, 139, 142, 144, 161, 280
Hearts of Messengers proved, 36-7
Day of God: Greatness of (Continued)
Mankind has yearned for it, 36, 37-8
Potency, 35-6, 38, 78
Prophesied in Holy Books, 35, 37, 38, 94
Prophetic Cycle ended, 49
Prophets have yearned for it, 36
Democracy, 10
Detachment (
see also Ethical Teachings: Selflessness; Knowledge: True Knowledge; Terms Defined and Explained: "The Evil One", "The World")
Cleanse hearts, 3, 17, 25, 87, 89, 97, 112, 119, 232
Consequences of, 60, 64, 87-8, 95, 103, 128, 145, 206, 268, 310
From desires, 5, 9, 84, 90, 92, 101, 102, 138
From the things of this world, 4, 6, 15, 60, 91, 98, 111, 113, 114, 134, 145, 152, 268-9, 284, 304, 310
Means to, 87, 113, 114, 127, 132, 138, 268-9
Result of lack of, 5, 89, 103, 126-7, 200
Seclusion in the love of God, 14, 110
Worthlessness of things of this world (
see also Kings and Rulers: Transitoriness of earthly station), 18, 94, 96, 99, 101, 104, 161, 175, 200-1
Divines
Blessed Divines, 33
Called to help heal the world, 77
Disunity among, 33
Failure to recognize Bahá'u'lláh, 13-14, 31, 33
Hinder people from salvation, 32-3, 53
Misdeeds of, 33-4
Monks, 14, 30
Persecute Manifestations, 13-14, 32-3, 56-7
Prevented fuller Revelation, 28
The stars have fallen, 13
Economic Problems (
see also Povery and Wealth), 211, 212, 215, 231, 294-7
Education, 89, 158-9, 213, 303, 306
Elias, 276
Elijah, 266
Ethical Teachings (
see also Detachment; God: Attitude to; God: Will of, Submission to; Justice; Love; Man: Deeds of; Mankind: Oneness of; Poverty and Wealth; Religion: Consort with followers of all; Unity; Contention Forbidden; World Unity: Promote Interests of Mankind)
Aged, Attitude of, 268
Aged, Care of, 282, 296
Associate with the righteous, 98, 112, 115, 195-6, 198-9
Avoid the unrighteous, 98, 112, 115, 193, 195-6, 199
Be concerned with needs of age you live in, 74
Be joyful, 38, 87, 91, 111, 114, 148
Benevolence, 148
"Bring thyself to an account each day", 24, 110
Charity, 138
Cheer the Miserable, 80, 87
Compassion, 78, 87, 148
Comply with requests, 110
Conceal sins of others, 17, 90, 93, 98, 110, 114
Contentment, 91, 98, 110, 111, 114, 115, 122, 131-2, 138
Courage, 138
Courtesy, 15
Criticism disapproved, 271, 306
Do not abase yourself, 114, 139
Do not look on what is unworthy, 159
Do not cause sorrow, 159
Do not gossip, slander, 17, 98, 114, 115, 150, 161, 308
Do not sadden anyone, 91
Do not shed blood, 17
Do not wish abasement of others, 114
Faithfulness, 87, 112, 310, 313
Forbearance, 78, 91, 148
Forgiveness, 98, 297, 298-300
Freedom from envy, 103, 113, 114,
Friendliness, 75, 80, 87, 91, 92, 301-2, 313
Generosity, 87, 89
Golden Rule, 98
Goodwill, 90
Guide others, 87, 92, 95
Help the distressed, 87, 98, 284
Help the oppressed, 80
Honesty, 89
Humility, 4, 87, 98, 111, 305
Kindness to Animals, 98, 302-3
Meekness, 87
Mercy, 78, 303
Moderation, 7, 23, 77, 98, 295, 306
Obedience
To the Commands of God, 7, 22-3, 26, 35, 82-3, 83-5, 87, 111, 136-7, 154, 160, 161, 163
To those in authority, 86, 159, 308, 314-15
Orphans, Care for, 282, 284, 296
Patience, 88, 98, 119, 123, 305
Purity, 79, 91, 109, 114, 305
Righteousness, 22, 79, 87, 92, 101, 148, 149, 161, 281, 308, 313
Selflessness {
see also Detachment)
Self is a veil, a prison, 87, 91, 101, 114, 122
Self-Sacrifice, 92, 285
Turn away from self, 80, 110, 114, 118, 120, 121, 125, 196, 288, 304, 310
Service, 4.13, 77, 85, 93, 119, 305, 310
Sincerity, 102, 150
Speech, Be guarded in, 87, 98, 114, 139, 150, 151, 159, 161, 302
Sympathy, 87
Trustworthiness
Disbelievers in God untrustworthy, 22
Enjoined, 17, 87, 89
Fulfil promises, 98
Station of, 91, 149-50
Truthfulness, 87, 89, 90, 91, 150, 151, 161, 281, 313
Work is obligatory, 116, 138, 147
Ezekiel, 246, 266
Fasting, 305
Franz-Josef of Austria, 21
God
Attitude to
Fear of
Effects, 90, 118, 122, 157, 175
Enjoined, 7, 14, 22, 91, 94, 101
Love for, 13, 25, 109-10, 111, 113, 119-22, 138-9, 170
Praise of, 23, 37, 40, 43, 67, 94, 108, 125, 138, 165-6
Remembrance of, 13, 31, 79, 87, 89, 138, 175
Trust in, 7, 8, 22, 23, 26, 31, 37, 88, 91, 98, 102, 135
Attributes, Significance of, 226
Belief in (
see also God: Those who join partners with)
Condemnation of disbelievers, 102, 108, 139, 152
Fading of, 50, 101
Nature of, 49
Possibility of, 128, 225
Proofs of existence of God, 222-9
Turn away from disbelievers, 7, 22, 83
Breath of, 5, 6, 12, 13, 40-1, 84
City of, 99-101, 120, 136, 140
Creator, The (
see also God: Will of), 50-1, 62-3, 109, 116, 117, 139, 286
Grace of
Brought by Manifestations, 29, 78
Each time has a settled measure, 135
Effects, 17, 101, 116
Flow is continuous, 41, 42, 53, 56, 101-2, 135
Pervades all creation, 41, 102, 144
Should be sought, 6, 81, 89, 105-6
Should ponder upon, 230
Knowledge of (
see also Creation: All Things bear Sign of God; God: Unity of, Essence Unknowable; Knowledge)
All things express, 61-2, 64, 87
Animates the human heart, 91, 116
Creation of man, 109
Its sacred depths, 41, 99, 103-4, 131-2, 140-1
Meaning of knowing God, 13, 42, 45, 61, 128, 153, 230
Law of, has been revealed, 3, 37
Love of
Creation of man, 109
Fire of, 94, 100, 102, 166, 233-4, 307
Is in man, 97, 101, 109-10
A stronghold, a robe for man, 14, 31, 110, 188
Unites men, 205-6
Ordaineth what He pleaseth, 11, 12, 19, 20, 23, 26, 31, 85, 91, 93, 108, 154, 198
Presence of (
see also Knowledge: True Knowledge, Union)
Attainment to, 39, 70, 101, 103, 111, 112, 115, 118, 135, 144, 153
Behaviour in, 48, 71, 138
Proclaimed by whole universe, 42, 170
Soul of, 64
Sovereignty of, 3, 11, 23, 36, 38, 40, 42, 53, 88, 109, 111, 141, 143, 144, 166
Those who join partners with, 37, 43, 60, 106
The Ultimate Cause, 226
Unity of
All creation proclaims, 41, 125
Belief in, 25, 26, 43, 49
Essence Unknowable, 40-2, 43, 45, 62, 68, 105, 128, 165-6, 224-7, 232, 216
Meaning of, 42, 49, 65, 130
Transcendence of God, 41-2, 43, 62, 105, 128, 226, 233, 236-7
Will of
Conveyed by Manifestations, 43, 49, 81-2
Is the Creative Force, 41, 50, 88, 105, 165
Pervades all creation, 85, 229
Sends down Manifestations of God, 3, 45
Submission to (
see also Ethical Teachings: Contentment), 23, 70, 91, 93, 98, 122, 138, 288
Word of, 50-1, 59, 62, 82-3, 91, 101, 102, 188, 219, 286, 310
Worlds of
Generally, 68, 71, 129, 275
Material and Spiritual Worlds, 213, 267-9, 272, 275
Wrath of, 102, 190
Government (see Kings and Rulers)
"Greater World", 39
Healing and Health, 69, 221, 268, 269-71, 306
Holy Books
Misinterpretation of, 51, 54, 251
New Testament Quotations, 193-4, 233, 252, 253-4, 256, 298-9
Old Testament Quotations, 37, 232, 246-9, 250-1, 252
Old Testament laws, 213-14, 251
Purpose of, 265
Qur'án and Traditions, Quotations from, 43-4, 45-8, 55, 57, 61-2, 201, 221, 232
Holy Spirit (
see Manifestations of God)
Isaiah, 20, 37, 245, 246, 257, 366
Jeremiah, 245, 266
Jesse, 246
Jesus Christ
Acclaims Bahá'u'lláh, 3, 19
Birth of, 246-7, 252-3
Brought life everlasting, 235-6, 254-6
Brought unity, 203, 235, 247
Covenant of, 183, 184, 189, 194, 199
Crucifixion of, 5-8
Disciples, 29, 203-4, 235, 253-4, 264, 266, 310
God enabled Him to triumph, 19, 30
High Station of, 14, 41, 46, 58-9, 251
Miracles of, 58-9
Nature of His greatness, 14, 252-4
Oneness with other Manifestations of God, 46, 55, 236, 243
Prophecies about Him, 54, 183, 246-7, 250-1, 257
Prophecies not fulfilled by Him, 247-9
Prophesied coming of Bahá'u'lláh, 13, 14, 30
Prophesied coming of Muhammad, 183
Reason did not marry, 14
Rejection of, 14, 29-30, 54, 250
Resurrection of, 253-4
Second Coming of, 5, 9, 54, 59, 256-8
Show forth what He declared, 148
Sovereignty of, 250-1
Symbolism of bread and wine, 254-6
Jews, 54, 59, 202, 243, 249, 250-1, 255
John the Baptist, 276
Justice (
see also World: Sickness of, the Malady)
Brought by Bahá'u'lláh, 29, 80
Enjoined, 87, 148-9, 160, 213-4, 280-1, 302
In judgment, 17, 87
In Rulers, 6, 7, 8, 10, 23, 24, 27, 30, 75-6, 149
In the United Kingdom, 280-1
International (
see also World Unity), 11
Reward and Punishment, 75, 150, 157, 159, 297
Station of, 75-6, 109, 149, 150, 299
True Justice, 80, 122-4, 139, 291
Kings and Rulers (
see also Ethical Teachings: Obedience to those in Authority)
Burden of kingship, 28
Called to help Bahá'u'lláh, 7, 8, 13, 15, 16, 19
Failure to help Bahá'u'lláh, 6
Good Government (
see also Justice)
Care for the poor, 8, 11, 16, 24
Care in delegating authority, 16, 22-4, 157-8
Moderation, 23, 77
Taxation, 7, 11
Safeguarding rights of subjects, 6, 8, 23
Various behests, 10, 23, 24, 160
Reward for obedience or help to Bahá'u'lláh, 9, 13, 16-17, 18, 22, 27-8
Station of kingship, 4, 24-5, 27, 75, 157, 160, 162, 204
Station of kings who aid the Cause, 4, 20, 86
Transitoriness of their earthly station, 6, 12, 15, 18, 20-1
True glory of, 5, 8-9
Warnings to, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 29-30
Knowledge (
see also God: Knowledge of; Man: Limits to knowledge of; Science)
Idle Fancies
Bahá'u'lláh frees men from, 80
Blot them from heart, 36, 73, 75, 96, 97, 114, 120, 122, 134, 139
Lead to rejection of Manifestations, 6, 53, 54, 103, 108, 145
Sap belief in God, 101
Insufficiency of learning, 32, 39, 51-2, 97, 120, 121, 129, 148, 266
Object of, 31-2, 52
Source of, 51, 52, 139, 150
Station of, 150-1, 155, 221, 300
The learned, 93, 162
True knowledge
Guidance by God, 93, 99, 102, 114, 118, 119, 124
Search needed, 6, 38-9, 58, 101, 102-3, 119-20, 128, 287, 289
Spiritual Poverty, 131, 132, 134-6, 138
The Way of God, 6, 35, 97-101, 110, 111, 117-37, 148, 153-4
Through study of self, 61, 103, 117, 120, 122-3, 139, 147, 166
Union (
see also God: Presence of) 35, 99-101, 104, 112, 113, 120, 121, 122, 124, 125, 127-8, 136, 144, 203-4
Truth, Independent Investigation of, 33, 109, 119, 149, 209, 238, 243, 289
Truth is one though appearances differ, 287, 288, 292
Wisdom, 17, 76, 86, 97, 116, 135, 321
Language, Universal (
see World Unity)
Leadership, Condemnation of desire for, 33, 189
Liberty, 59, 77, 80, 82, 85, 132, 212, 214-15, 286
Life after Death (
see Man)
Love (
see also Ethical Teachings)
Can be a veil, 97-8, 124
Fire of, 81, 120-2, 130, 135
Four kinds of, 129
Nature of, 138, 217
Return good for evil, 123, 283, 284, 298, 313-14
Show love, kindness, 91-2, 98, 109, 148, 282-3, 308, 313
Shown by deeds, 284, 301-2
The sign of, 111, 120-1
Maids of Heaven, 71, 104, 107, 144
Man
Deeds of
Effect if righteous, 79, 81
Man must bring forth fruit, 14, 113, 115, 116, 139, 301-2
Differing stations of, 72, 126-7
Evolution, 259-61
Everlasting life, 93, 100, 114, 115, 122, 145, 269, 288
Hearing, 66, 67, 96, 99, 111, 125, 127-8, 133, 161-2
Heart of
Animated by Knowledge of God, 91
Blindness of, 38, 103, 108
Gift from God, 66
Preserve of Bahá'u'lláh, 4, 86, 89, 162, 232
Radiance of, 93, 101, 102, 109, 110, 234, 305
Sanctuary of Love of God, 97, 102, 307
Seat for revelation of His glory, 89, 111, 119, 127
Secrets of, are not hidden, 115
Set on fire by remembrance of God, 79
Subdued by wisdom and utterance, 17, 80, 83, 88-9
Subdued by Fear of God, 90
Hour of Death, 72-3, 98
Life after Death
Arguments and evidence for its reality, 69-70, 71-2, 133-4, 275
Divine Judgement, 24, 110, 114
Pure souls after death, 64, 69, 70-1, 72-3, 104, 110-11, 114
State and progress in next world, 70-2, 278-9
Those dying as children, 276
Wayward souls after death, 72-3, 278-9
Limits to knowledge (
see also God: Unity of, Essence Unknowable) 41, 67-8, 105, 112
Mind of (
see also Rational Faculty
below), 221-3, 227-30, 232, 263
Purpose of life on earth, 78, 114, 148, 201, 261
Rational Faculty, 67-8, 133, 221-2, 233, 261-4
Senses of, 66, 67, 220-1
Sleep and Dreams, 63, 65, 68, 133-4, 221
Spirit of Faith, 263
Soul of
Has choice of two paths, 63, 264
Nature of, 63-5, 69, 99, 101, 221-4, 229-30, 233
Relation to body, 64-5, 221, 261-3, 274-5
Station of
Comparison with animals, 200-1, 211, 213, 294
Cannot become Manifestation of God, 278
Exaltation of, 35, 36, 40, 78, 80, 93, 96, 111, 160, 161
Place in creation, 61-2, 63, 96, 222-4, 230, 232-3, 234, 262, 286
Recipient of attributes of God, 14, 61, 103, 117, 130, 134, 232-3
Understanding of, 66-7, 138, 148, 221, 223, 227, 230
Vision, 66, 67, 96, 99, 111, 120, 125, 133, 148, 161-2
Will of, 223, 264
Manifestations of God (
see also the individual Manifestations of God; Religion)
As nothing before God, 40, 41, 48
Holy Spirit
Breath of, 191, 202, 213, 239, 252
Power of, 265-7, 270-1, 292, 306
Human Station, 46-8, 55, 265
Intermediaries
Channels for Divine Grace, 40, 44, 45, 122
Convey the Will of God, 43, 49
"He doeth whatsoever He willeth" (
see also God: Ordaineth what He pleaseth), 86
Mirrors of God, 44, 45, 47, 52, 233-4, 236-7, 245
Transmit knowledge of God, 44, 51, 139, 238-40
Next Manifestation, 106-8, 164, 183, 198
Oneness of Manifestations of God
All embody attributes of God, 44-5, 45-8, 55, 236
Each brings a new message, 45
Intensity of revelations differ, 44, 46
Make no distinction between, 46, 49, 243
Purpose of, 71, 122, 265
Recognition of
Possible for those who oppose, 52-3
Always rejected by man, 52, 238
Reasons for rejection (
see also Knowledge: Idle Fancies), 52-3, 57, 86
Their flame intensified by opposition, 53
Revelation of
A token of God's grace, 43-4, 45, 66
Brings new life, 41, 50, 241, 245-6
Need for gradual revelation, 49-50
Not to be judged by human standards, 53
Potency of, 50-1
Sovereignty of, 44, 57, 231
Universal, 62-3, 244-5
Mankind, Oneness of (
see also Bahá'u'lláh: Revelation of, Brings Unity; Religion: Brings Unity; Unity; World Unity)
All created by God, 75, 78-9, 111, 163, 209-10, 234-5, 239, 289, 290, 313
Consort with all peoples, 148, 287, 313
Diversity in Unity, 218-19, 286-7
Effects of recognition of, 234-5
God's gift to this age, 280
Illustrations (
see Unity)
Love for Mankind, 75, 77, 78, 80, 82, 158, 281, 282-3, 306, 308, 313
Mingling of races, 247-8
Promote interests of mankind, 10, 14, 75-6, 77, 79, 81, 82, 89-90, 93, 163, 208
Should be as one soul, 111
Show love to foreign visitors, 301-2, 313
Unity of East and West, 201-2, 281, 301
Marriage, 14, 303-4
Martyrdom (
see Suffering)
Materialists, 71-2, 220-1, 231
Moderation (
see Ethical Teachings)
Monks (
see Divines)
Moses, 41, 46, 53-5, 183, 236, 243, 245
Muhammad
Brought unity, 203
Fulfilled Cause ofJesus, 55, 183
Oneness with other Manifestations of God, 46, 55, 198, 236
Prophesied the Báb, 183
Rejection of, 56-7
"Seal of the Prophets", 47, 49, 55-6
Sovereignty, 56-7
Station of, 117, 245
Napoleon III, 12-18, 20-1
Nasiri'd-Dín,
Sháh, 26-9
Nature, 212, 213, 222-4, 227-8
Newspapers, 151
Noah, 46, 199
Pantheism (
see God: Those who join partners with)
Parents and Children, 278
Peace (
see also World Unity)
Armaments, 7, 11, 76, 213, 293
Call to, 36, 76, 163, 208, 281, 283, 292
Causes of War, 210, 280, 286-7, 290
Conditions for, 76, 79, 157, 208-9, 214, 240, 292-3
Lesser, 11
Most Great, 11, 157, 247-9, 280
Persia, 96
Peter, 184, 266
Philosophers, 220-1, 224, 230, 265-6
Plato, 220
Politics, 212, 215, 231, 291, 314
Pope, The, 29, 194
Poverty and Wealth (
see also Detachment)
Dangers of wealth, 111, 161
Limitation of, 23-4, 290-1, 294-7
Rich people, 87, 93, 114, 278, 297
The Poor
Benefit of voluntary giving, 212, 297
Bequests for benefit of, 278
Giving to them enjoined, 87, 92-3, 98
House of Justice to care for, 159, 306
True wealth, 100, 101, 110, 132, 138-9
Prayer
Effect of, 87-8, 127, 268, 304-5
For the departed, 278-9
How and when to pray, 98, 110, 115, 159, 306
Mention of God, 98, 138
Need for, 110, 304-5
Prejudice, Freedom from, 36, 210, 284, 289, 290
Pride, 4, 9, 16, 20, 33, 53, 139
Priests (
see Divines)
Progress, Material and Spiritual, 239-40
Progressive Revelation (
see Religion: Cycles of)
Psychic forces, 277
Purest Branch, The, 168
Reincarnation, 271-6
Religion (
see also Manifestations of God; Science and Religion)
Brings unity, 202-3, 238
Causes of religious strife, 238-9
Consort with followers of all, 81, 148
Cycles of, 41, 75, 101, 237-45
Dogma, 234, 238, 284
Faith, 75, 139, 285
Founded by the Manifestations of God, 238, 246
Must be the cause of love, 210, 289-90
Nature of, 138, 237, 284-5, 290
Need for renewal of (
see also World: Sickness of), 50, 238-9
Not concerned with politics, 291
Oneness of, 10, 38, 46, 75, 213, 280
Periodically renewed, 16, 101, 240-4
Station of, 157, 160, 212-13
"Return", 46, 99, 272-3, 275-6, 288
Saints, 105, 128, 165, 264
Satan (The Evil One), 81, 139, 192, 193, 196, 306
Science
Generally, 51, 154, 222-9, 248, 300
and Religion, 210, 254, 290
Ether, 225, 227
Evolution (
see Man)
Inventions, 50-1
Stars and Planets, 65, 253, 257
"Seal of the Prophets" (
see Muhammad)
Sheba, 112
Sinai, 3, 13, 16, 19, 40, 41, 53, 102, 107, 141, 155
Slaves, 9
Socrates, 220, 224
Solomon, 112, 245
Steadfastness (
see also Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh; Firmness in)
Attainment to, 37, 154
Consequences of, 138, 161
Do not vacillate in allegiance to the Cause, 38
Enjoined, 35, 39, 95, 98, 102, 106, 196
Station of, 64, 87, 91, 154
Strikes, 294-7
Suffering (
see also 'Abdu'l-Bahá: Tribulations of; Bahá'u'lláh: Tribulations of; Cause of God: Early Believers)
Comes from the material world, 267-8
Martyrdom, 35, 98, 216, 235, 308
Purpose of, 111
Should be welcomed, 84, 87, 91, 111, 171, 172, 174
Sufi Doctrines, 125, 131, 136-7
Sultán 'Abdu'l-'Azíz, 21
Táhirih (Qurratu'l-'Ayn), 199
Teaching the Cause of God (
see Cause of God)
Terms Defined and Explained (
see also Detachment: Means to; Justice: True Justice; Religion: Nature of; Poverty and Wealth: True Wealth)
Abasement, Essence of, 139
Attributes of God, 226
Blood of Christ, 254-5
Bread of the Last Supper, 254—5
Charity, Essence of, 138
"Clouds", 57, 107
Courage, source of, 138
Divine Unity, 42-3, 49
"Earth", 50
Error, Source of, 139
Eternal Fire, 285
Faith, 139, 285
Glory, Source of, 138
Good, Source of, 138
Learning, Source of, 139
"Leprosy", 58-9
Liberty, 286
Life Everlasting, 269
Light of Eternal Splendour, 286
Lord of Hosts, 203
Loss, Cause of, 139
Love, Essence of, 138
Moses's rod, white hand, serpent, 53
Nature, 223
Párán, 53
Power, Source of, 138
Presence of (Meeting with) God, 153
Reliance on God, 138
Remembrance of God, 138
Sinai, 53
Sovereignty, 286
"The Evil One," 81
"The World," 17
Understanding, Essence of, 138
Way to God, 286
Wisdom, Essence of, 138
Theosophists, 274
Transmigration, 271-6
Truth (
see Knowledge)
Unity (
see also Cause of God: Unity in; God; Unity of; Mankind, Oneness of; World Unity)
Association conducive to unity, 148
Cause of life, 217-18
Collective Centres, 201-3, 234-6, 239-40
Contention forbidden, 88, 97, 113, 162, 287, 313
Disunity
Cause of removed, 81-3, 202
Causes destruction, 218
Worldly desires provoke, 39
Illustrations of
Drops (waves) of one sea, 159, 205-6, 306
Flowers of one garden, 206, 218, 286-7, 306
Leaves (Blossoms, Fruits) of one tree, 75, 158, 159, 210, 282, 289
Members of one body, 39-40, 223-4, 228
Miscellaneous illustrations, 39-40, 79, 206, 306
Light of, 36, 74, 75, 79, 160, 235, 313
Station of, 75, 148
Victoria, Queen, 9-13
War (
see Peace)
Wealth (
see Poverty and Wealth)
West, Peoples of the, 96
Wilhelm I of Germany, 20
Women, 212, 291-2
World, The (
see also World Unity)
Its needs change, 74, 237
Sickness of
Calamity inevitable, 38, 74, 77
Healing, 10, 17-18, 38, 74, 75, 77, 214, 231, 281, 293
The Malady, 10, 12, 38, 74, 75, 77, 80, 83, 156, 281
World Unity (
see also Mankind: Oneness of; Peace; Unity)
Collective Security, 11, 76-7, 215-16, 292-3
Enduring if based on universal love, 77
New World Order, 36, 38, 79
Old Order, 78
Peoples called to unity, 36, 74-5, 158, 162
Rulers called to unity, 7, 11, 76-7, 160, 292-3
Spiritual Aids to Unity, 10, 75-6, 77, 79, 149, 289, 291
Supreme Tribunal, 215, 247, 291, 313
The world one country, 77, 79-80, 158, 210-11, 240, 247-9, 285, 290
Universal Auxiliary Language, 76-7, 158, 212
Zion, 3, 37, 140