assistance to the poor and lowly; the orphan; the sick
Editorial introduction
Bahá’u’lláh tells the wealthy that when they meet someone poor and dust-stained they are not to hurry past but to sit down and ask what has happened to them, and that in such a moment the inhabitants of heaven pray for them. Care for the vulnerable begins there, in a relationship that treats the other as an equal rather than a case. The poor are a trust of God to be answered for; the orphan is to find a loving father, the sick a nurse, the stranger a refuge, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá asks that no one rest until each person in their care feels like a member of the family. Food comes before religious talk, schooling and livelihoods follow relief, and the House of Justice is made a shelter for those whose families cannot provide. James presses the same point when he contrasts the welcome given to a rich visitor with the humiliation of a poor one and dismisses goodwill that leaves a hungry person unfed [1]. The question is not only who stands in need today but what allows need to persist, and it leads to service as a way of life, to the moderation of inequality, and even to the kindness owed to animals.
O ye that are rich! When ye behold one who is poor and dust-stained, flee not from him, but rather sit with him and ask concerning that which hath befallen him from the seas of God's decree. By God, in that state the denizens of the Supreme Concourse will observe you, and will pray for you, and will implore forgiveness for you, and will extol and glorify you with sanctified, pure and eloquent tongues.
O daughter of the kingdom show the greatest respect and honour to the poor, to the orphans and the disabled from every land, from every tribe and people. Show the utmost loving kindness to them and serve them as a true servant might. Treat them as thou wouldst the most honourable and dignified people in the land and place thyself at their disposal both by night and day.
O concourse of princes! Turn ye unto the poor. God hath created you and them from one thing. Make ye in your possessions a portion for them. This will profit you throughout ages and centuries.
Verily, I commune with every poor one, sit with every lowly one, turn toward every oppressed one, and behold every grief-stricken one.
The poor are the trust of God. Although they appear destitute before men, they are glorified in the Kingdom.
"You must turn attention more earnestly to the betterment of the conditions of the poor. Do not be satisfied until each one with whom you are concerned is to you as a member of your family.
Furthermore, you must care for the weak, poor, helpless and orphans with utmost respect, and nurse any sick person in need.
In treating the poor, the weak, the needy and the strangers, provide blessed healing and guide them to health and wellbeing.
… Give great importance to the matter of the poor - be a refuge and shelter to every poor one, and a protector and helper to every sick one.
May you always strive, day and night, to gladden the heart of the sorrowful, to offer healing to the sick, to assist the poor, and to uplift the downtrodden.
May they become a treasure of wealth for every poor one, a refuge and shelter for every seeker of protection, a spirit and delight for the destitute, and divine assistance for the helpless.
Never talk about God to a man with an empty stomach. Feed him first.
You must show kindness to the orphans, give food to the hungry, clothe the naked and offer help to the poor so that you may be accepted in the Court of God.
For fifty years the Blessed Beauty showed kindness to these people - if they saw a barefoot person from the window, He would order shoes bought for them; if they saw someone naked, He would give them clothes; if they saw someone poor, He would give them charity; if they saw someone weak, He would give them food.
A group of very hungry poor people came to me and made a request. I directed them to a grocery store that had all kinds of food available. I told them, "Storm this shop, take whatever is there, eat it and take it away - I will take responsibility for it."
The inhabitants of these parts know this and therefore whenever they are in difficulties or have had business reverses they come to us and we will never send them away unaided or deprived.
Therefore their worldly affairs and livelihood have fallen into extreme difficulty, and in such cases the friends must certainly assist one another.
The purpose is that all should strive with all their powers to ensure that each of the martyrs' survivors lives in the utmost comfort and happiness.
There remained no poor, helpless or destitute person whom I did not support.
I tell this by way of a story - there was a Christian named Nu'mih. This poor soul contracted smallpox and all his relatives and family abandoned him. I arranged for a Muslim woman to nurse him and I myself would visit him twice daily until he recovered.
When visiting the sick, speak of spiritual qualities and divine conduct and behavior without mentioning names or being explicit. Better that the secrets of the beloved ones be told in stories of others.
Be nurses to the sick, treasurers for the poor, and supply heavenly food to the hungry.
Yesterday we went to visit poor children. They had a very humble place, but as we were returning, on the way I saw people coming out of some buildings in groups.
The hearts of the poor are easily broken. Thus, whenever a person can bring gladness to them, it is the right thing to do. When I was in 'Akká, I constantly extended invitations to the poor. You are, however, unaware of the dire straits in which the poor ones of the East live.
I love all.
I exhort you to be kind to the poor and love them. Help them, for the poor are broken-hearted. If you sacrifice yourself for the rich, they think you do it because you are obliged to. But if you love the poor, they feel joy and are sincerely grateful. To help the poor is essential.
I deal with the poor and visit the poor, not the rich.
Let us, in all fidelity offer our breasts as targets for the arrows of cruelty and at the same time possess a sin-covering eye; let us associate with the poor and be the companions of the needy.
O handmaiden of God! Services to the divine Threshold are manifold, but the greatest of all services and the most meritorious deed is the education of the children and of the daughters of the friends of God, and the instruction of the orphans and minors of His chosen ones.
Today, at the Threshold of His Holiness Baha'u'llah, there is nobody more favored than thee, because thou art busy in the service of the orphans and in the education of the destitute, helpless children.
Therefore, distinction, honor and benevolence toward humanity lie in educating orphaned children and the children of the poor and weak, for such children will always remain grateful and appreciative of their benefactors, and will be more content and thankful, unlike children who consider themselves entitled heirs and see their parents as obligated to educate them - they are not as appreciative nor as eager to learn and grateful to their teachers as other children without guardians become.
God is the sustainer and the protector of the orphans. How many are the children of the wealthy who went on to wander this world as lost souls, and how numerous are the orphans and children of the poor who have attained to lofty stations!
Were it not for the protection and assistance of God, the orphans should always be trampled underfoot, and only the children of the wealthy should remain.
The fourth obligation is the protection and preservation of all the friends in all circumstances and situations, and the administration of general affairs such as the education of children, refinement of character, teaching of beneficial sciences in all aspects, establishment of schools for both males and females, caring for the poor and weak and young and orphans and widows, and devising means of industry and livelihood and improvement of general conditions.
Rather, the loved ones of God must strive with heart and soul so that day by day this society may gain strength and engage in service to the Cause - educating children, nurturing orphans, helping the poor, spreading knowledge, and becoming a means of guiding people.
"Their fourth duty is to meditate and consult for the helping of the poor and the weak and the protection of the sick.
The alms-tax of associating with people of influence and authority is helping the poor in conducting their affairs or identifying resources."
But in the new Cause, equality is voluntary, meaning the wealthy, great ones and princes should contribute to the poor with perfect joy and contentment. This equality springs from human virtues.
How wonderful it would be if every person would take from his income what he needs for daily necessities and give away the rest."
… ['Abdu'l-Baha] stated:
How wonderful it would be for the affluent to spend [on the poor] with a happy disposition, not out of being compelled or to deceive.
To care for the weak is essential and to assist the poor is among those things most necessary before the All-Forgiving, and shall ever be so. I swear by the Sun of sanctified glory that has risen from the horizon of the prison, that the cry of those who are oppressed among the loved ones of God and the poor among His friends has been and shall ever be effective.
Deliver my message to Mrs. Lehman and tell her that service to the friends is service to the Kingdom of God and care for the poor is among the divine teachings.
For instance, a man may have the intention to succor the poor and assist the orphan, but be without the necessary means with which to carry it out.
And yet, when an offering was adorned with the glory of His acceptance and reported by Jinab-i-Amin, twice that amount was ordered to be paid out to the poor and the needy.
You had written that you have presented a spice shop as a gift to 'Abdu'l-Baha. This gift is accepted, but you should sell it and spend its proceeds on the poor among the friends.
For example for the last two years and half I have not sent one dollar to my own family to buy clothes with, neither have I bought for them one yard of cloth but I bought just this past winter more than one hundred overcoats for the poor of Acca.
Those distinguished souls who in the past year assisted the poor - I beseech from God's favors that their charity may become like a seed that produces seven ears, in each ear a hundred grains, and God multiplies for whom He wishes.
O sincere friends of the Greatest Name! In the Qur'an, spending of one's substance is specified as a characteristic of the people of faith, and it is revealed "they strive with their wealth and their lives."
And these remaining children of that divine servant must follow in their father's footsteps and move forward with one another in perfect unity, harmony and oneness, and must be mindful of the poor in all circumstances.
I beseech God that you may ever be confirmed and assisted in serving the Sacred Threshold, helping the helpless, and caring for orphans. This is confirmation, this is divine bestowal, this is infinite glory.
Happy are you who are engaged in serving the poor. My greatest happiness is this, that I may be counted among the poor.
Do everything in your power to help the poor and needy. Serve God in this way. The poor are the trust of God.
Blessed is he who proclaims the doctrine of Spiritual Brotherhood, for he shall be the Child of Light. Blessed is he who associates with all with joy and fragrance, for he has obeyed the commands of Baha'u'llah. Blessed is he who is kind to his enemies, for he shall walk in the footsteps of Christ. Blessed is he who comforts the downtrodden, for he will be the friend of God.
Further quotations · supplied wording and references
The Baha'is are seeking to ameliorate the poverty, disease and misery of the world's less fortunate citizens just as much as to teach them the life-giving message of Baha'u'llah, and through social service you will be able to help others both materially and spiritually.
For thought and discussion