Friendship with all: kindness beyond the familiar circle

Wherefore must the loved ones of God associate in affectionate fellowship with stranger and friend alike, showing forth to all the utmost loving-kindness, disregarding the degree of their capacity, never asking whether they deserve to be loved. In every instance let the friends be considerate and infinitely kind.

Human beings deserve respect, especially strangers.

Consort with all men, O people of Bahá, in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship. If ye be aware of a certain truth, if ye possess a jewel, of which others are deprived, share it with them in a language of utmost kindliness and goodwill. If it be accepted, if it fulfill its purpose, your object is attained. If anyone should refuse it, leave him unto himself, and beseech God to guide him. Beware lest ye deal unkindly with him. A kindly tongue is the lodestone of the hearts of men.

Say: Contend not with anyone, nor deny any soul's rights.

Be kind to all strangers. Those who come from all parts of the world, make them feel at home. Speak to those from Turkey, Japan, Persia, China, all countries, find out where they live, ask if you can be of service to them.

… Let those who meet you know without your saying so that you are a Bahai. You must manifest the most sincere love for all. Your hearts must burn with love for all. Let the people see that you are filled with universal love.

In brief, they must not look to human worthiness, but rather turn their attention to the favors of the Glorious Lord. They must regard all creation as His creatures and consider them worthy of every bounty, consideration, protection, preservation and kindness. They must make no distinctions whatsoever, but rather be as the rain of divine mercy which falleth upon every soil, as the rays of the sun which shine upon both garden and refuse heap alike, and as the breeze of springtime which bloweth over both flower and thorn.

Be ye manifestations of the mercy of God, dawning-places of the light of His great bounty, and arise with all steadfastness, truthfulness, trustworthiness, compassion, modesty, love and accord with the people of the world, no matter of what community they may be; inasmuch as it behooveth the light to shine even upon the rocks in the field, and the soul is qualified for quickening individuals, even though they be of the ugliest and most disagreeable form, and a pure tree is adapted to bestow a blessed fruit even upon those who throw stones at it.

Therefore, with divine strength, heavenly resolve, merciful intention, and spiritual qualities, associate with all people in every land with love, kindness and righteous conduct. For in this glorious Dispensation, the divine bounty is all-encompassing and triumph complete. All conduct and behavior must be universal, not particular - there are no exceptions. Man is commanded to show justice, fairness, trustworthiness, nobility, love, truthfulness, fellowship, consideration, protection and kindness towards all the peoples of the world.

True peace and tranquillity will only be realized when every soul will have become the well-wisher of all mankind.

Be a refuge and shelter for strangers, and grant those who are alone assistance and support. Be a remedy for every pain and a balm for every wound. Become intimate with all peoples of the world and a respected companion to all nations.

If someone becomes disheartened, give them importance and by whatever means warm their hearts and bring them into your circle.

O Mihraban! In this Baha'i Dispensation, kindness, mercy and loving-kindness are among the fundamental principles of the divine teachings. Be good-natured and cheerful, sweet-scented and attractive, truthful in speech - these are the requirements of kindness.

Be as a son to the elderly, a father to the youth, and a brother to your peers. The purpose is that you should seek with heart and soul the comfort and well-being of all people, and pursue the joy and happiness of humanity.

In any case, the divine friends in those regions and frontiers must associate with all souls with utmost radiance, love and kindness, and must not look to the shortcomings, laxity and veils of souls. They must be loving to all humanity, become sons to elderly people, take on the role of father to youths, and become kind brothers to peers and equals.

We do not look at the evil deeds of the people. We do not consider the race, the religion or nationality. We do our utmost to help everyone.

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.

We are commanded by Baha'u'llah to assist all the communities without the exclusion of any one. We do not consider their deeds and actions but we never lose sight of God and their wants must be relieved without the distinction of race or religion."

I love all, especially the poor. All sorts of people come here and I meet them all with sincere love, with heart and soul.

Man must be a mine of piety and sympathy. He must associate with all mankind with joy and fragrance. He must not turn away his face from any soul. He must raise the fallen and cheer the hopeless. He must treat with kindness both the friend and the stranger. At all times, man must be a mine of compassion and love, and associate with all people with joy.

O thou maid-servant of God! The utmost desire of the lordly ones is the union of the friends, the agreement of the believers and the spiritual communication of the hearts; in order that they may shine in this darkened world like unto bright stars; educate all the communities of the world in the precepts of love; be kind and benevolent to every one, sympathetic and compassionate to all; to become the cool and pure water to every thirsty one, a heavenly table to every hungry one, a swift healing antidote to every sick one and the cause of the everlasting glory to every humiliated one.

Be kind and gentle with all the people of the world and serve and assist everyone with the utmost love.

Likewise, be infinitely kind to the people and neighboring farms.

The duty of you and all the friends in Beirut is to show love, consideration, generosity, humanity and kindness to all people.

Therefore, in all cities the friends of God should welcome him and show the utmost respect and consideration, so that it may be observed how kind and appreciative the friends of God are.

Treat thy friends and relatives in general with the utmost kindness and love; (deal in like manner) even with strangers (or outsiders).

Be kind to friend and stranger alike.

For one another must ye give up even life itself. To every human being must ye be infinitely kind. Call none a stranger; think none to be your foe. Be ye as if all men were your close kin and honored friends. Walk ye in such wise that this fleeting world will change into a splendor and this dismal heap of dust become a palace of delights.

Therefore the friends must consider strangers as friends and regard those outside as inside. They must consider the deprived ones as confidants, bestow melody upon the melody-less, regard the wayward as people of guidance, make no distinction between them.

The divine friends must employ all means to become friendly with strangers, that is, show the utmost kindness so that the stranger becomes familiar and the deprived one becomes privy to secrets.

Among other things, he can engage in service, establish bonds of fellowship with everyone, and with the utmost spirituality make strangers into friends.

Now such mirrors as have been deprived should not be alienated or estranged; they should not be considered as enemies or treated like wild animals. Rather, relate to them with utmost love and kindliness, look upon them as members of the human family, recognise them as friends and not as aliens, show them sympathy and consolation in order to educate and lead them to spiritual qualities, that all the veils of dust and impediments of perception might be removed from the surface of their mirrors and the lights of the Sun of Truth may shine upon them brilliantly.

We must associate with all humanity in gentleness and kindliness. We must love all with love of the heart. Some are ignorant; they must be trained and educated. One is sick; he must be healed. Another is as a child; we must assist him to attain maturity. We must not detest him who is ailing, neither shun him, scorn nor curse him, but care for him with the utmost kindness and tenderness. An infant must not be treated with disdain simply because it is an infant. Our responsibility is to train, educate and develop it in order that it may advance toward maturity.

Therefore, one must purify one's vision and not regard the limitations and conditions of creation. Whether obedient or disobedient, one must consider all people as God's servants, and whether human or inhuman, must regard all as God's creation and must treat all accordingly. O friends of God! Serve humanity with utmost joy and radiance, and show forth love to all mankind.

Therefore, one must be faithful and kind to all humanity.

Lack of truthfulness and uprightness, and absence of devotion to truth are reprehensible, forbidden and condemned, whether with friend or stranger, loved one or enemy.

Deal with all peoples of the earth with the utmost kindness, sincerity, trustworthiness, nobility, goodwill and care. Counter evil with good and respond to faithlessness with faithfulness.

Therefore, treat all humanity with goodly character, and conduct yourselves with the utmost tenderness, grace and favor toward all people.

One must deal with all human beings of whatever religion or group with the utmost friendship, truthfulness, trustworthiness, godliness, fellowship and unity. … Rather, we must sacrifice ourselves for strangers, let alone friends; we must worship others, let alone loved ones.

It is incumbent upon everyone to show the utmost love, rectitude of conduct, straightforwardness and sincere kindliness unto all the peoples and kindreds of the world, be they friends or strangers. So intense must be the spirit of love and loving kindness, that the stranger may find himself a friend, the enemy a true brother, no difference whatsoever existing between them. For universality is of God and all limitations earthly.

… Should other peoples and nations be unfaithful to you show your fidelity unto them, should they be unjust toward you show justice towards them, should they keep aloof from you attract them to yourselves, should they show their enmity be friendly towards them, should they poison your lives, sweeten their souls, should they inflict a wound upon you, be a salve to their sores.

In every dispensation, there hath been the commandment of fellowship and love, but it was a commandment limited to the community of those in mutual agreement, not to the dissident foe. In this wondrous age, however, praised be God, the commandments of God are not delimited, not restricted to any one group of people, rather have all the friends been commanded to show forth fellowship and love, consideration and generosity and loving-kindness to every community on earth.

In any case, the most important matter in this Manifestation of the Speaker on Sinai is that the friends must, in accordance with divine counsels and exhortations, show kindness to all peoples and communities of the world - nay rather, sacrifice their lives, so that this darkness of enmity and hatred may be transformed into the light of divine love.

In this divine cycle and merciful manifestation, the very foundation of God's Faith is love and kindliness, though not bound by any limitations. One must show love and compassion to all the peoples of the world with utmost joy, gladness and delight. No distinction or preference should be made.

Beware lest the desires of the flesh and of a corrupt inclination provoke divisions among you. Be ye as the fingers of one hand, the members of one body. Thus counselleth you the Pen of Revelation, if ye be of them that believe.

… Consort ye then with the followers of all religions, and proclaim ye the Cause of your Lord, the Most Compassionate; this is the very crown of deeds, if ye be of them who understand.

… Consort with all religions with amity and concord, that they may inhale from you the sweet fragrance of God.

The second Glad-Tidings

It is permitted that the peoples and kindreds of the world associate with one another with joy and radiance. O people! Consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship.

The second Taraz is to consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship, to proclaim that which the Speaker on Sinai hath set forth and to observe fairness in all matters.

They that are endued with sincerity and faithfulness should associate with all the peoples and kindreds of the earth with joy and radiance, inasmuch as consorting with people hath promoted and will continue to promote unity and concord, which in turn are conducive to the maintenance of order in the world and to the regeneration of nations.

We have erewhile declared - and Our Word is the truth -: 'Consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship.'

Furthermore, regarding the conduct of the followers of religions with one another, He declares in the new commandment: Associate with the followers of all religions with friendliness and fellowship.

In the Most Holy Book, which hath been sent down from God's holy kingdom, this blessed verse hath been recorded: "Consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship."

O people of God! Consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of fragrance and fellowship. This is a word We have formerly revealed from the kingdom of My wondrous utterance.

This is why He explicitly states: "Consort with followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship."

Regarding association with followers of other religions about which you inquired, according to the explicit text of the Kitab-i-Aqdas it is "Associate with all religions with joy and fragrance." The intention of this verse is that the people of Baha should have no ill will or animosity toward any group, but should act with love toward all, not considering others unclean or avoiding them.

O sons and daughters of the Kingdom! Praise God that you have entered into this mighty Cause which illumines the horizons and promotes the unity of the human world, and that you have become free from every prejudice and show the utmost love and kindness to all religions.

They should be kind to all people and embrace all religions with spirit and fragrance.

Deal with all peoples and religions with utmost kindness.

We must affiliate with all the religions and sects; speak to them from their own standpoint and show to them in practice that we love their books, we read their scriptures, and we honor and respect the founders of their religions.

Everyone must do away with false prejudices and must even go to the other churches and mosques, for, in all of these worshiping places, the name of God is mentioned. Since all gather to worship God, what difference does it make? None of these worship satan. The Mohammedans must go to the churches of the Christians and of the Jews and vice-versa, the others must go to the Mohammedan mosques.

We continued: What harm could result if the Jews were in a similar attitude toward Christianity, declaring that Christ was the Word of God, that the Gospel is the Book of God? Such an attitude as this would cause the enmity of many centuries to pass away.

Whenever these people mention each other's leaders with due reverence then all sufferings and contentions shall cease and instead of hatred there will be love and instead of enmity and disunity there will be harmony and affection.

Therefore you must interact with all peoples with utmost truthfulness and sincerity, and remember followers of every religion with honor and respect.

Attribute nothing to anyone.

Let there be no displeasing statement; no debasing element regarding or concerning religions.

Do not pronounce as infidels those who have recognized God, and curse not those who recite the verses of God with humility.

Associate, O My loved ones, with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship. Beware lest ye make God's Word an occasion for your disputation or a cause for manifesting hatred among you.

We counsel you and those who believe in that whereby the Cause of God, the Supreme, the Self-Subsisting, is exalted. Associate with different groups with utmost love and fellowship. Rancor and hatred have ever been and remain condemned.

Associate with the followers of all religions, O My loved ones, in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship. Beware lest ye make the Word of God the cause of your differences or a pretext for manifesting hatred among you.

We are in perfect joy and fragrance with all religions, in complete fellowship with all, neither harshness. We think of love and mercy for all, not difficulty. We are commanded to friendship and intimacy, not hatred and estrangement.

If they doubt our faith, we fully acknowledge their mystical insight.

The marriage of the Baha'is was also performed according to Christian rites, so that the world may know that the people of Baha are not confined by trivial customs, that they respect all nations and their peoples, that they are free from all prejudices and associate with all religions with utmost peace and happiness.

Every community finds the reality of its principles in this Cause. The Baha'i Cause is like a tree and these various communities, or gatherings or societies, are branches. When you compare the tree with the branches you find every branch in the tree, and this is the Baha'i Cause.

If you belong to a Society already do not forsake your brothers.

No. The birth of our Lord was for all; those who shall know of Him and those who shall not. The Spirit is the same everywhere. Under whatsoever name men address Him, He will respond to their call.

This bias will be removed and when it is removed, people will live in friendliness, kindness and love which will bring forth unity.

The great unselfish love for humanity is bounded by none of these imperfect, semi-selfish bonds; this is the one perfect love, possible to all mankind, and can only be achieved by the power of the Divine Spirit. No worldly power can accomplish the universal love.

If you love your country, love it not with the narrow feeling that it must be loved because it is yours alone, but with the greater consciousness that your home is a part of the universe. If you love brother or comrade or wife, love each one as a part of God, and not with the narrow sense of possession which renders the love selfish and exclusive.

We must love all humanity as the children of God. Even if they kill us, we must die with love for them. It is not possible for us to love everybody with a personal love, but we must love all humanity alike.

It is easy for us to love a friend or even an animal, but how difficult to love one who is without attraction. Yet if the Love of God is shining in our hearts, we, like Christ, may see that Love reflected in every personality, and love all alike.

We must have sympathy for all beings, and to have real sympathy means to feel with others in their higher aims and ideals.

He said we must consider all people--not only believers--to be good. He hoped every one would be good.

We are all the children of one Father; the sheep of one Shepard; the members of one family; the birds of one orchard, the flowers of one rose-garden, the waves of one sea, the rays of one Sun; the stars of one heaven and the servants of One God.

Let us all be humble before the signs of God and treat each other as brothers.

The utterance of God is a lamp, whose light is these words: Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. Deal ye one with another with the utmost love and harmony, with friendliness and fellowship. He Who is the Daystar of Truth beareth Me witness! So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.

… Exert yourselves that ye may attain this transcendent and most sublime station, the station that can insure the protection and security of all mankind.

O people of Baha! Be as dawning-places of the lights of utterance unto the people of possibility, and as a heaven of bounty unto the peoples of the world. Thus have We counseled you before, and at this time, did ye but know it. Beware lest ye object to those who have not entered beneath your shadow. Set forth what ye possess. Fear God and follow not vain imaginings and idle fancies.

It is of course a great sin to reject these Teachings, and it is our duty to persuade and teach people to embrace this Truth; But if they should reject it, we must bear it with patience, and we are to remain toward them exactly what we were before. If, however you find a person leading a truly good earnest life, who does not wish to hear or receive these Teachings, you are to remember what our Lord Jesus said, "He that is not against me is with Me."

When Abdul-Baha inquired the condition and the association of the friends, it was intimated that unlike the days gone by the friends are intimately associating with all the people of every shade and opinion, of every sect, and social standing. He said: "Such is the way that must be adopted, for only through intimate association will the friends be able to teach and sow a seed in the heart of a seeker. The flower must be brought close and near in order to inhale its scent and fragrance."

One of the most necessary and at the same time difficult things in this Cause is amicable association with the outsiders. Only through the constant widening of the circle of one's acquaintances and friends the Truth will be made known and the principles proclaimed. Save this there will be found no other way. … How do they expect to teach and become strong in their faith if they do not come in contact with men?

In their hands they are holding the glass of the Water of Life; is not the world thirsty?

It is hoped they will be successful in teaching the Great News in the future - that is,

The friends of God should weave bonds of fellowship with others and show absolute love and affection towards them.

When any of the friends associate with the heedless ones, they should, with utmost kindness and joy, become the cause of their awareness and the means of their remembrance.

With perfect wisdom engage in educating those on earth, deal with all humanity with love, kindness and the attributes of the All-Merciful, and guide all to this straight path.

Consort with all peoples with joy and fragrance, then remind them of that which ye possess of wisdom and utterance.

Say: Consort with all religions with joy and fragrance, and remind them of that which hath appeared in creation. Should they turn towards it, it is for their own good; and should they turn away, withdraw from them and remain steadfast in great dignity.

O My loved ones! Consort with the peoples of the world with spirit and fragrance, that perchance they may perceive the sweet savors of the utterance and attain unto that which God hath desired.

O My loved ones! Consort with the peoples of the world in a spirit of joy and fragrance, that perchance they may detect the sweet-scented breeze of the divine utterance and [...]

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Blessed is he who associateth with all peoples in a spirit of utmost kindliness and good-fellowship, and telleth them of this announcement with which every mighty book and every perspicuous tablet hath been adorned.

All must associate with the peoples of the world with radiant faces and illumined hearts, that perchance they may hearken from the people of Truth, glorified be His majesty, that which conduceth to maturity, attainment, and guidance.

Deal with the servants with utmost love, fellowship, affection and unity, that perchance the sleeping ones may awaken and turn towards the Friend.

Associate with all the peoples of the world with the utmost spirit, fragrance, dignity and composure, that your goodly character may spread its fragrance among them. This fragrance hath ever been and shall ever remain a guide.

O gentle branch of the Blessed Tree! Rejoice in the fragrances that have been diffused from the garden of holiness, and drink from the rain that pours forth from the clouds of thy Lord's bounty, and walk among the people with such conduct as will attract the hearts of the people of divine unity, and associate with every friend who calls thee to thy Glorious Lord.

Should thou find those from whose hearts waft the sweet savors of the Beloved, associate with them and show humility toward them.

Man must always associate with those from whom he can get light, or be with those to whom he can give light. He must either receive or give instructions. Otherwise, being with people without these two intentions, he is spending his time for nothing, and, by so doing, he is neither gaining nor causing others to gain.

It is effective and beneficial, but we came to meet the poor, not to see kings and princes. We meet with every seeker with perfect sincere love, but we have no desire or inclination to meet with leaders. Furthermore, such titles cause the souls to become frightened and bring about suspicion and misunderstandings. Therefore, do not send this letter at all - there is absolutely no need.

Wisdom requires that they deal with the divines and the descendants of the Prophet with love, as love may guide some to the straight path. Avoidance and distance have been and are the cause of estrangement. In the Most Holy Book He says, blessed and exalted be His utterance: "Consort with the followers of all religions with joy and fragrance. Thus hath the light of Our guidance shone forth from the horizon of wisdom and utterance. Hold ye fast unto it. This is the command which the All-Wise, the Faithful, hath revealed from His Most Great Prison."

Let them show some forbearance, exercise consideration, not tear away the veil, and deal with the clergy and others with the utmost kindness, consideration and regard.

This was presented before His presence, and He said: "This matter is most praiseworthy. In the Kitab-i-Aqdas, all are permitted to associate with different groups, and association with rulers and officials is permissible for several beneficial purposes. Through such association, oftentimes an oppressed one may find deliverance, or a prisoner may be freed, and perchance words may be spoken that cause awakening. Association with such persons is a hundred thousand times preferable to association with the heedless divines and theologians.

O thou who gazest upon His countenance! In thy letter mention was made of the Chief Secretary. After perusal, We desired to make mention of him, inasmuch as in the Most Holy Book this blessed verse hath been revealed: "Consort with the followers of all religions with joy and fragrance."

Praise be to God that the friends of Baku were, throughout these years of war, at peace with all communities, and, in conformity with the Divine teachings, compassionate unto all.

Strive with heart and soul to establish the utmost love and kindness among human beings, and serve the local government with perfect truthfulness and trustworthiness, and offer prayers for good on behalf of the Emperor.

Fifth is preventing all from that which causes sedition and corruption, complete non-interference in political affairs, refraining from conversation in this regard even to the slightest degree, and indicating submission in all conditions and tranquility and love and friendship with all.

In all circumstances be mindful of wisdom and associate with all in a spirit of fragrance and joy.

Today all must hold fast unto wisdom and cling to that which hath been revealed from the Divine Pen. They must associate with the people of the world with the utmost joy and fragrance, act purely for the sake of God and with their gaze fixed upon Him in whatsoever they have been commanded.

When it is revealed, "Consort with all the religions," the intention is association with such people. Although there is no connection between us, I have served him for twenty years. The intention of Baha'u'llah's exhortation is not to associate with a Covenant-breaker or those who curse the Blessed Beauty, or the likes of Haji Muhammad-Karim Khan who wrote in refutation of His Holiness the Exalted One. The intention is to consort with such people that are not antagonistic, or two-faced, or conniving, or hypocritical. Such people, as this poor Arab, are not believers, and there is no harm in that; let him believe in his own convictions.

One must show utmost love and kindness to the followers of all religions, but if a person is a Baha'i and is of bad character and conduct, one must avoid that person even though he be a Baha'i.

For example a Christian must be kind and benevolent to a Mohammedan. A Jew must display the utmost tolerance toward a Zoroastrian and a Baha'i must associate with all of these, but one cannot consort with repose and pleasure with a thief, who breaks into ones house to pillage and steal, or to tolerate the existence of a serpent in one's sleeve or welcome the appearance of a scorpion into one's dwelling.

However the Baha'is are commanded to be kind and loving toward all mankind, irrespective of race or color, religion or nationality.

Be kind and deal with bad people not harshly but leave them alone. No not mix with them. There are many bad people in the world - have nothing to do with them - do not gossip about them. It must be so that your very silence should be blame itself. Do not spoil your tongue with the mention of evil people.

According to the command of the Blessed Beauty, I associate with all people in a spirit of joy and fragrance, but I do not associate with those individuals whose harm reaches the Cause.

Say: O people! Fear God, shed not blood, oppose no soul, and be of the doers of good. Beware lest ye spread corruption in the land after its reformation, and follow not the ways of the heedless.

He hath entirely removed the decree of killing, and in the Most Holy Book, which was revealed from the holy Kingdom, He hath commanded that all should associate with the followers of all religions in the utmost spirit of joy and fragrance, that perchance those who have gone astray may turn toward the horizon of the All-Merciful and become free and delivered from darkness, error, and the desires of self and passion.

With the utmost patience, tranquility, trustworthiness, religiosity, love, kindness and humanity, interact and deal with all people of all communities and nations. Know nothing but goodwill, good conduct and care, even toward bloodthirsty enemies.

They look upon all humanity with utmost love, even if they fall into danger. They show faithfulness to the oppressor; if they are harmed, they seek comfort and blessing for the tyrant.

Therefore, be not dispirited by grief and sorrow, nor dejected by the discord of the people of dissension. Rather, let successive trials become the cause of joy, that we may follow the example of the Most Glorious Beauty and emulate the Most Exalted One. Thus, as much as we can, we must associate and mingle with the enemies with utmost gladness and heavenly character, showing consideration, sincerity, harmony and love....

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Therefore you must seek fellowship with all people and pursue friendship with all nations. Do not object to anyone, do not cause anyone to be hurt. Win hearts and free souls from snares and traps. Rather, be well-wishers to ill-wishers and become heart and soul friends to enemies. Consider strangers as familiar and others as friends.

O friends! Be kind to the people of the world, whether friends or enemies, and become well-wishers to all.

Love one another as much as ye can, cherish each other, associate even with strangers, nurture every stubborn denier, and bestow fitting grace and favor freely. This is the way of the people of Baha, this is the path of those firm in the Covenant, this is the attribute of those who love the Beloved of the horizons, this is the manner of those attracted to the Kingdom of Splendors.

In any case, show the utmost kindness to the people in that village. Pay no heed to their turning away, objections, exaggeration and pride. Show kindness to all for the sake of God. Assuredly this will have an effect and thou wilt find companions.

Bend thou with tenderness over the servitors of the All-Merciful, that thou mayest hoist the sail of love upon the ark of peace that moveth across the seas of life. Let nothing grieve thee, and be thou angered at none. It behooveth thee to be content with the Will of God, and a true and loving and trusted friend to all the peoples of the earth, without any exceptions whatever. This is the quality of the sincere, the way of the saints, the emblem of those who believe in the unity of God, and the raiment of the people of Baha.

As long as thou canst, wish thou the most great peace for mankind: Associate with all in perfect love and kindness; hold all dear and count all friends and familiar ones; know no enemies; imagine no strangers.

If any differences arise amongst you, behold Me standing before your face, and overlook the faults of one another for My name's sake and as a token of your love for My manifest and resplendent Cause. We love to see you at all times consorting in amity and concord within the paradise of My good-pleasure, and to inhale from your acts the fragrance of friendliness and unity, of loving-kindness and fellowship. Thus counseleth you the All-Knowing, the Faithful. We shall always be with you; if We inhale the perfume of your fellowship, Our heart will assuredly rejoice, for naught else can satisfy Us.

Another submission of this ephemeral one is that you should treat people with the utmost fellowship and kindness so that the odors of discord may be eliminated, for discord's harm affects the very root of the Cause. This matter has caused sorrow to the Blessed Heart, and the harm of no deed has equalled or will equal the harm of discord. the ungodly are waiting to find a pretext to engage in deriding and mocking the loved ones of God.

For the object of the dawn of the Morn of Guidance and the effulgence of the Sun of Reality have been no other than the inculcation of the utmost love amongst the children of men and perfect good-fellowship between the individuals of mankind.

Therefore, in the beginning the foundation of this Love and Unity must be laid amongst the believers of God and then be permeated between other nations of the world. Therefore as much as you can be ye kind towards one another and likewise to others.

They must show the utmost kindness to one another, and likewise show perfect mercy and generosity to others, associate with all in utmost love, and occupy themselves with the mention of God.

Therefore this free-will in man which God has created in man's being is the cause of adornment. Consequently be ye kind toward each other, associate with one another, assist and help one another.

I beseech God that the friends may become renowned throughout all regions for their cooperation and mutual assistance among strangers and kin.

Though you are in that land and we are in this realm, and the distance between us is without bound or limit, yet in spirit we are in one gathering, and in heart we are in one assembly and dwelling place - for we are all lovers of the face of the Beloved and enchanted by those musk-diffusing tresses.

I beseech God that this love and yearning may increase day by day, and that the excitement of heart and soul may grow greater, and that we may arise to do what befits this age and time - and that is the love of the Lord God and fellowship with all the peoples of the world and kindness to all created beings and striving and endeavoring for the comfort and tranquility of those who are helpless, so that the bounty of the Lord of creation may become manifest and the lights of divine grace may encompass all regions.

He Who is the Eternal Truth hath, from the Day Spring of Glory, directed His eyes towards the people of Baha, and is addressing them in these words: Address yourselves to the promotion of the well-being and tranquillity of the children of men. Bend your minds and wills to the education of the peoples and kindreds of the earth, that haply the dissensions that divide it may, through the power of the Most Great Name, be blotted out from its face, and all mankind become the upholders of one Order, and the inhabitants of one City. … Blessed is he who mingleth with all men in a spirit of utmost kindliness and love.

Mingle with all people and unfurl the banner of the oneness in the world of humanity.

Man must exercise fellowship and love in order to prove that he is distinguished above the animal kingdom. If he engage in strife and warfare he is no better than the animal.

Ask and pray to God that thou mayest become an enkindled lamp, to shed light upon the assembly, to become a lover of men and a well-wisher of human kind; nay, rather, thou mayest become the manifestation of the divine providence, finding out the heavenly gifts, enlisting thyself among the soldiers of the kingdom of peace and reconciliation, delivering the people as far as possible from war and carnage, spreading righteousness and friendship and becoming the cause of tranquillity and composure to the world of humanity.

O servant of God! Truth, friendship, peace and reconciliation with all the peoples of the world are requirements of worship of Truth in this Most Glorious Cycle.

Let us associate with all peoples with the utmost truthfulness, trustworthiness, love and faithfulness. Let us be a remedy for every ill and a healing balm for every wound of heart and soul. Let us be kind to all humanity.

Now you Persian friends must concentrate your thoughts on divine conduct and kindness toward humanity and godly behavior, so that it may produce great effects in this world.

Therefore, be loving towards all humanity and engage in kindness to humankind. Do not complain about anyone and do not reproach anyone. Associate with all with the utmost joy, love, fellowship, good conduct, gentleness, truthfulness and trustworthiness.

Act with complete detachment and sanctity, and with the utmost kindness toward all peoples of the world.

If with this state of severance they associated with mankind, teaching them the precepts of sanctity and purity, each one of them would have shone forth like unto a sun.

Associate with all people, keeping your gaze fixed upon the horizon of grace.

Blessed are they who, truly detached from all else but God, are gazing unto the Supreme Horizon and who consort with all men in a spirit of friendliness.

Blessed is he who loves the world simply for the sake of the face of his generous Lord. With perfect compassion and mercy have we guided and directed The people of the world to that whereby their souls shall be profited.

They must associate with all people with the spirit of fellowship and with love and affection. Love is God's light among His creation; through it every light appears and the world is illumined by it.

This is the Day whereon the Ocean of God’s mercy hath been manifested unto men, the Day in which the Daystar of His loving-kindness hath shed its radiance upon them, the Day in which the clouds of His bountiful favor have overshadowed the whole of mankind. Now is the time to cheer and refresh the downcast through the invigorating breeze of love and fellowship, and the living waters of friendliness and charity.

Be most loving one to another. Burn away, wholly for the sake of the Well-Beloved, the veil of self with the flame of the undying Fire, and with faces joyous and beaming with light, associate with your neighbor.

O friends! O handmaids of the Merciful! In gratitude for this most great guidance, associate with all people in the utmost joy and gladness, so that the eye of God's favour may be turned towards you.

But you who have awakened and become aware, who have discovered the realm of mysteries and witnessed the lights - you must at every moment engage in thanksgiving to the One Beloved, mix with people, and deal with all in perfect kindness, gentleness and oneness. Love all people and be loving to all humanity.

In any case, be confident in the novel favors of the Wondrous One and always engage in joy and delight and happiness and gladness and fellowship and love with friend and stranger alike.

Become loving friends to all humanity and a joy to the hearts and souls of all the world.

Inspire and encourage the divine friends with the fragrances of the All-Merciful, spiritual attractions and merciful sentiments, so that all may associate and conduct themselves with utmost kindness toward all people.

Show such kindness to all people of all nations that praise and acclamation may reach the ears of the soul from the Abha Kingdom.

The friends of God must associate with the spirit of friendship with other souls and show to them infinite love and tenderness.

Be kind to all souls, breathe the breath of life and attract hearts to the Abha Kingdom.

The loved ones of God must be a mercy to all mankind and loving towards all humanity. They must associate with everyone in a spirit of joy and fragrance.

This is the time for gladness and the season for friendship and kindness toward all peoples and nations. Behave with heavenly attributes so that you may become manifestations of divine mercy.

Verily I beseech God to assist thee with the spirit of knowledge and enable thee to be good and benevolent to all the people of religions.

Verily, I beseech God to make thee a mighty sign, brilliant with the light of divine knowledge, radiant in the world of existence, attracted by the breaths of God, enkindled with the fire of the love of God, loving toward all humanity, beholding the Most Sublime Vision, the manifestation of mercy and the sign of love for all created things.

Be loving towards all creation and wish well for all humanity. Be at peace with everyone and deal truthfully with all, that the eternal bounties of the All-Merciful may become thy companion and the effulgences of the All-Merciful may cause thee to become firm and steadfast in heart and step.

Well is it with thee, that thou hast manifested such conduct, deeds and words, and that thou ever passest thy days in remembrance of that Kind Friend. As far as thou art able, show kindness unto all people, manifest love, and follow the path of friendship, truthfulness and reconciliation, that thou mayest become the very soul of the friends. May thy radiant spirit be joyous.

O spiritual friend! Show kindness to human temples as much as you can, bestow affection upon every person, and adorn every gathering, so that all peoples may enter beneath the shelter of the Most Great Name and all tribes may receive their portion and share from the bounties of the Ancient Beauty.

Observe how all these obstacles do not prevent this servant from mentioning you, and with spirit, heart, inner heart, soul, consciousness and conscience, I am occupied with remembrance of the loved ones of the All-Merciful.

I remember Jinab Abbas-Ali and Jinab Salman and Jinab Ustad Muhammad-Ali Jula with complete yearning, and I will not fall short in faithfulness to anyone in the path of Baha.

Consort with the people in a spirit of amity and concord, and be unto them a loyal counsellor and a loving companion.

O friends! Be as lamps unto the darkened world and as light unto its gloom. Consort with all the peoples of the world with utmost love. All conflict, contention and corruption are forbidden in this Most Great Revelation.

People who call on me almost every day carry on a stream of profitless, unspiritual talk and I must listen to them with patience. We are commanded to associate with all the people.

Question: "What is the Baha'i Faith?"

Answer: "Trust in God. Be kind to thy fellowmen.

We should associate with all peoples and religions of the world with perfect love and oneness, for the Blessed Beauty says: "O people of Baha! You have been and are the dawning-places of love and the daysprings of divine grace and bounty.

This Wronged One's counsel is that all associate with the servants of God in the utmost spirit of joy and fragrance.

When ye meet anyone, consort with them in a spirit of fragrance and joy. Thus doth the Lord of all mankind command you.

It is through the blessings of the counsels and teachings of the Blessed Beauty that they associate with all people with utmost love and kindness, they harbor no ill will toward anyone.

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.

Associate with all the peoples of the world with utmost love and kindness, especially with the friends of God.

Say: O friends! This is the day of goodly character and righteous deeds. Associate with all the peoples of the world with the utmost love.

Praise be to God, hearts and souls are pure and sanctified, for they have never harbored thoughts of harming anyone and hold fast to this most great verse revealed in the Most Holy Book from the sacred Kingdom: "Consort with all religions with joy and fragrance."

Blessed is the soul that, even as it lieth down to sleep, hath a heart shining with love for all the peoples of the world.

If you meet those of different race and colour from yourself, do not mistrust them and withdraw yourself into your shell of conventionality, but rather be glad and show them kindness.

Catalogue reference: ABU0491 · passage alignment is approximate; supplied wording retained.

It is not merely material well-being that people need. What they desperately need is to know how to live their lives -- they need to know who they are, to what purpose they exist, and how they should act towards one another; and, once they know the answers to these questions they need to be helped to gradually apply these answers to every-day behaviour. … Their whole energy is directed towards the building of the good, a good which has such a positive strength that in the face of it the multitude of evils -- which are in essence negative -- will fade away and be no more. To enter into the quixotic tournament of demolishing one by one the evils in the world is, to a Baha'i, a vain waste of time and effort.

Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified