acquiescence and resignation; contentment
Editorial introduction
Contentment, as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá describes it, is not the stillness of folded hands. A person strives in worldly affairs, seeks treatment when ill, keeps a profession and lives on no one else, and all the while the heart stays free, neither puffed up by gain nor cast down by loss. The difficulty is admitted openly: radiant acquiescence is called one of the hardest attainments, grief and tears are given their place, and the Báb Himself speaks of His sorrow for the family His nearness might endanger. What steadies the heart is a relationship rather than a technique. Before a destiny that no ransom can turn back, the believer prays to be made content, trusts a wisdom that sees further than present wishes, and slowly learns to taste bitterness as if it were honey. Epictetus, dividing what lies within our power from what does not, offers a philosopher’s counterpart to this discipline, though without its intimacy with God [1]. The road continues into composure and serenity, into the detachment that loosens the grip of wanting, and into the patience and gratitude that tests and trials call forth.
He can never find peace but through effort and resignation, so that, notwithstanding all efforts in worldly affairs, the human heart remains free and happy. He neither becomes proud on attaining wealth and position nor becomes dejected on losing them.
We are submissive. If one is not submissive, then one falls into trials. "We shall surely test you with something of fear and hunger and loss of wealth and lives and fruits; but give glad tidings to the patient." Submissiveness brings great comfort to a person. One does not fall short in what is necessary and proper, whether in treatment or in vigilance. But one is submissive, otherwise how can a person find peace in this abode of accidents? One would always remain anxious. It is impossible for a day to pass without some incident. There is no peace for man except through submission.
Rather, trust and reliance on the divine will and purpose brings one to a place where, despite striving and endeavoring in affairs, they have no desire except for what occurs and no wish other than what comes to pass. In that state, they see all matters in accordance with their own desire and will, and consider them promoters of their honor and comfort.
Sacrifice yourself, your talent, your time, your rest to another, to one who has to bear a heavier load than you - and your unhappy mood will dissolve into a blessed, contented submission to God.
Verily I pray unto my Lord with all humbleness, meekness, obedience and submissiveness--which demolisheth every edifice of self-exaltation--that He shall strengthen thee by the fragrances of holiness and the breath of the Spirit of Truth and cause thee to be dedicated (or severed) unto God, purged and purified from the dross of the world, holy and sanctified from carnal passions, sacrificing thy soul to the beloved of God, contented with that which the Lord hath granted thee in the world, anxious to perform noble and good deeds while following the teachings of God, and in all things adhering to the law of God.
O Servant who has acquiesced radiantly to the divine Decree!
To attain the true station of radiant acquiescence is the greatest bounty of the Abha Beauty, but the full realization of this attribute, which is the greatest honor in the world of humanity, is very hard to attain. It is very difficult, very intricate to achieve.
O my God, my God! Thou seest me a captive of fate and destiny, immersed in the seas of tribulation and trial, prostrate upon the couch of grief and sorrow, consort to hardship, bereavement and woe. Not a day passes but I hear a herald announcing the death of one of Thy dearest loved ones, bringing news of the ascension of one of Thy chosen ones. Thus do souls fall into despair, eyes shed tears, and hearts melt in these calamities. … We have no recourse but to submit, be content, show patience and composure when destiny strikes, and resign ourselves to Thy will when trials intensify. Lord! Let not our hearts deviate after Thou hast guided us, and pour upon us patience in all circumstances and conditions. Verily, Thou art the Most Merciful, the Compassionate, the Most High.
And my sorrow is for the dwellers of the house, that no grief should befall them, for otherwise there is no solace except contentment with the divine decree.
At all times the sorrow that hath been is but the sorrow and longing for the Presence. And though I am far removed from attaining the honour of that Presence, yet, for divers reasons -- inasmuch as my nearness would give rise to afflictions -- I am well-pleased, for my own self, with whatsoever He willeth: resignation to the decree of God and submission to His command. Only, as to drawing nigh unto the Presence, let nothing occur that would become a cause of grief.
Especially must the friends of God, after the Blessed Ascension, embrace with their souls every tribulation and calamity. This is what faithfulness requires, otherwise what difference would there be between us and other people? In brief, you must never be sorrowful and grieved, but accept every tribulation with utmost joy.
O descendant of the martyr! Be not sorrowful, be not grieved. … The return journey was made so that it might become clear and evident that the essence of all good lies in contentment, and that the loved ones of God must move only in accordance with His good-pleasure and tread no path save His path. They must be intoxicated with the wine of resignation and move within the realm of submission to His will.
All one's plans and anticipated projects can only yield results if they are in conformity with His decree. For if one's limited plans are not in keeping with this pre-ordained and divine destiny, what can a weak servant do? What can a piece of straw possibly do when faced with the tempestuous winds? How can a mere gnat resist the gusts of a tornado? So it is better and more becoming that a servant should walk this path of radiance and contentment, that he should seek whatever God hath willed for him and neither to grow dejected nor embittered nor hardened of heart.
Know this much: that whatever occurs is good, though its wisdom may be hidden and its cause not apparent.
Be content with God's decree, for unto God belongs consummate wisdom in all matters and conditions.
Therefore the Supreme Pen has taught the station of trust and resignation. It is evident and manifest to every person of insight and understanding that whatsoever appears from God, glorified be His majesty, has proceeded and continues to proceed from the exigencies of His consummate wisdom.
Be content with what We have ordained and be of those who rejoice. We decree naught except with wisdom and We desire naught save what is best for Our loved ones. It behooveth every soul to be content with the decree of his Lord and to be of those who are thankful.
Man must live in contentment with the conditions of his time. He must not make himself the slave of any habit. He must eat a piece of stale bread with the same relish and enjoyment as the most sumptuous dinner. Contentment is real wealth. If one develops within himself the quality of contentment he will become independent. Contentment is the creator of happiness. When one is contented he does not care either for riches or poverty. He lives above the influence of them and is indifferent to them.
The fewer the habits, the better for the man. It is a divine virtue to be satisfied with very few things. Contentment is the antidote for all the social diseases. We must live an independent life. We must never live on others like a parasitic plant. Every person must have a profession, whether it be literary or manual, and must live a clean, manly, honest life, an example of purity to be imitated by others. Contentment is the master-key to all success.
A rill with a steady flow of water and contentment constitute inexhaustible wealth.
And [the animals'] greater comfort stems from the fact that a bird is content with a few grains it eats, never thinking about supper, while man is not content even if he possessed all the wealth in the world. Holy souls are also content with little. This is why Christ says "Be ye as the birds."
The people of God have not at all any dependence in this world; they neither get displeased with the bitterness of the cup, nor are they happy with its sweetness.
The people of God are like the birds, who satisfy themselves with a few crumbs, and sit the whole time on the branches of the trees and sing the praises of God.
The guest helped himself generously and when he was quite satisfied he raised his hands toward heaven and prayed:- 'Blessed are those who are satisfied with every little, and are contented!'
Abouzar feeling the superfluity of such a prayer told to his friend: 'If thou wert really a satisfied and contented fellow I would have now my goat in the house'.
It behooveth us to look to God's will and purpose, and to what He loveth and is pleased with, not to what our desires crave, our wills desire, and our hearts delight in. The whole matter is in His hands. It is for us to thank Him, praise Him, glorify Him, sanctify Him, mention Him, and extol Him in hardship and ease, in adversity and tribulation, and in all that cometh upon His servants in this world.
He must in no wise fix his gaze upon the tongues of men - how they move and what they utter. In all conditions he must look to the divine Command and know it to be the cause of joy and gladness, and in truth be gladdened by it. This is the station of contentment that hath been recorded and inscribed in the books of old and of latter days.
O thou who art seated upon the throne of radiant acquiescence! One of the requirements of the spirit of divine contentment is to be utterly submissive and obedient to the sovereign Will and the Decree of God and to be completely evanescent and non-existent in the presence of His grandeur.
We love for thee to be content with God's good-pleasure and to be self-effacing in His Will that hath encompassed the worlds.
He answered: "Because all the existing things move according to my wish; therefore I do not find anything contrary to my desire; thus I have no sorrow. There is no doubt that all the beings move by the will of God, and I have given up my own will, desiring the will of God. Thus my will becomes the will of God, for there is nothing of myself. All are moving by His will, yet they are moving by my will. In this case, I am very happy."
Live thou in the station of resignation and contentment so that thy heart and soul may obtain peace and serenity.
Those souls who in this world submit to every occurrence and constantly live in a state of contentment and submission, who are satisfied and content with their destiny and never question the work of God, and who are thankful and patient - these souls dwell in the paradise of delight.
My happiness was perfect in those dark days of imprisonment and vicissitudes. I was more happy then than now; because I had no will of my own. I was perfectly resigned.
A wise man must adapt himself as quickly as possible to every environment. If he is disgruntled and complains he will make his own life miserable and never enjoys the meaning of contentment.
He submitted to God's decree and showed acceptance and contentment.
"The confirmations of the spirit are all those powers and gifts with which some are born and which men sometimes call genius, but for which others have to strive with infinite pains. They come to that man or woman who accepts his life with radiant acquiescence."
Strive thou to be content, and for God to be well-pleased with thee. If thou art enabled to attain unto the word of contentment, by My life, thou shalt possess all things, for it is the crimson sulphur, and it is the greatest elixir, and it is that precious pearl whose value no assessor or appraiser can determine.
O Rida! Verily, contentment with God's decree is a characteristic of those who are detached and a practice of those who are attracted by the fragrances of the Most Glorious Kingdom.
O kind friend! Praise be to God that thou art designated by the name of contentment (Rida) and art content in thy heart with His decree.
The station of contentment is among the most exalted of stations, and the state of resignation is among the most excellent of states. As far as thou art able, be content and resigned, and commit all to God. Seek none but His face, follow none but His path, and speak naught but His praise, so that thou mayest become the tranquil soul, content and well-pleasing, and become accepted and beloved at the Threshold of His Oneness.
Be not distressed, and know with certainty that His grace has ever encompassed and will continue to encompass assured and tranquil souls who have turned to Him. All good lies in what He has willed and ordained, for He is the All-Knowing and is aware of what benefits His friends.
It behooveth one like thee to endure every trial, to be pleased with the decree and to commit all thy affairs to God, so that thou mayest be a calm, approved and pleasing soul before God.
Therefore it behooves us to thank God at all times and be content with what He has ordained for us of His firm decrees, and not be anxious about what descends from Him, nor be disturbed by what He has decreed by His command.
Whatever He desires is the true good.
But weak souls who have not attained to the assured soul become agitated in times of test, cast aside patience and composure, and become so disturbed and restless at the assault of fate that they lose all self-control.
Do thou likewise neither lament nor grieve, but be content with the divine decrees and whatsoever hath been ordained by Him.
… Be not disheartened - be content with the good-pleasure of the Friend.
The highest of all virtues hath been submission and contentment - through God's grace thou wert adorned with that garment.
This world contains opposites - sometimes there is abundance and sometimes hardship, sometimes joy and sometimes sorrow and tribulation, sometimes the season of youth and sometimes the time of weakness. It does not remain in one state. Therefore one must be patient, dignified, grateful and maintain an attitude of submission and contentment.
Seek contentment, show fortitude, ask for steadfastness, give your heart to God's decree. Divine wisdom has required this.
Blessed is the people that hath laid hold on the cord of patience and resignation and hath been content with God's decree, the Mighty, the Self-Subsisting.
O spiritual friend! Praise be to God that He has ordained patience and forbearance as sustenance for sincere hearts, and decreed that trials should taste as sweets to the sincere ones.
And dear is it to Me that I should be in one land while you are in another land, and this is hard upon Me and upon every seeing lover. But We have acquiesced to God's good-pleasure and decree, and I counsel you to beautiful patience.
Be thou patient and grieve not, then be content with what He hath ordained for thee, for this is better for thee than all that thou hast known or shalt know, for the matter hath been decreed and fulfilled, and We are witness to this.
Clothe thyself with the garment of resignation, and quaff from the pure wine of contentment. Sell this world for a dirham and let thy heart be captive to the divine decree and thy soul tied to destiny.
Be thou content at all times with thy Lord's decree concerning thyself, both inwardly and outwardly. The limit of contentment is that thou shouldst be as content with abasement as with glory, with poverty as with wealth, with hardship as with ease, and with sorrow as with joy in the conditions decreed for thee by God.
Now are days of hardship - be confident that the time of ease and comfort will also come. This hardship and ease, poverty and wealth, comfort and difficulty have no importance.
It is better that we bow our heads to the sword of destiny and offer our breasts as shields to the arrow of fate with acceptance. What recourse is there except submission and contentment?
At such a time as this, through the power, the outpouring bounty and the loving providence of God one might attain such heights of acquiescence that no change, no vicissitude may affect this station. As it is written: Should He ordain pearls without price for us, let our hearts become the shells fit to treasure them. Should He rain arrows of misfortune on us, let our lives be targets to receive them.
To be content with His decree means that thou shouldst seek with heart and soul every tribulation in the path of God and endure with the utmost joy every affliction. Thou shouldst taste deadly poison as though it were sweet honey, and seek destructive venom as though it were pure nectar. For although these tribulations are bitter, they yield sweet fruits and bestow infinite delight.
Therefore we must drink the poison of divine decree as though it were sweet honey, and eagerly seek the unerring arrow of destiny, for submission gives rise to purpose and resignation brings forth desire - until we see what God has ordained and what fate has decreed.
The righteous ones are detached and the true lovers are happy when they meet suffering in the path of the All-Merciful Beloved. They are so content with the divine decree that they drink from the cup of tribulation as though it were honeyed ambrosia and recognise in poisonous afflictions the sweetness of immortality. For without these trials they could not attain the station of true submission. My point is that bitterness and venom in this life can be transformed to the sweetest honey if accepted with the spirit of acquiescence.
O servant of the Abha Beauty!
The cup of contentment is supremely sweet, but we must see what the cup of destiny brings forth. Those souls who have tasted the sweetness and honey of contentment have found the bitterness of destiny to be sweeter than mother's milk.
Know therefore that calamities suffered in the path of the True One are a bounty; and contentment under His decree is among the characteristics of the people of God.
Be not sorrowful, be not grieved. We have accepted every affliction in the path of Baha and have willingly purchased every tribulation with heart and soul. Therefore we must show patience and fortitude.
We have no recourse but to submit to God's decree and to show patience and resignation in the face of this most great calamity.
Draw near to sorrow, accept suffering, embrace misery, so that thou mayest triumph as an eternal lamp and an immortal spirit. This is My command. Understand it, observe it!'"
But if [the Shah] letteth him go, and interfereth not with him, let him say, "Praise be unto Thee, O Lord of all the worlds! Verily, I am content with Thy good pleasure and what Thou hast predestined unto me in Thy path, even though I did desire that the earth might be dyed with my blood for Thy love. But what Thou willest is best for me: verily, Thou knowest what is in myself, while I know not what is in Thy Self; and Thou art the All-Knowing, the All-Informed."
The Exalted Herald - may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for His sake - saith: All is that they might attain unto the word of contentment.
Thy firm decree in Thy good-pleasure is the desire of the sincere ones, the hope of the longing ones, and the life of the lovers.
Rather, His hope at all times is whatsoever Thou hast ordained for Him, O Thou in Whose hand is the dominion of grace and beneficence.
Hold fast to the cord of submission and contentment. Verily He seeth and heareth and judgeth with justice, and He is the Just, the Wise. And he whose temple is adorned with the ornament of contentment, he is of the people of Baha in the Crimson Book.
Divine decree is beloved by the wise, and all are content with it, nay rather thankful. The complainant is not and hath never been acceptable. "Whoso is not content with My decree, let him seek another Lord."
Be content with what God hath ordained for thee. He hath destined for those who desire Him that which is better for them than all else created in the contingent world.
Be in the utmost state of submission and contentment, and follow not thy desires but rather follow what this needy servant conveyeth unto thee, for he desireth for thee naught save what he desireth for himself, and teacheth thee not a letter except by that which he hath taught himself, and remembereth thee not save by that which he remembereth his own soul, and loveth thee now as he loved thee before. … Live in the world with joy and delight, then build thy affairs upon trust in God and contentment.
All this was decreed for Us by God, the Mighty, the Beautiful. We thank Him in all this and praise Him for all of this and for all that was ordained from His presence, and We shall be, God willing, among the patient ones.
Yet We remain thankful for this, in praiseworthy gratitude. We thank God for what He has decreed for Us of His firm and ordained destiny. By God, whatever appears from the Beloved, He indeed is the One Who is loved.
However, if these stages occur in the path of divine good-pleasure, they are desirable and beloved, and the true lover is content in all conditions and grateful in every circumstance - this is the ultimate goal.
As it is said: "If you are grateful, you will be rewarded and God's decree will be carried out; and if you complain, you will be deprived and God's decree will still be carried out."
Yet in all these successive tribulations and continuous trials I have been, and by God's grace shall ever remain, thankful. What God hath willed for me is my desire, and what He hath purposed is my purpose in this world and the next.
The Friend hath come for the sake of meeting, and this matter hath been recorded as the greatest of deeds in the divine Books, yet due to wisdom it hath been forbidden. Therefore must all be content with His decisive command, nay rather, be thankful for whatsoever appeareth from Him.
In any case, we are thankful - you too must be thankful.
This is the station of contentment with God's decree and of praise and supplication to the Peerless Beloved, Who has blessed them with such a great bounty in the shelter of the Luminary of Effulgence, in the presence of the Most Great Mercy.
Glorified art Thou, O my God and my Beloved! Thou seest my poverty and neediness amidst both the loved ones and the wayward. Praise be unto Thee, O my God, for Thy decree and ordainment, and thanks be unto Thee, O my Lord, for Thy direction and execution thereof. And we bear witness that Thou art the All-Bountiful in Thy deeds and the Sovereign in Thy dominion, and Thou art powerful over all things.
Therefore it would be better if, though we be complaint from head to toe and lamentation from toe to head, we should in one station die to all desires and imaginings and surrender heart and soul to His good-pleasure.
I have not complained, nor will I complain, and I remain content with whatsoever God hath ordained for Me and whatsoever He hath prescribed for My Own Self, if ye be of those who know.
Restrain thyself from that which thou art forbidden, then be content with what hath been ordained for thee in the heaven of God, the Sovereign, the Powerful, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
This is a day of joy and delight - make not thyself sorrowful through idle words and sayings. God is Our witness and Our testament - cloud not thyself with vain imaginings.
Therefore be content with God's good-pleasure and transgress not His command. This is better for you than all that ye desire or love.
It is incumbent upon those who have accepted to be content with the good-pleasure of the Friend and to be found submissive and obedient at the dawning of the divine Sun of the Cause.
Be content with what We have decreed for thee. Thus hast thou followed the example of thy Lord in what befell Him. This is the way of the sincere ones.
Hence, ye must needs be in the utmost state of resignation and contentment, and in adversity and tribulation be moved to forbearance and patience, that all may follow your example and be immersed in the ocean of acquiescence.
Beseech God that thou mayest attain unto resignation to His will, burn brightly as a candle of faithfulness, and be consumed by the fire of the love of God. This is the gift of the heavenly Lord and the cause of everlasting glory and happiness in the world of God.
This outward separation and division hath been caused by the rebellion and heedlessness of the people. Therefore that leaf must not be sorrowful, but rather content and grateful for what hath been ordained for her.
God willing, drink ye in all conditions from the ocean of contentment.
The loving-kindness of God hath ever been and shall ever be with the steadfast ones who have turned unto Him.
To pray is to trust in God, and to be submissive in all things to Him. Be submissive, then things will change for you. Put your family in God's hands. Love God's will.
O My handmaiden! Grieve not at God's decree and His command. It behooveth thee to be content and well-pleased with the command of God, the Almighty, the Powerful.
Be content in all conditions with whatsoever hath been ordained for thee from the presence of the Mighty, the Most High.
Therefore one must be content with fate and surrender to destiny, and be grateful and thankful for whatever has been ordained.
O handmaiden of God! Be thou resigned unto fate and be satisfied with whatever the operation of destiny causeth to occur.
Be content with the divine decree and set thy face toward resignation and contentment.
We have no recourse except to be content with God's decree.
Today all must fix their gaze upon the horizon of God and, in whatsoever may come to pass, manifest complete contentment and submission.
Be content with what God has decreed for us, then be patient and be of the patient ones.
All must be content with God's good-pleasure and be submissive to His Cause.
Be content with that which God has been content with - this is better for you, were you of those who know.
Be thou content with what God hath decreed. Verily thy Lord is He Who judgeth as He pleaseth.
Be thou content with that which thy Lord, the All-Knowing Ordainer, hath ordained.
O servant! Grieve not for what hath befallen thee from the decrees of fate. Be content with what God hath ordained for thee, for naught descendeth upon anyone save that which is better for him than all that hath been created between the heavens and the earth. Beware lest thou grieve in the face of destiny.
We have arrived in the land which God hath ordained for Us, and We are content with whatsoever God hath been pleased to decree for Us, and submissive to that which He hath destined from His presence, and thankful for that which He hath ordained from His court.
Adorn thyself with the ornament of trust, resignation and submission, and say: My God, my God! Praise be unto Thee for having remembered me in Thy Most Great Prison, and thanksgiving be unto Thee for having revealed unto me that which shall endure as long as Thy dominion and Thy kingdom, Thy glory and Thy sovereignty shall endure, O God of the worlds!
God willing, thou shalt attain unto this blessed Tablet and be blessed with such joy that the tribulations of the world shall not make thee sorrowful, and in all conditions thou shalt remain content and thankful, uttering "Praise be unto Thee, O Lord of the worlds."
Verily I am well-pleased with the things thou hast ordained for me, and I will remain patient under Thy tribulations.
Then cause me, O my God, to be content with whatsoever Thou hast ordained for me through Thy grace and bounty and generosity and favors.
Be content with God's decree. Say: O my Lord! I am Thy servant and the son of Thy servant. I am content with what hath befallen me in Thy days.
By Thy glory! I desire naught save what Thou desirest, and love none but that which Thou lovest. In all conditions have I put my trust in Thee. I beseech Thee, O my God, to raise up for the aid of this Cause such as are worthy of Thy Name and Thy sovereignty, that they may make mention of me amidst Thy creatures and lift up the banners of Thy victory within Thy realm.
I beseech Thee by Thy Most Great Signs and the manifestations of Thy grandeur in the kingdom of creation to make me content with whatsoever Thou hast ordained for me through Thy generosity and prescribed for me through Thy grace.
So do with me as You wish, and ordain for me as You wish, and make easy for me as You wish, and expand my breast as You wish. Heal me if Your will desires it, and cure me if Your purpose agrees to it, for I desire nothing except what You desire.
Beseech God that in all conditions thou mayest be successful in attaining His good-pleasure and be content with His decree.
Make me content with what Thou hast apportioned unto me, lest I be among those who complain of Thee, for Thou art the Most Powerful of the powerful.
I beseech Thee by the cooing of the Dove of Thy Cause to make me content in all conditions with what Thou hast ordained for me through Thy decree and destiny.
O Lord! Make me content with what Thou hast ordained for me. Thou art, verily, the Mighty, the All-Forgiving.
By Thy glory! I am content with whatsoever Thou hast ordained for me through Thy decree and destiny, for I testify that Thou art praised in Thy doings and obeyed in Thy command.
Say: Baha doth not await deliverance from the tribulations ordained for Him, nor doth He seek release, but saith: "O my God! Shouldst Thou desire, remove me from these horizons, that the people of hypocrisy--who have denied the Day of Separation and broken the Covenant--may no longer behold me. O Lord! Thou knowest what is within my soul and beholdest my dwelling place. Decree, then, what Thou willest. By Thy glory! What Thou hast purposed is my purpose, and what Thou hast desired is my desire in this world and the next."
What befitteth the friend is submission to, and contentment with, the good-pleasure of the Friend. The Friend saith: "My friend, thou wilt surely love that which I love." Therefore, be thou content with the good-pleasure of the Friend and with whatsoever proceedeth from Him.
For thought and discussion