forgiveness; a sin-covering eye; patience and forbearance
Editorial introduction
Abraham, so the story goes, could not bear an idolater at his table for a single hour, and was reminded that God had borne with the man for ninety years. Forbearance begins in that gap between our patience and God’s. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá asks that every person be read as a letter from the Beloved, however blotted or torn, and that attention go to what is praiseworthy in them, since friendship with the whole human race is impossible when we start from faults; Christ, passing a dead dog, remarked only on the whiteness of its teeth. The eye that covers faults looks toward the Creator of souls, and knows its own shortcomings too well to keep another’s account. None of this is soft. It answers darts with milk and honey and refuses revenge even after martyrdom, yet still distinguishes a wrong done to oneself, which one forgives, from harm to a community, which calls for justice. In the Mahābhārata, Yudhishthira’s praise of forgiveness meets Draupadi’s challenge about its timing. From here the way opens toward the mercy of God, the hard art of loving one’s enemies and returning hatred with love, and the conduct of true believers, where patience becomes a farmer tending seeds rather than a sufferer waiting out a storm.
One day a person entered Abraham's house. His Holiness prepared food, and when they sat at the table and were about to begin, the idolater uttered the name of an idol. His Holiness became distressed. Then came the divine address: "O Abraham! This person has lived ninety years, and I have borne with him for ninety years. Could you not bear with him for one hour?"
[W]e must look upon every human being we saw as a letter from the Beloved to us. No matter how blotted, blurred, torn or soiled that letter appears to be, nevertheless, you must look upon it with the eye of reality and say to yourself, this is a letter from my Beloved, therefore, because it is from Him, I must love it with that divine love and overlook all its defects--inasmuch as the Beloved wrote it.
After reading the letter, it was observed that your honor, like the noble recording angels, had written numerous tablets mentioning certain souls. However, according to previous accounts, the recording angels are charged with recording both good and evil deeds, while your honor has recorded only the misdeeds of each one. This matter caused great astonishment.
… It is known that all created things are prone to error and ever shall be, but today, as the Sun of generosity is shining and the ocean of mercy is surging, God's gaze is fixed upon the goodly deeds of souls who have turned to Him. This is naught but His grace and generosity toward His servants, and His mercy and bounty toward His loved ones.
Observe that Christ did not see any of that animal's faults, but searched until He noticed that its teeth were white. He saw only the whiteness of its teeth, overlooking its decay, putrefaction and ugly appearance.
O ye friends of God! Show ye an endeavor that all the nations and communities of the world, even the enemies, put their trust, assurance and hope in you; that if a person falls into errors for a hundred-thousand times he may yet turn his face to you, hopeful that you will forgive his sins; for he must not become hopeless, neither grieved nor despondent. This is the conduct and the manner of the people of Baha'.
O ye friends of God! Show ye an endeavor that all the nations and communities of the world, even the enemies, put their trust, assurance and hope in you; that if a person falls into error for a hundred thousand times he may yet turn his face to you hopeful that you will forgive his sins; for he must not become hopeless, neither grieved nor despondent!
However, covering faults applies to matters where the harm returns to the doer himself, not to the government, nation, human society and mankind. For example, if someone commits an immoral act or does something reprehensible where the harm returns to that person himself, such as drinking alcohol or committing adultery, in such cases covering faults is acceptable and praiseworthy.
If anyone harms Me a thousand times, I will not reciprocate in the least, and in fact, will never even make mention of it to the point that he can mistakenly claim, "I was so clever that ‘Abdu'l-Baha did not perceive my deception." No, I see everything, but conceal it [with a sin-covering eye]. However, if anyone arises to harm the Cause, then I will no longer remain patient and will announce it publicly.
Wherefore, O loved ones of God, regard not the tyranny and injustice of the ignorant. Resist oppression with justice; meet iniquity with equity; requite bloodthirstiness with loving-kindness. Be well-wishers for the advancement of Persia and the Persians, and strive for the progress of universal civilization.
Counter treachery with faithfulness, respond to anger with kindness, repel wrath with forbearance, allay oppression with justice, and eliminate cruelty through fidelity.
Although he committed the greatest mistake of his life when he ordered the martyrdom of the Bab and the friends, yet as [we] always remember the ability of even our worst enemy and never overlook justice, therefore we acknowledge the public services of this able man.
O faithful servant of God! As you wrote, man should see shortcomings in himself, not in others. Rather, he should cover others' faults and seek out perfections in every soul, not imperfections. He should speak of their perfections, not their faults and deficiencies.
'Abdu'l-Baha, as much as possible, wishes to have a sin-covering eye and to conceal faults, for more than all others He sees Himself as sinful and incapable and deficient in servitude to the Lord. Therefore, being occupied with His own shortcomings, He does not dwell on the sins of others and constantly seeks pardon and forgiveness and beseeches grace and bounty.
If a fault is committed by someone and I treat him with kindness, this is not on account of my negligence; but as I acknowledge my own short-comings and am cognizant of my own state, I do not show any opposition to others.
Should one of the friends commit a fault, you should remember the forgiveness of the Merciful Lord and oppose the evil within your own soul, as it is in the depths of ignorance.
Blessed is the learned one who prideth not himself on his knowledge, and well is it with the righteous one who revileth not the sinful, concealing their misdeeds that God may conceal his own guilty actions, for He is the best of those who hide faults. Be ye, O people, concealers of faults in the earth and forgivers in the lands, that God may forgive you through His grace.
If some shortcoming issues from certain friends, others should cover it with the hem of concealment and strive to perfect his deficiencies, not seek out his faults and wish for his abasement and humiliation. A fault-covering eye leads to insight, and a wise person conceals the faults of every sinful servant. Tearing veils is the way of beasts, not of a person full of knowledge and wisdom.
This is called error, not hatred; forgetfulness, not rebellion; falling short, not transgression. If someone commits an error, they should cover it with the veil of forgiveness and strive to awaken that person, so the error may be transformed into right conduct and sin may lead to awakening.
To be silent concerning the faults of others, to pray for them, and to help them--through kindness--to correct their faults.
To look always at the good and not at the bad. If a man has ten good qualities and one bad one, to look at the ten and forget the one; and if a man has ten bad qualities and one good one, to look at the one and forget the ten.
To never to allow ourselves to speak one unkind word about another, even though that other be our enemy.
This is my first charge to you--to cut your hearts from the world; second, to love each other very much, to be servants to each other and to know that you are less than anyone else; third, if anyone does something you do not like, forgive him; you must always look at the good and not the bad. If a man has ten good qualities and one bad one, you must look at the ten and if a man has ten bad qualities and one good one, you must look at that one and forget the ten.
We must not look at or see the faults or imperfections of people.
If we look at the body of a man, we may only see that the head is too big, or the hands too long - we may find it full of imperfections - but we must look at the spirit within him, causing him to live.
What could be better than for the loved ones of God to observe each other's good qualities, and--assuming the impossible--should any misdeeds occur, to cover them with the cloak of forgiveness?
Mention nothing save that which is good concerning the people. Praise every one. If you find a fault or mistake in some one do not speak of it. If you see good qualities, mention and try to emulate them.
Therefore I beg of the believers of God, especially those who have been the Companions of the Blessed Perfection in this Most great Prison not to look upon the shortcomings but look upon every man from the standpoint of divine Mercy and Grace.
Under all circumstances man must turn his face toward God and overlook the shortcomings of others;- so that he may prosper in his affairs.
Therefore, the loved ones should be the manifestation of "Praise be to His pure and fault-covering vision."
If you observe any shortcoming in anyone, you should say "Blessed be the pure, sin-covering sight" and become the manifestation of the verse "We have not sent thee except as a mercy to all the worlds."
O thou who art firm in the Covenant and steadfast in the Path! He Who is the Concealer forgiveth every transgressor, for He is the Compassionate, the All-Merciful. Wherefore, as thou derivest grace and bounty from the ocean of this blessed Name, thou shouldst open the sin-covering eye and become the concealer of the sins of all that dwell on earth.
How blessed is this name 'the concealer,' for it is the cause of happiness in both worlds.
Previously this exalted verse was revealed by the Pen of the Most High: "God, in truth, is the Most Patient, and He exhorteth you to observe befitting patience. He is the Concealer, and He admonisheth you to conceal the faults of men."
Weigh not the servants by God's measure, for they weigh at all times and are among the unfaithful. Rather forgive them and overlook their misdeeds, for thou art indeed the Generous, the Lord of abundant grace.
Indeed certain unworthy words issued from his tongue. We have veiled them through Our grace, for verily We are the Concealer, the All-Knowing. The True One, exalted be His glory, loves His loved ones, and if a fault appears from someone, He shows patience until an appointed time and conceals it.
Then at another's instigation he attempted harm against the Wronged One. We departed and never confronted him. We forgave him after Our power and concealed his evil deed after Our knowledge.
O my beloved! The Blessed Beauty has commanded me to be forbearing, patient, concealing, forgiving and clement - otherwise I would rend their veils, expose their sins, proclaim their deeds, explain their character, and clarify their conduct.
'Abdu'l-Baha has always concealed faults and continues to conceal faults, and does not mention anyone's errors and shortcomings but keeps them hidden.
… Otherwise, by God besides Whom there is no other God, if someone were to cut off one of my limbs, I would forgive them before the crime occurred.
O God! Be my witness that I would forgive my own killer, but I will not forgive nor will I accept near me anyone who speaks of me in terms other than servitude to the Ancient Beauty and slavery to the Most Great Name.
As for that mystic who spoke about the meaning of the tradition of error and considered the Most Holy Beauty to be its completion and therefore objected - in this wondrous dispensation the Blessed Beauty commanded the covering of faults, therefore I do not wish to mention his name.
And sew an excellent robe to fit your own frame, that its hem may cover the errors of the friends.
Therefore,
But notwithstanding this fact, if there is anyone who hesitates therein, do not dispute with him, nay rather prove this to him with all joy and fragrance, lest he may be obstinately compelled to rebellion.
Question: "When people deny religion how shall we deal with them?"
Answer: "You must be tolerant and patient, because the station of sight is a station of bounty; it is not based on capacity. They must be educated."
A.B... Yes, thru the grace of God. If God acts with mercy it will be so. When a teacher is kind, he accepts the children who have not capacity as well; for He knows that these will find capacity while in the school.
The people are heedless and negligent, ignorant and unwise. If they fall short in understanding and are lazy in recognition, be forbearing and overlook their shortcomings. Look to the greatest horizon and deal with them according to His great and glorious favors.
They said to Jesus, Son of Mary, "Why do you associate with tax collectors?" He said, "I have come for the sinners, that through kindly counsels I might sanctify them from worldly conditions and guide them to that which will exalt them."
You should speak the word of truth with the utmost joy and fragrance.
Should anyone commit an error, he should be reminded with the utmost joy and fragrance, and if he be not receptive to reminders, leave him to himself. Verily your Lord, the All-Merciful, is independent of him and of all who are in the heavens and on earth.
Assuredly, one must, to the extent possible, conceal it, turn a blind eye to the fault, and offer counsel. Verily, God is the Concealer of the faults of His servants.
Treat them with grace and kindness and overlook their slips of pen and tongue.
… Argue not with them about their traditions and reasonings - leave them to their affairs.
We counsel Our loved ones not to speak that which would grieve his heart. Verily thy Lord is the Concealer, and verily He is possessed of great bounty.
However, if a person who hath been blessed with divine favors and whose name hath been recorded in the Tablets by the Most Exalted Pen should manifest something contrary to wisdom, following him is not and hath never been permissible. Yet regarding such a one, nothing should be uttered except words of good, lest two harms occur.
If someone asks a question, never say anything negative about him. Your answer should be this: "Many such books and treatises have been written and published without end.
And if some souls speak ill and criticize Abdul-Baha, act according to the blessed verse of the Quran which states: "And when they pass by vain talk, they pass by with dignity." Do not engage with them.
Therefore in gratitude for this bounty they must associate with the followers of Truth and not speak ill of anyone. They must praise those who are firm and extol those who are steadfast.
If some one commits any mistake, forgive him. Overlook the sins of others. Do not let the sinner known by any allusion suggestion that you know his shortcomings. Pardon the transgression of the sinner and God shall forgive your sins.
However, as far as possible, one must close the eye of objection and open the eye of kindliness, lest, as before, cursing and charges of unbelief, rancor and envy should arise. Here too such things are found, and we deal with them with utmost consideration.
The friends must overlook one another's faults, be mindful of God's forgiveness, and pray for each other. Verily He is the All-Forgiving, the All-Bountiful.
...The believers of God must be kind toward each other; if one commits a mistake the other must forgive. It is not at all befitting to refer their names to a court, and complain against each other. Nay, rather, they must sacrifice their lives for each other. They must loose their tongues in thanksgiving, and not in complaining. This is worthy of the people of Baha.
Live in peace, love, union and agreement, and overlook the faults and defects of others and to see only their good actions and not their bad ones. These are things that will lead to perfect success and thorough happiness.
The people of Baha should close their eyes to faults and see nothing but good deeds, become the cause of unity and harmony among all who dwell on earth under the shade of the Divine Word, and night and day have no purpose but to spread the divine fragrances and establish the clear signs.
How my heart leaps with joy when I hear the friends love each other, always overlooking one anotheris small mistakes; and that they are forgiving their enemies!
And as for Jinab-i-Nabil, forgive him from thy heart, for man is prone to error. We all fix our eyes upon God's pardon, grace and forgiveness. Though from Jinab-i-Nabil an undesirable action occurred regarding thee, yet he had formerly endured numerous afflictions in the path of the Beloved of the world. Therefore we must pray for one another and seek forgiveness. Today the heaven of grace is raised high and the ocean of mercy is surging. We must all beseech the peerless King to adorn all with the garment of forgiveness.
Therefore it is better for you to excuse his honor Haji and forgive his past shortcomings. God willing, he will make up for what was lost in the future, especially since he remembered you during the pilgrimage to the Blessed Shrine.
Four times he came and repented, and all the friends are witness that I again accepted him and overlooked his faults and showed kindness and love and observed faithfulness.
Immediately I supplicated and implored at the threshold of the Blessed Beauty, offered prayers, and sought forgiveness from the Kingdom of Pardon. Surely these supplications and devotions of 'Abdu'l-Baha at the Divine Threshold will be accepted. Therefore, give Mr. McNutt the glad tidings that he should know with certainty that the page has been completely cleansed, and no trace of dust remains whatsoever.
No harm done, as He says: "O My servants who have transgressed against their own souls! Despair not of the mercy of God, for God forgives all sins." I will ask forgiveness for him from my Lord, for my Lord is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
To pardon shortcomings is an attribute of the Lord of forgiveness. Thank God, thou art a dawning-point of kindness and the recipient of pardon and forgiveness.
Therefore, rest thou assured that she will be encompassed by forgiveness and pardon and will become the object of the regard of the Lord God.
Whatever happened in the past is past. "Hadst thou been harsh and stern of heart they would indeed have broken away from around thee." We are commanded to deal with the utmost love and kindness even with our enemies, how much more so with friends.
O handmaid of God, show the utmost kindness to the handmaid of God, Louise Stapfer. If she is unkind to you, be faithful to her; if she withdraws from you, seek to draw near to her. She will in due time become a friend.
So conduct thyself with the utmost love and long-sufferance towards thy relatives, show kindliness and forbearance to thy family. Do not draw away from them or take umbrage; do not become alienated and sad. But persevere, rather, and be patient. The end belongs to those who are patient.
You wrote about your noble children - for now show them kindness as much as possible and do not look at their deeds and actions. Act according to the divine counsels. They seek the ornaments of the world - give to them and be kind to them, and whenever any of them shows the slightest compatibility, show even more consideration, so that God willing your love may influence them.
Do not trouble the household members - it is ignorance and heedlessness and disobedience. God willing, through your sincerity and good conduct and through divine confirmations, they may become remorseful and repentant in the future. In any case, show kindness.
And if perchance you hear from him words that cause distress, you must certainly be forbearing and behave in such an agreeable manner that he will be gladdened by your good care and respect.
Deal with his honor Khan with utmost love, sincerity and patience. Be not disturbed by his harshness and impetuosity. Do not be saddened. These days shall pass and happy times will come.
If one of thy relations oppress thee, complain not against him before the magistrate; rather manifest magnificent patience during every calamity and hardship. Verily thy Master is the Lord of Faithfulness! Forgive and overlook the shortcomings which have appeared in that one, for the sake of love and affection.
However, you must serve their descendants with the utmost patience, composure, trustworthiness and religiosity.
We counsel Nabil, upon him be My peace, to deal with kindness and affection toward the few souls who are in that land. They should in no wise take notice of words or deeds wherein opposition may be perceived, for they must become the reference point for all matters. … Man is ever prone to error, save him whom God protects. Forgiveness and overlooking are ever beloved before God.
Therefore, to the extent possible, one must deal with all the friends with utmost kindness. … Now we must deal with souls in whatever way necessary so they do not become completely turned away.
Be thou patient therefore and leave the lukewarm to themselves. Place thy trust in God's care. These souls are very weak, their power of perception very fragile. One must be patient with them and show tolerance towards them in order, hopefully, that they may experience remorse and regret.
Be thou patient with their defections, and exercise thou toward them the utmost kindness. Look thou not upon their errors.
Therefore, do not look at the inadequacy of any group with temerity, and do not become disheartened by their shortcomings.
If you see an unharmonious movement or hear an unreasonable word, you must look to the root of the Blessed Tree, not its leaves, for the Tree is firm and growing and in the utmost freshness and verdancy, and ere long will bear delicious fruit and cast its shadow upon the horizons.
"You must try to manage to conduct yourself (you and the firm friends) so that violators may not interfere with your activity. Be kind to them at first. Do not be severe at first. If you find they cannot be changed, leave them to themselves. If (you) change them- very good...
You must bear their taunts and persecution.
The time of distinction and separation will come. At present forbearance is necessary lest division occur, for if division occurs, fellowship and association will cease and no one will draw near. We are exercising patience and forbearance; you too must act likewise.
O thou who art firm in the Covenant! Be not grieved, neither let thy heart be saddened. God willing, things shall unfold exactly as thy heart and soul desire. Exercise some patience and forbearance until the agitation of the hostile ones subsides somewhat and the authorities become assured. Then once again it shall be the same feast, the same pure wine and chalice, the same rose garden with its roses and tulips.
Despite this, I bore it with patience and remained silent until he began to embitter some of the weak ones against me through hints and intimations, seeking through subtle means to form a distinct party that would be Covenant-breakers inwardly while appearing steadfast outwardly, thus causing a great division. He made all government officials my enemies and incited them all - that is, through subtle means he caused all to become saddened and embittered with me. For this reason he caused me to be placed under surveillance in this prison and caused the way to be blocked and made all the loved ones of God sorrowful.
How beloved it is in the sight of God when a person, for His sake, seeketh not to retaliate but rather looketh to pardon and forgiveness.
We have forbidden all the friends of God from contention and conflict, and commanded patience and forbearance.
In most Tablets He says that if an oppressor transgresses against you, hold fast to the cord of patience, and if he harms you, forgive him. They have forbidden conflict, contention, corruption, killing, plunder and pillage to such an extent that most servants are aware and bear witness to this.
Be kind to all and deal with everyone in complete truthfulness and trustworthiness. Whatever they do and whatever they allow does not matter. You must act in the opposite way. Counter oppression with justice, hatred with love, insult with assistance, opposition with agreement, poison with honey, venom with antidote.
Whatever you see from strangers, if they oppose you and injure you, you have to bear it and be patient. As much as they injure you and hate you, you have to show your kindness to them. You have to treat them as friends. It must be so. If they give you poison, you have to give them honey; if they wound you, you have to plaster their wounds.
If an arrow comes, you give honey and milk; if a bitter cup is offered, you present a chalice of nectar; if they inflict a wound, you apply a salve; if they cause pain, you provide healing.
If they give us poison, we bestow honey; if they wound us, we apply balm; if they curse us, we offer praise and commendation, dealing with utmost love and kindness.
If they offer thee a poisoned cup, give them a refreshing chalice. If they seek to defame thee, conceal their faults with a sin-covering eye. If they strike a blow, put ointment on their wound. If they come forward with drawn swords, offer them milk and honey.
Be not grieved by what hath occurred, grow not weary. Practice patience and steadfastness and conduct thyself in such a way as to bring honor to those possessed of insight. That is, become a well-wisher to ill-wishers, deal faithfully with the faithless, become caring toward enemies, and be a cup-bearer to those who give poison. Counter deadly venom with sweet honey. Heal pain, grant safety to the treacherous, bestow gifts upon the oppressor, and extend forgiveness and pardon to wrongdoers.
The foundation of this bounty is that you must wish well for those who wish you ill, teach angelic qualities to the devilish, and free the predatory from their savage nature. Show kindness, practice good conduct, seek patience, and express remorse to the transgressors. Though they be predators, you must become soaring birds. Though they be ravening beasts, you must become watchful gazelles. Though they be bloodthirsty, you must become sympathetic.
Be ye a shield and shelter for the hapless, a haven and a refuge for the needy. Show kindliness to your enemies and endure their tyranny and their oppression, their ignorance and ill-will.
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.
However much the Iranians in those regions may avoid you, seek to draw near to them. However much they may harm you, show them love. Whatever evil they speak, show them kindness. By whatever means possible, show them the utmost consideration. Be not repelled by cursing and insults and violation of dignity, but rather burst forth like a spring of living water.
You should arise in the contrary with utmost love and kindness. Do not oppose or argue with them. Arise with gentleness and kindness. No matter how much they condemn, slander and denounce you, you meet them with love, mercy, patience and forbearance.
O friends! You must behave with the utmost forbearance and tranquility, and show patience in all matters. You must praise and extol those who speak ill of you, and wish well for those who wish you ill.
Rather, in every case thou shouldst requite evil deeds with good ones, and respond to censure with praise. Thou shouldst become well-wishing toward the ill-wisher and faithful toward the oppressor.
Act thou contrary to that. Be confident that thou art under the protection of God.
Thou must act according to the divine teachings - count the enemy as a friend and move with moderation and kindness.
In any case, never deal with the enemies except with kindness, forbearance, and overlooking of faults. This is the way of the people of Baha, to return evil with good.
Bear every ordeal that befalleth thee from the people and confront them not save with kindness, with great love and good wishes.
Therefore, according to the decisive text of the Blessed Beauty, we must not pay attention to such things and must act according to that which we are commanded, which is: "Count the oppressors as faithful friends, consider strangers as intimates, regard enemies as loving friends, and treat oppressors as just ones in your regard." This is what we are commanded to do.
Do not hurt any heart, even if it belongs to an oppressor or traitor. Do not sadden any soul, even if it repeatedly gives poison.
Beware, beware lest you hurt any heart, break any spirit, cause any soul pain, make any being sorrowful, or cause anyone to wither - even if they be your mortal enemy or an oppressor....
Know the malevolent as benevolent and regard the sinner as sinless. … Harm no one and sadden no heart.
Be not offended by anyone, neither be ye distressed by any soul, even should they inflict upon you any cruelty and oppression.
If anyone does you harm with his tongue or his hands, be not grieved; but smile and be rejoiced, and treat him in turn with utmost love and sincerity. If in your hearing anyone reviles and execrates you, heed him not.
Should opposition or injury happen to you, bear it and be kind, as kind as ever you can be. Through all, love the people, and not by mere confession. If they beat you with swords, ask them for forgiveness. If they attribute infidelity to you, pray for their guidance. If they blame you, be sincerely grateful to them.
The more ye suffer injustice the more should ye rise in faithfulness. The more ye witness wrong doings the more should ye cover them with a sin covering eye.
Though they shoot the arrow of tyranny, praise be to God the faithful friends stand firm and offer the cup of bounty. They overlook shortcoming and error, and drink deadly poison as though it were honey and sugar.
Do not look upon their shortcomings. Look thou upon all of them as the people of God and endeavor thou in right-doing and well-meaning. Ignorant are they; understand they do not. Therefore they are avoiding, criticizing and scorning thee.
They should not look upon the hatred, enmity, oppression and harm of souls, but rather turn to the luminous beauty in the divine Kingdom, for that shining moon has illumined the horizons of possibility and the life-giving breeze of that Kind Friend has perfumed East and West.
Therefore, you must not look upon each other's shortcomings. If someone commits a wrong against another, the eye must be forgiving and cover the fault of the wrongdoer with the mantle of pardon, and in response to that fault show the utmost love and kindness so that the wrongdoer becomes ashamed.
When you see men doing evil things, you should not be angry with them -you should pity them; for their evil deeds are due to their ignorance, and for them they must suffer.
When you see men doing evil things, you should not be angry with them, you should pity them; for their evil deeds are due to their ignorance and for them they must suffer.
Give up your evil thoughts and pray for all. Be at peace and make peace with all. Do not express hatred or resentment toward anyone.
One of the special laws of Baha'u'llah is the one prohibiting cursing and defamation, and that all should seek forgiveness for their enemies.
To be brief; When he was for personal reasons arrested and imprisoned by the order of the government, and no one dared associate with him, I expressed sympathy for him by sending him word that I would have even called on him in person had I not thought it probably that, at this juncture, this might give his enemies further occasion to do him harm. In truth nothing is sweeter in man's taste than to do good toward those who have done him ill. For, whenever one remembers such kindness to one's enemies, one feels highly rejoiced.
He had called on the town commissioner who had some influence with the governor General to intercede for him;- so that he might be sent away without the usual disgrace attending the disposition of a Turkish official. When he saw me he began to plead and implore;- in order that I may also mediate in his behalf. 'you are the only person in this world' he said 'who does not dream of any retaliation but these many persons to whom I have done evil, now that they have heard I am deposed, will do their utmost to vilify my character and ruin my reputation. You are forgiving. I beg you to come to my assistance.' All the friends know how well I treated him and he left Acca very happy.
He returned to 'Akka in utmost despair and hopelessness, and no one any longer paid him heed. At last he came to Me, fell at My feet, and expressed shame and contrition. I raised him up, forgave him, and wrote a letter to the Governor of the time, Nasr Hay Bey, commending him to his care, and saying that he had caused Us no hurt or injury.
Afterwards, I went to visit him, and he was worried that I may say something; but I did not embarrass him.
One must show the utmost kindness to all people. One must always overlook - whatever one sees from others, one must overlook it. After that investigative body, we never indicated to anyone that "you said this" or "you did that." I said we must maintain silence.
Those who first arose to persecute us and plotted against us are now seeking a means for reconciliation. We have no quarrel with anyone, nor have ever had any.
For example, if a man has acted against me treasonably, if he calls on me, I receive him with such friendship as though he is mu most faithful, trusted friend. Often I witness a person destroying the foundation of my house with axe and spade. I am standing there, watching him smilingly and instead of rebuking him, I do not say anything. But he gets angry and wrathfully declares: why do you not come and co-operate with me in this work of destruction? Man! Thou art destroying my home! I am not saying anything!
Then the Master laughed and said: 'In either case he has not understood. He is just revealing the state of his own consciousness. We must be kind to such people.'
Their conception of hospitality is so unique that if the guest either by accident or by purpose kills the son of host and takes refuge under the latter's tent he will be protected and his crime forgiven.
The believer, animated by this spirit, begged the Governor to mitigate the sentence, and obtained its reduction to several years of banishment.
Two deeds which are truly considered among the greatest of all deeds in the sight of the Self-Sufficient, the Most High, were manifested by them: first, refraining from retaliation against the oppressors, namely the tyrannical Shi'ih party, and second, interceding with the authorities on behalf of their enemies.
The first was the manifestation of supreme oppression in such wise that [...] and they did not protest. Whatsoever they witnessed and heard they left to God, clinging in all conditions to gracious patience and sublime tranquillity. The second was their intercession on behalf of enemies before the princes. In truth, that which was manifested is accounted before God as the most excellent of deeds.
Observe the Names of 'Ha' and 'Ha'---though outwardly they professed attachment to the True One, yet the inner matter, plain and evident, was that the ravening wolf strove with utmost oppression to extinguish those two lights, until they attained unto lofty and honoured martyrdom. And yet the True One---magnified be His glory, exalted be His power, and glorified be His majesty---passed by, through His hidden might. Outwardly, He had power to exact retribution; nevertheless, We commanded all unto patience and endurance; for Our regard is fixed upon the education of the world and upon another station.
He replied: "I know they seek to kill me and surely this will be my end - my murder is certain. And you know I have the power to take revenge on the Shah. But I am not faithless - until my last breath I will remain faithful. I leave this faithlessness to them." Consider how gentle and forbearing he was.
Concerning all the persecution inflicted thus far - that is, from those individuals who received the utmost love and kindness from the honored Afnans, upon them be the Most Glorious Glory of God - they showed patience and left it to God.
O thou who art steadfast in the Covenant! Thou hadst written concerning vengeance. The friends must be the wronged ones of the world, and must intercede on behalf of their slayers and implore forgiveness for them from the True One, for they are ignorant, heedless, bewildered, and bereft of understanding. They imagine that the blood of the loved ones is lawful to shed, and that the friends deserve a grievous death. Were they to know, they would not commit this oppression, nor would they stretch forth the hand of aggression.
However, the friends of God must be extremely truthful, trustworthy, obedient, submissive and well-wishers of the government, and never seek revenge against the oppressors. Rather, they should intercede to the extent possible, show mercy and kindness to the officers, be loving to the oppressors and practice patience. If they shed the blood of the innocent, the friends have mixed honey and sugar to sweeten their palate. If they wielded sword and arrow and tested the blade, the friends give candy and honey, heal the pain of the officers, and salve the wounds of the oppressors.
Although enemies have extended the hand of aggression against the Furughis and engaged in lies and calumny, you must not give importance to this aggression and enmity. Deal with them in the opposite way and seek harmony and say "We have no complaint against anyone and will not complain, and we know that all affairs are by divine decree and inevitable fate. We see no cause, we look to the Causer. We seek forgiveness for transgressors and at the Divine Threshold we seek intercession for rebels, and to the extent possible we are kind friends to every ill-wisher and with every prejudiced one we are without thought and without illness.
Yet these helpless ones bowed their heads in submission, not even raising a cry of lamentation. Rather, they engaged in supplication and prayer, and under sword and blade sought pardon and forgiveness for their assailants. One cried out "No harm! Verily unto our Lord do we return!" … And another called out "Lord forgive them, for they know not what they do!"
These sneers and reviling had reminded the sufferer of the words in the New Testament concerning the Crucifixion; and, in sincere and innocent imitation of His Holiness Jesus Christ, he had answered: "I ask and pray god not for my own safety and freedom, but for your deliverance. O God forgive them!"
Instead of being made tender or gentle or sympathetic toward so pure hearted a soul, the people had turned his words into ridicule.
When they crucified Christ (may my soul be a sacrifice unto Him), a soldier thrust his spear into His blessed side. That holy Soul immediately offered this prayer: "O Lord! Forgive these souls, for they know not what they do. If they knew, they would not do it. Therefore, grant them Thy forgiveness."
"Although the Jews were the cause of the death of Christ, yet Christ Himself is in no wise pleased that vengeance should be taken upon them."
His holiness Christ came for the promulgation of the law of love; all the prophets were sent, all the books were revealed, so that the law of love might be promoted.
… Let us have love and more love, a love that melts all opposition, a love that conquers all foes, a love that sweeps away all barriers, a love that aboundeth in charity, large-heartedness, tolerance, and noble-striving, a love that triumphs over all obstacles, a boundless, resistless, sweeping love.
The threat to send me to the island of Fizan, far from family and friends, where my only companions would be murderers and other malefactors, also has no terror for me; from amongst those poor, ignorant children of God the Pardoner, I should lead many back to my Father's House to receive forgiveness and Peace.'
All have been created for the betterment of the world. By the life of God! The attributes of the beasts of prey befit not man. The station of man is and shall ever be mercy, love, compassion and forbearance towards all the peoples of the world.
Moreover, they must associate with all people with the utmost kindliness and conduct themselves with perfect sanctity, detachment, truthfulness and fairness, in such wise that all people may regard them as the trustees of God amongst His servants.
… Consider carefully what station the friends of God must move in, and in what atmosphere they must soar.
Therefore, we must strive with life and heart that, day by day, our deeds may be better, our conduct more beautiful and our forbearance greater. That is, to cultivate love for all the world; to attain beatific character.
Look not upon the shortcomings of creation; view with the eye of perfection. Though they be weak, ignorant, and inconstant in the Covenant and Testament, yet you must show magnanimity and kindness.
Glory be to God! Despite such insolence, we have no complaint against him, yet he complains. Still, pray for him and seek healing for him. I harbor no ill-feeling toward him and will not take offense, but will pray for him.
If someone transgresses against you personally, you should forgive them. But if they transgress against everyone, you cannot forgive everyone's right.
He must forgive, just as God forgives the sins and transgressions of his servants.
By God, O My Brother, there hath never lodged within My heart any hatred towards thee, nor towards any soul among contingent beings. Hear My words, then turn back from what thou art upon, and repair unto thy Lord in lowliness and humility.
O servant of God! In my view, all who dwell on earth are accepted - there is no outcast, no one who incurs wrath, and no one who is detested. That is, I desire fellowship and harmony with all who dwell on earth with the utmost joy and fragrance, and I turn not away from any soul.
The human world requires fellowship, and what befits humanity is forgiveness and love. These are the attributes of the pure ones and the qualities of the free.
They should never become resentful of anyone. They should overlook faults and bestow gifts and become the mercy of all worlds.
On another occasion, He spoke of the need for loving patience in the face of aggravating behavior on the part of others. "One might say, 'Well, I will endure such-and-such a person so long as he is endurable.' But Baha'is must endure people even when they are unendurable.
Your services at present are similar to the sowing of seeds by the farmer in the field. It is impossible for germination to occur immediately. Therefore, the farmer must be very patient and not become disheartened. He should continue with his work, knowing that the day will come when the harvest appears. Be certain that your pure intention will definitely yield results and divine confirmations will surely be attained.
However, antagonism and exposure of anyone is not permissible. One must exercise patience and forbearance as much as possible, perhaps God will bring about something after that.
In days of comfort every soul is in joy and delight, but in days of hardship one must possess joy and delight and be patient and grateful, as it is said: "We shall surely test you with something of fear and hunger and loss of wealth and lives and fruits," and then it says "give glad tidings to the patient ones." Days of ease have passed and days of hardship will also pass, so patience and forbearance and trust are necessary.
It is incumbent on thee to have abundant patience and endurance in every difficult matter! Patience is one of the Gifts of God, and always is of the attributes of the Chosen Ones and the quality of the Pious.
Therefore, it is incumbent to be patient and long-suffering.
Be patient and forbearing and treat them with great love and kindness.
Consider what trials and tribulations the followers of Christ endured from the people, and what persecution they suffered. But since they had pure intentions and were calling people to the Kingdom, those who had spoken ill of them ultimately became remorseful and sought forgiveness and pardon.
You must now act with the utmost patience and composure, and show love and kindness.
Therefore it is better that you become a contented and pleasing soul and remain assured, so that you may join the company of those leaves who are as mountains of patience and oceans of forbearance, who are pure acceptance and abundantly blessed from the sea of contentment.
Please convey to the pure and holy leaf, the mother who has ascended unto God, from this servant, the most wondrous and glorious greetings, and say that through the boundless grace of the Ancient Beauty, the hope is that in such circumstances you will be like the vast ocean, calm and settled and established, and like the firm mountain follow the examples of the manifestations of patience and tranquility and the dawning-places of contentment.
O composer of wondrous verses! Indeed, the vision was founded upon patience and forbearance in all matters and conditions. The Herald gave you patience and brought you glad tidings of a boundless reward.
We make mention in this station of a mother who circumambulated the Throne and her sister, and We counsel them to patience and perseverance, and We beseech God the Exalted to grant them success and ordain for them the good of this world and the next.
Details were submitted and He said:
O Rida! Has your ear not attained to the blessed word "Give glad tidings to the patient ones"? Have you not found and perceived the sweetness of patience and forbearance in the path of the Peerless Friend? He says "and the patient in adversity and affliction and in time of conflict."
With a pure heart, be patient and forbearing toward the pride and arrogance of the evil divines, for eventually this bitterness will become sweet and the bitterness of this patience will become like sugar and the flames of this hellish fire will be transformed into a spring of water.
The Seal of the Prophets and Guide of all paths - may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for His sake - hath said: "O Abu Dharr! For everything there is an evidence: the evidence of intellect is contemplation, and the evidence of contemplation is silence." And likewise He hath said: "O Abu Dharr! The most excellent worship is silence." By God! In all instances of oppression and tyranny, We have shown patience and left matters to God....
For instance, God forbid, if someone were to revile thee, thou must remain grateful. By the life of God! Through silence in this station all things will speak.
We counsel thee to be forbearing. If thou shouldst hear an unseemly word from thy brother, thou must conceal it and prefer forgiveness over retribution. … In all matters, silence and quietude concerning him are most fitting and beloved.
The ocean of My patience hath held Me back from confronting them, and the mountain of My forbearance hath prevented Me from arising.
We have shown patience in adversity and tribulation, and have preferred the Will of God to all else.
When I reached this point, the Most Exalted Pen cried out saying: "O Lord of Names and Creator of heaven! I beseech Thee by Thy Most Glorious Name to permit Me to make mention and utterance, that I may describe what Thou art in the kingdom of creation." We said: "Be patient even as thy Lord was patient. Verily thy Lord is the Concealer, the Generous."
Be patient even as We were patient.
Be thou patient and hold fast unto God's cord in these days wherein most of the servants have become heedless of the remembrance of their Lord and are numbered among the negligent.
Let them leave the oppressor to God and be patient in adversities. This is the truth and the station of the people of truth, and beyond truth there is naught but error.
Turn ye not unto the world and its affairs, nor grieve on account of those who have wronged you. Turn with radiant hearts unto God, the Creator of heaven.
Be patient and be content with loss.
Tests and trials must be borne with patience and long-suffering; nay, we should offer thanks that, praise be to God, for His sake, we have been graciously made the targets of such severe afflictions, and that by reason of our love for God, we have suffered such indignities.
In brief, one must not give importance to such matters and must act with complete patience and composure. Gradually these upheavals will pass, for the conquering power of the divine Kingdom is triumphant, and the future belongs to the God-fearing.
Yet this servant would never mention this, but remained patient, discreet and content in all conditions.
Despite this, this servant is occupied with your remembrance and accustomed to writing. Consider to what degree are the hardships and difficulties.
Days will come when you will forget all these things and divine glad tidings will so encompass you that you will seek forgiveness and pardon for those cruel ones and treat them with the utmost kindness.
Treat ye then one another with kindness, overlook the faults of others, and when ye pass by frivolous sport, pass ye by with dignity and close thine eyes to shortcomings. Thus commandeth ye the Ancient Beauty in His Scriptures, Tablets and inscribed Book.
So you, O leaf, be firm and steadfast in the Cause of God and trust in God and cling to the cord of guidance and arise according to the counsels of the Chosen Beauty regarding tolerance with the heedless - either He awakens the heedless one or guides them to another world.
The Qur'an says "Those who control their anger and are forgiving toward mankind - God loveth the good-doers." This means if someone transgresses against another, the one transgressed against should be forbearing, should forgive, and should show kindness and favor.
But since you have drunk from the ocean of recognition and entered beneath the shadow of the All-Merciful, God willing, you will also attain unto "and pardon men; for God loveth those who do good," and you will become adorned with all the qualities and virtues of the people of divine unity.
Verily God forgiveth all sins.
We harbor no ill-feeling toward anyone, nor do We seek to contend or dispute with any soul. We are kind-hearted toward all beings, even toward strangers. We abhor hatred and malice, and keep far from the love of vengeance.
Through My remembrance, the ocean of forgiveness and bounty hath surged from the presence of God, the Lord of all beings and the Sovereign of the Kingdom of Names.
O Kind Bestower! Cover the errors of these destitute ones with the hem of Thy generosity, and transform the faithlessness of these bewildered ones into the essence of fidelity, reason and awareness.
When thou hearest what hath befallen My Self, say: "My God, my God! Adorn the temples of the heedless with the light of acceptance, the deniers with the ornament of recognition, and the idolaters with the radiance of unity and oneness. O my Lord! Aid them to return to the gate of Thy forgiveness.
Awaken the enemies and rouse them from their absorption in the slumber of passion, illuminate their eyes with the light of guidance, forgive them and pardon them this unpardonable sin, and make their hearts quiver with the holy breaths of Thy sanctity amongst all creation. Lord! Hold them not accountable for this grievous wrong that maketh earth and heaven to tremble, for they are ignorant ones bereft of reason and wisdom, children who have not reached maturity in this worldly life and have no knowledge of the life to come.
O Lord! Ordain for them repentance for what they have neglected in regard to Thee. Verily, Thou art the Forgiving, the Merciful.
We will pray for them and beseech God's help and favor. We hope they become successful and attain honor and glory in both worlds.
Despite this, we must pray for them with heart and soul and seek forgiveness for their crimes and sins.
Further quotations · supplied wording and references
You must not see evil as evil and then compromise with your opinion, for to treat in a smooth, kindly way one whom you consider evil or an enemy is hypocrisy, and this is not worthy or allowable. You must consider your enemies as your friends, look upon your evil-wishers as your well-wishers and treat them accordingly. Act in such a way that your heart may be free from hatred. Let not your heart be offended with anyone. If some one commits an error and wrong toward you, you must instantly forgive him.
Recognize your enemies as friends, and consider those who wish you evil as the wishers of good. You must not see evil as evil and then compromise with your opinion, for to treat in a smooth, kindly way one whom you consider evil or an enemy is hypocrisy, and this is not worthy or allowable. You must consider your enemies as your friends, look upon your evil-wishers as your well-wishers and treat them accordingly. Act in such a way that your heart may be free from hatred. Let not your heart be offended with anyone. If some one commits an error and wrong toward you, you must instantly forgive him. Do not complain of others. Refrain from reprimanding them, and if you wish to give admonition or advice, let it be offered in such a way that it will not burden the bearer.
One should forgive, under any injury. It hath been said that the continuation of the species is due to man's being forgiving.... forgiveness is holiness; and by forgiveness is it that the universe is held together.... Forgiveness is the might of the mighty; forgiveness is sacrifice; forgiveness is quiet of mind.... This world belongeth to those that are forgiving; the other world is also theirs.... Forgiveness and gentleness are the qualities of the self-possessed. They represent eternal virtue. (Mahabarata, Vana Parva, section 29)
Indeed the laws of God are like unto the ocean and the children of men as fish, did they but know it. However, in observing them one must exercise tact and wisdom... One must guide mankind to the ocean of true understanding in a spirit of love and tolerance. The Kitab-i-Aqdas itself beareth eloquent testimony to the loving providence of God.
The Baha'i youth should study the teachings on chastity and, with these in mind, should avoid any behaviour which would arouse passions which would tempt them to violate them. In deciding what acts are permissible to them in the light of these considerations the youth must use their own judgement, following the guidance of their consciences and the advice of their parents. If Baha'i youth combine such personal purity with an attitude of uncensorious forbearance towards others they will find that those who may have criticized or even mocked them will come, in time, to respect them. They will, moreover, be laying a firm foundation for future married happiness.
Perhaps the greatest test Baha'is are ever subjected to is from each other; but for the sake of the Master they should be ever ready to overlook each other's mistakes, apologize for harsh words they have uttered, forgive and forget. He strongly recommends to you this course of action.
The friends must be patient with each other and must realize that the Cause is still in its infancy and its institutions are not yet functioning perfectly. The greater the patience, the loving understanding and the forebearance the believers show towards each other and their shortcomings, the greater will be the progress of the whole Baha'i Community at large. The Guardian feels that, through attracting new souls, the Cause will outgrow its present limitations and function more efficiently.
...Baha'i communities will need to develop greater tolerance toward ideas that may not coincide with their current understanding, and remain open to new insights.
For thought and discussion