Fear usually makes a life smaller. The fear of God that Bahá’u’lláh calls true piety does the opposite: the one who fears none but God is released from fear of kings, crowds and consequences, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explains that this fear is not dread of punishment but dread of losing the Lord’s loving-kindness. It works as an inward guardian, restraining a person outwardly and inwardly where laws and reputations restrain only the surface, and Bahá’u’lláh names it the commander whose hosts are an upright character and goodly deeds. Its evidence is never private: truthfulness on the tongue, generosity in the hands, courtesy, fairness and restraint, a fortress sheltering the peoples of the world. Qur’an 2:177 describes the same righteousness in practical terms, joining belief and prayer with giving to orphans and travellers, keeping one’s word and bearing hardship patiently [1]. From here the way runs into the love of God that gives this reverence its warmth, into purity of heart and sincerity of intention, and along the spiritual path, where contentment shows what it is to trust the One you revere.
Know ye that I am afraid of none except God. In none but Him have I placed My trust; to none will I cleave but Him, and wish for naught except the thing He hath wished for Me. This, indeed, is My heart's desire, did ye but know it. I have offered up My soul and My body as a sacrifice for God, the Lord of all worlds. Whoso hath known God shall know none but Him, and he that feareth God shall be afraid of no one except Him, though the powers of the whole earth rise up and be arrayed against him.
(Bahá’u’lláh, Suriy-i-Muluk (Surih to the Kings) -- BH00021)
02
O embodiment of the word of piety! True piety is among the greatest of divine gifts, and it is the fear of God. This fear is not of punishment and chastisement, but rather the dread of being deprived of the Lord's loving-kindness. Should a person be bereft and destitute of God's favors, and deprived and veiled from the light of His grace, this punishment is assuredly greater than the fires of hell. However, this is only if one be knowing, discerning and wise; otherwise, one would accept a hundred thousand deprivations rather than consent to the slightest physical torment.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1904 ca., to Aqa Muhammad Taqi Milani -- AB08216)
03
However, dread of the penalties maketh people desist only outwardly from committing vile and contemptible deeds, while that which guardeth and restraineth man both outwardly and inwardly hath been and still is the fear of God. It is man's true protector and his spiritual guardian. It behoveth him to cleave tenaciously unto that which will lead to the appearance of this supreme bounty.
(Bahá’u’lláh, Lawh-i-Dunya (Tablet of the World), 1308 ? [1890-1891], to Mirza Siyyid Muhammad Afnan (known as Aqa Mirza Aqa Nurud-Din) -- BH00238)
04
O people of the world! Follow not the promptings of the self, for it summoneth insistently to wickedness and lust; follow, rather, Him Who is the Possessor of all created things, Who biddeth you to show forth piety, and manifest the fear of God.
… Adorn your heads with the garlands of trustworthiness and fidelity, your hearts with the attire of the fear of God, your tongues with absolute truthfulness, your bodies with the vesture of courtesy. These are in truth seemly adornings unto the temple of man, if ye be of them that reflect.
(Bahá’u’lláh, Kitab-i-Aqdas (The Most Holy Book), 1290-05-15 [1873-Jul-11] -- BH00001)
05
This Wronged One exhorteth the peoples of the world to observe tolerance and righteousness, which are two lights amidst the darkness of the world and two educators for the edification of mankind.
O My loved ones! Adorn your tongues with truthfulness, and your hands with generosity, and your bodies with dignity, and your souls with courtesy, and your hearts with My love and then with My exalted remembrance.
O concourse of divines! Adorn the head of knowledge with the crown of deeds, then with sincerity and the fear of God, and adorn its neck with the pearls of fairness, then clothe its temple with the brocade of love and the silk of justice, if you hear the call of God and act according to what you are commanded.
Lofty is the station of man, were he to hold fast to righteousness and truth and to remain firm and steadfast in the Cause. In the eyes of the All-Merciful a true man appeareth even as a firmament; its sun and moon are his sight and hearing, and his shining and resplendent character its stars. His is the loftiest station, and his influence educateth the world of being.
… Verily I say, fear of God is the greatest commander that can render the Cause of God victorious, and the hosts which best befit this commander have ever been and are an upright character and pure and goodly deeds.
(Bahá’u’lláh, Kitab-i-'Ahd (Book of the Covenant) -- BH00003)
09
The first word which the Abha Pen hath revealed and inscribed on the first leaf of Paradise is this: "Verily I say: The fear of God hath ever been a sure defence and a safe stronghold for all the peoples of the world. It is the chief cause of the protection of mankind, and the supreme instrument for its preservation. Indeed, there existeth in man a faculty which deterreth him from, and guardeth him against, whatever is unworthy and unseemly, and which is known as his sense of shame. This, however, is confined to but a few; all have not possessed, and do not possess, it.
… We have admonished Our loved ones to fear God, a fear which is the fountain-head of all goodly deeds and virtues. It is the commander of the hosts of justice in the city of Baha. Happy the man that hath entered the shadow of its luminous standard, and laid fast hold thereon.
(Bahá’u’lláh, Lawh-i-Ibn-i-Dhi'b (Epistle to the Son of the Wolf), 1308 ? [1891], to Muhammad Taqi Isfahani (son of the Wolf) -- BH00005)
10
In truth, religion is a radiant light and an impregnable stronghold for the protection and welfare of the peoples of the world, for the fear of God impelleth man to hold fast to that which is good, and shun all evil. Should the lamp of religion be obscured, chaos and confusion will ensue, and the lights of fairness and justice, of tranquillity and peace cease to shine.
Among the matters incumbent upon all today is adherence to that which instills the fear of God, for this is the cause of security and safety, and the source of comfort and mercy, as it preserves people from abhorrent deeds and unacceptable conduct.
Thus in this most great Revelation We have commanded all to triumph through the fear of God and to adorn the world with the ornament of security and tranquility.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1305-12 [1888-Aug], to Shaykh Ja'far -- BH02759)
13
Hear thou in the Persian tongue the Call of the Wronged One, and hold fast to that whereby the light of justice, equity, chastity, trustworthiness and grace may shine forth among men. This cannot be achieved except through the fear of God, and the fear of God appeareth not save through the divine religion.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1306 ? [1888-1889], to Aqa Khan -- BH00588)
14
The purpose of all they have spoken and taught was, in one respect, the preservation of human dignity and station.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1301 ? [1883-1884], to Siyyid Husayn Afnan -- BH02374)
15
Glory be to Him Who spoke this supreme word: "The beginning of wisdom is the fear of God," for the fear and awe of God restraineth man from whatsoever causeth abasement and degradation of the human station, and aideth him in that which leadeth to elevation and glory. The wise man avoideth shameful deeds, for he beholdeth punishment in their wake. The pavilion of world order is upheld upon two pillars: Reward and Punishment.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1299-02-09 [1881-Dec-31], to Mirza Ali Muhammad Yazdi (Varqa) et al -- BH00013)
16
The essence of wisdom is the fear of God, the
dread of His scourge and punishment, and the apprehension
of His justice and decree.
(Bahá’u’lláh, Asl-i-Kullu'l-Khayr (Words of Wisdom) -- BH02183)
17
Another question raised by the distinguished Sahib is the following: "There are four schools of thought in the world. One school affirmeth that all the visible worlds, from atoms to suns, constitute God Himself and that naught can be seen but Him. Another school claimeth that God is that Essence that must of necessity exist, that His Messengers are the intermediaries between Him and His creatures, and that their mission is to lead humanity unto Him. Yet another school holdeth that the stars were created by the Necessary Being, whilst all other things are their effect and outcome. These things continually appear and disappear, even as the minute creatures that are generated in a pool of water. A further school maintaineth that the Necessary Being hath fashioned Nature through whose effect and agency all things, from atoms to suns, appear and disappear without beginning or end. What need then for an account or reckoning? As the grass groweth with the coming of the rain and vanisheth thereafter, so it is with all things. If the Prophets and the kings have instituted laws and ordinances, the proponents of this school argue, this hath merely been for the sake of preserving the civil order and regulating human society. The Prophets and the kings, however, have acted in different ways: the former have said 'God hath spoken thus' that the people might submit and obey, whilst the latter have resorted to the sword and the cannon. Which of these four schools is approved in the sight of God?"
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1299-08-14 [1882-Jul-1], to Mashhadi Baqir et al -- BH00048)
18
Baha'u'llah states in the Tablet of the World: "At present, that which the nation of England adheres to in terms of law appears good outwardly, but that which in reality causes preservation and prevention has been the fear of God."
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1913-Jun-04 in Paris -- ABU1164)
19
Those who are god-fearing never commit such things and those people who are not afraid of God are most considerate lest they might jeopardize their reputation and good name and thus be degraded in the estimation of the public and bring disgrace upon themselves and upon those who are connected with them in the business world.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken at Pleiades Sylvan Bower, Alhammeh near Tiberias, 1914-May-06 -- ABU2765)
20
O seeker of divine piety! In the Qur'an it is said: "The future belongs to the God-fearing." A person of piety is one who exercises restraint.
This is the meaning of the words "The future belongs to the God-fearing."
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1896 ca., to Aqa Siyyid Taqi (Naraq) -- AB08142)
21
O seeker of divine piety! Piety is righteousness, and in the Glorious Book He saith "and the future belongeth to the God-fearing." For at all times, avoidance of dangers, trials, and harmful perils taketh precedence, while the pursuit of benefits, glad-tidings, virtues and advantages cometh after. For verily, a strong barrier against the onset of disease and protection from the assault of illness is, in truth, the very essence of health and well-being. Therefore in all conditions keep divine piety before thine eyes and hold fast to righteousness, that thou mayest remain safe and protected from the afflictions of the worlds of self and passion.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1893-Oct-07, to Muhammad Taqi Milani -- AB08141)
22
The fear of God hath ever been a sure fortress for the protection of the commanding self. It is the cause of the refinement and sanctification of one's being, both outwardly and inwardly.
(Bahá’u’lláh, to Siyyid Nasrullah Baqiruf Sadat Khams -- BH01118)
23
O thou who hath fixed thine eyes in the direction of the mercy of the Lord of Glory! Righteousness and piety are even as strong armour, an impregnable stronghold ordained by God.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1893-Oct-16, to Muhammad Salih Kirmani -- AB07611)
24
We counsel you finally to fear God. It is the shield that protects the temple of faith, a luminous lamp in darkness, a spiritual strength in weakness, an eternal helper in solitude, and an enduring companion. It is the manifest deed and the mighty, impregnable fortress. It protects man from the arrows of Satan and the spears of the rebellious. It has been and ever will be the source of mighty deeds.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1302-04-26 [1885-Feb-12], to Baha'is of Baku et al -- BH02238)
25
He should cleanse his heart from all evil passions and corrupt desires, for the fear of God is the weapon that can render him victorious, the primary instrument whereby he can achieve his purpose. The fear of God is the shield that defendeth His Cause, the buckler that enableth His people to attain to victory. It is a standard that no man can abase, a force that no power can rival. By its aid, and by the leave of Him Who is the Lord of Hosts, they that have drawn nigh unto God have been able to subdue and conquer the citadels of the hearts of men.
The hosts of God have ever been and shall ever be goodly deeds and character, and the commander of these hosts is righteousness. We counsel all to wisdom; all must hold fast unto it.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1304-04-25 [1887-Jan-21], to Ibrahim -- BH01199)
27
No host hath been or is mightier than pure deeds and radiant character, and the guardian and leader of these hosts hath ever been and shall ever be the fear of God.
And We counsel all to the fear of God. It is the opener of cities and it is the helper of truth and the succourer, and it is the protector of the friends and their helper.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1304 ? [1886-1887], to Ghulam-Rida et al -- BH02063)
29
O Ba'i, upon thee be the Glory of God! Hearken unto the counsel of God and give ear to His commandments, and convey them, saying: O friends of God! The standard of piety hath ever been victorious and triumphant. Hold ye fast unto it. Verily, He commandeth you to righteousness and piety, and forbiddeth you transgression and wickedness.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1307 ? [1889-1890], to Muhammad Husayn Khan -- BH07362)
30
Clothe thyself with the essence of righteousness, and let thine heart be afraid of none except God.
(Bahá’u’lláh, Lawh-i-Ahmad (Persian), to Ahmad -- BH00249)
31
"And he that feareth not God, God shall make him to fear all things; whereas all things fear him who feareth God."
(Bahá’u’lláh, Chihar Vadi (The Four Valleys), to Shaykh Abdur-Rahman Karkuki et al -- BH00306)
32
As to what you wrote describing the friends in that land - We bear witness to what you have witnessed, but We counsel them to fear God, your Lord and the Lord of the worlds. For through fear of God the greatness of the Cause and the sanctification of Truth have been and continue to be made manifest among creation. By My life! If anyone were to taste the sweetness of the fear of God, they would hold fast to it all their days.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1290 [1873] or earlier, to Haji Muhammad Husayn Tabib -- BH01884)
33
Today the fear of God is as a lamp, and it is the first light that hath shone forth from the horizon of the heaven of detachment, and it is the greatest and most gracious robe for the temples of His servants. Blessed is the head adorned thereby and the temple that hath attained unto it.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1306-12-24 [1889-Aug-21], to Mulla Ali Bajistani et al -- BH00045)
34
At one time this sublime Word was heard from the Tongue of Him Who is the Possessor of all being and the Lord of the throne on high and of earth below—exalted is the glory of His utterance—: Piety and detachment are even as two most great luminaries of the heaven of teaching. Blessed the one who hath attained unto this supreme station, this habitation of transcendent holiness and sublimity.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1301-01-19 [1883-Nov-20], to Muhammad Husayn Khan Ba'i Bahai et al -- BH00234)
35
Cling ye unto the fear of God in His religion. By My life! It is My garment - blessed is he who attains unto this luminous garment.
(Bahá’u’lláh, Lawh-i-Siyyid Muhammad ibn Vahid, ca. 1289-1290?, to Aqa Siyyid Muhammad son of Vahid -- BH03255)
36
No garment hath been or is more excellent for the temple of man than goodly character, and no crown better than the fear of God.
From the murmuring of the Kawthar of the Merciful's utterance, this blessed word was heard: No adornment hath ever been or will ever be more excellent for the temple of man than the fear of God, and no garment more befitting than upright character.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1302-05-29 [1885-Mar-16], to Haydar Qabl-i-Ali -- BH10142)
38
Adorn the head of acceptance with the crown of detachment and the temple of existence with the fear of God, the Almighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
(Bahá’u’lláh, to Ibn Asdaq (Hand of the Cause) -- BH09805)
39
I beseech God, exalted be His glory, to adorn all with the light of detachment and the crown of righteousness.
I testify that through your detachment the sun of detachment hath shone forth from the horizon of creation, and through your God-fearingness the light of piety hath beamed forth amidst all beings.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1307 ? [1889-1890], to Muhammad who attained -- BH03302)
41
Through piety doth the light of Baha appear - hold fast unto it, O concourse of companions!
(Bahá’u’lláh, ca. 1289-1290?, to Mulla Abdullah -- BH08581)
42
Hold fast to the handhold of godliness - verily it is the ladder unto the source of names and attributes.
Say: Take ye the fear of God with the hands of submission and contentment. Verily He is your supporter, your uplifter, your helper and your deliverer, on the part of God, your Lord and the Lord of the exalted throne.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1305-06-17 [1888-Mar-1], to Ibn-i-Abhar -- BH01097)
44
Through divine power and heavenly grace they arose to educate the souls of nations and reform the world. They recline upon the cushions of detachment and hold fast to the fear of God. Neither self nor desire prevented them from drawing nigh to the supreme horizon nor held them back from turning toward it.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1307-05-17 [1890-Jan-9], to Shaykh Muhammad Sad -- BH05735)
45
O thou who art holding fast to the sure handle of God!
The essence of guidance is the fear of God and divine awe, and this is only truly realized in human reality when the temple of being becomes adorned in all things with the ornament of sanctification and detachment, such that the heart becomes the dawning-place of the signs of divine unity, the spirit becomes the dayspring of the lights of detachment, the face becomes the mirror reflecting the beauty of the All-Merciful, and all the members become the source of the manifestation and emergence of the attributes of the Lord.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1900 or <, to Aqa Muhammad Taqi Milani -- AB10057)
46
O thou pure soul! The essence of holiness is the characteristic of righteousness, for this is the highest aspiration of such as seek the threshold of God.
Don the garments of holiness and adorn thy head with the crown of humility and lowliness before the dominion of the Lord of Hosts.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1899-Mar-16, to Lua Getsinger -- AB08989)
48
Adopt such conduct and behavior that all your movements and stillness may spread the fragrance of holiness, and may each of you shine bright like a candle in this rose garden.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1902 ca., to Mazindarani, Mulla Muhammad Sadiq et al -- AB03624)
49
Day and night He engaged in divine counsels and exhortations, guiding all to that which leads to humanity's eternal glory, so that souls might be trained to become manifestations of divine sanctification and holiness, and dawning-places of the lights of piety in the human world - even avoiding the slightest transgression, seeking freedom from the snares of self and passion, conforming all deeds and actions to the decisive divine texts, and adorning the human world with heavenly attributes, so that this world might become another world and this earthly realm might be transformed into a celestial domain.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1906-Jul-15, to Baha'is of Miyanduab -- AB02137)
50
In all gatherings and all lands, guide souls to worship and engagement in the remembrance of God, so that through these purifying waters, souls may day by day increase in purity of heart and sanctification of spirit, become manifestations of piety, and arise with what is necessary, fitting and worthy of the Day of the Covenant in terms of inner and outer purity and sanctification of spirit and heart.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1900 or <, to Abu'l-Hasan-i-Ardikani (Haji Amin) -- AB02893)
51
The heart must needs be purified with the water of the fear of God, that it may be adorned with the inscription of the blessed words "Verily I am God's."
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1306-10 [1889-May], to Aqa Husayn -- BH09945)
52
Say: We counsel thee to fear God and to remember Him - a remembrance which hath preceded all remembrance.
Remind God's servants of pure fear of God such that nothing distracts them from the remembrance of God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting.
(Bahá’u’lláh, to Haji Abbas (Harful-Ayn) -- BH07700)
54
Fear God, O servants of God, and be in God's religion sincere, upon the truth, a witness.
Verily they who fear their Lord in secret -- they were before the All-Merciful and His friends, upon the truth, by the truth, in the precincts of the Gate, pure.
(The Báb, Qayyumu'l-Asma' (Commentary on the Surah of Joseph), 1260-05 [1844-May] -- BB00002)
55
O Thou the dread of Whom hath fallen upon all things, before the splendors of Whose face the countenances of all men are downcast, at the revelations of Whose sovereignty all necks have humbly bowed, to the ruling of Whose will all hearts have been subdued, the awfulness of Whose majesty hath caused the foundations of all things to tremble, and to the power of Whose authority the winds have been subjected!
Therefore, cleave thou unto the fear of God, exalted be His mention, for He hath said: "Whoso feareth God, He will make for him a way out, and will provide for him from whence he reckoneth not; and whoso putteth his trust in God, He shall suffice him.
(The Báb, 1262 late ? [1845-1846], to a relative of the Bab -- BB00428)
57
Fear God, for the servant reaches not the holy presence save through steadfastness in this Cause, for it is the foundation from which none can escape and no deed is accepted without it.
(The Báb, Letter to an uncle of the Bab -- BB00425)
58
Whoever is God-fearing and guards against doubtful matters has built a fortress protecting against entering into prohibited things.
Repeatedly hath this blessed utterance been heard from Him: that which is, in the first place and in the primal rank, obligatory and essential for children is the teaching of the word of Divine Unity and the ordinances of God; for without these the fear of God is not attained, and in the absence thereof a myriad hateful deeds, unrecognized and unseemly, and words impure, come to be made manifest.
And at another time He said: fathers must exert their utmost endeavor in fostering the religiosity of their children; for if the children attain not, in the beginning, unto this first adornment, they will become heedless of obedience to their parents---an obedience which, in a certain station, is obedience unto God.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1301-03-17 [1884-Jan-16], to Zaynul-Muqarrabin et al -- BH01747)
60
Piety is the mother of all goodly characters, and its absence is the mother of all evil.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1915-Mar-01 in Abu Sinan -- ABU0661)
61
Hearts must possess the fear of God. Man should endeavour to avoid that which is abhorrent unto God.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1913-Apr-17 in Budapest -- ABU0914)
62
Convey to the steadfast souls and devoted handmaidens the greetings of the Wronged One, and counsel them to perform good deeds and display spiritual qualities and the fear of God, which is the head of all deeds.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1304 ? [1886-1887], to Ahmad -- BH02493)
63
We counsel thee and My loved ones unto righteousness and goodly deeds and the fear of God, and unto that which will draw thee nigh unto God, thy Lord and the Lord of all worlds.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1307? [1890], to Ibrahim Kheiralla -- BH08802)
64
Say: Adorn your heads with the turbans of the love of your Lord, the All-Merciful, the Most Compassionate. Beware lest what ye possess prevent you from God, from Whom hath appeared every wise command.
Sanctify your hearts from love of the world, then your tongues from mention of aught save Him, then your limbs from whatsoever would keep you from attaining His presence and draw you nigh unto the promptings of desire. Fear God, O people, and be of the God-fearing.
(Bahá’u’lláh, Suriy-i-Bayan, to Shaykh (Muhammad brother of Ahmad) -- BH00144)
66
Blessed is he who holdeth fast to righteousness and restraineth his soul from desire.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1297-09-19 [1880-Aug-25], to Mirza Abdullah Khan Nuri -- BH08394)
67
Say: O people, fear God with true fear, and associate not anything with Him, and call not upon any god besides God, and take not your vain desires as lords unto yourselves, if ye be aware.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1290 [1873] or earlier, to Mir Muhammad Ali in Sad -- BH03474)
68
Say: O peoples of the earth! Fear ye God and follow not your desires when the horizon of the heaven of mystical knowledge hath been illumined with the Luminary of certitude.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1298-10-12 [1881-Sep-7], to Aqa Muhammad Qasim Sahib -- BH07417)
69
Say: Fear ye God and follow not your desires. Follow Him Who mentioneth you for the sake of God, the Mighty, the Beautiful.
Say: Fear God and take hold of that which ye are commanded. It will profit you in all the worlds of His worlds and protect you from the evil of the calumniators.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1307-06-16 [1890-Feb-7], to Haji Mirza Mihdi -- BH06063)
82
Yet We counsel thee to fear the one true God and follow the guidance of the Eternal, lest heedlessness overtake thee or temporal concerns preoccupy thee.
(Bahá’u’lláh, to Siyyid Mihdi Dahaji et al -- BH05672)
83
Fear God and follow not every heedless doubter.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1299-09 [1882-Jul], to Baha'is of Qumshih -- BH05128)
84
Say: Fear God, O people, and follow not every stubborn oppressor.
Say: O people, fear ye God and cut not asunder the strength of His Cause with the swords of your idle fancies. Fear God and be God-fearing in His religion.
(Bahá’u’lláh, to Aqa Muhammad Hadi from Shin -- BH04738)
87
O people of the earth! Fear God, and follow not those who have violated God's Covenant and Testament when there came the Day which had been promised in the Books of God and inscribed in the hearts of them who are nigh unto Him.
O My loved ones! We counsel you to fear God and to manifest supreme steadfastness in this Cause whereby souls have been perturbed and idols have lamented.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1298-01 [1880-Dec], to Aqa Jan Kha A -- BH08396)
89
Glory be upon you and upon those who have held fast to the cord of godliness whereby the Cause of God has been exalted throughout all ages.
He hath commanded all to observe piety and that which will lead them to the ultimate goal, but they have turned away and objected, having followed every heedless and rejected one.
Say: O people! Fear God and oppose not Him through Whom God hath come upon the clouds and through Whom the Book hath spoken.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1298-09 [1881-Jul], to Mulla Qasim -- BH06616)
92
Say: O people! Fear ye God, and turn not away disdainfully from His Revelation. Fall prostrate on your faces before God, and celebrate His praise in the daytime and in the night season.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1290 [1873] or earlier, to Dhabih Mirza -- BH01591)
93
O concourse of divines! Fear ye God, then judge with fairness concerning this Unlettered One, to Whom testify the Books of God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. The tongue of utterance in the Kingdom of knowledge declareth: O concourse of divines! Fear ye the one true God.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1300-11 [1883-Sep], to Mashhadi Ismail -- BH04596)
94
O bondsmaid of the True One, the purified hem is soiled with the dust of the calumny of the accusers, and the lamp of the world is prevented from shedding light and illumination by the blowing of the winds of dissension.
Most strange, utterly strange, are those souls who for the sake of a moment's pleasure deprive themselves of God's good-pleasure which is the cause of eternal life and everlasting bounty. We beseech God to assist them to return and to adorn them with the ornament of fear of God.
(Bahá’u’lláh, to Haji Mirza Muhammad Ali Afnan -- BH02354)
96
We counsel all the loved ones of God to observe the fear of God and that whereby hearts and minds are concealed.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1304-12-26 [1887-Sep-15], to Haji Ali Ashgar -- BH05362)
97
Whoso cleaveth unto the fear of God, he verily is of the people of this exalted station.
Wherefore doth this Wronged One counsel thee unto the fear of God. He directeth thee unto trustworthiness and sincerity. Be characterized by this twain; embrace these two qualities.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1305 ? [1887-1888], to Hudhud wife of Ismullahul-Asdaq -- BH02573)
101
Say: O servants of the Most Merciful! The Wronged One counsels you to fear God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting, and to that whereby your station may be exalted in the world.
We send greetings to the friends of God and counsel all to fear God and to that which conduceth to the exaltation of His Word.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1305-07-01 [1888-Mar-14], to Mirza Asadu'llah -- BH09327)
103
He hath come to counsel the world and hath commanded all to observe the most great chastity and the fear of God in this momentous Announcement.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1301 ? [1883-1884], to Mirza Ali Akbar -- BH09891)
104
O thou who art mentioned before the Wronged One! I say in truth that today the cause of the exaltation and elevation of existence is the fear of God.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1307 ? [1889-1890], to Muhammad Husayn Khan -- BH11890)
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105
Question: Is the fear of God a good thing to believe in? Answer: Yes. The fear and love of God are the same: we should fear His Justice, love His Mercy. Fear alone is not enough.
(Pilgrim notes of Emeric Sala, Dec. 1937)
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106
You ask him about the fear of God: perhaps the friends do not realize that the majority of human beings need the element of fear in order to discipline their conduct? Only a relatively very highly evolved soul would always be disciplined by love alone. Fear of punishment, fear of the anger of God if we do evil, are needed to keep people's feet on the right path. Of course we should love God - but we must fear Him in the sense of a child fearing the righteous anger and chastisement of a parent; not cringe before Him as before a tyrant, but know His mercy exceeds His justice!
COC#684, LG#794 (26 Jul. 1946 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi)
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107
Praise be unto Him Who proclaimeth this Most Sublime Word: 'The beginning of wisdom is the fear of God'. For the fear of God and true piety prevent man from committing that which is the cause of humiliation and abasement, and impel him instead to hold fast to whatsoever leadeth to nobility and exaltation. A wise man, therefore, shunneth all vile and contemptible acts, inasmuch as he can foresee the retribution that shall follow.
Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Eccl. 12:13
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109
There is no piety in turning your faces toward the east or the west, but he is pious who believeth in God, and the last day, and the angels, and the Scriptures, and the prophets; who for the love of God disburseth his wealth to his kindred, and to the orphans, and the needy, and the wayfarer, and those who ask, and for ransoming; who observeth prayer, and payetgh the legal alms, and who is of those who are faithful to their engagements when they have engaged in them, and patient under ills and hardships, and in time of trouble: these are they who are just, and these are they who fear the Lord.
Qur'an 2:172
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