(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Address to the Baha'is at table at Parsons home in Washington, 1912-Apr-22 -- ABU0652)
The power of love: what brings hearts together
power of love
Editorial introduction
Guests from Persia and the farthest East sit at one table with people of the West, and no army, treaty or command brought them there. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá points to that meal as the plainest evidence of a force that founds nations and dissolves estrangement, a power stronger than reason and more durable than any throne: Napoleon ruled by oppression and his empire is gone, while Christ ruled by love and his disciples still move our hearts. Love of this kind is not softness. It is forbearance toward those weak in faith, because harshness would scatter them; it is listening to the sorrows of the oppressed; it is justice, service and the honoring of every human being. Yet it also burns, and the Sufi poets and Bahá’u’lláh’s own mystical pages speak of a plane where the intellect’s rule no longer suffices and the lover rides on without knowing the destination. Reason, moderation and the warning against excess keep intensity from becoming the only measure. Paul’s test of charity, under which eloquence, prophecy and even martyrdom count for nothing without patient, unselfish love, sharpens the same discernment [1]. The journey continues into the love of God from which all this flows, the genuine affection that alone makes teaching fruitful, and the power of faith that gives love its firmness.
Selected passages
For love for creation is love for God, and kindness to creation is service to God.
Pray and strive with heart and soul that you may become the cause of love among humanity, that you may become the cause of justice, that you may become the cause of unity between East and West, that you may become the cause - God willing - that religious prejudice, racial prejudice, and political prejudice may vanish, that the world may find rest and comfort.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken at home of Mrs. Gastea in Paris, 1911-Nov-26 -- ABU0113)
As to my being forbearing with some souls who are weak in faith, this springs from the Most Great Kindness, for "hadst thou been harsh and hard-hearted, they would have dispersed from around thee."
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1919-Apr-25, to Zia M Bagdadi -- AB00306)
It is natural that if a person listens to the tale of trials and sorrows of an oppressed soul his heart will be melted with grief, if he hears the songs and melodies of a real singer his spirit is transported with joy and ecstasy; if he hearkens to the woes and sufferings of a lover his tender sympathy will be manifested and if he consorts with a person who is set aglow with the Fire of the Love of God he will be drawn toward the beauty of the Beloved.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to some friends, spoken on 1915-Mar-28 -- ABU1281)
Accordingly, exert thyself in heart and soul so that thou mayest become a servant in this Divine Garden and be the cause of honoring and exalting the world of humanity.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1906-Jul-14, to Frances Henry French -- AB05742)
It is Love that establishes communication between the hearts of men. It is Love that confers eternal life. It is Love that bestows unfailing joy. If real Love appears in the heart of man, he will attract all the virtues. Love is the divine power which causes the ascension of man to all the heavenly stations.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken at Rue St. Didier 30 in Paris, 1913-Feb-11 -- ABU2256)
But consider this: the one who was a foreigner and alien, because of his love, became a confidant and a Companion, but the latter, though kith and kin, because of heedlessness, became alienated and estranged.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1901 or <, to Aqa Salman -- AB09478)
Reflect on the divine forces. What has assembled us together? It is not a material but a spiritual force which has created this bond between our hearts, this attraction and affection for one another, -- a power stronger than reason, a power which founds nations, creates human unity and makes us renounce the world to discover sciences and organize laws which work through all creatures.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá -- ABU1586)
The organizer of earthly sovereignty is a domineering, subjugating power, while the organizer of the Eternal Sovereignty is the Love Power.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Ida Finch and Fanny and Alma Knobloch, spoken on 1908-Nov-12 -- ABU1701)
Now, this insistence and greed they have for military equipment, and these thoughts they employ in expanding the science of warfare--if this striving and endeavor, this resolve and contemplation were to be spent instead on love between human beings, the connection between nations and peoples, and the unity of races, would this not be better?
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Talk on the world war, given around Sept. 1914 -- ABU0135)
Napoleon established his kingdom through the power of oppression while Christ established His through the power of the love of God.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Saichiro Fujita, spoken at True home on 1912-Sep-12 -- ABU1487)
Consider our present state and the condition of the disciples of Jesus Christ: When we remember them we are touched and moved by their love; when we think of Abraham we are touched by his love; it is this power of love that connects us with Abraham of old, with the past.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to George Winterburn et al, spoken on 1904-Feb-06 -- ABU1866)
I said:
If the power of Love and Peace become predominant and supreme, their effects will be greater than the power of hate and Mars, the god of war. In the world of existence there is no power as efficacious and as penetrative as the Power of Love.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1914-Aug-06 -- ABU0099)
Verily the Spirit through which the temple of the contingent world shall be quickened in this time is indeed the founder of peace, the spirit of affinity and the light of love. This is that whereby this being of existence shall evolve and develop and the world of humanity be adorned with the raiment of glory and honor.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1915 or <, to Charles Mason Remey -- AB07040)
O ember kindled by the fire of divine love! Such must be its intensity and heat that it will set the world aflame and burn away the veils that shroud the peoples. Let it cast its flames toward the East, causing noble souls to hasten to the field of sacrifice, and let it flash toward the West, creating mighty movements throughout that region.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1905 ca., to Ali Akbar Khan -- AB03910)
He has come from the East and all spiritual souls of the West pray that He may promote spiritual teachings, universal brotherhood and the power of love in the world, for only this spiritual power of love can unite East and West.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá -- ABU1127)
Therefore one must strive with all one's being and drink such a cup of the wine of the love of God that it creates a commotion in the world and bestows intoxication upon the world of humanity until East and West are set in motion and, through divine grace and bounty, are brought to ecstasy and rapture.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1906-Jul-25, to Lua Getsinger -- AB02258)
In truth, love is a wondrous essence - its will floweth more freely than the will of all who dwell on earth, and its influence is more potent than the authority of kings. Its effects are manifest and its power evident. Great is He Who created it and through it made firm the connection of the world.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1303-02 [1885-Nov], to Haji Mirza Muhammad Afnan -- BH00955)
This kind of love is the fruit of consummate reason, for the firmer the foundation of reason and knowledge, the greater the heights that the lofty palace of love will reach:
Should he of reason not lay eyes upon that fair and charming face,
How could he turn toward the prize and look upon the lover's place?
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1913-Jun-01 in Paris -- ABU3732)
(Bahá’u’lláh, Chihar Vadi (The Four Valleys), to Shaykh Abdur-Rahman Karkuki et al -- BH00306)
Praise be to God! The blessing of love, which is accounted among the greatest of divine bestowals, exists - the world is ablaze with its fire and illumined by its light. When in equilibrium, it is the spirit animating all created things, but if it exceeds its bounds in the slightest degree, it brings destruction and obliteration.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1303 ? [1885-1886], to Aqa Mirza Ali Muhammad -- BH00615)
Love gilds every object upon which we project it, and its sheen is reflected back in rays of golden light.
Love thinketh no evil. By projecting thoughts only of good, we create a harmonious environment.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Laura Clifford Barney (?) spoken around 1906 (?) -- ABU0190)
Say: Who hath created the heavens and the earth and whatsoever lieth between them, if ye have knowledge? Say: God createth what He willeth through His command, and He is the Mighty, the Best-Beloved. Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and of the earth and of whatsoever lieth between them, the Lord of all the worlds. Glorified be He in Whose grasp is the kingdom of the glory of the heavens and of the earth and of whatsoever lieth between them, and He is the Creator, the Inaccessible.
(The Báb, Kitab-i-Jaza' (Book of the Reckoning), 1264-05-05 ca. (Chihriq) [1848-Apr-9], to Mulla Husayn, Quddus, 'Abdu'l-Vahhab, Aba 'Ali, Hasan, 'Azim, Yahya and others -- BB00004)
Love accomplishes strange and mighty works. Pure intention, pure deeds, the manifestations of detachment and its various aspects -- all of these emanate from this source, that is to say, from love, and become manifest, evident and visible....
(Bahá’u’lláh, Tablet to Varqa I, 1303-01-19 [1885-Oct-28], to Mirza Ali Muhammad Yazdi (Varqa) et al -- BH00023)
After presenting this matter, they said: "By My life, he has spoken truly, for love is the sweet water of mercy for the friends, the ocean of grace for the thirsty, the light of knowledge for the seekers, everlasting life for the sincere ones, the spray of the ocean of reunion for the longing ones, and the melody of the bird of faithfulness -- nay rather, the rapturous song of nearness and meeting -- for the lovers."
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1301-06-17 ? [1884-Apr-14], to Mirza Husayn Mishkin Qalam -- BH00825)
O friends! Like a boundless ocean, raise ye the waves of love, that the flotsam of enmity and cruelty may be cast out from this sea of fidelity, and the face of this ocean may become mirror-like, revealing the beauty of its bounty and the loftiness of its virtues.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Amidul-Atibba, Aqa Mirza Yahya Kalimi et al -- AB02150)
O servant of Baha! Sow a seed that will grow into a plant of love and faithfulness and adorn the rose garden of love and purity. Let the fountain of truthfulness gush forth and pass around the honey-filled cup of peace.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Urmuzdyar Rustam -- AB05556)
By My life! Should the lamp of any heart be lit with the love of God, from it would be kindled the hearts of all creation. This, verily, is a manifest truth.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1290 [1873] or earlier, to Haji Mulla Mihdi Yazdi father of Varqa -- BH03689)
Therefore, the righteous people are spiritual educators and trainers, and their effective power is love. Love is the real magnet which attracts the hearts and souls of men, and consequently the purpose of the manifestations of God is to radiate the light of love from their hearts.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Will and Wendell Dodge, spoken on 1901-Nov-19 -- ABU0691)
Man, while in this life, should endeavour to learn of the Throne of God, to serve the Holy Threshold, to seek knowledge of the other World, to soar to the Realm beyond, to become of the Kingdom--heavenly, spiritual, illumined--and to attain a temperament like unto the rose in the garden, making fragrance to the world.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1905 -- AB10795)
The light of the world is the love of God.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Laura Dreyfus-Barney -- AB03860)
Praise be to God, this century is a glorious century; may love increase every day; may it strike fire to light the candle in the darkness, like a gift and mercy of God.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken in Sep. 1911 in London -- ABU2285)
In the world of existence there is no power as efficacious and as penetrative as the power of love.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá -- ABU3348)
God willing, thou must manifest such enkindlement that through the fire of thy love the hearts and minds of the people and the souls of the servants may turn toward the Beloved.
(Bahá’u’lláh, ca. 1289-1290?, to Mustafa -- BH06478)
The higher the flame of the fire of the Love of God in the heart, the more eloquent and fluent becomes the tongue.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to departing pilgrims, spoken on 1915-Apr-26 -- ABU1793)
Kindle the fire of the love of God in the hearts of the pure ones, and sing and trill with most wondrous melodies in the gardens of the Most Glorious Paradise.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1898-Jan-16, to Hand of the Cause Ali Muhammad Ibn Asdaq -- AB04542)
O friend! The cause of motion is heat, and the cause of ascension is lightness. God willing, the fire of the love of God which is deposited in thy verses will become the cause of ascension and the reason for motion, and will unite the friends with the friends.
(Bahá’u’lláh, to Muhammad Baqir Qahvihchi -- BH11852)
From the letter 'Ha' of this word, the fire of divine love surges in the breasts and hearts of the believers in unity, the near ones, and the sincere ones.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1302-10-26 [1885-Aug-8], to Shaykh Muhammad Ali (Nabil son of Nabil) -- BH00944)
Thou must, God willing, become so enkindled with the fire of divine love that its effects will be manifest throughout all contingent being, and lethargy and coldness shall never seize thee.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1290-11-13 [1874-Jan-2], to Haydar Khi -- BH06203)
Among these is attraction, and among these is enkindlement and combustion with the fire of the love of God. Thereby lethargy is transformed into warmth, and coldness into the flame of the fire of oneness.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1898 ca., to Kaffash Yazdi, Haji Ahmad et al -- AB08907)
The Fire of the Love of God is like unto the lightening which strikes upon the head of nature, emasculating it of its virility and leaving it fallen on the ground - a lifeless corpse. Consequently the greatest Power in the World of existence is the "Love of God"...
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1914-Aug-17 -- AB04595)
And if a holy fire, sanctified from the divine Tree, free from flame and smoke, appears in a breast, no other cause for existence would be considered. Thus has the time of causation been completed, if you would but witness the Causer in the garment of holiness.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1290 [1873] or earlier -- BH11853)
We beseech God that the fires of divine love may so blaze in Faran as to set the world aflame and illumine the universe, burn away every veil and curtain, and cause its heat to reach the Concourse on High and its flames to extend to the Most Glorious Kingdom.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Baha'is of Faran -- AB11383)
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.
… Hast thou love? Then thy power is irresistible. Hast thou sympathy? Then all the stars will sing thy praise!
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to a Christian minister, spoken on 1914-Jun-09 -- ABU2326)
From the intensity of love, the rational became mad, and the mystics became strangers to heart and soul. … The fire of the love of God blazed so intensely that it consumed everything other than the Friend, from marrow to skin, and the luminous candle of manifestation was kindled from all directions.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1894 ca., to Spiritual Assembly of Baghistan -- AB02716)
The illumination of the world is from the light of love, else darkness would seize and destroy all. It is the primary director in the world. Glory be to God - it is the source of two opposites, namely death and life.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1305 ? [1887-1888], to Siyyid Ali Afnan son of Afnan Kabir -- BH02111)
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1912-May-14, to Edwin Fisher -- AB03123)
However that beloved does not acknowledge or admit to the hardship, for every burden has been and is made light through love. It is love that has opened paths and unlocked doors. In an instant it traverses the East and West of the world. It is the sign of the Ancient among nations.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1301-10-10 [1884-Aug-3], to Haji Siyyid Javad Yazdi -- BH02249)
Although the day is cold for me to go out, yet I have come to see you. For the lover there are no difficulties; all is easy. For love I have journeyed to London.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken at Mrs Jack's Unity Meeting, 1911-Sep-22 -- ABU1600)
Abdu'l-Baha:
When love obtains a man can travel one hundred thousand miles without fatigue and enjoy it. Love renders the bitter sweet. Love renders fatigue as rest. When man exercises the power of love he is very joyful, he will obtain spiritual susceptibilities. The bounty of love is the greatest bestowal of God.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Mr. McCarthy, spoken on 1912-Oct-06 -- ABU2122)
I have come from afar, although in the pathway of love this point is near, for love makes the distance short. … Then I should have been much happier, for in the pathway of true love every difficulty is mercy, every hardship is easy, and every catastrophe is a blessing.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1912-Oct-05 in San Francisco -- ABU1731)
Had they properly acted upon what was mentioned before, they would surely have been enkindled with the fire of God's love in such wise that the effects of its heat would have endured eternally in the world.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1296 ? [1878-1879], to Aqa Siyyid Ismail Alif Zi -- BH02842)
The love of God is life-giving and brings rapture and ecstasy, longing and joy.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1904 ca., to Jahrumi, Muhammad Sharif et al -- AB01082)
But when the hosts of the love of God conquer the realm of hearts, spiritual delight results and the joy of conscience appears.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1904 ca., to Mashhadi Fathullah Abdu'llah-Uf Bunabi -- AB11888)
We beseech Him that He may, through the fragrances of the Abha rose-garden, increase their spirit and joy at all times, and so enkindle them that the flame of the fire of love may reach to the zenith of the Concourse on High.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1903-Jun-11, to Mudabbir, Liqaiyyih Asdaq et al -- AB07192)
In any case, if you knew how cherished you are because of your servitude to the Sacred Threshold and service to the Blessed Cause, you would surely take up an overflowing cup and become intoxicated with the wine of the love of God, singing such a melody that would set tree and stone and clod into motion.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1907-Dec-20, to Ali Muhammad Sarrishtihdar -- AB02125)
That which you wrote has reached me and I have become aware of what has shone forth from your love. May God reward you for what you have done in God's religion and what you seek in God's path. By Him Who holds my soul in His hand, those who drink from the cup of love are secure, while those who turn away from the command of divine authority are the lost.
(The Báb, Letter to the great uncle, 1262-12-07 (Isfahan) [1846-Nov-26], to Siyyid Yahya Darabi -- BB00489)
Behold what a power this is - a power that compels people to sacrifice themselves for each other, and brings them to a station where they demonstrate such love!...
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken at dinner hosted by a Rajput prince in London, 1913-Jan-19 -- ABU3113)
O servant of God! Through the power of God's love the weak become mighty, the poor become rich, the little bird becomes a great eagle soaring on the ethereal wave, the tiny plant grows into a great palm tree.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1909 or < -- AB07820)
Say, the Truth proclaimeth; By God! No created thing having His love can ever be harmed. Verily, He is the Spring that floweth from the well-spring of a Name that is great indeed. Whosoever drinketh therefrom shall fear no one, and heaven and earth cannot withstand him.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1290 [1873] or earlier, to Mirza Fath-Ali Fath-i-Azam -- BH02265)
This is what it means to have a body of brass - that if all horizons gather together they cannot cause harm, for the love of God is an impregnable fortress and a mighty citadel.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1909-Apr-28, to Isfandiyar Bihmard -- AB06690)
By God! Whosoever hath the love of this Youth in his heart, God shall verily render him victorious over all who dwell upon earth and heaven, and verily God shall be the witness thereof. He shall walk upon water as he waketh upon the earth, and shall soar in the realm of the Spirit in the limitless expanse of heaven.
(Bahá’u’lláh, to Haji Hasan -- BH02323)
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1919-Jul-30, to Baha'is of Batum -- AB01143)
And I beseech His ancient grace and all-encompassing favor to kindle such a fire of love in your hearts and souls that, like His lowly servant 'Abdu'l-Baha, you may set the world ablaze with its flame and make steadfast and firm every wavering soul.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Aqa Ghulam-Ali et al -- AB08092)
By Him Who hath caused all things to speak forth His praise! Should anyone stand firm in My love and detach himself from all else but Me, he would, through one of My names, gain ascendancy over all who dwell on earth.
(Bahá’u’lláh, to Mulla Hasan -- BH04387)
Therefore, O servant of the Intended Lord, let no obstacle prevent you from mentioning the Praised Beauty, and let no barrier deprive you from the fragrances of these days.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Mirza Abdu'l-Husayn -- AB05784)
O maid-servant of God! Ignite the fire of love in the hearts which are remiss of the mention of God that they may become awakened by the breath of God, and quickened by His Spirit in this Great Day.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1903 ca., to Louise Herman -- AB07024)
Verily, We make mention of him who hath turned unto God that the warmth of His love may be kindled in his heart in such wise that the opposition of the opposers shall not quench it, and that he may aid his Lord through the swords of wisdom and utterance.
(Bahá’u’lláh -- BH11655)
Further quotations · supplied wording and references
...the lover seated within the heart is better than sagacity in motion.
(From a Tablet of Abdu'l-Baha, in B. Nakhjavani, Four on an Island, p. 67)
Continue exploring
For thought and discussion
Questions to carry forward
- What does the shared meal reveal about a kind of power that commands and force cannot produce?
- How do kindness toward weak faith, listening, justice, and service make love observable?
- What different work do the images of fire, ocean, wine, light, and a fortress do in these passages?
- How can the discussions of reason, equilibrium, and excess deepen an understanding of intense devotion?
- What does Paul’s test of charity suggest about evaluating impressive words, gifts, or sacrifices?
- Where might love change the way a difficult relationship or a shared undertaking is approached, without ignoring the responsibilities involved?