My counsel to you is: Never let the candle of your heart become extinct. Strive to increase its light. Add to it the oil of wisdom. Illumine every one with its rays.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to the friends, spoken on 1915-May-02 -- ABU2349)
A source of light: wisdom made visible in service
being a source of light; guidance
Editorial introduction
A candle burns on what it is fed, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá tells us the candle of the heart is fed with wisdom. Becoming a source of light is therefore not a matter of charm or temperament but the slow work of nourishing something inward until it cannot help but shine outward, as a refuge for the helpless, a cure for the ailing, a bringer of joy to someone else’s heart. Bahá’u’lláh asks His friends to be lamps unto a darkened world, and the lamp is known by its effects: trustworthiness that guides people, deeds that persuade where words cannot, patience with those slow to understand. Matthew’s lamp that lights the whole house and lets good works be seen is an older echo of the same conviction. From here the journey opens into service to others, into the golden rule and the care never to sadden another soul, and inward again along the spiritual path, where a person learns to tell guidance from mere desire through effort, intelligence, prayer and consultation.
Selected passages
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1905-Apr-15, to Spiritual Assembly of Chicago, IL -- AB01432)
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1907-Jun-16, to Baha'is of Kirmanshah -- AB00104)
The blessings of GOD were bestowed upon us, not for our own selfish gratification, but that we should make use of them for the benefit of others.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Kathryn Rogers(?) spoken in 1900 -- ABU2015)
For example, if today a soul becomes successful in trustworthiness and manifests praiseworthy qualities and virtues, this will surely become the cause of guidance for people.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1298-09 [1881-Jul], to Abu'l-Qasim -- BH07536)
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Address to the Baha'is at Kinney home in New York, 1912-Dec-02 -- ABU1122)
Of the supper of the Lord they have had their full share, is not mankind hungry? In the chambers of their hearts they have set aglow the light of Guidance, are not men in error? In the garden of their minds they have planted the trees of the knowledge of God, will they not produce fruits? In the blue heaven of their consciences they have studied luminous stars of inspiration, will they not direct the wandering steps of the weary travelers in the sandy desert of heedlessness?
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to some friends, spoken on 1915-May-06 -- ABU2180)
O thou maid-servant of God! The utmost desire of the lordly ones is the union of the friends, the agreement of the believers and the spiritual communication of the hearts; in order that they may shine in this darkened world like unto bright stars; educate all the communities of the world in the precepts of love; be kind and benevolent to every one, sympathetic and compassionate to all; to become the cool and pure water to every thirsty one, a heavenly table to every hungry one, a swift healing antidote to every sick one and the cause of the everlasting glory to every humiliated one.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1906-Dec-13, to Juliet Thompson -- AB02575)
I hope that you will ever strive for the good of all humanity and render outstanding service to mankind, that you will endure every hardship and difficulty in this path, and that you will succeed in manifesting such character and conduct and speech that you may become a luminous lamp in the assemblage of humanity.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1911-Mar ca., to Isabel Grinevskaya -- AB03415)
O ye who are firm in the Testament and the Covenant!
I supplicate to God that He may cause ye to become two lamps resplendent with the Light of the Love of God and Two shining stars at the Horizon of the Knowledge of God; that the lights of Guidance may radiate from ye upon all men for the realization of the oneness of mankind among all people, that the standard of the Most Great Peace may be raised high among men and full understanding among races and religions and amity and affection may be realized in the human world.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1919-Jan-30, to Goodall, Helen S et al -- AB03823)
From one side there threatens the darkness of ignorance; from another side black enmity is visible; from the other side we hear of war and rumors of war. We must, like a candle, shine with the light of Baha'u'llah, in order that through your efforts this darkness may be dispelled. The light of the love of God can illumine the East and the West.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1913-Apr-01 in Stuttgart -- ABU1152)
O friends! Be as lamps unto the darkened world and as light unto its gloom.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1298 ? [1880-1881], to Abdullah -- BH08563)
He said:
"The light is of four kinds: first, the light of the sun. It reveals objects to our perception, but cannot itself realize them. Second, the light of the eye. It can realize objects, but cannot understand them. Third, the light of wisdom. This both realizes and understand objects. Fourth, the Light of Guidance. This is the Supreme Light, the conscious Reality which comprehends mysteries."
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Louis Gregory, spoken on 1911-Apr-30 -- ABU3447)
O thou who art confirmed by Divine guidance! There are several kinds of guidance. There is guidance by the tongue, which consists in acknowledging and recognizing the oneness of the Beauty of the All-Merciful and in the heart's admission and certitude, which is a bounty from the Lord God. But complete bounty and perfect guidance consist in the radiant lights of the Sun of Truth encompassing the wayfarer from all directions of his being and essence.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1893 ca., to Mirza Mihdi -- AB08245)
For guidance is the medicine of the spirit and the cause of spiritual victories - it is healing for the soul and a remedy of joy and delight for the heart. When wisdom shines with spiritual radiance it becomes guidance, and when its lights beam upon the body it becomes medicine.
Therefore, one who combines these two qualities and possesses these two virtues - which in essence are one reality but appear as two realities in relation to the spiritual and physical worlds - is a perfect person.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Mirza Hidayat -- AB06886)
GOD did not create any evil thing. GOD did not create man poor. Poverty is only the lack of riches. Guidance is the Gift of GOD, and if a person is deprived of it, he will be misled, but he is not misled by GOD, it is only the lack of the Gift of Guidance.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Breakwell, Hopper, Brittingham, spoken around 1901-Sep-04 -- ABU2521)
The favors of the Lord are manifold; but the bounty of guidance is a matchless one, incomparable to all other bounties. It is the source of all good, and it repels all harm; it attracteth the invisible bountiful gifts of God.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Maryam wife of Muhammad Ali -- AB06847)
At all times there can be heard from all things that which is the prime cause for the guidance of the peoples and the supreme means for the salvation of all.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1307 ? [1889-1890], to Abdu'l-Baqi who has attained -- BH06038)
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1906-Oct-16, to Amelia A Helbig -- AB05295)
Verily He is the Glory of God unto all who are in the kingdom of command and creation, and the Lamp of Guidance unto all who are in the heavens and on earth.
(Bahá’u’lláh, Seal of Baha'u'llah 06 -- BH11475)
He hath made it the Lamp of Guidance amongst all created things and the Light of Salvation unto all who dwell within the realm of possibility.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1291-09-09 [1874-Oct-20], to Hasan Khan Bayk -- BH08230)
Say: O people of the earth! The Sun of certitude hath risen, and the Ocean of knowledge surgeth, and the heaven of grace is uplifted. Cast away what ye possess, then turn toward the Most Sublime Horizon - the Station wherein the Lord of Names proclaimeth: "There is none other God but Me, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise."
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1299-01-22 [1881-Dec-14], to Muhammad Ismail -- BH08870)
Behold this Revelation and what appeareth from it with His eye, that ye may be illumined by the light of His countenance and that Our heedless servants may be enlightened through you.
(Bahá’u’lláh, to Mirza Nazar Ali -- BH02442)
Verily it guides the servants to the straight path and preserves them from every wicked oppressor, and gives them to drink of the Kawthar of inner meanings and Tasnim, and draws them near to God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1307 ? [1889-1890], to Zaynul-Abidin -- BH04518)
He hath taught mankind the way of prosperity and made known unto them that which profiteth them, and guided them to His extended path.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1304-10-14 [1887-Jul-6], to Aqa Ali -- BH06730)
Fix your gaze upon and hold fast to this blessed word which is like a lamp in the darkness of the world.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1299-09 [1882-Jul] -- BH09335)
It shows the way and brings seekers to their quest and pursuers to their goal. It is the protector, the helper and the assistant.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1306 ? [1888-1889] -- BH11402)
Praise be to God Who, through His all-encompassing mercy, guided His servants from the west of error to the east of guidance and caused them to attain from the darkness of doubt to the dawn of certitude. Therefore, blessed is the one who was illumined by this true dawn, and deprived is the soul who remained bereft and destitute.
(Bahá’u’lláh -- BH09978)
They who in these days have remained heedless of Him are in manifest error, while they who have been guided by the light of His countenance are upon a straight path.
(Bahá’u’lláh -- BH06306)
We have guided the people to the Most Great Path - among them are those who have turned towards it and those who have turned away.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1294 ? [1876-1877], to Turab Khan -- BH10267)
They who have believed and been guided by God's guidance - these are they who are truly guided. And they who have disbelieved and turned away - these shall be brought forth in the fire. Thus hath it been ordained for this one and that, could ye but perceive with the eye of the spirit in all things.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1290 [1873] or earlier -- BH11774)
Glory be upon thee and upon him who hath been guided and found the right path, and fire be upon him who hath disbelieved and gone astray.
(Bahá’u’lláh, to Muhammad Kazim -- BH06774)
Guidance hath been distinguished from error, yet the people, in their drunkenness, remain blind.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1897 or < -- AB04193)
Therefore the people of the world seek truth in the realm of contingent existence rather than at the center. And when they find it not, they become captive to weariness and companion to woe.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Mirza Muhammad Tabib -- AB05153)
And thou, beseech God that He leave thee not to thyself, that thou mayest remain steadfast in thy love and be of them that return unto God Who created thee and guided thee and made thee to be of the guided ones.
(Bahá’u’lláh, to Haji Majid in Baghdad -- BH06948)
Praise be to the Goal of the world that He guided thee and directed thee to the straight path. Thou hast heard what Moses heard upon the Mount.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1304-11-12 [1887-Aug-2], to Hakim Rahim -- BH07946)
Hearken in the Persian tongue: Give thanks unto the Purpose of the world and the Sovereign of nations Who hath confirmed thee and guided thee. … Verily He created thee and revealed thee and guided thee.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1303-06-24 [1886-Mar-30], to Amanullah -- BH08501)
O thou who art thirsty for truth! Praise be to God that the light of guidance hath shone forth and illumined the court of the heart. This was a gift from the Lord of Hosts that the divine call reached the ear of the soul and the message of the Kingdom was heard.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1913-Nov-19, to Gustav Leinenweber -- AB05592)
Thanks be to God for having guided thee and proffered the cup of bestowal and sent down the heavenly table, of which whosoever partaketh shall never die.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1901 ca., to Evelyn Graham -- AB08364)
He will verily assist thee through His grace, and He is the Mighty, the Powerful.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1296 ? [1878-1879], to Mirza Abu'l-Fadl Gulpaygani -- BH02803)
O sign of the divine favor! Divine grace must become a heavenly radiance, meaning that in all conditions and qualities it must tell the story of illumination, so that it may become a bright candle in the gathering of the horizons and a light for the assembly of concord - and that is to acquire the characteristics of the Lord of Creation, the Absolute.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Aqa Lutfullah -- AB10838)
O illumined leaf! Your name is Light, and God willing, your face and character will be the light of God - that is to say, from your countenance will shine forth the light of guidance and from your nature and character will be diffused the fragrance of loving-kindness.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to wife of Inayatullah Diya -- AB09596)
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá -- AB12027)
Therefore, adopt such a way and manner of conduct that thou mayest become the cause of guidance to others.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1903 ca., to Baqir Mahir et al -- AB09319)
(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)
O true friends! The time has come for you to dedicate your moments to witnessing the divine effulgence and to walk and conduct yourselves according to the divine counsels and exhortations, that you may become the cause of awakening others and reminding the heedless ones.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1906-Jul-05, to Baha'is of Sanandaj -- AB01427)
Become adorned with these attributes so that you may become illumined candles for the human world and divine stars for this dark world.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1901 or <, to Qaini, Ahmad son of Nabil-i-Qain -- AB02361)
Adorn thyself with the characteristics of the spiritual ones and acquire the attributes of the cherubim, that the light of reality and the rays of divine knowledge may become manifest from thy countenance and the signs of bounty may shine forth.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Muhammad Sadiq Nazir -- AB10619)
O manifestation of the knowledge of creation! The world is full of loss and deprivation and failure, its end is endless regret, unless one becomes a blessed person who abandons childish pastimes and engages with the realities of the wisdom of the All-Merciful, becomes an illuminating candle to the world of humanity and a fragrant musk to the gardens of divine unity. And upon thee be greetings and praise.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Aqa Muhammad Mihdi Chamgurdani -- AB10586)
Man must so adorn himself with good attributes, attractions and divine characteristics that he may become the cause of the illumination of the world of humanity; otherwise his life will be a burden on him.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to some Arab Baha'is, spoken on board the SS Baron Call at sea, 1913-Dec-03 -- ABU2851)
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to the Baha'is, spoken at Kinney home on 1912-Dec-02 -- ABU0596)
Give thanks to God that you have found the straight path, and if you walk according to it, you will find your way to the mystery of truth and become a source of illumination to the human world. You will become pure goodness and a divine mercy for humankind.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1920-Aug-10, to Adarbad Blimuria -- AB05117)
Arise and fulfil the admonitions of the Abha Beauty and follow the path of His counsels so that the glancing beams of thy spirit might illumine the world of humanity and thou mayest guide other souls, and may grow to be a fruit-laden tree in the garden of the All Glorious.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1908-Jul-02, to Mrs Cundall -- AB04656)
I beseech God to make you a candle for that gathering so that the light of knowledge may emanate from you and that you may be assisted in acting according to the meanings of the Hidden Words.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1918-Dec-14, to J E Esslemont -- AB04975)
Purify and sanctify the heart so that the luminosity of the Word of God may shine forth within it, and engage in such deeds and actions as will cause the awakening and education of souls.
… Therefore strive with your souls, take no rest, engage in service at the Sacred Threshold - and that is teaching the Cause of God and educating souls.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1919-Nov-08, to Womens Teaching Commitee in Tihran et al -- AB03496)
I hope that like this mirror you will make hearts pure and clean and sanctified so that they may reflect the lights of the perfections and bounties of the Sun of Truth.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1913-Jan-18 in London -- ABU2551)
Strive thou to become a sign of guidance and a mirror of the Concourse on High.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1899 ca., to Lotfullah Mowhibat -- AB09224)
O illumined candle! You have kindled a countenance of supreme beauty and grace.
… As long as the dust of servitude at the Sacred Threshold adorns face and hair, the radiance of beauty emanates brilliantly from human features.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1910-May-17?, to Tarazullah Samandari -- AB08773)
Therefore, whosoever in these divine days hath turned toward the Most Holy and Most Glorious Horizon must not become saddened by the transient occurrences of this mortal world, and must at all times be attracted and enraptured by the praise of the Beloved Lord, in such wise that the people of the earth may perceive and recognize from him the warmth of divine love.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1290 [1873] or earlier, to Zahra Nahri -- BH08131)
Melt away the darkening clouds of the world through the heat of His remembrance and walk in the expansive atmosphere of His will, in such wise that each of the handmaidens may witness in thee the signs of the love of God.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1290 [1873] or earlier, to Sultan Khanum -- BH08132)
Be baptized by the fire of the love of God and by the spirit of the knowledge of God, in order that thou mayest become characterized by the spiritual attributes; attain to the nature of that kind Beloved; be so enkindled that thou mayest illumine a region, become a sign of guidance and an ensign of the love of God."
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1906 ca., to Aseyeh Wellesca Dyar -- AB06274)
If thou standest steadfast and firm in this seeking and advancement, not becoming agitated by the trials, giving repose and composure to the mind, and freeing thyself from attachment to this ephemeral world, be thou assured that thou shalt become an enkindled lamp, spreading the lights of faith, assurance, knowledge and the love of God in every gathering-place.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1905-Dec-18, to Juliet Thompson -- AB07477)
This befits you, and I beseech God to make you signs of guidance among mankind, to grant you steadfastness and firmness in the Kingdom of God and constancy in the Covenant of God.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1914-Nov-19, to Baha'is of Muskegon, Mi et al -- AB03539)
As thou art faithful and art going to remain firm, the favors of the Bounty of ABHA will encircle thee; thou wilt become a cause of the illumination of the human world, and be assisted by the heavenly confirmation.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1906 ca., to N A Williams -- AB10098)
Through His all-encompassing favors, it is hoped that day by day you will increase in steadfastness and firmness and become the cause of guidance for the blind and deaf.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1914-Jul-29 ca., to Lata J Hatch -- AB05529)
Show forth constancy that you may become a lamp of guidance. Become a herald of truth that you may hear the melody of the Kingdom. Become a sweet-singing bird that you may bring hearts into motion.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1906 ca., to Lua Getsinger -- AB04043)
Let us all become candles of faithfulness that burn for Him! Let us shed His light of guidance all around!
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Baha'is of Krukan et al -- AB04056)
Day and night kindle the fire of love and like a candle with tearful eyes burn in the fire of the love of God, until from your kindling and burning, lights may shine forth upon those regions and the banner of the Covenant may wave over those horizons.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Fathali Khan Kalantar -- AB03173)
The hope from the favors of the Glorious Lord is that you may have a countenance illumined by the lights of the Kingdom, and that in this world of mortality you may become the cause of the spread of heavenly bounties, and in this dusty realm of evanescence you may kindle a luminous lamp and burn away the veils of vain imaginings, and raise high the banner under the Divine Word, and burn and be content with the kindled fire of the Lord.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Dhabih (Mirza Isma'il Khan Munshi) -- AB06105)
Thou art the enkindled brazier of the Fire of Love and a lamp in the utmost purity, through which the Light of God's attraction shines forth.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1913-Jul ca. -- AB11087)
Therefore, since thou hast been enkindled with the love of God, thou art radiant, brilliant and effulgent.
Beseech God that thou mayest ever remain illumined and that through the holy fragrances thou mayest perfume the nostrils of others, so that thou mayest become an embodied spirit, a personified light, and a manifest bounty.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1907-Jun ca., to Mulla Ghulam-Husayn -- AB09654)
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1907-Jan-06, to Pocahontas Pope -- AB05052)
Make him a brilliant star and a radiant orb. Make him a remedy for every ill and a healing balm for every wound. Make him a bright candle in every gathering and a sweet-singing nightingale in every assembly.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá -- AB09712)
O our Lord! Though a letter was written before and utmost love poured forth, again I became attuned to your remembrance and turn in humility and supplication to the threshold of the One, saying: O peerless Lord! Make this suppliant soul like a bright candle so that in every gathering it may be engaged in Your remembrance, kindle the light of guidance, and like a lamp burn in the assembly of the All-Merciful and bestow light upon the friends.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1902 ca., to Prince Ahmad Mirza -- AB03975)
Day and night He bows His head at the Divine Threshold and implores assistance for the friends, that perchance some souls may arise in this world's gathering who, like unto candles, will bestow light upon all assembled there, and who, like unto flowers and sweet herbs in this heavenly garden, will diffuse their fragrance, that they may become faithful servants of God and true companions of this servant.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1905 ca., to Aqa Husayn et al -- AB02241)
Make each a candle of the gathering, a witness to the assembly, a cypress in this meadow, and a peacock in this garden, that they may bestow adornment upon the world, spread this manifest light, and illumine their foreheads with the rays of ancient bounty.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1907-May-20, to Qaim Maqami, Mirza Sulayman et al -- AB01617)
O Lord! Make them brilliant stars and radiant lamps, and towering trees, that their fruits may spread forth in the garden of divine traces, and through them the hearts of the free may be drawn to the Kingdom of Beauty.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Davasaz et al -- AB05989)
Illumine his eyes by beholding Thy signs that art latent in the realities of all things, delight his ears by the melodies of the birds of faithfulness in the garden of Thine eternity, and make him a sign of Thy remembrance amidst mankind and the banner of guidance on the far side of the valley.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1918-Nov-27, to Shaykh Muhyid-Din Al-Kurdi -- AB06552)
O thou who art attracted by the Word of God to the Kingdom of God!
Turn with the whole of thy being to God, forget aught else save God, and supplicate God to make thee a sign of guidance in the midst of people who are veiled from God; perchance they may be guided to the Orb of all horizons, enter the kingdom of harmony, drink of the cup of the love of God, rejoice at the manifestation of the Kingdom of God, taste the delight of the mention of God, and shelter themselves in the shadow of the Tree of Life in the midst of the Paradise of God.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1902, to Kanichi Yamamoto -- AB07110)
O Lord! Make them stars of guidance, missiles against the foolish, candles kindled with the fire of Thy love, and lines speaking the meanings of fidelity.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1908-Oct-17, to Afnan, Haji Siyyid Husayn son of Khal-i Asghar et al -- AB00449)
O Lord! Deliver them from the evil of the people of error, immerse them in the sea of supplication and entreaty, and make them fountains of guidance, lamps in the darkest night, brilliant and luminous stars, and missiles against the people of misguidance and perversity.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1914-Apr-20, to Muhammad Karim et al -- AB06011)
Make me severed from the world and void of its conditions, attracted by the fragrances of Thy holiness among Thy maid-servants, free in heart, happy in soul, cheerful in mind, longing for the Kingdom of Thy Beauty, and glowing with the fire of Thy love in the world. Thus may I enkindle the light of guidance in the hearts of Thy servants.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1909 or < -- AB05973)
Verily, I supplicate God to enkindle in thy heart the fire of His love; an enkindlement the light of which shall affect all regions, so that thy face may become illumined by the lights of the Spirit and give forth] fragrance in the world of possibility.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1915 or < -- AB06536)
Therefore, O thou who circlest round the Concourse on High, beseech God to grant thee such a station that the grace of hearing and sight may flow from thee to other souls.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Nur Muhammad Khan (Kirman) -- AB06789)
I supplicate to the divine Presence to make them signs of guidance among humanity and brilliant lamps shedding light upon all horizons.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1918-Nov-20, to Baha'is of Egypt et al -- AB07043)
I beseech God to make ye the signs of guidance amidst mankind.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1919-May-31, to Baha'is of Baghdad -- AB03531)
And verily I beseech God to make them signs of guidance amongst all peoples.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Mirza Musa Hakimbashi -- AB08253)
Therefore, ask thou of God that thou mayest be, in all conditions, a dawning-place of guidance and a dayspring of favor.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Son of Haji Mihdi -- AB10968)
O Shoghi! Beseech God that thou mayest become a brilliant lamp in the assemblage of the spiritual ones and attain unto the breaths of the All-Merciful.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Shoghi Effendi -- AB11489)
And from the threshold of the favors of that Kind Beloved and Goal of both worlds, I beg and hope that He may make each of those friends a bright candle and a light of the gathering and a flower of the rose garden and meadow, so that from each one, by the grace of the Most Glorious Beauty, the sweet fragrance of faithfulness may be inhaled.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1900 or <, to Aqa Muhammad Husayn son of Pir-i Rawhani -- AB02546)
Grant such an outpouring that its lights may spread in the eternal morn; bestow such a grace that its effects may become renowned in the everlasting realm.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Isfahani, Asadullah (Sanandaj) et al -- AB03626)
I entreat and supplicate in the Threshold of the Almighty and ask for your confirmation and assistance, that you may be born wholly out of the physical world into the Realm of Divine, to seek after the eternal life and wish for the everlasting gift, so that you may shine upon ages and cycles like unto the morning star!
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1906 ca., to Baha'is of Buffalo, NY -- AB06411)
I beseech God to grant confirmation and bestow grace that those pure souls may sacrifice their lives in the path of the Lord and make this contingent world a celestial realm, become the cause of enlightening hearts and gladdening souls.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1905 ca., to Mandigar, Bamis et al -- AB05197)
My hope is that your gathering may become a divine assembly, and at midnight when I offer prayers, I supplicate at the divine threshold on your behalf so that the moments may be encompassed by His all-embracing favor and you may become children of God's Kingdom and manifestations of the knowledge of God, drink from the fountain of eternal life, and shine forth in the assemblage of the world such that you may breathe the spirit of eternal life into their hearts.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1921-Aug-27, to Schwarz, Consul et al -- AB12399)
O two pure-hearted servants! My desire is that these two blessed souls become two shining candles and make that region a niche of brilliant light, become manifestations of the favors of the Great Lord, receive the rays of grace from the Star of the Most Glorious Kingdom, become the cause of guidance to the heedless ones, and bring joy and delight to the hearts of the friends.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1907-Jun ca., to Mirza Muhammad Taqi et al -- AB11792)
Praise be to God that the Persian friends are heavenly angels, intoxicated with the wine of gladness. I beseech God that they may become the light of hearts and bestow self-sacrifice upon souls, that they may become like laughing hundred-petaled roses in the heavenly garden and flowing cypresses by the stream of knowledge.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1911-Jul-30, to Tirandaz Kaykhusraw et al -- AB09355)
Through them the brilliant stars grew dim on the darkest night, and the lights of truth shone forth in the darkened regions. Through them Thou hast caused the fountains of wisdom to flow forth, and through them Thou hast removed sorrow, manifested bounty, dispelled wrath, extended mercy, bestowed gifts and removed affliction.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1900 or < -- AB02867)
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1907-Dec-14, to Abdu'l-Hamid Khan -- AB03423)
Strive with all thy power in prayers and communions at the hour of dawn to increase thine alertness day by day, to strip away the misgivings that veil the people of doubt and lead them towards the Most Great Guide with the potent knowledge of God so that like unto a candle thou mayest illuminate every meeting with the light of recognition.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Aqa Abbas Kazurani -- AB09240)
Verily, by day and by night I do mention thee and thy daughter who is the delight of thine eye, and supplicate God to make you both two burning lamps, shining at the meetings of the maid-servants of God, spreading the light of knowledge, burning the moth of imaginations and surmise and removing, through the light of manifest evidences and peremptory proofs, the darkness of suspicions.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1915 or <, to Herman, Louise et al -- AB07705)
Be thou the cause of the education of souls, and in the school of divine knowledge become a teacher of love and impart the science of truth.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1907-Jun ca., to Asadullah Imadabadi -- AB08367)
This comes through education. The seed became a tree through the training of the gardener.
Man attains to perfection through the education of the divine Instructor.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Prof. Enayat Khan and others, spoken at Rue Lauriston 97 on 1913-May-29 -- ABU2250)
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Public address given at Universalist Church on 1912-Nov-06 -- ABU0009)
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1919-Feb-09, to Julia Goldman -- AB03928)
In any case, guide the weak souls to the divine Covenant with utmost kindness so they may drink from the cup of oneness. … But never abandon the weak ones and do not lose hope. Explain to each one with perfect kindness and do not become discouraged. Eventually they will become aware and cognizant of the truth.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Siyyid Mihdi Yazdi the martyr -- AB03598)
As to presenting the teachings by word, the teacher must be as a skillful physician to the patient. Adapt the treatment to the spiritual needs of the patient and do not prescribe for those who refuse treatment."
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Louis Gregory, spoken on 1911-Apr-15 -- ABU3222)
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1903 ca., to Aseyeh Wellesca Dyar -- AB06435)
Be a fountain of life unto the thirsty and a guide unto the erring. Be a breath of morning over the meadows and a springtime shower for every rose and orchard fruit. Give sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf. Set ablaze the frozen ones and waken those who sleep so that thou mayest shine like a scintillating star and a bright light of guidance on the Supreme Horizon.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Nasir Divan -- AB03487)
Guide thou the desolate ones to the treasury of the spirit and inform the dwellers in the dust of the tidings of the heavenly realm.
This is the disposition of the friends of God, such are the attributes of the lovers of the Abha Beauty.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1904 ca., to Rustam Hidayati -- AB05118)
It is hoped that you will educate souls under the shade of the Divine Word and lead them to the fountain of everlasting life.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1900 or <, to Muhammad Taqi Arif -- AB04190)
Train all people in the attributes of the Ancient Beauty (may my spirit be sacrificed for the dust of the footsteps of His loved ones) and illuminate the horizons with the lights of sanctification.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Darvish Tifur (Isma'il) -- AB06256)
Therefore, O thou man! Strive that thou mayst likewise become enlightened, thus becoming the means of general education and the upliftment of humanity.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Mrs Lilianthal, spoken at Baltimore Hotel on 1913-May-09 -- ABU1100)
I hope that through this system of Baha'i education you may become the light-reflecting lamps of the Assemblage of mankind.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Baha'is from Esslingen, spoken at Hotel Marquardt on 1913-Apr-06 -- ABU1633)
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1919-Apr-11, to Baha'i Children of Cleveland, OH -- AB05042)
'Abdu'l-Baha, with utmost humility, supplication and yearning, implores the Abha Kingdom and begs confirmation and success for you, that through the aid and favor of the Desired One you may succeed in raising spiritual children and illumined descendants, each of whom may become a luminous lamp in the sanctuary of divine unity and a merciful teacher in the school of divine love.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1910 ca., to Shaykh Zainul-Abidin Teacher of School et al -- AB04066)
I beseech God that you may be nurtured from the breast of grace, grow and develop in the cradle of bounty, and be trained in the bosom of the love of God, so that you may chant the verses of sanctification and shine like a candle among the handmaidens of the All-Merciful.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1903 ca., to Bahirih daughter of Ibn-i-Abhar -- AB11709)
During the time she is here I will educate her, so that she may be the cause of the enlightenment of others.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1921-Nov-25, to Marie Hauff -- AB12592)
In the College of Beirut you must become the shining candles of moral precepts and spiritual ideals and be the means of the illumination of others.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1914-Apr-17 -- ABU2398)
O thou attracted one of the Kingdom! Complete thou the study of the art of music and sacrifice thyself more or less to the Lord of the Kingdom.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1907-Jun-05, to Lydia Rainy -- AB05941)
Now is the time for thee to put forth leaves and blossoms, to yield fruit and produce, and to appear in the branches of truth with perfect adorning.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá -- AB10629)
Therefore it is hoped that your honor will strive more than all others in spreading the divine traces and manifesting the mysteries, for that near one of the Divine Threshold has, from early youth, grown and developed under the shade of the favors of the All-Glorious like a fresh sapling under the outpourings of the cloud of divine mercy, and has become a fruitful tree. Now is the time for the appearance of fruit.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1909-Jun-12, to Aqa Muhammad Husayn son of Pir-i Rawhani -- AB00558)
And through the aid and protection of the Blessed Beauty, may you become, under the shade of the Divine Word, fruitful saplings and trees bearing spiritual fruits, may you be the signs of guidance and the standards of the Abha Kingdom, may you be pearls in the shell of grace and dawning-places of the lights of guidance.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Children of Adib -- AB06958)
May you become illumined, each as candles through the Light of Guidance, and like unto an ocean -- by the winds of love of God shall you surge. May you become green and fresh and verdant by the breezes of the favor of God. May you yield the fruits of the Kingdom, being the cause of guidance to the people of the earth.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to the Baha'is from Seattle, spoken on 1912-Oct-24 -- ABU0926)
I hope that this drop will become an ocean, and this atom will become a mighty mountain, that this sapling will grow and develop through the outpourings of the cloud of grace until it becomes a fruitful tree, and that this lamp will become a brilliant torch and bestow light upon India.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1914-Aug-14, to Father of Mr Vakil et al -- AB06197)
The fruit of existence in this day is to hold fast to that which shall guide mankind.
(Bahá’u’lláh -- BH09037)
Show ye kindness to all; be ye engaged in the refinement of the souls. Become ye as ignited lamps and adorn ye the orchard of being!
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1909 or <, to Baha'is of Iran -- AB00205)
Thus mayest thou be a mercy to the people of the world and a source of bounty to the world of humanity.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1907-Jul-26, to Jennie R Bishop -- AB06848)
You received this gift freely, so freely give it away - that is, arise with heart and soul to guide the people of clay and water.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1903 ca., to Rustam Ardishir (Bombay) et al -- AB07418)
Giving is a divine quality. Blessed are those who give!
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to some Zoroastrian farmers, spoken on 1915-Feb-26 -- ABU2496)
When the heart of man is made happy, he will arise to serve the believers of God. Then that service will give him great happiness.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Mr And Mrs Grosse, spoken on 1912-Oct-11 -- ABU1658)
Now my hope is that you too will follow the path of your namesake and become the cause of fellowship, love and healing among the friends, so that you may shine like a candle and gleam like a star.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1921-May-17, to Ardishir Khudabakhsh Bihjat -- AB07255)
Deal with your relatives with the utmost love and kindness to such a degree as to attract their hearts, and strive that the light of faith may shine forth in their hearts. It would be a pity if they remain unaware among the kindred and be deprived of the bounty of the All-Merciful.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá -- AB11031)
Thus thou mayest set a good example in that region; that He may lift up the veil from before the eyes of thy mother and father, so that they may witness the lights of the Kingdom of God, which have encompassed all regions.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1902-Aug-12, to Clarence H Smith -- AB05451)
Shouldst thou become assisted with such Bestowals thou shalt be the means of the guidance of thy family as well as others.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1914-Mar-28, to Helen Eggleston -- AB08816)
Observe the grace and favor of the Blessed Beauty, how He guided those two Zoroastrian handmaidens to the world of truth and how He caused them to draw near His sacred threshold, so that each might become a brilliant lamp and in this victorious day shed the light that illumines the night, and might succeed in such conduct and behavior as would guide the handmaidens of God.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1903 ca., to Firuzih daughter of Furud et al -- AB07407)
I remember with the most wondrous and glorious greetings the maidservant of God who is the wife of Ali Bey and his most distinguished sons and steadfast daughters, and I hope that each one will become, through the mouth of wisdom and the flame of recognition, a candle illuminating that region.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1905 ca., to Mulla Sadiq et al -- AB04269)
Walk and move in the footsteps of thy noble father, and follow the path of the Master of the righteous ones, that thou mayest become a dawning-place of lights and a recipient of mysteries.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Aqa Jalal et al -- AB12674)
Thou must express the utmost satisfaction and thanks to Mrs..., for she hath guided thee and beckoned thee to the everlasting universe. For thee she desired perpetual glory and for thee she asked life eternal. Therefore strive in order that in the divine vineyard thou mayest become a gardener of Truth and live with such deeds and words that thou mayest become the cause of the enlightenment of the world.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1906 ca., to Miss M Beeler -- AB06918)
In those regions you must be a gatherer of the friends of God and a means for enkindling hearts, purifying souls, and sanctifying human realities from imperfect traits, so that the loved ones of the All-Merciful may shine forth in the assemblage of the world like lamps of guidance and lights of piety.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1900 or < -- AB02582)
Make dead souls alive and make withered hearts fresh and verdant, so that thou mayest witness the praise of the Abha Kingdom and hear the call of approval from the Supreme Concourse.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1894 ca., to Aqa Muhammad Husayn son of Pir-i Rawhani -- AB04833)
Be thou so detached from the material world that whosoever comes in contact with thee - if he is extinguished he may become illumined, if he is silent he may unloose his tongue, if he is withered he may be refreshed and put forth leaves and blossoms, if he is blind he may receive sight, if he is dead he may be resuscitated.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1913-Nov-15, to Lua Getsinger -- AB05979)
You must live and conduct yourself in Cairo in such a manner and characterize thyself with such attributes that when people come in contact with thee they may feel thy spiritual influence, that if they are earthly they may become heavenly, if they are blind, they may find sight, if they are dead they may become quickened, if they are material they may become spiritual.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Mrs DeBons, spoken on 1913-Oct-16 -- ABU1935)
Now that you are leaving this Holy Spot you must go away laden with the Divine Glad-tidings, each one of you must be a flame of the Love of God and a bright candle in the meeting of the friends,- so that whosoever comes in touch with you bear testimony that verily these people are the sweet flowers if the garden of reality and the singing nightingales of the Paradise of Abha.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to departing pilgrims, spoken on 1914-Mar-13 -- ABU0249)
I am you partner and you must be my partner in the same way. In the serve of the Holy Threshold, you must share with me and keep me company. Now that you are leaving, there must come from you good news. News which will give me happiness. This is my utmost hope; that each one of you may become a bright candle in the Kingdom of Baha'u'llah."
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1920-May-07 -- ABU1065)
One man may be the cause of the illumination of one city, filling that city with his services and his impersonal personality.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to the Master's entourage, spoken at Hotel Marquardt on 1913-Apr-26 -- ABU1643)
Every one of the Bahais must be like unto a globe of fire, and as a blaze of light—dispel the darkness of ignorance with the lights of service, adorn the horizon of the world with brilliant stars, become the sweet-voiced nightingales of the Paradise of Abha and the holy doves of the Supreme Heaven.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1914-Jun-29 in Haifa -- ABU0674)
Strive thou similarly to become the cause of other people's life so that the Splendor of the Oneness of the world of Humanity may enlighten the eyes.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1919-Jan-28, to Grace B Holley -- AB06488)
Convey on my behalf the greatest kindness to Mr. Heinz, I pray to God that you both may be ignited like candles, so that you may burn the veils that enshroud that country and city, and become the cause of guidance for the people, so that they may understand the unity of mankind and become peaceful with all people and nations.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Berta Pfister -- AB12341)
Through unity the horizons shall become illumined and radiant. We beseech God to aid them with hosts of angels and with the forces of wisdom and utterance.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1307-07-15 [1890-Mar-7], to Aqa Ali Haydar -- BH00877)
O ye who are firm in the Covenant and the Testament!
Your letter of congratulation (November 26th, 1913) was received. Its contents were an evidence to your firmness and steadfastness in the Covenant, the turning of your faces toward the Kingdom of Abha, your utmost loyalty in the Love of Baha'u'llah and your rising in the Service of the Cause of God. Today the heavenly Powers and the merciful Cohorts are the defenders and supporters of those souls who are occupied with teaching the Cause of God and are firm in the Covenant. Therefore it is my hope that you who are firm in the Covenant may become encircled with a new Confirmation and a most great succor envelop you and with the utmost strength may arise in the guidance of the people--so that the splendors of the Kingdom of Abha may shine upon the continents, the flag of the oneness of the world of humanity be unfurled, the song of universal Peace may stir the hearts into cheerfulness, all the nations of the world may enter beneath this uni-colored Tent, mankind may receive a share and a portion from Eternal Life, each one of those holy souls become like unto a fruitful tree and be ignited like unto the candle of guidance in the assemblage of mankind.
Upon you be Baha El Abha!
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1914-Jan-15, to Baha'is of Washington et al -- AB01571)
The person who is a herald to the Divine Kingdom is like unto a lamp and the souls who possess high ideals are like the moths. When the lamp is ignited unquestionably all the moths gather around it.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1914-Jun-20 -- AB05977)
If a great tree in the forest is ablaze it will set others on fire; if you plant a palm its roots spread in every direction.
… I pray for you all. I ask God's blessings to descend upon you. May each one of you be as the light from a lamp to enlighten an assembly.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Alma Knobloch, spoken on 1908-Nov-07 -- ABU2077)
Like Joseph of Egypt, one must display beauty in the marketplace and manifest spiritual grace and charm. Surely through the power of attraction, thousands of seekers from various peoples will appear.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1910-Apr-20, to Baha'is of Tiflis -- AB10172)
Therefore, every countenance wherein this divine splendor exists is a luminous star and a morning luminary that guideth the wandering caravan unto the path of guidance and leadeth the lost multitude unto the way of righteousness.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá -- AB07866)
O my Persian friend! Although Jamshid shone like the sun, today the radiance of the faces of the friends of God surpasses that of those who came before, for they illuminate earth and heaven with the rays of the Sun of the love of God, becoming luminous stars in the horizon of hope and the dawning-place of aspirations the Merciful Morn.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1901 ca., to Jamshid Mihraban -- AB10656)
O my two dear friends! His Holiness Sinai has opened his tongue in praise of you, and the honorable Financial Officer has struck the strings of praise and commendation with a sweet melody, for those spiritual friends, like the hoopoe bird of love, guide souls to the divine Sheba, that they may reach the Balqis of divine guidance in the assembly of the Garden of Eden and enter beneath the shade of the true Solomon.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1907 ca., to Shahzadih Aziz et al -- AB05673)
The time has come for you to return from the Mount of Revelation with the white hand of supreme guidance, and in every gathering to shine like a candle so that sightless eyes may be illumined by the light of guidance and deaf ears may hear the melody of the Concourse on High.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá -- AB05780)
Therefore ye who are intoxicated with this wine and are worshippers in this tavern, become wholly inebriated and raise melodies and songs, that others too may be stirred to motion and may not remain deprived of the bounties of the Lord of creation.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1897 ca. -- AB08344)
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Shuaullah Alai -- AB10531)
Kindle such a fire that it may bestow the warmth of the love of God upon hearts, and light such a lamp that it may illumine the dark world.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Ali Muhammad Navvab -- AB03226)
We must become flaming torches and the burning Fire of God. We must move this world and illumine this dark globe.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá -- AB03889)
In short, 'Abdu'l-Baha's desire is that each of the friends become a flame of light and a world-illumining torch.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1904 ca., to Khadrai, Javad son of Mulla Sadiq Mazindarani et al -- AB01337)
In this glorious day each one must become a night-illumining lamp and enlighten the world.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Baha'is of Abadih -- AB05885)
O sapling of the garden of conscience! The Day of God has come when the true Sun rose, appeared and shone forth from the divine horizon, and Its radiant lights from the Sun of Truth illumined earth and heaven. Now It shines in the realm of placelessness while It has set from the horizon of the contingent world. The darkest night has encompassed all. The loved ones of the All-Merciful must each become like a lamp aflame.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1893-Nov-02 -- AB10131)
Shine like a star and glow like a candle.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Wife of Abdu'l-Azimi -- AB09161)
Be thou a brilliant light unto the darkness and a shining moon unto the gloomy night, that thou mayest become manifest in the heaven of the soul.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Surush son of Khudadad -- AB10480)
Be ye guides of the Merciful One amidst all creation.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1290-05 [1873-Jun], to Karbalai Karam Bihnamir -- BH07195)
Be thou a lamp of guidance among the people and a dawning-place of utterance through this Great Name.
(Bahá’u’lláh, ca. 1289-1290?, to Shaykh Kazim Samandar et al -- BH01413)
Be thou a lamp of the remembrance of thy Lord amongst His servants, that through thee may be illumined the faces of those whom the veils have not withheld from the remembrance of their Lord, the Munificent, the All-Bestowing.
(Bahá’u’lláh, to Siyyid Musa -- BH06318)
Say: O people! Fear God and sow not corruption in the land of love. This is what teacheth you He Who is seated upon the preserved Tablets through the pen of the holy and beloved One.
(Bahá’u’lláh -- BH07875)
Counsel the people and remind them of this Mighty News. Say: O people! The clouds have been rent asunder and the Lord of Lords hath come.
(Bahá’u’lláh, to Jinab Vaiz -- BH01855)
However, now the Most Exalted Pen counseleth concealment and protection, and that which wisdom requireth in all circumstances.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1303-05-26 [1886-Mar-2], to Mulla Muhammad Rida Yazdi -- BH11874)
I hope that in Stuttgart the banners of the verses may be raised high and the fire of the love of God may blaze so intensely that it will move the surrounding regions. May those blessed souls each become a brilliant lamp and bestow the light of guidance to all around.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1913-Jul-11, to Baha'is of Stuttgart, Germany et al -- AB03124)
I pray for all of them that each may prove as a light to the globe of Germany, and a shining star to the German horizon.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1909-Aug-12, to Alma Knobloch -- AB12295)
I cherish the hope that, through the blessings and confirmations of God, thou mayest day by day become more illumined and draw nearer to Him, that the confirmations of the Holy Spirit may reach thee, that thy words may touch the hearts and become the cause of the guidance of the souls, and that, through the protection and help vouchsafed by Baha'u'llah, thou mayest raise aloft in London a blazing torch that may endure eternally and cause that land to become illumined.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1913-Sep-12, to Sara Louisa Blomfield -- AB07387)
From the day that I left America I have ever supplicated God on thy behalf, begging for thee infinite protection and assurance, so that in that city thou mayest be a centre for the Baha'is, for the assemblage of the spiritually minded and for the guidance of a vast multitude; that to the thirsty thou mayest be a fountain of life, and to those who are lost a path to salvation; that to those who are withered thou mayest be a source of joy and gladness, and to the lifeless impart eternal life.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1914-May-26, to May Maxwell -- AB04407)
Wherefore, O my heavenly daughter, strive with heart and soul that day by day the light of guidance may shine forth more brightly in that land, that thou mayest become like unto a candle that giveth light to its inhabitants.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1914-Feb-24, to Sara Louisa Blomfield -- AB03695)
As much as you can, rely upon God and submit to the divine will, so that you may shine like a candle in the human world and gleam like a star from the horizon of truth and become the cause of guidance for both groups - black and white.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1909-Sep-30, to Louis G Gregory -- AB04790)
Bestow upon them the everlasting life and bless them with the new teachings. Make every one a lighted torch and a warbling nightingale--the king of the rose in the garden. Reveal to them Thine attractive beauty; make each a growing tree on the shore of Thy guidance, bearing the fruit of Thy grace. Thus may the East illumine the West and the West become the East of the Supreme Heaven.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1905 ca., to Aminullah Farid -- AB03718)
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1906-Jul-15, to Rosa V Winterburn -- AB01462)
Perhaps an illumination will descend upon thee by which the fragrances of God will be diffused throughout those regions and districts and thou wilt be a lamp of guidance from which the lights of knowledge will emanate and spread in those far counties and distant lands.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1909 or < -- AB06538)
May each one of you shine upon each city through which you pass as a radiant star!
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1914-Jan-30 -- ABU0397)
In whatever land thou dwellest, may thou be a sign of guidance and a standard of righteousness.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1900 or <, to Mulla Ahmad Milani -- AB05832)
If the people ask thee whether thou art English or French, tell them I am a Baha'i.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Mona DeBons, spoken on 1913-Oct-16 -- ABU2718)
I am hopeful from the Infinite Bestowals of His Highness the Merciful that like unto the Clouds of God's Bounty you may pour upon all the regions and like unto the rays of the sun shine over that country...
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1914-Aug-20 -- ABU2302)
In one direction you will see the lights of the radiance of guidance; in the other direction the Sun of Reality will shine.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Helen Goodall and Woodson Allen, spoken on 1912-Oct-10 -- ABU2090)
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá -- AB11305)
Therefore we are expecting that every one of those friends may in that country become like a brilliant and luminous candle, and so the Light of Guidance may emanate upon the hearts.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1920-Feb, to Lisa Suami -- AB08278)
Now that thou hast returned to thy familiar abode, thou must become there a ray of divine bounty and the heat of the Sun of the munificence of the All-Merciful Lord.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1901 ca., to Bamis Mihraban -- AB09386)
Through the grace and gifts of the Ancient Beauty, we hope that in these days you will be so enkindled by the divine fire that you will set the world ablaze, and that your heat will course through the veins and arteries of that region such that you will become the very soul of that clime, the lamp of that city, a brilliant moon in the horizon of the world, and a rising star in the dawning-place of the hopes of the friends, becoming in every gathering a sign of guidance and the standard of the Abha Kingdom.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Aqa Muhammad Husayn son of Pir-i Rawhani -- AB03145)
Therefore I hope that thou may'st make extraordinary and universal progress in the Cause of Baha'u'llah, become ignited like unto a candle and shed radiance on all that region.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1914-Jan-27 -- AB03301)
However, if His Holiness Abu'l-Fadl's journey is decided upon, you must manifest the meaning of "Enter like men and cast the ball in the field," until you forget everything and become a luminous essence and a gem of the mine of the All-Merciful.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1904 ca., to Ali-Kuli Khan -- AB04652)
Rest ye assured that ye are confirmed.
All these people are like unto sheep without shepherd. They have no protector and no defender. But you are the sheep and the Blessed Perfection is your Shepherd. He is kind to his flock.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Persian students, spoken on 1913-Sep-29 -- ABU2262)
Now everything depends upon the effort of the friends. If with the utmost purity, sanctification and great severance inspire one breath in this terrestrial globe in the diffusion of the Fragrances of God, every one will evolve into a most precious soul. Then and not until then will the Light of Reality illumine that country.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1914-Sep ca. -- AB10772)
If thou attainest to such bounty, thou shalt become a sign of guidance and a bright candle in the assemblage of humanity.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1919-Jul-24, to George Townshend -- AB04710)
I hope thou mayest become, through the Favour and Bounty of the Blessed Perfection, the means of guiding others, and in the community of the world light a candle whose effulgence shall be everlasting.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1909-Jul-10 -- AB03883)
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1919-Jan-10, to Geraldine Luxmore -- AB05299)
O thou who gazest toward God! Today those souls are mentioned and known in the Most Glorious Kingdom and Supreme Heaven who are the dawning-places of the verses of unity and the rising-points of the lights of detachment. They are the stars of the horizon of meanings and the candles of the gathering of the All-Merciful. They close their eyes to the world and all who dwell therein, and strive for the illumination of hearts.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1895-Aug or <, to Mashhadi Yusuf Bayk -- AB06938)
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to several Baha'is, spoken at 309 W 78th St on 1912-Jul-01 -- ABU1888)
In the gathering of friends they must be radiant candles, and in the assemblies of sanctification and the chamber of divine unity, they must be burning torches.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1892-Sep-16, to Mirza Siyyid Muhammad Afnan -- AB03913)
Today the handmaidens of God must be diffusers of the light of guidance and must radiate the brilliance of steadfastness, that they may prove worthy to be maidservants at the Threshold of His Oneness.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Ismat daughter of Muhammad Baqir Nabil -- AB09811)
I wish for them this illumination. I desire for them this luminosity; so that they may rejoice the hearts and spiritualize the souls - but alas!
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on board the SS Celtic at sea, 1912-Dec-10 -- ABU2407)
I desire that every one of the believers may become an ignited candle in the assemblage of the world of humanity, and conducive to others' eternal life.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá -- ABU2867)
Rather, through the endless favors of the All-Merciful Lord, be like a candle illumining every gathering, so that souls might receive glad-tidings, hearts might find joy, eyes might be brightened, and ears might become intimate with the bird of the garden.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to The Baha'is -- AB01272)
Strive greatly in good character so that the divine friends may serve all Iranians through their words, deeds and conduct. Like bright candles may they illuminate the realm.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1921-Jun-11, to Abdu'l-Husayn Tafti (Avarih) -- AB02102)
This being the case, care no more for the world and its desires, but cling to the spiritual world and its gifts, spread the fragrances of God, be submissive to the Word of God, establish a spiritual meeting place where from the incense of sanctity and purity will rise up to God, assemble there with fragrance and spirituality and celebrate the Name of your Lord by day and by night. At that time ye would become illumined lamps, spiritual stars: rather, eternal suns.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1916 or <, to California Maidservants et al -- AB02446)
It is the hope of 'Abdu'l-Baha that ye will attain His highest aspirations for you, and that each one of you may become a luminous lamp, a bright, and shining light.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1906-Dec-03, to Nurullah son of Javan Rawhani et al -- AB03781)
As radiant as a star on the horizon of existence, as the realms of the heart and mind, he would be like unto a candle in the assemblage of man and like the ignited fire of the one true Lord would he be aflame in the midmost heart of this world.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Siyyid Muhammad (Dahaj) -- AB04349)
Then shall the realities of this contingent world and the human essence gain a new spirit and the friends, even as shining stars upon the horizon of truth, become illumined and resplendent through the light of guidance.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1910-May-27, to Ustad Mirza Khayyat et al -- AB06414)
Through the favors of Baha'u'llah, may my spirit be a sacrifice for His loved ones, I hope that day by day you will progress in the divine Kingdom and that each one will shine like a bright star from the horizon of the Most Great Guidance, become the cause of guidance for others, make the eyes of souls seeing, make the ears of others hearing, and make hearts aware.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1920-Oct-01, to Murakami, Atoe et al -- AB05543)
O thou son of the Kingdom!
Praise be to God that like unto a torch thou hast been ignited, and like unto a star thou hast shone.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1919-Mar-15, to Will Levington Comfort -- AB07863)
May you become a source of illumination and, through divine bounty, attain success in the celestial Kingdom.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1909 or <, to Odette M D'astre -- AB09693)
O my friend and excellent companion! I implore the Lord of all the worlds to make thee the reviver of religion, the exemplar for His favoured ones, and the chosen one amongst the sincere, that thereby thou mayest be a luminous lamp and a shining star, may become great and like unto a surging sea gush out copiously and remove the darkness of night.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Shaykh Muhyid-Din Al-Kurdi -- AB10746)
You are near to God, and day by day you will progress by the knowledge of God toward spiritual joy. Then you will be a source of guidance to others.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Julia Grundy spoken around Jan. 1905 -- ABU2917)
We hope that this meeting with us will yield results that shall illumine the hearts and irradiate the souls with the light of supreme guidance.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken at Grand Hotel on 1913-Apr-19 -- ABU3708)
The honored maidservant of God Mrs. Goodall and the attracted maidservant of God Mrs. Cooper are truly two candles lit with the light of the love of God.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1919-Jan-28, to Isabella D Brittingham -- AB02399)
O pure souls! In this Dawning Place of Lights which is the cycle of the Lord, be stars of guidance and planets of piety.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1893-Feb-09 -- AB04783)
Thou art honoured in my sight, and I pray to God that thou wilt become as a beacon of guidance in that region, brilliant with the effulgence of the oneness of the human world.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1908-Jul-02, to James B Thornton Chase -- AB06149)
When thou attainest to this most exalted station and art confirmed in this supreme bounty, thou shalt become a light of guidance in the dawning-place of creation and a ray of radiance in the horizon of eternity.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1894 ca., to Abdu'l-Majid Tabib -- AB06238)
Therefore, I am confident that human perfections will become manifest there, that some humans will become heavenly angels, that they will become characterized with divine qualities, and that you will become a sign of guidance and a cause of illumination of the hearts of the friends.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1919-Jul-22, to Mary B Morrison -- AB06278)
The Holy Fragrances of the Blessed Perfection have perfumed all the horizons; the Waves of the Great Ocean have gemmed the bordering shores with Pearls; the cloud of Mercy of their Lord has refreshed the earth to become a garden of roses, the Lights of the Horizon of Wealth have brightened the faces of the Chosen Ones; therefore endeavor to gain a great portion of these Favors of God, to share largely in this great Bounty, to become a manifestation of the Signs of His Great Mercy.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1894 ca., to Siyyid Ahmad (Nayriz) -- AB06374)
O servant of the Desired One! Mirza 'Abdu'l-Majid praised the radiance of your countenance, for praise be to God, like the shining moon the light of guidance is clear and evident therein, and "in their faces beameth the brightness of bliss" is proof and testimony to that.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1903 ca., to Ghulam-Husayn Bunabi -- AB06642)
Praise be to God! that thou art assisted and confirmed and, through the light of the love of God, thou art an ignited candle.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1908-Oct-12, to Juliet Thompson -- AB06854)
O candle of the love of God! We beseech God that you may shine in every gathering and in every assembly be a manifest sign of the light of the bountiful Lord, the Pre-existent King, and become a banner on the highway of the Most Great Name, the living water and the pure stream of the garden of Paradise, become a star of guidance and a luminary in the heights of glory, become a tree of hope and a fragrant breeze from the gardens of the Glorious Lord, open the eyes of the seekers and attune their ears to the mysteries of the Self-Sufficient Lord, kindle a fire in the heart of the horizons and cast a radiance upon the easts and wests of the hearts of the people of constancy.
These favors in the gifts of the Pre-existent Beauty are easier than the twinkling of an eye.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Yusuf -- AB07464)
O thou candle of the love of God! Be radiant and brilliant in this luminous gathering so that thy rays may ascend and reach the threshold of the Kingdom.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1893 ca., to Muhammad son of Abdu'llah -- AB07466)
In any case, strive at all times with heart and soul to become a lamp of the All-Merciful and a gift of the Lord.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1901 or < -- AB07468)
All humanity is caught in the slumber of heedlessness while you are awake; all are dead while you have attained eternal life and are raising the call to the divine Kingdom and are the cause of illumination of the human world.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1914-Mar-02, to Isabella D Brittingham -- AB07572)
Nothing is better than that man should become a manifestor of the powers of God and the cause of illuminating the creatures.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1916 or <, to Luella Kitchner -- AB08183)
At that time thou shalt hear the call from the Most Glorious Horizon: "Welcome, welcome to a servant who hath become a lamp of guidance and a niche for the light of piety among the people of understanding!"
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1898 or < -- AB08435)
Thank thou God that in that country thou hast become assisted to raise the call of the Kingdom and like unto the Candle thou hast become ignited and art diffusing the light of guidance.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1913-10-14 ca. -- AB08467)
O radiant lamp of the love of God! Shed thy splendor upon the axis of the horizons and cast thy rays upon the hearts of the people of concord, so that hearts may ever become lamps of guidance and the lights of reality may shine upon the world of souls.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Sarhang, Nurullah Khan et al -- AB08772)
O My dearly loved friend! When the light of the Morn of Divine guidance flasheth and glisteneth from the horizon of truth, the radiant heart of man partaketh of it through the Divine light, the lamp of His bounty beameth forth and sheddeth the light of Oneness, the fire of love is kindled and consumeth the souls of men.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Husayn Quli -- AB09042)
It is my hope through the bounties of Baha'u'llah that thou mayest progress day by day in the Kingdom so that like unto a candle thou mayest become ignited with the light of the love of God.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1911-Jun-08, to Sylvia A Pfieffer -- AB09194)
Be thou an ignited candle of guidance. My hope is that thou mayest become the dawning place of the most great Sign and the manifestation of the most great bestowals.
In the presence of the friends be thou a resplendent light and on the horizon of the all-Merciful be a scintillating star.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Mashhadi Muhammad -- AB09278)
Therefore, you must strive to outstrip all others, that you may be numbered among "those who have preceded, who have preceded - these are they who are brought nigh.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Abdur-Rahman Chashti -- AB09420)
Enter in, that thou mayest shine forth like the stars in the horizon of the universe and, like the life-giving bounty, nurture all the people of the world.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Faramarz (Bombay) -- AB09876)
O thou beloved of my heart! Verily, my soul longs for thee, for the lamp of the love of Baha is lighted within thy heart and I love to look upon thy face, for it is glittering with the light of guidance among the creatures.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1909 or < -- AB10786)
In the sacred hadith He says: "Whoso draweth nigh unto Me a span, I draw nigh unto him a cubit." This drawing nigh is through the guidance of souls and the attraction of hearts.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1906-Jun ca., to Ali-Akbar Rawhani Muhibulsultan -- AB11876)
Be confident in the grace and gift of the Most Great Name, may my spirit be sacrificed for His loved ones, and follow such a path in the way of the Glorious Lord that it becomes the cause of guidance for the heedless and a lesson for others.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1904 ca., to Mashhadi Yusuf Milani -- AB11896)
A.B. Come! Come! I will be thy guide. I will take thee through its broad avenues shaded by verdant, never-fading trees.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Conversation with ``Mr. F", Ritz Hotel in Budapest, 1913-Apr-11 -- ABU0976)
I hope that each Baha'i will become a radiant candle. A fragrant rose, a divine messenger and a heavenly trumpet.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to the friends, spoken on 1915-Jan-30 -- ABU1224)
…so that each of you may become a candle, literally a light of guidance, and a manifestor of power. As Bahais you will be accepted as a proof of Baha'u'llah.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1912-Oct-19 in Los Angeles -- ABU1485)
Therefore you must appreciate the value of this gift so that each one of you may become a lamp lighted with the Fire of the Love of God; day unto day you may be drawn nearer unto God in order that your hearts be inspired with divine Inspirations.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken at Hotel Marquardt in Stuttgart, 1913-Apr-04 -- ABU2177)
I hope you will become that flame to enkindle the hearts.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1912-Dec-23 in London -- ABU3415)
Further quotations · supplied wording and references
The Master said when we feel we should do a thing and then make every effort, and the doors open, this is guidance. If, in spite of all we do, the doors remain closed, it cannot be guidance, generally speaking.
(9 Feb. 1949 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, quoted in a Research memo dated 17 Jul. 1989)
The Master said guidance was then the doors opened after we tried. We can pray, ask to do God's will only, try hard, and then if we find our plan is not working out, assume it is not the right one, at least for the moment.
M63-86 214.6 (29 Oct. 1952 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi)
This should not necessarily mean a failure on your part; it could simply mean that the door you are wishing to force upon should, for reasons not immediately clear to you, remain closed. Certainly, you are free to open other doors.
(11 Jun. 1987 on behalf of the Universal House of Justice, quoted in a Research memo dated 17 Jul. 1989)
We cannot clearly distinguish between personal desire and guidance, but if the way opens, when we have sought guidance, then we may presume God is helping us.
LG#1482 (25 Jan. 1943 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi)
God has endowed human beings with more than one way of receiving guidance in the decisions we have to make, as 'Abdu'l-Baha has explained. There are the Holy Writings, in which are clear directions for the way in which we should live; if an inner voice prompts us to act contrary to the explicit teachings we can be sure that, far from being an inspiration from God, that inner voice is the expression of our own lower nature, and should be disregarded. There is also the gift of intelligence and good judgement--the faculty which distinguishes man form the animal kingdom; God intends us to use this faculty, which can be a powerful instrument for distinguishing between true inspirations and vain imaginings. There is the power of prayer through which we strive to purity our motives, to see the Will of God and to implore His guidance and assistance. There is also the law of consultation, one of the distinguishing features of this great Revelation.
(29 Nov. 1982 on behalf of the Universal House of Justice, quoted in a Research memo dated 17 July 1989)
Continue exploring
- bringing forth results; fruit
- light and darkness
- radiant countenance; bearing the divine fragrance
- saddening another soul
- service to others; to the Cause of God
- serving humanity; working for progress, betterment of the world
- the golden rule; regard for one's neighbor; doing unto others
- walking the spiritual path; spiritual wayfaring; the virtuous life
For thought and discussion
Questions to carry forward
- What would it mean to nourish the candle of the heart with wisdom, and what habits might sustain that nourishment?
- Which concrete forms of care give substance to illumination, and how could their effects be recognized by the people receiving them?
- How do these readings relate inward character, spoken counsel, and visible action when a person hopes to guide someone else?
- What can patient education, healing, and kindness teach about responding to different needs without losing hope?
- How does Matthew’s image of the lamp and good works illuminate this compilation, and what distinctive purposes remain within each setting?
- How might intelligence, effort, prayer, consultation, and attention to circumstances help a person seek guidance when personal desire is difficult to distinguish from inspiration?