The force that keeps atoms clinging together in a stone, the pull that draws water up into a plant, the fellowship of animals and the yearning of a human heart: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá reads them all as one law appearing in rising degrees, and He gives that law its oldest name, love. Where attraction holds, there is composition and life; where it fails, there is separation and death. The human body makes the point concrete, its diverse members each needing all the others and held in order by a mind that is never seen but is known by its effects, and the universe itself is pictured as answering to a similar unifying power. The same Writings insist that everything in nature is its captive, except the human being, who can choose, and who is therefore answerable for whether love is spread. The Mettā Sutta trains that choice, wishing well to beings near and far, seen and unseen [1]. From here the path continues into interconnectedness and the chain of being, into diversity as a requirement of existence, and into the relation between nature and the will of God.
Love is the cause of God's revelation unto man, the vital bond inherent, in accordance with the divine creation, in the realities of things. Love is the one means that ensureth true felicity both in this world and the next. Love is the light that guideth in darkness, the living link that uniteth God with man, that assureth the progress of every illumined soul. Love is the most great law that ruleth this mighty and heavenly cycle, the unique power that bindeth together the divers elements of this material world, the supreme magnetic force that directeth the movements of the spheres in the celestial realms.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Lawh-i-Mahabbat (Tablet of Love), 1902-Oct-16, to George Emerson Witte -- AB01214)
02
In the mineral kingdom, the force of attraction is a sign of the power of love. Likewise in the vegetable kingdom, the growing power and the relationships between individual elements are expressions of love. Similarly in the animal kingdom, emotional attractions spring from love. And in the human world, all these connections are present and manifest, and furthermore the Sun of Reality shines with the lights of love upon hearts and souls.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1919-Jun-20, to John Bucklan -- AB12289)
03
In the divine world there is love, symbolized in the material world by magnetism.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to George Winterburn et al, spoken on 1904-Feb-06 -- ABU1318)
04
Thus, when you wish to express the reality of the spirit and its conditions and degrees, you are obliged to describe them in terms of sensible things, since outwardly there exists nothing but the sensible.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Chapter 16, Intelligible Realities and their Expression through Sensible Forms, 1904 ca. -- AB00259)
05
For the variation in the stations of love are from differences of stations and stages and in each world of the worlds and in each stage of the stages there can be seen a magnetism of oneness . Within the grasp of its power is the mutual attraction of the reality of all things and the pulling [together] of the subtlety of Being. And this magnetism of oneness is the station of Love and Attraction (khullat ).
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Tafsir-i-Kuntu Kanzan Makhfiyyan (Commentary on the Hadith of the Hidden Treasure), 1868 or <, to Ali Shawkat Pasha -- AB00006)
06
O thou who art yearning to discover! The discoverers of the mysteries of existence and those who comprehend the qualities and hidden secrets hold that a wondrous force of attraction and a strange magnetic power of connection permeates and encompasses all these infinite beings and successive contingent things, both physical and spiritual, and is equally present in them all. … In truth, every thing has unveiled itself through that universal attractive force with a manifestation and light and has displayed its beauty. And in human reality it has become the power of yearning, bringing about enthusiasm and passion and attraction.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1893 ca., to Muhammad Salih (Kirman) -- AB06872)
07
The power of cohesion expressed in the mineral kingdom is in reality love or affinity manifested in a low degree according to the exigencies of the mineral world. We take a step higher into the vegetable kingdom where we find an increased power of attraction has become manifest among the composing elements which form phenomena. Through this degree of attraction a cellular admixture is produced among these elements which make up the body of a plant. Therefore, in the degree of the vegetable kingdom there is love. We enter the animal kingdom and find the attractive power binding together single elements as in the mineral, plus the cellular admixture as in the vegetable, plus the phenomena of feelings or susceptibilities. We observe that the animals are susceptible to certain affiliation and fellowship and that they exercise natural selection. This elemental attraction, this admixture and selective affinity is love manifest in the degree of the animal kingdom.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Public address given on 1912-Aug-16 -- ABU0004)
08
When we observe the phenomena of the universe, we realize that the axis around which life revolves is love, while the axis around which death and destruction revolve is animosity and hatred. Let us view the mineral kingdom. Here we see that if attraction did not exist between the atoms, the composite substance of matter would not be possible.
… The proof is clear that in all degrees and kingdoms unity and agreement, love and fellowship are the cause of life, whereas dissension, animosity and separation are ever conducive to death.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Public address given on 1912-Aug-17 -- ABU0043)
09
Observe that in the world of existence, harmony is the cause of existence, love is the cause of life, and separation is the cause of death. Look at all created things - for example this wood or this stone: elements have combined and individual particles have developed harmony and mixed together until this wood came into existence and this stone found being.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1911-Nov-11 in Paris -- ABU0457)
10
If the atoms which compose the kingdom of the minerals were without affinity for each other, the earth would never have been formed, the universe could not have been created. Because they have affinity for each other, the power of life is able to manifest itself, and the organisms of the phenomenal world become possible.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Public address given at the MacNutt home on 1912-Apr-12 -- ABU0126)
11
In the Universe, all atoms and particles are united by the power of attraction and cohesion; if it were not for this, everything would be immediately dissolved and annihilated.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to E.J. Rosenberg et al, spoken around Feb. 1901 -- ABU1391)
12
All things in existence are formed by particles and atoms which are united by the power of attraction. This is such a great power that all the world is held together by it - and not only the world, but the Universe. All are made of atoms and united by attraction. What is this power of attraction? Love!
Even these massive spheres revolve through the force of attraction, the force of love. Love bestows wondrous life upon lifeless bodies.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken ca. Feb. 1920 -- ABU0993)
14
Everything partakes of this nature and is subject to this principle, for the creative foundation in all its degrees and kingdoms is an expression or outcome of love.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Address at New York Peace Society reception, spoken at Hotel Astor on 1912-May-13 -- ABU0186)
15
Throughout all creation, in all the kingdoms, this law is written: that love and affinity are the cause of life, and discord and separation are the cause of death.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Public address given at 309 W 78th St on 1912-Jun-20 -- ABU0204)
16
And though these infinite realities are diverse in their character yet they are in the utmost harmony and closely connected together. As one's vision is broadened and the matter observed carefully, it will be made certain that every reality is but an essential requisite of other realities. Thus to connect and harmonize these diverse and infinite realities an all-unifying Power is necessary, that every part of existent being may in perfect order discharge its own function. Consider the body of man, and let the part be an indication of the whole. … It is the mind that is the all-unifying agency that so uniteth all the component parts one with the other that each dischargeth its specific function in perfect order, and thereby co-operation and reaction are made possible.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Lawh-i-Dr Forel (Tablet to Dr Forel), 1921-Sep-21, to Auguste Forel -- AB00020)
17
Likewise, look into this endless universe: a universal power inevitably existeth, which encompasseth all, directing and regulating all the parts of this infinite creation; and were it not for this Director, this Co-ordinator, the universe would be flawed and deficient. It would be even as a madman; whereas ye can see that this endless creation carrieth out its functions in perfect order, every separate part of it performing its own task with complete reliability, nor is there any flaw to be found in all its workings. Thus it is clear that a Universal Power existeth, directing and regulating this infinite universe.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1921-May-01, to Mr A A Dan Zidgiz -- AB00103)
18
Divine and all-encompassing Wisdom hath ordained that motion be an inseparable concomitant of existence, whether inherently or accidentally, spiritually or materially. This movement must be governed by some check or rein, some regulator or director, otherwise, order will be disrupted and the spheres and bodies will fall from the heavens. For this reason God brought into being a universal attractive force between these bodies to hold sway over them and govern them, a force deriving from the firm ties and the mighty correspondence that exist between the realities of these limitless worlds.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Lawh-i-Aflakiyyih (Tablet of the Celestial Spheres), 1876-08 ca. -- AB00023)
19
This nature is subject to a sound organization, to inviolable laws, to a perfect order, and to a consummate design, from which it never departs. To such an extent is this true that were you to gaze with the eye of insight and discernment, you would observe that all things---from the smallest invisible atom to the largest globes in the world of existence, such as the sun or the other great stars and luminous bodies---are most perfectly organized, be it with regard to their order, their composition, their outward form, or their motion, and that all are subject to one universal law from which they never depart.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Chapter 1, Nature is Governed by a Universal Law, 1904-Jun ca. -- AB01029)
20
The law of God is one; the evolution of existence is one; the divine order is one. All beings great and small are subject to one law and one order.
But from the beginning, these kinds and species were latent in the earthly realm and appeared gradually thereafter. For the supreme law of God and the universal natural order encompasses all things and subjects them to its rule.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Chapter 51, The Appearance of the Spirit and the Mind in Man, 1904-Oct ca. -- AB00722)
21
Universal existences can be likened and compared to particular ones, for both are subject to one natural order, one universal law, and one divine arrangement. For instance, you will find the smallest atoms to be similar in their general structure to the greatest entities in the universe, and it is clear that they have proceeded from one laboratory of might according to one natural order and one universal law, and can therefore be compared to one another.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Chapter 47, The Evolution of the Universe and the Origin of Man, 1904-Oct ca. -- AB00077)
22
The chain of creation is interwoven in a natural law and divine order. Everything is interlinked. A link cannot be broken without affecting that natural order. Everything that happens is in conformity with this order and is based on consummate wisdom.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken at 309 W 78th St in New York, 1912-Jun-19 -- ABU2457)
23
The dull minerals in their affinities, plants and vegetables with power of growth, animals in their instinct, man with conscious intellect and the heavenly orbs moving obediently through limitless space are all found subject to universal law, most complete, most perfect.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Public address given at Plaza Hotel on 1912-May-02 -- ABU0122)
24
The laws of nature flow within a fixed channel; there is no created thing that can transgress the natural law by so much as an atom.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1916-Aug-17 in Haifa -- ABU1170)
25
Observe the mystery of existence and the manifest proof: verily your Lord, the All-Loving, has made every contingent being a prisoner of the laws of nature and subservient to its rules. As you see, all things are under the authority of nature's law, humbled beneath its might, and compelled when its power and dominion appear. Even the sun, that Greatest Luminary, cannot deviate a hair's breadth from its laws - rather, it is obedient to its decree and abased before its manifest sovereignty, never transgressing its orbit. And this surging ocean, despite its vastness and expanse, cannot escape from its bondage or free itself from its chains.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1912 ca., to Aqa Mirza Qurban-Ali -- AB00102)
26
The sea in all its vastness cannot deviate one iota from the rule of nature; the sun in all its greatness cannot stray so much as a needle's point from the rule of nature, nor can it ever comprehend the states, conditions, properties, movements and nature of man.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Chapter 48, The Difference between Man and Animal, 1904-Oct ca. -- AB00057)
27
The phenomenal world is entirely subject to the rule and control of natural law. These myriad suns, satellites and heavenly bodies throughout endless space are all captives of nature. They cannot transgress in a single point or particular the fixed laws which govern the physical universe.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Public address given at the Mills home on 1912-Apr-13 -- ABU0405)
28
For all created things except man are subjects or captives of nature; they cannot deviate in the slightest degree from nature's law and control. The colossal sun, center of our planetary system, is nature's captive, incapable of the least variation from the law of command.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Public address at Stanford University on 1912-Oct-08 -- ABU0008)
29
The sun, that colossal center of our solar system, the giant stars and planets, the towering mountains, the earth itself and its kingdoms of life lower than the human -- all are captives of nature except man.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Public address given in Baptist Temple on 1912-Jun-08 -- ABU0007)
30
Observe that all beings, whether great or small, are captives of nature. For example, the sun with all its grandeur is captive to nature. All planets, all brilliant stars are captive to nature. All natures, all elements are captive to nature. All minerals, all plants, all animals are captives of nature. They cannot transgress, and none can deviate from nature's requirements even by an atom's worth. … None can make the slightest transgression from nature's rule and law except humans, who are rulers over nature.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1911-Oct-26 in Paris -- ABU0439)
31
All created things are captives of nature and subject to its laws. They cannot transgress the control of these laws in one detail or particular.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Public address given at Columbia University on 1912-Apr-19 -- ABU0145)
32
In the world of existence the animal is a captive of nature. Its actions are according to the exigencies and requirements of nature.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Public address given at the Universalist Church on 1912-Apr-21 -- ABU0118)
33
While in reality the sun with all its glory is nothing but a captive to nature. It has no will power, no intelligence. It cannot deviate a hair's breadth from nature. It cannot control its own movement. It cannot even help from giving forth its rays. It is just the same as the other planets. How numerous are the fish in the sea, the jewels and the corals also! They likewise are captive in the hands of nature.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Latimer, Esslemont, Randall et al, spoken on 1919-Nov-18 -- ABU0622)
34
The body of man is a prisoner of nature and will act in accordance with whatsoever nature dictates.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Chapter 29, Sin and Atonement, 1904 ca. -- AB00096)
35
It is certain that the entire contingent world is subject to an order and a law which it can never disobey. Even man is forced to submit to death, sleep, and other conditions-that is, in certain matters he is compelled, and this very compulsion implies the existence of One Who is All-Compelling.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Chapter 2, Proofs and Evidences of the Existence of God, 1904-Jun ca. -- AB00815)
36
All creation is made subject to the laws of nature, but man has been able to conquer these laws.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken at Paster Wagner's church in Paris, 1911-Nov-26 -- ABU0502)
37
On all sides he is surrounded by dangers and difficulties, against which his physical body alone cannot cope. If a man looks at the world around him, he will see how all created things are dependent and are captive to the laws of Nature.
Man alone, by his spiritual power, has been able to free himself, to soar above the world of matter and to make it his servant.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1911-Oct-19 in Paris -- ABU0899)
38
It is clear that human realities differ one from another, that opinions and perceptions vary, and that this divergence of thoughts, opinions, understandings and sentiments among individuals is an essential requirement. For differences of degree in creation are among the essential requirements of existence, which is resolved into countless forms. We stand therefore in need of a universal power which can prevail over the thoughts, opinions and sentiments of all, which can annul these divisions and bring all souls under the sway of the principle of the oneness of humanity. And it is clear and evident that the greatest power in the human world is the love of God.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Chapter 84, The Station of Actions Performed without the Knowledge of God, 1904 ca. -- AB00063)
39
Make a mighty endeavour, then, and speak forth in such wise that the patterns and systems of the material world shall become aligned with the over-arching order of the cosmos itself and may reflect the beautiful symmetries of universal law.
'The Laws of God are not imposition of will, or of power, or pleasure, but the resolutions of truth, reason and justice.'
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1911-Nov-15 in Paris -- ABU1959)
41
Just as love's power hath been developed to such a high degree among the Baha'is, and is far greater than among the people of other religions, so is it with all else as well; for love is the ground of all things.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1906 ca., to Arthur Cuthbert -- AB00131)
42
The first sign of faith is love. The message of the holy, divine Manifestations is love; the phenomena of creation are based upon love; the radiance of the world is due to love; the well-being and happiness of the world depend upon it. Therefore, I admonish you that you must strive throughout the human world to diffuse the light of love.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Public address given at Roberts home on 1912-Sep-24 -- ABU0158)
43
What a power is love! It is the most wonderful, the greatest of all living powers.
… In the world of existence there is indeed no greater power than the power of love.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Four Kinds of Love: Words spoken at 97 Cadogan Gardens in London, 1913-Jan-04 -- ABU0651)
Further quotations · supplied wording and references
44
We should be confident that there is consistency in the universe, that the Manifestation is aware of that consistency, and we must ourselves be aware that the principle of the harmony of religion and science is a dynamic one which will require new levels of understanding of true science and true religion alike.
(22 Jun. 1977 on behalf of the Universal House of Justice)
Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified
45
Mysteries that were hidden he discovers; and secrets that were concealed he brings into the light. By Science and by Art he brings hidden powers into the region of the visible world. Man perceives the hidden law in created things and co-operates with it.