The Purpose of Baha'u'llah
Unto the emblems of justice and the exponents of equity it is indubitably clear and evident that this Wronged One, strengthened by the transcendent power of the Kingdom, is seeking to efface from among the peoples and kindreds of the earth every evidence of disorder, discord, dissension, differences or divisions; and it is for no other reason but this great, this momentous object that He hath again and again been cast into prison and many a day and a night hath been subjected to chains and fetters. Blessed are they that judge this impregnable Cause, this glorious Announcement, with fairness and equity.
(Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 260)
O King of Paris! [Napoleon III] Tell the priests to ring the bells no longer. By God, the True One! The Most Mighty Bell hath appeared in the form of Him Who is the Most Great Name, and the fingers of the Will of Thy Lord, the Most Exalted, the Most High, toll it out in the heaven of Immortality in His name, the All-Glorious. Thus have the mighty verses of Thy Lord been again sent down unto thee, that thou mayest arise to remember God, the Creator of earth and heaven, in these days when all the tribes of the earth have mourned, and the foundations of the cities have trembled, and the dust of irreligion hath enwrapped all men, except such as God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise, was pleased to spare. Say: He Who is the Unconstrained is come, in the clouds of light, that He may quicken the world with the breezes of His name, the Most Merciful, and unify its peoples, and gather all men around this Table which hath been sent down from heaven.
(Baha'u'llah, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, paragraph 1.131 p. 67)
The purpose of the one true God in manifesting Himself is to summon all mankind to truthfulness and sincerity, to piety and trustworthiness, to resignation and submissiveness to the Will of God, to forbearance and kindliness, to uprightness and wisdom. His object is to array every man with the mantle of a saintly character, and to adorn him with the ornament of holy and goodly deeds.
(Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh CXXXVII, p. 299)
(Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 260)
O King of Paris! [Napoleon III] Tell the priests to ring the bells no longer. By God, the True One! The Most Mighty Bell hath appeared in the form of Him Who is the Most Great Name, and the fingers of the Will of Thy Lord, the Most Exalted, the Most High, toll it out in the heaven of Immortality in His name, the All-Glorious. Thus have the mighty verses of Thy Lord been again sent down unto thee, that thou mayest arise to remember God, the Creator of earth and heaven, in these days when all the tribes of the earth have mourned, and the foundations of the cities have trembled, and the dust of irreligion hath enwrapped all men, except such as God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise, was pleased to spare. Say: He Who is the Unconstrained is come, in the clouds of light, that He may quicken the world with the breezes of His name, the Most Merciful, and unify its peoples, and gather all men around this Table which hath been sent down from heaven.
(Baha'u'llah, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, paragraph 1.131 p. 67)
The purpose of the one true God in manifesting Himself is to summon all mankind to truthfulness and sincerity, to piety and trustworthiness, to resignation and submissiveness to the Will of God, to forbearance and kindliness, to uprightness and wisdom. His object is to array every man with the mantle of a saintly character, and to adorn him with the ornament of holy and goodly deeds.
(Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh CXXXVII, p. 299)
The Baha'i Womens Group of Lumumbashi, Katanga, Democratic Republic of Congo, in 1997
Copyright © 2006 Baha'i International Community
Used with permission
Copyright © 2006 Baha'i International Community
Used with permission
This Wronged One, rid of all attachment to the world, hath striven with utmost endeavour to quench the fire of animosity and hatred which burneth fiercely in the hearts of the peoples of the earth.
(Tablet of Tarazat (Ornaments), Tablets of Baha'u'llah p. 44)
Thou didst bring mankind into being to know Thee and to serve Thy Cause, that their station might thereby be elevated upon Thine earth and their souls be uplifted by virtue of the things Thou hast revealed in Thy Scriptures, Thy Books and Thy Tablets.
(Baha'u'llah, Tablet of Ishraqat, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 111)
That which hath been set forth and will be revealed in the future is but a token of this Servant's ardent desire to dedicate Himself to the service of all the kindreds of the earth.
(Tablet of Maqsud, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 171)
Unto that immeasurably exalted Being Who seeketh naught but to foster the spirit of love and fellowship amongst men, and to revive the world and ennoble its life, they have imputed such charges as the tongue and the pen are ashamed to recount.
(Baha'u'llah, Tablet of Maqsud, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 174)
The Tongan Baha'i Lakalala Dance Group at the 2004 jubilee celebrations
Copyright © 2006 Baha'i International Community
Used with permission
Copyright © 2006 Baha'i International Community
Used with permission
The Divine Messengers have been sent down, and their Books were revealed, for the purpose of promoting the knowledge of God, and of furthering unity and fellowship amongst men. (Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 12)
We, verily, have come to unite and weld together all that dwell on earth. (Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 24)
Mine aim hath ever been, and still is, to suppress whatever is the cause of contention amidst the peoples of the earth, and of separation amongst the nations, so that all men may be sanctified from every earthly attachment, and be set free to occupy themselves with their own interests.
(Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 33)
. . . it is Our purpose, through the loving providence of God -- exalted be His glory -- and His surpassing mercy, to abolish, through the force of Our utterance, all disputes, war, and bloodshed, from the face of the earth.
(Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 33)
The betterment of the world hath been the sole aim of this Wronged One.
(Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 36)
Addressing Himself unto the kings and rulers of the earth -- may God, exalted be He, assist them -- He imparted unto them that which is the cause of the well-being, the unity, the harmony, and the reconstruction of the world, and of the tranquillity of the nations.
(Bahá'u'lláh, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 44)
Confer with them, and show them what hath flowed out of the Pen of Glory, that haply they may be graciously aided to better the condition of the world, and improve the character of peoples of different nations, and may, through the living waters of God's counsels, quench the hatred and the animosity which lie hid and smolder in the hearts of men. We pray God that thou mayest be assisted therein. And this, verily, would not be hard for Him.
(Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 59)
. . . that He may quicken the world and unite its peoples
(Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 63)
This Wronged One, in the daytime and in the night-season, occupied Himself with that which would edify the souls of men, until the light of knowledge prevailed over the darkness of ignorance.
(Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 71)
This people need no weapons of destruction, inasmuch as they have girded themselves to reconstruct the world.
(Bahá'u'lláh, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 74)
that the souls of men may be edified, and the Word of God be exalted.
(Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 76-77)
Night and day hath this Wronged One been occupied in that which would unite the hearts, and edify the souls of men.
(Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 88)
He hath sent forth His Messengers, and sent down His Books, that they may announce unto His creatures the Straight Path.
(Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 98)
...that thine eye might be cheered, and thy soul be well-assured.
(Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 103)
Their concern hath ever been and now is for the betterment of the world. Their purpose is to obliterate differences, and quench the flame of hatred and enmity, so that the whole earth may come to be viewed as one country.
(Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 123)
this Wronged One hath, at all times, been cleaving fast unto whatever would be conducive to the glory of both the government and the people.
(Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 124)
Our purpose is that all men may cleave unto that which will reduce unnecessary labor and exertion, so that their days may be befittingly spent and ended.
(Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 138)
The eyes of this Wronged One are turned towards naught save trustworthiness, truthfulness, purity, and all that profiteth men.
(Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 138)
. . . so that He may infuse life eternal into the mortal frames of men, impart to the temples of dust the essence of the Holy Spirit and the heavenly Light, and draw the transient world, through the potency of a single word, unto the Everlasting Kingdom.
(Baha'u'llah, Compilation on Trustworthiness; The Compilation of Compilations Volume II, p. 337, #2050)
We, verily, have come to unite and weld together all that dwell on earth. (Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 24)
Mine aim hath ever been, and still is, to suppress whatever is the cause of contention amidst the peoples of the earth, and of separation amongst the nations, so that all men may be sanctified from every earthly attachment, and be set free to occupy themselves with their own interests.
(Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 33)
. . . it is Our purpose, through the loving providence of God -- exalted be His glory -- and His surpassing mercy, to abolish, through the force of Our utterance, all disputes, war, and bloodshed, from the face of the earth.
(Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 33)
The betterment of the world hath been the sole aim of this Wronged One.
(Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 36)
Addressing Himself unto the kings and rulers of the earth -- may God, exalted be He, assist them -- He imparted unto them that which is the cause of the well-being, the unity, the harmony, and the reconstruction of the world, and of the tranquillity of the nations.
(Bahá'u'lláh, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 44)
Confer with them, and show them what hath flowed out of the Pen of Glory, that haply they may be graciously aided to better the condition of the world, and improve the character of peoples of different nations, and may, through the living waters of God's counsels, quench the hatred and the animosity which lie hid and smolder in the hearts of men. We pray God that thou mayest be assisted therein. And this, verily, would not be hard for Him.
(Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 59)
. . . that He may quicken the world and unite its peoples
(Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 63)
This Wronged One, in the daytime and in the night-season, occupied Himself with that which would edify the souls of men, until the light of knowledge prevailed over the darkness of ignorance.
(Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 71)
This people need no weapons of destruction, inasmuch as they have girded themselves to reconstruct the world.
(Bahá'u'lláh, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 74)
that the souls of men may be edified, and the Word of God be exalted.
(Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 76-77)
Night and day hath this Wronged One been occupied in that which would unite the hearts, and edify the souls of men.
(Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 88)
He hath sent forth His Messengers, and sent down His Books, that they may announce unto His creatures the Straight Path.
(Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 98)
...that thine eye might be cheered, and thy soul be well-assured.
(Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 103)
Their concern hath ever been and now is for the betterment of the world. Their purpose is to obliterate differences, and quench the flame of hatred and enmity, so that the whole earth may come to be viewed as one country.
(Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 123)
this Wronged One hath, at all times, been cleaving fast unto whatever would be conducive to the glory of both the government and the people.
(Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 124)
Our purpose is that all men may cleave unto that which will reduce unnecessary labor and exertion, so that their days may be befittingly spent and ended.
(Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 138)
The eyes of this Wronged One are turned towards naught save trustworthiness, truthfulness, purity, and all that profiteth men.
(Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 138)
. . . so that He may infuse life eternal into the mortal frames of men, impart to the temples of dust the essence of the Holy Spirit and the heavenly Light, and draw the transient world, through the potency of a single word, unto the Everlasting Kingdom.
(Baha'u'llah, Compilation on Trustworthiness; The Compilation of Compilations Volume II, p. 337, #2050)
Briefly, in every instance He hath stated that which is conducive to the conversion, the advancement, the exaltation, and the guidance of men.
(Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 155)
God is My witness that this Wronged One hath had no purpose except to convey the Word of God.
(Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 161)
A Baha'i children's class in Yarmag, Ulaanbatar, Mongolia, 2005
Copyright © 2006 Baha'i International Community
Used with permission
Copyright © 2006 Baha'i International Community
Used with permission
We had no other purpose except to edify the souls of men, and to exalt the blessed Word.
(Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 166)
Say: He Who is the Unconstrained is come, in the clouds of light, that He may quicken the world with the breezes of His name, the Most Merciful, and unify its peoples, and gather all men around this Table which hath been sent down from heaven.
(Bahá'u'lláh addressing Napoleon III, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, paragraph 1.131, pp. 67-68)
Consider these days in which He Who is the Ancient Beauty hath come in the Most Great Name, that He may quicken the world and unite its peoples.
(Bahá'u'lláh addressing Queen Victoria, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, paragraph 1.177, p. 92)
O ye rulers of the earth! Wherefore have ye clouded the radiance of the Sun, and caused it to cease from shining? Hearken unto the counsel given you by the Pen of the Most High, that haply both ye and the poor may attain unto tranquillity and peace. We beseech God to assist the kings of the earth to establish peace on earth. He, verily, doth what He willeth.
(Bahá'u'lláh addressing the rulers of the earth, in the Tablet to Queen Victoria, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, p. 93)
They that surround thee love thee for their own sakes, whereas this Youth loveth thee for thine own sake, and hath had no desire except to draw thee nigh unto the seat of grace, and to turn thee toward the right hand of justice.
(Baha'u'llah addressing Násiri’d-Dín Sháh, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, paragraph 1.194, p. 99)
. . . this Servant hath had no end in view but to promote the betterment and well-being of the world.
(Bahá'u'lláh addressing Násiri’d-Dín Sháh, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, paragraph 1.209, p. 108)
This Youth hath come to quicken the world and unite all its peoples. The day is approaching when that which God hath purposed will have prevailed and thou shalt behold the earth transformed into the all-glorious paradise. Thus hath it been inscribed by the Pen of Revelation upon this weighty Tablet.
(Bahá'u'lláh, Súriy-i-Ra’ís, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, paragraph 2.8, p. 144)
Say: Even should ye tear our bodies asunder, ye could not banish from our hearts the love of God. We were of a truth created for sacrifice, and in this do we take pride before all creation.
(Bahá'u'lláh, Súriy-i-Ra’ís, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, paragraph 2.27, p. 151)
I confess that Thou hast no desire except the regeneration of the whole world, and the establishment of the unity of its peoples, and the salvation of all them that dwell therein.
(Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah CXV, p. 243)
If any man were to meditate on that which the Scriptures, sent down from the heaven of God's holy Will, have revealed, he would readily recognize that their purpose is that all men shall be regarded as one soul, so that the seal bearing the words "The Kingdom shall be God's" may be stamped on every heart, and the light of Divine bounty, of grace, and mercy may envelop all mankind. The one true God, exalted be His glory, hath wished nothing for Himself. The allegiance of mankind profiteth Him not, neither doth its perversity harm Him. The Bird of the Realm of Utterance voiceth continually this call: "All things have I willed for thee, and thee, too, for thine own sake." If the learned and worldly-wise men of this age were to allow mankind to inhale the fragrance of fellowship and love, every understanding heart would apprehend the meaning of true liberty, and discover the secret of undisturbed peace and absolute composure. Were the earth to attain this station and be illumined with its light it could then be truly said of it: "Thou shall see in it no hollows or rising hills."
(Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah CXXII, p. 260)
The Day Star of Truth that shineth in its meridian splendor beareth Us witness! They who are the people of God have no ambition except to revive the world, to ennoble its life, and regenerate its peoples.
(Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah CXXVI, pp. 270-271)
O thou that hast fled thy home and sought the presence of God! Proclaim unto men the Message of thy Lord, that it may haply deter them from following the promptings of their evil and corrupt desires, and bring them to the remembrance of God, the Most Exalted, the Most Great.
(Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah CXXVIII, p. 276)
My object is none other than the betterment of the world and the tranquillity of its peoples.
(Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah CXXXI, p. 286)
A study group at the Barli Development Institute for Rural Women in Indore, India
Copyright © 2006 Baha'i International Community
Used with permission
Copyright © 2006 Baha'i International Community
Used with permission
The Purpose of the one true God, exalted be His glory, in revealing Himself unto men is to lay bare those gems that lie hidden within the mine of their true and inmost selves.
(Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh CXXXII, p. 287)
Say: We have accepted to be tried by ills and troubles, that ye may sanctify yourselves from all earthly defilements. Why, then, refuse ye to ponder Our purpose in your hearts? By the righteousness of God! Whoso will reflect upon the tribulations We have suffered, his soul will assuredly melt away with sorrow. Thy Lord Himself beareth witness to the truth of My words. We have sustained the weight of all calamities to sanctify you from all earthly corruption, and ye are yet indifferent.
(Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh CXLI, p. 306)
He Who is the Eternal Truth hath, from the Day Spring of Glory, directed His eyes towards the people of Baha, and is addressing them in these words: "Address yourselves to the promotion of the well-being and tranquillity of the children of men. Bend your minds and wills to the education of the peoples and kindreds of the earth, that haply the dissensions that divide it may, through the power of the Most Great Name, be blotted out from its face, and all mankind become the upholders of one Order, and the inhabitants of one City.”
(Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh CLVI, p. 333-334)
O ye children of men! The fundamental purpose animating the Faith of God and His Religion is to safeguard the interests and promote the unity of the human race, and to foster the spirit of love and fellowship amongst men.
(Bahá'u'lláh, Tabernacle of Unity, paragraph 2.34, p. 38)
In this way the primary purpose in revealing the Divine Law -- which is to bring about happiness in the after life and civilization and the refinement of character in this -- will be realized.
(Abdu'l-Bahá, The Secret of Divine Civilization, p. 46)
Say: Take heed lest your devotions withhold you from Him Who is the object of all devotion, or your worship debar you from Him Who is the object of all worship. Rend asunder the veils of your idle fancies! This is your Lord, the Almighty, the All-Knowing, Who hath come to quicken the world and unite all who dwell on earth.
(Baha'u'llah addressing the Christian clergy, Tablet to Pope Pius IX, The Surih of the Temple, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, paragraph 1.109, p. 58)
We, too, have revealed the Cause of God in His cities and raised aloft His remembrance amidst them that truly believe in Him. Say: This Youth hath come to quicken the world and unite all its peoples.
(Baha'u'llah, Súriy-i-Ra’ís, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, paragraph 2.8, p. 144)
We have accepted to be tried by ills and troubles, that ye may sanctify yourselves from all earthly defilements. Why, then, refuse ye to ponder Our purpose in your hearts? By the righteousness of God! Whoso will reflect upon the tribulations We have suffered, his soul will assuredly melt away with sorrow. Thy Lord Himself beareth witness to the truth of My words. We have sustained the weight of all calamities to sanctify you from all earthly corruption
(Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, Section CXLI, p. 307)
We had no other purpose except to edify the souls of men, and to exalt the blessed Word.
(Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 166)
Thou didst bring mankind into being to know Thee and to serve Thy Cause, that their station might thereby be elevated upon Thine earth and their souls be uplifted by virtue of the things Thou hast revealed in Thy Scriptures, Thy Books and Thy Tablets.
(Tablet of Splendours, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 111)
. . . so that the souls of Thy creatures may be drawn towards Thee, that they may forsake themselves and turn unto Thee, and may flee from their misery and seek the tabernacle of Thy riches, and may haste away from their wretchedness into the court of Thy majesty and glory.
(Prayers and Meditations by Baha'u'llah XCI, p. 153)
A group of women who have been studying together
Copyright © 2006 Baha'i International Community
Used with permission
Copyright © 2006 Baha'i International Community
Used with permission
The aim of this Wronged One in sustaining woes and tribulations, in revealing the Holy Verses and in demonstrating proofs hath been naught but to quench the flame of hate and enmity, that the horizon of the hearts of men may be illumined with the light of concord and attain real peace and tranquillity.
(The Book of the Covenant, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 219)
Comments
Post a Comment