Faithfulness
“In the world of existence nothing is greater than faithfulness, for it allows love to remain unimpaired in spite of the length of time.”
(Words by `Abdu’l-Baha, 26 August 1912, Boston, “Mahmud’s Diary”)
A common saying depicts that, ‘so will go from the heart and be forgotten, whoever that goes away from the eyes and be seen no more’. Alas! This seems to be how the most of the world and its relationships, friendships and love have become—love and fellowships, affectionate bonds and friendships of the kind which all, sadly, and only depend on physical presence and revolve around the material relations and worldly visions. Whereas, the real love and friendship that has made its abode in the chambers of inner soul and heart, present in mind and vision all, is deep and lasting, is alive, vigilant and growing, is tender yet strong, starts tiny like a seed, but genuine, healthy and authentic, it develops and becomes a blooming, a fruitful tree; a kind of love and friendship which regardless of extended durations and long passages of time, when present and near do not lose their spirits and thrilling color and are not taken for granted and devalued; and when absent, often indeed a temporal distance, or physical separation and far advance only consolidates and intensifies its power and energies, unfolds its potent mysteries and gems, brightening its prospects and meaning; a separation of a kind which becomes nearer than oneness, elevates love’s true value and its rank, and reveals its radiance and beauty at every twist of the loving path. “Faithfulness is a matchless quality and virtue”, free and above the conditions of time and the place; it is a spiritual and peerless trait encompassing all on its own of the earth and heaven, and an indispensable accompaniment too as the Leaves of Utterances below gently unveil, intertwined closely with sterling attributes and individual perfections, brilliant heritage and the wholeness and oneness of humanity, and the conquerors and champions of the castles and cities of love and honor. It is the supreme essence of one’s character; it indicates nobility and magnanimity, holds on to peerless treasures and upholds excellence, and treading lofty heights it develops a soul, and a heart and mind into “the first, the pure and the wise”, “shining examples unto all mankind”, “stars in the sky of humanity”.
“Have they not told thee that faithfulness is a duty on those who follow the mystic way, that it is the true guide to His Holy Presence?” (Revealed by Baha’u’llah, “The Seven Valleys and The Four Valleys”, p. 48)
“The first call of the Beloved is this: O mystic nightingale! Abide not but in the rose-garden of the spirit. O messenger of the Solomon of love! Seek thou no shelter except in the Sheba of the well-beloved, and O immortal phoenix! dwell not save on the mount of faithfulness. Therein is thy habitation, if on the wings of thy soul thou soarest to the realm of the infinite and seekest to attain thy goal.” (Revealed by Baha’u’llah, “The Persian Hidden Words”, p. 1)
“Whereupon there was asked, Why the wailing and weeping? He made reply: As bidden I waited expectant upon the hill of
faithfulness, yet inhaled not from them that dwell on earth the fragrance of fidelity.” (Revealed by Baha’u’llah, “Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah”, p. 91)
“Worldly friends, seeking their own good, appear to love one the other, whereas the true Friend hath loved and doth love you for your own sakes; indeed He hath suffered for your guidance countless afflictions. Be not disloyal to such a Friend, nay rather hasten unto Him. Such is the daystar of the word of truth and faithfulness, that hath dawned above the horizon of the pen of the Lord of all names. Open your ears that ye may hearken unto the word of God, the Help in peril, the Self-existent.” (Revealed by Baha’u’llah, “The Persian Hidden Words”, p. 52)
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“We exhort mankind in these days when the countenance of Justice is soiled with dust, when the flames of unbelief are burning high and the robe of wisdom rent asunder, when tranquillity and faithfulness have ebbed away and trials and tribulations have waxed severe, when covenants are broken and ties are severed, when no man knoweth how to discern light and darkness or to distinguish guidance from error. O peoples of the world! Forsake all evil, hold fast that which is good. Strive to be shining examples unto all mankind.” (Revealed by Baha’u’llah, “Tablets of Baha’u’llah ”, p. 138)
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“Should any one of you enter a city, he should become a center of attraction by reason of his sincerity, his faithfulness and love, his honesty and fidelity, his truthfulness and loving-kindness towards all the peoples of the world.” (Revealed by `Abdu’l-Baha, “The Advent of Divine Justice”, p. 26)
“Verily, I have heard Thy call, O All-Glorious Beloved; and now is the face of Baha flaming with the heat of tribulation and with the fire of Thy shining word, and He hath risen up in faithfulness at the place of sacrifice, looking toward Thy pleasure, O Ordainer of the worlds.” (Prayer revealed by Baha’u’llah, “Baha’i Prayers”, p. 219)
“O friends of God, verily the Pen of Sincerity enjoineth on you the greatest faithfulness. By the Life of God, its light is more evident than the light of the sun! In its light and its brightness and its radiance every light is eclipsed. We desire of God that He will not withhold from His cities and lands the radiant effulgence of the Sun of Faithfulness.” (Revealed by `Abdu’l-Baha, “The Traveler’s Narrative”, p. 46)
“God has not created men that they should destroy one another. All races, tribes, sects and classes share equally in the Bounty of their Heavenly Father. The only difference lies in the degree of faithfulness, of obedience to the laws of God. There are some who are as lighted torches, there are others who shine as stars in the sky of humanity.” (`Abdu’l-Baha, “Paris Talks”, p. 148)
“One of the requirements of faithfulness is that thou mayest sacrifice thyself and, in the divine path, close thine eye to every pleasure and strive with all thy soul that thou mayest disappear and be lost, like unto a drop, in the ocean of the love of God.” (Revealed by `Abdu’l-Baha, “Tablets of `Abdu’l-Baha”, p. 552)
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Learning Felicity
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