“You must have infinite love for each other, each preferring the other before himself.” (Talk by `Abdu’l-Baha, From Stenographic Notes, 1 July 1912, New York)
“Love” is light; it is the cause of creation and the secret and purpose of existence and life. Its proof is itself, as is for light and sunshine, and like the life in the alive. Love is the beginning and the end, it is everywhere; yet invisible, it is perceived and felt only by its signs and manifestations. It is said in the holy Texts that, “God is Love”.
However lofty its station, thrilling and awesome, love is simple; it is not plain, certainly nor it is easy, but truly simple. When we open a room and space in our day to day life and include others’ cares and concerns in ours—however little or big—that simply is love. As we allow our minds and thoughts be busy in making others happy, their lives a bit easier, and a moment of their days sweeter—that is kindness, a kind that is love. We offer of our time, if we have; if not, we make time, then offer it even if just a moment or two, sincerely and willingly; we care for her and him, or them and theirs, as we care for me and ourselves—and that just is love. And the more and deeper such affection and love, it grows only in beauty and meaning; unfolding its hidden treasures, it transforms in power, leads and advances to a point where we fly so high and above that not only concern ourselves for their happiness and goodness as we do for our own, upholding everyone equal as we are, we may even willingly and freely offer preferences to others’ cares and concerns over those of our own—without attaching hidden strings of expectations in return, or any conditions, nor obligations of any kinds—what could be understood as, and it is, the highest, purest, and noblest form of affection and love. Such a kind is not blind, far too from it—it is intelligent and vigilantly aware, generously gracious and genuine, while is free, aloof and wise. Such a love is kind—the loving kindness which is Godly and divine.
`Abdu’l-Baha—the Embodiment of every Baha’i ideal and the Perfect Exemplar of Baha’u’llah’s Revelation—would manifest in His day to day life and treatment of others, whether friends and family, or just any one whom He would meet, a loving attitude of the kind. His love originated from the love of the One Beloved, the Creator; hence, He saw God’s image in every human being, and loved every soul for His sake, ‘God said, “Let us make a man with our image and resemblance.” (Genesis, 1:26)’—a love thus reaching from Him to everyone was naturally and abundantly sincere, spotless and infinitely generous. His acts translated His own Words, “When you love a member of your family, a friend, or a compatriot, let it be with a ray of the Infinite Love! Let it be in God, and for God.”
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