[Baha’u’llah and the New Era by J.E. Esslemont]@TWC D-Link bookBaha’u’llah and the New Era CHAPTER 5: WHAT IS A BAHA'I 22/30
Consort ye, O people, with the people of all religions with joy and fragrance." 'Abdu'l-Baha says in a letter to the Baha'is of America:-- Beware! Beware! Lest ye offend any heart! Beware! Beware! Lest ye hurt any soul! Beware! Beware! Lest ye deal unkindly toward any person! Beware! Beware! Lest ye be the cause of hopelessness to any creature! Should one become the cause of grief to any one heart, or of despondency to any one soul, it were better to hide oneself in the lowest depths of the earth than to walk upon the earth. He teaches that as the flower is hidden in the bud, so a spirit from God dwells in the heart of every man, no matter how hard and unlovely his exterior.
The true Baha'i will treat every man, therefore, as the gardener tends a rare and beautiful plant.
He knows that no impatient interference on his part can open the bud into a blossom; only God's sunshine can do that, therefore his aim is to bring that life-giving sunshine into all darkened hearts and homes. Again, 'Abdu'l-Baha says:-- Among the teachings of Baha'u'llah is one requiring man, under all conditions and circumstances, to be forgiving, to love his enemy and to consider an ill-wisher as a well-wisher.
Not that one should consider another as an enemy and then put up with him ... and be forbearing toward him.
This is hypocrisy and not real love. Nay, rather, you must see your enemies as friends, your ill-wishers as well-wishers and treat them accordingly.
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