Being Compassionate and a source of consolation to others
"Loving-kindness is the divine policy. Shall we consider human policy and attitude superior to the wisdom and policy of God? This would be inconceivable, impossible. Therefore we must emulate and follow the divine policy, dealing with each other in the utmost love and tenderness." (Abdu'l-Baha, Foundations of World Unity, p. 25)
“..The friends of God must manifest the mercy of the Compassionate Lord in the world of existence..” (Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 215)
"... the loved ones of God... must endeavour to consort in a friendly spirit with everyone, must have respect and consideration one for another and show loving-kindness and tender regard to all the peoples of the world.." (Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 233)
"Therefore must the friends of God engender that tenderness which cometh from Heaven, and bestow love in the spirit upon all humankind… to all must they show forth kindness and good faith; to all must they wish well. They must sacrifice themselves for their friends, and wish good fortune to their foes. They must be as refreshing water to the thirsty, and to the sick, a swift remedy, a healing balm to those in pain and a solace to every burdened heart. " (Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 316)
“Oh, friends of God! If ye will trust in the Word of God and be strong; if ye will follow the precepts of Baha’u’llah to tend the sick, raise the fallen, care for the poor and needy, give shelter to the destitute, protect the oppressed, comfort the sorrowful and love the world of humanity with all your hearts, then I say unto you that ere long this meeting-place will see a wonderful harvest. Day by day each member will advance and become more and more spiritual.” Abdu’l-Baha, Paris Talks –
“… all effort and exertion put forth by man from the fullness of his heart is worship, if it is prompted by the highest motives and the will to do service to humanity. This is worship: to serve mankind and to minister to the needs of the people. Service is prayer.” Abdu’l-Baha, Paris Talks –
“So far as ye are able, ignite a candle of love in every meeting, and with tenderness rejoice and cheer ye every heart.” (Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 34)
“Be a sign of love, a manifestation of mercy, a fountain of tenderness, kind-hearted, good to all and gentle to the servants of God, and especially to those who bear no relation to thee, both men and women.” (Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha v3, p. 619)
“O ye lovers of God! Be kind to all peoples; care for every person; do all ye can to purify the hearts and minds of men; strive ye to gladden every soul. To every meadow be a shower of grace, to every tree the water of life; be as sweet musk to the sense of humankind, and to the ailing be a fresh, restoring breeze. Be pleasing waters to all those who thirst, a careful guide to all who have lost their way; be father and mother to the orphan, be loving sons and daughters to the old, be an abundant treasure to the poor. Think ye of love and good fellowship as the delights of heaven, think ye of hostility and hatred as the torments of hell.” (Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 244)
“Be thou loving to every afflicted one, a dispeller of sorrows to every grieved one…, a consolation to dejected hearts, a blessing to unfortunate souls… (Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha v1, p. 201)
Stories of Baha'u'llah and Abdu'l-Baha :
- In the time of Baha’u’llah there were many poor people who had little to eat and even less to spend on warm clothes. Baha’u’llah would meet them when He walked through the city. Although He was always extremely kind to everyone, He gave these poor ones His special attention. There was one old lady in particular. She was eighty years old, and lived in a very poor area of Baghdad. She was frail and quite weak, but she had seen Baha’u’llah as He walked by on His way to the coffee house, and every day she waited for Him in the road, hoping to see Him again. Baha’u’llah often passed that way and He was always exceedingly kind to her. She longed to kiss His hand – it was all she could do to show her great love for Him. Baha’u’llah would not allow this, but He would bend down very low, so that even though she was not very tall, and bent with age, she could reachto kiss His cheek. ‘She knows that I love her,' Baha'u'llah would tell His companions, ‘that is why she loves Me.’ While He lived in Baghdad He showered kindness and love upon her, and when He had to leave to go to Constantinople, He arranged that money would be given to her until the end of her life.
- Corinne True told the story of a cleaning woman who greatly wished to meet ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, but was too embarrassed by her rough, work – worn hands to do so in the public reception line. Mrs. True urged her to go to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and finally, hoping to simply touch His robe and dash away before He saw her hands, she approached the Master. As she bent over to touch His robe, He took one of her hands and raised her up. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá carefully examined the captive hand and with deep love and understanding gazed into her eyes. “Sacrifice!", He uttered simply. (Earl Redman, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Their Midst, p. 196)
- On the occasion of this visit I had been under a severe strain at Robert College, due to disciplinary troubles. Also, I had been slowly recovering in previous years from a nervous depression due to overwork at Dartmouth College. At times I would feel so depressed that I should have been glad to have found a hole in the ground, crawled into it, and pulled the hole in after me. I understood at such times the Hindu craving for extinction. ‘Abdu’l-Baha came into my room one morning without His translator. He sat beside me and took one of my hands in both of His and held it for a minute or two. He had not at any time inquired as to my health. He knew. From that moment on I found myself permanently relieved of these depressive moods. No matter how hard the going, I have always since then been glad to be alive. (By Stanwood Cobb – Some warm memories of Abdu’l-Baha)