1: This is the Day in which God's most excellent favours have been
poured...
This is the Day in which God's most excellent favours have been poured out
upon men, the Day in which His most mighty grace hath been infused into
all created things. It is incumbent upon all the peoples of the world to
reconcile their differences, and, with perfect unity and peace, abide
beneath the shadow of the Tree of His care and loving-kindness. It
behoveth them to cleave to whatsoever will, in this Day, be conducive to
the exaltation of their stations, and to the promotion of their best
interests....
("Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah", rev. ed. (Wilmette: Baha'i
Publishing Trust, 1983), p. 6) [1]
2: God's purpose in sending His Prophets unto men is twofold. The first is
to...
God's purpose in sending His Prophets unto men is twofold. The first is to
liberate the children of men from the darkness of ignorance, and guide
them to the light of true understanding. The second is to ensure the peace
and tranquillity of mankind, and provide all the means by which they can
be established.
("Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah", pp. 79-80) [2]
3: O ye that dwell on earth! The distinguishing feature that marketh
the...
O ye that dwell on earth! The distinguishing feature that marketh the
preeminent character of this Supreme Revelation consisteth in that We have
... laid down the essential prerequisites of concord, of understanding, of
complete and enduring unity. Well is it with them that keep My statutes.
("Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah", p. 97) [3]
4: The Great Being, wishing to reveal the prerequisites of the peace
and...
The Great Being, wishing to reveal the prerequisites of the peace and
tranquillity of the world and the advancement of its peoples, hath
written: The time must come when the imperative necessity for the holding
of a vast, an all-embracing assemblage of men will be universally
realized. The rulers and kings of the earth must needs attend it, and,
participating in its deliberations, must consider such ways and means as
will lay the foundations of the world's Great Peace amongst men. Such a
peace demandeth that the Great Powers should resolve, for the sake of the
tranquillity of the peoples of the earth, to be fully reconciled among
themselves. Should any king take up arms against another, all should
unitedly arise and prevent him. If this be done, the nations of the world
will no longer require any armaments, except for the purpose of preserving
the security of their realms and of maintaining internal order within
their territories. This will ensure the peace and composure of every
people, government and nation. We fain would hope that the kings and
rulers of the earth, the mirrors of the gracious and almighty name of God,
may attain unto this station, and shield mankind from the onslaught of
tyranny. ...The day is approaching when all the peoples of the world will
have adopted one universal language and one common script. When this is
achieved, to whatsoever city a man may journey, it shall be as if he were
entering his own home. These things are obligatory and absolutely
essential. It is incumbent upon every man of insight and understanding to
strive to translate that which hath been written into reality and
action.... That one indeed is a man who, today, dedicateth himself to the
service of the entire human race. The Great Being saith: Blessed and happy
is he that ariseth to promote the best interests of the peoples and
kindreds of the earth. In another passage He hath proclaimed: It is not
for him to pride himself who loveth his own country, but rather for him
who loveth the whole world. The earth is but one country, and mankind its
citizens.
("Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah", pp. 249-250) [4]
5: O ye rulers of the earth! Wherefore have ye clouded the radiance of
the...
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.
O kings of the earth! We see you increasing every year your expenditures,
and laying the burden thereof on your subjects. This, verily, is wholly
and grossly unjust. Fear the sighs and tears of this Wronged One, and lay
not excessive burdens on your peoples. Do not rob them to rear palaces for
yourselves; nay rather choose for them that which ye choose for
yourselves. Thus We unfold to your eyes that which profiteth you, if ye
but perceive. Your people are your treasures. Beware lest your rule
violate the commandments of God, and ye deliver your wards to the hands of
the robber. By them ye rule, by their means ye subsist, by their aid ye
conquer. Yet, how disdainfull ye look y upon them! How strange, how very
strange!
Now that ye have refused the Most Great Peace, hold ye fast unto this, the
Lesser Peace, that haply ye may in some degree better your own condition
and that of your dependents.
O rulers of the earth! Be reconciled among yourselves, that ye may need no
more armaments save in a measure to safeguard your territories and
dominions. Beware lest ye disregard the counsel of the All-Knowing, the
Faithful.
Be united, O kings of the earth, for thereby will the tempest of discord
be stilled amongst you, and your peoples find rest, if ye be of them that
comprehend. Should any one among you take up arms against another, rise ye
all against him, for this is naught but manifest justice.
("Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah", pp. 253-254) [5]
6: The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable
unless...
The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless
and until its unity is firmly established. This unity can never be
achieved so long as the counsels which the Pen of the Most High hath
revealed are suffered to pass unheeded.
("Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah", p. 286) [6]
7: We pray God--exalted be His glory--and cherish the hope that He may...
We pray God--exalted be His glory--and cherish the hope that He may
graciously assist the manifestations of affluence and power and the
daysprings of sovereignty and glory, the kings of the earth--may God aid
them through His strengthening grace--to establish the Lesser Peace. This,
indeed, is the greatest means for ensuring the tranquillity of the
nations. It is incumbent upon the Sovereigns of the world--may God assist
them--unitedly to hold fast unto this Peace, which is the chief instrument
for the protection of all mankind. It is Our hope that they will arise to
achieve what will be conducive to the well-being of man. It is their duty
to convene an all-inclusive assembly, which either they themselves or
their ministers will attend, and to enforce whatever measures are required
to establish unity and concord amongst men. They must put away the weapons
of war, and turn to the instruments of universal reconstruction. Should
one king rise up against another, all the other kings must arise to deter
him. Arms and armaments will, then, be no more needed beyond that which is
necessary to ensure the internal security of their respective countries.
If they attain unto this all-surpassing blessing, the people of each
nation will pursue, with tranquillity and contentment, their own
occupations, and the groanings and lamentations of most men would be
silenced. We beseech God to aid them to do His will and pleasure. He,
verily, is the Lord of the throne on high and of earth below, and the Lord
of this world and of the world to come. It would be preferable and more
fitting that the highly-honoured kings themselves should attend such an
assembly, and proclaim their edicts. Any king who will arise and carry out
this task, he, verily will, in the sight of God, become the cynosure of
all kings. Happy is he, and great is his blessedness!
("Epistle to the Son of the Wolf", rev. ed. (Wilmette: Baha'i Publishing
Trust, 1988), pp. 30-31) [7]
8: The sixth Glad-Tidings is the establishment of the Lesser Peace,
details...
The sixth Glad-Tidings is the establishment of the Lesser Peace, details
of which have formerly been revealed from Our Most Exalted Pen. Great is
the blessedness of him who upholdeth it and observeth whatsoever hath been
ordained by God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
("Tablets of Baha'u'llah Revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas", (Wilmette:
Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1988), p.23) [8]
9: ... In all matters moderation is desirable. If a thing is carried to...
... In all matters moderation is desirable. If a thing is carried to
excess, it will prove a source of evil. Consider the civilization of the
West, how it hath agitated and alarmed the peoples of the world. An
infernal engine hath been devised, and hath proved so cruel a weapon of
destruction that its like none hath ever witnessed or heard. The purging
of such deeply-rooted and overwhelming corruptions cannot be effected
unless the peoples of the world unite in pursuit of one common aim and
embrace one universal faith. Incline your ears unto the Call of this
Wronged One and adhere firmly to the Lesser Peace.
("Tablets of Baha'u'llah revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas", p. 69) [9]
10: First: It is incumbent upon the ministers of the House of Justice
to...
First: It is incumbent upon the ministers of the House of Justice to
promote the Lesser Peace so that the people of the earth may be relieved
from the burden of exorbitant expenditures. This matter is imperative and
absolutely essential, inasmuch as hostilities and conflict lie at the root
of affliction and calamity.
("Tablets of Baha'u'llah revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas", p. 89) [10]
11: In the abundance of Our grace and loving-kindness We have revealed
specially...
In the abundance of Our grace and loving-kindness We have revealed
specially for the rulers and ministers of the world that which is
conducive to safety and protection, tranquillity and peace; haply the
children of men may rest secure from the evils of oppression. He, verily,
is the Protector, the Helper, the Giver of victory. It is incumbent upon
the men of God's House of Justice to fix their gaze by day and by night
upon that which hath shone forth from the Pen of Glory for the training of
peoples, the upbuilding of nations, the protection of man and the
safeguarding of his honour.
("Tablets of Baha'u'llah revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas", p. 125) [11]
12: ... They that are possessed of wealth and invested with authority
and...
... They that are possessed of wealth and invested with authority and
power must show the profoundest regard for religion. In truth, religion is
a radiant light and an impregnable stronghold for the protection and
welfare of the peoples of the world, for the fear of God impelleth man to
hold fast to that which is good, and shun all evil. Should the lamp of
religion be obscured, chaos and confusion will ensue, and the lights of
fairness and justice, of tranquillity and peace cease to shine. Unto this
will bear witness every man of true understanding.
("Tablets of Baha'u'llah revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas", p. 125) [12]
13: We have enjoined upon all mankind to establish the Most Great
Peace--the...
We have enjoined upon all mankind to establish the Most Great Peace--the
surest of all means for the protection of humanity. The sovereigns of the
world should, with one accord, hold fast thereunto, for this is the
supreme instrument that can ensure the security and welfare of all peoples
and nations. They, verily, are the manifestations of the power of God and
the daysprings of His authority. We beseech the Almighty that He may
graciously assist them in that which is conducive to the well-being of
their subjects. A full explanation regarding this matter hath been
previously set forth by the Pen of Glory; well is it with them that act
accordingly.
("Tablets of Baha'u'llah revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas", p. 126) [13]
14: The purpose of religion as revealed from the heaven of God's holy Will
is...
The purpose of religion as revealed from the heaven of God's holy Will is
to establish unity and concord amongst the peoples of the world; make it
not the cause of dissension and strife. The religion of God and His divine
law are the most potent instruments and the surest of all means for the
dawning of the light of unity amongst men. The progress of the world, the
development of nations, the tranquillity of peoples, and the peace of all
who dwell on earth are among the principles and ordinances of God.
Religion bestoweth upon man the most precious of all gifts, offereth the
cup of prosperity, imparteth eternal life, and showereth imperishable
benefits upon mankind. It behoveth the chiefs and rulers of the world, and
in particular the Trustees of God's House of Justice, to endeavour to the
utmost of their power to safeguard its position, promote its interests and
exalt its station in the eyes of the world. In like manner it is incumbent
upon them to enquire into the conditions of their subjects and to acquaint
themselves with the affairs and activities of the divers communities in
their dominions. We call upon the manifestations of the power of God--the
sovereigns and rulers on earth--to bestir themselves and do all in their
power that haply they may banish discord from this world and illumine it
with the light of concord.
("Tablets of Baha'u'llah revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas", pp. 129-130)
[14]
15: Our hope is that the world's religious leaders and the rulers thereof
will...
Our hope is that the world's religious leaders and the rulers thereof will
unitedly arise for the reformation of this age and the rehabilitation of
its fortunes. Let them, after meditating on its needs, take counsel
together and, through anxious and full deliberation, administer to a
diseased and sorely- afflicted world the remedy it requireth.
The Great Being saith: The heaven of divine wisdom is illumined with the
two luminaries of consultation and compassion. Take ye counsel together in
all matters, inasmuch as consultation is the lamp of guidance which
leadeth the way, and is the bestower of understanding.
("Tablets of Baha'u'llah revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas", p. 168) [15]
16: Take ye counsel together, and let your concern be only for that
which...
Take ye counsel together, and let your concern be only for that which
profiteth mankind and bettereth the condition thereof.... Regard the world
as the human body which, though created whole and perfect, has been
afflicted, through divers causes, with grave ills and maladies. Not for
one day did it rest, nay its sicknesses waxed more severe, as it fell
under the treatment of unskilled physicians who have spurred on the steed
of their worldly desires and have erred grievously. And if at one time,
through the care of an able physician, a member of that body was healed,
the rest remained afflicted as before. Thus informeth you the All-Knowing,
the All-Wise.... That which the Lord hath ordained as the sovereign remedy
and mightiest instrument for the healing of all the world is the union of
all its peoples in one universal Cause, one common Faith. This can in no
wise be achieved except through the power of a skilled, an all-powerful
and inspired Physician. This verily is the truth, and all else naught but
error.
...
Consider these days in which the Ancient Beauty, He Who is the Most Great
Name, hath been sent down to regenerate and unify mankind. Behold how with
drawn swords they rose against Him, and committed that which caused the
Faithful Spirit to tremble. And whenever We said unto them: 'Lo, the World
Reformer is come,' they made reply: 'He, in truth, is one of the stirrers
of mischief'....
(Extracts from the Tablet to Queen Victoria, cited in Shoghi Effendi, "The
World Order of Baha'u'llah: Selected Letters", rev. ed. (Wilmette: Baha'i
Publishing Trust, 1982), pp. 39-40; p. 163) [16]