…when Muhammad, the Prophet of God… appeared, the learned
men of Mecca and Medina arose, in the early days of His Revelation, against Him
and rejected His Message, while they who were destitute of all learning
recognized and embraced His Faith. Ponder a while. Consider how Balál, the
Ethiopian, unlettered though he was, ascended into the heaven of faith and
certitude, whilst ‘Abdu’lláh Ubayy, a leader among the learned, maliciously
strove to oppose Him. Behold, how a mere shepherd was so carried
away by the ecstasy of the words of God that he was able to gain admittance
into the habitation of his Best-Beloved, and was united to Him Who is the Lord
of Mankind, whilst they who prided themselves on their knowledge and wisdom
strayed far from His path and remained deprived of His grace. For this reason
He hath written: “He that is exalted among you shall be abased, and he that is
abased shall be exalted.” References to this theme are to be found in most of
the heavenly Books, as well as in the sayings of the Prophets and Messengers of
God.
- Baha’u’llah (‘Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah’)
