“Recite ye the verses of God every morn and eventide.” (Bahá’u’lláh, ‘The Kitáb-i-Aqdas’)

April 30

Consider the lamp which is hidden under a bushel. Though its light be shining, yet its radiance is concealed from men. Likewise, consider the sun which hath been obscured by the clouds. Observe how its splendor appeareth to have diminished, when in reality the source of that light hath remained unchanged. The soul of man should be likened unto this sun, and all things on earth should be regarded as his body. So long as no external impediment interveneth between them, the body will, in its entirety, continue to reflect the light of the soul, and to be sustained by its power. As soon as, however, a veil interposeth itself between them, the brightness of that light seemeth to lessen. 
- Baha’u’llah  (‘Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah’)

April 29

…compared with all other proofs and tokens, the divinely-revealed verses shine as the sun, whilst all others are as stars. To the peoples of the world they are the abiding testimony, the incontrovertible proof, the shining light of the ideal King. Their excellence is unrivalled, their virtue nothing can surpass. They are the treasury of the divine pearls and the depository of the divine mysteries. They constitute the indissoluble Bond, the firm Cord, the Urvatu’l-Vuthqá, [the Sure Handle] the inextinguishable Light. Through them floweth the river of divine knowledge, and gloweth the fire of His ancient and consummate wisdom. 
- Baha’u’llah  (‘The Kitab-i-Iqan’)

April 28

When it [human soul] leaveth the body, however, it will evince such ascendancy, and reveal such influence as no force on earth can equal. Every pure, every refined and sanctified soul will be endowed with tremendous power, and shall rejoice with exceeding gladness. 
- Baha’u’llah  (‘Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah’)

April 27

Know thou that the soul of man is exalted above, and is independent of all infirmities of body or mind. That a sick person showeth signs of weakness is due to the hindrances that interpose themselves between his soul and his body, for the soul itself remaineth unaffected by any bodily ailments. Consider the light of the lamp. Though an external object may interfere with its radiance, the light itself continueth to shine with undiminished power. In like manner, every malady afflicting the body of man is an impediment that preventeth the soul from manifesting its inherent might and power. 
- Baha’u’llah  (‘Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah’)

April 26

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.  Thus did We exhort you in the Tablet sent down aforetime, [1] and We admonish you once again to follow that which hath been revealed by Him Who is the Almighty, the All-Wise.  Should anyone seek refuge with you, extend unto him your protection and betray him not.  Thus doth the Pen of the Most High counsel you, as bidden by Him Who is the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. 
- Baha'u'llah  (Tablet to Queen Victoria, Suriy-i-Haykal [Tablet of Temple]; ‘The Summons of the Lord of Hosts’)
[1] The Súriy-i-Mulúk

April 25

Were man to study with deep insight God’s holy Words and ponder them in his heart, he will surely realize that their one aim is to so unite the world that the divers peoples on earth may be regarded even as one soul, that the seal of “Unto God is all dominion” may be stamped upon the tablet of every heart and that the splendors of loving kindness, of grace and mercy may be shed upon all mankind. 
- Baha’u’llah  (From a Tablet, Baha’i News no. 49, March 1931)

April 24

God has ever regarded the hearts of His servants, and this too by reason of His most great favor, that perchance mortal souls may be cleansed and sanctified from earthly states and may attain unto the everlasting places. But that Real King is in Himself sufficient unto Himself and independent of all; neither does any advantage accrue to Him from the love of contingent beings, nor does any hurt befall Him from their hatred. All earthly places appear through Him and unto him return, and God singly and alone abides in His own place which is holy above space and time, mention and utterance, sign, description and definition, height and depth. And no one knows this save Him and whosoever has knowledge of the Book. 
- Baha’u’llah  (From a Tablet, Baha’i News no. 48, February 1931)

April 23

Attract the hearts of men, through the call of Him, the one alone Beloved. Say: This is the Voice of God, if ye do but hearken. This is the Dayspring of the Revelation of God, did ye but know it. This is the Dawning-Place of the Cause of God, were ye to recognize it. This is the Source of the commandment of God, did ye but judge it fairly. This is the manifest and hidden Secret; would that ye might perceive it. O peoples of the world! Cast away, in My name that transcendeth all other names, the things ye possess, and immerse yourselves in this Ocean in whose depths lay hidden the pearls of wisdom and of utterance, an ocean that surgeth in My name, the All-Merciful. Thus instructeth you He with Whom is the Mother Book. 
- Baha’u’llah  (‘Days of Remembrance’)

April 22

Look not upon the creatures of God except with the eye of kindliness and of mercy, for Our loving providence hath pervaded all created things, and Our grace encompassed the earth and the heavens. This is the Day whereon the true servants of God partake of the life-giving waters of reunion, the Day whereon those that are nigh unto Him are able to drink of the soft-flowing river of immortality, and they who believe in His unity, the wine of His Presence, through their recognition of Him Who is the Highest and Last End of all, in Whom the Tongue of Majesty and Glory voiceth the call: “The Kingdom is Mine. I, Myself, am, of Mine own right, its Ruler.” 
- Baha’u’llah  (‘Days of Remembrance’)

April 21

The Best-Beloved is come. In His right hand is the sealed Wine of His name. Happy is the man that turneth unto Him, and drinketh his fill, and exclaimeth: “Praise be to Thee, O Revealer of the signs of God!” By the righteousness of the Almighty! Every hidden thing hath been manifested through the power of truth. All the favours of God have been sent down, as a token of His grace. The waters of everlasting life have, in their fullness, been proffered unto men. Every single cup hath been borne round by the hand of the Well-Beloved. Draw near, and tarry not, though it be for one short moment. 
- Baha’u’llah  (‘Days of Remembrance’)

April 20

This is the Day whereon naught can be seen except the splendours of the Light that shineth from the face of Thy Lord, the Gracious, the Most Bountiful. Verily, We have caused every soul to expire by virtue of Our irresistible and all-subduing sovereignty. We have, then, called into being a new creation, as a token of Our grace unto men. I am, verily, the All-Bountiful, the Ancient of Days. 
- Baha’u’llah  (‘Days of Remembrance’)

April 19

The Divine Springtime is come, O Most Exalted Pen, for the Festival of the All-Merciful is fast approaching. Bestir thyself, and magnify, before the entire creation, the name of God, and celebrate His praise, in such wise that all created things may be regenerated and made new. Speak, and hold not thy peace. The day-star of blissfulness shineth above the horizon of Our name, the Blissful, inasmuch as the kingdom of the names of God hath been adorned with the ornament of the name of thy Lord, the Creator of the heavens. Arise before the nations of the earth, and arm thyself with the power of this Most Great Name, and be not of those who tarry. 
- Baha’u’llah  (‘Days of Remembrance’)

April 18

Today the friends of God must appear in such wise among God’s servants that by their actions they may lead all unto the pleasure of the Lord of Glory. I swear by the Sun of the Horizon of Holiness that the friends of God never have regarded nor will regard the earth or its transitory riches. 
- Baha’u’llah  (From a Tablet, Baha’i News no. 48, February 1931)

April 17

…today victory neither has been nor will ever be opposition to any one, nor strife with any person; but rather what is well-pleasing is that the cities of men’s hearts, which are under the dominion of the hosts of selfishness and lust, should be subdued by the sword of wisdom and of exhortation. Every one, then, who desires victory must first subdue the city of his own heart with the sword of spiritual truth and of the Word, and must protect it from remembering aught beside God; afterwards, let him turn his efforts toward the citadel of the hearts of others. 
- Baha’u’llah  (From a Tablet, Baha’i News no. 48, February 1931)

April 16

It has been known that God, glorious is His mention, is sanctified from the world and what is therein, and that the meaning of victory is not this, that anyone should fight or strive with another. The Lord of “He doeth what he willeth” has committed the kingdom of creation, both land and sea, into the hand of kings, and they are the manifestations of the divine power according to the degrees of their ranks; verily, He is the potent, the sovereign. But that which God, glorious is His mention, has desired for himself is the hearts of His servants which are treasuries of praise and love of the Lord and stores of divine knowledge and wisdom. 
- Baha’u’llah  (From a Tablet, Baha’i News no. 48, February 1931)

April 15

The friends of God must be adorned with the ornament of justice, equity, kindness and love. As they do not allow themselves to be the object of cruelty and transgression, in like manner they should not allow such tyranny to visit the handmaidens of God. He, verily, speaketh the truth and commandeth that which benefitteth His servants and handmaidens. He is the Protector of all in this world and the next. 
- Baha’u’llah  (From a Tablet, The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Women)

April 14

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. 
- Baha'u'llah  (Tablet to Queen Victoria, Suriy-i-Haykal [Tablet of Temple]; ‘The Summons of the Lord of Hosts’)

April 13

The eye of My loving-kindness weepeth sore over you, [“leaders of religion”] inasmuch as ye have failed to recognize the One upon Whom ye have been calling in the daytime and in the night season, at even and at morn. Advance, O people, with snow-white faces and radiant hearts, unto the blest and crimson Spot, wherein the Tree beyond which there is no passing is calling: ‘Verily, there is none other God beside Me, the Omnipotent Protector, the Self-Subsisting!’ 
- Baha’u’llah  (‘Epistle to the Son of the Wolf’)

April 12

God testifieth to the unity of His Godhood and to the singleness of His own Being. On the throne of eternity, from the inaccessible heights of His station, His tongue proclaimeth that there is none other God but Him. He Himself, independently of all else, hath ever been a witness unto His own oneness, the revealer of His own nature, the glorifier of His own essence. He, verily, is the All-Powerful, the Almighty, the Beauteous.

He is supreme over His servants, and standeth over His creatures. In His hand is the source of authority and truth. He maketh men alive by His signs, and causeth them to die through His wrath. He shall not be asked of His doings and His might is equal unto all things. He is the Potent, the All-Subduing. He holdeth within His grasp the empire of all things, and on His right hand is fixed the Kingdom of His Revelation. His power, verily, embraceth the whole of creation. Victory and overlordship are His; all might and dominion are His; all glory and greatness are His. He, of a truth, is the All-Glorious, the Most Powerful, the Unconditioned.
- Baha’u’llah  (‘Prayers and Meditations by Baha’u’llah’)

April 11

O ye leaders of religion in Persia! Who is the man amongst you that can rival Me in vision or insight? Where is he to be found that dareth to claim to be My equal in utterance or wisdom? No, by My Lord, the All-Merciful! All on the earth shall pass away; and this is the face of your Lord, the Almighty, the Well-Beloved. 
- Baha’u’llah  (‘Epistle to the Son of the Wolf’)

April 10

The world passeth away, and that which is everlasting is the love of God. God willing, thou shalt circumambulate the True One in every world of His worlds and shalt be free from all else save Him.... 
- Baha’u’llah  (From a Tablet, The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Women)

April 9

O peoples of the world! He Who is the Most Great Name is come, on the part of the Ancient King, and hath announced unto men this Revelation which lay hid in His knowledge, and was preserved in the treasury of His protection, and was written down by the Most Sublime Pen in the Books of God, the Lord of Lords. 
- Baha’u’llah  (‘Epistle to the Son of the Wolf’)

April 8

O Son of Beauty! By My spirit and by My favor! By My mercy and by My beauty! All that I have revealed unto thee with the tongue of power, and have written for thee with the pen of might, hath been in accordance with thy capacity and understanding, not with My state and the melody of My voice. 
- Baha’u’llah  (‘The Hidden Words of Baha’u’llah’)

April 7

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 disdainfully ye look upon them! How strange, how very strange! . 
- Baha'u'llah  (Tablet to Queen Victoria, Suriy-i-Haykal [Tablet of Temple]; ‘The Summons of the Lord of Hosts’)

April 6

O concourse of rulers and divines! Incline your ears unto the Voice calling from the horizon of Akká. Verily, it aideth you to proceed aright, and draweth you nigh unto Him, and directeth your steps towards the station which God hath made the Dayspring of His Revelation and the Dawning-Place of His splendors. 
- Baha’u’llah  (‘Epistle to the Son of the Wolf’)

April 5

Time and again have We, for the sake of God, admonished the distinguished divines, and summoned them unto the Most Sublime Horizon, that perchance they might, in the days of His Revelation, obtain their portion of the ocean of the utterance of Him Who is the Desire of the world, and remain not utterly deprived thereof. 
- Baha’u’llah  (‘Epistle to the Son of the Wolf’)

April 4

O Children of the Divine and Invisible Essence! Ye shall be hindered from loving Me and souls shall be perturbed as they make mention of Me. For minds cannot grasp Me nor hearts contain Me. 
- Baha’u’llah  (‘The Hidden Words of Baha’u’llah’)

April 3

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. 
- Baha'u'llah  (Tablet to Queen Victoria, Suriy-i-Haykal [Tablet of Temple]; ‘The Summons of the Lord of Hosts’)

April 2

All should know, and in this regard attain the splendours of the sun of certitude, and be illumined thereby: Women and men have been and will always be equal in the sight of God. The Dawning-Place of the Light of God sheddeth its radiance upon all with the same effulgence. Verily God created women for men, and men for women. The most beloved of people before God are the most steadfast and those who have surpassed others in their love for God, exalted be His glory.... 
- Baha’u’llah  (From a Tablet, The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Women)

April 1

Steadfastness in the Cause is mentioned in the Tablets and set forth by the Pen of the Ancient of Days. Render thanks to the Beloved of the world that thou hast set thy heart on Him and art uttering His praise. Many a man hath in this day been deprived of making mention of the All-Sufficing Lord and of recognizing His truth; and many a woman hath fixed her gaze upon the Horizon of the Most High, and hath adorned herself with the garb of the love of the Desire of the world. This is God's grace which He bestoweth upon whomsoever He pleaseth. By the Day-Star of ancient mysteries! The sweet-scented fragrance of every breath breathed in the love of God is wafted in the court of the presence of the Lord of Revelation. The reward of no good deed is or ever will be lost. Blessed art thou, doubly blessed art thou! Thou art reckoned amongst those handmaidens whose love for their kin hath not prevented them from attaining the shores of the Sea of Grace and Mercy. God willing, thou shalt rest eternally neath the shade of the favours of the All-Merciful and shalt be assured of His bounties. Engage in the praise of the True One and rejoice in His loving-kindness. 
- Baha’u’llah  (From a Tablet, The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Women)
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)