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Bahai Story Library

Voluntary Sharing

“This voluntary sharing is greater than (legally imposed) equality, and consists in this, that one should not prefer oneself to others, but rather should sacrifice one’s life and property for others.”

J. E. Esslemont · Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era

'Abdu'l-Bahá's ministry (1892–1921) · 1 min

In a letter to the Central Organization for a Durable Peace, written in 1919, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá says:—

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> Among the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh > is voluntary sharing of one’s property with others among > mankind. This voluntary sharing is greater than (legally imposed) > equality, and consists in this, that one should not prefer oneself to > others, but rather should sacrifice one’s life and property for > others. But this should not be introduced by coercion so that it > becomes a law which man is compelled to follow.

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Nay, rather, man > should voluntarily and of his own choice sacrifice his property and > life for others, and spend willingly for the poor, just as is done in > Persia among the Bahá’ís.

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