The Trap That Sets You Free

*A retelling based on **Mahmúd's Diary** by Mírzá Maḥmúd-i-Zarqání (George Ronald), from the entry for 5 August 1912. The narrative is in our own words; the Master's reply is quoted as the diary records it. Read the [full text](https://bahai-library.com/zarqani_mahmuds_diary) for the original entry.*

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In August 1912 'Abdu'l-Bahá was staying at Dublin, New Hampshire. On Monday, 5 August, before an afternoon meeting, a devoted woman told Him what one of her friends had said. When the friend heard that she was planning to attend the meeting, she had strongly advised her not to go, in case she should fall into a trap.

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The Master said to her:

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> It has always been the practice of the heedless to hold back the sincere > ones from the Cause of God. As for a trap, praise be to God that we have > been trapped happily for sixty years and we have no desire to escape. It > is a trap that frees people from the shackles of prejudice and > superstitions and delivers them from the prison of self and desire. It > makes them the captives of the love of God and of service to the Cause of > the oneness of humanity.

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Mahmúd adds that at the meeting itself the Master delivered the message of God and explained the divine teachings.

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*This account is retold for the Bahá'í Story Library; the narrative is a paraphrase, and the Master's words are quoted from Mahmúd's Diary (Mírzá Maḥmúd-i-Zarqání, tr. Mohi Sobhani, George Ronald, 1998), entry for 5 August 1912.*

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