“O thou illumined maid-servant of God!...”
'Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá Abbas, (1909) · Read original
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When in Bahá'í history
O thou illumined maid-servant of God!
Thy letter was received. Praise be to God! that thou art assisted and confirmed and, through the light of the love of God, thou art an ignited candle. Thou hast an eloquent tongue and a pure heart; thou art attracted to the Kingdom and wondering, in awe and astonishment, at the power and dominion of the Lord of Hosts.
Exercise infinite kindness and convey longing greeting on my behalf to Miss .........
Thank God that thou hast found a way to the treasury of the Kingdom and hast attained to the heavenly wealth.
I supplicate God that the hearts and souls of ......... and ......... receive a share from the love of God, and that ......... find a portion from the divine bestowal and be assisted with heavenly confirmations, so that she may help thee.
Source: 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá Abbas (1909). Public domain text from Project Gutenberg eBook #19312.
Discuss this story
For adults
- Where do you see kindness appearing — visibly or quietly — in this passage?
- How does this story illustrate the practice of kindness?
- Read the closing lines once more. What single phrase stays with you?
For teens
- If you were in 'Abdu'l-Bahá's place, what might you have done?
- What does this story teach about kindness?
Reflection
- What in this account feels timely? What feels timeless?
- If you could bring one quality from this story into your next conversation, what would it be?
- Is there someone in your life who would be helped by hearing this story?
Comprehension quiz
Which source is "“O thou illumined maid-servant of God!...”" drawn from?
What period of Bahá'í history does this story belong to?
Which historical figure is featured most prominently in this story?
Which virtue does this story most clearly illustrate?
Cite this story
'Abdu'l-Bahá. (1909). *Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá Abbas*. https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/19312/pg19312-images.html
Record yourself reading this story
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