“O thou lamp who art enkindled with the fire of the...”
'Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá Abbas, (1909) · Read original
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O thou lamp who art enkindled with the fire of the Love of God!
Verily, I read thy recent letter which showed thy strong love, thy being ablaze with the fire of the love of thy Lord, the Mighty, the Praised, and the penetration of the Spirit of Truth in thy limbs, nerves, veins, arteries, bones, blood and flesh, until it hath taken the reins of power from thy hands and moveth thee as it willeth, causeth thee to speak in what it willeth and attracteth thee as it willeth. This is becoming of whatever heart is replenished with the spirit of the love of God. Thou shalt surely behold wondrous traces and shalt discover the signs of thy Mighty Lord.
O maid-servant of God! The meaning which thou hast apprehended from my former statement is the real fact. It is the meaning of (my) statement; God hath strengthened thee therein and shall surely confirm thee in still greater than this. At that time thou wilt say: “This is that which was promised by Abdul-Baha and His promise was certain and decided.”
O maid-servant of God! Verily, thy Lord hath breathed the spirit of argument into thy mouth. Speak thou in the most wonderful explanation and meditate not at the time of advancing proofs, evidences and signs, and speak thou that which the Spirit inspireth thee. This is a proof unto thee and unto every just one among the possessors of understanding.
O maid-servant of God! Verily, I am with thee in spirit and reveal unto thee the word of guidance at every moment and time.
O maid-servant of God! We have sent thee nine ring stones of the Greatest Name. This is an allusion unto thee of a matter which thou shalt surely understand henceforth. We have also sent unto thee a photograph of His Holiness the glorious Badi whom thy Lord did send to His Highness Nassir-ed’Din-Shah with a manifest epistle by which He perfected the proof and evidence to the people of Persia. this faithful messenger (Badi) took the epistle of Baha’ with all power and authority and repaired to the threshold of His Highness the Shah, while cheered and smiling in joy. He then presented himself before the Shah and said: “This is an epistle from Baha’o’llah,” and then presented it to him. They arrested him and after severe torture and punishment, delivered him to the executioners. he was sitting between the executioners at the time of his death with all dignity, while turning unto God.
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 faith and joy meet in this story?
- What does the setting of this account contribute to its meaning?
- What stands out about 'Abdu'l-Bahá's response in this account?
For teens
- If you were in 'Abdu'l-Bahá's place, what might you have done?
- What does this story teach about faith?
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 lamp who art enkindled with the fire of the...”" 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
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