“O thou who art rejoicing at the Glad-tidings 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 who art rejoicing at the Glad-tidings of God!
Thank thou God for that by reason of which He hath enabled thee to traverse the seas and countries and come safe to a Spot wherein the lights are shining with great brilliancy. Thank Him for the help He rendered thee to visit the pure and Holy Tomb and revolve around it, the fragrance of which hath excelled that of the flowers of the dawn.
Go back to those regions where thy return is expected by those souls who, through the signs of thy Lord, became attracted unto Him, the Unconstrained, and say unto them: “Glad-tidings unto you who are sincere! Glad-tidings unto you who are faithful servants! Verily I have seen the Kingdom of God with its doors open, the garden of El-ABHA with extensive sides and regions, with dazzling lights, rolling seas, verdant and beautiful orchards, overflowing beds, green trees, fresh and bright leaves, perfumed flowers, sweet rivers, gentle breeze, beautiful air, magnificent views, elegant and handsome lips and mouths.”
Tell them that “The suns of the garden of El-ABHA are still shining, the moons rising, the stars brightening, the gifts perpetual, the grace perfect, the glad-tidings spreading, the signs of singleness and oneness are chanted in the cloister of its Godhead and the flags of sanctity are waving above the palaces of its glory. Come here! Come here!”
Source: 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá Abbas (1909). Public domain text from Project Gutenberg eBook #19312.
Discuss this story
For adults
- If you were to share this story aloud at a devotional gathering, which sentence would you read first?
- What in your own life does this story bring to mind?
- Where do faith and gentleness meet in this story?
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?
- How does faith show up in your life right now — and where is it being asked of you?
- Is there someone in your life who would be helped by hearing this story?
Comprehension quiz
Which source is "“O thou who art rejoicing at the Glad-tidings 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
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