“O thou who art set aglow with the Fire of the Love 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 set aglow with the Fire of the Love of God!
Verily, I read thy long letter and was informed of thy visions, which art for whosoever follows the path of the Kingdom of God.
These visions repeat themselves, pass away, and appear to the human sight every instant; but the matter which hath stability and upon which confidence is laid, is the bounty of the Kingdom of God and the Center of Lights.
As to the zodiac of the stations of the Sun of Truth, it is the station of the attainment of the mystery of sacrifice, whereupon the lights of love, harmony and salvation shine forth and the manifestation of firmness dawns, in a cause unendurable by the lofty mountains.
I ask God to confirm thee therein and to make thee a sign of salvation, a banner of progress, a spreader of the fragrances of God and a caller in the Name of God.
Shouldst thou make firm thy feet in the love of God and hold steadfast to the Great Cause, God will reveal unto thee mysteries unheard by the ears and incomprehensible by the intellects.
As to thy question regarding the meeting of trinity, it is incumbent on thee to make it a meeting of unity, an exposition of the mysteries of singleness, the elevation of the standard of universal love, the spreading of the knowledge of thy Merciful Lord, the guidance of the souls unto the path of the Kingdom of God, the animation of the hearts by the spirit of the love of God, and the purification of the eyes by the light of the knowledge of God.
Verily, I pray God to confirm thee in lighting the lamp of God’s love in the hearts and spirits. It is incumbent on thee to organize a spiritual assembly in that city, wherein the mysteries of the Kingdom of thy Lord be spread and this wondrous Manifestation promulgated.
This is beneficial for thee both in the world and in the Kingdom, and all else vanisheth away.
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 love appearing — visibly or quietly — in this passage?
- How does this story complicate or deepen your understanding of tablets?
- 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 love?
Reflection
- Where in your own life are you being asked to practice love?
- Read the passage a second time, slowly. What did you notice that you missed the first time?
- Sit quietly for a moment after reading. What does this story stir in you?
Comprehension quiz
Which source is "“O thou who art set aglow with the Fire of the Love 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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