Good Deeds
From the Writings of Baha'u'llah:
The essence of faith is fewness of words and abundance of deeds;...
(Baha'u'llah: Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 156)
Guidance hath ever been given by words, and now it is given by
deeds. Every one must show forth deeds that are pure and holy,
for words are the property of all alike, whereas such deeds as these
belong only to Our loved ones. Strive then with heart and soul to
distinguish yourselves by your deeds.
(Baha'u'llah: Persian Hidden Words, p. 76)
Beware, O people of Baha, lest ye walk in the ways of them whose words
differ from their deeds. Strive that ye may be enabled to
manifest to the peoples of the earth the signs of God, and to mirror
forth His commandments. Let your acts be a guide unto all
mankind, for the professions of most men, be they high or low, differ
from their conduct. It is through your deeds that ye can distinguish
yourselves from others. Through them the brightness of your light
can be shed upon the whole earth.
(Baha'u'llah: Gleanings, p. 305)
Do not busy yourselves in your own concerns; let your thoughts be fixed
upon that which will rehabilitate the fortunes of mankind and sanctify
the hearts and souls of men. This can best be achieved through pure and
holy deeds, through a virtuous life and a goodly behavior.
(Baha'u'llah: Gleanings, pp. 93-94)
We ask God graciously to grant that all may evince such fairness of
character, such goodliness of deed and kindliness of word as will meet
with His good pleasure. It hath been decreed that the citadels of
men's hearts should be subdued through the hosts of a noble character
and praiseworthy deeds.
(Baha'u'llah: Trustworthiness, p. 331)
From the Writings and Utterances of `Abdu'l-Baha:
Man reacheth perfection through good deeds, voluntarily performed, not
through good deeds the doing of which was forced upon him.
(`Abdu'l-Baha: Selections ... `Abdu'l-Baha, p. 115)
Act ye in such wise, showing forth pure and goodly deeds, and modesty and humility, that ye will cause others to be awakened.
(`Abdu'l-Baha: Selections ... `Abdu'l-Baha, p. 203)
If we are true Baha'is speech is not needed. Our actions will
help on the world, will spread civilization, will help the progress of
science, and cause the arts to develop. Without action nothing in
the material world can be accomplished, neither can words unaided
advance a man in the spiritual Kingdom. It is not through
lip-service only that the elect of God have attained to holiness, but
by patient lives of active service they have brought light into the
world.
Therefore strive that your actions day by day
may be beautiful prayers. Turn towards God, and seek always to do
that which is right and noble. Enrich the poor, raise the fallen,
comfort the sorrowful, bring healing to the sick, reassure the fearful,
rescue the oppressed, bring hope to the hopeless, shelter the destitute!
(`Abdu'l-Baha: Paris Talks, pp. 80-81)
Although a person of good deeds is acceptable at the Threshold of the
Almighty, yet it is first "to know," and then "to do." Although a
blind man produceth a most wonderful and exquisite art, yet he is
deprived of seeing it. Consider how most animals labor for man,
draw loads and facilitate travel; yet, as they are ignorant, they
receive no reward for this toil and labor. The cloud raineth,
roses and hyacinths grow; the plain and meadow, the garden and trees
become green and blossom; yet they do not realize the results and
outcome of all these. The lamp is lighted, but as it hath not a
conscious knowledge of itself, no one hath become glad because of
it. Moreover, a soul of excellent deeds and good manners will
undoubtedly advance from whatever horizon he beholdeth the lights
radiating. Herein lies the difference: By faith is meant,
first, conscious knowledge, and second, the practice of good deeds.
(`Abdu'l-Baha: Baha'i World Faith, pp. 382-383)
There is a cordial thanksgiving, too, which expresses itself in the
deeds and actions of man when his heart is filled with gratitude. For
example, God has conferred upon man the gift of guidance, and in
thankfulness for this great gift certain deeds must emanate from
him. To express his gratitude for the favors of God man must show
forth praiseworthy actions. In response to these bestowals he
must render good deeds, be self-sacrificing, loving the servants of
God, forfeiting even life for them, showing kindness to all the
creatures. He must be severed from the world, attracted to the
Kingdom of Abha, the face radiant, the tongue eloquent, the ear
attentive, striving day and night to attain the good pleasure of God.
Whatsoever he wishes to do must be in harmony with the good pleasure of
God. He must observe and see what is the will of God and act
accordingly. There can be no doubt that such commendable deeds
are thankfulness for the favors of God.
(`Abdu'l-Baha: Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 236)
Again, is there any deed in the world that would be nobler than service
to the common good? Is there any greater blessing conceivable for
a man, than that he should become the cause of the education, the
development, the prosperity and honor of his fellow-creatures? No, by
the Lord God! The highest righteousness of all is for blessed
souls to take hold of the hands of the helpless and deliver them out of
their ignorance and abasement and poverty, and with pure motives, and
only for the sake of God, to arise and energetically devote themselves
to the service of the masses, forgetting their own worldly advantage
and working only to serve the general good.
(`Abdu'l-Baha: Secret of Divine Civilization, p. 103)
Act in accordance with the counsels of the Lord: that is, rise up
in such wise, and with such qualities, as to endow the body of this
world with a living soul, and to bring this young child, humanity, to
the stage of adulthood. So far as ye are able, ignite a candle of
love in every meeting, and with tenderness rejoice and cheer ye every
heart. Care for the stranger as for one of your own; show to
alien souls the same loving kindness ye bestow upon your faithful
friends. Should any come to blows with you, seek to be friends with
him; should any stab you to the heart, be ye a healing salve unto his
sores; should any taunt and mock at you, meet him with love.
Should any heap his blame upon you, praise ye him; should he offer you
a deadly poison, give him the choicest honey in exchange; and should he
threaten your life, grant him a remedy that will heal him evermore.
Should he be pain itself, be ye his medicine; should he be thorns, be
ye his roses and sweet herbs. Perchance such ways and words from
you will make this darksome world turn bright at last; will make this
dusty earth turn heavenly, this devilish prison place become a royal
palace of the Lord - so that war and strife will pass and be no more,
and love and trust will pitch their tents on the summits of the world.
Such is the essence of God's admonitions; such in sum are the teachings
for the Dispensation of Baha.
(`Abdu'l-Baha: Selections ... `Abdu'l-Baha, p. 34)
You must manifest complete love and affection toward all mankind. Do
not exalt yourselves above others, but consider all as your equals,
recognizing them as the servants of one God. Know that God is
compassionate toward all; therefore, love all from the depths of your
hearts, prefer all religionists before yourselves, be filled with love
for every race, and be kind toward the people of all
nationalities. Never speak disparagingly of others, but praise
without distinction. Pollute not your tongues by speaking evil of
another. Recognize your enemies as friends, and consider those
who wish you evil as the wishers of good. You must not see evil
as evil and then compromise with your opinion, for to treat in a
smooth, kindly way one whom you consider evil or an enemy is hypocrisy,
and this is not worthy or allowable. You must consider your
enemies as your friends, look upon your evil-wishers as your
well-wishers and treat them accordingly. Act in such a way that
your heart may be free from hatred. Let not your heart be
offended with anyone. If some one commits an error and wrong
toward you, you must instantly forgive him. Do not complain of
others. Refrain from reprimanding them, and if you wish to give
admonition or advice, let it be offered in such a way that it will not
burden the bearer. Turn all your thoughts toward bringing joy to
hearts. Beware! Beware! lest ye offend any heart. Assist
the world of humanity as much as possible. Be the source of
consolation to every sad one, assist every weak one, be helpful to
every indigent one, care for every sick one, be the cause of
glorification to every lowly one, and shelter those who are
overshadowed by fear.
In brief, let each one of you be as a lamp
shining forth with the light of the virtues of the world of
humanity. Be trustworthy, sincere, affectionate and replete with
chastity. Be illumined, be spiritual, be divine, be glorious, be
quickened of God, be a Baha'i.
(`Abdu'l-Baha: Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 453)
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Bahá’ís
of Dana Point, California, USA - all rights reserved.