Istijlál, 14 ʻ’Izzat (Might), 180 B.E.
Reflections on the Life of the Spirit
Quote for Reflection:
O COMPANION OF MY THRONE!
Hear no evil, and see no evil, abase not thyself, neither sigh and weep. Speak no evil, that thou mayest not hear it spoken unto thee, and magnify not the faults of others that thine own faults may not appear great; and wish not the abasement of anyone, that thine own abasement be not exposed. Live then the days of thy life, that are less than a fleeting moment, with thy mind stainless, thy heart unsullied, thy thoughts pure, and thy nature sanctified, so that, free and content, thou mayest put away this mortal frame, and repair unto the mystic paradise and abide in the eternal kingdom forevermore. — Bahá’u’lláh 1
Question for Consideration:
What will happen to us if we magnify the faults of others? 2
Google Bard Response:
If we magnify the faults of others, the following things may happen to us:
- We will become judgmental and critical. We will start to see the world through a negative lens, and we will be more likely to find fault with others.
- We will become less compassionate and forgiving. We will forget that everyone is human and makes mistakes.
- We will damage our relationships with others. When we constantly focus on the faults of others, it can be difficult to build and maintain strong relationships.
- We will make ourselves unhappy. Focusing on the negative aspects of others can take a toll on our own mental and emotional well-being.
In addition, as Bahá’u’lláh says in the Hidden Words, “O Son of Being! How couldst thou forget thine own faults and busy thyself with the faults of others? Whoso doeth this is accursed of Me.” 3 This passage suggests that when we magnify the faults of others, we are essentially turning our backs on God and on our own spiritual growth.
Instead of magnifying the faults of others, we should focus on our own shortcomings and strive to become better people. We should also be kind and compassionate towards others, and we should forgive them for their mistakes. When we do this, we create a more positive and loving world for ourselves and for everyone around us.
- Bahá’u’lláh. The Hidden Words. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed September 21, 2023. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/hidden-words/3#697759113. ↩
- Ruhi Institute. Reflections on the Life of the Spirit. 4.1.2.PE May 2020. Vol. Book 1. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Institute, 2020, 10. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#RLS ↩
- Ibid., https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/hidden-words/2#568477331. ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 