Istijlál, 02 Mulk (Dominion), 180 B.E.
Arising to Serve
Quote for Reflection:
As My tribulations multiplied, so did My love for God and for His Cause increase, in such wise that all that befell Me from the hosts of the wayward was powerless to deter Me from My purpose. Should they hide Me away in the depths of the earth, yet would they find Me riding aloft on the clouds, and calling out unto God, the Lord of strength and of might. I have offered Myself up in the way of God, and I yearn after tribulations in My love for Him, and for the sake of His good pleasure. Unto this bear witness the woes which now afflict Me, the like of which no other man hath suffered. Every single hair of Mine head calleth out that which the Burning Bush uttered on Sinai, and each vein of My body invoketh God and saith: “O would I had been severed in Thy path, so that the world might be quickened, and all its peoples be united!” Thus hath it been decreed by Him Who is the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. — Bahá’u’lláh 1
Question for Consideration:
Did Bahá’u’lláh accept to suffer because He was powerless to do otherwise? 2
Google Bard Response:
No, the passage you shared indicates that Bahá’u’lláh chose to accept His suffering and did not consider it forced upon Him. Here’s how we can understand this:
- Increased Love and Determination: He states, “As My tribulations multiplied, so did My love for God and His Cause increase.” This emphasizes that His suffering did not deter Him but strengthened His resolve and devotion.
- Metaphorical Expressions: His statements about being “hidden away in the depths of the earth” or “riding aloft on the clouds” are symbolic, highlighting His unwavering connection with God despite external circumstances.
- Willing Sacrifice: He mentions “offering Myself up in the way of God” and yearning for tribulations, demonstrating His conscious choice to endure hardship for the sake of His mission.
- Uniqueness of His Suffering: He acknowledges the unparalleled nature of His afflictions, saying, “unto this bear witness the woes which now afflict Me, the like of which no other man hath suffered.” This suggests that His acceptance was not passive but an extraordinary sacrifice.
- Universal Goal: While acknowledging His suffering, He emphasizes its purpose: “quickening the world” and “uniting all its peoples.” This signifies that His acceptance stemmed from a desire to benefit humanity.
- Divine Decree: He concludes by attributing His suffering to God’s will, stating, “Thus hath it been decreed by Him Who is the All-Knowing, the All-Informed.” This suggests acceptance of a divinely ordained path.
Therefore, the passage presents Bahá’u’lláh not as a powerless victim but as someone who consciously and actively embraced suffering to strengthen His connection with God, fulfill His mission, and contribute to the betterment of humanity. His perspective emphasizes choosing love, resilience, and service even in the face of immense challenges.
It’s important to note that interpretations of this passage can vary within the Bahá’í community. However, the central message of selflessness, unwavering faith, and commitment to a higher purpose remains crucial to understanding Bahá’u’lláh’s life and teachings.
- Baháʼuʼlláh. The Summons of the Lord of Hosts : Tablets. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. 1st ed. Haifa: Baháʼí World Centre, 2002. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/summons-lord-hosts/5#806974613. ↩
- Ruhi Institute. Arising to Serve. 2.1.1.PE September 2020. Vol. Book 2. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Foundation, 2020, 47. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#AS. ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 