Jalál, 07 Qudrat (Power), 181 B.E.
Teaching the Cause
Quote for Reflection:
During these travels ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá displayed a vitality, a courage, 1 a single-mindedness, a consecration to the task He had set Himself to achieve that excited the wonder and admiration of those who had the privilege of observing at close hand His daily acts. Indifferent to the sights and curiosities which habitually invite the attention of travelers and which the members of His entourage often wished Him to visit; careless alike of His comfort and His health; expending every ounce of His energy day after day from dawn till late at night; consistently refusing any gifts or contributions towards the expenses of His travels; unfailing in His solicitude for the sick, the sorrowful and the down-trodden; uncompromising in His championship of the underprivileged races and classes; bountiful as the rain in His generosity to the poor; contemptuous of the attacks launched against Him by vigilant and fanatical exponents of orthodoxy and sectarianism; marvelous in His frankness while demonstrating, from platform and pulpit, the prophetic Mission of Jesus Christ to the Jews, of the Divine origin of Islám in churches and synagogues, or the truth of Divine Revelation and the necessity of religion to materialists, atheists or agnostics; unequivocal in His glorification of Bahá’u’lláh at all times and within the sanctuaries of divers sects and denominations; adamant in His refusal, on several occasions, to curry the favor of people of title and wealth both in England and in the United States; and last but not least incomparable in the spontaneity, the genuineness and warmth of His sympathy and loving-kindness shown to friend and stranger alike, believer and unbeliever, rich and poor, high and low, whom He met, either intimately or casually, whether on board ship, or whilst pacing the streets, in parks or public squares, at receptions or banquets, in slums or mansions, in the gatherings of His followers or the assemblage of the learned, He, the incarnation of every Bahá’í virtue and the embodiment of every Bahá’í ideal, continued for three crowded years to trumpet to a world sunk in materialism and already in the shadow of war, the healing, the God-given truths enshrined in His Father’s Revelation. — Shoghi Effendi 2
Question for Consideration
Based on the quote above, what qualities and attitudes characterize how ‘Abdu’l-Bahá interacted with people and approached His conversations about the Faith? 3
Gemini Response:
Based on the quote, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s interactions and approach to teaching the Faith were characterized by the following qualities and attitudes:
Selflessness and Service
- Indifference to Personal Comfort: He prioritized the needs of others over his comfort.
- Generosity: He was generous with his time, energy, and resources.
- Compassion for the Suffering: He showed compassion for the sick, the sorrowful, and the oppressed.
Courage and Conviction
- Uncompromising Faith: He was unwavering in his belief in Bahá’u’lláh’s message.
- Boldness in Teaching: He fearlessly proclaimed the truth, even in hostile environments.
- Defiance of Oppression: He stood up to religious and political oppression.
Wisdom and Diplomacy
- Tactful Approach: He was wise and tactful when interacting with people of diverse backgrounds.
- Respectful Dialogue: He engaged in respectful and constructive dialogue with people of different faiths.
- Avoiding Provocation: He refrained from provocative language and actions.
Love and Kindness
- Genuine Compassion: He showed genuine love and compassion for all people.
- Forgiveness and Tolerance: He was forgiving and tolerant of others’ mistakes.
- Building Relationships: He built strong relationships with people from all walks of life.
Humility and Service
- Selfless Service: He prioritized the service of humanity over personal gain.
- Humility: He remained humble despite his exalted position.
- Leading by Example: His actions set an example for others.
By embodying these qualities, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá demonstrated the power of love, compassion, and service to transform individuals and societies. His example continues to inspire Bahá’ís to strive for spiritual perfection and to serve humanity.
ChatGPT Response:
The qualities and attitudes that defined ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s interactions and conversations about the Faith, as illustrated by Shoghi Effendi, reveal a profound dedication to serving humanity and sharing Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings with authenticity, courage, and inclusivity. Here are fundamental aspects of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s approach:
Single-Minded Devotion and Selflessness
‘Abdu’l-Bahá was deeply committed to teaching and serving, dedicating every moment to uplifting others and sharing the Faith. His disregard for personal comfort, health, and even the typical distractions of travel reflects his single-minded focus on fulfilling His mission. He also refused financial contributions, ensuring His independence and sincerity remained clear.
Compassion and Empathy
‘Abdu’l-Bahá showed unfailing care for the sick, sorrowful, and downtrodden, reaching out to those in need with genuine love and concern. His sympathy and kindness were extended impartially to all—whether they were friends, strangers, believers, or unbelievers. This compassion enabled Him to connect with people from all walks of life and convey Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings through actions and words.
Courage and Conviction
‘Abdu’l-Bahá exhibited remarkable bravery in openly discussing sensitive topics, including Jesus’ prophetic mission to Jewish audiences, the divine origin of Islam in churches, and the necessity of religion in conversations with materialists and agnostics. His frankness and sincerity showed a fearless commitment to sharing truth, regardless of the potential for misunderstanding or opposition.
Advocacy for Justice and Inclusivity
He championed the rights of marginalized races and social classes, demonstrating an uncompromising stance on justice. This advocacy aligned with Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings on unity and the elimination of prejudice and showed His determination to support the oppressed, irrespective of popular opinion or societal norms.
Generosity and Kindness
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s material generosity paralleled His spiritual giving. Like rain, His kindness and charity were abundant, impartial, and widespread, benefiting all who came into contact with Him. His actions embodied Bahá’u’lláh’s exhortation to show love and serve all humanity.
Integrity and Independence
He was adamant in His refusal to curry favor with people of title and wealth, demonstrating principled independence that placed values and truth above social status or gain. His integrity allowed Him to interact with all classes impartially and authentically.
Respect for Diversity and Directness in Conversation
‘Abdu’l-Bahá communicated with diverse audiences with utmost respect, recognizing and addressing their backgrounds and perspectives without compromising the truths of the Faith. His approach balanced directness with sensitivity, addressing religious and secular audiences with conviction, honesty, and consideration for their beliefs and viewpoints.
Joyful and Warm Connection with All
His interactions were marked by spontaneity, genuineness, and warmth, whether in casual encounters or formal gatherings. His affection and goodwill reached people in a way that transcended differences in background or belief, creating a sense of unity and inclusivity.
Overall, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s qualities and attitudes in His interactions reflect an ideal model of Bahá’í teaching: compassion, courage, integrity, inclusivity, selflessness, and a profound love for all humanity. His life demonstrated that the essence of teaching is not only in words but also in the purity and power of one’s example.
Claude Response:
This powerful passage vividly portrays the qualities and attitudes that characterized ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s approach to teaching and interacting with people. A few key themes emerge:
Selfless Dedication
Despite physical demands and personal comforts, Abdu’l-Bahá displayed remarkable “vitality, courage, single-mindedness, and consecration to the task He had set Himself to achieve.” His sole focus was on delivering the Cause’s message.
Inclusiveness and Compassion
Abdu’l-Bahá’s outreach extended to all without discrimination—“friend and stranger alike, believer and unbeliever, rich and poor, high and low.” His “loving-kindness” and “solicitude for the sick, the sorrowful, and the downtrodden” knew no bounds.
Fearless Proclamation
Whether among the learned or the materialists, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá proclaimed the Faith’s truths “unequivocally,” with “frankness” and without compromise, even in the face of “attacks” from “fanatical exponents of orthodoxy.”
Reverence for other Faiths
Demonstrating true catholicity of spirit, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá eloquently “glorified Bahá’u’lláh” while also affirming the prophetic mission of Jesus and the divine origin of Islam, even within the sanctuaries of other sects.
Humility and Detachment
Despite the prominence of His station, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá remained “indifferent to the sights and curiosities” and consistently “refusing any gifts or contributions,” ever avoiding any display of self-aggrandizement.
In sum, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s interactions were characterized by a perfect fusion of unwavering conviction, bold proclamation, expansive compassion, reverential humility, and single-minded dedication to Bahá’u’lláh’s Cause. This represents a consummate model for the Bahá’í teacher.
Would you like to discuss how we might strive to emulate these qualities in our teaching efforts, even if we cannot fully match ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s unparalleled example? I’m happy to explore specific scenarios or challenges you’d like to consider.
Pi Response:
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s interactions with people and His approach to conversations about the Faith were characterized by several notable qualities and attitudes, as evident from the quote provided by Shoghi Effendi. These include:
Vitality and courage
‘Abdu’l-Bahá displayed remarkable energy, enthusiasm, and determination in His engagements with others.
Single-mindedness and consecration
He remained consistently focused on His mission and demonstrated unwavering dedication to His purpose.
Indifference to distractions
‘Abdu’l-Bahá did not allow Himself to be sidetracked by the attractions or diversions commonly associated with travel.
Selflessness and care for others
He prioritized the well-being of others over His comfort and health, expending His energies in service to them.
Generosity
He showed kindness and compassion towards the poor and underprivileged and was generous in offering support and assistance.
Championing the downtrodden
‘Abdu’l-Bahá consistently advocated for the rights and interests of marginalized groups and individuals.
Frankness and openness
He was candid and straightforward in His discussions about the Faith, sharing its teachings with people of diverse religious and intellectual backgrounds.
Glorification of Bahá’u’lláh
In all His interactions, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá made it clear that the Bahá’í Faith was centered on Bahá’u’lláh and His divinely inspired message.
Integrity and independence
He refused to compromise His principles or court favor with the wealthy or influential, demonstrating steadfastness in His beliefs and actions.
Warmth and loving-kindness
‘Abdu’l-Bahá treated everyone He met with genuine sympathy, love, and kindness, regardless of their social status, beliefs, or background.
Overall, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s approach to interacting with people and discussing the Faith was marked by unwavering focus, selflessness, generosity, openness, integrity, and unconditional love. These qualities underscore the transformative power of the Bahá’í teachings and their potential to create unity and harmony among people of all backgrounds.
- “It is evident that nothing short of this mystic transformation could cause such spirit and behavior, so utterly unlike their previous habits and manners, to be made manifest in the world of being. For their agitation was turned into peace, their doubt into certitude, their timidity into courage. Such is the potency of the Divine Elixir, which, swift as the twinkling of an eye, transmuteth the souls of men!”
Bahá’u’lláh. The Kitáb-i-Íqán: The Book of Certitude. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. 1st pocket-size Ed. 1950. Reprint, Wilmette, Ill: Baháʾí Publishing Trust, 1983, 156-157. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/kitab-i-iqan/6#635696735. ↩ - Effendi, Shoghi. God Passes By. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed November 8, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/shoghi-effendi/god-passes-by/21#340129219. ↩
- Ruhi Institute. Teaching the Cause. 2.1.1.PE April 2023. Vol. Book 6. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Foundation, 2023, 69-70. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#TCH.
Frameworks for Understanding the World 