Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- General Introduction
- Introduction to the Works of Abduʾl-Bahā
- The Secret of Divine Civilization or Heavenly secrets as to the means of civilization
- Selections from A Traveller’s Narrative written to illustrate the history of the Bāb
- The Art of Governance
- Further reading
- References
- Indexes
The Art of Governance
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 04 January 2025
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- General Introduction
- Introduction to the Works of Abduʾl-Bahā
- The Secret of Divine Civilization or Heavenly secrets as to the means of civilization
- Selections from A Traveller’s Narrative written to illustrate the history of the Bāb
- The Art of Governance
- Further reading
- References
- Indexes
Summary
He is God.
[Preamble]
All praise and thanksgiving be to God, who has made the appearance of the sacred perfections of the human realm the foundation of His creation, so that the unseen essence may be manifested on the plane of perception, in the form of ranks and signs, precepts and functions, characteristics and essences. Thus the rays of the reality of the saying, “I was a hidden treasure and desired to be known” may dawn on the horizon of the visible world.
And all praise and glorification are due to that exalted reality of grandeur who is the sun of truth in the divine world, the most great luminary of the human realm, the seat of the manifestation of the Merciful, and the dawningplace for the signs shining from the presence of the One Being. Through his appearance, the secret of “I created the creation, so that I might be known” has been confirmed on the visible plane.
You see the earth lifeless: when we let rain descend upon it, it stirs and swells, and produces plants from all the pairs, causing rejoicing.
[The author's purpose]
In these days and times, certain events that are contrary to all religious law, things that destroy human institutions and undermine the divine edifice, have been brought about by some ignorant, foolish people and by rebels and those who love discord. They have taken God's clear Faith as a pretext and have stirred up a seditious commotion. They have dishonoured the people of Iran in the eyes of the nations of the world, far and near.
Gracious God! They claim to be shepherds, but have the characters of wolves; they recite the Quran, and wish to behave like wild animals. They have a human form, but they prefer the manners of beasts. “And when it is said to them, ‘Do no mischief on the earth’ they say, ‘We only want to make peace’ Truly, they are the ones who make mischief, but they do not realise it.” Therefore it has become necessary to briefly clarify the most basic fundamentals of the Faith of God, and to remind the friends to be alert and watchful.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Principles for ProgressEssays on Religion and Modernity by Abdu'l-Bahā, pp. 337 - 398Publisher: Amsterdam University PressPrint publication year: 2018