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04 Masa’il / Questions182 B.E. (Sun 14 December 2025)
by Writings from the Baha'i Faith Dec. 14, 2025

Dec. 14, 2025

O thou exalted bough of the divine Lote-Tree! …When thou art disdained and rejected by the wicked doers be not cast down; and at the power and stiffneckedness of the presumptuous be neither vexed nor sick at heart; for such is the way of heedless souls, from time out of mind. “O the misery of men! No Messenger cometh unto them but they laugh Him to scorn!”1 <https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/selections-wri…> Indeed, the attacks and the obstructiveness of the ignorant but cause the Word of God to be exalted, and spread His signs and tokens far and wide. Were it not for this opposition by the disdainful, this obduracy of the slanderers, this shouting from the pulpits, this crying and wailing of great and small alike, these accusations of unbelief leveled by the ignorant, this uproar from the foolish—how could news of the advent of the Primal Point and the bright dawning of the Daystar of Bahá ever have reached to east and west? How else could the planet have been rocked from pole to pole? How else could Persia have become the focal point of scattering splendors, and Asia Minor the radiating heart of the beauty of the Lord? However else could the flame of the Manifestation have spread into the south? By what means could the cries of God have been heard in the far north? How else could His summons have been heard in the continents of America and of Africa the dark? How else could the cockcrow of Heaven have penetrated those ears? How else could the sweet parrots of India have come upon this sugar, or nightingales have lifted up their warblings out of the land of ‘Iráq? What else could set the east and west to dancing, how else could this Consecrated Spot become the throne of the Beauty of God? How else could Sinai behold this burning brightness, how could the Advent’s flame adorn that mount? How else could the Holy Land be made the footstool of God’s beauty, and the holy vale of Towa2 <https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/selections-wri…> become the site of excellence and grace, the sacred spot where Moses put off His shoes? How could the breaths of heaven be carried across the Vale of Holiness, how could the sweet-scented, airy streams that blow out of the Abhá gardens ever be perceived by those that dwell on the Verdant Isle? How else could the pledges of the Prophets, the joyous tidings of the holy Seers of old, the stirring promises given unto this Sacred Place by the Manifestations of God, ever have been fulfilled? Note: 1 Qur’án 36:29 ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá. Available from www.bahai.org/r/691736978

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03 Masa’il / Questions182 B.E. (Sat 13 December 2025)
by Writings from the Baha'i Faith Dec. 13, 2025

Dec. 13, 2025

The first question: “In what tongue and towards what direction doth it behove us to worship the one true God?” 3.4 The beginning of all utterance is the worship of God, and this followeth upon His recognition. Sanctified must be the eye if it is to truly recognize Him, and sanctified must be the tongue if it is to befittingly utter His praise. In this day the faces of the people of insight and understanding are turned in His direction; nay every direction inclineth itself towards Him. O lion-hearted one! We beseech God that thou mayest become a champion in this arena, arise with heavenly power and say: “O high priests! Ears have been given you that they may hearken unto the mystery of Him Who is the Self-Dependent, and eyes that they may behold Him. Wherefore flee ye? The Incomparable Friend is manifest. He speaketh that wherein lieth salvation. Were ye, O high priests, to discover the perfume of the rose garden of understanding, ye would seek none other but Him, and would recognize, in His new vesture, the All-Wise and Peerless One, and would turn your eyes from the world and all who seek it, and would arise to help Him.” Bahá’u’lláh, The Tabernacle of Unity. Available from www.bahai.org/r/960506093

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02 Masa’il / Questions182 B.E. (Fri 12 December 2025)
by Writings from the Baha'i Faith Dec. 12, 2025

Dec. 12, 2025

Justice, which consisteth in rendering each his due, dependeth upon and is conditioned by two words: reward and punishment. From the standpoint of justice, every soul should receive the reward of his actions, inasmuch as the peace and prosperity of the world depend thereon, even as He saith, exalted be His glory: “The structure of world stability and order hath been reared upon, and will continue to be sustained by, the twin pillars of reward and punishment”. In brief, every circumstance requireth a different utterance and every occasion calleth for a different course of action. Blessed are they that have arisen to serve God, who speak forth wholly for His sake, and who return unto Him. Bahá’u’lláh, The Tabernacle of Unity. Available from www.bahai.org/r/386045408

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01 Masa’il / Questions 182 B.E. (Thurs 11 December 2025)
by Writings from the Baha'i Faith Dec. 11, 2025

Dec. 11, 2025

Now, vengeance is reprehensible even according to reason, for it is of no benefit to the avenger. If a man strikes another, and the victim chooses to exact revenge by returning the blow, what advantage will he gain? Will this be a balm to his wound or a remedy for his pain? No, God forbid! In truth the two actions are the same: Both are injuries; the only difference is that one preceded the other. Therefore, if the victim forgives, or better still, if he acts in the opposite manner, this is praiseworthy. As for the body politic, it punishes the aggressor but not to exact revenge. The purpose of this punishment, rather, is to deter and dissuade, and to oppose iniquity and aggression, so as to prevent others from extending their hand likewise in oppression. But if the victim chooses to forgive and to show instead the greatest mercy, this is most approved in the sight of God. 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions. Available from www.bahai.org/r/219294801

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19 Qawl / Speech 182 B.E. (Wed 10 December 2025)
by Writings from the Baha'i Faith Dec. 10, 2025

Dec. 10, 2025

God grant that, with a penetrating vision, thou mayest perceive, in all things, the sign of the revelation of Him Who is the Ancient King, and recognize how exalted and sanctified from the whole creation is that most holy and sacred Being. This, in truth, is the very root and essence of belief in the unity and singleness of God. “God was alone; there was none else besides Him.” He, now, is what He hath ever been. There is none other God but Him, the One, the Incomparable, the Almighty, the Most Exalted, the Most Great. Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. Available from www.bahai.org/r/832881584

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18 Qawl / Speech 182 B.E. (Tues 9 December 2025)
by Writings from the Baha'i Faith Dec. 9, 2025

Dec. 9, 2025

The ordinances of God have been sent down from the heaven of His most august Revelation. All must diligently observe them. Man’s supreme distinction, his real advancement, his final victory, have always depended, and will continue to depend, upon them. Whoso keepeth the commandments of God shall attain everlasting felicity. Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. Available from www.bahai.org/r/084732016

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17 Qawl / Speech 182 B.E. (Mon 8 December 2025)
by Writings from the Baha'i Faith Dec. 8, 2025

Dec. 8, 2025

From every standpoint the world of humanity is undergoing a reformation. The laws of former governments and civilizations are in process of revision; scientific ideas and theories are developing and advancing to meet a new range of phenomena; invention and discovery are penetrating hitherto unknown fields, revealing new wonders and hidden secrets of the material universe; industries have vastly wider scope and production; everywhere the world of mankind is in the throes of evolutionary activity indicating the passing of the old conditions and advent of the new age of reformation. Old trees yield no fruitage; old ideas and methods are obsolete and worthless now. Old standards of ethics, moral codes and methods of living in the past will not suffice for the present age of advancement and progress. Abdu’l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace. Available from www.bahai.org/r/126611454

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16 Qawl / Speech 182 B.E. (Sun 7 December 2025)
by Writings from the Baha'i Faith Dec. 7, 2025

Dec. 7, 2025

O my friend! In all circumstances one should seize upon every means which will promote security and tranquility among the peoples of the world. The Great Being saith: In this glorious Day whatever will purge you from corruption and will lead you towards peace and composure, is indeed the Straight Path. Bahá’u’lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh. Available from www.bahai.org/r/120258508

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15 Qawl / Speech 182 B.E. (Sat 6 December 2025)
by Writings from the Baha'i Faith Dec. 6, 2025

Dec. 6, 2025

Divine civilization, however, so traineth every member of society that no one, with the exception of a negligible few, will undertake to commit a crime. There is thus a great difference between the prevention of crime through measures that are violent and retaliatory, and so training the people, and enlightening them, and spiritualizing them, that without any fear of punishment or vengeance to come, they will shun all criminal acts. They will, indeed, look upon the very commission of a crime as a great disgrace and in itself the harshest of punishments. They will become enamored of human perfections, and will consecrate their lives to whatever will bring light to the world and will further those qualities which are acceptable at the Holy Threshold of God. ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá. Available from www.bahai.org/r/033246284

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14 Qawl / Speech 182 B.E. (Fri 05 December 2025)
by Writings from the Baha'i Faith Dec. 5, 2025

Dec. 5, 2025

O loved handmaidens of God! Consider not your present merits and capacities, rather fix your gaze on the favours and confirmations of the Blessed Beauty, because His everlasting grace will make of the insignificant plant a blessed tree, will turn the mirage into cool water and wine; will cause the forsaken atom to become the very essence of being, the puny one erudite in the school of knowledge. It enableth a thorny bush to give forth blossoms, and the dark earth to produce fragrant and rich hyacinths. It will transmute the stone into a ruby of great price, and fill the sea shells with brilliant pearls. It will assist a fledgling schoolchild to become a learned teacher and enable a frail embryo to reveal the reality of the verse: “Hallowed be the Lord, the Most Excellent of all creators.” 1 Verily, my Lord is powerful over things. 1. Qur’án 23:14. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, A Compilation on Women. Available from https://reference.bahai.org/en/t/c/CW/cw-99.html#pg37

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