People usually know how we regard them before they weigh a word we say. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá made that ordinary fact the ground of teaching: the way to open a narrow and prejudiced heart is the greatest kindness and love, and if love is real it does not need announcing, because the other person already feels it. He asked that believers weave bonds of friendship first, choosing even one person a year to befriend until every apprehension has gone, and only then, gradually, share the message. Shoghi Effendi carried the same insistence further: love and patience among the friends themselves are what attract others, and the world is not asking for preaching and rules but for love and action. Paul’s test is the same, since eloquence, knowledge, and even costly giving are nothing without charity [1]. Beneath the method lies a harder question: what keeps a friendship sincere when one hopes the other will come to see what one sees? The way leads on to consorting with all in fellowship, to the power of love itself, and to the other spiritual prerequisites of teaching.
He also remarked that the way to broaden the outlook of the very narrow-hearted and prejudiced, and to make them listen to a wider teaching, was by showing towards them the greatest kindness and love.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken in Sep. 1911 in London -- ABU2205)
02
In previous cycles and past centuries, teaching was done through words, but in this time it is through deeds. The loved ones of God must teach through good deeds, praiseworthy character, and commendable qualities. The Ancient Beauty, exalted be His glory, has said in the Kitab-i-Aqdas: "Aid ye the Lord of all creation first through deeds, then through wisdom and utterance." One must first teach through deeds and afterwards through wisdom and utterance, and show heartfelt kindness to all peoples and nations, for they say "The effect of deeds is more penetrating than the effect of words." Souls are weary of words but attentive to deeds. When you observe that someone possesses good qualities and spiritual characteristics, and their intention is love and kindness toward all humanity, surely they will be attracted, and this very love and kindness becomes the cause of their awakening and awareness.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken ca. Feb. 1920 -- ABU0993)
03
O God, my God! Aid Thou Thy trusted servants to have loving and tender hearts. Help them to spread, amongst all the nations of the earth, the light of guidance that cometh from the Company on high.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1903 ca., to Baha'is of Dahaj et al -- AB00189)
04
The man who does very little good and magnifies it in his speech, is not good. if I love you, you know it, I need not tell you all the time; on the other hand, if I did not love you, you would know it also, and you would not believe me if I said I did love you a thousand times.
Now in 'Ishqabad and its surroundings, with utmost love, kindness, forbearance and gentle speech, engage in guiding the seekers, ignite extinguished candles and revive lifeless souls. Be tolerant of the impertinence of stubborn seekers, "dispute with them in the most excellent manner", and do not be defeated by any assault or oppression from other peoples. Remember the story of Paul and Peter, who would enter any gathering and after teaching would receive ample beatings, yet would again converse with utmost kindness, love, forbearance and gentle speech.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1907-Dec-07, to Mahmud Furughi -- AB01338)
06
The friends of God should weave bonds of fellowship with others and show absolute love and affection towards them. These links have a deep influence on people and they will listen. When the friends sense receptivity to the Word of God, they should deliver the Message with wisdom. They must first try and remove any apprehensions in the people they teach. In fact, every one of the believers should choose one person every year and try to establish ties of friendship with him, so that all his fear would disappear. Only then, and gradually, must he teach that person.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1913-Oct-26, to Mirza Musa Hakimbashi -- AB04113)
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07
The unsophisticated people of the world -- and they form the large majority of its population -- have the same right to know of the Cause of God as others. When the friends are teaching the Word of God they should be careful to give the Message in the same simplicity as it is enunciated in our Teachings. In their contacts they must show genuine and divine love. The heart of an unlettered soul is extremely sensitive; any trace of prejudice on the part of the pioneer or teacher is immediately sensed.
M63-86 18.3, Ruhi6.3.27 (13 Jul. 1964 from the Universal House of Justice)
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08
Let him remember the example set by 'Abdu'l-Baha, and His constant admonition to shower such kindness upon the seeker, and exemplify to such a degree the spirit of the teachings he hopes to instill into him, that the recipient will be spontaneously impelled to identify himself with the Cause embodying such teachings.
ADJ#078 p052, Ruhi6.3.23
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09
Too great emphasis cannot be laid on the importance of the unity of the friends, for only by manifesting the greatness of their love for and patience with each other can they hope to attract large numbers to their ranks.
(2 Aug. 1942 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, in the compilation on Promoting Entry By Troops)
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10
The thing the world needs today is the Baha'i spirit. People are craving for love, for a high standard to look up to, as well as for solutions to their many grave problems. The Baha'is should shower on those whom they meet the warm and living spirit of the Cause, and this, combined with teaching, cannot but attract the sincere truth-seekers to the Faith.
COC#1298 (18 Dec. 1943 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi)
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11
Without the spirit of real love for Baha'u'llah, for His Faith and its Institutions, and the believers for each other, the Cause can never really bring in large numbers of people. For it is not preaching and rules the world wants, but love and action.
COC#1324, #1971, DG#190 (25 Oct. 1949 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi)
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