There was a man who lived a hundred years ago whose life and teachings were as revolutionary in thought and radical in action then as they remain today. Born in Persia at a time when a degenerate darkness had deeply permeated the land, this was a man light years ahead of his time.

His name was 'Abdu'l-Bahá. (1844-1921)

Ambassador of peace. Champion of the underdogs. Promoter of universal peace and unity. A lifelong advocate of racial harmony, gender equality and social justice. An educator of the souls of men, he was not only the perfect exemplar of burning kindness but the very incarnation of the ideals he presented so steadfastly all his life.

The first son of Bahá’u’lláh, the Prophet-Founder of the Bahá'í Faith, 'Abdu'l-Bahá was born in Tehran in 1844. From the tender age of eight, he accompanied Baha’u’llah throughout his exile and imprisonment under the decree of the Shah of Persia, enduring a lifetime of bitter persecution. He lived in imprisonment in Ottoman Baghdad, Constantinople (Istanbul), Adrianople (Edirne) and Akka (Acre).

In his lifetime, he wrote 27,000 tablets and his writings and speeches include The Secret of Divine Civilization, Some Answered Questions, The Promulgation of Universal Peace and Paris Talks. Living examples of his daily sacrifice and radical kindness have been compiled into a volume Vignettes from the Life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá by Annamarie Honnold.

Upon his release from prison in 1908 at the age of 64, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá set out to Egypt, Europe and the United States to disseminate extensively and exhaustively the message of unity and universal peace.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá was knighted by the British government in 1920 in recognition of his efforts for feeding the hungry and averting a famine in Northern Palestine during World War I. He was an inspiration to Khalil Gibran when the two met in New York in the early spring of 1912.

Central to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s lifework was to bring about a rebirth of mankind. To usher in a new race of men and women. His goal was to achieve a true kinship that transcended ethnicity, nationality, culture and language.

The world needs more ‘Abdu’l-Bahás. Healers of mankind. More so today than ever before. There’s no denying that the body of the human world is sick. We witness the breakdown of families and personal relationships. Strife and bloodshed on a global scale. The heartbreaking and tragic news of Afghanistan in recent months. The gulf between the wealthy and the poor. The ongoing racial divides and riots. A global pandemic which has left no one untouched.

“Today the nations of the world are self - engaged, occupied with mortal and transitory accomplishments, consumed by the fires of passion and self. Self is dominant; enmity and animosity prevail. Nations and peoples are thinking only of their worldly interests and outcomes. The clash of war and din of strife are heard among them.” (The Promulgation of Universal Peace pp. 79)

In commemorating the centenary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s ascension and his service of humanity, it is a near-impossible task to recount his lifetime work, his pearls of wisdom and the sterling examples within these few pages.

He was known by all who met him for his soul-moving compassion and his eyes were always tender with love and healing. At the same time, he was a fearless and outspoken advocate for the oppressed and downtrodden. He brought a deeply challenging message to the world. A framework for a better world that had no precedent in either thought or deeds. In remembering his life, we must remember what his life stood for – unity, justice and reconciliation.

Ultimately, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s life stands as a blueprint for peace. These are some of his enduring contributions and teachings which remain more relevant than ever before.

The Oneness of Humanity

“In this great century the most important accomplishment is the unity of mankind.” (The Promulgation of Universal Peace p. 228)

The first prerequisite for the collective security and lasting peace in the world is the recognition that we are one and we are interdependent. This is the pivot of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s teachings. This goes beyond a mere sentimental hope or an idealistic dream. It is to see the world without “otherness.”

“You must become of one heart, one spirit and one susceptibility. May you become as the waves of one sea, stars of the same heaven, fruits adorning the same tree, roses of one garden in order that through you the oneness of humanity may establish its temple in the world of mankind, for you are the ones who are called to uplift t he cause of unity among the nations of the earth.” (The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 214-215)

Its implications are far deeper, involving an organic change in the structure of our present-day society which calls for no less than the reconstruction of the entire world.

Freedom from Prejudice

“The most important teaching of Baha’u’llah is to leave behind racial, religious, national and patriotic prejudices. Until these prejudices are entirely removed mankind will not find rest. Nay, rather, discord and bloodshed will increase day by day, and the foundation of the prosperity of the world of man will be destroyed.” (Star of the West, Vol 7, pp. 121-122)

Everywhere he went, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá challenged widely accepted but divisive social norms. Be they racial, gender-based, nationalistic, religious or socioeconomic. These are the greatest breeding grounds for conflict and animosity and the greatest obstacles for peace. He associated freely with the lowly, recognized and elevated the status of women and restored the dignity of those who suffered terrible violence because of the color of their skin.

More than ever, we need cycle-breakers who are willing to uproot blind imitation of tradition and modern trends alike, as well as toxic patterns of thought that are barriers to our deep longing for a just, gentle and more harmonious world.

The Duty of Kindness

“Do not be content with showing friendship in words alone, let your heart burn with loving kindness to all who may cross your path.” (Paris Talks pp. 15-17)

When ‘Abdu’l-Bahá visited New York, he saw an old man in dirty tattered clothes walk by. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá noticed that this man’s trousers were particularly filled with holes. He stopped the man and handed him his own trousers having his long robe to cover himself.

His entire life was a demonstration of personal acts of kindness and his deep concern for the poor and the needy. He spoke up against the appalling disparities between the rich and the poor and his many statements on human rights challenged the social conventions of his time which sorely neglected the plight of the oppressed.

Building a Spiritual Civilization

“No matter how far the material world advances, it cannot establish the happiness of mankind. Only when material and spiritual civilization are linked and coordinated will happiness be assured.” (The Promulgation of Universal Peace pp. 105-110)

When ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was in Paris in 1911, the city was the epicenter of the world. Paris was the pinnacle of material civilization in the world. Yet, he mentioned that this dazzling city had lost its spiritual luster and likened it to a beautiful lamp without light. “Her spiritual progress is far behind that of her material civilization.”

Without this light, civilization is empty. The greatness of a nation, the happiness and nobility of an individual have never consisted in wealth and outward accomplishment alone. By neglecting the very essence of our beings, the mass of men lead their lives in pursuit of empty and hollow attainments.

Actions Over Words

“The wrong in the world continues to exist just because people talk only of their ideals, and do not strive to put them into practice. If actions took the place of words, the world’s misery would very soon be changed into comfort .” (Paris Talks pp. 15-17)

Until and unless universal thoughts of goodwill are translated into action, they are useless. In a world where words are cheap and in abundance, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá exemplified action. He walked the mystical path with practical feet. His clarion call was that our words should never exceed our deeds.

Equality of Women and Men

“The world of humanity is possessed of two wings: the male and the female. So long as these two wings are not equivalent in strength, the bird will not fly.” (Selections from the Writings of Abdu’l-Bahá p. 302)

Studies have shown that “societies that treat women badly are poorer and less stable” (The Economist Sept 11, 2021) and that misogyny and the oppression of women not only hurts women; it also profoundly hurts men.

"As long as women are prevented from attaining their highest possibilities, so long will men be unable to achieve the greatness which might be theirs.” (Paris Talks p. 40)

‘Abdu’l-Bahá repeatedly emphasized that women are not only truly men’s equals but even superior in some respects. A flourishing, peaceful and tranquil world is dependent on women taking their rightful place in society, participating fully as equal counterparts in all spheres of leadership and influence.

“Therefore, strive to show in the human world that women are most capable and efficient, that their hearts are more tender and susceptible than the hearts of men, that they are more philanthropic and responsive toward the needy and suffering, that they are inflexibly opposed to war and are lovers of peace. Strive that the ideal of international peace may become realized through the efforts of womankind, for man is more inclined to war than woman, and a real evidence of woman’s superiority will be her service and efficiency in the establishment of universal peace.” (The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 284)

A World Embracing Vision

Ultimately, true remembrance and honor of the life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá exactly one century ago requires that each of us look at him, follow him and be as he was in carrying forward an ever-advancing civilization towards our promised heritage.

“Be thou a summoner to love, Be thou kind to all the human race… Be thou of those who foster peace… Be thou a balm to every sore, Be thou a medicine for every ill.”

(Selections from the Writings of Abdu’l-Bahá p.26)