"lighten and uplift
them, so that they may soar on the wings of the Divine verses"
-Baha'u'llah
Commentary
on the Hidden Words
Major Themes cont.
The chief aim of Bahá’u’lláh in The Hidden Words is to detach man from this mortal world and to protect his soul from its greatest enemy, himself. The Hidden Words provides a means by which, in the terms of the above analogy, the bird of the human heart can cleanse its wings from the defilement of this world and resume its flight into the realms of God.
Attachment to this world can be described as anything which prevents the soul from drawing nearer to God. Bahá’u’lláh has taught that this world and all that is therein is created for the benefit of man. He is entitled to possess all the good things he can earn, and enjoy all the legitimate pleasures that life bestows upon him. But at no time must he become attached to them. Bahá’u’lláh further teaches that man must take a great interest in this life, work for the betterment of this world and assist in the building of a new world order for mankind.
In one of His Tablets Bahá’u’lláh has made the following remarks:
Should a man wish to adorn himself with the ornaments of
the earth, to wear its apparels, or partake of the benefits it can
bestow, no harm can befall him, if he alloweth nothing whatever
to intervene between him and God, for God hath ordained
every good thing, whether created in the heavens or in the earth, for such of His servants as truly believe in Him.
Eat ye, O people, of the good things which God hath allowed
you, and deprive not yourselves from His wondrous bounties.
Render thanks and praise unto Him, and be of them that are
truly thankful.
On the other hand, Bahá’u’lláh has warned the rich in these words:
O ye that pride yourselves on mortal riches!
Know ye in truth that wealth is a mighty barrier between
the seeker and his desire, the lover and his beloved. The rich,
but for a few, shall in no wise attain the court of His presence
nor enter the city of content and resignation. Well is it then
with him, who, being rich, is not hindered by his riches from
the eternal kingdom, nor deprived by them of imperishable
dominion. By the Most Great Name! The splendour of such
a wealthy man shall illuminate the dwellers of heaven even as
the sun enlightens the people of the earth!
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